THE STAR February 2019 Bethlehem Lutheran Church

A Place For You

Wahoo, Nebraska

Ph# 402-443-3160

Pastor Bob Hayden-rbhhayden@reagan.com -

Ph# 402-672-1345

Church office hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Church website: bethlehemlutheranwahoo.org

Church email: wahoo.bethlehem@gmail.com

“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the

Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law

tested him with the question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest

commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord

your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with

all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two

commandments.’”—Matthew 22:34-39

Dear Members and Friends of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Wahoo…

February, the month that has become synonymous with human love is upon us.

Greeting card makers, fancy chocolate makers, florists, restaurants, jewelers, and gift

shops will likely be very busy with special ‘valentine’ creations from countless smitten

lovers as they express their love. Seemingly every retailer tries to get in on the act as I

recently saw an advertisement suggesting an expression of love was purchasing power

tools for the ‘loving handy man’ in your life. Another one suggested a new car was an

ideal expression and still another said, ‘no greater gift of love than an estate plan and

will.’

The Matthew text I shared comes following an interrogation of Jesus from the

Temple officials…the Sadducees and the Pharisees. Each group of ‘lawyers of the

Temple’ spent much time doing their best to ask ‘lawyerly’ questions of Jesus… that is

questions that could be interpreted in different ways in order to build a case against

Jesus. For Jesus was a real threat to these ‘synagogue watchdogs’ as Jesus dispelled

the many false notions of what the Temple had convinced the people what Moses’ Law

actually said and meant. Not by accident, these interpretations usually favored the

Temple officials and excused them from their real duties…in their eyes at least.

So once again I find it interesting to note that even the human emotion of love is

often used by some to misconstrue and complicate religious matters…seemingly nothing

is out-of-bounds when evil people get involved in something as sacred as human love

and love of God… doing their best to confuse the situation.

At Bethlehem we try our very best to not complicate matters and instead work in

transparency to bring our worshipers and members together. We do indeed try very hard

to ‘love our neighbor as ourselves.’ True love is a trusting love. A love built on respect

and consideration is a love that lasts through the ages. It is never a perfect love because

as human beings we will fail in love matters. Love is also forgiving and Thank God for

that!

Our Lord has such great mercy that even when we fail miserably, we are still welcome to

humbly repent and be welcomed back into our Lord’s loving arms. It is in that realization

that we can as Paul writes in his letter to Corinth truthfully and whole heartedly say and

believe: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It

does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record

of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth. It always protects,

always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”—1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Bethlehem has many extra activities during the month of February, including

‘Friendship Sunday’ on February 10th. Special food, activities, and fun is planned. Bring

a friend, bring someone you love to church not just on the 10th, but every Sunday. Your

love for Christ will fill your heart.

Blessings---Pastor Bob

Middle School Ministry We are continuing in our study of the Old Testament and I feel a greater

perspective and appreciation for the stories of our Biblical ancestors is being gained. The

second group of students served dinner at Matt Talbot in Lincoln on January 16th while

the other half of the class sat in a church council meeting. Our hope is to introduce our

young people to the inner workings and their place in the functioning and supporting of

the church.

A number of our Middle School students also attended the Middle School

Gathering in Kearney where they got to know themselves better, got to know other kids

their age, and had the opportunity to become acquainted and bonded with residents of

care facilities in Kearney. New relationships were gained and all were rewarded. Thank

you to our adult sponsors and parents who allowed their kids to experience this great

event.

Wednesday Night Lights We have changed our scripture source a bit from the Narrative Lectionary to a

series approach. We have been talking about the various “I AM” sayings of our Lord and

will continue with that series through February. We feel this has been a better and more

palatable series topic. The “I AM” series will end on February 27th and the next

Wednesday, March 6th begins the Season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. Again if Sunday

attendance is a problem for you, our mid-week service is here for you.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church Council Minutes January 16, 2019

Members Present: Julie Scott, Ryan Ideus, Mike Christen, Luke Simons, Jarred Royal, Michelle Koranda, Colette Rathke, Chad Fox, and Pastor Bob Hayden Excused Members: Missy Abbott, 1. Call to Order: President Ideus called The Council Meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

December Minutes: December 2018 minutes were presented for council

consideration and approval, with an amendment to reflect adjournment time of 9:05. Motion to approve by Rathke and seconded by Royal. Motion was approved.

Review of Financial Reports: Strong giving at Christmas was received to repair the church organ. Further discussion regarding financials and Motion to approve the December financials by Fox and seconded by Simons. Motion was approved.

Pastor’s Activity Report: Pastor Hayden presented his activity report for the month of December. Motion to approve the report was made by Christen, seconded by Koranda. Motion was approved.

5. Committee Liaisons Reports: • Education (M. Christen) - Discussion continued around numbers enrolled in

pre-school, new education components to be developed over the summer. Council also entertained discussion about increased tuition to coincide with new program components being developed and to come alongside the tuition at other community preschools.

• Property (L. Simons) No update • Endowment (R. Ideus) – No update • Scouts (J. Scott) – Boy Scouts are preparing for an upcoming camp out at

Moses Merrill. In February, Boy Scouts will be allowing troops to involved; currently there are two girls interested in crossing over into Boy Scouts. Scouts are getting an estimate to replace the toilet and floor in the Scout House; the Scouts will be paying to the replacements.

• Evangelism (J. Royal) – Looking to have a special event every or every other month; February 10

th – Friendship Day and maybe corn beef and cabbage on

March 17th.

• Finance (L. Simons) – No update • Stewardship (L. Simons) – Brief discussion about financial giving; Luke Simons

will be presenting an updated “Temple Talk” to the congregation to • Long-Range Planning (C. Fox) - No update

• Women of the Church (M. Koranda) - No update • Men of the Church (L. Simons) – Group hasn’t been meeting regularly;

reexamining how to rejuvenate group. • Worship & Music (C. Rathke) – Continuing to look at numbers for Wednesday

night services. • Mission (C. Rathke) – Taking a break to restock the Mission Market • Mutual Ministry Committee (C. Fox) – No update.

7. New Business:

Pre-school tuition increases – Discussion items included in Education committee report.

Unlimited Texting though Breeze – Discussions about how messages could be sent to members of the church using text messaging through Breeze. Getting additional clarification on number of texts that can be used/sent.

Copier – Issues with copier being able to meet printing needs. Taking a look to see if contract can be adjusted to get previous model to meet printing needs.

8. Old Business:

Organ Repair Update – parts have been ordered by Bedient. The giving campaign during the holidays was successful.

Employee Reviews – Reviews have been discussed and compensation reviewed. Pushpay/Online Giving –As discussed last month, online giving process continues

to move forward. Letters have been written to members who were using the previous Vanco online payment system informing them of how to switch to the new Push Pay system.

**Reminder: Members, who were using Vanco, will need to let Amy know when they have signed up for Push Pay, so the outdated Vanco account can be deleted. Anyone wanting to sign up for Push Pay Online giving can click on the following link to begin setting up your account. https://pushpay.com/g/bethlehemlutheranwahoo?src=hpp You can also set up your account by texting BethlehemLC to 77977. Adjournment: President Ideus adjourned Meeting at 8:58 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted:

Julie M. Scott Council Secretary

Acolyte Schedule: February 3rd 9:00 AM - Mason Koranda and Kailey Strait

11:00 AM - Myranda Lihs and Sam Biggerstaff

February 6th 6:30 PM - Lukus Forbes and Marke Zeleny

February 10th 9:00 AM - Aubrie Pehrson and Madeline Swenson

11:00 AM - Mason Koranda and Zach Fox

February 13th 6:30 PM - Lilly Harris and Lilly Rafteseth

February 17th 9:00 AM - Ava Lausterer and Harper Hancock

11:00 AM - Marshall Strom and Easten Faris

February 20th 6:30 PM - Sawyer Lavaley and Branden Koranda

February 24th 9:00 AM - Griffin Lausterer and Graham Nutzman

11:00 AM - Lilly Obert and Alyssa Havlovic

February 27th 6:30 PM - Samantha Sutton and Gage Cooney

February Meals for Middle School Ministry February 6th - Lori Mortensen and Kristi Obert

February 13th - NEED 2 Families! Please let Amy know if you can help out!

February 20th - Melissa Simanek and Laurie Pehrson

February 27th - Julie Warford and NEED 1 Family to help out! Please let Amy know!

Bethlehem’s Blessings Thank you to all who give their

Gifts of Time, Talents and Resources! We appreciate you all!

A special thank you to all those who helped get materials ready for our annual meeting.

It is in blessing others that we are blessed with a precious blessing of our own~

Middle School Ministry gathers together at 6:00 on Wednesdays to dine together, to worship at 6:30 and to a whole-class gathering 7:00—7:45 PM.

February Birthdays

Ashlen Groff 2/1 Tobin Harris 2/1 Taylar Shull 2/1 Audrey Waido 2/1 Arthur Gerdts 2/2 Deyo Anderson 2/3 Lukus Forbes 2/3 Michelle Libal 2/3 Colton Nutzman 2/3 Dillon Duckworth 2/4 Anna Gottschalk 2/4 Jacee Price 2/4 Macy Homes 2/6 Jerry Volin 2/7 Matthew Jonas 2/8 Braden Harris 2/9 Lucas Simons 2/9 Gadreal Zeleny 2/9 Lucy Defoil 2/10 Vicki Grandgenett 2/10 Kevin Stukenholtz 2/11 Joseph Carr 2/12 Tom Josephsen 2/12 Braegan Barry 2/13 Alicia Holtorf 2/13 Brandon Lavaley 2/14 Morgan Novak 2/14

Kevin Klahn 2/16 Kyan Lausterer 2/16 Melissa Novak 2/16 Samuel Flores 2/18 Ardis Grieser 2/18 Jared Pehrson 2/18 Steven Olson 2/20 Michelle Henderson 2/21 Shandah Mensik 2/21 Tatum Watts 2/21 Rob Miller 2/22 Brian Schmidt 2/22 Gentry Holtorf 2/23 Stacy Ideus 2/23 Jack Beatty 2/24 Braden Storm 2/24 Darian Coffey 2/25 Cynthia Gerdts 2/25 Elaine Hennings 2/25 Maizielyn Josephsen 2/25 Carleigh Olson 2/25 Marshall Strom 2/25 Ethan Urban 2/25 Trevor Urban 2/25 Seth Syverson 2/26 Ty Syverson 2/26 Amy Groff 2/27 Cortney Spangler 2/27

February Anniversaries

Jay and Michelle Wilt 2/17

Sunday Monday Tuesday

3 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School / Fellowship 11:00 AM Worship 12:00 PM Dinner by BLY

12:30 PM Annual Meeting

4 6:30 PM Boy Scouts

5

10 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School / Fellowship 11:00 AM Worship

11 9:00 AM WIC 6:30 PM Boy Scouts

7:00 PM Music & Worship Mtg

*Annual Reports Due

12

9:00 AM Quilting 6:30 PM E-team Meeting

17 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School / Fellowship 11:00 AM Worship 12:00 PM Council Meeting Bowling Bonanza 7-9 PM

18

6:30 PM Boy Scouts

19

24

9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School / Fellowship 11:00 AM Worship

25 6:30 PM Boy Scouts

26 9:00 AM Quilting

First Step Preschool M/W 9:00 -11:00 AM T/TH 9:00 -11:00 AM MWF 12:30 -3:00 PM

February 2019

First Step Preschool MWF 8:30 –11 AM

12:30 - 3:00 PM T/TH 9:00 - 11 AM

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2

6 6:00 PM MSM 6:30 PM Worship 7:00 PM Christian Education 7:00 PM “Stuff” Bible Study

7 9:00 “Truth Project” Bible Study

7:00 PM AA Meeting

8 9:30 PM Krazy Quilters

9

13 6:00 PM MSM 6:30 PM Worship 7:00 PM Christian Education 7:00 PM “Stuff” Bible Study

14 9:00 “Truth Project” Bible Study 7:00 PM AA Meeting

15

16

20 6:00 PM MSM 6:30 PM Worship 7:00 PM Christian Education 7:00 PM “Stuff” Bible Study

21 9:00 “Truth Project” Bible Study 2:00 PM WELCA 7:00 PM AA Meeting

22 *Newsletter article deadline

23

27

6:00 PM MSM 6:30 PM Worship 7:00 PM Christian Education 7:00 PM “Stuff” Bible Study

February 2019

From our Mission Coordinator...

In January a new school year started at the Nikuu Kati Lutheran Parish

School in Tanzania . . . And fourteen students will be attending the school because of your support! So…..

THANK YOU to those who dropped your coins in the NOISY Offering cups OR made

items to sell at the Marketplace OR who purchased those items. THANK YOU to the

Sunday School kids who made holiday items to sell. THANK YOU to those individuals who

gave scholarships. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

On February 3rd

Marty Malley will be leaving for Tanzania, leading a Synod sponsored

Vision Trip. He will be visiting the school and he will tell them about Bethlehem.

Tanzania Vision Trip 2020 Dear Members of Bethlehem,

When I was at your church in October, there were at least a couple of people who

expressed interest in a summer Vision trip. I'm trying to ascertain if I can get enough

interest to make it work in 2020. Here is the plan:

I put a "Tentative" trip on the Synod site for July 13-28, 2020. (http://

nebraskasynod.orgministries/globalmission/tanzania/tanzania-vision-trips.html)

I need to put money down a year ahead on safari rooms, and don't want to do that if I

don't have enough people to make a trip work.

So, I am going to publicize the trip as "tentative" until mid-June 2019, and if I get at least

12 registrations by then with deposits, I will make the bookings for 2020. If not, I will

cancel the trip and refund the deposits. The deposit for the 2020 Trip is $300.

The primary goal of a Vision Trip to Tanzania is to learn about the culture of Tanzania and

the ministries of the Northern Diocese. A "Vision Trip" is different from a "Mission Trip."

We will not step off the plane and set about building a church or a school. We go to learn

from our brothers and sisters in Christ, to pray and worship with them, and to bring

encouragement, support and love. We will learn to walk in the shoes of our Tanzanian

brothers and sisters.

Synod-sponsored Vision Trips are a tremendous opportunity to share the Christian faith

with people whose lives are very different from our own, particularly in terms of material

resources. In many respects, the hardships they face give a depth to their faith and

spirituality to their lives that is inspiring. They welcome us to share what little they have

with a spirit of hospitality that is simply astonishing. It is one thing to hear that 800

million people in our world are chronically malnourished. It is quite another

to know someone personally, to share a meal with a family who may not eat

tomorrow, to become friends, to stand in their village and hear about the child who

was taken by malaria and in the next sentence about their vision of creating a trade

school at their church.

Groups who travel to Tanzania will gain an understanding of what life is like for our

friends in Tanzania. We will worship in modest churches and visit villages, hospitals,

schools, and homes. We will learn about the economy as well as the educational and

healthcare systems. We will experience the breathtaking beauty of the land and the

wildlife it supports, especially on our three days of safari to Ngorongoro Crater and the

Serengeti.

Costs: The estimated cost is $5,200 for July 2020 (based on double occupancy and

depending on airfares), which covers all airfare, transportation, meals, safari fees and

visas. The trip includes visits to ministry sites of the Northern Diocese as well as a safari

to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

Marty Malley, Tanzania Coordinator for the Nebraska, Synod

Middle School Gathering 2019 14 of our middle school youth with sponsors, Tom Zeleny and Lori Mortensen traveled to Kearney in January for the middle school gathering. They had a great experience along with over 200 middle schoolers at the gathering. Angela Olson and Carleigh Olson were part of the planning team for the event. Please ask our youth about their experience!

College Students Do you have a college student? Please let the office know their college address, email and mobile number. We have a new ministry in progress to start reaching out to them!

Annual Meeting

February 3rd at 12:30 PM

The high school youth will be serving a meal at 12 PM (free-will offering)

The Bethlehem Bowling Bonanza will be held Sunday, Febr. 17th, 2019, from 6:45 to 9:00 PM at The Mark in Elkhorn, NE. So, all of you fun-loving people will want to sign up for the event on Sunday, Feb. 3 or Feb. 10 at church, or you can call Don Fick at 402-443-6975 for your reservation. The cost will be $12 each (includes shoes) for two hours of high intensity, gut wrenching competition in the alley (or in the gutter) as you enjoy your favorite beverage. Payment is required before the event. Don't miss out. The E-Team

BETHLHEM WOMEN—JANUARY 2019

The first meeting of 2019 for Bethlehem Women was

held January 17th at 2 pm. Nine ladies were in

attendance.

Arlene Johnson opened the meeting with the

devotions from the upcoming Expressions magazine.

The Secretary and Treasurer reports were given and

accepted. Mary McKay handed out new sheets for the

needs for our Lutheran World Relief Kits. Helen

Hansen had sent out several birthday, anniversary and

get well cards. We gave away eight poinsettias at

Christmas time.

Several items of correspondence were passed around: Interchange and two thank

yous. Our new yearbooks were also handed out – thanks to Amy Groff.

Arlene and Mary planned to go to Winter Retreat on Saturday January 19th but it was

cancelled due to the weather.

Sherry Hageman reported that the Evangelism Team for Bethlehem is starting some

new projects: A Drama Team and a “KIT – keeping in touch” with our college students.

Our Midlands Spring Gathering will be at Redeemer in Hooper on April 6th. More

information will come later.

We received our offerings and opened our Bible Study with prayer. This first lesson

was entitled “Come and See: Seeking and finding faith” from the Gospel of John. There

will be four sessions on “Meetings with Jesus.” Sherry gave us a very interesting lesson

and included two video clips on two of Jesus first miracles.

Marilyn Volin served strawberry shortcake with strawberries from their garden.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR: Tuesday, Febr. 12

th 9 am Quilting (Old basement)

Thursday, Febr. 21st 2 pm Bethlehem Women (Fellowship Hall)

Hostess: Alvina Mumm Lesson: Darlene Hanson Tuesday, Febr. 26

th 9 am Quilting (Old basement)

Friday, March 1st World Day of Prayer – Methodist Church

FIRST STEP PRESCHOOL HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019

We welcomed the kids back to preschool from Christmas break with lots of new things in the room. A new calendar, a new month, a new year, a new season and new things hanging up they were so excited!! During “I” week we learned about ice/igloos. The preschoolers made their own igloos out of a styrofoam bowl, white frosting and sugar cubes. They got to feel ice & watch it melt during class time. During “K” week we learned all about Kangaroos. The preschoolers acted like kangaroos & got kisses from Kanga, our friend the Kangaroo. We brought real snow in the classroom from outside & the preschoolers got to play with in the water table. They loved it!! L week we learned about ladybugs! “M” week we will be making our own musical instruments and creating our own marching band with some real instruments!! Please feel free to visit our classroom!! First Step Preschool Debbie, Jen and Julie

Train up a child in the way he should go and when

he is old he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6

Bethlehem Lutheran Church 504 West 8th St.

Wahoo, Nebraska 68066 402-443-3160

Newsletter mailed 1/31/2019

Nonprofit Org. Permit No. 23

U.S. Postage PAID Wahoo, NE 68066

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Let Us Know Your Email Address! If you would prefer “THE STAR” via email let us know. Also, having an email address can help us update people faster and without postage costs. Simply email the church office at: wahoo.bethlehem@gmail.com and give us your email.

Our Members at the Care Centers: South Haven: Eunice Brodahl, Robert Peterson & Joe Carr

Care Center: Jenny Iversen Saunders House: Tom Lindau & Stanley Dokulil

Please let us know: If you are going to the hospital or having a procedure done please give the office a call to let us know. HIPAA rules prevent hospitals from calling us. * Deadline for submitting articles for the March newsletter is February 22nd