| Bethany Lutheran Church Red Lake Falls MN |
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January Newsletter
From the Pastor
Wow! Another year flies by! You're probably settling down after a busy Christmas rush. Or maybe you are even more on the move! Kids to take to hockey. Kids to take to band concerts. Grandkids that have to be watched. Grandparents that have to be watched! The Christmas story is filled with people on the move too. The wise men made a journey from one end of the middle east to the other. The shepherds made a journey from rural to urban. Mary and Joseph had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem to participate in a census. Luke reminds us “that all the world” (Luke 2:1) was called to participate in that same census. Heads of households had to return to their place of birth to be enrolled by the Roman Empire and its census keepers. All the world was busy, busy, busy in Biblical times, just as it is busy today. During the Christmas holidays nearly one hundred and eleven million people were traveling by planes, trains, or automobiles to get to their destinations. So much traveling! And the pace seems only to get faster and the destinations further away. And with all that traveling, do we really know where we are going? Are we really finding that “peace that passes all understanding?” Or are we just going in circles, ever faster? The year two thousand twenty is upon us, and maybe it's time to “check your itinerary.” Make sure you know where you are going, and make sure that Jesus is on the list! Pastor Gary Blood Drive Jan 9th and 10th A Vitalant Blood Drive will be held at Bethany from 11:30 to 6:00 pm January 9th and from 7:30-10:30 am on January 10th. Contact Jenny Schmitz at 253-2914 to make an appointment. Prayers for Our Nation January 12th We as a people are facing some of the toughest and most complicated problems we have ever dealt with as a people. You don't have to be reminded of them for they are on the news every day. If you would like to do something positive about these problems you can join me for a service of “Prayer for the Nation” on Sunday January 12th at 3:00 pm. We'll have a few hymns, some formal prayers from the hymnal, and some informal quiet time to simply listen and quietly share our concerns with our God who is always listening. Pastor Gary Catechism Study January 12th Starting January 12th at 7 pm, we will begin a six week study on Luther's small catechism. I didn't get much feedback on the Revelation study, but some of you expressed an interest in Luther's Small Catechism. I quote the small catechism all the time in sermons and Bible study, and have found in its words, a wonderful guide to understanding the Bible and its message for our time! Come join us for six weeks of reflecting on Luther's small catechism and its message for today. |
Newsletter PDFs
January
Birthdays 1 – Bobbi Narlock 3 – Paula Miller 4 – Marion Bjorgan Brett Rewertz 5 – Mike Lacina 6 – Shannon Vraa 8 – Emily Johnson Shandi Nelson 9 – Elliot Kuznia 10 – Gemma Hovland Mikayla Tabert Halle Seeger 11 – Will Duden Ethan Johnson 15 – Tammy Larson Debra Piche 17 – Aiden Hovland 18 – Olivia Doyle Tony Knutson 19 – Vicki Guillemette Dano Stephens 22 – Jessica Roff 24 – Lorraine Miller 28 – Austin Klipping Isiah, Sienna & Katrina Olson 31 – Dawn Swenson January
Anniversaries 10 – Arick & Amy Broden 11 – Roger & Cindy Dupont 19 – Terry & Heidi Rewertz 29 – Kevin & Michelle Harmoning | ||||||||||||
Annual Meeting January 19th
Our yearly annual congregational meeting will be held after a potluck on January 19th at 12 noon. Please be sure to attend and provide us with feedback on how we are doing as a church. All confirmed members of the congregation are invited to attend and vote.
Annual Meeting Reports
Please turn in your reports for the Annual Meeting to Destiny by January 12th.
Youth Led Worship January 26th
On January 26th we will have the fourth of our Child Friendly Worship services. On January 26th at 10 am, our confirmation kids and other youth will be assisting with the leading of our worship. Some of them will be ushering. Others will be reading the lessons. Still others will be doing the Children's sermon or leading us in prayer. Our Sunday school kids will also be blessing us with their awesome singing! We have a lot of very gifted kids with a rich and vibrant faith. This is their chance to really shine!
SUNDAE SUNDAY CHANGED TO JAN 26TH
Sunday Jan 26th will be “Sundae Sunday!” Ice cream Sundaes will be provided. Tickets for baskets will be sold for chances to win the many baskets. Proceeds from the baskets will go to the Care and Share homeless shelter in Crookston. Thanks to Thrivent for seed money for this event.
Thank You
Thank you to the parishioners of Bethany Church for participating in the Advent Giving Tree Program. The Giving Trees provided Christmas gifts to 145 low-income children in Red Lake County, and 8 adults living in group homes in Red Lake Falls. For many of the children, your gift was the only gift they received. Jesus was born a poor child, lived as a poor man, and died as a poor man. He cared deeply about the poor and the impoverished. Jesus taught us to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind to the table because they would be unable to repay us (Luke 14:13). When you select a tag from the Giving Tree, you are giving a gift to someone who is unable to repay you. You are Jesus in action!
Thank You from the Pastor
Thank you to Bethany congregation for all the nice cards, gifts, and the gift of money.
New Council Members Needed
Church Council is looking for volunteers to fill positions on our church board that will become vacant in the new year. Call President Allen Bertilrud at 253-4236 or Pastor Gary Graff if interested in serving.
Make a Difference
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of the Red River Valley (RSVP) is currently recruiting men and women, age 55 and older, to help older adults remain safe and independent in their own homes. Seeking helpers who are willing to help an elderly resident get groceries or to perform minor home maintenance/repairs. Supplemental Insurance, mileage reimbursement, and recognition benefits. Please contact Tammy Frohlich, RSVP Director at 281-8289; or Jennifer Erdmann, Coordinator at 281-8288.
Our yearly annual congregational meeting will be held after a potluck on January 19th at 12 noon. Please be sure to attend and provide us with feedback on how we are doing as a church. All confirmed members of the congregation are invited to attend and vote.
Annual Meeting Reports
Please turn in your reports for the Annual Meeting to Destiny by January 12th.
Youth Led Worship January 26th
On January 26th we will have the fourth of our Child Friendly Worship services. On January 26th at 10 am, our confirmation kids and other youth will be assisting with the leading of our worship. Some of them will be ushering. Others will be reading the lessons. Still others will be doing the Children's sermon or leading us in prayer. Our Sunday school kids will also be blessing us with their awesome singing! We have a lot of very gifted kids with a rich and vibrant faith. This is their chance to really shine!
SUNDAE SUNDAY CHANGED TO JAN 26TH
Sunday Jan 26th will be “Sundae Sunday!” Ice cream Sundaes will be provided. Tickets for baskets will be sold for chances to win the many baskets. Proceeds from the baskets will go to the Care and Share homeless shelter in Crookston. Thanks to Thrivent for seed money for this event.
Thank You
Thank you to the parishioners of Bethany Church for participating in the Advent Giving Tree Program. The Giving Trees provided Christmas gifts to 145 low-income children in Red Lake County, and 8 adults living in group homes in Red Lake Falls. For many of the children, your gift was the only gift they received. Jesus was born a poor child, lived as a poor man, and died as a poor man. He cared deeply about the poor and the impoverished. Jesus taught us to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind to the table because they would be unable to repay us (Luke 14:13). When you select a tag from the Giving Tree, you are giving a gift to someone who is unable to repay you. You are Jesus in action!
Thank You from the Pastor
Thank you to Bethany congregation for all the nice cards, gifts, and the gift of money.
New Council Members Needed
Church Council is looking for volunteers to fill positions on our church board that will become vacant in the new year. Call President Allen Bertilrud at 253-4236 or Pastor Gary Graff if interested in serving.
Make a Difference
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of the Red River Valley (RSVP) is currently recruiting men and women, age 55 and older, to help older adults remain safe and independent in their own homes. Seeking helpers who are willing to help an elderly resident get groceries or to perform minor home maintenance/repairs. Supplemental Insurance, mileage reimbursement, and recognition benefits. Please contact Tammy Frohlich, RSVP Director at 281-8289; or Jennifer Erdmann, Coordinator at 281-8288.
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.
