December 1, 2022
Bethesda & Immanuel Lutheran Newsletter
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Sunday Worship
8:30 Bethesda
11:00 Immanuel
Contact:
Pastor Dale P. Chesley
809 Ellis Avenue
Ashland WI 54806
715 209-0600
dalechesley@charter.net
Pastor Will Mowchan
3015 Weeks Avenue
Superior, WI 54880
715 416-3408
wmowchan@gmail.com
Parish Office:
715-779-5611
bethesdachurchbayfield@gmail.com
Immanuel:
715-742-3440
Links
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We pray for Ukraine and all those afflicted by war.
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Sunday services are available online.
Use the Bethesda Facebook link above.
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From Worry to Wonder
A Christmas Message from Bishop Laurie
On June 19, 2020 our granddaughter was born. She was born three months into the pandemic. Her parents were worried. Her grandparents were worried. It is challenging enough to be pregnant and give birth in the best of times but to give birth in the middle of a worldwide pandemic is an even greater worry. We worried about the unknown dangers this virus might present to the mother, the unborn baby, and the new born baby. Our worries kept us up at night. Our worries were relieved when she was finally born, perfect in every way. Our worry gave way to wonder-filled joy. Worry transformed to wonder as we looked back to see how God was holding and carrying them through the unavoidable worry. Our worry transformed to gratitude and wonder watching for what God would be up to next in her tiny life.
It’s December 2022. We prepare to celebrate the birth our Lord Jesus. This Advent we come with our fears and worries too. We are living in the midst of challenging times in our country. The very foundation of our nation seems less stable. We each come with our own personal set of worries and fears about our families, health, finances, work, safety, the future…What is it that keeps you up at night? What are you worried about today?
Folks across our church are experiencing doubts and uneasiness about the future of their church. Does it keep you up at night? What are the threats to your church’s future? How can the conversation move from fear and worry to wonder? As the miracle of Christ’s birth is celebrated this season, we can move from worry to wonder. We wonder what God is up to now in this day and age. Together we wonder what God’s will is for the future of our church. Together we wonder; how can we use the abundance and blessings, (what we do have and opportunities in front of us), to make a difference in Jesus’ name.
Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. Luke 2:8-10a
Shepherds living in the fields watched over their sheep to keep them safe. There were dangers that kept the shepherds up at night and plenty of things for the shepherd’s to worry about in the cold night like wild animals, predators, thieves, & bad weather. There was so much to worry about, but one night an angel of the Lord, all shiny and bright appeared and transformed their fears and worldly worry to divine wonder.
To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” Luke 2:11-14
Friends, you are precious, beloved, baptized children of God. We know that the antidote to worry is to trust in God.
During this Advent, Christmas and Epiphany season I pray that your worries will be transformed to wonder at what God is doing and promises to do in your lives and in our churches. May the miracle of Christ’s birth transform your worries to wonder! I am grateful for your partnership in ministry.
Peace
Pastor Laurie Skow-Anderson
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A baby: The creator became creature. The immensely powerful became completely helpless. God, who holds the whole world in his hands, became a baby whom people held in their hands. God became totally dependent on people: Mary nursed God to keep him alive. Joseph burped God. Mary and Joseph changed God’s diapers. God learned to walk and talk from them and from other relatives. God played in Joseph’s carpentry shop. God became so helpless that God’s very survival became dependent on some innkeeper off-handedly letting Mary and Joseph crash in a shed, back in the alley.
Then Herod, a corrupt and crazy ruler somehow managed to convince himself that this helpless baby threatened him. Actually, the mere rumor that the baby existed threatened him. God, whose power creates and holds all life, was so small and weak that Herod almost did kill him. But Mary and Joseph fled from Herod. There they were, refugees running for their lives, hoping to find sanctuary in another country.
They ran for their lives with their baby God, to Egypt, where they were foreigners dependent for their survival on Egyptians. People who had no reason to even notice the family, let alone help them, held God’s life in their hands. God the creator was totally dependent on his creatures for shelter, for food, and for daily work Joseph could do in a foreign country to keep his family alive until they could safely go back to their country.
Throughout Christ’s whole life people literally held in their hands the very life of God, who holds the world in his hands. Finally, people used their hands to kill their creator.
So just why did God, upon whom all people depend for life itself, voluntarily become dependent on people? Why? Because we can’t really understand the life God gives us until we give God life he needs from us. We can’t experience the peace of God if we don’t also give him some peace. God can’t bless us if we don’t also bless him.
So people held God in their hands. God became what we are so that we can become more of what God is.
The larger good that is God, who happened long ago in Jesus still happens in the same way that it happened then. The holy still becomes human. Great good still comes through insignificant people. The goodness that came through Christ, comes when we hold someone who needs our embrace. Christ comes when we quell some fear just enough to live beyond it. God happens when we, like the innkeeper make some space in our hearts, and make some place in literal ways for our families, our workplace and our community, space for God to enter. God happens we give safe space to someone, even a stranger, who is trying to escape something harsh and unjust.
The innkeeper made space for Mary to give birth. Mary then could make space for Christ. Christ then made space for the whole world. God still comes like that when make space for people who in turn make good and necessary space for more people yet.
At Christmas we give gifts. Wonderful in their own right, Christmas gifts also serve the larger purpose of announcing that God still gives himself over to us. The gifts you give say that you are the gift to people that God is to you.
Pastor Will Mowchan
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Christmas Eve Services
4:00 Immanuel
6:00 Bethesda
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Marilyn’s Tree
For many years, Marilyn Larsen placed a Christmas tree in the corner of our social hall on which to place gifts for those in need. This year, in her memory, we are again placing a tree in the same place, and asking all of you to remember Marilyn by supporting the cause for this year. The cause this year is: New Hope Supportive Housing in Red Cliff Please take one of the accompanying sheets on the table that will help you choose your gifts. This year they should NOT be wrapped. ALSO PLEASE KNOW THAT THE GIFTS MUST BE PLACED ON THE TABLE BEFORE MONDAY, DECEMBER 12!!!! Thanks for your generosity!
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Bethesda & Immanuel
are looking for volunteers for:
Altar Guild
Lay Readers
Sunday Fellowship Coffee Hour
Please sign up
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Our Lutefisk & Swedish Meatball dinner was a success. Thanks to all the volunteers who made this happen. The proceeds of $1,165.50 will be used for our pancake breakfasts which will start on January 29 and continue on the last Sunday of each month.
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NEW HOPE HOUSING CHRISTMAS GIFTS
We would like to support New Hope again this year with Christmas gifts for the residents. The breakdown of residents by age follows.
CHILDREN
(1) 1-year old boy
(1) 3-year old boy
(1) 5-year old boy
(1) 5-year old girl
(3) 9-year old boys
(1) 11-year old boy
(1) 12-year old boy
(1) 13-year old girl
(1) 14-year old boy
(1) 14-year old girl
(1) 15-year old boy
(1) 18-year old girl
ADULTS
(1) 19-year old
(8) 20+ year old
(8) 30+ year old
(5) 40+ year old
(4) 50+ year old
(3) 60+ year old
Suggested gifts for children include board games, books, DVD’s, craft items, winter gloves, mittens, hats and scarves.
Suggested gifts for adults include kitchen and bath towels, blankets, snow scrapers for their cars, shaving kits for guys and shampoo and shower products for women.
Bring gifts to church. There will be a table for the gifts. Do not wrap the gifts.
Gifts will be picked up on Monday, December 12.
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Next
Native American and Lutheran Worship Service
December 11
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On Sunday, January 1 at 11:00 there will be one joint worship service at Immanuel with brunch to follow.
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MEMORY CAFE
Memory Cafe is a place for fellowship for people living with memory loss, Alzheimer's, and other related dementias, and their care partners. Come and enjoy social interaction with others going through similar experiences. Second Monday of the month, 10:00 - 11:30.
257 Manypenny Avenue.
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CORE Community Center Open Hours
Our Community Center on Manypenny Avenue is open from 9 AM to 2 PM Mondays and Fridays! We have all sorts of fun games and puzzles, as well as free coffee and tea!
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A message from Alla -
This month (November) has been quiet, although there have been long conversations with our lawyer. The lawyer and we had to change the strategy of preparing for the court hearings, as well as continue political activities to strengthen the case (although we are already doing this activity in any case as disagreeing with the Putin regime and opposing the war). Currently, Pavel is preparing evidence for the court, the job search is temporarily suspended. I take care of the children and the house as usual. Girls grow and develop. Oliver is actively preparing for an independent life and devotes all his time to study and his hobbies. In general, everything is stable ...
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We Make the Road by Walking - Wednesday Bible Study at Bayfield Presbyterian Church
“We Make the Road by Walking” is a journey through the Bible focusing on "spiritual formation, reorientation, and activation” written by Brian D. McLaren. We will be using this as the focus for our weekly Bible study starting on Wednesday, September 7, at 1 p.m. You can join us in person at the church or by Zoom (see link below). While it’s recommended each participant have a copy of the book, “We Make the Road by Walking,” you don’t actually need it to participate in the study. The books will be available to participants free of charge from the church.
One of the great things about this study is that each week’s devotion can stand alone, so you can come and go as you need to. You can also catch up on your own. The book acts as a 52-week devotional, guiding you through themes of the Bible corresponding with the church seasons. The book is intended to start in the fall, with the beginning of the school year, so we are right on track to begin.
This study is open to anyone so invite your friends. You can pick up a book from our church or the Bayfield Pres office during normal office hours, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or Sunday morning. They are free for the taking, but we ask you only take what you need. If you want to make a donation, you are welcome to do so. The books cost us about $15 each.
(Zoom link)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81683016685?pwd=TUNrbytnZzVtaEJQU3lGV242bEZsdz09
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Anything in the color blue is a clickable link | |
Women's Gather in-person and on Zoom December 14 at 9:30 AM | |
See our website for the Zoom link
Meeting ID: 860 6837 4823 Passcode: 419919
Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
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Lake Superior Bridge Builders
Tuesdays, December 13 & 27 at 7:00
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See our website for the Zoom link
Meeting ID: 812 1484 1692 Passcode: 948203
Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
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Monday Book Club
Join us for a Book Study on Zoom
Mondays at 1:00 PM
See our website for the Zoom link
Meeting ID: 851 3905 2851
Passcode: 467574
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Braiding Sweetgrass
by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Questions? Call Leanne 715.742.3553
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South Shore Quilters
Wednesdays 9:00 am - Noon at Immanuel
The mission-quilt group at Immanuel is always in need of donations of clean usable bed sheets--preferably flat sheets--which we use as backing for the quilts, spools of thread (whether full or not) and fabric.
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The Knit Wits
Knitting & Crocheting at Immanuel Fridays 1:00 - 4:00
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The Brunch Bunch
Tuesdays at Bethesda 10:00 - 11:30
Conversation and coffee with women from the community.
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Retired Old Men Eat Out
Every Friday at 8:00 AM
Meet at Immanuel Church
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New information is Red
If you would like to be added to the list or have an update, please contact us at:
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Pavel, Alla, Oliver, Viktoria, and Melissa Anna Elizabeth
P.O. Box 724
Bayfield, WI 54814
Marty Burkel
Marty still waiting patiently as his lungs continue to improve. Please keep Marty in your prayers.
715-209-5250
burkelm8@gmail.com
PO Box 1284
Bayfield, WI 54814
Bill Compton
715-779-5406
85175 Trailer Court Road
Bayfield, WI 54814
Kerissa Morrin
Casey French
Teresa Weber
715-779-5728
treesawweb@hotmail.com
36700 County Hwy J
Bayfield WI 54814
Teresa is recuperating at home after being hospitalized with serious health issues.
Pastor Dale Chesley
809 Ellis Avenue
Ashland WI 54806
Cancer
Pastor Carolyn Mowchan
3015 Weeks Avenue
Superior WI 54880
Cancer
Community
Bill Peterson
Bill is struggling with Parkinson's. If you have the time he sure would appreciate a call or card and of course your prayers.
651-270-1876
Walker Methodist Care Suites
7400 York Avenue South
Edina, MN 55435
Janet Hunt
715-779-5670
34955 S Cty Hwy J
Bayfield, WI 54814
Max Paap
John Meierotto
85185 Trailer Ct Rd
Bayfield WI 54814
Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Ed DePerry
37420 State Hwy 13
Bayfield WI 54814
Doctoring at Mayo
Nancy Heaton
715-209-7586
nheaton222@gmail.com
PO Box 1462
Bayfield WI 54814
Cancer
Sharon Johnson
715-779-5510
86520 Valley Rd
Bayfield WI 54814
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Myrna & Rich Northrop
715-208-0706
myman@cheqnet.net
87202 Co Hwy C
Cornucopia, WI 54827
Kermit and Judy Del Main
Kermit and Judy have moved to St Paul for at least the winter months where family will be able to assist them. Please keep them in your prayers as they transition.
900 Old Lexington Avenue Apt 101
St Paul, MN 55116
Wally and Colleen Nozal
715-742-3450
PO Box 341
Cornucopia, WI 54827
Lorayne Reedy
715-742-3563
reedys@cheqnet.net
PO Box 358
Cornucopia WI 54827
Lois Osterberg
715-742-3290
osterbergstudio01@gmail.com
PO Box 238
Cornucopia WI 54827
Courtney Byerhoff
Carol Lyon
309-373-4372
carolrlyon@gmail.com
27 Pond View Way
Fitchberg WI 53711
Sandy Bodner
715-774-3925
sb24542@gmail.com
14770 Touve Rd
Herbster WI 54844
Chuck & Marcia Perry
715-742-3247
gggraph@cheqnet.net
87140 County Rd C
Cornucopia, WI 54827
Pastor Dale Chesley
809 Ellis Avenue
Ashland WI 54806
Cancer
Pastor Carolyn Mowchan
3015 Weeks Avenue
Superior WI 54880
Cancer
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December Birthdays
1 - Arnie Carver
10 - John Thiel
15 - Jim Gordon
15 - Jim Moeller
18 - Rainer Einsman
19 - Curt Johnson
19 - Janet Johnson
29 - Alice Glasener
30 - Jane Hauser
31 - Karen Maki
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