Bethesda NEWS Lutheran Brethren Church
May/June 2013
Hear ye! Hear ye! All Royal Subjects
Worship Schedule! Sunday Service Schedule
Sanctuary 9:00 am – Traditional 10:30 am – Contemporary
Walker Hall 10:30 am – Eleeo (Modern Worship)
CONTENTS Touched Twice
2–3
Bethesda World Missions
4
Introducing e-Giving
5
Stephen Ministry
5
Compassion International
6
Camp Information
7
Children’s Ministries
8
Youth Ministries
9 10
Adult Bible Fellowships
11
Sermons can be downloaded from our website or purchased by calling the church office.
LIFEgroups
It’s hard to imagine warm summer days will ever get here, but we know eventually they will and with them will come our annual Vacation Bible School! We’re going to go to Kingdom Rock from June 17–21 and eagerly expect many, many children (our “royal subjects”) to come along! Kingdom Rock is where kids will learn to stand strong for God through daily Bible lessons that look at the lives of David, Esther, Nehemiah, Jesus and King Josiah. We’re looking forward to some great decorations using a “castle” theme, some awesome praise songs, fun crafts, games and delicious snacks. Most of all, we look forward to the relationships that are formed with our volunteers and the kids and then the relationships with Jesus that many of these kids will develop or grow in during the week. To give you an example of how the relationships we have with these kids can make a huge difference in their VBS experience our co-director, Susan Pederson, has a favorite memory from last year’s VBS. The first day is normally a little overwhelming for some children, especially the younger ones. There was a young boy who was having a very difficult time adjusting and the tears just wouldn’t stop flowing. We had a volunteer who had said she’d be willing to serve in whatever role she was needed so she was paired up with this child. Initially, the volunteer felt about as overwhelmed as the child and wasn’t sure if she was the right person for this role. However, each day the young boy felt more comfortable and loved by the volunteer and many others who were serving. By the end of the week at the Friday night program he curled up beside the volunteer and actually fell asleep! Because of the love, time and patience this volunteer was willing to give, a child was able to participate in VBS and not only hear about the love of Jesus but also experience it through this volunteer. This is just one story of countless others that have occurred over the years through Bethesda’s VBS. VBS really is a church-wide event. It cannot happen without your help. People of all ages have been involved in VBS in the past. They have given financially, baked snacks for the volunteers, prayed, invited someone’s child to attend, cut out decorations to be hung in the halls, done prep work for the crafts, to name just a few. Besides these ways to be involved, the week before and during VBS also offers a myriad of opportunities including decorating, making the kids’ snacks, leading a group of kids from station to station, serving in a craft room, on the playground or in the nursery. We are now asking you what you think your role in VBS could be this year. Not only, because of your actions and prayers, would a child have the chance to learn about Jesus, but their family would be touched with the Good News of Christ, too. This can happen in the following ways - by listening to the VBS music from the CD they’ll receive, attending the Friday night program and just hearing about VBS from their child. These families (who don’t attend Bethesda) will be encouraged to come to several events during the summer and to check out our church services and Sunday school. VBS is always a very large undertaking, but with God’s direction and blessing, and your prayers and serving in various ways we look forward to a week where God will move among us all – young and older! I invite you to join us on the adventure! Dawn Rico Director of Children’s Ministries
W W W. B E T H E S D A L U T H E R A N . O R G
Touched Twice Clinic Was a Huge Success Because of You!
W
e serve an awesome God and every year He blesses Touched Twice and increases our Guest and Volunteer numbers. We served 636 Guests this year with 532 volunteers. We served 1277 plates of food, 39 gallons of coffee and 703 Chillers. Praise God we had 47 church representations. Do you want to hear the most important numbers? We had 167 Gospel Conversations. That is the most we have ever had! I know there were stories of people coming to know Jesus as Lord and Savior Saturday too. We couldn’t ask for anything better than that. I want to first thank God for His wonderful blessings on the day. It was cold but the sun was out and helped keep those who had to work outside, our oil change guys and parking lot attendants, pretty warm. Every year I am amazed at the wonderful stories of volunteers who are blessed by the day. We are there to bless others but end up being blessed ourselves. It is such a wonderful opportunity to serve the God who gave His One and Only Son who died on the Cross for our sins. What a privilege to serve Him. There wouldn’t be a Touched Twice Clinic without the most awesome Planning Team and group of coordinators that anyone could ever desire. They are all there by God’s leading and it shows in a mighty way. I would like to thank Karen Peikert, Carol Cox, Sue Derfus, Brittney Malone, Nicole Kuhnert, Amy Koenig, Wes Vlcek, Kristin Verhaagh, Charlene Vlcek, Stacy Shiffer, Kris Wilbur, Beth Dietsche, Jodeen Flaten, Matt Hoage, Mary Ann Holman, Sue Cellan from The Bridge Church, Jim Jarvis, Karen Jones, Karen Knight, Ross Kooiker, Sean Malone, Kathy Mentink, Teri Myers, Bill Prindle, Chad Shiffer, and Chris Vall. Thanks to the Bethesda Staff for all of their help. Thanks Drew for all of your help with printing, video’s, Power point, maintaining the website, and Arlene for all the help on the phones and for the many things you both did that are too numerous to mention. Thanks to Brandon Pangman for his help on the evangelism component for the Advocate Training.
Thanks to all of our service providers. Our doctors, chiropractors, nurses, optical providers, hair stylists, photographers, massage therapists, counselors, and car care helpers and mechanics. We couldn’t have had all the wonderful services without you! Thanks to everyone who prayed for us and for our individual team. We felt your prayers and we sure needed them. Thanks to all of the Gatekeepers. Charlene Vlcek, Kelly Johnson, Sandy Hanson, Louise Kooiker, Denise Swartz, Liz Swartz, Nathan Morse, Mindy Pedersen, Heidi Reeves, Lil Larson, Kathy Dean, Betsy Gerdes, Sue Henneman, Micah Wildes, Debbie Hubbell, Janell Henning, Becky Streeter, Kelly George and Lori John Shoemaker. Thanks to special helpers or runners, Liz Thibodeau, Lydia Wildes, Nathaniel Syverson, John Flaten, Arlene Dittner, Brian Quade, Ellen Cedarblade and Michele Swiler. I know there were more who served in these areas but I don’t have your names. Please know we are thankful for you! Thank you Pastor Paul and Matt Hoage for the amazing opening and closing worship services. The message was so good and the music was just perfect for the day. Thanks also to the worship team for your wonderful music. Thanks to our greeters. Pastor Paul, Rod Larson, Jeff Wile, Mike Wensink and Johann Peikert. You all did a great job greeting and serving coffee. Thank you to all of our Advocates and to Jodi Flaten, Kristin Verhaagh and Karen Jones for all of their hard work coordinating and training the Advocates. Being an Advocate is one of the most important jobs because you are the ones who get the awesome opportunity to show Christ’s love to our guests and to talk to them about Jesus in a personal way. You are our biggest volunteer need and you are a huge part of the success story for our clinic. Many of you were able to be part of someone coming to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Nothing is more important than that. God choose you all for this very important role! Thanks Rich Wahl for your Touched Twice video. We really
It Is So Sad to Say Goodbye!
appreciate the time you spend taking videos and making our TT DVD. Thanks to Lois Scorgie for answering the phones. Thanks to Abby (I don’t know her last name) who helped Lois on the phones and was available to translate. Thanks to everyone who donated food, clothing, toys, service provider supplies, and money. You all gave so generously and we are thankful for you. Thanks to Nick Shoemaker and the Boy Scouts for the donated food. Thank you Scott and Shirley Rogers for providing all of your delicious Gloria Jeans Coffee and chillers. Your generosity each year is outstanding and we really appreciate your help. Thanks to Brittney Malone and her wonderful group of volunteers who helped in anyway sorting, hanging and folding clothes. This is such a huge job. Thanks to all who were personal shoppers and were able to help the guests find exactly what they needed. Thanks to The Bridge Church and Fellowship who partnered with us and helped provide many volunteers. Thanks to Perry Polnaszek for helping in the optical area. Thanks to Perry and Andrea for sharing their Touched Twice vision with us and helping us along the way. Thanks to Stacy Shiffer, Erica Bertrand and her amazing team, and to anyone who helped make food, donate food, serve food, and clean up. This is such a huge job and you guys are awesome. In 2011 we served 519 meals. In 2013 we served 1277. Wow, what a increase! The food was delicious. Thanks to Sue Derfus and her team of registration workers and runners. A big thank you goes out to Ron and Christine Strasburg and Brian Quade for putting together our volunteer registration program. 300 volunteers registered online which was a huge time saver. Thank you also Ron and Christine for those wonderful volunteer nametags. They looked so great and we are thankful for all the time you put into this project! Thank you Jim Hermann and Sean Malone and your team for all of the set-up and clean up for our clinic. There is no way I can thank everyone by name. Please know that we are a team and everyone who helped in anyway can pat himself or herself on the back and hear God say, “Well done good and faithful servant”. I look forward to working with you all at Touched Twice 2014. See you all next year! Karen Biel Clinic Coordinator
It is with sadness that we say goodbye to 3 coordinators from Touched Twice. Karen Peikert has been our Medical and Optical Coordinator and part of our planning team for 4 years. She has done an awesome job and we will truly miss her. Sue Derfus who has been our Registration Coordinator and part of the planning team for 4 years. She has also done an awesome job and we will really miss her as well. These 2 women have been on our team since the beginning through all of the struggles and blessings getting Touched Twice started at Bethesda. We couldn’t have done it without them. Their innovative ideas, encouragement, organizational skills, and strength have carried us through. I will miss them so much as two women I could always count on to do the job. Never did I ever have to wonder if they were doing what they were supposed to be doing. I knew without a doubt that they were. We must also say goodbye to Sean Malone who has been the coordinator of our set up and clean up. Sean has worked with Jim Hermann and they both have done a great job with their set up team. We will miss you Sean! We have been blessed that Tina Vall has agreed to become our new Registration Coordinator. Welcome Tina to the team! We are still looking for a Medical and Optical Coordinator and a Set-Up and Clean-Up Coordinator to work with Jim Hermann. I am also looking for a Co-Clinic Coordinator to help with the planning or 2014 Touched Twice and working with all the Coordinators. If you are interested in filling one of these areas, please contact Karen Biel, ckbiel@gmail.com
Bethesda World Missions Praise and Prayer for Bethesda’s Family Around the World Venbergs: • Praise the Lord for His protection and provision during the recent Chad Mission Trip! • Pray that the fruit from the Mission Trip would positively impact Bethesda’s Fulbe mission. • Pray that Rachel would find a job that is a good match for her skills and her family’s schedule. Gronseths: • Praise the Lord for the spiritual fruit that He is providing through the Coffee House. • Pray for strength and joy for John and Betsy, who are experiencing spiritual attacks and realize that they are in the midst of a spiritual battle. • Pray that the Lord would provide foreign staff to help share their load. • Praise the Lord for a new full time staff person, Melody. Pray that she would sense a future and a hope at the Coffee House, and that she will be motivated to stay long-term and to do her very best work. Wiebes: • Praise the Lord that their mission station house in Ukarumpa sold quickly. • Praise the Lord for Steven and Frieda, Bola friends who have returned to the Lord and are witnessing to everyone who comes to their house! • Pray that God will bless Brent and Sandi’s decision to donate the materials from their house on resort property to the local church council. • Pray that Paul and Tuka, two of their neighbors, will decide to remove their houses from resort property. Currently they are refusing to do so. • Praise the Lord for Pastor Ben, who is preaching and teaching using the Bola Bible in area villages, at least one of which has been at war. • Pray that the Bola will grow in their hunger for God’s Word, and respond to the Gospel! • Pray for safe travel back to the United States in June for the Wiebes. Contruccis: • P ray for Kent, who will be presenting the Inside-Out Safety Program May 2nd–3rd in Nampa, Idaho. Nine new couples will be attending. Kent arrives in Nampa from Africa on May 1st, and will be experiencing jet-lag. Pray the he will have clarity of thought, communicate clearly, and be strengthened by the Lord. • Pray that the three-year proposal to expand the Inside-Out Safety Program that Kent submitted to the MAF leadership
will be approved in May, if it is the Lord’s will. • P ray for Kent and Nancy as they speak in churches and meet with supporters in Illinois and southern Wisconsin from May 9th-May 20th. Pray that God will move individuals to provide financial and prayer support for their work with MAF. Wiles • Pray for Kathryn, who is away for her annual personal retreat through May 4th. John recently returned from his retreat. Pray that the fruit from these retreats would prove very beneficial for their ministry in the coming months. • Pray for John and Kathryn as they spend time planning and developing ideas for the Barnabas School of Shepherding, Training, and Renewal (SSTAR) during the month of May. • Pray for John and Kathryn, who are responsible for the orientation of new Barnabas staff on June 21st and 22nd. • Pray that the Barnabas International annual staff gathering, June 23rd–June 27th, will be a blessed time of connecting, training, praying and visioning.
Plans Change For The Schroers! Zachary and Alissa Schroer were approved for missionary call to the Fulbe in Chad at the October 2012 meeting of the Council of Directors. As Zachary and Alissa have been processing the opportunity to come on staff with LBIM, they have encountered a major setback. Zachary has been diagnosed with a heart condition which could adversely be affected by long-term living in Chad. Even though he has undergone different tests, his cardiologist has been unable to specifically locate the problem area in his heart. Without knowing the specific cause, no treatment is able to be prescribed. With the preliminary diagnosis, there is a procedure Zachary could undertake to fix the condition, but again, this cannot be done until a more specific diagnosis is made. The heart procedure has anywhere from a 50-90% success rate, depending on the area of the heart being targeted. Medically speaking, this condition will stay with Zachary the rest of his life if a procedure is unable to correct it, and the condition would likely be progressive as he ages. With this new information, Zachary and Alissa will not be able to join LBIM this year. Through many discussions and prayer, it has been determined that Zachary’s condition would need to be corrected before they would be medically cleared to go to Chad long-term. The earliest this could happen would be August of 2014. Though we have all been excited about Zachary and Alissa sensing a call to go to Chad with LBIM, we also have been listening to and waiting on the Lord for His direction and will in this. Please continue to pray for Zachary and Alissa in these next several months. Pray for results from further tests on Zachary, for a specific diagnosis, and for God’s healing hand to be upon him. May the Lord guide and direct their steps, and may He make His will known. Matthew Rogness
Library News!
Introducing Online giving at Bethesda As we seek to be faithful tenants in the “vineyard” God has entrusted to us, we want you to know that Bethesda now has an eGiving solution. Giving cheerfully, generously, and sacrificially is one aspect of our worship. eGiving offers us a tool to help us maintain consistency in our giving, which brings added stability as we engage in our C3 vision (Christ, Community, Cause) for the sake of making disciples of Jesus.
What you need to know: • You can use eGiving for one-time gifts or for recurring gifts. • You can still choose specific designations for your gifts, if you choose. • Bethesda benefits most from your donation when you use your checking or savings account, but you can also use your Visa or MasterCard. When using these cards, a small percentage of your gift goes to pay the credit card company. • By setting up an account, you can view your donation records, schedule or modify gifts and modify payment information. • Mobile Apps are available for iPhone and Android phones. Check out our eGiving page on our website (www. bethesdalutheran.org/worship/eGiving.php) to find more information about our Biblical perspective on giving and to get instructions for using the system.
Springtime is one way God shows us the miracle of new life. Let us dig into His Word and Biblically-based media, that God may produce good fruit in our lives that glorifies Him. • Journey of Life, #8, Moody Science Classics (DVD) by Moody Publishers. Watch as a tiny seed battles impossible odds for survival. Just as God has a plan for that seed, so does He have a plan to root the Gospel in our hearts. (215, MOO) • The Story, NIV: The Bible as one continuous story. (book) by New International Version. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. (220, NIV) • Growing To Be Like Christ: 6 Sessions on Discipleship (DVD) by Purpose Driven Life Series. This study equips you for the basic habits of spiritual growth: relying on the Holy Spirit, cultivating time in the Bible and prayer, seeing life’s obstacles as opportunities. (248.4, PDL)
Stephen Ministry
Summertime Stress Slowing You Down? We like to think of summer as being a relaxing, enjoyable time. But hurts, struggles, crises, and problems don’t take a vacation. Many times our difficulties seem even worse during the summer because everyone else seems to be enjoying life while you are feeling down. If you are experiencing a difficult time — emotionally, spiritually, or relationally — you don’t have to suffer alone. Our Stephen Ministers are trained caregivers, ready to listen, care for and encourage you, pray with and for you, and provide one-to-one Christian care to help you through whatever it is that you are facing. Men are matched with male Stephen Ministers and women are matched with female Stephen Ministers. It’s free. It’s confidential. And it will make a difference in your life! To find out more about Stephen Ministry and how you or someone you know could be matched with a Stephen Minister, talk with Judy Draper at 715-831-0189 or Paul & JoDea Green at 715839-9468. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to care for you!
Compassion Sunday at Bethesda
Matt Hoage Every year at Bethesda we partner with Compassion International to have Compassion Sunday. It reminds us of the many children and families around the world that do not have as much, and it challenges us to put things into perspective, and, if God prompts us, to give beyond ourselves to help those less fortunate. My wife Becky and I were moved several years ago to sponsor a child through Compassion. We were like so many other newlyweds trying to establish our finances, but we felt a call from the Lord to step out and sponsor a child. We were interested in sponsoring a child from the Dominican Republic, as my parents were there doing missions work. We went to Compassion’s Web site and met Misael, an almost three-year-old boy. I shared this story in church several years ago, but I’ll share it again. Right after we started sponsoring Misael, we received two letters from him. The first one shared about how his baby sibling was just born but was sick and he asked for our prayers. The next letter came and he shared that his sibling passed away. It struck our hearts so strongly because around that time we lost our second child early in pregnancy. We felt a connection with Misael. A year or so later, after Abbie was born, we prayed and asked God if He wanted us to sponsor another Compassion child. It was at that point we felt that we should sponsor a child for every child that we have in our family. We added two more at that point, but this time we sponsored “older” children. Most people who sponsor children sponsor them when they’re 2-4 years old. At the time we were on their Web site, there was a huge need to sponsor children who were older—6-8 years old. We once again look at the Dominican Republic and we sponsored two more boys: Ismael and Fausi. Now Misael is 8, Ismael just turned 11 and Fausi will be 12 in August. We love them very much, though it is hard to only hear from them once every couple months. While you can write letters here as often as you’d like, we write
our kids after we receive a letter from them, so we can respond to their questions. We also can include scripture passages or pictures to share what God is doing in our lives. One thing we’ve done lately is write our letters online. We can upload pictures there and choose different stationary to send the letters on. Sponsoring children isn’t for everyone, and if you choose to sponsor a child, you don’t have to use Compassion International. There are plenty of godly organizations that help the poor and needy among us and abroad. For Becky and I, this is one of the things that God has called us to do. We are currently praying about who to sponsor now that we have four children—three on Earth and one in Heaven. We also would like to visit our sponsor children in the Dominican Republic someday—most likely when our kids are older or maybe the first time just Becky and me. You can find out more about sponsoring children and the different programs Compassion International offers at www.compassion.com
Ismael, Age 11, lives in the Dominican Republic
You Can Help VBS ROCK! The dates for this year’s Vacation Bible School —Kingdom Rock! — are June 17–23 from 9 a.m. until noon each day with a program on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. VBS is offered for children who are 4 years old through entering 5th grade. Registration will start at our rollerskating night on May 11th and then the next day at church. Signing up to SERVE is happening NOW! Please check out the table in the foyer and by the resource room to see where you can help. We have an immediate need for someone to be in charge of the snack/kitchen area for the week. Contact me for more information. We will also need many guides and helpers for our “royal subjects”, along with helpers for craft rooms, playground, kitchen, registration and nursery. Also, this year the cost of the CDs is greater than in the past and we would still love to offer these free of charge to the families. Would you be willing to donate a few dollars to help us with this? We will need approximately 130 CDs. To make this happen our goal is to collect $400. We’ll have envelopes at our VBS tables for giving financially or you can make a check out to Bethesda and note in the memo line
it’s for VBS and put it in the offering plate. Thank you so much for how you’ve supported and gave in the past so we can make VBS possible and we look forward to watching how God will move among you once again! We treasure your prayers for this time leading up to and during VBS week!
Thank You!
Bible Camp If your child is going to Bible camp and you’ll be using the church arranged transportation (only possible with willing parent drivers) please turn the forms and money into me as soon as possible! The forms are on the table by the resource room or on the church website. The weeks that we are offering transportation for are June 23–27 for Pioneer 2 (going into 3rd & 4th gr.) and July 14–19 for Explorer 2 (going into 5th & 6th gr.). There are a lot of other events happening regularly at Inspiration Point. You can check them out at www.ipoint.org
Bethesda wants to recognize and thank Pastor Zachary Schroer for his ministry to our church family these past two years. After graduating from our own Lutheran Brethren Seminary, Zachary applied for a voluntary pastoral internship at Bethesda. For the past two years, he has primarily served our church teaching the first year confirmation class, and in helping launch and nurture Bethesda’s LIFEgroup ministry. We have also appreciated Zachary’s occasional preaching and teaching role, and his service on Bethesda’s Mission committee. At the end of this spring, Pastor Zachary is stepping down from his voluntary pastoral role. We are very grateful for Zachary and the impact of his ministry. We are glad Zachary and Alissa plan to continue making their home in Eau Claire and worshiping with us at Bethesda.
Children’s Ministries Nurseries I’d like to thank Jane Morris for the past few months of dedication to the nurseries as nursery director. Under her leadership many positive steps were taken to make our nurseries a more safe and enjoyable place for the children. Jane will still be serving one Sunday a month as one of our supervisors. I will be taking on the nursery director duties so please let me know if you have any concerns or questions. I would also love to talk to you about how you could spend some time on Sunday mornings with a great bunch of little ones allowing their parents to be able to worship in a service or enjoy fellowship in a class. The rewards are awesome!
Family Rollerskating Event! You are invited to Hoffy’s Skate America on Saturday, May 11th from 5 to 8 p.m. for a very fun evening of rollerskating/blading and other fun activities. This is free to anyone who would like to come. We pray you will use this event to invite a neighbor or friend. We have invite cards available in the foyer and in the gym so please pick up a couple cards to give out. This evening will also be the first chance to start signing up your kids for VBS!
Adventure Club
Jr. Adventure Club and Adventure Club 4:5 have come to an end for this school year. The year has passed quickly and so much learning and fun has happened! Thank you for bringing your children each week and thank you to the volunteers for making it possible for these groups to meet. We look forward to September when we’ll start up again!
Adventure Club 5th Graders! Your graduation party is just around the corner! Make sure you come on May 3rd at 6 p.m. for an evening of getting to know Todd Waldie (our middle school director), fun games, pizza, treasure hunt, bonfire and more! Festivities will wrap up at 8:30. Make sure you dress according to the weather. We’ll plan to see you then!
Mother’s Day Need-to-know Parents, the Sunday school kids will be singing a song in the services on Mother’s Day. The 9:00 kids will sing in the 9:00 service towards the beginning to middle of the hour. The 10:30 kids will sing in the Eleeo (gym) service shortly after 10:30 and in the sanctuary later on in the hour.
Summer Sunday school
Last summer we were able to offer a summer Sunday school for several weeks during the 10:30 hour thanks to some great volunteers! If you have the passion to lead and/ or help for this summer please contact me. We can provide you with resources, guidance and direction. Without your leadership and availability we will not be able to offer summer Sunday school this year. We would need one person to organize and lead and one or two (or more) people to be helpers.
Programs Sunday School Bethesda offers two hours of Sunday School, during the 9:00 am and 10:30 am services.
Wednesday Adventure Club (last day April 24th) Jr. Adventure Club: (PreK–3rd Grade) 6:30–7:45 pm Adventure Club 4:5: (4th–5th Grade) 6:30–7:45 pm Dawn Rico
Children’s Ministries Director dawn@bethesdalutheran.org
Karen Ratering
Children’s Ministries Assistant k.ratering@sbcglobal.net
Youth Ministries Adopt-a-Mile for Youth Missions Mission Teams are cruising full steam ahead! We’ve raised $2,700 with our fundraisers so far, and we’ve still got 2 to go! If you haven’t yet, please “Adopt-A-Mile” – we’ve got over 6,000 combined miles to travel this summer with all 3 trips, to a tune of $7,000. We need your help to get us to our destinations (and back!). $1 = 2 miles, so please go to the tables outside the Sanctuary and Walker Hall and sign up to Adopt-A-Mile! Every person who gives will receive a special thank you and an invitation to our Summer Trip Presentation in August.
Ephesians ONE23, our Sunday night gathering of High Schoolers, had a great kickoff last week to our new series: we’re going through the book of Ephesians, taking one chapter per week. This will take us to the end of the school year, with a party planned for June 9 where we’ll also be officially welcoming the incoming freshmen!
Both HSM and MSM
Picnic and Pie Auction The annual Spring Picnic is fast approaching . . . this is another fun fundraiser for us, as we provide a picnic lunch for the whole church. It’s on May 19 beginning at 11:30am – we’ll have grilled burgers and hotdogs, cheesy potatoes, baked beans, salad, chips, cookies and lemonade. It’s a great time for the whole family so plan on staying around after church that day! We’ll also have a bouncy house for the kids and a Pie Auction at 1pm in the gym. Some of the most wonderful homemade pies will be on the auction block, so bring your cash or checkbook and bid high for a pie and a good cause!
Youth Ministries ONE23 High School Youth Group, Sundays at 7:00 pm The Bridge M iddle School Youth Group, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
Chad Shiffer
Director of Youth Ministires chad@bethesdalutheran.org
Todd Waldie
Middle School Youth Director todd@bethesdalutheran.org
Trip to Noah’s Ark Thursday, June 13th. Summer is coming! And we’ll be starting it with a blast! Wed night June 12 we’re hosting the youth group from Word Of Life, an LB church in LeSuer, MN. Then on Thursday June 13 we’ll all be going to Noah’s Ark! They are running a special for groups that day - $19 (plus transportation) will get you an all-day pass plus a hotdog lunch! This event is for both MSers and HSers, and chaperones will be needed.
Dates to Remember Sunday, May 19th Spring Picnic and Pie Auction ONE23: End of Year Party Sunday, June 9 Thursday, June 13 Noah’s Ark Trip June 17–21st VBS (Find out how you can help!) June 30 –July 4 Senior High Camp at Inspiration Point
LiFEgroups
LEARN APPLY CONNECT FROM GOD’S WORD
IT TO LIFE
WITH ONE ANOTHER
LIFEgroups are small groups of people who meet regularly to grow in their relationship with Christ, discuss how their faith intersects with their daily lives in caring community, and encourage one another as they find ways to serve Jesus’ cause. If you are interested in joining one of the current LIFEgroups listed below, you are encouraged to contact them directly.
Mondays Group Demographic: Men Group Facilitator: Mark Miller, mamaflac@yahoo.com, 715-456-8293 Meeting Location: Fireside Room Meeting Time: Mondays, 6:45 am–7:55 am Curriculum/Description: Gospel in Life, by Timothy Keller Group Name: Solid Rock Café Group Demographic: M ultigenerational women. Group Facilitator: Jane Louden, janelouden1217@gmail.com, 715-835-6064 Meeting Location: Rooms 311 & 313 Meeting Time: Mondays, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm Curriculum/Description: Life Application Study: Philippians and Colossians Group Demographic: Older adults Group Facilitator: Jerry and Louise Kooiker, jlkooiker@sbcglobal.net, 715-852-0138 Meeting Location: Room 204a Meeting Time: Every other Monday Curriculum/Description: Gospel in Life by Timothy Keller Group Name: Empty Nesters Group Facilitator: Brian & Janet Amundson, 715-835-0521 Meeting Location: Fireside Room Meeting Time: 1st and 3rd Mondays, 7:00 pm–8:00 pm Curriculum/Description: The Truth Project Group Demographic: Young Adult Group Facilitator: Matt Schweitzer Contact Information: matts@bethesdalutheran.org Meeting Location: Bethesda, Room 204a Meeting Time: Mondays, 7:00 pm Curriculum/Description: Gospel in Life, by Timothy Keller
10
Tuesdays Group Name: Rachel Bible Study (Women) Group Facilitator: Louise Koxlien. 715-552-3873 Meeting Location: Fireside Room Meeting Time: First Tuesday of each month, 1:00 pm (June 2nd Meeting is the last one before a summer break.) Curriculum/Description: “Life Lessons from Joshua” Group Name: Solid Rock Café Group Demographic: Women Group Facilitator: Sue Henneman, suehennemann@att.net, 715-552-1378 Meeting Location: Room 313B Meeting Time: Tuesdays, 5:15 pm–6:45 pm Curriculum/Description: Varies throughout the year. Group Demographic: Men Group Facilitator: David Verhaagh, dverhaagh@hotmail.com, 715-828-6156 Meeting Location: Room 309 Meeting Time: Tuesdays, 5:30 pm–6:30 pm Curriculum/Description: We study different sections of scripture with help, at times, from Max Lucado’s books. Group Demographic: Men Group Facilitator: Chris Vall, 715-829-7415 Meeting Location: 1709 Fenwick Ave. Meeting Time: Tuesdays, 8:00 pm Curriculum/Description: Uncommon Man, by Tony Dungy Group Demographic: College-aged Group Contact: Gabe Larson, 715-559-2557 Meeting Location: 3658 S. Mission Dr. Meeting Time: Tuesdays, 5:30–7:30 pm
Wednesdays Group Name: Open Door Group Demographic: Women Group Facilitator: Vicki Tjelta, vickitj@charter.net Meeting Location: Fireside Room Meeting Time: Wednesdays, 9:30–11:00 am Group Name: Common Ground Group Demographic: Singles, Couples with school-age kids Group Facilitator: Jay & Andrea Anderson, 715-836-9358 Meeting Location: Room 204a Meeting Time: Wednesdays, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm Group Name: Wednesday Night Bible Study Group Facilitator: Pastor Venberg, 715-835-5073 Meeting Location: Fireside Room (on hiatus during Lent) Meeting Time: Wednesdays, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm Curriculum/Description: Varies throughout the year.
Thursdays Group Name: Lydia Bible Study (Women) Group Facilitator: Grace Bailey, 715-214-4344 Meeting Location: Fireside Room Meeting Time: Second Thursdays, 12:30 pm Curriculum: “He Still Moves Stones,” by Max Lucado
Adult Bible Fellowships
Adult Bible Fellowships (ABFs) are small groups within our larger church community. We are committed to deepening our relationships, as well as growing new relationships. ABFs meet during one of our two worship hours. We invite you to spend part of your Sunday morning in worship, and then gather with others in an ABF setting for fellowship and to help you grow in your relationships to God and with each other.
Sundays • 9:00 am Branches Room 204c (Fellowship Hall), Ages 30-60 Contact: Deb Hubbell at 715-839-0594 or dahshop@yahoo.com
Sojourners Room 305, Ages 30–50 Contact: Allen or Jeanne Sternke at 715-597-3526 or jeannesternke@yahoo.com
LiFEgroups
Continued
Group Demographic: College-aged Group Contact: Gabe Larson, 715-559-2557 Meeting Location: 231 Heather Rd. Meeting Time: Thursdays, 5:30–7:00 pm Group Demographic: Women Group Facilitator: Dawn Rico, dawn@bethesdalutheran.org Meeting Location: Caribou Coffee, MegaFoods East Meeting Time: Thursdays, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm Curriculum/Description: Gospel in Life by Timothy Keller.
Fridays Group Name: Rise Up! Group Demographic: Women Group Facilitator: Jackie Vold, mjvold@gmail.com, 715-8345775 Meeting Location: Fireside Room Meeting Time: Fridays, 6:30 am–7:45 am Curriculum/Description: Varies throughout the year
To Be Determined Fireside Room, 20s–40s Contact: Mike and Alissa Amundson, mna95@hotmail.com
Sundays • 10:30 am Kingfolk Room 204c (Fellowship Hall) Retired, nearing retirement Contact: Augie Wirkus, 715-831-0460
Seekers of God Fireside Room, Room 102, Retired, nearing retirement Contact: Beth Smith, 715-875-4553, or Dennis and Diane Peterson, 715-839-8648.
Bible Study Room 305, All ages!
Group Name: Circle of Friends Group Demographic: Women Group Facilitator: Mandy Heard, Chris Strasburg. mandyheardu@gmail.com, 715-834-5246 (Mandy), 715-835-0721 (Chris) Meeting Location: Bethesda Meeting Time: Fridays, 9:15 am Curriculum/Description: Varies throughout the year
Sundays Group Name: SEYAL East Group Demographic: Young Adults Group Contact: Renee Kavanaugh, renee_kavanaugh@hotmail. com Meeting Location: 1806 Mitchell Avenue Meeting Time: Sundays, 6:00 pm (Babysitting available at Bethesda starting at 5:50 pm.) Curriculum/Description: Gospel in Life, by Timothy Keller Group Name: SEYAL West Group Demographic: Young Adults Group Contact: Anne Yoder, yoder_anne@yahoo.com Meeting Location: 624 E. Tyler Avenue Meeting Time: Sundays, 6:00 pm (Babysitting available at Bethesda starting at 5:50 pm.) Curriculum/Description: Gospel in Life, by Timothy Keller
11
Bethesda
Lutheran Brethren Church
123 W. Hamilton Avenue Eau Claire, WI 54701 715-835-5073 www.bethesdalutheran.org
C
3
Christ … Community … Cause A vision for clarifying who we believe God is leading us to become.
“We Believe” Wednesdays at 6:30, Room 201 During the Month of May Bethesda’s We Believe class is scheduled two or three times each year. It is designed for anyone who wishes to know about Bethesda and the Church of the Lutheran Brethren and is required for anyone interested in becoming a member of Bethesda. The We Believe class covers topics such as the Bible, the Trinity, Sin and Grace, Baptism, and Communion. This spring we are offering the We Believe class on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, beginning May 1st and continuing for four weeks. Class will meet in Room 201, and child care will be made available. Please RSVP to the church office, so that we make sure we have enough babysitters and materials ready for you!
12