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).

BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH ONE CONGREGATION—TWO LOCATIONS

DECEMBER 20, 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.

Christmas Eve Christmas Eve Christmas Eve Christmas Eve

Highlands CampusHighlands CampusHighlands CampusHighlands Campus 2pm Family Worship2pm Family Worship2pm Family Worship2pm Family Worship

4pm Traditional Candlelight 4pm Traditional Candlelight 4pm Traditional Candlelight 4pm Traditional Candlelight

6pm New Song Candlelight 6pm New Song Candlelight 6pm New Song Candlelight 6pm New Song Candlelight

Christmas Eve Christmas Eve Christmas Eve Christmas Eve

Downtown Campus Downtown Campus Downtown Campus Downtown Campus 8pm Candlelight with Bethel Chorale8pm Candlelight with Bethel Chorale8pm Candlelight with Bethel Chorale8pm Candlelight with Bethel Chorale

10pm Candlelight with Bethel Chorale10pm Candlelight with Bethel Chorale10pm Candlelight with Bethel Chorale10pm Candlelight with Bethel Chorale

Christmas Day Downtown CampusChristmas Day Downtown CampusChristmas Day Downtown CampusChristmas Day Downtown Campus 10am Carols & Communion10am Carols & Communion10am Carols & Communion10am Carols & Communion

CHRISTMAS VESPERS WORSHIP

Sunday, Dec. 27 7 pm Highlands Campus

Featuring Current and Alumni Vespers Members!

An informal service with communion & candlelight.

Afterwards, we'll have a toast to the new year (with refreshments)!

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

FLOWERS The flowers on the altar Downtown are placed by Joan Sorensen for blessings received. THANKS FOR YOUR TEAMWORK, CHURCH COUNCIL! With our Visitation Pastor Bob Bipes undergoing chemotherapy in these next weeks, some of our Bethel Church Council have volunteered to step in and help with visits to some of our homebound and shut-in members. We want to thank them so much for helping out in this important way and in this busy season. They may not make it to each person on Pastor Bob’s list, or at the usual time, so please be patient. What a great spirit of teamwork at Bethel! CONSIDERING A YEAR-END GIFT TO BETHEL? 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 ONE:1:ONE IN THIS SEASON OF ADVENT

Join us as our ONE:1:ONE initiative continues! What is it, and what does that mean? . . . Just plan to pray for: ONE PERSON . . . FOR ONE MINUTE . . . AT ONE O’CLOCK during the month of Advent. Just think of what God can do when all these prayers are offered up for the needs of so many! Join us, please! (Special thanks this week

to Keegan Foster, Dan DuPuis and Rosalie Munn for taking part in the video and to Bill Alms at Alms Creative for doing the filming!) ATTENTION BETHEL QUILTERS There will be NO quilting on December 22nd. The quilters will meet again on December 29th, with an end of the year pot-luck. See you then! BETHEL CHURCH COUNCIL APPLICATIONS The nominating committee is looking for people interested in serving on Be-thel’s Church Council. This is a three-year commitment, typically involving a monthly meeting.

An interest in learning more about our church, a willingness to listen and voice your opinions and an opportunity to meet and serve with new people are the only special skills and requirements needed. Application forms and job descriptions are available at both welcome centers and online at bethel-hudson.org / resources / forms.

You can also talk to any of the nominating committee members with your interest and questions: Linda James, Brian Johnson, Pastor John Lestock, Patti Thacker and Darrel Schoeberlein. Please give this your prayerful consideration.

F A I T H F O R M A T I O N UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS **Parents check out these exciting events for students—they might make great Christmas gifts!**

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

Downtown campus

Come one,

come all mid-

dle school

students for a

lock-in com-

plete with

pizza, snacks,

games

(Salvation!),

devotions,

Ga-Ga and more! Cost $10/student. Registration deadline: January 27.

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 weekend of

skiing with friends! For details

and to sign up, go to bethel-

hudson.org/ youth-ministry. Registration deadline: January 27.

FAITH FORMATION UPDATES SUNDAY SCHOOL No class December 20, 27 or January 3. Enjoy worship and the holidays with your family!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LESSONS

No class December 23 or 30.

SENIOR LEAGUE No Senior League this week. Senior League will resume on December 30 with a gathering of alumni and current students.

KEY DATES IN FAITH FORMATION: Jan. 6—Grades 6 & 7 and Confirmation resume Jan. 10—Sunday School resumes

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 Grade Faith Formation) Missy Austreng, Coordinator of Faith Milestones Marcie Andrews, Youth Ministry Communications Assistant

.

LET WENDY'S DO THE COOKING On Monday, December 21st, 20% of the profits made at Wendy's in Hudson will go to Bethel youth participating in ministry opportunities.

Support both Wendy’s and Bethel by planning a night out! Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to go out for dinner between 5-7 pm on Monday, December 21st. During those hours, Bethel youth will be there to greet you and will be

drawing for door prizes.

Great food, fellowship, and fun! If you have any questions or are a youth interested in serving, please contact Jean Elliott at jeane@bethelhudson.org.

Sunday, 12/20 Monday, 12/21 Tuesday, 12/22 Wednesday, 12/23 Thursday, 12/24 Friday, 12/25 Saturday, 12/26

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 Chimes BH

11 am Great Awakening worship BH

12:15-3:15 pm Cookie caller pick-up DT

9 am Offering counters DT

1 pm Youth Team mtg. DT 5 pm Wendy’s Night

5:30 pm Young Adult Bible study BH

6 pm Dorothy Day/meet DT

6:30 pm Monday Funday activity

7 pm Boy Scout #140 and Venture Crew DT

7 pm Preschool board meeting BH

8:15 am Habitat for

Humanity 7:30 pm Bethel Chorale

rehearsal DT

8:45 am Watson study

group DT 10 am Staff meeting DT

2 pm Prayer team DT 7 pm Forever Praise choir

rehearsal BH

2 pm Family Worship BH

4 pm Traditional Candlelight BH

6 pm New Song Candlelight BH

8 pm Candlelight w/Bethel Chorale DT

10 pm Candlelight w/Bethel Chorale DT

Office Closed 10 am Christ-

mas Day Worship with

Carols and Communion

DT

7 am Men’s Bible

study DT 5:30 pm Gather-

ing 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, Pat Eich, Doris Fondroy, Gaye Frye, Shirley Halyburton, John Haugo, Ken Heiser, Aaron Hilke, Jessica Johnson, Harvey Keene, Cheryl Klanderman, Kim Lager-strom, Ruth Lewis, Herbert Lidtke, Dan Lindquist, Sarah Lockbaum, Andrew Mack, Ruby Mockler, Augusto Perez, Sr., Terri Pomeroy, John Richmond, Rosemary Riemenschneider, Kay Shager, Tim Smith, Chuck Stene, John Wenzel, Marilyn Whitchurch, Chris Wolfgram, Jason Yndestad.

�THOSE SERVING OR DEPLOYED Jeffrey Berg, Charles Burns, Jordan Kein and Steven Moreus. �SYMPATHY We offer our sympathies and prayers to Jean Krauss and the Tracey & Bill Jenkinson family at the death of Rolland Krauss, Jean’s husband and Tracey’s father; and to the family of Charles Fehr at his death. God bless and comfort these families with the promise of Christ: “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” �HEALING MINISTRIES PRAYER Heavenly Father, as I struggle to make sense of my life, when the future seems uncertain and the time in waiting is long, remind me that this is when you want me to lean in, trusting that you will catch my fall. Let me find rest for my weary soul in your arms, fill me with the promise of hope and love. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5

TODAY’S QUOTE “You can see the world standing tall, but to witness the Savior, you have to get on your knees.” ~ Max Lucado WORSHIP ATTENDANCE, DEC. 11-13, 2015 • Blue Christmas, Friday, Dec. 11: Downtown—83 • Saturday, Dec. 12: Highlands, 5:30 pm—61 • Sunday, Dec. 13: Downtown, 8 am—119 • Sunday, Dec. 13: Highlands, 9:30 am—351; 11 am—406

WORSHIP SUPPORT TEAMS 8 AM SUNDAY, DOWNTOWN & 11 AM SUNDAY, HIGHLANDS

Acolytes

8 am Aidan Gaboury, Jordan Thill 11 am Chase McArthur, Doug McArthur

Ushers

8 am Dick & Barb Hagen

11 am Ron & Nancy Langness

Greeters

8 am Don & Peggy Hale

11 am Jerry & Margie Ellefson

Communion Assistants

8 am Terry & June Schubert

11 am Ron & Nancy Langness

Welcome Center—Downtown Cynthia Huntley

Cookie Caller—Downtown Bob & Darlene Berglund

9:30 AM SUNDAY, HIGHLANDS

Worship Support Team *team leader(s)

*Lowell Enerson, *Bill Swanson,

*Dan DuPuis, Steven & Lisa Bekemeyer,

Deb Green, Peggy Wegscheid,

Rick & Janet Wilson, Kathy Enerson,

James & Michelle Kulzer,

Elmer & Julie Neiderhauser

Greeters Kathy Enerson, Deb Green,

Ruth Lewis, Paulette Vadnais

Videographer Larry Quam

Projectionist Keegan Sansone, 9:30 am

Aethan Hart, 11 am

Confirmation Students Luke Bekemeyer, Greta Butterbrodt,

Seth Gunderzik, Chris Harney,

Andrew Janisch, Jena Kost,

James Mosel, Avery Richardson,

Garnett Strack

Welcome Center Jane Dahlin

Nursery Elaina Johnson, Lauren Chukel,

Peyton Poling

Hospitality/Coffee

Rutten family

5:30 PM SATURDAY, HIGHLANDS

Projectionist Sally Hermann

Usher Geri & Ron Keller

BETHEL HAPPENINGS BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

DECEMBER 20, 2015

YOU CAN HELP BETHEL WHILE YOU SHOP If you shop at Amazon, you can help Bethel! Bethel will receive a dona-tion equal to 0.5% of your Amazon purchases if you access their site through AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is identical to Amazon with the same products and pricing. And, Bethel benefits if you access your existing Amazon account using Bethel's unique URL.

Please bookmark and use the unique URL whenever you shop Amazon; you will also find a link at bethelhudson.org/resources/forms & links. You'll know you are at the right place if you see "AmazonSmile" and "Supporting Bethel Lutheran Church" in the upper left corner. FREE CHRISTMAS DAY COMMUNITY MEAL The Hudson Methodist Church (1401 Laurel Ave., Hudson) invites all to a FREE dinner on Christmas Day, 11:30 am-1 pm. Please call 715.386.3921 for more information or to arrange transportation. BETHEL UNIVERSITY OF HUDSON Bethel’s own Layton “Skip” James will present “PEAKS OF SACRED MUSIC” on Wednes-days, Jan. 6, 13 & 20 from 7-8:15 pm, Highlands Campus. Admission is free—all are invited! No registration required.

Bethel’s Music Director for 16 years, Layton James began his professional career not as a performer but as a Musicologist, trained at Cornell and Stanford Universities. He has taught at the University of Hawaii, Macalester Col-lege, Moorhead State, Westminster Choir School, and UW River Falls, and was the inventor and presenter of Fanfares, the series of lectures and interviews given prior to St. Paul Chamber Orchestra concerts. You won’t want to miss this informative series! The topic for January 6 is “The Cantatas of Bach, Sermons in Song.”

6

FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY RETURNS We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace Uni-versity 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 meet weekly on Sundays from 1-2:30 pm, Jan. 10—March 6 in the children's theater at the Highlands campus. Previous class members are always welcome.

THERE’S STILL TIME TO SIGN UP! Registration and payment are 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.

COULD YOU USE A HELPING HAND? Bethel’s Helping Hand Ministry continues 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. BETHEL BOOK CLUB MEETS JANUARY 6 All are invited to join the Bethel Book Club on Wednesday, January 6 from 1-3 pm at the Downtown campus. Shirley Halyburton will lead the discussion of A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler.

BETHEL HAPPENINGS BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

DECEMBER 20, 2015