give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

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1 Remembering what it means to be Thankful this year 34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 Being thankful isn't just for the Thanksgiving holiday. Scripture tells us to be "thankful in everything, in all circumstances". 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 When we find ourselves overwhelmed with burdens and worried about tomorrow, we can praise God for who he is and his promise to never leave us or forsake us. We have been blessed with the gift of salvation and eternal life! What Does It Mean to Be Thankful? Thankfulness isn't just in our head: It takes root in our heart and in our senses, for one beautiful moment...and then the next. The breaking day was shimmering with the buzz of nature going about its business. Breathing in, I felt awakened by the delicate bite of the early spring air. Breathing out, I felt my warm breath rise like a morning prayer. There was nothing special going on, only gently bubbling stillness and beauty all around. A moment of peace. I felt thankful to be present and noticing. What does it mean to be thankful? Thankfully, it doesn t mean convincing yourself of some bogus notion that everything s fine and dandy. Living your life with thankfulness means choosing to focus your time and attention on what you appreciate. The goal is not to block out difficulties, but to approach those difficulties from a different perspective. Appreciation softens us. It soothes our turbulent minds by connecting us with the wonderfully ordinary things, great and small, that we might otherwise take for granted. Think of things in your life that you can feel thankful for: that driver who yielded when you realized you were in the wrong lane, the fact that the sun rose this morning, any quality in yourself that you admire. When you re thankful, how does your body respond? Is there a sense of lightness? Tingling? Warmth? In what way does expressing thanksgiving change your outlook? Might there be a connection between thanksgiving and happiness? As we cultivate greater appreciation for what is around us, we can include being thankful for what s inside of us. We can delight in and feel thankful for our own unique talents and strengths. Perhaps you have a knack for making people laugh, or for being an astute listener. Or maybe you can thank yourself for just getting out of bed and making it through the day. We can be thankful that we have a heart, a mind, and the wisdom to know how to live with kindness and compassion. This year as we go into this holiday season think about those things that we are thankful for and remember whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 Wishing you a joyous holiday season Pastor John

2 Your Prayers Are Asked For... Trevor Wigen, Dean Monson, Sara Walcker, Loretta Wendlick s daughter Diane, Teresa McElroy, Lindsie & Jovie Defrang, and Carol Anderson Weekly Prayer Families... Please include these families in your personal prayers throughout each week. The month of November, we will be praying for the following families: November 6: Cathy Swenson, Alex Tibor, Bruce & Marylou Jacobson, Edwin & Marlys Jacobson, Hillery & Sean Mork, Derek Neset, Karla Neset November 13: Philip & Marilyn Turchin, Jeanne Watson, Glenn & Mary Jacobson, Jessica Jacobson, Mandi Neset, Sam Neset, Steve Neset November 20: Ann Bremer, Kennedy Briss, Jim & Marlys Jacobson, Kelly & Gina Jacobson, Matt Neva, Steve & Audrey Neva, Dwight Norgaard November 27: Samantha Briss, Amber Carlson, Kimberly Jacobson, Kristie Jacobson, Megan Norgaard, Paige Norgaard, Paul & Dorothy Norgaard If you have prayer requests, please let Pastor John know or contact the office at , call or text Gina , or send a to finleylutheranparish@mlgc.com. Please Join us for All Saints Sunday, November 4th at Ostervold at 9am and Finley at 10:30am. Honoring and remembering those who have passed. Frances Flynn and Eldris Wilkens from Ostervold. Janice Rayner, Ida Norgard, Ruth Buckley, Dennis Amundson, and Kermit Engen from Finley. Family members are welcome to join us to light a candle for your loved ones.

3 Annual Meetings Sheyenne Valley - November 7th at 7:30pm Ostervold - October 18th after church - followed by potluck Finley - November 25th after church Please get reports in As soon as possible! Thanks Reminder - November 4th Daylight Saving Time Ends Finley will have Sunday School on November 4th & 18th at 9:30 and sing in church on Nov. 18th. Reminder to be collecting supplies for Christmas Child shoe boxes. National collection week is November 12-19th. Fill your box with fun toys, hygiene items; bar soap, washcloth, comb or brushes etc., socks, caps, t-shirts and school supplies. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift. You can also include a personal note and photo. Do not include candy; toothpaste; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans. Finley Welca members please get your Christmas shoeboxes back to church by November 6th. Jr./Sr. High Youth will be having a scavenger hunt for the Steele County Food Pantry on November 14th in the evening for non perishable food items. Watch bulletins for more info. It s Kumla Time! Plus a Welca bake Sale Saturday, November 17th from 5-7pm/ $10 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sharon. Potato dumplings, bacon or side pork, beverages, and sweets. Take out available.call Finley Welca will collect their Thank Offering on Sunday, November 18th. This special offering goes to support the life-changing ministries of Women of the ELCA; a national organization. Finley Lutheran Council meeting is November 21st at 4:30pm. Thanksgiving Eve Service - Wednesday, November 21st 7:00pm at Finley Lutheran with an offering to the Food Pantry and we will collect non perishable food items. Confirmation students will be helping with the service that night. No Wednesday After School K-6th grade Youth Activities on November 7th and 21st. Reminder to let the office know when/if you are leaving for the winter so your newsletter can be delivered to you wherever you are going. Bulk mail does not forward. Pastor John will have a Bible Study on December 6th at 9:30am at Finley Lutheran. Everyone is invited to attend.

4 WALKING TOGETHER SUNDAY Sunday, November 18th "Walking Together Sunday" will be a synod-wide pulpit exchange. Walking Together Sunday is an opportunity for 196 congregations to come together to celebrate the work we are doing together. Through this we are 102,000 members in our congregations coming together to do mission and ministry. This is an opportunity to come together and celebrate what it means to be Synod. Eastern North Dakota Synod is not just staff it is all of us and we are in this together, walking together, giving us ministers and congregations to an opportunity to experience an opportunity to worship outside our settings. We the church live in an interesting and challenging time, everything is changing around us, the church is changing as well and as we move into this future we can be assured of two things. First, we are not moving into this future alone, we are in this together, and secondly, we can be assured that Jesus Christ is in front of us, behind us and beside us encouraging us all along the way. Together we are changing lives.

5 Joint Council of the Finley Lutheran Parish Regular Meeting October 7, 2018 The meeting was called to order by President Lynn Carlson at 7:00 pm. Present: John Miller, Pastor; Gina Jacobson, Finley Parish Secretary. From Finley: Dale Good, Wayne Beckman, Courtney Buetler, Harlan Brager, Art Krueger, Lori Mehus. From Ostervold: Glenn Jacobson, Kelly Jacobson, Mary Jacobson, Pam Montag, Don Nygaard, Bob Paulsen. From Sheyenne Valley: Lynn Carlson, David Hoverson, Dana Carlson, Craig Carlson, Julie Hoverson, Pam Monson Pastor John read Devotions from Galatians 6:1-10. Motion made by Art K and seconded by Pam M to accept the Agenda. Motion carried. The minutes of the January 21, 2018 meeting were made available to read before the meeting. Parish Secretary Gina J presented the Treasurer s Report. A motion was made by Don N and seconded by Craig C to accept the minutes and the Treasurer's Report. Motion Carried. Pastor s Report: Pastor reported the Lenten services with the meal before services went well as did the Holden Evening Prayer. He held a first communion class for the 4th & 5th graders and 5 youth had First Communion at the Maundy Thursday service. Pastor has stayed busy with school, attending an Intensive for school for a week in June and a second one in July. The school year ended with a great turn out of younger youth attending the afterschool program. All youth attending Confirmation passed the test on the bible. Pastor went with a group of youth from Grand Forks and Buxton to the national ELCA youth gathering as one of the youth leaders. He did 2 baptisms, 3 weddings, and 6 funeral/memorial services so far this year. He has worked on a curriculum for the confirmation students and will be preparing 2 ninth graders for confirmation this spring. Wednesday youth activities have started up again this year. Pastor showed a short video of the activities. Joint Parsonage Committee Report: There was no report but we were told they will take care of the bathroom wallpaper and shower doors. New Business: Annual meeting schedule Finley - Sunday, November 25th after church Ostervold - Sunday, November 18th after church - followed by Potluck Sheyenne Valley - Wednesday, November 7th 7:30pm Thanksgiving Eve Service - Wednesday, November 21st 7:00pm at Finley Lutheran with offering to the Food Pantry. Christmas Programs Finley - Sunday, December 16th 10:30am Ostervold - Sunday, December 16th 9:00am Sheyenne Valley - Sunday, December 23rd 9:00am Christmas Eve Services Sheyenne Valley - 2:00pm Ostervold - 4:00pm Finley - 8:00pm Information on an office computer was passed around for everyone to look at. It was decided we will purchase from Dave Archer. A motion was made by Wayne B and seconded by Pam M to accept the new business. Each church is to discuss their constitutions at their annual meeting. Discussion was held on adding another Joint Council meeting. Don N motioned we continue with our regular scheduled meetings and schedule a special meeting if needed. Harlan seconded. Motion carried Next meeting date will be Sunday, January 27th 6:30pm We closed with the Lord's Prayer. Pam Monson, Secretary Joint Council of Finley Lutheran Parish

6 Finley Lutheran Church Council Sunday October 28, 2018 A meeting of the Finley Lutheran Church was held on October 28 th at the Church. Present were Wayne Beckman, Lori Mehus, Harlan Brager, Pastor John, Dale Good, Art Krueger, and Courtney Krueger. Wayne called the meeting to order. Pastor John gave devotions. Harlan made a motion to accept the minutes. Art seconds the motion. Lori gave the treasurer s report. Harlan made a motion to accept the treasurer s report. Dale seconds the motion. We discussed year end numbers and the proposed budget. Harlan made a motion to accept the proposed budget. Dale seconds the motion. Pastor John gave the Pastor s report. With the start of the school year already underway my class is going well and will be finishing it up by the middle of November. We have been able to have the K-6 th grade youth over on two Wednesday s for after school activities. We had them come over on their early out Wednesday, showed them a movie before we started the actual program and we took them over to have dinner at the auditorium on another Wednesday. Confirmation has been going well with everyone enjoying our lessons on who is Martin Luther as we begin a journey this year into the Small Catechism. I have been enjoying the Tuesday morning text study with the other Pastors of the Mayville Conference as we gather to catch up and look at the week s scripture readings and get ideas from each other. I attended the pastor s appreciation luncheon that was put on by the Gideon s last Tuesday (Oct. 23 rd ). I have been meeting with Pastor Julie Johnson on Tuesday afternoons for a more intensive look at my mentoring. Have also been meeting with Pastor Joe from time to time as his busy schedule allows for his mentoring. Sunday morning worships have been well attended especially on the Sunday s we have Sunday School. With today s service being especially enjoyable as we celebrated Pastors Appreciation Month. Was nice to hear from everyone today WELCA Report: Last meeting for 2018 was held on October 18 th. Diane gave report on the convention she and Shirley attended on September 22 nd. The Thank Offering that is taken annually will be given in church by WELCA members on November 18 th. The money goes into ELCA. Pam Walcker Treasure, Audrey Neva and Shirley Alm Mission Growth agreed to take another 2 year term. Audrey Neva agreed to take President position for A Thrivent card for $250 was applied for to buy items for Children s Christmas Shoeboxes. 26 boxes were filled. Sunday School Report: Christmas program will be December 16 th. Deacons Report: Nothing to report Trustees Report: Motion sensor is too sensitive, even turning on to vehicles driving by. Need to get the box over the air conditioner. Old Business: Paul is still planning to get to the door. Brian will get downstairs measured and get estimates for new flooring. Discussed open positions for Council Members. We still need convention delegates from the Parish Council. Discussed possible constitution changes for the date of our annual meeting as well as possibly changing the fiscal year from Nov 1 st Oct 31 st to Jan 1 st Dec 31 st. Will discuss further at next meeting and at the annual meeting. New Business: Confirmation and Senior High Youth participated in a bigger and better scavenger hunt and collected $217. Pastor John would like it to be put towards the renovations on the youth room. Our annual meeting is scheduled for Sunday November 25 th after church service. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday November 21 4:30 The meeting closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully Submitted, Courtney Krueger, Secretary

7 4 Communion Sunday 9:00 Ostervold 9:30 Fl Sunday School 10:30 Finley Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sheyenne Valley Ushers: Craig & Melissa Carlson Finley Ushers: FLC Decorating: Donna Jacobson FLC Altar: Maxine Mehus & Penny Kirk Ostervold Janitors: Bob & Christine Paulsen All Saints Sunday 11 9:00 Sheyenne Valley - Comm 10:30 Finley 18 9:00 Ostervold - Annual Meeting & Potluck 9:30 Fl Sunday School 10:30 Finley - Comm - Kid s sing 25 9:00 Sheyenne Valley 10:30 Finley - Annual Meeting November Pastor at Text Study Pastor at Text Study Pastor at Text Study Pastor at Text Study 7 9:00am Quilting FL 2:00 Ostervold WELCA NO AFTER SCHOOL YOUTH 6:30 Confirmation 7:30 Jr./Sr. High Youth 7:30 Sheyenne Valley Annual Meeting 14 9:00am Quilting FL 3:25 K-6th grade youth activities 5:00 Supper 6:30 Confirmation 7:30 Jr./Sr. High Youth - Scavenger Hunt for Food Pantry - non perishables 21 NO AFTER SCHOOL YOUTH 6:30 Confirmation prepares for worship 7:00 Thanksgiving Eve Service Offering - Food Pantry- non perishables 28 3:25 K-6th grade youth activities 5:00 Supper 6:30 Confirmation 7:30 Jr./Sr. High Youth

8 Finley Lutheran Parish PO Box 156 Finley, ND Phone Pastor s Office finleylutheranparish@mlgc.com Return Service Requested The Parish Voice November 2018 Non Profit Org US Postage Pd Permit No 3 Finley, ND Finley Lutheran Parish Church Council Members Finley Lutheran President: Wayne Beckman Secretary: Courtney Buetler Treasurer: Lori Mehus Trustees: Warren Archer, Harlan Brager, Paul Kroeplin Deacons: Art Krueger, Dale Good, Jason Rayner Board of Ed: Angie Jerstad, Heidi Walswick, Chris Fife WELCA Rep: Diane Kroeplin, Mary Brager Financial Secretary: Lisa Braun Organist: Donna Smith Parsonage Committee: Duane Bakke, Thaine Hanson Sheyenne Valley Lutheran President: Julie Hoverson Secretary: Pam Monson Treasurer: Dave Hoverson Trustees: Lynn Carlson, Dana Carlson Deacons: Craig Carlson, Larry Carlson Financial Secretary: Keith Monson WELCA Rep: Ann Bremer Organist: Sexton: Dana Carlson Parsonage Committee: Jeff Carlson, Gordon Carlson Pastor John Miller Ostervold Lutheran President: Karen Leslie Secretary: Carolyn Paulsen Treasurer: Pam Montag Trustees: Don Nygaard, Glenn Jacobson Deacons: Bob Paulsen, Kelly Jacobson Financial Secretary: Mary Jacobson WELCA Rep: Christine Paulsen Organist: Donna Smith Parsonage Committee: Jim Jacobson, Marlys Jacobson