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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
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