Our small-group Bible studies will begin the weekend of September 12. If you are interested in joining one of our groups, please sign-up in the Welcome Center on either campus or contact churchoffice@bethanyappleton.org
Labor Day Weekend Schedule Changes
There will be no Sunday morning Bible study and no Monday (or Tuesday) evening worship services the weekend of Labor Day (September 4-6) Please join us on Saturday at 4:30pm on the Lynndale Campus or Sunday at 8am on the Parkway Campus for worship and the Lord’s Supper!
End Times: Jesus Is Coming Soon - Large Group Bible Study
Make plans to join us this fall as we study what God’s Word has to say about the End Times. This study will be offered on Sundays at 9:15am (beginning on September 12th) and again on Wednesdays at 10am (beginning on September 15th). We will meet in the lower level fellowship hall on the Parkway Campus. Though you are welcome to attend either class as your schedule permits, it would be best to choose one and stick with it as the two classes may not move at the same pace.
Growing in Christ Sunday School to Begin 9/12
We are so excited to be able to offer in-person Sunday School again for the upcoming 2021-2022 year! This year, our children will learn Bible history from the Old Testament—from creation to the Israelites’ exit from Egypt. Our Sunday School staff this year:
Grades PreK-1 : Lindsey Kraft, Judy Reynolds, & Melissa Strong
Grades 2-4 : Glenn Bechler, Julie Buser, & Jamie Olson
Grades 5-8 : Kevin Brester, Josh Buser, & Sammi Stegman
Music : Arlyss Troge
Please pray for these teachers and students!
New Hymnals - Coming Soon!
Bethany has recently ordered the new “Christian Worship” hymnals that our synod has made available. To help defray the cost, our members have the opportunity to purchase pew hymnals for $25 per book, with an acknowledgement in the front cover. These may be purchased in honor or in memory of loved ones, or simply as a gift for the congregation. Special envelopes for this are available on both campuses. For more information, please contact Emily - churchoffice@bethanyappleton.org or (920) 733-9561
Call Returned
Pastor Peter Schlicht has returned the call that we extended to him to serve as our pastor. The Leadership Team will plan to update the congregation at our upcoming Family Forum/Voters’ Meeting on August 29th regarding next steps for this vacancy.
10:30AM Service To Return
Beginning Sunday, September 12, 2021 the 10:30AM service will return on the Parkway Campus..
Bethany’s worship service schedule will be as follows:
Saturdays at 4:30pm - Lynndale Campus/Our Shepherd
Sundays at 8am & 10:30am - Parkway Campus
Mondays at 6pm - Parkway Campus
OWLS Meeting - August 10
OWLS (Organization for WELS Lutheran Seniors) is meeting on Tuesday, August 10, at 1:00PM, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Room 108. Enter on Lawrence St. There is Handicapped parking and no steps to enter. Visitors are welcome!
Like many organizations we have not met together for some time. One of the topics for our business meeting will be the future of the organization. Our membership has dwindled as we have aged and we are in need of new, younger members who can take on the responsibility of leadership. Ages 55 and over are welcome. Our meetings are held every three months at different WELS churches in the Fox Valley each time.
The purpose of the group is Christian fellowship, education on topics beneficial to seniors, and support of the WELS European Civilian Chaplaincy. The program for the coming meeting will be The Hope Center. It is located at St. Matthew. Our speaker will tell us about The Hope Center and give us a tour. Light refreshments will be served.
If you have questions, please call Karen at 920-915-9094.
Pastor Brown Returns Call
Pastor Brown has returned his call to St. Matthew’s in Benton Harbor, Michigan and will continue to serve here at Bethany. We are very thankful for his service here. Please continue to pray for the congregation in Benton Harbor as they go forward looking for a pastor to serve them.
Family Forum & Voters' Meeting - August 29
Save the Date! Sunday, August 29th at 9:15AM will be our Family Forum and Voters’ Meeting in the sanctuary on the Parkway Campus. In addition to ministry team leaders bringing our membership up-to-date on past and future ministry plans, the primary agenda item will be the discussion and adoption of a financial ministry plan for the 2021-2022 fiscal year (September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022).
Our Shepherd - Hiring for Full & Part Time
Our Shepherd Childcare and Family Ministry is hiring lead and assistant teachers, full or part-time employment. We are looking for knowledgeable teachers that will implement best teaching practices, support the development of young children, and share Jesus in every word and action. On the job training and scholarships are available. To learn more, go to ourshepherdchildcare.com/careers or email Executive Director Ann Potter - ampotter@bethanyappleton.org
Pastor Brown Receives Call
Pastor Brown has received a call to be the pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Please pray for Pastor Brown and his family as he now considers this new call and where best to serve God’s kingdom.
Call Extended to Pastor Peter Schlicht
At our call meeting on Monday, July 12, the voting members of Bethany chose to call Rev. Peter Schlicht, who currently serves at Eastside Lutheran Church in Madison, WI, as our pastor. Please pray for Pastor Schlicht, his wife Rachel, and their young family as he deliberates where to best use his gifts in God’s kingdom.
Bethany Connect
An orientation/information class called BETHANY|connect will be offered on either Tuesday, July 20 from 6:00-7:15pm, or on Thursday, July 29 from 6:00-7:15pm. We’d like all of our newest members to enjoy an opportunity to meet each other and to learn about the mission and ministry of your new congregation. It is our prayerful goal that this session will help you become well-informed and confident as you begin to find your niche in your new family of faith at Bethany. We will meet in the lower level fellowship hall on our Parkway Campus. A letter was mailed to our newest members inviting them to attend!
Call Meeting - Monday, July 12, 2021
Join us in the Parkway Campus Sanctuary on Monday, July 12, 2021 at 7PM (after our Monday evening worship service) as we hold our next meeting to extend a call for a pastor. The meeting will also be available via Zoom, but we are asking that if you can attend in person, please do so - for facilitating purposes.
Call Returned
Pastor David Barkow of Cottage Grove, Minnesota has returned our call as pastor of Bethany. We pray for his continued ministry at Christ the Lord in Cottage Grove. A date for the next call meeting has not yet been set. Continue to watch for more information coming soon!
Parkway Office & Our Shepherd Closed - July 5
Bethany’s church office, as well as Our Shepherd Childcare will be closed on Monday, July 5. We will still hold our regular Monday evening worship service at 6PM on the Parkway Campus.
Sunday School Teachers Needed for 2021-2022
We are in need of a number of Sunday School teachers for the coming school year. With enough teachers, we are able to make the teaching commitment be quite flexible and usually only 1 weekend per month. For more information about this form of service, please contact Emily - churchoffice@bethanyappleton.org or (920) 733-9561.
LWMS Virtual Annual Convention
LWMS 58th Annual Convention is virtual this week June 24th-27th. Go online to register FOR FREE by June 20th - www.lwms.org. Some events will be LIVE and some events will be ON DEMAND for you to watch when you are able. If you have any questions about the Lutheran Women's Missionary Society, contact Edie Frank (920) 277-1642 or Arlyss Troge (920) 915-7363. Tune in to learn about WELS Missions and how you can help encourage your missionaries.
Helping Hearts
Helping Hearts is a ministry of Bethany that sends encouraging notes of congratulations, sympathy, and get-well to our members. Helping Hearts is currently seeking more individuals to send these notes. If interested, contact Emily at 920-733-9561 or churchoffice@bethanyappleton.org