Once again, Bethel Lutheran Church will be supporting the needs of our community by donating turkeys to a local food bank bank. This year we are supporting West Valley Community Services as The Lord’s Pantry is temporarily closed. Let’s keep the Lord’s Pantry in our prayers.

The mission of WVCS is to unite the community to fight hunger and homelessness. Their vision is a community where every person has food on the table and every person has a roof over their head. Their work is fueled by six core values: compassion, dignity, integrity, service, diversity, and ingenuity.

Bring your frozen turkey to Bethel on Sunday Nov 24. Note, there is some space to accept turkeys the previous Sunday. But all turkeys need to be delivered by 12:30 pm on November 24th so they can be taken to WVCS.

For questions, please contact Mark Evashenk.

You are invited to Harpers Hall Christmas Concert, Sat Dec 14 at 7pm. Harpers Hall makes its home in the San Francisco South Bay Area and Central California Coast. Our purpose is to promote an appreciation of the folk harp, to cultivate its living musical tradition, and to preserve the fun and magic of the harp for members and for the general public. To that end, we hold numerous events throughout the year, from harp jams to house concerts, festival performances to yearly weekend retreats. Journey through Harpers Hall to discover an enchanting world of harpers and learn their songs and their stories. Here you will meet many of the revelers, see the various lands they travel to, and find out how to join.

In this concert, the Harpers Hall Ensemble, led by Verlene Schermer, will present Christmas music from around the world. You'll also hear a few solos by ensemble members. Admission is free, but donations are welcome to help support the Bethel Music Program concert expenses. Harpers Hall CDs will be available for purchase after the program.

Contact Hella Bluhm-Stieber if you have questions.

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.

Tom Hoegel led Bethel's fall Adult Mission to Mexico this year from Sep 27–Oct 1. Esperanza International recently featured Tom in their fall newsletter, Esperanza Hope Happenings. You can read an excerpt, below. Click any image to see a full size version.

Esperanza Hope Happenings
Fall 2024

Meet Tom Hoegel
Dedicated Volunteer

“My name is Tom Hoegel and I am the group leader for Bethel Lutheran Church in Cupertino, CA. I have had the blessing of leading 69 servant trips to Tijuana, most of them with Esperanza since their beginning. I lead an intergenerational trip in the spring and adult trip in the fall. Our journey to work with our family and future friends in Tijuana is a part of our congregation’s DNA and never in question to be together twice a year. Even during Covid, we had held Fiesta Zooms with the Esperanza staff and some community members, plus we sent our financial support. We carry the ministry of Esperanza deep in our hearts and will be part of our Congregation’s rhythm for years to come.”

Thank you Tom for your example of servant leadership😊, for sharing Esperanza with hundred if not thousands of volunteers over the years🏡, and many more to come!👏

Bethel's Out 'n About enjoyed a tour of the San Francisco Symphony and a matinee performance of their annual “Día De Los Muertos”. The concert celebrates Latin American music and culture, honoring the rich heritage of this ancient holiday. Thanks to Molly Schrey for these photos. Click one to see a full size version.

In this video, a few current and former Bethel members share accolades and messages for Tom Hoegel, who started ministry at Bethel Lutheran Church in 1984.

Bethel held its annual Trunk or Treat event on Oct 27. Thanks to Amanda Laughlin for these photos. Click each one to see a full size version.

Bethel's Women of Wednesday (WOW) celebrated Pastor Appreciation Month. Thanks to Alice Isaacson for sending the photo. (You can click the photo to see a larger image.)

Norman Puck, one of the managers of the RSCP program, presented an overview of the project, discussed safety and risks, and explained how guests are selected to be in the program. There was a time for questions about the program. Please contact Paul Baldwin or Hella Bluhm-Stieber if you want to know more or to volunteer to help.

At both worship services, Amanda Laughlin presented a short video of where the Take Out Church's Fuzzy Fruit were photographed this summer. If you missed it, you can watch the services on our YouTube channel.

Bethel held its annual Labor Day Retreat at Mt Cross on Sep 1. Thanks to Molly Schrey for these photos. Click each one to see a full size version.

Mary Deutscher has published an updated Ministry Guide. This is primarily intended for visitors and new members so they can see what is happening at Bethel. You can download the Guide here.

Masks and/or vaccination are not required. We encourage you to be vaccinated if possible and we fully support anyone who wants to come masked.