Rather than disrupting worship by passing around clipboards at the beginning of the service, we can sign-up to help lead worship anytime. The clipboards hanging in the narthex include Sunday services through the end of the liturgical year. Pastor's short-term plan is to take a picture of the sign-up sheet to include in the newsletter each month.
Longer-term, it might be good to have a "Volunteer Coordinator" who can invite, help train, and remind people when they lead worship. Who might do well in this role?
Pastor's Letter
We have many opportunities to gather for meaningful worship, fellowship and fun in April. There are two more opportunities to gather together for soup supper and to sing Holden Evening Prayer. We're all planning to give the church a good scrub prior to Holy Week. On that same Sunday (April 7th), we'll head over to the Depot for the Christikon Benefit Auction. WELCA has created a lovely basket for Bethlehem to donate to the auction.
On Thursday, April 4th, the women of Bethlehem are invited to Emmanuel Lutheran in Shepherd for the Spring Cluster WELCA gathering. Circles meet the 11th for bible study. Then, on the Wednesday, April 17th, the women are invited to attend the Annual Praise Luncheon at First Presbyterian.
April is also our month to help host Family Promise at Peace Lutheran. The Youth Group are serving dinner for/with the families on Sunday night.
Of course, the big event is Easter and there is still time to get in on the celebration. Please consider offering your musical talents to enrich the worship experience. And definitely come to breakfast. Let us break bread together, on our knees in the sanctuary, at tables in the fellowship hall, tired after cleaning, in cafes and at other churches.
The feast is for you, the dearly loved children of God.
Gratitudes
Minsitries
Help Lead Worship
-Sign-up Sheets are hanging in the narthex.
Christikon Work Weekend
Community Garden
-Think Spring! It's time to consider our community garden.
This season, we're hoping to add a third raised bed for a Three Sisters garden. The potatoes we can start anytime now. The onions and tomato seedlings are getting an indoor start over at the parsonage.
Here are a few ways to get involved:
- Donate empty 2-Liter plastic bottles (we'll need up to 33)
- Help prepare moisture/compost reservoirs using the 2-liter bottles.
- Donate seed potatoes (we're looking for 18 total)
- Donate dirt / compost / manure
Bring Soap (for April Showers?)
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Mary & Martha / Naomi Circle
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Annual Praise Luncheon
The First Presbyterian Women's Association invites the women of Bethlehem to be their guests. They look forward to sharing food, fellowship, and an inspirational message. The speaker will be from the Billings School Backpack Program.
Please RSVP (yes or no) by April 10, 2019 with your reservations to Marlene Spencer, 252-5027 or Betty Ann Nesmith, 252-1863.
WELCA News
-The March bible study is on the Gospel of John, "Friends for life in Christ"
We're collecting regular size bars of soap for Lutheran World Relief. Please your contribution to the church by the end of April.
At our last meeting, we elected new officers:
President: Gayle Breding
V. President: Barb Bohle
Secretary: Kay Hanson
Treasurer: Norma Severance
Our next meeting is March 28th @7:00 pm
Church Calendar
2019 Church Council
Pr. Jean Hay - 696-9586
Margie Shea - Council President - 671-1514
Casey Anguiano - Council Vice President - 534-2198
Johnna Voto - Secretary - 670-1370
Darlene Fernelius - Treasurer - 652-2356
Jerry Bauck - Council Member - 248-7946
Gayle Breding - Council Member - 694-4242
Dave Brockman - Council Member - 927-5729
Dennis McCave - Council Member - 702-4983
Barb Bohle - Alternate - 534-2097
Jessie Hanna - Alternate - 598-7322
Minutes of March Council Meeting (draft)
Pastor's Report
Treasurer's Report
Family Promise Report
Youth Group
Bethlehem's Core Identity
Our Mission
Welcome everyone to the love of God.
Our Vision
- Recognize and embrace our strengths as a Christ-centered community while seeking to meet our financial obligations, understanding that we are in the world but not of it.
- Seek to maintain our positive culture while also growing in cultural diversity, and broadening our reach to members of all ages.
- Increase transparency regarding the business side of being a church, increase communication, community ties and benevolence within and outside the congregation.
All Are Welcome
Christ has welcomed us, whoever we are. Because of this, we at Bethlehem Lutheran Church are glad to welcome you. None of the distinctions that divide our world apply here!
- young, old or in between;
- white, black, native, Hispanic, whatever your ancestry;
- married, single, divorced, a single parent, whatever your family of choice;
- rich, poor, middle class, employed or unemployed;
- a lifelong Christian, just now seeking faith, or not really sure;
- straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, questioning, however you identify;
- healthy of mind and body, living with mental illness, disabled or sick;
- struggling with addiction, in recovery, or if you love those who are;
- liberal, conservative, or ambivalent;
- homeless, a former convict, or in any way longing for acceptance.
At Bethlehem, we offer safety, love and the ministry of Word and Sacrament to everyone who seeks it. Come and be part of this welcome, as equal, as free, as a beloved child of God! All ARE welcome!