COVID NEWS - 12/12/2020

To the saints of God at Bethel,

It saddens me to share this with you but together with the officers of our congregation I think it is needful.

This past Thursday Governor Wolf announced a number of restrictions to combat the dramatic spike in Covid-19 cases in our state. The restrictions include a limit of 10 persons for indoor gatherings.

As you may know, a special exemption was granted for worship services, but with that exemption came a plea from public officials that we should not use that exemption but seek alternate ways of meeting together if possible.

I very much appreciate the Commonwealth's careful reading of the Constitution, especially the First Amendment. I also believe that the principle of choosing to not fully use one's freedoms for the sake of serving the neighbor has a biblical foundation and is clearly reflected in the Ministry of our Lord.

In order to (1) safeguard the health and well-being of Beth members and friends (2) in view of the Governor's urgent request (3) with the intent of not giving a poor witness to neighbors by flaunting public health concerns and (4) in order to participate with all the citizens of our Commonwealth in common cause, we have determined the following:

• In person worship will be suspended beginning this Sunday, December 13. All worshipers are directed to the online service via facebook.
• A worship team of no greater than 10 persons will provide that live-streamed service.
• The Voters Meeting scheduled for after church this Sunday is postponed.

Please also be aware that the Tri-Parish Advent Service scheduled to be held at St. John's on Wednesday, December 16 has been cancelled. A time of online fellowship and an Advent devotion will be offered via ZOOM in its place. The information for that ZOOM devotional will be shared in a separate email early next week.

Other modifications impacting future services may be forthcoming; please keep an eye on your email inbox.

I leave you with one of my favorite verses from the Psalms - a reminder that the Lord is our peace and safety in every time of trouble. "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by." (Ps. 57:1) May our gracious God keep you and your family safely under wing as this storm rages, and bring you finally to the eternal safe harbor in Him.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Hahn

Bulletin Announcement for October 4, 2020

* ANNOUNCEMENTS * * *

ALTAR FLOWERS are placed to the glory of God by Ross and Lynn Betts in loving memory ofRoss’s mother, Mary Betts.

TRI-PARISH HANDBELL CHOIR REHEARSAL will meet weekly every Monday at 7pm at Bethel. If you have any questions, please contact Vicar Woolweber at 747-232-1911 or email vicar@stjohnsmillvale.org.

TRI-PARISH SEWING GROUP - is scheduled for Saturday, October 10th at 10am at Bethel.TRI-PARISH CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE – will meet at Bethel at 7pm on October 14th. The next

(large group) TRI-PARISH COMMITTEE MEETING will be held at Bethel at 7pm on October 21st.

APPLE DUMPLING GANG – Apple dumplings are going to be sold at the Drive-Through Oktoberfeston October 24th. Come join in the fun! The baking will be done at St. John’s on Saturday, October17th at 10am.

DUPLEX SALE—St. John’s recently acquired a duplex as part of an overall property acquisition plan.The church is now in the process of selling the duplex. The property is located at 508 and 509 Spruce Street in Millvale (Pittsburgh) 15209. The asking price is $160,000. This opportunity is beingmade available exclusively to members of St. John’s, Zion, and Bethel until October 18th before St. John’s enters into an agreement with a real estate agent. If you are interested in touring the duplexor making an offer, please contact Paul Brand by email at prbrand129@gmail.com. This is an excellent investment opportunity or living arrangement in an up-and-coming community. And you canwalk to St. John’s in a matter of seconds.

Bulletin Announcements for September 27, 2020

* * ANNOUNCEMENTS * * *

ALTAR FLOWERS are placed to the Glory of God by Ross & Lynn Betts in loving memory ofLynn’s father, Fred Droege.

“BLESSING OF THE QUILTS” - to be donated to First Trinity for the homeless will be held during the service today.

TRI-PARISH HANDBELL CHOIR REHEARSAL – will be held on Monday, September 28th at 6:30 pm here at Bethel. If you have any questions or are interested in joining, please contact Vicar Woolweber at 747-232-1911 or email at vicar@stjohnsmillvale.org.

TRI-PARISH CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE – will meet at St. John’s at 7pm on September 30th,and at Bethel at 7pm on October 14th. The next (large group) TRI-PARISH COMMITTEE MEETING will be held at Bethel on October 21st at 7pm.

OKTOBERFEST - Bethel will be hosting a drive thru Oktoberfest this year, with the assistance of our Tri-Parish partners, St John's in Millvale and Zion in Lawrenceville. A sign-up sheet for volunteers is in the narthex. Volunteers are needed. We will prepare a variety of your favorite German foods, including bratwurst, knackwurst, sauerkraut, potato pancakes, spaetzle and apple dumplings. Food can be ordered ahead of time at bethelglenshaw.org, or on site. We will accept free will offerings by either cash or charge. Stop by from 3-7 pm to pick up your orders! You won't need to leave the comfort of your car, as we will follow all guidelines regarding COVID-19. All proceeds will go to support the Redeemer Lutheran School...so make the time, take the short trip to Glenshaw, and pick up Saturday dinner for your family!

APPLE DUMPLING GANG – Apple dumplings are going to be sold at the Drive-ThroughOktoberfest on October 24th. Come join in the fun! The baking will be done at St. John’s onSaturday, October 17th at 10am.

Bulletin Announcements for August 23, 2020

* * ANNOUNCEMENTS * * *

ALTAR FLOWERS are placed to the glory of God by John & Mary Zacharias in

memory of Joann and Ralph.

PRAYER WARRIORS — meet every Tuesday at 3pm at Zion.

TRI-PARISH SEWING CIRCLE – LWML will be meeting at Bethel on Saturday, September 5th at 1:30pm and Friday, September 18th at 6pm.

BETHEL BIBLE STUDY - will meet every Wednesday at 10am beginning on September 9th.

LIFELIGHT BIBLE STUDY — ”The Life of David”, will begin at St. John’s on Thursday evenings at 7pm. Start date will be Thursday, September 10th. At this time, under requirements for the Covid19 Virus, we will have to wear masks so all those interested should consider this. We will be meeting in the basement for distancing. If you would like to attend, please email office@stjohnsmillvale.org.

ZION 3rd ANNUAL HISTORY EVENT – is scheduled for September 13th from 1:30pm to 3:30pm at Zion. The event is free to the public. Reservations and face masks are required. Please call 412-621-2720 to make your reservation, please leave name and phone number.

REDEEMER GOLF SCRAMBLE will be held on Sunday, September 13th at the Rolling Fields Golf Course in Murrysville and will have a modified start at 2pm. Cost is $75. Reduced rate for high school or college students is $55.

BETHEL BOARD MEETING — is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15th at 7pm.

TRI-PARISH MEETING -will be held on Wednesday, September 16th at 7pm at St. John’s

Announcements for June 7, 2020

  * * *announcements * * *  

ALTAR FLOWERS have been placed to the glory of God by Marilyn Heintz in loving memory of her mother Leona and her sister Roberta.  

NEW MEMBERS:  This morning we are pleased to welcome into communicant membership Mark and Paola Hammer by adult confirmation.  May the Lord bless the fellowship we share and make them a blessing to us and we to them. Join us for cake after today’s service in celebration.  

CONGREGATION MEETING will be held  

FAREWELL SOCIAL will be held after the worship service on June 21 as this will be Rev. Litke’s last service here at Bethel. There will be a small social after the service and a larger event will occur later in the year when social distancing is lifted.   ~

Bulletin Announcments for May 31, 2020

 * * ANNOUNCEMENTS* * * For May 31, 2020—Pentecost  

HOLY COMMUNION:  The Lord’s Supper is celebrated in our service today.  Those not familiar with our church’s practice of close Communion are asked to read the      statement on the inside of the front cover of the hymnal.  Those communing are encouraged to meditate on the words of Hymn #628 and to complete a Communion        registration card.  

ALTAR FLOWERS  have been placed to the glory of God by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Carlisle in loving memory of        Dorothy’s father, George Lesnansky, who went to be with our Lord 60 years ago on March 24.  

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be held next Sunday after the service. Tri-Parish issues will be discussed and voted on. You may attend the meeting via the internet.     Instructions on how to attend this way will be emailed to you.  

TRI PARISH BIBLE STUDY will be held this THURSDAY, June 4 at 7:00  on Zoom.  

JUNE CALENDAR can be picked up in the narthex.  

SUMMER EVANGEL will be published next Sunday. If you have an article for this issue please email it to the office by this Wednesday.  

FAREWELL SOCIAL  for Rev. and Mrs. Litke will be after his last service preached here at Bethel on June 21. There will be a larger gathering in the near future for a proper goodbye.     ~

Bulletin announcements for May 24, 2020

* * *announcements * * *

  ALTAR FLOWERS have been placed to the glory of God.    

BOARD OF DIRECTORS will meet after the service.  

CONGREGATION MEETING will be held in two weeks, June 7, 2020 after the morning worship service. All parishioners are encourage to join us for the worship and meeting.  

SOCIAL DISTANCE—Please wear a mask and keep 6 feet of distance between you and someone else, (spouses are exempted, unless you feel it is necessary!)  

TRI-PARISH BIBLE STUDY via Zoom will take place this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. For info on how to join the group see Al Todd or Gary Swanson.  

PLEASE NOTE that if you notice something that needs to be fixed around the church building please mark it on the maintenance sheet located in the social hall under the AAL Clock.  

FAREWELL SOCIAL will be held after the worship service on June 21 as this will be Rev. Litke’s last service here at Bethel. A larger event will occur later in the year when social distancing is lifted.   ~

Bulletin Announcements for Sunday, October 15, 2019

 

HOLY COMMUNION:  Again this morning it is our privilege to receive the Lord’s body and blood at His altar.  Visitors unfamiliar with our Communion practice are asked to read the statement found inside the front cover of the hymnal. Communicants are encouraged to reflect on Hymn #640 for  preparation and to hand in a completed Communion registration card

 

ALTAR FLOWERS are placed to the glory of God.

 

BIBLE STUDY here at Bethel on WEDNESDAY mornings, 10:00 a.m. also Tri-Parish Bible study at Highpointe at Concordia on THURSDAY evenings, 7:00 p.m.

 

OKTOBERFEST hosted by Tri-Parish will be here at Bethel on SATURDAY,   OCTOBER 26 beginning at 4:00 p.m. This year we will have live entertainment. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit Redeemer Lutheran School. Sign up in the narthex if you are planning to attend.

 

SPECIAL PRESENTATION given by Dan and Carolyn Rehder will be held on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 at the Sunday School Hour 9:00 a.m. They will present an update on their mission work and plans with Wycliffe Bible Translations.

 

REFORMATION SERVICE this year will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Oakmont on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 at 3:00 p.m.

 

 

 

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“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV