Bethel Blessings | September 4 & 5, 2021

Join us for worship! Bethel Lutheran Church offers in-person as well as streamed services that are available for live viewing during the actual worship service or anytime thereafter on Saturdays at 5:30pm and Sundays at 9:15am.

Watch live streaming of the weekend worship services by following this link: Weekly Service Video. In following the CDC guidelines and those of our governor, we have moved to "personal choice" as far as wearing masks. We realize that some people may continue to wear a mask for various reasons. Please be respectful of people whatever choice they make as we all try to navigate life the best way for each of us. For more information on Bethel's Worship Service Guidelines, click here. Thank you for continuing to practice normal healthy guidelines for everyone's well-being.

***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.
***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.

Weekly Devotion Video: Bethel is providing a weekly devotion online. Go to Bethel’s main webpage (BethelLutheran.net) and click on “The Daily Update” picture to listen to this weekly offering (you may also click here for online devotions).

WHAT'S HAPPENING

New Members at Bethel: The New Member joining weekend will be September 11 & 12 at both weekend services. New members who will be joining are asked to attend a weekend service on September 11 or 12 and the orientation and spaghetti dinner on Saturday, September 11 at 6:30 PM in Bethel's Christ Center. Questions? Contact Bethel's church office at 719-570-9800 or office@bethellutheran.net.

All-Church Luncheons ~ September 12 & 26! Join us right after the Sunday worship services, as everyone is invited to the All-Church Luncheons. We will gather to connect, re-connect, and enjoy food and fellowship downstairs in the Christ Center/Fellowship Hall.

Adult Sunday School Class: A study titled, “FOUR GOSPELS, ONE JESUS” will be offered for adults during Sunday School time beginning September 12 at 10:15am in the Faith Forum each Sunday morning. The class will highlight the different, but complementary portraits of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. For questions, please contact the church office (office@bethellutheran.net).

Men's Fly-Fishing Retreat at Rainbow Trails (September 16-19, 2021): Experience a weekend of faith renewal, fellowship, and fishing! Hearty meals, worship, and camaraderie around the campfire will be woven into the weekend so all can come away renewed spiritually, mentally, and physically. Fishermen from novice to expert are encouraged to come for this fabulous weekend. Rental equipment and professional guide services are available. Talk to Miles Brown for any questions or register at https://www.rainbowtrail.org/retreats/fly-fishing/ We will carpool up there for an awesome weekend.

Senior Potluck Luncheon: The next Bethel Senior Group potluck luncheon will be held on Friday, September 17, at 12:00 noon in the Christ Center. Come join us for great food, fun, and fellowship. Contact Pastor Dan for more information.

Men’s Ministry Breakfast—Calling all men! Our next Men’s Ministry Breakfast is Saturday, September 18, in the Christ Center from 7:45am until 9:15am. We will meet for food, fellowship, and start a new bible study about the life of Peter. Come and join us! All men & their sons are welcome to attend. Contact Pastor Dan at pastordan@bethellutheran.net, if you would like more information.

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CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH MINISTRY 

Youth Hangout - Join Pastor Mike on September 12 & 26 right after the Sunday service for Bethel's new "Youth Hangout" time. Questions? Contact Pastor Mike Simpson (pastormike@bethellutheran.net).

Confirmation Retreat - This year's Confirmation Retreat (get-away) will be on Saturday, September 11. On Saturday the 11th, the day retreat will start at 7:30am and end at 5:00pm at nearby LaForet Conference and Retreat Center on Shoup Rd in the Black Forest. The day includes lunch - pizza from Pies and Grinders, outdoor (High Ropes), and afternoon refreshments. The cost is $35.00 per student. Questions? Please contact Pastor Stephen Higgins - stephen@bethellutheran.net.

2021-2022 Children's Sunday School Program - Starting Sunday, September 12th, in the Middle School Rm. Bethel will offer the 'What's in the Bible?' series for children ages 3 through 5th grade. We will bring the entire Bible to life for families through hands-on activities and DVD lessons, from Genesis to Revelation. The lessons are focused on giving kids a clear understanding of their own faith and to provide them a foundational knowledge of the Bible. So that their faith can launch them on a lifelong walk with God and journey that will change them and change the world around them.

Sunday School Program Help Needed -Bethel is in need of Greeters, Teachers, Teacher Helpers, Technical Personal and Musical Hosts for the 'What's in the Bible?' Sunday School series. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Dave Bingham or Pastor Mike Simpson at pastormike@bethellutheran.net.

Confirmation Class begins September 12! (For 7th graders and up): Join us for our FIRST Confirmation class on Sunday, September 12 in the High School Room. The class will start on time so don’t miss out! This year the cycle of teaching is about HIS STORY - the Bible. The Bible is a very exciting story when we look at it as his story, not as a book of rules, but a book about relationships, failure, success, murder, romance, love, sacrifice, and adventure of faith! Your teachers are: Tessa Merritt - tessa@bethellutheran.net and Pastor Stephen Higgins - stephen@bethellutheran.net.

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INREACH & OUTREACH NEWS

A huge thank you to Bethel's congregants for the generous donation to COSILoveYou for the city-wide Backpack Bash event. Approximately 15,000 backpacks were distributed to area school children in need. The timing was spot on as it arrived at the exact time funds were needed. Also, your response of the 30 complete backpacks with school supplies for Lutheran Family Services went immediately to Foster Care children beginning the school year. Because of your willingness to give, it brought smiles to children and reduced financial stress on families. Many Thanks, Arlene Duenckel - Bethel Outreach

Thank you Bethel for your generous Lenten Noisy Change donation to FMSC. It allowed Colorado Springs to host a FMSC Mobile Pack! Also a big thank you to the volunteers; the Mobile Pack would not have been such a success without you! The Mobile Pack had: 6 packing stations, 7 packing shifts (4 on Friday - Aug 12 and 3 on Saturday – Aug 13), 262 volunteers, 241 boxes packed, with a total of 52,056 Manna Meals! We will be feeding 144 kids for an entire year! What a privilege it was to be on the Mobile Pack Committee and act as FMSC Overall Volunteer Coordinator. Most important, what a blessing to belong to a church community such as Bethel, one that quickly comes together for a common cause - nourishing those that are vulnerable and hungry. If you feel led to work on next year’s Mobile Pack, contact Marie St. Gelais. Until all are fed!

Bethel's Church Library: We are back working in the library following the lengthy Covid break, and we invite you to feel free to enjoy it again. Please return books and DVDs you may have at home to be re-shelved, and chose some new ones to check out, read and view. We have many interesting selections for all ages in many subject areas, both fiction and non-fiction. [The Library Committee]

ReStore Volunteers Needed: Do you have 4 hours a week available to volunteer at ReStore, the fundraising arm of Habitat for Humanity? Volunteers are needed for the new store opening this fall at 6250 Tutt Blvd and also at their current location on Wahsatch near downtown. There are a variety of positions open. If interested, contact Dusty Last, volunteer coordinator of Pikes Peak ReStore at 719-213-5655.

Save the Date! - Come join us for the Family Promise Walk on Sunday, October 3rd at 1:00pm. The 1-mile walk will feature stops for learning about FP’s programs. In CY2020, Family Promise helped 300 families (1,102 people including 665 children). The walk will start at Grace & St. Stephen’s Church at 601 N. Tejon St. Registration is online and more information can be found at https://www.ihn-cos.org/fpwalk Team Captains for Bethel are Kim Brown and Daryl Skoog.

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 group normally meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 9:30-11:00 am in Bethel’s Library. 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 group will begin a Jesus Calling Bible Study, “Dwelling in God’s Peace” by Sarah Young/Karen Lee Thorp on September 8th. Meeting times are each Wednesday from 10:30 AM to noon in the library. Come explore what the Bible says about the peace that God offers when you trust in Christ and rely on the Holy Spirit’s work in your life. Please contact Kathy LaBree for more information.

WEB (Women Exploring the Bible)—WEB Bible study will begin meeting again starting on September 16. WEB will be studying the Liz Curtis Higgs book called "Bad Girls of the Bible and What We Can Learn from Them". 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
Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) Evening Women’s Class—This women’s class will gather again at Bethel beginning September 13 at 6:55 PM. For more information, please contact BSF Leader, Heather Watson at BSFatCOS.EW@gmail.com or visit the BSF website: bsfinternational.org.

L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith Everyday) Bible Study—L.I.F.E. is an evening group that normally meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7 pm. This group is taking a summer break and will have their first meeting on Tuesday, September 21 with a new study by Phillip Yancey called "Vanishing Grace--Whatever happened to the Good News." All women are invited to join us. If interested, please contact Joan Skoog so that a workbook can be ordered for you.

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INTEREST GROUPS

BOOK REVIEW GROUP—This group will meet again starting September 16. They meet in Bethel's library on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 1:00 PM. September's book is "The Four Winds" by Kristin Hannah. If you have questions about obtaining a book, please contact Evelyn Hjeldness.

CARD PLAYERS—Bethel's Bridge card playing group is looking for substitute players. If you would like to join a Bridge game at Bethel, please contact Pam Warner.

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 can tie knots and enjoy sewing, join us, or call Gisela Petersen.

CONNECTIONS GROUP will meet again!—This group is targeted to singles and couples in their 50’s and 60’s though is not exclusive. It is a fellowship and discussion group of mutual support, laughter, food, and fun. The next meeting is Friday, September 10 at 6:30 PM at the Witkop’s home. For more information, please contact Pastor John.

MICROBREW CREW GROUP—This adult group meets monthly at a local microbrewery. The September meeting will be at the Field House Beerworks East at 6:00 PM on the 13th. The address is 2490 Victor Pl Colorado Springs, CO 80915 (off of Powers Blvd). Please contact Dave Bingham, if you have questions or plan to attend.

VARIETY DANCE—Variety Dance meets each Saturday afternoon at Bethel. 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 Wallace & Nichols families, Marilyn & Eric Keck, Jim Giblin, Mike O'Neill, Raelyn Kagarise, Chris Aigner, Thomas Torgerson, Liz Liston, Connie Baumgart, John Player, Nora Briggeman, Larry Smith & family, Braeden Bosma, Bethel’s Search Team & Congregation, Council, Pastors & Staff, and Stephen Ministers & their care receivers.

Bethel’s Military—Hannah Perry, granddaughter of Bill & Bonnie Carlson; Johnny Farquhar, son of John & Millie Farquhar; Brian Proenneke & Philip Roehler, son & son-in-law of Dennis & Sue Proenneke; Einar Wulfsberg, son of Eric & Sarah Wulfsberg; Steven Torgerson, son of Thomas & Diana Torgerson; Charles Zarza Jr., son of Chuck & Brenda Zarza; and the leaders of our great nation.

Extended Family & Friends—PK Petitmermet's cousin, Rick and his wife; Sharon Roberts' goddaughter's brother-in-law, Brandon Richardson; Pam Abbs father, Roger Anderson; Debbie Wallace's sister, Pam Dietz; Pastor Dan & Linda Lahman's friend, Brian Sherman; Stephen & Paula Higgins' daughter, April Reedall; Ralph & Inge Kelly's daughter, Suzanne Harp; Connie Baumgart's neice, Stephanie; Kem Batty's nephew's uncle & aunt, David & Judy; David Roberts' mother; David & Sharon Roberts' friend, Barry Mahr; Larry & Gail Emerson's friend, Rick Blair; Bonnie Carlson's neighbor, Becky; 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 Patti Nelson in memory of her husband, Dick Schultz.


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