Pastor Barb’s Blog

From the Pen of Pastor Barb Lemke Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Advent is upon us and there has been much confusion around Bethel. People started planning Advent activities to begin the last weekend in November… in fairness, so often Advent does begin the weekend after Thanksgiving and our planners were going from past experience… but, alas they were mistaken. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas, so for us the activities begin on December 2nd. The calendar is full...

From the Pen of Pastor Barb Lemke Dear Brothers and Sisters, “Now thank we all our God,” (do we?) “With hearts and hands and voices,” (Loving, serving, caring, singing, sharing kind words of love and praise.) “Who wondrous things has done,” (God made the stars, the sun and the moon. The air that we breathe is a gift God has given. Our hope and life lies in God.) “In whom his world rejoices;” (The birds sing with joy and the...

From the Pen of Pastor Barb Lemke “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” Mark 13:31-32 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Every year at this time I am overcome with the quickness of time. January, February, March… October? Where did all of the months go? Where did our lives go? We...

From the Pen of Pastor Barb Lemke “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Amazingly enough, I have been a pastor for over 28 years, and in all these years, plus internship, children have been of the utmost importance in the minds of those calling me as pastor. This is as it should be, as children, very young...

From the Pen of Pastor Barb Lemke “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Our world is a paradox. It is inconsistent and absurd, and yet we, as Christians, are called to be in the world, but not...

From the Pen of Pastor Barb Lemke “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:1-2 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Why are we here? “To spread the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ to our community, and to those who have never heard of God’s love, compassion and mercy, through our thoughts, words and...