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

Like many people in this area, I have always been attracted to the wild places. For me there is nothing more restorative than being outdoors and basking in the beauty of creation. Fascinating are the lives of people like Richard Proenneke, whose life in the remotest regions of Alaska is documented in the film One Man’s Wilderness.

But I have to admit that my sojourns into wilderness have been short and well-provisioned. Modern topo maps have given me direction. With few or no worries about survival, I’ve been free to appreciate the aesthetics. I can relish being alone without fearing that it’s a permanent condition.

To the ancient Israelites, wandering around for 40 years, unclear where they were going or how they would survive, wilderness must have been a completely different experience. God had made promises to lead them on their journey, but so much was left unexplained. Manna (from the Hebrew מן הוא, m’an hu or “what is it?”) appeared miraculously but couldn’t be stored up against a day when it might disappear again. Not infrequently, they wished for the certainty of enslavement over the uncertainty of freedom. But in the end, God’s people learned to put their trust in God.

This wilderness story has animated and sustained the Black church through centuries of slavery and its aftermath. They have taken heart from the many times God has reached through oppression and freed God’s people with a liberating arm. They remember that God has always been faithful to God’s promises, even when the sky looks dark and the prospectives dim.

The truth is that most of us will undergo a wilderness experience at some point in our lives. Illness, job loss, violence or broken relationships are all events that can jolt you out of certainty and make you feel as if you’ve lost your way. As a church, we’re not immune to this same malaise. But God walks with us, for 40 days or 40 years, all of our lives and beyond, offering direction and comfort even in those moments we feel most alone.

God bless you and keep 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.

Messiah Lutheran Church's Justice Seekers are hosting a concert by Peter Mayer on Saturday, September 13 at 7:00 with a reception following. All members of Bay Area Lutheran churches are invited.

Pancake Breakfast Resumes

Get Ready!!!! It’s time for us to host the community for our Free Pancake Breakfasts. Starting Sunday, September 26, we will once again invite the community to join us for a community gathering while eating delicious pancakes, sausages, applesauce, orange juice and coffee.  

Of course we will once again be asking for volunteers to help. We always need people to set up (the day before) and pancake makers and flippers on Sun. Please check the bulletin board for opportunities to serve. We thank you for all your help!!!

Zoom Bible Study

Join us for weekly Bible study on Tuesdays at 2 pm. We will be at Bethesda and on Zoom for August 5 and 19, and at Immanuel on August 12 & 26. 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



An Update from Alla

Hello everyone! This summer has been very busy and I have been unable to send the update to the newspaper on time. We are in the process of doing everything. We are actively moving towards achieving our goals. We are still in Ashland, the children start preschool and school in early September. Warm sunny autumn and good mood to all!

MESSAGES FROM CORE

Are you a senior who is housebound or socially isolated? We’re ready to serve you.

CORE is reestablishing our senior visiting program, specifically aimed at combating loneliness and social isolation. In this program you will be connected with a trained volunteer who will provide routine, short visits to your home. During these visits you might play a game, enjoy coffee or tea, take a walk, or just talk.

If having a volunteer visit in your home sounds appealing or if you have questions, give us a call at (715) 779 - 3457 and leave a message on the Senior Connections line. One of our volunteers will return your call within 3 business days.

Volunteer for our Senior Connections Visiting Program!

Want to make a difference in the lives of seniors who feel isolated and alone in their home?

CORE needs volunteers who are interested in providing in-home visits to seniors who are feeling socially isolated. These visits will primarily focus on providing social support and connection.

Training and mentorship will be provided. What a great way to offer kindness and support to someone in need! If you are interested, please call (715) 779 - 3457 and leave a message on the Senior Connections line. A Senior Connections volunteer committee member will return your call.

Durable Medical Equipment Lending Closet

Our lending closet of durable medical equipment is up and running! Check out our website for a list of items in our inventory.

If you would like to borrow a piece of equipment or have an item you would like to donate, give us a call at (715) 779 - 3457 and leave a message on the Senior Connections line. One of our volunteers will return your call within 3 business days and you can set up a time to pick it up or drop it off.

CORE Food Pantry

Thursdays, September 11 & 25, 10 AM - 1 PM 

Our biweekly walk-in pantry is open to all residents of northern Bayfield County, including Red Cliff. If you cannot make it during this timeframe or are experiencing a food emergency, email us at food@corecr.org or call us at (715) 779 - 3457.

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 September The BRICK is asking for donations of  soups and ready-meals. 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

September 17, 2025

Immanuel Council 5:45

Joint Council 6:30

Bethesda Council 7:00

August Draft Immanuel Council Minutes

July Draft Joint Council Minutes (No August Meeting)

August Draft Bethesda Council Minutes

Monday Book Club

Book Study resumes on September 8

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 "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl.

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 Cornucopia Coffee Shop

Fridays 1:00 - 4:00

Immanuel has a painting group that meets on Thursdays, 10:00 - 1:00.