April 2026 Monthly News

Bethesda Lutheran Church
Mar 27
3 min read

See what's happening this month at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Jewell, Iowa — and find opportunities to get involved!

Cross, crown of thorns and palm leaves with text that reads: Join us for Holy Week and Easter Sunday

All Upcoming Events

Every Tuesday: Tuesday Together Time, 12:00 p.m.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER SUNDAY
March 29: Palm and Passion Sunday, 9:00 a.m.
March 31: Community Choir rehearsal for Good Friday service, 5:00 p.m.
April 1: Seder Meal for confirmation students, 6:00 p.m.
April 2: Maundy Thursday Worship, 7:00 p.m.
April 3: Community Good Friday worship service, 7:00 p.m.
April 5: Easter Resurrection, breakfast at 8:00 a.m., worship at 9:00 a.m.
April 6: The Lord's Cupboard open 1:00-2:00 p.m. and 5:00-6:30 p.m.
April 7: Worship at Timberland, 2:00 p.m.
April 7: Open Eyes Save Lives Trafficking Awareness, 7:00 p.m.
April 12: Community potluck, 12:00 p.m.
April 13: Church Council, 7:00 p.m.
April 23: Newsletter deadline
April 26: Music Blessings & Volunteer Recognition
April 26: Annual Silent & Live Auction Fundraiser
More in the newsletter

Join us for Holy Week & Easter Sunday 2026

March 29: Passion and Palm Sunday, 9:00 a.m.

Gather in the Narthex for the Processional Gospel and Blessing of the Palms before proceeding into Worship.

March 31: Community Choir rehearsal, 5:00 p.m.

The Community Choir for Good Friday Community Worship Service will rehearse at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 31 at Bethesda. Pastor Kerryn Oliver will direct the choir and Julie Lutjen will accompany the choir. We will sing at the Good Friday service, April 3, 7:00 p.m. All are invited and welcomed to sing with the choir.

April 1: Seder Meal, 6:00 p.m.

All confirmation students, immediate family members, mentors, and deacons

April 2: Maundy Thursday Worship Service, 7:00 p.m.

April 3: Good Friday Community Worship at Bethesda, 7:00 p.m.

April 5: Easter Resurrection Worship Service

Breakfast at 8:00 a.m., served by confirmation students
Worship with Holy Communication at 9:00 a.m.
If your child is singing, please have them in the primary room at 8:30 a.m.
No Sunday School

The Lord's Cupboard

The Lord’s Cupboard needs your clean egg cartons. Please leave them in the box outside the Lord’s Cupboard door.

The Lord’s Cupboard Food Pantry is open every Monday from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., as well as the first Monday of each month from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. More volunteers are needed and we would be very glad to accept your help. Please contact Karla (515-310-0151) or Sue (515-290-3000); or leave a message at the church office (515-827-5148).

The next Mobile Food Truck will be here in April.

Open Eyes Save Lives: Trafficking Awareness

Learn about recognizing signs of human trafficking — and what you can do about it. Join us for Open Eyes Save Lives with local law enforcement, government officials, and knowledge experts: Tuesday, April 7, 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church - Ellsworth, IA.

Music Blessings from Bethesda

We are planning our third “Music Blessings from Bethesda”. The first two years were a huge success and everyone enjoyed participating and listening to all of the talents of Bethesda and beyond. Our third “Music Blessings from Bethesda” event will be during worship on Sunday, April 26, 2026.

Parents, please indicate whether or not your child will be available that Sunday morning to participate. As before, the Tone Chimers, Hearts of Praise Choir, and many other talented children, young adults, and anyone of any age will be included. To make the planning easier, it is necessary to know how many of the Tone Chimers and the Hearts of Praise children can attend.

Please complete the form in the newsletter or the printed copy sent home with your child and return it to Janis by Wednesday, April 8th. Thank you for providing this needed information.

Live and Silent Auction fundraiser event, Jewell, Iowa

Annual Silent & Live Auction Fundraiser

Mark your calendar for the Annual Silent and Live Auction at Bethesda, following worship service on Sunday, April 26. Please sign up to donate auction items by April 19 — forms are in the back of the sanctuary. This is a fundraiser for camperships, evangelism, and stewardship.