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| Bethany Lutheran Church
US 141 Covington, Michigan Founded in 1900 by Finnish Immigrants
Pastor Peter Suomela United Lutheran Church Office:906-542-6484 Home:906-524-6254
rsuomela@up.net
Church Council
Mary C.Rajala, Chair Joset Hansen-Sec.
James Rajala Marlene Orchard Les Webb, Vice Jess Webb Peggy Vervisch-Tres.non/council
Jannet Mercer and Joset Hansen
Youth Dir. Church School
Co-Chairs
Rachael Lassi
Jannet Mercer
JoEllen Webb
| Motto: "Christ is our Light and Life" "Kristus Meidan Valo ja Elama" Our Little Church Our little church still stands today,
to welcome those who wish to pray.
It has stood strong and
steady thoughout the years.
Within its' walls God calms
our fears.
Our people have scattered far
and near,
and beautiful memories drift back
so clear.
Be it baptism, a wedding or a Sunday
service we shared,
whatever drew us together,
our little church cared.
Sometimes it was to bid good-bye to
family or friend,
but the love in our little church had
no end. Excerpts from a Poem by Deanette Manninen-Marcotte
(former member of Bethany) |
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Welcome to our Faith Community |
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Bethany Lutheran - Interior | As you stand in the doorway of Bethany Lutheran, an artistic Finnish church in America and look down the aisle toward the chancel posts and beyond them, the alcove in which a small altar stands. Its background is an oil painting in three panels, “ The Last Supper. ” |
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In 1931, Prof. Elmer Forsberg of the Chicago Art Institute noticed the vacant space in the church and it seemed to cry out to him for a painting, a picture of some religious sort to ease its vacancy. The painting is in triptych form and it measures eight feet wide and twelve feet in length, the work of Theodore J. Johnson, Jr. | | The candelabra occupies the center of the altar, it is of metal, diamond-shaped and with six candles on either side.
Four chandeliers, designed by artists and executed from their blueprints in wrought iron by Victor Kanerva and men of the congregation, hang from the ceiling. |
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The posts at the end of the chancel rail are images of Apostle John and Peter, carved in cedar, six feet tall and six inches square. The carvings were done by Miss Sterling and Miss Tufts of the Chicago Art Institute.
The chancel rail and altar are of the same wood as the pulpit. The Wickes Memorial Pipe organ was purchased in 1974 with a donation received from Mr. & Mrs. Andressen in memory of their son, Rudolph and is still in use today.
Forsberg also donated the six stain glass windows which represent trades of the community. A plow for the farmer, axe for the woodsman, trowel for the mason, anvil and hammer for the blacksmith, and the cross and steeple signifying God’s kingdom in the midst of all.
museum.msu.edu/museum/msgc/index.html | 
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WORSHIP TIMES |
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Sunday 10:00 a.m. Third Sunday: Birthday coffee following worship Council meets 2nd Wednesday /month@ 6:00 p.m. |
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CONTACT |
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Pastor Peter Suomela Office - 906-524-6484 Home - 906-524-6254 rsuomela@up.net Tours of the church are available during the summer season. Please contact: Mary R. 906-201-1342 |
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Altar Committee |
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January
Jann Mercer February
Joset Hansen March
Vi Webb April
Candy Kanniainen May
Shirley Younggren June
Helen Lepola |
July
Gloria Takala
August
JoEllen Webb September
Peggy Vervisch October
Marge & Eva Kantola November
Helen Younggren December
Mary Rajala |
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Janitor List |
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January
James and Mary Rajala
February
Allen & Lowella Eskel March
Jannet Mercer
JoEllen Webb April
Roy and Mary Norman May
Jim and Mary Rajala June
Rosetta & Karen Hansen |
July
Peggy Vervisch
August
Les and Vi Webb September
Jim and Helen Lepola October
Emmy Heikkila
Gloria Takala November
Rachael Lassi December
Kathleen Miron
Helen Younggren |
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