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Bethel Beacon
BE.THE.Light Volume 55 Issue 1
Pastors: Julé Ballinger Erika Buller Jim Gustafson
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
2018
J A N U A R Y
January 2018
“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the
excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of
it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”
~ Frederick Buechner
It seems every January I get a bit nostalgic, I look back at the year before, taking
notice where I have been, where I am, and where I am going. Some years were pretty
uneventful, some so difficult that I thought I would never make it through, others were
eventful with many exciting things. The truth is that I seem to focus upon the big
things – moves, finances, trips, new jobs, births, deaths, big gatherings, etc. I seem to forget about the little
mundane everyday occurrences. The truth is that God is in it all from the mundane to the spectacular, from the
trials to the successes, from the heartaches to the celebrations. We seem to forget that God is not just in the extra
good things, things really expecting thanksgiving. God shows up when we are brushing our teeth, when we are in
that car accident, when our loved one is diagnosed with cancer, when we feel we are alone – we are never truly
alone. God is there with us – always – that is Grace: God’s unconditional love for all of us.
Therefore, God’s beautiful people of Bethel, Happy New Year to all of you! I pray that as you enter this New Year
you are filled with anticipation and excitement ready for whatever life has to offer knowing you will never go it
alone. For those of you, who are suffering in any way who are not excited for 2018, know that God is with you. It
is not always easy but whatever difficulties that you are experiencing, look for God who stands beside you and
remember the text from Genesis:
“Is anything too hard for the Lord? No!” ~ Genesis 18:14
Max Lucado says this better than I can, “The God of surprises strikes again…God does that for the faithful. Just
when the womb gets too old for babies, Sarai gets pregnant. Just when the failure is too great for grace, David is
pardoned…The lesson? Three words. Don’t give up…Is the road long? Don’t stop. Is the night black? Don’t
quit. God is watching. For all you know right at this moment…the check may be in the mail. The apology may
be in the making. The job contract may be on the desk. Don’t quit. For if you do, you may miss the answer to
your prayers.”
Let’s enter into 2018 with hope in our hearts, whatever your struggle may be. As a community of faith, please lean
on one another, get involved so that your burden isn’t so great alone. All of us are the hands and feet of Christ,
called to be here for one another. And just think, if God is in the mundane, then God must be in the hearty
wonderful people of North Dakota, living what seems to the world, very mundane lives. Let’s cherish each and
every mundane moment of our lives knowing the God of grace is present.
Happy New Year,
Pastor Julé Ballinger
CONTACT INFO: Phone 642-4472 fax 642-2477
Pastor Julé: 701-866-1714 [email protected]
Pastor Erika: 952-454-6012 [email protected]
Pastor Jim: 701-403-3254 [email protected]
Building Hours
7am-5pm Monday-Friday 9am-1pm Saturdays 7am-1pm Sundays
http://bethelwahpeton.com or
www.facebook.com/bethelwahpeton
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER?
If you or someone you know desire membership please contact:
Pastor Julé at [email protected] or
Pastor Erika at [email protected] or call the church office at 642-4472.
Stewardship Happy New Year! ‘Tis the season to be thinking about your New Year’s Resolutions. Your Stewardship Committee would like to offer opportunities for you to “resolve” to share your Time, Talent and Treasures with Bethel Lutheran Church. Time: Please attend the Annual Meeting on January 28th, 2018 at 10:10am in the Fellowship Hall. Talent: Offer your talents by helping to usher, sing in the choir, volunteer in the kitchen, or join a book or bible study. Treasure: Ensure you have filled out your commitment card for your annual giving. Thank you all for being a part of the puzzle that helps this wonderful church community run so well!
Ashley Petersen: [email protected] Brian Finnie: [email protected] Missy Klose [email protected] Clare Byron: [email protected] Lisa Bassingthwaite: [email protected]
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.
January's item is: Fruit Snacks
Thank you for supporting this important outreach ministry!
As I reflect upon this Advent season and Christmas I am incredibly blessed. I get to spend time with my entire family, and celebrate the birth of Christ with my brothers and sisters in Christ at Bethel! I want to take the time to say a special “thank you, thank you, thank you!” Caleb, Nathan and I are grateful for all the cards, gifts, prayers, and love this holiday season and throughout this past year. We feel showered with God’s grace and love through you all. The boys and I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year. Let us follow the star and allow the Christ Child to lead us into 2018.
Many Blessings, Pastor Julé Ballinger
Thank you!
After much deliberation, many years of frustration, and much time and prayer…Bethel Lutheran will no longer be on the local radio station (KBMW AM 1450). This service has not functioned consistently since I first started at Bethel 12 years ago. We recognize the potential ministry this could bring to those unable to worship physically with us. That is why we have put up with the inconsistency for so long. We kept hoping for the best. We will still be broadcasting the 9 am service live on our website for those at home. (http://bethelwahpeton.com) We are also working on other ways to get the service out to those who are homebound. If you have creative ways to help, please contact us.
A WORD ABOUT HOSPITAL VISITATION All too often your pastors hear about a member of Bethel having stayed in the hospital after the fact. In fact, it happens way too often. Since April 14, 2003 institutions, including hospital and clinics, had to be in compliance with the privacy rule requirements of the HIPPA Act legislation. (This is legislation that requires all hospitals and clinics to have permission before communicating with anybody about your presence in any hospital – and I mean anybody, including pastors.) In other words, the only way that Bethel can guarantee that you will get visited while you are in the hospital is if you, or your designee, communicate directly with us at the church. Ironically, given all the instant technology, the days are long gone when everybody knew what was going on in people’s lives, including being hospitalized. That is especially true as the average hospital stay seems to get shorter and shorter. A good thing about all of this, we as pastors cannot legally share that you are even in the hospital or how you are doing without your permission. Your personal welfare is just that, personal. However personal, we your pastors would love the opportunity to know how you are, pray for you, and walk with you during life’s ups and downs. Blessings and health, Your Pastors
Dates to Remember
January 10th
, 17th
, 24th
, and 31st
Wednesday school and confirmation
January 10th
Food pantry challenge begins
January 14th
National Youth Gathering meeting 6:30
Centennial Room (Youth and parents)
January 17th
& 24th
3rd
Grade Bible class (24th
receive Bibles at 6:45
service)
3rd
graders receive Bible at 6:45 service
January 20th
Youth bowling
January 21st
Activity between services (all ages are invited)
Lisa’s Office Hours Monday 8:30-5:00
Tuesday & Thursday 8:30-3:00
Wednesday 8:30-7:45
Friday 8:30-1:00
National Youth Gathering
Bethel Lutheran has 17 young adults and
three adult chaperons attending the Na-
tional Youth Gathering in June, 19 of us
will be flying out of Fargo on June 26th
and Lauren Beyer will be joining the
Wolverine Lutheran Church group. We
have just wrapped up three fund raisers
(Wahpeton Deli Cards, Cookie sales, and
the Christmas shop.) Bethel should be
very proud that we have 17 amazing
youth people representing us. We want to thank each of you for your continued
prayers and financial support.
Coming up in February
* 2nd
lock-in 9th
-12th
grade
• 7th
, 14th
, 21st
, and 28th
Wednesday school and
confirmation
• 14th
Ash Wednesday/food
pantry challenge ends
• 18th
9th
Grade
Confirmation retreat
*21st
the Wednesday school kids
sing at the 6:45 service
Wednesday School/Confirmation
Our Wednesday school Christmas program was
held on December 13th
at 6:45. The preschool –
5th
grade did a great job telling the Christmas
story through song. We also enjoyed a couple of
skits performed by some of our amazing 5th
graders. The 8th
grade confirmation students
went Christmas caroling. The 9th
graders helped
bring Christmas cheer to St. Francis residents by
decorating Christmas trees. 6th
through 9th
grad-
ers hosted the 5th
annual Advent Fair on Decem-
ber 20th
. The Church was crazy with happy
sounds of over 100 Wednesday school kids and
families enjoying the many activities ran by over
80 confirmation students. Wednesday school
DAYTIME BOOK CLUB On December 12, 2017, the Daytime Book Club met at the Fry’n Pan for a breakfast meeting. Each member shared a short report on the book they read for the Christmas book of choice. A listing of books is as follows: The Christmas Light Donna Van Liere Snow Angel Glenn Beck Christmas Sweater Glenn Beck Christmas Bliss Mary Kay Andrews Christmas Letters Bret Nicholaus A Snow Country Christmas Linda Lael Miller A Cup of Christmas Tea Tom Hegg Christmas Promise Thomas Kincaid & Kathryn Spencer Pupcakes (a Xmas Novel) Annie England Noblin The Paper Bag Christmas Kevin Alan Milne
Our next meeting will be January 9, 2018, and the books selected January through April are: January 9 The General’s Women by Susan Wittag Albert February 13 Fierce Women of the Bible by Alice Connor March 13 Silent Sister (First book of series) by Diane Chamberlain April 10 Promise Me Dad by Joe Biden Our normal meeting time is the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. in the church library. Please consider joining us in January! All are welcome! “There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” ~Jacqueline Kennedy~
EVENING BOOK CLUB
December: Christmas Book of Choice We each read a different Christmas book. The books are a fun way to put us in the Christmas spirit.
January: Katherina & Martin Luther: the Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and Renegade Monk by Michelle DeRusha February: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini March: In Farleigh's Field by Rhys Bowen April: The Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Bethel In memory of Charles Hardie given by Marcia Pederson In memory of Jason Barton given by Marcia Pederson Endowment In memory of Charles Hardie given by Al & Corrine Romereim In memory of Craig Grosz given by Al & Corrine Romereim Radio In memory of Dolores Dohman, mother of Terry Dohman, given by Stan & Marilyn Sirek Global Mission In memory of Victor Knudson, father of Wanda Sherven, given by Rick & Pam Hendrickson Faith Tool Box In memory of Cleo Eberhardt, father of Daryl Eberhardt, given by Donna Marohl Budget Challenge In memory of Vernice DeVries given by Art & Linda Grochow; Clare Byron In memory of Wayne Mastel’s father given by Keath & Cindy Borchert In memory of Cleo Eberhardt, father of Darrell Eberhardt, given by Keath & Cindy Borchert Building Fund
In memory of Victor Knudson , father of Wanda Sherven, given by Gary & Jody Friskop Global Mission In memory of Wayne Mastel’s father, given by Rick & Pam Hendrickson Nat’l. Youth Gathering In memory of Ryan Breuer; In memory of Bob Peterson, father of Tracy Peterson; Carl Arahna, friend of the family; Delbert & Marlene King, parents of Sandy Cremers; Sharon McGrath, sister of Sibyl Jacklitch’s niece; Caroline McLaughlin, aunt of Sibyl Jacklitch, all given by Paul & Sibyl Jacklitch
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 responsibil-ity 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; or Reeann Enderson@640-4230
Thanks to the members of Bethel for your continued support.
BeFriender Ministry:
Everyone is, at times, on a difficult journey and needs a caring companion to listen without judgment and provide support. That, in a nutshell, is what BeFriender Ministry is all about. Bethel has trained members of our congregation who are ready and willing to provide a listening ear to anyone in need.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A BEFRIENDER VISIT YOU, CONTACT PASTOR JIM AT 642-4472 or [email protected]
These are the people known to have birthdays in January. If you have a birthday
in January 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!!!!!
1/1 Nicholas Tubbs
1/2 Abby Miller
1/3 Taylor VanEps
1/4 Lorraine Dronen
Harleigh Higdem
Bobbi Jo Jelinek
1/5 Ryan Hendrickson
1/6 Liam Dohman
Meredith Mitskog
Abigail Voss
1/8 LaRuth Buboltz
Allen Hunt
Mary Julson
Jason Sirek
Mary Tolo
1/9 Michelle Blome
Kamdyn Heitkamp
1/10 Olivia Hansen
1/11 Julie Carlson
Braxton Heitkamp
1/12 Neal Folstad
Monique Gregor
Dylan Holbrook
Wade Mund
Jody Rezac
Wanda Sherven
1/13 Keath Borchert
Westin Wiberg
1/14 Sawyer Malme
Lori Pithey
1/15 Brooklyn Sirek
Kaycee Wickoren
1/16 Alexis Fasching
Clinton Gilbertson
Alexis Tschakert
1/17 David Bjerkager
Jenna Blanchard
1/18 Allison Grefsrud
Jamie Hendrickson
Gale Link
Ray Neuman
1/19 Burton Berg
Janna Fatland
Cody Shockley
Elaine Sommers
1/20 Jon Miller
Kennedey Wixo
1/21 Alexis Johanson
Christa Krump
1/22 Cynthia Borchert
Bruce Christianson
Landon Dimmer
Karen Nelsen
Ellie Rezac
1/23 Taylor Bollinger
1/24 Haleigh Gebro
Angela Hofmann
Justin Miller
1/25 Roger Bergeman
Kathleen Dimmer
1/26 Rachel Bassingthwaite
Wayne Flack
Gabriella Hendrickson
Gabrielle Paulson
Emily Whaley
1/27 Daryl Eberhardt
Ricky Holbrook
MaKayla Johnson
Jacob Uhlich
1/28 Brad Bollinger
Alison Boock
Michael Boock
Phyllis Folstad
1/30 Myrna Ball
Lucas Bumgarner
1/31 Natalie Bruschwein
Brad Hubrig
Brandon Wixo
Worship VOLUNTEERS
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.
11:00 am Service
February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25
Reader Connie Foster Katie Erickson Cundy Gustafson Bonnie MacIver
Ushers Doug & Judy Peterson; Floss Johnson; Linda Johnson
Dennis & VonDaLee Grandalen; Janet Farmen
Waren & Anne Retzlaff; Tom & Sandy Bennett
Clark & Gail Williams; Norma Nosek
Communion Assist
Phil & Bonnie MacIver N/A Sonja Christensen; Diane Finnie
N/A
Coffee Servers Wayne Braaten; Jay & Katie Erickson
Phyllis & Neal Folstad; Jody & Gary Friskop
Marlyce & Gene Kemmet; MaryAnn & Henry Loock
Carla Thiele; Janet Farmen
January 7 January 14 January 21 January 28
Reader Carmen Tubbs Reeann Enderson Jean Hoerer Diane Finnie
Ushers Luther & Barb Sannes; Clare Byron; Wayne Braaten
Marilyn Anderson; Sandi Gilbertson;
Corrine Romereim; Carla Thiele
Harvey & Gail Link; Deborah Loberg; Courtney
Dimmer
Gil & Esther Braaten; Dee Jensen
Communion Assist
Sandi Gilbertson; Lori Stiller N/A Randy Hoerer; Sandi Gilbertson
N/A
Coffee
Servers Clark & Gail Williams; Lynn & Jeannie Bjore
Linda Azure; Christa Krump
Holly Close; Doug & Judy Peterson
Kathy Dimmer; Courtney Dimmer
January 7 January 14 January 21 January 28
Reader Allison Voss Lila Gedrose Ginny Buck Perry Miller
Ushers Ryan & Judy Smith Rick & Deb Jacobson Bob & Ginny Buck Mike & Carson Bassingthwaite; Julie
Rempfer
Communion Assist
Greg & Darcy Meide N/A Linda Grochow & Pam Hendrickson
N/A
Coffee
Servers Greg & Darcy Meide Kathy Johnson Linda Grochow Julie Rempfer
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH PLANNING COUNCIL MEETING
December 14, 2017
MEMBERS PRESENT: Hal Fisher, Cindy Borchert, Al Hunt, Art Grochow, Pastor Erika, Jenn Plummer, Sandi Gilbertson, Pat Pithey; Pastor Julé MEMBERS ABSENT: Cyndy Gustafson, Becky DeVries GUESTS PRESENT: CALL TO ORDER: 6:40 PM by Executive Director Hal Fisher MISSION STATEMENT WELCOME NEW MEMBERS/GUESTS – no guests MO1217-01 APPROVAL: November 14, 2017 MINUTES
Motion to accept: Art Grochow 2nd: Al Hunt (Motion carried) MO1217-02 APPROVAL: TREASURER'S REPORT - Update as of November 30, 2017. Approved & submit for audit Motion to approve: Cindy Borchert Second: Pat Pithey (Motion carried)
• Nov envelope offering: $32,407.50
• Deficit: ($37,483.41)
• Checking acct balance: ($33,554.20)
• Saving acct balance: $67.15
• Building fund balance: $5,762.16
• Cap Imp fund balance: $1,338.22 Landscaping fund balance: $1,869.73 SPIRITUAL DIRECTION: Pastor Julè – Germany Trip OLD BUSINESS: Finance discussion: deficit situation; not debt…discussed fundraising possibilities to expand beyond the walls of the church (congregation) into the community. Budget item specific possibly. Nominating Committee (Art): Need 1 more for Board of Lay w/ six to call. Outreach needs 1 more; Property, Education and Stewardship are covered. Discussion: Many responses of able & willing 1 or 2 years out. Listening Posts review: Held on Sun (26th) and Wed (29th) – reviewed notes and key messages and responses. Dis-cussed next steps to advance process and gather more congregation insight. Potluck with Purpose: (2 hour) possibly by topic (Board topics) will have Boards lead. Likely a Sunday afternoon (March 4). Problem identification and then seek & develop solution. NEW BUSINESS: Board Reports:
Stewardship: (Cindy) 133 pledges received / $299 K; puzzle piece (each of us a piece of the whole) people have
gotten it! Property: (Al and Brian) Kitchen health inspection good (1 mention); boiler update (inspection) needs some gasket replacement and maintain an inventory; need to schedule staggered computer upgrades; need to locate the property video and the electronics inventory list (or re-create if not available) Lay: (Jenn) Continue to identify soundboard operators – may be a paid position ($15 per service) Member Gift match / challenge: a second $5K gift has been given. Pastor Erika Plan: Working through 12/24; 1-week vacation and then maternity leave, return Tues Feb 27. Synod Review Next Steps: Church Building. Assessment; Capital Campaign planner (both no cost and a strategy starter); and Potluck with Purpose. Agnes Kragness donation: Hal provided an update on the gift and the agreed stipulations. Wells Fargo – safe deposit box renewal is due; Pat and Jule’ will empty and plan to rent a box at Bell. Other:
Annual reports are due January 2 or earlier Beacon articles are due by December 20.
Closing with the Lord’s Prayer Meeting adjourned 8:30 pm
Next Regular Meeting: Tuesday January 9, 2018 at 6:30 pm Spiritual direction next meeting: Respectfully submitted, Pat Pithey and Sandi Gilbertson Dates and notables: January 28 Annual meeting February 25 Leadership Retreat March 4 – (Tentative date) Potluck with Purpose
