Bethesda News November 2016

Bethesda Lutheran Church: a congregation of S.W.I.M

South West Iowa Ministries, Western Iowa Synod, ELCA 2475 140th St., Clarinda, IA 51632

http://swimwebsite.weebly.com Sunday School @ 10:00 a.m.

Fellowship Coffee @ 10:15 a.m. Worship @ 11:00 a.m.

Pastor Ann Albert ~ Phone: 712-379-3332 or email: grace200062@yahoo.com

A Message from Pastor Ann…. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without

ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for

you.

These are some of Paul’s instructions to the followers in Thessalonica not knowing how long it would be before he saw them again. Paul had to leave this people with some final words trusting and hoping he would get back to continue working with them..

As Christians we are called to rejoice always which was really hard when my father died. I could rejoice knowing he is no longer in pain. I could rejoice in all the cards prayers and support I received from the churches in SWIM.

We are called to pray without ceasing. This could be a quick prayer of joy for this beautiful season. It could be praying for help to solve a

problem. Perhaps it is a prayer of gratitude for all God’s blessings.

Giving thanks in all circumstances is a difficult challenge because not all of our circumstances are good and pleasant! Our reason for thankfulness in difficult times is that God walks with us in all circumstances surrounding us with love and support both from God and the Christian people here on earth. We can be thankful that we have a loving God with us in all situations.

During this month of Thanksgiving my prayer for all the people in all five congregations is that God fill your hearts with joy, help you to pray without ceasing and you may have a thankful heart for all God has done.

I’m here for you,

Ann

I have held many things in my hands and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in Godʼs hands, that I still possess. Martin Luther

The Lydia Circle will meet on Thursday, Nov. 17th at the home of Diane Campbell at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Ann will give the Bible Study from the Nov. gather magazine.

BETHESDA WOMEN FALL WORK DAY will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 15 starting at 9:00 a.m. The Executive committee will be in charge of activities. Please remember to bring your THANKOFFERING. A donation will be given to Lutheran Services in Iowa as well as other needy groups in the area. Please volunteer to Connie Freed if you are willing to bring something for the noon meal. SCHOOL KITS – Imagine having to choose between a meal or purchasing a notebook! School kits are sent to places where even the few required school supplies may be more than a family can afford. Pencils and paper can help write a positive future. The Bethesda women met and packed 60 school kits to be sent to LWR where they in turn will send them where they are desperately needed. We hope to make a difference!! The ladies also made fall favors for area nursing homes and enjoyed a delicious lunch.

The Bells of Joy are practicing “On Our Way Rejoicing”, a newly composed piece commissioned in loving memory of John D. Lind, a charter ringer of the Bells of Joy and dedicated supporter of the music ministry at Bethesda. The song is a Lind family favorite. Yvonne met the composer, Brian Childers from North Carolina, at the St. Olaf college Conference on Worship this summer. The premier performance

will be at our Advent/Christmas program, December 11th. Looking forward to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians commissioned Susan Briehl (text) and Zebulon Highben (tune) to write a new hymn based on Psalm 46. We will sing “God Alone Be Praised” for the first time Reformation Sunday.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Clair Nelson and Leann Shipley who were married October 1st. Friends and relatives celebrated with them at a dinner reception in LaVista, Nebraska.

Annkaren Cepeda and Alex Campbell display the beautiful quilt they received from the Bethesda Quilters at their wedding shower, Sunday, October 23rd. They will be married at Bethesda, December 3rd. Thank you to whoever painted the northeast church door. It looks great!

December 11th during morning worship, the Bethesda musicians will present Savior of the Nation, Come, an Advent/Christmas Hymn Festival. The concert will include congregational singing, the Bells of Joy, Bethesda Recorder Consort, Women’s chorus and the Sunday School children. We will premier a new piece written for our bell choir in memory of John Lind.

Morning Worship @ 11:00 A.M. Sunday School @ 10:00 A.M. Fellowship Coffee @ 10:15 A.M. Communion first and last Sunday of the month

Preaching Schedule at Bethesda November Birthdays Nov. 6 Ann Albert 1 Daniel Meier Nov. 13 Gordon Scott 1 Jamie Fredericksen

Nov. 20 Ann Albert 2 Miriam Hanson Nov. 27 Gordon Scott 4 Dwight Sederburg 4 Mary Fritz Worship assistants in November 4 Jill Auten Greeters Chris & Diane Campbell 9 Sallie Lund Reader Miriam Hanson 10 Jolene Wallin Communion Asst. Christie Vanderholm 13 Maggie Carlson Ushers Mike & Sheila Freed 13 Wyatt Setterburg Joni Sunderman 15 Carla Erickson Deb Wagoner 17 Anna Hopkins Coffee Servers 22 Judy Johnson Nov. 6 Todd & Nikki Carlson 23 Jennifer Rife Nov. 13 Greg & Jolene Wallin 24 Sherry Rife Nov. 20 Mark & Sallie Lund Nov. 27 Chris & Christie Vanderholm Wedding Anniversaries 13 Steve and Trisha Johnson

22nd Annual Fall Festival IT’S POINSETTIA SEASON! St John’s Lutheran Church in Essex ORDER ON THE SHEETS IN 8 AM - 1:30 PM FELLOWSHIP HALL BY NOV. 17TH Saturday November 5th, 2016 THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR Admission free Handicap accessible SANCTUARY LOOK BEATUIFUL AND SUPPORTING OUR RECORDERS. Upcoming Events Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30 6:30 - 7:30 Handbell practice Nov. 9 7:30 p.m. Church Council meeting Nov. 12 1:00 p.m. SWIM Open Door Mission trip. Meet at Red Oak Kmart parking lot. Nov. 15 9:00 a.m. WELCA Work Day Nov. 17 2:00 p.m. Lydia Circle at the home Diane Campbell Nov. 25 newsletter items are due. Send to Yvonne (johnsony@myfmtc.com) December 11 11:00 a.m. Bethesda Advent/Christmas concert

National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Month, and LSI is a proud partner of Iowa KidsNet, the statewide collaboration of agencies that helps Iowans become foster or adoptive parents for children in Iowa’s foster care system. Nationally, there are over 101,000 youth waiting to be adopted from foster care, and thousands of teens age out of foster care every year without a permanent family. We know there are no unwanted children, only unfound families! To learn how you or someone you know can make a difference, visit www.IowaKidsNet.com. Our Mission: Lutheran Services in Iowa responds to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service. LSI is an affiliated social ministry partner of the Iowa congregations of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and a member of LSA (Lutheran Services in America). We proudly serve people of all ages, abilities, religions, sexes, gender identities, national origins, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations. Learn more at www.LSIowa.org and www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa. Taking Baby Steps When his little sister was born, things started to change for Jaimee. His mom, Jaymee, noticed he began to act out more, and she was afraid he felt neglected while everyone focused on the new baby. He struggled to stay focused in school, he never wanted to get out of bed in the morning, and he often became frustrated. But after working with LSI’s Behavioral Health Intervention Services, six-year-old Jaimee is creating a stronger, loving bond with his siblings and his mom. Jaimee began meeting with his BHIS worker, Jose. When the duo first met, Jaimee was quiet and reserved, and he would get frustrated with the new games Jose brought to play with him. Jaimee, his mom, and Jose now play games every week as a way to teach Jaimee to stay focused for longer periods of time. But Jaimee is learning how to use more than games to make each day better. Jose is teaching Jaimee new songs to help him stay calm in stressful situations. When it’s time to get up every morning, he sings a song to help him wake up and start the day. “Now he has songs he can use to get him through the day,” Jose says. “He’s a charming boy to work with. He’s a hard worker, and he’s come a long way.” When he’s not spending time watching his favorite movies, Jaimee has started playing more sports at home with his cousins. He especially loves to wrestle any time he can. “It’s all about the baby steps,” Jose says. “What might be a really small thing for him can be a really huge change.” Thanks to our generous donors, LSI can continue to keep Jaimee moving forward.