1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

April 26, 2015
4 Easter
Ann Jacobson, Sonja Kjar, Tim Stoa
(9:00 a.m.)
PRELUDE
Sunday, April 26
Quilt Sale
9:00 am Worship
10:00 am Christian Education
10:00 am Communion in the Chapel
10:00 am Open House for Loretta Olafson
10:00 am New Member Session/
Fireside Room
10:45 am Worship
4:30-6:00 pm God Squad @ Moorhead
Dairy Queen
Wednesday, April 29
6:00 pm Worship in the Chapel
6:00 pm Christian Education
Sunday, May 3
Communion at Both Services
New Member Sunday
9:00 am Worship
10:00 am Christian Education
10:00 am Cradle Roll
10:00 am Reception for New Members &
Graduates
10:45 am Worship
Wednesday, May 6
6:00 pm Worship in the Chapel
6:00 pm Christian Education
Welcome
We extend the hand of Christian fellowship to all who come to worship.
May our prayers and the hearing of
God’s word make our burdens lighter,
our hearts encouraged, and our souls
refreshed. Visitor information packets are available on the counter located in the Narthex. We encourage all
visitors to take one.
All are welcome for coffee and
doughnuts in Fellowship Hall between services.
“A Quiet Melody”
CALL TO WORSHIP
WELCOME/SHARING GOD’S PEACE
CALL TO WORSHIP
“Surely the Presence”
Gilbert Martin
Back Cover of Hymnal
CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS
Bulletin — Page 4
GATHERING HYMN “All Creatures, Worship God Most High” v. 1-4
#835 ELW
APOSTOLIC GREETING
p. 147 ELW
KYRIE/HYMN OF PRAISE
p. 147-149 ELW
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of all, you opened your gates wide to receive all your children into the heavenly kingdom. Help us to be vehicles of promise and proclamation for all who
will listen, so that every soul might live in your grace. We pray these things in
the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC
“Sing to the Lord
by Ken Medema, arr. by Keith Christopher
Senior Choir
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE HYMN
“Lord, Let My Heart Be Good Soil”
#512 ELW
CHILDREN’S TIME
PSALM 23 (read responsively)
Bulletin — Page 4
Gospel Acclamation (sung)
p. 151 ELW
P: The Gospel according to Acts, Chapter 13
C: Glory to You, O Lord
GOSPEL
Acts 13:1-3; 14:8-18
P: The Gospel of our Lord!
C: Praise to You, O Christ
SERMON
Pastor Ann Jacobson
HYMN OF THE DAY
“Signs and Wonders”
#672 ELW
RESPONSE
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
APOSTLES’ CREED
OFFERING
“Carillon”
NOISY OFFERING FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
OFFERTORY
“Create in Me a Clean Heart”
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
“Our Father in Heaven …”
SENDING
BENEDICTION AND “THREE-FOLD AMEN”
HYMN
“Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”
Bulletin — Page 4
Carl Simone
#186 ELW
Bulletin — Page 4
#545 ELW
DISMISSAL
P. Go in peace and serve the Lord.
C. Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
“Postlude in E Minor”
George Blake
Bethlehem Lutheran Church is a faith community that gathers to hear, teach and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Welcome to Worship! If you are a guest here, let us know.
A word about Bethlehem’s worship: We have two Sunday
worship services. The 9:00 a.m. service usually features organ accompaniment; the 10:45 service features piano accompaniment. Christian education classes for PreK through Grade
7 are held Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and Wednesday
evenings at 6:00 p.m. throughout the school year. We also
offer a Wednesday evening worship service at 6:00 p.m. For
more information, check our website — www.blcfargo.org.
You may also call the church office, 235-6522.
The Friendship Sheet is a way for us to take note of who
worships with us each week. Please put your full name and
any other information you want us to have. Pass the Friendship Sheet down the pew and back and leave it near the aisle
so an usher can pick it up later. Thank you.
Children’s Worship Bags are available for use by your
youngster during the service. They are located on the coat
rack over the stairway (directly outside of the sanctuary). At
the end of the service, put the bag on the ushers’ table at the
back of the sanctuary so it may be refilled for the next service.
Bulletin Announcements If you have information for the
Sunday bulletin, please contact the office by 4:00 p.m. on
Wednesday.
In An Effort to Conserve Paper we ask that after the
9:00 a.m. service you take home only one bulletin per family. Extras can be returned to the ushers’ table at the back of
the church to be used for the 10:45 a.m. service. Thank you.
This Week in Christian Education Philip and the Ethiopian. Scripture Reference: Acts 8:26-40. Lesson Focus:
Friends help friends know God.
Need a ride to worship? Bethlehem makes available a
taxi service for your assistance. Please call Lucky 7 Taxi at
235-1717 by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday to arrange pick-up. Call
the office with questions.
An Open House honoring Loretta Olafson for her many
years of volunteer service at Bethlehem will be held today
between worship services. We invite you to join us for cake
and coffee. We would also like to use this time to honor all
those whose volunteer efforts make our church what it is. We
could not do it without you.
New Member Session & Sunday — April 26 & May 3
Our new member session is today at 10:00 a.m. in the Fireside room. We will be welcoming new members on Sunday,
May 3, at both worship services with a reception between.
Prayer Concerns Please be sure to call the office or speak
with a pastor as to how you/your loved one are doing. We
begin each month with an updated list.
Prayers For the Community of Faith:
Members Hospitalized/Requesting On-Going Prayer: Tammy
Binder, Gladys Brewer, DeWayne Enger, Cheryl Gorder, David Gray, Esther Griesbach, Delores Johnson, Steve Kruger,
Tom Meidinger, Jim Mortenson, Lynda Murphy, Judi
Pogatshnik, Marian Schumacher, Lily Stroup, Lou Suhr, Maria Winters.
Friends/Family Members Sick or Hospitalized: Denise Anderson (daughter-in-law of Marie Anderson), Shelby Jenson
(granddaughter of Kim Jenson), Julie Kottsick (friend of Betty
Opheim), Wesley Martin (brother of Virginia Johnson), Bruce
Opheim, Jr. (son of Betty Opheim), Alivia Plutowski (greatniece of Judi Pogatshnik), Verna Prestegaard (mother of Mark
Prestegaard).
Sympathy to Margaret Sandsmark and family on the death
of Don and to the family of Chuck Olson. Chuck and Judy
Olson are former members of Bethlehem; he was instrumental
in planning additions to our church building.
Annual Quilt Sale — Today Proceeds are used to purchase materials necessary to continue with the program.
Quilts and lap robes are donated each year to the VA Hospital, New Life Center, nursing homes, Salvation Army,
Churches United, YWCA Shelter. Monetary donations are
also given to Bethlehem. Twin size quilts are $45; full size
quilts, $55; and queen size quilts, $75.
A Number of pans and serving pieces are ready to be picked
up in Fellowship Hall. If you have provided something for
Lenten suppers or a funeral, please be sure to pick up your
item (located on the table on the north side of the kitchen).
Teachers Needed Christian Education teachers for the
2015-2016 school year are being recruited. Sign-up sheets are
posted downstairs by the Kindergarten room. We would like
to fill all slots by Memorial Day. Feel free to contact Joanna
Erber at 701-361-6023 or [email protected] with questions.
Noisy Offering We will once again be holding a noisy offering to benefit our VBS program. Noisy offering will be
received today and Wednesday, April 29. Vacation Bible
School will be held August 9-13, 2015.
Pizza Corner Fundraising for Ethiopia Mission Trip
Pastor Ann and her daughter, Lydia, are selling delicious Pizza Corner pizzas from April 26-May 10 to help with the cost of their
trip and provide help to those they will serve in Ethiopia. It will be 13” pizzas for $10.
Choices include: cheese, pepperoni, sausage, Canadian bacon, pepperoni/sausage, supreme, taco, deluxe and chicken alfredo. We
will have a table in the Fellowship Hall on May 3 and 10, or you can contact Pastor Ann or the church office. Orders will be taken until Sunday, May 10. Prepayment is required. Please make checks out to Bethlehem. The pizza pick-up date will be Tuesday, May 19, at Bethlehem from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thank you!
Youth News
April 26—May 6
WNA: Meets Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00 p.m. All 5th-7th
grade students are invited.
SUNDAY
God Squad will be enjoying a Dairy Queen treat at the Moorhead Dairy Queen this afternoon from 4:30-6:00. Meet at the
church first.
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
4:30-6:00 p.m.
5:15 p.m.
MONDAY
7th-12th grade Summer Trip. Our annual summer trip for 7th12th graders will be July 26-29 (Sunday-Wednesday). We will
be traveling out to Lewistown, Montana (the exact center of the
state!) and partnering up with a local youth group for some service projects and hiking and playing around in the local mountain range. Sign-up sheets and trip information will be available
on the Youth Board beginning in May. Cost for the trip will be
$75 for BLC Youth and $125 for friends. Forms and nonrefundable deposit of $25 due by July 5.
Youth Summer Events 2015
June 10, 17 & 24, 6:00-9:00 pm: Hunger Games Movie
Nights. Explore the Hunger Games Trilogy (so far) in connection with Christianity. We serve main course; you bring treats
to share. Aimed at 5th grade and older (for movie content).
July 8, 6:00-8:00 pm: Lego Movie Night. Explore the Lego
Movie and its connection to Christianity. We serve the main
course; kids and adults bring treats to share. All ages welcome.
July 22, 6:00-8:00 pm: Water Games Night. All ages welcome!
August 5, 7:00- 9:30: Outdoor Family Movie Night. We will
be showing “The Lion King.” Bring a chair and a blanket.
There’s more! Check out the Youth Bulletin Board for a
complete list.
Community
The Temple Beth El presents its 29th Annual Gourmet
Brunch today from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Enjoy the finest in
Jewish cuisine. Cost: Adults, $15 at the door. The cost for
children under 12 is $5. Temple Beth El is located at 809 11th
Ave S, Fargo.
Fargo Cluster Gathering of the Eastern ND Synod Women
of the ELCA will be held Saturday, May 2, 2015, at St. Peter’s
Lutheran Church, rural Leonard, ND. Registration begins at
9:00 a.m. Lunch is $8. An in kind offering of nonperishable
food items for the local food pantry is requested. To register
call Pam Neumiller at 282-7058. You may leave a voicemail.
Flyer and directions to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church are located
on the bulletin board in the west hallway.
7:00 p.m.
TUESDAY
9:00 a.m.
WEDNESDAY
9:00 a.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
THURSDAY
6:00 p.m.
FRIDAY
7:30 a.m.
SUNDAY
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
MONDAY
9:00 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
TUESDAY
9:00 a.m.
WEDNESDAY
9:00 a.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Quilt Sale
Worship
Christian Education
Communion in the Chapel
Open House for Loretta Olafson/Volunteers
New Member Session/Fireside Room
Worship
God Squad @ Moorhead Dairy Queen
Piano Recital
Pastor Tim’s Day Off
SA
Staff Meeting
Quilting
Youth Choir
Bell Choir
Worship in the Chapel
Christian Education
Senior Choir
W.N.A. (5th-7th Grades)
Girl Scouts
M.E.A.T.T.
Communion at Both Services
New Member Sunday
Worship
Christian Education
Cradle Roll
Reception for New Members & Graduates
Worship
Pastor Tim’s Day Off
Painting Class
SA
Staff Meeting
Quilting
Youth Choir
Bell Choir
Worship in the Chapel
Christian Education
Softball @ Longfellow East
Senior Choir
W.N.A. (5th-7th Grades)
Bethlehem Lutheran Church / 613 16th Street South / Fargo, North Dakota 58103
Office—701-235-6522 / Warm Line—701-235-6548
www.blcfargo.org
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of
my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my
whole life long.
April 26, 2015 — 10:45 a.m.
CHILDREN’S TIME
WELCOME/SHARING GOD’S PEACE
CALL TO WORSHIP
“Sing to the Lord”
Senior Choir
by Ken Medema; arr. by Keith Christopher
CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS
Pastor: Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who calls us
beloved children, who gathers us into one flock, who
guides us into all truth.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Let us confess our sins, trusting that God will forgive
us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Pastor: Faithful and just God,
All:
we confess that we are captive to doubt and fear,
bound by the ways that lead to death. We have not
loved our sisters and brothers as you have first
loved us. Forgive us, God of mercy. Let your Holy
Spirit work in us to change our lives and make us
new, that we may know the abundant life given in
Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
Pastor: In this is love, not that we loved God but that God
loved us and sent the Son to atone for our sins. In the
name of Jesus Christ, I announce to you that your sins
are forgiven. Let the perfect love of God cast out fear,
fill you with joy, and inspire you to live for others.
All:
Amen.
“All Creatures, Worship God Most High” v. 1-4
#835 ELW
PRAYER OF THE DAY:
God of all, you opened your gates wide to receive all
your children into the heavenly kingdom. Help us to be
vehicles of promise and proclamation for all who will
listen, so that every soul might live in your grace. We
pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
“Lord, Let My Heart Be Good Soil”
#512 ELW
PSALM 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside
still waters;
He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his
name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff — they comfort me.
PREACHING TEXT
SERMON
Acts 13:1-3; 14:8-18
Pastor Ann Jacobson
“Signs and Wonders”
#672 ELW
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of
heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was
conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and
was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day
he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the
right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the
living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING
NOISY OFFERING FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
THE BENEDICTION
“Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”
#545 ELW
Leader: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Accompanist: Alvina Deyle
The Confession and Forgiveness is from
Sundays & Seasons, copyright © 2014 Augsburg Fortress.