October, 2018 Bethany Lutheran ChurchBethany Evangelical Lutheran Church 2515 Madison Ave. Rev. Paul...
Transcript of October, 2018 Bethany Lutheran ChurchBethany Evangelical Lutheran Church 2515 Madison Ave. Rev. Paul...
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 Issue 10 October, 2018
OCTOBER - THE CHURCH MONTH
Ever since I became involved in the church over 45 years ago I have al-
ways considered October to be the #1 month of the year for church. In October
church programs are up and running. Sunday school and confirmation are well
under way; WELCA will have their bazaar on the 12th and 13th; we will restart
our Bible and Brew at Uncle Ronnie’s on Tuesday, October 2; the choir will be
practicing to sing on Reformation Sunday; the council will begin looking at plans
for 2019; and we will have a multi-Lutheran church Fallfest at Faith Lutheran on
October 7. Besides these, the Lions Club I belong to will have their annual Okto-
berfest on October 6 and I will also be officiating a member wedding on the
same day. As I said, October is the big month of the year for church activity. As
things become quite busy I need the Holy Spirit to continually remind me to
keep Jesus in the center of everything.
I have heard it said that people today are busier than ever. I truly believe
that the things we are busy with are important and meaningful. At the same
time I never want to become so busy that I do not make time for God. Near the
end of September I participated in a conference sponsored by our Synod. The
theme of the event was innovation. Part of me said I had too much to do to go.
But I went anyway. I am glad I did. We learned about the world of today’s
young people. While it is important for the church to continue to do what it
does well, the church also needs to be innovative. Whether we like it or not,
rapid change is the new normal. Being innovative means trying new things. One
new thing that most churches have done is have a screen in their altar area
where various things can be shown. The elderly like screens because the service
and the words of hymns are displayed to see much easier
than in hymnals and bulletins. In many places in the Bible
God says, “Behold, I make all things new.” Being innovative
takes considerable effort. It was innovative for God to come
into our world as His Son. But, for God, it was worth it. What
are your innovations for Bethany? Will you join me in follow-
ing God’s lead to keep Bethany alive and vital?
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.
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
Over the last two years
Thrivent has awarded
Bethany $500.00 to buy
candy for our multi-
church Trunk & Treat.
I just learned that we
will receive another
$250.00 for this year’s Trunk & Treat. I will
share more info as this event begins to take
shape.
OCTOBER SATURDAY SERVICE
Please note that the October Saturday night
worship service will be held on October 20.
This change is because Pastor and Sue will be
gone on the 27th. Thank you for your flexibil-
ity.
OCTOBER ACTIVITIES The Retired Nurses will be meeting on Friday, October 5, at 9:00 a.m., in the fellowship hall.
. Boy Scout Troop #25 has their regular weekly
meetings on Tuesdays.
USHER CAPTAIN FOR DECEMBER
A volunteer is needed to be the
usher captain for the month of De-
cember. If you would be inter-
ested in filling this position, please
contact Dan or Julie Wischmeier.
BIBLE STUDIES
As I mentioned earlier October is
an active month at Bethany. Neverthe-
less, it is my hope to continue to have
our Exodus study as often as possible. I
am scheduling October 14 and 21 to
study Exodus chapter 33 and beyond.
These are exciting moments in the life of
God’s people.
A recent activity that was well re-
ceived was our Bible and Brew fellowship.
On Tuesday, October 2, at 6:00 p.m., we
will have a gathering at Uncle Ronnie’s.
We will resume our study on Acts 12. I
have at least one meeting a month on
Tuesday nights so we will explore how
often to meeting. Hope you can join us.
PASTOR LEADS WORSHIP AT KLEINS
Throughout my ministry I have been
included in volunteer rotations to do
services in assisted care facilities. My
turn in Burlington comes up in October
and November at Kleins.
BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH
2018
BAZAAR Friday, October 12
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 13
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Jewelry
Quilts
Christmas
Decorations
and
Santa’s Shop
Baked
Goods
Crafts
Glassware
Aunt Annie’s
Attic
AND SO MUCH MORE
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church
and gave himself up for her,….”
Ephesians 5:25
THE CHURCH DOES NOT EXIST JUST FOR ITSELF
One of my “best Bethany” days happened on September 23. On that date we had a baptism and reception to follow. There was also an organ concert and the start of our Synod Fall Theological Conference. In addition to these, Bethany had a visitor come to worship with us. He was a person who I had invited to Bethany. Has that happened to you, having a person you invited visit Bethany? If it has, you probably would agree how good it felt. In His teaching the disciples Jesus continually told His followers what they were here for. We are here to bring people to God. The church exists for many things. We exist to teach about and worship God. We ex-ist to make a difference in the world. We exist to promote a Godly influence on people’s lives. We exist to be a place where people can go when needing comfort, support, and friendship. And, yes, the church exists to fulfill our primary purpose of bringing people to God. Today, inviting people to Bethany may not be something we strive to do. Why? Be-cause we may not always receive a positive response to our invitations. A month ago I was given ten tickets to sell for our Lions’ Oktoberfest on October 6. I have yet to sell even one. In life we want to be successful. Being unsuccessful in our endeavors can be discouraging. However, God has never required us to be successful when it comes to inviting people to Bethany. All God asks of us is to be faithful. In a similar way I like what the Apostle Paul says about a husband’s purpose for his wife. A husband’s purpose is not to pursue his own happiness but to love his wife as Christ loved the church. Christ loves us soooo much that He gave up His life for us. One of the ways we love God is to invite people to God. That makes sense, doesn’t it? I hope that person who came to Bethany one Sun-day will come many more times. I hope others we invite will also join us. Why not make inviting someone to Bethany a goal for yourself over the next 12 months. Invite at least one person to Bethany. Pray for them. Then let God go to work on your outreach and see the results. In Christ, Pastor Paul
1 - Joseph Gerdes
2 - Sidney Boyer; Kimberly Engle
7 - Shelley Wallace
8 - Teresa Morehead
9 - Annette Miller
11 - Sharyn Miller
12 - Joshua Bloomer; Ellen Shep-
herd
14 - Todd Chelf; Beverly Sher-
bondy
15 - Jeffrey Woodside
17 - Jamie Adam
18 - Marlys McClurg
19 - Patricia Humiston
21 - Eleanore Benninghoven
22 - Kelli Reichelt
24 - Robert Sogard
26 - Evynne Bonar; Gerald
Janssen
27 - Rosemary Foster
29 - Patrick Reichelt
30 - Shannon Oetken
October
Birthdays
Head Ushers: Dan & Julie Wischmeier
October Team Captain: Jackie
Chubb
Ushers
7 - Chelf Family 14 - Bob Sogard; Bill Mundt;
Amy Unglaub; Rachel Lin-deen
21 - Scott & Jan Creighton; Steve & Sue Rogers 28 - Tim Ruberg; Ron Kast-
ner; Sue Swanson; Jackie Chubb
Communion Assistants 7 - Todd Chelf; Steve & Sue
Rogers 14 - Amy Unglaub; Teresa
Morehead; Julie Chubb 21 - Sue Hermansen; Dan Harken; Mike Hopp
28 - Mike Morris; Jeff & Kim Engle
Fellowship 7 -
14 - 21 -
28 -
Missionary Support 7 - 14 -
21 - 28 -
Acolytes 7 - Sam Morehead 14 - Tyler Burch
21 - Benjamin Chelf; David King 28 - Mason Fritz
Lector 7 - Pam Taylor 14 - Todd Chelf
21 - Kim Engle 28 - Carlene Woodside
Greeters 7 - Susanne Adam
14 - Dan & Julie Wisch-meier
21 - Scott & Jan Creighton 28 - Mark & Bonnie Rosenberg
Flowers 7 - 14 - Lynda Johnson 21 - Vanette Wooldridge;
Marlys McClurg 28 -
Altar Guild Sharon Martindale; Pat &
Kelli Reichelt; Pam Taylor; Julie Wischmeier
October 2018 Lay Leaders
FALLFEST
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 AT 5:00 P.M.
Faith Lutheran Church
Bring a potluck dish to share
Hot dogs and beverages provided
Bring a lawn chair
There will be games, a craft, bon-
fire, S’MORES, campfire songs and a
photo booth
WANT TO HELP WITH YOUTH BUT NOT
SURE WHERE TO START?
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 confir-
mation. There are many ways to show your
support for the future of our church. In-
terested? Contact Amanda or Pr. Paul to-
day.
ACOLYTES
If your student is unable to fulfill his/her
duties, please find a replacement for that
Sunday.
October 7 - Sam Morehead
October 14 - Tyler Burch
October 21 - Benjamin Chelf & David King
October 28 - Mason Fritz
The meetings for October 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 Men’s Breakfast Saturday, October 20, 8:00 a.m. Executive Committee Tuesday, October 16, 6:30 p.m. Church Council Sunday, October 21, 10:15 a.m. Property Committee Monday, October 8, 6:30 p.m. Worship & Music Committee TBA
FINANCIAL UPDATE
SEPTEMBER ATTENDANCE
September 2 71 September 9 100 September 16 97 September 22 13 September 23 90
SEPTEMBER GIVING
September 2 $ 2,084.00 September 9 2,711.80 September 16 3,242.01 September 23 3,188.50 Total $11,226.31
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 returned
for an incorrect address, we are charged
75 cents.
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