We are happy for you to meet
Pastor Ron Baerbock
God is good. One way that the members of Bethel Lutheran in Arcadia and Galesville measure God's goodness is by considering the way the Lord has sent pastors to serve with us. We are especially grateful for the arrival of our newest pastor, Ron Baerbock.
Pastor Baerbock and his wife Karen (pictured here) have been married since 1970 and have served in congregations and mission fields from 1973 to 2015. The Lord directed them from the suburbs of Milwaukee to the Pacific coast of Washington, from islands in the Caribean to villages in both Northern and Southern Mexico. From serving to Coordinate mission field work to helping to produce multi-language outreach material, Pastor Baerbock has enjoyed a wide range of ministry experiences. One great blessing that the Baerbocks bring to us is that they are both fluent in Spanish as well as English.
There is no doubt that Pastor and his wife count their four children and 18 grandchildren among the greatest blessings that the Lord has given to them. Though their children live at some distance from mom and dad - West coast, Milwaukee, and two in Minnesota - the Baerbocks praise God for the faith in Jesus Christ that binds them all together.
Pastor Baerbock, as a previously retired minister, has been called to serve with Bethel in a part-time role for the next two years. This provides Bethel with extra manpower and the Baerbocks with the opportunity to still enjoy some well-earned retirement. Though their time with us is limited, the Lord will not put limits on the message of Christ to bring spiritual blessings to those whom we serve with God's Word.
We are happy for you to meet Pastor and Mrs. Baerbock. We would be happier still for you to know Jesus through our ministry of the Word at Bethel Lutheran.
From Sunday to Sunday, in Arcadia and Galesville, you will find Pastors Cox and Baerbock opening up the Scriptures to all who attend. Come and hear what good news God's Word has for you to know!
Contact Pastor Baerbock by email - rbaerbock2@gmail.com - or phone (715) 299-0786
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"Peace to you!" from
Pastor Jon Cox
Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ! It is good to greet all those who visit the Bethel Lutheran Church website. Thank you for your interest. We would be especially glad if what you saw here would lead you to visit us in Galesville or Arcadia.
My wife, Doreen, and I have been married since 1990. We've been at home on the west side of Galesville for nearly six years now. Our neighbors in the Coulee Region are so friendly, hardworkding, and genuine. We are happy to be at home here.
The members of Bethel have really helped us feel like family. This is a special blessing when parents see their children growing and going. God blessed us with five children, ranging in ages from 25 to 15. The experiences of parenting have helped us so much to be able to help others who face the many challenges that can be a part of family life. The goodness of God has certainly carried us through.
Over the last 25 years of ministry, I've been blessed to serve in a wide variety of settings and situations.
Starting out in a small congregation in the heart of Texas, I learned how true it is that people of differing places and cultures still face some of the very same troubles. We all need the Word of God to counsel and direct our lives.
Serving for 14 years in a congregation of over 1,300 members helped me learn a host of skills. Working with people on a one-to-one basis as well as with committees, we found that the good news of Jesus Christ is the one constant power that both motivates us to reach for success and comforts us when faced with failure.
Now after six years in a multi-site congregation of Bethel Arcadia and Galesville, the Lord has shown all the more his ability to be faithful to his beloved people. We can always trust the goodness of God to bless and sustain us.
It is always a blessing to meet new people at church. I would be so happy to help you know Jesus Christ. Take a little time, read about what we believe, then come and see for yourself all the good things that God is doing at Bethel!
Contact Pastor Cox by email - jon.nathan.cox@gmail.com - or phone (608) 582-9998
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Faith Related Q and A
| What Psalms are sung on Thanksgiving Day? What Bible passages are read in the church on Thanksgiving day?
You will find “lectionaries” on pages 163-166 in Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal. Those lectionaries contain Scripture readings, including Psalms, for worship services.
Pastors might use those Scripture readings for Thanksgiving Day worship services, or they might use other sections of Scripture. We enjoy this kind of Christian freedom in planning and carrying out our worship services.
| What should we understand as "a baptism of repentance" for the remission of sins? Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3. Is repentance worked by baptism? People came "confessing their sins" and then were baptized. Did John's baptism convey the remission of sins? the gift of the Spirit (in light of Acts 19:1-7) Please expound. Thank you.
Through John the Baptist’s preaching, God changed the hearts of people. Sinners were led to confess their sins and acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah, the Lamb of God (John 1:29). The Baptism John performed sealed God’s forgiveness to people. The Baptism John performed provided the vehicle through which the Holy Spirit could produce and strengthen faith, and also repentance in people’s hearts. The Holy Spirit changes hearts through the gospel in word and sacrament. John’s Baptism was essentially the same as Christian Baptism.
In Acts 19:1-7, the punctuation in our English Bibles has led to some questions over the years. Keep in mind that the biblical writers did not use quotation marks or other grammatical devices that are in our translations.
With that in mind, translations like the NIV bring Paul’s words in verse four to a close before the beginning of verse five. They then have Paul re-baptizing the disciples in Ephesus. If Paul’s words in verse four extend to the end of verse five, then Paul was speaking of John the Baptist baptizing people, and Paul simply laid his hands on the disciples. Some translations and most Lutheran commentators understand Paul’s words and actions in that manner.
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Forward in Christ
| More is caught than taught
 My oldest daughter recently took her driving test for the state of Arizona. She passed the written test without breaking a sweat, but it took nearly a year of behind-the-wheel practice for her to get comfortable driving in Phoenix traffic. In that time, she observed my driving with new interest, noting my safe driving methods […]
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