Bethlehem Connect November 2017 | Page 7

children, Youth & Family Children's Christmas Programs Come and enjoy our children leading us in Christmas storytelling. You will be in the midst of shepherds, royalty, and angels as all children take part in telling the Nativity story. We will receive an offering in support of our four students in India for some everyday needs: food, clothing, and school supplies. After our celebration, we have time to enjoy each other’s company and thank our Sunday School teachers during cookie fellowship time! Early Childhood "The Night Before Jesus"—2 year olds through Kindergarten Sunday, December 10, during Sunday School at 9:15 & 10:30 Elementary "If This Child Were Born Today"—1st grade through 6th grade Sunday, December 10, 3:00 pm Prelude musicians begin at 2:15 pm— Please register online 5th & 6th graders arrive at 2:00 pm Rehearsals 2 year olds through 6th grade: every Sunday during Sunday School 5th & 6th graders only: Saturday Dec. 9, 9:00 - noon From the Youth Team... For years, we watch them grow. We cheer when they get baptised. We coo when they head up to hear the children’s sermon. We glow when they sing in the choir and act out the Christmas story. We walk with them through the challenges of middle school and high school as their bodies grow, their minds expand and their identities shift. We remind our young people that God loves them and so do we. Then, before we know it, we are blessing them and sending them out into the world. Every Celebration Sunday I am struck by who is not there. We miss the youth so much as they enter college. Every fall is an adjustment. We send college students care packages, reminding them that we are here supporting their journey. As our young adult ministry expands, we hope that Bethlehem Lutheran Church can continue to be a life-giving community for people as they leave high school and enter their next adventures. This year, we’ve invited college students who are coming home for Thanksgiving to be a part of the Thanksgiving Eve worship and PieFest. Our very own Thomas Specht will be preaching! High school youth are invited to join college students in the Viking room for pie and reunion after worship. We are thankful for you all! Find more information about opportunities for youth and more details on these events, go to bethlehem-church.org. Also, please follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Looking Ahead Programming for Children: Nov. 5 & 12 – Family SS 1st grade Communion Instruction Dec. 10 – SS Christmas Programs Dec. 19 – Baby’s First Christmas Programming for Youth: Nov. 4 & 5 – Lefse Making Nov. 5 – Israel/Palestine Informational Meeting Nov. 12 – Cinnamon Roll Making Nov. 18 – Lutefisk Dinner Nov. 22 – Thanksgiving worship and PieFest Programming for Families: Dec. 3 – Play Like A Girl discussion For more information on each of these events, visit bethlehem-church.org/events Summer 2018: It's never too early to starting thinking about summer! Opportunities for 7th-12th Graders Serve Boldly: Chicago—July 22-27 Green Lake Bible Camp—July (TBD) VBS leader—June 27-July 1 Amnicon Canoe Trip—July (TBD) Opportunity for 11th Graders-Adults Israel/Palestine Global Immersion Trip—July 19-26 Smash! Bang! Clink! Bring your pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters to crash in the offering pot in each Sunday School classroom on either campus. We also enjoy “quiet” offering of bills and checks, or you can bring cans or boxes of food; cereal, and Thanksgiving foods needed. Each month the offering will go to a different outreach partner. November offering emphasis: Food Shelf Offerings 7