Volume 40, Issue 6· June 2017 Sailors, in the days of tall-masted sailing ships, were said to live “with the wind in their faces.” You could tell a sailor by the way the wind had weathered his/her face. As a boy and young man, I sailed with my family a lot. I remember the exhilarating feel of the wind on my face. I also remember the feel of the boat as it churned the surface of the lake and the feel of power that drove it as it tapped only a small portion of the might of the wind. Sailors, in those long-ago days, were also said to live “at the mercy of the wind.” Fair winds would aid your journey, but foul winds would keep you from your ports-of-call. I remember preparing for a race with great expectation, only to have the wind die. No wind, no race. On the other hand, I recall taking a person sailing who had never sailed before, couldn’t swim, and had a fear of water. That day the wind howled, drove us madly across the lake, and we heeled over so far water came over the gunwhale. Sailors live “at the mercy of the wind.” It is a delightful, and deep inspiration that the Biblical words, in Hebrew and Greek, for “wind” and “spirit” are exactly the same. This tells us much about the Holy Spirit. It reminds me that Christians are to live “with the Spirit in our faces.” It calls us to receive a portion of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Through Word and Sacrament the Spirit gives powerful guidance, comfort, joy, peace, and faith. It also reminds us that we “live at the mercy of the Spirit.” We cannot capture it or control its comings or goings (John 3:8). We do not force the Spirit in directions we choose, but rather, the Holy Spirit moves us where it wills. The Spirit may call us to act in the world when we would prefer to fade into the background – spreading God’s Word, working for justice, serving others. We live “with the Holy Spirit in our faces,” the Spirit of grace, and God’s presence that give us life. May the presence of the Holy Spirit, celebrated on Pentecost, June 4, fill your life as wind fills a sail. The 10 Commandments Pastor Gary’s sermons June 18 and 25 will focus on the 10 things every healthy relationship with God has; with comments from Martin Luther to make them bigger and better than you thought.
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Volume 40, Issue 6· June 2017
Sailors, in the days of tall-masted sailing ships, were said to live “with
the wind in their faces.” You could tell a sailor by the way the wind
had weathered his/her face. As a boy and young man, I sailed with
my family a lot. I remember the exhilarating feel of the wind on my
face. I also remember the feel of the boat as it churned the surface of
the lake and the feel of power that drove it as it tapped only a small
portion of the might of the wind.
Sailors, in those long-ago days, were also said to live “at the mercy of
the wind.” Fair winds would aid your journey, but foul winds would
keep you from your ports-of-call. I remember preparing for a race
with great expectation, only to have the wind die. No wind, no race.
On the other hand, I recall taking a person sailing who had never
sailed before, couldn’t swim, and had a fear of water. That day the
wind howled, drove us madly across the lake, and we heeled over so
far water came over the gunwhale. Sailors live “at the mercy of the
wind.”
It is a delightful, and deep inspiration that the Biblical words, in
Hebrew and Greek, for “wind” and “spirit” are exactly the same. This
tells us much about the Holy Spirit. It reminds me that Christians are to
live “with the Spirit in our faces.” It calls us to receive a portion of the
power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Through Word and Sacrament the
Spirit gives powerful guidance, comfort, joy, peace, and faith.
It also reminds us that we “live at the mercy of the Spirit.” We cannot
capture it or control its comings or goings (John 3:8). We do not force
the Spirit in directions we choose, but rather, the Holy Spirit moves us
where it wills. The Spirit may call us to act in the world when we would
prefer to fade into the background – spreading God’s Word, working
for justice, serving others. We live “with the Holy Spirit in our faces,” the
Spirit of grace, and God’s presence that give us life. May the
presence of the Holy Spirit, celebrated on Pentecost, June 4, fill your
life as wind fills a sail.
The 10 Commandments
Pastor Gary’s sermons June
18 and 25 will focus on the
10 things every healthy
relationship with God has;
with comments from Martin
Luther to make them bigger
and better than you
thought.
JOYFUL TIMES GROUP
What is Joyful Times? It is a small
group ministry for members of
Bethlehem who are of AARP age
or empty nesters. You don’t
have to be retired to join in the
outings, as some are scheduled in the evening or on
weekends.
On May 11, The Joyful Times group visited the Vinton
School for the Blind. It was an excellent tour and
outing.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
• June 8, 1:00pm - Bus Tour to Winnebago in Forest
City. There is no cost for the tour. It is a 2 hour
drive. Carpool leaving BLC at 9:00am. Lunch will
be at Bear Creek Restaurant. ??? Contact Jody
Elliott.
• July 13 - Self-guided tour of the National
Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque.
Cost: $13.00 (seniors). Lunch will be in Dyserville.
Carpool leaving BLC at 8:00am.
• August 11, 1:00pm - Tama Pow-wow – The Grand
Entry. Cost: $7.00. Lunch will be at Sunrise
Restaurant at 11:00am.
NEVER A DULL MOMENT
FOR THE JOYFUL TIMES GANG!
BETHLEHEM ANNUAL GARAGE SALE Saturday, June 3, 8:00am-3:00pm
BLC members may continue to place clean, gently
used items in the St. Peter room for the Church
Garage Sale through June 2. We are in need of
children’s clothes and toys. Remember, we do not
accept holiday/Christmas items, exercise
equipment, or TVs. Please price donations, except
for clothing, books, CDs, and movies. Service Council
members will price these
items. ??? Contact Becky
Anderson, 830-7440.
Garage Sale proceeds will go to
Love INC, St. Vincent de Paul,
and the Jesse Cosby Center.
Hope to see you shopping! BETHLEHEM’S MONTHLY POTLUCK
Sunday, June 4, 11:30am, following 10:30am
worship. Bring something RED to share in honor
of Pentecost Sunday. Ovens available by
10:15am. All are welcome. Come and enjoy the
fellowship.
OUTDOOR WORSHIP
Sunday, June 4, 8:30 and 10:30am
Bring a sun hat, lawn chair or blanket.
If the weather is bad, we will worship indoors.
THANK YOU to everyone who
helped with the success of
Wednesday night meals. Wednesday
night meals will resume in the fall. Contact Heather,
[email protected] if you’d like to help.
BETHLEHEM’S MUSIC MINISTRY
THANK YOU to the Cherub, Celestial, and Chancel
choir members, accompanist, and directors for
enhancing worship with wonderful music through
the fall, winter, and spring months, and also to the to
the praise band members for your continued
commitment to offer musical gifts and praise
through the whole year.
There are opportunities for members to share music
offering during the summer months. Contact Sue
Bauer or Sue Jorgensen if you might be interested in
sharing your musical talent in this special way.
QUILT ’N CRAFT
Thursday, June 8, 7:00pm, at the home of
Wendy Reilly, 617 Baker Street.
Thursday, June 22, 7:00pm, at the home
of Barb Davison, 1921 Continental Drive. *Note
address changes. Bring your own craft or learn a
new one. All are welcome.
WELCOME
TO BETHLEHEM’S NEW MEMBERS
Paul Buchanan
2025 Rainbow Drive
Waterloo, IA 50701
Nick Kinzebach
407 Autumn Lane
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
269-4527
Brad and Sara Randall
Payton
1772 Gilbert Drive
Evansdale, IA 50707
Sara: 269-2078
Brad: 415-1057
Sara:[email protected]
Brad: [email protected]
Isaac Smith
4406 Paddington Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
883-0192
Nancy Tibbetts
1110 Olive Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Hm 277-5432
Cell 290-0519
[email protected] Bethlehem’s Lenten offering
was given to the Americans
for Independent Living
Agency. The congregation
was able to send $1,632 to
AFIL which dedicates it’s work
to provide and modify homes
to meet individual needs for veterans within our community. For
more information about AFIL and to follow the continued work
the organizat ion go to ht tp ://www.kwwl .com/
story/34653082/2017/03/Thursday/waterloo-veterans-home-
expected-to-open-soon
NORTHEASTERN IOWA SYNOD
ASSEMBLY
The 2017 Northeastern Iowa Synod
Assembly will be June 9-11 at Luther
College in Decorah. Voting members
from BLC are Megan Fields, Connie
Johnson, Stephen Becker, and Pastor
Gary Hedding.
KAI’S PRAYER PACKAGES
How many times have you witnessed
someone holding a sign at an intersection
asking for your assistance? In Black Hawk
County on any given night, there are
approximately 750-800 people considered to be in a homeless
situation.
The Service Council has prepared 100 Kai’s Prayer
Packages for you to have available in your car to give
to someone you see in need of assistance. The
packages are named after Kai, a young man who
observed people in a homeless situation and asked
what he could do to help them. The Prayer Packages
are the result of his efforts to help others. The packages contain
such items as a bottle of water, chapstick, beef jerky, Tylenol, a
first aid kit, Bible passage and information about Love INC, as
well as a $10 Kwik Star gift card, and $5 worth of quarters. Pink
Prayer Packages are specific to females and contain personal
hygiene items. The Prayer Packages are located next to the
Welcome Table in the Narthex. Please take 1 or 2 and place
them in your car to help others in need. The Service Council
would like to thank the Congregation for their generosity in
making this project possible.
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
AVAILABLE
Bethlehem’s Service Council collects medical supplies for Love
INC and its clients. Bethlehem members and nonmembers also
are welcome to borrow items. If there is a piece of medical
equipment (walker, crutches, wheelchair, shower
chair, disposable undergarments, etc.) that you or
someone you know may need, contact Becky
Anderson, 266-4866, or Theresa Elverum, 277-3306.
JUNE 2017
BIBLE STUDIES AND SMALL GROUPS
FRIENDS IN FAITH Resumes in September. ???
Contact Linda Hedding, 464-7279.
ADULT BIBLE STUDAY Resumes in September. ???
Contact Pastor Gary, 266-3541.
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY BREAKFAST Resumes in
September. ??? Contact Scott Davison, 486-6914. Bethlehem Cradle Roll is
now using Frolic faith
f o r m a t i o n o n l i n e
resources for families
with children, newborn
through Sunday School
age. If you would like to switch from Splash to Frolic,
contact Ellen Hermanson, [email protected]
CRADLE ROLL
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES will resume in
September. ??? Contact Pastor Gary or Lisa Newgard.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
July 9-13
Sunday 12:30-1:30pm
Monday 5:30-7:30pm
We are Gearing up to make this
the BEST week of summer!
Amazing experiments, creative games, surprising
adventures, and incredible music, will teach kids that
God made them and that they are built for a purpose.
Maker Fun Factory will kick off on Sunday, July 9th with
great food at the church picnic. We’ll have fun judging
all the robots that have been entered in the robot
contest. We will sing songs, meet some new friends, and
get the scoop on what will happen the rest of the week.
Then families can have fun with all the big games and
interactive displays, and even try their hands at building
some things together.
Monday–Wednesday we will have more fun with music,
games, and some fun hands-on Bible adventures and
crafty experiments. Thursday we will end our week with a
program for parents and an ice cream social. Come
have some fun!
Registration is now open for 3-year-old children though
those entering 4th grade here https://goo.gl/
forms/9SFKe20mAT93syaQ2 or on our
website Older kids and parents are
encouraged to join in as helpers, crew
leaders, and junior crew leaders. There are
even spots for skits and opening leaders.
Sign up on the poster in the Fellowship Hall. ??? Contact
Amber Halvorsen, 939-8114 or Ellen Hermanson, 573-0719.
CONFIRMATION CLASS will resume in September. ???
Contact Pastor Gary.
CONFIRMATION CAMP is June 11-16 at Lutheran
Lakeside. We pray our 8th graders and Pastor Gary have
a blessed week.
DONATE NOW
Use your smartphone to scan the
QR code or go to bethlehemcf.org
and click on “Give Online”
underneath the Worship tab.
UNIFIED GIVING THROUGH APRIL
Income: $118,134.64
Mission Plan: $123,056.00
($4,921.36)
CONTACT INFORMATION If you are moving, or if
you have changed your phone number or email
address, please contact the church, 266-3541 or
[email protected], so we can stay in touch
with you.
2017 CONGREGATIONAL GOALS
† Support an ongoing system of formation of faith
for all ages through cross-generational
community building.
† Engage members in finding their places in
congregational ministry.
† Recognize and respond to community needs by
expanding current community outreach
involvement.
† Commit to being inviting and hospitable.
2017-18 CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL
Stephen Becker - President
Mark Halvorsen - Vice President
Courtney Lubs - Secretary
Andrew Beckering - Treasurer
Melissa Fields, Rich Fisher, Adam Froyum Roise,
Karris Golden, Kelly Kestner, Kirsten Moore
319-266-3541
CHURCH OFFICE STAFF
Pastor Gary Hedding
319-464-7278, [email protected]
Robin Souhrada - Director of Faith Formation
Rachel Storm - Office Manager
Heather Schneider - Ministry Coordinator
NORTHEAST IOWA FOOD BANK
In May, 48 pounds of non-
perishable food items were
collected and donated to the
Cedar Valley Pantry. Thank you to
everyone who donated to those in
our community that are facing food
insecurities.
HASHTAG FOR BETHLEHEM
We are hoping to increase our
presence on social media by
creating a hashtag specific to
Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Our
new hashtag is #blcsharing. The hashtag BLCCF was
already taken. Hopefully #blcsharing will be easy to
remember without too many letters. It is a
combination of our church letters (blc) and the
beginning of our Mission Statement, “Sharing the
Bread of Life with a Hungry World” (sharing). So give
it a try when posting on Twitter, Facebook, and
Instagram. ??? Contact a techy, social media user
near you.
4000 Hudson Road, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
“BETHLEHEM” (USPS 565-290) is published monthly by the
BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4000 Hudson Road, Cedar
Falls, Iowa 50613. Periodical Postage Paid at Cedar Falls,
Iowa 50613.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Bethlehem, 4000
Hudson Road, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
VOLUME 40 NUMBER 6 MAY 27, 2017
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHEDULE
JUNE, JULY, AUGUST
8:30am Traditional Worship
9:30am Fellowship
10:30am Contemporary Worship
OUTDOOR WORSHIP
JUNE, 1
SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE
June, July, & August
8:30am Traditional
10:30am Contemporary
(Coffee fellowship hour begins at 9:30am.)
SUMMER BLC OFFICE HOURS
June, July, & August
Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-3:00pm
Friday Closed
REGISTER ONLINE AT
https://goo.gl/forms/
9SFKe20mAT93syaQ2
??? Contact Amber Halvorsen,
939-8114 or Ellen Hermanson, 573-0719.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL July 9, 12:30-1:30pm
July 10-13, 5:00-7:30pm More information included
inside the newsletter.
PENTECOST SUNDAY, JUNE 4 OUTDOOR WORSHIP
Wear something red.
Bring something red to potluck.
Related Documents
