Worship: Saturday 5:30 pm Sunday 8 am & 10:30 am Wednesday 6 pm. Sunday School: 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Toddler Time: 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.

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1 Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Sheboygan Falls, WI Permit No. 11 Address service requested CONNECT WITH US Bethlehem Lutheran 1121 Georgia Avenue Sheboygan, WI WORSHIP & BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES Worship: Saturday 5:30 pm Sunday 8 am & 10:30 am Wednesday 6 pm Bible Studies: Saturdays 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Sundays 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Church: (920) infochurch@ourbethlehem.com School: (920) infoschool@ourbethlehem.com ourbethlehem Sunday School: 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Toddler Time: 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Pastor-led Bible Study Led by Pastor Kubow Mondays-6:30 pm Pastor-led Bible Study Led by Pastor Hartman Thursdays-7am All Bible Studies held in the Century Room ourbethlehem Rev. James L. Hartman Administrative Pastor Join us for Ash Wednesday and Lenten services See all the details inside Rev. Alan D. Kubow Associate Pastor Patrick Vanic Principal Lutheran Church Missouri Synod MEMBERSHIP Sheboygan Lutheran High School Association Sheboygan Area Lutheran Schools Association

2 See February Calendar on Website

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4 The Bethlehem Visitor February 2016 Lent: Spring Cleaning for God's People "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." (1 Peter 1:18-19) The phrase "spring cleaning" sounds a bit old-fashioned. But even in these busy times, we do find it necessary now and then to stop and do some major cleaning around our house or work space for survival's sake, if not for the sake of cleanliness. Cleanliness may be next to godliness, but the frantic, frenzied lives we live leave little time for either one. And it begins to show after a while. You can live with a certain amount of clutter in your house, but messy souls are another matter. Lent comes around each year to school us in repentance. You could call it a spring cleaning for the soul. That is why Lent is such a good thing. For forty days Christians are led on an annual pilgrimage with Jesus to His cross, through His bitter suffering and redeeming death, to His grave, and then on to His glorious resurrection. We call Lent a penitential season and rightly so. It is a time of repentance. But because repentance involves both sorrow for sin and faith in Jesus that brings forgiveness and new life, Lent is also a time of cleansing and renewal -- cleansing and renewal in Jesus, the Lamb of God. That is what we will be doing during our midweek Lenten services this year: airing out our souls, clearing out the clutter of our sin-filled hearts, tossing out the trash, and finding refreshment and renewal in the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, which cleanses us from all sin. Ironies of the Passion is the theme of our 2016 Lenten Midweek Sermon Series. The sermons are based on texts from the four gospels. The dictionary defines irony as: the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning, or, an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected. This year Bethlehem will be exchanging pulpits with Trinity, Town Wilson; St. Thomas, Waldo; Our Savior's; St. Mark, Belgium; and Good Shepherd. The holy season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10 th. Special midweek Lenten Services take place each Wednesday at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm. Soup Suppers will take place each Wednesday at 5:00 pm beginning on February 17 th (there is no Soup Supper on Ash Wednesday). Peace be with you! Pastor Alan Kubow

5 Midweek Lenten Worship Schedule (Each Wednesday Service is at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm) Ash Wednesday February 10th -- Solemn Holy Communion Luke 18:9-14 This Man Went Home Justified Rev. James Hartman Wednesday February 17th Luke 23:6-12 He Had Been Wanting to See Jesus Rev. Shane Cota, St. Thomas, Waldo; Trinity, Town Wilson Wednesday February 24th John 19:12-16 We Have No King But Caesar Rev. Marcus Powers, Our Savior's Wednesday March 2nd Luke 23:39-43 Don't You Fear God? Rev. Wayne King, St. Mark, Belgium Wednesday March 9th John 11:45-53 It's Better for One Man to Die for the People Rev. Christian Gugel, Good Shepherd Wednesday March 16th Matthew 26:1-5 Not During the Feast Rev. Alan Kubow

6 HOLY WEEK CALENDAR Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday - March 19 and 20 Blessing and Distribution of the Palms Responsive Reading of the Passion Holy Communion Wednesday in Holy Week - March 23 Readings focus on the tragic figure of Judas Worship with Holy Communion - 6:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday - March 24 Holy Communion - 6:00 p.m. Good Friday - March 25 Solemn Holy Communion - 1:00 p.m. Tenebrae Service of Darkness Holy Communion 7:00 p.m. Holy Saturday - March 26 The Easter Vigil with Holy Communion - 5:30 p.m. Easter Sunday - The Resurrection of Our Lord - March 27 Sunrise Holy Communion - 6:00 a.m. Festival Holy Communion - 8:00 a.m. Festival Holy Communion - 10:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast served in the Parish Activity Center 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

7 FEBRUARY NEWS Health Symposium Is your diet making you sick? How do you shop at the grocery store? Did you know about the hidden ingredients in our food? Are there natural ways to improve your immune system? Please join Tiffany Bierman Registered Dietician and Fitness Instructor, Lisa Hackbarth RN, BSN, TNS, RTS, Young Living Distributor, and Marla Wolfert from Prevea Gastroenterology on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 6:30pm in the Wolter Library to focus on staying healthy through the winter months the natural way. This will be sponsored by Thrivent as an action team. Refreshments will be served! RSVP by February 1 to Lisa at Altar Guild Meeting The Altar Guild will meet on Saturday, February 13 at 9:30 a.m. Songs of the Seasons Concert All are invited to the 16 th annual Songs of the Season concerts to be held Sunday, February 14 at First Congregational Church, 310 Bluff Avenue, Sheboygan, and Sunday, February 21 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1121 Georgia Avenue, Sheboygan. Both concerts begin at 2:00 p.m. Directed by Sandy Kasten and accompanied by Bill Born, the concert will take you on a musical journey through the church year. Bethlehem's Bellaires, under the direction of Jeff Behrens, and other instrumentalists will join the 45-voice choir at the Bethlehem concert. A free will offering will be taken to help defray the costs. Next Visitor Deadline If you would like to submit information for the March Visitor please have your information to the church office no later than Thursday, February 18, You can it to jodi.damrau@ourbethlehem.com or drop office in the church office with a note attached that it is for the February Visitor. Boston Store Coupon Booklets The Songs of the Seasons Concert Choir is again selling Boston Store coupon booklets for their Community Days sale. As a way to give back to the community, Boston Store allows non-profit organizations to sell the booklets as a fundraiser. The $5 donation for the booklet stays with the concert choir. The many coupons can help save money on personal items, wedding gifts, or birthday gifts. You can purchase the booklets from Sandy Kasten or any concert choir member. The sale takes place on February 26 & 27. Coupons can e used online as well as during the week before the sale, putting the purchases on lay away. Thank you for your support! Who Doesn t Like A Good Potluck? The Boards of Assimilation and Fellowship cordially invite you to our inaugural All Church Pot Luck to welcome our latest class of new members. Mark you calendar for February 28 and plan to join your fellow Bethlehemians (along with your dish to pass) in the Parish Activity Center following the 10:30 a.m. service. What a great opportunity for fellowship and to provide a hearty welcome for the latest additions to the Bethlehem family. Watch the bulletin board in the Century Room for photos of the current class and a sign up sheet. Questions? See David Ames or Sue Kubow. Soup Supper Volunteers Needed Lenten Soup supper will be starting February 17. We have (5) five Wednesday Lenten services (2/17, 2/24, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16) that will need to be covered. If your organization is interested in furnishing soup please contact Sue Kubow at or the church office.

8 GET YOUR CHILI/SOUP HERE! Carry Outs Only Annual Chili/Soup Event Saturday, February 6 & Sunday, February 7 Carry out a 32 oz. container of delicious chili or mouth-watering chicken soup, which includes: cheese, crackers and bars with every container, all for a cost of only $6.00 per container. Advanced tickets may be purchased before and after services on both Saturday and Sunday during the month of January or by calling Jackie Hasenstein at Pick up is scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2016 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 7, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There is free delivery to the homebound All proceeds will go to Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School This year we are doing this in memory of Earl and Peggy Zastrow, we all know how they worked so hard to make this event a big success each and every year.

9 LWML Calling All Knitters and Crocheters! The LWML is looking for ladies able to knit or crochet "Chemo Caps" for cancer patients. This is part of the South Wisconsin District LWML project culminating next spring. Help yourself to directions for either knitting or crocheting located in a green folder marked Chemo Caps in the LWML mailbox opposite the church office. Please return the completed caps to the mailbox or the church office by May 1st. Thanks for your help. LWML To Feature Yummy Topic Who doesn t like gingerbread? Well, on Tuesday, February 2nd at 7 p.m. in the Century Room, Bobbi Blacklock will present a topic entitled. A Gingerbread Bible study. Come and find out what fascinating connection there could be between gingerbread and the Bible. In addition, voluntary collections, will be taken to support the many worthwhile mission projects of LWML. For more information on these project, take a look at LWML literature which is displayed in the Century Room. See you on February 2nd. BETHLEHEM S CRADLE ROLL PROGRAM Exciting News for Bethlehem s Cradle Roll Program The current Cradle Roll Program will feature some new and exciting changes. For many years, several Visiting Moms have been delivering birthday gift bags to the young families that had baptisms at Bethlehem until the child s third birthday. In 2016 a new initiative will begin and Baptismal Birthday celebrations will take place on a quarterly basis at Bethlehem. As an example, all families who have a baptismal birthday in the first quarter of the year will have a celebration in March, At this time the family will be invited to a special presentation at the church service to acknowledge the baptismal birthday, and there will also be a coffee hour honoring them. This will continue to take place each calendar quarter for the remainder of the year. We are looking forward to this new adventure within the Cradle Roll program. If you would like more information about this program or would like to assist in any area, please contact Sharon McCormick at Luke 18:16: Jesus call the children to him and said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

10 BAPTISMS, DEATHS, MARRIAGES Fiona Marion Wolfert, daughter of Christopher J. and Marla Z. (Zimbal) Wolfert, baptized January 3, 2016 Estelle Ruth Zimbal, daughter of James R. and Laura A. (Tasche) Zimbal, baptized January 3, 2016 Margaret Elizabeth Zimmermann, age 86, passed away on December 30, 2015 Erin Mae Bintzler and Richard Charles Zimbal, wedding date December 31, 2015 STEWARDSHIP INFORMATION Step by Step. This is a concept of Consecrated Stewards. We know it is hard to trust the idea of tithing. It shouldn t be but we are human aren t we? Members of the Board of Stewardship are just like you. Some of us might already be tithing while others of us are working at it. Consider this idea? How about moving up a percentage or two per year? You could even break it up by doing four smaller increases each quarter to get up to your goal for the year. Think about it. Better still pray about it! Chad s Info MESSAGE FROM CONCORDIA PLAN SERVICES BETHLEHEM IS CURRENT!!! Congrats and thank you everyone at Bethlehem! We are still processing payments but the last payment we processed was the $15,000 on 12/29/15 which brought the account current through 12/31/15. I will absolutely move forward with having the credits placed on the account. Thank you again for all the hard work everyone has put in to bring the account current. Keith Capehart Billing Services Specialist Concordia Plan Services CONCORDIA PLAN

11 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION Pastoral Care When you are hospitalized, please notify the church office (of have a family member or friend notify us). Due to privacy laws the hospitals no longer contact the church. Please Notify Us If you have made any changes to your personal information, such as a new phone number, new address, etc. Please make sure that you notify the church office with your information by call or jodi.damrau@ourbethlehem.com. Thank you for your help. Personal Information Changes If you have changed your name, address, phone number etc. please notify the church office immediately with your information. You can call the church office at or jodi.damrau@ourbethlehem.com with your new/current information. Thank you for your help. Room Reservation Reminder Just a reminder to make sure that you let the church office know ASAP if and when you need to reserve a room so we can be sure that there are no conflicts. Thank you! Visit Us Online Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School is on Facebook.com. Look for updates and information by typing Bethlehem Lutheran School. For more school information, please visit us at our website, VISITOR SPONSORSHIP To help us defray expenses for producing and mailing our monthly newsletter, we have established a sponsorship program which includes a congregational contributor for a cost of $50 per year; and a commercial contributor for the cost of $120 per year. If interested, please drop off your payment or call the church office at Congregational Sponsors: Bev Fischer Lee & Bev Steffen Clifford & Gail Schlegel Fred & Ruth Fibiger Robert & Joan Osthelder Jim & Judy Heinecke Richard & Marjorie Hahn Advanced Disposal Ardyth Gross Anita Krimmel John & Jane Halverson Bob & Lori Gottowski Tim & Evie Grasse Leonard & Rogene Johnson Beverly Bauer Vi Gloede James Schmidt Roger H. & Sandy Fischer Commercial Sponsors: Advanced Comfort Systems Irish Roofing Al & Al s Steinhaus Keith Wyckoff Siding Services Boneck Printing Reinbold Novak Funeral Home Charcoal Inn

12 GREETERS SCHEDULE February 2016 February 6, 5:30 p.m. February 7, 8:00 a.m. February 7, 10:30 a.m. Jane Felten & Justin Welsch Mike & Shelley Scheele Juli Baird & Kaytlin Lampe February 13, 5:30 p.m. February 14, 8:00 a.m February 14, 10:30 a.m. Dick & Betty DeYoung Dan & Malou Blackburn Jeanne Chorowicz & April Holler February 20, 5:30 p.m. February 21, 8:00 a.m February 21, 10:30 a.m. Mary Jo Cyr & Todd & Easton Bauer JoAngela Klima & Jackie Stenson Lorraine Hermann February 27 5:30 p.m. February 28, 8:00 a.m. February 28, 10:30 a.m. Ben & Gwen Engelhardt Alice Brown & Kathy Fricke Deb & Justin Landgraf March 2016 March 5, 5:30 p.m. March 6, 8:00 a.m. March 6, 10:30 a.m. Joan Strohschoen Darlene Nardi Jeff & Lana Holler Lewis Hartmann Irene Nelson Thank you all for serving the Lord as greeters. Your smiles and handshakes make everyone feel welcome. If you can t greet on your scheduled day and time, please call or me and I ll do my best to replace you. My phone number is and my is grandmatito@yahoo.com. Thank you

13 THANK YOU FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I wanted to come before the congregation today to share some wonderful news that is truly a blessing from Almighty God. Several months ago you received a letter sharing the fact that Bethlehem was facing a crisis situation and that the Concordia health and benefits plans for our faculty and staff was $125, in arrears and Concordia had informed us that they would cancel our coverage if this is not addressed immediately. Over these past few months you in thanksgiving to God for His many blessings have shown your love for our church and our school and through your ongoing generosity have caused this financial crisis to come to an end. As you may have seen from a blurb in the bulletin insert, this past week we received notification from Concordia that we are fully current in our benefit payments. As a result, they will be crediting us 6 months worth of late fees. On behalf of the Planning Council we would like to thank everyone who prayerfully considered what the Lord was calling her or him to do. God is good & Bethlehem has once again come through. We ve also been asked many times, how can we prevent this from happening in the future. Here are a few things: First, if everyone can contribute 3% more as part of their weekly offerings, we can cover all our 2016 expenses without a special appeal. So, if you are able to contribute $20/ week, please consider giving $ If you give $100, please consider giving $103. Seemingly small changes by everyone will make significant differences. Giving above and beyond 3% will help us pay off any other debts and support missions. Second, unlike ski hills and the ice fishing season, we remain open in summer. During these times, we begin to fall significantly behind. We understand summers in Wisconsin are short and beautiful, and people want to take advantage of them. To help with this situation, we offer a program called Joyful Response. This program will allow you to contribute electronically however you choose and the amount you choose. You are still welcome to contribute more as you are moved to. Please consider signing up for this program as it will ease the summer impact. Information is available in the back of the church. Also, please try to attend as you are able during these times for your spiritual health. Third, buy Scrip. By the way - our Scrip team is awesome. Once again, thanks to the entire congregation for the support. We are blessed.

14 UPCOMING MARCH EVENTS Trivia Night Is Coming Back! Mark your calendars for Friday, March 18th as Trivia Night will be returning for Gather friends, family, brainiacs, or whomever you find to put a team together. Details will be forthcoming, so watch the News and Notes, and the March Visitor for all the details. Annual Easter Breakfast Bethlehem s annual Easter breakfast will be served immediately following the Easter sunrise service and will continue until 10:00 a.m. As in previous years, the cost of the breakfast will be a free will offering. Cash donations toward the event can be made through the church office or placed in an envelope marked Easter Breakfast Donation and placed in the collection plate. Donations of baked goods are welcomed and appreciated and can be brought into the kitchen on Saturday morning, March 26 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. We are once again in need of manpower to help Saturday with setup and prep from 9 a.m. until noon. Also to cook and serve in the kitchen on Easter morning starting at 5:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Volunteers do not have to stay the entire morning, all help is welcome. Students and youth groups members will be needed to serve and bus tables. Working this event will qualify for service hours. The menu includes scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, sausage links, fruit, baked goods, milk, juice and coffee. We will also be again having the egg topping table! The Easter breakfast has a strong tradition at Bethlehem. Please consider donating your time and talents to help keep the tradition going. If you can help, please contact the church office or Megan Boerger at We encourage you to join us for this special fellowship gathering. BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL INFO Bethlehem s Community Open House Mark your calendars for Monday, February 15 and Wednesday, February 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Families will have the opportunity to see the school and view classes in session. If you are interested contact the school office at or infoschool@ourbethlehem.com to RSVP and schedule a time for a tour. Bethlehem is a 3K to Grade 8 school and is open to all students in the community. Basketball Advertising Sponsors Needed If you would like to place an advertisement in the Bethlehem Girls basketball tournament booklet, please contact Jon Krueger at jon.krueger@ourbethlehem.com or no later than February 18. Prices range from $35-$80 and this depends on the size of your ad. Last year over 100 booklets were distributed.