Bethlehem Builder Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Living God's Word

1375 Grand Avenue Baldwin, NY 11510

516-223-3400 bethluth@hotmail.com

www.Blcbaldwin.com

September 2018

Greetings and Salutations in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

By the time you read this we will be in the month of September and the summer has flown by and we are getting

ready to get back into the full swing of school, work, and the changing of seasons. However, before we get there I

would like to look at our Gospel text from this past week. It comes to us from John 6 “When many of his disciples

heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were

complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you?’ Because of this many of his disciples turned back and

no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered

him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you

are the Holy One of God”.

I remember when I was younger and growing up in my home congregation, before the Gospel was read each week

we would sing “Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia”. As I prepared to

preach this week I thought about that song a lot and even more so the call and response from the so called disciples

of Jesus that were not the twelve. These disciples have seen Jesus feed five thousand people and have food left

over, they found out somehow he joined the twelve disciples while they were on the boat, they have seen other

miraculous signs and yet when Jesus sits down to teach them, their response is your teaching is difficult who can

accept it? Like people today, they only want to be around for the good times. They want to see the miracles, accept

the miracles, partake in the miracles, and yet when it is time for them to be the miracle they are no longer around

or don’t want to do the work for the kingdom. They say that the teaching is too hard and they can’t accept it. These

disciples complained and then they went and turned their back on Jesus, they walked away because they found out

that sometimes before you get to the Good News there is going to be a time where the teaching of God becomes

difficult, where it might make you feel bad, where it might pull on your heart strings, and where it might take you

out of your comfort zone. In our tradition they call that the Law.

However, the Good News or in our tradition the Gospel was delivered by Peter where he says to Jesus “Lord to

whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life”. Jesus gives us our entry into our eternal life because he is

the Bread of Life, the Lamb of God, Light of the World and Word of God. He was there in the beginning and will

be there in the end. Jesus never said discipleship was easy. In fact, he said at times it would be hard but he also said

he would always be there with us. So, as September has arrived and we are running around and at times we feel

overwhelmed, lost, stressed and overworked know that you can always go to Jesus, he has the words of eternal

life. Alleluia.

Yours in Christ,

Reverend James Smith

2018 Monthly Mission Envelope Distribution

Please indicate on the 2nd

or 3rd

line ($_____) on your Weekly Church Offering

Envelope to which mission you wish to donate – either write “mission or the name of

the mission.

September Lutheran Counseling Center

LCC has six counseling sites that offer health,

hope, and wholeness by promoting faith-based

individual and family psychotherapy. LCC also

provides ongoing programs for various needs

and expertise in counseling disaster victims.

October Thanksgiving/Christmas Baskets

Jesus commands us to feed the hungry. Much of

the year we accomplish this through various

charities but at Thanksgiving we deliver baskets

of food directly to families we know are in need

of support.

November Christmas Angel Shopping

Jesus commands us to care for the poor. The

youth of the congregation, adult drivers, and our

pastor shop at the beginning of December for

families in need. The money collected funds

their shopping.

December ELCA

The Metropolitan New York Synod, our synod,

is the regional expression of the Evangelical

Lutheran Church in America. They endeavor to

provide support, resource pooling, and

educational services to the over 200

congregations across Long Island, New York

City, and in seven upstate counties. The Rev.

Dr. Robert Rimbo serves as our bishop.

Liturgical Assistant Schedule for September Sept. 2 Dan D’Antonio

Sept. 9 Joyce Streithorst

Sept. 16 Kathy Spatz

Sept. 23 Derrick Talbott

Sept. 30 John Meyer

Supply Request for Church Office Postage stamps, 8 1/2x14 white paper, and white

mailing seals.

Thank you for your continued donations!

Council Officers

President Barbara Brown

Vice President Doug Dye

Council Secretary Theresa Brown

Financial Secretary Greg Pietrzak

Treasurer Anthony Tartamella

Class of 2018 Class of 2020 Barbara Brown Richard Grillo

Kathy Spatz John Meyer

Anthony Tartamella Allison Nunez

Sean Brown (1 yr. term)

Doug Dye (2 yr. term)

Class of 2019

Theresa Brown

Elaine Kriz

Greg Pietrzak

Bethlehem’s 2018 Calendar

September 9 Services begin at 10:30 a.m. 9 Rally Day-first day of Sunday School.;

blessing of the backpacks 9 BLC BBQ; birthday/anniversary coffee hour 17 Finance Meeting 24 Deliver Chicken to the INN 18 Council Meeting 28 Directory photos taken-2-9 pm 29 Directory photos taken-10 am-5 pm 30 LuHi Sunday October 14 Birthday/Anniversary Coffee Hour 16 Council Meeting 22 Deliver Chicken 14 Agape Feast in Seidel Hall 14 Coffee Hour 15 Finance Meeting 16 Council 22 Deliver Chicken to the INN

November

4 Daylight Savings ends (turn clock ahead) 6 Election Day 12 Finance Meeting 13 Council 18 Congregation Meeting 18 Birthday/Anniversary Coffee Hour 22 Thanksgiving-Office is closed 23 Office - Office is closed

Stewardship Message

From the Past If you haven’t got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.

Bob Hope

Bethlehem’s Book Club For September, the Book Club is reading

The Couple Next Door Shari Kaena

The place and time to be announced.

Worship Service Assistants Needed

If you can smile and say “HELLO”, walk down the aisle of the church, or read out loud BLC is looking for your help. We are in need of greeters, offering helpers, and lectors. PLEASE consider signing up and being a ready part of the service. Speak to Barbara Brown or Kathy Spatz if you are

interested in serving.

Bethlehem Exercise Classes

Tai Chi & Qigong Class for Stress Reduction

Wednesdays, 7 PM Thursdays, 11 AM, (Gentle Qigong & Tai Chi)

Saturdays, 9:00 AM-all levels Instructor: Pam Dye

Yoga Class Thursdays, 6:30 PM

Instructor: Sita Ramsundar Come join us and bring a friend!

ETERNAL LIGHT CANDLE Donation: $5.00

To be lit on (Date)_______________________

In Memory of:__________________________

In Honor of:____________________________

From:_________________________________

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ALTAR FLOWERS To Be Placed on Altar (Date)_______________

In Memory of:__________________________

In Honor of:____________________________

From:_________________________________

Floral Arrangement: $25 Rosebud: $3.50 Please place in the offering plate or mail the form and your check, made out to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, to the Church Office. Thank you.

Summer Fun at Pinecrest Lutheran

Camp

From fundraisers this spring, to the

National Youth Gathering in Houston, to

this past June some of our youth

completed their summer attending

Pinecrest Lutheran Leadership Ministries

camp. This year’s BLC youth participants

included Celeste Pierzak, Ashley

Streithorst, Tyler Streithorst, and

Christian Peragine along with Pastor

Smith and Marret Arfsten.

Mark Your Calendar!

BLC RALLY DAY – SEPTEMBER 9

First Day of

It seems that’s we are just in the midst of summer but school will be starting soon. With that, we will be kicking off the start of Rally Day with Sunday School on September 9th at 9 am. Please contact Pastor Smith if you know of anyone who would like to join our Sunday School program.

And, to continue our celebration of Rally Day we will host a BBQ after the 10:30 am service down in Seidel Hall. Please bring your family and friends and join us for some fun and fellowship! Birthday/Anniversary Coffee hour will also be held during our Rally Day BBQ.

Family Pictures for Church Directory September 28 and September 29

By Pam Dye

We will be taking family photographs for the church directory on Friday, September 28th

from 2-9 pm and Saturday, September 29th from 10 am-5 pm. These are the only two

days that are scheduled for photos. All members are encouraged to have their photo

taken. Everyone who has their photo taken will receive a complimentary 8”x10” photo

and a copy of the directory. If you are unable to make either of these dates please contact

Pam Dye or the church office to arrange for an alternative picture day. Out of town

members may email a photo to the church email: bethluth@hotmail.com.

So our directory has the most recent information, please provide us with your current

contact information: name (and names of your children), address, home phone, cell

phones, and email addresses.

Please contact Pam Dye if you have any questions.

Update Bethlehem’s Directory

Please print.

Name:_________________________________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Home phone#:__________________________________________________________________

Cell phone # (s) (and name-

s):_______________________________________________________

Email: _________________________________________________________________________

Children’s Names (if applicable): _________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Coloring Fun Page for the kids!

SEPTEMBER 2018 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1

9:00 am Tai Chi

2

9:30 am Worship

Service

3

Labor Day-Office closed

7 pm AA

4

5

7 pm Tai Chi Class

6

11 am Tai Chi Class

6:30 pm Yoga Class

7 pm AA

7

8

8:30 am-5 pm Artistry

Performing Arts

9:00 am Tai Chi

9

Rally Day-first day of

Sunday School

10:30 am Worship;

blessing of backpacks

BBQ/Birthday/

Anniversary Coffee

Hour

10

7 pm AA

11

12

7 pm No Tai Chi Class

13

11:00 am No Tai Chi Class

6:30 pm Yoga Class

7 pm AA

14

15

8:30 am-5 pm Artistry

Performing Arts

9:00 am Tai Chi

16

10:30 am Worship

17

7 pm AA

Finance Meeting

18

8 pm-Council meeting

19

7 pm Tai Chi Class

20

11 am Tai Chi Class

6:30 pm Yoga Class

7 pm AA

21

22

8:30 am-5 pm Artistry

Performing Arts

9:00 am Tai Chi

23

10:30 am Worship

Builder Articles Due

-------------------------

30

10:30 am Worship

24

7 pm AA

Deliver chicken to the INN

25

26 7 pm Tai Chi Class

27

11 am Tai Chi Class

6:30 pm Yoga Class

7 pm AA

28

29

8:30 am-5 pm Artistry

Performing Arts

9:00 am Tai Chi

Happy Birthday! Gloria Lebby 9/1 Greg Pietrzak 9/2 Whitney Talbott 9/6 Marietta Tartamella 9/7 Kim Brawley 9/8 Lynn Grillo 9/8 Katelyn English 9/8 Shirley Byer 9/10 Kerrin Gercken 9/15 Michael Szenczewski 9/15 Janet Gabler 9/16 Matthew Derkatch 9/19 Christian Peragine 9/19 Barbara Brown 9/22 Bernie Symons 9/27 Pamela Dye 9/27 Cynthia Gordon 9/28 Daniel John Degen 9/29

Mr & Mrs James Shields

6 Bridle Ct

Scarborough, ME 4074

August Attendance 2018 – 124

2017 – 144

We Worship at 10:30 am Every Sunday July and August we worship at 9:30 am

Sunday School at 9:00 am, September-June

Wedding Anniversaries Lynn & Mark Grillo 9/12

Baptismal Anniversaries

Tyler James Streithorst