CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Transcription

1 Volume 56 Issue 3 March 2016 Bethany Lutheran Church Mission Statement Reaching out in Worship, Fellowship, Learning, and Love --- we are God s people. CONGREGATIONAL MEETING On February 7, the congregation had the opportunity to meet Pastor Paul Hermansen and his wife Sue after worship. A time of questions and answers followed worship during fellowship time, when the congregation had the chance to hear more from Pastor Paul. The Call Committee met 2 weeks later and unanimously approved the recommendation of Pastor Paul s name to the Church Council for presentation to the Congregation. The Church Council unanimously approved this recommendation. The Congregation is now asked to attend a special called Congregational Meeting on Sunday, March 13, following worship at 10:30 a.m. to vote on the Church Council s recommendation of calling Pastor Paul Hermansen as Bethany s next full-time Pastor. All members are encouraged to attend and let your voice be heard. If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Call Committee or the Church Council. Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church 2515 Madison Ave. Burlington, Iowa Phone: (319) Fax: (319) Our Staff Rev. Jacquie Berlien, Interim Pastor Cory Byrne, Organist Amanda Stevenson-Cosgrove, Dir. of Youth & Family Michelle Huppenbauer, Admin. Asst. Candy Wagner, Choir Director Mike & Tammy Morris, Custodians

2 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing. Psalm 145:15-16 We are now in the midst of our journey through the season of Lent. This is the time of the church year when we are called to repent, literally to turn around, and to follow the path where Jesus leads us. This path may not always be what we expect or hope it to be, but we have the promise of God that we will never be alone in this journey. This year we are called on this path to be aware of the hungry. We ourselves may not be physically hungry, but we all have a deep hunger for fulfillment of our desire to be closer to Christ. In the ELCA, we are called to act upon this internal hunger by looking outward, to our neighbor and to the world, and to work together to provide food for the hungry in all walks of life. We can help our neighbors here in Burlington, and our offerings can assist those who work to end hunger in the whole world. I have been reading the devotions provided by ELCA World Hunger for this Lenten season. This morning I read a reflection by Bishop Patricia Lull, Saint Paul Area Synod of the ELCA: This Lent we are invited to listen carefully for God s voice in our lives. The move from prayer, to recognition of our need for God, to acknowledging our relationship with hungry neighbors teaches us to open our hands to ensure that all creatures have what they need." We are all called to be God s hands in the world. And by working together, we can make a difference in the lives of our sisters and brothers who are hungry for food that feeds both the body and the soul. Through our prayer, our worship, and our lives in the world, our hunger will also be satisfied. Thanks be to God. Pastor Jacquie Berlien 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, so why not take a minute to send a card with a short note - these folks would love to hear from you. Names and addresses are available on the table in the fellowship hall. Please remember to mark the spreadsheet if you send a card. The Way of the Cross On Good Friday, March 25, starting at 11:30am the Burlington Area Council of Churches invites you to join them in a walk of The Way of the Cross. The plan at this time is that the walk will be looping through the downtown area beginning and ending at the Port of Burlington. The Way of the Cross reenacts Jesus last mile to his death giving people the opportunity to carry the cross as well as participate in scripture readings and prayer at 14 locations or stations along the route. The Way of the Cross began in the Middle Ages in Jerusalem and has been carried out through the Christian world ever since. There are 14 readings. If you would like to lead one of the readings, contact Rev. David Bracht-Wagner at or david.bracht-wagner@iaumc.net.

3 March 2016 Lay Leaders Head Usher: Spencer Honsey March Team Captain: Dan Wischmeier Ushers As of the publishing of this newsletter, the list of March Ushers had not been received in the office. Altar Guild Vanette Wooldridge; Lori Cox; Marlys McClurg; Michelle Cox Communion Assistants As of the publishing of this newsletter, the list of March Communion assistants hadn t been turned into the office. Fellowship As of the publishing of this newsletter, no one has signed up for Fellowship hour. Flowers 6 - Open 13 - Dee Dee Walker 20 - Palm Sunday 27 - Easter Sunday Lector 6 - Todd Sladky 13 - Bob Sogard 20 - Gerald Janssen 27 - Pam Taylor Acolytes 6 - Samantha Gerdes and Madison McClurg 13 - Joel Jensen and Aunika Johnson 20 - Olivia Engler and Isaac Morehead 27-6:30 a.m.: Samantha Gerdes and Madison McClurg 9:00 a.m.: Olivia Engler and Aunika Johnson Missionary Support 6 - Open 13 - Open 20 - Edd & Barb West 27 - Open Greeters 6 - Scott & Jan Creighton 13 - Susanne Adam and Donna Miller 20 - Kathy Beach and Dee Dee Walker 27 - Joe Gerdes and Bob Sogard 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. 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! MARCH BIRTHDAYS 1 - Jacob Cox; Paul Ervin; Robert Voigt 2 - Richard House; Tina Savage; Jeff Schuler 3 - Flora Specht 4 - Emilee Bellegante; Nichole Riherd; Wendell Smith 5 - Marlene Benninghoven 6 - Amy Unglaub; Kimberly Miller 7 - Dan Wischmeier 9 - Laurie Chelf; Ron Woodside 10 - Marian Chaddock; David Nuebel; Steven Quam 11 - Beth Peterson 13 - Tatem Sherwood 14 - Rylee Morris; Mike Reichelt 15 - Robert Shirley 17 - Cynthia Brackett; Lori Cox; Nancy Nuebel; Darrin Timberlake 18 - Brittan Roth; Doreen Roy 19 - Isaac Morehead 20 - Tiffany Huppenbauer; Nancy Kern 21 - Nancy Drebenstedt 22 - Loretta Freeman; Linda Manes 24 - Rachel Lindeen; Alexis Oetken; Tony Stanley 25 - Shawn Adam; Kara Clark; Robert Etchison 27 - Cameo Mundt 28 - Sherry Swanson 29 - Paige Carson; Joseph Engle; Elizabeth Loots; Aaron Morehead 31 - David Guile; Michael Hopp; Tyler Schramm

4 The meetings for March 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. Rebecca Circle Wednesday, March 2, 12:00 noon Sarah Circle Tuesday, March 8, 1:30 p.m. Christian Education Committee Sunday, March 13, 10:30 a.m. Special Congregational Meeting Sunday, March 13, 10:30 a.m. Worship & Music Wednesday, March 16, 11:00 a.m. Men s Breakfast Saturday, March 19, 8:00 a.m. Church Council Sunday, March 20, 10:30 a.m. Property Committee Monday, March 21, 6:30 p.m. FINANCIAL UPDATE FEBRUARY ATTENDANCE 1/ / / / FEBRUARY GIVING 1/31 $2,487 2/7 $3,344 2/14 $705 2/21 $1,966 Total $8,502 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. Book Club Tuesday, March 29, 5:00 p.m. Tuesday Night Church League Single games, possibly some doubleheaders, starting Tuesday, April 26. Minimum of 14 regular season games and a double elimination play-off tournament. If you have an interest in playing, please contact team manager John Larson at jflarson114@gmail.com. Come support the 'saved by grace' team!" Rebecca Circle This month s meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 2. The time will be 12:00 noon and this is a covered dish gathering. All women are welcome.

5 February Council Minutes Present: Scott Creighton, Mike Hopp, Rachel Lindeen, Jim Martindale, Kim Engle, Bill Mundt, Jr., Mark Rosenberg, Dan Wischmeier, Dee Dee Walker; Candy Wagner; Pastor Jacquie Berlien Guest: Todd Chelf (reporting for the Call Committee portion of meeting) Scott Creighton provided a devotion. CALL COMMITTEE Todd Chelf reviewed with the Council the timeline of events regarding Pastor Paul Hermansen and then shared the results of the Call Committee s vote about calling him to be our next full-time pastor. Discussion about the compensation package ensued. Dan Wischmeier motioned to accept the Call Committee s recommendation to bring Pr. Hermansen s name before the Congregation, after final compensation numbers are reviewed by the Council. Dee Dee Walker seconded. Motion carried Mark Rosenberg motioned to approve the January minutes and Dan Wischmeier seconded. Motion carried. Minutes approved. FINANCIAL REPORT Dan Wischmeier provided both a written and oral report. Jim Martindale motioned to send $500 to Community Action from the Human Concerns fund. Rachel Lindeen seconded. Motion carried. Rachel Lindeen motioned to accept the financial reports. Mike Morris seconded. Motion carried. STAFF REPORTS Pastor Jacquie provided a written report. Amanda Stevenson-Cosgrove provided a written report. Scott Creighton motioned to approve the Staff reports and Dee Dee Walker seconded. Motion carried. Staff reports approved. COMMITTEE REPORTS Christian Ed: Written report inadvertently left out of Council Meeting packets. Mike provided an oral report. Stewardship will assist Youth/Christian Ed with Lent Soup Supper on March 9. Endowment: Oral. Change in Edward Jones fee schedule. Evangelism/Stewardship: None Fellowship: None Finance: Written Property: Written - volunteers needed to help with mowing. Remembrance: None Scholarship - None Social Ministry: Remainder of Christmas gifts were reimbursed. Worship & Music: Written report not included in Council Meeting packets. Oral report provided. Lent events discussed. Youth: None Mike Morris motioned to approve the Committee reports. Mark Rosenber seconded. Motion carried - committee reports approved. OLD BUSINESS ~ Bingo request - Insurance coverage being researched. The group will gather once a week during normal business hours. Motion to allow the group to meet here weekly at a rate of $35 for set up/clean up, contingent upon them obtaining insurance coverage, with a 30-day cancellation notice. Fee proceeds will go into the Capital Fund for the purposes of carpet replacement. ~ Synod Assembly - Todd Chelf and Dee Dee Walker have agreed to attend as our delegates. Event is May 6 & 7 in Coralville. ~ Foods Resource Bank - there was discussion about this ecumenical project with First Christian Church. NEW BUSINESS ~ Pastor Mileage Reimbursement Rate ~ Council dinner is Sunday, February 28, 11:30 a.m. There being no further business, Rachel Lindeen motioned to adjourn. Mike Morris seconded. Motion carried, meeting adjourned. Next meeting March 20, 2016

6 We continue our Lent study when gather to hear and discuss a few chapters from the book Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today by Adam Hamilton. This is the schedule for the remainder of the Lent season... Wednesday, March 2, at Faith 5:30 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer 6:00 p.m. Soup Supper and Book Study Wednesday, March 9, at Bethany 5:30 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer 6:00 p.m. Soup Supper and Book Study Wednesday, March 16, at Trinity 5:30 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer 6:00 p.m. Soup Supper and Book Study PALM SUNDAY March 20 Worship at 9:00 a.m. The voice of the suffering savior, Jesus, can be heard in the prophet Isaiah s words and the pleading of the psalm. We are invited into the agony of our Lord in the extended reading of the story of Jesus passion. In the second reading, we who have put on Christ in holy baptism are urged to let the mind of Christ be our own. Lent leads us to this holy moment. Embrace it. MAUNDY THURSDAY March 24 Worship at 7:00 p.m. With nightfall our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus death and resurrection. At the heart of the Maundy Thursday liturgy is Jesus commandment to love one another. As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, we are called to follow his example as we humbly care for one another, especially the poor and the unloved. At the Lord s table we remember Jesus sacrifice of his life, even as we are called to offer ourselves in love for the life of the world. GOOD FRIDAY March 25 Worship at 7:00 p.m. At the heart of the Good Friday liturgy is the passion according to John, which proclaims Jesus as a triumphant king who reigns from the cross. The ancient title for this day the triumph of the cross reminds us that the church gathers not to mourn this day but to celebrate Christ s lifegiving passion and to find strength and hope in the tree of life. In the ancient bidding prayer we offer petitions for all the world for whom Christ died. Today s liturgy culminates in the Easter Vigil tomorrow evening. EASTER SUNDAY March 27 Worship at 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. (Easter Breakfast served at 7:45) This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. God has indeed raised from the dead the one who was put to death by hanging him on a tree. Alleluia! God allows Jesus to appear to us who were chosen by God as witnesses in holy baptism and invites us to eat and drink at the table of the risen Christ. Alleluia!

7 CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE Confirmation is not currently meeting on Wednesdays thru March 23 due to Lent. Lent projects are being worked on during this time. We will resume meeting on Wednesday, March 30, 7:00 p.m. here at Bethany. Confirmation students and parents please make note of this. L.I.F.T. Living In Faith Together Sunday, March 13, is the next date we ll gather for L.I.F.T. at Trinity Lutheran Church. We start at 5:00 and are done about 6:45 p.m. This is a gathering for kids, ages 4-5th grade and we sing, have a bible story and do a craft... ALL AFTER WE EAT!! SUNDAY SCHOOL HAPPENINGS We gather Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. and youth of all ages are invited to join us. Easter Lily Order form Once again this year our Easter Lilies will be ordered from Ritter s with a cost of $16.00 per plant. If you d like to order one to adorn the front of the church for Easter, then please fill out this form and return it to the church with your money. Checks should be made out to the church. The deadline to order your lily is Sunday, March 20. Given by: # of plants: Given in honor of: (PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY) Choir Notes The choir will sing again on Palm Sunday, March 20. We ll rehearse at 8:00 a.m. on March 6, 13 & 20. It s been wonderful to have some members of our congregation offer to give choir a try, so we hope to see you on those dates. Given in memory of: Envelope #