AMOS Action Teams Cafe

Interested in making a meaningful change in your community? A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy (AMOS) is launching Issue Action Teams on the following issues: Water Quality, Public Education Funding, Silver Alerts, EMS Response Times, and Immigrant & Refugee Workforce. Sign up to attend the launch on Saturday, October 3, at Ankeny Presbyterian Church. 

Cafe Bethesda This Saturday

Join us on Saturday, October 3rd, for Cafe Bethesda! Food provided by Bethesda in addition to potluck dishes. Come enjoy feast and fellowship!

If you wish to bring something to share, please bring to the church by 5:00.



New Member Orientation 10/4

Are you new to Bethesda in the past year, and interested in learning more about becoming a member? Join us after worship on Sunday, October 4, to learn more about Bethesda and how to become a member. No need to register, just bring yourself!

Spread the word by sharing the Facebook event here

October O.W.L.s

Join Bethesda OWLs (Older, Wiser Lutherans) on October 8th from 10-11:30 in the Commons. Levi Faas, Bethesda’s pastoral intern, will speak about his background and experiences prior to coming to Bethesda. We will also have a jigsaw puzzle exchange, bring one or two puzzles to exchange for new puzzles.

Scandinavian Baking Workshops

It’s just around the corner…the 70th Annual Scandinavian Coffee set for Oct. 17. To prepare, in September, we bake. And bake. And then we bake some more in October. Morning, afternoon and evening opportunities, mid-week and weekends. Come and join our baking workshops as your schedule allows. No experience required. Questions, contact Elaine Edwards, elaineandmark81@gmail.com or 785-477-2412. Sign up sheets can be found in the Welcome Center.

Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. Rosettes

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; 4 to 6 p.m. (two shifts) Krumkake

Thursday, Oct. 8, 1 p.m. Potato Cakes

Monday, Oct. 12, 6 p.m. Gingersnaps

If you are unable to attend our baking workshops, you can still bake at home and provide baked goods for the Scandinavian Coffee. We will be accepting baked goods on October 16 for the Scandinavian Coffee. And just a reminder, we also sell non-Scandinavian baked goods, such as nut breads, candies, cookies, etc. in our bake shop. Please make sure your items do not need to be refridgerated.

VOYAGERS Adult Forum

The Kairos Palestine II Document is a living confession born from the heart of Palestinian Christian suffering. Join us for 5-week Adult Forum series diving into this document and learning more about our siblings in Christ living in this region. Study Guides are available in the office with a suggested donation of $10. Learn more about the study here. 

A New Podcast Episode is Live!

This week in a new episode of "Text Study with Pastors Bryan Simmons + Jesse Hershberger," the pastors explore...

First Reading - Isaiah 5:1-7

Psalm - Psalm 80:7-15

2nd Reading - Philippians 3:4b-14

Gospel - Matthew 21:33-46



Give it a listen before or after services this week!

You can find the podcast on Bethesda's YouTube Channel, Apple Podcasts or on Spotify: "Text Study with Pastors Bryan Simmons and Jesse Hershberger". 

Halloween Carnival October 28th

All children 5th grade and under are invited to our Halloween Carnival on October 28th. Our Confirmation students are preparing games and booths and there will be plenty of prizes and candy to go around.

Volunteer with Ames Pride!

Ames Pridefest will take place in downtown Ames on Saturday, October 10th. Come out and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community before the Pride Sunday worship service on October 11th! Once again, Bethesda will have a tent at Ames Pridefest. If you would like to volunteer with our tent, please contact Larry Otteman. To learn more about Ames Pridefest visit here.

Calling All Puzzle Lovers!

Grab your friends and sign up for the Second Annual Bethesda Jigsaw Puzzle Competition! Groups of 2-4 people will have two hours to complete a 1000 piece puzzle. Don't have a team? Groups of 2-4 will be formed using the single entries. All ages welcome! Teams are welcome to bring their own snacks and (non-alcoholic) drinks. First team to complete their puzzle wins!

When: Friday, November 6 (Doors open at 6, competition begins at 6:30)

Where: Bethesda Commons

How to register: Email or call the church: hholcomb@bethesdaames.org or 515-232-6256.  

$20 entry fee covers the cost of the puzzle, and teams keep the puzzle at the end of the evening. To pay your entry fee, $20 cash or check can be dropped off in the church office. If paying via check, please put "puzzle competition" in the memo line. 

Scandinavian Coffee Cookbooks Available

“Favorite Recipes and the History of Bethesda’s Scandinavian Coffee,” is now available for purchase online or by stopping at the church office. The 142-page, full-color books are $15 each. Thanks to all who submitted recipes, photos or stories for the book celebrating the 70 years of this event. The books also will be available for purchase at the Scandinavian Coffee on October 18.

Purchase online here.

Know Thy Shelf Book Club - October 8th

The next book for Know Thy Shelf book club is Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family by Amy Ellis Nutt. We’ll meet October 8 at 7:00 pm in the Crossroads. All are welcome to join in, or listen to, the discussion!

Volunteers Needed for Scandinavian Coffee

Please help us with the Scandinavian Coffee! We have lots of opportunities for volunteers on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17. Check with Elaine Edwards for details or questions or sign up at the Welcome Center.

Frosting Tea Rings Workshop: Friday, Oct 16 from 10 a.m. until noon

Mashed potatoes workshop: Friday, Oct. 16 from 8:30 a.m. until noon

Bakeshop delivery and packaging: Friday, Oct. 16 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Potato Cake butterers: Friday, Oct. 16 5 to 6 p.m.

Assortment boxes: Thursday, Oct. 15, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Meatball dinner kitchen workers: Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Dishpit: Saturday, Oct. 17, 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Brew Crew: Saturday, Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Cleanup Crew: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2 to 3 p.m.

Floaters: Oct. 16 (Help where needed)

Floaters: Oct. 17 (Help where needed)

Hospitality: Oct. 17 (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

Tablecloth / Dishcloth laundry (after event)

Women of the ELCA Cluster Gathering

All Bethesda women are invited to join other ELCA women from the area for a fall gathering on Saturday, October 10th. The gathering will take place at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Slater. Registration ($5) and fellowship will go from 9-9:30 with a program featuring a presentation from Dorothy's House on human trafficking beginning at 9:30. Contact Pastor Jesse if you have any questions.

Clothing Closet Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to work in the Bethesda Clothing Closet on Tuesday afternoons from 1-3pm. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kathy Harris.

Calling all Bethesda Gardeners! 

We are looking for a little help from several people in organizing our landscaping needs with an Adopt a Garden Bed sign-up. Be in charge year-around of a small portion of one of our beautiful gardens. Maybe you know how to take care of roses. Or would like to care for the beautiful hydrangea bushes on the east patio. Or maybe you just want to trim shrubs when needed. Please contact Shelly Meinhard or Kirk Werner Anderson and let them know if you would like to be involved and what part of our gardens interest you!  

Join the OWLS Ministry Team

Volunteers are needed to help plan events for our Older Wiser Lutherans (OWLs) group. Help pick speakers and plan fellowship events. If you are interested in supporting this ministry team, please contact Marnette Warth.

Ames CROP Walk

The Ames Crop Walk for Hunger will be held Sunday Oct 11 at Ada Hayden Park. Registration starts at 1:15 and the walk begins at 1:30 and is followed by refreshments. Sign up for Bethesda's team or donate here. Contact JoAnn Byrd for more information.

Calling All Volunteers!

Bethesda is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Sunday, October 25th at 11am, to thank all the people who serve on our ministry teams. The meal will be catered by Hickory Park.

ALL VOLUNTEERS, in any role, capacity, or frequency, are invited to attend. We would like to get a count of how many guests to expect to plan for food. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by October 14th. RSVP Here.

Lake Wobegon Brass Band Benefit Concert

The Lake Wobegon Brass Band will be hosting a benefit concert for the Bethesda Community Food Pantry on Sunday, October 11 at 2pm. A free will donation will be taken at the door. 

Spread the word by sharing the Facebook event here.

Food Pantry Volunteers Needed

Bethesda Community Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to unload Food Bank of Iowa delivery pallets.  

• Frequency: 2 Friday mornings a month (delivery times vary from 9:15-11:45)
• Time Commitment: ~45-75 minutes each delivery 
• Work Effort: 3-4 volunteers move ~3500 pounds (boxes up to 75 pounds each) from pallets placed by the Faith & Life entrance into the food pantry 
• Volunteer Impact: your efforts will provide groceries to ~400 people across 135 community households each week! 

If you’re interested or have questions, please email FoodPantry@BethesdaAmes.org. 

Ames Pride Worship

Join Bethesda and faith communities from around Ames for our annual Interfaith Pride Service on Sunday, October 11 at 10am in the Sun Room/South Ballroom at the ISU Memorial Union. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ siblings in Christ.  

Learn more here and spread the word by sharing the Facebook event here

Save The Date for the 70th Annual Scandinavian Coffee!

The 70th Annual Scandinavian Coffee and Craft Fair is taking place at Bethesda Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 17th from 9 AM - 2 PM. Mark the date on your calendars so you don't miss this celebration celebrating Scandinavian history!

Spread the word by sharing the Facebook event here

SEEKING DONATIONS

Grandma's Attic Vintage Market, a staple of the Scandinavian Coffee, is seeking vintage and antique items. Your donations help support our church community while giving cherished items a chance to bring joy to new families.

Donations can be brought to the church office.

Find a Place for Your Spiritual Gift with Group Finder!

Bethesda has endless fellowship opportunities to be a part of, and now they're all in one place! We're thrilled to introduce Group Finder, available on the Church by Ministry One App or online in the directory.

You can also find Group Finder on the Fellowship page of our website.

For instructions on how to use Group Finder, click here or pick up a hand out available in the office.

If you have issues with this new feature, please call or stop by 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 specific ministries such as the Community Food Pantry or Saving Suds.