Healing Prayers: Lori Ebbers Buzzetti; Pat Frette; Phil Harris; Shelley Hawkins;

John Simmons

We're Thankful for YOU!

Thank you so much for being a vital member of Bethesda Lutheran Church. Each one of you brings unique gifts and warmth to our community, making it an even more special place. We are truly grateful for your commitment to worship with us and for the love and support you share. Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving filled with joy and gratitude!

Honor or Remember a Loved One with Christmas Poinsettias

Honor or remember your loved ones with poinsettias for the sanctuary this Christmas. Flowers are $20.00 per honorarium/memorial. Fill out the specially labeled envelope with the requested information (please print clearly) on the welcome center. Enclose your check or cash, and place in the office, or mail slot outside the office. Alternatively, you can donate for your honorarium/memorial online here.

A Thank You from the Valero Garcia Family

The Valero Garcia would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to the people of Bethesda Lutheran Church for their support in these difficult times for the family. Read their handwritten letter here.

...Introducing the Reverse Advent Calendar!

This holiday season, Bethesda is doing a reverse Advent calendar and the donations collected will benefit our food pantry! To participate, bring the specified item(s) on Advent 2, 3, 4, or Christmas Eve and place it in the shopping cart by the Welcome Center.

When (and what) to donate:

Advent 2 (December 6 & 7): Cornbread mix

Advent 3 (December 13 & 14): Cooking Oil

Advent 4 (December 20 & 21) : Personal Care Items

Christmas Eve: Spices

Contribute to the December Youth Offering Baske

For the December Youth Offering Basket we are collecting Winter mittens and gloves. If you would like to also participate, please bring youth or adult sized mittens and gloves to place in our offering basket. The basket will be located on the welcome center on weekends throughout December.  

Sign Up for the O.W.L.s Holiday Extravaganza

Join us December 11 for our annual OWLS Christmas party. We will sing Christmas carols and have our white elephant gift exchange. Please bring a wrapped white elephant gift, if you buy your gift please spend no more than $5, but bringing a gift from home is encouraged. Sign up in welcome center, hope to see you there.

Worship with Us this Christmas Eve

Worship with us this on Christmas Eve December 24th at 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM in the Sanctuary. For those who want to worship with us, but may not be able to come in person, the 4:00 PM service will be livestreamed on our website and Facebook.

Stay in the Know

As we move towards the end of 2025, we want to step into the New Year with accurate contact information for all members. This will enable you to stay informed about the latest news, events, and other time-sensitive announcements. You can update your contact information online now by clicking here.

In the New Year, we will be sending a physical letter to all addresses on file who have not updated their information. If you update your information now, you will not receive a physical letter.

Save the Date for the Christmas Program

Mark your calendars for the Christmas Program, a wonderful community event featuring Bethesda youth on Wednesday, December 17th, from 6:15 to 7:15 PM in the Sanctuary. The kids are hard at work on their program and would love it if you came and supported them!

Boy Scout Troop 140 Pancake Breakfast

December 6th Boy Scout Troop #140 is hosting an all you can eat pancake breakfast from 7 AM - 1 PM at Elks Lodge (522 Douglas Street, Ames). Entry is $10/person, kids 5 and under AND cub scouts in uniform are free.

Proceeds go to supplies for camping and high adventure trips that build character.

Save the Date for Beer & Carols

Lift your voices, and your glasses, for this seasonal sing-along event featuring Pastors Bryan Simmons and Jesse Hershberger with Collaborate Learning Student, Levi Faas! Gather the family and get ready to sing some of your favorite carols Friday, December 19th starting at 6:30 PM at Torrent Brewing Company (504 Burnett Ave). This event is for all ages. Root beer and different games are also available at Torrent Brewing Company.

Strategy Workshops: Organizing Conversations within & Beyond Your Organization



• Ames 12/4 5:30-7:00pm at Collegiate UMC

DOWNLOAD NOW: Church by MinistryOne!

Bringing the church directory with you just got even easier! We're thrilled to introduce our Beta phase of a new mobile app, Church by MinistryOne, that will not only replace the ShelbyNext mobile app but also bring a host of exciting new features and improvements! Click here to learn how to download the new app!

Why are we changing apps?

MinistryOne brands will no longer be supporting the ShelbyNext mobile app. The ShelbyNext app will still be available to use, it will just not be getting updated.

What about ShelbyNext Web?

ShelbyNext Web will remain accessible on desktop or laptop computers and will still be supported. This change does not affect ShelbyNext Web.

What will I be able to do on this new app?

The new mobile app, Church by MinistryOne, offers a wide range of features. You can view the church directory (and actually see the profile photos of other congregation members), manage your ShelbyNext profile, set up contributions, sign up for volunteer opportunities, and even watch past worship services, among other things. It's a comprehensive tool designed to enhance your church experience.

If you have issues with the new app, please contact the office.

Give a Gift Online

Don't carry cash or checks? You can set up a recurring or one-time gift to Bethesda online. You can also donate to organizations like LSI or Global Refuge through Bethesda by selecting "other" on our giving form.