BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH – LC – MS
bethellutheranclearwater.org e mail
“This is the House of God . . .this is the Gate of Heaven!” Genesis 28:17-18
3166 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, FL 33761 Phone 727 799-3010, Fax 796-4889
Rev. Timothy J. Parsch, D.D., Pastor Home Phone 727 535-5323
2013
December Calendar Notes
The Voters Assembly will meet on Sunday, December 8, at 9:30 a.m. in the Great Hall to discuss and vote on the 2014 budget and to review the status of the Call
Wednesday, December 11, 11:00 a.m. – Christmas Memorial Service
followed by a luncheon in the Great Hall
Sunday, December 15, - 8 & 10:30 a.m. Christmas Hymn & Carol Worship Service
Sunday, December 22, 6:00 p.m.. – Sunday School Christmas Pageant
& Cookie Exchange
Tuesday, December 24, 6:00 p.m. – Christmas Eve Worship Service
Tuesday, December 24, 10:00 p.m. – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Wednesday, December 25, 10:00 a.m. – Christmas Day Worship
Holy Communion will be celebrated at 8 & 10:30 on December 1, 22, & 29.
The great song of the season, “Angels We Have Heard on High” ends with the chorus, “Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the Newborn King!”
Please come!
“Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10
For all of us, there are always those times in our lives when fear and worry get the best of us. To the rest of the world they may seem totally unfounded and even ridiculous, but to those who live in the midst of them, they can be very real and totally overwhelming. Big or small, these fears can take over our lives so that they literally become who we are and what we do. There are many examples of these fears: fear of the unknown, fear of illness or loss of health, fear of waiting for the results of a medical test, fear of losing a job or fear of ever getting a new one. There is also fear for our children and what the future will hold for them. Every one of these powerful fears can send a stab through our hearts.
Thankfully for all of us, we have this glorious season of Christmas that comes again and again each and every year to remind us and to renew within us the realization of the wonderful gift to us from a loving God – a God who sent His only son into the world to take those very fears upon himself and replace them with the joyous Christmas message of light and love and hope.
In many of the Christmas stories that are read from Scripture during the weeks before Christmas, we hear of God’s messengers, the angels, delivering this very message. Do not be afraid. When the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah to announce that his wife Elizabeth would become the mother of John the Baptist, even in her old age, Gabriel’s first words to him were, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard”. Not long after, Gabriel appeared again, this time to Mary, to announce that she would be the mother of Jesus. And again his first words were, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God”. And an angel appeared to Joseph, too. He was betrothed to Mary and it would have been understandable in those days if he had sent her away, but the angel said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”. And finally, on Christmas Day, in glorious splendor and light, an angel appeared to the shepherds on a hillside while they were tending their sheep and said to them, “Fear not, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord”.
All of these people were just ordinary folk who, each in their own way, were asked to overcome their fears and, in faith and obedience to a loving God, do improbable and difficult things. Zechariah and Elizabeth were elderly and I’m sure many of their friends and neighbors had much to say as Elizabeth became obviously pregnant in her old age. Mary, on the other hand, was just a child of perhaps fourteen or fifteen. She was unmarried and so a disgrace to her family and to Joseph, her betrothed. Everyone would have understood if Joseph had put her away from him. According to the times, he could have had her stoned, but he did not. Because of the angel’s words, he stood by her and held his head, and Mary’s, high. As for the shepherds, they were the lowliest of the low. Always smelly and dirty from herding their sheep, they lived apart from the other townspeople and were shunned by them. And yet they were the first to hear the news of Jesus’ birth, and they went quickly to see the babe in the manger.
All of these people were asked to do difficult things, things that were totally out of character for them, and things we can be sure they never would have chosen for themselves. It is obvious that they were afraid. But Scripture tells us, too, that they were faithful people. Not only did they believe in God, but they trusted in God and in God’s love. They knew deep down in their hearts that if He asked something of them, He would also provide the strength and the courage and everything they needed to get the job done.
Now Christmas is here again for each and every one of us. The gifts of that first Christmas are as real for us as they were on the first Christmas more than 2,000 years ago. Out of God’s constant and abiding love, He waits to give them to us through His best gift of all, the gift of His own Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus, who came to earth as a tiny babe born in a manger in Bethlehem.What a Gift, and what gifts He brings in His birth!
May our Lord and Savior fill your heart with His love this Christmas, and may that love overcome your fears and set you free to accept the gifts He came to bring to each of you, gifts of light and hope and peace! “Do not be afraid!”
Merry Christmas from Pastor and Sherri
December flowers given to the glory of God by the following
1Fred Cutting in loving memory of his wife, Kathy, on her first year with our Lord
Dolores Paton in loving memory of her brother, Joseph Stryker
Kaitlyn and Matthew Standiford in honor of their mom, Stephanie, on her birthday December 4
Barbara Tanck in loving memory of Lee Weber on the occasion of what would have been her 100th birthday December 2
8Paula Lane in honor of the baptism of her granddaughter, Ilana Kay Brown
Herb Powell in loving memory of his dear Mary on her 7th year in heaven
15In loving memory of Charles and Florence Wadenklee
Marguerite Muir in loving memory of Scotty’s 9th year with God
Barbara Bates in loving memory of Jack Bates’ in remembrance of his third year
22Ann Muckey in loving memory of her husband, Alvin, on his third year in heaven on Christmas Day
The Crawley family
29Barbara Tanck in loving memory of Lee Weber on her 1st anniversary with the Lord
Memorial Gifts
In Memory of William “Red” Eiler
Bob & Evelyn Cunningham
In Memory of Dr. Michael Pantano
Connie Pantano-Roach
Serving our Lord during the month of December 2013
Elders
1 CommunionEarly:* Lee Tieman (lector),
Bill Lueders, Scott Daly
Late:* Mike Mathews, Luis
Rodriguez, Phil Hubbell (lector)
8Early:* Bob Cunningham,
Mark Thibideau (lector)
Late:* Walt Tabbert, Paul
Blake, Brian Wolf (lector)
11 11:00 a.m.:Lee Tieman, Walt Tabbert
Christmas Memorial Service
15Early:* Scott Daly, Tim Pupke
Late:* Tom Sunderman, Luis
Rodriguez, Warren Klein
22 CommunionEarly:* Lee Tieman, Bill
Kerstein, Paul Martaus (lector)
Late:* Wally Gustafson,
Will Ausdemore,
Herb Powell (lector)
22 Paul Blake, Tom Sunderman
6:00 p.m. Sunday SchoolChildren’s Program
24 6:00 p.m.Paul Martaus, Paul Blake
10:00 p.m.Will Ausdemore
Candlelight serviceLee Tieman
Scott Daly
25 (10 a.m.)Mark Thibideau, Fred Behnke
29 CommunionEarly:* Bob Cunningham
Paul Martaus
Lee Tieman (lector)
Late:* Don Nelson, Phil
Hubbell, Brian Wolf (lector)
Altar Guild
Early:Bev Gebhardt, Ed & Jan Temme
Late:Trudy MacDonald, Jan Holzschuh,
Diane Smith & Ken Buuck
Ushers
Early:Dave EkardtDick Schroeder
Herb SchmidtTom Tiedemann
Terry Tetzlaff
Late:Gene FletcherGrant Hubbell
Pedro CarvalhoJerry Ranostaj
Greeters
1Early:Marcia Wilson, Cheryl Zoulek
Late:Bethel Sunday School
8Early:Bev Gebhardt, Cheryl Zoulek
Late:Tom & Joan Rice
15Early:Dale & Anne Koster
Late:Wilbur & Nell Yates
22Early:Eleanor & Karen Brasted
Late:Sunday School Preschool
29Early:Terry & Kim Young
Late:Gary & Susan Carlson
Acolytes
1Early:Tommy Bay
Late:Gregory Marino
8Early:JoslinBjelland
Late:Logan McNamara
15Early:Jordan Daly
Late:Mackenzie Nelson
22Early:Sheldon Naja
Late:Michael Orbesen
246 p.m.Zach Porcoro
10 p.m.:BraytonVanhorenbeck
2510a.m:Kayla Reynolds
29Early:Makayla Bay
Late:Emily Behnke
Counters
1Frank & Grace Picardi
Lee & Nancy Tieman
8Jeanette Pedroli
Ed & Jan Temme
15Erling & Helen Rikansrud
Steve & Portia Watson
22Eleanor & Karen Brasted
Margaret Stockhammer
29Eleanor & Karen Brasted
Margaret Stockhammer
Dear Friends,
My sister-in-law, Betty Davis, had asked you all to remember my wife and I in your prayers as we went through triple by-pass surgery. The prayers helped. God saw fit to help me because of good folks like you. Thank you from the bottom of my now repaired heart.
Always,
Barry & Brenda Napp
Our November drive for Donations for the Troops was a HUGE success, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of all of you who donated shoe boxes, personal care items, snacks, cards, games and other items. Our goal was to send 50 boxes overseas to our military in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Not only were we able to do that, but we were also blessed with enough to donate an equal amount to the American Red Cross, who will use the supplies, both for disaster victims, such as the recent tornadoes in the Midwest, and locally, for victims of fires and other immediate needs. It’s always amazing to see the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our congregation. Our donations are sure to brighten the Christmas season for our military and ease the suffering of others in need. A very heartfelt Thank you!
OUR THANKS:
The Board of Elders would like to extend a great big thank you to all the willing volunteers & to those who donated goods and items for the raffle & silent auction - without whom this year’s Oktoberfest would not have been such a success. We raised almost $5,000. We could not have done it without you Thank you.
Bethel will have special Christmas Hymn and Carol Worship Services on Sunday, December 15, at 8 & 10:30 a.m.
ADULT BIBLE CLASS
JESUS – LEGEND OR LORD?
Our adult class meets at 9:15 a.m. Sundays in the Great Hall. This class, presented by Mr. Fred Cutting, will begin December 22. Join us as we begin this new series.
Christmas Memorial Service
On Wednesday, December 11, at 11:00 a.m., we will have a special service to remember our loved ones whom the Lord called home this past year to Himself in glory. If you have lost a loved one this past year and would like your loved one’s name read during the service, please call the church office or, preferably, print your loved one’s name, as you would like it read, on a sheet of paper and send it to the church office.
I am doing this service at Christmas, at the close of the year, for us to remember our loved ones, the blessings they brought into our lives, while at the same time, rejoicing in the eternal covenant of our Father’s love for us through the birth of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Even if you have not lost a loved one, I hope that you will attend this service of celebration.
Immediately following the service, a luncheon will be served in the Great Hall. Please plan on joining us.
PINELLAS LUTHERAN CHOIR
Handel’s Messiah Part I will be presented by the Pinellas Lutheran Choir, on Sunday, December 8, at 3 p.m. The choir, with members from 16 churches, is directed by Mr. Robert Drick, an experienced and highly regarded choral conductor in Pinellas County. The performance is at Grace Lutheran Church, 4301 16th Street North, St. Petersburg. A free will offering will be taken. A reception will follow. For information please call 727 527-1168 extension 500 (Jennifer Tippett).
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”James 1:17
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
You are invited to join us for our Women’s Bible Study, “What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.” Total obedience to Christ can transform an ordinary life into a remarkable journey. This is the hope found in the liberating message of LysaTerKeurst – president of Proverbs 31 Ministries. In this study, Lysa shares inspiring stories from her own life along with compelling biblical insights as she describes what it means to partner with God in all decisions and actions.
Choose Sundays 9:15-10:15 or the first & third Thursday, 9:30-11:30. We will alternate between discussing video segments using the workbook and reading and discussing the related chapters in the book.
We will begin a new class the week of January 5. Look for details in the January Banner.
SAVE YOUR CLEAN, USABLE ITEMS FOR THE BETHEL RUMMAGE SALE COMING JANUARY 23, 24, 25!
You may bring your items after January 3, 2014.
Do not bring items before January 3.
All items must be placed in Room 15 – not the Great Hall!
LUTHERAN WOMEN’S MISSIONARY LEAGUE
Ladies – you are already a member of this vital LC-MS Service Organization. We would like to resume regular meetings but we need your input on the time most convenient for you. We could even have two meeting times if that would work best. Call Jeannie in the church office (727 799 3010) with your input! We have Christmas cards and money holders, as well as all-occasion greeting cards, for sale in the Great Hall (50¢ each). And, you can pick up your Mite boxes and drop them off in the Great Hall, too.
WE ARE THE
WOMEN OF THE LWML
Visit the LWML website and print out prayer cards to include in your Christmas correspondence! You can choose any that you feel are appropriate or special! Prayer is the gift that all missionaries and ministries ask for first and foremost. Your loved ones will appreciate the reminder. So please visit lwml.org and click on “Missions” at the top of the page. Then on the right side click on “Mission Grants.” You will find the prayer cards below the list of grants on the Mission Grants page.
The LWML has committed in faith to provide $1,345,712 during the current biennium in support of gospel outreach and missionary support through its funding of mission grants. Won’t you consider a special Christmas gift in honor of the baby Jesus this month? Drop it in your Mite Box! God bless you and “Merry Christmas” from the LWML!
POINSETTIAS& DECORATIONS!
We are decorating the Sanctuary and Chancel for Advent and Christmas and need your help to defray the cost. Special envelopes are available in the narthex for poinsettia/plant contributions. Thank you!
HOSPICE CAREGIVER
COFFEE BREAKS
You are invited to stop by for encouragement, information and helpful tips at Suncoast Hospice. Coffees are held at service centers in Clearwater, Palm Harbor and St. Petersburg. These gatherings are provided at no charge and no reservations are required. For more information, call Kelly Carter-Feller at 727 523 3435. If you are unable to participate, please call for additional support/resources.
The next meeting in Clearwater will be held at the Garden House, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd. from 10-11:30 am December 6.
The next meeting in Palm Harbor will be held in Community Room 2, 2675 Tampa Road, from 10-11:30 am December 12.
FOOD BANK NEEDS
Hundreds of tons of food are needed to help make the upcoming holidays special for clients of our local food banks. On the wish list are holiday favorites like yams, cornbread mix, stuffing, green beans and hopefully hams and turkeys. Other nonperishable items like peanut butter, canned tuna, rice, pancake mix, and canned fruits and vegetables are also in great need. Please consider making a donation, either in goods or in monetary form, to one of the following:
Religious Community Services, 727 443-4031, 700 Druid Rd. E, Clearwater
Oldsmar Cares, 813 415 7373, P. O. Box 981, Oldsmar, FL 34677. The host site for Oldsmar Cares is Community United Methodist Church, 207 Buckingham Ave. E., Oldsmar