SAFE WORSHIP AT BETHANY
People have come up with many different expressions to describe the times we are living in. The word that comes to mind for me is “unusual.” While I am very grateful that our parking lot worship is well received, I truly miss what we are used to. Our last time of “usual” worship was March 15. We have been given the go-ahead by our governor to worship again inside, with restrictions. We have also resumed our 11:00 a.m. Hope service with a format very similar to our “usual” way of worshipping. The attendance at the Hope service has been very encouraging.
I am processing what going back inside for our 9:00 a.m. worship will look like. It will be very “unusual,” which is why I am staying with our parking lot experience for now. Yes, there are some who do not like it. But it is the best for Bethany at this point. Speaking of our parking lot format, the church council approved giving us a little more freedom. Starting on June 28 we can go outside of our cars. We need to maintain social distancing; wearing masks is also a good idea. You may now sit on the grass on blankets or lawn chairs. Be sure to bring a battery operated radio to hear the service. One of our members asked if they could “tailgate.” That is acceptable so long as they social distance. That person also asked if they could cook their own breakfast. I replied, “Why not.” Just so we keep everyone safe.
More than ever none of us know what the future will bring. However, I always believe God is in our future. We cannot forget that God wants us to worship Him! Thank you for your patience during this time and your continued loyalty to Bethany. God is going to bring good out of our unusual journey. We certainly need Him more than ever.

Volume 60 Issues 7 and 8

Bethany Lutheran Church
Mission Statement
Reaching out in Worship, Fellowship, Learning, and
Love - We Are God’s People.
Lo
Love
and Love --- we are God’s people.

July-August, 2020

Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church
2515 Madison Ave.
Burlington, Iowa
Phone: (319) 752-3621
www.bethanyburlington.org
Pastor’s Cell: (360) 623-2184

Our Staff
Rev. Paul Hermansen, Pastor Cory Byrne, Choir Director/Organist
Sue Hermansen, Admin. Asst. Michelle Huppenbauer, Financial Sec’y
and Custodian

YOUNG HOUSE FAMILY SERVICES
Young House Family Services currently have 15 people, ranging from ages 18-23, who are “aging out” of the Childhood Welfare Program. These young people will be setting up their first homes and are in need of basic hygiene and household items. They are on their own for various reasons. The need will be ongoing. Suggested items are body wash, bath towels and washcloths, shampoo, feminine hygiene products, hand soap, toothbrushes/toothpaste, laundry detergent and laundry baskets, and toilet paper. It was noted that not many cook but a few kitchen items would be appreciated: dish soap, kitchen towels and dishrags, paper towels and cleaning products.
Walmart gift cards were also suggested. They can fill in food, clothes and other essential items. We will also, of course, accept monetary donations.
You can bring the items to Sunday worship or the office Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Thank you for your support of this necessary ministry.

In early March one of our members volunteered to call people in our congregation who are isolated during the shut down for the virus. Those people are very grateful to know they are cared about. We have folks in our lives we can stay in touch with. If you would like to become one of our callers, please let me know.

The Cluster 8 meeting of the WELCA will be October 24, 2020, at First Lutheran Church in Keokuk. Refreshments will be served at 9:00 a.m., followed by a meeting, the speaker, and lunch. The cluster meeting will be over by 1:00 p.m.
The speaker will be Erika Wolfe. She will relate her family’s flight from Russian occupied eastern Germany. Her father, a Wehrmacht soldier who died on the Russian front in 1944, wrote many letters to her mother which have been translated and published.
There is a $6.00 charge for lunch and an offering will be taken. RSVP to Anne Pietscher at 319-795-9114 by October 17.

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE
Following our governor’s approval to reopen our churches for worship, the council approved hosting our Hope service again. We will follow all guidelines including no singing, masks, social distancing, and no interaction. “Hope” to see you there!

Every three years our ELCA hosts a major national youth gathering for approximately 30,000 attendees. The next event is to take place in Minneapolis from June 20 to July 3. However, as we all know, the coronavirus has put a hold on many things. I have been in contact with Amanda to learn the status of this gathering. Right now everything is on hold. Amanda will relay any decisions regarding the possible cancellation of the event.

JULY AND AUGUST ACTIVITIES
The Des Moines County Retired School Personnel, the Retired Nurses and Boy Scout Troop #25 will not be meeting for the foreseeable future.

DAILY DEVOTIONALS AND LIVING
LUTHERAN MAGAZINE AVAILABLE
One of the things we automatically do when coming to church on Sunday is pick up the many excellent devotionals we have on hand. Our new quarterly Lutheran devotional, Christ in Our Home, for July-September is available in large and regular print. July copies of our Living Lutheran are here as well. These, and other spiritual reading items, are waiting for you to stop by and pick up. The office is open on Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

Zion United Church of Christ is requesting items for their food pantry. The items for July are Tuna Helper and tuna, chicken noodle soup, boxed potatoes, peanut butter and jelly.
Again, Bethany has such a sense of reaching beyond itself and helping those in need. These items may be brought on Sunday morning or to the office Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to noon.

One of the biggest jobs at Bethany is keeping our lawn mowed. We also have fewer volunteers this year. If you would be willing to serve, please call Jan Creighton at 759-8508. It is greatly appreciated.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Due to the virus many things need to be adjusted in our daily routines. One of those is our 2020 VBS. The dates and times are still the same, August 3-7. What is different this year is that this will be the first ever virtual on-line VBS. It will be different but it will still be great. The theme is the Old Testament. Carlene Woodside has graciously volunteered to be Bethany’s coordinator. It will be vital for us to get the word out to as many as possible. If you have any questions or can help, please contact Carlene.

PARKING LOT SERVICE CONTINUES
We have all heard by now that our governor said we can go back inside for worship with conditions. Our Hope service resumed on May 31 and is going well. Then, in late June, we saw the number of confirmed cases rise again. We even made the difficult decision to postpone Mike Miller’s funeral. To be totally candid, I am very nervous about resuming our 9:00 a.m. service indoors right now. The Hope service is alright because we are only a few. We have been very fortunate to have good weather for our parking lot experience. I would welcome a team of planners through our Church Life Committee to work together on all that will be required to return inside for our 9:00 a.m. service.

MIKE MILLER LOVED BETHANY
On the afternoon of June 23 Mike Miller died of a heart attack while at home. Sharyn found him shortly after his death.
There are many things that stand out in Mike’s character. Mike had an exceptional way of communicating with us. He cared deeply about Bethany members. When someone had not been at church for awhile, he would call them to see how they were and if they wanted to share anything. Mike frequently invited people to Bethany. When we started our parking lot service Mike went on the radio multiple times to say how much he enjoyed it and encouraged people to check it out. Mike had a special way of encouraging people and making them feel valued. Mike loved Bible study and applied Christ’s teachings to his life. Bethany was truly blessed by Mike’s passion for our church.
As I reflect on what a blessing Mike was I do not want to undervalue the other members of Bethany. Bethany is a congregation of great people who love God. What stands out about Mike is that he really promoted Bethany to everyone. In order for congregations to be viable and sustainable they have to have the kind of witness about the church that Mike had for Bethany. Without this kind of zealous enthusiasm for Bethany we will slowly fade away. If Mike had one wish for us it would be that we reach out to others and share our Bethany experience. After you have invited people to Bethany I would love for you to contact me and share what that was like. May Bethany continue to be a beacon of light for all.

New parsonage landscaping
No one is sure the last time the parsonage had any landscaping done. A few weeks ago several volunteers tore out everything in front to make room for new planting. Bev Sherbondy got the ball rolling. She and Mark Rosenberg were awarded a grant from the city to go towards improvements to the homes of our neighborhood. We look forward to seeing the completion of this project.

NEW CUSTODIAN
In June, 2019, Scott Teater became our new custodian. Recently Scott was hired to a full position elsewhere. We appreciate Scott’s faithful service and wish him the best. Taking Scott’s place is Michelle Huppenbauer. Michelle stepped in several years ago when we were between custodians. We are very fortunate to have Michelle as she knows all the responsibilities of the job. Please welcome Michelle in accepting this position.

NEW PHONE LIST
We would like to print a new phone and address list for Bethany. If your phone number or address has changed since our last directory in 2017, please call or email the office. If you would like to add a cell number or email address, also provide that. The plan is to have a new list available for hand out before fall. Thank you.

LAMENTING AN ALTERED EXISTENCE
One of the things I appreciate about reading the history of Israel is that the people of God never hesitated to express how they felt when going through hard times. A word they frequently used is “lament.” In fact there is a book in the Old Testament called Lamentations.
For over three and a half months we have been unable to enjoy a regular “existence.” It has certainly been far worse for some than others. If you still have an income and have stayed virus-free, you are very blessed. Nevertheless, when life as we know it is altered, we will experience abnormal stress. I was talking recently with a friend who is active at another congregation. He asked me if I thought the church would survive what we are going through. The only thing I could say was that I sure hope so.
Another word for lamenting is grieving. Leaders of the church are reminding us that it is important to give ourselves permission to grieve when we go through a painful journey. Even God grieved when His Son was crucified. Jesus grieved for people when they did not recognize who He was and why He came.
I must confess that I am less familiar with the process of grieving than I could be. I was raised to believe that I should always be happy, no matter what my circumstances. Maybe that is why health experts tell us we need to give ourselves permission to grieve. Perhaps some of us mistakenly believe that grieving shows a lack of faith in God. But, in reality, our unwillingness to grieve may keep us from moving on with our lives. I am certainly willing and ready to move on from the virus. But, until the virus is ready to let us move on, we will need to be patient and trust in God. Yes, the church may suffer. But we have God’s permission to grieve not being able to have worship as we know it. We may grieve not being able to enjoy potlucks, ice cream socials, and fellowship after church. And in the midst of this “altered existence,” we are called to remember that God is with us. We can remember God in the words of scripture. The 23rd Psalm reminds us that, even though we walk through the valley of darkness, His rod and staff comfort us!
Thank you for hanging in there. We need each other more than ever before. Thank you for being motivated to help the less fortunate among us. Thank you for your faithful offerings so Bethany may continue to do the work of God. Thank you for sharing the love of Jesus with people who are struggling in their own lament. Thank you for telling people about our parking lot service.
The amazing thing about giving ourselves permission to grieve is that we will experience God in our grieving. In Genesis 6 it states that even God grieved. We will eventually bounce back. How that will look and when that will be is still to be determined. May God’s peace and presence abide in us on this challenging journey.
In Christ,
Pastor Paul

. . . a long time passed, . . . and all the house
of Israel lamented after the Lord.
1 Samuel 7:2

July 2020 Lay Leaders

Head Usher:
Bill Taylor
July Lead
Usher: Jeff Engle
Ushers
5—
12—
19—
26—
Communion Assistants
5—Sue Swanson; Teresa Morehead; Dan Harken
12—Steve & Sue Rogers; Amy Unglaub
19—Sue Hermansen; Mark Rosenberg; Mike Hopp
26—Todd chelf; Jim & Sharon Martindale
Children’s Sermons
5—
12—
19—
26—
THIS SCHEDULE OF LAY LEADERS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO THE GOVERNOR’S SHUT DOWN. PLEASE CHECK BETHANY’S FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES OR CALL THE OFFICE.
Acolytes
5—Aaron Morehead
12—Benjamin Chelf
19—Mason Fritz; Eli Wallace
26—David King
Lector
5—Shelley Wallace
12—Kim Engle
19—Jessica King
26—Sue Hermansen
Greeters
5—Sharon Martindale
12—Dan & Ruth Harken
19—Marlys McClurg; Vanette Wooldridge
26—Bob Sogard; Arnhild Zaiser
Missionary Support
5—
12—
19—
26—
Flowers
5—Sue Hermansen
12—Lynda Johnson
19—Marlys McClurg; Vanette Wooldridge
26—Dan & Julie Wischmeier
Altar Guild
Marlys McClurg; Ann Zaiser; Donna Edgington; Marilyn Ward

1—Paul Hermansen; Jim Martindale
2—Carol Steenberg; Warren Tharp
3—Sydney Cox; Savanna Jackson; Katelyn Drake
6—Sandra Sandy
8—Amy Bloomer; Debbie Hoxie; Jackie Marion
9—Todd Morehead
13—Pamela Schwerin; Vanette Wooldridge
14—Brody Johnson
15—Jenna Miller
16—Claus Benninghoven
19—Stephen Reichelt
25—Carol Dodge
26—Jeff Engle
28—Kathy Beach
30—Melissa Hopp; Bonnie Rosenberg; William Ward, Jr.
15—Warren & Elva Schultz
16—Claus & Eleanore Benninghoven
28—Jim & Sharon Martindale

August 2020 Lay Leaders

Head Usher:
Bill Taylor
August Lead
Usher: Bob Hoxie
Ushers
2—
9—
16—
23—
30—
Communion Assistants
2—Bill Mundt; Shelley Wallace; Julie Wischmeier
9—Rachel Lindeen; Jeff & Kim Engle
16—Julie Chubb; Dan Harken; Amy Unglaub
23—Jessica King; Sue Swanson; Mike Hop
30—Scott & Jan Creighton; Sue Hermansen
Children’s Sermons
2—
9—
16—
23—
30—
THIS SCHEDULE OF LAY LEADERS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO THE GOVERNOR’S SHUT DOWN. PLEASE CHECK BETHANY’S FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES OR CALL THE OFFICE.
Acolytes
2—Aaron Morehead
9—Benjamin Chelf
16—Mason Fritz; Eli Wallace
23—David King
30—
Lector
2—Carlene Woodside
9—Dan Harken
16—Bill Mundt
23—Rachel Lindeen
30—Melissa Hopp
Greeters
2—Dan & Julie Wischmeier
9—Lynda Johnson
16—Ginny Mesecher; Sue Hermansen
23—Scott & Jan Creighton
30—Jackie & Julie Chubb
Missionary Support
2—
9—
16—
23—
30—
Flowers
2—
9—
16—
23—Paul & Sue Hermansen
30—
Altar Guild
Marlys McClurg; Kathy Beach; Jackie Marion; Ginny Mesecher

3—Bill Taylor
4—Gary Coleman; Jane Ward
5—Joan Dawes
6—Tara Rosenberg; Abbey Timberlake
7—Ron Kastner
8—Erin Mafra
9—Susanne Adam
12—Laurenn Beach; Addison Shepherd
14—Dorothy Hopson; Tim Ruberg
15—Randy Tharp
16—Jeffrey Peterson
18—Steven Rogers
20—Nancy Mower
21—Robert Roy
22—Lila Janssen
23—Justin Ward
26—Barbara West
28—Tyler Bloomer; Brenda Kastner; Bailee Morris
6—Todd & Teresa Morehead
10—John & Michelle Schoof, Jr.
11—Bill & Marilyn Ward
21—Paul & Sue Hermansen

The meetings for July and August that have been scheduled as of the publishing of this newsletter are listed below. Watch the bulletins for any date and time changes or additional meetings scheduled.
WELCA
TBA
Outreach Committee
Tuesday, July 14 and August 11, 5:30 p.m.
Finance Committee
TBA
Church Life Committee
TBA
Property Committee
TBA
Executive Committee
Tuesday, July 14 and August 11, 6:30 p.m.
Church Council
Sunday, July 19 and August16, 10:15 a.m.
Men’s Breakfast
TBA

Thank you for your generosity and faithful trust in God to provide your needs! God believes in you and has a great future planned for Bethany.

PLEASE NOTE
The deadline to submit information for the monthly Chimes is the 25th of the month. You’re welcome to email your submissions, leave a note on the desk in the office, or call the church office.
ALSO!
Because of Federal Privacy laws, if you or a member of your family are hospitalized and would like the Pastor to visit, you must contact the church and let us know.

If you change your mailing
address, please let the office know ASAP. For every returned piece of mail returned for an incorrect address, we are charged
75 cents.

FINANCIAL
UPDATE
JUNE
ATTENDANCE
June 7 65
June 14 59
June 21 66
June 28 70
JUNE
GIVING
June 7 $ 3,668.80
June 14 1,087.00
June 21 1,901.00
June 28 2,844.00
Total $ 9,500.80