Greetings from Pastor Anne

Inspiration has struck!

One of the goals I’ve had since I’ve become pastor at Bethlehem is to try to find a way to have multigenerational conversation. Church is one of the few places left in our world were people of all ages gather together at the same time to do the same thing, and it can be amazing to chat together – learn and grow together.

Here’s where the inspiration comes in. I got an email asking about how to have conversation about what to do and say when you’re with non-Christian friends. Well, we all have non-Christian friends, or friends of different flavors of Christianity. What do we say, how do we say it? What does the Spirit want us to say in those moments?

So, why don’t we have that conversation?

On Sunday, April 7th, after worship when we’re gathering for fellowship, I’m going to share a quick video and some conversation starters, and we’ll have a quick lesson, and maybe some more in-depth conversation. Don’t worry we’ll still have plenty of time for snacks and fellowship, and hopefully our conversation will enhance our fellowship.

So join us for a faithful conversation!

Grace + Peace,

Pastor Anne

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A note from the Council

I hope that you all had a great Easter that was filled with family, faith  and friends.

Your council has been meeting regularly and brainstorming ideas for the good of the church and how to move forward.

I would also like to thank the congregation for letting me serve on council as this is my third year and will be looking for my replacement for the next three. It was a lot of fun and enjoyed the time spent getting to know the other council members. To conclude I would like to say that we live in a great community with a great church filled with an awesome congregation!

Thanks and Bye for now

Jeff Henkle, Church Council

 

Youth Corner

Ellen Olson, Coordinator of Youth Ministries

The Noisy Offering collected in February in the amount of $86.36 was donated to Benton County Veterans Affairs.

First Communion Classes

We have five students preparing for their First Communion on Sunday, April 21st at the 9:00 a.m. worship service. Please pray for Theo Heims, Karly Kuhn, Audrey Moore, Madeline Olson, and Tannah Sivola as they deepen their understanding of the Eucharist and continue to grow in their meaningful connection to their faith.

The last class will be held on Saturday, April 20th from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. A parent(s) are invited to attend this class with their child.

Easter Breakfast

We are grateful for your generous contribution to the young men and women who prepared and served our delicious Easter breakfast. A big thank you also to their supportive parents who provided all the food.

Sunday School

The Sunday School year is coming to a close. The last day of classes will be Sunday, April 28th.

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Spring Carnival

On Wednesday, May 1st we invite all Sunday School youth, preschool through 5th grade to our Spring Carnival to be held outdoors in the green space. The 7th & 8th grade confirmation class will be helping with this event. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and fun and games will be 6:00-7:00 p.m. We will be exploring Noah’s Ark. It promises to be a lot of fun. We encourage you to bring a friend(s). Parents are welcome to stay and play with us. Please RSVP to Ellen Olson or the church office by Sunday, April 28th.

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Vacation Bible School

Mark your calendars for a week of FUN. Vacation Bible School will be at Bethlehem this year (and we are again partnering with Wesley United Methodist Church and Vinton Presbyterian Church). We will be SCUBA diving into friendship with God! The dates are Sunday, June 23 through Thursday, June 27 from 6-8 p.m. for those completing 4-year old preschool through completion of 4th grade. Registration is beginning Easter Sunday March 31st so please sign up. There will be paper registrations on the display table or sign up on the website, vbspro.events/p/vinton2024. We know Thursday, June 27 is the first evening of Party in the Park, but we have fun ideas so your kiddos won’t miss out. Volunteers are always welcomed and needed. Please reach out to Ellen Olson if you have any questions. She can be reached at the church office or 319-640-5182.

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Bethlehem Bowling

All ages are welcome to attend the Bethlehem Bowling Event. Come bowl or just come and watch other bowlers. Invite your friends. Food is available for purchase so come and have lunch at the bowling alley.

Sunday, April 7th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Berry’s Lanes in Vinton.

We will need 15 individuals to commit to bowling in order to reserve the lanes for this event.  Please sign up on the table in the narthex.

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Food for Thought Book Club

Meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month

at 6:30 p.m.

April, 2024

Book: “Emerald Horizon” by Jean Grainger

May, 2024

Book: “Beneath the Scarlet Sky” by Mark Sullivan

June, 2024

Book: “Hidden Places” by Lynn Austin

July, 2024

Book: “The Present Darkness” by Frank Peretti

August, 2024

Book: “The Heart Adrift” by Laura Frantz

September, 2024

Book: “If It Rains” by Jennifer Wright

October, 2024

Book: “The Sun Sister” by Lucinda Riley

November, 2024

Book: “The Last Exchange” by Charles Martin

December, 2024

Book: The Mistletoe Countess” by Pepper Basham

Restaurant: Potluck at the Church

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Spring Cleaning – Garage Sale

Have you been wondering what to do with all that stuff in your closet you don’t need anymore? We have the solution! Bring your quality items for our garage sale on Friday, June 7th and Saturday, June 8th (which also happens to be Vinton city wide garage sales). We will have the Bethlehem garage sale on both days; 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. It will be a free will donation with proceeds this year going to Vacation Bible School expenses.

Please bring your items to church Monday, June 3rd – Thursday, June 6th between 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon or Wednesday evening, June 5th between 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. or call the church office to make other arrangements.

There will be tables set up and marked so you will be able to place your items on the appropriate tables.

On sale days, there will be coffee and sweet treats for a donation as well.

Happy cleaning!!

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Chapel Choir Schedule

April: rehearse:  April 3 & 17;  sing at worship: April 7 & 21

May: rehearse: May 1 & 15;  sing at worship: May 5 & 19

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Prayers

We have remembered the following in prayers

during the month of March. If you are missed off this list, our sincere apologies.

For health, healing and comfort: Jim Woolison, Jean Jurgensen-McCurdy, Cindy Krempages, Nancy Gray, Dottie Riepe, the Family of Lyle Bolton