Sunday Worship

8:30 Bethesda

11:00 Immanuel

Contact:

Pastor Connie Monson

678-360-6089

connie.monson@gmail.com

Parish Office:

715-779-5611

bethesdachurchbayfield@gmail.com

Immanuel:

715-742-3440

Links

Bethesda/Immanuel Website



Bethesda FACEBOOK 

Immanuel FACEBOOK 

We pray for those afflicted by war, oppression, or violence of any kind.

 Hello Nancy,

From the Pastor

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46.10

The co-convener of a church organization that I’m part of said something interesting to me last week: “We need to learn how to lean into helplessness.” By “we” she meant church people, accustomed as we are to being those who offer help, not receive it. Sure, there is something blessed in giving, but we can make an idol of that too. Does it make you feel vulnerable if you accept help? (Yes, me too, but I’m working on that.)

Specifically, we were talking about how culturally white people want to skip over the part where we learn our history in all its complexity and feel all the feelings it engenders. I wonder if sometimes we’re driven to help in order to short-circuit uncomfortable feelings like grief or guilt or fear. But such feelings are themselves important sources of information, and part of what makes us human. What we refuse to feel comes back to haunt us.

Right now, many are feeling a heightened sense of urgency; there is so much to do in all directions. It’s as if Hans Brinker is trying to stop all the leaks at once. It feels as if doing something—anything—is imperative. But I want to offer that misguided action can be as bad as no action, or worse. It is worth slowing down, centering in through prayer and contemplation, and only then moving with deliberation and love.

In his stunning book Pond River Ocean Rain, Charles Lattimore Howard writes, “Inaction sometimes is the greatest action we can take. Stillness is sometimes the most important move we can make.” Sometimes the learning is the work.

As Lent winds to a close, we look forward to a transition of seasons, to Holy Week, and then Easter, as we remember the hope of new life in all things. But I am committing to a few more weeks of uncomfortable Lenten practices in which I acknowledge that I am not the One in charge. To be indebted. To be on the receiving end. To lean into the helplessness and vulnerability that have always been there. Amen.

Reconciling in Christ Statement

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

We welcome YOU to Bethesda and Immanuel to participate fully in our congregational life. You who may have experienced exclusion, injustice or racial inequity; You who are young, old, rich, poor; You of all abilities; You from all nations and ethnic backgrounds; You of all sexual orientations, gender identities or gender expression.

We are committed to racial equity, economic equity, gender equity, sexual equity. We are committed to learn, celebrate, advocate and welcome everyone through a series of forums and educational opportunities. May we grow in acceptance and become a voice for inclusion, equity and justice.

No matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

Please remember to vote on April 1.

Siblings in Christ,

The 2025 EcoFaith Summit is coming up quickly! We are excited to have over 160 people already committed to attending the Summit both on live-stream and in person. We look forward to seeing you and people from your congregation in Duluth on April 5!

We look forward to gathering to share in hearing a message of hope in these times in which many are searching for where hope lives in our world today.

Please share this bulletin announcement with your congregation(s).

2025 EcoFaith Summit of the Upper Midwest: Earth's Cries, Earth's Call: Becoming Midwives of Hope for the Healing of Creation: Saturday, April 5, 9:30am - 5:00pm, First Lutheran Church in Duluth and Online. The day includes impactful speakers, action-oriented engagement sessions, vibrant worship, inspiring art, table exhibits, and networking time to equip disciples in congregations, camps, campuses and communities to respond to God’s call in the cries of Creation. To register and for more information including a carpool discount, free registration under age 30 and free childcare provided: ecofaithnetwork.org/ecofaith-summit-2025

Zoom Bible Study

Bethesda/Immanuel is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Tuesday Bible Study

Time: 1:00 Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83546485750?pwd=eRN8RaOWDdcNOhzy93e4B8ifTaXCNy.1

Meeting ID: 835 4648 5750

Passcode: 290099



Please join us for a soup lunch and book study at Bethesda on Wednesday April 2 & 9 at noon. Sign up in the fellowship hall to provide soup and bread.

Maundy Thursday Ecumenical service will be at Christ Episcopal at 7:00 on April 17.

Good Friday Ecumenical service will be at Bethesda at 7:00 on April 18.

On Easter Sunday, April 18, there will be a potluck meal after 8:30 worship at Bethesda and at Immanuel there will be a potluck breakfast before 11:00 worship.

Ladies & Gentleman, Boys & Girls of all ages!

The concert you've all been waiting for...Chequamegon Area Choir proudly presents their 52nd Annual Concert- "Give My Regards To Broadway"! With over 60 musical members and starring director Mike Powers, Accompanist Tiffany Darling, and a special guest percussionist!

Performances will be on Friday, April 11 located at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Ashland at 7:30pm and on Sunday, April 13 located at St Louis Catholic Church in Washburn at 4pm. Tickets are $7, Seniors & Students $5, 10 & under FREE.

For more information, visit us on our website, or on Facebook.

The BRICK’s Food Shelf Program focuses on providing a wide variety of food options in a range of forms (canned, frozen, fresh) to program participants; yet we want to offer more than food.  Cleaning products are essential to so many of our pantry shoppers. In April, The BRICK is asking for donations of laundry detergent and dish soap . These are all items that our pantry shoppers need to stay healthy. Since many hygiene and cleaning items don’t expire, The BRICK isn’t able to “rescue” them from local retailers. At the end of the month, please connect with our Food Shelf Manager Amaris Shrider to drop off your donation. Reach her by phone at 715-682-7425 or email at foodshelfmanager@thebrickministries.org. Thank you for your support!

Council Meetings

April 16, 2025

Immanuel Council 6:00

Joint Council Meeting 6:30

Bethesda Council 7:00

March Draft Immanuel Council Minutes

December Draft Joint Council Minutes (No subsequent meetings)

February Draft Bethesda Council Minutes

Monday Book Club

Book Study is on Zoom at 1 pm

See our website or the link above for the Zoom link

Meeting ID: 851 3905 2851

Passcode: 467574

Dial by your location

    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

Questions? Call Leanne 715.742.3553

South Shore Quilters

Mondays 9:00 am - Noon at Immanuel

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.

The Knit Wits

Knitting & Crocheting at Immanuel Fridays 1:00 - 4:00

Immanuel has a painting group that meets on Thursdays, 10:00 - 1:00.