Bethlehem February News

I was bummed not to get to join you at this year’s annual meeting, but the stomach flu doesn’t seem to care about carefully planned schedules or events that have been months in the making! Since I was able to share much the “thank you” section of my report during worship on the 25th, I thought I would take this opportunity to cover a few other things that I would have said in my oral report. Hopefully the act of reading it won’t result in too much nodding off, but if it does, I won’t hold it against you! I always joke that my report is a good insomnia cure, so why should this year be any different?

I was blessed to get to see worship through a different lens this year during my paternity leave. First of all, I got to sit in the back row, which after years of having to sit up front, was absolutely glorious! I felt like a real Lutheran! One of my biggest takeaways during this time when I wasn’t required to be at worship was just how much planning and effort it took to make it to church every week. Obviously, having a baby added to the level of difficulty, but even without accounting for Zachy’s schedule it would have had its challenges. Apparently, all these years of attending worship as a part of my job caused me to forget! And so, I want to say that it fills my heart with gratitude to see each and every one of you, whenever it is that you are able to come, knowing what it took to make that happen. I mentioned this observation to one member saying that it’s somewhat of a miracle that anyone makes it at all, and she responded that she can’t not come to church, because this is the place that gives her hope in the midst of everything happening in the world right now, and that too was an incredibly humbling and gratifying affirmation of the work that we do as a community.

I was also reminded that worship is not just what we do and what we say. The rituals and carefully crafted verbiage are certainly important and life-giving, but worship also involves the fact that every one of us shows up with all of who we are in tow. Whether we are tired, well-rested, worried, struggling, broken-hearted, content, healing, sick, hopeful, stressed, lonely, full, empty … we bring all of who we are and lay it at the altar, and in turn we are told that we are loved, and that we are enough just as we are. Thank you for bringing all of who you are to Bethlehem week after week.

My other main area of day-to-day focus is property, and we sure were busy this past year! We received our tax rebate which closed the books on our solar project. We finished the columbarium project thanks in no small part to the Herculean efforts of Dennis to deal with every unexpected problem that came up (and there were a lot of them). This meant that we were able to finally place Dee Rothenberger into her niche at the Easter Vigil, which was a beautiful moment. A great deal of Preschool improvements happened as well: the playground deck was repaired, local artist Kevin Anderson painted two beautiful new murals on the Family Center, we installed squishy play area surfacing (which is very fun to bounce on), and the rehabilitation of Dot’s Garden is well under way. We had a new retaining wall built along Melba. We installed a new sign on the corner of our property with our new logo and the RIC logo, and we’ve devised a new method of using that sign to hang temporary banners for things like Christmas and Easter worship services. Thank you to everyone who helped with these projects, but special thanks to Dennis Astroth for all that he does – we are truly lucky to have a steward like him in our midst.

I’ll end this note as I would have ended my in-person report, with a final word of thanks. As I said in my sermon that Sunday, thank you for the ways you are a blessing simply by being who you are, and showing up as you are.

Blessings,

Pastor Sam

February and Lenten Worship Schedule

Sunday Worship

February 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd - 9 and 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 Sunday service or as indicated.

Ash Wednesday

February 18th - 7 pm

Midweek Lenten Gatherings | Holden Evening Prayer - Communal Meal - Adult Education

February 25th, March 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th - 6 to 8 pm

Wednesday Lenten Meals (after the service) - Here are our hosts for this year. Please feel free to add a dish:

February 18th - No meal
February 25th - Women of Bethlehem
March 4th - Choir
March 11th - Stephen and Health Ministries
March 18th - Men of Bethlehem
March 25th - Church wide potluck

Health and Wellness Day

Health and Wellness Day at Bethlehem - Sunday, February 8th between and after services:

Qigong and Sound Bath: 11:45am in the sanctuary
ADHD Education Booth: Marisa Smith and Jana Hegg will give you information, answer questions, and tips on managing ADHD
Learn about our AED defibrillator and LifeVac for resuscitation
How to use Narcan
How to use an Epi pen
How to recognize a stroke and what to do

Music Ministry

Have you ever considered joining one of our choirs for Lent/Easter? Our Good News Singers (adult choir) is in need of women who can sing Soprano (mostly the melody). This six week commitment plus Palm Sunday and Easter would be a great volunteer opportunity for you! Please contact monagoetsch@gmail.com if interested.

This month we begin the Lenten season with an Ash Wednesday service on February 18th at 7 pm. Wednesday night Lenten services will continue for six weeks beginning at 6 pm singing the Holden Evening Prayer. After the service, there will be a meal and education. Please join us for these evenings of reflection.

February Special Music

2/1 - Carolin Meinhardt and Mark Reynolds, duet
2/8 - Second Sabbath
2/15 - JuBellation Ringers
2/18 - Good News Singers 7 pm
2/22 - World Music Ensemble
2/25 - Holden Evening Prayer 6 pm

Youth Ministry

Winter Camp - Registration is Open! February 20-22 all 6th – 12th grade students are invited to Winter Camp at Luther Glen. The cost is $205 per student. For more details and to register, visit the LRCC website using this link. et Mindy know to expect you so we can coordinate transportation.

Confirmation Class - Class will meet on February 3rd and 17th from 5:30-6:30 pm.

Youth at Border Church - Save the Date! On Sunday, March 8th, the youth groups from the San Diego area will attend worship at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in San Diego, followed by lunch and worship at Border Church. Adult drivers/parents are also welcome to join us. More details will be available soon in the youth group’s weekly email blast. Contact Mindy if you have questions.

Children's Ministry

Learning Circles - Our Sunday morning Learning Time continues each week during the 10:30 service. We are using a multi-age classroom curriculum which emphasizes the use of peer buddies across all ages. Deacon Mindy meets with our 5th and 6th graders on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Here is our Learning Circle schedule and themes for the month of January:

February 1 - The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)
February 8 - MUSIC with Mona
February 15 - The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13)
February 22 - The First Sin (Genesis 3:1-24)

First Communion Class Coming SOON! - We are in the process of planning for a First Communion Class in the next month. This class will be held after the 10:30 service on a Sunday afternoon. The class is designed for children in Kdg. – 5th Grade and reviews the history and meaning of communion, giving children an opportunity to ask questions at their level. There is an introduction/overview session, followed by communion the following Sunday. Families participate in the classes together! If you are interested, please let Jana Hegg know at childrensministry@blcenc.org.

Mark Your Calendars for Camp Kindness Vacation Bible School! - Camp Kindness VBS will take place June 22nd - 26th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm daily for children ages 4 - 6th Grade. Plan to join us as we explore Biblical stories of friendship and learn how to share kindness in our world. Registration will start in March.

Adventure Ministry (BAM)

We're Going to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Saturday, February 21!Please join us to experience the World-Famous San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

If you want to carpool, meet Suzi at

9 am at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 925 Balour Drive, Encinitas

If you want to drive on your own, meet Dennis at 10 am at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park entrance.

The Park is open from 9 am to 5 pm. You're welcome to stay all day! This is a great adventure for the entire family.

Important! Please sign up by clicking the link here so we can contact you for any last-minute changes. Please indicate in the Public Comment section if you will carpool from Bethlehem or meet us at the Safari Park entrance. Add whether you have passes that you can share, or if you need a pass. In February, anyone 65 or over can enter for free! General parking at the Safari Park is $20 per vehicle.

We recommend good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and water. You can bring in your own food or dine at one of the many eating spots in the Park.

2026 Planned Adventures - Mark your calendars! These are the adventures we're planning for next year. We will provide more details closer to the events. Note: All adventures are planned for Saturdays. We reserve the right to change dates or adventures depending on what the new year brings.

February 21: We're going to the World-Famous San Diego Zoo Safari Park. See above.
April 18: Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad. We have scheduled a docent-led tour, and the museum is offering a discount on tickets.
June 20: Brick N Barn in Valley Center. This is the former estate of the real Betty Crocker, Agnes White. The house was built in 1883. We can enjoy the monthly antique and crafts sale and purchase tickets to tour the house and grounds. We can also sign up for various workshops like the one that taught us how to make these beautiful Christmas trees. Food trucks are available for lunch. And there are lots of peacocks!
September 12: A water adventure at Oceanside Harbor. Bring or rent your kayaks and paddle boards. If you don't want to be in the water, join us on the electric party boat as we tour the harbor and compete to find the most hilarious boat names. Stay for lunch, too!
October 16 - 18: Camping in Idyllwild. We've picked a new camping destination this year. Stay tuned for more details.

We hope one of these adventures catches your interest. Most of our adventures are suggested by one of you! If you have ideas for an adventure, please contact one of our leaders: Dennis Astroth, Eileen Lajimodiere, Lori Wolf, and Suzi Westmoreland. You can send an email to: blcsm@outlook.com.

Bethlehem Advocacy

“We will not grow weary, for we hold fast to the promises of Christ.” - On January 27, ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry and ELCA synod bishops from Minnesota shared a joint pastoral message concerning recent immigration activity. They acknowledge the uncertainty many are feeling, in Minnesota and throughout God’s kingdom, while reminding us that even in lament, we hold fast to Christ’s promises and the assurance that we are not alone.

More information can be found on the Minneapolis Area Synod website by clicking here.

Save the Date for Lutheran Lobby Day - Lutheran Lobby Day will be May 20th in Sacramento. Click here for the FAQ on Lobby Day. We hope to see you in Sacramento this May!

The Pajama Project

The Pajama Project is beginning it's 30th Year! We began in 1996 sewing warm, cozy PJ's for children in need. The first year the ladies of the Bethlehem Scraps and Prayers Quilting group helped to sew 50 pairs that Cheryl Monreal lovingly distributed to children in need in the Encinitas area. Now The Pajama Project has given over 21,000 PJ's to children and adults in need!!!

Channel 8's PJ Crazy Margaret talks with Jeff Zevely!

This year over 1000 pairs of PJ's and PJ pants were distributed to STEP (Support the Enlisted Program), Domestic Abuse Shelters, the UCSC HIV/Aides Mother and Child support program, The Storefront homeless Teen shelter, Headstart Preschools and support programs for those dealing with mental health and poverty right here in our San Diego community.

The PJ Project has attracted volunteers from all over the county to witness Bethlehem's giving and active good works! Once a month PJ Volunteers meet in the Bethlehem family center from 9 am until to 2 pm to cut and assemble “kits” to take home to sew.

Our Saturday “Work Party” days for 2026 are:

February 28
March 28
April 25
May 30
June 27
July 25
August 29
September 26

As we begin our 30th Anniversary year of creating “Handmade with Love” PJ's we are forever grateful for all of the volunteers who contribute time to this project by: Washing Flannel, Sewing PJ's, participating in the “Work Party” days and Donating to the PJ Project on the Bethlehem website so that we can buy more flannel and supplies!

For questions about our program and how you can help please contact Belinda Simonini, PJ Project Coordinator, belindasimonini@gmail.com, 760-822-9573.

Stephen Ministry

What would I Say to a Stephen Minister? How could one help me? Why would I confide in a stranger?

In our society we are taught to keep our worries and troubles private, to not admit weakness, and to solve problems by ourselves. But, sometimes having someone trustworthy to share your concerns with can ease your journey and help you recover quicker.

A Stephen Minister is not a therapist or a professional counselor. In fact, a Stephen Minister generally does not work with someone who needs professional help. A Stephen Minister is a member of the congregation who has been trained by Stephen Leaders to care for a person who is going through one of life’s crises, like illness, divorce, grief, or unemployment.

A Stephen Minister is an individual who is particularly loving, patient, prayerful, and encouraging. They are trained to listen non-judgmentally, to maintain strict confidentiality, and to support you as you work your own way through a difficult situation. Most importantly, each Stephen Minister has a deep desire to be of comfort and service to others and consider it a great honor to be trusted enough to be allowed into a caring relationship with you.

And, once you have met them they are no longer strangers.

If you would like to know more about Stephen Ministry please speak with Pr Laura, Pr Sam, or one of our Stephen Leaders, Molly Hall, Suzi Westmoreland, or Laure Reynolds, or visit the Stephen Ministry website at stephenministries.org.

Stewardship Stream

The financial part of stewardship is what first comes to mind when thinking of the “S” word, as Pastor Sam called it in his recorded sermon on January 18. And this congregation really came through financially with incredible levels of offerings in November and December 2025 – THANK YOU!!

But the Bible is filled with illustrations and stories of other means of stewardship:

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10.
For as in one body we have many members and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us. Romans 12: 4-6.
Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7.

Discernment of your gifts and responding to God’s grace with them, whatever they may be, is the mark of Christian love. Thank you for ALL that you do!

Prayer Chain

Are you or someone that you know and love in need of prayer? The BLC Prayer Chain is a virtual space where we can share prayer concerns with one another, hold each other in prayer, and support one another during times of need. You can share your prayer requests by clicking here. On that same page you can also sign up to receive prayer requests when they are sent out, so that we might hold one another in prayer, light, and love.

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