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Bethany News

Welcome to Bethany News! We are glad you’re here.

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#KnowLoveShowLove

To access the Prayer List for this week, click here

To submit a prayer request please email Janet at janet@bethany-denver.org or call the office at 303-758-2820

February 9 is Souper Bowl of Caring!

Tackle hunger by participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring Soup Potluck! Please bring a pot of soup to share during Community Hour in Fellowship Hall following the 10:00 am worship. Come for the delicious soups and stay for the warm fellowship! Donations are appreciated!! Proceeds will benefit our partners who work to tackle hunger.

All Bethany Retreat!

Save the Date – Bethany Retreat at Rainbow Trail – for ALL!

May 1-3, 2026.

Bethany Summer Camp Week at Sky Ranch

July 27-August 1

Space for all Bethany children and youth for a priceless week of camp at Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp! Register now and join the adventure.

Connect with Bryan Jaster.

Day Camp

Save the Dates: June 23-27, 2025

Art Camp

Save the Dates: July 14-17, 2025

“We Hear Your Voice!”

Our middle school youth (with a few our of St. Peter and Epiphany friends!) and caring adult shepherds heard God’s voice together in Winter Park through small groups, worship, play in the snow, and feasting together. Thank you to the Schopp family for generously hosting us!

Mentoring for Lent!

This year we have 49 middle school who are looking for caring adult to get to know as mentors during Lent – March 12^th through April 13th. If you feel called, please email Bryan Jaster by March 5^th and he will equip you with details and will connect you with a young person and family. Thanks!

Outreach Team News - We are welcoming a Refugee Family!

We're happy to welcome our young Afghan refugee family to Colorado! Mom, Dad, and 2 girls ages 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 have arrived and live in a nice apartment in Aurora. Our team has been working with them in "cultural mentoring" and in learning English. They are very grateful for the many items and gift cards from Bethany. Everyone's generosity is appreciated!

Join the podcast discussion, "What Happened in Alabama?" - Sunday, February 23rd from 11:20am-12:30 pm in Room 210.

Take some time, on your own, to listen to this riveting 10-episode podcast series created by award winning journalist, Lee Hawkins. It "is a series born out of personal experiences of intergenerational trauma, and the impacts of Jim Crow that exist beyond what we understand about segregation". Together we'll unpack the series and share our reactions to this illuminating and emotional podcast. This discussion will be moderated by Deacon Debra Alba and is sponsored by Bethany's Social Justice Ministry Team. Light snacks will be provided.

Intergenerational Friends Brunch and Games!

Join in Sunday, Feb 23 from 11:20am-1:00pm downstairs in the Big Room downstairs. We will spend time in fellowship over games and breakfast. Contact colleen@bethany-denver.org with questions. All are welcome! This event is hosted by Gather: Denver which is a young adult ministry committed to sacred conversation and authentic community.

RSVP Here!

One Simple Tool

Room 412 Feb 9 and Feb 16

“One Simple Tool” - 30 minutes of learning Feb 9 and Feb 16 at 11:20pm

We will practice One Simple Tool you will use every day as humans who want to live and love like Jesus in ordinary life. Great for beginners or people hoping to grow a little as disciples. No prep needed and best for people 14 years on the earth and up.

Connect with Bryan Jaster.

Doane Choir Concert Feb 7

Join in for a free concert given by the Doane Choir from the Doane University on the evening of February 7 at 7:00pm in the sanctuary.

Ecuadorian Village!

SAVE THE DATE --> Sunday March 30 @ 11am at Bethany.
Come feast on authentic and support Bethany's Ecuador Mission Team we sent to Ecuador July 12-20. Tickets on Sale soon!

Sign up for a daily email from Bethany: 365!

Each day you will receive a short devotional to guide you on your daily walk of faith. These emails will explore faith through the lens of health, scripture, spiritual practices, and more.

Join Rejoicing Spirits as we celebrate Palentine’s Day!

Join Rejoicing Spirits as we celebrate Palentine’s Day a global holiday celebrating friendships and every other form of platonic love. The celebration will be held Sunday, February 16th, at Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church 21755 E Smoky Hill Rd. Aurora, CO 80015 from 4-6 p.m. for dinner and worship!

We will unite in activities, singing, laughing and loving God. Rejoicing Spirits is an inclusive worship space for people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities, their caregivers, families and anyone who seeks an open, joyful and creative worship experience.

We will gather at LOTH on the third Sunday of each month in 2025. Please RSVP to pastor@lordofthehills.org For more information regarding the Rejoicing Spirits experience or volunteering, please contact:
Pastor Margot at
pastor@lordofthehills.org
Pastor Ann Hultquist at
native2615@gmail.com or
Karen Ullestad
kmullestad@hotmail.com
We will know what it is to be created in God’s image when all are included.”

Welcome Dana and Kira!

Mother-daughter duo Dana Middents and Kira McBarron are ecstatic to help serve the Bethany community each Sunday morning in the nursery during the 10:00 am service. Kira is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School and Dana is a software engineer at a world-wide technology company.

Parents of Estranged Adult Kids

Parents of Estranged Adult Kids (PEAK): Family estrangement in general and parental estrangement in particular is being recognized as an emerging public health problem in our society. Janet Mortinsen and Sue Ann Glusenkamp are inviting interested people to join them for an ongoing support group as we partner with Augustana Lutheran. We will meet at Augustana (5000 E Alameda, Denver) in the Anna Paulson Room on the 3rd Saturday of each month. The next meeting will be January18, from 9:00am - 10:30am. For questions or concerns, please contact Janet Mortinsen.

Shenanigans at Bethany!

Saturday March 1 5:00-9:00pm
A night on campus for ALL 6-12th grade humans of bethany, st. peter, epiphany and friends. Community, food, games, worship and so much more.

Attention students, parents and grandparents!

Bethany Foundation has scholarships available to students attending Lutheran colleges. Lutheran colleges offer a smaller class size, like minded students and staff who serve as mentors helping students grow in faith and education. Consider a Lutheran college for your higher education. Questions? Contact: Jill at monsenjill@ gmail.com or Susan at susanjunge@comcast.net.

Big Room Open House!

Sunday February 16th 9:30-10am and 11-11:30am!

Come, See and Bless our new space we have renovated for the Bethany's ministry with young people. It was transformed from a barren, stark room to a vibrant, inviting space that feels like home because of your gifts given to the Children's Ministry fund.

Come downstairs for snacks and blessings you will create for the space.

IFCS Nibbles & Sips Gala

Saturday, February 22nd

Integrated Family Community Services invites you to share in their fine food and beverage tasting gala to support IFCS’ One Can Feed Hunger Alleviation Campaign, on Saturday, February 22nd from 5:00 to 8:30 PM at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center.

This event brings the community together to raise funds that nourish and transform lives. Explore over 50 culinary and drink stations to taste global wines, spirits, and beers, and enjoy flavorful dishes from local restaurants, while also learning about IFCS’ mission and updates, with opportunities to contribute to their hunger alleviation work. With your help, IFCS can provide an immediate, positive impact to many children, families, and seniors seeking vital resources.

Click to register for the event, to make donations or for more information

Women of Bethany Fellowship

The next Women of Bethany (WOB) Fellowship get together will be a Lunch on Tuesday, February 18 from 11:30am to 1:30pm at South Suburban Golf Bar and Grill located at 7900 S. Colorado Blvd, Centennial, CO 80112 (https://golf.ssprd.org/South-Suburban-Bar-Grill). Let's celebrate the wonderful friends we have made and will continue to make through the WOB Fellowship. If you have not yet had a chance to join us, please know that everyone is welcome. Please DO NOT RSVP BY e-mail. We would appreciate you signing up for the Brunch using the “Sign-up Here” button online. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful smiles! If you wish to be notified of future gatherings via e-mail, you can join our WOB e-mail group list by contacting Lizza Aalto at taalto@aol.com or Marilyn Narveson at msnarv73@gmail.com. Hope to see your happy smiles!

ELCA Chaplains

The ELCA Chaplaincy Fund for Leaders addresses the financial obstacle for women and men answering a call to federal chaplaincy ministry with our service members, law enforcement officers, veterans. For more information about this important ministry in our church, click the links below.

Chaplain Fund Brochure

Senior Ministries

Senior Ministries meets each Tuesday from 10:00AM-1:00PM in the Fellowship Hall.

On First and Third Tuesdays enjoy games, puzzles, and casual conversation followed by a brief service in the Chapel at 11:30. Communion is served on the first Tuesday of each month.

Second and Fourth Tuesdays feature an activity or speaker.

Lunch is served at Noon each week. A $10 donation for the meal is requested.

Check out our calendar for more information on upcoming events.

Senior Ministries Calendar

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver/Holy Hammers

Thanks to the generosity of the Bethany congregation, through the Bethany Foundation, the Benevolence Ministry Team and individual contributions, as of December 31st, Holy Hammers has raised $149,080 towards it's goal of $150,000 to sponsor one of the 8 single family Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver homes at Augustana Lutheran. Thanks to all of you who contributed financially, took part in one of our fundraising events, or by volunteering your time at the construction site!

As of the date of this announcement, three of the four duplexes are in process of being built. Construction will continue at the site throughout 2025. Sign-up to volunteer on-site in the new construction below.

Upcoming Volunteer Dates

Holy Hammers is sponsoring/providing volunteers for the construction of single-family homes at the Augustana Home site in 2025. Volunteers (no experience needed, must be at least 16) are needed for the following dates:

- 2 of 5 slots available on Saturday, February 15th, at the new construction site, Augustana Homes (5088 E Dakota Ave, Denver, CO, 80246) from 8:50 am to 4:30 pm.
- 5 of 5 slots available on Saturday, March 29th at the new Production Shop (430 S Navajo St, Denver, CO, 80246) from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
- 5 of 5 slots available on Saturday, April 26th at the new construction site, Augustana Homes (5088 E Dakota Ave, Denver, CO, 80246) from 8:50 am to 4:30 pm.
- 5 of 5 slots available on Saturday, May 10th at the new construction site, Augustana Homes (5088 E Dakota Ave, Denver, CO, 80246) from 8:50 am to 4:30 pm.

Volunteers should sign-up at the following site at least two weeks prior to the event.

Together 4 Good Podcast: Practices for Finding Calm with Peter Hancock

Welcome to the Together 4 Good podcast! In this week's episode, Pastor Nate sits down with Peter Hancock to talk about his work as an entrepreneur and the ways that he finds calm in the midst of his active and high-pressure work. The conversation spans stories about vulnerability, the importance of exercise, how a faith community provides connection and support, and much more.

In this episode you will learn:

how emotions need to be metabolized through physical activity.
the ways that being vulnerable creates connection and community the importance of rituals and traditions in life and the workplace.

Listen Here

Click to Download a Printable Flyer to Share!

WHAT IS WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY & “LOTS OF SOCKS”?

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). It is a global awareness day, officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The date for WDSD is the 21st day of the 3rd month, which signifies the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down Syndrome. It is a celebration of everything that makes us different, and yet the same. “Lots of Socks” was started in 2013 by the World Down Syndrome Association to raise awareness of what Down Syndrome is and how people with Down Syndrome play a vital role in our lives. The idea was created because chromosomes are shaped “like socks” and people with Down Syndrome have an extra chromosome. The concept is easy. On WDSD we ask that you wear some socks that will get noticed - they might be mismatched socks or your craziest and most colorful socks, whatever takes your fancy! When anyone asks you about your socks, you can tell them, "I'm wearing them to raise awareness of Down Syndrome.”

Click to Learn More