OCTOBER 2013 ISSUE 10 LXV111

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OCTOBER 2013 ISSUE 10 LXV111 Join your fellow Arlington Hills Lutheran Church members on Saturday, October 12 th, 2013 at 11:00am for a Mississippi River Cruise aboard one of the Padelford River

Invite your friends, neighbors and relatives to join you for a great four hour cruise to see the Fall Colors on the Father of the Waters the Mighty Mississippi. Advanced ticket sales only.

1 OCTOBER 2013 ISSUE 10 LXV111 Join your fellow Arlington Hills Lutheran Church members on Saturday, October 12 th, 2013 at 11:00am for a Mississippi River Cruise aboard one of the Padelford River Cruises boats for Oktoberfest! Boarding starts at 10:30am. The cruise returns to Harriet Island at 3:00pm. Cost: $65 per person. $21.60 is a charitable donation to AHLC. Invite your friends, neighbors and relatives to join you for a great four hour cruise to see the Fall Colors on the Father of the Waters the Mighty Mississippi. Advanced ticket sales only. Tickets will be sold at church on Sunday mornings and in the office. You will enjoy: An authentic German lunch of assorted sausages with onions & peppers with buns, spinach apple salad, roasted potato wedges, vinegar & oil coleslaw, pretzel bites, German Chocolate cake and coffee. Take in the sights of the Mighty Mississippi cloaked in its autumn splendor while you enjoy our 2-for-1 beer special with background polka music to set the festive mood! Don't forget to let "Helga the Hamburg Wench" lead you in a rousing Hammerschlagen contest or two! Trip includes Hammerschlagen, cruise, and lunch.

2 Page 2 Sola Gratia: an ethic for today. Soon we will be celebrating Reformation Sunday and our Lutheran contributions to the ministry and proclamation of the church of Jesus Christ. In a few years we will celebrate 500 years of Lutheranism; it was October 31, 1517, that Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenburg. The anniversary of that posting of theses marks the anniversary of Lutheranism world-wide. One of the calling cards of Lutheranism is our (Luther s) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. [Ephesians 2:8, 9] This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [Romans 3:22 24] three-fold cry: Sola scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia. That is to say (too briefly maybe,) scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone. The reformation began with Luther s insistence on scripture alone as the true witness to God s will. All other church dogma, doctrine, and decrees are to be interpreted by sola scriptura: through the lens of the Biblical witness. What is the Biblical witness? Luther pointed out that all of scripture witnesses to Jesus Christ: both Old and New Testaments. All of scripture testifies to a God who loves us enough to die for us, and in the fullness of time, God did just that. When we turn to scripture then we learn that faith (trust) in this saving work is also a gift from God, it is not our own doing. We are saved (ie. justified, made right with God eternally) by Jesus Christ and the redeeming work he accomplished through his life, death, and resurrection. Jesus died in our place that we might be in a right place with God. We are not saved by any good work we may do; we are saved only through the work of Jesus Christ. That is grace: unearned love and acceptance. Good works then arise in response to this amazing grace. When someone loves us enough to die in our place, then we just naturally want to live in a way that shows generous thanksgiving for that amazing act of love. This is the Christian ethic: we live and act for the love of God. What would happen if all the young people who are being drawn into the illusion of safety and respect of gang membership knew for certain that God loves them enough to die for them? What if they knew for sure that they are already (just as they are!) a member of the family of God? What would happen if all our ethics, the way we live and act, were to demonstrate to the youngsters of this neighborhood that they are loved beyond their wildest imagination? This is our Lutheran ethic! It continues to be relevant in this world that our God so loves. Let s respond to the amazing grace of God by reaching out to our neighbors with marvelous good news and the very love of God. Pastor Roger

3 Page 3 Book Nook News By Clair Haberman Think Big Please read Genesis 1: 1-2, James 2: 1-4 and 1 Corinthians 13, 1-3 The author of THINK BIG is Ben Carson who wrote the book AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL the subject of last month's column. THINK BIG is an account of how Mr Carson overcame adversity to achieve success. He questioned God, listened carefully to the responses and followed the advice he received. He also found advice and inspiration in the Bible, especially the book of Proverbs which he frequently quotes. Some of the first two chapters are written as autobiographical comments by Sonya Carson, the author's mother, about raising her two sons. This is a quotation from page 45: "One day I said, 'Lord, if You can take nothing and make a world out of it, You can take my situation and make it work for my son's sake. They need help. They deserve a chance.' From then on, God did do remarkable things in my life." Some of her methods were criticized by neighbors. Mrs Carson's response appears on page 54: "I had a plan. With God's help my boys were going to have a good life." The reader will be impressed and parents of young children will be inspired. Chapter 3 begins (on page 57) with the sentence: "There is no such person as a self made individual." In that chapter the author describes the influences of several mentors who offered encouragement or were examples of behavior and attitudes that the author found worthy of imitation. These accounts of the influences of other people continue through chapter 9, concluding on page 147. Each of us might take time to consider who have been our mentors and, if we have not done so, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for those influences. If possible a word of thanks to them would be appropriate and appreciated. The members of Arlington Hills Lutheran Church have an opportunity to be a positive influence in the preparation of Chongsun Kim for the ministry. To summarize: The first part of THINK BIG can be read by parents of young children as an inspiration and by others as an entertaining account of a remarkable mother and son. The second part of the book (which begins on page 149) is entitled You Can Give Your Best and Think Big. It contains advice for people of all ages. This advice involves talent, honesty, insight, nice, knowledge, books, in-depth knowledge and God. Did you notice that the initials spell THINK BIG? On page 267 there is a one sentence summary of the comments made in the chapters devoted to each of those topics. Space permits comments about only one of those topics, nice, which is the subject of chapter Nice Guys Finish First (pages ). The passages from 1 John and I Corinthians are quoted in this chapter. After relating many incidents in which nice behavior was appropriate the author states these reasons why niceness should be extended to the people we encounter: First, Everyone in the world is worth being nice to because God never creates inferior humans. Second, We get out of life what we put into it. Third, We don't lose by being nice, it is a way of making a payment on our debt to God.. Earlier in this article encouragement of intern Pastor Chongsun Kim was mentioned. We should also be nice to his family. In what other ways can we be nice in addition to saying "Good morning. How are you?" The book THINK BIG is available on the book cart in the gathering area. When you have finished reading it, or any other materials that you have borrowed, please return them so they are available to others. Thanks. Clair

Page 4 Thank you to all the contributions that we had for the birthday bags and school supplies.

Did you know if you donate to the United Way through your workplace you can designate Alley Shoppe as the recipient of all or part of your donation?

If you have questions feel free to contact me or the United Way representative at your place of employment.

4 Page 4 Thank you to all the contributions that we had for the birthday bags and school supplies. We are very appreciative of all the items that we receive and that they are put to good use in the Alley Shoppe. Did you know if you donate to the United Way through your workplace you can designate Alley Shoppe as the recipient of all or part of your donation? There is a line on the form for you to indicate where you would like your donation to go. Just list Alley Shoppe in this space. This is an easy way to support Alley Shoppe financially. If you have questions feel free to contact me or the United Way representative at your place of employment. Pam Wiehe Alley Shoppe Director PRAYER CHAIN At AHLC there is a group of women who regularly pray for people who are hospitalized, sick, or in need of prayers. If you, or a friend or relative, are in need of prayer; get permission to share their name and information and then contact the church office at or cheryl@ahlcstp.org and we will see that they are placed on the prayer chain. DEVOTIONAL YOGA Instructor by Cristi Hoving CLASSES AVAILABLE Starting Wednesday September 11th 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:50 p.m. or Thursday s September 12th from 9:00a.m.-10:00a.m. 8 WEEKS for $24.00 or $4 per session. Come for one session or all. Feel free to join at any time. PARTY LITES will be returning in November. Orders will be taken in November and delivered in December. If there are any questions please contact Judy Solmonson or Abbey Strub. Give to the Lutheran Disaster Response For the flooding in Colorado Checks can be sent To Lutheran Disaster Response Treasury Center Chicago, Illinois Write US Flooding on your check or give by phone At or online. PASTOR VERN ANDERSON Former AHLC pastor, Vern Anderson, who has been co-pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Inver Grove Heights with Pastor Orv Osmundson for the past twelve years has accepted a Letter of Call to a new congregation. Pastor Vern will be moving to Sun City Grand, Arizona where he will become senior pastor at Grace Lutheran Church.

Page 5 Church Council Members & Board Chairs Council President Roxanne Larsen - 651-779-7201 Council Vice-President Steve Johnson - 651-774-8027 Council Treasurer Jon Helgason - 651-738-0588 Council

5 Page 5 Church Council Members & Board Chairs Council President Roxanne Larsen Council Vice-President Steve Johnson Council Treasurer Jon Helgason Council Secretary Silvester Vicic Council Member Fred Bramscher Council Member Julie Stevenson Council Member Carol Hansen Council Member Beverly Lamb Council Member David Lauver Council Member Mike Wiehe Council Member Judi Solmonson Council Member Mary Ann Wistrom CYF Board Chair Mary Cincotta FPA Board Chair Jim Persoon WMA Board Chair Florence Rasmusson OCM Board Chair Mike Wiehe PCD Board Ruth Balfanz Co-Chairs Russ Richards Newsletter Articles The Lights welcomes news and features from readers and staff members. All articles need to be print ready. The editors reserve the right to edit material for content and length. articles to cheryl@ahlcstp.org or leave it in the church office. Pastoral Acts for August Funerals Melva Helgason Arlington Hills is pleased to offer an electronic option for making regular offerings. Contributions can now be debited automatically from your checking or savings account or processed using your credit or debit card. Our new electronic giving program offers convenience for you and much-needed donation consistency for our congregation. You do not need a computer to give electronically. Just fill out the simple application form and return to the church office. We Have Mail Dear friends, Thank you for the lovely reception and Loft gift card. I look forward to using it! But more than that, thanks for your love and support these past 20 years that I have served as your organist. My family and I feel that we are home at AHLC. Thank you for welcoming all of us into your family 20 years ago. My work here has truly been a labor of love. I look forward to many more years of sharing my gifts with you. I am blessed! With love, Sharon WE ARE ON FACEBOOK CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITES. Arlington Hills Lutheran Church Alley Shoppe MLC OPEN DOOR

Page 6 On behalf of the Arlington Hills Lutheran Church Council and myself, I would like to express my appreciation and a huge thank you for all the volunteers who gave their time and energy to the

All of the volunteers who gave their time, and some who worked several times are listed below: DAN REED EUGENE KARLS STEVE JOHNSON GORDIE BENEKE JUDI SOLMONSON RUSS RICHARDS CHUCK ROHRBACH TOM

6 Page 6 On behalf of the Arlington Hills Lutheran Church Council and myself, I would like to express my appreciation and a huge thank you for all the volunteers who gave their time and energy to the Gustavus Adolphus Church State Fair Park & Ride project. Your participation made the parking activity a very successful fund-raising venture for Arlington Hills. All of the volunteers who gave their time, and some who worked several times are listed below: DAN REED EUGENE KARLS STEVE JOHNSON GORDIE BENEKE JUDI SOLMONSON RUSS RICHARDS CHUCK ROHRBACH TOM BRACKEY CINDY PETERSON DAVID LAUVER ROBERT NELSON LINDA LUND PAM WIEHE DEE ANNE NELSON DEAN ANDERSON ROXANNE LARSEN PAUL KOWITZ CHRIS ANDERSON RON HANSON CAROL HANSEN FRED BRAMSCHER PR ROGER DIANE ALLMENDINGER KIRK SOLMONSON Thank you to the office volunteers who called and reminded the Park & Ride volunteers of their shifts. Steve Johnson October Book Club - The selection for the October meeting of our Book Club is THE DIRTY DAYS, by Norma Welty. This historical novel about a young girl's journey to and from the Oklahoma Dust Bowl is based on the author's life growing up in the 1930s in Oklahoma. The Book Club will meet Monday, October 21, in the Reception Room, at 10:00 a.m. Please join us for a discussion of THE DIRTY DAYS. Following the discussion we will view a DVD, Orphan Train. Regular time will resume in November.

Page 7 Congratulations to Catherine Schoonover, She is the proud grandmother of Kiersten Rae Schoonover Born August 11, 2013. 7lbs. 14 oz.

NUM CAN DRIVE ALUMINUM CANS FOR MISSION WILL BE COLLECTED ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY OCT 19TH AND 20TH FROM 8:30 A.M. TO 11:00 A.M. PRCEEDS FROM CAN RECYCLING AND DIRECTED TOWARD THE 14 SCHOLARSHIPS THAT AHLC PROVIDES FOR STUDENTS FROM OUR COMPANION CONGREGATION OF IDEGENDA PARISH.

7 Page 7 Congratulations to Catherine Schoonover, She is the proud grandmother of Kiersten Rae Schoonover Born August 11, lbs. 14 oz. Parents are Paul Schoonover and Brittany Satterwhite ALUMINUM CAN DRIVE ALUMINUM CANS FOR MISSION WILL BE COLLECTED ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY OCT 19TH AND 20TH FROM 8:30 A.M. TO 11:00 A.M. PRCEEDS FROM CAN RECYCLING AND DIRECTED TOWARD THE 14 SCHOLARSHIPS THAT AHLC PROVIDES FOR STUDENTS FROM OUR COMPANION CONGREGATION OF IDEGENDA PARISH. October 27th BARBARY COAST DIXIELAND SHOWBAND OCTOBER 20TH AT 9:30 WORSHIP SERVICE HOLIDAY FLOWER FUNDRAISER Remember the beautiful flowers we sold last fall for the Christmas season? We will be selling them again this year beginning on Sunday, October 6. The flowers are gorgeous poinsettia plants in different sizes and colors. Also available are cyclamen in various shades and holiday combo baskets. Start thinking now about what you would like to decorate your home for the holiday season. Plants will arrive on December 4. Any questions, Contact Roxanne Larsen at

10-6 Eugene Karls 10-13 Dorothy Peterson 10-20 10-27 Dorothy Peterson 10-6 Diane Allmendinger, Roxanne Larsen, and Catherine Schoonover 10-20 Carol Hansen, Charles Rohrbach, and Elaine Rohrbach

Bramscher, Chuck Larsen, Florence and Dennis Rasmusson 10-20 Lead Usher: Clair Haberman Gordon Beneke, Wayne Blossey, and Steve Johnson 10-27 Lead Usher: Chuck Rohrbach Elaine Rohrbach and Steve

Lamb North Door Marcella Langton Sound Booth 10-6 David Lauver 10-13 Mike Brown 10-20 David Lauver 10-27 Mike Brown Tape Ministry 10-6 Marcella Langton 10-13 Gordie Beneke 10-20 Clair Haberman 10-27

Priscilla Reeve - 651-774-6292 Sound Booth: David Lauver 651-523-9002 Transportation Team: Chuck Larsen - 651-779-7201 Acolyte Coordinator: Linda Strohrich - 651-777-6897 Coffee & Cookie Fellowship

8 Page 8 SERVANTS IN MINISTRY Communion Assistants 8:00 a.m Eugene Karls Dorothy Peterson Dorothy Peterson 10-6 Diane Allmendinger, Roxanne Larsen, and Catherine Schoonover Carol Hansen, Charles Rohrbach, and Elaine Rohrbach Lectors 10-6 Silvester Vicic Christine Anderson Lolita Schaber Beverly Lamb 10-6 Lead Usher: Clair Haberman, Tom Brackey, Clarence Law and David Lauver Lead Usher: Fred Bramscher, Chuck Larsen, Florence and Dennis Rasmusson Lead Usher: Clair Haberman Gordon Beneke, Wayne Blossey, and Steve Johnson Lead Usher: Chuck Rohrbach Elaine Rohrbach and Steve Johnson Greeters 10-6 Bob and DeeAnn Nelson North Door Velta Krauze Roxanne and Chuck Larsen North Door Steve Johnson Vicki and David O Connor North Door David Lauver Bev and Bernie Lamb North Door Marcella Langton Sound Booth 10-6 David Lauver Mike Brown David Lauver Mike Brown Tape Ministry 10-6 Marcella Langton Gordie Beneke Clair Haberman Eugene Karls Lay Servant Coordinators Director, Alley Shoppe: Pam Wiehe Communion Assistants: Florence Rasmusson Greeters: Catherine Schoonover Lectors: Priscilla Reeve Sound Booth: David Lauver Transportation Team: Chuck Larsen Acolyte Coordinator: Linda Strohrich Coffee & Cookie Fellowship Julie Stevenson Acolytes 10-6 Dakota and Casey Monette Gwen Vandeberg Colton and Chloe Sherrill Arianna and Justin Hanson Office Worker 10-6 Joann Metling Priscilla Reeve TBA Carol Hansen Transportation Team 10-6 Chuck Larsen Chuck Larsen Ben Meents Larry Reeve Church Council Meetings Members of Arlington Hills are welcome to attend the monthly Council meetings. Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Copies of Council Meeting minutes are available in the office and are also posted on the main bulletin board every month.

Page 9 ARTS CRAFTS AND HOBBIES CALLING ALL CRAFTERS THE PCD BOARD is planning a craft auction at the ROMEO S Breakfast on November 10, 2013.

9 Page 9 ARTS CRAFTS AND HOBBIES CALLING ALL CRAFTERS THE PCD BOARD is planning a craft auction at the ROMEO S Breakfast on November 10, We are asking for donations of non-food, member created crafts from members to sell at the auction. Any non-food craft items are acceptable for this sale. Contact Russ Richards at or Ruth Balfanz at Mark your Calendar Nov. 3rd Free MN Siphonia Holiday Concert at AHLC 7PM November 22, 2013 AHLC AT CULVERS We will be back at Culver s on November 18th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We had a great turn out in July. Let s do it again! Thank you for your support to AHLC. FINANCIAL UPDATE 2013 Monthly budget amount needed = $38, Month Amount Monthly Monthly Net Year-to-Date 2013 Received Expenses (Shortage) Net (Shortage) August $29, $34, ($5,052.65) ($58,642.79) September $21, $20, $ as of 9/21/2013 Thank you for your continued support to the ministry and mission of Arlington Hills Lutheran Church. If you are able to give a little extra, it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

10 Arlington Hills Lutheran Church 1115 Greenbrier Street St. Paul, MN Dated Material September 25, 2013 Address Service Requested Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No A RLIN GTON HILLS LUTH ER AN C HUR CH OFFICE HO URS : MONDAY -THURS DAY 9 :00 A.M. 4:0 0 P.M. FRIDAY 9 :00 A.M. 3:0 0 P.M. PHONE: Fax: PAS TORAL CAR E AFTER HOURS Diane s Cell Phone (Emergency Use Only Please) We re on the Web! visit us at: and on Facebook Arlington Hills Lutheran Church Staff Ext.# Senior Pastor: Pastor Roger Allmendinger 17 Intern Pastor Intern Pastor ChongSun Kim 12 Administrative Assistants: Diane Allmendinger* 11 Cheryl Hollman* 16 Local Mission Program Coordinator Pam Wiehe* 19 Chief Custodian: Jim Jaszczak 23 Asst. Custodians: Dorothy Peterson* Kirk Solmonson* Tabiano Porras* Organist/Director of Special Music: Sharon Vicic* Chapel Organist & Choir Director: Barbara Rossow* Handbell Director: Chuck Linderkamp* Wedding Coordinator: Sharon Hanson* (*Part-time) Alley Shoppe (651) Companion Congregation Idegenda, Tanzania, Africa OUR MISSION: To Spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to all in word and deed. OUR VISION: Arlington Hills Lutheran Church Community, a Beacon for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

LIGHT FROM THE HEIGHTS

LIGHT FROM THE HEIGHTS Arlington Hills Lutheran Church 1115 Greenbrier St. St. Paul, MN 55106 651-771-5501 November 2017 Companion Congregation Idegenda, Tanzania To Spread the Good News of Jesus Christ