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BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION
703 BROADWAY U.S. POSTAGE PAID
EMMETSBURG, IA 50536 EMMETSBURG, IOWA 50536
Change Service Requested PERMIT #2
CONNECTIONS
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SEPT 2021
CONNECTIONS
Pastor F. Peter Morlock
Secretary: Diane Clasing-Steger Financial Secretary: Michael Jacobson Youth Director: Kristin Rienhardt Bethany organist: Tim Nielsen, Temp.
Lost Island organist: Tim Nielsen
A Monthly Newsletter Linking the Ministries of Bethany Lutheran and Lost Island Lutheran Churches
Bethany Lutheran Church: bethanylutheranemmetsburg.com Fb: Bethany/Lostislandparish Lost Island Lutheran Church www.lostislandlutheranchurch.com
Office Email: [email protected] Financial Email: [email protected] Office hours: Mon-Thurs 9 AM - 2pm Office phone: 712-852-4450
And so we come to the close of another summer and we start ramping up for fall activities. So, here are some notes of things that will be starting soon:
WEDNESDAY NOON MEN'S BIBLE STUDY- Will start on September 8. We will be studying Paul's letter to the Galatians to start with. Bring your own lunch and come join us.
CHOIR- Shirleen Helgeson has volunteered to help put the choir back together, and we would like to know how many folks might be interested in taking part. Initially we are planning on preparing music for special services, like Christmas etc. We would like to start on September 8th, just to gauge interest and to talk about rehearsals etc. Please join us on September 8 at 7pm.
COVID UPDATES- The COVID team continues to monitor information and be in
conversation with local folks. As we keep an eye on things, I would just encourage you to continue to be safe and prudent, maintaining distance in church and wearing a mask if you so desire.
RECEPTION FOR JANIS CAMPBELL - Sunday October 3 is Church Musician Sunday.
Part of our theme for that day will be to recognize and celebrate Janis Campbell's 50 years of music ministry among us. There will be a reception after church where you can greet Janis and share memories. Coffee and bars will be served. We will have guest musicians with us for worship that day. There will be a recognition during worship for Janis. All are welcome.
Ecclesiastes 3: - "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
-Pastor Peter
Help with youth group, Sunday school, altar guild, WELCA, be a prayer warrior, be on a board, help out around the church in some way shape or form.
Circle Schedules
*Tabitha Circle: 09/08/21 at the Nature Center. All ladies are invited from Bethany.
*Sarah Circle: Meet at Nature Center on 9/8 with the Lost Island Ladies.
*Mary Martha Circle: 3rd Wednesday of the month at 9:30 am. Hostess is Kathy Mehan.
Morning Quilting Night Quilters
Mondays- 9 AM weekly 1st & 3rd Monday’s at 6pm
Adult Bible Study Men’s Bible Study
3rd Sunday of Month @ 4:00pm Wednesdays@ Noon
We remember those in special need of God’s love and care including:
Lon Twait, Duane Schipull, Carol Walker, Carolyn Ritchie, Bridget Johnson, Bill Ellingrod, Don Crocoll, Roger Will, Robert Mortenson, Jr., Linda Gjerde, Phyllis Schroeder, Janis Campbell,
Connie Yonker, Garwin Anderson, Lucille Anderson, and those we name in our hearts.
We remember Thomas Crocoll who has entered basic training prior to entering the military (Marines).
Logan Murray has completed his Basic Training for the Air Force .
*Our missionary: Courtney Davis, who lives in Papua New Guinea, is currently on Furlough here in the States.
*Our companion synods: The Southern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Tanzania-Yakobi Parish companion with Lost Island and the Evangelical Lutheran Church Laz-Paz Parish in Chile, companion with Bethany.
Bethany
Sundays at 10:30am Lost Island
Sundays at 8:45am
*Note: Communion will be the first Sunday of each month during services but will also continue to be on an individual basis: Wednesday’s at Bethany and Thursday’s at Lost Island. Please continue to take extra measures to keep your distance at church and follow the CDC guidelines. All services are live-streamed on Facebook Live.
AUGUST 2021 Bethany Lutheran Church Treasurer’s Report Attendance average:
MONTHLY BUDGET NEEDS:
MONTHLY BEGINNING BALANCE (2,733.13)
INCOME
Offerings 9,944.00
PPP Loan/Pending Grant Miscellaneous Income Sunday School
0.00
Total Income 9,944.00
EXPENSES
Personnel Expenses 6,215.47
Program Expenses 172.64
Office Expenses 51.92
Property Expenses 798.26
Western IA Synod 311.40
Damascus Road 50.00
NO ELCA Donations
TOTAL EXPENSE 7,599.69
Income Less Expenses 2,344.31
GENERAL FUND BALANCE (388.82)
If you have any questions concerning the finances of the church please feel free to call me.
Thanks! Michael (These figures are current up to Aug 22)
Bethany would like to encourage online monetary offerings. The local Emmetsburg banks each provide a FREE online bill pay ser- vice which can arrange recurring weekly or monthly payments. If you need more information, contact your local Emmetsburg bank at your earliest convenience.
If you have any financial questions, please email Michael at [email protected] and he can answer any questions.
Chuck Duhn, President 712-298-1027
Joe Neary, Vice President 712-852-2642 Angie Hetrick, Treasurer 712-298-0331
Diane Clasing-Steger, Secretary 712-298-1003 Dianne Hough 712-852-2169 Mark Evans 712-260-5651 Barb Haack 712-260-3408 Elaine Sidles 712-298-2559
Do you have questions? Need assistance? Contact your council members and they will get you connected with the right people!
Bethany
Troy Leininger – President Tim Nielsen - Treasurer Kyle Norris – Secretary
Craig Thu & Steve Pitt – Trustees
Alan Oppedal & Charles Henningsen – Deacons
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Bethany Council News—August Meeting —Some of what was discussed
We had a good meeting. All were in attendance except for Joe. We had a guest, Mike Hermansen, who wanted to know if there was more information about an Intern. Nothing new was reported in regards to this. Lost Island had a Work Party at the Knutson house on Saturday 8/21 in preparation for when an intern is placed. Giving from our Congregants is down. A 6 month Giving Statement was sent out this summer. First day of Sunday School for Bethany will be on 09/12/21 and the first day of Youth Groups will be on 9/15/21. There will be a Retirement Reception for Janis Campbell on October 3 follow- ing our Sunday service. We will have guest musicians providing music. Janis has been an organist/pianist at Bethany for 50 years. Tim Nielsen will be filling in at Bethany until
a replacement is found. Still waiting on a bid to replace the sidewalk at the Parsonage.
Diane Clasing Steger, Council Secretary STEWARDSHIP – BLESSINGS
We know as Christians we are taught to share what has been given to us with
those who have less. We share our gifts, talents, time, ourselves and, yes, even our financial re- sources.
David writes in Psalm 24:1 (CEB), “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants too.” It all belongs to God. James 1:17 (CEB) echoes this truth: “Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father.” So once we really believe that all the things we have ultimately belong to God, we can go forward into the practice of
giving back to God.
Due to the last year of Covid and with Fall coming upon us, Bethany does not want to fall behind in our planned ministries and regular budget giving.
Our prayer is that each family will prayerfully consider their offerings to Bethany.
**This is the reason Bethany has sent you a 6 month Giving Statement. It is just a helpful reminder as to where each of us is at in our giving.**
Let us give thanks to God our Father for all His gifts He so freely bestows upon us.
Lost Island
Lost Island Women are planning an evening at the
Lost Island Nature Center on Wednesday, September 8th at 6 pm.
Tacos & Root Beer Floats and a program by Kaitlyn Anderson.
Bring your beverage holder for the floats
Tabitha Circle will be meeting at Alaire Nielsen’s home at 6:50 pm on September 22nd. They are using a LifeGuide study on Galatians Lesson #4
“Why God Accepts us”, based on Galatians 3:1-14.
Lost Island has put together a new Logo with
the help of a designer, just in time for their
150th Celebration!
This is what it looks like!
IT IS COUNTDOWN TIME (10 MONTHS) UNTIL
LOST ISLAND’S 150TH CELEBRATION!
THE DATE IS JULY 10, 2022!
We are collecting recipes for our new cookbook and looking for pictures and memories for the historical retrospective.
Email them to [email protected] or mail them to
Karyn Leininger 311 E 3rd St Spencer, IA 51301.
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Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts
to God. (Colossians 3:16)
The hymns of the Christian church not only serve us well in our worship and in our teaching but, they can also offer striking spiritual insight, comfort and counsel.
Each week reflect on what words reminds you of God’s truth, what words make you stum- ble, what words make you praise God?
WEEK OF SEPT 5
#446 LBW
“WHATEVER GOD ORDAINS IS RIGHT”
Whatever God ordains is right;
his will is just and holy.
He holds us in his perfect might;
in him, our lives are godly.
He is our God and all we need, the Father who preserves us still;
to him we bend each heart and will.
WEEK OF SEPT 12
#750 WOV
“OH, PRAISE THE GRACIOUS POW’R”
Oh, praise the gracious pow'r that tumbles walls of fear and gathers in one house of faith
all strangers far and near:
WEEK OF SEPT 19
#474 LBW
“CHILDREN OF THE HEAV’NLY FATHER”
Children of the heav'nly Father safely in his bosom gather;
nestling bird nor star in heaven such a refuge e'er was given.
.
WEEK OF SEPT 26
#429 LBW
“WHERE CROSS THE CROWDED WAYS OF LIFE”
Where cross the crowded ways of life, where sound the cries of race and clan,
above the noise of selfish strife, we hear your voice, O Son of Man.
“Children of the Heavenly Father,”
by Caroline “Lina” V. Sandell-Berg,
trans. Ernst W. Olson;
With such a prolific career, it is surprising to discover that her most popular hymn – “Children of the Heavenly Father” – was written quite early in her life, perhaps as young as seventeen! As J. Irving Erick-
son notes in his companion to the Covenant Hymnal (1973):
“An old tradition in Fräderyd…relates that she wrote ‘Tryggare kan ingen vara’ while seated on the branch of a large ash tree that stood in the parsonage yard. From that spot on warm summer evenings she could listen to the content twitter of the birds as they hid in their nests among the green leaves, and from there she could watch the stars as they began to appear. Her impressions fortified the biblical concepts of the security of God’s children.”
And it is the “security of God’s children” that serves as the central theme around which this text is built. The bosom of the “heavenly Father” serves as a “refuge” where children are nourished and protected from evil by the “mighty arms” of God. The last two stanzas build on this theme of protection by boldly con- fessing that nothing can separate children from their God (Rom. 8:38-39), a God who will never forsake
God’s children (Deut. 31:6). 13
VOL U NTE ERS - B ETH A NY
Angie Hetrick Mark & Darca Saxton
Ryan & Molly Veldboom
Jim Anderson Lorraine Johnson
Brian & Greta Rouse
Sandi Chapman Mark & Connie Schroeder Annette Peterson
Kent & Belinda Davidson Maxine Lashbrook David & Elaine Sidles
Robert & Shirley DePue
Pat & Kathy Mehan Josh & Holly Sidles
Marilyn Egland
Brent & Stephanie Mehan Keith Snavely
Steve & Becky Finer Don Nauss
Frank & Marit Veltri
Carla Firkins
Pat Vician
Mike Schipull
Eric & Shelly Hanson Terry & Pam Rouse
BET H ANY FU NE RAL SER VER S
Bethany Funeral Servers For Group IV
Dave & Elaine Sidles, Jacki Ellingrod, Jane Heykes — Co-Chairpersons ORGANIST: Tim Nielsen
LECTORS:
September 5 Sandy Chapman September 12 Laure Miller
September 19 Greta Rouse
September 26 Jacki Ellingrod
ALTAR GUILD: September Amy Malm
USHERS:
September 5 Lonnie Naig, Mark Saxton Communion Sunday September 12 Bob Steger
September 19 Mike Hermansen September 26 Dave Sidles
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: SEPTEMBER 5 Angie Hetrick & Kristin Rienhardt
VOLUNTEERS - Please contact the Office at (712) 852-4450 if you need to switch, change dates, or if you won’t be here prior to the date you are
scheduled.
Please be flexible in your roles as we adapt to COVID-19 Guidelines during wor- ship. If you don’t feel comfortable with these duties due to COVID-19, please
let the office know. Thank You!
VOLU NTE ERS - LOST IS LAN D
Friends of Sharing the Dream in Guatemala is a volunteer- based fair trade organization that works to reduce poverty in Guatemala through collaborative partnerships with Guatema- lans.
We offer Guatemalan crafts including handmade beaded jewelry, handwoven scarves, baskets from all natural materials and much, much, more. Shop online at www.sharing the dream.org, visit one of the stores in Vermillion, Sioux Falls or at Lost Island Lutheran Church.
If you are interested in learning more contact Karyn Leininger.
Please remember and prayerfully consider including Courtney in your prayers and financial support. Checks should be made to “Bethany Lutheran Church” with a memo “For the ministry of Courtney Davis, Acct. #305075.”
Courtney’s blog at: cdchronicles.wordpress.com email address: [email protected]
QUILTS & KITS FOR LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF (LWF) I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE OUT A HUGE “THANK YOU!” TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED WITH MAKING THE QUILTS AND THE KITS THAT WERE SENT TO LWF. THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HELPED PACK THE TRAILER! IT SURE WENT FAST! THE FOLLOWING IS WHAT BETHANY PUT TOGETHER AND SENT: 492 QUILTS, 10 FABRIC KITS, 57 SCHOOL KITS, 30 PERSONAL CARE KITS AND 10 BABY CARE KITS.
*ALSO A SPECIAL “THANK YOU” TO MICHAEL JACOBSON’S MOTHER FOR PROVIDING BOXES WITH DRESS KITS INSIDE. THIS WAS A
PHENOMENAL YEAR! THANK YOU ALL! TERESA JENSEN
ORGANIST Tim Nielsen
ALTAR GUILD September Linda Pitt, Lavonne Mason, Courtney Cooke
READERS September 5 Karyn Leininger
September 12 Troy Leininger September 19 Alaire Nielsen September 26 Tim Nielsen
ACOLYTE September 5 Corrine Cook
September 12 Avon Hackbart-Morlock September 19 Colleen Cook
September 26 Olivia Sorenson
NOISY OFFERING
World Vision- Kickoff towards Sunday school offering
for the school year.
Hello Brothers and Sisters,
A new school year. A new season. A new way of living. A new normal.
Change is hard but change is also good. God is continually working on all of us.
Just like a tree’s leaves change colors every fall, so do we.
We all change over time and God wants us to change for Him and His desires.
SEPT 8TH– RALLY DAY KICKOFF, MEAL AND FAMILY FUN, 5-7PM SEPT 12TH-RALLY SUNDAY! KICKOFF TO SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 9:30AM
INSTALLATION OF TEACHERS
3RD GRADERS RECEIVE THEIR BIBLES
SEPT 15TH-YOUTH GROUP KICK OFF (CHECK CALENDAR/LETTER FOR TIMES) SEPT 19TH– MISSION TRIP MEETING AFTER WORSHIP
PARENTS-DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER YOUR KIDS FOR ANY/ALL YOUTH PROGRAMS
All meeting groups are subject to change!
Sunday School starts September 12th at 9:30am.
Our Sunday School offering will be put towards helping to provide farm animals for families to get Resources overseas.
Checkout the Youth programs wish list!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/
ls/3J3JDDKFF4QHU?ref_=wl_share
WILLING TO HELP?
SUPPORT,DRIVE, DONATE,TEACH?
CONTACT KRISTIN
SUNDAY SCHOOL OFFERING
WORLD VISION- FARM ANIMALS
GOAL: $700
Rally Day To Go Meal will be Wednesday, September 8th from 5-7pm.
Drive up in the alley behind the church (from the north) during that time and pick up meals or call ahead to have it delivered if you are unable to leave your home.
Sponsored by Frank Veltri’s Thrivent Action Team.
The Free Will Offering will go to the Pew Cushion Fund.
*During this meal, families with children can hang out on the green space with games, gift bags, and fun as we kickoff our year together. This will be weather dependent and tables will be set up outside for families to sit, eat and have a good time. Any questions, please let Kristin or Angie Hetrick know.
We had a great 3 days of VBS “Living in God’s Time”! Whether you donated, helped or just prayed for us -
We Thank you!
Tom Mason, Courtney Cook, Connie
Swan, Gannett Swan, Avon Hackbart-Morlock, Noah Wright, Jonah Hackbart- Morlock, Molly Rodemeyer, Kathy Megan, Amee Norris, Madison Norris, Liz Mason, Karen Thu, Punky Kropf, Lavonne Mason, Pat Henningsen, Elaine Nauss, Charles Henningsen, Laura Reinders, Greta Rouse, Alaire Nielsen, Youth Leaders: Colleen, Corinne, Sloan, Josey, Liza, Drake and all the kids who
attended. Avery, Whitaker, Kallaway, Thomas, Killian, Mason, Langston, Addy, Asa, Kennedy, Gretchen, Bennett, Caitlin, Ava, Carter, Zoey, Katherine, Kelton, Cael, Kysen. Couldn’t have done it without you! Until next year!
The video of the closing celebration is posted to the Lost Island YouTube page if you want just a small taste of what happened at Lost Island on August 3-5.
Pastor Peter & Karyn Leininger
Dear Parents of Bethany Youth,
We have been planning to reopen Bethany for youth programs with some limitations and expecta- tions. The decision to reopen is one that must be taken with caution, safety, and change. As we begin to open the church back up for youth programs, the adjustments and recommendations listed below must be carried out, which are recommended by local health officials, the school district, and the Center of Disease Control (CDC), to maintain safety amongst all that join us.
As we return to in-person youth programs we want you to know that we care about everyone’s safety.
The things you can expect from us at Bethany, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be:
Taking extra measures to clean and sanitize all of church, especially the areas of high traffic.
Cleaning high touch surfaces as much as possible and in between services and allowing extra time for the cleaning/disinfecting/sanitizing products to work at their best.
The staff and volunteers are doing their best to maintain these procedures to minimize any spread of COVID-19.
The things we expect you to do for us as your youth come to any programs, in light of COVID-19 pandemic, will be:
Stay home if you are sick or have any of the following symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath or difficult breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
Help stop the spread of germs by carrying out good hygiene:
Wash your hands regularly. If not available use hand sanitizer.
Cough and/or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
Avoid touching your face.
Maintain social distancing (6 ft)
Face coverings are highly encouraged for all youth if distancing indoors cannot be accomplished.
*If your child does not have a face covering and would like one, we have extras at the church.
To follow the guidelines given by health officials and the CDC this is how in-person youth programs will look differently:
Sunday School;
Sunday, 9:30am-10:15am
Youth will enter/exit the single front entry door on the south side.
Youth Group:
Times:
*Outdoor activities will happen as much as possible, weather permitting:.
We know that this seems like it will never end, but this too is a season and it will pass. Remember, we are the church because the church is not a building -it is the people. We want to be a resource and a place where your youth will feel safe coming to, but also a group of people that can help them grow in faith daily.
In Christ,
Bethany Reopening Task Force, Bethany Board of Education, & Bethany Youth Board SACK (2nd-5th grade)
After school for 1.5 hours Noah’s Classroom
Connect (6th-8th grade) 5:00pm -6:00 pm
Jr High Room
LIFE (9th-12th Grade) 7:30-9:00pm High School Room
Thank you to all who have been involved in worship on Sundays and Wednesdays to bring us the Good News!
Thank you to all that have continued to give your monetary donations!
Thank you to all that have supported the families whom have lost loved ones recently.
Thank you Group 3 of the Funeral Servers that helped with Alice Christensen’s funeral luncheon .
We still have quite a few
Pizza/Chicken Coupon Booklets left!
These can be used at the Emmetsburg Pizza Ranch Restaurant.
They are $10 a piece or 2 for $15.
You can contact the office if interested.
712-852-4450
In Memory of Robert Neary, given by Angie Hetrick for Pew Cushion Fund.
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SUN MON TUE WED
1
5
8:45 am Lost Island Worship
w/Communion 10:15 am LI Sunday School
10:30 am Bethany Worship w/Communion *Live Streamed
6
LABOR DAY
7 8
Noon Men’s Bible StudyRALLY DAY
5-7 PM To Go Meal/Youth Fun 6 PM Lost Island Women meet at the Nature Center for Tacos & Root Beer Floats. All ladies are welcome.
6 PM Sarah Circle meets @ Nature Center with Lost Island Ladies 7PM Youth Board Meeting
12
RALLY SUNDAY8:45 am Lost Island Worship
9:30 am Bethany SS 10:15 am LI Sunday School
10:30 am Bethany Worship *Live Streamed
13
9 am Quilters14
6:30 pm Cub Scouts
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Noon Men’s Bible Study 9:30 AM Mary/Martha Circle meets @ Kathy Mehan’s 1:30-3PM SACK (2nd 5-6PM Connect (6th 7:30-9:00PM19
8:45 am Lost Island Worship
9:30 am Bethany SS 10:15 am LI Sunday School
10:30 am Bethany Worship *Live Streamed 11:30am Mission Trip Meeting 4 pm– Adult Bible Study
20
9 am Quilters 6 pm Night Quilters
21
7 pm Bethany Council Meeting
Articles are due for the OCTOBER Newsletter
22
Noon Men’s Bible Study 3:30-5PM SACK (2nd 5-6PM Connect (6th 6:50 PM Tabitha Circle Meets at Alaire Nielsen’s home 7:30-9:00PM
26
8:45 am Lost Island Worship
9:30 am Bethany SS 10:15 am LI Sunday School
10:30 am Bethany Worship *Live Streamed
27
9 am Quilters
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Assemble OCTOBER Newsletter @ 10 am 6:30 pm Cub Scouts
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Noon Men’s Bible Study 3:30-5PM SACK (2nd 5-6PM Connect (6th 7:30-9:00PM
September 2021
Kristin on Vacation (Sept 24th
Noisy Offering for September:
World Vision – Farm Animals
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WED THU FRI SAT
2 3 4
Men’s Bible Study RALLY DAY
7 PM To Go Meal/Youth Fun Lost Island Women meet at the Nature Center for Tacos & Root Beer Floats. All ladies are welcome.
Sarah Circle meets @ Nature Center with Lost Island Ladies
Youth Board Meeting
9 10 11
Noon Men’s Bible Study 9:30 AM Mary/Martha Circle
meets @ Kathy Mehan’s 3PM SACK (2nd-5th) 6PM Connect (6th-8th)
9:00PM LIFE (9th-12th)
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17 18
Men’s Bible Study 5PM SACK (2nd-5th) Connect (6th-8th)
Tabitha Circle Meets at Alaire Nielsen’s home
9:00PM LIFE (9th-12th)
23 24 25
Men’s Bible Study 5PM SACK (2nd-5th)
Connect (6th-8th) 9:00PM LIFE (9th-12th)
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WIC 9-3
