Bethlehem Lutheran Church
November 2021 Newsletter
Bethlehem Family and Friends,
November is often a month where we focus on taking time to give thanks, and this year, I don’t
know about you, I have found that I have a lot to be thankful for.
I am thankful that we are back together in person for worship, meetings, and Bible Studies. I am
thankful that we have new folks coming to church, and a new family joining Bethlehem. I am
thankful that we have had warm weather as long as we have and that, so far, we have kept the
snow and freezing rain away. I am thankful that I was able to have some time away at the lake
to rest, refresh, and renew. This past month I was thankful for new ways of doing education,
new pets at our pet blessing, and new friends made at outreach and fellowship events.
Most of you have heard by now that my foot surgery ended up getting postponed so that I
could focus on a couple of health concerns I didn’t know about. In the meantime, I have clung
onto this verse from First Thessalonians: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” Even in the midst of that challenge
and disappointment, I am thankful for good doctors that are helping me to be a healthier leader
for you all. I am still hoping to have foot surgery down the road, but I am thankful that I am
getting to a healthier place in the journey first.
This November I invite you, too, to spend some time thinking about what you are thankful for.
Maybe you can join us for Thanksgiving Worship and give thanks and praise to God there.
Maybe God has blessed you with an ability to serve and you want to join us for our next all ages
service day on November 21. Maybe you are thankful you can learn your whole life through,
and you will join us for our next Tables of 6 Education Day on November 14. However you
spend time this month, I pray that you can find time to think about what you are thankful for
and give thanks to God for your blessings.
And in the meantime, know that I truly give thanks for you and for the privilege it is to be your
pastor and partner on this journey of faith. Many blessings to you all, dear friends. See you in
church.
Your partner on the journey,
Pastor Amy
To the Bethlehem Church Ladies,
Thank you for the beautiful prayer shawl!, Love Janene
********************************************************
Look at how hard the knitters
are working for the community!
Thank you for bringing comfort
to so many!
Thank you so much to everyone who donated candy for Trunk or Treat and the Threehouse Treat Trike, and to all who helped with Trunk or Treat event. It is because of you that these activities were a success!
Thanks to all who lent a hand on clean up day at the church!
You helped our church look even more beautiful!
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever! 1 Chronicles 16:34
All Team Meeting Project Night!
Tuesday, Nov 9, 7:00 pm, in the Sanctuary
We invite you to join us for our November All Team
Meeting! Whether or not you served on a team
previously, we invite you to come to All Team if you are
interested in any of the following this month:
EDUCATION-Come and give your feedback on the first round of Tables of Six Intergenerational
Sunday School, hear about how Confirmation classes are going this year, and help us plan for
our winter season of education at Bethlehem. If you love to learn, or love to teach, then
EDUCATION is the breakout for you!
CONGREGATIONAL HOME/PROPERTY-Do you like to help with projects around the church?
Do you want a say in the property insurance that we carry? Would you like to learn how you
could be more involved in behind-the-scenes happenings? Do you have time to volunteer to
help set up and take down events when needed? Then CONGREGATIONAL HOME/PROPERTY
is the breakout for you!
FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH -This group is the place to meet with Heather and talk about
activities that are coming soon. Activities this group are currently working on include: Live Na-
tivity, Snow Day, and Christmas Families! Want to know more? Then this FELLOWSHIP/
OUTREACH breakout is for you!
Still confused about how all of this All Team stuff works? No problem! Come and join us on
November 9th at 7 pm in the sanctuary and we will figure it out together!
Pastor’s Office Hours in the Community: Pastor Amy will once again be holding office
hours out in the community. This month she will be at Panera from 1-3 PM on Nov
1, Nov 15, Nov 22, and Nov 29. Let her know if you would like to meet her there!
We need your help as we work to set the best Christmas Eve
Worship Schedule that we can. Would you take a moment, if
you have not already, and complete the Christmas Eve Worship
Time Survey at the link below? Thank you for your help!
https://forms.gle/rUakSZNpnsDNFtT37
Bethlehem will be having a Live Nativity on December 5 from 4:30-6pm. We are in need of many of volunteers to help with the cast, kitchen help, and parking lot crew. Another way you can help is to “adopt a prop.” In the next few weeks, there will be a list of props we will need and you can purchase that prop for the event. Thanks for all your support!
Ways to get involved at Bethlehem in the next few weeks...
Joyful Times will be hosting a lunch with the
Amish community on Thursday, November
4th, at 12:00 pm. This will be at the Plainview
Country Store outside of Hazleton. Our next
meeting will be Weds, Nov 15, @ 9:30 am.
Last month at our prayer breakfast, we discussed Jesus’ command for us to love each other and the different faith traditions, and excellent conversation was the result. Let’s plan to continue this conversation on November 20 and share perspectives on love, families, and faith traditions. Google for things like Jesus love, family, faith practices, etc. Broad searches like this are better than worldadvocacy.org
The Funeral Lunch Committee is looking for new members; our current list is short and we hope not to “burn out” those who are helping so much. If you would like to be added to our list to: 1) prepare and serve food 2) wash dishes 3) bake a cake please contact Judy Hill at [email protected] or 319-266-0855. A special thanks to those who have been helping so regularly. You are such a positive and hard working group! And we have a good time, too! -Kathy, Judy, and Nancy
Nov 13, 5 pm: Men of Faith Dinner
The men of Bethlehem are invited to attend an evening out. November 13, at 5:00pm, we will have a Men of Faith Dinner. David Welter will be the guest speaker and a delicious meal will be served. Please sign up on the Welcome Table or contact Heather by November 3 if you plan to attend.
Make sure to get your applications in
if you want to attend next summer’s
Youth Gathering! Forms are due to
Pastor Amy by November 14!
Congratulations to this year’s students who were confirmed on Sunday,
October 31.
Emma Halvorsen, Kaleb Larson, and Sam Smith
On December 12, following worship, we will be celebrating
Bethlehem’s Danish heritage with a Danish brunch and dancing
around the Christmas tree. If you would like to help with this
event, please contact Heather at [email protected]
Our next Tables of 6, all ages
Sunday School, will be happening
on November 14 following worship.
Come for the goodies, learning and
conversation!
Calling all Confirmation Students! Our next class will be held on November
14. Join us for worship and Tables of 6, and then we will be taking a field
trip to learn more about death, dying and supporting those who grieve.
Parents, if you are willing to help drive from 11-1, please let Pastor Amy
know.
We will be helping some families have a nice Christmas by providing some gifts and food to them. The Christmas stars will be posted by November 28. Gifts must be returned to the church by December 12. Monetary donations are also welcome.
Events coming to Bethlehem this
holiday season:
Proposed Budget for 2022
Benevolence (Giving to Others)
ELCA Mission Support $35,000
Benevolence Growth 0
Benevolence Total $35,000 (up $375)
Administrative (Formerly Admin, Congregational Home, Ministry Partnership) Synod Assembly/Meetings/Convent. $600
Copier $7,020
Office Postage $2,750
Office Supplies $2,800
Telephone $1,100
Bank Service Fees (Simply Giving) $600
IT Support $3,220
Covid/Emergency Expenses $1,000
Office Supply Total $19,090 (down $340)
Building Repairs/Maintenance $5,000
Grounds Maintenance $8,000
Insurance $7,800
Parking Lot Maintenance $8,000
Utilities $12,500
Building/Maintenance Total $41,300 (up $1,073)
Pastor Salary $58,000
Pastor Housing $17,000
Pastor Self-Employment Tax $5,738
Pastor Insurance/Pension $19,844
Pastor Continuing Education $1,000
Pastor Travel/Expense $2,500
Pastor Cell Phone $900
Pastor Student Loan (1/year) $1,000
Office Manager Salary $37,380
Office Manager Health Benefits $14,213
Office Manager Continuing Ed $250
Dir of Fellowship/Outreach $15,780
Dir of Fellowship Continuing Ed $250
Organist Salary $11,850
Organist Continuing Ed $600
Choir Dir Salary $6,400
Contemp Music Salary 0
Contemp Music Continuing Ed 0
Custodian Salary $15,500
Worship Tech Salary $2,660
Visitation Pastor Salary $14,000
*Accompanist Salary $2,400
Employer FICA $8,514
Staffing Total $235,779 (up $3,104)
Worship and Music
Devotional Material $300
Worship Supplies $1200
Sundays & Seasons (Worship Planning) $600
Choir Music $550
Org/Piano Maintenance $1000
Worship Copyright Licenses $1500
Contemporary Worship Supplies $200
Guest Musicians $400
Choir Robe Cleaning 0
Worship & Music Total $5,750 (down $750)
Youth and Education (formerly Faith/Learning, Youth Ministry, and Vibrant Faith) Curriculum & Supplies $500
Adult Education $500
Vacation Bible School/Camp Bethlehem $1500
Confirmation Camp/Mission Trips/NYG $1000
Retreats $500
Teacher Education/Volunteer Appreciation $200
Christmas Program $100
Cradle Roll Ministry $100
Elementary Youth Group $500
Middle School Youth Group $500
High School Youth Group $500
UNI Programming $750
Family Ministry $1000
Youth & Ed Continuing Ed $1000
Milestone Ministry $1300
Youth and Education Resources $300
Youth & Education Total $10,250 (down $1,025)
Fellowship/Outreach (formerly Nurture, Service, Spiritual Renewal) Fellowship Activities $1770
Nurture Meals (some in milestones) $300
New Members $150
Advertising $2000
Harvest Dinner/Men of Faith $500
Picnic/Bounceback $3250
*Easter Outreach Event $2760
*Live Nativity $2500
Stewardship/Envelopes $450
Fellowship & Outreach Total $13,680 (up $7,230)
Total Proposed 2022 Budget $360,849 (up $11,974)
BETHLEHEM STAFF
Church phone: 319-266-3541
Pastor Amy Eisenmann-Lead Pastor Pastor Amy’s cell phone: 218-290-3982
Cayla Morris- Office Manager [email protected]
Heather Hurd-Schneider Director of Fellowship and Outreach
Noah Anderson-Worship Tech [email protected]
Leah Gibbons-Choir Director
Hudson Lourenço - Organist
Patty Nelson-Custodian
GIVING MADE EASY!
Scan the QR code with your smart
phone to share your offering with
Bethlehem.
2021-2022
CONGREGATION COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mardy Holst-President
319-277-0328
Theresa Elverum-Vice President
319-277-3306
Jill Schulte– Treasurer
319-290-5725
Joan Christiansen- Secretary
319-269-5634
Reed Hunemuller: 319-277-6381
Brendan Alexander: 319-290-1237
Ellen Hermanson: 319-573-0719
Kurt Leistikow 319-269-7178
Mindy Fisher 319-290-4365
Are you still not
comfortable
coming to
worship in
person? Are you
unable to join us,
but still wishing
you could have
communion?
Call the church office and Pastor Amy will be
glad to bring communion to you! Call the
office at 319-266-3541 and we will have
communion brought to your residence. May
God bless you and keep you in these days
apart.
Not able to join us for worship in person?
No problem! All of our worship services can be
found online on our church website at:
http://www.bethlehemcf.org/online-worship.html
To add yourself to the
prayer chain team:
Email Cayla
or call Cayla at the church office (319-266-
3541) and let her know that you would like to
receive prayer chain emails.
To add a loved one to the prayer list:
Email Pastor Amy [email protected]
or call Pastor Amy at the church office.
Did you know you can now worship with us live??
When you aren’t able to join us in person, we hope
you will join us on Sunday mornings at 9 am on our
YouTube page at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/BethlehemLutheranCF
Volume 21, Issue 11 November 2021
4000 Hudson Road, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Our YouTube Channel:
Bethlehem Lutheran CF
Our website:
www.bethlehemcf.org
Our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/Bethlehem-Lutheran-Church-
ELCA-451552121584266
Our Pastor
Rev. Amy Eisenmann
(218) 290-3982 cell phone
(319) 266-3541 work phone
Our Instagram page:
@bethlehemcf
Bounce Back to Bethlehem
Our next congregational quarterly
meeting will be on Sunday, Nov. 7,
following worship (also daylight
savings)! Come and join us as we
dream about our next year together!
We have much to be
thankful for this year!
Come and join us on
Wednesday, November
24 at 7:00 pm for
Thanksgiving Worship as
we give praise to God for
all our blessings!