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Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church (BLC), AFLC
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March/April 2008
The Bethlehem Star Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Bethlehem Lutheran Church Bethlehem Lutheran Church is affiliated with the Association of Free Lutheran Churches. Pastor David Skordahl
Sunday Morning Service
"But these are written John 20:31
March Birthdays and Anniversaries: 1 Carmen Norris Pastor Norval Wigtil Dan & Vicki Budd 2 Ardelle Egeland 3 Jordan Cryder 4 Brad Wietting Cliff & Carol Hausken 5 Lynn Kjellesvik 7 Elaine Anderson Dawn Smith Emily Pilch 8 Erich & Lorraine Fritz 9 Kathryn Walter Roy Egeland 10 Robert Narvick 12 David Findlay 13 Jessica Cooper 14 Seth Larson 15 Daniel Thompson Janet Kresse 16 Dennis & Linda Anderson 17 Richard Hexdall Ethyl Delockery 18 Alexis Brook Crater Bridget Marie Enger 19 Paul Fruland 20 Kyle Borchers 22 Kelly Larson 24 Katie Bednarik 25 Richard McTague Misty Wolf Emily Estensen Phillip & Lynn Ogden 26 Lois Bounds Emily Pilch Steve Larson 27 Jason Egeland John Thompson David Thompson 29 Betty Thorson 30 Todd Sampson Esther Vaksdal Bekah Cheshareck Dennis Anderson 31 Doris Lanning Merle Barber
April Birthdays and Anniversaries: 1 Gerri Geisert Beth Claypool Karen Kezerle Kristen Phillips 2 Janet Martin 3 Warren Leach 4 Kenneth Wolf Kyle Baker 5 John & Vickie Thompson 6 Margaret Johnson Emma Lawrence 7 Richard Marx Johnny Lee Crawford Brendan Burns Elna Sampson 8 Weiland Torkelson 9 Doug Gipes Miah Rassmusson 10 Morgan Skinner Jennifer Hausken Ryne Thorson 11 Doug Holman Gina Russell Kristy Hunter Sam Mickelson 13 James Day Truman Daggett Doris Hinderaker Stacey Malfatti 15 Cassie Daggett Ken & Judy Daggett Todd & Kathy Daggett Alex Higgins 16 Linda Anderson 17 Art Wilmington Sharon Odom 18 Richard Lunde Patti Mickelson Jacob Barkley 19 Bessie Hexdall Lorraine Hansen Alexis Smyk 20 Tom Bednarik 21 Kelsie Borchers Richie Hunter 22 April Crawford 24 Kelsey Walker 25 Robert Hoge 26 Jason Claypool Jim & Carol Day 27 David & Betty Findlay Cinthia Johnson 29 Karen Carlson 30 Mickey McComas Rhonda Sanders Jeremy Sparta Sophie Romak Pastoral Acts
Funerals
Russell Fosen February 4 Evergreen Cemetery Pastor Skordahl Charles Olson February 6 Evergreen Cemetery Pastor Skordahl Frances Hansen February 20 Evergreen Cemetery Pastor Skordahl
Please remember to pray for those who
are homebound, in nursing homes, At Home:
At Walnut Grove: Ruby Hauge Madelon Peterson Doris Hinderaker At Grundy: Archie Anderson Evelyn Davidson Lucille Small Evelyn Helland Florence Whyte Helen Johnson Charlotte Larson Lois Gipes Vivian Walker Glenn Larson Francis Viland Shirley Severson Art Havekost Althea Gaddo Evelyn Helgeson Arnie Helgeson In Aurora: Pastor Wigtil In Chicago: Heather Lombardo In W. Lafayette, IN: Marion Linnemann In Elgin, OK: Phyllis Wiekert
From the Pastor’s Desk FROM THE CROSS TO THE CROWN Paul Harvey once told of a little boy, whom doting parents had spoiled into a brat. The boy had captured some tiny birds in a sack. From time to time there was heard the most pitiful sound of imprisoned wings slapping hopelessly at the heavy sack walls. From the sack issued chirping now and then as he walked along, swinging the sack haphazardly at his side. Down the road he met an old man who said, "Whatcha got in that sack?" THE CROSS The Season of Lent is a reflective journey to the Cross, on which God displayed His wrath and love at the same time. That's a paradox. How can love and wrath be displayed at the same time? God was angry over what Satan had done by bringing His creation down to Satan's level through deceit and man's disobedience. It was because of love for us that God expressed His divine wrath over Satan and our sin. We are the reason for the cross. It was our sin that God nailed to the cross in the person of His Son Jesus.
THERE IS GREAT POWER AND VICTORY AT THE CROSS. Without the crucifixion, there could be no resurrection. The same holds true for us today. Unless we are crucified with Christ, there is no victory, no resurrection, no new life for us. Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who Lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I five by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2:19b-20 This means that the old, sinful self needs to be denied so that the same power that raised Jesus from the grave may come and impart the new life and power within us. Jesus said in Mark 8:34, "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his CROSS and follow me." THE CROWN As we respond to this invitation to come and follow Him, we can live victorious lives now— here on earth through the power of the Holy Spirit. And when our journey on earth comes to a close we can say with the Apostle Paul, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith Henceforth there is laid up for me the CROWN of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will award me on that Day." II Tim. 4:7-8 HAVE YOU COME TO THE CROSS AND RECEIVED THE CROWN? "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, Not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him." Heb. 9:27-28 BEHOLD! HE IS RISEN! HE IS COMING AGAIN! HALLELUJAH! BE PREPARED TO MEET HIM! May you have a very blessed Easter, Pastor Dave and Cheryl Sunday Evening Prayer Times Pastor Dave is leading a time of prayer for our congregation on the second Sunday of each month at 5:00 pm. We have met twice with good attendance both times. Please join us as we seek the Lord together. We need to be in prayer for our church, the annual meeting, our officers, our boards and committees, our families and young people, and much more. The next two prayer times will be on March 9, and April 13. Why Did Jesus Fold The Napkin? Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, burial cloth, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin. Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!' Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side. Is that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes! In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished. Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'. But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because.......... The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!' He is Coming Back!
Sunday School News: As a Palm Sunday celebration the Sunday School Department is hosting another Pancake and Sausage breakfast immediately following worship service on March 16th. In addition to a delicious breakfast made and served by the children of our church, they will also be presenting several puppet skits. The morning begins with the children’s choir singing during service, then they will all help serve the pancakes and sausage for the congregation. Plan on joining the Sunday School teachers and children for a delicious morning of fellowship. It has been a long winter with many people being sick and the weather not making it easy to get out to church and Sunday School, but we are looking forward to spring and are praying that our Father, the "Great Physician" will heal the fevers and colds that have gripped so many this season. We miss everyone when they are not with us at Sunday School and hope to see full classes again soon.
Pioneer Club Pioneer Club kids will be presenting a program of puppet skits, songs and pantomime to the residents of the Grundy County Home on Saturday, March 1st. One of the things we talk about in our club classes is sharing Christ with everyone and this is a wonderful opportunity for the kids to show what we have been learning. We are also planning to have a Family Movie Night soon. When final plans have been made we will have the date and time in the bulletin.
Vacation Bible School Vacation Bible School dates have been set for June 16th through the 20th. Mark your calendars and plan to have your children and grandchildren attend. There will be an AFLC Bible School Team with us again this year. Our AFLC Intern will also be here to work with the Team and our own Sunday School Department. It will be an exciting week of learning God’s Word, singing, crafts, and activities. Watch the bulletin and the next STAR for more details.
Attention All Women! All Bethlehem Women are invited to Grace Free Lutheran in DeKalb, IL on Saturday, April 12, 2008. An enjoyable day is being planned with Steve Kvale who is a computer technology missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Steve is coming with his wife, Glenda and their family, traveling from Minnesota just to be with us—to inspire and entertain us. Their three children are musically gifted and play the flute, violin, ukulele, trumpet, and guitar. We have a great time together! Mark this date on your calendar and plan to attend. More information coming later. Blessings, Cheryl Skordahl
For I know that my Redeemer lives, NEW HAPPENINGS IN OUR CHURCH LIBRARY!
Check it out -
Library Committee: Germaine Mickelson, Betty Kezerle, Cheryl Skordahl BIBLE CAMP
From the Trustees GENERAL ACCOUNT (BLC)
Needed to meet budget 7 weeks $25,130 Total Income 7 weeks $22,177 Needed weekly to meet budget $3,590 Weekly offering average $3,168 MISSION ACCOUNT
Needed to meet budget 7 weeks $2,142 Total Offering 7 weeks $1,982 Needed weekly to meet budget $306 Weekly offering average $283
The nail-pierced hands of Jesus Reveal the love-filled heart of God!
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