Bethany News

November 2015

Tidbits and Tidings

Hey Grandpa. said four year old grandson

Boden about a week ago proceeding then to
make the sign of the cross on his chest, as he
declared In the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost. Amen. Hes in the preKindergarten class, at a Christian school in
Portlandwhere he is learning the life rooting
biblical truth that his life is a blessing, a gift to be
thankful for, every day.
We dont need to thank God for all things,
because Jesus showed us that God doesnt
will pain in our lives, nor evil in the world.
No, all of that is the result of our own frailty,
brokenness, and sinfulness, plus the same of
others. However, we do need to learn to
thank God in all things. Why?...because only
if we do, will Gods peace that is meant to
abide with us, grow within us.
As this years Thanksgiving Day approaches,
Oh that each of us would realize that what
makes Thanksgiving-thanks-giving, is not
flippantly deciding to say a prayer before the
Turkey Day banquet begins. If we are truly
a person who is thankful every day, and not
thankful to ourselves, but rather to God, it will
show. Actually, what we are grounded in
always shows.
If our grounding and thus
roots, is in The One From Whom All
Blessings Flow, it will be seen only as our life
shows that every day God is at the center of
our lifeand it will be seen only as our head
and heart are connected, resulting in an
attitude and outpouring of gratitude. Praise
the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His
benefits.
I know you wont.in Jesus
name.
Pastor Scott

THANKSGIVING EVE-EVE
Be sure to mark your calendar to be present on
Tuesday evening, November 24th at 6:30 p.m. for
our Thanksgiving Eve-Eve worship. And please,
in addition to your thank-offering for that evening,
please bring as many items as you can to help us
to overflow our food barrel, so that we may be a
tangible blessing to others.

Advent Soup, Bread, and Devotions

CHRIST-mas is just around the corner, but before
it arrives, first is the Season of Advent. This
special time helps every heart prepare Him room,
so that the joy the Savior gifts to the world,
reaches our heart, too. When that happens,
heaven and nature sing. The Season of Advent
begins this year on Sunday morning, November
29th. Our Soup, Bread, and Devotions will be
Wednesdays, December 2,9,16,and 23, starting
at 5:30 p.m. and concluding around 6:45 .
Please sign up to serve, that these special
gatherings may truly be evenings of blessing
and why not invite a friend to come with you

Committee report for the Altar Painting Restoration

Respectfully submitted, Barb T

We had positive reactions to the work of Steve

Maker and Harvey Freer, The Cultured Pearl,
Portland, OR.
Beautiful job - Vibrant colors - They painted
the frame!!!- Excellent work - Amazing - not
sure if we should keep the frame off - Keep the
frame off, it makes the picture look like it flows
down the wall

Long story short the frame can go back on 6
months from now (June) when the paint is dry. The
artists will return at that time and have a final
inspection. If anything comes up before then they
will come and take care of the problem! We paid
$4200 for the restoration and it did NOT leave the
site!!! We have a $20,000 insurance policy to cover
the replacement of the painting. That value is a
likely figure, but it is still being researched so we
can have documentation of the value.

The painting tells the story that the frame
was installed before the painting was dry. (The
paint was stuck to the back of the piece of frame
that WAS removed at the bottom of the painting.)
The frame was probably wider than the artist
thought and he probably didnt care for the fact
that the frame covered his name. (Artists usually
dont like their signature covered.) Steve believes
that the original dark paint exposed from under the
bottom of the frame was the shade of the whole
paintingtoo dark for the tiny sanctuary. (Probably
the congregation asked Grafston to lighten the
foreground and back ground, which he DID after
the frame was installed. (Harvey has matched the
paint all the way to the edges so you can no longer
see color difference that was under the frame.

The original frame looks to have been of
natural wood color; later painted a light green;
after that painted with gold paint while still
mounted to the painting. Gold paint drips have
been removed from the surface of the painting, as
well as the gold paint edged onto the painting by
accident while applying the new coat of fresh paint
to the frame while still mount on the wall.

The painting itself was in good condition.
The dirt that adhered to the oil painting was more
of a dry, soot base, than an oily residue. That was
easier to clean. The soot could have been from the
furnace over the years (which has since been

replaced) and candles that were burning too close

to the canvas.

Straightening the creases made from the
flood lights mounted too close to the painting was
impossible without taking down the painting.
Taking down the painting was not an option. The
canvas was very heavy and was mounted onto the
frame by wrapping the canvas around the wood
and stapling it from the back. There would have
been a lot of handling of the canvas stiff from age
and paint would likely have cracked. Right now the
painting has not lost, but gained value, and will last
another 100 years!

This is a story in progress! I have added
input from Steve and Harvey below and would also
like Jean Delonais, Jo Kallberg, Everett and Brita
Stermer, and the Kosts to read this message and
have input on the painting story!!! Now we know it
is 96 years old, 1919, and would love to hear their
side of the story!

The Chronicle, Amanda Frink, met us here
on Friday and we were featured in the October 21,
2015 edition of the Chronicle. You no longer can
read the article on line without paying, but we will
have copies made of the one we have on the
Fellowship Hall bulletin board.

If you would like to get in touch with the
artists Steve Maker & Harvey Freer DBA
The Cultured Pearl
1110 NW Flanders
Portland, Oregon 97209

Sunday School Starts at 9:15- Chapel

includes singing, offering,
announcements, birthdays.
Lessons start at 9:30 at the same time
as the Adult Bible class.
Sunday School classes 4 years to 5th
g r a d e a r e s t u d y i n g t h e Te n
Commandments! Exodus 20: 1-17

November Birthdays
8
13
14
15
21

Justin Jenkins
Zoe Evans
Sandra Nelson
Laurel Evans
Kelley Parsons

Confirmation classes include the Ten

Commandments along with the
Apostles Creed, The Lord Prayer,
Baptism, Communion and 6 memorized
favorite scripture passages!!! The 8th
grade and above students vowel to be
ready for the first "Fast Track"
confirmation class graduation on
December 13!!!
Bethany Members- Don't hesitate to
mention a favorite scripture verse of
yours to a confirmant so they have
plenty of choices of favorite passages
to choose from.
Students and their families are hoping
to support Angela and Randy in their
Scandinavian Celebration on Saturday,
November 21, 2015. See you there!!!
Respectfully submitted,
Christian Education Committee

November Anniversary
20

Nancy & Floyd Conner

Welca - November 2015

Happy November & Happy birthday
to Pastor!
Each year the church observes All
Saints Day on November 1 or first
Sunday in November to remember
the saints that have passed on, but
also those that are still on earth and
blessing our lives.
If there is
someone in your life that you are
thankful for, please remember to tell
them so!
Is it true that the holidays are
already upon us? As I was strolling
through the Halloween section at the
store, and before I knew it, it
transitioned straight into Christmas
items!
These days, weeks, and months just
continue to fly by. And, amazingly
the 2016 Quilt Show is already
around the corner. Last Sunday a
few of us were fortunate to preview
the quilts that will be raffled off, and
they are both magnificent. They still
need to be trimmed but hopefully
within the next month or so, the
finished products will be available for
display and tickets will be ready to
sell.
As most of you know, the quilt show
is our main fund raiser for the year
and it takes us all to put it together
and pull it off. Yes, it is a lot of hard
work, but it is also a lot of fun. New
friendships are made and old

friendships are renewed, all in the

surrounding beauty of old and new
quilts for display and even a few for
sale. Please carefully consider how
YOU can help out this year and
reach out to one of the WELCA
officers to let us know. (Diane Cate,
Barb Topham, Val Lauter, or myself.)
Our next meeting will be on
November 15th after church during
coffee hour and all women are
welcome to attend.
Please take a moment to stop by the
volunteer board in the basement
and sign up for one or more activities
to help out with Sunday worship and
ongoing maintenance of the church
property. We are a small group and
it takes everyone helping out every
week to keep all the wheels on the
bus, so to speak. Thank you in
advance!
Lastly, I am so thankful that our
beloved painting has been
successfully restored and it looks
great! It has been a concern for
many Bethany friends and family
(past and present) that this would
ever happen without trying to move
the picture.
It took a lot of
persistence, prayer, and faith to get
this fete accomplished, but it finally
happened! Whats next???
Nancy Conner,
Secretary

Church Council Minutes from 10-13-2015

Present: Pastor Scott, Jerrie Cate, Bill Grogg, Barb
Topham, Angela Sera, Chris Mollenhour, Pam
Heimuller & Ron Peterson.
Devotions: Pastor Scott talked about being
welcoming and giving blended families a sense of
belonging. Kids can be cruel at times to those
different from them. There are plenty of people
waiting to tear others down but fewer brave enough
to welcome and build people up.
Pastors Report: Adult Bible Study has four more
Sundays and meets upstairs.
All Saints Sunday is November 1st. Tuesday,
November 24th will be Thanksgiving Eve Service.
Advent begins the first Sunday in December.
Advent midweek soup suppers will be December
2nd, 9th & 16th. After open discussion, it was decided
to return to 11pm candlelight service on Christmas
Eve December 24th. Pastor presented costs of
Portico now that he is of Medicare age.
Santa Lucia Sunday will be December 6th. Angela
would like all the children to participate. They will be
doing a reading and serving coffee hour after
church. The Childrens program is December 21st.
and kids have been practicing a play about
ornaments in a box who learn the true meaning of
Christmas. We will also welcome Angela Sera and
Randy Boatfield into the Bethany family this
Sunday. Evy, Dan, & Oliver who have been
attending regularly we also invited to join Bethany.
Declan has done most of his confirmation work.
Minutes: Reviewed September minutes by council.
Bill G. moved to accept them as read. Chris M. 2nd.
Approved as read.
Financial Report: September 2015, total income
$4,115.60 & Expenses $5,670.95 leaving a deficit
of $1,555.35. Pastor Scott received one check in
October and is till owed $1667.50 for September.
Bill G. moved we accept the financial report and
Chris M. 2nd. Passed as presented.
Christian Education: Barb T reported there are
eight conferments on track to be confirmed
December 13th. Two other girls attend Sunday
school. The Childrens Christmas Program was
discussed briefly at tonights Christian Ed meeting.
It will be December 20th.
Angela S. would like to hold another Santa Lucia
Sunday, December 6th. She would like to involve all
of the children in the program. More details to
follow.

Building & Property: Bethanys painting made the

front page of the Chronicle. The two men who
cleaned and restored it said it was in good shape.
They removed some soot, which probably came
from the old furnace. The candles were also too
close to the painting. They had to do some minor
touch ups and were able to remove some gold paint
from when the frame was painted then put back on
the painting before it was dry. The bottom portion of
the frame was not put back on so the signature of
the artist could be read. The painting was painted in
1919 and is 96 years old. The church has insurance
in the amount of 20K on it. More research is being
done on the painting itself. Thanks to Barb T. for
overseeing the work on the painting.
Ron P. is getting someone to look at the shingles on
the roof to get an estimate for repair. Thanks Ron P.
for climbing up to replace the light over the piano.
The lights in the office and womens restroom need
attention.
Evangelism: Shannon F. was not present but
Jerrie C. believes the balance in Scrip is $600 plus.
Stewardship: Discussion ensued about writing a
letter to the congregation to let them know where
we are financially and about meeting our
outstanding financial obligation to Pastor Scott.
Jerrie C. will draft a letter for the council to approve.
Old Business: Pastor Scott presented a report
about current Portico expenses and Medicare.
Chris M asked Pastor if he had researched any
other insurance plans. After negotiation, Pastor
agreed to pay his wifes portion of Portico. This and
his move to Medicare will result of an overall
savings to Bethany of $400.
New Business: The process of paying Pastor Scott
was discussed. Jerrie C. will speak with our two
treasures Jean E. & Mary N-D, about how best to
proceed.
Miscellaneous Business: Ask Sandy N. about the
family who could check and repair the stained glass
windows. Barb T. mentioned that Thrivent is hosting
a conference call on October 27th she would be on
and report back to Bethany.
Council was closed with the Lords Prayer
Meeting adjourned at 8:02pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Pam Heimuller
Bethany Church Council Secretary

Church Calendar Summary for 2015-2016

Confirmation Fast Track (10 weeks) September 13 thru November 22

Older students
Confirmation (30 weeks)
October 4 thru May 15

Sunday School and first/second year confirmation

Thanksgiving Eve Eve Service

November 24
Christmas Program practice
November 29 & December 6, 13, 20
Advent dates
Wednesdays, December 2, 9, 16, 23
Christmas Program
December 20
Christmas Eve Service
December 24
Sunday School reopens
January 10

No SS on December 27 or January 3
Ash Wednesday
February 10
Lenten Services
February 17, 24 and March 2, 9, 16
Palm Sunday
March 20
Maundy Thursday
March 24
Good Friday
March 25
EASTER
March 27
Spring Break (same as Holy Week 2016) March 19 thru March 27.

SS is OPEN on March 20 and 27
MLKJ
January 17
St. Valentines Day
February 14
Holy Week
March 20 thru 27
Pet Blessing
April time TBA
Mothers Day
May 8
Last Day of Sunday School
May 15
2016s confirmation class
May 22

2015 WELCA Circles

These Circles have been formed in an effort to organize the efforts of willing and faithful servants at
Bethany. The main focus of the Circles would be to organize and serve at special events at Bethany,
specifically weddings and funerals.
However, based on the size and scope of an event, it may be necessary to call on other Circle
members to assist, or to recruit help within the congregation from ladies not yet assigned to a specific
Circle.
In addition, Circles may host special celebrations such as baptisms or confirmations.

To join a Circle or ask Questions:

Diane Cate, Nancy Conner, or Val Lauter

Magdalene Circle
June July
December January

Mary Circle

August September
February March

Barb Topham, Leader Valerie Lauter, Leader

(503) 366-1973
(503) 397-4131

Eve Circle
October November
April May
Vi Brown, Leader
(503) 312-1133

Chris Mollenhour
(503) 543-6003

Jean DeLonais
(503) 397-3876

Virginia Erickson
(503) 397-6289

Deanna Grogg
(503) 543-6256

Diane Cate
(503) 396-6742

Betty Blankenship
503-312-1125

Shelly Redpath
(503) 543-7016

Nancy Conner
(503) 397-6316

Sandy Nastrom
(503) 397-5997

Christina Parsons
(503) 366-9045

Mary Newell
Dickinson
(503) 397-6831

Pam Heimuller
(503) 369-1634

Tracey Barker
(503) 397-3488

Amy Miller
(503) 366-1258

Pat Lange
(503) 397-3237

Mary Trapp
(503) 369-1625

Shannon Fitzgibbons
(503) 260-4966

Kathryn Frank
(503) 543-3009

9:15 AM Bible
Study
9:30 AM Sun.
School
10:30 AM Sun. Service

29

9:15 AM Bible
Study
9:30 AM Sun.
School
10:30 AM Sun. Service

22

9:15 AM Bible
Study
9:30 AM Sun.
School
10:30 AM Sun. Service
11:30 AM WELCA
Meeting

15

9:15 AM Bible
Study
9:30 AM Sun.
School
10:30 AM Sun. Service

9:15 AM Bible
Study
9:30 AM Sun.
School
10:30 AM Sun. Service

DaylightSavingTimeEnds

Sunday
Monday

30

23

16

November 2015

6:30 PM Thanksgiving Eve Eve

5:00 PM Christian
Ed.
6:30 PM Church
Council

Election Day

Tuesday

24

17

10

5:30 PM Advent
Soup Supper

Veterans Day

Wednesday

25

18

11

9:00 AM Bethany
Quilters
9:00 AM MELCA
Coffee

Thanksgiving

9:00 AM Bethany
Quilters
9:00 AM MELCA
Coffee

9:00 AM Bethany
Quilters
9:00 AM MELCA
Coffee

9:00 AM Bethany
Quilters
9:00 AM MELCA
Coffee

Thursday

26

19

12

Friday

Eve Circle

27

20

13

6
7

21

14

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28

6:00 PM Word of
Mouth Dinner
7:30 PM Rick Steve
Christmas Video
8:30 PM Warren
Miller Extreme Skiing

Harvest Bazaar
First Lutheran
9:00am-3:00pm

Saturday