FVL Musicfest 2023 will be held Sun. 2/5 from 1-4:30 PM. Admission is free for all. Join us to enjoy music, fellowship, and homemade desserts. Event donations will go toward replacing 25-year-old tuxedo jackets for the band and for performance risers. Find out more at fvlhs.org/fvl-musicfest.
Loss of A Spouse Seminar
The death of a spouse brings a unique kind of pain. People who are widowed haven’t just lost a loved one—they’ve lost an entire lifestyle. Loss of a Spouse Seminar is a single-session meeting for those coping with the loss of a spouse, to help you navigate your new normal.The seminar is held on Saturday, February 4 at 10:00 am at St. Luke's Lutheran Church (705 E Greenfield Drive, Little Chute) Register for this session online at https://www.griefshare.org/loss/events/6396.
Area WELS Youth Night
Local WELS congregations have joined together to offer a new teen ministry program - WELS Youth Night is a series of youth-focused events, where youth will experience an inspiring evening of games, music, prayer, Bible message, small group discussion, and fun with high school youth (9th-12th grade) from local WELS congregations in our area. WELS Youth Night is about building relationships, creating a community, and experiencing faith together.
Our area’s second WELS Youth Night is Sunday, January 22 at The CORE (820 W College Ave. Appleton) from 6–8 PM. There will be pizza and ice cream sundaes!
Register for WELS Youth Night at this sign-up link (https://922ministries.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1576696) or if you have any questions, contact Jodi Slominsky at student.ministry@mountoliveappleton.com.
Men of His Word Conference - Oshkosh
The 14th annual Men of His Word Conference (Theme: MAN UP: in a man down world) will be held at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Convention Center in Oshkosh on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Please go online at www.menofhisword.org to register and get details about schedule, breakout sessions, keynote speaker, cost, etc. Please join us for a day of worship, praise and fellowship in God’s Word!
Little Blessings Playgroup
Little Blessing's Playgroup will begin its winter session starting January 21st in the multipurpose room at Our Shepherd. Check-in will begin at 9:45 AM, and playgroup will start at 10 AM. The winter session dates are January 21st (Construction), February 4th (Pajama Day), February 18th (Outer Space), and March 4 (Colors). Each day will include a Bible story, snack, and activities pertaining to the theme. For questions, please contact the Bethany Church office or Sammi Stegman (sammipk13@yahoo.com). To aid in the planning process, please use the following link to register your child(ren) and for the weekly sign-up. https://forms.gle/sLokSdCBV4eGAcSN7
Upcoming Family Forum and Voters Meeting - January 22
There will be a Family Forum & Voters Meeting on Sunday, January 22 at 10:15AM in the lower level Fellowship Hall on the Parkway Campus (this meeting will be in place of Bible study that morning) Please make plans to attend this meeting and stay “in the know” about all the happenings at Bethany!
FaithFit - Tuesdays in January & February
FaithFit Dance Fitness class will begin meeting again on Tuesdays at 5:15PM in the Praise Center at Our Shepherd Childcare. in the months of January and February. This class is for women of all ages (must be 12 to attend with a parent)
Discipleship.101 - Thursdays
Discipleship.101 meets Thursdays at 5:30 P.M. at the Lynndale Campus beginning January 12. This class is a starting place. If you’re new to Christianity, new to Bethany, or just wanting a brush up on the basics of the Christian faith, we’d love to have you join us. This 9 week class provides an overview of the chief teachings of the Bible and presents what we believe and teach here at Bethany. Childcare will be available on site at no charge by one of our staff members.
New Sunday Studies Begin January 8
Join us during the Bible study hour on Sundays after church (around 10:15am) in the lower level Fellowship Hall for our Sunday Studies. Beginning January 8, Pastor Brown will lead a new study titled, “10 Lies About God”
New Midweek Oasis Study Begins January 4
Join us on Wednesdays at 10AM in the lower level fellowship hall on the Parkway Campus for our Midweek Oasis Bible Study. On January 4, we will begin a new study titled, “The Book of Daniel - Christianity in a Christ-less Culture”
Parkway Campus "Undecorating"
The Parkway Campus will be “undecorated” from Christmas on Saturday, January 7 at 9AM. If you are able to help, please contact the church office.
Pastor Brown Returns Call
A note from Pastor Brown:
I'm writing to let you know that I have decided to return the call I received to serve in Canada. Thank you for your prayers and the many words of encouragement that I received from you. I am grateful to be able to continue serving here at Bethany. I thank God for all of you and for your faithful service to and support of the gospel ministry that we share. I look forward to worshiping the Savior with you in our Christmas services this weekend. Stay safe and warm through the coming storm. Merry Christmas to all of you!
Our Shepherd Childcare & Parkway Campus Office Closures
Closures between Christmas and New Year’s: The Parkway Campus office will be open Tuesday (12/27) and Wednesday (12/28) 7:30am-3:30pm, and again on Thursday (12/29) 7:30am-11:00am. Please call before coming in to the office to make sure someone is there. Our Shepherd Childcare will be closed Monday through Friday (12/26-12/30).
New Year's Weekend Worship
The weekend of December 31-January 2 services will run as usual. The Lord’s Supper will be offered at all services:
Saturday, December 31 @ 4:30PM (Lynndale Campus)
Sunday, January 1 @ 9AM (Parkway Campus)
Monday, January 2 @ 6PM (Parkway Campus)
Christmas Day at Bethany
Christmas Day worship will be at 9AM on Sunday, December 25 with the Lord’s Supper offered. There will be NO CHURCH on Monday, December 26.
Christmas Eve at Bethany
Join us for our Christmas Eve services on Saturday, December 24 at 10AM (Lynndale Campus), 4PM (Parkway Campus) or 6PM (Parkway Campus & Livestream)
Maura Hegman Receives Call
Maura Hegman, Staff and Curriculum Director at Our Shepherd Childcare, has received a call to serve as 3K teacher at Peace Lutheran Early Childhood Center in Sun Prairie, WI. She invites your prayers and thoughts as she discusses this decision with the pastors, directors, and teachers at Our Shepherd and Bethany. You can email Maura at maura@bethanyappleton.org
Christmas FaithFit
There will be an all Christmas music Faith Fit Dance Fitness class on Tuesday, December 13 at 5:15PM in the Praise Center on the Lynndale Campus. All women and ability levels are welcome to this 45 minute class. There is free childcare available during the class.
Sunday School Christmas Program
The Sunday School children will present their Christmas program on Sunday, December 18 at our 9AM worship service. There will be no communion offered at this service, though there WILL be communion at the Saturday and Monday services that weekend. The children will also practice on Saturday, December 17 from 9-11AM. There is also no Sunday School after the program on the 18th.
FVL Choir Concert
The FVL Choirs invite you to attend their annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, 12/18 at 1 PM. The concert is free, and all are invited to join with the choirs as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus. It will also be livestreamed on the FVLHS YouTube Channel.