THE BETHEL BEACON

NOVEMBER 2015

BILL SWITZER, Pastor Sunday School @ 9 am

Worship time @ 10:00 am

BETHEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

2400 CENTRAL AVE. NEBRASKA CITY, NE

68410

Church Telephone #: (402) 873-6218

Emergency: (402) 6369-0842 (Pastor Bill)

Email: betheluccurch1887@gmail.com

Website: www.bethelucchurch.com

Find us on

just thinking...

This chart was part of a book I was reading in the last six months. Thought this might be

helpful in understanding Bethel United Church of Christ. There are no right or wrong

answers!

Dominus vobiscum, Bill

RICH CHURCH POOR CHURCH

Is a Mission Oriented Church — Why

are we here?

Survival is the issue — What is

required to survive?

Lives — Do we change lives? Are we

responsible stewards of God’s gifts to

us?

Money — What is the change we need

to get people to contribute to the

deficit?

Service — Taking Christ to those who

do not know

Facility—Our church used to be full

on Sunday morning. Why isn’t it

anymore? “...If they would only come

back...!” They come to us.

Discipleship—The goal is to make

disciples and transform lives.

Appeasement—Keeping everyone

happy.

Jesus—We do what we do because we

are called to follow.

Church—We do what we do because

the building, membership, strong

faith, & memorials.

Pastor—Challenges the faith

community to be disciples.

Pastor—Does it all, and is responsible

for all church growth.

Adapted from Christopher, J. Clif, Rich

Church Poor Church, p. 11. 2012 Abington

Moving Forward in the Spirit

Join us on the Journey

It’s up to you

...just thinking

BETHEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Monthly Statement By Christine Parkyn

September 2015 Balance

Current Expenses/Income……………….. 5431.26

Missionary Fund OCWM…………………… 550.00

Improvement Fund…...……………………. 18,434.62

Capital Project Fund..…………………….. 14,882.59

Organ Maintenance Fund..…………….… 2,000.00

Elevator Fund…………………..…………….. 16,798.43

Other……………………….......................... 4957.99

$52,192.37

A more detailed report has been posted on the church bulletin board.

Copies will be made available upon request.

CHRISTMAS MISSION PROJECT 2015

Each year one of our Christmas projects is to donate to Every Child’s Hope Evangelical Children’s Home. They have a “Christmas Store” that the children can choose gifts from that they give to their friends and families. It is these items that they are asking UCC congregations to donate. A list of the items needed is included in this Beacon and posted on the bulletin board outside of the office. Your donations will need to be turned in to the office by Wednesday, November 22, 2014, unwrapped. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Our search committee has been meeting and are in the

process of receiving and reviewing profiles. We have conducted one interview so far and hope to do another

one soon. We will keep you updated as the process

continues!

COMMITTEE

UPDATE

This year’s budget

meeting has been

changed to Sunday,

November 8th.

Nebraska City’s annual Advent

Recital for 2015 will be held again at St.

Mary’s Catholic Church on Sunday, Dec. 6th from 6-8

pm.

Our Sunday school Christmas

program will be Sunday, Dec.

13th. If your child would like to

participate, please let someone

from the Board of Christian

Education know so they can

assign a part to him or her.

IN OUR PRAYERS IN OCTOBER:

Justin Williams, Betty Blankenship, Logan Drabek, Mason

Wieckhorst, Ella Mathisen, Helen Ramold, Cathy Blankenship,

Ruth Wurtele, John Ensign, Alex Peter, the family and friends of

Jean Bivens, Alice Oelke, Gladys Huss, and all who struggle with

chronic illness, those confined to their homes & to long term care

facilities.

Our annual Thanksgiving dinner will be Sunday, November 15th following

worship. Ham, turkey, potatoes & gravy, stuffing, rolls, drinks, and table service

will be provided by our 3 councils/boards. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

___________________________________________

Please remember that your 2016

pledge sheets are due on Sunday, November 15th.

Meals on Wheels

Please consider making a monthly commitment to deliver meals to shut-ins in Nebraska City. Meals

are delivered Monday thru Saturday at 11:00. The meals are delivered from the hospital and it usually takes less than hour to

deliver the meals. Contact Darcy Carpenter at 873-4927 or

shsdarcy@windstream.net

Thank you to everyone who brightened our

sanctuary with flowers, and who sponsored

bulletins during the month of Octobber .

I’m thankful, Lord—so thankful

You’ve blessed me day by day.

Food, shelter, friends and family

You’ve given when I pray.

And though I am quite grateful

For these things I hold so dear;

What I really cherish most of all

Is Your presence ever near.

I may be full or empty.

I may be glad or sad.

But You’re the constant in my life,

The best blessing I could have!

LOOKING AHEAD: DECEMBER

Tues. 1st: Board of Christian Ed. mtg. 7 pm

Sun. 6th: Communion/Food pantry

Advent Recital at St. Mary’s Church 6 pm

Tues. 8th: Women’s Fellowship mtg. at Noon

Spiritual Council mtg. 5:45 pm/Church Council mtg. 7pm

Sun. 13th: Sunday school Christmas program

Election of officers

Wed. 16th: Bethel Choir caroling 7pm

Sun. 20th: No Sunday school

Thurs. 24th: Christmas Eve service at 7 pm

Fri. 25th: Christmas Day (office closed) (no worship)

Sun. 27th: No Sunday school or Youth Fellowship

Mon. 28th: Meals on Wheels at 11 am

Thurs. 31st: New Year’s Eve

Fri. Jan. 1st: Office closed

*Sr. Choir practice every Wednesday at 7 pm*

Carol Beccard 1st Jamie Horstmann 1st Dylan Vock 1st Brenda Wieckhorst 1st

Jim Wozny 2nd Christine Rivett 5th Molly Hermann 10th Kassi Holman 10th

Hailey Herzog 11th Zoie Mills 12th Betty Joe Adkins 14th Braiden Moyer 16th

Keston Holman 20th Jane Vock 22nd Stephen Luther 25th Ben DeVorss 26th

Michael Mills 26th Dylan Holman 27th Connie Jensen 29th Bonnie Wurtele 29th

Matthew Ramold 30th

BEST WISHES TO THOSE CELEBRATING THEIR

BIRTHDAYS & WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

IN NOVEMBER

Leslie & Janice Dawson

~ Nov. 3, 1989 ~

Bill & Katheryn Walters

~ Nov. 9, 1963 ~

Jim & Rev. Charlene Wozny

~ Nov. 22, 1972 ~

HAPPY

BIRTHDAY!!!

Bethel United Church of Christ

Spiritual Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 13, 2015

5:45 pm Pastor’s Office

Present: President Arlin Rohlfs, Vice-President Dennis Marshall, Secretary LaVonda Bando, Larry Bando, Stephen Luther and Pastor Bill Dennis made a motion to accepted secretary minutes and Stephen second motion. Motion carried.

The Spiritual Council members went over and updated the Request & Message Brochure. Pastor will make the updated again. Pastor will meet with Arlin for the finale draft. The Request & Message Brochure will be printed. Stephen reported on the sound system. He will meet with a sound company on Friday, October 16 at 8:30 looking at cost of updated or new a sound system with microphones, cameras, and maybe a sound booth and screens. Pastor Report: Conducted funerals for Betty Buchanan and Jean Blevins and 1 non-member wedding; Confirmation class is going good; Sarah working on getting a new office computer through a Friends of Faith grant and Church Council working on a new copier; youth group is going well. Dennis will look into getting a supply pastor for December 27. Larry made a motion to close the meeting and Stephen second the motion. Motion carried. Close with the Lord Prayer. Secretary, LaVonda Bando

SPIRITUAL

COUNCIL

Church Council met at 7:00 pm on Oct. 13, 2015. Council members present were Jen Hamilton, Peg Johnson, Jason Holman, Gene Nannen and Dean Griepenstroh. Others present were Sarah Bando, Sandy Ried and Arlin Rohlfs. Jen called the meeting to order. Secretary minutes were accepted by motion from Jason and seconded by Gene. Motion carried. Financial Report-Sandy explained problems with Premier Bank changeover. She will correct payouts and check statements. Motion by Dean and seconded by Jason to pay bills. Motion carried. Upcoming budget was reviewed, changes made to minister salary and explained need for seismic (earthquake) insurance. Accepted after revisions with Dean's motion and Jason second. Motion carried. Members will receive copy in mail to review before congregational meeting to approve budget on Nov. 8, 2015. Pastor Report- Pastor reported on weddings and funerals. Confirmation will remain a two year class. The Annual Hayride was well attended with thanks to Greg Stukenholtz family for hosting it. Memorial and Stewardship-There was no report. Church office- Sarah presented copier bids. Dean made motion to accept Sharp bid on two week trial. Peg seconded it and motion carried. A computer bid was received. Sarah applied for Friends of Faith grant to help cover costs and to also obtain funding for Fareway gift cards to be given to needy families at Thanksgiving. Spiritual Council- Arlin reported on organ maintenance. Spiritual Council would also like to have Search Committee inform the congregation more on the progress they're making in finding a new minister with the possibility of an update during Sunday services. Board of Education- No report. Building and Grounds- Jen and Dean reported Jerry G. is working on new shed, old shed has been removed, people need to be observant that sanctuary lights 'click' when turned off to assure they are off and another meeting will be in November. Cracks in parking lot are unable to be sealed as cracks are too deep. Will contact Margaret to see if any funds available to help with this project. Old Business-wedding policy contracts have been completed and available in office. Sound system is being looked into by Spiritual Council. New Business-none to report. Next meeting will be 7:00 pm on Nov. 10, 2015. Motion to adjourn was made by Dean and seconded by Gene. Motion carried. Closed with the Lord's Prayer. Respectfully submitted,

Peg Johnson, secretary

cHURCH COUNCIL

Board of Christian Education

October 6, 2015

The Board of Christian Education met on October 6, 2015. Members in

attendance were: Cindy Kreifels, Danielle Barrett, Nancy Hunt, and Christine

Parkyn. Pastor Switzer also attended.

The minutes from the previous meeting were read and no changes made.

Upcoming disbursements are for the ice cream for the hayrack ride.

Old Business centered around the hayrack ride on October 11th. The

brownies, ice cream, and drinks were discussed. Nancy will call the

Stukenholtz’s regarding setting up that afternoon. Thanks to them for

sponsoring the hayrack ride event!

The board also discussed the new Sunday School opening and closing

procedures and the on-going plans for the Christmas program. The Sunday

School year appears to be going well so far. The Christmas program has been

determined and parts and costumes were discussed. Plans for the day of the

program were discussed.

Pastor described the changes to the Christmas services this year.

The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted-Christine Parkyn

BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

UPDATES….

Three scouts from 353, along with the Holman boys, helped move the contents of the old mower shed into the parsonage garage. Dan got the shed loose from its foundation and is working to get it on skids. Jerry presented new shed plans to the council. The project passed with much appreciation. Noah, Mason and Gray, along with their dads worked very hard to fill the enormous, cavernous cracks in the parking lot. Even after using 45 gallons of blacktop sealer, after about a day of settling, it was evident that even a second coating wouldn't be enough. We obviously need to look into other ways of trying to deal with this situation. It's pretty clear that the entire parking lot probably should have been sealed again a few years back, but we will do what we can. Hindsight is always 20/20. Any ideas are very welcome. A new church mailbox has been installed, the flower garden and bushes were clipped, outdoor railings clear coated, ac units fixed, outdoor drain roto-rootered and choir loft lights fixed. If anyone knows of anymore completed projects, please let me know so I can keep track in writing. Way to go everyone! Jen Hamilton

BETHEL BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE

Our hay rack ride day was Oct. 11th and what a fun day it was!

A BIG thank you goes out to Greg & Barb Stukenholtz for furnishing the hay

rack rides, the bounce house, and their garage! We appreciate them taking the

time out of their busy season for us. Thank you to the Board of Christian Ed. for

providing the brownies, ice cream, and drinks too!

BETHEL MEN HARD AT WORK ON OUR NEW SHED!

10/22/15

Wuddya mean Greg took the last donut???!!!

Bethel United Church of Christ

2400 Central Avenue

Nebraska City, NE 68410

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

SCHEDULED TO SERVE NOVEMBER 2015

LAY LEADERS Nov. 1 Nov. 8 Nov. 15 Nov. 22 Nov. 29 Kassi Holman Sue Griepenstroh Dean Griepenstroh Adelene Vock Dennis Marshall GREETERS Nov. 1 Nov. 8 Nov. 15 Nov. 22 Nov. 29 Sharon Kotas Bonnie Wurtele Delphine Griepenstroh Janice Dawson Harold & Gladys Marilyn Weible Pauline Peterson Katie Chapin Huss USHERS Nov. 1—Nov. 8 Nov. 15—Nov. 22 Nov. 29 Stephen Luther, Janice Dawson Jason & Kassi Holman Dean & Sue Griepenstroh Burt & Cindy Weible Derek & Jessica Ferguson Jamie Horstmann, Sara Horstmann SOUND SYSTEM Nov. 1—Nov. 8 Nov. 15—Nov. 22 Nov. 29 Burt Weible Harold Huss Dennis Marshall ACOLYTES Nov. 1 Nov. 8 Nov. 15 Nov. 22 Nov. 29 Nick Brown Jason Stukenholtz Katherine Luther Mason Hamilton Matthew Ramold Volunteer Andrew Stukenholtz Elizabeth Luther Gray Carpenter Brianna Johnson

FLOWERS ~ Sarah Bando COOKIE FELOWSHP ~ Katie Chapin & Suzy Briley

NOVEMBER 2015