Bethany Lutheran Church Mission Statement Reaching out in Worship, Fellowship, Learning, and Love --- we are God s people.

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1 Volume 55 Issue 8 September 2015 Bethany Lutheran Church Mission Statement Reaching out in Worship, Fellowship, Learning, and Love --- we are God s people. God s Work. Our Hands ELCA Day of Service Saturday, September 13, 2015 For the past two years, thousands of members from across the ELCA have dedicated one day to serve communities in ways that share the love of God with all people. Saturday, September 12, is the Burlington area ELCA s day to share in this churchwide project. What can we do to be part of this? Come for breakfast and a blessing at Messiah Lutheran s social hall, 8:30 am, Saturday, September 12, then choose a project to work on: --Burlington homeless shelter will get their downstairs painted, their property cleaned, and perennials planted --Saunderson Park will get tidied and its planting areas mulched --Community Action will receive another collection of celebration bags, for which they were very grateful last year. (This work is done at Messiah.) --Lutheran Services in Iowa, at their new office at Trinity Lutheran, will receive personal care kits for needy individuals and families. (This project is done at Messiah.) Donate supplies at each church for the kits and bags: --Each personal care kit needs: a bath towel, soap, a toothbrush, a comb, and nail clippers --Each celebration kit needs cake mix, frosting, a box of candles, and party favors. All of life in Jesus Christ every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God s grace. Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church 2515 Madison Ave. Burlington, Iowa Phone: (319) Fax: (319) Pastor Andersen s contact information (Home) (Cell) Our Staff Rev. Ralph Andersen, Interim Pastor Cory Byrne, Organist Amanda Stevenson-Cosgrove, Dir. of Youth & Family Michelle Huppenbauer, Admin. Asst. Candy Wagner, Choir Director Doug & Kathy Fischer, Custodians

2 September 2015 Lay Leaders Head Usher: Spencer Honsey September Team Captain: Elberta Quam Ushers As of the publishing of this newsletter, the September Usher schedule had not been turned in to the office. Communion Assistants As of the publishing of this newsletter, the September Communion Assistants schedule had not been turned into the office. Acolytes As of the publishing of this newsletter, September schedule had not been turned into the office. Fellowship 6 - Open 13 - Engle 20 - Mundt 27 - Open Missionary Support 6 - Arnhild Zaiser 13 - Bob Sogard 20 - Carol Dodge 27 - Open Lector 6 - Elberta Quam 13 - Dee Dee Walker 20 - Bob Hoxie 27 - Todd Chelf Greeters 6 - Joe Gerdes; Bob Sogard 13 - Terry & Carol Steenberg 20 - Marlys McClurg; Vanette Wooldridge 27 - Bob & Debbie Hoxie Flowers 6 - Gerald & Lila Janssen 13 - Julie Wischmeier 20 - Dan Wischmeier 27 - Sandra Sandy Altar Guild Sharon Martindale; Mary Ann Schoof-Schleif; Debbie Hoxie PLEASE NOTE The deadline to submit information for the monthly Chimes is the 25th of the month. You re welcome to your submissions, leave a note on the desk in the office, or call the church office. Thank you! Please Note! Because of Federal Privacy laws, if you or a member of your family are hospitalized and would like the Pastor to visit, you must contact the church and let us know. September Birthdays 2 - Elaine Loots; Matthew Miller; David Pinney; Jennifer Ward 3 - Jeff Bloomer 4 - Tyler Burch 6 - Janice Gerdom 7 - Mark Loots 10 - Malissa Schoof; Richard Shadley 11 - Erin Taylor 12 - Myrna Zabloudil 13 - Carol Gard; Austin Timberlake 14 - Sara Sladky 15 - John Koch 16 - Christopher Hornfeck 17 - Phil Bartleson; Virginia Hoffman; Darrell Miller 19 - Robert Staub; Connie Tisor 20 - Helen Clawson; Donald Ruppert; JoAnn Short 21 - Olivia Engler 22 - Lynda Johnson; Samantha Smith; Merle Tisor 23 - Dawn Whetstone 24 - Lucas Chelf; Jessica Tharp 25 - Emmerich Adam, Jr.; Wendi Mc Clure; Samuel Morehead; Elizabeth Roy 26 - Patricia Chacey; Garret Coleman 27 - Julie Etchison 28 - Julie Schroeder 29 - Abbey Coleman; Dean Mc Danel; Blake Prall; Elva Schultz; Kenneth Shepherd 30 - Marilyn Huth; Jeffrey McClurg

3 From the Pastor Jim Ladegaard of Arnolds Park submitted the following story to the Our Iowa magazine: My friend Dean tells me that his father, Ed, was a longtime member of a local Lutheran church, where the minster has also served for many years. One morning after church, while shaking hands with the minister, Ed said, Rev, I like that sermon - I ve always like that sermon. Sometime later, the church installed hearing assistance devices in certain pews. Though hard of hearing, Ed didn't sit in one of the specially equipped pews, and Dean asked him why not. Oh, said Ed, after this many years, I ve heard just about everything the minister s got to say! Last Sunday I greeted people after the service and I talked with a visitor - an elderly lady who is very hard of hearing. I don't think she heard much of what was said or sung during the worship service, but she had a smile on her face and was obviously happy that she had been there to worship and praise the Lord. How about you? I hope that as you come to worship on Sunday mornings - no matter what burdens or joys you bring with you - that you, too, will be blessed and renewed by all that happens during worship and the fellowship that follows. - -Pastor Ralph Andersen Save the Date The Fall Lutheran Churches Blood Drive will be on Monday, September 28 here at Bethany from 2-6PM. Keep watching your bulletins for more information and sign up opportunities 2015 Paint-a-thon Bethany will once again be partnering with employees from both Hy-Vee stores here in Burlington for this year s event. Our house is located at 2241 S. 10th St. Work will begin on Tuesday, September 8, but actual painting will begin on Wednesday, September 9. There will be a picnic at the Eagles club from11am - 130PM for all volunteers hosted by Two River. If you signed up to volunteer, mark your calendars now for these dates. Thank you!! Questions? See Rachel Lindeen Thank you!! I would like to thank Bethany for a really great week at Confirmation Camp. I met some awesome people, learned new things, and a whole lot of fun! A special thank you to Amanda, Mr. Morehead and Mrs. Peterson for driving us. Thank you all again! --Aunika Johnson

4 The meetings for September that have been scheduled as of the publishing of this newsletter are listed below. Watch your bulletins for any date & time changes, or additional meetings scheduled. Fellowship Committee Monday, August 31, 6:30 p.m. Men s Breakfast Saturday, September19, 8:00 a.m. Church Council Sunday, September 20, 10:30 a.m. Property Committee Monday, September 21, 6:30 p.m. Christian Education Committee Monday, September 28, 6:30 p.m. Book Club Tuesday, September 29, 5:00 p.m. If you change your mailing address, please let the office know ASAP. For every returned piece of mail we get for an incorrect address, we are charged 75 cents. CROP HUNGER WALK This year s event will be held on Sunday, October 11. We ll begin from The Loft, 416 Jefferson St., at 1:30 p.m. There will once again be 2 different routes so physically challenged and older walkers can participate. Keep watching your Chimes and bulletins for more details to come. FINANCIAL UPDATE JULY ATTENDANCE July 5 82 July July July JULY GIVING 7/6 $5,906 7/13 $1,343 7/20 $1,485 7/27 $5,972 Total $14,706 AUGUST ATTENDANCE 8/2 $2,834 8/9 $2,391 8/16 $2,756 8/23 $1,253 Total $9,234 AUGUST GIVING 5/3 $3,099 5/10 $2,000 5/17 $2,109 5/24 $2,248 Total $9,456 In order to meet the budget, $4,500 would need to be received each week. These numbers represent the amount received that is useable income, or Undesignated. Money received that is paid right back out (Designated) such as flower money, Missionary Support, and World Hunger, etc. are NOT included in these numbers. If you have questions about these numbers, you re welcome to ask a member of the Church Council.

5 CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES August 23, 2015 Present: Todd Morehead; Bill Mundt; Pat Reichelt; Dan Wischmeier; Mark Rosenberg; Mike Hopp; Mike Morris; Jim Martindale; Rachel Lindeen, Scott Creighton Absent: Ellen Shepherd; Lila Janssen Devotion was provided by Mike Morris. The Great Permission study for September will cover pages Jim Martindale motioned to accept the minutes of the July council meeting. Mark Rosenberg seconded. Motion carried. Financial Report Both a written and oral report were presented by Dan Wischmeier. Jim Martindale provided an oral report on the Endowment Fund. Rachel Lindeen motioned to accept the financial reports. Mike Morris seconded. Motion carried. Staff Reports Youth - written Pastor - Pastor Andersen provided both an written and oral report. Dan Wischmeier motioned to accept the Staff reports and Scott Creighton seconded. Motion carried. Committee Reports Christian Education - written Finance - written and verbal Property - written Mark Rosenberg motioned to accept the committee reports and Mike Morris seconded. Motion carried. Old Business 1) Review of Committee responsibilities 2) Received an update of the roofing project. $6,780 of the $25,000 has been donated. Discussed potential marketing to members. 3) Update of Call committee members. Committee will remain at 6 members. 4) There being no further business, Jim Martindale motioned to adjourn the meeting and Todd Morehead seconded. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Rachel Lindeen, Secretary Something to think about.. If you ve noticed, we haven t always had Communion Assistants listed in our bulletins or Chimes. In an effort to correct this, the idea was put out there to schedule these folks as we schedule the Greeters and Lectors. If this is something you d be willing to participate in and would like your name on the list, please contact the church office. Sarah Circle This group will meet for the first time on Tuesday, September 8, 1:00 p.m. at the home of Dorothy Hopson. If you re a member of this circle, please make note. If you re not, but would like to become a member, you re welcome to join us!! HOMEBOUND CARD MINISTRY Please help remember Bethany s members who are in nursing homes or homebound by sending them a card. A birthday or a thinking of you card is a special way of showing God s love. Fall brings busier schedules as school starts and the holidays are just around the corner, so send a card today and let them know you re thinking of them. Names and addresses are available on the table in the fellowship hall. Please remember to mark the spreadsheet if you send a card.

6 Bethany Stewards, Just an update from the Council on the Continue Our Blessings campaign. As of this writing, you have provided about $6,800 for the necessary roof repairs. Our need is $25,000 for this project, which has begun. Thank you to all who have had the opportunity to support this vital capital project. I have to admit a lapse in foresight on this project. A member has indicated the desire to support the project but the timing for them couldn t be much worse. I had to admit that we had not offered a way of vowing support to be given at a later date. After a bit of discussion, your Council agreed that we needed to make some opportunity available. Below you will find a pledge tear-off that you can fill in and drop into the offering plate or deliver to the office to indicate your support for the project. Those electronic deliveries can just be ed to Michelle with any intentions. As the roof repair costs will be due in the near term, we will utilize Endowment funds to front the pledges then replace those funds as the commitments arrive. We would ask that you do your best to keep the remittance term down to six months. Due to the Property Committee s working list of valid projects for near term attention, we would like to wrap this one up as soon as possible. Again, any offerings can be made in the regular Sunday offering and mark them Continue Our Blessings or Roof, to conserve ink. Any and all support of this necessary maintenance concern is greatly appreciated. In Christ s Name, Michael Hopp Bethany President (tear or cut off here) CONTINUE OUR BLESSINGS CAMPAIGN Repair of Roof over South side of Church I pledge $ to the roof repair. Name: address: Envelope #:

7 SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE Rally Sunday is Sunday, September 13. We ll gather at the Horseshoe shelter house in Crapo Park with festivities beginning at 11:00 a.m. Bring your lawn chairs, yard games and a dish to share with everyone as we kick off another school year. There will be a cake walk, too! Sign up is in the fellowship hall. Then Sunday school starts on Sunday, September 20 with a welcome celebration for families to explore and learn more about our Sanctuary and what to expect this year for Sunday school Our theme for the first semester is Cereal - Bible lessons based on your kid s favorite cereals. Look for your invitation in the mail. Sunday school registration forms are out in the fellowship hall now and should be returned to Amanda when complete. And as always, we need Sunday school teachers. Sign up is the same as last year - you can pick and choose what months and what classes. See Amanda or a member of the Christian Ed Committee for details. CONFIRMATION There will be an orientation meeting September 2 at 7:00 p.m. for all 7th and 8th grade students and parents. If you have a child in this great, please plan on attending as we will be discussing the schedule for the year.!!! PLAN TO JOIN US!!! L.I.F.T. Living in Faith Together is a joint effort between the Lutheran Churches of Burlington. This program is for 3 year olds - 6th grade. We meet the 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00 p.m., enjoy a meal together, then rotate through music, games, crafts and story time and end our time together at 6:45 p.m. with a group prayer. This program is FREE!! L.I.F.T. starts Sunday evening, September 13. Join us! Please note: Bethany is scheduled to serve the meal at our first gathering and your help with supplies is needed. We need hot dogs, 2 gallons of milk and cookies. Sign up to help in the fellowship hall. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! The Children s Working Ministry Group (a commission from the synod) is hosting a resource day November 14 at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City. More information is to come, but if you are interested in children s ministry, this will be a great resource day for you!! Questions? See Amanda Bethany s Fellowship Committee has tentatively scheduled our Annual Wienie Roast/Hay Rack Ride event for Sunday, September 27 th at 3:00 P.M. at the home of Gerald & Lila Janssen. This is a covered dish event and sign up sheets will be out soon for what you plan to bring and if you plan to attend. We are in hopes you and your family join us. Plan to bring your own lawn chairs and games for all to enjoy. Watch your bulletins for more details as they become available.