Bethlehem Builder Bethlehem Lutheran Church Living God's Word 1375 Grand Avenue Baldwin, NY 11510 516-223-3400 www.Blcbaldwin.com
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Bethlehem Builder
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Living God's Word
1375 Grand Avenue
Baldwin, NY 11510
516-223-3400
bethluth@hotmail.com
www.Blcbaldwin.com
June 2021
Greetings and Salutations in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This past week we celebrated and learned about the functioning of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity consists
of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and how they all work together to continue to speak to us in our lives and
help provide that direction in our time of need. The Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible defines the Holy Trinity
as “the coexistence of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the unity of the Godhead (divine nature or essence).
The doctrine of the trinity means that within the being and activity of the one God there are three distinct
persons God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The most distinctive characteristics of the persons of the triune family
is their selfless love for one another. Each esteems and defers to the other in a way that makes the original
family of the trinity a model for the Christian family of believers in the church. The triune family also
cooperate as one in bringing the lost person home again into a redeemed family of believers.” In all three of
our texts that were read this past week it was a call to action and how when we let the Holy Trinity move in our
lives great things can happen and we can all accomplish amazing things.
In Isaiah’s vision he saw and was in the presence of the Holy Trinity. Isaiah recognized his sinfulness and yet
the Holy Trinity called upon him to do the work for the kingdom because they continue to take ordinary people
and do extraordinary things with them. They blotted out his sin and gave him the power to speak the word of
God and Isaiah responded with “Here am I send me”.
In Paul’s letter to the Romans the Holy Trinity moves us from our sinful nature and makes us children of God,
the Holy Trinity testifies with our own spirit to tell us we are children of God, The Holy Trinity tells us we are
heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ which means we too will inherit the kingdom.
In the Gospel lesson of John, The Holy Trinity moved Nicodemus. Nicodemus came to Jesus, he learned from
Jesus, he defended Jesus, he cared for Jesus after his death, he became a disciple of Jesus all because of the
work being down in his heart and soul by the Holy Trinity.
I also believe that even today the Holy Trinity is working. There are people who are out there that are lost and
they are waiting to be found, there are people who are sinners and need to know they have been redeemed,
there are people who feel as if they don’t have a family and they are looking to be welcomed back home. This
is the work of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Trinity is calling out to us to help creation, to exhibit that selfless love
for one another. As we prepare to physically gather back together once again let us remember the gifts and love
of the Holy Trinity. Let us remember that there are others who are out there that aren’t yet ready to gather
physically but they still belong to the family. They too, share in the gifts of the Holy Trinity and are part of the
redemption. The Holy Trinity says that no matter who you are or where you are from that your diversity is
your inclusivity to the Kingdom and family of the Holy Trinity.
Yours in Christ,
Reverend James Smith
2021 Monthly Mission Envelope Distribution
Please indicate on the 2nd or 3rd line ($_____) on your Weekly Church
Offering Envelope to which mission you wish to donate – either write
“mission” or the name of the mission. Return our envelope in the offering
plate or mail it to the church. You can also donate online through the
website by clicking on the DONATE button in the top of your screen.
June–Koinonia September-Lutheran Counseling Center
Koinonia has been serving Lutheran campers LCC has six counseling sites that offer health,
and their friends since 1962. The camp provides hope, and wholeness by promoting faith-based
a stunning backdrop for year-round indoor and individual and family psychotherapy. LCC also
outdoor activities, to provide you with a positive provides ongoing programs for various needs
learning environment and a memorable spiritual and expertise in counseling disaster victims.
experience for you and your family or group.
October-Thanksgiving/Christmas Baskets
July-ELCA Jesus commands us to feed the hungry. Much of
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the year we accomplish this through various
Metro New York Synod, is the larger charities but at Thanksgiving we deliver baskets
organization of which Bethlehem is a member. of food directly to families we know are in need
The ELCA provides organization and support to of support.
its member churches. November-Christmas Angel Tree Shopping
Jesus commands us to care for the poor. The
August-Shepherd Fund youth of the congregation, adult drivers, and our
The pastor receives requests for help and this pastor shop at the beginning of December for
fund provides money for direct help not families in need. The money collected funds their
otherwise available to persons with an shopping.
immediate need.
December - ELCA
The Metropolitan New York Synod, our synod, is
the regional expression of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America. They endeavor to
provide support, resource pooling, and
educational services to the over 200
congregations across Long Island, New York
City, and in seven upstate counties. The Rev.
Paul Egensteiner is the Bishop.
Bethlehem’s Leaders
2020-2021 Bethlehem Lutheran Church Council
Officers Council Members
Pamela Dye President Barbara Brown
Vacant Vice President Doris Lucas
Greg Pietrzak Treasurer Martha Meyer
Kathy Spatz Financial Secretary Celeste Pietrzak (1 yr)
Marret Arfsten Council Secretary Laura Szenczewski
2021 Events Calendar
June
6 BLC-Start in person worship
14 Finance Meeting
15 Council Meeting
17 Virtual Book Club-7:00 pm
20 Virtual Coffee Hour-11:30 am
Fall 2021
Garage Sale, Pumpkin Social, Bake Sale
November
21 Congregation Meeting
Sonora delivered presents to handicapped
fathers, boys from the YMCA wore fresh-cut
Who’s the Richest
roses (red for living fathers, white for the
deceased), and the city’s ministers devoted their
He is the richest man in the esteem of the homilies to fatherhood.
WORLD who has gotten the most. He is
the richest man in the esteem of HEAVEN The widely publicized event reached
who has given the most. Washington, D.C. where in 1916 President
Woodrow Wilson and his family observed the
day. Eight years later, President Calvin Coolidge
signed a resolution in favor of Father’s Day “to
The History of Father’s Day establish more intimate relations between fathers
The first known Father’s Day service occurred in and their children and to impress upon fathers
Fairmont, WV on July 5, 1908 thanks to Grace the full measure of their obligations.”
Golden Clayton. The service was to honor all
fathers, especially those hundr3eds who were
killed during a devasting mine explosion in
Monongah (near Fairmont) the previous year,
however the observance did not become an
annual event and very few outside the local area
knew about it.
In 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, WA
was inspired to create a holiday honoring
fathers. Her father, William Jackson Smart was a
farmer and Civil War veteran who raised 6
children after his wife died in 1898. While
attending a Mother’s Day church service in 1909,
Sonora came up with the idea.
Sonora convinced the Spokane Ministerial
Association and the YMCA t set aside a Sunday
in June; the ministers chose the 3rd Sunday so
they would have enough time after Mother’s Day
to prepare their sermons. On June 19, 1910,
Alert: On Sunday, June 6th BLC will reopen its doors for worship at 10:30 a.m.! Please
note the guidelines below for attending the service in the sanctuary.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Living God's Word
1375 Grand Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510
Phone: (516)223-3400
Email: bethluth@hotmail.com
www.blcbaldwin.com Rev. James D. Smith
Pastor
We are excited to announce that we will resume worshipping together on Sunday, June
6th, 2021 at 10:30am. Please help us do so safely by abiding by this guide for
For In-Person Worship at Bethlehem Lutheran Church
• If you are not feeling well, please stay home and join us virtually.
• Before/after worship, you are invited to gather and socialize outdoors to greet
each other at this time.
• When indoors please ensure and encourage adequate spacing (6ft+) from those
outside of your family unit/pod.
• Upon entering the Sanctuary and throughout worship, wear your mask so that it
covers both your nose and mouth at all times. Children under 2 are exempt from
this rule.
• Hand Sanitizer is available on the to reduce the need for touching and
tables at the rear of the sanctuary; cleaning of shared surfaces.
use is encouraged upon entering the • Please sit in open pews; some have
building, and if you choose to been roped off to ensure spacing.
receive Holy Communion on your We ask you to assist us to maintain
way out. adequate distancing between
• Temperature checks and contact people/families/pods.
tracing will be completed by • An offering plate will be stationed in
volunteers as you enter; please be the rear of the sanctuary, not passed
kind and patient as we make sure between people during worship.
we are doing our part to keep you
safe. Please show Love for One Another by
• Anyone with a temperature higher remembering that everyone has different
than 99°will be asked to leave the definition of comfortability at this time;
building and encouraged to seek consent is key, please respect each other’s
medical attention. personal boundaries so we may all worship
• Paper Bulletins will be available, in Peace.
please dispose of these at the end of
Worship will continue to be streamed live
worship. Our hymnals have been
via Facebook for those who prefer to join
removed from the pews at this time
us virtually.
doesn’t receive the grant this
The MetroNY Synod is offering important ministry is a
churches within the ELCA welcome event in the near
community the opportunity to future.
apply for an “Open Doors”
grant to support their
ministries as in-person worship Bethlehem Book Club
and gatherings resume.
Specifically, how can we meet
new people, stay connected
with our current members, and
leverage new faces who have
joined for online worship?
Join us for a virtual book club meeting on
BLC has submitted its Thursday, June 17th at 7 pm.
application for a program to The Book Club will be reading An Elderly
have a (quoted from the grant
Lady Is Up To No Good by Helene Tursten.
Let Martha Meyer (516-379-7505) know that
application) “Share Table to
you would like to attend so the Zoom
serve our community and information can be forwarded to you.
continue our mission of
outreach as an ongoing Enjoy your favorite beverage and snack –we
ministry. By providing essential always eat-as we discuss the book and catch up
items to those in need, with with one another.
minimal contact, we will project
a caring response to the Father’s Day Quotes
unkindness and harshness “A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall
within our current pandemic you grow.”
environment.” The table would Author unknown
include non-perishable foods, “My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let
household items, toiletries, me watch him do it.”
toys, adult and children’s Clarence Budington Kellard, American
books, and family board Author
games.
“His heritage to his children wasn’t words or
The grant awards will be possessions, but an unspoken treasure, the treasure of
distributed at the beginning of his example as a man and a father.”
June. Even if Bethlehem Will Rogers, Jr., American politicianZOOM COFFEE HOUR
Third Sunday of the Month
11:30 AM
Join us every third Sunday of the month May Council Meeting Summary
for a virtual coffee hour. Get together
virtually with members to chat and catch At the May council meeting the
up! Check the website and your email for
login instructions. All are welcome!
following issues were discussed:
- Everyone was encouraged to read
The next virtual coffee hour will be and comment on the final
Sunday, June 20. Kaleidoscope Institute report so
the Executive Committee can
incorporate those comments to
develop the final document.
All I really needed to know I learned - Open Door Grant through the
from Noah’s Ark MetroNY Synod was submitted.
By Martha Meyer - The reopening of BLC for
1. Don’t miss the boat. worshipers was discussed and a
2. Don’t forget that we are all in the same date was determined for a meeting
boat. with the Worship, Music and Arts
3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah Committee.
built the ark.
4. Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old,
someone might ask you to do something
REALLY BIG.
5. Don’t listen to critics, just get on with To all the Dads –BLC wishes
what has to be done. you a Happy Father’s Day!
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs
8. Two heads are better than one.
9. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The
snails were on board with the cheetahs.
10. When you are stressed, float awhile.
11. Remember that the ark was built by
amateurs; the Titanic was built by
professionals.
12. Remember that woodpeckers inside are
a larger threat than the storm outside.
13. No matter the storm, when you’re with
God there’s a rainbow waiting.JUNE BIRTHDAYS AND
ANNIVERSARIES
BIRTHDAYS
Online Bible Study with Pastor James
Joseph Kogan 6/3/03** Smith
Ellen Nizich. 6/4
Join us every Wednesday (12:00 PM &
David Szenczewski 6/4
7:30 PM) as Pastor Smith takes us on a
Joey Nizich 6/5
journey of “Jesus’ ethical teachings and
Kato Peragine 6/6
provides a behavioral guide for the
Patricia Tucker 6/7
ekklesia, the early Christian community”,
Diane Ialenti 6/10
that is known as The Gospel of Matthew.
Christopher Nizich 6/14
Learn examples of Matthew’s editing of
Lee Streithorst 6/16
Markan material and what Matthew
Kimberly Hale 6/26
added. This will take us from the Infancy
Laura Szenczewsk 6/27
Narrative, the beginning of Jesus’
Dean Smith 6/6/06**
proclamation, His instructions to the
Church all the way to the Passion Story
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES and Resurrection Narrative, the beginning
Kathy & Ray Spatz 6/11 of Jesus’ proclamation, His instructions to
the Church all the way to the Passion
Story and Resurrection. Learn examples
of Matthew’s editing of Markan material
and what Matthew added. This will take
us from the Infancy Narrative, the
beginning of Jesus’ proclamation, His
instructions to the Church all the way to
the Passion Story and Resurrection.
All are welcome to attend! Links for the
Online Bible Study are on our website at
http://blcbaldwin.com/special-events-and-
announcement.Donations to BLC
Thank you to all who continue to make donations and remember their church home
during this time of crisis. Online donations can be made through our website-
http:www.blcbaldwin.com, click on the blue Donate button and you will be directed
through PayPal or through Vanco by downloading their app from the App Store or
Google Play onto your mobile device. Click here to get the link or go to:
https://www.vancopayments.com/egiving/church-app). You can also mail your check
payable to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1375 Grand Ave., Baldwin, NY 11510
REMINDER ABOUT WEEKLY SERMONS
Pastor Smith will continue to deliver weekly sermons through his Facebook page using
Facebook Live. Click here to access Pastor’s Facebook Page or you can obtain the
link from our website on the Home page.
Missed the sermon? Go to the website or Pastor’s Facebook page and the archive is
available for listening.
STAY CONNECTED WITH US!
In addition to our website and Facebook Page we are also on Instagram! For
Instagram photos go to blcbaldwin. Note: there is an Instagram page named
“Bethlehem Lutheran Church” with our address but it contains photos of various
groups who “checked-In” from our Facebook page.
Please Like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram and visit our website-
www.blcbaldwin.com for updates on BLC news! The Builder is also online on the
Home page of our website under the section “Bethlehem Builder”!Starting June 6th services will be in person and streamed on Faceboook Live
through Pastor Smith’s Facebook Page at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday.You can also read
