The Parish Visitor of Bethel Lutheran Church, Auburn, Massachusetts December 2015 Volume LXX No. 12 Church Office: 508-832-3427 The Rev. Andrew Borden, Pastor [email protected]The Rev. Edward W. Voosen, Pastor Emeritus The Rev. Robert F. Fenby, Pastor Emeritus Administrative Assistant: Ann Spinner: Email: [email protected]Music Director: Greg Martiros Phone: 978-360-4868 Email: [email protected]Homepage: http://www.bethelauburn.org/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/bethelauburn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethellutheranauburnma Bethel Preschool Director: Beverly Sampson Phone: 508-832-9411 Bethel’s Purpose: Loving~Serving~Growing~in Faith! Worship Schedule for December Sunday, December 6 Advent 2 Worship at 8 & 10:15am Blood Pressure Clinic after services Sunday, December 13 Advent 3 Worship at 8 & 10:15am Sunday, December 20 Advent 4 Worship at 8 & 10:15am Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve Worship at 4pmm Friday, December 25 Julotta at 7 am at Bethel Christmas Eucharist 10:00 AM at Zion Sunday, December 27 Christmas 1 Worship at 8 & 10:15am Wednesdays Midweek Worship at 5:30pm Christmas at Bethel Christmas Eve Services 4:00 PM Family Can- dlelight Service A service of Lessons, Carols & Communion 6:00 PM at Zion in Worcester as another option. For a later service Trinity Lutheran in Worcester has an 11pm service with Prelude with organ choir and carol singing at 10:30 before the service Christmas Day Services Julotta Service 7:00AM Service of the Word in Swedish and English, coordinated by the Swe- dish National Federation and Nordic Heritage Trust. Christmas Eucharist 10:00 AM at Zion in Worcester ALTAR FLOWERS FOR 2016 There is now a Flower Chart in the Nar- thex. If you wish to put flowers on the altar in 2016 please sign up. First come first served so sign up as soon as possi- ble. Cost is about $30.00 for 2 bouquets and you will be billed directly from Berg Florist. PASTOR’S CORNER “The coming into being” is how Merriam Web- ster identifies advent without a capital “A”. This form of the word correctly describes the new relationship that I have accepted the Spirit’s leading towards. In accepting the call to Bethel- Auburn as your new pastor for half-time work, and Zion adjusting my call from full to half-time, the coming into being for the enabling of partnership ministry has been placed firmly in God’s hands. The word form also highlights God’s intention for deepening the human-Divine relationship; the incarnation in Jesus for the enabling of promise and hope while pointing towards the yoking poten- tial through faith by grace. In the manger at Bethlehem we glimpse the vulnerable Christ-child surrounded by the care of Mary and Joseph, a metaphor for how the Spirit surrounds vulnerable humanity with care great enough to justify entering the mortal life-cycle and loving us first-hand in our space. God manifests courage within the grace that is Love Incarnate, a model for us to emulate in our dealings with life. Whether a new era is opening before us, upheaval in society find us from the media, or family brings us a challenge, Jesus’ life provides clues and potential solutions for trans- cending and making progress in this life-journey. As the Advent of the church unfolds now be- fore us, and the advent of our two-church ministry does as well, may we find in our journey together through scripture, preaching and prayer Divine en- couragement for our faith as we provide space in our busy lives for resting in the arms of Mercy that by grace can carry us through in joy! In our busyness please continue holding us close and continue with patience until we rest, settling into Your arms, O God. Your grace we celebrate in the gift of Your Son, Jesus, in coming to earth for the encouragement of our living, where his exam-
Transcript
The Parish Visitor of Bethel Lutheran Church, Auburn, Massachusetts
December 2015 Volume LXX No. 12 Church Office: 508-832-3427
The Rev. Andrew Borden, Pastor [email protected] The Rev. Edward W. Voosen, Pastor Emeritus
Sunday, December 6 Advent 2 Worship at 8 & 10:15am
Blood Pressure Clinic after services
Sunday, December 13 Advent 3 Worship at 8 & 10:15am
Sunday, December 20 Advent 4 Worship at 8 & 10:15am
Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve Worship at 4pmm Friday, December 25 Julotta at 7 am at Bethel
Christmas Eucharist 10:00 AM at Zion
Sunday, December 27 Christmas 1 Worship at 8 & 10:15am
Wednesdays Midweek Worship at 5:30pm
Christmas at Bethel Christmas Eve Services
4:00 PM Family Can-dlelight Service
A service of Lessons, Carols & Communion
6:00 PM at Zion in Worcester as another
option. For a later service Trinity Lutheran in Worcester has an 11pm service with Prelude with organ choir and carol singing at 10:30 before the service
Christmas Day Services
Julotta Service 7:00AM Service of the Word in Swedish and English, coordinated by the Swe-dish National Federation and Nordic Heritage
Trust. Christmas Eucharist 10:00 AM at Zion in
Worcester
ALTAR FLOWERS FOR 2016
There is now a Flower Chart in the Nar-
thex. If you wish to put flowers on the
altar in 2016 please sign up. First come
first served so sign up as soon as possi-
ble. Cost is about $30.00 for 2 bouquets
and you will be billed directly from Berg Florist.
PASTOR’S CORNER “The coming into being” is how Merriam Web-
ster identifies advent without a capital “A”. This form of the word correctly describes the
new relationship that I have accepted the Spirit’s leading towards. In accepting the call to Bethel-Auburn as your new pastor for half-time work, and Zion adjusting my call from full to half-time, the coming into being for the enabling of partnership ministry has been placed firmly in God’s hands.
The word form also highlights God’s intention for deepening the human-Divine relationship; the incarnation in Jesus for the enabling of promise and hope while pointing towards the yoking poten-tial through faith by grace.
In the manger at Bethlehem we glimpse the vulnerable Christ-child surrounded by the care of Mary and Joseph, a metaphor for how the Spirit surrounds vulnerable humanity with care great enough to justify entering the mortal life-cycle and loving us first-hand in our space.
God manifests courage within the grace that is Love Incarnate, a model for us to emulate in our dealings with life. Whether a new era is opening before us, upheaval in society find us from the media, or family brings us a challenge, Jesus’ life provides clues and potential solutions for trans-cending and making progress in this life-journey.
As the Advent of the church unfolds now be-fore us, and the advent of our two-church ministry does as well, may we find in our journey together through scripture, preaching and prayer Divine en-couragement for our faith as we provide space in our busy lives for resting in the arms of Mercy that by grace can carry us through in joy! In our busyness please continue holding us close and continue with patience until we rest, settling into Your arms, O God. Your grace we celebrate in the gift of Your Son, Jesus, in coming to earth for the encouragement of our living, where his exam-
ple lifts up Your promise through faith. May we find in our Advent journey blessing in the remembering of Whose we are that has no end, where hope is the child of Divine-human relationship. And help us to live boldly from Your grace in witness to Your truth that unlocks the potential within us and crea-tion. In our Savior’s holy name we pray. Amen.
Peace & grace + Pastor Andrew
PASTOR’S OFFICE HOURS During any given week I will work to keep office
hours at Bethel from 9AM-Noon on Wednesdays and Tuesdays from 2PM-4PM at the Auburn Starbucks. Of course, if these times don’t work and you have a particular need please contact me and I will work to find another agreeable time.
This is a policy that I have kept with Zion-Worcester and has worked well; office hours in Worcester are Mondays at the church from 9AM-Noon and Thursday from 2PM-4PM at the Gold Star Blvd Panera Bread.
Fridays and Saturdays are generally my days off, a pastoral Sabbath in which to rejuvenate. I have kept this rhythm for years and it works well and is encouraged by our bishop. Certainly, if there is an emergency I will respond to the need. And, there will likely be youth events and other church happenings which break into the Sabbath pattern periodically for which I will be in attendance/and/or leading. Howev-er, helping me to honor keeping the days of rest as much as possible would be appreciated for sake of the ongoing ministry of both parishes!
To Our Wonderful Bethel Family! Thank you so much for your help and caring
for us over the past week. What a Great Trib-ute to a Great Guy! From the attendance at our celebration on Wednesday evening to the ser-vice at the church on Thursday, and the amaz-ing luncheon following! I’m sure Ray would
have a Big Hug for all!
Lots of Love The family of Ray Odgren
ANNUAL REPORTS DUE DEC 25TH
Give yourself an early Christmas present and get your
reports to the office by December
25th. If they are not received by
December 31st they will not be
included in the report. If yours is
a FINANCIAL REPORT and you must wait for a bank
statement please do the best you can. All group presi-
dents & chairpersons should return their annual reports
LIPY-CM Currently LIPY-CM is comprised of Zion-Worcester, Zion-Oxford, Trinity-Worcester, Bethle-hem-Sturbridge, Faith-Gardner and once again, Bethel-Auburn! Elsewhere in this newsletter you can find a complete schedule for LIPY events: we look to meet each month beginning in September with the New England Synod Youth Gathering (HAMMO). During the MA April school vacation we go on a Mission Trip, this year to Maine as another ad describes in more detail. In December we hold one of our most popular events, the “Gifting” afternoon. Each participant is asked to bring along a minimum of $20, parishes are encouraged to pass around a donations con-tainer the weeks in advance, and the monies col-lected are leveraged through a relationship with the North Oxford WALMART who gives us 10% off, and the young people buy gifts for at-risk kids in Worcester. The gifts are wrapped and then de-livered to Concordia Lutheran on Murray Avenue in the city. We typically take a couple thousand dollars’ worth of gifts back to Zion-Oxford for the wrapping extravaganza!
WORSHIP PEW CARDS
If you haven’t filled out a worship pew card this year
and have taken communion this year, please fill one
out before the end of the year. Remember that in or-
der to remain an active member of Bethel one must
receive communion at least once during the year and
make a contribution (any amount) of record within 1
year. “Of record” Means using offering/pew enve-
lopes or a check. Cash contributions cannot be veri-
fied with the Internal Revenue Service unless made
through envelopes. Any question concerning your
membership status? Please call the church office
508-832-3427.
PASTORAL ACTS
Eternal Life: Our sympathy to the family & friends of Ray Odgren who has entered Eternal Life since our
last Parish Visitor. May God comfort all who mourn.
ney, Don & June Maloney, Carolyn Salmonson, Ursula
Bergman, Darcy McCarthy, Bob & Lee Fenby, Lois &
James Chinigo, Bill & Shirley Connor, Jackie & Vinny
Walsh, Henry Lewis, Lisa Ferreira, Diana Stolberg,
Moloney-Nelson family, Jennifer & Stephen Johnson,
Jane & Jim Guy, Benvenuti Family, Russell Harris,
Velma Blanchard, Ruth Odgren, Mary Johnson, Nancy
Derauf, Eileen & Edward Krupinski, Alberta & David
Hawkins and Everett & Janet Stidsen.
SEMINARIAN FUND GIFTS A Seminarian Fund gift has been given by Carolyn
Salmonson, Henry Lewis and Mary & Ken Johnson.
Dec 8TH
MEN’S GROUP DINNER
Special Event – Caroling at Lutheran Rehabili-
tation and Skill Care Center All men are invited to take part in this monthly Fund-
raiser. We have also invited the
choir to join in our Caroling as
well. Really need you to write
your name on the sign-up sheet in
the Narthex so we can plan for
the dinner. Proceeds from these dinners have helped fund many
different causes, including scholarships for Camp Cal-
umet. Dinners are the 2nd Tuesday of the Month. We
will carpool at Bethel at 5:30, Sing from 6:00 – 6:30,
(you don’t necessarily have to sing but it is a really
good social event with patients at the Lutheran
Home.) and Bethel with appetizers and dinner around
7:00. Sign-up sheet in Narthex.
FLOWERS FOR CHRISTMAS
If you would like to beautify our church
for our Festival Service please fill out
the form located in the Narthex and
mail/drop off in the office by December
13th with a check payable to Bethel Lu-
theran Church (please note Christmas flowers).Poinsettias
will be purchased from the Berg Florist for $15.00 per
plant.
CONSECRATION SUNDAY We will be holding our annual Consecration Sunday on
Sunday, December 20, 2015. The Time and Abilities
forms and faith promise cards will be available for you
to fill out. A series of temple talks will take place in the
weeks prior to December 20th. This will culminate in
the blessing of the faith promises and Time and Abili-
ties forms on the 20th with a potluck brunch to cele-
brate. How WILL YOU serve the Lord in 2016?
PRAYER LIST Members names are underlined: Bold face are newly added as of 12/1/2015
Phil Becker, John Berube, Velma Blanchard, Lori Bren-
nan, Roberta Briggs, Joyce Bylund, Bernard Carlson, Karen Carlson, Nick Caruso, Nancy Copeland, Cormier Family, Lynn Sherwin Crystoff, Shirley Cummins, Lori Deso, Jill Ducat, Carolyn Dumais, Bette Elia, Linda Fab-rizius, Cory Fenton, Liesl Voosen Fields, Francis Gadde, Bill Garneau, Gerry, Baby Jeffrey, Harold Johnson, Mary E. Johnson, Olof Johnson, Paul Josephson, Melissa Kneeland, Tom Kwiatowski, Paul Lachapelle, Jerry
LaFleur, Jean Latti, Diane Ela-Lauzon, Bill Lauzonis, Cyn-thia Lauzonis, Leslie Leasor, Sal Luco, Sheri Madsen, Scott MaKay, Matthews family, Thomas McNally Jr., Alice Nobert, Gilbert Nobert, Priscilla Odgren, Waldo Pierce, Richard Rantamaki, David Richard, David S., Margaret
Sjoberg, Thyra Steelman, Kathleen Sterritt, Everett & Janet Stidsen, Jon Stidsen, Steve Trilligan, Justin
Vernon, Linda Vernon, Jackie Warner
In Memoriam: The Rev. Gerry Sanders
Hospitalized or other Health Care Facilities Life Care: Margaret Sjoberg, Barbara Pierce, Carolyn Dumais Millbury Health: Delores Bengtsson
Beaumont, Northboro: Betty Earley Overlook, Charlton: Pastor Harold Haas Lincoln Hill Manor, Spencer: Dot Reid Lutheran Health Care Center: Velma Blanchard Sterling Village Nursing & Rehab: Francis Gadde
God’s Work ~ Our Hands
As of Sunday, November 29, 2015 Received YTD Budget YTD $106,684.73 $108,000.00
NEW 2016 PRAYER LIST All names on the prayer list, except members AND
those added in December will be cleared as of Janu-
ary 1st. If you want a name to stay on contact the
Members: Phil Becker, Roberta Briggs, Adam Hanks and Judy Sampson.
Sunday Readings for December At request, the readings for worship will be listed ahead of time in the Visitor. Our readings for worship each week
are on a rotating three-year cycle (years A, B & C). The church year falls from the Advent season (December)
through the Pentecost season (November). In late 2015 & 2016 we are in year C. Below are the readings for the
month of December:
Sunday, December 6th
2nd
Sunday of Advent
First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm: Luke 1:68-79
Second Reading: Philippians 1:3-11
Gospel: Luke 3:1-6
Thursday, December 24th
The Nativity of Our Lord/Christmas Eve
First Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm: Psalm 96
Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14
Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]
Sunday, December 13th
3rd
Sunday of Advent
First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20
Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-6
Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel: Luke 3:7-18
Sunday, December 27th
1st Sunday after Christmas
First Reading: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Psalm: Psalm 148
Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-17
Gospel: Luke 2:41-52
Sunday, December 20th
4th
Sunday of Advent
First Reading: Micah 5:2-5a
Psalm: Psalm 80:1-7
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel: Luke 1:39-45 [45-55]
SUNDAY SCHEDULE CHANGES On November 29th, we moved to a new Sunday morning schedule as we begin a relationship with our newly called
Pastor. The following changes are necessitated by a sharing of our new Pastor with Zion Lutheran in Worcester in-
cluding the need for Bethel to have time to “get to know” our new Pastor. The new schedule includes the following:
Worship w/ Communion at 8:00am led by Lay Ministers (Pastor Andrew will consecrate the bread and wine
beforehand)
Christian Education Hour at 9:00am including Sunday School w/ Children’s Choir.
Worship w/ Communion at 10:15am led by Pastor Andrew.
Adult Forum following the 10:15am service.
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP
We will hold Christmas Eve worship at 4:00pm at Bethel and 6:00pm at Zion, Worcester. Our Christmas Day
worship will be held at 7:00am at Bethel with a traditional Swedish Julotta service and 10:00am at Zion,
Worcester.
HYMN PLANNING Our hymns suggestion box remains in the Narthex for you to submit your favorite hymns. Our next hymn planning
session will be announced! New participants are always welcome.
BELL CHOIR The Bell Choir meets on Thursdays at 5:45 pm. All are welcome to join! No experience necessary (just need to
count to 4)! Contact Adam Hanks if you have any questions or would like to join!
WORSHIP & CHRISTIAN EDUCATION We are excited to partner with Christian Education to bring the arts into worship through many intergenerational
events during the Education hour. Please see the Christian Education News to learn more!
THE PARISH VISITOR Page 5
LIPY-CM’s 9th Annual Gifting Event
for Worcester Inner-City Kids
Sunday, December 13th, 2015 from 3:00-7:00 pm
WHERE?: Zion Lutheran, 70 Main St., Oxford, MA
WHAT HAPPENS?: Since 2007, LIPY has raised funds and purchased and wrapped NEW gifts for inner-city kids in Worcester who would otherwise not have anything under the
tree. Each LIPY parish advertises and collects funds in the weeks leading up to the event, in addition to the per person donation of $25. The total amount raised determines
how much may be spent on each child. This will be our 4th year working with WALMART
of North Oxford whose history has been to discount merchandise by 10% to increase the power of our donations! We drive to WALMART where the youth have 45 minutes to
shop and then gifts are brought back to Zion where the wrapping takes place, and we enjoy dinner and a brief worship together.
COSTS?: suggested $20 minimum/person attending towards gifts, $5/person for dinner. ($25 total per person) Plus additional funds raised from each parish.
THE PARISH VISITOR Page 6
RSVP: To your pastor or youth leader.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS
Any questions regarding Christian Education should be directed to:
Jesus said “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I
am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20). Christian Education, or Faith Formation is it is
being called these days, plays a key role in fulfilling the calling, or commissioning of the Disciples (as noted in
the bible passage above). Like the Disciples were commissioned then, we as the Disciples of today are com-
missioned as well. Christian Education (Faith Formation) is a life long journey in fulfilling God’s call.
Through this calling, the Holy Spirit is alive and well at Bethel and we want to share this with you and your
family! We have programs for all ages on Sunday mornings during the Education Hour held at 9:00 am each
Sunday and Confirmation for Grades 7-9 on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm. Part of your Baptismal promise to
your children is to bring them to the Word of God and nurture them in faith and prayer. Sunday
School/Confirmation along with weekly worship, is a great way to keep those promises you made on that very
special day. We also offer an Adult Forum while Sunday School is in session for those in grade 7 and beyond
in addition to Confirmation.
ADULT FORUM
Our Adult Forum meets each Sunday following worship under the leadership of Pam Sutton This is an open fo-
rum for anyone in Confirmation and beyond. Come grab a coffee, tea, water or bring a beverage of your choice
and some tasty goodies and join us! All are welcome!
We have discussed the Pope's visit and our impressions and our ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton's arti-
cle in the September edition of The Lutheran magazine among other thought-provoking discussions. Please join
us!
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
We will be welcoming Melissa Braden from Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester on De-
cember 13. She and their volunteer coordinator will be joining us to talk about what they do in Worcester and
how we can help as a faith community. ReStore is Habitat’s open to the public retail outlet. ReStore sells do-
nated new and gently used home furnishings, building materials and home decor. The proceeds from all items
sold at ReStore goes to funding Habitat’s home build mission. Melissa will provide a temple talk about ReStore
and other Habitat programs, followed by a presentation at our Adult Forum.
The Christian Education Committee will be meeting on a date & time to be determined.
Staff
We are in need of the following staff positions for 2015 and beyond:
Sunday School Administrator(s)
Sunday School Teachers (2 total)
Sunday School Substitute Teachers (2 total)
Confirmation Teachers (2 total)
THE PARISH VISITOR Page 7
If you can help in any capacity (or know someone who can), please contact Adam Hanks, as noted above.
Training for each position will be provided. We have a number of people who have stepped up, but we are still
short of full staff levels.
Noah’s Landing
Psalm 100 reads “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” We encourage (and welcome) ALL children in worship (even
if they are a bit noisy)!! However if a parent feels the need to take their child to a quiet place, Noah’s Landing is
available in the Chapel/Library during all worship services. The Worship & Music and Christian Education Commit-
tees have partnered to provide a designated space with rocking chairs, soft toys and more!!!
Library
Bethel has a Library full of resources from Bibles, hymnals, devotional books, and more! Our Library has been reor-
ganized to make it more accessible to you. Please enjoy!! Seating areas are available if you wish!! If you do borrow
something, please return it so that others may also have a chance to use it. Thank You!
Many folks from Bethel will still remember Ralph and Irene Bylund who were life-long members of Bethel and served Bethel on Council, Boards and were especially dedicated to Social Ministry. Robin (who lives in San Antonio, TX) sends a donation every year to Social Ministry in memory of her parents. This young man is Ire-ne & Ralph’s youngest grandson; son of their daughter Janice. Robin, Janice and Tom all confirmed at Bethel.
Obituary for Dr. Michael E. "Mike" Johnson Jr. Dr. Michael E. “Mike” Johnson, Jr., age 36 of Flowery Branch, GA died suddenly on Wednesday, November 11,
2015. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Christ the Lord Lutheran
Church, Lawrenceville, GA. Pastor Bob Mitchell will officiate. The family will receive friends Saturday, November 14,
2015 from 9AM-10AM at the church. Mike is survived by his parents Michael and Janice Johnson, Buford, GA.
Brothers, Edwin Johnson, Flowery Branch, GA, Joseph Johnson and wife, Sara Gorham, Schenectady, NY. Sisters,
Ana-Lisa Marco and husband, Steven, Atlanta, GA, Elizabeth Wilkinson and husband, Zack, Alpharetta, GA. Niece,
Rose Elizabeth Johnson. Nephews, Jack Marco, William Marco, Adam Wilkinson. Aunts, Debra Honey and hus-
band, Tim, South Portland, ME, Robin Bylund, San Antonio, TX, Uncle, Tom Bylund, San Antonio, TX. Mike was
born in Bangor, ME and had lived in the Atlanta area the past 21 years. He was a 2007 graduate of the University of
Georgia. Mike founded Family Consultation Services, LLC and was dedicated to youth and adolescent counseling
and family guidance. Dr. Mike was much beloved by his counseling associates. He was an avid fisherman and gun
enthusiast. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924 Share memories of Mike at hamiltonmillchapel.com
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dr. Michael E. "Mike" Johnson Jr. please visit our Sympathy
Store.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS If your Birthday is missing please let us know - 832-3427. Thank You!
As we come into the Advent season, we should be mindful of those less fortunate, and reach out as instruments of God’s Love, bringing hope to a community in need. Once again, Bethel will be adopting a family in need through Auburn Youth and Family Services. There is a tree in the Narthex with gift tags for the children’s gifts along with a suggested gift item and appropriate size for clothing. Please take a tag and bring in your gift by Sunday, December 13th, so that we may deliver them to AYFS in time for distribution. We have been asked by AYFS that each gift not exceed 20 – 25 dollars. They also stated, “Some donors prefer to wrap their gifts and others hand in their gifts with a few rolls of wrapping paper so that mom/dad can wrap the gifts for his/her kids- it is completely up to you.” We will also continue our food gathering for the local food pantry at AYFS. Please leave your donations on the AYFS table in the Narthex. The holiday food donation deadline is December 13th. In addition to non-perishable food items, gift cards for a turkey or ham may be brought in before this date and they will be forwarded to the agency in time for the Christmas holiday. Another part of our Advent outreach is to collect items for our veterans who are served by Veterans Inc. in Worcester. We will be collecting men’s socks, hats, scarves and gloves as well as personal care items such as deo-dorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, brushes and combs. There is a box for your donations in the Narthex, and they will be delivered to Veterans Inc. before Christmas. The total amount of donations collected for the Auburn Walk for Hunger, which was held on October 25, 2015 was $2,762.91, with AYFS receiving $2,485.91 and Kateri’s Kitchen receiving $277.00. Of that total, Bethel raised $612. Thank you for your generous support of this endeavor. Next year the walk will be held on October 23rd. On Sunday, December 13th, Melissa Braden from Habitat for Humanity will be joining us during our 10:15 service. She will be giving a brief temple talk during the service followed by a more in-depth discussion of Habitat ReStore. Please join us after the 10:15 service for the adult forum where Melissa will be our guest speaker. We will continue collecting food kits for Mission to Liberia. Each kit, which will help feed a family in Liberia con-tains the following:
Can of Spam
Can of tomato paste
Package of Chicken flavored bouillon
16 oz. package of dried beans
32 oz. package of rice
One dollar to pay for shipping
These kits or food items for the kits may be placed on the Mission to Liberia table in the Narthex. This is part of our international social ministry outreach. Our Social Ministry team wishes to thank Robin Bylund and her family for their generous gift in loving memory of Irene and Ralph Bylund. This gift will be used in furthering our outreach ministries. We also wish to thank all those members of our Bethel Family who have donated their gifts of time, talent and money to help us reach out to a world in need. Please consider joining us in any of our projects. The Social Ministry Team meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 5:00. Please see Judy Sampson or Marie Sturdevant for more information on how you may be a part of this important ministry. We wish all of you a safe and healthy Christmas, filled with God’s abundant blessings in this season of Hope.
God’s Peace! Judy and Marie
Interfaith Hospitality Network, 91 June Street Worcester, will be having an Open House from 1pm-3pm on
Sunday December 6th. Call Jackie Walsh if you would like to attend.
THE PARISH VISITOR Page 9
Congregational Council 2015-2016
Name Address Phone Email Terms Expiring 2018 Christina Nelson 3 Otto Avenue, #2 Worcester, MA 01607 508-868-6523 [email protected] Betsy Baird 33 Eastford Road, Auburn, MA 01501 508-864-6537 [email protected] Roberta Briggs 36 Arrowhead Avenue Auburn, MA 01501 508-832-3793 [email protected] Lisa Ferreira 26 Old Brook Rd., Shrewsbury 01545 508-842-0965 [email protected]
Bev Sampson 211 Whitins Rd., Sutton 01590 508-234-6903 [email protected] Terms Expiring 2017 Christine Belmonte 99 Haggerty Road Charlton, MA 01507 508-248-4779 [email protected] Adam Hanks 28 Priscilla Lane Charlton, MA 01501 508-838-1427 [email protected] Terms Expiring 2016 Diana Stolberg 547 Pleasant Street Leicester, MA 01524 508-892-8580 [email protected]
Judy Sampson 34 Chestnut Hill Rd., No. Oxford, MA 01537 508-987-5969 [email protected] Officer Terms Expiring 2016 President
Adam Hanks 28 Priscilla Lane Charlton, MA 01507 508-838-1427 [email protected] Vice President Christina Nelson 3 Otto Avenue, #2 Worcester, MA 01607 508-868-6523 [email protected]
Recording Secretary Emily Chunis 364 Greenwood Street, Millbury, MA 01527 [email protected] Financial Secretary Russell Harris 83 Bryn Mawr Ave., Auburn 01501 508-832-3688 NA Treasurer Betsy Baird 33 Eastford Road, Auburn, MA 01501 508-864-6537 [email protected] Pastor
Andrew Borden 81 Sterling Street, W. Boylston, MA 01583 508-835-3710 [email protected]
CHRISTMAS DECORATING EVENT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20TH
AFTER THE 10:15 SERVICE
We will begin the transition from the Advent season to the Christmas sea-son by decorating the church in preparation for Christmas worship. This is the third in a series of special events during the Education Hour. All are welcome to participate! We will: Set up and decorate the Christmas Tree Hang wreaths Set up Aisle Candles Clean Pews Much, Much More! We will also share in history of the Christmas Tree including its place in the church & learn about some of our Christmas traditions! Refreshments will be provided!
INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELLATION POLICY In the event of inclement weather notices regarding building closures and cancellationas will be found on the following:
Television – WBZ Channel 4 and WCVB Channel 5
Website – WHDH Channel 7 is internet only www.whdh.com
Radio – WSRS 96.1 FM or WTAG 580 AM
Messages will also be kept on the church answering machine.
We began a new church year on Sunday, the season of Advent, which is a time of hope and expectation. This also
comes at a time of new beginnings at Bethel. We hold hope and expectation for the coming of Jesus as the babe in
the manger at Christmas but also again in the second coming. We are also
full of hope and expectation at what the future holds next for Bethel. We
had a truly joyous and exciting day on November 8th. On this day we dis-
cerned together and decided to call the Rev. Andrew Borden as Bethel's
next Pastor.
The timing of this call could not be any more perfect. As we begin a new
church year we also begin on a new path with our new Pastor! There will
be a time of transition for all of us including Pastor Andrew and the people
of Zion Worcester with whom we share Pastor Andrew. As of this writing
we are transitioning to a new Sunday schedule that includes an 8:00 ser-
vice led by our Lay School graduates, the Education Hour moving to 9:00,
a 10:15 service led by Pastor Andrew and our Adult Forum following the 10:15 service. Both services will have the
Sacrament of Holy Communion. This allows all of us the opportunity to worship and Pastor Andrew time after the
later service to stay for coffee and get to know us as we get to know him. Our worship teams along with Council are
working closely with Pastor Andrew to integrate him and his style of leadership to Bethel. I am so very excited
about what God has in store for Bethel now and moving forward.
We also have said farewell and Godspeed to Pastor John for his 20 months of service to Bethel in our biggest time of
need. We had a wonderful send off on November 22nd. Thank you Pastor John!
Lastly we have some great celebrations with a Christmas decorating event on December 20th, of course, Christmas
worship and our second annual Service of Lessons and Carols that will be held on December 24th at the 4:00pm
Christmas Eve service. I could go on and on but in the coming weeks and months you will see and have opportuni-
ties to participate in everything that is happening at Bethel and in the community!
Peace
Adam Hanks
Congregation President
Bethel Lutheran Church Auburn, Massachusetts
Purpose Statement
Loving ~ Serving ~ Growing~ in Faith
Vision Statement
We are called to embrace God’s transformation of our lives and to serve and
grow as compassionate witnesses of God’s love and grace.
Mission Statement
Our Mission is to serve and grow as compassionate witnesses of God’s love and grace, trans-
forming our lives and the lives of others. We do this by nurturing our relationship with God
through
Daily prayer
Weekly celebration of Word and Sacrament
Daily Bible readings
Spiritual formation
Serving within and beyond the church
Developing spiritual relationships
Generous giving.
THE PARISH VISITOR Page 11
On Saturday, November 7th, Bethel celebrated in its long-standing tradition of the fall fair. The success of the 2015 Harvest Fair was made possible because of the combined effort of all the helping hands in pre-fair planning and preparation, as well as all activities involved on the day of the fair. This year’s event included the white elephant room, used book sale, bake table, Men’s Club sale of pickles, cheese, apples and chili, a tea party, vintage linens and a delicious luncheon, including recipes from our Bethel Cookbook. New to the fair this year was a table of hand-made items from our Bethel Crafters, including beautiful terrariums of cacti and succulents. As a part of raising seed money for the fair, a new group called the Bethel Bakers was formed. These ladies have been busy making fruit of the season pies and selling them on Sundays following worship service. It is the hope that this will continue throughout the year as an adjunct to the fair. An invitation was extended to Habitat for Humanity to set up an in-formational display about their program. We also increased the number of tables for outside craft vendors which added a nice variety to our annual event.
To date, we have a profit of over $3,100. Left-over items from the White Elephant Room will be donated to the Epilepsy Foundation. Afghans from the Bethel Crafter’s table were donated to the Veterans Inc. Women’s Shelter on Sheridan Street in Worcester.
We wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who helped to make the 2015 Harvest Fair a success, not only financially, but more importantly, as a celebration of our congregational commitment to fellowship and gratitude for God’s bountiful harvest.
Blessings to all! Judy and Marie
DECEMBER AT BETHEL
Church Office Hours: Mon. through Thursday 9:00am to 3:00pm Preschool Hours: Mon through Fri.: 9:00am - 12:00pm Mon through Fri 11:30am – 2:00pm Lunch Bunch
Community Use of Meeting Rooms Schedule for September
