Bethel Blessings (Announcements) - May 1 & 2, 2021

On April 20, 2021, Bethel's Council approved the following COVID Update: Bethel continues to offer in-person as well as streamed services that are available for live viewing during the actual worship service or anytime thereafter (Saturday - 5:30pm and Sunday - 9:15am). All ministry and social groups can gather throughout the week while seeking to observe basic social distancing protocol (please continue to make room reservations at least one week in advance through your group in CCB or by calling the church office). We are no longer asking for you to register for worship services or maintain a list of participants for your ministry or social gatherings. Even after all mask wearing becomes optional in the future, we are asking for all of us to be understanding that there are some people who may continue to wear a mask for personal or medical reasons. We would love for you to join us for either our 5:30pm Saturday service or our 9:15am Sunday service! You may watch live streaming of the weekend worship services as well by following this link ( Weekly Service Video ). Please continue to practice the normal healthy guidelines for everyone's well-being.

***Nursery & Childcare: Because of the virus, we are not staffing a separate nursery during weekend 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.)

Calling all Middle & High School Students! Come join us at Bethel for a Youth Night on Sunday, May 2, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the Christ Center. Are you tired of zoom 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.

Attention Bethel Graduates! Bethel would like to congratulate our 2021 Graduates the weekend of May 22 & 23. If you are graduating this year, or have a family member graduating, please submit one to three scanned pictures to the following email address: video-scripting@bethellutheran.net (a baby, graduation or recent picture and a picture that shows who you are--sports team, hobby or whatever--will work nicely--please do not submit paper photos!) When you submit the pictures, include the graduate's name, the school they are graduating from, and what they plan to do next. Please send this information by Sunday, May 16, as slides need to be created for display! Congratulations all 2021 Graduates!

Rocky Railway VBS -Please Register Today! ALL ABOARD! Rocky Railway VBS will be IN PERSON at Bethel and coming down the tracks on June 14-18 from 9:00am-12:00pm for K-5th graders! Registration is now open to the public and you're invited to get on board for the fun! We encourage all families to register early as space is limited. Please sign up now by clicking here to reserve your spot! The cost is $15 per child or $40 for three or more from the same family. Once again, click here to register today! Questions? Contact Linda Lahman.

Help Needed for Bethel's 2021 VBS: Like trains? Enjoy working with children? Love to do crafts? Sing? Play games? You can help with any of that and more during our Rocky Railway VBS this summer from June 14-18. Please contact Linda Lahman if you are interested in helping ‘drive the train’.

Mission Opportunity: Bethel's intergenerational Mission Trip for youth and adults will take place the week of July 25-30. A group from Bethel will travel to the Omaha, Nebraska, area for the third summer in a row to help rebuild/refurbish homes that were flooded two springs ago in a low-income area of need (King Lake, NE). Please let Pastor John know if you are interested in participating.

Summer Family Fun! Keep an eye out here for new activities/opportunities this summer as a series of Family Summer Fun Events will take place after Sunday worship on various dates. The first one will be at the Summit on Sunday, June 6 and it will include bowling, pizza, and games. More details to come! We did this the summer of 2019 and had a great time with families and people of all ages!

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CHILDREN, YOUTH & ADULT MINISTRIES

Bethel Kidz Online: Don't miss our newest Bethel Kidz Episode "Share the News!". This series is designed for preschool children through age 10 and has a Bible centered, joyful, 15-20 minute message format. 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 with new shows each week! 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: Bethel's Confirmation class meets in the High School room downstairs at 10:30am right after Sunday's church service. Sometimes an online option is offered. This class is designed for Middle & High Schoolers who are working toward being confirmed and the class is led by Tessa Merritt. If you have questions about class or need to use an online option, please contact Tessa. (Not meeting on Mother's Day, May 9.)

College Kid Correspondence: CKC 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, please contact Carol Vogeney to get them to this year's list.
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INREACH & OUTREACH NEWS

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: Soup, Canned Chicken/Tuna, Spaghetti & Spaghetti Sauce, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Cereal, Instant Oatmeal, Rice – 1 lb. bags or small boxes, toothpaste & toothbrushes, and Toilet Paper. If you have questions or need assistance with food pantry donations, please contact Mercy's Gate at 719-277-7470.

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.
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BIBLE STUDY GROUPS

MORNING GROUPS
Ruth Bible Study—This women’s Bible Study meets in person twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 9:30-11:00am in Bethel's Library or ladies can join virtually on Microsoft Teams. The group is currently studying Charles Stanley’s book - 30 Life Principles. If you have questions about this group or would like to join, please contact Sarah Wulfsberg.

Men’s Ministry Breakfast—Calling all men! The last Men’s Ministry Breakfast before summer break will be Saturday, May 22 in the Christ Center from 7:45am until 9:15am. We will meet for food, fellowship, and to finish our Andy Stanley series titled “Irresistible.” All men and their sons are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Pastor Dan at pastordan@bethellutheran.net .

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 meeting at Bethel! The group meets each Wednesday morning beginning at 10:30 AM in Bethel's library. 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 normally 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—L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith Everyday) Bible Study—L.I.F.E. Bible Study meets at Bethel the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month in Bethel's Abundant Life room. The group is currently studying, Finding I AM by Lysa TerKeurst--the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries. This study takes the group to the ancient streets of Israel to find Biblical truth that speaks today. They'll explore the seven I AM statements of Jesus found in the Gospel of John and in doing so become empowered to trade feelings of depletion and hurt for wholeness in knowing who Jesus is like never before. All women are invited to join. Please let Joan Skoog know if you are interested so that a workbook can be ordered for you.

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—Bethel's quilting group meets 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 GROUP—Bethel's Dining Out group normally meets the last Monday of the month. Please RSVP through Dave to attend as reservations need to be made. If you have any questions, please contact Dave or Cheryl Bingham.

MICROBREW CREW GROUP—This adult group meets monthly at a local microbrewery. On Monday, May 10, the crew will meet at Fossil Craft Beer Company at 6:00 PM. The address is 2845 Ore Mill Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. Please contact Dave Bingham, if you have questions or plan to attend.

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.
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THE POWER OF PRAYER
Please remember the following people in your daily prayers:
Church Family Members—Deborah Decker & family, Tom Vien, Karen Zook, Robin Baker, Braeden Bosma, the Schafer family, Larry Smith & family, John Player, Bethel’s Congregation, Council, Pastors & Staff, and Stephen Ministers & their care receivers.

Bethel’s Military—Hannah Perry, granddaughter of Bill & Bonnie Carlson; 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— Julie Loera's friend, Linda; Patti Nelson's friend's son, Dr. Erik Carter; Paul & Dee Murphy's friend, Crystal; Linda Lahman's uncle, Jerry Volz; Danny & Judy Hodges' grandson & grandson's employer, Zack & Hutch; Jim & Vicki Wygant's grandson, Gabe Wygant; Mark Estes' mother, Sophie; Dave Geffre's mother & sister, Barbara & Marvy; Pam Bakken-O'Neill's sister & brother-in-law, MaryJo & Larry Loffelmacher; 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 Bob & Jo Ann Hunt for their fathers, Bob Hunt Sr. and Ernest Broz and brother-in-law, Errol Hauck.

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