October 2021 - Bethlehem United Church of Christ
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October 2021
The Bethlehem STAR
We are several weeks into our Confirmation class and in my favorite
unit—the Bible. I love teaching the story of God’s people, and while I could
never choose a favorite part, one exciting part is laying the foundation of how
we get from the call of Abram and Sarai (eventually, Abraham and Sarah) to a
whole nation of Hebrews (Israelites) escaping the horrors of Egypt.
I love the very human mixture of faithfulness and unfaithfulness of the
patriarchs and matriarchs. I love how those early families are just as much of a
mess as our families can be sometimes. And I love the thread that runs through
Genesis and Exodus (and the whole Bible. . .and the entire story of God’s
people throughout history. . .) of God bringing about good in the midst of
imperfect circumstances. I love how God can leverage nonsense like passing
your wife off as your sister or stealing your brother’s birthright with a tempting
pot of stew in ways that are life-giving for God’s people.
There is plenty of sin and brokenness in these first two books of our Bible
that is startling (see throwing your brother in a pit and telling your dad he was
attacked by a wild animal!). But perhaps the most sobering part of the creation
of God’s people Israel is just how long it took from the time of Abram and
Sarai’s call until the first step toward realizing the promise God had made to
them.
As I teach 12- and 13-year-olds about God’s faithfulness, I also must tell
them that God promised an heir to Abram and Sarai who did not arrive for
another 25 years. I tell the kids, “God is faithful, but it can sometimes take a
really really long time!” I can hear the thoughts in their adolescent minds: This
is supposed to make us feel better?” The “long game” is hard for all of us, but
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especially for people just breaking into their second decade of life.
The kids are learning what is hard for us all to accept: following God is
not about what’s in it for us. Certainly, Abraham and Sarah received
tremendous blessing by following God, but they didn’t get to choose what that
would look like, or how long it would take, or how much of the promises of God
they would actually get to see come to fruition while they still walked this earth.
This is the life we are called to. It’s what we sign up for when we
understand that this world is only our temporary home. When we understand
that, we begin living by Kingdom Values right now, though God’s Kingdom is
still a ways off yet.
This is the challenge we set before our Confirmands: Is this a life you’re
up for?
It is a question “seasoned” believers should reconsider from time to time
as well!
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do
not see. –Hebrews 11:1
The Council thanks the congregation for the many suggestions of
organizations to benefit with a portion of the Voigt funds. The organizations
will receive the much-needed support by early October.
No changes have been made to our COVID protocol. Please remember that
masks are recommended during worship.
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It hasn't happened since 2010! What, you ask? Halloween on a Sunday! We
look forward to celebrating with our children on October 31st! There will be
special activities and treats for our children to help them celebrate the festive
day!
Christmas is right around the corner! In light of the ongoing pandemic, we are
going to try something new this year in lieu of our traditional Children's
Program. Our children and youth will kick off the Advent Season with a special
video production shown during worship on Sunday, November 28th. Details to
follow.
Consecration Weekend
October 16 & 17
Parking Lot Worship
October 30 & 31
Totenfest
November 6 & 7
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Pumpkin Patch
Fall is in the air, and we are so excited to
welcome back the Bethlehem Pumpkin
Patch! The patch will be open through
the month of October. Stop by during
the week to purchase a pumpkin via an honor box. We hope to staff the patch
on the weekends (Fridays 3 - 7 pm and Saturdays/Sundays 12 - 7 pm) If you
would like to sign up for a shift, please visit our Signup Genius link or contact
Margaret Eberhart at 859-576-1442. Proceeds from the Patch will be directed to
the Afghan Refugee Assistance.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c48a8aa2ea7fcc43-bethlehem
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Advent Lawn Signs
Advent will be here before we know it! Last year we
provided yard signs to help mark the weeks leading up to
Christmas Day. We’d love to do that again this year, but
need to know how many signs to order. Please contact
the Church office (by church@bethlehemucc.org)
October 15 if you need a sign. For those who still have
their old signs (please also let the office know), we will be
providing white stickers to cover last year’s flames as well
as new flames for this Advent season. Watch for more
information!
The Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ is now
seeking candidates for a new staff position, Director of Development and
Generosity. As we continue to evolve and grow as a staff, we are excited to
bring on a person dedicated to shepherding our fundraising efforts that support
our mission to live in covenant, connecting and equipping local ministries to
love and serve like Jesus.
The Director of Development and Generosity is responsible for planning,
organizing, and directing the Conference’s fundraising efforts including:
execute a special campaign for the 2023 General Synod of the UCC, OCWM
growth, Annual Support Fund, design major gifts program, cultivating individual
legacy giving, and future capital campaigns. This position works collaboratively
with the Conference Minister, the Board of Directors, the Financial Vitality
Committee, and other fundraising volunteers.
Send your resume and cover letter to the Indiana-Kentucky Conference
office via email: ikc@ikcucc.org. Deadline
7 for applications is October 6,
The Bethlehem STAR
It’s Harvest time – time for picking and enjoying apples! The Eosin Sunday
School Class will be selling our famous Dutch Apple Crumb Pies to benefit
missions. We will be taking PREPAID orders once again this year. To be
assured of getting pies, please complete the form at the bottom of this page
and put it in the Eosin mailbox or leave it in the office. Please make your
checks out to Eosin. The pies will be made on Thursday, November 18 this
year. Plan to pick up your pies between 2:00 and 5:30 PM that evening.
EOSIN APPLE PIE SALE
Number of Pies ____________ @ $10.00 each Total cost ____________
Name _________________________ Phone number __________________
Email address
_______________________________________________________________
Remember to pick up your fresh pies on Thursday, November 18.
Additional order forms are available at the sanctuary entrances, in the vestibule
(church office entrance), and in the church office.
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Fish Fry Fun
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Cindy Klassic Golf Scramble 2021
You are invited to make a difference and join United Caring
Services on Monday, October 4, 2021, at Oak Meadow
Country Club for our 20th annual 4-person golf scramble
re-named in 2018 in honor of Cindy Klassy, a dear friend,
longtime board member, and community servant.
This is an amazing event for an amazing cause — to help UCS strengthen
its Community of Caring and provide values-based, low barrier, sustainable,
and high-quality homeless shelters, services, and solutions.
Get your team together, be a sponsor, sign up, and make a life-saving
difference in people’s lives!
• Teams are $400 and Individuals are $100.
• Check-in starts at 8:00 am with a 9:00 am tee time and a lunch buffet
available at 1:00 pm.
Questions? (812) 422-0297 #6 or info@unitedcaringservices.org
Check: Mail to PO Box 1071 Evansville, IN 47706; payable to United Caring
Services.
Bonus: Several auction items and raffles will be available as well as
in-course games (Mulligans, Skirts, “Double Your Money” Half-Pots, etc).
Make a life-saving difference in people’s lives!
Address/Email Updates
Please contact
church office.
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“The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you
shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the
Lord your God.”--Leviticus 19:34
Our faith compels us to lend aid to the stranger. Camp Atterbury is currently
hosting thousands of Afghan refugees and we want to help make sure our new
neighbors have the things they need. Our Church Council has already
designated $750 of the Voigt Trust money toward this cause. You can add your
support in a couple of ways:
1. You can give through Bethlehem online and select “Afghan Refugee
Assistance” from the drop-down menu.
2. You can write a check to Bethlehem with “Afghan Refugee Assistance”
on the memo line.
3. You can buy specific needed items from the Amazon wishlist and have it
sent directly to Camp Atterbury. You can access that list here: https://
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/38IM08EL9V9EU?ref_=wl_share
There are rare occasions when the instructions of Scripture and the
circumstances around us align clearly, and this is one such opportunity for us to
follow the commands of God and our Lord Jesus. May we be found faithful!
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I would like to thank all my friends at Bethlehem for all
their prayers and the cards I received during my recent
hospitalizations and surgery. It was so comforting to
know that so many were praying for me and my medical
staff; it meant so much to me and my family. I am doing
much better and realizing a little improvement each day.
Dianne Bromm
Dear Bethlehem UCC (and the Endowment Committee)
I am so grateful for how God moved through this whole faith community in ways
that have blessed both myself and Sarah over the past few years. In particular,
thank you to all who made my ordination service and reception happen. So
many folks have reached out to me and expressed how impressed they were
with BUCC, your pastor, your organist, your people, and their hospitality. I am
deeply grateful!!
Yours faithfully,
Rev. Emma Loane
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Each year the Church Council has the discretion to direct the annual
income distribution from the Voigt Trust anywhere it chooses. For years, 10%
was given to our Outreach Team to direct toward benevolence, and the rest
retained by the church. In 2019, the Council began committing 20% of the
funds to the Outreach Team, with the remaining 80% retained. In 2020, the
Council made the unprecedented decision to give away the remaining 80% of
the funds as well.
This year, the Council has again decided to give away a large portion of
the money to worthy agencies, deciding to direct half of the 80% toward
organizations YOU (the congregation) identified as near to your hearts. This
means that a full 60% ($16,800) of the funds are going out into the community
(and beyond!) to help support agencies, ministries, and needs beyond the
purview of our local church.
The Council is pleased to share the 21 organizations who will receive a
portion of the $11,200. We look forward to reporting where the additional
$5,600 at the discretion of the Outreach Team will go. Stay tuned!
• Afghan Refugees (Through Rubicon--recommended by the IN/KY
Conference)
• Aurora of Evansville
• Back Bay Mission
• Borrowed Hearts
• Bucket Blitz (Through Church World Service)
• CASA
• Churches Embracing Offenders
• Dream Center Evansville
• Easter Seals
• Evansville Emergency Food Pantry Consortium
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Habitat for Humanity • Scouts Troop #346
• Holly's House • TOUCH
• Isaiah 1:17 House • Wildfire Relief (Through the UCC)
• National Alliance on Mental Health • Young and Established
• Patchwork Central • Youth First
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Evansville - Thomas "Tom" E. Wuertz, 63, of
Evansville, Indiana, passed away Sunday, Sep-
tember 5, 2021, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital.
He was born October 29, 1957, in Evansville.
Tom loved baseball and was an avid fan of the St.
Louis Cardinals. He also was a fan of IU Basketball and the
Indianapolis Colts. Tom retired from SIGECO/Vectren, after 39 years. His
interests were playing baseball, fishing, watching old westerns and old classic
T.V. shows. His favorite day of the week was Thursdays when he spent time
with his grandson, Fitz.He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and
Ruth Wuertz; and daughter, Angela Wuertz.
Tom is survived by his wife of 42 years, Candy Wuertz; sons, Josh Wuertz
(Alli), Eric Wuertz and Adam Wuertz all of Evansville; grandchildren, Fitzgerald
and Edison Wuertz; siblings, John Wuertz (Carolyn) of Evansville, Letitia
Pearson (Lee) of Myrtle Beach, SC and Philip Wuertz (Sherry); and several
nieces, nephews, brother and sister-in-laws, and his faithful companion, Lina.
Private Family Services were held. The service was livestreamed.
You might like to celebrate a special occasion, honor a special person, or
maybe you just enjoy seeing live flowers on the altar! Dates are first-come,
first-serve, so reserve early! Currently, November 7 & 14 are available for the
remainder of 2021. To reserve a weekend, email (judy@bethlehemucc.org).
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Let’s fill the
mailboxes
October 01 Benjamin Dillon Paul Faucett
of our
Pam Wiseman October 17 Barb Dizney
Special
October 02 Ava Orth October 18 Bob Cravens
Seniors on
October 05 Glenn Heseman Beverly Plymire Sunderman
their
Max Jones October 20 Caitlyn Garrett
birthdays.
Steve Parker Sydnee Hape
October 06 Lexi Volkman Pat Wilhite
Roy Arnold October 23 Beckett Hurt A complete listing
Larry Byers Cash Hurt of October
October 07 Christopher Orth October 24 Susie Kuhlenschmidt birthdays are
October 08 Kennedy Markwell Lino Wiseman available at
Willow Wilhite October 25 Grayson Morris www.bethlehemuc
October 09 Elle Havens October 26 Alliyah Dillon c.org/estar. Please
Gretchen Byers October 27 Grayson Bultemeier contact the church
Wilma Mason October 29 Don Roberts office if you would
October 10 Mary Weyher October 30 Jo Ann Bagby appreciate a
October 11 Kevin Hodoval October 30 Martha Royalty paper
October 12 Keith Krietenstein October 30 Sylvia Strupp copy of the list.
October 16 Charlotte Hungate October 31 Ryan Worthington
Ayden Kuebler
October 02 Brian & Lesley Allen October 12 Bret & Melody Beauchamp
October 03 Scottie & Michelle Eickhoff October 12 Jerry & Becky Stucki
October 04 Glenn & Judy Heseman October 13 Chris & Niki Traylor
Andy & Brandi Hunt October 15 Kathryn Elliott
October 05 Larry & Sharon Kleeman October 16 Jerry & Amy Walker
October 06 Adam & Elizabeth Daywalt October 21 Gregg & Char Bailey
Barry & Darby Schnakenburg October 21 David & Penny Barter
October 08 Jeremy & Laura Chambers October 23 Jason & Lynne Goodman
October 09 Wes & Ashley Carroll October 24 Alan & Carolyn Mason
October 10 Tim & Kathy Bell October 27 Bob & Dee Carithers
October 11 Greg & Margaret Eberhart October 28 Kent & Tammy Koch
Richard & Martha Royalty October 30 Darrell & Shirley Blankenship
Troy & Tricia Vaupel 17(812) 867-2497 (Office)
Email — church@bethlehemucc.org
Web Site—www.bethlehemucc.org
Office Hours 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Please contact the church office if you are aware of any address changes.
OUR VISION STATEMENT:
Striving to welcome all who seek God; to grow in faith;
and to love neighbor as self through action.You can also read
