Bethlehem Word June 09

Featured in this Issue...

Calendar

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Picnic and summer worship schedule

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Ekstrom Memorial Service

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New Adult Sunday School Class

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July 2009

The Bethlehem Message from the Pastor One thing we need to try to do more often is put ourselves in another’s shoes. To really try to understand where they are coming from and why they believe what they believe, do what they do, like what they like, or say what they say. As a pastor, I try to do that. As a husband I try to do that. I try to do it when I meet people on my ride-alongs with the Worcester Police. I don’t claim to be very good at it. I guess I can just claim to try to empathize with others and try to put myself into their mind or their circumstances. We need to do this with political and social issues, theological issues, marital issues—all sorts of situations. We’re all different and come from different backgrounds and life experiences. So I try to put myself “in the shoes” if you will of the people who come to a church and expect to hear only an organ and/or choir. Or people whose main concern seems to be why a church doesn’t use the choir robes they have used in the past. Or people who only care about the stained glass windows or the art or the color of the carpet or how the pastor’s kids behave. I try to put myself in the shoes of those who want to only sing old familiar hymns. I wonder: did they always know those

Word hymns? Did they come out of the womb knowing and singing “Children of the Heavenly Father” or “Amazing Grace”? Or did they at some point have to learn the song? If so, why not want to learn new songs and new hymns? Is it too much work? Why complain about what others enjoy and what others find worshipful? Are they that selfish? I don’t think so. I try to put myself in their shoes—since most people who feel this way would never speak to a pastor about it. I think it is what is comfortable. It is what has (at least in their mind) “always been done.” It’s what they are used to—what for them defines worship. Worship means organ and choir. Fine. I get it. I grew up early on with the same. But what about for others (typically younger people, but certainly not exclusively) who have a different view of what worship looks like and sounds like? What about those who did not grow up listening to organ music or a choir? Should that be their only option at their church? Segregated churches based on preaching or music or color of the people surely isn’t an answer. Our churches need to be integrated in every way possible as much as possible. That’s what heaven will be like, so we might as well get used to it. (continued on pg. 4)

June 2009 Sun

Mon

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9 Board Meeting 7pm

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11 Bible Study 7pm

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14 Worship 15 10:30 am Children’s Day and church picnic

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18 Bible Study 7pm

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20 Memorial Service for Lillian Ekstrom 11am

21 Worship 9:30 am

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25 Bible study 7pm

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28 Worship 9:30 am

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The following is an updated list of our church members and friends who unable to attend church on a regular basis. Let us remember them in our thoughts and prayers and with a note.

Mr. Lee Randall 10 Hall Street Webster, MA 01570 508-943-0847

Mildred Carlson 669 Washington St. Apt. 105 Auburn, MA 01501

Mrs. Doris Anderson 667 Washington Street #225 Auburn, MA 01501 508-832-5239 Mrs. Claire Poirier 63 Hudson Ave. Grafton, MA 01519 Mr. & Mrs. Carl Werme 24 Briarwood Circle Worcester, MA01606 508-856-7232

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Paul Faler 321 Massasoit Rd. Worcester, MA 01604

Mrs. Lydia Anderson Whitney Place P.O.Box 935 85 Beumont Dr. Apt. 10 Northbridge, MA 01534

Congratulations to Karin Johnson and Keith Jacobson on the birth of their son, Gustaf Thomas Jacobson, who was born on June 2nd. All are home and doing well. Pamela and Thomas Johnson are the proud and thankful grandparents.

Birthdays and Anniversaries June Birthdays Amber Vallee Rudolph Swenson Christine Grudzinski Chelsea Meenan Carol Nordstrom Evelyn Reed Virginia Magnuson Maria Ahlin Katie Johnson Georgianna Zepp Michele Koller Eunice Nelson

July Birthdays 6/3 6/4 6/10 6/18 6/19 6/22 6/23 6/24 6/24 6/24 6/30 6/30

June Anniversaries Eleanor and Delbert Smith 6/9 Michele and Steven Koller 6/17 Pam and Thomas Johnson 6/24 Karin Johnson and Keith Jacobson 6/26 Carl and Esther Werme 6/26

Michele Koller Christy Warren Claire Poirier David Ahlin Shannon Stockwell Ann Weber Phyllis Conder John Shonning Esther Thompson Bill Stafinski

7/4 7/12 7/13 7/17 7/17 7/18 7/25 7/26 7/27 7/29

July Anniversaries Amy & Erik Berg 7/14 Deborah & Jeffrey Stockwell 7/24

August Birthdays Brendan Quinn Jennifer Zoulias Paul Strozina

8/6 8/8 8/24

August Anniversaries

CHIC 2009 IS COMING

Georgianna & Richard Zepp 8/14

We leave for Knoxville, TN early on Sunday morning, July 12th and will return on Friday the 17th in the afternoon. Pray for those going to this large youth gathering that it will be a fun time and a time where we experience God in a fresh way. Those going this year are: Pastor Dave, Ryan Thompson, Justin Stafinski, Johanna Thompson, Cody Ellis and Steven Quinn.

Church Picnic Sunday, June 14th Following the morning worship service. We will meet as usual at the Strozina home at 338 Pakachoag St. in Auburn. Bring your favorite picnic food and your bathing suit if it is good swimming weather.

Sunday June 21st is Father’s Day and we move to our Summer schedule. Worship will be at 9:30am.

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(continued from pg. 1) Put yourself in the shoes of the pastor for a moment. A pastor who believes that his or her main goal is to introduce people to God and/or help them grow in their relationship with God. The goal of all that the church does is that they may know Him. Our mission is printed each week in the bulletin: “To proclaim God’s Word and glorify Christ by serving others.” How do we fulfill that mission? The answer is in our vision statement: “To be a Christ-centered, spiritual community that continually introduces people to the God who loves them through relevant worship, formative small groups and lifechanging community service.” Our mission and vision is to be the measuring stick by which we evaluate all that we do. Everything we do should have a purpose; it should fit into our mission and vision. That is what the pastor is striving for however imperfectly. So where do the choir robes fit into that mission and vision? Relevant worship? Hardly. Maybe 60 years ago. How does only wanting an organ played during the hymns fit into our mission? Some of us are concerned about the wrong things. If our biggest concern or question or comment after church is: “Where are the choir robes?” or, “I hate those drums,” or “I can’t stand the organ”, then we are not being the church—we are being individuals. We are saying: “Church is about me and about what I want; what I like and what I am used to.” No! Church is about encountering God through worship and praise and through and with other people. Our questions or comments following worship should be more along the lines of this: “How did God speak to me today?” “How I am changed as a result of this experience? What will I do differently or how will I think differently?” “Is God working in my life and how is He working in the lives of other members and friends?” “Who is in need of encouragement or prayer or some other assistance?” When looked at this way, those other things pale in comparison—or at least they should. Our efforts at revitalization are important. I believe (and I am not alone in this belief) that spiritually speaking, we are at a crucial moment in the life of Bethlehem. Sure, we have investments and we can exist for the foreseeable future monetarily. But do we want to simply exist??? Or is our vision bigger and grander than that? I don’t know of many pastors who want lead a church that has “existence” or “survival” as it’s only goal. It’s sad when we speak of revitalization and some react by saying things like: “Well, there goes our church; that’s the end of our church.” I assume what is meant by that is: “there goes the church I am used to.” “There goes the church that was all lily white (and maybe stub-

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born) Swedes.” “There goes the comfortable church where everybody knew everyone and we didn’t have to work at reaching people because they just came.” Spiritually we are not where we need to be—and I include myself in that category for sure. Church isn’t about having the nicest looking building or the friendliest people or the best cooks or bakers or the best organ player or the best worship team or the best pastor. The church exists simply as an avenue that allows people to encounter God in a community with meaningful relationships. It’s about growing in our relationship with each other and our Savior . “There goes our church?” In some ways, yes. Things do need to be done differently. You can’t reach people in 2009 the same way you reached them in 1950. But our purpose has not changed! The report from the meeting held to organize our church back in 1894 stated the purpose as follows: “...to reach the many people who have no thought or care for their souls’ welfare, or forethought of the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, in every way, present God’s Word to all people.” Do you see that? Our purpose is still the same—we’ve just updated the language a little! Just like from time to time we’ve “updated” some of the music. We do it—we change—to fulfill our God-given purpose for being a church in Quinsig Village. It doesn’t matter whether it’s all Swedes or no Swedes, black or white, young or old, rich or poor; part of our vision and goal is to minister to our community. The Apostle Paul tells us: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). In other words, put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Try to understand where they are coming from. If you don’t think I am doing that, please let me know. I invite you to speak with me about this or any other issue—I welcome your comments—not behind my back to others but to me face to face as a fellow believer. May our vision for what our church can become take precedence over our own preferences or tastes. May we seek God’s purpose for Bethlehem instead of seeking what we like or simply what is comfortable and familiar. God bless, Pastor Dave

Coming this Fall…. In Memoriam….

Adult Sunday School Class

Lillian E.I. Ekstrom May 31, 2009

WORCESTER-Lillian E.I. (Carlson) Ekstrom, 94, formerly of Bjorklund Ave., died Sunday, May 31 in Notre Dame Long Term Care Center, after a brief illness. Her husband of 69 years, Algot B. Ekstrom died January 3. She leaves a daughter, Susan L. Carter and her husband Sanford of Atkinson, NH; a son, Kenneth D. Ekstrom of Gloucester, a granddaughter, Pamela L. Carlisle and her husband Richard of Shreveport, LA. She also leaves a brother-in-law, G. Leo Randall of Webster, and several nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by three sisters, Astrid V. Randall, Helen E. Lekberg and Ruth L. Eldred. She was born in Worcester, daughter of Oscar T. and Louise (Kullberg) Carlson and graduated from South High School and Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1936. Lillian was a Nurse at Memorial Hospital for many years, retiring in 1977. She was a member, deaconess and active in the Women’s Club at Bethlehem Covenant Church. Liilian was also a member of The Memorial Hospital Alumni Association and its Retirement Club. Lillian enjoyed traveling, working in her gardens and summers on the Cape. A Memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 20 in Bethlehem Covenant Church, 46 Greenwood Street. Burial will be private. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lillian’s memory to the Bethlehem Covenant Church Memorial Fund, 46 Greenwood St., Worcester, MA 01607. Arrangements are under the care of LINDQUIST LUNDIN FUNERAL HOME, 36 Butler St. Worcester. To place an online condolence, please visit www.lindquistlundin.com

Why should the kids have all the fun? If it’s good for them, it can be good for us as well! This Fall Pastor Dave will be leading a Sunday School class before the morning worship. We will most likely meet from 9:30 to 10:15. This will be a class based on a series of short videos which feature different topics that apply to the Christian life. It will be primarily group discussion. Some of our youth and a few adults have watched some of these and found them very helpful and thought provoking. (Tracy Ellis asked Pastor why he had been keeping them a secret!) All are invited to come and be with us for what will be a spiritually rewarding time where we get to better know each other and our God. Here is a portion of a review of the video series which is called Nooma... All ten to fourteen minutes in length, the NOOMA videos feature Rob Bell, pastor of Michigan’s Mars Hill Church, one of the fastest-growing churches in America, and a leader in the "emergent church." From a production standpoint, the NOOMA videos are excellent. Exceedingly cool staging, great music, understated but engaging drama, and an easy but earnest style from Bell make them undeniably compelling. But it isn’t just technical merit that has catapulted the NOOMA videos to such popularity. Nor is it simply Bell’s natural ability to communicate and tell a story, though that may be part of it. At the end of the day people are watching these videos because they believe Rob Bell is teaching them about Christianity and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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The Bethlehem

Bethlehem Covenant Church 46 Greenwood Street P.O. Box 70629 Worcester, MA 01607 (508) 752—1459 www.bethlehemcc.org

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