WITH GOD’S HELP, WE’LL GET THROUGH THIS! · 2020-06-16 · 3 people in a room that holds 200...

BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH BELIEVE † BELONG † BECOME

20650 CUMBERLAND ROAD, NOBLESVILLE, IN 46062 317.773.4315 BETHELLUTHERANCHURCH .COM

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BETHEL BELIEVES... WITH GOD’S HELP, WE’LL GET THROUGH THIS!

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Weekend of May 30/31

We are incredibly grateful for the response to our first weeks of reopening at Bethel! We’ve had great crews

cleaning and sanitizing our public spaces. Others removed the hymnals, Bibles, and other paperwork from the

pew racks and closed off every other pew. Thank you Gay, Jill, Karen, Lee Anne, Marci, and Terri! The services

themselves went smoothly, with ample personal space in the sanctuary and modified (non-contact) methods of

collecting the offering, passing the peace, and sharing communion. What a blessing to be back again! We will

continue our cleaning practices before and after each worship service and our modified worship practices this

weekend (and for the foreseeable future) as we ease back into public worship. We welcome everyone to join us

when you are ready to come, and to continue worshiping with us online until then. Our expectation is to have

the service available no later than early Sunday afternoon.

Page 2 - 3

Pentecost

Weekend

Next Series Info

Wear Red Sunday

Women’s Bible

Study Update

Page 4 – 5

Outdoor Service

this Sunday

Footprints

2020 High

School

Graduates

Volunteer

Page 6 - 7

Resources

Zoom at Noon-

thirty

Adult Class

Healing Service

Bethel

Olympics/VBS

Page 8 - 9

Congregational

Meeting

Congrats to Rev.

Dr. Mulugeta

Melaku

Match Me Missions

Rummage Sale

WE ARE SO VERY GRATEFUL . . .

http://www.bethellutheranchurch.com/



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Meditation:

Wait for God. Too often, individuals and entire congregations rush ahead of the Spirit. They are

determined to do things their way—even if that is the same old way, “the way we’ve always done

it in our church.” But God is doing something new, and we may see it, if we wait. Without the

outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and his guidance (inspiration), we stumble, at best. Alcoholics

Anonymous describes insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different

results.” We may feel that we must move ahead, but faith (not feelings or emotions) bids us wait

on the Lord so that we have renewed strength and godly courage (Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 27:14).

This Weekend Scripture Readings – We encourage everyone to wear RED this

weekend!

Acts 2:1-21 1 Corinthians 12.3-13 John 7:37-39

June Sermon Series - Things I Wish Jesus Hadn’t Said

Mark Twain is reported to have said, “It ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t

understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.” This summer, we will

explore several of Jesus’ statements that may make us squirm in our seats. Have we

domesticated Jesus and made him our BFF? His deeds AND words fundamentally

transformed the religious and social landscape of his day, and his transformative work

continues in us still. How will his sayings change us? How shall we rightly apply and practice

what Jesus says in our life of discipleship?

Date Theme Readings

Jun 6/7 Not Everyone is Fit to Serve Acts 5:1-11; Luke 9:57-62

Jun 13/14 You Must Love the Unlovable 1 John 4:7-11; Matthew 5:43-48

Jun 20/21 You are Forgiven Only as We Forgive Colossians 3:12-17; Matthew 6:14-15

Jun 27/28 Discipleship is Based on Hatred I John 3:11-18; Luke 4:25-33

Jul 4/5 Heaven is Closed to Some James 1:22-25; Matthew 7:21-23

Ph

oto

by B

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In -Person worsh ip

Thank you to everyone who is

coming to celebrate in-person

service with on the weekends at

a safe personal distance.

#bethelbelieves

Please Wear Red This Weekend!

Dear all,

Bethel’s WOW Bible Study will resume on Wednesday June 3! If you have not been out this would be a good way to begin. Our study will be held in the sanctuary. For those of you who have not been attending church it would work like this. You would drive in and park and using a mask if you wish walk into the sanctuary and choose a seat. We sit every other row and we would sit one at each end of the pew. We would at the most be 15 people in a room that holds 200 plus. I would be at the lectern with the mic so everyone can hear me. This really is a safer way for you to begin to be with others than going to the grocery or other businesses. It would be a chance to get together and share our spiritual lives at the same time being safe. Please let me know if you can come. Blessings, Mary Jo




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Meditative Communion Service Coming This Sunday!

On Good Friday, Bethel hosted several outdoor services following the Stations of the Cross along

the Peace Trail that concluded in our prayer circle (pictured right). Beginning Sunday May 31, we

will launch another outdoor worship opportunity at 1p that will bring groups of no more than 12

(plus pastors) to the prayer circle for an informal spoken service that includes devotions, Scripture

readings, prayer, and Holy Communion.

We will offer this Meditative Communion Service according to

CDC guidelines for physical distance and group gatherings. If you

are having any flu-like symptoms, please stay home for now.

However, we are intentionally keeping our group size small and

meeting outside to minimize the chance of contracting the

virus. We will also require pre-registration to participate.

Communion will be served using the pre-packaged communion

cups that will be distributed safely. Worshipers will use single-

use bulletins which they can keep or dispose of themselves. No offering will be taken. You may sit

on the wood benches or bring your own camping-type chair. You may also wear a mask, though one

will not be required.

We hope this creative worship opportunity will be a way to bridge the gap between worshiping at

home online and gathering in the sanctuary in a larger group, and allow us to make communion

available safely to more people while adhering to our understanding of the Sacrament.

Pre-registration is required to maintain group size. To register, please stop by church and sign up

on the sheet on the glass door or call into the church office (317-773-4315). This service will

continue every Sunday (weather permitting) through the summer, and additional services may be

offered as needed.

Our quarterly issue of Footprints is available on the website! You can also come to the front entrance of the church to pick up a

paper copy.


https://j.b5z.net/i/u/10233698/f/Bethel%20FootPrints/Bethel_FootPrints_Vol-12_2020-04-30-web.pdf

https://j.b5z.net/i/u/10233698/f/Bethel FootPrints/Bethel_FootPrints_Vol-12_2020-04-30-web.pdf



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Here is a list of our Bethel High School Graduates that will be honored this

weekend and colleges, if known:

Tyler Champagne – Noblesville High School; Ivy Tech

Will Chance – Noblesville High School; Electrician

McKenna Corley – Noblesville High School; Purdue, Int. Design/Architecture

Evelyn Eckstein – Noblesville High School; Purdue-Ft. Wayne, Art/Business

Olivia Johnson – Noblesville High School; Ivy Tech, PE/Coaching

Spencer Klotz – Fishers High School

Sophia Kussow – Noblesville High School

Grace Pearson – Noblesville High School; Purdue, Child Psychology

Brandon Pfeil – Noblesville High School; IU, Business/Finance

Annabel Pittman – Noblesville High School; IU, Speech and Language Path

Adam Rider – Noblesville High School

Olivia Ritchie – Noblesville High School; IU, Elementary Ed.

Nicholas Roberts – Sheridan High School(Valedictorian); Purdue, Biochemistry/PreMed

Aubrey Rudy – Noblesville High School; Calvin University, Environmental Studies

Elizabeth Score – Northpoint High School; IU, Law and Public Policy

Tyler Schultz – Noblesville High School

Jackson VonBlon – Noblesville High School; Purdue, Biochemistry/Political Science

Arden Woodall – Noblesville High School; Purdue, English Education

Volunteer Opportunity:

We are looking for people who will volunteer to help with any of our 3 services,

as readers, greeters, ushers, acolytes, and even to help out in the tech area!

Please contact the office to let us know that you would like to help… we respect

social distancing of course!




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RESOURCES:

CHURCH OFFICE: The church office is now open normal business

hours Tuesday through Friday.

ONLINE WEEKEND SERVICE VIDEOS:

Our Online Weekend Services are posted on the website and on Facebook on Sunday afternoons.

FOOD PANTRY: Gleaners delivered a full box truck load of

food from Good Samaritan for our Food and

Baby Pantry! Update on a change in the

pantry…they will allow 1 person at a time and

everyone must be masked to come into the

pantry. People can still elect to order ahead.

* Questions? Speak directly with Sandy

Hanke at 317-773-4315 ext.10.

CALLING AND RESPONSE TEAM:

Our Calling Team is reaching out to members

and regular attenders every 7-10 days; expect

your call soon. Feel free to share with that

caller any prayer concerns you might have or

any hands-on needs with which our Response

Team might assist.

Click here for current worship service

videos including this week’s Healing

Service… CHURCH SERMON VIDEOS

ADULT CLASS:

Online through Zoom video conference platform

Wednesdays at 6:30p:

A bible study on the BOOK OF PSALMS. David Jacobs leads a discussion on this fascinating book from the Old Testament, the “hymnbook of the Hebrew Bible”.

*To register, call or email Pastor Al, who will get you connected into the Zoom platform either by computer, phone, tablet, or phone. You can join late… no worries!

CARE TEAM:

The Care Team, Pastor Doug, and Pastor Al will continue to be available for pastoral care, either in person or by phone.

VIRTUAL GROUP MEETINGS:

Small groups who wish to continue to meet may use online group collaboration tools (Google Hangouts, Zoom, Skype, etc.) to meet “virtually”.

Y O U C A N J O I N B Y G O I N G H E R E

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86164099206

O N Y O U R C O M P U T E R , T A B L E T , O R S M A R T P H O N E A N D J O I N I N G W I T H Y O U R

V I D E O , O R B Y

C A L L I N G I N ( W I T H A U D I O O N L Y ) T O

3 1 2 . 6 2 6 . 6 7 9 9 .

T H E M E E T I N G I D I S 861 6409 9206.


https://www.bethellutheranchurch.com/sermons1

mailto:[email protected]

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86164099206



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Save the date

The Olympics are coming to Bethel this summer!

While circumstances have caused us to cancel this year’s Vacation Bible School in

June, we are delighted to offer this one-day intergenerational event for the entire

community! More information will be coming in June, so save the date now and plan

to join us for the Bethel Olympics!

Bethel Healing Service will be available online June 3.

If anyone would like a prayer shawl or healing stole, please call the church.




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Congregation Meeting Scheduled

Save the date! Congregation members are invited to join

us for our semi-annual Congregation meeting after

services the weekend of June 27-28. We will elect new

Council members and hear some updates on our ministry.

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Mulugeta Melaku on

receiving his Ph.D. from Concordia Lutheran Seminary,

Fort Wayne, IN on May 22, 2020! Pastor Melaku has been

to Bethel several times, had preached here, and is one

of our Mission Partners in the Ethiopian Evangelical

Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY).

Long time former member of Bethel, Phil Wise died peacefully

yesterday May 20th, at the Five Star Residence in Noblesville. He was

one of the key players when we were constructing and relocating our

church here to 206th and Cumberland. Always a smile and always a

kind word. Recently he had been struggling with many falls and

diagnosed with Dementia. Because of the covid virus, funeral plans are

on hold. Though we feel the loss here, there was great rejoicing in

heaven. Phil was 95. We extend to the entire Wise family our

Christian sympathy and love.

Pastor Doug




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We are living in difficult times for us, but as bad as they are here, it is even worse in the developing countries around the world where resources are limited and the ability to help the people is scarce. In particular, the Missions Committee is concerned about our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian nation is facing a crisis. Without help, starvation is likely.

As a symbol of solidarity and of Christian compassion, our Mission Committee decided to send some financial help to our brothers and sisters at the Lutheran seminary in

Ethiopia. We will match any gift, dollar for dollar, up to $2,500 for this relief aid. For every $1 you give, it will become $2 to help the seminary, which in turn helps the community! If you would like to donate by cash, check, or online, please put “Match Me Missions” in the memo line. Checks may be made out to: Bethel Lutheran Church. Whether you are able to give or not, please keep these good friends and mission partners in your prayers and ask for the Holy Spirit to work healing and care to one and all. Thank you, as always for generously sharing your blessings. Indeed, we are blessed to be a blessing!

Bethel Rummage Sale

Each year Bethel has a rummage sale

that has typically been on Father’s Day

Weekend. This event has brought into Bethel

a variety of people from the community,

developed friendships among the members of

Bethel and a profit of about $17,000 toward

Bethel’s mission projects, programs and our

general budget. This year due to the virus we

were unable to hold this sale in June.

We dislike the thought of not having

this sale and are contemplating the idea of

holding the sale during the weekend of July

24 and 25. In order to do this we would have

to operate in a little bit different way. We

feel that we would have many from the

community that would attend. However,

many of the workers are usually our retired

and older members which may not happen

this year due to the virus and would especially

need members of the younger generation to

step up and help in bigger numbers.

Obviously, we would have some

different rules depending on the atmosphere

of the community by July. We would not have

a bake sale, and research how to handle

donations, maintain personal space,

requirements then for hand sanitizer, masks

etc. We do think the community need will be

strong given the economy and the

demographic this sale traditionally serves.

Consequently, we are reaching out to

the members of Bethel to see if the interest

is there to make this happen. We would like

your thoughts and if you could be a part of

this activity. Let us know by emailing Bethel

at the following email:

[email protected].





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PRAYER

WE ARE A PRAYING COMMUNITY... WE PRAY WITH EXPECTATION! SEND YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS TO OUR PRAYER WARRIORS (WHO ACTIVELY PRAY FOR EACH AND EVERY SUBMITTED REQUEST) AT [email protected].

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE EMAILS WITH CURRENT PRAYER REQUESTS FROM THE COMMUNITY, SIMPLY SEND YOUR REQUEST TO TRUDY AT THE SAME ADDRESS.

BETHEL PRESCHOOL

Bethel Preschool is now accepting enrollments to our preschool for the 2020/2021 school year. Please contact our Preschool Director Laura Houser at [email protected] or 317-773-4315, ext. 33 to register your chi ld in our wonderfully loving and educational preschool. You can access registration forms at www.bethellutheranchurch.com/preschool .

STAFF RETURNS TO OFFICE

Bethel Church Staff wi l l return to the off ice starting Tuesday June 2n d. The front door wi l l sti l l be locked so please call the office or ring the buzzer at the front door to be let in. We wil l sti l l be practicing al l personal distancing measures. Thank you!

BETHEL OPEN FOR ELECTIONS

If you haven’t voted absentee yet, Bethel wi l l be open on Tuesday for the primary elections. 6a – 6p, same location as usual.

ADULT CLASSES RESUME Bethel Adult Sunday Classes start again on June 7 th , led by the Pastors . The Study is for adults

only and wil l be focused on the June Sermon Series “Things I Wish Jesus Hadn’t Said”.




https://d.docs.live.net/1690663d265c0561/Desktop/BETHEL/www.bethellutheranchurch.com/preschool



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Ministry in a Culture of Coronavirus

Living in this season of Coronavirus since March has touched nearly every

aspect of our lives: work, school, shopping, spending time with friends and

family, traveling and vacation planning, going to church, watching live sporting

events, etc. And the ripples of this impact continue to expand outward into a

future that looks much more murky than clear.

Given this, I’m prompted to ask:

How has Coronavirus changed how you follow Jesus?

I ask not to guilt or pressure anyone, but only to recognize the profound change that this virus has brought to our culture.

This will not be a “one and done” flu season or a simple seasonal hiccup after which life returns to “normal.” As much as

I have come to dislike the phrase, we are entering a “new normal” with changed personal interactions and heightened

sensitivities about personal space, hygiene, and group gatherings. Whether I like it or not, I believe we will live with the

reality of Coronavirus for the foreseeable future.

Which brings me back to my question:

How has Coronavirus changed how you follow Jesus?

Our baptismal charge to go and make disciples is not conditional on good weather or good health. We are disciples,

wherever God plants us and whatever the cultural conditions. We are God’s light shining in the world. We may be a

bright mag light or a dim night light, but we are God’s light. We can’t shelter in place, spiritually, unless we are all called

to enter some sort of religious community apart from the larger world. Is THAT what God is calling us to do? No, I don’t

think so, either.

As we turn the calendar page to June and our greater community inches forward in its reopening, how is God calling us to

continue following Jesus? How can we reach out to our neighbors to extend God’s care and the hope of the gospel? How

can we listen for those ripe “kairos” moments when others are asking spiritual questions and are open to the Holy Spirit’s

touch? How will I get beyond my caution to be with other people and my focus on the “essential business” of church

administration to be a disciple?

As is true these days, there are more questions than answers right now. But perhaps in asking the questions we allow

ourselves to be open and responsive to the movement of the Holy Spirit through us and through our congregation in this

‘new normal” season. Things will not return to how they were before the shutdown, but God is walking with us into the

future of new staff and new ministry opportunities that await. I am so glad that we are in this together!

Pastor Al

click here to

give now.


https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps?appver3=wWsk24ZWJSTZKsGd1RMKlg0BDvsSG3VIWQCPJNNxD8upkiY7JlDavDsozUE7KG0nFx2NSo8LdUKGuGuF396vbe0oRHMaInh2GtXD7YKaZEOXHubq5Z7ap5JVmPErc4ZeYHCKCZhESjGNQmZ5B-6dx8104EFKvpQmI51junfTC2A=&ver=3



WITH GOD’S HELP, WE’LL GET THROUGH THIS! · 2020-06-16 · 3 people in a room that holds 200...

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