BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH • MARCH 2018 Messenger the Register for the Easter Egg-stravaganza FILL AN HUNT AND RECEPTION ON MAR. 25 Easter Basket FOR A FOSTER CHILD oin the Family Fellowship’s 14th s in past years, we will be filling Annual Egg-stravaganza Egg Hunt & A reception on Sunday, Mar. 25, at 9:45 Easter baskets for LSSI foster J children this Lenten season! am (after Sunday School, which will take place at a special time from 8:45-9:45 that Starting on March 4, we’ll have morning). We will hunt for eggs outside in baskets and tags set out in the the backyard or inside Education Hall in Welcome Center for you to take. the case of bad weather, and then come The tags will include a child’s name, inside for donuts, fruit, and juice. gender, and age to help you know Each family who registers is asked to bring how to fill your basket. We’re asking a bag of wrapped candy per child (NO disciples to grab baskets and chil- NUTS, PLEASE!) and place these in the dren’s information, and to follow the donation boxes in the Welcome Center instructions for filling the baskets. office by Wednesday, Mar. 21. All filled baskets will need to be returned to the Welcome Center by Sunday, Mar. 18! Please consider whether your family Preschool 50th Anniversary would have fun shopping for and SPAGHETTI DINNER, SILENT AUCTION, & RAFFLE NIGHT building one or more Easter bas- kets for foster children. If you have Our 50th Preschool Anniversary Kickoff will be held on Friday, March 16 from any questions, please contact Eva 4:30-7:30. This is a BIG year for us, so we have many extra activities planned for Richards at [email protected]. that evening. We hope all of you can join us to help raise money for our Scholar- Thank you for your support as we ship Fund & Playground Project. Tickets will be on sale in the Connection Café make a difference for these children! after each service on these two Sundays: March 4 & 11. You can also contact Pong Sayasane at 630.584.6027 if you would like to purchase tickets to be picked up the following Sunday or at the Will Call table that evening. In the meantime, if you have items/services to donate for this event, please call the Preschool at 630.584.6027 to let us know. Volunteer sign-up sheets are also posted by the Preschool entrance, in the Building Community flyer and atbethlehemluth.org if you would like to donate an hour or two that evening. Thank you for all your support! Messenger the Youth Events & News STOCKHOLDERS FUNDRAISER FOR THE NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING On the first three weekends in March the Youth will be seeking out Bethlehem disciples to “take out stock” in them for their upcoming trip to the National Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas this summer. As a Stockholder, you will receive personal contact from one of the students going on the trip as well as an invitation to our Stockholder’s Appreciation Dinner on Saturday, Aug. 11 where you will hear personal accounts, stories, and testaments from the students who partici- pated in our summer trip. SHROVE TUESDAY A SUCCESS! The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner was a success! It was Here are a few comments from the Confirmands: such a fun night to come together as a multigenerational Confirmation community for food and fellowship as a kick-off to Lent. “ I was surprised that learning all about God was really fun and This fundraiser was the second for our Youth going to the Retreat interesting.” National Youth Gathering next June. Thank you everyone TO LUTHERDALE BIBLE CAMP for your generous donations! The dinner brought in $1,004. “I believe that everyone has a faith story of their own.” We are hoping to raise $8,000 by June and appreciate the support of our family, friends and this generous “I saw God when the Mentors were telling their faith stories.” congregation! n the evening of Feb. 16, 34 confirmands and 12 “ I saw God when we played outside because he created the Oadults gathered in a circle to pray. They traveled to the trees and grass and everything around. When we went outside, we went outside with God.” Thank you for Lutherdale Bible Camp for a retreat full of friends, fun, and Maundy Thursday Luncheon your support! faith. Our short time together helped students grow their “ I thought this weekend was going to be very boring, but MAR. 29 AT NOON faith, ask and answer tough questions, and develop an idea listening to faith stories encouraged me to grow in my faith.” of what they truly believe. Students worked together to This special event honors older adults in our congregation and community with a catered luncheon and afternoon wor- find verses that best reflected their personal faith journey, ship service. A planning team is forming to plan the menu, decorate for the event and ensure transportation for those explored who God is and their personal relationship with They even had a few words of advice for the 7th who need it. Families and teens are especially welcome to be a part of this special day. If you would like to help, or know more, please contact Kelly Collins at [email protected]. God, and discovered new and different ways to pray. Even Graders (not limited to what’s below): through the more studious aspects of the day, the confir- “ It might not seem fun at first, but once you get there, mands were light-hearted, kind, and so invested in exploring you’ll have a blast!” their faith through the various activities. We Need Voices “ I hope that you can see that God is always there with you The weather was perfect to enjoy some fun in the snow, FOR OUR SENIOR CHOIR and that He will lead you down the right path.” around the fire and down the tobogganing hills. They were Our Senior Choir will be performing a masterwork in worship on Sunday, Apr. 29 at able to build new relationships and strengthen old ones “ Do not ever think that Confirmation and believing in God 8:00am and 10:30am. While this event is a long way down the road, we are starting to with the other members of their class. After the weekend isn’t cool. God is Awesome!” rehearse this piece on Wednesday nights from 7:00-8:30pm until the April performance was over, mentors and leaders were all impressed by the date. We need lots of voices to sing this jubilant piece of music along with brass, thoughtfulness of all the confirmands. “ Don’t look at it as something you’re being forced to do (even percussion and pipe organ. Contact Joshua McClure at [email protected] if you are), take the time to love and enjoy the experience of for more information. Please join us in praying for the Confirmation Class as they God and faith because you want to.” look forward to their confirmation on April 28. Messenger the Upcoming Studies 4th Floor 4 & 5th Grade Open House Stepping Stones Workshop FACES OF CHRIST Bethlehem recently moved Fourth Graders and their parents are invited to a special Stepping Stones workshop to During the four Sundays in March, there will be a class for adults called rooms around to allow our youth explore the Bible and discover how it can be a source of comfort and guidance every day. “Faces of Christ.” This is a study that explores questions like: Who is Jesus to have a larger space to gath- Each student will receive a brand new Bible written for just for their age. A $35 registration Christ? What does it mean to be partners in God’s mission? Where is God— er, along with renovating the fee includes the cost of the new Bible and a pizza snack. in our lives and in our neighborhood? Along with these theological questions, we will also engage in conversation around hunger, poverty, gender injustice, balcony/choir loft to accommo- Fifth Graders and their parents will be a part of our Family Values Workshop. This and how we as a church are called to faithfully accompany and respond. date more flexibility for use of workshop will highlight what it means to be part of the family of God and how our own families carry on traditions, teachings and blessings. The cost is $10 per child for This class will be taught by Pastor Bill and Pastor Sarah. No need to sign up instrumentation and setup. After materials, but scholarships are available. in advance or read anything beforehand. Just come to learn, listen, and share! each worship service on Sunday, Class meets in Education Hall from 9:15-10:10 on Mar. 4, 11, 18 & 25. March 18 we are inviting church members to come to the 4th NEWCOMERS CLASSES floor and get a firsthand look at the upgraded spaces. Leaders or VBS Program 2018 Are you new to the area? Interested in becoming a member of our congre- gation? Or simply eager to learn more about Lutheranism, Christianity, and group members from the youth PLANNING MEETING, MAY 4 AT 10:30 A.M. what we’re about here at Bethlehem? Please join us for the next “Newcomers or choirs will be available to an- Class.” This class is a 3-part series, led by Pastor Sarah and Pastor Bill, as well swer questions and point things It’s official! Our 2018 VBS program will be Group as other staff and lay leaders in our congregation.