Hiya kids, Miss Mackenzie here! As you may have noticed from above we have to write some information on ourselves. I would like to inform you all that I enjoy eating lots of food, doing embarrassing things, and making FRIENDS. I am definitely looking forward to seeing all of your smiling faces at every single one of the events! I just had Chili’s so I am EXTREMELY full of delicious fried shrimp yummy yummy! Now it’s time for Miss Jackie to say Hola! See you ALL tomorrow!

Oh hai! Jackie Barr signing in. I am super stoked about youth events this year especially Common Ground woot! Outside of church, I enjoy taking pictures and playing field hockey(the better hockey ^_^). I look forward to seeing you all at youth events this year and if you don’t….you will have to deal with the consequences(aka many many calls from ME) RAWR.

Love your youth assistants for the coming year <3

Mini Golf is $7.99
Turbo Go Karts are $4 per lap but there are discounted rates for multiple laps
Grand Prix is $4 per lap but there are discounted rates for multiple laps (must be at least 16 years old with drivers license)
Bumper Boats are $6.99 for the driver, $1.99 for a passenger
Batting Cages are $2 for 15 pitches
There’s also a game room with a ton of video games and arcade games (like skee ball!!!)

If you have any other questions, visit the website at:

http://www.malibugrandprix.com/site/Redwood/attractions.html

Also, please let us know if you need a ride in your RSVP to Lexi Baker at ba----@------.com. We wanna make sure everyone who can go has a way of getting there!

Peace, Lexi

We are continuing to hold safety as a paramount concern as we travel this coming week. Please keep us in your prayers, not only for safety, but also that all hearts will be open to experiencing God in a new way through the relationships we will build with our friends to the south.

If you are a participant and/or parent and have any concerns, please contact me and I’d love to chat. You can email me at th----@------.net or call me on my cell at 408-309-9975.

On a related note, please bring all forms and as much money as you’ve raised so far to Bethel tonight between 7:15 and 9:00 pm. Please make checks payable to Bethel Lutheran Church. I need your stuff!

Peace, Tom

Esperanza is also very actively pursuing the safety concerns and I am including an email from the Chair of the Esperanza Board as to her personal commitment to get the accurate facts.

Please contact me with questions and/or concerns. I will keep you posted as to our plans.

Peace, Tom

Here’s Jan’s letter:
March 15, 2010
Dear Esperanza groups,

Yesterday, March 14, 2010, the United States Department of State web site upgraded the Mexico Alert to a Warning. We immediately became aware of this status change and met this morning to determine the course we will take and share that information with you.

As a group leader of 19 consecutive years and board member since 2001, I will be going to Posada this Wednesday to observe, ask questions, and try to assess. We, as a board, remain committed to your safety and take our duty seriously. We pledge a thorough investigation of what impact this might have on our valued groups. We also have a contact with the American Consulate in Tijuana to determine what increase danger might be present. Statistically at this time, Tijuana is increasingly safer with a sizeable reduction of violence during the past 12 months.

Please look for an update later this week.

Jan Kline

–
Aimee Khuu
Esperanza Registrar
206-228-2082
es----@------.com
www.esperanzaint.org

As we say goodbye to 2009, we look forward to what the 2nd decade of the 2000’s has in store for us.  God is always full of surprises!

Well, one exciting thing is happening this Sunday morning, January 3rd.  It is College Sunday again and we hope you will be able to join us as we lead worship.  Just let Norita know if you want to help that morning.  You can email her at no----@------.com and/or call her on her cell at 408-309-9978.

Also this Sunday, we’ll gathering for lunch at noon (right after worship) to enjoy some fresh Panda meat (Panda Express) and do some visioning as to what we hope Bethel will be in the future.  Pastor Lori will join us to hear your ideas as to what you would like to see in a new Pastor as well as for Bethel in general.  Please let me know if you are coming.  Email me at th----@------.net and/or call or text me at 408-309-9975.  Have a great new year!

Peace,  Tom

P.S.  No Sr High Fellowship this week or Sunday School on the 3rd.  See you in worship and then again on Wednesday the 6th.

This Sunday is a huge one if you are a part of youth ministries here at Bethel.  If you are a Sr Higher, your day starts at 9:30am in the youth room with a special edition of Sunday School.  We spend some time getting to know our interim pastor, Lori, and her husband Steve.  After we hear their interesting story, we’ll spend some time getting your opinions as to what is important in our next full time pastor.  Don’t miss this chance to help shape Bethel’s future.

Then, at 1:45pm, we’ll gather with all Jr Highers, Sr Highers and college youth to head off for our annual Skating / Caroling / Pizza Extravaganza.  Bring $20 to cover your skating outdoors at Winterlodge in Palo Alto and your pizza dinner.  We’ll also spend time bringing Christmas cheer through song at two or three places.  Should  be cool.

Please respond if you are able to join us for the Sunday event.  You can call me on my cell at 408-309-9975 or email me at th----@------.net.

Peace, Tom

It is hard to believe that this coming Sunday will be our second to last Revive Worship Service this summer.  You don’t want to miss this night.  Here are some highlights:  Singing led by the Revive Band, a special message by Pastor Sarah (from Arroyo Grande), snacks, fellowship, and worship of our God.  Friends are not only welcome, but encouraged.  Come at 7pm this coming Sunday night to the Fireside room and be Revived!

Peace, Tom

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

It has been an honor journeying with you all this past year.  We’ve seen a lot, done a lot, and been in the presence of Jesus through many that we’ve met.  As we’re half way through the school year I’d like to ask you how you’re doing on our 08/09 emphasis:  ”Be The Love?”  I know for myself, that when I look back at the past year, I realize the opportunities I missed to love others and the great blessings of the love I had the chance to be a part of.

Recently, Molly shared a story with us in Sunday School and I wanted to get it to all of you as an inspiration and challenge for the coming year:  Be The Love!

Peace and Love, Tom

The Cab Ride
So I walked to the door and knocked. ‘Just a minute’, answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90’s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. 

‘Would you carry my bag out to the car?’ she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.  She kept thanking me for my kindness. ‘It’s nothing’, I told her. ‘I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated’.

‘Oh, you’re such a good boy’, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, ‘Could you drive through downtown?’
‘It’s not the shortest way,’ I answered quickly.

‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice’.  I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. ‘I don’t have any family left,’ she continued. ‘The doctor says I don’t have very long.’ I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

‘What route would you like me to take?’ I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.  We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or
corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m tired. Let’s go now’  We drove in silence to the address she had given me.It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico…

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.  I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

‘How much do I owe you?’ she asked, reaching into her purse.

‘Nothing,’ I said  ’You have to make a living,’ she answered.  

‘There are other passengers,’ I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.  ’You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,’ she said.  ’Thank you.’  I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?
What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life.  We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID,
~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
Thank you, my friend…
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Julia “loves Christmas” Hoegel

P.S. Dress WARM because it tends to be rather cold…hopefully not raining!