October Bethlehem Star
From the Pastor’s Desk
How do you fill your cup? Your spiritual cup? The one that pours out hope when things are rough, the one that pours out patience when waiting is hard, the one that pours out laughter and joy with friends and family? The one that gets filled by God, sometimes when you’re not even looking.
As a pastor I’m supposed to tell you that it is in worship that God fills the cup. It’s true. Worship is a great way to fill your spiritual cup. Singing is good for your body, prayer is good for your soul, connected with other people is always good for human beings. But let’s be honest. Worship isn’t the only place our cups get filled up by God, God is all around us, right, so why wouldn’t God fill our cups in other ways too?
It's also true that the best way to fill our cup changes over time, sometimes we need to try something new, something different when we seem to be running low on hope, faith, joy and peace. This fall at Bethlehem we have a whole bunch of new ways to fill your cup. Groups of all kinds are starting. Like one for grandmothers, one for college parents, a youth group for high schoolers, we have a men’s evening bible study, we have a daytime bible study. We have groups that meet for coffee in the morning, and lunch in the afternoon.
I’d love to invite you to try one new thing, just once! You don’t even have to commit long term!
Also, back to that bit about God being everywhere, and that means not just at events hosted by Bethlehem. That means God’s out there in the world. Maybe there’s a 5K you’d like to walk, maybe there’s a group here in town that you’d like to explore. Take the risk! See if it fills your cup, who knows who you might meet. Who knows how God is at work.
And one last thing: if something you’d like to do isn’t on offer at Bethlehem, come and talk to me. I don’t come up with all the good ideas around here. The best ideas come from you! So, share, I’d like to know!
Blessings,
Pastor Anne
Congregational Annual Meeting
The Bethlehem congregation annual meeting will be held on Sunday, November 17th following 9:00 a.m. worship service. All voting members of Bethlehem are encouraged to attend.
Women’s Gathering
On October 13th at 3:30 p.m. Rev. Dr. Ritva Williams will be sharing a conversation about “Jesus For You”. Please join us for fellowship, refreshments, and growing in our faith. RSVP to the church office at 319-472-3784.
Trunk or Treat
Our church will be participating in our fourth annual Trunk or Treat night on Thursday, October 31 from 4:30-6:30 pm. We will be decorating tables in Augustana Hall rather than trunks again this year. A sign-up sheet will be available in the fellowship hall to reserve your table space.
Youth Corner
Ellen Olson, Coordinator of Youth Ministries
Sunday school is off to a great start. You will see the pictures on the west wall showing our first group activity. We made a prayer chain as we explored the five rings of service.
Join us each Sunday for Sunday School at 10:00 a.m. No reservations needed.
Sunday School calendars are available in the fellowship hall.
As the new Sunday School year begins, we are choosing two new recipients of our monthly Noisy Offering. September – November all coins and dollars will be sent to the Eastern Honor Flight Guardian Program. Guardians are essential to the success of every Honor Flight. They are responsible for providing safety, comfort, and friendship for Veterans who range in age from their late ‘60s to occasionally even older than 100. Every Honor Flight participant must have a guardian accompany them.
December – May we will partner with our Christian Life team and collect money for the ELCA Good Gifts program.
Please join Natalee, a 9th grader, for Toddler Time Sunday mornings from 10:00-10:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Natalee will entertain your children with games, activities, and stories while their older siblings attend Sunday School.
On Wednesday, October 9th at 7:00 p.m. our 9th-12th graders are attending Fields of Faith in LaPorte City which is hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Nathan's Miles Glow Run
The 4th Annual Nathan’s Miles Glow Run will be held on Saturday, October 12th. The Kids Glow Run will begin at 6:15 p.m. and the 5K Run will begin at 7:00 p.m. The race will start at 210 W 21st Street in Vinton, Iowa. To register go to www.trisignup.com/Race/Events/IA/Vinton/NathansMilesGlowRun
Proceeds will go to fund scholarships awarded to Vinton-Shellsburg seniors. Bethlehem is one of the sponsors of this event.
Confirmation-Reformation Sunday
Natalee Lough, Zoey McClintock, Leyton Aldrich, and Jesse Farmer will be confirmed during 9:00 am worship service on Reformation Sunday, October 27th. A reception will follow the worship service.
Maverick Walk Fundraiser
On Sunday, October 27th at 1:00 p.m. there will be a fun walk to support the Mowats-Wilson Foundation which supports Maverick Kelchum starting at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS) is a rare genetic disorder that may be apparent at birth or later in childhood. MWS is characterized by intellectual disability, distinctive facial features and seizures. Other congenital anomalies occur in some individuals and can include a gastrointestinal disease known as Hirschsprung disease in which a narrowing of a portion of the colon is present, eye defects, heart defects, kidney abnormalities, male genital abnormalities and short stature. MWS is caused by a disease-causing variant in the ZEB2 gene that is usually not inherited from a parent. The Foundation works to enhance the lives of kids like Maverick by providing family support, raising awareness and support research and education.
To donate through the Mowat-Wilson FB page go to Courtney Chambers face book page and join us at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church for the fun walk on the 27th.
Thank you for your support.
Sunday Fellowship
Our Bethlehem Fellowship is God caring enough to put people in your life to encourage and comfort us. It is a special time after worship to gather and share some delicious treats. If you are interested in participating please consider providing treats by signing up for a Sunday. You can provide Rolls, Cookies, Cake, Fruit, Meat & Cheese, Crackers, or any other treats. There is always coffee, lemonade, and water available. Thank you for your help with this important event.
Food for Thought Book Club
**Meet on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 12:00 noon @ Brickside Brew “n Chew in Vinton**
October, 2024
Book: “The Sun Sister” by Lucinda Riley
November, 2024
Book: “The Last Exchange” by Charles Martin
December, 2024
Book: The Mistletoe Countess” by Pepper Basham
Pastor Appreciation
October is Pastor Appreciation month. Let us show our Pastor how much we appreciate her by
Writing a letter
Making special gifts
Documenting special places or events
Providing pastor resources
Adding books to pastor's library
Publicly thanking Pastor
Sprucing up the pastor's office
Showering Pastor with favorite treats
Volunteering your time
The Festival of All Saints on November 3rd is to recall those who have lived in the Faith and now rest in peace. In addition to the great saints of old, we give thanks for those who have inspired or encouraged personally.
Please fill out the Naming the Saints form and return to the church office by the last Sunday in October.
2024 Annual Reports
2024 Annual Reports are due to the church office by Sunday, October 27th. Please email them to office@bethlehemvinton.org or mail to 1206 C Avenue, Vinton, IA 52349