The Star January 2016 Bethlehem Lutheran Church

A community gathered so God’s message is scattered. Wahoo, Nebraska Ph#402-443-3160

Pastor Bob Hayden-rbhhayden@reagan.com—402-672-1345

Church office hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Church web site: bethlehemlutheranwahoo.org

Church email: wahoo.bethlehem@gmail.com

He sends snow in all it’s whiteness; scatters the frost upon the ground.

Psalm 147:16

The Pastor’s Ponderings: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new

every morning; great is your faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will

hope in him.” –Lamentations 3: 22-23—

Dear Friends and Members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church…… We collectively say goodbye to one year and hello to a new one. In a blur of activities, gatherings, parties and hopefully much joy, in the span of 40 short days, we celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and now New Years. There was a time in my life when there ‘seemed’ to be a lot of time between these celebrations, but especially this year, those 40 days went by so fast I almost feel like I missed one or two of them. And, so I lament! Paradoxically or ironically, I find some comfort in verses from the book of… Lamentations! The Book of Lamentations is a series of five poems that describe and lament the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E. This book is a series of back and forth laments of the situation that the writer, most likely, the prophet Jeremiah, finds as he lives through this very difficult time. There is true destruction of not only property but the lives of the faithful Jewish people of Jerusalem. Try to imagine being overrun by a hostile army and subject to their ways and will instead of the life you had come accustomed to. Reading Lamentations is like Jeremiah stating the difficult circumstances before him and then coming to a realization of the goodness of God and all that God offers and promises. As we ponder the previous year(s) I think we often do the same. No matter our station in life especially if we are going through a difficult period, if we will only pause and reflect, the goodness of God shines through. And so Jeremiah writes: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Our Lord’s love and mercy for us is endless. Nothing can come between our Lord and us except ourselves. Even our enemies or foes cannot come between us and our Lord. Those that bring terror into this world cannot get between us and our Lord. Our foes gain ground only when we begin to doubt; when we lose faith; when we turn away from our Lord. And so…as we begin a new calendar year, my prayer for all of us is to remember and feel the love and mercy of our Lord. And then filled with that love and mercy, that we all boldly and JOYFULLY approach the new year in confidence, in Christian love, with enthusiasm, with hearts and minds open, with our eyes clearly focused on our Lord. With these things in mind, we will, with the help of God face each day in newness and promise. It will then truly be a Happy New Year. I look forward to our ministry together in the coming year. (Hey, I’m finally figuring out where all the light switches in the church are now.) In God’s love and promise… Pastor Bob

End of Year/ First of Year Thoughts and Duties

I continue to need and seek your help as far as my pastoral duties to you. If there are those who need or would like some home visits, please give me or the church office a call. These first few months have been hectic, but I am at a place where not only will I, but I want to come visit those who I have not yet had the privilege to meet. As we approach annual meeting time, please help Amy Groff, our new administrative assistant by preparing and sending your ministry reports to her as soon as possible. There is a great deal of work in preparing, presenting and printing the many church reports that are so valuable not only for the annual reports, but as a guide for our future ministries. As timely as possible reporting would be greatly appreciated. Once past the annual congregational meeting, I hope to offer additional devotional couples studies. One such possibility is a Sunday evening gathering titled, “The Truth Project.” This requires a minimum of 90 minutes to properly watch, absorb and discuss. This truly is the best adult Christian study I have ever participated in. It runs 12 weeks and those who have experienced this study have come away from the study changed in all the good ways. A deeper understanding, a deeper commitment and a deeper joy in what God has given us. More details will be coming and we will be showing some ‘trailers’ of this study during our upcoming church services. Also, we will be putting together a men’s group in the very near future. We need a men’s group at Bethlehem that is engaged in a number of ways. Projects perhaps in the church, hands-on types of things along with hands-on projects for those needing a bit of help. Typically, an evening or perhaps breakfast even or both along with a devotion is something that I know I need and hope there are dozens of other men who do as well. This is not just for one specific age of men, men of all ages, even teens to men in their 90’s is what this is for. Again, more information will be coming in January.

In my first article I mentioned the ‘past 40 days.’ Well, after January 1st, in the

next 40 days, we will be quickly approaching Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

I hope to introduce some different worship, music, and liturgy during Lent that will be

refreshing and meaningful. I will be looking for some additional help beyond our worship

and music folks for ideas, traditions and wishes as we look forward not to a sad time in

the church, but an expectant and exciting time. Stop by or give me a call.

Thanks again, Pastor Bob

Thank You! May Cindy and I express our heartfelt thanks to all of you during this Christmas

season with your kind wishes, cards and gifts. Thank you so very much. I am also so

grateful to the many of you who worked so hard during the Advent and Christmas

season to make our events, programs and worship services so memorable and

wonderful. The Sunday School presentation, the vocal and instrumental music, dec-

orating and all the ‘little touches’ contributed during this season are greatly appre-

ciated. Again, thank you.

Bethlehem Women: Bethlehem Women met early in December on Thursday the 10th in order to avoid being close to the holiday. That change seemed to affect our attendance as only 8 ladies gathered for the lesson led by Pastor Glenda Ferguson. A delicious lunch was served by the Malmo ladies and our business meeting followed with only 4 Bethlehem ladies present. Marilyn Klinzman conducted the business in the absence of Arlene Johnson. The regular reports were given and two more loads had been delivered to the Peoples City Mission. Arlene Johnson and Darlene Hanson provided cookies for the bloodmobile on December 17th. Mary McKay purchased and delivered poinsettias for our Bethlehem shut-ins from the group. We will put off setting up the 2016 schedule and yearbook until we have more members present. Winter Retreat is January 23rd in Grand Island and registration blanks are in the office. Arlene Johnson will drive, let her know if you want to ride, 402-443-3347. The meeting closed with receiving the offerings. The January 21st meeting will be host-ed by Marilyn Volin and Arlene Johnson will give the lesson from the “Gather Maga-zine” on Philippians. This will be the start of a new 4 session study.

First Communion: As is our Bethlehem policy, children and parents decide when the child is ready to receive instruction and receive Holy Communion. A meeting with the pastor where all the aspects of Communion are taught is required and then a specific day is chosen for the child’s first communion. If you have a child that is ready for their first communion, please contact the Pastor or church office so that arrangements and a class time can be made. As we head into the Sundays in Christmas and Epiphany, very appropriate times for a first communion are at hand.

Bethlehem Membership: A number of you have mentioned an interest in formally joining the Bethlehem family. As we have welcomed a number of new members lately, we look forward to welcoming many more. Please contact the pastor and/or

the church office so that we can meet and schedule this wonderful event. To those who have recently joined, we are planning on welcoming all of you with a reception on some Sunday in January. I’m sorry I can’t be more specific than that, but please know we will ‘properly and gratefully’ welcome you with a reception. To you new members, if you have a preference as to which Sunday works best, please let us know.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR: Monday, January 11th – Human Trafficking Awareness Day” (see the article in this newsletter).

Tuesday, January 12th – Quilting – Old Basement Friday, January 15th – Registrations due for Winter Retreat Saturday, January 23rd – Winter Retreat at St. Paul’s, Grand Island 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 16th – Spring Gathering, St. Mark’s, Valley

January 11th is Human Trafficking Awareness Day:

A True* Account of Human Trafficking in the U.S.

I am 18-years old, from a suburban middle-class family in the Midwest, and I was trafficked. One day after seeing an ad for a modeling agency visiting my hometown, I stopped by their casting studio where I met a well-dressed couple. The woman told me I was very beautiful - just the kind of model they were looking for. They invited me to travel with them to Chicago. I was flattered but since I knew my parents wouldn’t let me go, I didn’t tell them. The next day the couple bought me a makeover and took pictures of me. We went to Chicago. When we arrived, they dropped me at an apartment building where someone met me and told me I had just been sold. I was forced to work as a prostitute in the apartment with six other girls. The first time I refused, but my captor beat me so badly that I didn’t refuse again. We were paid little, were followed when we went out, and were not allowed to make calls. Sometimes we were driven to houses where groups of men were waiting for us. I was in constant pain and lived in fear because I didn’t know my surroundings. I was also becoming addicted to the drugs provided to us. Eventually, a man who worked at a convenience store we sometimes visited started suspecting something. He asked questions, but I always brushed it off or changed the subject because I feared for my life. In the end, he called a trafficking hotline, and we were rescued from our captor. (*This is a true story. All situations and experiences here have happened.)

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is economically the second largest and fastest growing illegal trade in the world.

Human trafficking is a criminal activity in which people and recruited, harbored, transported, provided, bought, received, or kidnapped and are exploited through fraud, force or coercion into situations like sexual slavery, forced labor, organ trafficking, or soldiery (adapted from U.S. and UN definitions)

Sunday Monday Tuesday

3

4

6:30 PM Boy Scouts

5

9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool

10:00 AM Mom’s Club

10

9 AM Traditional Worship HC

10AM Sunday School/Adult Forum

11 AM Praise Service HC

11

8:30 4/5 Preschool

12:30 4/5 Preschool 6:30 PM Boy Scouts

12

9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool

10:00 AM Mom’s Club

17

9 AM Traditional Worship

10AM Sunday School/Adult Forum

11 AM Praise Service

12 PM Council Meeting

18

8:30 4/5 Preschool

12:30 4/5 Preschool 6:30 PM Boy Scouts

19

9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool

10:00 AM Mom’s Club

24

9 AM Traditional Worship

10AM Sunday School/Adult Forum

11 AM Praise Service

12:00 PM Dinner by BLY

12:30 Annual Congregational Mtg

25

8:30 4/5 Preschool

9:00 AM WIC

12:30 4/5 Preschool 6:30 PM Boy Scouts

26

9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool

10:00 AM Mom’s Club

No Sunday School

January

9 AM Traditional Worship

10AM Adult Forum

31 9 AM Traditional Worship

10AM Sunday School/Adult Forum

11 AM Praise Service

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

6

8:30 4/5 Preschool

12:30 4/5 Preschool

6:00 PM MSM

7

9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool

8:00 PM AA Meeting

8

8:30 4/5 Preschool

12:30 4/5 Preschool

9

13

8:30 4/5 Preschool

12:30 4/5 Preschool

1:30 PM Cluster Meeting

6:00 PM MSM

14

9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool

8:00 PM AA Meeting

15

8:30 4/5 Preschool

12:30 4/5 Preschool

16

20

8:30 4/5 Preschool

12:30 4/5 Preschool

6:00 PM MSM

21

9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool

1:30 Bethlehem and

MGM Women

8:00 PM AA Meeting

22

8:30 4/5 Preschool

12:30 4/5 Preschool

23

27

8:30 4/5 Preschool

12:30 4/5 Preschool

6:00 PM MSM

28

9:00 AM 3/4 Preschool

8:00 PM AA Meeting

29

8:30 4/5 Preschool

12:30 4/5 Preschool

30

2016

January Birthdays: Robert Nelson 1/1 Mary Peterson 1/1 Aaron Rastovski 1/1 Chip Wedberg 1/1 Brandon Wiese 1/1 Mason Koranda 1/2 Jay Wilt 1/2 Kevin Rathke 1/3 Bailey Davis 1/3 Keith Hurley 1/3 Alissa Nutzmann 1/3 Judith Swanson 1/3 Alex Wagner 1/4 Cooper Zara 1/5 Nikole Beaty 1/5 Grady Meyer 1/5 Walker Rathke 1/5 Jeanne Marks 1/7 Jeff Price 1/8 Kevin Dunbar 1/8 Dale Jonas1/8 Ann O’Sullivan 1/8 Ryan Schooling 1/8 Jennifer Cuda 1/11 Lyle Lubker 1/11 Benjamin Inbody 1/12 Kristen Gottchalk 1/13 Jordan Triplett 1/13 Laird Sayers 1/14 Garrett Shreck 1/14 Emily Brodahl 1/15 Chris Stratman 1/15 Lance Cuda 1/16 David Nelson 1/16 Jacob Pokorny 1/16 Michael Simons 1/16 Brian Beatty 1/18 Eric Alm 1/21 Jayson Iversen 1/21 Jim Johnson 1/21 Cory O’Brien 1/21 Lindsey Havlovic 1/22 Sarah Gottschalk 1/25 Sara Hart 1/25

Autumn Iversen 1/25 Megan Steele 1/26 Paul Eliason 1/27 Clarissa Muck 1/27 Zachary Olson 1/27 Kyler Strait 1/27 Mark Steele 1/28 Elizabeth Koranda 1/29 Rochelle Olson 1/29 Michael Christian 1/31 Alexis Libal 1/31 Colleen Sutton 1/31 Brian Wiese 1/31 Collin Wiese 1/31

January Anniversaries: Galen & Cindy Boldt 1/11 Kal & Pam Lausterer 1/21 Dale & Tammy Larsen 1/30 If you do not see your birthday or anniversary, please let Amy know in the office at 443-3160 or email at wahoo.bethlehem@gmail.com so we can correct our database. Thank You!!!

Middle School Ministry MSM January Wednesday Night Suppers:

Jan. 6 Stangs & Lubens Jan. 13 Odens & Manns

Jan. 20 Foxs & Waidos Jan. 27 Subberts & Mattsons

January Acolyte Schedule: January 3rd 9:00 am Sierra Duckworth and Chandler Buch

January 10th 9:00 am Paige Peterson and Morgan Oden

11:00 am Tabitha Cooney and Payton Ricks January 17th 9:00 am Deena Stang and Cadie Mattson

11:00 am Thomas Waido & Andrew Waido January 24th 9:00 am Sierra Duckworth and Chandler Buch 11:00 am Thomas Waido & Andrew Waido January 31st 9:00 am Lillie Mann and Chandler Buch

11:00 am Paige Peterson and Hannah Subbert

A note from Your Sunday School Director: Sunday School will resume January 10th! First Step Preschool

Happy New Year!!! From First Step Preschool, BLC 2016

We are excited to be back in the classroom with our preschoolers! We have had many fun learning experiences and have many more planned!

We will begin the year by studying the letter “H” and learn about healthy habits. We will study insects for “I” week. K is for Koalas, Kangaroos and the Kookaburra bird! J is for Japan and our July-in-January day!

Our July-in-January day will be a fun way to learn about the different seasons of the year and to escape the cold of winter for a few hours! Students can wear swim suits, shorts, tank tops, flip-flops and sunglasses! They can bring toys and any type of summer activities. They can enjoy playing in sand and water also! If you feel like some summer fun feel free to visit us and wear your summer clothes!

If you know anyone who would like to enroll their child for the 2016-2017 preschool year please have them contact: Debbie Bordovsky 402-443-4789 The classes fill up fast so don’t wait to call to sign your child up for the preschool year!

Debbie, Julie and Erin

Council Minutes December 23, 2015, 7:30 p.m. Present: Keith Obert, Sherry Hageman, Chad Fox, Jovan Lauster-er, Mike Christen, Rob Miller, Ryan Ideus, Pastor Bob Hayden. Excused: Kim Schnakenberg, Tiana Strait

President Keith Obert called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Old Business:

Lausterer moved to approve the November minutes; Christen seconded – motion carried unani-mously. Financial report: Lausterer presented the financial report which did not include the first two weeks in December. A payment is due to the endowment fund of approximately $10,200.00. A question was raised concerning the freight costs for the quilts. Has this been paid? There is no record in the general funds that addresses this cost. Obert will make an inquiry as to whether the costs have been paid. The Synod has provided a bar chart that illustrates our giving and expend-itures. This will be shared with the congregation. Lausterer moved to approve the financial re-port; Ideus seconded – motion carried unanimously. Pastor’s Activity Report: Twenty new members were received at Bethlehem with another

10-11 to be received at a later date. Lausterer moved to approve the report; Ideus seconded – motion carried unanimously. Mutual Ministry Committee: Fox reported that the committee is seeking direction and will

look to the Synod for guidance after the first of the year. There is a vacancy on the committee as one member has stepped down. The computer back-up service (Carbonite Mirror Imaging) is up and running. There is a need for an additional office computer. This will be added to the final budget for 2016. Discussion on the new windows for the parsonage was tabled until the February meeting. The new copier will include faxing capabilities. It will be delivered on Monday. The land contracts have been signed for a period of one year.

New Business:

There is a need for 2 credit cards for the office (one for the pastor and one for staff) to eliminate reimbursements for expenses charged on personal cards. Lausterer moved to approve two credit cards at $1,000 limit each with the stipulation that the original receipt must be attached for the charge to be paid; Ideus seconded – motion approved unanimously. Pianist budget for 2016: Lois Fick sent a written budget proposal and rationale for paying

the Praise Service pianist. Council will take this under advisement.

There are two openings on the Endowment Board. The Nominations Committee will be advised of these vacancies.

The property list projects have been tabled until further notice.

The annual meeting is scheduled for January 24th 2016 at 12:30 p.m. Lausterer will present a brief report at both services that morning.

Council discussed the budget for 2016. Mission share will remain at 10% of pledges and offer-ings. The Evangelism line item has been increased from $2800.00 to $4,000.00. Offering envelopes will be printed and distributed only to members who express a desire to have them. An insurance claim in the amount of $2,500.00 was received for the damage caused by the bats. The clean-up has not been completed. The family of Ed Callan has endowed $50.00/month for the next ten years for altar flowers. The next meeting is scheduled for January 17, 2016 at 12:00 noon. With no further business to discuss, Pastor Hayden closed the meeting with prayer. Respectfully submitted, Sherry K. Hageman Secretary

Annual Congregational Meeting: As you all know the year is ending and that means that it is time for the Congregational

Annual Meeting. The annual meeting will be held January 24th following a dinner served

by the BLY. So that we may have everything needed for the meeting we are asking that

you have your Organizational and Financial Reports in no later than Tuesday, January

5th, 2016. Thank You!!!

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

504 West 8th St.

Wahoo, Nebraska 68066

402-443-3160

Newsletter mailed 12/31/2015

Nonprofit Org.

Permit No. 23

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Wahoo, NE 68066

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Our Members at the Care Centers: South Haven: Virginia Mason and Eunice Brodahl

Saunders House: Tom Lindau & Stanley Dokulil.