Bethel Lutheran Church
Bethel Blessings
2nd Quarter newsletter
April – May – June
2024
Mission and Vision
We exist in order to preach the Gospel and deliver the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ through the means of Word and Sacrament, while serving our neighbor, in Sutherland and the surrounding area.
What We Believe
The Bible
We believe the Bible is the active, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. It shows us our sin through the Law and most importantly, tells us about the saving work of Jesus Christ in the Gospel for sinners. It is source and basis for all our teaching here at Bethel Lutheran Church.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." - Psalm 119:105
God
We teach that the one true God, Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:4, is the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, three distinct persons, but of one and the same divine essence. We confess the three persons of the Trinity as:
We believe in the Father, creator of all that exists;
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan. The Bible shows us our Savior throughout its pages.
We believe in the Holy Ghost, who creates and preserves faith through God’s Word and Sacraments.
What does “Lutheran” mean?
Bethel Lutheran accepts and preaches the Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. We hold to the Lutheran Confessions as found in the Book of Concord being a true presentation of what Holy Scripture teaches, along with the three creeds: Nicene, Apostles, and Athanasian. The teaching of Luther and the reformers are often summarized as follows: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone.
Luther’s Small Catechism is a great compact summary of our beliefs.
What does “Synod” mean?
The word “Synod” in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod comes from Greek words that mean “walking together.” The term has rich meaning in our church body because congregations voluntarily choose to belong to the Synod. We are a nationwide church body of congregations which hold to the Lutheran Confessions.
Bethel Blessings502 Ash St, Sutherland, IA
“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” -Psalm121:2
Resources
Our Website:
https://blcsuth.360unite.com/home
Our Church Members
https://blcsuth.360members.com
Recommended Radio Stations:
-KICD 1240 AM Spencer, IA
First English Lutheran Church Service 8:00 AM
-KSCJ 94.9FM Sioux Center, IA
The Lutheran Hour Sun 8:30 AM
-KJIA 88.9 FM Okoboji, IA
-KNWC 96.5 FM Sioux Falls, SD
Lutheran Public Radio https://issuesetc.org/
Iowa District West http://www.idwlcms.org/
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod https://www.lcms.org/
Bethel Service on Local Cable Channel: Bethel Services are broadcasted on Sutherland’s Local Cable Channel. Look for them on Channel WTTV 16 on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. and Thursdays at 5:00 p.m.
Pastor Witmer’s Office Hours
Pastor Witmer will be at the church on Tuesdays – Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can stop in anytime to talk to him if you would like. If he is gone, he is probably visiting members. His days off are Monday and Saturday.
Revelation and the Proclamation of Christ’s Victory
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!
A blessed Eastertide to you all! I wanted to write this month and encourage you to attend Sunday Morning Bible Study. Our new topic in Sunday Morning Bible Study is going to be the Book of Revelation. We are just finishing (and maybe already did as of the printing and distributing of this newsletter) a Bible Study going chapter by chapter through Genesis. Now we will take a look at the book that comes at the end of the Bible, the Revelation to John. We will go chapter by chapter through Revelation, as we did with Genesis.
It seems appropriate to start this study in Eastertide. At Easter, we celebrate the victory of Jesus Christ’s passion, His death, and His victory in the Resurrection over the tomb. We bring back the “Alleluias” into our worship and add back in parts of service we removed. We really ramp up the celebration. You can find that celebration throughout Revelation too. John the Revelator is getting a 30,000-foot view of salvation history through the lens of Jesus’ victory at Calvary. That’s probably the best way to sum up what’s happening in Revelation: It’s viewing Salvation History back through Jesus’ victory and pointing out how Scripture is all fulfilled in Christ.
There are some hard passages in the Book of the Revelation of John. But there are also many wonderful passages celebrating Christ’s victory. For instance, see Rev 5:11–12,
[11] Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,
[12] saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!” (ESV)
John keeps recording the songs breaking out in heaven singing about the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ and how He has triumphed over death and Satan. They serve as little intermissions in between reading about tribulation coming upon the earth, Satan being loosed, etc, to encourage us and remind us that Jesus Christ has won the victory. These little verses and songs were put together and used as the basis for the canticle, “This Is the Feast” which is an appropriate Hymn of Praise to use on days where there is the Lord’s Supper.
I encourage you to join us for Sunday Morning Bible Study. Let’s dig into the text of Scripture and see that the Book of Revelation is really about victory in Jesus Christ! We can join our songs with that of the angels and the saints in Revelation this Eastertide and celebrate our Lord’s victory He won on our behalf!
-Pastor Witmer
Sunday, April 14th
After the Church Service
January Meeting, we discussed the church bell and waiting on a call back to see if bell is done. Started to look at options on getting downstairs carpets cleaned. Finished with the ballots for the 2024 Church Council. Voting will be held at the quarterly voter’s meeting. Voter’s meeting, we had the policy for funerals. Discussed that the 2024 mission money for ZSJ school will go towards new religious curriculum.
2024 Bethel Council Members
President – Dwane Riedemann
Vice – President – Ryan Farquhar
Secretary – Bridget Sickelka
Treasure – Don Farquhar
Elders – Jeff Ebel, Jamie Sickelka, and Brent Hustedt
Trustees – Chris Sickelka, Aaron Oolman, and Heath Negus
Board of Education – Georgette Ebel and Brianna Dean
LYC Leaders – Darin and Jenny Johnson
Finance – Lynn & Marilynn Horstmann, Mark Drefke, and Darin Johnson
February Meeting, Pastor told us about the series he will be using during the Lent Season – “Sins of the Kings Part 1”. Elders worked with Pastor on the sound system of the church so that Pastor can use his computer to have the liturgy music and hymns play on Sunday’s that we don’t have an organist. We heard that the church bell has been sandblasted but will not be painted until the church bearing have been fixed so it will hang better for us in the bell tower. We were presented with how much it would cost to clean the basement carpets. Motion was made and pasted that we would go ahead and clean them. We had a discussion on the cost of replacing basement windows and the windows in Pastor’s office.
March Meeting, we talked about changing out the old A/C window unit in Pastor’s office to a mini-split unit that provided both heat and A/C. This would then also mean to replace the east window in his office. Motion was made and passed to go ahead with this project. Heath Negus looked at the basement windows and thought that at this time all they would need is some caulking and paint. He was going to do this for us.
We discussed after having a form made for those who want to use the basement for events. Council members agreed that there should be a $25 dollar suggest donation for the usage of the basement for maintenance/paper goods. Jamie Sickelka was going to make up a simple form for people to fill out. Then Pastor and Bridget will have a calendar to put down the person’s name so that we have a record of the date and not double book.
Concordia League
In January, we went over the 2024 schedule and a brief run-down on what is planned for the remolding of the cry room. Don Farquhar is serving as President and Bridget Sickelka is serving as Secertary for this year.
In Feburay, we discussed where the Mid-Week Lent free will donation would go towards. This year we deceided on mulch/landscaping around the churh.
In March, we will get a head count for those who want to attend the ZSJ Spring Fling and Footloose play during Tulip festival.
Up coming Events
April 20th – ZSJ Sspring Fling
May - Footloose play during Tulip Festival
June – S’mores Night at Farquhar’s House
Christian Outreach
Prayer walks continue Sundays at 4pm (weather permitting). This is a great way to connect with our community and lift our neighbors up in prayer.
In February, we served tacos and nachos after church service to prepare ourselves for the Lenten season.
March gave us several opportunities for outreach within our congregation and our school systems. The third and last care package for the academic year was sent to our 13 college students with an Easter basket theme including devotion book, school supplies, fidgets, and of course eggs filled with Easter candy.
We showed our love and support to South O’Brien Junior High/High School, South O’Brien Elementary and Zion St-John School teachers, and staff by providing homemade baked goods, fruit, and yogurt parfaits for breakfast throughout March. Members of our congregation participated in “High-Five Friday” at South O’Brien Elementary, where we gave the kids a high-five before they entered the school for the day! They made us smile and was a wonderful way to start the day!
Palm Sunday Sundaes, telling the story of Jesus’s triumphant journey into Jerusalem, were provided to the Sunday School children on Palm Sunday. They enjoyed a lesson, video, and craft using their own palms!
Cry room renew and refresh plans have been made! Watch for a fresh coat of paint, new furniture, serving cart, and children’s resources to appear over the next couple months. If you would like to help in any way, reach out to a Christian Outreach member.
We appreciate our volunteers and want to thank Heidi, Tayla, Liz, Denise, Jenny, Vivian, Traci, Sharon, Heath, Marsha, Connie, Chris, and Pastor Wittmer for helping us reach out and connect with our congregation and community. You are making a difference!
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3 verse 23-24
Sunday School
On February 25th, the Sunday School children sang in our Sunday Church Service.
The children walked in waving palm branches during our Palm Sunday Service.
Sunday School will end on May 19th for the summer.
In early January, we took down and cleaned up the church Christmas tree. We met in late January for supper and devotions and to kick off our sub sandwich fundraiser. Thank you to all who ordered from us! We made 85 dozen subs. Special shout out to Connie Cody, Denise
Sickelka and all the other family members/parents for volunteering their time to help us make
the subs!
In February, we served refreshments after the first Lenten service. We enjoy our time together
after serving.
In March, we went bowling. We invited our friends and had a great time! We are definitely not
going to be professional bowlers.
We will be leading the Good Friday service. We this is a very special way to be involved in our church. We are blessed to have 8 LYC members taking part in this special service when we
remember the suffering that Christ did for us.
Other upcoming events: We are volunteering at the Wonderland Theater in April to help support our local movie theater and we will be having a grill out, devotions and yard games the first part of June to kick off summer.
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Quilting Group is now meeting on Tuesdays at 1:30 pm. All are welcomed to join even if you don’t know how to sew. They can use the help cutting out squares and tieing knots in the quilts.
If you find you have unneeded used sheets or pillow cases during your fall housecleaning, please consider donating them to our quilt group. They will be recycled as liners or backings or even quilt squares. Just leave them in the church basement with a note to the quilt group that you are donating them.
Thank you to everyone who sponsored Easter lilies on our altar in memory of loved ones this year. These include: Fran & Dan Oeffner in memory of Oeffner and Rossow family members, Vernice Rahbusch in memory of John Rahbusch, Dan & Carmen Waggoner in memory of Glen Waggoner, Mark & Connie Cody in memory of Lois and Kenneth Cody and another for Dick and Bev Thiel, Mike and Darla Negus in memory of loved ones, Delmar Sickelka in memory of Clara Sickelka, and Roger & Mary Postma in memory of Clarence and Evelyn Postma.
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Church Website: blcsuth.360unite.com
Don’t forget to check out the Church’s website for all your church needs. It includes:
- Sermon Message from the past Sunday
- Church Bulletin
- Church’s Weekly Schedule
- Church’s Up Coming Events
- What’s going on with different Church Groups
- Monthly Church Calendar
- Quarterly Newsletter
- Mission information from Lutheran Hour and “This is Life” services on the radio.
- Church’s Prayer list and prayer of the week
- Hymn of the week
- Daily Devotions
- Coloring pages and activities for the kids to print off.
Adrianna Ebel
Jasper Johnson
Dani Rehder
Hats off to our High School Graduate
Sydney Sickelka
April:
5 |
Dylan Riedemann |
7 |
Mark Cody |
8 |
Elizabeth Sickelka |
11 |
Galen Vander Pol |
14 |
Vernice Rahbusch |
16 |
Todd Schueder |
23 |
Matthew Riedeman July Waggoner |
25 |
Cassandra Kruse |
27 |
David Hansen |
30 |
Jill Carroll |
May:
2 |
Connie Cody Janice Ebel |
5 |
Amanda Litka Cody Rehder |
16 |
Tayla Sickelka |
19 |
Daneille Nelson |
20 |
Colten Huckaby |
21 |
Bruce Fiddelke Ron Jalas Jr |
24 |
Judy Riedemann |
25 |
Chloe Hustedt |
June:
2 |
Karter Rohrbaugh Keaton Rohrbaugh |
7 |
Willa Sickelka |
8 |
Evelyn Jobst |
9 |
Mary Fiddelke |
12 |
Bridget Sickelka |
13 |
Lainey Jobst |
16 |
Mike Hill Brenda Miller |
19 |
Tim Rohrbaugh |
20 |
Jack Farquhar |
27 |
Angie Engelke |
28 |
Kendra Rohlfsen |
April:
7 |
Jason & Jill Carroll |
25 |
David & Bonnie Rohrs |
May:
6 |
Ron & Judy Waggoner |
24 |
Don & Meri Rickers |
June:
| 2 | Roger & Mary Postma |
| 5 | Doug & Char Sweeney |
| 6 | Mark & Connie Cody |
| 8 | Tim & Jonna Rohrbaugh |
| 9 | Les and Shirley Tewes |
| 17 | Evan & Noelle Magnussen |
| 22 | Jamie & Denise Sickelka |
| 27 | Dwane & Judy Riedemann |
| 30 | Robert & Jan Oeffner |
Funny Church Signs
Your name may be on a bottle of Coke, but is it in the Book of Life.
Need a lifeguard? Ours walks on water.
Why pay for GPS? Jesus gives direction for free.
We use duct tape to fix everything. God used nails.
Choose the Bread of Life or you are toast.
There are some questions that can’t be answered by Google.
Just love everyone. I’ll sort them out later. - God
We’re all precious in God’s eyes. He may shake his head a lot.
Try these four letter words – Love Pray Hope
If cats could text you, they wouldn’t.
Don’t make me come down there. - God
Now is a good time to visit. Our pastor is on vacation.
God wants spiritual fruit not religious nuts.
Honk if you love Jesus. Text while driving if you want to meet him.
Staying in bed shouting Oh God! Does not constitute going to church.
Pastor warning – anything you say or do could be used in a sermon.
Exercise daily. . . Run from Satan – Walk with God
Forgive your enemies. It messes with their heads.
Our church is like fudge. Sweet with a few nuts.
Blah Blah Blah Just come to church.
Time is short – Hell is hot – The King is Coming – Ready or Not