Volume 57 Issue 6 June, 2017 Bethany Lutheran Church Mission Statement Reaching out in Worship, Fellowship, Learning, and Love - We Are God s People. PENTECOST - THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH The first Sunday of June launches the longest season of the church year. Pentecost was an established Jewish religious festival in which God sent His Holy spirit upon the followers of Jesus who were gathered in one place. Jesus had promised to send this gift which He said would empower the disciples to be able to continue the work Jesus had started. Many call this the birth of the church. When the Sprit came, those disciples proclaimed the mighty works of God to all the pilgrims in Jerusalem. As people heard, in their own language, who God is and how God is at work in their lives, they were convicted of their sins and pleaded to enter into a right relationship with God. That same Holy Spirit continues to empower us to embrace that same ministry today of bringing new people to Bethany by our invitation and acts of grace towards all. It is a great honor and blessing to feel the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. God s Spirit moves us to carry out the work of His Kingdom. Pray that the Holy Spirit will use you to make a difference in the lives of others. 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 Fellowship Committee will be having a rummage sale at Bethany on Friday and Saturday, June 9 and 10. We will open at 9:00 a.m. both days, closing at 3:00 p.m. on Friday and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Bring any items to the church by Thursday, June 8. Any unsold items will be donated. 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. SAVE THE DATE! Marcy Ruberg and Scott Peters September 23, 2017 Burlington, Iowa WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY - June 28 A Bible study will start on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. This study formerly met on Sunday night but, because of the concerts in the park on Sunday evenings, we are moving to Wednesday for the summer. We will resume at Genesis 25. LOOKING AHEAD: In the autumn of 2018, WELCA will be sponsoring its next crafts and arts bazaar. Talented hands and minds have made this a successful venture in the past. All donations accepted. Contact Ruth Harken or Norma Bock. JUNE ACTIVITIES The Retired Nurses will be here on Friday, June 2, at 9:00 a.m. They gather in the fellowship hall. Also, 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 approximately $4,300.00. A special thanks to all who have contributed to this fund so far. If you would like to give a donation, it would really help, as the remaining balance on this important project is approximately $6,000. Please note on your gift that it is for the carpet fund. Your consideration on this matter is most appreciated. I would like to thank everyone who helped out during my recent surgery and recovery. Thank you to all who brought delicious meals to us to keep body nourished and those who organized the meals. Thank you to all who helped out in the office. And especially thanks to all of you who prayed for Pastor Paul and me during that rather trying time. Sue Hermansen Wednesday, June 21, 2017 SAVE THE DATE!!! YES! YES! YES! It is Bethany s Annual Ice Cream Social with Dear Friends Delightful Fun Delicious Food Watch and listen for more details weekly! DYNAMIC MINISTRY FORUM REFLECTIONS 5:00-7:00 p.m. When you receive your June Chimes you will note that we have one more Dynamic Ministry Forum on June 7. These presentations come from the lead pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in West Des Moines. To say they are amazing would fall short of the impact they have had on me. As a pastor and proclaimer of God, it blesses me tremendously to experience a message given by one as gifted as this pastor. The others who have attended share a similar reaction. Special thanks to Todd and Kaye Sladky who brought this resource to our attention. I will be present for the June 7 message and strongly encourage the rest of you to join me. We meet at 7:00 p.m. in the library.
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:6 OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY TOGETHER It was in late June last year that we began our ministry together as congregation and pastor. It has been an encounter with Christ in everything we have shared. Every aspect of our lives at Bethany has been life-giving! The hospitality you extended to us following Sue s surgery with all the meals you prepared is something we will never forget. Our first year at Bethany has been an immeasurable blessing. One of the characteristics of the first year of a new pastorate is that there is an excitement and momentum that comes from the sense of a new beginning. It is like when you buy a new car or move into a new home or celebrate the birth of your first child. The sense of newness fills us with joy and hope. But the car and home get older and baby s diapers pile up and that momentum begins to subside. However, in the case of pastor and congregation, when new opportunities are offered to serve and experience God, the momentum maintains itself and God s ministry in the church flourishes! Several years ago I heard that someone had developed a product called That New Car Smell. I cannot ever recall actually seeing it for sale, but the concept certainly grabbed my attention. Supposedly it came in an aerosol can and promised that just a spray or two made your car smell brand new. Keeping the spirit level up in a church takes more than a couple sprays of new church smell. But God has made a promise to us. God says, Behold I am making all things new. (Rev. 21:5) When our second year together begins at the end of June, I will continue to explore possibilities of new and exciting ministries with Bethany leaders. I will also seek Christ s influence in our lives to have the Spirit of God keep who we are and what we do fresh and vibrant. In Christ, To God be the Glory! Pastor Paul
Head Usher: Spencer Honsey June Team Captain: Scott Creighton Ushers 4 - Scott & Jan Creighton; Mike & Tammy Morris 11 - Scott & Jan Creighton; Bill Mundt; Joe & Sam Gerdes 18 - Scott & Jan Creighton; Jim & Sharon Martindale 25 - Dan & Ruth Harken; Jessica & David King Communion Assistants 4 - Bill Mundt; Kaye Sladky; Amy Unglaub 11 - Shelley Wallace; Dee Dee Walker; Rachel Lindeen 18 - Jessica King; Mike Morris; Dan Harken 25 - Jim Martindale Bob Sogard; Amanda Stevenson- Cosgrove Fellowship 4-11 - 18-25 - June 2017 Lay Leaders Missionary Support 4-11 - 18-25 - Acolytes 4 - Tyler Burch; Benjamin Chelf 11 - Abi Schonrock; Madison McClurg 18 -Sam Morehead; Jonathon Chelf 25 - Isaac Morehead; David King Lector 4 - Kim Engle 11 - Sue Hermansen 18 - Pam Taylor 25 - Dan Harken Greeters 4 - Lynda Johnson; Dee Dee Walker 11 - Jackie & Julie Chubb 18 - Ginny Mesecher; Sue Hermansen 25 - Marlys McClurg; Vanette Wooldridge Flowers 4 - Mark & Bonnie Rosenberg (Anniversary) 11 - Bill Mundt 18 - Jeff McClurg 25 - Spencer & Mary Honsey (Anniversary) Altar Guild Kim Engle; Carlene Woodside; Eleonore Benninghoven; Sharon Adam June Birthdays 1 - Sarah Loots 2 - Bill Mundt, Jr.; Eric Short; Marilyn Ward 3 - Elberta Quam; Warren Schultz 5 - Randy Schenk 6 - Jessica King; Greyson Siegfried 7 - Jennifer Miller; Barbara Morris 8 - Leah Carson; Eddison Newman 10 - Sam Banks; Sheri McCarthy; Crystal Schreurs 11 - Dylan McClurg 12 - Robin Milton; Teresa Ruberg 13 - David Tharp 14 - Pam Dowell; Prior Freeman; Sarah Sliwinski 15 - Anthony Bellegante; Stephen Shofe 17 - Ashley Gerling; Kennedy Young 18 - Bridget Tharp 19 - Roger Gard; Scott Tharp 20 - Sean Atwater 21 - Stephanie Burgus; Julie Seibert 24 - Larry Gerdom; Savannah Swanson 25 - Austin Cox; John Schoof, Jr. 26 - Mike Miller; Jasmine Stewart 28 - Tonya Cloke 29 - Valerie Sanford 30 - Angela Johnson
VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR VBS! VBS will be held at Messiah, June 19-23, with staff from Camp EWALU leading our activities. We are very excited to add this element to our program and look forward to our joint ministry outreach as we work alongside our Lutheran brothers and sisters from Trinity, Faith, and Messiah. See Carlene Woodside or Amanda for volunteer opportunities. The following is a list of supplies that Bethany is being asked to provide: Small seashells 24 battery tea lights Premixed Kool-Aid (5) 22 boxes Blue Jello 2 boxes Teddy Grahams 2 bags Gummy Life Savers 250 Clear cups There will be a sign-up sheet outside the sanctuary to indicate what you can bring.
The meetings for May 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. Altar Guild TBA Men s Breakfast Saturday, June 17, 8:00 a.m. Executive Comm. Tuesday, June 13, 6:30 p.m. Church Council Sunday, May 21, 10:15 a.m. Property Committee Monday, June 19, 6:30 p.m. Remembrance Committee Wednesday, June 14, 6:30 p.m. Social Outreach Committee Sunday, June 11, 10:15 a.m. Fellowship Committee TBA FINANCIAL UPDATE MAY ATTENDANCE May 7 93 May 14 105 May 21 90 May 27 15 May 28 79 MAY GIVING May 7 $4,475.80 May 14 3,330.51 May 21 2,261.15 May 28 2,035.01 Total $12,102.47 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.