1. First Sundays
2. Cross+Generational Service/Learning Trip, Summer 2023
1. First Sundays!
What’s First Sunday? Think of it as a supplement to our Sunday worship, with additional opportunities for all ages to participate actively. We’re building on the success of earlier experiments like 5th Sunday of Service and Rock, Paper, Scissors.
When does this happen? Our initial “First Sunday” event was on All Saints Sunday, November 6 — and we shared stories about saints in our lives, and what makes someone a saint (news flash: it’s about God’s perfection, not ours!) On December 4, our theme was “Showing the Way!” We made luminaries for a Christmas Eve worship welcome! See photos below from our “First Sunday” experiences in November, December, February, March, and April.
Instead of our pattern of First Sunday events before worship, on May 7 we invite ALL to join the Green Team for a special Creation Care service at Brentwood Park at Noon, followed by a picnic lunch. Watch announcements in the Bethel Connection and at church, for more details!
Memorial stones, All Saints Sunday
What can we expect? Lots of smiles, laughter, singing, and conversation! Each month, we will nibble on breakfast treats, sing (led by members of Bethel’s Worship Band), do some kind of craft or service project together, learn from Scripture, and enjoy this time together before our Communion worship.
Why are we doing this?
First Sundays provide an intentional Cross+Generational opportunity for all ages to interact with one another in a more relaxed setting, learn about and share God’s love, and grow even closer to God and to one another.
Brought to you by…
Bethel’s Faith Formation team. Watch for more details here, in the bulletin, on Facebook, and in the Bethel Connection. Contact Deb Grupe (deb.grupe@gmail.com) with questions or offers of help (for example, providing treats, setting up on Saturday morning, leading a song or activity). Anyone is welcome to help plan or carry out a session!
April 2: “Pave the Way!”
This First Sunday featured two new hymns (“Pave the Way with Branches” and “Blessed Is the One”), a reenactment of the Palm Sunday Gospel reading, and four separate activity stations!
March 5: “Let Us Pray”
We learned about praying through doodling, through origami and through clay creations. Two of our Confirmation students led us in the Lord’s Prayer and we watched a video of, and sang, a beautiful setting of the Psalm for this Sunday, led by Bethel musicians Steve and Sherman.
February 5: “We are Salt and Light!”
We talked about the usefulness of both light and salt. Why did Jesus say we are salt (of the earth) and light (of the world). We sang “Christ, Be Our Light” and signed some of the words. We talked about how A Red Circle is being salt and light in North St. Louis County and prepared buckets for a “Noisy Offering” for the following week’s worship service — for A Red Circle, our Super Bowl of Caring effort, along with a food collection for God’s Helping Hand in St. Louis’ “The Ville” neighborhood.
December 4: Showing the Way — welcome to worship on Christmas Eve
November 6, All Saints Sunday:
God’s Work. Our Hands
See the page under the “Ministries” tab for more information, and stories/pictures of multiple generations serving together!
2. Service/Learning Trip to Albuquerque
Next meeting: Monday, April 17 in the Youth Room or on Zoom at 6:30 pm. Join us! All ages are welcome; contact Deb Grupe for the Zoom link. We’ll talk about possible projects and get ready to launch our fundraiser, so that cost will not be a barrier to anyone’s attendance.
Our 2021 trip to Toledo with Service Learning Camps was a FABULOUS faith and friendship-building experience. Building on that success, we are now planning for Summer 2023. Our destination is Albuquerque, New Mexico; our dates are July 30 to August 4, and we’ll be working again with Service Learning Camps. All ages are welcome! Confirmation and high school youth may attend on their own; younger children are welcome to attend with a parent or grandparent. New information will appear here! Please don’t let costs deter you; we will be creative and find ways to make this affordable for all! Let Deb Grupe know if you want to join us or would like to know more!
