[Bethany Lutheran Church] Funeral Arrangements for Kathy Williams

Bethany member, Kathryn Joan (Kathy) Williams, age 49, died today, January 30, 2014. 

A funeral service will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church on Monday, February 3, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.

There will be no visitation hours before the service. However, all are invited to a luncheon at the church following the funeral and the cemetery committal. 

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that a donation be made to Bethany Lutheran Church.

As Kathy said to Pr. Carrie on Friday:

"Please tell everyone that they are invited to my funeral and luncheon afterwards!" 

Please keep Kathy's husband, Brian and son, John, in your prayers.

Peace,

Pr. Carrie Smith 

This email sent by:

Carrie Smith

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words & Bethany Newsletter for January 29

Wednesday Words for January 29, 2014

From Pastor Carrie Smith

Scroll down to find the link to your weekly newsletter!

Thought for the Day:

"I think there is no suffering greater than what is caused by the doubts of those who want to believe. I know what torment this is, but I can only see it, in myself anyway, as the process by which faith is deepened. What people don't realize is how much religion costs. They think faith is a big electric blanket, when of course it is the cross."

-          20th Century Catholic writer Flannery O'Connor

***

Sunday at Bethany: It’s Global Mission Sunday! Members of your Global Mission Team will be participating in worship as readers and offering a special prayer. The “guest” preacher will be Pr. Robert Smith from the ELCA Global Mission Unit. Instead of global music this year, we’ll be singing hymns which focus on our mission to the world: “In Christ There is No East or West”, “We All Are One in Mission”, and “The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve”. The Gospel text for the day is from Matthew 5, including the Beatitudes, so we’ll be singing “Blest Are They” as our Hymn of the Day. Sonshine Singers will share their talents at 8:30 am, and the Bethany Adult Choir will sing at 10:30.

 

Adult Forums starting this Sunday! Starting this week, grab a cup of coffee after the first service and then come back into the sanctuary for a short presentation and discussion. (YES, you can bring your coffee with you!) Sponsored by the Global Mission Team, these talks will focus on Israel and Palestine for the next 4 weeks. All are welcome!

            Feb. 2: Robert Smith presents an overview of the issues  for Christians in Israel/Palestine

            Feb. 9: Robert Smith presents on Christian Zionism

            Feb. 16: Beth Chase, from Bright Stars of Bethlehem, presents on the work of Pr. Mitri Raheb in Bethlehem

            Feb. 23: Rafael Malpica, Executive Director of ELCA Global Mission (and a Bethany member!) will present on the Accompaniment Model of Mission.

 

Blood Drive: Have you signed up for the Blood Drive yet? You can donate blood right here at Bethany on Sunday, February 9^th! Walk-ins are welcome, but registering helps the crew to plan. Give blood, give life!

 

New Member Class: Are you considering membership? A new member luncheon/class will be held on Sunday, February 23 from noon to 3 pm. Please contact Pr. Carrie at carrie.smith@Bethanylc.com or 815-459-2690 to register for this class. New members will be received on Sunday, March 2 (or at a later date, if you cannot attend that Sunday!)

 

Centering Prayer Workshop: St. Mary Episcopal Church (right down the street) is offering a workshop and ongoing classes on centering prayer during the Lenten season. The initial workshop is Saturday, Feb. 22 from 9:30-3, and the ongoing sessions are Thursdays during Lent at 7 pm. The cost is just $25 for all 7 sessions, and there are scholarships available. You can email Robert Bishop (rbishop@joltmail.net) or Chris Moore (chrism050505@msn.com) for more information, or check out the website at: www.centeringprayerchicago.org

 

***

This Week’s Texts: 4^th Sunday after Epiphany

Prayer of the Day

Holy God, you confound the world's wisdom

in giving your kingdom to the lowly and the pure in heart.

Give us such a hunger and thirst for justice,

and perseverance in striving for peace,

that in our words and deeds the world may see the life of your Son,

Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

FIRST READING           Micah 6:1–8

With the mountains and the foundations of the earth as the jury, God brings a lawsuit against Israel. God has "wearied" Israel with a long history of saving acts. God does not want or expect lavish sacrifices to attempt to earn divine favor. Rather God empowers the people to do justice, to love loyalty to God, and to walk shrewdly in God's service.

 

Hear what the LORD says:

Rise, plead your case before the mountains,

and let the hills hear your voice.

2Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD,

and you enduring foundations of the earth;

for the LORD has a controversy with his people,

and he will contend with Israel.

3"O my people, what have I done to you?

In what have I wearied you? Answer me!

4For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,

and redeemed you from the house of slavery;

and I sent before you Moses,

Aaron, and Miriam.

5O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised,

what Balaam son of Beor answered him,

and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,

that you may know the saving acts of the LORD."

6"With what shall I come before the LORD,

and bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

with calves a year old?

7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,

with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"

8He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

and what does the LORD require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

 

 

PSALM (ELW) Psalm 15

1LORD, who may dwell in your | tabernacle?

     Who may abide upon your | holy hill?

2Those who lead a blameless life and do | what is right,

     who speak the truth | from their heart;   R

3they do not slander with the tongue, they do no evil | to their friends;

     they do not cast discredit up- | on a neighbor.

4In their sight the wicked are rejected,

but they honor those who | fear the LORD.

     They have sworn upon their health

     and do not take | back their word.

5They do not give their money in hope of gain,

nor do they take bribes a- | gainst the innocent.

     Those who do these things shall never be | overthrown.   R

 

SECOND READING     1 Corinthians 1:18–31

According to the world?s standards of power and might, the message of the cross seems stupid and offensive. Yet this word reveals the paradoxical way God has chosen to work power and salvation through weakness, rejection, and suffering. Hence the message of the cross becomes true wisdom and power for believers.

 

18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written,

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."

20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.

26Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

 

GOSPEL           Matthew 5:1–12

Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount by naming those who are blessed in the reign of God.

 

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

Peace,

+ Pr. Carrie Smith

Carrie.smith@bethanylc.com

 

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 1-29-14.pdf

This email sent by:

Carrie Smith

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Church office closed Mon & Tues because of cold

Dear Bethany family,

The church policy is to close the office if the district 47 schools are closed. This afternoon, we learned that the schools will be closed both Monday and Tuesday due to the extreme cold. Therefore, the Bethany church office will also be closed on Monday and Tuesday. This also applies to church activities or meetings. (Outside activities which happen to take place at Bethany will make their own determinations)

You can reach me for questions by email at carrie,smith@bethanylc.com, and I am available for pastoral emergencies at any time. Please call 815-347-3423 to reach me.

Please, stay safe and warm over the next 48 hours! 

Peace,

Pr. Carrie 

This email sent by:

Carrie Smith

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Annual Meeting Reminder (and cold weather plan)

Dear Bethany Lutheran sisters and brothers,

Tomorrow is the Annual Congregational Meeting, which will take place after the 10:30 am service (approximately 11:45 am,)

Please come if you can --we need 50 members present to have a quorum!

Note:

Monday is forecasted to be a bitterly cold day again. If District 47 schools are closed, our policy is to close the church office (and cancel church events for the day). Please, stay safe and warm!

Peace,

Pr. Carrie Smith

This email sent by:

Carrie Smith

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words & Bethany Weekly for January 22, 2014

Wednesday Words for January 22, 2014

From Pastor Carrie Smith

Your Bethany Weekly Newsletter is attached!

Scroll down for the link—then read it, share it, print it, or hang it on your fridge!

 

Thought for the Day:

“We cannot love God unless we love each other, and to love we must know each other. We know Him in the breaking of bread, and we know each other in the breaking of bread, and we are not alone anymore. Heaven is a banquet and life is a banquet, too, even with a crust, where there is companionship.”

Dorothy Day, The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist

***

Sunday at Bethany: This Sunday, we continue on in the season after Epiphany. We’ll be singing “Here I Am, Lord”; “I Love to Tell the Story”, and “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, among others! The Bell Canto bell choir will grace us with their music at both services.

Then, after the second service, stick around (or come back!) for the Annual Congregational Meeting. If you haven’t yet read the Annual Report, copies will be available on the Information Desk at church, and it is also attached again to this email. We need at least 50 to have a quorum—but would truly like to see many more of you attend this meeting!

 

Preschool registration is on NOW! Please pass the word about our wonderful Bethany Preschool, including the news that we have a Terrific Twos program starting in the fall! For more information, call 815-477-7463 or email Pam at Pam.mcallister@bethanylc.com

 

Home Communion: Are you interested in being a Home Communion Minister? Please come to a meeting on Monday, January 27 at 1 pm in Pastor Carrie’s office for more information. If you know someone who could use a home communion visit, please contact Pr. Carrie at carrie.smith@Bethanylc.com or 815-459-2690

 

ELCA Malaria Campaign hits a milestone: The ELCA Malaria Campaign has reached the $10 million mark in its campaign to raise $15 million to end Malaria! Here at Bethany, we are $3500 away from our $15,000 goal. Read more here.

 

Mark your calendars! We have some exciting things happening on Sundays in the coming weeks!

Feb. 2: Global Mission Sunday, with Pr. Robert Smith preaching

Feb. 9: Boy Scouts will be serving as greeters, ushers, and readers

Feb. 16: 4 pm Molasses Creek Benefit Concert for PADS

Feb. 23: 4 pm Bethany Arts Series Organ Recital featuring Anthony Williams

 

2014 pledges: Did you forget to submit your 2014 financial pledge? It’s not too late! You can turn in your pledge by simply emailing the financial secretary at financial.secretary@bethanylc.com  

***

This Week’s Readings: 3^rd Sunday after Epiphany

Prayer of the Day:

Lord God, your lovingkindness always goes before us and follows after us.

Summon us into your light, and direct our steps in the ways of goodness

that come through the cross of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

FIRST READING           Isaiah 9:1–4

But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness —

on them light has shined.

3You have multiplied the nation,

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as people exult when dividing plunder.

4For the yoke of their burden,

and the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

 

PSALM (ELW) Psalm 27:1, 4–9

1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then | shall I fear?

     The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I | be afraid?

4One thing I ask of the LORD; one | thing I seek;

     that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life;

     to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

     and to seek God | in the temple.

5For in the day of trouble God will | give me shelter,

     hide me in the hidden places of the sanctuary,

     and raise me high up- | on a rock.

6Even now my head is lifted up above my enemies | who surround me.

     Therefore I will offer sacrifice in the sanctuary,

     sacrifices of rejoicing; I will sing and make music | to the LORD.   R

7Hear my voice, O LORD, | when I call;

     have mercy on me and | answer me.

8My heart speaks your message— | "Seek my face."

     Your face, O LORD, | I will seek.

9Hide not your face from me, turn not away from your ser- | vant in anger.

     Cast me not away—you have been my helper;

     forsake me not, O God of | my salvation.   R

 

 

 

SECOND READING     1 Corinthians 1:10–18

10Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." 13Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16(I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.

18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

 

GOSPEL           Matthew 4:12–23

12Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15"Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,

on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles —

16the people who sat in darkness

have seen a great light,

and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death

light has dawned."

17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

 

Peace,

+ Pr. Carrie Smith

Carrie.smith@Bethanylc.com

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 1-22-14.pdf

Annual Report 2013.pdf

This email sent by:

Carrie Smith

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words for January 15 (with newsletter & annual report)

Wednesday Words for January 15, 2014

From Pastor Carrie Smith

Scroll down for TWO important attachments/links:

1. Your Bethany Weekly Newsletter
2.  The 2013 Annual Report of the Congregation

 

Thought for the Day: On the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Guidelines for a Constructive Church”

“You see, the church is not a social club, although some people think it is. They get caught up in their exclusivism, and they feel that it’s a kind of social club with a thin veneer of religiosity, but the church is not a social club. The church is not an entertainment center, although some people think it is. You can tell in many churches how they act in church, which demonstrates that they think it’s an entertainment center. The church is not an entertainment center. Monkeys are to entertain, not preachers. But in the final analysis the church has a purpose. The church is dealing with man's ultimate concern.”

(To read the rest of the sermon, go to: Guidelines for a Constructive Church)

***

Sunday at Bethany: Here we go, into the Season after Epiphany! The color for this season is green, which evokes spring and growth and new life.  The Bethany choir will be singing for us at 8:30, and the Sonshine singers will make a joyful noise at 10:30 am.

Prayers: You can submit prayers for anyone, at any time, to our Prayer Chain ministry by emailing the church office: Churchoffice@bethanylc.com

On Sunday mornings, we always pray out loud for our members who are currently hospitalized, in treatment, in hospice, or grieving. You may pray out loud the names of anyone else you wish at the point when we ask for “those we name now, aloud or in our hearts.”

If you would like to join the Prayer Chain ministry, please also contact the church office, and you will be added to the list of prayer “warriors”!

Eating for a Good Cause! What could be more fun?! We still have tickets available in the church office for the Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast ($20 for adults, $15 for students). This breakfast is at D’Andrea Banquets on Monday at 7:30 am.

For Monday dinner, consider going to Culver’s to help support the Jr. High Youth! From 5-7 pm a portion of the proceeds will be going to support an upcoming trip to Lutherdale.

On Tuesday evening, head on over to Lou Malnati’s to support Good Samaritan ministries! You must take a flyer with you for your purchases to benefit Good Samaritan (pick up your flyer at the church information desk on Sunday)

Congregational Annual Meeting: Please mark your calendars for Sunday, January 26^th after the 10:30 service for our annual meeting.

Did you know? You can support our missionaries each week by signing up on the Information Board at church! You can designate your support in memory of or in honor of a loved one, and that information will appear in the bulletin. Help us to share the Good News with the world!

Learn more about our sponsored missionaries at these sites:

Danae and Steve Hudson (Jerusalem): http://hummusnotwalls.com/

The Stubbs Family (Tanzania): http://s421181158.onlinehome.us/Site/Welcome.html

***

This week’s texts: 2^nd Sunday after Epiphany

Prayer of the Day

Holy God, our strength and our redeemer, 
by your Spirit hold us forever, 
that through your grace we may worship you and faithfully serve you, 
follow you and joyfully find you, 
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

FIRST READING

Isaiah 49:1–7

Here the servant Israel speaks for herself and acknowledges herself as God's secret weapon. Called before her birth like Jeremiah and John the Baptist, the servant is not only to restore Israel itself. The servant's ultimate assignment is to bring news of God's victory to the ends of the earth. God in faithfulness has chosen Israel for this task.

Listen to me, O coastlands,
pay attention, you peoples from far away!
The LORD called me before I was born,
while I was in my mother's womb he named me.
²He made my mouth like a sharp sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me away.
³And he said to me, "You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will be glorified."
⁴But I said, "I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;
yet surely my cause is with the LORD,
and my reward with my God."
⁵And now the LORD says,
who formed me in the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him,
and that Israel might be gathered to him,
for I am honored in the sight of the LORD,
and my God has become my strength — 
⁶he says,
"It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to restore the survivors of Israel;
I will give you as a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
⁷Thus says the LORD,
the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One,
to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations,
the slave of rulers,
"Kings shall see and stand up,
princes, and they shall prostrate themselves,
because of the LORD, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."

 

 

PSALM (ELW)

Psalm 40:1–11

I love to do your will, O my God. (Ps. 40:8)

¹I waited patiently up- ^| on the LORD,

     who stooped to me and ^| heard my cry.

²The LORD lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the ^| miry clay,

     and set my feet upon a high cliff, making my ^| footing sure.

³The LORD put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise ^| to our God;

     many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust ^| in the LORD.

⁴Happy are they who trust ^| in the LORD!

     They do not turn to enemies or to those who ^| follow lies.   R

⁵Great are the wonders you have done, O LORD my God!

In your plans for us, none can be com- ^| pared with you!

     Oh, that I could make them known and tell them!

     But they are more than ^| I can count.

⁶Sacrifice and offering you do ^| not desire;

     you have opened my ears:

     burnt-offering and sin-offering you have ^| not required.   R

⁷And so I said, "Here I ^| am; I come.

     In the scroll of the book it is writ- ^| ten of me:

⁸'I love to do your will, ^| O my God;

     your law is ^| deep within me.'"

⁹I proclaimed righteousness in the ^| great assembly;

     I have not restrained my lips, O ^| LORD, you know.

¹⁰I have not hidden your righteousness in my heart;

I have spoken of your faithfulness and ^| your deliverance;

     I have not concealed your steadfast love and truth

     from the ^| great assembly.

¹¹You are the LORD; do not withhold your compas- ^| sion from me;

     may your steadfast love and your truth continually ^| keep me safe.   R

 

 

 

SECOND READING

1 Corinthians 1:1–9

Though God's church in Corinth is a fractious congregation beset with many conflicts, Paul opens this letter by spotlighting the multiple ways God has enriched and sustained its life as part of the divine call into the fellowship of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
²To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
³Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
⁴I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, ⁵for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind —⁶just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you — ⁷so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

 

GOSPEL

John 1:29–42

John the Baptist's witness to Jesus initiates a chain of testimony as his disciples begin to share with others what they have found.

²⁹The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' ³¹I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." ³²And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. ³³I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' ³⁴And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God."
³⁵The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" ³⁷The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" ³⁹He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. ⁴⁰One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. ⁴¹He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). ⁴²He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).

Peace,

Pr. Carrie Smith

Carrie.smith@bethanylc.com

 

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 1-15-14.pdf

Annual Report 2013.pdf

This email sent by:

Carrie Smith

[Bethany Lutheran Church] Thursday Thoughts for January 9, 2014

Thursday Thoughts for January 9, 2014

From Pastor Carrie Smith

Your Bethany Weekly Newsletter is attached!

 Scroll down to find the link.

Thought for the Day:

Baptism consists of getting dunked or sprinkled. Which technique is used matters about as much as whether you pray kneeling or standing on your head. Dunking is a better symbol, however. Going under symbolizes the end of everything about your life that is less than human. Coming up again symbolizes the beginning in you of something strange and new and hopeful. You can breathe again.

-          Frederick Buechner in “Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC”

***

Tonight: Theology on Tap! 7:30 – 9 pm at Duke’s Alehouse in Crystal Lake. All are welcome! Beverages are optional. Interesting conversation is mandatory!

Sunday at Bethany: This Sunday we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus! We also will celebrate the baptisms of Sloane Shasteen and Clara Helms at the 10:30 am service. Thanks be to God!
When we begin worship, we will be sprinkled with water during the first hymn. This is in remembrance of our own baptisms. Some may choose to make the sign of the cross or say a silent prayer of thanks when the water touches them. Do what feels right to you!

The Sonshine Singers will provide music at the 8:30 service, and the Bethany adult choir will be singing for the second service. Kristin Lundine will be our song leader for two hymns: “Wade in the Water” and “Taste and See”. At 10:30 am, we will be joined by ALL of our Sunday School children at the beginning of the service, so they may have the opportunity to witness the baptisms. Let’s welcome the children among us, as Jesus welcomed them!

MLK Breakfast tickets: We have tickets to FaithBridge’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast available in the office. Tickets are $20 ($15 for students). The breakfast is at D’Andrea Banquets on Monday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 a.m. E-mail Pr. Carrie with questions: carrie.smith@Bethanylc.com

Congregational Meeting: The annual meeting is on Sunday, January 26 after the second worship service. Annual Reports will be available to pick up this Sunday, January 12, and will also be available on MemberConnect.

Dedication of the church at the baptismal site of Jesus: Check out these great photos from Bethany’s very own sponsored missionary, Danae Hudson! You might recognize Bethany members Rafael Malpica and Robert Smith in a few of them. http://elcjhl.smugmug.com/Projects/Baptismal-Site/The-Dedication-of-Bethany

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This Week’s Texts: The Baptism of Jesus

Prayer of the Day:

O God our Father,

 at the baptism of Jesus you proclaimed him your beloved Son

 and anointed him with the Holy Spirit.

 Make all who are baptized into Christ

 faithful to their calling to be your daughters and sons,

 and empower us all with your Spirit,

 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 Isaiah 42:1–9

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,

my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

I have put my spirit upon him;

he will bring forth justice to the nations.

2He will not cry or lift up his voice,

or make it heard in the street;

3a bruised reed he will not break,

and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;

he will faithfully bring forth justice.

4He will not grow faint or be crushed

until he has established justice in the earth;

and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

5Thus says God, the LORD,

who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spread out the earth and what comes from it,

who gives breath to the people upon it

and spirit to those who walk in it:

6I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness,

I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

I have given you as a covenant to the people,

a light to the nations,

7to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,

from the prison those who sit in darkness.

8I am the LORD, that is my name;

my glory I give to no other,

nor my praise to idols.

9See, the former things have come to pass,

and new things I now declare;

before they spring forth,

I tell you of them.

 

Psalm 29 (Message Version)

A David Psalm

29 ^1-2 Bravo, God, bravo!
    Gods and all angels shout, “Encore!”
In awe before the glory,
    in awe before God’s visible power.
Stand at attention!
    Dress your best to honor him!

³ God thunders across the waters,
Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness—
God, across the flood waters.

⁴ God’s thunder tympanic,
God’s thunder symphonic.

⁵ God’s thunder smashes cedars,
God topples the northern cedars.

⁶ The mountain ranges skip like spring colts,
The high ridges jump like wild kid goats.

^7-8 God’s thunder spits fire.
God thunders, the wilderness quakes;
He makes the desert of Kadesh shake.

⁹ God’s thunder sets the oak trees dancing
A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.
We fall to our knees—we call out, “Glory!”

¹⁰ Above the floodwaters is God’s throne
    from which his power flows,
    from which he rules the world.

¹¹ God makes his people strong.
God gives his people peace.

Second Reading Acts 10:34–43

34Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

 

Gospel Matthew 3:13–17

13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. 16And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

 

Peace,

Pr. Carrie Smith

Carrie.smith@bethanylc.com

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 1-8-14.pdf

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Two invitations!

Invitation #1:

MLK Interfaith Prayer Breakfast

Monday, January 20, 2014

7:30 - 9:30 am

D'Andrea's Banquets

4419 Route 14

Crystal Lake

 You are cordially invited to the Fifth Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Monday morning, January 20, at 7:30 am. Atlanta's Plemon El-Amin, the Imam Emeritus of one of America's largest African American Mosques, will give the keynote address. The program will include the reading of a winning essay by a local middle school student on the theme, "My Dream for the World". Representatives from various faith traditions will offer prayers.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. The breakfast is a vegetarian buffet. Tickets are available now in the Bethany church office!

 

Invitation #2:

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago’s

Annual “Bach for the Sem” Concert

Sunday, January 12, 2014, 4:00 p.m.

 

Don’t miss this Bach for the Sem Concert!

(Note: Pastor Carrie & Bethany member Cathy Peters will be singing with the choir again this year)

Long-time director, Dr. Mark Bangert, has announced that the 2014 Bach for the Sem concert on January 12 will be the last one he will lead. Stating that he has accomplished what he hoped to with the project, Bangert says it’s time to open up the opportunity for ventures that others might wish to do.

 The 2014 Bach for the Sem concert will be hosted at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 West Division Street, River Forest, Ill.  Part 6 of the Christmas Oratorio by J.S. Bach, is on the program along with favorite pieces by Mendelssohn, Reger, Tavener, and “Epiphany Carol,” by Robert Hobby.

 Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door ($10/$12 for students and seniors). Call 773-256-0710 or e-mail Emily Abrahamson at eabrahamson@lstc.edu.

 

-- Listen to excerpts from Bach for the Sem, January 2012.

 

 

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Church Office Closed & Team Night Rescheduled

Dear Bethany members,

Crystal Lake schools have again cancelled classes for Tuesday, January 7. The church office will remain closed as well.

President Bethany Gola and I have decided it is best for the safety of our members to postpone Ministry Team night to Tuesday, January 14. There will be NO TEAM NIGHT tomorrow, Jan. 7th.

If you are a Team Leader, or if you know someone on your Team who does not regularly check email, please help by calling to be sure they have heard this news.

Stay warm everyone, and a Blessed Epiphany to you!

Peace,

Pastor Carrie Smith

carrie.smith@bethanylc.com 

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Church office closed Monday

Dear Bethany members,

Our policy is to close the church office when Crystal Lake schools are also closing due to weather. Therefore, the office will be closed on Monday, January 6. Please stay home, where it is safe and warm! 

Peace,

Pastor Carrie

 

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] We have "wise people" for Sunday!

Thank you to all who volunteered! I just chose from the very first responders in the order they replied, and this is the list of our "wise people from the east" for this Sunday:

8:30 am: Terry Mickelvitz, Mike Bagby, and Greg Cole

 

10:30 am: Bill Odean, April Bouchard, and Ron Henning

Please arrive 15 minutes early so I can give you your royal robes and you can take a look at your Isaiah passages (only 1-2 verses each).

Thanks again for your willingness to help us celebrate the Epiphany! 

Merry Christmas!

Pr. Carrie

 

 

 

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Happy New Year from Bethany Lutheran Church!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Bethany Lutheran Church! May it be a year of peace and joy for all! 

2014 is Bethany Lutheran's "Year of Service", following up after our "Year of Renewal" in 2013. Both of these themes are taken from our Mission Statement: "Gathering People Together for Renewal and Service".

Our theme verse for the year will be Galatians 5:13-14:

¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

For a little more inspiration for the new year, check out this wonderful article from our new Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton:

http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=11792  (text also copied below)

Peace,

Pr. Carrie Smith

 

Getting to what really matters

All our work flows from being a church first, foremost

by Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

When I served a parish in Ashtabula, Ohio, I had the opportunity to be part of a bond issue campaign for the school system. Those of you who have served in a similar capacity know the bruising intensity of local school politics. The French Revolution pales in comparison.

On our first try the bond issue failed by a narrow margin. On our second try we had our heads handed to us. We decided to hire a consultant.

At a strategy meeting the consultant asked us what we thought was the one thing we needed to do in order to pass the bond issue. We had all kinds of ideas: better campaign literature, more radio ads, more coverage in the local paper, compelling photos of adorable but underserved children, puppies. The consultant listened until we ran out of ideas. “No,” he said. “The one thing you need to do to pass the bond issue is to have one more vote than the opposition.”

The main thing is the main thing. 

All of the ideas we had come up with (well, maybe not the puppies) were means to pass the bond issue. If advertising or publicity became our primary focus we would be distracted from our goal. Stating the simple fact that all we needed to do was to get one more vote than the opposition brought clarity to the campaign.

We do many wonderful and important things together as the ELCA. We alleviate hunger, we’re stopping malaria, we give voice to the most vulnerable in our society, we shelter the homeless, we heal the sick, we rebuild communities after disaster strikes, we work for justice. I am not suggesting that we stop doing any of this. But we must be clear that we are church first. We aren’t a non-governmental organization. We aren’t the government. We aren’t the American Cancer Society.

Baptism makes a difference and makes us different. We are in Christ. Baptism means the death of our old self. This implies sacrifice. It should also mean that we as church do not fit in with the surrounding culture. There are many socially conscious, kindhearted, generous, morally upright, compassionate atheists in the world. How are we distinguishable from them? If our life together consists primarily of being affirmed by God’s unconditional love and doing works of justice and charity without understanding that God has brought about the transformation of justified sinners through the costly grace of the crucified Christ, then we are not church.

How are we to live as church first? This is how I see it. At the center of our life together is worship and at the center of our worship is the crucified and risen Christ. When we gather for worship we turn our gaze away from ourselves to the source of our life and hope and salvation. When we gather for worship we are encountered by the living God in Scripture, proclamation of the gospel and the sacraments. God meets us and transforms us. We taste, touch and see the love of God in Christ. Sinners are forgiven. Freed from the incessant human striving for self-justification we can be “lost in wonder, love and praise” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, 631).

We are a community of spiritual discernment. Employing secular business strategies can be very helpful to the church so long as they are used in service to God. But as church it is important that we understand the difference between decision-making and discernment. Decision-making is something we do. Discernment is something we receive from the Spirit. Paul takes an entire chapter (1 Corinthians 2) explaining this. We need to move beyond reliance on human thinking and strategizing to a place of deep listening — intentional, intense, disciplined attending to God.

We are a community of faith. Our members, congregations, synods and churchwide organization need to be intentional about incorporating prayer, worship, Scripture study, silence and giving into daily life. We are in the faith formation business; not to get more members, not to get more market share, but to know Christ and Christ crucified.

We are church first. All of our work flows from this. Let’s keep the main thing the main thing.

 

 

 

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