December 2025
If anyone would like to help with any of the items on this list, I will make sure that they get delivered to a local food pantry!
Food Bank Reverse Advent Calendar
December 1: Peanut Butter December 2: Canned Fruit December 3: Instant Potatoes
December 4: Oatmeal Packets Dec 5: Stovetop Stuffing Dec 6: Tooth brushes
Dec 7: Tooth paste Dec 8: Feminine hygiene Dec 9: Box of pasta
Dec 10: Canned veggies Dec 11: Canned tuna or chicken Dec 12: Box of rice
Dec 13: Spaghetti sauce Dec 14: Hearty canned soup Dec 15: Peanut butter crackers
Dec 16: Cake mix/boxed dessert Dec 17: Canned veggies Dec 18: Macaroni and cheese
Dec 19: Deodorant Dec 20: Pancake mix Dec 21: Cereal
Dec 22: Canned fruit Dec 23: Box of pasta Dec 24: cookies/something fun!
DECEMBER VOLUNTEERS
SUPPLY ACOLYTES
December 7 – Casey Simmons Jaxon Verba
December 14 – Steve Schwendemann
December 21 – Pastor Steve Smith Madi Muhlenbruch
December 28 – Stan Watne
USHERS ALTAR GUILD
Brad & Kim Brinkman Monica Johnson & Kathy Thelke
DEACON BREAD BAKER
Craig Russell Kathy Thelke
COMMUNION December 21 at 10:00 am service
FIRST COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m.
FREE COMMUNITY MEAL
Wednesday, December 17th
Menu: Scalloped potatoes & ham, Green beans Christmas cookies
Serving will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Bring a friend or two!
BABY TABLE
There is now a baby table set up for Carmen DeWolf, daughter of Ashlynn Srigley and Isaac DeWolf. Carmen was born August 16th and will be baptized at First on December 21st.
First Lutheran Council Meeting, November 5, 2025
President Larry Klatt opened the meeting with 7 members present. A motion to approve the agenda was made by Tammy Klatt, second by Bev Weidemann. Motion carried.
Devotions: Larry Klatt led us in a devotional prayer.
President’s Report: Larry read a Thank you from the Law Enforcement for our gift of money to them.
Secretary’s Report: Kathy Thelke presented the report. A motion by Mary Haugen, seconded by Tammy Klatt. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Shelly Howard went over the expenses. A motion was made by Kim Brinkman, seconded by Mary Haugen to accept the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried.
Deacons: Discussion was held on who is on our shut in list. Former pastors probably had a list. We need to complete a list and keep in the secretary’s office.
Trustees: No report. Sink is still leaking, gutters will be taken care of, and bushes will be trimmed. The motion light outside the education wing door is not working.
Stewardship: Larry has received feedback that keeping monies in the community is good. (Harvest Festival and 2025 Lenten offerings)
Old Business: Harvest Festival is coming up. Council members need to help with set up and clean up.
New Business:
Thermostats: Thermostats are programmable thermostats. They need to be set early enough on Sunday mornings to warm the church up by service time, and the basement thermostat in time for coffee. Discussion was held about putting lock boxes on them so people can’t be changing them. Larry will look into it.
Nominating Committee: Larry will contact the committee members and set up a meeting.
Budget Committee: Shelly and the Trustees.
Annual Meeting: January 25, 2026, following church service. Agenda to be discussed.
Advent Wreath: Maynard is hanging it again from the ceiling. We will need someone to light it and do the readings. Discussion on can it be left up year round? Tabled till December meeting.
Supply Stipend for 2026: Ordained pastors stipends are set by the Synod. What do we do for our lay supply? Tabled till December meeting.
Shelly had Dan Hurt come in and help with the computer and names for admins on accounts. There should be two names for all accounts, including all the financial accounts. Tabled till December meeting.
Jenny requested the use of the storage room in the chapel room for Sunday School Christmas items. Approved. The VBS room was also checked and it needs to be organized. Board of Education will look into these rooms this winter.
Bev Weidemann made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Kim Brinkman. Approved
Closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Kathy Thelke
ADVENT GIVING CALENDAR
ust a short note about the Advent giving calendar on the front page of this newsletter. It seems to me that there are folks in our community that could use a little extra help this year. If anyone would like to contribute any of the listed items, or every item, I will take it over to our local food pantry. Donations can be left in the shopping cart. Bring items once a week or wait until the end, it doesn’t matter as every little bit helps. Let’s see if we can stuff the shelves of the food pantry!! Extra copies of this list can be found in the shopping cart so you can take it with you when you go shopping.
CHRISTMAS SACKS
Again, this year, the church will be handing out goodie sacks after the Christmas Eve service. Donation of pre-wrapped candy, snacks, popcorn, etc. can be placed in the box in the narthex. A total of 48 bags will be prepared. Monetary donations are also accepted and can be given to Kathy Thelke or noted on a check in the collection plate. Thanks!
BETHLEHEM GARAGE SALE
On Sunday, December 14th, we invite kids of all ages to shop at the garage sale. This is a free event for the kids to be able to shop for their family and friends. Shopping will begin at 8:00 a.m. and then the kids will head up for their final practice for the Sunday school program during the 10:00 a.m. worship service.
We are still collecting new and gently used items, especially items for dads/grandpas! If you can donate, please leave items in the marked tote in the narthex.
If you can help us wrap on Sunday morning, please bring your own scissors. All help is greatly appreciated!
YEAR END
As I write this, I can’t believe that we are already planning for the end of the year and the annual report! Please have all end of yeardonations and receipts submitted by December 31st so that the books can be finalized for the year. Thanks to all who have given generously this year, whether that is thru a cash donation or your time and talents….we appreciate it very much!
WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
During the winter months, should we cancel church due to inclement weather, please be aware that we will post the announcement on Facebook, send out an email and update the website. We will also contact KLMJ radio and KCCI TV channel 8 as soon as we are able to.