| Bethany Lutheran Church Red Lake Falls MN |
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Bethany Church Newsletter
July 2020 From the Pastor Do you like refinishing old furniture? I've seen people take a beat up old coffee table, and after a few hours of sanding, and staining and varnishing, “Viola!” they have a beautiful new coffee table! All it took was a little elbow grease and imagination. So many things look like junk to the untrained eye. A crudely painted and scratched up old coffee table doesn't look worth saving. “Set it out on the curb next to the garbage can. Maybe someone will pick it up for their cabin.” we say. But then along comes someone who can see the potential. With a little bit of work and sacrifice, one woman's trash becomes another woman's treasure. In his explanation to the second article of the creed, Luther wrote in the Small Catechism, “Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” Psalm 96:12 “He (Jesus) has redeemed me, a lost and condemned human being.. not with silver and gold, but with his holy, precious blood, and innocent suffering and death.. that I might be his own and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.” (Luther’s Small Catechism) Jesus sees the potential in all of us. And he's not afraid of putting a little “elbow grease” into our restoration. Maybe that's why some of us like restoring old furniture. We're taking after our “life restoring” God! Have you turned any “trash” into “treasure” lately? Can you think of some ways in which Jesus is “restoring” you? Evening Online Bible Study Last month I put out some information on Facebook concerning an online evening Bible study. Although there was some interest in having such a study, the timing was not good. We will try again in August when scheduling might be a little easier. Look for more info in our August newsletter. putting information on an evening Bible study that anyone interested in might join. Call or email Pastor Gary for more information. No Computer? Have you considered buying a used computer? Right now there are tons of old desk top machines and portable laptops for sale for about half the price of a new one. You might have to ask a friend to purchase it for you because most are available only online from office supply or electronics stores such as “Best Buy” Tiger Direct or “Office Max”. These machines have been used in stores and offices but are usually still good for many years to come. Talk to Pastor for more info. Zoom Bible Studies Looking for some good fellowship and Bible study? Join the Men's Zoom Bible Study at 9 am on Thursdays or Women's Zoom Bible study at 9:00 am onWednesdays. You'll need a
Worship While Pastor is on Vacation As I write this monthly newsletter, I am planning a two week vacation in the middle of July. The plan for worship during these Sundays (July 19th and 26th) is to have our services taped and available on our church website and Facebook page. That’s plan “A”. If I can get some supply preachers to fill in, we will also have outdoor worship on the “point” behind the church at 10 am on those two Sundays. Watch for emails and regular mail for more information as we get further into the month. In the event of rain, we would have worship via our Website and Facebook page.
Pastor Joy Grainger in Climax Mn has volunteered to be available for emergencies. Her number is 218-857-2215 or email her at joygrainger@hotmail.com . She is also good friends with Pastor John Ahola, chaplain at Altru and will arrange for visits with him for anyone admitted to Altru in Grand Forks. Vacation Bible School Most of the churches in our area have cancelled Vacation Bible School this summer. We too will not be having our regular VBS. We will however be offering unused Sunday school materials for families wishing to do some “in home” Sunday school lessons with their children. These are lessons that were not used in previous years but have all the material available. Our board of Ed members have gone through this material, arranged in the proper grade order, and put it on tables in the parish hall. Parents are invited to stop by, browse for what they need, and use these materials at home. There is no charge for the materials and lots of materials available. Benevolence In April we donated $1000 to our Northwestern Minnesota Synod. In May we donated $1000 to our local food shelf to aid in outreach to struggling families in our area. In June $1000 was donated to Trinity Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis. This was donated to Trinity for the purpose of aiding the community in rebuilding after the recent riots. Church Open for Individual Prayer (except during July 16th - 30th). The church will be open from 9-4 pm Tuesday through Thursday and from 6-8 pm on Wednesday evenings for individuals wishing to spend some time in prayer. Jesus liked to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. For many of us, Bethany Lutheran is a special place for prayer. Please feel free to visit. Bibles are in the pews. We ask that you maintain social distancing of six feet, keep the number down to less than ten persons, and spread out over the sanctuary. We also ask that you use the sanitizing wipes found on the cart as you enter the building to wipe down door handles, and things you touch. Lights in Sanctuary For the last several weeks we have kept a few of lights on each evening in our sanctuary to illuminate our beautiful stained-glass windows. Our council felt that this would remind our community that God is still watching over us even in the darkness of a pandemic. With LED lights, the cost is minimal and a small price to pay for blessing our community with hope. |
Newsletter PDFs
July Birthdays
2 – Ella Sletten 4 – Kelsey Stephens 5 – Steve Klipping 6 – Joanne Dahle 7 – Brady Gums 8 – Eric Johnson 9 – Nicholas Piersol, Hailey Slover 10 – Blake Audette 11 – Lori Vigstol 12 – Alek Lacina, Kevin Reich 14 – Brook Rufsvold, Spencer Sundberg 15 – John Columbus, D'Anne Johnson, Lane Kleven 16 – Steve Hams, Brad Swenson 17 – John Klein 18 – Branden Narlock 19 – Sam Brule 20 – Dale Knutson, Ann Piersol 21 – Carson Gagner 23 – Paul Klein, Carly Williams 24 – Chris Van Emmerik 25 – Jaclyn Fering 26 – Dean Hartel, Mason Johnson 27 – Todd Doyle 28 – Heidi Matzke, Erika Roff 29 – Erwin Wetenkamp 30 – Tom Hovland, Cheryl Matzke, Andy Olson 31 – Jesse Ellefson July Anniversaries 1 – Jim & Bev Gilbertson 3 – Perry & Laurie Duden 8 – Dean & Lorri Ann Hartel 16 – John & Sandy Klein 19 – Fred & Tandra Landman 24 – Tim & Peggy Nord 30 – Jerod & Wanda Olson | ||||||||||||||||||
Blood Drives
We are currently looking of helpers for a blood drive on August 12th, 12:30 - 5 pm. Give the office a buzz if you can help out.
Confirmation, Weddings, Funerals, Sunday School
Until we hear otherwise from the Governor, all gatherings at Bethany are to be limited to less than ten people.
- The Confirmation service will be rescheduled for the fall.
- Sunday school and confirmation classes are cancelled until further notice.
- Weddings can be held for a small group of less than ten participants. We can have a "Reaffirmation of Vows" service later in the year when more quests might be permitted. We can also record and stream the service over the internet.
- Funerals are limited to small groups of less than ten. We can have a "Memorial Service" later in the year when larger groups are permitted. The service can also be taped and streamed over the internet for viewing by relatives and friends.
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.
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.
Electronic Newsletter
Want this newsletter sent to you via email? Zap us an email stating so at bethanylutheranrlf@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.
Want this newsletter sent to you via email? Zap us an email stating so at bethanylutheranrlf@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.
