BETHEL WEEKLY NEWS

CHILDREN ARE

WELCOMED AT BETHEL!

Parents will find bags of soft toys for children at the en-trance to the worship areas.

Thank you for doing what you can to help in creating a wor-ship environment where all can participate by keeping

distracting noise and move-ment to a minimum. If you prefer, a nursery is available Sunday mornings at the

Highlands campus (9:30 am).

BELL ENSEMBLE TO PERFORM AT MOA TODAY (SUNDAY) Please plan to come out to the Mall of America TODAY, Sunday, November 29 at 2 pm, to support Bethel’s Bell En-semble as they stir up a “blizzard” of music in the rotunda! The bells will also play on Friday, Dec. 4 at the Phipps Cen-ter during the Hudson Candlelight Stroll, and on Friday,

Dec. 11 at Bethel’s Blue Christmas service. ONE:1:ONE IN THIS SEASON OF ADVENT! Join us in this month of Advent in our ONE:1:ONE initiative! What is it, and what does that mean? . . . Just plan to pray for: ONE PERSON . . . FOR ONE MINUTE . . . AT ONE O’CLOCK over these next four weeks. We’ve provided some small dot stickers to use as a reminder on your cell phone, watch, computer clock, or whatever helps you remember to pray. Just think of what God can do when all these prayers are offered up for the needs of so many! Join us, please! POINSETTIA ORDER ENVELOPES NOW AVAILABLE If you’d like to order a poinsettia to decorate the sanctuary at either Bethel campus for the Christmas season, order envelopes are now available at the welcome center and in the pews Downtown, and at the welcome center at the Highlands campus. Poinsettias are available in red, white, and pink and cost $8.00 each. Please place your order by Sunday, December 13. REMEMBERING BETHEL WITH AN END OF THE YEAR GIFT? As we come to the close of the calendar year and our fiscal year at Bethel, please consider making a gift to Bethel to put us “over the top”. We want to be able to close the year in the black and will need your help to make that happen. (Please don’t restrict your gift, that doesn’t help us as much…) Any and all amounts are greatly appreciated as we keep the mission and ministry of Bethel active, vital and growing! Thanks so much! ~ Pastor John Lestock SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS, SUNDAY, DEC. 13 Everyone is invited to the Sunday School Christmas programs! Listen to a heartwarming Christmas story told by children through the eyes of children. The programs will be performed the second half of both worship services.

9:30 am, Preschool: The Search for a PillowThe Search for a PillowThe Search for a PillowThe Search for a Pillow

11 am, Grades K-5: Alex’s Gift

BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH ONE CONGREGATION—TWO LOCATIONS

NOVEMBER 29, 2015

WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT

BETHEL!

Bethel believes that God is at work in our life together to transform and renew the

world by making followers of Jesus. You are welcome to be a part of this community of those who celebrate the for-

giveness and hope that are God’s gifts to imperfect peo-ple through Jesus Christ, to grow in your faith, and to join

in serving human need in his name. The people and pas-tors of Bethel look forward to

sharing your life-journey in any way that is helpful to you. If you are a visitor to this beauti-ful area, we hope your visit

was refreshing; your travels are safe, and your homecom-ing joyful. If you’d like more

information about Bethel, please stop by our welcome center or speak to a pastor.

BETHEL’S VISION FOR MISSION

To WELCOME all people to know Jesus Christ and come to faith in him. To provide the means for growth for Chris-

tian maturity, EQUIPPING peo-ple with the power of faith in Christ for everyday life. To

challenge each member to take a personal share of God’s mission, SENDING them to bring Christ’s compassion,

hope and joy into the world, our communities and homes.

ONE CONGREGATION—

TWO LOCATIONS 715.386.8821 bethel@bethelhudson.org

www.bethelhudson.org

DOWNTOWN CAMPUS 920 Third Street Hudson, WI 54016

(Administrative Office)

Office Hours: M-F: 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Sunday: 8 am-10 am

HIGHLANDS CAMPUS 504 Frontage Road Hudson, WI 54016

BETHEL’S PASTORAL STAFF John Lestock, Senior Pastor Alicia Hilding, Assoc. Pastor

Ben Hilding, Assoc. Pastor Bob Bipes, Visitation Pastor

BETHEL HIGHLANDS PRESCHOOL 504 Frontage Road Hudson, WI 54016

715.381.8254, ext. 401 Kari Jo Fore, Director www.bethelhighlandspreschool.org

B E T H E L H A P P E N I N G S

THANKS TO OUR HELPING HAND MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS! We would like to say MANY THANKS to the Manchester family (Andrew and Karen, Sam and Luke) for the yard work they did for us through Bethel’s new Helping Hand Ministry! ~ Ron and Mayelva Rimer BETHEL BOOK CLUB MEETS DECEMBER 2 The Bethel Book Club will meet on Wednesday, December 2, from 1-3 pm at the Downtown campus. We will discuss Miriam’s Song by Mark Mathabane; Carolyn Shurb will facilitate the discussion. All are welcome! THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

THANK YOU VERY MUCH to everyone who blessed the quilts and kits at the dedication services on November 14 and 15, and to all who contributed so generously to the Lutheran World Relief Quilt & Kit Shipping Fund. A grand total of $1,537 was received and sent to LWR.

LWR expresses their appreciation: "Thank you for your prayers and your tireless work assembling Quilts and Kits for our brothers and sisters in need around the world. The recipients of these gifts could be described as 'the least of these' that Christ calls us to serve -- the sick and the weary, the aban-doned and sometimes forgotten. Your gifts of Quilts and Kits make such a difference to families following disasters like the Nepal earthquakes and the Syrian refugees flowing into neighboring countries and Europe. You provide items that bring comfort and promote good health -- and perhaps even more than that -- you provide items that let people in their darkest hour know that they are not alone. These gifts of love and comfort, promote health and edu-cation and provide the building blocks for a more promising future. Thank You!"

MANY, MANY THANKS, ALSO, to all the very talented and dedicated Women of Bethel Quilters, Gathering Groups, and everyone who contrib-uted fabric and supplies for the quilts and kits, helped with the cutting, sew-ing, tying, assembling, providing publicity, packing and delivering the quilts and kits for Lutheran World Relief. All of your beautiful work and generosity in 2015 has made it possible for us to deliver to LWR: 50 Quilts, 114 School Kits, 16 Fabric Kits and 50 Personal Care Kits. In addition to LWR, over 100 quilts were distributed this year to Luther Point Bible Camp, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Dorothy Day and Operation Help. Also in 2015, a total of 110 AIDS/Hospice Kits and $550.00 for shipping, as well as 7 Ace ban-dages and 517 rolled bandages, was given to Global Health Ministries. The wonderful work of your hearts and hands will give immeasurable blessings to those who suffer around the world. May God bless the giv-ers and receivers of these extraordinary gifts. THANK YOU Thank you for the prayers, cards and visits when I was in the hospital for hip surgery. Also thank you to Jim, Barb & Alex Milinar through the Helping Hands Ministry with the yard work and other jobs that needed attention. Thank you again. ~ Anne Sime

F A I T H F O R M A T I O N

MIDDLE SCHOOL LOCK-IN Friday, Jan. 29, 7 pm–

midnight, Downtown campus

Come one,

come all middle school students

for a lock-in complete with pizza, snacks,

games (Salvation!),

devotions, Ga-Ga and more! Cost $10/student.

Sign up, pay through bethel-

hudson.org/youth-ministry.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SKI TRIP (GRADES 6-8) February 26–28, 2016

Middle School students will

travel to Spirit

Mountain in Duluth for a fun week-

end of skiing with friends! For details and to sign up, go to

bethelhudson.org/youth-

ministry.

FAITH FORMATION UPDATES

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS Save the date for the Bethel Christmas programs: Sunday, December 13! This week, the Sunday School students begin preparing for their Christmas programs while learning about the birth of Jesus. Each age group has their own program: Preschool: The Search for a Pillow Grades K–5: Alex’s Gift 12/6 – Christmas program preparation (during Sunday School) 12/12 (Saturday) – Christmas program practice - 9-10:30 am, K-5th only 12/13 – Christmas Program during the second half of worship 9:30 – Preschool: The Search for a Pillow

KEY DATES IN

FAITH FORMATION: Dec. 13 – Christmas Programs

the second half of worship

Dec. 16 – Grades 6 & 7 and Confirmation: Christmas Party and the Real Story of Christ-

mas with Pastor John

Dec. 23 & 30 – No Confirma-tion or Grades 6 & 7

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LESSONS

• 6th Grade – How can God be three-in-one? • 7th Grade – How do I stop doing things I know I shouldn’t do? • 8th Grade –Advent • 9th Grade – Prayer

BETHEL YOUTH STAFF Pastor Ben Hilding, Pastor of Youth and Family Jean Elliott, Director of Youth Ministry (Confirmation & Senior League) Cindy Halunen, Director of Faith Formation (Sunday School and 6th & 7th Gr. Faith Formation) Missy Austreng, Coordinator of Faith Milestones Marcie Andrews, Youth Ministry Communications Assistant

SENIOR LEAGUE, 7 PM, DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

Following student-led worship, Senior League will a game night featuring Ga-Ga, spoons, Quelf, Pictionary and Telestrations.

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS Parents check out these exciting events for students—they might make great Christmas gifts!

MONTANA SKI TRIP (GR. 9-12) Friday, January 15- Tuesday, January 19, 2016 This annual adventure west includes 3 days of mountain skiing at Bridger Bowl and Big Sky! For more details and to sign up, go to bethelhud-son.org/youth-ministry/senior-league

.

Sunday, 11/29 Monday, 11/30 Tuesday, 12/1 Wednesday, 12/2 Thursday, 12/3 Friday, 12/4 Saturday, 12/6

8 am Celebration worship

DT

9:15 am Adult Bible Cl. DT

9:30 am New Song wor-

ship BH

9:30 am Sunday sch. BH

10:40 am Chime Choir BH

11 am Great Awakening

worship BH

12:15-3:15 pm Cookie

caller pick-up DT

9 am Visitor collators DT 1 pm Youth Team mtg. DT

5 pm OCC pkg. center

5:30 pm Young Adult Bible

study BH

5:30 pm Bell Ensemble

rehearsal BH

6:30 pm Monday Funday

Activity

7 pm Boy Scout #140 and

Venture Crew DT

7 pm Holy Yoga/Gentle BH

8:15 am Habitat for

Humanity

9:05 am BHP Community

Chapel BH

12 pm Offering counters

DT

12:35 pm m BHP Commu-

nity Chapel BH

5:30 pm Bell Ensemble

rehearsal BH

6:30 pm Endowment

Committee mtg. DT

7:30 pm Bethel Chorale

rehearsal DT

6:30 am Men’s Fellowship

8:45 am Watson study

group DT

9:05 am BHP Community

Chapel BH

10 am Staff meeting DT

1 pm Bethel Book Club DT

2 pm Prayer team DT

4 pm Education mtg. DT

5 pm CFA DT

5 pm Gr. 6 & 7 classes DT

6 pm Gr. 8 & 9 conf. DT

6 pm CFA DT

7 pm Forever Praise choir

rehearsal BH

7 pm Senior League wor-

ship & activity DT

9 am Women’s

Bible study BH

1 pm Hardanger

DT

5 pm HOME meal

DT

5:30 pm Bethel Bell

Ensemble BH

7 pm New Song

rehearsal BH

12 pm OCC pkg.

Center

7 pm Senior

League mara-

thon DT

Senior League marathon DT 7 am Men’s Bible

study DT

9 am HHQ Christ-

mas party DT

5:30 pm Gathering

worship BH

P O W E R O F P R A Y E R �THOSE WHO ARE SICK OR IN NEED OF HEALING Laura Bankes, Pastor Bob Bipes, Andrea Deacon-Jones, Allen Ecker, Shirley Halyburton, John Haugo, Ken Heiser, Jessica Johnson, Harvey Keene, Ardis Kelly, Cheryl Klanderman, Jean Krauss, Kim Lagerstrom, Ruth Lewis, Dan Lindquist, Andrew Mack, Rosalie Munn, Terri Pomeroy, Rick Possehl, John Richmond, Rosemary Riemenschneider, Kay Shager, Jerry Shurb, Tim Smith, Chuck Stene, Mary Tuler, John Wenzel, Marilyn Whitchurch and Jason Yndestad.

�THOSE SERVING OR DEPLOYED Jeffrey Berg, Charles Burns, Jordan Kein and Steven Moreus.

�SYMPATHY We offer our sympathies and prayers of comfort and strength for Brian & Chelle Ullom and family at the death of Brian’s mother, Louise Ullom. Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life.”

�HEALING MINISTRIES PRAYER God of the Great Thanksgiving, I am grateful for all that you have provided my family, my community and the United States of America; I give thanks to the Na-tive Americans who lived on this land before my an-cestors arrived. I am blessed to be among the great crowd of believers worldwide; together we share the good news of the gospel so that the harvest will be abundant. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him. Psalm 67

TODAY’S QUOTE “The Kingdom of God is the kingdom of already, but not yet!” ~ R. Alan Wood WORSHIP ATTENDANCE, NOV. 21-22, 2015 • Saturday, Nov. 14: Highlands, 5:30 pm—36 • Sunday, Nov. 15: Downtown, 8 am—110 • Sunday, Nov. 15: Highlands, 9:30 am—434 11 am—73

WORSHIP SUPPORT TEAMS 8 AM SUNDAY, DOWNTOWN &

11 AM SUNDAY, HIGHLANDS

Acolytes

8 am Henry Seiser, Drew Bjork

11 am Connor Harrison, Nick Johnson Ushers

8 am Edith & Slater Lampman 11 am Dave & Lori Grambow

Greeters 8 am Skip & Joan Jewett

11 am Dick & Norma Newberg

Communion Assistants

8 am No communion 11 am Linda James, Lori Grambow

Welcome Center—Downtown

June Waalen

Cookie Caller—Downtown

Jerry & Georgia Adams

9:30 AM SUNDAY, HIGHLANDS

Worship Support Team *team leader(s)

*Brian & Chelle Ullom, Deb Green,

Kevin & Jill Knoke, Ricky & Missy Lien,

John Olson, Jim & Jan Orf,

Jamie & Jean Johnson, Bobbe Henderson, Bill Swanson

Greeters

Mark & Terry Jepperson

Videographer

Alan Park

Projectionist

Kevin Carrier, 9:30 am Aethan Hart, 11 am

Confirmation Students

Ella Stein, Seth Gunderzik, Luke

Bekemeyer, Andrew Knoke, Julia

Hammer, Cole Ober, James Maalis

Welcome Center Jane Dahlin

Nursery

Grace Yaeger, Sarah Roach, Stella Ullom

Hospitality/Coffee

Holter family

5:30 PM SATURDAY, HIGHLANDS

Projectionist

Vicki Datt Usher

Ken Larson

BETHEL HAPPENINGS BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

NOVEMBER 29, 2015

TANZANIA SCHOLARSHIPS NEEDED As we head into the Thanksgiving season, think about a wonderful gift you and your family could give to the stu-dents at our Tanzanian partner congregation. In Tanzania, students at-tend free government schools through 6th grade. After that, the average cost of a year of secon-dary school is $400/year/student. At many schools, this includes the student’s room and board as well as their tui-tion. Typically only students whose families who can af-ford the $400/year/student are able to continue their education past 6th grade. With your contributions, however, the Cathedral congregation can award scholarships (or partial scholarships) to students whose families can’t afford this expense.

Many Bethel members have been supporting this effort for over 10 years. These gifts have not only bene-fitted the individual students, but also the Cathedral con-gregation, the city of Iringa, and the country of Tanzania. Every entity becomes stronger as more and more stu-dents have the opportunity to obtain an education. In 2014, Bethel members donated $21,280 toward student scholarships which allowed 53 students to attend secon-dary school. Previous sponsors have received a direct email regarding 2016 scholarships, but we’d love to in-volve additional families in this program. A $400 dona-tion would be wonderful, but we are happy to accept any amount you can contribute. If you’re interested, please contact Kit Elert at kit.elert@elert.com by tomorrow, Monday, November 30 with your commit-ment amount. We would then need to receive your com-mitment check by the end of December. The check should be made out to Bethel with “Tanzania Scholar-ship” in the memo field. You can drop the check off at the office or drop it in the offering.

A group from Bethel will be traveling to Tanzania in March 2016. They will have the opportunity to meet many of the sponsored students at that time. Asanta Sana (thank you very much!) for your dedication to this mission.

Bethel is offering a Service of Hope at 7 pm on Friday, December 11th in the sanctuary of the Downtown campus.

This service is for anyone who may be experiencing grief during the holidays

and needing a time of rest and renewal. It would be a great service to

invite someone to who you know that has experienced difficulty or loss because of illness, death, depression, deployment,

divorce or anything that can make the holidays hard.

The service will include prayers, Scripture, a message and music that will

acknowledge God's presence and peace during difficult times in our lives.

Refreshments will follow.

6

BETHEL HAPPENINGS BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

NOVEMBER 29, 2015

SERVING IN HOLIDAY WORSHIP In December there will be a number of spe-cial worship services. It takes many hands to create a warm and welcoming worship experience. Can you help? If so, please contact Kathy Jeska (office—715.386.8821, kjeska@bethelhudson.org, or home—715.749.3525). Kathy’s hours in the church

office (Downtown) are 10 am-3 pm, T, W and F. YOUNG AT HEARTS REMINDER The Young at Hearts will travel to the Plymouth Playhouse to hear “Christmas My Way” on Tuesday, December 8. The bus will leave the Downtown campus at 10:30 am and return around 5 pm. WOB ACCEPTING GRANT REQUESTS Grants requests to the Women of Bethel may be made for special Bethel projects and charity organizations. Please submit your requests in writing (no form needed) and drop them off at the church office Downtown or give to any WOB board member on or before next Sunday, December 6. Requests will be considered at the Dec. 7 WOB board meeting.

ARE YOU A PART OF A SMALL GROUP, OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO START ONE?

Being a part of a small group is a great way to get connected and to grow and be challenged in your faith. Did you know that we have numerous small group Bible studies and Bible study kits that are available to be checked out from Pastor Alicia's office?

If you are a small group leader or facilitator, consider setting up a time with Pastor Alicia to take a look

through the resources before you begin your next study. Are you not currently part of a small group but would like to start a new one? If so, Pastor Alicia would be happy to help you start a new group. If you have any questions about Bethel's Small Group Ministries, please feel free to email Pastor Alicia at ahilding@bethelhudson.org or call her at 715-386-8821, ext. 23.

HELPING HAND MINISTRY Bethel’s new Helping Hand Ministry is off to a great start! We continue to look for those in need of a helping hand, and those who would like to help. Individuals and families of ALL AGES are welcome to join our Helping Hands team. Please contact Kim Evers at kjevers04@yahoo.com or 612.707.2447 for more information (please note change). BETHEL TO HOST RCC CONCERTS The River City Chorale will hold two Christmas con-certs at Bethel’s Downtown campus, December 19 at 3 pm and 7 pm. General admission tickets are $5 at the door. COLLECTION CONTINUES THROUGH 12/6 Operation Help has asked Bethel to provide only conditioner and sham-poo (family-size sets) for this year’s Christmas Cam-paign for children and their families living in the Hud-son school district. Collec-tion bins are set up near both welcome centers through next Sunday, December 6. Thank you for consider-ing this local service project. SALVATION ARMY NEEDS BELL RINGERS

Bell ringers are urgently needed in St. Croix County on Dec. 17 and 18. Other days are available, too. Please call 715.497.4438 to schedule a day OR sign up online: www.ringbells.org.

NATIONAL LUTHERAN CHOIR CONCERT Christmas Festival: The Spotless Rose. Dec. 11, 4:30 pm & 8 pm and Dec. 12, 8 pm. Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis. Tickets & info: www.NLCA.com.

LIFE-CHANGING FINANCIAL PEACE

UNIVERSITY RETURNS IN JANUARY!

We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you've dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! Classes consist of video teaching, discussions and small group activities. Classes will be held weekly from 1-2:30 pm, Sunday, January 10—Sunday, March 6 in the children's theater at the Highlands campus. Previous class members are always welcome to attend. Registration and payment is taken through the Dave Ramsey web site; for a link, please visit Bethel’s web site (Adult Ministry/Small Groups). For more information, please contact Bethel members and course leaders, Kelly and Kevin Carrier at kcarrier2000@msn.com or visit www.daveramsey.com. You don't want to miss this opportunity! Start the new year off on a good note!

*If you would prefer not to register online, please email Pastor Alicia (ahilding@bethelhudson.org) or call her (715.386.8821, ext. 23) to register.

BETHEL HAPPENINGS BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

NOVEMBER 29, 2015