October 2025 Monthly News

Bethesda Lutheran Church
Sep 29
4 min read

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

October is Pastor Appreciation Month

This October – and every month – encourage your pastor by offering your prayers, support, and kind words. Ministry can be demanding, but knowing the church is lifting them up makes all the difference.

All Upcoming Events

Enhance Hamilton County Foundation Food Pantry Challenge
October 12: Special Meeting of the Congregation
October 12: Community Potluck
October 13: Church Council, 7:00 p.m.
October 14: Worship at Timberland, 2:00 p.m.
October 14: Mobile Food Truck from Iowa Food Bank
Oct. 15-Nov. 20: Love the Lord, Love the Lord’s Cupboard
October 16: Church newsletter deadline
October 18: WELCA Fall Fun Field trip through Clayton County
October 22: High School Youth Group
October 26: Pumpkin Auction
October 26: Reformation Sunday - wear red!
November Adult Education Series: ELCA Use of the Means of Grace
More in the newsletter

Enhance Hamilton County Foundation Food Pantry Challenge

Throughout September, every dollar donated will be matched dollar for dollar up to the first $6,500, thanks to Food Pantry Challenge sponsors. The goal: $13,000 for Hamilton County food pantries. Donations can be mailed or dropped off at the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation, located at 501 Bank Street, Webster City, IA 50595. For after-hours donations, please use the secure drop box located in the entryway of the Foundation office. Learn more.

Special Meeting of the Congregation: October 12

To: Members of Bethesda Lutheran Church

This is notice of a special meeting of the Congregation to be held at 10:00 am in the Church Sanctuary on Sunday, October 12, 2025. The sole purpose of the meeting will be to vote on the funding and installation of a replacement air conditioning unit in the chapel. Please make plans to attend this meeting. Thank you.

Voting members are confirmed members who have attained the age of 18. Such confirmed members, during the current or preceding calendar year, shall have communed in this congregation and shall have made a contribution of record to this congregation. Members of this congregation who have satisfied these basic standards shall have the privilege of voice and vote at every regular and special meeting of the congregation.

Mobile Food Truck from Iowa Food Bank: October 14

The next Mobile Food Truck distribution is scheduled for October 14. The Mobile Pantry Program from The Food Bank of Iowa operates in 30 counties with local food pantries to help fight hunger in Iowa. Volunteers are always needed and the help is greatly appreciated.

Message for High School Youth Group

Hey High Schoolers,

We have had wonderful attendance at our first sessions of high school youth group with 10 of you each time! Roxie, Eric and I hope we can keep this participation level moving forward. Especially with 10+ youth, more exciting group games can be played! Now some nuts and bolts for October. On October 22 we are going to paint pumpkins which I’m told is one of your favorite activities. Then we will have the pumpkin auction October 26. Lastly, to end the month and “kickoff” youth group we are going to have a bonfire in the church parking lot on October 29! Lots of fun to be had in October and we hope you or your friends join us! Don’t forget you are always welcome to bring your friends from school with you to youth group!

Pastor Jonathan (PJ) Dolan

Pumpkin Auction Fundraiser: October 26

It’s that time of year again. The High School Youth Group will be preparing their pumpkins for the annual H.S. Pumpkin Auction fundraiser. Come Sunday, October 26th prepared to see the wonderful creations and bid on your favorites.

Love the Lord, Love the Lord’s Cupboard

Once again, the Lord’s Cupboard is being challenged to match funds from the group “Love the Lord, Love the Lord’s Cupboard”. The group will match up to $2,500. This would be a good year to meet the challenge. The number of families coming to the Lord’s Cupboard varies from 40 to 50 per month. Also, the price of food is increasing. What used to cost us $25 to $30 per family for the perishable food vouchers at the grocery store now fifty dollars. Meeting their challenge would be a big help to the Lord’s Cupboard. We also use this money to give our vouchers for Thanksgiving and Christmas at the grocery store. Those vouchers don’t say what they have to buy, but are used to put a little extra food on the table for those holidays. These vouchers are greatly appreciated by the families. Please send your donations to Lord’s Cupboard, PO Box 330, Jewell, IA 50130, or drop in the offering plate at Bethesda in an envelope marked Lord’s Cupboard or written on the memo line of your check. The challenge will run from October 15 through November 20, 2025. Please help in any way you can. Thank you.

November Adult Ed: ELCA Use of the Means of Grace

During the month of November, there are 5 Sundays. Interim Pastor Jonathan Dolan is inviting you to join a four‑session (5-week) Adult Education series at the same time that Bible and Brew meets beginning on Nov. 2. Because there are 5 Sundays, that allows us an opportunity to spend a bit more time specifically in Parts 2 and 3 which are the sessions on Baptism and Holy Communion. This faith opportunity seeks to bring Word, Baptism, and Communion to life—rooted in the ELCA’s governing document on those practices shaped for folks who value practical, faithful living in everyday work and community.