What’s inside?

WELS News pg 2

Women’s Ministry pg 3

Kids’ Page pg 7

Bethlehem Star July 2015, Volume 29, Issue 7

Swim at Your Own Risk. No Lifeguard on Duty. Those words might sound a bit perilous to a parent whose teenager is spending a lazy summer day at a lesser known beach. But to the teenager, the words call out, “Freedom!” No authorities within sight to spoil the fun. Now that’s a good time! Until help is needed. Like lifeguards, God’s angels watch over us. Angels are spirit beings, without the earthly limitations of physical form, created by God as his agents for earthly missions. “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11). Angels have been, and will continue to be, sent by God to battle evil and frustrate the ways of the wicked. For example, angels appeared in the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to announce their doom (Genesis 19). This mission of justice, though, falls in line with a greater purpose for which angels are created and called. “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14)? Just like we believe in a God whom we cannot see, we believe in angels whom we cannot see because the Bible convinces us so. Just like God cares for all people, but shows special attention to his children who love and believe in him, angels show the same special attention to believers. Every believer. Every minute. “Sent to serve.” Is there a specific angel, a guardian angel, assigned to each believer? Jesus once taught about the care of God for children when he said that “their angels in heaven al-ways see the face of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:10). That doesn’t necessarily mean that one, specific angel is assigned to a believer for life, but it does mean that there are plenty of angels around and assigned to help. Also, those angels are holy, they are heavenly, and cannot lead us astray. So put your faith in God to forgive you, bless you, and to take care of you not only with normal circumstances like lifeguards or a job, but also in his invisible, miraculous ways like sending angels. He remains superior to angels, by the way, so only God de-serves your praise and prayers. The Bible says that even angels praise him (Psalm 148:2)! For more Questions & Answers, go to www.WhatAboutJesus.com, then Questioning God. Outreach Newsletters July 2015 Fair Questions – Honest Answers

Do we have guardian angels?

Earlier this month the Board for Home Missions (BHM) authorized fund-ing for a new mission as well as for enhancing a self-supporting minis-try. The new mission is a multi-site effort of Cross of Glory, Peoria, Ariz. The self-supporting congre-gation looking to enhance its cross-cultural outreach is Risen Savior, Milwaukee, Wis.

Cross of Glory, a congregation of 269 members in the greater Phoenix area, is planning to establish a second site in nearby Vistancia, a growing community eight miles west of the congregation. The community’s current population is 16,000, but it is projected to grow to more than 70,000 people; currently only one Protestant church is in the area. Cross of Glory already has been canvassing in that community. Funding will allow the congregation to provide the necessary facilities in Vistancia and to call a second pastor to lead outreach efforts, do prospect follow-up, and eventually begin Bi-ble study and worship services at the new site.

Risen Savior, Milwaukee, Wis., is located in a multicultural area. A one-year ministry enhancement grant from Home Missions will give the congregation time to make future plans for supporting its cross-cultural ministry, including its Spanish-speaking pastor.

Home Missions already has authorized the establishment of six new home missions in 2015. After reviewing current finances, looking ahead at future budgets, and evaluating incoming specials gifts, the BHM determined it was able to authorize one more mission as well as enhance one ministry for a year.

Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS), Mequon, Wis., were assigned to three of the six new missions this past May: Daniel Johnston to the start in Blair, Neb.; Nathan Loersch to Fen-ton, Mich.; and Stephen Apt to Liberty Hill, Texas. Philip Hunter, another 2015 WLS graduate, was assigned to Bethel, Menasha, Wis., which was authorized for mission enhancement funding in 2014 for its Hispanic outreach.

Rev. Keith Free, BHM administrator, says there are more requests waiting for funding. “We are en-

couraging the district mission boards to work closely with the core groups in these potential new

missions so when there is funding and a pastor has accepted a call, these missions are ready to

go,” says Free.

Serving in Christ,

President Mark Schroeder

NEWS FROM THE Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Bethlehem Star Page 2

Additional Funding for Outreach Opportunities

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LADIES FELLOWSHIP BIBLE STUDY The ladies' Bible study will be taking a break for the summer, but we hope you will join us as we return in the fall for more faith-building, fellowship, and fun.

God's blessings on your summer! Blessings on your month, Heidi Grohs 434.409.9862 evergreen@halcyondream.com

Summer Bible Camp, AUGUST 3-7 — This summer our Bible Camp will go on a "Thailand Trek!" At "Thailand Trek" we'll share the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the country and culture of Thailand and help our kids dis-cover God's eternal love in a diverse world! This will all be shared through en-ergetic songs, Bible stories and applications, crafts, snacks, and games. As always we'll be looking for many teachers and volunteers to help make our week fun and successful. If you already know this is an interest, please speak to Sara Butler. Specific ways you can be involved will be listed soon.

~ The North Atlantic District WELS Youth Rally for teens will take place July 13th – 16th at Villanova University. For more information, please take a brochure from the information table in the narthex.

Chi and Rho (looks like an X and P) are the first two letters in the Greek word for CHRIST. This title for our camp communicates our main focus: Christ Jesus, our Savior. Camp Chi Rho is scheduled for July 27-31. EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS JUNE 15! This is a camp set in Elk Neck State Park in Northeast Maryland for middle school-age children (5-8 grades) run by local WELS youth leaders. Senior Counselors (parents and high school teens) are still needed! Speak with Pastor Butler or check out the web site: www.welscyd.net/site/default.asp?sec_id=180000507

~ Monday, July 6 is Bethlehem Friends and Family Baseball Night at the Potomac Nationals Stadium. Lynnette Hupman is organizing the pre-game tailgate party so let her know if you’re in-terested in being part of this fun night. Grandstand tickets cost $1 per person. Find out more about this 2014 Carolina League Championship team at www.potomacnational.com or check them out on Facebook. The home team is scheduled to play the Wilmington Blue Rocks. This is a great way to bring some friends out to meet some of your church family!

News & Notes continued...

~ NOTICE: If you want to exercise without paying a health club, if you can help your congregation with a bit of your time sign up for lawn mowing. No special equipment is needed; we provide it all. Sign up on the list (so far 4 out of our 50 or so families have signed up). Direct questions to Paul Haney.

~ Why share God’s Word with LDS missionaries? Because it is our heart-felt conviction that Mormonism places them squarely on the path to the outer darkness of hell. We are con-science-bound not only to warn them of that danger but also to show them the escape route, name-ly, Jesus Christ. As he himself said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The Please Open the Door initiative began in September 2014. Christians from 15 states and 5 countries have been coached by Truth in Love Ministry to share God’s Word with Mormon missionaries. One of the best ways to introduce the true gospel of Jesus Christ to a Mormon is to listen. So often, Christians are tempted to speak immediately without taking the time to build a bridge of love and respect. Join the growing number of Christians who are going to www.pleaseopenthedoor.com and subscribe to read stories about Christians who are Opening The Door! Webinars conducted by Truth in Love Ministry are offered several times each month to introduce Please Open the Door and answer questions.

~ Christians Forward Southeast Asia has two upcoming missionary trips to Thailand and Roma-nia which need volunteers of all types (manual labor, teaching, nursing, etc.) Call Anne Press at 623-261-1934 or email her at imannepress@yahoo.com.

~ Can you head to Utah to help in the 2015 Outreach Campaigns from June 13-20 or June 20-27? If the answer is yes, contact the Truth in Love Ministry office at tilm@tilm.org for more details.

~ There are currently four marriage enrichment events being offered around the United States by the WELS Adult Discipleship committee. These are titled: Distracted Marriage, Mysterious Mar-riage, Simply Marriage, and Richer Marriage. There are also Interactive Faith Online Bible Studies available starting in Fall 2015. For more information, visit www.wels.net/adult-discipleship

~ Six new home missions will be established in the USA during the coming year! The new mission openings are located in Blair, Neb.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Fenton, Mich.; Las Vegas, Nev. (cross-cultural); Liberty Hill, Tex.; and Tyler, Texas. If funds were available, there are three more proposals that could have been authorized. Pray for our synod as we continue to reach out to the lost in our country and around the world.

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SUMMER BIBLE CAMP

You’re invited to experience the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the

unique culture of Thailand, all while discovering God’s power and eternal

love for the people of our diverse world. Trek through Bible Adventures,

Thai Treats, Games, and Crafts as well as “Experience Thailand!”

Monday – Thursday, August 3-6, 2015

9:00a.m. – 12:00 noon

Children ages 3 – 12 years old*

Family Night ~ Friday, August 7, 2015

7:00 pm

All the family’s invited for a fun night

of Thailand Trek activities!

Online registration for Kids’ Camp begins June 7, 2015.

To register online, log onto www.bethlehem-lutheran.org

*Space is available for 30 (PreK) and 70 (K-Gr.6) students.

For more information or to register you can also

call the church office at 703-361-4866.

HOSTED BY BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH

9748 Copeland Drive ~ Manassas

(located next to Sudley Elementary School)

Bethlehem Star Page 5

JULY

17 Evan & Joanna Chartrand - 2011

18 Daniel & Suzie Rilko - 1981

20 Dave & Jeanne Schlevensky – 1996

Greg & Tricia Wilkens - 1991

22 John & Ann Howard - 1967

Jim & Jan Kolva - 1995

Don & Lee Ann Naujock - 1967

28 Robert & Deborah Jaeger - 1973

30 Steve & Sherri Valsamis - 1994

01 Maddy Morgan

02 Frank Fragale

Rich Gribble

09 Dave Schlevensky

10 LuVerne Boes

12 Ken Valrance

13 Lynn Gribble Verhagen

14 Cary Magnani

John Hardy Pemberton, Jr.

18 Ron Montagna

19 Grayson Boyer

21 John Pemberton

Don Richards

24 Amy Foster

25 Lee Ann Naujock

Denise Spencer

26 Stefan Arredondo

27 Ji Youn Tucker

29 Dean Chartrand

Sarah Pemberton

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SUMMER BREAK

Toddler Time with Jesus is now on summer

break and will resume after Labor Day on Wednes-

day, September 16, 2015. Always feel free to pass

information about our program on to people you

know. Registration forms are available on the Youth

and Family bulletin board in the fellowship hall.

Sara Butler is always available to speak with in re-

gards to classes too! bullrunbutlers@verizon.net or

703-331-3192

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