Bethel Beacon

BE.THE.Light Volume 56 Issue 2

Pastors: Erika Buller Jim Gustafson Mark Asleson

Bethel Lutheran Mission Statement

Bethel Lutheran Church is a community of believers called by God to invite all people into a living relationship with Jesus Christ, build them up in the faith, and send them out to be witnesses in word and deed to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

BE.THE.Love

2019

F E B R U A R Y

It’s been a long winter. And the worst of it, my dear friends, is that it’s not over yet. Am I right? As I write this, the wind is howling outside my office window. The naked trees shake by the force of it. It’s the kind of wind that isn’t too friendly and seems to rip the warmth straight to our bones. It’s the time of year we start dreaming of warm weather vacations. (And some of us will be lucky enough to escape the wintery blast, if even for just a little while.) We start longing for springtime sunshine. We grumble. We mumble. Our heads are buried into our chins, watching our feet shuffle on icy sidewalks, driveways, or parking lots. We shuffle, all the while moving as swiftly as possible to escape the chill. It’s the time of year when we just hang on and hope for something better. And yet, in the midst of this, it’s also the season of Epiphany. A season we focus on light and how God’s glory is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. It’s hard to see the glory unfolding, when our heads are bowed down and looking cautiously to our feet. It’s hard to recognize or be on the look out for how God’s work is being revealed in our world when we are just hanging on to the hope of brighter days. Perhaps the grace of this season is that it will be long. This year’s Epiphany is going to be one of the longest possible. We have many weeks to see, to realize, to be caught up in God’s revelation. Even when our souls feel cold, we are still being warmed by the light of Christ. Warmed up into seeing the great gifts God has provided us with. Warmed up by the Spirit’s nudging to see where God is moving in this world. Warmed up to be light and hope for neighbors in need, the ones sitting in darkness. The winter may be long. But God’s revelation is persistent. May this be the season we embrace the glory in a good pair of wool socks, in the heat of a cup of coffee, in the warmth to be found in the company of this community. May we know the grace of God. May it show through in our love for one another. Stay warm, dear ones. In Christ, Pastor Erika

CONTACT INFO: Phone 642-4472 fax 642-2477

Pastor Erika: 952-454-6012 ebuller@bethelwahpeton.com

Pastor Jim: 701-403-3254 jgustafson@bethelwahpeton.com

http://bethelwahpeton.com or

www.facebook.com/bethelwahpeton

Attention parents/guardians/grandparents of small children:

Nursery staff will be available to care and love your children while you participate in worship, Wednesday

School, choir, coffee hour, Confirmation, Adult Education, etc.

Please take advantage of this service.

Hours: Sundays: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm Wednesdays: 5:00 – 7:30 pm

Wednesday nights 5:30-6:30 pm in the Gisvold lounge.

If the kids have class, there will be Parent's Time.

EVERYONE WELCOME!!

JOIN US! Wednesday nights for fun, fellowship, coffee and treats

while the kids are at Wednesday School

2019 Offering Envelopes

Are available in the church office. If you don’t find a box with your name on it, and would like some envelopes,

please call Clare Byron (642-8050) or the church office (642-4472).

Building Hours

7am-5pm Monday-Friday 9am-1pm Saturdays 7am-1pm Sundays

Ashley Petersen: betheloffice@bethelwahpeton.com Brian Finnie: bfinnie@bethelwahpeton.com Lisa Bassingthwaite: wschool@bethelwahpeton.com Missy Klose mklose@bethelwahpeton.com Clare Byron: cbyron@bethelwahpeton.com

Food Backpack Program

The Board of Outreach is looking for your help in acquiring food items for the Food Backpack Program. The Food Backpack Program is a program that sends food home on the weekends with students that receive reduced or free

meals at school and may not have food available to them at home on the weekends. A different item of food will be focused on each month that can be dropped off in front of the office in a marked container.

February's item is: Fruit Cups

Thank you for supporting this important outreach ministry!

The Stewardship Board invites you to participate in our “Soup”er Bowl Sunday Food Pantry Drive on Sunday,

February 3rd. Please bring your food or money donations to the church on Super Bowl Sunday. You can place your

donations in the tote marked the Los Angeles Rams or in the tote marked New England Patriots. Let’s see which “team”

brings in the most food/money. The biggest winner of course is our Food Pantry.

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God

loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9: 6-7 You are the Church – We are the Church – Be the Church –

BE.THE.Love Thank you in advance for your donations to the Food Pantry

– The Stewardship Board

DAYTIME BOOK CLUB

Our Daytime Book Club met on January 8, 2019 to discuss a book by Susan Meissner , Fall of Marigolds. We were intrigued on how the author could connect a scarf from September, 1911 to September, 2011 in the tragedy of the Twin Towers. It was a compelling read and we all liked it. We will be reading the following books for February & March: February 12, 2019 The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes Inspired by true events this brilliant novel weaves a tale of two women determined to do the right thing & to find the power

of our own stories. March 12, 2019 Corridors of the Night by Anne Perry This is about life in Victorian England. Husband and wife (she a nurse and he a commander with the police) battle with two obsessed scientists who in the name of healing have turned to homicide.

We meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. in Bethel’s Library. Nine mem- bers join us as they can. We are not a strict club with stringent rules so please

consider joining us this year. It is an enjoyable time. All are welcome! “One reads for pleasure……….it is not a public duty.” ~Alan Bennett ~

The Gifts of Christmas Thank you to all the students and adults who participated in the Bethel

Christmas Program on Sunday, December 16th.

The program was about the gifts God has given us to share with one another

such as talents, compassion, grace, love and hope. During the children’s message, everyone was asked to consider how they would use the gifts from

God to help others and to put their gift to Jesus in the sparkle box in the hallway. On Sunday, January 6th, the box was opened and below are some of

the responses:

Give toys and clothes to families in need Donate to the Food Bank

Kindness Love

Adopt a child Helped someone on the side of the road

Learn more about God Showing compassion

Funds to back pack program Giving

Donations to salvation army Hugs for someone in pain

Ride to doctor Patience with others

My heart and love for all Bought a homeless man a hot meal

Bought a gift for a child who wouldn’t receive a gift Quilting and giving quilts

These are only a sampling of the responses! Let’s keep Christmas going all year long! Where can you share your Gifts of Christmas!!

BE-THE-LOVE

Coming Sunday mornings in

February @ 10:10am. Bethel’s

Faith Center!

Dates to Remember:

Ash Wednesday: March 6, 2019

Maundy Thursday: April 18, 2019

Good Friday: April 19, 2019

Easter: April 21, 2019

Emergency Personnel Appreciation Brunch Sunday, February 17th

10:00 AM Fellowship Hall

RSVP the Bethel office @ 642-4472 by Wednesday, February 13th

On behalf of the Bethel congregation, the Board of Outreach and Simply Deli-cious Catering would like to honor all members who are firefighters, police of-

ficers, EMTs or anyone who answers the call to help others in times of an emergency.

We are also honoring the family members who courageously stand back as their loved one goes to help others in their time of need. Please call to RSVP

how many from your family will be attending.

Congratulations to the 3rd graders who received bibles:

Carter Jon Miller Tyler Arthur James Burchill

Isaac Daniel Anderson Odin Erick Carlson Brooke Rosenberg

Braden Michael Berndt Austin Timothy Fenske Jack Steven Gilberston

Mallory Romel Anderson Gabriel James Petersen

Gavin Badgley Anthony Cvancara

Kailee Ann Bernstein Rowan Asher Krueger

Noah Allen Ibarra Julia Dohman

Braxton Heitkamp Peyton Bertelsen

Hey Bethel Kids and parents! Camp is a great way to learn about your faith, to meet new friends, and to have a great summer adventure! We encourage all of you to consider

making a week at camp a part of your summer plans. Red Willow has many different of-ferings for a variety of age groups and interests.

Financial assistance is available to all kids of Bethel--$150.00 off registration costs. Use

code BLW19 when you register. Transportation can be arranged. If you have questions,

talk to Lisa or Pastor Erika!

Greetings from your Call Committee! With Christmas and New Years holidays behind us, we are excited to continue the call process in 2019. Our Ministry Site Profile (church resume) is on the Synod website. The Synod has discussed our open call at their staff meetings. We continue to pray and prepare for a candidate to be offered to us for consideration. If you know of a pastor who would like to be considered for our Senior Pastor position, please feel free to offer their name to any one on the Call Committee so we can pass their name on to our contact at the Synod office for consideration. As always, please keep the call committee members and all of Bethel in your prayers as we continue down this path of finding the best possible Senior Pastor to help lead us and guide us through our exciting, vibrant future. Sincerely, Jennifer Plummer – Chair Brad Cruff – Recorder Brenda Prochnow Cade Mauch Wanda Mauch Alison Voss Jay Townsend

Does Bethel have your correct contact

information? Please call the office to double check

your information is correct or fill out a yellow

sheet that is outside the church office and return

to the office. Thank you for your help! :)

Sunday volunteers! If you would like be a volunteer during Sunday worship

services, sign-up at the table by the sound board!

First Communion Preparation

Classroom Instruction 5:30 pm during Wednesday School Wednesday, April 10 Bread-baking, Grape-stomping, practice 5:30 pm Wednesday, April 17

First Communion 6:45pm- Maundy Thursday worship Thursday, April 18

Lisa’s Office Hours Monday 8:30-5:00 Tuesday 8:30-5:00

Wednesday 8:30-7:30 Thursday 8:30-3:00

Senior High (9th-12)

Ski Trip

Duluth, MN

Date: Friday, March, 15-16

Bus departs from Bethel @ 7:30am Friday

We will return by 9:00 pm on

Saturday

Cost: $150.00

$50.00 deposit due February

15

April 24th Megan from Red Willow will be here to get everyone excited for Bible camp. Megan will be talking to the kids during Wednesday school class and sharing the message. Camp is a great way to

learn about your faith, to meet new friends, and to have a great summer adventure! Red Willow has

many different offerings for a variety of age groups and interests.

Financial assistance is available to all kids of

Bethel--$150.00 off registration costs.

The Wednesday school store is in

need of donations! The kids love

non-caffeinated pop, juice, snack

size chips and crackers, and candy!

9th grade confirmation retreat February 17 and

18. We will be meeting at Bethel 2:30 pm on

Sunday, February 17 and return to Bethel by 4:30

pm on Monday, February 18. Supper on Sunday

night, breakfast and lunch with be provided on

Monday.

Quilting In memory of Joel Kotschevar, son of Inez Lunde, given by Ramona Voegele Bethel In memory of Don Oliger given by Judy McDaniel & Dakota

In memory of Pastor Marvin Hartmann given by Sylvia Likness;Larry & Norma

Bontjes; Ruth Larson; Muriel Hedrick; Ken & Erlys Skoog; Jim & Trudy Jacobson; Judy McDaniel, Lance & Layne; Alice Schlotfeldt; Kari Schlotfeldt; Dennis & VonDaLee Grandalen; Ralph & Liz Graalum; Paul & Char Oehlke In memory of Marlyn Edman, father of Gloria Dohman, given by Ruth Larson

In appreciation to Bethel; in memory of Pastor Marvin Hartmann; & in Honor of Marion Hartmann given by Gennadiy & Olga Ter-Grigoryan; Nicholas & Lana & Ryder Meadows

In memory of Edna Guderian, mother of Lynette Still, given by Sylvia Likness In memory of Dianne Baker given by Esther Krause Quilting In memory of Pastor Hartmann given by Terry & Carol Sturdevant; Gene & Marlyce Kemmet

Organ In memory of Don Oliger given by Clare Byron Faith Tool Box In memory of Don Oliger given by Sonja Christensen In memory of Pastor Marvin Hartmann given by Clark & Gail Williams; Sonja Christensen; Donna Marohl; In memory of Eric Kath, nephew of Darin & Brenda Prochnow Endowment

In memory of Pastor Marvin Hartmann given by Clare Byron; Marilyn Anderson; Pr. Dave & Laurie

Eggebraten; Pr. Jim & Carol Bjorge Children’s Library In memory of Shirley Penner given by Mona Rosley In memory of Pastor Hartmann given by Don & JoAnn Tobin Youth In memory of Pastor Hartmann given by Lorraine Dronen Building In memory of Pastor Hartmann given by Linda Miller In memory of Eric Kath, nephew of Darin & Brenda Prochnow given by Linda Miller Library In memory of Pastor Hartmann given by Connie Sletten; Duane & Diane Finnie In appreciation to the Bethel Choir members who joined with Olivet Lutheran Choir for Pastor Marvin Hartmann’s funeral given by Marion Hartmann.

The Memorial Committee’s main objective is to be the resource for any one person or group of people that would like to give a memorial, honorarium, or commemorate an occasion to Bethel Lutheran Church. It is the committee’s responsibility to formulate a catalog of specific items, keep a record of all memorials and to acknowledge those that have given gifts.

If you have any questions regarding memorial items or wish to give a memorial item or honorarium

please contact committee members: Luther Sannes@642-5140; Bev McRoberts @ 640-887 or Reeann Enderson@640-4230

REMINDER: Bethel does not notify families of memorials given directly to the church.

These are the people known to have birthdays in February. If you have a

birthday in February and your name is not listed, we do not have your

birthday in our church records. Please contact the church office with your birth date so we may have it for our records.

MAY EACH OF YOU HAVE A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

2/1 Kari Cvancara

Emily DeVries

Sara Gerdon

Michael Grefsrud

Linda Kocher

Charlene Oehlke

2/2 Jacob Goltz

Pam Hendrickson

Jaden Zaun

2/3 Evelyn Erickson

Richard Opoien

2/4 Thomas Bernotas

2/5 Jessica Siefken

2/6 Bjorn Birkelo

Roy Hofmann

2/7 Terry Dohman

Brady Grefsrud

2/8 Alyssa Amos

Kevin Berger

Harriet Bjorke

Autumn Rossow

2/9 Justin Birkelo

Kyler Flack

2/10 Adam Erickson

Arline Hudson

Isaac Prochnow

Bryce Smith

2/11 Alex Johnson

2/12 Dale DeVries

Medora Good

2/13 Darci Eggen

2/13 Joann Ham

2/14 Lachelle Bumgarner

Doris Holen

Kijia Homes

Aaron Stone

2/15 Mike Munter

2/16 Alvin Eckre

Wyatt Meyer

2/17 Tenley Hills

Bailey Long

Brian Uhlich

2/18 Michelle Anderson

Lisa Bassingthwaite

Sonja Christensen

Karen Pausch

Caitlyn Pithey

Brittany Scott

2/19 Deborah Loberg

Felisa Mastel

2/19 Donna Sherven

2/20 Bob Asche

Jessica Mastel

Carter Miller

Ryland Pauly

2/22 Mark Long

2/23 Ashlyn Johnson

2/24 Gregory Buboltz

Terra Gregor

Maggie Hendrickson

2/25 Eric Christianson

Erick Erickson

Michael Kemmet

Joncy Mastel

Ethan Petersen

Catherine Prochnow

2/26 Myron Braun

Kelsey Darwin

James Gustafson

Abigail Tschakert

2/27 Matthew Berger

Jay Townsend

2/28 Jace Johanson

Lori Meyer

Worship VOLUNTEERS

Ash Wednesday, March 6

Communion Assistants: Glenn & Reeann Enderson; Barb Mohs; Geri Coyne; Phil & Bonnie MacIver, Judy Oren

If you are unable to serve on the assigned date and cannot find a replacement please call: USHERS —Linda Miller -899-3479 COFFEE SERVERS—Carol Sturdevant -642-4355

READERS & COMMUNION ASSIST—Doug & Judy Peterson at 640-7010 Please notify the church office of the change at 642-4472.

9:00 am Service

If you are unable to serve on the assigned date please try to find a replacement. READERS please call—Doug & Judy Peterson at 640-7010 .

Please notify the church office of the change at 642-4472.

11:00 am Service

March 3 March 10 March 17 March 24 March 31

Reader Bonnie MacIver Brenda Romereim Doug Peterson Cyndy Gustafson Norma Nosek

Ushers Tom & Sandy Ben-nett; Robb & Beth

Dohman

Neal Folstad; Darlene Schuler

Jerry & Judy Oren; Clint & Larissa Gilbertson

Cyndy Gustafson; Ruth Larson

Carol Manock; Keath Borchert

Communion Assist

Randy & Jean Hoerer N/A

Terry & Suzanne Pehl N/A N/A

Coffee

Servers Lynn & Jeannine

Bjore; Wayne Braaten Tony & Marie Casper;

Holly Close Janet Farmen; Duane &

Diane Finnie NO Coffee NO Coffee

February 3 February 10 February 17 February 24

Reader Diane Finnie Karen Nelson Angie Hoffman Clare Byron

Ushers Terry & Suzanne Pehl; James & Trudy Jacobson

Larry & Norma Bontjes; Linda Miller

Phil & Bonnie MacIver; Gary & Jodi Friskop

Randal & Jean Hoerer; Karen Lutz; Judy McDaniel

Communion Assist

Sharon Kotnour; Floss Johnson N/A Doug & Judy Peterson N/A

Coffee Servers Gary & Jodi Friskop; Neal & Phyllis Folstad

Sonja Christensen; Joan Hardie

Floss Johnson; Clark & Gail Williams

Kathy Dimmer; Courtney Dimmer

February 3 February 10 February 17 February 24

Reader Lila Gedrose Carmen Tischer Sheila Dolan Kelly Voss

Ushers Bob & Ginny Buck Greg & Darcy Meide Sheila Dolan & Aaron Riebe Marc & Joyce Johnson

Communion Assist

Barb Mohs & Ginny Buck Linda Miller-runner

N/A Paul & Sibyl Jacklitch Trese Saar-runner

N/A

Coffee Servers Linda Miller Darcy & Greg Meide Kim Pauly Pam Hendrickson

March 3 March 10 March 17 March 24 March 31

Reader Kelly Carlson

Ushers Kelly Carlson & Abby Heitkamp

Jerry & Barb Mohs

Communion Assist

N/A

N/A

Coffee

Servers Jay & Andrea

Thimjon NO Coffee NO Coffee

BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH PLANNING COUNCIL MINUTES

January 8, 2019

CALL TO ORDER – Hal Fisher 6:30 PM Roll Call

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION – Art Grochow

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of December 6, 2018 Minutes: Motion by Art Grochow, Second by Blake Peterson (motion carried) TREASURERS REPORT: August September October November Dec.

($21,118.43) checking account balance due to the member loan of $30,000 Benevolences were paid. Motion by Art Grochow, approve as presented; Second by Jenn Plummer to move to audit commit-tee (motion carried) OLD BUSINESS: Nominating committee update. Jim Cornelius will join the board of lay, Danielle Flack will be on the board of property and Clay Smith will be on the board of education.

Hal Fisher X Jenn Plummer Board of Lay X

Art Grochow X Jeff Beyer Board of Property X

Pat Pithey X Pastor Mark

Sandi Gilbertson X

Erika Buller X

Blake Peterson, Board of Outreach X Guests:

Cyndy Gustafson Board of Education Dana Kasowski – Board of Ed

Angie Cruff , Board of Stewardship (SUB) Barry Hendrickson

X Gail Beech – Board of Lay

Envelope offering: $40,052.21 $39,778.58 $41,039.93 $31,087.00 $33,919

Deficit: ($30,625.09) ($24,422.61) ($9,517.40) ($19,514.34)

($23,851.31)

Checking acct bal-ance:

($27,892.21) ($21,689.73) ($6,874.82) $13,218.54 $8,881.57

Call committee update – things are moving along. The ministry site profile is submitted. Budget – executive committee will be meeting on January 9 to work on the budget. NEW BUSINESS: Board Reports: Board of Stewardship: Angie Cruff Talked about capital campaign Promote stewardship in 2019 February – food bank donation promotion May – May baskets to promote stewardship Board of Property: Jeff Beyer Purchased a computer Board of Education: Dana Kasowski January 16 – 3rd graders receive bibles Creating chaperone guidelines Creating cross generational activities Board of Lay: Jenn Plummer Discussed the Christmas decorating Started talking about Lent Board of Outreach: Blake Peterson Banquet for first responders Revise the new member process Update on the capital campaign/appeal/Blair Anderson. Compelling case statement Sent out letters Blair will be preaching next two Sundays Focus groups – feel for members view of the church, mood and capabilities of what Bethel are Tuesday January 17 at 7:00 Monday January 21 at 4:00 January 22 at 10:00 Pastoral schedule update. Pastor Dave will not be on the schedule due to personal reasons. Board Reports – each board email minutes to bethel office to review prior to planning council meeting Beacon articles are due the week of January 20 January 16 – 3rd graders will receive their bibles Annual meeting – January 27 between the two services Leadership retreat – February 10 Spiritual Direction will be given in February by: worship Next meeting February 10, 2018 following the Leadership meeting