New Bethany Website and Technology Changes

Bethany Lutheran Church 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave Crystal Lake, IL  60014 815-459-2690 View this email in your browser New Website And Other Technology Changes Behind the scenes, Bethany Lutheran Staff and volunteers have been working hard these last few months creating a new website as we transition away from Member Connect (our old email system, which is going away as of Dec. 31).   Below is a preview of our new website. There will likely be some technology hiccups as we transfer old data to new systems, so please be patient with us if things aren't quite like you are used to when the new year begins! Let us know if (a) you stop receiving emails after the new year or if (b) you are receiving unwanted emails.   Blessings, Bethany Staff Same Address, New Look This is the home page for our new website.  You'll notice right away that we tried to make the site friendly to first time visitors.  Hopefully folks looking for a new church home will be able to get a good feel for Bethany Lutheran Church.   Further down on the main page, you'll notice  we've also included important information like our worship times, ways to get involved and calendar items from the Bethany Weekly.  By scrolling down the page, you'll also find a map so visitors can find our church and some other links and information. Don't worry about having to find our new website.  We will be keeping the same web address that we've always used (www.bethanylc.com). Until the new site goes up (on or before Jan. 1), www.bethanylc.com will continue to take you to the old page, but after it goes up, you will automatically be directed to the new webpage.  You won't need to change anything! The same bookmarks you've always used will take you to the new webpage.  Calendar You'll be able to find a lot of fun new features on the website, including a "Virtual Tour" of our building, a short history of our church, and many other things. When the site goes up (don't worry, we'll let you before it happens), please take some time to browse around and familiarize yourself with all the new additions. Perhaps one of the most critical features is the new calendar. To find the calendar, simply scroll your mouse over the the "Connect" tab near the top of the screen, and click "Calendar" from the drop down menu.  Here you'll be able to find everything that is happening at Bethany in the near and distant future. Member Invitation The new website has some members-only features that will allow you to access information that non-members can't, but in order to do so you will need to "Sign In."  Sometime in the next few weeks, you will receive an email that will look something like the photo you see above.  In order to set up an account, you will need to click the "Accept Invitation" link and then follow the online instructions to create a profile for the site.  If you don't receive an email like this by January 1, let us know. Once your account is set up, you'll be able to log in directly from the homepage by clicking "Sign In" at the top right corner of the new website. Once signed up, you will be able to access information such as phone numbers and addresses of other Bethany Members by scrolling over to the "Connect" tab at the top of the new web page, and then clicking "Members" from the drop down menu.   If you don't create an account, you will still be able to visit most pages on the new website. However, you won't be able to access the "Members Only" features. As with any technology changes, we expect there to be some bumps in the road.  Please let us know if you stop receiving emails, if emails are sent to the wrong address, or if you are receiving unwanted emails after the new year.   Copyright © 2014 Bethany Lutheran Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are a member or friend of Bethany Lutheran Church. Our mailing address is: Bethany Lutheran Church 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Call Committee Elected

Call Committee Elected

At the December 16 Congregation Council Meeting the Council elected and the following persons accepted as members of the Call Committee for the next pastoral leader of Bethany Lutheran Church:

Joel Thoreson

Steve Young

Tammy Nobbe

Jerry Shaffer

Susan Gavle

Susan Thome

Andrew Bradshaw

 

Please keep these persons in your thoughts and prayers as they discern with the help of the Holy Spirit who will be the next pastoral leader for Bethany Lutheran Church that they will nominate to the Council and the Council will then forward toi the congregation for call.

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Leonard Hoffmann

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Proposed By-Law Ammendment

Special Notice to the Congregation

Proposed By-Law Change

Recommended by the Congregation Council

Resolved to change by-law C4.05.01

from

Bethany Lutheran Church mission statement: "Gatherinng people together for renewal and service." 

to

Bethany Lutheran Church mission statement: "We reflect Christ in message and actions."

 

For consideration at the annual meeting of the congregation January 25, 2015.       

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Leonard Hoffmann

2015 Adult Education

Bethany Lutheran Church 76 W. Crystal Lake St. Crystal Lake, IL 60014 815-459-2690 2015 Adult Ed Opportunities Grow in faith. Expand your mind. Explore God's world. Hi Bethany Lutheran!  Many of you have been asking about the Adult Education opportunities for 2015 and here they are!  This is what we will be offering up to (and in some cases through) Lent. As always, please email Pr. Paul to sign up. Blessings! Animate Faith Sundays, 9am, Jan 11th - Feb 22nd The Animate Faith Bible Study is a DVD based curriculum featuring some of the most popular contemporary Christian thinkers of our Day, including Nadia Boltz-Weber and Brian McLaren. Parenting Teens Wednesdays, 8-9pm Jan 14th, 21st & 28th   Struggling to get along with those moody teenagers at home?  You're not alone! A Masters Level Social Worker who works with at risk teens, Megan Paul, will lead this class on how to parent your teens in peace. Theology on Tap 1st Thursdays (typically), 7:30-9pm @ Duke's Alehouse   Join us for a beverage of choice and some conversation about God, life and whatever else comes up! Financial Peace University Tuesdays January and February Time TBD.   Financial Peace is a nationally recognized Christian based financial planning program, which has helped thousands of people take charge of their home finances.     Marriage Workshop Friday, Feb 20th 6-9pm (Dinner Provided) AND Saturday, February 21st 9am-12pm (Snacks Provided) Learn the 7 Principals for Making Marriage Work in this two day workshop, taught by Paula Briedis, a licensed clinical professional counselor. Cost: $TBD   Lutheranism 101 Wednesdays, 7-8pm Jan 14th – Feb 11th   What the heck is a Lutheran anyway?  What do we believe?  Why do we believe it?  Come and find out! Taught by the Rev. Len Hoffmann.   Living the Questions Mondays (ongoing) 7-8:30 pm starting in January If you're looking to delve into questions of faith, this video Bible Study series, featuring world renowned theologians, is for you.  Men's Group 1st Saturdays, 7:30-9am @ Bethany Check out the Men's Group for fellowship and Bible study over a cup of coffee.   News and Faith Sundays, 9am, Jan. 11th-Feb. 22nd   Interested in what's going on in the world today?  Come talk about it with a group of peers in Luther Hall. Sips 'n Scriptures 1st and 3rd Saturdays, 9am.  Locations vary.   Get your day started right with some coffee/tea and a Bible Study.   To sign up for any of these classes, please email Pr. Paul Cannon (paul.cannon@bethanylc.com)

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Fiancial Stewardship Update Errata

It is not too late to add your Estimates to this great response of gratitude from God's People. In 2015 we had 164 commitments for Annual Support and 88 commitments for Mortgage Retirement.

 

2015 should have read 2014 164 and 88 commitments respectively.

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Leonard Hoffmann

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Financial Stewardship Campaign Update

Financial Stewardship Update

As of 12-16-14

Total Estimate of Giving for 2015 from 112 Households $322,386 Annual Support

                                             2014 Estimates $282,731 or 14% increase      

Total Estimate of Giving for 2015  from 64 Households $75,899 for Mortgage

                                            2014 Estimates $69,609  or 9% increase

Total Estimate of Giving from 27 Household $12,462 Property Reserve                 

It is not too late to add your Estimates to this great response of gratitude from God's People. In 2015 we had 164 commitments for Annual Support and 88 commitments for Mortgage Retirement.

Your response is important to your planning and ours as together we seek to Reflect Christ in Messge and Actions. 

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Leonard Hoffmann

Bethany Weekly Correction

Bethany Lutheran Church View this email in your browser Whoops!   We sent you the wrong link to the Bethany Weekly. For the correct copy, click here. Copyright © 2014 Bethany Lutheran Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are a member or friend of Bethany Lutheran Church. Our mailing address is: Bethany Lutheran Church 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences