Dear Beloved in Christ,

Grace and peace to you from God our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Luke records Jesus’ words to His apostles in Acts 1:8:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This October, Bethlehem’s calendar is filled with meaningful activity: Deloris’ 100th Birthday Celebration, Life Enrichment Workshops, Youth and Senior Service Projects, the Sunday School Bonfire and Hayride, Trunk or Treat, Oktoberfest Dinner, Choir restart, and more. Alongside these are our regular ministries—Worship, Bible Classes, Home Huddles, Quilting, Women’s Guild, Pilates, Women’s Friendship Group, Elder and Council Meetings, and Bethlehem Basics.

It would be easy to look at this full calendar and feel as though we are accomplishing God’s mission. Yet, Jesus reminds us in Acts 1:8 that our primary mission is to be His witnesses. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are sent to those around us—to proclaim who Jesus is and what He has done for the salvation of their souls.

God has richly blessed Bethlehem with His presence in Word and Sacrament, in fellowship, and in our outreach to the community. Everything we do should support our shared mission:

• Knowing God – through Worship and Bible Study
• Finding Belonging – through Christian fellowship
• Making a Difference – by loving and serving our neighbors

May God give us the desire to grow His Kingdom, the direction to go where He leads, and the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish His will.

Sola Christus

God’s Blessings,

Pastor Joe Glombicki