THE BETHEL BEACON · Congratulations to Tim and Robyn (Gieseking) Brown on the birth of their twin daughters on February 17, 2015! Willa Bea was born at 8:34 am and was 4 lbs. 9 oz.

BILL SWITZER, Pastor

Sunday School @ 9 am

Worship time @ 10:00 am

BETHEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

2400 CENTRAL AVE. NEBRASKA CITY, NE

68410

Church Telephone #: (402) 873-6218

Emergency: (402) 6369-0842 (Pastor Bill)

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.bethelucchurch.com

Find us on

Moving Forward in the Spirit

Leaving the Old to Embrace the New

On June 9, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., the Church Council invites all members of the congregation, and specifically the members of each council, committee, or ministry, to its regularly scheduled meeting. The purpose of the gathering is to begin a

process of envisioning a future for Bethel UCC here in Nebraska City.

The theme is Moving Forward in the Spirit. We recognize that the Spirit of God has been part of the beginning and the

life of Bethel in the past. It is now time to move forward responding to the call of God in ministry for the future.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ baptism is the way in which he leaves his past and welcomes in the future. The text reads:

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan…”

Matthew tells this story because the readers should know that while looking forward, the story also is symbolic of the past. Just like the Hebrew slaves in Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea represents the end of slavery and the beginning of a search, Jesus’ Baptism in the waters of the Jordan represent both an end to his private life and the beginning of a public

ministry.

An ending and a beginning…a Moving Forward in the Spirit is an opportunity for all members of Bethel to join together

to live into God’s future.

This opportunity is not just for council members but for everyone who has ideas and suggestions and visions for the fu-

ture.

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. Be part of Moving Forward in the Spirit. Join the

journey.

Moving Forward in the Spirit

Dominus vobiscum,

Bill

THE BETHEL BEACON

MAY/JUNE 2015

Join the Journey

It is up to YOU

BETHEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Monthly Statement By Christine Parkyn-Luther

March 2015 Balance

Current Expenses/Income……………….. 12,928.59

Missionary Fund OCWM…………………… 258.50

Improvement Fund…...……………………. 17,557.62

Capital Project Fund..…………………….. 14,882.59

Organ Maintenance Fund..…………….… 2,000.00

Elevator Fund…………………..…………….. 16,281.43

Other……………………….......................... 3325.00

Total………………………………………...….... $ 67,233.73

A more detailed report has been posted on the church bulletin board.

Copies will be made available upon request.

Congratulations to Tim and Robyn (Gieseking) Brown on the birth of their twin daughters on February 17, 2015! Willa Bea was born at 8:34 am and was 4 lbs. 9 oz.

and 18 inches long. Alma Ann was born at 8:35 am and was 6 lbs. 9.1 oz. and 19 inches long. Proud big sister is Scout who will surely be a big help to mom and dad!

Grandparents are Jerry and Connie Gieseking.

Our search committee has been meeting and are in the process

of receiving and reviewing profiles. We will keep you

updated as the process

continues!

COMMITTEE

UPDATE

Congratulations to Tyson & Molly Hermann on the birth of their daughter, Slone Emery Lynn

Hermann. She was born April 25, 2015. She was 8 lbs. 4 oz. 19 3/4 in. long. Grandparents

are Lynn & Dale Wurtele, Great Grandparents are Bonnie

& Dale Wurtele, Great Great Grandmother is Ruth Wurtele.

IN OUR PRAYERS IN MARCH & APRIL:

Lorraine Cooper, Justin Williams, James Griepenstroh, Alberta Kuehn,

Betty Blankenship, Logan Drabek, Mason Wieckhorst, Ella Mathisen,

Randy Chapin, Marcelo Kronenberg (Bill Carroll’s soon to be Brother-in-Law

who has colon cancer), Mignon DeShon (Darcy Carpenter’s mother), Helen

Ramold, and all who struggle with chronic illness, those confined to their

homes & to long term care facilities.

MAY…

Sun. May 3rd: Senior Recognition ~ Breakfast @ 9 am in Fellowship Hall for our graduates, their family, and confirmation mentors

Sun. May 10th: Graduation 1 pm @ NCHS

Sun. May 17th: Last day of Sunday school, 4th Quarter attendance awards, Sunday school teacher recognition, and our annual church picnic at American Meter Park following worship. Please bring a covered dish and table settings for your family. Dress for fun and bring any outdoor games of choice!

Sun. May 24th: Totenfest

Mon. May 25th: Office closed for Memorial Day

Thank you to Harold & Gladys Huss who helped assemble the May/June edition of the Bethel Beacon.

Saturday, May 30th @ 6 pm the Brown’s will be hosting an open house in honor of Kilian Keetz in Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited to stop by and extend your best

wishes to him on his return home.

IT’S VBS PLANNING TIME AGAIN!

This year the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nebr. City is going to host

vacation bible school for the first time!

We are excited to have them involved!

This year’s theme is: “Cross Cultural Thailand Trek”. Dates for this year are June 15-18. Time will be 9 am—Noon. Volunteers are needed for music, bible

study, crafts, games and kitchen.

If interested, please contact Sarah at the church office 402-873-6218 or email her

at [email protected].

Registration forms are on the usher’s table. When finished, please drop them

off to Sarah at the office. They are looking for baby food jars, so if anyone has any, please bring them to the office

as well!

Thank you to everyone who brightened our sanctuary

with flowers, and who sponsored bulletins during

the months of March & April .

Congratulations to Jamie and Ashley (Marshall) Mayer on the birth of their son, Oliver Page Mayer, born 4/2/2015 at 6:53 pm. He was 20.5 inches, and 9 lbs 8 oz. Big sister Estel is 17 months old. Proud grandparents are Dennis

and Carol Marshall, and great-grandpa Robert Heye.

LOOKING AHEAD

~ JULY ~

Fri. 3rd: Office closed in observance of July 4th

Sat. 4th: Independence Day!

Sun. 5th: Communion/Food pantry

Tues. 14th: Church Council mtg. 7 pm

Tues. 21st: Ministerial Association meeting 9 am

Mon. 27th: Meals on Wheels

Our next Beacon will be the July/August edition. It will

be available on June 28th. If you have something you’d

like to have in that edition, please have it to the office

by Monday, June 22nd. Thank you!

MAY

Dorothy Reese 1st Mike Redelfs 4th David Carpenter 5th Rylee Mills 7th

Delphine Griepenstroh 9th Katie Chapin 11th Sharon Kotas 11th Brian Bando 12th

Jason Stukenholtz 13th Grace Sinner 14th LaVonda Bando 18th Anna Hotsenpillar 18th

Dalyce Sudman 19th Gladys Huss 23rd Emily Meadows 24th Katheryn Walters 27th

Andrew Stukenholtz 28th Bill Walters 29th

JUNE

Delores Schriener 1st Nancy Brown 4th Josie Meadows 6th Danielle Barrett 6th

Jason Holman 7th Leta Bremer 20th Justace Rinne 20th Judy Smith 20th

Sharon Herzog 21st Makenzie Johnson 22nd Quintin Holman 23rd Burton Weible 25th

John Carroll 28th

BEST WISHES TO THOSE CELEBRATING THEIR

BIRTHDAYS & WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

IN MAY/JUNE

ANNIVERSARIES

MAY

Alex & Natalie Sevening ~ May 14, 2011

Stephen & Christine Luther~5/25/2001

Kevin & Jan Pummel ~ May 25th

Derek & Jessica Ferguson ~ 5/19/2012

JUNE

Glenn & Leta Bremer ~ June 4th

Michael & Brenda Wieckhorst~6/5/99

Larry & Tracy Wieckhorst~ 6/10/1989

Vernon & Linda Brooke ~ June 11, 1957

Mike & Mary Redelfs ~ June 20, 1986

Jerry & Connie Gieseking ~6/26/1976

Burton & Cindy Weible ~ June 26th

Daniel & Jen Hamilton ~ June 29, 1996

Thank you to all who brought Easter lilies to honor and memorialize their loved ones. They were a beautiful addition to our Easter

service! Thank you as well to everyone who helped in any way during Holy Week and with Easter services.

In honor of: From: Family & friends Mike & Mary Redelfs Troy Jensen & Steven Jensen Gerald & Connie Jensen Rev. Edwin & Lucille Brown/Melivin Liesemeyer Norm, Nancy & Nick Brown In rememberance of: From: All those we have lost Barrett Famliy Ralph & Leona Bando Brian & Sarah Bando & Family Jack & Evelyn Brust/John & Elfrieda Gaward John & Margaret Brust Our parents Jan & Kevin Pummel & Family Mike & Angie Sinner & Family ________________________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations to our graduating seniors!

JOHN CARROLL

KILIAN KEETZ JULIA FRANCIS

JAMIE HORSTMANN DYLAN VOCK

SCHEDULED TO SERVE MAY 2015

LAY LEADERS May 3 May 10 May 17 May 24 May 31 Noah Hamilton Dylan Holman Sandy Ried Adelene Vock Dennis Marshall GREETERS May 3 May 10 May 17 May 24 May 31 Derek & Jessica Marilyn Rivett Pauline Peterson Brown Family Kevin & Jan Pummel Ferguson Chris Rivett Delphine Griepenstroh USHERS May 3—May 10 May 17—May 24 May 31—June 7 Gene & Kay Nannen Arlin Rohlfs, Cindy Kreifels Lenny & Jen Tietz Harold & Gladys Huss Marilyn Weible, Jane Kreifels Norm & Nancy Brown SOUND SYSTEM May 3—May 10 May 17—May 24 May 31—June 7 Stephen Luther Harold Huss Burt Weible ACOLYTES May 3 May 10 May 17 May 24 May 31 Katherine Luther Mason Hamilton Matthew Ramold Christian Tietz Quintin Holman Elizabeth Luther Gray Carpenter Brianna Johnson Madisen Tietz Keston Holman

FLOWERS ~ Sarah Bando COOKIE FELOWSHP ~ Jane Kreifels & Cindy Kreifels

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SCHEDULED TO SERVE JUNE 2015

LAY LEADERS June 7 June 14 June 21 June 28 Kassi Holman Norm Brown Adelene Vock Jan Pummel GREETERS June 7 June 14 June 21 June 28 Sharon Kotas Bonnie Wurtele Harold & Gladys Marily Rivett Marilyn Weible Huss Chris Rivett USHERS June 7 June 14—June 21 June 28—July 5 Lenny & Jen Tietz Stephen Luther, Janice Dawson Jason & Kassi Holman Norm & Nancy Brown Jamie Horstmann, Sara Horstmann Delores Schreiner, Pauline Peterson SOUND SYSTEM June 7 June 14—June 21 June 28—July 5 Burt Weible Norm Brown Kevin Pummel ACOLYTES June 7 June 14 June 21 June 28 Nick Brown Jason Stukenholtz Katherine Luther Mason Hamilton Need volunteer Andrew Stukenholtz Elizabether Luther Gray Carpenter

Bethel United Church of Christ

2400 Central Avenue

Nebraska City, NE 68410

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

MAY/JUNE

2015