Our Midweek Oasis Bible Study will start back up this coming Wednesday, April 19 at 10AM in the lower level fellowship hall on the Parkway Campus. God rested at the end of six days of creation. He also promised spiritual rest to Adam and Eve. Although they lost that rest when they sinned, God restored it with his promise of the Savior. This study examines the theme of "God's Rest" from Genesis to Revelation.
Teen Night at The Core, Appleton
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 next WELS Youth Night is Sunday, April 23 at The CORE (820 W College Ave. Appleton) from 6–8 PM.
Maura Hegman Accepts Call to Teach at St. Peter, Appleton
Mrs. Maura Hegman has accepted her call to teach 3K/4K at St. Peter in Appleton. We are so thankful for the many years of faithful service she has given to us at Our Shepherd Childcare and Bethany. We ask God to bless her family as they make the transition to St. Peter this summer. Please read Ms. Maura's letter below:
Dear members of Bethany and Our Shepherd,
On Thursday, March 2nd I received a call to serve as a 3K and 4K teacher at St. Peter Lutheran School in Appleton, Wisconsin. This call has provided my family and me a chance to consider my God-given abilities and where I might best use these gifts. Calls can often be challenging because there is no “wrong” decision – just wonderful opportunities from the Lord. I have found immense comfort knowing that I can trust God to direct this process with His infinite wisdom, power, and love.
After prayerfully considering my current position of serving at Our Shepherd Childcare Center and the call to serve at St. Peter, I have decided to accept the call to teach 3K and 4K at St. Peter Lutheran School. I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given to consider where I can serve God best. I know that God will continue to bless the ministry, families, and congregation at Bethany and Our Shepherd Childcare. Thank you for all of your prayers, thoughts, and encouragement throughout this process.
Discipleship.101 - New Session to Begin April 20
Discipleship.101 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 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. You will meet Thursdays at 5:30PM at the Lynndale Campus/Our Shepherd Childcare beginning April 20. To register, contact one of the pastors.
FVL Choirs Concert
All are invited to attend the FVL Choirs Sacred Concert on Sunday, April 2, at 2 PM in the Auditorium.
Easter for Families - Little Blessings Playgroup
Little Blessings Playgroup spring session kicks off on April 1st with our Easter for Familes day! Bring the whole family as we explore the importance of Easter through story and song. We will also offer a snack, craft, and an Easter egg hunt! The Baa'rista Bean will also be open during check-in time starting at 9:45 AM and playgroup will begin at 10 AM. To aid in our planning process, please sign up using the link provided. This link can also be used to sign up for the rest of our spring sessions. https://forms.gle/ZKRdPcxpFfcMU4Au8
LWMS Spring Rally - April 22
The Spring Rally of the Paperland Circuit (Bethany is a member) will be held April 22, 2023, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 225 E. Harris Street, Appleton, WI 54911-5438
8 am-registration/coffee; 9 am- 12:15pm-meeting/speaker. The theme is “He Will Raise You Up.” The speaker will be Pastor Tim Dolan (currently serving Immanuel, Greenville), the Chairman of the Apache Mission Committee.
If you are interested in attending the April 22 Spring Rally, watch for a sign-up sheet in the Welcome Center at both the Parkway and Lynndale campuses. The deadline for signing up will be April 4th. Also, indicate if you will be staying to eat lunch.
Mission Projects: Each year the Paperland Circuit decides on two mission projects to support - this year they are
--Home Missions - Tools for Outreach - 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.
--World Missions - Repatriation Conferences - Your gifts will assist returning missionaries, their spouses, and children to adjust to leaving a foreign mission field and returning to an American ministry, life, and culture. The Board for World Missions considers this program absolutely necessary to help mission families transition to their new life.
If you would like to contribute to these 2022-2023 Mission Projects, please make checks payable to LWMS Paperland Circuit. Place the check in an envelope marked LWMS. Drop it in the collection plate or drop it off in the church office by Tuesday, April 4th.
April 2023 - AVFP News
The April collection will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023, which is a week later than normal due to the Easter holiday on our normal weekend. Items needed at the pantry are: Cereal (healthier oat, rice, etc.), pork 'n beans/baked beans, misc. pasta noodles, spaghetti noodles, pasta sauce (canned or plastic jars preferred), canned pears and fruit cocktail, canned beef/chicken stews, jam (18 oz. jars), peanut butter (16 oz. jars), hand soaps, dish soaps (20 oz. or less) and laundry soaps (60 loads or less). Thank you all for your continued support of the pantry. Happy Easter!
Worship at the Cross - A Simplified Service for Those with Special Needs
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church(N8728 Coop Rd., Harrison) is inviting you to “Worship at the Cross” - a simplified worship service for people of all ages with special needs. The service will be on Saturday, April 1 at 11AM, and will be followed by fellowship and snacks.
Teens Group on 3/25
The Bethany Teen Group will meet next at the Lynndale Campus following worship on Saturday, March 25. The event will run from 5:45-7:00pm and will include Bible study, food, and fellowship. Rides home will be provided for students whose parents are unable to pick them up afterward.
Spring Work Day - May 13
Our annual Spring Work Day to be held on both campuses on Saturday, May 13 at 8AM. Lunch will be provided for those that are able to stay for that.
Holy Week at Bethany
o Palm Sunday Weekend
§ Saturday, 4/1, Lynndale @ 4:30PM – Our Shepherd Children to Sing
§ Sunday, 4/2, Parkway @ 9AM – Bethany Sunday School to Sing (Lord’s Supper)
§ Monday, 4/3, Parkway @ 6PM (Lord’s Supper)
o Maundy Thursday - 4/6, Parkway @ 6PM (Lord’s Supper)
o Good Friday - Friday, 4/7, Parkway @ 6PM
o Easter Weekend (Lord’s Supper at all services)
§ Saturday, 4/8, Lynndale @ 4;30PM
§ Sunday, 4/9, Parkway @ 8AM & 10:30AM (breakfast served between)
WELS Night at the Brewers
WELS Night at the Brewers: Plan to join thousands of WELS members for an evening at the ballpark on Fri., July 7, to watch the Brewers take on the Cincinnati Reds. Tickets for WELS members and guests once again are discounted up to 50% and are reserved all together in a block. Individual tickets can be purchased online at brewers.com/wels.
WELS & ELS Singles Group @ Appleton Beer Factory
WELS & ELS SINGLES GROUP: Appleton Beer Factory, June 16, 6pm to 10pm - Appleton, WI. Come out to the Appleton Beer Company for Food & Drinks & mingle with other singles. More information to come.
OWLS Presentation on Alzheimer's
You are invited to an Alzheimer's Presentation hosted by the OWLS at Bethlehem in Hortonville, on April 20 from 2-3:30pm. Hear from presenter Pastor Curt Seefeldt, author of "It's Alzheimer's-It's Time for Extraordinary Love" RSVP/info 920-538-1394 or pegboet1@gmail.com.
FoxFest Dinner Auction
Register for FVL's annual FoxFest Dinner Auction! Join us at the Hilton Appleton Paper Valley on Friday, 4/14, for an evening of friends and fun supporting FVL's Tuition Assistance Program. The RSVP deadline is March 31. Visit fvlhs.org/foxfest for more info and to register.
WELS Night at the Herd
Friday, March 17 @ 7PM at the Oshkosh Arena, the Wisconsin Herd will welcome WELS members as the Herd take on the Maine Celtics! WELS members will have a group photo and be able to shoot free throws following the game. To buy tickets go to: fevo.me/welsherd2
Tuition Support Meeting
SAVE THE DATE! Bethany Tuition Support Meeting - Tuesday, March 21 at 6:30PM in the lower level fellowship hall on the Parkway Campus. This is a mandatory meeting for families that wish to receive tuition support at Our Shepherd Childcare or one of our area Lutheran elementary schools.
February 2023 Teen Group
The Bethany Teen Group (Grades 8-12) will meet on Sunday, February 26 @ 10:15am. This will take place at the Parkway Annex in Pastor Johnston's office on the lower level. Refreshments will be provided. (Please note: This new meeting time takes place during the regular Sunday Studies hour. As of this time, it will not be a weekly gathering but will still take place on a monthly basis.)
Midweek Lenten Worship
Our final Midweek Lenten services are Wednesday, March 29 at 4:30pm and 6:00pm on our Parkway Campus. The theme for these midweek services is “His Final Steps” where we ponder the significance of the people and places on Jesus’ resolute final steps to the cross. There will be a dinner between these services in our lower level fellowship hall. The proceeds from the Lenten meals will help support the cost of food, beverages and snacks for the two-day training course from MLC held at Our Shepherd this summer.