The Beacon Messenger December 2016 A publication of Bethesda Lutheran Church

and East Church Congregational

From the Pastor Our Hope and Expectation

“Our hope and expectation, O Jesus, now appear; arise, O Sun so longed for, o’er this benighted sphere. With hearts and hands uplifted, we plead, O Lord, to see the day of earth’s redemption that sets your people free!” (ELW 244)

We hope for many things during our lifetime. Children hope for their favorite toy for Christmas or their birthday. Students hope to pass tests and get into their chosen school. We hope to get our dream job. We hope to find a faithful partner in life with whom we can share an enduring love. When we have children and grandchildren we hope they grow into wonderful young women and men. We hope for good health and enough money to support ourselves and take care of those unexpected needs that arise.

As our nation transitions to a new administration some are hopeful for changes that they wish to see. Others are fearful of what may happen to them under new policies. We often are so focused on the world that we live in, and the problems that surround us that we may forget that we are made members of God’s kingdom in baptism and we wait for the time when Jesus returns to reign over God’s kingdom here on earth.

As God’s beloved children we wait with hope and expectation for God has promised to turn the world upside down. The poor will finally have enough, the hungry will be satisfied, those with physical afflictions will be healed, and those with broken hearts will grieve no more. “For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.” (Psalm 19:18)

In this Advent season we have a sure and certain hope, for our hope is in God who keeps promises. “And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.” (Psalm 39:7) God’s love for humankind is so enormous that God came in the person of Jesus. And even though none of us deserve it, we are saved. Through Jesus’ death we have forgiveness and through his resurrection we have eternal life. “Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33:22)

God is good, only good things come from God. When bad things happen to us, they are not a test from God. Bad things happen to all of us, sometimes they are random, sometimes they are brought on us by people doing evil things, and sometimes we bring them on ourselves. God is with us in these difficult times. God brings us though them and many times we end up better than we were before. We do not know what God has in store for us, but we do know that it is good. “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Our faith is a living, daring hope in God who is love itself, who made us in love to be loved and to love God and neighbor in return. “…hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 5:5) Our hope is not wishing on a star, it is a solid conviction because of the one born under a star, whom we worship. The witnesses of this birth recorded what they saw and heard for our sake that we might believe without seeing. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

My prayer for you is, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) In Christ’s peace,

Pastor Lauren

Thank You!!!!! Mike Dufault for changing the banners and Sue Mariotti for changing the liturgical art

many times. Art and Norma Semle for donating, preparing, and delivering the Thanksgiving food

bags. Frosty Robbins for the fundraiser through Savers to support our quilting ministry. Mike Lewison for our Christmas wreaths.

Decorating the Christmas Tree On Sunday December 4th we will have everyone who worships at the Churches at Island Pond trace their hand on fabric. We will iron a backing onto the fabric and cut out the hand. We will use the hands to decorate the Christmas tree. Bethesda and East will do this as soon as worship ends, during coffee hour. Then the members of Divine Faith Ministries and The Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic will join us around 11:30 so that we can do their hands. Finally that evening we will trace the hands of La Senda de la Vida en Cristo.

Bible Study – Names for the Messiah We will look at Isaiah’s four names for the Messiah: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Join us Sunday’s at 9am behind the organ. Bring your coffee and perhaps a friend.

Save the Date Christmas Get Together You are invited to attend the 55+ group’s Christmas Get Together on Friday December 9th at 6 p.m. at Figaro’s Restaurant in Enfield, CT. We will order off the menu and have separate

checks.

Confirmation Christmas Program – December 18, 2016 Join the confirmation students as they present the sermon and special music at 10:00 am on Sunday morning, December 18th.

Social Ministry What we just completed 39 Thanksgiving bags weighing 541 pounds plus $160 What we are doing now Donated gently used clothing and household goods month of November What is coming next During Advent beginning on November 27th:

Fuel Fund Gloves, mittens, scarves & hats Sweatshirts Advent Folders

Look for bargains and clip coupons.

Emergency Fuel Assistance The Social Ministry Team is collecting donations to help those who cannot afford to heat their homes. Please help as you can.

Glove Tree In Advent, please bring hats, gloves & scarves for adults. Hang them on the Christmas tree in the back of the church.

Sweatshirts needed We will be collecting sweatshirts (men, women & children) for the Christian Rescue Mission. There will be a basket in the South Room.

Advent Folders Advent Folders will be available. Following Jesus’ example to serve others we are pleased to provide a folder that contains a slot for each day of the Advent Season to hold your daily offering. You may either place a coin in each day or make one contribution at the end of the season.

United in Faith Standing with our Neighbors Our Muslim sisters and brothers have been experiencing hate crimes against individuals and directed at their mosque. Let’s all get together and say No to Hate, No to Violence. We are invited to the Islamic Center of Western Mass, 377 Amostown Road, West Springfield on Wednesday December 14th at 5:30pm. A light dinner will be served followed by presentations and conversation. The event will end at 8pm. Please join the interfaith community to show our solidarity with our Muslim neighbors. RSVP 413- 788-7546 or Masjidma@gmail.com or MSBAJWA@hotmail.com

Homemade cookies needed for Friends of the Homeless on Christmas Eve This year we are again hosting people from Friends of the Homeless at the 7pm service on Christmas Eve. We will have refreshments after the service and would like to serve cookies, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Then we will give our guest bags to take cookies home with them. Please make some cookies and bring them to church by Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Worship Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on Sunday this year. There will be worship as usual at 10am, however, worship will be more casual, so come as you are, PJ’s are OK. Please do not miss this opportunity to praise God for the gift of God’s only Son, our Lord Jesus the Christ.

Poinsettia Garden

Once more we are preparing a poinsettia garden for Christmas. If you have a relative or friend that you want to memorialize or honor, you may fill out the form at church or send the information to the church office with your name

and the name(s) of the loved one. Plants cost $10 each.

Urgent notification list We have a list of email addresses for both churches which we use to inform members when there has been a death in the congregation, and when an event or worship service is cancelled. If you are not on that list and wish to be on it please give your information to the church office.

Attention Bethesda Members – Annual Meeting and Elections On January 22, 2017 Bethesda Church will hold its annual meeting and in that meeting we will approve a budget and elect people to serve in a number of roles. If you have any agenda items please give them to Larry Green.

Attention East Church Members – Annual Meeting and Elections On January 29, 2017 East Church will hold its annual meeting and in that meeting we will approve a budget and elect people to serve in a number of roles. If you have any agenda items please give them to Charlotte Moreau.

Scholarships/Camperships Students who have received a scholarship will need to provide their grades from the first semester to receive the second half of their scholarship. Students who are going to Camp Calumet or are off to college may request a form to apply for a campership or scholarship. Application deadline for both Campership and Scholarship funds is June 1st of each year.

Snow Closings Unless a storm is very severe and the roads are not passable, Sunday morning worship services will be held each week. However, no one should put themselves at risk by driving, walking or shoveling to attend worship. Your physical health and safety is as important as your spiritual wellbeing. Please use your own judgment when there is snow or ice. Stay inside your home, read the Bible and have conversation with God.

Remembering in Prayer We all share in the ministry of intercessory prayer. We are called individually to pray each day and as a gathered community of faith in worship. If you have someone we need to include in our prayers please notify our church office. We remember in prayer:

May God be with them and bless them with wholeness and health.

Christmas Eve Services at

The Churches at Island Pond Road

Bethesda Lutheran Church &

East Congregational Church

4:00 P.M. Family-Friendly Service designed for all ages,

with a special focus on children.

We will:

* Light the Christ Candle in the center of the Advent Wreath

* Hear the familiar account of Jesus’ birth as told to us by

Luke

* Sing familiar Christmas carols accompanied by the

musical ensemble

* Read a Christmas story for children

* Hear a Christmas message

* Receive Holy Communion, spoken liturgy

* Sing “Silent Night" with traditional candle lighting

7:00 P.M. Family-Friendly Service designed for all ages

We will:

* Light the Christ Candle in the center of the Advent Wreath

* Hear the familiar account of Jesus’ birth as told to us by

Luke

* Sing familiar Christmas carols accompanied by organ

* Hear a Christmas message

* Receive Holy Communion, spoken liturgy

* Sing “Silent Night" with traditional candle lighting

All are welcome. Invite others to join you.