From the Pastor One of the characters we meet on Sunday morning during Lent is Nicodemus. He didn’t want to be seen “reaching across the aisle” so he snuck out to see Jesus in the middle of the night. That way, “his people” wouldn’t see what he was up to. After a lengthy conversation, Jesus reminded Nicodemus of what really matters, that Jesus was sent into the world for the sake of the whole world. We tend to stop with John 3:16, which proclaims God’s great love for the world, God’s gift of his Son, and the promise of eternal salvation for all who believe. But the next verse expands the focus of God’s mission. God did not send Jesus to condemn the world, but his mission is that the entire world might be saved. Jesus didn’t come just to give us a nice message. He came to die for the whole world. Where we have division and separation, where we decide who’s in and who’s out, God is busy loving everyone. It turns out that we don’t get to be the gatekeepers for others. Once we have realized this love of God for us, then we are free to love others, warts and all. We are the messengers of God’s good news. We are not the managers of his decision to save the world. Loving others is the best way to share the story of God’s love. It’s not the warm, mushy-feelings kind of love – but it is the love that means treating one another with kindness and respect. As Luther says, it is explaining someone’s actions in the kindest way. We can treat people decently even when we don’t like them, or when we disagree with them. It takes a little work, but we can do it. And if we take a little time to hear their story, maybe some of our dislike will fall away. We will discover situations and circumstances which makes their behavior or attitude easier to understand. As Mr. Rogers once put it: “Listening is where love begins: listening to ourselves and then to our neighbors.” Jesus took time to listen to Nicodemus, even though he was a potential enemy. God chose salvation for the world – not judgment. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. God “reached across the aisle” to all of us so that we could have hope. In this matter of working out our salvation, God took control – there’s nothing we can do about it – like it or not. In Christ, Pastor Janet

Pastor Janet’s Joke of the Month

A cowboy appeared before St. Peter at the pearly gates. "Have you ever done anything of particular merit?" St. Peter asked. "Well, I can think of one thing," the cowboy offered. "Once, on a trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota, I came upon a gang of bikers, who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn't listen. So, I approached the largest and most heavily tattooed biker and smacked him in his face, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring, and threw it on the ground. I then yelled, 'Now, back off, or I'll kick the carp out of all of you!'" St. Peter was impressed. He leafed through the great book he held. "When did this happen?" "Just a couple minutes ago. . . ."

February Offering 02/02 $6478 02/05 $522 02/09 $5535 02/12 $532 02/16 $3589 02/19 $611 02/23 ? 02/26 ? Electronic Giving $8550

February Ministerial Acts Baptism: Tallis Dillman, Miles Harvey RESERVE THE DATES: August 24-27, 2020 the bus trip is being planned! So far all we know, is we are heading East towards Minnesota! No passports will be needed this year.

SUNDAY MARCH 8TH

@ 9:30 AM

Miriam Bible Study March 12th @ 2:00pm

Will meet Tuesday, March 21st at Trinity Nursing Home.

QUILTING 1ST AND 3RD

WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH (MARCH 4TH AND 18TH) AT 9:00 AM

Christ Lutheran Swedish Meatball Dinner Sunday, March 1, 10:30am to 2:30pm

Take out available!

Upcoming Retreats

At Metigoshe 1st Communion Retreat – March 6-7 Friday Night Live (Jr. High) - March 13-14 Piecing Faith Together with Mom – April 17-19 Featherweight Quilting – April 20-22 Grace-Filled Gardens – April 24-25 Hammering Out Faith with Dad – May 1-3

Health Care Kits

As the old saying states, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” The health care kits that Lutheran World Relief distributes help our neighbors stay clean whether they are fleeing from a natural disaster or war. Please help show God’s love by collecting items for the kits: 1 bath-sized towel (approximately 27x52) 1 large-tooth sturdy comb 1 nail-clipper with file 1 toothbrush 2 bars (4oz) or 3 bars (3oz) of soap Remove all packaging except for around the toothbrush and soap. Many countries have no provision for removing garbage so take combs and nail clippers out of their packaging. Wrap all securely in the towel and tie with string or yarn. We will take a special offering on Sunday, March 8th for those who don’t care to shop. I’ll be glad to spend your money – frugally of course! Items can be brought any time during March. There will be bins by the northeast and south doors. Thank you in advance for your “helping hands to do God’s work”.

Sue Taft

LYO in March 3/1 9:30am Coffee Hour

Tuesday, March 17th @ 9:30am

3/4 5:00pm Lenten Potluck Supper 7:30pm Tie Blankets 3/8 9:30am Coffee Hour 3/11 5:00pm Lenten Soup Supper 7:15pm Bethany Bake Off 3/15 9:30am Coffee Hour 3/18 5:00pm Lenten Soup Supper 7:15pm Karaoke 3/22 9:30am Coffee Hour 3/25 5:00pm Lenten Soup Supper 7:15pm Game Night The LYO will be hosting Lenten Soup Suppers each Wednesday during Lent starting March 4th. Donations of soup, hotdish, salads, breads, and dessert are greatly appreciated. Please sign up on the clipboard in the kitchen, or call the church office. The Church School Carnival (Sunday, April 19th) is an annual tradition to help kids of all ages go to Bible Camp, and teens to travel with LYO on mission trips and to ELCA Youth Gatherings. The LYO will be serving lunch (sloppy joes, potato chips, nachos, pickles, and lemonade). Please watch for a sign-up as the LYO is also asking for donations of buns. Thank you for your continued support of the LYO!

MARCH CAUSE OF THE MONTH

The Sanctuary

Provides an environment where women can apply the tools of recovery in a safe, supportive, stable and sober environment in an effort for the individual to realize true freedom in sobriety.

THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS can be directed until March 31, 2020. Thank you for

your contribution if you have already completed.

March is the "Women of the ELCA" month. Our organization includes Lutheran Women who gather in more than 7000 locations in the US and the Caribbean for service, study advocacy, fellowship and more. WELCA embraces all kinds of ministries that support our mission of mobilizing women to act BOLDLY on their faith in Jesus Christ. There is a place for you in Women of the ELCA at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot, ND. We have four Bible Study groups that meet on a monthly basis. We will be celebrating this event on March 8, 2020 with the women providing breakfast during fellowship hour. Please join us. Following are a few projects that the Bethany

Lutheran Church Women have completed during 2019!

*Served lunch for 19 funerals *Served soup at Lutheran Campus Ministry at Minot State University in March *Made blankets for Confirmation students *Rummage and Bake Sale *Collected hygiene products to be distributed to Students at Minot High School *Held a Pastor Appreciation Day in October *Provided financial support for one of our members to attend the WND Synodical Assembly held in Crosby ND in June *$500 given to the WISE project which financially supports Women in Seminary Education *Handed out 307 treat bags during the Downtown Halloween Walk on Oct 31 Benevolence donations totaled $8200.00 of which $1000.00 was given to the Global Barnyard. The rest of the money was given to non-profit organizations in Minot and the surrounding communities. God’s Work, Our Hands. Thank you to everyone who have helped with these projects. It is greatly appreciated!

If you contribute on-line, there will still be a box of envelopes for you. Offering envelopes are in the office! Please pick yours up. Thank

you!

Rhubarb Fest Thank You

Another party another success. Thank you to each and every one that participated in the festival. It takes everyone to make this party so much fun and enjoyable. $514 in free will donations were given for the soup kitchen and Wed suppers.

Kari Files was the over-all winner of our rhubarb cook-off!

Kari’s Cheesy Rhubarb-Artichoke Dip

Ingredients: 1 8 oz. package of softened cream cheese 1 14 oz. can of artichoke hearts, drained 1 1/2 cups chopped frozen rhubarb, thawed, squeezed and drained (measured after draining) 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon mild jalapeño sauce (green) 1/2 tsp. onion powder 1/4 tsp. garlic powder Preheat oven to 350º. In a large mixing bowl, stir the softened cream cheese with the mayonnaise until mixed well. Add the Worcestershire and jalapeño sauces, onion and garlic powders and stir until creamy. Mix in the drained artichoke hearts and drained rhubarb, then stir in the shredded cheese. Put mixture into 1 1/2 quart baking dish and bake 55 minutes, until the center is bubbly and the cheese starts to brown on top. Serve hot with crackers or veggies.

The season of Lent began Feb. 26 with Ash

Wednesday. Throughout the month of March,

we will offer our midweek Lenten services, beginning Wednesday, March 4. Meals will be

offered at 11:30 AM and 5:00 PM. Our noon worship and presentation will explore the ways

we can promote kindness in a society that seems increasingly hostile to one another. We

will use Mr. Rogers as our mentor. Our evening services will once again use

drama, this year a collaboration of writing by Jay Jenkins and Jake Thrailkill. The theme will

be looking at ways that God shows up at unexpected times and places in our lives.

March 8th

Save the Date!! Thursday, March 26th 2020! 2:00 pm!

Celebrating Bold Women in the ELCA! An afternoon for ALL the women in the

church! It will include music, food, fellowship and a presentation from Pastor Janet!

We hope this will be a fun afternoon for all women in the church! Invite a friend!

Bethany Birthdays! March:

1st – Taya Bearman, Brenda Miller 2nd –Tyler Ballantyne, Linsay Johnson, Joshua Vannett, Haley Williams 3rd –Teegan Dangel, Marlene Pankow 4th – Patrick Fix, Marcus Hughes, Sydney Okeson 6th – Kimberly Alexander, Krista Mathistad 7th – Brekynn Enget, Elliott Flood-Johnson, Rhett Pederson, Derek Telehey 8th – Donald Anderson, Sophia Rau 9th – Gloria Sorenson 10th – Alicia Presky, Ryan Walker, Randi Westmeyer 11th – Bonnie Pearce 12th – Grady Duchscherer 13th – Cole Brose, Jeff Brose, Jackie Gehring, Mary Jordahl 14th – Lori Armstrong, Ethan Dangel, Deb Kunkle, Julie Post 15th – Evan Holmly 16th – Stephanie Metz, Vivian Seier 17th – Angelina Bertsch, Jane Grunenwald 18th – Justin Deisch, Jerry Hoiland, Marilyn Lucy 19th – Becky Hill, Signe Meinert, Julie Okeson 20th – Todd Breitkreutz 21st – Ariel Hirzel, Matthew Metz, Violet Stalheim 22nd – Liane Anderson, Jackie Hebor, Eleanor Lee, Anthony Malachowski, Ethan Shoberg, Larry Sorenson 23rd – Travis Hubrig, Ty Jones, Shelly Randash 24th – Justin Deisch, Jaci Jones, Ryker Nelson, Colton Schuster 25th – Meredythe Lester 26th – David Abel, Brian Aufforth, Savannah Field, Brooke Meine 27th – Peder Colbenson 28th – Ione Harshberger, Don Hummel, Kari Olson, Brittany Telehey 29th – Sharon Fix 30th – Colton Bourquin, Jonathan Daluge 31st – Stephanie Hubrig, Alma Lee, Roger Lee

Also, Happy Birthday to anyone whose name is not on the list. If your name is not on the list then we don’t have it, so please call the office with it. Thank you!

February 2020 Memorials: In Memory of Archie Kress A thank you to all who gave a cash donation in memory of Archie, this was applied to the Ministry of Care.

Undesignated from Beverly Roen, William & Anna Gluck, Geraldine Peterson. Ministry of Care from Nadine Bleser, Dennis & Jackie Deaver, Alma Lee, Douglas & Barb Coyle. In Memory of Ed & Myrtle Anderson Global Barnyard from Matt Anderson. In Memory of Janice Klimpel Undesignated from Don & Jennifer Lafontaine, Geraldine Peterson, Alan & Julie Argust. In Memory & Honor of Wedding Anniversary of Thorlief & Helen Nilsen Undesignated from John & Cheryl Nilsen. In Memory of Cheri Ann Knorr Undesignated from John & Clara Hauck. Music from Bryan & Nadine Holmly.

DO U AMAZON??? If you Amazon, PLEASE consider using

amazon.smile.com This is a secure website that is a part of Amazon but donates 0.5% of your

purchase back to Bethany Lutheran Church. The link is on our Bethany Facebook page or enter the

link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/45-0248857

THANK YOU to the Foundation for the monetary donation to our mission trip to El

Salvador. Your support is greatly appreciated.

PiecingFaithTogetherwithMom

7:00 pm Friday, April 17, 2019 to 11:00 am Sunday, April 19, 2020

This retreat is designed so you can take time to be with your child, grow deeper in faith together, and spend time with other moms. Not only will we be “piecing faith together,” we’ll also piece together some garden stepping stone mosaics! You’ll get to bring one home with you and leave one to make your mark on the Metigrowshe Garden. This retreat is limited to mom and one child – you can make it a tradition and plan to return next year with another child! We will make sure a theme room is ready for you and will plan all of the activities and meals – the only thing you need to do is show up and start making special memories! Cost: $120/pair

A WINTER CLASSICAL MASTERPIECE CONCERT, will be presented by the talents of

The Minot Chamber Chorale, on Sunday, March 1st, 2020 at 3:00 pm at Minot State

University’s Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. This Winter Concert features the performance of Norwegian composer Kim Andre Arneson’s

Magnificat featuring soprano soloist Tess Altiveros, from Seattle, Washington,

accompanied by orchestra, organ and piano. Don’t miss this concert enhanced by the wonderful acoustics of MSU’s Ann Nicole

Nelson Hall. The concert is free and open to the public. A free will offering will be received

to support the Chorale.

Lights --- Camera --- Action!

You’re invited to join the Ministry of Care (MOC) Committee for an afternoon matinee featuring “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”, a movie about the life of Fred Rogers, the creator and host of the popular television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, which ran from 1968 to 2001. The movie celebrates the virtues of patient listening, gentleness and the honest expression of feelings. Allow approximately 2 hours for the movie, which will be shown in the Bethany Fellowship Hall on Thursday, March 19th at 2:00 pm. Join us for popcorn, a drink, and short discussion period after the show! If you would like to participate in a MOC outreach project, you may bring a pair of adult-sized, white socks, any length to be shared with inmates at the Ward County Jail.

April 15 Silent Auction Begins April 19 Carnival Sunday 10:30 AM

All Ages (3-yr Old - 5th Grade) Sing at Worship,Carnival Games, Silent Auction

Ends, LYO Serving Lunch. Please bring donations to the office for

the silent auction!

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Starring Tom Hanks

Showing Thursday, March 19 at 2:00

Our thrivent/habitat trips always prove to be much more than helping to build a home. I want to share the story of Alejandro, a 13year old boy who has been physically disabled since birth.

Our first workday in El Salvador we saw Alejandro sitting in his wheel chair outside his home next door to where we worked.

With his father’s permission, thru our Volunteer Interpreter Francis, we visited Alejandro (with candy, of course!)

He immediately touched our hearts. We saw his deep sadness as he held back tears several times while he explained he has been unable to attend school since third grade as his oldest sister got married and was no longer able to take him.

After work on Monday, we stopped at a book store and with the help of Francis I purchased a bible, cursive book, composition book, pencil, and an eraser which we presented to him Tuesday. It made him very happy. On Wednesday, just one day after we presented Alejandro with the books, he was already finished with the letter “E” in his cursive book. He had also read and marked numerous stories in his bible. The stories of Daniel in the Lions Den and Abraham and Isaac were his favorite.

Our 2020 El Salvador team is planning a fundraiser to fund a tutor who will work with Alejandro to help him reach his class level. We welcome anyone who is interested in joining us in this fun project!

Alejandro has much Love and Faith within him and now his future is growing with “Hope”!!

Vickie Phippins

March 8th BLCW will be serving during

fellowship and there will be a slide presentation of the El Salvador trip!

Foundation Memorials Feb 2020

In Memory of Archie Kress Don & Sherry Hummel Russ & Donna Kress

Church Council President – Allen Hirzel Vice President – Judy Anderson Secretary – Ken Stroklund Treasurer – Colton Bourquin John Bearman Debra Lee Brian Berg Jean Meiers Cleo Berven Brian Messmer Jorn Brose Kolette Ostland Jacob Jenkins Shanon Polsfut George Walker

Hammering Out Faith with Dad:

At this retreat, dads and kids will explore the outdoors and their faith together.

Each child will return home with a Faith Chest® that s/he builds with dad. Dads and kids will also receive a book of faith-walk ideas. This retreat is limited to dad and one child–you can bring your other children another year. This will be a special time to build a relationship with each child individually. This retreat is an important opportunity to grow in faith together with your kids–what better way could there be to spend a weekend? You will have overnight adventure in one of our unique theme rooms, and there will be laughter over delicious home-cooked meals.

Retreat will begin at 7 pm Friday and end at 11 am Sunday.

Gospel Seeds – February 2020 AMonthlyUpdatefromWesternNDSynodStaff

LastsandFirst…Iamexperiencinglotsof“lasts”thesedays.AsIwritethisnewsletterIamatthelast“FirstCallTheologicalRetreat”whichIhelpedorganize.Iaminthemidstofthelastofthesix“Thank-YouandFarewell”eventsaroundtheysynod.Iamspendingmanyhoursintheofficelookingthroughfiles,gettingridofunnecessarypaperworkandsettingasidepiecesthenextBishopwillneed.Asastaffwearelivingdeeplyinthelandoftransition.

Itisastrangeplacetobeinsomeways.Thelast11½yearshaveflownbyandatthesametimeoldfilesremindmeofmeetingsandeventsthatseemsolongago.Timemoveson,GodispresentthroughthepoweroftheHolySpiritandministryhappens.Iamthankfulforallofthefaithfulleaderswhohaveservedovertheseyears,bothlayandrostered.Congregationalmemberswhohavebeenwillingtoaskdifficultquestions,divedeepintoconversationandthenrolluptheirsleevesforthesakeoftheproclamationoftheGospel.

Iamthankfulforthegenerosityofpeopleacrossthissynod.OnedocumentwasthelistingofseminaryscholarshipsfromtheyearthatIwasasenioratWartburgTheologicalSeminary.In1998thesynodwasabletoprovidestudentswith$12,000worthofscholarships.Becauseofyourgenerositywenowhaveover$70,000dollarsforscholarshipsanddebtbuy-down.WhenIstartedasBishop,wehadabout$500,000intheMinistryEndowmentFund.AsIleaveoffice,wehaveaddedtwomorefunds,theMissionFundandtheAccompanimentFund.Combinedthethreefundshaveover$3Milliondollarsinassets.Lastfalltheendowmentfundwasabletocapturejustunder$100,000ingains–thatismoneywhichwillsupportministryacrossthissynod.Itisallbecauseofyourgenerosity–thanks!

AsIleavethisoffice,IwanttothankyoufortheprivilegeofservingasyourBishop.IthasbeenanhonortobethevoiceofthissynodintheConferenceofBishops,toworklocallyandacrossthelargerchurchonissuesofcongregationalrenewal.Ihavebeenhonoredtoserveasoneofyourrepresentativestoyoursocialministryorganization,LutheranSocialServices.Wecan

beproudoftheincredibleministryLSSdoesinthenameofJesus-helpinginfantsthroughteens,toyoungfamiliesandseniorcitizens.LSShas19differentprogramswhichtouchthelivesoftensofthousandsofpeopleacrossthisstate.

Thewitnessofanother…LastfallIattendedtheinstallationofthenewBishopofNorthwestMinnesota.Aspartoftheservice,retiringBishopLarryWohlrabeprocessedintoworshipwiththerestoftheBishopswhowerepresent.InthemidstoftheinstallationservicehetookthesynodcrossofffromaroundhisneckandplacedituponnewlyinstalledBishopBillTesch.ThenLarrysteppedofftheplatform.HedidnotreturntositwiththeBishopswhowerepresent,insteadhewalkedoverandsatwiththepastorsofthesynodwhowerepresentfortheinstallation.Ilovedtheimageryinthatact.

ThepolityofourchurchisthatapastorisraisedupbyasynodassemblytoserveasitsBishop,foratime.Itisnotalifetimeappointment.Whenthetermcomestoanendabishopreturnstobeingapastorofthesynod.February18thwillbemylastdayintheoffice,IwilltakethreedaysofvacationbeforebeginningmynewcallatTrinityLutheraninBismarck.IamthankfulformydaysofservingasBishop,butIamtrulylookingforwardtoreturningtotheroleofparishpastor.

ThisismypledgetothesynodandwhoeveristhenextBishop:Iwillbeaquietpositivepresence.Iwillbedeeplycommittedtomyworkinthecongregation.Iwillworkincooperationwiththeotherpastorsinthecommunityandinmyconference.UntilthenextBishopiselected,IwillbeasupporterandadvocateforInterimBishopDaveZellmerandthesynodstaff.GodhasrichlyblesseduswiththeseservantsandforthatIamthankful.

LastWords…ThebestlastwordIcansayis“ThankYou.”Yourprayersandpartnershiphavebeenablessing.Iamhonoredtohaveservedyou.

GodBlessAll!MarkNarum