Sharings. Sharon Lutheran s 11th Annual Town Square Worship (Corner of Demers Ave. & South 3rd St.) Wednesday, July 1st at 6:15pm

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1 Sharon Lutheran Sharings JULY 2015 Come Worship Outdoors! Sharon Lutheran s 11th Annual Town Square Worship (Corner of Demers Ave. & South 3rd St.) Wednesday, July 1st at 6:15pm In the Old Testament, when God commanded the Tabernacle to be built, it was a place for God to dwell with the people. The people did not meet inside the Tabernacle. Only the priests entered the Tabernacle. The people met together and worshiped God outside under the open sky. They never entered the Tabernacle or later the Temple. Today, God does not dwell in a building, He dwells in our hearts. We do not have to meet at a special building or enter a special building to worship God. A church building is not needed for us to meet or worship God, nor is it needed for the center of the life of the church. So come, come and worship! Bring a picnic supper and a blanket or lawn chairs and share fellowship with others! (Chairs will be provided for worship)

Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger James 1:19 Often we combat our evil thoughts most effectively if we absolutely refuse to allow them to be expressed in words.

2 Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger James 1:19 Often we combat our evil thoughts most effectively if we absolutely refuse to allow them to be expressed in words. Thus it must be a decisive rule of every Christian fellowship that each individual is prohibited from saying much that occurs to him. Dietrich Bonhoeffer On The Ministry of Holding One s Tongue In this age, anyone with a Twitter account has a pulpit, but we can t blame communication technology for our widespread tendency to sound off on any subject we desire. Just eavesdrop on any conversation around the dinner table, or at the coffee shop, or, yes, at church. We love to take advantage of the many opportunities the world gives us to form an opinion about topics ranging from politics to culture to people in the public eye. And isn t it gratifying to quickly process information according to our own experience and spit out a self-satisfied response? Doesn t it feel good to make meaning of a situation in a manner that resonates with our own worldview? Of course, there s nothing wrong with the pursuit of truth. The problem arises when we ignore our subjectivity and imagine that our interpretation is definitive, our grasp of the subject is airtight. It s consistent with Luther s definition of sin: that every human being is in the state of being incurvatus in se, or curved in on the self. As a beloved seminary professor of mine paraphrased, sin means my navel is the center of the universe. This orientation to the world is harmful on two counts. First, it inhibits our relationship with anyone whose reality does not conform to our own. Second, it neglects the experience of those whose voices are not regularly heard (and if you re not at the table, you re on the table). Historically, most of the damage has been done by those who have long held the privilege of speaking with authority, namely people who look like me. So, we bear a special responsibility to step back from the microphone. But the value of listening is universal. Listening really listening, and not simply waiting for our turn to speak acknowledges the possibility of transformation. Leaving space for another person to tell her story, to express her truth, has the power to expand our perception, to enlarge our empathy, and to widen the circle of those we have the heart to love. It s what Dietrich Bonhoeffer calls the ministry of holding one s tongue. The person who practices it, he insists, will make a matchless discovery (forgive the gendered language): He will be able to cease from constantly scrutinizing the other person, judging him, condemning him, putting him in his particular place where he can gain ascendancy over him and thus doing violence to him. Now he can allow the brother to exist as a completely free person, as God made him to be. His view expands and, to his amazement, for the first time he sees, shining above his brethren, the richness of God s creative glory. It s time that we stop talking about each other, and start listening to each other. To honor one another is to honor God, by whose word we were all made and by whose grace we are all held together. Peace, Pastor Nate 1 Life Together, Dr. Kurt Hendel. 3 Life Together, Board of Education Director Is God calling you? We are looking for someone to be the Director of the Board of Education. This is a great board to work with, and there is exciting and important work to do. Please consider this opportunity, knowing that you will grow in faith through what you do. Think and pray about this possibility, and know that when God calls, God provides what we need. If you are willing to help lead Sharon in this way, please contact Pastor Lynn. Sharon Lutheran Young Adult Servant Corps Serving & Growing Together in Faith. 1 Peter 4:10 Look what we re up to this summer! Want to get involved? Contact Maggie Davis at maggie-davis@hotmail.com Or (cell) A group of young adults have begun to get together monthly to do service projects for our community. This new, self-led ministry for young adults post high school is called Sharon Young Adult Servant Corps. Right now through September they are collecting items for youth placed in foster care for their Love Big Supply Drive. Visit their display in the Narthex to learn more about who they are, their supply drive, and previous service projects they did in the spring.

Bethany Hetletved and Board of Education members Jill Beireis, Crystal Flanagan, Denise Eckerdt, Cienna Toso, Kristine Schneider, Anna Leddige, Marcy Anderson, Kari Machart, Kristi Grzadzielewski,

Thank you also to Dave Berger for leadership with the music and the many extra things you did to make this week as good as it was, as well as to Pastor Nate for leadership in organizing the story

In this time of transition, many people stepped forward to do extra things to help out so that our young people would have this special time to grow in faith and enjoy the activities of Vacation

Thank you to all of you who offered your time to make Vacation Bible School the wonderful week that it was! If you have a smart phone just download a qr reader to your phone.

3 Bethany Hetletved and Board of Education members Jill Beireis, Crystal Flanagan, Denise Eckerdt, Cienna Toso, Kristine Schneider, Anna Leddige, Marcy Anderson, Kari Machart, Kristi Grzadzielewski, Stacy Nelson, Mary Adams, Elisa Diederich, for all the work you did and the leadership you provided that allowed us to have a great week of Vacation Bible School from June 15-18! Thank you also to Dave Berger for leadership with the music and the many extra things you did to make this week as good as it was, as well as to Pastor Nate for leadership in organizing the story telling. In this time of transition, many people stepped forward to do extra things to help out so that our young people would have this special time to grow in faith and enjoy the activities of Vacation Bible School. Avalanche Ranch was the theme of the week, with over 140 students participating! Thank you to all of you who offered your time to make Vacation Bible School the wonderful week that it was! If you have a smart phone just download a qr reader to your phone. Scan the code and it will take you right to Sharon Lutheran s donations web page. Never miss a donation opportunity again! Do you know someone who recently had a new baby? Someone who is going through an illness? Someone who has recently lost a family member? Volunteers in our Meals Ministry would love to bring that family/individual a few meals to help get them through that time. Please contact myministry@sharonlutheran.org or contact the church office to sign up as a volunteer or to notify us of a family/individual in need, including yourself or your family if needed! Our vision for this ministry is to send greeting cards to members on occasions such as birth of a child, death of a family member, milestone anniversaries, illness or hardship, etc. We welcome anyone who likes to create cards or write notes and address cards to join us. Please contact: myministry@sharonlutheran.org with questions. Welcome to Baptism Orientation If you are planning a baptism in your family, plan to come to a one-hour orientation called Welcome to Baptism on Sunday, July 5th at 1:30pm in the church lounge. Please enter through door #1. To register for the class, please call the church office by Friday before the class at ; the church office at office@sharonlutheran.org; or speak to one of the pastors. Sponsors are welcome to come in addition to parents. The class is designed to help answer questions about baptism, including: What is baptism? When should baptism occur? What is my role as a parent, sponsor, or family member of the baptized? If you have any questions about this class, please speak to one of the pastors.

Church in Society Opportunities Noisy Offering Sunday, July 26th & Wednesday, July 29th goes to Lutheran World Relief Emergency Response The Challenge of Emergency Response Natural and human-made

Global trends show increasing economic losses from disasters, with the number of people at risk growing by 70-80 million annually.

4 Church in Society Opportunities Noisy Offering Sunday, July 26th & Wednesday, July 29th goes to Lutheran World Relief Emergency Response The Challenge of Emergency Response Natural and human-made disasters ravage the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people each year. Global trends show increasing economic losses from disasters, with the number of people at risk growing by million annually. While emergencies affect people at all societal and economic levels, the world's poorest suffer most acutely, since they have the fewest resources to prepare for a crisis and the fewest resources to rebuild afterward. Lutheran World Relief's (LWR) emergency response programs are designed to address the most urgent and basic needs of these communities including women and children, who are often the most vulnerable while also promoting sustainable recovery and building resilience to future disasters. LWR's Approach to Emergency Response Since its founding in 1945, LWR has created lasting partnerships with local communities throughout the world. LWR helps vulnerable communities identify potential disaster risks, continually build response capacities before emergencies happen, meet immediate needs following emergencies, and move towards long-term recovery and economic development. LWR is committed to maintaining the highest standards in humanitarian response and works in-line with industry best practices, including the Sphere Project and Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP) standards. LWR employs four Core Program approaches to design and implement context-appropriate, community-led and integrated programs that help communities respond to and recovery from disasters. Emergency Disaster Services Training July 31, p.m. - 9 p.m. August 1, a.m. - Grand Forks Salvation Army 1600 University Avenue, Grand Forks, ND Join us July 31 and August 1 at the Grand Forks Salvation Army for our Emergency Disaster Services Training. During this training, you will learn how to respond, work with, and become an Emergency Disaster Volunteer in our community. Emergency Disaster Volunteers assist first repsonders through the Grand Forks Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services. The group will provide water, shelter, food and any other immediate/long term needs the first responders, and victims of disasters may need. Along with assisting first responders in our community, you will also have the opportunity to be deployed with national efforts The Salvation Army may be involved with. Also, you can visit our website for more information on the training dates and what we do at the Grand Forks Salvation Army. Please RSVP to this event by contacting Sam or Gloria Samantha_VanReese@usc.salvationarmy.org or by phone at What does this mean for you as a member of Sharon Lutheran Church? Well, we are joining together with Lions to Change Lives, One Pair At A Time. Used and abandoned eyeglasses that you no longer use may change another person s life, so if you can Spare a Pair, Please Share! A collection box has been placed in the church narthex to accept prescription and reading glasses, sunglasses and plastic and metal frames. Children s glasses are especially needed. These glasses will be channeled and prepared for mission use and be given to needy people at no charge. You could help a child to read, an adult to succeed in his job or a senior to be able to maintain their independence. Be the change you want to see in the world: Spare a Pair and Show You Care! Collection will be ongoing in the church entry. Submitted by the Board of Church In Society.

The Grand Forks Salvation Army For low income & moderate income families of: Grand Forks County, Grand Forks Air Force Base, Emerado, Larimore, Manvel, Midway, Northwood, Thompson, & the City of East

3. Picture ID 4. Verification of child/children living in your home (SS Card, Medical Card, Tax Form). 5. Form of income (pay stub, gov. assistance printout).

As you know, Valley Memorial Homes carries out a pastoral care program that was born out of a strong tradition of spirituality.

We are grateful for your partnership in this ministry that enables us to bring this program to our residents. May God bless you and your gift.

5 The Grand Forks Salvation Army For low income & moderate income families of: Grand Forks County, Grand Forks Air Force Base, Emerado, Larimore, Manvel, Midway, Northwood, Thompson, & the City of East Grand Forks Dates: July 23 24, 2015 Time: 1:00-3:00pm Application Process: 1. Head of the household (parent, guardian) applies in person at The Salvation Army. 2. We need to see proof of address (bill statement or rent receipt from the last 30 days). 3. Picture ID 4. Verification of child/children living in your home (SS Card, Medical Card, Tax Form). 5. Form of income (pay stub, gov. assistance printout). Members of Sharon Lutheran, Thank you very much for the Noisy Offering gift of $487 to Valley Memorial Homes Chaplaincy Ministry Program. As you know, Valley Memorial Homes carries out a pastoral care program that was born out of a strong tradition of spirituality. We carry out this ministry to people of all faiths who desire to be saved. Gifts such as yours are used to support this ministry. We are grateful for your partnership in this ministry that enables us to bring this program to our residents. May God bless you and your gift. Sue Bjornstad Director of Development Dedicated to those we serve PASTORAL ACTS BAPTISMS Esme Ann Look, child of Laura & Jason Look Theodore Charles Reile, child of Jessica & Sam Reile Maclan Frederic Nordstog, child of Meghan & Sean Nordstog William Matthew Moen, child of Leilani & Matthew Moen Morgan Rae, Lauren Elizabeth, Haley Christina, children of Christina & Jon Frank Mary-Martha Circle July 21st 9:00am at the church Interested in joining a Circle Bible Study monthly meeting? Call for more information.

6 MAY MINISTRY SUPPORT Amount needed in Operating Revenue each month per approved 2015 budget is $86, Month Actual YTD Actual Budget May Current Ministry Gifts $73, $392, $ 920,327 Loose Offering Gifts $ 2, $ 14, $ 920,328 Operating Fund Memorial Gifts $ $ 1, $ 920,329 Church School, Confirmation & VBS Registrations $ 3, $ 5, $ 920,330 Benevolence Gifts $, $ 6, $ 920,331 Other Gifts and Donations $ 1, $ 13, $ 920,332 Total $83, $434, $1,034,000 Operating Revenue Over/(Under) $ (3,047.79) $ 3, Actual Expenses/Debt Reduction $84, $425, $1,034,000 May Designated gifts received: Rummage Sale Proceeds $ 8, Little Lutheran Magazine $ Thrivent Choice Dollars $ Lutheran Disaster Response $ ELCA College Scholarship Donations $ 1, Christus Rex $ Table / Chair Donations $ Noisy Offering - Valley Memorial $ Choir Robe Donations $ Church School Offerings $ Health Ministries Donations $ Total $15, PARISH PLANNING COUNCIL MEMBERS Executive Director Fred Wittmann fwittmann@msn.com Assistant Ex. Director Shari Breiland sharibreiland@gra.midco.net Assistant Ex. Director Jon Green jdboyergreen@outlook.com Treasurer Traci LaDouceur tladouceur@ndad.org Board of Church in Society Kristi Houska krishouska@yahoo.com Board of Education Bethany Hetletved bjhetletved@hotmail.com Board of Evangelism Jim Schober (Co-Dir) jimtess2001@yahoo.com Board of Evangelism Bonnie Nerby (Co-Dir) bonnielnerby@gra.midco.net Board of Lay Ministry Mark Thompson mthompsona@yahoo.com Board of Parish Fellowship Haley Wamstad haley.wamstad@gmail.com Board of Property Teresa Dahlstrom (Co-Dir) teresa.dahlstrom@gfschools.org Board of Property Mike Welsh (Co-Dir) mwelsh2092@gmail.com Board of Public Relations Cheryl Nyhlen cheryl@nyhlen.com Board of Stewardship Brent Jiran brent.jiran@gfschools.org Board of Youth Vicki Ronkowski (Co-Dir) vronkowski@egf.k12.mn.us Board of Youth LuAnn Schmidt (Co-Dir) luann.schmidt@gfschools.org

FAITH FORMATION MINISTRIES July 2015 News Last month, nine middle school students and two adult leaders took part in a week-long mission trip to Duluth, Minnesota.

Groups prepared and served meals at a soup kitchen, sorted nonperishable food items, did yardwork and gardening for homeowners, visited residents of a nursing home, hosted a community cookout, and

Sharon Lutheran Church VBS 2015 From June 15th-18th, over 140 students participated in Vacation Bible School at Sharon Lutheran Church!

We learned that God s love and grace are poured out upon us like an avalanche and that God s ranch is big enough for everyone.

On July 11th, 32 high school students and six adult leaders will be traveling to Detroit to participate in the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering along with 30,000 other Lutheran youth from around the world.

7 FAITH FORMATION MINISTRIES July 2015 News Last month, nine middle school students and two adult leaders took part in a week-long mission trip to Duluth, Minnesota. These participants were challenged to love out loud, practice their faith, and help bring God s Upside-Down Kingdom while serving the residents of Duluth. Groups prepared and served meals at a soup kitchen, sorted nonperishable food items, did yardwork and gardening for homeowners, visited residents of a nursing home, hosted a community cookout, and packed meals at Feed My Starving Children. Thank you for all of your prayers and support. We look forward to sharing our stories with you in worship later this summer! Sharon Lutheran Church VBS 2015 From June 15th-18th, over 140 students participated in Vacation Bible School at Sharon Lutheran Church! We played games, had snacks, gathered around the campfire for Bible stories, made crafts to take home, sang songs together, and had lots of fun! We learned that God s love and grace are poured out upon us like an avalanche and that God s ranch is big enough for everyone. A special thank you to the Board of Education and all of our volunteers who made this week possible - we couldn t have done it without you! On July 11th, 32 high school students and six adult leaders will be traveling to Detroit to participate in the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering along with 30,000 other Lutheran youth from around the world. They ll leave Detroit knowing that God brought them together for a purpose, and God sends them back out with a message for the world: Jesus is good news! Youth will be sent home with a mission to rise up together as followers of Jesus Christ who build bridges, bear burdens, break chains, and bring hope. Trip participants include: Megan Anderson, Morgan Bergman, Bryce Bommersbach, Stephanie Danielson, Garett Eken, Ryan Enerson, Katelyn Franks, Allie Garrigan, Blaiz Halverson, Jacob Halvorson, Mathew Halvorson, Jack Hanson, Joe Hince, Annabel Jiran, Kacy Jiran, Mikale Kuntz, Kourtney Misialek, Isabelle Nustad, Svea Olson, Heather Onstad, Cassie Plutowski, Camryn Schall, Alissa Schmidt, Kaitlin Schraeder, Hanna Schreiner, Erin Shroyer, Megan Shroyer, Alex Sorenson, Jordyn Sorenson, Tyler Swatlowski, Tori Weage, and Alexis Welsh. Adult Leaders: Paul Plutowski, Rachael Puttbrese, Nate Sutton, LuAnn Schmidt, Kay Schraeder, and Carmen Sorenson.

2015-2016 Church School and Confirmation Registration Thank you to all of our families who have already registered their students for Church School and Confirmation in the fall!

8 Church School and Confirmation Registration Thank you to all of our families who have already registered their students for Church School and Confirmation in the fall! As you may already know, we have made a move toward paperless mailings for our church school and Confirmation registrations! Families should have already received registration information by . We are excited for this new sign-up procedure, and we appreciate your patience and willingness to change with us as we save postage and eliminate paperwork and waste. We will continue to receive Church School and Confirmation registration throughout the summer, and the earlier you register, the better! It may seem early to be thinking about fall, but with over 700 students to register and place in classes, it becomes very important that we register as many church school and Confirmation students as possible during the spring and summer months. Early registration ensures the opportunity for church school students to be registered in your 1st choice time and Confirmation students to be placed in a small group with a friend (upon request). Also, it makes our fall preparations for church school go much more smoothly. If you are unsure which Church School time will work for your family in the fall, please go ahead and register for the time you think will most likely work. As soon as you know your fall schedule, call and let us know if you need to change to a different time. It is helpful to us to have your child registered even if you need to make a change later. Reminders will not be sent out, so please be sure to mark down the time you have chosen. We will only contact those who do not receive their first choice. Sorry, we will not be able to receive registrations over the phone. We look forward to sharing another year of ministry with you and your family! FAITH FORMATION MINI STRIES SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICES! Wednesday, July 1st at 6:15 p.m.: Outdoor worship at Town Square (downtown Grand Forks) Please bring a picnic supper and a blanket or lawn chair and share fellowship with others (chairs will be provided for worship). Wednesday, July 8th at 6:15 p.m.: Celebration Hall (Sharon Lutheran Church) Commissioning service for Detroit 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering participants and adult leaders CONTACT US: Pastor Nate Sutton nsutton@sharonlutheran.org ext. 204 Rachael Puttbrese Director of Faith Formation Ministries rmswat@hotmail.com Carmen Sorenson Faith Formation Administrator csorenson@sharonlutheran.org ext. 209 Dave Berger Faith Formation Ministries and Youth Music Ministries Associate dberger@sharonlutheran.org ext. 209 ALL ARE WELCOME!

10 JULY 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat OUTDOOR WORSHIP 6:15pm Worship Downtown Town Square (corner of Demers Ave. & South 3rd St.) Church Offices CLOSED 4th of July 5 9:00am Sanctuary worship 9:00 & 10:30am Celebration worship 1:30pm Welcome to Baptism class 6 7 5:00pm Hunger Committee 8 6:15pm Worship 7:15pm Prayer Shawl Ministry 9 4:45pm Board of Stewardship 5:30pm Board of Fellowship 6:30pm Board of Lay Ministry 6:30pm Board of Church in Society 10 7:00am Executive Committee Church Office closes at 12 noon 11 4:00pm Wedding :00am Sanctuary worship 9:00 & 10:30am Celebration worship 5:00pm Youth Team 6:00pm Board of Properties 6:15pm Worship 5:30pm Parish Planning Council Church Office closes at 12 noon 7:00pm Education Team Deadline for August Newsletter Articles 19 9:00am Sanctuary worship 9:00 & 10:30am Celebration worship :00am Mary Martha circle 6:30pm Board of Public Relations 22 6:15pm Worship Church Office closes at 12 noon 25 3:30pm Wedding 26 9:00am Sanctuary worship 9:00 & 10:30am Celebration worship :00am Assemble Parish Newsletter 29 6:15pm Worship Church Office closes at 12 noon

Sharon Lutheran Church 1720 S 20th St Grand Forks, ND 58201 Phone: 701-772-3122 Email: office@sharonlutheran.org Website: www.sharonlutheran.org Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Grand Forks, ND 58201 Permit No.

11 Sharon Lutheran Church 1720 S 20th St Grand Forks, ND Phone: office@sharonlutheran.org Website: Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Grand Forks, ND Permit No. 270 Mailing Address Line 1 Mailing Address Line 2 Mailing Address Line 3 Mailing Address Line 4 Sunday Worship 9:00am Sanctuary 9:00 & 10:30am Celebration Hall Wednesday Worship 6:15pm Celebration Hall Sharon Lutheran Staff Pastor... Lynn Ronsberg (lronsberg@sharonlutheran.org) Pastor... John H. Fick (jfick@sharonlutheran.org) Pastor... Nate Sutton (nsutton@sharonlutheran.org) Part-time Visitation Pastor... Roger Brockmeyer (rbrockmeyer@sharonlutheran.org) Administrative Assistant... Missy Thompson (mthompson@sharonlutheran.org) Secretary... Molly Mohn (mmohn@sharonlutheran.org) Assoc. of Faith Formation & Music Ministries... David Berger (dberger@sharonlutheran.org) Director of Music Ministries... Roxanne Gessler (rgessler@sharonlutheran.org) Organist... Sue Kerr & Carolyn Tunseth Adult Choir Director... Tom Young Custodian... Dan Kuzel Office... office@sharonlutheran.org Church Office Hours Monday - Thursday 8:30am to 5:00pm Friday 8:30am to 12noon

Sharings. We love Vacation Bible School. VBS (Vacation Bible School) 2015: Monday, June 15th Thursday, June 18th 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Sharings. We love Vacation Bible School. VBS (Vacation Bible School) 2015: Monday, June 15th Thursday, June 18th 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sharon Lutheran Sharings JUNE 2015 We love Vacation Bible School VBS (Vacation Bible School) 2015: Monday, June 15th Thursday, June 18th 6:30-8:30 p.m. as Our theme for Vacation Bible School is Avalanche