Wednesday Words for June 5, 2013
From Pastor Carrie Smith
Thought for the Day:
“Following Jesus will mean surrendering the power that masquerades as security in order to love the neighbor and welcome the stranger. It will mean avoiding the safe path in order to pursue the good. But in a culture of fear, we find such risks all the more difficult since our national inclinations lead us to close in on ourselves when we face danger. How can we maintain the posture of the open hand toward a world that scares us?”
Scott Bader-Saye, contemporary theologian
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Bethany Weekly Newsletter: Attached is your weekly newsletter! Please note that it may display at the bottom of this e-mail, rather than at the usual spot for attachments.
This Sunday at Bethany: Worship with us at 8:30 am and 10:30 am!
This week we will celebrate the gift of the arts with the semi-annual Bethany Art Show! The art will be displayed in Luther Hall for the entire month of June. Soli Deo Gloria—to the glory of God alone!
On Sunday we will be singing Dick Schwebke’s favorite hymn: “Just as I Am.” Dick says, “It reinforces my feelings and peace at communion.” So this week, we will be singing it during communion!
We will also sing “On Our Way Rejoicing”, which is a favorite of Mary Ellen Thorson. She says:
“I played the piano for Sunday School when we lived in Lincoln. Our song leader loved this song—so we paraded around the church with tambourines and other noisemakers. It was truly a joyful noise!”
This week we will be blessed through the musical talents of Kristin Lundine, our bell choir director, who will be playing the piano for us. We are also blessed with special music by member Jeanna Hoekstra, who will be playing saxophone at the 10:30 am service. We give thanks to God for your musical gifts! Again…Soli Deo Gloria! J
Bowling for Bethany: Thrivent is sponsoring a family fun night, complete with food and bowling, on Wednesday, June 19th! The cost is $25 per family, and because Thrivent is underwriting the event, the entire amount will go to Bethany! We are so thankful to Thrivent for arranging this. These funds have been earmarked for renovation of the Sunday School/Preschool spaces. Please make checks payable to “Bethany Lutheran Church.” & send to church.
When: Wednesday, June 19th: 6pm Dinner; 6:45 Bowling
Where: Brunswick Zone XL; 1611 S. Randall Rd, Algonquin
Register: To register, contact Pastor Paul at (815) 459-2690 or e-mail paul.cannon@bethanylc.com by Friday, June 14th or until space is full. Limited space available so register TODAY!
Bethany salutes the Boy Scouts: Earlier in the week, I received in the mail the new charter for our Boy Scout Troop, Pack 347. Bethany has a long relationship with the Scouts, and I must say I was extremely happy to hear of the BSA’s decision to open its ranks to boys who identify as gay. This definitely corresponds with our church’s mission, of gathering all people together for renewal and service. Thank you, Scouts, for making this change! I am proud and pleased!
Bethany Preschool changes: The Preschool Board has been working very hard at renewal of the preschool space, curriculum, and staff structure. As part of this restructuring and renewal, they have created a new job description for Preschool Director, and a search for a new director is underway. Applications are being received right now for this position!
Bethany Lutheran Preschool Director
We are seeking a dynamic director with excellent communication skills to lead and inspire our faith-based preschool. The preschool director will maintain a program that develops the whole child, sparks imagination, builds self-esteem, fosters learning through play, develops an attitude of service, and helps children discover new things each day.
The director will be responsible for the daily operation of the preschool and maintaining the State Licensing requirements of DCFS for the State of Illinois. A Bachelor’s Degree in early Childhood Education or a Bachelor’s Degree with DCFS approved Early Childhood coursework and previous work experience as a director or assistant director in a licensed preschool program is preferred. The position is part time from 8am - 1pm, Monday through Friday. Interested parties should submit a cover letter and resume with references to: bethany.frog@cai-chicago.com
Successful Rummage Sale nets $2927! Thanks to everyone who donated, sorted, marked, sold, and cleaned up after the sale. God's Work, Our Hands! The proceeds will go to further the ministries of Bethany.
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This Week’s Texts: 3rd Sunday after Pentecost
| Prayer of the Day: |
Compassionate God,
you have assured the human family of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Deliver us from the death of sin,
and raise us to new life in your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
| First Reading | 1 Kings 17:17–24 |
17After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill; his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. 18She then said to Elijah, "What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to cause the death of my son!" 19But he said to her, "Give me your son." He took him from her bosom, carried him up into the upper chamber where he was lodging, and laid him on his own bed. 20He cried out to the LORD, "O LORD my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I am staying, by killing her son?" 21Then he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried out to the LORD, "O LORD my God, let this child's life come into him again." 22The LORD listened to the voice of Elijah; the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23Elijah took the child, brought him down from the upper chamber into the house, and gave him to his mother; then Elijah said, "See, your son is alive." 24So the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth."
| Psalm (ELW) | Psalm 30 |
1I will exalt you, O LORD, because you have lift- | ed me up
and have not let my enemies triumph | over me.
2O LORD my God, I cried | out to you,
and you restored | me to health.
3You brought me up, O LORD, | from the dead;
you restored my life as I was going down | to the grave.
4Sing praise to the LORD, | all you faithful;
give thanks in ho- | ly remembrance. R
5God's wrath is short; God's favor | lasts a lifetime.
Weeping spends the night, but joy comes | in the morning.
6While I felt se- | cure, I said,
"I shall never | be disturbed.
7You, LORD, with your favor, made me as strong | as the mountains."
Then you hid your face, and I was | filled with fear.
8I cried to | you, O LORD;
I pleaded with | my Lord, saying,
9"What profit is there in my blood, if I go down | to the pit?
Will the dust praise you or de- | clare your faithfulness?
10Hear, O LORD, and have mer- | cy upon me;
O LORD, | be my helper." R
11You have turned my wailing | into dancing;
you have put off my sackcloth and clothed | me with joy.
12Therefore my heart sings to you | without ceasing;
O LORD my God, I will give you | thanks forever. R
| Second Reading | Galatians 1:11–24 |
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.
13You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. 14I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. 15But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased 16to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.
18Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; 19but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother. 20In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! 21Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, 22and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; 23they only heard it said, "The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." 24And they glorified God because of me.
| Gospel | Luke 7:11–17 |
11Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, rise!" 15The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has looked favorably on his people!" 17This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.
Peace,
+ Pastor Carrie Smith
