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Please remember in your prayers those members of Bethany that are hospitalized and recovering from illness. We are especially praying for:
Jerry Anderson and Bob Koentop.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Laurie Kling who died January 2nd. Memorial service will be Monday, January 4th at 11:00 am here at Bethany.
New Member Orientation:
Because of the holiday scheduling, we did not have the opportunity to share a meal with our new members and to introduce them to their shepherds/sponsors and other congregational leaders. We therefore want to invite our new members to a luncheon on Sunday, January 18th from 12:00 pm to approximately 2:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Congregational Annual Meeting:
On Sunday, January 25th at 12:30 pm, we will have our Congregational Annual Meeting in the Sanctuary. Items for the agenda include: presentation of the 2009 Congregational Budget, election of new Congregation Council Members, election of Synod and Conference voting members, and review of the bulletin of reports, including the Annual Reports of the staff, officers, and committees. All confirmed members of the congregation are urged to attend this important meeting as we do need everyone's input and commitment!
Adult Catechial Studies:
Most all of us as Lutherans are familiar with Luther's Small Catechism. Most of us had to memorize the Ten Commandments, Apostles' Creed and Luther's explanations at the very least. Some of us had to memorize the entire Small Catechism and meanings. However, most of us have never seen and may even be unaware that luther also wrote a Large Catechism. It was designed for the clergy and "learned" of Luther's day to study the six chief parts of the Church's doctrines at a more in-depth level, so that they could answer the questions of the parents and those teaching the children. To that end, Pastor Steve will be offering short four to six week segments throughout the year to look at Luther's Large Catechism. The first segment will be a five week session examining the Ten Commandments and the Introduction to the Large Catechism. It will meet on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am until 10: 15 am in the Adult Lounge.
The sessions will be as follows:
January Sessions: Commandments 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and the conclusion and application of what we learned. 2009 Stewardship Campaign:
2009 Adult Retreat:
Bethany's annual adult retreat is scheduled for Friday evening, January 30, 2009, beginning at 7:30 pm and continuing until 4:30 pm, Saturday, January 31st. As in recent years, the retreat will be held at Nazareth Retreat House at the Holy Heart of Mary Novitiate at 717 North Batavia Avenue in Batavia. Our retreat leader will be Rev. Jan Jones, a retired ELCA pastor. Put the retreat on your calendar now. The cost is $65.00 per person. This includes program costs, meals,and overnight accommodations in lovely, peaceful surroundings. (The cost is $30, if you are not spending the night.) If you have any questions, contact the church office, 630-879-3444.
2009 Stewardship Campaign:
The time to Embrace our Future is riding into Bethany via the Pony Express. Sunday, November 9th was Stewardship Sunday. Be ready to respond to this year's stewardship invitation! Saddle bags were distributed on November 9th. A saddle bag will be coming your way soon.
Men's Open Basketball:
Shoot hoops in the Ministry Center gym on Thursdays at 8:15 pm and Saturdays at 7:30 am.
Dinner Dance 2009:
The 3rd Annual Bethany dinner dance will be held Saturday, February 7th from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm--mark your calendar now to reserve the date. This year's theme is "Unforgettable", and will again feature a fabulous dinner prepared by chef Jim Smigo followed by a new updated list of some of your favorite music. Bob Villwock will be tickling the ivories during dinner and DJ Doug will provide the dance music from the 40s through the 80s. The price for admission is the same as in the past, $20/person. Tickets are available for purchase at the Welcome Desk every Sunday morning.
Dance lessons are scheduled! Sundays, January 4th, 11th, 25th and February 2nd from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Ministry Center Gym are designated dance lessons days. Sunday, January 18th is a practice night at the same time in the gym. The lessons are $40/person for all sessions. Please sign up on the yellow insert if you would like lessons. The deadline is December 28th for dance lessons. See you there!
BATV 17:
Remember that our Sunday 10:30 am service is televised on the Batavia local channel of BATV 17. The service is shown on Mondays & Tuesdays at both 4:30 am & 4:30 pm as well as at 10:30 am & 10:30 pm.
2008 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT:
The ornaments are here! If you do not have yours yet, please pick them up in the church office. If you did not order one and would like to purchase one, you can do that as well in the office. The cost is $10 per ornament. Please make checks payable to Bethany Lutheran Church.
Senior Luncheon:
Please join us on Monday, January 26th for Senior Luncheon. The luncheon will begin at noon with a program following at 1:00 pm. The program will be a slide show from Antartica, presented by Margie Schuett. Please sign-up on the yellow insert or call the church office, 630-879-3444.
WELCA NEWS (Women of the ELCA):
Mitten Tree:
Thank you to everyone that contributed to the mitten tree this year. We donated 197 different items (mittens, scarves, socks, hats and coats.
All donations were sent to the Batavia Clothes Closet.
Save the date:
On Sunday, February 8th, the Women of the ELCA will have a luncheon and program beginning at noon. the program will be "After the Tsunami" by Ron Hubbard. Ron will share his experiences with clean-up and rebuilding in Thailand following the tsunami. Look for a sign-up in the coming weeks.
YOUTH NEWS:
High School Movie Night
High School Movie Night is from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, meeting the 2nd Sunday of the month.
Middle School Movie Night
Movie Night for 6th-8th Graders meets from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, meeting the 4th Sunday of the month.
EPIPHANY Event for the Family: On Sunday, January 11th at 12:00 pm, the Congregational Life Committee will host a family movie event showing, "Amahl and the Night Visitors". Amahl was a yearly Christmas tradition in the early days of television and was shown live! It was the first opera to be commissioned for television and is completely in English. This short movie (just under an hour) was written by Gian Carlo Menotti with the intent of bringing musical theater to American families. Amahl is portrayed by Bill McIver, who retired from his role in 1955 at the age of 13! We will show the film in the Fellowship Hall. Coffee, lemonade, popcorn, sloppy joes and tator tots will be provided. Families are encouraged to bring other snacks and/or treats to share. Sign up on the yellow sheet if you can attend.
Pizza Fundraiser for the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans: Help send our youth to the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana with pizza! These pizzas are packaged so you may bake or freeze them and enjoy at your convenience. Our youth will be taking orders after each service throughout January. Pizzas will be ready for pick up on Saturday, January 31st. Just in time for the Super Bowl!
First Communion classes begin in February:
First Communion classes are going to be offered beginning February 1st during the Sunday School hour for 3rd grade students and their parents. February 8th, February 15th, and February 22nd classes will also be held during the Sunday School hour. On Saturday, February 28th at 9:00 am, there will be another brief session with students and parents regarding their final preparation for First communion and baking of their First Communion bread. We would like to have students ready to receive First Communion at the beginning of Lent on Sunday, March 1, 2009 at either service. You will receive additional information regarding the classes before the end of the year.
SKIING: Join us for a day of skiing, snowboarding, or tubing at Cascade Mountain on Saturday, February 21st. The group will leave in the morning and return Saturday evening. This is open to anyone who would like to go. We will need drivers and chaperones also. Cost will be approximately $35 a person and that includes, lift ticket, rental and beginner lesson. Lessons for all ages 10 and up. Registration and money will need to be turned in by February 7th. Save the date for fun in the snow!
Cafe Bethany:
Cafe Bethany is back and ready to serve! From 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, Cafe Bethany will be in operation. The cost is $5.00/Adults, $4.00/Seniors, $3.00/child and a $14.00 Family max.
January 2009 menu for Cafe Bethany:
January 7: Shepherd's Pie
January 14: Sweet & Sour Meatballs
January 21: Turkey Sausage with saurkraut and apples, served with mashed potatoes
Januar 28: Chili
Open seat:
Come & join our various choirs this fall. No auditions are needed. Rehearsals are as follows . . . .
Lord's Voices I: Wednesday rehearsal at 4:45 pm in the Music Room
Lord's Voices II: Wednesday rehearsal at 5:30 pm in the Music Room
Festival Choir: Wednesday rehearsal at 7:00 pm in the Music Room
Praise Band: Sunday rehearsal 9:00 am in Room 20
Youth Handbells: Tuesday rehearsal at 7:00 pm in Room 23, grades 6th on up
Adult Handbells: Wednesday rehearsal at 6:30 pm in the Balcony
Youth Chime Choir: Wednesday rehearsal at 5:45 pm in Room 23, grades 1st-5th
Youth Chime Choir:
Children in grades 1st-5th are invited to join the Chime Choir. We will be learning to play the 3 octave set of Malmark Chimes. No musical experience is necessary here-just the desire to learn and have fun! This group will have the opportunity to play in worship services, and will learn ringing techniques and not reading skills, which will enable them to be future handbell ringers. All interested youth are encouraged to participate. Any questions, please call Lisa Johnson, Director of Handbells.
Handbells, Just for Fun:
Would you like to just have some fun playing handbells, without the pressure to perform at services? Maybe you would love to give it a try, but think that your music reading skills are a little rusty? Maybe you have never learned to read music, but are intrigued by the sound of the bells. If so, you are invited to join us up in the balcony on the First Wednesday of the month at 8:00 pm, to just have fun. This adult beginner group is open to any and all adults who would like to try their hand at bell ringing-no previous music skills required! This will be an informal group-come when you can, and experience music just for the enjoyment of it!
2008 Flower Calendar:
Would you like to donate flowers for the altar in honor of someone, to celebrate a special occasion, or perhaps in memory of a lobed one? The 2008 Flower Calendar is in the Fellowship Hall. Flowers may be taken home after the second service on the date of donation. If you leave your flowers, they will be taken to a local nursing home for their patients. Make checks payable to Bethany and pay when turning in the order form. Any questions, please contact the church office at 630-879-3444.
Price will be $35 for one and $70 for two. Payment must be made in advance.
Hymnals:
Last May was the dedication of our new hymnal. For those of you who would like to dedicate a hymnal to a loved one, you may still do so. The hymnals are still available for purchase for $25.00 per hymnal. Please make the checks payable to Bethany Lutheran Church and place in an envelope labeled "Hymnal" along with a note stating: "in honor of" or "in memory of" and by whom. Please mail to 8 S. Lincoln Street, Batavia, IL 60510.
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