God s Work. Our Hands.

Volume 57 Issue 9 September, 2017 Bethany Lutheran Church Mission Statement Reaching out in Worship, Fellowship, Learning, and Love - We Are God s People. God s Work. Our Hands. On Saturday, September 9, the Lutheran churches in Burlington will join Lutheran churches from across the ELCA in a day of service to their communities to share the love of God with all people. You can all be a part of this wonderful program. The day will begin with a breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church. We will then have a short gathering to bless our work. We will be filling Celebration Bags for Community Action. These bags will contain a cake mix, can of frosting, candles, and a party favor. We will be collecting diapers and cleaning supplies for Lutheran Services Iowa. These will include a 3 gallon bucket, mop, broom, rags, liquid cleaning supplies, etc. There is a blue bin outside the sanctuary for donations for the Celebration Bags and cleaning supplies. We will finish the painting that we started last year at the homeless shelter. We will prepare the community garden at the YMCA for the next season. We will package food for Kids Against Hunger at Messiah Lutheran at 10:30 a.m. Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church 2515 Madison Ave. Burlington, Iowa Phone: (319) 752-3621 www.bethanyburlington.org Pastor s Cell: (360) 623-2184 Our Staff Rev. Paul Hermansen, Pastor Cory Byrne, Choir Director/Organist Amanda Stevenson-Cosgrove, Dir. of Youth & Family Sue Hermansen, Admin. Asst. Dennis Wohlers, Financial Sec y Mike & Tammy Morris, Custodians

The congregation is invited to the wedding of Marcy Ruberg to Scott Peters On Saturday, September 23, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church. Reception to follow at Hibernia Hall, 1204 Washington St., Burlington, Iowa. 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. During the summer months, 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. GENESIS BIBLE STUDY PAINT-A-THON September 4-8 The Genesis Bible study, meeting now on Wednesday evenings, will be moving to Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. beginning September 17. Genesis is one of the most fascinating books in the Bible. Please join us. The dates have been set for this year s Paint-A- Thon. There is a sign-up sheet outside the sanctuary for us to indicate when we can help. Thanks for your serving. SEPTEMBER ACTIVITIES The Retired Nurses will be meeting this month for a luncheon here at Bethany at Noon on Friday, September 1. Please bring a dish to share. Boy Scout Troop #25 has their regular weekly meetings on Tuesdays.

CARPET FUND DRIVE Our carpet fund drive to help cover the remainder of the cost for new carpet and linoleum is still ongoing. So far we have donations of $12,590.55. A special thanks to all who have contributed to this fund so far. We have $910.00 left to reach our goal. If you would like to give a donation, note on your gift that it is for the carpet fund. Your generosity on this matter is most appreciated. Linda Elmore is having knee surgery on October 23. She needs someone to watch her dog, Little Buddy, on that day and the following few days of rehab. She will furnish food and treats. If you can help out Linda and Little Buddy, please call Linda at 319-572-8189. DYNAMIC MINISTRY FORUMS September 21 at 7:00 p.m. Our Dynamic Ministry Forums have been listening to messages from Hope Lutheran Church. These have given rise to meaningful conversation about ideas for Bethany. Our next Forum is on September 21 in the library. BETHANY PRESS BRIEFINGS The following is a list of church related items that I would like to put in one article. September is the month we resume our fall schedule. Attendance and participation in Bible studies has been trending up. Because confirmation happens at the same day and time as our Wednesday Bible study, the Wednesday Bible study on Genesis moves to Sundays nights at 7:00 p.m. starting on September 17. I will schedule an adult forum on the Sundays I have no meetings. I would love to introduce contemporary music for Sunday worship with a screen and projector. I am trying to put together a team of technicians. I would also love to have people who play musical instruments contact me to add to the wonderful music Cory shares. Amy Unglaub has graciously stepped in for our Fellowship Committee. Their next meeting will be September 6 at 6:30 p.m. Our fall ministry kicks off on Rally Sunday, September 10. Sunday School will meet after worship. At Noon we have our church potluck picnic at Crappo Park. Hope to have a good turnout. The Social Ministry Committee meets on September 10 at 10:15 a.m. The Marcy Ruberg/Scott Peters wedding is on September 23 at 3:30 p.m. here at Bethany. During the wedding we will baptize daughter Layla. The congregation is invited to the wedding and the reception to follow at Hibernia Hall.

...fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 SMOOTH SEAS DO NOT MAKE SKILLFUL SAILORS! This summer brought me personal information that I would have been very happy not to have received. As you know by now, I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. While I was told I am a moderate risk, I am still taking steps to hopefully become cancer free. How do you process hearing negative news that directly affects you? For nearly forty years a major part of my ministry has been reaching out to others who are navigating through troubled waters. Now I am on those stormy seas! The reactions to such events are wide ranging. The initial reality is to ask, Why is this happening to me? I am grateful for our Lutheran theology that resists the urge to automatically blame ourselves when bad things happen to us. Our Lutheran understanding of misfortune is simply that bad things happen to many of us. In some instances our actions may be the source of our suffering and we would do well to alter the behavior that creates our unpleasant dilemna. But most important of all is turning to God and the body of Christ to receive the caring, support, and intervention that will help us better process our circumstances. The caring and compassion I have received since announcing my cancer has been amazing. The concern for my wife is also greatly appreciated. We have an appointment at a clinic in Cedar Rapids that has been highly touted for the success others have received who were in a similar situation. In the meantime I thank you for your ongoing prayers. I will, in kind, continue to strive to be a sensitive ear and voice of hope to others who experience their own turbulent seas. God promises to be with us. Because He is our God we need not be dismayed. He will strengthen, help, and uphold us with His victorious right hand. In Christ, Pastor Paul

September 2017 Lay Leaders Head Usher: Spencer Honsey September Team Captain: Steve Rogers Ushers Mark & Bonnie Rosenberg 10 - Sue Rogers; Joe Gerdes; Morehead Family Steve & Sue Rogers; Jim & Barb Morris Steve & Sue Rogers; Scott & Jan Creighton Communion Assistants 10 - Fellowship 10- Missionary Support 10 - Acolytes 10 - Lector Elberta Quam 10 - Sue Hermansen Jeff Engle Carlene Woodside Greeters Lynda Johnson; Dee Dee Walker 10 - Scott & Jan Creighton Ginny Mesecher; Sue Hermansen Marlys McClurg; Vanette Wooldridge Flowers 10 - Gerald & Lila Janssen Dan Wischmeier Brody Johnson; Aunika Johnson; Brantley Bergman Altar Guild Marlys McClurg; Mary Ann Schoof-Schlief; Debbie Hoxie, Carol Dodge September Birthdays 2 - Elaine Loots Jeff Bloomer 4 - Tyler Burch; Terry Steenberg 7 - Mark Loots 10 - Malissa Schoof 11 - Erin Taylor 12 - Myrna Zabloudil 1 Carol Gard; Austin Timberlake 14 - Sara Sladky Philip Bartelson 18 - Farrah Williams 22 - Lynda Johnson 2 Dawn Whetstone Lucas Chelf; Jessica Tharp 25 - Emmerich Adam, Jr.; Dan Harken; Samuel Morehead; Elizabeth Roy; Susan Swanson 26 - Patricia Chacey; Garret Coleman; Ruth Harken 29 - Abbey Coleman; Kenneth Shepherd 30 - Marilyn Huth; Jeffrey McClurg

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR RALLY SUNDAY have any questions, contact Amanda or Pastor Paul. Rally Sunday, always the official kickoff to the Sunday School year, will be Sunday, September 10. We will have a potluck picnic at Crapo Park Skatehouse Shelter (same place as last year), so bring some food to share, a comfy chair, and your fishing pole! L.I.F.T. It s time for L.I.F.T. to start up! L.I.F.T. is always held on the second Sunday of the month at Trinity. The first L.I.F.T.- off will be September 10, starting at 5:00 p.m. L.I.F.T. is open to ages three to 6th grade. This is a great ministry and is open to everyone. Invite your nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and their friends! Registration forms are available. If you are interested in helping with L.I.F.T, speak to Amanda. CONFIRMATION It is time for another year of confirmation! Our first meeting will be on Wednesday, September 13, at 6:00 p.m., at Bethany. This is for all incoming and current students (8th graders) with parent/guardian. At this meeting we will discuss class meeting times, year schedule, and expectations. If you MENTOR/MENTEE MEETING We will have a meeting on September 19 at 6:00 p.m. at Bethany with students, mentors, and parents to go over expectations, future meetings and answer any questions about your Mentor Year. Please RSVP to Amanda no later than the week before. NOTES FROM CAMP.... Thank you so much for supporting me while I went to camp! I had an amazing time, and it made me feel so much more connected to God. Thank you so much, Samuel Morehead Bethany Family: Thanks for giving me the opportunity to go to such a wonderful camp. It was an amazing experience. I also appreciated the loving support of the church. It really put me out of my comfort zone which helped me grow my faith. I met and made a lot of new friends. My favorite part was canoeing! Tyler Burch

The meetings for September that have been scheduled as of the publishing of this newsletter are listed below. Watch the bulletins for any date and time changes or additional meetings scheduled. Social Ministry Committee Sunday, September 10, 10:15 a.m. Men s Breakfast Saturday, September 16, 8:00 a.m. Executive Committee Tuesday, September 12, 6:30 p.m. Church Council Sunday, September 17, 10:15 a.m. Property Committee Monday, September 18, 6:30 p.m. Remembrance Committee Thursday, September 21, 6:30 p.m. Worship & Music Committee TBA Fellowship Committee Wednesday, September 6, 6:30 p.m. FINANCIAL UPDATE AUGUST ATTENDANCE August 6 71 August 13 93 August 20 91 August 26 17 August 27 76 AUGUST GIVING August 6 $3,099.00 August 13 2,987.80 August 20 2,284.90 August 27 4,264.68 Total $12,626.38 WOW! PRAISE GOD! 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. PLEASE NOTE The deadline to submit information for the monthly Chimes is the 25th of the month. You re welcome to email your submissions, leave a note on the desk in the office, or call the church office. Thank you for your generosity and faithful trust in God to provide your needs! God believes in you and has a great future planned for Bethany. ALSO! 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.