“For such a time as this.” It’s perhaps the most famous verse from the book of Esther, the topic of our Midweek Oasis Bible Study for the month of May (May 8,15, and 22 to be exact). We’ll be taking a pretty quick overview of this most interesting book. It is the account of God preserving his people during captivity in Persia, as well as full of political intrigue. It also encourages us to think about how God might use us when and where he has placed us in life. Come join us!
Confirmation 2024
Confirmation here at Bethany will take place on May 12 during our 9AM service. We have two confirmands this year – Carys Vermullen and Braden Wills. There is no Sunday School or Bible study that morning. Instead, a time of fellowship to encourage these young people.
Ascension FESTIVAL SERVICE
On Thursday, May 9, at 6:30 pm, you are invited to an Ascension Festival Worship Service at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 302 Morrison St. Pastor Ryan Kolander, Riverview, will preach. Pastor Matt Holtz, from St. Paul, will preside. The service will feature holy communion, joint children's and adult choirs, and instrumental ensemble. Dessert fellowship will follow the service. Come join your fellow Christians to celebrate our risen and ascended Lord!
May AVFP Collection Information
The May 2024 collection for the food pantry will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024. The following are items currently in need of at the pantry: Hamburger, tuna and chicken boxed meals, canned tomato and chicken noodle soups, jam/jelly, cookies, all crackers, canned tomato (diced, sauce and stewed), adult cereals (Total, Special K, Chex, etc), shampoos, conditioners (or 2-in-1 hair products) and body washes (including men's 3-in-1 products). Just a reminder that the pantry does not give expired food to our recipients. Thank you all for your support of the pantry.
Donations for New Stroller
Our Shepherd Childcare and Family Ministry is currently seeking donations to offset the cost of a new 6 seater stroller for our infants. The new stroller costs nearly $1,000, but thanks to the generosity of a couple of you, we only need $200 more to reach our goal! If you would like to contribute to the cost of this important safety update, you may give your donations directly to Our Shepherd or leave your gift in the offering basket (with a note "for Our Shepherd stroller") If you are writing a check, please make it out to Our Shepherd Childcare.
Alvin Street Construction
The pavement reconstruction of Alvin St. from Wisconsin Ave. to Marquette St. is scheduled to start the week of April 29th and be completed by June 27th. When our block of Alvin St. is closed, please reserve parking lot space for those with physical limitations.
FVL Announcements 4/12/2024
· Due to construction on the FVL campus, the spring electronics recycling drive is canceled for 2024. Go to fvlhs.org/news for alternative options.
· Can you help? FVL's International Program already has 25 applicants from China, S. Korea, Thailand, Germany, France, and Italy who are waiting for host families in 2024-2025. More applications are coming in each week. For information go to fvlhs.org/hosting or contact Monica Uhlenbrauck (muhlenbrauck@fvlhs.org). This is a wonderful ministry opportunity for your family!
Let's Pull Together!
Monday, April 29 is the last day that Our Shepherd Childcare and Family Ministry is collecting pull tabs from soda cans, canned pet food, and other canned goods to support the Ronald McDonald House on behalf of Josie Priewe, the daughter of Pastor Tim Priewe from Mount Olive. She has spent a lot of time recently at Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee, and the Priewes stay at the Ronald McDonald House which saves them on lodging and food.
College-Age WELS Retreat
This summer, from May 29th to June 2nd, Camp Croix (WELS campground in Danbury, WI) will host the second annual Light of the World Retreat for college-aged Christians. If you are anywhere between entering college/18yo to exiting college/22-23yo), get more detailed information about the Light of the World Retreat at: campcroix.org/college-retreat.
Small Group Studies Begin April 7
Our small group Bible studies begin again the week of April 7. If you’re interested in joining a group this spring, please speak with one of the pastors – they’d love to get you connected!
Valley Teen Night at Bethany
The next Valley Teen Night event is taking place Sunday, April 14, 6-8pm, and it is Bethany's turn to host! This event is open to those in grades 8-12 and will take place at our Lynndale Campus. The evening's schedule will include time for fellowship, snacks, Bible study, and teen-led worship. If you are a Bethany teen, please consider attending this event. Pastor Dan may also be tapping some of you on the shoulder to help out, so be ready for that!
New Member Welcome
There will be an orientation for our newest Bethany members on Tuesday, April 9 at 6PM in the Praise Center at the Lynndale Campus. We’ll then more formally welcome those new members in church April 13-14.
OUTDOOR CLEAN-UP
Our Outdoor Clean-Up on both campuses has been rescheduled for Saturday, May 11 at 8AM. Please make plans to join us as we pull weeds, spread mulch, and more!
Holy Week Schedule
Holy Week Schedule:
- Maundy Thursday w/Lord’s Supper (Parkway Campus) – 4:30PM & 6PM
- Good Friday (Parkway Campus) – 4:30PM & 6PM
- Easter Saturday w/Lord’s Supper (Lynndale Campus) – 4:30PM
- Easter Sunday w/Lord’s Supper (Parkway Campus – 8AM & 10:30AM
- Easter Breakfast (Parkway Campus fellowship hall) – between the Sunday services
- There is no Monday evening church service on April 1.
Three Hour Good Friday Service @ St. Paul, Appleton
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 302 N. Morrison St. will again be hosting the Three-Hour Good Friday service on March 29th, Noon to 3 pm. This long-standing tradition in our community commemorates the three hours of darkness while Jesus hung on the cross. Area pastors and choirs will lead us in worship as we focus on the seven words spoken by our Savior from the cross. You may attend all or part of the service as your schedule permits. If you can’t attend in person, you may listen on WNAM radio, 1280 AM, or watch on Facebook: facebook.com/stpaulappletonwi.
FVL Choirs Sacred Concert
All are invited to attend the FVL Choirs Sacred Concert on Sunday, 4/7, at 2 PM in the Auditorium.
WELS Women's Ministry Conference Information
Registration is now open for the 2024 WELS Women’s Ministry Conference, July 28-30, at the Ingleside Hotel, Pewaukee, WI. This conference is for any woman who is passionate about the spreading of the Good News of Jesus in our world today, no matter her age or background. New to the faith or seasoned, married or single, the keynotes and wide variety of breakout sessions will encourage, equip, and empower you in your walk of faith. Registration runs through May 31. $150 early-bird rate until April 30. $175 general rate runs May 1-31. Learn more at welswmconference.net
LWMS Spring Rally - St. Paul, Winneconne
Sign up today to attend the LWMS Spring Rally at St. Paul in Winneconne on Saturday, April 20 from 8am-12:20pm. The speaker will be Pastor Ryan Kolander from Riverview, who previously served in Detroit, MI at a Hispanic mission church. He will be sharing stories and more from his time there. Contact Sharon Mundt with questions – smundt@fvlhs.org
Our Shepherd Summer Kitchen Help
Our Shepherd Childcare is in need of another person to work in the kitchen this summer. This could be a great opportunity for a Bethany member or two to volunteer (or work) and connect the children at the center! This would be a temporary position just for the summer, as our food service does not deliver in the summer.
LWMS Door Offering - March 16-18
Next weekend, March 16-18, we will collect a door offering in support of - First Public Service Assistance - Your gifts will assist home mission churches in purchasing studies to help them plan their outreach efforts. These studies help the new home mission churches reach out effectively to understand their neighborhoods' makeup. The other half goes towards a world mission - Bangladesh Projects - WELS is working with a young Christian man from Bangladesh living in America, who is a WELS member and enrolled in the Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI), to run two international friendship centers in his Midwest city and across the border in Canada. Your gifts will provide Bibles in Bangladesh and other general support for mission work occurring in North America and in Bangladesh.