Bethlehem March News

This one’s for all you grammar nerds out there. Those of you who astutely study the bulletin every Sunday (which is pretty much everyone, right?) will no doubt have noticed that we refer to the Sundays that occur during Lent using the preposition “in” – ex. The First Sunday in Lent. As opposed to when we say The First Sunday of Advent. And let’s not even get into the seemingly endless number of Sundays in the Season after Pentecost. At first glance, this might not seem like that big of a deal, but it actually gives us insight some important theology related to the Lenten season.

The season of Lent is 40 days long – an homage to the 40 days and 40 nights that Jesus spent fasting and being tempted in the wilderness at the beginning of this ministry. In that same spirit, Lent has become a season of reflection, fasting, penance, a time to repent and hopefully grow into closer relationship with God. It’s a season that is intentionally solemn and somber, where we prepare our hearts and minds for the events of Holy Week. And yet, at the same time, we also teach that every Sunday throughout the entire year is a reminder of the joy and hope of the resurrection – every Sunday is like a mini-Easter. Which is why the powers that be decided long ago not to count the Sundays as being part of that 40-day total.

That being said, we do make some changes to how we do things on those Sundays in Lent. We refrain from saying the word “Alleluia” so that it is that much more powerful and “new” sounding when we boldly proclaim it on Easter morning. Some congregations go through the act of “burying” their Alleluias every year (either figuratively or literally). Many congregations will also abstain from having baptisms, in part, because of the language about death and resurrection. Bethlehem isn’t one of those congregations though, and just by happenstance, this year we have a baptism scheduled for 4 of the 5 Sundays in Lent, including my son Zachary’s which will be on March 23rd.

So, you might be asking yourself what’s the point of all this prepositional pondering? Well, I take great comfort in the fact that we retain the celebratory nature of Sunday in the midst of the solemnity of Lent. It’s a reminder that joy and light can always be found, even in the darkest of times, and that the light of Christ can never be snuffed out, regardless of what the church calendar might say.

Blessings on the journey this Lenten season,

Pastor Sam

Upcoming Parental Leave:

As I mentioned at the annual meeting, I will be taking my parental leave in two parts. The first will be from March 10th – April 5th. I’ll be back for Palm Sunday and Holy Week, and then the remainder of my time off will be from April 21st – June 15th. Thank you so much for this opportunity to spend time caring for, and growing in relationship with, Zachy.

March Worship Schedule

Sunday Worship

March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th - 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 Sunday service or as indicated.

Walking in the Way of Jesus: A Lenten Journey

Join us each Wednesday during Lent starting at 6 PM for Holden Evening Prayer in the sanctuary. After worship we will gather at 6:30 PM for a community meal in the family center. At 7 PM we will transition into the educational portion of the evening which will be centered on where we are called to show up in the world as followers of Christ. Each week we will have a different opportunity for learning and we will be welcoming a number of guest speakers. Please join us!

Grace Will Lead You Home | March 12th — A personal history, led by Pastor Laura, through the turbulent years that changed the ELCA forever. The History of LGBTQIA in the Lutheran Church.

Peace to God’s People on Earth | March 19th — Intern Pastor Adham Alaraj will share his personal story of living and serving in the Holy Land today. Adham is a Palestinian Christian, born and raised in Bethlehem. He is currently an Intern Pastor in the Pacifica Synod.

Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters | March 26th — Antoine Cummins comes to us as a prophetic voice in the work of antiracism. He was born on the island of Barbados and was raised in Brooklyn, NY. Antoine serves as Assistant to the Bishop for Antiracism Coordination in the Pacifica Synod.

Blessed are the Merciful | April 2nd — Pastora Maria Santa Cruz will share her personal story as an immigrant, as well as update us on what is happening at the border, and Border Church, at this time. Pastora Maria serves as the Assistant to the Bishop for Latiné ministry with the Pacifica Synod.

Defiant Hope | April 9th — In times such as these, we must hold tightly to the indefatigable hope and joy that grounds us, and makes us the people of God. Actor Jamie Newcomb and Pastor Laura will bring into conversation: scripture, poetry, and the stage. The powerful words that give us strength for the journey.

We hope that will be able to join us. All are welcome

Stewardship Stream - Lenten Challenge

Perhaps you’ve already heard about the Lenten Challenge in which Bethlehem is participating. You can sign up HERE. An important, tangible part of the Challenge is a pledge to give $1 a day (or more) to Lutheran Disaster Response for the 40 days of Lent.

Of course you don’t have to donate every day. One donation per person or family is fine. We’re suggesting a minimum of $50 in support of the hunger and water projects at the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission, a cause to which Bethlehem has rallied before.

You can give online through our BLC Website, our Vanco Mobile app, with a check designating Lutheran Disaster Response, or by phone at 1-800-638-3522 (mention appeal code R2LENT2025).

And did we mention it’s a competition?? We’re counting individual participation so the more people signed up per synod, the better!!

Music Ministry

This month we move into Lent - Rehearsals for the JuBellation Ringers and Good News Singers will be moving to Tuesday evenings starting on March 4th at the same time for the next 7 weeks. On Wednesday nights the Holden Evening Prayer will be sung at 6 p.m. followed by Lenten meals and education.

Recording by Local Composer - The Good News Singers will be recording Joy, Joy, Joy! on March 1 by local composer Paul Sims. Written for two soloists and choir, the anthem tells the story of Elizabeth and Mary as they reflect on the birth of their sons and how it will change the world. The choir portion assumes the role of the prophets of old. Mr. Sims is planning on sending the recording to a publisher later this year. The Good News Singers will sing this original piece at our Spring concert and hope to have him in attendance at the concert.

Special Music for March

March 2- Eden LaClair, piano solo; Children's Choir (10:30 only)
March 5- Ash Wednesday, 7 pm service - Good News Singers
March 9 - Good News Singers with Clark Crane, clarinet
March 12 - Holden Evening Prayer - 6 pm
March 16- Natasha Riabova, piano solo - 9 am; Scott Stauffer, bass soloist (10:30 only)
March 19 - Holden Evening Prayer - 6 pm
March 23- JuBellation Ringers
March 26- Holden Evening Prayer- 6 pm
March 30 - Woodwind Duet, Children's Choir (10:30 only)

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 March:

March 2nd - The Transfiguration; Luke 9: 28- 36
March 9th - Tempted; Luke 4:1-13
March 16th - God's Promises to Abram; Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
March 23rd - Music with Mona

Save The Date! - "Just like Me" Vacation Bible School is coming soon! Mark your calendars for June 23rd - 27th and join us for this very special VBS where we will learn how much God loves us just the way we are! We will meet daily from 9:00 - 12:00. Registration will begin in March. Questions? Email Jana at childrensministry@blcenc.org.

Youth Ministry

Luau FUN-draiser - Sunday, March 23rd - Come for dinner, a silent auction, and lip sync battles from 5-8pm at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

Don’t miss the fun of

the 2^nd Annual Lip Sync Competition!

Last year’s battles proved to be a lot of fun. The GOLDEN MICROPHONE trophy will be awarded to the act with the most $1 votes. The church trophy was won by Bethlehem last year. To keep it, BLC will need to bring their best acts to the contest. To compete in the Lip Sync Battles, download this form and return it to Deacon Mindy as soon as possible. Auction items will be announced in the coming weeks. Click here to save your spot for dinner.

Your donations at this event will benefit the youth's summer service trip to Maui in July.

Look for the Pono Tree - The Pono Tree display is in the church narthex with information and opportunities for you to sponsor parts of the youth service trip to Maui. Options range from coffee for adult leaders at $10 each to one-way cost of the airfare for $300. Choose an expense from the leaves and return your donation of the stated amount. Or click here to donate . This is certain to be a life changing trip for our youth. We thank you in advance for all o the support

(To be "pono" means to be in a state of harmony or balance with oneself, others, the land, work and life itself. The concept aligns well with our Christian understanding of community and loving care for all of God's creation.)

Youth Group Meetings - The 6th–12th grade students meet on the following Thursdays:

March 6 and 20 at St Andrew’s
March 13 and 27 at Bethlehem

Join us for dinner, discussions, fun, and homework time.

Food Drive

Food Drive, March 16 & 23 - Every Thursday afternoon, many boxes and bags of food are distributed to 200-220 local families by the St. Andrews Food Pantry. Before the distribution, volunteers sort donated fresh and dry foods into massive piles, setting up a makeshift supermarket inside the parish hall. Each person selects an assortment of canned and dried foods along with fresh eggs, milk, bread, prepared meals and produce donated by Vons, Sprouts, Gelsons and other local grocery stores. The San Diego Food Bank along with Feeding San Diego are key suppliers for the pantry, bringing pallet loads of fresh produce and bread items each week.

Pantry Wishlist:

Please help in whichever way is most convenient for you:

Bring non-perishable foods to church on Sunday, March 16 or Sunday, March 23. Drop off in the trunk of the silver SUV in the visitor parking spot.
Place your non-perishable donations in the Food Pantry basket in the Narthex anytime.
Donate funds online here:
Write a check to BLC and indicate “Food Pantry” on the memo line.

Your monetary donation will go directly to purchase food for the pantry.

If you are interested in volunteering on Thursdays, please contact Cynthia at 760-525-3519.

Bethlehem Adventure Ministry (BAM)

San Luis Rey River Trail Bike Ride - Join the Bethlehem Adventure Ministry (BAM) for a bike ride on the San Luis Rey River Trail, a fairly level, paved trail that is separate from traffic. The route is dotted with trees and native plantings, so we may spot snowy egrets, blue herons, and other beautiful birds. We plan to ride to the Mission San Luis Rey and take a break there to enjoy its beauty. Then we will ride back to Oceanside for lunch. This ride is about 13 miles round trip.

Saturday, March 29, 2025

10:30 am PDT

Meet at Pappy's Market

601 North Cleveland Street

Oceanside CA 92054

Please sign up here so we can notify you of any changes to the plan.

Please wear a helmet and don't forget water and sunscreen.

You have several options for getting to the beginning of the trail, which is at Cleveland and Neptune Way in Oceanside, very near the harbor:

Take your bike on the first Coaster on Saturday morning, which leaves Encinitas at 10:05 am and arrives in Oceanside at 10:22 am. (Click here for the Coaster schedule.) Ride north on Cleveland to Pappy's Market. OR
Throw your bike in the back of your truck or on your bike rack and park in the parking structure at Seagaze and Cleveland at the Oceanside Transportation Center. Parking is free. Ride north on Cleveland to Pappy's Market. OR
Throw your bike in the back of your truck or on your bike rack and park at the parking lot on Surfrider Way just west of the train tracks in Oceanside. Parking is $2 for all day. Ride east one block to Pappy's Market.

Please note: You can not legally park at the Oceanside Transportation Center lot (unless you're riding a train or bus) except in the parking structure at Seagaze and Cleveland.

Save these dates for 2025! - Mark your calendars! All dates are Saturdays and are subject to change. Check the newsletter every month for updates.

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.

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

BLC Advocacy

Save the date for this year's Lutheran Lobby Day, Wedneday, May 28.

Stephen Ministry

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

Galatians 6:2

Did You Know? The Stephen Ministry program at Bethlehem is part of a larger organization founded in St Louis. More than 12,000 congregations throughout the world are enrolled in Stephen Ministry. Since 1975 over 65,000 people have been trained as Stephen Leaders who have, in turn, trained more than 600,000 congregation members to be Stephen Ministers. These Stephen Ministers have provided distinctively Christian care to more than one -and-a-half million people in one-to-one caring relationships and have used their caregiving skills to touch the lives of millions more in other ways.

If you have a friend or family member in another area who could benefit from a Stephen Minister we can often make a referral to a Stephen Ministry congregation near them. If you would like to know more about Stephen Ministry please contact one of our Stephen Leaders: Molly Hall, Suzi Westmoreland, or Laure Reynolds.

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