Bethlehem Star June 2011

The Bethlehem Star
Volume 9, Issue 6
June 2011

Summer Worship Times

During the summer months of June, July, and August, starting June 5, the schedule is:

Worship at Bethlehem: 8:30 a.m.
Worship at St. Mark’s: 9:45 a.m.

Unity Sunday, when we celebrate our common ministries at Bethlehem and St. Mark, will be held at the end of the summer.

Lost Nation Vacation Bible School
June 6 - 10
At Union Presbyterian

Call the office:
• to register students,
• to volunteer to teach or assist,
• donate money for snacks,
• if you have questions.

Items needed:
Old jeans (all sizes) Old t-shirts (small sizes)
Old magazines Empty and rinsed juice bags
Bars of soap Scrap fleece material
“O” cereal (ex. Cheerios or generic “o” shaped)
Netting/ tulle Sequins/ buttons
Craft foam Fabric glue Fabric markers
Craft paint 9-in plastic cups

Community Coffee
Thursday, June 16, 9:00 – 11:00
At Bethlehem
Invite your friends for coffee.

Southeastern Iowa Synod Assembles

Six members from Bethlehem and St. Mark’s attended the Southeastern Iowa Synod Assembly in Coralville on May 20 – 21. Attending were Pastor Keith Larson and AIM Barb Tobiason, Carol Pence and Melissa Antcliff (SMLC) and Tim Thiede and Deanne Bennett (BLC).

Special guest at the Assembly included newly-elected Bishop Charles Mjema and his wife, Pastor Nahana Mjema of the Pare Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, our companion synod. A joint agreement and plan for recommitment for our companion synods was signed together by the Bishop Mjema and Southeastern Iowa Synod Bishop Michael Burke.

The assembly was a time for worship, Bible study, business and fellowship. St. Mark’s was recognized in a video as a congregation celebrating a special anniversary this year (150). Among resolutions considered, the Assembly asked congregations and individuals of the Southeastern Iowa Synod to work with schools, youth and other organization to support efforts to combat bullying, harassment and other related violence in schools.

Participants heard stirring sermons by the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, Director of ELCA Global Missions, and by the Rev. Mike Householder, pastor of Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. Pastor Malpica Padilla challenged the Assembly to find ways to care for the poor and marginalized of society. Pastor Householder passionately urged everyone to be evangelists, sharing the much-needed love of Christ with others.

Bethlehem/ St. Mark folks also appreciated being able to see the whole church in action and that the church is larger than we see in our congregations, week in and week out.

Ice Cream Social
Sunday, June 26- 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
At Bethlehem
Invite your friends and neighbors

June Birthdays
1 Keith Larson
2 Don Long
5 Kelly Doll
6 Alex McChesney
7 Joan Clapp
8 Al Small, Courtney Current
9 Zachary McChesney
10 Sophia Coates
12 Brandon Moore
14 Lola DeMoss, Roger Kleppe
17 Katie Thompson
20 Tim Thiede
21 Robert Feuss
22 Ron Christiansen
23 Cassandra Novak
24 Jimmy Hicks
25 Stacey Current
27 Mike Paarmann
28 Paul Kleinsmith, Heather Moore
29 Mick Sheldon

June Anniversaries
4 Deanne and Clint Bennett
7 Kelly and Al Schroeder
9 Kathy and Lary Becker
Kathy and Kirk Snyder
11 Rosemary and Tom Stoll
15 Connie and Roger Kleppe
17 Erin and Nick Novak
19 Marcia and Paul Kleinsmith
22 Barb and Alan Small
26 Lynn and Tim Thiede
27 Pat and Bob Hendrickson
Barb’s Message – Reflections on Synod Assembly

Going to Synod Assembly is always a rewarding experience. Every year, without fail, about two weeks before a scheduled assembly, I stew and fret about all the things that I have to do, work-related, telling myself that I don’t have time to take off the time for Synod Assembly. And every year, I am refreshed and rejuvenated and re-committed by the experience of Synod Assembly.
Worship has a primary place at assembly. Coming from small churches, it is awesome to worship with over 300 people. In addition to worship, frequent prayer, Bible study, hymn singing brought up often throughout the assembly helps us remain Christ-centered in all that we do; and in any church gathering, the focus must be on the One whose mission we carry out.

I used to be involved in the synod’s work, so I am biased, but I never fail to be impressed by those who are called to serve in our synod offices and the programs in which the synod is involved. The people who work or volunteer on the synod level are some of the best. Our synod truly is there for us, helping congregations do the ministry we are called to do. This year it was fun to have St. Mark’s recognized for their 150 years of ministry. Also, our synod reaches out to carry out the mission of Christ, not only locally, but “to the ends of the earth.” To see all the programs that our synod promotes for social ministry, here and around the world is impressive.

It is humbling to look around at all the voting members at our Synod Assembly gathering and see the dedication of the people. They are there because they really take seriously their call to do Christ’s work. There are opportunities to meet and visit with member of other congregations in our synod and find out what excites and frustrates them about being the Church. In all the years that I have gone, a real pleasure for me is getting to know our own voting members better, in a different setting than Sunday morning worship.

I have to say that this year, especially, I appreciated the infusion of humor into the assembly. I truly believe that in any type of work, you need to be able to occasionally have fun and laugh. Bishop Burke began the proceedings with a video showing him and several youth who were trying to update the Bishop technology-wise. It was very clever and set a good mood for the assembly.

It is very humbling to see God’s Holy Spirit working, and Synod Assembly is a great place to see the Spirit doing what the Spirit does. At Synod Assembly, we truly are the Body of Christ. For our time together we become the hands, eyes, heart, and mouth of Christ. I would love for each of you in our congregations to have this experience at some point in your faith journey.


Worship Assistants

Greeters: Scott Doll, Stella Franck
Ushers: Pat Hendrickson, Jessica Ihns
Lectors:
5- Madge White 19- Stella Franck
12- Deanne Bennett 26- Cyndi Hartley
Acolytes: 5- Jenna Holtz
12- Halie Gruenwald 19- Hannah Gruenwald
Communion Servers:
5- Rochelle Busch, Kelly Doll
12- Pat Hansen, Ron Christiansen
19- Elenor Bentrott, Eleanor Sheldon
Altar Care: Eleanor Sheldon, Madge White
Bread Maker: Connie Kleppe
Tellers: Joan Kleppe, Jone Paarmann
Fellowship Servers:
5 - Jone P., Dawn Suthers, Evelyn Petersen
12- Ellen P., Jill S., Betty R., Eleanor Sheldon
19 - Father’s Day NO Fellowship
26- Ice Cream Social NO Fellowship



BWELCA Hilites

Notes to Fellowship Workers:
+ Please use the “fair trade” fellowship coffee located in the plastic tub in the fellowship cupboard. It is specially made for percolators.
+ Please soak the stem from the coffee pot you have used in the marked vinegar bottle on the counter (while you are serving). Wash as usual during clean up. We have had a lot of problems with hard water clogging, and we hope this will take care of it.

New this year at VBS, we will be taking a special “noisy” collection on Sunday, June 5 for the food committee to purchase food needed to follow the theme for the week.


Community Coffee: You are invited to the Community Coffee hosted by the BWELCA Board on Thursday, June 16 from 9-11 a.m. Invite your family, friends and neighbors for a morning of great food and fellowship.
Council Meets

Bethlehem Congregation Council met for the regular monthly meeting on May 17. In business, they:

• noted new ceiling tiles had been placed in the narthex and will purchase new lights and complete caulking of cracks during the summer;
• heard Pastor periodically offers learning opportunities for students and parents when families wish to have their children begin communing;
• decided there will be opportunities in July and August for individuals to meet with Council members if they have concerns about pastoral housing issues;
• decided not to pursue an offer to purchase a 14’ x 100’ piece of property west of the church from the congregation;
• Heard the following Treasurer’s report:
Balance 3/31/11 $13,689.95
April Income $ 5,595.63
April Expenses $ 8,536.58
Balance 4/30/11 $10,790.00

Member Giving Needed Monthly $6000.00
Amount Received in March $5595.63
March Shortfall $ 405.00
Shortfall to Date – 2011 $2883.00

Healthy Pastors Mean Savings

Last month, Pastor Larson reflected on wellness and wholeness and mentioned that the ELCA Board of Pensions had an emphasis on wellness. As part of that emphasis all persons on the ELCA medical plan are urged to take a free on-line health assessment sponsored by Mayo Clinic. If a minimum of 65% of the plan members in a synod completed the assessment before the deadline, every congregation in the synod could receive a discount. For 3 years now, pastor has completed his assessment, but this year the Southeastern Iowa Synod met the 65% threshold. As a result, Bethlehem has earned a 2% discount on contributions to the ELCA health plan for 2011.

“Spring” Festivals Late This Year
The festivals of Pentecost, usually celebrated in May do not occur until mid-June this year because Easter was so late. Pentecost (50 days after Easter) will be celebrated on June 12. Holy Trinity Sunday is celebrated a week later on June 19. Holy Communion is celebrated on these two important church-year festivals as well as on the first Sunday of the month.

Masko Update
Former Intern Matt Masko graduated from Wartburg Seminary on May 15. He had been assigned to the Upstate New York Synod and met the Bishop there and learned of some prospective congregations where he might interview. In the meantime Meganne interviewed, was offered and accepted a position on the faculty of the University of North Dakota. The Bishops of Upstate New York and Eastern North Dakota have been helpful and Matt’s been reassigned to Eastern North Dakota. Meganne is still working on her doctoral dissertation at the University of Iowa where she hopes to complete her doctorate soon. She finished her dissertation early, but her committee was, well, not particularly accommodating. They will be moving to North Dakota in August after they travel with some Wartburg Seminary faculty to Guyana in July.

Ice Cream Social
The Ice Cream Social will be held Sunday, June 26 from 4-7 p.m. at the church. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors. Sign up sheet will be in the back of the church. We appreciate your sharing of food, serving skills and other assistance with this fun event.

Next Board Meeting: Tuesday July 5 at 6 PM

Circle Meetings for June 9, 7:00 PM, Eve at Eleanor Sheldon’s with Darlene C. as leader. June 11: 9 AM, Bethlehem in conference room with Connie Kleppe at hostess and leader.

College Scholarships
Scholarship applications for all Bethlehem college students are available in the church office. All students enrolled in the 2011 - 2012 school term must complete an application and return it to the office on or before August 1, 2011. Students must be confirmed members of Bethlehem and must maintain academic eligibility. Scholarship money will be sent directly to your college at the beginning of each semester.

Note to those who will be high school seniors in the fall – if you anticipate that you might graduate early and begin college early, you should apply for a scholarship before August 1, 2011.


Summer Worship Times
8:30 a.m. at Bethlehem
9:45 a.m. at St. Mark


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

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.