In This Issue...

Christmas is Coming!!!
‘Tis the season, to be jolly and to cele-
brate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Page 3

A Special Thank You

To all those who helped make this year’s
annual meatball supper a success.
Page 3

Church Movie Night

Come join us for pizza and a movie on
Saturday, December 29th.
Page 4

December 1, 2007

Word
The Bethlehem

Message from the Pastor
The other day I went to a funeral
for a colleague of mine. It was to
celebrate the life of the Rev. Dr.
Jerry Mosby who for many years
pastored Fellowship Covenant
Church in Bronx, NY. At one time
the church was one of the fastest
growing churches in the country.
This was the second funeral for a
colleague of mine this year—and
both were relatively young. Many clergy came to both
of these recent services—a situation not unlike the death
of a police officer or firefighter—there is a strong bond,
a solidarity with a “fallen” brother or sister.
The service in the Bronx was a different experience from
what I am used to and what most of you are used to in
church. The funeral service for this beloved pastor went
for the better part of three and a half hours. Perhaps
that is near par for the course in the African American
church. The choir sang a number of songs—this was a
choir that loved Jesus and their pastor—this was a choir
that wasn’t afraid to show they loved Jesus. They sang
with joy and conviction while at times tears were simul-
taneously streaming down their faces. The drummer
was about 12 years old and played like a pro. The church
was packed and although at several points it was a mov-
ing and heartbreaking service, it was also one of the most
gratifying, uplifting and downright “fun” worship expe-
riences I have ever had. Yes, you heard right—fun at a
funeral.
It was a long service but I didn’t mind. I never knew
Rev. Mosby personally either, but that didn’t matter. I
know I would have liked the man based on what was
said about him. I’m not talking about people making
him out to be a saint because it was his funeral and you
are supposed to say nice things. I’m talking about the
fact that he was a loving and devoted pastor and husband
and father; a man who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind;
one who wasn’t afraid to take action; a man who wasn’t
Continued on Page 2
Message from the Pastor
Continued from Page 2
afraid to love and who wasn’t afraid to die.
One story was told by a pastor who used to serve a
church in Connecticut. He asked Rev. Mosby to be a
guest speaker at a service and Rev. Mosby spoke on the
subject of stewardship and giving. He told the people,
“You don’t have a giving problem here, you have an at-
titude problem!” Giving did go up after that. J After
attending this service I got to thinking. Why is it that
some people will get up at 4am on “black Friday” to go
to the store to shop for things they think they have to
have, but those same people find it hard to make it to a
church service at 8 or 10 or 11am on a Sunday? Why do
some spend hours waiting in line for a store to open but
complain if the worship service goes long or even get up
and walk out if the sermon goes longer than usual?
I think some of us go to church because we think it’s
the “right” thing to do. We think God somehow smiles
on us because we are in church. We don’t want to get
real committed to church—after all, we don’t have the
time. We want to be members, but that doesn’t mean we
will attend regularly. We just need a place for a baptism,
wedding or funeral—a place to go in a time of despera-
tion or tragedy perhaps—like the sudden but short-lived
attendance spike after Sept. 11, 2001. We have an at-
titude problem. We give money occassionaly—most of
us about 2 or 3 percent of what we make—and those
are for the most part the “big givers.” Some give noth-
ing. Others who never come give every week or every
month—go figure.
We go crazy spending for the Christmas season. Many
are in debt already, but we “have” to buy things for peo-
ple. How else will they know we care? We couldn’t pos-
sibly take the time to tell them personally in a conversa-
tion or letter. One question that irks me this time of year
is: “Got your Christmas shopping done yet?” I feel like
replying, “No….why? Do I have to shop? If I don’t am
I un-Christian or un-American?” We spend (or waste?)
all kinds of money during the holidays and then get mad
if someone calls it “holidays” instead of Christmas. We
get mad because the person we give all our money to
won’t wish us “Merry Christmas”, only “Happy Holi-
days.” But by our own actions haven’t we already left
Christ out of the picture?
Rev. Mosby is right. Many of us have an attitude prob-
lem. We are too self-centered, especially younger people
like myself. We feel entitled. We shouldn’t have to give
much to church…the church should “give” to us. We
think the church exists to meet our needs, not that we
should strive to meet the church’s needs. God should
work for us, we shouldn’t have to work for Him. Balo-
ney. We have a “gratitude problem.” I mean think about
it—some of us eat out quite a bit and we usually tip 15%
or even 20% of the bill. Yet I’ve seen jaws drop when
a preacher mentions giving 10% to God’s work. People
think that is crazy. Some even stand up and say as much
in church. I on the other hand, among other things, think
it helps me better manage the rest of the 90% of my mon-
ey. Does that make me better than anybody else? Nope.
But it does mean that for me I will have a “Merry Christ-
mas” and not a “happy holiday.”
God bless,
Pastor Dave
Missions News
Angel Tree Ministry—gift tags will be available next
Sunday. These tags are for children in the immediate
area who have one or both parents in prison. Take a tag
and buy the gift and bring it to church. This is a chance
to give them and their parents strength, possibility of
trust, faith, love, and to show that someone cares. Help
restore brokenness and plant new memories of laughter
and joy and to make these children feel special.
The Missions Committee has set a date for the annual
Bethlehem & Angel Tree Children’s Christmas Party.
Dec. 16th 1-3pm. Santa’s elves will be there. The
Story of Christmas will be read, singing, games and
cookie decorating will be done. We hope all the children
will join us in this fun event.
On Dec. 15th we are planning a Women’s Christmas Tea.
We will be serving Teas from around the world, and spe-
cial little goodies that go along with a tea party. You will

Page 2
not want to miss this event. It will be fun, and festive....
Missions Soup Luncheon—Sunday December 9th fol-
lowing the worship service. Plan on staying for a hearty
soup, bread, dessert and coffee. For those who are at-
tending the theatre production “Bah Humbug” we will
leave immediately after the lunch as the production starts
at 2:00 PM.
Christmas is Coming!!!
Why the Advent Candles? Candles symbolize the Light
of God coming into the world through the birth of His
Son. The four outer candles represent hope, love, joy
and peace, all geared to telling the story of redemption
through God’s grace in the incarnation. The center can-
dle is white and is called the Christ candle. The central
location of the Christ candle reminds us that the incarna-
tion is the heart of the season, giving light to the world.
Each Sunday during Advent, previous candles are re-
lighted with an additional one lighted.
The light of the candles itself becomes an important
symbol of the season. The light reminds us that Jesus
is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of
our lives to bring newness, life and hope. It also reminds
us that we are called to be a light to the world as we
reflect the light of God’s grace to others (Isaiah 42:6).
The progression in the lighting of the candles symbol-
izes the darkness of fear and hopelessness receding and
the shadows of sin falling away as more and more light
is shed into the world. The flame of each new candle
reminds the worshipers that something is happening, and
that more is yet to come. Finally, the light that has come
into the world is plainly visible as the Christ candle is lit
on Christmas Eve, and worshipers rejoice over the fact
that the promise of long ao has been realized.
Upcoming Events at Bethlehem
Thursday Bible Study
Our Bible Study continues to meet on Thursdays
at 7pm. We usually go until about 8:15. We are
still working through the Gospel of John and
it has been a great study. We are almost done
with John and then the plan is to start a study of
the book of Acts. We hope to see you at church
Thursday nights! You can join us at any time
during this study and you still will benefit from
it—we love having new people join us.
Continued on Page 4
Thank You
A special thank you to all who helped with
meatball supper—and that is many of you.
The event was a wonderful success and I
have talked to people who heard about it af-
terwards and are disaapointed they missed
it but have it on the calendar for next No-
vember already. We raised well over
$1,400. Thanks to all who donated, helped
to prepare, cook, set up, etc.
- Pastor Dave
Page 3
Upcoming Events Christmas Eve Service
Monday, Dec. 24th at 4pm. Please plan to at-
Continued from Page 3 tend this wonderful service of scripture lessons
Church Board Meeting and Christmas carols as we celebrate the birth
The next church board meeting will be held on of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, December 11th at the church.

Meal with the Minister

Our next luncheon for this season will be held Updated Addresses
on Wednesday, December 12th at 12 noon. Pas- The following is an updated list of our church members
tor Dave will provide the soup/stew, chips and and friends who unable to attend church on a regular ba-
drink. If you would like to bring a dessert to sis. Let us remember them in our thoughts and prayers
share, please let Pastor Dave know. All who and with a note. Please let the pastor know if you are
can come are welcome, and if you need a ride, aware of others who should be on this list.
let us know and we can arrange that.
Mr. Irving Bergstrom
Movie Night 52 Missionary Rd.
Our next movie Pineview Apt. 5434
night will be Sat- Cromwell, CT 06416
urday Dec. 29th.
We will be watch- Mr. Lee & Mrs. Astrid Randall
ing “Freedom 10 Hall Street
Writers.” Hilary Webster, MA 01570
Swank stars as 508-943-0847
a young teacher
who inspires her Mr. Russell Lindquist
at-risk students 41 Kosta Street
in this moving Worcester, MA 01607
drama based on 508-753-5498
true events. Erin
Gruwell (Swank) Mrs. Claire Poirier
assigns her class 63 Hudson Avenue
an ambitious Grafton, MA 01519
project: While 508-839-0364
studying works
such as The Diary of Anne Frank, the kids keep Mrs. Doris Anderson
journals about their troubled lives, applying 667 Washington Street #225
history’s lessons to break the cycle of violence Auburn, MA 01501
and despair that threatens their futures. 508-832-5239

We will meet at 5:30pm for pizza and will start Mrs. Dagny Johnson
the movie around 6pm. The movie is 2 hours Life Care Center of Auburn
and we will have discussion following. “Free- 14 Masonic Circle
dom Writers” is rated PG-13. This is a power- Auburn, MA 01501
ful movie worth seeing. If you will be coming
for pizza, please sign up on the sign-up sheet in Continued on Next Page
the vestry prior to the event.

Page 4
Mr. Algot Ekstrom Mr. Michael Besaw
University Commons C/O Delbert Smith
378 Plantation St. P. O. Box 70436
Worcester, MA 01608 Worcester, MA 01607

Mrs. Lillian Ekstrom Mr. Carl & Mrs. Esther Werme

Notre Dame Du Lac 24 Briarwood Circle
555 Plantation Street, Apt. 327 Worcester, MA01606
Worcester, MA 01608 508-856-7232

Mrs. Myrtis Anderson Mr. Howard Cummings

Millbury Health Care Center Radius Health Care
321 Massasoit Road So. Main Street
Millbury, MA 01527 Millbury, MA 01527

Mr. Robert Thyden If you notice any omissions, please contact Pastor Dave
41 Lorna Drive at 508-752-1459 or dpope@bethlehemcc.org
Auburn, MA 01501

Happy December Birthday Happy January Birthday

Mark Fellion 1/1
Carl Werme 12/04
Johanna Thompson 1/1
Paul Swenson 12/11
Myrtis Anderson 1/5
Lillian Ekstrom 12/16
June Rice 1/5
Astrid Randall 12/18
Gordon Forsberg 1/8
Algot Ekstrom 12/26
Carl Thompson 1/13
Robert Thyden 12/30
Jeremy Leach 1/15
Amy Berg 12/31
James Zoulias 1/16
Eric Nordstrom 12/13
Rebecca Connor 1/17

Karen Anderson 1/25

If we forgot you in this month’s newsletter, please let us
know, so it can be correct for next time. Denise McGinley 1/30

Page 5
The Bethlehem
Word

The Deadline for the January newsletter is December 26, 2007

Bethlehem Covenant Church

46 Greenwood Street
P.O. Box 70629
Worcester, MA 01607-0629
(508) 752 - 1459