Reading the Bible; Breaking the Lawbethlehemcov.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/STAR-March...1 5 October 2012April 2013 Issue 359 Reading the Bible; Breaking the Law Issue 365 March

1

October 2012

Issue 359

Reading the Bible; Breaking the Law

April 2013

Issue 365

March 2014

Issue 375

The Swedish Lutheran Church had weak vital

signs in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centu-

ries. New life in Christ was not expected of

parishoners or clergy. “Before the great revivals

started in our fatherland, the spiritual condition

in the State Church was more one of death than

of life.”¹ Preaching was not designed for the

enlightenment of the people. Swedish clergymen

were civil servants with a reputation for impiety

and excessive drinking. Religious discipline was

brutal and indiscriminate. There was not much

life to be found in the State Church of Sweden.

Karl Olson writes, “The Church was hyperortho-

dox and intolerant, objective and formal; it left

little room for personal piety or spontaneous

worship.”²

Sweden was poor and demoralized after a failed

invasion of Russia. Swedish soldiers brought the

consolations of small group Bible studies home

from Siberian prisoner of war camps. In prison

they learned to sing heartfelt hymns, to pray

devotionally to God, and to study the scriptures

together without the interference of clergy. The

State Church responded to earnest faith of the

returning soldiers by crafting the Edict against

Conventicles in 1726. Small group Bible studies

were made illegal in the State of Sweden. The

religious authorities feared fanaticism and indis-

criminate gatherings. The tyrannical Edict

against Conventicles proved ineffective at com-

pletely stopping prayer gatherings, hymn sings,

and devotional Bible reading.

The old society was giving way to a new Swe-

den defined by “liberal social ideas and religious

revival movements.”3 Young men went door to

door with religious tracts and Bibles. Inevitably,

these lay Bible salesmen, these “forge tenders,

plow boys, cobblers, sailors”4 and others would

give testimony to the new life that they had

found in Christ. No law could stop the revival

coming to Sweden. “A spiritual awakening be-

gan to be recognized among the people. A great

multitude came to faith in Christ and found life

in the faith of God's Son.”5

The Covenant Church originated as a cluster of

small group Bible studies. Today, gone is the

fear of official persecution. In its place are the

tyranny of busyness and the oppression of self-

sufficiency. Much has changed since the Cove-

nant first organized in Sweden but one thing re-

mains the same: we can all benefit from gather-

ing in small groups for Bible study. New life

happens when we read God’s Word together.

Consider joining a small group Bible study this

Lent. It is only a six-week commitment. If you

really love it, you have the freedom to keep on

studying the Bible together! There are ample op-

portunities to get involved in the evening or day-

time most days of the week. We will follow a

common curriculum that will get the whole con-

gregation studying the same stories from the

Gospel of John. On Easter we celebrate the mira-

cle of new life in Christ. Let’s prepare for the

biggest day on the church calendar by learning

what it means to experience life in abundance.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

¹Glenn Anderson quoting CV Bowman, Covenant Roots, 84

²Karl Olson, By One Spirit, 20-21 3Scott Erickson, David Nyvall and the Shape of the Immigrant Church, 39 4Karl Olson, By One Spirit, 55 5Glenn Anderson quoting CV Bowman, Covenant Roots, 84

2

Sunday Nursery Volunteer Schedule Our nursery staff will be present at each

service with the volunteer.

Contemporary Worship (8:30)

March 2 Becky Anderson

March 9 Mary Jones-Morris

March 16 Katie Elden

March 23 Annie Booker

March 30 Mary Ann Smith

Sunday School (9:45)

March 2 Amy Eikenbary-Barber

March 9 Jan Norman

March 16 Lori Frasch

March 23 Kelly Laudon

March 30 Linda Spohr

Classic Worship (10:45)

March 2 Ruth Johnson

March 9 Rachel Ridenour

March 16 Larson Family

March 23 Amy Sokolski

March 30 Grace & Anna Bergstrom

* Arrival time is prior to the scheduled starting time

of classes or worship (as shown above).

Sunday Treats 9:30am 12 Noon

March 2 Mary Jones-Morris Deb Shold

March 9 Nicole Kennedy Cheryl Hunstock

March 16 Nancy Lindquist Mary Ann Smith

March 23 Katie and Jeff Elden Lynette Clausen

March 30 Juliann Swanson Kaarina Kotkavuori

If changes become necessary, please don’t forget to let the church office know. Thank you.

Add Your Name To The List!

Jenny Hokanson is looking for willing

hands to help feed a hoard of hungry folks.

Our church serves Loaves and Fishes on

Monday, March 31st. This event is offsite

but rides can be arranged. Please go to the

sign-up table after worship on Sunday and

get full details. We especially need helpers

for the clean-up hour if your work schedule

only allows for a later arrival. This is the

most immediately rewarding task that our

church does—three or four times a year.

Our Most-Requested Information: two amendments for your address book

Guido and Greg Kauls

4186 Running Brook Road

Eagan, MN 55112

(cell number unchanged)

Cliff and Nancy Dahlin

Water’s Edge Apt. 205

11040 North State Road 77

Hayward, WI 54843

3

4

More Out and About (To Covenant Village)

Tuesday, March 11th at 3pm— a Minnesota History Center Presentation

Women have been serving in military conflicts since the American Revolution, but World War II was

the first time that women served in the United States military in an official capacity. Learn about the

life of Virginia Mae Hope (1921-1944), World War II Woman Air Force Service Pilot (WASP).

Thursday, March 20, 1pm

Presented by Dr. Len Lecci, Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington

Director of Clinical Services for Memory-Health Network (MARS).

Dr. Lecci received his PhD. From Arizona State University and interned at Harvard Medical School.

He specializes in the assessment of memory and other clinical disorders and, over the last seven years,

has been involved in a project to maximize the early detection of memory problems. Come and listen

to his recommendations on how to keep your brain healthy and to improve your memory. For this

class only, if there is sufficient participation Covenant Village will send their bus and provide transpor-

tation for our attendees. Must RSVP by Monday, March 17th at the latest!!

Please RSVP for both events. A sheet is on the kiosk. Thank you!

Faith, Fun, and Fellowship on March 17th at 1pm

Are you climbing your castle walls

and eagerly awaiting a breath of spring?

Time to get out and about again; join our group on

St. Patrick’s Day!

Yes, we will be praying. No we are not serving Guinness. Instead, we will feast on cof-

fee and greenies and be entertained by a short video which shows portions of our 1998

construction project wherein Faith, Fun and Fellowship members earned their Oscars!

This is also a quilter’s call-out event. If you have quilts in your collection that you

would like to exhibit, please contact Ann Swanson as soon as possible. We will need

them to be brought to the church office by Friday, March 14th (by 4pm) so that the in-

stallation can be done in advance of our gathering. Please put a nametag on the back of

the quilt and a note with any other info i.e. quilter, date, history, etc.

Wear GREEN and bring a leprechaun if you own one that has been house-trained.

Laughter and good company promised!

5

March Birthdays

1 Beverly Hinseth

2 Stephanie Blado

Carrie Hokanson

Carol-June Leonard

Keller Piatt

3 Barbara Boca Swanson

4 Kris Sheppard

Johan Nordenstam

5 Esther Nosco

Claire Howland

Karen Lilla

Anna Peterson

6 Karl Frykman

7 Alice Knudsen

8 Cliff Dahlin

9 Derek Woolley

10 Ryan Eikenbary-Barber

Jon Jensen

Mark Lundheim

James Reeher

11 Jeff Hutchinson

Bill Solie

Matthias Frasch

12 Maya Simon

13 Grace Lilla

14 Paul Erickson

Garrett Buttenhoff

15 Jacob Boucher

Chris Peterson

18 Peter J. Koontz

(San Francisco, CA)

20 Anthony Laudon

21 Greg Alm

24 Sue Johnson

Paul Williams

Joanne Hall

25 Gunnar Legler

Karina Spohr

26 Griffin Clausen

Gabriella Brinkmann

28 Carola Bratt

Laura Nygren

30 Kaarina Kotkavuori

Aubrey Laudon

Adult Sunday School in March

BELIEVE! A Fresh Look at John’s Gospel

Adult Sunday School studies the Gospel of John throughout

March! Jump in anytime! We’ll look at the next six of Jesus’

seven miraculous signs.

Sunday mornings, 9:50 a.m., in the Community Room.

Joyce Denham, speaker

The American Swedish Institute Fiddles Around

Sunday, March 2 at 3pm (Bethlehem Covenant Church)

Wildly popular with reserved

Scandinavians and hugely appreci-

ated by all those with a musical

interest—the Spelmanslag (read

Fiddlers) will return to perform

their eclectic blend of Swedish

folk music for our listening pleas-

ure. Ross Sutter will be joining us

for the concert as well. Check out

his bio with a “Google” search.

Coffee and refreshments will fol-

low in Fellowship Hall.

Grief Support Group

A Grief Support Group will be held at Colonial Acres in

Golden Valley for anyone who has lost a loved one or would

like to share with others in the grief process. The group will

be facilitated by Chaplain Jim Anderson. Meetings will be

on consecutive Wednesdays, March 26, April 2 and 9, from

1:30 to 3:00pm in the Conference Room at Colonial Acres.

Please call Jim Anderson (763-732-1490) if you plan to at-

tend.

6

It’s been said that for some people, there are really

only two seasons: Baseball and the rest of the

year. I might be one of those people. Usually late

in January baseball geeks start a countdown to the

day pitchers and catchers report to spring training.

It’s kind of funny that we've made a big deal of

anticipating an arbitrary day on the calendar when

a small portion of your favorite team shows up in

Arizona or Florida to throw the ball around for a

few hours. But for the fanatic, this is exciting

stuff.

I was explaining Spring Training to my daughter

the other day, how it’s a time for baseball players

to hone their skills in preparation for the official

baseball season. She asked, “what do baseball

players do the rest of the year?” Her question

made me think about why spring training is spe-

cial. Any professional athlete must spend 12

months a year conditioning and staying in shape.

To be competitive at the highest level one must

persistently be practicing. But there is a need for a

season where the skills of the player are refined

and sharpened in a special way.

For the Christian, could Lent be a little bit like

Spring Training? We are called to daily disciplines

throughout our life of prayer, service, devotion,

and worship; but sometimes don't we need a little

extra “practice” in our discipline? Many Christians

throughout history have marked the season of Lent

(the 40 days preceding Easter) as a time for fasting

or other spiritual disciplines. They take this time

to put a little extra focus on their spiritual life in

preparation for Easter, not because spiritual disci-

plines are unimportant the rest of the year, but

because sometimes human beings just need some

designated time for ordering our lives.

You know, Spring Training isn't just meant for

players to put in extra work on their skills. It’s a

time for coaches and managers to evaluate what

kind of players they have on their team and make

tough decisions about who makes the big leagues

and who goes back to the farm. In the same way,

Lent is a time for us to do a moral inventory of

ourselves. What in our life needs to be “sent to the

farm”? What is lacking and what do we need more

of to love God and love our neighbor better than

we have?

Traditionally, we mark the beginning of Lent here

at Bethlehem Covenant Church with a worship

service on Ash Wednesday. This year Ash

Wednesday falls on March 5th. We will gather in

the sanctuary for song, scripture, communion, and

the imposition of ashes to remind ourselves of

who we are: that we are finite creatures, beloved

by God, far from perfect, and in constant need of

his help and mercy. The imposition of ashes on the

forehead in the shape of the cross is a visible re-

minder of these things. It marks the beginning of

our journey to Good Friday and Easter Sunday, a

journey of death and resurrection. A time of prepa-

ration and spiritual conditioning. I hope this Sea-

son of worship and reflection is a blessed one for

each of us, strengthening us to grow in grace and

truth.

Thoughts from Pastor Matt Kennedy

Why can’t I get my emails to go through to

Kay Pederson? It’s because there is an error in capitalization on Page 50 of the

church directory. It should read:

[email protected]

7

Preparing for Worship

Here are the Scriptures that we plan to study

during Worship in March.

March 2 John 9:1-41

March 5 Ash Wednesday Worship

The Lenten Season Begins

Ps. 23; John 10:1-18

March 9 John 11: 1-44

March 16 Ps. 51:7-12; John 13:1-17

March 23 Ps. 17:1-7; John 18:12-27

March 30 Ps. 145:10-13

John 18:28-40

STAR Articles for April Please submit to the office by

Monday, March 17

Articles for the Longfellow Messenger

are due the same day.

SING a New Song

The North Park University

School of Music

presents

The 2014 University Choir Tour

Directed by Julia Davids

Bethlehem hosts the choir on

Tuesday, March 11 at 7pm

If you are unable to attend, there are additional

performances in the Twin Cities on March 8th,

9th, 10th and 12th.

Check the kiosk and bulletin boards in the

atrium for additional times and places

Quilt & Craft Retreat Thursday, March 13 to Sunday March 16

$155 for 3 nights and 9 meals or

$110 for 2 nights and 5 meals.

Friday meals are available a la carte:

$7 for lunch; $8 for dinner.

Enjoy deluxe housing at Covenant Pines.

The retreat will not have an instructor so bring

projects for independent work.

Painters, knitters, scrapbookers, quilters and

“Pinners” (who bring Pinterest creations to life)

Register online: covenantpines.org

(Watch the “Retreats” video!)

A Golden Opportunity to Overspend

aka “Silent Auction”

David asks that we show up in force and bring

our piggybanks along. We are sending our

wonderful, wiley and witty teens to Wind

River, Wyoming from July 25th to August

2nd.

Auction Date: Sunday March 30th

Fellowship Hall

Closing bids due by 12:30pm

Volunteer your items cheerfully to Dave well in

advance of the sale date:

Bake, rake, clean, babysit, even abdicate your

lake cabin for a weekend—all for a good cause.

8

THIS is the largest grassroots fund and food drive in the state to benefit those who are hungry. The

Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign goal is a constant: to raise enough money and food to provide

more than half the food distributed annually by 300 food shelves statewide.

For 32 years, the March Campaign goal has been ambitious. This year is no different. our theme is “Be

the Hero. Fight Hunger.” Last year the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign raised more than $8.3

million and almost 4 million pounds of food. That is the equivalent of a year’s worth of meals for more

than 7,700 families of four.

Donate Healthy Food

When you donate to a food shelf, think about the quality of the food you are donating. Many people

who receive food from emergency food programs rely on this food for regular meals, so nutrition is

important. Many clients are at risk for health problems, especially the elderly, and good nutrition can

help them cope with the physical and mental stress they face in their lives.

Avoid the temptation to donate that old can of food that nobody in your house will ever eat. Chances

are, if no one in your house wants it, no one at the food shelf would like it either. Never donate dented

or bent cans of food, food in damaged packages, or out-of-date food. The food shelf will just have to

dispose of these items. Here are some ideas for donating high quality, nutritious food:

Grains

Cereals, Couscous, Pasta (all kinds), Rice pilaf mix, While wheat crackers, Rice (brown or white), and

Flour (whole wheat and white.

Fruits and Vegetables

Canned tomato juice and sauce, Spaghetti sauce, Canned vegetables, Canned tomatoes (whole, puree,

paste), Applesauce, Dried fruit (raisins, prunes, apricots), 100% fruit juice (cans, bottles, juice boxes),

Canned fruit in juice

No Refrigeration Required

Cartons of aseptic packaged milk, Grated cheese, Soy milk, Canned milk, Dry milk

Meats and Proteins Bean, lentil, minestrone or split pea soup, Canned beans (kidney, garbanzo, pinto, etc.), Canned tuna,

chicken, ham or salmon, Dry beans (kidney, garbanzo, pinto), Dry roasted nuts, Canned baked beans,

Peanut butter, Hearty beef or chicken soup.

Other

Baby food (carefully check expiration), Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, salsa) Dried herbs

(oregano, basil, garlic and chili powder), Coffee, Tea, Salad dressing, Vegetable oil.

MARCH is Minnesota FoodShare Month

9

Thank you...to this wonderful community

called Bethlehem Covenant Church for the en-

couragement given during my encounter with

cancer. The meals, cards and notes, prayers,

words of concern have all meant more than I

can fully express. Now we are grateful for

what seems to be an answer to prayer—the tu-

mor is shrinking. Praise God!!!

With love, Marilyn Erickson

Dear Pastor Ryan and our friends at

Bethlehem...you all sure know how to bless your

missionaries! Not only are you caring for my sup-

port and ministry needs, but your surprise Christ-

mas gift was another amazing encouragement to us;

a bazillion thanks (as in, that’s a lot of thanks!).

We hope to get home to Minnesota in May to help

celebrate Paul’s 80th birthday. Your gift will be

joyfully used towards some of those expenses.

May you experience God’s richest blessings as you

reamin faithful in service in the New Year, 2014.

With thanks for your love and generous care,

Barb and Steve Swanson

(Blog) [email protected]

(Email) [email protected]

I want to thank all of the wonderful Bethlehem

people who baked the bars and served the luncheon

for my whole family and me. One of the things

Ann loved to do the most is to eat and she would

have enjoyed this meal. Thank you all.

My second family—the people from Bethlehem—

are the kindest and most considerate people I know.

I love you all and I thank you for everything you

have done for us over the years.

Guido Kauls

As I mentioned in church during prayers a

couple of weeks ago, there is not only a Balm

in Gilead but also in Bethlehem because so

many members in this congregation visited,

sent so many cards and offered so many

prayers and I need to thank you for being the

healing salve that has helped make me whole

again. And now I am trusting in the good

Lord to do the things in me that I cannot do

myself. Blessings on all of you as I continue

to recover.

Clyde Lund

I thank God for the gift of a new granddaugh-

ter, Neela Karen Renter, born February 1st to

my daughter Kaia and son-in-law, Nick in

San Diego.

Lily and Juliette are excited to be first-time

aunties!

Shanan Tolzin

Planning for Lent

On Ash Wednesday, March 5th, we will gather in Fellowship Hall for a lighter meal (soup) prior to

Worship in the sanctuary at 7pm. This service will include the imposition of ashes (from the burned

palms of Palm Sunday, 2013) — a solemn and reverent opportunity to prepare for Lenten disciplines.

We are in the process of creating weekly small groups which will study the same texts and meet at

church or in private homes. Sign up for these groups immediately (contact the church office) and join

in with others to learn and discuss our joint Lenten journey as we move toward Holy Week in April.

10

Introducing Bethlehem’s Newest Church-Supported Missionaries:

Jared and Hannah Baker

Jared and Hannah Baker were commissioned to serve as short-term missionaries for the Evangelical Covenant

Church in 2008 and served for 3 years alongside Steve and Barb Swanson in Europe. They were able to use their

short term experience to discern whether God was calling them into full time missions and fell in love with cross

cultural ministry and enjoyed interacting with people from many different countries, learning another language,

and adapting to life in a new country. Jared discovered that his gifts are in pastoral ministry as well as in leader-

ship and administration, while Hannah has found that outreach to Muslims is where her gifts and passion lie.

Through prayer and conversations with World Mission Leadership, the Bakers have discerned that God is calling

them back to Europe for full time service, this time alongside John and Letha Kerl. (Barb Swanson and the Kerls

are also supported by Bethlehem.) Currently the Bakers are on home assignment, spending time in the States

gathering prayer and financial support before they leave in March 2014 with 95% of their financial support

raised.

Growing up, Jared and Hannah were active in youth groups and summer camp. Through these experiences, they

grew in their faith and eventually worked as camp staff for several summers. Jared, a native of Minnesota and

the Excelsior Covenant Church, was raised in a home with many opportunities for travel, and has always found

himself particularly drawn to Europe. In seeking God’s direction for future ministry throughout his years in

seminary, Jared experienced a growing interest in God’s global mission. His excitement for cross-cultural minis-

try was further confirmed in May 2008 when he helped lead a trip to work with orphaned children in Bolivia.

Hannah has felt the call to serve on the mission field since a very young age. Coming from Arizona, she partici-

pated in several trips to Mexico with her church to aid in orphan ministry. During her time at Covenant Bible

College, she felt confirmed in her passion for mission work. While attending North Park University, Hannah

worked with Muslim refugees in the North Park area and viewed the short term opportunity she had in Europe

with Barb Swanson as confirmation of her calling.

Jared received his BS from Iowa State University (2005, Sociology, Ames, IA) and his MA in Christian Forma-

tion and an MA in Business Administration from North Park Theological Seminary (2008, Chicago, IL). He was

ordained by the Evangelical Covenant Church in 2011. Hannah attended Covenant Bible College (2001, Quito,

Ecuador) and received her BA from North Park University (2006, History, Chicago, IL). She is now completing

her MA in Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, CA).

Jared and Hannah are members of Grace Evangelical Covenant Church in Chicago, IL.

Birthdays: Jared April 21

Hannah December 20

Anniversary: May 27, 2006

11

Pay-Up by March 16th

The $150 registration cost for the Wind River,

Wyoming summer missions trip is due on this

date. If you procrastinate the cost will increase

significantly. Please speak to David Johnson

immediately if you have any interest in attend-

ing and are a High School student.

A Thread about Yarn

We will be hosting another gathering of the

Bhutanese/Nepali women on Wednesday,

March 12, 10 to 11:30am in the Community

Room.

Needed: COTTON yarn!

If you have any to donate, please bring it to

the office marked “knitting” and we will use

it up. The plan is to make dish cloths

Also needed: KNITTING INSTRUCTORS!

If you have this time frame available and are

willing to demonstrate how to knit, please

give Sylvia Bacon a call. As of this writing,

we have no one to teach.

If you can join us and wish to bring along

something to offer as a snack, please bring

fruit. We have discovered that this commu-

nity does not like “sweets”. It is not neces-

sary to knit — just be willing to speak Eng-

lish with our guests.

Our February Valentine gathering was at-

tended by seven women and one elderly man.

One of the younger women spoke fluent Eng-

lish. Two Crosstown Covenant women also

attended.

Linda Leonard reports that stitchery is a very

popular craft with this group and that they

have done lovely work (which hopefully they

will bring along for us to see).

The Covenant

Addresses a HUGE Need

Be there in earnest for a person who needs a lis-

tening ear, discernment and prayer in a confi-

dential setting of encouragement and compas-

sion.

You can be trained to do this.

You can own these skills and serve our

congregation and the broader community.

Here is a program designed to benefit people

who want to develop a ministry of Spiritual Di-

rection, to enhance their listening skills or to en-

rich their own spiritual life. It is a 2-year cohort-

based program that can be completed mostly

from a distance, with the exception of coming to

campus in Chicago for one week each summer.

To learn more about this program and view the

course syllabi you can visit our website at

www.northpark.edu/spiritual-direction

A new cohort starts every summer and the due

date is always March 31st.

If you are not able to access the internet, please

contact Amy Oxendale, Seminary Recruiting

Associate at (773) 244-6229.

Juli Swanson is currently enrolled in this pro-

gram and may be able to answer your questions

or give you her personal observations.

12

Money is waiting to be saved: Early Bird Camp Registrations are due by April 1st

www.covenantpines.org

is the place to check dates for

Encounter The Living Water

Camp Night at Bethlehem Wednesday, March 19th ~ 5:45pm

Fellowship Hall

We want every child to attend camp.

Please speak to Pastor Derek about financial assistance if that is a concern.

Ushers for 8:30 Contemporary Service Readers for 8:30 Contemporary Service

March 2 Greg Alm Nicole Kennedy

March 9 Greg Alm Mary Ann Smith

March 16 Diane & Jeff Hutchinson Please volunteer online or call office

March 23 Diane & Jeff Hutchinson Please volunteer online or call office

March 30 Diane & Jeff Hutchinson Please volunteer online or call office

Ushers for 11:00 Traditional Service Readers for 11:00 Traditional Service

(Month of March) March 2 Carrie Hokanson

Lynette Clausen March 9 Evie Swanson

Ruth Dahlgren March 16 Deb Shold

Chris Simon March 23 Sally Sundberg

Maya Simon March 30 Cindy Bergstrom

Greeter during March at 8:30am Contemporary Service A volunteer is needed!

Greeter during March at 11:00 am Traditional Service Lowery Smith

Thinking of Volunteering? www.bethlehemcov.org

Please use the spread sheet online to volunteer. Choose “Glimpse” and scroll down to

“Volunteering”. The dates are in the left column. We’d like to see some new names appear. Train-

ing is available.

If you have a distaste/distrust of computer science we are going to make this easier for you. Please

check the new listing/sign-up sheet posted on the atrium kiosk!!!!! You can also call the church of-

fice at 612-721-5768 for assistance.

13

Contact Information

Telephone 612-721-2290

Website www.bethlehemkids.org

Email [email protected]

This winter’s below zero temperatures have obviously tested everyone’s patience and called for an un-

usual amount of creativity in keeping the children engaged in indoor play. The snow which fell this

past weekend has been a blessing, to most of us, as it came amongst sunshine and little wind! The

laughter is once again spreading throughout the playground as the children are sledding down the hill

with their friends, shoveling new pathways across the playground, imagining adventures that can only

happen in the fresh snow, and competing to locate the deepest amount of snow on the playground.

Fall 2014 registration opened earlier this week for new families. We were blessed to have 20 people

waiting in line to hand Ms. Sue their enrollment packets when she opened the door at 7 a.m.! Through-

out the morning another 7 families dropped off their packets and a couple other inquired about open-

ings. Over the next couple of weeks the office staff will be busy filling in the enrollment spreadsheet

with the names of children eager, or at least families who are eager, to have their children begin their

preschool experience with us in the fall.

BCCC will be hosting our annual family potluck on Thursday, March 20. The school-age children and

staff are preparing to entertain us with a talent show. We plan to have a silent auction, funds going to

purchase items for World Vision, this year as well. If anyone from the church has items to donate or

connections within our community for donations we welcome your help in adding to our silent auction.

In the past few years children have been able to use the money for purchasing things like cows, goats,

ducks, sheep, pigs, chickens soccer balls, bicycles, fruit trees (and bees to go with them), as well as a

portion of a well, new clothing and shoes, and fishing kits. Last year the families at BCCC raised

$2,576!

Blessings,

Jill Ravensborg and the BCCC Staff

Do you know how to get to 1604 E. Lake Street? Can you clear the second Wednesday morning

of the month on your calendar? Can you lift a 30 pound box? Do you have a heart for the hun-

gry among us?

The Salvation Army needs a Produce Give-Away Assistant. Bring boxes of produce into the building,

sort the produce, help clients find/choose produce and help to clean up after the give-away event.

The contact number is 612-276-1530. Be aware that this is our LOCAL Food Shelf.

14

NON-PROFIT

US POSTAGE

PAID

TWIN CITIES

MN

PERMIT NO. 386

Bethlehem Covenant Church

3141 43rd Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55406

Rev. Ryan Eikenbary-Barber

David Johnson, Dir. of Youth Ministry

Derek VanderMolen, Dir. of Children’s Ministry

Rev. Matthew Kennedy, Pastor of Worship

Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, Adult Choir Director

Contact the church at:

Telephone: 612-721-5768

Web Address: www.bethlehemcov.org

Email: [email protected]

Dated Material: Return Service Requested

SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Classic Worship MONDAY 7:00 p.m. Community activities evening TUESDAY 8:00 a.m. Breakfast at Bridgeman’s—2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month 9:00 a.m. Properties Work Day at church 6:30 p.m. Gathering for Prayer—Church Community Invited WEDNESDAY 9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 12:30 p.m. Staff Meeting 3:30 p.m. Hosanna Choir, Pre-K 4:00 p.m. Hosanna Choir, K-1st grade 4:45 p.m. Alleluia Choir, Grade 2 and up 5:45 p.m. Wonderful Wednesday Meal 6:15 p.m. Kids Club (except March 5) 6:30 p.m. Confirmation (except March 5) 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir rehearsal 6:30 p.m. Sr. High Six12 (except March 5) THURSDAY 9:45 a.m. Bible Encounter FRIDAY 6:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study 9:00 a.m. Walk and coffee at Mall of America