News
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To submit a prayer request to our Director of Pastoral Care email Janet at
janet@bethany-denver.org or call the office at 303-758-2820
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Faith Formation News and Events
2027 Summer Trip
Our 2027 Summer Trip will be to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis Minnesota. Current 8th - 12th grade students are eligible to attend! For more information click here!
Questions? Contact Addison at addison@bethany-denver.org.
Adult Ed 11/8
This Sunday, November 8, Cathy Lessmann will lead an Adult Education class titled: Lessons from Hilarious Jonah. Meet in room 210 at 9:45am!
Low Anthropology Book Club
Join Pastor Nate for a two-week book discussion of "Low Anthropology" by David Zahl on
December 6 and 13
at 11:20 in room 210. This is a great book for anyone who feels tired by the pressure to be impressive, productive, or perfectly put together. Copies will be available for $15 at the Mission Center so you can start reading in prep for December.
Bethany Advent Fest
Join us for a festive Advent program filled with food, crafts, devotions and more. This Advent Fest is made for all ages at Bethany on November 29 from 11:15 am - 1:00 pm. Please register here or on the Bethany app to help us plan for our crafts and food!
We are looking for volunteers to bring green salad and fruit salad for our meal. If you would be interested in providing one, please indicate on your registration.
Outreach News and Events
Lutheran Family Services Holiday Drive
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains is hosting our Home for the Holidays Donation Drive on November 4th.
This donation drive supports newcomer families in the Denver Metro Area as they build community and traditions. Many families need access to kitchen essentials to prepare meals and gather with loved ones. Most needed items include pots and pans, cooking utensils, silverware, kitchen knives, mixing bowls, mugs, and gift cards to King Soopers or Walmart. Donation drop-off will be from 9:00am-4:00pm at 1035 Osage St. Denver, CO 80204 in the First-Floor Community Room. Questions? Contact Sarah Te Grotenhuis at
sarah.tegrotenhuis@lfsrm.org 303-217-5835
Vitalant Blood Drive
Bethany will be hosting a blood drive for Vitalant on Wednesday, November 4, in the Fellowship Hall from 9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. To schedule an appointment, visit www.donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code 0377 or call 877-258-4825.
Please contact Janet Mortinsen if you have questions.
Brian Tennien Memorial Rice and Bean Breakdown for Metro Caring
Please mark your calendars to participate in the Rice and Bean Breakdown for Metro Caring on Sunday, November 15th between the 8:30 AM and 10:00 services and after the 10:00 AM service. The congregation will be breaking down 50 pound bags of beans and rice into family size portions to stock the Metro Caring market shelves.
All ages are invited to participate. Whether you are able/not able to participate that day, please consider making a $ donation on the Bethany website to help with cost of the rice and beans.
We Give Thanks to God!
Join Rejoicing Spirits for dinner and worship, Sunday, November 15.
We will unite in activities, singing, laughing and loving God. Rejoicing Spirits is an inclusive worship space for people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities, their caregivers, families and anyone who seeks an open, joyful and creative worship experience.
We will gather at LOTH on the third Sunday of each month in 2026.
Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church 21755 E Smoky Hill Rd. Aurora, CO 80015 Sunday, November 15, 4 pm - 6 p.m.
For more information regarding the Rejoicing Spirits experience or volunteering, please contact: Pastor Margot pastor@lordofthehills.org or Pastor Ann Hultquist native2615@gmail.com
“We will know what it is to be created in God’s image when all are included."
Angel Gifts 2026
Please mark your calendars to participate in the annual Angel Gifts Holiday Donation Drive, sponsored by Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFSRM)!
Angel Gifts (Angel Tree) is a beautiful Christmas tradition of service and generosity at Bethany. This year you will be able to select gift requests from 60 LFSRM foster care young people. Each young person will receive two gifts. The Angel Gifts table will be set up outside the Sanctuary before and after worship services on November 15, November 22, November 29 and December 6.
You may bring in gifts on those Sundays listed, and all gifts must be brought in by December 6th. We kindly remind donors that all gift cards need to be labeled with the monetary value, and all gifts need to be labeled with the client's name and assigned number. All gifts should be unwrapped, but gift bags will be appreciated.
If you have questions, please contact Connie Gerken at gerkenc@icloud.com or Julie Friedemann at juliefriedemann@msn.com
Help Bethany Extend Its Global Mission
Global Mission has supported ministries around the world, including **Dar al-Kalima in Bethlehem, scholarships and educational programs in Kenya, and Young Adults in Global Mission**, among others. These partnerships allow Bethany to put our faith into action by supporting education, opportunity, Christian witness, and hope in communities far beyond our own.
**Do you know of an international ministry doing meaningful work?** We invite members of the Bethany community to identify and champion organizations whose mission reflects our Christian commitment to serving our neighbors throughout the world. Letters of proposal for the upcoming grant cycle are **due November 17, 2026**. Please see the linked **Global Mission Grant Application Guidelines** for information about submitting a proposal.
**Because available funds are limited, not all proposals can be supported. Each request will be thoughtfully reviewed by the Global Mission Ministry Team in light of Bethany’s mission and funding priorities.** Together, we can continue extending Bethany’s generosity and Christ’s love across borders and around the world.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver
Ten volunteers are needed to help serve Thanksgiving Dinner at the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver on November 19th from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM, in conjunction with the Optimist Club of Monaco South. The Dinner will be served to 500+ children and their family members at the J. Churchill Owens Boys and Girls Club, 3480 W Kentucky Ave, Denver, 80219. This is a fun volunteer event for a family with children!
Please sign-up to volunteer by November 6th here.
Please contact Kevin Dempsey at (303) 810-5563 or
kmdmpsy@aol.com with questions or for more information.
Food Bank of the Rockies Volunteer Opportunity
Let's meet at Food Bank of the Rockies on December 8 from 1-4pm to sort and pack groceries for those in need!
We need 12 volunteers. Please contact Maren Diercks at marenjdiercks@gmail or 720-238-2333 for more information.
Broncos Watch Party
Join us for a Broncos Watch Party on
Sunday, November 8 at 11:00am in Room 412 as Denver takes on the Carolina Panthers. Bring your favorite tailgate snack to share, grab a seat for the game, and enjoy a relaxed afternoon with the Bethany community. The game room will also be open for anyone who wants to play pool, foosball, air hockey, or ping pong. Whether you’re a serious football fan or just there for the snacks and conversation, this will be a fun chance to gather and connect.
Bethany Outdoor Adventures November Hike
On Saturday, November 21, please join the Bethany Outdoor Adventures Ministry on a hike at South Valley Park starting at 10am.
South Valley Park is just west of Denver near Ken Caryl/C-470. Highlights include beautiful rock formations, scenic views, and a kid-friendly atmosphere. The Coyote Song Trail is a 2.9 mile loop, the estimated time to complete is between 1-1.5 hours, with an elevation gain of 314 ft. So, nothing strenuous, not too early, and we encourage every generation at Bethany to join in on this fun outing!
We will offer an option to carpool from Bethany, leaving no later than 9:10am or meet at the North Trailhead by 9:50am. The address is 8354 South Valley Road, Littleton, CO 80127. When you register, please designate if you'd like to carpool from Bethany.
Please register
here!
Worship News and Events
Usher Training
Have you considered serving at Bethany as an usher? Ushers play an important role in welcoming our congregation and helping worship services run smoothly. We invite you to prayerfully consider serving in this ministry. Join us
Sunday, November 8, at 9:35 a.m., between services, near the altar at the front of the church for a brief 10-minute training led by three experienced ushers. Whether you're new to ushering or would appreciate a refresher, all are welcome!
Usher Training
Sunday, November 8
Have you considered serving at Bethany as an usher? Ushers play an important role in welcoming our congregation and helping worship services run smoothly. We’re looking for 9–12 additional volunteers and invite you to prayerfully consider serving in this ministry.
Join us Sunday, November 8, at 9:35 a.m., between services, near the altar at the front of the church for a brief 10-minute training led by three experienced ushers. Whether you’re new to ushering or would appreciate a refresher, all are welcome!
Other News and Events
Here We Stand: The Story of the Reformation through the Kessler Collection
On Saturday, November 21, Bethany Lutheran Church (4500 E Hampden Ave) will host a combined lecture and choir concert, featuring artifacts from the prestigious Richard C. Kessler Collection, the largest collection of Reformation artifacts outside of Europe. The lecture will be given by Dr. Richard “Bo” Manly Adams, Jr., Margaret A. Pitts Distinguished Director of Pitts Theology Library and Associate Professor in the Practice of Theological Bibliography at Candler School of Theology. The Chancel Choir will perform beloved Lutheran hymns in conjunction with information about the artifacts.
The event will begin at
6:30 PM
in the
Sanctuary, and the artifacts will be on display in the chapel before and after the event. This will be a night to remember - come learn and celebrate!
Beware of Scams!
Do not get caught in a scam email. Pastor Gary (or any Bethany staff person) will
NEVER ask you to provide gift cards or obtain any such items for them. If you get any email that asks you to reply via email because the person is in a meeting, do not reply. You can also check the senders email address. Very few will be able to duplicate the Bethany email address. You may be able to report this as a scam to your email provider, or simply delete the message. If you ever have a question call the Bethany church office. We anticipate an increase in these scam messages in the fall and into the holiday season.
Town Hall of Denver Lecture: Elizabeth Schlosser
We are thrilled to be welcoming Elizabeth Schlosser, famed Colorado author, historian, appraiser and advocate for Denver. Her book, Denver: The City and its Art 1870-1970 which features 100 Public Art Masterpieces is the grand topic! She will present an informative overview of what it took to make the book happen and will feature images of masterpieces in the book, which retails for over $50.00. As a special event for Town Hall of Denver Lectures and Bethany Members, each book will be available to purchase and have signed for $36.00, plus tax. You will have to ability to pay via cash, check or credit card. What a great opportunity for wonderful holiday gifts! Hooray for another way to honor our great history of Colorado and our nation. No need to reserve a seat, come to the lecture on November 12 at 10:00 AM (please arrive by 9:45) and announce you are a Bethany Member and pay the discounted admission fee of $25.00. Normal admission is $35.00. .
Questions? email:
jean@townhallofdenver.com
