Bethlehem July News

The sun has once again returned to San Diego and with it our renewed joy. I pray that this letter finds you traveling, or planning a time of rest for yourself, or simply at the beach for a moment. A colleague of mine reminded me, that the sabbath comes immediately after the creation of human beings, because we are at our best when we rest to work, rather than work until we are exhausted and need rest. Summer is a wonderful time for the practice of sabbath keeping. Whether you choose an hour, a day, or a week to re-create your spirit and renew your soul, may it be a blessing for you.

Summer is also a time for Pride! Bethlehem will march with a number of other Lutheran congregations this year on Saturday, July 15th. If you have never marched Pride, I invite you to join us. It is a wonderful time of open, affirming, unbridled joy and a celebration of the diversity and breadth of God’s love. It is difficult to find the words to describe how many of us feel at Pride. For me perhaps, it is that I feel fully accepted and deeply human in a way that is not common on most other days. In a world that judges critically, Pride offers an alternative voice. It feels very much like standing in the expansive grace of God.

At the writing of this letter, we are also in the midst of Vacation Bible School. Our campus is overflowing with young children and faithful volunteers and rocket ships. It is both chaotic and joyous — just as a living church should be. Like Pride, it is a colorful, welcoming space where each person is loved, as they are, and for who they are. What an expression of God’s grace.

As I consider both of these, I am reminded of a story Pastor Alicia Saenz told me recently. Pastor Alicia is one of our newest pastors, having been ordained on June 10th. When she was young, growing up in Mexico, her family did not attend church. She watched her cousins go to first communion in their white dresses, and she wanted to do the same. So, seven year old Alicia borrowed her cousin’s first communion dress, put it on, and marched to the church, so that she too could be the recipient of God’s grace and love. She stood in line with the other children, but the priest stopped her, asked her name, and turned her away because she had not completed the classes. Pastor Alicia has not forgotten that walk home, and so she lives making certain that no other child, no other adult, feels the same. It is that same fire, still in her, that presses her to place that self same grace and love in the lives of others. To make certain that no one is turned away.

I can see that seven year old standing at the door, asking that such grace be bestowed upon her. And as I think about being a Reconciling in Christ congregation, who marches in Pride as a visible affirmation of our welcome, I am grateful. As I see young children come through our doors to Vacation Bible School, knowing that we might be their first experience of God’s love, I am grateful. Grateful that together we have forged a community that widely and unapologetically proclaims grace for all. A community that opens wide our doors in welcome, so that all might know the love of God.

If you know someone who needs that welcome, please invite them. If you are in a difficult season in your own life, where the light is hard to find, please come and join us. If you are in a joyous season of your life, please come and share your joy and gifts. Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome. We need your tears and your joy. We need your wisdom and your energy. We can only be church together, and together we carry the grace and love of God. I am thankful that we share the journey.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Laura

July Worship Schedule

Sunday Morning Worship:

July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 - 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 except during the summer. We have classes for ages 3 thru 6th grade and nursery services available, too!

VBS 2023

Our 2023 Stellar VBS was out of this world! We had 45 children participate for a week of space themed activities. We launched rockets, made bouncy planets and did experiments, learned new songs and played instruments, and participated in some really fun space games, including water play. We also watched astronauts read stories from the Space Station, followed Spaceman Sam and Rocket Rachel on their quest to find aliens, and ate fantastic snacks, all while focusing on Bible stories of how we can Shine the Light of Jesus in this World! We already started shining those lights by collecting enough loose change and money to buy 100 backpacks to fill with school supplies for Bethlehem Serves. A HUGE shout out and thanks to our over 35 volunteers who helped to make this such a wonderful success.

Music Ministry

Summer Music Happenings - Our Spring concert "Songs of Joy" was fabulous! You can still view the concert online by going to this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/8sXfyd1NFr0?feature=share. Thanks to all the participants who shared their musical talents!

Our Vacation Bible School ( June 26- July 1). Band has just completed a week of teaching songs to about 40 kids who attended. The theme "Stellar" featured many songs that taught that we shine to others through the light of Jesus. What a great outreach program for Bethlehem!

On July 16th we will have our Favorite Hymn Sunday. Eight hymns will be sung at each service with 3 of them being pre-set. For the pre-set hymns congregational members will share a story about why that hymn is one of their favorites.

The choirs are off for the summer and I want to thank individuals who have volunteered to share their musical talents as cantors and special music for Sunday services. There are still a few open slots. if you're interested, please contact monagoetsch@yahoo.com.

We continue to advertise for a part time accompanist/organist. Click here for a description of the job.

A special blessing was given to Kim Froke at the June 18th service. Thank you Kim for your many years of service to Bethlehem!

Youth Ministry

The month of July holds a lot of great opportunities for Bethlehem’s youth to grow in faith and friendships.

Some of the confirmation students are heading to Luther Glen for a week of Confirmation Camp.

A little later in the month, the high school students will travel to Las Cruces, NM for a border immersion experience. Highlights of their experience will be shared at worship on July 30th.

In the meantime, our high school youth meet on Wednesdays (mostly at the beach) Details of where and when are available from Deacon Mindy. All high school students, new 9th through graduated 12th grade students, are welcome to participate.

ELCA Advocacy

“Advocacy in Quarantine” - “AiQ” is a 30-minute Zoom call on Wednesdays at 12:00pm with Regina Q. Banks, Director of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California. LOPP is currently following several bills that address issues of affordable housing, the climate crisis, food insecurity, and immigration and refugees, and more. Each week Regina will give us an update on the status of these bills and suggest a quick advocacy Action Item for us.

World Refugee Day - The ELCA and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services issued a joint letter in recognition of World Refugee Day, June 20, 2023. In the letter, they invited members to participate in a national day of advocacy, “intended to build urgency for robust support for refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers.” Read the full letter here.

Showing Up and Speaking Out Against Harmful Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation - Several ELCA bishops, ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices, and lay and rostered congregational leaders from many parts of the United States have been showing up and speaking out on behalf of our LGBTQ+ siblings. Read some examples of who and where this advocacy is taking place.

Creation Care Ambassadors - Creation Care Ambassadors are trained through a certification program of Lutherans Restoring Creation (LRC) with ELCA collaborator Blessed Tomorrow, to empower themselves to make a difference through action and advocacy for climate solutions. Congregations can reach out to an Ambassador to help support local creation care activities. Individuals can also consider taking the free Ambassador training. Read more here.

ELCA Advocacy Action Center - Check out this site to see the latest “Action Alerts” on vital issues affecting our community right now. Currently homelessness and affordable housing policy and assistance to Palestinian refugees.

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.

Pajama Project

The Pajama Project will meet in the Family Center on Saturday, July 29th, from 9 am to 2 pm. Remaining work days for this year will be on August 26 and September 30. Volunteers needed! Contact: Belinda Simonini (760) 822-9573.

New Columbarium Project

We are so excited to announce that plans to build our new outdoor columbarium space are underway! We are in the process of finalizing the design, contracting with a company to build both the niches and the supporting frame, and we have already begun working with a local artist who will be creating a mosaic installation to surround the columbarium.

We have also begun the presale of niches. Each niche has space for up to two urns. You do not need to be a member to purchase one - all are welcome here at Bethlehem. The price per niche is $2500. Please sign up by contacting the church office, and payments can be made via check, or online here.

If you have any questions, or would like to inquire about payment plans, please contact the church office. If you would like to simply donate to this project, but do not wish to purchase a niche, your generosity and stewardship would be so appreciated.

As Christians, we know that we are connected with all who have come before us in the faith – a great cloud of witnesses. Through this columbarium space we bear witness to that fact, and will provide a much needed place of final rest for members of our community.

Women of Welcome (WoW)

Save the Date!

Bethlehem Women’s Retreat

September 8 – 10

at Luther Glen in Oak Glen, CA

"There is Unity in Community"

Sign-ups begin August 6th

more details to follow!

Stephen Ministry

Summer is a Time for Change. - Summer is a time to change routines and take a vacation. But it can also be a time to change jobs or retire. It can be a time to move and change houses. It can be the time your youngest child prepares to leave home for college.

Stephen Ministry can help support you as you move through these difficult changes. Stephen Ministers are not counselors. They trained caregivers who will listen, encourage, and pray with you. Men are matched with male Stephen Ministers and women are matched with female Stephen Ministers. It’s free. It’s confidential. To find out more about Stephen Ministry please speak with Pr. Laura, Pr. Sam, or with one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders Molly Hall, Suzi Westmoreland, or Laure Reynolds.

Bethlehem Adventure Ministry (BAM)

Your Adventure Ministry is in the early stages of planning a possible camping trip next year in September. We would be tent camping at the El Prado Group Campground which is located a few miles north of the town of Mount Laguna, just off the Sunrise Highway. We would be tent camping Friday night and Saturday night leaving Sunday morning. We would share a potluck dinner Saturday night and everyone would be responsible for the rest of their own meals. We can go hiking and/or biking, play games, relax, and just have some good outdoor fun. There are showers and flush toilets available nearby and pit toilets at each group site. Group sites can be reserved up to a year in advance and thus our need to start making plans. If you would like to join us but want to camp in your trailer or RV there are individual sites available nearby that can be reserved up to six months in advance.

If you would be interested in tent camping next September 2024, please complete the short survey here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZJVS789

If there is enough interest, we will proceed to reserve a site.

Questions? Contact Dennis Astroth

Stewardship Stream

As we enjoy the warmth of summer fellowship, take a moment to reflect on the virtue of generosity and the importance of stewardship in our Christian journey. God's love and grace have blessed us abundantly, and in response, we are called to faithfully manage and share these blessings with others.

Generosity, rooted in the teachings of Christ, extends beyond mere material possessions. It encompasses a heart filled with compassion, a willingness to serve, and a desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Our acts of generosity can be manifested through acts of kindness, offering our time and talents, and providing financial support to further God's work.

Stewardship, on the other hand, reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God. We are entrusted with the care and responsible management of these gifts, including our time, talents, resources, and the environment. By embracing stewardship, we recognize that we are not owners, but rather caretakers of God's creation. It calls us to use our resources wisely, seeking to honor God in all that we do.

Through generosity and stewardship, we demonstrate our faith in action. It is an opportunity to bear witness to the transformative power of God's love in our lives. As we give generously and practice responsible stewardship, we become agents of positive change, extending God's grace and love to those around us.

This summer, embrace the call to cultivate a spirit of generosity and stewardship in your daily life. May we be faithful stewards, using our blessings to further God's kingdom and bring glory to His name. Remember, every act of generosity, no matter how small, has the potential to make a significant impact.

This article was prepared using ChatGPT, with slight editing, to explore this new “voice” and to experiment with the new technology. Although it should be used with care, this also demonstrates the relevant insights it can provide.

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.

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