Bethany's church library is growing, and it could use your help! We are currently seeking donations of gently used books to improve our range of children's materials. Primarily, we are seeking children's devotionals and Bible story books. We are not looking for general children's fiction at this time. Donations can be dropped off with Pastor Johnston on weekdays when he is in the office, as well as during weekend services. Thank you for helping Bethany's little ones grow in their knowledge of God's Word!
Bethany Apparel Store Open
Bethany has teamed up with Cooney’s in Appleton (a Bethany member owned, local company) to open a new apparel store! Items can be purchased in a variety of colors and can have your choice of Bethany or Our Shepherd logos attached. Go to https://bethanylutheran2024.itemorder.com/shop/sale/ to shop now! The store will be open year round, and all items are embroidered with our logos.
Bargain Garden Volunteers
Volunteers Needed at the Bargain Garden. The Bargain Garden is blessed to have about 100 volunteers. Sounds like a lot, right? While that is an impressive number, there are many shifts to cover. In a typical month, there are approximately 48 shifts. If there are 3 workers per shift (4 is preferred), 144-192 volunteers are needed per month, which means many volunteers work more than one shift. Our winter staff is also somewhat smaller because a number of volunteers are snowbirds. This is an appeal for both men and women (there are “jobs” for everyone) from the Federation congregations. If you can work a shift (3 ½ hours) or two a month, please stop at the store (2725 N. Meade St., Appleton) to pick up a volunteer form. You will be welcomed and appreciated. The Bargain Garden recently exceeded $2,000,000 in donations to support the teen ministry at Fox Valley Lutheran High School and $209,000 to other WELS charities. Many thanks to the donors, volunteers, and shoppers who have made this success possible. To God be the glory; great things He has done!
New Sermon Series - God's Government
Understanding, or perhaps misunderstanding, the relationship between God and rulers, church and state, Christians and government, is not a new concept. We see examples from throughout the Bible of Christians struggling with the proper balance between these and, in many cases, just plain getting it wrong. In our sermon series that begins this weekend, we will look at what God has to tell us in his Scriptures about how we should properly view things like government, conspiracy theories, war, peace, and the stress that all of these things can put on the mind and the conscience of a Christian.
Hope Center Volunteers Needed
Hope Center Volunteers Needed: The Hope Center, a compassion ministry of WELS United located in Appleton, is currently serving more than 180 families every month with practical needs and the good news of Jesus. We are currently in need of additional volunteers Tuesdays (8:30-11:30am), Wednesdays (2-5pm), and Thursdays (12:30-3:30pm). Volunteers with every gift are needed for various roles from packing supply bags to greeting clients to basic office work. Time commitment can vary from once a month to weekly. For more information, contact Jon Pellinen at 920-739-0039 or email information@hope-center.org.
Senior Service - Friday, October 11
This year’s Senior Service is coming up soon! The congregation’s older members are invited to a special worship service at the Parkway Campus on Friday, October 11 @ 10am. After the service, all are also invited to the lower-level fellowship hall for a special meal and entertainment.
Our Shepherd Updates 10-13-2024
Our Shepherd Updates:
o We need some volunteers to help paint two of our classrooms. A small group is meeting on Thursday, October 24th at 8AM. If you can join them, please reach out to Emily - churchoffice@bethanyappleton.org. Chipping paint is a licensing issue as well as an eye sore.
o Our Shepherd is closed Thursday and Friday, October 24-25.
o The Our Shepherd children will sing “Jesus Loves Me” during our November 9th Saturday worship service at the Lynndale Campus.
FVL Announcements 10/27
FVL’s annual Veterans Day Breakfast & Service is set for Monday, November 11, from 8:30-10:30 AM. Veterans from the FVL Federation and their family members are invited. Information and registration are online at fvlhs.org/news. Please register by the end of the day on October 28.
Join us for the Timothy Trout Sports Center Dedication and Open House on Sunday, November 10, from 1:30-2:30 PM. Weather permitting, the event will begin outside with a brief Dedication, after which all are invited to walk through the new facility.
Fall Festival - TOMORROW
Bethany and Our Shepherd’s Fall Festival will be on Saturday, October 5th from 9-11AM. Invite your friends and family to stop by in their costumes for free food and fun!
Our Shepherd Playground Prime & Paint
Many hands make light work! We are searching for a crew to help prime & paint the playground equipment in the large playground at Our Shepherd on Saturday, September 21 at 10AM. If you have a wire brush, paintbrushes, and a 6 ft ladder, please bring those too! This will help our playground meet state licensing requirements! Email churchoffice@bethanyappleton.org with any questions.
Our Shepherd Childcare - Now Hiring
Our Shepherd Childcare and Family Ministry is now hiring for an assistant or float teacher. Please email churchoffice@bethanyappleton.org if you’d like to know more!
LWMS Mission Project Support
The LWMS is collecting items needed for the Hope Center now through October 7. The items needed are as follows: liquid dish soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, men's and women's deodorant, toothpaste, men's and women's shaving cream, razors, toilet paper, paper towel, and Kleenex.
There are donation bins on both campuses.
Christ Through Us - Historical Book
“Christ Through Us” is a limited edition hardcover book exploring the complete history of WELS from 1850 to 2025. This book can be ordered NOW for $27 in a group order from Bethany which includes shipping and tax. Use the sign-up sheet at either site and place your check for $27.00, made out to Bethany Lutheran Church, in the envelope attached to the back of the sheet by 9/29. We anticipate receiving the books in early summer 2025. Questions? Call, email, or text (preferred) Glenn Erdmann at 920-213-3204 or glennlois2317@yahoo.com.
Small Group Bible Studies
Small Group Bible Studies will begin the week of Sunday, September 8. There are sign-up sheets on both campuses. If you want to know more about small groups, or are unsure if there’s a group for you – talk with Pastor Johnston to get connected!
Discipleship.101
Discipleship 101 is a starting point. This 9-week course is designed to present an overview of the main teachings of the Christian faith while also sharing what we believe and teach at Bethany Lutheran Church and Our Shepherd Childcare. If you’re new to Christianity or church, or you just want to brush up on the basics of the Christian faith, we’d love to have you join us. D.101 will be on Tuesdays at 5:15PM in the Praise Center at Our Shepherd Childcare. There is free childcare during this 1-hour class. Email Pastor Krenke to RSVP – mdkrenke@bethanyappleton.org.
Midweek Oasis Bible Study
In our Midweek Oasis Bible study, Irreconcilable!, we will take an in-depth look at the Pharisees and the teachings that brought them in conflict with Jesus. We do that, not simply as an academic study, but to fortify ourselves against the leaven of the Pharisees that often lurks within our own hearts. Ultimately in this study, we will see even more clearly how the message of salvation is not only superior through Jesus—but that his is the only true message of salvation we have. Midweek Oasis will be held weekly each Wednesday, beginning September 4, in the Parkway Campus’s lower-level fellowship hall from 10:00-11:00am.
Prayer Chain
Did you know that Bethany has a Prayer Chain? The commitment is as simple as reading an email and praying about it. CayeLynn Duchow has been coordinating the Prayer Chain since 2008. We all know that prayers work and God answers them. If you are interested in being part of this prayer chain, please contact CayeLynn via email @ cc911@new.rr.com or by phone at 920-882-0675. She will be glad to answer any of your questions.
Men's Bible Study
There is no Men’s Bible Study on Tuesday, September 3. The group will start again on Tuesdays at 7:30AM in the lower level fellowship hall on the Parkway Campus studying "10 Uncomfortable Misunderstood Bible Words God Wants You To Know"
Parkway Campus Office Hours
The Parkway church office hours will now be Monday-Friday 8AM-12PM. If you need to meet with someone outside of that time, please contact them directly.
Discipleship.101 to Begin
Discipleship 101 is a starting point. This 9-week course is designed to present an overview of the main teachings of the Christian faith while also sharing what we believe and teach at Bethany Lutheran Church and Our Shepherd Childcare. If you’re new to Christianity or church, or you just want to brush up on the basics of the Christian faith, we’d love to have you join us. D.101 will be on Tuesdays at 5:15PM in the Praise Center at Our Shepherd Childcare. There is free childcare during this 1-hour class. Email Pastor Krenke to RSVP – mdkrenke@bethanyappleton.org.