Our Governor has issued an Emergency Order prohibiting mass gatherings
of 10 people or more in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
To comply with this order, Bethel Lutheran Church
will not provide public worship services until further notice.
We pray for God to bring this threat to an end
and bless us as we wait for a return to public worship.
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Please Remember to Pray
for...
1. Members of Bethel who have lost their jobs with this health and economic crisis.
2. Fred Fredrickson (brother to LaVonne Wier) who recovered from illness and
injury and has just been diagnosed with early stage pancreatic cancer.
3. The Lord to show his loving mercy by bringing this virus threat to an end.
4. The Lord to help believers stay strong in their faith and for the gospel to bring
new people to Jesus.
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"Peace to you!" from
Pastor Jon Cox
Thank you for visiting the Bethel website!
Bethel is a family of believers in the one true God. He has done all that the world needs to be saved from sin.
Jesus Christ, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Through faith in his life, death, and resurrection, all people may have forgiveness of sins and life in heaven.
No matter what troubles may confront us in this life, God promises to provide for all life, to care for his believers, and to work through all circumstances to bring about good for those who love him.
I have been a pastor since 1992, and have had the privilege to serve many people in various situations. I want to serve you too.
If you would like any spiritual or pastoral care from me, questions answered, prayers prayed, or just a listening ear, please call me on my cell phone or send an email message to me.
Pastor Jon Cox
608.582.9998
jon.nathan.cox@gmail.com
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Pastor James Mumm
Jim and Gail Mumm
608-781-1879 - dakota1940@centurylink.net
563 Court Road - Onalaska, Wisconsin 54650
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Faith Related Q and A
| During this COVID-19 period of isolation/shelter-in-place, could you please take us back to our Catechism instruction days and refresh us on (1) why for good order we ask our pastors to distribute Holy Communion as well as (2) who may do so in good conscience, especially in special circumstances like quarantine. I think it would be a timely topic for those craving the blessings of Lord's Supper while our churches cannot physically meet. Thank you.
This brief Catechism review will use the edition of Luther’s Catechism produced by Northwestern Publishing House in 2017.
“Why do Christians gather together in congregations? Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:42; 2 Peter 3:18.”
“How does God guide Christian congregations as they use the keys publicly? Matthew 18:20; Ephesians 4:11-12; Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 5:17; Matthew 16:19. God provides Christian congregations with leaders who are to faithfully guide the affairs of the congregation. Preaching and teaching God’s Word is one of the most important ways that they lead their congregations.”
“What are some ways in which a pastor serves the congregation that has called him? 1 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2-3; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; 2 Timothy 4:5; Isaiah 52:7; James 5:14; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. The pastor serves the congregation by leading the members in public worship, preaching and teaching God’s law and gospel, and counseling and encouraging the members with God’s Word. 1 Corinthians 14:40; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25. The pastor serves the congregation by administering the sacraments in an orderly way. Ephesians 4:11-12. The pastor serves the members of the congregation by training them with the Word of God, equipping them to serve their Savior.”
The Pastor Call Form used in our synod highlights these truths, as it charges pastors: “To preach the gospel of our Lord among us in its truth and purity, to administer the sacraments in accordance with the inspired Word of God and the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as incorporated in the Book of Concord of 1580, and to establish and maintain sound Lutheran practice at all times.”
Concerning special situations like quarantine, the latest Together newsletter provided this information: “Since restrictions on gatherings vary from place to place, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper will in some places need to be modified, depending on government restrictions and medical guidelines. Some congregations, if allowed by state and local authorities, are gathering in small groups and taking great care to practice good hygiene and recommended ‘social distancing.’
“In other places, even small gatherings are not allowed. There have been questions about how we should proceed when it comes to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper when members cannot gather at church.
“Regardless of the specific situation in which your congregation finds itself, here are a couple of things to remember. First, while Christians desire to be strengthened and comforted by the Lord’s Supper, we also recognize that there are times when the normal celebration of Communion is not possible. For Christians serving in a war zone, for church members who are in a medically induced coma, for believers who are home-bound because of sickness or infirmity, the normal celebration of the Lord’s Supper with other believers may not be an option. But in those cases we take comfort in knowing that we have the means of grace in two forms—Word and sacrament. The forgiveness conveyed and assured by the written or spoken Word of God is no less powerful and effective than the sacrament. In some cases, private Communion may certainly be available.
“Second, we also recognize that there is no scriptural definition or requirement for how frequently Christians should celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Jesus simply encourages us to receive the Lord’s Supper regularly and often. There may be times such as this that, temporarily, the Lord’s Supper may not be available as often as we would like or desire. For that reason, the Conference of Presidents is urging patience with the following advice:
“’We encourage our congregations at this time to reserve the distribution of the Lord’s Supper for its regular and normal use within the gathering of the body of believers (realizing that some changes in procedure may be made) or distributed privately by the pastor to individuals in need, as is the customary practice. We urge congregations to refrain from initiating novel approaches for celebration of the sacrament.’”
| How do Lutherans view the Virgin Mary compared to Catholics? Do they still honor her and love her?
We view Mary as the woman God graciously chose to give birth to Jesus Christ. Mary received that honor and privilege only because of God’s grace to her (Luke 1:26-38).
Roman Catholic Church teaching is that Mary entered this world as a baby without a sinful nature. The Bible does not teach that. The Bible teaches that all people born from a human father and a human mother are conceived and born in sin (John 3:6). Like all such people, Mary was in need of a Savior to forgive her sins. She recognized her sinfulness and need for a Savior (Luke 1:47). Roman Catholic Church teaching is that Mary did not commit actual sins. The Bible teaches that all people born from a human father and a human mother are guilty of sin (Psalm 14:2-3; Romans 3:23).
Roman Catholic Church teaching is that Mary remained a virgin after she gave birth to Jesus by not having sexual relations with Joseph. The Bible does not teach that. Roman Catholic Church teaching is that Mary’s body and soul went to heaven at the end of her earthly life. The Bible does not teach that. Roman Catholic Church teaching is that Mary is in a position to receive and answer prayers that are directed to her. The Bible teaches that any acts of worship, including prayer, are to be directed to God alone (Matthew 4:10; Revelation 22:9). Roman Catholic Church teaching speaks of a “saving office” of Mary. The Bible does not teach that. There is only one Savior and mediator between God and people: Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
When we hold to what the Bible teaches, we will understand that Mary was a person who received a great blessing from God in being the woman to give birth to the promised Savior. From the Bible, we will see that the Savior, Jesus Christ, came to save people from their sins, including Mary.
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| | » | WELS Connection - March 2020
OUTREACH CAMPS Many WELS congregations use kids summer Bible camps to build bridges to the gospel in their communities. In this edition of WELS Connection, see how Bethlehem Lutheran Church, a home mission in Richland Center, Wis., used a STEM camp to connect with young families in its neighborhood. Cast: WELS
| | » | WELS Connection - February 2020
NEW HYMNAL PREVIEW It’s been 495 years since the first Lutheran hymnal was published—it had just eight hymns. As God has blessed us with new music over the centuries, the hymnal has expanded and adapted for new communities. That process continues, with a new WELS hymnal coming out later next year. A preview of the hymnal is available now, leading up to Advent 2021 when the full hymnal—along with 17 volumes of companion materials—will be released. Learn more about what’s coming in the February WELS Connection. Cast: WELS
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Forward in Christ
| Special offer: April issue free
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