Bethany Lutheran Church 4500 E. Hampden Avenue Cherry ... · 10:30 a.m. - Special music by a Bethany Vocal Quartet DECEMBER 30, 8:15 & 10:30 A.M. SWEATERS AND CAROLS Come in your

THE BEACON Bethany Lutheran Church ● 4500 E. Hampden Avenue ● Cherry Hills Village ● Colorado, 80113 ● 303.758.2820 ● www.bethany-denver.org

Bethany Lutheran Church

4500 E. Hampden Avenue

Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113

Periodical

Volume 32, Issue 12 | December 2018

CHRISTMAS EVE | Great Joy

All services are full Festival worship services with

Communion and Candlelight unless otherwise noted.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 7:00 P.M.

Early Christmas Eve service with special music by

Chancel Choir and Carillons

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 5:00 P.M.

Early Christmas Eve service with special music by

Jubilation and Celebration

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24: 1:30 P.M.

This is an outdoor service in the Courtyard with live

animals. Children can participate by showing up a

little early and choosing one of our costumes to wear.

(No Holy Communion or Candlelight)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24:

3:00, 5:00, 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 P.M.

These 5 traditional worship services include Communion

and Candlelight, and special music from the below

Bethany and guest ensembles:

3:00 P.M. -Young Soloists and Ensembles

5:00 P.M.- Carillons, Denver Brass, & Soloists

7:00 P.M. - Denver Brass, Matt Weissenbuehler

(soloist), & Bethany Vocal Quartet

9:00 P.M. - Chancel Choir & Denver Brass

11:00 P.M. - Soloists

Christmas Day MONDAY, DECEMBER 25, 10:30 A.M.

Relaxed worship service in the Sanctuary with the

Christmas story and Holy Communion (No Candlelight)

RATED PG

Ministry Thoughts from Pastor Gary

And so it begins. Those words can sound

ominous or expectant, or maybe both. As we

enter the season of Advent, the beginning of

our church year, many lives are just a bit more scheduled. We

have the joy of Christmas programs on our calendars. We

relish the opportunity to find gifts for friends and family that will

add joy to their lives. We also know that the roadways will be a

bit more crowded as more people head to those events and to

shopping malls and stores.

Sunday worship is also heightened a bit. We start hearing our

favorite carols in worship. We catch glimpses of holiday joy

unfolding throughout the sanctuary. The Sundays of Advent are

a journey themselves, reminding us of the journey that Mary

and Joseph made toward Bethlehem.

For us, the journey is not passive. It brings out the best in us. It

beckons us to participate. Every time we enter into the season,

allowing it to draw us in ever deeper, we become more

expectant. On the horizon of Christmas we see our destination.

What awaits us in none other than Great Joy!

Looking forward to worshipping together this Advent.

Pastor Gary

DECEMBER 2: ADVENT 1 | PREPARE

8:15 a.m. - Special music by Carillons

10:30 a.m. - Special music by Carillons and Chancel Choir

DECEMBER 9: ADVENT 2 | PROCLAIM 8:15 a.m. - Special music by Don & Kara Heilman

10:30 a.m. - Bach’s Christmas Oratorio: Part 2 performed by

Chancel Choir during worship (90 minute service; see p. 2)

DECEMBER 16: ADVENT 3 | REJOICE

8:15 a.m. - Special music by Sounds of Praise

10:30 a.m. - Youth-led Festival of Lessons and Carols (80

minute service; see p. 2)

DECEMBER 23: ADVENT 4 | BEHOLD

8:15 a.m. - Special music by soloist/small ensemble

10:30 a.m. - Special music by a Bethany Vocal Quartet

DECEMBER 30, 8:15 & 10:30 A.M.

SWEATERS AND CAROLS

Come in your favorite Christmas sweater for a casual day of

worship with plenty of Christmas Carols. We would love to

include many of our college students in worship. Contact

Pastor Gary ([email protected]) to get involved.

DECEMBER 30, 12:00 NOON

SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE

This service is for those who have lost a loved one in the past

year; read (or have read for you) the name of your loved one.

Contact Nancy ([email protected]) to have a name

included in this service.

OTHER DECEMBER WORSHIP

Christmas AT BETHANY

2 THE BEACON

December 2018

End-Of-Year Gifts

Your end-of-year financial gifts are critical to the ministries of Bethany!

Please note the following deadlines to have your contributions credited to

2018. Checks mailed to Bethany must be postmarked by December 31

to be counted toward your 2018 contributions. Checks personally

delivered to the church office must be delivered by 3:00 p.m. on

December 31. Gifts made on-line must be completed by 12:00 midnight

on December 31.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING

Christmas Caroling: All are invited to spread Holiday Cheer to those who

will enjoy it most on Saturday, December 8 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. We will

gather at the south doors of Bethany, and we will return to church for hot

cocoa and snacks down in Soul Schopp. RSVP by November 30 to Tara

Sawinski at [email protected]!

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

The Global Mission Ministry Team is again hosting a Christmas Bazaar on

Sunday, December 9 in the Fellowship Hall, with gift items from many of

the missions Bethany supports, from Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Liberia, Fair

Trade Coffee from Africa & Central America, & others, including 10,000

Villages. Give the Gift that gives twice!!

CHRISTMAS WREATHS

Beautiful 20-inch wreaths will be available for sale on Sunday, December

9 in the Fellowship Hall, first come, first served. Your $20 wreath

purchase benefits the Children’s and Youth Music Program at

Bethany!

CROSS + GENERATIONAL ADVENT FESTIVAL

Advent Festival will be on December 2 in the Great Hall,

beginning between worship services at 9:30 a.m., and

continuing after 10:30 a.m. worship. We will continue to

engage our new tagline “Together For Good” and our logo in

fun and interactive ways. We will have Christmas themed

crafts, treats, and a service project of creating fleece tie

blankets for the babies at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Our

next gathering will be on January 6 for our Epiphany

celebration!

Holiday Office Hours

Note that the church office will be closed

on Christmas Day, December 25 and on

December 26. On Thursday and Friday,

December 27 and 28 office hours

will be 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The church office will be close at 3:00 p.m.

on Monday, December 31 and open

back up on Wednesday,

January 2 at 9:00 a.m.

ADVENT & HOLIDAY EVENTS

Holiday Hospitality It takes many hands for us to welcome

several thousand people to Christmas at

Bethany. Sign up to serve in a variety of ways

for our holiday worship experiences.

You can go to https://signupschedule.com/

bethany to sign up to serve in many and

various ways for any Sundays now and for

special services throughout the season.

The Children and Youth of Bethany Lutheran Church will

lead worship at the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday,

December 16. This Festival of Lessons and Carols

service is loosely based on the King’s College tradition

and will include 9 traditional readings, with musical,

spoken, and visual responses.

ALL SUNDAY SCHOOL KIDS ARE INVITED TO

PARTICIPATE AND HAVE BEEN LEARNING THEIR

MUSIC IN SUNDAY SCHOOL. Youth are encouraged to

participate in any one of a variety of ways, from serving

Communion to performing Readings to helping the

younger kids move around.

Contact [email protected] to get involved!

ALL PARTICIPANTS

PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND:

Dress Rehearsal

Sunday, December 9, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

(We will provide pizza for all participants between

worship and rehearsal!)

Festival of Lessons and Carols

Sunday, December 16

Call time/Rehearsal: 9:45 a.m.

Service: 10:30-11:45 a.m.

Bethany Children and Youth

Festival of Lessons and Carols

Bach Christmas Oratorio On Sunday, December 9, at the 10:30 a.m. service, the

Chancel Choir will present Part 2 of Bach’s Christmas

Oratorio. This monumental masterpiece by Bach consists of

six parts; the Chancel Choir is performing one part per year

during Advent over a six-year period. This year’s selection

portrays the part of the Christmas story when angels

announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds.

Under the direction of Dr. James Kim, the performance will

feature a full professional orchestra, as well as three

nationally-renowned vocal soloists. This is a unique

opportunity to bring in the Christmas season with some of

the most inspiring liturgical music of all time, presented not

as a concert but within the context of a full worship service

with communion. This service will run approximately 90

minutes.

3 THE BEACON

December 2018

Get Involved at Bethany!

REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR FOOD DRIVE

Start a Christmas tradition with a wonderful act of kindness! IT’S SIMPLE:

1. Place a special box in your family room or under your tree. We will be decorating boxes for people to take home at the

Advent Festival at Bethany on Saturday, December 2. Or you may want to use (or make) your own box or other container.

2. Each day during Advent, place one non-perishable food item into the box. (We will also have collection boxes at Bethany

if you prefer to bring your food items here.)

3. Bring your full box of food to Bethany between Christmas Eve and Epiphany (January 6). Your gifts of food will be

donated to Metro Caring our local food bank, sometime during the 12 days of Christmas (from Christmas day to Epiphany).

What is a Reverse Advent Calendar?

An Advent Calendar is used to celebrate the coming of Christmas as we count down the days. Often family members receive a

little toy, chocolates, or other small daily gift during Advent. Reverse Advent is a way to help people every day, by focusing on

GIVING instead of receiving.

Fill your decorated box with suggested nutritious food items!

According to Metro Caring, these are some of the nutritious

items that food bank clients have requested during a recent

survey:

Canned chicken or tuna

Shelf-stable milk/milk substitutes

Dry beans/canned beans

Canned vegetables (with no or low sodium)

Peanut butter

Canned fruit (in juice, not heavy syrup)

Canned soups (low sodium)

Brown rice,

Rolled oats

Seeds or nuts (unsalted)

Pasta sauce (low sodium)

Cereal (whole grain/low sugar)

Whole grain pasta

Olive or canola oil

Applesauce (unsweetened)

Pick up a full list at Bethany’s Welcome Center!

Bethany sent an email to all people of Bethany in late October. This was

followed with an email invitation to join Realm. Realm is primarily

designed to be accessed from a smart phone, but you will still receive

messages from Bethany in your email as currently happens. If you do

have a smart phone, you are able to make changes to your contact

information, get instant access to your giving records, and see pictures of

Bethany members through Realm.

If you did not receive the emails in October it means that our church

office does not have a working email for you. Please email

[email protected] to get connected.

Note: Bethany is a pilot congregation for the ELCA and Realm. We

understand that we will be assisting the greater church as we work

through some of the glitches that come with a new system.

CHRISTMAS DECORATING

Please come help decorate the church on

Saturday, December 1 from 10:00 a.m. to

12:00 noon. We will hang lights and wreaths,

and decorate trees all around the church.

Contact Laura at [email protected]

with any questions.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

Help decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas

by contributing $25 towards the cost of a

poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved

one. Look for the red envelopes in the pew

racks or at the Welcome Center. The

deadline is Sunday, December 2.

PEW CLEANING

We love having our Sanctuary pews

organized and ready for each worship

service. But we need your help to clean them

each week! If you can assist in organizing

and keeping the pews materials stocked,

even once a month, please contact Nancy at

[email protected].

More Advent Giving

ANGEL TREE FOR

LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES:

Stop by the tree at the Welcome Center and pick up a

shopping list to provide gifts to their clients in their

Adoption and Pregnancy Counseling, Foster Care,

Older Adult and Caregiver, and Refugee programs.

Unwrapped must be returned to church by

Sunday, December 9. If you are interested in

transporting the gifts to LFS on Sunday, December

10, contact Mary at [email protected].

CO GIVES DAY

Community First Foundation and First Bank are

presenting Colorado Gives Day on Tuesday, December

4. This annual statewide movement celebrates and

increases philanthropy in Colorado through online

giving. The $1 Million Incentive Fund created by the

partners is one of the largest giving-day incentive funds

in the country. Help support some of Bethany’s ministry

partners, such as Rainbow Trail, LFS, Integrated Family

Community Services, Metro Caring, etc., or search for

your favorite organization and donate at

www.ColoradoGives.org.

REALM (REAL MINISTRY)

4 THE BEACON

December 2018

Many parents ask me what is important for the

faith development of their children and without hesitation I say

“Worship!” Worship is an important faith practice for our faith

journey. Worship is communal, renewing, focusing, sustaining, and

connecting us to God and one another. Worship is gathering

together at Bethany to practice being the body of Christ, in all of the

messiness those diverse and meaningful relationships entail, in

order to be the body of Christ out in the world. I know that it can

seem like little ones “aren’t getting anything out of worship” or that

parents are anxious that their children are a distraction. But trust

me, it’s worth bringing children of all ages and stages to worship!

They learn that the sacred space of the sanctuary is for them, they

learn that this is a community who loves them with all of their

wiggles and giggles and they are absorbing the liturgy going

on around them, even if they are coloring or “playing.” I watch

several little ones make the sign of the cross when I do up

front, or fold their hands to pray, watch the procession or sing

along with a hymn. It’s important to have them present as we

are not complete as the body of Christ without them! And

they need us too!

See you all in worship!

Pastor Brigette

ACOLYTE TRAINING

Acolyte training for Christmas Eve worship services

(December 20, 23 and 24) will be on December 16

immediately following the 10:30 a.m. worship service.

Please meet us in the front row pews of the

Sanctuary. Contact Jeff ([email protected])

for more information or to sign-up to acolyte.

FAITH WEB WEAVERS (CONFIRMATION)

We will meet on Sundays, December 2 (for Cross +

Generational Faith Formation), 9, and 16. We will be

off until January 6 for our Epiphany Cross +

Generational Gathering.

TOGETHER WE RISE

Together We Rise is scheduled for Sundays,

December 2 and 9. Come to the Chapel for a worship

service at 10:30 a.m. featuring camp-style music,

devotions, games, and fun with Bethany’s youth!

Contact Riley at [email protected] if you are

a youth who would like to get involved.

UnderstandingYour Grief SUPPORT GROUP

When the loss of someone in your life occurs, the grief

and mourning process begins. Although each person

has a unique journey, there are some common

threads. A grief support group can be a place to

learn, to share, and to work through this

experience in the company of others. We will

use “Understanding Your Grief”, by grief

counselor Dr. Alan Wolfelt, along with an

optional journal. Janet Mortinsen, Director of

Health and Wellness, and Susan Junge will

co-facilitate this session. The group will meet

in the library from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

on Sundays for 6 weeks from January 6 -

February 10. To register for this class or for

more information, please contact Janet at

[email protected] or 303-300-3317.

Prophets ADULT FAITH FORMATION

SUNDAY MORNING ADVENT SERIES

Come each week to learn about a different

prophet with the pastor who is preaching that

Sunday. We will meet in room 210 from 9:30

- 10:15 a.m. on the following dates:

December 2: Prepare (Jeremiah)

December 9: Proclaim (Malachi

December 16: Rejoice (Zephaniah)

December 23: Behold (Micah)

HEY YOUTH...

FAITH + TALK WITH PASTOR BRIGETTE

Candelight Vigil TO REMEMBER VICTIMS

OF GUN VIOLENCE

On Wednesday December 12, come remember those killed 6

years ago at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and solemnly

honor all victims of gun violence. Meet at the SW & NE corners

of S. Colorado Blvd and E. Hampden Ave. at 4:15 p.m. The

gathering is from 4:30-5:30 p.m., and is hosted by 1st

Universalist and First Plymouth Congregational UCC.

(You can park at First Plymouth located at

3501 S Colorado Blvd.)

YOUNG AT HEART

Young at Heart is a group for Bethany seniors who

enjoy meeting old friends and making new ones. Our

next meeting will be held on Friday, December 14. We

will enjoy a Pot-Luck lunch, catered by you! Following

lunch we will enjoy the Bethany Early Childhood

Center Christmas program. After the program we will

again gather in the Fellowship Hall for dessert and

carol singing. Arrive at 11:00 a.m. for coffee and

socializing. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m.

5 THE BEACON

December 2018

Join Pastor Gary on retreat at Highlands Retreat Center near

Allenspark. We will gather on Friday evening, March 8 and spend

time on retreat through Sunday morning, March 10. Meals and

lodging are all covered with your registration. Enjoy the beauty of

the Rocky Mountains while exploring the Lord’s Prayer in depth.

There will be plenty of time for fellowship, relaxation, singing, and

games, too. Sign up the Welcome Center now through February

5, or until we hit our maximum.

BETHANY LENTEN RETREAT

A Word from Your Pastoral Intern:

Finding Wholeness in Community

“… but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the

light, we have fellowship with one another, and the

blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

- 1 John 1:7

It takes this idea of walking in the light to be in fellowship with one

another. What a powerful notion! And it seems so true, for when I feel

myself veering off of Jesus’ path of love and forgiveness, I find it

extremely difficult to be in community and fellowship with others. I only

find mistrust and brokenness—a place where a strong relationship

cannot thrive. In our world today, it seems community is even more

important than ever. We too often experience division based on religion

or political ideology, when Christ continually calls for us to come together

in love. It is only in unity with the other that we can be truly cleansed

from our sin. It is only in restoration of a broken relationship that we can

find wholeness. And today, we truly do need each other more than ever!

In a world where suicide and mass killings run rampant, we need to lean

on each other; we need to know that we are not alone, and that we can

seek refuge in community. I see this happening weekly at Bethany, and

for that I am oh, so thankful. I see it happening at XYZ on Tuesdays,

during Youth Coffee Crew gatherings on Wednesdays, and for the

younger adult crowd as well. Stick together, friends. Hold one another

close and remind each other of why it is important to have fellowship.

As is affirmed by the Rocky Mountain Synod: We are Church. Better

Together.

- Peace, Rachel

STEPHEN MINISTRY “The After People”

THE CHOICE

By Max Lucado

It’s quiet. It’s early. The sky is

still black. The world is asleep.

The day is coming. The stillness of the dawn will

be exchanged for the noise of the day. The

refuge of the early morning will be invaded by

decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to

the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a

choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose.

And so I choose.

I chose love… No occasion justifies hatred; no

injustice warrants bitterness. I chose love. Today

I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy… I will invite my God to be the God

of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to

be cynical… the tool of the lazy thinker. I will re-

fuse to see people as anything less than human

beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any

problem as anything less than an opportunity to

see God.

I choose peace… I will live forgiven. I will forgive

so that I may live.

I choose patience… I will overlook the

inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing

the one who takes my place, I will invite him to

do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too

long, I will thank God for a moment to pray.

I choose kindness… I will be kind to the poor, for

they are alone. And kind to the unkind, for such

is how God has treated me.

I choose faithfulness… Today I will keep my

promises. My friends will not question my word.

And those who I speak to and work for will know

that God has sent me and talks through me.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To

these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give

thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then,

when the day is done, I will place my head on

my pillow and rest.

Father your greatest gift is one you give us each

and every day, the choice to be who we are and

Who’s we are this day. In the morning when we

wake up and open our eyes for the first time You

are there, smiling. Thank you for this perfect gift.

God above, God within,

Brian Tennien (2006)

- - -

(For more information about the Stephen

Ministry, please contact Janet Mortinsen at

[email protected] or 303-300-3317.)

Oberammergau 2020

Pastor Gary and Karen invite you to a trip of a lifetime.

Explore Germany and Austria, including the world

renowned Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany.

Approximately $4600 per person includes roundtrip

airfare from Denver, coach bus tour with local guides,

many meals, and first class tickets to the play.

Email Pastor Gary at [email protected] for

complete information. Reservations should be made

as soon as possible. We have only 36 openings on

the Bethany tour bus.

6 THE BEACON

December 2018

OPERATION ONE NATION

Thank You! The 5th Annual Veterans Day Dinner, Silent

Auction and Concert is in the books. The entire

Operation One Nation Team would like to extend

its gratitude to all those who attended,

contributed, and presented themselves as a

veteran, active duty military member, or friend of

a military person. By the very words in the

Beatitudes, we can rightly call you “children of

God.” You have spiritually, materially, and

financially helped Operation One Nation carry

on with its mission. Know that your contributions

are carefully applied to circumstances that ex-

press legitimate and dire need, and that we do

not spend a nickel on ourselves.

Your attendance at this event, your participation

in Holy Yolks, and your generous gifts of food

and other household supplies for the 244th

Engineer Battalion speak volumes about who

you are, Bethany. Yes, “children of God” – with

every assurance. Thanks be to God – for you

and for your giving hearts!

Bethany Patchers Give Thanks During this beautiful Christmas Season, the Patchers are so thankful for

so many gifts of support! At our 20th anniversary party on October 21,

over 130 quilts were displayed and blessed at the morning services.

There is no way we can begin to thank the Bethany congregation for

material donations (perhaps you saw your donated squares of material in

a quilt on the 21st).

We are thankful, too, for your quilt purchases, monetary and gift card

donations, Thrivent dollars as donations, and supplies, even sewing

machines! In the first part of November, 18 large boxes containing 138

quilts were delivered to Lutheran World Relief by Connie Gerken and her

family. Your “thank you” gift is knowing that in the weeks ahead, these

quilts made with your help will travel to far away and near areas of God’s

world - You are a Blessing!

Kim’s Korner O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appears.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

BETHANY CHANCEL CHOIR

DECEMBER 2 10:30 A.M.

Wake, Awake F. Melius Christiansen

DECEMBER 9 10:30 A.M.

Christmas Oratorio, Part 2 J. S. Bach

DECEMBER 20 7:00 P.M.

Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella arr. John Rutter

Christmas Day Gustav Holst

DECEMBER 24 9:00 P.M.

Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella arr. John Rutter

Christmas Day Gustav Holst

Hodie Christus natus est Healey Willan

COLORADO BACH ENSEMBLE

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE OF HANDEL’S MESSIAH

Colorado Bach Ensemble presents the complete Messiah

on Sunday, December 16 at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Tickets $35/$10 online and $40/$14 at the door.

www.ColoradoBach.org

DECEMBER 1, 7:30 P.M.

“Songs of the Season - Performing Choirs Concert”

The Denver Children’s Choir

DECEMBER 2, 3:00 P.M.

“Service of Lessons and Carols”

Canto Deo Chamber Orchestra

DECEMBER 7, 7:30 P.M.

“A Voices of Light Christmas!”

Voices of Light

DECEMBER 8, 7:30 P.M.

“Holiday Concert”

The Denver Brass 5

DECEMBER 9, 6:00 P.M.

“The Perfect Gift - A Festival of Carols”

Colorado Korean Chorus

DECEMBER 14 & 15, 7:30 P.M.

“Sing Noel!”

The Cherry Creek Chorale

DECEMBER 16, 4:00 P.M.

“The Complete Messiah”

Colorado Bach Ensemble

DECEMBER 17, 7:30 P.M.

“A Canto Deo Christmas”

Canto Deo Chamber and Festival Choirs

- - - - -

Tickets for events can be purchased through the each

featured organization’s website. For more information,

contact Forrest at [email protected].

Festival of Faith & the Arts

AFTERNOON CENTERING PRAYER

Thursdays 2:00-3:00 p.m. in the Chapel

We begin with 20-minutes of silent prayer, then discuss the current

reading (The Divine Dance by Richard Rohr) for the rest of the hour.

Everyone is welcome! For more information, contact Cyndi

at [email protected].

We will take a Christmas/New Years break on

December 27 and will not meet.

7 THE BEACON

December 2018

THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS

It’s that time of year when Thrivent members are

able to designate where benevolence dollars

associated with their Thrivent products can go.

Please consider Bethany Lutheran Church for your

Thrivent Choice dollars. You can even designate to

Renewal for Growth by informing Melissa

([email protected]) that you have

Thrivent Choice Dollars coming.

Thank you for considering Bethany

for your generosity!

FROM THE

BENEVOLENCE MINISTRY TEAM

On October 8th Bethany's Benevolence Group met to discuss

requests for financial support from non-profit agencies.

The following disbursements were made:

Metro Caring 2,500.00

Habitat for Humanity 3,000.00

Star Institute 1,500.00

Bethany Food Breakdown for Metro Caring 750.00

The money given to Metro Caring was in support of their fundraising

event, "Cornucopia 2018." On October 4th, over 200 people joined

Metro Caring to celebrate all that had happened over the past

year. The event was held at The DaVita Village with delicious food

and scenic views from the terrace. Metro Caring raised $127,000

during the evening to further their mission to end hunger at its root!

The $3,000 for Habitat for Humanity is to support a home sponsored

by the Holy Hammers, a coalition of 11 Lutheran churches in the

Denver Metro area. Work began in October and will run for

approximately three months. Anyone age 16 and over is welcome to

join in on building an affordable home for a local family in need of a

decent place to live. No experience necessary! For

more information on how to get involved, contact

Kevin Dempsey at [email protected].

Quarterly Financial Update

We completed the first quarter of our fiscal year on

September 30, 2018. For the quarter, contributions

were $32,000 below budget and $39,000 below last

year. July and September contributions were at or

above expected levels, but August was a slow

month. We were able to control expenses in all

areas of operations, keeping year to date expenses

$38,000 below budget. The Bethany Early Childhood

Center has a year to date net income of $25,000,

which is $22,000 better than budgeted.

We rely upon the financial support of the

congregation to carry out our many ministries. We

thank you in advance for stepping up to demonstrate

your belief in our mission through your contributions.

For questions, contact Mary at

[email protected].

Card Shower

Former Bethany Pastor, Wayne Weissenbuehler,

would love to receive cards from you this holiday

season! If you know him, write a little note with a

memory you have of him or how he influenced your life

or faith. If you don’t know him, just send greetings!

Pick up an address label at the Welcome Center.

8 THE BEACON

December 2018

BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH

STAFF & LEADERSHIP

Pastoral Team

Gary Sandberg

Lead Pastor

Brigette Weier

Pastor of Faith Formation

Janet Mortinsen

Director of Pastoral Care

Rachel Patterson

Pastoral Intern

Administration

Sarah Hulslander

Executive Assistant/Missional Minister

Juli Orlandini

Director of Communications

Shelley Hook

Accounting Supervisor

Melissa Russ

Gifts Processor

Laura Romig

Director of Facilities and Technology

Mike Johnson

Technology Supervisor

Josh Patillo, Tom Maes, Scott Hills

Custodians

Faith Formation

Gayle Newell

Director of Children’s Ministries

Jeff Kelty

Interim Director of Youth Ministries

Nancy Froseth

Administrative Assistant

Music

Rick Seaton

Director of Music and Organist

James Kim

Chancel Choir Director

Juli Orlandini

Children & Youth Choirs Director

Jeffrey Harms

Adult Handbell Choir Director

Alex Rodasti

Children’s Handbell Choir Director

Zach Rodasti

Cherub Choir Director

Paula Wills

Creative Arts Coordinator

Forrest Guittar, Jr.

Director of Festival of Faith and the Arts

Kathy Eggleston

Minister of Music Emerita

Bethany Early Childhood Center

Vicki Hare

Director

Congregation Council

Executive Council

Jean Scott (President)

Jack Lindsey (President Elect)

Brian Rulla (Vice President - Personnel)

Mel Stolzenburg (Immediate Past President)

Mary Brook (Treasurer)

Kim Finnin (Secretary)

Ministry Council

Deborah Bayles, Linda Bryant (Community & Care)

Allison Biever, Susan Pfabe Wiggans (Teaching &

Learning)

Mary Will, Al Youngdahl (Service & Welcome)

Anada Gusé, Annell Weissenbuehler

(Worship & Celebration)

Grayson Bellas (Youth & Youth Ministries)

Bethany Early Childhood Center Board

Kim Garrity

Keira O’Connor

David Romig

Rick Newman

Jennifer Walter

Don Watson

Bethany Foundation

Alison Betts

Deb Distler

Andy Gift

Gwen Grace

Curt Boell

Steve Heuer

Jill McMahon

Donna Skultety

Karen Witt

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GOOD NEWS!

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and Instagram!

THE BEACON

(USPS001-513) is published monthly by Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113

PHONE (303) 758-2820 | FAX (303) 758-1980

Juli Dowell, Editor | Periodicals postage paid at Englewood, CO.

HAVING TROUBLE HEARING THE SPOKEN WORD DURING

WORSHIP? We have hearing assist devices for use in the

Sanctuary. We have little “over the ear” speakers that fit over your

ear and help you hear the broadcast word. We also offer

“Personal loops” for individuals who have T-coil technology active

in their hearing aids. Please stop by the sound booth at the rear

of the Sanctuary, the sound techs will check out a unit for you.

Please return it to the sound booth after worship is over.

SECURING BETHANY’S FUTURE

The mission of the Foundation of Bethany Lutheran Church is to

provide a permanent financial resource for the future enrichment

of our congregation. Through this mission, we are challenged to

provide additional stewardship opportunities for members, friends

of Bethany and our greater community for the purpose of God’s

work. For more information, direct your inquiries to the church.

SIGN UP FOR

FRIDAY EMAILS

Bethany’s pastors send a weekly

email in preparation for Sunday.

Friday emails let you know what’s

happening in worship as well as

other news from Bethany. If you are

not on our email list and would like

to receive the weekly emails, contact

Sarah at 303-758-2820 or

[email protected].

Watch our services as they happen!

Visit Bethany Live at any time to watch

live-streamed and archived Sunday and

Wednesday services! Visit Bethany’s main

website, bethany-denver.org to download

the Sunday bulletin and follow along!

Contact Laura at laura@bethany-

denver.org with any questions.

BethanyLutheranChurch

bethany_denver

SERVE IN WORSHIP

Consider serving in weekly worship! If you are

trained, please sign up online. We need

acolytes, altar guild people, communion

assistants, and ushers. It's as easy as 1 2 3.

1. Go to www.bethany-denver.org and

select “Worship at Bethany” from the

“Worship” menu. Scroll to the bottom.

2. Click the box that says “Sign Up to

Serve” or contact the leader of your

desired service area.

3. Click on upcoming events, date and

time, enter YOUR name, and submit!

And there you have it... There are plenty of

opportunities to serve our Lord at Bethany!

- Anada Gusé & Annell Weissenbuehler

Worship and Celebration Ministry Team