THE BETHEL BEACON

2016

BILL SWITZER, Pastor

Sunday School @ 9 am Worship time @ 10:00 am

Church Telephone #: (402) 873-6218

Emergency: (402) 6369-0842 (Pastor Bill)

Email: betheluccurch1887@gmail.com

Website: www.bethelucchurch.com

Find us on

BETHEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

2400 CENTRAL AVE. NEBRASKA CITY, NE

68410

Four congregations are involved in this cooperative event: Bethel UCC, First Christian, First Lutheran, & First Presbyterian.

Planning has been in process for a couple of months now and as we get closer to June 13, volunteers and supplies will be requested from all four churches. In the meantime, we are initially gathering and looking for the

following:

Balloons, Fly Swatters, Potato sacks or Pillow Cases, Corn Hole game/ bean bags, Plastic eggs, Seeds (of any kind),

Markers, Colored Construction Paper, Stickers, Elmer's Glue, Food Coloring, Colored Tissue Paper, Popsicle Sticks, Yarn

Registration forms can be found on the Usher’s table. Please have them turned in to the office or to a Board of Christian Ed. member by June 10th.

If you would like to help out, or know someone who might, please let a member or the office know.

Also….don’t forget to put your extra change in Pastor Bill’s jar! The pastor with the most amount of money in his jar has to kiss a pig!!!!

Vacation Bible School will arrive at Bethel UCC on June 13 at 9:00 a.m. and go through the 17th. We are expecting a great VBS this summer. The Christian

Education Committee has chosen the theme of Barnyard Roundup—Jesus Gathers Us Together.

IN OUR PRAYERS IN APRIL & MAY:

Justin Williams, Betty Blankenship, Logan Drabek, Mason Wieckhorst, Ella Mathisen, Ruth Wurtele, John Ensign, Alice

Oelke, Don Grundman, Jim Baldwin, the Lind family, Linda Clark, Roy Murphy, Gladys Huss, Sharon Kotas, Tim Worcester, the

family and friends of Helen Niebruegge (March), Sally K., Delphine Griepenstroh, Leo and Aquiles, and all who struggle with chronic illness, including those who reside in their homes and long-term

care facilities.

TOTENFEST 2016

James Griepenstroh 5/30/15

Mark Behrends 6/13/15

Glenn Bremer 6/22/15

Dorothy Reese 8/27/15

Alberta Kuehn 8/31/15

Betty Buchanan 9/22/15

James Holman 11/19/15

Helen Niebruegge 3/11/16

—————————————————————————

If you have a musical talent that you would like to share, the sign-up sheet for our summer special music

is available in the back of the sanctuary, or call the office. If you have any questions, you may contact Jen

Hamilton at 402-209-3765 or Connie Gieseking at 402-209-3011.

VBS

If your child will be attending vacation bible

school this year, please have them bring a plain t-shirt of any color with their name

written on the inside somewhere. We are still

needing more volunteers, so if you would like to help, or know someone who would, please let the office know.

Thank you to everyone who

brightened our sanctuary

with flowers, and who

sponsored bulletins during

the months of April & May .

Women’s Fellowship

will meet on Tuesday,

June 14th at Noon for

the birthday

celebrations.

Please bring a brown

bag lunch.

LOOKING AHEAD TO AUGUST

Sun. 7th: Communion & Food pantry

Tues. 9th: Church Council meeting 7 pm

Tues. 16th: Ministerial Assoc. mtg. 9 am

Sun. 21st: Youth Fellowship

Mon. 22nd & 29th: Meals on Wheels 1 1 am

Budget Committee needs to meet so Church

Council can approve budget at September meeting.

President needs to find replacements for Budget and Nominating Committees

ANNIVERSARIES JUNE

Michael & Brenda Wieckhorst~June 5, 1999

Larry & Tracy Wieckhorst~ June 10, 1989

Vernon & Linda Brooke ~ June 11, 1957

Mike & Mary Redelfs ~ June 20, 1986

Jerry & Connie Gieseking ~ June 26, 1976

Burton & Cindy Weible ~ June 26th

Daniel & Jen Hamilton ~ June 29, 1996

JULY

BJ & Sandy Ried ~ July 4, 1986

Dale & Lynn Wurtele ~ July 15th

Dean & Carol Biere ~ July 23, 1961

Jason & Kassi Holman ~ July 25, 1998

Lonnie & Sara Horstmann ~ July 25th

Brian & Sarah Bando ~ July 29, 2006

Greg & Paula Ramold ~ July 31, 2004

BEST WISHES TO THOSE CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAYS & WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES IN JUNE & JULY

JUNE

Delores Schriener 1st Nancy Brown 4th Josie Meadows 6th Danielle Barrett 6th

Jason Holman 7th Leta Bremer 20th Justace Rinne 20th Judy Smith 20th

Sharon Herzog 21st Makenzie Johnson 22nd Quintin Holman 23rd Burton Weible 25th

John Carroll 28th

JULY

Marilyn Rivett 3rd Kork Wurtele 4th Bill Switzer 4th Gray Carpenter 6th

Christine Parkyn-Luther 9th Brenda Rayhel 10th John Brust 11th Pam Malzer 13th

Paula Ramold 13th LaVonne Grundman 14th Jerry Gieseking 16th

Dean Griepenstroh 16th James Herzog 17th Margaret Brust 18th Helen Ramold 18th

Jordan Kreifels 18th Aaron Kreifels 18th Charlie Stout 20th Lillian Graham 21st

Adelene Vock 22nd Harold Hauberg 26th

PARSONAGE WORK DAY

APRIL 23, 2016

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME AND HELPED!

We are getting a defibrillator!

On behalf of the NE City ministerial alliance, Laura Bando-Ross applied for and obtained a Grant from Union Pacific railroad for the purchase of a defibrillator for 13 churches in NE City.

Bethel UCC has been tasked to receive one of the thirteen.

There is a requirement. We need to have a small group, say of 5 people, who can be trained on the defibrillator. If we are not trained, then we will have to decline the invitation to receive a defibrillator (and potentially be unable to deal with an emergency situation with one or more of our members).

In the upcoming weeks we will be asking for volunteers to learn how to properly use the defibrillator.

We shouldn't let this opportunity pass us by.

Pastor Bill

Due to increased use of the Food Pantry and the weekly school Back Pack program, the food pantry shelves are like Mother Hubbard’s cupboard — bare. The food pantry will

have the annual Can Care—A—Van food drive on June 9th, but there are needs now. The back pack program

alone costs $600 per week. If you can donate food items or money to the food pantry, you will bring a ray of sun-

shine to families who are food insecure in our area. According to Hunger Free Heartland, a non-profit initiative to end childhood hunger in Nebraska

and Iowa, 1 in 5 children and 1 in 7 adults in Nebraska are food insecure, meaning these adults and children may not know where their next meal is coming from. Your food donations may be left at First United Methodist Church in Gage Hall, and your monetary donations may be brought to the

church office or sent to Keitha Thomson in care of the church.

____________________________________________________________________________

Ted E. Bear Hollow invited you to attend our FREE upcoming KidsKamp for grieving families in Nebraska City. Youth ages 3—18 and their adult caregiv-

ers work with volunteers on special activities, sharing memories and receiving support. A light snack will be provided.

Saturday, August 27 1 pm—5 pm Northside Elementary School

You MUST register in advance. Space is limited and spots fill up quickly…..

Register online at www.tedebearhollow.org

APRIL 2016 Present were Dan Hamilton, Nancy Hunt, Pastor Bill Switzer, Sara Horstmann, and Jamie Horstmann Minutes of previous meeting were read and approved. VBS planning is underway and Sara will represent the church for VBS meetings with Pastor Bill. Pastor Bill will be getting in contact with the other churches on when to start those meetings. For the Mission and fundraising plan we came up with the idea to collect bottled water for Flint Michigan. Dan is working on teacher appreciation gifts. We will be looking at future curriculums and pastor is going to be looking at those.

Respectfully submitted,

Jamie Horstmann

BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Board of Christian Ed met May 3, 2016. Present were Christine Luther, Nancy Hunt, Dan

Hamilton, Sara Horstmann, and Pastor Bill Switzer.

Minutes of previous meeting were postponed. Sara gave report for VBS and pastor handed around the registration form for us to look

over, they will be placed on the ushers table for the congregation to take, we will need all to help as we are the hosting church this year.

May 8 will be senior breakfast for Jasper, Sara will get a card, Dan will bring frozen fruit, and Christine will order doughnuts and bring juice. We will give him a gift of a church t-

shirt and pastor will pick up a key ring.

Teacher appreciation will be May 15 during service we will recognize the teachers with a small gift. Dan will be picking those up.

All church picnic is also May 15 at American Meter park, Nancy with the help of Jan Pummel got the park reserved and all the councils will bring various items with the

congregation is to bring a dish to share.

Talked about Sunday school rally to be August 28 and classes to start September 11, a meeting with teachers and subs will be September 6.

Pastor gave confirmation class update mid July will be the confirmation trip to St. Louis.

Next meeting June 7 @ 6 pm. Meeting closed with Lords prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Sara Horstmann

BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Bethel United Church of Christ Spiritual Council Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, April 12, 2016 5:45 pm

Duensing Chapel

Present: President Dennis Marshall, Vice-President Burt Weible, Secretary LaVonda Bando, Larry Bando, Cindy Weible, and Pastor Bill Dennis called the meeting to order and opened with a word of prayer. Burt made a motion to approve March Spiritual Council meeting minutes. Larry seconded. Motion carried. Old Business: Pastor Sara Malone will conduct the church service on Sunday, May 15. Maundy Thursday service with Seder meal went very well. New Business: On Sunday, May 1 will service pew communion. On Sunday, May 29 will be on Totenfest Service. Pastor Report: In the fall there will be a first year and a second year confirmation classes; Suggestion for next year for Seder meal: putting more space in between the tables; Community Good Friday and Easter Sunrise services went well; Confirmation class will be going to St. Louis this July; Confirmation class went to Siena/Francis House Homeless Shelter in Omaha to help serve a meal; Pastor conduct one funeral: Helen Niebrugge; Sarah have been printing sixteen church bulletins, printing and putting together the Church Directory. Next meeting will be rescheduling for Tuesday, May 3 at 5:45 pm. Burt made a motion adjourned the meeting. Larry seconded. Motion carried. The meeting closed, by joining hands and saying the Lord Prayer. Secretary, LaVonda Bando

SPIRITUAL

COUNCIL

Council Minutes April 12, 2016

The meeting was called to order at 6:50 pm by President Jen Hamilton. Present were John Vock, Connie Jensen, Peg Johnson, Jane Kreifels, Margaret Brust, Loren Mylenek and Pastor Bill.

The minutes of the last meeting were discussed. Peg Johnson made a motion to approve the report. Connie Jensen seconded the motion. The motion was approved. The treasurer’s report was discussed. John Vock made a motion to approve the report and pay the bills. Peg Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

Mike Wieckhorst, on behalf of the Wyoming Feeders 4-H club, requested use of the lower parking lot and access to the church bathrooms for a plant sale on April 30 from 8 to 3. He will be also using the old tables under the stage. John Vock made a motion to approve the request. Connie Jensen seconded the motion and request was approved.

Dennis Marshall gave the spiritual council report. There was one funeral in the last month. There were issues with the speaker system at the Good Friday Service.

Board of Christian Ed report- The group is working on Vacation Bible School. This year it will include the 1

st Christian Church, Bethel, Presbyterian Church, and 1

st

Lutheran Church. Senior Sunday is being planned. There is only 1 senior.

Pastor’s report-The confirmation trip to St Louis is being planned for mid-July.

Sara Bando reported that the April/May beacon will be combined.

Women’s Fellowship report= A salad luncheon is being planned for April 21.

The Search committee met with Pastor Dunkerson when he was at Bethel.

Memorial report-The Totenfest service will be May 29th.

Stewardship committee-no report.

Buildings and Grounds- Cleanup Day will by Sat April 23rd

.

There was no new business. The next meeting will be May 10 at 7 pm. The meeting was adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Kreifels, Secretary

CHURCH COUNCIL

The Church Council met on May 10, 2016 at 7pm. Present were Pastor Bill,

John Vock, Peg Johnson, Connie Jensen, Loren Mleynek, and Jane Kreifels.

The minutes of the April meeting approval was motioned by Peg Johnson and

seconded by Connie Jensen. The minutes were approved. The financial report

was not available at meeting time. Peg Johnson made a motion to pay the bills

with a second by Jane Kreifels. The motion was approved.

Spiritual Council report- Pastor Bill gave this report.

The Board of Christian Ed report- The Board requests that Council members

bring a dish to the Sunday school picnic on May 15. Bible school planning is

underway.

Pastor's report-The church has an opportunity to receive a defibrillator if 3

people can be found to do the training. A motion was made by Jane Kreifels

and seconded by Connie Jensen to pursue this. The motion passed. The

Nebraska Conference annual meeting with be in Lincoln this year. Delegates

are Lonnie and Sarah Horstman, Dean and Carol Biere.

It was noted that the parking lot is waiting for bids.

There was no new business.

The next meeting will be June 14 at 7pm.

The motion to adjourn was made be Loren Mylenek, with a second by Connie

Jensen. The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Kreifels, Secretary.

CHURCH

COUNCIL

SCHEDULED TO SERVE JUNE 2016

LAY LEADERS June 5 June 12 June 19 June 26 Kassi Holman Norm Brown Adelene Vock Jan Pummel GREETERS June 5 June 12 June 19 June 26 Sharon Kotas Marilyn Weible Huss’s BJ & Sandy Ried USHERS June 5 June 12—June 19 June 26—July 3 Lenny & Jen Tietz Stephen Luther, Janice Dawson Jason & Kassi Holman Norm & Nancy Brown Jamie Horstmann, Sara Horstmann Delores Schreiner, Pauline Peterson SOUND SYSTEM June 5 June 12—June 19 June 26—July 3 Burt Weible Norm Brown Kevin Pummel ACOLYTES June 5 June 12 June 19 June 26 Mason Hamilton Matthew Ramold Christian Tietz Quintin Holman Gray Carpenter Brianna Johnson Madisen Tietz Keston Holman FLOWERS ~ Connie Jensen COOKIE FELOWSHP ~ Connie Jensen & Bonnie Wurtele

SCHEDULED TO SERVE JULY 2016

LAY LEADERS July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31 Sue Griepenstroh Lenny Tietz Dean Griepenstroh Adelene Vock Jason Holman GREETERS July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31 Janice Dawson Katie Chapin Gene & Kay Nannen Delores Schreiner Delphine G. Kathy Clymens USHERS July 3 July 10—July 17 July 24—July 31 Jason & Kassi Holman Dean & Sue Griepenstroh Peg & Stan Johnson Delores Schreiner, Pauline Peterson Chip & Erin Johnson John & Margaret Brust SOUND SYSTEM July 3 July 10—July 17 July 24—July 31 Kevin Pummel Stephen Luther Harold Huss ACOLYTES July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31 Nick Brown Jason Stukenholtz Katherine Luther Mason Hamilton Need volunteers Mason Wieckhorst Andrew Stukenholtz Elizabeth Luther Gray Carpenter

Bethel United Church of Christ

2400 Central Avenue

Nebraska City, NE 68410

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