1. family and parenting
2. children

Bethel Lutheran Church
36 North Grant Street
Westmont, IL 60559
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAID
DOWNERS GROVE, IL
PERMIT NO. 316
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
The Proclaimer
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, 9:30-10:45am
Rev. Paul J. Pfotenhauer
Office
(630) 968-3232
Fax
(630) 968-2030
Email: [email protected]
www.bethelwestmont.org
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
March 2015
The Storms of Life
And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a
covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant
between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will
remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become
a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting
covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”
The Lenten season has historically been a time of solemn reflection on the human condition. Ash Wednesday
reminded us that human life is fragile — for dust we are, and to dust we shall return. But we learn quickly
that the human condition is marked not merely by fragility, but by depravity. In fact, by the time of Noah,
human corruption and violence had become so pervasive that God was said to be grieved to his heart and
filled with regret. That the all-powerful God could be portrayed as regretting the creation of man powerfully
conveys the sinfulness of sin.
Verse of the
Month
Speak, Lord,
for your servant is listening.
1Samuel 3:9
Yet what pierces is that the Bible is not speaking about the human heart abstractly. No, it is speaking
specifically about my heart, the sinfulness of my sin and, indeed, the divine regret as to how I have lived.
Yet, in the midst of the gloom and in the aftermath of the storm of God’s judgment, we see hope shine
through. Noah looks up and sees against the gray clouds the dazzling glory of the rainbow emerging where
sun and storm meet. And there in the clouds he sees the rainbow of God’s wrath laid aside in the promise of
peace.
And that great promise is that no matter how dark our sin might grow, God will not turn his face against us
again. Instead, God would sooner point the bow of his wrath upward, towards heaven, at his own Son, than
unleash his wrath upon us again. And on the cross, where the sun of God’s love and the storm of God’s wrath
would meet again, Jesus would die in darkness so that the brilliance of the glory of God’s saving plan would
shine forth into our hearts. All this without a hint of divine regret as He seeks to reveal the light of His
salvation in our lives as we face the storms of life.
And so this year, we look at God's desire to do life with us, and turn our attention to The
Story, God's story. Please join us this Lenten season as we discover God's plan to make us
His own through His Son Jesus. You won't believe the lengths our God will go to make us His
own.
A Proclaimer,
Pastor Paul
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
March 2015
March 2015
Spring Break Begins
30
29 Palm Sunday
*Worship, 8:15a & 11a
Sunday School, 9:30a
Bible Class, 9:45a
Passover Dinner, 5p
31
28
*Worship, 5p
26
27
Bible Study, 7:30p
23
24
Session II Little
Ones Learn
Preschool, 9a
25 Pick up Butter Braids
Confirmation, 4p
Lenten Dinner, 6p
Worship, 7p
Choir Practice, 8p
21
MOB, 8a
Worship, 5p
19
20 Spring Begins
Bible Study, 7:30p BELC Amazing Magic
Show and
Open House, 9:30a
18
Confirmation for
8th grade only, 4p
Lenten Dinner, 6p
Worship, 7p
Choir Practice, 8p
14 *Worship, 5p
9
8Daylight Savings Time
Worship, 8:15a & 11a
Sunday School, 9:15a
Youth Breakfast, 9:30a
22
Worship, 8:15a & 11a
Sunday School, 9:30a
Bible Class, 9:45a
Choir Practice, 12:30p
Orchestra Practice, 12:30p
3
Easter Sunday Worship Service
April 5th - 8:15 & 11am - Holy Communion
9:30am - 10:30am - Community Easter Breakfast
2
Sunday
NO Saturday Worship
1Confirmation Youth Return
*Worship, 8:15a & 11a
Sunday School, 9:15a
Orchestra Practice, 12:30p
Monday
Good Friday
April 3 - Prayer Vigil 6am- 12Noon
Tenebrae Service - 7pm
rd
2
7
1 MOB, 8a
Worship, 5p
Tuesday
Maundy Thursday
April 2 - 7pm, Holy Communion
Prayer Vigil - 8:30pm - 12 Midnight
nd
17St. Patrick’s Day
Session II Little
Ones Learn
Preschool, 9a
M&M Council
Meeting, 7p
Palm Sunday
Sat, March 28 - 5pm; Sun, March 29th - 8:15 & 11amPassover Dinner
Sun, March 29th - 5pm
th
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Holy week worship schedule
Wednesday
2015
From Shepherd to King 1 Samuel 16-18; 24; 31; 2 Samuel 6; 22; 1 Chronicles 17; Psalm 59
15 ASP $100 payment due
*Worship, 8:15a & 11a
Sunday School, 9:30a
Bible Class, 9:45a
March 21st & 22nd - Chapter 11
12
13
Bible Study, 7:30p Movie Night, 7p
Thursday
March 14th & 15th - Chapter 10
Standing Tall, Falling Hard 1 Samuel 1-4; 8-13; 15
11
Confirmation, 4p
Lenten Dinner, 6p
Worship, 7p
Choir Practice, 8p
March 7th & 8th - Chapter 9
The Faith of a Foreign Woman Ruth 1-4
10
Session II Little
Ones Learn
Preschool, 9a
Elder’s Meeting, 7p
February 28th & March 1st - Chapter 8
A Few Good Men...and Women Judges 2-4; 6-8; 13-16
4
5
6
Confirmation, 4p
Bible Study, 7:30p
Lenten Dinner, 6p
Worship, 7p
Choir Practice, 8p
Butter Braid Fundraising Days
Friday
We continue on the journey of God’s people using “The Story” Bible
by Max Lucado. Make God’s Word a daily part of your life and join our
collective read of the most compelling love story of all time: the story
of a true God who loves his people and so established restoration for
all through Jesus. Come and see how you can really experience
Christ breaking into your everyday life as you seek to listen to the
God who speaks His story to you.
Saturday
LIVING OUT GOD’S STORY – Where Christ
Breaks Into the Everyday
*COMMUNION
Worship News
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
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2015
The Parables of Lent
Lenten Dinner Serving Schedule
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1
2
3
4
5
7
9
9
9
12
13
13
17
18
24
25
25
26
28
28
29
29
29
Emily Doty
Lisa Koffinke
Patricia Bednar
David Carlson
Paul Pfotenhauer
Diane Armgard
Lauren Eboli
Julie Albrecht
Dorothy Bramscher
Caron Niewold
Susan Muckey
Freda Krueger
William Muckey
Elisabeth Conboy
Frank Trout, Jr.
Zachery Gorecki
Emily Mack
Ron Vegter
Sage Namaste-Rose
Bob Bosma
Alan Chicola
Dawn LeGare
Rob Myers
Megan Sioson
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
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7
11
21
24
25
31
William & Wendy Wilson
Patricia & Edward Bednar
Timothy & Jennifer Wilkinson
Kimberly & Tim Gibbons
Paul & Dawn LeGare
Joseph & Susan Zahalka
Krystin & Klye Clore
Join us on Wednesdays during Lent at 6pm in the West Basement, where
different families from Bethel host, with an elder leading each group of people.
Mar. 4th—Ron Vegter’s group
Mejdrech to Pinta , Lawrence, Freda Krueger
Mar. 11th—Tom Harrington’s group
Iverson to Massey, Debbie Bartash, Pfotenhauer Family
Mar. 18th—Jerry Murphy’s group
Doty to Hinz
Mar. 25th—Don Schwieger’s group
Reedy to Smith, Carlson Family
Free will offerings from the Lenten Dinners this year
will help provide flooring
for the Early Learning Center.
Worship Service Schedule
Join us right after dinner for Worship at 7pm
Mar 4th - Matthew 13:44-46
“Receive the Treasure: The Hidden Treasure and the Priceless Pearl”
Mar 11th - Luke 10:25-37
“Receive Mercy: The Good Samaritan”
Mar 18th - Matthew 20:1-16
“Receive Grace: The Workers in the Vineyard”
Mar 25th - Luke 15:11-32
“Receive Forgiveness: The Prodigal Son”
Ministry & Mission Council Minutes can
be found in the Church Office.
March 2015
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BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
March 2015
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
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Bethel Early Center News
Program Information Enrollment for
February Wrap-up
During February the preschool
children were shown many examples of
how “God Loves Us and Keeps Us Safe”.
Using the themes of transportation and
hometown heroes (firefighters and
police officers), various safety concepts
were reinforced. We discussed road safety signs,
crossing streets safely, riding in car seats with seat
belts, working safely with tools and fire safety. We
also learned about safe and dangerous situations
such as running in the classroom, standing on chairs
and tables, playing ball near a street and wearing
bike helmets. Thank you to Miss Laura from Grove
Dental who explained the importance of dental
health to all of us! The threes class enjoyed riding
on a train while hearing the classic story, “The Little
Engine That Could”.
They learned that
perseverance pays off and helps to build selfesteem. The Enrichment Class had fun focusing on
fine motor skills such as lacing, stacking, cutting and
weaving. Our Valentine celebrations were especially
fun for everyone! Although we all are showing a bit
of cabin fever, the children are still having a good
time in our closed-in quarters. We try to fill part of
every day with dancing, singing, yoga moves,
playing instruments and moving with music.
the 2015-2016 classes is filling up. If
you know someone who may be
interested in enrolling in the fall, please have them
contact us very soon. Please talk to Julianne in the
BELC if you have questions.
The Amazing Magic Show Event and Open House
Come one, come all! Please join us for this special
show on Friday March 20, 2015. The Philip and
Henry USA, Inc. Magic Team will be here to perform
a special Fairy Tale Magic Show for our students,
families and community visitors. The 40 minute
performance will begin at 9:30 in the west
basement.
The show will be
followed by an open house tour of
the preschool for families wishing to
enroll in Bethel in the fall. This
promises to be a fun event for
children of all ages.
Spring Fundraisers Spring is just around the
corner and so are our Spring Fundraisers.
Check out the Fundraisers on page 6 to see
how you can help.
This is just a note to remind everyone
that Spring Break begins at the close
of school on March 27th. School
resumes on Tuesday, April 7th.
God Teaches Us Our theme for March will be “God
Teaches Us” and will feature expanded Literacy
Units using fairy tales, Mother Goose nursery
rhymes, and special stories set to music that inspire
reading and storytelling. Narrative is a literary gift
that we all share and strengthening knowledge of
storytelling helps children become better and more
natural communicators. Who doesn’t love a great
story? This month we will continue to build natural
bridges between singing, rhyming, reading and
movement. Lastly, we look forward to celebrating
Dr. Seuss’ birthday with our “Hats
off to Dr. Seuss” Display. Please
check it out in our upstairs hallway
to see what our children are reading
at home!
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WHY NURTURE YOUR CHILD’S FAITH WALK?
Happy Easter to All He is Risen
Indeed!!!!!
He is not here; he has risen! Remember
how he told you, while he was still with
you in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered
into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on
the third day be raised again”. Then they
remembered His words. Luke 24:6-8
Bethel Early Learning Center
The Foundation for Christian Education
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
March 2015
As parents, we want a lot for our children… we want them to experience joy, we want them to reach their full
potential in life, we want them to experience deep and abiding friendships, we want them to listen to us as their
parents, we want them to learn to share and give, we want them to be kind to others, we want them to be strong and
courageous and not to live in fear, we want them to grow up to live a life of purpose…. we want a lot for our children.
And, most of all, we want them to know that they are loved – by us, by other key people in their lives, and mostly by
God, because in the end – all that any of us have is GOD.
So, why nurture your child’s faith walk with God? Why persist when there are so many things that pull us all in
different directions?
BECAUSE…. our child’s growing faith walk with Jesus teaches them to experience joy through all of life’s up’s and
down’s. Because they will learn that “to whom much is given, much is expected” (and they’ve been given a lot!)
Because they will learn to forgive, and love, and serve others – as Jesus has first done to them. Because they will learn
that part of loving God is obeying their mom and dad. Because they will experience the joy that comes from thinking
more of others than yourself, and from being the hands and feet of Christ to people. Because they will experience the
kindness of other followers of Christ. Because they will hear over and over that God says to be strong and courageous
because our God is with us and will never ever leave us. Because they will experience what it is like to join with other
believers in Jesus to bring God’s kingdom of love and joy and forgiveness to others. Because they will hear over and
over and over that they belong, that they are loved, and that their identity is secure because of their Creator and
Savior! That’s why we persist at nurturing the faith walk of our children.
CURIOUS? Talk to Raechel. . . .
WHAT? Help pack food for people
who deal with hunger as their daily
reality… be a part of how people
receive “their daily bread” through
FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN…
WHY? It’s FUN, you work and hang
out with other PEOPLE, and you are
part of something BIGGER THAN
YOURSELF.
WHERE Feed My Starving Children at
555 Exchange Ct, Aurora
WHEN? Wed, Apr 1st from 12-2:00pm. For families
with school aged kids, this packing date is
in the middle of spring break week (which
also happens to be Holy Week), so if you
are in town, looking for things to do – come
and pack food.
WHO? Ages 5 years old and up are welcome! 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.
RSVP by signing up for a packing spot at the back of
the sanctuary.
March 2015
PADS MINISTRY TO
SERVE PEOPLE
WHO LIVE IN
HOMELESSNESS
As a church, we have the opportunity to
provide care for people living in
homelessness right in our neighborhood
through a PADS shelter in Downers Grove on
Mon, April 20th. Sandy Smith is leading a
team at Bethel to shadow another church
and learn what they do during the 5-9pm
time frame including: bed set-up, dinner
prep and serving, lunch-making, and cleanup. The idea is that Bethel will lead out one
night of PADS from 5-9pm in April of 2016
after shadowing this year. Want to help? If
so, please talk to Sandy Smith at
[email protected] .
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
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Easter Breakfast
Prep
Lights— Camera– Actions!
Jr. High/Sr. High It’s time
for MOVIE NIGHT!
Sat, April 4th
at 10am
th
Friday, MARCH 13 AT 6:00pm
Bring friends, Families,
All welcome!
Bethel West Basement
For Pizza and a Movie
RSVP to Lisa Graziano—email
[email protected] or text
630-493-9983 So we can plan food!
All youth &
families help
with set-up
and cooking
breakfast
CONNECT KIDS to JESUS!
Talk to Raechel or email [email protected] to join in!
Here’s how you can help out and be a part of the VBS team…
Jr. Bible Study Sun 9:30– 10:45am
Sr. Bible Study Sun 9:30-10:45am
3/1 - Switch I'm Not to God Is (Genesis 16:1-10)
3/8 – 9:30am Breakfast at Soltwisch’s
3/15 – What You Believe Determines Where You
Go in Life – Seek God or Go My Own Way
3/22 – What You Believe About Creation
Determines How You View Yourself and
something “set apart” and sometimes God calls on us
Life - Know Creator or NO Creator
to do something unexpected. Will you be ready?
Take a Stand – God has called believers to
Link Arms – Our closest friends are usually our
strongest allies. What if they don’t share
the same core belief as you?
3/29 – What You Believe About the Bible
Determines How You Live Your Life Believe and Obey the Bible or Follow
My Own Rules
Sr. High Breakfast at
Sam Soltwisch’s home
Sun, March 8th at 9:30am meet at
church to go to Sam’s Email
[email protected]
if you’d like to bring food.
Lean On Me – Once someone is an unreliable
friend, is there a way back to redemption?
Confirmation
Wednesdays 4-5:30pm
Please Note: on 3/18, confirmation is for
8th graders only
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by connecting them to Jesus!
Let’s head to Camp Discovery this summer, where kids experience that JESUS is our True North,
and that God provides the courage, wisdom, and love we need to discover God’s plan and
purpose for our lives, right now, right where we are!
Men, women, and youth in 7th grade and up… can you bring supplies or donate a
few dollars to help buy paint?
 Can you plan to help out in some small way for a day or two, or maybe even for
the entire week in the mornings during the week of VBS?
 Can you come to one or more work times in May and June?
 Could you see yourself being with a small group of kids and seeing their faces
light up with joy?
If so, let’s head to CAMP DISCOVERY together – it is a blast and you’ll have the chance to
Senior High Youth
Are you ready to acknowledge God?
Be a part of the VBS TEAM and make a difference in the life of a child

Junior High Youth
Say Something – It isn’t fun being ignored.
VBS 2015—June 22-26, 2015
9am—12 noon
Like a Camp Counselor,
hang out with a small group of
VBS kids, and take them around
to the different parts of Bethel’s
“Camp Discovery!”
Join the VBS Band or Sing
during opening & closing worship!
Teach the Bible Event
one morning. Here’s this year’s
bible stories…
David and Goliath; Deborah Judges
with Wisdom; God Saves Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego; Jesus
Gives Bartimaues Sight; God Sends
Ananias to Saul
Act in the infamous VBS Skits
Email VBS Prayers to the
team so that all we do is led
out by God
Be a part of the Twin Lakes team
on Tues, June 23 and help take VBS
“on the road” to the
Twin Lakes community
Help out at a VBS Work Time
in May and June - come to Bethel
once or a few times and help on
Wednesday evenings anytime
from 6:30-8:30pm or Thursday
mornings from 9-10:30am.
Sun, March 15th—ASP $100 payment due
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
March 2015
March 2015
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
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Spring is just around the corner and so are BELC Spring
Fundraisers. We have something for everyone, and we really
need everyone’s help. Please choose the fundraiser(s) that
works best for you and your family! Thank You.
Bethel Family Garage Sale is scheduled for the weekend of April 10. Start emptying
your closets now and bring your items to our hallway bin! This is a great opportunity to
begin spring cleaning, donate your gently used home goods and clothes and help
Bethel ELC at the same time! Please talk to Caitlin if you can help out or have
questions. Sign-up sheets for helpers with the sale are in the classrooms now!
It’s time to make music at Bethel for Our Lord...
Join with other singers and musicians to bless Palm Sunday and Easter worship with
music, and to have fun in the process! Be a part of something bigger than yourself, and
enjoy the beauty of music and the gift of camaraderie while rehearsing! Here is the
rehearsal schedule, please join us! We’d love to have you!!
Festival Choir and Chamber Orchestra
Some of the money earned at the garage sale will be used to purchase new PLAYGROUND
WOODCHIPS. Delivery will be scheduled for one of the Saturdays in April between 9am and noon.
If you are available to help us spread the fresh woodchips on the playground, we really need your
help. Bring your rakes, shovels and wheelbarrows to help move the chips. This is a calorie-burning
project. More later on the exact delivery date.
“Butterbraid Fundraising Days” will be March 2- 16. Won’t you please help us by
selling some quality coffeecakes? These delicious cakes are all-natural, handbraided pastries with layers of 100% real butter and delicious fruit, cheese or
cream fillings. Each cake arrives frozen, ready to thaw and bake for your next
special occasion. This light and fluffy product is so good – it really sells itself. We
have set a sales goal of 5 cakes or more per seller. This really is not too difficult to do if you visit
hungry family, friends, neighbors and co-workers! All money should be collected at the time of ordering and any checks should be made payable to “Bethel Early Learning Center”. Please submit your
completed order forms by Monday March 16th. Delivery of the order will be on Wednesday, March
25th at 11:30 am in the Bethel Kitchen. If you are unable to pick up on Wednesday, please let us
know and we will happily keep your order in our freezer until you can pick it up.
Festival Choir Rehearse with us on Wednesday Nights at 8pm
Mar 4, Mar 11, Mar 18, Mar 25
Special Rehearsals Sun, Mar 22 at 12:30pm and Wed, April 1 at 7:30pm
Chamber Orchestra Rehearse on Sun, Mar 1 and Mar 22 at 12:30pm
and Wed, April 1 at 7pm
Talk to Janet or Christian for more information.
Easter Breakfast
Join us and Invite a Friend for
Bethel’s Community Easter Breakfast
Sun, April 5, 2015 from 9:30am-10:30am
in Bethel’s West Basement
Bethel Lutheran Church will celebrate the Passover meal together on
Sun, March 29, 2015 at 5:00 PM in the West Basement.
The Passover Meal recounts the Exodus and God’s mighty saving acts.
As Christians, it is meaningful to us because this was the last meal that
Jesus had with His disciples when He instituted the Lord’s Supper.
Please sign up at the back of church.
There is a suggested donation of $10.00 per person to cover the cost
of preparing the meal.
Easter Breakfast Menu
Scrambled Eggs and Sausage
Coffee Cakes and Cinnamon Rolls
Berry Fruit Salad
Coffee and Juice
Invite a friend to come with you for good food,
good wine, and a Passover experience!
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BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
March 2015
March 2015
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
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