Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church 2515 Madison Ave.

Burlington, Iowa

Phone: (319) 752-3621

www.bethanyburlington.org

Pastor’s Cell: (360) 623-2184

Bethany Lutheran Church Mission Statement

Reaching out in Worship, Fellowship, Learning, and Love - We Are God’s People.

Our Staff

Rev. Paul Hermansen, Pastor Cory Byrne, Choir Director/Organist

Amanda Stevenson-Cosgrove, Dir. of Youth & Family

Sue Hermansen, Admin. Asst. Dennis Wohlers, Financial Sec’y

Mike & Tammy Morris, Custodians

Volume 57 Issue 9 September, 2017

God’s Work. Our Hands. On Saturday, September 9, the Lutheran churches in Burlington will join

Lutheran churches from across the ELCA in a day of service to their com-

munities to share the love of God with all people. You can all be a part of

this wonderful program.

The day will begin with a breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church.

We will then have a short gathering to bless our work.

We will be filling “Celebration Bags” for Community Action. These bags

will contain a cake mix, can of frosting, candles, and a party favor.

We will be collecting diapers and cleaning supplies for Lutheran Services

Iowa. These will include a 3 gallon bucket, mop, broom, rags, liquid clean-

ing supplies, etc.

There is a blue bin outside the sanctuary for donations for the Celebration

Bags and cleaning supplies.

We will finish the painting that we started last

year at the homeless shelter.

We will prepare the community garden at the

YMCA for the next season.

We will package food for Kids Against Hunger

at Messiah Lutheran at 10:30 a.m.

HOMEBOUND CARD

MINISTRY Please help remember Bethany’s mem-

bers who are in nursing homes or home-

bound by sending them a card. A birth-

day or a “thinking of you” card is a spe-

cial way of showing God’s love. During

the summer months, take a minute to

send a card with a short note - these

folks would love to hear from you.

Names and addresses are available on

the table in the fellowship hall. Please

remember to mark the spreadsheet if

you send a card.

GENESIS BIBLE STUDY The Genesis Bible study, meeting now on Wednesday evenings, will be moving to Sun-day night at 7:00 p.m. beginning September 17. Genesis is one of the most fascinating books in the Bible. Please join us.

PAINT-A-THON

September 4-8

The dates have been set for this year’s Paint-A- Thon. There is a sign-up sheet outside the sanctu-ary for us to indicate when we can help. Thanks for your serving.

SEPTEMBER ACTIVITIES The Retired Nurses will be meeting this month for a luncheon here at Bethany at Noon on Friday, Sep-

tember 1. Please bring a dish to share.

Boy Scout Troop #25 has their regular weekly meet-ings on Tuesdays.

The congregation is invited to

the wedding of

Marcy Ruberg

to

Scott Peters

On Saturday, September 23,

2017, at 3:30 p.m. at Bethany

Lutheran Church.

Reception to follow at Hiber-

nia Hall, 1204 Washington

St., Burlington, Iowa.

CARPET FUND DRIVE

Our carpet fund drive to help cover the remainder of the cost for new carpet and linoleum

is still ongoing. So far we have donations of $12,590.55. A special thanks to all who have

contributed to this fund so far. We have $910.00 left to reach our goal. If you would like to

give a donation, note on your gift that it is for the carpet fund. Your generosity on this

matter is most appreciated.

Linda Elmore is having knee surgery on October 23. She needs someone to

watch her dog, Little Buddy, on that day and the following few days of rehab.

She will furnish food and treats. If you can help out Linda and Little Buddy,

please call Linda at 319-572-8189.

DYNAMIC MINISTRY FORUMS

September 21 at 7:00 p.m.

Our Dynamic Ministry Forums have been listening to messages from Hope Lutheran

Church. These have given rise to meaningful conversation about ideas for Bethany. Our

next Forum is on September 21 in the library.

BETHANY PRESS BRIEFINGS

The following is a list of church related items that I would like to

put in one article. September is the month we resume our fall

schedule.

Attendance and participation in Bible studies has been trending up.

Because confirmation happens at the same day and time as our

Wednesday Bible study, the Wednesday Bible study on Genesis

moves to Sundays nights at 7:00 p.m. starting on September 17. I

will schedule an adult forum on the Sundays I have no meetings.

I would love to introduce contemporary music for Sunday worship with a screen and

projector. I am trying to put together a team of technicians. I would also love to have

people who play musical instruments contact me to add to the wonderful music Cory

shares.

Amy Unglaub has graciously stepped in for our Fellowship Committee. Their next meet-

ing will be September 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Our fall ministry kicks off on Rally Sunday, September 10. Sunday School will meet after

worship. At Noon we have our church potluck picnic at Crappo Park. Hope to have a

good turnout.

The Social Ministry Committee meets on September 10 at 10:15 a.m.

The Marcy Ruberg/Scott Peters wedding is on September 23 at 3:30 p.m. here at Bethany.

During the wedding we will baptize daughter Layla. The congregation is invited to the

wedding and the reception to follow at Hibernia Hall.

SMOOTH SEAS DO NOT MAKE SKILLFUL SAILORS! This summer brought me personal information that I would have been very happy not to have received. As you know by now, I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. While I was told I am a moderate risk, I am still taking steps to hopefully become cancer free. How do you process hearing negative news that directly affects you? For nearly forty years a major part of my ministry has been reaching out to others who are navigating through troubled waters. Now I am on those stormy seas! The reactions to such events are wide ranging. The initial reality is to ask, “Why is this happening to me?” I am grateful for our Lutheran theology that resists the urge to auto-matically blame ourselves when bad things happen to us. Our Lutheran understanding of misfortune is simply that bad things happen to many of us. In some instances our actions may be the source of our suffering and we would do well to alter the behavior that creates our unpleasant dilemna. But most important of all is turning to God and the body of Christ to receive the caring, support, and intervention that will help us better process our circumstances. The caring and compassion I have received since announcing my cancer has been amazing. The concern for my wife is also greatly appreciated. We have an appointment at a clinic in Cedar Rapids that has been highly touted for the success others have received who were in a similar situation. In the meantime I thank you for your ongoing prayers. I will, in kind, continue to strive to be a sensitive ear and voice of hope to others who experience their own turbulent seas. God promises to be with us. Because He is our God we need not be dismayed. He will strengthen, help, and uphold us with His victorious right hand. In Christ, Pastor Paul

‘...fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

2 - Elaine Loots

3 - Jeff Bloomer

4 - Tyler Burch; Terry Steenberg

7 - Mark Loots

10 - Malissa Schoof

11 - Erin Taylor

12 - Myrna Zabloudil

13 - Carol Gard; Austin

Timberlake

14 - Sara Sladky

17 - Philip Bartelson

18 - Farrah Williams

22 - Lynda Johnson

23 - Dawn Whetstone

24 - Lucas Chelf; Jessica Tharp

25 - Emmerich Adam, Jr.; Dan

Harken; Samuel

Morehead; Elizabeth Roy; Susan

Swanson

26 - Patricia Chacey; Garret

Coleman; Ruth Harken

29 - Abbey Coleman; Kenneth

Shepherd

30 - Marilyn Huth; Jeffrey

McClurg

September

Birthdays

Head Usher: Spencer Honsey

September Team Captain: Steve Rogers

Ushers

3 - Mark & Bonnie

Rosenberg 10 - Sue Rogers; Joe Gerdes; Morehead Family

17 - Steve & Sue Rogers; Jim & Barb Morris 24 - Steve & Sue Rogers;

Scott & Jan Creighton

Communion Assistants 3 - 10 - 17 -

24 -

Fellowship 3 - 10-

17 - 24 -

Missionary Support 3 -

10 - 17 -

24 -

Acolytes 3 - 10 -

17 - 24 -

Lector 3 - Elberta Quam

10 - Sue Hermansen 17 - Jeff Engle 24 - Carlene Woodside

Greeters 3 - Lynda Johnson; Dee Dee Walker

10 - Scott & Jan Creighton 17 - Ginny Mesecher; Sue Hermansen

24 - Marlys McClurg; Vanette Wooldridge

Flowers 3 - 10 - Gerald & Lila Janssen

17 - Dan Wischmeier 24 - Brody Johnson; Aunika

Johnson; Brantley Bergman

Altar Guild Marlys McClurg; Mary Ann Schoof-Schlief; Debbie

Hoxie, Carol Dodge

September 2017 Lay Leaders

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR RALLY

SUNDAY

Rally Sunday, always the official kick-

off to the Sunday School year, will be

Sunday, September 10. We will have a

potluck picnic at Crapo Park Skate-

house Shelter (same place as last year),

so bring some food to share, a comfy

chair, and your fishing pole!

L.I.F.T.

It’s time for L.I.F.T. to start up! L.I.F.T.

is always held on the second Sunday of

the month at Trinity. The first L.I.F.T.-

off will be September 10, starting at

5:00 p.m. L.I.F.T. is open to ages three

to 6th grade. This is a great ministry

and is open to everyone. Invite your

nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and

their friends! Registration forms are

available. If you are interested in help-

ing with L.I.F.T, speak to Amanda.

CONFIRMATION

It is time for another year of confirma-

tion! Our first meeting will be on

Wednesday, September 13, at 6:00

p.m., at Bethany. This is for all incom-

ing and current students (8th graders)

with parent/guardian. At this meeting

we will discuss class meeting times,

year schedule, and expectations. If you

have any questions, contact Amanda or

Pastor Paul.

MENTOR/MENTEE MEETING

We will have a meeting on September

19 at 6:00 p.m. at Bethany with stu-

dents, mentors, and parents to go over

expectations, future meetings and an-

swer any questions about your Mentor

Year. Please RSVP to Amanda no later

than the week before.

NOTES FROM CAMP. . . .

“Thank you so much for supporting me

while I went to camp! I had an amazing

time, and it made me feel so much

more connected to God. Thank you so

much, Samuel Morehead”

“Bethany Family: Thanks for giving me

the opportunity to go to such a won-

derful camp. It was an amazing experi-

ence. I also appreciated the loving sup-

port of the church. It really put me out

of my comfort zone which helped me

grow my faith. I met and made a lot of

new friends. My favorite part was ca-

noeing! Tyler Burch”

If you change your mailing

address, please let the office know ASAP.

For every returned piece of mail we get for

an incorrect address, we are charged 75

cents.

The meetings for September that have been scheduled as of the publishing of this newsletter are listed below. Watch the bulletins for any date and time changes or additional meetings sched-uled. Social Ministry Committee Sunday, September 10, 10:15 a.m. Men’s Breakfast Saturday, September 16, 8:00 a.m. Executive Committee Tuesday, September 12, 6:30 p.m. Church Council Sunday, September 17, 10:15 a.m. Property Committee Monday, September 18, 6:30 p.m. Remembrance Committee Thursday, September 21, 6:30 p.m.

Worship & Music Committee TBA Fellowship Committee Wednesday, September 6, 6:30 p.m.

FINANCIAL

UPDATE

AUGUST ATTENDANCE

August 6 71 August 13 93 August 20 91 August 26 17 August 27 76

AUGUST GIVING

August 6 $3,099.00 August 13 2,987.80 August 20 2,284.90 August 27 4,264.68 Total $12,626.38

WOW! PRAISE GOD!

Thank you for your generosity and

faithful trust in God to provide your

needs! God believes in you and has a

great future planned for Bethany.

PLEASE NOTE The deadline to submit information for the monthly Chimes is the 25th of the month.

You’re welcome to email your submissions, leave a note on the desk in the office, or call

the church office.

ALSO! Because of Federal Privacy laws, if you or a

member of your family are hospitalized and

would like the Pastor to visit, you must con-

tact the church and let us know.