Bethlehem July News

Grace to you and peace. We have just completed a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School with a 40 foot whale in the sanctuary and a coral reef. The Bible often says, “To what can I compare the kingdom of God?” So often what we see falls woefully short of that in-breaking kingdom. Not so this week. This week we created a community of joy, peace, compassion, hope and light. Volunteers from multiple different churches came together. Children from all faith backgrounds or no faith background came together in beloved community for just one week. Even though I know it is just a week, that it does not represent “reality” — I also know it is both real and possible. It is possible to glimpse the kingdom, to live out its deepest values with intention and to see the change it makes in the world.

I heard a sermon by a Hawaiian preacher that gave me a new vision of this beloved community using three words.

Hapai — The Hawaiian word for pregnancy is hapai. It means to carry. The preacher said, “It is not just the young woman who is hapai. Everybody in the community is hapai. Her spouse is hapai, her cousin is hapai. Everybody is carrying this new life, this new vision together.

Hanau — The word for giving birth is hanau. Hanau means to give birth to something, to give breath to something. Again, it is not just the woman. Everybody in the community is hanau, giving birth to something, giving breath to something of infinite value.

Hanai — The third word is hanai, which can be translated adopted. In Hawaiian culture to say, “This child is hanai to me” means I have taken this one as if he/she is my own. Together we can hanai an idea, a vision, a way of being. The word “ha” breath, Spirit is embedded in each word.

The beloved community looks like all of us together in the company of the Spirit. You are never alone in your despair or loss. There is always someone nearby who is carrying hope or giving breath to a blessed new vision. There is always someone carrying the light for your path. Our calling and our gift is to see it happening and to join with them, to partner with them, in every spark of joy and in every expression of the kingdom.

VBS is indeed a glimpse of the kingdom of God, but it is not the only one. Every time we carry together the precious vision of a human community built in love and grace, the kingdom draws near. Every time we give breath to ideas of justice, kindness and compassion, the kingdom sparks in our midst. Every moment we hold tightly to the values we hold dear as a beloved community, we gladden the world and our own lives. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God has come near.” Indeed it has, in all of us!

Blessings,

Pastor Laura

July Worship Schedule

Sunday Worship

July 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th - 9 am and 10:30 pm

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

The choirs of Bethlehem are enjoying a summer hiatus after their fabulous Spring Concert on June 9th. You can view the concert by going to Bethlehem's website and searching under videos.

Re-alignment of the Organist/ Accompanist Position - We welcome back Natasha Riabova, organist/ accompanist this month who was out on medical leave. We thank Tanya Funk who was hired as a substitute for her. Now we are thrilled to announce that all three musicians will be splitting the organist/ accompanist position! Judy Collier will be continuing as organist and accompanist for the World Music Ensemble and Second Sabbath, VBS and Sundays where they perform. Tanya Funk will continue as accompanist for the Good News Singers . All three will be sharing the Sunday service music.

Special Music in July

July 7- Mark Weed, trumpet
July 14- Flo Anselona and Mona Goetsch, duet
July 21- Sandy Lakey and Mark Reynolds, duet
July 28 - Tanya Funk, pianist

Youth Ministry

Summer Youth Meetings - Youth will meet at Moonlight Beach from 4:30-6:30pm on Wednesdays in July. We gather just left of the large palm tree. From 6-6:30 we walk to Cali Creamery where students can buy ice cream and relax until pickup. Beach meetings include both middle and high school students. Mark your calendars and join the summer fun.

On the Road Again - Fourteen youth from Bethlehem Lutheran and St. Andrew’s Episcopal churches will set out on the annual Summer Service Trip beginning on July 23rd. Time will be spent serving and learning in Flagstaff and at the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission at Rock Point, Arizona. The participants are very grateful for this opportunity made possible through the generosity of congregation members. Please keep the students and the adult leaders in your prayers for safe travels and spiritual growth.

Children's Ministry

Vacation Bible School – Our 2024 SCUBA themed Vacation Bible School was a huge success! We spent the week “diving into friendship with God” and building community with the children who spent the week in rotations that included Bible Stories about the Parting of the Red Sea, Jonah and the Big Fish, Jesus Calming the Storm and Lydia and her Purple Cloth. In the Imagination Station, the children were excited about Magic Bubbles, Sun Prints, Lava Lamps, Elephant Toothpaste and many other science explorations. Music included catchy songs with hand motions, and rotations with musical instruments and movements. Playing kickball, Drip Drip Drop and TP Tell All, were favorites during our Games rotation. We ended the week with a “Friendship Day” and a showing of the movie “Finding Nemo” and Water Play. Here are some impressive facts about SCUBA VBS 2024:

57 children ages 4 – 6th grade were in attendance
54 volunteers from both BLC and St. Andrews led the way
The children in attendance were from 14 different churches
Chris LaClair built a life-sized, 40 ft sperm whale that the children named Fruit Loops
We collected $170 dollars in offering that will be used to buy over 400 single subject notebooks for Bethlehem Serves
We are already planning for next year!

Learning Circles – Our Learning Circles will take a break during the summer months, June-August, but we will have special Learning Circle Activities one time each month during the 10:30 service. Watch for emails and more information coming in the newsletter.

Also, look for worship resources for children in the narthex starting in June. Our hope is to provide activities for kids to help keep them engaged and occupied during the worship services. Please let us know if you have any questions or ideas.

Work Party

Looking for volunteers to help with a fix-up of the Youth Ministry storage shed. We will be removing everything from the shed, removing rotted flooring, raising the shed so the flooring does not contact the ground, re-installing new flooring, and putting the contents back into the shed.

We will meet on Saturday, July 13th, at 9 am. Bring work gloves, water, a hat, and sunscreen. Doughnuts will be provided.

Please signup by clicking here.

Bethlehem Serves - September 15

It's time to get this year's Bethlehem Serves Sunday on your calendar! On Sunday, September 15th, services will be cancelled as we go out into our community to serve. Last year about 100 people participated in 11 projects on and off site for that Sunday morning returning to campus for a congregational potluck. Projects included hygiene kits for the Showers of Blessings program, School Bags for Lutheran World Federation and local schools, First Responders Baskets, Car Wash, Plants for the Neighbors, Ocean Knoll Children's Farm, Beach Clean-up, CRC Resale Shop, Prayer Shawl Ministry, CRC Food Pantry and Chimers for Senior Citizens. We are in the process of finalizing leaders for each project. Sign-ups will be in early September.

At this point, we are in need of leaders for:

Plants for the Neighbors
First Responders Baskets

Any new ideas for service projects are also welcome. Please contact either Mona Goetsch or Jana Hegg who are coordinating the project with suggestions or your willingness to lead.

Bethlehem Adventure Ministry (BAM)

Camping in September- We will be camping Friday, September 6th through Sunday September 8th at the Big Sage campsite within the El Prado group campground. Check-in on Friday is 2pm and checkout on Sunday is 11am.

The parking lot is limited to 15 vehicles so signups will be capped at 15 unless you notify me that you will be carpooling. This is a tent camping site with no electrical hookups. There is water, picnic table, fire circle, and vault toilet. There are showers located in the main campground with flush toilets.

Meals: you are responsible for your own meals but let's plan to share dishes Saturday night.

Activities: there is a relatively flat paved road around the campground Meadow loop that is good for bikes and scooters. There are great mountain bike and hiking trails (NOTE: e-bikes are not allowed on the trails). There should be good stargazing as the moon will be a crescent and setting at 9 pm on the 6th.

Please signup by clicking here.

Click here for additional information about the campsite.

Questions? Contact Dennis Astroth

Stephen Ministry

Summer is a Time for Change. - Summer is a time to change routines and take a vacation. But it can also be a time to change jobs or retire. It can be a time to move and change houses. It can be the time your youngest child prepares to leave home for college. If you are having trouble dealing with the changes in your life this summer please consider accepting the support of a Stephen Minister to help you through this difficult time.

Stephen Ministers are not counselors. They are trained caregivers, who will listen, encourage and pray with you. Men are matched with male Stephen Ministers and women are matched with female Stephen Ministers. It’s free. It’s confidential. To find out more about Stephen Ministry please speak with Pr. Laura, Pr. Sam, or with one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders Molly Hall, Suzi Westmoreland, or Laure Reynolds.

Stewardship Stream

Whew! - So nice to be in that relaxing, change-of-pace mode of summer! This is the perfect opportunity to check-in and see how you’re doing with any intentions (new or renewed) that you set at the beginning of the year, that just may not have happened during the busy first 6 months of the year. That might include catching up on your church pledge or making that special gift to Bethlehem or another charitable organization that’s important to you. Or maybe it’s finally signing up for automatic regular Sunday offerings (click here to start).

You’ll feel so much better!! And as you look ahead, there’s still a whole half of the year left to let your generosity shine in new and old ways!

Summer Blessings,

BLC Stewardship Team

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