The Wellspring - Bethesda Lutheran Church

Transcription

The Wellspring
“Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water” John 7:38
Volume 7, Issue 5
May 2012
Grow to Go
Easter has come and gone.
Our Mission
GATHER all people into a
living relationship with Jesus
Christ;
GROW as disciples through
worship, prayer and study of
God’s Word;
GO into the world to share
the gospel in word and deed.
1517 Northwestern Avenue
Ames, Iowa 50010
515-232-6256
www.bethesdanet.org
Inside this Issue
Call Committee Update . . . . . . 2
City of Ames Green Team . . . . 4
Faith in Education / Action . . . 5
Planting Seeds Campaign . . . . . 6
Visiting the White House . . . . . 6
Children, Youth & Family . . . . 7
The Alpha Course Encore . . . . . 8
Women’s Ministries . . . . . . . . . 9
Council Highlights . . . . . . . . . 10
by Pastor Randy Gehring
Life has moved on. So what?
Everything we do here at Bethesda is part of that big ‘So What.’ We exist in order
that the world might know that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive and well.
God’s plan to bring healing and hope to this broken world is now being carried on
by us and by the church throughout the world. We are part of something much
bigger than ourselves.
2012 is the year when we are focusing on the GROW part of our mission statement:
We are called to GROW as disciples of Jesus Christ through worship, pray and
the study of God’s Word. To that end, we’ve started another Men’s Bible Study on
Friday afternoons. We’ve held adult forums on Sunday mornings on Devotional
Classics as well as Spiritual Gifts. Women’s Ministries has hosted two gatherings
as well as numerous Bible studies. Cross Conversations, a look at the meaning of
the cross, has been an opportunity for learning and small group interaction and a
helpful follow-up to our Lenten focus on the book Love Wins by Rob Bell. Retreats
have been held. Small groups continue to meet. And, of course, we’ve been
gathering for worship every weekend to grow in our faith in the risen Lord through
the gifts of God’s Word, the sacraments and the gathered community.
All of this GROWing activity, though, is for a purpose beyond our personal spiritual
growth. Going deeper in our relationship with God is good but it is not an end in
itself. We GROW in order that we may GO into the world to be the big ‘So What’
that brings hope in the midst of despair, healing in the midst of brokenness, and
light in the midst of darkness. The Holy Spirit shapes us into the people God calls
us to be so that we might continue the work Jesus began all those years ago.
Our Planting Seeds for the Future Debt Retirement Campaign is all about
securing a future in which we are free to engage this work as broadly and as fully as
possible. When we succeed in paying off our debt by 2015 or sooner, we will be
able to redirect more of our financial resources (more than $120,000 annually!) to
funding ministry initiatives that take people deeper in the faith and send them out
into the world as missionaries of the big ‘So What.’
So make plans to attend worship on Commitment Sunday, May 6 at 10:30 a.m.
Spend some time now praying about the commitment you will make to our
Planting Seeds for the Future Debt Retirement Campaign during worship that
Sunday and listen for how God is calling you to respond in joyful generosity to the
mission we share. Be a part of the big ‘So What’ here at Bethesda as we GROW to
GO to the glory of God.
The Wellspring
May 2012
Page 2
Call Committee Summarizes Congregation’s Thoughts on
by Brian Meyer
The other side of the input form asked about ministry site
In March, the Call Committee gratefully received 100
characteristics. It asked the question: “As you think of your
completed forms from congregation members, asking for
congregation and the way it tends to live out its corporate
thoughts on qualities and gifts they’d like to see in a new
life and pursue its mission, what tends to characterize your
teaching pastor and how they would characterize our life
life together?”
at Bethesda.
Each committee member also completed a form, together
at one of its meetings. The committee summarized input
from all the forms and discussed it at two meetings as
part of the work to complete Bethesda’s Ministry Site
Profile.
The profile, affectionately known as the MSP, is a kind of
resume of our congregation that includes a little history,
current structures and staffing patterns, hopes for future
mission directions, demographic data on the community
and gifts for leadership sought by the congregation.
One side of the congregational form was identifying gifts
for ministry. What gifts does our new leader need to be
able to do or provide? The form provided 25 statements
of gifts, skills or personality characteristics. You were
asked to select the top five priorities plus another five that
would be very helpful.
Of the 100 responses received, here were the top ten gifts
for ministry selected. In parentheses are the number of
people who marked the gift as either a top priority or
very helpful.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
Be an effective communicator.
(69)
Help people develop their spiritual life.
(63)
Be an effective teacher.
(60)
Be effective in working with youth.
(57)
Bring joy and good humor to relationships.
(54)
Be able to share leadership and work in a team. (48)
Build a sense of community among the people with
whom he or she works. (48)
8) Deal effectively with conflict.
(48)
9) Be skilled in planning and leading programs. (47)
10)Be active in visitation of members and nonmembers.
(46)
The committee took the first five of the top ten above and
marked them as top priorities on the MSP. The second set
of five were marked as very helpful qualities on the MSP.
There were four categories to consider: As A Community;
Our Leadership Style; Our Programming; and Our
Theological Perspective. In each category was a set of
comparison statements. You were asked to make one
selection from a set of four choices on a continuum
between the comparisons: Did you think one statement
was “a lot like us,” or “a little like us?” Or was the opposite
statement “a lot like us,” or “a little like us?”
Here’s the results, by category. Listed is the percentage of
the congregational responses that selected each choice. The
highest percentage for each comparison is in boldface.
Category 1: As A Community
Comparison #A
We tend to be formal and programmatic:
>>A lot like us: 32%
>>A little like us: 51%
We tend to be informal and spontaneous:
>>A lot like us: 0%
Comparison #B
We have clearly defined goals and plans for our future:
We have no stated goals or plans:
>>A lot like us: 2%
Comparison #C
We are racially and economically diverse.
>>A lot like us: 3%
We are demographically homogeneous.
Category 2: Our Leadership Style
Comparison A
We welcome ideas that are provoking and challenging.
We prefer ideas that are tried and true.
GROW to Go
N
May 2012
Volume 7, Issue 5
Page 3
New Teaching Pastor Qualities, Characteristics of Bethesda
Comparison B
We rely on our leaders for direction.
We rely on group decision-making.
Comparison B
We participate in synod and ELCA activities.
We are not very active in the synod and ELCA.
>>A lot like us: 4%
Comparison C
We have learned how to use conflict constructively.
>>A lot like us: 5%
We tend to perceive conflict as something destructive.
Comparison C
We focus on Biblical studies and doctrine.
We focus on contemporary issues and topics.
>>A lot like us: 0%
Category 3: Our Programming
After discussion, the committee took the highest
percentage indicated by the congregation in each
statement and filled in the required section of the MSP.
Comparison A
Our facilities are often used by community groups.
Our facilities are only used for our activities.
>>A lot like us: 0%
Comparison B
We train people to minister outside our walls.
We train people to minister inside our walls.
>>A lot like us: 7%
Comparison C
We focus on ideas and beliefs.
We focus on skills and actions.
>>A lot like us: 7%
Category 4: Our Theological
Perspective
On a few completed forms, congregation members wrote
comments to the Call Committee; among them were the
following:
• Lead and participate in an active educational program.
• Give a good sermon applicable to today’s world.
• Above all, the person selected should be grounded in
Lutheran theology and doctrine.
• I’d like the Call Committee to be sensitive to the need
for encouraging female input.
• Don’t need an administrator.
• One of strengths Pastor Joel brought to his sermons
was humor and creativity. I would like to see that
in our next pastor as well. Humor brings folks of all
walks of life together.
• Recognize and deal with conflict.
• Can we keep Pastor Gerking?
Comparison A
We are obviously Lutheran in identity and practice.
We are less obvious about our Lutheran heritage.
>>A lot like us: 0%
• Walks on water. 
Again, the Call Committee thanks those who submitted
forms, which have been very helpful in discerning
information that will help pastoral candidates clearly
understand more about Bethesda and who we wish to
call. Thanks, too, to those who have continued to pray
for the call process. Continue to pray!
GROW to Go
Bethesda Lutheran Church has set a new standard of energy and environmental
stewardship with the installation of a high-efficiency geothermal heating and cooling system.
The church’s choice of a geothermal system will not only save energy and reduce the demand
for electricity, but will improve the overall comfort for those utilizing the facility. By keeping
demand for electricity low, especially during times of peak usage, we reduce our need to
produce or purchase additional electricity. Bethesda Lutheran Church has joined Ames Electric
Services in partnering to protect and promote a more sustainable Ames.
- Steve Wilson, Electric Services Coordinator for the City of Ames
Mayor Ann Campbell
(second from the right)
presents Bethesda Lutheran
Church with a Smart Energy
rebate check for its energyefficient new geothermal
HVAC system. From the left,
the Rev. Randy Gehring,
Bethesda Lutheran Church
Lead Pastor; Jean Nicol
Jahren, Bethesda Lutheran
Church Council President;
and Donald Kom, Director of
Ames Electric Services.
• Bethesda Lutheran Church is the recipient of a $70,560 Smart Energy rebate from Ames
Electric Services and is the newest member of Mayor Ann Campbell’s “Green Team.”
• Located at 1517 Northwestern Ave., Bethesda Lutheran Church’s new geothermal system
is estimated to save 120,000 kilowatt hours of energy per year and reduce electric demand
by 62 kilowatts. This will save the customer approximately $12,480 annually. Estimated
future avoided cost for City of Ames Electric Services is estimated to be $85,000. The new
geothermal system will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 98 tons annually.
Learn more about Smart Energy at
www.cityofames.org
As part of the Smart Energy program, Ames Electric Services offers
educational opportunities, incentives, and rebates to help residential and
commercial customers conserve energy and save money. Smart Energy
programs include the Residential Energy Audit, Commercial Energy Audit,
Efficiency Lighting Rebate, Commercial Efficiency Lighting Rebate, Residential
Efficiency New Construction Rebate, Power Factor Correction Rebate, Power
Watch, Prime Time Power, and Green Choices.
May 2012
Volume 7, Issue 5
Page 5
GROW to Go with Education and Action
Whatever Gift Series in May
Congregational Leadership Series
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve
one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
~ 1st Peter 4:10
Faith: A Heart-felt Hour or a Way of Life?
Is religion the hour that we spend on Sunday mornings?
Or is it how we think, walk, and talk through life?
Faith, religion, and spirituality are often just one piece
of our life. The 2012 Congregational Leadership Series
will engage pastors, leaders, and lay people in practical
exercises to help put faith to work in everyday life.
Attend one or both sessions. Carpool sign-up at the
Welcome Center for the trip to Grand View University.
• May 8, 7–9:00 p.m. . . Are We Practical Polytheists?
Faith and the Spheres of Life
• May 9, 9–11:30 a.m. . . Being the Body of Christ in
Daily Life
Bethesda has already paid the congregational fee, so that
anyone can attend.
G
Go
Servants are called to work in the areas of Church
Council, Gifts in Ministry and Network Leadership.
Details of open positions for election at the June 24th
Semi-Annual Meeting were included on page 2 in the
April edition of the Wellspring.
r o w
w
o
G o Ga t he
Or, you may call Sara Nelson (chair) at 296-0369, Matt
Franco, Kent Heikens, Keith Robinder, Keri Carstens,
Gary Botine, Marianne Chalstrom, Helen Olson, or
Danny Kepley with your questions and ideas. Help
us Grow!
GROW to Go
r Gr
Gat
May 20 . . . Evangelism: Rumor has it that Evangelism
is a scary word for Lutherans? During our final session
before the Sunday School “break” begins, Pastor Kathy
will unpack this myth. The discussion will encompass
the visions for Bethesda’s Evangelism Network, as well as
conversation about what it means to be a member of this
congregation and engage in ministry with an evangelical
heart. Perhaps this is your Spiritual Gift after all!
If you are pondering how your spiritual
gifts and passions might be utilized in
these years at Bethesda, we hope you
will consider serving in these roles. Or
perhaps you have noticed someone
else whom you would like to help the
Holy Spirit “nudge” into leadership.
A nomination form is provided at
the Welcome Center for you to pass
this information along to the Gifts in
Ministry Team. Forms must be completed and turned in
by Thursday, May 10.
rG
e
h
Turn Your Faith Into a Verb!
Go
May 13 . . . Knowledge and Teaching:
Perhaps you’ve heard that a Call Process
is underway at Bethesda? We’re looking
for a Teaching Pastor. What spiritual
gifts will we be looking for in this person?
Pastor Eric Carlson, Assistant to the
Bishop in our Southeastern Iowa Synod
and members of Bethesda’s own Call
Committee will be present for our session
today about the process of calling our
new pastor.
r ow
May 6 . . . Intercession: Ten Days of Prayer kicked off
our Planting Seeds for the Future Debt-Retirement
Campaign. How did you experience that opportunity?
Do you see Intercession as a Spiritual Gift or a
Discipleship Practice? Pastor Randy will lead us in a
discussion of the ministry of praying on behalf of others.
How do we best use this gift among us?
her
t
a
G
Under the umbrella of spiritual gifts, everyone is invited
to participate in study opportunities on Sunday mornings
from 9:40 to 10:30 in Centennial Hall. Let’s explore
more gifts mentioned in scripture. Attendance on any
Sunday will help you consider the particular gifts given
to you as well as to delight in the gifts offered by others.
Drop in any time! Each opportunity will enhance
your understanding of the framework of 20 Spiritual
Gifts utilized through the work of the Gifts in Ministry
specialists at Bethesda.
The Wellspring
May 2012
Page 6
Commitments, Contracts, and Covenants
by Pastor Kathy Haueisen, Stewardship Key Leader
We make commitments every day. We make a
commitment to utility companies that if they provide
gas, electricity and water we will faithfully pay our bills
every month. If we don’t honor that commitment they
may cut off delivery of these resources. And, if we rent or
own a home with a mortgage we make a commitment to
pay a landlord or bank for a set amount of time. By not
honoring these commitments we may become homeless.
someone made a commitment for $100 a month and then
lost their job or had a catastrophic illness they would need
to reduce their gift.
However, when we commit to give a percentage of our
resources to the Campaign the size of our commitment
doesn’t need to change as circumstances change. We can
give the same percentage even though the dollar amount
may go up or down.
Bethesda is asking for your commitment too. But the
commitment to the Planting Seeds for the
Future Debt Retirement Campaign is
more like a covenant than a contract. A
covenant is an agreement made between
two parties who respect and trust one
another. Neither is required to sign
on the bottom line. In the case of our
commitment/covenant to the Planting Seeds for the
Future Campaign—the commitment is a statement
of what we are hoping we will be able to do. As our
situations change, so must the dollar amount.
As we get closer to Commitment Weekend, May 5 and
6, listen for God’s voice and direction as to what your
commitment will be towards Planting Seeds for the
Future!
For example, if someone made a commitment of $100
a month for three years and a year later inherited a
million dollars they may want to increase their gift! Or if
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord,
plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a
future with hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Each Bethesda member’s written commitment to
the Planting Seeds for the Future Campaign help
members keep track of what they promised they
could do. These commitments also enable those
charged with financial responsibility for Bethesda’s
future to plan wisely and prudently.
I Visited the White House!
by Evan Bay Brakke
A very special thing happened to me! I wrote a letter at school about
exercising and eating healthy foods from our school’s garden, and I mailed
it to Michelle Obama. I was speechless when I heard that four of my
classmates and I were picked to go to meet her and help her plant the White
House garden. I was so lucky! My favorite part of the trip was seeing the
Lincoln Memorial and the children’s Holocaust Museum with my family.
But the very best part was meeting Mrs. Obama and telling her about my
dog, Nala. Nala is the same breed of dog as her dog, Bo. This was the most
awesome experience of my life! I hope you get to go to Washington D.C.
someday, and maybe you’ll get to meet the First Lady, too!
~ Evan Bay Brakke
8 years old
2nd grader at Kate Mitchell Elementary
GROW to Go
May 2012
Volume 7, Issue 5
Page 7
Children, Youth & Family Ministries
by Shelly Gehring, AIM
Vacation Bible School for 1–6 Graders
Congratulations 2012 Confirmands
Vacation Bible School Partners
St. Andrew’s, Lord of Life, and Bethesda
are excited to announce
The following students celebrated their Affirmation of
Baptism during worship Sunday, April 22.
Nicole Auel
Riverside Lutheran Bible Day Camp 2012
Logan Bathie
Jonathan Blakeley
Hope Brakke
• Held at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church ... 209
Colorado Ave.
• Mon., June 18–Thurs., June 21 ... Noon–5:00 p.m.
• For children going into first through sixth grades in the
Fall of 2012
• $20 registration fee for the 4-day Camp
• Students in seventh through twelfth grades are
encouraged to sign-up as staff assistants (no fee
required ... sign-up located at the Welcome Center
• Mid-afternoon snack provided.
• Submit completed Registration and Health Form (an
insert in this publication) plus registration fee to the
Bethesda church office
• Complete one form per student; additional forms
available at the Welcome Center
• Registration deadline = June 1
Contact Shelly Gehring, Children, Youth and Family
Minister at 232-6256 or sgehring@bethesdanet.org for
more information.
Kelanie Crosswait
Jonah Glenn
Luke Lenhart
Allie Mullen
Sam Nettleton
Hannah Rollins
Maria Sorenson
Olivia VanWeelden
Andrew Wiebke
Celebrating Our High School Grads
These Bethesda members will graduate from Ames High
School and Gilbert High School on May 20.
Vacation Bible School for Bethesda
Preschool and Kindergarteners
• At Bethesda Lutheran Church . . . the Commons
• Mon., June 18–Thurs. June 21 ... 9–11:00 a.m.
• For students entering Preschool to entering
Kindergarten in the fall of 2012
• Program is free!
• Program will include Bible Stories, Games, Crafts,
Snacks and more!
• Sign-up sheet is located at the Welcome Center.
(Registration taken during first class)
For questions contact Angie Weber @ 233-1411 or Shelly
Gehring, Children, Youth & Family Minister at 2326256 or sgehring@bethesdanet.org.
GROW to Go
Kristin Amdahl
Brady Brinkmeyer
Mattie Bruning
Jenna Fitch
Dillan Glock
Hayley Johnson
Lauren Mosiman
Emma Thorgaard
Joel Uhlmeyer
Dean VanEvery
Jake Wahlin
The Wellspring
Alpha is Coming! May 2012
Page 8
The Alpha Course
Interested in knowing who Jesus is? Why he died? How
to pray? These questions and many more will be the
subjects of discussion at the Alpha Course.
The Alpha Course is a ten-week program designed for
anyone who follows Christ, or is interested in learning
about the Christian faith. Each gathering is designed to
bring us together in fellowship through supper, a talk,
and small group sharing. Get to know others from Bethesda and the community
by asking questions and participating in the discussion
of difficult topics. Ask anything: Alpha is a place where
no question is seen as too simple or too complex. Grow
together in Christ as we explore faith together!
Alpha meets nine times on Sundays this fall, starting
September 9 and ending on Sunday, November 18. Supper starts at 5:00 p.m., with the talk and small group
discussion to follow, we will end by 7:00 p.m.
Join your brothers and sisters in this weekly Christcentered evening! Child care is available. Registration
forms and additional information are located at the
Welcome Center. Cost is $10 each prior to August 1,
and $15 after. There is also a suggested donation of $5
per person per meal per week.
The 2011 Alpha Course meets in the Bethesda Commons.
Alpha Testimonial from Sue & Dan Kepley
We participated in the Alpha course in the fall of 2011. Several of our friends had taken the course previously and had
wonderful things to say about it. Because of our conversations with them, there was no question that we’d take the course
when it was offered at Bethesda. We found the subject matter appealing no
matter what your level of biblical or religious knowledge. A friend suggested
it was similar to religion/Christianity 101. Pastor Joel and the videos of Nicky
Gumbel were informative and humorous making the classes very enjoyable.
At the beginning of Alpha, we were each assigned a small group for meals and
discussion. The meals were delicious. We enjoyed the fellowship during the
meals as it was an excellent way to become acquainted with people and know
them on a more personal basis. These were also the people with whom you had
discussion at the end of each session.
Both of us enjoyed every aspect of this experience and would recommend it
to anyone wanting to strenghten their faith, or anyone having doubts about their faith. It’s sure to change your life! So,
please consider attending the Alpha course at Bethesda beginning September 2012.
GROW to Go
May Circles*—
Deborah Circle–May 24 Hostess: CarolynAhlstrom,
atBethesdaChurch
Mary Circle–May 24
Hostess:NanceneWengert
Naomi Circle–May 24
Hostess:NormaMcNertney
Ruth Circle–May 24 Hostess:Anne Almquist
Interest Groups—
Please call these chairs to add
your name to an interest group.
Book Lovers–
Barb Ebbers, chair
232-0073 or bebbers@isunet.net
• May11that9:30atJanFreemans
Book—To Kill a Mocking Bird
Anyoneinterestedinstarting
adayoreveningBookClub,call
aboardmember.
Bethesda Lutheran Church
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
Scandinavian Coffee Planning Meeting—
Sunday, June 10 th at 9:30 a.m.
PleasecomeSunday,June10,at9:30a.m.
toCentennialHallfortheplanningmeetingforthe56thAnnualScandinavian
Coffee,tobeheldFriday,October12andSunday,October14(duringcoffee
hour).Committeechairs,co-chairs,workshopleaders,helpers&anyone
interestedinhelping–pleasefeelwelcometojoinus.Thecommitteeand
workshopbinderswillbehandedout.Welookforwardtothefunand
fellowshipasweworktogetherattheworkshopsandattheCoffee.
Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecallIngridPlace(292-7513),BettySnider
(268-0363)orLucilleAndersen(515-292-4871).
Schedule for our Gift Shop Craft Workshops:
Allworkshopsare6:30to8:30p.m.intheChurch.Allarewelcome.
Jointhefun.Nocraftingexperiencenecessary!Manyhandsare
neededtohelp.Questions,pleasecallNadineDobbeat233-2845.
Crafts–TBA
Monday,May21ConferenceRoom
Tuesday,June26CentennialHall,EastEnd
Monday,July23ConferenceRoom
Creative Writing–
Ginny Anderson, chair
*May Circles’ Agenda :
Eating Out–
Arliss Stockdale and
Rue Ann Sams, co-chairs
rsams4885@msn.com
•Friday,April27that
“TheIowaStater”restaurant
(Gateway)at12:00noon
E-mailRueAnnSamsorcallat
232-9144forreservations
Exercise–
Monica Bruning, chair
Foods–
Kris Stacy Bates and
Sally Barclay, co-chairs
Games–
Betty Snider and
Ruth Harris, co-chairs
Gardening–
Irene Pope, chair
TheMaycirclemeetingswillbeonthe4thThursday,the24th.Sincethe
Women’sMinistryBoardwillbeworkingonthenextyear’swomen’sbook,
wewouldlikeeachcircletoselecttheirofficers,theirhostesses,andtheir
Biblestudyleadersfortheyearsowecanputtheminthebook.Afteryour
Maycirclemeeting,pleasesubmitthisinformationtotheboard.
DuringthemonthsofJuneandJuly,onthe4thThursday,wewillhavejoint
circlemeetingsatBethesda.Ifanyonewouldliketojoinacircleoranyother
grouporneedachangeorcorrectionfromlastyear’sbook,letusknow.
Note from Evon: Nowthatour2011-2012Women’sMinistryyearand
othermeetingsarecomingtoaclose,Iaskmyself—WhatwillIdo
withmyextratime?Sittinginchurch,itcametome.WOW!!Allthe
thingsIhavesaidIdon’thavetimefor,nowIdo.Iplanonvisitingthe
homebound,goouttolunch,gettogetherwithpeopleIhaven’tseen
forawhile,bakeandtakefoodtopeoplethatarealone,callandtalk
topeopleinstress,andtakewalkstoenjoyGod’sbeautifulearth.
Soundneat?Comeandjoinme.
Evon Trcka, Womens Ministries President
ertrcka@aol.com 515 232 5693, cell 515 450 7620
The Wellspring
May 2012
Page 10
The Wellspring
Church Council Highlights: April 17
Call Committee Activity
The council voted to approve the ministry site profile
created by the call committee. A one-page profile
summary will be made available to Bethesda members,
and open forums will be held within the next month to
gain congregational feedback on the report and to accept
nominations for the pastor vacancy. Pastor Eric Carlson
of our synod office will be at Bethesda May 12-13 to help
answer questions about the call process. Once the profile
has been submitted to the synod office, the search enters
the confidential phase. It is hoped Bethesda will begin
receiving pastor profiles for consideration in June.
monthly
by
Bethesda Foodis published
Pantry
THANKS!
Debt Retirement Campaign
March 24-25, Pastor Kathy Haueisen of the ELCA
Stewardship Key Leader program worked with the
Campaign Leadership, Stewardship, and Endowment
ministry teams. Church leaders and volunteers will be
invited to advance planning meetings, April 26-29, where
campaign questions will be answered, financial planning
discussed, and tours of the geothermal project will be
held. On May 1, 7:00 p.m. a Phone-a-thon will be held
to call every Bethesda member who did not attend an
advance meeting. Sign up to call at the Welcome Center.
Small groups and individuals also are encouraged to sign
up for the prayer vigil on May 5. Members will turn
in their campaign commitment cards during the single
10:30 a.m. worship service on May 6.
Legislative and Public
. . .Sundays
Wed. Jan. 11
8:00 a.m. Forum
to 12:00 Noon
7:30–9:00 a.m. Iowa Capitol, Room 116 . . . Legislators,
Worship Schedule
community leaders and
members of the public are invited
Saturdays at 5:30 p.m.
to learn the statistics
of hunger
central
Sundays
at 8:15 andin10:45
a.m. Iowa and discuss
policy solutions to help alleviate hunger. The forum is
Specialist
Lead Pastor
hosted
by the Des Moines AreaCommuncations
Religious Council,
Food
Lisa Ailshie
Randall E. Gehring
Bank
of
Iowa,
Iowa
Food
Bank
Association
and
United
lailshie@bethesdanet.org
rgehring@bethesdanet.org
Way. Go to www.uwiowa.org/RSVP.
The Food Pantry Ministry Team would like to thank
everyone who helped provide food for 155 Thanksgiving
food baskets (11-18-11) and 124 Christmas food baskets
(12-16-11).A Congregation
Whether you
$10
gift
cards (which
of thedonated
Southeastern
Iowa
Synod,
Lutheran
Church
in America
paid for muchEvangelical
of the cost
of the
hams
for Christmas);
donated food to the Food Pantry; or volunteered your
time to help with theAmes,
holiday
food distribution, your help
IA 50010-5271
made the holidays
much• brighter
for 279 area families.
515-232-6256
contact@bethesdanet.org
www.bethesdanet.org
Church Office
Hours
Hunger in Central
Iowa
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday–Friday
Geothermal Project
Pastor Randy Gehring shared the “Field Observation
Report Systems Performance Review” that outlines finetuning still needed by the system and currently underway.
Wednesday, April 18, city of Ames representatives will
present the “check” to Bethesda for its energy rebate.
Landscaping
A ministry team has been organized to determine
landscaping possibilities for the church’s east side. Team
members include Pastor Randy Gehring, Jean Nicol
Jahren, Darlene Schmidt, Gary Deal, Arla Carmean, Don
Roehr and Dan Van Weelden.
Upcoming Elections
Members of the Gifts in Ministry team continue to work
to fill council and network openings available July 1.
These positions will be voted on at the June 24 SemiAnnual Meeting.
Interim Pastor
Kathy Gerking
kgerking@bethesdanet.org
Bookkeeper
Cathy Wright
cwright@bethesdanet.org
Shighatini Coffee Sales
In Children,
responseYouth
to their
Shighatini Head
worship
experience last
Custodian
& Family
Gary Deal
Minister
June,
the Faith and Service Journey
Team from Bethesda
deallg@msn.com
Shelly Gehring, AIM
(sixsgehring@bethesdanet.org
youth and six adults) decided they wanted to help
support the ongoing renovations
to theCustodian
Parish House
Assistant
Worship
Director
Curtis
Malone
Church. The team members purchased home-grown
Genefrom
LeVasseur
coffee
Shighatini villagers,cmalone@isunet.net
transported it back to
glevasseur@bethesdanet.org
Ames in their luggage, had it roasted
and topackaged
locally,
Missionaries
China
and
finallyAdministrator
offered it for sale to Christa
the congregation.
On
von Zychlin & Wayne
Business
Deb Anderson
Nieminen
December
23, $1,500 (100% of
the sales effort) was wired
danderson@bethesdanet.org
cvzyclin@aol.com
to Shighatini. As Pastor Mwanga
was informed of this
wnieminen@aol.com
gift,
he
exclaimed,
“What
a
Christmas
gift from Bethesda
Organist
Missionaries
Senegal that
CascioneThank you so much!”
to Jerusha
Shighatini!
He to
indicated
Dirk new
& Sarah
Stadtlander
thejerusha.londgren@gmail.com
funds would be used to helpRev.
build
pews
for the
dirknsarah@hotmail.com
church—the
firstCoord.
pews in the congregation’s 111 year
Saturday Worship
history.
Parish Counselor
Dalend Mackey
Ed Ruppert
292-9697
The Faith and Service Journey Team
would like to thank
Administrative Specialist
gojocc@yahoo.com
everyone
who supported this effort. This $1,500 gift to
Lynn Anderson
Shighatini
made all the work and the extra heavy luggage
ljanderson@bethesdanet.org
dalend@dalend.net
well worth it! The congregation’s support of our trip and
the incredible
opportunity
worship
Note:
please contact to
Lisameet
Ailshieand
at 232-6256
or with our
with requests/comments
brothers
and sisters in Shighatini
has maderegarding
2011 athis
truly
newsletter,
or
to
submit
an
article
for
the
next
issue.
unforgettable year.
All submissions to Bethesda Lutheran Church’s The Wellspring
newsletter are subject to editing for clarity, space, and content.
GROW to Go
May 2012
Volume 7, Issue 5
Page 11
Bethesda Happenings
AMOS “Fun” Fundraiser
Attend the Prayer Vigil May 5
AMOS presents our annual fundraising event on May
5, 7–9:00 p.m. at the Iowa Historical Center in Des
Moines. It will be a night of fun with a talent show in the
auditorium and a silent and live auction in the main area.
All are invited—purchase tickets from Bethesda AMOS
team leaders.
On Sunday, May 6, members of our congregation are
being asked to make a personal commitment to Planting
Seeds for the Future Debt Retirement Campaign. In
preparation for this event you are invited to participate in
a prayer vigil to be held Saturday, May 5 at the church.
This Prayer Vigil is a time for our community of faith to
lift up to God in prayer the Campaign, and the hope and
dreams of our congregation.
Please consider donating any of your stored-away
treasures that AMOS could place into the auction.
Contact Henry Gray at 233-2720 with items to donate.
We also welcome donations such as: hosting a dinner,
providing entertainment for an evening, tickets to an
event, vacation homes for a period of time, etc.
New Men’s Bible Study Group
It is not too late to join the afternoon Men’s Bible Study.
The group meets every Friday, 1:30–3:30 p.m. in the
Bethesda conference room. Newcomers are welcome. If
you have questions contact Henry Gray at janheng@aol.
com or Jim Chalstrom at 232-6556 or jmchalstrom@
isunet.net.
We ask that you sign up in advance to be in prayer for
a period of one-half hour the day of the vigil (time slots
are available from 7 a.m.–9 p.m.) You may participate
individually or as part of a team. Sign up at the Welcome
Center.
A member of the Leadership Team will be there to greet
you and direct you to the library or other places available
in the church to be quiet before the Lord. There will
be Bibles, some prayer guides and other inspirational
materials available to you. Thank you for your part in this
campaign and your trust in God to guide us.
Thank You Bethesda Friends,
From Bethesda Christian Preschool
Thank you for all of your kind words and prayers at the
time of Kevin’s passing. Your gifts of food and expressions
of care were great comfort and support.
Blessings to you ~ Jean Bonnicksen
We celebrated our 40th Anniversay on Sunday, April
22! The Preschool children were
invited to sing at worship, and
an Open House was held in the
Commons from 2–4:00 p.m.
2012 Synod Assembly: Christ is
With You
Bethesda is eligible to send five voting representatives
(adults or youth) to this year’s Southeastern Iowa Synod
Assembly at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois,
June 1–2. If you are interested in being one of our
delegates please contact Jean Nicol Jahren at 233-0966 or
jnjahren@msn.com. Visit http://seiasynod.org/
news-events/synod-assemblies/2012-synod-assembly.
Members of Bethesda who have attended previous
assemblies have said that they are spiritually rewarding
and personally uplifting.
The Bethesda Christian Preschool is
very grateful for all the support we’ve
received over the years to arrive at
this 40th Anniversary. We give thanks for the vision
that gave birth to our “Best in Ames 2011” Preschool!
As this school year ends we pack away our many
wonderful memories of Preschool 2011-2012, and
wish everyone at Bethesda a fun summer filled with
simple joys of being God’s children.
Happy Summer, and God’s Blessings to all,
Bethesda Christian Preschool Friends
GROW to Go
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Ames, Iowa 50010
AMES, IOWA
Permit No. 137
515-232-6256
www.bethesdanet.org
Debt Retirement Campaign
Commitment Weekend
Saturday, May 5—Prayer Vigil (sign up at Welcome Center for your ½ hour slot)
Note: No Saturday service May 5, only 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 6
Sunday, May 6—We All gather for worship @ 10:30 a.m.
followed by a free congregational celebration meal
As part of worship, everyone will be given time to indicate their commitment which will be brought forward during the offering.
The initial results of the commitments received will be announced at the celebration meal.
Education / Fellowship Hour @ 9:15 a.m. (Sunday School and Adult Forum)
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare
and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
~ Jeremiah 29:11
May 2012
Sunday
Monday
REGULAR SCHEDULES
Bethesda Community Food Pantry: 9–11:00 am Monday / Wednesday
1–3:00 pm Tuesday / Thursday
6:30–8:00 pm Tuesday
Bethesda Clothing Closet: 9:30–11:00 am Monday
6:30–8 pm Tuesday
6
7
9:00 am Library Volunteers
9:15 am Sunday School
1:00 pm Blanket Sewing
9:15 am Adult Forum:
Ministry
Intercession
6:30 pm Boy Scouts Troop #140
9:15 am Coffee Fellowship
6:30 pm Cub Scouts Troop #196
10:30 am Worship Service—
Pr. Kathy Haueisen
11:30 am Congregational Celebration
Meal
2:00 pm Inquirers Small Group
Commitment Sunday!
Rev. Eric Carlson, New
Members Received
9:30 am Sunday School
9:30 am Entering Confirmation
Class—Blessing
9:30 am Adult Forum: Knowledge and Teaching
Rev. Eric Carlson, New
Members Received
13
Ministry
8:15 am Worship Service
9:30 am Final Sunday School for the season
9:30 am Adult Forum: Evangelism. Pastor Kathy
20
9:00 am DHS Training
Ministry
6:30 pm Scandinavian Workshop
6:30 pm Cub Scouts
7:00 pm Cool Congregations
Meeting
7:15 pm Bread for the World–Ames
27
Church Closed in
Observance of
9:15 am Coffee
Memorial Day
Fellowship
2:00 pm Myrtle Fauerby 90th
Birthday Party
Deadline for Riverside VBS
Registration
(1st - 6th grades)
Memorial
Tuesday
7:00 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
Wednesday
1
2
Men’s Bible Study
5:45 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
Staff Devotions
6:30 pm 7th & 8th grade
Tuesday AM Small Group Confirmation Fellowship Groups
Inspirational Reading
7:00 pm Endowment Fund Ministry Cross Conversations
Team
Phone-a-Thon for Debt
7:00 pm Bethesda Choir Rehearsal
Retirement Campaign
8:00 pm LYFFT
May Day
8
7:00 am Men’s Bible Study
9:30 am Staff Devotions
4:30 pm Inspirational Reading
7:00 pm Baptism Class
7:00 pm Bethesda Tanzania
Ministry
9
Thursday
3
14
15
8:00 am Habitat for
Humanity–
Faith Relations
Meeting
6:30 pm 7th & 8th Grade
Confirmation
16
21
7:00 am Men’s Bible
Study
10:00 am Preschool End of Year Program
22
28
7:00 am Men’s Bible
Study
29
WELLSPRING DEADLINE
(June/July Issue)
10
17
10:00 am Preschool
End of Year
Program
Confirmation - end of year celebration
23
24
8:00 am
1:30 pm
30
31
7:00 am- 9:00 pm Prayer Vigil
9:00 am SKL Leadership
Meeting
NO Worship Service Saturday
Evening
11
8:00 am Raising Readers
1:30 pm Men’s Afternoon
Bible Study
9:00 am Circle Lesson
with Carolyn
Ahlstrom
3-5:00 pm Mobile Prenatal Clinic
Saturday
5
12
9 :00 am Preschool Mother’s Day Tea 8:00 am Postal Food
Drive
4:00 pm Praise Team
Bible Study
Rehearsal
5:30 pm Worship Service—
Rev. Eric Carlson
18
8:00 am Raising Readers
4:00 pm Praise Team
Rehearsal
5:30 pm Worship Service
25
4:00 pm Praise Team
Rehearsal
5:30 pm Worship
Service
United Way
Food Drive
Men’s Afternoon
Bible Study
19
April 2012
26
June 2012
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1
2
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
29
Day
4
3 -5:00 pm Mobile Prenatal
Clinic
Bible Study
4:00 pm Ames Children’s Choir Concert Rehearsal
6:00 pm AMOS Culmination Event
7:30 pm ACA Board Meeting
7:30 pm Call Committee Meeting
5:45 pm Bell Choir
7:30 pm Gift in Ministry
Rehearsal
Team Meeting
Confirmation
7:00 pm Bethesda Choir
Rehearsal
8:00 pm LYFFT - Year end meeting
7:00 am Men’s Bible Study
9:30 am Tuesday AM Small
Group
6:00 pm Governing Documents Mtg
6:45 pm BCP Board Meeting
7:00 pm Church Council
Friday
30
2012 Day Camp
Conduct Covenant
As a participant in Day Camp, and as a child of God, I understand and
agree to the following expectations:
•
I will choose to participate fully in Day Camp.
•
I will choose to respect all people, including myself, choosing to treat others as I would like
to be treated.
•
I will choose to listen to the Day Camp leadership team and volunteers.
•
I will choose to use my words to build others up or I will choose to be quiet.
•
I will not bring harm to myself. I will choose to maintain self-control
I understand that if I choose to break this Conduct Covenant, there are consequences.
I will take responsibility for my actions. I understand that if I choose to harm myself
or others, my parent/guardian will be contacted and I will be sent home.
_____________________________________________
Camper’s signature
I have read this Conduct Covenant and enter into it with my child. I will encourage
my youth to abide by it. I understand that should my youth choose to break this
Covenant every effort will be made to contact me and my youth will be sent home.
I also understand that if I am not reachable, the emergency contact listed will be
contacted.
_____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature

The Wellspring - Bethesda Lutheran Church

Transcription

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