[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words and Bethany Weekly for October 30, 2013

Wednesday Words for October 30, 2013

From Pastor Carrie Smith

Scroll down to find your Bethany Weekly Newsletter link! Please open and read it—don’t miss out on important happenings at your church!
(You can also print it or pick up a printed copy at church this Sunday)

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Thought for the Day: 2 Prayers for Halloween!

Traditional Scottish Prayer

From ghoulies and ghosties

And long-leggedy beasties

And things that go bump in the night,

Good Lord, deliver us!

 

Prayer Against Evil

Christ Our Lord

You suffered and were tempted.

You are powerful to come to the aid

of those who are assailed by the devil,

For you are the support of Christian people.

O Lord, protect with Your Right Hand

those who trust in Your Name.

Deliver them from the Evil One,

and grant them everlasting joy. Amen

St. Gregory of Khandzta (759-861)

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All Saints Day is this Sunday: This is the day we remember with love the saints who have gone before us. At Bethany, we do this with a beautiful day of music, prayer, and even dancing! We’ll be joined by the Bethany Vision Dancers, the Bell Canto Bell Choir, Bethany adult choir, and brass musicians for both the 8:30 and 10:30 am services. Plan to come early so you can light a candle in memory of a loved one during the prelude. The service begins with an ancient chanted hymn (The Litany of the Saints) and then we’ll remember aloud the Bethany members who have died in the past year. Everyone will also have the opportunity to speak aloud names of any saints who have died—this year or many years ago, Bethany member or not!

I hope to see you this week at this very meaningful worship service.

It’s Stewardship Time! Below is a letter from church member Susan Gavle, inviting you to join her in supporting our 2014 Stewardship campaign. Please watch your mailbox for a packet which includes pledge cards and a survey. Your pledges are vital for our ministry planning for 2014! Financial and Time and Talent pledges will be turned in and blessed on Sunday, November 17^th during worship.

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Well, it is almost November and that time of year again. What?  Stewardship appeal?  No, my Christmas shopping!  Believe it or not I was online this week buying items from American Girl for my granddaughters.  I needed to get it done since I worried about items not being available later.  It was so easy to open my wallet and pull out the plastic to satisfy the wants of my loved ones.

Okay, you are right, this is about Stewardship.  Why is it so hard for us to open our wallets for our church family?  Do we love Christ less than our granddaughters?  Do we really believe that our church family has just “wants” instead of needs?  Would it be easier to give to our church if we actually had a list of items with actual order numbers?  Hmmmmm, let me pick #2556, February’s electric bill, just put it on my VISA.  At this time of year we reach out to all members about the giving of not just our treasures but also our time and our talents.

Why?  When we pledge, the Finance Team can get a foundation for the annual budget and from that foundation we plan our ministries.  The more pledges the firmer the foundation and the more ministries we fund.  Imagine the possibilities if we had unlimited funds! Personally, I would be happy to see 50% of my fellow members pledge.  Just like I set my annual budget and also set a Christmas budget for each loved one, the church sets a budget to provide ministries for each loved one and that includes everyone from the newly baptized to the homebound senior who is still part of our family.

Darrel and I are firm believers in budgets and in pledging.  I invite you to join us today and open your hearts, not just your wallets, and support the ministries of your church family.  The enclosed form can be returned on Commitment Sunday, November 17, by mail, or by simply visiting the office.  Now I have to get back to my planning, shopping, giving, and pledging.  Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and a Happy Stewardship to you all!

God Bless us Everyone,

Susan Gavle

*** 

 

This Week’s Texts: All Saints Sunday

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, whose people are knit together in one holy Church, the body of Christ our Lord: Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

FIRST READING           Daniel 7:1–3, 15–18

The book of Daniel was written in the second century B.C.E., when the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes was severely persecuting the Jews. Daniel's vision of the four beasts serves to proclaim the message that human kings will come and go, but the kingdom will ultimately belong to God and to God's people.

 

In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream: 2I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, 3and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 15As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. 16I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: 17As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. 18But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever — forever and ever."

 

 

PSALM (ELW) Psalm 149

 

1Hallelujah! Sing to the LORD | a new song,

     God's praise in the assembly | of the faithful.

2Let Israel rejoice | in their maker;

     let the children of Zion be joyful | in their ruler.

3Let them praise their maker's | name with dancing;

     let them sing praise with tambou- | rine and harp.

4For the LORD takes pleasure | in the people

     and adorns the | poor with victory.   R

5Let the faithful re- | joice in triumph;

     let them sing for joy | on their beds.

6Let the praises of God be | in their throat

     and a two-edged sword | in their hand,

7to wreak vengeance | on the nations

     and punishment | on the peoples,

8to bind their | kings in chains

     and their nobles with | links of iron,

9to inflict on them the judg- | ment decreed;

     this is glory for all God's faithful ones. | Hallelujah!   R

 

 

SECOND READING     Ephesians 1:11–23

After giving thanks for the faith of the Ephesians, Paul prays that they might understand the wisdom, hope, and power of God that is embodied in Jesus Christ.

 

11In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.

15I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

 

 

GOSPEL           Luke 6:20–31

In echoes of the prophet Isaiah and Mary's song of praise, Jesus reveals surprising things about who enjoys blessing and who endures woe. He invites his disciples to shower radical love, blessing, forgiveness, generosity, and trust, even to enemies and outsiders.

 

20Then he looked up at his disciples and said:

"Blessed are you who are poor,

for yours is the kingdom of God.

21"Blessed are you who are hungry now,

for you will be filled.

"Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh.

22Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

24"But woe to you who are rich,

for you have received your consolation.

25"Woe to you who are full now,

for you will be hungry.

"Woe to you who are laughing now,

for you will mourn and weep.

26Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

27But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

 

Peace,

+ Pastor Carrie Smith

Carrie.smith@bethanylc.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 10-30-13.pdf

This email sent by:

Carrie Smith

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Thursday Thoughts! and your Bethany Newsletter

Thursday Thoughts for October 24, 2013

From Pastor Carrie Smith

Scroll down to find the Bethany Weekly newsletter!

You can print it, forward it to friends, and read it on your phone, tablet, or computer.

You can also find the weekly newsletter on the main page of the Bethany website each week:

www.bethanylc.com

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Thought for the Day:

“A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. 

A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all.”

― Martin Luther, “The Freedom of a Christian”

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We hold in prayer the family of Bruce Johnson, who died on Monday after a long struggle with a brain tumor. There will be a visitation at the church tonight at 6 pm, and the funeral service is at 7 pm. Please remember Diane, Tessa, Adam and Drew in your prayers.

Sunday at Bethany: This is Reformation Sunday, the day when we remember Martin Luther and the other reformers who sought to move the church away from certain excesses and back to a focus on grace, faith, and the Word of God. The reformers of the church wrote, in various places, of the Five Solas that define Protestant theology:

• Sola Fide, by faith alone.
• Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone.
• Solus Christus, through Christ alone.
• Sola Gratia, by grace alone.
• Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone.

 

Today, we don’t celebrate Reformation Sunday to separate ourselves from our brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church, but to honor our history of looking to Scripture to guide our lives; to encourage the church of today that “ecclesia semper reformanda est” (“the church is always to be reforming”); and, of course, to sing “A Mighty Fortress is Our God!” 

Wear red this Sunday and come ready to hear wonderful music at both 8:30 am and 10:30 am. See you then!

Sunday is also Confirmation Day for 15 of our young people. The Affirmation of Baptism service will be at 4 pm, and all are invited. Congratulations to each of you! You are not the future of the church: you ARE the church! Our 2013 confirmands are:

Chase Barneveld, Meghan Coates, Morgan Dahlke, William Effinger, Ryan Elliot, Kendall Johnson, Luke Klinefelter, Tyler Lentz, Robert Masini, Nathaniel Meador, Jarrett Natrop, Sarah Sirotzki, Caleb Smith, Logan Sorenson, and Ethan Ticknor.  

 

One week left: There is one week left to give a gift to the ELCA’s 25^th Anniversary campaign for mission! For a gift of $25, you will receive an ELCA logo window cling. Click here to give now! https://community.elca.org/page.aspx?pid=574&srctid=1&erid=6070905&trid=59beb2ed-a1ff-4f31-847d-f7b5f651220d

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This Week’s Texts: Reformation

Prayer of the Day:

Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, 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

Jeremiah 31:31–34

The renewed covenant will not be breakable, but like the old covenant it will expect the people to live upright lives. To know the Lord means that one will defend the cause of the poor and needy (Jer. 22:16). The renewed covenant is possible only because the Lord will forgive iniquity and not remember sin. Our hope lies in a God who forgets

³¹The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. ³²It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt — a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. ³³But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ³⁴No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the LORD," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

 

PSALM (ELW)

Psalm 46

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Ps. 46:7)

¹God is our ref- ^| uge and strength,

     a very present ^| help in trouble.

²Therefore we will not fear, though the ^| earth be moved,

     and though the mountains shake in the depths ^| of the sea;

³though its waters ^| rage and foam,

     and though the mountains tremble ^| with its tumult.

⁴There is a river whose streams make glad the cit- ^| y of God,

     the holy habitation of ^| the Most High.

⁵God is in the midst of the city; it shall ^| not be shaken;

     God shall help it at the ^| break of day.

⁶The nations rage, and the ^| kingdoms shake;

     God speaks, and the earth ^| melts away.   R

⁷The LORD of ^| hosts is with us;

     the God of Jacob ^| is our stronghold.

⁸Come now, regard the works ^| of the LORD,

     what desolations God has brought up- ^| on the earth;

⁹behold the one who makes war to cease in ^| all the world;

     who breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,

     and burns the ^| shields with fire.

¹⁰"Be still, then, and know that ^| I am God;

     I will be exalted among the nations;

     I will be exalted ^| in the earth."

¹¹The LORD of ^| hosts is with us;

     the God of Jacob ^| is our stronghold.   R

 

SECOND READING

Romans 3:19–28

Paul's words stand at the heart of the preaching of Martin Luther and the other Reformation leaders. No human beings make themselves right with God through works of the law. We are brought into a right relationship with God through the divine activity centered in Christ's death. This act is a gift of grace that liberates us from sin and empowers our faith in Jesus Christ.

¹⁹Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. ²⁰For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
²¹But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, ²²the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction,²³since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; ²⁴they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; ²⁶it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.
²⁷Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.

 

 

GOSPEL

John 8:31–36

Jesus speaks of truth and freedom as spiritual realities known through his word. He reveals the truth that sets people free from sin.

³¹Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; ³²and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." ³³They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?"
³⁴Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. ³⁵The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. ³⁶So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

 

Peace,

Pr. Carrie Smith

Carrie.smith@Bethanylc.com

 

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 10-23-13.pdf

This email sent by:

Carrie Smith

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Funeral Arrangements for Bruce Johnson

Bethany member Bruce Johnson died on Monday, October 21, 2013. 

Visitation will be at Davenport Funeral Home in Crystal Lake on Wednesday, October 23, from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Funeral Service will be at Bethany Lutheran Church on Thursday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m.

Visitation at the church will begin at 6:00 p.m. on October 24.

Please keep the Johnson family in your prayers.

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words and Bethany Newsletter for October 16, 2013

Wednesday Words for October 16, 2013

From Pastor Carrie Smith

 

**Please scroll down to find the link for your Bethany Weekly Newsletter. Enjoy!**

 

Thought for the Day: 

“Remember that you have only one soul; that you have only one death to die; that you have only one life, which is short and has to be lived by you alone; and that there is only one glory, which is eternal. If you do this, there will be many things about which you care nothing.”

St. Teresa of Avila

***

 

Sunday at Bethany: Pastor Paul will be preaching and Pastor Carrie will be presiding at communion. The Bethany choir will be singing at 8:30 am, and we will have special music at 10:30 am!

 

The Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Worship will be held on Sunday, November 24, at 7:00 pm at the synagogue of the McHenry County Jewish Congregation, 8617 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake. The theme, "Coming Together in Gratitude", will shape an evening of sharing various traditions of word and music, including food and fellowship following the service. A free will offering for local food shelves will be collected. This community tradition is sponsored by FaithBridge, an interfaith consortium of local faith communities.

 

Movie Night at Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church - Friday, October 18, 7:00pm,  Fellowship Hall: “Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence”

“Trigger” is a documentary produced by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. The film looks at how shootings impact individuals, families and communities.  Trigger moves from - "Why did this happen to us?"  to - "What can we do to prevent it from happening to others?"  All are welcome. Sponsored by the RCLPC Compassion, Peace and Justice Team. Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church is located at 8505 Church Street (in Ridgefield), near Crystal Lake.

 

Ask a Pastoris an interesting page where you can find out answers to things like: “Why do we have bishops in the ELCA?” , “Once saved, am I always saved?” and others. Check it out! http://www.livinglutheran.com/ask/

 

Confirmation is coming up! Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 27 at 4 pm. Please come to show your support for our newly confirmed young people.

 

Mainline Protestants: Vintage or Vibrant? An interesting article from The Christian Century. http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2013-10/mainline-protestants-vintage-or-vibrant

 

This Week’s Texts: 22^nd Sunday after Pentecost

Prayer of the Day

O Lord God, tireless guardian of your people,
you are always ready to hear our cries.
Teach us to rely day and night on your care.
Inspire us to seek your enduring justice
for all this suffering world,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

First Reading

Genesis 32:22–31

Returning to the home he had fled many years before after stealing his brother's birthright and his father's blessing, Jacob wrestles all night long with a divine adversary who ultimately blesses him and changes his name to "Israel," a name that means "he wrestles with God."

²²The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. ²³He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. ²⁴Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. ²⁵When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. ²⁶Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." ²⁷So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." ²⁸Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed." ²⁹Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. ³⁰So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved." ³¹The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

 

Psalm (ELW)

Psalm 121

My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. (Ps. 121:2)

¹I lift up my eyes ^| to the hills;

     from where is my ^| help to come?

²My help comes ^| from the LORD,

     the maker of heav- ^| en and earth.

³The LORD will not let your ^| foot be moved

     nor will the one who watches over you ^| fall asleep.

⁴Behold, the keep- ^| er of Israel

     will neither slum- ^| ber nor sleep;   R

⁵the LORD watches ^| over you;

     the LORD is your shade at ^| your right hand;

⁶the sun will not strike ^| you by day,

     nor the ^| moon by night.

⁷The LORD will preserve you ^| from all evil

     and will ^| keep your life.

⁸The LORD will watch over your going out and your ^| coming in,

     from this time forth for- ^| evermore.   R

 

Second Reading

2 Timothy 3:14—4:5

Paul continues his instruction of Timothy, his younger colleague in ministry, by emphasizing the importance of faithful teaching despite opposition.

Chapter 3

¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

 

Chapter 4

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: ²proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. ³For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, ⁴and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. ⁵As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

 

Gospel

Luke 18:1–8

Jesus tells a parable of a hateful judge who is worn down by a widow's pleas. Jesus is calling God's people to cry out for justice and deliverance. For if an unethical judge will ultimately grant the plea of a persistent widow, how much more will God respond to those who call.

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. ²He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. ³In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' ⁴For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, ⁵yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" ⁶And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? ⁸I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

 

 

Peace,

+ Pastor Carrie Smith

Carrie.smith@bethanylc.com

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 10-16-13.pdf

This email sent by:

Carrie Smith