Monthly Newsletter of Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church, Carlton MN
March 2019
In This Month’s Beacon:
* Pastor Mary’s March Newsletter
Article
*Financial Update
*Member News
*Committee Updates
*Community Events
*Upcoming VLM Events
*And More!
As you may have picked
up already, I love talking
about baptism! I mention it
a lot during my children’s
sermons (it’s my usual go-to when
I’m stumped with the mystery box!)
and I love preaching about it as well.
But it’s not very often in church that
we discuss what it means to be a
Godparent, or give thanks for the
Godparents in our lives. The vocation
of a Godparent can be a really fun and
rewarding one, and we don’t always
give it much attention throughout the
year.
But luckily we will have the
opportunity to do just that on March
24th! The specific details are still in
the works, but please put this date on
your calendar and I encourage you to
do some inviting. If you have a
Godparent that is able to make it, or if
you are a Godparent of someone --
invite them to worship that Sunday.
There will be opportunity to bless
those of you who are Godparents, as
well as for those who have Godparents
to thank them for their role in our
lives. But there will also be
opportunity for you to connect with
those who are too far away to
make it. We’re thinking something like
a postcard you can send to them to let
them know you’re thinking of them.
I was very lucky to have two of
my amazing aunts as my Godparents.
Their difference in Christian
denomination actually bolstered my
faith journey as a youth, and I’m so
thankful for their role in my life. I
can’t wait to give thanks for them in a
formal way that Sunday!
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I would also like to share with you the
theme for our Wednesday evening
Lent services this year: “Making
Change.”
Change is constant in our lives.
Some changes mark gradual
transitions, as when daytime
shifts toward twilight or winter turns to
spring. Others happen in the blink of
an eye, separating time into “before”
and “after.” We choose to undergo
some changes after carefully
considering our options, while others
are forced upon us.
In the weeks, days, and hours
before Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples
also experienced change: a change of
venue as the gates of Jerusalem
approached; a change of plans as their
long-awaited Messiah was arrested and
tried; a change of circumstances as the
crowds shouted “Crucify!”
Change is hard. We long for the
expected and familiar, but all too often
find ourselves in the midst of
uncertainty and the unknown. We
cannot predict how things will turn
out. The hymn writer Joachim Neander
proclaimed God’s steadfast love in the
midst of life’s inevitable changes: “All
my hope on God is founded who will
all my trust renew, who through
change and chance will guide me, only
good and only true. God unknown,
God alone, call my heart to be
thine own.” (ELW 757)
Join us for meal at 5:30 pm
and/or worship at 6:30 pm
beginning Wednesday, March 6th
for
Ash Wednesday services, as well as
the following five weeks leading up
to Holy Week.
* Pastoral Care Notes: Need to visit?
Know someone who could use a caring
call? Please feel free to call the office
or Pastor Mary to let us know, and we
will be glad to schedule one.
2019 Members of Bethesda
Church Council
*President – Lynn Beatty
*Vice President –Frank Curtiss
*Secretary - Linda Newlon
*Stacy Colich, Treasurer
Jason Goad
Beth Leseman
Dave Beatty
Deb Davis
Jane Joki
Teresa Solomon *If you have items that you wish to be addressed by
council, contact a member of the Executive Committee,
who sets the council agenda. The Executive Committee
consists of these officers. They also serve as the
Personnel Committee. You can keep up to date with
church business by viewing the Council Meeting Minutes
which are posted on the bulletin board outside the
church office or view them on our website.
Bethesda Staff
Office 218-384-4501
Mary Fiel, Pastor 507-525-3909
Bobbie McCorison, Secretary
Stacy Colich, Treasurer 218-393-7775
Nita Davis, Bookkeeper/Accountant
515-890-1235
Alice Kloepfer, Custodian
Cathy Dale, Accompanist
Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church
204 5th
St – PO Box 210
Carlton MN 55718
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bethesdacarlton.org
Synod’s Site: www.nemnsynod.org
There will be a
Congregational Meeting
on March 10th
after
Worship to vote on the
following change:
Proposal for change to Endowment
Committee Continuing Resolution
Item 1.4. (page 29 of the Constitution):
Was: The committee shall elect from
its membership a chairperson, treasurer
and a secretary.
Proposed change: The committee
shall elect from its membership a
chairperson. Further, the committee
will appoint a Treasurer and Secretary
from its membership or fill these roles
with voting members from the
congregation.
Thrivent Money for FREE???!!!
Free money? If you’ve invested in
Thrivent Financial the answer is YES!!
Because Thrivent is non-profit, every
year each member receives a return
on their investments that they can
direct to a charity of their choice. This
means every year you have the money
you can give away -but, if you don’t
do so, it won’t happen.
Bethesda as well as other charities
could certainly use that money. It’s an
easy process. To do so simply:
1. Log into your Thrivent account
on line
2. Scroll to “My Member Network
& Benefits”
3. Choose “Thrivent Choice”
4. Choose “Direct Choice Dollars”
(you’ll see how much you can
direct here)
5. Under keywords, enter “Bethesda
Lutheran Church, Carlton” and
enter
If you’d like your money to go to a
particular cause such as Memorial
fund, general fund, kitchen
remodeling, property, etc. make a note
of the amount and let Nita Davis (our
bookkeeper) know. Her email is
[email protected]. If you
ask, she’ll let you know when it arrives
- it usually takes just a few weeks.
Ginny Korte-Castle has offered to
assist anyone who needs help with this
process - but your Thrivent
Representative can do so as well.
Collecting for a Cause
Just a reminder that we are collecting
pop can tabs for the Ronald McDonald
House, Box Tops and 5 cent milk caps
for our local schools.
We also collect the following items for
C.A.R.E: (Community Addiction
Recovery Enterprise formerly
Liberalis) shampoo, toothpaste, lotion,
body wash, tampax, sanitary pads,
combs, deodorant, soap, calendars,
greeting cards, note cards. No mouth
wash or anything with alcohol.
Thank you to Mary Saarela who has
purchased new bins for these items.
They are located on the shelf in the
small closet nook right outside the
Fellowship Hall.
Special Giving:
In Memory of
Ginger Rowe
By Bob & Marnie Emerson
By Marv & Pat Durkee (Worship)
By Jan Grannes
By George & Mary Saarela
(Kitchen Fund)
Dorothy Johnson
By Achorn Family
Florence Strandberg
By Pastor Richard & Judy Hane
By Marv & Pat Durkee (Worship)
By Debby Johnson
(Sunday School Fund)
Millie Schneider
By Marv & Pat Durkee (Worship)
Terry Bang (Sue Coady’s brother)
By Marv & Pat Durkee
By Debby Johnson
LEAP 4 REACH Dinner
March 5th, 2019
Dine In or Carry Out 4:00-7:00 PM
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
REACH is a 501(c)3 organization
based in Cloquet, MN serving since
2000 to provide supportive and
meaningful mentoring relationships to
the youth of Carlton County. Our
vision is a community where every
youth experiences a variety of positive
and encouraging relationships that
provide a sense of belonging and allow
all youth the ability to achieve their
full potential both individually and as
members of the community.
REACH is also looking for people
interested in becoming mentors. There
are currently about 50 kids on the wait
list for a mentor. For questions contact
Executive Director Dakota Koski at
(218) 499-4293 or
Member News
Celebrating March
Baptismal Birthdays:
Brock Peterson, Donna Koski,
Karson Davis, Kennidy Davis, Jason
Goad, Bridger McCorison,
Darlene Godbout, Cecelia Moench,
Karen Johnson, Ryan Lindgren,
Deanna Wallin, Audrey Lokken,
Brian Allen, Jared Kelley,
Jason Peterson, Emily Hanson,
Macguier Thorman,
Jude Holden, Sullivan Kiehn,
Jonathon Radtke, Paul Sell,
Harlow Lekander-Karsiko,
Ruth Olson, Amy Schwoch, Jayden
Swanson, Rollin Martini &
Daniel Wakefield.
Donald Lokken has
volunteered to create the
Seafarer’s Ditty Bags for God’s Work,
Our Hands. Thank you Donald for
your willingness to do this!
Social Ministry
Social Ministry will be hosting
coffee in support of the Union
Gospel Mission on March 17th
.
Social Ministry will be collecting
coats, hats & mittens for the Damiano
Center until the end of March.
WELCA
There will be a WELCA Planning
Meeting on March 24th
after Worship.
We will discuss fundraisers.
Save the Date:
WELCA Kettle River Conference
Thursday April 4, 2019
4:30pm-7:30pm
Dell Grove Emmanuel Lutheran
Church Sandstone.
Children, Youth, Family & Ed.
First Communion: April 14th
Confirmation: May 12th
Senior Recognition/Blessing:
May 19th
Here is an update on the
“Soup”er Bowl of
Caring:
A check for $37.10 is going to
the Second Harvest Northern
Lakes Food Bank for the
Backpack program for students
in Carlton County
A $15 check is going to the
Salvation Army
A $250 Thrivent Card was
donated to purchase food
A $25 donation came from Super
One to purchase food
A $60 donation was given from
Gladys and Arlyn Sievert
And 248 pounds of food was
donated to the Salvation Army!
Thank you to everyone who
helped to make this such a
success!
Luther Seminary Online Resources:
God Pause: Daily email devotions
www.luthersem.edu/godpause
Enter the Bible: Bible Study resource
www.EntertheBible.org
Center for Stewardship Leaders: weekly email newsletter
www.luthersem.edu/stewardship
Working Preacher: Global preaching
resource
www.WorkingPreacher.org
It’s that time of year again! Don’t
forget to turn your clocks ahead on
Saturday March 9th
. Daylight Savings Time begins on
Sunday March 10th
at 2 a.m.
Faith on the Go
Pray
Loving God, teach us to love in the
way that you love us. Show us how
to be compassionate. Show us how to
share the good things that we
have. Teach us to accept people for
who they are. Show us how to be
accepting. Show us how to be
encouraging. Amen.
Connect
Who was easy for you to love today?
Who was hard to love?
Bible
Luke 6:27‐38—Love for Enemies
Chat
Day 1
Luke 6:27‐30
Have you done this? Have you tried to
love the people who choose to hate
you? How does it make you feel?
Day 2
Luke 6:31
The Golden Rule! What makes this an
easy rule to follow?
What makes it difficult?
Day 3
Luke 6:32‐34
When are you most likely to give
something to someone else?
When it’s something that you don’t
want? When you have extra? When
it’s someone you think will re‐pay the
favor?
Day 4
Luke 6:35‐36
What are some reasons that you have
been rude or seemed ungrateful? What
could be going on in the lives of other
to make them act that way, too?
Day 5
Luke 6:37‐38
All of these statements are
challenging, but this might be most
difficult. What causes you to pass
judgment on another? What
do you think people judge about you?
Bless
May God rejoice in you and comfort
you.
Upcoming VLM Events:
Camper Rejuve
Elementary Rejuve (grades 3-6)-
March 8-9, 2019 – Camp Hiawatha
Elementary Rejuve (grades 3-6)
March 15-16, 2019 – Camp
Vermilion
Camper Rejuves are a great way to get
back to camp during the school year,
or to check out camp for the upcoming
summer! You'll get your camp fix on
this 23 hour overnight - games,
campfire, songs, friends, learning, and
of course, great camp food.
Cost: $50 per camper. A $15 non-
refundable deposit is due with your
registration. Churches are welcome to
register as a group, with a deposit to
hold your spots.(One adult leader is
free with every 8 campers when
coming with a church group)
When: Registration begins at 7:00
p.m. on Friday and the program ends
following supper on Saturday (about
6:00 p.m.). More information will be
sent to all registered campers.
Space for these retreats is limited so
we encourage you to register
early. To register, please call the
camp office at (800) 331-5148 or fill
out and send a retreat registration
form.
March Volunteers
9:00
Acolytes
3. Anna Bong
10. Annabelle Soukkala
Greeters
3. Renee Kesty
10. Anna Bong
17. Lucas Radtke
24. Ethan Krone
31. Anna Bong
17. Cheryl Ankrum
24. Tricia Hackensmith
31. Theresa Vick
Ushers
3. Dave & Lynn Beatty
10. Sharon Bragge & Des Holm
17. Lew Castle & Ginny Korte-Castle
24. Pat Durkee & Stacy Colich
Communion Prep & Clean
3. Sharon Bragge (P & C)
10. Ryan Swanson(P)
Bethany Leseman(C)
17. Renee Kesty(P & C)
24. Pat Durkee (P) Jane Joki(C)
31. Linda Newlon(P & C)
31. JoAnn Gustafson & Mary Saarela
Lay Readers
3. Paul Carpenter
10. Bethany Leseman
17. Pat Durkee
24. Linda Newlon
31. Stacy Colich
Counters
3. Gladys Sievert & Janice Dahl
10. Jane Joki & Lorna Bryant
17. Gene Bryant & Lynn Beatty
24. Linda Newlon & Chris Mitchell
31. Mary Saarela & Bethany Leseman
Communion Assistants
3. Linda Newlon & Sharon Bragge
10. Mary Saarela & Pat Durkee
17. Stacy Colich & JoAnn Gustafson
24. Cheryl Ankrum & Renae House
31. Bethany Leseman & Cookie Jaakola
Coffee Servers
3. Lil’s Group
10. Cary’s Group
17. Social Ministry
24. Rusty’s Group
31. Marlys’ Group
Just a reminder that if you have switched
duties with someone please contact the office
so changes can be made for the bulletin.
Thank you.
April Volunteers
9:00
Acolytes
7. Annabelle Soukkala
14. Lucas Radtke
Greeters
7. Ginny Korte-Castle
14. Sheri & Jon Kolb
21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up
28. Ethan Krone
21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up
28. Paula & Noah Olsen
Ushers
7. Jon Kolb & Paul Carpenter
14. Paula & Noah Olsen
21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up
28. Ryan Swanson & Debby Johnson
Communion Prep & Clean
7. Mary Saarela (P & C)
14. Pat Durkee (P & C)
21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up
28. Ryan Swanson (P)
Bethany Leseman (C)
Lay Readers
7. Cheryl Ankrum
14. Renae House
21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up
28. Ginny Korte-Castle
Counters
7. Janice Dahl & Lorna Bryant
14. Gene Bryant & Jane Joki
21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up
28. Gladys Sievert & Lynn Beatty
Coffee Servers
Communion Assistants 7. Gladys’ Group
7. Nixon Mitchell & Janice Dahl
14. Dave & Lynn Beatty
14. Linda’s Group
21. Easter Breakfast
21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up 28. Pat’s Group
28. Linda Newlon & Sharon Bragge
March 2019 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 11am Men's Bible
Study
2
3
9am
Worship
Sunday Story
Time
10:15am
Coffee Hour
Sing ‘N Play
4 7:00pm
Al-Anon
Meeting
5
6:30pm
Financial
Peace
University
6 5:30pm
Community Meal
6pm
6th
-10th
Grade
Lenten Mentorship
Meeting
6:30pm
Ash Wednesday
Worship
7 1pm
Jam Group
3:30pm
Children,
Youth, Family
& Ed.
8 11am Men's Bible
Study
9
10 Lent~1
Daylight Savings
Time Begins
9am
Worship
Sunday Story
Time
10:15am
Coffee Hour
Sing ‘N Play
Cong. Meeting
11 7:00pm
Al-Anon
Meeting
12 Kettle River
Conference
5:30pm
Council Meeting
13 5:30pm
Community Meal
6th
-10th
Grade
Mentorship
Holy Communion
Instruction
6:30pm
Worship
14
15 11am Men's Bible
Study
16
17 Social Ministry ~
Union Gospel
Mission
9am
Worship
10:15am
Coffee Hour
Sing ‘N Play
18 7:00pm
Al-Anon
Meeting
19
20 5:30pm
Community Meal
6th
-10th
Grade
Mentorship
Holy Communion
Instruction
6:30pm
Worship
21 1pm
Jam Group
22 11am Men's Bible
Study
23
12pm Fellowship
Hall In Use ~
Jaakola
Family
24 Godparent’s Sunday
9am
Worship
10:15am
Coffee Hour
Sing ‘N Play
WELCA Planning
Meeting
25 7:00pm
Al-Anon
Meeting
26
27 Spring Break ~ No
Class
5:30pm
Community Meal
6pm
Faith Formation
6:30pm
Worship
28
29 11am Men's Bible
Study
30
31 9am
Worship/ Healing
Service
10:15am
Coffee Hour
Sing ‘N Play