Volume 57 Issue 12 December, 2017 Bethany Lutheran Church Mission Statement Reaching out in Worship, Fellowship, Learning, and Love - We Are God s People. THE PURPOSE OF ADVENT In the early church, long before there was a celebration of Christmas, people dedicated their lives to God in the season we call Advent. This season was almost identical to Lent. Advent was a time of disciplining oneself for forty days. It included fasting, self-denial, and preparing for the return of Christ in His second coming. In the Eastern Orthodox practice Advent is still forty days long and includes focusing on Christ with total devotion. In our American culture today there is no longer a sense of Advent. In America we go right from Thanksgiving to Christmas. What we lose in this change is taking time to wait on God. Advent is a sense of expectant anticipation. Advent is believing God is still coming but reverently, respectfully, and patiently waiting on God in faith, believing He will return. One may say that believers have been waiting for Christ to return for 2,000 years. Is He still coming? we ask ourselves. The answer is YES! And what are we to do in the meantime? Wait with eager longing and pray for His return. 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
FIRST COMMUNION - DECEMBER 3 Three of our youth will experience their first Communion on December 3. Those three are Aaron Morehead, Lucas Chelf, and Mason Fritz. This year Christmas Eve is on a Sunday night. We will still have our regular 9:00 a.m. service. Christmas Eve candlelight services, with Holy Communion, will be at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. What a great opportunity to invite friends, neighbors, and family to Bethany. 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. EXODUS BIBLE STUDY Pictorial Directory Update The final proofs for our new pictorial directory were returned and the company told us that we will receive one directory for each family who had their pictures taken. To be able to get additional directories, we can purchase them or, if 15 more families not in the first round of pictures agree to have their photos done, the directories will be rerun. The directories will be here by the end of the year. The Social Ministry Committee has once again set up the mitten Christmas tree for families less fortunate than ourselves. There are tags on the tree for presents to buy. Let s make sure all the tags are taken. The Committee would also like to thank everyone who filled the bin with socks and underwear. Your generosity exceeded all expectations. The Exodus Bible study meets on Sunday nights at 7:00 p.m. Exodus is one of the most fascinating books in the Bible. Please join us. Rebecca Circle will have their annual Christmas lunch at 11:30 a.m., on Wednesday, December 13, at Peaches in Comfort Inn Hope to see you there. NEW HEAD USHERS For several years Spencer Honsey has been in charge of the 12 monthly usher captains. Recently Spencer passed the baton to Julie and Dan Wischmeier. They will strive to maintain this smooth running ministry. It is really great when the monthly captains get the names of the ushers to the office to be included in the Chimes and bulletins. DECEMBER ACTIVITIES The Retired Nurses will be meeting on Friday, December 1, at Noon at Comfort Inn for a Christmas luncheon. Boy Scout Troop #25 has their regular weekly meetings on Tuesdays.
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8 For Whom Does Bethany Exist? How we perceive the church is a significant factor on whether or not the church will grow. Do we feel as if the church exists for those who are members of the church? If I am a member of a congregation, do I feel like I am a customer of that church and feel like the church exists to take care of me? Do I feel the church needs to be the way I want it to be? Does the church need to pick the songs we sing on the basis of my preferences? If we are honest in our assessment of our relationship with the church, we would have to admit that having the church meet our own needs is a high priority for us. The Greek word for church is ekklesia. That word literally means the called-out ones. Jesus perception of the church is that it is the people of God called out by God to bring the saving message of Christ to those who do not know Him. If we were to identify who the real customer is in God s church, it would be the people we invite to Bethany. We who are the church are intended to be shaped by the Holy Spirit to be a people who the unchurched are drawn to. This means that, in God s church, the members are not the served ones but the serving ones. I have been studying churches that have been growing for more than forty years. One of the factors of a growing church are members who are very excited about their church. Growing churches also have members who take a sincere interest in the other person s world. They talk less about themselves and ask more how the other person is doing. In our Southeastern Iowa Synod we have several churches who practice the church is for the other person model. One of these churches is Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. Can we learn from other churches the things God wants us to know to maximize our potential at Bethany? For several months at Bethany we watched dynamic messages from Hope Lutheran about God and the church. On January 7, at our 9:00 a.m. service, during the sermon time, we will watch the most helpful Hope message I have heard among all of them. Later in the same morning, at 10:50, we will be invited to the sanctuary to watch a full, live, Hope service. Why are we doing this? Let me clearly say that I love Bethany with all my heart! In looking at what growing churches are doing that is causing their growth, I am not trying to compare Bethany in a negative light. Bethany is a family of Godly people walking in Godly ways. However, as the years have passed, there are less and less among us who are walking the Bethany journey. Bethany has much to offer. Bethany has a Christ-like loving spirit that does not exist in every congregation. God is doing amazing things in our midst. I am also seeing a few former members, as well as new visitors, gathering with us on Sunday to worship God. Hallelujah! Pastor s article continued on page 4
Pastor s article continued from page 3 I cannot predict how tapping into the story of ministries like Hope of West Des Moines will impact Bethany. What I would ask all of us to pray about is for God to guide us in taking what we have at Bethany and bring us to the next level. As a congregation we are called to bear fruit. Bearing fruit means reaching out and welcoming new people into our Bethany family. With God s help, and the influence of places like Hope, bearing fruit is not only possible but is also preferable in who we are and how we live out our lives as the church. As we experience the message and worship of Hope Lutheran, please know that we have their full cooperation and blessing. We are, and always will be, Bethany Lutheran. And we hope to become the best Bethany that we can possibly be. In Christ, Pastor Paul PLEDGE SUNDAY - DECEMBER 3 On behalf of Bethany, thank you for your generous support of God s ministry through us in 2017. Several members participated in various outreach opportunities, both locally and beyond. We also gave over $3,000.00 to Lutheran Disaster Relief to help victims of this year s hurricanes. At Bethany we focus on God and what He means in our lives. In looking ahead to 2018 we want to do even more than before. On December 3, during worship, there will be a box to put in our estimate of giving pledges for 2018. If you did not have a chance to bring yours on that Sunday, you may bring it on the following Sundays, mail it in, or leave it at the office. SPECIAL SUNDAY - JANUARY 7 In sermons, Bible studies, and other Bethany communications I have talked about ways God can help Bethany grow. In 2007 Bethany s average Sunday attendance was 193. By 2015 that number dropped to 85. I love Bethany so much that I am not going to just stand by and let our numbers decline even more. On January 7, at our 9:00 a.m. service during the sermon time, we will watch a thought provoking message from Lutheran Church of Hope of Des Moines. Then, at 10:50 a.m., we will show the entire Hope service in the sanctuary. Let me make it very clear that we are not changing the 9:00 a.m. service. The service we know and love will continue in the same format we are familiar with. The reason for experiencing the second service at 10:50 is to give us an opportunity to participate in a worship practice that comes from the largest ELCA congregation in America. We will also want to hear your opinion on this. CHURCH SECURITY UPDATE Here at Bethany we are very blessed to have conscientious members looking into addressing our security needs. On Thursday, December 7, at 1:00 p.m., we will have a security walk through to learn where we can improve the safety of our facility. Anyone may attend. Ideally it would be great to have a task force follow up on this.
December 2017 Lay Leaders Head Ushers: Dan & Julie Wischmeier December Team Captain: Mark Rosenberg Ushers 3 - Bob Hoxie; Amy Unglaub; Mike & Tammy Morris 10 - Marlys McClurg; Michelle Cox; Mark & Bonnie Rosenberg 17 - Dan & Julie Wischmeier; Joe Gerdes; Arnhild Zaiser 24 (a.m.) - Jeff & Kim Engle; Jim & Sharon Martindale 24 (p.m.) - Jackie Chubb; Mark & Bonnie Rosenberg; Todd Chelf Family 31 - Dan & Ruth Harken; Pat & Kelli Reichelt Communion Assistants 3 - Mrk Rosenberg; Dan Harken; Amanda Stevenson- Cosgrove 10 - Bob Hoxie; Scott & Jan Creighton 17 - Mike Morris; Bill Mundt; Jim Martindale 24 (a.m.) - Teresa Morehead; Todd Chelf; Sue Hermansen 24 (p.m.) - 31 - Fellowship 3-10 - 17-24 - 31 - Missionary Support 3-10 - 17 - Lynda Johnson 24 - Dorothy Hopson 31 - Acolytes 3 - David King 10 -Benjamin Chelf 17 - Sam Morehead; Abi Schonrock 24 (a.m.) - Madison McClurg 24 (p.m.) - 31 - Tyler Burch Lector 3 - Todd Chelf 10 - Bill Mundt 17 - Kim Engle 24 (a.m. and p.m.) - Sue Hermansen 31 - Todd Sladky Greeters 3 - Scott & Jan Creighton 10 - Ginny Mesecher; Sue Hermansen 17 - Marlys McClurg; Vanette Wooldridge 24 - Lynda Johnson 31 - Bob Sogard; Arnhild Zaiser Flowers 3 - Jim & Sharon Martindale 10 - Paul & Sue Hermansen 17 - Dee Dee Walker 24 - Poinsettias 31 - Poinsettias Altar Guild Sharon Martindale; Lynda Johnson; Dee Dee Walker; Kim Engle December Birthdays 2 - Annette Peterson 5 - Scott Creighton; Nancy House; Anne Wischmeier 9 - Savanna Quam 11 - Shayla Hopp 12 - June Stoermer 13 - Jackie Chubb 14 - Samantha Gerdes; Patricia Milton; Holly Williamson 18 - Adam Cox; Betty Stanley; Chris Wallace 21 - Beverly Felland 23 - Robert Hoxie 24 - Tammy Morris 26 - Nathaniel Johnson; Carrol Schwarm 27 - Linda Hermann 28 - Daniel Cox 29 - Kandace Durbin 30 - Julia Wischmeier 31 - Benjamin & Jonathan Chelf
L.I.F.T. L.I.F.T. is up and running! L.I.F.T. is always held on the second Sunday of the month at 5:00 p.m. at Trinity. L.I.F.T. is open to ages three to 6th grade. This is a great ministry and is open to everyone. We have a Bible story, do a craft, sing some songs...all AFTER WE EAT!! 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 The Sunday School Christmas Program will be held on December 31. Be sure to mark your calendars to be there. December 6 6:30 p.m. Questions: See Amanda or Pastor Paul The youth will be selling cookie jars again this year. Mark your calendars for December 17 for sales to begin. All proceeds will go toward our expenses for the National Youth Gathering next summer. Confirmation students will be celebrating a 12th Night party on Wednesday, January 10, at Bethany. This is for those currently attending class and participating in the mentor program. Mentors are encouraged to attend. We will meet at 6:30 p.m. We are also collecting quart sized jars until December 10. Donations can be dropped off at the church office.
The meetings for December 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 Men s Breakfast Saturday, November 16, 8:00 a.m. Executive Committee Tuesday, December 12, 6:30 p.m. Church Council Sunday, December 17, 10:15 a.m. Property Committee Monday, December 11, 6:30 p.m. Remembrance Committee Worship & Music Committee FINANCIAL UPDATE NOVEMBER ATTENDANCE November 5 88 November 12 87 November 19 106 November 25 19 November 26 88 NOVEMBER GIVING November 5 $1,853.00 November 12 2,620.95 November 19 3,421.11 November 26 4,214.30 Total $12,109.36 WOW! PRAISE GOD! Fellowship Committee 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.