Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Beacon of Bethel Lutheran Church
Let God’s light shine before all mankind.
“Where Faith Grows” 440 943-5000 www.bethelwillowick.org E-mail= [email protected]
APRIL 2017
Pastoral Message
Greetings in the name of our Risen and Glorified Lord and Savior,
“April showers, yada yada yada” and of course all that goes with that old rhyme. But April showers
are not what’s on my mind today. As I sit and compose this message my mind is focused on the
upcoming preparations for Confirmation and First Communion, along with Holy Week and Easter. All
this while doing the duties associated with the pastoral office. The demands and stresses are enormous
this year. It is only through the knowledge that God has, and always will, provide me the needed
strength to do what we all know that needs to be done. I have had many offers to help in the upcoming
weeks and I have accepted a few. But truth be told there are some things that need to be handled
through the pastoral office.
Now I am going about the task of writing a pastoral message for the April issue of the Bethel
Beacon. I was thinking of writing about the upcoming events and the opportunities for worship. But
that would be redundant and you can see all that in this issue. So, let me just say a few important
words:
He Is Risen!!
He is Risen
Indeed,
Alleluia
Happy Easter one and all
In His Service
♰ Rev. Donald P. Beaumont Rev. Donald P. Beaumont [email protected]
Joshua 24:15
As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
THE ROLE OF THE CROSS If the cross is the place where the worst thing that could happen happened, it is also the place where the best thing that could happen happened. Ultimate hatred and ultimate love met on those two crosspieces of wood. Suffering and love were brought into harmony. ... To be “saved” requires a severance from the former life as clean and sharp as though made by a knife. There must be a wall of separation between the old life and the new, a radical break. That means death — death to the old life, in order for the new to begin. … This wall of separation, this barrier, is the cross.
—Elisabeth Elliot, A Path Through Sufering
___________________________________ 2017
___________________________________ WHEN WE CAN’T FIND EASTER
Easter is the most joyous Christian holy day ... except when it’s not. What do we do
when our mood isn’t what we think it “should” be? The kids are sugared up, we’re juggling
family gatherings (and conflicts), everyday challenges remain, and festive hymns — however
rousing — fail to lift our spirits. We wonder, “What’s wrong with me, that I can’t seem to
find Easter?”
Been there, done that. And it’s okay. You’re okay.
Jesus’ resurrection doesn’t scoop us out of our troubles, but the death-defying Christ
walks through them beside us, on our own Emmaus road (Luke 24). We aren’t alone. When we
can’t find Easter, Easter somehow finds us — if not on this designated Sunday, perhaps two
days from now, or next week or mid-May. Watch for it; keep your heart open. Christ is risen
indeed — and you shall be too.
—Heidi Mann
Midweek Wed., March 29 7pm
Palm Sunday Sun., April 9 10am
with Confirmation and 1st Communion
Maundy Thursday Thur., April 13 7pm
with Communion
Good Friday Fri., April 14 11am & 7pm
Contemporary Service Sat., April 15 6pm
Easter SONrise Service Sun., April 16 6:30am
Easter Celebration Sun., April 16 10am
OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Our last Outreach meeting was held on the 9th of March. We began with a
half hour discussion on the first two chapters of the book “Joining Jesus on His
Mission” that Pastor gave us at the last meeting. Everyone seemed to enjoy this
book so far. We learned that we have to develop a different mindset as far as
reaching out into our community, and you will be hearing more about this later as
we continue to read the next four chapters - this being our “homework” to
prepare for discussion in the future. Jack presented the committee with a
revised description of the duties of the Outreach Committee, as outlined in
our bylaws. The proposed changes will be voted on at the next voter’s meeting on Tuesday, March 28th.
Plans are moving right along for the 7th Annual Bethel Outreach Golf Outing, which will be held on Friday,
June 16th. There is a page in this issue of the Beacon with details on the outing and sign up instructions. Jim
Krainz has also put this information on our website – check it out at www.bethelwillowick.org
With Maundy Thursday being the date that we would have held the April meeting, we agreed to change the
date of our next meeting to April 6th, which is a week earlier than usual. Since then, I have found out that
Pastor and Jack have another commitment, so there is a chance we may change the date – again! Look to the
weekly bulletin for further updates!
Thank You!
Alice Beeman, Mike Bretz, Jim Krainz, Christine Risher, Steve Risher,
Jack Schimmelmann & Jackie Storts (Committee Chairperson)
(Article submitted by Christine Risher)
FORSAKEN FOR US Church reformer Martin Luther considered Jesus’ cry from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) as “the greatest words in all of Scripture,” writes Timothy Keller. In Walking With
God Through Pain and Suffering (Penguin Books), Keller notes, “Luther knew personally about what he called
Anfectungen, a word that means the ‘assaults’ that the world, the flesh and the devil make on human beings
through the evils and suffering of life.”
Jesus suffered Anfectungen “in infinite degrees, beyond anything any other human being will ever
experience,” Keller writes. And he did it all for us. As Luther said, “In Christ, the God-forsaken sinner has a Savior
who has taken on himself the full depths of human estrangement from God — and overcome it.”
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
Our March “Potluck & a Movie” was held on the 19th. Sixteen people showed
up to watch the movie “Risen.” As always, we enjoyed some good food and
fellowship. We will not be hosting a movie in the month of April – BUT we are
having our annual Easter Breakfast, held right after the SONrise Worship
Service until 9:00am. We hope you can join us! The menu will include casseroles,
sausage, cheesy potatoes, French toast sticks, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, dessert,
coffee and juice.
Our next “Potluck & a Movie” will be on Sunday, May 21st. The featured
movie is called “Miracles from Heaven” – as always, dinner at 5pm with movie at 6pm. Hope to see you there!
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 18th, and as always, everyone is welcome to attend!
Christine-Dave-Georgann-Julie-Sherry (Committee chairperson) - Steve
(Article submitted by Christine Risher)
Lutheran Ministries Media, Inc. 5 Martin Luther Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46825-4996
Worship for Shut-Ins Sermon Summaries
These Worship services on WRLM can be viewed on Time Warner Cable channel 12 and U-verse channel 67 at 11:30 am on the following Sundays
APRIL 2017 April 2, 2017 – Fifth Sunday in Lent Psalm: 130; Epistle: Romans 8:1-11; Gospel: John 11:17-27, 38-53 “The Death of a Friend” - Sermon Text: John 11:17-27, 38-53 by Rev. Paul E. Shoemaker, Emanuel Lutheran Church ~ New Haven, IN The death of a loved one changes our world. Jesus had a friend who died and He felt great sorrow at the loss. The Good News is that Jesus has conquered death. As Jesus says, “He who believes in Me shall never die.” April 9, 2017 – Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion Psalm: Psalm 118:19-29; Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11; Gospel: John 12:12-19 “Palm Sunday Exclamation” - Sermon Text: John 12:13b by Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege, St. Paul Lutheran Church ~ Decatur, IN On Palm Sunday the people shouted a profound exclamation: They were quoting from the Old Testament, they were labeling the work that Jesus was about to perform, and they were describing Christ's work among us now through Word and Sacrament: "Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord." April 16, 2017 – The Resurrection of Our Lord – Easter Day Psalm: Psalm 118:15-29; Epistle: Acts 10:34-43; Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10 “This Is The Day!” - Sermon Text: Psalm 118:24 by Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Ahlersmeyer, Holy Cross Lutheran Church ~ Fort Wayne, IN Can you point to one day that changed the entire course of your life? Absolutely! Jesus’ Easter Sunday victory over death has changed your eternity as well as how you face each day of your life. “THIS IS THE DAY that the Lord has made” is a hope-filled, joy-filled reality because Jesus Christ IS risen! April 23, 2017 – Second Sunday of Easter Psalm: Psalm 63:1-8; Epistle: 1 Peter 1:3-7; Gospel: John 20:19-31 “In Trials, Rejoice!” - Sermon Text: 1 Peter 1:3-7 by Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier III, Concordia Theological Seminary ~ Fort Wayne, IN The apostle Peter encourages us to rejoice even in trials, and he tells us why we can do this. God has caused us to be born again to a living hope. Also, the genuineness of our faith is found through trials. April 30, 2017 – Third Sunday of Easter Psalm: Psalm 116:1-14; Epistle: 1 Peter 1:17-25; Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 “Resurrected Redeemer” - Sermon Text: Luke 24:21 by Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege, St. Paul Lutheran Church ~ Decatur, IN The Emmaus disciples had hoped that Jesus was the long awaited Redeemer. Alas, they thought He had failed, because He had been crucified. Amazingly this crucifixion is precisely the center of our redemption!
Tel: (260) 471-LOVE (5683) ╋ Toll-Free: (888) 286-8002
www.worshipforshutins.org E-mail: [email protected]
GOOD FRIDAY REFLECTIONS – by Steve Risher
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in
Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) In today’s world we tend
to take a lot for granted; for instance, all the things that enrich our daily lives. For
example , the thought and time that goes into Pastor’s sermon – the people that get
the church ready for us to pray and enjoy fellowship in, and the men and women who
serve our country protecting our freedom. So when I think of how Jesus died for our
sins, I wonder if some people unknowingly take that for granted also. In today’s fast
paced world it seems we take very little time to stop and appreciate God’s beauty. As
Pastor says, we are like batteries and our souls need to be recharged by hearing the
Word of God. So, with that in mind, I would like everyone to stop and reflect on Good
Friday and think about the unimaginable suffering that Jesus went through for all of us. Unfortunately most
people tend to sugarcoat things, looking past that pain and suffering. After I saw the movie “The Passion” I felt
His pain deep in my heart. I know for sure that His Father also had tears in His eyes that day. So, when you are
having a really bad day, or going through difficult times, reflect upon the love and forgiveness given to us by God.
And when Easter morning comes, let everyone know that
“HE HAS RISEN! HE HAS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!”
EASTER’S DAWN
On the third day, the friends
of Christ coming at daybreak
... found the grave empty and
the stone rolled away. In varying ways they
realized the new wonder; but even they hardly
realized that the world had died in the night. What
they were looking at was the first day of a new
creation, with a new heaven and a new earth; and
in a semblance of the gardener, God walked again
in the garden, in the cool not of the evening but of
the dawn.
—G.K. Chesterton
CHRIST RISEN AND REALIZED
Author George Thompson tells of a Jewish rabbi’s
appeal to Christians during the tumultuous 1930s. On
Easter Eve, the rabbi wrote in a newspaper: “I challenge
the Christian world to measure itself by the standards
of Christ. As long as any group is judged by its creed or
color or country in place of its character, Christianity is
a sacrilege rather than sanctity. To this end, I summon
Christians everywhere to make this Easter to signify
Christ realized and not merely Christ risen.”
CHRISTIAN SYMBOL
This image is known as the Agnus Dei, Latin for “Lamb of God.” When pictured standing and with a banner, it represents the risen Christ, victorious over death. John the Baptist, seeing Jesus approach, famously declared, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, NIV). In Revelation, too, Jesus is portrayed as a lamb who was slain but now reigns
triumphant.
Sponsored by BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Outreach Committee 32410 Willowick Drive Willowick, Ohio 44095
www.bethelwillowick.org
Bethel Lutheran Church Presents:
The 7th Annual Bethel Outreach Golf
Outing Friday, June 16, 2017
Briardale Greens Golf Course 24131 Briardale Ave., Euclid, OH 44123
SHOTGUN START AT 9AM
Your Entry Fee Includes: 18 Holes of golf with cart
Scramble Format with teams of 4 players
Free range balls prior to the start of your round Gift bag for each golfer
Coffee and donuts in the morning Hotdogs, chips, and beer at the turn
Dinner that includes both ribs AND chicken following your round
One Raffle ticket entering you into the drawing for the door prize If you are registering as an individual, we will assign you to a team. If you are registering at least 2 but less than 4 golfers, be aware that we may need to exercise the option of assigning individual signups to your group to complete a foursome All proceeds from this golf outing will be used to support outreach programs in our local community. These programs include the Willowick Food Pantry and Willowick youth sports. Non-golfers are welcome to join us for the awards presentation and for only $26 per person; they are also welcome to join us for dinner beginning at 3:00 pm. So please feel free to mention this event to family, friends, and associates.
QUESTIONS? Contact the church office: (440) 943-5000
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Please tear here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Show your support here ▼…………………………AND / OR………… Sign up your team here ▼
B O G O SUPPORT (Please check appropriate line)
Cost: $75 each
TEAM MEMBER NAMES: (Please PRINT) Paid / Amount
_____ HOLE SPONSOR $100 (includes a sign on course at one of 18 tee locations) (PLEASE ENCLOSE BUSINESS CARD, .JPEG OR LETTERHEAD FOR SIGN CREATION)
1)___________________________________________ __________
_____ MONETARY DONATION – $ __________ 2) __________________________________________ __________
_____ MERCHANDISE GIFT DONATION
3) __________________________________________ __________
Your name:________________________________________________ Company name:____________________________________________ 4) __________________________________________ __________ Address:__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Non-golfers may join us for dinner at 3pm ($26 ea.) Phone:____________________________________________________ Include total # of non-golfers here > ____________ __________
MAIL CHECKS MADE PAYABLE TO: BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH (marked “Golf Outing”) along with this form to: Bethel Lutheran Church - 32410 Willowick Dr.- Willowick, OH 44095
Ladies Aid
It’s almost Easter! Can you believe it!
Easter blessings to each one of you reading this article today.
Our March meeting went good! Jeanne talked about the Mites that we collect and the grants that they go to.
This month, she talked about Veterans of the Cross. They were recently a recipient of a Grant from LWML. This
is not for the military but rather for Pastors or church workers’ pensions or for those that don’t have full salaries.
Some churches cannot afford to pay full salaries and this helps out.
We had a nice turnout at the prayer service that was held out at Grace – Thompson. We had around 9
ladies go with us and our Pastor went as well. There was a beautiful service and a lovely luncheon afterwards.
What a great day to spend with other ladies of our faith. The Spring Rally is April 22nd at Our Redeemer in
Solon. We will once again car pool from the church parking lot. Let Robin Bartley know if you are interested in
going ASAP. She needs to let them know so they can plan their luncheon, which costs $6 per person. Our Jeanne
Schimmelmann will be the speaker there on her trip to the Holy Land. And mark your calendars for the Fall
Retreat on September 16th at the Perry YWCA. Look for information/sign up documents to come soon, or ask
Robin Bartley for more information. Jeanne Schimmelman, Robin Bartley and Candy Smith will be going to the
LWML National Convention this year in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We can’t wait to hear all about it!!
Noisy Offerings are, well…..NOISY! On purpose! We would like to start doing these once a month at
both the Saturday and Sunday services. This would be an extra offering of just all the change you can save up
from month to month for our Mites! We take paper bills as well but they’re not as noisy!! These go to help fund all
the Mission Grants that LWML chooses every year. Please save all your coins (spare change) for the third
Saturday/Sunday services of every month and let’s make lots of noise when they collect them! Thank you!!
Our Spring Rummage Sale is right around the corner! It’s on Saturday, April 8th from 9am until 2pm.
Start bringing in your clean, gently used items now. If you would like to help set up for this sale, we will be doing
that on April 6th & 7th after 5:30 pm. Come and join in the fun! We are also looking for bakers to donate baked
goods. Please mark on it what it is and if there is anything in it that someone could be allergic to. AND, we sure
could use people to help clean up after the sale is done. Please be there by 2pm.
Pastor gave us a bible study about Philemon 1-25 – Friendship, Forgiveness and Reputation. It was very
informative and we even gave some right answers! Thank you Pastor Beaumont.
Also, our Mother’s Day Banquet is May 13th at 6pm!! The theme is “Mothers Bless our Nests”. The
menu will be Stuffed Pork Chops, Au Gratin Potatoes, Salad, Glazed Carrots, Rolls, Dirt Pudding with Gummy Bears
and beverages. Jeanne Schimmelman will be taking your reservations! The cost per meal is only $9 for adults and
$4 for children ages 12 and under. Such a bargain! Oh, and our entertainment will be a husband and wife duo
called, “More Than A Sparrow”. The concert will start approximately at 7pm upstairs in the church. EVERYONE
IS INVITED TO LISTEN TO THEM!! Come and join us. It’ll be fun!
We thank our Hostesses, Dianne Sprafka, Gertrud Neumann and Diana Helmink for the way yummy cakes
and candy! I do not think we have any Hostesses for April. Altar Guild for April is Jennifer Hummer.
Please note. Our next meeting is April 4th. If you are planning on attending this meeting, please
come in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty in. We are planning on cleaning the kitchen area after our
meeting is over. Also, if you have cleaning supplies such as rags, sprays, etc., please bring them!
Our March meeting ended at 8:18 with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted by Georgann Beaumont
MOTHER’S DAY BANQUET Saturday, May 13th at 6pm
“Mothers Bless Our Nests” $9.00 adults
$4.00 age 12 & under
Stuffed pork chops – Au gratin potatoes – Salad – Glazed carrots – Rolls
Dirt pudding with gummy bears – Beverages
RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE
Contact the church office at 440-943-5000
Entertainment provided at 7pm by the husband & wife duo
“More Than a Sparrow”
ALL ARE INVITED FOR THE MUSIC!
SEMI-ANNUAL
RUMMAGE/BAKE/HOT DOG
SALE SATURDAY, APRIL 8TH, 2017
9AM-2PM
COME ONE AND ALL!
TELL YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS
AND NEIGHBORS!
Below is a list of our elderly who
do not get out much. Please
remember them with notes, cards,
a phone call or a visit in person –
and most of all in our prayers.
Wally & Kim Morris Jr. 4/15
George & Beth Middleton 4/22
EASTER LIFTS THE FOG A friend stood one day where he could view the
Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. At first it was
completely shrouded in early morning fog. But as the sun rose,
the fog lifted between the upright piers of the bridge, leaving
the land anchors still unseen.
Is it not so with life? We see only what is between the
great piers called birth and death. But Easter lifts the fog from
both. Easter is the time when we see more completely the
anchorages that sustain life.
—George Mecklenberg
Vivian Anderson Marge Kenerson
Charles Babinyecz Helen Kovach
Harry & Lois Crispin Ralph Kruse
Joanne Drury Irene Kurz
Ethel Giuffre Virginia Potting
Helen Herborn Norma Pecsok
Manfred Ruhe
LACQUERED WITH LOVE Japanese artisans practice a 500-year-old
Japanese art called kintsugi, or “golden joinery,” to
reassemble broken pieces of pottery using a lacquer
mixed with gold, silver or platinum. The premise is
that brokenness doesn’t render something useless or
ugly. Indeed, another Japanese term, wabi-sabi,
means “to find beauty in broken or old things.”
We come to Jesus broken, but he doesn’t
discard us. He heals us, though our scars do often
remain visible — just as the spear and nail prints
remained in his own body when God raised him from
death. The Holy Spirit coats our wounds and
fractures with the lacquer of divine love, and we
become uniquely beautiful, appealing to others so
they can find support for their own healing. Our scars
tell them they aren’t alone, while the brokenness
that’s part of another’s faith journey assures us that
we, too, have companionship
along the way.
Robin Bartley 4/2
Dianne Sprafka 4/2
Gunter Neumann 4/4
Joanne Suydam 4/10
David Hummer 4/22
Frank Sajn 4/22
Sherry Warrington 4/22
Geriann Bossman 4/24
Daniel Blaha 4/25
Dan Bunsey 4/26
DATE READERS USHERS ELDERS COUNTERS Sat
Apr 1
6pm
Alice Dave P.
Pat
John Linda
Sherry
Wyn
Sun
Apr 2
10am
Wyn Brian
Halle
Dave Linda
Sherry
Wyn
Wed
Apr 5
7pm
Dave Linda Mark Christine
Dave
Julie
Sat
Apr 8
6pm
Christine Dave P.
Pat
Herman Christine
Dave
Julie
Sun
Apr 9
10am
Dee Donna
Holly
John Christine
Dave
Julie
Thu
Apr 13
7pm
Scott Jim S.
Sherry
Dave Jack
Jeanne
Julie
Fri
Apr 14
11am
Christine Christine Herman Jack
Jeanne
Julie
Fri
Apr 14
7pm
Jeanne Gertrud
Gunter
Ken Jack
Jeanne
Julie
Sat
Apr 15
6pm
Pat Dave P.
Pat
Herman Jack
Jeanne
Julie
Sun
Apr 16
6:30am
Dee Brian
Halle
John Jack
Jeanne
Julie
Sun
Apr 16
10am
Dave Jim K.
Sara
Mark Jack
Jeanne
Julie
Sat
Apr 22
6pm
Scott Dave P.
Pat
Herman Christine
Dave
Julie
Sun
Apr 23
10am
Karen Brian
Halle
Dave Christine
Dave
Julie
Sat
Apr 29
6pm
Christine Dave P.
Pat
Ken Linda
Sherry
Wyn
Sun
Apr 30
10am
Jeanne Christine
Steve
Mark Linda
Sherry
Wyn
Members who
are serving
this month
April 2017
Altar Duty:
Jen Hummer
Bold: Communion
* Denotes a change
Bold italics:
Communion
* Denotes a
change
