The Bethany January 2013 newsletter and calendar are now available for reading on MemberConnect.
A link to the newsletter is on the home page of our MemberConnect site. Simply click on the link and you will be able to read the newsletter WITHOUT logging in.
However, we still encourage you to log in and check out the calendar and other areas of MemberConnect!
Paper copies of the newsletter are also available at the Hospitality Desk in the Gathering Area.
Wednesday Words for December 19, 2012
from Pastor Carrie Smith
Thought for the Day, in light of the Newtown tragedy:
“When the old Christendom spoke of the coming again of the Lord Jesus, it always thought first of all of a great day of judgment. And as un-Christmas-like as this idea may appear to us, it comes from early Christianity and must be taken with utter seriousness … . The coming of God is truly not only a joyous message, but is, first, frightful news for anyone who has a conscience. And only when we have felt the frightfulness of the matter can we know the incomparable favor. God comes in the midst of evil, in the midst of death, and judges the evil in us and in the world. And in judging it, he loves us, he purifies us, he sanctifies us, he comes to us with his grace and love. He makes us happy as only children can be happy.”
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer, martyred Lutheran pastor and theologian, in “God is in the Manger”
***
In our prayers: Cole Gaffney (now recovering at home), Bill Kohl, Carol Stupar (now recovering at home); Alice McDonald (in home hospice care); all who are grieving the loss of loved ones this week; teachers and other school workers; and for all schoolchildren, that they would feel safe and secure each day in school.
Tonight at Bethany: We gather at 7 pm for “The Longest Night: A Service of Reflection during Advent”. This is an opportunity to gather and remember the loved ones we miss; to pray for a world shaken by violence, and ask God to heal our hearts broken by loss. We will sing, pray, and write our griefs and concerns on paper stars to be hung on a tree in the front of the church. These stars will remain through Christmas, a visible sign that God comes to be with us in the midst of our pain. All are welcome to attend this service.
Sunday at Bethany: We…are…almost…there! Join us for the 4th Sunday of Advent, when our theme will be “Living Together in Peace.” We’ve spent the last few weeks reflecting on the violence in us and in the world. We’ve confessed our part in furthering a culture of hate and exclusion. And we’ve prayed for Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to guide us into the way of peace. Now, we will gather to celebrate that the wait is almost over! Our hearts are ready, the path is cleared, our prayers have been offered, and the baby is about to be born!
Special Music will be offered by Bethany Choir at 9 am and by Jeanna Hoekstra and Andy McKay playing a saxophone duet at 10:45 am. I will be preaching, and Pastor Paul will preside at the table. Join us for a service of joyful anticipation!
Christmas Eve Information: Worship on Christmas Eve will be at 5 pm, 7 pm, and 10:30 pm. The 5 pm service is designed especially for families with children. Pastor Paul will preach, youth will be doing the readings and serving in other ways, and children will have a chance to ring jingle bells as part of our Christmas music-making! At 7 and 10:30, you can expect a more formal Christmas festival, including 30 minutes of pre-service music at 6:30 and 10 pm. I will be preaching at these 2 services. Holy Communion will be celebrated at all three services. I hope you see you all there!
Bishop Mark Hanson expresses grief over the Sandy Hook shootings: “Today we express our sorrow for lives lost in Newtown, and we are being drawn together as a people. May this tragic moment become the occasion to experience the depth of God’s mercy and the love of Jesus,” said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop. “May our mourning move us to join together to turn back a rising tide of violence, for this is not the world that God desires for God’s children. In this season of Advent, we bear witness that our hope is in Christ, the prince of peace,” said Hanson.
Need last minute gifts? You can give something unexpected this Christmas: a duck, a goat, or even an alpaca! ELCA Good Gifts are gifts that make a difference. Click here to give now: ELCA Good Gifts
Upcoming opportunity at the Raue Center: Documentary about the foster care system ("From Place to Place") January 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Free admission! Sponsored by CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of McHenry County. To reserve seat: 815-356-9212 or casafilm@rauecenter.org
Questions? Call Bethany member Debbie Groat at 815-236-0605
Texts for this Sunday: Advent 4
Micah 5:2-5a
5Now you are walled around with a wall; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the ruler of Israel upon the cheek. 2But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 3Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. 4And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; 5and he shall be the one of peace.
Hebrews 10:5-10
5Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; 6in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).” 8When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Luke 1:39-55
39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” 46And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Peace,
+ Pastor Carrie Smith
| Prayer Vigil Tonight at 7:00 p.m. | ||||||||
Dear Bethany Lutheran sisters and brothers,
Our hearts are breaking after the tragic school shootings in Connecticut today. During this Advent season, Bethany Lutheran has been praying for peace, and waiting expectantly for the Prince of Peace to come quickly.
Tonight, join us at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary to mourn the lives lost, to pray for the wounded, and to once again look to Christ, the Prince of Peace, to heal our broken world.
Friday, December 14 at 7 :00 p.m.
All are welcome.
Pastor Carrie Smith Pastor Paul Cannon |
Wednesday Words for December 12, 2012
from Pastor Carrie Smith
Thought for the Day:
“Time always seems long to the child who is waiting - for Christmas, for next summer, for becoming a grownup: long also when he surrenders his whole soul to each moment of a happy day.”
- Dag Hammarskjold
+++
In our prayers: the Heisler family on the death of Dorothy; the Michaels family on the death of John; the Trebes family on the death of Aunt Ann; Cole Gaffney; the Kerrigan family at the birth of James on Dec. 5 (and for James, who has been in the hospital since birth).
Today at Bethany: A funeral for John Michaels will be held at 10 am, followed by a luncheon in Luther Hall.
Tonight: Join us for a peaceful evening of worship at 7 pm! We will gather in the sanctuary for Holden Evening Prayer and a reflection by Pastor Paul. What a good way to re-group in the middle of a busy week. I hope to see you there!
Tomorrow night: It’s time for the congregational potluck! See you at 6 pm in Luther Hall for some good food and holiday entertainment! I’ll bring the pickled herring.
This Sunday at Bethany: For this third Sunday in Advent, our theme will be “Giving Birth to Peace.” The star is guiding us, the path has been cleared, and now we prepare the manger where the Prince of Peace will be laid!
In some traditions, the 3rd Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete Sunday” and is a day of joy in the midst of this season of waiting and expectation. We will certainly be joyous as we hear the special music of all the Bethany choirs during worship! Come and hear the Bethany Adult Choir, the Sonshine Singers, and the Bell Canto bells at the 9 am and 10:45 am services.
We will also be blessed at all services by a sermon from Felix Malpica, one of Bethany’s own youth who is now a senior at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. You won’t want to miss it!
Sunday afternoon: Come back to church at 4 pm for the Sunday school Christmas program! This year’s program is called “A Tree-mendous Gift”. Our kids and teachers have been working hard to prepare this drama, and I hope we will pack the pews to support them.
Next week: Wednesday, December 19th at 7 pm is “The Longest Night” worship service. If you are grieving, struggling with a chronic illness, undergoing chemo, missing a friend, or otherwise finding the holidays a difficult season, you are invited to join us for this worship opportunity. We will sing, hear Scripture, pray, and spend some time lifting up our concerns to God. Bring a friend who could use some encouragement, too!
Tomorrow is St. Lucia Day! What’s that, you ask? Well, if you grew up in a Swedish (or Swedish-American) household, you would know that St. Lucia was a young woman martyred for her faith in 304 A.D. It is said that she took food to persecuted Christians who were hiding in the catacombs in Rome. She wore candles on her head so she would have her hands free to carry things. There is also a somewhat gruesome story about why we often see pictures of Lucy with her eyes on a plate (eww!) Read (and see) more here: St. Lucy's Eyes
Later, monks who first brought Christianity to Sweden told her stories there, and she became a beloved Scandinavian saint. On December 13 in Sweden, the oldest girl of the family wakes up early to bring breakfast to her parents in bed, wearing a crown of candles in her hair and presenting special buns called “Lussekatter” (Lucy Cats!) In Sweden, there is a special church service for St. Lucy, and this day marks the beginning of the Christmas season.
To learn more about St. Lucy, click here: St. Lucy in Sweden
This Week’s Texts: 3rd Sunday of Advent
(notice the theme of JOY and REJOICING in these texts!)
Zephaniah 3:14-20
14Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! 15The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. 16On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. 17The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing 18as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. 19I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord.
Isaiah 12:2-6
2Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. 3With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
4And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. 5Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. 6Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Philippians 4:4-7
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Luke 3:7-18
7John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”
15As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 18So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
Peace,
+ Pastor Carrie Smith
carrie.smith@bethanylc.com
Dear Bethany Sisters and Brothers,
Today we mourn the passing of longtime Bethany member, John Michaels. John died on Friday, December 7, 2012.
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Visitation:
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church, ELCA
76 W. Crystal Lake Avenue
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
(815)459-2690
Funeral Service:
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
10:00 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church
Interment immediately following the funeral service.
There will be a meal at Bethany following the committal.
Please keep the Michaels family in your prayers.
| Funeral Arrangements for Dorothy Heisler | ||||||||
Dear Bethany Sisters and Brothers,
Today we mourn the passing of longtime Bethany member, Dorothy Heisler. Dorothy died on Thursday, December 6, 2012.
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Visitation: Sunday, December 9, 2012 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home 500 West Terra Cotta Ave Crystal Lake, IL 60014 (815) 459-1760
Monday, December 10, 2012 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church 76 W Crystal Lake Ave Crystal Lake, IL 60014 815-459-2690
Funeral Service: Monday, December 10, 2012 11:00 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church
Interment at McHenry County Memorial Park.
There will be a meal at Bethany following the committal. |
| Bethany Member John Michaels | ||||||||
Dear Bethany Sisters and Brothers, Today we mourn the passing of Bethany member, John Michaels, age 83, who died this morning, December 7, 2012. John was a longtime member of Bethany Lutheran Church. Funeral arrangements are pending. Please keep the Michaels family in your prayers. |
| Bethany Member Dorothy Heisler | ||||||||
Dear Bethany Sisters and Brothers, Today we mourn the passing of Bethany member, Dorothy Heisler, age 94, who died on December 6, 2012. Dorothy was a founding member of Bethany Lutheran Church. A funeral service will be held at Bethany, although a date has not yet been set. Please keep the Heisler family in your prayers. |
Wednesday Words for December 5, 2012
From Pastor Carrie Smith
Thought for the Day:
“God is coming! God is coming!
All the element we swim in, this existence,
Echoes ahead the advent. God is coming! Can't you feel it?”
--Walter Wangerin Jr., "The Signs of the Times" in The Manger Is Empty
***
In our prayers: John Michaels, Bill Kohl, Dorothy Heisler, Millie Karger, Jennifer Reuskens and family, all of our members who struggle with cancer, all those who are grieving this holiday season, soldiers and others who will not be able to be with family this Christmas.
Tonight at Bethany: It’s time for Advent Midweek Worship! Come at 7 pm for Holden Evening Prayer, featuring a special message about St. Nicholas Day (celebrated in many countries on December 6th). Hint: wear shoes you can easily remove (and socks you won’t be embarrassed to show off!)
There are no confirmation classes until after Christmas.
Tomorrow at Bethany: Theology on Tap at Duke’s Alehouse, Thursday, December 6th at 7:30 p.m. Pastor Paul says the topic is “Christian Ethics.” But if that sounds boring—never fear! The discussion will really be about what our role is supposed to be as Christians in the world. All are welcome to join this casual evening of drinks and conversation!
Sunday at Bethany: For the 2nd Sunday of Advent, the focus will be “Paving the Path to Peace.” What are the obstacles to peace in our lives, in our community, and in our world? Pastor Paul will be preaching, and the Sonshine Singers (kids’ choir) will be providing the special music.
Caroling: At 3:45 p.m. the F.A.S.T. (Fellowship and Service Team) will meet at the church and will proceed to a nursing home to brighten the day of the residents. If the weather cooperates, they will also sing to our neighbors in the area by the church. No singing talents required!
A Prayer for St. Nicholas Day, December 6: Almighty God, who in your love gave to your servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of kindness on land and sea: Grant, we pray, that your Church may never cease to work for the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Learn more about the REAL Santa Claus (St. Nicholas) here: St. Nicholas Center
The Congregational Potluck is coming! Please remember to sign up on the board outside Luther Hall. This Sunday (December 9th) is the last day to indicate that you are coming and what dish you will bring to share. The dinner is Thursday, December 13 at 6:00 p.m.
Coming Soon: We will have a special “Guest” preacher for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, December 16th—our very own Felix Malpica! Felix is a child of Bethany who is in his final year of seminary at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was a grateful recipient of scholarship funds from the Bethany Mission Endowment Fund this year. Please plan to attend worship to hear how that seminary education has paid off!
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Bethany Sunday School Christmas Program! This year’s program is called “A Tree-mendous Gift”. You can hear the Christmas story and hear the kids sing on Sunday, December 16th at 4:00 p.m. Come one, come all!
This Week’s Texts: The 2nd Sunday of Advent
Malachi 3:1-4
3See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
68“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, 70as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 72Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, 73the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. 78By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, 79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
3I thank my God every time I remember you, 4constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 7It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
3In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
Peace,
Pastor Carrie Smith
