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.

 Greetings!

From the Pastor

This week, I noticed something for the first time. In three of our last four gospel readings, a speaker asks Jesus to confirm their own right-ness.

Wanting to vindicate himself, the expert in the law asks Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)

Martha pleads, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” (Luke 10:40)

A bystander in the crowd says, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” (Luke 12:13)

Jesus does not take the side of these speakers and do what they wish. Neither does he say to the speakers, “You’re wrong; get over it.” Instead he tells a story or re-routes their expectations. The expert in the law has his definition of neighbor exploded; Martha receives permission to put down her worldly cares for a few minutes; the bystander gets a whole new understanding of inheritance. Jesus reframes for his listeners what is right and what is wrong.

Back in the Nineties, a book called A Whack on the Side of the Head embraced the idea that conquering some common mental blocks could lead to creative problem-solving. It seems to me that one of the biggest mental blocks any human faces is the idea that our way of seeing a situation is THE way of seeing a situation. Jesus applies a gentle whack to that assumption.

One of Christ’s traditional roles is “to judge the living and the dead” (so says the Apostles Creed) and for many of us raised in the church those are fearsome words. But all these examples point to the kind of judge Christ might be: one whose wisdom exceeds human wisdom, surely, and also one whose mercy doesn’t just open doors but breaks down walls.

What reframing do I need to do in my life? What reframing does the church need to do for the life of the world?

Peace to you,

Pastor Connie

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.

Bethesda's annual fish fry netted $1,415 which will go to Lutheran Disaster Relief. Thanks to all who worked so hard!

Our joint potluck picnic will be held at Little Sand Bay on August 24. Social time at 3:00, potluck dinner (no electricity) at 4:00 and Holden Service at 5:00. Come one, come all!

Zoom Bible Study

Join us for weekly Bible study on Tuesdays at 2 pm. We will be at Bethesda and on Zoom for August 5 and 19, and at Immanuel on August 12 & 26. Since the readings are new every week, feel free to drop in or out as you are able.

Topic: Tuesday Bible Study

Time: 2:00 Central Time (US and Canada)

To join Zoom meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81000510562?pwd=HdJLF2gxH7m2JZcT2FujgrYOYZKr1O.1

Meeting ID:  810 0051 0562

Password: 615053



CORE'S Coffee, Tea & Community: Mondays in Summer!

All are welcome at our weekly Monday Mingle—coffee, tea, and community gathering! We have games to play and a cozy space. Coffee is provided by a generous donation from our friends at Full Keel Coffee and our lovely volunteers often bring a sweet treat to share!

⭐️ Monday Mingle: 10 AM - 12 PM (closed 1st Monday of each month—go to the Bayfield Carnegie Library for First Monday Muffins!)

This is a volunteer-hosted space! If you are interesting in hosting or baking something for our community center hours, please reach out to Brie (Programs Manager) at programs@corecr.org. We'd love to have you on our team to keep this heartwarming community space going strong! Building a strong community is a team sport!

CORE Food Pantry

Thursdays, August 14 & 28, 10 AM - 1 PM 

As we get into the growing season, we always welcome donations of fresh fruit and produce from your home gardens—grow a row for your neighbors in need! Please drop off the Wednesday before our scheduled pantry days. We are grateful for you!

Our biweekly walk-in pantry is open to all residents of northern Bayfield County, including Red Cliff. If you cannot make it during this timeframe or are experiencing a food emergency, email us at food@corecr.org or call us at (715) 779 - 3457.

The BRICK’s Food Shelf Program focuses on providing a wide variety of food options in a range of forms (fresh, frozen, canned) to program participants. At times, some of the items we offer are not available through our usual donations network. This means we either need to purchase those products or go without. YOU can help out to ensure that the Food Shelf Program has a wide variety of nutritious foods to offer pantry shoppers. Throughout August The BRICK is asking for donations of canned or pouched meats - tuna, salmon, chicken, beef, Spam, etc.. 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 ext. 3 or email at foodshelfmanager@thebrickministries.org. Thank you for your support!

Join violinist Becky Deters and friends for a benefit concert for The BRICK! This freewill donation event is sure to please a music-loving audience. We hope to see you at An evening with Becky & Friends at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, 8/13/25, at the United Presbyterian & First Congregational Church, 214 Vaughn Avenue, Ashland, WI.

Council Meetings

August 20, 2025

Immanuel Council 6:00

Bethesda Council 7:00

July Draft Immanuel Council Minutes

July Draft Joint Council Minutes

July Draft Bethesda Council Minutes

Monday Book Club

Book Study is on break until after Labor Day

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)

We are currently reading "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl.

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 Cornucopia Coffee Shop

Fridays 1:00 - 4:00

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