Bethlehem November News

I’d like to start off with an observational exercise. Take 15 seconds, wherever you are right now, to look around you and try and locate as many red objects as you can … alright, ready? How many blue things did you see? Probably not that many, right? Well obviously, because you were looking for things that are red, not blue! I saw this exercise done on an Instagram reel, and it’s meant to highlight a universal truth about human nature – we tend to find that which we are looking for. And by that, I mean that if you’re looking for red things, you tend to find red things. You might even bend the rules a little bit and count some things that are orange or rusty brown, just to up your numbers a bit.

The same thing happens when we look for behaviors, patterns, and truths about the world. If you are convinced that the world is an awful place, filled with awful people, and that’s what you’re looking for – I guarantee you will find plenty of evidence to support your beliefs. But the opposite is true as well. If you spend your time looking for things to be grateful for, things to be thankful for, blessings that exist in everyday life – I guarantee that you will find loads of them. And just to be clear, noticing the positive doesn’t mean the negative things aren’t real. I’m not trying to be a Pollyanna here, or say that the world is a perfect and wonderful place and you’re just looking at it wrong. But I will say, and here I’ll speak for myself, I often find myself stuck in that pattern of looking for the negative and it can really take it’s toll on me mentally, physically, and spiritually.

In the midst of everything that’s going on in the world right now, from international conflicts to the upcoming election, not to mention any personal struggles you might be experiencing, there is a great deal making us feel apprehensive, uncertain, and afraid. It is all too easy to look around us and only see the negative things that confirm our own personal opinions about the world – whatever those might be. And yet November is typically when we talk about the importance of gratitude (although it really should be a year-round conversation). Sometimes we need help breaking out of those negative headspaces. We need to be reminded about the ways that God’s blessings fill our lives every single day. And it’s from that posture of gratitude that we will be better equipped to handle the challenges of this world, to work towards fixing and healing that which is broken, and to live into our call to be light in the midst of the darkness. So, for the next few weeks, I’d like you to find time each day, even if it’s just 15 seconds, to think about reasons to be thankful. And if you’re super brave, email a few of them to me, I’d love to hear about them!

With gratitude for you all,

Pastor Sam

November Worship Schedule

Sunday Worship

November 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th - 9 am and 10:30 pm

Interfaith Service

November 25th - 7 pm at St. Andrews Episcopal Church

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.

Music Ministry

Christmas Concert - December 8 @ 4 pm - This year's Christmas Concert "Hope, Peace, Love, Joy!" will be highlighted through the music of our choral and instrumental groups on Sunday, December 8 @ 4 pm. Please mark this in your calendar and share this information with your family and friends!

Interfaith Service - November 25 @ 7 pm - The Interfaith Service will be at St. Andrew's on Monday, November 25 @ 7 pm. Our Good News Singers choir will be leading the music that evening. Please join us for this service of gratitude.

November Special Music

11/3 - Carolin Meinhardt, Mona Goetsch -duet , Children's Choir
11/10 - JuBellation Ringers
11/17- Sandy Lakey, Dave Ensberg- duet
11/24- Sherry Cass, Mark Reynolds - duet

Children's Ministry

Our Sunday morning Learning Time continues each week during the 10:30 service. We are using a multi-age classroom curriculum which emphasizes the use of peer buddies across all ages. Here is our Learning Circle schedule and themes for the month of November:

November 3 - A Message From God (Deuteronomy 6:1-9
November 10 - The Widow's Offering (Mark 12:38-44)
November 17 - MUSIC with Mona
November 24 - Christ the King

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Sunday, December 15th! This will be our Intergenerational Christmas Program for all ages! More information to come soon...

If you have any questions regarding Children’s Ministry, please contact Jana Hegg at childrensministry@blcenc.org.

First Communion Class - Bethlehem Lutheran Church will be holding a First Communion Class for children in Kdg. - 5th Grade. The class will go over the history and meaning of communion and will give children an opportunity to ask questions at their level. The schedule for the class is as follows:

November 4th - 6 - 7 pm - First Class in the Multi-Use Room
November 9th - 2 pm - Second Class in the Multi-Use Room
November 10th - First Communion during services

Please let us know if you are interested in having your child(ren) attend this class by emailing Jana Hegg at childrensministry@blcenc.org. Also, feel free to reach out to Pastor Laura or Pastor Sam if you have any questions.

We look forward to sharing this experience with your family!

Youth Ministry

YOUTH GROUP, 6th- 12th grades - Our meetings include dinner. Bring your homework if you'd like and work on it with us. We will meet from 6:30-8pm on Thursday, November 7th and 21st at Bethlehem. On November 14th we meet at St. Andrew’s. No meeting on Thanksgiving.

Order Your Wreaths and Poinsettias, November 1-26 - Get your Christmas wreaths and poinsettias from your youth group! Both are a MUST HAVE for your Christmas décor! They make great gifts too! Proceeds help to fund the 2025 Youth Summer Service Trip.

22” Wreaths are $35 each
6” Poinsettias are $25 each

For more information and order form click here.

Youth Summer Service Trip - Current 8th-12th grade students are invited to participate in the 2025 Summer Service Trip. The trip includes intensive service and learning opportunities on the Island of Maui in response to the wildfires of 2023. Travel dates are July 15-July 22. Registration begins on December 1 and will close on January 1. Details and deadlines can be found by clicking here.

Secret Santa

Our Secret Santa Ministry is going on NOW until Sunday, November 24th. During this time, you will have three ways to participate:

Monetary donations to help Es Por Los Ninos (Its For The Children). This is an organization that 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.

Gift cards towards the local Secret Santa Program. We are asking for either a $40 or $50 gift card from Target, Walmart, or any grocery store.

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

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

You can now make a monetary donation to either Es Por Los Ninos or Secret Santa by going to the contribute page on the website and clicking on the online giving button. If you would like to write a check to Bethlehem Lutheran Church please write either Es Por Los Ninos or Secret Santa in the memo section of your check.

Gift cards and teen shelter items can be dropped off at church on either a Sunday morning or during the week.

If you have any questions, please call Cheryl Monreal at (760) 942-1482. Thank you for your many years of support!

BLC Advocacy

If you’re still trying to figure out your ballot, the Lutheran Office of Public Policy November 2024 Ballot Measure Voter Guide offers recommendations made within the framework of the principles, values, and commitments of ELCA Social Statements and Social Messages. They are not telling you “how to vote” but are provided as one resource when thoughtfully and faithfully making your decision on voting.

In addition, the webinar giving more context to the voter guide is available on YouTube at Voting Faithfully on the 2024 Ballot Measures.

Bethlehem Serves Hygiene Kits Thank You - We received the following thank-you from St. Andrews Showers of Blessings Ministry last month:

Dear Bethlehem Friends,

A heartfelt THANK YOU for your very generous donation of hygiene products for the Showers of Blessings unhoused population. We were completely out of everything you donated, so the timing was perfect. And thank you also for understanding that our guests prefer individual items. With love from everyone at Showers!!

Adult Education

Sunday School Stories Revisited – Sundays, November 10th, 17th, and 24th, at noon.

Join us for three Sundays in November as we revisit some of the classic stories that we learned in Sunday School. We’ll dig a bit deeper into the good and the challenging of these well-worn tales. Each week will be a different story, so attend any or all classes as you are able!

Women of Welcome (WoW)

SAVE THE DATE!

Women’s Retreat

January 31 to Feb 2, 2025

Luther Glen

Questions? Contact Laure Reynolds.

Bethlehem Adventure Ministry (BAM)

Save the dates! - Bethlehem Adventure Ministry (BAM) is already planning more fun for 2025. Mark your calendars! All dates are Saturdays and are subject to change. Check the newsletter every month for updates.

February 8: Walk at Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad
March 29: Biking on the Old Highway 101
May 10: Walk at Cabrillo National Monument
July 26: Water event
September 5 - 7: Camping in Mt. Laguna

If you have an idea for an event, please contact one of the BAM leaders. We love to work with you to schedule and support events. Most of our events in 2024 were thanks to your suggestions and support:

March: Old Encinitas Tour, thanks to Lori Wolf

April: Pickleball, thanks to Carla Stoner

June: Antique Gas and Steam Museum, thanks to Ron Hegg

September: Camping in Mt. Laguna, thanks to Dennis Astroth

October: Maritime Museum of San Diego, thanks to Bill Dabbs

Maritime Museum tour on October 5, 2024

BAM Leaders: Dennis Astroth, Eileen Lajimodiere, Lori Wolf, and Suzi Westmoreland. Find us at church or send an email to: blcsm@outlook.com

Stephen Ministry

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

How Does Stephen Ministry Work? Stephen Ministers are compassionate lay members of the congregation who support people who are experiencing difficulties in their lives, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or illness of either themselves or a family member. Stephen Ministers are not counselors or therapists and do not replace those professionals. However, all Stephen Ministers have completed a 50-hour training class and adhere to strict guidelines and supervision.

When a potential Care Receiver asks about Stephen Ministry, they first meet with a Stephen Leader who inquires about their situation and describes the Stephen Ministry program. Together they decide if a Stephen Minister is appropriate for them. If so, the Stephen Leader then assigns a Stephen Minister. Women are always paired with women and men are always paired with men. This Stephen Leader is the only individual who will know the identity of the Care Receiver, aside from the assigned Stephen Minister.

A Stephen Minister typically meets with their Care Receiver once a week for about an hour. The Stephen Minister’s job is to listen to the individual, encourage them, provide a sounding board, and to pray with them when the Care Receiver desires them to do so. All conversations between a Care Receiver and their Stephen Minister are strictly confidential. The caring relationship continues for as long as it is needed. Some caring relationships last for only a few months, while others may last a few years.

Stephen Ministers attend meetings twice a month. The meetings contain Continuing Education as well as Supervision. During Supervision Stephen Ministers discuss whether the caring relationship is working, if it has been productive, and if it is time for completion. The name of their Care Receiver, any identifying characteristics, and details about their conversations are never revealed.

Could You Be a Stephen Minister? We are excited about the new Stephen Ministry Training Class that will be starting in January. If you would like to know more about Stephen Ministry and if it is right for you then please speak with Pr Laura, Pr Sam, one of our Stephen Leaders- Molly Hall, Laure Reynolds, or Suzi Westmoreland, or with one of our Stephen Ministers- Frank Belock, Annmarie Robbins, Mark King, Linda Inskeep, Dan Halvorson, Beth Nelson, or Blair Lindberg.

Prayer Chain

Are you or someone that you know and love in need of prayer? The BLC Prayer Chain is a virtual space where we can share prayer concerns with one another, hold each other in prayer, and support one another during times of need. You can share your prayer requests by clicking here. On that same page you can also sign up to receive prayer requests when they are sent out, so that we might hold one another in prayer, light, and love.

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