OUR CORE VALUES
Announcements
Bethel News
Sundays after Pentecost
Sermon Themes:
Oct 6: Childlike Faith
Oct 13: God First
Oct 20: God's Glory
Oct 27: God's Word
Hide detailOn Sunday we will hear God’s Word 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.
Show detail
Making Sense of Martin Luther, Oct 6–Nov 17
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![[Offsite Link]](/graphics/offsiteLink.gif "Offsite Link"){kind=small}
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- 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”
LWR Ingathering, Oct 10–12
The annual Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Ingathering will be held at Bethel to collect
quilts, school bags and care kit donations from churches all over the Sierra Pacific Synod.
The parking lot and Rooms 3 and 10 will be used as needed.
Volunteers are needed, especially on Saturday, 10am–2pm.
Lunch will be provided.
Contact Joann Weberg if you are interested in helping.
Additionally, excess fabric and quilting tools will be available for free during the Ingathering (all 3 days) at Bethel, near Room 10.
SFMOMA, Oct 19
register by Oct 17
Join an Out 'n About trip to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art for an opening day viewing of the new Get in the Game sports exhibit. Read the details and sign up!
Buy your tickets by Oct 17. The Bethel bus leaves Oct 19 at 9am.
Sign up on Eventbrite.
Readers Anonymous, Oct 20
The Accidental Tourist
Join the discussion of The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler.
She created a story that is a mixture of comedy and tragedy along with the complications of being a human.
We’ll meet in the Library, October 20 at 1:30 pm.
All are welcome.
SF Symphony, Nov 2
register by Oct 20
Join us for an afternoon at the San Francisco Symphony for their annual “Día De Los Muertos” matinee concert.
We will arrive early for a “lobby walk and talk” with symphony personnel director Andrew Tremblay (our LDR speaker this year!).
This 90-minute concert (no intermission), celebrates Latin American music and culture and includes lobby installations by local artists.
The dynamic concert program features traditional music with contemporary works honoring the rich heritage of this ancient holiday.
Read the details and sign up!
Please buy your tickets (from Bethel) by Oct 20.
Sign up on Eventbrite.
Trunk or Treat, Oct 27
We are partnering with Angels on Stage.
From 5:30–9:00pm, we provide a fun and safe place for children from Bethel and our community to trick-or-treat.
Games and activities will be provided.
You may bring your decorated car and pass out candy and/or be a "trick-or-treater."
Contact Amanda Laughlin if you have any questions.
Wed Night Speaker Series, Nov 6
Rev Liz Milner
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.
Seeking San Jose Family Shelter Breakfast Volunteers!
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.
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
Rotating Safe Car Park, Sep 29
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.
Fuzzy Fruit Movie, Sep 15
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.
Labor Day Retreat, Sep 1
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.
Congregational Meeting
& Eric Hanson Award, August 25
Bethel's Summer Congregational Meeting was held Aug 25.
We approved the fiscal year '25 budget![[PDF Document]](/graphics/pdfLink.png "PDF Document"){kind=small}
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The Eric Hanson Award is presented each year to a Bethel member who exhibits
Christian ideals and principles in all aspects of their daily life
and participates in service beyond Bethel.
Council President Doreen Baldwin presented the award this year to Patrice Sera.
She has designated Angels on Stage to receive the award's $500 donation.
A recording of the meeting is available online.
SF Giants, Aug 10
Out 'n About enjoyed a San Francisco Giants game against the Detroit Tigers. A good time was had by all!
Click on any photo to see a larger version.
Signs of Hope Camp, July
A big thank you to the Bethel Community for supporting Help One Child’s Signs of Hope summer sleepover camp.
Eleven pajama sets and 9 swimsuits were donated and delivered to Help One Child.
Financial donations totaled $1750.
God's blessings to the Bethel community have flowed through to these foster kids and their families.
A big thank you to Maggie Emmert
and Diane Stauffer for volunteering to oversee this Mission Outreach activity.
-Mark Evashenk
Tiki Trek, Jul 27
Out 'n About took a Tiki trek to some of San Francisco’s most iconic Tiki bars.
Click on any photo to see a larger version.
Ministry Guide, May 8
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.
COVID Recommendations
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.
