Bethlehem April News

Blessed Holy Week and Easter to you all. I find myself reflecting on the raising of Lazarus, which comes so close to the Easter story, both in time and distance. Bethany is just a few miles from Jerusalem, and a few weeks from the cross. In that moment, Jesus stood before the tomb and called Lazarus to life. "Unbind him and set him free!" said Jesus. What a powerful hope. What a word of grace, that we might not only be raised to stand, but be set free to journey. That the character of the risen life, for you and for me, might be to release the bonds that hold us, for the freedom that claims us.

In a few days, at a tomb not far from Bethany, Jesus himself will rise from the dead and be called from the tomb, by the very power of God’s love. I connect the two stories, I think, because I need the immediacy of it — the personal of it. Jesus' resurrection is such a huge event, a salvation history event, a changing the course of universe moment. But Lazarus' raising could be my own. Martha's steps on the road could be my own. “Lord, my mother has died, but even now I believe in your grace for her, and for me.” I believe in your life in her and in me.

In the story of Lazarus, the rising becomes personal. Is it time now for our rising? Is that always a part of the Easter story — that Jesus would take Lazarus by the hand, take you by the hand, take me by the hand and lift us into a new life, a new story, and a new grace. I think it is so, for why else would the sound of the trumpets and the cries of "Alleluia" lift us. Easter is the celebration of the risen Lord, but it is also the celebration of our risen life. Dear people of God, this Easter, may you find new life, new hope and new grace in your journey. May that which has bound you, fall away in the bright dawning of an Easter morning and may you walk in grace. May we together as a congregation, make ready for all that God would plan and purpose in us. The future is bright because it is always held in the love of God.

Blessed Easter,

Pastor Laura

Easter Greetings Dear Resurrection People!

I would start this message with a “Spoilers!” disclaimer, since you are most likely reading this before we have completed our journey through Holy Week, but that would be a little silly given that Jesus’ death and resurrection is such an integral part of who we are as a people and a church.

Our theme for the Easter Vigil this year is “God makes all things new.” We chose this theme because we felt like it fit the current spirit here at Bethlehem so well. Both Pastor Laura and I are so excited about the ways that God is stirring the waters; about the energy that there is to do new ministry, and the desire to discern who God is calling us to be as a church. Sadly, though, whenever the state of organized religion as a whole is reported on in the news these days, it is done with a tenor of despair, and a healthy dose of catastrophic thinking: “Attendance is down, the church is dying, and don’t even get me started on Millennials!” Now, aside from the fact that I, myself, am a Millennial, I’ve got a few other problems with this Chicken-Little-the-sky-is-falling perspective.

G. K. Chesterton said that the church has died and risen again a thousand times because it knows a savior who knows his way out of the grave, and that is most certainly true! We have a God who is in the resurrection business. A God who reminds us that death is not something to be feared, but rather is a path to new life. A God who is indeed making all things new, opening up the windows, airing things out, and cleaning out the clutter. And we are called to do the same. As a church, and as individuals, what are the old things that we are being called to “die” to? And what are the roads of new life that we being asked to travel down? I won’t pretend to have all the answers, or even most of them, but I will say that my heart is filled with hope and joy, both because of who God is, and because of who you are. For we are a resurrection people, who follow a savior who knows his way out of the grave!

With Resurrection Hope,

Pastor Sam

Holy Week

Please join us for Holy Week here at Bethlehem!

Palm Sunday – April 2th – 9:00 & 10:30 AM

Our journey to the empty tomb begins on Palm Sunday with Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem to shouts of "Hosanna!" Our choral cantata is back after a several-year hiatus due to Covid, and we could not be more pleased.

Maundy Thursday – April 6th – 7 PM

We enter into the Triduum, or the Great Three Days, with our Maundy Thursday service. We hear the story of the last supper, how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, and instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. The service will include an option to participate in foot/hand washing, and will end with the stripping of the altar.

Good Friday – April 7th – 7 PM

We hear the last 7 words of Jesus in the midst of the entire Passion Narrative. This is a service of Tenebrae (a Latin term meaning "darkness") where the light gradually fades as we move with Jesus from his arrest, to his crucifixion, and ultimately to the tomb. The service will involve two prayer stations – prayer around the cross & the nailing of concerns to the cross.

Easter Vigil – April 8th – 3 PM

Since we do not know the hour at which our Lord rose from the tomb, the church has historically vigiled all through the night in celebration of Jesus’ triumph over death and the grave. Come for this family friendly service of readings, jubilation, and celebration. The service begins with roasting marshmallows over the new fire, and will involve moving from the Family Center to the Sanctuary. This year our theme is "God makes all things new!"

Easter Sunday – April 9^th – 8:00 AM indoors, 9:30, & 11:00 AM outdoors

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia! With shouts of praise and thanksgiving we welcome our resurrected Lord and Savior. The 8 AM service will take place in the sanctuary, and will be livestreamed, while the 9:30 and 11 AM services will happen out on the lawn. Please bring a chair or a blanket, as well as sunscreen and water. An easter egg hunt for children of all ages will take place between the 9:30 and 11 AM services at 10:30. All are welcome!

April Worship Schedule

Sunday Morning Worship:

April 2nd - Palm Sunday - 9 & 10:30 am
April 9th - Easter - 8 (in Sanctuary), 9:30 & 11 am (on the lawn)
April 16th, 23rd, & 30th - 9 & 10:30 am

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!

Children's Ministry

Our Sunday morning Learning Time continues each week during the 10:30 service. We are using a new multi-age classroom curriculum which emphasizes the use of peer buddies across all ages. Please note that the schedule is different for Palm Sunday and Easter. Here is our Learning Circle schedule and themes for the month of April:

April 2nd - Palm Sunday (No Learning Circles; all children are invited to stay in the Sanctuary to enjoy the Choir Cantata)
April 9th - EASTER! (Learning Circles during the 9:30 service)
April 16th – Doubting Thomas
April 23rd – Early Believers
April 30th - Music with Mona

On Easter Sunday at 10:30, there will be an EASTER EGG HUNT on the pre-school playground. We will decorate bags to collect our eggs during Learning Circles at 9:30. We look forward to seeing you there!

If you have any questions regarding Children’s Ministry, please contact Jana Hegg at childrensministry@blcenc.org.

VBS 2023

Save the Date!

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Vacation Bible School (VBS) 2023

June 26th - 30th

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Join our Stellar journey through space as we explore ways we can share the light of Jesus in our world.

Children Age 4 - 5th Grade

Cost: $75 ($30 for 2nd child)

925 Balour Ave.

Encinitas, CA

Registration information coming soon!

Questions? childrensministry@blcenc.org

Music Ministry

This is a busy month for music at Bethlehem!

April 2- Palm Sunday - The Good News Singers will present "Worthy Is The Lamb" by Lloyd Larson at both services. Accompanied by a small orchestra, narrators and the choir will tell the Passion story in word and song.
April 6 - Maundy Thursday - 7 pm - A Service of Foot Washing; The JuBellation Ringers will offer their rendition of the chorale " Ah Holy Jesus".
April 7- Good Friday - 7 pm - The Service of word and Lenten hymns will be led by the Good News Singers.
April 8 - Easter Vigil - 3 pm - The World Music Ensemble and Children's Choir will provide music for the service.
April 9 - Easter Sunday - 8, 9:30 and 11:00 am - Trumpets, and two choirs will be singing their Easter Alleluias!
April 16 - The Children's Chimers with duet by Sandy and Dave
April 23 - Duet by Laura Thibault and Mona Goetsch
April 30 - JuBellation Ringers

Band of Bethlehem - There are so many talented instrumentalists in our congregation! A new group is forming to share those talents with our congregation. Mark Weed, our resident trumpet player, has agreed to be the Director of the band! First rehearsal is scheduled for Sunday, April 23 @ 12:30 pm. Rehearsals will be 30 minutes to an hour depending on what they are working on. The group will be working toward performing a piece or two at the Spring concert on June 11 @ 4 pm. For further information please contact Mark at weedster1@gmail.com or catch him at church after the last service in the family center.

Women of Welcome (WoW)

Time for a Tea Party!

Saturday, April 29 at 12:30 PM

BLC Family Center

Women of Welcome (WoW) is hosting an afternoon Tea Party - a fun way for us to get to know each other better and share our stories. Come and join us for a light lunch of traditional savory tea sandwiches and and sweet treats. Bring your daughters and friends; we look forward to seeing you at the table. Our program will include a talk about the feeding ministries at St. Andrews parish.

If you have a fancy teapot and tableware hiding in the back of your cupboard, now is the time to get it out! Please sign up to bring your china on the day and set a table for 6-8. We also need a few volunteers for set up and clean up. See the online sign up link below.

There is no charge for the event, but please bring some canned goods or peanut butter for St. Andrews Food Pantry, or you may make a monetary donation during the event.

Please sign up online here or at the signup table in the eco-Narthex by April 25. Cheerio!

Questions, please contact Cynthia Heigold or Naida Malchiodi.

ELCA Advocacy

Lutheran Lobby Day – May 17, 2023 – Register now! - Lutheran Office of Public Policy - California has scheduled a Lobby Day at the Capitol in Sacramento for Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Free registration and details here. We will gather to pray, learn, and meet with our California legislators. Come advocate with us – we’ll teach you how! It is a powerful experience to be able to express our faith-based positions on policies to our representatives.

“Advocacy in Quarantine” - Our weekly information sessions continue on Wednesdays at 12:00pm. “AiQ” is a 30-minute Zoom with Regina Q. Banks, Director of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California. Each week Regina will give us an update on state and federal legislative priorities and suggest a quick advocacy activity.

Presiding Bishop Eaton Issues Statement on Anti-Transgender Legislation - On March 31, many people recognize Transgender Day of Visibility, an international day to celebrate the contributions of transgender people and raise awareness about the deadly injustices they face. “As bishop of this church, I am concerned that the rights of transgender and nonbinary Americans have been targeted all over this nation. Nearly 400 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills were introduced across the United States in 2022, most of them targeting trans youth. That is twice the number from 2021 and almost eight times the total from 2020. The language in many of these bills attacks the humanity of trans and nonbinary people, often erasing the dignity that should be afforded to everyone.” Read the full statement here.

ELCA Farm Bill Listening Sessions - The farm bill is legislation that is critical to addressing hunger in the United States and globally. It covers federal nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), environment, trade, foreign aid and rural development. The U.S. Congress is currently working to draft a new, five-year Farm Bill.

ELCA farm bill listening sessions are virtual gatherings where ministry leaders, members of congregations, and those with valuable lived experiences gather our opinions and experiences informed by faith values on stewardship, justice and serving our neighbor. This input will equip you to be an effective advocate for a farm bill that reflects our values These viewpoints, opportunities, concerns and hopes for a future farm bill will inform ELCA advocacy work and help shape the ultimate law that Congress passes.

ELCA Advocacy Action Center - Check out this site to see the latest “Action Alerts” on vital issues affecting our community right now: housing, asylum, Israel, and disaster relief.

ELCA Advocacy Monthly Update

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.

Lutheran Lobby Day

Join us for Lutheran Lobby Day 2023! - Imagine close to one hundred Lutherans from all across the state converging on the Capitol building in Sacramento—and you can tell who we are because we’re all wearing big Luther Rose buttons! I attended my first Lutheran Lobby Day in 2019 and it was a great experience. After an inspiring morning speaker and workshop training on best practices for advocacy and how to conduct a meeting with our representatives, we met with staff from Assembly and Senate districts across the state to lobby for clean water and healthcare for California’s most vulnerable populations.

The photos below show me patting the giant bear statue in the Capitol building lobby and with Karin Kloehn and other Lobby Day volunteers meeting with a staffer from Assemblymember Tasha Boerner-Horvath’s office.

Now after three years of cancelled or virtual Lobby Days, Lutheran Lobby Day in person is back! Southern California is usually less well represented, so I hope you’ll join me and other Bethlehem folks in heading to Sacramento for Lobby Day on Wednesday, May 17. Registration is free and open now until May 9 at https://lutheranpublicpolicyca.org/lutheran-lobby-day-2023.

If finances are a hurdle to attending Lobby Day, please contact Regina Banks of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy CA, Regina.Banks@elca.org, as assistance may be available.

Feel free as well to contact me for any questions at ljulig@me.com.

Adventure Ministry

Save the Date! - We hope you can join us for another water adventure:

Saturday, May 20

9 to 11 am on the water

11 am Lunch

Aqua Adventures in Mission Bay

1548 Quivira Way

San Diego CA 92109

https://www.aqua-adventures.com/

Parking

You will find plenty of free parking in the dirt lot across the street from Aqua Adventures.

Equipment

You can bring your own equipment and launch from Aqua Adventures. No cost, but they will ask you to sign a release.

Rentals

If you need to rent equipment, we recommend that you go online and reserve it early.

Single kayaks: $25 for the first 90 minutes. $5 for each additional 30 minutes.
Standup paddle boards and tandem kayaks: $30 for the first 90 minutes. $5 for each additional 30 minutes.
You can also rent hydro bikes, pedal kayaks, canoes, and more!

Lunch

Bring a lunch and we will picnic after the paddle.

Watch for another reminder in the May newsletter.

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministers: The After People

People often ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?” One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the After People.

Stephen Ministers are there:

…after the phone call you hoped you’d never get.

…after the divorce papers are served and the bottom falls out of your life.

…after the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you.

…after the doctor says, “I’m sorry. But there’s nothing more we can do.”

…after the nursing home director says, “Welcome to your new home.”

…after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away-and the house suddenly seems empty.

…after the gavel goes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away.

…after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible.

…after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck.

…after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times. But you still need to talk it out.

Stephen Ministers are the “After People.” They are ready to come alongside you-or your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives-and provide comfort and support for as long as needed. If you would like to know more about having a Stephen Minister, please contact Pr. Laura, Pr Sam, or one of our Stephen Leaders, Suzi Westmoreland, Molly Hall, or Laure Reynolds.

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.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

www.blcenc.org