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BETHLEHEM UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 11608 Lax Chapel Road, Kiel, WI 53042
(920)894-3332 Inside the
May 2019 Issue:
Randy’s Ramblings 1-2
Bethlehem Information 2-4
Lectionary 4
Consistory 5-6
Bethlehem Ladies 7
Sunday School 7
Merry Christians 7
Rummage Sale items 8
Scrip 8
From the Past 8
In Our Prayers 9
Grief Group 10
Mission Trip Fundraisers 10
B. Ladies Mission Project 10
Adult Bible Study 10
Guest House 11
Foster Parents Needed 11
Bethlehem Reminders 11
Community Events 12
Service Sunday–May 5 12/15
Fun Page 13
Calendars 14
May Spirit News Due:
W. May 15th - email
to Traci Rabe at
Randy’s Ramblings:
Alleluia! He is risen! He is risen indeed! We have traversed the darkness of Lent and have emerged with the hope and promise of the Easter resurrection. How appropriate that the hope of Easter coincides with the hope of spring. All around us we can see dormancy transforming into new life. We see this in the budding trees, greening grass, and emerging shoots and plants. We hear new life in the singing of the birds who have returned. We relish in these signs expectantly as we anticipate warmer weather and ability to be outdoors. Similarly, the Easter resurrection offers us hope of what’s to come. New life in a different sense! He is risen indeed! We can also offer hope as the Christian community of Bethlehem United Church of Christ. Rev. Johnston and I are excited about the interest in mission and service that has arisen at BUCC. On April 22 we had a group of 20 people go to Milwaukee to serve dinner at the Guest House men’s shelter!! This was incredible! Especially for the number of young people who gave up a “vacation” day from school to do God’s work. If this doesn’t represent hope, what does?
On May 5, we are having a “service” Sunday. It will be similar to last fall’s Mission Fest, but on a smaller scale. Being cinco de mayo, the consistory will offer a taco bar before we head out to work on several projects. There will also be an in-house project for those who want to stay at church.
Of course, we also have the mission trip scheduled for July. Once again, we have a group headed to Frakes, KY to take on projects in the impoverished region. This year we are doing some painting again, as well as a porch construction project.
Continued on Page 2
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Randy’s Ramblings continued:
We appreciate the support we get from the congregation on these activities. These mission and service projects belong to the whole of Bethlehem, not just those participating or going on the trips. We are thankful that people are willing to buy shares or make donations of material goods. If you haven’t donated yet, we hope you will. It’s a way that Bethlehem can offer hope and love in the wider world! Alleluia!
Peace,
Randy Koppenhaver, Licensed Lay Minister [email protected] 920.286.2531
____________________________________________________
Bethlehem United Church of Christ 11608 Lax Chapel Road
Kiel WI 53042 Phone: 920.894.3332
Worship Times: Sunday School begins at 8:00am Sunday mornings
Adult Bible Study begins at 8:15am Sunday mornings Our Sunday morning worship time is 9:30am
Reverend Rebecca A. Johnston, Pastor
Phone: 920.918.3654 or email: [email protected] Rev. Becky’s office hours: Tuesdays 9am – Noon & Wednesdays 9am – 3pm
AND Randy Koppenhaver, Licensed Lay Minister
Phone: 920.286.2531 or email: [email protected]
2019 Bethlehem UCC Consistory Members Traci Rabe, Elder/President
Jennifer Friend, Elder Steven Voland, Elder
Ross Westphalen, Deacon Natasha Verhulst, Deacon/Secretary
Rick Rabe, Treasurer Ruthie Rumpff, Financial Secretary
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You can also follow Bethlehem UCC on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/bucckiel/
Let’s Save Paper! In order to help Bethlehem UCC reduce the amount of paper being used,
please consider receiving your Spirit electronically. All you need to do is sign up in the fellowship
hall or email Traci Rabe at [email protected]. This is purely voluntary – if you don’t sign up
your monthly Spirit will be in your church mailbox. Do you have someone who is away at college,
in the military or away from home who would like to hear about the events at Bethlehem? If you
do sign them up and a copy will be emailed to them monthly.
Bethlehem UCC’s Website is LIVE!!! Go to www.bethlehemkiel.org and check out our
webpage! You can also submit Bethlehem information,
photos, and more by using the following email address [email protected]
Bethlehem UCC Mission Statement
As Disciples of Christ, we are a loving, caring community of
faith, called to witness to God’s grace and glory.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit to love, nurture,
respect, encourage and challenge each other.
Rooted in the tradition of our Christian ancestors,
we live our faith through worship,
fellowship, teaching and service to others.
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May Lectionary Readings:
May 5, 2019
white / gold 3rd Sunday of Easter
Acts 9:1–6, (7–20); Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11–14; John
21:1–19
May 12, 2019
white / gold
4th Sunday of Easter
Christian Family Sunday Acts 9:36–43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9–17; John 10:22–30
May 19, 2019
white / gold 5th Sunday of Easter Acts 11:1–18; Psalm 148; Revelation 21:1–6; John 13:31–35
May 26, 2019
white / gold
6th Sunday of Easter
Healing and
Reconciliation Sunday
Acts 16:9–15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10, 21:22–22:5; John
14:23–29
OR John 5:1–9
If you are not able to worship with us on Sunday, you can send your giving
envelope/check to the following address:
Bethlehem UCC
c/o Ruthie Rumpff
11608 Lax Chapel Road
Kiel WI 53042
Or, you can give electronically! It’s simple and easy, just fill out the Electronic
Giving sheet which can be found on the back table in the fellowship hall.
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Consistory Minutes: April 9th, 2019 6:30pm
In Attendance: Rick Rabe, Jennifer Friend, Randy Koppenhaver, Traci Rabe, Ruthie Rumpff, Natasha Verhulst, Rebecca Johnston, Steven Voland
Not in attendance:
Ross Westphalen
Call to order Opening Meditation - Words about Money and Wealth (1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19) Opening Prayer Monthly Reports
● Financial Secretary - Ruthie Rumpff
○ Rick makes a motion to approve the report as presented
○ Natasha 2nd
○ Motion carried
● Treasurer- Rick
○ Steven makes a motion to approve the report as presented
○ Jennifer 2nd
○ Motion carried
● Secretary Report
○ Rick makes a motion to approve the report as published in the Spirit
○ Steven 2nd
○ Motion carried
● Buildings and Grounds
○ Merry Christians are working on landscaping in the back to cover up the tanks so it looks
more inviting when you look out the windows in the back
Pastoral Reports
● Randy Koppenhaver
○ Has sent notes to visitors who had signed the pew pads
○ Met with Molly and Ryan for a premarital meeting
○ Brat Fry is Saturday (April 14th)
○ Maundy Thursday worship is looking good as far as people being involved with Reader’s
theater, communion, and choir singing. Hymns will be projected that are interwoven with
the reader’s theater.
○ Dinner at Guest House (April 22nd)
■ Rick moves that the Maundy Thursday offering and whatever extra is needed from
Families in Need will go to serving dinner at the Guest House
■ Jennifer 2nd
■ Motion carried
● Pastor Rebecca Johnston
○ Meetings attended
■ Faith Formation
■ Nominating committee for the association
■ Founders Day at the Lakeland University
■ GLAUCE planning a meeting
○ Brat Fry plans and details are taken care of
○ Mission trip details have been firmed up
○ Wednesday evening studies: new concept, but mostly well received
○ Has made monthly in home visits
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Old Business
● Member outreach - Cards, new faces in worship, people who we haven’t seen for a while
○ If you know of anyone who might need a card sent (congrats, thinking of you,
sympathy, get well, etc.) please contact Natasha Verhulst via email at
[email protected] or text/call at 920.286.0517
○ Randy has sent cards to visitors who have signed the pew pads
● Discussion about Lenten study
○ Those who have attended have expressed knowledge gained
● Palm Sunday
○ Processing in
○ Kathy is taking care of the palms
● Maundy Thursday - Everything is set.
○ 7:00 pm service
○ No meal
● Easter Sunday (April 21st)
○ Dramatic reading (3 women, 2 men in white robes, and a Peter needed to mime)
○ Skit idea that has been sent to the confirmands
○ Breakfast
■ Frinks have gotten a lot of supplies
■ Pastor will email the youth to sign up and help
● Confirmation Sunday
○ Pastor Becky and Randy are meeting to firm up details
○ Requirements will all be met
○ Two students will be baptized during confirmation Sunday
○ Cake - Jennifer will be picking one up
● Spring Service Sunday – May 5th
○ Service projects
■ Making cards for the guest house
■ Garbage clean up on Highway X
■ Cemetery clean up at Bethlehem
● Bring rakes
○ Pastor will make sign up sheets to put out
○ Individuals will be reached out to for help in leading each area
○ Meal: Taco Bar provided by the consistory
● Audit committee will audit in the fall
Rick makes a motion to adjourn
Ruthie 2nd
Meeting Adjourned
Lord’s Prayer
Respectfully Submitted,
Natasha Verhulst
Deacon/Secretary
If you have further questions about these minutes please contact a consistory member.
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Bethlehem Ladies:
Thank you to all who ordered an Easter flower. They added such beauty to our
sanctuary for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Our next gathering will be on
Tuesday, May 21st at 5:30pm at Riverview Restaurant. We will have a short
meeting and then enjoy a meal together. All ladies of the church are welcome to
join us. On to wash communion glasses on May 5th are Shirley, Darlene and Polly.
Polly Jeanty
Secretary
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Bethlehem Sunday School:
Thank you to everyone for supporting the Sunday School’s annual Seroogy’s chocolate fundraiser!
Dates to note:
May 5th: Older classes performing during church service
May 19: Last day of Sunday School before summer break
______________________________________________________________________________________
Merry Christians:
Thank you to those who attended our annual Pizza and Ice Cream Sundae event on Sunday, April 7th.
We served 14 home made pizzas to a hungry crowd.
The Merry Christians will be hosting a brat fry at Rick’s Piggly Wiggly in Kiel
on Saturday, May 18th from 9:00 until 3:00. Quarter pound burgers,
Johnsonville brats, and firehouse steaks are on the menu. Come to enjoy the
food and fellowship. Any volunteer helpers are welcome.
Kaye Radder
This Photo by
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Spring Cleaning?? Reducing Household Clutter?
As you do your spring cleaning, please remember your trash could
be someone’s treasure. If you have items for the annual garage
sale, but don’t have room to store until summer, please contact
Merry Christians. We can make arrangements to pick up and store
until the garage sale.
Also, remember for Chili Supper 2020, plastic Cool Whip type containers, ice cream pails
and cardboard boxes can be brought to the church kitchen at any time during the year.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Bethlehem Scrip:
Spring is here! Remember to purchase scrip cards when planning your
spring needs. I carry Fleet Farm, Menards, and Walmart cards, they are
available every week as cash and carry. I can order larger denominations
of cards if needed, it just takes a little bit of pre-planning. If you order
one week, I can have by the next Sunday. I have a current list every
Sunday. Please consider using the scrip program when you are planning
your garden or lawn needs.
When you are planning your Mother's Day, remember we have Parker
John's, Riverview, Applebee's and Texas Roadhouse gift cards. Treat
Mom for the day!
Thank you for your support!
Linda Rabe
MONTHLY SCRIP:
3/25/19 $ 725.00 $25.50
3/31/19 $1,910.00 $69.34
4/07/19 $1,490.00 $53.20
4/14/19 $1,435.00 $45.18
_______________________________________________________________________________________
From the historical records of Bethlehem U.C.C.:
May 26, 1970 – Consistory decides to raise food prices at Mission Fest.
They will charge 35¢ for single hamburgers and brats and 65¢ for doubles.
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Those in our thoughts and prayers:
Families of those entered to life eternal:
Karen Luebke
Mary Peihl
Alison Lemmens
Those dealing with illness or recovery: Everett Henning
Julia Gabrielse, cancer diagnosis
Lori Behnke: Cancer and surgery recovery
Ken Behnke: continued treatments
Jill Bauer (Tricia Frink's Mother) - surgery
Mark Riesterer, Sr - Tests at Mayo
Molly Milski - (Community member w/cancer)
Rev. Kathryn Kuhn: If you'd like to keep up on her illness you can follow her at
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kathrynkuhn?fbclid=IwAR1plTDSvpKlQuifa-
z83fVXzUTGDBODyHq3VTNDn1qTS8RGr1N9tDuUCSY
Those not able to join us for worship:
Doris Mae Ninmer – Field of Dreams
Ken Henschel - Oak Creek
Carol Meiselwitz- Waterford
Evelyn Schnell - Home
Marion Balz – Home
Other Prayers: Leah Henning - military service
Missing Children everywhere
Refugees
The people of Paris and Friends of Notre Dame
Victims and families of attack in Sri Lanka
Those affected worldwide by natural disasters, famine, and wars.
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Grief Support Group:
The grief support group will meet Wednesday, May 15 at 10am
__________________________________________________________________________
Mission Trip Shares:
Once again we will be selling shares to support our member who are going on the mission trip this summer.
The share cost is as follows: Bronze $25, Silver $50, Gold $75 and Platinum $100. Anyone buying shares
will be invited to our mission trip dinner where we will feed you and tell you all about our trip.
Members signed up for the trip at this time:
Rev. Becky Johnston
Barb Henning
Joseph Schuler
Dan Buell
Jennifer Friend
Joey Friend
Randy Koppenhaver
Melissa Koppenhaver
Peyton Koppenhaver
Brenna Koppenhaver
Kenzie Koppenhaver
Mission Trip Dates: July 13-20, 2019
Henderson Settlement – Frakes, Kentucky
If you are interested in joining us, contact Rev. Becky. We do have room for a few more to join us!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday Morning Adult Study:
Join us for adult Bible study at 8:15am in the library. We will discuss the you need
to bring is your morning coffee or tea.
One of the Bethlehem Ladies’ Mission Projects is making note cards by using the fronts of
recycled greeting cards. Please help us out by saving all your old greeting cards from
throughout the year (not just Christmas). Just cut the fronts off and put them in one of the
Ladies mailboxes at church. Thanks for your help!
This Photo by Unknown Author is
licensed under CC BY-ND
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Guest House of Milwaukee:
We want to thank each and every one of you who helped our experience at the Guest House be a success. Thank you for your financial and food donations. Thank you for your prayers of support and encouragement. Thank you to the 11 who made the trip and helped make and serve the food. Thank you to the 9 who had to stay behind because we had too many people signed up. Each of you played an important role in this experience and we can’t thank you enough. We will go again and those who had to stay back will be given the first slots to go with us. Why the Guest House? They are part of the
experience when we take the confirmation class to Milwaukee for the Urban Immersion experience. We didn’t get a chance to go this year, but we will be making that happen in future years as it is a rich experience. The Guest House is also special because it is housed in what used to be Friedens United Church of Christ. Friedens had to close a number of years ago, but it has been transformed into an important ministry in the neighborhood so their ministry and mission lives on. It is now May and time for Undy 500. Please bring your donations to church by May 19 so we can deliverer them by their deadline. If you want to know other ways you can support the Guest House you can go to their website at http://www.guesthouseofmilwaukee.org/. They also have an amazon wish list. If you purchase things from their wish list Amazon will deliver them to the Guest House for you. You can find their wish list at https://smile.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/11SJ72NAQSVLB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_ws_iSPcCb2YK7YSD. Again, thank you ALL for your generosity. Our hearts are full and the residents were VERY grateful!! Thank you. Rev. Rebecca A. Johnston
__________________________________________________________________________
Foster Parents Needed: Manitowoc County Foster Care is in immediate need of foster parents
for children age 0-18. Current foster homes are full due to high
placement needs! If you have ever thought of becoming a foster
parent OR if you are curious as to what foster care is all about, please
contact the foster care team at 920-683-4230 for more information.
Additional information can be found at www.manitowoccounty.com/fostercare
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Bethlehem Announcements/Reminders:
➢ Christmas Lights - Bring your old or burned out lights to church. We collect them all year long and
recycle them. You can place them under the mailbox in the fellowship hall. Proceeds go to the Building Repair Fund.
➢ Time for Fellowship! The stewardship committee is seeking hosts for our Fellowship/Coffee time after worship on Sundays. There are no expectations. Keep it simple. The goal is to encourage community building. However in keeping with the theme of stewardship, the committee encourages the use of “Fair Trade” coffee and discourages styrofoam and paper cups and plates.
➢ Aluminum Cans – please place ONLY aluminum cans into your bags – keep aluminum pans and other items separate. Please continue to save your aluminum cans and place them in the old garage next to the parsonage. If you remove the can tabs, please place them in a separate bag. These go to help support The Ronald McDonald House. The proceeds from recycling the aluminum cans helps support our Sunday school children.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Other Community Events:
May 1st 4-7 pm Chicken BBQ at Our Shepherd UCC in Howards Grove Adults $9.50; Children 6-12 $5; 5 years old and under are FREE May 8th 4-7pm Brat Fry at St. James UCC in Spring Valley Burgers, Brats, Chicken Breasts and Desserts will be served May 10th 4:30-8pm Fish Fry Friday at Anchor Lanes in Elkhart Lake 2 piece dinner $12 Additional pieces are $2 each There will also be a Silent Auction and Bucket Raffles Sponsored by Community UCC of Elkhart Lake
The Kiel High School Waves of Rhythm Show Choir hosts its annual Home Show
Friday, May 17 – Sunday, May 19. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7pm.
Sunday’s show begins at 2pm. High school show choir members from Bethlehem
include Laura Mueller, Allison Jeanty, Trenton Rabe, Leah Friend, Ally Wirtz and
Courtney Eberle. Come show your support to these young and talented singers!
____________________________________________________________________________________________
BETHLEHEM SERVICE SUNDAY Similar to Mission Fest this past fall, the Bethlehem family is
encouraged to participate in the Spring Service Sunday – May 5th.
Bethlehem will be making cards for the Guest House Homeless
Shelter, raking/cleaning up the cemetery and picking up garbage
along Hwy X. A taco bar lunch will be served before we head out.
Come lend a helping hand doing God’s work. Sign up sheets are
located in the fellowship hall or sign up at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17gDuHj08ZBJKv3BCAQ5MoyhviCLYtkFhqkWSiIp06d4/edit
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Fun Page:
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Bethlehem Events - May 2019
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3
4
5 8am SSchool
8:15am Adult Study 9:30am Worship w/Communion Bethlehem Service Sunday w/lunch
6 7
6:30pm Merry Christians mtg
8 9 10 11
12 8am SSchool
8:15am Adult Study 9:30am Worship MOTHER’S DAY
13 6:30pm Building & Grounds mtg
14 6:30pm Consistory mtg
15 10am Grief
Support Group mtg. June Spirit News Due
16 17
18 Merry Christians’ Brat Fry @ Piggly Wiggly - Kiel
19 8am SSchool
8:15am Adult Study 9:30am Worship
20 21 5:30pm
Bethlehem Ladies @ Riverview 6:30pm SSchool Teachers mtg
22 23
24 25
26 9:30am Worship
27
28 29 30 31
May Birthdays & Anniversaries
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
laundry
soap or
fabric
softener
1 Rick & Linda Rabe (1982)
2 Barb Henning
Chris Freund
3 Sara Jeanty Garrett & Ginny Schultz (1997) Kevin & Mandy Voland (2014)
4 Todd & Heather Krebsbach (2013)
5 Jeff & Jennifer Holz
(2005) Grant & Christa Taylor (1972)
6 7 Lori Behnke Dayna Schultz Jenna Rumpff
8 Nick Hanson Merri Wempner
9 Jennifer Brockway Tim Mueller
10 Bryan Jeanty David & Jennifer Friend (1997)
11 Pam Bowe
12JenniferStroschine
13 Leah Friend Brandy Krueger
14 Sarah Arnold Brenda Riesterer
15
16Steve & Cheri
Vogel (1992) Ken & Lori Behnke (1987)
17
18
19 Haley Rabe Melanie Voland Ben & Cassie Jeanty (2018)
20 21 Allyson Wirtz Merlin & Doris Mae Ninmer (1949)
22 Jacob Vogel
23
24 Bill & Kelly Biwan (1997)
25
26
27 Amber Hoeffner Noah Watson
28 Davin Horneck
29 Armond Wempner
30 Stephanie Nenahlo
31 Lloyd Rumpff
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Similar to Mission Fest this past fall, the Bethlehem family is encouraged to
participate in the Spring Service Sunday – May 5th.
Bethlehem will be making cards for the Guest House Homeless Shelter,
raking/cleaning up the cemetery
and picking up garbage along Hwy X.
A taco bar lunch will be served before we head out.
Come lend a helping hand doing God’s work.
Sign up sheets are located in the fellowship hall or sign up at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17gDuHj08ZBJKv3BCAQ5MoyhviCLYtkFhqkWSiIp06d4/edit