Bethany is a member of the ELCA
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
15460 TRISKETT ROAD, CLEVELAND OH 44111
Bethanyenglish@sbcglobal.net
SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 and 11:00 am
11:00 am service Livestream www.bethanyenglish.org
WEDNESDAY EVENING LENTEN SERVICE April 9 at 7:00 pm
HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SCHEDULE
April 13 – Palm Sunday 8:30 & 11:00am Procession with Palms and Holy Communion
April 17– Maundy Thursday 7:00pm Absolution, Communion, and Stripping the Altar
April 18– Good Friday 7:00pm Service of Darkness with special music by the choir
April 20– Easter 8:30 & 11:00am Festival Worship with Holy Communion
Ash Wednesday and Lenten services will also be livestreamed at bethanyenglish.org.
CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE
As we continue the search for our next full time Pastor, we will be communicating our progress in church at the services.
If you wish to share your feedback please email the Call Committee at bethanyenglishcall@gmail.com
The church office hours: 9am to 4pm Tuesday - Friday. You can call the office 216-941- 7880
Pastor’s Message
the Spirit helps us in our weakness
Isaiah 43:19…I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
What is this new thing that God is about to do, you ask?
This is a question that I often ask as well. I look for the answer to this question in my life, and in the world. We must be intentional about looking for new and good things.
Spring has probably always been my favorite season. I love the smell of fresh air, and even small changes in temperature that feel incredibly warm after a long winter. Life feels more hopeful as the leaves become green and more animals begin to appear. I love the change in temperature as it feels good to be outside more and allows us to enjoy the sunshine and more time outside.
I always look forward to the earliest of the spring flowers when they bloom. Each plant that blooms again in the spring may come out of the same bulb, but it is a completely different flower.Last year’s individual flower has come and gone. And although this current flower may hold the place of the last,it is completely new. Even the cells in our bodies change regularly. You may have heard that the cells in ourbodies change every 7 years. That isn’t completely false though it’s much more nuanced than that. Some common cells change every few days, and others change every couple of weeks or years. Skin cells shed every 10-30 days and are constantly renewed. Red blood cells make a 4 month journey through our body’s system. Our fingernails grow about 0.3 cm per month. What else moves at the same speed of nail growth? Plate tectonics that cause the
continents to spread.
We don’t want the menu to change at our favorite restaurant, but then again we might be excited to try something new when it’s offered. Eventually, the restaurant may decide on what the compromise will be. If our favorite menu item is gone what will we do? We could try something else, or go to a new place altogether, which would be even more change.
While some may appreciate certainty, others look forward to, and embrace change. We can unfortunately associate negative feelings with change, because they haven’t always brought good news in the past. Some may come to a worship service and be thankful that everything feels the “same” even if some parts have changed. Others may participate in that same service and be disappointed that nothing feels new to them.
Metro health had a slogan a few years ago that was on billboards and buses. I believe that it said “Change is Healthy. Change is Good.” As I looked to find the phrase on their current website, it had been replaced. I suppose that even taglines about change itself can’t remain forever!
This past year has brought many changes for the people of Bethany English Lutheran Church. We don’t just change for the sake of change itself. We adapt to the world around us, so that we may bring the Gospel to a people. We reflect on what message the current world needs to hear, and how God’s word speaks through the ages. As we look for a balance of consistency and change in our lives, we ask: What are the truths that should remain, and what should be renewed? Through it all we remember: God’s love for us will never change.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Laura
WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF FAITH THAT HAS BEEN WORSHIPING, LEARNING, SERVING, AND SOCIALIZING FOR OVER 100 YEARS.
The beautiful stained glass window sanctuary is accessible to all, and we encourage children to worship there as well or utilize the professionally staffed nursery. Communion is an important part of all Sunday services, and all who believe are invited to partake in the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
Come back to our website often, as we are making updates weekly. For even more information you can download this month's Bethany News below.
Whether you are returning or visiting for the first time, we are excited to have you join us.
Join us From Your Home
Bethany English Lutheran Church is proud to offer Live Sunday Service streaming at 11:00am each week.
God’s Work - Our Hands
There is good work to do and we need your help!
Committees have dedicated members who do so much but often need more hands. Together, with more help, we can do more
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