Volume 58 Issue 11 November, 2018 Bethany Lutheran Church Mission Statement Reaching out in Worship, Fellowship, Learning, and Love - We Are God s People. NOVEMBER - A MONTH TO REMEMBER TO SAY THANK YOU I thank my God in all my remembrance of you! Philippians 1:3 Recently someone asked me if people say thank you anymore. I was happy to say that, among our Bethany family, I hear thank you said a lot. One of the things my dad told me quite often at a young age was to make sure to express appreciation to people when they do nice things for you. Here in America we have set aside a day for being thankful. According to the Bible we are to give thanks everyday in all things. Jesus set a good example for us in offering prayers of thanks to our heavenly father for all that God does for us. In fact, one of the Greek words we use for communion is eucharist, which means to give thanks. A good exercise to do from time to time is to sit down and make a list of everything and everyone we are thankful for. When Sue and I first came to Bethany we invited anyone who wanted to come to a potluck Thanksgiving dinner at Bethany. Last year we counted 37 who came. Sue has prepared a sign-up sheet to designate items you can bring. One of the blessing in doing this is to give people who come the feeling of family we share as a church family. Sue and I have not had a Thanksgiving with our biological family for many years. What a joy to have the experience of sharing God s love with our Bethany family! 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. Michelle Huppenbauer, Financial Sec y Mike & Tammy Morris, Custodians
FALL BACK ONE HOUR ON NOVEMBER 3 Once again we go back to Central Standard Time on Saturday, November 3. Get an extra hour of sleep and feel refreshed and vibrant for our Sunday 9:00 a.m. service. The worship will include special music by our choir and remembering loved ones in a special time of lighting candles and sharing prayers for All Saints Day. EAGLE SCOUT CEREMONY ON NOVEMBER 4 On November 4 at 2:00 p.m. the young man who striped our parking lot will become one of three Eagle Scouts. The congregation is invited to attend the ceremony. We thank God for our partnership with the scouting program at Bethany. May God s light continue to shine brightly in their lives. THANKSGIVING DINNER AT BETHANY A few months after Sue and I came to Bethany we realized that it would be our first thanksgiving away from any family. The thought of being alone was something neither us was happy with. The answer? Have a thanksgiving dinner at Bethany! Julia Wischmeier will once again cook the turkey, and maybe a ham as well. There is a sign-up sheet for you to indicate what you would like to bring and how many of you are coming. Perhaps you might remember someone who you would invite to make sure they will not be left out. The dinner will be at 4:00 p.m. The food is always delicious. God s spirit inspires our fellowship. Each of us will share something we are grateful to God for over this past year. We look forward to a day of great thanks with you. 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. PASTOR LEADS WORSHIP AT KLEINS In October I led chapel services at Klein s. In November I will lead chapel on the Tuesdays of November 13, 20, and 27. Various pastors volunteer their time as part of their community outreach. There are musicians who also volunteer to play the songs we sing. There is something that every member of Bethany can do. During worship the residents need people to assist them in turning the pages in their songbooks. In October two members of Bethany joined me in this experience. In November I need more people to come to Klein s on the dates listed above at 2:20. The service ends around 3:00 with coffee and refreshments. Please contact me to serve. USHER CAPTAIN FOR DECEMBER A volunteer is needed to be the usher captain for the month of December. If you would be interested in filling this position, please contact Dan or Julie Wischmeier. Thank you. NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES The Retired Nurses will be meeting on Friday, November 2, at 9:00 a.m., in the fellowship hall.. Boy Scout Troop #25 has their regular weekly meetings on Tuesdays.
KITCHEN SUPPLIES NEEDED We are in need of the following supplies for the kitchen: Paper towels Napkins Cascade dishwasher soap Dish washing soap Coffee creamers, flavored and plain COUNCIL MEMBERS LEAD WORSHIP This year we introduced something new at Bethany. On the Sundays I am not here we now have council members leading worship. Nearly all of them seem to appreciate doing it. It is important to develop lay ministry in a church. I have never had to call in sick for a service before, but at 66 years old I need to be ready for that possibility. I appreciate the council s Sunday serving very much. However, even people not on council can participate in a part of the service. If you would like to serve, please let me know. REMEMBERING LOVED ONES ON November 4 I was looking back at Bethany and our ministry at the end of 2017 and early 2018. In a little over two months seven of our members had their earthly life come to a close. At the very least life is different when a lived one dies. Losing those close to us inevitably creates a process of grieving that needs comfort and consolation. Our 9:00 a.m. All Saints Sunday worship will have a time for remembering those no longer with us. We will pray and light candles in tribute and memory of our beloved saints. We will also thank and praise God that, in the resurrection of Christ, a new life awaits us beyond the grave. STEPHEN MINISTERS AT BETHANY Years ago a former pastor of Bethany introduced you to Stephen Ministry. On September 29 five of us attended a presentation in Iowa City. Since then Bethany received a large donation dedicated to covering the cost of training members to become a Stephen Minister. Over the next few months I will be asking who of you would like to become a Stephen Minister. On Sunday mornings after the 9:00 a.m. service I will devote our adult forum to explain what a Stephen Minister is trained to do. This program will bless Bethany as well as our greater Burlington community. PLEDGE SUNDAY - DECEMBER 2 Plans for our 2018 stewardship drive are underway. Over the next several Sundays we will share stories of God s wonderful work through Bethany. The theme of our steward program is With a Grateful Heart. I thank all of you for your generous support to the ministry we share. I would also challenge you to pray about your level of support for 2019. At the beginning of 2018 I noticed that my salary went up. At the same time Sue had increased our monthly giving by $100. Has your income increased? One way to say thank you to God is by giving God a little more in your offering. I promise you won t miss it. May our hearts and giving overflow in thanksgiving to God.
... and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit... Acts 6:5 STEPHEN MINISTERS AT BETHANY At the end of September I participated in two valuable conferences. One of them focused on the world of today s young people and how to reach them. I was glad to hear that our younger generations want to be involved in the church, but the church itself needs to adapt to their culture in order to better connect with them. The second event was an excellent presentation on a program called Stephen Ministry. In conversations I have had with members at Bethany I learned that the congregation attended the same experience a few years ago. On September 29 five of us traveled to Iowa City where we heard about a training that equips members to provide ministry for people going through hard experiences. As a pastor I want to be able to effectively help people who are going through events that can be overwhelming. I want to know the right thing to say and refrain from saying things that may create misunderstanding or hurt. People who have had Stephen Ministry training have wonderful people and communication skills. They listen very attentively and know what to say and when to say it. In the weeks to come I will be having conversations with our council leadership to determine their support of this training for Bethany members. There will be a training session offered in St. Louis next year between April 28 and May 4. Having trained Stephen Ministers is a tremendous asset for a congregation. As churches face a potential financial future of not having adequate funding for a full-time pastor, they will be very blessed to have members who can provide Christ-like care for their people and the community as a whole. I ask your prayers for this specific opportunity. I will seek out interested persons at Bethany to receive the training. I will keep you informed on the process and provide video presentations on this Godly ministry. In Christ, Pastor Paul
October 2018 Lay Leaders Head Ushers: Dan & Julie Wischmeier October Team Captain: Mark Rosenberg Ushers 4 - Morehead Family 11 - Steve & Sue Rogers; Mark & Bonnie Rosenberg 18 - Chelf Family 25 - Mark & Bonnie Rosenberg Communion Assistants 4 - Bill Mundt; Shelley Wallace; Sharon Martindale 11 - Amanda Stevenson- Cosgrove; Rachel Lindeen; Jessica King 18 - Scott & Jan Creighton; Julie Wischmeier 25 - Bob sogard; Sue Swanson; Sue Hermansen Fellowship 4-11 - 18-25 - Acolytes 4 - Aaron Morehead 11 - Jonathan Chelf 18 - Mason Fritz; Sam Morehead 25 - David King Lector 4 - Bob Sogard 11 - Jessica King 18 - Melissa Hopp 25 - Shelley Wallace Greeters 4 - Ginny Mesecher; Sue Hermansen 11 - Jeff & Kim Engle 18 - Sharon Martindale 25 - Lynda Johnson Flowers 4-11 - Lynda Johnson 18 - Bob & Debbie Hoxie 25 - James & Beverly Felland; Emmerich & Sharon Adam Altar Guild Sharon Martindale; Lynda Johnson; Kim Engle October Birthdays 2 - Amanda Shepherd 3 - Mark Rosenberg 5 - Laura Johnson 6 - Warren Sanford 7 - Ronald Mower 11 - Mary Ann Schoof-Schleif 13 - Rex Zaiser 14 - Julie Chubb; Virginia Mesecher 15 - Brett Kuster; Madison McClurg 16 - Christian Morris 17 - Mark Morris 18 - Jan Creighton; Jordan Howell 20 - Parker Adam 23 - Valerie Burgus 24 - Rebecca Jordan 25 - Carlean Bergman 26 - Donna Miller; Earl Stoller 27 - Nathan Taylor Missionary Support 4 - Pastor Paul & Sue 11-18 - Anne Wischmeier 25 -
WANT TO HELP WITH YOUTH BUT NOT SURE WHERE TO START? There will be no confirmation on November 21 We are always looking for volunteers when it comes to youth! It can be as small as providing snacks for children s sermons, Sunday school or confirmation (our kids love food!), to being a mentor, teaching Sunday school, hosting a youth supper, co-directing the Christmas program (I haven t asked Todd Chelf, but I think this one is locked down!), or filling in as a leader for confirmation. There are many ways to show your support for the future of our church. Interested? Contact Amanda or Pr. Paul today. DECEMBER L.I.F.T. Living in Faith Together! Our October Fallfest went so well we going for it again. This time we will be meeting at Messiah Lutheran Church on Sunday, December 16, at 5:00 p.m., for a Christmas celebration. More details will be coming soon so check your bulletins and listen to the announcements. We would love to see YOU there!!! ACOLYTES If your student is unable to fulfill his/her duties, please find a replacement for that Sunday. November 4 - Aaron Morehead November 11 - Jonathan Chelf November 18 - Mason Fritz; Sam Morehead November 25 - David King
The meetings for November 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. WELCA TBA Social Ministry Committee TBA FINANCIAL UPDATE OCTOBER ATTENDANCE October 7 115 October 14 89 October 20 10 October 21 75 Men s Breakfast Saturday, November 17, 8:00 a.m. Executive Committee Tuesday, November 13, 6:30 p.m. Church Council Sunday, November 18, 10:15 a.m. Property Committee Monday, November 5, 6:30 p.m. OCTOBER GIVING October 7 $ 2,870.52 October 14 1,815.40 October 21 12,822.00 Total $17,507.92 Worship & Music Committee Sunday, November 11, 10:15 a.m. Thank you for your generosity and faithful trust in God to provide your needs! God believes in you 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. 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. and has a great future planned for If you change your mailing address, please let the office know ASAP. For every returned piece of mail returned for an incorrect address, we are charged 75 cents.