November Morning Worship

• November 1st , 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th - 9 & 10:30 am

Don't forget, Daylight Savings time ends on November 1st! Set your clocks back before going to church!

Healing Sunday

• November 8th (Prayer after both services)



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.

Flooding at the Navajo Lutheran Mission

Dear people of Bethlehem,

As we mentioned in church last Sunday, the Navajo Mission has experienced significant flooding and is responding as quickly as they can to significant needs in the Navajo community. There is a giving tile for the Navajo Lutheran Mission on the church website. From the home page click Donate and then Give Now. Thank you for giving what you can. 

Below is an email Pastor Laura received from the director last week:

Greetings all. Rock Point is flooded, families are displaced, the community school gym is the local shelter, and emergency service personnel have been stationed at the Chapter House since last weekend. 

The staff continued to serve the community throughout the week, but the Mission succumbed to water in the early morning today. The Mission is closed today and for the weekend. Gabby could not make it home last night and stayed at the Mission. Tyrell and Camille had to leave the road and cut a new way home to their kids. Patterson had to use a tractor to divert water from his home. Patty has been delivering food and checking in on House of Prayer folks. She is on high ground, but surrounded by water. Myra’s place is surrounded but the road is elevated. 

More rain is forecasted for the weekend. Attached are pictures. More pictures are posted on Navajo Lutheran Mission FB page. The Grand Canyon Synod has been notified and we are reaching out to Lutheran Disaster Relief.

If you or others wish to donate - please guide people to monetary donations to help support clean up and immediate services the Mission can provide, like food, water, bottled water, etc. Until we can get this behind us, the Mission staff won’t have the time to travel to congregations to pickup items. If congregation volunteers can deliver or organize collecting donations at a single location, that would be great. The Grand Canyon Synod will be reaching out with instructions to congregations. I will be the contact. 

Urgent needs:

• Bottled water
• Diapers of all sizes
• Single serve shelf stable foods/dinners

Gabby reports that the community is also requesting sheets, blankets, and socks. We have clothing to distribute. The food bank has food and can order a delivery as soon as roads are passable . Orphan Grain Train will deliver an 18-wheeler filled with quilts, clothing, household items, and shoes on December 3. Many thanks, Kate

Christmas Concert - Join us for an evening of festive praise and worship on Sunday, December 5 at 4 pm. We invite you, your family, and your neighbors to a special Christmas Concert titled "The World Rejoices" filled with timeless carols from around the world and uplifting instrumental music . Six different ensembles will perform as we welcome the season with music!  

November Special Music

• 11/1 - Woodwind Trio 
• 11/8 - JuBellation Ringers
• 11/15 - Second Sabbath and Children's Choir (10:30 only) 
• 11/22 - Good News Singers 
• 11/29 - Piano Solo 

Christmas Wreaths & Poinsettias Benefit Our Youth Group! - Fundraising for the 2027 Youth Summer Service Trip is underway. Wreaths and poinsettias can be ordered now through Sunday, November 22^nd. Items will be ready for pick up on Dec. 5th. Pre-Order ONLY! No Same-Day Sales. Order your wreaths or poinsettias (or both) on the church website by clicking here.

If you prefer to pay by check, click here to print an order form. Then, return it and the payment to church. Invite family and neighbors to order too.

Parent and youth assistance with this event is needed. Especially to pick up the wreaths on Dec. 4th in Del Mar and to distribute items on Dec. 5th from 9:30am-Noon. Please let Mindy know your availability.

Youth Christmas Party on Sunday, December 6th - Area youth groups are joining together for a fun evening of games, food, and fellowship. All 6th–12th grade students are encouraged to attend. Watch your weekly emails from Mindy for more details.

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Let’s Get Together - By parent invitation, I'd be happy to attend their students' sports, theatre, or other activity. It's a simple way for me to connect with your student as they participate in the activities that they enjoy. Email me. It is fun too to meet with students and their parents over ice cream, coffee, tacos, etc., to catch up. We just need to schedule a meeting. Email me to share the best way for us to connect.

Learning Circles continue each week at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. All of our preschool and elementary aged children are invited to join us in the Multi-Use/Library each week during the 10:30 service. We will leave the sanctuary right after the children's sermon and return during communion time. The children will usually be split into two groups, one with younger children (3 yr - 3rd grade) and one with older children (4th - 6th grade). We will also continue with our monthly music time with Mona. If you are interested in finding out more about helping during Learning Circles or if you would like more information about Learning Circles, please contact us at childrensministry@blcenc.org.

Our November Themes are listed below:

• November 1 - Be Humble (Matthew 23:1-2)
• November 8  - Ten Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13)
• November 15 - MUSIC with Mona
• November 22 - Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)
• November 29 - A Christmas Carol (this will be performed in the sanctuary during the sermon; no Learning Circles)

250 Years of American Lutheran History

Please join us on Sundays in November for the remainder of our class "A Journey through Time" exploring the history of our Lutheran heritage as it developed in America from colonial times to the present. We meet in the Multi-Purpose Room after the last service around 11:45 am for discussion, a short video, and personal reflection. It will be led by Ron Hegg.

These sessions will include how the church's journey and early struggles began in the colonial days, the subsequent wave of immigration from Scandinavia and Germany, the transition to English and the question of Lutheran identity, merging into a large American denomination in the 20th century, and finally, how our ELCA formed and developed and became the church we know today.

We hope to see you there whether you are a lifelong Lutheran or just starting your journey in the Lutheran church. Should be interesting and enlightening!

Save the Date!

Saturday, November 7, 2026



Brick N Barn

29200 Miller Rd

Valley Center, CA 92082

https://bricknbarn.com

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. November is the perfect month to go because the vendors will be selling lots of Christmas goodies: gifts, clothes, food, jewelry, crafts, and more. Food trucks are available for lunch. And there are lots of peacocks! 

We are planning to meet at Brick N Barn at 10 am and stay for lunch. If you would like to carpool plan to meet at the church by 9 am.

If you will be joining us please sign up by clicking here.

Important! Brick N Barn is not offering house tours or workshops this year. So sorry for the change.

Our Secret Santa Ministry season is now ON until Sunday, December 13th. During this time, you will have three ways to participate:

1. Monetary donations to help either our Secret Santa program which supports local families in need or Es Por Los Ninos (Its For The Children). Es Por Los Ninos is an organization that helps families with HIV/AIDS in Tijuana. They are in need of baby formula. Mothers with HIV/AIDS must feed their babies formula to prevent them from contracting AIDS.
2. Gift cards towards the local Secret Santa Project. We are asking for either $40 or $50 gift cards from Target, Walmart, or any grocery stores.
3. Donations for the Teen Shelter program in San Diego. We are asking for the following items to help create a gift for a foster teen.

• Either a Backpack OR Hooded Sweatshirt - Black or Navy Blue (Sweatshirt size L or XL)
• A deck of cards
• Socks - Men’s Crew Length

You can make a monetary donations either by writing a check or donating online. Please make checks out to Bethlehem Lutheran Church then add either Es Por Los Ninos or Secret Santa in the memo section of your check.

Online donations can be made to Es Por Los Ninos by clicking here or Secret Santa here.

Gift cards and teen shelter items can be dropped off at church prior to Sunday, December 13th.

Thank you for your many years of support!

Cheryl Mozina and Carolin Meinhardt

After School Tutoring at Ocean Knoll - Bethlehem Lutheran Church is excited to begin a partnership with Ocean Knoll Elementary School to provide after-school tutoring for students who need extra academic support. Tutoring sessions will be held twice each week, most likely on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and will last approximately 30–45 minutes. Lessons will mostly focus on Math to begin with as we build the program. All lessons will be prepared by the school's intervention teacher and will include clear, easy-to-follow directions, making this a wonderful opportunity for volunteers of all experience levels. We will work closely with the family liaison and intervention teacher to ensure students receive the support they need to succeed. Tutors do not need to be available both days and you do not need to make a weekly commitment. We will take you whenever you are available! If you are interested in learning more about this rewarding ministry and community partnership, email Pastor Laura at revziehl@sbcglobal.net.

If you are willing to occasionally provide a meal for parishioners of Bethlehem who are sick or in need please contact Rose Moldenhauer, Parish Nurse Rosemoldy@cox.net.

Time for Year End Reflection – and Planning! - This fall’s stewardship season is wrapping up (have you submitted your pledge card yet??) and the holidays are just around the corner. The approach of the end of the year is an ideal time to reflect on you make a difference in the lives and circumstances of others. With that in mind, and reflecting on the good gifts we’ve received, here are a few ideas for tax-advantaged giving that allow your gifts to go further:

• The stock market has been at or near record highs for the last several months. Tax on these long-term gains can be avoided by a direct contribution of the appreciated securities to Bethlehem, also resulting in a tax deduction for their full value. Many on-line investment platforms (E*Trade, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, etc.) make these transfers easy.
• If you are at least 70 ½, you may make a direct transfer from an eligible IRA to Bethlehem. This QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution) amount is excluded from your Federal and California gross income and is not an itemized deduction. This could also reduce future RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) from your IRA. In the year you turn 73 (and after), the QCD counts as part of your RMD. Complicated, sure, but worth the consultation with your tax advisor.
• Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) have grown in popularity, commonly receiving donations in a year in which someone experiences an unusually large financial gain. These funds must ultimately be distributed to charity and, in years where someone is interested in continuing their philanthropic giving but also trying to avoid consuming current personal resources, donations from a DAF can be a win-win. Check out a DAF through the ELCA Foundation or your financial services company.

You maximize the impact of your gift to Bethlehem by taking advantage of such planning opportunities. Please speak with your tax advisor whether one of these or some other gifting strategy is right for you. The church office will be glad to assist as needed.



If none of these circumstances apply to you, we continue to give thanks for the faithful stewardship of every member of this congregation. We are grateful. What you do matters. 

Thank you for your financial stewardship towards Bethlehem and its ministries that your gifts enable!

In This Season of Thanksgiving...

Thank you Lord for twenty-six years of Stephen Ministry at Bethlehem and for the opportunity to bring your healing love to the lives of people within and outside our congregation.

Thank you Lord for the thirteen active Stephen Ministers in our congregation.  Bless their ministry as they serve others with faith, compassion, and encouragement.

Thank you Lord for our Stephen Leaders who nurture and guide others to give and receive care.

Thank you Lord for our care receivers and for the courage they have shown in seeking care. Bring your comfort and healing to them as they struggle with the challenges of life.

Thank you Lord for helping us to be a caring and compassionate community where all who labor and are heavy laden can find rest.  Amen.