1. education
2. school

April 2015
Come Join Us
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 5th
8:30am Traditional with Communion
11:00am Contemporary with Communion
Join us at 9:30am for an Easter Breakfast served by our High School Youth
and at 10:15am for an Easter Egg Hunt.
Bethany Lutheran Church’s Mission:
To glorify the Triune God, Grow in our relationship with Christ,
Share His Love and care for each other.
Page 2
Vision Update
Bethany Visioning and Strategic Planning Process
On Wednesday March 11th, Bethany’s Church Council had a follow up Vision meeting
with our consultant, Jana Swenson. The focus of this meeting was attracting new and
young families to Bethany, as the congregation indicated this as a major goal in the
Holy Cow Congregational Survey.
Jana had us visualize what experiences we wanted for new families when they
attend Bethany by asking the following questions:
• How will their Faith Lives be different after 1 years at Bethany?
• What experiences should they have within 1 year at Bethany?
• What experiences should they have within 1 month at Bethany?
• What experiences should they have the first time they arrive at Bethany?
For each point in time, we listed the ministries and programs we’d need in place to
nurture their spiritual walk, and progressively get them involved to the ultimate point
of deciding that Bethany is their church home.
Our next step is to determine which current ministries and boards could help create
these experiences. Within the next month, the various boards are being asked,
“What can your board do to help meet this vision and give new families these
experiences?” Those experiences that can’t be fulfilled by existing ministries and
boards, will now be considered for further development.
We are looking forward to continuing this process when the Council, Elders and Staff
meet on March 25 and April 21. We will continue to share our progress with you as we
move forward.
God Bless,
Dave Dohrmann
Congregation Chairman
Gary Landhauser
Past Congregation Chairman
April 2015 Calendar
Page 3
6:30pm
Wednesday, April 1
6:00am Men’s Bible Study
No Confirmation
7:00pm Birkicht Small Group—Ad Ed Rm
Thursday, April 2 Maundy Thursday
9:00am Adult Bible Study—Ad Ed Rm
6:00pm Human Care—Leadership
7:00pm Maundy Thursday Service
Friday, April 3 Good Friday
7:00pm Good Friday Service
Saturday, April 4
9:00am Choir Practice
11:00am Wholy Fit
Sunday, April 5 Easter Sunday
8:30am Traditional Easter Service
9:30am Easter Breakfast—FLC
11:00am Contemporary Easter Service
10:15am Bethany Easter Egg Hunt
Monday, April 6
6:00pm LWML Topic Leaders
6:30pm LWML Board Meeting
Tuesday, April 7
3:00pm Prayer— Library
5:00pm Praise Moves—Living Room
6:30pm Hand Bells
Wednesday, April 8
6:00am Men’s Bible Study
6:00pm Confirmation
7:30pm HS Bible Study— Goerdt
Thursday, April 9
9:00am Adult Bible Study—Ad Ed Rm
12:00pm Mission of Hope Meal
1:30pm Rebekah Circle—Ad Ed Rm
7:00pm Leah Circle—Deetz
7:00pm Naomi Circle—Freese
7:00pm Adult Basketball
Saturday, April 11
11:00am Wholy Fit— Living Room
Sunday, April 12
11:00am Melinda Crow’s Installation
12:00pm Installation cake reception
6:00pm TLC Joyful Servants—Nanke
Monday, April 13
6:45pm Trustees Meeting—Adult Ed Rm
Tuesday, April 14
11:00am Washington HS Lunch &
Devotions— FLC
3:00pm Prayer— Library
5:00pm Praise Moves—Living Room
6:30pm Hand Bells
Stephen Ministries Area Cont. Ed—
St. Paul’s United Methodist
Wednesday, April 15
6:00am Men’s Bible Study
4:00pm Cottage Grove Devotions
6:00pm Confirmation
7:30pm HS Bible Study— Goerdt
Thursday, April 16
9:00am Adult Bible Study—Ad Ed Rm
11:00am Senior Worship
7:00pm Adult Basketball
Saturday, April 18
9:00am Iowa District East Lutheran Hour
Ministry—FLC
11:00am Wholy Fit— Living Room
Monday, April 20
10:00am Bingo—Winslow House
Tuesday, April 21
3:00pm Prayer— Library
5:00pm Praise Moves—Living Room
6:30pm Hand Bells
7:00pm Visioning Meeting— Ad Ed Room
Wednesday, April 22
6:00am Men’s Bible Study
6:00pm Confirmation
7:30pm HS Bible Study— Goerdt
Thursday, April 23
9:00am Adult Bible Study—Ad Ed Rm
7:00pm Adult Basketball
Saturday, April 25
8:00am Serve the LORD Day— Bethany
9:00am His Women Seminar—
Double Tree Convention Center
8:45am Family Life Conference—
Zion Lutheran Church
11:00am Wholy Fit— Living Room
Sunday, April 26
9:30am Blood Pressure Checks
6:00pm TLC Joyful Servants—Knutson
Tuesday, April 28
3:00pm Prayer— Library
5:00pm Praise Moves—Living Room
6:30pm Hand Bells
7:00pm VIP—Ad Ed Rm
Wednesday, April 29
6:00am Men’s Bible Study
6:00pm Confirmation
7:30pm HS Bible Study— Goerdt
Thursday, April 30
9:00am Adult Bible Study
7:00pm Adult Basketball
Please submit May Beacon articles to
Rachel in the office, by April 22nd 364-6026
or by email [email protected].
Servants in Worship for April
Page 4
Greeters
April 2
April 3
April 5
6:00
6:00
8:30
11:00
April 12 8:30
11:00
April 19 8:30
11:00
April 26 8:30
11:00
N: Ed & Gloria Schumacher
N: Sara Mellgren
N: Rick & Sandra Thorington
D: Rick & Marvelene Foreman
N: Gary & Jeude Landhauser
D: Karen Schmidt &
Velma Ziesemer
N: Joann Strang
D: Don & Betty Hein
N: Jeff & Sara Mellgren
D: Dick & Karen Hass
N: Lorna Fischer &
Carol Grimminger
D: Mark & Julie Elias
N: Leonard & Rita Tiedt
D: Sheri Mehlhoff
N: Ed & Gloria Schumacher
D: Vern & Betty Happel
N: Mike & Amy Diers
D: Gary & Mary Nanke
Elders & Lectors
April 2
Chris Frampton
April 3
Jeff Mellgren
April 5
Jeff Mellgren &
Steve Hanchera
April 12
Mark Elias
April 19
Rick Foreman
April 26
Dave Karsten
7:00
Debbie Mills
7:00
Sheryl Knutson
8:30 Rachel Henkelmann
11:00 Leonard Tiedt
8:30
11:00
8:30
11:00
8:30
11:00
Rick Thorington
Joel Conrad
Arlen Breiholz
Jeude Landhauser
Pete Larson
Dave Christian
Communion Ware
April 5— Cherie Miller
April 19— Karen Hass
Communion Sunday Prayer Rotation
April 5
8:30— Karen Hass 11:00— Ronda Anderson
April 19
8:30— Kay Karsten 11:00— Jeude Landhauser
Acolytes
April 2
April 3
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
7:00 — Will
7:00 — Jakob
8:30 — Julie
8:30 — Alex
8:30 — Jurnee
8:30 — Will
11:00— Will
11:00— Sophie
11:00— Ethan
11:00— Alex
Ushers
April 2
April 3
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
7:00—Crew # 4
7:00—Crew # 6
8:30—Crew # 4
8:30—Crew # 1
8:30—Crew # 2
8:30—Crew # 3
11:00—Crew # 8
11:00—Crew # 6
11:00—Crew # 7
11:00—Crew # 8
Video Team
April 3
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
7:00
8:30
11:00
8:30
11:00
8:30
11:00
8:30
11:00
Renee Riffey
Jeff Gebert & Ellen Holt
Mike Diers
Renee Riffey
Doug Knutson &
Elianna Novitch
Greg Dunn
Greg Dunn & Steph Hedtke
Jeff Gebert
Michelle Hedtke
Nursery Schedule (11:00 Service)
Would you like to help serve during
Sunday worship? We are always looking for
volunteers to help in the AV room, join
an Usher Crew, or serve as a Lector.
Contact the church office if you are interested!
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
Nursery Not Staffed
Annie Prohaska & Daughter
Melissa Loney & Debbie Mills
Dustin Petrik & Bella Novitch
Prayer Page
Page 5
.
Thanksgiving:
Grief:
Sawyer (grandson of *Jeannine Robinson)- Born 2/25
*Lois Schuchmann (wife of *Fred)- Died 2/28
109 meals served and 11 blood pressures taken at
Mission of Hope on 3/12
Ken (father of *Dave Karsten)- Died 2/20
Illness, injuries, health issues:
Cliff Koop (former member)- Died 2/7
Norman (father of *Matt Carstens)- Rehab recovery
Helen (sister-in-law of *Bonnie Bubke)- Stroke recovery
Alyse (granddaughter of *Janelle Dunbar)- Illness
Sara (daughter of *Janelle Dunbar)- Miscarriage
Jennifer (daughter of *Pat Krekeler)- Health issues
Bobby (nephew of *Sherry Benton)- Recovering after
eye surgery
Mildred (grandmother of *Elizabeth Corey)- Died 2/14
Homebound members of Bethany:
*Don Bryant– Summit Pointe, Marion
*Pat Battin– Living Center East
*Patty King– Crestview Acres
*Irene Jass– Cottage Grove
*Ann Meyer– The Villages, Marion
Dolores (sister of *Sherry Benton)- Hospitalized
Helen (sister in law of *Bonnie Bubke)- stroke
Safety:
Emily (friend of *P. Larson)- transplant complications
Will (grandson of *Carol Grimminger)- Kuwait
Jennifer (daughter in law of *Benton's)- recovering
James & Sarah (sister of *Chris Frampton)- Germany
Richard (father of *M Rinderknecht & *E Heller)recovering after double knee replacement
Persecuted Christians around the world
Marcia (mother of *M Rinderknecht & *E Heller)recovering after surgery
Cancer:
Denise (daughter of *Virginia Kurtz) back fracture
Richard- (father of *Mike Prohaska)- cancer tx
Pam Williams (former member) MS diagnoses
Jim (neighbor of *Bonnie Bubke)- cancer
Rod (nephew of *Bonnie Bubke) Recovering after
brain surgery
Jeff (son in law *Janelle Dunbar)- Liver tumor
Steve (brother of *Linda Patten) assisted living
Tim Tschopp (brother of *Patty King) health concerns
Todd (br in law of Carolyn) recovering after stroke
Rita (friend of *Shirley Kellogg) vision treatment
Jenifer (grdaughter of *Betty Price) medical issues
Jeff (brother of *Donna Birkicht) cancer tx
Cousin of *Jennifer Franks– cancer
Barbara (relative of *Bonnie Bubke) cancer tx,
recovering after surgery
Kelly (friend of *Foreman family) cancer tx
Carolyn (friend of * P. Larson) health concerns
Ruth (sister of *Bonnie Bubke) cancer tx
Rosemarie (relative of *Bob Benton) health issues
Randy (cousin of *Carol Grimminger) cancer tx
Nicholas Devereaux (friend of *Benton's) cancer tx
Personal/Strength/Comfort/Wisdom:
Kara Birren (cousin of *Lynn Duve)
Brad– Employment search
Kathy Harshbarger
Kelly– Life struggles
Bradley Akey- Adopt a Seminary Student (Ft. Wayne)
Local/National:
Paul Albers– Adopt a Seminary Student (St. Louis)
Safety for the neighborhood surrounding Bethany
Chelsea & family (*Loney’s relative) personal growth
National tragedies
Esther Anderson & family— Life issues
*member of Bethany
PRAYERS AT BETHANY
To submit a prayer request you may:
► Email [email protected]
► Online at www.bethanycr.org, “prayer requests”
► Call the church office at 319-364-6026
Children’s Ministries
Page 6
Sunday School
Age 3 through High School
9:45 am – 10:45 am
Easter Egg Hunt
April 5th Sunday School
On Easter Sunday, April 5th, we are having an Easter Egg
hunt for any child that can walk! Meet in the living room
at 10:15am if you would like to participate.
There will be no Sunday School on Easter Sunday.
Sunday April 5th @ 10:15am
On April 26th Sunday
School kids will Skype
with the Sharp family!
Reminder:
The last day of Sunday School is May 31st!
Everyone who completes their memory
folder will get a $10 movie pass.
All participants will receive a reward.
Sharp Family Update
The Sharp children enjoyed their first day of school in Uruguay!
Their favorite things about school are:
• playing soccer with friends • making new friends • playing on the playground
Fun Fact: The school year in Uruguay begins in March and ends in November or early December.
The Sharp kids before their first day of
school in Uruguay!
The Sharp girls outside their building
at Colegio San Pablo.
Children & Youth Ministries
Page 7
Vacation Bible School
VBS will run JUNE 15-18th from 6pm-8pm
and will conclude on Friday, June 19th
with a fun family event!
Talk to Heidi Thalacker, JJ Theriault or
Randi Petrik if you’re interested in volunteering.
Confirmation/CIA Middle School
Next Middle School Event: May 1st outdoor game night
Stay tuned for more information!
Confirmation students will present their confirmation projects to the
Adult Sunday School group on May 3rd & 10th.
The confirmation ceremony will take place during
late service on Sunday, May 17th.
High School
Join us for Sunday School @ 9:45
each Sunday!
Bible Study We will gather at Cindy Goerdt's home @ 7:30 starting April 8th.
Youth Group Game Night Saturday, April 18th. Stay tuned for more info!
Warrior Lunch
Mark your calendars for our next Warrior Lunch on
April 14th from 11am-2pm - Bring a friend!
Page 8
Bulletin Board
Melinda Crow will be installed as Bethany’s
Early Childhood Education Director during
the 11:00am service on Sunday, April 12th.
JOIN US for cake & refreshments following the service.
Congratulations, Melinda!
Apple Juice Donations—Mom’s Morning Out is asking for donations of bottled 100%
apple juice and rolls of paper towels. Please drop donations off at the church office.
Summer Camp— Registration is now open for the 2015 Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca season!
Children grades K-12 enjoy a variety of faith-centered camps. Camp options include,
but are not limited to: Beginner Camp, Sports Camp, Defend the Faith, and Horse
Camp. Visit the Bethany bulletin board or www.campiodiseca.org for more info!
Bethany Lutheran Preschool
Now Enrolling for the 2015-2016 school year!
Preschool Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:30am-4pm
What: 3 and 4 year old creative arts Christ-centered program
Call 319-366-4897 or visit our website for more info & to enroll TODAY!
www.bethanylutheranchurch.org/preschool
It’s not just a 5k run…
it’s a 5k run with
attitude!
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
There will be fun obstacles like a
wall climb, rope swing, hay bale
climb, slip ‘n slide, and lots more!
This is a family-friendly event
and all proceeds go to support
Trinity Lutheran School.
Bethany will organize a team to compete.
Talk to Pastor Erickson if you
would like to join!
Bulletin Board
Madison Rinderknecht
Russell Betts
Margaret Speers
Connie Steggall
Grant Henderson
David Blazicek
Robert Teare
Trey Franck
Karen Schmidt
Lorna Fischer
Gabriel Fountain
Erika Narhi
Allan Bachman
Taleah Birkicht
Larry Easler
4/1
4/2
4/2
4/2
4/3
4/5
4/5
4/6
4/6
4/8
4/8
4/8
4/9
4/9
4/9
Andrea Dunn
Janet Hoech
Alyssa Christian
Carol Edwards
Lynn Madsen
Evan Ranbarger
David Thalacker
Kimberly McGinnis
Steve Hanchera
Kaitlyn Steggall
Marian Hohensee
Carol Grimminger
Jamie Larson
Colin Vande Weerd
Cynthia Broadwater
Page 9
4/11
4/11
4/15
4/15
4/16
4/16
4/16
4/17
4/18
4/18
4/19
4/20
4/20
4/20
4/21
Kim Neuhaus
William Thalacker
Abigail Bogner
4/21
4/24
4/25
Bonnie Bubke
Heather Trilk
Joseph Milbach
Devin Petrik
Marlys Jaspersen
Katiaryna Knutson
Karen Swalley
Michelle Hedtke
Mindy Henderson
Catherine Hovda
Darren Bogner
Bradyn Franck
Sandra Thorington
4/25
4/25
4/26
4/26
4/27
4/27
4/27
4/28
4/28
4/28
4/30
4/30
4/30
National Health Observances
For April:
National Alcohol Awareness Month
National Cancer Control Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Donate Life Month
___________________________________________________
The Mayo Clinic Health Letter Topics
For April:
Move with confidence
Colonoscopy
Feeling the Blues?
Medications for Sleep
Philip & Shirley Hoppe
Craig & Renee Riffey
John & Nancylee Siebenmann
Phil & Michelle Hedtke
Page 10
Bulletin Board
LWML Spring Rally— The LWML ladies from Trinity Lutheran Church Cedar Rapids are
hosting “The Liberia Partnership Mission” rally on Saturday, April 11. Registration starts at
8:30am and the rally will begin at 9am. Brunch will be provided. The list of items requested
for the ingathering for Liberia is posted on the bulletin board. All are welcome to attend!
F.L.Y. Music Benefit— A music program to benefit the Free Lunch for Youth
Program will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Marion on April 19th at
2pm. Enjoy music from our own Janet Hoech and Carolyn Sternowski, among
other talents. A free will offering will provide summer lunches for children in
Marion that normally receive free school lunch.
Your Life Matters— The 30th Annual His Women Seminar will take place at The Doubletree
by Hilton, Cedar Rapids on Saturday, April 25. Join guest speakers Angie Smith & Nicol
Sponberg from 9am-2:30pm. Tickets cost $40 (lunch is included in the ticket price).
Please visit www.hiswomenseminar.org for more information!
Family Life Conference— Zion Lutheran Church is hosting a Family Life Conference on April
25 from 8:30am-1:35pm. The conference will address topics surrounding domestic violence.
Anyone interested in learning more and receiving resources to address domestic violence
are invited to attend. Lunch is provided. Please contact Nurse Ronda for more information
or to RSVP. Please RSVP by April 3.
Volunteer Needed— Mom’s Morning Out is seeking a volunteer to help on Thursday AM
from 9-11:30am. If you are interested in helping, contact Melinda Crow at 505-856-6483.
Lutheran Hour Ministries— On Saturday, April 18, the Lutheran Hour Ministries 72nd IDE
Annual Convention will be held in the Family Life Center. The convention will run from
10am-4pm. Registration is due by April 11. Visit the Bethany bulletin board for more info!
Join us again on Sunday, April 19 as we welcome guest speaker, Missionary Rev. Daniel
McMiller during both church services. All are welcome!
SERVE THE LORD DAY
Saturday, April 25th 8am-noon
April showers bring May flowers AND
Serve the LORD Day at Bethany!
Can you donate a little time & elbow
grease to help spruce up our beautiful
facilities? Come enjoy fellowship & donuts
while helping around the church.
Page 11
Adult Discipleship
Stephen Ministry Info:
Stephen Ministers
Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained
by Stephen Leaders to offer high-quality, one-to-one
Christian care to people going through tough times.
A Stephen Minister usually provides care to one person
at a time, meeting with that person once a week for
about an hour. Twice a month, Stephen Ministers
gather with their Stephen Leaders for supervision and
continuing education.
National Day of Prayer
Thursday, May 7th, 2015
Join us for a special service @ 7pm
The sanctuary will be open
for prayer from 7am-7pm.
Hear the cry and the prayer that
your servant is praying in your
presence this day.
1 Kings 8:28
The National Day of Prayer webcast
from Washington DC will be played in
the Living Room from 8am-11am.
Wednesday Morning Men’s Bible Study– Most Wednesdays at 6am in the Adult Ed
Room. The topic for this study is the book of ACTS. Contact Norm Rutz at 319-899-0597.
Sunday Worship
April 5 & 19
8:30am
11:00am
Traditional Worship with Holy Communion
Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion
April 12 & 26
8:30am
11:00am
Traditional Worship
Contemporary Worship
BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH
2202 FOREST DR SE
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U. S. POSTAGE PAID
CEDAR RAPIDS IA 52403-1654
Permit #118
CEDAR RAPIDS IA, 52403
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES & EDUCATION HOUR
8:30 am Traditional
11:00 am Contemporary
9:45 am Education Hour
CHURCH OFFICE: (319) 364-6026
8:00 am - 4:00 pm (Monday - Thursday)
8:00 am - 12:00 pm (Friday)
Email: [email protected]
BETHANY PRESCHOOL: (319) 366-4897
www.bethanycr.org