[Bethany Lutheran Church] Bethany Celebrates our Graduates!

CONGRATULATIONS
to all the 2013 Graduates! 

Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, 

as done for the Lord and not for your masters...

Colossians 3:23 

All graduates: Please attend church this Sunday, June 2 for a special blessing. Worship is at 8:30 am or 10:30 am.

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POST GRADUATE DEGREE
Nathan Gibson: Alfred University, Master of Scenic Design

John Linstrom: Iowa State, Master of Fine Arts

Daniel Viger: Boston Architectural College, Master of Architecture

COLLEGE & TECHNICAL SCHOOLS
Ben Boncosky: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bachelor of Arts in Economics; employed by Jimmy Johns Corporate Headquarters in their Real Estate Department

Christopher Brent Curtis Jr.: Miami University (Ohio), Bachelor of Arts in Business; employed by American Axle, Detroit, Michigan

Stephanie Getz: University of Illinois, Chicago, Bachelor of Science in neuroscience; attending Dartmouth Medical School this fall

Jenny Hyde: Lewis University, Bachelor of Arts degree in Athletic Training; continuing on for her Master's degree in Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut

Chase Nichols: Illinois State University, Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a teaching certificate. Seeking a teaching position in High School or Middle School Mathematics.

Jacob Stefan:  Valparaiso University, Bachelor of Science with majors in Biology, Chemistry, and German; teaching high school Biology inner-city Chicago through Teach for America Program

Mitch Viger: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Studies 

Brianna Wixted: Valparaiso University, Bachelor of Arts in English

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
Alex Bartusch: Central High School, University of Dubuque, Education (also playing basketball).

Connor Bowen: Cary Grove High School, Northern Illinois University, Engineering

August Buettner: Marian Central High School, Butler University, Business
Meghan Dinsmore: Prairie Ridge High School, University of Kentucky

Riley Donnewald: South High School, future plans unknown at the time of writing

Bob Effinger: Prairie Ridge High School, University of Minnesota, Duluth, Software Engineering & Computer

Megan Elliott: Jacobs High School, Iowa State University, Finance

Laurel Feakes: Central High School, Iowa State University, Broadcast Journalism

Kyle Gordon: Prairie Ridge High School, University of Iowa, Civil & Environmental Engineering
Christian Hammerl: Prairie Ridge High School, MCC for an Associate Degree

Gabriel Klinefelter: Woodstock High School, Simpson College, Computer Science

Megan Layer: Prairie Ridge High School, future plans unknown at the time of writing

Katrina Leffel: South High School, Purdue University, majoring in engineering

Nicholas Longfield: Central High School, Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), Electrical Engineering & Business

Randy Luken:  South High School, DePaul, Business

Ian Meador: South High School, University of Nebraska, Biology

Tyler Mortensen: South High School, Michigan State University, Undecided, hoping to play LaCrosse

Jacob Nowakowski: Prairie Ridge, Illinois Wesleyan, Math and Physics

Emily Pistorius: Cary Grove High School, University of Illinois at Chicago, Anesthesiologist

Tyler Pistorius: Cary Grove High School, Iowa State University, Chemical Engineering

Claire Shanovich: Prairie Ridge High School, Kansas University, Occupational Therapy

Bryce Sova: Cary Grove High School, University of IL, Engineering

Jack Thacker: Prairie Ridge High School, MCC, Photography

Katrina Weil: Culver Academy, Elon, Wells Cathedral School, SW England 2013, University, NC 2014, Education

8th Grade Graduates
Chase Barneveld: South High School
Ashley Bristen: Prairie Ridge High School
Meghan Coates: Huntley High School
Morgan Dalhke: Central High School
William Effinger: Prairie Ridge High School
Ryan Elliott: Jacobs High School
Kendall Johnson: Dundee Crown High School
Luke Klinefelter: Woodstock High School
Tyler Lentz: Prairie Ridge High School
Robbie Masini: Prairie Ridge High School
Nathaniel Meador: South High School
Jarrett Natrop: South High School
Sarah Sirotzki: Prairie Ridge High School
Caleb Smith: Central High School
Logan Sorenson: Central High School
Ethan Ticknor: Prairie Ridge High School
Spencer Traub: South High School 

If we have inadvertently missed someone, please let the church office know and we will be happy to include these updates in future mailings! 

 

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Carrie Smith

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words -- and Newsletter! -- for May 29, 2013

Wednesday Words for May 29, 2013

From Pastor Carrie Smith

 

Thought for the Day: 

“The way to Christ is first through humility, second through humility, third through humility. If humility does not precede and accompany and follow every good work we do, if it is not before us to focus on, if it is not beside us to lean upon, if it is not behind us to fence us in, pride will wrench from our hand any good deed we do at the very moment we do it.”

Augustine of Hippo, 5^th century bishop and theologian

 

***

Good morning, saints! Attached is the brand-new incarnation of the Bethany newsletter. We’re trying this for the summer in an effort to keep you all updated on what’s going on. Please note that this weekly newsletter includes prayer requests, upcoming events, and other important news items. You are welcome to forward it to friends, print it out, or hang it on your fridge!

 

If you have an item to submit for this weekly newsletter, just send a note to churchoffice@bethanylc.com. The deadline each week is Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. In other words, Kelly will be putting the newsletter together on Tuesday each week, and she needs the info when she arrives on Tuesday morning. This newsletter format may change slightly as the summer goes on, as we see the need. We’re working hard to improve communications! Thanks for working with us on this.

 

FRIENDLY TIP: When submitting news, try to keep your information short and to-the-point. 

When, Where, What, Who!

 

This Sunday at Bethany: We have now entered “Ordinary Time” in the church year, sometimes also called the Time after Pentecost or the “Green Season”. This may be “ordinary time” but we know summer is never ordinary! Please join us for inspiring and exciting worship on Sundays this summer at 8:30 am or 10:30 am.

 

Throughout the summer we will be singing favorite hymns submitted by members. This week we’ll be singing “Beautiful Savior”, which was submitted by Darlene Shaffer. We’ll also be singing “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”, “Softly and Tenderly” and a newer favorite, “Taste and See.” We’ll be praying for all graduates this week, whether they are finishing 8^th grade, high school, or college. A special blessing will be prayed at the end of both services. Please come so we can celebrate with you!

 

May 31 is the Feast of the Visitation: OK, so Lutherans don’t often celebrate these more obscure Holy Days with a special service, and this one seems to come at such a strange time. Why are we celebrating the visitation of a pregnant Mary to Elizabeth in the middle of the summer? It feels more like a Christmastime story to us! But, to get you in the mood, here is a link to some great artwork depicting the Visitation: Mary visits Elizabeth 

 

And here is a prayer of blessing in honor of this special day:

 

“Blessed be you, God of mercy and compassion, for you inspired Mary, the humble maiden of Nazareth, to visit her cousin Elizabeth and to assist her in her earthly needs. Help us, that following Mary's example we may remain always open to the needs and sufferings of others. Strengthen us with the nourishment of this meal, and bring us one day to love's eternal feast in your kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

 

How do you “live Lutheran?” The Living Lutheran blog has some great photos of what this looks like, including photos of Pentecost and Memorial Day. Check it out! Living Lutheran Blog

 

The Eco-Fair and Garage Sale is this week! Don’t miss this exciting weekend of bargains as well as an opportunity to care for the earth! The events all start on Friday morning at 9 am and continue through Saturday at noon. See you there—and bring a friend!

 

Fruits of Faith Garden: Master Gardner Kris Maher is coming to the Garden on June 8th at 9 am to give us some pointers on our garden. All are invited! If you have specific questions, contact Pam Bock in advance: thebocks@prodigy.net

 

If you happen to miss a Sunday this summer while on vacation, don’t forget that you can read the sermons preached here at Bethany at our Sermon Blog: http://bethanylcsermons.blogspot.com/

Go ahead and bookmark it now, so you can catch up on anything you missed! Pastor Paul and I also post these each week on the Bethany Facebook page, and there is a link on the front page of our main website: www.bethanylc.com

 

***

This Week’s Texts: 2^nd Sunday after Pentecost/Proper 4C

 

Prayer of the Day: 

Merciful Lord God,
we do not presume to come before you trusting in our own righteousness,
but in your great and abundant mercies.
Revive our faith, we pray;
heal our bodies, and mend our communities,
that we may evermore dwell in your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

First Reading

1 Kings 8:22–23, 41–43

²²Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. ²³He said, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, ⁴¹Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name ⁴²— for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm — when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house, ⁴³then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built.

 

 

Psalm (ELW)

Psalm 96:1–9

 

¹Sing to the LORD ^| a new song;

     sing to the LORD, ^| all the earth.

²Sing to the LORD, bless the name ^| of the LORD;

     proclaim God’s salvation from ^| day to day.

³Declare God’s glory a- ^| mong the nations

     and God’s wonders a- ^| mong all peoples.

⁴For great is the LORD and greatly ^| to be praised,

     more to be feared ^| than all gods.   R

⁵As for all the gods of the nations, they ^| are but idols;

     but you, O LORD, have ^| made the heavens.

⁶Majesty and magnificence are ^| in your presence;

     power and splendor are in your ^| sanctuary.

⁷Ascribe to the LORD, you families ^| of the peoples,

     ascribe to the LORD hon- ^| or and power.

⁸Ascribe to the LORD the honor due the ^| holy name;

     bring offerings and enter the courts ^| of the LORD.

⁹Worship the LORD in the beau- ^| ty of holiness;

     tremble before the LORD, ^| all the earth.   R

 

 

Second Reading

Galatians 1:1–12

 

Paul an apostle — sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead — ²and all the members of God's family who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
³Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ⁵to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
⁶I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — ⁷not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! ⁹As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!
¹⁰Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
¹¹For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; ¹²for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

Gospel

Luke 7:1–10

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. ²A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. ³When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. ⁴When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, ⁵for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us." ⁶And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; ⁷therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. ⁸For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." ⁹When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." ¹⁰When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

 

 

Peace,

 

+ Pastor Carrie Smith

Carrie.smith@bethanylc.com

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 5-29-13.pdf

This email sent by:

Carrie Smith

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words for May 22, 2013

Wednesday Words for May 22, 2013
from Pastor Carrie Smith

Thought for the Day:
“For even if the whole world believed in resurrection, little would change until we began to practice it. We can believe in CPR, but people will remain dead until someone breathes new life into them. And we can tell the world that there is life after death, but the world really seems to be wondering if there is life before death.”

― Shane Claiborne, The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical

*** 

In our prayers: Betty Klehfoth, Andrew Fant, Janet Luken (who is undergoing tests for possible colon cancer)

Today at Bethany: The Bethany Preschool class of 2013 will be graduating at 11:15 am! You are all invited to see them receive their “diplomas.” If you can’t attend, please pray for these little ones who have begun their educational career within the walls of our church!

Sunday at Bethany: Don’t forget! The summer worship schedule starts this week! Join us for worship at 8:30 am and 10:30 am, with a coffee and fellowship time in between services.

Pastor Paul will be preaching this week at both services--freshly inspired by a week at the Festival of Homiletics! At 10:30, we are blessed to be welcoming four more sisters and brothers in Christ through baptism: Emily, Jake, Mason and DeAngelo! Thanks be to God for baptisms #15, 16, 17, and 18 for 2013!

We’ll be singing some hymns that take on the subject of the Trinity: “Come Join the Dance of Trinity” and “Holy, Holy, Holy”, and then, just because: “Amazing Grace”!

32 years of ministry! Congratulations to Pastor Rafael Malpica-Padilla, a member of Bethany and ELCA Director of Global Mission, who celebrated 32 years of ordination on Pentecost Sunday.Thanks be to God!

A way to help Oklahoma: ELCA Tornado Disaster Relief

A Letter from the Bishop in Oklahoma on the tornado tragedy: Bishop's Letter

Eco-Fair and Rummage Sale coming up: Remember that you may start dropping off your donations this Friday, May 24 during office hours at the church (8:30 am – 3:30 pm). All donations go to the basement community room. Please do not leave them in the office!

You may also drop off during church hours on Sunday morning, as well as next Tuesday and Wednesday. No televisions or computer monitors will be accepted.
***

This week’s texts: Holy Trinity Sunday

Prayer of the Day:
Almighty Creator and ever-living God:
we worship your glory, eternal Three-in-One,
and we praise your power, majestic One-in-Three.
Keep us steadfast in this faith,
defend us in all adversity,
and bring us at last into your presence,
where you live in endless joy and love,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

 

FIRST READING Proverbs 8:1–4, 22–31
Does not wisdom call,
and does not understanding raise her voice?
2On the heights, beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
4"To you, O people, I call,
and my cry is to all that live.
22The LORD created me at the beginning of his work,
the first of his acts of long ago.
23Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth —
26when he had not yet made earth and fields,
or the world's first bits of soil.
27When he established the heavens, I was there,
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
29when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30then I was beside him, like a master worker;
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
31rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the human race.

 

PSALM (ELW) Psalm 8
1O | LORD our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in | all the earth!—
2you whose glory is chanted above the heavens
out of the mouths of in- | fants and children;
    you have set up a fortress against your enemies,
    to silence the foe | and avenger.   R
3When I consider your heavens, the work | of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars you have set | in their courses,
4what are mere mortals that you should be mind- | ful of them,
    human beings that you should | care for them?   R
5Yet you have made them little less | than divine;
    with glory and hon- | or you crown them.
6You have made them rule over the works | of your hands;
    you have put all things un- | der their feet:
7all | flocks and cattle,
    even the wild beasts | of the field,
8the birds of the air, the fish | of the sea,
    and whatever passes along the paths | of the sea.
9O | LORD our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in | all the earth!   R

 

SECOND READING Romans 5:1–5

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

GOSPEL John 16:12–15
12I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Peace,
Pr. Carrie
carrie.smith@bethanylc.com

 

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Carrie Smith

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Pentecost Sunday Reminders!

Hello, saints of Bethany! 

Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday! Just a few reminders:

1. Remember to wear RED so the sanctuary will be awash in the fiery color of Pentecost! 

2. Confirmation Students are needed at both 9 am & 10:45 am to help us make the Pentecost story come alive. (students, please check in with me at the entrance of the church so I can give you your "props")    :-) 

3. Everyone is invited to speak a language of your choice at the part in the Pentecost story when you hear "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability." I suggest praying the Lord's prayer--but another prayer is fine, too! 

4. At 7:45 am we will have a special prayer of Farewell and Godspeed to the Weller family, who is moving to Tulsa, OK. We will miss you Nick, Sara and Ashton!

5. At 9 am, we'll have prayer with laying on of hands for Mavis Bagby, who leaves soon for a mission trip to Uganda.

6. And we give thanks for FOUR BAPTISMS at 10:45 am! Welcome to the church Jimmie, Natalie, Myles and James!

See you tomorrow! Come, Holy Spirit!

Pr. Carrie

 

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Help make the Pentecost story come alive!

Dear sisters and brothers of Bethany,

 

This Sunday is the day the church celebrates Pentecost, which is the coming of the Holy Spirit and the day we often call the "Birthday of the Church". You can  help to make this story come alive in a few ways.

First of all, remember to wear red so the church will be awash in fiery color!

 

Then, at the 9 am and 10:45 am worship services, we will begin with a dramatic reading of the Pentecost story. You are invited to participate by speaking in a language other than English. 

 

When you hear this phrase:

 

4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

 

...you are invited to LOUDLY pray the Lord’s Prayer in the language of your choice, from where you are standing in the pews! Continue on as long as the prayer lasts. We hope there will be many people praying in many tongues. If you don't know the Lord's Prayer, just pray or say whatever you like! 

 

Thank you for your help in presenting the Pentecost story in a dramatic way! I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

 

Peace,

Pastor Carre

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Carrie Smith

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words for May 15, 2013

Wednesday Words for May 15, 2013

from Pastor Carrie Smith

Thought for the Day: 

“It is by the Holy Spirit that we love those who are united to us in Christ. The more plentifully we have received of the Spirit of Christ, the more perfectly we are able to love them: and the more we love them the more we receive the Spirit. It is clear, however, that since we love them by the Spirit Who is given to us by Jesus, it is Jesus Himself Who loves them in us.”

Thomas Merton, “No Man is an Island” 

***

In our prayers: Al Stefan (now home); Sharon Saunders (undergoing chemo); Andrew Fant (reconstruction surgery this week); Betty Klehfoth (having an angiogram); Wendy Lasswell and family (Wendy is in California supporting her mom during cancer surgery/treatments); Delores Donn (mother of Londa Mattick).

Tonight at Bethany:Wow—can you believe this is the last night of Confirmation?! Pr. Paul is at a preaching conference this week, so I get to teach this last night of classes. Pr. Paul tells me there is a Confirmation party next Wednesday. Please check with him for details.

Sunday at Bethany:Come, Holy Spirit! Don’t forget to wear red to worship, so we will be awash in a sea of fiery color in honor of the Holy Spirit.

At 9 am and 10:45 am, the Bethany adult choir will sing and the Bethany Vision Dancers will perform. We’ll begin worship with a dramatic reading of the Pentecost story from Acts, and we are so blessed to be celebrating the baptisms of 4 new sisters and brothers in Christ at the 10:45 service! Welcome to the church, Myles, Jimmie, Natalie and James! 

(Note: Myles is the nephew of our office manager, Kelly Efken! Kelly is also the godmother! Congrats!)

We’ll be singing “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”; “God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind”; as well as the rousing fanfare “Hail Thee, Festival Day”. During the prayers, we’ll be singing in Latin (Veni Sancte Spiritus/Holy Spirit, Come to Us) and during the presentation of the offerings we’ll have the chance to try a hymn in Spanish (Toma, oh Dios, mi voluntad/Take My Life That I May Be). Come, Holy Spirit!

Summer Worship Times: Mark your calendar, because next week (May 26) the summer worship schedule begins! Join us this summer at 8:30 am or 10:30 am for worship, with coffee and fellowship between services. Occasional educational opportunities may be offered between services as well.

Grab a sign: You can help us promote the annual Rummage Sale (May 31-June 1) by picking up a sign for your yard. Signs are available to check out in front of the bulletin board.

Military Family Support: You have 2 more weeks to write a thank you note or send a prayer to a military family—check out the booth in Luther Hall between worship services.

Check out Bethany Lutheran online! You can follow us on Facebook (search for Bethany Lutheran Church, ELCA), or refer people to our website: Bethany Website(baptism and weddinghandbooks are there, as well as links to other important information); and you can read sermons online at our sermon blog: Bethany Sermon Blog The full church calendar is always available online without logging in to MemberConnect. Just go to Main Website and click on the Calendar link on the left hand side of the page. Try it today!

***

This Week’s Texts: Day of Pentecost 

Prayer of the Day: 

God our creator, 
the resurrection of your Son offers life to all the peoples of earth. 
By your Holy Spirit, kindle in us the fire of your love, 
empowering our lives for service and our tongues for praise, 
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, 
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. Amen. 

 

FIRST READING

Acts 2:1–21

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. ²And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. ⁴All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
⁵Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. ⁶And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.⁷Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? ⁹Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, ¹¹Cretans and Arabs — in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." ¹²All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" ¹³But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine." 
¹⁴But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. ¹⁵Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. ¹⁶No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
¹⁷'In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
¹⁸Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;and they shall prophesy.
¹⁹And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
²⁰The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day.
²¹Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' 

 

Psalm 104:24-34, 35a (Message Version)

 

^24-30 What a wildly wonderful world, God!
    You made it all, with Wisdom at your side,
    made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.
Oh, look—the deep, wide sea,
    brimming with fish past counting,
    sardines and sharks and salmon.
Ships plow those waters,
    and Leviathan, your pet dragon, romps in them.
All the creatures look expectantly to you
    to give them their meals on time.
You come, and they gather around;
    you open your hand and they eat from it.
If you turned your back,
    they’d die in a minute—
Take back your Spirit and they die,
    revert to original mud;
Send out your Spirit and they spring to life—
    the whole countryside in bloom and blossom.

^31-32 The glory of God—let it last forever!
    Let God enjoy his creation!
He takes one look at earth and triggers an earthquake,
    points a finger at the mountains, and volcanoes erupt.

^33-35 Oh, let me sing to God all my life long,
    sing hymns to my God as long as I live!
Oh, let my song please him;
    I’m so pleased to be singing to God.

 

 

 

SECOND READING

Romans 8:14–17

¹⁴For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. ¹⁵For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" ¹⁶it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ — if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

 

 

 

GOSPEL

John 14:8–17 [25–27]

⁸Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." ⁹Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? ¹⁰Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. ¹¹Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. ¹²Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
¹⁵If you love me, you will keep my commandments. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. ¹⁷This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
²⁵I have said these things to you while I am still with you. ²⁶But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

 

 

Peace,

+ Pastor Carrie B. Smith

carrie.smith@bethanylc.com

This email sent by:

Carrie Smith

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words for May 8, 2013

Wednesday Words for May 8, 2013

from Pastor Carrie Smith

 

Thought for the Day:

“As truly as God is our Father, so truly God is our Mother...The mother can give her child such from her milk, but our precious Mother Jesus can feed us with Himself; and He does it most graciously and most tenderly with the Blessed Sacrament which is the Precious Food of true life. And with all the sweet Sacraments He supports us most mercifully and graciously.”

• Julian of Norwich, 15^th Century

(read more about Julian’s writings on the Motherhood of God here:

Order of Julian)

***

In our prayers: Sharon Saunders, Andrew Fant, Bill Kohl, Marge Hudoba, Bruce Johnson, John Therrien.

Sunday at Bethany: Yes, it’s Mother’s Day—but in the church it is the 7^th Sunday after Easter and the last Sunday before Pentecost! We will continue our celebration of the Easter season (and our long-awaited spring!) by singing “Morning Has Broken” and “Rise, O Sun of Righteousness”. In honor of Mother’s Day, we’ll sing a hymn that is less well-known: “Mothering God, You Gave Us Birth” and we’ll go forth into our week singing “Sent Forth By God’s Blessing”. The Bell Canto choir will be ringing joyfully at 9 am & 10:45 am.

Visit the Baha’i Temple: A group from Bethany is taking a field trip to the Baha’i Temple in Wilmette on Saturday, May 18^th. They will leave at 8 am to arrive in time for the 9:15 am prayer service and a 10 am tour. Lunch afterwards is a possibility. If you would like to attend, please contact Carolyn Wahl at 815-444-8905 as soon as possible.

Sunday School is almost over! Can you believe we’re almost at the end of the school year?! Only 2 Sundays remain of Sunday School. Be sure to come on May 19^th, when all the children will be celebrating the “birthday of the church” with, of course, birthday cake!

The summer worship schedule begins on May 26^th (Memorial Day Weekend): 8:30 am and 10:30 am.

Save the Date for VBS! July 15-19 will be our “Sonrise National Park” from 9 am – noon. Registration is coming soon—check www.bethanylc.com for more information!

Military Family Support: Don’t forget to write a note of thanks or a prayer to send to our active military families. Look for the booth in Luther Hall between services in the month of May.

Seeking artists: Are you an artist, composer, or poet? We need you to help us give glory to God in the month of June! Please contact us right away if you would like to contribute to our Arts Month at Bethany. carrie.smith@bethanylc.com

Ask a Pastor: The Living Lutheran website has a cool feature called “Ask a Pastor” where clergy answer those burning questions you are afraid to ask! Check it out at Ask a Pastor. You can even submit your own question!

This Week’s Texts: Easter 7

FIRST READING

Acts 16:16–34

¹⁶One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. ¹⁷While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, "These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation." ¹⁸She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.
¹⁹But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. ²⁰When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, "These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews ²¹and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe." ²²The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. ²³After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. ²⁴Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
²⁵About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened. ²⁷When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." ²⁹The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰Then he brought them outside and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" ³¹They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." ³²They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. ³³At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. ³⁴He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.

 

NOTE: One of the best songs referencing the story of Paul and Silas is“Eyes on the Prize”sung by the great Mavis Staples: Eyes on the Prize

 

Psalm 97: The Message Version

God rules: there's something to shout over! On the double, mainlands and islands - celebrate!

 

Bright clouds and storm clouds circle 'round him; Right and justice anchor his rule.

 

Fire blazes out before him, Flaming high up the craggy mountains.

 

His lightnings light up the world; Earth, wide-eyed, trembles in fear.

 

The mountains take one look at God And melt, melt like wax before earth's Lord.

 

The heavens announce that he'll set everything right, And everyone will see it happen - glorious!

 

All who serve handcrafted gods will be sorry - And they were so proud of their ragamuffin gods! On your knees, all you gods - worship him!

 

And Zion, you listen and take heart! Daughters of Zion, sing your hearts out: God has done it all, has set everything right.

 

You, God, are High God of the cosmos, Far, far higher than any of the gods.

 

God loves all who hate evil, And those who love him he keeps safe, Snatches them from the grip of the wicked.

 

Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people, Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.

 

So, God's people, shout praise to God, Give thanks to our Holy God!

 

 

SECOND READING

Revelation 22:12–14, 16–17, 20–21

¹²See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone's work. ¹³I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
¹⁴Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. ¹⁶It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."
¹⁷The Spirit and the bride say, "Come."
And let everyone who hears say, "Come."
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift."
²⁰The one who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! ²¹The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

 

 

 

GOSPEL

John 17:20–26

²⁰I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, ²³I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. ²⁴Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
²⁵Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. ²⁶I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

 

 

Peace,

+ Pastor Carrie Smith

carrie.smith@bethanylc.com

This email sent by:

Carrie Smith