BETHEL BITSJUNE 2019

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

My heart is full of goodness as I reflect on the past month of ministry, worship, and our shared life together. Most of May 2019’s activities where shaped by the work we imagined in May 2018, when Pastor Libby Howe came to us to lead us in an Asset Mapping Activiy. That day, a wind blew through our congregation. It was the Holy Spirit guiding, gathering, and moving us into ways of loving each other and those whose names we do not know.

June 2019 will not be a quieter month. Take a look at the calendar for June in this issues of the newsletter.

There’s a lot going on!And I am thankful and giving praise to God for our energy and imagination to live as a vibrant community of faith. We are engaged in caring for ourselves and others—This is wonderful!

Familiar Events in JuneOutback Picnic on June 5

Monday Meals at Trinity on June 24Community out at the Loggers’ Game on June 28

New Event in June: Shrimp Boil Fundraiser on June 30

With each of these events and all that will be occurring at Bethel in June, I’ve pondering how each event, worship service, and mission outreach engages a balance of people of Bethel members and those who are not members. This too me is one characteristic of vibrant congregation. We, as a community, are made of up a diversity of people. Our social well-being is dependent, I believe, on being in relationship with those whom we do not know well, those who are unfamiliar to us, and those whom we’ve shared long-term relationships—This is good news!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Wholeness Wheel Devotional Page 3

The President’s Pen & Council Meeting Highlights Page 4

Assset Action Team Update Page 5

Stewardship Article Page 6 -7

WELCA Spring Bazaar Pics Page 7

Outback Picnics, Rummage Sale Reults, LWRPage 8

Our Father’s World Page 9

June – Dec Events Page 10

Now, in the midst of the familiar and the new, we at Bethel will be conducting a holy experiment.

Holy ExperimentThis is My Father’s WorldIt’s a 3-part experiment.

Part OneSunday, June 9PreparationThe sending blessing on Sunday, June 9 will be a charger to you, the worshippers, to go out and discovering God’s presence in our world. The closing hymn will be “This is my Father’s World.”

Part TwoSunday, June 16Discovering GodOn this Sunday for your time with God, rather than come to worship at Bethel, you are invited to discover God in different ways and to discover how the Holy Spirit is leading you to experience something new. The council is asking you to open yourself to have a “God-Sighting.” A “God-Sighting” is when you see, hear, or experience something and your heart leaps a bit and you say, “Oh, is this God?” (I spoke about this during Easter about “waking up to God in the world.) Remember this God-sighting, write it down, or even take a picture. Then save it for church on June 23.

Part ThreeSunday, June 23We Share with our CommunityOn this Sunday, we will do the sermon together. Our stories will be the proclaimtion of the good news of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit active in the world as we experience their work and love. One of the hymns will be “This is My Father’s World.

This holy experiment was imagined by the Church Council during the April meeting. Our purpose was to practice taking a risk, a fairly safe risk, to discover how God continue to empower us to begin anew as a community. This is a skill we need as God’s church today.

So, enjoy Bethel’s participation in God’s world in June! There’s a lot going on!In Christ,

Pastor Anne Hokenstad

Please complete the followingword prompts

Bethel is a community

Grounded _______________

Gathered ________________

Going Forward ____________

Share your thoughts to to Pastor Anne by

Sunday, June 23

PS. > Thank you your for care and compassion for those on our prayer list. I’ve heard from folks, how this helps with their sense of community.And, Thank you to each and all who do God’s Workwith your hands.

OUR MISSION/VOCATION

The members of Bethel Lutheran Church commit ourselves to respond and witness to Jesus through lives of worship and prayer,

learning and growth, loving service, joyous giving and creative stewardship to all God has given us.

 

June’s devotional reading based on the Wholeness Wheel is about our “social and interpersonal well-being. The beginning of summer is traditional time for us to think about vacations and different activities that bring us into connections experienced in the warm, sunny weather. This particular part of our wholeness ties directly to our 2019 Star Word—Community.

In what communities do you belong? Who are your people? Are the communities you participate in more like you than not? Or are they diverse or becoming more diverse? As you work your way through this months part on the Wholeness Wheel, consider a new community you might like to investigate or one you might like to invest in at a deepler level. How is God calling you to grow your social life as a member of living, vibrant communities?

Please complete the followingword prompts

Bethel is a community

Grounded _______________

Gathered ________________

Going Forward ____________

Share your thoughts to to Pastor Anne by

Sunday, June 23

THE PRESIDENT

Dear Bethel Friends,

It was a very busy May at Bethel!

The three part series, Let’s Talk: Life, Substance Abuse, and Recovery—held May 6, 13, 20th, the Red Cross blood drive on May 9th and the annual rummage sale May 23 and 24th.

The newly formed Fundraising committee also met multiple times planning events for the remainder of the year.

We also squeezed in our fist Pray, Clean, Eat on Sunday May 5th. This spring clean-up was a huge success with the help of the many people of Bethel. A few outdoor tasks were completed prior to that Sunday due to a forecast of rain.

Chores were completed in a short time due to all the help. A lunch was at noon when all of the work was completed.

A huge “Thank You!” to all who participated.

This month is shaping up to be a busy one too. We’ll begin our Outback Picnics, a trip to a Loggers game, Monday Meals and a new fundraiser.

Bethel will again serve Monday Meals on June 24th.

If you are interested in volunteering for this Northside “Community” event, contact Mike McCormick or myself.

May 7, 2019 Council Meeting Highlights

By Bob Stein(not approved council minutes)

We had another good meeting tonight with all members in attendance.

Discussed April 2019 income and expense summary

Asset mapping project team on addiction had a great turnout for first gathering of the Let’s Talk series on May 6th.

High school senior recognition will be on June 9th

We still need two delegates to represent Bethel at the Synod Assembly in June

Fundraising team will meet again on May 19th and has the first fundraising event scheduled for June 30th

Spring clean-up after worship on May 5th (Pray, Clean, Eat) was a big success. Thank you to all who helped!

As a reminder, June 16th (Father’s Day and Synod Assembly) we will celebrate “This is our Father’s World Sunday”. We will not have worship at Bethel so you can explore God’s world for other worship opportunities

Outback cookout schedule was modified. The dates are June 5th, July 10th and August 7th

Our loyalty is with Jesus Christ

OUR MISSIONThe members of Bethel

Nice work everyone. It wonderful to see the energy our congregation has

Bob Stein

ASSET ACTION TEAM UPDATE

The Asset Action Teams have added much to our community here within Bethel and within our neighborhood.The Addiction & Recovery Action Team planned and implemented its project of holding town hall style gathering in May . The next step for this team is to meet and assess how the project was received, what we learned, and what might next steps be.The Blooddrive Action Team held a successful blood drive on May 9. Twenty-nine individuals were able to give blood. Type O continues to be needed. We are confident that as more individuals learn about Bethel as Blooddrive site on the northside, our service to the community will grow. The Ministry with Kids Action Team has ended its first session of faith formation with its Saturday Kids and 1-Room Sunday School. This team will continue some kind of involvement with the Outback Picnics in the summer of 2019. This team will be assessing its action plan and make being making future decisions. The Fundraising Task Force, while not an orginal Asset Action Team, has become one. The Team meets monthly, usually after a worship service, to make decisions. In the calendar section of this issue of the Bethel Bits fundraisers have been schedule from June to November. Details of each fundraiser will be shared in various media and communication resources as time gets closer to each event. The next Fundraising Task Force meeting is scheduled for June 9, following worship and Reception for 2019 Graduates. Contact Dan Johnson for information.

STEWARDSHIP

Tithed & Tired" vs "Storied & Inspired"

For many Christians, the word “stewardship” seems like a gilded demand for “tithing,” giving 10% of one’s income to a local congregation. It may surprise you, but I’m not really a fan of tithing. In addition to being biblically suspect, tithing lacks thoughtful practicality, given what we know about people’s varying giving levels. At last year’s Rethinking Stewardship conference, I condensed my argument into an 18-minute presentation. In addition to the video below, you can find a written summary of my talk, encouraging stewardship pitches to be more storied and inspired.

Yours truly,

Adam Copeland, Center for Stewardship Leaders

Many congregations’ websites describe the practice of tithing on their giving pages, almost as placeholder text. Sometimes it’s simple and direct: “The biblical model for giving is to tithe, allocating 10% of one’s income to the church, so that should be your goal.” Other descriptions are more subtle: “We appreciate your support for this church, where our mission to share Christ’s light with the world includes the practice of directing 10% of church gifts to support global charities.” Thereby implying, we tithe as a church so you should, too - through us!

Some leaders are aware that many members give closer to 1% than 10%, so giving invitations might not mention percentages at all. But avoiding the conversation entirely may abandon an important opportunity to nurture disciples in the joy of giving. Plus, whether it’s welcoming a handful of crumpled dollar bills from a single parent, or a retiree’s hefty Qualified Charitable Distribution, we must be sure to lay an approachable mental map for generous gifts!

There are serious limitations to structuring stewardship rhetoric around the supposed “Biblical Standard™” of tithing - and I propose we can do better. Let us rethink how we invite people to give, inspiring their support rather than obliging it.

Now, I’m all for generosity as a spiritual practice. My wife and I designate more than 10% of our income to our “Generosity Fund,” which aims beyond charities to more direct practices, such as tipping extra when possible. Restaurant servers deserve livable income, not tip-structured-minimum-wage (you can learn more about the racist legacy and sexist ramifications of the tipping system across the web). Unreliable income, wage stagnation, cost inflation - there are

burgeoning stressors on most people’s budgets. But in the way faith like a mustard seed can transform our surroundings, generosity can snowball from tight amounts into a powerful force.

But instead of forceful, we feel stagnated, mired in financial anxieties. The data indicates that, on average, U.S. individuals give around 2-3% of their after-tax income to charities (including churches). So while there may be some tithers in your congregation -- and God bless them -- the average church-goer will give away 2-3% of her income, and probably not to your congregation alone. Given this reality, we can recognize when a stewardship pitch is winding up some sort of biblical mandate to give four times as much… and predict that’s probably not going to make its mark.

I don’t have room here to do a careful exegesis, so at the risk of oversimplifying: a fair reading of scripture does not reinforce any goal or requirement that Christians today should give 10% of their income to their local congregation. If tithing became a key concern of Jesus, he would probably mention it. Instead, while Jesus talks about money all the time, he is nearly always addressing people’s relationship with money, and the (in)justice associated with the distribution of money. In imagining the Christian life, Paul embraced generosity, cheerful giving, and caring for those in need. But there is never any sense of a 10% catchall expectation in the Gospels, epistles, or elsewhere in the New Testament.

The Old Testament includes several passages that note the practice of giving 10% to the Temple. This money went to support the Levitical priests, temple upkeep, sacrifices, and charity. Deuteronomy 14:22-29 suggests tithing also led to huge (God-sanctioned) parties with good food, strong drink, and great rejoicing.

So, if we don’t use tithing as a rhetorical device to compel giving, what should we do? This path is where I lean on invitation rather than the obligation. And for Christians, invitation is a key ingredient of discipleship.

As Henri Nouwen famously observes, “Fundraising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission.” Stewardship ministry then becomes a way to proclaim what we believe.

One of the best ways to make this proclamation is to tell stories; stories of our ministry, stories of lives changed, stories of the Spirit working through the gifts we give back to God in the offering. Tell the story of Dave whose life was changed by volunteering at your food shelf. Tell the story of Nikkeya who led confirmation classes and is now going to seminary. Tell the story of Haden

who discovered God on a mission trip. Tell the story of Edna who was touched when the pastor visited her last week.

As a friend of mine puts it, we are made of and moved by story. Stewardship, at its best, invites people to join in the story of God’s work in your midst -- an invitation that can truly inspire generosity.

OUTBACK PICNICS COMMUNITY, CONVERSATION, & GOOD EATS

There will be three Outback Picnic and Grill in the summer of 2019. We will meet outback of church on the green. Beverages, buns, condiments, and hot dogs will be provided throughout the summer

Dates: June 5, July 10, and August 7.Time: 6:00pmWho: Congregational members, friends, and neighbors.What to bring: A small dish to share and something to grill for you and yours. Activies: Yard games, conversation, and good eatsWhat’s new this year: Yard games and

Fun4Kids (an information, kind organized time for kids to continue learning about the Way of Jesus—adults can join, too.)

BETHEL RUMMAGE SALE RESULTSThe annual rummage sale at Bethel was successful again this year. $1,908.65was made for the general church fund.  This was a $400.00 increase over last year.  Thank you to all who spent time helping.  It is a huge commitment of time to get it all ready.  Special thanks to Dawn Johnson for suppling the hot dogs, chips, sandwiches and lemonade. 

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF – QUILTS June’s mission emphasis is quilts. The Sew Day Ladies/Busy Bees continue to very actively work on making quilts for Lutheran World Relief.

We continue to need fabric to cut squares to sew together for quilt tops. We need flat colored sheets for quilt backing. Also we need monetary donations to purchase the filler we use to make the quilts nice and warm. We buy the filler in a large roll for $107 and cut it into 60 x 80 inch pieces which is the size we make the quilts.

We appreciate any help you can give to us.You are also welcome to join us in assembling the quilts on Tuesdays.

Thank you for your support.

Lois Olson

THIS IS OUR FATHER’S WORLD SUNDAY! SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 2019

In honor of Father’s Day, you are invited to explore God’s world. There will be no worship service on Sunday, June 16 at Bethel Lutheran.

Consider the follwing options for your Sabbath with God for June 16.

Attend a worship service at another church you’ve always want to. Worship with a friend or family member spend time with family, Be active outside Be quiet (Sleep in!) Do something you with your Father or

something that you used to do with him. Spend time with someone you consider

to be fatherly. Spend time with a person looks up to

you as a father. Imagine and create what you need on

this day for you!

Sunday, June 23 the sermon will be your stories of your outing with God and othersHow did God met you, how did you see God on June 16?

Please be mindful of your financial gifts to sustain God’s Work through Bethel.. You can place your June 16 offering in the offering plate on June 9 or 23. 

If you have questions regarding either of these days, please contact Pastor Anne or one of the council members.

2019 JUNE – DECEMBER EVENTS AT A GLANCE

DATES AND EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

TIMES WILL BE PROVIDED CLOSER TO EVENT TIMES

June 2019*Drawers and Socks for Synod Assembly*Items for GraduatesJune 2, Sign-up available for lawn care at the church, Sign-up for Logger’s Game

Shrimp Boil Tickets go on sale for Bethel members and friendsJune 4, Council Meeting, 6:30pmJune 5, Outback Picnic, Fun4Kids, & Yard GamesJune 9, Pentecost Sunday, Wear Red or other colors of a fire flame.

Graduate Recognition Sunday

Shrimp Boil Tickets go on sale for the general publicJune 16, “This is Our Father’s World Sunday”June 18, Constitution Revision Task Force, 6:30pmJune 23, Pick up Logger Tickets from Dan JohnsonJune 24, Monday Meals at TrinityJune 28, Logger’s Baseball Game EventJune 30, Shrimp Boil Fundraiser

July 2019July 4, Office Closed

July 10, Outback Picnic, Fun4Kids, & Yard Games

August 2019August TBA, Congregational Picnic at Swanson’sAugust 7, Outback Picnic, Fun4Kids, & Yard GamesSeptember 2019Virtual Prime Rib FundraiserSeptember 2, Labor Day, Office ClosedSeptember 13-14, Johnson & Sierzant Rehearsal and Wedding

October 2019Best Giving Month FundraiserOctober 11-12, Schmidt & Steinhoff Rehearsal and WeddingOctober 14, Monday Meals at TrinityOctober 14, Fall Bazaar and Bake Sale set-up beginsOctober 19, Fall Bazaar and Bake Sale

October 26, La Crosse Area WELCA Gathering October 27, Reformation Sunday

November 2019November 9, Chili Cook-Off and Turkey BingoNovember 17, Congregational Meeting regarding Constitution and By-law revisionsNovember 24, Christ the King SundayNovember 28, Thanksgiving Day, Office Closed

December 2019TBA, Cookie WalkTBA Rotary MealsDecember 1, Advent BeginsTuesday, December 24, Christmas Eve DayWednesday, December 25, Christmas Day, Church ClosedDecember 30, Monday Meals, Trinity

BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTESAPRIL 9, 2019

Attendance: Pastor Anne, Bob Stein, Sharon Zimmerman, Mike McCormick, Dan Johnson, Nancy Halverson, Dawn Johnson, Tammy Dickinson

At 6:00 pm Guest speaker Bill Nasseth spoke for 40 minutes on fund raising

ideas as used at his church. See attached.

Confidentiality statement read by Bob.

Devotions by Pastor Anne

Meeting minutes from March approved.

Financial report for March Approved.

Discussed hopes, goals, dreams, fears, worries, and ideas for Bethel.

Committee reports -

Social Concerns - Mike McCormick – Monday Meals was April 8, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran with 139 served the left overs were taken to the Driftless Recovery house. Planning treats to the home bound for Easter with funds being used from Hunger jar. Pastor will plan to help deliver the treats as she visits for communion for Easter. Addiction Awareness week is May 12-18, so our presentation is well timed. We have posters and public announcements that will be posted to the available social media options. Tamra can post on Logan Northside Neighborhood Association Facebook page as well.

Stewardship – Dan Johnson – our next outing will be a Loggers Baseball game, June 28, 2019. The King’s Cabin is rented and we need 30 people to sign up.

Nancy Halverson gave update on the children’s program and their participation at Maundy Thursday Washing of the feet. Also something for Easter Sunday to be passed out by the children.

Pastor Anne’s report – The information to participate in the jail ministry is not available. We will not need to attend any ministries at the jail at this time. See hand out.

Motion – Part of the compensation for Pastor Anne Hokenstad shall include $24,000 designated as housing allowance. This designation is in effect for all of 2019. Motion by Nancy Halverson and second by Mike McCormick. Voice carried.

Old Business

There is a meeting scheduled April 28, 2019, for anyone interested in discussion about Fund Raising ideas. Today’s information from our guest speaker will be helpful and was inspiring.

Bylaws review is Tuesday April 16, 2019 at 6:30 pm.

Synod Assembly is June 14, 15, 16 at UWL we need two representatives to go for Bethel.

New Business

Discussion on how to worship on Father’s Day resulted in the Theme “This is Our Father’s World” We will EXPLORE God’s world and the following Sunday will be discussing what we did.

Spring Clean-up – scheduled for May 5, 2019, wear cleaning clothes to Church and be ready to clean afterwards. This is timed for our busy schedule in May: hosting of the addiction awareness and our annual rummage sale.

Outback cook outs – We are looking at two dates each month for our cook outs. (June 5&19, July 10&24, August 7&21)

Some discussion of fund raising then deferred to April 28, 2019.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05

Respectfully submitted by, Tamra Dickinson, Secretary

WELCA SPRING BAZAARPhoto Credit: Julie Hegy

Bethel Lutheran Church April 2019 Financial Report

           

    Income

      2019 2018Differenc

e

Offering Income  $19,86

5$26,29

0 -$6,425Benevolence   $861 $1,968 -$1,107Fund Raiser Proceeds   $1,634 $1,214 $420Holiday Offerings   $2,694 $4,651 -$1,957Memorials/Gifts/Misc   $4,264 $2,281 $1,983

Total    $29,31

7$36,40

4 -$7,087               2019 2018 Differenc

e   Budge

t Actual Actual

Staffing  $28,01

3$27,89

8$28,52

8 -$630Property   $6,833 $7,158 $8,047 -$889Worship expenses $2,833 $1,071 $2,555 -$1,484Office/Administration $2,567 $2,602 $3,349 -$747Benevolence Gifts $1,433 $1,300 $1,400 -$100Budgeted Expenses

$41,679

$40,028

$43,878 -$3,850

       Unbudgeted Benevolence   $529 $568 -$39Total Expenditures  

$40,557

$44,446 -$3,890

                      

 Jan - Apr Income vs

Expenses

  2019 2018Differenc

e

Income$29,31

7$36,40

4 -$7,087

Expenses$40,02

8$43,87

8 -$3,850

Difference

-$10,71

1-

$7,474 -$3,236                      Cash and Investment      

TotalsGeneral Fund Checking Account (4/30/19)   $34,478Special Funds Savings Account     $29,293Total Checking and Savings Account     $63,771           Thrivent Investment Funds     $14,060Trust Funds       $52,614Total Investment Funds       $66,674

DEADLINESNewsletter Submissions for Bethel Bits Due June 17

Submit to Jen in the office or by email: office@bethellax.org

2019 Monthly Missions & Outreach 

June – Quilting Supplies July – Baby Care Kits August – School Kits September – Peanut Butter October – Women’s Clothes November – Thanksgiving FoodDecember – Canned Meat  

2019 Spare Change Campaign = $234.65

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

Mylan Ottum June 2Timothy Fry June 14Dawn Johnson June 15Elwood Harebo June 16Mark Halverson June 21Dawn A. Johnson June 26Dena Swanson June 26  

BETHEL YOUTH

Megan Olson was recently awarded the Kevin Kowalke Memorial Scholarship. She is graduating from Logan High School this spring and will be attending Winona State University in the fall. Megan is planning to major in elementary education and music education. Congratulations Megan, we wish you the best!

JUST A REMINDER that scrip order will be taken the first Sunday of each month.

Please consider purchasing gift cards through our Scrip program. Bethel receives a percentage of the card value from the Scrip program for local purchases you make every week.

OUR MISSION

The members of Bethel Lutheran Church commit ourselves to respond and witness to Jesus through lives of worship and prayer, learning and growth, loving service, joyous

giving and creative stewardship to all God has given us.

 

Contact Us

Church Office Hours: 9AM—2PM Mon—Thurs (608)781-0129www.bethellax.orgFollow Us on Facebook

BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

1931 Loomis StreetLa Crosse, WI 54603

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE PAID

Permit No. 475La Crosse, WI 54603

Recipient Name

Street AddressCity, ST ZIP Code

MEET OUR STAFF

Anne HokenstadPastorpastor@bethellax.org

Jennifer SchmittOffice Administratoroffice@bethellax.o