Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church
1206 C Avenue, Vinton, IA 52349 Pastor Mark C. Urlaub
319.472.3784
1206 C Avenue, Vinton, IA 52349 Pastor Mark C. Urlaub
319.472.3784
The scriptural quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
© Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2010
Join the Celebration!
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church was chartered on Jun 10, 1913 as "The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Congregation." A Centennial Celebration is planned for Sunday, June 9, 2013. Several events will be held leading up to this culmination.
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church was chartered on Jun 10, 1913 as "The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Congregation." A Centennial Celebration is planned for Sunday, June 9, 2013. Several events will be held leading up to this culmination.
Check back here for updates and information as other Centennial events get underway. Contact the office to find out how you can participate in the celebration.
The Inaugural Event was on June 6, 2010.
The Rev. Dr. Philip L. Hougen was the preacher at the 10:00 AM Service of Holy Communion. Pr. Hougen, past bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the ELCA, grew up in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of Cedar Rapids. That congregation, then known as Saron Lutheran Church, helped organize the Bethlehem congregation in Vinton in 1913. The Rev. Mark C. Urlaub was the presiding minister with Alyssa Hanson as assisting minister and Lois Martin as organist. This first celebration service recalled the Swedish heritage of the congregation with hymns from the Swedish tradition. Brenda Sutton, a descendent of early members of the congregation, sang a verse of the beloved hymn, “Children of the Heavenly Father” in Swedish and recited the Lord’s Prayer in Swedish.
This service included a reunion of the YoungStars Choir directed by the founding director, LuAnn Urlaub. Many former choir members returned to join with childhood friends and current choir members in singing the “signature song” of the choir, Shine, Jesus, Shine.
More than 100 were served at dinner in Augustana Hall. Swedish foods were featured: Swedish meatballs, potatisgratang with sausage, homemade rye bread, “Lutheran Jello” salads, Swedish crème wafers, rice pudding with lingonberries, and many other treats.
The Rev. Dr. Philip L. Hougen was the preacher at the 10:00 AM Service of Holy Communion. Pr. Hougen, past bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the ELCA, grew up in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of Cedar Rapids. That congregation, then known as Saron Lutheran Church, helped organize the Bethlehem congregation in Vinton in 1913. The Rev. Mark C. Urlaub was the presiding minister with Alyssa Hanson as assisting minister and Lois Martin as organist. This first celebration service recalled the Swedish heritage of the congregation with hymns from the Swedish tradition. Brenda Sutton, a descendent of early members of the congregation, sang a verse of the beloved hymn, “Children of the Heavenly Father” in Swedish and recited the Lord’s Prayer in Swedish.
This service included a reunion of the YoungStars Choir directed by the founding director, LuAnn Urlaub. Many former choir members returned to join with childhood friends and current choir members in singing the “signature song” of the choir, Shine, Jesus, Shine.
More than 100 were served at dinner in Augustana Hall. Swedish foods were featured: Swedish meatballs, potatisgratang with sausage, homemade rye bread, “Lutheran Jello” salads, Swedish crème wafers, rice pudding with lingonberries, and many other treats.
Reformation Festival
Because this is a Lutheran congregation and because Martin Luther was a German, a German dinner was offered on Reformation Day complete with a five-course meal, a Reformation Quiz and music by the Guttenberg German Band. It was attended by about 100 members and friends of the congregation.
Santa Lucia
The Sunday School Christmas service in December highlighted Christmas traditions from various countries with special attention paid to the Swedish tradition of Santa Lucia. Lucia was a Christian martyr who has been remembered in the Swedish homes and churches. A girl representing Lucia and wearing a crown of candles led a procession of white-robed children carrying candles into the church, recalling this part of Bethlehem's heritage.
Because this is a Lutheran congregation and because Martin Luther was a German, a German dinner was offered on Reformation Day complete with a five-course meal, a Reformation Quiz and music by the Guttenberg German Band. It was attended by about 100 members and friends of the congregation.
Santa Lucia
The Sunday School Christmas service in December highlighted Christmas traditions from various countries with special attention paid to the Swedish tradition of Santa Lucia. Lucia was a Christian martyr who has been remembered in the Swedish homes and churches. A girl representing Lucia and wearing a crown of candles led a procession of white-robed children carrying candles into the church, recalling this part of Bethlehem's heritage.
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To view pictures from the Reformation Festival, click here.
Melting Pot-Luck
Sunday, June 12, 2011, we celebrate the Festival of Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the many who have been brought to the Church. Worship includes a children's procession with red streamers. After worship we remember the wind and fire of Pentecost with a release of balloons and with sparklers. Then, we celebrate the many places from which people have come to Bethlehem with a potluck dinner of ethnic foods and "old country" dishes. All who are able bring a family favorite dish to share and the printed recipe to include in a new church cookbook. If America is a melting pot, the church in America must have a melting pot-luck dinner!
Sunday, June 12, 2011, we celebrate the Festival of Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the many who have been brought to the Church. Worship includes a children's procession with red streamers. After worship we remember the wind and fire of Pentecost with a release of balloons and with sparklers. Then, we celebrate the many places from which people have come to Bethlehem with a potluck dinner of ethnic foods and "old country" dishes. All who are able bring a family favorite dish to share and the printed recipe to include in a new church cookbook. If America is a melting pot, the church in America must have a melting pot-luck dinner!
Southeastern Iowa Synod