Three-Point Parish Newsletter Bethany, First English and Friends in Christ Lutheran Churches Epistle for January, First English Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 Three-Point Parish Newsletter Bethany, First English and Friends in Christ Lutheran Churches Epistle for January, 2014 Bethany Lutheran Church First English Lutheran Church Friends in Christ Lutheran Church Meets at the DAC Building in Sebeka Sunday Schedule Worship 10:30 AM Every Sunday Sunday School 9:30 AM 1st & 3rd Sundays th St. Menahga, MN Sunday Schedule 8:30 Worship 9:45 Coffee Fellowship 9:45 Sunday School 17 Main St. NW Menahga, MN Sunday Schedule 9:30 Worship Fellowship & Sunday School following worship 305 5th St SW Sebeka, MN Members of 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. Phone: ~ Fax: ~ Parsonage: ~ febeth@wcta.net PO Box 189 ~ Menahga, MN Senior Pastor Steven Bruer padrebruer@wcta.net Parish Secretary Dayna Anderson Bethany Council President Art Yliniemi Bethany Organists Shirley Anderson Sandi Mickelson Dale Lubitz First English Administrative Board President Marie Henstorf First English Organist Mary Hanninen First English Custodian Tim Ellingson Friends in Christ Board of Trustees President Tim Puttonen Friends in Christ Pianists Ardis Olson Lacey Olson Chris Olson The Epistle and weekly bulletins are also available online at:

2 Pastor Steve s Perspective... Happy New Year! New years, like all new beginnings, are rich with all kinds of possibilities. None of us have lived this next year yet and as it nears I find myself wondering what, in 12 months, we will be looking back at. As a church we have many opportunities to make a difference in the lives of many as we serve our community through our outreaches. We have the opportunity to strengthen our faith life and our church family s faith development through worshipping faithfully. We each have the opportunity to live lives of significance by giving some of our time and resources away as we serve though our church or other worthy organizations. There were significant developments that happened in our church life this past year. Disciples of our congregations approved a one year trial period to function as a three point parish. In doing so, we called an Associate Pastor to help with the ministries of the tri-parish. Pastor Mike McIlheran began in March. Unfortunately, in October we had to release Pastor Mike from his call as many on the triparish joint council and numerous others felt that he was not a good fit here. We are very fortunate to have Pastor James Hallaway join our staff as the Interim Associate Pastor in November. Many folks I ve talked to are very pleased with Pastor Jim and feel he is a good fit. I couldn t agree more! We seem to be working together quite well! We will be having a special congregational meeting on Sunday, January 12 th at all three churches to vote whether or not to continue the 3-point parish alignment. I truly believe this is a positive thing for all three congregations for many reasons! I pray we can continue on as a three point parish into the unforeseen future! If you could relive 2013 over again are there some things you would do differently? I m not just talking about eating healthier or getting more exercise. How did your stewardship to God s church go this past year? Were you giving of your time, talents, and treasures for the benefit of the growth of God s church and kingdom? Did you attend worship regularly or was it sporadic at best? We can t relive 2013 but we do have some control over how our lives will look on December 31, Most of us will still be living that day. Some of us will not, statistically speaking. Wouldn t it be great to say, 2014? I remember that year! That was the year I really got things together! That s the year I finally accomplished what I really wanted to do and be! The point is that God is a God of new beginnings. Each time we meet for worship we celebrate that God loved us so much Jesus came so we don t have to get caught up in the past but we are freed to live life focused on a better, brighter future. God wants us to do what we can to work for a better tomorrow for ourselves, our families, and our church & world. Not everything is in our control but the truth is a lot of life is. I hope 2014 is a great year for each of us. Yes, some bad things are going to happen. But there will be many wonderful, blessed things too. We have the power to decide how we will prepare for both and how we will react to all of life s developments. And we have each other and our faith in a loving God to carry us through it all. May we each do all we can to build the best year possible with God s help! Blessings in 2014 ~ Pastor Steve Thank you to all those who remembered us with gifts, cards and prayers throughout the holiday season. They are all greatly appreciated. ~ Pastor Steve & Jane

3 First English Lutheran Church Administrative Board Meeting December 4 th, 2013 Present: Pastor Steve, Marie H., Marlene S., Corrine N., Sara M., Roger H., Brian J., and Clarita D. Devotions by Marie H. Secretary s report read and approved. Treasurer s report read and approved. Committee Reports: Youth-Sara: LYO sold poinsettias, they sold well. Lock-in has been cancelled. Building and Grounds-Dick: Something is wrong with the light switch in the sanctuary, maybe have someone look at it. Evangelism-Corrine: Include in the letter about changes in the church. New Business: 1. Next gathering is in Des Moines, Iowa. We will be packaging food for Meals of the Heartland, maybe do an offering to support cost. 2. Goals for 2014: Possibly redo the landscaping in the front of the church. Tiles in the church & fellowship hall need replacing. Possibly have a place to have outdoor services. 10% more attendance Maybe have the church board members do visitations. More Bible Studies 3. Monthly calendar for the janitor. 4. Will have a January meeting to talk about the budget on January 5 th after the service. 5. Maybe more time for Pastor Jim. Motion was made to ask Pastor Jim to be interim associate pastor with 3 days out of the week, one day being Sunday, pending approval of Friends in Christ and Bethany. Seconded and approved. 6. Kitchen stove hood is out of date, it will cost $2,150 to update. Need to check with Kevin K. and the insurance for opinions on this. 7. January 26 th will be the annual meeting. Meeting adjourned. First English Lutheran Church Special Administrative Board Meeting December 15 th, 2013 Motion was made to change the date of the 3 Point Parish vote to January 12 th, contingent on the other churches agreeing. Motion seconded and passed. The First English Lutheran Church Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2014 following the morning service. The morning service will be held at 10:30 AM and Sunday School will be held at 9:30 AM. A potluck meal will be held following the meeting. FIRST ENGLISH Attendance 12/1/13 67 General $ Loose $ Building $ $ 1, /8/13 66 General $ Loose Offering $ Food Shelf $ World Hunger $ 5.00 Building $ $ 1, /15/13 58 General $ Loose Offering $ Building $ $ 1, /22/ General $ Loose Offering $ Food Shelf $ Building $ $ 1, /24/13 (5:00) 155 General $ Loose Offering $ $ 1, /24/13 (11:00) General $ Loose Offering $ $ /29/13 49 General $ Loose Offering $ Missions $ Building $ $ 1,294.00

4 Friends In Christ Lutheran Church Trustee Meeting December 11, 2013 Present: Reuben Raatika, Mike Olson, Tim Puttonen, Dob Luukkonen Missing: Kim Thurston, Curt Oakland, Chris Lee, Padre Steve Bruer Dob opened the meeting with prayer. Secretary s Report: no report given. Financial Report: Giving and attendance is down from last year, but not enough for the trustees to worry about. The annual safety deposit rent of $50 is due. Dob made a motion to pay the rent. Mike seconded. Motion carried. Missions: Mike made a motion to give $75 to the End Child Abuse Telethon. Dob seconded. Motion carried. It was discussed to fund a 3 month package to support MCBI radio. Ideally would like the next 3 months, but will take the first available spot. Mike made the motion to fund it. Dob seconded. Motion carried. Mike suggested to buy up to $400 worth of hams for the Sebeka Food Shelf. Dob made a motion to fund this idea, Mike seconded it. Motion carried. Dob made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Reuben seconded. Motion carried. Next meeting is the 2 nd Wednesday of January, Respectfully submitted by Dob Luukkonen The Friends in Christ Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2014 following the morning service. Thank you to Allen & Sharyn Holcom for their memorial gift in honor of Elsie Stromberg. Thank you to Richard & Irene Johnson for their memorial gift to the First English Building Fund and memorial fund in honor of Delores Pederson. Thank you to Morris & Jean Johanson for their memorial gift in honor of Delores Pederson. Thank you to Arnold & Rose Thompson for their memorial gift to the Bethany cemetery in honor of Delores Pederson. SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Friends in Christ Attendance & Offering 12/1/13 31 Offering $ /8/13 34 Offering $ /15/13 48 Offering $ /22/13 34 Offering $ /24/13 76 Offering $ /29/13 15 Offering $ There will be a special congregational meeting at all 3 churches on January 12th, 2014 following each service. We will be voting on the continuation of the 3 Point Parish. Remember in Prayer Irene Chandler Family of Don Johnson (Lori Tomperi s father) Colton Polman Donna Roiko Curt Oakland Olson s Custom Farm Service Terry Burkman Marty Braaten Allison Borgen Millie Hendrickson David Nevala Mike Maurer Mike Albert Valdean Warmbold Gladwin Walker Clayton Ellingson Ken Augst Katie Wilkowski Irene Dempsey Amy Schulte Ramona Olson Arlene Antilla Maryann Lusti Carol Alm Kathy Yliniemi Mary Ann Yliniemi Marvin & Shirley Anderson Susan Gullekson Our Country & Military Our Churches, Pastors, Leaders, and Staff In case of inclement weather this winter, the radio stations to listen to for church related cancellations or postponements are: KRCQ DL FM, KWAD Wadena 920 AM, KDKK Park Rapids 97.5 FM.

5 Bethany Lutheran Church Council Meeting December 11, 2013 Members Present: Mark S., Pastor Steve, Art Y., Ron M., Lynette Y., Lianna V. Meeting called to order. Secretary s report read and approved. Treasurer s report read and approved. $425 was given to Military Biblestick program. Committee Reports: Education-Lianna: Talked about the upcoming Christmas program on December 22 nd, the program will talk about what Christmas means to them. Children s sermon was also discussed and it has been going well. Worship-Ron: Discussed organ playing by Shirley, which is much appreciated and we will be on the lookout for more organists. Would like to introduce some new songs at worship. Building and Grounds-Mark S: Mark & Ryan are plowing snow and he also checked on the LP at the church. 5 new windows have been installed at the church. The City of Menahga wants an assessment of $ for the memorial garden. Motion was made to pay the assessment if funds are available. Seconded and approved. Social Ministry-Lynette: 56 quilts were delivered to Wadena the first week on December. Lynette requested $ from the Church be given to the Food Shelf before Christmas. 28 Christmas bags are being planned to be made December 22 nd and delivered. Food drive will be held the last service of December. Pastor s Report: Felt things were going well with the 3 Point Parish. New Business: 1. Pastor suggested two more days and help from Jim Halloway for Rose Haven, visiting and home services. Tuesdays and Fridays, possibly. 2. The 3 point parish vote will be held on January 12 th. 3. Motion was made and seconded to purchase carpet for the Associate Pastor s office. Motion approved. 4. Grape juice will be offered to the children at communion. 5. Discussion of upcoming annual meeting. Closed with prayers. Meeting adjourned. Bethany Lutheran Church Annual Meeting Notice The Bethany Lutheran Church Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2013 following the morning service. A potluck meal will be held following the meeting. BETHANY Attendance 12/1/13 35 Adults 15 Youth General $ Missions $ $ /8/13 19 Adults, 3 Youth General $ Reimbursement $ Missions $ 5.00 $ 1, /15/13 General $ Missions $ $ /22/13 General $ 1, Cemetery $ Food Shelf $ Missions $ $ 1, /24/13 General $ Missions $ $ Thank you to Eleanor Huwe and Wayne & Margaret Maki for their memorial gifts to the Bethany Cemetery in honor of Arnold Huwe. Thank you to Arnold & Rose Thompson for their memorial gift to the Bethany Cemetery in honor of Delores Pederson.

6 Pastor Jim s Perspective You ve certainly made me welcome these past two months! As we ve worshipped and fellowshipped together you ve been gracious as I ve tried to learn names from week to week. Thanks for always being willing to remind me at least once more! As I ve started to find my way in ministry here there are some things I have immediately come to appreciate. Your sincerity of faith has been like a welcome mat for me. What I mean, is the Holy Spirit in you reaches out to me and says, you re welcome here, we would love to get to know you! I ve let you in on this being new to me, your expression of worship. It is quickly becoming my expression of worship, being added to what mine has been. The result is a new richness in my personal worship. I also have shared some of my core values of living as a Christ follower with you. One is, I like to pray for those present who need a healing from God. I encourage you to ask me at any time to pray for you. I may ask you if I can anoint you with oil too! I will also ask if we may put our hands on you while we pray and lift you up to God for Him to meet your need. O Lord, let your kingdom come! My heart is to serve you by preaching/teaching the Word of God and living that out in the Words our Savior gave us, on earth as it is in heaven. I dare you to believe God for things that require Him to move on your behalf. Jeremiah 33:3 Along with ministry here I am committed to teach a class in Walker this February and early March. I will be teaching Prayer and Intercession for the first time. This class is being taught through a Bible school called CLIMB (Christian Leadership in Minnesota and Beyond), an international Bible school offering leadership training to Christians everywhere. 400 inmates in a Nairobi prison graduated this past year from this Bible school. Men that may never get out of prison are being saved and transformed by Jesus. Imagine a prison culture impacted by Christ followers! Along with that I will be co-leading a Cross Cultural Experience for The Master s Institute Seminary in March, taking seminary students into Minneapolis and St. Paul to experience the different ethnicities there and what God is doing in the city through various ministries. Part of this experience takes us into the Muslim community as well. For these leadership opportunities, my role here in this three-point parish, and most importantly, my family, I ask for your prayers. God never calls us to do anything we can do without Him. Being in Him is the only way to live the impossible everyday! God bless you today! Pastor Jim First English Women s Executive Board Meeting Thursday, December 19, :00 P.M. Devotions were given by Marlene Schiotz. The secretary's report was read and approved. The treasurer's report was read and approved. There was discussion on kitchen needs, to be determined later. There was discussion on our Christmas giving, with motion and approval to accept the listing. Kitchen cleaning will be done after the Lutefisk supper. The meeting closed with the Lord's Prayer. Phyllis Leritz, acting secretary There will be no quilting until the 2nd week of January at First English. Dear Friends, Thank you for your generous donation to Headwaters Intervention Center! Without the support of people like you we could not do the work before us. You are greatly appreciated! Sincerely, The Headwaters Intervention Center Staff Thank you to everyone who remembered my husband and I with your thoughts, prayers, cards and gifts over the Christmas season! May God bless you always! ~ Dayna Anderson, Parish Secretary

7 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 Lutefisk & Swedish Meatball Dinner Menu includes lutefisk, Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, gravy, lefse, corn, rice pudding, fruit soup, flat bread, dessert and more! Saturday, January 25, :00 to 7:00 PM Lutefisk & Meatballs $15.00 Meatballs Only $11.00 Children 12 & Under $8.00 Proceeds will go to the needs and work of First English Lutheran Church. First English Lutheran Church, 17 Main St NW, Menahga, MN In case of a storm it will be rescheduled to Saturday, February 1st.