BETHEL WEEKLY NEWS

CHILDREN ARE WELCOMED AT BETHEL!

Parents will find bags of soft

toys for children at the en-

trance to the worship areas.

Thank you for doing what you

can to help in creating a wor-

ship environment where all

can participate by keeping

distracting noise and move-

ment to a minimum. If you

prefer, a nursery is available

Sunday mornings at the

Highlands campus (9:30 am).

FLOWERS The flowers on the altars at both campuses this weekend are placed by Bryce and Sheri Yonash in loving memory of Kaleb Aaron Yonash.

BAPTIZED Receiving the Sacrament of Holy Baptism this weekend is Adelaide Josephine Gaffer, daughter of Tyrell & Jennifer Gaffer (Saturday, 5:30); Greta Jane Clymer, daughter of Jacob & Katherine Clymer (Sunday, 9:30 am) and Delaney Mae Quinn, daughter of Daniel & Megan Quinn (Sunday, 11 am). BETHEL UNIVERSITY OF HUDSON STARTS THIS WEEK

Bethel’s own Layton “Skip” James will present “PEAKS OF SACRED MUSIC” on Wednesdays, Jan. 6, 13 & 20 from 7-8:15 pm, Highlands Campus. Admission is FREE— all are invited! No registration required. You won’t want to miss this informative series! The topic for the first session on January 6 is “The Cantatas of Bach, Sermons in Song.”

THANKS FOR A GREAT TEAM EFFORT AT BETHEL! We want to thank ALL the people who helped make our Advent and Christmas Eve/Christmas Day services so meaningful and run so well. Thank you to our: Advent wreath lighters, readers, greeters and ushers, aco-lytes, musicians, communion servers, videographers, song leaders, Holy Fami-lies, worship support people, welcome center hosts and hostesses, bell ringers, soloists, sanctuary decorators, cookie callers (and anyone else we’ve forgot-ten!) You did a wonderful job and showed what successful teamwork can look like. “Well done you good and faithful servants!” ~ Pastor John NEW DISCIPLE CLASSES BEGIN JANUARY 12

Are you interested in learning more about Bethel? Do you have questions regarding the church, our mission, our beliefs, our programs, or something else? Maybe you've already been attending Bethel and are interested in becoming a new member/disciple. If any of these descriptions fit you, please plan to enroll in our next ses-

sion of New Disciple classes. Dates are Tuesday, January 12th; Monday, January 18th; and Thursday, January 28th. (We highly recommend that you attend all three sessions). All sessions will be held in the children's thea-ter at the Highlands campus, from 6:45-8:15 pm. Childcare will be provided. New disciples will be received on Sunday, February 14th at the 9:30 service. Please register online at bethelhudson.org, email Juli at jhilding@bethelhudson.org or call 715.386.8821, ext. 27 to enroll and also with any questions you may have....

BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH ONE CONGREGATION—TWO LOCATIONS

JANUARY 3, 2016

WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT BETHEL!

Bethel believes that God is at

work in our life together to

transform and renew the

world by making followers of

Jesus. You are welcome to

be a part of this community of

those who celebrate the for-

giveness and hope that are

God’s gifts to imperfect peo-

ple through Jesus Christ, to

grow in your faith, and to join

in serving human need in his

name. The people and pas-

tors of Bethel look forward to

sharing your life-journey in any

way that is helpful to you. If

you are a visitor to this beauti-

ful area, we hope your visit

was refreshing; your travels

are safe, and your homecom-

ing joyful. If you’d like more

information about Bethel,

please stop by our welcome

center or speak to a pastor.

BETHEL’S VISION FOR MISSION

To WELCOME all people to

know Jesus Christ and come

to faith in him. To provide the

means for growth for Chris-

tian maturity, EQUIPPING peo-

ple with the power of faith in

Christ for everyday life. To

challenge each member to

take a personal share of

God’s mission, SENDING them

to bring Christ’s compassion,

hope and joy into the world,

our communities and homes.

ONE CONGREGATION— TWO LOCATIONS 715.386.8821

bethel@bethelhudson.org

www.bethelhudson.org

DOWNTOWN CAMPUS 920 Third Street

Hudson, WI 54016

(Administrative Office)

Office Hours:

M-F: 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Sunday: 8 am-10 am

HIGHLANDS CAMPUS 504 Frontage Road

Hudson, WI 54016

BETHEL’S PASTORAL STAFF John Lestock, Senior Pastor

Alicia Hilding, Assoc. Pastor

Ben Hilding, Assoc. Pastor

Bob Bipes, Visitation Pastor

BETHEL HIGHLANDS PRESCHOOL 504 Frontage Road

Hudson, WI 54016

715.381.8254, ext. 401

Kari Jo Fore, Director www.bethelhighlandspreschool.org

B E T H E L H A P P E N I N G S

BETHEL BOOK CLUB MEETS THIS WEDNESDAY All are invited to join the Bethel Book Club this Wednesday, January 6 from 1-3 pm at the Downtown campus. Shirley Halyburton will lead the discussion of A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler. TAKING DOWN THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS A group of volunteers will meet on Wednesday, January 6 at 10 am at the Downtown campus to take down the Christmas decorations. Extra hands are needed, so please join in if you are able to help! BELL ENSEMBLE REHEARSALS RESUME THIS WEEK The Bethel Bell Ensemble will resume rehearsals this Thursday, Jan. 7. FRIENDSHIP NOT FEAR/ UNDERSTANDING OUR MUSLIM NEIGHBORS With a growing wave of Islamophobia in our country and a fear-based preju-dice directed at those of the Muslim faith, it’s important to learn the facts, not the rumors, about our Muslim friends.

Many of us have never met a Muslim, or had a conversation with one of these brothers and sisters of faith . . . So plan to join us here at Bethel for an informal time NEXT Sunday, January 10th at 9:15 am (Downtown) or 11 am (Highlands). Pastor John and Janet’s long-time Muslim friend, Abduhl Azziz (born in Somalia) will be with us to share a few words AND to answer questions you may have about the Muslim faith. Please come so you can be informed and help dispel so many of the nasty miscon-ceptions and half-truths that seem to be circulating. Help demonstrate the respect, love and discourse the Gospel demands of us! FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY BEGINS NEXT SUNDAY

Financial Peace University will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! Classes consist of video teaching, discussions and small group ac-

tivities. Classes will meet weekly on Sundays from 1-2:30 pm, Jan. 10—Mar. 6 in the children's theater at the Highlands campus.

Registration and payment are taken through the Dave Ramsey web site; for a link, visit Bethel’s web site (Adult Ministry/Small Groups). Please contact Bethel members and course leaders, Kelly and Kevin Carrier at kcar-rier2000@msn.com or visit www.daveramsey.com for more information. You don't want to miss this opportunity! Start the new year off on a good note! *If you would prefer not to register online, please contact Pastor Alicia (715.386.8821, ext. 23 or ahilding@bethelhudson.org). SENIOR LUNCHEON—STATE OF THE CHURCH ADDRESS Presented by Pastor John, church staff members, and church council representatives. Plan on great food, music, and interest-ing conversation! (Special music to be announced.) Monday, January 18, Noon to 1:30 pm, Downtown fellowship hall. Cost: $10.00. You may register in the church office (Downtown) or at bethelhudson.org.

F A I T H F O R M A T I O N

MIDDLE SCHOOL SKI TRIP (GRADES 6-8) February 26–28, 2016

Middle School students will

travel to Spirit Mountain in

Duluth for a fun weekend of

skiing with friends! For details

and to sign up, go to

bethelhudson.org/ youth-

ministry. Registration dead-line: January 27.

FAITH FORMATION UPDATES

SUNDAY SCHOOL No class January 3. Enjoy worship and the holidays with your family! WEDNESDAY NIGHT LESSONS

6th Grade – Does God still create stuff today? 7th Grade –What if my friends aren’t Christian? 8th Grade –Discipleship &Stewardship with Ralph Van Keulen 9th Grade – Jesus

KEY DATES IN FAITH FORMATION: January 6 – Grades 6 & 7 and Confirmation resumes January 10 – Sunday School resumes; Kindergarten Faith Milestone classes begin January 24 – Faith Milestone Sunday – Kindergarten Beginners Bible

FAITH MILESTONES

Kindergartners will be celebrating their Faith Milestone, The Beginner’s Bible, on Sunday, January 24, at the 9:30 am worship service. To prepare for this, kindergartners will meet in classroom #6 during the Sunday School time on Jan. 10 and 17.

SENIOR LEAGUE, 7 PM, DOWNTOWN CAMPUS Following student-led worship, Senior League will learn about the 30 Hour Famine event and then load the Bethel bus for the Dollar Tree to purchase essential items & goodies for new residents at Grace Place in New Rich-mond (a safe haven that provides emergency housing, services and pro-grams for men, women, and children).

ATTENTION, CHIMERS! Rehearsals for the Children’s Chime Choir will resume NEXT Sunday, January 10th at 10:40 am at the Highlands campus. See you then!

♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

BETHEL YOUTH STAFF

Pastor Ben Hilding, Pastor of Youth and Family Jean Elliott, Director of Youth Ministry (Confirmation & Senior League) Cindy Halunen, Director of Faith Formation (Sunday School and 6th & 7th Grade Faith Formation) Missy Austreng, Coordinator of Faith Milestones Marcie Andrews, Youth Ministry Communications Assistant

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS MIDDLE SCHOOL LOCK-IN Friday, Jan. 29, 7 pm–midnight Downtown Campus

Come one,

come all mid-

dle school

students for a

lock-in com-

plete with

pizza, snacks,

games

(Salvation!), devotions,

Ga-Ga and more!

Cost $10/student. Registra-tion deadline: January 27.

Sign up, pay through bethelhudson.org/youth-ministry.

Sunday, 1/3 Monday, 1/4 Tuesday, 1/5 Wednesday, 1/6 Thursday, 1/7 Friday, 1/8 Saturday, 1/9

8 am Celebration worship

DT 9:15 am Adult Bible Cl. DT

9:30 am New Song wor- ship BH

11 am Great Awakening worship BH

12:15-3:15 pm Cookie caller pick-up DT

1 pm Youth Team mtg. DT

4:30 pm WELCA Bible study leaders training DT

5 pm Outreach cmtee. DT 5:30 pm Young Adult Bible

study BH 6:30 pm Monday Funday

Activity 6:30 pm Dorothy Day food

prep DT 7 pm Boy Scout #140 and

Venture Crew DT 7 pm Holy Yoga/Gentle BH

7 pm Property cmtee. DT

8:15 am Habitat for

Humanity 9:05 am Preschool

Community Chapel BH 10 am Journey mtg. DT

12 pm Offering counters DT

12:35 pm Preschool Community Chapel BH

7:30 pm Bethel Chorale rehearsal DT

6:30 am Men’s Fellowship

8:30 am Morning Fuel BH 8:45 am Watson study

group DT 9:05 am Preschool

Community Chapel BH 10 am Staff meeting DT

1 pm Bethel Book Club DT 2 pm Prayer team DT

4 pm Education mtg. DT 5 pm Class, gr. 6 & 7 DT

6 pm Conf., gr. 8 & 9 DT 7 pm Forever Praise Choir

rehearsal BH 7 pm Senior League wor-

ship and activity DT 7 pm Bethel U/Skip James

BH

9 am Women’s Bible

study BH 1 pm Hardanger DT

5 pm HOME meal DT 5:30 pm Bell Ensem-

ble rehearsal BH 7 pm New Song

rehearsal BH

9 am Women

of Bethel Quilters DT

7 am Men’s Bible

study DT 9 am HHQ DT

5:30 pm Gather- ing worship BH

P O W E R O F P R A Y E R �THOSE WHO ARE SICK OR IN NEED OF HEALING Laura Bankes, Pastor Bob Bipes, Andrea Deacon-Jones, Allen Ecker, Pat Eich, Doris Fondroy, Gaye Frye, Shirley Halyburton, John Haugo, Ken Heiser, Aaron Hilke, Jessica Johnson, Harvey Keene, Cheryl Klanderman, Kim Lager-strom, Ruth Lewis, Herbert Lidtke, Dan Lindquist, Sarah Lockbaum, Andrew Mack, Augusto Perez, Sr., Terri Pomeroy, John Richmond, Rosemary Riemen-schneider, Kay Shager, Borgie Sherva, Tim Smith, Chuck Stene, Marilyn Whitchurch, Chris Wolfgram, Jason Yndestad.

�THOSE SERVING OR DEPLOYED Jeffrey Berg, Charles Burns, Jordan Kein and Steven Moreus.

�SYMPATHY We offer our sympathies and prayers to Timothy Smith and Craig Smith and families at the death of their father, Craig Smith, Sr. God bless and comfort these friends with the promise of Christ: “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.”

�HEALING MINISTRIES PRAYER Gracious God, thank you, for sending Christ to live among us; to be our light, our teacher and the perfect example of how to live our lives. I must say, a lot of celebration happened this past week. Time spent attending church, travel-ing, visiting family and friends and exchanging gifts and greetings. While all this celebration has been wonderful, I admit, I have not personally, privately and prayerfully celebrated the significance of Jesus’ birth. I have been caught up in the appearances of Christmas and not allowed you to dwell within. God, I ask that you dwell in my heart and help me to celebrate each day the greatest gift ever given, Jesus’ birth. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

TODAY’S QUOTE “You don’t have to be any more talented, any richer, any slimmer, any smarter, any more or less of anything to partner with God. All you have to be is willing to be used by him in everyday ways.” ~ Bill Hybels

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE, DEC. 24-27, 2015 • Christmas Eve: Highlands, 2 pm— 510; 4 pm—668 ; 6 pm—304 • Christmas Eve: Downtown, 8 pm—184; 10 pm— 146 • Christmas Day: Downtown, 10 am—80 • Saturday, Dec. 26: Highlands, 5:30 pm—33 • Sunday, Dec. 27: Downtown, 8 am—83 • Sunday, Dec. 27: Highlands, 9:30 am—204; 11 am—68

WORSHIP SUPPORT TEAMS 8 AM SUNDAY, DOWNTOWN & 11 AM SUNDAY, HIGHLANDS

Acolytes

8 am Jack Berdusco 11 am Tahnee Klewicki, Ben Warren

Ushers

8 am Jeff Maki, Dave Benson

11 am Tom & Jackie Hugdahl

Greeters

8 am Inge Bleier, Evelyn Christensen

11 am Bonnie Knutson, Bettie Peterson

Communion Assistants

8 am Jeff Maki, Karen Pavlis

11 am Tom & Jackie Hugdahl

Welcome Center—Downtown June Waalen

Cookie Caller—Downtown Sheri Marnell

9:30 AM SUNDAY, HIGHLANDS

Worship Support Team *team leader(s)

*Craig Bichrt, *Dan DuPuis, Dave &

Marie Heikkila, Alan & Jill Burchill,

Patti Thacker, Diane Wolf,

Gretchen DuPuis, Kressa Burt,

Darrel & Becky Schoeberlein,

Rick & Janet Wilson, Matt Wolf

Greeters Dan & Gretchen DuPuis,

Ron & Cindy Smith

Videographer Alan Park

Confirmation Students Kye Bartlett, Peter Erickson,

Hana Hellmers, Annika Lewis,

Jack Schultz, Ella Stein, Alivia Tennant,

Hannah Vickery, Isabelle Wiste

Welcome Center Kim Romness

Nursery Eliza Jorgenson, Lily Jorgenson,

Sarah Roach

Hospitality/Coffee

Jorgenson family

5:30 PM SATURDAY, HIGHLANDS

Projectionist Vicki Datt

Ushers Liz Whitchurch, Dave Miller

BETHEL HAPPENINGS BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

JANUARY 3, 2016

CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S RETREAT REGISTRATION OPENS NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 10! The 3rd Annual Christian Women's Retreat will be held April 29-May 1, 2016.

WHO IS THIS FOR? For any woman of any age, stage of faith or life. Invite your friend, sister, mother, daughter. COST? $185 pay online at bethelhudson.org plus optional $25 retreat t-shirt (gray, long sleeve). Sorry, no refunds. REGISTRATION: Beginning Sunday, Jan. 10, at bethelhudson.org. ASANTE SANA! Thanks to everyone who donated to the Tanzania student scholarship fund this year! We received pledges of $19,360 from Bethel members to send Tanzanian students to secondary school in 2016. This will allow 50 (or more!) students to attend secondary school in 2016. These donations not only benefit the individual students, but also the Ca-thedral congregation, the city of Iringa, and the country of Tanzania. Every entity becomes stronger as more and more students have the op-portunity to obtain an education.

A Bethel group will be traveling to Tanzania in late February/early March of 2016. They will have the opportunity to meet many of our sponsored students at that time. Asante Sana! (Thank you very much!)

6

On SUNDAY, JANUARY 17th we have two joint services planned at the Highlands campus at both 9:30 and 11 am. Nationally known musicians JEARLYN AND BILLY STEELE will be back as our special guests, along with some of our own talented musicians. We’ll be celebrating the life, ministry and impact of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Junior. These will be our only worship services that weekend, so please invite neighbors, friends and family for this special and inspirational time.

BETHEL HAPPENINGS BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

JANUARY 3, 2016

Sunday, January 31st 4:00-6:30pm

Highlands Sanctuary Meeting at 4:00pm; dinner at 5:30pm.

This is an all-family event, with childcare provided!

Jearlyn Steele and Billy Steele

share their talent on Sunday, 1/17, 9:30 and 11 am at the Highlands

campus.