August Fire up LWLC!!

Transcription

1 LIVING WORD Lutheran Church, LCMC Office Hrs. M-F 8:30 12:30 p.m. OR th Avenue East, Alexandria, MN Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are growing, Sharing, and living in God s Word, Jesus Christ August 2018 Fire up LWLC!! The month of August is here and that means VBS!! Vacation Bible School is a wonderful time of the year within the church as the calling we have been given as a community of faith to teach children God s Word again comes to the forefront. I m so thankful for the many people within LWLC who make it a priority to serve the church in the way of Christian Education for our youth! This year s VBS theme is Splash Canyon: God s promise on Life s Wild Ride. Sounds interesting doesn t it? This year LWLC will be trying something new with VBS, as it will be held on a Friday evening and Saturday rather than on four weekday evenings. Hopefully this will make it possible for more youth to take part within the busy schedules of the summer months. The entire LWLC community of faith has been called to get the word out about VBS just as the entire community of faith has been called to get the Word of God out to other people. This is one and the same thing our call to make disciples, baptizing and teaching them God s Word. It is not too late kids pre-k to 6 th grade are invited to participate no cost meal provides Friday evening and Saturday at noon just a parent/guardians OK is needed. Forms are in the church office got to move fast August 3-4! This year, due to the new VBS times, there will also be an opportunity in October for youth to continue the wild ride of Splash Canyon VBS as part of the LWLC congregational retreat. All in all, VBS is a great opportunity to hear God s wonderful promises for us and share the love of Christ with one another! I encourage you, young and older, to be a part of Splash Canyon it will certainly be a wild ride together!! Forms and more information available in the church office or contact Chelsea Lee, who is serving as the VBS director this year! Blessing to you in Christ our Lord and Savior!! Pastor A.J. Kluver

2 Adult Education Read The Bible In A Year The LWLC Adult Education Committee is encouraging all members to get involved in Reading Through the Bible in a Year. The Scripture readings for each month are included in the monthly newsletter. Please consider taking part in this exciting adventure and encourage others to do so as well. We can be assured that God s Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11) Daily Scripture Readings August 1 Isaiah August 2 Isaiah August 3 Isaiah August 4 Isaiah August 5 Isaiah August 6 Jeremiah 1-3 August 7 Jeremiah 4-5 August 8 Jeremiah 6-8 August 9 Jeremiah 9-11 August 10 Jeremiah August 11 Jeremiah August 12 Jeremiah August 13 Jeremiah August 14 Jeremiah August 15 Jeremiah August 16 Jeremiah August 17 Jeremiah August 18 Jeremiah August 19 Jeremiah August 20 Jeremiah August 21 Jeremiah August 22 Jeremiah 49 August 23 Jeremiah 50 August 24 Jeremiah August 25 Lamentations 1-2 August 26 Lamentations 3-5 August 27 Ezekiel 1-4 August 28 Ezekiel 5-9 August 29 Ezekiel August 30 Ezekiel August 31 Ezekiel Tuesday Morning Bible Study While many of the other LWLC Bible Studies take a break this time of year, the Tuesday morning Bible Study group continues their study of the book of Acts. This study takes place at 9 am in the south classrooms. Refreshments are served and the discussion is great join us!! Wednesday Men s Bible Study The Wednesday Men s Bible Study group will be taking a break during the month of July. The 8:30 am study will resume on August 1 st. The men are currently studying the book of Judges. There is room for more men in this study and fellowship time. Worship Miss a Sunday Worship no worries Come to our Wednesday Night Worship!! During the summer months, with so many activities taking place, you may find it difficult to join your faith family for worship on a Sunday morning. But there is another opportunity for you!! Each Wednesday evening during the summer months there is a 7 PM worship opportunity FOR YOU!! The Scripture texts for worship are those from the previous Sunday. Following worship (weather permitting) there will also be a time of fellowship around the campfire with smores! Children's Sermon Music of Laura & Greg An amazing gift of music these two musicians provided us during worship. Thank you for sharing your talents with us!

3 WOW Women of the Word Ladies mark your calendars! Annual Salad Supper Coming Soon! WOW will hold its annual salad supper on Thursday, September 6, at 5:30 p.m. Theme for the evening will center around missions, with featured speaker Chelsea Lee bringing us information about the Transitional Tuesdays program at Love INC. Women attending are asked to bring an item for the Incentives program used for Transitional Tuesdays; items needed are regular sized bottles of shampoo or conditioner, a shower loofah, a bar of soap, or a body wash. Updates will also be given on the Ethiopian mission (as well as other new missions) of the Augustana District, which we have supported in the past. Please note that we will have the annual Secret Sister reveal that evening as well. Lydia will set up and decorate; Sarah will serve; and Priscilla will clean kitchen. Please sign up by Sunday, September 2. Those attending are asked to bring a salad, bread, or bars. Secret Sister Program We will finish our Secret Sister program for at our Salad Supper on September 6. As in the past, please bring your gift for your current Secret Sister to the salad supper (or drop off at the office). For the coming year ( ), we are changing the program as a number of women have asked for no gifts in the future. So for the year, prayers and sending cards is WONDERFUL (please consider using the church mailboxes), but no gifts. New Secret Sis forms to fill out for will be available at the salad supper and also on the back information table. Please be sure to turn in these forms by September 30 to Nancy Anderson or the church office. Augustana District WOW Convention in September What s In Your Closet? is the theme of the Augustana District WOW Convention, to be held Saturday, September 15, in Watertown, Minnesota. Colossians 3:12 is chosen as the theme verse: Dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. The mission project will involve assembling baby layettes which will be donated to the Orphan Grain Train along with the mission offering that day. Presenters for the day are Pastor Julie Smith of Springfield, MN, (who has spoken at LWLC in the past), and Pastor Angie Way of White Bear Lake, MN. Watertown is just over a 2 hour drive from Alexandria. Let s make this the year we have a good-sized delegation attending! Watch the Sunday bulletin for further details. Update on WOW Designated Gift from 2017 Every year the Women of the Word use a portion of their event offering for benevolence. In 2017 we agreed with our church council that LWLC was in need of a security system. Last December we kicked off the funding for this system by donating $373. If you are interested in making a donation towards this fund, you can do it through a memorial, an honorarium, or a donation specified for the security system. WOW Scholarship Gift for LWLC Graduates At the July WOW Board meeting, it was voted to begin a scholarship gift for LWLC high school graduates. Each graduate will receive a gift of $50 to help with expenses connected with further education. This will begin with the high school graduates of 2018.

4 CONNECT with our C.R.E.W. Children of God, Redeemed, Embraced by the Word Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth. John 17:17 Tyson Hagedon Parents: Tonia Hagedon & Dirk Hagedon High School: Osakis Grade/Year: 8th Age: 13 Interests: football, wrestling, baseball Jack Anderson Parents: Tom & Angie Anderson High School: Concordia College, Moorhead Grade/Year: sophomore, business major Age: 20 Interests: tenor saxophone, playing jazz music with various groups, intramural hockey and basketball, cars, hanging out with friends We hope you enjoy learning a little more about our younger LWLC members each month! We encourage you to keep them (and all our young members!) in your prayers!

5 LWLC Youth Serving Refreshments THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR YOUTH LCMC GATHERING TRIP Heading to Des Moines Iowa for the Youth LCMC Gathering More Pictures Next Month!!

6 REGISTER NOW FOR: VBS Splash Canyon Camp All kids PreK-6th grade are invited! NO COST! Kickoff: Fri. August 3 / 6-8 pm Day Camp: Sat. August 4 / 9-2pm Fri. eve. and Sat. noon meal included!! Parents and grandchildren are welcome to join the fun! 2018 LCMC Youth Gathering Church Life Thank you LWLC for your tremendous support, once again, for our youth as they took part in the 2018 LCMC Youth Gathering in Des Moines, Iowa July Seven youth and two adults were part of the Team this year. Pictures from the trip and more information concerning this adventure will be provided this month. Luke 9:23 If any want to be my followers, let them deny themselves and take up the cross and follow me. Celebration of Seminary Ed. Graduation- Gary DeSha LWLC will be part of the celebration of LWLC member Gary DeSha s graduation from the Institute of Lutheran Theology in Brookings, S.D. on Sunday, August 26 th with a Pastoral Ministry Certificate. Pastor Tim Swenson from ILT will be preaching that Sunday and there will be a special ceremony for Gary as part of the service. Congratulations to Gary DeSha for this tremendous achievement! Wedding at LWLC August 18 th On August 18 th Char Plowman and Scott Green will be united in marriage at LWLC. Pastor A.J. will be officiating the ceremony. Char and Scott have worshipped frequently with the LWLC community of faith, and have a number of close connections with LWLC members. Please keep Char and Scott in your prayers as they prepare for this special day! Thanks Worship Committee! Thank you to the LWLC Worship Committee for arranging the special Music of Laura and Greg for our July 15 th worship service. Laura and Greg are musicians from the St. Cloud area, with Laura playing the violin and Greg playing the handbells. Many Thanks! My thanks to Pastor A.J. & Laurie for the visits & prayers during Karen s illness & final days, & to our church family for their many kind wishes & prayers during this time, may God Bless you all. Sincerely, Lavern Floen & Family.

7 Church Life. President s Remarks- The Church Council will gather for its annual planning retreat August 18. The retreat is an all-day event divided into morning and afternoon sessions. Long range strategic planning, looking ahead five years, and then, planning our congregation s overall short-term goals for 2019, will occupy the morning session. Preparing for the work sessions, Council members have been reviewing basic questions of why our congregation exists. We consider first the Great Commission as described in Matthew 28: Here we read that after Christ s resurrection, he met with his disciples on a mountain in Galilee. He commanded the disciples to, go and make disciples of all nations. We take this as our basic directive. Christ then continued with instructions how to make disciples: baptizing and teaching all nations to obey everything he had commanded. Then he concludes with a promise: I am with you always, to the very end of the age. So, we begin with Christ s command. Then we review our congregation s constitution that describes our purpose as a people of God in Christ, called and sent to bear witness to God s creative, redeeming, and sanctifying activity in the world. We have agreed with one another to provide opportunity for worship, proclamation of the Word and administration of the sacraments. We agree to proclaim God s saving Gospel of justification by grace through faith alone. We respond to God s love by meeting human needs, working for peace, and standing with the poor and powerless. We nurture our own members in the Word of God to grow in faith, hope and love and to see daily life as the primary setting for the exercise of our Christian calling. Finally, we consider our congregation s mission statement, Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are Growing, Sharing and Living in God s Word, Jesus Christ! These documents, fundamental to our understanding of who and what we are as a congregation, provide the framework to guide our long-term and annual plans and goals. Though attempting to imagine the state of our personal lives, congregation and community five years into the future is a murky business, it is important to take a long view. What we anticipate will be the future, guides our short term, annual plans. We ask your guidance and prayers. The purpose of the afternoon retreat session, a personal retreat, is to build a motivated and cohesive working group, to teach the council members that while we work hard, we must at the same time care for ourselves. Bible studies and devotions, contemplation and a study on the attributes of leaders will fill the afternoon. We expect a productive and rewarding day. Looking ahead: gather the kids, neighborhood kids, and grandchildren! Get them to VBS August 3 and 4 and remember VBS Part 2 at our congregational retreat, October 27! While the VBS kids continue their activities, Rev. Steven King of Sola Publishing leads a presentation addressing Christian Discipleship from a uniquely Lutheran perspective, emphasizing a traditional Theology of the Cross and an understanding of the believer as both saint and sinner in their daily life of faith. <<< >>>

8 Church Life. August Birthdays 8/3 Darla Kaiser 8/4 Gaylen Lerohl 8/10 Shelly Nelson 8/12 Maren Burgau 8/14 Elaine Carlson 8/15 Kristi Anderson 8/19 Roz Johnson 8/20 Dorothy VanBeck 8/31 Adley Beach August Anniversaries 8/4 Elder & Deloris Peterson 8/8 Harold & Kathy Withers 8/16 Terri & Jim Elsey 8/19 Rudy & Pat Denke 8/22 Marv & Janet Gravley Memorials in Memory of: Charles Jacobson Delores Ewing Catherine Lahtinen Given by: Need a ride to worship or other church activities? Please call the team who lives closest to your location Arbor Crossing SE, Alex; Financial Ed & Marvelle Weispfennig Laura Kolden Jim & Terri Elsey Ken & Kay Elvehjem Gayle Nemmers David & Carolyn Moeller Elder & Deloris Peterson Steve & Jan Ferguson Memorials Given in Honor of: Given by: Keith & Mary Jo Redfield David & Carolyn Moeller W/ W/ W/ YTD TOTALS Attendance Total Deposits 6, , , , , General Offering 5, , , , , Memorials Building Fund , , Fellowship Portals of Prayer Bldg. Pldges Received 40, , , , , Bldg. Pledges Receivable 263, , , , ,065.00

9 Church Life WAKE UP ALEXANDRIA HOSTED BY LWLC Approximately 75 community leaders attended our morning Wake Up event on July 6th from 7:30am8:30am. Pastor AJ shared about LWLC and our mission. LWLC selected Mount Carmel Ministries to be our Non-Profit of the day and receive the mornings donations. Executive director Dan Baker spoke about the services Mount Carmel provides. A light breakfast was served and, of course, lots of coffee.

10 August Worship Helpers August 2018 Aug. 5 Wed. Aug. 8 Aug. 12 Aug. 19 Aug. 26 Communion Praise Band Communion Reader Carla Beem Wilma Johnson Gaylen Lerohl Ken Elvehjem Ushers Dean & Lou Ann Peterson Jim Nelson, Doyle Polson Wayne Becker Paul Johnson Jim Nelson, Doyle Polson Harold & Kathy Withers Jim Nelson, Doyle Polson Elder & Deloris Peterson Jim Nelson, Doyle Polson Greeters Brad Forbrook Bonnie Pahan Curt & Sandy Aamold Cindy Lerohl Sue Polson Ed & Marvelle Weispfennig Altar Preparation Laurie Kluver Laurie Kluver Laurie Kluver Laurie Kluver Coffee and Refreshments Denise Stoen Bonnie Pahan Wilma Johnson Kathy Withers Jean Ricks Nancy Anderson Kay Elvehjem Carla Beem Coffee Preparation Denise Stoen Sandy Aamold Nancy Anderson Kay Elvehjem Pianist Karen Kirckof Laurie Kluver Nancy Anderson Carolyn Moeller Counting Offering Terri Elsey Jan Ferguson Gaylen Lerohl Ed Weispfennig Sound System Paul Johnson John Kirckof David Anderson Laverne Floen Wayne Becker Video System Dan Engebretson Jan Ferguson Ed Weispfennig Steve Ferguson Communion Preparation Laurie Kluver Wilma Johnson N/A Laurie Kluver Susan Polson N/A Communion Servers Bill & Shirley Finley Marvelle W. N/A Gaylen & Cindy Lerohl Wilma Johnson N/A Communion Assistant Terri Elsey Greg Stoen N/A LouAnn Peterson N/A Communion Bread Gayle Nemmers N/A Marvelle Weispfennig If you need a replacement please call someone from the schedule to switch with you and notify the office of the changes. Thank you! N/A

11 September Worship Helpers September 2018 Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Communion Praise Band Communion Reader Curt Aamold Brian Denke Nancy Anderson Shelly Nelson Kathy Withers Ushers Julie Savoie, Gregg Stoen, Doyle Polson, Jim Nelson Carla Beem, Brad Forbrook, Doyle Polson, Jim Nelson Bill & Shirley Finley Doyle Polson Jim Nelson Elder & Deloris Peterson, Doyle Polson Jim Nelson Harold & Kathy Withers Doyle Polson Jim Nelson Greeters Bill & Shirley Finley Angie Anderson Paul Johnson Curt & Sandy Aamold Brad Forbrook Carolyn Fiskness Dean & Lou Ann Peterson Ed & Marvelle Weispfennig Altar Preparation Gayle Nemmers Gayle Nemmers Gayle Nemmers Gayle Nemmers Gayle Nemmers Coffee and Refreshments Barb Engebretson Paulette Johnson Deloris Peterson Mary Jo Redfield Carolyn Fiskness Bonnie Pahan Laurie Kluver Karen Kirckof Marvelle Weispfennig Coffee Preparation Barb Engebretson Sandy Aamold Denise Stoen Laurie Kluver Marvelle Weispfennig Pianist Nancy Anderson Nancy Anderson Karen Kirckof Carolyn Moeller Karen Kirckof Counting Offering Kathy Withers Ed Weispfennig Terri Elsey Jan Ferguson Gaylen Lerohl Sound System Paul Johnson John Kirckof Dave Anderson Laverne Floen Wayne Becker Paul Johnson Video System Dan Engebretson Ed Weispfennig Jan Ferguson Steve Ferguson Jan Ferguson Communion Preparation Gayle Nemmers Laurie Kluver NA Gayle Nemmers Laurie Kluver NA NA Communion Servers Bill & Shirley Finley Dave Moeller NA Paul & Paulette Johnson, Carla Beem NA NA Communion Assistant Laurie Kluver NA Gregg Stoen NA NA Communion Bread Kay Elvehjem NA Nancy Anderson NA NA If you need a replacement please call someone from the schedule to switch with you and notify the office of the changes. Thank you!

12 August 2018 Calendar SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY July 29 9 AM Worship/Lord s Supper Following Worship: Fellowship &Refresh July 30 5:30 PM Praise Band Practice July 31 9AM Karen Floen Visitation 10AM Karen Floen Funeral 1 7 PM Worship 2 3 VBS 6-8pm 4 VBS 9-2 pm 5 9 AM Worship/Praise Band Following Worship: Fellowship & Refreshments AM Adult Bible Study 8 7 PM Worship 9 3:30PM Congregational Retreat Mtg :00AM Worship/ Lord s Supper Following Worship: Fellowship & Refreshments 13 9:30AM Mission Comm. Mtg. 5:30 PM Praise Band Practice 14 9 AM Adult Bible Study 15 7 PM Worship 16 9:30-4PM Quilting 6:30PM Youth Chris Ed Mtg AM COUNCIL RETREAT 4PM Wedding Char Plowman & Scott Green 19 9:00AM Worship Special music Following Worship: Fellowship &Refresh 20 5:30 PM Praise Band Practice 5:30 pm Stewardship Mtg. 21 9:00AM Adult Bible Study 22 7 PM Worship 23 5:30PM Executive Mtg :00AM Worship Special music De Sha Grad. Ceremony ILT Following Worship: Fellowship &Refresh. 27 5:30 PM Praise Band Practice 28 9 AM Adult Bible Study 5:30PM Council Mtg PM Worship Last Wednesday Worship Service THREE MONTHS & COUNTING Congregational Retreat October 27, 2018 Mt. Carmel Alexandria If you print this newsletter please select only the pages you need. Recycle when you are finished. Thank you!

13 LIVING WORD LUTHERAN CHURCH VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Weekend Rip-Roaring Rafter Retreat! Splash Canyon- Jesus is by our side on life s wild ride! Strap on your life jacket and get ready for a rip-roaring river ride with Splash Canyon: God's Promise on Life's Wild Ride. Life is full of thrills and spills; we may not know what s around the bend, but God does! At Splash Canyon, kids discover that, on life s wild ride, Jesus is by our side. God saves us through Jesus and gives us life and hope every day and forever. Come along with us as we hear God s Word, pray, sing fun songs, do crazy crafts, play awesome games, and MORE!! Living Word Vacation Bible School is for EVERYONE! There will be opportunities for adults and Junior/Senior High School Students to participate in many ways (Leaders/Helpers games, crafts, stories, etc.)! We can t wait to see you there! Living Word Lutheran Church ~ th Avenue East, Alexandria, MN (320) Friday, August 3 rd 6-8 pm and Saturday, August 4 th 9 am-2 pm No Charge! Light meals and snacks provided! Fun for the whole family! Adults welcome to participate with kids! FRIENDS, GRANDCHILDREN, AND NEIGHBORS ARE WELCOME!!!

14 LIVING WORD LUTHERAN CHURCH VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM August 3 rd, 6-8 pm and August 4 th, 9 am-2 pm NAMES OF PARTICIPATING CHILDREN ~ Please include age and grade completed! Child s Name Age Grade Completed Child s Name Age Grade Completed Child s Name Age Grade Completed Parent/Guardian Address Home Phone Cell Phone E -Mail Address In case of emergency, contact Allergies or other medical conditions Parent Authorization: I give permission for my child to participate in all VBS activities. I will submit any essential health information in written form. I authorize Living Word Lutheran Church to administer any first aid or medical treatment necessary and release Living Word Lutheran Church and staff from any and all responsibility in connection therewith. I understand my child s photo may be taken for use in VBS promotional and celebration purposes and I waive the right to pre-approve the photo. Parent/Guardian Signature Please return to Living Word Lutheran Church by July 30 th - Thanks! th Avenue East, Alexandria, MN (320)