Christmas Services

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Saturday, December 24

at 7pm

As is tradition at Bethany, the children will perform a program as the message of this service.  This year the kids will remind us that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season."



"The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." John 1:5



CHRISTMAS DAY

Sunday, December 25

NO Sunday School

Worship at 11am

Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year.  We will have a hymn-sing service with Holy Communion.  So come as you are and bring the whole family out to sing some Christmas music at this festival celebration of the Nativity of our Lord.

But wait...there's more!

There are TWO Sundays in the Christmas season this year.  Since the Twelve Days of Christmas start on Christmas day (no matter what stores try to tell you) and end on Epiphany, January 6...

that means January 1 is also a Christmas Sunday

- a chance to extend our Christmas celebrations and carol-singing!  Even though it's New Years' Day, you don't want to miss it!

One more thing...

Just a reminder of the weather we were experiencing last year this time

Merry Christmas to all!

Pastor Laura

On December 10 at 2pm at Bethany, Laura Weant was ordained by Bishop Leonard Bolick to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament, and was installed as Pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church.


Bishop Bolick and Pastor Laura



It was a beautiful service with a beautiful reception full of wonderful food and decorations, put on by the members of Bethany.

God is good!

Green Valley Community Thanksgiving Service

Please join us for the annual

Green Valley Community Thanksgiving Service

Wednesday, November 23

at 7pm

at Bethelview United Methodist Church

located at 193 Ridge Road

NEW this year:  All FOOD Donations brought to this service will go to the Green Valley School Food Pantry, which helps feed hungry kids in our community and their families.

All monetary donations will go to Hospitality House and Hunger Coalition (please make checks payable directly to these organizations, not the host church).

There will a receptioin with light refreshments following the service.  This is a great opportunity to meet and visit with folks from our other area churches.

In a time when church division seems to be everywhere, let's proclaim the unity we have in Christ by worshipping with our fellow Christians of various backgrounds, giving to these great causes, and fellowshipping in the name of Christ!



Fiber Flock Update - Scarves!

Scarves...

scarves....

and more scarves!

Can you tell what we've been working on lately?

We've been making scarves for the kids who come to the Children's Advocacy Center.

Although that has been our focus, we've also been making the usual,

busy aprons for dementia patients...

preemie and chemo hats, and blankets!



Check out this traditional-style Granny Square blanket!  Gorgeous!



If you are interested to put your skills to use in these ministries, or if you want to learn how to knit or crochet for the first time, we'd love to have you join us!

Bethany Fiber Flock meets

the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month

at 7pm in the church basement.

We welcome folks of all ages, experience levels, and gender!

Come join us!

Ordination Announcement

On Sunday, October 30, Bethany voted to extend a term call to Laura Weant to be their pastor.  You are invited to attend the ordination service and reception afterward!

By the grace of God,

and with the consent of God's people,

Bishop Leonard Bolick of the North Carolina Synod

will ordain

Laura Voelkert Weant

to the ministry of Word and Sacrament

in Christ's one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church

at a Festival Service

of Holy Communion, Ordination and Installation

on Saturday, December 10, 2011

at 2:00 in the afternoon

at Bethany Lutheran Church

1030 Big Hill Road

Boone, North Carolina 28607

Your prayers, and the honor of your

presence are requested.

Clergy are invited to process.

The color of the day is red.

All are invited to a reception following the service

in the fellowship hall in the church's basement.



Homecoming October 23

Join us for Bethany's Homecoming Service

Sunday, October 23

11am

with a Covered Dish Lunch following

Our Homecoming preacher this year is our very own Jerry Moretz!  Jerry has filled in for us preaching so many times over the years, and we wanted to honor him by asking him to preach as a special preacher, not just a fill-in!  He'll be sure to have some remembrances and history of the church as well.

And of course you'll want to stick around for a traditional covered dish meal following the service.  If you need a little convincing, take a look at all the food we had at last year's Homecoming Lunch!

 

See you Sunday!

Food Donation

Our local food pantries are experiencing extreme shortages.  Some of their shelves are empty.  The hard economic times have meant fewer donations, but more people in need.

Please consider donating items such as canned goods, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, mac and cheese either directly to one of our food pantries: Casting Bread (194 Aho Rd. Blowing Rock), Christian Outreach (at First Baptist), Seeds of Hope (105 Ext. in Carriage Square), or Health and Hunger Coalition.

Or, bring your donations to church and leave them in the narthex here:

Thanks for your help!

Skating Party

High Country Coalition Roller Skating Party

Friday, September 9

6:30pm

Admission and Skate Rental: $0

Bring a snack to share!

This event is for kids, adults - everyone!

Come on out for some fun and a chance to mingle with other people from the Coalition!

Fiber Flock Update

Fiber Flock members have been busy!  We now have several ministries that we are donating to, focusing on various items needed, and utilizing the various gifts of our members!  Check out some of what we've been up to.

 

Lap blankets



pretty baby things





baby blankets

preemie hats

baby hats



kids' hats



adult/chemo hats

busy aprons for dementia patients

shawls of various sizes and shapes

kids' blankets

 FIND US at Elk Knob Festival on Saturday, September 10 from 11am-5pm at Elk Knob State Park.  We will be set up as a booth, demonstrating what we do!

If YOU would like to join Fiber Flock, they meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7pm at Bethany Lutheran Church.  ALL are welcome!  Whether you're a novice or greatly experienced or somewhere in between!  Whether you are 8 or 80 - we'd love to have you join us!

Beery Ordination

On Saturday, August 13, former Bethany vicar Michael Beery and his wife, former Grace vicar Lisa Blackorby Beery were ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.

Pastor Sarah Lang (formerly of Grace, now at St. Matthew's in Charleston, SC) was Lisa's ordination sponsor, and Pastor John Bollinger was Michael's sponsor. 

Pastor Lang gave the sermon, and Bishop Lawrence Wohlrabe, of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod, was the liturgist and presiding minister.

Probably the most moving part of the Rite of Ordination is the laying on of hands, where all of these pastors and the Bishop crowded around to lay hands on the person being ordained as this prayer was prayed over first Lisa and then Michael:
      Eternal God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, pour out your Holy Spirit upon Michael and fill him with the gifts of grace for the ministry of word and sacrament.  Bless his proclamation of your word and administration of your sacraments, so that your church may be gathered for praise and strengthened for service.  Make him a faithful pastor, patient teacher, and wise counselor.  Grant that in all things he may serve without reproach, that your people may be renewed and your name be glorified in the church; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and regins with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Lisa and Michael have been called to serve two churches in the Northwestern Minnesota Synod.  Lisa has been called to serve Moe Lutheran Church, and Michael has been called to serve Messiah Lutheran Church of Roseau, Minnesota.  We pray God's blessings on their ministry.

Congratulations Pastor Lisa and Pastor Michael!

5th Sunday Festival

Our 5th Sunday Festival was a lot of fun!  We played games in the sun, sat in the shade to visit or knit, had a great supper and a wonderful outdoor worship service.  All in all it was a great day!

Green Valley Park - Site of 5th Sunday Festival

Green Valley Park, located at 3896 Big Hill Road, technically in Todd, NC - is just a few miles down Big Hill Road from Bethany, and will be the site of our 5th Sunday Festival on July 31, from 3-7pm (see below for details).

In case you've never been to Green Valley Park before, here are some pictures to entice you!

The picnic shelter, where you can sit in the shade and enjoy a FREE hotdog supper, around 5pm!

 

A breath-taking spot for a park!



Shall We Gather at the River?
The New River flows right by Green Valley Park





There are walking trails at Green Valley Park



and benches where you can rest along the way
(But do remember to bring your own folding chair as well!)



And yes, there are bathroom facilities available



This is the stage where we will have our outdoor worship service at 6:30pm



Isn't it a gorgeous spot?
We hope you'll join us for a day in the park on July 31!
A day of games, FREE food, and worship!

Rain Location: Bethany Lutheran Church
1030 Big Hill Road, Boone



5th Sunday Festival Facebook Event Page

There is now a 5th Sunday Festival Facebook Event Page!

Go to this page to let us know if you will be attending, and to invite all your friends to attend!

Help us spread the word!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=129420937144597

Bethany Goes on Facebook

Now you can follow happenings at Bethany Lutheran Church on Facebook!  Go to our new Facebook page: "Bethany Lutheran Boone" and "Like" us to receive updates.  http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Bethany-Lutheran-Boone/192112437511375?sk=wall