Bethlehem Lutheran Church

                                   and Early Childhood Center

 
"Caught in grace, created for service, called into community"
 
In This Issue

Sunday Mornings... 

Worship Services   8:00am, 9:00am, and 10:30 am

 

Learning Circles 

(Pre - 6th)

9:00 am

 

Revolution
(7th - 12th)

10:30 am

 

Contact Us

760.753.1026 

Rev. Laura Ziehl 
Senior Pastor 
Ext 2
   
Jonathan Garman
Youth Director
 
Judy Foland
Office Administrator
Ext 1
 
Chris Matthews
Director of Children's Ministry

Quick Links

May 2016

News and Events

From Pastor Laura

Dear members and friends of Bethlehem,
 
Pentecost is near. Time to remember that the wind of the Spirit still blows in God's church, and in our lives. Time to remember that God is still doing a new thing. If you were in worship on Sunday, April 17th, you were witness to such a moment. Blake addressed us with courage and conviction. As a member of the generation that will soon lead God's church, I was humbled by the gifts God has laid in him.   We are so very blessed. Blake and the young people of this congregation have a wisdom and determination, I am quite certain I did not possess at their age. There are many in our day predicting that the church is dying, but if Sunday, April 17th is any indication, the church is just beginning and a new fire is being kindled. Where will the wind of God lead us now?
 
Mary Shaima will be joining us this summer to explore just such a question. Where is the Spirit leading in our day? I am so pleased to welcome Mary back for the summer at the close of her final year of study at PLTS. Mary will be doing her senior project with us here at Bethlehem. We are so blessed to be the recipients of her nearly 30 years of experience in the church as well as her recent studies at PLTS. In the past year, Mary has led several national and regional worship conferences and has been the sacristan for the PLTS worshiping community. She will bring these gifts and her new experience, as well as her faithfulness and grace to us this summer. In a time when Bethlehem is moving in new ways and at a time when we continue to function with one pastor, Mary's gifts and energy and partnership will be a welcome addition to the wind of the Spirit in this place. Thank you Mary.
 
We are pleased to be partnering with our near neighbor, Ocean Knoll Elementary School to provide a walking school bus for our neighborhood children. Ocean Knoll's principal, Jennifer Bond approached us asking if we might be a gathering place and drop off site for students in the morning. 40 to 50 children and their families use our parking lot every morning and walk to school with volunteers. On several occasions I have joined them. The morning is filled with joy. Just one more wind of the Spirit. Just one more way for us to serve our community in a new and lasting way.
 
Please join me this Sunday, May 1st at 11:30 am for conversation about the welcoming process called Reconciling in Christ (RIC). We are beginning together, a conversation about the welcome we extend to all people, regardless of race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation or faith experience. I look forward to the conversation with you and invite your questions, concerns, comments and thoughts. It is an exciting time to be church in our day.  
 
A reminder that you are cordially invited to a service of the Word and Ordination for Casey Kloehn on Saturday May 14th at 7 pm. Bishop Murray Finck and Bishop Mark Homerud will be in attendance. Ordination is the celebration of the whole church and a moment to give thanks for the Spirit's work in raising up leaders, both lay and ordained for service in God's church.  
 
The Pacifica Synod gathers in assembly this coming week, May 5-7. Bishop Murray Finck has faithfully served this synod for 22 years. As he leaves the bishop's office, we give thanks for his generous heart and faithful, pastoral leadership. As co-chair of the bishop's election committee, I ask your prayers for the synod, for the assembly voting members and for the pastors who have allowed their names to be placed in nomination for election as bishop of this synod. May the Spirit blow among us and guide us as we choose the next faithful leader of the Pacifica Synod.
 
Certainly, the Spirit is not finished with the church, but is only just beginning. Pentecost is not a moment in the church's past, but the promise of the church's future. Bless us as we continue to be lit by the fire of God's grace, and drawn by God's Spirit into new day.
 
In Christ,
Pastor Laura

Children's Ministry

Upcoming Events and News

Communion Classes:  May 17th & 24th @ 6:30 PM (these classes are offered to all children between kindergarten and 6th grade who have not yet had First Communion. Please contact me ASAP if you would like your child to attend. Please note parental participation in classes is required.)

First Communion: May 29th (for all children who have attended communion classes on May 17th and 24th. Please note, if you will be out of town on May 29th special arrangements can be made for an alternate date.)

Kids Sing: June 12  ( All BLC children are invited to sing. This will include the children from both the half-day and full-day preschools, and all of the children from Learning Circles. This should be a lot of fun!)

VBS Cave Quest: July 5th- July 8th @ 9 AM- 12 PM (Registration forms are available at the church website. http://www.blcenc.org/id145.html )

Collecting Supplies for VBS:  We are in need of the following items, yarn, paper bags and news papers.If you would like to donate any of these items, please bring them to church. You can leave them in the the box marked VBS at the Children's Ministry Table on Sunday Mornings.

VBS Volunteers: VBS is a wonderful opportunity to share God's love with the children of our community. There are many ways in which you can help. If you are able to help out, in any way, please let me know. Your loving contributions of time, talents and resources are necessary to make this years VBS a success. Contact Chris Matthews at childrensministry@blcenc.org

Please remember to visit the Children's Ministry Table, each week, to sign your children in. Sign in will be very quick and easy!
Blessings,
Chris Matthews
Director of Children's Ministries
 

Centering Prayer

Bethlehem Lutheran will be beginning a centering prayer group every Monday from 4:30-6:00 starting May 16th.  This is a Christ-centered contemplative practice of meditation whose focus is to welcome God's loving presence and healing action to the center of our being.  It is a receptive prayer, not an active prayer, but one where we simply consent to rest in his presence.  It is not intended to replace a prayer practice but to enrich and deepen your relationship with Christ.  May 1st from 10:00-11:00 there will be an Adult Forum in the multi-use room to introduce you to this form of prayer.  You can also check out Contemplative Outreach North San Diego at consd.org.  Contact me if you have any questions:
 
Virginia Erickson  virginiaerickson0@gmail.com

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministers do a great job of walking alongside people going through tough times-times of grief, illness, separation, divorce, or loneliness.  During these times, people often feel very alone.  They may have no one to talk to who will really listen.  Stephen Ministers give them a listening ear-someone who they can talk to about things they wouldn't discuss with anyone else.  Someone who will be there for them, week after week.  They know, "This person has my back.  They're looking after me and helping me through."
Could you or someone you know benefit from a Stephen Minister?  For more information please contact Pr. Laura or one of our Stephen Leaders; Molly Hall, Dianne Nichols, or Laure Reynolds.

 Giving Tree

May's Giving Tree is hosted by The Center for Global Awareness which continues with the ELCA focus on "40 Days of Giving-Access to Clean Water".  May's Giving Tree is "In Gratitude:  Thank you for your Giving."    Because of the generous donations that doubled our commitment to the ELCA  in the amount of $4,000, The Giving Tree will center on thankfulness and gratitude that we, as a congregation, expressed with our generous giving.  Let us focus on those in the world who struggle with access to clean water.  The Center for Global Awareness will share several activities that the congregation can engage in during the month that underscore the water issue in the world.

 Service of Ordination

A service of Ordination will be held on Saturday, May 14 at 7PM in the Sanctuary for Casey Kloehn. Everyone is welcome to attend this service and celebrate with Casey and her family. A reception will follow.

 Acolytes

A special "Thank You" to all of the Bethlehem acolytes and parents for your continued service. It is much appreciated!

For more information on how your child can get involved as an acolyte, please contact Kim Hogelucht, BLC Acolyte Director, at khogeluc@pointloma.edu or call 858-349-6831. Thank you.

 blcym

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!!

 Help Needed

The St. Andrews food pantry needs help with regular pick-ups of surplus food from Gelson's on El Camino Real and La Costa Blvd. Food is picked up on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:30AM and delivered to St. Andrews. If you are available to work one or two days a month please contact Dennis Astroth, 858-354-3566, for more information.

 TACO

TACO Empty Bowls -- Saturday, May 7, 11AM - 1PM. It's time for TACO's biannual event to fight hunger in San Diego.  It will be held on the patio of La Jolla United Methodist Church, 6063 La Jolla Blvd, San Diego.  Local artisans donate handmade pottery bowls... bowls of all shapes, sizes & colors... more bowls than you can imagine!  You choose a bowl, then fill it with delicious soups & bread donated by local restaurants.  Empty Bowls is an international project to fight hunger and all proceeds will go directly to TACO, Third Ave. Charitable Organization, which has been feeding the homeless & working poor in downtown San Diego for 41 years.  Suggested donation is $20.  It's fun to go with friends and share lunch on the patio.   Any questions... call Lori Cook, 760 207-0432.  C-ya there!
 
As you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.    Matthew 25:40

 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.

 Need Help?

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 sbreding@cox.net.

 

We have also put the resource listings on our website. Click here to check out the many resources available to assist you. 

 AmazonSmile

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.

 Thrivent Financial

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.

There are a variety of tools related to the book. Check out: https://www.newmoneymindset.com for full details.

*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 dennis.astroth@gmail.com

 Online Giving

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

webmaster@blcenc.org