DECEMBER MUSIC HAPPENINGS 

Christmas Concert - The Choirs of Bethlehem present their annual Christmas Concert "A World of Christmas" on Sunday, December 4 at 4 pm. The concert will feature carols from various countries performed by the Good News Singers, JuBellation Ringers, World Music Ensemble, Chimers, and Children's Choir. A free will offering will be taken for the music department . The concert will also be livestreamed for your home viewing.  A link will be posted on the church website that weekend. 

Christmas Caroling- December 18 - Everyone is invited to go Christmas caroling to members of our congregation on December 18 at 1:00 pm. We go to a few facilities and to the homes of our members.        

Song sheets will be provided for the singers. 

Schedule of Sunday morning performing ensembles

• December 4 - World Music Ensemble
• December 11 - Laura Thibault and Sheldon Rosenbaum
• December 18 - Ella Weed and Eden LaClair
• December 24 - 10:00 am - Gloria Xefos/ Mona Goetsch

  4:30 pm - Chris Mathews, Eden LaClair 

7:00 pm - Children's Choir

9:00 pm - Good News Singers 

• December 25 - 10:00 am - Laura Thibault and Sheldon Rosenbaum 



Calling all makers, bakers and crafters! - Start your creative juices - will you share your talents and make something to donate for the Christmas Bazaar on December 4? We are looking for arts and crafts, woodworking, pottery, baked goods, jams or preserves, whatever you create!

To help us plan for the bazaar, please follow the link below and let us know of your interest. (Please note, we are looking for an expression of interest, not an obligation.)

Something New at the Bazaar: Mrs. Claus’s Closet! - Check out the donated items such as candles, candle holders, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, collectibles, small household items, special dishes, stationary, flower pots, vases, fancy food (shelf stable). During the bazaar, people can leave a monetary donation of their choice in exchange for any items in Mrs. Claus' Closet.

Questions? Contact Laure Reynolds



It is Secret Santa time again. We have three ways you can help this year:

• We are asking for monetary donations to help Es Por Los Ninos (Its For The Children). This is an organization who help families with HIV/AIDS in Tijuana. They are in need of Baby Formula. Mothers with HIV/AIDS must feed their babies formula to prevent them from contracting AIDS.
• For the local Secret Santa Project, we are asking for $25 Gift Cards for Target, Walmart, and the 99cent Store. You may also give any denomination of any grocery store gift cards.
• If you would like to Help with the Teen Shelter in San Diego, we are again asking for Black or Navy Blue backpacks and L or XL Black or Navy Blue Hooded Sweatshirts and a deck of cards. The Teen Shelter could also use Men’s Crew Length socks.

You can donate to Es Por Los Ninos or Secret Santa by going the website and clicking on the contribute page. If you would like to write a check to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the memo, please write Es Por Los Ninos or Secret Santa in the Memo. Gift cards and clothing items can be dropped of at church on Sunday morning or during the week. All donated items and gift cards should be returned to the church by Thursday, December 15.

If you have any questions, please call (760) 942-1482.

Thank you for your Many Years of Support, Cheryl Monreal



Lunch and Learn with Bishop Dave Nagler on Anti-Racism - Our synod is on a journey of learning, repenting, and repairing our relationship with our siblings of color. The sin of racism must be understood before it can be addressed. These “zoom lunches” are designed to be spaces of learning together. We will pray, watch a short video, talk together about how it applies to our lives, and commit to the work together. All are invited! Join us beginning Monday, December 5. Details here.

Your Comments Requested on the ELCA Social Message on Earth’s Climate Crisis - The draft social message on Earth’s Climate Crisis is now available for public feedback. Read the social message draft here and then use this survey to share your input by Friday, December 2, 2022. The draft will be edited, guided by the feedback, and presented to the ELCA Church Council to be voted on this coming spring.

Social messages are ELCA teaching documents that address a focused social topic. Drawing from existing social teaching, they provide theological rationale and social analysis to foster discernment and engagement on a relatively narrow social issue. This project was authorized in light of the grim contemporary situation affecting our global home and the need for fresh action on the part of this church. It draws its framing themes from several social statements, particularly Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice.

“Advocacy in Quarantine” - Our weekly information sessions have finished for 2022 and will resume with the new legislative session in January 2023.

ELCA Advocacy Monthly Updates

United Nations and State Edition

Advocacy Connections

Follow us!

LOPP- CA:  Facebook, Twitter

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton: Facebook, Twitter

Pacifica Synod: Facebook, Twitter

ELCA Advocacy: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

ELCA: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

For information or questions about Bethlehem’s Advocacy Team, contact Karin Kloehn at blcadvocacy@gmail.com.



Interfaith Shelter Network is coming back to in-person housing at congregations this winter. 

Bethlehem Lutheran will be partnering with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church February 5 - 19  to host the shelter. We are still working out the details about who and where, but stay tuned for more information and ways in which you can help.

Additionally, the Interfaith Shelter Network is starting an Advocate Companion Project to further assist its clients. The program uses trained advocates to partner with the Case Managers/Social Workers to act as companions for individuals/households in the shelter(s). The advocate meets with clients once a week and follows the client from shelter to shelter and ultimately to housing. It is a volunteer position which requires a number of training sessions and a six month minimum commitment. The goal is to provide the maximum amount of support for the client.

If you are interested or want more information about the program please contact: Abby Shrestha, Shelter and Housing Program Manager, Interfaith Shelter Network at 619-702-5339 or abby@interfaithshelter.org.

Holiday Stress? - For many of us this time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a time of both joy and apprehension. We look forward to the return of favorite traditions, foods, and music, but we worry about completing all our preparations in time. We cherish the chance to spend time with family but worry about the person who is disruptive or for the one who is missing. We look forward to the coming of the Christ child, but are apprehensive for the accompanying stress of the season.

This Advent season give yourself permission to take a break from the stress. Bake one less batch of cookies and take a walk or sit in the garden instead. Spend less time shopping and more time reading. Do less decorating and more celebrating. Focus less on loved ones who are gone, and more on those who are here. 

If you are having difficulty making it through the holiday season, consider reaching out to Stephen Ministry. Our Stephen Ministers are compassionate and welcoming individuals who are happy to take time to visit with you. If you would like to know more about Stephen Ministry, please reach out to Pr Laura, Pr Sam, or one of our Stephen Leaders, Molly Hall, Laure Reynolds, or Suzi Westmoreland.



Volunteers Needed! Saturday Breakfast at St. Andrews - Our mission to feed the hungry a hot breakfast each Saturday is starting back up again, and the kitchen at St. Andrew’s is now open for business. Bethlehem will be preparing breakfast on the 4th Saturday of each month. We need 6 volunteers to crack and scramble 6 doz. eggs, cook 60 hash browns, 13 lbs. of bacon, make 80 pancakes and serve up plates with a smile! Click below to volunteer!

Did you miss one of Pastor Sam's sermons? Want to double check if he actually said what you think he did? Accidentally fall asleep and want to go back and read the section you missed? Check out all of Pastor Sam's sermons on his blog at: https://sinningboldlywithsam.wordpress.com/