Be

tha

ny L

uth

era

n C

hu

rch

1

10

W. A

ustin

St.

Fre

deric

ksb

urg

, TX

78

62

4

Retu

rn S

erv

ice

Re

qu

este

d

U.S

. Po

sta

ge

N

on

-Pro

fit Org

aniz

atio

n

Fre

deric

ksb

urg

, TX

78

62

4

PE

RM

IT 1

01

Bethany

Bells

February 2019

The monthly newsletter of BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH 110 West Austin St. Fredericksburg, TX 78624

www.bethanyfredericksburg.com Phone 830-997-2069 FAX 830-990-8916

“Being, Living as, and Making Disciples of Jesus Christ”

True Love By Pastor Kevin Haug

One of the things I like to do when working with couples who are getting married is have them watch the movie “Fireproof.” Not the best acting in the world, but the story is pow-erful and relevant to relationships. My favorite scene in the movie takes place when one of the main characters is talking to his dad, sharing his struggles as he works on his deteriorating relationship with his wife. They are at an old church camp, and the main character frustratingly says, “How am I supposed to show love to somebody over and over and over, who constantly rejects me?!” His dad simply responds, “That’s a good question,” as he stands underneath and leans up against an old wooden cross. The message is absolutely clear. This is what God in Jesus Christ has done for us by dying for us on that cross. The Christmas decorations were not even off the shelves before retailers started putting out Valentine’s Day candy, cards, and gifts. The surrounding culture will tell us that in order to show true love, we need to buy gifts, shower appreciation, go out to an expensive dinner. Those things are all well and good, but they pale in comparison to the true love that Jesus poured out for you and me—a love that came when we were rejecting Him. And when our eyes are opened to this reality; when we can see what Jesus did on the cross, our hearts melt as we truly see the love that God has for us. Then, upon seeing and knowing that love, we cannot help but love others in the same fashion. During the next couple of weeks, if you want to see true love. Don’t look at Hallmark. Look to the cross, and you will see it in the eyes of your Savior.

2

Bethany Funeral Food Ministry Group is in need of additional help to be on a rotating basis to set up & clean up and serve food after funeral services. Help is also needed to provide sandwiches, cake, chips, etc… If you would like to be part of this ministry, please call Sandra Kammlah at 997-4285. If no answer, leave your name and number to be contacted.

Training Ministers Brothers and sisters in Christ,

It is an honor to serve as the Visitation Pastor at Bethany. For the eighteen years I served as bishop, one of the pastoral ministries I missed was getting to know members through visitation - home vis-its, nursing home devotions, and personal visits following hospitali-zation and funerals. I am pleased to serve under the direction of Pastors Casey and Kevin in these vital ministries of the congrega-tion.

One of the ministries that Bethany has utilized is to have a cohort of trained Communion Ministers who extend the distribution of Holy Communion to those who are home-bound. I am eager to use those already trained and to expand that group to serve members of Bethany. While l visit persons monthly, a second visit by these Communion Ministers will keep a closer contact with them and their Bethany family.

I will be holding two separate times of training in February for this ministry. The first will be Monday, February 11, from 10 am - noon; the other is Monday, February 18, from 2-4 pm. If you are want to know more about this ministry or to sign-up for one of these ses-sions, please call or text me at 830-456-6948 or email me at tie-mann200@gmail.com. Peace, Ray Tiemann, Visitation Pastor

In Our Prayers

Hospital/Clinic/Er:

Alton Bruns August Faltin Sandra Kammlah Donna Mittel Peggy Geistweidt Mark Geistweidt Kari Rumbaugh

Our Sympathy:

To Charlotte Ersch Hirt & family at the death of her hus-band Danny Hirt on Jan. 2; memorial at Bethany Jan. 12.

To the family of Jacqueline Hasselbrock whose memorial service at Bethany is Feb. 25 at 11:00 am.

To Pansy Benedict at the death of her father Ewald “Pete” Ottmers; he was grandfather to Bethany members Jer-emy Ottmers and Kristel Rheinhardt.

To Bruce Woerner and family at the death of his mother Louise Woerner; she was also grandmother to Bethany’s Dulaney and George families.

To the family of Nelson Geistweidt, father of Leland Geist-weidt, who passed away on Jan. 22.

Congratulations: To Jaren and Shaylin (Holland) Bertelson on the birth of

Gage William on January 16; Bethany grandparents are Alvin & Esther Holland; uncle & aunt Brad and Autumn Holland seem very excited also!

Retirement and Thanks:

Luther Rode, as long-time praise team singer Susie Bryson, as long-time chief “offering counter”

Bethany Lutheran Church Ministers: All Members of Bethany

*Rev. Casey Zesch *Rev. Kevin Haug Pastor of Visitation: Pastor Ray Tiemann

Director of Youth & Children’s Ministries: Kiesha Priem Office Administrator: Layne Petty

Director of Education: Jayne Marburger Financial Clerk: Berta Allen

Worship Coordinator: Marjorie Ottmers Staff Assistant & Bells Editor: Karen Loeffler & Jean Weber

Caretakers: John Stafford, Dieter Kemper Preschool Director: Stephanie Sanchez

DATE TIME USHERS GREETERS

Sun. Feb.

3

Sun. Feb. 10

Sun. Feb. 17

8:00 10:30

8:00 10:30

8:00 10:30

Judy & Scott Brunderidge, captains Kevin Kunz, Jerry Luckenbach

Kenneth Treibs, captain

Jaye Treibs, Jennifer Jenschke, Jacob & James Jenschke

Clara Kozielski

Jaycee & Bailee Treibs

Vonnie & Zander Maner, captains Roxanne & Richard Bruns

Weldon & Jet Itz, captains Don & Beth Weeks

Todd Keener, captain Dalton & Wesley Keener,

Sandra Kammlah

Judy Dittmar, captain M.J. Dittmar, Ted & Nancy Geistweidt

Mike Sagebiel

Lee & Marty Gisclon

James & Judy

Hartmann

Pat Maenius

26

February 2019 TRADITIONAL WORSHIP (8:00 & 10:30)

Sun.. Feb. 24

8:00 10:30

Dwight Oestreich, captain Brad & Autumn Holland

Avery & Dawson Holland

Willard Dearing, captain Jody Donovan,

Wes & Georgia Reagan

Myrtle Hohmann Jordan Hohmann

Jynette Shuldham

February 2019 Altar Guild Traditional:

Susie Bryson, Clara Kozielski Bonnie Beckmann, Pat McCready

Contemporary:

Tuttie Geistweidt, Jennifer Jenschke 3

Financial Peace University Date: Kick-off date is

Sunday, Feb. 10th

It’s time to take Financial Peace. Join the millions who never worry about money! Dave Ramsey and his team of financial experts will teach you how to beat debt and build wealth with the most powerful tool there is . . . your income. Act now and join by contacting Randy Busch by email, rbusch@austin.rr.com, or text or phone,

830-456-6663. Each session last 1 ½ hours. Child care can be arranged.

The price per couple is $109. (Register through Bethany Lutheran Church.)

Financial Peace consists of 9 sessions - each topic vital to a healthy finan-cial plan.

Leave money stress behind. No more money fights! With Fi-nancial Peace University, you will learn how to create (and stick to) a budget, save for emergencies, and make a plan for the future. Doesn’t that sound peaceful?

Would You Serve One Year?

All Committee Meeting February 3

All Committees will meet Sunday, February 3, to re-organize and set goals for 2019. New council officers and committee reps will be elected at the February 2 council retreat. We’ll have a light lunch after worship in the Fellowship Hall. We’ll be done in time for Super Bowl activities! (Probably done by 2pm.) If you’d be willing to serve on a committee this year, we have committee descriptions available for you to read for these committees:

CYFM (Children Youth & Family Ministry) Evangelism Fellowship Property Social Concerns Stewardship Traditional Worship Praise & Worship.

Adult Classes @ 9:20 Sundays

Adult Bible Class—

Meets in room 205 with Pastor Kevin & Pastor Casey.

Transitions Class— The transitions class will begin a five ses-

sion video Bible study focused on the question – What Happens When We Simply Love Everyone? Author Bob Goff is the founder of Love Does, a nonprofit organization that operates schools and pur-sues justice for children in conflict areas such as Uganda, Somalia, and Iraq. Through his experiences we will learn how to love every-one the way that Jesus loved them – without fear, insecurity, or re-striction. This class dovetails perfectly with one of Bethany’s goals to reach out and change community, which is done through service and love. The Transitions class is for anyone who enjoys a highly interactive class where all thoughts and ideas are welcome. The class meets in room 105 (downstairs). Come Join Us!

Come Join Us For Sunday School!!

Legacy Builders (young adults class) — This class will

be studying “Unafraid” by Adam Hamilton, learning to live w/ cour-age & hope in uncertain times. Please come join them in room 115

(downstairs).

Sundays in February:

4

Don’t miss This!!

Breakfast Bar for All Ages!

Downstairs Kitchen, 9:00 am

Council Highlights January 22, 2019

25

Approved the designation of general

fund overage to the 2019 contingency fund.

Approved the appointment of Carolyn Mont-gomery to the 2019 Audit Committee.

Approved the appointment of Lynette Cornehl as 2019 Treasurer.

Approved the recommendation of the Steward-ship Committee for distribution of No ELCA funds to Kairos Prison Ministry ($1,000) and Hope for the Nations ($1,000 per quarter).

Help Wanted – WeCan Cambodia

If you are any of these, WeCan Cam-bodia needs your help. After 4 years of teaching canning and Loving God, Lov-ing Others, we are adding to our cur-

riculum. By special request of our students, we are adding classes in gardening and business skills and a children’s ministry. Doesn’t sound like it goes together but it really does. Come find out how you can help...you’ll be surprised!

If you have skills in any of these area, WeCan Cambo-dia is having an informational meeting at The Hillcoun-try Church, 107 E. Lower Crabapple Rd, Fredericks-burg, TX on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at 7pm in Portable 4 (behind the church).

24

BLC Dollars & Cents

General Fund Budget

December 2018

Income $ 80,282.43 Income – Year $ 627,007.41 Expenses $ 56,054.93 Expenses – Year $ 568,663.45 Surplus year to date ----– + $58,343.96

**************************

Balances Other Funds – December 2018

Designated Accounts: $172,907.11

Capital Improvement: $60,189.58 Hennig Improvement Fund: $60,729.25 Balance Capital Improvement Fund/Hennig Fund: $120,918.83

BBVA/Compass–Money Market Account Balance $106,447.62 ELCA Loan Fund (Investment Account) $35,000.00

First United Bank (CD-Hein Estate Gift) $101,422.54 First United Bank (Savings-Hein Estate Gift) $60,207.29

Monthly Special Offerings - 2018 January - Der Stadt Friedhof - $3,265.00

February – Bethany Foundation - $2,287.50 March – Tiemann Foundation - $2,492.00

April–New Horizons/Living Well/Care Serv.- $3,880.00 May – Bethany PreSchool - $7,991.00 June – Crosstrails Ministry - $2,498.00

July – Mission de Candelilla - $2,895.50 Sp. Offering (July 29) – Hope for Nations - $1,456.00

August – Bethany Seminary Fund - $2,037.50 September – Christian Job Corp - $1,395.00 October – “We Can” Cambodia - $1,462.50

November – Thanksgiving “Hunger Fund” - $5,680.25 December – Emergency Aid - $10,791.00

World Day of Prayer March 1, 2019

10:00 am @ Zion Lutheran Church

(More Details will be in the church bulletin.)

February 2019 ASSISTED LIVING

NURSING HOME COMMUNION

Location

Knopp Care Ctr.

Knopp #2

Heritage Place

Day

Wed. 2/6

Time

9:30

Location Day Time

Wed. 2/6

Thur. 2/7

10:00

9:30

Windcrest

FBG

Knopp RC

Wed. 2/13

Wed. 2/13

Thur. 2/14

9:30

10:30

9:30

Knopp #1 Thur. 2/14 10:30

Bethany: January/April/July/October Holy Ghost: March/June/September/December

Zion: February/May/August/November

CELESTE CARE *Carolyn Montgomery

FBG NURSING HOME *Verna Mae Engel *Nora Oehler

KNOPP HEALTHCARE & REHAB CTR (#1) *Harriett Klett * Robert & Bambi Walter

*Rubye Wolfe *Opal Schnelle *Brandi Welgehausen *Dorothy Weitz *Roseda Itz

KNOPP RETIREMENT *Harriet Fuhrmann

KNOPP (#2) *Beverly Mosel *Theresa Schmidtzinsky

KNOPP Assisted Living Care Center *Betty Behrend *Alton Bruns

*Susan Weinheimer

MORNING STAR (Memory Care) *Charlette Deike

WINDCREST NURSING & REHAB *Victor Meier *Jerry Evans

ALPINE TERRACE NURSING/Kerrville, TX *Louise Jung

MENGER SPRINGS/BOERNE *Dorothy Rode

SAN ANTONIO: *Lucille Knirsch

EVENING STAR, ALVIN TX *Lorene Avant

Chicago: *Gerhard Diemer 5

Celeste Care Thur. 2/7 10:15

February 2019 PRAISE & WORSHIP (10:25)

Leader

Kid’s Message

HOSTS

Communion 2nd & 4th Sun.

Communion Assistants

Prayer Minister

Sun. Feb.

3

Sun. Feb. 10

Sun. Feb. 17

Sun. Feb. 24

Merrily Hartmann

Merrily Hartman

Kay Stech

Kay Stech

Rocki Hartmann

Rocki Hartmann

Winnie & Weldon Griffin, Erik & Beth Iverson

Pastor, Merrily Hartmann, Curtis & Cami Coolidge, Sandy & Tom

Swearingen

Merrily Hartmann

Jennifer & Jacob Jenschke,

Dee & Tim Dahlstrom

Will & Brooklynn Stehling, Shane & Zach Willis

No communion

Kay Stech

Pastor, Rocki Hartmann, Lester & Holly Meier,

Gayle & Danny McQuay

Rocki Hartmann

6

Beth Luckenbach

Beth Luckenbach

Sem & Danielle Geistweidt,

Vic & Marion Nixon

No communion

Beth Luckenbach

New Building Committee

Looking at Our “Phase One” in Detail

A new building committee had its first meeting in January to consider in more de-tail “Phase One” of our Master Plan, which

is a new preschool. Bethany voted in September 2018 to accept the master plan with the preschool as phase one due to the over-whelming need for child care in the community. That was not a vote to begin building—much more work and planning must be done before a proposal to build would come to the congregation for a vote. That proposal would also need to have a more detailed cost estimate as well as means of financing. Members of the com-mittee are Dwight Oestreich, chair; Beth Luckenbach, Richard Bruns, Jason Smith, Gary McCready, Broc Schulz, Mark Geistweidt, ex-officio council president Marc Williamson, and ex-officio staff Stephanie Sanchez, Joyce Richey, Pastor Kevin, and Pastor Casey. The committee will meet the 2nd Thursday of each month.

23

Bethany YARD heART Youth Fundraiser

Send the Bethany YARD heart exhibit to a friend for a (suggested) donation of only $20. Upon receipt of your order form and donation, volunteers will secretly place Bethany’s YARD heARTS in the requested friend’s front yard to be exhibited. Requests can be made by filling out the YARD heart Order form, emailing kieshablc@gmail.com or contact the YARD heart hotline at (512) 921-1356, however payment must be received before the heARTS will be placed. You may also purchase “heART insurance” for a sug-gested donation of $25 to insure that your yard is not targeted again. The YARD heART exhibit will travel in the evening hours the day before requested (depending upon the availability of the hearts), and will remain in the yard for approximately 24 hours, but no more than 48 hours. YARD heARTs can be sent to ANYONE, not just Beth-any members! But please keep it in the Fredericksburg zip code. *****HOWEVER, our hearts may not be placed onto public prop-erty or at apartment complexes****** Please make checks payable to Bethany Youth and bring your check/cash along with your complelted YARD heARTs Order Form to: Bethany Lutheran Church or mail to Bethany Lutheran Church, ATTN: Kiesha, 110 W. Austin St., Fbg., TX 78624

Souper Bowl of Caring

Bethany youth will be collecting canned goods on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3rd. They will be collecting outside the Fellowship Hall and around a few local

neighborhoods.

February 2019 TRADITIONAL WORSHIP (8:00 & 10:30)

Date

Sun. Feb.

3

Time

8:00

10:30

Communion Assistants

Jonathan Baethge, Lucinda Zesch

James Jenschke, Debbie Tiemann, Shelba Fenimore

Sun. Feb. 10

8:00

10:30

No Communion

No Communion

Sun. Feb. 17

8:00

10:30

Rose Marie Mazanke, Jeanette Beckmann

Gary & Sandi McCready, Pat McCready

Sun. Feb. 24

8:00

10:30

No Communion

No Communion

22

Watch Bethany on You Tube

Check out Bethany events, sermons, and music by going to You-Tube and typing the words “Bethany Lutheran Fredericksburg” in the search bar. Share with your friends to help spread the good

news. Audio sermons continue to be posted on the Bethany web-site: bethanyfredericksburg.com

Wish List for Financial Peace University

The stewardship committee of Bethany will be offering Dave Ramsey’s Fi-nancial Peace University beginning in February. It is a nine week program that teaches money management, and a plan to get out of debt, and how to plan for the future. Below is a wish list which will allow us to make this an easy, positive experience for all involved.

A financial gift for the scholarship fund Provide a light meal for 20 people or a financial gift toward the

purchase of lunches A financial gift toward the cost of childcare for young families. For more information please email Randy Busch at rbusch@austin.rr.com or call him at 830-456-6663.

If writing a check please make it out to Bethany and put FPC in the note area. Thank you for considering support of this program.

7

Dear Bethany family,

Thank you all so much for the outpouring of love

and support at the loss of our mom, Cellie Dietel.

The service was beautiful and very comforting for us

all, from Pastor Kevin’s message, to the awesome choir music, special

prelude, and welcoming lunch following the service.

Christmas is the time to remember the Joy of His birth along with the

Promise of Hope. We are shown this through the blessings of you won-

derful people of Bethany!

In Christ,

The family of Lucille Mae (Cellie) Bierschwale Dietel

STEWARDSHIP THANKS The Stewardship Committee wants to send up a “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” to Bethany congregation because of your faithfulness in returning your God-

given time, talent, and treasure in abundance in 2018. Because your hearts were touched, our congregation was able to provide so many blessings to so many. Two staff positions that were open for more than half a year were filled by two very capable individuals (Pastor Kevin Haug, Associate Pastor, and Pastor Ray Tiemann, Visitation Pas-tor). Our 2019 budget reflects a sizable increase that will require each of us to prayerfully consider regular generous participation. Can we count on you?

I want thank the members of Bethany

for the beautiful flower arrangement

that was sent to me on my birthday. I

appreciate y'all for thinking of me.

Dawna Haug

8

February Schedule

2/5—WELCA board meeting, Tuesday @ 6:15 pm., triple room. 2/7—Leah Circle meets @ 9:30 am at the home of Jet Itz. 2/12—Hope Circle meets @ 6:00 pm in the downstairs

kitchen. 2/13—Quilters (9:00 am, second Wednesday of the month downstairs in the choir/quilting room.) 2/14—Lydia Circle meets @ 9:00 am in the downstairs kitchen. 2/17—WELCA Ladies sell Fair Trade Coffee and chocolates and tea… (the 3rd Sunday of each month in the foyer and fellowship

hall.) 2/23—WELCA Winter Retreat (See below for more information!)

The WELCA January donation went to Arms of Hope in Medina. 2019 WELCA yearbooks were passed out in January. Please let

your circle leader know if you did not receive yours. (Please turn in your “spines” and the last page from the 2018 yearbooks. You can bring them to your next Circle meeting. They will be used again next year!)

March 1, 2019—World Day of Prayer @ Zion. March 2, 2019—Hill Country Conference in Mason.

All Women Are Invited!! Please Come!!!

WELCA Winter Retreat- February 23, 2019 at Ebert Ranch

Time: 8:30 am (leave Bethany) ; return by 3:30 pm Cost: $7.50 for your lunch. (Make checks to Bethany WELCA.) See the sign-up sheet on the WELCA Bulletin Board in the hallway. (More info. at your February Circle meeting)

Please come!!

All women are invited!

21

February Special Offering Boys and Girls Club of

Fredericksburg

Welcome to the Club! The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Texas Hill Coun-try serves youth ages 6 to 18. After-school and summer programs provide a positive place for approximately 1,000 kids. We keep our fees low so that every child who wants to join the Club can. Boys and Girls Club provides young people with:

A safe place to spend time during non-school hours and the summer as an alternative to the streets or being home alone.

A chance to play, have fun, laugh and learn.

Opportunities to build new skills that raise each child's belief that he or she can succeed and receive recognition for personal accomplishments.

Ongoing relationships with caring adults and connections to new friends in a positive environment, reinforcing a sense of belong-ing, personal accountability, civility and civic responsibility.

Generation-changing programs that support a commitment to

learning, positive values, healthy habits and high expectations

for success as an adult. You may write a check payable to Bethany and stub it “Boys &

Girls Club”. Use your February special offering envelope or a

pew envelope on any Sunday morning or mail to the church.

ACTS Retreat for Women

All ladies are invited by the St. Mary’s and Our

Lady of Guadalupe ACTS community to share

a weekend of God’ love and fellowship. The

Women’s ACTS retreat is March 14-17 and

open to all faiths. For more information please

contact Cristol Schoessow at 830-992-0219 or

cns@hillcountrylaw.net.

Bethany Preschool Art Show and Fajita Dinner

This year’s Art Show and Fajita Dinner is just around the corner. The event will be held on Sunday, February 10th in the fellowship hall. We will be offering drive-thru service starting at 11 am, but you don’t want to miss dine- in service starting at 11:45. Our stu-dents have been creating some beautiful works of art, which will be display and available for purchase by donation. Each class has also created an extraordinary group project. These masterpieces will go home with the top bidder in the silent auction. This year the si-lent auction will also include 5 themed baskets, gift baskets from local businesses, tickets to a Round Rock Express game, and so much more. This year’s event is going to be one you and your fam-ily won’t want to miss as we are celebrating 35 years of ministry! We will have face painting, bounce houses, and more. Tickets are only $10. Your ticket will include admission to the art show, fun activities, 2 chicken fajitas, rice, beans, and a brownie. Tickets are available for purchase all month before and after Sunday services or from a Bethany Preschool student, staff, or board member. Your support of Bethany Preschool is a vital part of our ministry. Your donations and support make it possible to provide a quality child care to the children of our community by helping us keep costs low to our parents. This gives us the chance to help to share the Love of Christ with children and families that might have never had this opportunity otherwise. Thank you all so much for your continued support of our program and I hope to see all of you on Sunday, February 10th in the fellowship hall for our Annual Art Show and Fajita Dinner! It is sure to be a great time of food, fun, and fellowship. God’s Blessings, Stephanie Sanchez Director

20 9

Brothers and sisters in Christ at Bethany,

As your new Visitation Pastor, I felt it may be helpful to pro-vide some background about myself for those who do not know me. I graduated from Wartburg Seminary in 1979 and served Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Cameron from 1979-1985 and at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericks-burg from 1985-2000. In 2000 I was elected Bishop of the Southwestern Texas Synod, and I served three, six-year terms before retiring on August 31, 2018. It is an honor to be doing pastoral visitation ministry again.

My wife, Debbie, and I are both from Brenham and were married in 1975. We have been members of Bethany since 2008 and are involved in a number of activities. Our son, Daniel, works for Kneese Plumbing and enjoys playing music at many venues around Fredericksburg, including Memorial Presbyterian Church on Sundays. Our daughter, Rebecca Turbeville, is married to Tyler and is a Family Practice Physi-cian here. Tyler works with the family business, Narrow Path Winery.

I look forward to getting to know and serving the members of Bethany. Always feel free to contact the church office if you know someone who could use a visit.

Peace, Pastor Ray Tiemann

Free Income Tax Assistance

From Jan. 28—Apr. 15, volunteers will prepare and e-file tax returns at the NEEDS COUNCIL on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00-6:00 pm. (1904 N. Llano St.) Bring all tax docu-ments and last year’s tax return and proof of medical insur-ance. The Fredericksburg VITA program is sponsored by the IRS and assists tax payers of all ages with incomes up to $55,000. For more information contact: The Needs Council, 1904 N. Llano St., Fbg., TX 830-997-9756

February Birthdays

10

1 – Wade Giles Yogi Whitehead 2 – Traeger Fuhrmann 3 – Bryn DeGraw Steve Evans Luke Sandoval West Giles 4 – Jeanette Beckmann Alex Boos 5 – Dustin DeGraw 7 – Brian Richey 8 – Lexi Cole Harriet Fuhrmann Cristal Ristau 9 – Erick Christensen 10 – Alison Grona Jaye Treibs 11 – Kendall Bell Don Morris 12 – Valerie Baughn Caroline Stafford 13 – Sissy Andrichyn Roni Hanifen Jim Schultz Hawkins Staudt 15 – Ben Bull August Neans Clarence Rose 16 – Myrtle Hohmann Tami Smith Miles Mujica Joe Sagebiel 17 – Wayne Klier Myles Mujica Joe Sagebiel

18 – Martin Laumann Shirley Sagebiel 19 - Adam Hayes Suzy Kreitz Vanda Stowe 20 – Austin Durst Alton Herbort Bobby Klein Stanley Meier Beverly Walker 21 – Cara Deike Taylor Deike Jerlene McWilliams Franklin Schulz 22 – Michelle Ersch Brenna Itz Connie Pressler 23 – Erin Hoekstra’ Sharon Joseph Carolyn Montgomery 24 – Bea Price 25 – Rose Marie Mazanke Flora Wallendorf David Windham 26 – Damon Cleaton 27 – Doris Eckert Jerry Evans Glen Grona Carolyn Whitehead 28 – Gary Clifton Deborah Ottmers

19

From the Christmas families

& Hill Country Community

Needs Council Dear Friends, Thank you for participating in our Christmas Family Program. Santa had a great time talking with the kids while the parents loaded their vehicles with your wonderful gifts. Happy New Year! Cindy Heifner, Exec. Dir. HCC Needs Council

My kids and I would really love to thank you from the bottom of our hearts This year was going to be a very hard one but you have made it amaz-ing for us. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

We would love to thank you for all the blessings

y’all helped me and my kids with. We are be-

yond happy & blessed! Thank you so much!

I want to say how thankful I am for everything

you have done to help me and my family this

year for Christmas. Thank you.

Thank you so much for the gifts.

Have a blessed Holiday and God

bless you and your family.

Thank you for everything!

18

Thanks to all of you who are enthusiastically wearing your new name tags. It really helps those of us who are new or have trouble remembering names. The latest group of name tags is in room 205. Please pick yours up and remind your friends to get theirs. The next order will be whenever we have a new group of people join the church. The name tags are intended for all adults, and youth who partici-pate in the worship services. For those whose name was misspelled, please check that the church data base has your preferred spelling. If you lose your name tag, replacements can be ordered for $4.00.

Faithfully yours, George & Terri James

Bethany Foundation Grant Recipients Named

Bethany Lutheran Foundation of Fredericksburg, Inc. recently named its 2019 grant recipients. The Founda-tion, whose mission is the Advancing and Supporting

the Discipleship of Jesus Christ, annually distributes funds to local organi-zations for outreach programs that support local benevolences and the mis-sion of the Foundation. Recipients included:

Bethany Women of the ELCA Fredericksburg Academic Boosters Fredericksburg Community Health Center (dba The Good

Samaritan Center) Gillespie County Committee on Aging (The Golden Hub

Community Center) Gillespie Literacy Council Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fredericksburg Hill Country Ambassadors/Living Well College (dba Living

Well Learning Center) Hill Country Community Needs Council Honor Veterans Now MOM Center Special Olympics Texas, Inc. – Fritztown Rebels Tiemann Endowment Fund for Leadership Development Women’s Christian Job Corps of Gillespie County Wounded Warriors at Nebo Regular and recurring grants were made to Bethany Lutheran Preschool and Bethany Lutheran Church 11

Bethany Bus Tour Where: Schulenburg, TX What: The Painted Churches When: Monday, Apr. 29, 2019 Price: $45.00 per person

(This includes the bus & tour.)

Come join in the fun with a day-trip to Schulenburg, TX and visit the Painted Churches. Everyone will be responsible for their own lunch at Oakridge Smokehouse. Deadline to sign up is March 29th, and the $45 must be paid in advance.

We will have people in the Narthex during the month of March to collect money (or you can drop off your payment to Layne in the church office.) The tour is limited to 53 people. The tour leaves from Bethany Church at 7:00 a.m. (Plan to be back by 6:30 pm—or sooner!)

This sounds like

fun!!

Annual Ladies Luncheon

March 2, 2019

Where: Bethany Fellowship Hall When: Saturday, March 2, 2019 Tickets: $25.00 with special entertainment & catered meal Tickets will be on sale in February. Proceeds benefit the Fredericksburg Needs Council Food 4 Kids. We encourage you to invite friends from the community.

You can purchase an individual ticket or buy a “table”. Anyone wishing to decorate a table for this event is asked to contact Karen Oestreich.

Disciple Crosswalk

Jayne Marburger

12

Kids squirm when asked, “How was your day?” First there is a long silence and finally…a mumbled… ”OK”. Lacking information…all parents be-come sensitive to voice inflections. An energetic lilt means …”Good!” A short monotone with little or no give, signals the door is SHUT…don’t ask again. Try this: Ask your child to pick a num-ber between

1 and 10 to describe how things are going…at school, at baseball practice, at home… be specific. Explain: 1= YUK!!! 10 = double WOW!!! Then wait! “What do you mean?” Repeat

the request. Then wait! You’ll be surprised when you hear a clear and exact number. Six. Eight. Three. Occasionally it may be a 1 or a 10!!! Repeat the number …just to clarify. Next say …”Tell me what made you think of that number. Again…wait. Words may flow… at first slowly then faster. Stories …

good and bad spill from heart to lips 17

Thank you for the kind-ness and thoughtfulness expressed by the cards, telephone calls and food received during the loss of my husband, Danny Hirt. A special thank you to Pastor Haug and Annabel Wilkenson for the beautiful service and to all of those who brought and served food for lunch! We are truly thankful for our Bethany family!

God’s Blessings to all, Charlotte Hirt and Family

Dear Bethany Friends, How grateful I was to learn of your prayers during my shoulder surgery and

physical therapy! I have been blessed with excellent loving care and good progress. It is so amazing how prayer is God’s gift to keep us connected and I thank God for you! With love, Kathy Pancoast

New Members Class in February

Dates to be announced soon. RSVP to Pastors.

16

Bethany Preschool

& Fajita Dinner

Bethany Lutheran

Church

110 W. Austin St.

Sunday, February 10th

11:45

Drvie Thru 10:30

Tickets on sale in the narthex and from

Preschool students & board members.

Tickets are $10.

13

Listen! Important! Limit ques-tions to a very few and only to

clarify. Finally, when appropriate, say…”What would need to hap-pen to move up just one step?”…from a three to a four…from a seven to an eight…or even from a one to a two? Moving up just one step? Expect a moment of silence… don’t forget to wait! Usually, a reasonable suggestion will present itself. Support any effort to move forward. Your reply should be a gentle, “Do you need my help?” Let the child take responsibility for the change. Sup-port …if requested.

Now, imagine for a mo-ment: God has picked you up from work. Sit-ting in the back seat of God’s SUV, surrounded by your mountain of “stuff”, He asks you for

a number to describe where you are in your relationship with Him …then He waits. Believe it or not the number will jump into your head! “Describe what brought you to that thought.” “How can we take things up a notch? God asks… Do you need my help? “ Only one notch…Hmm?

14

Calendar

15

Calendar