Epistle for December, 2018

Transcription

1 Epistle for December, 2018 Bethany Lutheran Church First English Lutheran Church Friends in Christ Lutheran Church Meets at the DAC Building in Sebeka Sunday Schedule Sunday School 1st & 3rd Sunday 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM th St. Menahga, MN Sunday Schedule 8:30 AM Worship Coffee Fellowship 9:50 Sunday School 17 Main St. NW Menahga, MN Parish Newsletter Sunday Schedule 9:30 Worship Fellowship 305 5th St SW Sebeka, MN Phone: ~ Fax: febeth@wcta.net PO Box 189 ~ Menahga, MN Pastor James Hallaway 1716ofluke@gmail.com Parish Secretary Dayna Anderson dayna@wcta.net Bethany Council President Kris Spadgenske krsspad@gmail.com Bethany Organists Sandi Mickelson Kris Spadgenske First English Administrative Board President Marie Henstorf First English Pianist Sandy Nelson First English Custodian Dan Gilbert Mission Statement Bethany, First English & Friends in Christ Lutheran Churches are a caring, inclusive Christian Community dedicated to Word and Sacrament ministry; Growing in Christ; Sharing the faith; Serving our neighbors; and Supporting each other. The Epistle and weekly bulletins are also available online at: Friends in Christ Board of Trustees President Curt Oakland Friends in Christ Pianists Ardis Olson Laicy Erickson Chris Olson Ryan Oakland Follow us on Facebook: First English, Bethany, Friends in Christ Lutheran Churches

2 Don t we normally make a comment about how fast time goes when it comes to the Christmas season? It s hard to believe how fast time goes, we say. Perhaps a challenge is in order. Advent is a season of preparation. We prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the first appearance of the Christ. And we remind ourselves of the continual preparation for His second appearance. Both are a preparation to meet Him. We meet Him in celebration as we relive the joy of God s love for the world in sending His beloved Son. What does it mean to rejoice? Is it a favorite song of worship, is it a smile on our face, is it the simple peace we have on the inside making its way to the outside in adoration toward God and kindness to others? As we ve been looking at Peter s first Epistle he encouraged the dispersed Jewish believers to rejoice in their salvation that was now and yet to be revealed in the last day. He encouraged them to, jump up and down! He quickly followed with the other side of the coin. He reminded them they will have trials in this life. I encourage you to rejoice, jump up and down for the joy of knowing forgiveness, acceptance, and the promise of the Spirit working in you until that great day. I also encourage you to be sober, awake and aware that Jesus will be returning. There will be a resurrection of the dead. There will be a judgment. There will be an entrance into life for God s children and there will be a departing of those whom Jesus never knew. Let s get real! Here s my challenge. Enjoy the season. Bake and cook and enjoy, give gifts, host others in your homes for you have reason to be joyful! Then, in the quiet moments, perhaps the last moments before you drift off to sleep or in the brief moments of stillness in the morning open your heart to God. Let Holy Spirit speak to you. Do you hear what I hear? It s in those moments every child of God can hear the Lord say, I love you and you are mine. If you are not Preparation and Expectation S T E P S experiencing God s love toward you personally you can! How do we experience God? Acceptance is the word. Acceptance of God and His offer of love which brings forgiveness, restores and renews. Acceptance of His will-this is the main aspect of repentance. What is repentance? It is a turning from my way of thinking to the Lord s. Consider these verses. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, There is no God. Psalms 10:4 This is each of us before we met Jesus Christ. This is many of us even in our walk with Christ. If pride is wickedness, think of the times where pride has driven your life (your will). Now consider these wonderful verses from the King James Version of the Bible. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. Jeremiah 29:11-15 This advent season seek the Lord, pray unto God with a humble heart and He will hear your prayer. He will be found by you and you will know you are found by Him. And! He will restore you, bringing you out of your captivity bringing you back into the land of blessing-his life in you! May you have a Very Merry Christmas! All our love~ Jim and Beverlee along with our family

3 Be A Part of Something Bigger Than Yourself! First English Lutheran Church is hosting a Community Blood Drive on Friday, December 21st from 10:45 A.M. to 2:15 P.M. To make an appointment, please call Kay at or go online to vitalant.org. Sponsor Code: Menahga Presenting donors in December are entered to win a PS4 Pro! Help send Kevin Kocurek to India for an on the ground mission experience. This mission trip will consist of ministry with Pastor Moses Koripalli in different locations in India. Pastor Jim and Kevin will be heading to India on January 7th and returning on January 21st. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to each & everyone! We are thankful & grateful for each of you! May God Bless You Always! Pastor Jim, Pastor Ron & Dayna To each & everyone in the United Parish, Merry Christmas! Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and love for us over this past year. We are especially grateful for the prayers that were said for us as we welcomed Oscar into our home as a foster child and through the adoption process! We are truly grateful for you all! Remember in Prayer Melissa Hallaway Rachel Summers Alejandro Justin Gullekson Michelle Farlee Carol Schwartz Jim Tysk Izzy Donovan Greg Mickelson Donald Komppa Bill Knapp Jr. Marlene Salo Dora Meyer s greatgrandson Chuck Boyer Curt Oakland Michael Knapp Peggy Lake Paul Shepersky Tom Carlson Lynette Hilden Brie Schilling Dennis Anderson Tanya Porter Elaine Hollerud Naomi Butcher Thomas Merchlewicz Elvin & Ellen Yrjo Susan Gullekson Our Country & Military Braden Tjosaas Luke Hallaway Our Churches, Pastors, Leaders, and Staff Our Shut-ins God s Love & Peace to you all! Dayna & Chet Anderson with our little boy Oscar! New Website Address:

4 First English Administrative Board Meeting November 13, 2018 Present: Verllien A, Marie H, Trisha K, Roger H. Roxanne G., Virgel O, Pastor Jim Guest: Marlene Schiotz Meeting was called to order by President Marie at 6:30. Devotions by Trisha-Psalm 136 Treasurer s Report was read and filed for audit. Secretary s report was read, motion to accept minutes by Trisha, seconded by Roger, motion carried. Mileage logs were read, Verllien made a motion to accept, seconded by Trisha, motion passed. Committee Reports Education-Trisha: working on Christmas program, Bethany will host their own Christmas program Evangelism/Social Ministry-Roger: Attendance numbers were down for the Family Fun Fest. Thinking of new ideas for Worship-Teri: not presents Church Finance/Stewardship-Verllien: Verllien made a motion to donate $300 to Food Shelf, Roxanne seconded, motion carried. Building/Grounds-Virgel: looking into a different style soap dispenser. Cabinet for Sunday School room. Checking into ABC seamless and the heated roof defroster. Youth-Pastor Jim: nothing new to report Old Business: 1. Revisit communion wine or Grape juice. Marlene Schiotz shared some ideas. Roger H made a motion to rescind our motion to use grape juice only at communion, will be taken to worship committee for further study. 2. Custodian job evaluation has been done. 3. Purchase of ladder and snow blower, ladder has no shaking, snow blower works well in shallow snow. New Business: 1. Christmas Services will be held at 5:30 on Christmas Eve 2. Lutefisk supper discussed for January Reminder to committee chairs to start working on reports for annual meeting. 4. Summer VBS donation. Trisha made a motion to donate $150 to VBS, Roxanne seconded, motion carried. 5. GROW Curriculum Consideration for LYO, Trisha made a motion to reimburse a portion of the cost of the curriculum of $400, Roger seconded, motion carried. 6. Basement ceiling-lyo, went on a field trip to LYO Room to get a visual on Pastor Jim s request to change the ceiling. Possible painting and changing the lighting. Jim will get cost estimates and information for next meeting. 7. Looked at budget for 2019, will revisit this in December. Roxanne will have devotions in December. Roger made motion to adjourn, Virgel seconded, adjourned at 8:50 Submitted by Roxanne G. FIRST ENGLISH Attendance & Offering 11/4/18 30 Adults General $ Building $ 2, $ 2, /11/18 33 Adults 2 Children General $ Hurricane Relief $ Building $ $ /18/18 43 Adults 11 Children General $ World Hunger $ Food Shelf $ Samaritans Purse $ Building $ $ 1, /25/18 48 Adults 9 Children General $ Food Shelf $ Building $ $ 1, We are in need of a person to head the planning of the Lutefisk Supper in January, please speak to Marie Henstorf if you are interested. The Social Ministry Committee would like to thank everyone who worked, donated and purchased items at our Family Fun Fest. We are looking for new ideas for next year. If you have any ideas, please contact a Social Ministry Committee Member. ~ Thanks again, Social Ministry

5 Friends in Christ November 19 th Meeting Minutes Present: Curt O, Tom C, Reuben R, Pastor Jim, and Gordy H. Financial Report: The Financial report was read and approved to send to audit. Reuben will present the budget on our next meeting Dec 6 th.. Secretarial Report: No report Missions: Motion made and approved to give $ for the food shelf. Motion made and passed to have line item listed for Leadership in the Budget. Christmas Eve service will be at 4:00 on Dec 24 th at Friends in Christ. Annual Meeting for Friends in Christ will be Sunday February 3 rd. Sunday December 23 rd, everyone please bring a treat to pass following service. This will not be a potluck just bring a goodie to pass. Thank you. Youth Sunday will be Sunday December 2 nd. Future meeting of Friends in Christ Church for the congregation. Details to follow. Submitted by Tracey Olson Coffee List December 2 nd Youth Sunday December 9 th Matt and Becky Palmer December 16 th Tim and Sheila Puttunen December 23 rd All congregation bring a treat to pass! December 30 th Tracey and Chris Olson January 6 th Mike and Patty Strayer Friends in Christ Attendance & Offering November 4 th No Service November 11 th November 17 th 17/ November 25 th Community of Faith Advent Tea Saturday, December 1st at 2:00pm Make the this Advent Season special. Join the churches of the community for fellowship, caroling, a program made up of people from the different churches within our community, tea, coffee and goodies. Assumption of our Lady Church will present Gifts of the Christ child. Gifts are given for babies whose parents are struggling economically. Please do not wrap gifts and make checks out to Assumption of our Lady. Advent is preparing for Jesus' birth and preparing for His coming again! First English Fruit Baskets Wednesday, December 12 th at 9:30 am We will be giving out Fruit Baskets during the Holiday season. We will be packing them on Wed. Dec 13 th. Please call the Church Office if you know of someone who could use a Fruit Basket this holiday season. They do not have to be members of this congregation. Also we could use your help in delivering the baskets on the 13th. Men included! Christmas Caroling at the Nursing Home Dec 19 th 4:00pm. We have a great time! The residents and staff look forward to us coming. Men and women are welcome - bring friends with you. We will be meeting in the meeting room of the Nursing Home by the Physical Therapy Dept. First English Women s Executive Board Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 15th at 4:00 PM The meeting was opened with devotions and prayer by Marlene. Correspondence: Hospice Care, Heartland Homes, LAMP newsletter and the Fall issue of Central Asia Institute magazine. The secretary s minutes were read and approved. The treasurer s report was read and approved. Penny Pot Sunday giving was $ which was given to Heartland Homes. Cookie Sales profits were $ which went into the General Fund. $400 was approved for Christmas giving. Missions-The Thank-offering Service will be Sunday, November 25th. Lutheran World Relief will receive 16 Baby Care Layettes, 17 School Kits, 7 Personal Care Kits, 23 soaps and close to 100 quilts. All items will be packed and shipped the 1st week of December. Special Events: Community Advent Tea on December 1st. Packing Fruit Baskets will be done on December 12th and Caroling at GPA will be on December 19th. Volunteers are needed for the Blood Drive held here on Friday, December 21st. The next meeting will be held on December 20th at 4:00 PM. The meeting closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Dianne Schilling PLEASE NOTE: All meeting minutes published in the Epistle are yet to be approved at the next meeting of each council or board.

6 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 13, 2018 MEMBERS PRESENT:Kris S, Dave M, Lynette Y, Ron M, Evelyn M and Pastor Jim. Kris called the meeting to order and Pastor Jim opened with prayer. Secretary s Report: Lynette made a motion to approve the September meeting minutes. Ron Munger seconded. Motion carried. Treasurer s Report: Ron Munger made a motion to approve. Dave Mickelson seconded. Motion carried. Committee Reports: Worship: Hymns are picked through the spring. Kris will be the organist through the winter as Sandi has headed south. Thanksgiving Service will be at FE on Wednesday night at 7:00pm. Stewardship/Evangelism: Carol Snelling will be performing at FE on November 30 at 7:00pm. A supper is being planned. Social Ministry: Lynette will take care of making Christmas Baskets. She will bring the list to church to go over with council members. Bags will be assembled on December 16 starting at 9:30m. Help is needed as well as cookies for the baskets. Heidi and Kris will take care of peanut bags. Youth/Sunday School: Sunday School Christmas Program will be December 16 during the worship service. Buildings and Grounds: No report. Pastor s reports were presented for review. Mileage Report: Ron Munger made a motion to accept mileage report for both pastors. Kris Spadgenske seconded. Motion carried. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. United Parish Report: Ron reported that all three churches will share 1/3 of the gratuity for Pastor Ken Polley s sessions. Employee reviews are being done Bible School: Ron made a motion to give a donation of $ to the Methodist Church to help with expenses. Dave Mickelson seconded. Motion carried. 3. Pastor Jim reported that GROW Curriculum was purchased to be used by the LYO. This curriculum can be used for a total of 4 years and cost $ Dave Mickelson made a motion to give $ towards the GROW Curriculum. Ron Munger seconded. Motion carried. 4. Pastor Jim also presented a proposal for the Lenten worship services. The LYO Committee asked the United Parish Council for consideration of having all Lenten Services at FE in hope of more youth attending services. Currently there are no LYO meetings during lent and momentum built up during the year is lost. The LYO Committee would like to continue having the LYO meet for a shorter period of time during lent, attend supper and then attend worship. The United Parish approved this recommendation upon approval by Bethany. Council had a long discussion and in the end felt our youth was our first priority and that we needed to give this a try in hopes that more youth BETHANY Attendance & Offering 11/4/18 12 Adults 5 Children General $ /11/18 12 Adults General $ Missions $ $ /18/18 19 Adults 10 Children General $ Cemetery $ Missions $.50 $ /25/18 General $ We would like to thank our friends at Bethany for the prayers, cards and phone calls during our grandson Cody s passing. Special thanks to my sisters Carol Ristinen and Evelyn Meech for your support and love. God s Blessings, Leslie & Gwen Toppari Bethany Church will be making Christmas bags on December 16 th. We are in need of cookies! The Bethany Sunday School program will be held on December 16 th. will attend worship. Ride sharing is available and encouraged. All 3 churches will still share in providing meals. Kris Spadgenske made a motion to make this change. Lynette seconded. Motion carried. 5. Annual meeting will be January 20, 2018 with a potluck meal following worship and meeting following meal. Next meeting will be December 18 where the budget will be reviewed for Respectively Submitted by Lynette Ylineimi.

7 2:00 Advent Tea-FE PARISH CALENDAR - DECEMBER 2018 FRIENDS IN BETHANY FIRST CHRIST Sunday Sunday ENGLISH Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :45 to 2:15 at First English 2 Blue 2 Blue :30 Sunday School 8:30 Worship Service 9:15 FE Bible Study 9:00 FE Quilting 9:30 Worship Service 10:30 Worship Service Holy Communion 10:00 WoW 9:30 FE Men's Coffee & Holy Communion & Holy Communion Bible Study-WSM 4:00 FE Confirmation Fellowship Communion Srvr: Mark S Coffee Fellowship 6:00 FE LYO 6:00 FE WoW Bible Study 9 9 Blue 9 Blue :30 Worship Service 9:30 Coffee 8:30 Worship Service 9:15 FE Bible Study 9:00 FE Quilting 1:30 B Circles Mtg Fellowship 10:30 Worship Service Coffee Fellowship 2:00 Service at 9:00 FE Packing Fruit Baskets GPA 9:30 FE Men's Coffee 4:00 FE Confirmation 6:30 FE Admin Brd M6:00 FE LYO Blue 16 Blue :30 Worship Service Sunday School Program 8:30 Worship Service 9:15 FE Bible Study 9:00 FE Quilting 4:00 FE Women & Holy Communion 10:30 Worship Service Holy Communion 6:00 B Council Mtg 9:30 FE Men's Coffee FE Exec. Community Blood Drive Fellowship & Holy Communion Epistle Deadline 4:00 Caroling at GPA Brd Mtg Board of Trustees Mtg. Communion Srvr: Dave M Coffee Fellowship Youth Christmas Party Blue 23 Blue 24 White :30 Worship Service 9:30 Coffee 8:30 Worship Service 3:30 B Service CHRISTMAS DAY 9:00 FE Quilting Fellowship 10:30 Worship Service Coffee Fellowship 4:00 FIC Service 9:30 FE Men's Coffee 5:30 FE Service White 30 White 31 On December 19, the LYO & Confirmation Students will be Caroling at the 9:30 Worship Service 9:30 Coffee 8:30 Worship Service Nursing Home, please meet at First English at 3:45, we will carpool to the Fellowship 10:30 Worship Service Coffee Fellowship nursing home. Friends in Christ Bethany First English 12/2 12/9 12/16 12/23 Readers Ushers: Art Y & Mike S Ushers Verllien A & Joy B Sandy S & Bill K Verllien A & Joy B Roxanne G 12/30 12/2 Spencer E & Collin O Altar Guild: Spadgenske's Greeters Irene C. & Sue W. Millie H & Trisha K Dora M Trisha K & Dianne S Lynn L & Shirley T. 12/9 Mac O Acolyte: Adam S Readers Dianne S Lynn L Trisha K Joy B Terri T 12/16 Tim P Readers Counters Jim T & Verllien A Joy B & Donna M Kyle & Karen P Marlene & Marie Jim T & Verllien A 12/23 Tom C 12/2 Jeannette M Commuion Server Margo O Joy B 12/30 Tracey O 12/9 Evelyn M Setup/Cleanup Coffee Servers 12/16 Kris S Helper 12/2 Youth 12/23 Verdell S Acolyte 12/9 Matt & Becky P 12/30 Jan M Altar Guild: Joy B, Margo O, Karen P, Lynn L 12/16 Tim & Sheila P 12/23 12/30 Everyone Chris & Tracey O Holy Communion Will Be Served at all Churches on Christmas Eve B=Bethany FE=First English FIC = Friends in Christ

8 BETHANY, FIRST ENGLISH, FRIENDS IN CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCHES 17 Main St. NW PO Box 189 MENAHGA, MN Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE Menahga, MN Permit NO. 3 Friends in Christ Church December 24, :00 P.M. Christmas Eve Services First English Church December 24, :30 P.M. Bethany Church December 24, :30 P.M. All are welcome and especially invited to come share in the wonder of Christmas! COMMUNITY OF FAITH ADVENT TEA December 1st, 2018 ~ 2:00 P.M. First English Lutheran Church