Bethany Lutheran ChurchBethany Evangelical Lutheran Church 2515 Madison Ave. Burlington, Iowa Phone:...
Transcript of Bethany Lutheran ChurchBethany Evangelical Lutheran Church 2515 Madison Ave. Burlington, Iowa Phone:...
Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church 2515 Madison Ave.
Burlington, Iowa
Phone: (319) 752-3621
www.bethanyburlington.org
Pastor’s Cell: (360) 623-2184
Bethany Lutheran Church Mission Statement
Reaching out in Worship, Fellowship, Learning, and Love - We Are God’s People.
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
Volume 58 Issues 7 & 8 July-August, 2018
PENTECOST - THE SEASON OF GREEN
Have you noticed that, in our sanctuary, we have different colored
cloths that drape our altar, pulpit, and lectern during different times of
the year? Sometimes we have blue, red, purple, gold, white, and green.
We have just begun the season we call Pentecost. This season is called
Pentecost because it was on the day of Pentecost that God poured out the
Holy Spirit on the followers of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the power and in-
spiration the disciples needed to be able to proclaim Christ.
In a way the Holy Spirit is kind of like putting fertilizer on grass,
plants, trees, and flowers. Fertilizer helps living things to grow. The uni-
versal color that reflects growth is green. Green is the color for Pentecost
to remind us that the Holy Spirit works in our lives to cause us to grow. A
central reality of being a Christian is to grow in Christ. We grow our faith
and knowledge of God. We grow individually and as a community in
Christ. We grow in becoming more thoughtful and considerate of others.
We grow in seeking justice and doing more for the less fortunate. The
Holy Spirit creates many kinds of growth in our lives. Where would you
like to be the “greenest” in your life?
Continuing in June on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., in the fellowship
hall, we meet for one hour to read and share what God is saying to us for
the blessing of Bethany and our greater community. I believe this could
be just what Bethany needs right now to develop an even more effective
ministry for the work of God’s Kingdom. We already have a Wednesday
morning study that has become more than “just a Bible study” for those
who attend. A sense of family, where we nurture one another, is taking
place each week. The Holy Spirit is definitely moving among us. Pray
about coming to our new Wednesday night study.
HOMEBOUND CARD
MINISTRY Please help remember Bethany’s mem-
bers who are in nursing homes or home-
bound by sending them a card. A birth-
day or a “thinking of you” card is a spe-
cial 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.
PIANO RECITAL
On Sunday, July 22, at 2:00 p.m., our own Cory Byrne has graciously offered to give a piano recital of classical and contemporary works, free of charge, to introduce new peo-ple to Bethany. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to this wonderful musical event. Thank you, Cory!
2018 - OUR 130th ANNIVERSARY
This year is a special occasion for Bethany!
Thanks to God’s benevolent provision we cele-
brate doing Kingdom work for 130 years in
2018. I feel this is a milestone worthy of recog-
nition. We do not have an official committee
set up to make plans, but if you would like to
see that we have some kind of observance be-
fore 2018 slips away, please contact me.
JULY AND AUGUST ACTIVITIES The Retired Nurses will be taking a hiatus in the sum-
mer and resume meeting in September.
. Boy Scout Troop #25 has their regular weekly meet-
ings on Tuesdays.
RIDES TO CHURCH
The Social Ministry Committee is organizing a
program to match up members who are willing
to provide rides, as time and schedules allow,
to and from Sunday services for members who
do not drive or may need temporary transpor-
tation assistance. If you are interested in ei-
ther providing rides as you are able or, if you
or anyone you know is in need of a ride,
please let Kim Engle know at (319) 372-1887 or
BISHOP BURK ON JULY 29
There is a tradition that has been
around for hundreds of years that,
when your Bishop comes to preach at
your church, it is a significant event.
Our own Bishop Burk will be at Bethany
on July 29. I am looking to have us put
our best foot forward on that day to let
our Bishop know what a God-focused
community Bethany really is. Perhaps
we can have a cake or any of a number
of ways to make his visit to us extra
special.
WHEN: Monday, July 16
TIME: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Bethany Lutheran Church
To schedule an appointment, email
Jeff Engle at [email protected] or
online at www.bloodcenterimpact.org.
“Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come. And what I say to you I say
to all: Watch.”
Mark 13: 33, 37
ALWAYS EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
One of the things that nearly all of us do is take for granted what tomorrow is going to bring. Two years ago, when we began our ministry together at Bethany, I made the assumption that I would have perfect health for years to come and be fully capable to fulfill all the duties of being your pastor. Then, last year during a routine physical, I learned I had prostate cancer. One year later my doctor has informed me that my health is great! While I am very happy to know this good news, I cannot expect to have perfect knowledge that I will have a future with no challenges. We have several other examples of this. A few weeks ago I learned the Chelfs are moving. I did not see that coming! In May I was told that our financial administrator, Dennis Wohlers, was resigning his position with us. How blessed we are that Michelle was willing to come back! On June 12 I heard the tragic news that Terry Steen-berg had died. I had visited with Terry less than one week before. I never expected him to die. Since January 7 we added the Hope service and have met every week. Now, in the midst of sum-mer and unexpected events taking place, I cannot automatically assume that we will always have folks leading this service. While we do not plan on them, life still has its surprises. Someone once said, “Expect the un-expected.” Jesus probably said, “Always expect the unexpected.” Early on in His ministry Jesus probably thought everything would go just the way He thought it would. Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, raised the dead, and cast out demons. Jesus conquered the darkness and released the light! But not everyone was for Jesus. However, because of this unexpected rejection from His own people, Jesus’ salvation became a reality for everyone beyond His own Jewish community. This may not have been what Jesus initially expected, but it became a blessing for us. What do we learn from this? That we be open to the blessing that God works in both the ex-pected as well as the unexpected. I certainly hope and pray that my expectation to have many won-derful years serving Bethany will be fulfilled. But, if something happens that we do not expect, we need to see God’s hand in that as well. Praise God that we have a Savior who works for good, for our blessing, in all things. In Christ,
Pastor Paul
1 - Pastor Paul; Jim Martindale
2 - Carol Steenberg; Warren
Tharp
3 - Sydney Cox; Savanna Jackson;
Katelyn Reichelt
6 - Sandra Sandy
8 - Amy Bloomer; Debbie Hoxie;
Jackie Marion
9 - Todd Morehead
13 - Pamela Schwerin; Vanette
Wooldridge
14 - Brody Johnson
15 - Jenna Miller
16 - Claus Benninghoven
19 - Stephen Reichelt
25 - Carol Dodge
26 - Jeff Engle
28 - Kathy Beach; Aletha Carter
30 - Melissa Hopp; Michelle Hup-
penbauer; Bonnie Rosenberg;
William Ward, Jr.
July
Birthdays
Head Ushers: Dan & Julie Wischmeier
July Team Captain: Jeff Engle
Ushers
1 -
8 - Mark & Bonnie Rosenberg; Steve & Sue Rogers
15 - Morris Family 22 - Vanette Wooldridge; Marlys McClurg; Dan &
Ruth Harken 29 - Lynda Johnson; Chelf
Family
Communion Assistants 1 - Todd Chelf; Steve & Sue Rogers
8 - Amy Unglaub; Teresa Morehead; Julie Chubb 15 - Bob Hoxie; Dan
Harken; Mike Hopp 22 - Mike Morris; Jeff & Kim
Engle 29 -Bill Mundt; Sue Her-mansen; Sharon Martindale
Fellowship 1 - 8 - 17 -
22 - 29 -
Missionary Support 1 - 8 - 15 -
22 - Vanette Wooldridge 29 -
Acolytes 1 - 8 - Aaron Morehead
15 - David King; Jonathan Chelf 22 - Tyler Burch
29 -Benjamin Chelf
Lector 1 - Pam Taylor
8 - Bob Hoxie 15 - Kim Engle 22 - Carlene Woodside
29 - Bob Sogard
Greeters 1 - Susanne Adam; Donna
Miller 8 - Dan & Julie Wischmeier
15 - Scott & Jan Creighton 22 - Ginny Mesecher; Sue Hermansen
29 - Mark & Bonnie Rosenerg
Flowers 1 - Sue Hermansen
8 - Ginny Mesecher 15 - Bill Mundt
22 - Julie Wischmeier 29 - Richard & Holly Wil-liamson
Altar Guild Marlys McClurg; Ann Zaiser; Geneive Hingst; Marilyn Ward; Donna Engington
July 2018 Lay Leaders
August 2018 Lay Leaders
Head Ushers: Dan & Julie Wischmeier
August Team Captain: Bob Hoxie
Ushers
5 - Scott & Jan Creighton;
Mark & Bonnie Rosenberg 12 - Ron Kastner; Lynda Johnson; Dan & Julie Wisch-
meier 19 - Mike & Tammy Morris; Jim & Sharon Martindale
26 - Dan & Ruth Harken; Jim & Barb Morris
Communion Assistants 5 - Amanda Stevenson-
Cosgrove; Rachel Lindeen; Jessica King
12 - Scott & Jan Creighton; Julie Wischmeier 19 - Bob Sogard; Sue Swan-
son; Sue Hermansen 26 - Mark Rosenberg; Jim &
Sharon Martindale
Fellowship 5 - 12 -
19 - 26 -
Missionary Support 5 -
12 - 19 -
26 -
Acolytes 5 - Sam Morehead 12 - Lucas Chelf
19 - Aaron Morehead; Mason Fritz 26 - David King
Lector 5 - Jessica King 12 - Melissa Hopp
19 - Shelley Wallace 26 - Dan Harken
Greeters 5 - Jeff & Kim Engle 12 - Sharon Martindale 19 - Lynda Johnson
26 - Marlys McClurg; Vanette Wooldridge
Flowers 5 - Shirley Mundt
12 - Marian Chaddock 19 - Pastor & Sue Herman-
sen 26 -
Altar Guild Marlys McClurg; Kathy
Beach; Jackie Marion; Ginny Mesecher
August
Birthdays
3 - Bill Taylor
4 - Gary Coleman; Jane
Ward
5 - Joan Dawes
6 - Tara Rosenberg; Abbey
Timberlake
7 - Ron Kastner
8 - Erin Mafra
9 - Susanne Adam
12 - Laurenn Beach; Addi-
son Shepherd
14 - Dorothy Hopson; Tim
Ruberg; Bessie Weak
15 - Randy Tharp
16 - Jeffrey Peterson
18 - Steven Rogers
20 - Nancy Mower
21 - Robert Roy
22 - Lila Janssen
23 - Justin Ward
26 - Barbara West
28 - Tyler Bloomer; Pat
Blume; Brenda Kastner;
Bailee Morris
ELCA YOUTH GATHERING WRAP-UP
Boy, it is hard to put into words what
we experienced in Houston but I will do
my best. Our trip was FANTASTIC!
We worshipped with over 30,000 youth,
donated toward ELCA World Hunger,
picked up trash in the historic 3rd
Ward District, learned about inclusivity
in the church, how immigrants are fam-
ily, and just how hard it is to believe
that the grace that saves us, also saves
our enemies. This trip opened our
youth’s eyes to how the church can and
does fit into this world and how our
faith should be leading us into action to
stand up for those who cannot stand up
for themselves. I encourage you to talk
to our kids (Isaac, Tyler, and Madison).
Ask them where they saw God, what
was their favorite part and make sure
to ask Tyler and Isaac about their giant
cowboy hats! Your donations and
prayers helped these youth to experi-
ence something they will never forget
and hopefully have spurred them into
action here at home. A “thank you”
doesn’t do justice to what y’all have
done for them, but I’ll say it anyway.
Thank you.
The meetings for July and August 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 sched-uled. WELCA TBA Social Ministry Committee TBA Men’s Breakfast Saturday, July 21, 8:00 a.m. Saturday, August 18, 8:00 a.m. Executive Committee Wednesday, July 11, 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 14, 6:30 p.m. Church Council Sunday, July 15, 10:15 a.m. Sunday, August 19, 10:15 a.m. Property Committee Monday, July 16, 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 20, 6:30 p.m. Worship & Music Committee Sunday, August 12, 10:15 a.m.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
JUNE ATTENDANCE
June 3 111 June 10 88 June 17 89 June 23 15 June 24 96
JUNE GIVING
June 3 $ 5,322.25 June 10 2,292.00 June 17 2,321.25 June 24 2,038.91 Total $11,974.41
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.
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 con-
tact the church and let us know.
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