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"Caught in grace, created for service, called into community"
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Rev. Laura Ziehl
Senior Pastor
Ext 2
Pastor Sam Nelson
Associate Pastor
Constance Mithelman
Youth Director
Ext 12
Judy Foland
Office Administrator
Ext 1
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| State of the Congregation |
Dear people of Bethlehem,
Grace to you and peace this day. Wherever you are as you read these words, may you feel the prayers of your pastors for you. We look forward to the day when we will be together again, but until then know that you are in our hearts and that together we are sheltered in God's grace. In this unique time, the heart of our ministry is unchanged, and yet much is being done in new ways. We give thanks for you and for the strength and grace of our beloved community, even in our separation. St. Paul writes to the church in Rome,
For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you- or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.
Romans 1:11-12
This is indeed a deeply challenging time for us all. But this is no time for despair. There is hope here too. There is grace here too. No force on earth can diminish the hope of the resurrection and the last of Paul's words carry that grace. We are indeed encouraged by each other's faith. Encouraged by text and email and zoom and taped worship and "peace be with you's" sent out each Sunday. We are encouraged by masks sewn, and monies given to the most vulnerable. We are encouraged by every expression of hope and faith and grace and tears we share as a community linked together on this common journey.
The intention of this letter is to update you on all these things. We have so much we want to share with you, both joys and challenges. In these unprecedented times when we cannot meet in person, there is still so much going on at Bethlehem. Our way of working has changed dramatically, but the hours, effort and heart of the church staff has not diminished at all. If anything, it has increased, both in terms of hours as well as creativity. We are worshiping in new ways, giving in new ways, connecting in new ways. We continue to be so grateful for you and we treasure the community we share all the more strongly in this time of separation.
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Financial Impact of COVID-19
Offerings: Specifics on offerings are coming in a treasurer's report that will be available to you all soon
on our website here. Thank you for your continued generosity. Many have switched to online giving and many are sending checks in faithfully. Our deep thanks to you for your faithful stewardship. You are allowing us to meet unprecedented need in unprecedented times, particularly as offerings decline. Some of you are facing job insecurity or job loss. Know that our prayers are with you and we are here to help in any way we can. We have a Bethlehem Cares fund with some financial resources if emergency help is needed. Others of you have accelerated your giving in this time when the need is great. That extraordinary stewardship has blessed us all.
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Scraps and Prayers and The Pajama Project are Sewing Masks!
Bethlehem sewing outreach groups have been very busy cutting and sewing masks for organizations such as Palomar Hospital, Scripps Hospital, Casa de Amparo, T.E.R.I. group homes, Support The Enlisted Project, those working at Senior living facilities and nursing homes, grocery, restaurant and delivery personnel and many more individuals in our circles of neighbors, family and friends. Hundreds of masks have been made and delivered from the sewers and cutters affiliated with Bethlehem - we may even be close to 1000+ if and when we finally sit down and count. But for now, the need continues and the cutting and sewing and delivering continue.
If you know of a group or organization that is in need of masks, or if you or someone you know needs one, please contact Belinda Simonini at 760 822 9573 or Kim Oswald,
rdoswald@aol.com, so that we can work towards making them.
In wearing a mask we are each doing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and are performing a community outreach Action of Love, Safety and Concern.
What follows is some information about wearing masks, some masks which have been made and one thrilled recipient.
 
  
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| Incentives for Charitable Giving |
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There were a few provisions about charitable giving in the CARES Act that was signed March 27 that we wanted to make sure you were aware of:
- If you take the standard deduction on your 2020 federal tax return, you can claim a brand new "above-the-line" deduction of up to $300 for cash donations to charity you make this year.
- In the past, if you itemized your deductions, there was a limitation on the amount you can deduct for cash contributions of 60% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). For 2020, this limitation has been raised to 100%.
- Certain limitations on charitable contributions by corporations have increased.
As always, check with your tax advisor as to how these apply to you.
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| Online Giving - A Green Path to Stewardship We are always looking for ways to make giving more convenient and environmentally friendly. With today's online financial tools, it has never been easier to set up and track regular giving, special offerings and donations to specific areas. Just follow the easy steps provided with our new online service and you will be surprised at how easy it is to be a regular giver at whatever level seems right. We have expanded on the services provided by the same Minnesota-based online service that has managed our electronic giving for a number of years. They serve thousands of churches, and the service is secure, maintaining privacy.
How to get started...
You may access the online service by clicking on the link on Bethlehem's web Stewardship page. Once you are on the site, you may use your checking account, or your debit or credit card information. If your cards are on a mileage program, you can gain frequent-flier miles while helping support the ministries of Bethlehem. |
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Church and State
Why do we talk about politics at church? The ELCA's
Draft Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement tells us why
. It explains why government "merits both the active support and critical engagement of Lutherans." You can read and comment on the Draft Message at the ELCA website
here. The comment period ends May 27, 2020.
Virtual Lutheran Lobby Day - Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Join LOPP-CA for our
Second Annual Advocacy Day. Laypeople, pastors, and bishops will convene virtually with the California State Legislature. While we regret that we cannot gather in person at the State Capitol, we are excited that gathering virtually this year may allow people who cannot travel to join in. Register
here.
A link for the virtual meeting will be sent prior to the event.
Take the 2020 Census
The ELCA is a
Census Partner, encouraging an accurate count, because it impacts a more just resource distribution and representation in the political process. For your neighbor and yourself - fill out your
Census and encourage everyone in your community to be counted!
Follow us!
For information or questions about Bethlehem's Advocacy Team, contact Karin Kloehn at
blcadvocacy@gmail.com.
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Music is an important part of worship at Bethlehem. Although, we have had to cancel our weekly rehearsals and live performance in June, we continue to connect through technology with choirs and musicians in our Bethlehem congregation and beyond. Our Good News Singers have had three "Sip and Sing" Zoom sessions where we are singing our favorite hymns and sharing inspirational readings. Recordings of those hymns are beginning to be shared with our congregation in our worship services. The Children's choir recorded a special Easter message and will have another for Mother's Day. We are reaching out to all musicians at Bethlehem who are willing to provide at-home videos of worship songs that can be used as special music in our weekly services. Please contact our Pastors or Mona Goetsch if you are interested in adding to our music.
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| Bethlehem Women of the ELCA |
Eleventh Triennial Gathering of Women of the ELCA
Ring in the New Year by Registering for Gathering 2020
July 16-19, in Phoenix, Arizona
Women of Bethlehem - Act Now.............Act Soon
Join over 5,000 women
from across the U.S. and the globe for worship, praise, learning, service and
fel
lowship at the Eleventh Triennial Gathering of Women of the ELCA July 14-16, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. Women will explore the triennial's theme "Just Love" through Bible study, keynote presentations, servant events, business meetings and more.
Scholarships are available
from the Women of Bethlehem as
registration is $375, day registration is $200. Please contact Bobby Allen (
roberta798@aol.com
) for more information from one who has attended this very affirming event in the past. Maybe rent a van to drive together??? Maybe rent a place together??? Lots of potential as Phoenix is so close. Think about it. Act!
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| Bethlehem Women's Retreat |
The Bethlehem's Women's Retreat which was originally scheduled for this month has been rescheduled for next year. We hope to see you on April 30 - May 2, 2021 at Luther Glen. Something to look forward to!
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The last Spiritual Gifts class will be postponed until it is safe to reschedule.
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Mission Action and Giving Tree Schedule 2020 - All through the year, the Giving Tree at the entrance of the church gives opportunities to help people. There are different projects with different leaders but the same heart.
- May - Mother's Day Thankoffering (BWELCA) - Possible move to June due to COVID19
- June - Center for Global Awareness (Dianne Nichols & Gail Winterbourne) - Cancelled COVID19
- June 29 to July 15 - Vacation Bible School/Youth Camps & Service Trips (Constance Mithelman)
- July 16 to August 16 - Bethlehem Serves (Beth Nelson)
- August 17 thru September - Pajama Project Appeal (Belinda Simonini)
- September to October 15 - Lutheran World Relief Ingathering: Quilts & Blankets (Scraps and Prayers Quilting Group)
- October 16 thru November - Secret Santa (Cheryl Monreal)
- December - TBD
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W
hen, for a short time, we were made orphans by being separated from you - in person, not in heart- we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face. 1Thessalonians 3:17
Do you feel alone? In this time of stress, uncertainty and isolation be assured that our Stephen Ministers are still actively caring to members of our congregation and community. In biblical times, St Paul wrote letters to communicate with churches when he could not be present face to face. In our modern times our Stephen Ministers are blessed to have tools such as phone, video conferencing, text, and email to continue providing quality care to those in need. If our current situation is difficult for you and you would like to have someone to talk with then please reach out to our Stephen Ministry program. Our Stephen Ministers are not professional counselors, but lay people who have been trained to listen and care for people in times of need. As always, all requests and conversations are kept strictly confidential. For more information please email Laure Reynolds at
laurereyn@roadrunner.com.
May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. 1Thessalonians 5:23-24
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Prayer shawls are intended to provide comfort for any who might be going through a particularly difficult time. Unfortunately, this is applicable to so much of the world right now. Our ministry group is on hiatus, and consequently unable to access our supply of shawls at church. We look forward to the day when we will be able to meet again in person, and have the ability to distribute a shawl to anyone who might be in need.
In the meantime, please continue to knit/crochet at home. Teach yourself on youtube! Feel free to create any kind of shawl or wrap you would like. Sample patterns may be found on
www.shawlministry.com
. Here is a quote from the Wings Cancer Foundation, which seems so timely right now in this time of isolation and social distancing, "Our prayer shawl ministry has grown out of the desire to combine the healing power of prayer with the healing ministry of human touch...we enfold each person in genuine loving concern and envision each shawl extending that ''hug' and bringing comfort and solace even when we're not physically present."
Contact: Janet Mastrogany (619) 980-8671 or
janet.mastrogany@gmail.com
. You are all in my prayers.
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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/"
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| 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
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Bethlehem Cares Fund: F
or 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.
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| 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.
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Bethlehem is now participating in the AmazonSmile program. This is a great way to easily benefit our congregation when you are shopping online.
Bethlehem will receive 0.5% of the price of eligible online purchases automatically when you use the smile.amazon.com website. See the website for more details. |
| Dear , Thank you for registering with our e-mail announcement and update service at www.blcenc.org. Yours in Christ Bethlehem Lutheran Webmaster webmaster@blcenc.org |
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