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Indoor &/or Outdoor Worship Postponed until ??.
For Individual Sunday Morning Bulletins, click the PDF file below: TO RESUME WHEN POSSIBLE.
Bethany Lutheran Church - Thanksgiving
Worship - Our worship service has now been posted and is available at our church Website listed below or on our Facebook link also listed below.
Red Lake County Giving Tree Program - With the struggles that 2020 has brought to our country, the need for Christian giving is more important than ever this year. Many residents have struggled more than others. So, we are forging onward with the Giving Tree program for Red Lake County. Tags will be hanging in the west entry way by the steps on our make-shift "tree" on the wall. Please consider taking a tag for a low-income child or a group home resident in Red Lake County.
If you are unable to get the church to choose a tag and would like a tag mailed to you, please call Kathie at RLC Social Services at 218.253-4131 ext. 242
Confirmation - Confirmation for 7th and 8th graders will resume Dec. 2nd and 3rd at 6:00 pm over Zoom. Inviates will be sent.
Women's Bible Study - Women's Bible Study will resume on Dec. 2nd at 9:00 am. On Dec. 9th we will start a study on "Jonah God's Reluctant Prophet". Ask the pastor for a Zoom invite to participate. Although a book is not needed, the questions for this study can be found in our "Master Builders Bible for Men" which can be picked up in the North entryway. Our study should last about four to six weeks.
Men's Bible Study - Men's Bible will resume on Dec. 3rd at 9:00 am. See above for our next study starting Dec. 10th.
Bethany Women (WELCA) - We have been notified that our CARES grant application seems to have been accepted. This grant is being distributed to replace funding that we were not able to raise due to having to cancel meetings, bake sales, Spring Gathering and most important, Smorgasbord.
This is such a gift from God, as it will allow us to continue with our annual beneficial disbursements and support of Bethany, too.
That being said, if you are aware of other entities that need some help besides last year's list, please contact Marion Bjorgan, Carolyn Roff, or Christine Van Emmerik.
Since our Thankoffering donations are still needed, if you have had some special blessings this year and still wish to give, please send or drop off a check addressed to WELCA at the church with THANKS in the memo line. Please do this by November 30th.
Thank you all for your continued support as we go through challenging times.
Blessings2you
Chris Van Emmerik
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close contact' At risk of contracting coronavirus to include people who come into close contact (<6') with infected individuals in multiple short bursts over a 24-hour period, when the exposure was counted up it exceeded a total of 15 cumulative minutes..
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Gracious Heavenly Father, grant that we may mitigate this sizable outbreak of covid in our community. We praise you for our being largely spared thus far. We hold--up, those infected. exposed and the caregivers, for your help and blessings. Give us the will to follow the CDC guildlines, masking, distancing, limiting, isolating.... We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
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Devotional - "Scientists" by Pastor Gary
"Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." (1 Peter 2:17, NIV)
Remember the last time the whole world was united in prayer? I do, it was April 11, 1970. Three astronauts were halfways to the moon when their spacecraft, Apollo 13, suffered a near catastrophic explosion. An oxygen tank blew up, leaving the three astronauts dependent on their "moon lander" as a kind of lifeboat some 210,000 miles away from earth. Over the next five days, the whole world watched on TV, listened on the radio, and prayed fervently for their safe return. And what did scientists do? They prayed and worked like crazy until the astronauts made it home safe and sound.
Today we have a similar kind of story. Our little spaceship, planet earth, is suffering from a catastrophic pandemic. People all over the world are united in prayer. And once again, scientists are praying and working feverishly to help save people's lives. But how do we treat these scientists working so hard for our well being?
Are we thankful? Are we humbled by their great sacrifices made on our behalf? Are we supporting them through our words, actions, and prayers?
As Winston Churchill said of the fighter pilots who defended England from Hitler's Lufwafa in WWII, "Never was so much, owed by so many, to so few."
Prayer: Heavenly father, we thank you for our scientists who have been so incredibly accurate in their predictions. We thank you for the vaccines they are working on. We pray that we might do our part to lessen their burden by heeding their wisdom and guidance.
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"Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." (1 Peter 2:17, NIV)
Remember the last time the whole world was united in prayer? I do, it was April 11, 1970. Three astronauts were halfways to the moon when their spacecraft, Apollo 13, suffered a near catastrophic explosion. An oxygen tank blew up, leaving the three astronauts dependent on their "moon lander" as a kind of lifeboat some 210,000 miles away from earth. Over the next five days, the whole world watched on TV, listened on the radio, and prayed fervently for their safe return. And what did scientists do? They prayed and worked like crazy until the astronauts made it home safe and sound.
Today we have a similar kind of story. Our little spaceship, planet earth, is suffering from a catastrophic pandemic. People all over the world are united in prayer. And once again, scientists are praying and working feverishly to help save people's lives. But how do we treat these scientists working so hard for our well being?
Are we thankful? Are we humbled by their great sacrifices made on our behalf? Are we supporting them through our words, actions, and prayers?
As Winston Churchill said of the fighter pilots who defended England from Hitler's Lufwafa in WWII, "Never was so much, owed by so many, to so few."
Prayer: Heavenly father, we thank you for our scientists who have been so incredibly accurate in their predictions. We thank you for the vaccines they are working on. We pray that we might do our part to lessen their burden by heeding their wisdom and guidance.
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Devotional - "Sharing" (look for this post on Facebook and feel free to add to the "comments" section)
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, NIV)
I remember a friend who shared memories of growing up during WWII. She said that her memories were not all bad. It was a time of great closeness in the family. The whole country felt united in a just and noble cause. Everyone felt needed and appreciated as they worked together for a common good .
I do not wish to minimize the suffering so many are experiencing right now, but sometimes, experiences of great hardship are also experiences of great grace. In the comments section below, I would invite you to share some of the ways that God has blessed you in the last few months.
Please limit your sharing (on the Facebook post) to just a few sentences. Thank you.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to sense your invisible hand of support in this time of need. Amen.
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"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, NIV)
I remember a friend who shared memories of growing up during WWII. She said that her memories were not all bad. It was a time of great closeness in the family. The whole country felt united in a just and noble cause. Everyone felt needed and appreciated as they worked together for a common good .
I do not wish to minimize the suffering so many are experiencing right now, but sometimes, experiences of great hardship are also experiences of great grace. In the comments section below, I would invite you to share some of the ways that God has blessed you in the last few months.
Please limit your sharing (on the Facebook post) to just a few sentences. Thank you.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to sense your invisible hand of support in this time of need. Amen.
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From the Pastor - Facebook Devotional on "Fake News"
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV)
I got news for you, "fake" news has been around since the stone age. There is no such thing as an unbiased news report. No such thing as an unbiased human being. We all have our hidden agendas, pet peeves, and blind spots. Fox news is biased, NBC, CBS, and PBS are biased. Even Christian broadcasting is biased. Because of our human brokenness we are all (at least to some degree) promoters of fake news.
Given that reality, how can we ever get any "real" news about the world around us? Might I suggest three Biblical principals.
1. Look for multiple sources. There's a reason God gave us four gospels in the Bible. Like my old English teacher used to say, "Multiple sources make for a good argument." If one doctor tells you smoking is good for you but ninety nine tell you it's bad for you, which testimony is more likely to be true? In Bible times, the Jews required three witnesses to make a case against someone in court. That's why we have three witnesses to Jesus' resurrection on Easter morning (Mark 16:1). If you are reading only one newspaper or listening to only one source of news and information, you might be cheating yourself out of a broader perspective on reality. Look for multiple sources.
2. Look for sources that have some "sweat equity" in their reporting. The witnesses to the gospel paid for their reporting with their homes, businesses, and lives. Compare that with the reporter who tells us the Coved pandemic is fake news. He sits in his comfy office with people getting tested around him twenty four seven. Meanwhile the people who tell us the pandemic is real, work with the sick and dying every day. They work in overcrowded hospitals and ICUs. They change bedpans and cry every time a patient dies. Like the disciples, they have some "sweat equity" invested in their reporting. Isn't that likely to make their reporting more accurate?
3. Look for sources that don't always agree with you. I wish the doctor would tell me to gain some weight, exercise less, and eat more candy. That's what I want to hear! But is that what I need to hear? The Bible is full of witnesses who tell us about our brokenness and sin. News we don't want to hear. Yet, if we are truly honest, it might be the news we need to hear. There is no individual, group, or organization in this world that doesn't need a good critique now and then. As it was once said of the gospel, "Before it comforts you, it will make you squirm!"
Being a responsible and informed citizen is hard work. No short cuts about it! And the same thing could be said of faith.
Prayer: O God, lighten our darkness. Though you see all, we are often blind to even the simplest of truths. Open our eyes to seeing and seeking your way of kindness, mercy, and love. Amen.
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV)
I got news for you, "fake" news has been around since the stone age. There is no such thing as an unbiased news report. No such thing as an unbiased human being. We all have our hidden agendas, pet peeves, and blind spots. Fox news is biased, NBC, CBS, and PBS are biased. Even Christian broadcasting is biased. Because of our human brokenness we are all (at least to some degree) promoters of fake news.
Given that reality, how can we ever get any "real" news about the world around us? Might I suggest three Biblical principals.
1. Look for multiple sources. There's a reason God gave us four gospels in the Bible. Like my old English teacher used to say, "Multiple sources make for a good argument." If one doctor tells you smoking is good for you but ninety nine tell you it's bad for you, which testimony is more likely to be true? In Bible times, the Jews required three witnesses to make a case against someone in court. That's why we have three witnesses to Jesus' resurrection on Easter morning (Mark 16:1). If you are reading only one newspaper or listening to only one source of news and information, you might be cheating yourself out of a broader perspective on reality. Look for multiple sources.
2. Look for sources that have some "sweat equity" in their reporting. The witnesses to the gospel paid for their reporting with their homes, businesses, and lives. Compare that with the reporter who tells us the Coved pandemic is fake news. He sits in his comfy office with people getting tested around him twenty four seven. Meanwhile the people who tell us the pandemic is real, work with the sick and dying every day. They work in overcrowded hospitals and ICUs. They change bedpans and cry every time a patient dies. Like the disciples, they have some "sweat equity" invested in their reporting. Isn't that likely to make their reporting more accurate?
3. Look for sources that don't always agree with you. I wish the doctor would tell me to gain some weight, exercise less, and eat more candy. That's what I want to hear! But is that what I need to hear? The Bible is full of witnesses who tell us about our brokenness and sin. News we don't want to hear. Yet, if we are truly honest, it might be the news we need to hear. There is no individual, group, or organization in this world that doesn't need a good critique now and then. As it was once said of the gospel, "Before it comforts you, it will make you squirm!"
Being a responsible and informed citizen is hard work. No short cuts about it! And the same thing could be said of faith.
Prayer: O God, lighten our darkness. Though you see all, we are often blind to even the simplest of truths. Open our eyes to seeing and seeking your way of kindness, mercy, and love. Amen.
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Covid-19 Guiding Principles
1. If anyone has had within the past two (2) weeks any signs of cough, fever, shortness of breath, chills or signs and symptoms of the flu; please do not come to worship in-person.
2. If you are older than 65 and/or have any underlying health condition that predisposes you to illness or if you have been treated for an illness that causes a decreased immune response, please protect yourself and do not come to in-person worship.
3. Our goal as a congregation is to protect each other from contracting covid-19 virus and we are willing to take precautions to protect ourselves, each other and the community. To this end, if our
congregation becomes a source, or a person becomes a known carrier that was present in worship; the Church Council will take immediate steps to protect the congregation and the community.
Safety Guidelines
• Entrance to the building will be from South front doors only (the one with no steps ). You may exit the North door while maintaining physical distancing.
• Upon entering and leaving the church, safety stations will be set-up. Hand gel (gel in, gel out), face masks, and guidelines will be posted.
• Pews will be marked and roped off. Directional signs, traffic flow, and directions at entrances.
• Face masks must be worn at all times when in the building. ( those leading worship may remove for voice clarity). Masks are provided for those that do not have their own. 3 years and younger do not need to comply.
• All forms of touch - hug, handshakes – is discouraged.
• Offering plates will be placed on tables in doorways.
• Physical distance (6 ft.) in seated arrangements in sanctuary and during meetings will be followed. Family units may sit together, but must maintain physical distancing from others.
• No congregational singing. Speaking in a quieted tone of voice during unison responses (while wearing a mask and using physical distancing) seems to be safe.
• Considering the distribution of Holy Communion, we will be using sterile supplies that will be received upon entering the building and discarded upon exit.
• Minimize any social gathering after services. Socialization is to be done outdoors away from the doors to allow others to exit safely, still maintaining physical distance as well as wearing masks.
• Pews, handrails, doorknobs, all touchable hand surfaces will be wiped down after each church service.
• One person at a time in restrooms. Those waiting must maintain physical distancing.
• Bathroom commodes/urinals, and sinks need to be wiped down after each use. Use a paper towel to open the door. Trash receptacles will be placed outside the doors.
• Health officials will be notified if an outbreak occurs. Facility will be closed and proper steps will
be initiated for a comprehensive cleaning. All who have had contact with a positive Covid-19 person are to remain in quarantine and home isolation. Contact tracing will be initiated.
DISCLAIMER: We may have to switch to internet worship only depending on the current conditions in our community, state, and nation. Changes to the schedule may come with very short notice. We will try to communicate changes as soon as possible by sending out an email, posting on our website and updating our Facebook page.
AMAZON SMILE
You can now donate to Bethany Lutheran Church using Amazon Smile. Be sure you are on the Amazon Smile website (smile.amazon.com) and make your regular purchases. A portion of the sale will be donated directly to Bethany. For more information, see below.
Amazon will make a .5 % donation to Bethany for every purchase you make using the link above. This will not come out of your payment, but out of the Amazon charitable foundation, set up to aid charitable organizations such as ours. Click the above and get started. Please type in "Bethany Lutheran Church, 1315 6th St. NE" when asked to search for the charitable organization. The set up is simple and once set up, you are set to go for future purchases. Thank you! Pastor Gary
You can now donate to Bethany Lutheran Church using Amazon Smile. Be sure you are on the Amazon Smile website (smile.amazon.com) and make your regular purchases. A portion of the sale will be donated directly to Bethany. For more information, see below.
Amazon will make a .5 % donation to Bethany for every purchase you make using the link above. This will not come out of your payment, but out of the Amazon charitable foundation, set up to aid charitable organizations such as ours. Click the above and get started. Please type in "Bethany Lutheran Church, 1315 6th St. NE" when asked to search for the charitable organization. The set up is simple and once set up, you are set to go for future purchases. Thank you! Pastor Gary
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God our Father, please blanket our nation in protection from the Corona virus. Heal our land and protect those who are most vulnerable. Give peace to those who struggle with loneliness and isolation, and endurance to the many businesses that are effected by our feeble attempts to control Corona . Come to the bedside of those who are struggling with the effects of contracting the virus. Protect and give guidance to those healthcare workers who place themselves in danger caring for the sick. Hear our prayer oh Lord not because we deserve it but because America is the best beacon of hope for freedom in the world. We pray this through your son’s name, Amen.
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