THE STAR AUGUST 2018 Bethlehem Lutheran Church A community gathered so God’s message is

scattered.

Wahoo, Nebraska

Ph# 402-443-3160

Pastor Bob Hayden-rbhhayden@reagan.com -

Ph# 402-672-1345

Church office hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Church website: bethlehemlutheranwahoo.org

Church email: wahoo.bethlehem@gmail.com

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the

Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

“I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the

time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with

the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people

will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will

accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires and will

turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for

you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist,

carry out your ministry fully.” -2 Timothy 4: 2-5

Dear Members and Friends of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Wahoo… One of my goals as pastor and sometimes teacher is to continue to put away the notion that the Bible is an ‘old fashioned piece of literature, irrelevant to the happenings, policies, and life of this modern world.’ As I survey the world stage and even in our own community, so very often episodes in the Bible are reflected in our modern day. As I watch, read, and pay close attention to the current and ongoing battles being played out in our governing institutions and in the media, I hear Timothy’s words of truth and wisdom and cannot help but reflect that so much of what we are collectively being fed is indeed, “itching ears that accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires and turn away from the truth and wander away to myths.” The ‘talking heads’ who opine their views under the pretext of being some kind of ‘expert’ are so often in reality, expressing their personal views and not thoughts of tried and proven facts. I can site many examples of ‘itching ears’, where truth is turned on its head, replaced by distortions, confusions, and out and out lies. For many pushing an agenda, truth matters little…perception is the ultimate goal. Unfortunately, perception becomes ‘itchy ears’ truth to many. There is fundamental truth and that truth is found in scripture and is also played out right in front of us if we would just pay attention. Nine of our to-be 8

th grade Middle School

Ministry students attended confirmation camp at Carol Joy Holling in July. I was so proud of these young people as they exhibited wonderful manners, courtesy, friendliness, and a willingness to share of themselves along with an even greater willingness to learn lessons from sacred Scripture. One of their camp counselors exhibited as Timothy wrote, “did the work of an evangelist carrying out her ministry fully.” This young camp counselor I speak of is from Miami, Florida. I asked her a number of questions the first of which being ‘how did you end up here if you are from Miami’? She answered that she heard from a friend of the wonderful experience her friend had had as a counselor at Carol Joy Holling the previous year. The counselor went on to tell me she went to college in the Kansas City area and was there on a track scholarship as a sprinter. I pressed her a bit further about her life and goals and her answer on that first day set the tone and made the rest of the week a complete joy for me. With our nine confirmation students listening intently she said, “My goal, my prayer is that by my faith example and presence, that I will make a difference in just one young person and help them grow into their faith and love Jesus Christ as much as I do.”

Scripture is played out each and every day, but first we need to know our Bibles in order that we may recognize it when the Gospel is presented to us in our lives. This young lady is filled with ‘sound doctrine and the truth of Jesus Christ.’ In her own quiet way, in her own unassuming way, this young lady modeled such integrity and faith that I hope and pray will resonate with our nine young people at camp…she resonates with me! In just a few short weeks, Bethlehem will resume our education programs for our young people and our adults with at least one new adult group. The choir is getting set to resume along with our other ministries that will be returning from the summer layoff with renewed energy and vigor. Information about Wednesday happenings can be found elsewhere in this newsletter. May we take the advice of Timothy to “be sober, endure suffering, do the work of the evangelist, carry out our ministry fully.” When we approach ministry with this frame of mind not only are others fulfilled, but we will be as well. Shalom…Pastor Bob

WEDNESDAY SURVEY & INITIAL PLANS

Thank you for your responses to our survey concerning the Wednesday night schedule. Please know that every survey and response has been thoroughly read, compiled, and given much thought. Our initial conclusions to your responses go something like this: the meal at least initially, will be just for our middle school students provided by teams of parents. With the thought being we need to walk before we run, attempting to facilitate a meal for an unknown number of folks at least in the beginning has proven to be too daunting of a task. The logistics for a weekly meal at this time cause us caution but will be reviewed as we go along. Worship will be from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. Again, this will NOT be a repeat of Sunday, but a unique service to Wednesdays. Initially we will be using the ‘Narrative Lectionary’ for our theme and scripture. The ‘Narrative Lectionary’ touches on scriptures we normally do not include in our normal Sunday scriptures. They also are designed as a ‘continuing story’ so that one Wednesday will build on the previous. A short review will be a part of this for those who may miss a Wednesday service. Our greatest hope and goal is for those of us who cannot worship on Sunday or participate in the service will step forward to worship and participate in the service. We also encourage regular Sunday worshipers to come as well…again the services will be different. More about this as we get closer to initializing this. From 7:00 to 7:45 or later, Middle School Ministry and Christian Education for your youngsters unable to come to Sunday School will be offered. In addition, a lady’s group will continue and very possibly our men’s group may switch to Wednesdays as well. Choir will meet at their usual time and other possibilities are being explored and implemented. We ask for your patience as we transition into this different Wednesday schedule. Undoubtedly adjustments will be made as grow into this. Thank you.

Bethlehem Women

Nine ladies were in attendance at Bethlehem Women on July 19

th, 2018.

Arlene opened with a reading entitled “Angels

Explained by Children.” The regular reports were given

and approved. Mary McKay reminded us that some

school supplies are now on sale. Helen Hansen had

sent several cards to Bethlehem members.

Under old business we discussed Autumn Renewal on

September 22nd

in Hastings. Saved to Serve is

celebrating its 20th year and the one held in May was

very successful. A second one is coming up in Omaha

on August 17-19 and will be at Lutheran Family Services.

For new business we had a signup sheet for the salad luncheon at St. Mark’s, Valley on

August 17th. The Carol Joy Holling Quilt Auction is July 28

th and Marilyn Volin

reported that there are 459 items to be auctioned. Arlene passed around the New

Interchange Newsletter.

The Fall Bible study will be on “Repentance” and will be three sessions. Mary McKay

was our only birthday this month.

Lucy DeFoil led our Bible Study following our business meeting. It was the second

session on prayer entitled “The Practices of Prayer.” The theme verse was the very

familiar “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.

Marilyn Volin served fresh fruit and a delicious almond cake. Thank you Lucy and

Marilyn.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR:

Wednesday, August 8th Deadline for salad luncheon sign up

Tuesday, August 14th Quilting 9 am (old basement)

Thursday, August 16th Bethlehem Women 2 pm Lesson by Sherry Hageman,

Hostess Alvina Mumm

Friday – Sunday August 17-19 Saved to Serve in Omaha

Tuesday, August 28th Quilting 9 am (old basement)

Acolyte Schedule: August 5th 9:30 AM - Kylie Warford and Jack Mortensen

August 12th 9:30 AM - Sam Biggerstaff and Zach Fox

August 19th 9:30 AM - Jake Maas and Carter Ricks

August 26th 9:30 AM - Logan Scott and Kailey Strait

Stewardship Committee Report

The Stewardship and Evangelism Committees having been attempting to contact every

member in our effort to update our church records. As part of this process, the

Evangelism Committee has been making calls or sending letters. The Stewardship

Committee, because we as the committee cannot and do not look at individual giving,

have been sending out the 6 month giving statement plus a letter.

Evangelism’s goal is to reach out to those members that have not been very active in the

recent past.

Stewardship letters were sent out in July to those members who showed contributions to

the General Fund through June 30th. There should have been 2 pages. One being the

dollar amount of your contribution to the General Fund through June 30th plus a letter

from the Stewardship Committee. If you did not receive the letter please stop in the

church office and pick up a copy.

Letters will also be sent in August to those that have not contributed to the General

Fund, according to the church financial records.

Keep Saving Your Receipts! SunMart - $100,005 (turned in for a $1000 check!)

Corner Market - $49,258

Wahoo Super - $2,866

Please let the office know if you will have a 6th grader in the fall so we can make sure they are on our

contact list for Middle School Ministry!

A BIG thank you to Sam Winchell for adding up our receipts!!!

August Birthdays: Jeff Cordes 8/1 Chad Fox 8/1 Dennis Groff 8/1 Delaney Holtorf 8/1 Kelli Mattson 8/1 Kaden Christen 8/2 Vickie Pearson 8/2 Sam Winchell 8/2 Rodney Mattson 8/3 John Robinson 8/3 Jason Beatty 8/4 Gabriel Harris 8/4 Jennifer Knuth 8/4 Barbara Semrad 8/4 Emery Sexton 8/5 Tara Burkey 8/6 Aja Henderson 8/6 Kim Homes 8/6 David Pearson 8/6 Ashley Sharpe 8/6 Carl Warford 8/6 Darcy Barry 8/7 EJ Hancock 8/7 Stuart Oden 8/7 Donald Strait 8/7 Alison Brodahl 8/8 Carson Warford 8/8 Sarah Christian 8/10 Jason Libal 8/10 Owen Pokorny 8/10 Susan Gottchalk 8/11 Alyssa Nelson 8/12 Amanda Anderson 8/13

Jacob Barry 8/13 Kim Christian 8/13 Sean Forbes 8/13 Cheryl Dunbar 8/14 Alex Abbott 8/15 Madilyn Buch 8/15 Steven Grieser 8/15 Bryer Hancock 8/15 Matt Nutzman 8/15 Jim Simons 8/15 Lois Fick 8/16 Christy Urban 8/16 Dennis Chmelka 8/17 Zach Luben 8/17 Angela Luben 8/18 Emily Reimer 8/18 Patrick Hancock 8/21 Rachel Steele 8/21 AJ Divis 8/23 Paige Peterson 8/23 Dylan Egr 8/24 Kent Pearson 8/24 Ashlee Swanson 8/24 Lakelyn Sharpe 8/25 Shannon Zara 8/25 Vera Royal 8/26 Margaret Schiffern 8/27 Deloris Smith 8/27 Thomas Waido 8/27 Aunbrea Zeleny 8/27 Joyce Breunig 8/28 Dwaine Heiser 8/28 Shawn Nelson 8/28 Nick Oden 8/28 Gage Thrasher 8/28 Meagan Mensik 8/30 RoiAnn Lubker 8/31

If you do not see your birthday or anniversary, please let Amy know in the office know at 402-443-3160/wahoo.bethlehem@gmail.com so we can correct our database. Thank you!

August Anniversaries: Gary and Gayle Rasmussen 8/1

James and Kelly MacMillan 8/6

Kyle and Renee Stewart 8/7

Craig and Susan Wagner 8/8

Kevin and Judy Stukenholtz 8/10

Jerry and Marilyn Volin 8/11

Don and Lois Fick 8/11

Jason and Michelle Libal 8/11

Khristopher and Amber Lihs 8/11

Lance and Jalynn Vukonich 8/12

EJ and Traci Hancock 8/14

Lyle and RoiAnn Lubker 8/14

Jovan and Julie Lausterer 8/17

Daryl and Judith Swanson 8/18

Everett and Patti Inbody 8/20

Ed and Deb Banks 8/22

Brian and Kim Homes 8/22

Stuart and Mary Oden 8/23

Donald and Tiana Strait 8/25

Summer Worship Schedule 9:30 AM Worship

10:30 AM Fellowship

Sunday Monday Tuesday

5 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM Fun and Fellowship

6 6:30 PM Boy Scouts

7

12 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM Fun and Fellowship

13

6:30 PM Boy Scout

7:00 PM Music & Worship Mtg

14

9:00 AM Quilting 6:30 PM Evangelism Mtg

19 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM Fun and Fellowship 10:30 AM Council Meeting

20 9:00 AM WIC 6:30 PM Boy Scouts

21

26 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM Fun and Fellowship

27 6:30 PM Boy Scouts

28 9:00 AM Quilting

August 2018

First Step Preschool MWF 8:30 –11 AM

12:30 - 3:00 PM T/TH 9:00 - 11 AM

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 7:00 PM AA Meeting

3

4

8 Mutual Ministry Meeting 7-9 PM Marketplace Madness

9 7:00 PM AA Meeting

10 Krazy Quilters

11

15 7-9 PM Marketplace Madness

16

2:00 PM WELCA

7:00 PM AA Meeting

17

18

22 7-9 PM Marketplace Madness *Newsletter article deadline

23 7:00 PM AA Meeting

24

25

29

30 7:00 PM AA Meeting

31

August 2018

Bethlehem Lutheran Church: Council Minutes July 15, 2018 - 10:30 AM

Members Present: Ryan Ideus, Julie Scott, Jarred Royal, Mike Christen, Colette Rathke,

Luke Simons; Michelle Koranda, Chad Fox, and Pastor Bob Hayden

Excused Members: Missy Abbott

1. Call to Order: Council President Ideus was called to order at 10:41 a.m. An opening

prayer given by Pastor Hayden.

2. April Minutes: June 2018 minutes were presented for council consideration and

approval. Motion to approve by Christen and seconded by Fox. Motion was approved.

3. Review of Financial Reports: June Financials were reviewed and discussed. Motion

to approve the April financials by Simons and seconded by Scott. Motion was

approved.

4. Pastor’s Activity Report: Pastor Hayden presented his activity report for the month of

June. Motion to approve the report was made by Fox, seconded by Rathke. Motion

was approved.

5. Committee Liaisons Reports:

• Education (M. Christen) - Brief discussion around the shift of classes for the upcoming

pre-school year. Jen Kaminski has been hired.

• Property (L. Simons) No update

• Endowment (R. Ideus) – Funds allocated for National Youth Gathering

• Scouts (J. Scott) - Boy Scout recently went to Camp Cedars for a week and had a

quarterly Court of Honor presentation.

• Evangelism (J. Royal) – Initial work has been completed by the E-Team regarding

membership status. Members have been making efforts to contact members, with

some difficultly in reaching individuals.

• Finance (L. Simons) – Six month giving letter will be going out to members of the

congregation. Internal audit will begin next month.

• Stewardship (L. Simons) – Joint meeting with Evangelism Team (E-Team) to begin

first round of membership classification. Discussion around Push Pay.

• Long-Range Planning (C. Fox) - No update

• Women of the Church (M. Koranda) - No update

• Men of the Church (L. Simons) - No update

• Worship & Music (C. Rathke – Meeting on July 9th focused on discussion of the

survey content, potential service content and the need to encourage/find additional

musicians for the Wednesday Service. The Committee also discussed that the alter

guild candles are getting old and some options to make sure they stay in workable

shape. This topic will continue to be looked at and discussed by the committee.

• Mission (C. Rathke) – No meeting this month.

• Mutual Ministry Committee (C. Fox) – No update.

7. New Business: • Confirmation Camp – Discussion regarding the importance for incoming 8

th graders to

attend Confirmation Camp. The Council determined while ideal for youth to attend the week with other youth from Bethlehem Lutheran that additional camp dates and locations will be offered for those youth and families who are not able to attend Bethlehem’s Confirmation Camp week to ensure this expectation is completed.

• Ice Cream Social - Discussed strategies to get more volunteers to assist with social.

Discussed having high school students operate the games. The social is taking place prior to VBS/Day Camp due to the fair.

• Wednesday Service – Discussed potential options for Wednesday Service but wanted

to focus on reminding people to complete the survey. Once results are compiled further discussion will be initiated.

• VBS/Day Camp – Not a lot of kids sign up as of July meeting; however, several kids

still needed to be registered. Discussion of a multi-church VBS option; this topic will be forward to the Mutual Ministry Committee.

• Communion - Council Members will sign up to assist with Communion at the 11:00 service.

8. Old Business: • Pushpay/ Online Giving – After a discussion, a motion was made by Royal and se-

conded by Simons for the change from Vanco to Pushpay as our on-line giving provid-er contingent upon verification of a 2

nd year contract benefit. Motion was approved.

Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned by President Ideus at 12:07 p.m. Respectfully Submitted:

Julie M. Scott Council Secretary

Nourishing Hungry Bodies and Souls We continue throughout the summer to lift up the ministry of Matt and Simone Weber through Table Grace. The “backpack collection” from July and August will be donated to Table Grace to provide Vouchers for those unable to pay for a simple meal. Friday, August 3

rd from 6-9 pm. Mobile Grace will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran (13271

Millard Ave) for their Summer Block Party. Music by Simone! All are welcome to attend. Field Trip to Table Grace for Lunch in August! If you are interested in going to Table Grace for Lunch, please let Sherry Hageman, Diane Reece or Marcia Pearson know. Little Free Library Needed: Gentle used kids books Be sure to check out our Little Library – Great books for Adults too. Currently have several best sellers!!!

Marketplace Madness!!!!!!!!!!!! August 8

th, 15

th and 22

nd from 7:00-9:00 pm

We will be working on fall items for the Marketplace Bring ideas • Something to Work on or Just Come and Help! ***The Marketplace store will be closed from August 5-19

I want my life to my life to make a difference. . . I want my life to do some good here. Fair Trade coffee for sale

A Note From Sunday School: Rally Sunday September 9th! It’s that time of year again! We are looking for three year olds to participate in Sunday School again this year. We will celebrate their joining us with Cradle Roll on Sunday, September 10th. If you have a little one or know of someone who would like to be involved, please contact Lori Mortensen (402-218-7642 or lorimortz@gmail.com) or leave your information at the church office. Also, if you are interested in being involved with the Sunday School program as a teacher or a substitute this year, please let Lori or the office know ASAP. This is a rewarding way to give back to the church and your help is always appreciated.

Kent & Jan Morse 60th Wedding Anniversary Celebration Please join us for an Open House

Saturday, August 25th, 2018 2 PM - 4 PM Main floor at Ridgewood Assisted Living in Bennington, Nebraska

No presents please, but cards can be sent to:

Kent and Jan Morse 12221 N. 149th Circle Apt. 302

Bennington NE. 68007

Calling Middle School singers who like to sing!!

We would love to have you join the Bethlehem Singers at our service on Sunday,

August 19. We will sing a new and very beautiful arrangement of You Are Mine and

Krista Braun will play flute with us.

Rehearsal: Wednesday, August 15 at 7:00 pm

in the sanctuary

Rehearsal: Sunday, August 19 at 8:45 am with

all singers and Krista in the sanctuary

Sing: Sunday, August 19 at 9:30 am service

Hope to see you soon.

Bill Reece and Lois Fick

A Super FUN week at Bethlehem!

Ice Cream Social , VBS and Day Camp!

Bethlehem’s Blessings Thank you for all who helped make day camp possible! A special thank you to Don and

Lois Fick for providing housing for our Day Camp Counselors. We appreciate everyone

who provided snacks, lunches and all the older kids who came and helped the

counselors.

Thank you to all the parents who took time to make sure their little ones got to VBS, day

camp and confirmation camp and thanks to the kids too! Camps are a great part of our

faith journey along with time for friendships and fun!

Thanks also to the counselors who came to lead day camp!

Thank you to Lori Mortensen for the countless hours she spent getting ready for and

teaching VBS! Her creativity and gift for teaching our little ones is a blessing!

Thank you to ALL who helped, brought food, set up and ran games, etc. for the ice cream

social. A special thank you to Lori Mortensen for organizing the games, all who helped in

the kitchen and Judy Stukenholtz and BLY for providing the meal and helping with the

games. Thanks to Jerry Johnson for making the arrangements for the bounce house.

Thank you to Chad Fox and sons for cutting down and taking away the falling tree branch.

Thank you to Ryan Ideus for weed whacking the Gaga Pit so that we could use it for the

Ice Cream Social and Day Camp.

We had a wonderful service planned and led by Hillary Fick on July 22nd. God’s

blessings to Hillary and Evan as they begin their studies at United Lutheran Seminary in

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in August.

It is in blessing others that we are blessed with a precious blessing of our own~

Help us stay in touch with you! Has your address or phone number changed? Do we have your email address?

If you aren’t getting emails from the church, we don’t have your correct address! Please let the office know your email and of any changes in your address and / or phone number at 402-443-3160 or wahoo.bethlehem@gmail.com. Thank you!

Bethlehem Lutheran Church 504 West 8th St.

Wahoo, Nebraska 68066 402-443-3160

Newsletter mailed 7/26/2018

Nonprofit Org. Permit No. 23

U.S. Postage PAID Wahoo, NE 68066

Return Service Requested

Let Us Know Your Email Address! If you would prefer “THE STAR” via email let us know. Also, having an email address can help us update people faster and without postage costs. Simply email the church office at: wahoo.bethlehem@gmail.com and give us your email.

Our Members at the Care Centers: South Haven: Eunice Brodahl & Robert Peterson

Care Center: Jenny Iversen Saunders House: Tom Lindau & Stanley Dokulil

Please let us know: If you are going to the hospital or having a procedure done please give the office a call to let us know. HIPAA rules prevent hospitals from calling us. * Deadline for submitting articles for the September newsletter is August 25th