December 1, 2020
Bethesda & Immanuel Lutheran Newsletter
|
|
Sunday Worship
Mary Meierotto S.A.M.
Bethesda/Immanuel
Livestream ONLY
10:00 a.m.
or you can access after 11:00 at any time.
Contact:
Mary:
715-209-0900
715-779-3257
Ashley at
Bethesda/Immanuel
Parish Office:
715-779-5611
Immanuel:
715-742-3440
Links
Brick Ministries
Reconciling in Christ
Devotions
|
|
Greetings!
The CRISIS of CHRISTMAS
Dear Members and Friends of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin,
Christmas 2020 will occur while we are living through of a series of crises. Here’s the list: the pandemic, economic losses, protests against racial injustices, an ongoing climate crisis, and a divided country following a contentious presidential election. I’m not going to lie, it’s been stressful for me, and I imagine it has been for you, too. As Christians, we have been moving through these crisis-filled days with the expectation that God is present and God’s promises are true. We move forward with hope.
The two Chinese characters for the word “crisis,” 危机, have often been translated as “danger” and “opportunity.” Others say that a better translation is “danger” and “change point.” What dangers do you see as your congregation moves toward celebrating the Birth of our Savior – Christmas - in a totally new way? What “opportunities” or “change points” do you see that could propel your church forward in a positive way into God’s future?
Mary experienced a theological crisis when the angel Gabriel revealed to her God’s plan to enter this world by the baby in her womb. Mary’s body was the center of a theological crisis - much like the theological crisis caused by a virus that has invaded the bodies of our loved ones, and the theological crisis of abused and broken black and brown bodies, and the theological crisis experienced in the misuse of this planet on which all bodies live. Where is God in the crisis? What does this mean?
In a crisis, God comes to us. John 1:1,14 In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and lived among us. Jesus is God, divine and human. God took up residence and moved into our neighborhood. God goes where God’s people go and is who the people are. This is the theological promise of John’s gospel. God is present with us in our times of crisis and suffering. This is the foundation of Luther’s theology of the cross.
God is revealed through the crisis of Mary’s pregnancy and Jesus’ untimely birth in a Bethlehem barn. God is revealed in the crucifixion; through the body of Jesus, hanging on a cross. God is revealed through the risen body of Jesus on Easter Morning.
No matter how different Christmas is for you this year, no matter what crisis arises, God is there, present as promised, in the WORD made flesh.
May the story of Jesus’ birth bring you much needed joy and hope this holiday season and may the presence of God comfort you in the new year.
AMEN
|
|
Anything in the color blue is a clickable link |
|
|
|
Join Us for Sunday Worship and Coffee Hour |
Please Let Us Join Together:
Coffee and Fellowship
Sunday 11:00 After Worship
Meeting ID: 229-508-663
Password: 056996 (May not need password)
|
|
Council Meetings December 10th
|
|
Mutual Ministry
December 16th 7 PM
JOY
December 2nd 7 PM
|
|
December 9th at 9:30 Am
Meeting ID: 860 6837 4823
Passcode: 419919
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
|
|
|
Every Friday at 8 Am
Meeting ID: 838 1024 9688
Password: 365154
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
|
|
|
Starting December 3rd
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
• A timely and important book that challenges everything we think we know about cultivating true belonging in our communities, organizations, and culture.
Don’t miss the hourlong Netflix special
Brené Brown: The Call to Courage!
|
|
|
“True belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are. It requires us to be who we are.” Social scientist Brené Brown, PhD, LMSW, has sparked a global conversation about the experiences that bring meaning to our lives—experiences of courage, vulnerability, love, belonging, shame, and empathy. In Braving the Wilderness, Brown redefines what it means to truly belong in an age of increased polarization. With her trademark mix of research, storytelling, and honesty, Brown will again change the cultural conversation while mapping a clear path to true belonging. |
|
Beginning Monday, November 30 for 4 weeks at 1:00 - 2:00
Meeting ID: 885 9086 1534
Passcode: 876340
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
A collection of brief and evocative meditations and practices. It invites us to cultivate the gift of waking up to the beauty of reality in all its glorious ordinariness. With his signature blend of contemplation, theology and pastoral sensitivity, Fr Richard Rohr creates a spaciousness for the soul to grow into a kind of seeking - one that goes far beyond mere looking because it also includes recognizing and, thus, appreciating. The contemplative mind does not tell us what to see; it teaches us how to see what we behold.
|
|
Offerings
A HUGE Thank you to all of you who are able to continue giving during this time.
*If you would like to extend your giving to either Bethesda's or Immanuel's Discretionary Accounts please designate on your check.
I am thinking the needs may be great at some point.
Immanuel:
Drop your offering off at the church in Randy Bestul's mailbox, or mail your offering to him at:
PO Box 331
Cornucopia, WI 54827
Bethesda:
Mail to:
Bethesda
P.O. Box 724
Bayfield, WI 54814
|
|
Still lots of cleaning to do at both churches |
|
 |
Contact the church to sign up
715-779-5611
|
|
|
|
Contact Leanne to sign up
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you would like to be added to the list please contact me
|
|
Lana Jorstad
Lana is recovering from knee surgery.
P.O. Box 732
Bayfield, WI 54814
Paula Lunberg-
Paula's bone implant, her new upper right jaw, is doing well, as well as her leg where the jawbone was made from. The surgery due to a benign tumor in her jaw. More surgeries to come. Lots of healing prayers Paula.
36705 County Highway J
Bayfield, WI 54814
Patrick, Sarah Weber-Purves, Henry and Maggie
Pat is home! Please keep them in your prayers as they adjust back into their new routine.
12017 Pennsylvania Avenue
Champlin, MN 55316
Pavel, Alla, Oliver & Victoria
Gene Burkel (brother of Marty)
Prayers for the Burkel's family and friends in the passing of Gene's wife Kay.
And prayers for Gene as he is almost finished with radiation therapy on his neck and shoulder, and waiting...to see his next path.
Marty and Sheryl's email:
Deb Powers
Recently diagnosed with an early stage of endometrial cancer. Deb will be having surgery December 8. Prayers and cards will be important.
722 Superior Avenue
Washburn, WI 54891
Chick Anderson
715-779-3245
34200 S CO Hwy J
Bayfield, WI 54814
Bill Compton
715-779-5406
85175 Trailer Court Road
Bayfield, WI 54814
Ruthann Compton
715-209-2393
PO Box 784
Bayfield, WI
54814
Roxanne Frizzell
715-779-3968
87010 Valley Road
Bayfield, WI 54814
|
|
Chuck & Marcia Perry
Are finally, and almost completely free from covid.
Beverly Buck
715-682-8172
Court Manor
c/o Beverly Buck
911 3rd Street West
Ashland, WI 54806
Wilma Lamken
715-373-6458
702 Bratley Drive
Washburn, WI 54891
Wally and Colleen Nozal
715-742-3450
PO Box 341
Cornucopia, WI 54827
Brad Schultz
715-742-3417
PO Box 153
Cornucopia, WI 54827
Lois Osterberg
715-742-3290
PO Box 238
Cornucopia, WI 54827
Prayers for Sandy Bodner in the death of her brother.
715-774-3925
14770 Touve Road
Herbster, WI 54844
Loren Homa (Leanne and Steve's son)
Prayers for Loren who is suffering from Covid
715-742-3553
|
|
|
Miriam Hoff
Prayers for Miriam's family, friends and community in her passing this past November 5th.
Bill Peterson
Bill is struggling from Parkinson's and would enjoy hearing form you.
Walker Methodist Care Suites
7400 York Avenue South
Edina, MN 55435
Barb Spencer
Barb is home.
715.373.6580
Northern Lights
706 Bratley Dr.
Washburn, WI
Yvette Fleming
715-742-3427
P.O. Box 225
Cornucopia, WI 54827
|
|
Jared Johnson
Prayers for Jared's family in his sudden passing on November 12th.
Margaret Roemhild
715-779-3480
1011 Manypenny Avenue
Bayfield, WI 54814
Gary Slead
715-813-0059
Cornucopia, WI 54827
Mary Lang
715-779-5875
27 S 5th Street
Bayfield, WI 54814
Pat Olson
Prayers for Pat's husband Ed and their family and friends in her passing this past week.
Ed Flitz
Prayers for Ed's wife Shirley and their family and friends in his passing November 23rd.
Chuck and Lynne Basina
Prayers for the Basina Family
for the passing of both Lynne and Chuck.
Friends and Family of Marvin Schere
Phillip "Tiny" Turnball
|
|
|
|
Mary will be on vacation beginning Monday, November 30 and back in the office Thursday, December 10. In case of an emergency contact Pastor Nancy Hanson at 715-209-1100. |
|
|
|
|
Each Sunday of Advent we will be contemplative with Scripture and poetry from Maya Angelo.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maya Angelou is an Advent poet extraordinaire, in the sense that she often stands in the shadows and writes of the light. She boldly insists on blessedness and freedom, even as she confronts – with both candor and wit – the pain and injustice of the world. In this Advent devotional, we
let scripture and Angelou’s poetry be our guides, together pointing us toward weekly practices that can help deepen and enrich our experience of the season – a perfect way to prepare for the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christmas day.
So grab your favorite Bible and Angelou’s The Complete Poetry (the poems can also be found online). Carve out some space and time for reflection, and remember that, for Angelou, “I” often means “we.” Night has fallen, and God is coming. The question is whether we’ll have the presence of mind and heart to notice, and to rejoice – and sing – when morning comes.
|
|
December 21 6:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 834 8485 5295
Passcode: 472916
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
|
Not Always Merry & Bright
Christmas can be a painful time for some: it may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; or it may be a time that has always been difficult.
On radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, the constant refrain about getting together with family and friends reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation–all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone.
Our spirits sink as the days grow shorter. We feel the darkness growing deeper around us. We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us.
* * *
A Light Shines
For these reasons, Good Shepherd Church offers a special “Blue Christmas”
Come out and join with us in sharing and hearing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle–and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness.
Everyone, regardless of church background (or lack of it) is welcome.
|
|
|
Native American Worship Service
November 22 was the 3rd Native worship with Jim Pete speaking about "Thanksgiving: Every day in the Life of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe, Chippewa)"
This month we will welcome back Dee Sweet for Native/Lutheran Worship on December 20th “It’s All Cycle-Logical: Celebrating Solstice.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dear AMMPARO,
I would like to share an invitation with you to join a period of thoughtful reflection to deepen our commitment to uplifting the stories of Black migrants during this Advent. Advent begins on Sunday, Nov.29th. The series is called: Lighting the Candles: Journeys with Black Migrants--7 Sessions for Advent & Epiphany. It is comprised of 4 weeks of reflection to guide us through Advent, Christmas, the Holy Family Feast & Epiphany. This resource was created by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC).
All sessions offer scripture, spiritual reflection & questions, a story of black migrants, actions, & a prayer.
Here are the weekly themes:
Advent, Week 1: Encountering Black Migrants in Family Detention
Advent, Week 2: Sharing Hope and Community at the Border
Advent, Week 3: Seeking Light in Detention Centers
Advent, Week 4: Building Peace Amid Deportation Threats
Christmas: Celebrating Christ’s Arrival & Hope During COVID
Holy Family Feast: Linking with Global Journeys of Black Migrants
Epiphany: Shining a Path Towards a More Anti-Racist Future
Let Advent be a time to turn our hearts and minds to reckoning with the sin of racism and xenophobia in our country, to create moments and spaces for healing, and to ascertain a path forward towards justice and a more peaceful and inclusive future.
Peace,
Giovana
|
|
|
|
|
How do we celebrate Christmas Eve during a pandemic?
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas this year Mary will be reaching out to you and recording each scripture verse, each verse of every song and prayers using all of you people in both of our congregations. Ed Metelica and Oliver will put together one recorded Christmas Eve service where we can see and celebrate with each other the best way we know how during this pandemic.
Recordings will take place at your respective church or I will come to you:
Bethesda - Monday, December 14 and Thursday, December 17
Immanuel - Tuesday, December 15 and Wednesday, December 16
|
|
Thank you to these hard working Lefsa Making Ladies who raised $140 for Lake Superior Bridge Builders. Click here to donate.
|
|
December Birthdays
1 -Arnie Caver
10 - John Thiel
12- Joanne Hadland
13 - Linda Barnes
15 - Jim Gordon & James Moeller
18 - Rainer Einsman
19 - Ernest Korpela & Curt Johnson & Janet Johnson
29 - Alice Glasener
30 - Jane Hauser
31 - Karen Maki
|
|
Anniversaries
18 - Tim and Cynthia Dobrovolny
26 - Gary & Janet Johnson
29 - Rainer & Joan Einsman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Caroline Cobb: Comfort, Oh Comfort [Official Video]](https://web-extract.constantcontact.com/v1/thumbnail?url=https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fSzIFrWa5EU/hqdefault.jpg)
