Mission & Vision

We are Lutheran Christians called, gathered and blessed by God to share our faith in Jesus Christ and God’s love with all people.

As faithful followers of God, we strive to love and encourage our neighbors near and far. We see our time and talents as visible signs of love. We gather to worship in person and online to support one another through conversation, prayer and music. We provide opportunities for both children and adults to grow in faith and knowledge through Sunday School, adult education and Bible studies.

In 2019, Bethel Lutheran supported numerous organizations financially and with in-kind donations. Our local elementary schools receive donated school supplies and toiletries. Our quilters made and donated 290 quilts to Lutheran World Relief. Our Sunday School children hosted several mission challenges and supported ELCA World Hunger by purchasing animals and medicine for people in need. Lutheran Social Services of Illinois received 60 gifts for children and 20 adults through the Giving Tree. Food and monetary donations were collected for local food pantries in connection with Souper Bowl of Caring, Thanksgiving collections, and our "Reverse Advent" challenge.

Church Staff

Kara L. Wiechmann
Pastor

Rev. Kara L. Wiechmann grew up in South Dakota but has lived in several states and even Germany for a year as a foreign exchange student. She attended Augustana College (now Augustana University) in Sioux Falls, majoring in Religion and minoring in German and Philosophy. She received her Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St Paul, MN. In June 2011, she was ordained in her hometown and moved to rural North Dakota to begin her ministry. After 6.5 years of serving Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations in ND, she accepted a call and began serving Bethel Lutheran in Bartonville in January 2018. Her main passions for ministry are leading worship, fellowshipping, and studying and teaching the Bible.

Pastor Kara enjoys reading, hiking, traveling to new places, napping on her couch with her dog Ziggy, making up words, and collecting projects to scrapbook, sew or crochet.

Angie Hudelson
Director of Youth and Family Ministry

Angie Hudelson grew up in East Peoria, and received her Bachelor of Arts in Religion (Youth and Family Ministry) from Wartburg College in 2003. She served congregations in Anamosa, IA, Washington, IL, and Chesterfield, MO before joining the staff at Bethel in December of 2015. She loves working with youth of all ages and creating opportunities for faith-shaping connections between youth and adults. She enjoys spending time with her family, outdoor activities, and playing the flute and guitar.

Our History

Bethel Lutheran Church has a long and rich history that came to be through God’s grace and the faithfulness of early church leaders.

Links

Check elca.org/feeds for Today’s Bible Reading, Today’s Bible Verse, and ELCA Prayer Ventures