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B E T H A N Y C H U R C H N E W S Building on the Past – Confident in God’s Future – We make Christ known!

A Message from Pastor Chris. . .

Holy Rollers

I have been unpacking things in my office at the church, loading up the book shelves, and put-

ting things up on the wall. In one of the boxes I opened up, I found four lint rollers. They were

sitting behind some books on my shelf in my old office before I packed them up and moved to

Lindsborg. As I pulled them out of their box, I paused. A woman in my previous call had given

me a bag full of these as a gift. It was several years ago she brought me a gift bag full of these

3M adhesive rollers. She had seen a few pieces of lint on my black clerical shirt the previous

Sunday, and now she was in my office handing me a bag saying, “I think you need these.”

There was a tag on the bag that read “Holy Rollers.”

As I sat back in my chair with these rollers in my hands, I remembered Kathy, her generous

and humorous gift that still proves useful to this day. I was overwhelmed with emotion as I

found a place on my shelf for my lint roller collection; they are proudly displayed.

Kathy died unexpectedly one night a few years after she gave me this gift. And as I sat in my

office, with a lump in my throat and memories of a faithful and caring woman, I pondered why

she gave me so many. I mean, one would have sufficed to take care of my clerical shirt for a

long time.

People have an impact on who we are. The saints who have gone before us have an impression

on our lives that is deeper than we will ever know. Even from one generation to another we are

connected in ways we may never know. We know this as followers of Christ. The gift of grace

that comes through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continues to shape our lives each and eve-

ry day. And perhaps it is the little things that remind us of the abundant grace that comes from

God. For me, it was a few lint rollers. You may have an object like this in your home. Maybe it

is a photograph of a person who exemplified grace, or a vase of a relative who taught you

about the love of God. And perhaps since we have been home more often than normal, you

have had a little time to ponder the people that significantly impacted your person, your faith,

and your life.

The Psalmist writes “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithful-

ness to all generations.” Psalm 100:5. The faithfulness of God to all generations! Generations

from now, when they talk about the church, the people, faith, and worship, who knows what

arbitrary or significant item will be displayed to carry with it generations of faith passed down.

Kathy gave/made me other oddities that you might see from time to time, but for now, when you come into my office you will see that the pastor does indeed have lint rollers for decora-tion. They are without a doubt just lint rollers, but within their sticky layers are the fibers of faith that will continue to roll out and be a source of good news from one generation to another.

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Pastor Christopher Deines pastorchris@blclindsborg.org

Administrative Assistant, Melanie 785-227-2167, office@blclindsborg.org

Treasurer, Matt Stula 913-485—0444, treasurer@blclindsborg.org

Youth Director, Ericka Lysell 785-822-8619,erickalysell@gmail.com

KICK, Oliva Peterson 785-769-6165, fabriziuso@gmail.com

Christian Ed., Joyce Peterson 785-227-2201,joycepeterson@sbcglobal.net

IT/Recording, Jean Kozubowski ITsupport@blclindsborg.org

Fin. Secretary, Susan Lundstrom finsec@blclindsborg.org

Custodian, Sean Rivera seanriv11@gmail.com

Pres. Marlin Johnson 785-227-5170, mrln1945@gmail.com

V. Pres. Amy Roraback 785-227-8430, a_roraback@yahoo.com

Secretary, Elly Anderson 785-227-2684, falunwoman@yahoo.com

Chancel Choir Steve Gustafson, 620-755-2497

Men’s Choir Leah Ann Anderson, 785-227-5210

Bell Choir Miriam Strasen, 785-404-2155

Children’s Choir Lori McKinney, 785-227-5674

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OUR CHURCH FAMILY

We thank the Lord for the blessings he bestows

ten little fingers and ten little toes: Congratulations to Matt & Michelle Stula on the birth of their daughter Adelyn Grace! She was born on April 9,2020 at 5:29 a.m. weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz.

Congratulations to Jonathan & Sarah Garten on the birth of their daughter Ruby Ann Garten, born on March 28 in Overland Park, Kansas. Grandparents are Ron & Jan Michael.

Seth Peterson, son of Karna and Erik Peterson will be graduating from KU in May with a degree computer science.

Clayton Couchman has completed his Master degree in Industrial Engineering. He is the son of Monte and Cindy Couchman.

Maggie Anderson, daughter of Roger and Jane Anderson.

She is graduating from Wichita State University and will continue on to graduate school in the fall.

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May 7,2020 Mother Daughter Friend Banquet

Program Village Clothes Lane, Fashion Show.

Katie Hawkinson

Leader Nancy Lundblad

Special Offering Camperships

Bring Nail Clippers

Dear Bethany Church Friends,

Thank you for your gift of $629.92 towards our

Chaplaincy Endowment Fund.

Because of you, and others like you, we can enjoy

the services of a full-time chaplain.

We are truly blessed!

Patricia Roraback

Development Associate, Bethany Home Association

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Jessica Kelling will graduate from McPherson High School . Jessica was accepted into West Point in NY. She plans to major in Space Science with a minor in Aeronautics. Her favorite Bible verse is Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you ; you need only to be still .

Sophie Nelson is a senior at Salina South High. Next year she intends on attending Kansas State University with an emphasis in the medical field.

She is the daughter of Scott and Carrie Nelson.

Chance Kruckenberg is a senior at Smoky Valley. He played football for four years, was active in Boy Scouts and Swedish Dancers, attended Sky Ranch Leadership camp. He has been accepted to the EPT (electric power technology) program at Pratt Community College. His parents are Eric and Erica Kruckenberg.

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Bethany Lutheran Church Council April 2020

Meeting conducted via Zoom Present: Pastor Chris Deines, Council members Marlin Johnson, Ken Branch, Miri-am Strasen, Mike Wallen, Jerry Webster, Jan Michael, Amy Roraback, Merle Lar-son, Dan Norden, Ron Lundquist, Elly Anderson, Terri Larson: Treasurer Matt Stu-la, Financial Secretary Susan Lundstrom Treasurer’s Report: Matt Stula began the meeting by explaining an avenue for fi-nancing available from the Federal government allowing us to borrow money. The grant enables us to have ‘free’ money which provides us with two months of monies which can be spend for payroll and utilities. There is a six month interest free time to return any extra money. We would apply through our bank, Peoples Bank. Denise Peterson has been helping customers over several weeks. The interest rate is 1%; the interest rate doesn’t start for six months. If the money is spent on utilities and salaries, the money does not need to be repaid. The eight week period starts when the money is received. This money is competitive, and there are only so many dollars. The first day to apply was April 3. The motion, as amended, read: We move to proceed with the application for the Paycheck Protection Act (through the Federal Government Cares Act), to the maxi-mum extent allowable that would be forgiven. The motion was moved/seconded/carried. Matt Stula and Denise Peterson will figure the amount, perhaps $35,000? Pastor’s Report: Pastor Chris announced that Pastor Jim will conduct the Maundy Thursday service. It will be shown on Facebook live. Pastor Chris and Pastor Amy will preside at the Good Friday service held at Messiah Church. New Business: City Hall is not open for the Cox technician to troubleshoot what the Channel 13 viewing problem (s) might be. So Channel 13 continues to be una-vailable. Pastor Chris will record the Easter service early to be broadcast at 10:30 A.M. on Easter Sunday. All members are encouraged to stay home. Pastor closed the meeting with prayer. Elly Anderson Recording Secretary

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April 5 & April 12

Gen. Offering $8,221.00

Youth Programs $50.00

April 19 & 26

Gen. Offering $11,103.00

Youth Programs $289.00

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May 2020 Christian Education Page Sunday School update – materials are being mailed to the Preschoolers through Fourth Grad-ers. The First through Fourth Class is meeting on zoom at 9:00am. The Fifth through Eighth are meeting at 9:30. The youth group is meeting on Sunday evenings. Links were emailed to the families, if you have questions, please let Joyce know.

The stories for this month are:

• Sunday, May 3 Early Believers Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37

• Sunday, May 10 God's House John 14:1-14

• Sunday, May 17 The Promise of the Holy Spirit John 14:15-21

• Sunday, May 24 The Ascension Acts 1:6-14

Forums, and Fellowship Time are all “on hold” as of now. Please watch your email or the Fa-cebook page for weekly updates. You’re welcome to call me anytime if you have questions or concerns!

Camp Tomah Shinga – now is the time to think of summer camp. As of now, all camp will be happening during July. Camp Registration forms are available on line. www.camptomahshinga.com. Please pay the half the cost of the camp; Bethany will pay the second half. Confirmation Camp – All 6th and 7th and 8th graders are invited to attend Con-firmation Camp as a class during the week of July 26 - 31. Please let Joyce or Ericka know if your youth will attend.

Spring Special Events

We’re not sure of the dates, but we will celebrate these special milestones eventually!

Easter Egg Hunt , Campership Meal after a 10:30 Service Confirmation: Sawyer Lysell – Alkire, Nicholas Dreier, Clara McElroy, Per Nelson, Lilah Oestmann

Sr. Appreciation, Grant Lysell – Alkire, Jessica Kelling, Sophie Nelson, Chance Kruckenberg, Helayna Mader, & Amanda Reilly. VBS at Messiah Church – tentative date are June 22-26 or July 20 – 24.

Submitted by Joyce Peterson, Christian Ed Director, 227 2201, joycepeter-son@sbcglobal.net

Something to make you SMILE – A Sunday School class being silly at the end of their session.

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May Birthdays, Baptisms & Anniversaries

George Armbruster 05/01

Colin Finney 05/01

Jody Sare 05/01

Bobby E., Peterson 05/02

Brogan Gengler 05/04

Heath Harris 05/05

Wesleigh Bishop 05/07

Martin Johnson 05/07

Willis Larson 05/07

Tim Bishop 05/08

Candace Carlson 05/09

Genevieve Landgren 05/09

Emily Schrader 05/10

Monica Blaylock 05/11

Blake Gengler 05/11

Jarold Rasmusson 05/12

Timothy Ruble 05/12

Mark Peterson 05/14

Michelle Fiedler 05/15

Donna Nelson 05/16

Lily Esping 05/18

Eric Kruckenberg 05/18

Marilyn Malm 05/18

Emmalee Harris 05/19

Lilah Oestmann 05/20

Mike Chambers 05/22

Marsha Howe 05/23

Mark Bengtson 05/24

Duane Fredrickson 05/24

Sandra Opat 05/24

Dennis Blomberg 05/25

Jay Emler 05/25

Kola Johnson 05/25

Joseph Train 05/25

Harry Ylander 05/25

Verneda Bowman 05/26

Justin Klatt 05/26

Nils Peterson 05/27

Jared Nelson 5/29

Myriah Webster 05/29

Courtney Howe 05/30

Teagen Miller 05/30

Joyce Peterson 05/30

Baptismal Birthday

Anna Clark 05/01

Jennifer Comeaux 05/01

Carrie Nelson 05/01

Richard Damm 05/01

Monica Reilly 05/01

Thomas DeWitt 05/03

Phillip Orr 05/03

John Patterson 05/06

Kenneth Bengtson 05/07

Tucker Dauer 05/07

Delaney Johnson 05/09

Ann Johnson 05/11

Mark Johnson 05/11

Scott Kelling 05/12

Emily Howe 05/14

Margo Lysell 05/14

Allison Koerner-

Smith

05/16

Douglas Malm 05/16

Craig Blomberg 05/17

Robert Carlson 05/17

Seth Peterson 05/17

James Rorabck 05/17

Jarrett Esping 05/20

Kyle Peterson 05/20

Denise Romero 05/22

Vicki O’Steen 05/23

Lily Esping 05/25

Whitley McElroy 05/26

Patricia Roraback 05/27

Kaitlyn Stula 05/27

Baptismal Birthday

Lois Ferm 05/28

Susan Smith 05/28

Jake McElroy 05/29

Marteina McElroy 05/29

Merle Nelson 05/30

Allyn Gillberg 05/31

Virginia Patrick 05/31

Lloyd & Toni Haukom May 1

Bill & Beth Olson May 4

Jared & Pamela Nelson May 7

Dean & Ann-Christin Apel May 10

Donald & Jill Nolde May 10

Timothy & Dawn Lindshield May 18

David & Jayne Norlin May 22

Kyle & Olivia Peterson May 23

Justin & Rhea Mader May 27

Larry & Rebecca VanDerWege May 27

Jay & Lorraine Emler May 30

Ron & Marsha Rolander May 31

If you don’t see your information here and it should

be, contact the church office to update your records.

785-227-2167 or office@blclindsborg.org

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Amanda Reilly is a senior at Smoky Valley. She was

involved in school orchestra, Salina Youth Sympho-

ny, softball, cheerleading, Kansas Wesleyan Universi-

ty Orchestra, Swedish Dancers, National Honor Soci-

ety, and Viking Mentor Program.

In the fall she plans on attending Hutchinson Commu-nity College to pursue nursing. Her parents are Ed and Monica Reilly.

Grant Lysell-Alkire is a senior at Smoky Valley. He was involved in football, basketball, Swedish Dancers, youth group, Vision-Tek, & National Honor Society. Next year he plans on attending KU and majoring in engineering, focusing on aerospace. His parents are Ericka Lysell & Jeremy Alkire.

Helayna Mader is a senior at Smoky Valley. She was involved in basketball, cheerleading, swimming, pep club, and KAYS club. In the fall, she plans to attend Bellus Academy in Manhattan to pursue a career in cosmetology. Her parents are Rhea and Justin Mader.

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Dear friends in Christ,

Greetings from the organ bench. It is extremely surreal to record musical parts

on Wednesday afternoons. I still dress in my Sunday best to perform my musical offerings for

worship. I appreciate all those whose musicianship has added to our worship experience. Alt-

hough we are saddened by the toll the COVID-19 virus has taken on our lives, we must re-

member the work of the church continues.

I will love seeing all of you in church as we raise the roof in praise, some day soon. I remem-

ber all of you in my prayers. Good is good and God is with us! Thanks be to God!

Genevieve Bishop

Technical Update for Bethany Lutheran Church We’re seeing a lot of changes in technology this month. Between the social distancing guidelines and losing Cox Cable Channel 13, we’ve been busy. Unfortunately, just as we entered our isolation phase, our Cox Channel 13 quit working. We’ve traced the problem to equipment in the city building, but we can’t access it until social distancing is over. Even then, it may not be repairable. We’ve been scrambling to help everyone attend our virtual services. Many people have been watching on the church’s pages on Facebook or YouTube. An easy way to get to those pages is go to the church’s web page, blclindsborg.org. At the top on the righthand side is “Worship.” Click on the Facebook or YouTube option, and you’re right there. Find the bulletins for each service under the “Publications” tab. Services are available at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday and after, so you can watch whenever you like, but it’s nice if we’re all together in spirit. We are trying to find ways for people without computers to watch, as well. People with a smart television can watch through their TVs. If you have Cox Contour, press the “Contour” button on the remote. That will bring up your menu, and use your arrow keys to find “Apps.” One of the apps already on your television is YouTube, so find and press that. In the search box, type in, us-ing your arrow keys, Bethany Lutheran Church. There are lots of Bethany churches, so make sure you find ours in Lindsborg. It really is pretty easy to do. If you have any questions, call the office, or email itsupport@blclindsborg.org. We’ll try to help. The good news out of all this is that we are updating our equipment! Matt Stula is installing new cameras and computers, so we should look even better this month. He’s also changed our internet providers, to Cox, so everything will be about 20 times faster. Once we get back to meeting as a congregation in the sanctuary, we’ll be able to stream our services on Facebook and YouTube as they happen! It won’t be the same as being here, of course, but it will be the next best thing. And it will be great to sing together again. When we’re filming we really do adhere to 10 people or fewer in the sanctuary. We’re blessed to have such strong singers who sound like a church.

Jean Kozubowski

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Today I read an article entitled “Coyotes, bobcats and bears: Wildlife is reclaiming Yo-semite National Park.” In the article, Susanne Rust of the LA Times writes that during this corona virus pandemic, the park is closed to the millions of human visitors. The traffic lanes are silent, the mountains and the rivers bear witness to a natural world with-out human interference. As a result, the bear population has quadrupled, and the other animals have reclaimed the territory. The coyotes, bobcats and bears are congregating. It’s not that they haven’t been there in the past, but “It’s that they usually hang back at the edges, and move in the shadows.”

Is that what we have been doing, or are doing now? Are we hanging back and moving in the shadows during this retreat from the world? What happens to our Christian com-munity now? What are the consequences of this rest from productivity and life outside of our homes and places of refuge?

We Stephen Ministers are not inactive or silent. We continue to communicate with our care receivers, and we are learning new ways to reach out. We may telephone or Skype, we may Zoom or Google Meet. The work goes on, and we will figure it out.

Easter Sunday service provided part of our answer. As I watched online and saw the comments and virtual shouts of “Hallelujah” popping up on the screen from other con-gregants, and as the little red hearts were wafting across the screen from those who had pushed that button to show their participation, tears came. We are there. We are togeth-er in that effort to worship. We are united in our joy of Bethany Lutheran Church and the welcoming of our new Pastor Chris and his family. We sang and prayed, listened and learned, and when Genevieve’s organ sang out the postlude with a great “Amen,” we departed as we always do, refreshed and renewed, comforted to be part of a sweet and caring congregation.

Out of the shadows and hanging together, we together rejoice in the risen Christ. Hallelujah!

Holly Johnson

Rust, Susanne, “Coyotes, bobcats and bears: Wildlife is reclaiming Yosemite National Park,” LA Times, April 13, 2020. https://www.yahoo.com/news/wildlife-reclaiming-yosemite-national-park-120049838.html

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Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.

Preaching: Pastor Christopher Deines

Assisting Minister: Jim Ruble

Lector: Cynthia Woodard

Children’s Sermon: Margo Lysell

Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.

Preaching: Pastor Christopher Deines

Assisting Minister: Lori Nelson

Lector: Lan Nelson

Children’s Sermon: Olivia Peterson

SERVING IN MAY

Altar Guild: Nancy Lundblad & Maurine Johnson

The church doors will remain locked. If you need to get in for any reason, please call

ahead. We ask that you use extreme caution when entering the church. Hand sanitizer

and wipes are available for your use.

Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.

Preaching: Pastor Christopher Deines

Assisting Minister: Lori McKinney

Lector: TBD

Children’s Sermon: TBD

Sunday, May 24, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.

Preaching: Pastor Christopher Deines

Assisting Minister: Avery Van Der Wege

Lector: TBD

Children’s Sermon: TBD

Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.

Preaching: Pastor Christopher Deines

Assisting Minister: Per Nelson

Lector: TBD

Children’s Sermon: TBD

Our May worship services will be viewable on Facebook or www.youtube.com. Bulletins are viewable on our website, www.blclindsborg.org.

All services are pre-recorded, with participants of 10 or fewer.

If you would like to participate in the

service as a musical offering, please

contact Lori McKinney,

lorilindshield_mckinney@yahoo.com.

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat

1

2

3

10:30 am

Worship

4 5

6

11am Staff

1 pm Recording

7

8

9

7 pm Virtual

Graduation,

Smoky Valley

10

10:30 am

Worship

11

9am Offering

Counters

12

3 pm Hymn

Selection

13

11am Staff

1 pm Recording

14

15

16

17

10:30 am

Worship

18

19

20

11am Staff

1 pm Recording

21

22

23

24

10:30 am

Worship

25

Memorial

Day

26

9am Offering

Counters

27

11am Staff

1 pm Recording

28 29 30

31

10:30 am

Worship

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BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH

320 N MAIN

LINDSBORG KS 67456

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

LINDSBORG, KS 67456

PERMIT NO. 04

THE BETHANY BEACON A monthly publication of Bethany Lutheran Church, Lindsborg, KS 67456

Church: (785) 227-2167 bethanylindsborg@att.net

VISIT US AT OUR WEBSITE: http://blclindsborg.org

Bethany Church Council

Dan Norden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .785-819-2367

Jan Michael . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785-906-0132

Jerry Webster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227-5530

Ken Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785-906-0465

Mary Parker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227-2623

Miriam Strasen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785-404-2155

Mike Wallen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227-3636

Nate Woodard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515-979-7513

Ron Lundquist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-261-4422

Terri Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .785-667-4045

OFFICERS

Marlin Johnson (Pres). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227-3920

Amy Roraback (V.P.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227-8430

Elly Anderson (Sec.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227-2684

Matt Stula (Treas.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .913-485-0444

Susan Lundstrom (Fin. Sec.). . . . . . . .785-212-0391

«ADDR1»

«ADDR2»

«C/S/Z»

Bethany Church Staff

Pastor Christopher Deines pastorchris@blclindsborg.org

Administrative Assistant, Melanie Barnett office@blclindsborg.org

Custodian, Sean Rivera seanriv11@gmail.com

IT Specialist, Jean Kozubowski ITsupport@blclindsborg.org

Organist, Genevieve Bishop piejesu@cox.net

Christian Education, Joyce Peterson joycepeterson@sbcglobal.net

Youth Group, Ericka Lysell erickalysell@gmail.com

KICK, Olivia Peterson fabriziuso@gmail.com

Chancel Choir, Steve Gustafson gustafs@mcpherson.edu

Mens’ Choir, Leah Ann Anderson leah209@gmail.com

Children’s Choir, Lori McKinney lorilindshield_mckinney@yahoo.com

Bell Choir, Miriam Strasen strasen@cox.net