320.963.3592
7809 County Road 35 W
Middleville Township
Annandale, Minnesota
1995 - 2005
On July 29, 1995, Rev. Gary Berlinski, a second-career pastor, was ordained and installed at Bethlehem. In 1955, new carpeting was installed in the parsonage, the church's chimney was repaired, church doors were painted, and a new copy machine was purchased. In 1996, new church signs were put up by the youth group and 8 new basement windows were installed. With pride in our beautiful organ, we decided to have the pipes hand-painted and restored to their original decoration. Adopt-a-pipe donations were given by members and friends of Bethlehem as acknowledged on the plaque. A rededication service was held on October 26, 1997, with 7 organists sharing their talents and love for the Lord. Sheet rock and insulation was installed downstairs in the church basement and the youth had painted the basement floor. Also in 1997, a driveway on the east side of the church was put in.
It was on June 18, 1998, when tragedy struck. Founded members of Bethlehem, their friends, relatives, and surrounding communities froze in utter shock and disbelief when they received the news of the tragic deaths of Pastor Berlinski and his wife, Karen. The Berlinski's were traveling south to one Vista when an oncoming vehicle crossed the center line and collided with their vehicle. The driver of the other car, Lenore Ford, a farming dynasty matriarch, also died in the collision.
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The Berlinski's double funeral was held at Bethlehem on June 25, 1998. An estimated 400-500 people were in attendance. Rev. Gerhardt Michael provided the sermon with the comforting reminder that instead of questioning how the Lord is doing things, we must remember that He is the One that can help. He is the one and only way to LIfe Eternal. "Turn to the Lord the way the Berlinski's did. They let their Light shine in the name of the Lord." The church was full. Some watched on closed circuit TV in the church basement, others listened in tents outside on public address speakers. Pastor Berlinski and Karen considered Bethlehem their home and were buried in Bethlehem's Cemetery.
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Rev. Paul Strawn, of Immanuel, Silver Creek, served the vacancy and helped bring comfort to a hurting congregation.
Pastor Gary William Berlinski
Pastor Berlinski and his wife Karen
Photo (below) : Tents and speakers were set up to accommodate all of the funeral guests and visitors for Pastor and Karen's funeral.
Pastor Leland Bendix
Rev. Leland D. Bendix (Hardwick, MN) accepted our call and was installed on March 14, 1999. That year pew padding was installed and a 26' x 30' garage was constructed with help from our members. A new kitchen stove was purchased for the parsonage by the LWML with their Bazaar proceeds. The church basement floor was tiled, but with the glue leakage between the tiles, carpeting was installed shortly thereafter. In 2001, a processional cross was purchased through generous memorials. A new copier and light weight tables for the basement were purchased with help from AAL. Both the ladies and men's restrooms were remodeled and new curtains were made for the basement windows
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With the members being so mission-minded, a pledge to support a T.I.M. (Together In Mission) missionary was signed in March 2000.
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With the coming of our Organ Centennial and 125th Anniversary, committees were formed and began their planning (2000). To defray the expenses for the upcoming celebration, merchandise with a sketch of our church and celebration logo were sold. The LWML sponsored a 125th Anniversary congregational cookbook with proceeds going to the "Quasquicentennial" fund. A pictorial directory of our church members was done by United Lifetouch in March 2002. A fellowship club was started in the Fall of 2002.
The organ centennial was held on June 23, 2002, with 8 past and present organists of Bethlehem participating. The afternoon also included an acknowledgement of Pastor Bendix's 25 years of serving in the ministry. In January 2003, Lutheran Brotherhood presented us with a beautiful framed sketch of our church in honor of our 125th Anniversary. With the celebration less than 6 months away, our ambitious young trustees led the congregation in building improvements: the painting of the interior of the church (almond), refinishing the wood floors, new carpeting in the church and entry, and new tile in the kitchen and restrooms. Cement work and landscaping will be done behind the church to prevent flooding like we had in 2002. New hymnals replaced the worn ones from a generous memorial in April 2003.
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In August of 2005 Pastor Bendix resigned as Bethlehem's pastor. He heard the calling for the Lord that he needed to focus on other projects at this point in his life.