The Bethlehem Star

Volume 10, Issue 4 April 2011

Midweek Soup, Learning and Worship Supper served from 6:00-6:30 p.m. (that means if you arrive by 6:30 there will likely be food available) Free will offerings will go the Domestic Violence Shelter, Iowa City

Worship and learning at 7:00 p.m.

I Love to Tell the Story: Sharing our Faith in Daily Life

Apr 6 “To Be God’s … Listening Ear” Listening

Apr 13 “Come All You People” Inviting

Lawn Mower Needed

Bethlehem needs someone to regularly mow and trim the church and parsonage lawn during the summer, commencing soon, until the grass quits growing in the fall. This job is to be done on an “as needed” basis, usually at least weekly, so that when possible it looks its best on weekends or for other special events at church. Persons interested in the job for 2011, should submit sealed written bids to the church office before noon on Monday, April 11. Preference will go to Bethlehem members.

Peter Rabbit Hollow Bazaar Saturday, April 2

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Crafts –Bake Sale

Creamed Turkey and Maidrite Lunch

Adults $5.00 - Children $2.00

Carryouts Available

Holy Week Worship

Sunday of the Passion , April 17

Bethlehem 9:00 a.m. St. Mark 10:30 a.m.

We join the crowds of Jerusa­lem and welcome Jesus as king by waving our palm branches and singing “Hosanna.” But before the day is over we join the fickle crowd, shouting, “Crucify him!”

Maundy Thursday, April 21

St. Mark 10:30 a.m. Bethlehem 7:00 p.m.

We are with the disciples in the upper room as Jesus takes on the role of the servant and washes the feet of the dis­ci­ples and then in­stitutes Holy Com­mun­ion. As the evening ends, we are re­minded of Jesus being led away, beaten and stripped, as the altar and sanctu­ary are stripped of color or decoration. The service does not end but continues the next night.

Good Friday, April 22

St. Mark 10:30 a.m.

We walk with Jesus on the way to the cross and stop along the way, pausing to reflect at some of the traditional “stations”.

Bethlehem 7:00 p.m.

We enter and leave worship in silence and we sit in a bare stark church even as the disciples sat on a stark bare hill. We ponder the mystery of God’s love revealed in the cross – a tool of execution.

The Resurrection of Our Lord, April 24

St. Mark 6:30 a.m. Bethlehem 9:00 a.m.

The grave is empty. Christ is risen! We raise our voices and sing ““Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

An Easter breakfast follows worship at St. Mark.

A continental breakfast precedes worship at Bethlehem at 8:00 a.m.

Lost Nation Christian Health Ministry

Presents an Informational Program on

Cancer Prevention

Monday, April 25, 6:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church

Spring Clean-Up

Help get our church and grounds freshened up for Easter, on Sunday, April 3 following worship. Wear your work clothes to worship and help us spruce things up around Bethlehem. Cleaning supplies will be provided. Bring your rake, trimmers, buckets and old rags! Pizza is provided at lunchtime to all who work. Bring the whole family and share in this work/ fun day!

EWALU Bible Camp News

Register Now for Summer Camp!

It’s time to register for summer camp at Ewalu. Brochures and registration forms are available on the entrance table. BWELCA provides $100.00. Anyone who needs assistance with the cost of camp should talk to pastor, and any individuals desiring to make available funds for campers should also talk to pastor.

Spring Work Weekend

Ewalu spring work weekend will be April 29 -30. Many projects to help get the camp cleaned up and ready for spring will be undertaken. Contact Pastor if you would like to ride with him and spend the morning working.

Pastor Re-elected

Pastor Keith Larsson was re-elected to a second three-year term on the Ewalu Board of Directors at its annual meeting on March 19. At the meeting of the Board, he was re-elected for another one-year term as President. 2011 is Ewalu’s 50^th Anniversary. Be watching for more news about events. The Board will also begin a national search process for an Executive Director to replace Dale Goodman who will be retiring in 2012.

Council News

Bethlehem Council met for its regular meeting on March 9. In business they:

· Heard that an insurance settlement had been received and authorized John Alden to repaint the stained part of the ceiling and to get estimates for replacing ceiling tiles in the narthex – along with some insulation for the ceiling and foam and caulk for the cracks between the bell tower and the church building;

· Requested that written bids for lawn mowing be turned it to the church office before noon on April 11;

· Authorized pastor to seek two people to be voting members to the Southeastern Iowa Synod Assembly in Coralville on May 20 – 21;

· Heard the following Treasurer’s report:

Balance 1/31/11 $21,502.63

Feb Income 4,052.70

Feb Expenses 7,498.42

Balance 2/28/11 $18,056.91

Member Giving Needed Monthly $6000.00

Amount Received in Feb $4052.00

Shortfall $1948.00

Worship Assistants

Greeters: John Alden, Corynn Bennett

Ushers: Sammi Adler, Enos Ihns

Lectors

3- Brent Ihns

10- Jessica Ihns

17- Tim Thiede

24- Connie Kleppe

.Communion Servers:

3- Clay Ketchum, Connie Kleppe

17- Darrel Hicks, Joan Kleppe

24- Marlene Hicks, Emma Thiede

Acolytes:

3- Courtney Current

17- Jenna Holtz

24- Jo Thiede

Altar Care:

Darlene Christiansen, Joan Kleppe

Bread Maker: John Alden

Tellers: Deanne Bennett, Marlene Hicks

Fellowship Servers:

3 - NO FELLOWSHIP- Work Day

10- Senior/Senior Coffee – Bethlehem

17- Rochelle Busch, Darla Fields, Marlene

24 - NO FELLOWSHIP - Easter

Message from Barb:

All relationships need tending. We have to work at being a good spouse, parent, friend, neighbor, and co-worker. Too often we ignore the most important relationship of all, the one that affects our lives like no other. Our relationship with God requires our time and efforts. In the busyness of our day-to-day lives, we often leave the tending to God assuming that God is taking care of things, which, of course, God is. Only when something goes wrong, when we face a crisis, do we turn to God in a panic. The foundation for all relationships, we know, is good communication. To see how God is guiding us; how God is using us; what God wants for us we need to maintain faithful communication.

We strengthen our relationship to God in many ways – through worship; through Bible study; devotional readings, and prayer. Prayer, particularly, gives us a communications with God that is reciprocal. Jesus was diligent about prayer when he was with us, and helped us see its importance. Jesus taught us the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus prayed words of thank you for the bread and wine of the Passover meal. After he was baptized, Jesus went into the Wilderness to seek God’s guidance for Jesus’ work on earth. Jesus prayed for his disciples, the world, and for us who were yet to come. When it was time to die, when Jesus faced the darkest hours of his time with us, Jesus went to Gethsemane and prayed to God, saying, “My, Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink from this cup, your will be done.”

There are many ways to be in a prayerful relationship with God. Talk to God. We can tell God everything that is on our minds. Sure God knows our needs and desires; our joys and sorrows; our worries and our thanksgivings. But God still wants to hear it from us. Listen to God. Silence is an important component. Sit silently with God, just as you can be in the presence of a dear friend and not have to speak. Some people find that journaling helps focus prayer. Others like to use devotional material. Read our Bibles. Scripture is God’s loving word to us. Focusing helps us understand how God is guiding us.

As with human relationships, our relationship with God will go through many stages. One theologian wrote, “Sometimes the relationship will fill us with great joy; other times it will seem boring and stale. Sometimes the relationship will be as natural as breathing. Sometimes it will demand hard work and require lots of time and energy. We may even have time when we go our own way, paying no attention to God or prayer. But God does not turn away. God keeps calling, and after a time a longing wells up in us to return to God. We have heard God’s call.”

BWELCA Hilites

Peter Rabbit Spring Bazaar: Sat. April 2 starting at 10:00 a.m. Come enjoy creamy turkey and maidrite sandwiches and the trimmings. Also get in on the great baked goods for sale and craft items. Something for everyone.

Spring Work/Cleaning Day: Sunday April 3.

Hope Cluster Spring Gathering: Sat. April 9 at 8:30 a.m. at St. John’s in Olin. Guest speaker will be Cindy Breed, the Chaplin at the University Hospitals. There is a poster and sign sheet on the bulletin board. Please sign up by Mon. April 4.

Senior/Senior Coffee: Sunday April 10.

Circle Meetings: Bethlehem, Sat. April 9 at 9:00 a.m. with Marlene as hostess and leader.

Eve, Thur. April 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Deanne Bennett’s.

Next Board Meeting: Tue. May 3 at 6:00 p.m.

April Anniversaries

6 Pat and Gary Hansen

24 Becky and Jacob Petersen

26 Diana and Warren Ihns

28 Jessica and Brent Ihns

April Birthdays

1 Elenor Bentrott

3 Lane Dosland

4 Jean Busch, Meagan Fields, Chase Gruenwald

7 Charles Franck

8 Shelley Beeck, Sammi Jo Adler

9 Gary Hansen

13 Kindy Nissen

15 Rex Duffey

21 Cassandra Suthers

22 Joyce Feuss, Glenn Tobiason

23 Enos Ihns

24 Jackie Fischer, Jody Holtz

26 Rochelle Busch

27 Brent Ihns

Pastor Keith Larson

Office Phone 678-2301

Home Phone 563-652-2599

Anywhere, anytime 563-447-0652

pastor@bethlehem.mylutheran.org

Pastoral Associate Barb Tobiason

Office Phone 826-2761

Home Phone 563-487-2116

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. Tues

Phone 678-2302

Sunday Schedule

Worship 9:00 a.m.

Fellowship 10:00 a.m..

Office Hours

Pastor Keith is in the office most mornings Monday – Thursday 9:30 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.