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| Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Early Childhood Center
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"Caught in grace, created for service, called into community"
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Revolution
(7th - 12th)
10:30 am |
Rev. Laura Ziehl
Senior Pastor
Ext 2
Jonathan Garman
Youth Director
Judy Foland
Office Administrator
Ext 1
Director of Children's Ministry
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April 2016
News and Events
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Dear People of God,
We are on the other side of Hosannas. We are on the other side of cross and grave and shattered tomb. We are on the other side of resurrection. Now what? That might be the most fundamental question of the church. As people on the other side of resurrection, now what?
Now we live it. Now we live as if resurrection is possible, and probable and necessary and certain. What resurrections might we take part in? What hope might we foster? What new life might we celebrate? At Bethlehem, we have quite a few resurrection plans. One is just beginning. The Lutheran church has a movement called Reconciling in Christ (RIC). The Pacifica Synod is an RIC synod. It is a program of welcoming all people into the congregation regardless of race, nationality, language, economic status, sexual orientation or faith background. It was begun, several years ago, to provide a welcome for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, in the years before the ELCA was welcoming in this regard. Bethlehem has always been a welcoming place. It is part of our history and our DNA. Diane Wheatley did her internship at Bethlehem in the 1970's. She had been turned down for several internships because no other congregation would take a female pastor. Bethlehem did. What a witness you all offered. Just a few years ago, you did it again. A women named Annie Frojker called the church. She was living with terminal cancer. She was looking for a church home. Three other congregations had turned her away when they discovered she was lesbian. She asked me if she would be welcome at Bethlehem and I said, "Of course." Annie came, unsure at first. This quiet, gentle soul lived in our midst. You ministered to her and held her and she died among us. You were her place of welcome and safety and you saw her into heaven. I am so grateful to serve a congregation that lives out this kind of gospel. And you do so regularly, in so many ways.
In the coming months you will hear conversation about Reconciling in Christ and how Bethlehem might choose to participate. We have a committee that is working hard. There will be time for your thoughts and input and concerns and ideas. Time for education and learning and mutual conversation. I look forward to all that we will share together and the decisions we will make about the kind of welcome we would like to extend.
We have a wonderful moment in the congregation's life coming up on Saturday, May 14th at 7 PM. Casey Kloehn, a daughter of this congregation, will be ordained into the ministry of Word and Sacrament. Ordinations are rare in a congregation and it says a great deal about the faith and life of this congregation, that you produces young people who choose to take up the calling of pastor. There are two more college students in the congregation who are also considering ministry. This, in addition to the many ministries lived out by this congregation every day.
On another subject, soon you will be hearing the name Greg Shepherd. Greg is a planned giving specialist with the Pacifica Synod. He will be working closely with the endowment committee for the coming year, as well as, to some degree, with our stewardship committee. As you read from Dick DuBois, the council has been thinking a good deal about such things. We are moving from a single Fall Stewardship emphasis to a different kind of conversation. Stewardship is so much more than how it is often narrowly defined. It really is not primarily about money. It really is about all that we do with the faith that we hold in our hands. It is care of the environment, the use of our time and energy and where we choose to lay our faith in God's world.
In all these endeavors and so many more, let us always remember that we are resurrection people. We are called to herald God's grace in this world. Thank you for making Bethlehem your home, as together we live out the Gospel promise that God has laid in our hands.
In his service, together with you,
Pastor Laura
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| From Our Council President - Mike Ontiveros |
Dear Members of Bethlehem,
Last Fall we were blessed with your generosity and faith. Your Pledge Commitments affirmed that Bethlehem Lutheran, its mission and purpose, are at the center of your faith. As a result, the Financial Team and Council were able to craft a budget that; retained current staffing levels, addressed some of the significant maintenance issues and kept the incredibly successful youth and children's ministries.
Recently, there has been a downturn in Pledged Giving; donations promised by members. This puts a tremendous financial strain on church operations. We have made commitments to landscapers, janitorial service providers, staff and ministry leaders and many more. Those commitments must be kept.
So, I ask that you do your best to ensure that your pledge is received when it is promised. If you miss a payment, please do your best to catch up, as that money is already committed. There is an easy-to-use, online payment capture form on the church website.
I thank you again for your incredible generosity and donation of "first fruits."
He is risen!
Peacefully,
Mike Ontiveros
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Stewardship - Is it that time of the year already? Yes, and it is also time for a different conversation.
At Bethlehem, we intend to explore the larger mission of Stewardship. And as a member of the council, I have volunteered to lead this effort.
My research to date, while limited, has uncovered a number of misconceptions. This has also brought to light that our Stewardship at Bethlehem is alive and well.
As its core, Stewardship is the way we use the resources that God has entrusted to our care so that we can love God and our neighbor. Stewardship is a matter of the heart. Stewardship is about love. Stewardship includes our time, attention, physical health, energy, talents, possessions, attitudes, relationships and yes...money.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will begin to uncover the true meaning of Stewardship. We will be using a variety of vehicles beginning with a brief presentation at all three services on Sunday, April 24.
Joining individuals and families results in an increased capacity that provides a wider path for us to live out God's call.
I look forward to the challenge and our collective engagement. See you all on the 24th.
Dick DuBois -
Stewardship Team Leader
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Most people are much more open to giving care than to receiving it. When a person is giving care, he or she is in a position of strength, stability, and authority. When a person is receiving care, he or she is acknowledging weakness, insecurity, and vulnerability.
As a result, there are countless people today who, though they really could benefit from a Christian friend who would listen and care for them, instead tough it out on their own. They remain the strong silent type, or wear a smile across a face that is holding back a flood of tears. Society encourages this, particularly for men. To ask for help is to admit weakness. To show weakness is to admit inferiority.
Our Stephen Ministers know all about receiving care. Many of them have been on the receiving end of care at an earlier point in their lives-something that has motivated them to give care now. They know how difficult it is to ask for help, but they also know the great personal and spiritual growth and healing that follow. They know how to respond in a loving, caring, non-judgmental manner.
If you find yourself now or in the future facing difficulties in life, don't succumb to society's norm of remaining strong and suffering alone. Take the courageous step of seeking help. Our Stephen Ministry offers the opportunity for a very confidential relationship with someone who will listen to you and provide you with the care and encouragement you need, while Christ works inside to bring rest to your weary, burdened heart.
For more information on Stephen Ministry please speak with Pr. Laura or with one of our Stephen Leaders: Molly Hall, Dianne Nichols, or Laure Reynolds.
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Evening in the Garden
Evening in the Garden (Friday, April 22nd, 2016 from 6:30-8:30 pm) provides an opportunity to honor those who have helped Dot's Garden grow. You can sample wines from wonderful wineries and taste beer from the La Jolla Brewing Company., while munching on a selection of gourmet food delights, all amid the ambiance of our wonderful Dot's Garden. Corey Leal, who plays at Coffee Coffee in Leucadia, will perform acoustic guitar.
If you have any questions or to make a reservation contact Gail Winterbourne or Debi Carr
Gail Winterbourne/Debi Car
Bethlehem Community Early Childhood Center
[email protected]
760 753-2471
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For the April Giving Tree we are supporting Survivors of Torture, International. This San Diego non-profit organization assists people in our community who struggle with physical and mental wounds of politically-motivated torture. In 2015 Survivors assisted 236 clients who originated from 38 different countries. They provide psychiatric assessments and therapy, medical and dental care, legal documentation, interpreters, social networking, and assistance with food, and shelter. The one need they have a hard time providing is for basic hygiene supplies. Thus, this month we are collecting full sized, unused toiletry items such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, tooth brush and paste, combs and brushes, razors and shaving cream, body and hand lotion, women's feminine hygiene products and diapers. Please, no cologne. Thank you for your support.
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blcym Summer Trip 2016: Mark your calendars, tell your friends- the dates for the 13th Annual Summer Trip are set for July 30- August 5. All current 8th grade- 12th grade students active in the ministry are welcome. More information will be coming soon!!
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On Saturday morning, March 19, Cub Scout Pack 774 met to clean-up and freshen Dot's Garden. Pack 774 meets regularly at Bethlehem and completes a service project each year in appreciation of the use of Bethlehem's facilities. The following report was submitted by Laura Waterman, Pack 774 leader.
Our Cub Scout Pack met Saturday morning to help with gardening, and the boys did a great job getting things done. I had to leave early and then Todd accidentally stole your rake, we realized later, so I will return that to you as soon as I can. I didn't get a picture of the boys but meant to, as they were such hard workers!
The boys successfully helped:
Weed areas between boxes and in corner of garden, putting cuttings in compost bins
Filled empty planter box with soil and plants
Get rid of banana plant shoot and flowering plant
Trim Passion Fruit's bangs, front and back
Throw away plastic easel
Get rid of strawberries around boxes, bamboo around edges, gate in the back, hose bib and old rugs
We packed that dumpster full!
Thanks again to all for letting us meet on your grounds for our pack and committee meetings each month, and for taking your time to show us ways we can help give back to you each year!
Laura Waterman
Cub Scout Pack 774 Committee Chair
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We will be going to help serve the meal at TACO on our regular 3rd Monday of the month, April 18. We need to be there by 3:45. Please call Lori Cook if you are planning to go or need a ride. C: 760 207-0432 H: 760 918-2401
As you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40
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| Newsletter Now Available on Our Website |
Have you missed one of our monthly e-newsletters? Have you wished you could open up that newsletter again to get that bit of information you were looking for? Well, now you can. On our home page,
www.blcenc.org, there are links available to view current and past newsletters.
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| Join us in meeting the needs of our north county community. The new Resource Book in the church office has resources that can help those in need. Be equipped to help those who may be experiencing hard times. If you know of a helpful resource or are having difficulties finding the help you need, please contact Sarah Breding at [email protected]. We have also put the resource listings on our website. Click here to check out the many resources available to assist you. |
| Bethlehem is now participating in the AmazonSmile program. This is a great way to easily benefit our congregation when you are shopping online. Bethlehem will receive 0.5% of the price of eligible online purchases automatically when you use the smile.amazon.com website. See the website for more details. |
Many people have tension about money that springs from facing fears - and for some Christians, experiencing this tension can make it hard to live generously. Understanding that changing how we live with money starts with our hearts, Thrivent's chief executive officer Brad Hewitt and licensed psychologist Dr. Jim Moline have coauthored
Your New Money Mindset: Create a Healthy Relationship with Money. Comprised of personal experiences, biblical scripture and research, the book can be an educational tool to help individuals have a healthier relationship with money and live a joyfully generous life.
*While the book normally retails for $15.99, you can visit the website using the link above to order a copy of the book for just $5.00, plus shipping and handling, and tax. When prompted on the checkout page use discount Redemption Code:
Church505.
*The free online New Money Mindset Assessment™ will help church members examine their fundamental attitudes about money and generosity.
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Choice Dollars
The Thrivent Choice® program lets eligible members recommend where some of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' charitable outreach funds go by directing Choice Dollars®. Bethlehem Lutheran is an eligible recipient of these funds.
For more information click on the link below.
or contact your Thrivent congregational advocate, Dennis Astroth, at 858-354-3566, or [email protected]
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| Online Giving, a Green Path to Stewardship We are always looking for ways to make giving more convenient and environmentally friendly. With today's online financial tools, it has never been easier to set up and track regular giving, special offerings and donations to specific areas. Just follow the easy steps provided with our new online service and you will be surprised at how easy it is to be a regular giver at whatever level seems right. We have expanded on the services provided by the same Minnesota-based online service that has managed our electronic giving for a number of years. They serve thousands of churches, and the service is secure, maintaining privacy. How to get started...
You may access the online service by clicking on the link on Bethlehem's web page http://www.blcenc.org/id218.html. Once you are on the site, you may use your checking account, or your debit or credit card information. If your cards are on a mileage program, you can gain frequent-flier miles while helping support the ministries of Bethlehem. |
| Dear , Thank you for registering with our e-mail announcement and update service at www.blcenc.org. Yours in Christ Bethlehem Lutheran Webmaster [email protected]
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