Sunday Worship

8:30 Bethesda

11:00 Immanuel

Contact:

Pastor Connie Monson

678-360-6089

connie.monson@gmail.com

Parish Office:

715-779-5611

bethesdachurchbayfield@gmail.com

Immanuel:

715-742-3440

Links

Bethesda/Immanuel Website



Bethesda FACEBOOK 

Immanuel FACEBOOK 

We pray for those afflicted by war, oppression, or violence of any kind.

 Greetings!

From the Pastor

Every Advent, we light candles, sing carols, and pray for Christ’s coming because we believe God entered

a frightened world to bring good news. We hold onto hope because we believe that Christ did come—that’s

the promise of the season. Our hope is not flimsy or fleeting. It’s gritty, resilient, and can endure—no matter

what we fear or face. This season, let us insist on hope, and trust that good news is greater than fear. —A Sanctified Art

What do you fear? The beginning of hope is rooted in answering that question honestly. In the time of Herod, Mary and Joseph had rational fears about the life of their newborn son. In our time, fear may (or may not) be more diffuse: what changes will artificial intelligence bring to our lives? What does the Magic 8-ball say about our economic future? Is my neighbor safe in her home? To say nothing of fears that are more personal and close to the bone.

In Advent, we watch and wait for Hope to be born again, believing that, against all odds, a light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. You are invited to mark this season with us in several ways. First, as always, we will celebrate Sunday weekly worship with Communion. This year, we also offer midweek services on Wednesdays—at 12:30 pm at Immanuel and 7 pm at Bethesda (except for Dec. 3, when we will gather at 4 to decorate for the holiday, eat soup together, and then hold a short service of carols and meditation).

On Dec. 21, join us at Bethesda at 7 pm for the Longest Night, a quiet service of songs and readings, which acknowledges the burdens we may be carrying in this otherwise festive season. And of course on Dec. 24, we celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas Eve: 5 pm at Bethesda and 7:30 pm at Immanuel. And make plans to join us for a joint New Year’s potluck at Immanuel on Jan. 4. 

We feel more hopeful when we gather together. Come, experience the birth of new light and life in Christ.

Peace to you,

Pastor Connie

Reconciling in Christ Statement

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

We welcome YOU to Bethesda and Immanuel to participate fully in our congregational life. You who may have experienced exclusion, injustice or racial inequity; You who are young, old, rich, poor; You of all abilities; You from all nations and ethnic backgrounds; You of all sexual orientations, gender identities or gender expression.

We are committed to racial equity, economic equity, gender equity, sexual equity. We are committed to learn, celebrate, advocate and welcome everyone through a series of forums and educational opportunities. May we grow in acceptance and become a voice for inclusion, equity and justice.

No matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

BETHESDA CHRISTMAS DECORATING

Here is one more reminder that we will gather together on Wed., December 3 at 4:00 to transform Bethesda to welcome advent and the Christmas season. There are signup sheets in the social hall, and we would really like you to sign up for something you would like to do. However, if you have not done so—come anyway! You can write Christmas cards for people we haven’t seen in church for a while, or just join a group. Consultants are needed as well. Hearty Soup and bread will be served. Carols will be sung in a darkened sanctuary. Please join us! It is a great way to get into a festive mood! If you know of someone that needs a ride, please reach out and offer! 

There will be advent services on Wednesday, Dec. 10 and 17 at 7 pm at Bethesda and Dec. 3 10 and 17 at 12:30 at Immanuel.

Marilyn’s Tree

Each year, we carry on a tradition started by Marilyn Larson at Christmas. She would erect a tree in the corner of the social hall and ask all of us to donate gloves or mittens for the children at Bayfield Elementary. Too often kids come to school not really dressed for the elements. “Marilyn’s Tree” this year is dedicated to this cause.

So, we are asking you to donate a pair of new mittens or gloves for a grade school student. Warm hands will go a long way to make them smile when they are at recess, or on the trip to or from school. We will be gathering these by December 14 in order to take them to school. Please join us in this heartwarming and hand warming project.  

The Longest Night: a service of hope in the darkness

Sunday, Dec. 21, 7 pm, Bethesda Lutheran Church

While Advent is a season of hope, and Christmas is a season of joy, not everyone feels hopeful or celebratory. The losses and troubles of our lives feel magnified. Even those who are not struggling with loss may feel the stress of expectations around the holidays. A “Longest Night” service is meant to provide a time and place of solace during the often-frenetic days surrounding Christmas.

Expect a quiet and contemplative service, with candlelight, music, and readings. Come, you who are weary, and lay your burdens down.

Zoom Bible Study

Join us for weekly Bible study on Tuesdays at 2 pm. We will be at Immanuel and on Zoom. Since the readings are new every week, feel free to drop in or out as you are able.

Topic: Tuesday Bible Study

Time: 2:00 Central Time (US and Canada)

To join Zoom meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81000510562?pwd=HdJLF2gxH7m2JZcT2FujgrYOYZKr1O.1

Meeting ID:  810 0051 0562

Password: 615053



If you know of someone who could use some sunshine or a thank you please let Sharon Bestul at bestulshack@gmail.com or 715-828-0455 know.

Other Immanuel Sunshine spreaders are Al Reedy, Yvette Fleming and Charlotte Calhoun.

The BRICK’s Food Shelf Program focuses on providing a wide variety of food options in a range of forms (canned, frozen, fresh) to program participants.  At times, some of the items we offer are not available through our usual donations network. This means we either need to purchase those products or go without. YOU can help out to ensure that the Food Shelf Program has a wide variety of nutritious foods to offer pantry shoppers.  Throughout December The BRICK is asking for donations of baking essentials, including flour, sugar, oil, etc..  These are items that our pantry shoppers need to stay healthy.  At the end of the month, please connect with our Food Shelf Manager Amaris Shrider to drop off your donation. Reach her by phone at 715-682-7425 ext. 3 or email at foodshelfmanager@thebrickministries.org. Thank you for your support!

Council Meetings

December 14, 2025

Immanuel Council

Bethesda Council Following Church Service

November Draft Immanuel Council Minutes

November Draft Joint Council Minutes

October Draft Bethesda Council Minutes

Monday Book Club

See our website or the link above for the Zoom link

Meeting ID: 851 3905 2851

Passcode: 467574

Dial by your location

    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

We are currently reading "These Truths - A History of the United States" by Jill Lepore.

Questions? Call Leanne 715.742.3553

South Shore Quilters

Mondays 9:00 am - Noon at Immanuel

Wednesdays 9:00 am - Noon at Immanuel

The mission-quilt group at Immanuel is always in need of donations of clean usable bed sheets--preferably flat sheets--which we use as backing for the quilts, spools of thread (whether full or not) and fabric.

The Knit Wits

Knitting & Crocheting at Immanuel

Fridays 1:00 - 4:00

Immanuel has a painting group that meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month, 10:00 - 12:00.



The Immanuel Juliet Club will meet at Siskiwit Farmhouse at 8:30 on December 11.