Your Lenten Prescription: 2–2–1

Bethel’s own program, 40 Days of Spiritual Renewal, is for everyone – regardless of age and schedule! In the past we found that people were creative and designed the program to meet their special circumstances: some found that the beach works as a great backdrop for daily Bible readings and study; others worshiped in churches – not necessarily Lutheran - in faraway locations; and an on-line study worked well for others. You just need to remember it’s as easy as 2 (daily Bible reading and prayer) – 2 (weekly worship and Bible study) – 1(extra act of service to help someone during the six weeks).

Parents with young children also wondered if this program was too complicated to use as a family. I’ll just share a few ideas for you to consider as you shape your unique experience to make it a meaningful time for you.

2 daily: Bible readings – The recommended readings from Matthew and Psalms are short enough to read together with school age children. Age-appropriate devotional books are available to supplement or replace these readings for children with shorter attention spans.

Prayer – The prayers that are included in the prayer packet in your resource folder are designed for everyone, including special children’s table, bedtime and morning prayers.

2 weekly: Worship – Grades 1 through 6 will meet in the sanctuary at 9:15 for the beginning of worship and a lesson. Preschool and Kindergarten children will have a special "chapel" service in the Pentecost Room each week.

Bible study – Children enrolled in the traditional Sunday School at 9:15 will study the Bible lesson of the week during class. Children as young as 8 years old have participated in pastor led studies. Another idea is to form a small group with three or four families and lead an intergenerational study.

1 in Lent: Service project to help someone in need – There are lots of things that families can do to help others, such as visiting a Bethel member who is in a care facility or choosing toys and children’s clothing to take to a shelter.

This year our congregation-wide initiative is to feed 50,000 people during Lent. One component of the project is to sign-out a grocery bag and shop for specific foods to distribute through Bethel’s Food Pantry and our partnership church, Hephatha Lutheran, in Milwaukee. Mardi Gras and Sunday brunch fundraisers will help support the Community Action Coalition.

Registration tables are set up in the Emmaus Room on Sunday mornings through Lent. Call or email Jacqui Shanda if you have questions.

2008

Bethel’s Goal: Feeding 50,000 People During Lent

Lent 2008, which begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb 6, is the start of Bethel’s third year of offering 40 Days of Spiritual Renewal, which provides resources for daily prayer and scripture reading, weekly worship and Bible study and one significant service project to help someone in need. This year’s church-wide initiative will focus on the goal of Feeding 50,000 people. There are many different opportunities for everyone to get involved and use your talents including:
shopping for the Grocery Bag Program to supply food for the Bethel Food Pantry and Hephatha Lutheran Church in Milwaukee,
volunteering for or participating in our two fundraisers – Mardi Gras on Tues, Feb 5 and Sunday morning brunch on March 2,
preparing and serving meals to smaller groups such as the Outreach homes, Hope House, Lutheran Campus Ministry and the Southdale after-school tutoring program,.
sending our Sunday School offering to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal

Tickets for the Mardi Gras dinner, sign-up sheets for volunteer activities and the 40 Days of Spiritual Renewal packets (including a Service Project Guide) are available in the Emmaus Room on Sundays or by contacting me during the week. This is a great way to make a difference in someone’s life and help us renew a right spirit within ourselves.

– Jacqui Shanda

Renew Your Life

For the past two years, hundreds of Bethel members have renewed their life with God through "40 Days of Spiritual Renewal."  They have found the five steps of this program easy to follow and practice.  This is your invitation to use the 40 days of Lent for renewal in 2008.

Nothing great is accomplished without some discipline.  Here are the disciplines we encourage you to practice in Lent: read scripture and pray each day; worship and attend one of our more than 30 Bible study groups once a week for six weeks; find some way to do something special to help another person during Lent.

We anticipate that nearly 1,000 people will be involved in these "40 Days of spiritual Renewal," which begins February 6th.  Let this be a year when you increase and improve your walk with God.

- Pastor Bill White