Volume 52, Issue 12 December 2019

The congregation voted on Sunday, November 17th overwhelmingly in favor of calling the

pastor recommended by the Call Committee. A second vote was held and passed for the

proposed financial package. Following the meeting I signed the official letter of call and

provided that document to Pastor Brackett from the Synod. A start date for the new pastor

has not yet been set. The Council is working with the candidate on the transition timing, and

is targeting a January/February start. We cannot release the name of the candidate at this

time, as their current congregation must be notified first.

Mark A. Halvorsen

Dear Members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church,

I am delighted to learn that you have called a new pastor! I received the news prior to

hopping on the boat to Holden Village. God had a way of blessing my journey up the lake

to Holden by gifting me with three rainbows! I would like to think one of those rainbows was

for Bethlehem! Once again, God uses rainbows as a sign of blessing and a reminder of

God’s love and promise that we are never left alone. I know your new pastor will be blessed

as you welcome her and she will bless you as she leads you through the next chapter in your

life together at Bethlehem as you continue to be faithful disciples of Jesus and live out your

Christian identity in daily life. Thank you for the many expressions of kindness many of you

offered during my ministry time with you. I give God thanks for having the opportunity to be

with you during your interim period. May God continue to guide and bless you, especially as

you enter a season of hope, peace, love, and light.

Audrey

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the

government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name

shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

SUNDAY MORNING ADULT FORUM

We are currently studying the book “Manna and

Mercy: A Brief History of God’s Unfolding Promise to

Mend the Entire Universe,” by Daniel Erlander.

Bethlehem members will be leading the study which

covers an overview of the entire Bible and God’s

amazing gift to humanity. All are welcome, we meet

in the Church Library, 9:45am.

We will be decorating the Sanctuary

with poinsettia plants again on

Christmas Eve. If you would like to

donate one, there will be a collection

box with envelopes on the Welcome Table. The

envelope will have a place to print your name and a

place to print the name, “in memory of” or “in honor

of,” for whom you are giving. The price for each

plant is $12, which includes a 7” pot with foil, ribbon,

saucer, tax, and delivery. Please make check

payable to Bethlehem with “poinsettias” in the

memo line. The last day to donate will be Sunday,

December 15.

ANNUAL REPORTS Due December 15.

Please email them to Tina,

Tina@bethlehemcf.net

MONTHLY POTLUCK

Bethlehem’s December potluck will be Sunday,

December 1, following 11:00am worship. Bring a dish

to share; coffee and water provided. (Ovens

available at 10:00am.) Everyone is welcome!

ADVENT WORSHIP

& SOUP SUPPERS

Following our 5:30pm

Advent Worship Service, join

us for soup suppers served by members of the

congregation. Supper will be served at 6:00pm

Wednesday December 4, 11, and 18.

OFFICE CLOSED

During the December and January holidays, the

office will be closed at Noon December 24 and

December 25, 26, and January 1.

COMMUNITY MEALS TUESDAY,

DECEMBER 17

Bethlehem Lutheran Church reaches out into the

community and feeds the hungry at First United

Methodist Church in Cedar Falls, Tuesday,

December17. The community meal site not only

provides good food but also great social interaction

for people as well.

Our Service Council organizes the menus and does

much of the meal preparation on the third Tuesday of

the month, every other month of the year. The

people of Bethlehem provide the servers and those

who clean up. It is an honor to shower people with

food and hospitality. It is an act of love to clean up

after the people who come and eat. We get to

participate in acts like those that Jesus did and carry

on Jesus’ ministry into our time. Look for this

opportunity to serve others in Jesus’ name.

STAFF GIFT

The Congregational Council

invites you to join us in expressing

our thanks to the entire paid staff

with a bonus gift. Monetary gifts,

clearly marked as “Staff Gift,” may be placed in the

offering plate or dropped off in the office by

December 31.

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE December

10 Early News Letter Deadline.

Please have all articles in for

January News Letter because of

the Holidays.

Part of our Wednesday night ministry programming is

a weekly meal. We are in need of people who

would be willing to prepare and serve a meal or two

January 8 through February 19. If you would be

interested in helping, please sign up in the Fellowship

Hall or contact Heather, heather@bethlehemcf.net.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: His

Name is Jesus! It's hard to

believe it's time to start

planning for our annual

Christmas Program. This

year's program is titled:

“His Name is Jesus.” It will

be on December 15 at

11:00am worship service.

We're looking for kids to provide music beforehand

and to participate in the program. If there are kids

(of any age) who don't want to be in the program

but want to be involved in the worship service, we're

always looking for extra hands! Please contact Lisa

Newgard.(lisa11327@gmail.com) if you're interested

in participating or have questions.

EMERGENCY PASTORAL NEED IN TRANSITION

During this time of transition for pastoral needs,

please contact Dan Mixdorf 563.210.8196. Dan

Mixdorf will be preaching on Sundays. He, along with

other local Lutheran clergy, have offered to be

available for pastoral needs.

Friends in Faith will resume Sunday the 15, of

January. It will be the same book (Shepherd of Souls),

Contact Vicki Newgardvnewgard@cfu.net

Men’s Bible Study Breakfast will resume in January

2020. Contact Scott Davison, 486-6914.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT The Council on Service is

once again posting stars for Christmas in the

Fellowship Hall. We are adopting several area

families and would appreciate your help. Please

take a star and purchase a gift. Directions will be

posted to assist you. If you would like us to do the

shopping for you, make checks payable to BLC

with "Christmas Project" marked in the memo area.

Gifts need to be wrapped and returned with the

star attached by December 8. We also collect

donated Christmas decorations and winter

clothing, especially children’s sizes, for the families.

Please bring any items you wish to donate and put

them under the tables in the Fellowship Hall. Thank

you to everyone for your generosity.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

REHEARSAL

Meet at the church Saturday,

December 14, 9:00-10:30am.

DANCE AROUND

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

December 15, 9:45am

There will be no Sunday School

Opening that day so ALL members

of the congregation can

participate!

WEDNESDAYS DURING ADVENT

December 4, 11, & 18

5:30pm-Advent Worship

6:00pm-Soup Supper

6:23pm-Bible Journaling

6:15pm-Celestial Choir-for K-7th

7:00pm-Chancel Choir-for high school youth

and adults.

FAREWELL AND THANK YOU The

congregation would like to give

thanks to Sue Bauer, church organist

for nearly nine years. Her talent and

time at Bethlehem have been a

blessing. Best wishes in future endeavors.

Saturday

September 21

Noon (Latham Parking Lot)

4:00pm Game Sign up for group tickets, $20 each, by Sept. 15 on the Youth

& Family Ministry bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.

UNIFIED ACTIVITY OCTOBER 2019

2019 Mission Plan Total: $363,893

Sept Income: $22,325.50

Expenses: $31,703.15

(8.777.65)

Yearly Income: $274,243.71

Yearly Expenses: $287,144.27

(-12,900.56)

DO DAY

If you can tie a knot,

you are qualified to

help at Do Day,

Tuesday, December

10, 9:00am. All are

welcome to meet in

the Church Fellowship Hall to tie quilts

for Lutheran World Relief. ??? Contact

Barb Davison, sbdavison@cfu.net.

BETHLEHEM KNITTERS

& FRIENDS

All those able or

wishing to knit or

crochet prayer shawls

and scarves are welcome to join

Bethlehem members and friends in the

Church Library, Wednesdays, 1:00pm.

40th Anniversary

Celebration

Pages six and seven

have letters from our

previous pastors written

in honor of our 40th Anniversary

Celebration. They are scanned,

copied, and squished in, but we hope

you are able to read and enjoy them.

GIVING MADE EASY!

Scan the QR code with

your smart phone to share

your offering.

The last day for 2018 giving is Monday,

December 31. The Church Office will

close at noon.

319-266-3541

office@bethlehemcf.net

www.bethlehemcf.org

#blcsharing

CHURCH OFFICE STAFF

Robin Souhrada - Director of Faith Formation

robin@bethlehemcf.net

Tina Varney - Office Administrative Assistant

office@bethlehemcf.net

Heather Schneider - Ministry Coordinator

heather@bethlehemcf.net

Diane Bowman - Office Business Assistant

office@bethlehemcf.net

VOLUME 52 ISSUE 12 November 26, 2019

4000 Hudson Road, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

Nonprofit Organization

U.S.POSTAGE

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Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

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HANGING

OF THE GREENS

Sunday, December 1

9:45am

DANCING AROUND

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Sunday, December 15

9:45am

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Sunday, December 15

11:00am Worship

Worship With Us

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Tuesday, December 24

3:00 & 7:00pm