January 9 & 10, 2021 - Announcements

Bethel is still practicing social distancing and wearing face masks when we come together, and we continue to ask for everyone to go to Bethel's website--www.bethellutheran.net--to register to attend a weekend service-- either 5:30pm Saturday or 9:15am Sunday. You may click here to be brought directly to Bethel's weekly service registration webpage or you may contact the church office during office hours to receive assistance in registering for any service (719-570-9800). Bethel still has limitations on attendance so your advance registration, as well as Check-In at the Welcome Center when you arrive, is important. By registering for any service, we know how many to prepare for and have a record of attendance. Registering for a service also should prevent Bethel from overcrowding the socially distanced worship space as there is a maximum that we are able to register for each service. In response to our governor's mandatory mask use in all public places, Bethel requires everyone to wear a mask in worship and for all events at Bethel unless there is a health reason or for young children. ***Nursery & Childcare: Because of the virus, we are not staffing a separate nursery during worship services. We love children in worship! If you need a quiet place for your child, the service can be heard in the Narthex (the area right outside of the Sanctuary). Thank you, as we all work together for the best worship experience for everyone.
***IMPORTANT NOTICE: In-person worship service attendees acknowledge that there may be risks involved with exposure to COVID-19. Members, their families, and guests are asked to please not attend in-person worship if they are sick or have been in contact with anyone who is sick or may have been sick within the past 14 days.

Daily Devotions & Weekly Service Videos: Bethel provides online Daily Devotions (click here for The Daily Updates) and live-streaming of the weekend worship services for those who are not able to attend in-person. Go to Bethel’s main website page and click on “The Daily Update” or “Weekly Service Video” pictures to listen to and view these offerings (you may click here to be brought directly to the Weekly Service Video webpage.)


Men’s Ministry Breakfast: Calling all men! The next Men’s Ministry Breakfast will be Saturday, January 23 in the Christ Center from 7:45am until 9:15am. The group will meet for food, fellowship and to continue our Andy Stanley series titled “Irresistible.” All men and their sons are welcome to attend. Contact Pastor Dan at pastordan@bethellutheran.net for more information!

Bethel's Gallery: The pictures in Bethel's Art Gallery were updated. We hope you viewed and enjoyed the previous show that included cellphone photographs by Geoff Copland and Eric Wulfsberg. Please take this opportunity to thank those artists for sharing their work with the Bethel community. The new show features Erika & Inge Kelly. They are devoted travelers and document their trips with photographs. Let Bethel know if you enjoy their photographs as much as we do. Are you interested in having some of your work displayed in Bethel's Gallery? Contact Eric Wulfsberg for details. We are also looking for an assistant gallery director if you would like to help with updating the gallery images!

Online Giving Options: The Finance Team at Bethel offers an electronic option for making regular offerings and/or payments online that will be debited from your checking or savings account or processed using your credit or debit card. Bethel’s electronic giving and payments program offers convenience for you and much needed efficiency and consistency for Bethel's congregation. The service is available for your use on Bethel’s website (www.bethellutheran.net) or you may click here to be brought directly to Bethel's donation/payment web page. PLEASE NOTE: For those who choose to use recurring donations/payments online, it is important to periodically check your payment setup to make sure it is up to date where account numbers and credit card expiration dates are concerned.

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CHILDREN, YOUTH & ADULT MINISTRIES

Bethel Kidz Online: Click here to view 2020 episodes. Attention parents & grandparents: The Bethel Kidz series is designed for preschool children through age 10 and has a Bible centered, joyful, 15-20 minute message format. We hope you find this series a blessing and encouragement to your family leading up to Christmas. To join the fun, informative, online format, go to BethelLutheran.net and click on the Bethel Kidz logo or CLICK HERE!

Watch Kidtricity Online: Kidtricity is available for online viewing and they will have a new show this Sunday! The Kidtricity program offers Bible stories, puppets, and pantomimes for children - preschool through 5th grade. This year's theme is 'Welcome to the Jungle!' Kidtricity hosts, Carol & Derek, along with Bethel puppets; Platy, Bernie, Gogo, Twinkle, Nate Newsworthy & Uncle Kong, AND the cast; Grumpy Grampy, Hanz and newest cast member George, present stories of the Bible, work with children on remembering Bible verses, and talk about how to further understand God's word. There is always a lot of laughs! 2020 shows are still available for viewing as well. Go to BethelLutheran.net and click on the Kidtricity logo or CLICK HERE to view Kidtricity videos!

Confirmation Class: Confirmation class normally meets in Bethel's Middle School room downstairs at 10:30am right after Sunday's church service and there is usually an online option. This class is designed for Middle & High Schoolers who are working toward being confirmed and the class is led by Pastor Stephen Higgins and Tessa Merritt. If you have questions about class, please contact Pastor Stephen. On Sunday, February 7, 2021, Pastor Stephen Higgins will hold a special gathering in Bethel's sanctuary immediately following church service at approximately 10:30am. Class will not be held that Sunday. All mentors, parents and students will be meeting to cover the coming months of Confirmation and for an introduction of the mentor's team.

Calling all Bethel Middle & High School Students: It was so good to see you this past Sunday! Join Bethel once again for a Youth night on Sunday, January 31, from 4:00 to 5:30 PM in the Christ Center. Are you tired of online meetings & online learning? Would you like to see people you know in person while adhering to safe virus practices? Our time together will include social time, games, snacks, group discussions and a Bible study through various methods & formats. For more information, please contact Dave or Cheryl Bingham.

College Kid Correspondence: College Kid Correspondence is a ministry opportunity that was created to support Bethel’s out-of-town college students. It is a weekly “card shower” and each week a name and address of a Bethel college “Student of the Week” will be provided through this weekly announcement. Simply send these Bethel family members “best wishes” or “keep up the good work” words of encouragement, add a stamp and drop it in the mail. Thank you for writing to Bethel's wonderful young adults! If you would like your college student to receive correspondence from Bethel even if they are at home for the holiday, please contact Carol Vogeney to add them to this year's list.

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INREACH & OUTREACH NEWS

Cancelled Stamps: PK Petitmermet has been collecting cancelled stamps and for 2021-2022 the money will go to help those organizations that help homeless teens and young adults. Part of that money will also stay in COS to help those here and the rest of the money will be spread all over the state of Colorado. Please remember not to cut too close to the scallop edges but leave a 1/4 to 1/3 inch around the stamp, if possible. Also, you can now collect "ANY" kind of stamp that comes on an envelope - foreign, non-profit, Christmas, Love, inked stamped envelopes and pre-stamped etc. Let PK know if you have any questions and "Thank You" very much for continuing to collect for this worthy cause. Please put your cancelled stamps in a zip lock bag and place them in the Petitmermet mailbox at Bethel until further notice.

Mercy's Gate: Bethel accepts non-perishable food and non-food items to be donated to Mercy's Gate. Items should be dropped off to the Mercy's Gate box near Bethel's main entry doors (any perishable food items should be taken directly to Mercy's Gate off Montebello Drive). Here is a current list of their most needed items: Canned Chicken/Tuna, Spaghetti, Spaghetti Sauce, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Cereal, and Canned Fruit. If you have questions or need assistance with food pantry donations, please contact Mercy's Gate at 719-277-7470.

Thrivent Choice Dollars: Thrivent Choice is an easy way to give to the Charity of your choice. If you are a Thrivent Financial member, here is how you can help. You will need to go to the Thrivent website each quarter (https://www.thrivent.com/making-a-difference/living-generously/thrivent-choice/) or call Thrivent at 800-847-4836 to direct your Choice dollars. This is the only way to ensure that your Thrivent Choice dollars will make it to Bethel each quarter. If calling by phone, follow the prompts that are given. Please direct your Choice dollars to Bethel Lutheran Church. It was mentioned that close to $1 million dollars in Choice dollars were NOT distributed last year. You can help change that and make a world of difference! If you have any questions about Choice dollars through Thrivent, please feel free to contact Joan Skoog or Dale Kolseth.
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BIBLE STUDY GROUPS

MORNING GROUPS
RUTH Bible Study—This woman's Bible Study dials in twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 9:30-11:00am through phone conferencing until further notice. They are currently studying Max Lucado's book "Life Lessons from JAMES". If you have any questions about this group or would like to join by dialing in, please contact Sarah Wulfsberg for more information.

Men’s Up & Adam Group—This men's group meets at Bethel for Bible study every Wednesday morning at 6:30 AM. Join this men's group by calling or emailing Pastor Dan Lahman at (719) 570-9800 or pastordan@bethellutheran.net.

WEST (Women Earnestly Seeking Truth)—WEST is now meeting through MS Teams video/audio conferencing until further notice. They meet each Wednesday morning beginning at 10:30 AM. Should you have questions or if you would like to join this group, please contact Kathy LaBree for more information.

WEB (Women Exploring the Bible)—WEB is studying the Liz Curtis Higgs book called "The Girl's Still Got It -- Take a Walk with Ruth and the God Who Rocked Her World". This women's Bible study group meets in Bethel's Library on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 9-11am through the month of May. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Karen Scharp.


EVENING GROUPS
L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith Everyday) Bible Study—This women's group meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7 pm in Bethel's Abundant Life room. Their current study follows the book of Hebrews with a DVD study led by Jen Wilkin. Learn how the Old Testament is linked to the New Testament and how it all points to the new covenant in Christ. If you are looking for an evening women's Bible study, consider joining us! Questions? Contact Susi Hengel or Joan Skoog.

Thursday Evening Home Bible Study—Join Pastor Stephen Higgins at his home for an adult Bible study on Thursday evenings. The group study is titled "Acts/Revelation - Kingdom of God" and begins at 6:30 PM each Thursday evening. Please call Pastor Stephen to reserve a space for yourself.

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INTEREST GROUPS

COMFORT MAKERS—This quilting group meets at Bethel in the morning on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesday of each month. Throughout the year they create quilts to donate to Lutheran World Relief and the quilts are used around the world for those who are in need. Making Lutheran World Relief Mission Quilts is a tangible way to express love to worldly neighbors in need. Each one reflects God’s loving presence in a world rife with suffering. If you have quilting experience or are interested in joining this group, please reach out to Gisela Petersen.

DINING OUT/IN GROUP—Bethel's Dining Out group normally meets the last Monday of the month and in January of 2021 the group will once again "dine in" at Bethel. Since the group cannot go out to eat, they are going to have everyone buy their own dinner, wherever and whatever they want, or make dinner, and bring it to the church at 6:00 PM where the group will then dine together. If you have any questions or to RSVP your space, please contact Dave or Cheryl Bingham.

MICROBREW CREW GROUP—This group was meeting monthly at a local microbrewery. Please contact Dave Bingham, if you have questions.

VARIETY DANCE—Variety Dance meets each Saturday afternoon at Bethel, and they have added an additional time to accommodate their group members along with COVID requirements. Please contact Dave or Cheryl Bingham, if you are interested in joining or if you have questions. (Not meeting January 9, 2021.)
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THE POWER OF PRAYER
Please remember the following people in your daily prayers:
Church Family Members—the Sigaty & Brandvold families, the family & friends of the Joslin family, Connie Baumgart, Judie Smith, Danielle Lahman, John Player, Barb Giblin, Chrissie Tarcza, Larry Smith, Don Schneck, Bill Hill, Bethel’s Congregation, Council, Pastors & Staff, and Stephen Ministers & their care receivers.

Bethel’s Military—Bryan Tice, son of Bob & Cathy Tice; Ben Upton; Chris Shiflet; Cole Estes; Johnny Farquhar; Derek Hepner; Philip Roehler; SGT Stehman; Brandon Walker; Brian Proenneke; Troy French; Einar Wulfsberg; Stephen Anderson; Matthew Anderson; Steven Torgerson; Charles Zarza; Spencer Malona; and the leaders of our great nation.

Extended Family & Friends—Keith Kanter's family, the Jefferson & Mendeola families; Keith & Candis Kanter's family friend, Tina Mendeola; Candis Kanter's friend's father, Norm Weiss; Pam Bakken-O'Neill's sister & brother-in-law, MaryJo & Larry Loffelmacher; Cynthia Ahl's niece's friend, Jessica and Cynthia's friend's mother, Martha; Stephanie Fischer's sister, Sheri Emard; Antje Lund's friend, Monica; Dee Murphy's friend, Betsy; Ruthann Witkop's mother, Nancy Coffman; Cynthia Ahl's friend, Patricia; Bob & Arlene Duenckel's friend, Luke Anderson; Joyce Suter's brother & son-in-law, Steven Suter & David Kaplan; Pam Bakken-O’Neill’s mother, Joyce Bakken; Pastor Josh Hansen; Pastor Arturo & members of Iglesia Bautista Jerusalem in El Salvador & and all our Compassion children; for people everywhere who have been affected in any way because of COVID-19.

***Names submitted will be listed for approximately one month and then they will be rotated off. Please notify the church office at 719-570-9800 or office@bethellutheran.net if you would like to resubmit a name.



**This weekend the altar flowers are provided by Joan Skoog.



Bethel Lutheran Church
4925 Farmingdale Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80917
(719) 570-9800 | FAX (719) 623-0251

OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
WEB: www.BethelLutheran.net EMAIL: office@BethelLutheran.net

Weekend Worship Service Schedule
Saturdays—5:30 PM | Sundays—9:15 AM
You may also join us online at bethellutheran.net/weekly-service-streaming