A Snowy Advent

We have had quite a bit of snow here the last few weeks, and more is coming!  We did have worship this past Sunday, the third Sunday in Advent, for those who were able to make it - and we had a good crowd!  We have had to cancel one worship service and other activities of the church due to the snow, but we are still going strong!  We have one more Sunday left in Advent, some classes, some rehearsals, and before you know it, it will be Christmas Eve.  We hope you'll join us for our Christmas Eve service at 7pm.  Until then, enjoy the beauty of snow on trees and wreaths and stay warm and safe!

Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel!

Happy Advent from Bethany Lutheran Church!  Our Thanksgiving Service with the Green Valley Area Churches last week went well and was well attended - the church was packed!  Thanks so much to everyone who helped!  We collected a lot of canned goods for the Hunger Coalition, as well as monetary offerings for the Hunger Coalition and the Hospitality House.

We are now in the season of Advent and have a lot of events coming up for the month of December, including:

• Christmas Caroling December 12, beginning at 2:30 - an event for all ages!  We will be caroling in the neighborhood around Bethany, spreading some Christmas cheer.  Afterwards we will come back to the church for hot drinks and finger food.  Please join us!
• Christmas Eve Service, December 24 at 7pm.  There will be special music by the adult choir and special music and a program by the children.  Join us on this holy day as we celebrate the birth of Christ!
• New Year's Eve Party, beginning at 8pm.  Bring snacks, games, knitting - whatever!  We will welcome in the New Year together with a devotion.  Bring the whole family and invite your friends!

There's a lot coming up in January as well, so stay tuned for events in Epiphany, the time we celebrate the light of Christ coming into the world and explore ways in which we can better let our lights shine!  Blessed Advent, and we hope to see you in church!

Homecoming

Last week Bethany celebrated Homecoming in a big way.  Bishop Bolick was our preacher, we had a great big meal and lots of people turned out.  Here are some snapshots of that day.

Stay tuned for more events coming up, including the community Thanksgiving service, which will be held at Bethany!

Big Things Happening at Bethany! Homecoming Sunday!

Preparations have been made...

 The church is getting all spruced up...

... for Homecoming Sunday at Bethany!  We will be privileged and honored to have Bishop Leonard Bolick of the North Carolina Synod as our Homecoming preacher!

Please tell your friends and come on out for a wonderful time of worshiping our Lord, seeing old friends, and enjoying a great covered-dish meal afterwards!  THIS Sunday, October 24 at 11:00am.  We'll see you there!

First Communion

These hands...

This Sunday, these hands will be receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion.  Over the past few weeks these 3rd-graders have been learning about Holy Communion - hearing the stories from the Bible, learning what the church says about Communion, and learning to put it in their own words.  Here they are making a poster expressing their thoughts and ideas about Holy Communion, which will be on display beginning this Sunday.

Come join us at Bethany this Sunday, October 10 at 11:00am to celebrate with us and these young folks the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Welcome, Happy Birthday, and Kick-Off!

Sunday, September 12 marked several occassions for Bethany Lutheran Church.  During the Sunday School hour, the kids in 3rd grade began the first of their First Communion classes.  During the worship service, Vicar Laura was officially installed as the new vicar at Bethany.  After worship a huge cover dish meal celebrated several happennings: officially welcoming Vicars Laura and Jonathan, celebrating Pastor Bollinger's 80th birthday, and kicking off the new Sunday School year!  There was more than enough food for twice the crowd, and everyone had a great time.

Stay tuned as we look ahead to more exciting events in the upcoming months, including Octoberfest, First Communion, Bishop Bolick of the North Carolina Synod preaching for Homecoming on October 24, Reformation Sunday on October 31.  Also, plan to attend the community-wide Thanksgiving service this year, because Bethany will be hosting!  More details to follow, so stay tuned!

Congregational Gathering

On Sunday, August 1st many members of Bethany gathered at Green Valley Park for a time of fun, food, and fellowship.  The festivities began with a softball game around 3:00pm.  At 5:30pm everyone started to eat the grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, and an assortment of other foods.  Even though the temperature was quite chilly most people were still brave enough to try some of the delicious homemade ice cream! 

Vicar Michael and Vicar Lisa were presented with a lovely quilt from the congregation.

It may have been a foggy and dreary afternoon, but that didn't stop us from having a great time!

Busy Bees

Last week we Zipped, Zapped, and Zoomed into Vacation Bible School!  The curriculum was entitled: Planet Zoom.  The" planet" was actually a bee hive.  Daily themes focused on topics like BEElieving in Jesus and BEElonging in the body of Christ.  This was the second year that the members at Bethany and the members at Grace Lutheran teamed up to do VBS together.  It was a wonderful, spirit filled week!  There are lots of volunteers and children who probably still hear the faint sound of buzzing...

  

The entrance into "Planet Zoom."

Some of the characters that helped us learn about Jesus.

These balloons were wonderful decorations that made the hive feel alive!

We've Got Spirit Yes We Do...

         On Sunday, May 23rd the people of Bethany Lutheran Church gathered together to worship the Triune God, to celebrate Holy Communion, and to witness Erika Walker affirm her baptism...it was a wonderful Pentecost Sunday.  

         After the service there was a brief reception to celebrate Erika's confirmation:

Erika, her cake, and all of the food!

Erika and Pastor John

Erika and Vicar Michael

What's Your Bid?

          Last Sunday, Bethany had a "Rook" night at the church.  The card game has been a family "classic" for quite some time.  Although some of the players claimed to be "rusty" their knowledge certainly seemed to come back rather quickly.

          Rook night was a relaxing time of fellowship and fun!

Alleluia: Christ is Risen!

On the morning of April 4th the community of Bethany Lutheran gathered together to celebrate Jesus' resurrection.  We had two worship services, a delicious breakfast, and an Easter Egg hunt.  It was a wonderful way to begin the SEASON of Easter, which lasts for 50 days. 

Before the egg hunt began:

Flowering the cross is a tradition at Bethany:

Holy Week

Join us at the cross this Holy Week as the people of Bethany Lutheran Church gather together for worship on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Maundy Thursday Service: 7:00pm

Good Friday Service: 7:00pm 

Let the Madness Begin!

       Are you up to the challenge? The NCAA tournament challenge? Members of Bethany Lutheran Church are! This year we are taking part in ESPN’s tournament challenge. The challenge is an online bracket game. Participants will make their selections, fill out a bracket, submit it online, and ESPN will keep score to see who has the “most accurate” bracket. It’s free and fun for all ages! Check back periodically over the tournament to see up-to-date results. If you would like to participate continue reading for further instructions…



Here is how you can fill out a bracket in Bethany's group:


Go to:

http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/en/frontpage

You have to make an account before you can sign up.

Then search for our group

Group: Bethany Lutheran (http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/en/group?groupID=9646)

Password: bighill

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We are still discerning what purpose this blog might serve, but it is up and running. Please check back soon to see an update.

(What Bethany has looked like since December 17th)