Bethlehem April News

I am contemplating what that identity means for us — that we are indeed Easter people. It means that even in the midst of death, we see life. Even in the midst of loss, we see hope. I think it means that ours is the capacity to claim hope at all times. Dr. King, on his last night on this earth said, “I’m happy tonight. . . Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!”

I think that is it. Even in the realities of today and tomorrow, we can see the coming of the Lord. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be fully realized. It just has to be true. God is rising, living in our midst. That is our hope — and that is enough.

My mother has been gone one year. She died just a few weeks before last year’s Easter resurrection. I know many of you share a similar loss. Last year, her funeral was on a Friday, one week after Good Friday. I felt the poetry of that timing. We gathered this last week on Good Friday, in descending darkness, to claim the truth and the aching emptiness of Jesus’ death. We also felt, on that night, the depth of the loss that hollows out our own lives. Last year that loss was particularly fresh for me. And yet, one week after that Good Friday, in a sanctuary in Visalia, CA, I stood in the certainty of Easter’s hope. The lilies of Easter still adorned the sanctuary at Christ Lutheran in Visalia. As family, we carried in more flowers, and my mother’s faith, and we boldly claimed Good Friday’s truth and Easter’s promise — on the same day. That day, I saw the glory of the coming of the Lord and I felt nothing but hope, because I knew that death and life were both true at the same time, and I could feel the certainty that hope held the day.

Dear people of God, the cross of Ash Wednesday can still be felt on our foreheads. We have walked the road to Calvary on Good Friday. But that is not all that is true for us. Like Mary, we found ourselves at a tomb in the early dawn, waiting for a miracle — and we were not disappointed. In the light of yet another Easter dawn, Jesus joins us in the place where sorrow and joy can both be true together.

Jesus joins us in the thin places of our lives. In those places where the veil between this world and the eternal world is so thin, as to be imperceptible — that place were God is near. May you find your thin place this Easter season. May you find your place from which hope can be seen, and more importantly, felt. May the Spirit draw so near, that you can feel her wings drawing you into tomorrow’s dawn.

Blessings dear Easter people,

Pastor Laura

Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia! Those words, or similar ones, will be said at Easter services around the world. And yet, the Gospel story assigned for this year from Mark (which we’ll be reading at the Easter Vigil) doesn’t end with jubilation, or fanfare, or brilliant brass quartets. It ends with terror, fear, and amazement. It ends with those first witnesses of the resurrection fleeing from the tomb and telling no one what they had seen – not exactly getting off to the best start, at least from an evangelism perspective that is. But that being said, what a raw, and honest, and human reaction to something as unbelievable, scary, and incredible as Jesus’ resurrection.

When we listen to this story year after year, we run the risk of forgetting what it must have been like on that first Easter morning. News like that would have taken some time to digest, to absorb, to fully understand. I like to think that, had I been there that morning, “Alleluia” would have been the first thing on my lips, but in reality, it’s far more likely that I would find myself saying, “What? … How? … Huh?” – a truly eloquent response, I know. Actually, I sometimes wonder if I would find any words to say at all.

The truth is, that the resurrection of Jesus is a story that takes time to sink in, which is why we retell it every year. In fact, we retell it every Sunday morning. Each week we proclaim Christ’s death and resurrection. In part, because it is the ultimate good news for our sin-sick souls, but also because we need time to truly let something that audacious sink in. To have it soak into the core of who we are. To become Easter people, resurrection people, and truly know that God’s love has triumphed over the powers of sin and death. So, whether you’re ready to celebrate with shouts of Alleluia, or you feel like high-tailing it from the tomb, know that there is a place for you in this story. And whenever you are ready, Jesus will be there waiting, for He has risen indeed!

Easter Blessings Dear People of Bethlehem,

Pastor Sam

April Worship Schedule

Sunday Worship

April 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th - Sunday morning service - 9 & 10:30 am

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 Good News Singers are to be congratulated for an outstanding performance of the cantata No Greater Love by Lloyd Larson on Palm Sunday. The Passion story came alive with narration, singing and orchestral accompaniment. This group along with the JuBellation Ringers, Children's Choir and World Music Ensemble, and instrumentalists inspired many through music during our Holy Week services. Thank you to all who shared their musical talents!

On April 14, choir members will be participating in our Youth's Fundraiser Dinner/Auction and LipSync contest. Winners will be determined through monetary bids. Money collected will be used to fund their summer trip. It should be a fun evening for all! Please use the sign up genius for dinner reservations. Check the Youth Ministry article for further information.

April Special Music

4/7 - Judy Collier, piano solo
4/14 - Sherry Cass/ Mark Reynolds, Heather Pizzuto- duet with flute
4/21 - Steve Grady/ Dave Ensberg - duet with guitar
4/28 - to be announced

The World Music Ensemble will be leading music for the ELCA Regional Gathering at Bethlehem on May 4. All members may attend the daytime event from 10:00- 2:00 p.m. Please let the Pastors know if you are interested.

Children's Ministry

Vacation Bible School – We are excited to dive into friendship with God during “SCUBA Vacation Bible School!” We will be underwater explorers the week of June 24th - 28th from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm each day!

Scuba VBS is open for all children, ages 4 thru 6thGrade and will meet from 9 am to noon. Each day of Scuba VBS will include Music, Bible Adventures, Imagination Station, Games, Snacks, and of course, Friends! Cost is $75 per child ($30 for second child) Scholarships are available as needed. Questions? Contact Jana Hegg at childrensministry@blcenc.org.

Our schedule for the week is as follows:

Day 1 – God is a Friend Who is Real!
Day 2 – God is a Friend Who Loves!
Day 3 – God is a Friend We Can Trust!
Day 4 – God is a Friend for Everyone!
Day 5 – Friendship Day (Movie and Water Play)

Are you interested in volunteering for SCUBA VBS? We need volunteers for Crew Leaders, Assistant Crew Leaders, Singers, Dancers, Snack Time Helpers, Game Leaders, Imagination Station Helpers, Bible Adventure Helpers, Decorators and more! Fill out the volunteer form below and we will find a place for you in our underwater explorations!

Click here to volunteer for SCUBA VBS

Learning Circles – Our Learning Circles/Sunday School continue weekly during the 10:30 service. We meet as one large group to begin in the Multi-Use/Library right after the Children's Message. The curriculum that we are using is designed to break into "buddy pairs" with older children helping the younger children to participate in discussions and complete activities together. This time is intended for children ages 3 - 6th grade. If you have any questions, or if you would like to volunteer to help with Sunday School time, please feel free to reach out to Jana Hegg at childrensministry@blcenc.org. We are excited to see you on Sunday!

Here is our schedule for April:

4/7 - Doubting Thomas
4/14 - MUSIC w/Mona
4/21 - The Good Shepherd
4/28 - Philip and the Ethiopian

Youth Ministry

Summer Service Trip - July 23-30 - Our destination is Flagstaff with a few days at the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission at Rock Point. Want to go? Sign up now using this form. All students completing 8th through 12th grades are encouraged to join this trip. Additional registration forms and cost will be available soon. Participating students and their parents are asked to help with fundraising activities for this trip to reduce the cost per student.

YOUTH FUNDRAISING FUN!

SUNDAY, APRIL 14 – Don’t Miss This!

Dinner begins at 5:30pm with deliciously prepared Mexican cuisine. RSVP for dinner online here. Free-will donations will be appreciated for dinner.

The Lip Sync participants will compete for the Golden Microphone Trophy. And, a friendly competition between St. Andrew's and Bethlehem for the Grand Prize Lip Sync Cup adds even more fun. Voting for Lip Sync performances will be by monetary donations. Cash and checks work best for voting but online payment options will be available. Register to compete using this form.

A silent auction will feature items from Kendra Scott jewelry, In-N-Out, Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf, the USS Midway Museum, and more!

Cinnamon Roll Sunday on April 14 - Youth will host a cinnamon roll sale between worship services on April 14. Donations will benefit the Summer Service Trip. Enjoy a sweet treat to support our youth!

Crack Shack Fundraiser on May 1 - Wednesday, May 1, have lunch, dinner, or anything in between and the youth group will receive 15%. Just download and present this flyer or mention the youth group when you order. This is a fun opportunity to share a meal with other congregation members, neighbors, family or friends while helping the youth fund their trip.

Youth Meetings for April:

Middle School Confirmation: April 9 & 23
Middle School Group: April 2 & 16 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 5:30pm.
High School Group: We meet each week at 7pm.
Bethlehem on April 2 & 17
St. Andrew's on April 10 & 24

Stephen Ministry

New Course for Personal and Spiritual Growth Join us as we offer Discovering God’s Vision for your Life: You and your Spiritual Gifts. This class is designed to help you grow in your relationship with God. It will help you discover more about your Christian identity-who God has created you to be and learn more about the spiritual gifts God has given to each of us.

The class will run from 11:30 to 1:00 on April 7, 14, 21, and 28. A fee of $20 will cover the cost of books and materials. For more information contact Keegan Chin-Cheleden at keegan.celeden@gmail.com or Laure Reynolds at 760-271-3359 or laurereyn@roadrunner.com.

Health Ministry

CPR and AED class at Bethlehem are scheduled for April 18 at 6 pm. More details to follow. Contact Rose Moldenhauer for questions.

Women of Welcome (WoW)

Seen any cute cat videos recently? There is more to YouTube than funny cat videos, although, they are darn cute!

Our next WoW evening will be Friday, April 19, 6 - 8 pm. We will share short videos and discuss. It won’t be as fun without you, so please plan to come. Details coming soon!

Bethlehem Adventure Ministry (BAM)

BAM Pickleball

Saturday, April 27, 9 am

Mira Costa College

Tennis Courts 5 & 6

1 Barnard Drive

Oceanside CA 92056

Have you wanted to try Pickleball? Now you can. Any skill level is welcome, including those who have never played. Please join us!

Look for a bright pink umbrella and our BAM t-shirts. We recommend court shoes, but any good sport shoe should be fine. Don't forget water, sunscreen, and a hat or visor. Bring your lunch and we will picnic after we play.

Request: If you have extra paddles and balls, please bring them.

Please sign up here so we know how many players to plan for:

Questions? Contact Suzi Westmoreland or send an email to: blcsm@outlook.com

BAM CAMPING - SAVE THE DATE!

Save the dates: Friday, September 6th through Sunday, September 8th.

We will be tent camping at the El Prado group campground near the town of Mount Laguna. Our site is the Big Sage campsite which you can check out here.

Parking will be limited to 15 vehicles so we will be requiring signups in advance. Maximum vehicle length of 45 feet.

We will share a potluck dinner Saturday night. The rest of the meals will be your responsibility. The site has a fire pit and several picnic tables. The site also has a pit toilet. Showers and flush toilets are available in the larger campground. We can go hiking, biking (e-bikes are not allowed on the trails but can be used on the paved roads), play games, or just relax.

Look for our signup in the June newsletter. Questions? Contact Dennis Astroth.

BLC Advocacy

What is Lutheran Lobby Day? - Lutheran Lobby Day, held this year on Wednesday, May 15, is a chance for ELCA Lutherans to gather in Sacramento to meet with state legislators to advocate for priority bills typically focused on alleviating hunger and poverty, as well as environmental justice including clean air and water. The event is sponsored by St. John’s Lutheran in downtown Sacramento. After a morning speaker and training in Advocacy 101, you meet with legislative offices in groups of 3-4 throughout the day. Lunch is provided.

Know a recent college grad interested in policy-making, advocacy, or the law? This would be a great opportunity for them, as the Lutheran Office of Public Policy California has funding to support the hotel and transportation costs of the first 15 people under 25 that register for Lobby Day! But anyone can participate, even if you’ve never visited a legislator before.

Registration and a FAQ page can be found here. You can also email Louise Julig, ljulig@me.com for any questions about what it’s like, as she has attended two in-person and two virtual Lobby Days in recent years.

Lutheran Lobby Day is a way to show what our priorities are as a church body, and also a way to meet other Lutherans from around the state. Please consider joining us this year! Deadline is May 7.

Stewardship Stream

Planned Giving: What to Do Each Decade of Your Life (Part 1 of 2) - John Lennon sang: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” As you move from one stage of life to the next, your priorities shift. These tips can help you meet your personal and charitable goals – at any age.

IN YOUR 40s AND 50s - Create a will and powers of attorney. If you already have a will, update it to reflect any life changes, such as a new relationship or children becoming legal adults. Meet with a financial advisor to review your investments and savings – you still have time to make catch-up contributions for retirement.

Best ways to make a difference...

A gift in your will or trust: This costs you nothing today and can be made by adding one sentence to the document.
Retirement plan assets: Name Bethlehem or the ELCA Foundation as a beneficiary of part or all of an IRA or other retirement plan. It takes minutes to contact your plan administrator or complete the change-of-beneficiary form online. The ELCA Foundation can simplify the process through the use of a donor-directed distribution agreement, which allows you to make all your charitable gifts with one beneficiary designation.

IN YOUR 60s - Check with your financial advisor to make sure you are on track with retirement savings. If you have already retired, revisit your expenses, priorities and health care needs. Update your will, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney and property titles to reflect your current wishes.

Best ways to make a difference...

Life insurance policies: If your children are grown and financially stable, consider donating these to the ELCA Foundation for the benefit of your local congregation or other ELCA-related ministry.
Appreciated securities: Donate stocks you have owned for longer than one year and receive an income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also eliminate capital gains taxes.
Wills and beneficiary designations: As you revisit these important plans, you can partner with the ELCA Foundation to make an impact after your lifetime. It costs you nothing today.

THE ELCA FOUNDATION HELPS AT ALL AGES AND STAGES

If supporting Bethlehem and other ELCA Ministries is important to you, Lisa Higginbotham, our ELCA Foundation Regional Gift Planner, can help you find a gift option that makes sense for your stage in life. Contact her for no-obligation help.

Source: ELCA Foundation

**** Look for Part 2 – 70s and 80s in the May newsletter! ****

After School Tutoring Program at Bethlehem

Bethlehem is excited to partner with E4E (Encinitas for Equality) to host their Education Support Program. This after-school tutoring program is meeting at BLC three times per week in the Multi-Use room to provide tutoring services to students from our local community in 2nd - 8th grades. The students have access to the Community Library and are checking out books during the week. We recently received a $1,000 grant from the Pacifica Synod to help support this partnership and to provide needed materials to the students and tutors. The grant will also be used to update the Library as needed.

How can you help? E4E is looking for volunteers to help support this vital program in the following areas:

Tutors - 1.5 to 3 hours per week. (High School -Adult). All tutors attend training and orientation prior to starting with students,
Daily Facilitator - 3 to 5 hours per week to be present on campus one day per week to oversee the program. (Can be shared between two people).
Co-Director - 10 to 20 hours per month to oversee the logistics of the program. (This is a stipend position)

If you are interested in finding out more about these volunteer opportunities, please contact Jana Hegg at childrensministry@blcenc.org.

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.

New Columbarium Project

We are in the process of creating a new outdoor columbarium space. We are working on finalizing the design, contracting with a company to build both the niches and the supporting frame, and local artist Jane Wheeler has already created an incredible tri-panel mosaic art installation for above the columbarium.

The price per niche is $2500. Each niche has space for up to two urns. You do not need to be a member to purchase one - all are welcome here at Bethlehem. Please sign up by contacting the church office, and payments can be made via check, or online here.

If you have any questions, or would like to inquire about payment plans, please contact the church office. If you would like to simply donate to this project, but do not wish to purchase a niche, your generosity and stewardship would be so appreciated, and you can do that by clicking here.

As Christians, we know that we are connected with all who have come before us in the faith – a great cloud of witnesses. Through this columbarium space we bear witness to that fact and will provide a much needed place of final rest for members of our community.

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