VOLUME 7, ISSUE 12 DECEMBER 2011

Christmas Events Page 2

Worship Page 3

Next Steps Page 3

“table”; KidzClub Page 4

Advent Page 5

Lutheran Chorale Page 6

LifeLight Page 7

School Musicals Page 8

LWML Page 9

Primetimers Page 9

CAHSA Page 10

Scholarships Page 10

Dec. Calendar Page 11

Coffee News Page 12

8:00 & 10:30am No Chapel or 9:15 Services Bring your family & friends!

Christmas Concert December 4, 2011

Join us on Sunday, December 4 during the 8:00 and 10:30am church services for our annual celebration of the won-ders of the Christmas season. Our choirs will be accompanied by a full or-chestra as we worship the Lord in word and song, praising him for his coming among us.

Cookies, coffee and cider will be served in the Parish Activity Center following the concert.

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Sunday, December 4

Christmas Concert

8:00 & 10:30am in the sanctuary

[No Chapel or 9:15 Services this Morning]

Tuesday, December 13

Bethlehem School Christmas Program

(Primary Grades)

1:30pm and 7:00pm in the sanctuary

Tuesday, December 20

Bethlehem School Christmas Program

(Upper Grades)

1:30pm and 7:00pm in the gymnasium

Saturday, December 24

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

3:00pm, 5:00pm (church & chapel) and 7:00pm

(Individual candles at all services)

Sunday, December 25

Christmas Day Communion Services

8:00, 9:15 & 10:30am—Main sanctuary ONLY

Saturday, December 31

New Year’s Eve Communion Service

7:00pm—Main sanctuary

Sunday, January 1

New Year’s Day Service

8:00, 9:15 & 10:30 am—Main sanctuary ONLY

2011 Christmas Events

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“Thanks be to God for His Indescribable Gift!” I I Corinthians 9:15 By Marilyn Havekost

“His indescribable gift!” This is the season when there is a mad scramble to rush from store to store to find appropriate gifts for those we wish to remember. Need I point out that for the business world this is the season of the year on which much of their fortunes hang to end in the black? For them, it’s all about money. I’m not really sure just how we got into this mode, if it was taken from the idea that the wise men brought “their treasures… (and) presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.” But we should take note that those gifts were offered to Jesus, not to one another. And we should note the spirit in which they were offered… “they fell down and worshipped.” It was an awesome scene! It reflects the true spirit of the very first Christmas. It should say something to us… twenty centuries later. THINK… of the “gift” God so freely gave us. It was surely not measured in terms of what He might expect in return. He freely gave His Son. And in doing so, He (as the Scripture points) “spared not His own Son.” He held nothing back. The BEST was not too much to give to us unde-serving sinners! O, never has the world seen gift-giving like that! No wonder Paul fairly SHOUTS IT as he pens those words… “THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS INDESCRIBABLE GIFT!!

It simply means that for Paul, there was not any vocabulary adequate to express the enormity, the preciousness, the inestimable value, the unutter-able beauty to the gift God gave us! Yes, enjoy your family get-togethers! Enjoy the gifts that God has blessed you with that will fill your tables on Christmas Day! Yes, even enjoy the pleasure of blessing others with the gifts you purchased to share! But remember that first word, too… THANKS! With all the turmoil and heartache in our world, we still have so much to be thankful for. As we celebrate another Christmas, let’s go back once more and catch the spirit of that first Christ-mas and let our hearts rise in worship and adoration to the Christ, and let our gift giving be in the spirit of those who were the first gift givers. Like the wise men, let’s “fall down and worship” Him this Christmas and every day forward. See you in worship on Sunday!

The Next Door Project was an incredible success at Bethlehem. Close to 100 LifeGroups were able to meet weekly to deepen their relationships with each other and the Lord. Praise God!

For many of you this was your first time experi-encing a LifeGroup here at Bethlehem – we pray it was enjoyable. If your LifeGroup experienced troubles of any nature, please let me know so we can improve into the future. If you enjoyed your

experience you’re probably asking, “What next? Should I join another LifeGroup? Which Life-Group should I join? Should my Next Door Pro-ject LifeGroup continue? What would we study or do together? Should I start my own LifeGroup?” Sandy Wendelin (swendelin@bethluth.net) and I (tahlman@bethluth.net) are eager to help you navigate your upcoming LifeGroup experience.

May the momentum built by God’s Spirit through The Next Door Project LifeGroups propel us into even deeper relationships with each other and the Lord in 2012!

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Next Steps? By Pastor Tim Ahlman

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Advent at the „table” By Pas to r T im A h lman

Do you long for a midweek Advent series here at Bethle-hem? This longing can be met this December at “the ta-ble” where we will be having an Advent series in prepara-tion for the coming of our King Jesus. We will be preach-ing on the respective Advent texts that are not preached upon on Sunday. This is a wonderful chance to not only discover what God is doing through “the table,” but also for you to prepare spiritually on what it means that God became man in Jesus Christ. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Praise God – He has led Joanna Douglas, a daughter of our church that also served as a missionary in India, to help serve at “the table.” Joanna will give time to mentor-ing the hurting, teaching Bible 101 classes, volunteer mo-bilization and building partnerships in the greater metro area. Please welcome Joanna and feel free to contact her regarding your willingness to volunteer at “the table.”

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Christmas…

A time of reflection,

A time for good cheer,

A time for friends and family

During a special time of the year!

Family and friends of our Sunday School kids are invited to an…..

ADVENT SHARING PROGRAM

Sunday, December 18

9:15am in the school gym

There is NO Sunday School on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

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What is Advent? By Marilyn Havekost

Advent is the beginning of the Church year. It be-gins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. Historically, the primary sanctuary color of Ad-vent is Purple. This is the color of penitence and fasting as well as the color of royalty to wel-come the Advent of the King. Purple is still used in some traditions (for example, Roman Catholic). The purple of Advent is also the color of suf-fering used during Lent and Holy Week. This points to an impor-tant connection between Jesus’ birth and death. The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be sepa-rated from the crucifixion. The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world, of the "Word made flesh" and dwelling among us, is to reveal God and His grace to the world through Jesus’ life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection. To reflect this emphasis, originally Advent was a time of peni-tence and fasting, much as the Season of Lent

and so shared the color of Lent. Typically, the third Sunday of Advent has the pink candle, be-cause it’s a sign of beginning to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s arrival.

The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the cele-bration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000-year-old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of crea-tion might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consum-mation of which we anticipate. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Sec-ond Advent, including themes of

accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life.

We‟re Blue with Anticipation By Ann Ornelas

Advent is the blue season of the church year. The bright blue used on the pastors’ stoles, the pulpit and the banners could stand for the royalty of the coming King, the night sky as we wait for the arrival of the King or even the waters of the new creation.

Advent was originally a time of penitence and fasting as church members humbled themselves at the thought of being held accountable before the coming judgment. We now celebrate the faithfulness of our God in extending His grace in human form so that all creation will be reconciled

to God.

Prayers during Advent will reflect humble devo-tion and commitment to service to our God and to others. We will also pray for deliverance from darkness and evil and hope for light and peace in the midst of our struggle. In the darkness, the light of the candles on the advent wreath reflects our joy as we anticipate the arrival of Christ the King in his second Advent. Then Christ will re-turn as the Great Light that unites us with our Creator for eternity.

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Wishes to you and your family for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Fully Alive

Bethlehem Lutheran Church & School

2100 N. Wadsworth Blvd. Lakewood, CO 80214

Church office: 303-238-7676 School office: 303-233-0401

Visit us online at www.bethluth.net

E-mail Bethlehem@bethluth.net KLTT 670 Radio Broadcast 11:00 AM

Sundays

David J. Langewisch, Pastor

Tim Ahlman, Pastor

John Petersen, Pastor of Visi tat ion & Older Adul t Ministry

Michael Heiden,

Vicar (Student Pastor)

Michel le Fischer , Princ ipal

Sandy Wendel in, Director of Discipleship and

Early Learning Center Administrator

Mari l yn Havekost,

Director of Music Minis try

Scott Bubke, Director of Operat ions

Paul Beasley, Director of Information Technology

Adam Winterhof,

Director, Student L i fe Ministry

Suke Gnagy, Preschool Director

Karla Hal lac y, Mel issa Meuzelaar & Timi Schuessler

Cornerstone Counsel ing, 303-238-7676, ext . 315

Fully Alive is published monthly for the members and friends of Bethlehem Lutheran. It focuses on news within the congregation and activities in the church each month. Articles may be submitted to the church office by the 15th of each month for the next month’s issue.

e-mail to: bethlehem@bethluth.net

Are You on the Right Track? By Annette Gunther

During a trip to Germany many, many years ago, my husband and I decided to attend the Octoberfest in Munich. We had never attended before, and we were a little unfamiliar with the train system, even though I speak German. We bought tickets and proceeded to the train tracks following the posted signs. Once underway, we were confident that we were on the right train when we noticed that the list of cities posted inside the train were going by in the wrong direction! As soon as we no-ticed, several towns later, we got off the train, crossed the tracks and got onto the proper train. Who knows where we would have ended up if we hadn’t?

Later that evening, we again boarded a train to go back to the hotel. This time, however, we were on the right train. But, it turns out that at that time of night the entire train doesn’t return to its destination! We found ourselves sitting in a car that was being disconnected from the rest of the train! It was the right train this time, but the wrong car! Fortunately, the conductor came and put us on the proper car.

This scenario brought to mind all the people in the world who think they are on the right track to heaven. They think they’ve purchased tickets and know where to board the “train.” They are, however, basing their destination upon their own works and knowledge. Unfortunately, they don’t know that there is nothing to purchase and no amount of work they can do in or-der to be on the right track. What’s needed is a conductor, or guide, which is God’s Word. It’s the only proper map that can point us in the direction of heaven which is a free gift through Jesus and His birth, death and resurrection for us.

Be sure to find out if you are on the right train by studying God’s Word in LifeLight. Get more information at www.bethluth.net.

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Have you ever noticed that some of the most joyful people you’ll ever meet are often the most giving people, too? You know it’s true! There is a beautiful correlation between “giving” and “joy” in God’s economy!

Our musical this year takes place in a shopping mall where the class officers have gathered to find a special present for their teacher. They’re off to a store named Tiff’s Gifts to shop for him, and right away they learn, “It’s Better to Give than Receive.”

Join our characters as they learn three great truths of God:

One: God gave out of love. (John 3:16)

Two: God gave us his best. (Romans 8:32)

Three: He gave in response to our great need, not what we deserved.

We’re excited to share our story with you. Join us on Tuesday, December 20 at 1:30 and 7:00pm. We’ll have a great evening of Christmas music by our band and handbell choir, followed by “The Great Christmas Giveaway!”

Merry Christmas to you all!

School Christmas Musicals Join the students of kindergarten to fourth grade as they present Mira-cle On Main Street on Tuesday, December 13 at 1:30 and 7:00pm. This delightful program tells the story of children trying to save their Christmas pageant in the town square. The children learn that the town wants to cancel the pageant because it may be offensive to some in the community.

Our fourth graders will be leading the drama as all the students in kin-dergarten through fourth grade remind us through song of the true meaning of Christmas. Our Early Learning Center will also be making a special presentation. Come join us for this special Christmas cele-bration.

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What is $100 Million? By Janet Krogh

That is the phenomenal amount raised for LWML mission grants since the founding of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML)! This amazing total combines funds given on both the national level and in the 40 LWML districts across the U.S.

Did the women who gathered in Chicago in July 1942 imagine such an outcome? God certainly blessed these trailblazers who selected a simple Mite box to collect their Mites over all these years. These "mighty Mites" have supported countless Christian outreach in 42 countries on 5 continents. Praise God for His bountiful blessings on these coins (and bills!) to multiply their use to further His kingdom!

This year, at the June Peoria convention, a bien-nium goal of $1.825 million was set to fund 19 grants. Please continue to fill your Mite box again and again to share the joyful news of Christ

around the world.

Here in our Rocky Mountain District, the bien-nium ends June 2012 at the convention in El Paso, TX. The goal is $75,000. As of this month we're barely halfway there with only 7 months to go! We need a big push from all our churches to complete the $35,250 still to go. Can we do it? With God's help, we can.

Leave your filled Mite box in the large Mite box in the PAC or outside the chapel door any Sunday, and pick up another one. Say a prayer for God's rich bless-ings on each coin. Thank you.

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December Primetimer Activities By Pastor John Petersen

Saturday, Dec. 3

Bunco in the

PAC

1:00pm Tuesday, Dec. 6

Bible study in

PAC

10:00am

Sunday, Dec. 11

Potluck in PAC

12:30pm

Saturday, Dec. 17

WRHS Barbershop

2:00pm—$8.00

Special Note: The December 11 potluck will include a Christmas carol sing-along with Margaret Wahl on the piano and a special appearance by the new Joyful Noise singing group.

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Concordia Academy High School Association (CAHSA) Concordia Academy High School Association (CAHSA) has col-laborated with Faith Christian Academy (FCA) in Arvada to offer a Lutheran track on that campus. FCA is now accepting applica-tions for the 2012-13 school year. New families to FCA who have children attending Lutheran churches will have priority en-rollment status. FCA will apply the $50 application fee to the 2012-13 enrollment fee at the time of the new family interview for Lutheran students who will be entering 9th grade.

Lutheran theology at Faith Christian Academy is being taught by Craig Parrott and Tim Lindeman. Craig shows his leadership and facilitation skills as he develops student fellowship groups. Tim is a gifted mentor to our kids and is very intentional about building relationships among them. We are very blessed to have Tim and Craig join Faith Christian Academy as the Lutheran Staff.

Financial Aid is available for students registering for the Lutheran Track at Faith Christian Academy. To request financial assis-tance from CAHSA, apply to FAIRApp.com. The school code is 196 and the password is “ltfca196” (as in Lutheran Track Faith Christian Academy 196).

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Seminary, College and High School Scholarship Fund By Dale Wagner

For nearly 25 years, Bethlehem Lutheran Minis-tries has provided scholarships for members wishing to continue their Christian education, ei-ther at Parker Lutheran High School, Faith Chris-tian’s Lutheran Track, one of our Missouri Synod colleges or one of our Missouri Synod seminar-ies. Funding for these scholarships has come from the generous donations of members of Bethlehem as well as a modest contribution of approximately $6,500 from the annual church budget.

If the Lord is leading you to make a contribution, please clearly indicate your choice of College (includes seminaries) or High School Scholarship Fund, using one of the contribution envelopes in

your packet, or by sending them directly to the church office. Should you have questions, con-tact Terry or Karen Donze at 303-420-7876, Helga Duncan at 303-985-4952 or Dale or Marty Wagner at 303-972-9431.

Thank you so much for your past support. We look forward to the continued sharing of God’s wonderful bounty in your support of fur-thering Bethlehem’s Christian outreach.

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Non-Profit Org.

U. S. POSTAGE PAID

WHEATRIDGE, CO

PERMIT NO. 68

A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.

DON'T FORGET THE COFFEE HOUSE HAS GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE AT ANY AMOUNT. THEY MAKE GREAT GIFTS.

CLOSURES: Dec. 22, 23, 26, 30

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

Coffee Specials:

* Peppermint Patty Latte or Steamer *

* Peppermint Hot Chocolate