Monthly Newsletter of Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church, Carlton MN

March 2019

In This Month’s Beacon:

* Pastor Mary’s March Newsletter

Article

*Financial Update

*Member News

*Committee Updates

*Community Events

*Upcoming VLM Events

*And More!

As you may have picked

up already, I love talking

about baptism! I mention it

a lot during my children’s

sermons (it’s my usual go-to when

I’m stumped with the mystery box!)

and I love preaching about it as well.

But it’s not very often in church that

we discuss what it means to be a

Godparent, or give thanks for the

Godparents in our lives. The vocation

of a Godparent can be a really fun and

rewarding one, and we don’t always

give it much attention throughout the

year.

But luckily we will have the

opportunity to do just that on March

24th! The specific details are still in

the works, but please put this date on

your calendar and I encourage you to

do some inviting. If you have a

Godparent that is able to make it, or if

you are a Godparent of someone --

invite them to worship that Sunday.

There will be opportunity to bless

those of you who are Godparents, as

well as for those who have Godparents

to thank them for their role in our

lives. But there will also be

opportunity for you to connect with

those who are too far away to

make it. We’re thinking something like

a postcard you can send to them to let

them know you’re thinking of them.

I was very lucky to have two of

my amazing aunts as my Godparents.

Their difference in Christian

denomination actually bolstered my

faith journey as a youth, and I’m so

thankful for their role in my life. I

can’t wait to give thanks for them in a

formal way that Sunday!

_______________________________

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I would also like to share with you the

theme for our Wednesday evening

Lent services this year: “Making

Change.”

Change is constant in our lives.

Some changes mark gradual

transitions, as when daytime

shifts toward twilight or winter turns to

spring. Others happen in the blink of

an eye, separating time into “before”

and “after.” We choose to undergo

some changes after carefully

considering our options, while others

are forced upon us.

In the weeks, days, and hours

before Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples

also experienced change: a change of

venue as the gates of Jerusalem

approached; a change of plans as their

long-awaited Messiah was arrested and

tried; a change of circumstances as the

crowds shouted “Crucify!”

Change is hard. We long for the

expected and familiar, but all too often

find ourselves in the midst of

uncertainty and the unknown. We

cannot predict how things will turn

out. The hymn writer Joachim Neander

proclaimed God’s steadfast love in the

midst of life’s inevitable changes: “All

my hope on God is founded who will

all my trust renew, who through

change and chance will guide me, only

good and only true. God unknown,

God alone, call my heart to be

thine own.” (ELW 757)

Join us for meal at 5:30 pm

and/or worship at 6:30 pm

beginning Wednesday, March 6th

for

Ash Wednesday services, as well as

the following five weeks leading up

to Holy Week.

* Pastoral Care Notes: Need to visit?

Know someone who could use a caring

call? Please feel free to call the office

or Pastor Mary to let us know, and we

will be glad to schedule one.

2019 Members of Bethesda

Church Council

*President – Lynn Beatty

*Vice President –Frank Curtiss

*Secretary - Linda Newlon

*Stacy Colich, Treasurer

Jason Goad

Beth Leseman

Dave Beatty

Deb Davis

Jane Joki

Teresa Solomon *If you have items that you wish to be addressed by

council, contact a member of the Executive Committee,

who sets the council agenda. The Executive Committee

consists of these officers. They also serve as the

Personnel Committee. You can keep up to date with

church business by viewing the Council Meeting Minutes

which are posted on the bulletin board outside the

church office or view them on our website.

Bethesda Staff

Office 218-384-4501

Mary Fiel, Pastor 507-525-3909

prmaryfiel@gmail.com

Bobbie McCorison, Secretary

Stacy Colich, Treasurer 218-393-7775

stacycolich@yahoo.com

Nita Davis, Bookkeeper/Accountant

515-890-1235

Nita@davisbooksandtax.com

Alice Kloepfer, Custodian

Cathy Dale, Accompanist

Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church

204 5th

St – PO Box 210

Carlton MN 55718

Email: bethesda55718@msn.com

Website: www.bethesdacarlton.org

Synod’s Site: www.nemnsynod.org

There will be a

Congregational Meeting

on March 10th

after

Worship to vote on the

following change:

Proposal for change to Endowment

Committee Continuing Resolution

Item 1.4. (page 29 of the Constitution):

Was: The committee shall elect from

its membership a chairperson, treasurer

and a secretary.

Proposed change: The committee

shall elect from its membership a

chairperson. Further, the committee

will appoint a Treasurer and Secretary

from its membership or fill these roles

with voting members from the

congregation.

Thrivent Money for FREE???!!!

Free money? If you’ve invested in

Thrivent Financial the answer is YES!!

Because Thrivent is non-profit, every

year each member receives a return

on their investments that they can

direct to a charity of their choice. This

means every year you have the money

you can give away -but, if you don’t

do so, it won’t happen.

Bethesda as well as other charities

could certainly use that money. It’s an

easy process. To do so simply:

1. Log into your Thrivent account

on line

2. Scroll to “My Member Network

& Benefits”

3. Choose “Thrivent Choice”

4. Choose “Direct Choice Dollars”

(you’ll see how much you can

direct here)

5. Under keywords, enter “Bethesda

Lutheran Church, Carlton” and

enter

If you’d like your money to go to a

particular cause such as Memorial

fund, general fund, kitchen

remodeling, property, etc. make a note

of the amount and let Nita Davis (our

bookkeeper) know. Her email is

Nita@davisbooksandtax.com. If you

ask, she’ll let you know when it arrives

- it usually takes just a few weeks.

Ginny Korte-Castle has offered to

assist anyone who needs help with this

process - but your Thrivent

Representative can do so as well.

Collecting for a Cause

Just a reminder that we are collecting

pop can tabs for the Ronald McDonald

House, Box Tops and 5 cent milk caps

for our local schools.

We also collect the following items for

C.A.R.E: (Community Addiction

Recovery Enterprise formerly

Liberalis) shampoo, toothpaste, lotion,

body wash, tampax, sanitary pads,

combs, deodorant, soap, calendars,

greeting cards, note cards. No mouth

wash or anything with alcohol.

Thank you to Mary Saarela who has

purchased new bins for these items.

They are located on the shelf in the

small closet nook right outside the

Fellowship Hall.

Special Giving:

In Memory of

Ginger Rowe

By Bob & Marnie Emerson

By Marv & Pat Durkee (Worship)

By Jan Grannes

By George & Mary Saarela

(Kitchen Fund)

Dorothy Johnson

By Achorn Family

Florence Strandberg

By Pastor Richard & Judy Hane

By Marv & Pat Durkee (Worship)

By Debby Johnson

(Sunday School Fund)

Millie Schneider

By Marv & Pat Durkee (Worship)

Terry Bang (Sue Coady’s brother)

By Marv & Pat Durkee

By Debby Johnson

LEAP 4 REACH Dinner

March 5th, 2019

Dine In or Carry Out 4:00-7:00 PM

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

REACH is a 501(c)3 organization

based in Cloquet, MN serving since

2000 to provide supportive and

meaningful mentoring relationships to

the youth of Carlton County. Our

vision is a community where every

youth experiences a variety of positive

and encouraging relationships that

provide a sense of belonging and allow

all youth the ability to achieve their

full potential both individually and as

members of the community.

REACH is also looking for people

interested in becoming mentors. There

are currently about 50 kids on the wait

list for a mentor. For questions contact

Executive Director Dakota Koski at

(218) 499-4293 or

dakota@reachmentoringprogram.com.

Member News

Celebrating March

Baptismal Birthdays:

Brock Peterson, Donna Koski,

Karson Davis, Kennidy Davis, Jason

Goad, Bridger McCorison,

Darlene Godbout, Cecelia Moench,

Karen Johnson, Ryan Lindgren,

Deanna Wallin, Audrey Lokken,

Brian Allen, Jared Kelley,

Jason Peterson, Emily Hanson,

Macguier Thorman,

Jude Holden, Sullivan Kiehn,

Jonathon Radtke, Paul Sell,

Harlow Lekander-Karsiko,

Ruth Olson, Amy Schwoch, Jayden

Swanson, Rollin Martini &

Daniel Wakefield.

Donald Lokken has

volunteered to create the

Seafarer’s Ditty Bags for God’s Work,

Our Hands. Thank you Donald for

your willingness to do this!

Social Ministry

Social Ministry will be hosting

coffee in support of the Union

Gospel Mission on March 17th

.

Social Ministry will be collecting

coats, hats & mittens for the Damiano

Center until the end of March.

WELCA

There will be a WELCA Planning

Meeting on March 24th

after Worship.

We will discuss fundraisers.

Save the Date:

WELCA Kettle River Conference

Thursday April 4, 2019

4:30pm-7:30pm

Dell Grove Emmanuel Lutheran

Church Sandstone.

Children, Youth, Family & Ed.

First Communion: April 14th

Confirmation: May 12th

Senior Recognition/Blessing:

May 19th

Here is an update on the

“Soup”er Bowl of

Caring:

A check for $37.10 is going to

the Second Harvest Northern

Lakes Food Bank for the

Backpack program for students

in Carlton County

A $15 check is going to the

Salvation Army

A $250 Thrivent Card was

donated to purchase food

A $25 donation came from Super

One to purchase food

A $60 donation was given from

Gladys and Arlyn Sievert

And 248 pounds of food was

donated to the Salvation Army!

Thank you to everyone who

helped to make this such a

success!

Luther Seminary Online Resources:

God Pause: Daily email devotions

www.luthersem.edu/godpause

Enter the Bible: Bible Study resource

www.EntertheBible.org

Center for Stewardship Leaders: weekly email newsletter

www.luthersem.edu/stewardship

Working Preacher: Global preaching

resource

www.WorkingPreacher.org

It’s that time of year again! Don’t

forget to turn your clocks ahead on

Saturday March 9th

. Daylight Savings Time begins on

Sunday March 10th

at 2 a.m.

Faith on the Go

Pray

Loving God, teach us to love in the

way that you love us. Show us how

to be compassionate. Show us how to

share the good things that we

have. Teach us to accept people for

who they are. Show us how to be

accepting. Show us how to be

encouraging. Amen.

Connect

Who was easy for you to love today?

Who was hard to love?

Bible

Luke 6:27‐38—Love for Enemies

Chat

Day 1

Luke 6:27‐30

Have you done this? Have you tried to

love the people who choose to hate

you? How does it make you feel?

Day 2

Luke 6:31

The Golden Rule! What makes this an

easy rule to follow?

What makes it difficult?

Day 3

Luke 6:32‐34

When are you most likely to give

something to someone else?

When it’s something that you don’t

want? When you have extra? When

it’s someone you think will re‐pay the

favor?

Day 4

Luke 6:35‐36

What are some reasons that you have

been rude or seemed ungrateful? What

could be going on in the lives of other

to make them act that way, too?

Day 5

Luke 6:37‐38

All of these statements are

challenging, but this might be most

difficult. What causes you to pass

judgment on another? What

do you think people judge about you?

Bless

May God rejoice in you and comfort

you.

Upcoming VLM Events:

Camper Rejuve

Elementary Rejuve (grades 3-6)-

March 8-9, 2019 – Camp Hiawatha

Elementary Rejuve (grades 3-6)

March 15-16, 2019 – Camp

Vermilion

Camper Rejuves are a great way to get

back to camp during the school year,

or to check out camp for the upcoming

summer! You'll get your camp fix on

this 23 hour overnight - games,

campfire, songs, friends, learning, and

of course, great camp food.

Cost: $50 per camper. A $15 non-

refundable deposit is due with your

registration. Churches are welcome to

register as a group, with a deposit to

hold your spots.(One adult leader is

free with every 8 campers when

coming with a church group)

When: Registration begins at 7:00

p.m. on Friday and the program ends

following supper on Saturday (about

6:00 p.m.). More information will be

sent to all registered campers.

Space for these retreats is limited so

we encourage you to register

early. To register, please call the

camp office at (800) 331-5148 or fill

out and send a retreat registration

form.

March Volunteers

9:00

Acolytes

3. Anna Bong

10. Annabelle Soukkala

Greeters

3. Renee Kesty

10. Anna Bong

17. Lucas Radtke

24. Ethan Krone

31. Anna Bong

17. Cheryl Ankrum

24. Tricia Hackensmith

31. Theresa Vick

Ushers

3. Dave & Lynn Beatty

10. Sharon Bragge & Des Holm

17. Lew Castle & Ginny Korte-Castle

24. Pat Durkee & Stacy Colich

Communion Prep & Clean

3. Sharon Bragge (P & C)

10. Ryan Swanson(P)

Bethany Leseman(C)

17. Renee Kesty(P & C)

24. Pat Durkee (P) Jane Joki(C)

31. Linda Newlon(P & C)

31. JoAnn Gustafson & Mary Saarela

Lay Readers

3. Paul Carpenter

10. Bethany Leseman

17. Pat Durkee

24. Linda Newlon

31. Stacy Colich

Counters

3. Gladys Sievert & Janice Dahl

10. Jane Joki & Lorna Bryant

17. Gene Bryant & Lynn Beatty

24. Linda Newlon & Chris Mitchell

31. Mary Saarela & Bethany Leseman

Communion Assistants

3. Linda Newlon & Sharon Bragge

10. Mary Saarela & Pat Durkee

17. Stacy Colich & JoAnn Gustafson

24. Cheryl Ankrum & Renae House

31. Bethany Leseman & Cookie Jaakola

Coffee Servers

3. Lil’s Group

10. Cary’s Group

17. Social Ministry

24. Rusty’s Group

31. Marlys’ Group

Just a reminder that if you have switched

duties with someone please contact the office

so changes can be made for the bulletin.

Thank you.

April Volunteers

9:00

Acolytes

7. Annabelle Soukkala

14. Lucas Radtke

Greeters

7. Ginny Korte-Castle

14. Sheri & Jon Kolb

21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up

28. Ethan Krone

21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up

28. Paula & Noah Olsen

Ushers

7. Jon Kolb & Paul Carpenter

14. Paula & Noah Olsen

21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up

28. Ryan Swanson & Debby Johnson

Communion Prep & Clean

7. Mary Saarela (P & C)

14. Pat Durkee (P & C)

21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up

28. Ryan Swanson (P)

Bethany Leseman (C)

Lay Readers

7. Cheryl Ankrum

14. Renae House

21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up

28. Ginny Korte-Castle

Counters

7. Janice Dahl & Lorna Bryant

14. Gene Bryant & Jane Joki

21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up

28. Gladys Sievert & Lynn Beatty

Coffee Servers

Communion Assistants 7. Gladys’ Group

7. Nixon Mitchell & Janice Dahl

14. Dave & Lynn Beatty

14. Linda’s Group

21. Easter Breakfast

21. Easter Sunday Sign-Up 28. Pat’s Group

28. Linda Newlon & Sharon Bragge

March 2019 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 11am Men's Bible

Study

2

3

9am

Worship

Sunday Story

Time

10:15am

Coffee Hour

Sing ‘N Play

4 7:00pm

Al-Anon

Meeting

5

6:30pm

Financial

Peace

University

6 5:30pm

Community Meal

6pm

6th

-10th

Grade

Lenten Mentorship

Meeting

6:30pm

Ash Wednesday

Worship

7 1pm

Jam Group

3:30pm

Children,

Youth, Family

& Ed.

8 11am Men's Bible

Study

9

10 Lent~1

Daylight Savings

Time Begins

9am

Worship

Sunday Story

Time

10:15am

Coffee Hour

Sing ‘N Play

Cong. Meeting

11 7:00pm

Al-Anon

Meeting

12 Kettle River

Conference

5:30pm

Council Meeting

13 5:30pm

Community Meal

6th

-10th

Grade

Mentorship

Holy Communion

Instruction

6:30pm

Worship

14

15 11am Men's Bible

Study

16

17 Social Ministry ~

Union Gospel

Mission

9am

Worship

10:15am

Coffee Hour

Sing ‘N Play

18 7:00pm

Al-Anon

Meeting

19

20 5:30pm

Community Meal

6th

-10th

Grade

Mentorship

Holy Communion

Instruction

6:30pm

Worship

21 1pm

Jam Group

22 11am Men's Bible

Study

23

12pm Fellowship

Hall In Use ~

Jaakola

Family

24 Godparent’s Sunday

9am

Worship

10:15am

Coffee Hour

Sing ‘N Play

WELCA Planning

Meeting

25 7:00pm

Al-Anon

Meeting

26

27 Spring Break ~ No

Class

5:30pm

Community Meal

6pm

Faith Formation

6:30pm

Worship

28

29 11am Men's Bible

Study

30

31 9am

Worship/ Healing

Service

10:15am

Coffee Hour

Sing ‘N Play