Community Event:

Pink Ribbon

Fundraiser

February 26^th, 12:00PM at 800 Cass St., Monterey, CA

“And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her…”

--Luke 7:13.

That seems to be what Jesus does.

As we prepare for our next season here at BLC, we are preparing to learn how to show compassion to those around us. It’s going to be “Messy” because loving others isn’t easy.

We will learn what it’s like to be there for others even when it hurts or when we are afraid…. How to love and to be loved just as Christ shares His steadfast love with us. The Christian love is a unique love, a love that the world tries to warp and cannot fathom, a love that has both compassion and accountability; care without the condoning of sin.

Sin is a sickness, “a disease and original vice” (AC II).

It is a cancer that tears us apart.

We do not love the cancer, but the one who has fallen under its affects.

All of us have been affected one way or another by Original Sin. Just as all of us have been affected by literal cancer. Receiving this diagnosis is one of the most frightening things that can happen to person. And, yet we are called to be there for those who are suffering, to help heal the cancer, and see the person as someone who God loves.

It will get “Messy,” but we will act selflessly, being there for others whose lives seem to be “Messy” like our own.

So, to go with this series, we will be hosting a Pink Ribbon Fundraiser.

Adriana Gonzales, a mother of three and sister to three was diagnosed with breast cancer right before Christmas last year. She has already begun her treatments and is staying strong, but she could use our help.

Adriana lives in Mexico, so to cover the cost of treatments (which she cannot afford) would only cost $7,000 American dollars. That is our goal.

So, join us with a Taco Truck after church (festivities from 12:00-2:00PM) at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, learn about how to care for our bodies and be there for each other even when it gets “Messy.” The Breast Care Center with CHOMP will give a special presentation on their services and explain how those in need may obtain financial support with tests that women need. Adriana will also join us on Zoom.

If we meet our goal of $7,000, the remainder of the proceeds will go to CHOMP’s Breast Care Center.

12:00PM--Fellowship & Taco Truck

1:00PM--Welcome & Introduction

Prayer

CHOMP Breast Care Center Presentation

Adriana live on Zoom

My name is Adriana Lizbeth Gonzalez, I was born and raised in Villa Guerrero, Jalisco 10/29/1988.

My parents are Juan Gonzalez and Martina Ramos. I am married and have 3 kids and 3 sisters. On December 12th of last year, right before Christmas, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I started treatments of chemotherapy on January 28th and will continue with radiology treatments to treat the Cancer.

I Pray to the Lord and have faith in God that everything will be ok.

My cousin, Erica, is organizing a fundraiser with the church she works for, Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Monterey on the 26th of February to help with my treatment expenses.



Please help me, I need all the help that I can receive for my treatments. I’m in Mexico and need all the help that I can get. I will forever live Thankful from the bottom of my heart. God Bless you always!

Loving Others Isn’t Easy

How do we love even when it’s difficult?

Join us this Lent, February 22nd-March 29th, Wednesdays at 5PM for a soup supper, then 6PM for a short reflection on "Messy" love.



Choosing to Love gets “Messy”

February 22^nd | Ash Wednesday

Leviticus 19:1-4, 15-18, 33-37

Matthew 22:34-40

O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken: LSB 439 v.1, 9, 1

“Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, … ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Leviticus 19:1, 18.

Choosing to Love gets “Messy”

Some of the best marriage advice I have ever heard came from one of my friends as he gave a best-man speech. He said, “Every day, you wake up and choose to love the person next to you whether you feel like it or not.” That’s how a marriage works. In the same way, God commands us to love the person next to us—no matter what. There are no conditions to this love.

But, that’s why it gets messy. How are you supposed to love someone so covered in sin? How could I be there for them? How could God be there for us?

Let’s talk about it.

Loving with All You Have gets “Messy”

Lent | March 1^st

Ecclesiastes 2:9-11

Matthew 19:16-30

O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken: LSB 439 v.1, 11, 1

“Go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” Matthew 19:21.

Loving with All You Have gets “Messy”

“Once I get my house in order, then…” Fill in the blank.

Sometimes we get so focused on our own material needs or wants or gains that it gets in the way of being there for others. In reality, we don’t need all of those things. In fact, life tends to flourish when you give them all away. But, doesn’t that seem paradoxical? How in the world could that ever work??

Let’s talk about it.

Accepting Love gets “Messy”

Lent | March 8^th

Isaiah 62:1-5

Luke 10:25-37

O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken: LSB 439 v.1, 3, 1

“Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back” Luke 10:35.

Accepting Love gets “Messy”

It’s hard to admit when you need help and almost impossible to admit when you wish you were loved and you’re not. When God sends us someone to be there for us, we should recognize it and be grateful and look at their heart… not any other circumstance.

But, what if this person is different than me?

Let’s talk about it.

Sometimes We’re Gonna Look “Messy”

Lent | March 15^th

Romans 12:3, 9-21

Matthew 27:24-26

O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken: LSB 439 v.1, 2, 1

“Let love be genuine.” Romans 12:9.

Sometimes We’re Gonna Look “Messy”

The “Marks of the True Christian” start with “genuine love.” It is not where you live or what you wear, how you look or act or where you work… it is part of who you actually are, beneath everything else. It’s like a scar that you can’t remove.

Or, it’s more like a birthmark. Some people are embarrassed of their birthmarks. And, love is a birthmark we hide once in a while (whether or not it’s on purpose). But, we shouldn’t.

Let’s talk about it.

Repayment is “Messy”

Lent | March 22^nd

Romans 13:8-14

Matthew 27:27-31

O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken: LSB 439 v.1, 14, 1

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other.” Romans 13:8.

Repayment is “Messy”

When you think about what mankind did to the Son of God, it seems like a sin impossible to repay. We could never make up for how far we have fallen away from God. But, God saves us anyway. And, all He asks in return is a debt of love.

Let’s talk about it.

We Are “Messy”

Lent | March 29^th

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

John 15:12-17

O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken: LSB 439 v.1, 15, 1

“Love… does not insist on its own way.” 1 Corinthians 13:4.

We Are “Messy”

Although we are commanded to love, we tend to get in the way. It is so much easier to focus on our own wants and desires rather than the other. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but we make it so. We make it “Messy.”

But, God still gives us His grace so that we can selflessly be there for others.

Let’s talk about it.