Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church
Dispelling the Darkness
May 25, 2008

Prelude                                                                                                                    Elaine Anderson

Welcome

Opening Hymn                                Battle Hymn of the Republic                                             #632

Scripture Readings
                  Old Testament: Jeremiah 9:23-24                                                                      OT p. 575
                  New Testament: Romans 1:1-17                                                                        NT p. 122

Confession of Faith:                                   Apostle’s Creed                                  Hymnal front p.4

Confession of Sin:                                                                                        Hymnal front p. 49 #12

Pastoral Prayer

Hymn                                                     America, the Beautiful                                                #630

Children’s Object Lesson

Offering                                            We Give Thee but Thine Own                                         #391

Hymn                                                     My Country! Tis of Thee                                             #631

Sermon                                                            "Blindsided"
                                                                                         Luke 12:13-21
                                                                                Pastor David Skordahl

Hymn                                                          Be Thou My Vision                                                #607

The Benediction

The Doxology                                                                                                    Hymnal (front) p. 24

A pastor and deacons will be in the front of the sanctuary following the service to meet with those who desire to receive Christ as Savior and Lord, those who wish to renew their relationship with Him, and those who need prayer for specific needs. Anointing with oil, according to James 5:14, is available upon request.

Stand (optional)

We are thankful to have you join us for today’s service. It is our desire that you experience the presence of the Lord and the love of God’s people. If you are a first-time guest, please sign a registration card located in your pew and place it in the offering plate.

Deacons at the Altar: Bruce Egeland and Len Terry

Today’s radio broadcast is sponsored by Martha Fritz, in loving memory of her husband, Edmund, her parents, and her sisters.

Today’s greeter: Lorraine Hansen

A member of our congregation has offered to pay all the fees for someone to go to Bible Camp this summer. If you know of anyone who would like to go but needs help with the fees, please contact Pastor Skordahl.

Next Sunday, June 1 immediately following the worship service, is the brunch to welcome Jenny and Patrick Lohse. If you are able, please bring nonperishable food items, cleaning supplies, bath items, or a gift certificate for Patrick and Jenny. We are having egg casseroles, biscuits and gravy, muffins, and fruit. Let’s have a good turnout, so plan to stay after church.

Last Sunday’s attendance: 154

Last Sunday’s offering: Current $4069.00 Missions $219.00

Needed to meet budget: Current $4250.00 Missions $306.00

2008 weekly offering average: $3320.00

Needed: VBS Snacks – There is information at both entrances about snacks that we need for VBS June 16 – 20. Please pick up the tags and donate some goodies for the kids. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

All Church Women are invited to the Gardner Church of Hope annual June Brunch. It will be held on Monday, June 2 at 9:30 am. Jerri Smith will be portraying "Esther". For reservations or more information call 815 237-8312 or 815 584-2894.

Have you been wondering what you can do to help with Vacation Bible School? We are looking for a place to house two of the team members from AFLBS who will be leading VBS. If you can open your home for this ministry team, please let Kathy Hoge know by the first of June. We are also looking for a couple of adults to help during the week with crafts. Even if you can only help for 2 or 3 days, you will be richly blessed by helping with this wonderful outreach to our church and community.

Pastor Wigtil has moved. His new address is:

The Tillers
Attn: Norval Wigtil Room 405
P.O. Box 950
Oswego, IL 60543

The Grundy County Chapter of Thrivent is sponsoring "Join Hands with our Servicemen and Women." Thrivent has given our church $100 to purchase items for members who are in the military. Anyone who volunteers to be part of this project will then be invited to help pack the items on June 14th (Flag Day). Pizza and pop will be served after the boxes are packed. We need a volunteer or two to purchase items with the money Thrivent has given us. There are 3 servicemen in our congregation for whom we can purchase items. If you are willing to do the shopping, please call the office. Kristy has the list of things to buy.

Parking: On Sunday mornings please remember to leave the parking spaces on Wauponsee Street in front of the church for those who have trouble walking long distances. Thank you

Prayer Connection —May 25, 2008

"In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession — to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:11-14) At the moment of our salvation, as we have asked Jesus into our hearts, the Holy Spirit seals us. We are redeemed, forgiven, justified, and made a new creation who is no longer condemned, but now a member of the body of Christ. That the Holy Spirit seals us tells us that God is marking and claiming ownership of those He has purchased. The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to be evidence of God's ownership. John Wesley said, "We are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption, as a sign of God's property in us, and as a mark that we belong to Christ. And this is, by His appointment, the condition and security of that future happiness, into which He will admit none but those who have received the Spirit of His Son into their hearts. But in whomsoever He finds this mark and character, when He shall come to judge the world, these will He take to Himself, and will not suffer the destroyer to hurt them."

Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the safety and security of Your love and power that has been delivered to us by the Holy Spirit. Thank You for placing Your trademark upon us and authenticating us as Yours, just as the shepherd brands his sheep. Thank You that the seal of eternal divine ownership shall be worn by us believers for eternity. We pray that out of Your glorious riches You will strengthen us with power through Your Spirit. We praise You, Lord, for this wonderful provision for our protection, and the fact we have a part of our eternal inheritance here on earth if we are faithful. Thank You, Father, that because we are sealed, we will never be lost; we will always hold onto Your way and come home safe to You at last. In the name of our preserver and sealer, Christ Jesus. Amen

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) We most greet God each day and ask Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit and His guidance. We must ask Him to be by our side through every task throughout the day. He will not demand our attention; He waits for our invitation. God knows our every thought and wants us to know Him, who dwells in us. "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27)  Call on me anytime at schwiesowfam@sbcglobal.net or 941-4645.  Wishing you a prayerful week.

                                                                                                            Ann Schwiesow

This Week at Bethlehem

Today:                              8:00 am Men’s prayer in Pastor’s study

                                         9:00 am Worship Service-Radio 95.7 FM

Tuesday:                          9:30 am Ladies’ Bible Study

                                         6:30 pm Pioneer Club

Thursday:                        6:00 am Men’s Bible Study (IHOP)

Saturday:                         7:30 am Men’s breakfast (Kitchen)

Sunday:                            8:00 am Prayer in Pastor’s Study

 9:00 am Worship Service-Radio 95.7 FM

10:15 am Brunch in Fellowship Hall

Please remember the following people in your prayers this week:

Missionaries: FFHM Orphanage in Mexico - Charla Pereau

Special Needs: Les Geisert           Helen Hexdall                        Lawrence Larson
Roy Egeland     Chris Perry            Jim Cook                                      Sue Gipes
Vivian Walker  Mickey McComas   Lois Tweedt
Ronald Linneman

(Special Needs requests will be in the bulletin for two consecutive Sundays.  Please call the office to be included for a longer period of time.)

Church of the Week: Freedom and St. Petrie Lutheran, Ottawa
Pastor Dana Coyle

Praise: For the freedoms that we have had in this country

Pastor Dave and Cheryl Skordahl
38 Lynwood Drive Morris, IL 60450
815 942-3670 (Home) 815 735-7329(Cell)

        Thus
           says
           the
        LORD:

"Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom,
let not the mighty man boast in his might,
let not the rich man boast in his riches,
but let him who boasts boast in this,
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the Lord
who practices steadfast love, justice,
and righteousness in the earth.
For in these things I delight,
declares the Lord."
Jeremiah 9:23-24