February 2015 Lent 2015 “40 Days of Life Together” Our theme this year is "40 Days of Life Together" and this springs from our emphasis in 2015 on developing meaningful spiritual relationships. In keeping with this emphasis, we will be studying one of the most influential Christian books on discipleship and community, Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Our Wednesday evening gatherings during Lent will focus on the five chapters of the book: Bethel will have 20 copies of Life Together available for purchase ($10) in the office. You are encouraged to read the section the week after the Wednesday night service and meet in small groups, study groups, breakfast groups, etc. during the week for discussion. Pastor Dave will be holding a Brown Bag and Bible group on Wednesdays in Lent from 12:00-1:00 at Bethel. February 25: Community March 4: The Day with Others March 11: The Day Alone March 18: Ministry March 25: Confession and Communion The week after each of these Wednesday night Lenten worship services, Pastor Dave will be posting some discussion questions, conversation starters, and Bible verses for you to use in small groups, in coffee groups, as spouses/families. You can access these at our Lent 2015 Study Blog: www.lent2015atbethel.blogspot.com. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Pastor’s Page Life in Community, Life Together “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). With this, Dietrich Bonhoeffer begins his classic book on faith, discipleship and community. This year, our kindred of faith at Bethel will be exploring the themes of this book during Lent. I remember the first time I read this book, and how impressive, overwhelming, and exciting it was to me. I remember longing for such a life together with others in the name of Jesus. The history of Bonhoeffer, as a preacher and teacher, as a voice in the wilderness against the Nazi oppression, as a courageous leader of the underground Confessing Church during his later years in Germany, and as a humble and thoughtful and prayerful servant of Jesus, form the backdrop of this seminal book. Life Together was written in the run up to the Second World War as the Confessing Church confronted Nazism. The stimulus for the writing of Life Together was the closing of the preacher's seminary at Finkenwalde. The treatise contains Bonhoeffer's thoughts about the nature of Christian community based on the common life that he and his seminarians experienced at the seminary and in the "Brother's House" there. Bonhoeffer completed the writing of Life Together in 1938. I invite you to embrace this unique opportunity to read a Christian classic. You can purchase a copy from the office, or online of course. Bethel will be offering an opportunity for Lent-specific study groups to form to study the book. Each Wednesday night during Lent, we will explore a separate theme. We also have a study blog set up, www.lent2015atbethel.blogspot.com, for your groups or you individually to use during the season. Our emphasis this year on authentic, meaningful, and faithful relationships serves as a catalyst for using this meaningful book. I invite you to form community with folks from Bethel, but also consider doing so with folks outside of Bethel. Invite some neighbors to read it with you, to attend our midweek worship gatherings, and perhaps meet in your home (use the study blog for conversation starters, Bible verses, and questions). In a society that is often divided, this is a time we can faithfully and unequivocally announce a unity we all share in Christ. Lenten Shalom, Pastor Dave Lent 2015 Schedule Ash Wednesday Worship (February 18) 12:00 noon - Bethel 7:00 pm - The Chapel at The Village at Orchard Ridge (Due to WATTS at Bethel, we moved for this week only) Midweek Worship (Feb. 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25) 6:00 pm - Lenten Dinner 7:00 pm - Lenten Worship Maundy Thursday Worship (April 2) 12:00 noon - Bethel 7:00 pm - Bethel Good Friday Worship (April 3) 12:00 noon - Bethel 7:00 pm - Bethel Easter Sunday (April 5) 8:30 and 11:00 am An Easter breakfast will be available from 7:30-10:30. The deadline for articles for the March issue of the Bethel Banner is 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 18. Please send articles to [email protected] -2- Council Highlights The first meeting of the Congregational Council of Bethel Lutheran Church was held on January 14. Pastor Dave Young, Tom Beyer, Julie Shanabrook, Tom Milburn, Adrian Pullen, Cory Carlson, Karla King, and Bruce Lothrop were present at the meeting. Pastor Dave opened the meeting with a brief ceremony in the sanctuary. "Soup-er Bowl" Soup Pick-Up! Sunday, February 1, Souper Bowl Sunday Pick up soup our youth will have prepared for you in the kitchen after services! Proceeds support "Rise Up" ELCA Youth Gathering Youth THANK YOU! Election of Officers Council elected officers for the 2015 year. Tom Beyer was elected president. Karla King was elected vice president. Bruce Lothrop was elected Secretary. Traci Shoberg will continue to server as Treasurer. Approval of Treasurer’s Report Income for December was $6,000 less than planned for in the ministry spending plan. Expenses were about $1,000 less than expected. Overall, income exceeded expenses for December by $2,800. For 2014, expenses exceeded income by $8,000. While this is not ideal, the 2014 Ministry Spending Plan anticipated a $54,000 deficit. Audit Council agreed to appoint a three member audit committee to work on internal audits on an ongoing basis. The committee will review procedures of the church as needed. Council members will consider who in the congregation would be appropriate to serve on this committee. Valentine's Day Parents Night Out & Child Care! February 14, from 5-9pm At Bethel Our youth will eat with and love your kids while you enjoy a Valentine's night out! We will serve chicken nuggets, green beans and mac and cheese. Kids-bring your PJs and a toothbrush! Financial donations support our Youth. Please sign up at the Cross Roads by Sunday, February 8. Council Retreat Council will meet on the evening of February 6 to review 2014 and set priorities for 2015. Board Liaisons Members of council who will not serve as officers were assigned roles as liaisons to ministry boards as follows: Worship Board – Pastor Dave Learning – Julie Shanabrook Prayer and Care – Greg Brondos Servant – Tom Milburn Ministry Support - Cory Carlson Congregational Life – Adrian Pullen -3- Women’s Ministries Youth Ministries Youth "Soup-er Bowl" Sale! Women’s Bible Study and Potluck Brunch February 1, Souper Bowl Sunday We will pass out soup orders and collect payments in the church kitchen. Saturday, February 7, 2015, 10:00 a.m. Come hear Ellen Hinlickey present "Good Girls Rarely Make History"! Sounds like fun in the middle of a cold winter. Mark your calendars! Thank thank thank YOU for all the funderwonderful support of our ELCA Youth Gathering SOUPER sale! We hope you enjoy all 5 of the soups and are so thankful for all the relationships and financial help! Girls’ Morning Out Saturday, February 21, 9:30 a.m. "7th Day" Come join us for a morning out at Bob Evans! RSVP to Susan Asmussen if you plan to attend ( [email protected] or 703-615-7289 ) March 7-8 Seventh Day is our annual overnight event for 5th and 6th graders! Bob Evans is located at 816 Millwood Avenue, Winchester To register: vasynod.org – click youth ministry! Women’s Retreat Seventh day held at Eagle Eyrie Conference Center in Lynchburg Virginia. About 300 youth and adults from congregations all around the Virginia Synod (that’s us!) arrive there noon on Saturday and stay until early afternoon Sunday. During that time, participants become part of a “Shepherd Group” where they meet other youth and together explore one of the great stories of the Bible through drama, games, craft and construction, and music. At night we stay in the Eagle Eyrie Cottages where to relax and talk with each other about how the event is going! “Soul Keeping” Priesfield Retreat Center, Inwood, WV April 10-12 All women are welcome! “Anxiety, fear, loneliness. These are all symptoms of a soul that has lost touch with its source of life. Like a flower snipped from the vine, the soul that is not turned toward God can only wither away. In Soul Keeping, bestselling author John Ortberg, sheds light on the most overlooked, underrated, and least understood part of your being. With a workable and relevant approach, he shows how living the "with God" life isn't just a good idea--it's the only way to find lasting peace and satisfaction...” If you have questions about Seventh Day or the registration process, please contact Bryan Jaster ([email protected])! High School Ministries LovEvolution - Sunday February 8, 6-8pm in the Underground at Bethel – We learn and live love is sacrifice. We are a group of people loving and living like Jesus together. We meet again March 15th. I invite you to join us in April, as we discover and discuss how caring for our souls honors God. “Your soul is waiting. It longs to return to its true resting place, its only resting place--God.” More details to follow next month. Michelle Young -4- Youth Ministries Continued. . . Music Ministry High School Lockin! You are Invited to Join us for a potluck Lunch! Anyone interested in the future of Bethel’s Music and Arts ministry is invited to attend a potluck brainstorming lunch on Sunday, February 1st at 12:30 PM in Discipleship Hall. What do our music and arts programs look like for the year 2015? What is our vision for the future of these ministries? Come join us and be a part of our visioning and dreaming together. This potluck and discussion is open to anyone with an interest in the process. You do not need to be an active member of our programs! Drinks, plastic ware and plates will be provided. Attendees are asked to bring a main dish, side, or dessert to share. Come and catch our 20/20 vision! For more information, see George Donovan or Darline DeMott. 7:00 p.m. — 8:00 a.m. Friday, February 27-Saturday, Febuary 28 Bring $20, a friend, and sleeping bag/pillow for all night fun, food and loving each other like Jesus! We need adult shepherds to come for a “shift” and drive for nighttime adventures. Please connect with Bryan Jaster ([email protected]) to join this crazy adventure! Children’s Choirs are re-birthing! Our Children’s Choirs are taking on a new formation this spring. During our Sunday School time twice a month, all children in grades K-5 will be participating in a time of learning new music to share periodically in our Sunday Worship Gatherings. Our hope is that this will give more of our elementary aged students an opportunity to participate and sing together. Be on the lookout for more information and dates we would like the children to sing in worship coming soon! Valentine's Day Parents night out and child care! February 14th from 5-9pm: Youth please show up at 4:30 to prepare games and more! Vacation Bible School Purchase a hymnal in memory or honor of a loved one! Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal (ELW) has been our church’s hymnal for several years. We are currently in the process of raising money to order more copies for our sanctuary to be used in worship. To raise the money, members of the congregation can dedicate a hymnal in memory of a loved one, in honor of a person or a special family event, or just make a gift of a hymnal. Bookplates commemorating the dedication will be placed inside the hymnal. The hymnals are $25 each. 130 additional hymnals are needed for our choir and sanctuary. Additional keepsake copies can also be ordered. Fill out the order form (available in the Crossroads and church office). Please make checks payable to Bethel Lutheran Church with “Hymnals” in the memo. SAVE THE DATE: June 14-18 evenings for all people! Men’s Ministries Men’s Breakfast Saturday, February 7, 9:00 a.m. Back Seat Bar and Grill 104 Full House Drive, Winchester, VA Join us for our monthly men's breakfast, held on the first Saturday of each month. Remember, bring friends! RSVP to Pastor Dave at [email protected]. -5- Learning Opportunities Adult Forum - January Kitchen Korner “Animate: Bible” Series Encounter scripture in new ways with Animate: Bible. In each session, we will watch a video featuring a leading voice from the Christian faith, spend time on personal reflection with our tablemates, and share ideas and thoughts on the topic within the larger group. The curriculum is intended to help adults to have an engaging, positive relationship with the sacred texts of the Bible. February 1: Animate Bible We will conclude our seven week study in the Animate Bible series. February 8: Congregational Meeting (no Adult Forum) February 15: Becky Jurich Becky will present a program on “Good Grief” for the congregation. All are invited to attend. February 22: Reflections from Tanzania Come hear about our most recent trip to Tanzania and the missions and ministries we are supporting The kitchen has seen lots of activity the past couple of months. Thank you all for cleaning up after events and keeping it organized; it makes it so much easier for the next group. At the request of the funeral committee we have moved a few items around; signage will be updated. If you are borrowing items from the kitchen, please let the office know. We want to be able to track them down if needed for another event. Items taken to other parts of the church should be returned to the kitchen when finished. For safety, please make sure sharp knives are returned to the upper cabinets in the proper containers-not the drawers. There are 2 large salt glaze crocks in the kitchen (behind the door), if they belong to you please let the office know and make arrangements to pick up. Thank you again for your cooperation. A Lent Experiment = Soup, Sandwich and 5 Little Steps – Wednesdays @ 6pm – February 25, March 4, 11, 18 & 25 As we feast together each Wednesday during Lent we’ll practice 5 little steps to hold our church family together in a world that tries to tear us apart. Come practice the Faith5! W.A.T.T.S. Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter “Yeah, a storm is threatening My very life today If I don’t get some shelter Lord, I’m gonna fade away” The Rolling Stones I usually begin or end with a bible verse. But the above verse from the Stones seems fitting as well as we begin embark on our 4th year of giving shelter to our area neighbors. Our week of W.A.T.T.S. is Feb. 16-23 As Paul states, “…God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7) and cheerful is an understatement as so many of you have taken a “shingle” with needed supplies or asked Marion and me how you can volunteer your time. THANK YOU! During our WATTS week, we appreciate the accommodations that will be made by so many. Schedules are adjusted, space is volunteered and again, it’s all done with a Cheerful Heart. We still need some volunteer slots filled. Please visit: http://www.signupgenius.com/ go/10c054bada82aa0ff2-watts2 (It’s on the Bethel website, too) Or find Marion or me (Judy McKiernan) Thank you so very much!! CCAP Update CCAP would like to thank the community for all their support in providing a gift filled Christmas for over 1500 children in our community (Bethel’s “Christmas in July” angel tree helps support the CCAP Christmas give away). Thanks to your generosity over 31,000 families were assisted by CCAP with food, clothing, and basic needs during 2014. Current needs: Children's clothing up to 5T, men's clothing, socks, HP 60 and 61 printer cartridges, size 5 and 6 diapers and wipes, coffee, towels and washcloths, washing detergent, and salt for sidewalks. CCAP does not need women's clothing at this time unless it is triple extra large. Volunteers are always needed to make copies, transport food, sort clothing, or be a receptionist. Small groups are needed to sort clothing after hours and move to the new clothing building next door. CCAP hosts WATTS individuals prior to pick up each day and on the weekends during cold weather. If any small groups/church groups would be interested in providing fellowship and sandwiches to the WATTS individuals on Saturdays, it would be greatly appreciated. Please call Fran Ricketts at CCAP at 662-4318. -7- Global Missions Intercessory Prayer There are two big pieces of news from the Global Missions Team: During the quiet times after Christmas, we invite you to stop by the prayer room for thanksgivings and blessings. Please feel free to update prayers that are in the prayer box. First, the final total from Bethel’s Global Christmas was $11,873, including some matching funds provided by Thrivent. So thank you all for your direct support of our Mission partners in India, the Philippines, and Tanzania. All funds raised by the mission team are used to directly fund overseas missions. If you wish to purchase a Mission gift at any time of the year, for any occasion, please contact Darline Demott or Rod Williams. God Bless! Altar Flowers 2015 If you would like to purchase flowers for the altar in 2015, please sign up on the chart located on the closet door outside the church office door. Arrangements are $37.00 each and can be taken home to enjoy after the second service. Next, several members of the Bethel Family will be traveling in Tanzania in late January. The team includes Pastor Dave, Bob and Terri Hollingsworth, Jennifer and Wayne Lafollette, Jack McAllister, Urve Crowder, and Daniel Milam. The team will leave on January 19 and return on January 31. They will attend ceremonies to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Operation Boot Strap Africa, and 20th anniversary of the Massae Girls Lutheran Secondary School. We look forward to hearing stories of their travels and adventures when the return. You can follow the team’s activities on a blog at this address: It looks like dates are available throughout the year. When you sign up, please indicate what occasion you are celebrating or remembering. Thank you! http://www.betheltanzaniamission2015.blogspot.com Dear Friends at Bethel Lutheran Church, hank you for the many cards and words of T sympathy and condolence. Your caring and support mean much to me during this difficult HEALING HEARTS Thursday, February 19, 10:00 a.m. Prayer Room time. Bethel’s acceptance and welcoming the past few years provided a church home that both Russell and I appreciated greatly. We will resume meeting once a month on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. See Pat Blevins for more details. Sincerely, Anne Siler The Bethel Quilters Wednesday, February 11, 10:00 a.m. Classrooms 4, 5, 6 We will resume meeting every second Wednesday of each month. If you enjoy sewing and fellowship please come and sit in on a session of quilting. You do not need to know how to sew to participate. There are others ways to contribute to this ministry. See Pat Blevins for more details. e would like to thank all those who rememW bered us during the Christmas season. We are so appreciative and humbled by the constant love shown to us by our Bethel family. Pastor Dave and Pastor Heidi -8- Centering Prayer Retreats During Lent The Centering Prayer Group at Bethel is sponsoring two mini-Centering Prayer Retreats as we journey through the Lenten season. Saturday February 28th, and Saturday, March 28th from 10 a.m. to noon in Discipleship Hall, we will have a brief introduction to Centering Prayer. We will then sit in prayer and silence for 20 minutes of Centering Prayer. We will follow that with a brief period of meditative walking. We will continue in this pattern until we have done three periods of Centering Prayer, and 3 periods of meditative walking. After completing our prayer, we will have time for reflection and discussion. What is Centering Prayer? At its heart it is simply consenting and surrendering to God. Fr. Thomas Keating in his book, “Open Mind, Open Heart” puts it this way, “The spiritual journey does not require going anywhere because God is already present and within us. It is a question of allowing our ordinary thoughts to recede into the background and to float along the river of consciousness without our noticing them, while we direct our attention toward the river on which they are floating.” (Open Mind, Open Heart, p. 20) Centering Prayer is our attempt to be present to God, by noticing our every day thoughts, and then letting them go, and simply attempting to be present in the moment. We sit in silence for 20 minutes because it usually takes that long for our thoughts to quiet down, and for us to enter the peace and tranquility that is God within us. to God. It is an opportunity to say “yes” to God and the work of the Spirit in us. It is an opportunity to imitate Jesus’ obedience, and in some small way, return a little of the love, care and attention God has always shown us. We would love for you to join us and experience this powerful, ancient way of praying and being present with God. WHEN: February 28 and March 28 TIME: 10:00 a.m. to noon WHERE: Discipleship Hall WHAT: 3 periods of Centering Prayer, and 3 periods of walking meditation with Intro. to Centering Prayer to begin, and discussion to close WHO: You!! New Facilities Manager It is an honor to serve as Director of Facility Management. This is the Year of Relationship here at Bethel. As for me, I have already formed many more relationships since volunteering for this position, and I expect to form many more. The trepidation associated with taking on this responsibility is well offset by the knowledge that there are so many good people here at Bethel who insure that things run smoothly and who do so much behind the scenes to make Bethel the wonderful place that it is. Please feel free to come to me with any issues about our facilities – hopefully with good suggestions and an offer to help! I am indeed grateful for this opportunity to serve. Cliff Crowder As we begin our journey this Lent toward the cross and ultimately, the resurrection, we remember the willingness and consent Jesus demonstrated for us by his obedience to God unto death. Centering Prayer is an opportunity to practice our own willingness and consent Directory Changes: Rose and Allen Pierce - Home Phone: (540) 686-7211 -9- Karren Light c/o Greenfield Reflections 304 Bowman Mill Road Strasburg, VA 22657 FebruaryAnniversaries February Birthdays 1 - Will Sigler Sierra Miller Dayton Miller Kathy Brown 2 - Pat Clevenger 3 - Mack Cain Micah Young 4 - Maddie Brooks 5 - Jim Ramey 6 - Matthew Dietz Dalton Clark Bill Hall 7 - Sophia McAllister Adrianne Salvatore 8 - Gretchen Meade Dario Savarese II 9 - Jason Whitacre Cheyene Hartman 10 - Clare Milburn Andrew Collins 11 - Linda Morrison 12 - Karen Carter Heather Carhart 14 - Marge Vorous 15 - Ryan Sheehan 16 - Eva Shifflett 19 - Georgia Boswell 20 - Kaylie Riggleman 23 - George Donovan, Jr. 24 - Daniel Milam 25 - Connor Lothrop 26 - Taylor Carhart Micah Carlson Amy Jaster 27 - John Adair Suzanne Gregory Jane McAllister Heidi David-Young 28 - Ron Lauck Patti Collins 29 - Mia Hudson 13 - Mark and Cristyn Everly 14 - Alvin and Joline Schultheis 21 - Wayne and Judy McCaughey 26 - David and Alice Matvay Around the Congregation Congregational sympathy is extended to the families of: Pastor Russ Siler, who passed away on December 26. Jesse Riggleman, who passed away on December 25. Sharon Stanfield, whose mother passed away in December. Howard Kemnitz, whose sister passed away in December. Patti Collins and Ellen Porterfield, whose father/husband passed away on January 1. Chris Utz, whose father passed away in January. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow When weather conditions warrant a change or cancellation of worship services and/or Sunday school, all necessary information will be available by 7:30 a.m., in three (3) different ways: 1) broadcast on WINC FM—92.5 and at www.winc.fm on the “Closing” Tab 2) Bethel’s phone message, 662-3245 3) Bethel’s website (www.bethelwinchester.com) - 10 - Facts & Figures Designated Ministries Offering Thru December 31 Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! For the World World Hunger Appeal $5,443 Global Missions $39,827 Harvest Sunday $2,459 ...for your generosity, support, and partnership in ministries here at Bethel, to our community, and to God’s world. “You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us.” (2 Corinthians 9:11) Average Worship Attendance December 346 For the Community CCAP $3,345 Jones Music Fund $7,206 Good Samaritan $1,656 For the Bethel Community Student Missions $1,083 Jubilee/Mortgage Principal $68,708 Special Offerings Bethel Park $8,201 Principal Balance on Mortgage as of December 27, 2013 Principal Balance on Mortgage as of December 31, 2014 Decrease in Mortgage Principal 2014 $569,018.90 $464,285.42 $104,735.45 Ministry Spending Plan (MSP) Update: December 2014 YTD as of December 2014 MSP Offerings % of MSP Needed to meet MSP Actual $43,134 $45,455 105% $517,607 $475,718 92% Total 2014 MSP $517,607 For more detailed information, please visit www.bethelwinchester.com and click on the “Ministries” tab. The most current financial update will be located under the “Publications” headline. Bethel Lutheran Church 2077 North Frederick Pike, Winchester, VA 22603, 540-662-3245 Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Closed on Friday) Website: www.bethelwinchester.com E-mail: [email protected] PASTOR The Rev. Dr. David N. Young ([email protected]) Ext. 105 PASTOR EMERITUS The Rev. Dr. Conrad Christianson DIRECTOR OF YOUTH AND FAMILY FAITH FORMATION Bryan Jaster, ([email protected]) Ext. 104 DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES George W. Donovan, Jr. ([email protected]) Ext. 102 ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES Darline DeMott ([email protected]) DIRECTOR OF OFFICE MINISTRIES Terri Hollingsworth ([email protected]) Ext. 100 DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Kim Williams ([email protected]) Ext. 103 DIRECTOR OF FACILITY MANAGAEMENT Cliff Crowder ([email protected]) Ext. 106 DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Pat Shields ([email protected]) DIRECTOR OF CUSTODIAL SERVICES Patty White ([email protected]) NURSERY ATTENDENT Gretchen Meade Council Members for 2015 Tom Beyer - President Karla King - Vice President Bruce Lothrop - Secretary Traci Shoberg - Treasurer Cory Carlson Tom Milburn Greg Brondos Julie Shanabrook Adrian Pullen 2015 Bethel Board Chairs Worship Board – Pastor Dave Prayer and Care Board – Irene Cockerham Learning Board – Amy Jaster Servant Board – Dean Cole Congregational Life – Jennifer LaFollette Ministry Support – Shawn Garner
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