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Bethany Lutheran Church, Red Lake Falls, MN |
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From Pastor Gary
Mind if I let you in on a little secret? Lately, I've been trying to lose some weight. And boy is it tough! You never know how good food tastes and smelis until you try to resist it! Why can't a diet be like riding a bike or swimming? You know, get it once, and you've got it for life* Bat dieting isn't like that. With dieting every day, every meal, every moment is a struggle. And one Jittte slip, can undo a mountain of discipline! Boy that ice cream Sunday I had; for lunch was great! It's just not fair that dieting should be so difficult when eating is so-easy! Faith is a lot like dieting too. It's never something we master, but always a "work in progress". We can never say, "I've done it. I've mastered my relationship with Lord." Remember the disciples? They thought they were doing pretty good right up till good Friday; But then Jesus was arrested and they all ran for their lives. All that discipline, all that hard work, all that sacrifice, went right down the drain. They must have felt like such, failures, hiding behind locked doors on Easter morning. They had deserted their master in his hour of deepest need. Yet, who comes to them in this moment of dismal defeat? "Peace be with" says Jesus resurrected from the dead. "Peace be with you" when you fall off the wagon for the 99th time. "Peace be with you" when you should have been kind but were abrasive. "Peace be withyou" when you should have been courageous but acted like a coward. "Peace be with you" when you should have taken a salad but wound up withk a hamburger!" We are weak, but he is strong, and thank God it's not the other way around! Where would we be without Jesus and his mercy? Where would we be without Jesus and his love?
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Presbyterian/Bethany Our joint Thanksgiving Service with the Presbyterian Church will be held on Tuesday, November 24th at 7:30 pm at Bethany. Pie and coffee will follow the service.
Congratulations to Our Men's Group!
Congratulations to our Men's Group who have been selected as the recipient of Care Providers of Minnesota's Adult Volunteer of the Year Award. Bethany's Men's Group will be presented with this award at Care Providers of Minnesota's 2009 "Minnesota Great" Convention to be held November 16-18 at the Minneapolis Hyatt Regency Hotel. Congratulations guys!!
Men's Breakfast and Bible Study
Men's Weekly Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings at 7:30 for breakfast. The study lasts from 8-8:30. All men of the community are welcome!
Women's Breakfast and Bible Study
In addition to our women's evening Bible studies (which are listed under "circles" on the calendar page), Our Women's Bible Study, which meets on Wednesday mornings at 7:30 AM. Join us for breakfast at 7:30 followed by Bible study from 8-9:00. All women of the community are invited to attend!
AA Meetings
An Alcoholic Anonymous group meeting at Bethany on Friday nights at 7:00 -8:00 pm. They will be meeting in the first Sunday school room off to right at our Northwest entrance. Call 253-3442 for more information.
Auto Giving
Have you considered "Auto Giving"? Your local bank can set up your account to "automatically give" to Bethany Lutheran. Talk to a teller at Unity Bank North about "auto giving".
QUILTING GROUP
Each Wednesday at 9:00 am we will be looking for ladies to join in on the fun and fellowship while putting together mission quilts. We have material, batting and a few completed tops ready to be made into quilts. (We always gladly accept more materials). You can have your pick of cutting, stitching, tying or even making coffee! A pot of soup will be on the stove and usually other goodies show up. We need your help! Last spring we sent over 20 completed quilts to overseas missions and also a few local needs. Let's do even better this winter. Hope to see you and bring a friend! QUILTING GROUP Let's Start Quilting!
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Happy Thanksgiving
No confirmation or Women's Morning Bible Study Nov. 25th No Men's Bible Study Nov. 26th No Sun School Nov 29tb
Thoughts of a Veteran
There are many types of governments created by man. Ours is a system of free men making free choices. Although, not perfect, I feel it is the best we can come up with. There is a cost for that freedom and like other veterans, I chose to serve. It is not an easy job, but you do it because it needs to be done. Darold Johnston (Thank you Darold for sharing these thoughts with us as we think about all the veterans that have served our country to keep us a free nation!)
November Birthdays
2-Spencer Oland; 4-Affen Bertilrud; 5-Bfll Muldoon; 6-Kevia Klipping; 7-Mary Knutson, Natafie Aakfius; ^-Kandace Johnson; 12-Deb Rewertz, Matt Waldat; 14-Sfephanie Doyle; 15-Cole Seeger; 16-Jeremy Kautson, Jayde Sandberg; 17-Brandie Klipping, Heidi Rewertz, Emma Duden; 18-Colin Lacina; 19-Ethan Hams; 20-Jan Muldoon; 21-Allison Aakhus; 22-Dana Seeger, Maggie Murphy, Jozi Halvorson; 25-Alex Kmitson; 26-Gerald VanEmmerik; 28-Roger Dupont, Kay Kehn, Brad Seeger, Owen T. Nelson; 29-Cheryl Seeger, Jason Aakhus; 30 Bruee Piersot
November Anniversaries
3-Kevin & Sbeite Reich; 4-Jim & Carolyn Roff; 7-Russell & Eunice Hams; 21-Steve & Laurie Seng; 24-Kevin & Sarah Brevik; 25-Allen & Sandy Bertilrud; 28-Randy & Josie Myhre, Eric & Kandee Johnson; 30-Brad & D'Anne Johnson
Marriage Announcements
Congratulations to Jason and Nicole Solheim who were married at Bethany Homes in Fargo recently. Jason is the son of the late John Solheim and Ardie Solheim.
Youth Group
Several Youth Group events are being planned in the month of November. Be sure to read about the events in the Youth Lights' Letter and the November Calendar in the Newsletter. A special thank you to Peggy Miller for her monthly Little Light's and Youth Lights' Newsletter!
Congratulations
Congratulations to Cheryl Matzke on the birth of a new grandson, Conner James Gusditis born August 9ffi. Conner's parents are Mark and Nikki Gusditis. Congratulations to you all!
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Jake Schmitz who passed away on September 4th. Jake was the son-in-law of Gerald & Marion Bjorgan. Our sympathy is also extended to the family and friends of John Solheim who passed away on September 16th. May you know our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Baptized
Baptized August 16th was Sophia Grace Arlt, daughter of Dustin Arlt and Ashley Stenseth. Welcome to the family of God Sophia,
November Beacons
Leaders: Gary & Dawn Halvorson and Steve & Maureen Hams Others: Phyllis Beauchamp, Julie Beyer Buse, Janeen Brule, Ed & Joanne DaMe, Seth & Nicole Ellefson, Brad & D'Anne Johnson, Lori Keeler, Carly Kleven, Margaret Lee, Paula Miller, Bill & Jan MuJdoon, Chris & Lori Nelson, Marilyn Seeger, Ardie Solheim, Steve & Julie Steinert, Dawn Swenson, Deb Schmitz, Diana Vigstol, Wanda Waling
Smorgasbord
Bethany's 61st Annual Scandinavian Smorgasbord is scheduled for Saturday, October 10*. Serving will be from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm. There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall. Please sign up for the job you would like to help with the night of the Smorgasbord.
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Bethany Lutheran Church Council
October 21, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 pm by President David Miller. Opening devotions by Pastor Graff.
Members Present:
Lynn Weisser, Steve Hams, Sandy Klein. Pastor Graff. Darold Johnston, Carol Seeger, Cheryl Matzke, Mike Seeger, DeeAnn Leines, John Columbus, David Miller, Tim Nord, Bob Harmoning, Roger Harmoning, Kathryn Murphy
Members Absent:
Alien Bertilrud, Kurt Ellefson, Tania Waldal, Roger Dupont
Council Minutes
Minutes read: Motion to approve by Cheryl Matzke second by Darold Johnston. Motion earned.
Old Business:
Tables - Motion made by Carol Seeger, to order 10 tables, 30 x 96 inches, $87.00 each, second by Tim Nord, Motion carried. Culverts - The culverts are not done yet. Motion by Tim Nord to have David Miller check with local contractors to get the work done with a cap of $300 on the work, second by Mike Seeger. Motion carried.
New Business:
Memorial - A memorial of $200 has been given by Carol Tongen in memory of Bob Tongen for Men's Bible Study Group and other groups. Pastor Graff has suggested the Serendipity Bible which has the Bible study right in the book. He would like to purchase 10 Bibles with the memorial money and 3 or 4 extra. Motion made by Mike Seeger second by Lynn Weisser to purchase the Bibles. Motion carried. Men's Group/Grounds Keepers—Motioa made by Carol Seeger to take the Men's Group, Council President, Pastor Graff and wives to dinner at Lakeview, with a: second by DeeAnn Leines to thank them for their hard work with the grounds keeping throughout the year. Motion carried. Speakers - David Miller will look at speakers for "Lighthouse". They have been using the old organ speakers. Deacon Survey-From the surveys returned informational meetings are requested. The Deacons will be meeting to go over the surveys in more depth. They will meet 10/28/09. Mike Seeger suggested having a Deacon present a summary of the surveys in church. David Miller will put together a summary and give a talk in church.
Pastor's Report:
Workshop - Pastor Graff attended a two day workshop in Jamestown, ND on "Ministry in Anxious Times". It was led by Dr. Peter Steinke, a Missouri Synod pastor/counselor. Dr. Steinke emphasized the importance of "thinking" one's way through a problem instead of just reacting. It was a very good Tirartehop and Bethany checked out as a very health church after hearing Dr. Steinke's description of a healthy church. • Confirmation Material - Pastor Graff has ordered new material for the confirmation group. The material has many options to choose from that will engage the kids. Pastor Graff is enjoying the new material. • New Member's Class - A New Members Class is starting. Jason aad Christin Gums (parents of confirmation student Taylor Mosher), Dusty Arlt and his wife and a few others are attending, • Furnace - We had a little trouble with the kitchen furnace, whicrt should be fixed this week. • Youth Group - The youth group has a number of activities planned. There is a synod youth retreat for Jr. High students in Alexandria and possible bowling parry. • Smorgasbord - Smorgasbord went well. We served around 300 and had 40 take outs! Good Job! Well Done!
Treasurer's Report:
Motion was made to approve checks 9366-9406, by DeeAnn Leines second by Bob Harmonfng. Motion carried.
Offering Counters:
October 25th - Bob Harmoning & Cheryl Matzke; November 1 - Sandy Klein & John Columbus; November 8 -Carol Seeger & Darold Johnston; November 15*-Kathy Murphy & Roger Harmoning; November 22 -David Miller & Bob Harmoning
Facts and Council Update Your church council has been working very hard to respond to the actions taken at our summer assembly in Minneapolis. Included in this newsletter is a letter from our council president, David Miller. I think he expresses the thoughts and concerns of us all. I think the basic facts, as we know them at present are: 1. No church in the ELCA is required to accept a homosexual person to be their pastor (although they will be allowed to do so). 2. No church is required to recognize a same gender relationship (although churches will be allowed to do so). 3. Everything else is pretty much the same. Babies are being baptized, sermons are being preached and the good news is heard by all! Our council is looking into all the details and will keep you posted on such understandings as they become known. Feel free to call or visit the pastor if you have any concerns or questions.
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