Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church 2515 Madison Ave.

Burlington, Iowa

Phone: (319) 752-3621

Fax: (319) 752-1543

www.bethanyburlington.org

Bethany Lutheran Church Mission Statement

Reaching out in Worship, Fellowship, Learning, and Love --- we are God’s people.

Our Staff

Rev. Ralph Andersen, Interim Pastor Cory Byrne, Organist

Amanda Stevenson-Cosgrove, Dir. of Youth & Family

Michelle Huppenbauer, Admin. Asst. & Interim Custodian

Candy Wagner, Choir Director

Volume 56 Issue 1 January 2016

On Sunday, January 31, 2016, we’ll hold our Annual Meeting.

We’ll gather after worship in the fellowship hall to discuss the busi-

ness of 2015 and look ahead to 2016. The State of the Church re-ports will be available Sunday, January 24 so you have a chance to

read through the work of the various committees and come pre-

pared with questions.

REMINDER: Your 2016 offering envelopes are available for pick

up now and can be found on the table in the Fellowship hall.

There was some slight shuffling of numbers for 2016, so some

folks may find their envelope number has changed. This is neces-

sary as we update our records and move forward into 2016.

Note: We continue to work on our website,

which is bethanyburlington.org. You can now

view the Chimes on our website by clicking on

the Newsletter tab and clicking the link found

there. Also, check out the calendar on the Events

button and the sermons on the Sermon button or

Resource link. If there is something you would

like to see put on our site, please let us know.

Greetings and farewell! Well, sort of. What

a contradiction. The fact is I have enjoyed

the privilege of being the interim pastor here

at Bethany Lutheran Church for the past 8

months. We had anticipated the arrival of the

next resident pastor before the year ended,

but, as so often happens with plans and ex-

pectations, changes become necessary.

I have been retired from full-time pastoral

ministry - which encompassed forty-one years

- for thirteen years and have served in a num-

ber of interim responsibilities during that

time. Every one of those thirteen years Mary

Jo and I have been winter “snow-birds” for

three months - January, February and March -

and that will happen again in the new year of

2016. Who knows what the situation will be

come April as a number of variables come

into play.

I know that the pastoral ministry of this

congregation will be well served the next

months as the Call Committee continues the

search process.

Thanks to the many who volunteer and

serve in carrying on the ministry programs

here at Bethany. I’m always impressed by

your willingness to respond. And thanks for

opening your arms to Mary Jo and myself.

Pastor Ralph Andersen

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Please Note! Because of Federal

Privacy laws, if you or a member of

your family are hospitalized and would

like the Pastor to visit, you must

contact the church and let us know.

HOMEBOUND CARD

MINISTRY

Please help remember Bethany’s members

who are in nursing homes or homebound by

sending them a card. A birthday or a

“thinking of you” card is a special way of

showing God’s love. As we begin a new

year, take a minute to send a card with a

short note - these folks would love to hear

from you. Names and addresses are avail-

able on the table in the fellowship hall.

Please remember to mark the spreadsheet if

you send a card.

1 - Milo Matteson; Andrew

Shepherd

3 - Anikka Cook; Markita

Currie

4 - Michelle Cox; Justin

McCarthy; Brian Rosenberg

5 - Spencer Honsey

6 - Sherry DeHague

8 - Marjorie Ervin; Bradley

Siegfried

9 - Deegan Carter; Aunika

Johnson; Larry Williams

10 - James Lenz; Gordon Liles;

Ted Mosley; Karlynn Roberts

11 - Melissa Milton

12 - Haley Engler; Kaye Sladky

13 - Joyce Lyons

14 - Taylor House

15 - Mary Honsey

16 - Garbrielle Engler; Thomas

Engler

18 - Michelle Siegfried

19 - Cole Helling

20 - Wayne Blume; Benjamin

Sliwinski

21 - Bradley Johnson; Donna

Kerns

22 - Pamela Dettman

23 - Conni Boyer

24 - Tyler DeHague; Edward

Schiefer

25 - Karen McDanel

26 - Judith Locke; Tyler

Sherwood

27 - Mary Johnson; Pam Taylor

29 - Aubrey Clark; Shirley

Mundt

31 - Brian Pinney; Joshua

Waterhouse

January

Birthdays

Head Usher: Spencer Honsey

January Team Captain: Mike Morris

Ushers

As of the publishing of this newsletter, the list of Janu-

ary Ushers had not been re-ceived in the office.

Altar Guild Nancy House; Sarah Loots; Eleonore Benninghoven

Communion Assistants As of the publishing of this

newsletter, the list of Janu-ary Communion assistants

hadn’t been turned into the office.

Fellowship As of the publishing of this

newsletter, no one has signed up for Fellowship hour.

Flowers 4 - Open 11 - Pauline Bennett 18 - Open

25 - Open

Acolytes 3 - Aunika Johnson and

Isaac Morehead 10 - Sammi Gerdes and Joel Jensen

17 - Maddie McClurg and Abi Schonrock

24 - Olivia Engler and Isaac Morehead 31 - Aunika Johnson and

Dylan McClurg

Missionary Support The new sign-up for Mis-sionary Support is will be up

Sunday, January 3. Stop and pick your special date.

Lector 3 - Bob Sogard

10 - Pam Taylor 17 - Gerald Janssen

24 - Elberta Quam 31 - Dee Dee Walker

Greeters 3 - Scott & Jan Creighton 10 - Susanne Adam and

Donna Miller 17 - Kathy Beach and Dee

Dee Walker 24 - Joe Gerdes and Bob Sogard

31 - Terry & Carol Steenberg

January 2016 Lay Leaders

PLEASE NOTE:

The deadline to submit information for the monthly Chimes is

the 25th of the month. You’re welcome to email your

submissions, leave a note on the desk in the office, or call the

church office. Thank you!

The following is a list of folks who purchased the beautiful Poinsettia plants that decorated our sanctuary this Christmas season.

Given by in memory/honor of Pauline Bennett In memory of my husband, Mark and daughters Beverly Korf and Sharleen Birkenstock

Claus & Eleonore Benninghoven In honor of our children

Marian Chaddock and Scott & Jan Creighton E. O. Chaddock

Mark & Linda Jo Hermann Ted D. Calvin, Kent E. Kesler, Linda Jean Krogmeier, and other loved ones

Jim & Sharon Martindale In loving memory of our son, Jeff Martindale; Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Mower, Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Rheinschmidt, Earl Martindale

Jeff, Dalton, Dylan & Maddie McClurg In loving memory of Jill McClurg

Marlys McClurg and Vanette Wooldridge Our parents, Earlis Tisor & Van Neese; and our brother William Neese

Bob Sogard In memory of Janet Rolf Sogard

Candy Wagner In memory of my parents, Jerry & Eileen Zarn and grandparents, the Happs and the Zarns

Richard & Holly Williamson Arlo & Florence Williamson; Hans & Gertrud Tuchel

David & Sandy and family In memory of Randy Manley and Marjorie Breuer

Edd & Barb West In memory of Laurance (Larry) Ihrer

Mark & Bonnie Rosenberg In memory of our parents, Mr. & Mrs. James Rosenberg and Mr. & Mrs. C. L. Dawson

Dan & Julie Wischmeier In memory & honor of all our loved ones

Doris Spicknall In memory of my beloved husband Elvin

Jean Funck Loved ones

Todd & Kaye Sladky In memory of Roger & Marjorie Sladky; In memory of Cynthia Vavroch

Pastor & Mary Jo Andersen In memory of loved ones

Donna Miller & family In memory of loved ones Sandra Sandy & family

Shirley Mundt and Bill Mundt, Jr. In memory of Bill Mundt, Sr. and grandson Carl Mundt

Pastor Ryan & Amanda Stevenson-Cosgrove In memory of our grandpas, Rich & Bob

David & Heather Toyer JeanAnn Toyer; Burton & Thelma Schendel Abi, Ian and Henry Warner Kroona

Norma Bock In memory of Richard Bock; Mr. & Mrs. Homer James; Walter & Mary Bock

Jim, Barb, Mark Morris; Mike & Tammy Morris; Warren & Cris Hudson; Randy & Pam Luder; Meghan Morris; Jay & Dorothy Morris; Matt & Chris Morris & girls; Brett Morris; Jeff Hudson and Blaine Weddell Kaidance Rose Wixom

If you change your mailing

address, please let the office know

ASAP. For every returned piece of

mail we get for an incorrect address,

we are charged 75 cents.

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The meetings for January that have been scheduled as of the publishing of this newsletter are listed below. Watch your bulletins for any date & time changes, or additional meetings scheduled.

Sarah Circle Tuesday, January 5, 1:30 p.m. Rebecca Circle Wednesday, January 6, 1:00 p.m.

Christian Education Committee Monday, January 11, 6:30 p.m.

Church Council Sunday, January 17, 10:30 a.m.

Property Committee Monday, January 18, 6:30 p.m.

Men’s Breakfast Saturday, January 16, 8:00 a.m.

Book Club Tuesday, January 26, 5:00 p.m.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

DECEMBER ATTENDANCE

12/6 86

12/13 104

12/20 96

12/24 4:30 105

9:00 63

12/27 85

DECEMBER

GIVING 12/6 $2,809

12/13 $1,746

12/20 $1,721

12/27 $4,635*

Total $10,911

* Includes Christmas Eve offerings

Money received that is paid right back out

(Designated) such as flower money, Mission-

ary Support, and World Hunger, etc. are NOT

included in these numbers. If you have ques-

tions about these numbers, you’re welcome to

ask a member of the Church Council.

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Can You Help?

In an effort to watch our expenses, if you’d be willing to donate items for our

kitchen, it would be greatly appreci-ated. We could use, dishwasher soap and dish soap; napkins; paper towels;

dish towels and dish cloths. Thank you!!

December Council Minutes Present: Scott Creighton, Mike Hopp, Rachel Lindeen, Jim

Martindale, Mike Morris, Bill Mundt, Jr., Pat Reichelt, Mark

Rosenberg, Dan Wischmeier, Pastor Ralph Andersen

Absent: Lila Janssen, Todd Morehead, Ellen Shepherd

Mark Rosenberg provided the devotion. Dan Wischmeier will

provide the devotion for January. Discussion of the Great Per-

mission was continued. For January, we’ll review pages 112-

133.

Rachel Lindeen motioned to approve the November minutes and

Jim Martindale seconded. Motion carried. Minutes approved.

FINANCIAL REPORT Jim Martindale provided an oral report on the Endowment fund.

There is approx. $424,000 in the General Fund and $200,000 in

the Scholarship Fund. Dan Wischmeier provided both a written

and oral report. He provided a brief update on the proposed 2016

Budget. Mark motioned to approve the Financial reports and

Mike Morris seconded. Motion carried. Finance report ap-

proved.

STAFF REPORTS Pastor Andersen provided both a written and oral report. Scott

Creighton motioned to approve the Staff reports and Mark sec-

onded. Motion carried. Staff reports approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS Christian Ed: None

Evangelism/Stewardship: None

Fellowship: None

Finance: Written

Property: Written

Remembrance: None

Scholarship - Oral, 2nd semester checks will be written soon.

Social Ministry: Oral

Worship & Music: Oral

Youth: None

Mark motioned to approve the Committee reports. Rachel sec-

onded. Motion carried - committee reports approved.

OLD BUSINESS ~ Continued with our Blessing Campaign. Currently, $11,020

collected. Would like to conclude campaign by the end of 2015.

~ Bingo request - Insurance coverage limits the possibility of

this request

~ Still in need of a custodian

~ Nominating Committee - has met and is looking for potential

candidates.

~ Annual Reports due December 31, 2015.

NEW BUSINESS ~ A contract with Pastor McManus has been proposed.

~ Call Committee Request

Mark made a motion to increase the Call Committee’s re-

quest of the Ministry Site Profile to a pay package of $80,000.

Mike Morris seconded. Motion carried with a 5-4 vote.

Rachel motioned to adjourn. Pat seconded. Motion car-

ried. Meeting adjourned.

Next meeting January 17, 2016

CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE This schedule starts 2016 for Confirmation.

We meet on Wednesday nights, 7:00 p.m. at

Trinity Lutheran Church. If you are unable to

make it on a particular Wednesday, please let

Amanda know as soon as possible.

January 6

January 13

January 20

January 27

February 3

No class February 10 - March 23 due to Lent.

Lent projects will be worked on during this

time.

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L.I.F.T. Living In Faith Together

Sunday, January 3, is the next date we’ll

gather for L.I.F.T. at Trinity Lutheran Church.

We start at 5:00 and are done about 6:45 p.m.

This is a gathering for kids, ages 4 - 5th grade

and we sing, have a bible story do a craft...

ALL AFTER WE EAT!!

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SUNDAY SCHOOL HAPPENINGS We start the second half of our Sunday school

year on Sunday, January 4. We have lots of

fun things planned, so be sure to stick around

after worship and join us!!

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP... The Stewardship Committee and Council would like to thank all those who filled out pledge

cards and for all that you give financially to support what God is doing through Bethany Lu-

theran. The money God has given us, is a part of our stewardship. God has also given us

time and a variety gifts to be used. We have separated the Time and Talent forms from the

fall campaign because we want members to see stewardship as being year round. We ask

you to think and pray about what gifts you have and how you can use those gifts at Beth-

any. If more than one person is filling out this form place your initials to identify which areas

you are interested in serving. We know that many of you feel like you have done this before

but sometimes situations change and we will have some new leadership on the council

who will find this helpful. Please complete the Time and Talent sheet and return it to the

church by January 18th. You can mail them, bring them to the office or place them in the

box provided on the table in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you and may God bless you in the

coming new year.

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TIME AND TALENTS

Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church

Name: Phone: Email:

□ I/We will attend worship and partake of Holy Communion faithfully

□ I/We will make daily devotions a part of our life □ I/We will pray daily

Please check below the areas where you are willing to help in 2016

Christian Education

□ Committee Member

□ Vacation Bible School

□ Christmas Program

□ Adult Bible Class

Sunday School Teachers

□ Lessons

Youth

□ Youth Committee

□ Chaperone/Helper

□ Youth Group Host

Property

□ Committee Member

□ Building Maintenance

□ Mowing/Yard Care

Women of the Church

□ Circle Membership

Stewardship/Evangelism

□ Committee Member

□ Prayer Chain

□ Men’s Breakfast Group

Finance

□ Committee Member

□ Money Counter

Receptions

□ Contact me for serving/

preparing food for Funerals/

Weddings

Fellowship

□ Committee Member

□ Fellowship/Coffee Hour

□ Book Club Member

Social Ministry

□ Committee Member

□ Visitation of Homebound

□ Visitation of Hospitalized

□ Transportation

□ Sharing & Caring Meals

Worship & Music

□ Committee Member

□ Adult Choir Member

□ Worship Nursery Helper

□ Usher

□ Greeter

□ Altar Guild Member

□ Lector

□ Special Music (voice or in-

strument)

□ Communion Assistant

Congregation Council

□ Council Member

Office

□ Newsletter Mailing

Preparation

□ Help in Office when

personnel are absent

Do you have a particular gift or

ability you would be willing to

share? Tell us about it.