God’s Work. Our Hands.n.b5z.net/i/u/10149914/f/September_2017_Chimes.pdf · Volume 57 Issue 9...
Transcript of God’s Work. Our Hands.n.b5z.net/i/u/10149914/f/September_2017_Chimes.pdf · Volume 57 Issue 9...
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. Dennis Wohlers, Financial Sec’y
Mike & Tammy Morris, Custodians
Volume 57 Issue 9 September, 2017
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 com-
munities 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 clean-
ing 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.
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.
GENESIS BIBLE STUDY The Genesis Bible study, meeting now on Wednesday evenings, will be moving to Sun-day night at 7:00 p.m. beginning September 17. Genesis is one of the most fascinating books in the Bible. Please join us.
PAINT-A-THON
September 4-8
The dates have been set for this year’s Paint-A- Thon. There is a sign-up sheet outside the sanctu-ary 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, Sep-
tember 1. Please bring a dish to share.
Boy Scout Troop #25 has their regular weekly meet-ings on Tuesdays.
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 Hiber-
nia Hall, 1204 Washington
St., Burlington, Iowa.
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 meet-
ing 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.
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 auto-matically 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
‘...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
2 - Elaine Loots
3 - Jeff Bloomer
4 - Tyler Burch; Terry Steenberg
7 - Mark Loots
10 - Malissa Schoof
11 - Erin Taylor
12 - Myrna Zabloudil
13 - Carol Gard; Austin
Timberlake
14 - Sara Sladky
17 - Philip Bartelson
18 - Farrah Williams
22 - Lynda Johnson
23 - Dawn Whetstone
24 - 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
September
Birthdays
Head Usher: Spencer Honsey
September Team Captain: Steve Rogers
Ushers
3 - Mark & Bonnie
Rosenberg 10 - Sue Rogers; Joe Gerdes; Morehead Family
17 - Steve & Sue Rogers; Jim & Barb Morris 24 - Steve & Sue Rogers;
Scott & Jan Creighton
Communion Assistants 3 - 10 - 17 -
24 -
Fellowship 3 - 10-
17 - 24 -
Missionary Support 3 -
10 - 17 -
24 -
Acolytes 3 - 10 -
17 - 24 -
Lector 3 - Elberta Quam
10 - Sue Hermansen 17 - Jeff Engle 24 - Carlene Woodside
Greeters 3 - Lynda Johnson; Dee Dee Walker
10 - Scott & Jan Creighton 17 - Ginny Mesecher; Sue Hermansen
24 - Marlys McClurg; Vanette Wooldridge
Flowers 3 - 10 - Gerald & Lila Janssen
17 - Dan Wischmeier 24 - Brody Johnson; Aunika
Johnson; Brantley Bergman
Altar Guild Marlys McClurg; Mary Ann Schoof-Schlief; Debbie
Hoxie, Carol Dodge
September 2017 Lay Leaders
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR RALLY
SUNDAY
Rally Sunday, always the official kick-
off to the Sunday School year, will be
Sunday, September 10. We will have a
potluck picnic at Crapo Park Skate-
house 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 help-
ing with L.I.F.T, speak to Amanda.
CONFIRMATION
It is time for another year of confirma-
tion! Our first meeting will be on
Wednesday, September 13, at 6:00
p.m., at Bethany. This is for all incom-
ing and current students (8th graders)
with parent/guardian. At this meeting
we will discuss class meeting times,
year schedule, and expectations. If you
have any questions, contact Amanda or
Pastor Paul.
MENTOR/MENTEE MEETING
We will have a meeting on September
19 at 6:00 p.m. at Bethany with stu-
dents, mentors, and parents to go over
expectations, future meetings and an-
swer 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 won-
derful camp. It was an amazing experi-
ence. I also appreciated the loving sup-
port 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 ca-
noeing! Tyler Burch”
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.
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 sched-uled. 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!
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.