July 2011

Summer is officially here — on the calendar at least! The kids are home, and maybe you have a little less on your plate. You may even have a weekend or two planned to get away. What a great feeling! Even at church it seems more relaxed and quiet as Sunday School and Adult Bible Fellowships have taken the summer off. I so understand the need for all of us to take some time to relax and recharge, but let’s make sure we don’t let our spiritual batteries run down. Our heavenly Father is on 24/7, and He desires our love and devotion daily and allows us to share it with others.

John 4:7–12 says “Let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”

What an inspiring verse, reminding us that our love is of God, so summertime should not be a time to take a break from worshiping Him daily and sharing his love with others. Instead, it allows us an even bigger opportunity to get outside and share, including those we may not yet know or even really like. Remember, Jesus sat with the poor, lonely, ill, and not-so-nice people. This summer when we’re planning for summer fun, let’s pray that God may open our minds and hearts to those we may not always think of. Then when we decide to plan a backyard party, or go to the pool maybe, we totally switch up who we invite. Instead of inviting those we know and already love, let’s consider inviting those we don’t know and have not yet loved. Wow! Doesn’t that sound exciting? We can get way too comfortable hanging out with just those we already know or making excuses about not attending church or bible studies during the summer. Take time this summer to reflect back on how Jesus and the disciples spent their time. They were out and about in the crowds, speaking God’s truth, ministering to others, and worshiping God whole-heartedly all year long.

Let’s truly enjoy the gifts of summer:

Let’s show our Father we really care!

May the God who created us, give us love. May the Christ who redeemed us, give us grace,May the spirit that abides in us, give us peace. Amen!

Enjoy your Summer!Kristin Verhaagh

Bethesda Connections Ministry

Sermons can be downloaded from our website at www.bethesdalutheran.org or purchased by calling the church office.

CONTENTSAll-Church Announcements 2–3

Small Group Opportunities 4

Bethesda World Missions 5

Children’s Ministries 6–7

Women’s Ministries 7

Youth Ministries 8–9

Opportunities 9–10

Calendar 11

Sunday Services 9:00 am – Traditional 10:30 am – Contemporary 6:00 pm – Contemporary

Worship Schedule!

coffee cup CafeSundays:

9:30–12:00 v Room 204a

Visitors! Please join us in the Coffee Cup Cafe for cookies, coffee and conversation! We would love to meet you!

Summertime Fun!

NEWSBethesdaLutheran Brethren ChurCh

• Families getting together for picnics and reunions.

• Opportunities to visit other churches when vacation or the cabin.

• Baseball games in the bleachers with others.• Beautiful gardens with flowers to share.• Warm weather and a walk to the neighbors’

to visit with them.• Fun lemonade stands just down the street.• Graceful shade trees to sit under & give praise.

• Graduation parties and outdoor weddings to celebrate future plans.

• Drive-in movies and sharing ice cream on the front step.

• Walks in the parks picking up garbage. • Backyard barbeques.• Outdoor worship services and concerts.• Sharing with someone at the pool. • Visiting the nursing home back patio.

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All Church Announcements

Marriage Ministry TeamBethesda believes that strong marriages make

strong families. If you are looking for a place to serve and are possibly interested in being part of a new Mar-riage Ministry Team, please contact Pastor Brian or Marc Lundquist for more information.

There will be a handbell concert on Tuesday evening, July 12, at 7pm in Bethesda’s sanctuary. The concert will feature a 12-Bell group from Bethesda, as well as a com-munity group with Bethesda ringers and others from local churches. We will be performing an eclectic mix of music: sacred, classical and patriotic. A freewill offering will be taken to purchase the C#3 bass bell.

If anyone is interested in learning more about the bells at Bethesda, or if you’d like to learn how to ring, contact us this summer. Drop an e-mail to: heidi@equallyskilled.com.

Bethesda Church Picnic & Pool PartySunday, July 10th, 6–8pm, Fairfax Pool

Mark your calendars for this summer’s all-church picnic and pool party. Once again we are holding our event at Fairfax Pool. Bring a chair, a dish to pass, and drinks — Bethesda will provide brats and hamburgers. This is a great opportunity to invite family, friends and neighbors! Rain or shine!

Summer Handbell Concert July 12, 7pmgather@theriver

at Owen Park4pm–7:00pm

Food, fun and inflatables, followed by a worship service

from 6–7pm!

AUGUST

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. . . Because you may know of a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or relative who is going through a difficult time and who could benefit from the focused care, encouragement, and support of a Stephen Minister. If you know of someone who is hurting, talk with one of our Stephen Leaders: Paul & JoDea Green at (715) 839-9468, Judy Draper at

(715) 831-0189, or Pastor Venberg at the church office, (715) 835-5073. They can talk with you about how we can connect the person you know with one of our Stephen Ministers. It’s a great way for you to show how much you care!

Our Stephen Ministers will meet on July 18th, for Supervision only.

Stephen Ministry

You Can Play an important Role in our Stephen Ministry . . .

All Church Announcements

Check it Out!Relax! Come into Bethesda’s church library and browse through our materials for useful and amusing information.

• Bill’s Unauthorized Tours of Zoos, Museums and Monu-ments (DVD) by Bill Jack and Rusty Carter. Join a Biblically correct tour through the Denver Zoo, Museum of Art, and more. (261.2, BIL)

• Field of Beans (VeggieTown Values children’s book) by Doug Peterson. Junior Asparagus discovers a lesson in faith as he learns how to rely on God in times of trouble. (C, VEG)

• Total Christian Guy (book) by Phil Callaway. He offers some enter-taining and true stories for the reader who may be in the midst of being married and raising children. (248.8, CAL)

Looking for a part-time childcare provider beginning in September 2011 for a 2 year old boy. Days will vary, but schedule is set ahead of time for the year. I work 6 days on and 3 days off. Time would usually be from 1:45 to 4:45 PM, once in a while I may need to go in at 11:00 AM. Please call Rachel at 715-829-2235 if interested.

Childcare Needed

“What about Bob?”

Bob couldn’t make it to church today because he didn’t have a ride to get here. Bob could be your friend, neighbor, or coworker. Yes, we have people interested in worshiping God and studying His Word at Bethesda but have no way to get here. Please help us help them by volunteering to give them a ride to church. If you can help, please call the church office and let them know that you could help. Then when some one needs a ride to church and they live near you and would like to go to the same service that you do, you could be called from time to time and possibly give them a lift to church if that time works out for you. You will surely be a bless-ing to others and you will be blessed as well. Thank you in advance for your continued willingness to help build His Kingdom in this way.

Rod RueschFor the Deacons at Bethesda

Deacon’s Corner

Brent and Sandi Wiebe will be returning for their furlough and will need the following furniture from Au-gust 2011 to July 2012:

• Living room chair/recliner• Beds for the 3 children• Dining or kitchen table/chairsPlease call or email Jeanne Hoilien (715-579-6300,

jeannehoilien@gmail.com) or Ann Rupnow (715-379-2658, annie9@charter.net).

Furniture Needed

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Women’s Ministries

Women of Faith Conference 2011

October 21–22, 2011Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN

The full cost of this 2 day event is $169.00. This in-cludes • Tickets to the conference and concert • Hotel Accommodations (based on 2 person occupancy) • All transportation • Boxed lunches on Friday and Saturday • Dinner Friday Night • Continental Breakfast (Saturday)For more information, contact Michelle Heinzen (michelleheinzen@yahoo.com, or 715-797-3834).

Event subject to change without notice.

September 10th, 2011 at Bethesda!

This fall, Bethesda will be hosting another simul-cast of a Beth Moore live event. This event promises to be another exciting day of teaching and ministry!

Doors open at 8:00am. Event ends at 4:15. Tickets are $15.00 in advance and $20.00 at the door. They will go on sale July 5 in the Bethesda Office. We will also be selling them after all three services July 24, 31 and August 7.

We will be selling Beth Moore Books at this event and CD’s from Travis Cottrell. Lunch is on your own but the Fellowship Hall will be open if you want to bring your own. There will be a 90-minute break for lunch. We will be providing morning and afternoon snacks and drinks including Gloria Jeans Coffee.

Please invite all the women in your family and your friends especially those who don’t know Jesus!

For more information please contact Karen Biel at 715-577-6865 or ckbiel@gmail.com or the Bethesda Office at 715-835-5073.

Beth Moore Living Proof Live Simulcast Help Needed!

We are in need of a Prayer Team Leader for this event. You would be in charge of putting a few people together to pray for this event. We would also need you to recruit 10-12 women to be Encouragers at the event and be willing to go forward and pray for women in need during an Invitation that Beth will be having.

We are also in need of women to help sell tickets after all three services on July 24, 31 and August 7.

We are in need of people to deliver posters around town.

If you are interested in helping in these areas, please contact Karen Biel at 715-577-6865 or ckbiel@gmail.com!

Escape from the everyday at a Women of Faith weekend and be refreshed, encouraged and inspired. Because the God who loves you can do far more than you can ever Imagine.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!

Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)

Dates, locations, times and talent subject to change.

Imagine weekendFriday 10:00 am – 3:30 pm

7:00 pm – 10:00 pmSaturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Saint Paul, MNOctober 21–22, 2011 Xcel Energy Center

Group Leader Name

Contact Information

Group Price

lisa harper luci swindoll kim cash tate sheila walsh nicole johnson henry cloudnatalie grant mary mary

musical guests special guestdrama byspeakers

angie smith

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Venbergs:• Praise God for a good year of language learning in

France.• Pray for Dan, Rachel, and the children as they prepare to

return to Chad on July 27th. • Pray for Gabe, Sylvia and Tevi, who will attend an

American mission school in N’djamena this fall. • Pray for Dan and Rachel’s ministry with the Chadian

church, and for their ongoing relationships with the Fulbe people, especially those in the village of Doh.

Wiebes: • Pray for the Bethesda Bola Bible Dedication Team as they

finish ministering and head for home on July 4th, arriving on July 5th.

• Pray for much fruit to be borne in Bola lives as a result of the Team’s testimonies, the showings of the Jesus film, and the time they spent living with Bola families.

• Pray that God will give the Bola people a hunger for His Word, and that Bola church leaders will be better equipped to teach the Word as a result of the Scripture Application and Leadership Training (SALT) course.

• Pray for Brent, Sandi, and the children as they travel back to Eau Claire for a year-long furlough shortly after the Bible dedication and SALT course are completed.

• Pray for Aloyuis’ daughter, Matilda, and her husband, who was slashed in the head with a machete. He regained consciousness on the second day. Praise the Lord that his eye is functioning normally. Pray that the wound will heal without infection.

Gronseths:• Pray for wisdom from the Lord as to where He wants the

English Forum Coffee House to be located.

• Pray for God’s provision of the funding needed for the Coffee House start-up.

Contruccis: • Pray that Kent and Nancy will have God’s wisdom as they

make ministry plans for the upcoming months.

Wiles:• Pray for John and Kathy’s preparations for their annual fall

trip to Asia. They are seeking the Lord’s direction about what messages to share with their missionary friends.

Volds: • Pray for Justin and Melissa’s marriage, and for their

children, Bradley, Jessie and Levi.

Bethesda World Missions

Praise and Prayer for Bethesda’s Family Around the World

Bola Bible Celebration IIJoin us on July 19th, at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall

to hear from Bethesda’s delegation to the Bola Bible Dedication. The team will share pictures and video and tell about their experiences while ministering in Papua New Guinea.

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ProgramsChildren’s Ministry Programs will resume in the Fall.

Thanks for a great year!

www.bethesdalutheran.org (715) 835-5073

Children’s Ministries

Dawn RicoChildren’s Ministries Directordawn@bethesdalutheran.org

Karen RateringChildren’s Ministries Assistantk.ratering@sbcglobal.net

We’re on the other side of VBS now — the decora-tions are down and the children are gone. I can honestly say, in looking back, that God was present and working in the hearts of the children — and the volunteers!

The message that the children heard was designed to give them a better understanding of what it means to fol-low Jesus. They started on Monday learning about what FAITH is through the story of the centurion who had faith that Jesus would heal his servant. On Tuesday they learned about LOVE and how we can love Jesus like the woman who poured perfume on Jesus feet. She realized the extent of Jesus’ love for her and she responded by showing her love for him in this way. On Wednesday they learned about putting their TRUST in Jesus because He died for their sins and desires to be their Savior. Many decisions for Christ were made on this day! On Thursday they learned about the Samaritan woman at the well who encountered Jesus. She, in turn, went to tell many others about this Messiah she had met just like we can tell OTHERS about Jesus. On our last day, Friday, the kids learned about the disciples receiving instruction from Jesus to spread His message to the rest of the world. The kids also heard of several people in the early church who lived a LIFE for Jesus in all they said and did and how we can follow those examples in how we live our life for Jesus, too.

The kids also memorized 5 Bible verses that tied in with each day and 6 terrific songs that had them praising Jesus each morning through word and action. Each family was given a copy of the music CD so the praises will continue for quite a while!

The children also learned about our mission focus, the Lutheran Brethren 59th Street church in Brooklyn, NY. They were able to see videos of the neighborhood and church and it helped them to realize how this church is a beacon to those around them. The children brought in over $900 for this church through money and pop can proceeds!

We had 236 registered children that came at some point during the week with our highest attended day on Wednes-day of 215 kids. 106 of these children do not attend Bethes-da and we will be inviting them to future Bethesda events along with the start of Sunday school in the fall. At least 25

of the children do not have a church home and many more may not be plugged in to a church home. We realize, once again, the tremendous outreach opportunity that VBS pro-vides and we ask for your prayers for the continued spiritual growth of these children. We also were able to reach out to their families through our Friday night program where the message of salvation was proclaimed. Afterwards, we had ice cream sundaes outside and there were plenty of activi-ties including a bounce house, face painting, games, “live” statues, and bike taxi rides! The weather cooperated and it was a wonderful evening of celebrating the close of our VBS week.

I am so thankful to God for providing the volunteers that He did. Each one played a vital part in making VBS possible — including the decorators, greeters, registration helpers, kitchen helpers, craft teachers and helpers, play-ground helpers, nursery helpers, Bible storytellers, music team, tech team, skit team, publicity help, missions leaders, photographers, prayer walker, SID (our mascot!), and offer-ing coordinator — over 170 volunteers in all! Thank you to the prayer partners who lifted these volunteers and children up in prayer. Many thanks to Becky Hoage for stepping up to co-lead with me this year, the fabulous leadership team that oversaw each area, and the Bethesda staff that ended up helping in many ways behind the scenes!

Our purpose is to bring kids to Christ — what a privi-lege is was to experience this purpose being carried out the week of June 13-17! We give thanks and glory to God!

Dawn Rico Children’s Ministries Director

To New York . . . and Back!

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High School CalendarSunday, July 3rd — Gospel Journey Maui: Can

All Religions Be Right?Sunday, July 10th — Church Pool Party at Fair-

fax Pool, 6–8 pmSunday, July 17th — Gospel Journey Maui:

Religion or Relationship?Wed., July 20th — Valleyfair: 7:30 am–8 pmSunday, July 24th — HS Pool Party at the

Wallers’, 4–10 pmThurs., July 28th — Brewer Game: 7 am–10 pmSat., July 30th — Leave for YC11 at 9 amSun., July 31st — No One23

Youth Ministries

Weekly ScheduleHigh School Youth Group: Sundays 7:30–9:00 pm

The Bridge: Middle School Youth Group: Wednes-days 6:45-8pm

HS/MS Girls Bible Study: Tuesdays 8:00–9:30 pm

Chad ShifferDirector Youth Ministrieschad@bethesdalutheran.org

Ryan RicoMiddle School Youth Directorryan@bethesdalutheran.org

YC11 UpdateWow, the time is drawing

close – the High School group leaves the end of this month! Details are being finalized for Seminars at the conference, and I’m more excited than ever to see what God has in store for us both at Mission: Denver and YC11. Parents, all money needs to be turned in no later than Sunday July 26th.

Class of 2011Congrats to all the graduates who have been a part of

the Youth Ministry program here at Bethesda throughout the years. We’re proud of you for your accomplishment and pray you keep your relationship with God your top priority as you continue your life journey. Graduated students are welcome to continue to participate in all HSM activities throughout the summer, but are also encouraged to seek out any college ministry summer activities. (Check with Pastor Brandon)

We are still meeting on Sunday nights during the sum-mer, doing a combination of things. July 3 and 17th we’re continuing the DVD series by Dare2Share Ministries, “Gospel Journey Maui,” and we’ll be discussing “Can all religions be right?” and “Religion or Relationship?”

The other two Sundays we’ll be getting wet: at Fairfax Pool for the Church Pool Party on July 10th and then at the Wallers’ pool on the 24th.

On the last Sunday of the month, the 31st, there will be no ONE23 due to the YC11 trip.

Middle School CalendarWed., July 6th — The Bridge: 6:45–8:00 pmWed., July 13th — The Bridge: 6:45–8:00 pm

Ryan will share his experiences from the Papua New Guinea trip.

Wed., July 20th — Valleyfair (with the high school group. Cost is $35 per person. Sign up on the Youth Bulletin Board by Walker Hall.

Wed., July 27th — The Bridge: 6:45–8:00 pm “Water Night” Come for an evening of water activities and a water-themed message. (Please wear clothing that can get wet/a swimsuit and bring a towel!)

Girls’ Bible StudyCalling all Middle School & High School Gals: it’s time

to get together, ladies! Meeting Tuesday evenings through-out the summer 8:00–9:30 PM in the Youth Room. Bring your friends and goodies for our Snack Buffet! Questions, contact Brittney Malone: brittney@bethesdalutheran.org or 715-559-9929

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BethesdaLutheran Brethren ChurCh

123 W. Hamilton AvenueEau Claire, WI 54701715-835-5073www.bethesdalutheran.org

C3Christ … Community … Cause

A vision for clarifying who we believe God is leading us to become.

Do you have a heart for special needs kids? Would you like to make it possible for their parents to attend church with peace of mind that their child is being lovingly cared for? Then we need you in The Friendship Station! This room is for elementary-aged children with special needs and provides a variety of activities for them. This is offered during the 10:30 worship service and we would like to continue to offer this during the summer. Please contact Dawn at dawn@bethesdalutheran.org as soon as possible if this is of interest to you.

The Friendship Station!

Moms of Younger OnesInterested in getting together for some play dates,

let the kids run around and meet some other moms? Contact Brittney Malone at brittney@bethesdalutheran.org or 715-559-9929

Martha Moments meets once a month. It’s a fun la-dies’ night out and a great way to connect with others. We meet in the Fireside Room and feature a different craft, talent or passion each month. The evening al-ways begins with prayer, a devotional, and of course, treats! Consider joining us each month as we have some fun and spread God’s love!

Watch for information about July’s Martha Mo-ments. Contact me, kristin@bethesdalutheran.org, if you have questions!

MarthaMoments