OUR CORE VALUES
Bethel News
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sermon Theme for May 5:
Easter Love
On Sunday we will hear God’s Word from Pastor Ben Sandin and consider how we can apply it to our daily lives. This Living Word of God reminds us God’s unconditional love for us and challenges us to share that same love with others. After Sunday, you can find a recording of this message.
Layette Kit Collection, May 5–26
For over 20 years, Sacred Heart Community Service has been offering layette kits to families who are either expecting a baby or have a newborn. Bethel is continuing its participation by holding a collection drive for 4 Sundays starting May 5. Donate one or more Sundays as you feel able. Read the details or contact Mark Evashenk for more information.
Readers Anonymous, May 19
The Bandit Queens
Please join us for a discussion of the book The Bandit Queens by local author, Parini Shroff. Follow the fun and quirky adventures of a group of women in a village in rural India. It was nominated for the award in Goodreads category “Best Debut Novel” in 2023. We will meet Sunday, May 19, 1:30 pm in the library. All are welcome.
SCUBA VBS, Jul 8–Jul 12
Bethel’s annual Vacation Bible School is July 8–12. This year’s theme is SCUBA—diving into friendship with God. Registration is now open! Read the details and register online. Traditional VBS is 9am–noon each day. SCUBA After Care from noon–5pm is provided for an additional cost. SCUBA VBS Sunday is July 14 at 11:45am. For more information please contact Amanda Laughlin.
Seeking San Jose Family Shelter Breakfast Volunteers!
The San Jose Family Shelter needs volunteers to cook or serve, on the follow Sundays next year:
- Feb 11
- Apr 14
- Jun 9
- Aug 11
- Oct 13
- Dec 8
Cooks are needed 5:30–7am
Servers are needed 6:45–8:15am
Contact for more info: Chris Ford.
Bethel Staff Zooms
Bethel Staff meet about once a month to record a brief presentation that you can view on our YouTube Channel. Look for the heading Bethel Staff Zooms.
What’s Been Happening
Silicon Valley MobilePack, Apr 20
Nine Bethelites teamed up with other volunteers at Bridges Community Church last Saturday to pack meals for malnourished children around the world. The shift packaged 45,360 meals that will feed 124 children for one year. The Feed My Starving Children organization reached 99.8% of their intended recipients with these meals, which is an amazing achievement. Thank you: Lorraine, Barb, Minnie, Sam, Marion, Dianne, hubby Mark, and Anita for helping provide food for the hungry. God’s work, our hands.
Mission to Mexico, Apr 11–15
Bethel's 68th spring Mission to Mexico
worked with Esperanza to build homes and community in Mexico.
In this video, participants tell about their experiences in this mission trip
This video shows scenes from the project.
Bethel Farm, Lent Project
We are thrilled to announce that Bethel raised close to $10K for our Bethel Farm project during Lent!
ELCA Good Gifts will receive our “order form” for:
- 20 chickens
- 8 roosters
- 8 goats
- 8 piglets
- 2 cows
- 3 fish farms
- 13 honeybees
- 2 safe water wells
- 6 water filters
- 4 irrigation projects
- 2 latrines
- 5 microloans for women's businesses
- 12 fruit tree seedlings
- 1 community vegetable garden
- 2 sets of gardening tools and seeds
— a grand total of $9,895 changing lives where it is needed most. Thank you so much for your generosity!
Creek Cleanup, Apr 14
On Apr 14, as part of Earth Day, Hella Bluhm-Stieber led a crew to clean up Calabazas Creek between Bollinger Rd. and Blaney Ave. They collected: 124 pounds of trash including glass, 2 pounds of recyclables and 80 pounds of metal scrap (a shopping cart, wheel, etc.). They were a small but mighty crew! Click a photo to see a larger view.
Thanks to Hella for the photos.
COVID Recommendations updated Mar 7
As of Mar 7, Bethel has relaxed our COVID recommendations. Masks and/or vaccination are not required, except for one seating area in our sanctuary that is designated as requiring masks. We still encourage you to be vaccinated if possible and we fully support anyone who wants to come masked. Please read Tom’s letter for more detail.