Bear Cub Facts March 12, 2017
Dear Parents,

Thank you to everyone who was able to come to our Night at the Museum Open House on Friday night.  This year Bethany Lutheran K-8 celebrates 70 years and Bethany Lutheran Preschool celebrates 42 years of sharing the love of Jesus in the community.

Join us on Wednesday night at 5:00 p.m. in the Parish Lounge for our Lenten Soup Supper followed by Family Devotions at 5:30 p.m. and our 7 p.m. worship service.  Our Preschool - 8th Grade Staff will be preparing and serving this week. 

In His Service,
Mary Wolfinbarger
Bethany Lutheran Preschool
562-429-7335 
 
http://www.bethanylutheran.org/

Dates for your calendar:

April 2 - Preschool sings in 8 a.m. service
In the begining God made the sea
and the forest filled with trees
He made the mountains up so high
on the very top He placed the sky

God's fingerprints are everywhere 
just to show how much He cares
and in between He had loads of fun
He made a hippo who weighs a ton!!

Hip hip hip hippopotamus!
hip hip hooray! God made all of us!
Hip hip hip hippopotamus!
Hip hip hooray! He made us!

April 13 - Easter Egg Hunt
April 14 - Good Friday - Preschool Closed
April 17-20 - Easter Vacation - Preschool Open for Full Day Students
April 21 - Teacher In-Service Day - Preschool Closed 
 
2016-2017 School Year Calendar

This week in Jesus Circle:

We Pray in Jesus' Name - One Man Says Thank You (Luke 17:11-19)
Discovery Points
Law: Sometimes we forget to be grateful for God's blessings.
Gospel: Jesus forgives our lack of gratitude and guides us through His Word to grow in faithfulness.
Sanctification: Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can grow in recognizing and rejoicing in God's good gifts to us.
 
Connections for home: (from One in Christ, Preschool B 2013 CPH)
"Call to Me and I will answer you."  This is what God invites us to do.  He wants to hear from us, for we are His dear children.  He wants us to turn to Him in need and in sorrow, when we are sick or lonely, when we are afraid or anxious.  He wants to share our delights and our joys too.  Pray anytime, anywhere.  Tell God what you need.  He is ready to answer.
Talk with your child about the ways God answers your prayers.  It may not always be what you expect, for God answers in His own way and time.  But He always acts out of love for you, because He wants what is best for you.
  
Read more about the story on pages 377-379 of The Story Bible


Chapel is held in the church on Tuesdays at 9:15 a.m.  Chapel money will be collected this year to benefit Mission India, Mission Alaska, and Corazones Para Guatemala (Hearts for Guatemala).
Snack for the week of March 13-17:

Monday:  AM pears, Ritz & water  
PM bagels, cream cheese & water

Tuesday:  AM turkey sandwich & water  
PM oranges, Wheat Thins & water
 
Wednesday:  AM bananas, grahams & water  
PM Tofu, grapes, animal crackers & water

Thursday:  AM yogurt, strawberries & water  
PM Cheerios, milk & water
 
Friday:    AM peppers, hummus, Wheat Thins & water
PM apples, cheese & water

Snack Prayer this Month:  
March:  Yo ho, yo ho, a Christian's life for me.  Be present at our table Lord.  Be near and everywhere adored.  Yo ho, yo ho, a Christian's life for me.  Amen.
 
Did you know that you can purchase your child's lunch delivered to the school through Choice Lunch.  The password is Bethany.
Staff in the Spotlight - Chris Boerrigter, 3rd Grade Teacher


"I am married with one grown daughter.  I have been teaching at Bethany for 15 years.  I enjoy watching the changes in faith, growth and academics that take place.  In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, reading and playing guitar."

From Our Handbook - Suggested Clothing

Preschool is a place for investigating and learning about many things. Many of these investigations can become quite messy and wet. Children can, and probably will, get messy and/or dirty at times at preschool. Please send your child to preschool in clothing you can easily launder. While painting, the child often gets paint on their hands, arms and any clothing not covered by our paint aprons. We use washable paint, but it can stain some clothing.  We appreciate you sending your child to preschool in clothing he can easily manage to unfasten and refasten when going to the bathroom. Suspenders, belts, "body shirts", bib-type overalls are all adorable and look cute on your child, but can cause a bathroom accident if it can't be undone quickly enough. The children will be learning to do many things for themselves. If a child cannot manage the clothing after trying, help will be provided. It is the responsibility of the parent to keep pull-ups and wipes at school.  We encourage children to bring a jacket or sweater that can be left at preschool. We also request that a change (or changes) of clothing be left at preschool in case of an accident requiring a clothing change.  Tennis shoes and socks are best for running, climbing, and playing in our playground. Open toe sandals cause sand and rubber nuggets to be inside the shoe all the time, dressy shoes can be slippery. The preschool has a very limited amount of extra clothing on hand. It is important to label coats, jackets, lunch boxes, and all possessions brought to preschool with your child's name. If your child is potty training several changes of underwear, bottoms, socks and even an extra pair of shoes may be necessary.


Extracurricular Activities: 

Bethany Lutheran Preschool offers Webby Dance on Mondays at 8:45 a.m. and Thursdays; Soccer Shots on Tuesdays from 10:50-11:30 a.m.;  Play Sports on Mondays from 10-11:30.   For more information, please see the sign up forms in the preschool hallway.
Conscious Discipline Tip:  What is a good bedtime ritual?

My rewritten, positive version of the classic "A Wonderful Woman" would be an excellent choice to use in your bedtime routine:
A wonderful woman who lived in a shoe.
She had so many children 
She knew exactly what to do. 
She held them, 
She rocked them, 
And tucked them in bed. 
Have the child sit on your lap or lean against your body. Wrap your arms around the child and hold on to one hand. Turn the child's hands so they are facing you, palms out, and say, "A wonderful woman lived in a shoe." Give the child's hand a nice, deep hand massage as you say, "She had so many children" Touch each finger on one hand as you say each word in this line: "She knew exactly what to do." Fold your child's fingers into a fist and wrap your hands around the child's, and say, "She held them," Holding the child's hand securely, rock it from side to side: "She rocked them," Press the child's hand against his or her chest. This will place you in a slight hugging position as you say, "And tucked them in bed." Now, give the child a hug and say lovingly, "'I love you, I love you,' is what she said." she said."

Conscious Discipline Website

Bethany Lutheran School News:

Bethany Lutheran School follows a similar calendar year to Bethany Lutheran Church Preschool.  Keep up with our elementary and middle school students in our Bear Facts publication.    

Parent Teacher League:

Parents, you are ALL members of our Parent Teacher League (PTL), our amazing group of parent leadership and an important part of making Bethany such a special place.
Would you like to get involved in a PTL activity? There's a place for you! Just contact our PTL President, Jen Deeble: drdeeble@gmail.com   

Our next PTL meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library.  Babysitting is provided. 

Save the date for our Lego Fun Day on Saturday, May 20 from 11 a.m. -3 p.m.  Do you or someone you know own a local business?  Please consider asking for a donation for the fun day raffle.  Contact Jennifer Newton for more info at 714-337-2722.
Opportunities to Worship Faithfully, Form Spiritually, Serve Passionately, Give Proportionately, and Share Intentionally:

  • Follow Bethany on Twitter @RevKevBethany and  www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach 
  • Renew your Ralphs Club cards each year after August 31 using our Bethany NPO # 83441.
  • Box tops for education is a program that allows our schools to get 10 cents for every box top turned in.  The money received from the program helps our schools buy needed equipment and supplies.  Clip the box tops and place them in the container on the sign-in shelf.
  • Labels for Education is a program where our school and church families can work together to earn "free stuff" for our schools.  Labels and caps can be placed in the collection container on the sign-in shelf.
  • Home Bible Study Groups are now forming.  Contact Pastor Seth, Pastor Kritzer, or Karl Fink for more information.
  • Lazy Acres contributes 4% to Bethany.  Make sure to show your Lazy Acres Community Card. 
  • Griefshare meets on Sundays at 1 p.m. in the Conference Room.  Contact kfink@bethanylutheran.org for more info.
  • Family Lenten Devotions will begin on March 8 and continue every Wednesday in Lent at 5:30 p.m. in the church.  Classic Lenten worship services will continue at 7 p.m. with Soup Suppers being offered between 5-6:30 p.m.
  • Challenge yourself to read the Bible in 2017.  The study is posted on our blogspot www.bethanylutheran.blogsport.com.
  • Join us for Tea at Bethany on May 6.  Our guest speaker is Sister Maryama Burger author of From the Crescent to the Cross.  Contact Cindy Stock 562-818-4643 for more information.
  • The Brianna Esswein Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Friday, March 24 at the Lakewood Country Club at 1 p.m.  Cost is $125/golfer.
  • Do you have Kohl's charge?  You can buy Kohl's Care Fundraising Gift Cards from Scrip to pay your bill.
  • Join us Friday, May 5 for a fun filled evening watching the Angels take on the Houston Astros at 7 p.m.  More information coming soon.
  • Father Daughter Fairy Garden Dance will be held Saturday, March 25 from 6-8 p.m. in the gym.  Tickets are $12 per family.  Contact Angela Duerr at angela.duerr@eagles.cui.edu for more information.  Tickets can be purchased in the elementary school office.

 At Bethany, worship is a celebration of what God has done for us in His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior-His initiative in our life, His saving events throughout history. Worship is a remembrance, a reenactment-if-you-will, of God's redemptive acts for all people throughout history; it is also a joyful reception through faith, by God's people now, who live to proclaim His redeeming grace to all the world. The Lutheran understanding of "Gottesdienst" or "God's service to us" and "our service to God" are foundational to all that we do in worship. God first comes to us, and we respond in confession, joyful praise, prayer and humble faith. 

 

Lenten Worship Services:

Wednesday Night March 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5 at 7 p.m.  Please join us for soup supper prior to service.  Children's Family Lenten Devotions are at 5:30 p.m.

 

Palm Sunday Worship Service will be held Sunday, April 9 at 10 a.m. under the tent on the grass field.

 

Maundy Thursday Worship Service will be held April 13 at 7 p.m.

 

Good Friday Worship Services will be held Friday, April 14 at 1 and 7 p.m.

 

Easter Festival Worship Services will be held April 16 at 8, 9:30 and 10:55 a.m.  Hop on over to the gym and enjoy a delicious breakfast before or after church, as Boy Scout Troop 75 will have their Annual Easter Breakfast from 8-11 a.m.

 

Worship Service times are: 
 Sunday at 8:00AM, 9:30AM and 10:55AM (convergent/blended style) 


SCRIP

Are you purchasing SCRIP?  If not, you are passing up an easy way to help with your tuition payments and to help Bethany.  SCRIP is simply gift certificates.  You purchase them from us, and use them as you would any gift card.  Since Bethany is able to purchase the cards in bulk, the gift cards cost less than their face value; and the profit is divided between your tuition and funds for various groups at Bethany.  If you have any questions about the Scrip program contact Carol Grudt, 420-7783 x58 or cgrudt@bethanylutheran.org.

FISH Opportunities:

We suggest opportunities that will help you fulfill your FISH commitments; while taking care of some of our needs.  We will post these needs/opportunities in the weekly newsletter, by email and in posters that will be put up on the parent board by the sign in sheet.     Opportunities currently available include:
 
  • Attend our PTL meeting Tuesday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the library
  • Sign up to bring Easter party supplies
Once you have completed a FISH opportunity, you may complete a form located in the preschool hallway or online .
Helpful Websites and Links for Parents and Children:


Preschool play websites:
  
Websites and links for parents:
 NEW!   Parent Pages - March
 
Devotions:
 
Ideas you can use at home:
 Numbers - HWT
Gross and Fine Motor Activities from Chancy and Bruce
Mental Health Chancy and Bruce
 
Healthy snacks for kids:
10 tips to decrease added sugars
Healthy celebrations
NEW!   Potato Chips
In Our Prayers:

Thank you for your continued prayers for the loved ones connected to our center. If there is a need in your family and you would like to add someone to the prayer list, please let me know.  
 
In addition, we pray for the children and staff in our center (one a day), look for your child's name listed below throughout the year. 
 
+  Liam Mendigorin and Sebastian Samudia
+  Please join the Board of Evangelism in praying for Reverent Pal Jacob; Christian Outreach in Action; Habitat for Humanity; Jesse and Kelly Sipan - Mission Aviation Fellowship
+  The Young family in thankfulness for the blessing of their new son.
+  Ayden Hudson who is recuperating from pneumonia

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
STAY CONNECTED:
Bethany Lutheran Preschool | 562-429-7335 | Email |   www.bethanylutheran.org