From the Pastor’s Desk

December’s not too early to start thinking about a new habit. I know, I know; no one likes New Year’s Resolutions, but Christmas is the time to ponder, actually, Advent might be the best time to ponder (pun intended) what new thing you want to try or do or be in coming months.

Part of the reason Advent works so well for this is that it is a time of waiting and preparation, of pondering and reflecting. It doesn’t hurt that the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas tends to flow a little differently, hit a little differently. It’s not a bad time at all to think about what we’re grateful for and how we can build a culture of gratitude around us.

Here at Bethlehem, one of the best ways of building that culture of gratitude is to participate in the life of the congregation, to be an usher, or to get flowers for the sanctuary, or help with snacks during fellowship. When we give back into the community, we build it up and create capacity to turn that gratitude outward.

One of the characteristics that marks Bethlehem is that we operate a lot like a family. So much so that it’s one of our values (see the wall by the coffee bar!). Like any family, we can be so outward focused; jobs, school, activities, commitments, that we forget to put some of that energy into just being together, just hanging out and enjoying each other’s company. When we gather for worship and sit around and chat afterward, or when we gather for a meal, or a special event, we are building up our congregation. It’s stewardship.

When we talk about stewardship, we often think offering and dollars and cents, and yes, that is of vital importance, but we forget that sharing our time and company builds up Bethlehem in intangible ways just as vital as keeping the lights on. When we worship together, pray together, eat together, talk about our lives together we really become the hands and feet of Christ in this world.

Gratitude feels so important these days, whether it’s because of the holidays, or just how fast we’re moving all the time. Embodying our gratitude to God by sharing with our church matters.

So here’s the plug: fill out a Time and Talent sheet. You’ll find them all over the building; in the office, in the fellowship hall by the bulletin boards, ask staff for one! We’ll remind you on Sunday mornings in December when you come to church. We’ll email you one, if you want. But mostly we invite you to share the best parts of you: your time and your company to build up our congregation.

Happy Thanksgiving, Enjoy Advent and Anticipate Christmas!

Grace + Peace, Pastor Anne

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Youth Corner

Ellen Olson, Coordinator of Youth Ministries

Sunday School

The Christmas program committee of Toni Parizek, Jan Bearbower and myself are excited to announce our Christmas Program, NEW STAR, will be Sunday, December 14 at 9 am during the worship service.

December practices are as follows:

 Wednesday, December 3 at 6:00 – 6:45 pm

Sunday, December 7 at 10:00 – 10:45 am

Wednesday, December 10 at 6:00 – 6:45 pm

Sunday, December 14 come at 8:30 am for costume dress

Please note there will be no Sunday school on December 21, December 28, or January 4.  Classes will resume on January 11 with a group activity to start the new year.

LYO

LYO met Wednesday, November 19 at 7 pm with Pastor for devotions and fellowship.

LYO will meet Wednesday, December 3rd at 7 pm to do Christmas shopping for the Benton County Angel Tree recipiants.

LYO will be serving breakfast after the Christmas program on December 14 at 10 am.  Thank you for your generous support of this program.

Confirmation Class

Madeline Olson, Henry Groom, Jack Emrich, and Emrey Welper participated with Pastor in a service project for the Vinton food pantry on Sunday, November 23.

Wishing you a Christmas blessed with God’s love and grace.  May the joy of Christ’s birth fill your heart and home this holiday season.  ~Ellen

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Salvation Bell Ringing

Bethlehem Lutheran Church members will be ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at the Vinton Fareway Store on Saturday, December 13th from 9:00 am until 7:00 p.m.  There is a sign-up sheet at the church or call the church office if you are interested in volunteering.  This would qualify for Black & Gold hours.

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Snow Removal

Volunteers are needed to clear the snow from the church property. Please sign up on the bulletin board in Augustana Hall or call the church office.  Thank you.

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Advent Breakfast

LYO will be serving Pancakes, Sausage, Yogurt Bar, and Drinks on Sunday, December 14 at 10:00 a.m.

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ELCA Good Gifts

Again this year, Bethlehem Lutheran will be participating in the ELCA Good Gifts Program.  After making a donation, you may then take a corresponding ornament off the tree to take home with you or give to the person in whose honor you made the donation.  The donations collected are then sent to the ELCA and the items you purchased are given to those around the world who need a little help in their daily lives. Please see the Christmas tree in Augustana Hall for more information regarding this project. This project will run from Sunday, November 30 through January 4, 2026.

Thank you.

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Poinsettia Donations

Poinsettia donation forms are available and must be turned into the church office by Sunday, December 21st.

 

Christmas Eve Services

Christmas Eve Services have always been a special worship time at Bethlehem.  Services will be held on December 24th at 5:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

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Birthday Cake in a Bag

The Benton County Food Pantry is asking for more Birthday Cake in a Bag to give to their patrons. Please take a tag from the Christmas tree to collect the items needed for this project and return them to the church by December 21st. Here is a list of the items needed for each bag:

Birthday Bag 1

1-Yellow Cake Mix

1-tub Chocolate Frosting

1-9x13 disposable Cake Pan

1-Birthday Gift Bag

1-small package of paper plates

1-small package of napkins

1-package candles

Birthday Bag 2

1-White Cake Mix

1-tub Vanilla Frosting

1-9x13 disposable Cake Pan

1-Birthday Gift Bag

1-small package of paper plates

1-small package of napkins

1-package candles

Birthday Bag 3

1-Chocolate Cake Mix

1-tub Chocolate Frosting

1-9x13 disposable Cake Pan

1-Birthday Gift Bag

1-small package of paper plates

1-small package of napkins

1-package candles

Birthday Bag 4

1-Lemon Cake Mix

1-tub Vanilla Frosting

1-9x13 disposable Cake Pan

1-Birthday Gift Bag

1-small package of paper plates

1-small package of napkins

1-package candles

 

Wednesdays with God

You are invited to join Wednesdays with God at Bethlehem. Here is the schedule for December:

December 3rd at 6:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study

Untangling Faith: Why Should I Pray?

December 10th at 7:00 p.m. Evening Holy Communion Worship - Holden & Hot Chocolate

December 17th at 7:00 p.m. LYO

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Food for Thought

Meet on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 12:00 noon at the Brickside Brew N Chew

December, 2025

Book will be “Tales of a Paperboy” by Andrew J. Mair

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Annual Congregational Meeting

Bethlehem Lutheran Church annual congregational meeting was held on Sunday, November 16th.  Denise Evans, Tim Jorgensen, and Ben Olson were elected to serve a three-year term on the church council.  Jan Bearbower, Bill Martin, Chelsea Erhardt, and Sondra Gates were elected to serve on the nominating committee for next year.  Dave & Lisa Vermedahl will be our Synod Assembly Delegates for 2026. The 2026 proposed budget was approved.

Thank you to the remaining church council members Dandi Armstrong, Chelsea Erhardt, Sondra Gates, John Hanson, Jeff Henkle, and Gregg Sampson.

2025 Annual Reports are available for those members that were not able to attend.

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Where  do you see God in the winter?

Winter is hard. From the first frost, I want to bundle up in my thermal robe, crawl into bed, and hibernate until the frozen ground thaws. As I write this, I’m huddled before my UV-lamp, which keeps me from sliding into depression every year when the days grow short.

Even in Israel, December is cold and rainy. Imagine a winter there as a pregnant teenager. One who got pregnant out of wedlock, through no fault of her own. Imagine being forced to make a long journey, nine months along, with no car. Imagine suffering through labor in a barn, with no doctor or nurse.

It feels strange to think of Mary as no different from any other pregnant teenager, but isn’t that exactly what God’s incarnation asks us to do? God took on human form. Would that be possible if humans were inherently flawed or imperfect? After creating the world, God said, “It is good.” By then inhabiting that world as a human, God said again, “It is good. It is still good.”

We think of Easter as the season to celebrate our salvation through Jesus’s death and resurrection, but March is also the month Mary became pregnant. Salvation through Jesus began nine months before Christmas, when an ordinary, unmarried teenage girl discovered a baby growing in her womb. Mary carried God in her body for nine months, just like each of us bears the image of God in our very nature. That’s the thought that gives me goosebumps every year at Christmas–not that Jesus will grow up to save us by being crucified, but that he saves us by being human.

Where do I see God in the winter? I do my best to see God in my next-door neighbor, who hates me for owning a dog that barks. In the USPS worker who delivers my holiday packages. In the Israelis and Palestinians I read about in the news. In my Bethlehem family. And in every pregnant teenager.

Sondra Gates, Church Council Member