The Bethlehem Star
Volume 8, Issue 1 January 2009
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Annual Congregation Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Bethlehem Lutheran Congregation is scheduled for Sunday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m. or immediately following the conclusion of worship. See the article below for items currently on the agenda. Persons having other business should talk to Council President Joan Kleppe or Pastor Larson before January 9.
Annual Congregation Meeting Business
At the annual meeting, the congregation will elect 3 persons to serve on the Congregation Council and 2 persons to serve on the Mission Endowment Committee. A budget for 2009 will be voted on and other business will be adopted.
Worship in January
The Season of Christmas continues through January 6 or Epiphany Day (some branches of the Christian church actually celebrate the Birth of Our Lord on January 6). The Season of Epiphany begins that day. During this season of “ordinary time between the Advent/ Christmas and Lent/Easter times we consider how Jesus makes known or reveals God.
On January 11, we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. The Lordship of Jesus is revealed or made known after Jesus was baptized the God’s Spirit descended like a dove and the voice of God came from heaven saying, “This is my Son.”
Holy Communion will be celebrated on the first two Sundays of January. Note that while Holy Communion is normally celebrated on the third Sunday of each month, both Bethlehem and St. Mark’s have Annual Congregation meetings on that day, so we will not celebrate the sacrament then because of time constraints and pastor not being able to be in two places at once.
2008 Christmas Message from
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson,
Presiding Bishop,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Let’s go! Now! When angels came to some shepherds with a brilliant message one night long ago, the shepherds had a brilliant idea. Let’s go! Let’s see what God is doing!
The unknown dangers of the night did not hold them back. Perhaps they knew that some of God’s best work is done under the cover of darkness — the creation of all things, wrestling with Jacob, Israel’s escape from slavery.
Or maybe they didn’t. Maybe all they needed was the announcement of what God was up to this time. This time God would be conducting a rescue like none before — saving the whole world, bringing peace and goodwill. Once again it’s an undercover operation — God hidden deep in the flesh and working “under the sign of opposites” (as Martin Luther called it). Arriving as a baby in diapers, God’s Son recruited tax collectors and fishermen, social misfits and despised sinners in a rescue mission that culminated in the hidden power of the cross.
What if the shepherds had yawned, “That’s interesting, some other time,” and remained sitting in the night, in the dirt, in the comfort of predictable hardships and familiar enemies? Would promised joy have found them anyway?
Let’s not test that speculation with our lives. Let’s go! Let’s see what God is doing!
Join the Community Quilters, each Monday beginning January 5, 8:30 a.m. with noon potluck.
Thanks So Much!
Ginger and I thank you for the congregational Christmas gift of cash and for the greetings and gifts you have shared with us this Christmas. I especially am grateful to the gifts given in my honor to EWALU, ELCA World Hunger and other agencies and institutions near to my heart. These places need our financial assistance so much in these times. I am also heartening to know that so many read and take seriously what I share in my monthly “Pondering”.
I also thank you all for the many ways you have shared and contributed to the ministry of this congregation in the past year, for you willingness to serve and advance the work of God in the world. I am especially grateful for the times when you have allowed me to become involved in your lives, sharing with me your hopes, joys, and trials.
Bethlehem Says Thanks!
We all at Bethlehem say special thanks to Bobby and Amber Suthers and family for volunteering to do snow removal at the church all winter. So far, Bobby, Amber and Alex have been seen working. Let them know we appreciate this valuable gift.
Thrivent and Congregations Team Up
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, West Clinton county Chapter and 12 area Lutheran congregations teamed up to “Treat the Pantries.” The 12 congregations representing 4 Lutheran denominations contributed $4013.08. Thrivent contributed $1600. A total of $5613.08 was divided between 4 area food pantries, with each receiving $1403.27. the panties include the Lost Nation pantry, Carroll Assistance Center in Wheatland, Elvira Food Pantry, and DeWitt Referral and Services.
January
4 Lynnette Pithan
6 Dennis Hute
8 Alex Suthers
15 Tom Mullins, Raymond Dosland
16 Josh Holtz, Hallie Gruenwald
17 Hannah Gruenwald
19 Mari Merrick
22 Vivian Mowry
22 Trisha Feuss
23 Katie Fields
January Anniversaries
9 Earletta and Tom Mullins
22 Herold and Betty Rehmke
Listen on WMT Radio – 600am
9:30 p.m. on Sundays
BWELCA Hilites
Thanks to all who furnished treats and helped serve at the Puppet Show. It was an excellent program.
Also thanks to those who furnished bars for the Christmas Concert with the Five Seasons Chamber Players. Another super evening of beautiful music.
Don’t forget the joint Bible Study Lesson on Tuesday, December 30 at 5:30 p.m. in the conference room to study our December lesson on Daniel: Keeping the Faith.
Board Members: Board meeting on Monday January 12 at 6:00 p.m.
Junior High Confirmation Class Resumes
7th and 8th grade confirmation classes will resume on Wednesday, January 7 at 6:15. They will meet at Bethlehem this semester.
Conference Assembly Scheduled
The Hope Conference of the ELCA will have its Annual Assembly on January 6 at 2:00 p.m. at Bethlehem, Lost Nation. Any congregational members may attend especially leaders and members who serve in conference or synod leadership positions.
During the Assembly, participants will learn about new synodical programs and emphases. In business, the Assembly will nominate candidates for Synod Council and will elect a Conference Treasurer. Currently Pastor Keith Larson serves as Dean and Marlene Flory, St. Mark’s is Secretary.
The Hope Conference of the ELCA consists of 13 congregations in Jones and western Clinton counties. Besides Bethlehem and St. Mark’s, the congregations are Faith and Our Savior, Calamus, St. John, Bliedhorn, Zion, Wyoming, St. John, Olin, St. Paul, Anamosa, Wayne Zion, St. Matthew, and Sts. Peter and Paul, Monticello, and St. John, Hopkinton. These same congregations are referred to as a cluster in Women of the ELCA.
Bishop Burk Appoints New Staff
Southeastern Iowa Synod Bishop Michael Burk has appointed a new staff who will begin working with him at the start of the year. Appointed Assistants to the Bishop are the Rev. Julie Higgs, who has served Trinity, Pleasant Valley (she was called to be their pastor after Pastor Larson left 7 years ago). Other Assistant include, the Rev. Paul Ostrem, who has served Zion, Muscatine, and the Rev. Eric Carlson who has served Windsor Heights (Des Moines area). Ms. Kathy Smith will be Bishop Burk’s Executive Secretary. She has been an office assistant in the synod office for 12 years. Also continuing as Administrator will be Mr. Jay Crawford and Administrative Assistant, Ms. Lorraine Jordan. A new support staff person is Ms. Janelle Bidne, Communication Director.
Former Assistants who have been to Bethlehem and St. Mark’s are the Rev. Walter May, who has accepted a call to be Assistant for Synodical Affairs to the Presiding Bishop. His office is in Chicago. The Rev. Kathy Gerking is seeking call.
Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 18
10:00 a.m.
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