Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church 2515 Madison Ave.

Burlington, Iowa

Phone: (319) 752-3621

Fax: (319) 752-1543

www.bethanyburlington.org

Pastor Andersen’s contact information

319-754-0014 (Home)

319-601-9021 (Cell)

Bethany Lutheran Church Mission Statement

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

Our Staff

Rev. Ralph Andersen, Interim Pastor Cory Byrne, Organist

Amanda Stevenson-Cosgrove, Dir. of Youth & Family

Michelle Huppenbauer, Admin. Asst. & Interim Custodian

Candy Wagner, Choir Director

Volume 55 Issue 11 December 2015

Advent and Christmas

at Bethany

Sunday, November 29 - We will decorate the church after worship for the Ad-vent and Christmas season. All are welcome to stay and help. This is also

the deadline for poinsettia orders. If you didn’t get your formed mailed in, you can call the church on Monday, November 30 by 2:00 p.m. to have your order included.

Saturday, December 12 - This will be the dress rehearsal day for the Sunday school Christmas program. Our morning begins at 9:00 a.m. with dress re-hearsal. After we’re done, we’ll have a light lunch and cake to celebrate Je-

sus’ birthday. Also, the youth will prepare Cookie Jars and cookies to sell on Sunday, December 13. Pre-ordering won’t be necessary this year and the

cost of the jars will be $5 again.

Sunday, December 13 - Our Sunday school kids will perform the Christmas program during the worship service. After worship, the youth will have their Cookie Jars and the cookies they’ve already made available for pick-up.

Thursday, December 24 - As is our tradition, we’ll have 2 Christmas Eve worship services. The first service at 4:30 p.m. will be geared more towards families and will be candlelight. This year, we’ll hold our later service at

9:00 p.m. This will be more solemn in nature and will be candlelight as well.

From the Pastor…

Prepare the Way of the Lord!!

Advent, the beginning season of our church

year, starts on four Sundays before Christmas,

this year on November 29th. It’s supposed to

be a time of preparing and anticipating the

coming (birth) of Christ Jesus. We light a new

candle each of the four Sundays in Advent,

and through the centuries the following mean-

ing associated with each candle has evolved:

Nov. 29: The Prophecy Candle, which is a

ray of hope as we recall God’s saving activity

which was foretold by the prophets and came

alive in history. May this truth light our path.

Dec. 6: The Bethlehem Candle, which re-

minds us that the Divine was revealed in a

humble way, in the Babe of Bethlehem. It’s

also a reminder that God is present with us, in

our world, every day.

Dec. 13: The Shepherd’s Candle, which

reminds us of our responsibility to share the

Good News - the story we have heard so many

times. We share by serving. Jesus spoke of

himself as the Good Shepherd, who cares for

his sheep.

Dec. 20: The Angel’s Candle, which repre-

sents the light of the gospel announced by an-

gels: “To you is born this day in the city of

David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the

Lord!” (Luke 2:10) Glory to God in the high-

est!

Mary Jo and I enjoyed our trip to Hawaii -

a first - and we now join with you in preparing

for the approaching holiday. In this new Ad-

vent Season we hope to see you at worship

and fellowship.

Pastor Ralph Andersen

HOMEBOUND

CARD

MINISTRY

Please help remember Bethany’s members

who are in nursing homes or homebound by

sending them a card. A birthday or a

“thinking of you” card is a special way of

showing God’s love. The holiday season has

arrived, so send a card today and let them

know you’re thinking of them. Names and

addresses are available on the table in the

fellowship hall. Please remember to mark

the spreadsheet if you send a card.

TREBLE CLEF CLUB

On Sunday, December 13, the members of

the Treble Clef Club will be presenting

their “29th Annual Musical Christmas

Club.” The location is First United Meth-

odist Church - 421 Washington St, Burling-

ton, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The program

includes a beautiful variety of vocal and

instrumental music of the Christmas sea-

son. Admission is free. Donations will be

accepted for the Treble Clef scholarship

fund, which provides summer music camp

scholarship to local students.

THANK YOU!

We would like to thank our church family

for all the help, comfort, and prayers

given to us and our loved ones, especially

our mom, Rose.

Thank you all so much!!

~ ~ The family of Ray Foster

2 - Annette Peterson; Kyle Peterson 4 - Stephanie Cook 5 - Scott Creighton; Nancy House; Megan Rogers; Rebecca Ward; Anne Wischmeier 7 - Matthew Morris 8 - Jean Funck; Steven Swanson; David Whitmore 9 - Savanna Evans; Jeremy Schreurs 10 - August Anderson; Michael Clark; Justin Miller 11 - Jeremy Helling; Shayla McIntyre; Allison Lenz 12 - June Stoermer 13 - Jackie Chubb 14 - Samantha Gerdes; Patty Milton; Holly Williamson 15 - Madison Hand; Carole Pinney; Scot Rogers 16 - Joel Jensen 17 - Brandon Beach; Alex Schneider 18 - Adam Cox; Hayley Sansone; Betty Stanley; Christopher Wallace 21 - Jaelyn Adam; Andrew Engler; Beverly Felland; Thomas Helling 23 - Cindee Franciskovich 24 - Chad Tarrence 25 - James Hand; Joshua Rice 26 - Nathaniel Johnson; Carrol Schwarm 27 - Linda Hermann 28 - Daniel Cox; Gail Jensen 29 - Kandace Durbin 30 - William Mathews; Jacalyn Shofe; Julia Wischmeier 31 - Benjamin Chelf; Jonathan Chelf; Candace Wagner

December Birthdays Head Usher:

Spencer Honsey

December Team

Captain: Spencer

Honsey

Ushers

6 - Jackie Chubb; Judy Locke; Pam Taylor; Marilyn Ward 13 - Scott & Jan Creighton; Bob Hoxie; Bob Sogard

20 - Jeff, Kim and Joseph Engle; Bill Mundt 24 (early) - Todd Chelf family 24 (late) - Spencer & Mary Honsey; Mark & Bonnie Rosenberg 27 - Steve & Sue Rogers; Todd & Kaye Sladky

Communion Assistants As of the publishing of this newsletter, the Communion Assistants hadn’t been turned in to the office. Please watch your bulletins for this informa-tion.

Acolytes 6 - Aunika Johnson and Mad-die McClurg 13 - Samantha Gerdes and Emily Peterson 20 - Olivia Engler and Abi Schonrock 24 (early) - Maddie & Dylan McClurg 24 (late) - Joel Jensen and Isaac Morehead 27 - Haley Engler and Karly Roberts

Altar Guild Eleonore Benninghoven; Lynda Johnson; Pam Luder; Dee Dee Walker

Fellowship As of the publishing of this newsletter, the sign up board had not been updated. Stop today and pick your date to help out.

Missionary Support 6 - Ray & Rose Foster 13 - Open 20 - Jim & Sharon Martindale 27 - Todd & Laurie Chelf

Lector 6 - Todd Chelf 13 - Melissa Hopp 20 - Jessica King 27 - Todd Sladky

Greeters 6 - Bob & Debbie Hoxie 13 - Gerald & Lila Janssen 20 - Pam Luder and Pam Taylor 27 - Spencer & Mary Honsey

Flowers 6 - Jan Creighton 13 - Tiffany & Michelle Huppenbauer 20 - Poinsettias 27 - Poinsettias

December 2015 Lay Leaders

PLEASE NOTE The deadline to submit informa-tion for the monthly Chimes is the 25th of the month; however

the deadline for January will be December 23. You’re welcome

to email your submissions, leave a note on the desk in the office,

or call the church office. Thank you!

If you change your mailing

address, please let the office know

ASAP. For every returned piece of

mail we get for an incorrect address,

we are charged 75 cents.

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

Staff Meeting Tuesday, December 1, 12:00 p.m.

Rebecca Circle Wednesday, December 2, 1:30 p.m.

Sarah Circle Tuesday, December 8, 1:30 p.m.

Worship & Music Committee Wednesday, December 9, 11:00 a.m.

Finance Committee Wednesday, December 9, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 16, 6:30 p.m.

Men’s Breakfast Saturday, December 19, 8:00 a.m. Church Council Sunday, December 20, 10:30 a.m. Property Committee Monday, December 21, 6:30 p.m.

Book Club Tuesday, December 29, 5:00 p.m.

FINANCIAL

UPDATE

NOVEMBER ATTENDANCE

November 1 90 November 8 90 November 15 92 November 22 72

NOVEMBER GIVING

11/1 $3,104 11/8 $3,137 11/15 $2,764 11/22 $3,156 Total $12,161

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Please Note! Because of Federal Privacy laws, if

you or a member of your family are

hospitalized and would like the Pas-

tor to visit, you must contact the

church and let us know.

December Office Schedule

Friday, December 4 - closed for vacation

Thursday, December 24 - closing at noon Friday, December 25 - closed

Thursday, December 31 - open regular hours

Friday, January 1 - closed

CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES

November 15, 2015

Present: Bill Mundt; Dan Wischmeier; Mark Rosenberg; Mike

Hopp; Jim Martindale; Todd Morehead; Rachel Lindeen, Scott

Creighton,

Absent: Lila Janssen; Mike Morris Ellen Shepherd

Devotion was provided by Todd Morehead. Discussion of “The

Great Permission” was continued. For December we will cover pages

111 to the end.

Mark Rosenberg motioned to accept the minutes of the September

council meeting. Jim Martindale seconded. Motion carried.

Financial Report Both a written and oral report were presented by Dan Wischmeier.

Approximately $3,000 of the General Fund balance is designated for

Roof Repair. Scott Creighton motioned to accept the financial re-

ports. Jim Martindale seconded. Motion carried.

Staff Reports Youth - Amanda provided a written report.

Scott Creighton motioned to accept the Staff reports and Jim Martin-

dale seconded. Motion carried.

Committee Reports Christian Education - written

Endowment - An oral report was provided. There is currently

$430,000 in the General Fund and $202,000 in the Scholarship Fund.

Evangelism/Stewardship - verbal

Fellowship - none

Finance - written and verbal

Property - written

Social Ministry - written

Worship & Music - verbal

Mark Rosenberg motioned to accept the committee reports and Ra-

chel Lindeen. Motion carried.

Old Business 1) Continue with out Blessing Campaign, currently at $10,345.

2) Working on Pastor Andersen’s replacement for the winter

months. Beginning after Christmas - Easter. Meeting with Pastor

McMannis on Wednesday 11/18

3) Reminder that budget numbers for 2016 are needed.

New Business 1) Facility Use Request. Request by Golden Oldies for use of hall

for Bingo. Council requested more information regarding liabil-

ity and gambling license.

2) Nominating Committee. Will be working on putting together a

nominating committee.

There being no further business, Jim Martindale motioned to adjourn

the meeting and Scott Creighton seconded. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Rachel Lindeen, Secretary

REMINDER FROM

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE 2016 Budget requests need to be

turned in by the next Finance meet-

ing, Wednesday, December 9th.

2015 Annual Reports will be

due in the office by Thursday,

December 31.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Happy Anniversary

Late last spring, Ray Foster stopped

by the office. He wanted to make

sure I put a special anniversary wish

to his wife in the December Chimes.

When I questioned, “December?” he

was very clear he wanted me to be

sure to include it. I immediately

wrote myself a sticky note and put it

in my planner on the last week of No-

vember so I would remember it. So

even with his passing this last week,

I am honoring his request and includ-

ing this wish.

Happy 63rd Anniversary to Rose Fos-

ter. It’s quite apparent Ray loved

you very much.

~~Michelle

FAREWELL AND

SEND-OFF

A preliminary plan to have a fare-

well and send-off to Pastor Ralph

and Mary Jo as they will be leaving

for the winter months is tentatively

scheduled for the first Sunday in

January. Watch your bulletins for

more details.

SUNDAY SCHOOL Christmas program practice continues on Sun-

day, December 6. On Saturday, December 12,

we’ll have our dress rehearsal, starting at

9AM. All students involved please plan to be

there. After rehearsal is over, we’ll have a

light lunch and celebrate Jesus’ birthday with

cake. Don’t miss all the fun!!

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CONFIRMATION Confirmation will meets on Wednesday evening,

December 2 at 7:00 p.m. here at Bethany. On

the 9th, we’ll gather at Faith Lutheran Church

on Sunnyside, 7:00 p.m. to attend their Advent

service. Then on December 16, we’ll meet at

Bethany again and have our Christmas party.

We will not meet on December 23 and Decem-

ber 30. If you’re in this program, please make

note of these dates, locations and times.

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L.I.F.T.

Living in Faith Together is a joint effort

between the Lutheran Churches of Burlington.

This program is for 3 year olds - 6th grade.

We meet the 2nd Sunday of the month at 5:00

p.m., enjoy a meal together, then rotate

through music, games, crafts and story time

and end our time together at 6:45 p.m. with a

group prayer. This program is FREE!! L.I.F.T.

meets again Sunday evening, December 13.

Join us!

Hey youth!!

Once again this year, we’ll be selling

cookie jars and already prepared and

decorated cookies as a fundraiser.

We’ll meet on Saturday, December 12

to put jars together and get to baking.

All youth are encouraged to come.

Many hands make light work!!

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AT CHRISTMAS

May God grant you the light in Christmas, Which is faith; The warmth of Christmas, Which is love; The radiance of Christmas, Which is purity; The righteousness of Christmas, Which is justice; The belief in Christmas, Which is Truth; The all of Christmas, Which is Christ!

-Donnel’s Creek Church of the Brethren Springfield, OH

The Choir will rehearse on Sunday, Decem-

ber 6, 8:00 a.m. and Sunday, December 20,

8:15 a.m. They will sing on Sunday, De-cember 20. All are invited to make a joyful

noise unto the Lord!!

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Below is the list of Saints we recognized on All Saints Sunday this year.

James Wischmeier 5/7/1975 10/30/2014

Walter Funck 8/7/1920 3/25/2015

Beverly Taylor Geiger 11/14/1923 4/29/2015

Robert “Rex” Humiston 4/26/1936 7/1/2015

Elvin Spicknall 11/11/1923 7/14/2015

Edith Mae Kopping 10/5/1925 8/27/2015

Robert Creighton 9/25/1931 9/14/2015

Ione Susan Whetstone 6/29/1942 9/20/2015

Sandra Howell 5/5/1947 9/24/2015

Dennis Augdahl Dorothy Becker

Bradley Becker Brian George

December 2015 Merry Christmas from LSI “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not over-come it.” – John 1:5

As Christmas approaches, we give thanks for you! Every day, as a ministry partner of LSI, you help bring the light of Christ to others.

At LSI, we know many people experiencing deep darkness. We know adults with disabilities who have no caring family presence in their lives. We know families in Des Moines who spent twenty years living in refugee camps and are finally regaining some hope for the future. We know teens who are aging out of the foster care system and fear they will never belong to anyone or have a family to love them.

LSI’s work is Christmas work, shining love, compassion and light in places of darkness, despair, abuse, neglect, addiction and crisis. We could not do this important work without you, and we are so grateful.

Wishing you a blessed and merry Christmas from LSI! LSI is proud to be an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Learn more at www.LSIowa.org and www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa.

Monique Finds A Place for Hope On a rainy morning, the radiant laughter and smiles of two young sisters fill the room.

“My daughters are very energetic,” said their mom Monique, with a tired smile.

Monique began partnering with LSI’s HOPES (Healthy Op-portunities for Parents to Experience Success) when her oldest daughter was just a couple months old.

“I was a first time mom and young. I was so scared I would be the worst mom possible,” Monique said.

When parents enroll in HOPES, they are connected with a family support worker who visits them in their home to offer parenting support, track child development and help fami-lies achieve their goals.

“The people at HOPES are my family. I couldn’t tell you where I’d be without them,” Monique said.

Monique was struggling to provide for herself without a high school diploma, adequate transportation or family support.

“She was kicked out of her house and has been on her own since she was a teen,” said Linda, an LSI supervisor. “She was forced to grow up really fast. She had to sink or swim, and she chose to swim.”

With support from LSI, Monique earned her GED and went immediately into CNA (certified nursing assistant) classes. Today, Monique needs less support than she once did, but LSI is still there to provide a listening ear and guidance. Her family is now happy, healthy and thriving with optimism for the future.

“Our futures look very bright. My new goals are to go back to school, work on buying a house, and get my kids into a really good school. Because of LSI, my family will succeed in life.”