Dear Friends.
Pastor Brian and I are working together to introduce a new program to Bethlehem, starting August 14. It is called “Beginning a Culture of Generosity”. The flyer for the synodically-based program explains it below:
Beginning a Culture of Generosity (BCG) is a new and timely program to help guide congregations and provide the necessary tools to run a successful fall appeal. BCG will give your stewardship team confidence right now while everyone is working through a variety of very real financial stressors. Congregations will receive training online in 6 sessions and 1:1 guidance on an easily implemented program.
The first session, via Zoom, will be Saturday, August 14. Exact starting and ending times have not yet been determined.
All members are invited to attend this first meeting which I will guide. Pastor Brian will lead the remaining five.
The name “Beginning a Culture of Generosity” really intrigues me. Generosity is one of the hallmarks of our Christian life together. The spirit of generosity opens us up to all of God’s gifts of the Spirit.
At my last Zoom meeting of interim pastors, those who have already experienced the program were very supportive and excited about it. They reported marked growth in the life of the congregation, especially regarding stewardship and being disciples for Jesus.
Please call me directly (at 480-980-0397) or speak to me on Sunday morning if you are ready to participate in Pastor Brian’s first ministry endeavor.
Pastor John
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Congregation Council Report
Each month, the congregation council evaluates the Covid protocols that were authorized by them over the past 15 months. At our council meeting on Sunday, the council approved several changes.
First, starting this coming Sunday, worshipers may enter either door of the narthex. You are no longer required to enter only through the Fellowship Hall door.
Second, the Welcome table will be in the narthex with the bulletins and the individual communion kits. You will no longer be required to sign in.
Third, the chairs will remain in their current locations awhile longer as will the offering plate that is located in the center aisle.
Fourth, fellowship events, with coffee and food, will now be allowed.
The council voted to have two fellowship opportunities in the month of August, on August 8th and 22nd. The weekly fellowship events will resume on September 5, the first Sunday with our newly called pastor (more on these two fellowship events in August will be shared in future Thursday E-Blasts).
Our custodial service has resigned. The property committee, lead by Terry Kahl, is working on a job description and reviewing our options. One option is to choose another custodial service and the other is to hire a member to do the work. The council will decide at the August council meeting.
In the mean time we welcome members to do one part of the custodial work: vacuuming carpets, especially in the office area; cleaning the restrooms; emptying the waste baskets, etc. If you can give an hour or so during the week, please contact Terry at 480-898-9196.
Pastor Brian Weinberger will be starting his ministry with us on Monday, August 30 and will lead worship for the first time on Sept. 5. His installation will be on Oct 10, 3 pm. Please place both of these dates in your calendar today.
During the next six weeks, our NT lessons will be from the letter of Ephesians. In my sermon Sunday I invited the members to read this letter during this time period. The first time read all six chapters in one setting. Then read Ephesians a verse at a time. Whenever a word or phrase strikes you as beautiful or special, take a few minutes to simply ponder the words. Also, keep a piece of paper in your Bible. Every time you see one of the many treasures in the letter, words that touch your heart and mind, write the words down on the sheet of paper. There are many treasures to discover in Ephesians.
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