NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2017 NEWSLETTER

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1 SVERDRUP LUTHERAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER AUGUST NEWSLETTER Inside this issue: From Pastor Nancy 1 OTC LYO: Activities and Good-bye from Troy Olson 2 PO BOX 70, 209 SOUTHERN AVE. E. UNDERWOOD, MN OFFICE PHONE: PASTOR'S CELL: UNDLP@PRTEL.COM WELCA Update 2 Church Council Roster 3 Thank You s and Did You Know 4 Sverdrup Bulletin Board 5 Upcoming Events Luther Crest Mighty Mississippi Mission Trip 6 August Calendar Dear members and friends of Sverdrup, I am on vacation but wanted to share with you this modern missionary story. This is what we can do together as the ELCA. Blessings, Pastor Nancy FROM PASTOR NANCY - AUGUST L E A D E R S H I P RETURNING HOME WITH A MESSAGE OF HOPE Insert The Lutheran church is growing here, said Mawien Ariik, an ELCA missionary serving in South Sudan. As ethnic conflict abates in the country, ELCA missionaries Ariik and Wal Reat are finding new opportunities to proclaim the gospel. Getting from place to place is still tough for Reat as he evangelizes in the refugee camps where 1.5 million displaced Sudanese live. Ariik, who facilitates outreach and proclamation in the emerging Lutheran church, encounters many who were wounded by inter-ethnic violence. It is not bad to have different tribes, but to love others as one body of Christ it is a big challenge for us to convey that, he said. Civil war drove both men to seek asylum in the U.S., where they attended seminary and were ordained as ELCA pastors. After several years pastoring Sudanese congregations in Minnesota, they wanted to share God s message of grace and forgiveness in their native country. The ELCA called Ariik as a missionary in 2012 and Reat in. With no worries about their daily living expenses because ELCA Mission Support covers the majority of their support costs they can focus more on responding to the gifts and challenges around them. It is very difficult [work], but I know that the ELCA is my backbone my prayer support and financial support, said Reat.

2 Message from Troy Olson: OTC-LYO Ministry Associate Page 2 It always seems like once you hit the 4th of July, the summer starts flying by and that was definitely the case this year. In July we had Faith Haven Local Camp Blast, where we dug into the theme of Navigate, we spent the afternoon tubing down the Otter Tail river, and watched Pete s Dragon at Faith N Films. The fun doesn t stop in August, as a huge crew of folks will head out on the Mississippi Mission Trip, July 29 through August 4 th. Upon returning, there will be an opportunity to Escape, as we ll head to Alexandria to try our hand at the new Escape Rooms, before getting out the word for the OTC-LYO Food Drive Bonanza, which will take place on the afternoon of the 13 th; collecting food for each of the area food banks. Then at 7pm, on August 13th, First Lutheran will host the OTC-LYO Stump the Pastor Night, where all ages are invited to come, and ask whatever questions they d like, and see if they can stump our panel of pastors. Lastly on August 16 th, at God s Acres, there will be the first ever OTC-LYO Disc Golf Tournament! DATES TO REMEMBER July 29-August 4th Mississippi River Mission Trip August 6th: Food Drive Bonanza-Get the word out day! August 9th: OTC-LYO Escapes the Alexandria Escape Room August 13th: Food Drive Bonanza- Collection Day August 13th: OTC-LYO Stump The Pastor Night at First Lutheran 7pm (Open to all ages) August 16th: God s Acres Disc Golf Tournament 6.30pm OTC-LYO Crew, Almost five years ago, I arrived in Minnesota, hoping the winters wouldn t be too cold, and that God would do something sweet in the OTC-LYO and at Luther Crest. In that span, I ve had the opportunity to see God build a community of youth and adults across 7 churches, 4 school districts, and countless events. Whether it was a mission trip, movie night, Bible study, Youth Gathering, ski trip, or Faith Haven Local Camp, God has been on the move, and I ve been blessed to be a part of it. Thank you for being a community of people who let me be me and share a glimpse of what God is up to. It is because of this that I will be sad to see my time here come to a close in August. My wife, Laura, and I have been presented with a new adventure that we will be embarking on. I will be pursing my real estate license while Laura goes back to school to get her teaching license in Cedar Falls, Iowa. We are excited for this opportunity that God has placed before us, but are sad to be leaving this community we have grown to love. We would love to have you pray for us as we begin this transition, and please know that we will be praying for you, and for what s ahead in the OTC-LYO. In Christ, Troy Olson WELCA NEWS OUR PURPOSE: As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world. We are looking forward to our two big fundraisers (Harvest Festival Dinner & Fall Bazaar) Time to start plans for that. We need people to serve on the Fall Bazaar. Please consider volunteering. Melissa O Donnell and Tereasa Link are co-chairing the Harvest Festival and will be contacting people for contributions. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please let me know (myrna@prtel.com ) Thank you!! Happy Summer! Myrna Martinson, WELCA President WELCA DATES TO PLAN FOR: August 1: Afternoon Circle 11:30 at Tamarac Manor August 1: Evening Circle 7:00 pm at Church September 2: Sverdrup Harvest Festival Dinner October 7: Sverdrup Fall Bazaar Prayer Chain If you have any prayer requests, we will add them to our Prayer Chain. Please ... sverdrupprayers@gmail.com or call Laurie Bauck at Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

3 Page 3 SVERDRUP LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING: JUNE, 7:00 PM (MINUTES POSTED NEX T MONTH) Sverdrup Church Council Name Nancy Monke Michelle Jevne Lew Obright Else Andersen Position / Committee Pastor President Year Elected Phone Numbers Home/Cell nancymonke@gmail.com / jevne@prtel.com / mjevne@co.ottertail.mn.us lew.obright@prtel.com / jmemanders@yahoo.com / virgilmartinson@gmail.com / nturtles@prtel.com pastorzinta@hotmail.com sthammes2423@yahoo.com / Virgil Martinson Vice President Financial Secretary Treasurer Alan Thompson Secretary Zinta Sundby Stacy Hammes Wshp/Stwdshp Wshp/Stwdshp Linda Martinson Lissa O Donnell Wshp/Stwdshp Life & Fellowship Life & Fellowship llmartinson@outlook.com lissnmike@gmail.com / heifortsat prtel.com Life & Fellowship Prop.& Mgmt Prop.& Mgmt Prop.& Mgmt sjensen@prtel.com / atozsund@prtel.com sschei22@gmail.com jmemanders@yahoo.com / rjohansen@underwood.k12.mn.us / KLINDSTROM@rdoequipment.com svanray@hotmail.com / Sharon Heifort Sue Jensen Alan Sundby Scott Schei Jim Andersen Robin Johansen Education Kasey Lindstrom Education Savanna Shebeck Education Cemetery Board: Steve Beckman re-elected Mark Pederson re-elected 2016 Kevin Johanson re-elected 2016 Alan Thompson re-elected 2yr term 2016/ST 2012 /ST 2016/ST Nominating Committee: Paul Beckman, Cec Kinzler, Krista Fix Synod Delegates: Lew & Cindy Obright Sverdrup Lutheran Church Mission Statement The mission of Sverdrup Lutheran Church is to be a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in which believers minister to the Spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of the congregation, community, and world. Sunday Worship: 9:00 am followed by Fellowship 10:00 am Office Hours: 8:00 am - 12:00 noon Tuesday - Friday

4 Page 4 THANK YOU S A thank you was received from Glenn Nielson and Luverne Kline Hi Delores...had a good time, good to get together and see people I haven't seen in awhile. Glenn Thanks so much for sharing the cemetery walk ~it was like a stroll with old friends! Luverne A special THANK-YOU to Cec Kinzler and Scott Schei for all the work they put into caring for our flowers, plants and lawn. It is so nice to be greeted by the well groomed grounds and pretty flowers and plants each day. A shout-out also goes to Pete Eikeland for his weed-control efforts. You all help make our church look so welcoming! We appreciate all that you do! DID YOU KNOW? OUR PAST 12-WEEK ATTENDANCE SVERDRUP LUTHERAN DATE ATTENDANCE 5/7/ /14/ /21/ /28/ /4/ /11/ /18/ /25/ /2/ /9/ /16/ /23/17 68 An azalea tree, in honor of Monica Uhlmann, has been planted on the south side of the church. In addition, two dwarf azalea s have been added just in front of the new tree. You will notice we have a water hose laid out 24/7 so that we can make sure these new additions get the moisture they need to establish firm roots. Just like our ministry, our plants need to receive daily care and attention. Thank you for your patience for just a little while longer as these changes in the south garden are still in process. Some plants may be relocated and there may be an addition or two yet in that area. Thank you to Cynthia Obright for her expert selections and to Lew Obright, Michelle Jevne and Pastor Nancy for undertaking the landscaping needed and the planting.

5 Page 5 SVERDRUP BULLETIN BOARD When mailing letters or packages to Sverdrup Lutheran Church, our Post Office is asking that everyone please be sure to include our PO Box number in the address. Thanks! Sverdrup Lutheran Church, PO Box 70, 209 Southern Ave. E., Underwood, MN Congratulations to Nikki Duenow on her high school graduation! Nikki, and her parents, Darren and Amy, stand alongside Irene Lundby who presented her quilt from Sverdrup Lutheran Church this past June. WELCOME CYCLISTS TO SVERDRUP LUTHERAN CHURCH: MS TRAM July 22, (The Ride Across Minnesota) $386 was raised by the church breakfast/snack items served to the bikers participating in the MS TRAM on July 22. The funds will be used as follows: 50% ELCA Hunger Appeal 40% ELCA Fund for Leaders 10% MS Society Thank you to all of our volunteers for helping with this event!

6 Page 6 U P C O M I N G E V E N T S A PRAYER FOR OUR YOUTH We offer to you, most Loving God, the gifts and needs of our youth. Bless them with your guiding grace as they face the challenges and opportunities in their lives. Touch their hearts with the gentleness of your love, that they may know they are valued and valuable beings. Send your spirit of hope to their lives, that they may believe in themselves and know they are needed in this world. Grace them with the gift of joy that they may celebrate life through laughter and tears alike. Guide us, as we continue to grow in appreciation of the many gifts of young people, in the ministry opportunities we offer to them, in the journey of faith we walk with them, in our shared mission as a community called to discipleship in the world.