On Sunday we will hear God’s Word from Pastor Ben Sandin.

When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. John 11:32–33

On Sunday we will remember all the saints who gone to heaven before us, particularly those who have died in the past year. As we remember these beloved children of God, we are grounded in God’s promise of eternal life and reminded of God’s presence in our struggles. The gospel text features the interaction that Mary and Martha have with Jesus after their brother Lazarus has died. Jesus is deeply moved by their grief and begins to weep. Jesus shows God’s heart for the hurting and reminds us we never walk alone. Join us Sunday as we remember our loved ones.

This Sunday morning video series (9:50am in the Fireside Room) features Rev Dr David Lose focusing on Martin Luther and Lutheran theology. This seven-session video explores how Luther's understanding of God's life-changing gospel informs day-to-day faith and life in the world today.

The series is published by Augsburg Fortress.

• Introduction: Luther as Monk, Myth, and Messenger
• Chapter 1: The Reluctant Reformer—Introducing “the Monk Who Changed the World”
• Chapter 2: Freedom! Justification by Grace through Faith
• Chapter 3: The Present-Tense God—Law and Gospel
• Chapter 4: The Ambidextrous God—The Two Kingdoms and God’s Ongoing Work in the World
• Chapter 5: Called for Good—Vocation, Sinning Boldly, and the Respiratory System of the Body of Christ
• Chapter 6: God Hidden and Revealed—Luther’s Theology of the Cross and the Sacraments
• Chapter 7: Semper Simul—Sin, Forgiveness, and “Becoming Christian”

The Bethel Lutheran family is once again partnering with Help One Child to provide love and Christmas cheer to children and adolescents in foster care.

Help One Child is a non-profit organization that partners with local churches and community agencies, with a mission to strengthen foster, adoptive, and at-risk families by providing them access to education, community and tangible resources. By addressing the unique needs of foster, adoptive and vulnerable families, we strive to positively impact the long-term health and stability for family preservation.

Bethel has been asked to give a total of 40 gifts with 8 gifts per age group:

• 0–3
• 4–7
• 8–12
• 13–17
• 18–21

Starting Sunday Nov 3, pick up a gift tag for a child you would like to support and return the unwrapped gift to church with the gift tag securely fastened. Each gift tag will list an age and gender. Gift suggestions will also be provided. Each gift should be $40–50. We are also collecting gift cards to support older youth.

Sunday Nov 24 is the last day to select a gift tag. Gifts (unwrapped), with gift cards securely attached, must be returned no later than Dec 1. If you have questions, please contact Mark Evashenk.

Join us in the Fireside Room at 7pm on the first Wednesday of the month for special topics and guest speakers. (In January we will meet on the second Wednesday.) Invite friends! Each session will end with a Q&A time and sweet and savory refreshments. Look for more info in your bulletin and e-news.

Our speaker for Nov 6 will be Rev Liz Milner from CIC ministries.

Thursday Nov 7, 10am–1:30pm. All are invited to the initial outing of “Brunchies.” Take the Bethel bus to Willow Glen, where we will enjoy a leisurely stroll down Lincoln Avenue, then have brunch/lunch at the Crepevine Restaurant. Contact Robyn Winegardner for more information.

During November's National Family Caregiver Month, Caring Connection wishes to honor and thank the family caregivers at Bethel with a reception. Whether you are the caregiver for your parents, your children, your spouse, neighbors or friends; Bethel sees you and thanks you. Please join us for cake and treats during the coffee hour, 9:40–10:40am, in the Welcome Zone.

Come to Bethel for a Thanksgiving worship and stay for pie. Bring a pie if you wish. Tuesday, Nov 26, 7pm, Sanctuary & Fireside.

On Saturday, Dec 7, 9:30am-noon, come and help decorate the Sanctuary and Narthex for Advent and Christmas. There will be 3 Christmas trees, poinsettias, a nativity scene, banners, and lights to put up. Contact Tom Hoegel.

The Altar Guild is searching for women or men to help with Holy Communion: one hour prep on second Saturdays and/or 45 minute cleanup on second Sundays, 3 or 4 times a year. Please contact Marion Abney for more information.

This is the second year that Bethel will be a Rotating Safe Car Park (RSCP) host. All guests have been through a screening and placement process. We can expect 10–15 guests and about the same number of cars at Bethel. Safe Car Park hours for guests will be between 6pm–7am, 7 days a week.
Volunteers are needed to provide hospitality services, like snacks and drinks, to the guests. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Hella Bluhm-Stieber or Robyn Winegardner and they will send you the sign-up link. Hospitality hours are 7pm–7:30pm & 6:30am–6:55am. The YMCA provides free shower privileges to the RSCP Guests.

The San Jose Family Shelter needs volunteers to cook or serve, on the follow Sundays in 2024:

• 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.