Monthly Publication Bethel BEACON Volume # 2010 Issue # 03 BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH March 2011 5232 Irvine Avenue NW Bemidji, MN 56601
Bethel Lutheran Church “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 5232 Irvine Avenue NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 Last month, Garrison Keillor paid a visit to 218-444-4746 Bemidji. He tells a story about the Fax 218-444-4789 choosing‑up of sides for sandlot baseball bethelbemidji.org games. ―After the popular ones got picked, we Rev. Mark Kindem stood in a bunch looking down at the dirt, waiting to see if our rating had Pastor changed. They took their sweet time choosing us; we had plenty of time to Home Phone # 444-8545 study our shoes. They choose the popular ones fast (‗Brian!‘ ‗Bill!‘ ‗Duke!‘ [email protected] ‗John!‘ ‗Bob!‘ ‗Paul!‘ ‗Jim!‘ ‗Lance!‘), and now the choice is hard because we‘re all so much the same: not so hot — They choose the last ones two Patti VanCamp at a time, ‗You and you,‘ because it makes no difference, and the Office Admin./Fin. Manager remaining kids, the scrubs, the excess, they deal for as handicaps (‗If I take [email protected] him, then you gotta take him‘). Sometimes I go as high as sixth, usually lower. Just once I‘d like Daryl to pick me first. ‗Him! I want him! The LaVon Johnson skinny kid with the glasses and the black shoes! You! Come on!‘ But I‘ve Secretary/Receptionist never been chosen with any enthusiasm.‖ [email protected] I believe we all can relate to that story. But listen to what the Lord says: ―I have called you by name.‖ He chooses us on purpose, not as an Abe Hanson afterthought, not as a last resort. He wants each one of us. Just as he Custodian called to Peter, Andrew, James and John, he calls to us.
Prayer Chain ―Jesus calls us over the tumult of our life‘s wild, restless, sea; Day by day Day His sweet voice soundeth, Saying, ―Christian, follow Me!‖ Bob & Vi Swanson @ 444-3745 Pastor Kindem Evening Mikky McCullough @ 751-4668 SUNDAY WORSHIP
9:00 AM Contemporary Service 10:00 AM Wednesday Fellowship Hour Wednesday, March 16 12:00 noon 10:30 AM March 09, 2011 Wednesday, March 23 12:00 noon Sunday School 12:00 noon service Wednesday, March 30 12:00 noon 10:30 AM with soup following service Wednesday, April 06 12:00 noon Traditional Service 6:30 pm Wednesday, April 13 12:00 noon with soup following each service
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From the Council "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own President people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light." I Peter 2:9
One question that seemed to be lurking at the edges of the annual meeting was the question "What does it mean to be a Lutheran?" For some of us who were born and raised Lutheran, maybe we can recite all those 'what does this mean' answers we learned in confirmation. OR maybe others became Lutheran through marriage but the wedding ceremony didn't really explain what Lutheran was and they have picked it up through worship or study. Others may have become BETHEL Lutherans because of the congregational climate, or the location, or some conflict they experienced elsewhere. And others may have found us in their neighborhood when they were seeking a church. As a result, there are a variety of understandings as to what being Lutheran means. One congregation, after studying the Scriptures and Lutheran doctrine, came up with these 5 principles they felt were central to saying what it means to be Lutheran: 1. Jesus is Lord 2. Everyone is welcome 3. Love changes people 4. Everybody has something to offer 5. The world needs what we have These principles were Scripturally sound and summarized many of Luther's teachings. Do these principles summarize what is essential to you as a Lutheran? What would you add? What would you remove? Why? Could these principles become a starting point for conversations among us as we attempt to say who we are and discover where God is leading us? What would our church look like and be doing if these five principles guided all we did?
Pray about it. Think about it. Share your thoughts. Together in Christ, Laurie Buehler, Council
―Think of us this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God‘s mercies.‖ 1 Corinthians 4:1 When I was on Internship one of the parishioners asked Miriam and I to house sit for a long weekend. They lived in Afton, along a bluff that overlooked a river. It was quite a treat to be able to live there, if only for the weekend. We cooked on their stove, sat on their couches, watched their satellite TV; we made ourselves at home. In biblical terms, we were stewards. Stewards are people who live in a place that they do not own, making full use of (but also taking care of) things that do not belong to them. One of the first things to know then about stewardship is that we live as stewards of God; people put in charge to take care of what God has given us. Often, stewards forget that they are stewards and think that the property entrusted to them is actually their own. Suppose that on returning from their travels, the owners found that we had changed the locks on their doors and taken up permanent residence in their home? Suppose we said to them, ―Hey, this is ours, after all, you gave it to us!‖ ―No,‖ they would say. ―We were just allowing you to use what still belongs to us. There was no transfer of ownership.‖ The good news for us is that God proclaims us stewards. It is not something we choose to be, we are. We may choose to be faithful, or not, but we are stewards nonetheless. ―We give thee but thine own; what er‘ the gift may be. All that we have is thine alone, a trust O Lord from thee.‖ Stewardship
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KIDS CLUB
Join us at 5:30 p.m. for a Family Dinner! All are welcome to sit and eat together! Pre-school - 6th Grade Age 3 thru 12th Grade
Sunday, March 06 10:30—11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 02 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 13 10:30—11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 09 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 20 10:30—11:30 a.m. Ash Wednesday Service
Sunday, March 27 Service Project Wednesday, March 16 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 30 OFF
7th 8th 9th Graders
Each March, Minnesota Food Share directs the March Campaign, the largest food drive in the state and restocks 300 March 02 6:30-8:00 p.m. Theme Event food shelves across Minnesota. It March 09 6:30-8:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday recruits thousands of congregations, Service March 16 6:30-8:00 p.m. Theme Event companies, schools and civic groups to March 23 6:30-8:00 p.m. Servant Event run local food and fund drives to aid in March 30 Guide Meeting the effort. Students with their family tonight Let’s do our share in this campaign!
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BETHEL COMMITTEES NEED HELP! March Due to the large turnover of members this past year, a number of our committees are in need of people to step-up and do their part to move the mission of Bethel Lutheran forward. There are particular needs for people on the following committees: Birthdays Youth and Christian Education: Contact Joyce Hoff or Sarah Dreyer 02 Pastor Mark Kindem Stewardship Committee: Contact Paul McIntyre 04 Mark Paulson Personnel Committee: Contact Laurie Buehler 05 Alva Drusch Darrel Lauderbaugh Jerry Molitor 07 Nate Sele 08 Daphne Linnea Urban 09 Margaret McNea 12 Tim Mountain Cherene Sadek Happy 13 Dale Rader 17 Roy Blackwood Kiah Martinson St. Patrick’s 18 Jeanne Muirhead Joseph Sorenson Day 20 Samuel Pfremmer Albert Sadek 21 Sally Becker
24 Louise Hoyum 25 Melvin Miller 27 Dorothy Bakken 29 Gerald Fenske 30 Elexis Jones Tate Martinson
Anniversaries
03 Bruce (deceased) & Betty Olsen Don’t forget to turn your clocks 1955 FORWARD on Sunday, March 13, 2011!
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Mission Statement: With a spirit of transparency, accountability, and collaboration we strengthen those in need of home, health and hope. The Wadena Otter Tail Long Term Recovery committee exists to address unmet needs for families and individuals in both counties who are struggling to recover from the impact of the June 17th tornadoes. Our special focus is to utilize donated funds to help persons with uninsured or underinsured losses that need assistance to repair, rebuild or replace homes and personal property. The committee represents over twenty five area service organizations, government agencies, churches and schools. ALL services offered are FREE to anyone impacted by the June storms!
The NWMN Synod Council approved an INGATHERING OF FUNDS at their February 5, 2011 meeting. Funds gathered from our churches will help Otter Tail and Wadena Counties in their recovery. The Council suggested each baptized member make a $5 donation. With every $1 comes recovery! To make your tax- deductible donation, please send checks payable to: Wadena Otter Tail Long Term Recovery Committee 119 S. Jefferson St. Phone: 218-632-7905 PO Box 326 Fax: 218-632-7925 Wadena, MN 56482 www.wadena-ottertailcountyrecovery.com
The Wadena Otter Tail areas that were affected have approximately 1 Million Dollars in underinsured or uninsured losses for 140 families and this list continues to grow as individuals continue to struggle. This means that after insurance was received, the property owners either have had to take out additional loans, or are unable to fix their homes and are living in unfinished and sometimes unsafe situations.
THERE IS HOPE! A dedicated staff and committee are working very hard to help every family in need of a hand up. When volunteers are needed, our Volunteer Coordinator finds the volunteers with the right skills for the job. Those Volunteers, being led by our Construction Supervisor, have already completed 9 projects and have over 20 projects on the schedule for the Spring and Summer months. All of the skilled labor is FREE. Your $5 donation is needed to continue the recovery effort. 100% of your donation will go directly to those in need! What can you buy for $5? 1# of Drywall Screws or 2—2x4 Studs for rebuilding walls or 4 pack of energy efficient light bulbs or 2 square feet of flooring or a paint roller or with many $5 donations you can rebuild a community!
Please join us in rebuilding your neighbors in Wadena and Ottertail! Together we CAN make a difference!
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2011 BETHEL LUTHERAN COUNCIL MEMBERS
NAME ADDRESS PHONE LIAISON TO: Dirk Apel 1336 Rodeo Drive NW 333-8608 Youth / Christian Ed. [email protected] Laurie Buehler 8188 Lamon Road NE 759-1923 Church in Society (President) [email protected] Bethel Foundation Kirt Dreyer 2534 Grange Road NW 444-4641 Staff Support [email protected] Evangelism Sara Dreyer 1877 Becida Road SW 751-9381 Youth / Christian Ed. (Secretary) [email protected] Joyce Hoff 775 Grant Lake Lane SW 759-1802 Evangelism [email protected] Rick Hoff 775 Grant Lake Lane SW 759-1802 Evangelism [email protected] Loren Hoyum 3447 Quincy Drive SW 333-1363 Property (Vice President) [email protected] Fellowship Margaret McNea 5168 Early Pioneer Drive NW 751-5137 Personnel [email protected] Worship & Music Paul McIntyre 300 Jefferson Avenue SW 751-1759 Stewardship [email protected] Judy Rinkenberger 10604 Tavistock Road NW 444-5174 Finance [email protected] Nancy Streightiff 1720 Lake Avenue NE 444-8809 Church in Society [email protected]
2011 BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH FOUNDATION MEMBERS
Dennis Buchholtz 14033 Broken Paddle Lane 243-3440
Kirt Dreyer 2534 Grange Road NW 444-4641 [email protected] Hank Moen 1228—30th Street NW, # 304 444-2558 [email protected] Chris Ross 9353 Pony Lake Road NW 751-0965
Laurie Buehler 8188 Lamon Road NE 759-1923 [email protected]
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BETHEL COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FEBRUARY 8TH, 2011 CHURCH in SOCIETY
Three new members were welcomed to the church council, Dirk Apel, Thank you to everyone that drove and delivered with Meals on Richard Hoff and Nancy Streightiff. Wheels. There are many, many people counting on us every Your council is now near it‘s full day. Live generously! complement of 12 members. ―PRAISE THE LORD‖ and please pray for all of your Council members March is Minnesota Food Share month a time when your as we move ―Forward in Faith‖. The dollars and donations can be matched by Minnesota council spent some time doing an corporations. Let's have as our goal an item from each assessment exercise to identify worshiper and a monetary donation from each. The extra Mile Bethel‘s assets, which are considerable. We will continue to will be received but offerings can be made all through the work on using those assets to move month. forward and looking to how we can best deliver on our mission. We still could us a FEW MORE GOOD WOMEN for a team for In other council business, the council this year's Habitat Women Build. We are registering for a identified liaisons to the various minimal work load because we haven't done this before so committees and council persons of even if you don't have much time to commit, contact Laurie the month. (A complete up-dated list of council members, contact Buehler or Judy Reese to be part of the team. information and their responsibilities are listed S.O.S is wrapping up at the end of March unless the weather is elsewhere in this month’s horrible. Although we are not scheduled for another time Beacon.) here, there may be chances to serve with other churches. Let The council passed along a formal Laurie know if you are interested. Thank You to the good and faithful servant who provided the new Bethel is scheduled to serve at the Thursday evening Soup handicapped door openers. More hours were allotted to the office to Kitchen on April 7. Ardella Lindquist is coordinating that prepare the ―Beacon‖ for mailing. night. Contact her if you can help. Roy Blackwood and Laurie Also a big thanks to the faithful Buehler help on Mondays at Mt. Zion if you'd like to get your volunteers that fold and tape the hands dirty serving or clean doing dishes. Contact us for more newsletter every month. information. There was some discussion regarding the future of Bethel and our Bethel has been complimented for the numbers of volunteers relationship with the ELCA. seen out living Christ's love in the community. Thank you for Discussion and encouragement were doing God's work with your hands. given to the suggestions and offers of more bible studies and prayer as tools to refocus Bethel‘s mission. The council accepted the various Chili Challenge committee reports written and oral. We closed with prayer. Lutheran Campus Ministry Fundraiser Submitted by Loren Hoyum, Free Will Offering — All money goes to subsidize student retreats Council vice president. Tuesday, April 12th 5:00—6:30 p.m. These are not the official minutes of the council meeting; those are available in At the Lutheran Campus Center the church office or in the narthex.
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MARCH FOOD SHARE IS COMING UP!
As in the past, we will be participating in the sState wide March Food Share campaign. What we raise during this time FOOD SHELF keeps us in funds for about six months, and we also will receive a portion of the state wide money available from major companies News on a percentage basis. Look for the Story Board in the Narthex for more information on this.
The Annual Meeting of the Food Shelf was held in February at Bethel. We had about 100 attending and a good time was had by We continue to see an increase in the use all. Thank you all who helped with this and our volunteers that of the Food Shelf. Naturally with February were able to attend and their extra help. Nancy Streightiff being less days open the figures will not reflect an increase of use. Our annual report is available if anyone wants to see it. Ask me. COUNCIL PERSON of the MONTH We have a program that is very special to Margaret McNea was born Margaret Ann Cordes in me and I want to see it used by the people of Blue Earth, MN. She grew up on a farm just a couple our church assisting in letting us know who needs this help. This is county wide and not miles from Granada, MN, which is just a few miles north just for our church people. Read further to of the Iowa border, about halfway between Fairmont and Blue Earth. Margaret went to elementary school and learn about it. graduated high school from Granada High. She PROXIES graduated as a Licenses Practical Nurse from St. Joseph‘s We allow an appointed "proxy" from your Hospital Nurses Training Program in Mankato, MN. organization to work with our interviewers to Margaret was the only protestant in the class. provide food to senior citizens or handicapped She married Earl in 1966 and they lived in Brookings, individuals who are unable to personally visit SD while he finished pharmacy school. She worked as a the Food Shelf. The appointed proxy person nurse at the Brookings Hospital. When he graduated (friend or relative) must assist the client in pharmacy school, they moved to the Fairmont, MN area completing and signing the proxy form and for a few months, then moved to Redwood Falls, MN preliminary form and must bring the forms, for about four years. She worked in the Redwood Falls along with the client's photo ID with proof of Hospital until their third child was born. current address to the Food Shelf. (If the photo The McNeas moved to Bemidji in 1972 and she ID shows current address, no further documen- tation is needed.) The proxy will then be able to worked as a pharmacy clerk in the Gibson Pharmacy collect the individual's food and will be provided where Earl was manager. In 1976 they purchased the Pioneer Resort and moved there. Earl continued to the final document to be signed by the client. work in Bemidji and Margaret became the CEO of the If you or someone you know needs this resort. She also owned and managed the Hobby Hutch service, call the Food Shelf ((218)444-6580 in the Paul Bunyan Mall for about 8 years beginning in and arrange to pick up the forms needed. Or you can call me and make arrangements the mid 80's. through me (218)444-8809- Nancy. I know In the meantime, she bore three daughters and there are far more seniors or handicapped managed to raise them to adulthood while maintaining folks that need food than are getting it due to most of her sanity. They have since blessed us with 6 no transportation or a sense of pride in grandchildren (3 boys and 3 girls) currently in age from 6 admitting need. The door is open to every one to 19. as you all know. We are an emergency food Margaret‘s hobbies and pastime include quilting, shelf and our clients are now allowed one visit knitting, reading, cooking and entertaining family and a month. Gleanings are available to everyone friends. every day we are open.
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BETHEL BEACON
Monthly Publication - Volume # 2011 - Issue #03
March 2011
Friday March 4, 2011
St. Philips Catholic Church 702 Beltrami Ave NW Bemidji, MN 56601
1:30 p.m.
Presentation by: Valentina Gonzalez from Chile and at this time a student at Treknorth High School
An offering will be taken to support grants to Christian projects in the USA and inter- nationally that assist and empower women and children to live life abundantly.