Bethel Blessings (Announcements) - May 15 & 16, 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). Bethel is no longer asking people to register for worship services or maintain a list of participants in their ministry or social gatherings at the church. 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 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.
***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.

Weekly Devotions & Service Videos: Bethel provides online devotions and then live streaming of 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 or view these offerings (you may click here to be brought directly to the Weekly Service Video webpage or click here for online devotions.

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 .

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!

Pentecost Brunch Celebration: Bethel will have a Pentecost brunch celebration for everyone on Sunday, May 23 right after the worship service ends to celebrate Pentecost - the birth of the church and the coming of the Holy Spirit. This will take place downstairs in the Christ Center with lots of room to spread out where the doors will be open to go in and out. Please join us this day as we also acknowledge Bethel's Search Team and recognize our graduates!

DON'T MISS Family Fun Day at The Summit Interquest! All ages can join in the fun on Sunday, June 6 from 11:00-1:00. $10 per person includes: 1 hour bowling, 2 slices pizza, drink, shoe rental and a $10 game card! Click here to register and reserve your spot now or follow this link for more information. Questions? Please email Linda@BethelLutheran.net.

Rocky Railway VBS - 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.

Global Leadership Summit: Join us on Thursday & Friday, August 5-6, as Bethel once again hosts the Global Leadership Summit (GLS). This world-class leadership event is for anyone who wants to make a bigger, more significant impact in the world and for those around you. During a season that may have depleted your energy, stunted your growth, or left you in the dark, it’s time to rediscover a new hope for future and learn how to be the positive influencer God wants you to be. Registration is now open for this event. Just go to BethelLutheran.net and follow the links for the Global Leadership Summit. Bethel members, please see the weekly announcements for more information. Contact Pastor Dan at 719-570-9800 or pastordan@bethellutheran.net if you have any questions.

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CHILDREN, YOUTH & ADULT MINISTRIES

Bethel Kidz Online: Don't miss our newest Bethel Kidz Episode "Follow the Leader!". Have you ever had someone follow you around all day? Well, in this week's Bethel Kidz episode, Tina follows Clara....everywhere! Find out why! Then, Peter and John see a crippled beggar get healed, plus Bob and Bob (really?) share the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian. And of course, we have some awesome music to go along with it too! What a jam-packed episode! This series is designed for preschool children through age 10 and has a Bible centered, joyful, 15-20 minute message format. To join this fun, informative, online format, go to BethelLutheran.net and click on the Bethel Kidz logo or CLICK HERE!

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, please contact Tessa.

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INREACH & OUTREACH NEWS

Thank You Bethel Lutheran for the generous $15,000 Lenten Noisy Change donation in support of Feed My Starving Children. This donation will definitely feed a village for a year! We have met our goal and the Mobile Pack has been approved. FMSC expects to package 100,000 Meals during our Colorado Springs Mobile Pack scheduled to take place on August 13-14, 2021. Approximately 500 volunteers will be needed so keep an eye out as more information is to come regarding sign up times and guidelines. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Marie St. Gelais.

Family Promise/Interfaith Hospitality Network: Thanks to your generous contributions, Bethel will provide money for grocery cards for the IHN guests during our Jun 20-27 hosting. Details for our Aug 8-15 hosting will be forth coming after our June hosting. Due to Covid, FP has decided to hold off on restarting the rotational model of housing the families in churches until late Jan 2022. Please continue to keep the Family Promise families in your prayers. Family Promise has some projects that they need help with - painting, fixing potholes, gardening, new garden tools & furniture. If you have a Thrivent Action Team Grant available and are looking for a project, please contact Daniel@famlypromise.org. They can help with the grant process. Questions? Contact Sharon Roberts.

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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 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)—This women's Bible study 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. 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—The Cox & Howes families, Debbie Howes, Nora Briggeman, Karen Zook, Larry Smith & family, Braeden Bosma, the Schafer family, John Player, Bethel’s Search Team & 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— Carrie Criswell's sister's friend, Vicky Ledbetter-Metcalf; Geoff & Bonnie Copland's friends, Stan & Carolyn; Joyce Suter's brother & son-in-law, Steven Suter & David Caplan; 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; 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 Gisela Petersen in celebration of her 85th birthday and three other Petersen birthdays.

***The new plants in the columbarium have been donated to Bethel for the summer by the Fred Miller family in memory of beloved wife and mother, Maureen Miller.


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