January Bethlehem Star
Thank you to Old and New Council Members
A big thank you to Roxann Harms, Tim Jorgensen and Steve Wallace for their dedicated service to our Bethlehem congregation as two of them go off the church council the end of December.
A big thank you to Roxann Harms for filling the vacancy created by Ellen Olson on the council for one more year, when Ellen became our Youth Coordinator.
A warm welcome to Marlys Crane, Jeff Henkle, and Larry Nudd as they begin their three-year term on church council in January.
Meet the New Council Members
Marlys Crane: My name is Marlys Crane and I believe I’ve now been a member of Bethlehem since 2008. I once worked as Parish Assistant. I have 2 daughters- Hannah who is a senior in high school and Haley who is in 8th grade. We live east of Vinton on a farm. I love being outdoors as much as possible. I enjoy going to my girls’ activities. Even though I am very busy with my job and home responsibilities, I am looking forward to serving on the church board and getting to know all the committee members as well as Bethlehem members.
Jeff Henkle: I live outside of Garrison with my wife Amanda, and 14 yr old daughter Alexa. Employed at Kromminga Motors in Vinton and volunteer for Garrison First Responders and Fire. In my free time I enjoy being outdoors, fishing, camping, and boating. Thankful for the opportunity to serve on council.
Larry Nudd: First became a member in 1968 when I married Linda Carlson. I served on the Council and was on the Committee that had Youngblut Construction from LaPorte City remove old steps and put new front on the old church for entrance to both upper sanctuary and lower rooms and kitchen. I remember Harold Lindahl was also on that committee.
Kindra, Stoner and I were members of Jubilee Church in Jesup for sometime before returning to Bethlehem when Stoner was in Confirmation. I raised hogs for 40 years and drove semi.
A Note from the Council
With the birth of Jesus brings many opportunities of virtues to reflect upon in the new year.
Here are just a few:
Faith – A complete trust and strong belief in God.
Hope – Believing good things will happen with faith in a higher power.
Love – An intense feeling of deep affection.
Forgiving – A conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person.
Empathy – The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Sympathy – The perception, understanding and reaction to the distress or needs of others.
Gratitude - The quality of being thankful, the appreciation of kindness.
Respect – Being considerate and honoring the feelings, opinions, and property of others.
Patience – The capacity to accept or tolerate or delay trouble or suffering without getting angry or upset.
Virtues are important because they are the basic qualities needed for our well being as well as the well being of others.
By recognizing the importance of virtues in our lives it will lead to better communication, understanding, and acceptance between us and others.
As we all know because of Jesus’ birth, we will always have the gift of eternal life in Heaven with Him!
Have a blessed new year. Roxann Harms
Youth Corner
Ellen Olson, Coordinator of Youth Ministries
A BIG thank you to our talented twenty-seven youth who participated in the Christmas program on December 19, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. A BIG thank you to the parents who made program practices a priority in their busy family schedules. A BIG thank you to the committee with their great ideas, patience, and smiles during the planning process. And a BIG thank you to each of you for coming to experience again the story of Jesus’ birth through the children’s story telling.
The new year will bring new ideas and activities. I will keep you informed as they happen and witness the youth in our church being busy.
Good wishes for a happy, healthy new year.
Busy Bags
Busy bags for our Bethlehem children will be available during worship beginning in January. Please look for them in the narthex on your way into the sanctuary.
Chapel Choir: (until Lent!)
January:
Rehearse: January 12, 19, 26
Sing at worship: January 16, January 30
February:
Rehearse: February 9, 16 & 23
Sing at worship: February 13, February 27
Schedules may be altered due to weather or availability of choir members.
Thanks!
Lois
Poinsettia Donations
Thank you to all that donated toward the purchase of red poinsettias this Christmas season. Anyone who would like to take one home may do so starting January 2nd after worship service.
Thank You
Jim and I would like to thank the Christmas Carolers for their beautiful music. I got tearful! The treats were awesome! Plus, special thanks to everyone for prayers, cards, and special meals and treats while Jim is recovering. We are getting there. We are truly blessed to be part of the Bethlehem Church Family. Merry Christmas to all and may 2022 be a better year for all. God bless everyone!
With Thanks and Love,
Jim & Pam Woolison
I would like to thank my Bethlehem Family for the tray of goodies that was delivered to me.
Thank you so much for thinking of me.
Merry Christmas!
Ellen Tempus
Prayers
We have remembered the following in prayers
during the month of December. If you are missed off this list, our sincere apologies.
For health, healing and comfort: Duane Mangold, Jim Nottger, Ellen Tempus, Jim Woolison, Maverick Ketchum, Dale Pippert, Ann Jorgensen
Annual Reports for 2021
Annual Reports from all Church Leaders, Team Leaders, and Group are due in the church office by January 15th so that the annual report to the Synod and our Congregation can be completed.
Thank you for your cooperation.
January Server Schedule
Month of January:
Acolytes: Hannah Crane
Altar Guild: Ellen Olson, Linda Wallace
Council Lock-Up: Tina Eden
January 2nd & 9th
Communion Server: Larry Nudd
Greeters: Doris Gosse, Karen Uthoff
Lector: Marlys Crane
Ushers: Jim Dahl, John & Becky Williams,
Dave Vermedahl
Counters (2nd): Amanda Henkle, Doug Sutton
Counters (9th): Doug Sutton, John Olson
January 16th, 23rd, 30th
Communion Servers: Dana Hanson,
Julie Lindahl
Greeters: Rob & Emily Hanson
Lector: Sondra Gates
Ushers: Darin & Stephanie Humiston,
Kimmit & Judy Renken
Counters (16th): John Olson, Rob Hanson
Counters (23rd): Rob Hanson, Kimmit/Judy
Renken
Counters (30th): Kimmit/Judy Renken,
Mona Hanson