A Monthly Newsletter Linking the Ministries of Bethany Lutheran and Lost Island Lutheran Churches to keep members and friends informed.

Transcription

1 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION 703 BROADWAY U.S. POSTAGE PAID EMMETSBURG, IA EMMETSBURG, IOWA Address Service Requested PERMIT #2 A Monthly Newsletter Linking the Ministries of Bethany Lutheran and Lost Island Lutheran Churches label A Monthly Newsletter Linking the Ministries of Bethany Lutheran and Lost Island Lutheran Churches to keep members and friends informed. Bethany Lutheran Church: Lost Island Lutheran Church Facebook: Bethany/lostislandparish Church office hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:00AM - 12:00 PM Pastor F. Peter Morlock bethanypastor22@gmail.com or Office Secretary: Diane Clasing-Steger ; offsecr@gmail.com Financial Secretary: Carla Firkins luthsecr@gmail.com Youth Director: Kristin Rienhardt Kristin.Rienhardt@blc.edu Bethany organist: Janis Campbell Lost Island organist: Tim Nielsen Lost Island Worship 8:45 AM; Sunday School 10:15 AM Bethany Worship: Sunday 10:30 AM; Sunday School 9:30 AM Sept-May 12 FROM OUR PASTOR Ah here we are at the cusp of Advent. (As I write this, it is not yet Thanksgiving,) All too soon we are approaching the threshold of December and all that it brings. The child within me still rejoices in this season and all that it brings...the special treats...the music; the joy of selecting just the right gift for the folks on your list...and yes, at least until New Years I also enjoy a bit of snow on the ground. *(NOTE- After New Years it can go away! But alas I am not in charge of such things.)* But before we get to all that stuff...we need to engage in the Pause of Advent. In a society that wants us to rush from one Holiday to the next- the season of Advent bids us pause. We are invited to sit, and wait; to take some time- time to focus on what really matters- time to sit and wait with God. This may be a bit tough because we already know what's coming- we already know WHO has come. But Advent also proclaims that for which we wait to come again. We live in that tension that the Apostle Paul calls "the already, and the not yet," and we would do well to remember that this season and that to come is not simply a remembrance of what has already happened in history, but also a proclamation of what is to come. Advent is a statement of Hope, and the season rings with themes of Light overcoming darkness, joy overcoming sorrow, and anticipation of Immanuel God with us and all that does mean, and will mean. I invite you to be intentional in taking some time to sit with this Advent season and not get too stressed about the season. Savor the texts of the season, which speak of the Hope that will not disappoint. Savor the hymns that speak of longing, and waiting. Spend some time with the Word and the Hymns...Spend time with God in prayer and devotion...sit...and Wait. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it. (Isaiah 40:5) Pastor Peter 1

2 NOVEMBER 2017 Bethany Lutheran Church Treasurer s Report Attendance average: 122 MONTHLY BUDGET NEEDS: $13, IN OUR PRAYERS: We remember those in special need of God s love and care including: Deb Zanfes, Owen Finer, Rhonda Bakken, Wilma Nielsen, Bonnie Anderson, Dennis Mandsager, Kort Freeman, Lois Jurries, Heide Rienhardt, Margaret Sloan, Garwin Anderson, Lois Quam, Pastor Trudy Peterson, Karyn Davis, Rod Snavely, Bob & Janet Mortenson, Lucille Anderson, Norma Larson, Richard Omundson and those we name in our hearts. *Our missionary: Courtney Davis in Papua New Guinea (now on furlough) *Our companion synods: The Southern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania-Yakobi Parish, companion with Lost Island and the Evangelical Lutheran Church Laz-Paz Parish in Chile, companion with Bethany. MONTHLY BEGINNING Verna Hanson Darlene Johnson Dennis & Sherrie Mandsager Janet & Bob Mortenson, Sr Sheryl & Bob Mortenson, Jr Cory & Tammy Mortenson Beverly Norland Joe & Terry Neary Doug & Sherri Ort YEAR TO DATE BUDGET BALANCE (10,251) INCOME Offerings 9,973 13, , ,967 Lost Island 5,200 2,600 28,600 31,200 Miscellaneous Income FUNERAL SERVERS FOR GROUP III Lon & Linda Twait, Mike & Pam Hermansen-Co-Chairpersons Phil Andreasen Alice Christensen Scott & Brenda Carrigan Betty Edwards Shirley Ezarski Cory & Stacie Fjetland Dawn Freeman Joyce & John Froisland Greg & Rachel Haack Nancy & Bill Ziegler MONTHLY YEAR TO DATE BUDGET BALANCE Sunday School Total Income Tonya Peterson Deb & Dan Quamme Jason & Laura Reinders Brian & Greta Rouse Paul & Teresa Saxton Ted & Linda Strohman Greg & Ann Sween Roger Will Steve & Amy Woodruff 15,173 16, , ,167 Personnel Expenses 7,080 10, , ,618 Program Expenses ,704 5,148 Office Expenses 1, ,633 5,962 Property Expenses 1,383 1,758 21,910 19,338 Western IA Synod ,935 3,212 Damascus Road NO ELCA Donations TOTAL EXPENSE 10,904 13, , ,741 Income Less Expenses 4,269 3,166 2,488 EXPENSES MEMORIALS Noisy offering for December will be going to the OBI Agency GENERAL FUND BALANCE 37,426 (5,982) Noisy Offering from November was for the Adopt-A-Family and we were able to go shopping with little over $92. If you have any questions concerning the finances of the church please feel free to call me at home in the evenings. Thanks! Carla (November 30th payroll is not included in these figures) The Youth s Soup Dinner was a hit. You folks donated almost $361. Bethany would like to encourage online monetary offerings. The local Emmetsburg banks each provide a FREE online bill pay service which can arrange recurring weekly or monthly payments. If you need more information, contact your local Emmetsburg bank at your earliest convenience. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN YOUR GIVING! 2 11

3 Coffee and Christmas Goodies after the Concert GLENN HENRIKSEN CONCERT Sunday, Dec 10, 2017 At 2:00 PM Bethany Lutheran Church 703 Broadway Emmetsburg Free will offering A note from Vicar Sarah: We are entering into a new season within the church, and with it we are also entering into a new church year. The calendar of the church begins with the season of advent, which is the four week leading up to the celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas. Advent is a time of anticipation, a time for longing, hoping, and praying for the coming of Christ. As children, we likely felt this anticipation as we longed for Christmas morning, to see the stockings filled and toys under the Christmas tree with our names on them. As adults, the season of Advent can sometimes not seem long enough, long enough to get our Christmas gifts purchased, long enough to get the decorations hung just right, or long enough for us to prepare ourselves for the hustle and bustle that we know accompanies the days surrounding Christmas. This is the reality of our lives today, this is the result of the consumerization of Christmas and often we ourselves can get swept up into the midst of it all it is easy to do. But the season of Advent is a time to wait, a time to pray, a time to anticipate yes, but to anticipate the coming of the Christ child. The one who has come to deliver us, who is and always will be the best present ever received at Christmas or any other time. As we take this next few weeks to ponder this wondrous gift, let us pray together for the hope that comes only from Christ, in the words of one of my favorite Advent Hymns, Come Now, O Prince of Peace: Come now, O Prince of Peace, make us one body. Come, O Lord Jesus, reconcile your people. Come now, O God of love, make us one body. Come, O Lord Jesus, reconcile your people. Come now and set us free, O God, our Savior. Come, O Lord Jesus, reconcile all nations. Come, Hope of unity, make us one body. Come, O Lord Jesus, reconcile all nations. How can we live out this prayer in this season of Advent? We have hope in the promise of Christ s return, and the part that we shall play in our reconciliation with the world around us is by feeding those who are hungry, clothing those who are naked, welcoming the stranger in our midst, and visiting those who are sick or who are in prison. Reconciliation Preparation Anticipation Welcome to the season of Advent, let us wait in awe and wonder as we approach the celebration of Christ s birth. Vicar Sarah 10 3

4 Dear Brothers and Sisters, The year is winding down but the church year is just beginning. The advent season is here and the Messiah is coming. Looking back on the last month: The SACK kids brought the 500+ food items to the Upper Des Moines Food Shelf. Thanks again for all that helped out in some way with that drive. We took the kids shopping for toys, books, and games for kids in the Upper Des Moines- Adopt A Family Program. The SACK kids continued learning about the Fruits of the Spirit. They can surely sing you a little song, whether that is the Fruits of the Spirit song or a verse put to a tune to remember! The COOL kids have been going through the LIFE in 6 WORDS. God Our Sins Paying Everyone Life and what the Gospel as a whole means for our lives. The LIFE kids have spent time in reflective worship, watching videos, having discussions, and praying for their peers as we dove into how the Cross, how Jesus changes everything and how we can often use Jesus as a vending machine. We use Jesus as a vending machine because we seem to run to him only when it is convenient for us or when we want something. Wants vs. Needs. In this process, they have seen the need for Jesus and how we are more to him than we know. December: 1st-Holiday Parade; 5:30-6pm is lineup in front of the Church/Soper Park with parade starting at 6pm (anyone who is willing can dress up in nativity type clothes on the float, all youth and any congregation members are welcome to join, hot choc and cookies will be provided after the parade at the church) 3rd- Hanging of the Greens (youth are reading/participating in helping bring materials to the front of the church) 3rd- Outreach at Okoboji, 5-8pm, $3, 6th-12th graders, Christmas Party Extravaganza, It would be fun if we all showed up in Christmas clothing :p 10th-Christmas Program, Meal to Follow, Join in the fun as the youth show off their talents of speaking, singing, and playing music. 13th-Caroling at Lakeside-Meeting at the church at 3:30pm and expected to be at Lakeside at 3:50pm, anyone wanting to join any of the kids and have goodies back at church with them are more than welcome to join in the fun. 15th/16th-"This is the Reason" Christmas Mime Drama and Bake Sale. Two opportunities, 7pm, and all are welcome to come watch this drama. It is a free will donation and there is a bake sale too! All proceeds will go towards the Mission Trip to St Louis. 17th-No Sunday School, but Christmas Fun Day from 1-4pm 2nd-8th graders are welcome to come enjoy an afternoon of games, a movie, and fun at the church. 20th-Last day of youth group for the year. Christmas parties for all youth groups!!! Dress up in your best Christmas attire (ugly sweater party), the best ugly sweater will get a special gift! Come join in Christmas minute to win in games, nativity fun, goodies, and much more! Thanks for a great fall and if I don't see you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!! In Christ, Kristin School has started so keep in mind the following items to save for the school students. The labels are taken to West Elementary and the Catholic School. Box Tops, Pizza Ranch Wagon Wheels off pizza boxes, Real Seal on Pizza Hut pizza boxes, Pop tabs, Campbell Soup labels and postage stamps. There are white boxes on the credenza in the overflow room to collect your labels. Thank you. Upper Des Moines Opportunity - Palo Alto County is requesting food and cleaning items for their shelves. Especially needed are: cereal, canned fruit, pancake mix and syrup, instant potatoes or rice, crackers, macaroni and cheese, tuna and/or hamburger helper, laundry detergent, dish soap, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner. Their address is th Street, Emmetsburg. Lakeside Lutheran Nursing Home is still in need of volunteers to help with the 9:00 am 10:30 am and Chat Time. Also needed, volunteers Coffee for Monday and Friday mornings, 9:45 am 11 am assisting residents and handing out candy during BINGO. Contact Nicole the Activity Director at Tabitha Circle will meet on Thursday evening, December 7th. We will meet at Alaire Nielsen s home, starting at 6:50 PM. Nature Center Activities, Ruthven December 7th, from 2-4 pm, Christmas Open House. Stop in to see trees decorated by several businesses and organizations. Refreshments Served. December 16th, starting at 1 PM, Cross-Country Skiing. Call to reserve a pair of skis or bring your own or if you have questions. 4 9

5 ORGANIST LOST ISLAND VOLUNTEERS Tim Nielsen ALTAR GUILD December Lenora Kropf, Alaire Nielsen READERS December 3 Hanging of the Greens December 10 Tim Nielsen December 17 Punky Kropf December 24 Troy Leininger December 31 Alaire Nielsen COMMUNION December 3 Kadin Norris ASSISTANT December 17 Steve Pitt December 25 Charles Henningsen ACOLYTES December 3 Olivia Sorenson December 10 Kate Sorenson December 17 Owen Lux December 24 Miriam Hackbart-Morlock December 31 Olivia Sorenson Please remember and prayerfully consider including Courtney in your prayers and financial support. Checks should be made to Bethany Lutheran Church with a memo For the ministry of Courtney Davis, Acct. # Courtney s blog at: cdchronicles.wordpress.com address: co.davis@sil.org.pg Courtney is in the USA for a 6 month furlough and will return to Papua New Guinea in January 2018 as a career staff member. She teaches music in the school as well as conducting Bible Studies, etc. We will look forward to seeing Courtney as she visits and speaks at churches and with partners BETHANY VOLUNTEERS This year, Bethany Lutheran Church will be host to the Hospice Remembrance Service. It will be held on December 17th at 7:00 PM. All who have lost a loved one in the past is invited to attend this service. Both Joyce Funeral Home and Martin Mattice will be in charge of this service. They will be providing a small memoriam to those families. Please contact either Al Mattice at or Andy Joyce at if you are planning on attending. GREETERS December 3 Kent & Belinda Davidson * Sharon Sobkoweak December 10 Bob Andersen * Dawn Freeman December 17 Dianne & Randy Hough *? December 24 _Reg Sunday Service? Early evening Service? *? December 31 Doug & Sherri Ort Family * Back door greeters please move to front door if no one comes to greet there LECTORS December 3 December 10 Sunday School Program December 17 Sherri Ort December 24 * December 31 Kim Campbell - COMMUNION December 3 Mark & Darca Saxton, Phoenix Campbell December 17 Hannah Malm, Don Nauss, Pat Vician 5:00 pm December 24 Eve Kim Campbell & Phoenix Campbell 10:30 pm December 24 Eve? ALTAR GUILD December Kathy Mehan HEAD USHERS December David Sidles, Lonnie Naig ASSISTANT USHERS side ushers during offering December 3 Lindsay and Joe Carter December 10 Gretchen and Ben Hofstad December 17 Ben and Mark Saxton December 24 Ushers pick at 5:30 and 10:30 December 31 Dale Evans, Zach Foxhoven ACOLYTES December 3 Parker Schmeling, Luke Carter December 10 Braydon & Bryce Cooke December 17 Kelsey and Joseph Petersen December 24 Ryerson Boevers, Quentin Ort December 31 Emma Foxhoven, Riley Schmeling ************************************************************************************************* As you can see we have a few vacant spots on our calendar during the Holidays. If you should want to fill in on any of these positions, please notify the Church office (Diane) so that she can get your name on the list for the weekly bulletin. Also, we will be putting the Volunteer Schedules together for the next year s job duties. If you are unable to help with this please do not hesitate to let me know so I do not put your name down for something. I will be using last year s schedule to assign job duties to those that helped during that time plus others. THANK YOU!! Diane 8 5

6 December 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 16 pm Holiday Parade 2 Safe Guarding God s Children Training 3 *HANGING OF THE GREENS* 8:45 am Lost Island Worship, Comm. 9:30 am Bethany Sunday School Christmas Program Practice 10:30 am Bethany Worship, Communion 5:00 PM Outreach to Okoboji 4 9:00 am Quilters 1:30 pm ECC Comm. 6:00 pm Quilters :00 Noon Men s Bible Group 1:30-5 SACK (2nd-5th) 5:30 Adult Bible Study 7-8 COOL (6th-8th) 8-9:30 LIFE (9th-12th) 7 10:30-11 AM Lakeside Bible Study 6:50 pm Tabitha Circle meets At Alaire s home 6:30pm Sarah Circle will Meet Elaine Nauss Pot Luck :45 am Lost Island Worship, 9:30 am Bethany Sunday School 10:30 am Christmas Program Noisy Offering OBI Taco Dinner following Church Bethany 1:00 pm Vespers-PARC Hall, Kath, ECC 2:00 pm Glenn Henrikson Concert 11 9:00 am Quilters 12 6:30 pm 9 pm Scouts 13 M Mary Martha Circle. Potluck Hostess is Sandi Chapman 12:00 Noon Men s Bible Group 3:30 SACK (2nd-5th) 5:30 Youth Board Meets 7-8 COOL (6th-8th) 8-9:30 LIFE (9th-12th) 1410:30 11 AM Lakeside Bible Study 2:00 PM Ruth Circle (Verna Hanson) :30 am Lost Island Caroling Begin at the Ruthven Care Center 17 8:45 am Lost Island Worship 10:30 am Bethany Worship, Comm 7:00 pm Hospice Services 18 9:00 am Quilters 6:00 pm Quilters 19 7:00 pm Council Meets Bethany 20 12:00 Noon Men s Bible Group 1:30 3 SACK (2nd-5th) 5:30 Youth Board Meets 7-8 COOL (6th-8th) *Articles for Jan.Newsletter are due* 21 Ruth Circle meets with Wilma Nielsen *CHRISTMAS EVE* 8:45 am Lost Island Worship 10:30 am Bethany Worship 5:00 pm Bethany Christmas Eve 10:30 pm Bethany Christmas Eve 25 10:00 am Church Lost Island 26 6:30 pm 9 pm Scouts 27 Put Newsletter Together 28 9:00 AM WIC Clinic :45 am Lost Island Worship 10:30 am Bethany Worship 3:30 Lakeside Vespers 6 7