1423 Eighth Avenue North, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250, 904-249-5418
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Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod 1423 Eighth Avenue North, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250, 904-249-5418 |
Last Updated 06/21/2009
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SERVICE HOURS
SATURDAY - WORSHIP SERVICES: - Saturday Evening Praise and Worship @ 5:30 p.m.
SUNDAY - WORSHIP SERVICES:
Liturgical Worship @ 8:30 a.m.
Sunday School and Bible Class for all ages @ 9:45 a.m.
Liturgical Worship @ 11:00 a.m.
Nursery is provided by background checked caregivers for infants
and children up to 3 years of age, from 8:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
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FELLOWSHIP CORNER & VOLUNTEER SERVICES “Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.” COMING EVENTS
Men's Shrimp Boil Monday, June 22 at 6:30. Come and enjoy. We look forward to seeing you for fellowship and of course lots of shrimp!
Adult Membership Class is scheduled for Saturday, June 27th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. given by Pastor Brones. Lunch is included. There is a signup sheet on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Current members are welcome to come and renew their studies in our basic faith.
July 13th to July 17th Click the Picture Below and Sign up!
Volunteers are needed to make this experience one families will remember. Everyone is welcome and anyone can help. We need teachers, crafters, kitchen helpers, etc. Signup sheets are also posted on the bulletin board.
Wednesday night dinners will begin again after Easter. We all owe a big thanks to Souper Shirley and Pat Robar along with her 2009 Sandwich all-stars, who will have a well deserved break until Advent. Keep an ear to the ground for the upcoming menus, and if you have a hankering to throw on the apron and see if your cusine reigns supreme contact Brenda Murray and offer your time and talents.
The Bethlehem Preschool will be offering Summer Camp this year at Bethlehem. Activities will include; VBS, field trips, sports, games, and much more! Cost is $145 per week plus field trip expenses. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Please call Kay Hawkins, Preschool Director, at 249-1204. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED H2O - Wednesday's 8:30 a.m. Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:20 “…guard what has been entrusted to your care.” Like the disciples before us, let’s take care of what has been given to us. Join the “H2O” crew “…we must do the work of him who sent me….” (John 9:4).
Greeters Needed Greeters are needed for the 11:00 a.m. service. Please contact Jean Shimp if you can help at 249-2040. Screen Operators Screen operators are needed at each service. This is something that everyone can do and still attend the service of your choice. Please call Kristine Murray at 546-0826, or email murraykr@homtail.com if you can help with this opportunity to serve God and your church congregation. Substitute Sunday School Teachers Substitute Sunday School teachers are needed to help out when there is an illness or vacation scheduled. Please call Kori Olsen if you can help at 221-1034. Fellowship Committee The Fellowship Committee needs some helping hands. A sign up sheet is on the bulletin board or contact Brenda Murray at 220-0447 for more information.
Make a Difference - Stephen Ministry Why Lay Ministries? Stephen Ministry is based on the fact that all Christians are ministers. The responsibility for passing on God's love is for all Christians, not just for Pastor's and a chosen few. God has given us all gifts for ministry and called us to put those gifts to use. Stephen Ministry is where people with special gifts for caring can use those gifts to bring Christ's love to people in need. John 15:12 "Love each other as I have loved you." Quilt Request Box - is in the Narthex. Request can be made for non-members, non-believers, or anyone who needs a prayer. See information on Narthex board. Quilters Meet on Tuesday @ 10:00 a.m.
Projection system -
Volunteers needed to assist
in running the system during worship services. Training will be
provided. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Bulletin Folders - If you would like to join in any Friday around 1:00 pm (we are flexible), getting Saturday and Sunday bulletins assembled, please call the office and have your name added to our list. This is an opportunity to serve, based on your schedule, and usually takes less than two hours. There is a new Fellowship Corner bulletin board located in Disciples Hall listing all upcoming fellowship events. In addition, there are sign-up sheets for adult and youth volleyball, basketball, softball and bowling.
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Bethlehem Receives the Lyons Share In one of Aesop’s fables, a lion and his friends join together to kill an animal for dinner. Once the animal had been readied for eating, the lion stepped in and proclaimed he was to get all of the meal due to his stature and strength and dared anyone to challenge him. This was where the phrase, “lion’s share” originated. The Bethlehem Endowment Fund has received a “Lyons share”. The late Fred Lyons, one of Bethlehem’s long-time members, designated Bethlehem’s Endowment Fund as a beneficiary of his residual estate. The amount Bethlehem is to receive equates to approximately $3.1 million. The fund has received $2.5 million to date, with the additional funds to be received once his estate has been finalized, typically 12-24 months from now. What does this mean to Bethlehem? Simply stated, NONE of the $3.1 million may be spent. The $3.1 million will be invested and will produce income which, as Fred stated in his trust, can be used “preferably for scholarships for members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church to attend the Missouri Synod Lutheran Seminary and/or to support representatives to the missionary field from Bethlehem Lutheran Church”. Fred’s intent was to equip individuals to spread and teach the good news of Jesus Christ, not to pay Bethlehem’s monthly expenses. Both the Executive Council and Finance committee takes Fred’s wishes very seriously and want to stress that member offerings are NOT being supplemented by these earnings. Bethlehem’s Finance Committee has met several times to discuss plans for investing these funds. The goals are to maximize income while protecting the $3.1 million principal. Matthew 25:15, The Parable of the Talents, comes to mind – never considering “burying the talent”, but investing wisely and earning three or possibly five talents. Please pray for God’s direction when investment decisions are made. Bethlehem is also organizing a committee that will help decide where these earnings are to be used. One of Bethlehem’s members, Elaine Lyons (Fred’s wife) has already agreed to serve on the committee. Elaine and the rest of the committee will be introduced during an upcoming January 2009 worship service. Although 2008 has been a rough year for Bethlehem and 2009 looks to be more of the same, we thank God for the blessings he has given us – particularly for Fred L. and his overwhelming generosity! Tracy Cripe, President
Thank you…. While many of us were reveling in Christmas festivities, “elves” were spreading Christmas cheer at Bethlehem. A generous donation was made enhancing the beautification of the Fellowship Hall. Four lightweight tables, six storage cabinets with granite countertops and a new trash receptacle were all possible due to the generous giving of an anonymous member. These items would not have been possible without such selfless giving and love. Thank you for your thoughtful, generosity!
Mission House Supper Bethlehem has a commitment to serve a meal to the homeless at the Mission House on Shetter Avenue the third Friday of each month. We need volunteers to assist in this very worthwhile cause. There is a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Last month we had to depend on nonmembers to fulfill our commitment as no one signed up from Bethlehem. It only requires approximately one hour of your time once a month. If you feel you can serve in this capacity, please take a moment to volunteer by signing up for one of the upcoming months.
Attention Parents ! Please remember that we have "Jesus Bags" available in the Narthex for your children to use during the service. They contain a children's bulletin, book and several other items. We love to see children in church and hope this ministry helps you! Please see an usher if you need help locating them and remember to return the bag and book at the end of the service!
Reaching Out
Do you have a heart for reaching the un-churched in the area around us? We need your help. We are putting together a team of people willing to visit families who have asked us to come to their homes. We are hoping to share Christ with our community through this program of Lutheran Hour Ministries. If you are willing to help, please call the church office for more information
contact.
 Websites
Music copyright © 2000 Rev. Richard Jordan, used by permission
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He is Risen !
Nativity Beautification! Nativity has several definitions one being “a representation, such as a painting, of Jesus just after birth”. Bethlehem has such a representation – life-sized - in our front lawn! Have you seen it? It’s beautiful! It didn’t look too great a few months ago. In fact, there was a suggestion to not put it out this year due to its poor condition. Enter Neil Robar. Eleven years ago, Neil Robar, a determined and skilled artisan and one of our own, set out to beautify Bethlehem’s Nativity so it could be displayed (with pride) for the community to enjoy. And he did just that. However, time and weather tends to age those things which we love. Thus the Nativity needed another facelift and again, Neil came to the rescue. Over 50 hours of cleaning, sanding, mixing of colors (to get the right hue) and the ultimate challenge of stroking the brush, Neil made the Nativity come alive yet again! To replace the statues would be costly, yet they look brand new. It’s unknown as to the age of our Nativity; however, with the care and talent of our very own Neil Robar, they will live on forever. Thank you, Neil, for your labor of love
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT PABLO TOWERS Pablo Tower is owned by the Beaches Christian Service Corps, a coalition of local churches, of offers affordable housing to older people. While it is an independent living facility, efforts are made to help residents "age in place" to the extent possible, postponing the need to move to an assisted living residence. Many of the residents have no family or caregivers to provide such services, so volunteers are needed to help in a variety of ways: Provide transportation Assist in completing applications for residents who apply for state and federal benefits such as Medicaid, Silver Saver, SSI. Assist residents with poor vision to read and complete various forms. Assist with placing phone calls. Assist with researching bills and insurance statements. Assist residents to apply for patient assistance programs and to reapply every three months. Research patient assistance programs for prescription drugs. If you have an extra hour or two each week or month and the desire to help an elderly person remain independent, please call Teresa Swanner. Service Coordinator at Pablo Towers at 904-249-3866.
Visitor Care Team Forming Are you comfortable interacting with others? Making someone feel welcome? Would you like to help those who visit Bethlehem find their way around our congregation and connect with our family? There are many options for you to pursue as a member of our Visitor Care Team working with Tom Trotta and Barbara Jacobs. You will find a place for your name on the sign up sheet in the narthex.
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Mens'
Shrimp Boil!
If you would like to receive private communion,
please contact the church office
to set up a time. 