This month we highlight our Synod’s three-fold emphasis “Witness, Mercy, Life Together”, and focus on how we might apply these three areas in our congregation and community. Here are some basic questions “WMLT” questions to ask together as we seek the Lord’s guidance for the future.

Witness: Who are the people around us who do not know Jesus? Or have become disconnected from Him? How might we connect with some of them? Where are they? Who among us meets them as part of our various vocations? How might we get to know them so that we have the opportunity to confess the name of Christ? How might we find ways to baptize and teach them?

And we have seen and testify (witness!) that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him and he in God (1 John 4:14-15).

Mercy: What are the needs in this community? Who are the “invisible” people in the community? The people no one else notices? How many folks in your community are hurting? Why? Who are they and what are their needs? What do we have to offer them in the name of Christ? How can we be the arms of Christ’s mercy for them? How can we find them?

We love because he first loved us. If any one says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:19-20).

Life Together: What is the health of our fellowship? How are we connected to one another? More importantly, how are we connected to Jesus Christ? Are we regularly in the Word of God, remembering our Baptism, receiving our Lord’s body and blood, in which He gives life? How many of our people are? Does our congregation live in love with one another as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us?

If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:6-7).

The things we do as the body of Christ in “Witness, Mercy and Life Together” really do matter. Christ has made us His own, forgiven our sins in the blood of His cross, and declared us righteous by His resurrection. As we receive these gifts by faith, we rejoice in them, knowing our connection to Christ is sure and secure. And living as His forgiven people, our witness, mercy, and life together are simply what we do as the body of Christ.

We witness so that the Spirit might connect others to Jesus. We show mercy so that hurting people may receive the love of Jesus. And we strive to live together in peace, because God has called us to be one fellowship in and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Many of you will be on the road at some point this summer, whether it be for vacation, for business, to see family and friends. As you do so, you may happen to find yourself on the stretch of road known as “Route 66”.

In its glory days Route 66 was known as the “MotherRoad” of American highways. It was 2500 miles long, stretching across 8 states all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles. But Route 66 has decayed with time and for the most part,is a thing of the past. Today’s interstates follow its path, but most of it remains hidden among the relics of Americana.

There is another Route 66, however, that began thousands of years ago and continues to be used to this day. It is a well traveled road that has led millions of people to a new home, and a new way of life. And unlike the asphalt Route 66, God’s “Route 66” never needs replacing. The Bible, God’s Route 66, endures forever. God in His wisdom has given us in His Word as a Road Map, a Guide Book, a Pathway for life, and a Highway to Heaven. It offers us guidance and direction int he midst of this lost world we live in, and it leads us to Jesus and to the Cross, the great intersection between God and man, between heaven and earth.

So let’s dust off our map and take the journey together this summer. Let’s make God’s Word the Main Street of our lives as His people. Hope to see along the way!

The Ascension proclaims the reign of Christ over all things – for in Him and by Him and through Him are all things. His name alone is the name above all names – greater than any prophet, priest, or king – greater than anyone or anything in the sky above or on the earth below. So great is the name of the incarnate Son of God that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow – in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

But our risen, ascended, and exalted Lord Jesus Christ does not exercise his supreme power and might for self-serving reasons or to bring glory to himself. He instead uses His great power and mighty strength for the sake of His people, to protect and defend God’s people on the earth, to intercede on their behalf, and to bring forgiveness and salvation to all who believe.

Join us for our Amazing Desert Journey VBS Weekend – May 18-20 –

Fri – 5:30pm Hot Dog Roast and “Prince of Egypt” Movie
Sat – 9am-2pm Bible challenge, storytellers, crafts, games, music, snacks
Sun – 9am Worship Service and Closing VBS Hour

See ya there!

“I am the Vine, you are the Branches” – John 15

In Christ, God has done everything so that we might be connected to Him. Even though we have all turned away and have cut ourselves off, He has still loved us, embraced us, and forgiven us. He has grafted us into the true Vine and has pruned away all our unfruitful branches. He is always there for us, always faithful, always fruitful. “I am the Vine, you are the branches. I will fill you with life, strength, hope, and peace. Apart from me there is no life – only death and destruction. I have embraced you in my death and resurrection. I am the Resurrection and the Life – no one comes to the Father but through me. So remain in me. That’s where you belong. That’s where you will remain alive and fruitful. Not by yourself, but in me. Remain in me, as I remain in you. I am the Vine, you are the branches.”

Jesus is life. Only in Him can we truly live.

Lifetouch will be here at Bethany on May 15th and 16th to take pictures for our new picture directory. In order to schedule a time for your family online, please click on the link below …

https://www.securedata-trans14.com/ap/bethanylutheranchurch1/index.php?page=10

Join us at Bethany for Holy Week and Easter Services..

4/1 – Palm Sunday Parade – 9am
4/5 – Holy Thursday Service – 7pm
4/6 – Good Friday Service – 7:30 pm
4/8 – Easter Sunrise Service – 7am
Easter Breakfast – 8am
Easter Worship Service – 9am

Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!

The world around us often tries to tell us that “seeing is believing”, especially for those of us in the “Show Me” State. But what we find in the Scriptures is that, from God’s perspective, “believing is seeing”.

The Christians in Rome to whom Mark wrote His Gospel were being persecuted, and were undergoing all kinds of trials and tribulations. They thought. ” If only we could go back to the good old days when Jesus was alive and the Apostles were around. If only we could have been there, then it would be alot easier for us to believe.” But the truth is, and what Mark’s Gospel shows, is that that it never was easy to be a believer or a follower of Jesus. It was hard for those original twelve to believe, let alone those of us who have come hundreds or even thousands of years later. The point is that it’s not up to us to have such a great faith in God, but rather it is a great God who has given us faith to believe through His Word. It is and always has been about believing God’s Word and receiving His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

When it comes to our God – seeing isn’t believing – believing is seeing. “Blessed are those who believe even though they do not see.”

“Believing Is Seeing”  ( A Lenten Series on the Passion of Christ in the Gospel of Mark)

2/22 – “The Final Word” (Ash Wednesday),  2/29 – “It’s Not About You”,    3/7 – “Seeing In The Dark”,   3/14 -“God’s Plan Fulfilled In Weakness”    3/21 – “God’s Yes”,  3/28 – “I’ll Show You”,   4/1 – “The Parade” (Palm Sunday),  4/5 – “The Passover” (Holy Thursday),  4/6 – “The End (Good Friday),  4/8 – “The Beginning” (Easter Sunday)