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Bethlehem Lutheran Church
800 Cass St. Monterey, CA. 93940
831-373-1523 † letsgotobethlehem.org
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Our mission "To worship God as a loving community that grows in faith and shares the Gospel of Christ." | |
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Pastor's Letter
What could God do next?
I am in awe at what I have seen God do these past few years through you:
There have been baby showers, baptisms, Bible blessings, New Member Sundays, and prayers for DLI and NPS students as they move on to the next chapter of their lives—treasuring the pages they spent here with us. Board Members have been installed to help lead us and other groups formed to help us grow. Prayer Warriors have been fighting battles for us every single day. Streaming connects us to friends and family all over the nation. Services at the Cottages of Carmel and Merrill Gardens allow the Gospel to be shared with some of those most in spiritual need. I have been blessed to be invited into many homes to share in Christian fellowship and God’s Word with you.
You have welcomed me to preside over funerals for those who have felt like family and to be there for others in their final breaths—mourning the earthly loss, but rejoicing in their heavenly gain. I have sat by your side as you healed from ailments and felt blessed to have a moment to just be present, to spend time with you—all the other worries could wait.
I have witnessed a Classical Christian Academy grow and flourish into their own institution. Students from Kansas City Lutheran High School have made our church their tabernacle as they traveled through. The Concordia University Irvine’s Donne Di Canto Choir sang our sanctuary into life, inspired to tell others to come back and have concerts with us. Our own youth program and ministries seem to be sprouting to life. You have supported more Adopt-A-Families than I can remember as well as two missionaries and their families in Africa. You have helped both Janis Mikits and Chris Hayes who I hope and pray will have strong ministries of their own one day. You have hosted one Concordia Seminary Conference already with Dr. Sanchez last year and I am looking forward to the next one with Dr. Meyer in June.
There was a wedding last May and it felt like home, like a family celebration. You have been my friends and family. I have learned what it means to represent you in the community as your pastor and I have seen wonderful connections being made with us and those around us. NA, AA, Al-Anon, Rotary Groups, I-HELP, Taiko Drummers, Geocachers, and Blue Zones all feel at home here at 800 Cass because of you and your warm hearts.
To sum it all up:
I have learned what it means to worship God as a loving community, that grows in faith, and shares the Gospel of Christ.
And, now, as we continue to worship God and be a loving community, growing in faith and share the Gospel of Christ together, take a moment to ponder…. What could God do next?
I can’t wait to see what it will be!!!
Pastor Josh Schmidt
P.S. If you are interested in Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer’s Summer Conference this year (June 6-8) contact Stephanie Calica for details at steph@heroeventservices.com
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Upcoming Service Opportunities & Fellowship Events
March 27, 5:00pm Men's I-HELP
April 12, 5:30pm Youth Lock-In at Faith Lutheran Church
April 14, 3:00pm FLC Book Club at the Harbough's
April 14, 5:00pm Women's I-HELP
April 23, 5:30pm BZP Appreciation in Salinas
May 4 BLC & FLC BBQ at Via Paraiso Park
Holy Week
March 28, 12:00 noon, Maundy Thursday Service at Faith Lutheran
March 28, 6:00pm Maundy Thursday Service at Bethlehem Lutheran
March 29, 7:00pm Good Friday
March 29, 8:40am Easter Brunch
March 31, 10:00am Easter Sunday service
Meetings
March 26, 5:30pm Board of Directors
April 1, 4:30pm Worship Committee
April 2, 4:00pm Youth meeting
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April Birthdays
April 3 - Jessica Kabat
April 4 - Nikki Hueffmeier
April 5 - Ali Zaerivand
April 8 - Richard Kanak
April 11 - Patty Zobel
April 19 - Cindy Bitter
April 21 - Bob Zobel
April 23 - Adara Meraf
April 24 - David Flemming
April 25 - Caitlin Lesher
April 27 - Rena Wyant
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Dear Family and Friends of Bethlehem Lutheran Church,
As we leave the Winter months behind us and enjoy the warmer days of Spring, I'm again reminded of how quickly time passes. Bethlehem's Centennial Anniversary is coming up in 2025 and we're already brainstorming ideas on how to appropriately celebrate this milestone next year. I was recently privileged to review the actual original (fragile!) legal documents officially bringing Bethlehem into existence in February of 1925, and I couldn't help but wonder what our founders would think of all that has been accomplished in spreading God's word as a Lutheran ministry in the last hundred years. I'm sure they would be thrilled that their efforts and mission have continued. More on this subject in the months ahead.
Separately, make sure to mark your calendars for a Voters Assembly meeting on Sunday May 19 (2024). Among many items we'll be covering will be the 2025 Budget recommendations, which will take effect when our fiscal year begins on July 1. A full agenda will be published as we get nearer the meeting date.
Since our last newsletter was published, we held an in-depth review with our current Insurance carrier (property/casualty/liability/workers comp) and I'm happy to report that we will be renewing our policies for another year at reasonable rates and acceptable coverage levels. After surveying the commercial insurance market with several alternative brokers, it has become clear that we are in a fortunate position. Inflation, wildfire risks, and other macro economic factors have caused many underwriters to leave the California market altogether, leaving some churches completely without coverage and with an inability to obtain new coverage.
And a reminder: we are always in need of volunteers who can help in a variety of capacities depending on their interests, talents, and availability. In order to streamline the process, we now have brief "task descriptions" written for anyone who would like to become a Sunday Reader, Counter, Greeter, Communion Assistant, or I-Help assistant. Please contact Pastor or any Board Member if you'd like to join in!
God's blessings,
David
Dbooneblc@gmail.com
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BZPMC Blue Zones Project
Volunteer Appreciation Event!
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Join us to celebrate Blue Zones Project Volunteers and highlight those who make our work possible! The event will be held on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 from 5:30PM to 7PM, to recognize and honor our tireless volunteers! | |
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We had a wonderful tour and much of the success is due to you and your congregation's willingness to host us. Thank you for the wonderful meal, concert venue, audience, and homestays for our students. I hope we can make it back up to Monterey again in the future!
Erik Der
Community Engagement Manager, Arts
Director of Handbell Activities
Concordia University Irvine
www.cui.edu/music
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Women Supporting Women
If you are a woman and a member of a Lutheran Church, you are warmly invited to “Gifted to Serve by God’s Grace,” April 19th-21st, in Redding, California.
This annual convention will have worship, Bible study, mission speakers, music, food, and tons of fellowship. Hosted by the LWML, as a woman and a member of our church, you will be a fully voting member which is great news as a motion to support our youth program at Bethlehem will be on the floor.
Your presence and support is needed. And, hopefully you will have a little fun too!!!
Please, register by March 29th for “early bird” pricing below:
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This Lent, we took some time reflecting on the book of James together.
It is our hope and prayer that you were challenged and grew in the faith knowing that we are not perfect and we will not always say the right thing; yet when we humble ourselves, God will exalt us and He can use us to save even those who seem the most lost.
Micah Maddox' James: Tired, Tested, Torn, and Full of Faith encouraged us to meet all of our challenges with steadfast confidence in Christ. It was a light read that we hope resonated with you.
If you are looking for something a little heavier to help you grow in faith this season, try J.A. Motyer's The Message of James. Link to order above.
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Pray With Us!
The last section in the book of James is titled, "The Prayer of Faith." Here, we are told that "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working" (5:16). This is something our Prayer Warriors firmly believe and as we continue the Easter Season wondering "What could God do next?" the first step on our journey is to pray.
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If you are willing, here is a 21 Days of Prayer Challenge for you to follow - a daily devotional for you to read and prayerfully consider:
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Faith Lutheran Church in Seaside has invited us to be part of their book club! Please join us!
Book: “Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
When: April 14, 3:00pm
Where: Pastor Harbough's home
We will get together at Pastor Harbaugh’s home to discuss what we have learned and how the book’s wisdom may be applied to a Lutheran worldview.
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Evangelism Committee Report | |
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Hi Everyone,
We are still excited about installing a free lending library on our patio on Cass Street. Members have offered materials to stock the library and it should be a wonderful resource for our neighbors and congregation. If someone feels called to build the lending library, please let Brynn know. The Rotary is willing and interested to step in and do so if none of our members would like to.
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BLC continues to support the I-HELP men's and women's groups with a monthly meal for each. If you are willing to help provide a meal, please:
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If you're uncomfortable with the idea of jumping in with both feet, but would like to get introduced to the I-HELP program, we welcome you to join us one of the evenings by serving the meal and having a dinner on us. Please contact Ray or Brynn if you'd like to participate in this way.
If you have any questions, ideas, or concerns please contact Brynn brynn.s.kaufman@gmail.com or (209) 609-6271.
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"The Chosen" Lunches Continue
On Tuesdays during Lent, we began watching "the Chosen" together in the Vineyard Room. It is a fascinating way to see Christ's story anew. We liked it so much, we thought we would continue: grab a lunch and meet us at noon!! We will be there most Tuesdays excluding the second Tuesday of the month.
You can also catch up and/or watch episodes online for free at:
Home | The Chosen
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Worship Committee Report
What is Maundy Thursday?
The word “Maundy” comes from mandatum in Latin and means “mandate” or “command.” What was the command? In John, chapter 13, verse 34, Jesus said: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
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On Maundy Thursday, March 28th at 6pm, we will also celebrate Holy Communion, a reminder that Christ instituted it on that Thursday of Holy Week. We conclude the service by stripping the altar. We remove all ornaments, linens, paraments to remind us that as Christ’s life was stripped from him, so we strip the altar of all signs of life to symbolize his suffering and death for us and for our salvation. The altar stays that way through Good Friday and Holy Saturday, until Easter Sunday morning, when all comes to life again.
Your Worship Committee: Jean Goebel, Marilyn Maxner, Melody Nelson, Lindamarie Rosier, Pastor Josh Schmidt
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What Could God Do Next?
BLC Family, God has worked wonders through you already with Adopt-A-Family; I-HELP; VBS; Youth Trips; magnificent worship services and times together; baptisms; weddings; funerals; planting a school; and so much more!!!
Let’s take this season together to ponder:
What could He do next?
God Lifts Up the Humble
March 24th | Palm Sunday
Zechariah 9:9-12
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 11:1-11
“[He] emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant… Therefore God has highly exalted him.” Phil. 2:7, 9.
God Lifts Up the Humble
How could God uplift you? It is the meek who inherit the earth after all.
God is Present with Us
March 28th | Maundy Thursday
Exodus 24:3-11
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Mark 14:12-25
“Take; this is my body.” Mark 14:22.
God is Present with Us
How could God be present with you? In with and under the bread and the wine.
God Works through Death
March 29th | Good Friday
Printed in the bulletin
“Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died.” Mark 15:44.
God Works through Death
How could God be with you in your final days? Not even death can separate us from His love.
God Raises the Dead
March 31st | Easter Sunday
Isaiah 25:6-9
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Mark 16:1-8
“They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them…” Mark 16:8.
God Raises the Dead
How could God give you life? His lasts forever.
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