News

Stay current with BLC News. This page is updated frequently to highlight current events taking place at the church, so check back often.

Confirmation: What is a Mentor?

Webster’s defines a mentor as “a trusted advisor or guide.” In the Confirmation program at BLC, we ask each youth to choose a mentor to accompany them on their confirmation journey as they explore and deepen their faith in God. A Confirmation Mentor’s role actually is that of friend, advisor and guide throughout the Confirmation program, building a strong Christian relationship with your youth.

What is a Mentor supposed to DO?

First and foremost – PRAY! Pray for your confirmand as they explore and learn and grow in faith. Mentors are asked to:
attend a few meetings and Pot Luck suppers along the way
stay in touch through email, phone calls or get togethers,
attend midweek Lenten worship services each year with your student and spend 10-15 minutes after the service discussing its message,
do one project or service to the church with their student during the program. This project might help your student discover a new area to be involved in ministry (ushering, simple suppers, altar guild, etc.) within our congregation
get together during “Passport Check-In” times to discuss what the confirmand had been learning, thinking and feeling,
find some time to have fun together!

The mentor and confirmand share the responsibility for developing this relationship and building reliable lines of communication – youth may actually have to pick up the phone and CALL an adult, and mentors may have to learn to TEXT or email their youth!

Being a mentor is a wonderful opportunity to help our youth grow in faith, learning what it means to be the body of Christ in this world of ours. The relationship between youth and mentor is a blessing to all involved.

In September, confirmation students will be asking members of the congregation to be their mentors. If you feel that this role is one you would like to fill, say “Yes”!

WOMEN OF THE ELCA-GENESEE VALLEY-FALL ASSEMBLY

The Fall Assembly will be held on Monday, September 15 at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 2415 Chili Avenue. Registration begins ($2.00) at 6:00 P.M. with a Pot Luck Dinner at 6:30 P.M. The program with will feature a speaker from R.A.I.N. (Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network) which provides overnight shelter to displaced families. Please contact Marcia Sheldon to make a reservation which must be made by Monday, September 8!

BLC Scholarships

Congratulations and good luck to our Scholarship recipients. BLC Scholarships went to Brian Cole, Lindsey Knights, and Jeff Shaffer. The Kellow Scholarship was divided between Kyle Buescher and Andrew Pries.

EZ Can Collection - LYO Donations

The LYO has set up an account with EZ Can Collection on 31F across from Friendly’s. If you would like to donate your cans to the LYO drop them off anytime at the EZ Can Collection center. Thanks for all your support!

5^th Annual

BLC Pig Roast

Saturday, September 27

3-7 P.M.

Giddy Up and save the date!

Join your fellow BLC roasters for:

A terrific & festive time to be had by all

Great food, musical and comical entertainment, games & exciting activities for every age!

Yummy menu of Roast pork BBQ, hotdogs, veggie burgers, side dishes & desserts, soft drinks and the ever so famous cappuccino machine

Please see the Narthex kiosk for more details, directions, and SIGN UP by September 7.

EARLIER DATE and schedule of activities planned! Corral yourselves and get there early as the fun starts right from the beginning!

This is THE big event for fellowship at BLC, a grand tradition with lots of new twists and even more fun!!! A great time to meet others from BLC and savor in God’s blessing of this family called Bethlehem! Enjoy old friends and meet new ones too! New to Bethlehem?... the PERFECT way to feel at home right away by mingling with your new church family!

Round up your favorite western wear, jeans, flannel shirts, cowboy hats, etc! Great for the spirit of things, but not a necessity!

Interested in helping the fellowship committee with this event?

Contact Jim Flanagan, Patti Sampson-Bouchard or Cheryl Barker.

Meet Martin Luther!!!

Rally Day '08

September 7, 9:45 A.M.

BLC Sanctuary

Rally day is our annual celebration to begin each new Sunday School year. Everyone is welcome to join our welcome back celebration...Sunday September 7, at 9:45 A.M. in the Sanctuary. A skit and songs are among the days activities. Feel free to sit with family or friends. After our program, we will introduce each class’s teachers and dismiss by grade to classrooms. See you soon!!

Sunday School roster contact information will be verified in September. Parents, please stop by each of your children's Sunday School classroom ASAP to confirm address, birthday and email information.

Fall 08 BLC Education Calendar:

September 4 Sunday School Teacher meeting, 7:00 P.M., Fellowship Hall

September 7 Rally Sunday, Meet in Sanctuary, 9:45 A.M.

September 7 Third Grade Bible Name Slips need to be returned to Ruth Gates

September 14 Meeting with Fifth Grade students and parents in Sanctuary to begin First Communion

September 28 Third Graders receive their Bibles.

October 25 (Saturday) Fifth Grade preparation for First Communion. Casa Larga tour and bread baking.

October 26 First Communion for Fifth Graders.

Youth Choirs Begin in September

The Youth Choirs at Bethlehem will begin rehearsals on Wednesday, September 10. Cherub Choir (grades 1-3) will meet at 5:45-6:25 P.M., and Joyful Noise Choir (grades 4-8) will meet at 6:30-7:20 P.M.. The choirs will continue to use the Orff instruments in rehearsal as well as learning anthems to present for Sunday worship. If you enjoy singing and playing instruments, and would like to participate in a special way in our worship at Bethlehem, please consider singing with us as we praise God with our music. Please come to the first rehearsal on September 10. Contact Jane Morale, if you have any questions.

Bell Choirs

School bells...Handbells. It's time for both to ring! Chancel Bells (grades 9 thru adults) and Youth Bells (grades 4-8) will begin practice on Wednesday, September 10, in the First Grade Classroom. Youth Bells rehearse from 5:40 to 6:25 P.M.; Chancel Bells rehearse at 6:30 P.M. Both Handbell groups have room for new members. If you enjoy hearing the Bells during worship, please consider joining us. Strong music skills are not necessary, just a desire to help praise and worship God. We will teach you the skills. Call Karen Bigenwald with any questions. If you are interested in joining either group (male and females very welcome), please contact Karen before September 8 so she can plan for the first rehearsal. Hoping to see some new faces!!

CHANCEL CHOIR NEWS

BLC would like to thank Dr. Brandon Johnson for serving for five years as the Director of our Chancel Choir. Brandon will be stepping down and joining the choir as a tenor, while the whole Johnson family continues their active participation as part of our Bethlehem family. A search committee is already working on locating a replacement, and they are pleased to report that multiple highly qualified applicants have indicated an interest in the position. Interviews will begin in September and you will see the transition to new leadership take place this fall.

The Chancel Choir resumes Wednesday evening rehearsals as of September 3. We're looking for new singers! Both adults and teens who have completed confirmation are welcome. We gather in the sanctuary at 7:00 P.M.

Youth Choir Retreat

The Joyful Noise Choir from Bethlehem participated in a Youth Choir retreat August 25-28 at Camp Cory on Keuka Lake. Seven choir members along with their director, Jane Morale took part in the retreat. They were joined by Emily Lockard, Laura Knights, Jessie Villa, Jackie Woodcook, Amanda Young, and Zack Zagorski who worked as counselors at the camp. Four other churches were also represented, including Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word, Christ Episcopal Church of Pittsford, Saint Thomas Episcopal, and Third Presbyterian.

The choir members participated in group and individual rehearsals, as well as sessions in music reading, handbells, Orff ensemble, and drama. The camp also included recreation and outdoor activities. The choirs prepared music for a Vesper Service to be held in October. Watch for details for exact dates and times. The choir members who attended are Annalisse Baker, Brian Dunn, Katie Dunn, Tim Dunn, James Gates, Rachel Gates, and Claire Lockard.

Midweek Bible Study

The Midweek Bible Study will be doing a six week session based on Phillip Yancey’s book, Prayer, Does it make a Difference. This thought-provoking study explores some of the challenges, mysteries and rewarding aspects that prayer plays in our relationship with God. Classes meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 P.M. and Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:00 A.M. in the Adult Education Room off of the Fellowship Hall. You pick the time that works best for you! Classes will start on September 9 and 10. Sign up on the kiosk to reserve a spot. Call Lori Nickoloff if you have any questions.

An Invitation to the Women of BLC

One of the gifts of being part of a church family is the opportunity to gather in small groups to study God’s word and enjoy times of fellowship. Traditionally BLC has had two groups, Ruth Circle and Women’s Fellowship, where women could experience this type of interaction. In the past each group was totally independent of the other using different study materials and following different schedules. Last Spring the groups shared some ideas of how they could maintain their own identity while finding ways to interact and socialize with one another. As a result, it was suggested that both groups study the same material during their respective meeting times as well as schedule a few joint social events during the year.

To kick-off the year, ALL women of BLC are invited to an evening of dessert and fellowship on Monday, September 22 at 7:00 P.M. This will be a fun-filled evening of food, fellowship, the opportunity to learn more about this year’s study, Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs, and a time to pick your “Spiritual Sister” for the year. Sign up on the kiosk or contact Lori Nickoloff if you have any questions.

Starting in October, the Ruth Circle will meet at 10:00 A.M. on the second Monday of each month (please note the new time!) and the Women’s Fellowship will meet on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 P.M. Sign-ups, schedules and study material will be available at the gathering on September 22.

Whether you have been part of Ruth Circle or Women’s Fellowship for years or if you have never attended a woman’s group, you are encouraged to join us on September 22 to learn more about the exciting year ahead. Hope to see you there!

Quilting Anyone?

The Quilters began about six years ago and meets alternate weeks during the school year sharing ideas and skills while working together to make small quilts. Much of the fabric is donated by church members and friends. Thus far we have completed about three hundred quilts. All are being donated to the Rochester Chapter of Project Linus which will distribute them through Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester General, Cameron Ministries, Home for Battered Women, and others to babies, children and teens with special health or family needs.

Children outgrow clothes and toys, but the quilt fits forever. For those who move from one foster home to another, it may be their only possession. Symbolically, we feel we are giving each child a hug and telling them they are special as we share the message of God's love with them.

Another season of quilting begins Thursday, September 4 at 7:00 P.M. with a planning meeting filled with plenty of conversation and sharing of ideas for the coming year. Last year we were able to donate 75 quilts to Linus Blankets for distribution throughout the Rochester area. All skill levels, any ability and whatever amount of time you can contribute are welcome. Come and be part of the quilting team. Call GerryAnn Westcott.

Barnabas Ministry

The Barnabas Ministry is devoted to providing tangible acts of encouragement to members in our congregation during times of illness and transition. This is done through a variety of ways such as cards, visits, baskets of food and prayer shawls. The ministry meets every four months to assess needs and develop new ideas. The next meeting of the Barnabas Ministry is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24 at 6:30 P.M. Please join us to learn how you can become a Barnabas Minister! Call Lori Nickoloff if you have any questions

Ruth Circle

School Kits. . .be involved! Ruth Circle and all BLC women will be collecting items until August 1 for local distribution. There will be boxes in the Narthex and Fellowship Hall for your donations. Items needed:

padded or spiral notebooks of ruled paper approximately 8 x 10 1/2" totaling 150-200 sheets

blunt scissors

30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other

pencil sharpeners

new unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers

erasers approximately 2-1/2" long

construction paper in assorted colors

box of 16 or 24 crayons

All items should be new and in good condition. If you have questions, please call Carol Alvut.

Ruth Circle will not meet in June.

Women's Fellowship

The Women’s Fellowship will meet on Saturday, June 28, at 11:00 A.M. for a brunch and time of fellowship at the home of Donna Berner. All women of BLC are invited to attend. Please bring a dish to pass. Call Donna if you are able to join us on June 28. Call Lori Nickoloff if you would like to carpool to Donna’s house. Hope to see you there!

Midweek Bible Study

The Midweek Bible Study will begin its summer schedule on Wednesday, June 25. We will be viewing selected DVDs from the NOOMA series by Rob Bell. These short, innovative DVDs offer a unique approach to spiritual direction on a variety of subjects. They also provide the opportunity for group discussion that will help us explore our relationship with God and with one another.

Classes will meet on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:00 A.M. in the adult education room off of the Fellowship Hall. This session will run from June 25 through August 20. (Please note that the Tuesday evening class does not meet during the summer)

You are welcome to join us for one or all of these thought provoking sessions…come as your schedule allows. Call Lori Nickoloff if you have any questions. Hope to see you this summer!

ADULT EDUCATION

How Lutherans Interpret the Bible: As Lutherans, we look to the Bible as God’s revelation to us, and we base our faith on what we biblically learn about God. Yet, the Bible can be a bit daunting to open up to study. So for seven weeks this fall, we are going to watch a section of video of Pastor and Seminary Professor Mark Allen Powell as he leads us through a discussion of such topics as “What Lutheran’s Say About the Bible,” “Determining Right from Wrong,” and “The Many Meanings of the Bible.” We will start on September 14 in the Adult Education classroom between services. Each class is a separate unit, so feel free to attend when you’re able to.

Sunday School 2008/09

Sunday School Teacher Sign-up for the 2008/2009 school year is posted on the kiosk in the Narthex . Sunday School begins on September 7. Please consider sharing a little of your time with our students. We are fortunate to have three teachers in each pre-school and elementary classroom to rotate teaching and allow schedule flexibility. Teacher guides also provide a variety of lesson plans and classroom ideas.

In addition to Sunday School teachers for our elementary classrooms, we also need additional Confirmation and Adult Education leaders as well as Music Leaders for our Building Blocks Choir (Opening Music for youngest kids). You may sign-up on the kiosk also.

If you have questions, please contact Terri Pries or Pastor Korey.

Second Sunday Dinner Ministry

BLC sponsors a monthly dinner for Fairport/Perinton Senior Citizens.
We provide meals to over 100 people each month, including dining at BLC or delivery service to their residence.
      Donations of both non-perishable and perishable items are needed monthly. Non-Perishable items are listed above. For any item, large cans are easiest to deal with.
      Perishable items and desserts are also needed monthly. Please contact Mark Finke to arrange these donations.

Canned Green Beans
Canned Corn
Spaghetti Sauce
Canned Tomatoes (Chopped or Crushed)
Canned Tuna Fish
Canned Mushrooms
Chicken Broth
White Rice
Stuffing Mix (Chicken or Pork Flavor)
Brown Sugar
Pasta: Ziti, Rigatoni Etc.
Egg Noodles
Zip Lock Sandwich Bags

A PAGE FROM PATTY

The new school year is here, and with it arrives a new start to our youth activities at BLC too. Just as students move ahead to a new grade, so do our students in our youth programs. As a quick reminder, there are four youth groups here at BLC: LYO is for students 9th – 12th grade… and returning college students at times, as well. G-Gang is for students entering 6th – 8th grades. BLOCKS is for students entering 3rd – 5th grades and the Building BLOCKS is for children pre-K – 2nd grade. Each group has scheduled events throughout the school year – you will find this year’s schedule in this issue of the STAR. The Youth Committee is working hard to make sure that parents are well-informed of events in advance, so that youth events are well-attended. Pastor Korey and I are always looking for adults and parents who are willing to help with all age groups of youth. If you are interested in offering your gifts in some way to the youth of BLC, please join the Youth Committee at our next meeting, on Tuesday, September 16 at 7:00 P.M. at church. If you are unable to make the meeting, please contact Pastor Korey or me directly.

LYO Events:

Sunday, September 7: Rally Day for Sunday School at BLC. Join us at Sunday school this year in the Youth Room. We start every Sunday with fellowship and donuts, then move into bible study, open discussions and group activities. Feature LYO event sign-ups are always available in the Youth Room.

Sunday, September 21: Workcamp Forum between services. Join the youth and adults who attended Work Camp this summer in West Virginia in the Sanctuary for a presentation about their experiences this year.

Saturday, September 27: 1.) BLC Pig Roast. The LYO has helped organize and assist the other youth of the church with games and activities during the pig roast. Sign ups will be in the Youth Room – if your family is planning on coming, join us to help make the event extra special for the other kids of BLC.

2.) First Monthly Movie Night. Our first movie night of the year will be held at 8:00 P.M., following the Pig Roast, at the home of Chelsey and Chloe Barker in Fairport. Sign ups will be posted in the Youth Room. The movie title will be posted there and also will be circulated by email as we get closer to the event.

Sunday, October 12 – Monday, October 13 : Annual LYO Lock-in at BLC. We will again combine this successful lock-in with an element of service to our community. Watch for complete information coming to the Youth Room and to the LYO email list.

2008 - 2009 BLC Youth Activities

Building BLOCKS (preK – 2^nd grade)

September 19: Parents Night (child care will be provided)

November 1: Halloween Rewind Party

December 13: Gift of Babysitting

March 29: Family Beach Party

BLOCKS (3^rd grade – 5^th grade)

September 13: Pizza and Movie Night

November 1: Halloween Rewind Party

December 13: Gift of Babysitting

March 29: Family Beach Party

G-Gang (6^th grade – 8^th grade)

September 12 – 13: Kick-Off Potluck Dinner and Lock-In 6:00 P.M.—10:00 P.M.

Confirmation meetings

Sept. 9

Sept. 12: 7^th grade Intro to Confirmation

Oct. 14: 7^th grade potluck

Oct. 18: 8^th grade potluck

November 1: Halloween Rewind Party – setup 12:00 P.M.– 7:00 P.M.

November 21—23: Youth Quake on Grand Island Registration ($125) due to Pastor Korey by September 14

December 13: Gift of Babysitting

March 6 – 8: Conference LYO Winter Weekend

April 3 – 4: G-Gang Lock-in

May 1: Movie and Game Night

Family Faith - Formation Corner

It’s fall, a time for fresh beginnings in so many ways. Why not add a fresh element to your family’s faith formation at this time too? Here are some easy suggestions to add to your family’s faith life this fall, listed under each of the four keys to faith formation.

Caring Conversations:

Share the highs and lows of each weekday at the family dinner table

Ask about new faces in the classroom – teachers, adult helpers, classmates, etc.

Set a family meeting every week to discuss the family’s up-coming schedule

Service:

Donate extra school supplies to your school’s office for new or needy students

Volunteer tutoring services at Cameron Ministries in the city, or at another service organization

Serve as a family at Second Sunday Dinner Ministries, either by helping with supplies, serving or delivering

Rituals and Traditions:

Take the kids out for a celebratory ice cream or trip to the library after the first day of school

Take pictures of every one (even mom and dad!) on the first day of school

Start the ritual of reviewing the week’s bible lessons over lunch every Sunday. Discuss favorite parts and parts that were hard to understand.

Devotions:

On Rally Day, visit the Narthex and collect devotional material that would be appropriate for your family.

Say evening prayers as a family at bedtime. Hold hands around a table or a candle.

Choose a Bible verse for the family to memorize each month. Post it in a place where everyone can read it every day.

The Little Lutheran

For children age 6 and under, The Little Lutheran magazine makes a great gift for holidays, birthdays or “just because.” Not just another toy, this is a gift that keeps on giving: giving the gift of faith in the God you love, the gift of wonder in God’s creation, the gift of confidence in God’s love, and the gift of knowledge of God’s children everywhere.

If you have grandchildren, children, godchildren, nieces, nephews or other children you love, visit the following website: www.thelittlelutheran.org today and subscribe in their names.

Donations

Donating Altar Flowers and Communion Bread and Wine for Worship Sunday morning worship involves many different people who contribute in a variety of ways. Some of them are visible such as singing in the choir, reading the lessons and serving as greeters. There are other ways to contribute to worship with happen "behind the scenes." These include donating altar flowers and communion bread and wine.

Donating Flowers...You can sign up for the date of your choice. Flowers can be given in honor or memory of someone or to the glory of God. The cost is $15 and checks should be made payable to Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Please mark "Flowers" on the memo line of your check. You can take the flowers home with you after the late service or leave them at the church to be given to a shut-in. A sign up book is located at the usher's station in the back of the Sanctuary. Call Jean Forney if you have any questions.

Donating Communion Bread and Wine...this ministry occurs on the third Sunday of the month. Volunteers are asked to bring two loaves of either homemade or store bought bread and a two-liter bottle of semi-dry pink or red wine to the church Sacristy on the Saturday morning before worship. Please label your donation "For Sunday Worship". A sign-up sheet is available on the kiosk in the Narthex. Call Pastor Garner if you have any questions about this ministry.

Bethlehem offers an automated giving program designed to help you conveniently contribute to our congregation or institution through a safe, pre-authorized withdrawal from your bank account. You determine the frequency of your automatic gift-semi-monthly or monthly-the option is yours. Your gift is deposited on the same day it is withdrawn from your account-at no cost to you or BLC.

Changes to Simply Giving...to change the amount of your contribution, or to add the Building Fund, download the application form on this page and complete the FIRST TWO SECTIONS. If you are already enrolled and only making a change, you do not need to attach a voided check. Send or fax your application to the contact addresses at the top of the form. Contact Andy Gates for more information.

Grace Matters

Listen online at http://www.gracematters.org/listen.html, download a podcast or tune in Sunday mornings at 7:30 a.m. on 1040AM WYSL. Dozens of spiritually fulfilling and memorable programs available online. Sponsored locally for over 10 years by Bethlehem Lutheran!

Quilts!

BLC Quilters began about 4 years ago. We meet alternate weeks during the school year sharing ideas and skills while working together to make baby size quilts. This year we have completed 45 quilts bringing our total to over 150 quilts. (Click <here> to see) This year each is being donated to Strong Hospital in Rochester where they will be given to babies with special needs. These children include those with a wide variety of birth defects as well as those whose parents can not afford to take them home. Each quilt is signed simply "Love and Comfort to You," a first name, the city and the year. Children outgrow clothes and toys, but the quilt fits forever. For those who move from one foster home to another, it may be their only possession. Symbolically, we feel we are giving each child a hug and telling them they are special as we share the message of God's love with them.

You are welcome to be part of this fellowship of social ministry. We meet and work together at 7 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month, September-May at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fairport. Some people who can not attend, contribute in various ways at home. Donations of all-cotton fabric are always welcome. If you have questions, please call the church office 223-0634

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