the bethlehem star · 2017. 1. 26. · 22 jenna holtz, clara ihns 23 becky ihns-petersen february...
TRANSCRIPT
The Bethlehem Star
Volume 1, Issue 2 February 2017
Council Elected
The Annual Congregation meeting was held on Sunday, January 22. Brent Ihns, Jerry Kapinski and Tim Thiede were elected to 3-year terms on the congregation Council. Enos Ihns was elected to a 3-year term on the Endowment Committee. The Council met immediately following to organize. The following officers were elected: Tom Gerdes, President; Brent Ihns, Vice-President; Deb Christiansen, Secretary; Jim Holtz, Treasurer.
Annual Cheer Brunch
Bethlehem Women invites
all to their Cheer Brunch on
Sat. Feb. 4 at 9:00 am.
Our Guest Speaker will be
Dave Soper from Wyoming.
He will be sharing highlights
from his trips to Haiti.
Mark your Calendars
Men’s Breakfast Sunday, February 19
After Worship
Annual Statement of
Contributions Enclosed
Your annual statements of contributions to Bethlehem Lutheran are enclosed. If you need them for tax purposes be sure to look for them. If you receive The Bethlehem Star electronically, your statements will be available to be picked up at church on Sunday, January 29, and if not picked up then, they will be mailed shortly thereafter.
You’re Invited
To: Bethlehem’s Annual
Friendship Party
When: Sunday, February 12
@ 5:30pm
Where: Bethlehem Church’s Social Room
Why: To share Food, Fun, & Fellowship
Childcare Provided
Please call 678-2301 to sign up
www.bethlehemln.com
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
has a new updated website. It
will stay current with activities
happening here at BLC.
Check it out, included is
Worship Assistants, Fellowship
Lists and Newsletters in the Newsletter and History
section
Want to know who the call process works check out
the Announcements page and click “Overview of
the Call Process for that information.
Were not able to attend during the Annual Meeting
you can find the annual report in the Newsletter and
History section.
Check out the section for Education and Activities
for al the great stuff the children have been up to
this past year.
Then check out the Pictures and Videos sections
for some really nice things. There is even a
Funeral section for information on our members
that have gone home to be with our Lord.
So lots of things to be seen on the web..
Interim Ministry by PT
Some look at membership in a congregation like being part of a civic organization. To be a member in
good standing, you must “pay your dues.” Occasionally you may be asked to serve on a leadership role,
but little more is expected.
Our church constitution reminds us that members are those who have been baptized in the name of the
Triune God. With this membership comes responsibilities. “It shall be the privilege and duty of
members of this congregation to make regular use of the means of grace, both Word and sacraments”
(come to worship and commune), “live a Christian life… and support the work of this congregation, the
synod and the churchwide organization of the ELCA…” (live the faith and give). The bylaws go further
by stating that this worship, living and giving is to be happening every year. If 2 years pass without
communing and giving, the resident pastor is to make a call and the Church Council may remove the
member from the role of active members.
During this time when I serve as interim pastor is a good time for all who claim membership in this
congregation to honestly consider whether you are fulfilling your responsibilities as members of this
congregation. I will be suggesting that ALL members be contacted by mail, asking each confirmed
member to reply by return mail to let us know that you have/have not communed and given in the past 2
years. We will take your word for this.
It may be that you have joined another congregation and are worshiping, living and giving there.
Great! Just tell us which church so we can send a letter of transfer. Be assured that you are always
welcome to worship with us when you are here. If you still want the newsletter, we can send that.
It may be that you have not acted as a member since you were confirmed a decade ago. We will respect
your honest answer (and not pester you for an offering).
The Council will weigh the “no reply” list and seek to deal with each case appropriately.
This will help the Call Committee to be honest with those interviewing to serve here. We do not have
280 adult members. We do not have 100 children under the age of 15. There was a day when that was
so, but it passed decades ago.
We need lots of partners in the ministry of letting all know the love of God in Jesus, our Lord. We do
not need to be collecting “dues” from folks who are not committed to proclaiming the gospel.
February Birthdays 6 Pat Hansen 8 Ryne Gruenwald, AJ Schroeder 9 Betty Rehmke 11 Ed Sheldon 12 Corynn Bennett 13 Darla Fields, Callie Petersen 15 Ruby Ketchum 22 Jenna Holtz, Clara Ihns 23 Becky Ihns-Petersen
February Anniversaries 8 Joan and Bruce Von Sprecken
Council Highlights
Bethlehem Congregation Council met for its regular meeting on January 8. In business the Council:
discussed PT’s report on congregations membership and updating records
decided to take $10,000 from savings and buy a CD
worked on the 2017 budget;
decided to contribute 8%, $4,000 to the Synod for the year; Heard the following Treasurer’s report Balance 12/1/16 $ 5024.30 December Income 4954.86 December Expenses 2887.40 Balance 12/31/16 $ 7091.76
BWELCA HILITES
Quilting
Quilting continues on Monday’s from
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Please join us for
a few hours or all day. A noon pot luck
will take place.
Cheer Brunch
The BWELCA board will be
hosting their annual Cheer
Brunch on Sat. Feb. 4 at 9:00
a.m. Following a delicious brunch,
Dave Soper will be sharing his
work/experiences from several
trips to Haiti. We will also be
packing cheer plates.
Friendship Party
Plans are underway for the annual
Friendship party on Sun. Feb.12 from
5:30- 8:30 p.m. A signup sheet will be
posted, so plan to attend and bring a
friend. Babysitting will be provided.
Baby/Personal Care Kit Collection
Check out the table in the back for the display and
lists of needs for the baby and personal care kits.
If needed we can shop for you, let us know!
OUR GOAL IS 50 LAYETTE 50 PERSONAL KITS
We will be packing layette kits during the soup
supper on Wed. March 22.
We will also pack health care kits on Wed. April 5.
Next in line to serve: Bethlehem Circle
BWELCA Board meeting in March to be
announced.
February Joint Circle Meeting GALATIONS
CHRISTIAN FAITH AND
CHRISTAIN FREEDON
Children of God through faith
by Kathryn A. Kleinhans
Saturday, Feb. 11 at 9:00 a.m.
Hostess/Leader: Jone Paarmann and
Rochelle Busch
Winter 2017: Galatians:
Christian faith and Christian freedom
Kit Kleinhans, a professor at
Wartburg College in Waverly,
Iowa, will share a four-session
Reformation anniversary Bible
study on “Galatians: Christian faith
and Christian freedom.”
"Biblical scholars describe Paul’s
letter to the Galatians as the Magna Carta of
Christian freedom," Kleinhans writes. "Martin Luther
called it 'my Katie von Bora.' Like his marriage to
Katie, Luther’s relationship with Galatians was a
rich and lasting one: over a period of 20 years, he
published six commentaries on the epistle. Luther’s
reformation was centered in the doctrine of
justification by grace through faith for Christ’s sake,
which he saw as the heart of Paul’s letter to the
Christians in Galatia. It is also the heart of Paul’s–
and–Luther’s message for us today."
Session 1: No other Gospel (Galatians 1:1-2:21)
Session 2: Children of God through faith (Galatians
2:19-3:29)
Session 3: Heirs of the promise (Galatians 3:24-
4:31)
Session 4: For freedom Christ has set us free
(Galatians 5:1-6:18)
Baby Kit Shopping List 9 dozen diapers
46 hand towels
150 (3.2 oz.) bars of Ivory soap
Personal Care Kits 48 tooth brushes
36 bath towels (dark, 20x40 to 27x52)
47 nail clippers (with or without file)
100 (4-5 oz.) bars of soap any brand
50 sturdy combs (wide tooth)
Worship Assistants
Greeters: Scott Doll, Bill Pithan Ushers: Tim Thiede, Tom Gerdes Lectors 5- Brent Ihns 12- Jessica Ihns 19- Connie Kleppe 26- Jone Paarmann Communion Servers: 5- Rochelle Busch, Kelly Doll 19- Scott Doll, Brent Ihns Bread Maker: Tim Thiede
Altar Care: Sue Zeller Communion Set Up: Diana Ihns
Tellers: Brent Ihns, Tim Thiede
Fellowship Servers: 5- Diana Ihns, Becky Ihns-Petersen, Carol Kapinski 12- Friendship Party No Fellowship 19- MENS BREAKFAST
26- Coffee on.. Bring Treat to Share..
News from St. Mark’s
NO SOUP / SOUP SUPPER FUNDRAISER
In February 2017, the WELCA members will be
contacting all members of the congregation for a
donation of $10. This is an important fundraising
project by the WELCA members to help them to be
able to serve others on the synod, churchwide
ministry and local community events.
Please help WELCA help others by participating
and donating your $10. It is a joy to be able to do
God’s work and help others and who doesn’t need
more joy in their lives.
(BLC – there will be an envelope at the ushers
stand for anyone who would like to contribute, if
you happened to be someone who attended.)
Summer Camp Planning Already!
Brochures and registration forms
for EWALU Bible Camp summer
programs have arrived in the
office. It’s not too early to
register. Lowest rates are in
effect until February 28. Or go
online to www.ewalu.org. Camp is available for
kids of all ages from mini-camp (for kids finishing
2nd grade) through high school. Adults can even
register to be a camp “grandparent.”
Call Committee News
The Call Committee has had their first initial
meeting together with St. Mark with the leadership
of Pastor Paul Ostrem from the Synod office. They
learned the responsibilities of the Call Committee.
Many reports are needed to be filled out and
completed before the end of February. The time
line for February is so we can include those
graduates from the First Call list. On Sunday,
January 22 we distributed a survey to those
attending the Annual Meeting to help the committee
know what we as a congregation are looking for in
a new pastor.
The Committee will continue with making a Ministry
Site Profile (MSP) which will aid in the Synod
matching what is needed as a congregation. Any
questions feel free to contact any of the committee
members: Jessica Ihns, Chair, Ellen Pithan, Darla
Fields, Deanne Bennett, Scott Doll and Enos Ihns.
Rick Steves’ Luther and the Reformation
The 500th anniversary of the
Reformation is not only a time for
reflection on the rich history of this
church, but also a chance to look
forward to what lies ahead for all of us.
It’s an exciting time to be Lutheran as
we come together with the Roman Catholic Church
on the foundation of our common heritage.
Rick Steves’ Luther and the Reformation, is a
wonderful resource for all of us – pastors and lay
people alike – to better understand our Lutheran
roots and help us in our continued journey of
understanding the gospel. We invite you to join us
on Tuesday Feb. 20 at 7:00 p.m. for a viewing and
discussion on this video. Bring a snack to share
and lets enjoy the show..
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
3
4
Cheer Brunch
9 AM
5 Holy Communion 8:45 AM Sparks/Fellowship 9:45 AM
6
7 Parish Health Nurse 9:00-10:30 AM
8 Confirmation
1:30 – 3 PM
9
10
11
JOINT Circle
H/L: 9 AM
Jone Paarmann,
Rochelle Busch
12 Worship 8:45 AM Sparks/Fellowship 9:45 AM
Friendship Party
5:30 PM
13 14
Council 6:15 PM
15 Confirmation
1:30 – 3 PM 16
17
18
19 Holy Communion 8:45 AM Sparks 9:45 AM
Men’s Breakfast
following worship
20 Newsletter Items Due
Movie Night Luther and the
Reformation
7 PM
21 Parish Health Nurse 9:00-10:30 AM
22 Confirmation
1:30 – 3 PM
23
24
25
26 Worship 8:45 AM Fellowship 9:45 AM
27
28
1 Ash Wednesday
Worship
BLC 10:30 AM
St. Mark’s 7 PM
2017
February
Bethlehem Lutheran Church 403 Pleasant Street
Lost Nation, Iowa 52254
January 2017
Interim Pastor Tom Reuss
Office Phone 678-2301
Home Phone 515-290-2517
Office Secretary Deanne Bennett
Church Phone 678-2301
Parish Nurse Carm Schneider
Office Hours 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
1st and 3rd Tuesdays
Phone 678-2302
Sunday Schedule Worship 8:45
Sparks/Fellowship Following
Office Hours Interim Pastor:
Wednesday Mornings: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Secretary Hours: Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
If you need to enter the church and do not have a key, always call ahead to be certain she or
someone is here.
Bethlehem’s Website:
www.bethlehemln.com