| Bethany Lutheran Church Red Lake Falls MN |
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December Newsletter
From the Pastor
Soon time to get out the decorations for Christmas! Maybe you've got an old shoe box full of homemade decorations the kids made when they were little. To tell the truth, they are my favorites! Just a little sentimental here! But now think of the meaning of those decorations. The tree reminds us of the “tree” (cross) Jesus died on to save us from our sins. It's an “ever-green” tree that reminds us of the gift of “ever lasting life”, that he bestows on us through his sacrifice on that “tree”. And what of the gold and silver tinsel now adorning the tree? Here we have a reminder of Jesus' royal kingship. Jesus is a powerful king! Yet, his power consists not in power over us, but power to serve us. Jesus is the “King of Love”. The candy cane reminds us of Jesus who is at once both the good shepherd (shepherd's crook) and the sacrificial lamb. Like the white candy cane he is pure and sinless, but also saves us through the power of his blood shed on the cross. Lastly we have the angel at the tree top. The angle with her harp or trumpet, heralded Christ's birth on Christmas morn. Like the angel we too are called to be heralds of the good news of Jesus to all the world. Enjoy the decorating! And enjoy the story the decorations tell! Pastor Gary Christmas Schedule Dec. 24th 5:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Here's An Idea! One of the problems with Christmas is that the Christmas story about Jesus is often overshadowed by the Christmas story about Santa and the toys. Kids grow up learning more about the North Pole than Bethlehem! Here's an idea. What if we were to have a movie night featuring a children's movie about the baby Jesus. We could have treats, popcorn, maybe some fun games and crafts that would help kids remember the true story about Christmas. I know this is late in planning, but anyone interested? Let me know. Pastor Gary Dec. 23rd and 30th No Sunday School Dec. 26th No Confirmation, No Women's Bible Study Dec. 27th No Men's Bible Study Jan. 2nd No Confirmation Christmas Gift for Pastor If you would like to contribute to the Christmas gift for Pastor Gary and Linda, please get your submissions to Allen Bertilrud by December 16th. Women of Bethany Christmas Party The women of Bethany Christmas party will be December 16th at Alison and Mike Lacina's house! The gathering will start a 2:00 pm. So mark your calendars and join us! Walk Through Bethlehem Dust off your Nativity figures! We will be having a "Walk Through Bethlehem" open house fundraiser Sunday, December 9th, at Bethany! Our "Walk Through Bethlehem" will be from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Nativities to view! Dessert! Music? More information will be coming soon! |
Newsletter PDFs
December
Birthdays 1 – Dennis Haglund Jill Magnell 2 – Erin Matzke 3 – Wanda Olson 6 – Terry Rewertz 8 – Bailey Miller Vaida Pletschett Wren Pletschett 9 – David Miller 10 – Maureen Hams 11 – Olivia Bulger Gary Halvorson 12 – Faye Klipping 13 – Eunice Hams 14 – Theodore Tydlacka 15 – Gerald Bjorgan Logan Turner 16 – Murray Turner Bonnie Tydlacka 19 – Lynelle Doyle 21 – Wyatt Sauve 22 – Lynn Seeger 23 – Logan Hovland Shirley Thompson 24 – Cristin Gums 25 – Jesus of Nazareth Keaton Hansen 26 – Amanda Myhre 27 – Nathan Hofstad Gabriela Jorissen 28 – Jonah Lee 30 – Sheri Lallier Aubree Largis 31 – Zack Landman December
Anniversaries 7 – Jesse & Dianne Casavan 11 – Owen & Dianna Nelson Dennis & Debra Piche 28 – Harvey & Nina Bakke 29 – Maurice & Diane Bjorgan 31 – Jeff & Shari Baird Paul & Rachel Klein | ||||||||||||
Christmas Program and Meal Dec. 16th
The Sunday School will put on its Christmas program on Dec. 16th at 10:00 am in place of worship. Following the program the Youth Group will serve a meal.
Offering Envelopes
Please pick up your 2019 offering envelopes in the parish hall starting December 1st. They are arranged alphabetically by last name. If you cannot find your name, please take a blank one and notify pastor so this can be corrected on our end.
Giving Tree
Help provide a special Christmas to those in need in our community. Take a tag off the Giving Tree, purchase a gift of about $20 (or cash), wrap it, and return it under the tree by Dec. 16th.
Extra-Benevolence
Sometimes we forget to count all the extra ways Bethany gives to mission besides its regular commitment to benevolence giving (giving to mission and outreach). This year, we've managed to give away close to $3000 for Keith and Linda Axvig and their Sonshine Ministry (that aids in the building of houses and churches in Mexico), and $450 to the Gideon's for the distribution of Bibles throughout the world. That's $3400 to mission beyond our own walls in just one month! Sometimes we struggle to meet our benevolence goals, and yet manage to give to other causes in quite substantial ways, without even realizing it!
Worldwide Candle Lighting
In remembrance, please come light a candle for children who have died. Join us for a heartfelt ceremony December 9th at 7:00 pm at St. Joseph Church Parish Center. You are welcome to bring a picture to display. All friends and family are welcome. Candles and refreshments will be provided. Hosted by the Compassionate Friends.
New Council Members Needed
Church council is looking for 5 or more volunteers to fill positions on our church board. Call President Allen Bertilrud at 253-4236 or Pastor Gary Graff if interested in serving.
What a joyful event!
I had the opportunity to deliver almost 60 Christmas Shoeboxes to Hope Evangelical Church in Grand Forks this morning. A multitude of young kids thronged my car to help transport them inside. Others were busy packing them in larger boxes ready for shipment to the distribution center for final inspection before they traveled many many miles to the excited children who may be receiving the only gift they have ever received. But, the most precious thing was the young boy who gathered everyone around the boxes and prayed not only for the recipients of the boxes, but also all the generous hands that donated them. Thank you to everyone who filled a box or donated cash, may you be forever blessed.
Chris Van Emmerik
Bygland Church Christmas Dinner
Bygland Lutheran Church “Christmas in the Country” Lutefisk and Meatball Dinner, Bazaar and Bake Sale is Sunday, December 2nd. Located 8 miles south of East Grand Forks on Highway 220. Serving from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm. Cost is $15 for adults, $5 for children 5-12.
Benevolence 2018
▪ January - $500 to Fosston Christian Radio, $500 to “Sat 7” a Middle East radio station
▪ February - $1000 to Care and Share Shelter
▪ March - $1000 to Bethany Youth Group, National ELCA Gathering Trip
▪ April - $1000 to Lutheran Disaster Relief, aid for Syria
▪ May - $1000 to Northwest Minnesota Synod
▪ June - $500 to Seminary Scholarship; $500 to National ELCA Youth Gathering Special Offering
▪ Further benevolence commitments are on hold until we catch up on our budget.
The Sunday School will put on its Christmas program on Dec. 16th at 10:00 am in place of worship. Following the program the Youth Group will serve a meal.
Offering Envelopes
Please pick up your 2019 offering envelopes in the parish hall starting December 1st. They are arranged alphabetically by last name. If you cannot find your name, please take a blank one and notify pastor so this can be corrected on our end.
Giving Tree
Help provide a special Christmas to those in need in our community. Take a tag off the Giving Tree, purchase a gift of about $20 (or cash), wrap it, and return it under the tree by Dec. 16th.
Extra-Benevolence
Sometimes we forget to count all the extra ways Bethany gives to mission besides its regular commitment to benevolence giving (giving to mission and outreach). This year, we've managed to give away close to $3000 for Keith and Linda Axvig and their Sonshine Ministry (that aids in the building of houses and churches in Mexico), and $450 to the Gideon's for the distribution of Bibles throughout the world. That's $3400 to mission beyond our own walls in just one month! Sometimes we struggle to meet our benevolence goals, and yet manage to give to other causes in quite substantial ways, without even realizing it!
Worldwide Candle Lighting
In remembrance, please come light a candle for children who have died. Join us for a heartfelt ceremony December 9th at 7:00 pm at St. Joseph Church Parish Center. You are welcome to bring a picture to display. All friends and family are welcome. Candles and refreshments will be provided. Hosted by the Compassionate Friends.
New Council Members Needed
Church council is looking for 5 or more volunteers to fill positions on our church board. Call President Allen Bertilrud at 253-4236 or Pastor Gary Graff if interested in serving.
What a joyful event!
I had the opportunity to deliver almost 60 Christmas Shoeboxes to Hope Evangelical Church in Grand Forks this morning. A multitude of young kids thronged my car to help transport them inside. Others were busy packing them in larger boxes ready for shipment to the distribution center for final inspection before they traveled many many miles to the excited children who may be receiving the only gift they have ever received. But, the most precious thing was the young boy who gathered everyone around the boxes and prayed not only for the recipients of the boxes, but also all the generous hands that donated them. Thank you to everyone who filled a box or donated cash, may you be forever blessed.
Chris Van Emmerik
Bygland Church Christmas Dinner
Bygland Lutheran Church “Christmas in the Country” Lutefisk and Meatball Dinner, Bazaar and Bake Sale is Sunday, December 2nd. Located 8 miles south of East Grand Forks on Highway 220. Serving from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm. Cost is $15 for adults, $5 for children 5-12.
Benevolence 2018
▪ January - $500 to Fosston Christian Radio, $500 to “Sat 7” a Middle East radio station
▪ February - $1000 to Care and Share Shelter
▪ March - $1000 to Bethany Youth Group, National ELCA Gathering Trip
▪ April - $1000 to Lutheran Disaster Relief, aid for Syria
▪ May - $1000 to Northwest Minnesota Synod
▪ June - $500 to Seminary Scholarship; $500 to National ELCA Youth Gathering Special Offering
▪ Further benevolence commitments are on hold until we catch up on our budget.
Electronic Newsletter
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Want this newsletter sent to you via email? Zap us an email stating so at bethanylutheranrlf (at) gmail.com.
Please include the above address in your email address book or your spam filter will automatically “bump” our mailings into your garbage folder.
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