Bethesda Church

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Our History

Bethesda was officially organized March 1947 with 60 charter members. With a commitment to service and worship, those early members set a standard of dedication that continues to influence every aspect of church life.

The Rev. Paul Klett began his work as pastor in 1947. Services were held at Parkview School (site of the current Bay Middle School).

The Rev. Arthur Bauer served from 1951 until 1954. During his service the cornerstone for the first chapel was laid in 1951 (this structure was razed in 1987).

The Rev. Burnell Peterson led the congregation from 1955 until 1965, dedicating the educational building and fellowship hall in 1961.

The Rev. Larry Kettlehake accepted the call in 1965 and served until 1973. An education and administration addition was complete in 1965.  The Rev. George Hummel served as Assistant Pastor from 1971 through 1974.

The Rev. Loyal Bishop served from 1975 until 1977.

The Rev. Dennis E. Stylski served from 1978 until 2015.

The Rev. Robin Craig served as Interim Pastor 2016 – 2017.

The Rev. Angela Freeman, our first female pastor, accepted the call to serve at Bethesda in 2017.

About Us - Bethesda on the Bay

"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope." -Martin Luther

About the name Bethesda

In the Bible, Bethesda was a pool near Jerusalem where Jesus healed a man who had been disabled for over thirty-eight years (John 5).

John 5 tells that even before Jesus healed the man, this pool was a place that people came to be healed and made whole.

In Hebrew the word Bethesda literally means “House of Mercy.” The disabled man met mercy that day in the person of Jesus Christ and his life was forever changed.

You can think of Bethesda as either “healing waters” or as a “house of mercy.” Either way, as a church our goal is to model the very meaning of the Hebrew word “bethesda” by being a house filled by God’s mercy and love. 

We desire to be a place where the hurting and the healed can meet together to celebrate our risen Lord Jesus Christ. 

Church Staff

Rev. Angela Freeman

Pastor

Email:  Pastor.Angela@BethesdaontheBay.org

  1. My biggest challenge is… trying to tackle too many tasks at the same time.
  2. My life verse is… “God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”  Micah 6:8
  3. My last meal would be… anything made with fresh local ingredients. I love food…!
  4.  My worst habit is… eating too much.  Have I mentioned I love food?
  5. I am happiest… when I am outside with the sun shining, walking through the woods or on the beach in the company of the ones I love — human and canine.
  6. My favorite Bible character is… after Jesus… Deborah, the only female judge in the OT.
  7. The best advice could I give a 20 year old… to travel! 
  8. Anything else you’d like to share about yourself?  My idea of a perfect day is… either sitting on a white sandy beach enjoying salty ocean breezes or hiking through the mountains.

Mr. Eric Richardson

Minister of Music

Email:  Ersings1@yahoo.com

  1. My biggest challenge is… being patient.  This is a difficult time for everyone.  For me, I just want my choir and the congregation to be able to sing!!
  2. My life verse is… “Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.”  (Micah 6:8)
  3. My last meal would be… shared with someone who needs it. 
  4. My worst habit is… being too glib, when only a few words are necessary.    
  5. I am happiest… knowing my wife, children, and loved ones are happy and in good health.
  6. My favorite Bible character is… Jesus.
  7. The best advice I could give a 20-year-old… keep the Lord at your right hand, and never stop seeking truthful knowledge. 
  8. The one thing I want to make sure people know about Bethesda is… the congregation has such pride and commitment for the quality and standards of music. 
  9. Anything else you’d like to share about yourself?  I sincerely love the people of Bethesda.
 

Dr. Matt Chiu

Organist

1.  My biggest challenge is… shifting focus between tasks when locked into something.
2.  My life verse is… Psalm 98:4 – “Make joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyour song and sing praises!”
3.  My last meal would be…stir fry udon noodles (with tofu).
4.  My worst habit is… staying up late.
5.  I am happiest… when traveling.
6.  My favorite Bible character is… Thomas.
7.  The best advice I could give a 20-year-old… “now” isn’t forever.
8.  The one thing I want to make sure people know about Bethesda is… it has a beautiful organ, and a great, welcoming group of people!”
9.  Anything else you’d like to share about yourself? I teach at Baldwin Wallace, so if you’re ever in the Berea area, let me know and we can grab a coffee!
 

Ms. Marion Zelinski

Facilities Coordinator

1.  My biggest challenge is… to not be a packrat.
2.  My life verse is… “This is the day that the Lord has made-let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
3.  My last meal would be… anything dark chocolate.
4.  My worst habit is… procrastination.
5.  I am happiest… singing in the choir and being with family.
6.  My favorite Bible character is… Mary.
7.  The best advice I cold give a 20-year-old… live your faith daily.
8.  The one thing I want to make sure people know about Bethesda is… we are caring and loving.
9.  Anything else you’d like to share about yourself? I have 8 great grandchildren.
 

BCCC Staff

Mrs. Jenna Portik

Director of Bethesda Child Care Center

Email:  Jenna.Portik@BethesdaontheBay.org

  1. My biggest challenge is… not taking to heart other people’s attitudes.
  2. My life verse is…  “The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before” – Albert Einstein. 
  3. My last meal would be… salmon & Brussel sprouts.
  4. My worst habit is… overthinking, for sure. 
  5. I am happiest… when I am with my family.
  6. My favorite Bible character is… Jonah.
  7. The best advice I cold give a 20-year-old… don’t rush growing up- it’s highly overrated. These are the best years of your life!
  8.  The one thing I want to make sure people know about Bethesda is… we have great teachers.
  9. Anything else you’d like to share about yourself? Nope!
 
Kelly 2023

Mrs. Kelly Stiles

Assistant Director of Bethesda Child Care Center

Email:  Kelly.Stiles@BethesdaontheBay.org

  1. My biggest challenge is…  Not taking things too personally. I can be overly sensitive.
  2. My life verse is…  “When you saw only one set of footprints in the sand, that is when I carried you.”                              -Footprints in the Sand
  3. My last meal would be… A Chimichanga from Don Ramon’s.
  4. My worst habit is…  Overthinking… about everything!
  5. I am happiest…  Spending time with my husband and kids.
  6. My favorite bible character is…  Mary.
  7. The best advice I could give a 20-year-old…Do what makes you happy. Don’t try to please everyone else around you.
  8. The one thing I want to make sure people know about Bethesda is…How kind and caring our teachers are.
  9. Anything else you would like to share about yourself? Nope

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Church Council

The Council of Bethesda on the Bay serves as the leadership of this church. Council members serve two-year terms (for up to six years). Any member of Bethesda on the Bay can attend Council meetings which regularly commence at 7:00 PM on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

Current Council Members

Emerson Emser

Laura English

Alison Gregory

Malena Hansen

Lisa Hanson – Vice President

Jerry Kiel

Mark Larsen – Secretary

Dave Petro

Scott Pohlkamp – President

Randy Risch – Indoor Property

Bill Zeidler – Treasurer

Lynne Zeidler

 

Ministry Teams:

Spiritual Growth – Laura, Lisa, Lynne, Alison

Mission and Ministry – Jerry (chair), Scott, Malena, Emerson

Administration and Finance – Randy (chair), Bill, Mark, Dave



Financial committee:

Bill Zeidler – Treasurer

Krystina Schmidt – Financial Secretary

Dave Petro – Investment & Endowmen manager

Jeff Darkow – Controller

Marcia Starr and Robert Emmerich – Members at large

For Church Council contact information, please contact the church office.

To access our online directory, visit “members.instantChurchDirectory.com” and follow the prompts under “Sign In” to “create a login now.”  Please remember, you must confirm your email address before you can sign in.  The email address you use must be the address as it is listed in our directory!

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