OUR CORE VALUES
Upcoming Events
Wednesday Speaker Series (Wed, Nov 6)
8:45am Traditional Worship (Sun, Nov 10)
Adult Ed - "Making Sense of Luther" (Sun, Nov 10)
10:45am Contemporary Worship (Sun, Nov 10)
Readers Anonymous (Sun, Nov 17)
Creek Clean up Day (Sat, Nov 23)
Caregivers Reception (Sun, Nov 24)
Thanksgiving Eve Eve Worship (& Pie) (Tue, Nov 26)
Bethel News
All Saints Sunday
Sermon Theme for November 3:
God's Promise
On Sunday we will hear God’s Word from Pastor Ben Sandin.
When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.
John 11:32–33
On Sunday we will remember all the saints who gone to heaven before us, particularly those who have died in the past year.
As we remember these beloved children of God, we are grounded in God’s promise of eternal life and reminded of God’s presence in our struggles.
The gospel text features the interaction that Mary and Martha have with Jesus after their brother Lazarus has died.
Jesus is deeply moved by their grief and begins to weep.
Jesus shows God’s heart for the hurting and reminds us we never walk alone.
Join us Sunday as we remember our loved ones.
Making Sense of Martin Luther, Oct 6–Nov 17
This Sunday morning video series (9:50am in the Fireside Room) features Rev Dr David Lose focusing on Martin Luther and Lutheran theology. This seven-session video explores how Luther's understanding of God's life-changing gospel informs day-to-day faith and life in the world today.
The series is published by Augsburg Fortress.
- Introduction: Luther as Monk, Myth, and Messenger
- Chapter 1: The Reluctant Reformer—Introducing “the Monk Who Changed the World”
- Chapter 2: Freedom! Justification by Grace through Faith
- Chapter 3: The Present-Tense God—Law and Gospel
- Chapter 4: The Ambidextrous God—The Two Kingdoms and God’s Ongoing Work in the World
- Chapter 5: Called for Good—Vocation, Sinning Boldly, and the Respiratory System of the Body of Christ
- Chapter 6: God Hidden and Revealed—Luther’s Theology of the Cross and the Sacraments
- Chapter 7: Semper Simul—Sin, Forgiveness, and “Becoming Christian”
Giving Tree, Nov 3–Dec 1
The Bethel Lutheran family is once again partnering with Help One Child to provide love and Christmas cheer to children and adolescents in foster care.
Help One Child is a non-profit organization that partners with local churches and community agencies, with a mission to strengthen foster, adoptive, and at-risk families by providing them access to education, community and tangible resources. By addressing the unique needs of foster, adoptive and vulnerable families, we strive to positively impact the long-term health and stability for family preservation.
Bethel has been asked to give a total of 40 gifts with 8 gifts per age group:
- 0–3
- 4–7
- 8–12
- 13–17
- 18–21
Starting Sunday Nov 3, pick up a gift tag for a child you would like to support and return the unwrapped gift to church with the gift tag securely fastened. Each gift tag will list an age and gender. Gift suggestions will also be provided. Each gift should be $40–50. We are also collecting gift cards to support older youth.
Sunday Nov 24 is the last day to select a gift tag. Gifts (unwrapped), with gift cards securely attached, must be returned no later than Dec 1. If you have questions, please contact Mark Evashenk.
Wed Night Speaker Series, Nov 6
Rev Liz Milner
Join us in the Fireside Room at 7pm on the first Wednesday of the month for special topics and guest speakers. (In January we will meet on the second Wednesday.) Invite friends! Each session will end with a Q&A time and sweet and savory refreshments. Look for more info in your bulletin and e-news.
Our speaker for Nov 6 will be Rev Liz Milner from CIC ministries.
Brunchies Walk, Nov 7
Thursday Nov 7, 10am–1:30pm. All are invited to the initial outing of “Brunchies.” Take the Bethel bus to Willow Glen, where we will enjoy a leisurely stroll down Lincoln Avenue, then have brunch/lunch at the Crepevine Restaurant. Contact Robyn Winegardner for more information.
Turkey Drive, Nov 24
Once again, Bethel Lutheran Church will be supporting the needs of our community by donating turkeys to a local food bank bank. This year we are supporting West Valley Community Services as The Lord’s Pantry is temporarily closed. Let’s keep the Lord’s Pantry in our prayers.
The mission of WVCS is to unite the community to fight hunger and homelessness. Their vision is a community where every person has food on the table and every person has a roof over their head. Their work is fueled by six core values: compassion, dignity, integrity, service, diversity, and ingenuity.
Bring your frozen turkey to Bethel on Sunday Nov 24. Note, there is some space to accept turkeys the previous Sunday. But all turkeys need to be delivered by 12:30 pm on November 24th so they can be taken to WVCS.
For questions, please contact Mark Evashenk.
Caregiver Reception, Nov 24
During November's National Family Caregiver Month, Caring Connection wishes to honor and thank the family caregivers at Bethel with a reception. Whether you are the caregiver for your parents, your children, your spouse, neighbors or friends; Bethel sees you and thanks you. Please join us for cake and treats during the coffee hour, 9:40–10:40am, in the Welcome Zone.
Thanksgiving Eve Eve Worship & Pie, Nov 26
Come to Bethel for a Thanksgiving worship and stay for pie. Bring a pie if you wish. Tuesday, Nov 26, 7pm, Sanctuary & Fireside.
Help Decorate, Dec 7
On Saturday, Dec 7, 9:30am-noon, come and help decorate the Sanctuary and Narthex for Advent and Christmas. There will be 3 Christmas trees, poinsettias, a nativity scene, banners, and lights to put up. Contact Tom Hoegel.
Altar Guild Needs Helpers
The Altar Guild is searching for women or men to help with Holy Communion: one hour prep on second Saturdays and/or 45 minute cleanup on second Sundays, 3 or 4 times a year. Please contact Marion Abney for more information.
Rotating Safe Car Park
This is the second year that Bethel will be a Rotating Safe Car Park (RSCP) host.
All guests have been through a screening and placement process.
We can expect 10–15 guests and about the same number of cars at Bethel.
Safe Car Park hours for guests will be between 6pm–7am, 7 days a week.
Volunteers are needed to provide hospitality services, like snacks and drinks, to the guests.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Hella Bluhm-Stieber
or Robyn Winegardner
and they will send you the sign-up link.
Hospitality hours are 7pm–7:30pm & 6:30am–6:55am.
The YMCA provides free shower privileges to the RSCP Guests.
Seeking San Jose Family Shelter Breakfast Volunteers!
The San Jose Family Shelter needs volunteers to cook or serve, on the follow Sundays in 2024:
- Feb 11
- Apr 14
- Jun 9
- Aug 11
- Oct 13
- Dec 8
Cooks are needed 5:30–7am
Servers are needed 6:45–8:15am
Contact for more info: Chris Ford.
Bethel Staff Zooms
Bethel Staff meet about once a month to record a brief presentation that you can view on our YouTube Channel. Look for the heading Bethel Staff Zooms.
What’s Been Happening
Día De Los Muertos, Nov 2
Bethel's Out 'n About enjoyed a tour of the San Francisco Symphony and a matinee performance of their annual “Día De Los Muertos”. The concert celebrates Latin American music and culture, honoring the rich heritage of this ancient holiday. Thanks to Molly Schrey for these photos. Click one to see a full size version.
Thank you Tom Hoegel, Oct 27
In this video, a few current and former Bethel members share accolades and messages for Tom Hoegel, who started ministry at Bethel Lutheran Church in 1984.
Trunk or Treat, Oct 27
Bethel held its annual Trunk or Treat event on Oct 27. Thanks to Amanda Laughlin for these photos. Click each one to see a full size version.
WOW Pastor Appreciation, Oct 9
Bethel's Women of Wednesday (WOW) celebrated Pastor Appreciation Month. Thanks to Alice Isaacson for sending the photo. (You can click the photo to see a larger image.)
Rotating Safe Car Park, Sep 29
Norman Puck, one of the managers of the RSCP program, presented an overview of the project, discussed safety and risks, and explained how guests are selected to be in the program. There was a time for questions about the program. Please contact Paul Baldwin or Hella Bluhm-Stieber if you want to know more or to volunteer to help.
Fuzzy Fruit Movie, Sep 15
At both worship services, Amanda Laughlin presented a short video of where the Take Out Church's Fuzzy Fruit were photographed this summer. If you missed it, you can watch the services on our YouTube channel.
Labor Day Retreat, Sep 1
Bethel held its annual Labor Day Retreat at Mt Cross on Sep 1. Thanks to Molly Schrey for these photos. Click each one to see a full size version.
Ministry Guide, May 8
Mary Deutscher has published an updated Ministry Guide. This is primarily intended for visitors and new members so they can see what is happening at Bethel. You can download the Guide here.
COVID Recommendations
Masks and/or vaccination are not required. We encourage you to be vaccinated if possible and we fully support anyone who wants to come masked.