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Word From The Pastor
I'm sure glad I know what shampoo I want to buy. Have you ever paid attention to how many different brands and variations there are in the shampoo aisle of your local grocery store or pharmacy? First, it seems you must determine whether you have oily hair, thick hair, thin hair, fine hair, wavy hair, curly hair, or whatever. Then, apparently, you have to determine the ph value of your hair. (I have no idea, by the way). Next comes the fragrance. Do you want fruit? Maybe peach, pineapple, strawberry, kiwi, mango, melon, apple, pear, coconut? (I always feel like I should be in produce). If not, there's always summer breeze, tropic breeze and the whole wind thing. And you have yet to determine whether you want a conditioner, a pre-wash (what's that), a mousse, a hair gel and so on.
I go right for the Suave Men's 2-in-1 and I'm out of there.
But you know, this past week when I mailed in my ballot for the elections, I was sort of surprised to find all the various candidates for President. I almost felt like I was on heading down the shampoo aisle again. Once you got past McCain and Obama, you still had a ways to go.
Life in the western world is filled with choices. Certainly, choosing a President has greater implications than choosing a shampoo (although I certainly have more say in my shampoo choice than do in the presidency). My daughter becomes paralyzed by a menu of too many dinner items, afraid she'll somehow make the wrong choice. And life itself is capable of being a bit paralyzing when we are confronted with never-ending choices.
It's sort of like that when you travel into the religious marketplace. There are gods galore out there. Certainly, there are all the major religions: Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Jew, Christian and the rest. Then, if you choose one of those, say, Christianity, you still have to pick a denomination or variety: Presbyterian, Methodist, Adventist, Church of God, Church of Christ, Pentecostal, Assembly of God, Lutheran, Baptist, Disciple and more. And, of course, there is always your non-denominational. But if you go there, you must pick whether you are going to be a fundamentalist non-denominational, mainstream, or more universalist.
But picking a god is larger than picking a denomination or religion. There's always the reality that a god may not fall under the classic definition of deity. There are the gods of wealth, of fame, of acceptance, of health; so many things that we will readily throw in the number one position. (All you good Lutherans will remember Luther's definition of a god in his Large Catechism: "A god is that in which we place our trust and faith") It can even be a government or Wall Street (although that one has lost a lot of credibility lately.)
Choosing a god isn't easy. There are just too many options.
Of course, there's always the good news that comes from Jesus Christ and his cross. Again, as Luther explains, we don't necessarily choose that God; that God chose us. I sort of like to rest in that one.
Walt
Church Office Hours
Mon: Closed
Tue: 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Wed: 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Fri: 8:00 a.m.Ð5:00 p.m.
11:00-12:00 -Closed for Lunch
For other times, please call the office to make an
appointment.
Bible Story Books
Next Sunday, Bethlehem's Natural Church Development Team, will be giving Bible story books to all families with children who attend Bethlehem, members and non-members. This is an exciting opportunity to introduce children and families to the stories which form our Christian heritage, helping them to know the history of God's gracious justice and mercy.
November 2nd Bethlehem Lutheran Church Auction 4:00 p.m.
We thank Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for their financial support in matching our auction proceeds up to $1,300.
Rebekah Circle
November 10th
7:00 p.m. - at Debbie Allen's home, 433 Talcott Street, Sedro-Woolley
November 24th
7:00 p.m. - at Becky Taft's home, 818 Dunlop Avenue, Sedro-Woolley
Men's Breakfast
SaturdayÑNovember 2nd at the Big Rock Cafe
Women's Bible Study Women's Bible Study - November 5th - 10:30 a.m. Everyone Welcome!
Please return your Estimate of Giving Card by November 9th.
STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER
Date Offering Attendance
9/7 $4,813.00 91
9/14 $2,893.00 80
9/21 $2,424.25 90
9/28 $1,585.26 90
Total: $11,715.51
Weekly Offering Needed for Budget: $3,312.00
Average Weekly Offering for Oct: $2,928.88
Designated Giving for October
El Camino $60.00
Children's Bibles $39.00
Helping Hands Food Bank $25.00
Congratulation
to: Graeme Riggins,who was named
Sedro-Woolley Rotary student of the month.
YOUTH EVENTS
NOVEMBER 21-23. youth quake/zone conference
Get up-to-minute 411:
Http://lutheryouth.blogspot.com
Kellibuzz@gmail.com
360-630-9774
A Word From The Bishop The Reverend Wm Chris Boerger
Do
not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and
where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in
and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew
6: 18-21 NRSV
At our annual stewardship event, Mark Allan Powell noted that our
role in worship is to praise and to bring offerings. The rest of our Sunday
service speaks God's grace and command to us, but our worship is in our
offerings and praises.
As we come to the season of Thanksgiving, we need to be reminded
that our worship and our giving thanks is not just a pleasant thought or a meal
in which we are over fed. Our conversation often speaks of what we get out of
worship. The fact is worship is what we bring to God. When we gather we bring
our prayers, our praises and our offerings.
How we communicate what our worship is goes a long way in shaping
us. Powell also notes that Matthew reports that our worship will change our
heart. Jesus does not say where your heart is there is your treasure. He says
where your treasure is, there is your heart. If you want to change your heart
you change your treasure.
As
we live with increasing anxiety about finances, we will live out our faith in
word and deed. God has come into our world to give us life and hope. We worship
a God that has given us the responsibility to care for creation and to welcome
the widow, the orphan, and the resident alien. We use our treasure with a
changed heart to change the world. I am sure that we will face many challenges
in the days ahead. Our working together is by the call of God and by the grace
of God.
Luther's meaning of the First Article of the Apostles Creed closes by saying that I am "duty bound to thank, serve, praise and obey God" I am called to worship, to sing God's praise and to make offerings to God. In that Jesus changes us and the world
Food For Life
Recipies and Stories on
the Right to Food
Lutherans have produced a cookbookÑ Food
for Life: Recipes and Stories on the Right to FoodÑthat calls attention to the
global food crisis. Containing more than 100 recipes from around the world, the
cookbook features stories, photographs and table blessings illustrating how
Lutherans take part in food production, addressing issues of food scarcity,
sharing culturally nutritious dishes and more.
Food for Life demonstrates how the
Lutheran World Relief (LWF) is present and active around the world. "We see the
cookbook as an educational tool, inviting people to be radically challenged to
advocate for justice issues like the right to food for all people,Ó said the
Rev. Teresita "TitaÓ C. Valeriano, North American regional officer, LWF. "We in
North America should address our abundance surrounding food. When we talk about
poverty, we tend to think of it as Ôout there,' when the responsibility is Ôright
here.'Ó
Food for Life is available
through Augsburg Fortress and is available in hardback (Item #: 9786000221775,
$24.95) and paperback (Item #: 9786000221744, $14).
Prayers for strength and healing for:
… Bonnie Thompson (friend of John Rantchler), Florence Sobek, Eric Johnson, Marcie Pike, (friend of Donna Carter), Jacinda Boyd (daughter of Chuck & Jill Bumgarner), Ken Sorestad, Evelyn Brolhorst (Kelly Mohr's mother), Mike Johnson (son of Gene Johnson), Ruby O. Deline (mother of Millard Deline), Ella Sorestad, Jack Lewis, Randilyn White (daughter of Julie & Mark Anderson), Stig Ekblad, Woody Poteet (father of DeVere Bunke), Joanne Swensen, Chuck Taubenheim, Jackie Shroy, Carrie Barney (grand-niece of Esther Engstrom), Sherri Schiefelbein, Artis Hawkings, Jody Carabba, Faye Jensen (Bill Stiles' sister), Joni Lee (daughter of Grace Johnson), Karen Hansen, Robert Hanson (grandnephew of Mabel Quisenberry), Pat Riley (friend of Bertha Schiefelbein), Guy Clements (friend of John Rantschler), Dale Gunerius (cousin of LaVonne Parker), Susan Hope (daughter of Jackie Shroy), Mabel Quisenberry, Kim Johnson (Linda Woodward's daughter), Chelsea Eby (daughter of Tamara Blunt) , Sandra Vanderveen (friend of Jean DeWitt), Pauline Coward (Brenda Geary's mother), Alta Heffele, Kyle Williams (friend of Julie Anderson), Ralph Johnson (Eric's father), Lois Kindred (Tammy Olson's sister-in-law), Jack Wilson (JoAnn Hardin's brother), Minh Tran (Jill Paulsen's cousin's son) and Jan Selvig (daughter of Grace Johnson)
Prayers for our members and friends in the military:
Ronan Summers (grandson of Steve & Elsie Summers), Christopher Kloth, Darryl Hornbeck (Judy Rantschler's cousin), Juan Sanchez (Morgan's uncle), Josh Trythall (friend of Craig & Naomi White), Aaron Avery (grandson of Don & Gail Thomas), Brian Waters (Kim Woolsey's son-in-law), Russell Allen, Donald Parker, Jennifer Franks, Brian Burnett and Ramiro Cruz (friend of the Woolsey's)
(Please contact the church office if you would like a name added or removed from the prayer list.)
Open Door
Community Kitchen
(at Central United Methodist Church on Polte
Road)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
If you wish to help, please sign-up in the Fireside
Room.
Fair Trade Coffee, Tea and Chocolate
Check
out the Coffee/Chocolate display in the Fireside Room. Prices are marked on each item. Please make your check out to "BLC
YouthÓ and place it or cash in the
basket on the table.
More coffee has been ordered!
THE
SACRED SOUNDS OF
CHRISTMAS
CONCERT
Sunday, November 30, 2008
4 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Benaroya Hall
Seattle Pacific University
Tickets: $17 & $20 (can be purchased thru Ticketmaster at 206-292-ARTS)
Tickets sell out early so be sure to get your tickets soon.
For more information visit: www.spu.edu/sacredsounds
Operation Christmas Child
His Place Community Church will be
hosting an Operation Christmas Child event
called "Deco & DonutsÓ
Go
to His Place, 1480 S. Burlington Blvd, on Thursday, Nov 6th between 2:00 and
5:00 p.m. to receive an empty, limited edition, decorated shoebox and of course
a donut! Return the shoebox filled
with age appropriate gifts during National Collection Week: November 17-24.
Gift
Suggestions:
School
Supplies, coloring books & crayons, solar calculators, writing pads and
pens, small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, yo-yos, slinky, jump ropes,
toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, hard candy and lollipops (no chocolate), toy
jewelry, socks, hair clips.
Include
a personal note with your name & address and the child may write back.
For more information call 360-757-3111.
November Birthdays & Anniversaries