a publication of bethlehem lutheran church - aloha, or ......2021/03/03 · each day as a day the...

www.blcfamily.org 1 [email protected] www.blpaloha.com [email protected]

MAR. 2021, VOL. 11 NO. 3

MAR. 2021 VOL. 11 NO. 3

SERMONS THEMES & READINGS - 2

SCHOOL NEWS - 3

LAND OF OZ - 4

YOUTH & CHILDREN - 4

OUTREACH MINISTRIES - 5

MINISTRY PARTNER NEWS - 6

CAMPOUT - 7

LENT IS HERE - 7

BIBLE STUDIES - 8

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY - 10

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES - 11

A P u b l i c a t i o n o f B e t h l e h e m L u t h e r a n C h u r c h - A l o h a , O R

THE GIFT OF FELLOWSHIP

Look! How good and how pleasant it is when brothers truly live in unity…Indeed, that is where the Lord has decreed a blessing will be available—eternal life. These words frame Psalm 133. The verses in between use images from worship and nature to describe the abundance with which our LORD blesses. The ultimate blessing given when God’s people dwell together is eternal life—"the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come” summarizes the Apostles Creed. There are other blessings received as well as God’s people gather together. As we encourage one another, seeing each other from week to week, we assure one another that by God’s grace in Christ we have gotten through another week. In a world with so many voices shouting for our attention, certainly this voice of reassurance speaks hope. The gift of fellowship with other believers whose focus is on the things above—those things given in Word and the sacraments—is a treasure. While the online fellowship we experience is certainly valid and valuable—God’s gifts are given through the Word; I wanted to share the invitation with you—as you are able and feel safe—to rejoin us for in-person worship. While some of the protocols are still in place, the limits on the number of Bethlehem family members who can gather on-site are basically the same for a Home Depot or grocery store. I mention those examples as I remember some of the social media posts that suggested we could gather in-person for worship at Home Depot early on in the pandemic. We can welcome 166 people at each worship service, so we certainly have room for you! You don’t need to

(Continued on page 2)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Bethlehem Mission Statement

“Building the family of God through

relationship with Jesus Christ.”

WRITTEN BY REV. JEFFREY SHEARIER


MAR. 2021, VOL. 11 NO. 3

make a reservation, just come to worship our God together and be together with your Bethlehem family. Celebrate the unity we have in Jesus! Together, we have joy in the journey, Pastor Jeff Shearier

(Continued from page 1)

THE GIFT OF FELLOWSHIP

March 07 THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT

Facing the “Perfect Storm” in Gethsemane Matthew 26:47-56

Isaiah 53:1-5 Ephesians 2:11-18 Matthew 26:47-56

March 14

FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT Standing with Peter in the Courtyard

Matthew 26:69-75 Isaiah 53:8-12 James 2:8-13

Matthew 26:69-75

March 21 FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

Leaving the Judgement Hall with Barabbas Matthew 27:11-23 Exodus 14:22-29 Romans 6:1-11

Matthew 27:11-23

March 28 PALM SUNDAY Who is This?

Matthew 21:1-11 Zechariah 9:9-10

Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 21:1-11

MARCH Readings

& Themes

MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES IN MARCH 10:30AM & 6:30PM

March 03 MID-WEEK LENTEN SERVICE

Hope for the Hopeless Romans 5:1-11

Genesis 28:10-22 Romans 5:1-11 Mark 8:31-38


God’s Choice 1 Corinthians 1:22-25

Exodus 20:1-17 1 Corinthians 1:22-25

John 2:13-22


God So Loves John 3:14-21

Numbers 21:4-9 Ephesians 2:4-10

John 3:14-21


He Was Heard Hebrews 5:7-9

Jeremiah 31:31-34 Hebrews 5:7-9 John 12:20-33

Palm Sunday

MAR 28


MAR. 2021, VOL. 11 NO. 3

Preschool is off to a good start enrolling students for next year, but we still have room. Do you know someone with a child who is 3-4 years old? Please refer them to us! We are offering two 3-year-old classes which meet 9-11:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays; and two 4-year-old classes which meet 9-11:30 am Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. To qualify, students need to be potty-trained and be 3 or 4 by September 1st. Questions regarding the Spring Plant Sale? Unfortunately, the preschool will not be holding a spring plant sale. The greenhouse we have used for the last many, many years has been sold to a new owner who is a little resistant to do fundraisers. We hopefully will be able to have a plant sale next year with them or with a new greenhouse.

PRESCHOOL NEWS

Bethlehem Lutheran Preschool

503.649.3380

blpaloha.com

[email protected]

18865 SW Johnson St

Aloha, OR 97003

Forest Hills Lutheran Christian School

503.359.4853

www.fhls.org

[email protected]

4221 SW Golf Course Rd

Cornelius, OR 97113

SCHOOL NEWS

If I was to sum up the last month at Forest Hills in just one word, that word would be, “Blessed!” We have seen the generosity and love of the community come in to play in so many ways, and it is a joy to see God’s people love and care for one another.

This past month, one of our families lost a dad. The school surrounded them with love and were the hands and feet of Jesus in caring for and praying for this family.

We also received many donations for our upcoming school’s online auction, again being blessed to support the needs of families through this fundraiser. (Save the date – the online auction is April 12-16)

We also opened enrollment for the coming year, and many of our classes are already full for September! God is taking care of His people through the families at Forest Hills!

Our students continue to thrive in a face to face learning environment. It’s a joy to see smiles again, watch the students engage in meaningful learning activities, and even create projects like volcanoes and dress up as their favorite heroes! We continue to look with anticipation for what comes next. God is blessing us as we equip students to be servant leaders in the world and heirs of eternal life. Thank you for your partnership in this ministry!

FOREST HILLS NEWS

WRITTEN BY LAIVA HOFFMAN, DIRECTOR

WRITTEN BY MIKE SCHIEMANN, PRINCIPAL


MAR. 2021, VOL. 11 NO. 3

Dear Bethlehem, So 2021- I had hope for you-so much hope. All you had to do was be better than 2020. But then- you made the power go out at my parents place for four days. People in Texas went without

water. People are angry. Yes schools are coming back in session and even though that’s great- I’m having a hard time figuring out what the rules are for when we bring Sunday school or youth group back in session. Currently by state guidelines those under 5 who aren’t allowed to be in classes by themselves at church, older ages are, but those under 5 are allowed as part of our emergency day care pre-school. It makes no sense. I’m told that will change within the week. This year means change is on my timetable. I don’t like that. Last year was change by necessity and we must do online worship now. Direct mandates though annoying, are easy to follow. But this is the year we get to ask when can I put my mask down? When can I put my mask up? When do I come to church? When do I get my vaccine? When I get the vaccine at what point do I change my lifestyle? After the first or second shot? Three weeks after the shot or should I just wait until 2022? It’s a lot of grey. Last year was pretty defined as to what was allowed and what wasn’t. As a Lutheran I hate change and I don’t want to do it. I know how to do online stuff. I’ve got that figured out and I hate cleaning. Any move

GIVING GRACE

YOUTH & CHILDREN NEWS

YOUTH & CHILDREN

Zoom Sunday School: March 14th is our next zoom Sunday School for those in pre-school through 6th grade! Let Eric know if you aren’t getting the e-mailed link to it: [email protected]

First Communion Class: begins Mar. 8th and we will have first communion on Maundy Thursday! This is for those in 4th grade on up!

Lenten Video Devotions: Daily devotions from

Bethlehem members can be found online each week

day- at tinyurl.com/blcnow We are looking for more

submissions- let Eric or the church office know if you’d

like parameters and how to do it. Rule 1) Just share

what God has taught you recently. Rule 2) Always film

sideways! There’s more rules but that’s a pretty good

taste!

Middle schoolers: those entering 6th through 9th grade

this fall- we are planning on going to Camp Perkins the

first week in August- the total cost is $200 and you

should have received lots of information on this in

email- if you’re interested but haven’t gotten that info

please let Eric know as well.

Youth: We continue to have youth nights on Sunday nights at 5:30pm and High school devotional time at 10 am on zoom. Let Eric know if you’d like to be a part at [email protected]

back to in person means an insane amount of cleaning. Here’s what I know. God is okay with us messing it up. We will. There are so many guidelines it’s impossible to follow them all. Sounds a little like sin. So give yourself grace. God does. We don’t need to have the answers now. Benjamin Harwood pointed out in his devotional video this passage from Matthew 7 you will see in a week or so- “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” So instead of focusing so much on sin and regulations- focus on God and His righteousness and how He makes us right. That doesn’t mean we take covid less seriously- it means we take God even more seriously. This is a unique phase in life God has given us to recreate ourselves, to be introspective and to have something like sabbath to focus on Him. We have extra days to clean up our houses and ourselves and our relationship with Jesus. Use it wisely and see each day as a day the Lord has made. Rejoice- and be glad in it. God will make each day work itself out and good news 2022 is coming! Be blessed and be a blessing, Eric Oswald DCE

WRITTEN BY ERIC OSWALD, DCE

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


MAR. 2021, VOL. 11 NO. 3 OUTREACH

American Red Cross wanted us to know that patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Salem Health, Rogue Regional Medical Center, OHSU Hospital, and St Charles Medical Center benefitted from blood collected at our drive. Our “Annual Bethlehem Blood Drive” is tentatively scheduled for May 26th. If folks have service activities, they would like to see us do, we would love to hear from you. Your Questions or comments are always welcome. Restrictions seem to be loosening and we are hopeful of resuming group events to reach out and support our neighbors. Thanks again to our donors and volunteers. Praise the Lord!

Your Service Team

There are currently no scheduled Service Team Events for March. In February Pastor Jeff and service team met with The Washington County Sheriff Department

develop plans for a Bethlehem “Rest Stop” site that were subsequently approved by our Administrative Council. This will allow our community first responders, who have been using our North Parking lot for years, access to restroom facilities in the Community Center and the Sunday School office to as a break room. We look forward to supporting and building a relationship with those that keep Aloha community safe. As a follow-up to our January Blood Drive, The

SERVICE TEAM NOTES

COMFORTS OF HOME As always, thank you in advance and if you should have any quest ions regarding appropriate items for donating, please feel free to contact Lesley Weichbrodt through the office. Blessings to you as you consider helping families in need who are ever so grateful for all YOU provide! To drop off your donations to the BLC office, please do so during the current office hours of Monday through Friday, 9 AM through 12 Noon.

Comforts of Home is continuing to provide linens and kitchen items to families in the Aloha/Hillsboro area who are referred to us by Love INC in 2021. We will be serving families the last Friday of each month using the "curbside pickup" system as we have done for the last several months in 2020. If you have spent some time "spring cleaning" your linens and kitchen items during the Covid isolation period and wish to donate them to Comforts of Home, we would greatly welcome receiving them! We have not been receiving donations during Covid which means that our inventory is quickly declining as we continue to provide items to those needy families. Our most needed items at this time are gently used Queen and Twin sheets and blankets and pots and pans. But, small appliances and other kitchen items are most appreciated as well.


MAR. 2021, VOL. 11 NO. 3

Sing the Doxology, “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!” The LWML, by God’s grace, has reached the mission goal of $2.1 million set for the 2019-2021 biennium. This means that all mission grants selected for this biennium can be funded! God has great plans for spreading His Gospel story through those ministries. He has great plans for the 2021-2023 mission grants as well .... The LWML BOD and Presidents Assembly will meet in March to approve the 2021-2023 mission goal – and after the end of the biennium (March 31, 2021) – any surplus mite offerings not given to mission grant recipients in

this biennium will be added on top of the allocation for the 2021-2023 mission grants. What a joy and privilege it will be to pray, consider, discuss, and vote for those recipients! LWML Treasurer Karla Koehler wrote, “We thank God for the many women and men who have generously shared their material blessings so that the LWML can share the love and forgiveness of Christ!” Let the trumpets sound and the cymbals crash, in praise to the Lord!

LWML REACHES 2019-2021 MISSION GOAL!

LOVE, INC LENT PRAYER CALENDAR Throughout Lent, we’re leaning into our core value of prayer by lifting up each of our local Love INCs, as well as those in development. Visit loveinc.org/Lent to print the full calendar and post somewhere in your home, or beginning this Wednesday, simply follow our feed each day for the daily Love INC locations to lift in prayer.

http://loveinc.org/Lent?fbclid=IwAR0Vtm8p4HRqFyRUosKJDY6m3xky8cDPOW9Di1m7rvgX2LScNtlYJph6T0g

http://loveinc.org/Lent?fbclid=IwAR0Vtm8p4HRqFyRUosKJDY6m3xky8cDPOW9Di1m7rvgX2LScNtlYJph6T0g


MAR. 2021, VOL. 11 NO. 3

Lots of exciting changes to Bethlehem’s annual Camp Out have happened since last month! In preparation for making reservations at Fort Stevens, I periodically checked to make sure they had availability to

host our group. Needless to say, the day before reservations were to be made, Fort Stevens only had 17 sites available throughout the whole campground! I looked at some other sites on the coast, but none seemed to be the right fit for us at this time. The requirements I have are to be able to be in the same loop, close to each other, electric and water hook-ups. (Although we are a group, we do enjoy our own campsite, our “home” for the weekend.) Champoeg State Park fulfilled those needs.

Not only are we going to a different park, there is also an option to arrive at camp on Wednesday, August 11th thru Sunday, August 15th, as well as the original dates of Thursday, August 12th — Sunday, August 15th. Please let me know which option your family would prefer. Cost is based on the number of nights you plan to stay: $140 for 4 nights; $110 for 3 nights. There are still a few spots (5) left on the sign up sheet on the What’s Happening Board. If you are interested in going, or have any questions, feel free to call me in the church office at (503) 649-3380, or email me at [email protected]. We would love to have your family join us! Mary Heck

BETHLEHEM CAMPOUT - AUG. 2021

LENT IS HERE


MAR. 2021, VOL. 11 NO. 3 BIBLE STUDIES

Men's Bible Study meets via Zoom on Mondays at 7 pm. Our study of Hebrews continues. For more information contact Kevin Harding.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY


MAR. 2021, VOL. 11 NO. 3


MAR. 2021, VOL. 11 NO. 3

Turn this page in to the office for a sweet treat!

Name:


MAR. 2021, VOL. 11 NO. 3

ANNIVERSARIES

BIRTHDAYS

Mar 7 Donnie and Sarah Hengel (12)

Mar 10 Mark and Sue Temme (31)

Mar 18 Julie and Michael Ryan (21)

Mar 22 Ron and Sandy Hoffman (46)

Mar 23 Bob and Vicki McLaughlin (47)

Mar 2 Dave Dubberke Mar 3 Tom Meier Mar 4 Victor Healy Mar 5 Kathryn Sandeen Mar 6 Karen Summerall Mar 7 Nolan Godsey Mar 7 David Lee Mar 9 Matthew Boelter Mar 9 Sandy Fredrick Mar 10 Sue Salzman Mar 12 Jim Cullen Mar 12 Donnie Hengel Mar 12 Mary Loseke Mar 12 Maddie Tew Mar 12 Marilyn Thamert Mar 13 Jennifer Weaver Mar 16 Grace Peoples Mar 16 Ralph Riley Mar 16 Ben Verney Mar 17 Erik Sandeen Mar 17 Bella Wegner Mar 18 Scott Gray

Mar 18 Steve Sturm Mar 20 Ty Hjelmeland Mar 20 Lindsay Edison Mar 22 David Anderson Mar 22 Lori Kempema-Isaak Mar 22 Ian McMeekan Mar 22 Sue Sturm Mar 23 Sherryl Boitz Mar 24 Tom Henderson Mar 24 Lily Kachmarek Mar 26 Heather Cammack Mar 26 Amy Knudsen Mar 27 Stephanie Kachmarek Mar 29 Karen Fierro Mar 29 Jackson Godsey Mar 29 Jeff Weiblen Mar 30 Nan Dubberke Mar 30 Mark Vosseler Mar 30 Sally Weber Mar 31 Lisa Siewert Mar 31 Kay Starts


MAR. 2021, VOL. 11 NO. 3

Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Preschool

Phone: 503.649.3380 BLCfamily.org

[email protected]

SCRIPTURE OF THE MONTH

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

-Ephesians 5:22-23

Pastor

Youth & Children

Worship & Music

Preschool Dir.

Rev. Jeff Shearier

Eric Oswald

Kerry Bauer

Laiva Hoffman

We Worship

Live-Streamed & In-Person Sundays 8:30am & 11:00am

www.BLCfamily.org/bethlehem-online

MAR. 2021, VOL. 11 NO. 3

Bethlehem Lutheran

Church & Preschool 18865 SW Johnson St. Aloha, OR 97003-3164 www.blcfamily.org

a publication of bethlehem lutheran church - aloha, or ......2021/03/03 · each day as a day the...

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