Beacon Light for Christ
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church (BLC), AFLC
Beacon
Light for Christ
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The Bethlehem Star November/December 2007 Newsletter Pastor David Skordahl Phone: 815-942-1145 Bethlehem Lutheran Church is affiliated with the Association of Free Lutheran Churches
Dispelling the Darkness
Sunday Morning Service 9 am WJDK 95.7 FM "But these are written John 20:31
From the Pastor’s Desk
HOLIDAY SEASON We are again rapidly approaching what many call "the Holiday Season." The word "holiday" comes from the Old English word "Holy Day." Let's first take a look at "Thanksgiving Day." It was 1621 when the early pilgrims commemorated the harvest reaped by the Plymouth Colony after a harsh winter. There had been a loss of many lives, yet they were able to say "thank you" to their heavenly Father for what He provided for them. Thanksgiving Day was made a national holiday for the U.S. in 1863 under the declaration of President Abraham Lincoln. Today, the last Thursday of November still stands as a time of commemorating the blessings God has bestowed upon us. We indeed have been a blessed people. Let us not forget the blessed heritage that is ours as a result of the ones who centuries ago sacrificed so much in order to establish a free and productive land. Indeed it is a Holy Day. Greater than Thanksgiving Day however, is Christmas, this is also a part of our so called "Holiday Season." This is a celebration of the greatest gift ever offered to the world. Of course we all know the gift is Jesus. He came as a result of God's love for the world to redeem us from a curse that was placed upon us because of sin. it goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Jesus came to break the curse, forgive our sin, empower us with His Holy Spirit, and finally give us the promise of eternal life. Sad to say, most of the world would rather watch football, eat and drink heartily, share much unneeded gifts, and ignore Jesus during this special season. Now, I'm not opposed to football, eating, and sharing of gifts. It's the rejection, or ignoring of the most important gift Jesus that concerns me most. The whole world needs the gift of Jesus and His forgiveness in order to be saved and escape the fires of hell. This is far more important than any football game, family feast, or gifts. The receiving or rejection of Jesus has eternal consequences. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world may be saved through Him." John 3:16-17 Two questions: First, are we truly thankful for all the rich blessings God has freely given to us? And second, have we received the gift of Jesus into our own hearts so that we are prepared to spend all eternity in heaven with Him, and not in hell which is prepared for the devil and his angels? It will always remain our choice. May each of you have a wonderful and blessed Holiday Season. Pastor Dave
Pastoral Acts Funerals Fern Larson September 15 Plattville Cemetery Pastor Skordahl
Weddings Brenna McCallister & Mike Noffsinger September 22 Pastor Skordahl
Baptisms Chase Tucker Olson October 27 Son of John & Toni Olson Pastor Skordahl Birthdays and Anniversaries November
From the Trustees GENERAL ACCOUNT (BLC) Needed to meet budget 42 weeks $180,768 Total Income 42 weeks $150,379 Needed weekly to meet budget $4304 Weekly offering average $3580 MISSION ACCOUNT Needed to meet budget 42 weeks $15,330 Total Offering 42 weeks $13,930 Needed weekly to meet budget $365 Weekly offering average $332 Please remember to pray for those who are homebound, in nursing homes, or in the hospital. At Home: Genevieve Anderson Richard Bradley Margaret Dell Janis Delockery John Finney Barbara Fransdal Althea Gaddo Chuck Goering Nancy Goering Frances Hansen Darlene Hanson Mildred Hausken Evelyn Helland Bessie Hexdall Helen Hexdall Lawrence Larson Diana Larson Glenn Larson Mickey McComas Judy Ness Charles Olson Lillian Trotter Peg Wiekert Elmer & Vivian Walker Josiah Viland Lloyd & Laurine Wills David & Pauline Weir At Walnut Grove: Ruby Hauge Madelon Peterson Doris Hinderaker At Grundy: Archie Anderson Evelyn Davidson Lucille Small Art Havekost Russ Fosen Florence Whyte Helen Johnson Gerry Hausken Charlotte Larson Bernice Rogers Francis Viland Shirley Severson Lois Gipes At Pleasant View: Florence Olson In W. Lafayette, IN: Marion Linnemann In Aurora: Pastor Wigtil In Elgin, OK: Phyllis Wiekert In Chicago: Heather Lombardo Pioneer Clubs October 30th was the kick-off event for
the 2007-2008 Pioneer Clubs. We had a maze, games, snacks, costume judging,
and storytellers sharing the stories of 5 different Bible characters. We are
looking forward to another blessed year with this mid-week program for
children.
The Mission Outreach Committee would like to thank all who contributed so generously to our Annual Kringla Sale. We had lots of kringla and other baked goods donated. The sale plus other donations totaled $1,011.00. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will be donating $1,000.00 in matching funds for this fundraiser, bringing our total to $2,011.00!! Thank you to Thrivent for their generous donation. We also thank Lonnie Booker for allowing us to use the space in front of the Fabric Center.
"Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." Deuteronomy 8:3
Women’s Missionary Federation The women of Bethlehem Lutheran Church are blessed with the opportunity to choose from three Bible studies that are offered, plus a prayer group. One is on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 in the lounge, with a prayer group meeting the same morning at 10:30 in the Fireside Room. Another group meets every other Thursday evening at 7:00 pm in the lounge. The Women’s Missionary Federation offers a monthly Bible study on the third Thursday of each month at 1:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. At this meeting, we do have coffee and treats, but no one is required to serve. Also, we have an offering to help support mission work and the national and district WMF. As our membership is quite small right now, you can imagine how pitiful our support would be if it weren’t for donations from funerals that we serve. We would welcome any former members to come back, or any new ladies to come visit. In the past we have hosted an annual Salad Bar and Guest Day in March, and we have taken programs and treats to the nursing homes. We aren’t sure if these activities can continue when so much responsibility falls on so few. Let’s all be in prayer for a move of the Holy Spirit and keep trusting God to do something extraordinary at Bethlehem. We have such a great spiritual heritage. Ladies, pray about joining one of these opportunities for spiritual nourishment as you get into the Word of God with other ladies. Sandy Timmons SUNDAY SCHOOL "God’s not dead, No! He is
alive!!" are the words to one of our children’s songs and has become
my slogan for this Sunday School year. We may not be a large group but we
are a faithful group. Each week I see smiling faces and children learning
scripture. Sound System Upgrade We are in the process of upgrading microphones for our sound system. Many of the mics were left over from the old sound system and are no longer working properly. We can receive matching funds from Thrivent for possibly as much as $1,100 if we have door offerings and donations designated for this project. We will be taking door offerings after each Sunday service in November. Please prayerfully consider what the Lord would have you give to help with this important project. To get matching funds, we need 6 Thrivent members to participate. Call the office if you can help or if you are a Thrivent member. Community Thanksgiving Service We will be the host church for the annual Community Thanksgiving Service. The service will be held at Bethlehem on Tuesday, November 20th at 7:30 pm. Pastor Steve Cook will be bringing the message. The offering will be given to Habitat for Humanity. Come and give thanks to the Lord. "O GIVE thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 107:1 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Our annual Christmas Eve Service will be held on Monday, December 24th at 5:00 pm. Please join us to celebrate the birth of our Lord. "Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23 CANTATA The Senior Choir is practicing for the Christmas Cantata and would like to invite you to join them. If you can’t commit to singing every Sunday of the year, could you sing with the choir for the Cantata? The Christmas Cantata has been a blessing to our congregation and to all who listen over the radio. Why not be a part of it? Come, sing, and honor and praise the Lord this Christmas season. Practices are Wednesdays at 6:30 pm.
Martin Luther did not minimize the sin. Ephesians 2:8-9
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