This Week from Pastor Merle
This weeks reading: “From Hosanna to Crucify Him”

April 16th will be my final Sunday to be with you in worship. You can read my resignation letter here.

Stewardship Notes from the Pastor

"The Currency of Wellness"

Holy Week
THU 4/6   The Three Days: Maundy Thursday
7 PM        Holy Communion, with foot-washing and
                 stripping of the altar

FRI 4/7     The Three Days: Good Friday
12:15 PM Good Friday Mid-Day Devotion (choral)
7 PM        Good Friday Liturgy, with the Passion
                according to St. John

SAT 4/8    The Three Days: Holy Saturday
8:16 PM   The Great Vigil of Easter (begins at nightfall)    
                 (incense will be used at this service)
10:30 PM  Champagne Reception (after the Easter Vigil)

SUN 4/9    The Day of Resurrection: Easter Day
8 AM         Holy Communion
9:30 AM    Easter breakfast, sponsored by the Bethel Youth
11 AM       Holy Communion

ADULT FORUM
The Adult Forum will resume on the Sunday after Easter.

April 16 - This will be Pr. Merle’s last Adult Forum presentation with us as he completes his interim ministry at Bethel.  Concluding his series on the parables, he asks “Are there any that disturb or bother you?” Some of the parables that he will discuss with us are these: 

• The Parable of the Sower.  "Is this about the seed, or the soil?"
• The Parable of the Generous Vineyard Owner. "So, working harder gets you no considerations?"
• The Parable of the "Friend" at Midnight and the Parable of the Unjust Judge.   "I don't get what I need because I'm a good neighbor or a nice little old lady, but rather because I'm persistent and obnoxious?"  

April 23 - Bethel member Kristina Stierholz will reflect on her personal “Journey of Spiritual Exploration.”

April 30 - Dr. Leigh Schmidt, Washington University Distinguished Professor in the Humanities and faculty at the Danforth Center on Religion and Politics, will lead a presentation and discussion on “Being Spiritual but not Religious or Church-Goers.”

Easter Breakfast!
Join us for our traditional Farmer’s Casserole (both meat and vegetable options), Easter eggs, bacon, freshly baked pastries and other sweets, fruit salad, juice, coffee and tea. We’ll plan to serve between services (around 9:30 to 10:45).

Bethel’s Baseball Pancake Breakfast 
Saturday, April 15 at 8:00 a.m.

New this year!!! Cardinals Tickets to be Auctioned beginning at the Easter Breakfast! Don’t miss out!!!
Here’s what will be offered at the breakfast:

• Delicious pancakes and bacon
• 20+ sets of baseball tickets to be auctioned
• Insightful analysis of the Cardinals’ 2023 season with Tom

Ackerman, KMOX Sports Director

• Donations for beds and basic medical/delivery supplies for a small maternity building in the village of Oliopiri, Tanzania, Africa
• Friends, fellowship and fun!!!

#FewerPlasticforLent:
Body and Hair Care Swaps 
This week, I am sharing some different swaps that I have done in my own life around hygiene products. Over the last couple years, I have been making swaps and trying new products. In that time, I have switched over to shampoo and conditioner bars. They are great for the health of my hair and save plastic and money. I order mine from Mount Royal Soap Co. in Baltimore but there are options for buying locally including at Fillgood on Solano, Ave. The bars come in metal tins for easy travel or you can order them in compostable bags. When I was using regular shampoo and conditioner, I had to buy new bottles every two months as it took more product to manage my curls. These bars usually last me 3-4 months. The switch saves me around $5 a month, which isn’t a lot but it adds up!

While that is the main switch, there are other swaps that make things easier. I use bar body soap and refillable hand soap that saves me money and plastic. I am definitely no expert, and I have just started doing the swaps that I can afford and make sense for the needs in my life. There are endless swap options like reusable cotton rounds, bamboo toothbrushes and more. If there are other swaps or recommendations that you have, I would love to hear about them!

By Katie Evans, PLTS Green Justice Seminary Team and MA student in Climate Justice and Faith Concentration

Learn about St. Louis recycling by reading Where Does Our Recycling Go?

Albuquerque Service Learning Trip

Interested in some cross cultural learning and service alongside some of Albuquerque’s residents? We still have room for more people for our service learning trip, July 30-August 4. All ages are welcome! Those in grades 6 and up may attend on their own or with family members; younger than grade 6 are welcome with their adult family member/s. We are also working to make this an affordable experience for all. Our next meeting will be via Zoom on Thursday evening, April 20 at 7pm. Please contact Deb Grupe for more information or the Zoom link.

Moon Over Buffalo
Come enjoy Avery and Haven White’s performances in this comedy at Brentwood High School on April 13, 14 and 15 at 7pm. Tickets are $10 at the door for adults, $5 for students. Please note: due to some promiscuous behavior and off-color language, “viewer discretion is advised.” While it doesn’t officially have a designated rating, PG-13 has been suggested. 

Congregation Council Minutes
Summary of the March 13, 2023 meeting.

Join The Eastern Missouri Conference And The Lutheran School Of Theology For A Day Of Education On Diversity And The Doctrine Of Discovery
Keynote Speaker: Vance Blackfox–Vance Blackfox, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, is ELCA director for Indigenous ministries and tribal relations. Join us as we learn the history and power analysis of the Doctrine of Discovery and why this is existential for Christians.

Visit the website to register and for more information.