to Read the April 2016 Newsletter

Reaching out with the salvation of Jesus
The Rev. Dr. George T. Zoebl, Pastor
April 2016
........... .....
Just Thinking . . . .
"Gan Bei"
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also
reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the
one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8
The translation of the Chinese expression "Gan bei!" is "Cheers!" or "Bottoms up!" It is also a
suitable title for today's devotion.
The story begins with a very expensive bottle of Rémy Martin XO Excellence Cognac.
Now I am not much of a drinker, but there are those who hold Rémy Martin XO Excellence is one
of the great pleasures of life. At more than $200 a bottle the distillers of Rémy Martin XO Excellence
Cognac must think they're producing liquid gold.
Apparently, a Chinese lady named Zhao would agree. Recently, Zhao tried to board a passenger
plane at the Beijing Capital International Airport carrying a bottle of Rémy Martin XO Excellence in her
hand luggage. She was told her bottle was over the legal limit of what she could carry with her.
Disappointed, Zhao did what any reasonable person might do: she chugged the entire bottle of
Rémy Martin XO Excellence. It was an action which had certain, foreseeable consequences:
1. Zhao immediately became totally blitzed;
2. the pilot said he wouldn't take her on the plane in her intoxicated state;
3. the police were called and took care of Zhao, until her relatives arrived to help her.
Oh, there's one other result of Zhao's Gan Bei: she shows us that our actions, especially our sinful
actions, have consequences.
Read through Scripture and you will have to look pretty hard to find someone, anyone, who didn't
learn that lesson. Adam and Eve learned it, as did their son, Cain. David learned it, as did Peter who
ended up in tears after he denied Jesus.
Just Thinking, cont . . .
Yes, everyone will eventually learn the lesson
that their sinful actions have consequences.
Some will learn it and be brought to the Lord with
a repentant heart. Others, like the good thief on
the cross, will learn it shortly before they die.
These folks will be overjoyed to find their sins are
forgiven because of the Savior's sacrifice and His
blessed resurrection.
But there are those who will put off learning
any lesson until the time they stand before the
just Judge.
Then, at that late hour, they will find eternal
death is the last and final consequence for sins,
which remain unforgiven.
It's a hard lesson, and one we should help
them avoid. This is why Lutheran Hour Ministries
brings Christ to the nations. It is why you share
the Savior with your friends and your
congregation with your neighborhood.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, our actions have
consequences. May we always give thanks for the
Savior who forgives our sins and stops those
negative consequences. By the Holy Spirit's
power may others learn this lesson before it is
too late for them. This I ask in Jesus' Name.
Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Klaus
September 8, 2015
Plan to Join a Small Group Study
The Glotzhober small group Bible study will
be held at 6:30 pm at Bethany on Sunday April 3
and April 17. You are welcome to join the study.
A Soup & Sandwich Bible study “Christianity
in the First Three Centuries” meets on Monday,
April 4 at 12:00 noon.
Plan to join the study “Living with a Purpose”
pot-luck Bible Study group on April 11 at 7:00
pm.
Good-bye from Elaine H
2
Good-bye to all my Brothers and Sisters at
Bethany.
You welcomed me into your Church and your
lives with love for two years, and I thank you. I
am blessed.
I will always keep you and Bethany in my
prayers and should any of you decide to travel to
Reno, Nevada, know that you have a friend
waiting.
With much Fondness.
Elaine
LWML April activities
To welcome Saige Abel, infant son of
Stephanie and Jeremy born October 26, 2015,
LWML is sponsoring a Baby Shower on Saturday,
April 9 from 3:00 - 5:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall
at Bethany. Stephanie is registered at Target
and Babies R Us.
Come and join the fun and the blessing of
little Saige Abel.
Monthly LWML on April 25th
The April LWML meeting will be held on
Monday, April 25th at 7:00 pm at Wesley Ridge
Retirement Center, 2225 Taylor Park Drive,
Reynoldsburg. All women of Bethany are invited
to join in for a
Bible study, a brief
meeting and a
time for fellowship
with your Bethany
friends.
Just for fun . . .
You only need two tools in life WD-40 and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.
Celebrating Easter at Bethany
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Baptism on Maundy Thursday
Connie with grandson Caleb after greatgrandson Colton’s baptism on March 24th
Thrivent Financial commits $12
million to Thrivent Builds
For the eleventh consecutive year, Thrivent
Financial is committing millions to stabilize,
strengthen and secure communities in 2016 through
its unique partnership with Habitat for Humanity
International called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for
Humanity.
In 2016, Thrivent Financial will partner with
Habitat to construct, rehabilitate, or repair over 850
homes in the U.S. through the Thrivent Builds
Homes and Thrivent Builds Repairs program. Up to
160 teams will also travel across the globe or across
the US to build homes through the Thrivent Builds
Worldwide program. From the partnership's
inception in 2005, Thrivent and its members have
now committed more than $226 million and more
than 4.7 million volunteer hours.
The partnership consists of three programs with
Habitat for Humanity: Thrivent Builds Homes,
Thrivent Builds Repairs and Thrivent Builds
Worldwide. These programs allow Thrivent to
partner with Habitat and families with limited
resources in the construction, rehabilitation, or
repair of affordable housing in communities across
the United States and abroad. Since 2005 the
Thrivent Builds programs have built or repaired
thousands of homes in partnership with Habitat
Homeowners.
We live and die; Christ died and lived!
~John Stott
Welcome to our newest member
4
Cradled in the arms of her great-grandmother
Sandy on Easter morning, Bethany’s newest
member, 12-day old Bailey, is admired as her
parents Marisah and Patrick look on. Bailey’s
grandparents are Bill and Beth and she represents
the 4th generation of the Bob and Sandy family as
members of Bethany.
The Christ,
was amongst us . . . we loved him.
has died . . . we grieved.
has risen again . . . we celebrated.
has returned to thead . . . we godhe
marveled.
has promised to be with us to the
end of the age . . . now we live as the promise
is fulfilled again and again . . .
like spring follows winter, without fail,
year upon year, age upon age.
lighting a central candle
Creator who birthed the world,
breathe your life into us.
Saviour who entered the world,
stretch out your hand to us.
Spirit who pervades the world,
fill and overflow us.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, You didn't come for my
entertainment, but for my eternal salvation.
When I enter Your house for worship, give me a
heart that seeks Your grace, not my own selfish
enjoyment.
Amen.