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Bethlehem Lutheran Church Newsletter August 2017

“Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or by the handle of faith.”

- Henry Ward Beecher

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Dear People of God, When was the last time anyone was excited about August? August is the time in the DC area when Congress (usually) goes home and traffics, for a few brief weeks, is slightly less chaotic! But a brief review of the liturgical calendar of August lifts up many saints who have helped show the way of faith in the world. During August the church remembers: Dominic, Lawrence, Clare, Florence Nightingale, Clara Mass, Maximilian Kobe, Kay Munk, Mary, Bernard, Bartholomew, Augustine, Moses the Black. Some of these names are familiar to us; I suspect many are not. But I think that's part of the point of remembering them, to remind us that our faith has been handed on to us by saints known and unknown. And we thank God for them all. Now that fall is just a month away I want to give you a heads up about something new coming on Sunday morning. Beginning on Sunday, August 20, we will be rolling out a new, expanded version of Time for Children. Instead of having the children come up front for a story and prayer, we will invite children to go over to the Fellowship Hall after the gospel reading for a longer time of age-appropriate learning. Using a curriculum

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From the Pastor

“I think this piece of children’s

ministry is vital for the future of

Bethlehem”

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that is based on the Bible passages heard in the service that morning, the children will hear a Bible story, engage in an activity/craft, and learn upbeat songs that they will share in worship from time to time. Children will return to the sanctuary in time for communion. We are presently seeking volunteers to help with this important ministry. It takes 2-3 adults each week for this to happen. The lesson and the timeline for each session will be planned in advance and any needed material will be on hand. Leaders will not have to "come up with" things to teach or lead. You will hear more about all of this in the weeks to come, including ways to you can be a part of it. We're thinking of the first 3 weeks as a "soft" opening, so by mid-September things are running smoothly. I think this piece of children's ministry is vital for the future of Bethlehem. Even though the congregation was willing to go a full year without any learning for children on Sunday morning, I don't think that's a sustainable model going forward. Young families are finding a home a Bethlehem. We need to live up to our responsibility to walk with them and their children in faith. A Time for Children is a start. Blessings, Pr Kern

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On-line Giving Now Available! Thanks to Dave Cross and Marie Bakke, on-line giving for regular or special gifts is now available on our website www.blclife.org. And now, you can also make one time or designated gifts on line as well. On our website, go to homepage and look at the sidebar for Online & Electronic Donations. Click on that and you can give on a one time or recurring basis using either electronic transfer from a bank account or by credit / debit card. Setting up an account if you are already using our electronic system To set up your account: • Go to the BLC website, www.blclife.org; • On the homepage, click on Online & Electronic Donations on the

sidebar. • If you do not already have a User Profile, you can set one up on this

page. • Once you have a User Profile, login from the donations page with

your email address and password (that you setup in the user profile) • NOTE if you cannot get in or it is not linked to your current

transactions, please send a note to Dave Cross with the email address you want to use to reference your account and he can make sure that it is loaded and linked.

One time or designated gifts To make a one-time gift: • Begin by going to the BLC website, www.blclife.org • On the homepage, choose "Online & Electronic Donations" on the

sidebar. • Complete the required donation information. If it is for a specific

purpose, such as Flower Fund or Debt Reduction, please list your donation under the "Other" option, and fill in the fund you wish to support. Please do not use the "Rent" option as this is made available to organizations renting space at BLC

• For Donation Frequency, choose "One-Time", and complete the date for the donation; the system will prompt you for the needed payment information.

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President’s Page

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Bethlehem Newsletter Aug 2017

8922 Little River Turnpike Fairfax, VA 22031 Phone: 703.978.3131 Website: www.blclife.org Sept. Newsletter Deadline: Aug. 22nd Email articles to: bakkemarie@gmail.com

Contacts: Intentional Interim

Pastor Eugene Kern: pkalongtheway@gmail.com

Marie Bakke: bakkemarie@gmail.com

Esther Cho: eunbyeol2@juno.com

Setting Up a New Account for Recurring Gifts To set up a recurring contribution or tithe: • Begin by going to the BLC website, www.blclife.org • On the homepage, choose "Online & Electronic Donations" on the

sidebar. • Start by creating a User Profile - this will allow you to access the

system for updates • Under "Donations" choose your donation amount, set a frequency, and

start date; the system will prompt you for the needed payment informa-tion

• NOTE that you can still provide the enrollment form to Dave Cross to set up your account initially. Form may be downloaded from the BLC website, www.blclife.org – Go to the “Links” drop down menu, and print form to complete.

As you know, we are promoting your transition to electronic giving for your regular gifts. It greatly assists your Council in budgeting and manag-ing our finances. This is a great opportunity to prayerfully consider your current giving and see if you can increase your regular gift by $10, $25 or even $50 as we plan for the future of Bethlehem ministries. You will still receive your year-end statements from Bethlehem, but will have easy access to your on-line giving records at any time by accessing your account. Please contact Dave Cross if you need any assistance. He can also continue make any changes or updates to your account manually.

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This Month...

1st Communion

We invite children 1st-4th grade to join us for a class in preparation for 1st communion.

August 5th

9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

Class leaders: Mary Schmidt and Pastor Kern

Please contact the

BLC office for more info

Out of town on August 5th?

Another opportunity is tentatively scheduled for

October 21st

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Sunday Children’s Faith Ministry beginning August 20th

Children are invited to worship then they may participate

in the children's ministry time

Children return to worship for the Lord’s Prayer and Communion.

What is it? Today’s Bible reading and discussion

presented through age-appropriate curriculum. We will include a craft or game to reinforce the

story, along with music and prayer

We need a few adult leaders to take turns leading the

Time for Children—lesson and materials provided.

If you can help, please contact Marie Bakke in the church office

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Chancel Choir Rehearsals

Resume August 16th

7:00 p.m.—sectional for men 7:15 p.m.—sectional for women 7:30 p.m.—full chancel choir Beginning September 6th we will add a 7:45 p.m.—8:00 p.m. slot to work on a Cantata for the holidays. Cantata-only singers may come just for that rehearsal period. Beginning September 10th: Chancel choir will also rehearse Sundays, 9:30 a.m—9:45 a.m.

Ensembles and Soloists Beginning in September, Esther Cho will be available on Sundays from 9:00 a.m.—9:30 a.m. as needed to practice. We are hoping to have an ensemble/soloist play on the third Sundays of the month.

Hymn Sundays Occasionally there are 5 Sundays in a month. On those 5th

Sundays, instead of having the choir sing we will have a “Hymn Sunday”. The congregation is invited to submit your favorite hymn choices to Esther Cho for Hymn Sundays.

Music

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Coming in September… “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is an opportunity to

celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. The suggested date for the 2017 dedicated day of service is Sunday, Sept. 10th. Mark your calendars today!

Watch your weekly bulletin inserts and Thursday BLCLife emails for details. We will also have a congregational picnic that day to celebrate fall and God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday. Watch for details!

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W H I J "Summertime, and the days do grow hotter, Kids are swimmin', And for ice cream they pine. Come now and worship, The Word will soothe and uplift you, And BLC's A-C is workin' just fine." (Apologies to George and Ira Gershwin) Spirit Spark Fun Day with songs, crafts, games, and more, The story of Jesus and fishes galore. Thanks go to Mary, Helga, and Marie For leading the kids at BLC. A hearty welcome and hosting to JCCNV, Who held summer camp activities at BLC. Caring and sharing, Our modus operandi. Choir rehearsals begin in August, says Esther Cho, For Basses, Tenors, Sopranos, and Altos. It is never too early to get a head start On a Cantata for Christmas. "Do you know your part?" With P. K. away, we welcomed P. E., Who brought us the Word, and scripture by memory. W H I A ? Come and see. vcs

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Educational Opportunities for Adults

The Thursday Book Group meets in the BLC Parlor on the first Thursday of each month, September through June, from 12:00 – 2:00pm. New members, male and female, are always welcome and the discussion is great! Bring a brown bag lunch, if you like. Call Zoe Parker, Group Leader for more information. The book for September 7, 2017 is Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. The book is about a nurse in a hospital, who is not allowed by the white parents to touch their baby due to racial prejudices. The book is full of unflinching insights, rich characters, and a page-turning plot. Jodi Picoult deals with race, privilege, justice, and compassion with a gripping moral dilemma at its heart. Reviewer is Val Sharp. The book for October 5 is Team of Rivals, by author Doris Kearns Goodwin, who provides fresh insights into Lincoln's leadership style and deep understanding of human behavior and motivation. Goodwin makes the case for Lincoln's political genius by examining his relationships with three men he selected for his cabinet, all of whom were opponents for the Republican nomination in 1860. Lincoln not only convinced them to join his administration, he ultimately gained their admiration and respect as well. Had he not possessed the wisdom and confidence to select and work with the best people, she argues, he could not have led the nation through one of its darkest periods. Reviewer is Barbara Chadbourne with some help from members, since it is a rather long book.

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Community Assistance

Sponsoring a backpack sends an underprivileged child to school

with a backpack full of supplies, ready to learn.

Back to School Backpacks

Donations may be put in the offering, please note envelopes/checks with “Backpacks”. For more info, Contact Vicki Farish at BLC

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Habitat for Humanity August 2017 Update Wrap-up work continues on the renovation in Springfield and in Reston. Lots of work remains at the one in Oakton. And I under-stand we finally have the first of needed permits for the new construction in the Groveton area of South Alexandria. So lots of work opportunities. Let me know if you'd like to be part of it. God's Work, Our Hands, Jay

Community Assistance

FISH serves the needy and elderly in the greater Fairfax City area.

The FISH Ministry at BLC is seeking a volunteer driver to deliver food to those in need.

If you can help one day per month,

Please contact Hannelore Ridgely at BLC

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RAPID RESPONSE WHEN FAITH COMMUNITIES ATTACKED As announced by Rabbi Gerry Serotta, Executive Director of InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC), Washington Interfaith Response and Outreach Coalition (WIROC) is a new initiative aimed at providing grassroots, public demonstrations of support by and for individuals and communities throughout the greater DC area. The WIROC of IFC, of which the Metro D.C. Synod is a member faith community, is a rapid response team to respond in person to acts of targeted vandalism, hateful speech and other types of emotional and physical attacks on faith communities and individuals throughout the area. To learn more, visit: http://ifcmw.org/ http://ifcmw.org/wirocfaqs/

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Our July BLC Golf Outing happened on the 9th. Eight people participated, a high for this season. Weather cooperated, not too hot and no rain. The team of Barry Uhlig, Kaj Christensen, Kaj's future son-in-law, Jay West, and Jay Sharp eased past the team of Janet Samuelson, her friend Lisa, Dave Cross, and Bill Hendrick for the Team Win. Bill and Jay won Closest to the Pin awards, Jay won for Closest to the Centerline and Most Fairways. The August outing is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, 20 August with tee times starting at 1:30. You'll have to wait on the location as we are investigating something other than Penderbrook. Watch the bulletins and news messages for more info. There is a signup sheet at church. See you on the course, Jay

Golf Update

Esther Circle is on summer break.

Next Meeting:

September 26th 10:00 a.m.

BLC Parlor

BLC Narthex/Parlor

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Dining Out Group Saturday, August 5th, 7:00 p.m.

Giardino’s Restaurant 8944 Burke Lake Rd, Springfield

Everyone Welcome Please sign-up at the Welcome Center

or contact Helen Crum

Samaritans Please join us for lunch

and fellowship

Everyone Welcome—bring your friends. Samaritans is on summer break. Please join us at our next luncheon on

Sept. 14, 2017, 12:30 p.m.

For more info, please contact Phil Case

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Bethlehem Family with Special Days in August

Birthdays August 4: Dennis Ridgely August 5: Emily Schofield August 6: Megan Boyd August 7: Siv Carshult August 9: Carly Boyd August 10: Sean McPhilomy August 11: Sheldon Haselbarth August 13: Helen Crum August 14: Kelly Haynes August 21: Tyler Flesch Dallas Smith August 22: Bailey Smith August 23: Genna & Gwen Hartmann August 25: Miles Nace August 28: Elizabeth Colella

Anniversaries August 8: Nelson & Joanne Miller (18) August 17: Jeff & Jennie Boyd (21) August 19: James & Julie Hogan (28)

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Sunday Schedule:

Learning Hour, 9:00 a.m. Worship Service, 10:00 a.m.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church www.blclife.org Email: bethlehemlutheran@blclife.org Phone: (703) 978-3131

The Bethlehem Lutheran Church Newsletter It is available on our website: www.blclife.org