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November 2019

Bethany Lutheran Church

The Bethany Banner Stewardship for All Seasons!

Planning for the future is a challenge

whether you are an individual, business or

in our case a church. The Stewardship for

all Seasons program is allowing us to begin

this financial plan by looking at the

ministries we want to accomplish, setting a

goal, preparing a plan of action and moving

forward to meet these goals. Please watch for additional

information as these initiatives will be presented and pray

for the success in accomplishing our goals to move Bethany

forward in a positive manner led by the power of the Holy

Spirit!

Later in November, you will be receiving a personalized letter

with your year-to-date financial statement. In this letter you

will be asked to consider several questions. Please take some

time to think and pray about these questions. In January, you

will receive an intent card for you to respond to these

questions. On January 26, 2020, we will show our faith in a

God who provides for us by returning the intent card during

worship. We will celebrate our gratitude and commitment to

our provider as we move to our annual meeting following

worship which will include a brunch.

It is exciting to see what the Holy Spirit has in store for

Bethany. Let us celebrate and commit to following where he

leads us!

Save the Date: Bethany Lutheran’s Annual Meeting is set for

Sunday, January 26, 2020, immediately following worship!

Inside this issue:

A note from the

President...

2

College Kid Care

Packages

3

Youth page 4

Sunday School News 5

Calendar/assistants 6-7

Veterans Recognition 8

Food Pantry News 9

Statistics/council 10-11

“I Can Do That”

Christmas Decorating!

A volunteer or group

of volunteers is being

sought to organize the

decorating and un-

decorating of church

for the Christmas

Season. If you are

willing to help with

this, please contact

Kathy Marose.

Bethany Lutheran Church, Mauston, WI 53948

Attitude of Gratitude! During this continued time of transition at Bethany,

there is so much to be grateful for. God has provided

us with a wonderful variety of supply pastors and

members of our own congregation, Mark Dahlke and

Jerry Staehling have been instrumental in giving us a

meaningful worship experience. The 75th Anniversary

Celebrations have allowed us time to reflect on our

past, present and future. Members continue to support

paying down our line of credit for the parking lot and

other church improvements. Members came together at the Semi-Annual meeting to

approve amendments to our constitution and by-laws that will provide Bethany

members the opportunity to step up and serve on committees and in the volunteer pool.

On behalf of everyone in the congregation, thank you to the members of the 75th

Anniversary Committee, the members of the Council Structure Task Force and the

Nominating Committee for a job well done! We have been blessed by your service to

God and our congregation.

Thank you. Two simple words that should help us embrace an “attitude of gratitude.”

During this month of Thanksgiving, let us focus on the blessings God has given us. He

is our great provider and will continue to bless Bethany and each of us with what we

need if we place our faith in him. Thank you, God!!

Kathy Marose, Council President

A Note from the President...

Ecumenical Thanksgiving Worship to take place!

The annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Worship service this year

will be held on Wednesday, November 27, at 7 p.m. The hosting

church this year is the United Methodist. Following the worship

there will be a time of fellowship. If you are willing to provide

cookies or bars for this fellowship time, please call Sara in the

church office.

The Bethany Banner

Dinner Worship Hiatus!

Dinner Worship has proven to be an intimate service that has allowed those

who attend an opportunity to experience God on a different level. This worship has

been member facilitated by a variety of people providing a perspective of faith that has

been encouraging, uplifting and inspiring. Thank you to all who have opened their

minds and hearts to this worship style. As this is a member-facilitated service and the

members who have been instrumental in its organization are feeling stretched, Dinner

Worship will not be held during the month of November.

In December, Wednesday Worship will return at 6 p.m. to celebrate

Advent with Holden Evening Prayer. This is a service that has been done at Bethany

in years past and provides anticipatory excitement at the coming birth of Christ. This

worship will be held at the front of the sanctuary and lasts between 30-40 minutes.

Join in the quiet anticipation of Jesus birth and focus on the true meaning of the Advent

season.

College Kid Care Packages

College finals will be here before we know it, and we want to

support our college students by sending them a care package to

help see them through. In November, we will be collecting items

for these care packages. We ask these items be in sealed packages

if food items, or you can donate something like stress balls or

other fun items. You are welcome to make a monetary donation toward purchasing

items for these packages by placing a donation marked "Care Packages" in the offering

or sent to the office. You are also welcome to volunteer to help get the packages ready

to send.

If you know the address for a Bethany college student, we ask that you forward this to

the church office. Packages will be packed and sent the first week of December. Let's

let our college "kids" know how much we love and support them!

Gratitude and Blessings

During the month of November our congregation will seek to count our blessings and

thank the Lord for providing for us. There will be a gratitude board in the narthex and

each week you will be asked to add a blessing you have received or something for

which you are grateful from the past week. You do not need to attach your name. We

want to help everyone visualize how much we have to be grateful for!


WE’RE ON FACEBOOK Look for Bethany Youth & Family on Facebook - get the newest updates.

YOUTH QUAKE: Music, Speakers, Swim-

ming , Workshops – Fun! That’s Youth Quake.

All 7th to 12th graders are invited. This year it

is at the Wilderness Resort in the Dells

Friday, February 14, to Sunday, February

16. Cost is $95 for those who sign-up by

December 1. Scholarships are available.

Please be sure you are going as our Youth

Ministry has to pay the entire amount when we

register online December 2. (You can get your money to us when your budget

allows). The sign-up sheet is on the Youth Bulletin Board in the Fellowship Hall.

CONFIRMATION: We are learning

about living our faith as Lutherans. What

is faith? As a young teenager tries to

make sense of that, I like to tell them

about why their faith will be helpful in

the future. Their faith will give them

hope. Belonging. A sense of peace.

Faith will give them a relationship with

God that will never leave them lonely. I

extend an invitation to experience that for

themselves. Turn to God in difficult

times -- just trust me on this

one, kids; that's when your faith

will increase the most! Who

benefits the most when they

have faith? The people around

them. The students are more

caring, more hopeful and more

willing to help others!

NOVEMBER 2019 BETHANY BANNER – YOUTH MINISTRY

The Bethany Banner

Sunday School News..

Sunday, October 6, was the first day of Sunday School for the

2019-2020 year. Parents were offered a tour of the classrooms and

students personalized and decorated their offering bags. We sang

our favorite song “Father Abraham” and enjoyed a special snack.

Students presented Kathy Green of Mauston’s Community Sharing

Food Pantry with a check from the student birthday penny offering

from the last school year. Kathy brought in a display of cereal

representing, how many boxes the pantry was able to purchase from

the students donation.

During church, bibles were

presented to 3-year old, 2nd

grade and new students: Anne

and Harley. Our teachers and

substitute teaching staff were

installed. Our teaching staff is

Tina Miles and Nelson Brandt

in art, Jacob Muchenberger

and Journey Malacina in story/

games and Ian Flint and

Dawson Dearth in movies.

Our substitute teachers are

Molly Shultis and Cora Dillin.

Our October lesson is Daniel in

the Lion’s Den. The kids sing in

church on November 10. We

will begin learning the songs for

our Christmas program in later

November. The Sunday School

Christmas Program is scheduled

for Sunday, December 15! Save

the date and plan to attend!

The Bethany Banner

November 2019 Bethany Lutheran Church

701 Grove Street

Mauston, WI 53948

Phone: (608) 847-6690

The Bethany Banner

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu

3 All Saints Sunday!

8:15 - 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Holy Communion 10:30 am Coffee Hour 1-5 pm Pufahl Event

4 8 am Coffee & Bible Group at Daily Grind 4 pm Holiday Train 7:30 pm Dartball (Away)

5

6

7 pm Confirmation 7:15 pm Bethany Band

7 7 pm Faith Circle Renee Miller hosts

10 Veterans Recognition! 8:15-9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Holy Communion w/Sunday School Choir & Band 10:30 am Coffee Hour

11 8 am Coffee & Bible Group at Daily Grind 6 pm Educational Committee Meeting 7:30 pm Dartball (Home)

12 5:30 pm Finance Committee Mtg.

13 7 pm Confirmation

14 9 am WomenBreakfast at Mauston Park Oasis

17 8:15-9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Holy Communion 10:30 am Coffee Hour

18 8 am Coffee & Bible Group at Daily Grind 1 pm Grace Circle at church 7:30 pm Dartball (Away)

19 20 7 pm Confirmation

21 6:30 pm Council Meeting

24 8:15-9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Holy Communion 10:30 am Coffee Hour

25 8 am Coffee & Bible Group at Daily Grind 7:30 pm Dartball (Bye)

26 27 NO Confirmation

7 pm Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at United Methodist Church

28


November 2019 Assistants

Greeters: 3 - Tim & Sheri Benson

10 - Harlow & Audrey Gierhart

17 - Brian & Wendy McGuire

24 - Norma Smith

Acolytes: 3 - Preston Seebecker & Alex Zoller

10 - Sophie Grzenia & Emma Hanko

17 - Nicole Hess & Yvonne Rotzoll

24 - Ahren & Ivon Heinrich

Lectors: 3 - Ed Rogers

10 - Becky Colwell

17 - Barbara Handrich

24 - Mary Pirwitz

Communion Assistants: 3 - RJ Rogers

10 - Pat Dutzle

17 - Maynard Miller

24 - Barbara Handrich

Altar Guild:

Bobbie Lindner & Kim Pufahl

Usher captains the week of: 3 - Roger Dutzle

10 - Ken Lalk

17 - Bill Potter

24 - Harold Seebecker & Jeri Shultis

November 2019 Email Office: [email protected]

Web address: www.bethanymauston.com

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

Thu Fri Sat

1

2

7 pm Faith Circle Renee Miller hosts

8

9

9 am Women’s Breakfast at Mauston Park Oasis

15 Newsletter Articles Due!!

16

6:30 pm Council Meeting

22 23

29

Office Closed!

30

The Bethany Banner

Advent Begins December 1!

Advent begins on Sunday, December 1, In congregational worship,

the Advent wreath is the central teaching symbol of the season, the

focal point for drawing the congregation into the beginning of the

story of redemption that will unfold throughout the church year.

For this reason, members of the congregation are often involved in

lighting the Advent candles. In the past, Bethany has invited families

to light the candles each Sunday, and we are inviting families to

participate again this year. If you would be interested in lighting

the Advent candles at the beginning of worship, please sign up for one of the

services. The sign-up sheet is posted on the kiosk in the narthex. Simply come to

worship on your Sunday a bit early and talk briefly with Pastor so you know what to do

and when to do it. Thank you for participating in this important ritual of the church.

Women’s Advent Brunch!

Save the date! The Bethany Women’s Advent Brunch will be

held on Saturday, December 14, at 9 a.m. Laughter,

delicious food, singing - Christmas Joy! That is the

Advent Brunch. All the women of Bethany are invited.

Feel free to bring a friend. There will be some singing, a

brunch and a short program. It is optional to bring a wrapped

ornament to exchange. Watch the kiosk for the Advent Brunch

poster and sign-up sheet, or call Sara in the church office at

847-6690 to sign up!

Veterans Recognition Sunday, November 10!

On Sunday, November 10, Bethany will recognize

Veterans and active military personnel during

worship and at our fellowship coffee hour. Members

are encouraged to invite a veteran or service member to

church to be honored. We are grateful to God for those

who were and are willing to serve our country. Please

join us as we express our gratitude. Thank you, Veterans!


What are we thankful for? You! During the upcoming holiday season, we know

that you are all very busy and yet you take the time to stop and think of others. You,

however, have taken the time each month, all year to remember those in need. We are

most grateful to be partners with you in this huge effort. Last year we distributed over

300,000 pounds of food to those in need. We have seen our numbers of those families

needing assistance start to inch up again. With your help, we know we will be able to

continue assisting these families.

Ways that you can help the pantry:

1. Festival Foods gift cards for the pantry, are available to you when you check out.

When you purchase these cards - $5 or $10 – we directly get a credit on our account

to use to purchase items we need, usually juice. We thank those of you who have

done this the past two quarters. We have been able to purchase $400 worth of juice.

Hopefully, even more people will to get into the “groove”

of donating at the checkout, but I have confidence that

you can remember!

2. Any donation to the pantry is most appreciated. The

special items for the month of November are: canned peas

and canned baked beans, 100% juice, soup and any

holiday items. You can bring them to your church, the

pantry or better, yet – Take it to the Bank of Mauston.

Their annual Pantry Food Drive is a huge fundraising event for us. For each grocery

cart filled up – we get $50. Yes, the schools do food drives at this time of year also,

but each individual donation is also needed at the bank. Help us fill up the carts!

Cash donations are also wonderful. We purchase food from Second Harvest Food-

bank for 18 cents a pound. Your money goes a long, long way.

3. CPR Holiday Train event: The Holiday Train will be coming to Mauston on

Wednesday, December 4, at 4 p.m.

Watch for CPR Holiday Train flyers

with all the information. Keep an eye

out for this! It should be a lot of fun.

Thank you,

Kathy Green, Director

Food Pantry News...

The Bethany Banner

---- September 2019

Attendance Offering

September 1

71 $2,528.00

September 8

84 $2,905.00

September 15

94 $2,431.00

September 22

182 $3,748.00

September 29

57 $2, 571.00

Salvation Army

Bell Ringers Needed!

Our congregation has been invited to

participate in the Salvation Army bell-

ringing campaign. We are looking for

volunteers to sign up for two-hour

time slots on Friday, December 13,

and Saturday, December 14. The

time slots begin at 8 a.m. and run

until 8 p.m. We’ve been assigned to

the Festival Foods grocery store this

year. If you are interested, please sign

up on the sheet posted in the narthex,

or call Sara in the church office at

847-6690.


PARTNER$ in Finance Making Ministry Possible

With Your Financial Gifts

Income and Disbursements for Month September 30, 2019

Sept-19

Actual 5 Sundays

2019 YTD

Actual

Sept-19

Budget

2019 Budget

Total Receipts 13,947.61 116,184.37 15,000.00 195,000.00

Total Disbursements 5,862.94 121,848.15 18,000.00 199,982.29

Parking Lot Fund: $1,192.66 Building Fund Reg: $22,777.54 TOTAL: $23,970.20

Memorial Designated: $25,994.69 Memorial Undesignated: $5,999.62 Average Sunday Attendance: 98

*Correspondence: Kathy presented a letter she received regarding our CCLI license which we need for using music projected on the screens. The cost of this per year is less than $200 and also requires some reporting on our usage to them. *Treasurer’s Report: Gary reported that a $5,000 payment was made on the line of credit loan. The current balance is $76,690.51. *Old Business: Stewardship for all Seasons Update: The team continues to work on the project and will be sending out letters to members around Thanksgiving, with requests for them to consider increasing their giving. They are also working on a brochure; bulletin inserts and temple talks to be done prior to the Commitment Sunday in January. Pulpit Fill: Kathy reported that she has pulpit fill completed until the end of December including Christmas. Call Committee Proposal: Members who have volunteered to be part of the call committee are Brad Ellerman, Tim Benson, RJ Rogers, Roger Dutzle, Carol Purvis, Nikki Turner and Nelson Brandt. The Executive Team is looking for one more person to serve as an alternate. A meeting will be set up with Pastor Libby Howe from the synod office to begin. Amazon Smile: Norma Miller continues to work

on getting Amazon Smile set up for Bethany. She reports that it has been a challenging process, but she is nearing the end. *New Business: Girl Scout Building Use: Tina Miles has requested the use of the church two Mon-days per month for the Girl Scouts. Kathy has talked with her about working around other events we have happening and that is acceptable to her. Motion made and carried we allow the Girl Scouts to use the building pending policy and liability review. New Members: New members will be received on October 27. Mike, Tina & Michael Tucker, Tina & Anne Miles and Parr Decorah will be joining our Bethany Family. Our goal moving forward is to accept members on a quarterly basis. Mauston School District: Jim Dillin spoke on behalf of the MSD to request the continued use of Bethany as a des-ignated rally point for students from Westside in case of an active shooter event. Motion made and carried we continue to be a rally point. *Team Reports: Administrative: Norma Miller reported that Linda Bohnert has continued to work with her cleaning crew and has almost finished all of their fall projects. Norma is work-ing on getting some rock to finish the small area.

October 10, council summary: Call Committee Established!

Return service requested

U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 60

NON-PROFIT ORG. Mauston, WI 53948

The Bethany Banner

Bethany Lutheran Church 701 Grove Street Mauston, WI 53948

We at Bethany Lutheran Church, Mauston,

seek to build unity by instilling hope through:

ENGAGING

all generations in the practices and teaching

of Jesus,

WELCOMING

each other,

REACHING OUT

to our greater community.

Bethany Lutheran Church

701 Grove Street

Mauston, WI 53948

(608) 847-6690

Our Staff:

President: Kathy Marose

Administrative Assistant: Sara Hanko

Financial Secretary: LaVonne Voltz

Treasurer: Gary Gray

Custodian: Ruth Marose

Emergency Contact: Kathy Marose

Home: 847-4381 Cell: 608-343-4381

The Bethany Banner is published monthly by Bethany Lutheran Church, 701 Grove Street, Mauston, WI 53948. (608) 847-6690. Banner Editor: Sara Hanko Deadline for copy: the 15th of the month prior to publica-tion. Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space.

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