april herald 2014 - media server

Daily Lectionary Readings for April Tu Psalm 146

Isaiah 42:14-21

Colossians 1:9-14

W Psalm 146

Isaiah 60:17-22

Matthew 9:27-34

Th Psalm 130

Ezekiel 1:1-3; 2:8—3:3

Revelation 10:1-11

F Psalm 130

Ezekiel 33:10-16

Revelation 11:15-19

Sa Psalm 130

Ezekiel 36:8-15

Luke 24:44-53

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Psalm 130

Romans 8:6-11

John 11:1-45

M Psalm 143

1 Kings 17:17-24

Acts 20:7-12

Tu Psalm 143

2 Kings 4:18-37

Ephesians 2:1-10

W Psalm 143

Jeremiah 32:1-9, 36-41

Matthew 22:23-33

Th Psalm 31:9-16

1 Samuel 16:11-13

Philippians 1:1-11

F Psalm 31:9-16

Job 13:13-19

Philippians 1:21-30

Sa Psalm 31:9-16

Lamentations 3:55-66

Mark 10:32-34

Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-11

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2:5-11

Matthew 26:14—27:66

M Monday in Holy Week

Isaiah 42:1-9

Psalm 36:5-11

Hebrews 9:11-15

John 12:1-11

Tu Tuesday in Holy Week

Isaiah 49:1-7

Psalm 71:1-14

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

John 12:20-36

W Wednesday in Holy Week

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Psalm 70

Hebrews 12:1-3

John 13:21-32

Maundy Thursday

Exodus 12:1-4 [5-10] 11-14

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19


John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Good Friday

Isaiah 52:13—53:12

Psalm 22

Hebrews 10:16-25

John 18:1—19:42

Resurrection of Our Lord—Vigil of Easter

Romans 6:3-11

John 20:1-18

Resurrection of Our Lord—Easter Day

Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Colossians 3:1-4

Matthew 28:1-10

M Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21

Colossians 3:5-11

Tu Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Exodus 15:1-18

Colossians 3:12-17

W Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Joshua 3:1-7

Matthew 28:1-10

Th Psalm 16

Song of Solomon 2:8-15

Colossians 4:2-5

F Psalm 16

Song of Solomon 5:9—6:3


Sa Psalm 16

Song of Solomon 8:6-7

John 20:11-20

Second Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:14a, 22-32

Psalm 16

1 Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

M Psalm 114

Judges 6:36-40


Tu Psalm 114

Jonah 1:1-17


W Psalm 114

Jonah 2:1-10

Matthew 12:38-42

Most of us were taught that God would love us if and when we change. In fact, God loves you so that

you can change. What empowers change, what makes you desirous of change is the experience of love.

It is that inherent experience of love that become the engine of change. - Father Richard Rohr The Herald

Lately, I’ve been thinking a great deal about recon-

ciliation. It was not the Lenten discipline I had

planned, but it is the Lenten project God has

placed in my head and heart.

To reconcile is to bring wholeness to that which is

broken. Reconciliation brings harmony or peace

to ruptured relationships and it is all made possi-

ble by God and God’s amazing gift of forgiveness.

The rupture is never easy and the path to healing and forgiveness isn’t quick

or easy. Partners or spouses separate. Friends distance themselves from one

another following an argument. Neighbors feud. Some of our dearest

friends leave the church. Words spoken in anger hurt us and crush our spirits.

Though the path to mutual forgiveness doesn’t take place overnight, the rup-

ture need not be permanent. God not only gives us the vision of forgiveness,

but provides the means for healing.

Scripture is filled with these images. Isaiah envisions a day when lion dwells

beside lamb and a day when all nations will stream to the mountain of God,

enjoying a feast of rich food. Crying and weeping and pain are put asunder.

All the world rejoices in God’s love.

Jesus comes along to announce that this vision has already broken into our

fractured world. He speaks of reconciling with a sister or brother before of-

fering one’s gift at the altar. Should a brother or sister offend you, go speak

to the person and Jesus promises to be there in your midst. Jesus also advis-

es that we take the log out of our own eye before removing the speck in the

eye of another that we have judged or demonized.

New Testament writers like Paul affirm that Jesus did more than speak of rec-

onciliation. He accomplished it. Paul speaks of Christ, our peace, removing

the walls that divide us. And we are ambassadors of this peace, called to

kindness.

Over the past years, I’ve become more and more convinced that this is the

primary business of the church. The Book of Common Prayer says it this way:

“The mission of the church is to restore all people to unity with God and

each other in Christ.” We are not called by God to assume a position of

Pastor’s Page ~ Reconciliation

Bethlehem Lutheran Church April 2014

PASTOR

Bryon Hansen

DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY

Casey Tinnin

OFFICE MANAGER

Joy Johnson

FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE

Randi Olson

DIRECTOR OF

CHILDREN’S

MINISTRY

Kathye Hamm

CHURCH

COUNCIL

President

Karen Stein

Vice President

Amos Olson

Secretary/Treasurer

Jerry DelAgostino

Members at Large:

Laura Hesse

Scott Smith

MoeStevens

Matt Tribur

www.bethlehemlut

heranauburn.org

moral superiority. The world knows about such posturing and the pain and violence that it incurs.

What the world doesn’t know about is forgiveness. I wonder if the church’s primary job is to pro-

claim this good news.

As Lent winds down and we prepare to enter the great days of Holy Week, we are not merely re-

calling or reenacting past events. The great symbol of Easter isn’t an empty tomb but the brilliant

flame emanating from the Paschal Candle. The light of the risen Jesus cannot be extinguished.

As we step into this great mystery of death and resurrection, the promise is that we will be born

anew and so spread the Gospel of forgiveness with one another and our neighbors.

Peace, Pastor Bryon

HOLY WEEK AT BETHLEHEM

April 13-Passion/Palm Sunday

8:30 AM and 11:00 AM

5:30 PM-Evening Service of Meditation, Prayer and Peace

(Stations of the Cross)

April 17– Maundy Thursday

7:00 PM

April 18– Good Friday

Noon and 7:00 PM

April 19-The Great Vigil of Easter

7:00 PM, followed by a Party

April 20– Easter Sunday

8:30 AM and 11:00 AM

Continental Breakfast will be served

If you would like to contribute to the Breakfast you may bring deviled eggs, fruit, breakfast pastries or a cheese and cracker plate.

Hello my church friends. This is my final good bye in the Worship Coordina-

tor capacity. I am so thankful that I have been able to serve my church these

last 6 years. Of course, you will still see me around church because I will still

worship, study, volunteer and fellowship with you here at Bethlehem. I look

forward to what God has in store for me on this part of my journey with God.

May God continue to bless us as we move forward together.

Peace, Denise

From the Worship Coordinator

Page 7

In our busy world, it is hard to find the motivation to participate regularly in faith formation op-

portunities at church – especially as a family. So, to help you find the motivation to join us

Wednesday Nights at “The Well,” we’re starting FAMILIES 4 FAITH! If your family comes to

dinner, class and worship on Wednesdays 4 weeks in a row, you will earn prizes! The more times

you come 4 weeks in a row, the “bigger” the prizes. What if someone is sick, or you have a family

vacation? You have the opportunity to make up any 2 Wednesdays by completing an activity from

Vibrant Faith @ Home, or by coming to worship as a family.

Our “four in a rows” are growing!

Have you watched family pictures move on the bulletin board?

4 FOUR IN A ROWS

Linn and Paul Tjornholm

5 FOUR IN A ROWS

Allison and Julie Magee Ella, Linda and Art Otto

6 FOUR IN A ROWS

Kylie and Cindy Bowman Charles and Denise Nelson

Please remember in prayer Please remember in prayer Please remember in prayer Please remember in prayer Pray for healing: Betty Leimer, Art Otto, Terry Mornin,

Donna Larson, Lucille Hickok, Alva Modlinka, Mary Agin,

Dalyn Jensen, Randy Farnham, Ron Sherrod, Clark Gehlbach,

Jenny Myers, George Wallace, Janet Zachary, Richard Hesse,

Jack Rogers. Continue to pray for healing: Dave Scherman,

John Knierim, Dora Sather, Steve Leimer, Louise Lane, Caro-

line Fake, and Dori Dralle. For those who mourn: Warren

Wegner Family, Sid Frame Family. Preparing for Baptism: Zac King. Preparing to affirm

Baptism: Bill Padavona, Phyllis Espinoza, Ben Espinoza. We pray for these ministries–

Christ the King Lutheran in Orangevale, Auburn Presbyterian Church, Bishop Mark Holmerud,

Sierra Pacific Synod, BLC’s Church Council, Journey of Faith, Gathering Inn, Auburn Inter-

faith Food Closet, Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Stephen’s Ministry, Pastor Gerard Ma-

hirane, and our sister parish in Kibungo (Rwanda) and Pastor Evangerina Uwambaye, Presiding

ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.

All Church Lenten Godly Play Wednesday, April 9

Dinner: 5:30 pm

Faces of Easter Story

and Work Time: 6:00 pm

Closing Worship: 7:15 pm

Everyone is welcome to join us for dinner and then a Godly Play session for all ages. The

Faces of Easter story is told throughout the season of Lent in the Godly Play room – add-

ing a “face of Jesus” each week. We will hear the entire story and then respond to the sto-

ry through art, silence, working with the story and more. Afterwards we will gather in the

sanctuary for a short worship. Questions? Talk to Kathye Hamm

Thank you for your donations so far!

We have raised over $1,500!

But........Oh No! The Mosquitoes are Back! The mosquitoes heard that we are getting matching funds for the malaria campaign and they are buzzing mad! Some of them got together and swarmed back onto the net in the narthex Let's keep up the good work and get the rest of the dangerous mosquitoes out of our church!

Page 6

Gretchen Hecker

Julie Magee

Ella Otto

Austin Twietmeyer

Harry Fake

Jane Roach

Sandy Frame

Cassie Ramirez

Art Otto

Dakota Hecker

Lois Thompson

Beth Untalan

Samuel robinson

Megan Williams

Bill Thompson

Grace Ewald

Krista Greenlee

Enter the Mystery

The days of Holy Week, especially the great Three Days, are the peak of the church year. We

gather not to learn about Jesus but to meet Jesus in some remarkable ways as the Holy God gath-

ers us, baptizes us, feeds us and speaks to us.

One way to describe Holy Week is that it is a feast for all the senses. The sacred story of Jesus’

passion, death and resurrection is told again, but our worship isn’t a reenactment of past events

but a present encounter with the living God. God is experienced in what we hear, see, smell, taste,

touch and sign.

On Passion Sunday we wave palms and meditate upon the Passion story from Matthew’s Gospel.

In the first few days of Holy Week we are encouraged to reflect and pray on the passion. Join

your Bethlehem friends for a Morning Prayer service on Holy Wednesday.

On Maundy Thursday, we receive assuring words of forgiveness with the touch of hands on our

heads. We wash each other’s feet. Once the meal has ended, the table and the worship area are

stripped bare.

On Good Friday we pray for the needs of all, listen to the Passion story, and are invited to rever-

ence the Cross with a touch, a bow, or a kiss.

When we gather on Easter Eve for the Great Vigil of Easter, we gather to kindle light in the

darkness and sign an ancient hymn of triumph. We sing, “This is the night!” And what a night it

is. We hear the great stories of God’s love. We welcome new Christians not with a token dab but

wash them in a tub of water. They are then anointed and all of us may be anointed to remember

our baptism, with a most generous outpouring of oil. We move from darkness to light, only to

return the next morning for festive worship and a feast that lasts fifty days.

Through all of these gestures, signs, and symbols, the Risen One is with us. It is Jesus who stoops

to wash our feet, reign from the Cross, and welcome us into his very life.

A series of Adult Forums will take place each Sunday at

9:45 beginning April 13th and continuing through May and

possibly the summer. On April 13, the Church Council

will lead the Forum in a conversation with the congrega-

tion. Stay tuned for future topics!

THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER

The Easter Vigil is the time when Christians gather to watch and pray

during the night in which Jesus passed from death to life. In the early

church, believers gathered expectantly to hear the stories of God’s

saving acts, to sing and pray, and to celebrate the great victory of the

Light over darkness that had taken place on this night. They ended

their watch at dawn by celebrating together the first communion of

Easter.

In the church of the first centuries, all who were to be baptized dur-

ing the year were baptized on this night. Lent was a time for fasting,

learning and service for all-especially those to be baptized on Easter Eve. The central symbol of

the Vigil is the Paschal Candle, which becomes a sign for us of the risen presence of Christ with

God’s people. The Vigil begins with striking the new fire from which the Easter candle is lit. This

new light is a sign of God’s creative activity: “Let there be light!” As a pillar of fire led the chil-

dren of Israel from slavery to freedom, so we process into the darkened church led by the Easter

Candle.

Gathered with our candles lit, we share in the Easter Proclamation, an ancient song of praise to

Christ our Light. We listen to the Bible stories of God’s salvation history, told to us by the light of

the Candle.

We come to the waters baptizing new converts and renew the covenant God made with us at our

baptism where we were joined to Christ’s dying and rising. At the announcement of the Resurrec-

tion, the worship room is readorned and we share the presence of Christ in bread and cup. The

Great Vigil is the very pinnacle of the year. It is not to be missed!

This month the youth will be offering a pie auction and talent show

after worship April 13th. We would love for you to help in either

providing an pie, bidding on a pie, or providing a talent. Any way

that you can help us reach our goal would be wonderful. We are

hoping to make around $2,500.00, and that will put us very close

to our goal for our mission trip. The youth have decided three

weeks border to border is too long of a trip during their summer

and so we have decided to just do the North West portion of the

trip. We look forward to sharing with all of you our experiences.

From Our Director of Youth

Page 5

WHAT IF A PERSON DOESN’T

WANT PRAYER?

James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one anoth-

er, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effec-

tive”.

While doing hospital work, I was interested in the patient form

which asked two simple questions, “Are there any spiritual practices

that would be helpful to you while you are here?” And “Would you

like to see a chaplain”? Often these answers would set the tone for a beginning relationship with

the person amid uncertainty and fear of the unknown hospital procedure and outcomes. On oc-

casion a patient would indicate with no uncertainty that no religion or spiritual guide would be

necessary in their care. This usually included prayer.

So it is with visitations to our church members who cannot worship with us for many reasons.

Most often the visitation ministers are welcomed and often special prayers and communion are

asked for. But we do have days where our visits are not appreciated and our prayers are not wel-

come. It is then that I look for guidance and become the prayerer, asking for intercession on

God’s part to guide my reactions and my thoughts. Being a person where prayer takes place at any

or all times during the day, I need to remind myself that I am me, and try to step into the shoes of

the reluctant person who does not feel the need of prayer. So I pray for them quietly on my way

home...that God’s spirit will talk to them, give them hope, and help guide them in health decisions

while they are undergoing care.

We at Bethlehem Lutheran can be so thankful for the visitors and Stephen Ministers who are

willing to be trained in being a listening ear to others. God is active in our lives. We can, through

internal prayer, take care to maintain the delicate ethical balance of being true to our authentic

spiritual selves while still respecting the person’s right to choose. God bless you!

Randi Olson, Bethlehem Lutheran Church Faith Community Nurse

The Raspberry Jam Band will be performing at Pioneer United Methodist Church, April 27, 3 p.m. as part of the Pioneer Presents series. This popular group plays diverse works from classics to contemporary pieces, featuring piano, flute, violin, string bass, guitar, vocals, flute & wash-board. Donations are for the historic building restoration loan fund.

Wholistic Health For the Soul

april herald 2014 - media server

Documents