Secretary is on Vacation from December 11-22.  So there will be no new Bulletins until she returns.

Second Sunday of Advent, December, 8 2024

Bethel Lutheran Church

P.O. Box 20, 502 South Ash - Sutherland, Iowa 51058-0901

712-446-3630 Church Answering Machine

Email: bethel@midlands.net   

Website: blcsuth.360unite.com

Vacancy Pastor – Pastor John Riebhoff

Phone # (712)539-8801

Email: jgriebhoff@yahoo.com

Bethel Church Secretary—Bridget Sickelka (712) 363-4926

Lutheran Family Service Counseling 712-276-9000

Holy Communion 1st, 3rd, & 5th Sundays of the Month

Worship Hours

9:15 Sunday School

10:30 Worship Service

Elders: Brent Hustedt, Jeff Ebel, & Jamie Sickelka

Organist: 

Greeters: Liz Peters

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We welcome all of our worshipers this morning. We pray that the Holy Spirit will bless this time with an increase of faith in Jesus and love for one another. Please join us again in worship and fellowship.

Our Worship We follow Divine Service Setting 3 on page 184.

Our hymns for today 348, 344, 347, and 508.

 Communion Statement Here at Bethel Lutheran Church, with our church body, the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), practice closed communion.  That means that since we believe that in the Lord's Supper, we receive the Lord's True Body and His True Blood, we reserve the supper for those who have been baptized, and are also confirmed members of the LCMS.  If you are currently a confirmed member of the LCMS, we welcome you to participate by coming forward during the distribution with your arms crossed over your chest, and receive a blessing.  If this is your first time communing with us, or you believe you should be able to receive the Lord's Supper here, please speak with the pastor or one of the elders beforehand.

Our Response to God’s Love:

With our attendance last Sunday 40 Communed 39

With our offerings to the Lord: Loose $220.00 General Fund $3,475.00

Mission $69.00 IDW $50.00 Total $3,814.00

Midweek- Advent 

Our adopted mission project for 2024 is $2,000 for Zion-St. John Lutheran School of Paullina for religious curriculum.  We hold this ministry in our prayers and pray the Holy Spirit to move our hearts to support them.

With our prayers for the sick and hurting: Roman Fulkerson, Janie Ebel, Carol Wittrock, Norma Hill, Ron Waggoner, Marilyn Fiddelke, Elaine Waggoner, and Delmar Sickelka.

Hospitalizations: Please let an Elder know if you or someone from the congregation is in the hospital.  

If you have any questions, concerns, prayer needs, or need of help please call one of the following:

Dwane Riedemann                  712-260-1891

Jamie Sickelka                        712-363-0301

Jeff Ebel                                  712-260-2513

Brent Hustedt                         712-363-0229

Pastor John Riebhoff              712-539-8801

Caroling:  Today, we are Christmas Caroling at the Hartley Nursing Home and the Sutherland Nursing Home.  All are welcomed to join us.  The more the merrier and the residents enjoy hearing the Christmas songs.  We will meet in the church parking lot at 2:30pm, then we will leave to go to the Hartley Nursing Home first.

Church Council Meeting:  Wednesday, December 11, is the Church Council Meeting at 8:15 pm after the church service and fellowship time.  Please have items to Dwane for the meeting’s agenda no later than Wednesday noon.

Mid-Week Advent Service:  Wednesday, December 11th, at 7:00 pm is our second Mid-Week Advent Service. Our speaker that night will be Pastor Carl Stenzel message theme “Prepare the Way of the Lord”.  After the service join us for fellowship in the basement provided by the church President, Vice President, and Treasurer.

Children’s Christmas Program:  Next Sunday, December 15, along with our Family Worship Service, the Sunday School Children will be having their Christmas Program.  Come and join us as the children praise and sing about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Altar Guild – Poinsettias:   Anyone wishing to sponsor a poinsettia this year in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please let Mary Postma know by Wednesday, December 18.  The cost of a poinsettia is $16.  Checks can be made out to Bethel Lutheran Church Altar Guild.  Please note your donation is for a poinsettia and indicate the person(s) you are honoring.

Special Worship Times

Sunday – December 8 – 10:30 am – 2nd Sunday of Advent

Wednesday – Dec 11 – 7:00 pm – Midweek Advent “Prepare the Way of the Lord” - Pastor Carl Stenzel Refreshments after service – Pres., Vice Pres., and Treasurer

Sunday – December 15 – 10:30 am – 3rd Sunday of Advent w/ Sunday School Program

Wednesday – Dec 18 – 7:00 pm – Midweek Advent “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” – Pastor John Riebhoff Refreshments after service – Elder’s

Sunday – Dec 22 – 10:30 am – 4th Sunday of Advent 

Tuesday – Dec 24 – 7:00 pm – Lessons and Carols

Wednesday – Dec 25 – 10:00 am – Christmas Day

LMCS Stewardship Ministry Stewardship Thoughts

December 8, Second Sunday in Advent

Luke 3:4 – “As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” God makes long-range plans: Isaiah lived more than seven hundred years before St. John the Baptist preached by the Jordan River. Obviously, God sees farther into the future than we do! That’s yet another reason to trust Him when it comes to how He tells us to live our lives: He knows what’s coming and we don’t.

Friday, December 13th

Christmas Open House – Treats & Prizes

5:00pm – 5:45pm Parade Line-Up (South of City Shed – 116 S. Pine St)

6:00pm Lighted Parade (Sit along E 1st St or E 2nd St – Look for Signs)

7:00 pm Free Family Movie Night – The Grinch – Meal, snacks, & Drinks will be provided (Wear your favorite Christmas PJ’s)

Saturday, December 14th

7:30 am – 10:00 am Breakfast in Who-Ville – R.L. Johannsen Center – Serving French Toast, Bacon, Sausage, Eggs & Drink – Free Will Donation

10:00am – 2:00 pm - Free Swim at the Wiloway Complex – Parents must be present!!!

3:00pm – 9:00 pm – Tri Town Tour of Homes (Tour in Sutherland, Paullina, and Primghar) $25/Ticket – Tickets are available at the R.L. Johannsen Center

6:00pm – 9:00pm – Chili Cook Off – R.L. Johannsen Center – Free will donation. Proceeds going to Sutherland Fire/Ambulance & Labor Day 2025 Fund.

6:00pm – 9:00pm – Chip and Sip – Mini golf at participating businesses throughout town. $10/Ticket – Tickets at R.L. Johannsen Center

Sunday, December 15th

11:00am – 2:00 pm – Family Fun Christmas – R.L. Johannsen Center

Santa              Horsedrawn Rides                Photo Booth

Crafts             Cookie Decorating                Gifts for all children!!

Soup Dinner with Hot Dog Option – Sponsored by Noah’s Ark Daycare – Free will donation

Entire Weekend – Silent Auction & Parade of Trees – R.L. Johannsen Center

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