Bethlehem November News

Blessed Thanksgiving to you all. I recently offered a house blessing for a new member of the congregation. They have moved to our area and have now settled into that thing that is “home”. Home is both a place of belonging and a place of discovery. As we stood at the door to their home, we shared this poem by John O’Donahue from his book, To Bless the Space Between Us.

“May the door of this home be wide enough to receive all who hunger for love, all who are lonely for friendship.

May it welcome all who have cares to unburden, thanks to express, hopes to nurture.

May the door of this house be narrow enough to shut out pettiness and pride, envy and enmity.

May its threshold be no stumbling block to young or strained feet.

May it be too high to admit complacency, selfishness and harshness.

May this home be, for all who enter, the doorway to richness and a more meaningful life.”

I am so struck by the requirements that this door be narrow enough to shut out enmity, as well as too high for selfishness. May this home be no stumbling block, but a place that unburdens the cares of the world, and nurtures hope for all who enter. As we gather in the homes of family and friends in the coming month, I see those doors, lit with warm light and I consider the home and welcome of the church. We are not strictly a home, we are more broadly, a community rooted in God and grounded in love. Our community is defined by the widest door of welcome, the lowest tolerance for harm, the deepest place for hope. We are community, for all who need the comfort that only God’s grace can provide. We are a place of healing for the harms of the world, that only Jesus can heal. We are a place of hope, that only the Spirit can fire among us. Fundamentally, this work is not ours to accomplish, it is God’s work — in our midst. This home is not ours, it is God’s. We are but the ones with the privilege to open the door. We are but the ones who bear witness to God’s work among us.

That day, as we finished the house blessing, we shared a second poem by John O’Donahue, from the same book. I find that as I read it, if I replace the word “home” with the word “community” it is a faithful expression of the purpose and vision of God’s beloved church.

“May this house shelter your life. When you come in home here, may all the weight of the world fall from your shoulders.

May your heart be tranquil here, blessed by peace the world cannot give.

May this home be a lucky place, where the graces your life desires, always find the pathway to your door.

May nothing destructive ever cross your threshold.

May this be a safe place, full of understanding and acceptance, where you can be as you are, without the need of any mask of pretense or image.

May this home be a place of discovery, where the possibilities that sleep in the clay of your soul can emerge, to deepen and refine your vision for all that is yet to come to birth. Amen”

Dear child of God, may this community that is Bethlehem, be a place of discovery, where the possibilities that sleep in the clay of your soul can emerge, to deepen and refine our vision for all that is yet to be — for God is among us.

Blessed Thanksgiving to you all,

Pastor Laura

November Worship Schedule

Sunday Morning Worship:

November 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th - 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!

Music Ministry

Christmas Concert - Bethlehem's Annual Christmas Concert called "Glory!" will be on Sunday, December 3 at 4 pm. Selections will include the word "glory" in many different genres of music by composers Vivaldi, Handel, Butler and many others! Catch the Christmas spirit with the Children's Choir, Jubilation Ringers, Band of Bethlehem, Good News Singers, soloists and the World Music Ensemble. A free will offering will be taken for the music program.

Special Music in November

11/5 - Sherry Cass/Dave Ensberg - duet
11/12 - Second Sabbath
11/19 - JuBellation Ringers
11/26 - Judy Collier

Christmas Carol Returns! - On November 26, professional actors Ursala Meyers and Jaime Newcomb will present their rendition of Charles Dickens Christmas Carol as the sermon at both services. Enjoy this readers theater presentation!

Children's Ministry

Mark your calendars now! We are so excited about our Intergenerational Christmas Program on December 17th during the 10:30 service. Our BLC children will be helping to lead an interactive telling of The Christmas Story, which will include costumes, sound effects and fun for all in attendance! We will end our morning with additional activities for all ages to celebrate the season. We hope to see you there!

Our Learning Circles/Sunday School continue weekly during the 10:30 service. We meet as one large group to begin in the Multi-Use/Library right after the Children's Message. The curriculum that we are using is designed to break into "buddy pairs" with older children helping the younger children to participate in discussions and complete activities together. This time is intended for children ages 3 - 6th grade. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Jana Hegg at childrensministry@blcenc.org. We are excited to see you on Sunday!

Here are the upcoming themes:

11/5 - The Great Commission
11/12 - Ten Bridesmaids
11/19 - Parable of the Talents
11/26 - MUSIC with MONA
12/3 - Angels Visit
12/10 - Jesus is Born
12/17 - Intergenerational Christmas Program

Youth Ministry

High School Fundraiser - Christmas Wreaths and Poinsettias are a MUST HAVE for your Christmas décor! Get yours from our youth group. You can pre-order your items beginning on November 5th through the 26th.

22” Wreaths are $32 each
6” Poinsettias are $22 each

Items will be available for pick up on December 2nd from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm in the Bethlehem parking lot. Proceeds help to fund the Summer Trip in 2024.

Wednesday Evenings - High school students recently packaged college care packages for the first-year college students of Bethlehem. This month, students plan to pack lunches for Interfaith Community Services during their November 8th meeting. We’d love for all the high school students at Bethlehem to plug into the high school ministry and join our meetings on Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30pm. Contact Mindy for locations and to be added to the text group.

Sleepover and Service! - High school students can join in an evening of fun followed by a morning of service beginning on Friday, November 24th. We will meet at Bethlehem at 7pm for fun and fellowship. In the morning, we will help at St. Andrew’s Saturday Breakfast serving our neighbors. RSVP – Sign-up is necessary. Text or email Mindy save your spot.

Middle School - All 6th-8th grade students are invited to join our meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. This is a fun opportunity to get together for activities and discussions. These meetings are held at St. Andrew’s. Contact Deacon Mindy for more information.

Solar Fundraiser

As you know, our congregation has made the exciting decision to act as good stewards of the creation and install solar for our campus. We have been talking about and hoping for this day for many years and the time has finally come!

We have contracted to do this work through Stellar Solar. The ERC Vote set aside $50,000 to be used towards a total cost of $136,937. Of that total amount, we anticipate receiving a 30% refund from the government, totaling approximately $41,000. This leaves a gap of $46,000. Given the size of the project, this comes out to roughly $500 per panel. If you would like to help make this project a reality, please consider sponsoring 1, 2, 20, or as many solar panels as your heart might desire. Any and all contributions are welcome and appreciated.

In order to capture significant savings, including 9 years of Net 2.0 metering benefits, we need to meet a submission deadline of December 15th. Any contributions that you could make before that date would be greatly appreciated.

To date we have received contributions totaling $5000, or as we like to put it, 10 panels! Just 88 to go!

Please click here or the button below, or visit the “Contribute” page on our website to make a donation.

Thank you for your faithful stewardship and for the heart and passion so many of you have shown for this project.

Contribute to Solar Project

Secret Santa

Our Secret Santa Ministry season is now ON until Sunday, November 26th. During this time, you will have three ways to participate:

Monetary donations to help Es Por Los Niños (It’s For The Children). This organization 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.

Give either gift cards or monetary donations towards the local Secret Santa Project. We are asking for $25 Gift Cards from either Target, Walmart, or the 99cent Store. You may also give any denomination of any grocery store gift cards.

Donations for the Teen Shelter program in San Diego. We are again asking for for the following items:

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

Monetary Donation Option #1 - electronically via Bethlehem’s website or by clicking on the links below:

Secret Santa

Es Por Los Ninos

Monetary Donation Option #2 - write a check out to Bethlehem Lutheran Church - in the memo section of your check, please write either Es Por Los Niños or Secret Santa.

Donation Option #3 - Gift cards and teen shelter items can be dropped off at church.

If you have any questions, please call me at (760) 942-1482.

Thank you for your Many Years of Support,

Cheryl Monreal

Adult Education Opportunities

I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening) – Book Discussion Group - Have you noticed that the world seems more politically divided than ever before? How do we faithfully talk to our friends, family members, and fellow parishioners of different political persuasions? Join us as we discuss these questions and more in our next adult education class. We will read and discuss select chapters from I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening) – A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Discussions by Sarah Holland & Beth Silvers. Jen Hatmaker said about this book: “If you are weary of the political fury, division, and gridlock, this book will lay pavement for a better way.” Given the delicate nature of this topic, we will not be offering a Zoom option for this class. To sign up please talk with Pastor Sam/Pastor Laura or contact the church office. You can purchase the book on your own, or if you’d like the church to order it for you, the cost is $15.

Dates: 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, & 12/10 – Time: Sundays @ noon

Sacred Ground Circle - Just a few spots left in the Sacred Ground Circle that starts November 8th. Sacred Ground is a film and reading-based dialogue series on race, racism, and faith hosted by our neighbors at St. Andrew’s Episcopal. There are still openings in the next circle, which starts November 8th from 3-5 p.m. on Zoom.

This twelve-session program meets every other Wednesday (with breaks for Christmas and Easter) and will be facilitated by Rev. Susan Green and Nan Hardison of St. Andrew’s. Several Bethlehem folks, including Louise Julig, Karin Kloehn, and Sue Christianson, participated in an earlier circle and found it a powerful opportunity for learning and growth in a supportive faith-based environment.

More information about Sacred Ground can be found online at Sacred Ground – The Episcopal Church. For registration information and more details about the upcoming circle, contact Jill Henderson at 760-807-8445 or jfh@cox.net before November 8.

ELCA Advocacy

RSVP Today for the 2023 Legislative Wrap-Up Call Weds. Nov 1^st at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom - What Lutheran advocacy priority laws got passed in California this year? What didn’t? Join the Lutheran Office of Public Policy California on a Zoom call exploring the highs and lows of the 2023 California legislative session from an advocacy perspective. You must register no later than noon on 11/1 to receive the link. Email Savannah Jorgensen at sjorgensen.loppca@gmail.com with your name, city, and congregation.

You can also see Regina Banks, Director of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy California, being interviewed on the passage of SB 4, which streamlines the process for faith institutions and nonprofit colleges to build affordable housing on their land. Newsom signs 56 bills to address the housing crisis

Sign the “Peace Not Walls” ELCA Advocacy letter - The ELCA Advocacy Action Center lets you send a message to your national representatives calling for “a cease-fire, the safe release of hostages, an end to the Gaza blockade, safe spaces for Gazan noncombatants, and no further militarization of the conflict in Israel/Palestine.” Visit Peace Not Walls for more information and to sign the letter.

You can also read ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton’s issues statement on the Israel-Hamas war and Donate for aid in Israel and Gaza through Lutheran World Relief.

Other recent Action Center letters let you advocate to Support Humanitarian and Peacebuilding Programs in the International Affairs Budget and Support U.S. Efforts to Combat HIV/AIDS globally. (More background on why the bipartisan-supported life-saving AIDS program of 20 years is in jeopardy can be found at the SDU-T at Billions for life-saving AIDS program need to continue, George W. Bush Institute tells Congress.

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.

Church Directory

Make-up Day for Portraits - We are working on a new photo directory including the “old and new” faces of Bethlehem! Our make up photo session appointments will be scheduled for Thursday, November 2 from 2 to 8 pm. Please sign up now below to make sure we have time for everyone!

Whether your family is one person or many, and of course including your pets, our directory will not be complete without YOU! Your family group may include whoever you please. Sign up your family under one name and appointment time.

If you are unable to attend on November 2, or have any questions, please text or call Cynthia at 760-525-3519.

BLC Church Directory Make-up Day Sign-Up

Bethlehem Adventure Ministry (BAM)

SAVE THE DATE -

September 6 - 8, 2024

We are going camping!

Thanks to everyone who expressed an interest in tent camping. We have reserved a group campsite in the El Prado group campground near the town of Mount Laguna. More details and signups will be forthcoming next June but SAVE THE DATE!

If you have questions, please contact Dennis Astroth

Stewardship Stream

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 your own support of making 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 as we approach the end of the year:

The stock market may be down from its high early in the year but many investors have seen incredible gains over the last ten years. 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.

The rules around IRA Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) have shifted over the last few years but the benefits of contributing RMDs to the church directly from an IRA remain intact. For many 72 and over who must take these annual distributions, a direct contribution to the church may avoid a taxable event.

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 be given 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.

You maximize the impact of your gift through 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!

Stephen Ministry

What Does It Take To Become a Stephen Minister?

Gifts- Some characteristics of a person gifted for Stephen Ministry include emotional stability, spirituality, a caring attitude and manner, dependability, and trustworthiness. Do these gifts describe you?

Training- A Stephen Minister receives 50 hours of training before being commissioned and being assigned their first care receiver. Some of the training topics include listening, feelings, boundaries, assertiveness, and confidentiality. They also receive training for specific situations such as ministering to those experiencing grief, divorce, or terminal illness.

Commitment- Becoming a Stephen Minister requires participation in the training class. At commissioning he or she agrees to a two-year commitment to the program. A Stephen Minister is accountable to his or her care receiver, to the congregation, to the other Stephen Ministers, and to the Stephen Leaders.

Commissioning- After training Stephen Ministers are commissioned in a worship service. By commissioning during a service we are recognizing that Stephen Ministry belongs to all of us at Bethlehem. It is our ministry and a way that we as a congregation care for the needs of those in our community.

Announcing New Stephen Ministry Training Class - We will be starting a new Stephen Minister Training Class in January. In addition to offering this class to new Stephen Ministers, this year we are opening up the class to anyone in the congregation who would like to improve the listening and caring skills that you use in your own life- either in your personal life or in the ministries you are part of within the church or community.

The class will take place on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Multi-Use Room beginning on January 22 and continuing to June. The cost of the class is $55 which covers the cost of books. If you are interested and would like to know more please contact one of our Stephen Leaders Suzi Westmoreland, Molly Hall, or Laure Reynolds.

New Columbarium Project

We are in the process of creating a new outdoor columbarium space. We are working on finalizing the design, contracting with a company to build both the niches and the supporting frame, and local artist Jane Wheeler has already created an incredible tri-panel mosaic art installation for above the columbarium.

The price per niche is $2500. 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. 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, and you can do that by clicking here.

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.

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