Beacon of Bethel Lutheran Church 440-943-5000 www.bethelwillowick.org Pastor’s e-mail= [email protected]May 2016 PASTORAL MESSAGE Greetings in the name of our Risen and Glorified Lord and Savior, You may be asking yourself “does it ever end?” That sentence could be used in so many different contexts and situations, and may not even be answerable. But I will endeavor to address it for you. The answer to “does it ever end” is yes AND no.” Confused yet? The world as we know it will indeed end, when God’s timing says it will end, as it is written in the Book of Revelation. Chapters 21 and 22 are very clear on the passing away of the old and the coming of the new heaven and new earth. But then it tells of the everlasting kingdom of God and the beautiful imagery of the temple, the city, and the streets lined with gold, no need of the sun or moon, because God’s glory will shine on it. So yes it will end and no it won’t. Have I confused you yet? I’m thinking that you are totally getting my meaning. So rejoice with me that we have a God who has given us the true meaning of eternity and it is with Him that we will spend it. Is there anything better that should permeate our minds during this season following Easter? The freedom out of slavery, life out of death, light out of darkness, and speech out of silence. Forgiveness and the eschatological (end times) banquet is also an emphasis during this time. The paraments on the altar are still white, so that we focus on the purity of Christ and His sacrificial act of love. Refer to this publication for all the events planned – the Mother’s Day Banquet on the 7 th , which means no worship for that evening. ** A special note: I had asked the question of those who normally and consistently attend that service, whether they wish to even have Sunday evening worship. Since only three have responded and two of the three did not wish to attend Sunday, it will be cancelled at this time. Saturday evening worship will resume on the following Saturday, May 14 th . At the last elders meeting, the discussion centered on the lack of attendance recently and what can and should be done about it. While no concrete plan was formulated, I suggested that we continue to reach out to our absent members and discuss their return to Bethel and the fellowship that was important to them in the past. I also suggested that it should be the duty, task, and obligation of every one of us to contact them for their return to the family worship time. May God continue to allow us to keep focusing on the cross and may He always help us to be ready, in season and out of season, to give an answer about our faith and the Gospel that proclaims it. In His Service Rev. Donald P. Beaumont Joshua 24:15 As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD
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These Worship services on WRLM can be viewed on Time Warner Cable channel 12 and U-verse channel 67 at 11:30 am on the following Sundays
May 2016 May 1, 2016 – John 16:33b “Overcoming the World” by Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier III, Concordia Theological Seminary~Fort Wayne, IN
The wicked, unbelieving world, moved by Satan, is opposed to God, His Word, and His people. Thus believers in this world will have tribulation. But Christ has overcome the world, and He helps us overcome the world.
May 8, 2016 – Luke 24:44-53 “So Close and Yet So Far” by Rev. James L. Elsner, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church~Stroh, IN
Jesus is gone. He’s left us. Or has He? The Ascension of Jesus teaches us that He reins with us – even while He’s in heaven. How can that be?
May 15, 2016 – Acts 2:1-11
“The Pentecost Harvest” by Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege, St. Paul Lutheran Church~Decatur, IN
God would use the Jewish Feast of Pentecost. It not only prefigured God's harvest of souls for eternal life, but the actual day provided a wonderfully designed opportunity for many Jews, from many regions, to hear the wonderful news of the Savior, the bringer of true peace.
May 22, 2016 – John 8:48-59 “God’s Own Child” by Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast, Jr., President, Concordia Theological Seminary~Fort Wayne, IN
The Holy Trinity is one of the great mysteries of the faith. Yet, through Jesus Christ, we come to know God as our Father. Through the waters of baptism the Holy Spirit gives us the gift of faith. Therefore each of us can gladly say, “I am God’s own child!”
May 29, 2016 – Luke 7:1-10 “A Soldier’s Faith” by Rev. William Mueller, Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church~Fort Wayne, IN
An unnamed soldier has a need that only the Lord Jesus Christ can fulfill. In the encounter between this soldier and the Savior we see the heart of faith and the glory of God.
Shotgun start at 9am 18 holes of golf, with cart Scramble format Teams of 2 or 4 Includes coffee and donuts in the morning Includes hot dog, chips, beer at the turn Includes a fabulous steak and chicken dinner after 18 holes Door prizes
All proceeds will be used to help outreach programs in our local community. In the event you do not have a foursome, you will be placed with other golfers. Non-golfers are welcome to join us for the celebration and awards dinner at 3:00 pm. Please mention this event to your family, friends, and associates. We thank you for your support and hope to see you there!
QUESTIONS? CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AT (440) 943-5000
Your name:________________________________________________ Company name:____________________________________________ 4) __________________________________________ __________ Address:__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Non-golfers may join us for dinner at 3pm ($26 ea.) Phone:____________________________________________________ Include total # of non-golfers here > ____________ __________
MAIL CHECKS MADE PAYABLE TO: BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH (marked “Golf Outing”) along with this form to: Bethel Lutheran Church - 32410 Willowick Dr.- Willowick, OH 44095
NEWS FROM LADIES AID Shoveling our way through spring, the ladies met on Tuesday, April 5th. We started with many prayers
for each other and our loved ones. Once again, we have a few big events coming up and managed to
discuss them and still get away with a little bit of fun at the end of our meeting.
April 30th at 9:30am is the Spring Rally! Here we can meet one of the comfort dogs we are supporting in
our mission. The comfort dogs provide love and therapy along with Gods word to many people who have
suffered a tragic event. September 17th is our retreat in Perry for the day. Please plan on attending
these wonderful gatherings where all the women can find strength and comfort in meeting many other
ladies. Feel free to speak with Robin Bartley about either event.
We had our rummage sale and we look forward to sharing the results from that with you in our next
beacon!
Lastly we still have the Mother's Day Banquet for May 7th. The theme is “Mother's Change Lives.”
Jeanne is taking reservations and we must know by May 1st. We will be enjoying beef tips and noodles
with glazed carrots and applesauce. Our entertainment will be the Classic Pops Quartet and all are
welcome to attend their performance! More information to come so keep your eyes peeled for postings
around the church.
Now for the good stuff!
Ladies night out is planned for June 7th at 6:30pm. We have talked about a few locations to eat at
and we seem to be settled on Shogun Japanese Steak House in Willoughby, on Euclid Ave where CJ's
Cafe used to be located. Candyce is taking reservations so please let her know by May 31st. Call the
church office at 440-943-5000. Feel free to leave a message with the number attending. The church
secretary will make sure that Candyce gets the message.
At the end of the night the ladies enjoyed some line dancing with our very own
member Carol! She was a lovely instructor and teaches every Monday night. We
learned a handful of new dances and had such a blast being with everyone.
For May our hosts will be Jeanne and Candyce.
Altar duty will be Jeanne.
Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3rd at 7pm in the church basement.
Article submitted by Candyce Smith
Secretary – Ladies Aid
SOCIAL COMMITTEE UPDATE This article will be “short and sweet” – like ME! Ha Ha!
Our committee did not meet during the month of April; however, I will update you on
some recent events. We enjoyed a delicious Easter Breakfast after the “SONrise”
service. Thanks to all who contributed baked goods and helped with the clean-up. Also,
we held a “Meal & a Movie” night on the 17th of April. The movie was called “The
Prince of Egypt” and everyone seemed to enjoy it. As usual, no one went home hungry!
The next one is scheduled for May 22nd, and we will be watching “War Room.” This
movie is NOT about war as we have come to know it – it is about the power
of prayer!
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 17th at 7pm. Until then, get outside and enjoy this
wonderful weather we are having!
Christine-Dave-Georgann-Julie-Sandra-Sherry (Committee chairperson) - Steve
SPECIAL DATES • Ascension of the Lord, May 5, 2016 • National Day of Prayer, May 5, 2016 • Mother’s Day, May 8, 2016 • Pentecost, May 15, 2016 • Armed Forces Day, May 21, 2016 • Trinity Sunday, May 22, 2016
• Memorial Day, May 30, 2016
RUTH — A PENTECOST STORY?
The disciples were celebrating Pentecost, originally a Jewish festival, when the Holy Spirit descended
on them and birthed the church. Pentecost, which began as a harvest festival, had come to commemorate the
giving of the law. The book of Ruth became integral to festival worship.
Why Ruth? This short story doesn’t mention the law, let alone God giving it to Moses. Yet in Ruth’s
devotion to her mother-in-law (“Where you go I will go .... Your people will be my people ... ” [Ruth 1:16, NIV]),
she fulfills not just the letter but the spirit of the law: loving kindness — all the more remarkable because
she’s a foreigner. Boaz, too, demonstrates exorbitant kindness to Ruth.
As Christians celebrate the Spirit bridging differences in Jerusalem, uniting all nationalities by
making the gospel message intelligible to all people, we too can remember Ruth’s story. For in it, God unites
two enemy peoples for his grand purpose: Boaz and Ruth’s marriage leads to King David and, ultimately, to King
Jesus. Today, the Holy Spirit continues to unite all categories of people under Christ’s reign for the good of
the world.
CLOSE TO GOD
I can take my telescope
and look millions and millions of
miles into space. But I can lay it
aside, go into my room, shut the
door, get down on my knees in
earnest prayer, and see more of
heaven and get closer to God
than I can assisted by all the
telescopes and material agencies
on earth.
—Isaac Newton
ALWAYS WITH US
Forty days after Easter, we celebrate Jesus’
ascension into heaven. This occurred 10 days
before Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit
descended on Jesus’ followers, as he had
promised.
Jesus’ ascension reminds Christians that
although his body couldn’t remain present
everywhere, we can universally experience his
spiritual presence. In fact, Jesus’ final words to
his disciples — and to us — contain this key
promise: “I am with you always, to the end of the
age”
(Matthew 28:20, ESV).
CHAPTER AND VERSE
In its original format, the Bible contained no chapter and verse divisions or numbers. Those are
entirely a human convention, intended to make reading easier.
The first modern system of dividing Scripture occurred in the 13th century. Interestingly, the New
Testament was first separated into verses in 1551 — by the son of a French printer, as he rode on horseback!
DISCIPLES NEEDED
The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who, by
profession or culture, are identified as “Christians” will become disciples — students, apprentices,
practitioners — of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the kingdom of the heavens
into every corner of human existence.
—Dallas Willard, The Great Omission
EXPANDED LIVES
In a fascinating, kid-friendly science experiment, a bar of Ivory soap heated in a microwave writhes
and expands into a unique, billowy shape. The change is due to Charles’ Law, which describes how a gas, such as
that contained in pockets inside a bar of Ivory, expands as its temperature increases. The soap can still be
used as normal, though it’s now fragile and flaky.
When the Holy Spirit enters us, we expand as well. Our Spirit-enlarged lives may seem misshapen to
some, no longer conforming to the world’s expectations. But our uniqueness reflects the creativity of our
Triune God, who reveals himself to people in many different ways.
Our hearts expand and soften too, opening to other people’s needs and concerns, while our God-
created purpose remains: to be a force of love and care — of cleansing and renewal — in the world.
Bible Quiz
Which books of the Bible include
an account of Jesus’ ascension?
A. Luke and Acts
B. Matthew and Luke
C. Mark and John
D. All four gospels
Answer: A (See Luke 24:51 and Acts 1:9.)
“God Is the Fountain” God is the fountain whence
ten thousand blessings flow;
to him my life, my health and friends,
and every good, I owe.
The comforts he affords
are neither few nor small;
he is the source of fresh delights,
my portion and my all.
He fills my heart with joy,
y lips attunes for praise;
and to his glory I’ll devote
the remnant of my days.
—Benjamin Beddome
LIFE LESSONS
Late-night comedian Stephen Colbert, a practicing Catholic who teaches Sunday school, faced tragedy
at age 10 when his father and two of his brothers died in a plane crash. As Colbert told The New York Times,
his mom helped him avoid bitterness about the loss:
“She taught me to be grateful for my life regardless of what that entailed, and that’s directly related
to the image of Christ on the cross and the example of sacrifice that he gave us. What she taught me is that
the deliverance God offers you from pain is not no pain; it’s that the pain is actually a gift. What’s the option?
God doesn’t really give you another choice.”
PROCRASTINATORS
A pastor waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday
weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but many cars were ahead of the pastor at the
service station. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.
“Sorry about the delay,” said the young man. “Everyone seems to wait until the last
minute to get ready for a long trip.”
The pastor chuckled, “I know what you mean. It’s the same in my business.”
A TASTE OF GOD’S LOVE In Lost in Wonder, Love and Praise (Abingdon Press), John Killinger describes a mother’s
love — and how it offers a tiny foretaste of God’s love:
“It is stronger than steel, softer than down and more resilient than a green sapling on the
hillside. It closes wounds, melts disappointments and enables the weakest child to stand tall and
straight in the fields of adversity. I believe that this love, even at its best, is only a shadow of
the love of God, a dark reflection of all that we can expect of him, both in this life and the