B E T H E L S T A R

SEPTEMBER 2015

Newsletter

Inside this issue: Pastor’s Message 2

Maturing 3

LWML Fall Meeting in Peoria

New Mother Meal

Pumpkin Festival

Women Bowling League

4

Articles Deadline

Blood Pressure Screening

E– Church

Milestones

Membership Updates

Wednesday AM Services

5

Bethel Memory Cards

Midwest Food Bank

New Fall Brochure

Queenwood Campus Update

Recycling Update

Thank Yous

6

Bethel School News 7

Youth Ministry 8

Adult Choir

Bell Choir

Diner Books

Lutheran Hillside Village

Operation Christmas Child

Lutherans for Life

9

Updated September Calendar

and Kingdom Helpers

Go to church website listed be-

low. Click on Calendar

Click on View Bethel’s

Calendar

Click on event for details

Church Off ice : 309 -263-2417 Church Website : www.blcmorton.org

School Off ice : 309 -266-6592 School Website : www.bethel lutheranschool .org

It’s that time of year! School is back in session, which can mean only one thing of course! FOOTBALL! Okay, well, school being back in session can mean a lot of things - but, FOOTBALL! That’s right, it’s football season. As Christians we can learn some-thing from the hard work, dedication, practice, and persistence that go into the sport. We are not merely spectators of our faith. We are the players! We’re not pew warmers—err, bench warmers—God has created us for so much more. He wants us to be partici-pating in the Spiritual disciplines He has given to us to help us grow in faith and love toward Him. Starting September 12

th and 13

th, we will begin the sermon series

called “Game Day,” which will take us all the way through to Refor-mation Day at the end of October. We invite you to join us weekly through this series to see how you can get more involved in living out your faith daily. Here’s the game plan:

Week One: Prayer Week Two: Fasting Week Three: Sabbath Week Four: Silence Week Five: Service Week Six: Stewardship Week Seven: Study

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“Doing Life Together”

Where would you say that you experience God’s gift of the visible Christian community the most? If you’re on Facebook and other social media sites, then surely you’ve had a meme or two pop up on your feed conveying some nice, Christian senti-ment. Maybe you’ve had it happen in passing at a grocery store when you quickly shared some prob-lem you’re having to another person, they said, “I’ll be praying for you,” and you parted ways. Perhaps the easiest way you have seen Christian community coming together is on a Saturday night or a Sunday morning for worship. These are all really great things, but are they the most practical way to share our lives with each other? Are they the most meaningful or Intentional? I’ve learned a few things over the years about doing “life together.” It’s not as easy as just soaking up some “Christian wisdom” from a random Facebook user. It’s not as convenient as just putting someone on a prayer list. Life together can’t just be done in a one-hour-in-and-out experience on a weekend. Doing life together hurts. It means feeling each others’ pains and turmoil. Life together creates joy as we share with others the greatness of what God is doing in our lives. It involves walking side by side in the everyday journey. It requires trust, not only to share, but to receive the burdens we carry together. Isn’t that what we actually want to mean when we say “community”? The very basics of what we do as a people are involved in community to-gether…doing life together. There will be times of anger, times of joy, times of sadness, times of confu-sion—but we do it together. This is the “life to-gether” God calls us to in Jesus. One of the places that I have experienced the pleasure of God’s gift of community has been with my small group. Every week—no kidding—we eat dinner together, laugh together, cry together,

study together, pray together, grow together, strug-gle together, and experience Jesus’ presence to-gether. It is honestly my prayer that everyone in our community, called Bethel, would be able to experi-ence this kind of, this depth of, this intimacy of com-munity with me. So certainly, as we get ready to do our Small Group kick-off on September 13, can I en-courage you to prayerfully consider taking a risk like joining a Small Group? Paul wrote about the community that we have become in the death and resurrection of Jesus, and, therefore, as His community of followers. In closing, just reflect upon the profound effect Jesus has on community—life lived together: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowl-edge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheart-ened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice al-ways, pray continually, give thanks in all circum-stances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11-18)

Dietrich Bonheoffer once wrote:

“The measure with which God gives the gift of visible community is varied. Christians who live dispersed from one another are comforted by a brief visit of another Christian, a prayer together, and another Chris-tian’s blessing. Indeed, they are strengthened by letters written by the hand of other Christians. Paul’s greetings in his letters written in his own hand were no doubt tokens of such community. Others are given the gift on Sundays of the community of the worship service. Still others have the privilege of living a Christian life in the community of their families.”

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S u n d a y

9:30-10:30 am

Breakfast Bible Class

Sunday 9:30—10:30 am

Parish Hall

9/5 One Week Class TBA

9/13 Game Day “Prayer”

9/20 Game Day “Fasting”

9/27 Game Day “Sabbath”

Sunday Adult Electives

9:30-10:30 am

1. First Place for Health

“God’s Best for Your Life”

Room 101

Led by Carolynn Sue Wolf

/ Mary Lou Nichols

2. Sept. 13 – Oct. 18

“40 Days of Purpose”

Room 202

Led by John Jacob

Please call church office

to register

T u e s d a y

Ladies Bible Study

Romans

Begins September 11

Tuesday 9:00-11:00 am Room

101

Childcare available

Led by Sheila Lovell

Please call church office

to register

Living Way Bible Study

James / 1 Peter / 2 Peter / Jude

Begins September 8

Tuesday 10:00 -11:00 am

Room 102

Led by Pastor Jeff

Please call church office

to register

W e d n e s d a y

6:00—7:00 am

Bethel Brothers

Wednesday 6:00 - 7:00 am

Variety of men’s studies. A great

way to grow in your Discipleship

journey.

Led by John Lovell / Phil Zobrist

Thursday

Real Life Discipleship Begins September 9

6:30 - 8:00 pm Room 102

Led by Tammy Curtis

Please call church office

to register

F r i d a y

6:30am

Men’s Bible Study

T.G.I.F. (Room 101)

Men’s class that meets each

week. Led by Ken Newman. A

great way to meet other men

and grow in God’s word.

Complimentary Devotion

Books

“Portals of Prayer” and

"Living the Gospel Life” are available at the Wel-

come Center. Please pick

one up. These are a great

way to begin a daily devo-

tion.

E-Mail Prayer Ministry

There are currently 64

people participating in our

Email Prayer Ministry

Twice a week an email will

be sent with prayer re-

quests from the congrega-

tion and those received

from the church’s website.

If you would like to join

now, there is a sign up sheet at the Welcome

Center or contact the

church office # 263-2417.

MATURING ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

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New Mother Meals We are in need of a few more volunteers for a New Mother

Meal ministry. With our growing church facility and poten-

tially more members (and lots of young pregnant families,

too, it seems!) we anticipate our ministry of meals to con-

tinue to grow. I have approximately 30 active volunteers,

and ideally I would like to have about 6-10 more ladies on

this list who are willing to make and deliver meals. It used

to be that volunteers would take one meal approximately

every 12 months. Now I'm having some of my ladies tak-

ing 3 or 4 a year. Many of our recipients are not plugged

in to a small group so this is a huge connecting ministry.

This ministry works much like the funeral meal ministry.

Volunteers are contacted when a new child is born to see

if they would be able to take a meal and then they coordi-

nate with the mom for delivery.

If God is placing it on your heart to serve New Mothers

please contact Sarah Osterman or the church office so we

can add your name to the list of those willing to make and

take a meal to a new mom.

ATTENTION LADIES … Looking for women to bowl in a fellowship bowling league at Safari Bowl in Morton on Thursday mornings at 9:00am beginning September 10. If interested or ques-tions contact Nancy Westermann at:: 309-263-8506.

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL It’s that time al-

ready to be

planning for the

Pumpkin Festi-

val. Food Tent

volunteers can

sign-up on the

church office

door. They are

asking for 14

people from Be-

thel.

If you want to be a Cashier Volunteer for

the Pumpkin Festival you will have to take

a training session at the Chamber of Com-

merce. Call their office for details.

Page 5

07/30/2015 to 08/27/2015

MEMBERSHIP INS

Adult Confirmation Alexander Joseph Cheek

Kimberly Ann Cheek

Alicia Marie Nash

Infant Baptism Collin Lee Lorentzen

Reaffirmation of Faith Lindsey Irene (Lippert) Sefried

Transfers

Christopher David Nash

Kaelyn Marie Nash (6)

Liam Alan Nash (2)

MEMBERSHIP OUTS

NONE

BETHEL STAR ARTICLES DEADLINE

DEADLINE: Please be reminded the article deadline for the October edition of the Bethel Star is Friday, September 18. Folders will meet at 8:15am on Friday, September 25 to assemble. Extra copies are made available in the church foyer and can also be ac-cessed on our church website at www.blcmorton.org Go to multimedia then file downloads. Highlights are posted there each week, also.

REJOICING MILESTONES

Birthdays 80+ Years

09/08 Ruth Clawitter 81 09/11 Doris Schulzki 85 09/15 Pat Owens 84 09/27 Bob Reinken 86 09/28 Eleanor Meyer 88 09/29 Mary Ellen Brandt 89

Anniversaries 50+ Years

09/20 Ron and Barb Wahl 56 A complete list of member birthdays with addresses is

outside the church office. Stop by and take a copy.

SEPTEMBER 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 MIDWEEK TRADITIONAL HYMNAL SERVICES ON

WEDNESDAYS AT 10:30am

Bethel’s Online

Media and Publications Want to listen to previous sermons or check out this month’s

publications, including the Bethel Star, Highlights, and King-

dom Helpers? Simply go to www.blcmorton.org/media.

From there you can open the media player to listen to previ-

ous sermons. Or on the right side bar (in the green box) you

can click “publications”, which will take you the page where

you can download this month’s publications simply by click-

ing on them!

Communion is served the first and third weekends

of each month in all weekend services. Common

cup is made available.

Bethel’s Monthly Blood

Pressure Screening Blood pressure screenings are held

immediately following church ser-

vices in the Church Library on:

Saturday, September 12

7:00 pm

Sunday, September 13

9:00 am and 11:45 am

Ladies Bible Class will begin the fall session on Septem-ber 15, 2015. We meet on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. at the church. We also have a babysitter. We will be studying the book of Romans. Romans is the message of good news written by Paul. He focuses on God's right-eousness that comes by His grace through faith in Christ. This book shares the roadmap for daily living … and who doesn't need that? We are a group of gals of all ages and stages in life-- from new moms to grandmoms, from those working outside and inside the home! We'd love to have YOU join us. We also have non-Bethel members, so bring a friend. Please call the church office (263-2417) or Sheila Lovell(925-5347) soon to order your study materials.

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Here’s some news about our Queenwood building project…

Progress—Things are really coming together. Most of the wall board is up and is being prepped for paint. The stonework in the sanctuary and narthex is nearly com-plete. Standing in the narthex really gives one a great vision of how nice the facility is going to be. The old stained glass to the west, the Missouri sanctuary cross to the east, large open spaces for people to connect and have conversations all around. It’s going to be a great space.

Floor Blessings—The floor blessing event that took place on August 23 was wonderful. Thank you to everyone who attended. May the Lord bless our new facility that His work may be done.

Moving Teams – The Bethel Church staff has been work-ing on a moving plan from the old building to the new. A team has already done an inventory and removed most of the things we will not be taking to the new facility. New leaders are now being sought to head up teams to move specific rooms and areas of the old building to the new. Many willing helpers will be needed. Be on the lookout for sign up sheets and other ways to volunteer in the next several weeks.

Move in Date—An exact date is still unclear, but it looks like we will be ready to move things into the new building towards the beginning of October. An opening worship service and celebration is being planned for later that month. More details will be available in the coming weeks through the Highlights and Bethel Blast emails.

Pledges – We have crossed the $2.1 million mark in pledges received as of the end of May. Please continue to faithfully honor your pledges.

As the move time nears and becomes more and more appar-ent, please encourage patience, understanding and listening ears.

Christ Lutheran would like to thank Bethel Lutheran for its

partnership in sharing Gospel this past week on the south

side of Peoria. While the home construction portion did

not materialize, several members of Bethel offered to get

involved, perhaps in 2016. We were able to carry off the

VBS portion of the event because of the partnership we

have with you. In particular I thank you for your prayers

and for Becky Dickerson who gave of her time and talents.

Because of the volunteers we were able to touch a number

or unchurched families with the Gospel. To God be the

Glory!

Panama VBS door offering the weekend of August 8 and 9 was overwhelming! Thank you to all who contributed to support Vacation Bible School for the Panama mis-sions. $1,001 was received.

NOTICE! NOTICE! NOTICE! WE WILL NO LONGER BE RECYCLING CHRISTIAN MATERIALS, DEVOTIONS, BIBLE STUDIES, BOOKS, BIBLES, DUE TO THE LACK OF TRANSPORTATION TO BUTLER, IL. WE WOULD EN-COURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE RECYCLING THESE MATERIALS IN YOUR HOME RECYCLING PROGRAM. BOOKS AND BIBLES COULD BE TAKEN TO THE CHURCH MOUSE OR MISSION MART. WE REGRET THAT THIS PROGRAM HAS TO BE CANCELLED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAST SUPPORT. GOD BE PRAISED.

Memories of Bethel 1945 - Present

Many cards were filled out at the “Farewell to Missouri” potluck and they are displayed on the library windows at church. Please read and add your memories to the display. When we move, these will be placed in an album and kept in the new library so future generations will have a sense of what a God-filled wonder-ful place Bethel on Missouri was to so many. Bright colored 4½ x 6 cards are available to share your memories of Bethel!

New Fall Brochure New look New shape

New information about all classes, ac-tivities, opportunities available at Bethel this fall, September through November. Available at Welcome Center.

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Greetings and welcome to the new school year! As with every new year, we enter with excitement and enthusiasm. The students are back in the building and things are off and running. Our sports teams, also, are already in full swing and preparing for competition. For those of you who were at our teacher introduction and commissioning services on August 9, you saw many familiar faces and some new ones. We are blessed to have the strong, sta-ble staff that we have, but we are also excited to welcome new teachers to our school family. New teachers to Bethel this year are Laura Craig, Jeanne Huling, Haleigh Shouse, and Kari Al-torfer. Laura, who I introduced in last month’s letter is off to a great start in the 5th grade. Jeanne, Haleigh, and Kari are all teaching in the preschool which begins on September 2. Jeanne is the mother of 5 and holds a Master’s Degree. Jeanne also has many years of experi-ence running a daycare center. Haleigh is a recent graduate of Olivet Nazarene College with a degree in child development. Haleigh has also stepped up to volunteer as a volleyball coach for our JV team and is doing a great job there. Finally, Kari is a school parent and certified teacher, close to completing her Master’s Degree. We have also had some changes in the directorship position. After 15 years of faithful service, Celeste Hansen has decided to move on to other things. Allison Richter, who has been serving as Co-Director with Celeste will be the sole director going forward. Another exciting event this year is that we have a student teacher for the first semester. Kayla Olson, a student from Concordia Chicago, will be working with Debbie Wyzard in the 4th grade classroom. It is always great to have student teachers in our building as they bring a new level of energy and excitement. As we progress into this year we want to keep our mission of helping our students know Jesus, grow in Jesus, and show Jesus to others. With that in mind, our theme for this year is Know, Grow and Show the Word based on Colossians 2:6-7:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

We appreciate your prayers and support as we move into a new and exciting journey this year!

Calling all Thrivent Financial Benefit Members: We need your help! We are looking for members willing spend a small amount of time each year on Thrivent Action Teams, to help us generate much-needed funds for Bethel Lutheran School PTL events, service projects, education events and more. If you are willing to help, please con-tact Jenny Shoemaker at 309-265-6996 or Merid-ith Deverman at 309-696-8687. Thank you!

Bethel Youth Ministry Page 8

Young Adult Ministry News Care Packages—It’s time to get updated addresses for young adults (18-22 year-olds) in to the church office. Bethel sends care packages throughout the year to our young adults, so it is important to have the right address. You can submit updates by calling the church office (263-2417), using the form on the church website (blcmorton.org), entering the information on e-Bethel, or sending it directly to youth director, Scott Brown, via his email – scottbrown315@gmail.com.

KIC Parent Meeting September 2 KIC (Kids in Christ) is Bethel’s ministry for 5

th & 6

th graders. KIC includes weekly Bible

study on Sunday mornings, monthly fun nights, and a yearly lock-in. A parent meeting outlining more details about KIC and how parents can get involved will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, September 2 in the church sanctuary. Students will meet for games with the high school group in the parish hall. Please contact Scott Brown at 309-231-4878 for more information.

Young Adult Bible Study—Come have a candid conversation about life, singles and mar-riage. Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30 in the east balcony classroom.

Jr. High News Bible Study—Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30 in the youth room.

Confirmation—Class will take place from 7-8:30 PM on September 2, 9 & 23 in Room 203 at church. There will be no class on September 16 due to the Morton Pumpkin Festival.

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Enjoy a Gourmet Brunch and Help Others!

Lutheran Hillside Village is hosting our Benevo-lent Care Brunch Extraordinaire on Saturday, September 19 from 7:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Guests will be treated to a delicious gourmet en-tree prepared by our executive chef, Mark Shoopman and his talented team. The cost is $50 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Lutheran Hillside Village Benevolent Fund to support care center (nursing) residents who outlive their re-sources.

Reservation forms available by calling Lutheran Hill-

side Village Foundation; Phil King (309.683.1298) or

Rosalie Park (309.683.1293).

In years past our church and school have participated in Operation Christmas Child. This year we are still looking for a coordinator and if we don’t get one soon we will not be participating this year. There is not much commitment re-quired. Starting in October, fliers would need to be put up at the school and church and pleas in the Bethel Star and Highlights. A Sunday would also need to be planned where boxes could be packed at church during Sunday school hour. The coordinator usually collects the boxes and transports them to the drop off. More information on Operation Christmas Child can be found on the Samaritan’s Purse website http://www.samaritanspurse.org Please contact Julie Powell in the church office if this is something that you would be willing to Coordinate.

We need 3 new ringers for the upcoming ringing year. Anyone 6

th grade or older with at least 6 months prior mu-

sic experience is welcome. This is a great opportunity for a parent/child activity. We would also welcome anyone willing to “time-share” a ringing spot by committing for as little as a month at a time. Anyone willing to start ringing after September would also be welcome. We are very flexible! First rehearsal is Thursday, September 3, at 5:15pm in the sanctuary, so please prayerfully consider this ministry opportunity. Please contact Elaine Stien (309-241-6003) if interested.

DivorceCare begins September 14, 2015.

Family, Friends, Neighbors, Co-Workers, someone is hurting from separation or divorce. DivorceCare is a spe-cial weekly seminar and support group for people who are going through or are divorced. If this is happening to you or someone you know, please let them know about DivorceCare. DivorceCare is a 13-week Christ-centered DVD and discussion group designed to help restore bro-ken lives. Meets weekly on Mondays from 6:30 pm -8 pm. For more information go to www.blcmorton.org DC

page. To register, please call the church at 263-2417 or be-

thel@mtco.com , Jeanette James, DC Leader, 309-303-8017.

DivoreCare brochures available in the narthex racks.

LWGP DINER BOOKS The Lutheran Women of Greater Peoria is offering the Peoria Dining Tour Coupon Book again this year. They are available in the church office during regular business hours until Tuesday, December 15. Coupons are valid until November 1, 2016. The cost is $30 with check made payable to LWGP. Ten dollars from each book will go equally to LWGP, the Lutheran Hillside Vil-lage, and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. There are over 200 valuable BUY-ONE — GET-ONE FREE COU-PONS VALID AT LOCAL AREA RESTAURANTS. There are 30 new restaurants this year and 105 restaurants total. These books make great birthday or Christmas gifts for family and friends.

If you are 18 or older Bethel’s Adult Choir would like you to join us in this special ministry. Rehearsals are on Thursdays at 7:00pm in the sanctuary. Our regu-lar rehearsals begin on September 3. We will be singing the first three Sundays in September. If you have any questions regarding the choir or would like to join us, feel free to call Joe Nohl (309-266-7224) or Miki Farwell (309-263-8278). Bring a friend!

Ladies Bible Class will begin the fall session on Septem-ber 15, 2015. We meet on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. at the church. We also have a babysitter. We will be studing the book of Romans. Romans is the message of good news written by Paul. He focuses on God's righteousness that comes by His grace through faith in Christ. This book shares the roadmap for daily living. . .and who doesn't need that! We are a group of gals of all ages and stages in life-- from new moms to grandmoms, from those working outside and inside the home! We'd love to have YOU join us. We also have non-Bethel members, so bring a friend.

Page 10

Bethel Lutheran Ministries

425 N. Missouri Avenue

Morton, IL 61550

(Return Service Requested)

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Morton, IL

Permit #50

Page 11