Post on 26-May-2020
The Star February 2016 Bethlehem Lutheran Church
A community gathered so God’s message is scattered.
Wahoo, Nebraska
Ph#402-443-3160
Pastor Bob Hayden-rbhhayden@reagan.com—402-672-1345
Church office hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
“Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.”—Robert Frost
Ahh, February… The time of the year when many of us focus
on filing income tax returns, dread opening utility bills, look at the dirt
or salt from the roads caked on our vehicles and wonder what color is
really under there, or perhaps, the romantics among us, actually do
think about Valentine’s Day and our relationships with those we hold dear.
Retailers have been in the ‘Valentine’ spirit since December 26th. I actually
witnessed the stocking of shelves of Valentine candies and accessories literally on the day
after Christmas at an Omaha store. February is also about wrestling and basketball
tournaments as well as competitions in the various performing arts that so many of our
young people are involved. February is also about wondering ‘just how much more winter
weather is before us.’ Even though similar, the sound of a lawn mower is much more
pleasant than the sound of a snow blower.
This year, February is about the beginning of Lent. Yes, this year, Lent comes quite
early as we begin our Lent adventure on Ash Wednesday, February 10th. More about Lent
services and plans in another article. But, Lent is and has been on my mind for quite some
time now and as I have been doing since September, I have asked a lot of questions about
traditions, service types and the such concerning the Lenten season.
One of the first things I would like to say is that many categorize Lent as a ‘journey’.
This ‘journey’ idea to me at least, feels burdensome and depressing like it is something to
dread or something we are forced to endure like a tiresome ‘journey’ to something or
somewhere we don’t really want to go. If that is your mind-set I would like you to consider
Lent as more of an adventure than a journey. Adventure just feels quite different than
journey. Let me explain.
The period of Lent is the time Christ designed and set not only his eyes on the Cross
at Calvary, but also brought his disciples’ eyes, ears and hearts as well. The walk to the
Cross was Jesus’ plan. It certainly wasn’t Pilate’s or Herod’s or the corrupt Temple
officials. It was Christ demonstrating his love for us in an adventure of not only a lifetime
but in the adventure of eternity and God’s ultimate plan, hopes, and well-being for us. If
there is anything to mourn during this time is that it took Christ’s physical death and our
collective witnessing of it in order for us to just begin the love and grace God has for us.
Christ so loves us that he was willing to face the humiliation, deceit, heartbreak and
physical torture on our behalf, so that we may be saved through Him. It is the greatest
paradox of all time! Metaphorically, walking step-by-step with Jesus on this adventure,
immersed in Scripture and worship, immersed in the details of this adventure, we can all
become even closer to our God and that closeness produces adventures unimaginable!
So, instead of ‘giving up’ something Lent, how about ‘doing something more’. More
like attending Scripture studies or helping neighbors or visiting care centers or any number
of other things. May this Lent be an adventure of a new lifetime!
Blessings, Pastor Bob
Bethlehem’s Lenten Adventure
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 10th with a Pancake Supper served at
6:00 p.m. followed by worship at 7:00. This pattern will continue through Lent Wednesdays
into March and up to Holy Week. We are hoping that many more of you will take
advantage of dinner being prepared and the fellowship with others before worship. Lent
can be a wonderful time of getting re-acquainted and acquainted minus the hassle of
preparing a dinner yourselves before coming to church. Middle School Ministry will
continue to meet, however on a tighter and shorter schedule.
Our Mid-Week Adventure is titled: “Living Lent As People of the Resurrection”. Join
us for Living Lent which focuses on a series of words throughout the five plus weeks. In
upcoming weeks we will focus on: PONDER; PURPOSE; PEOPLE; PROCLAIM; PRAISE; and
PAIN. Each week we will focus on one of these words and not only contemplate these
words as they pertain to Christ’s adventure to the Cross, but also for ourselves. This series
will be highly personable and relational. It will be enhanced by children’s sermons, familiar
music, some music with a little ‘hop’ to it as well. Services will be approximately 30
minutes in length and are designed to refresh you and offer hopefully different insights and
aspects. Please plan on bringing the whole family to dine together, fellowship together, and
worship together. It will be an adventure and isn’t it fun to have adventures together!!
Lenten Suppers The Bethlehem Lutheran Youth will once again be
serving Supper before all Lenten Services. The Meal
will start each Wednesday during Lent at 6PM. Ash
Wednesday will start Lent on February 10th. The
Lenten Supper that night will be Pancakes &
Sausage. All of the meals will be freewill donation
and all proceeds will go to support the High School
Youth! Hope to see you all there!!!
Bethlehem Women:
Bethlehem Women met for their January 2016
meeting on the 21st at 2:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall.
Nine women were in attendance for the business
meeting and the Bible Study.
President Arlene Johnson opened the business
meeting with the daily devotion from Christ in Our Home entitled “Strength through
Learning.”
The Secretary and Treasurer reports were given and approved. Helen Hansen had sent
several cards for Sunshine and Mary McKay reported on items we already have and items
needed for Health and School kits. We will collect toothbrushes for the February meeting.
Under old business we finished filling out the 2016 yearbook and announced that Arlene
Johnson and Mary McKay will attend Winter Retreat on Saturday at St. Paul’s, Grand Island.
During new business we heard several items of correspondence – many more thank
yours from organizations we gave donations to. We also heard the first letter from our new
board representative, Kim Hall. An article on Human Trafficking was passed around and
this will be a topic that we will hear more about at Spring Gathering April 10th at St. Mark’s
in Valley.
The Bloodmobile will again be at Bethlehem on February 17th and 18th. Marilyn Klinzman
and Alvina Mumm will furnish cookies.
We closed the business meeting by receiving our offerings and prayer. We thanked
Marilyn Volin for serving our lunch. February 18th Marcia Pearson will be the lesson leader
and Mary McKay is hostess.
Our first lesson of the new four session Bible Study based on Philippians on Christian
Citizenship 101 was presented by Arlene Johnson. It was entitled “Confidence in God’s
Beginnings and Endings” with the Bible references from Acts 16 and Philippians 1: 1-26.
FOR YOUR CALENDAR;
Tuesday, February 9th Quilting (in old basement)
Wednesday & Thursday February 17th & 18th Bloodmobile @ Bethlehem
Thursday, February 18th 2:00 p.m. Bethlehem Women (in the narthex because
of the Bloodmobile)
Thursday, February 23rd 2nd Quilting Day (old basement)
Council Minutes: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Council Meeting, January 17, 2016 at 12:00 p.m.
Minutes subject to Council approval 2/16.
Present: Keith Obert, Ryan Ideus, Sherry Hageman, Tiana Strait, Rob Miller, Mike Christen, Kim
Schnakenberg, Jovan Lausterer, Pastor Bob Hayden
Excused: Chad Fox
President Obert called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m.
Old Business:
Lausterer moved to approve the December 2015 minutes; Schnakenberg seconded – motion carried
unanimously.
Lausterer moved to approve the end of the year financial report; Ideus seconded – motion carried
unanimously.
Parsonage Windows: Bethlehem members Terry and Tiana Strait, owners of North Country
Windows and Doors, are generously donating all main floor and second floor replacement windows
(excluding back porch and attic) for the parsonage. Installation TBA.
Property: The new property committee met January 13th with 7 members present. Don Fick will
serve as over-all chair of the committee. Luke Simons will coordinate the exterior projects; the
interior coordinator has not been appointed. The initial focus will be controlling the water that
continues to leak into the basement. Funds set aside for property improvements appear to be
sufficient to pay for the upcoming expenses.
Midwest Electronics will be contacted to provide an estimate for upgrading the Video/Sound system.
New Business:
Lausterer moved to make an additional endowment payment of $11,249.00 for 2015. This brings the
total payment for 2015 to $20,262.00; Hageman seconded – motion carried unanimously.
Obert and Ideus met on January 6th with Angela Olson and Kelli Mattson to discuss payment for the
Praise Service pianist. The suggested amount is $50.00 per service. Ideus moved to pay the Praise
Service pianist $50.00 per service; Lausterer seconded – motion carried unanimously. Creating
guidelines for payment will be discussed at a later date.
A lengthy discussion was held on the 2016 budget and report to be presented to the congregation at
the annual meeting on January 24th.
Pastor Hayden joined the meeting at 12:50 p.m. Ideus moved to accept the Pastor’s activity report;
Miller seconded – motion carried unanimously.
With no further business to discuss, Pastor led the Council in prayer. The meeting adjourned at 1:23
p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Sherry K. Hageman, Secretary
Sunday Monday Tuesday
1
8:30 4/5 Preschool
12:30 4/5 Preschool
6:30 PM Cub Scouts
2
9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool
10:00 AM Mom’s Club OB
7
9:00 AM Traditional Worship HC
10:00 AM Sunday School/Adult
Forum
11:00 AM Praise Service HC
8
8:30 AM 4/5 Preschool
12:30 PM 4/5 Preschool
6:30 PM Cub Scouts
9
9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool
9:00 AM Quilting OB
10:00 AM Mom’s Club
14
Invite a Friend Sunday!
9:00 AM Traditional Worship HC
10:00 AM Sunday School/
Fellowship and Fun FH
11:00 AM Praise Service HC
15
8:30 AM 4/5 Preschool
12:30 PM 4/5 Preschool
1:30 PM Young at Heart
6:30 PM Cub Scouts
16
9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool
10:00 AM Mom’s Club OB
21
9:00 AM Traditional Worship HC
10:00 AM Sunday School/
Fellowship and Fun FH
11:00 AM Praise Service HC
12:00 PM Council Meeting
22
8:30 4/5 Preschool
12:30 4/5 Preschool
6:30 PM Cub Scouts
9:00 AM-3:00 PM WIC FH
23
9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool
9:00 AM Quilting OB
10:00 AM Mom’s Club OB
28
9:00 AM Traditional Worship HC
10:00 AM Sunday School/
Fellowship and Fun FH
11:00 AM Praise Service HC
Dresses for Life
12:00 PM Ministry and Mission Mtg
7:00—9:00 Bethlehem Bowling
29
8:30 4/5 Preschool
12:30 4/5 Preschool
6:30 PM Cub Scouts
February
Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
3
8:30 4/5 Preschool
12:30 4/5 Preschool
6:00 PM MSM
4
9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool
8:00 PM AA Meeting
5
8:30 4/5 Preschool
12:30 4/5 Preschool
6
5 – 8:00 PM
Chili Cook Off
Fairgrounds
10
8:30 4/5 Preschool
12:30 4/5 Preschool
NO MSM
1:30 PM Cluster Meeting
6:00 PM Lenten Meal
7:00 PM Ash Wednesday
11
9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool
8:00 PM AA Meeting
12
8:30 4/5 Preschool
12:30 4/5 Preschool
13
17
Bloodmobile - 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
8:30 4/5 Preschool
12:30 4/5 Preschool
12:00 PM ACT Mtg.
6:00 PM MSM
6:00 PM Lenten Meal
7:00 PM Lenten Service
18
Bloodmobile - 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM 9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool
2:00 PM Bethlehem
Women
8:00 PM AA Meeting
19
8:30 4/5 Preschool
12:30 4/5 Preschool
20
24
8:30 4/5 Preschool
12:30 4/5 Preschool
6:00 PM MSM
6:00 PM Lenten Meal
7:00 PM Lenten Service
25
9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool
8:00 PM AA Meeting
26
8:30 4/5 Preschool
12:30 4/5 Preschool
27
Dresses for Life
2016
February Birthdays: Ashlen Groff 2/1
Tobin Harris 2/1
Audrey Waido 2/1
Arthur Gerdts 2/2
Deyo Anderson 2/3
Lukus Forbes 2/3
Michelle Libal 2/3
Colton Nutzman 2/3
Russell Williams 2/3
Dillon Duckworth 2/4
Anna Gottschalk 2/4
Jacee Price 2/4
Macy Homes 2/6
Jerry Volin 2/7
Susan Williams 2/7
Braden Harris 2/9
Lucas Simons 2/9
Gadreal Zeleny 2/9
Lucy Defoil 2/10
Valerie Kellner 2/11
Kevin Stukenholtz 2/11
Joseph Carr 2/12
Jeffrey Kaiser 2/12
Virginia Mason 2/12
Alicia Holtorf 2/13
Emma Harris 2/14
Laura Harris 2/14
Morgan Novak 2/14
Kevin Klahn 2/16
Kyan Lausterer 2/16
Melissa Novak 2/16
Samuel Flores 2/18
Ardis Grieser 2/18
Jared Pehrson 2/18
Steven Olson 2/20
Michelle Henderson 2/21
Shandah Mensik 2/21
Tatum Watts 2/21
Rob Miller 2/22
Brian Schmidt 2/22
Gentry Holtorf 2/23
Stacy Ideus 2/23
Jack Beatty 2/24
Darian Coffey 2/25
Cynthia Gerdts 2/25
Elaine Hennings 2/25
Carleigh Olson 2/25
Marshall Strom 2/25
Ethan Urban 2/25
Trevor Urban 2/25
Seth Syverson 2/26
Ty Syverson 2/26
Amy Groff 2/27
David Wiese 2/28
Anniversaries: Jay and Michelle Wilt 2/16
Middle School Ministry: Wednesday February 10th is Ash Wednesday. There will
be no MSM Class that night but students are encouraged
to attend the Ash Wednesday Service at 7:00 PM.. We will
have a pancake feed at 6:00 PM before the Service in the
fellowship hall that is put on by our high school youth.
MSM February Wednesday Night Suppers:
Feb. 3 Buch’s and Koehler’s
Feb. 10 No Class, Lenten Supper in Upstairs Fellowship hall
Feb. 17 Lenten Supper in Upstairs Fellowship hall
Feb. 24 Lenten Supper in Upstairs Fellowship hall
February Acolyte Schedule:
February 7th 9:00 AM Sammy Flores and Deena Stang
11:00 AM Paige Peterson and Hannah Subbert
February 10th 7:00 PM (Ash Wednesday)Courtney Strait and Tabitha Cooney
February 14th 9:00 AM Deena Stang and Lillie Mann
11:00 AM Kyan and Sebastian Lausterer
February 17th 7:00 PM (Lenten Service)Courtney Strait and Abbey Borchers
February 21st 9:00 AM Paige Peterson and Morgan Oden
11:00 AM Thomas and Andrew Waido
February 24th 7:00 PM (Lenten Service)Courtney Strait and Paige Peterson
February 28th 9:00 AM Paige Peterson and Abbey Borchers
11:00 AM Tabitha Cooney and Payton Ricks
BLC’s Young@Heart Join us in the fellowship hall Monday February 15th at
1:30 PM for Fun & Fellowship!!! Bring your favorite
Dessert to share! All are Welcome! Bring friends and
neighbors!
From First Step Preschool, BLC:
State Lifetime Volunteer of Year Award!
Ann Gillentine is the recipient of the 2015 Nebraska Salute to Excellence Volunteer of the
Year. Gillentine has been a 4-H volunteer for 12 years. During that time her focus has been
working with youth interested in the 4-H horse project, especially the English and Hunter
Jumper discipline. She has also stepped up be taking on several leadership roles. She has
become a member of the 4-H Council and works for the County’s Horse Quiz Bowl and
Hippology teams. The full newspaper article is on the bulletin board by the west doors.
Congratulations Ann!
HAPPY NEW YEAR from First Step Preschool!!!
During the month of January we have learned about the letters K, L, M and N, the
number 6, the color blue and the star shape. The kids have been working really hard on
learning how to write their names and holding their pencils the right way. They are doing
an excellent job!!
We learned all about kangaroos during "K" week, the kids loved pretending to be
kangaroos by hopping around. The kids pulled a candy kiss from the kangaroos pouch
they loved that!
"L" week we acted like lions, and made lions out of construction paper, buttons and yarn.
During "M" week the kids got to play musical instruments and even had their own
marching band. We marched around the hallway in the basement. They made their
own musical shakers too.
We acted out Nursery Rhymes during "N" week. The kids made candles out of toilet
paper tubes and they jumped over them as we said the nursery rhyme "Jack Be
Nimble". For "Little Boy Blue" we colored in things that are blue, and the kids used glitter
glue to paint a star and we said "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".
Please feel free to visit our classroom! We are looking forward to
many new and fun learning experiences!
Debbie, Julie and Erin
First Step Preschool, BLC
EFT Form now on website:
If you are interested in automated giving, our church uses the Simply Giving®
Program through Thrivent. It is a stewardship program that helps you
make automatic payments through electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly
from checking or savings accounts. The form is now available on our website under
“Giving” on the right side of the front page. Our website address is bethlehemlutheranwa-
hoo.org. If you have any questions please contact the office at 402-443-3160.
Bethlehem Bowling Bonanza! Bethlehem Bowling Bonanza is back! Sign up with Don Fick for a fun
night of bowling February 28, 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Marks Bowling and
Fun Center in Elkhorn. Any adult or children 12 or older can sign up.
There will be room for 35 people this year and the cost per person,
with shoe rental included, is $13. Payment must be made at the time
of signing up and sign up sheets will be available soon. Who will be
Living Lent As People of the Resurrection . . .
During this Lenten season as we focus on Christ’s journey to the cross, we challenge you to examine your faith journey. This year we extend a special invitation to explore more deeply God’s purpose for our lives as people of the Resurrection by participating in the following:
PRAISE Through worship service rediscover the love of God seen in his journey to the cross and in the empty tomb. Attend Wednesday evening dinners and services beginning Ash Wednesday through March 16th, Dinner at 6:00 and Service 7:00.
PURPOSE What is God’s purpose for our lives? Live out God’s plea to care for those in need. 40 DAYS of Giving In 2016. ELCA World Hunger is extending an invitation to all congregations: Beginning Sunday, Feb. 14, and extending through the season of Lent, congregations across the ELCA will join together to raise $2 million to benefit the ministries of ELCA World Hunger. This support will enable crucial work to get underway and help us kick-start our year-of-emphasis. We hope you will join us by pledging $1 each day of Lent: 40 dollars in 40 days. Think about doing this individually, as a fami-ly or partnering with a friend.
PONDER Focus on your relationship with God and with one another. Commit to spending 45 minutes on Sunday Mornings 10:00-10:45 in the Fellowship Hall during Lent. Coffee, donuts, and so much more! Instead of giving something up during Lent, let’s give MORE to God, to our church, to our families, to our faith lives and to those in need!
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
504 West 8th St.
Wahoo, Nebraska 68066
402-443-3160
Newsletter mailed 1/29/2016
Nonprofit Org.
Permit No. 23
U.S. Postage PAID
Wahoo, NE 68066
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Let Us Know Your Email Address! If you would prefer “THE STAR” via email let us know. Also, having an email
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email the church office at: wahoo.bethlehem@gmail.com
Our Members at the Care Centers: South Haven: Virginia Mason & Eunice Brodahl
Care Center: Jenny Iversen
Saunders House: Tom Lindau & Stanley Dokulil
New Update on our Receipt Drive: Corner Market $42,365.52
Sun Mart $87,037.15