Bethany Lutheran Church

Join us for worship at 8:00, 9 or 10:30am.  

The Gospel reading for this Sunday is:  Old Testament – Joshua 5: 9-12,  New Testament – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21,  Gospel – Luke 15: 1-3 and Luke 15: 11-32.

To view the bulletin information for this Sunday, please check the Bulletin page on or after Thursday afternoon.

March 14 2010

an interactive support group designed to help with the grieving process by using visual and thought provoking tools.  During these four sessions, you will be shown tools, ideas, and creative projects, which can help you as you go through the mourning process. You will also be offered an opportunity for learning and self- discovery to keep your loved one’s memory alive for your family and yourself.  See details below.

Donuts to Dollars Informational Meeting

Join us in the Great Hall at 9am or noon.  See details bel0w.

Mark your calendars for MOST!

Something new is happening in March — MOST…Midweek Opportunities to Study Together.

Continuing every Wednesday through March 31, 2010 in Room 208 is a Bible Study based upon this year’s Lenten theme: The Good Book-Hard Texts and Changing Times. These sessions with Ron Bruggeman as leader will be 60-75 minutes long and will begin 10 minutes after worship ends. Come for some of them or come for all of them. On Wednesday evenings after Lent, (April 14- May 19) there will be a spring Bible study on the book of Romans, and in the fall there will be a lively study of the book, Everything Must Change by Brian McLaren. This will be followed by a Bible study on the book of Luke. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the starting dates.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”  John 6:35  These are words to chew on and digest and hunger for, all the days of our lives.  But during Lent this year, we hope you will reflect on how Jesus is our Bread for the Journey.  Check out all the amazing ways you can experience Jesus as bread beginning Feb 17, with Ash Wednesday!

Lenten Retreat: February 25-27:  Join us at St. Malo’s Retreat Center as we study several texts: Christ in Culture, Richard Niebuhr, The Good Book, Peter Gomes and Have a Little Faith, Mitch Albom.  These will help us understand the lenses through which we read scripture and encounter the world.

Wednesday Midweek Worship: At noon we’ll have worship with a brief sermon.  Wednesday nights find us in the sanctuary, 6:30 – 7:15 pm, for Taize.  This time will be reflective and quiet with songs to center our minds on Jesus, ‘the bread of life.’

Labyrinth: Wednesdays in Lent offers you a chance to walk a labyrinth.  The Christian labyrinth became popular during the Middle Ages as a means to go on a ‘pilgrimage.’  Contemplative, intentional, steady steps take one to the center so to pause before the Lord.  This is holy ground!

h2o Devos: Each day, stop to reflect on Bread for the Journey with Pastor Ron’s daily devotionals.  Check them out at h2odevos.blogspot.com.  With the songs of Peter Mayer and creativity of Pr Ron, you won’t be disappointed.

What kind of bread are you? Father Dominic, in Bake and be Blessed,  says that each one of us are a ‘bread type.’  Look for recipe cards and a devotional booklet to help you determine if you are rye or banana nut!  Then go, and be bread for the world!

Confirmation students and mentors: will mutually benefit from conversations during the weeks of Lent.  Thanks to AAA adults for walking the walk and talking the talk with our youth.  If your conversation finishes early, head to the kitchen for some pretzel baking!

Stretch and Pray: Offered each Wednesday night after worship with Michelle Stone Kraus leading us in that vital connection of body and spirit!  It’s easy and fun.  Try it out!

Lenten Mentoring: The Lenten Mentor/Companion Orientation document is available for you to review and share with others: Welcome to Lenten Mentor

Children’s Lenten Resources:  Click on the link to check out the great recipes to try with your kids at home!

Join us of the first of a series of Donuts to Dollars informational meetings to discuss the upcoming process for 2010/11.

During this time of program and budget planning for 2010/11, the Church Council invites everyone to attend informational and Q&A meetings that have been named “Donuts to Dollars.” The first meeting will be held on March 14 at 9am and Noon in the Great Hall. This meeting will include an overview of the financial structure at Bethany, current status of the 2009/10 budget and the proposed direction for the 2010/11 budget. The second meeting, which will be held on April 11 at 8am and 10:30am in the Great Hall , will include an overview of the budget and program options under consideration for the 2010/11 program and fiscal year. The final meeting will be held on May 2 at 9am and 10:30am to discuss the final budget recommendation from the Council that will be presented to the congregation on May 16 at Noon (Great Hall). In addition, the Business Leaders Forum will be held on Friday, May 7 from 7:30-9:00 in the Great Hall, which is another great opportunity to discuss finance, program and other issues at Bethany.

Bethany hospitality, great food, and relaxing worship in the beautiful mountain setting of Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp are the perfect ingredients for this retreat. The weekend offers a variety of activity choices for group interaction

• children, youth and family programs
• music
• guided hikes
• bonfires
• sing-a-longs
• low ropes and high ropes courses
• games
• crafts
• quiet spots for personal rest and
• relaxation

Enjoy a wonderful weekend of recreation, fellowship and relaxation!

Registration Information:

• Adults $82
• Youth 12-17 $65
• Children 3 – 11 $45
• 2 and Under no Charge

Cost includes lodging and four meals. Bring your own sleeping bag, pillow and towels. A 50% deposit is required when you sign up.The balance is due on April 18 and your deposit is non-refundable after this date.

Family Retreat

Bethany, in partnership with the aid organization, Soles4Souls, is collecting new and gently used shoes for the earthquake victims in Haiti. Clean your closets, shop the sales racks, and help make a difference by bringing your new and gently used shoes to church on Easter Sunday, April 4. Tell your family, friends and co-workers. Ask your local shoe retailer to help by donating a pair. You can download a letter addressed to shoe retailers at the Bethany web site or pick up a copy at the Hospitality Desk. You can also download or pick up a list of FAQs about the project.

For more information about Soles4Souls read our Frequently Asked Questions or go to http://www.barefoot4haiti.com/.

Invite your favorite shoe outlet to participate by sending a personal letter:  Soles4Souls Donation Letter

…an interactive support group designed to help with the grieving process by using visual and thought provoking tools.  During these four sessions, you will be shown tools, ideas, and creative projects, which can help you as you go through the mourning process. You will also be offered an opportunity for learning and self- discovery to keep your loved one’s memory alive for your family and yourself.

Group Facilitator:  Stacie Schubert, MDiv Director of Community Care for Olinger Mortuaries; Bethany member

Dates: Sundays, March 7, 14, 21 & 28

Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Location: Office conference room, #224

Cost: None!

Registration: For more information, call Janice Lyon at 303-758-2820 X345 or email at janice@bethany-denver.org