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THE BETHEL BEACON ~ DECEMBER 2018 Church Telephone #: (402) 873-6218

Email: betheluccurch1887@gmail.com

Website: www.bethelucchurch.com

Find us on

BETHEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

2400 CENTRAL AVE. NEBRASKA CITY, NE

68410

Sunday School @ 9 am Worship time @ 10:00 am

"Black Friday deals!" Denise exclaimed.

"What?" Shot back in a husband's distracted tone, exercised regularly through 16 years of our marital bliss. (Distracted

because I was in the middle of composing this!)

She was referring to black Friday deals well before Thanksgiving; a trend that is occurring more and more often in the

retail industry; trying to get as much money in their coffers before the actual Black Friday.

Oh, and let's not forget cyber Monday!

And then, there's the actual holiday; preparing a meal, having people over, cleaning up the dishes, only to allow yourself

to fall exhausted onto the couch.

As you are now reading this, maybe this has happened to you.

Now, looming before us, is Christmas. Looming? Why so daunting? Perhaps we put too much of an emphasis on the

retail and commercial side of Christmas.

Maybe there's nothing commercial about the Christmas rush; after all, there's the children's Christmas play, the meals to

prepare, the progressive dinners by family, and other things associated with this blessed time of year that has almost

ingrained itself as the official definition of Christmas.

Before Christ's birth, there was no holiday rush; no "last minute fire-sales" or an impetus to get everything in order and

prepare for the onslaught of out of town relatives that were going to descend on one's home and give the Menorah the

white glove test.

I'm sure there were other things on those people's minds, but it was not anything like what we have today.

Luke 2:10-11:

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Beloved, Fear not. We have been given tidings of great joy. Not just for this time of year, but for ALWAYS.

Fear not, and be blessed as we celebrate Christ's birth!

Pastor Keith

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A Message From Tri-Conference Executive Conference Minister Brigit Stevens

Thanksgiving means so many things to so many people. For some, it may be cause for joyous

celebrations around favorite foods at family tables. For others, especially LGBTQ persons, it may be

a reminder of difficult relationships and estrangements from family. For Native Americans, it may be

a painful reminder of oppression and displacement inflicted at the hands of European colonizers.

Thanksgiving, like everything else in life, is complicated.

Brother David Stendl-Rast, a Benedictine Monk, tells us in his Ted Talk, viewed more than 6 million

times, that gratitude does not mean being grateful for everything we experience. But, rather, finding

gratitude for the opportunities that present themselves even in the difficult situations we face. Folk

singer and writer Carrie Newcomer speaks about her practice of naming three things she is grateful

for at the end of each day, “It’s a small practice and humble,/And yet, I find I sleep better/Holding

what lightens and softens my life/Ever so briefly at the end of the day.”

The past year has been a mixed bag of experiences for the Tri-Conference Ministries staff, who are

adjusting to new ways of being as we live into better ways to serve the churches of the Iowa,

Nebraska and South Dakota conferences of the United Church of Christ. I’m sure your year of

serving in your churches and ministries have also brought both soaring joys and overwhelming grief.

Amidst all of this, we are grateful for you and your ministries throughout our conferences: your

tireless efforts to creatively serve in your communities, this country and a world in which darkness

sometimes feels like it might overcome us. Still, you point to God’s hope, peace and love shining

through the ministry you do each and every day. For that we are deeply grateful.

Throughout this holiday weekend on social media, we are going to be sharing practices and

inspirations about gratitude. If you haven’t liked one or all of our pages, please do so now.

Join in the conversation with your sister churches, telling us just what you are grateful for.

Iowa Conference Facebook

Nebraska Conference Facebook

South Dakota Conference Facebook

Gratefully,

Rev. Brigit Stevens

Executive Conference Minister

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IN OUR PRAYERS IN NOVEMBER

Justin Williams, Logan Drabek, Mason Wieckhorst, Rachelle Drabek, Don

Grundman, Roy Murphy, Tim Worcester, Helen Ramold, Quintin Holman,

Janice Holman, Tanya Chapin and Tom Thaemlitz and Adrian, Phyllis Buss,

Helen Long, Lou Hauptman, Larry Blocker, the family and friends of Steve

Neeman (husband of Jolene Wurtele Neeman), and all who struggle with

chronic illness, including those reside in their homes and long-term care

facilities, and those affected by bullying, suicide, and depression.

On Sunday, December 2, 2018 we will be having a congregational meeting

following worship to vote on our pastoral candidate, Pastor Keith

Valenzuela. He has been recommended to the Church Council by our Search

Committee. Pastor Keith was our pulpit supply on November 4th and he was

very well received. He will be preaching the first 3 Sundays in

December. Please join us to hear him preach on Dec. 2nd and be a part of

the vote. We are all very excited about this new opportunity!

Sunday, December 16, 2018 will be our

Sunday school Christmas Program.

Please join us following worship for

birthday cake and goody bags for the kids!

We will have one worship service on Christmas Eve,

Monday, December 24th at 7:00 pm with altar communion.

Rev. Sara Malone will be preaching for us.

There will be no service on Christmas morning.

Nebraska City’s annual Advent Recital

for 2018 will be held again at St. Mary’s

Catholic Church on Sunday, Dec. 2nd

from 6-8 pm. Our choir will be there!

The Women’s Fellowship Christmas

Luncheon will be held at Valentino’s in

Nebr. City on Tuesday, Dec. 11th at

Noon. ALL Bethel Women are invited!

Election of church officers for 2019 will

be held Sunday, December 9, 2018.

Installation of new officers will be

Sunday, January 13, 2019.

If you are planning to bring a poinsettia to help beautify the sanctuary this Christmas season, please be sure to sign the list in the back of the sanctuary so the names

can be published in the January Beacon.

Thank you to everyone who brightened our

sanctuary with flowers, and who sponsored

bulletins during the month of November.

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David & Darcy Carpenter ~ December 12, 1998 ~

LOOKING AHEAD TO JANUARY

1st: New Year’s Day ~ Office closed

2nd: No choir practice

6th: Sunday school resumes, Communion & Food Pantry

7th: Annual reports due, Spiritual Council meeting 6 pm

13th: 2nd Quarter Attendance Awards, Installation of officers

14th: Board of Christian Ed. meeting 6pm, Church Council meeting 7 pm

20th: Annual Reports available, Youth Fellowship

27th: Time & Talent sheets due, Annual meeting

*Sr. Choir practice every Wednesday at 7 pm

BEST WISHES TO THOSE CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAYS IN

DECEMBER

Jared Kreifels 1st Carrie Ferguson 3rd Hailey Walters 7th

Mason Wieckhorst 7th Lydia Nannen 9th Norman Brown 13th

Erin Johnson 13th Kevin Pummel 14th Sara Horstmann 16th

Jane Kreifels 17th Karen Pieper 20th Janice Dawson 21st

Roger Pieper 21st Cliff Stukenholtz 21st Julia Francis 22nd

Dale Wurtele 24th Virginia Miller 25th Blake Bando 26th

Ray Dyer 27th Michelle Francis 27th Shellene Funk 27th

FOR ALL WEATHER RELATED

CANCELLATIONS AT BETHEL UCC,

PLEASE CHECK B103’S WEBSITE OR

CHECK THE CHURCH WEBSITE @

www.bethelucchurch.com.

ALSO CHECK KETV.COM

AND WOWT.COM OR

WATCH THOSE

CHANNELS.

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The BOCE met on Monday, November 12, 2018 at 6 pm. In attendance were Jen Tietz, Jen

Hamilton, and Sarah Bando.

Our board provided the mashed potatoes and gravy for the annual Thanksgiving Dinner on

Sunday, Nov. 11th. A HUGE thank you to Jen Tietz for making those!

Practices have begun for the Sunday school Christmas program. The date has been moved

from Sunday, December 9th to December 16th due to conflicts.

1st quarter attendance awards were given out Sunday, November 11th. Coupons for a free ice

cream cone at McDonald’s were given out.

Cindy Kreifels painted the northwest Sunday school room and cleaned the room up nicely.

There is a desk and chair up for grabs if someone wants it.

There will be no Sunday school on December 23rd and 30th. Classes will resume January 6th.

Substitute teachers were discussed to fill in for Lenny Tietz.

Our meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Our next meeting will be Monday, December 10th

at 6 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Bando, Secretary

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The Bethel United Church of Christ met in regular session Monday night, November 12, 2018 in Duensing Chapel. In

attendance were President Chip Johnson, Vice President Mark Francis, Secretary Norman Brown, Mike Redelfs, Susie

Briley, Lynn Wurtele, Financial Treasurer Sandy Reid, Memorial Treasurer Margaret Brust. Also in attendance were

Michelle Francis from the Spiritual Council, Jen Tietz from Board of Christian Ed, Church Secretary Sara Bando, Jen

Hamilton, Mike Wieckhorst, David Carpenter from the Search Committee.

President Chip Johnson called the meeting to order and gave the opening prayer. Secretary Norm Brown read the

minutes from the October 16th Meeting. Sara Bando had a correction to make to the minutes. The Vock’s spoke on

concerns of the church and the council took no action. The Minutes were approved as read with the correction.

Sandy Reid, Financial Treasurer presented the financial report. The Sale Tax Permit will expire. Can file for a new permit

if the church does Food Stand at Arbor Day or Applejack next year. The Church is in the red $18,852.08. Mark Francis

made a motion and Norm Brown second to pay the bills. The motion carried.

Margaret Brust, Memorial Treasurer gave her report. The church has received some memorials. The Church Council

took no action on transferring some memorial funds.

Michelle Francis gave the Spiritual Council Report. They are reviewing the membership status and establishing a active

member list. A non member wedding is Saturday December 15 at the church. Hanging of the Greens is Sunday

December 2. Rev. Sarah Malone will be pulpit supply November 18 and the 25.

Jen Tietz gave the Board of Christian Ed report. The Christmas Program will be Sunday December 16 and rehearsals

have started. Cindy Kreifels has painted half of the Sunday School Room. If anyone would like to buy the desk and chair

from the Sunday School Room contact Sara Bando. There will be no Sunday School December 23 and 30.

Sara Bando Church Secretary gave her report. The Locks at the parsonage have been changed. Orkin came and did a

termite inspection. 62 people attended the Thanksgiving Dinner.

Connie Gieseking, Dan Hamilton, Stephen Luther, Burt Wieble and Jason Holman are on the By-Laws Committee.

Jen Hamilton, presented Rev. Keith Valenzuela as Full Time Pastor for Bethel United Church of Christ. Voting on Rev.

Keith will be Sunday, December 2. Mark Francis made a motion and Mike Redelfs second to present Rev. Keith

Valenzuela as Full Time Pastor on December 2. Motion carried. Rev. Keith will be sending a letter out to the members of

Bethel UCC.

There's a water leak at the parsonage. The Council approved to have the leak repaired. The Council discussed having

the meetings at the parsonage and maybe Youth Fellowship could meet in the parsonage.

The Council discussed the Buildings and Grounds Committee. Incoming new Church Council members will be on the

Committee.

There being no further business Susie Briley made a motion and Lynn Wurtele second to adjourn. The Meeting closed

with the reciting of the Lord's Prayer.

The next Church Council Meeting will be Monday night, December 10 at 7.

Respectfully Submitted, Norm Brown

CHURCH COUNCIL

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Bethel United Church of Christ

Spiritual Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, November 5, 2018

7:00 pm

Nursery Room

Present: President Paula Ramold, Vice-President Michelle Francis, Secretary Burt Weible,

Cindy Weible, and Neal Niebruegge.

Paula called the meeting to order, Paula opened the meeting with a prayer. Burt read the

minutes of previous meeting. Motion to approve made by Michelle, seconded by Neal.

Motion carried.

Pastor Report: No Pastor report.

Old Business: Reviewed some of the responses to the membership status letter that had

been sent out. Had a few returned because of wrong address. Reminded council that we

needed to make dressing for the church Thanksgiving meal.

New Business: The prospective interim pastor that we interviewed is still interested after

reviewing the proposed contract, the pastor will need to meet with Church Council to

finalize the contract, could start as early as November 25th. Pastor Malone still scheduled

to cover next couple of weeks. Scheduled non-member wedding still on planned for

December 15th. Next communion scheduled for December 2nd.

Next meeting December 3rd at 7:00 pm

Motion to close by Cindy, seconded by Neil, Paula led us in the Lord’s Prayer to close.

Respectfully submitted,

Burt Weible Secretary

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Bethel United Church of Christ

2400 Central Avenue

Nebraska City, NE 68410

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

SCHEDULED TO SERVE DECEMBER 2018

LAY LEADERS: Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 Dec. 23 Dec. 30 Sarah Bando Mark Francis Sandy Ried Dennis Marshall Dean Griepenstroh

GREETERS: Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 Dec. 23 Dec. 30 Buck Hammers Jane/Cindy Kreifels Delores Schreiner Need Volunteer Hamilton Family

USHERS: Dec. 2—Dec. 9 Dec. 16—Dec. 23 Dec. 30 Burt & Cindy Weible Dan & Jen Hamilton Dennis & Carol Marshall Michelle Francis, Paula Ramold Katherine Luther, Mark Francis Lenny & Jen Tietz SOUND: Dec. 2—Dec. 9 Dec. 16—Dec. 23 Dec. 30 Chip Johnson Norm Brown Burt Weible

ACOLYTES: Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 Dec. 23 Dec. 30 Blake Mason Landon Brianna Madisen Bando Wieckhorst Ferguson Johnson Tietz

Chloe Keston Addison Makenzie Lilian Barrett Holman Ferguson Johnson Graham

Jane Kreifels

Cindy Kreifels

Connie Jensen

DECEMBER

2018