Weekly News & Updates for Bethel Lutheran Church

In Our Prayers

Bethel's Ongoing Prayer List

Brenda Adair

Bill Bailey

Pat Blevins

Gene Borror

Pat Clevenger

Martha Copenhaver

John Gavitt

George & Linda Hoenig

Bob Hollingsworth

Brenda Johnson

Carolyn McTague

Betty Nichols

Carol O'Brien

Michelle Perrone

Allen Pierce

Mel & Bert Poling

Paul Van Doren

Pastor Bob Young

Condolences to the family of George Martin

HARVEST SUNDAY AUGUST 4TH

Bethel’s 23rd Harvest Sunday is Sunday August 4th after service. Beyond the contributions of area farmers’ markets, donations by our Bethel members, whether temptingly delicious, full of fresh garden flavor and vitamins, or whimsical and creative are always the personal touch that makes our event special. We welcome your garden produce, baked goods, canned goods, crafts, flowers, jewelry… Not only will we not have to grocery shop that week, but our donations will support the life sustaining projects of Lutheran World Relief. Please drop off donations to the office July 28^th – August 3^rd. Questions? Please contact Julie Shanabrook

 540-535-9379 or email her at thirdpig1@gmail.com.

Graduating Seniors Quilt Blessing August 4

New Driver Blessing August 4

"It is time for CCAP's Annual Bike Tour Fundraiser and they need Bethel's help once again to provide the Watermelon Stand, which is always much appreciated by the bicyclists at the Richards Farm Market pit stop. We will have two shifts to work the stand and provide cups of cut up watermelon. See the link below to sign up to volunteer to bring watermelon and work the booth or just to provide additional cups of watermelon. Contact Beth Garner at 540-514-7022 with any questions." 

RIC Vote scheduled for Sunday, September 8

Friends,

At the most recent Bethel council meeting, we discussed the overwhelming support received via the RIC Welcome Statement survey, where there was unanimous support of the proposed Welcome Statement. 

We received 79 responses over the course of the survey with 73 voting "Yes, wholeheartedly", and 6 voting "Yes, and would appreciate more information."  

With this robust support, we felt it would be best to hold our official vote (via a special congregational meeting) to become a Reconciling in Christ congregation sooner rather than later, but after the summer months. 

We've settled on Sunday, September 8, so that we can include this decision as part of the ELCA God's Work, Our Hands Sunday. We will take our vote after worship and then proceed to our GWOH program which will focus on the additional emphases of the RIC movement that we've made a priority throughout the process, namely, welcoming those with disabilities, people of color, retirement-age persons, those with mental illness, etc. 

This expansive understanding of the RIC designation and program has been a guiding part of our purpose during this process. We have tried to communicate, via the diversity of informational gatherings, that becoming RIC goes beyond an intentional welcome to and affirmation of the LGBTQ+ community. We see this designation as an opportunity to reflect on how we can best welcome ALL people. 

In keeping with this, and in response to those who have asked for some more information, we will be offering two more opportunities for conversation and engagement on Sunday, August 18 and Sunday, August 25. We will meet immediately following worship in the Fellowship Hall. 

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Pastor Dave Young or our RIC chairperson, LeeAnne Marple.  

Thank you again for your amazing support. Bethel continues to be a place that offers prayerful, courageous leadership. It is humbling and a distinct honor to serve with and among such a faithful and inspiring community of faith!

In Christ, 

Pastor Dave 

Upcoming Events

Sunday, July 28- Women's Ministry Planning open meeting

Sunday, August 4- New Driver Blessing

Sunday, August 4 - Senior Quilt Blessing during Worship

Sunday, August 4 - Harvest Sunday @ 10:45am

Sunday, August 11 - Vicar Lynette McSpadden Officially Begins @ Bethel

Sunday, August 18 - Adult Forum: Conversation on Becoming RIC @ 11am (Fellowship Hall)

Saturday, August 24-CCAP Bike Tour and Watermelon stand

Sunday, August 25 - Adult Forum: Conversation on Becoming RIC @ 11:00am (Fellowship Hall)

Sunday, September 8 - God's Work, Our Hands Sunday

 - Congregational Vote on Becoming Reconciling in Christ @ 10:45 (Sanctuary)

 - God's Work, Our Hands Program @ 11:15am (Fellowship Hall)

BETHEL BULLETIN BOARD

The new bulletin board outside the Office is where we are posting community events as well as handouts of interest from Edie McGoff, our Parish Nurse.

We also will be promoting our supply drives and the items needed for them. Collection bins are underneath the bulletin board.

Want to post something? Please contact the office.

Nursery Volunteers Needed

Would you like to volunteer in the Nursery?

Please contact Matt Meade at office@bethelwinchester.com

2024 Worship Assistants Needed

We are looking for people to help with Sunday morning worship. We are scheduling teams monthly, no more than once per quarter (ideally once per year).



Greeters (4) - arrive by no later than 9am Sunday morning. 2 will be stationed at the doors to open doors & welcome people to Bethel. 2 will be stationed one on each side of the AV Booth to hand out bulletins and point out any flyers or signups.

Ushers (2) - arrive no later than 9:15 on Sunday morning. Stand near the AV Booth to help worshipers find seats as needed. Collect the Offering and assist with directing people to Communion.

Communion Assistants (3) - can also Greet on their selected day if they choose. Pastor Dave assigns people to teams just before Communion begins. One team stands in the center and the other starts on the choir side then moves to the baptismal side.

If you are willing to volunteer in any of these roles, please contact the Bethel Office, office@bethelwinchester.com or 540-662-3245

Scripture Readers are scheduled by Pastor Dave pastordave@bethelwinchester.com



NEW BETHEL LOGO WEAR

By popular demand, we now have Bethel Logo Wear available! You can order directly from Logo Sportswear using the link below. There are multiple options for both men, women & children and includes hats, jackets, fleece & shirts.

Bethel will receive 15% of all sales.

Electronic Giving to Bethel

Please consider setting up electronic giving so Bethel will receive your gift, even when you cannot join us in person.

You can also mail your check to Bethel Lutheran Church, 2077 N Frederick Pike, Winchester VA 22603.

Picture Share

Calling all amateur photographers and social media posters:

We would like to be able to share your photos of Bethel activities. Are you:

Attending a Women's Ministry function?- send us a picture

Attending Men's Breakfast?-send us a picture

Quilting with friends at the Quilting Group?-send us a picture

Having fun with friends at Youth Ministry?- send us a picture

We would like to share all of these events as well as any trips or other "get togethers" on our social media and our website. So please take pictures (make sure that you ask permission to post them) and send them to bethelpictureshare@gmail.com so that we can show everyone what a wonderful family we have at Bethel!

Email Pict

High School Youth

The high school youth are trying to schedule days/times that they can meet for lunch or dinner as a group. 

If you would like more information on either or to suggest a fundraiser please contact Mel Siebert at melsiebert99@gmail.com or by clicking the link above.