Current February 2019

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February 2019 Inside this issue: From Pastor Katelyn 2 Scripture of the Month 2 Calendar of Events 3 Assisting in Worship 3 Birthdays and

Caring is February 3 th The Los Angeles Rams go head to head with the New England Patriots on Sunday February 3 th in the Super Bowl but no matter who

Our confirmation students will collect cans and dollars at the doors as you enter and exit worship that day.

1 February 2019 Inside this issue: From Pastor Katelyn 2 Scripture of the Month 2 Calendar of Events 3 Assisting in Worship 3 Birthdays and Anniversaries Prayer Lists 4 Snow Removal 4 Bible Studies, Fellowship & Worship Information Sunday School & Youth Information The Souper Bowl of Caring is February 3 th The Los Angeles Rams go head to head with the New England Patriots on Sunday February 3 th in the Super Bowl but no matter who wins that game, hungry folks all over the country will win because of churches like ours who play in the Souper Bowl of Caring. Our confirmation students will collect cans and dollars at the doors as you enter and exit worship that day. Please bring a can of soup or any canned good and drop it in the containers on your way in to worship. Then on your way out please drop a dollar (or more if you wish) into the soup pot. Council Highlights 7 Contact Information 8

2 Standing in a garage no more makes you a car than standing in a church makes you a Christian. This quote has made the rounds for quite a while. It makes a good point -- being a Christian isn t showing up to Sunday worship out of duty and then neglecting to live out your faith the rest of the week. However, I think some have taken this quote too far and suggest that you don t need to come together with others at all in order to be Christian. Certainly you can pray, read the Bible, and have faith on your own, but there is something inherently communal about the Christian faith, about being a follower of Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about spiritual gifts and the body of Christ. Paul indicates that all members of the body are important and have a place. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus says, For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. Hebrews 10:24-25a says, And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another. All of these Scriptures point to a need for community as followers of Jesus. There are so many ways we can come together as Christians: worship, serving others, fellowship time, music events, meals, Bible studies, praying with one another. All of these are important, and God is among us in all of them. But I do think there is something especially significant about weekly worship. It is a time when (ideally) the whole faith community gathers, when we praise God together, receive communion together, pray together, hear God s Word together. The ELCA website describes worship as a foundation for everything we do. For Lutherans, worship stands at the center of our life of faith. Through God s word, water, bread and prayer we are nurtured in faith and sent out into the world Worship is fundamentally about what God is From Pastor Katelyn doing and our response to God s action. Worship is an encounter with God, who saves us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Source: Congregations-and-Synods/Worship Worship is a foundation for everything we do. The weekly rhythm of gathering together for worship makes a difference in our lives and in our relationship with God. Worship invites us to pray and praise, to be comforted and challenged, to receive grace and to be sent out. Of course there are things that can get in the way of weekly worship -- like illness and work shifts. But I encourage you to worship with others as often as you are able -- even if you don t feel like getting out of bed, even if it s hard to get the kids ready, even (and especially) if you re going through a hard time. If you can help make it possible for someone to come to worship -- like picking them up or reminding them that they are missed -- take that opportunity to invite and welcome. If it s not possible for someone to come to worship at all because of health or abilities, then it is the duty and privilege of the church to visit them and let them know they are loved and a part of Christ s body. Coming together is central to our lives as followers of Jesus. And there is good reason why worship has remained central to the church for its entire 2,000 year history -- worship is the foundation for everything we do. Peace, Pastor Katelyn Based on Philippians 2:15 Lord, let me shine today like a bright star in the sky, blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Page 2 The Concordia February 2019

Fri. Feb. 1 7:00 a.m. Working Women s Bible Study Sun. Feb. 3 Mon. Feb. 4 8:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Sunday School Worship Lectionary Bible Study Dartball, PL @ United Meth. Wed. Feb. 6 6:30 p.

3 Fri. Feb. 1 7:00 a.m. Working Women s Bible Study Sun. Feb. 3 Mon. Feb. 4 8:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Sunday School Worship Lectionary Bible Study Dartball, United Meth. Wed. Feb. 6 6:30 p.m. Confirmation Fri. Feb. 8 7:00 a.m. Working Women s Bible Study Sun. Feb. 10 Mon. Feb. 11 Wed. Feb. 13 8:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Sunday School Worship Lectionary Bible Study Dartball, PL Confirmation Church Council Fri. Feb. 15 7:00 a.m. Working Women s Bible Study Sun. Feb :00 a.m. Worship Mon. Feb. 18 1:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Lectionary Bible Study Dartball, Trinity Wed. Feb. 20 6:30 p.m. Confirmation Fri. Feb. 22 7:00 a.m. Working Women s Bible Study Deacon: Acolytes: February 3 February 10 February 24 Organist: Altar Guild: Banners: Ushers: February 3 February 10 February 17 February 24 Readers: February 3 February 10 February 17 February 24 Wayne Olson Ellen Merkouris & Aivin Wasmoen Kayla & Lindsay Thunstedt Hailey & Jenna Schmidt Kathy Toenges Mary Behrends / Kris Christensen Mary Behrends Chris Sorensen Family Tom & Laurie Behrends Shane Christensen Family John & Sandy Morgan Chris Sorensen Laurie Behrends Christensen Family Sandy Morgan Sun. Feb. 24 Mon. Feb. 25 8:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Sunday School Worship Lectionary Bible Study Women s Evening Bible Study at Sandy Morgan's Page 3 The Concordia February 2019

4 Feb 1 Feb. 3 Feb 4 Feb 5 Feb 7 Feb 8 Feb 10 Feb 13 Feb 14 Feb 15 Feb 16 Feb 18 Feb 19 Feb 21 Feb 25 Feb 27 Jay Johnson Thomas Behrends Hollie Draayer Nicole Brooks Elliot Christensen Amy Drescher David Hensche Wayne Olson Thomas Kleinschrodt Eric Knight, Jr. Adam Madrigal Ray Madrigal Andrea Bangert Emma Morrison Linda Schmidt Jeremy Hensche Mark Krueger Leah Schmidt Jerome Baer Remember the following in your prayers this week: Prayers of comfort and hope for the family and friends of William Studer and his sister Penny Lieb. Prayers of healing for David Sorensen, Paula (Kuethe) Devlaeminck, and Ada Kuethe. Prayers of protection for service men and women: Rob Benfield. Snow Removal Schedule Parking Lot Snow Shoveling Feb Justin Krueger Dakota Richter Feb Danny Schmidt Danny Richter Feb Phil Schmidt Shawn Morrison Feb. 25 Mar. 3 Chuck Reindal Chad Schmidt Annual Report and Phone Directory Available Our most up to date phone and address directory of members is in the back portion of our annual report. Don t forget to pick up a copy in the narthex. Page 4 The Concordia February 2019

5 Coffee + Fellowship Please join us before worship (around 9am or after) in the Fireside Room for conversation and coffee. It s a great time to connect with others! If you re interested in helping prepare coffee one or more Sundays, please call or the office. Men's Bible Study during Lent On Saturday mornings during Lent, we will have a men's breakfast and Bible study at Trumbles in Albert Lea. Please watch the weekly bulletin and worship announcements for more details to come. Weekly Lectionary Bible Study Continues The lectionary Bible study started in January will continue to meet on Mondays at 1:30pm in the Fireside room. We re having great conversations, and it s a good opportunity to start thinking about the upcoming Sunday s Bible readings and to allow the Scriptures to speak to you throughout the week. Hope you can join us! Hymnals: ELWs have arrived, LBWs free to members Thank you to all who have purchased hymnals in memory/honor of others and/or made a general donation. We are very appreciative! The hymnals have arrived and we will begin using them in worship on Feb 3. The green LBWs are free for members to take home. The LBWs will be available until the end of February. Lent Mid-week Fellowship & Worship Lent begins Wednesday March 6th with a 7pm service for Ash Wednesday. The following 5 weeks we will have mid-week Lenten worship at 7pm on Wednesdays. The theme for this year is Women of Courage in the Bible. The confirmation students are preparing this winter to share at two of the Wednesday services. Before the Wednesday worship services, starting March 13th, we will have opportunity for fellowship with soup suppers. Be on the lookout for sign up sheets to help with set up, clean up, and bringing a soup (or chili or other crockpot meal) to share. This is a great time to come together and share a meal and conversations. Good Earth Village Annual Meeting The Good Earth Village Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday February 17, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in Log Lodge at Good Earth. As a member congregation, we can be represented by two voting delegates. You can see highlights of Good Earth Village s year in our annual report. for more information Page 5 The Concordia February 2019

6 GOOD EARTH VILLAGE 2019 SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN!! We are excited to share in another summer filled with laughter, worship, singing, new friends and the chance to learn more about what it means to live as a Christian leader! All of our programs include Bible study and worship led by highly trained college age counselors who love working with kids. All of our age groups will enjoy songs, games, and exploring in creation! Our programs are offered based on grade completed! Call (507) Confirmation families with any caroling questions at or Good concerns. Samaritan Register now through February 3rd and Save 15% with code SUPEREARLY19 Register by April 7th and receive a free limited edition t-shirt Register between February 4th through May 5th and Save 10% with code EARLY19 Register siblings for camp and Save 15% with code SIBLING19 Confirmation Schedule Jan 30 6:30-8pm Confirmation Class Feb 6 6:30pm Confirmation + Senior High Family Service Event Tying fleece blankets for the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester Feb 13 6:30-8pm Confirmation Class Feb 20 6:30-8pm Confirmation Class Feb 27 No Confirmation Sunday School Challenges Congregation Once again, this year our Sunday school is challenging the congregation to a contest. And with this contest the winners don t even compete! The winners of this contest will be our local food shelves and their clients. From February we will have a shopping cart in the narthex and another downstairs. Sunday school members will be filling the one in the basement and the rest of the congregation will be filling the one upstairs. The food will be donated to the Alden Food Shelf and the Albert Lea Salvation Army in March as part of Minnesota Food Share, a statewide drive to encourage donations to local food shelves. This project helps our Sunday school kids learn the importance of reaching out and helping. And it helps families that might otherwise be hungry. Casting Crowns has produced some of the most compelling songs of his generation. Songs like Voice of Truth, East to West, Lifesong, Until the Whole World Hears, Courageous and Thrive. On The Very Next Thing, the band continues to encourage and inspire believers with songs that help strengthen their relationship with God. Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you? Then the King will say, I m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me you did it to me. Matthew 25:37-40, The Message version No Sunday School Feb 17th There will be no Sunday School Feb 17th due to President s Day weekend. Page 6 The Concordia February 2019

7 The Concordia Church Council met on Wednesday, January 9 th at 7:30 pm. Vice President Robert Wittmer called the meeting to order. Pastor Katelyn gave devotions highlighting the book of Isaiah Chapter 43: verses 1-7; that speaks of baptism. Isaiah is not referencing the Christian sacrament of baptism, but rather we read of poetic promises of God, one after another: promises we especially claim in baptism. Secretaries Report: % RaAnna Pestorious: given via Treasurer s Report: % Lynn Krueger: Income: $14, Expenses: $8, Board of Lay Ministry: % Gordy Toenges for Mike Krueger Wine has been ordered for communion. Hymnals have been ordered and will be picked up by Mike Krueger to save shipping costs. New hymnals will be placed in the pews. Green hymnals are free to congregational members. Board of Education: % Jenni Miller: Sunday School is going well. A snow tubing event is being discussed. There will be no Sunday School, Sunday February 17 th, 2019 due to Presidents week. Board of Stewardship: No report. Bob Nelson-absent Board of Church Properties: % Doug Kuethe: Discussion was held on the security of the Church Properties. Pastors Report: % Pastor Katelyn: Confirmation classes resumed Activities are being planned for the H.S. Students as well as Confirmation students. In conjunction with the women of the church, confirmation students and H.S. Students will tie blankets that will be given to the Ronald McDonald House. Confirmation students will be assisting with Lenten Services. Confirmation students will be paired with an adult to serve as conversation partners. 8 members attended the Bible Study that began Monday, Other activities: Writing articles for the Albert Lea Tribune, giving messages on Pastor s House Call on KATE Radio and scheduled to conduct communion services at area senior facilities throughout the year. The Blue Earth River Conference Assembly will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Earth; Sunday, February 10 th beginning at 2 pm. A request for at least two people has been noted. Please contact Pastor Katelyn with interest in attending this conference with her. Vice president Robert Wittmer called for a motion to accept all reports as read. Lynn Krueger made a motion to accept all reports. Doug Kuethe seconded the motion. Motion carried. Old Business: The Slate of Offices for the 2019 Church year were presented to the council. A motion was made by President Mitch Kuethe to present the proposed 2019 budget to the congregation at the Annual Meeting to be held Sunday, January 27 th. Gordy Toenges seconded the motion. Motion carried. New Business: none presented Vice President Robert Wittmer called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. President Mitch Kuethe made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Gordy Toenges seconded the motion. Motion carried. We closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, RaAnna Pestorious, secretary Members Present: Pastor Katelyn, President Mitch Kuethe, Vice President Robert Wittmer, Gordy Toenges, Doug Kuethe, Lynn Krueger, Jenni Miller and RaAnna Pestorious. Members Absent: Mike Krueger and Bob Nelson Page 7 The Concordia February 2019

Contact Information Church: 69471 190th Street Albert Lea MN 56007 (507) 265-3355 www.concordiapickerellake.

8 Contact Information Church: th Street Albert Lea MN (507) Lutheran Church of Pickerel Lake Katelyn Rakotoarivelo: Cell: (612) Stephanie Johnson: Cell: (507) March Deadline is February 19 Church Council Chris Sorensen President Robert Wittmer Vice-President Nicole Brooks Secretary Lynn Krueger Treasurer Doug Kuethe Properties Gordy Toenges Lay Ministry Bob Nelson Stewardship Jenni Miller Education Concordia Lutheran Church of Pickerel Lake Worship Schedule Worship 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion celebrated twice monthly. Please join us! Church Staff Katelyn Rakotoarivelo Pastor Stephanie L. Johnson Administrative Secretary Kathy Toenges David Masters Organist Custodian

Christ Church Chronicle. February 28

Christ Church Chronicle. February 28 Christ Church Chronicle February 2018 LENT 2018 The Hard Sayings of Jesus This Lent, we - the people and clergy of Ascension Lutheran Church and Christ Episcopal Church are doing something different. We