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Worship this Weekend
We continue this weekend with the second question of our fall series – I’ve been meaning to ask… Where does it hurt? The reality that no one is immune to experiencing pain and suffering is made clear in this week’s passage where we encounter the daughter of Jairus and an unnamed woman both in need of healing. Join us as we hear these stories – Jairus, a privileged man as a religious leader and this unclean, outcast, unnamed woman – painted side-by-side to demonstrate how all are in need of God’s love and mercy found through faith in Jesus. In-person worship happens at 9:00am in the sanctuary. We will also send out a prerecorded service on Saturday.
Please Note: The choir/organ balcony area is open for worship on Sunday mornings for families with children.
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Reconnection Hour this Sunday at 10:15am!
This hour is set aside on Sunday mornings for the purposes of reconnection, learning, and faith-building! We hope to see you there!
Adult Education will take place in Eckstrom Hall (please note change in location!) – which is the room right beneath the sanctuary, accessible by stairs and elevator. We will be building off our time last week where we named the places of pain in our homes, communities, and world, with particular focus on how we are called to be people of hope and accompaniment. Adult Ed. will wrap up at 11:00am so that parents/guardians can go pick up their kids in Sunday School and be part of the closing there. You can participate in Adult Ed. classes in-person or online via zoom.
If you want to join us virtually, here is the link:
Meeting ID: 817 0966 5728
Passcode: 528652
Confirmation will meet in Fellowship Hall with Deacon Heather. They will spend time learning about what a Deacon is and begin learning about the Christian call to service.
If you need to join virtually, here is the link:
Meeting ID: 858 5995 0175
Passcode: 239306
Sunday School will meet in the Preschool Parking lot and backyard of the church. We will continue with our new model - large group time and holistic stations that tend to the mind, body, and spirit of our children.
Baptism class will meet Pastor Sarah at 10:15 in the front of the sanctuary. Kids and babies are encouraged to attend this class with their parents. We will learn about the meaning of baptism, walk through how the service of baptism will go, and maybe even dip our fingers in the baptismal waters!
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Newcomers Classes scheduled for this fall!
October 13 – 7:15pm via Zoom
Are you – or someone you know – looking for a church home? Are you curious to learn more about life and ministry here at Bethlehem?
Come to our upcoming Newcomers Class! We will meet on Zoom at 7:15pm on October 13. Over the course of the two sessions, we will explore our church’s vision, we’ll talk about what it means to belong to a community of faith, and we’ll share opportunities for service and ministry here at BLC.
This class will be led by Pastor Sarah, Pastor Paisley, and Deacon Heather.
We will invite all who are joining our community to be welcomed in worship on Sunday, Oct. 17.
If you plan to attend the Newcomers classes, please register by calling Melody at the church office: 630.584.2199 or emailing her at [email protected].
Zoom Info:
Meeting ID: 837 0229 0427
Passcode: 844686
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Walk of Remembrance
Saturday Nov. 6, 6:00-7:30 pm
We will again be marking All Saints Day with a display of luminaries around the grounds of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. As we continue to grapple with all that we have lost over the past year, we want to create this time to come together as a church community to pray, remember, and find our hope in the light of Christ that shines in the darkness. As part of this evening of remembrance, we would love to include the names of the saints in your lives - the people who have gone ahead of you and influenced your journey of faith! To have the names of your loved ones added to a luminary bag, please submit the form below by Monday, Oct. 25. Each disciple may submit up to four names.
Here is the link:
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Evening Worship Opportunity – Sunday, Oct. 24 at 6:00pm!
We will be offering two evening worship opportunities during the fall. These simplified services (with communion!) will take place just in front of the sanctuary doors. This is a wonderful option for those who miss worshipping in-person but are not yet comfortable with worshipping indoors. Please join us! If you’re interested in helping out with this service with reading, music, or set-up, please be in touch with Pastor Paisley.
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Update from the search team for our Director of Worship and Music position
Over the past month our search team has held in-person interviews with two candidates in which they conducted several pieces with the choir, led the praise team, played several organ pieces (thank you to our Baker Methodist neighbors!) and met with Bethlehem staff. The interviews went well and we are thankful to all the Bethlehem disciples and staff who offered their time, their voices, and their leadership during these intensive on-sight interviews.
Unfortunately, one of our candidates had to drop out due to a personal issue, and as a result we have decided to continue our search by reopening the process and seeing what other candidates emerge. The position has been reposted to job sites and we are actively looking for more candidates.
Unfortunately we don’t know how long this will take, but we will keep you all updated as we have more to share. The good news is that we have been blessed with many talented disciples within our midst who have given of their time and talents to make sure we can continue to praise God with music and song. As always, we ask for your prayers and support as we search for a replacement for this critical leadership position.
If you have any further questions or concerns please contact Erik Haugen (chair) or Pastor Sarah.
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Volunteer at Northern IL Food Bank Oct. 16
Join other volunteers at the NIFB West Suburban Center in Geneva (273 Dearborn Ct.) on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 9:00am-12:00 noon. Masks are required for all. Much of the donated food Northern Illinois Food Bank distributes needs to be inspected, sorted and packaged before it’s distributed to our hungry neighbors. We are looking to fill 30 spaces to help out with the food bank's efforts. We will provide donuts at coffee at 8:30am.
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Bring Hope for Afghani Refugees
As the United States planned its military withdrawal from Afghanistan, faith-based refugee resettlement organizations led calls for evacuation of Afghan allies whose lives are endangered by the country’s new Taliban regime. As Christians, God asks us to welcome the stranger in our midst! And the strangers are beginning to arrive!
Build A Welcome Kit!
2) Make a donation through our website – go to www.bethlehemluth.org. Click on ‘Online Giving.” Then click on “World Relief” to designate your gift, enter your donation amount.
3) Those interested in advocating can email lawmakers through World Relief’s website, urging them to “expand and expedite life-saving refugee protections for Afghans fleeing violence and persecution.”
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Coffee with Council
Sunday, Oct.17 (in-person – 10:15am)
Monday, Oct. 18 (Zoom – 7:00pm)
COVID-19. Calling a new Associate Pastor. A return to in-person worship. A new roof and HVAC system for Fellowship/Education Hall. Reconnection Hour. St. Andrew’s Food Distribution. Masks. Congregation meetings on Zoom. Livestreaming. Backpacks. A search for a new Director of Music. It has been an eventful year and God continues to bless our congregation.
Catch up with what is going on at Bethlehem by spending some time with members of the Church Council on Sunday, October 17, following the 9:00am service in Eckstrom Hall (large preschool area on the first floor of the church), or on Monday, Monday, October 18 at 7:00pm on Zoom (a Zoom invite will be sent out next week).
Council members always welcome your feedback about what is going on in our congregation:
Craig Collins, President
Rob Blount, Vice President
Cheryl Martines, Secretary
Chad Carlson, Treasurer
Pete Elza
Judy Hanson
Kelly Jirschele
Steve McIntire
John Volkening
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4th & 5th Grade Stepping Stone
Oct. 16, 9:00- 11:00am
In this combined 4th and 5th grade milestone event, 4th Grade children will receive an Advanced Bible, which will be used as they move on to youth programs. The 5th Graders will partake in a workshop on Christian relationships and values. If you haven’t yet registered, please do so here: https://forms.gle/5VaRgGgntD5KE2ky8
More information about each of our Stepping Stones can be found on our website.
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Preschool Looking for Substitute Teachers!
Any vaccinated friends looking for a part-time teaching position? Or know someone who loves children, has a warm personality, and likes to be surrounded by positive & happy coworkers? Please call Preschool Director, Pong Sayasane, at 630-584-6027, to chat more! Must be at least 19 years old, have a high school diploma, vaccinated, great with communication, and has a TEAM attitude!
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Bible Studies on Wednesday mornings at 10:00am
Please join us for our weekly Wednesday Bible studies! These studies are about 45 minutes in length on Wednesdays at 10:00am. Your rostered leaders will take turns facilitating a study on the text for the upcoming Sunday. All future Bible studies will be scheduled for Wednesdays at 10:00am. Grab your Bibles and plan to join us!
Text for the study: Job 2:11-13
Zoom Info:
Meeting ID: 811 0261 7998
Passcode: 722039
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Prayers of the Church
"We have not ceased to pray for you" (Col. 1:9)
Prayers for Healing and Wholeness:
Larry Briggs, Kent Buchholz, Donald Husby, Anne Matthys, Irene Wibben, Emily Nelson, Sharon Myers, the Wild family, Jane, Julie VandeDrink, Carl Albright, Gary Larson, Kathy & Skip Werner, Spencer Kroning, Kathy Coyner, Kelly Husby, Jennifer Vample, Becky Aldrich, Lindsey, John Arends, Reese Jones, Leah Holmer, Jane Carlson, Carly, Ruth Griffin, Olive, Steve Heronemus, Heather Staudacher, Victor Nora, Carter Ehrhardt, Ginny Speakman, and Michael Byrum
**To add or delete a name from this prayer list please email Pastor Paisley, [email protected].
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Worship Remembrances
- Celebrating Tiffany & Brian’s 10th Anniversary on Oct. 14
- Altar Flowers are given in celebration of Kenneth & Ingrid Clauson’s 41st Wedding Anniversary on Oct. 11
One way we acknowledge special events and remembrances is by placing flowers in our worship space. It is one way we honor the memory of a loved one or recognize an anniversary, birth, or other life’s milestones that may be important. If you would like to place fresh flowers in our worship space, we suggest a donation of $35-$40 to be received in the office at least a week prior to the week you are commemorating, so fresh flowers can be purchased. These flowers than can be picked up after the service and taken home with you.
Even if do not choose to make a donation for the purchase of fresh flowers, please be assured that we will continue to recognize remembrances and life’s milestones throughout the year. Just alert the church office, at [email protected] or call 630-584-2199. The intention/remembrance will be noted in the Friday EBlast and worship guide closest to the date you requested. You also can sign-up HERE.
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Pastor's Discretionary Fund
You are loved!
We know that during difficult times such as these a bit of help from your community of faith can be a blessing! Because of the generosity of others, we offer this help. There are no strings attached and no specific uses we had in mind. We just know that sometimes a gift unexpectedly received turns out to be a blessing! Please reach out to one of your rostered leaders and we will see that some of these funds are directed your way.
In ministry together,
Pastor Sarah Rohde
Pastor Paisley LeRoy
Deacon Heather Feltman
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Please be vigilant!
As we’ve experienced many times over the past year, scammers are using clergy names and photos in order to try to get money from congregants. Please do not respond! Your rostered leaders will never ask for money via email or TEXT. Please delete these emails and do not respond! If you are unsure, call your rostered leaders directly and speak to them. We want to assure you that our email accounts and passwords have the maximum protection available to us, but that unfortunately does not keep scammers away.
Please be vigilant, as we are not able to reimburse for any purchases that may be made in response to these scams.
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Tuesday Evening Book Group, 7:15pm
We are meeting remotely by Zoom. Anyone wanting to participate should call Carol Slusser, 630.584.6362 for info and invitation.
Oct. 26
Tatooist of Auchwitz, Heather Morris
Nov. 23
Dearly Beloved, Cara Wall
Dec. 28
Book Woman of Troublesome, Kim Michele Richardson
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We Celebrate October Birthdays!
We celebrate our October birthdays this month! We are doing our best to update our membership database, so we apologize if any birthdays are left out here. Please let us know! Send a member a card, give them a call or drop a gift by their home to make them feel special.
Benjamin Abraham / Kristin Anderson
Eric Anderson / Scott Ankley
Madeline Atkins / Robert Blount
Maeve Bolsoni / Naomi Bosko
Maddi Brolsma / Pat Budny
Irene Burden / Judith Burgeson
Denise Burhop / JoAnn Cassell
Jim Chrisler / Jon Cooper
Jamie Cranfill / Joseph Crowe
Erin Davis-Kropp / Kristen Day
Bennett Dean / Jason Denk
Jonathan Dufresne / Andy Ehrhardt
Lois Ekstrom / Gary Erickson
Kathy Fackler-Chapman / Christopher Fleck
Sue Gehm / Lynn Haidle
Frank Hammelman / Dick Hanson
Matilda Hayward / Les Hepler
Jonathan Huffmann / Joel Huffmann
Patti Hutton / David Ioder
Jett Jacobus / Allison Jahnke
Chad Jerdee / Mia Johnson
Emmett Jordahl / Evan Kemph
Mason Kruse / Ryan Liska
Robert Little / Christian Low
Elijah Masud / Christy Mathern
Steven Mc Entire / Marcia Nelson
Randy Neuber / Everett Palmer
Molly Risberg / Lexy Sayasane
Ally Sayasane / Gabby Schmidt
Gerald Schroeder / Marilyn Seidl
Andrew Smerz / Mark Spero
Ken Stevens / Lyman Swaim
Susan Swanger / Lucy Tomasi
Kelley VanderForest / Sylvia Weaver
Natalie Whitson / Irene Wibben
Jane Wininger / Jane Wrede
Ron Zielinski / Carol Zielke
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Get Connected at Bethlehem
Have you plugged into our many communication avenues? During this time of social distancing we hope to have our disciples be as connected as possible. Along with this weekly email, we send text message notifications, have a public and private facebook pages, and a church Instagram page as well.
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