January 2015
2015: Year of Relationship
As we continue our yearly embrace of the marks of discipleship, we will focus in 2015 on the
importance and value of building and maintaining authentic spiritual relationships. Our goal for
2015 will be to connect each and every one of you with others who will partner with you in this
journey of the faith. We are looking to build upon our current small group ministry, offer various
opportunities for fellowship and play, and growing deeper relationships with others, both inside
and outside of our congregation.
You are invited to the home of Pastor Dave and Heidi (202 Fairway Circle, Cross Junction, VA
22625) to brainstorm/vision how we can make the 2015 Year of Relationships thrive at Bethel.
If you have the gift of hospitality, creativity, or just simply like to have a party, then this is the
planning group for you!
We will meet on Sunday, January 4 at 5:30pm. We’ll offer soup/sandwiches/drinks. Children
are welcome. Please RSVP to Pastor Dave ([email protected]) by January 3
if you plan to attend. Hope to see you then!
Pastor’s Page
“Fresh Beginnings”
"Soup-er Bowl" Sale!
Sunday, January 11 and 25
I love the New Year! It is such a great time to
imagine what is to come, the blessings, the surprises, and the events that will shape our lives
and impact our discipleship. I always enter the
New Year rejuvenated by our Christmas celebration and looking forward to what ministry will
be developed and discerned by our congregation.
Taste 4 yummy Soup Samples and pre-order the
ones you want after worship services! Sunday,
February 1, Souper Bowl Sunday - pick up soup
our youth will have prepared for you! Proceeds
support "Rise Up" ELCA Youth Gathering Youth
- THANK YOU!
I am excited about the 2015 Year of Relationships. God said, “It is not good that ‘man’
should be alone,” (Genesis 2:18). The word
interpreted here as “man” is “a’dam”, which can
be a designation for “humankind”. So, it can
be understood as “It is not good that
“humankind” should be alone.”
In this, then, we are reminded that we were
created for community, for each other! To be
fully “human” we need community, others to
help us fully experience God’s purposes for
breathing life into us in the first place.
Valentine's Day
Parents Night Out & Child Care!
So, let us embrace this time together to get to
know someone we don’t know, or perhaps open
ourselves to know others better. Let us invite
new people to Bethel and embrace the mark of
discipleship that seeks to invite others into our
lives – to empower us, challenge us, comfort
us, and share life with us on this crazy journey
with Jesus!
Our youth will eat with and love your kids while
you enjoy a Valentine's night out! We will serve
chicken nuggets, green beans and mac and
cheese. Financial donations support our
Youth. Please sign up at the
Cross Roads by Sunday,
February 8.
February 14, from 5-9pm
At Bethel
And what better way to begin this journey of
new relationships than by remembering the
relationship God has made with all of us in our
baptism! On Sunday, January 11 (Baptism of
our Lord Sunday), we will affirm our shared
identity in baptism. From this washing of the
Spirit, we are set apart for mission and for relationship. Each and every one of us, through
our baptism, has a part to play here at Bethel!
The deadline for articles for the
February issue of the Bethel Banner
is 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 15.
I am continually heartened by the work of God
in, and through, the people of Bethel! You
Rock !!!
Happy New Year!
Pastor Dave
Please send articles to
[email protected]
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Council Highlights
The December meeting of Council was held on
December 10.
Treasurer’s Report
Giving for November was very close to the
amount expected in the MSP. Expenses were
about $3,000 less than expected. Total income
exceeded expenses by about $5,000. Income
for the year, to date, is about $10,000 less than
expected. With strong giving in December,
Bethel can still have income in excess of expenses for 2014.
Pastor’s Report
Volunteers have stepped forward to fill all of the
2015 Ministry Board Chairs. Cliff Crowder has
started in his role as facilities manager. A new
Bethel web site is under construction and
should be in use by Jan.
Youth & Family Ministry Report
Plans are progressing for a post conformation
leadership group. The trip to the National
Youth Gathering and a possible International
Mission Experience continue to be points of
focus.
Board Reports
Donna Turrill Reported that Amy Jaster is taking over as chair of the learning board.
Venturing Crew Charter
David Griffin reported on a proposal to have
Bethel sponsor a “Venturing Crew.” Venturing
Crews are an outdoor-based educational program for young people ages 14-20 that is associated with the Boy Scouts of America. A
motion to sponsor Venturing Crew 1313 as suggested was proposed and adopted.
Update on Phone Service
Council had previously voted to subscribe to
high-speed fiber-optic Internet. In order to defray the higher monthly cost of the fiber-optic
connection, council agreed to switch phone service to Voice Over IP (VoIP.) The initial proposal omitted the need to purchase additional
network hardware to support VoIP. Even with
the additional expenses it still makes sense to
switch phone service to VoIP to defray costs of
Fiber based Internet access.
Date Change for Congregational Meeting
(move to 2/8/2015)
According to the Congregation by-laws, the date
for the 2015 Winter Congregational meeting
should be February 1. Given that Pastor Dave will
be returning from two weeks of mission in Tanzania on January 31, a motion was adopted to move
the date of the meeting to February 8.
Recent Interpretation of Va. Marriage Laws
After discussion spanning in both the November
and December meetings, Council unanimously
adopted to express Council support for Pastor
Dave in using his discretion to perform Marriages,
in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth, as part of his call to minister to all members of the Congregation.
Closing Prayer
Mike Stanfield closed the meeting in Prayer.
Submitted by,
Bruce Lothrop, Secretary
Directory Changes:
Sterling Grooms email: [email protected]
Please email corrections to your
directory information to the church office at
office@bethelwinchester or fill out a pew card
and place in the offering plate.
Holiday Office Hours
The office will be closed December 24 - January
4 and will re-open on Monday, January 5. Pastor Dave will be available and can be reached by
calling the church office (66203245) or his cell.
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Women’s Ministries
Youth Ministries
Girls’ Morning Out
Youth "Soup-er Bowl" Sale!
Here's the link for student and
parent volunteers to sign up!
http://tinyurl.com/lxpb3qg
Saturday, January 17, 9:30 a.m.
Come join us for a morning out at Perkins!
RSVP to Susan Asmussen if you plan to attend ( [email protected] or
703-615-7289 )
January 4 - Parents and Youth
fundraising gathering in the
Underground at 9:45am. Please
sign up to be on a "soup team", help with soup
tasting and pre-orders, make soup signage and
help distribute.
Perkins is located at 711 Millwood Avenue,
Winchester (540-678-4015)
January 11 and 25 - We will have samples of 4
different soups available after each worship service to have people of Bethel taste and preorder the ones they want!
Women’s Bible Study and
Potluck Brunch
Saturday, February 7, 2015, 10:00 a.m.
Come hear Ellen Hinlickey present "Good
Girls Rarely Make History"! Sounds like fun in
the middle of a cold winter. Mark your calendars!
February 1, Souper Bowl Sunday - We will pass
out soup orders and collect payments in the
church kitchen.
Women’s Retreat
"Winter Celebration"
April 10-12
January 16-18
Our own Michelle Young will be leading this
retreat. The theme of the retreat is SOUL
KEEPING! John Ortberg has written a book
entitled just that - Soul Keeping: Caring for
the Most Important Part of You. If you heard
Michelle speak in November, you know how
talented she is and a great retreat is guaranteed! Mark your calendars. We will gather
again at the Priestfield Center, Inwood, West
Virginia. April in West Virginia - sound good?
It's STILL not to late to join our High School group
heading to Eagle Eyrie for a weekend with a few
hundred teens connecting, worshiping Jesus, and
enjoying life together! Head to vasynod.org and
click "Youth Ministries" to register!
We Got Confirmed-Now What?
We are beginning a time of "hearing, telling and
living the story" for sophomores, juniors and
seniors in January. If you are an adult who would
like to spend some time with a small group 15-18
year old youth in an encounter of high school life,
scripture and our world together please connect
with Bryan Jaster ([email protected]).
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Youth Ministries Continued. . .
Men’s Ministries
Underground Youth
Growing and Changing!
Men’s Breakfast
Starting in January we'll have regular Underground gatherings for high school and middle
school youth separately. It's one more step on
the way of Jesus we make together to better
make disciples of one another. Our first middle
school gathering is Sunday January 25 and high
school gathering is Sunday January 11 at
6pm. Come, see and grow in Christ and with
each other.
New Location!!! Breakfast at the Back
High School (9-12 grades)
Sunday, January 11, 6-8pm—friendship, the
hard questions, worship, and loving like Jesus
together.
Middle School (6-8 grades)
Sunday, January 25, 6-8pm - crazy games,
relationships and loving like Jesus together.
High School Overnight Lock-in - 6pm Friday
February 27 - 8am Saturday February 28 at
Bethel! Save the date!
Saturday, January 3, 9:00 a.m.
Seat Bar and Grill located at 104 Full House
Drive, Winchester, VA 22603.
Join us for our monthly men's breakfast, held
on the first Saturday of each month. Remember, bring friends! RSVP to Pastor Dave at
[email protected].
Music Ministry
Children’s Choir News
Beginning in January, our Children’s Choir will
be incorporated into our 9:45 am Sunday School
time so that more of our children will be able to
participate in singing. This is for children ages
K-5th Grade.
Praise Kids and Joy Singers & Ringers will no
longer meet on Friday afternoons.
Save the Date!!!!!
Vacation Bible School
June 14-18, 2015
Pick up your CD today!
$10.00
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Learning Opportunities
“Faith5: Families on a Mission” is born
“Imagine a home where every person feels loved, valued, and heard. Imagine a family that
seeks God's wisdom, will, and Word together. Imagine an intimate, affectionate community
where every night is an experience of caring, sharing, comfort, and peace.”
These are words from Dr. Rich Melheim’s book, “Holding Your Family Together”. Seven families
here at Bethel, the Brooks, Brondos/Dehavens, Jasters, Beyers, Asmussens, Milams, and Youngs,
took the bold step from imagining the above reality to putting it into action. We got things started
practicing 5 “enrichuals” that hold communities and families together in a world that tears us apart.
These 7 families met 4 times at different people’s homes for food, sharing, mutual support, learning,
and FUN! We learned the 5 simple steps (Faith5) to do each night before bedtime. We learned
about the Faith5 which are: Share. Read. Talk. Pray. Bless
1. Sharing your highs and lows.
2. Reading the Bible – reading 1 verse from the Bible as a family.
3. Talk about how our highs and lows relate to the Bible verse.
4. Praying for one another and our highs and lows.
5. Blessing one another.
And then we went home and attempted to do it every night, or as often as we could, for 5 – 15
minutes right before bedtime. And we discovered some of it was easy, some of it was hard, and
some of it was somewhere in between. But we all discovered that there was tremendous blessing
in making the attempt to do it and do it regularly and faithfully.
(Continued on next page. . .)
(Faith5 continued from page 6. . .)
Hear some of the feedback from a few who
participated:
“This is really good for our family every night!
What a gift to us and to Bethel! We really
want to keep going and can see a vision of
tons of people gathering in the discipleship
hall growing together.” Milams
Hi's: All about the time at the Brooks Lows:
not enough dessert tonight World’s fastest
Lord’s Prayer competition. Then a VERY
SERIOUS blessing: "the Lord bless you
and your stinky toots too" Jasters
“Sharing hi’s and low’s. You get a glimpse of
someone else’s day and a way to pray for
them when they are down.” – Maddie
Brooks
“Michael & I both grew up in religious families, but it was mainly just going to church on
Sundays. This means so much to us to find
ways to make faith more of a part of our daily
home life.” - Asmussens
“This isn’t only for families with kids but for
couples who want to care for each other.” –
Brian Brooks
“We see so little of each other. Now the time
we do get together is more meaningful.” –
someone with great insight whose name
we don’t have recorded
“Getting blessed by one year olds and blessing one year olds is wondrous!” Bryan Jaster
“Hearing my children pray for me has been a
powerful, and often times humorous, experience!” – Heidi David-Young
Adult Forum - January
“Animate: Bible” Series
Encounter scripture in new ways with Animate:
Bible. In each session, we will watch a video featuring a leading voice from the Christian faith,
spend time on personal reflection with our
tablemates, and share ideas and thoughts on the
topic within the larger group. The curriculum is
intended to help adults to have an engaging, positive relationship with the sacred texts of the Bible.
January 4 Testaments: One Story, Two Parts
(Rachel Held Evans)
January 11 Gospels: Unexpected Good News
(Nadia Bolz Weber)
January 18 Genre: Rhythm of the Text”
(Jose Morales)
January 25 Interpretation: Scripture Reads Us
(Will Willimon)
February 1 Grace: Love is the Bottom Line
(Jay Bakker)
Theology on Tap
Piccadilly Pub Downtown
Monday, January 5
6:00 Dinner (optional)/7:00 Program
Join us for our first Theology on Tap in 2015 on
Monday, January 5 at Piccadilly Pub downtown.
Our topic will be “Let’s Talk Epiphany, the New
Year, and What Strange, Crazy Journey is Calling
Your Heart?” Some gather for dinner around
6:00pm, while others join us at 7:00pm for discussion. Come, bring friends, and share in a meaningful discussion of faith and life.
And this was just the beginning. We want
everyone at Bethel and beyond to learn about
this process, and practice it as you are able.
Be looking for opportunities in and around
Lent to do just that! And in the meantime,
ask one of the families who just participated
to tell you their Faith5 story. You’ll be glad
you did!
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Global Missions
Intercessory Prayer
Thanks to all who participated in Bethel’s Global Christmas. While we don’t have final totals
at the time of this writing, it looks like we will
have another very strong year. The generosity
of the people of Bethel continues to be felt by
our mission partners in India, the Philippines,
and Tanzania. Because of you all, more children in poor communities will have enough to
eat, new clothes, and the school supplies that
they need. In this time
when we celebrate the
birth of our savior it is
important to remember
that he called us to do
kindness to those that
seem to be the least
important, just as if we
were doing so for him.
So, once again, thank
you all.
During the quiet times after Christmas, we invite
you to stop by the prayer room for thanksgivings
and blessings. Please feel free to update prayers that are in the prayer box.
God Bless!
Altar Flowers 2015
If you would like to purchase flowers for the altar
in 2015, please sign up on the chart located on
the closet door outside the church office door.
Arrangements are $37.00 each and can be taken home to enjoy after the second service.
It looks like January 11, 18, and 25 are available as well as many other dates throughout the
year. When you sign up, please indicate what
occasion you are celebrating or remembering.
Thank you!
You Can Still Find
Financial Peace........in 2015
Are you still wondering if Financial Peace University classes are for you...or other members of your family? Here are a few things you
might try: Talk with some FPU Alums to get
their view, go to www.daveramsey.com and
review the course description or contact Helen/
Rex Ritchie. If still in doubt, Y'all come join us
for the first class on Sunday afternoon, January
11th at 2:30 PM. Dave Ramsey authorizes one
free class for those who want to see how he
goes about teaching the steps toward Financial
Peace. This course has great value for everyone from teenagers to senior citizens. Why
don't you give yourself and your family a
Christmas gift that keeps giving back? We
think you'll be very glad you did and, don't forget, you'll have a lifetime FPU membership!
I would like to acknowledge those who have
helped me in some special cleanings around
Bethel. Mark Hoyle gave many hours in waxing
our floors all over the church. Helen Ritchie
and Kathryn Carpenter were a tremendous gift
in organizing and cleaning up the kitchen area.
I so appreciate all those who contribute behind
the scenes to help me keep Bethel beautiful!
Love, Patty White
P.S. Makeup classes will be scheduled for
those who need to miss a regularly scheduled
class.
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W.A.T.T.S.
Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter
February 16-23, 2014
Luke 3: 10-11 - And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever
has food is to do likewise.”
As we begin our WATTS Season in February please know that Marion and I are filled
with gratitude, first for God’s grace and secondly for the outpouring of your time and
resources. We do so by opening our church from 7 pm to 7 am for 1 week.
We will be around before and after worship in January and February with our sign-up
sheets for supplies and help.
Since we have gone digital, you may sign up to help from the comfort of your home,
classroom, cubicle, treehouse…you get the idea. Go to:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C054BADA82AA0FF2-watts2/6852932
Or, as always, you can shoot me an email to volunteer or ask a question.
Shalom, Judy McKiernan
Bethel Folks Ring
Salvation Army Bells
On Saturday, December 13, a number of Bethel
members gave an hour of their time to ring bells
for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign.
Between 8 AM and 6 PM their efforts resulted in
collecting $819.25 to help support the Army's
Shelter and Social Service Programs.
Many thanks to Lori Milam, Barb Simmons, Jack
McAllister (Sophia and Tess McAllister), Stephanie Mahan, Bruce Lothrup (Hannah and Conner), Terri and Bob Hollingsworth, Susan Adams
(Cindy Auten), Dave Shoberg (Ian), and Judy
McKiernan (Adam) for “braving the cold weather” to help others. A special thanks to the (family
members) that helped Mom, Dad and Gramps
do the job right.
Let it snow, let it snow,
let it snow
When weather conditions warrant a change or
cancellation of worship services and/or Sunday
school, all necessary information will be available by 7:30 a.m., in three (3) different ways:
1) broadcast on WINC FM—92.5 and at
www.winc.fm on the “Closing” Tab
2) Bethel’s phone message, 662-3245
3) Bethel’s website
(www.bethelwinchester.com)
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January Birthdays
03 - Yeakley Pullen
04 - Clarence Hohner
Taylor Brooks
Carol Cain
Rodney Forrest
Kim Williams
05 - Conner Turrill
07 - Jesse Riggleman
Steven Rosen
08 - Julie Shanabrook
Ian Shoberg
09 - Allen Pierce
Donna Shields
Donna Nerangis
10 - Bob Hollingsworth
11 - Stephanie Mahan
12 - Carolyn McTague
13 - Cory Carlson
Jennifer LaFollette
Marion Schottelkorb
14 - Helen Ritchie
Stephen Ramsey
17 - Michelle Young
Beth Driver
18 - Charlie Moyer
Curt Grymala
20 - Chris Temple
22 - Morgan Stephens
23 - Ben Hulver
24 - Savannah McKee
Jan Lower
25 - Susan Adams
Ainsley Justice
Karen Nguyen
26 - Karen Justice
27 - Isaiah Britton
Jim Shipp
Ed Lee
28 - Tonya Harp
Ruth Jones
29 - Bobby Hawkins
30 - Kristi Riggleman
Katie Brunson
Leah Young
Jenny Stephens
31 - Gene Borror
Adrian Pullen
January Anniversaries
04 - Ciro and Tracey Grassi
06 - Ron and Cherie Lauck
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for the $411 contribution to WATTS
during the Night in a Box event at Shenandoah University.
Lots of people had fun living in a box but the chill of the
evening brought home an understanding of what the
homeless will suffer without a safe place to stay this winter. It’s encouraging to learn that the success of WATTS
has inspired the willingness of many folks to help.
Bethel Lutheran and its congregation has been a significant contributor to the success of WATTS. Your members serve as key leaders in many of the committees and
your shelter has raised the bar for the other churches to
reach. Thanks for your financial, spiritual, and leadership
help. It would not be the same without you.
Thanks again, may God Bless You for your kindness.
Sincerely, John T. Conrad
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Facts & Figures
Designated Ministries Offering Thru November 30
Thank You, Thank You, Thank
You!
For the World
World Hunger Appeal
$5,122
Global Missions
$28,897
Harvest Sunday
$2,459
...for your generosity, support, and
partnership in ministries
here at Bethel, to our community,
and to God’s world.
“You will be enriched in every way for
your great generosity, which will produce
thanksgiving to God through us.”
(2 Corinthians 9:11)
Average Worship
Attendance
November
273
For the Community
CCAP
$3,193
Jones Music Fund
$6,886
Good Samaritan
$1,310
For the Bethel Community
Student Missions
$918
Jubilee/Mortgage Principal
$63,316
Special Offerings
Bethel Park $8,201
Principal Balance on Mortgage
as of December 27, 2013
Principal Balance on Mortgage as of
November 20, 2014
Decrease in Mortgage Principal
2014
$569,018.90
$473,273.35
$95,745.55
Ministry Spending Plan (MSP) Update:
November 2014
YTD as of November 2014
MSP
Offerings
% of MSP
Needed to meet MSP
Actual
$43,134
$41,446
96%
$474,474
$430,263
91%
Total 2014 MSP
$517,607
For more detailed information, please visit www.bethelwinchester.com and click on the “Ministries” tab.
The most current financial update will be located under the “Publications” headline.
Bethel Lutheran Church
2077 North Frederick Pike, Winchester, VA 22603, 540-662-3245
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Closed on Friday)
Website: www.bethelwinchester.com
E-mail: [email protected]
PASTOR
The Rev. Dr. David N. Young ([email protected]) Ext. 105
PASTOR EMERITUS
The Rev. Dr. Conrad Christianson
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH AND FAMILY FAITH FORMATION
Bryan Jaster, ([email protected]) Ext. 104
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES
George W. Donovan, Jr. ([email protected]) Ext. 102
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES
Darline DeMott ([email protected])
DIRECTOR OF OFFICE MINISTRIES
Terri Hollingsworth ([email protected]) Ext. 100
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Kim Williams ([email protected]) Ext. 103
DIRECTOR OF FACILITY MANAGAEMENT
Cliff Crowder ([email protected]) Ext. 106
DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Pat Shields ([email protected])
DIRECTOR OF CUSTODIAL SERVICES
Patty White ([email protected])
NURSERY ATTENDENT
Gretchen Meade
Council Members for 2015
Tom Beyer
Bruce Lothrop
Traci Shoberg
Cory Carlson
Karla King
Tom Milburn
Greg Brondos
Julie Shanabrook
Adrian Pullen
2015 Bethel Board Chairs
Worship Board – Pastor Dave
Prayer and Care Board – Irene Cockerham
Learning Board – Amy Jaster
Servant Board – Dean Cole
Congregational Life – Jennifer LaFollette
Ministry Support – Shawn Garner