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BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
36 NORTH GRANT STREET
WESTMONT, IL. 60559
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
THE PROCLAIMER
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAID
DOWNERS GROVE, IL
PERMIT NO. 316
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
36 NORTH GRANT STREET
WESTMONT, ILLINOIS 60559
TELEPHONE: (630) 968-3232 FAX: (630) 968-2030
WWW.BETHELWESTMONT.ORG
Time Sensitive Materials
Worship Schedule
Traditional Services
Saturday, 5:00pm
Sunday, 8:15am
Family Joy Service
Sunday, 11:00am
Summer Worship Schedule
Thursday, 7:00pm
Sunday, 9:30am
Communion Celebrated
1st, 3rd & 5th Saturdays & Sundays
Of Every Month
Sunday School & Adult Bible Class
Sundays, 9:45-10:45am
Rev. Paul J. Pfotenhauer
Office (630) 968-3232
FAX
(630) 968-2030
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
NOVEMBER, 2014
INVESTING IN GENEROUSITY
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and
steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, were moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not
break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt. 6: 21
Of all the investments we make in life there is only one that has eternal significance. That is the investment of our
time, our talents and resources in the work of God's Kingdom. This investment we know will last forever. While the
stock market and other investment avenues fluctuate up and down, of one thing we can be certain: The time and
financial resources that we put into God's work will always fulfill their purposes. We thank God for the many blessings
that He has put into our lives and we thank and praise God for all that has been invested in His work through your time
and offerings given in His name. God has greatly blessed the work of this church in leading Christians to grow in their
faith relationship with their Lord and with leading people into an eternal relationships with their Savior, Jesus Christ.
In this upcoming month, we will again be given the opportunity to re-commit our time and resources to the Lord.
What a special day it is when God's people join together to meet the challenges we face, and the challenges those
around us face, as we seek to push forward with the eternal message of Jesus’ love for the world. As always, our
motivation for giving back to God results from His giving to us. He has given EVERYTHING to us and most importantly,
eternal life in Jesus Christ. We are now blessed with the opportunity to respond to His love. As we do, we will be the
ones who will be blessed as we “Tell the story of Generous Living". A generous life gives even as we have received.
This generous life invites us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices.
Verse of the Month
I will give thanks to you, Lord,
with all my heart; I will tell of all
your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 9:1
Listed below are ten scriptural points regarding our attitude in giving to God, whether it be our resources or
ourselves. Please read through these, search the Scripture references and pray about them as you seek to continue to
share God's good gifts with others.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Put Jesus Christ first. Matt. 6:33
Give ourselves to God before we give any material gifts. 2 Cor. 8:5
Give God the first and best of what we possess. Exod. 22: 29, Deut. 17:1, Mal. 1:6
Give voluntarily. 2 Cor. 8:3, 9:5
Give proportionately. 1 Cor: 2, 2 Cor. 8: 12
Give generously. 2 Cor. 8: 21, 9: 11
Give sacrificially. Luke 21: 3-4
Give spontaneously. Matt. 6: 2-4, 25: 31-46
Give humbly. Matt. 6: 1-4
Give in love. 1 Cor. 13: 3
The greatest investments in life are those that are dedicated to Jesus Christ for they indeed have eternal
significance. Therefore, let us be people who are living out God's story in our day to day lives as we live a life of
generosity, the full life that we have been given and the full life we can share.....
On Thanksgiving Eve, and the weekend following Thanksgiving, each of us will have the opportunity to pledge our
commitment to live out the out a story of gratitude to God as we look ahead to 2015. As we live a life of gratitude, we
have God's promise that He will break into our day to day life so that He can work through people like you and me.
A Proclaimer,
Pastor Paul
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BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
November 2014
No School
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Worship*, 5pm
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Thanksgiving Day
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Staff Devotions, 8:30am
Preschool Parents, 9am
Thanksgiving Worship, 7pm
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
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Worship*, 8:15 & 11am
Kids Choir, 9am
Senior High Breakfast, 9:15am
SS, 9:30am
Bible Study, 9:45am
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Session 1 Little Ones
Learn Preschool, 9:30am
DIY Class, 6:30
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MOB, 8am
Worship, 5pm
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Feed My Starving
Children, 6pm
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Thursday Evening Bible
Study, 7:30pm
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Staff Devotions, 8:30am
Preschool Parents, 9am
Confirmation Class, 4pm
Wednesday Night Bible
Study, 6:30pm
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Thursday Evening Bible
Study, 7:30pm
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Staff Devotions, 8:30am
Preschool Parents, 9am
Confirmation Bowling, 4pm
Wednesday Night Bible
Study, 6:30pm
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Session 1 Little Ones
Learn Preschool, 9:30am
DIY Class, 6:30
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Session 1 Little Ones
Learn Preschool, 9:30am
DIY Class, 6:30
M&M Mtg., 7pm
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Sock Drive Ends
Breakfast & A Story, 9am
Worship*, 5pm
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Breakfast Set-up,
5pm
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Thrivent Financial Event
Worship, 5 pm
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BELC Book Fair,
10am
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Thursday Evening Bible
Study, 7:30pm
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$50 ASP Deposit Due
MOB, 8am
Worship*, 5pm
Saturday
Friday
November 2014
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Worship, 8:15 & 11am
Kids Choir, 9am
SS, 9:30am
Bible Study, 9:45am
12:15pm Congregational Meeting
all your cards and gifts and words of affirmation that you have shared with me and my family during Pastor
Appreciation month. It has and continues to be a joy for me to serve you the people of Bethel Lutheran Church. I
thank God for the blessing and privilege to be your Pastor and your friend. I love working together
with you as we seek to be People Proclaiming the Promise. Again, thank you for all your kindness and
generosity. Pastor Paul, Raechel, Micah, Kaleb and Eli.
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Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. I don't know what more I can say when it comes to expressing my gratitude for
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Blessing
Worship*, 8:15 & 11am
Kids Choir, 9am
SS, 9:30am
Bible Study, 9:45am
and Dec. 17th and reorient your heart toward Jesus. This year, we will focus on real meaning of Christmas
as we see again the great lengths our God went to make us His very own. Come and experience again the
story of our loving and gracious God. In the upcoming of Advent, please take the time to prepare for the real meaning
of Christmas – the coming of our Savior, who is the Child of Promise.
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Advent Services Begin Wed, Dec. 3rd at 7pm Please join us on Wed, Dec. 3th and Dec. 10th
Sunday
worship. Invite a friend to join you! There will be a sign-up in back of church for soups and chili, salad,
bread, and desserts this month, so please help out with bringing food for all to share.
Monday
Advent Soup and Chili Dinner Wed, Dec. 3rd at 6pm Enjoy a meal and time together before
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Thrivent Financial Event
Worship, 8:15 & 11am
Kids Choir, 9am
Fellowship, 9:30am
SS, 9:30am
Bible Study, 9:45am
thanks to God for all the gifts that He has given you. Be a part of Bethel’s Thanksgiving Investment
as you commit to living out God's story in your day to day life.
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Staff Devotions, 8:30am
Preschool Parents, 9am
Confirmation Class, 4pm
Wednesday Night Bible
Study, 6:30pm
Wed, Nov. 26th at 7pm Please join us for our Annual Thanksgiving Eve Service. Come and give
4 Election Day
Session I Little Ones
Learn Preschool, 9:30am
DIY Class, 6:30
Elder’s Meeting, 7pm
love with children in need throughout the world by filling a shoe box with things a child would love. Kindly
include a check for $7.00 per box to cover shipping and bring your boxes to church for a blessing, before we
send them to the kids.
Annual Congregational Meeting and State of the Church on Sun, Nov. 23rd at 12:15pm We will
gather together as a congregation to look to the future of our Church. We will look at WHAT is ahead
for us at Bethel, determine WHO will lead us and HOW we will make it happen.
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PADS, 5pm
Operation Christmas Child Blessing Sat, Nov. 15th and Sun, Nov. 16th Please join us in sharing God’s
2 Daylight Savings Time Ends
Commitment Forms for Children’s
Christmas Pageant Due
Worship*, 8:15 & 11am
Kids Choir, 9am
SS, 9:30am
Bible Study, 9:45am
LIVE THE PROMISE OF GOD
Thursday
--The Story of Generous Living .....
During the month of November, we will take a week by week look at how we have been blessed to be a
blessing to others. We learn and integrate a simple lesson: “It's not what you have, it's what you do with
what you have." Please join us as we discover how we are people living out God's story in our day to day
lives because we have experienced God’s miraculous work in our lives and then share what we have been
given with others.
Wednesday
SPECIAL SERMON SERIES
Tuesday
During the month of November, we focus our attention on the fact that, by God's grace, each of us has a
story to tell about the generous nature of our God. On Thanksgiving Eve, and the weekend of Nov. 29th and
Nov. 30th, we take the opportunity to show the world that Jesus breaks into our day to day life as we again
pledge of ourselves – our time, talents, and treasures for the upcoming year. Again this year, we ask the
Bethel family and friends to make pledges toward the regular "Operating fund" (Church expenses...lights,
insurance, payroll) and also toward our special “Living the Life Fund”, which is used to support our desire to be a
people "living out God's story”. This "Living the Life Fund" funds our the Early Learning Center, Bethel’s Ministry and
Mission Coordinator, Raechel Pfotenhauer, and other ministry needs. Working as the people of God, we can be people
who are Experiencing, Living and Sharing the Promises of our God.
*Communion
“The Story of Generous Living”
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"Bethel Early Learning Center News"
The Foundation for Christian Education
630-968-3232
PRESCHOOL UPDATE
October Wrap Up
Beautiful autumn has arrived and the preschool children are becoming much more comfortable
with the daily routines in their classrooms. We wish to extend a huge thank you to Joanne Gaudette
for volunteering in the three’s classroom two mornings each week. Having extra adult hands in the
room has given us more opportunity to assist our young learners individually as they develop new
skills.
Our units on God’s Creatures were a big success as the children enjoyed learning about farm
animals, pets and forest friends. We were pleased to welcome Karen Ritter of “Karen’s Nature Tales, Inc” and her
presentation of “Spiders”. While studying animals, the children had the opportunity to learn new concepts such as
large, medium and small, animal habits and characteristics, animal sounds, habitats, counting, and the autumn colors
red, yellow, orange, brown, black and white.
We also focused on the story of Noah’s ark; hearing the story and learning about animals in pairs (an
important math concept). Our table prayer for the month of October was: By His Hand all are fed. Thank
You for our daily bread. Amen.
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Rachel Oldham
Jonathan Gorecki
Zachary Michalak
Margaret Vernon
Cheryl Burrows
James Oldham
Michael Vasich
Cortland Johnson
Bob Wootton
Frederick Johnson
Pamela Vermeulen
Leslie Johnson
Payton Oldham
Daniel Frega
Kathleen Scheel
Sharon Schwieger
Rylee Sharkey
Irv Hibler
Cami Ward
Cassandra Niewold
Joseph Zahalka
Noah Garcia
Judy Reedy
Kirk Nix
Harvest Time
NOVEMBER
ANNIVERSARIES
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William & Mildred Sells
Michael & Julianne Confalonieri
Robert & Victoria Gorecki
William & Anela Krejci
Carolyn West & John Benitez
Barefoot Books Fundraiser
The Early Learning Center loves to promote literacy for children and families! Throughout November, Bethel friends
and families will have the opportunity to order amazing children’s books. On Friday, November 7 from 10 a.m. until
noon, a representative from Barefoot Books will be selling exceptional quality children’s books and
gifts in the west basement. Please come and shop for these beautiful gifts for your children or
grandchildren, as BELC will receive 20% of all sales. You may also order online or check out specific
book titles at www.barefootbooks.com (through November 21st. Orders are guaranteed to be
Christmas Family Advent Night
On Friday, December 5, Bethel will host a family night of fun and fellowship beginning at 5:30
p.m. Please Help Us Host This Event by helping us plan the meal and organize activities for the
evening. This is an opportunity for you to meet and show our preschool families a warm Bethel
reception. Past Advent Nights have included pizza dinners, stories, songs, craft-making, family devotions and visits
from Santa. We welcome your new ideas to make this an exceptionally fun and memorable night for all of our
preschool and young Bethel families. Please let Julianne know your availability as soon as possible (630-968-3232).
Judy Brockhoff gave a gift to the
Organ Fund in memory of her parents.
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What better theme for November than Inside God’s Garden at Harvest Time? The children will explore the gifts of
autumn, Thanksgiving and sharing with others as we focus on cultural diversity among people. All children will study
apples and pumpkins, collect autumn leaves and hear stories about early Native Americans, the people who gave us the gift of corn and the first Thanksgiving. They will also learn about nutrition, dental
care and healthy eating habits. Children in the 3’s class will study the classic book, The Little Red Hen
illustrated by Lucinda McQueen. The Enrichment Class will dive into cooking and become members
of the two-bite club (try it, you’ll like it). Pre-K students will have a special opportunity to live like
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
November 2014
Dear Bethel Family, The staff of Bethel Early Learning Center would like to extend to you our
heartfelt wishes of gratitude for your partnership with us throughout the year and a Happy
Thanksgiving Day. We pray that you and your family will experience all of our God's abundant
blessings at this special time of year!
November 2014
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
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Bethel’s Annual
As we enter November, plans at Bethel for this upcoming Advent and Christmas season are beginning to
take shape. We’d love for you to get a glimpse of what is going on, so that as you enter into conversations
and begin planning, you have a sense of what is happening at Bethel. We invite and challenge you to be
intentional in how you spend your time next month so that you and others in your life can experience
God’s Kingdom drawing near with the birth of our Savior, Jesus. At Bethel, we’d love to help you REORIENT
your hearts and minds to the presence and mercy and love of Jesus Christ.
Each year, Bethel gathers together just ONCE for a congregational meeting. Because of Bethel’s policy-based
governance, we only need one of these meetings a year; Bethel’s Ministry & Mission Council works
throughout the year on all that is happening here at Bethel (unless something BIG comes up and then we’ll
let you know). The M&M Council seeks God’s leading for Bethel, makes decisions, brainstorms on direction
for Bethel, and provides feedback on what is going on. If you have ideas or input for Bethel, talk to someone
on the M&M Council – John Berghorst, Bob Scheel, Lu Sworst, Sandy Smith, Sharie Schwieger, Tom
Harrington, Charla Englebretsen, Dan Graziano, and Wendy Wilson – and they will bring your ideas or input to
the whole council. As M&M Facilitator, Raechel Pfotenhauer puts YOUR ideas and input into action here at
Bethel.
The ONE and ONLY congregational meeting for this year will be held on Sun, Nov 23rd at 12:15pm and we
invite you to be a part of it, to have a voice in what is happening at Bethel, and to hear about where we
believe God is leading us as the body of Christ in this neighborhood.
We hold these annual meetings because it is our collective responsibility and privilege to decide HOW we are
going to be involved in God’s Kingdom work here in Westmont. As a congregation, you all have a voice in
WHO helps set the direction of our church and has regular input in the month to month happenings at
Bethel through the M&M Council. You also will have the opportunity to pass a budgets, which is HOW Bethel,
as the body of Christ in Westmont, makes things happen. WHY do we do all this? Well, we gather to
experience the presence and grace and love and fellowship of Christ, so we can go be People who are
Proclaiming the Promise of God in our homes and families and places of work and schools and
communities!
You are very important to the body of Christ here at Bethel! Each person matters, and it makes a difference
to have you know what is happening and the direction that we are going in together. The more we
understand what we are about and why, the more aligned we are as a congregation on how to work together
to nurture people in their faith walk with the Lord. We invite you to be a part of this congregational meeting,
to ask questions, and to give your input.
We invite you to have an attitude of grateful responsibility for what happens here at Bethel and be a part
of the annual congregational meeting on Sunday, November 23rd!
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BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
November 2014
ADVENT WORSHIP
COOKIE WALK
Set aside time during the full weeks of December
to reorient your heart and mind towards Jesus’
mission of grace and truth! Worship
together with the family of God at Bethel
on Wednesday nights in December at
On Sat, Dec 13th, after the Christmas Pageant, and
again on Sun, Dec 14th, throughout the morning,
stock up from a wide variety of creative, delicious,
and home-baked Christmas cookies! We appreciate
your support for Bethel’s Youth to attend the
National Youth Gathering in July 2016.
ADVENT SUPPER
rd
On Wed, Dec 3 at 6pm, come and enjoy a meal
and time together before worship. Invite a
friend to join you! There will be a sign-up in
back of church for soups and chili, salad, bread,
and desserts this month, so please help out with
bringing food for all to share as you are able.
CHRISTMAS FAMILY ADVENT NIGHT
Join families from Bethel’s Early Learning Center on
Fri, Dec 5th from 5:30-7:30pm for an Advent Family
Night where you’ll share a meal, experience an
Advent devotion, create simple crafts, and sing
carols. Please join us for this wonderful time
together and spend time with other families from
the Early Learning Center and Bethel!
FESTIVAL CHOIR and CHAMBER
ORCHESTRA
You are invited to be a part of Bethel’s Festival
Choir or Chamber Orchestra during December
to bless Christmas worship! Not only is the
music a BEAUTIFUL and INSPIRING, but it
actually is a lot of FUN too! Come sing or play
your instrument! You’ll be SO glad that you
were a part of it. All are welcome and no prior
experience is needed! Talk to Christian or Janet
to be a part of Bethel’s music this Christmas.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
On Sat, Dec 13th at 5pm, experience the
story of Christ’s birth from Bethel’s
children’s hearts. You’ll be SO blessed
by their faith and joy!
NEIGHBORHOOD CAROLING
In December, join with people from Bethel
and spend a couple of hours caroling to bless
both young and old alike with Christmas
carols and joy! You’ll giggle and sing and have
a whole lot of fun! No singing experience
required. Look for a date in the next few
weeks and be a part of a caroling group!
November 2014
CHRISTMAS EVE
Wed, Dec 24th at 7pm ~ Candlelight Worship
CHRISTMAS DAY
Thurs, Dec 25th at 10 am ~ Worship with Readings,
Carols, and Holy Communion
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
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Calling all Singers and Musicians
Let’s prepare music for Christmas!
Christian David, Bethel’s Minister of Music, and Janet Perryman, Bethel’s Festival Choir Director, warmly
invite singers and musicians (junior high and up) to be a part of Bethel’s Festival Choir and Chamber
Orchestra so that together we can bless our Christmas worship with beautiful music. Chamber Orchestra will
be able to pick up their music beginning Sun, Nov 16th, so that you will be able to practice before our first
rehearsal. Here is the schedule of rehearsals...
Thanksgiving Worship Service
Wednesday, November 26th
Wed, Dec. 3rd and 10th—8pm—Festival Choir Only
Sun, Dec. 7th—12:15pm—Chamber Orchestra Only
Sun, Dec. 14th —12:30pm—Festival Choir Only
Wed, Dec. 17th—8pm—Combined Festival Choir and Chamber Orchestra
Sun, Dec. 21st—11:00—Combined Festival Choir and Chamber Orchestra
Worship with us and give thanks to
God for all your blessings!
Invite a friend and share the joy of
giving thanks to God with someone
Christian and Janet look forward to working together with you!
KINGDOM
QUEST
KIDS
FEED MY STARVING
CHILDREN
Pack food. Have fun.
Make a difference.
Here’s a bit about Feed My Starving Children…
It’s a lot of FUN, you get to work and hang out
with other PEOPLE, and you’ll feel like you are
part of something BIGGER THAN YOURSELF. So,
come pack with us at Feed My Starving
Children (555 Exchange Ct, Aurora) on Friday,
Nov 21st from 6-7:30pm! Afterwards, have
dinner with other packers from Bethel at a
nearby Portillo’s (59 and Liberty). Sign up at the
back of church to reserve one of Bethel’s 40
spots for that night. Invite a friend to come with
you so they can experience what it is like to work
together in God’s
Kingdom with other
people!
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The
Heat
Is
On
Boiler Fund Campaign
Bethel’s kids are setting aside
November as BRING A BOX
OF CEREAL and a
TOOTHBRUSH month to help
local food pantries and PADS.
You all are welcome to join
them in this way
to serve God’s
people all
around us.
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
November 2014
What a blessing to have a
warm building to gather in for
worship, learning and service!
We’re making progress—let’s
finish strong on paying off the
boiler before the New Year!
November 2014
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
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BRE
AK
FAST
&
A
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Breakfast 9:00am—10:00am
Story 10:00am—11:00am
Anthony Acevedo, a former Latin King gang member, shares his life story
of how God has worked powerfully, wonderfully and miraculously in his life.
This event is for all ages, including children! Anthony’s story will
inspire you – if God redeemed his life and transformed him into an entirely
new man, then imagine what God could do in your life too!
Invite someone to join you for a great breakfast & a fascinating story.
Grab a flyer from the back of church to invite someone.
Sign up at the back of the sanctuary or register online at
www.bethelwestmont.org so we can prepare a great breakfast for you!
It’s all about
helping people stay warm...
SOCK DRIVE
Junior High Youth
Senior High Youth
Junior Bible Study
Sundays
9:30– 10:45am
The Lounge
Senior Bible Study
In the Youth Room
Sundays 9:30-10:45am
Confirmation
Wednesday 4-5:30pm
No Confirmation on
Wed, Nov. 26th
Bowling at Suburbanite Bowl
Wed, Nov. 12th
4-5:30pm
$10 per person
Drop off at Bethel and Pick-up at
Suburbanite Bowl
Youth ASP Registration 2015
$50 Deposit due by
Sat, Nov. 1st
Help at PADS
Mon, Nov. 3rd
5-6:15pm
First Congregational Church
Downers Grove
Sr. High Breakfast
Sun, Nov. 30th
9:15-10:45am
Meet at Bethel
November 1st—November 15th
Bethel’s Drive for NEW SOCKS will help keep some folks in
need just a bit warmer this winter. Help deliver SOCKS to
People’s Resource Center in Westmont, CareNet, and Pillars!
You’ll be so glad that you did.
BLESS THE TOOTSIES!
Talk to Raechel Pfotenhauer to be a deliver
socks the week after Thanksgiving to PRC,
Pillars, and CareNet.
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BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
November 2014
YOUTH ASP MISSION TRIP
A youth team from Bethel will head to Kentucky next June 14-20, 2015 to serve God’s
people in Appalachia by making their homes warmer, safer, and drier… all in the name of
Jesus!
A
$50
non-refundable
deposit
is
due
no
later
than
Sat, Nov 1st. To all youth in 8th -12th…we’d love to have you be a part of this team and feel free to invite a
friend too! Adults with construction experience… we NEED you to go with our youth team. Please talk to
Raechel Pfotenhauer if you are interested.
November 2014
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
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