Special Events

Our Bethlehem community enjoys gathering for many special events during the year. Here are upcoming and past events that will happen or have occurred during the year. Check back regularly for updates!

 

Upcoming Special Event

 

Pastor Katie's Installation!

Pastor Katie will officially be installed on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. There will be a service guided by Pastor Katie and Bishop Gonia; more details will be coming soon regarding specifics. Following the service, we will have a potluck luncheon celebration organized through our neighborhood groups. It will be very important that those planning on attending let their Fellowship Shepherd know so we can plan accordingly.

Pastor Katie and Chili will be moving into the Mission House on October 22 and plan on spending the next several days getting organized. A sign-up list for meals for them on October 23–25 will be on the table in the narthex, The list will cover light lunches as well as dinners. In the meantime, we are working very hard to get the Mission House cleaned up, cleared out and ready to go.

 

As a reminder to all, please wear your name tags so they can get to know all of us more easily. If you need a tag, please let Nancy know so she can make a new one for you.

 

Communion Liturgy Toward Full Communion

Wednesday, October 30, 5:45–9:30 p.m.: The Rocky Mountain Synod (RMS) and Ecumenical Catholic Communion (ECC) Liturgy toward Full Communion. History is being made! The congregations within the RMS that are partnered with the ECC are working hard to honor those partnerships and bless their paired ministries.

To this end, there is going to be a worship service that highlights these partnerships. Deaconess Kristen and other adult leaders will be taking the Confirmation Class on a "field trip" to this worship service. You are welcome to join us! We will depart BLC at 5:45 p.m. and head to St. Paul Lutheran and Catholic Church, 1600 Grant Street Denver, CO, 80203, and return to BLC by 9:30 p.m. at the latest. Please let Deaconess Kristen (kristen@bethlehem-lutheran.net) know if you wish to join us.

 

2020 Women's Retreat Fundraiser at Quarters Bar+Arcade

Please join us for family friendly fun at Quarters (475 Main Street, Longmont) on Wednesday, November 6, 2:00–10:00 p.m. Simply open a tab with a Wristband and tell the staff you are with Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Twenty percent of your pre-tax game and drink purchases will come back to Bethlehem's Women's Retreat fund to offset the cost of speakers, materials and the overall event. (Note: Actual quarters placed into games are excluded from total.) If you have any questions, contact Deaconess Kristen (kristen@bethlehem-lutheran.net).

 

Congregational Support Needed!

On November 10, our Confirmation Mentor-Mentee pairs will be working with Lutheran Family Services to build Thanksgiving Meal Bags for families in need. If you would like to support their project, please have any of the following items available at your home for our kids to come get on their scavenger hunt. Please also contact Deaconess Kristen (kristen@bethlehem-lutheran.net) and let her know that you would like to have the kids stop by your house to pick up what you have on hand! (No telling what you have, though, because what they get is part of the activity "game" as there are points assigned to each item.) If you do not receive a stop at your house, you can still donate items by dropping them in Deaconess Kristen's office before November 10. The items will be used to complete the bags.

Requested Items:

• Package of stuffing mix
• Can of chicken broth (low salt)
• Can of cranberry sauce
• Can(s) of vegetables
• Pumpkin or banana bread mix
• Packs of hot chocolate, tea or apple cider
• Apple or cranberry juice (small sizes)
• $25 gift card for turkey & fresh items

Please put the food items in a reusable grocery bag (bags can be found at most stores for around $1) and collect all gift cards outside bags. Please contact Deaconess Kristen (kristen@bethlehem-lutheran.net) with any questions.

 

 

 Past Special Events

 

Thoughtful Endings: A series on end-of-life planning

 

This five-part series of education, discussions, and conversations will be held from 2:00–4:00 p.m. on Sundays in September and October. Five congregations throughout Longmont are hosting a session, including Bethlehem Lutheran. All are welcome, and participants may drop in for one or all of the sessions! There is a suggested donation of $5/session.

 

Here is the schedule:

 

September 22: Heathcare Decision-Making, at United Church of Christ

 

September 29: Practical Planning, at Westview Presbyterian Church

 

October 6: Aging Solo, at Central Presbyterian Church

 

October 14: Medical Aid-in-Dying, at St. Stephens Episcopal Church

 

October 20: Your Body After Death, at BLC/LOC

 

For more information, please see the Thoughtful Endings Flyer and www.TheConversationProjectInBoulder.org. Contact Deaconess Kristen if you have any questions (kristen@bethlehem-lutheran.net).

 

 

Something to Savor: The Bible as our Book of Faith

 

Rev. Dr. Powell will present "Something to Savor: The Bible as our Book of Faith" on October 19 from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church (3rd Ave and Terry St, Longmont). He will talk about all the different ways we read the Bible. You will learn about "inerrancy" and fall in love with God's Word all over again. He will follow up by preaching on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and also on Sunday, October 20 at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

 

Mark Allan Powell is a professor of New Testament Studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. He is a theologian widely recognized for his work in spiritual formation, congregational ministries, and author of 20 books. Pastor Keith highly recommends the work of Dr. Powell.

 

The Saturday event was free and a light lunch provided from 11:30–2:00 p.m. Contact Maria Sutton (303-776-2800 or maria.sutton@firstluth.org) for information.

 

 

Lutheran Campus Ministry Bread and Belonging

 

We are excited to invite you to our sixth annual Lutheran Campus Ministry beer tasting on Saturday, October 26, 5:00–7:00 p.m. It promises to be the best one yet! This year we'll be at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2200 Broadway, in their lovely new space in downtown Boulder. There will be catering from Niwot Market and live music and there will be games, prizes, and, of course, six tastes of local craft beers.

 

Do not forget the most important thing—the congregation (including LCM/B+B alums) who brings the most folks to our beer tasting will take home the Bread+Belonging Beer Tasting Title Belt! Can someone take the title away from Mount Calvary!?

 

Tickets are $30 and can be bought in advance via credit card on this link. Tickets can be reserved in advance to pay with a check or cash via this link. You can also buy tickets from your friendly BLC neighborhood LCM-CU board member, Sarah Bailey (sbailey5083@comcast.net).

 

Special Congregation Meeting Notice

 

On September 15, 2019, at 11:30 a.m., we will hold a special congregational meeting. More details can be found on our Members/Events/Special Events webpage and in the special email and notices sent out. All members should plan to attend! The nursery will be available for babies and children to age five.

 

Summary of 2019 changes to BLC Constitution and Bylaws

 

Proposed 2019 BLC Constitution and Bylaws

 

New Member Class Scheduled for September

 

If you are a visitor, guest or have been attending for years, and want to know more about becoming a member of the Bethlehem congregation, we have a great opportunity for you coming up this month. A new member orientation class is scheduled for Sunday, September 22 at 11:30 a.m. We will begin with a luncheon to get familiar with our staff--followed by a brief tour of the facilities and then convene in the Fireside room. Pastor Keith and additional staff will discuss the Lutheran theology and answer any questions you may have. We will also discuss the various ministries in place and the work going on here at Bethlehem to spread God's good news. You will be amazed at how many areas Bethlehem outreach is active! We are a very active and open church where all are welcome and fellowship abounds.

 

New members will be received September 29 at both services with a reception between services.

Rejoicing Spirits Worship Service

 There will be a Rejoicing Spirits Worship Service at Bethany Lutheran in Cherry Creek on August 25, 2:00–7:00 p.m. Rejoicing Spirits is a specially designed worship service for adults with special needs. The worship starts with a community dinner and then some crafts and worship. Volunteers are needed to make this worship service possible. Bethlehem Lutheran will be providing a simple dinner, helping with set-up, clean up, and assisting the worshipping community with crafts and simple activities.

 

Safe Haven Training

 

We will have Safe Haven training on August 7, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Come learn about the ways you can be part of a community of adults who cares about making this church (and your neighborhood) a safe place for all, especially our children. All adult leaders who volunteer in Nursery care, Sunday School ministry, Confirmation/Mentor ministry, Senior High ministry, or who help lead overnight retreats for youth are required to attend one Safe Haven Training before volunteering in BLC ministry programs. However, if you have already attended this training, you are welcome to come again to learn the newest statistics and best practices for working with minors to keep them, and yourself, safe. Additionally, ANY adult, volunteer or not, is welcome to attend. Grandparents, parents and babysitters are especially encouraged. This training is free and provided by Blue Sky Bridge. Please simply RSVP to Fr. Teri Harroun (pastor@lightofchrist.org) by August 6.

 

 

Fundraiser for Pastor Matthew Weber

 

A Fundraiser for Pastor Matthew Weber—Bicycles Bluegrass Beer and BBQ—will be held on August 10. Please join us for a bike ride followed by some bluegrass, barbecue, and a beer from Dry Dock Brewery. Together we will celebrate Pastor Matthew and try to raise some money to help cover the medical expenses he has incurred since his skiing accident. The cost of the ticket will cover your meal and one beverage (either a beer or lemonade). We will raise money through ticket sales but we hope everyone will also bring some cash and maybe even an old fashioned check book to enjoy some special activities and games and help out with this community fundraiser.

 

Join us at Holy Love Lutheran Church at 4210 S Chambers Rd., Aurora, CO, 80014, at 10:30 a.m. for a blessing and prayer. Then ride your bike over to Dry Dock Brewing just a short ride from Holy Love. If you prefer, you can join us at Dry Dock Brewing at 11:00 a.m. for food, music and fun.

 

If you have any questions, you can contact Julie Miller (303–726-5510). We look forward to seeing you on August 10. Thank you in advance for your generosity in helping raise funds for Pastor Matthew.

 

Tickets can be purchased at this EventBrite link.

 

Adult Field Trip to Sky Ranch

 

Have you never been to Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp and wonder what all the fuss is about? Or has it been a really long time since you last were there? Would you love to go but don’t want to do the mountain driving? Join Deaconess Kristen and Josephine the church bus for an Adult Field Trip to Sky Ranch on Wednesday, July 17, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. We’ll arrive at camp by 11:00 a.m. to see the layout, enjoy some Sky Ranch hospitality over lunch, and have the option to relax on the large deck and watch the camp going-ons, or go on a short, accessible hike. We will depart Sky Ranch at 2:00 p.m. to return to BLC by 4:30 p.m. Space is limited on the bus, so please sign up with Deaconess Kristen! If there is enough interest, we will schedule a second day.

 

Pastor Keith’s 50th Ordination Celebration

 

Yes! Our good Interim Pastor Keith is celebrating 50 years of ordination! To reach this milestone is impressive enough, but to reach it and STILL be actively serving in a congregation is a step beyond! Please come celebrate with us as we lift up and give thanks for Pastor Keith and his ministry on Sunday, June 2, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. A light lunch and dessert will be served. Please RSVP here. 

 

 

Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast

 

Come enjoy some pancakes on Sunday, June 16 while raising funds for the mission trip to help repair flood damage in Omaha. We will be serving pancakes at 7:15–11:45 a.m. Tickets will be available Sundays after each service on June 2 and 9. Tickets will also be available at the door on June 16. Adults $6; Children $4. Please treat your Dad, and help fund our mission trip. Contact Bob Cotton (303-651-6563) with any questions.

 

Recap of Our 2018 Mission Trip to Houston

 

Sunday, January 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Everyone is invited to hear about our trip and see pictures of our team of 15 persons from BLC and LOC that went to Houston in October, including all of the unanticipated excitement. Light refreshments will be available. Questions: please contact Bob Cotton (303-651-6563).