On Sunday we will hear God’s Word from Pastor Ben Sandin.

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6–9

Early in the gospel of Luke (3:8-9) John the Baptist exhorts the crowd to bear fruit worthy of repentance. The parable for Sunday talks about when is the right time to cut down a tree that bears no fruit. The gardener pleads for more time and care (grace) for the tree with the hope that it could still bear fruit in the future. On the one hand, this seems like a great articulation of God’s grace and mercy. We are given more time and nurturing in order to bear fruit worthy of repentance. On the other hand, we should not mistake not being cut down as a sure sign we are bearing fruit. Jesus urges us to continually repent and renew our lives because we recognize how fragile and delicate life really is. Join us Sunday!

Join the conversation on Sundays in Lent for a series of short videos on the power of Jesus' love to transform our lives. Pastor Ben will facilitate conversation based on insights from theologians and scholars from The Work of the People. We meet on Sunday mornings, Mar 9–Apr 13 in the Fireside Room at 9:50am. Contact Pastor Ben Sandin for any questions.

It Takes a Village
From March 9 to April 27 we, the village of Bethel, will build a village through ELCA Good Gifts. To help, you can select any of the items on this flyer and donate any amount through Bethel. Please include your selection(i.e. “Cow”) on your Memo line (checks made out to Bethel Lutheran Church), or include a note with cash in an offering envelope, or use the Giving link (and a Memo) to find Pushpay on our website.

Join us for Wednesday Lenten services on March 19, March 26 and April 9 in the Fireside Room. Refreshments to follow. (April 2nd will be a Wednesday Night Speaker) Please RSVP via a bulletin insert, or contact the Office.

Join us at Bethel, Monday, March 31 from 3:30–5:00pm in the Fireside Room for a celebration to show your love and support for our transgender and LGBTQ community. Everyone is welcome!

Join us in the Fireside Room at 7pm on the first Wednesday of the month for special topics and guest speakers. Invite friends! Each session will end with a Q&A time and sweet and savory refreshments. Please let us know if you plan to attend … and invite friends!

Join us Wednesday, Apr 2, for Mental Health 101 — presented by NAMI-SCC FaithNet

Mental Health 101 provides faith leaders and communities with foundational knowledge about mental health, helping to reduce stigma and foster supportive, informed conversations. This interactive presentation covers key topics such as common mental health conditions, warning signs, and available resources for those in need. Attendees will also hear personal stories from individuals with lived experience, highlighting the role of faith communities in mental wellness. By the end, participants will be equipped with practical tools to create more compassionate, stigma-free spaces.

Read more details on this flyer. Please RSVP to Amanda Laughlin.

Come to Library Field, 10400 Torre Avenue in Cupertino, from 11am–3pm, and check out Cupertino's Earth & Arbor Day Festival. This Festival is “an interactive event that invites community members of all ages to learn about environmental issues and solutions in a family-friendly atmosphere. Consistently attracting thousands of attendees and dozens of partner organizations, it features hands-on activities, live entertainment, and delicious food served by local food trucks.”
And look for Pastor Ben at the Bethel booth!

We join in prayer for our siblings in the Southwest California Synod ELCA, particularly those in the greater Los Angeles area, who are impacted by multiple wildfires. We especially pray for Bishop Brenda Bos and her wife, Janis, as they have lost their home.

For those who want to make donations, Lutheran Disaster Response is coordinating with the Southwest California Synod, Pacifica Synod, and other partners to assess the needs of people impacted by the wildfires. Gifts to "U.S. Wildfires" will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by wildfires until the response is complete.

This prayer is from the Sierra Pacific Synod ELCA newsletter:

We pray to you, almighty God, in this time of wildfire destruction in California. You are our refuge and our strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Uphold us with your love, and give us the strength we need. Guide and protect firefighters as they work tirelessly to keep others safe, and calm the winds so the flames may be extinguished swiftly. Bring resources and supplies to where they are needed and protect your creation, including animals. Heal those who are hurt, console those who mourn, and await news about their loved ones, protect the innocent and helpless, and deliver those still in peril; for the sake of your great mercy in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Congratulations to Eric Brown for winning the Bethel fantasy football championship for a second year in a row! The final score was:

Monkey Washers: 153 (Eric Brown)
Snoring Mangos: 110 (Brett Deutscher)