July/August 2015

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

GIVING GOD OUR BEST A Look Inside Page 2 Children, Youth & Family Upcoming Sermons Page 3 Activities & Events Christian Service Lutheran World Relief Page 4 Council Events Page 5 Lectionary Readings Sanctuary Flowers BCS Page 6 July Calendar Page 7 August Calendar Page 8 Memorial Committee Update Page 9 Upcoming Events Prayer Request

Back Page Contact info. Office Hours Aqua Sox Blood Drive

God Empowers Us – Because of God’s grace, we can serve, witness, give, and do the work of the Lord. It is God’s grace that gives us the power to give it all we’ve got in doing God’s will. God not only forgives and saves us, but God also gives us strength for service to Him. By ourselves, we are powerless to serve God. In our humanity, we are weak and foolish. But God pours out his grace on us because He loves us, and gives us His work to do. (Ephesians 3:14-21) The standard set for us in God’s word is high: - God tell us to be conformed to Jesus (Romans 8:29) - God tells us to love as He loves (John 13:34) - God tells us to forgive as He forgives (Ephesians 4:32) - God calls us to be pure in heart (Matthew 5:8) - God expects us to be holy in all manner of conversation (1 Peter 1:15) - God wants us to always abound in the works of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58) - God longs for us to do everything in the name of Jesus (Colossians 3:17) We can’t live up to these standards in our own strength. We are not sinless, but through God’s power, we still strive to sin less and live lives worthy of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I can do everything through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) When we abide in the Lord, we have the same strength that Paul writes about. So we can give it all we’ve got in service to the Lord. When we remain in Jesus, we share Christ’s power because he dwells in us. (Galatians 2:20) The phrase give it all you’ve got is used with the understanding that what we do is always in response to what God has already done. We love because God first loves us, we give because God first gives to us. It is God who does the initiating. Through faith, we willingly serve God with our whole hearts and minds out of gratitude for who God is and what Jesus has done for us. Jesus encourages us to demonstrate our gratitude in faithful obedience and actions.

CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY

Friday night family game night continues all summer! Please join us in the fun.

Friday July 31, 2015 7:00 pm—9:00 pm Friday August 28, 2015 7:00 pm—9:00 pm There will be games, pizza, pop and dessert. All are invited to come play games with all of us! See you there, Joe Finke and Penny Dry

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF The first Sunday of the month the Women of Bethlehem give you the opportunity to share in the Lutheran World Relief Fair Trade Program by selling Fair Trade coffee, tea, and chocolate. Look for the table in the Fellowship Hall. Your purchase helps to improve the lives of farmers. LWR works with farmers to advance development, protect natural resources, and increase food security. Farmer Associations help their communities with projects such as clean water systems, health clinics, and schools. For more information check out: http://lwr.org/.

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ACTIVITIES

ANNOUNCEMENTS 2015 recipients from Bethlehem Lutheran Mission Endowment Fund Local: Meals on Wheels $1000.00 Homeless back pack program $200. Global: Nepal Earthquake relief through Lutheran World Relief $1200.00 Scholarship: Erin Husted at Trinity Lutheran College Everett, WA $1,200.

Christian Service School Kit Drive Begins In 2013 and 2014 the School Kits (175 in 2013 and 128 in 2014) we donated to Lutheran World Relief were sent to Nicaragua. LWR’s partner in Nicaragua is the Society of Small Producers and Exporter of Coffee, a local coffee cooperative that is part of LWR’s agricultural development work. Together they work on projects to improve productivity, quality, and post-harvest processing and storage of crops. The cooperative distributed School Kits to 52,500 students who attend schools in impoverished and high-risk districts. Without the supplies, many families are not able to afford to send their children to school. “These supplies can mean the difference between getting an education or not. Public school is usually free, but in the places where LWR works, even a few required supplies, like pens and paper, may be more than many families can afford.” lwr.org/schoolkits. Right now LWR is in urgent need of School Kits to fulfill requests from partners around the world. Your donations reach places like Syria, where LWR recently distributed 6,350 School Kits to families affected by the ongoing conflict. Collection of school supplies for Lutheran World Relief and local groups begins in July and continues through September. You can help by picking up a bag at the display in the Fellowship Hall, filling it with the items on the enclosed list and returning it. Thank you for your support. School kit chairman: Twyla Lucas 425.299.2287

FOUR WEEK SERMON SERIES BEGINNING ON JUNE 28th Transformed to Serve (Made to Work)

June 28th Stay connected to the power source 1st Corinthians chapter 3 July 5th

Stay focused on the job at hand Matthew chapter 14:22-33

July 12th Stay vigilant to opportunities to serve Galatians chapter 6:9-10 July 19th Stay true to the Lord 1st Corinthians chapter 3:9

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JUNE COUNCIL NOTES The June council meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. Ryan reported that Erin Husted has been hired as a summer intern to assist with the many activities that will be going on this summer - middle school and high school camps, ServeWeek, Vacation Bible School just to name a few! The car show held on June 7th was a success. Nearly 300 people were served a delicious BBQ lunch. There were 26 cars and 7 motorcycles, some of which showed up unexpectedly but were totally welcomed! Not sure who your Bethlehem Lutheran Church council members are? Check out the north wall of the fellowship hall near the kitchen. There are pictures and email addresses for all council members. There are also copies of meeting minutes and pictures of recent events. Family game nights will continue throughout the summer months (June 26th is the next one). Be sure to check the weekly church service bulletins for the exact dates. Food, fellowship, and fun are waiting just for you! Closing Prayer and Meeting Adjournment at 8:35 p.m. Next Regular Meeting: July 14, 2015 @ 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Carol Beyer

Women’s Retreat Ladies it’s official we are having a retreat in beautiful Leavenworth. We have rented a beautiful home on the river one mile from town. The home accommodates 16 people, it has 6 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms. To look at the home the website is www.vrbo.com #345408. The date of the event is April 22nd—24th 2016. Check in is at 4:00 pm Friday the 22nd and hopefully attend a church service Sunday morning the 24th. The cost is $150.00 which includes 5 meals and 2 nights lodging. A $100.00 non-refundable is due by August 31st and will reserve your spot. Look for registration forms in the fellowship hall beginning July 5th. Our fun theme is “Let’s Get Buggy”. Any questions contact Gretchen Mitchell at (360) 6593503 or [email protected]

BLCW Planning Meeting All ladies are welcome to join the BLC Women for their planning meeting on Tuesday August 18th, 6:00 pm at the home of Barb Repanich for planning of the 2015-2016 calendar for BLCW. There will be a light supper served. Please RSVP with Barb Repanich at (360) 658-9641 or [email protected] 4

SUNDAY LECTIONARY READINGS July 5 VI day after Pentecost Ezekiel 2:1-5 Psalms 123 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Mark 6:1-13

July 12, 2015 VII day after Pentecost Amos 7:7-15 Psalms 85:8-13 Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:14-29

July 19, 2015 VIII day after Pentecost Jerimiah 23:1-6 Psalms 23 Ephesians 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

July 26, 2015 IX day after Pentecost 2 Kings 4:42-44 Psalms145:10-18 Ephesians 3:14-21 John 6:1-21

August 2, 2015 X day of Pentecost Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 Psalm 78:23-29 Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6:24-35

August 9, 2015 XI day of Pentecost 1 Kings 19:4-8 Psalms 34:1-8 Ephesians 4:25—5:2 John 6:35, 41-51

August 16, 2015 X11 day of Pentecost Proverbs 9:1-6 Psalms 34:9-14 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58

August 23, 2015 X111 day of Pentecost Josh 24:1-2a, 14-18 Psalms 34:15-22 Ephesians 6:10-20 John 6:56-69

BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL This fall our school at Bethlehem will begin its 41st year of teaching, loving and nurturing God’s Children. The entire staff will be working very hard to prepare the school for our orientation and BBQ on Sept. 11th. We are so excited to welcome you and your child to our program. Preschool classes will begin the week of the Sept.14th. Kindergarten, First and Second grade classes will begin Wednesday, September 9th with orientation on the 8th. Each family will receive a packet by the end of August, with your child’s class list and Sept. newsletter. If you have any questions, please contact the school office @ 360-653-2882. In the mean time, we are still registering children. Only a few remaining openings! Any friends, family or neighbors who have not registered please tell them to do so now. We are looking forward to a year of many blessings, so until September, have a great summer and be safe.

August 30, 2015 XIV day of Pentecost Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 Psalms 15 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Sanctuary Flowers This is a list of people who signed up to bring flowers for worship services at the altar or piano. You can sign up on the chart in the Narthex. July 5—Barb Mathiesen July 12—Burt | Morlan July 19—Irene Rashell July 26—Dale Hundley

August 2—Danny & Jan Miles—Cross August 9—Collins Family August 16—Becky Hammond August 23—Ronald Torrence August 30—Leslie & Steve Fredson

Blessing to all— Mrs. Stephenson Mrs. Cunningham Mrs. Brunken Mrs. Hundley Mrs. Stevens Mrs. Norsworthy

Mrs. Ludwig Mrs. Boas Mrs. Ramich Mrs. McNett—Office Manager Mrs. Stadum—Director 5

Sun

5 9:30 am Worship/ Sanctuary

12 9:30 am Worship/ Sanctuary 11:00 am Property & Grounds/Fireside Room

19 9:30 am Worship/ Wilcox Property

Spit & Shine Week Church Closed 26 9:30 am Worship/ Sanctuary

Mon

Tue

Firework Sales June 28—July 4

7 9:00 am Christian Service/Fellowship Hall 7:00 pm Worship Committee Meeting/ Fireside Room

(Corner of Albertson’s/DQ & 4th Street)

6 9:00 am Spiff up the Grounds

14 7:00 pm Church Council Meeting/ Fireside Room

28 7:00 pm Martha’s Circle/Fireside Room

21

13 9:00 am Spiff up the Grounds

20

27 9:00 am Spiff up the Grounds

VBS Week w/ Mt. View Presbyterian

Ju l y 2 0 1 5

Wed 1 9:00 am Library Work/Library

Thu 2 7:15 am Men’s Bible Study/Bob’s Burger & Brew 5:30 pm Marysville City Bands/Gym

Fri

Sat

10 11 7:00 pm NA Meeting/ Fireside Room

3 4 7:00 pm NA Meeting/ Fireside Room

9 5:30 pm Marysville City Bands/Gym 6:30 pm Worship Team Rehearsal/ Sanctuary

17 18 7:00 pm NA Meeting/ 9:00 am Wilcox PropFireside Room erty Work Party

6:30 pm Worship Team Rehearsal/ Sanctuary

16 7:15 am Men’s Bible Study/Bob’s Burger & Brew 9:30am Altar Guild/ Fireside Room/ Sanctuary 6:30p pm Worship Team Rehearsal/ Sanctuary 5:30 pm Marysville Band/Gym

24 25 7:00 pm NA Meeting/ Fireside Room downstairs

8 9:00 am Community Recovery Meeting/ Fellowship Hall

15

23

31 7:00 pm NA Meeting/ Fireside Room 7:00 pm Game Night/ Fellowship Hall

29

4:00 pm Salvation Army Dinner/Kitchen

22

30 5:30 pm Marysville City Band/Gym 6:30 pm Worship Team Rehearsal/ Sanctuary

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Sun

10

Mon

Tue

Wed

AUGUST 2015

12 4:00 pm Salvation Army Dinner/Kitchen

Thu

18 19 6:30 pm BLC Women’s Meeting

20 7:15 am Men’s Bible Study/Bob’s Burger & Brew 9:30 am Altar Guild/ Fireside Room/ Sanctuary 5:30 pm Marysville City Bands/Gym 6:30 pm Worship Team Rehearsal/

13 6:30p pm Worship Team Rehearsal/ Sanctuary 5:30 pm Marysville City Bands/Gym

25 26 7:00 pm Martha’s Circle/Fireside Room

27 6:30 pm Worship Team Rehearsal/ Sanctuary 6:30 pm Prayer Shawl/Youth Room

SERVE | WEEK

11 3:00 pm Memorial Committee Meeting/ Fireside Room 7:00 pm Church Council Meeting/ Fireside Room

2 3 4 5 6 7:15 am Men’s Bible 9:30 am Worship/ 9:00 am Spiff up the 9:00 am Christian 9:00 am Library Sanctuary Grounds Service/Fellowship Work/Fireside Room Study/Bob’s Burger & Brew Hall 5:30 pm Marysville 7:00 pm Worship City Bands/Gym Committee Meet6:30 pm Worship ing/Fireside Room Team Rehearsal/ Sanctuary 9

17

9:30 am Worship/ 9:00 am Spiff up the Grounds Sanctuary 11:00 am Property & Grounds/Fireside Room

16

9:30 am Worship/ 9:00 am Spiff up the Grounds Sanctuary

31

23 24 9:30 am Worship/ 9:00 am Spiff up the Grounds Sanctuary 12:00 pm Blood Drive/Fellowship Hall

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9:30 am Worship/ 9:00 am Spiff up the Grounds Sanctuary

Sat

8

Fri

7 7:00 pm NA Meeting/Fireside Room

15 9:00 am Wilcox Property Work Party

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14 7:00 pm NA Meeting/Fireside Room

22

28 29 7:00 pm NA Meeting/Fireside Room 7:00 pm Game Night/Fellowship Hall

7:00pm Marysville City Bands Concert— Fellowship B/Narthex

21 7:00 pm NA Meeting/Fireside Room

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MEMORIAL COMMITTEE UPDATE Memorial Committee Information and Update By church council and congregational directive, the memorial committee has been designated as the steward and custodian of all memorial funds given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church by members, by relatives or friends of members, or by other donors. These gifts are most often given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church as memorials in honor of family members or friends or are given in honor of occasions or events and serve to preserve the remembrance of the one for whom the gift has been given. It is the obligation and duty of the committee to carry out the wishes of the donor or donors if a memorial is designated for a specific purpose. If memorial contributions are designated for a specific purpose, it is the only purpose for which those funds can be used. When funds are given without a specific designation, the committee is to receive requests and in its best judgment use the funds in a manner that will best fulfill a church need in the name of the one or ones being memorialized or remembered. Memorial gifts are not to be used for church operating needs unless they are designated for that purpose by the donor or donors. The memorial committee is composed of six members elected by the congregation. The pastor and church treasurer of Bethlehem Lutheran Church are ex-officio members of the committee. At the end of the first quarter of the 2015 calendar year, memorials that have been given as designated gifts total $21,090 and memorials that have been given as undesignated gifts total $15,628.56. As stated in the first paragraph of this article, designated funds can only be used for the purposes that have been specified ($20,000 has been designated toward the eventual establishment of a Bethlehem Lutheran Church school; $985 has been designated to be used for the improvement of acoustics in the fellowship hall; $80 has been designated for the replacement of the church organ if that should ever become necessary; $25 has been designated for support of men’s ministries). The memorial committee welcomes written requests or proposals to use undesignated memorials for a project, an improvement, or a purchase that would meet a church need. During the past 18 months, no request or proposals for the use of memorial funds have been received by the committee.

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For more information please contact Shelly (360) 659-6048 or Charisse (425) 231-8874

BETHLEHEM’S PRAYER LIST Prayer requests will remain listed in the bulletin for two weeks. Should you wish to renew a request, please contact the church office. Please note that individuals need to give their permission before being listed.

Prayers and Sympathy for: The family of Lillian Peterson. Recent Prayer Requests: Thelma Christopherson; Paul & Martha Anderson; Jean Hovet; Siegfried Erdnann, son of Joan McDonald; Lisa Newell, friend of Leonide Martin, Bob Ballinger, friend of Doris and Howard Lobe; Bob Wilson, brother of Ron and Sharon Gierhan; Jerry Berg, brother of Alyce Isaacson; Jerry Sward, friend of Gene & Priscilla Rossnagle. Ongoing Concerns:

Donovan Stevens, stepson of Marlene Stevens; Dagny Rolph, friend of the Thompsons; Penny Jacobs; Michelle Cheney, friend of Ilene Erickson; Grace Thompson, friend of Holly Miller; Barbara Turpin, friend of Janet Ross; Elbert (Rebel) Bowling, father of Leonide Martin; Brian Russell, Nancy Halliburton, Lydia Thomas, two-year-old grand daughter of Dianne Herivel; Vaike Blackburn. Mission Partners:

Our Russian Partner Congregation St. Peter and Paul’s Parish, Astrakhan; MaaSae Girl’s School, and our sponsored student, Namayani Sinyok. Active Overseas Military:

Derek Bushey, grandson of Bob Bushey; Family members of Joe Finke: stepson Jacob Binder, niece Mary Caruso Smith and husband of Jeff Smith; Michael Furness; nephew and Jacob Franco, friend of Josh Smith; Joshua Luellen, nephew of Lynn Leese; Brandon Meyrick. 9

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ethlehem Lutheran Church 7215 51st Ave. NE Marysville, WA 98270-4033

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

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Bethlehem Lutheran Church, ELCA

Church Staff

Church Office: 360-659-2022 Fax: 360-651-2772 www.blcmarysville.com

Rev. Kevin Forquer, Pastor [email protected] Ryan Brown, Director of Children, Youth and Family: [email protected] Beth Hansen, Office Coordinator, Sunday Worship Service [email protected] Butch Martin, Bookkeeper 9:30 AM [email protected] Linda Walter, Organist: [email protected]

Bethlehem Christian School

Kelly Stadum, School Director [email protected] | (360) 653-2882 | www.blcmarysville.com Sandy McNett, Office Manager [email protected]

Church Council President—Danny Miles Vice President—Karl Kloster Secretary—Carol Beyer Treasurer—Butch Martin Administration Rep.—Tom Lucas Worship—Jason Vallem

Education Rep.—Mary Muller Fellowship Rep.—Penny Dry Outreach Rep.—Rhonda Moen Facilities Rep.—Joe Finke Financial Secretary—Twyla Lucas

Get Your Tickets NOW! Aqua Sox tickets are available for purchase for only $10.00 each. Join BLC in this fun summer baseball outing to see the Everett Aqua Sox take on the Salem Keizer’s Sunday August 23rd, at 4:00pm. Please contact Jim Halliburton at (360) 651-8120 or Myron Koeplin at (360) 658-0291 to purchase your ticket.

Give Blood This summer Monday, August 24, 2015 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm (closed 2:30-3:30) Bethlehem Lutheran Church Sign up with the Puget Sound Blood Center is now Bloodworks NW call 1-800-398-7888 Office Hours Monday — Thursday 10 9:00 AM — 3:45 PM Closed Friday Closed for lunch from 12:00—12:30