THE BETHEL BEACON
2016
BILL SWITZER, Pastor
Sunday School @ 9 am Worship time @ 10:00 am
Church Telephone #: (402) 873-6218
Emergency: (402) 6369-0842 (Pastor Bill)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bethelucchurch.com
Find us on
just thinking…
A popular phase used these days: “what
happens in ________________ stays in
________________.”
Filling in the blanks:
“What at happens in Vegas, stays in
Vegas;” or
“What happens on the island stays on the
island” or
“What happens in the city council stays
in the city council.”
Is this the way of the world?
What if we filled in the blank like this:
“What happens in church stays in
church.”
Is this our question or is it a statement of
fact?
If the church is (was?) a place where we
learn about God, Jesus, and what it means
to love even the most difficult (values of the
church are that are good and important), is
it logical to conclude that those values stay
in the church?
This week’s homework for the confirmation
class: describe an event or situation where
you acted in a way to show Jesus’ command
“to love one another just as I have loved
you” with someone not in your family and
not in the church.
This will be difficult for our confirmation
class. What about the rest of us?
The answer for our confirmation class may
be informed by how we have modeled and
communicated the message of love:
Do we say one thing and do another?
Do as I say not as I do!
The vales of love and caring and com-
passion apply to someone else – just not
to us / me?
Maybe this is just “pie in the sky.” Or
maybe, it does matter what happens in
church; that what happens in church must
not stay in church.
Thoughts?
Dominus vobiscum,
Bill
…just thinking
BETHEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
2400 CENTRAL AVE. NEBRASKA CITY, NE
68410
IN OUR PRAYERS IN FEBRUARY:
Justin Williams, Betty Blankenship, Logan Drabek, Mason Wieckhorst, Ella Mathisen, Ruth Wurtele, John Ensign, Alice
Oelke, Don Grundman, Jim Baldwin, the Lind family, the family and friends of Martin Hauberg, Linda Clark, Roy Murphy, Gladys Huss,
Sharon Kotas, the family and friends of Jason Weston, Tim Worcester, and all who struggle with chronic illness, including those who reside in their homes and long-term care facilities.
Mike and Brenda Wieckhorst will be hosting a plant sale in Bethel’s front yard on Saturday, April 30th from 10 am—3 pm. This is a fundraiser for the Wyoming Feeders 4-H. There will be annuals,
perennials, vegetables, and hanging pots.
Great prices!
—————————————————————————
Thank you to all who brought Easter lilies to honor and memorialize their loved ones. They
were a beautiful addition to our Easter service! Thank you as well to everyone who helped in any way during Holy Week and with Easter services.
In rememberance of: From: Jack & Evelyn Brust John & Elfrieda Gawart Luella Moyer John & Margaret Brust
Troy Jensen & Steven Jensen Gerald & Connie Jensen Rev. Edwin & Lucille Brown Melivin Liesemeyer Norm, Nancy & Nick Brown Ralph & Arlene Burkhart
Henry & Amelia Puppe
Nick & Marie Burkhart Cheryl, Nancy & Charlene
Thank you to Katie Chapin and Delores Schreiner for
assembling the April/May edition of the Bethel Beacon!
____________________
Women’s Fellowship is having
a Spring Salad Luncheon here
at Bethel on Thursday, April
21st, from 11 am—1 pm.
Delicious salads, muffins, and
quick breads will be served.
They will also be having a
plant sale.
Garden Basket Raffle
$5 a ticket (sold at the door or from a
church member)
——————————————
There will be an open house for Delphine Griepenstroh on
May 8th from 2 pm—4 pm in Fellowship Hall in honor of her 90th birthday. Please come and
help her celebrate! No gifts please. If you cannot attend
cards may be sent to: Delphine Griepenstroh
Morton Place
1500 14th Ave.Room #109
Nebraska City, NE 68410
Thank you to everyone
who brightened our
sanctuary with flowers,
and who sponsored
bulletins during the
month of March .
LOOKING AHEAD TO JUNE
Sun. 5th: Communion & Food pantry
Mon. 13th-Thurs. 16th: Vacation Bible
school @ Bethel 9 am—Noon
Tues. 14th: Women’s Fellowship @ Noon ~
Pizza and birthday cake
Tues. 14th: Church Council meeting 7 pm
Sun. 19th: Father’s Day
Tues. 21st: Ministerial Assoc. mtg. 9 am
Mon. 27th: Meals on Wheels 1 1 am
ANNIVERSARIES Jacob & Robin Sinner ~ April 5, 2008
Gerald & Connie Gensen ~ April 21, 1962
Dan & Brenda Rayhel ~ April 29, 1978
Roger & Karen Pieper ~ May 7, 1965
Alex & Natalie Sevening ~ May 14, 2011
Derek & Jessica Ferguson ~ 5/19/2012
Chuck & Shellene Funk ~ May 21, 2011
Stephen & Christine Luther~5/25/2001
Kevin & Jan Pummel ~ May 25, 1975
BEST WISHES TO THOSE CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAYS & WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES IN APRIL & MAY
APRIL
Dennis Marshall 1st Bobbi Mills 4th Pauline Peterson 8th
BJ Ried 9th Michael Rinne 9th Jen Hamilton 10th
Lonnie Horstmann 10th Diane Dyer 12th LeRoy Hammers 12th
Tracy Wieckhorst 12th Michael Wieckhorst 13th Charlene Wozny 16th
Robyn Brown 20th
MAY
Mike Redelfs 4th David Carpenter 5th Rylee Mills 7th
Delphine Griepenstroh 9th Katie Chapin 11th Sharon Kotas 11th
Brian Bando 12th Jason Stukenholtz 13th Grace Sinner 14th
LaVonda Bando 18th Anna Hotsenpillar 18th Dalyce Sudman 19th
Gladys Huss 23rd Emily Meadows 24th Katheryn Walters 27th
Andrew Stukenholtz 28th Bill Walters 29th
Nebraska Conference Annual Meeting 2016
Sacred Conversations on Race is the theme of the 2016 Annual Gathering
of the Nebraska Conference of the United Church of Christ.
Bethel UCC has three delegates to participate.
The Conference will be held June 10, 11, 12, 2016, at First Plymouth UCC
in Lincoln. Dr. Alice Hunt, President of Chicago Theological Seminary will
be the keynote speaker.
Workshops and information on topics will be available. Workshops include:
Mission trips: how to go about organizing one;
Who is welcome at our Table: in diversity can there be unity;
Racism: what is the call of the Gospel and where do we fit;
Children and their importance in the church: how to make connections.
At Bethel’s Annual Meeting in December 2015, the following were elected
as delegates to the Nebraska Conference Annual Meeting: Lonnie
Horstman, Sara Horstman, Carol Biere. Alternate is Dean Biere.
Women’s Fellowship met Tuesday, March 8th in the Fellowship Hall.
The meeting was opened with a prayer by Pastor Bill. Connie Jensen called the meeting to order.
Minutes from the last meeting were reviewed and accepted. The treasurer’s report was given by Jane Kreifels. Katie Chapin moved to accept the report and it was seconded by Cindy Weible. Motion passed.
Correspondence was read. Thank you notes were received from Leta Bremer, Laurene Bando, and Hoyleton Ministries.
Committee Reports:
Spiritual Life: No report
Visitation: No report
Altar Flowers: No flowers have been given.
Courtesy & Receptions: Funeral luncheon was served after the funeral of Rose Marie Gawart.
Kitchens: Supplies for the kitchen were replenished.
Prayer chain: No report
Old Business: Discussion was held regarding a Salad Luncheon to be on April, 21st.
A planning meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 29th at 6:30 P.M.
New Business: Bethel U. C .C. is responsible for the Christmas Tea for Church Women United to be held on the 1
st Friday in December. Katie Chapin moved to buy
stamps for the Spiritual Life committee. Virginia Miller seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Pastor Bill informed the group of the plans and activities for the Confirmation class.
Next meeting: Tuesday, June 14th 2016 --- Pizza and Birthday cake!
Least Coin and Offering were taken.
The meeting was closed with a prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret Brust, Secretary pro tem.
WOMEN’S
FELLOWSHIP
Board of Christian Ed met on March 1st. Present were Dan Hamilton,
Nancy Hunt, Sara Horstmann, Jamie Horstmann, Christine Luther, and
Pastor Switzer.
We discussed VBS which is June 13th through the 16th from 9 a.m. to
noon at Bethel Church. We will be coordinating with the other churches
watch the bulletin in the months to come for more information.
Also discussed was Easter Sunday. Sunrise services 7 a.m. donuts
coffee and juice after. The kids will be watching 2 movies, and each
child will receive a gift bag.
Church picnic May 15th. Went over Confirmation Class and what they
are doing with their mentors.
Meeting closed with Lord's prayer
Respectfully Submitted,
Jamie Horstmann
BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2016
~ Round ‘em Up! ~
…yes, it is that time of the year. In less than 60 days, Bethel will host this year’s Vacation Bible School!
…mark your calendars for June 13 through June 16 and plan to attend.
… the entire Bethel church, helpers and teachers and students and invited to participate in one of the most important events of the summer: passing the faith to the next generation.
…more information to arrive over the next weeks. Watch your e-mail, mail, and the church’s web site.
…oh yeah, one more thing:
Someone will have to kiss a pig!
Bethel United Church of Christ Spiritual Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 8, 2016 5:45 pm
Pastor’s Office
Present: President Dennis Marshall, Vice-President Burt Weible, Secretary LaVonda Bando, Larry Bando, Cindy Weible, and Pastor Bill. Burt called the meeting to order. Pastor Bill opened with a word of prayer. Larry made a motion to approve February Spiritual Council meeting minutes. Cindy seconded. Motion carried. Pastor Report: Pastor present new music selections for church service called Sing: Prayer & Praise; Confirmation 101 was been cancelled since lack of attend; Confirmation class is going good; Pastor will be on vacation on April 10, May 15 and 16. Pastor Roddy Dunkerson fills in on April 10. On Maundy Thursday service will be held in the Fellowship Hall with a Seder meal. We will be learning about Passover, Haggadah, Xion celebration and The cup. Confirmation class will help Pastor set up tables and items for the service. The Spiritual Council will be provided the candles, candles holders and white tablecloths. The Community Good Friday service will be held at Bethel Church this year at noon. The Spiritual Council duties are to open the church and getting an organist or piano player. The Easter Sunrise service: two confirmation students will bring firewood and light the fire. We watch Confirmation 101 powerpoint presentation. Next regular month meeting will be Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 5:45 pm. Larry made a motion adjourned the meeting. Cindy seconded. Motion carried. The meeting closed, by joining hands and saying the Lord Prayer. Secretary, LaVonda Bando
SPIRITUAL
COUNCIL
The March council meeting was called to order at 7:15 on March 8,2016 following a tour of the parsonage and outside of the church building. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Pastor Bill. Present were President Jenn Hamilton, Pastor Bill, Peg Johnson, Connie Jensen, Jane Kreifels, Maggie Brust, Loren Mylenek, and John Vock. Peg Johnson made a motion to accept the minutes of the last meting with a 2
nd
by Connie Jensen. Jane Kreifels made a motion to approve the financial report and pay the bills with a 2
nd by Loren Mylenek. The bills and financial report were
approved.
Pastor Bill gave the Spiritual Council report. The Maundy Thursday service will consist of a sader meal, a Jewish tradition of Easter, as well as communion, and all will be in the basement.
The community Good Friday service will be at noon at Bethel. Bible school will be held June 13-16 in conjunction with the Lutherans and Presbyterians. Sara Bando gave her report. There is one wedding scheduled this year. Sara and another person approached the Applejack committee about being designated as a trolley stop. This would be beneficial for the quilt show as well as giving Bethel an opportunity to offer food/ and or parking. Maggie Brust gave the Search committee report. They will meet with the conference minister on April 10. There was no Stewardship committee report. The future of the Centennial quilt was discussed. The quilt was made by church families during the Centennial year and has been stored on the stage in the basement. Since the stage is now being used for other things, the quilt needs to be moved. John Vock made a motion to turn over the future of the quilt to the Women’s Fellowship. Peggy Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was approved. In old business, the review of the by-laws was tabled. In new business, the remainder of the walk thru of the inside of the church will postponed until the next meeting. The next meeting will be April 12 at 6:00 pm. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jane Kreifels
CHURCH COUNCIL
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
Bethel United Church of Christ
2400 Central Avenue
Nebraska City, NE 68410
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
SCHEDULED TO SERVE MAY 2016
LAY LEADERS May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29 Noah Hamilton Dylan Holman Sandy Ried Adelene Vock Dennis Marshall GREETERS May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29 Kevin & Jan Connie Jensen Pauline Peterson Brown Family Larry & LaVonda Pummel Bando USHERS May 1—May 8 May 15—May 22 May 29—June 5 Larry & LaVonda Bando BJ & Sandy Ried Lenny & Jen Tietz Harold Huss & Marilyn Weible Stan & Peg Johnson Norm & Nancy Brown SOUND SYSTEM May 1—May 8 May 15—May 22 May 29—June 5 Stephen Luther Harold Huss Burt Weible ACOLYTES May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29 Christian Tietz Quintin Holman Nicholas Brown Jason S. Katherine L. Madisen Tietz Keston Holman Mason Wieckhorst Andrew S. Elizabeth L. FLOWERS ~ Sarah Bando COOKIE FELOWSHP ~ Jane Kreifels & Cindy Kreifels
2016
&
2016