“Take & eat; this is my body given for you…This cup is the new covenant in my blood shed for you & for all people for the forgiveness of sin.” We hear these words during the sacrament of Holy Communion practiced weekly at Bethany as we gather together. This sacred meal is a life-giving gift offered to us.

January is recognized as National Blood Donor Month. Bethany offers its space several times a year to host blood drives. Donated blood helps people who have had injuries or those with bleeding during surgery. There are people with genetic blood disorders who rely on blood donations as well as those with cancer. Here are a few statistics from Vitalant: Every day in the U.S. patients in a variety of settings (hospital, surgery centers, emergency centers) need approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells, 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma. Every two seconds someone needs blood, and one unit of blood can assist up to three people. These statistics are overwhelming to me. Testimonies from loved ones & survivors touch the heart. Clearly donating blood saves lives, and blood centers are always in need of donors. By giving blood, donors have benefits in the altruistic sense of doing something for others. Some studies have shown that regular blood donors decrease their blood pressure and the risk for a heart attack. There are so many reasons to donate if you are able. Giving the gift of life-saving blood is certainly a way of showing love for our neighbor. Our next blood drive here at Bethany will be February 21 in the Fellowship Hall from 8:30am – 12:30pm. To sign up or for more information please visit www.vitalant.org.

Peace,
Janet, Director of Pastoral Care

12 Days of Christmas by Pastor Nate
January 6, 2024

This devotional series has 12 entries intended to carry through the Liturgical season of Christmas. I searched my memory and surveyed a bunch of parents to come up with twelve actual thoughts we had during our first days as parents. Perhaps these are also thoughts Mary or Joseph had during those first few days in Jesus’ infancy.

I had no idea I had this much love in my heart.

Of course, more than anything else, the emotion that nearly every parent connects to the birth of their newborn child is love. In my experience, all of the clichés are absolutely true. I never knew I could love someone so much. It’s amazing how this little person can be just an idea one day and then the next day you can’t imagine life without them.

It seems so appropriate that the season of Christmas is all about the birth of a child, because as I’ve been saying, the birth of a child is filled with love, and in so many ways this season is all about love.

The reason that God became human, the reason Jesus was born is love. God’s love for humanity was so great that God chose the path of ultimate humility and became human. I love the way Paul describes it in his letter to the Philippians:

⁶ Jesus Christ, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

⁷ but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

⁸ he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death—

even death on a cross.

I like to joke that “Home Alone” is the most theologically correct Christmas movie. “Home Alone” is all about being with the people that you love, despite your disagreements and conflict. On that first Christmas, God made the incredible decision to literally be with the people God loved.

INVITATION: Opening our hearts and learning to love just a little bit more is always a worthy endeavor. Today, take time to try a “heart-opening” meditation.  Close your eyes and breath slowly and deeply. Please one hand on your heart and another on your stomach and notice how comforting it feels to connect with the movements of your breath and the beating of your heart. As you notice your heart beating, allow yourself to bring to mind the people you love. Don’t think about whatever might frustrate or annoy you about these individuals, just focus on the feelings of love you have for them. Then, with your hand still on your heart and eyes closed, take several breaths and allow yourself to realize that God holds these feelings of love for you. Let that Truth wash over you today.

12 Days of Christmas by Pastor Nate
January 5, 2024

This devotional series has 12 entries intended to carry through the Liturgical season of Christmas. I searched my memory and surveyed a bunch of parents to come up with twelve actual thoughts we had during our first days as parents. Perhaps these are also thoughts Mary or Joseph had during those first few days in Jesus’ infancy.

Despite it all, I feel such peace.

With each of my children I have fond memories of singing them to sleep as I rocked them in my arms and the only way I can properly describe those moments is “holy”. Even though I was exhausted, even though I felt in over my head, even though just moments earlier I had felt overwhelmed and frustrated, when they fell asleep in my arms it all just felt so holy and right.

Whenever I hear the line from Philippians about “the peace that surpasses all understanding” I think of these moments rocking my newborn children to sleep. It doesn’t make any sense. There are so many reasons why I should NOT be feeling peace at that moment and yet, despite it all, deep, soul-level peacefulness is exactly what I was feeling.

There’s a word for this soul-level, all-is-somehow-right-with-the-world peacefulness that the Biblical authors mention from time to time. The word they use is “Shalom”. Shalom is not just a fleeting peaceful feeling but it is God’s hope for all of creation. Shalom is a world-altering peace where everything is the way that God always hoped it would be.

INVITATION: Take time today to consider what shalom might look like to you. What would it mean for God to set everything right? What would a deep, soul-level peacefulness look like for all people?

12 Days of Christmas by Pastor Nate
January 4, 2024

This devotional series has 12 entries intended to carry through the Liturgical season of Christmas. I searched my memory and surveyed a bunch of parents to come up with twelve actual thoughts we had during our first days as parents. Perhaps these are also thoughts Mary or Joseph had during those first few days in Jesus’ infancy.

I’ve never had to learn so much in such a small amount of time.

The above words were offered by a parent when I asked for honest thoughts about the first days of parenthood. I couldn’t agree more with her sentiments. Learning how to bathe a child that can’t sit up is difficult, add to that learning how to change diapers, properly heat bottles, swaddle, and dress this squirmy creature, all while sleep deprived—are you kidding me?! In a word it’s overwhelming.

And yet, people have been finding a way to pull it off since the beginning of time.

There is a lot in this life that can feel overwhelming and I think that’s why faith is so essential. Our belief in God gives us something to fall back on when everything else seems to be falling apart. Our faith tells us that God is still in control, even when everything else feels out of control. Our faith can give us reasons to hope, even when everything else seems hopeless. This simple belief in a being that is wiser and more powerful than myself can be enough to give us comfort at even the most dismal of times.

INVITATION: I confess that I can be rather easily overwhelmed. It’s something I’m working on. One of the practices I’ve found that does help when I reach my breaking point is to take 5 minutes to myself to listen to music. I like to retreat to my bedroom, lie down with headphones on and listen to a song that reminds me of God’s power and peace. It’s never the same song twice, but that moment of calm to remind myself of God’s presence in my life goes a long way. Even if you don’t feel overwhelmed at the moment, give yourself this gift today.

12 Days of Christmas by Pastor Nate
January 3, 2024

This devotional series has 12 entries intended to carry through the Liturgical season of Christmas. I searched my memory and surveyed a bunch of parents to come up with twelve actual thoughts we had during our first days as parents. Perhaps these are also thoughts Mary or Joseph had during those first few days in Jesus’ infancy.

I feel so isolated and lonely.

The early days of parenting are often extremely isolating. You are so tethered to your child because of their many needs so you can’t go anywhere or really do much of anything. When friends would stop by just to visit it was one of the most welcome interruptions to those early days.  Trips to the store for groceries felt like exciting escapes back into the world where other people lived.
This year, I imagine we can all resonate with these emotions just a little bit more than usual. It’s been a very isolating year and that has reminded even the most staunch introverts just how important human interaction is for each of us. We were created to be with others. God never intended for us to go through life alone.
When I look back at human history this seems to be one of the undeniable core truths. People have always found ways to build communities and to share life together. Even though community is hard work, people kept doing it. God recognized this fact of human existence. Heck, God created us to be this way, and that’s what makes Jesus’ birth so deeply beautiful. God created us to be in community with one another and so God chose to be born as a human baby so that God could be in true community with us.

INVITATION: Reflect on the role that relationships and community has played in your life. Take time to call a friend or family member who you haven’t talked to in a while and reconnect.

12 Days of Christmas by Pastor Nate
January 1, 2024

This devotional series has 12 entries intended to carry through the Liturgical season of Christmas. I searched my memory and surveyed a bunch of parents to come up with twelve actual thoughts we had during our first days as parents. Perhaps these are also thoughts Mary or Joseph had during those first few days in Jesus’ infancy.

Doesn’t this thing come with an instruction manual?

Perhaps the hardest part about children is their inability to communicate. Yes, babies cry, a lot, but that cry could mean one of a dozen different things: I’m tired, I’m uncomfortable, I need to be changed, I need to be burped, I’m hungry, I want you to put me down, I want you to pick me up, etc. etc. I remember going through a “liturgy” with each of my children when they were crying newborns. Pick them up and rock them; if that doesn’t work, try and burp them; if that doesn’t work, check their diaper; if that doesn’t work give the baby to Amanda so they can eat; if that doesn’t work, despair.

When I was a kid, I remember hearing a story during a Christmas Eve sermon that gets at this type of beating-my-head-against-the-wall despair.

There was a man who stayed home while the rest of his family went to the Christmas Eve worship service. He was reading a book and sitting in his chair when he heard a knock at the window. He looked out but couldn’t see what had caused the noise so he went back to his book, but then just a moment later, he heard another loud knock.

He got out of his chair to get a closer look when another loud knock came from the window. This time, the man realized what was happening. Birds were crashing into the window. The man tried turning off the lights in the room but birds continued to fly into the window. So, he went outside and tried scaring them away but had no success.

Finally, in desperation, the man was shouting, at the flock of birds, “Stop what you are doing! Don’t you realize that you’re just hurting yourself!” Then he said to himself, under his breath, “I just wish I could become a bird, so that I could help them stop this self-destructive behavior.” At that moment, the church bells rang signaling the end of the Christmas Eve service…

God becomes a human being in the person of Jesus to show us how to live. For thousands of years God sent prophets and judges and kings to try and guide God’s people, but finally, God had to become a human being in order to show us the way.

INVITATION: Take time to talk with God about some of your self-destructive behavior and decisions. How might Jesus be trying to show you a better way to live?

12 Days of Christmas by Pastor Nate
December 31, 2023

This devotional series has 12 entries intended to carry through the Liturgical season of Christmas. I searched my memory and surveyed a bunch of parents to come up with twelve actual thoughts we had during our first days as parents. Perhaps these are also thoughts Mary or Joseph had during those first few days in Jesus’ infancy.

Never mind, I have no idea what I’m doing.

As I said yesterday, it usually takes 5 days to start to feel like you know what you are doing as a first-time parent. But that feeling doesn’t last long. Babies are changing and growing so much during the first months in their life that it is almost impossible to develop any sort of routine or consistency.

So, just as you start to feel like you know what is going on you find yourself immediately thrust back into the despair and confusion of those first days of parenthood.

I’m sure that Mary and Joseph felt much the same way. Not just as first-time parents, but as two people trying to wrap their heads around the incredible task that God had entrusted to them. As is often the case with the mysteries and majesty of God, just as you start to grasp what God might be up to, you’re suddenly back to feelings of confusion and doubt.

We need to realize that this is ok. Faith is not the same as certainty and we need to allow ourselves the grace to admit that sometimes we aren’t certain about every little aspect of our faith. After all, that’s why it’s called faith. How could Mary and Joseph ever fully wrap their minds around the immense mission that their son was going to undertake. In the same way, how can we ever fully understand the bigness of God?  Rather than trying to figure everything out, what if we gave ourselves some grace to not have all the answers? What if we learned to love the mysterious aspects of God?

INVITATION: Today, embrace and admit your questions and doubts. Take a blank sheet of paper and fill it with all your confusion. Draw pictures if you like, be artistic if that’s your thing, but above all, be honest with yourself and with God and learn to love the uncertainty that lives in us all.

12 Days of Christmas by Pastor Nate
December 30, 2023

This devotional series has 12 entries intended to carry through the Liturgical season of Christmas. I searched my memory and surveyed a bunch of parents to come up with twelve actual thoughts we had during our first days as parents. Perhaps these are also thoughts Mary or Joseph had during those first few days in Jesus’ infancy.

I think I’m getting the hang of this…

In my experience, it’s somewhere around day 5 when you start to get into a rhythm with a newborn. Yes, you’re tired, but you start to fill like you’ve figured out how this all is going to work. It’s a comforting feeling, to have a rhythm for handling the days and the nights and the tasks of getting meals on the table and keeping the house from becoming a total disaster. You know what needs to get done, you know how to manage the tasks, and you kind of know how the baby will respond.

When I think about the core message of Christmas, it seems to me that God knew exactly what we needed most. Christmas is all about God choosing to enter creation in order to be with us. God is not some distant figure that we can’t access or connect with; God is the one who becomes a tiny baby, vulnerable and fragile, in order to better connect with us. When we feel vulnerable or fragile or lonely, the story of Jesus’ birth reminds us that God chose to willingly embrace all of these realities. God intimately understands the emotions and struggles we face and God wants to be with us in that pain, to accompany us through it all.

INVITATION: The feeling of competence, in any area of life, is powerful. Today, take some time to consider what practices and activities you need in order to feel grounded in your life of faith. What commitments do you need to keep in order to grow in your relationship with God? What practices help you feel connected to the God who longs to connect with you?

12 Days of Christmas by Pastor Nate
December 28, 2023

This devotional series has 12 entries intended to carry through the Liturgical season of Christmas. I searched my memory and surveyed a bunch of parents to come up with twelve actual thoughts we had during our first days as parents. Perhaps these are also thoughts Mary or Joseph had during those first few days in Jesus’ infancy.

The world as I once knew it is forever changed.

After the birth of your first child, there are so many adjustments that must be immediately made to your life. There’s no longer time for all your previous hobbies and get-togethers. No longer can you spontaneously meet up with friends after work; everything has to be carefully scheduled and planned ahead of time because there is a new person in your life who is entirely dependent upon you.

The birth of a child changes your world. It ends a previous way of life and begins a brand new way of life. There’s a term for this in the Bible, it’s a term that’s been misused quite a bit: apocalypse.

When I say that, I’m guessing you’re thinking about The Apocalypse, when the world ends and Jesus comes again and there are lakes of fire and all sorts of other stuff that looks really good in Hollywood movies. But the truth is, an apocalypse is simply a drastic changing. A clear moment when one reality ends and a new reality begins. In this sense, the birth of a child is apocalyptic. Your life is never the same again.

And on a much grander scale, the birth of Jesus was also an apocalypse. The world was absolutely never the same after Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Here we are, 2000 years later, still talking about this one birth!

INVITATION: Take time to journal or just think about how the birth of Jesus has changed your life. How would your life be different if you never heard about Jesus?

12 Days of Christmas by Pastor Nate
December 27, 2023

This devotional series has 12 entries intended to carry through the Liturgical season of Christmas. I searched my memory and surveyed a bunch of parents to come up with twelve actual thoughts we had during our first days as parents. Perhaps these are also thoughts Mary or Joseph had during those first few days in Jesus’ infancy.

Is this normal? Should I call the doctor?
I’m calling the doctor.

Worry. Do not be afraid. Clenched fist, letting go, meditation. Parents experience so much anxiety and worry during those first days of a baby’s life. It’s obvious that this little child is fragile and entirely dependent on you. This pressure and sense of responsibility can give way to some rather frantic thinking. With one of our children we did have a doctor tell us bluntly, “you need to chill out.”

I love how the Christmas story carries with it the refrain of “Do not be afraid.” This is what the angel says when he appears to Zechariah to proclaim the birth of John the Baptist. “Do not be afraid” is what the angel says when he appears to Mary to proclaim the birth of Jesus. “Do not be afraid” is what the angel says to the shepherds when the skies outside of Bethlehem burst open that Christmas night. I think one of the predominant messages of Christmas is simply this: do not be afraid. Yes, there is a lot in this life that can cause us worry, but God has chosen to be with us in the midst of all the worry and doubt.

INVITATION: Take a quiet moment for this “letting go” meditation. Begin by closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths. Then, clench your hands into tight fists. Hold this clenched position for several moments as you hold in your mind a situation that is causing you anxiety. Continue to clench your fists as you talk to God about this worry. Then, release your fists and feel the release in your hands and arms as you place that fear into God’s hands. Repeat this process for any other worries you wish to release to God.

12 Days of Christmas by Pastor Nate
December 26, 2023

This devotional series has 12 entries intended to carry through the Liturgical season of Christmas. I searched my memory and surveyed a bunch of parents to come up with twelve actual thoughts we had during our first days as parents. Perhaps these are also thoughts Mary or Joseph had during those first few days in Jesus’ infancy.

What’s Going on? Are we doing this right?

When my first child was born it was all very, very, confusing. And overwhelming. In an instant everything changed. Overnight, it went from being just me and my spouse and now suddenly there was an entirely new person added to the equation. A new, little person who could not survive on her own. That first night with the new baby was a flood of questions and disorientation. Am I doing this right? Is this normal? What’s going on!?

I think that’s actually an appropriate space for Christmas. What a strange, overwhelming holiday. There are so many expectations, so much nostalgia, so much pressure that we put on this holiday. And the Christmas story also seems to carry this sense of bewilderment. What must the shepherds been thinking when the skies above Bethlehem opened up with choirs of angels? What were Mary and Joseph thinking when the shepherds explained why they had come to visit the newborn baby Jesus?

I know that confusion isn’t an emotion we like to spend too much time with, but if we are willing, confusion can give way to wonder. The terror of the shepherds quickly gave way to amazement as the sky burst open with choirs of angels. The “What’s going on!?” of new parents can quickly give way to “this is all truly amazing.”

INVITATION: Today, embrace the wonder of this day. Remember and recall the awe of Christmas mornings of your youth. Look for small moments of wonder throughout the day. Or, go on a walk in a new place (don’t get lost!) but connect with that feeling of novelty and reflect on what it means when the Bible says that God will make all things new.

The prophets foretell the role that the town of Bethlehem will have in the birth of Jesus. Not exactly the who, what, when, or how… but someone great is coming to rule in Israel and Bethlehem is going to be the place where it happens!

So many of the prophecies in the Old Testament play out in the New Testament. This one does in the birth of Jesus and interestingly enough in Matthew 2:3-6, where King Herod is deeply troubled by the news that he learns from the Wise Men looking for the child who is the “King of the Jews.” Herod devises schemes against the baby Jesus after his chief priests and scribes refer him to this prophecy passage in Micah.

Do the prophets of old tell us such specific information that we can use today? It is a lot easier to see what the prophets were talking about after the prophecy comes true… like in King Herod’s case. But what about beforehand? I suppose that is what the promise of Advent is all about. We know now, beforehand, that Jesus is coming at Christmas. We hope, wait, anticipate, and prepare for his birth… every year.

And it’s in that hoping, waiting, anticipating, and preparation that we find Emanuel… God with us. The prophets were right. He comes to us in the town of Bethlehem as a shepherd, great to the ends of the earth, and the one of peace.

Gracious God, open our eyes and hearts and let the words of the ancient prophets ring true as we prepare for the birth of the Baby Jesus. God of love, help us to recognize that you are our Shepherd, we are your flock, and that the peace that you bring is for all. Amen.

Written By: Dave Craven
December 21, 2023

David danced before the Lord with all his might.

David was king of Israel, a great blessing from God. In order to solidify his authority, the ark of the Lord was moved to Jerusalem. However, David still had his doubts and fears that the ark was full of God’s wrath. Once David was convinced that the ark was God’s blessing, it was moved to a tent David erected in a grand celebration. David recognized the love God had for his people and reflected this love in dancing, shouting, feasts, and gifts of food to the people.

Advent is a time to celebrate the coming gift of God among us in the form of Jesus. At times, we hesitate to trust in God’s goodness. Knowing that Jesus is coming to us in the form of a babe gives us hope. God does not forget his people. He blesses us richly.

This season, as you celebrate God’s presence in your lives, remember to praise God for his many blessings. Do not fear that God has forgotten you.

God, I thank you for your many blessings. When I fear, remind me of your great presence in my life. Let my joyful praise lift those around me from despair to hope.

Written By: Carol Haller

Has not one God created us?

The prophet Malachi rebukes the people of Judah for not being faithful to God. They have profaned the Sanctuary and married the daughter of a foreign god. Our God abhors faithlessness and violence. We weary our God with cries of “unfair” and “unjust” without doing anything about it.

We too are not always faithful. We too follow other gods by making other things; money, power, position, a priority over following Jesus’ teachings. Love God with all our heart, mind, body and soul. Love our neighbors as ourselves. How weary God must be to hear our cries that are the same cries as Judah?

But yet Malachi tells Judah that a messenger is coming to prepare the way and the Lord will suddenly come to his temple. Indeed, he is coming. And then, finally, all will be put right and all shall be well.

Holy God, help us to really hear your prophet’s words. Direct us to not just cry for justice but to work for it. Help us to put away other gods and cling only to you. 

Written By: Sarah Hulslander
December 15, 2023

“But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them.”

Isaiah 26: 7-15

In this passage, we hear that when we are led by God’s guidance, we are enabled to move along rugged roads and around obstacles that might hinder our progress. God makes the way of the righteous plain and easy so they may walk safely and comfortably.

So often, we wish that our daily paths would be for us plain and easy, without obstacles. And our lives often seem confounded daily by challenges, anxieties, fears and calamities. Sometimes, our paths do not seem smooth but rough and rugged. The Prophet reminds us, however, that the Lord himself makes the path even and straight. The Lord leads us on that path with his grace and mercy. In earnestly searching and seeking for God, for his guidance, strength and peace, our paths are smoothed and we are strengthened for our journeys.

May we experience this season of Advent as a time to prepare the way of the Lord and earnestly seek him so that we may walk confidently, trusting in Him to smooth the path.

Good and gracious God, we continue to eagerly seek you. Help us to prepare your way in our hearts.

Written By: Marie Friedemann
December 14, 2023