1

January /February 2016

Bethany CONNECTION

Purpose:

To share God’s gifts

with love—

God gives, we share.

Bethany Lutheran Church “In the heart of Lake Highlands”

Walnut Hill and Ferndale

10101 Walnut Hill Lane Dallas, TX 75238

214.348.9690 www.bethany.net

Bethany Lutheran Church

Annual Meeting

January 24, 2016

At the end of worship

Potluck to follow

Please make plans to attend this

important meeting.

Learn about the budget.

Vote on council positions.

Participate and let your voice be heard.

2

A Note From Pastor Cheryl

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.” –John 1: 1

A new year is a great time for a fresh start. Some people observe a new year with resolutions to start some new healthy habit. Some people begin by cleaning their space—emptying a closet, giving away clothes that are worn out or no longer fit, or sifting through old papers and shredding what is no longer needed.

There’s a spiritual dimension to cleaning and de-cluttering. Sometimes throwing away clutter also serves to de-clutter our spirits. (Did you see the front-cover article about this in January’s Lutheran magazine?) Even though I can rationalize that it will feel great to be finished with de-cluttering, I am one of those people who feels immediately overwhelmed. I will hesitate to start a project like cleaning a closet. What if I can’t finish because I get interrupted? What if I can’t decide whether to keep something? And the most paralyzing question of all: what if I throw this thing away and later discover that I need it?!

It helps to remain centered. Whenever chaos and overflowing closets threaten to consume me, I like to remember “in the beginning was the Word.” In the story of creation, the Holy Spirit moved over the waters, moved over the chaos, and God began creating the world. Look around at nature—the beauty of a flower, the efficient strength of a tree, the vastness of mountains and canyons—and you can easily see that God can surely create amazing things out of chaos!

What might happen if you tackled your own chaotic space? What if you did go deep into that closet and discover the pile of old receipts, children’s art projects, broken appliances and exercise equipment…and what if you could find a good place for all of these things, somewhere else, where it won’t clutter your life? Broken items could be repaired, or passed along to someone who knows how to fix them and get use out of them, too. Some things will need to go to the garbage. Some things might still be beautiful and special and need to be displayed. Every single thing can be an occasion to give thanks to God for whatever the item represents.

And after sorting through items in an old closet, a drawer, under the bed, or whatever, you will have given yourself the gift of space. You will be set free! And maybe you’ll have some fun stories or memories to share, too.

Let us give thanks to God for providing everything we need, for being present with us in every moment of life, in the beginning of each new year and in every day!

Pastor Cheryl Walenta Gorvie

A Note from Pastor Cheryl

3

The Vicar’s Voice My last newsletter article. And when you read it, Michael and I are already

back in Germany, trying to get our new life in order: new car, new drivers

license, new ID-card, new home, new congregation.

And before I started to write this article, I prepared for an upcoming sermon,

and I was reminded of Ephesians 5:20: “be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms

and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the

Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the

name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So I will do that now. Obviously this goodbye hurts and I will miss all y’all dearly, but I am also very, very thankful.

I am thankful that God send me to two lovely congregations with two great mentors.

I am thankful that Michael and I made friends in all of our three congregations.

I am thankful that I was able to preach in English and learn more about myself through that.

I am thankful for the car that was given to us we named her “Beth” (after our 3-day-loan “Gladys”).

I am thankful for open arms and hearts and sanctuaries – I mean, you didn’t know what was coming at you,

either!

I am thankful for good conversations with Cheryl and Russell, learning more about faith, theology, liturgy and

American Lutheranism – and of course about you and me.

I am thankful for invitations throughout our time here.

I am thankful for gifts that were waiting for us in our little home on Lovers Lane the day we arrived.

I am thankful for the possibility to wear my black robe, even though it looked weird to you.

I am thankful for everyone who took us places – whether movies or grocery stores or lakes or...

I am thankful for the southern hospitality and your way of looking at life.

I am thankful that I learned to be a little more Texan and a little less German.

I am thankful for good clergy shirts for women here in the US.

I am thankful for the opportunity to travel: Lubbock, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York City,

Philadelphia, Princeton, Kingston.

I am thankful for Broadway.

I am thankful for people taking us to the games: Cowboys, Stars, Rangers, Mavericks, TCU football, SMU football,

HPHS Lacrosse.

I am thankful for this whole time here. For everything I could try, for everything I had to get used to, for

everything you do differently here and for everything that is the same.

Thank you for being so totally awesome. I really hope to see you again soon. Either in Germany, in the US, via

Skype. Last but not least, I am thankful you took me in, a stray vicar without a place to work, because Michael

was assigned to CLC. Thank you.

Your vicar Katharina

4

Bethany Newsletter January/February 2016

The Advent and Christmas seasons were a busy time in the Music Department, in which we showcased four anthems by contemporary composers and welcomed a guest oboist to our Christmas celebration. Through the music of our congregation and wider community, we sang our hope and joy at the coming of Jesus Christ into the world.

In these next months, we hear words that offer us glimpses of the presence of the divine. In Lent, our music delves into the congregational theme of Hunger, finding prophetic voices that cry out from the darkness. These songs long for physical food and more: for basic human rights, for justice, for peace, and for God.

As we journey through Lent together, I invite you to share the songs of your hunger and their meaning to you, that we may sing as a community gathered through our experiences. Though new members are always welcome to the Bethany Lutheran Choir, I hope you will share other artistic gifts with us: as musicians, artists, dancers, dramatists, and writers. If you have any thoughts or ideas, please share them with me after worship on Sunday morning or at music@bethany.net.

peace, salam, shalom

Josh

Music Moment with

Josh Zentner-Barrett!

Meals on Wheels For 40 years Bethany volunteers have delivered meals.

VNA Meals on Wheels provides hot, nutritious, freshly prepared meals five days a week to Dallas County

residents who can’t provide for themselves due to illness, advanced age or disability. These meals

contribute to the overall health and well-being of participating seniors, including those with chronic

illnesses that are affected by diet, such as diabetes and heart disease, and frail seniors who are

homebound. Without VNA Meals on Wheels these seniors would go hungry.

We need volunteers!! Some of our volunteers retired this year as they are unable to physically

perform their duties. Won’t you please help? Volunteers help only ONE DAY EACH MONTH! You can of

course do more. We have need of drivers and assistants on Monday, Tuesday or Friday -- normally on the

second full week of the month.

Interested? Questions? Please contact Kris McDowell or the church office.

5

On the second Sunday in January, be on the look-out for

the sign up sheet for our next Dining Out. It will be

at Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant in the

Shops at Park Lane.

Christmas Eve at Bethany Lutheran

Church

And

Pastor Cheryl hanging a Chrismon

at Briarwood.

6

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Thank you to all who helped and participated in the Children’s Christmas Program, “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.

We all learned more about it as we enjoyed the 12 Days banners that hung in the sanctuary until after Epiphany. Here is

the summary of the meaning of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

“The Twelve Days of Christmas” refers to the twelve days after Christmas, leading to the Feast of Epiphany on January

6th. In counting these days of celebration, the familiar folk song can become a way to teach us about faith!

1st day of Christmas—Partridge in a Pear Tree -- Symbol of Jesus Christ, the Son of God

2nd day of Christmas—Two Turtledoves --Represents the Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) and New Testament

3rd day of Christmas—Three French Hens -- Three theological virtues: Faith, Hope, and Love

4th day of Christmas—Four Calling Birds

Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

5th day of Christmas—Five Gold Rings -- Five books of the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, &Deuteronomy

6th day of Christmas—Six Geese a-Laying -- Six days of creation when God created the heavens and the earth

7th day of Christmas—Seven Swans a-Swimming -- Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation,

Giving, Leading, and Compassion

8th day of Christmas—Eight Maids a-Milking -- Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek,

those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecut-

ed for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5: 3-10)

9th day of Christmas—Nine Ladies Dancing

Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control

(Galatians 5: 22-23)

10th day of Christmas—Ten Lords a-Leaping -- Ten Commandments: you shall have no other gods, do not make an idol,

do not take God’s name in vain, remember the Sabbath day, honor your father and mother, do not murder, do not

commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not covet

11th day of Christmas—Eleven Pipers Piping --Eleven faithful apostles (excluding Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus): Si-

mon (also called Peter), Andrew (Simon’s brother), James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of

Alphaeus), Simon the Zealot, and Judas (son of James)

12th day of Christmas—Twelve Drummers Drumming --Twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed

(you can find this in the hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, on page 105, or as part of Martin Luther’s Small Cate-

chism on page 1162!)

7

Please remember to wear your nametags!

They are located in the Narthex, on the table with the bulletins.

Remember to pick your nametag up on the way into the sanctuary.

The Light & Hope for Lake Highlands churches will

be hosting a hot dog dinner for

the Alista Apartments on January 19th.

We will need people to provide food as well as to help plate and serve the

food at Alista. Please contact the church office if you can help!

Also… thanks to all who contributed to and purchased toys for the children at

Alista for Christmas The children and the Kids-U organization continue to be

most grateful for the difference that we have made in the lives of these

beautiful children.

Early voting for the Presidential Primaries will

be held on February 15 through February 26

in Nelson Hall at Bethany.

8

9

After worship on Sunday, December 20th, a

Farewell / Auf Wiedersehen reception was

held for Vicar Katharina. Thank you to Ellen

Frost for getting the cake and for purchasing

the farewell gift. With the generous dona-

tions from the congregation, Ellen was able to

purchase a charm bracelet from James Avery

with several charms depicting Vicar

Katharina’s time in Texas. Katharina was

thrilled with the bracelet and wears it proud-

ly. We will miss our Vicar and were

greatly

blessed by her

Let’s keep in touch:

behrens.katharina@gmail.com

Or

WhatsApp: (+49) 176 216 663 38

Katharina

10

A Message from “The Bishop Election Committee”

By now, most people in our NT-NL Mission Area are aware that Bishop Kevin Kanouse is retiring June

30, 2016 from the office of Bishop, and a new bishop will be elected at the 2016 Mission Assembly in

April.

It is now appropriate for people to submit names of rostered clergy to be lifted up to be considered as

potential nominees for bishop.

ANYONE may submit the name of ANY rostered clergy in the ELCA.

The process is easy. Go to BpElection.ntnl.org and click on the Potential Nominee Submission link on

the right side. The name may be submitted online, or a hard copy may be printed out and mailed.

Submissions are encouraged by January 31.

The Bishop Election Committee will provide those named who agree to move forward in the process

with biographical and additional paperwork that must be completed and will be posted online for all to

access.

Please consider being a part of this process that will lead all of us to the one who will lead our mission

area into the future.

Any questions may be addressed to the Bishop Election Committee at BpElection@ntnl.org.

Pastor Cheryl and I would like to thank the Bethany family for the very generous staff bonuses this year. We are blessed to be serving a congregation who expresses love and support all the year through. Thank you for the opportunity to work toward the fulfillment of God’s purpose for Bethany. May God richly bless you and your family throughout 2016.

Pastor Cheryl and Terri

11

Please remember in your prayers:

In need of healing, comfort and strength:

Family and friends mourning the death of Raymond Richmond, spouse of Mona Richmond, CDC teacher;

Bridget Thomas, rebuilding after tornado, CDC teacher;

Walter Greve, health issues, husband of Lois Greve;

Hank & Ethel Bernauer, health issues, Kevin’s parents;

Liz Fenton, cancer treatment, friend of Pr. Cheryl & Alfred;

Margaret & Glennys Knutson health concerns, parents of Barb Claussen;

Harvey Mueller surgery for pituitary tumor, brother of Terri Guy;

Betty Williams health issues;

Jeanne Martin recovery from shoulder replacement surgery;

Bill Martin recovering from fall and ensuing cellulitis;

Jacquiline Paricio fractured hip, Lisa Nagid’s mother;

Audrey Lane recovering from bi-lateral mastectomy, friend of Lisa Nagid;

Paul Clements cancer spread to brain, friend of Ed Boudreau;

Kevin Cowan bone marrow transplant for Leukemia, friend of Susie Branch;

Robert Webster recovering from lung transplant, Cheryl Boudreau’s brother;

People affected by the tornadoes and storms on December 26 with the loss of their homes, belongings,

and even loved ones.

12

February Birthdays

Erin Bierwagen Feb 2

Paul Bierwagen Feb 15

Al Castillo Feb 18

Bob Jameson Feb 18

Doug Hale Feb 23

Ylva Wolfgang Feb 24

Jonathon Bernauer Feb 28

Adult Sunday School

Children’s Sunday School

Children’s Sunday school classes

will be held in the Nelson Hall

starting on

January 10.

High School Class

Meets in

The

Library

Led by Bill Slonecker, the Adult Bible

Study class will continue to meet in

the Friendship Room with plenty of

coffee, cookies and enlightening

conversation.

Confirmation Class

Will be meeting

in the Choir Room

January Birthdays

Cheryl Walenta Gorvie Jan 2

Terri Guy Jan 4

Charlie Britton Jan 6

Thomas Clarke Jan 15

David Frost Jan 18

Nancy Rynders Jan 22

Marilyn Gillett Jan 27

Please contact the Bethany office

if we forgot your birthday!

13

Ash Wednesday—February 10—7:00 PM

A combined worship service with Central and First United Lutheran

Churches held at Bethany in the Sanctuary.

Wednesday Nights in Lent

February 17 & 24—6:30 dinner in the Friendship Room.,

March 2, 9, 16– 6:30 dinner in Nelson Hall.

Dinners will be followed by Prayer in the Sanctuary at 7:15 PM. We will use the

ELW Night Prayer / Compline service. Join us for prayer and contemplation.

Holy Week Calendar

Resurrection of Our Lord / Easter Sunday

Sunday, March 27, 9:30 AM Worship Service

Sunday of the Passion / Palm Sunday March 20, 9:30 AM

Procession with palms into the building signifying Jesus’s triumphant journey

Good Friday Worship Service at Bethany

to consider the darkness of the day that Jesus was crucified

March 25, 7:00 PM

Maundy Thursday worship of foot-washing, remembering Christ’s command to

the disciples to wash one another’s feet, and the Last Supper before he was arrested.

March 24, 7:00 PM

14

Registration Fees:

Registration to open February 2016

Early bird online registration

ends March 15, 2016

Voting Members - $240

Retired Clergy - $105

Visitors - $110

Regular online registration

March 16-April 11, 2016

Voting Members - $255

Retired Clergy - $110

Visitors - $115

Mail-in registration

postmarked by April 7, 2016

Voting Members - $270

Retired Clergy - $135

Visitors -$125

On Site

(Book of Reports hard copy included)

Voting Members - $315

Retired Clergy - $160

Visitors - $130

=====================

Hardcopy of the Book of Reports $25

Displayers: Online & Written $50 | Vendors: Online

& Written $100

Hotel Room blocks: April 22-24, 2016

Hotel reservations can be made now.

Sheraton Arlington Hotel

1500 Convention Center Dr., Arlington, TX 76011

817-261-8200 or 1-800-325-3535

Room rate $100.00 - ask for NT-NL Mission Assembly

rate.

Reservations must be made before Wednesday,

March 30, 2016.

2016 NT-NL MISSION

ASSEMBLY ALERT

ARLINGTON CONVENTION CENTER

1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington TX 76011

APRIL 22-24, 2016

Theme Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20 & Acts 1:8

Keynote Speaker: ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

WEB site: ntnl.org/2016assembly

15

DANISH HEIRLOOM LAYER CAKE

This recipe is so different from any cake you have ever tasted!! Give it a try....I know you will love it!! You can Freeze the lay-

ers easily and have a picture perfect cake ready at the drop of a hat!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt 1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup of sugar pinch salt

1 egg 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder 1 + 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. vanilla

1 pint whipping cream - whipped and sweetened with 1 Tbsp. icing sugar

1 - 2 pounds sliced slightly sweetened strawberries - or fruit of choice

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mix together with a whisk or wooden spoon, yogurt, sugar, sour cream, egg, salt, baking soda, baking pow-

der. Add flour and vanilla.

Grease or spray 3 - 9" layer pans and divide batter evenly between pans. (the batter will seem skimpy....but spread as evenly

as you can with a spatula in each pan - layers will rise on baking).

Bake at 350 oven (325 if using Convection oven) Bake for only 10 - 12 minutes....till Very Light Brown. Cool on racks...and re-

move from pans with a plastic spatula onto racks to finish cooling as soon as you can handle the cakes.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT over bake!! If not using immediately - put wax paper between layers, cover with plastic and refrigerate

or freeze till ready to assemble cake.

Layer cake layers: 1/3 sweetened whipped cream and 1/2 sweetened sliced strawberries, or fruit of choice - then 1/3 sweet-

ened whipped cream and 1/2 berries. Last layer - just sweetened whipped cream. Decorate with berries.

RECIPE PAGE

Do you have a great recipe to share?

16

17

18

19

Water Well for Sierra Leone Everyone should have safe water to drink.

Join First Lutheran Church in Longview in supporting Living Water International.

Together, we will build a water well in Sierra Leone, West Africa to provide

CLEAN water to fellow human beings who suffer disease and death from unsafe water.

Did you know?

783 million people lack access to safe drinking water.

2.5 billion people in the world live without proper sanitation.

443 million missed school days a year result from all water-related illness.

400 million children have worms. 100% of these are water related.

Women spend 40 billion hours a year collecting water that is unsafe.

Walking alone to collect water leaves girls and women vulnerable to attack.

Over half of all schools worldwide lack safe water and sanitation.

Half of the hospital beds in the world are filled with people suffering from a water-related condition.

Safe, clean water removes the single heaviest burden from the lives of the poorest people in our world. Not

having to deal with this daily crisis means time for school and work, life and health, and allows individuals and

communities to plan for tomorrow. Nearly a billion people around the world suffer needlessly. The well

we build can be part of the solution. $10,773 has been raised so far. Our goal is $15,000.

How to contribute to our water well project in Sierra Leone through Living Water International

1) Go to www.water.cc/first-lutheran-church--longview-tx

Click on Donate. Fill in the online form to pay with a credit card. You may have your name appear on

the Wall or make the donation anonymous. You may also leave a comment

on the wall with your donation.

2) You may send a check to:

Living Water International

4001 Greenbriar Drive

Stafford, TX 77477

You must include this code on the memo line of your check.

GW_BELI_W_279962_SIERRA LEONE

Your donation will appear on the wall of the website without your name.

3) You may write a check to First Lutheran Church, with Water Well on the memo line.

Your donation will be mailed to Living Water International. Your donation will appear on the wall of the

website without your name or a message.

First Lutheran Church 3901 Bill Owens Pkwy, Longview, TX 75605 . Phone: (903) 295-7423

20

Bethany Lutheran Church

10101 Walnut Hill Lane Dallas Texas 75238-2166

Office: 214-348-9690

Child Development Center

Janna Hopkins, Director

214-348-9691

cdc@bethany.net

Church Staff

Cheryl Walenta Gorvie, Pastor pastor@bethany.net

Terri Guy, Administrator churchoffice@bethany.net

Josh Zentner-Barrett, Music Director music@bethany.net

Carolyn Johnson, Organist / Pianist

Volunteers

Irene Hallmon, Office

Marilyn Gillett, Office of the Treasurer

Ylva Wolfgang, Newsletter = volunteer@bethany.net

Council Officers

President Kevin Bernauer

Vice President Steve Claussen

Treasurer Terry Harrison

Secretary Irene Hallmon

Council Representatives

CDC Board Rep. Cheryl Boudreau

Education Rep. Debra Hale

Fellowship Lorraine Dittmer

Property Ed Boudreau

Stewardship Linda Bernauer

To Share God’s gifts with love –

God gives, we share.

1. Jesus is Lord.

2. Everything we do is worship.

3. We are rooted in God’s Word.

4. Our integrity depends on speaking the Truth.

5. Encourage and welcome all.

6. We share with others what God has given us.

Purpose Statement:

Guiding Principles: