Reflections on 42 Years of Ministry

Transcription

1 PO Box 115 Bryant, SD September 2018 Reflections on 42 Years of Ministry From the desk of Pastor Keith Garness I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 A gentle, yet firm, promise is in this verse; we are to be given instructions and guidance. Thankfully, as a young pastor, 42 years ago, I was given instructions and guidance. There was Pat Thompson, secretary of the Stanton, N.D. parish. She taught me what I needed to know to be a pastor in that place. There were neighboring pastors in a text study group who were always willing and able to answer questions and offer guidance. These words from Psalm 32 assured me that I would be provided what I needed to keep steady on this pilgrimage that many times I was not sure I could make. As sinners, what we need from God is not always what we think we want. As sinners, what we need from God is not always what we think we want. But in the fullness of the passage, the psalmist reminded me, reminds us, that we are freed from earthly restraints through confession and forgiveness and God is ever with us, watchful, caring and compassionate! As baptized children of God, we all make our way through the world. Parents, children, pastors, teachers, peers and caring adults pass their collective knowledge on to the community. I have watched generations, one after the next, carve out paths for others to follow. Sometimes the path narrows, disappearing into crevasses that will take you deeper than you want to go. At other times the path is as wide as the horizon, and you risk getting lost in the openness. Then you climb to the glorious mountain top, but the path is difficult, hazardous. (continued)

2 From the Pastor s Desk, continued: You must step carefully. By the time you reach the end, having been preserved from trouble, the Psalmist says that you are [surround(ed)] with glad cries of deliverance. We never walk alone. I am grateful for that. Many have been by my side all through the years. Many times, in my head, I heard the voice of the Psalmist say, Be still, and know that I am God. It was good guidance. Saints have gone before us, and saints will come after. Our time is in the middle, the here-and-now. But God s time is always. God s guiding hand is forever. Hear again the Psalmist, Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart. I am glad to have been given both earthly instructions and spiritual guidance, and I am grateful grateful for all of you who sit in the pews and are willing to hear the words God has given me to speak! Pastor Keith Saints have gone before us, and saints will come after. Our time is in the middle, the here-and-now. Parish-wide worship & retirement celebration for Pastor Keith Sunday, Sept. 30 Grace Lutheran in Willow Lake Worship at 9:45am with a potluck meal to follow The Sunday School children have been asked to sing Awesome God. Bethlehem is confirmed. Grace and Our Redeemer Sunday School leaders, can your children join in? Please RSVP to Kristin (Facebook or text ). Could a parish choir provide special music at this service? Please RSVP to Kristin or Julayne if you are interested in being part of a choir. If there are enough singers, music will be selected and a rehearsal scheduled. From your Women of the ELCA: Thank you to everyone who donated items for our bake sale. Profits after expenses were $ bake sale; coffee counter was $ A Baptism Celebration: Reed and Mary Skelton will host coffee hour before church on Sunday, Sept. 16 in honor of the Baptism of their grandson, Alistair Thomas Skelton. School Kits for Lutheran World Relief The Our Redeemer WELCA is assembling school kits for Lutheran World Relief. Now is a great time to purchase items, since supplies are plentiful and on sale. A box will be in the dining hall if you d like to drop off your items. We do have the bags to put them in. Items needed for each kit: FOUR 70-sheet notebooks ONE 30-cm ruler ONE pencil sharpener ONE pair blunt scissors FIVE ballpoint pens ONE 2.5-inch eraser ONE box of 16 or 24 crayons FIVE unsharpened #2 pencils Thank you for supporting this mission project! Worship with us! Our Redeemer in Bryant 9:00am Coffee Fellowship 9:45am Worship 11:00am Sunday School If you d like your children to take part in Our Redeemer s Sunday School, please contact Jess Moeller: jessica.moeller@k12.sd.us or call her at August Worship Helpers at Our Redeemer Ushers: Joe Moeller, Dean Steever, Ron Wiesman, Roger Schaefer Altar Guild: Sharon Carstensen & Sue Wiesman Thank you!

3 Read along with our Sunday Scriptures: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Annual Pork BBQ Saturday, Sept. 22, serving from 5-7pm Sunday, Sept. 2 Luke 12:13-34 Sunday, Sept. 9 Genesis 6:5-22; 8:6-12; 9:8-17 Sunday, Sept. 16 Genesis 12:1-9 Sunday, Sept. 23 Genesis 39:1-23 Sunday, Sept. 30 Exodus 14:10-14, CHAIRPERSONS: Tyler & Courtney Christensen ORDER & COOK MEAT: Gary Noem, Chair Mark Jensen (Er.), Co-Chair Tim Steffensen Joe Moeller Fred Staudy DOOR SALES: Dean Steever, Chair Fred Rosin Virgil Jensen Our Redeemer member duties for Pork BBQ Thank you for sharing your time and talents! SALD BAR / DESSERTS: Eugene Fedt, Chair Curtis Moeller, Co-Chair Larry Warne Larry Erstad Mark Jensen (Bryant) FILL BUNS / SERVE BEANS: Al Kruse, Chair Rob Fedt, Co-Chair Reed Skelton Dallas Laube Pat Martin WAITERS, FIRST SHIFT: Tim Jensen, Chair Win Noem, Co-Chair Wayne Weelborg Jon Ward Wes Johnson Terry Thonvold Geoff Carstens Layne Jensen Eugene Martin DISHWASHING: Doug Noem, Chair Doug Moeller, Co-Chair Bryan Carstensen Dick Donley Blake Jensen WAITERS SECOND SHIFT: Duane Wastweet, Chair Rick Anderson, Co-Chair Gary Wiseman Gary Carstensen Tyler Erickson Dennis Bongers Verne Jensen Cutler Laube Roger Schaefer Brad Jacobson CLEAN-UP: Jon Anderson, Chair Dustin Wiseman, Co-Chair Terry Johnson Clair Gustafson Ron Wiesman Bob Krull Chad Noem Harvey Virchow WELCA CIRCLES: #1: 9x13 pan desserts Sharon Carstensen #2: Large salads Ronda Laube, Jean Steever #3: 9x13 pan desserts Ruth Noem, Julie Thonvold #4: Advertising, Set-up, Decorating, $7 each Jayne Jensen, Bonnie Moeller #5: Large salads Tracey Larson, Paige Kruse Parish Birthdays for September God bless you on your birthday! 1-Donna Williams, Mary Hovde, Trinity Peterson, Julie Larson 2-Karina Fuller, Nicole Tonak, Jared Spieker 3-Brad Jensen, Lane Wirtjes 5-JoAnn Eggleston, Elizabeth Edenfield, Richard Donley 7-Darlene Warne 8-Heidi Williams, Dan Jensen 9-Debra Noem 10-Austin Vig 11-Carol Laverick, Penni Lamb, Jean Steever 13-Wayne Noem 14-Savannah Hovde 15-Rebecca Peterson, Alfred Fryslie 17-Madison Brenden, Vonnie Ladwig, Alan Hamre, Carrie LaMont, 17-Kay Martin, Oakley Hollander, Destiny Fourhorns 18-Barb Lamb, Raegan Burke 19-Samantha Verdon, Duane Wastweet 20-Beulah Erstad, Larry Erstad 21-Lane Hovde, Olleen Kirkeby, Dustin Guerdet, Jody Peterson 22-Sabrina Fuller 23-Evett Lewno, Cleo Fulton, LaWanda Fedt, Amanda Singrey, Kobe Weets, Marilee Weets 24-Julayne Thoreson, Lloyd Brekke 25-Sue Garness, Lorie Terhark 26-Monty Torper 27-Taylon LaMont 28-Linda Larson, Kristin Vandersnick 29-Haley Wiseman, Aubrey Moeller 30-Mavis Brenden Birthday additions or corrections? pstarlp@gmail.com or call

4 PRAIRIE STAR PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES The Prairie Star Parish Council met Wednesday, Aug, 15, 2018, at 7pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Those present were Curtis Lamb, Sandra Hovde, Doug LaMont, Dan Tonak, Lane Wirtjes, Ronda Laube, Jayne Jensen, Julayne Thoreson, Chuck Lusk, Harold Singrey, Merl Hanson, Pastors Garness and Taffe, Colin Beveridge, and Kristin Vandersnick. Vice-President Doug called the meeting to order and asked Pastor Keith to lead devotions. Sec. Ronda then read the minutes of the June 6, 2018 parish council meeting. Pastor Keith noted that the insurance for himself and Sue had not been acted on yet, was only discussed. Dan motioned, Sandy seconded, that the minutes be approved with this correction. Motion carried. Merl gave the financial report year-to-date (8/15/18). Discussed & accepted as given. The report from the Pastors included updates on the God s Work/Our Hands Sunday, August 19, which will be a joint service at Our Redeemer. Willow Lake School will be the recipient of the labor/energy part of the event. This will be followed by a casual meal prepared by the Houston Kids; they will share their experiences from their trip. Rodney Nuttbrock is also planning to join the group to present some service opportunities on the SD Native American Reservations. The group will then proceed to enjoy the hospitality of Pastor Keith and Sue at their home on Lake Albert. Congregational news included the Good Hope restoration of their steeple. Maggie Hovde had recently provided a sermon for the church services, which was very appreciated. Doug reported that Grace will now have their parsonage rented and recently hosted a wedding at their church. Our Redeemer reported that the annual pork bbq date has been set for Sept. 22. The annual end of summer bake sale will be held 8/16. Bethlehem reported that they have committed to a major sewer upgrade for their facility. Rally Sunday will be September 9 in all churches, and will also mark the beginning of the new lectionary year for services. For old business: A uniform criteria will be used to determine the member count for each congregation, as specified in the PSLP Working Agreement. New Business: Discussion followed on the proposed organizational structure and standard organization procedures for staff. This is a critical step in the life of our parish, with the upcoming retirement of Pastor Keith. Colin Beveridge has been accepted into the seminary studies in Sioux Falls through the SD Synod Kairos program. A major portion of his studies can be done on-line, with classroom time once or twice per month. During this time of study he would be at the level of Vicar, which means student pastor. Several of his previous college credits will apply to this program. Colin is willing to serve our Parish in any capacity that he can. His schooling schedule could easily cover a period of 4-5 years, but upon completion, he will be eligible for full ordination. He has already provided pulpit service at Grace. The details of this arrangement with Colin is in the working stages, and will require input/meeting with representatives from the Synod. Love Changes Everything {1 JOHN 4:7-8} MEDARY CONFERENCE WOMEN S RETREAT Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Badger, South Dakota Legion Hall, Main Street Coffee starts at 9:00am / Retreat begins at 9:30 am / Coffee & closing at 3:30 pm MORNING: - Coffee fellowship - Sing-along with Sally Rosin - Bible study with Pastor Sue Sinclair of Leganger, Toronto - Silent Auction - Skits from area churches - Lunch provided by the Medary Conference WELCA officers AFTERNOON: - Sing-along with Sally Rosin - Guest speaker Audrey Rider, author of Uniquely You - Presentation by LSS - Silent auction winners announced - Coffee fellowship - Return to your homes, RELAXED, REJOICING, AND READY TO SHARE & SERVE! (Minutes continue on next page)

5 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES, continued: Discussion followed on the parish age for Confirmation. Returning to the 7th-8th grade age level seemed to have several advantages. No firm decision made. God s Prairie Readers A Christian Women s Book Club for Bethlehem and the Parish Our inaugural meeting will be on Sunday, September 9 from 4-6pm at Bethlehem. Please read Chapters 1-7 in your copy of Love Does by Bob Goff. Come enjoy food, fellowship, and faith-building discussion! Audrey Rider has ordered books for those who have RSVP d thus far, plus a few extras. Contact her with any questions: audrey.rider@sdstate.edu or text (605) We will continue to read Love Does through Sept, Oct, Nov, and Dec. We will meet on the 2nd Sunday of each month in this 4-6pm time slot. Locations for next meetings to be determined by the group. Bethlehem 7th-12th graders, your Sunday School class this year will be a Christian Book Club just for teens! We will meet during the regular Sunday School time to read & discuss modern Christian books written specifically for your age group. Please RSVP to Kristin Vandersnick if you d like to give it a try! Books will be provided for you. First meeting is Sunday, Sept. 16. If you count Bethlehem Lutheran as one of your blessings, consider blessing your church with a financial gift. Visit our new website, if you d like to try Online Giving. Your support makes it possible for Bethlehem to bring Christ to our community! Discussion followed next on the possibility of a Parish Ministry Coordinator. This paid staff position would be for a part-time lay person who would provide administrative assistance to Pastor Bryan after Pastor Keith s retirement. Many options are open at this point, whether it be an interim position or a longer-term situation depending on the addition of another pastor. Coordination between the four churches, so we are all on the same page would be one the main focal points of this position. This page will also include website and digital communication, to complement (not eliminate) paper communication. The organization of the official documents of the church, coordinating volunteers, research, preparing materials for meetings, reports, etc., would allow Pastor Bryan to concentrate on the ministerial duties necessary for the four churches. Kristin Vandersnick has presented this position as a possibility for us to consider. It would require the addition of a resolution to the parish agreement. Jayne motioned, Julayne seconded that a resolution be created to be presented to the parish councils/congregations. Motion carried. Survey questions to be included for the next newsletter were requested. A representative from each congregation is asked to submit the questions by 8/20. The questions should cover what the parishioners would like to see improved, changed, etc. This information will be used as a guide for the church leaders to better serve the Prairie Star Parish. There being no further business, meeting adjourned. Closed with Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, RONDA LAUBE, Secretary You are invited! Sunday, October 7, 2018 as we celebrate the 50 th Ordination of Rev. Selmer G. Hernes IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH 246 S. CLARK ST. FOREST CITY, IA Worship at 9:15am 10:15am Reception Pastor Sam served us at Our Redeemer and Bethlehem in the late 70s - early 80s.

6 Minutes from Bethlehem Lutheran 8/14/18 council meeting Pres. Julayne called the meeting to order. Present were Julayne, Trinity, Jody, Kristin, Matt, Julian, Harold, Lee, Pastor Bryan, Jennifer. Lee led devotions. Kristin read the Secretary s Report from the 6/18/18 meeting. Matt motioned to approve Sec. Report, second by Harold. Motion carried. Treasurer s Report given by Jennifer. Expenses as of Aug. 14 were $44,324 and offerings as of end of July were $29,083. Motion by Lee to approve the Treasurer s Report, second by Julian. Motion carried. Trustees Report: The keypad for the safe in the office needs to be repaired yet. Tim Clarke will refinish the exterior doors on the church building. Pastor s Report by Pastor Bryan. Parishwide worship on 8/19 in in Bryant. Confirmation Camp at NeSoDak went well. The parish is looking at doing Confirmation Camp every-other year, so each student can do it once. Confirmation will start up again in Sept. with the initial parent/student meeting Sept. 12. We are starting Year 2 of the Narrative Lectionary. Julayne will include Readers on this upcoming Usher list. If they wish, congregation members can sign up to read Scripture during worship; if no readers sign up, the Pastor will read it. We are aiming for Sept. 16 as the Sunday to recognize / welcome new members. Parish council report. We want to work on active vs. inactive member lists and make sure we re doing this the best way. Julayne will ask at the parish council meeting about sending out a member survey. Pastors met with Donna and Laura to talk about youth milestones, such as timelines for Sunday School, CYO, Bibles, First Communion, etc. The council would like to create consistency for the timing of these faith milestones. New Business: Thank yous were received from the NeSoDak counselors who came for VBS, from the SD Synod for mission support, and from Ella V. for Bible Campership. Clark County ICP sent a letter inviting churches to participate as a ministry opportunity. A letter was received from Blessings Big & Small Christian store in Watertown; they offer 20% off purchases made by churches. A postcard was shared about Faith Fest 2019, a youth gathering opportunity at the Augustana campus. Jody and Trinity were present to talk about Confirmation. The current Confirmation date (Oct. 28) is the same as national FFA and All-State Chorus. Bethlehem will move our Confirmation service date up one week, to Oct. 21. Trinity thanked for the opportunity to attend Confirmation camp. As someone who loves Bible Camp and attends every year, she says she was concerned about this class Confirmation camp experience. Most campers they met there were in 7th grade, a big age difference between them and our Prairie Star 9th-graders. She felt her peers didn t enjoy Bible camp as much they could have. She suggested either 1) sending our students to Confirmation Camp at the front end of Confirmation, or 2) move up our Confirmation age. Our next meeting will be Oct. 17 at 8pm. Kristin will have devotions. Motion by Jennifer to adjourn, second by Julian. Motion carried. Meeting closed with The Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Kristin Vandersnick, Acting Secretary Worship with us! Bethlehem in Vienna 8:30am Worship 9:30am Coffee Fellowship & Sunday School Note: Coffee fellowship will be at the church on Sunday, 9/9, but will move up to the Vienna Town Hall as of Sunday, 9/16. Bethlehem Worship Helpers for September Ushers & Janitors 9/2: John & Julayne Thoreson 9/9: Lloyd & Cheryl Brekke 9/16: Justin & Lynnea Seivert 9/23: 9/30: Matt Vandersnick family Readers: 9/2: Julayne Thoreson 9/9: Kristin Vandersnick Altar Calley Lusk & Julie Larson Acolytes Children of Sunday ushers or volunteers 4th grade & up Bethlehem Sunday School Rally Day is Sept. 9 8:30am worship followed by refreshments & activities The Sunday School children will be singing during worship, some of the songs they learned at Vacation Bible School in June. If possible, kids should wear their VBS tiedye shirt, or any other brightly- colored shirt. Students of all ages, bring your backpack to church on 9/9 for a Blessing of the Backpacks during worship! Sunday School classes begin on Sept. 16. Third-graders will also be receiving their Bibles during church on 9/16. Talk to your Board of Education members (Erin Brenden, Laura Lewno, Jenn Tellinghuisen) with any questions or to volunteer.

7 Worship with us! Good Hope Lutheran Church 9:45am Worship on Sept. 9 & 23 OUR REDEEMER COUNCIL MEETING August 7, 2018 The meeting was called to order by President Brad Jacobson with Pastor Bryan, Pastor Keith, Colin Beveridge and 8 members present. Secretary s Report was read and approved. Treasurer s Report was reviewed and approved. Colin Beveridge has been accepted into the Kairos program. He explained the program and what his future schooling would entail. Pastor s Report: Pastor Bryan reported that Parkview s goal is to be done using the room in the church by the end of October. God s work our Hands Remembering Pastor Schumacher Rev. William Schumacher passed away on Friday, July 20, 2018 in Vista, California. He served as Good Hope's pastor from June 1954 until April Pastor Schumacher visited Good Hope in September 2016, when a dinner was held in his honor. The members of Good Hope greatly enjoyed his stories and quick wit, and are very sorry to learn of his passing. will be Aug. 19. Pastor Keith s last day will be Sept. 30. Pastor Bryan will be on vacation Oct. 29-Nov. 11. Old Business: The parsonage project has been completed. New Business: The annual church BBQ will be held Sept. 22 with Tyler and Courtney Christensen as chairpersons. A motion was made by Shannon, second by Chris to donate to the Back Pack program as our mission of the quarter. Motion carried. The next meeting will be held on Oct. 24 at 8pm at the parsonage. The Lord s Prayer was said. Meeting adjourned. Chris Noem, Secretary Grace Servers for September Ushers: Sept. 2 Gary Beutler & Al Hamre Sept. 9 Verdon & Marlene Lamb Sept. 16 Jim & Carrie LaMont Sept. 23 Arrin & Lane Wirtjes Sept. 30 Owen & Lucille Birkholtz Acolytes: Sept. 2 Burke family Sept. 9 - Samantha Sept. 16 Braeden Sept. 23 Masyn Sept. 30 Burke family Church Cleaning: Laurie Knock & Desi Kretzschmar Thank you for sharing your time and talents! Seeking Volunteers: Are you interested in the new ideas that came from Consecration Sunday? If you d like to help implement and advance these ideas at Grace, please contact Arrin Wirtjes or any of the church council members. Worship with us! Grace in Willow Lake 9:45am Sunday School, 11am Worship Rally Day! Sunday School Rally Day at Grace will be Sept. 9th at 9:45am, with worship at 11:00am and a potluck meal following. During worship we ll have a Blessing of the Backpacks for students of any age, and even teachers! Ages 3 through 6th grade are invited to take part in Sunday School. Contact Arrin ( ) with any questions. Grace will also be having a Jr High / High School SS class that will meet about once a month. Looking forward to a great year! Mission Project: School Kits Grace Lutheran Church Women are collecting items for Lutheran World Relief School Kits. Here is a list of items needed: FOUR 70-sheet notebooks of wide or college ruled paper ONE 30-centimeter ruler ONE pencil sharpener ONE pair of blunt scissors FIVE unsharpened #2 pencils FIVE black or blue ballpoint pens ONE box of 16 or 24 crayons ONE 2 ½ eraser Thank you for your generosity!

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9 Use this space for additional questions, concerns, or comments. Please help your congregation and parish leaders by taking this important survey, located on the back of this page. As we enter this time of transition with Pastor Keith s retirement (Sept. 30), now is a good time to evaluate where we are and plan for the future. Remove this page from the newsletter, complete the survey, and return it in person to your congregation or by mail to: Prairie Star Lutheran Parish PO Box 115 Bryant, SD If you prefer to take the survey electronically, use the link found on Bethlehem s website,

10 Survey for all members of the Prairie Star Parish 1. Which congregation are you a member of? (Circle one) Bethlehem Good Hope Grace Our Redeemer 2. Which age category applies to you? (Circle one) Under 18, 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, If you have children living at home, what are their ages? (Check all that apply) Age 5 and under Ages 6-12 Ages 13-18, not yet Confirmed Ages 13-18, have been Confirmed 4. How would you like Confirmation structured? (Check one) [Background] In the past, Confirmation classes were in 7th & 8th grade. Currently, Confirmation classes are taken in 8th & 9th grade, with Confirmation in the fall of the 10th grade year. The older age means more maturity, but it also brings busier school/sports schedules. The younger age might mean less maturity, but it may make scheduling easier (i.e. There are no Wed. night sports practices for 7th and 8th graders.) Most Confirmation students our parish encountered at NeSoDak Confirmation Camp this summer were 7th graders. I support leaving Confirmation as it is, for 8th-9th graders. I support changing Confirmation back to 7th-8th grade. Other, or comments: 5. Would you be in favor of a lay person starting the worship service (by doing announcements, etc.) if the pastor is delayed? (Circle one) Yes No Maybe 6. Which statement best describes your opinion about the 5th-Sunday parish-wide worship services? (Check one) I enjoy attending these 5th-Sundays and would like to see them continue. I have attended a few and enjoyed them. I have attended a few, but don t have a strong feeling either way. When it s a 5th Sunday and not at my home church, I usually do something else with my Sunday morning. 7. How satisfied are you with the number of visits our Pastor(s) are making to shut-ins, those in nursing homes or hospitalized? (Circle one) Very Satisfied Satisfied Unsure Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied 8. How would you rate Communication within the parish? (5 is best) 9. Would you favor a structured timeframe for the Prayer List? (ex: 6 weeks) Names could be renewed at that time if needed. Yes No Maybe 10. Would you like to see any changes made to worship music in your congregation? (Check any that apply) No, I like our music as it is. More special music by individuals or groups A church / parish choir More instrumental music during worship (guitars, etc.) Sunday School kids sing during worship more often More contemporary / modern hymns Other, or comments: 11. What do you feel is the most appropriate level of pastoral coverage for our four-point parish? (Circle one) 1 full-time pastor 1 full-time + 1 part-time pastor 2 full-time pastors Other, or comments: 12. Do you feel it would be beneficial to have more parish-wide activities or projects, like a parish Bible study group or mission projects that all congregations could contribute to? (Circle one) Yes No Maybe Comments or ideas? 13. Is there anything you feel could be improved in our parish? 14. Are there any other comments, questions, concerns you d like to share? Please feel free to use the back of this page for writing.