BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH The Messenger JAN/FEB 2017

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1 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH The Messenger JAN/FEB 2017 LEMONT IL Dear friends, I love a good story. I love a good story as told in a novel, a movie, or in the stories from our lives that we share in conversation. Stories have the power to connect us to ourselves, to each other, and to God. Time and time again, I have been in awe about how God has been revealed in the stories of people s lives. We count our blessings when things are going well, but God s redemptive love and miraculous power is especially revealed in our suffering and sorrow. Our story connects to God s story and God s story continues to unfold in our lives. Telling our stories and listening to other people s stories is holy work. It s how we share our humanity and it helps us to see the other beyond fixed categories or stereotypes. As we listen for God, sharing out stories can give such hope as we are reminded that God is with us to encourage and strengthen. We are going to make this year a Year of Story. We re starting the year with an Epiphany Bible Study through which we ll listen to part of God s story and start making connections to our own lives. During Lent, we will again have lay preachers who will share pieces of their story. We will also have a small group opportunity to explore our own story in connection to God s story. As we move through the year, I hope that we can pull together a panel discussion as a community outreach in which we hear the stories of others outside of our own faith community (think a Hindu and Muslim representative, someone who might define themselves as spiritual but not religious, etc.) This is still in the dream/goal phase. In the 500 th year of the Reformation, we will also explore the history and story of our tradition. If you re on Facebook, please like the Bethany Lutheran page as I ll be posting items that relate to our Year of Story. It may be quotes, stories to listen to or watch, or why listening is such holy work. I hope you can join me and others at Bethany in connecting to our own story, each other s story, and ultimately to how God s story continues to unfold in our lives. God s peace and joy be with you, Pr. Elaina Looking towards Lent Lent is a month away and so we need to get some plans in motion. 1 We will have worship on Wednesday nights during the season of Lent (instead of Saturday evenings). As in the past two years, we will gather for a meal (6pm) before worship (7pm). In the spirit of simplicity and the fasting of Lent, we are keeping our meals simple: soup, bread, water. Participants can bring their own soda/juice/other if they wish. There will be a sign-up in the sanctuary entry for soup makers and bread donations. 2. We will be looking for some volunteers to preach at our Midweek services! Preachers will be asked to look at the Biblical texts and connect their own story to that of scripture. Here s our Midweek worship outline. March 8 Jesus Temptation in the Wilderness Matthew 4:1-11 March 15 Nicodemus John 3:1-17 March 22 The Woman at the Well John 4:5-42 March 29 The Man Born Blind John 9:1-41 April 5 Raising of Lazarus John 11:1-45 If you are interested in participating in Lent meals or preaching, please speak to Pr. Elaina. Visit us at

2 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 2 Cornerstone of Faith Capital Campaign Update The improvements on our Master Facility Plan continue! Linda Molitor worked with Bob Hoster, who sponsored the project, to complete new signage throughout our building and on two of our entry doors. Now, our guests can easily find the sanctuary, restrooms, and elevator! Bill and Lisa McAdam sponsored and completed the installation of new flooring in the east entry to the sanctuary. No more duct tape or curling linoleum! A group of people got together on January 7 to install ceiling tiles on the second floor of the Education Building, Community Room entry and closets, and the kitchen. Jim Ross built a wall in our boiler room so that we can continue to make that into a workspace. After a fire safety inspection, Don Garling, Gary Gray, and Bruce and Jodi Taylor are following up on the inspector s suggestions and requirements. Through ComEd, Bruce Taylor was able to get us new motion sensor LED lights in our Education Building and new exterior lights that shine on our bell tower (all free of charge!) The installation of the heating and air conditioning for the offices and food pantry continues, but should be completed in the coming week. At the next council meeting, the Church Council will review our Master Facility Plan, the projects completed, and the financial gifts given for our projects and identify our next steps. We are thankful for your financial gifts and time and talent to help see these projects through! Big Dreams With sponsorship from a few of our families, a grant researcher will be hired to look for grant money that may be available to our congregation. The grant researcher has asked for our dreams for Bethany. What would your dreams include? Glass coverings for our stained glass windows. Solar panels for the parsonage. An updated sound system with hearingimpaired devices. Send your suggestions to bethanylmt@aol.com. BOOK CLUB The Charm Bracelet by Viola Shipman is the February selection. Book Club will meet at the home of Pam Laasch on Wednesday, February 15th at 2PM. Bring a charm bracelet if you have one! FAT THURSDAY TRIVIA NIGHT at Bethany on February 23! We will start to gather at 6:30pm with Trivia kicking off at 7pm. Form a team or just show up! Invite your friends or family. Pizza will be available. Bring your own beverage (adult beverages are welcome). Join us for an evening of fun! Thrivent Choice dollars were gifted to Bethany from Dave Colliander from Hurricane, UT Saturday, February 4 Sunday, February 5 Saturday, February 11 Sunday, February 12 Monday, February 13 Wednesday, February 15 Saturday, February 18 Sunday, February 19 Thursday, February 23 Saturday, February 25 Sunday, February 26 CALENDAR Evening Worship, 5PM Evening Worship, 5PM Church Council Meeting, 7PM Book Club at the home of Pam Laasch, 2PM Evening Worship, 5PM Trivia Night, 6:30PM Last Saturday Worship until after Easter

3 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 3 Christmas decorating & the manger display in the back of church. The balloon launch following the first service of the New Year. Steven Minnich and Tim Schram of Minnich Mechanical installing all the elements needed for the heating and air conditioning units for the first floor offices of the Education Building.

4 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 4 MEMORIAL GIFTS Gifts to the Capital Campaign Fund were given: in memory of Marvin Eilts on the 100th anniversary of his birth on December 29th by Ruth Ann & Frank Miller and Marlene & EJ Ahlberg. in memory of Caryl Garling on the second anniversary of her death on February 5th by Don Garling. A gift to the Memorial Fund given in memory of Carl & Eleanor Anderson by Linda & Michael Naus. A gift to the General Fund was given in memory of Jack Olson on the second anniversary of his death on December 26 by his wife, Syneta Olson. Gifts to the Cemetery Fund were given: in memory of Dick Gotlund by Mike & Bonnie Bracken and Rev. Glenn & MariLynn Bergmark. in memory of Joseph Vavruska by his family. Gifts to the Open Pantry were given : in honor of Ed & Deanna Freehauf by Glenn & Judy Sandberg. in honor of Glenn & Judy Sandberg by Ed & Deanna Freehauf. in honor of Bill Laasch from Cindy Basco and her sons. in memory of Eugene Gutowski on the anniversary of his birth on December 15th by Dolores Gutowski. in memory of Mary Gorski from Surefire Auto and Joe & Bernice Forzley. in memory of Barb Sima from Surefire Auto. THANK YOU --Glenn and Bill McAdam and all the early bird volunteers who worked the Swedish Potato Sausage Sale --Bev Wilson, Sharon Ahlberg, Pam Laasch, Marlene Ahlberg, Nancy Iwan, Mary Staudt and Dorothy Freehauf for decorating the sanctuary for Christmas --Lori Olkiewicz for organizing the poinsettia fundraiser --Don Garling for building the creche with helping hands from Gary Gray, Bruce Taylor and Jodi Taylor --Alyssa Krakar, Beth Howell, Erin Kissick, and Heather Nilles for their leadership with the Children's Christmas Program --Karen Washagan and Ardy Wakefield for making some visits to homebound members --Gary Gray, Bruce Taylor, David Bergmark, Shawn, Eamon, and Elaina Salmon for shoveling --Doug Freehauf for music at our Advent Services --Sue Gray, Sandy Doebert, Jordan Fandrey, Ralph Johnson, Shawn Salmon and Doug Freehauf for music on Christmas Eve --Mary Staudt, Dorothy Freehauf, Scott & Roberta Ahlberg and Confirmation students for making luminaries --Jerry Johnson and Chuck Martinkus for putting in ceiling tiles in the kitchen --Bill Laasch, Lori Olkiewicz, Jodi Taylor, Dave Czuchra, Karen Washagan, and Marge McLaughlin for work in the food pantry during a busy month --Sue Gray for her extra work preparing for Christmas services --Bruce Taylor for encasing the wiring for wifi running upstairs, removing ductwork from upstairs ceiling with Tim Schram of Minnich Mechanical, upgrading lighting in quilters closet and adjacent storage room and weatherstripping the double doors leading into church --Lori Olkiewicz, Joy Semetulskis, Shelley Durham, Renee & Reann Kwasneski for working in the pantry sorting goods. --Bruce Taylor and Chuck Martinkus for painting ceiling grid in the upstairs hallway --Bruce Taylor for baking cookies for homebouind members (an omission from the December newsletter) --To our counters: Gary Gray, Dolores Gutowski and Nancy Mason --Bruce Taylor, Gary Gray, Don Garling, Jim Ross, Jerry Johnson & Chuck Martinkus for putting up ceiling tile --Jodi & Bruce Taylor, Mary Staudt, Marlene Ahlberg and Dorothy Freehauf for cleaning on January 7th --Don Garling for adjusting the entry door so it closed completely --Bruce Taylor for fixing the EXIT signs and installing a new one in the kitchen --David Bergmark for his willingness to help with some of the dirty jobs around the church Bethany Lutheran Mission Statement Bethany Lutheran Church works to be a growing, living, faith community focusing on outreach. Following the example of Christ, we will share love, grace and hope and commit the resources of time, talents and wealth to our church, our village and all of God s creation.

5 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL PAGE 5 Ginny Connelly Norm Epler Frank Iwan Vivian Gunsaulus Leona Nelson Carl Slip Johnson Cynthia Pytlewski Bethany Members IN OUR PRAYERS Peyton Kirk Nancy Iwan Theora Kujawa Marie Heeren Norma Johnson Virginia Hoster Sandy Doebert Friends and Relatives of Bethany Members Joanne Bauer friend of Jim & Ginny Connelly Gene Sobba uncle of Carole & Jim Ross Terry Wilder friend of Glenda Anderson Bernie Schroeder father of Cheryl Hagedorn Diane Reyes mother of Cheryl Sabourin The congregation of Bethany extends its sympathy and prays for the families of Fern Epler, Debbie Falese and Joseph Vavruska. May light eternal shine on them and may God hold in his hands all those who mourn. Gary Cobbett friend of the Bergmarks Will Pukula friend of the Olkiewicz Family Dan Herzing friend of the Iwan Family Don Filla friend of Kelsey Schroeder Frank Heeg friend of Karen Rae Audrey Gee relative of Virginia & Bob Hoster Susan Newton friend of MariLynn Bergmark Pat Genardo friend of the Connellys Stella Slowik friend of Kim Stowe Kyle Williams friend of Sue Gray Anne Pohlman friend of Sandy Doebert Sean Clark friend of Kelsey Schroeder Frank Roy friend of Barb & Michael Woods Rudy Cozzi friend of Glenda & Ed Anderson Maria Railey friend of Lori Olkiewicz Ryan & Lindsay Wright relatives of Jim & Carole Ross The Halama Family friends of the Iwans John Shea brother-in-law of Heather & Mike Nilles Janice Johnson relative of Pat Engwall Frank Miller brother-in-law of Marlene & E.J. Ahlberg Katie Fisher friend of Mary & Dave Staudt Pastor Melissa Kuemmerle friend of the Bergmarks Ralph Dvorak friend of Mary & Dave Staudt Marianne Carlson friend of Ginny Connelly & Karen Rae Jackie Falese mother of Joe Falese Justin & Stephanie Wormsley friends of Jodi & Bruce Taylor Beau Dowling friend of Kris Falese Tim & Virginia Schroeder aunt and uncle of Jim & Carole Ross If you would like to add anyone to the Bethany Prayer List, call or the church office OR drop a note in the offering plate be sure to include your name. Conversely, if anyone listed is no longer in need of our prayers, please notify us as well.

6 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH LEMONT IL JAN/FEB 2017 THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED FOOD STAPLES TO THE BETHANY OPEN PANTRY Jurgis Matulaitis Mission St. Alphonsus Church Lemont Township Emmanuel Baptist Church St. Mary s Slovenian Mission Rotary Club of Lemont/Homer Glen White Eagle Social Club Hope & Friendship Foundation Lemont Fireman s Association Jeff Bertucci Lemont Police Department David Andrade Glenda & Ed Anderson Starbucks patrons Lemont Junior Woman s Club St. Patrick Church T.O.P.S Chapter #2196 MONETARY DONATIONS TO THE BETHANY OPEN PANTRY WERE GIVEN BY Aggie & Leo Cattoni Lois Miller Theresa Graham Elsie Schultz Lori & Keith Olkiewicz Ed & Glenda Anderson Jodi & Bruce Taylor Ron & Anita Bromberek Glenn & Judy Sandberg Sharon & Theodore Mochel The Mason Family Bruce & Lynda Biwer Brian & Barbara Osborne Bernice & Joe Forzley Thomas & Sandra Kotek Donald & Patty Krengiel Nancy & Frank Iwan Ed & Deanna Freehauf St. Mary s Slovenian Mission Mark & Maureen Skowronski Calumet Rubber Corp. H & R Construction Lemont Sertoma T.O.P.S Chapter #2196 Alyssa Jaje Lemont Bank & Trust Matthew & Elizabeth Clarage Norma Beavers William & Geraldine Mills BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH 500 LEMONT STREET LEMONT IL 60439