M A R C H

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Bethel News
Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church

Recovering Pharisees
I am a good person. I go to church. I tithe. I pray. I read my bible. I definitely do more for God than most people I know. And I havent really struggled with any big sins in a very long time. I wish more people could get their acts together. Self-righteous, proud, arrogant. We all know people like this. In fact, you might even be picturing someones face right now. I am. I dont want to name names. (Then youd just say I was a gossip.) So Ill leave you a few clues instead. Here we go. Sometime today, walk into your bathroom. I know this sounds strange. Just go with it. Flip on the light switch. If you have bright florescent lighting, thats even better. Walk towards the vanity, look up and stare deep into the eyes of the person in front of you. Its shocking at firstthe realization that he has been there all along. A wise friend of mine once told me that all Christians are recovering Pharisees. Pharisees were the religious leaders that Jesus referred to in his preaching as white- washed tombs (Matt. 23:27). They looked great on the outside, but they were spiritually dead on the inside. Jesus condemned them for having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power (2 Tim. 3:5). Like the Pharisees, when we elevate our good works, we become blind to Christs great work on our behalf. In doing so we reject Jesus himself. Only Jesus has the power to overcome the Christ-rejecting, self-centered Pharisee within us all. The apostle Paul, a literal recovering Pharisee, exclaimed, What a wretched man I am! Who will save me from this body of death? Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24)

Psalm 4
[1] Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! [2] O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah [3] But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. [4] Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah [5] Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD. [6] There are many who say, Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD! [7] You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. [8] In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Church Information
Fred Scragg...Lead Pastor Steve Geier..Administrative Assistant Erik Hagedorn....Music Director Ed & Debbie Fawcett....Caretakers

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

MARCH 2013
Sat

1 2 5:30 PM -7:00PM Boys Club & Lamplighters 7:00 PM Youth Group: Games Night 3 9:30 AM Sunday School & Confirmation 11:00 AM Worship
CLBA YA SKI 10

5 4:00-6:00 PM Youth Group Hangout 6:30 PM Elder Meeting 12 4:00-6:00 PM Youth Group Hangout

6 11:00-1:00 PM Busy Hands 7:30 PM Bible Study @ Pastor Freds 13 11:00-1:00 PM Busy Hands

CLBA Eastern Region YA Ski 8 Trip 9

5:30 PM -7:00PM Boys Club & Lamplighters 7:00 PM Youth Group: Ace Of Cakes 14 15 16 5:30 PM -7:00PM Boys Club & Lamplighters 7:00 PM Youth Group: BUNKO

11

9:30 AM Sunday School & Confirmation 11:00 AM Worship 17 9:30 AM Sunday School & Confirmation 11:00 AM Worship 24 9:30 AM Sunday School & Confirmation 11:00 AM Worship & Communion 31 9:30 AM Easter Breakfast 11:00 AM Easter Worship Notes: 25 18

6:30 PM Congregational 7:30 PM Planning Bible Study @ Committee Pastor Freds 19 20

7:30 PM Trustee Meeting 21 22 23 5:30 PM -7:00PM 11:00-1:00 PM Boys Club & Busy Hands Lamplighters 7:00 PM Youth Group: Bowling 29 30

4:00-6:00 PM Youth Group Hangout 26 12:00 PM Leisure Timers Luncheon 4:00-6:00 PM Youth Group Hangout

7:30 PM Quarterly Business Meeting 27 28 11:00-1:00 PM Busy Hands 7:30 PM Bible Study @ Pastor Freds

7:30 PM Good Friday Service

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MARCH 2013

Youth Group News

March 1st @ 7-10 pm Game night @ Church March 8th @ 7-10 pm Ace Of Cakes Bring $5 March 15th @ 7-10 pm Bunco Night Bring your favorite game to play. March 22rd @ 7-10 pm Bowling Cost $10 March 29th @ 7:30 pm Good Friday Service A night of reflection on the Life and Death of Jesus

Birthdays
3/2 3/5 3/9 3/16 3/17 3/21 Steven Fawcett Angelo Poukamissas Margaret Haegeland Eleanor Enstad Mary Cordts Loni Stedjan Mikal Forland 3/23 Olivia Kongevold 3/28 Erika Forland 3/30 Jill Oderwald Jamie Stedjan

Anniversaries
3/22 Peter & Angela Ramlogan

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MARCH 2013

Upcoming Events
A Year of Unity: Reading Challenge
Starting March 10 Accidental Pharisees By Larry Osborne Books are in the Back of the Sanctuary Suggested donation $5

Quarterly Business Meeting

March 20, 2013 The membership of Bethel will gather to hear what God has been doing through our ministries and what plans are being made for the coming year of ministry.

Good Friday Service

March 29 2013 @ 7:30pm This evening will be a quiet time of reflection on the life and death of Jesus Christ who gave His life for yours on the cross. Communion will be served.

Easter Morning Breakfast & Service

March 31 @ 9:30am (Breakfast) & 11:00am (Service) Come celebrate the risen Savior Jesus Christ who walked out of the grave to give you eternal life. The Sunday School will be hosting a pre-service fellowship breakfast. Invite your friends and family.

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MARCH 2013

Find Your Place at Bethel

Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church is a place for your entire family. Sunday School classes for all age groups (including adults) Boys Club boys K-6th grade Lamplighters girls K-6th grade Youth Group teens 7th-12th grade Young Adults 18-35 year olds Childrens Church K-2nd grade (meets during Sunday morning sermon) Leisure Timers luncheons for retirees Busy Hands weekly meeting of women to knit and crochet

Check the calendar on page 2 to find out when your group meets.

For more information about our Nursery School program please contact the church office or send an email to bethelnurseryschool@yahoo.com. Classes available for 2, 3, and 4 year olds.
You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15

Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church

Address: 10 Pinetree Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746 Website: www.bethellb.com Email: BethelLBChurch.LI@gmail.com Phone: (631) 423-4404 Office Hours: M,T,F 9am-4pm; W 9am-1pm; Th 11am-4pm