National Day of Prayer May 6, 2021

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Empowered by Jesus to be His hands and feet, Bethlehem is a caring Community called to be His compassionate presence in this world and to build community by reaching out with the life-giving Word to those in our neighborhoods who are wearied and burdened by life’s demands and

changing Circumstances.

May 2021, Volume XXI, No. 5

BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH 201 E. Watauga Avenue

Johnson City, TN 37601 Rev. Steven Harmon, Pastor

Church: 423-926-5261

Reach Up, Reach In,

Reach Out

National Day of Prayer

May 6, 2021

Camron Scruggs

Ruth Wudtke

Camron is graduating from Science Hill High School. He will be attending Northeast State

Community College in the fall. Ruth is graduating from Tennessee Online Public School. She will be attending the Savannah College

of Art and Design in the fall.

Amanda Howland

Amanda is graduating from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in

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Notes from the Pastor’s Desk

We are Jesus’ hands and feet.

During the past year, I have spent a lot of time saddened by those who have already accepted the “new normal.”

That “new normal” is about wearing face masks, maintaining physical distancing, and limiting numbers in public

set-tings like sporting events, concerts and even restaurants.

But none of that is what saddens me. It’s the effect it is having on those who talk about a “new normal.” It’s not

spoken with joy or out of hope. It’s resignation – resigning oneself to the inevitable. Resignation is really a loss of

hope. It’s people coming to the conclusion that we might as well accept it because there is nothing we can do to

change it. And that is truly sad.

But this shouldn’t be anything new to us. We spent the Season of Lent confronting our sin and the inevitable

conse-quence that will come because of our sin. We resigned ourselves to that fate knowing that there’s nothing we can do

to change it.

Then came Easter. And immediately we were confronted with a “new normal.” We have been brought to a time of

great hope and joy because God intervened in His creation and in our lives to bring us into His “new normal.”

The Son of God took on human flesh so that He could take our old nature – our sinful nature – the old normal – and

put it to death on the cross. He died the death that we deserve so that we could live. He rose victorious over sin and

death destroying their power to hold us captive in darkness and despair.

Jesus then comes to us through God’s Word joined to the waters of Baptism to unite us with Him in His death and

life. In that union, we are made new. We are given a new normal.

We are no longer enemies of God trapped in sin. We are no longer wandering in the dark without hope. We are a

new creation. We are dearly loved children of God through the forgiveness won for us By Jesus through His life, death

and resurrection.

We have been raised to life. We have been given a hope that will not fade or ever disappoint. We have been

brought into God’s Kingdom of Light and He is at work to conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

That is the hope we live in and are called to share. That is the “new normal” that now rules our life in this world.

That is the “new normal” that we are to talk about with others who have lost hope.

So let those in authority talk about their “new normal” and encourage us to comply. We are no longer of this world.

We live a new life that can’t be taken from us by the trials and troubles of this life. We have been joined together with

Christ in “new normal” that is life without end. That is our hope and the empty tomb is the guarantee.

May 2 . . . 5th_{Sunday of Easter}

8:00 am

SERMON TEXT: John 15:1-8 SERMON THEME: “Remain in Me”

LITURGY: LITURGY: Divine Service 3 w/ Communion

10:45 am

SERMON TEXT: John 15:1-8 SERMON THEME: “Remain in Me”

LITURGY: LITURGY: Divine Service 3 w/ Communion May 9 . . . 6th_{Sunday of Easter}

8:00 am

SERMON TEXT: John 15:9-17

SERMON THEME: “Remain in My Love”

10:45 am

SERMON TEXT: John 15:9-17

SERMON THEME: “Remain in My Love”

LITURGY: LITURGY: Divine Service 4 w/ Communion May 16 . . . 7th_{Sunday of Easter}

8:00 am

SERMON TEXT: John 17:11b-19

SERMON THEME: “Protected By THE Name”

10:45 am

SERMON TEXT: John 17:11b-19

SERMON THEME: “Protected By THE Name” LITURGY: Divine Service 1 w/ Communion May 23 . . . Pentecost Sunday

8:00 am

SERMON TEXT: Acts 2:1-21

SERMON THEME: “The Name That Saves”

10:45 am

SERMON TEXT: Acts 2:1-21

SERMON THEME: “The Name That Saves”

LITURGY: LITURGY: Divine Service 3 w/ Communion May 30 . . . Trinity Sunday

8:00 am

SERMON TEXT: Acts 2:14a, 22-36 SERMON THEME: “Lord and Christ”

LITURGY: LITURGY: Blended w/ Communion

10:45 am

SERMON TEXT: Acts 2:14a, 22-36 SERMON THEME: “Lord and Christ”

LITURGY: LITURGY: Blended w/ Communion God comes and invites us to join Him in His house and at His table on a regular basis. As we answer

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Sew Crazy

Sew Crazy will be

meeting on:

Saturday, May 15,

from 10am - noon to

start on a new

project. This month the group

begins construction on 40

simple to construct draw cord

backpacks. They will be

heading to: Child Life

Specialist - the St. Jude's

Tri-Cities affiliate. It will also be

turn in day for the kitchen

items to benefit Huschka

House in Johnson City. For

additional information:

http://

www.Sew-Crazy.org.

We are

also active on Facebook .

Please like and Follow us!

Hours

The Church office is open Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Susan is off on Thursdays Pastor is off on Fridays Voice mail and e-mails are checked regularly.

Statistical Report for April

Attendance 8:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m. Offerings

April 4 52 83 General Fund $10,522.00 Shaneyfelt Mission $ 50.00 Lutheran Missions $ 1,500.00 Local Missions $ 1,500.00 Flower Fund $ 100.00 April 11 31 62 General Fund $ 3,875.00

Youth Ministry $ 80.00 April 18 42 49 General Fund $ 2,565.00

Shaneyfelt Mission $ 50.00 Melting Pot $ 50.00 Family Promise $ 125.00 Youth Ministry(sale) $ 25.00 April 25 36 65 General Fund $ 6.161.00

Shaneyfelt Mission $ 50.00 Rummage Sale $ 1,000.00 Melting Pot $ 50.00

Maundy Thursday, April 1 48 General Fund $ 980.00 Good Friday, April 2 61 General Fund $ 750.00 Easter Vigil, April 3 33

Easter SONrise Service 13

On-line Giving in April $ 1,660.00

Spending Guidelines for 2021 $287,740.89 Offerings needed each week in 2021 $ 6,660.001

Come join us for board

games on

May 15th, 6 pm - ???

If the weather is good, we

will set up cornhole boards outside. Bring a

snack or drink to share. All ages welcome!

Happy May Birthdays to

Ann Woomer (2), Tom Turner (3rd), Becky Marshall (7th),

David Marwede & Wayne Swihart (11th),

Ken Baskin & Marilyn Abbott (12th),

Heidi Davidson & Thomas Allen (14), Ava Nutter (15),

Amanda Howland (18th), Samantha Miller Gray (19th),

Madeline McPherson (20th), Micah Mehl (23rd),

Nadia Whaley, Carter & Brandt Groen (26th),

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We had another awesome month together throughout the month of April. On Sunday,

April 18

th

, we setup for our annual rummage sale following the 2

nd

service. Our annual

rummage sale was scheduled for Saturday, April 24

th

from 8-1. The sale was a HUGE

success. With your help, we were able to raise $1,025. Your donations were greatly appreciated. This past

month, we were also able to listen to Larry Larson tell us about his life and his walk with Christ. Thank you, Mr.

Larson, for sharing your beautiful testimony with us. With that said, our youth group needs you!!! We would

love to hear from you throughout 2021. We have been doing a new way of conducting our youth meetings on

Saturday nights. We are asking that you would prayerfully consider sharing your testimony with us. We want

to get to know you in a deeper way by hearing about your faith in Christ. We are also thankful for Susan

Burkey, Patty Harmon, Megan DeNobriga, Larry Larson, and Tim Heiden for coming to share what God has done

in your lives’. Please be praying about coming to share your story/testimony with us. May will be another

busy month for us. We will have a youth meetings on the following Saturdays: May 1

st

, May 8

th

, and May

29

th

. Congregation Game Night will be on Saturday, May 15

th

. We’re in the early stages of planning a trip to

The Bible Museum in Washington DC. We would like to open this trip with the youth to the entire

congrega-tion. If you would be interested in traveling with us to visit the museum, please speak with David

Nutter. We’re also in the planning stages of attending Teen Servant Event Week at Camp Linn Haven in Linville,

NC from June 27

th

-July 3

rd

. We look forward to sharing our experience from the week. We want to give a

HUGE shout-out to Andy Tester for the all the work he’s done for the youth webpage. If you haven’t seen it…

please go to our church’s website and click the link that says “Youth.” It looks AMAZING!!! Please keep us in

your prayers as those plans formulate. The following is what we have on the calendar for our youth group for

this upcoming month.

Month of May at a Glance:

Saturday, May 1

st ...

Youth Group Meeting from 6:30-8:30

Sunday, May 2

nd...

Sunday School Class from 9:15-10:30

Saturday, May 8

th ...

Youth Group Meeting from 6:30-8:30

Sunday,

May 9

th

... Sunday School Class from 9:15-10:30

Saturday, May 15

th

... Congregation Game Night at 6

Sunday, May 16

th

... Sunday School Class from 9:15-10:30

Saturday, May 29

th

... Youth Group Meeting from 6:30-8:30

Sunday, May 30

th

... Sunday School Class from 9:15-10:30

Sunday, May 30

th

... Youth Sunday (The Youth are Ushers and Readers)

YOU ARE INVITED

to a

PIANO RECITAL

Sunday, May 30, 3:00 p.m.

In the church sanctuary

The students of Annie Whaley will

be performing.

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1LHM Class, “Death..”, 9:00 a.m. Youth Group, 6:30 p.m. 2Worship, 8:00 a.m.

Bible Study, Sunday School & Confirmation, 9:15 a.m.

Choir Practice, 10:20 a.m. Worship, 10:45 a.m.

3 4 5Hand Bell Practice, 5:30 p.m.

Bible Study Class, “Luke”, 7:30 p.m.

6 7 8Youth Group, 6:30

p.m.

9Worship, 8:00 a.m.

Ensemble Rehearsal, 4:30 p.m.

10 11Ladies Bible Study, 10:00 a.m.

12Hand Bell Practice, 5:30 p.m.

Board of Directors, 6:00 p.m.

13 14 15Sew Crazy, 10:00 a.m.

Game Night, 6:00 p.m.

16Worship, 8:00 a.m.

Ensemble Practice, 4:30 p.m.

17 18 19

Hand Bell Practice, 5:30 p.m.

“Bible Study Class, “Luke”, 7:30 p.m.

20 21 22Sew Crazy Board Meeting, 10:00 a.m. Youth Group, 6:30 p.m.

23Worship, 8:00 a.m.

Bible Study, Sunday School and Confirmation, 9:15 a.m.

Choir Rehearsal, 10:20 a.m. Worship, 10:45 a.m.

Ensemble Practice, 4:30 p.m.

24 25

Ladies Bible Study, 10:00 a.m.

26

Hand Bell Practice, 5:30 p.m.

27 28

Prepare Lunch Bags for the Melting Pot, 9:00 a.m.

29

Men’s Bible Study, 9:00 a.m.

30YOUTH SUNDAY Worship, 8:00 a.m.

Choir Rehearsal, 10:20 a,.m. Worship, 10:45 a.m.

31

Pastors’ Conference, Pigeon Forge

May 9

Live Streaming of the

10:45 Sunday service will

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On Saturday, June 5th, we'll continue the Lutheran

Hour Ministries series on Death. In this session,

we'll discuss the topic of "How to Minister to those

Close to Death." Surprisingly, Dr. Martin Luther

preached a sermon in November 1519 regarding

death. Many of these principles are still

recom-mended today. At some point, we will all probably

have a family member or close friend who is

ap-proaching the second biggest transition in his or

her life so it would be helpful to know what to say,

what to do, during their final days. As usual, we'll

meet in the Fellowship Hall at 9 AM so everybody

is welcome to attend.

A BANNER Opportunity

Over the past year we have been reorganizing, updating and inventorying our Church banners.

Some were several years old and badly faded or worn. A special thank you to Becky Kueck for

taking on this project. We also want to thank Kathy Port for making our Reformation banner and

updating the Easter banner originally made by______________. We now need to replace other

old banners and add new ones to celebrate other liturgical festivals and church events

…And you can help!!

If you are interested in making a church banner, please contact Susan Burkey. At this time, we

need new banners for the following specific occasions: Baptism, Funeral, Marriage, and

Confirmation. Additionally, general seasonal banners are welcome. Please talk to Susan Burkey

or Ann Larson for further information. Banner design/content needs to be approved by Pastor

Harmon prior to construction to ensure it is liturgically appropriate.

Additionally, commercially made banners are available should you desire to purchase rather than

make a banner. The church has funds available to reimburse you for materials or purchasing

costs, if desired. The display of banners adds to our liturgy and serve as an expression of a

festival or season of the church year.

THE CHURCH LIBRARY IS OPEN!

Everyone is welcome to begin checking out books. Self Checkout & Return

Books will rotate approximately every month.

The Library is located in the Fellowship Hall beside the white marker board.

Checkout: Children – 1 week

Adults – 2 weeks

Come browse and discover some new and exciting reading!!

Serving This Month

8:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m.

ELDER OF THE MONTH: Ted Wilson

ELDER OF THE MONTH: Frank deNobriga

USHERS USHERS

5/2 Roy Knispel Lee Talbert Ann Larson Silas Whaley Robert Woody Robb Whaley 5/9 David Nutter John Port

Christian Nutter Nick Leone Roy Knispel Ben Wohlford 5/16 Roy Knispel Lee Talbert

Larry Larson Dylan Treece Ann Larson Tim Treece 5/23 Robert Woody John Port

Tom Watson Andy Tester Roy Knispel Nick Leone

5/30 Youth Youth

Communion: Roy Knispel, Communion: Tim Treece

David Nutter, Christian Nutter Dylan Treece, Cary Allen Altar Guild for May: Betty Jean Sotherland and Mary Lee