Volume 38, Issue 2 · February 2017 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. CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER EVENT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 3:30-6:00PM Luther’s Small Catechism is a rich resource for prayer. We will explore this simple, family oriented text for great ideas for prayer. Luther’s morning and evening prayers frame our day with God’s presence. His prayers around meals let our gratitude to God be lifted up. Other styles of prayer for all ages - preschool-adult will be presented and practiced so that you might find one that fits you well. Active prayer, creative prayer, spoken prayer, silent prayer and more. Childcare will be provided for children younger than 3 years old. Faith is formed through Devotions, so let us grow our faith together. ??? Contact Pastor Gary, [email protected] or Robin Souhrada, [email protected]. So, what’s the big deal about the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation, anyway? Well, it had profound historic impacts on the political structure of Europe, but we remember it for the changes it brought to the thinking and practice of the Christian Church in the 1500’s; changes that affect us even now. To a great degree, God was thought of as angry at people and eager to punish. The sins of people needed to be dealt with through acts of repentance in this life and suffering for centuries in a place called purgatory after death. Only then, would God offer forgiveness and welcome people into heaven. People were taught that God didn’t really want to hear the prayers of sinners, but that those in heaven, although not Jesus, could relay their prayers to God. People were taught that common work and family life was not valued by God, but only official religious work was a calling from God. The Reformation changed that. Martin Luther, and others, discovered, from the Bible, that God’s mercy and grace were the primary ways that God met God’s people. Forgiveness was not in short supply with God at all. God loved to hear the prayers of sinners. All work that served the neighbor and community was a calling from God. God’s people live by trusting God’s love rather than by fearfully trying to be perfect. We owe the Reformation our return to the Bible and the recognition that “God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” “The church is a living partnership between the ministry of the congregation and ministry of the home.” Vibrant Faith
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th Anniversary of the Reformation, anyway?storage.cloversites.com/bethlehemlutheranchurch3...Jim Heiselman Claire Hermanson Jon Hernandez Joan Jensen Robert Johnson Anna Jorgensen
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Volume 38, Issue 2 · February 2017
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.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER EVENT
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 3:30-6:00PM
Luther’s Small Catechism is a rich resource for prayer. We will explore
this simple, family oriented text for great ideas for prayer. Luther’s
morning and evening prayers frame our day with God’s presence. His
prayers around meals let our gratitude to God be lifted up. Other
styles of prayer for all ages - preschool-adult will be presented and
practiced so that you might find one that fits you well. Active prayer,
creative prayer, spoken prayer, silent prayer and more. Childcare will
be provided for children younger than 3 years old. Faith is formed
through Devotions, so let us grow our faith together.
As is often the case, when one chooses to contribute at Bethlehem, more is
received than given. We contributed the altar flowers in October, and
when I asked our altar guild chairperson what is done with flowers that are
left after service, I learned they are taken to New Aldaya. I decided to
leave the flowers for others to enjoy. Several days later, I received a thank
you phone call from Freda L. who assists with the Garden Club for the
residents in the Memory Care Unit at New Aldaya. Garden Club organizers
cut the flowers to the proper size for small vases, the residents choose their flowers and make lovely bouquets
that are then delivered to other residents. That particular week, they were able to make 17 bouquets some of
which were used on the tables for a meal hosted for families of Veterans who had been residents but had
passed this year. I happened to be at New Aldaya that week and when I saw how those flowers had been re-
purposed and pondered on how that had happened, I felt very blessed and proud to be a member of
Bethlehem Lutheran. What a marvelous example this is of Vibrant Faith at work; Bethlehem's mission and
God's Word is spread far beyond our building walls. -Sue Jorgensen Picture, top right, are bouquets similar to the ones Sue spoke of in her article. If you would like to learn more
about donating flowers or the particular vases used, you may speak with Freda Lovejoy.