Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday's annual meeting. I enjoyed listening to your comments and concerns about the year past and the year ahead. I especially want to say thank you to our outgoing council members - Vernon Beck, Ellen Grunsell, Jeff Kapec and John Santorella. Thank you for you leadership and dedication to Bethlehem. Some people also wanted to know more about the narrative lectionary. You can find that information here and at their FAQ site.
As January turns into February, we are starting to gear up for Lent which means a busy calendar.
- Mutual Ministry Committee Mon Jan 30,
- Confirmation – Tue, Jan 31,
- Conference Meeting – Sat Feb 4 10am,
- Grow 2 Gather Sunday Feb 5 9am - we will be hearing about Samuel and kids who do great things today.
- Installation Service for Pastor Cathy Rohrs – Sun Feb
- Souper Bowl of Caring is next week. Bring your change (though we will accept checks and bills as well) and vote with your money on who you think will win the Super Bowl: the Patriots or the Giants. All money will got to Kids Care which packages meals for people who are food insecure in
- Celebrate Mardi Gras at
- Ash Wednesday is February 22 this year and there will be a mid week worship each Wednesday in Lent - more information to come.
Book of Faith PuzzlerThe question from last week: In John 21, who decided to go fishing after Jesus’ death and resurrection? A) Simon Peter B) Thomas, C) Nathanael D) James & John E) All of these
In John 21, many of the disciples returned to the Sea of Galilee . Simon Peter decided to go fishing and the other disciples listed above decided to join him. Nobody submitted their answer this week which means the bread and candy is all mine!
This week’s question: According to Matthew 22, what is the greatest commandment? A) To love the Lord B) To love you neighbor C) You should have no other gods D) Do not murder
Let me know your answer by noon Wednesday to be entered into this week's drawing.
Yesterday's Sermon
Thank you to Ryan for leading us in a wonderful discussion about what is an unclean spirit. I appreciated being able to not worry about preaching when I was at a conference all week. So we pretty much decided that we all have unclean spirits - what are some unclean spirits that you battle against?
Serving this Week
A new worship leader sign up sheet is out, but therefore mostly empty.
Worship Assistant: Mark H
Reader:__________
Communion Assistant:________
Ushers:_______ & _____________
Altar set up & Clean up:_________
Bread baker/bringer:___________
Offering Counter:_______________
Coffee Hour Host:______________
If you can help fill some of these empty spots, please let me know.
Sunday's Texts
The first reading is Isaiah 40:21-31. Isaiah is trying to get his listeners to realize it is God who created the world and that same God we give them strength while in exile. When have you looked to the majesty of nature in order to find inner strength? When has being able to look at creation helped you realize that there is a God?
The second reading is 1 Corinthians 9:16-23. Paul writes that he has become like others in order to win those people for Christ. Writing that sentence makes me both want to identify different ways that I can transform myself so I can better communicate the gospel to others and it makes me want to crawl out of my skin as it seems very manipulative. How can we become like others in order to better preach the gospel and yet remain true to ourselves so that when we do transform it does not seem like we are doing this just to manipulate the other?
The gospel is Mark 1:29-39. Our gospel begins with Jesus healing Simon's mother-in-law and many other people in town. The next day Jesus went to a dessert place to pray and the disciples went looking for him because many other people were looking for Jesus. Even early in his ministry, Jesus needed time to pray alone. When do you take time to be alone with God? Do you find it easy or difficult to take such time?
Hope you all have a great week
~Pastor Becca
This week’s question: According to Matthew 22, what is the greatest commandment? A) To love the Lord B) To love you neighbor C) You should have no other gods D) Do not murder
Let me know your answer by noon Wednesday to be entered into this week's drawing.
Yesterday's Sermon
Thank you to Ryan for leading us in a wonderful discussion about what is an unclean spirit. I appreciated being able to not worry about preaching when I was at a conference all week. So we pretty much decided that we all have unclean spirits - what are some unclean spirits that you battle against?
Serving this Week
A new worship leader sign up sheet is out, but therefore mostly empty.
Worship Assistant: Mark H
Reader:__________
Communion Assistant:________
Ushers:_______ & _____________
Altar set up & Clean up:_________
Bread baker/bringer:___________
Offering Counter:_______________
Coffee Hour Host:______________
If you can help fill some of these empty spots, please let me know.
Sunday's Texts
The first reading is Isaiah 40:21-31. Isaiah is trying to get his listeners to realize it is God who created the world and that same God we give them strength while in exile. When have you looked to the majesty of nature in order to find inner strength? When has being able to look at creation helped you realize that there is a God?
The second reading is 1 Corinthians 9:16-23. Paul writes that he has become like others in order to win those people for Christ. Writing that sentence makes me both want to identify different ways that I can transform myself so I can better communicate the gospel to others and it makes me want to crawl out of my skin as it seems very manipulative. How can we become like others in order to better preach the gospel and yet remain true to ourselves so that when we do transform it does not seem like we are doing this just to manipulate the other?
The gospel is Mark 1:29-39. Our gospel begins with Jesus healing Simon's mother-in-law and many other people in town. The next day Jesus went to a dessert place to pray and the disciples went looking for him because many other people were looking for Jesus. Even early in his ministry, Jesus needed time to pray alone. When do you take time to be alone with God? Do you find it easy or difficult to take such time?
Hope you all have a great week
~Pastor Becca
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