THE BETHEL BEACON ~ NOVEMBER 2018

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1 THE BETHEL BEACON ~ NOVEMBER 2018 Sunday 9 am Worship 10:00 am BETHEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 2400 CENTRAL AVE. NEBRASKA CITY, NE Church Telephone #: (402) betheluccurch1887@gmail.com Website: Find us on A letter to the UCC Family of Faith: We can t let evil prevail This call to action comes from the Conference Minister of the Penn Northeast Conference UCC, with the affirmation of the denomination s National Officers and the Rev. David Ackerman, Conference Minister of the Penn West Conference UCC. The news over the past weeks has revealed an undercurrent of hate within our culture and our country. Between the assumption that immigrants walking nearly 2,000 miles seeking asylum are seen as a threat to our security; the pipe bombs mailed to those who oppose our current political administration; the massacre of 11 Jewish citizens during services at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh; and the shooting of an African American man and woman in a grocery store after a failed attempt to enter a church of Black worshippers, it is hard to find cause for hope in our nation. The rhetoric of hate and divisiveness calls for a response from the faith community. While we should not advocate for candidates or political parties, we must advocate for justice, humanitarian treatment of our neighbors, and for safety in our places of worship. We are a diverse nation and until recently that diversity has been seen as a strength. We, in the Church, must stand as moral authorities proclaiming peace and hope, compassion and justice. Wherever and whenever you have the opportunity to provide wisdom and comfort, inspiration and compassion, I urge you to do so. To be silent is to let evil prevail and we, as people of faith, cannot do that, any more than Jesus could do it in his time and culture. Find a way to bring peace and hope to your faith communities, your communities, our state and our nations. Today we are asking our members to write prayer notes or notes of compassion to our siblings at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Mail them from your local church to them at 5898 Wilkins Ave, Pittsburgh, PA Participate in a vigil or a peaceful worship process in any one of your communities and if there isn t one, please plan one. If you are able, this would be a wonderful way to demonstrate solidarity with our Jewish siblings. By all means pray but above all do not fail to speak out or to act. As Martin Niemöller wrote: First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. [1] We are called to be people of prayer, but we are also called to remember that The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18). May we each and all do our part to make our communities, state and nation places of hope and peace. Faithfully, The Rev. Bonnie Bates Conference Minister Penn. Northeast Conference United Church of Christ [1] 1

2 IN OUR PRAYERS IN OCTOBER Justin Williams, Logan Drabek, Mason Wieckhorst, Rachelle Drabek, Don Grundman, Roy Murphy, Tim Worcester, Helen Ramold, Quintin Holman, Janice Holman, Tanya Chapin and Tom Thaemlitz and Adrian, Phyllis Buss, Helen Long, Lou Hauptman, Dale Wurtele, the family and friends of Joan Weible, Larry Blocker, and all who struggle with chronic illness, including those reside in their homes and long-term care facilities, and those affected by bullying, suicide, and depression. Nebraska City s annual Advent Recital for 2018 will be held again at St. Mary s Catholic Church on Sunday, Dec. 2nd from 6-8 pm. Our choir will be there! A new Search Committee has been assembled. Our new members are: Jen Hamilton, Katherine Luther, Teri Stukenholtz, Michael Wieckhorst, and David Carpenter. We thank them for their time and dedication. Please pray for their guidance and our patience as we enter into this new search. 1st quarter Sunday school attendance awards are November 11th! Please have your child stay if possible. They will be performing that day as well. Pledge sheets are also due that day. Congratulations to Noah Hamilton, son of Dan & Jen Hamilton, and Gray Carpenter, son of David & Darcy Carpenter, for earning their Eagle rank in Boy Scouts. What a HUGE accomplishment!!! The office will be closed November 22nd & 23rd. Our annual Thanksgiving dinner will be Sunday, November 11th following worship. Turkey, potatoes & gravy, stuffing, rolls, drinks, and table service will be provided by our 3 councils/boards and Women s Fellowship. Please bring your own table service. You may bring a side dish or dessert to share. Thank you to John and Margaret Brust for the beautiful fall display in front of the sanctuary again this year. Thank you to everyone who brightened our sanctuary with flowers, and who sponsored bulletins during the month of October. 2

3 BEST WISHES TO THOSE CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAYS IN NOVEMBER Carol Beccard 1st Jamie Horstmann 1st Brenda Wieckhorst 1st Molly Hermann 10th Kassi Holman 10th Hailey Herzog 11th Zoie Mills 12th Betty Joe Adkins 14th Braiden Moyer 16th Keston Holman 20th Kara Funk 24th Stephen Luther 25th Ben DeVorss 26th Michael Mills 26th Dylan Holman 27th Bonnie Wurtele 29th HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Connie Jensen 29th Matthew Ramold 30th LOOKING AHEAD TO DECEMBER Sun. 2nd: Communion/ food pantry, Hanging of the Greens, St. Mary s Advent Recital 6 pm Mon. 3rd: Spiritual Council meeting 7 pm Sun. 9th: Election of Officers Mon. 10th: Board of Christian Ed. Meeting 6pm, Church Council meeting 7 pm Leslie & Janice Dawson ~ Nov. 3, 1989 ~ Bill & Katheryn Walters ~ Nov. 9, 1963 ~ Tues. 11th: Women s Fellowship Christmas Luncheon (Location to be announced) Wed. 12th: Choir goes caroling 5:30 pm Sun. 16th: Sunday school Christmas Program (No Sunday school 16th, 23rd or 30th) *Sr. Choir practice every Wednesday at 7 pm 3

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5 The BOCE met on Monday, October 8, 2018 at 6 pm. In attendance were Jen Tietz, Jen Hamilton, Sarah Bando, Carrie Ferguson, and Kassi Holman. Our hayrack ride this year was cancelled due to so much rain. We hope for better weather next year! First Quarter Sunday school attendance awards will be November 11th. The kids will also be singing that day, so please have your child attend worship. We decided on a Christmas Program. Practice will begin Sunday, November 4th. Our program has been moved to Sunday, December 16th. Following the program we will all enjoy a Happy Birthday Jesus cake made by Kassi Holman. Sarah Bando is in charge of making treat bags. Our annual Thanksgiving Dinner will be November 11th following worship. The BOCE will be providing mashed potatoes and gravy. Our next meeting will be Monday, November 12th at 6 pm. Our meeting closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Sarah Bando, Secretary 5

6 CHURCH COUNCIL The Church Council met at 6 Tuesday night, October 16 to do a walk thru of the parsonage. There is still furniture and items in the family room, basement and garage. Pastor Butz has until Tuesday, October 23 at midnight to get the belongings out of the parsonage. If the items are still in the parsonage he will be charged $20 a day until the items are removed. The Church Council will do another walk thru Wednesday night, October 24 at 6. The Church Council met in regular session Tuesday night in Duensing Chapel. In attendance were President Chip Johnson, Mark Francis, Norman Brown, Mike Redelfs, Lynn Wurtele, Tyler Vock, Susie Briley. Also in attendance were Financial Treasurer Sandy Ried, Church Secretary Sara Bando, Jen and Dan Hamilton, Jen and Lenny Tietz, Michelle Francis. President Chip Johnson called the meeting to order and gave the opening prayer. Secretary Norm Brown read the minutes from the September Meeting. The minutes were approved as read. Sandy Ried, Financial Treasurer gave the financial report. The Church is operating in the red $15, Sandy presented Tree Worx bill of $1, for removing the tree, bushes and a dead branch from south of the carport. $500 to ReleaseT. Mike Redelfs made a motion second by Susie Briley to pay the bills. The Motion carried. Michelle Francis gave the Spiritual Council report. Rev Sara Malone will be pulpit supply October 21 and 28. Rev. Keith Valenzuela will be pulpit supply on Sunday November 4. The letter was sent out to non active members to see if they want to continue their membership. Jen Hamilton gave the Buildings and Grounds report. Tree Worx is coming to remove the wood from the tree that was cut down. Sara Bando Church Secretary gave her report. She mailed out the 2019 Budget Letter. The Harvest Breakfast made $ The Harvest Breakfast raffle earned $75. Edge is having an Open Lunch at the Lewis and Clark Center on Wednesday and two members from Bethel are invited to attend. Jen Tietz gave the Board of Christian Ed report. The Hayrack Ride has been cancelled due to inclement weather. December 9th will be the Sunday School Christmas play. Rehearsals will start in November. Birthday Cake will be served after the program. Nick Brown, Danielle Barrett and Julie Wurtele will be on the Board next year. Jen Hamilton gave the Search Committee Report. The Search Committee is meeting monthly cottage meetings with the Spiritual Council and Board of Christian Ed. Will be meeting with the choir Wednesday night and Youth Fellowship Sunday, October 21. Will have a Cottage Meeting for the membership November 4. Also is update the Church Profile. Mike Redelfs gave the Nominating Committee Report. Dan Hamilton, Jason Holman and Connie Jensen have agreed to be on Church Council. Nancy Brown, Dean Gripenstroh, and Stephen Luther have agreed to be on Spiritual Council. Nick Brown, Danielle Barrett and Julie Wurtele on Board of Christian Ed. Kassi Holman, Sandy Ried and Jerry Gieseking Pastor Relations Council and Mike and Mary Redelfs Heartland Association Delegates. Still need to fill Conference Delegates. The Vock family expressed some concerns. There was no action taken. The Church Council will have the locks on the parsonage changed next Wednesday, October 24. Dan Hamilton gave the Bylaws Committee Report. Stephen Luther and Burt Wieble have asked to serve on the bylaws committee. 6

7 CHURCH COUNCIL CONTINUED.. The Church Council discuss the title of a fulltime Temporary Pastor. A perspective candidate met with the Spiritual Council Monday night, October 15. Norman Brown and Susie Briley will make Ham and Mike Redelfs and Lynn Wurtele will do turkeys for the Thanksgiving Dinner. The Spiritual Council will make dressing and the Board of Christian Ed mashed potatoes and gravy. Women's Fellowship will serve drinks. Congregation is asked to bring salads and deserts. There being no further business Lynn Wurtele made a motion and Susie Briley second to adjourn. The meeting closed with the reciting of The Lord's Prayer. The next Church Council meeting will be Monday night, November 12 at 7. Respectfully submitted, Norm Brown 2019 BUDGET MEETING President Chip Johnson called the 2019 Bethel United Church of Christ Budget Meeting to order. Secretary Norman Brown read the minutes from the July 15 Congregational Meeting. The minutes were approved as read. Financial Treasurer Sandy Ried presented the 2019 Budget. The Salary for pastor will be presented as if we had a full time pastor. The Church Secretary, Financial Secretary, Choir Directors, Organist and Custodians all received raises. The Church is currently in the red $15, and will continue to run in the red. There being no discussion Dan Hamilton made a motion seconded by Kassi Holman to approve the 2019 Budget. The vote was unanimous by voice vote. President Johnson noted that Rev. Butz has moved out of the parsonage, The Church Council will do a walk thru of the parsonage Wednesday evening, October 24 at 6. There being no further business David Carpenter made a motion second by Kassi Holman to adjourn. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Norm Brown 7

8 WOMEN S FELLOWSHIP Bethel United Church of Christ Spiritual Council Meeting Minutes Monday, October 8, :00 pm Duensing Chapel Present: Vice-President Michelle Francis, Secretary Burt Weible, Cindy Weible, and Neal Niebruegge. Pastor Sarah Malone as Guest. Michelle called the meeting to order; Pastor Malone opened the meeting with a prayer. Burt read the minutes of previous meeting. Motion to accept minutes as read by Neal, seconded by Cindy. Motion carried. Pastor Report: No Pastor report. Old Business: Discussed the results of the ReLeast concert, barely broken even on expenses. If held again need to hold fund raiser to pay for band before holding concert. Letters to no show members ready to be sent. Discussed continuing pulpit supply and worked with Pastor Malone on traditions of Bethel Church. New Business: Next communion will be November 4 th, discussed getting ready to Bethel Thanksgiving dinner. Next meeting November 5 th at 7:00 Motion to close by Cindy, seconded by Neil, Pastor Malone led us in the Lord s Prayer to close. Respectfully submitted, Burt Weible, Secretary 8

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11 SCHEDULED TO SERVE NOVEMBER 2018 LAY LEADERS: November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 Cindy Kreifels Nick Brown Jen Tietz Mason Hamilton GREETERS: November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 Bonnie Wurtele Horstmann s BJ & Sandy Ried Brown Family USHERS: November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 Burt & Cindy Katie Chapin, Delores Schreiner Paula & Michelle Marilyn Weible, Amy Lemrick SOUND SYSTEM: November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 Stephen Luther Dennis Marshall Danielle & Cindy Sarah Bando ACOLYTES: November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 Mason & Keston Landon & Addison Brianna & Makenzie Madisen & Lily MOWING (Week of): November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 Jason S. Allan B./Jason S. Stephen L. Dennis/Carol Bethel United Church of Christ 2400 Central Avenue Nebraska City, NE RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 11