Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church 2515 Madison Ave.

Burlington, Iowa

Phone: (319) 752-3621

www.bethanyburlington.org

Pastor’s Cell: (360) 623-2184

Bethany Lutheran Church Mission Statement

Reaching out in Worship, Fellowship, Learning, and Love - We Are God’s People.

Our Staff

Rev. Paul Hermansen, Pastor Cory Byrne, Choir Director/Organist

Amanda Stevenson-Cosgrove, Dir. of Youth & Family

Sue Hermansen, Admin. Asst. Dennis Wohlers, Financial Sec’y

Mike & Tammy Morris, Custodians

Volume 57 Issue 12 December, 2017

THE PURPOSE OF ADVENT

In the early church, long before there was a celebration of

Christmas, people dedicated their lives to God in the season we

call Advent. This season was almost identical to Lent. Advent

was a time of disciplining oneself for forty days. It included

fasting, self-denial, and preparing for the return of Christ in

His second coming. In the Eastern Orthodox practice Advent is

still forty days long and includes focusing on Christ with total

devotion.

In our American culture today there is no longer a sense

of Advent. In America we go right from Thanksgiving to

Christmas. What we lose in this change is taking time to wait

on God. Advent is a sense of expectant anticipation. Advent is

believing God is still coming but reverently, respectfully, and

patiently waiting on God in faith, believing He will return.

One may say that believers have been waiting for Christ to

return for 2,000 years. “Is He still coming?” we ask ourselves.

The answer is YES! And what are we to

do in the meantime? Wait with eager

longing and pray for His return.

HOMEBOUND CARD

MINISTRY Please help remember Bethany’s mem-

bers who are in nursing homes or home-

bound by sending them a card. A birth-

day or a “thinking of you” card is a spe-

cial way of showing God’s love. During

the summer months, take a minute to

send a card with a short note - these

folks would love to hear from you.

Names and addresses are available on

the table in the fellowship hall. Please

remember to mark the spreadsheet if

you send a card.

FIRST COMMUNION - DECEMBER 3

Three of our youth will experience their first Communion on December 3. Those three are Aaron Morehead, Lucas Chelf, and Mason Fritz.

EXODUS BIBLE STUDY The Exodus Bible study meets on Sunday nights at 7:00 p.m. Exodus is one of the most fascinating books in the Bible. Please join us.

This year Christ-mas Eve is on a Sunday night. We will still have our regular 9:00 a.m. service. Christmas Eve candlelight ser-vices, with Holy

Communion, will be at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. What a great oppor-tunity to invite friends, neighbors, and family to Bethany.

DECEMBER ACTIVITIES The Retired Nurses will be meeting on Friday, De-cember 1, at Noon at Comfort Inn for a Christmas

luncheon. Boy Scout Troop #25 has their regular weekly meet-

ings on Tuesdays.

Pictorial Directory Update

The final proofs for our new pictorial

directory were returned and the com-

pany told us that we will receive one

directory for each family who had

their pictures taken. To be able to

get additional directories, we can

purchase them or, if 15 more fami-

lies not in the first round of pictures

agree to have their photos done, the

directories will be rerun. The direc-

tories will be here by the end of the

year.

Rebecca Circle will have their

annual Christmas lunch at

11:30 a.m., on Wednesday, De-

cember 13, at Peaches in Com-

fort Inn Hope to see you

there.

The Social Minis-

try Committee

has once again

set up the mitten

Christmas tree

for families less

fortunate than

ourselves. There are tags on the tree

for presents to buy. Let’s make sure all

the tags are taken. The Committee

would also like to thank everyone who

filled the bin with socks and under-

wear. Your generosity exceeded all ex-

pectations.

NEW HEAD USHERS

For several years Spencer Honsey has been in charge of

the 12 monthly usher captains. Recently Spencer passed

the baton to Julie and Dan Wischmeier. They will strive to

maintain this smooth running ministry. It is really great

when the monthly captains get the names of the ushers to

the office to be included in the Chimes and bulletins.

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.

John 15:8

For Whom Does Bethany Exist? How we perceive the church is a significant factor on whether or not the church will grow. Do we feel as if the church exists for those who are members of the church? If I am a member of a congregation, do I feel like I am a customer of that church and feel like the church exists to take care of me? Do I feel the church needs to be the way I want it to be? Does the church need to pick the songs we sing on the basis of my preferences? If we are honest in our assessment of our rela-tionship with the church, we would have to admit that having the church meet our own needs is a high priority for us. The Greek word for church is ekklesia. That word literally means “the called-out ones.” Jesus’ perception of the church is that it is the people of God called out by God to bring the saving mes-sage of Christ to those who do not know Him. If we were to identify who the real customer is in God’s church, it would be the people we invite to Bethany. We who are the church are intended to be shaped by the Holy Spirit to be a people who the unchurched are drawn to. This means that, in God’s church, the members are not the “served” ones but the “serving” ones. I have been studying churches that have been growing for more than forty years. One of the factors of a growing church are members who are very excited about their church. Growing churches also have members who take a sincere interest in the other person’s world. They talk less about themselves and ask more how the other person is doing. In our Southeastern Iowa Synod we have several churches who practice the “church is for the other person” model. One of these churches is Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. Can we learn from other churches the things God wants us to know to maximize our potential at Beth-any? For several months at Bethany we watched dynamic messages from Hope Lutheran about God and the church. On January 7, at our 9:00 a.m. service, during the sermon time, we will watch the most helpful Hope message I have heard among all of them. Later in the same morning, at 10:50, we will be invited to the sanctuary to watch a full, live, Hope service. Why are we doing this? Let me clearly say that I love Bethany with all my heart! In looking at what growing churches are doing that is causing their growth, I am not trying to compare Bethany in a negative light. Bethany is a family of Godly people walking in Godly ways. However, as the years have passed, there are less and less among us who are walking the Bethany journey. Bethany has much to offer. Bethany has a Christ-like loving spirit that does not exist in every congregation. God is doing amazing things in our midst. I am also seeing a few former members, as well as new visitors, gathering with us on Sunday to worship God. Hallelujah!

Pastor’s article continued on page 4

Pastor’s article continued from page 3

I cannot predict how tapping into the story of ministries like Hope of West Des Moines will impact Bethany. What I would ask all of us to pray about is for God to guide us in taking what we have at Bethany and bring us to the next level. As a congregation we are called to bear fruit. Bearing fruit means reaching out and welcoming new people into our Bethany family. With God’s help, and the influence of places like Hope, bear-ing fruit is not only possible but is also preferable in who we are and how we live out our lives as the church. As we experience the message and worship of Hope Lutheran, please know that we have their full cooperation and blessing. We are, and always will be, Bethany Lutheran. And we “hope” to be-come the best Bethany that we can possibly be. In Christ, Pastor Paul

PLEDGE SUNDAY - DECEMBER 3

On behalf of Bethany, thank you for your generous support of God’s

ministry through us in 2017. Several members participated in various out-

reach opportunities, both locally and beyond. We also gave over $3,000.00

to Lutheran Disaster Relief to help victims of this year’s hurricanes. At Beth-

any we focus on God and what He means in our lives. In looking ahead to

2018 we want to do even more than before. On December 3, during worship,

there will be a box to put in our estimate of giving pledges for 2018. If you did not have a chance

to bring yours on that Sunday, you may bring it on the following Sundays, mail it in, or leave it at

the office.

SPECIAL SUNDAY - JANUARY 7

In sermons, Bible studies, and other Bethany communications I have talked about ways God can help Bethany grow. In 2007 Bethany’s average Sunday attendance was 193. By 2015 that num-ber dropped to 85. I love Bethany so much that I am not going to just stand by and let our num-bers decline even more. On January 7, at our 9:00 a.m. service during the sermon time, we will watch a thought provoking message from Lutheran Church of Hope of Des Moines. Then, at 10:50 a.m., we will show the entire Hope service in the sanctuary.

Let me make it very clear that we are not changing the 9:00 a.m. service. The service we know and love will continue in the same format we are familiar with. The reason for experiencing the second service at 10:50 is to give us an opportunity to participate in a worship practice that comes from the largest ELCA congregation in America. We will also want to hear your opinion on this.

CHURCH SECURITY UPDATE

Here at Bethany we are very blessed to have conscientious members looking into addressing

our security needs. On Thursday, December 7, at 1:00 p.m., we will have a security walk through to

learn where we can improve the safety of our facility. Anyone may attend. Ideally it would be

great to have a task force follow up on this.

2 - Annette Peterson

5 - Scott Creighton; Nancy House;

Anne Wischmeier

9 - Savanna Quam

11 - Shayla Hopp

12 - June Stoermer

13 - Jackie Chubb

14 - Samantha Gerdes; Patricia

Milton; Holly Williamson

18 - Adam Cox; Betty Stanley;

Chris Wallace

21 - Beverly Felland

23 - Robert Hoxie

24 - Tammy Morris

26 - Nathaniel Johnson; Carrol

Schwarm

27 - Linda Hermann

28 - Daniel Cox

29 - Kandace Durbin

30 - Julia Wischmeier

31 - Benjamin & Jonathan Chelf

December

Birthdays

Head Ushers: Dan & Julie Wischmeier

December Team Captain: Mark

Rosenberg

Ushers

3 - Bob Hoxie; Amy Unglaub; Mike & Tammy

Morris 10 - Marlys McClurg; Mi-

chelle Cox; Mark & Bonnie Rosenberg 17 - Dan & Julie Wisch-

meier; Joe Gerdes; Arnhild Zaiser

24 (a.m.) - Jeff & Kim Engle; Jim & Sharon Martindale 24 (p.m.) - Jackie Chubb;

Mark & Bonnie Rosenberg; Todd Chelf Family 31 - Dan & Ruth Harken;

Pat & Kelli Reichelt

Communion Assistants 3 - Mrk Rosenberg; Dan Harken; Amanda Stevenson-Cosgrove

10 - Bob Hoxie; Scott & Jan Creighton 17 - Mike Morris; Bill

Mundt; Jim Martindale 24 (a.m.) - Teresa Morehead;

Todd Chelf; Sue Hermansen 24 (p.m.) - 31 -

Fellowship 3-

10 - 17 - 24 -

31 -

Missionary Support 3 - 10 -

17 - Lynda Johnson 24 - Dorothy Hopson 31 -

Acolytes 3 - David King

10 -Benjamin Chelf 17 - Sam Morehead; Abi Schonrock

24 (a.m.) - Madison McClurg 24 (p.m.) - 31 - Tyler Burch

Lector 3 - Todd Chelf

10 - Bill Mundt 17 - Kim Engle 24 (a.m. and p.m.) - Sue

Hermansen 31 - Todd Sladky

Greeters 3 - Scott & Jan Creighton 10 - Ginny Mesecher; Sue

Hermansen 17 - Marlys McClurg; Vanette Wooldridge

24 - Lynda Johnson 31 - Bob Sogard; Arnhild Zaiser

Flowers 3 - Jim & Sharon Martin-dale 10 - Paul & Sue Hermansen

17 - Dee Dee Walker 24 - Poinsettias

31 - Poinsettias

Altar Guild Sharon Martindale; Lynda Johnson; Dee Dee Walker;

Kim Engle

December 2017 Lay Leaders

L.I.F.T.

L.I.F.T. is up and running! L.I.F.T. is always

held on the second Sunday of the month at

5:00 p.m. at Trinity. L.I.F.T. is open to ages

three to 6th grade. This is a great ministry

and is open to everyone. We have a Bible

story, do a craft, sing some songs...ALL AFTER

WE EAT!! Invite your nieces, nephews, grand-

children, and their friends! Registration forms

are available. If you are interested in helping

with L.I.F.T., speak to Amanda.

CONFIRMATION

December 6 6:30 p.m.

Questions: See Amanda or Pastor Paul

The youth will be selling cookie jars again this

year. Mark your calendars for December 17 for

sales to begin. All proceeds will go toward our

expenses for the National Youth Gathering next

summer.

We are also collecting quart sized jars until De-

cember 10. Donations can be dropped off at the

church office.

The Sunday School Christmas Program

will be held on December 31. Be sure to mark

your calendars to be there.

Confirmation students will be cele-

brating a “12th Night” party on Wednesday,

January 10, at Bethany. This is for those

currently attending class and participating in

the mentor program. Mentors are encour-

aged to attend. We will meet at 6:30 p.m.

If you change your mailing

address, please let the office know ASAP.

For every returned piece of mail we get for

an incorrect address, we are charged 75

cents.

The meetings for December that have been scheduled as of the publishing of this newsletter are listed below. Watch the bulletins for any date and time changes or additional meetings sched-uled. Social Ministry Committee TBA Men’s Breakfast Saturday, November 16, 8:00 a.m. Executive Committee Tuesday, December 12, 6:30 p.m. Church Council Sunday, December 17, 10:15 a.m. Property Committee Monday, December 11, 6:30 p.m. Remembrance Committee TBA

Worship & Music Committee TBA Fellowship Committee TBA

FINANCIAL

UPDATE

NOVEMBER ATTENDANCE

November 5 88 November 12 87 November 19 106 November 25 19 November 26 88

NOVEMBER GIVING

November 5 $1,853.00 November 12 2,620.95 November 19 3,421.11 November 26 4,214.30 Total $12,109.36

WOW! PRAISE GOD!

Thank you for your generosity and

faithful trust in God to provide your

needs! God believes in you and has a

great future planned for Bethany.

PLEASE NOTE The deadline to submit information for the monthly Chimes is the 25th of the month.

You’re welcome to email your submissions, leave a note on the desk in the office, or call

the church office.

ALSO! Because of Federal Privacy laws, if you or a

member of your family are hospitalized and

would like the Pastor to visit, you must con-

tact the church and let us know.