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THE BETHEL BEACON ~ JANUARY/February 2019 Church Telephone #: (402) 873-6218

Email: betheluccurch1887@gmail.com

Website: www.bethelucchurch.com

Find us on

BETHEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

2400 CENTRAL AVE. NEBRASKA CITY, NE

68410

Sunday School @ 9 am Worship time @ 10:00 am

Another New Year!

As I was perusing the internet, I came across this scripture and comment off of

crosswalk.com:

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and

have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its

Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian,

Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all” (Colossians 3:9-11).

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, who you’ve been or what others

think. Christ is all and in all. We are putting off the old self and putting on the new self.

We are being renewed in Christ daily!

I couldn't agree more!

When I see “old self,” I think old habits; old hurts; old thoughts (negative); old sins (the

ones that we struggle with constantly); and anything else that can hold us back from

being complete in our Lord.

When we put on the new self, we put on the image of Christ; through him, we now

become victorious in whatever challenge we may face.

Jesus truly is our all in all. He completes us!

Whatever 2019 holds, Jesus is more than able to see us through it.

Have a blessed New Year!

Pastor Keith

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Our meeting for Monday,

December 10th was cancelled

due to busy schedules.

Our annual meeting is

Sunday, January 27, 2019.

Time and Talent sheets are

due that day as well.

IN OUR PRAYERS IN DECEMBER/JANUARY

Justin Williams, Logan Drabek, Mason Wieckhorst, Rachelle Drabek,

Don Grundman, Roy Murphy, Tim Worcester, Helen Ramold, Janice

Holman, Tanya Chapin and Tom Thaemlitz and Adrian, Phyllis Buss,

Helen Long, Lou Hauptman, Larry Blocker, the Voelker family, the Zech

family, the family and friends of Lily Hower, Carol Biere, Dakota Miller,

the family and friends of Jacob Jensen, and all who struggle with

chronic illness, including those reside in their homes and long-term care

facilities, and those affected by bullying, suicide, and depression.

“Thank you for all the cards, expressions of sympathy and prayers lifted

up following the passing of Susan's mother, Elaine. Words cannot

express our gratitude”.

~ Rodger and Susan Good

Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive

health screenings, will offer their affordable, non-invasive and painless

health screenings at Bethel United Church of Christ on 2/15/2019. Five

screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related

to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic

aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries

in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation

or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone

density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of oste-

oporosis. Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular

tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member

discount). All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete.

In order to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any

package priced above $129, please call 1-888-653-6441 or visit

www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle or text the word circle to

797979.

Thank you to everyone who brightened our

sanctuary with flowers, and who sponsored

bulletins during the month of December.

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John & Margaret Brust ~ 1/25/86

Stan & Peggy Johnson ~ 2/5/71

LOOKING AHEAD TO MARCH

3rd: Communion & Food Pantry

4th: Spiritual Council 6 pm

6th: Ash Wednesday ~ worship time to be announced

(no choir practice)

10th: Daylight Savings Time begins, 3rd Quarter Sunday

School Attendance Awards

11th: Board of Christian Ed. meeting 6pm, Church Council meeting 7 pm

12th: Women’s Fellowship at Noon in Fellowship Hall

17th: St. Patrick’s Day, Youth Fellowship

19th: Ministerial Association meeting 9 am

30th: Wenzl ~ Horstmann Wedding

31st: Youth Fellowship Dinner *Sr. Choir practice every Wednesday at 7 pm

BEST WISHES TO THOSE CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAYS IN

JANUARY

Donald Grundman 4th Matt Kreifels 5th Kiley Blocker 10th Ella Delunger 12th Mason Hamilton 13th Cindy Weible 13th Ashley Mayer 18th Ruth Wurtele 20th Brooke Bando 20th Nick Brown 23rd Jordan Moyer 25th Jen Tietz 25th Darcy Carpenter 25th Sarah Bando 27th Sue Griepenstroh 28th Erica Sinner 28th Kayla Francis 30th Will Carroll 31st ______________________________________________________________

FEBRUARY

Lynn Wurtele ~ 2nd Natalie Sevening ~ 4th Christine Neeman ~ 5th

Heidi Francis ~ 10th Dale Francis ~ 10th Sandra Ried ~ 10th

Katherine Luther ~ 13th Robin Sinner ~ 24th Marilyn Weible ~ 25th

Dillon Horstmann ~ 26th

FOR ALL WEATHER RELATED

CANCELLATIONS AT BETHEL UCC,

PLEASE CHECK OUR FACEBOOK PAGE,

B103’S WEBSITE, OR CHECK THE

CHURCH WEBSITE @

www.bethelucchurch.com.

ALSO CHECK KETV.COM

AND WOWT.COM OR

WATCH THOSE

CHANNELS.

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President Chip Johnson called the Congregational Meeting to order. Secretary Norman Brown read the minutes from the 2019 Budget Meeting. There being no corrections or alterations to the minutes. The minutes were approved as read. Jennifer Hamilton of the Search Committee thanked David Carpenter, Terry Stukenholtz, Mike Wieckhorst, Katherine Luther for serving on the Search Committee. Jennifer Hamilton presented Rev Keith Valenzuela as Pastor of Bethel United Church of Christ. There was a question from Jen Tietz to Pastor Keith about working with Youth Fellowship and Confirmation. There being no further questions Margaret Brust made a motion and Dean Gripenstroh second to call Pastor Keith as Pastor of Bethel UCC. The vote was 62 yes and 2 no's to call Rev Keith Valenzuela as Pastor of Bethel UCC. There being no further business/ David Carpenter made a motion and Jason Stukenholtz second to adjourn. Respectfully Submitted, Norm Brown

BETHEL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING ~ DECEMBER 2, 2018

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The Bethel United Church of Christ Church Council met in regular session Monday night, December 10 in Duensing Chapel. President Chip Johnson called the meeting to order. In attendance were President Chip Johnson, Vice President Mark Francis, Secretary Norman Brown, Lynn Wurtele, Susie Briley, Financial Treasurer Sandy Ried, Memorial Treasurer Margaret Brust, Michelle Francis from the Spiritual Council, Mike Redelfs and Pasor Keith Valenzuela. Pastor Keith gave the opening prayer. Secretary Norm Brown read the minutes from the November 12, 2018 meeting. There was a correction about the Sales Tax Permit having to be renewed for the Food Stand at Arbor Day or Applejack. The minutes were approved as read with the correction. Sandy Ried Financial Treasurer gave the Financial Report. The budget is still in the red $10,897.65. The Liability Insurance of $8,800 will be due January 1. The church will not make the annual donations to Doane College, Kamp Kaleo and CUE Seminary. Norm Brown made a motion and Susie Briley second to pay the bills. The motion carried. The Council discussed making The Beacon a quarterly newsletter. The Council took no action. More options for The Beacon will be discussed at the January meeting. Sandy Ried will contact Jackie Kraenow about painting the men's upstairs bathroom. Margaret Brust, Memorial Treasurer gave the Memorial report. Michelle Francis gave the Spiritual Council Report. The Spiritual Council will mail the 3 membership letters out. Met with Pastor Keith about Confirmation Class and Mentors. Rev. Sara Malone will be conducting Christmas Eve Service with Altar Communion. The members of Church Council will be ushers. Spiritual Council will be assisting with Altar Communion. Pastor Keith's Installation Service will be Sunday January 13 with Rev. Curtis Rieger. Board of Christian Ed report. The Sunday School Christmas Program will be Sunday December 16 and rehearsal will be at 9 Sunday morning the 16. No Sunday School on Sunday December 23 and 30. Sunday School will resume Sunday January 6. Mark Francis gave the Buildings and Grounds report. Will check with Barrett Construction to see if they will clear the parsonage driveway after a snowstorm. Also discussed possibly have a light on in the parsonage along with some furniture to make it look like someone is living in the parsonage. Bohl's will repair the water leak. Pastor Keith gave his report. Will be conducting communion with Bethel Church members at Morton House, The Ambassador. Will be going to Georgia March 4 - 19 for Motorcycle Instructor Training. Rev. Curtis Rieger will be Pulpit Supply for Ash Wednesday and two Sundays in March. Will be doing his Mastor's Degree in Theology online at The College of the Open Bible. Mike Redelfs made a motion and Susie Briley second to pay 3/5 of Pastor Keith's monthly salary for December. The Motion carried. Tyler Vock has resigned from the Church Council. Mark Francis is discussing with members to see who would like to serve on the Church Council for one year. There being no further business Pastor Keith gave the Closing Prayer and the meeting closed with the reciting of The Lord's Prayer. The next Church Council Meeting will be Monday night, January 14, 2019 at 7PM. Respectfully Submitted, Norm Brown

CHURCH COUNCIL

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Bethel United Church of Christ

Spiritual Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, December 3, 2018

7:00 pm

Duensing Chapel

Present: President Paula Ramold, Vice-President Michelle Francis, Secretary Burt

Weible, Cindy Weible, Neal Niebruegge, and Pastor Keith.

Paula called the meeting to order, Pastor Keith opened the meeting with a prayer.

Burt read the minutes of previous meeting. Motion to approve the minutes as read by

Neal, seconded by Cindy. Motion carried.

Pastor Report: As Pastor Keith just started the was no Pastor report. Instead we filled

Keith in general guidelines and expectations and discussed visitations, confirmation,

troubled members, and also discussed possible extra events.

Old Business: Church Thanksgiving meal seemed to be a success. Still have three

members that we need to deliver status letters to.

New Business: Discussed possible events with Pastor Keith and possible installation

date of Jan 6th to get him officially installed as our Pastor. Sarah Malone will be doing

our 7:00 pm Christmas Eve service with alter communion planned, and January 6th as

our next pew communion.

Next meeting January 7th at 6:00 pm

Motion to close by Cindy, seconded by Neil, Pastor Keith led us in the Lord’s Prayer

to close.

Respectfully submitted,

Burt Weible, Secretary

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2018 CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus with their 2 legged

“donkey”.

Pastor Keith signing his contract to be our new

pastor.

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SCHEDULED TO SERVE JANUARY 2019

LAY LEADERS: Jan. 6 Jan. 13 Jan. 20 Jan. 27 Lenny Tietz Sue Griepenstroh Jason Holman Burt Weible

GREETERS: Jan. 6 Jan. 13 Jan. 20 Jan. 27 Marilyn Weible Amy Lemrick Jim Herzog Tietz Family

USHERS: Jan. 6—Jan. 13 Jan. 20—-Jan. 27 Spiritual Council Dean & Sue Griepenstroh/Chip & Erin Johnson

SOUND: Jan. 6—Jan. 13 Jan. 20—Jan. 27 Nick Brown Stephen Luther

ACOLYTES: Jan. 6 Jan. 13 Jan. 20 Jan. 27 Blake B. Mason W. Landon F. Brianna J.

Chloe B. Keston H. Addison F. Makenzie J. Katie Chapin & Sandy Ried Margaret Brust

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SCHEDULED TO SERVE FEBRUARY 2019

LAY LEADERS: Feb. 3 Feb. 10 Feb. 17 Feb. 24 Norm Brown Kassi Holman Sarah Bando Cindy Kreifels

GREETERS: Feb. 3 Feb. 10 Feb. 17 Feb. 24 Dennis & Carol M. Katie Chapin Michelle Francis Burt & Cindy W.

USHERS: Feb. 3—Feb. 10 Feb. 17—Feb. 24 Spiritual Council Jane Kreifels, Cindy Kreifels/Stan & Peg Johnson

SOUND: Feb. 3—Feb. 10 Feb. 17—Feb. 24 Dennis Marshall Chip Johnson

ACOLYTES: Feb. 3 Feb. 10 Feb. 17 Feb. 24 Madisen Blake Mason Landon Lilian Chloe Keston Addison Connie Jensen Sarah Bando

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Thank you to the following people who furnished poinsettia plants for our sanctuary during this Christmas season.

In honor/memory of: From:

Glen & Sylvia Ottens, Leo & Helen Stan & Peg Johnson & Family

Johnson

Rev. Ed & Lucille Brown The Brown Family

& Melvin Liesemeyer

Redelfs Family Redelfs Family

Hamilton/Baldwin Family The Hamilton Family

Gerald Jensen & Sons Connie Jensen

In honor of Jim & Sharon’s 59th wedding Jim Herzog anniversary on December 5th

Guyla Haneline Sarah, Blake & Brooke Bando

Bernice Esluer Stukenholtz & Horstmann Families

Our Grandchildren ~ Sandy & BJ Ried

Maddie, Josie, Anna, Ben, Emily

& Olivia

All our loved ones we have lost The Barrett Family

George & Deloris Stukenholtz Stukenholtz Family

John & Elfrieda Gawart John & Margaret Brust

Jack & Evelyn Brust

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Bethel United Church of Christ

2400 Central Avenue

Nebraska City, NE 68410

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2019