Bethany Lutheran Church

January 29 - In Deuteronomy God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses, who will speak for God; in Psalm 111 God shows the people the power of God’s works. For the church these are ways of pointing to the unique authority people sensed in Jesus’ actions and words. We encounter that authority in God’s word, around which we gather, the word that trumps any lesser spirit that would claim power over us, freeing us to follow Jesus.  (Sundays and Seasons, Augsburg Fortress)

The mission of the Bethany Foundation is to create and maintain a financial base for the future of the congregation by means of a growing, well-managed permanent endowment.

RENEWING STUDENTS: If you currently attend a Lutheran College or other Christian College in full-affiliation with ELCA, or if you are accepted for enrollment next year, the application deadline for 2011-2012 Bethany scholarships is February 1, 2012.  This $1,000 scholarship is renewable from year to year.  Click HERE to visit the Bethany Foundation webpage.

Visit Bethany’s new blog,

Blessed to Belong  http://blessedtobelong.wordpress.com

As we journey parallel paths with Pastor Ron (on sabbatical in London), we will study Sabbath rest, church and culture and the signs which identify us as a Christian community.  We invite you to add your thoughts about our sabbatical activities.  Pastor Ruth Ann will leave questions for you to ponder.  Rev. Dr. Paul Hill and Rev. Dr. Mary Hinkle Shore will give us much food for thought when they visit.  May God’s Holy Spirit bless and teach us in these three months.

Week of January 22: Jesus called the disciples to ‘Follow me.’ Where are some of the places Jesus has asked you to ‘follow’? What did you find or discover when you got there? Thanks for your thoughts! Pastor Ruth Ann

The Nordic Choir is a 68-voice a cappella choir of highly select mixed voices from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.  Nordic Choir has performed around the world, appearing in Norway, England, Germany, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, the Baltic countries, Mexico and the Caribbean. The Nordic Choir has also appeared throughout the United States, performing in well-known concert halls as Lincoln Center in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.  Enjoy their performance right here at Bethany!

• Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary
• Tickets:  $20 Adults, $15 Seniors, $10 Students
  Tickets available at www.luthertickets.com or by calling 1-800-4-LUTHER.

If you are interested in being an usher during one of the services, please contact the church office at 303-758-2820. This is a great way to meet members and greet people attending services!

January 1, 2012 – A Note from Pastor Ron:  “The congregation blessed me and sent me today. Council members, sabbatical team members and parishioners all prayed and conveyed good wishes for me.  I too, promised to remember them in my prayers.  My faithful colleague, Pastor Ruth Ann Loughry wrote the following piece of couplets.”

• On the Occasion of Pastor Ronald T. Glusenkamp’s Departure for Sabbatical – Bethany Lutheran Church, January 1, 2012

• Here is our little blessing, to send you off Pastor Ron,
• Away, away to London town for three months to be gone.
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• Some Sabbath rest is long over due,
• We’re sure you’ll drink English tea, eat crumpets too!
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• To begin the journey a brief visit,
• To Plum Village, not to miss it!
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• Daily mornin’ prayers at St. Martin in the Fields,
• Rich Holy Spirit conversations, surely will yield.
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• Books, theater, walks, and sitting by the Thames,
• Will certainly offer up a new and vibrant ministry lens.
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• We know you’ll ask great questions.
  
• That you always do!
• About church and culture, Sabbath rest,
  
• people in and out of pews!
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• How does the connection work -  God in daily life?
• For people to sense the Holy through their hopes, joy and strife?
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• During our separation, we’ll be praying each Sunday just for you,
• Trusting our Lord to protect, bless and enrich your spirit, through and through.
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• We promise to do our part on this Sabbatical trail,
• To grow and listen and stretch, God will not let us fail!
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• We’ll be excited to catch God’s vision,
• And hear of your renewed sense of mission.
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• Blow the Queen a kiss for us, yet don’t forget who is Lord!  We’ll miss you in your seat.
• May God keep us connected through Word and Sacrament, until again we meet.

Volunteers needed to help build Bethany’s next Habitat House!  Our next (first of three in 2012) Holy Hammers/Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver build starts on Friday, January 27th at 6784 Oneida Street, Commerce City, CO 80022.   This home will be for a woman named Tabatha and her five children – read the family bio HERE.  Volunteer Directions can be downloaded HERE.  Click HERE to sign up for upcoming construction dates, or sign up between services at the table in the Narthex, or contact Kevin Dempsey at 303-699-1629 or kmdmpsy@aol.com.  God’s work.  Our hands!