A weekly e-newsletter of

Bethesda Lutheran Church

Ames, Iowa

December 6, 2024

Beer & Carols TONIGHT!

Lift your voices, and your glasses, for this seasonal sing-along event featuring Pastor Bryan Simmons and Interim Associate Pastor Christine Cowan! Gather the family and get ready to sing some of your favorite carols TONIGHT starting at 6:30 PM at Torrent Brewing Company (504 Burnett Ave).

Learn about the Advent Pilgrimage in Palestine

Bethesda invites you to virtually dive into the Advent Pilgrimage in Palestine with the remaining December 10th (7:00 pm CST) and 17th (12:00 pm CST) webinars.

"Who is making room?" highlights ELCJHL Youth and Rev. Rodney Said. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (ELCJHL) and the Holy Land is a direct partner to the ELCA and the only Lutheran church and LWF member in the MENA region. Pastor to the Lutheran congregation in Ramallah and the ELCJHL Youth Ministry, Rev. Rodney Said, was a youth in the ELCJHL before attending seminary at Wilfred Laurier University in Canada. The youth of the ELCJHL, coming from Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, Ramallah, and Amman, represent an essential perspective in Palestine. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from the youth of the ELCJHL and understand their perspective.

"How can we make room?" spotlights the Young Adults in Global Mission program. This ELCA ministry sends qualified young adults to ELCA partner churches worldwide to participate as accompanying volunteers in local ministries. In the Jerusalem/West Bank program, YAGMs accompany the Evangelical Lutheran Church ministries in Jordan and the Holy Land. Britta, Cetera, Olivia, and Abbie all have unique perspectives from their years to share. This program is a beacon of hope and inspiration, showing young adults' impact on global missions. 

2025 Adult Forum - Luke Book of Faith

In the New Year, we'll be taking a closer look at the gospel of Luke and all it ponders; Why was Jesus born? What will become of this child? Why must Jesus Die? and more through the learner guide that will accompany this Adult Forum.

Join Associate Interim Pastor Chris Cowan in Centennial Hall starting Sunday, December 5th after worship to engage in a discussion of these questions and find a deeper meaning within the Gospel of Luke.

The guide costs $15.00 to purchase and those interested can pick up their copy in the office.

Volunteer in the New Year!

Saving Suds is in need of new individuals to take over the operation in the New Year!

Saving Suds is a very well-utilized and recognized ministry of Bethesda, and we would love to keep Saving Suds an active ministry. You can sign up to volunteer in January, February or March for a shift today by clicking the link below OR there will be a physical signup sheet for January 2 on the Welcome Center this weekend. Please consider volunteering your time once a month so Bethesda can continue making a difference in the lives of Ames community members.

Volunteer as a Wheelchair Pusher at Bethany Life!

On behalf of Bethany Life Chaplaincy Volunteers, friends and congregation members are invited to volunteer as wheelchair pushers in 2025. We encourage you to dedicate one Sunday or more to helping residents attend chapel services. 

Interested in volunteering? Contact Arizza Lynch (515-733-3058, arizza.lynch@bethanylife.org) at Bethany Life.

Get Involved with the Christmas Festival!

There are multiple opportunities for you to get involved with at this year's Christmas Festival. Volunteer in the kitchen, kid's corner, taking photos, donate cookies or candy, or show off your musical talents! Sign up on the boards outside of the Sanctuary or Commons to participate!

Whether you will be volunteering to help make the Christmas Festival the best it can be, or just attend, we cannot wait to celebrate how Jesus' Love Keeps Us Warm on December 15th from 3-5 p.m. in the Commons!

December 11th Living Water Wednesday Meal

The December 11th meal for Living Water Wednesdays will be breakfast for dinner

To keep our community meal on Wednesday going, would you, or a business you know of, consider a $100 donation to help cover the cost of one of our weekly meals and be our "Sponsor-of-the-Week"? If so, we would love to list your name in that week’s Current (or you can stay anonymous if you wish)! You can donate online or contact Tess Hanson if interested.

Women's Gather Bible Study December Meeting

Due to the Christmas holiday, Women's Gather Bible Study will meet on December 19th instead of December 26th.

Fellowship time is at 9:30 am followed by the study 10-11 am. Find the study in the November/December Gather magazine.

Feast of Holy Innocents Prayer Service for Peace

2:00 pm Sunday, December 29, 2024, Des Moines Intentional Eucharistic Community, 3306 University in Des Moines

This ecumenical service is one of a series organized over the last several years by the D.M. Faith Committee for Peace. This is a time to lament the terrible losses of war, pray for peace, and re-commit ourselves to the cause of peace-making worldwide. Carmen Lampe Zeitler will offer Reflections for the service.

The service has its roots in the Christmas story recounted in the Book of Matthew, 2:16-18: “When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’”

Give a Gift from the ELCA Gifts Catalog

As members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we believe that God is calling us into the world – together. And with generous, loving hands, we can make a difference.

ELCA Good Gifts is your opportunity to provide critical support to the ministries and programs that mean the most to you and the people you love. Browse the Good Gifts Catalog (https://goodgifts.elca.org/all-gifts) and give a gift today!

Limited physical catalogs are available on the Welcome Center or in the office for pick up.

Ways to Give a Gift from the Catalog:

1. Give online (https://goodgifts.elca.org/all-gifts)
2. Give over the phone by calling 800-638-3522
3. Mail a check to:

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

P.O. Box 1809

Merrifield, VA 22116-8009

Make all checks payable to "ELCA Good Gifts". To designate your gift, write your gift(s) in the memo line of the check.

Bethesda Book Club 2025 Reads!

The Bethesda Book Club has selected books to start off 2025!

• The Woman by Kristin Hannah will be discussed Thursday, January 23rd
• Mother, Nature by Jedidiah Jenkins will be discussed Thursday, March 6th

Everyone is welcome to participate, whether it’s once for a book you’re interested in, or more frequently for fellowship. The Bethesda Book Club meets at 7:00 p.m. in the Crossroads for book discussion.

2025 MLK Celebration High School Essay Contest

The Ames-Story County MLK Day Celebration Committee is hosting its 4th Annual Essay Writing Contest to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. All Ames/Story County area high school students (9th-12th grades) are invited and encouraged to participate. 

Essay Contest Topic:

Contestants are asked to share "How Dr. King, Jr. impacted your life or the lives of family, friends, and community, which helps motivate and inspire others to continue his legacy."

Click here for detailed instructions on how to participate and submit your application.

Prize Awards are available for the top three Essays:

1st place prize: $500; 2nd place prize: $250; 3rd place prize:$200

All Ages Invited to Lutheran Lakeside Camp

Youth of all ages are encouraged to Register now for the week of July 20th - 25th at Lutheran Lakeside. Secure your child's spot for a fun, faith-filled week at a special early bird price today!

What's The Difference Between The Current and The Living Current?

The Current, the physical copy members pick up each weekend, is limited to the order of worship on the front and a calendar of events on the back. Announcements will now just be in The Living Current, on slides depending on date proximity and importance to the congregation at large, and verbally stated by the Pastors at the end of worship services.

• The Living Current, an e-newsletter sent every Friday at 9 AM, consists of all announcements and events affecting the congregation.

If you have an event that you would like advertised in The Living Current for weekend services, submit your announcement or event via email to Tess Hanson and Lynn Anderson no later than the Tuesday before you would like it advertised. If submitted after the stated deadline, it will be integrated into The Living Current e-newsletter the following week.

Address: 1517 Northwestern Ave.

Ames, IA 50010-5299

Phone: (515) 232-6256