Worship Assistants:Sat, 5:30pmSun, 8:00amSun, 10:30amAudio Operator:Julie LoeraChuck ZarzaPr. Dan LahmanVideo Operator:Frank BonatoLee KoeserR. & B. WitkopAcolyte(s):TBDMatthew EdwardsAndrew BellAbigail WarrenAltar Care:P. Bakken-O’NeillGail CarterVicky TrydalCommunion Assistants:Jim SaundersCharlie CarterJennifer CostelloBarb SaundersGail CarterCathy JohnsonAl GarciaLaurie EdwardsJacki PetersenCindy GarciaBarbara EricksonMark PetersonJohn FarquharS. PetersonJoan SkoogApril PraterGreeters:Keith KanterKatie PetersonDebbie WallaceN. PetersonReader:Bob HuntJohn FarquharHillary WarrenUshers:Bruce KellyMiles BrownStephany GreenSheila KellyErika KellyDave HodgeInge KellyMakenna PraterJudi TaylorBethany WitkopWorship Coordinator:TBDMary WedmanBob CurnowNursery Attendants:Susi HengelSusi HengelCarol StanleyJessica Hengel

**If you are unable to serve, please contact the Worship Coordinator scheduled for your service.

Congratulations 2017 Graduates! Bethel will have a special announcement at all services on May 20th & 21st for our 2017 high school and college graduates. Thank you to all the families who were able to provide pictures and information for this announcement! Be sure to join us between services from 9:15—10:15am in the narthex area on Sunday, May 21st to connect with some of our graduates. Questions? Contact Steven Freund.

Bethel Night At the SkySox: Friday, May 26, Bethel has secured tickets for the Picnic Terrace and tasty buffet for anyone (single, family, senior, youth and children) who would like to attend. What a fun way to start the summer and being out of school as we attend this game which includes: ticket, parking, buffet, fountain drinks and Friday Night Fireworks! The normal cost is $27 for adults and $18 for children ages 3-12 with children ages 2 and under being free. Bethel is offering the tickets for $20 for adults and $12 for children. Gates open & buffet is served from 6:00-7:30pm. Please indicate your desire to attend and the number of tickets by using the tear-off portion of the last page of this Bethel Blessings document (Monday, May 22nd is the last day to buy tickets!) Your payment secures your ticket. Thanks, and see you at the ballgame!

Bethel Hoe Down Comin’ to the Prairie: Bethel’s 12th Annual Hoe Down will be Saturday, June 3rd with a cowboy-style church service at 4:30 PM and the Hoe Down festivities starting around 5:45PM. Please purchase your tickets – $25 for family, $15 couple, $8 single. The event will have music by Bethel’s very own Spit-Tunes, a cowboy BBQ meal with entertainment, jumpin’ gym for the young-uns’, and line dancin’ for all ages. Please contact Dave Geffre with any questions.

Blood Pressure Screenings: Please add these dates to your calendars to get your blood pressure screening between services: (May 21 has been cancelled), June 11, July 16, Aug. 20 and Sept. 17.

New Show in the Art Gallery! At the beginning of May we changed out pictures in the Bethel Art Gallery in the narthex area. Our new show features work by the Bethel Preschool, Joy Brandvold, Wendy Costello and Eric Wulfsberg. Joy shares some beautiful watercolors. Wendy shares travel images from Africa, France, and her own front porch! Eric has two photographs on canvas, ranging from abstract to painterly, and a high dynamic range image of the Air Force Academy organ, before it undergoes refurbishing. The preschool has a surprise! I think you’ll enjoy them all. Are you interested in having some of your work displayed in the Bethel Gallery? Contact Eric Wulfsberg for details.

Bethel’s Easter Cantata: The cantata service has been recorded and is on YouTube! For those who missed seeing the Easter Choir Cantata last month, it was recorded by Jesse Tucker that morning and posted on YouTube. Thank you, Jesse! Here is the web address if you would like to view the program — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q07VgbJjyS4&feature=youtu.be

Church Library News: Summer is coming and we encourage everyone to take advantage of the excellent reading material and DVDs available in the church library. We also encourage you to go through your books at home and see if there might be some church library books that need to be returned. At this time we are not accepting book donations. Our shelves are full and we are looking into purchasing some new bookcases. We thank you for all the excellent donations we have received!

TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY: The next trip for Bethel members and extended family and friends, will be to England and Scotland in the Fall of 2017. Color brochures and a sign-up sheet indicating your level of interest are available in the sign-up area of the Narthex. Pastor John and his brother David from Nebraska are combining churches on this trip; make your deposits and fill out your registrations to secure your place on this trip.

The Bethel Blessings announcements will run every other week during the summer beginning the weekend of May 21st. Please note the summer schedule below and plan to have any additions to the Bethel Blessings to the church office by 10:00 am on the ‘submission deadline’ date listed below.

(All deadline dates are Wednesdays.)

Two-week ‘Bethel Blessings’ summer schedule:May 21 – 28 (submission deadline=May 17)June 4 – 11 (submission deadline=May 31)June 18 – 25 (submission deadline=June 14)July 2 – 9 (submission deadline=June 28)July 16 – 23 (submission deadline=July 12)July 30 – Aug 6 (submission deadline=July 26)Aug 13 – 20 (submission deadline=Aug 9)Aug 27 – Sept 3 (submission deadline=Aug 23)

If you have questions, please contact the church office.

(719-570-9800 or [email protected])

Interest groups

Ballroom / country 2 step Dance group—For more information, please contact Dave or Cheryl Bingham.

Dining Out group— This group meets the last Monday of each month at a local restaurant. May’s Dining Out will be at Jake & Telly’s on Monday, May 22nd at 6:00 PM. The address is 2616 W Colorado Ave, Ste 24, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. Questions? Contact Dave or Cheryl Bingham for more information.

BOOK REVIEW GROUP—We meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 1:00pm. June’s book is “Emma” by Alexander McCall Smith. Contact Evelyn Hjeldness with questions.

THE COMFORT MAKERS: This group meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesday monthly at 9:00am in the Christ Center. Always welcome are quilters, assistants and anyone interested in joining us. The quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief. Donations welcomed: cotton fabrics, size full, queen and king sheets. Questions, please call Gisela Petersen.

Connections: Boomers and Beyond—This group is targeted to singles and couples in their 50’s and 60’s though is not exclusive. It is a fellowship and discussion group of mutual support, laughter, food and fun. Please watch the Bethel Blessings for more information about summer meeting times. If you are interested in attending, contact Pastor John ([email protected]).

Young Adults: Activities & Fellowship for January & Beyond

Manitou Springs Incline – Saturday, 5/27 at 5:30 AM

Coming in November of 2018 ~

Trip to Disney World in Orlando, FL – ‘Mission Mickey’

Questions? Contact Dave & Cheryl Bingham.

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

Gospel Homes for Women: May has been designated collection month to help Gospel Homes for Women. Look for a LARGE box in the Narthex to deposit any contributions. The items requested include: bus passes, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, laundry soap, bath towels, pillows, comforters and Microsoft Office Suites. Other needs include: volunteers of all kinds, volunteer coordinator, mentors, office help, landscaping work. Questions? Contact Kay MacEnulty.

Navajo Nation: Through May 31st, One Nation Walking Together is holding its Annual Food Drive. Their goal is to collect 10,000 pounds of non-perishable food items to help ensure that Native People do not go to bed hungry. Some of the most needed items include: canned meats, canned/dried fruits and vegetables, soups, stews, sauces, juices, nuts, cereals, canned and powdered milk, rice, pasta, beans, canned meals, infant formula, and baby food. For more information or to make a donation, email [email protected] or call (719) 329-0251.

Stay-Mission 2017 ~ Jun 18-Jul 2! Take a day off and make a huge impact by being part of a mission right here in Colorado Springs! Bethel is hosting our IHN guests from Jun 18th – Jul 2nd and YOU are needed. Our guests need overnight hosts, evening & activity hosts, adopt-a-room to set-up & care for their bedrooms, as well as food items and meal prep help. Hope Home renovation will also occur Jun 19-23 with freezer meal prep on Jun 20th. Sign-up via IHN needs through CCB or on the clipboards in the narthex. Training is offered Jun 11, 2017 immediately after the 9:15am service. Questions? Contact Sharon or David Roberts.

Bethel Family Support Needed: Bethel is sponsoring Jennifer and Anthony James and their four children through our Outreach program. This family is homeless and working hard to get back on their feet. They have several needs that we pray our Bethel Family can support: bunk beds, dressers/chest of drawers, dining table & chairs, double stroller, storage bins, toy boxes, small book shelves/storage cubes. If your heart is to support financially, please put cash or check in envelope and mark it “Mentoring James Family” (make checks payable to Bethel with “James family” on memo line). Contact Dave Geffre with any questions.

Mercy’s Gate Critical Needs: Cereal, Chunky Soup (Large cans), Canned Fruit, Canned Tomatoes/Tomato Sauce, Condiments (Mayo, Ketchup, Mustard, etc.), Face Soap, Jelly, Jell-O, Meals (Spam, Chili, Sardines, Canned Salmon, Canned Ravioli, Canned Spaghetti-O, Lasagna, etc.), Spaghetti Sauce and Sugar.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES

Sundays from 9:15 to 10:15am

(Last day—May 21st)

Divine Drama: This class will cover their final topic God’s Plan on May 21st in the Faith Forum. Don’t miss it! Pastor Greg leads this class in the Faith Forum on Sunday morning.

New Creation Bible Study: We are finishing our study on “Ecclesiastes: Chasing after Meaning”. Any are welcome to join us in the New Creation classroom – to the left as you enter the hallway to the Faith Forum. Please contact John Farquhar with questions.

BETHEL SENIOR ADULTS

May 30th– Trip to Mueller State Park for a short, easy walk; Lunch at Wines of Colorado (sign up by May 21st)

June 1st– Final date to order tickets for Annie Get Your Gun in Cripple Creek on August 17th.

June 9th– Potluck lunch and bingo

June 24th– Brunch at the “Pantry” in Green Mountain Falls

July 14th– Potluck with speaker about Ute prayer trees

Call Judi Taylor with questions.

CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRIES

VBS & Day Camp Help Needed: We need your help! If you are available and interested in serving at Bethel’s special summer children’s events, please contact Pastor Dave. Note: To be a helper for VBS you must be entering 6th grade (younger helpers are welcome, but will need to have a parent/guardian with them). Also, to be a helper for Day Camp, you must be entering 9th grade. Helpers must attend training on June 4th at 11am in the Christ Center.

Kidtricity at Bethel: It has been a wonderful Sunday School year! Our last meeting will be May 21st. To learn more about the Kidtricity program contact Pastor Dave at [email protected].

Superhero Academy VBS: Attention all superheroes! Would you like to have a super summer? Then, join us at Superhero Academy VBS! Superhero Academy VBS is June 12-15 from 9:00AM-11:30AM each day (June 16th there will be a super closing program with a dinner at 6 PM). Superhero Academy is for children age 4 to entering Fourth Grade. The cost is $10 a child ($25 maximum per family). Register online at www.bethellutheran.net (follow the “Summer Youth Activities” link near the bottom of the home page). Questions? Contact Pastor Dave ([email protected]).

Summer Day Camp: Experience the fun of camp right here at Bethel! The incredible staff from Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp will be leading us in a week of total camp awesomeness! Day Camp is for children entering 1st Grade to 8th Grade. Day Camp will be July 17-21 from 9AM-3PM (on July 21st camp will end at 12 pm with a lunch and closing program). Register online at www.bethellutheran.net (follow the “Summer Youth Activities” link near the bottom of the home page). For more information contact Pastor Dave at ([email protected]).

Youth Sunday School Classes: (Foundati6n, Confirmation & High school Bible study). Please join us on Sunday, May 21st in the welcome center for our Graduate Open House from 9:15-10:15 A.M. to hear more about our seniors’ plans for next year. A special thank you to our youth Sunday School teachers for their hard work and dedication this year! (David & Cheryl Bingham- college-age, James & Shari -High school, Kevin & Cassi and Jennifer -Confirmation and 6th grade Foundati6n class).

B.L.O.C. Youth Night: We’ve had a blessed year of youth night this last year and our final BLOC youth night gathering was on Thursday, May 18th. Stay tuned for more events and get-togethers this summer!

Youth Summer Kick-off! A youth gathering for all youth grades 6th-12th will be held Friday, June 9th from 6:00-8:00PM in the Christ Center. Pizza & ice cream will be served. Families of mission trip participants are asked to stay from 7:30-8:00PM for a final meeting & discussion about the upcoming mission trip.

2017 Summer Mission Trip to Navajo Nation, AZ: Our youth are gearing up for their mission trip from June 25th-June 30th. We have 16 registered youth & the excitement to serve Christ in the Navajo Nation is growing! Youth & families are asked to meet at Bethel near the Faith Forum on Saturday, June 24th at 4:45 PM to begin loading vans for the mission trip and then attend the Saturday evening service together at 5:30PM. Everyone will return home after service for a good night’s rest.

(Be. Renewed. And Engaged. In Our Word): Calling all college-age students! Whether you are here in the COS area or away for school, we have an online monthly ministry we want you to be a part of! Check out the latest devotional for BREW on our website: www.bethellutheran.net.

WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY GROUPS

MEN’S UP & ADAM—Meets Wednesdays 6:30am-7:30am. All men are invited. Contact Pastor Dan at 570-9800.

BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP (BSF) EVENING WOMEN’S CLASS: BSF is on break for the summer. Classes will resume September 11, 2017. Please contact Nancy Jackson by email at [email protected] for more information.

L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith Everyday) Bible Study—Would you like to learn more about “The Life of Martin Luther”? L.I.F.E. Bible Study invites all interested women to join them as they take a historical journey through the reformation and look at the theological themes. We meet on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 7-8:30pm. Questions? Contact Susi Hengel or Joan Skoog.

RUTH BIBLE STUDY— For most of the year we meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month from 9:30-11:00 am with some of us gathering a bit early to socialize. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, May 23. OVER THE SUMMER – JUNE-AUGUST We meet on the following Tuesdays: June 13, July 11 & August 15. We are studying Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow who lives in Monument. There is a 12 lesson Bible Study in the back of the book. (On May 23 we will be studying the 4th chapter and study). If you are interested in joining, you can buy the book at Mardel’s or Family Christian Book Store. Please join us as we learn how to be content and to be calmer in our fast paced, hectic world. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Wulfsberg.

The Women Exploring the Bible (WEB) Bible Study – Our Bible study will begin meeting again on September 7th. We will be starting a video/book series entitled “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” by Joanna Weaver. We meet every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 9am to 11am in Bethel’s library. If you are interested in joining us in the fall of 2017 and want to reserve a book, please contact Karen Scharp.

WEST (Women Earnestly Seeking Truth) Bible Study—For most of the year WEST meets each Wednesday from 10:30am – noon. Our last meeting before the summer was on May 17th. We will resume our Bible study on Sept. 6, 2017. (We do not meet in June, July or August.) Contact Kathy LaBree for more information.

THE POWER OF PRAYER

Please remember the following people in your daily prayers:

Church Family Members—Cindy Kahle, Vivian Wahl, Roger Hergert, Barry Schoenwalder; Ralph, Inge & Erika Kelly, Elisabeth Neumann, Marie St. Gelais, Bob Maxfield, Marilyn Schroeder, Bob Weber, Doris Chamberlain, Sofie Smith, Donna Roszell, Emilie Fiedler, the Hill family, Marguerite Wagar, Barb Giblin, Bob & Jacob Duenckel, Bethel’s Congregation, Council, Pastors & Staff, and Stephen Ministers & their care receivers.

Bethel’s Military—Ben Upton; Chris Shiflet; Cole Estes; Johnny Farquhar; Bennett Granaas; Derek Hepner; Philip Roehler; SGT. Stehman; Brandon Walker; Jeff St. Gelais; Brian Proenneke; TSgt David Holman, Dave & Antje Lund’s son-in-law; Troy French; Einar Wulfsberg; Bryan Tice; Stephen Anderson; Matthew Anderson; Steven Torgerson; Charles Zarza; Spencer Malona; and the Leaders of our great nation.

Extended Family & Friends—Gene & Vivian Wahl’s daughter & granddaughter, Greta Diede & Candice; Mike & Teresa Bedell’s friend, Michaela Brown; Judie Smith’s sister-in-law, Dorothy Portz; Inge Kelly’s daughter, Susanne Harp; Joyce Anderson’s brother, Earl; Stephany Green’s sister & niece, Connie & Tiffany; Jean Scheibe’s mother, Oriel Wolff; Danny & Judy Hodges’ friend, Gene Killan; Mary Jane Stanley’s mother; Mark Estes’ family, Sophie, Steve & Nancy; Holly Dunker’s cousin, Grant Bowry; Sandee Wurtz’s niece, Deena Mata; Bill Mac Enulty’s son-in-law, Darrell Guy; the James family; Bob Simpson’s mother, Joan; Cynthia Ahl’s friend, Vina Thorpe; Karen Hoefer’s friend, Nancy Merrick; Connie Baumgart’s sister, Cally; Gary Roszell’s friend, Dave Drury; Elizabeth Liston’s son, Scott; Bill Carlson’s brother, Bert; Roy Hill’s father, Alan Hill; the family of Jack & Doris Chamberlain; Pastor Arturo & members of Iglesia Bautista Jerusalem in El Salvador & Compassion child, Betelhem, who is sponsored by the whole Bethel congregation and all our Compassion children.