Sundays:   9:00 am-Sunday School

                 10:00 a.m. Worship

                 11:00 a.m. Coffee Hour

Bethel Lutheran Church

540 McKenzie Ave. West

Greenbush, MN 56726

(218) 782-2571

bethelchurch@wiktel.com

Pastor: Mark Mathews

Ministers:  All of the Members of the Congregation

Bethel Lutheran

Church Council 2009

Mike Korczak-President

Dennis Olson-Vice President

Stacy Dahl

Glenn Darst

Terry Howard

Catherine Kaml

Tony McLean

Dale Mekash

Carol Novacek

Karen Stephens

Annette Wicklund

Vickie Wilson

Sharon Miller, Treasurer

Welcome to Bethel Church! If you are looking for a church home, this is a warm invitation for you to join with the men, women, youth and children of Bethel Church. Membership is open to all people who wish to share in the worship of God and to practice Christianity in their daily lives.

We have included in this section information about programs and activities of our church.

MEMBERSHIP How can I become a member of Bethel Lutheran Church? -         by Baptism -         by Letter of Transfer -         by Affirmation of Faith   Adult membership classes are offered for those who have not been confirmed in the Lutheran Church.   If interested in becoming a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, contact the church office at 782-2571.   WOMEN OF THE CHURCH   All Bethel Women are invited to share in the ministry of Women of the ELCA.   The Women of Bethel gather two times during the year for General Meetings.  A special program and the business meeting make up these meetings.   One group meets monthly for Bible Study and fellowship on the third Wednesday of each month at 2:00 p.m.   Bethel women are divided into three serving groups as part of their service projects.  These serving groups serve potluck dinners, wedding receptions, anniversary receptions and funerals.   Pray Chain – Prayers may be requested for the sick, people who are facing the death of a loved one, or whatever the struggle may be.  All prayer requests are kept confidential within the group.  Persons making a prayer request need only call Marie Olson at 782-2930, Jan Wollin at 782-2369. Audrey Olson at 528-3644 or Regina Boese at 782-2245.   Bethel Women’s activities include: Bible Study, Cluster Meetings Feed the Hungry Lunch & Sale Dumpling Day and Craft Sale Quilt making and Parish Projects for LWR General Church Cleaning, Christmas Party Provide Camperships for Bethel youth Coordinate Potluck Dinners YOUTH   Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) is for youth in grades 6-12.  Youth are involved in many activities and ministries.  They participate in worship, Bible study, service projects and monthly gatherings.   Bethel youth also attend Synod and National Youth Gatherings. MUSIC Primary Choir Ages 3 years old through grade 2.  The youth practice during Sunday school and sing the first Sunday of the month at the 10:00 a.m. worship service.   Special Music We welcome the opportunities for people to share vocal or instrumental music during worship.  If you might like to do this, please contact the church office at 782-2571 or anyone on the Worship and Music Committee. OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE   Bethel is a group of people who out of profound gratefulness for what God has done for us in Christ Jesus seeks to demonstrate his love by recognizing and responding to the needs of other people.  The ministry of Bethel provides a variety of opportunities to serve others including, but not limited to:   Acolytes/Cross Bearers Altar Guild Bethelog Newsletter Bible Study Leader Building/Grounds Maintenance Choir Director/Accompanist Choir Church Council Librarian/Helper Men’s Club Prayer Chain Quilting Sunday school Teacher Vacation Bible school Teacher Visitation – Nursing Home/Shut-ins Volunteer at Lake of the Woods Bible Camp Youth Advisors   Sharing Servants Sharing servants is available on a monthly signup basis.  Families may sign up for a month and choose how they would like to serve.   Ushers  -   Greeters  -   Scripture Readers Communion Assistants Coffee Hour Servers - Church Cleaning CHRISTIAN EDUCATION   Sunday school – 9:00 a.m. Classes are provided for 3 year olds through grade 12.  (September - May)   Confirmation Class Classes for Grade 8 & 9 on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Confirmation Supper is at 6:00 p.m. (September – May)   Vacation Bible School For children in Kindergarten through grade 6.  VBS is held in early June for one week.   Bible Camp Many opportunities for children and adults all year around at Pathways Bible Camps.   Adult Bible Study Ecumenical Bible study offered.  Format and times vary.  Contact the church office for details.   Library The Library is open all the time; contains books for all ages.  Videos are also available.   CONFIRMATION   FIFTH GRADE – Holy Communion instruction (5 sessions) will be taught by the pastor after school on Wednesdays in the fall.   SEVENTH & EIGHTH GRADE – Each student is required to attend one week of Bible camp or complete an option of comparable value to be decided by student, parents and pastor.   EIGHTH & NINETH GRADE – Grade 8 & 9 Confirmation classes meet Wednesday evenings with the pastor.  Each student is required to attend worship services at least 25 times during the year and complete 15 sermon notes.  Each student will participate in worship services as acolyte and cross bearer.  Sunday school classes on Sunday mornings are also required.   MEMORIZATION SCHEDULE – A Progressive Program of study memorizing scriptures and Luther’s Small Catechism has been set up by the Education Committee.  It starts in Nursery School and continues through Confirmation.

MEN’S ORGANIZATION

Bethel Lutheran Church Men (BLCM) meet periodically throughout the year for fellowship and activities. BLCM activities include: Turkey/Ham Supper, Mother’s Day Coffee Hour, Work Day at Lake of the Woods Bible Camp, serving the Bethel Women’s Christmas Party, and helping with clean-up and general maintenance around the church, as well as other service related ministries.

Men’s Breakfast Study

Meet every Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. at Bethel for Bible Study. (September – April)