Bethany Church Newsletter 
September   2020


From the Pastor
  
"When you're accustomed to standing before God, kings don't matter much. Big potentates are just small potatoes when you have been standing in the presence of the Most High". — Vance Havner

Life got you down? Seems like the bullies have all the power? Well maybe you've got more resources than you think you have! Consider just a couple of the following and how they might help you in dealing with a pandemic or some other problem.
  • The Bible - Whenever I've been down, I've found God's Word to be of invaluable assistance. It doesn't always give me immediate or direct advice, but it does assure me of God's help and presence in all situations. What a gift we have in God's Word!
  • Prayer - I seldom get goosebumps when I pray. Sometimes I even have a hard time staying awake! But what is exciting about prayer is seeing how God answers my prayers! I don't always get the answers I expect, but usually the answers are a whole lot better than I expect! But isn't that God for you? Always giving us more than we ask for?
  • Fellowship - Covid has put a crimp in our style but if we are creative, we can still connect. There's Facebook and Facetime, there's email and texting, there's even the telephone and snail mail for those of you who aren't very techy. Connect with a friend and you connect with your Maker!
  • Leaves, Trees, and GrassHoppers - Just a simple walk outdoors can revive most people from a minor mood dip. But when you combine a good walk with any of the above, you really have some potent medicine for whatever is ailing you!

I'm sure there are many more resources available that can help us cope. All gifts from our gift giving God!


Let us pray.. Dear Lord when we feel down, help to read, ponder, and pray, that we might be refreshed through the power of your endless love. Amen.

Confirmation Service
We'll be having our "Affirmation of Baptism" service for our 9th graders on September 20th at 2:00 pm in the wooded area behind the church. We are limiting the attendance to ten people per family and families of the confirmation kids only. This will bring us to about fifty people, which should the weather not permit outdoor worship we will be able to accommodate in our building. Thanks for being such a great class Ava Anderson, Blake Audette, Ashtin Frederickson, Mykayla Peterson, and Jace Seeger!

Confirmation Classes
We are hoping to begin Confirmation classes on Wednesday Sept. 23rd at 3:00 pm. We'll see how school progresses and if all goes we will have "in person" confirmation at church using social distancing and prepackaged snacks. I'll be keeping in touch with parents as we get closer to the date. We will also have the "Zoom" social media program for a backup, should we need to use it. We have a total of eight kids in our combined 7th and 8th grade class this fall.  

Sunday School
Our plan for Sunday school this year is to have classes via "packets" that will contain materials, craft items, and possibly snacks. The packets will be delivered by our board of ed. We had considered "in person" Sunday school but decided against it due to too many difficulties with finding and training teachers, and a school schedule that might change rapidly. We'll keep you informed of any changes, but for the fall this will be our plan.

Red Lake Falls Food Shelf.

Minnesota Food Share contacted us and awarded the Red Lake Falls Food Shelf with $140.80 for our participation in the 2020 March Campaign. The RLF Food Shelf was awarded $52.89 for our client usage and $87.91 for the food and monetary donations collected throughout the campaign.
  
The cumulative totals in donations received this year were 1,639.01 pounds of food and $14,127.85. May God bless you abundantly for your generosity and help in making the 2020 March Campaign a success for the Red Lake Falls Food Shelf.

With thanks for your past and present support,  
The Red Lake Falls Food Shelf
Newsletter PDFs
september___2020.pdf
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august_2020_newsletter.pdf
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july_2020.pdf
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june_2020.pdf
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may_2020.pdf
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April 2020
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March 2020
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February 2020
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January 2020
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December 2019
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November 2019
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September Birthdays

2 – Arick Broden, Taye Reich
3 – Olivia Larson
5 – Iver Cota, Jordan Johnson
6 – Sam Pahlen
7 – Sandra Klein
8 – Aaron Gagner, Shari Klein, Sue Knutson, Peggy Gervais
10 – VeAnn Wright
12 – Val Fering
13 – Laurie Duden, Dakota Erickson, Tim Hams
15 – Kevin Brevik, Neal Vraa
16 – Gabrielle Baird, Ryan Nelson
17 – Angela Sauve
21 – Shelby Baird, Zadin Lallier, William Tydlacka
22 – Ethan Peterson
23 – Myron Cote, Scott Larson, Kelly Pahlen, Casey Vraa
24 – Lindsey Gagner, Hannah Nord25 – Melissa Benoit, Lynnae Larson
27 – Nina Bakke
28 – John Murphy
29 – Sandy Bertilrud, Crystal Guenthner
30 – Alexia Olson

September Anniversaries

1 – Tom & Lacie Hovland
7 – Reed & Nichole Engelstad
8 – Jayson & Melissa Sletten
9 – Jason & Cristin Gums
12 – Cary & Ashley Lewis
13 – Clayton & Abby Leith
16 – David & Erica Johnston
18 – Chad & Tammy Larson
20 – Jon & Ashley Erickson, Brad & Trish Seeger
21 – Jared & Shari Ecklund
23 – Chuck & Margie Flage
24 – Kurtis & LeAnn Ellefson
25 – Mike & Alison Lacina
30 – Dan & Melissa Benoit, Dennis & Nancy Haglund

Additional Information

Bethany Prayer Chain
If you wish to request prayers for yourself or a loved one, contact Pastor Gary, Marion Bjorgan, or Linda Hoffman. We'll send your request on to a team of 26 individuals who have committed themselves to praying for your need.

Like Us on Facebook
We now have a new Facebook Page for Bethany Lutheran Church! The quickest way to get to us is by clicking on the link on the homepage of our website. Like our Page for updates and events happening at our church!

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.

Local Food Shelf
We now have a box for donations to our local Red Lake Falls Food Shelf. Items they are looking for include: paper towels, toilet paper, kleenex, tooth paste, toothbrushes, deodorant, laundry soap, dish soap, hand soap, shampoo and conditioner.

RSVP Groceries to Go Program
The RSVP Groceries to Go Program is recruiting volunteers to assist with grocery shopping for qualified seniors. If you like to shop and are willing to provide a little companionship to a homebound senior, this may be the volunteer position for you. All volunteers will receive training prior to being matched with a client. If you are interested in being a RSVP Groceries to Go volunteer, or you need assistance with grocery shopping or know of someone who needs assistance, call RSVP at 281-8288, or tsykes@umn.edu.

RSVP Handyman Program
The RSVP Handyman Program helps homeowners, age 60+ by providing men or women volunteers to perform minor home maintenance work. RSVP handymen are skilled and trained. Background checks are performed on all volunteers. Volunteers may install grab bars, replace light bulbs, fix leaky faucets, install smoke alarms, etc. Clients do not pay for the labor, only for the needed materials. If you are in need of a Handyman, or would like to volunteer as one, please call RSVP at 281-8288, or tsykes@umn.edu.
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