Bethlehem January News

Happy New Year and Blessed Epiphany. As I consider the trek of the wisemen over hills and valleys, following nothing but one star in the night sky, I wonder if our current journey is much the same. The hills and valleys of this current life, the circuitous paths we have been traveling, seem without clear destination — other than a light in the darkness that we can only occasionally see clearly. And yet, we still travel.

We do so not alone, but in the company of one another. We face the harsh weather conditions and the uncertain path together. Because together we follow the same star, the same light in the darkness, the same hope in tomorrow. That hope is both tenuous and real, both evasive and certain. I give thanks to God to be on the journey with you, for throughout its duration, I have felt never alone.

As 2023 dawns, I find myself looking to the distant horizon, visioning who Bethlehem will become as we continue to claim our work to extend God’s love. Perhaps it’s time for an updated mission statement. I have been considering something like -- "We are a Christian Community, Where All are Welcome under the Arc of God’s Grace." Such a statement names who we have become together. Your council has recently been discussing the deepest needs in our surrounding community and how Bethlehem might be uniquely suited to address some of those needs. If you would like to add your thoughts to the conversation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Now is a destination time, a moving forward time, a who shall we become time.

Perhaps the same is true in your own life. If you find yourself stretching forward at this time, we are here to celebrate your journey. If you are in a season of stress or loss, we are here to support you and offer our care and compassion. If you, like me, are doing your best to follow the light set before you, then welcome fellow traveler, I look forward to your company on the journey!

Lastly, I want to personally thank you for your grace in my life and for the gift it is to serve this congregation. My particular thanks for your generous Christmas gift to me. It was so very kind and deeply appreciated. I continue to give thanks for you and I look forward to 2023 in your good company.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Laura

Dear Bethlehem Family,

It is an honor and a blessing to get to be a part of this wild and wonderful community that we call Bethlehem Lutheran Church. This congregation has blessed me in ways that I cannot even begin to count. I am so thankful for you all, and for the love, care, and support you give to Alissa and me. Thank you especially for the incredibly generous Christmas gift. I hope that you had a very Merry Christmas, and that you all have a wonderful New Year. May this new year be filled with joy, hope, and wonder!

In Gratitude,

Pastor Sam

January Worship Schedule

Sunday Morning Worship:

January 1 - 10 AM only (No Learning Circles)
January 8, 15 & 29 - 9 and 10:30 AM

January 22 - 9 AM only (with Annual Meeting to follow. Learning circles at 9 AM with independent activities for children during the annual meeting.)

Worship usually takes place in the sanctuary for both services, and there is the option to sit outside in the eco-narthex as well. The livestream usually takes place during the 10:30 AM or as indicated.

Learning Circles take place during the 10:30 AM worship service. We have classes for ages 3 thru 6th grade and nursery services available, too!

Pastor Dunsworth Installation at San Marcos Lutheran

Service of Installation for

the Rev. Casey Kloehn Dunsworth

Sunday, January 22, 2023

3:00pm

San Marcos Lutheran Church

3419 Grand Ave

San Marcos, CA 92078

A reception will follow. All are welcome!

Questions can be directed to Aimee in the SMLC office at 760-727-1509 or check sanmarcoslutheran.org

Children's Ministry

Happy New Year BLC Families! I hope that you all had a very Merry Christmas season! My name is Jana Hegg and I am the interim Children's Ministry Director at Bethlehem and I am very excited serve in this way. I am a retired teacher/administrator and have also served many years in children's ministry, so I feel right at home in this new role.

As the new year begins, we will continue to have Learning Circles on Sunday mornings during the 10:30 service for all children, ages 3 through Sixth Grade. At this time, all ages are gathering in the Multi-Use room after the children's sermon time and returning at the end of the service. We are looking at enhancing this time by adding some monthly musical opportunities, so watch for a new schedule and further information. We are also planning for some intergenerational and family events, and more information regarding that will be coming soon. To make sure that we are communicating effectively with our BLC families, I am currently in the process of updating our Children's Ministry contact information. If you would like to make sure that you are receiving Children's Ministry updates, please send me an email: childrensministry@blcenc.org.

Also, if you have taught Learning Circles in the past, or if this is something you are interested in helping with, please send me an email and let me know. I will be working on a new schedule for the coming months and would love to include you! If you have never taught Sunday School in the past, do not worry! All of the curriculum is provided and easy to follow and I will help with any training you may need. Thanks in advance for your help!

Blessings, Jana

childrensministry@blcenc.org

Music Ministry

January Music Happenings - Choirs will be starting up again after the holidays. Here are the first rehearsals for each group:

JuBellation Ringers - January 12 @ 6 p.m. - Family Center
Good News Singers - January 12 @ 7:22 p.m. - Sanctuary
Children's Choir - January 15 @ 10:00 a.m. -Family Center
Chimers - January 15 @ 11:40 a.m. - Family Center

Second Sabbath will be leading worship on Sunday, January 29th. This group only performs four times a year so make sure to participate in worship that day to hear this outstanding group. For further information about joining, contact Marilyn Stenoien at mstenoien@aol.com.

ELCA Advocacy

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 on Mondays at 12:000pm, January 16, 23, 30, and February 6. Details here.

ELCA Advocacy Blog: Hard and holy work or depolarization - “When we talk to someone who shares the same Christian faith but has a different set of political beliefs or convictions, it can be uncomfortable, or frustrating, and sometimes even scary. As members of the ELCA, we believe that we can have different political opinions but be of the same faith,” asserts Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton in her November 2, 2022 video addressing Christian Nationalism.” Read more here.

“Advocacy in Quarantine” - Our weekly information sessions will resume with the new legislative session in January 2023. Check the LOPP-CA webpage for updates and links.

ELCA Advocacy Monthly Updates

United Nations and State Edition

Advocacy Connections

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.

Affordable Housing Forum

"As a reconciling and healing presence, this church is called to minister to human needs with compassion and imagination." — ELCA Social Statement The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective

Interested in affordable housing issues as viewed from a faith perspective?

Faith in Action, an Encinitas interfaith ministry Bethlehem is part of, is hosing an Encinitas Affordable Housing Forum on January 26 from 7-8:30 p.m, both in person at St. Andrew’s Episcopal, 890 Balour Drive, and via Zoom.

RSVP to encinitashousingforum@gmail.com to secure your seat, receive the Zoom link, or get more info.

Learn about housing history in Encinitas and how state law applies
Listen to stories of those impacted by housing affordability
Leave knowing how you can make a difference.

Presenters include:

Steve Swiecicki, Community HousingWorks

Mirle Rabinowitz Bussell, Ph.D., UCSD Department of Urban Studies and Planning

Bob Kent, Keys4Homes

Hon. Jim Stiven (Ret.), Faith in Action

Interfaith Shelter Network

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.

Stephen Ministry

Happy New Year! Stephen Ministry wishes you a year of good health -- physical health, mental health, emotional health, and spiritual health. Remember that Stephen Ministry is here to support you in your quest for better wellbeing. If you would like to know more about how Stephen Ministry works and how a Stephen Minister can help you or a loved one please contact Pr Sam, Pr Laura, or one of our Stephen Leaders Suzi Westmoreland, Laure Reynolds, or Molly Hall.

Scraps and Prayers

The Pajama Project has completed it's 26th Year! Distributing 1300 pairs of Flannel PJ's and Pants sewn by the same five women! In this 27th year of The Pajama Project we hope to attract new sewists as well as new help in coordinating this well received ministry. Just think, there are many, many children enjoying their cozy PJ's this winter!

Warmly yours, Belinda Simonini - Current PJ Project Coordinator

Stewardship Stream

New Year, New Habit - Happy New Year! Bethlehem has greatly benefited from financial support through electronic means over the last several years. If you’re not a regular electronic supporter of Bethlehem, and given that January is often the time we decide on new habits, please take a minute to think about the following options.

Bethlehem Website - Offering and other gifts can be made electronically on our website by clicking on the contribute tab. No account is needed to donate through our website. Informative tiles conveniently present various giving opportunities.

Bethlehem’s Vanco App - You can also use the Vanco Mobile App. Simply download it from your app store, and search “Bethlehem Lutheran Church Encinitas” by name (there is no invite code and note that there are a number of other “Bethlehem Lutherans” listed). If you already have an account from our website, the same login information will work. If not, please sign up with a new account.

Both options allow for one-time donations, as well as recurring gifts and special offerings. All transactions will be reflected in your quarterly and annual giving statements. And if you have any questions about these electronic options, please contact the church office.

As always, thanks for your financial support throughout the year and we hope that one of these methods meets your New Year needs!

Volunteers Needed for Sat. Breakfast at St. Andrews

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!

Opportunities to Engage

Qigong/Tai chi -The weekly Qigong/Tai chi practices at our church is available by Zoom. You are able to join online from your computer on Wednesdays at 6 pm. Also, Chacha is having a Friday at 9 am practice by Zoom.

These practices are moving meditation practices that focus on relaxation, breath, and visualization while carrying out gentle movements. Everyone is welcome, no previous experience is necessary. If you are interested in joining please e-mail Chacha at chachapinillap@gmail.com. Please let her know which of the practices or if you would like to be invited to both practices. She will send an e-mail invitation with the zoom link.

Scraps and Prayers - This ministry sews quilts for people in need of comfort and care. We meet each Wednesday morning from 9am-11am in the Multi-Use Room. We need your help sewing and tying quilts. No experience necessary! Stop by for an hour or stay for the whole morning; we'd love to share our scraps and prayers with you. For more information, contact Bobby Allen at roberta798@aol.com or Laure Reynolds at laurereyn@roadrunner.com.

COVID Vaccine Help

If you need help navigating the Covid-19 vaccine sign up process, we are here to help. Our Stephen Ministry/Parish Nurse team can assist with:

Finding out your eligibility to receive a vaccine.
Helping you find a vaccination site and make an appointment.
Assisting with transportation to the site.

Please call the church office, (760) 753-1026, and we will get you the help you need.

Pastor Sam's Sermon Blog

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/

Global Mission "Global Links" E-Newsletter

Rooted and built in Jesus! This is the core of our work as the ELCA walks with more than 80 companion churches in other countries to participate in God's reconciling mission through proclamation and service. Participating in these relationships, ELCA members see how people's lives are touched by the gospel, how their lives are transformed and renewed, and how their communities live in hope. If you would like to receive the ELCA Global Mission e-newsletter "Global Links", please click on the following link to subscribe: https://community.elca.org/elca-email-subscriptions

Bethlehem Cares Fund

Bethlehem Cares Fund: For members of Bethlehem, we have a fund to assist you with temporary financial needs such as medical, home, family or personal needs.Contact Pastor Laura, Pastor Sam, Rose Moldenhauer or Molly Hall. If you are able to contribute to the fund please mark your gift to BLC with the notation Bethlehem Cares.

Newsletters 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 Newsletter Archive page there are links available to view current and past newsletters.

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.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

www.blcenc.org