From the Pastoral perspective:

Dear People of God!

A fresh wind of the Spirit of God continues to blow through His church. It is the Lord Jesus who says, "Behold, I make all things new!"

Fall is a time for new things as most of us get back into the normal routines of life. It is no different for the church. The Spirit of God is making new again a time of renewal and growth for us at Bethlehem even as we begin to prepare for the changes and death of Autumn and the silence of Winter.

"Behold, I make all things new!" As you look through the pages of this issue of the Star, you will see some new things … new opportunities for education and service – the new Prayer Shawl Ministry which is meeting here at Bethlehem on Tuesday mornings from 9-11 a.m. ... the new Bible Study opportunity based on the book of Psalms meeting on Thursday mornings from10-11 a.m. ... the new Social Ministry opportunity for service with the "Safe Harbor" program in November ... along with all the old opportunities in worship and education to grow and serve. The Lord of the church said, "Behold, I make all things new!"

"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and tomorrow!" While the Lord does indeed make all things new for us so that we might continue to grow and change and become more like Him, He does not change. His love for us ... His forgiveness ... His healing power in our lives ... His message of eternal life for us - these things never change. They are the bedrock of our lives together as His people.

May God bless you and keep you as He renews us and draws us closer to Him!

Pastor Dan

Click here to read Pastor Dan's response to the decisions made at the 2009 ELCA Assembly Meeting

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