BETHELEHEM STAR September 2020

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK This September newsletter is UNDER CONSTRUCTION! Like Sioux Falls area road-ways, bridges and entrance/off ramps smoother days ahead are promised. Usually a September newsletter describes church routines and schedules for Sunday School, Council meetings, Confirmation, First Communion; maybe even Reception of New Members. As your Interim Pastor I have been hesitant to set patterns that will be diffi-cult for families to navigate. So, rather than get too uptight about that, I am just saying thank you for being patient for more information. The bridge work, concrete on entrance ramps and entire road-ways will soon be open for traffic. Until then, thank you for joining us for worship online via Facebook. Thank you for noting the soon to be completed fall schedule on the church web page. Should you not have access to a computer, phone someone who does and ask them for more information. And while you are making such a phone call, ask them how they are holding up during the strange dynamics surrounding precautions being taken for deconstructing Covid 19. As we wait, we pay attention to the wisdom of Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. So, we begin September with a common Hope that Perseveres! Your Interim Pastor

Beginning after Labor Day, Pastor Gary plans to be in office Sunday through Wednes-day. He plans to work from home on Thursday through Saturday safely returning for

Sunday worship as road conditions allow.

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

A special meeting of Bethlehem Lutheran Church will be held on Sunday,

September 13, 2020, at 10:00 am. following the regular scheduled church

service for the purpose of voting on the recommendation from the Trus-

tees and Church Council to construct a new digital church sign. This will

be the only item of business to be transacted.

The Bethlehem Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, August 6th at 7:00 pm.

Board of Trustees met at 7:00 pm on August 5, 2020. Those present: Brandon Boeve, Lucas Sandager, Alan Leenderts, Dave Leenderts, Brenda Plimpton Kristen VanMaanen, Brenda Beyer and Dan Ellingson.

Meeting opened in prayer. * Brenda Beyer presented the income and expenses. Motion to approve by Lucas Sandager., seconded by Kristen VanMaanen. * Brenda Beyer shared that Pastor Mikkelson is working with the Tuff Home

to increase outreach to the residents, respecting Covid restrictions. *Motion to purchase a new camera system by Lucas Sandager, seconded

by Brandon Boeve. * We are thankful for the $5,000 Federal Grant we received from Rock County. * Brenda Beyer will place a call to get the shower handle in the parsonage

fixed. * The Youth Director Position will be posted on our Facebook page. * Motion made by Brandon Boeve, seconded by Lucas Sandager to move

forward with presenting the new church signage information to the con-gregation. The proposed sign is a 2 sided digital style. With brick and electrical work, the proposal is $34,000. The digital sign will serve as an outreach to the community. The vote will be September 13

* The Board of Ed has set September 13th for Rally Sunday. * The date for the clean up/fix up day is pending. * The next Trustee's meeting is September 2 at 7:00 pm. * Full Church Council is September 9.

PART-TIME YOUTH PASTOR/DIRECTOR Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, MN is seeking a part-time Youth Pastor/Director to accompany, encourage, and engage youth on their faith journey through a wide range of education and youth programs. This position will provide primary leadership in developing appropriate and effective pro-grams for children, youth and their families. This position will be responsible for planning, coordi-nating, and implementing all youth-related classes, activities, events, and groups throughout the calen-dar year. Those interested who have a passion for youth and a strong Christian faith are invited to submit a resume to: Bethlehem Lutheran Church Attn: Church Council 112 N. Main Ave. Hills, MN 56138

DEACON MINUTES Attending: Diana Buffington, Deb Warner, Eric Abels, Jan Solberg, Pastor Gary Mikkelson. The meeting opened with Eric leading us in devotions. Thank you, Eric. 1. Devotions Schedule: Sept.- Diana October- Deb Nov.- Jan Dec.- open (Lori, JuStine) 2. The drive-by communion went well. There were 12 vehicles that come through. We will try one more drive-by on Sunday, September 13 from 4 - 6:00 P.M. Then we will look into having communion in-house. 3. We will be calling some of our parishioners to see if there are any needs/concerns that we could probably help with. 4. We are looking into making BLESSING OF HOME kits for those families who would like to bless their homes on Epiphany in Janu-ary. 5. We will need a volunteer to run the iPad during worship when Michaela leaves for col-lege. 6. We will celebrate Confirmation on Sunday, Oct. 25. Our next meeting will be at 6:00 on Sept. 9, just prior to the church council meeting at 7 P.M. We closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Jan Solberg, Sec.

————————————————— DRIVE THRU COMMUNION 4:00-6:00 pm. Sunday, September 13th

CONGRATULATIONS!! Ann Husfeldt & Lucas Sandager were united in marriage on Saturday, August 22 at Bethlehem Church, Hills. Pastor Gary Mikkelson officiated. —————————————————— Circle of Hope won’t be meeting at this time. Will evaluate the numbers later this fall. Watch for updates. —————————————————— HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ANNUAL LABOR DAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Monday, September 7, 2020 Serving milk, juice, coffee, pancakes and sau-sage from 7:30-10:00 am. Join us in Hills Christian School gym located at 501 Central Ave, Hills, MN. Freewill donations will be ac-cepted. Thank-you for your support. ______________________________________

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY’S

3 - Dan LaRock 7 - Tom Sandager 9 - Glenda McGaffee 11– Greyson Hoyme 12 - Norah Top 13 - Zoey Huisman 14 - Heather Erickson 15 - Lindsy (Sells) Holst Rodney Verhey 16 - Ashley Hoyme Sadie Rozeboom 18 - Taylor Vaughn Hannah Fick 19 - Aaron Erickson Abby Harris 20 - Nate VanMaanen 23 - Paul Page Dawne Bridwell 25 - Alan Opheim 27 - Al Top 30 - Warren Olson

CAMI’S CORNER SEPT. CHURCH & SUNDAY SCHOOL TIMES: Sunday school during worship service. 10:00 am. Livestream & Services @Bethlehem College Students, I hope you will send me your address so I can mail you the Newsletter. Have a great year!

——————————————————————— Office Closed, Monday, September 7th LABOR DAY For a lot of people. Labor Day means two things: a day off and the end of summer. Labor Day is a day set aside to pay tribute to working men and women. It has been celebrated as a nation holiday since 1894. _________________________________________ TAP ON THE SHOULDER Last Wednesday a passenger in a taxi heading into the city, leaned over to ask the driver a question and gently tapped him on the shoulder to get his atten-tion. The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, nearly hit a bus, drove up over the curb and stopped just inches from a large plate window. For a few moments everything was silent in the cab. Then, the shaking driver said "are you OK? I'm so sorry, but you scared the daylights out of me." The badly shaken passenger apologized to the driv-er and said, "I didn't realize that a mere tap on the shoulder would startle someone so badly." The driver replied, "No, no, I'm the one who is sorry, it's entirely my fault. Today is my very first day driv-ing a cab. I’ve been driving a hearse for 25 years."

Keeping you posted Watch for updates in September

Postings on web page: www.blchills.org

Bethlehem Lutheran Church 112 N. Main

Hills, MN 56138-0576 Address Service Requested

E-mail: bethlehemluth@alliancecom.net Web site: www.blchills.org

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U.S. POSTAGE PAID Hills, MN 56138

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