Gathering Season Kickoff - Bonfire Night - 5/31

The Bethel Youth Group will kick off its summer Gathering preparation with a bonfire at the Lee house at 7:30 pm.

Address:

8772 Pine Ave

Brentwood, MO 63144

Phone:  314-962-7279

The house is just off of Brentwood Blvd, a few blocks south of Borders in Brentwood.  (Turn east from Brentwood Blvd)

What to bring: 

1. Your own chair
   
2. Your own marshmallow roasting stick/device
   

Gathering - Wednesday Free Day Options (7/22)

The following is from the Metro St. Louis Coalition - Youth letter of March 2009.  Each youth should indicate their choice -- and we'll see how many groups we might have to split into:

Each group will have an opportunity of participating in 1 of 3 activities on Wednesday, July 22.  A group of youth leaders was able to investigate these 3 options during the ELCA Extravaganza in January!  We believe your group will have a fabulous time at any of these locations!  Your group does not have to go to an option as a whole, but each group of students MUST HAVE at least one adult with them.  We ask that you make your final free day decision NO LATER THAN April 26 with payment due at that time!  In this packet, you will find a registration form for these options.

OPTION 1 - MARDI GRAS WORLD

See the world's largest fleet of Carnival floats and the artists who create them!  See mardigrasworld.com for details.  The bus will leave the Hampton Inn at 10:30 am.  Your group can take their time enjoying the 2nd oldest neighborhood in the New Orleans Parish before taking a leisurely ride back on the FREE ferry boat across the Mississippi River.  Feel free to find a unique lunch location for your group.  Cost is $8/person.

OPTION 2 - INSTA-GATOR RANCH & HATCHERY

Do you love alligators?!?  Learn about the the Louisiana alligator industry through an interactive guided tour.  You will have the chance to see, touch, hold, feed, and get your picture taken with the alligators!  See http://www.insta-gatorranch.com/ for details.  The bus will leave the Hampton Inn at 9:30 am and return around 2:30 pm.  Bus will also stop for lunch, or feel free to bring along a picnic lunch.  Cost is $25/person including additional bus fare and ticket to ranch.

OPTION 3 - THE BEACH IN MISSISSIPPI

Enjoy a relaxing day at Long Beach, MS.  wim in the Gulf, walk along the sandy beach and simply enjoy this big of God's creation.  During your drive you will be able to see some areas of devastation from Hurricane Katrina and how the area has or has not recovered since 2005.  The bus will be leaving the Hampton Inn at 9 am and return to the hotel around 3 pm.  There are fast food options within walking distance of the beach, or feel free to bring along a picnic lunch. Cost is $15/person for bus fare.

Some Key Gathering Updates

Here are some key dates:

• 4/20 - RSVP for 4/26 Adult Leader Meeting
• 4/26 - Adult Leader Meeting.  2-4 pm.  Christ - Webster Groves
• 4/26 - Wednesday Free Day Options (7/22) and payment due
• 5/11 - Final bus payment due
• 5/25 - Final Gathering Registration payment due
• 6/15 - RSVP for 6/28 Pre-Gathering Event
• 6/28 - Pre-Gathering Event.  6-8 pm.  Unity - BelNor
• 7/21 - Gathering Bus departs from Hope-St. Charles at 5:30 am
• 7/27 - Gathering Bus returns to Hope-St. Charles around 1:00 am

January Sunday Night Fun

WHEN: Today, January 4, 5-7 p.m.
WHERE: Lutheran Campus Ministry House next door to Bethel
WHAT: video games and pizza
Call Deb for more info (647-3929).

Spreading Light

Thank you to everyone who participated in sharing the light of Christ through donations to our sponsored family this Christmas. We delivered gifts for all the children from their wish lists, coats and shoe gift certificates for every family member, a set of towels and a full set of dishes. In addition, we gave nearly $1000 in gift cards for gas stations, grocery stores, and department stores.
On Christmas Eve Pastor Yancey reminded us that the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. By giving, we experience that light in our lives as the presence of Christ among us. Thanks to all who contributed to this project.
Peace and light to all,
Deb

Season of Sharing Invitation

Open your heart to receive the coming Child by opening your heart to receive the family we are sponsoring for Christmas through Lutheran Family and Children's Services.

Sonya and Lawrence are fostering their five grandchildren, ages 12-3. They have a fixed income on which they try to meet the children's needs. They would like to make this Christmas special for their grandchildren, and they are appreciative of any gifts that they may receive.

You can pick up cards at church with gift suggestions for specific family members, or the family welcomes gift cards from any of the following: Mobile gas, Shop and Save, Wal-Mart.

Drop off gifts or gift cards in the box at the back of church by Dec. 21.
E-mail Deb Bohlmann with any questions or offers to participate: deborah.bohlmann@gmail.com

Call for Youth Help (at December Center Celebration)

Calling all Youth! We need your help for Center Celebration on this coming Sunday, December 7 at 9:30am. I promise, this is super-easy. All we need is different youth willing to read short bible passages. A couple of verses, that's all. Please call Kristina Stierholz or Albert Webster if you can help out: home telephone is 314 - 863 - 5430.
Thanks!