Chimes

The CHIMES

BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH

P O Box 606, Portage, WI 53901-0606

Office (608) 742-8502 Fax (608) 742-7715

bethluch@mwwb.net 2008

www.bethlehemportage.org Volume 70 Number 4

Pastor Dick Inglett

_______________________________________________________________________________________

SEASONS OF THE FIELD ...

God has a wonderful way. When you receive this newsletter (at least those who live “Where the North Begins”) the color of the field where the church resides, her natural surroundings will still be brown and grey. The color of the church bricks and the church field will be the same. The April fields, when we lived in southern Minnesota, used to show the beginning of Spring. This year it seems that it will come a little later. So it will be,

for awhile longer, ugly and muddy here where we live.

And yet, by the end of this month, the warmth of the sun will have melted the ice and snow and turned the brown

and grey to budding green. God has a wonderful way. Ugliness is turned into beauty.

In our hearts, in our lives the ugliness and mud becomes painfully present as we traveled to the Cross. As we traveled through Lent the color of life was brown and grey. Now in the Easter season we are promised that things will change. New life will spring from old graves. The whitewashed graves of Winter snow will melt

and give nourishment to spring grasses and flowers and new leaves.

The warmth of God's Son will melt all that away. Our ugliness, the dirt of our sin will be removed. The shame and ugliness of the Cross of Christ will be shattered by the empty tomb of his resurrection. God has a

wonderful way.

Make the most of this time. Prepare, look inside at yourself and outside at the world around. Make the most of the joy and power of the Easter Resurrection. Work the soil of your life to prepare it for the planting of something new, something alive, something filled with hope.

In Christ

Pastor Dick

Adult Education –

Role of the Church in American Society

You are invited into a conversation about the Church’s role and place in American society and culture. With the up coming election and political climate there is a swirl of conversation about the role of religion in politics. People have concerns that the church says to much or not enough. Most people have both an opinion and confusion about the role of religion in our culture.

I invite you to join me in looking at this complex and controversial issue from a number of directions. My purpose in providing this learning opportunity is to give people an opportunity to listen and speak with each other, develop a safe atmosphere where these issues can be discussed out of respect for each other and help all of us learn something new in the process. This is the first time I have taught on this subject so bear with me as we struggle through the information together.

A tentative schedule is as follows:

April 6 – What does it mean to be the church in a culture or society?

April 13 – The Priestly and Prophetic Function of Religion

April 20 – The Public Church

April 27 - Red and Blue Religion

May 4 – The ELCA in American Culture and Society

May 11 – Happy Mother’s Day

May 18 - End of Sunday School Celebration

* * * * *

Sunday School News and Updates

April showers will have our Sunday School students continuing their Christian education. May flowers will bring Mother=s Day on May 11^th and the end of Sunday School program, brunch, games and activities on May 18^th. This summer we will again join the Methodist Church to host Vacation Bible School. The dates for VBS are August 4 to August 8. Please contact the church office if you would like to help out in any way. Next Sunday School meeting is Sunday April 13 at 11:15.

Gods family serving Christ with Love.

The following people have volunteered to Sponsor a coffee hour during the

month of April:

4/ 6 – ______________________

4/13 – Deb & Luke Hensler

4/20 – Ben & Deanna Ryde and Family

4/27 – Jack & Ginny Paulson

NURSERY VOLUNTEERS

Listed below are the Nursery Volunteers for the month of April:

4/ 6 – Dianna Bush & Leah Barto

4/13 – Jenny Wohlfert & Kenny Jones

4/20 – Kari Langkamp & Molly Bublitz

4/27 – Kris Suckow & Ryan Kucksdorf

* * * * * *

Listed below are the Communion Assistants for the

month of April:

4/ 6 – John Denhartigh & Luke Hensler

4/13 – Sandy Pate & Tim Peterson

4/20 – Sandy Sween & __________________

4/27 – Mary & Josh Inglett

GREETERS for the month of April are:

4/ 6 – Art & Elayne Hanson

4/13 - Marj Margelowsky

4/20 – The Inglett Family

4/27 – Hank & Nancy Brouette

USHERS – The following people have

volunteered to be ushers for the month of April:

4/ 6 – Jim & Angie Buchholz

4/13 – John Denhartigh

4/20 – Patrick Strain

4/27 – Dee Rasmussen

Altar Guild -Listed below is the Altar Guild schedule for the month of April:

4/ 2 – Carol Anacker

4/ 6 – Kari Wagner

4/ 9 – Judy Donahue

4/13 – Kari Wagner

4/16 – Denise Derey

4/20 – Pat Nelson

4/23 – Judy Haase

4/27 – Pat Nelson

4/30 – Judy Donahue

ACOLYTES - Listed below is the Acolyte

schedule for the month of April:

4/ 6 – Isaac Zarecki & Marcus Thompson

Runner – Amy Ryde

4/13 – Anne Ritter & Kyle Kjorlie

Runner – Lauren Gaffney

4/20 – Leah Barto & Holly Boaz

Runner – Marana Stone

4/27 – Mariah Colburn & BreeAnn Mueller

Runner – Jordan Jones

Sermon Broadcast

The sermons broadcast on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. on Radio Station WPDR AM 1350 are being

sponsored this month by:

4/ 6 – Jeanette Gessner

4/13 – Larry & Sandy Sween

4/20 – Mike & Tonya Orr

4/27 – Pastor Dick & Mary Inglett

CHANCEL FLOWERS

The following people will be supplying our flowers

during the month of April:

4/ 6 – Sue, Sawyer and Charlene Cadwell in

memory of Scott Cadwell.

4/13 – Larry & Sandy Sween in honor of their 33^rd

Wedding Anniversary, and Jack & Ginny

Paulson in honor of their 35^th Wedding

Anniversary.

4/20 – Mike & Tonya Orr in memory of Dyan.

4/27 – Roy Kopfhamer to the Glory of God.

Family Youth Group Outing

Sunday afternoon, April 6, Bethlehem Lutheran Youth Group invites you to an afternoon at Mount Olympus Indoor Water and Theme Park. Cost is only $6 per person for the entire afternoon. This price includes both the water park and the indoor

theme park.

We will meet at the water park by 1:00 p.m. Come to the lower entrance of the indoor water park and tell them that you are from “Bethlehem Lutheran in Portage” in order to receive the discount ticket price. For planning purposes please sigh-up by contacting the church office or clipboards on Wednesdays and Sundays. Friends and family members that you like to spend time with are welcome.

* * * * * *

Blessing of Driver’s License

Sunday, April 27 Bethlehem Lutheran Church invites high School students to participate in Sunday morning worship by having their driver’s license blessed. Obtaining a driver’s license is one of the last public rites of passage remaining in our culture. At Bethlehem we would like to celebrate this rite of passage and support our youth as they experience new responsibilities that accompany movement into

adulthood.

Current High Schoolers that have their driver’s license are invited to come forward after the sermon hymn to join in the blessing. We encourage you to invite your friends to come and join us this day and

have their driver’s licenses blessed as well.

* * * * * *

Confirmation Resumes - Wednesday evenings March 26 to May 14^th, our confirmation classed will be studying the Ten Commandments. April 2 and 23, are scheduled for Family Nights with a potluck, end of the year celebration on may 21^st.

Summer Mission Trip to Minneapolis

This summer Bethlehem Lutheran is sponsoring a mission trip to Minneapolis Minnesota for our Junior & Senior High Youth. In Minneapolis we will work at inner city soup kitchens and homeless shelters as well as provide kids club for the local youth. The dates for the trip are July 6-11. We have 7 youth and adults who have registered for the trip. We have room for at least 10 more mission workers. If you are at all interested in going on the mission trip, please contact Pastor Dick. Cost is a $50 registration fee. This registration fee is due Sunday,

March 30^th.

Mission Trip Fundraiser – The Mission Trip Youth & Adults have scheduled a major fundraising event on May 3^rd & 4^th. With a plant sale, brat & food booth and car wash beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 3^rd. The plant sale will continue into Sunday, May 4. If you have plants to donate for sale of empty starter pots please bring them to the church. There is a rumor that the bed of Pastor Dick’s pickup may even be filled with horse manure that you can purchase as organic fertilizer for your

gardens.

Please help support these events through your participation, prayers and donations.

* * * * *

Sunday, April 27 Middle School and High School youth and adult helpers are needed to clean up our Adopt-A-Highway portion of Highway 33 East. Some of us will walk the highway and others will join Tony Hess for a “nature walk” on and around our church property cleaning up any garbage left behind after the melting of winter snows. Yes we are hoping that by the end of April the snow will have left the ditches and fields of our area.

WRITERS WRITE II

How Did I Know Jesus Always Loved Me?

As far back as I can remember the song, “Jesus Loves Me”, has been my salvation. My first memories of it were when I was about eight years old. I don’t remember much about Sunday School,

but I sure knew that song.

There were a lot of family problems in our home, so I was sent to live with my Grandma. My mom was living in Chicago and I didn’t know where my dad was. Grandma had a bowl of strawberries, (which I really loved), in the refrigerator and I ate them all. When Grandma got home from work and saw what I

had done, she got really mad.

We lived near the railroad tracks and Grandma always fed the bums. There was a room off the kitchen where she would have them come in and eat. She would give them any used clothes she could find too. One day I was home from school with an ear ache. I could hear someone in the room off the

kitchen, but I was too sick to care.

I’d been at Grandma’s a few days when she noticed some of her jewelry was missing. The asked me what I had done with it. I told her that I hadn’t taken anything. She said, “If you don’t get it back by

tonight, I’ll send you away to the girl’s home”.

I waited until she was out of sight, then I got my bike and my snowsuit and rode to Pardeeville, Wisconsin. My dad had dated a lady there and I knew her mom would love and protect me. When I knocked and she opened the door, I could see she was very happy to see me. I had only been at her house for three days when my dad showed up with the police. I told them what had happened and about Grandma planning to send me away. Dad’s friend hugged me and with a kiss goodbye I was on my way back to Grandma’s

house. She was not very glad to see me.

It was just a few days later when a lady came to take me to my first foster home. The foster home was in

our town and that meant I could see my dad once in a while. The people had a daughter and a son of their own. They had a very nice home and even had a

piano they let me play on.

All too soon, the lady came to take me to another foster home. This was in Pardeeville, Wisconsin. The new people had a baby and an older girl. It was

fun playing with her. On Sundays we went to church and I got to go to Sunday School. I was ten years old by then and loved their home. Something about it made me feel safe and we sang my favorite song,

“Jesus Loves Me”, in Sunday School and at home.

Soon it was moving time again. This time I was going to a farm in Dekorra, which is near Poynette, Wisconsin. I was feeling like I wasn’t wanted anywhere, so it was a quiet ride. When we arrived at the farm, a lady and a man came hurrying to the car. A little black and white dog was barking and jumping along beside them. We went into the home and the Social Worker asked me, “What do you want to call Mr. and Mrs. Stewart?” Without blinking an eye I answered, “Can I call them Mom and Dad?” With hugs and a happy, “Yes!” we were off to a great start. I lived there until I was fourteen years old. There was church and Sunday School every week and we sang,

“Jesus Loves Me”, every Sunday.

My memories of this safe and loving home continue to help me to this day. I’m 75 years old now. Mom and Dad went to their heavenly home several years ago. I’ve faced many challenges throughout my life just know Jesus loves me. He’d chosen the perfect family to help make me a strong person. No matter where I first heard y favorite song, I know in my heart He has always loved me. Jesus has always been there watching over me and I am very thankful.

by Mary Grossman

Member of Writers at the Portage

Special Winter Appeal

Thank you to all who responded to our “Special Winter Appeal” A total of $4,645 was received

to help off set our winter expenses!

* * * * *

Lent and Holy Week Thank you=s

Thank you to Patrick Strain and his leadership and to all those who made the Lenten Drama=s come alive. Great job Alyssa Fenske as the JPS woman. Thank you Wade Werner, Dawn and Clyde Bachmann and all those who provided for our

Lenten Soup Suppers.

Thank you to all our instrumentalists and vocalist for your dedication and sharing of your gifts during our Holy Week and Easter worship services. Thank you all who worked to decorate the church from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday and Easter

Sunday.

Great job, great food for Easter Breakfast thanks to Dick Olson and Marj Margelowsky. You and your

crew provided wonderful food and fellowship.

Walk Through Holy Week - Thank you to Tony Hess and crew for organizing this opportunity for our youth and families.

* * * * *

Simply Giving Sign-Up Table

March 30 April 6 and 13 Church council and Finance committee members will be available after church to help people sign-up for our church’s direct deposit giving opportunity “Simply Giving” There is no cost to the church or the congregational member to participate in “Simply Giving” Please

stop by the table in the Narthex to learn more.

* * * * *

Tuesday Morning Text Study - Tuesday mornings at 11:00 a.m. you are invited to join with others to study the Sunday Morning Bible readings. This study is open to anyone in the community who wants to study God=s word together. Please attend as you are able and pass the invitation along to others. We meet in the class room across from the offices.

Aluminum Can & Loose Change Update: The last can recycle was $63.05 which brings the total to $270.32 since November. We get close to 100 lbs per month, so we will continue to collect cans, clean aluminum pie pans, foil, etc. year round. The loose change offering has been even more productive. The last full jar totaled $158.50 for a grand total of $320.31 collected. We will continue to collect change at least through Easter. Good job! Please continue to

bring in your aluminum and loose change!!

* * * * *

A Reminder to

the Women of Bethlehem:

Saturday, April 5^th we are hosts to the Baraboo Conference Spring Gathering. Thank you for

your offers to donate food or work.

Food should be at church by 8:30 Saturday morning, or labeled and put in the refrigerator if

brought in at a previous time.

Workers – please check with your chairperson if you are unsure of your time to work. Chairpersons:

*Morning Coffee – Margaret Molden

695-0272

*Lunch&dining room – Dawn Bachmann

587-2535

*Kitchen – Dorothy Waldo

297-7826

Clean-up – be available at 1:00 p.m.

* * * * *

Serve a Piece of the World

The world is asking for your light. Find a way to give back and make a difference. Help someone else, You and I make all the difference in whether the world grows more chaotic or more peaceful. “You don’t need a college degree to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve,” King said, “You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul

generated by love.”

“Everybody can be great, because everybody

can serve.”—Martin Luther King, Jr.

From the “Care of Creation Committee”…For the next 3 months, the Care of Creation Committee would like to share some gardening information with you. This months focus will be on the benefits of gardening and/or planting shrubs & trees. Spring duties and things to

think about when starting a new garden.

With Lent coming to an end, and the celebration of Easter we think of renewal & rebirth. We also think about Spring! After a long cold winter nothing is more refreshing than a warm spring rain, the sweet fragrance of flowers in

the air.

Just as God has blessed us with eternal life through Jesus Christ, He has also blessed us with His Creation of Life; the earth and all it’s

marvelous little creatures.

For many of us, the coming of Spring also means gardening! Some of you may already have a well established gardens, while others are contemplating on creating one. Either way, gardening can enrich your life mentally, physically & spiritually. So grab your

gardening gloves and lets get started!

A. What are the benefits of gardening, planting trees & shrubs?

1. Fresh air & better air quality

2. Physical exercise

3. Connecting with God’s creation

4. Spending time with family & friends

5. Food for people & animals

6. Habitat for animals

7. Creating a place of beauty for all to

enjoy!

B. What kind of garden do you want to create?

1. Vegetable

2. Herb

3. Prayer/meditation garden

4. Wildlife prairie

5. Woodland garden

6. Rain Garden

C. What is the landscape of the area you plan to garden?

1. Hilly & shaded

2. Flat & open

3. Hilly & open

4. Flat & shaded

5. Rocky

D. What type of Soil do you have?

1. Sandy

2. Loam

3. Clay

E. What is the PH level of your soil?

1. The preferred level is from 5.5 to 7.0. You can find a PH test as a Garden Center

2. To get your soil to the preferred PH after tilling the ground to about 12 inches add peat moss or leaves to heavy clay soil & well drained topsoil, compost or

organic matter to sandy soils.

F. How to choose the right plants for your garden!

1. Pay attention to size, texture, color, fragrance & bloom times – you want your garden to provide beauty all year long.

2. Look to see if the plant prefers sun or shade

3. Check what soil it grows best in

*this will help the plant perform

to the best of it’s ability.

G. When should I start planting?

1. After last frost

2. On a nice warm Spring Day

3. Morning hours or late afternoon

*these are usually cooler hours of the day, so it helps you and

the plant from over heating.

Other Spring duties for existing Gardens include….

*Clean up dead leaves on plants

*Prune trees & shrubs – prune according to

flowering time. Shrubs that flower in Spring

should be pruned after flowering. Prune

summer flowering shrubs after blooming, or in late

fall or early spring before growth appears.

*Fertilize with manure (aged is best)

*add new mulch if needed

*divide plants that need it & replant

*Add new plants

*Enjoy!

*Quick tip-for more in depth info on any topic covered here, check out a reference guide or talk to

your local garden center

Next month we will talk about caring for your

garden, regular maintenance, and more quick tips!

Liz Enerson,

Care of Creation Committee