Thursday, August 31, 2023

Lutherans in Maui Assist with Fire Response


A street in Lāhainā on the island of Maui, Hawaii, reflects damage on Aug. 15 from the Maui wildfire. (U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster)

On Aug. 8, a wildfire near the village of Lāhainā on the island of Maui, Hawaii, rapidly spread out of control, part of a larger series of wildfires plaguing the island. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but like other recent fires on the island, it was fed by extremely dry conditions and high winds. A week later, the lives lost number more than a hundred, with hundreds more still unaccounted for.

On Aug. 15, the Rev. Michael Lange, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) California-Nevada-Hawaii (CNH) District, sent an email update to the CNH District with the question: “What message do we bring to those so much in need of care and love?”

Lange answered that they need to hear that they have a God “who is Emmanuel (God with us)! He is with you and for you! We are the body of Christ, walking, loving, living, and sharing with those in need.”

Lange reported that Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School in Kahului, Maui, was not directly impacted by the fire (one or two families from the school were minimally affected), but that Emmanuel members are serving “as God’s hands and feet to the people of Maui. They are Christ’s ambassadors and bear the presence of the Savior. Pray for their strength and care as they walk beside many in great need.”

By Cheryl Magness

Read more, here.

Bethany Lutheran Church
1011 Ulatis Drive
Vacaville, CA
(707) 451-6675
mychurch@gobethany.com
Website


 

Monday, August 28, 2023

Memory Verse: 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17

The church confesses to Christ, “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). The church is encouraged to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ...” (Col. 3:16). Psalm 1 teaches us to meditate on God’s Word day and night. It is our great opportunity and joy to read and study God’s Word. One beneficial practice is to memorize the Scriptures and, in so doing, to meditate on it. 

The LCMS invites everyone to memorize a verse together each week.

This week’s memory verse: 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17

 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Bethany Lutheran Church

1011 Ulatis Drive
Vacaville, CA
(707) 451-6675
mychurch@gobethany.com
Website

Friday, August 25, 2023

The Counselor's Toolbox: On Martin Luther's Prayers


As biblical counselors, is the Bible our only resource for counseling?

In this series of videos, David Powlison answers this complex question and shares some secondary resources, grounded in Scripture, that are instructive and helpful for counseling.

Bethany Lutheran Church
1011 Ulatis Drive
Vacaville, CA
(707) 451-6675
mychurch@gobethany.com
Website

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

FAQS : Where are you located?

We are at 1011 Ulatis Drive in Vacaville, CA. For those of you who are familiar to Vacaville, it’s rather simple. We are across the street from the Vacaville Cultural Center at the corner of Ulatis and Harbison Drives. For those not familiar with Vacaville, we are minutes off of I-80 taking either the Allison Drive (EB I-80) exit or Nut Tree Drive (WB I-80) exit to Allison.  [East bound travelers may turn right onto Allison Drive; whereas, west bound travelers will want to turn left onto Allison Drive, going over the freeway. Proceed to Ulatis to then turn left at the light. Continue past the school to the next light after Harbison Drive and make a u-turn to allow access to the front parking lot. (It’s actually much simpler than it reads.)

Bethany Lutheran Church
1011 Ulatis Drive
Vacaville, CA
(707) 451-6675
mychurch@gobethany.com
Website

Saturday, August 19, 2023

MISSION & SLO

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO’s) Rubric

Graduates of Bethany Lutheran School will be prepared to be:

A.    Active Christians

  • A1. They will look to the Bible for guidance and growth, upholding its teachings.
  • A2. They will serve God, home, church, school, and community.
  • A3. They will respect and maintain their bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit.
B.    Productive and socially responsible citizens
  • B1. They will collaborate to accomplish tasks as members of a group.
  • B2. They will exemplify good citizenship and social skills.
  • B3. They will recognize and respond to the needs of their community.
C.    Effective and self-expressive communicators
  • C1. They will receive, process, and respond to information in clear and appropriate ways.
  • C2. They will utilize various technological resources.
  • C3. They will experience, participate, and creatively express themselves through the arts.
D.    Critical thinkers
  • D1. They will collect, analyze, interpret and evaluate information.
  • D2. They will formulate and implement plans of action addressing challenges and opportunities.
  • D3. They will learn to work collaboratively in groups of two or more to arrive at critical and logical conclusions.
Bethany Lutheran Church
1011 Ulatis Drive
Vacaville, CA
(707) 451-6675
mychurch@gobethany.com
Website

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Sunday, August 13, 2023

The Foundation of Bethany Lutheran School

Bethany Lutheran School (BLS) is committed to provide a 21st century education for our students and to share Jesus’ amazing love. Our students are learning, practicing, and applying the skills of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity in reading, science, math, history, writing, arts and biblical study while wrestling with worldview; these are all foundational to becoming a self-reflective member of society. In the interest of developing the whole child, all students also receive instruction in music and physical education.

The Bethany Lutheran Church congregation had a vision to build a Lutheran elementary school as an extension of its ministry to the Vacaville and surrounding communities.  The involvement and support of the church congregation continues, as it works with purpose to nurture in each person an active, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  What began as a Preschool serving the community since 1974 has now extended into a full-service education through the eighth grade.

We have been blessed with a wonderful staff who continues to guide each child to receive the education needed to be successful in the future.  We look forward to meeting with you about how any of our ministries may be of service to your family!

Bethany Lutheran Church
1011 Ulatis Drive
Vacaville, CA
(707) 451-6675
mychurch@gobethany.com
Website

Thursday, August 10, 2023

What people are saying about Bethany Lutheran School

“Our son is showing significant improvements in all areas of life thanks to being back in school, and in a school that cares for their students. I am amazed with your program and, our son will continue going there as long as y'all will have him. I hope to never put him back in public school. Thank you all for everything you do!"

 – Will Spinetti, Parent

“Hope this reaches the donor who donated to Bethany Lutheran School. Because of your generous donation, my son is able to attend a private, faith-based school at half tuition. It was truly a gift. He had the best first day of school and, I hope to one day be able to pay it forward."

– Elizabeth Selby, Parent

“Bethany is more than ‘just a school’. It is an extension of family. I am able to serve my country knowing that my children and family are secure in the Bethany Family. I am able to focus on my duty to defend our country because my family has a strong network available to them if needed.”

– Chris Thrasher, Parent

Make a Donation Now

Bethany Lutheran Church
1011 Ulatis Drive
Vacaville, CA
(707) 451-6675
mychurch@gobethany.com
Website

Monday, August 7, 2023

Afternoon Session — Monday, July 31


LCMS National Convention — Milwaukee • Baird Center

Bethany Lutheran Church
1011 Ulatis Drive
Vacaville, CA
(707) 451-6675
mychurch@gobethany.com
Website

Friday, August 4, 2023

Our Electives Grades 5 – 8

Life Skills – This course incorporates both academic skills and daily living skills that are necessary to participate as independently as possible in the community as Christian and a valued member of society. Learning to overcome obstacles, dealing with life in general are a few of the skills you will learn during the course of the semester in this informative, activities based, and life skills class. We will cover topics such as how to balance a checkbook, how to properly do laundry and ironing, how to get along better with family and friends, and so much more. This class will give you much needed information to help in life now and the future.

Robotics – This course introduces students to the working principles of robotics with applications for film production using robotics. Students will explore fun applications, such as robotic soccer and robotic drawing by controlling a single robot out of the box, and continue on to multiple robot applications aided by a graphical user interface and computer programming using the C/C++ interpreter Ch. Students write robotics programs to perform various tasks with applications for the RoboPlay competition. With robots, students explore their creativity in writing, art, music, choreography, design, video editing and film production. This course emphasizes hands-on robotics activities to explore applications of robotics to gain effective communication and team work skills.

Art Appreciation – This course is an exploration of visual art forms and their cultural connections for the student with little experience in the visual arts. It includes a brief study of art history, and in-depth studies of the elements, media, and methods used in creative thought and processes. Students will also have the opportunity to explore cultural art through virtual trips using Google Cardboard and other V-R devices.

Disciple Buddies – As an extension on the Christian doctrine, and chapel program, Disciple Buddies offers the middle school students an opportunity to grow their faith. Students will gather in faith groups on occasion with parents and teachers leading a discussion, bible exploration, or time of prayer.  We pray that the Holy Spirit works through our mentors as they live and speak authentically of their own spiritual walk.  Also, monthly throughout the school year, many of our middle school students will mentor a dedicated elementary school “buddy” from the primary school. Through our one-campus model, our older students will serve as mentors for our younger students.  Classes may pair up and have “book buddies” for the year.   Certain activities lend themselves to needing the help and guidance of older students providing a chance for unstructured mentoring relationships.  Our staff can identify these opportunities and facilitate the pairing of a student mentor with a student who could benefit.

Teacher’s Assistant (TA) – Allows students to assist a teacher with one or more classes. Some of the tasks include assisting students with their work, working one-on-one with younger students, making copies, and taking time to learn some of the nuances of what an educator does on a daily basis.

Cooking 101 – This course offers an introduction to the culinary arts. Students learn about basic cooking equipment and menu planning: including vegetable chopping and paring; how to make salad, vinaigrette, and other easy no-cook dishes; how to roast garlic and root vegetables; how to prepare delicious pasta; how to sauté and roast meats and more; and how to make desserts in minutes. Hungry yet

Digital Photography – Students will be introduced to the basic technology necessary for the production of their art work, as well as learning about the visual arts, how to look at and critique photography, photographic vocabulary, using tools such as framing, composition, “rule of thirds", light, texture, pattern, lines, symmetry, depth of field, distance, perspective, culture, space, balance, color and black and white photography, and be introduced to many works by well-known photographers.

Forensics – Introduction to the application of scientific methods for the examination of physical evidence in the criminal justice system; an overview of the forensic analysis of firearms, fingerprints, drugs, blood, hair, fibers, paint, glass, arson debris, etc.

Agriculture – This course has been designed to create an awareness, provide introductory experiences, and develop an understanding of all areas of Agricultural Sciences. This course allows students to develop knowledge and skills regarding career opportunities, personal development, globalization, industry standards, details, practices, and expectations. To prepare for success, students need to have opportunities to learn, reinforce, experience, apply, and transfer their knowledge and skills in a variety of settings.

Honors Technology / Multimedia Design – This will be the first course offered as an Honors leveled course at Bethany Lutheran. Students who desire to be in this course must apply in the fall for Spring consideration. This course is designed as a semester-long, hands-on, project-oriented class which introduces STEM principles, concepts and guidelines so that the students engage in current topics related to industry standards and practices. The Honors Technology course will be open to students who have successfully completed or demonstrated a high level of knowledge of basic and elementary computing practices such as keyboarding, basic coding, and web design. Students will have also maintained above average grades in their previous technology courses. The course is designed to teach students the advanced features within the Microsoft Office Suite, Web Design, coding, and an introduction to Visual Basic. Students will also hone their skills by developing high end digital media driven projects which consist of photography, video, and audio. In addition to the academic rigor of the course, students will participate in a major collaborative final project with other students and teachers from varying departments such as Science and/or English. Each student will also participate in a trimester collaborative STEM project with their Science and Math classes.

1011 Ulatis Drive
Vacaville, CA 95687
Phone: 707.451.6683
(K-8th) Email: myschool@gobethany.com
*To schedule a (K-8th) Tour:
Please call 707-451-6683

Website

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Diversity in Electives

One of the most important components of an educational program, is the ability to offer diversity within the course matrix. While striving to provide a high quality academic program, we realize that electives are essential in building that diversity. Bethany Lutheran is proud to offer our students a very rich and diverse elective program. Electives are typically courses that fall outside of the main core academic subject areas (English, math, history, science and foreign language). Electives may reflect a teen’s interests, introduce or improve skills, or be directly related to a future career. Electives do not require as much time or work as a core course, but include educational content.

Our elective courses are comprised of 6 to 8-week modules, which allows the student to experience a variety of new and challenging courses while learning new skills. The courses will be provided to students in grades 5 – 8. Although each student will have an opportunity to take an elective course, they may not be able to participate in each one that is offered due to their own individual academic course offering.

See more, here.

1011 Ulatis Drive
Vacaville, CA 95687
Phone: 707.451.6683
(K-8th) Email: myschool@gobethany.com
*To schedule a (K-8th) Tour:
Please call 707-451-6683

Website