“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”   Mark 10:45

Jesus did not come to help those who help themselves, or to show a way of living by which we could try to save ourselves by serving God in a better way. He came to seek and to save the lost, and that, by giving his own life as a ransom for many.

On account of his faithful service to us, as those justified through faith in his blood, we are confident that nothing can separate us from the love of God in him. Our hearts are therefore freed from trying to justify ourselves before God and freed to love others, and our hands are therefore freed from trying to save ourselves and freed to love and serve our neighbors.

Individuals at Bethlehem make large differences in the lives of their neighbors. Yet, collectively we are able to help and assist many others. Some things we do together to assist our community:

* Food Pantry for those in need
* Clothing and Coat Drives
* Support for other human care ministries in Carson City and through LCMS World Relief and Human Care
* Other needs as they arise and we are able to fulfill
* Quilts for the Community

 Please consider supporting the ongoing mercy work of Bethlehem

Food Pantry

The Food Pantry is an outreach opportunity to assist church members as well as members of our community.

The Food Pantry is open Fridays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. If you are in need, please stop by and allow us to help.

If you need to pick up or drop off at another time, please call 775-882-5252 to make an appointment.

If you have food or other non-perishable items you wish to donate, please drop it off during the open hours or to the church secretary Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Missionaries

Bethlehem supports the body of Christ in the worldwide proclamation of the Gospel. Below are the missionaries we are currently supporting:

If you would like to donate to support any of our missionaries directly visit the link below or use the special envelopes available at Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Steve Massey

I have put my words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of my hand Isaiah 51:16

Afterschool program: Every day I lead a devotion. This past year we talked about the Geography of the Bible. One of the beautiful aspects of our faith is that it has verification in many scientific arenas. It is historical. Many Biblical characters are mentioned in non-Biblical writings. Our faith has archeological backing. One time Jesus said that if we remain quiet the stones would cry out. The stones are crying out and giving more support of the Bible. Finally, the places that are mentioned in the Bible can be found in the World today. But I digress, it was wonderful to be with the students on site once again after two years of visiting people in their homes due to restrictions.

 

 

Mission groups: We were blessed with three mission groups this year. St Peter in Columbus, Indiana came with a group of energetic high school students who worked to get help us with our school and afterschool program. Faith in Grand Blanc, Michigan reached out to the children in the village school in the morning and our afterschool program in the afternoon. A MOST (Mission Opportunities Short Term) Ministries group helped with a medical mission trip. They served the people in the village as well as Porvenir. I’ll tell you about that later. Besides these two groups, there were a couple individuals who ministered among us. Lisa Hellyer, Director of Engagement and Outreach for Lead a Child (www.leadachild.org), came to learn more of our ministry in the village so help share our story. Michael Graham, a former LCMS educational missionary, taught English in our afterschool program for over a month.

Village school: A wonderful opportunity arose this year. After the group from Faith, Grand Blanc, I was invited to teach English classes in the local public school. On Monday mornings, I taught English to the students in grades 1 through 6. This also opened up opportunities to pray for the opening of the school programs, be a judge for the Miss Santiago Zamora program, run in a school led race, play soccer with other teachers, and pray at the Graduation ceremony.

 

Porvenir: This village was replaced by the eruption of Volcan de Fuego in 2018. The people of Santiago Zamora ministered to them as they were living in shelters in a nearby town. Since they have returned to their homes, we have maintained contact with them: food and school supplies distribution, medical clinic and eye clinic. When our contact, Francisco Guerra heard about me teaching English in the public school, he made the contact with the principal of the elementary school in Porvenir. This year I will be teaching English classes one day a week in two villages.

 

 

Prayer requests:

  1. The Ministry of Education accepts our request to open our school.
  2. Our afterschool program- Our teachers, Marlene, Karen, Rosalina, and Silvia.
  3. Michael Graham who will be volunteering again from February to May.
  4. The Youth Group of St. Peter, Columbus, IN who will come in March (10-18)
  5. My son Marco in his schooling at Antigua Green School.
  6. Open hearts when the Gospel is shared.

 

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