The Beacon of Bethel Lutheran Church

Let God’s light shine before all mankind.

“Where Faith Grows” 440 943-5000 www.bethelwillowick.org E-mail= office@bethelwillowick.org

August 2020

Pastoral Message Greetings in the name of our Risen and Glorified Lord and Savior,

Many things have occurred since the last Beacon of Bethel was published. The COVID-19 pandemic is

still with us and the mask protocol that is currently in place. The great news is they have reopened God’s

houses of worship, and once again we are gathering at Bethel Lutheran Church. I want to thank the Church

Council for their work on cleaning and sanitizing the church prior to reopening. I would particularly and

personally like to thank the Schimmelmann’s for the task of procuring the needed supplies, the initial

sanitizing and scheduling the teams of weekly sanitizers. I do not wish to forget about those who have

stepped forward to do the cleaning and sanitizing. My prayer is this disruption of what we became used to

as our normal, would return and/or get back to what is a manageable reality. I know - wishful thinking.

I want to take this opportunity to also let you know about what has been done about the way we

worship. Number one and foremost, is the live-stream worship service on Facebook. The Church council

has agreed to continue doing this with a few modifications. I have begun posting the worship folder on

Facebook prior to Sunday morning. It also comes Sunday morning at about 9:50 AM as a “Push Message”

from the Church APP, so you may follow along at home. Bethel has also received a grant to upgrade the

way we do the video production. As most of you knew, Georgann was live streaming on her cell phone

which worked very well. However, when the Church council determined it was time to reopen, they agreed

that this would not be the best way to allow people to still watch at home.

With that in mind, I took it upon myself to research how to do live streaming to Facebook through the

computer in the choir loft. The camera is now concealed from the people in the pews and gives us a better

picture quality, being that cell phones cannot focus from that distance. Now that the camera has been

installed and we seem to have most of the quirks worked out the next step is the sound quality, which has

been an issue for some time.

Upon investigating further, it seems that I overlooked a very important announcement that came out in

July of 2017. The FCC sold the band width of 600 and 700 MHz to the cell phone companies and sent a

letter to all who may have those frequencies that they needed to replace all the wireless microphones that

were in this band width. I unfortunately did not heed the warning which had the deadline of July 13, 2020.

As we have experienced some occasional sound issues in the past, this will surely result in more

interference in the future. Our current microphones are 610-680 MHz, so we need to replace them. The

church council is currently in discussions to come up with a solution.

Please continue to pray for God’s will to be made known to us, an end to the pandemic, and for Bethel

and its mission to proclaim the Gospel. Keep your eyes focused on the cross.

In His Service

♰ Rev. Donald P. Beaumont Rev. Donald P. Beaumont pastor@bethelwillowick.org

Joshua 24:15 As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Lutheran Ministries Media, Inc. 5 Martin Luther Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46825-4996

Worship for Shut-Ins Sermon Summaries

These Worship services on WRLM can be viewed on Time Warner Cable channel 12 and U-verse channel 67 at 11:30 am on the following Sundays:

Weekly Scripture Readings & Sermon Summaries August 2020

August 2, 2020 – Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 136:1-9; Isaiah 55:1-5; Matthew 14: 13-21 “More Than Enough” - Sermon Text: Matthew 13:20 - Rev. Thomas Eggold Our Savior has compassion on the needy and has provided for the poor in miraculous ways. He has called us out of our poverty, exhaustion, anxiety, and doubt and has forgiven our sins. In Him, we have more than enough and now we can share His life-giving, life-changing, life-saving gifts with the world. August 9, 2020 – Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 18:1-6, 46; Job 38:4-18; Matthew 14:22-33 “The Powerful Word” - Sermon Text: Matthew 14:27 - Rev. Shayne Jonker Fear is the underlying issue of this morning's Gospel reading. Fear threatens to swallow up Peter and the disciples in their little boat out on the rough sea. Fear paralyzes, it wears us down, it erodes our faith, and it generates doubt. To the disciples' fear, and to ours, Jesus speaks His Word: “Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid.” August 16, 2020 – Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 67; Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32; Matthew 15:21-28 “Perfect Healing” - Sermon Text: Matthew 1315:21-28 - Rev. Paul Shoemaker We all pray for physical health to be restored when a loved one is ill. Our spiritual health has been restored by Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Christ, whether in life or at death, we have perfect healing. August 23, 2020 – Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 138; Isaiah 51:1-6; Matthew 16:13-20 “Built on the Rock” - Sermon Text: Matthew 16:13-20 - Rev. William Mueller The question Jesus asks His disciples is rather simple: Who do people say that He is? However, Jesus’ purpose in asking the question was far more than taking a poll of public opinion – He was narrowing it down to each individual person. Who do you say that Jesus is? Is He just a moderately powered helper, enough to help us over the speedbumps in life, OR is He the Lord God Himself who is our Savior? August 30, 2020 – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 26; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28 “The Way God Thinks” - Sermon Text: Matthew 16:23 - Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer Are you ever tempted to be God’s “script-writer,” to tell God how to be God? Life’s greatest news is this . . . God does NOT meet our expectations, He EXCEEDS them! This good news changes our lives now and eternally.

Tel: (260) 471-LOVE (5683) ╋ Toll-Free: (888) 286-8002

www.WorshipAnew.org E-mail: info@WorshipAnew.org

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod LCMS Stewardship Ministry Newsletter article – July 2020

“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” asked the rich young ruler. Jesus said, “You know the commandments.” And the ruler replied, “All these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Luke 18:18–22) As we listen to this, one question is raised in our minds: Is Jesus speaking to us also or only to the rich young ruler? In other words, is Jesus telling us to sell all that we have and give it to the poor? As good Lutherans, we answer: No! But why? Why should we not sell all that we have and distribute it to the poor? The simplest explanation is this: If we sold everything we have, our wife and our children would be neglected. In other words, to sell everything we have and give it to the poor would ignore, even abandon, those whom God has placed in our care. Our money, everything we have, is not to be used solely for the church. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t to be used for the purpose God intends. Everyone has three stations in life, three spheres in which we live and are to be of service to our neighbors. These stations are the church, the family, and society. We are members of all three of these by birth. • We are born into the church by water and the Word of God, and our duties to others in the church arise from either our birth into the church or the birth of others by Baptism into it. • We are born into a family, and our duties to others stem from either our birth into that family or the birth of others into our family. • Finally, we are born into society, which is simply a further extension of our birth into our family. The duties we have toward other members of society come from either our birth or the birth of others into the same society. All that we have and all that we are is to be pressed into service for the church, the family, and society. If we were to sell all we have and give only to one, the other two would be neglected, and our duties toward them would falter. So consider your life and all that you have in light of these three stations. You pay taxes to support and help those in society. You provide food, clothing, and shelter for the members of your family. You save for college for your children. But the one station that is usually thought of last is the church. Since the needs of the family and society are more immediate, the church is often given what is left over. This is not how it should be. Rather, we are to give of our first fruits – the best from off the top – even as Abel gave the best of his flock. This requires forethought and intent. It means that you sit down and make a plan for what you will give from the beginning. It means sticking to it even when it seems there are other more immediate and pressing things. This is all the more necessary now as we enter into periods of time while giving is low due to high unemployment or restrictions on meeting in church to give. If we love God, his gifts of forgiveness given through the means of grace we receive at church and only at church, then we will support the church just as we love our country and our family. For all that we have and all that we are is given to us by our gracious and giving God. He spared no expense for us and our salvation. He gave up His Son into death so that our sins are forgiven, and we will live. What is more, He provides for all that we need for this body and life. And our lives in this world, among these three spheres of the church, the family, and society, are to mirror the generosity of the one who gave us life in all three by birth. Don’t let the church, your divine family, be ignored or even an afterthought. The church is nurturing you, bringing you up in salvation by Word and Sacrament for eternal life.

Article submitted by Jack Schimmelmann

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Jim Bossman Joanne Drury Helen Herborn

Stephen Humble Marjorie Jackson Marge Kenerson

Helen Kovach Marilyn MacIntyre

Norma Pecsok Georgia Saxby

Virginia Beaumont-Succi Above is a list of our members who do not get out much.

Please remember them with notes, cards, a phone call or a visit in person – and in our prayers!

(Please call church office for contact for more info

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

Julie Hird 8/1

David Storts 8/1

Hazel Perkins 8/3

Beth Middleton 8/5

Carter White 8/5

Dave Hird 8/6

Maggie Dellmore 8/7

Christine Risher 8/7

Sharon Feldkamp 8/8

Anna Early 8/11

Debby Henkhuzens 8/14

Addison Middleton 8/16

Maureen Washock 8/16

Gene Schein 8/17

Logan Omlor 8/18

Sara Omlor 8/19

Herman Rueger 8/21

Ollie Boryenace 8/23

K/la Falkenstein 8/23

Katherine Seman 8/23

Dolores Green 8/24

Walter Hein 8/25

Joanne Stamp 8/27

Adalyn Washock 8/27

Ray Dellmore 8/29

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES Donald & Sharon Feldkamp 8/1

John & Monica Nardy 8/4

Jack & Jeanne Schimmelmann 8/14

George & Joanne Stamp 8/19

Gene & Roselma Schein 8/26

Gary & Mona Humble 8/27

THE VICTOR’S CROWN

In ancient Greece, a laurel wreath symbolized victory and honor. When Jesus was forced to wear a crown of thorns on Good Friday, the intent was mockery. Yet through his Easter victory, Jesus proves that he’s not just a king but the King of

kings. And by defeating death, he offers us “the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:4, NIV).

As we await that heavenly prize, we can contemplate these words from evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson: “We are all making a crown for Jesus out of these daily lives of ours — either a crown of golden, divine love, studded with gems of sacrifice and adoration, or a thorny crown, filled with the cruel briars of unbelief, or selfishness and sin.”

One and only God declines to sit atop an organizational flowchart. He is the organization. He is not interested in being president of the board. He is the board. And life doesn’t work until everyone else sitting around the table in the boardroom of your heart is fired. He is God, and there are no other applicants for that position.

There are no partial gods, no honorary gods, no interim gods, no assistants to the regional gods. God is saying this not because he is insecure but because it’s the way of truth in this universe, which is his creation. Only one God owns and operates it. Only one God designed it, and only one God knows how it works. He is the only God who can help us, direct us, satisfy us, save us.

―Kyle Idleman, Gods at War

GOD AMID PANDEMIC Last spring, life changed as we became familiar with terms such as social distancing, flattening the curve and self-quarantining. We could hardly believe the closed schools, businesses and especially churches — just as Holy Week and Easter drew near! The coronavirus ran rampant in the world. Where was God?

But as the spread continued, many civic leaders stepped up, calmly informing us of the facts, of actions being taken to mitigate the crisis and of how we could help. Healthcare professionals risked their lives and endured separation from families; teachers drew on astounding stores of creativity to teach online; pastors delivered sermons and lessons to empty sanctuaries as members listened and prayed while living in lockdown. Surely God was present — through them!

Then I remembered how God assures us through Isaiah, “Fear not! When you pass through the waters, the fires, yes, even the pandemics of this world, I will be with you” (43:1-2, paraphrased). And Jesus echoes, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). —Sandy Hyland

Don’t forget to bring a

mask when attending service!

PATIENT ATTENTION, VALUABLE DISCOVERIES

For many people, the coronavirus pandemic has been a test of patience — or worse. Medically vulnerable people face an anxious time of hypervigilance. Furloughed workers wait on hold or in lines for assistance. Special events have been canceled or rescheduled. Those not impacted directly deal with assorted frustrations and inconveniences. Many people are learning the benefit of slowing down, being present (even virtually) to others and practicing patient attention. Interestingly, scientist Isaac Newton did some of his best work when the plague forced Cambridge University to close. At home, the inquisitive student invented calculus and developed groundbreaking theories of gravity and optics. Later Newton called 1666 his annus mirabilis (“year of wonders”) and reportedly said, “If I have made any valuable discoveries, it [owes] more to patient attention than to any other talent.” What have you discovered during the Covid-19 crisis? What appreciations have you developed for aspects of life you may have previously taken for granted? What has social distancing taught you about the value of neighbors, church, community volunteering? During the pandemic, what have you learned about persistence and God’s presence? What empathy do you now feel for writers of words such as “I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope” (Psalm 130:5, NIV)?

USHER DUTY It’s human nature to sometimes slip into judgmentalism

and arrogance: “I’d never do what she did!” we think or

say. Or “People who [fill in the blank] shouldn’t call

themselves Christians. They don’t belong in the

church.” Jesus clearly said, “Judge not, that you be

not judged” (Matthew 7:1, ESV) and, memorably,

made his point with the image of a speck in someone

else’s eye and a log in one’s own.

In Love Does (Thomas Nelson), Bob Goff reflects

further on what Jesus’ response would be when we put

ourselves in positions of authority over others:

“[Jesus] said people who followed him should think of

themselves more like ushers

rather than the bouncers,

and it would be God who

decides who gets in. We’re

the ones who simply show

people to their seats that

someone else paid for.”

PREPARATION

FOR

WORSHIP

Creator of all that is good, open our ears and heart to

your gospel of love and justice today. Amen.

Lord, I seek you and your strength. May I sense your

presence in worship today. (Based on Psalm 105:4.)

Thank you, Lord of life, for this beautiful summer day!

May all who worship here know the warmth of your

presence and the sunlight of your love.

Even summer keeps us busy, Lord. During this time of

worship, help me “be still, and know that [you are] God”

(Psalm 46:10).

At the end of summer, I am a mix of melancholy and

excitement. Holy Spirit, inspire my trust in you even as

seasons and schedules change.

THE RHYTHM

OF REST

Does God indeed

need to rest? Of

course not! But did

God choose to rest?

Yes. Why? Because

God subjected creation to a rhythm of rest and work

that he revealed by observing the rhythm himself, as a

precedent for everyone else. In this way, he showed us

a key to order in our private worlds.

—Gordon McDonald

LEARNING — AND LAUGHING —

ON THE FLY Faced with the

sudden move to

livestreamed

church services,

many pastors

and worship

leaders had to

learn new

technology

quickly during

the pandemic. As they were “winging it,” bloopers and

bobbles added levity to the tense time.

For instance, a fake tree fell on a drummer while a

worship song was being broadcast from Georgia. After

getting too close to a candle, a vicar in England had to

pause to extinguish flames from his sweater. And several

preachers appeared on screen with cartoon-like features

after inadvertently turning on social media filters.

“This wasn’t planned,” wrote the pastor about the falling

ficus, which didn’t cause injury but quickly went viral.

“But God used it to bring laughter to the hearts of

many. For that, we are thankful.”