The Bethlehem Star - October 2008

The Bethlehem Star

Volume 7, Issue 10 October 2008

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Fall Mission Support Gathering

The Southeastern Iowa Synod is hosting a series Mission Support Gatherings across the synod including one at Faith Lutheran, Eldridge on Tuesday, October 14 at 6:30 p.m. These events are for all Council members, officers of organizations and other congregation members. A highlight this year will be the opportunity for many to meet newly elected and installed Bishop Burke who will share thoughts about mission and stewardship in the church. People interested in attending and carpooling should contact the office or Council President Joan Kleppe.

(Council members should note that the regular monthly Council meeting is one week early on October 7, so all can attend the event at Faith.)

News from theBethlehem Mission Endowment Committee

· The current value of the Endowment Certificate of Deposit is $727,438.00.

· The Committee has donated $500.00 to Lutheran Services in Iowa to help with flood relief efforts in Iowa. This from the Mission Endowment discretionary funds.

· The Committee has authorized donating up to $350.00 to match contributions to the CROP Walk. This will be taken from the discretionary funds. (See later article about the Walk.)

· The committee received word from Global Health Ministries (GMH) that their shipping costs have increased by 50%. GMH is in the Bethlehem Mission Endowment Budget to receive $1500.00 this year, which will be designated to help with shipping costs. This dovetails with a Southeastern Iowa Synod project to ship a container of medical supplies to our companion Pare Diocese in Tanzania to help furnish and supply a hospital there.

Fall Opportunities to Serve/Help Others

CROP Walk

Sunday, October 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Wheatland

Walkers of all ages are needed to raise money for hunger in the world and community. Sign up in the office. The local portion of the funds raise supports the Carroll Assistance Center in Wheatland.

Persons may donate to the walk by

1. placing checks or gifts designated for “CROP” in the regular Sunday offering,

2. placing checks or gifts designated for “CROP” in the fellowship offering basket,

3. contributing to CROP with donations to people who walk in the CROP Walk.

Note that donations received via 1 and 2 will be matched up to $350.00

Treat the Pantries

We will “Treat the Pantries” on October 19 with a special noisy offering. Along with coins, make out a check payable to Bethlehem designated for “Treat the Pantries.”

If you forget that Sunday, put a check in the regular offering anytime during October.

The West Clinton County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans annually sponsors this Care Abounds in Communities project in the ten congregations of the chapter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans adds $800.00 to the amount collected. The money will be split between the four food pantries serving the area, including the Lost Nation Food Pantry.

VNA Flu Clinic

Wednesday, October 29

12:45 – 2:00 p.m.

At Bethlehem

Book Club to Discuss The Shack

AIM Barb Tobiason will lead a discussion of The Shack on October 14 at 6:30 p.m. The best-selling book by William Young has created a buzz among Christians and non-Christians alike. It is a fictional account of a man whose young daughter was brutally murdered, and then finds a note from God in his mailbox. “What happens next will move you to a greater understanding of God’s unfailing love for us all,” said the book’s review. If you have questions or need help finding the book see Pat Hendrickson.

Council Meets

Bethlehem Congregation council met for its regular meeting on September 9. In business they:

• Decided not to order a subscription of bulletin covers;
• Updated the Memorial suggestion list;
• Nominated people to serve on a faith formation (Christian education) committee;
• Agreed to dispose of two extra pews;
• Decided to continue purchasing Mogen Da­vid wine rather than purchase from local vineyards;
• Heard the following Treasurer’s Report:

Balance 7/31/08 543.23

August Income 7192.93

August Expenses 6463.15

Balance 8/3/08 1273.01

October Birthdays

3 Lynda Humphreys

7 KC Barnett

7 Madge White

13 Lorice Amlin

21 Brennan Hicks, Kristy Becker

22 Eleanor Sheldon

23 Lilly Keller

26 Sue Zeller

29 Jenn Dettbarn

31 Tracy Kleppe, Ruger Hute

October Anniversaries

5 Leta and Cornell Dunt

6 Evelyn and Elmer Petersen

14 Eleanor and Ed Sheldon

14 Kelly and Scott Doll

19 Betty and Don Hainstock

21 Stephanie and Matt Dosland

BWELCA Hilites

Hope Cluster Fall Retreat: 20 women from our cluster 9 of which were from Bethlehem gathered at the Owl’s nest for a relaxing seminar on Connecting with the Creativity of God. Led by our wonderful threesome – Pastors Donnita, Lisa and Lynn. Friday evening was a time to let our creativeness go as we enjoyed our hand at painting. The rainy evening prevented the usual campfire, but we enjoyed the fellowship as we tied fleece quilts as well as visiting with a friendly face from the past, Sandy McAvan.

Saturday brought breakfast supplied by Bethlehem, and the morning session we started with different ways we can pray for people with the use of paper, colors, markers and our creativeness in a design or they also had different types of mandales that we could use as a guide. We then had an hour to reflect on our own personal prays and creative coloring, then a scrumptious dump soup was served for lunch. After lunch, we then concluded the weekend with communion.

Reminder: Please give circle hostesses, leaders and officers for next year to Madge for the booklet.

Stamp Out Poverty: One Cell Phone at a Time

World Poverty Day on October 17 is an opportunity to focus on the world’s attention to those living in poverty – acknowledge their struggle, hear their voices, and demonstrate our solidarity. Between now and World Poverty Day, the Women’s Funding Network is embarking with the Good Deed Foundation on a “One Simple Act” campaign to recycle old and used cell phones to raise critical funds that will be invested in accelerating sustainable solutions that move those most vulnerable – women and children – toward economic security.

With one simple act, you can create lasting solutions for women and families in poverty.

There will be a box for your cell phones in the back of church or feel free to contact any confirmation student to get your cell phone to the church.

Hidden Hand of God

Ruth: The Journey Begins

October Circle Meetings

Rebecca – Wed. Oct. 8 at 1:30 p.m. at Marge

Long’s with Betty Rehmke as Leader

Eve – Thurs. Oct. 9 at 7:00 p.m., Elenor Bentrott’s

with Deanne Bennett as Leader

Bethlehem – Sat. Oct. 11 at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room with Marlene Hicks as Leader/Hostess

Note from Barb:

I think almost everyone has a particular food or dish that they consider comfort food – that food you want when, for one emotional reason or another, you need a special touch of home and family. The food that fills the requirement of comfort food for our family is just about as far from a delicacy or as far from gourmet as you can get.

For Kim and Kyle and I, our go-to meal for comfort has always been, oddly, I admit - tuna casserole. I have no idea how tuna casserole came to be of such importance in our family. It just did. Whenever one of the kid's would be sick, as soon as they felt like eating, they craved tuna casserole. If they had had a particularly tough day at school, tuna casserole rescued the day. When they would come home for a visit from college, they almost always requested tuna casserole. Much to Ryan's chagrin, one of the first birthday supper requests he had from Kim was tuna casserole.

My children made certain I was well-cared for after surgery. Kim was visiting when I came home from the hospital, so my first meal at home was tuna casserole. Later on in the week, Kyle and Melinda and Maddie came out to fix supper for me and Kyle wanted to fix tuna casserole. Tuna casserole is like an edible hug from one member of our family to another.

God blesses us with the ultimate in comfort food – the Eucharist. Like simple comfort food, bread and communion wine are not, in and of themselves, particularly considered an epicurean delight. In fact, the significance of bread and wine is that they are very basic, very natural, foods. What exalts bread and wine, is that Jesus Christ is intrinsically woven in and around them.

The Eucharist is the comfort food that we share as a church family – all family of all times and places. Whenever we need a serving of reassurance or whenever we want a special celebratory meal, we have it in the body and blood, of Christ. Whether we are attending our weekly worship or worshipping in a different church or coming back to worship after being gone, the Eucharist always says, "Welcome home." Like the particular comfort food that many families serve at special times, the bread and wine are an "edible hug" from God in Christ Jesus.

Worship in October

Celebrating the Rite of Confirmation

Sunday, October 28

9:00 a.m.

Expecting to be confirmed are Emma Thiede and Meagan Fields.

Worship Assistants/ Sunday Servants

Greeters: Clay Ketchum, Lorraine Wulf

Ushers: Tom Gerdes, Pat Hendrickson

Lectors

5- Joan Clapp

12- Pat Hendrickson

19- Tim Thiede

26- Jone Paarmann

Communion Servers:

5- Deanne Bennett, Matt Gerdes

19- Ron Christiansen, Elenor Bentrott

26- Tim Thiede

Acolytes:

5- Corynn Bennett

12- Emily Horst

19- Dylan Rickels

26- Jo Thiede

Altar Care: Deanne Bennett, Kelly Doll

Bread Maker: Deanne Bennett

Tellers: Pat Hendrickson, Jone Paarmann

Fellowship Servers:

5- Wilma Adrian, Kathy Becker, Joan Clapp

12- Rochelle Busch, Betty Hainstock, Marlene Hicks

19- Elenor Bentrott, Lola Berner, Lola DeMoss

26- Joyce Feuss, Darla Fields, Kathy Duffey, Donna Dosland

Pastor Keith Larson

Office Phone 678-2301

Home Phone 678-2303

E-mail keith.larson@ecunet.org

or pastor@bethlehem.mylutheran.org

Pastoral Associate Barb Tobiason

Office Phone 826-2761

Home Phone 319-465-3124

AIM@bethlehem.mylutheran.org

Office Secretary Deanne Bennett

Church Phone 678-2301

secretary@bethlehem.mylutheran.org

Parish Nurse Carm Schneider

Office Hours 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.

Phone 678-2302

Sunday Schedule

Worship 9:00 a.m.

Sunday School and Fellowship 10:00 a.m..

Office Hours

Pastor Keith is in the office most mornings

Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – Noon

and Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

If you need to enter the church and do not have a key, always call ahead to be certain he or someone is here.

September Newsletter

The Bethlehem Star

Volume 6, Issue 9 September 2008

Bethlehem to Bless the Backpacks

Bethlehem will have blessing of the backpacks during worship on Sunday, September 7 at 9:00 a.m. All students are invited to bring backpacks, book bags, lunch boxes or another item regu­larly carried to school. Adults may bring book bags, attaché cases, blackberries, key rings or other items regularly carried to work. Retired people may bring any item used regularly each day. This marks the first day of Sunday School and the fall schedule. See page 3 for special challenges regarding Sunday school this year.

Fall Schedule Begins

The fall/ winter schedule begins in September at Bethlehem.

Worship 9:00 a.m. each Sunday

Beginning September 7

Sunday School 10:00 a.m. each Sunday

Beginning September 7

Confirmation Class for 7^th and 8^th grades

6:15 p.m. Wednesdays

Beginning September 3

At Bethlehem this fall

Confirmation Class for 9th grade

To be announced soon

A list of adult learning opportunities is on page 3.

http://bethlehem.mylutheran.org/

Check out Bethlehem’s website above and pass the address on to family and friends where they can see what activities are happening and even listen to Sunday’s sermon. An edited version of the latest Bethlehem Star is now posted within a few days of the publication of the newsletter. Sermons are usually on line by noon on Mondays. Click on “Sermons” then click on “Click Here for New Sermons” where sermons are listed by date.

Bethlehem Assists Flood Victims

Bethlehem Council recently voted to assist Wapsi bottom residents who experienced some financial loss due to flooding this summer. Gifts of $300.00 were shared with 7 families or individuals in a designated area who were known to have lost furnaces, water heaters and other items during recent flooding. Dennis and Roger Kleppe had the pleasure of visiting these folks and personally delivering checks. Many grateful people have since sent thank you notes. They are posted on the bulletin board at church.

You Are Invited

to the Installation of

The Rev. Michael Burk

Bishop

Southeastern Iowa Synod of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Saturday, September 6, 2008

12:00 Noon

At St. Pius Roman Catholic Church,

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The installation of a Bishop is a grand and moving event. Persons who are interested in attending but do not wish to drive there alone or would like to carpool can talk with Pastor or Barb and we will try to get several cars full arranged.

To View Pastoral Ponderings, click on Pastor's Message, in ribbon on top of BLC homepage.

Invite a Friend/ Neighbor to Bethlehem

September is a good time to invite a neighbor, friend, or relative to worship with you at Bethlehem. As we begin the fall schedule and fall activities with new energy, bring along someone who has not been here or who has not been here for a while. To help in your inviting, there are some new flyers and brochures inside the entrance at church.

These are only tools to assist you. While you can mail or hand someone a brochure, there is nothing better than a personal visit or phone call and then an invitation, “I’d like you to join me for … Can I stop and pick you up?”

Opening the Book of Faith

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has begun a “Book of Faith” initiative to encourage members and congregations to become more versed in the Bible. Each congregation is encouraged to come up with a plan and goals for making opportunities for adults to study the Bible. Bethlehem has not yet made any plans or goals, but a number of opportunities are provided this fall.

Adult Learning Opportunities

Weekly Text Study with Pastor

7:15 – 8:00 p.m. Mondays

September 8 – October 13

Location: Conference room

(Drop in, no preparation)

The group will consider the texts for the upcoming Sunday with a view on application for daily life.

Those Old “H” Guys

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Mondays

September 8 – October 13 (6 weeks only)

Location: Conference room

(Attendees should plan to attend most classes. Some reading preparation required.)

Pastor Keith and class members will learn about those prophets from the Hebrew Bible who have nothing in common, except they all start with “H” – Hosea, Haggai, and Habakkuk.

Keeping Up with the Confirmation Kids

Wednesdays 6:15 – 7:15 p.m.

September 10 - November 19

Location: Parsonage living room

Did you ever wonder what confirmation youth are learning? This is a for adults to gather at Pastor and Ginger’s home for conversation and learning based on the Bible stories that the confirmation class will be studying.

Many of us forget things we once were taught. We are fearful of not knowing how to answer questions or carry on a conversation about a topic because we feel like we don’t know enough This can even happen with our children as they grow in years and in their relationship with God.

This gathering time for adults, during the same time when the confirmation class meets, will include a refresher of the same stories the confirmation class are studying as well as implications for daily life in family, work or whatever. In leading this, Ginger Anderson-Larson will also assist participants in further discovering the relationship between their own personality and the way they pray like to pray and live out their faith.

Opportunities For Women

The Hidden Hand of God: Wisdom Stories from Ruth, Daniel, and Esther

The wisdom stories of Ruth, Daniel, and Esther help us think about our call to discipleship in the complexity of today’s world. In Ruth we remember the “whither you go, I will go, your people are my people”, but it conveys only a very small part of the message of Ruth. As delightful and inspiring as the book of Ruth is as a story, it also invites and challenges us to ponder deeply several issues raised and resolved in its four short chapters. Come learn with us what it means to be “hesed”, do heroic actions and see the hidden hand of God at work”. As we study these books together, we pray that we grow in confidence of God’s never-ending love for us and that we gain courage to take the risks God may be calling us to do. Come join us!!

Monthly Circle Meetings

Bethlehem Circle – 2^nd Saturdays, 9:00 am

Rebecca Circle – 2^nd Wednesdays, 1:30 pm

Eve Circle – 2^nd Thursdays, 7:00 pm

September Circle Meetings

Rebecca – Wed. Sept. 10 at 1:30 at Ester Dosland with Lorraine Wulf as Leader

Eve – Thurs. Sept. 13 at 7:00, Joan Clapp’s with Elenor Bentrott as Leader

Bethlehem – Sat. Sept. 6, in the conference room with Ellen Pithan as Leader/Hostess

People who want to be a part of this study but who are not a part of circles should contact pastor or Deanne and a regular monthly time will be set up.

BWELCA Hilites

Bible Study Lesson Leaders: Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 5:00 p.m. and, Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

Elections of Officers at circle meetings

Hope Cluster Fall Retreat at Camp Wyoming Fri. – Sat. Sept 12 – 13 see bulletin board for details.

Sunday School Faces Challenge

At the recent Christian education committee meeting, the committee members recognized a challenge for Bethlehem. Only one or two students come to Sunday school usually. 2 or 3 others come occasionally – that is half the time or less. And of course they do not nor cannot necessarily come on the same “every other Sunday” basis. The Christian education committee decided that if the congregation would make a huge effort to recruit children, we would attempt to have Sunday school during September and October.

If no more children attend, during October, congregational members and parents will have to engage in soul-searching discussion about how to help parents and grandparents nurture children in Christian faith. Sunday school may need to give way to an after-school program, Saturday school, the congregation providing resources for “home-schooling” in the Christian faith or developing some other approach not even yet imagined.

There are many children in Lost Nation and the immediate are – not a huge number but certainly a two dozen or more. Many have had no or little church background. Some may need rides or special encouragement. If any would be willing to “adopt” a child or a family and do not know who you might ask, check with Pastor. Special brochures about Sunday school are also available in the church entrance.

Council Meets

Bethlehem Council met for its regular monthly meeting on August 12. In business the Council:

· Agreed to make available for sale the shed on the farm owned by BLC. An ad was placed.

· Began work on updating Memorial Suggestion List (Items on the Memorial List are pre-approved by the Council so when family members wish to make a memorial gifts further approval is not needed. This helps insure that memorial gifts are for items appropriate or needed for Mission and ministry at BLC.)

· Began discussing the possibility of video recording worship or portions of worship that LN-E Telephone and Cable Company now has technology top air on their local access station.

· heard the following Treasurer’s report:

Balance 6/30/08 $ 391.17

July Income $9368.96*

July Expenses $9216.90

Balance 5/31/08 $ 543.23

* $1500 of income was borrowed from the Farm Account to pay bills for July. Although this is a common summer malady in congregations, members are encouraged to remember to mail offerings in their absence, apply for automatic bank transfers of their offerings, or practice “catch up” after being gone.

CROP Walk

Sunday, October 5, Wheatland

Registration begins at 12:30.

Walk begins promptly at 1:00 p.m.

There will be a new (shorter) route this year.

September Worship Leaders and Servants

Greeters: Herold Rehmke, Gala Alden, Connie Kleppe

Ushers: Eleanor Sheldon, Dwane Bentrott

Lectors:

7- Eleanor Sheldon

14- Madge White

21- Ellen Pithan

28- Elmer Petersen

Acolytes:

7- Dylan Rickels

14- Jo Thiede

21 Meagan Fields

28- Emma Thiede

Communion Servers:

6- Eleanor Sheldon, Pat Hansen

13- Ed Sheldon, Tim Thiede

Altar Care: Connie Kleppe, Kathy Duffey

Tellers: Ron Christiansen, Dwane Bentrott

Bread Maker: Deanne Bennett

Fellowship Servers:

7-Ellen Pithan, Shelley Beeck, Betty Rehmke

14-Eleanor Sheldon, Jody Holtz, Kelly Doll

21- Lucile S., Jeannette S., Gerry P. Madge W.

28-Lorraine Wulf, Sue Zeller, Darlene Christiansen

Free to a Good Home

One tired old Dirt Devil hand-held vacuum cleaner (Series 500). Belt, bag, and cord could be recycled for use in similar tool. Check with pastor in office.

September Birthdays

1 Kathy Duffey

8 Kathy Becker

10 Josh Beeck

11 Evelyn Petersen

12 Angie Box, Andrea Kula

13 Duane Schroeder

14 Dwane Bentrott

16 Dennis Kleppe

17 Cyndi Hartley

18 Richard DeMoss, Skylar Mullins

19 Melanie Hute

20 Viola Holtz,

20 Emily Kleinsmith

23 Jeff Fields, Jo Thiede

25 Chloe Bennett, Clifford Berner

25 Raymond Suthers,

25 Kelly Schroeder

25 Don Hainstock

27 John Alden

28 Wilbur Pithan, Dawn Suthers

29 Ethel Bicknese, Doug Wulf

30 Bruce Von Sprecken

Barb's Article

We were all out in Glenn's shop one day. He had been washing something earlier, so there were puddles here and there on the shop floor. Our granddaughter Maddie was with us, and we asked her to go to the house to get something for us. She headed across the shop,
jumping and splashing into every puddle, accompanied by a chorus of adults saying, "Take off your shoes before you go in the house!"

There was more than enough dry floor that she could use, but the puddles were much more enticing. There is something about water that draws children like a magnet draws metal.
Water is an extremely important element on this earth. Our bodies are made up of 75% water. God must have determined that only something as significant as water could be used for baptism; thus, it was to the river that Jesus traveled to be baptized by John. It is to the font of water that Christians continue to come to be baptized into Christ.

It makes perfect sense for us to be as drawn to the waters of our baptism in the way that children are drawn to water puddles. The waters of baptism give us a constant reminder that we are children of God, with all the privileges and responsibilities thereof. Like children celebrate puddles, our baptism waters are to be celebrated. God would most likely smile if we were to run to and splash in our baptismal waters, figuratively, if not literally. And something tells me that God doesn't care if we do track water everywhere.

September Anniversaries

3 Wilma and Ron Adrian

8 Linda and Ron Gruenwald

10 Dale and Laurie Rickels

14 Marlene and Darrel Hicks

15 Ellen and Bill Pithan

24 Jone and Les Paarmann

24 Stacey and Gary Current

27 Kathy and Rex Duffey

The Stadtlander Story

A newsletter of our missionary family in West Africa July/August 2008

Pastor Dirk, Sarah, Eva, and Ellen Stadtlander—ELCA Missionaries serving with the Lutheran Church of Senegal (ELS)—were sent to work and live in Linguere, SENEGAL, West Africa.

Spring Surprise—Rainy Season

In our last newsletter, we said that spring was a season we missed out on here in Linguere. Now we are finding out that is not entirely true. Rainy season has begun and it is a whole new experience.

If spring can be defined as the season of new life, then what we are experiencing now is most definitely spring. In what has been sun-baked, dusty sand since our arrival in November, grass and other green things have appeared so quickly one can almost watch them grow. Green things being the bottom of the food chain, every other form of life has also sprung forth in an effort to make use of the abundance of food and water that are here for such a short time: insects galore, mushrooms, butterflies, frogs (we didn’t expect to be serenaded by evening frog choruses in this semi-desert), and birds.

One could draw a parallel between the end of the dry season and the Christian community here in Linguere. It is a community whose faithful few are holding on, waiting for the rains to come and life to burst forth once again. We do not know what form this renewal might take; the return of those Christians who are no longer active in the community, or perhaps newcomers to the faith. We hope for new life within the Christian community in the Jolof. May it be as refreshing and abundant as spring in this desert.

Stadtlander Health Update

Rainy season, with its abundance of life also brings an abundance of germs and germ carriers. We are certainly not the only sick people in Linguere. However, we have been suffering through a long string of various illnesses for all four of us, and we are ready for a break.

Thank you all for your prayers and e-mails in response to our prayer request regarding health. We are still working on getting all of us all better, but things are looking brighter. We had an uneventful trip to Dakar this week to make some doctor visits. Dirk and Eva have now recovered from stomach bugs. Sarah is still fighting off an unknown malady.

Ellen has had a recurring illness that has turned out to be (after the 2nd round of tests in Dakar) a urinary tract infection. This time around, she was also infected with a rotavirus. Now that the specific bacteria from the urinary tract infection has been identified, we can go about treating it effectively. This means a return trip to Dakar after she has finished the course of antibiotics to make sure the infection has been eliminated. Because recurring urinary tract infections can signal other problems, we will need to return to Dakar next time Ellen gets sick so that we can test again and make sure it is not a recurrence. While it is frustrating to have to drive all the way to Dakar so often, we are grateful that the necessary care is available in Senegal.

Please, keep praying for our continued health!

Pastor Keith Larson

Office Phone 678-2301

Home Phone 678-2303

E-mail keith.larson@ecunet.org

or pastor@bethlehem.mylutheran.org

Pastoral Associate Barb Tobiason

Office Phone 826-2761

Home Phone 319-465-3124

AIM@bethlehem.mylutheran.org

Office Secretary Deanne Bennett

Church Phone 678-2301

secretary@bethlehem.mylutheran.org

Parish Nurse Carm Schneider

Office Hours 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.

Phone 678-2302

Sunday Schedule

Worship 9:00 a.m.

Sunday School and Fellowship 10:00 a.m..

Office Hours

Pastor Keith is in the office most mornings

Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – Noon

and Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

If you need to enter the church and do not have a key, always call ahead to be certain he or someone is here.