GRIEF SHARE GROUP. Sharing The Savior Developing Disciples. Messiah Lutheran Church Mounds View, MN

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1 MESSIAH Messiah Lutheran Church Mounds View, MN J A N U A R Y, Sharing The Savior Developing Disciples N E W S L E T T E R GRIEF SHARE GROUP We would like to start another Griefshare Group on Monday, February 6th in the Fireside Room here at Messiah. We will meet every Monday for 13 weeks from 4:00 to 6:30 pm At each session there is time to get to know group members, watch a DVD that has many counselors and people who have experienced the death of a loved one giving us suggestions of ways that can help us get through the pain and adjustment of life after their death. Then there is time for discussion or just listening as we share with others who are also experiencing the death of a loved one. Brochures are available the church or you can call the church office ( ) for more information or call Karen Hagford at or Jim or Kay Kinzie at Staff Ext. Senior Pastor Kurt Klaus Associate Pastor Christopher Kollmann 113 Director of Education, Website Allison Burkhow Director of Preschool Annie Bilski Director of Parish Music Kay Knutson Director of Senior Youth Andrew Asp Administrative Assistant & Choir Director Heather McAllister Secretary JoElla Kath Bookkeeper Lowell Brutlag Custodian Curt Flor Custodial Assistants Ron Boyce Dave Anderson Church Office Hours Monday-Friday... 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Phone Number Sunday Schedule 7:30 am... Traditional Service 8:45 am... Traditional Service 10:00 am...education Hour 11:00 am... Contemporary Service Wednesday Schedule 6:06 pm... Casual Service Church Address messiah@messiah-lutheran.org Church Web Site messiah-lutheran.org

2 Generosity in Action: An article featured in the December 2016 Thrivent magazine. Thrivent Choice Dollars Benefit Messiah In recent years, Messiah has really benefitted from a program called Thrivent Choice. Each year, eligible Thrivent members are assigned a certain number of Choice Dollars based on their annual premiums, contract values and volunteer leadership. Thrivent Choice Dollars can be donated to eligible non-profit organizations, including churches and schools. In 2016 (as of November), Messiah has received $6,365 Thrivent Choice dollars. In the last 3 years, Messiah has received $20,517 through Thrivent Choice, an average of $6,839 per year. Thank you to our Thrivent members for your generosity, and for choosing to contribute your Thrivent Choice dollars to Messiah!!!! It is greatly appreciated!!! These funds have been used at Messiah s discretion to meet needs that pop up. In the last few years, Thrivent Choice dollars have helped us to purchase the new screen in the back of the sanctuary, as well as to cover some shortfalls in our operating budget. Each year, 2/3 of Thrivent members who are eligible to donate Choice Dollars do not utilize the program, so their Choice Dollars go unused. If you are a Thrivent member, you may be eligible to donate Choice Dollars and not even know it!! If you want to know if you are currently earning Choice Dollars, please ask your Thrivent representative, to make sure that you are taking full advantage of this opportunity. The deadline to donate Thrivent Choice Dollars earned in 2016 is March 31,

3 GIFTS TO MESSIAH The boxes of offering envelopes for 2017 are on a table in the Gathering Space. Please take yours as soon as possible. Note that the boxes are in alphabetical order by last name. IMPORTANT: Begin using the BUFF colored 2017 envelopes in January. Each year the envelopes are renumbered and your number from 2016 is likely to be different for After January, please discard any remaining blue envelopes from If used, your offering may be recorded on some other member s account. A WORD OF EXPLANATION IN USING THE ENVELOPES: Envelopes are used so that an annual summary of gifts can be provided to you for income tax purposes -- thus, the importance of using the envelope assigned to you. The first envelope in the box is labeled Initial Offering. Using that envelope helps defray the cost to Messiah in providing offering envelopes. It costs about $3.00 per box to supply the envelopes for your use. To clarify the designations of your contribution in using your envelope, please note: 1. Faith Promise is for contributions to meet the general fund budget as adopted by the Voters Assembly. This money is used for the operating expenses of Messiah, such as heat, electricity, salaries, program expenses such as Sunday School and Confirmation materials, office supplies, mailing expenses, etc. 2. Mortgage Fund is for the mortgage payments of Messiah. 3. Other: If you want your contribution to go to a specific area other than Faith Promise or Mortgage, indicate your desire on this line. Examples might be Pre-School, missions, holiday food baskets, etc. If nothing is indicated, this portion of your offering will be put into the Faith Promise general fund. SIMPLY GIVING PROGRAM: This program allows for an automatic withdrawal of funds from your bank account to Messiah on a regular basis. If interested in this program, please contact Lowell Brutlag, bookkeeper, for the paperwork. ELECTRONIC GIVING: You may use Messiah s web site to give gifts electronically. Go to and follow the links to set up an account for a one-time gift or for regular giving. XYZ Our next event will be on SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 at 3:00 in the Crossroads area here at Messiah. We will be playing Bunco and having a Potluck Dinner following. Please signup on the Bulletin Board by the elevator if you plan to come so that we will have everything ready for you. 3

4 välənˈtir Redefine What Volunteer Means to You vol un teer välənˈtir verb, present participle: volunteering freely offer to do something: "he volunteered for the job" offer (help): "he volunteered his services as a driver for the convoy" say or suggest something without being asked: "it never paid to volunteer information" Being a volunteer means that you are offering something something that is not required nor an obligation. When you volunteer, you are making connections. You are connected with the community. You are connected with the problem as well as the solution. You are connected to a process a process in which you believe. And you are connected to other people. Through your actions and involvement, you are benefitting others as well as yourself. Each month our new newsletter column, välənˈtir, will show you opportunities to volunteer in Messiah s community. Take some time to learn about what you would like to do and watch this space to find opportunities to volunteer. On Saturday 12/17/2016, ten boxes of food were distributed to less fortunate members of Messiah and the surrounding communities. In addition, forty five fruit baskets were delivered to shut-in members and congregational members who suffered a loss during the past year. My sincere gratitude goes to those volunteers whose names appear below. It s also important to say thank you to the many members of Messiah who responded so generously to our appeal for last minute funds for this ministry. Gail & Jared Ness Brian Parker John & Nanci Miller Nicholas Flor Jeffery Fey Allison Fey Pat Elliott Shannon Elliott Keira Elliott Curt Flor Daniel Johnson Shannon Fall Jennifer Skripka Gabrielle Fey Amy Fey Tammy Elliott Sean Elliott 4

5 JANUARY, 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 7:30AM*,8:45*,11:00 AM *Worship 8 7:30AM,8:45,11:00 M Worship 10:00 AM Education Hour 15 7:30AM,*8:45*, 11:00 AM* Worship 10:00 AM Education Hour 3:00 PM XYZ Bunco 22 7:30 AM,8:45, 11:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM Education Hour 29 FOOD SHELF SUNDAY 7:30 AM,8:45, 11:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM Education Hour 2 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED :00 AM Work Crew/Quilting 7:30 PM AA Group 1:00 PM Women s Bible Study 6:30 PM Parkinson s Group 7:00 PM Elders 9:00 AM Work Crew/Quilting / Prayer Group 1:00 PM Women s Bible Study 7:30 PM AA 9:00 AM Work Crew//Prayer Group 1:00 PM Women s Bible Study 7:00 Mom s Bible Study 7:30 PM AA 9:00 AM Work Crew /Prayer Goup 1:00 PM Women s Bible Study 7:00 PM Leadership Council 7:30 PM AA 4 11:00 AM Messiah Seniors 6:45 PM Jeremiah Bible Study 4:45 PM Community Meal 6:00 PM Kids of Service / Confirmation/SR Youth *See Wednesday Activities* 4:45 PM Community Meal 5:00 PM Joyful Ringers 6:00 PM Confirmation/SR Youth *See Wednesday Activities* 4:45 PM Community Meal 5:00 PM Joyful Ringers 6:00 PM Kids of Service/ Confirmation/SR Youth *See Wednesday Activities* Wednesday Activities: 6:06 PM Worship Service 6:45 PM Jeremiah Bible Study 7:00 PM Bible Study/Messiah Singers 5 2:00 PM Cribbage 12 2:00 PM Cribbage 7:00 PM Jubilant Bells 19 2:00 PM Cribbage/Book Club 7:00 PM Jubilant Bells 26 2:00 PM Cribbage 7:00 PM Jubilant Bells 6 6:00 AM Men s Bible RJ Riches 13 6:00 AM Men s Bible RJ Riches 9:15 AM MOPS 6:30 PM CANA Bingo 20 6:00 AM Men s Bible RJ Riches. 27 6:00 AM Men s Bible RJ Riches :00 PM WOM Service Project :00 AM Work Crew /Prayer 11 9:30 AM Senior Bible Study 18 9:30 AM Senior Bible Study 25 9:30 AM Senior Bible Study

6 välənˈtir A Sign for the Times This is a story of a woman who noticed a sign while on her daily walk. One day, the sign spoke to her heart. It said, Message inside. So she went in. A few months later, she became a new member of Messiah Lutheran Church. Since the 1950s, a sign stood in front of Messiah Lutheran Church. On any day, people passing by could see who we were, when to come and the clergy who would present. With our current building, the sign was updated when it moved across the street. To continue this sign changing ministry, Marlene Bast tells that she used the old-fashioned method of getting volunteers for changing the messages. She used the church directory and picked and called member(s) to see if they would be willing to put messages on our Messiah church sign one month out of a year. She had very few people turn her down. A story Marlene tells is when she called one home and the wife answered. After Marlene explained why she was calling, the wife said "you can ask him but he never volunteers for anything." She did ask him. His responds was "Oh, I guess I can do that". At the end of seven years of this ministry he and his wife were still taking their turn one month out of a year. When our new outdoor sign came this fall over half of the people on the list were still doing their month each year. Messages were changed two or three times a month. During months like this one, it could be pretty cold! said Virgil Beyer. I d have to keep my car running so I could run in and warm up my hands. JoAnn Anderson said We d start by cleaning the glass of dead mosquitoes and other material that were caught in the sign. Then we d set up the message from the list from the sign changer box set in the Fireside room. (All messages were approved by the pastor). The sign had four tracks on each side that 6 held up to 33 letters. JoAnn said, "When the message was laid out on the rows, it was locked down. Then some letters would decide to fall and we would have to unlock the glass door and try and place the letter back on the rack. Bob Anderson added, I remember the sign being frozen shut. We d need Curt to bring a lighter and heat up the lock. Even with crummy weather, we looked forward to our time. It was fun, really. Technology changes helped us move to a new digital sign this fall. Messages can now be posted from the office. Please join us on January 22nd in thanking this group of volunteers as they retire from the Sign Changers program. Their years of ministry helped Messiah reach out into the neighborhood and invite people to come in and learn about Jesus.

7 Women of Messiah We don t have a regular meeting in January, but we do have an exciting service project. On January 21 st from 1 to 5 we will be meeting to cut and sew hygiene kits for teen girls in third world countries. The kits include hotel sized soap and dark colored, inexpensive washcloths. Donations of these items would be greatly appreciated. We hope to have many hands to serve the Lord with gladness. Our February meeting will be on Valentine s Day, Feb. 14 th, with our usual potluck dinner starting at 6:00. Keep praying for our LWML on the district and national level. Remember to save those mites for all of the important mission projects to which funds have been designated this year. Scholarship Funds Available for Mission Trips and Servant Events Have you thought about participating in a servant event to serve your community? Or, going on a mission trip in the U.S. or abroad? Or, do you know someone who is interested? If so, read on. Messiah offers scholarships to help members finance short term mission trips and servant events. Mission trips involve travel away from our locale. Servant events are typically local activities to help those in need, though could be done outside our locale, as Teen Serve has done in the past. Mission trips help people in need, or support full time missionaries, and provide Christian witness. Most trips are run by an organization outside Messiah. Scholarships typically cover travel/housing expenses. Servant events usually help those who can t do something and/or can t afford to hire it done activities like providing rides, painting, raking, home repair, auto repair, etc. These are typically organized locally or by the volunteers themselves. Scholarship funds are typically for supplies used for the work. If you need financial assistance for a short term ministry trip or a servant event, please contact Steve Pickel ( ), Ron Bardal ( ) or Pastor Klaus. They can also point out mission ideas if you are looking for mission opportunities. You will be asked to complete an application form. If, instead, you d like to contribute to the fund for future scholarships, include a donation in an offering envelop; use the Other line and write, Mission Scholarship Fund. 7

8 FAMILIES MOVING FORWARD UPDATE As many of you know Lee and I have been leading FMF since its inception at Messiah 9 years, twice a year. During that time we, as a congregation, have hosted approximately 70 homeless families, or about 300 guests. Which means we have welcomed them, gave them a safe, warm environment (sometimes including box elder bugs) to sleep, prepared and served them dinner and breakfast, played bingo and numerous other activities. Most of all provided them with love and concern to help them thru what has to be an incredibly difficult period of their lives. We have laughed, cried, given high fives, enjoyed and celebrated great news of a new job or finding a home leading to a more stable environment for their family. Lee an I have also watched our congregation go from well-- I don't know if I can do this to sure what dates are available. Going from those people to Shaneeka, Olivia, Juan, Isaiah. Going from questioning how they spend their money to how in the world did you get your hair to do that Our guests truly became real people To do this we have had about 50 active volunteers and 20 people who donate food or money for each session. We have consistently had at least five new people each time, Messiah is involved! Over the years the success rate of finding stable housing has increased to over 70%. FMF now works under Beacon Innerfaith who assist not only homeless families but homeless teens, single men and women, people recently released from prison and looking for a new start. Homelessness reaches across the entire population That's my soapbox-almost. While Lee and I both felt a call from the Holy Spirit to establish this ministry here at Messiah, we feel the need to step down in one year. We are asking you to prayerfully consider stepping up to fill this position. We have excellent coordinators, staff and leadership encouragement, facilities and monetary support. No need to reinvent the wheel and we are here to mentor you if you wish. Please contact either one of us or Pastor Klaus if you are interested in finding out more about this position. Dean Nadesty said in his sermon on anniversary Sunday, Messiah will stay strong as long as we serve more than ourselves. USHERS 7:30 R. Roehl & N. Roehl 8:45 B. Brolsma, C. Hayes, ALTAR GUILD J. Angle (763) L. Quarnstrom (763) J. Kvitrud, W. Schuldt 11:00 B. Bargman & M. Johnson 8

9 January 1: 7:30 G. Ness 8:45 11:00 L. Radtke January 8: 7:30 B. Gaynor 8:45 B. Stadler 11:00 M. Bardal January 15: 7:30 L. Reid 8:45 D. Kleba 11:00 C. Schwanbeck January 22: 7:30 8:45 J. Norell 11:00 R. Stadler January 29: 7:30 G. Ness 8:45 R. Stadler 11:00 H. Hansen READERS GREETERS January 1: 7:30 V. & I. Beyer 8:45 D. & M. Eggers J. Angle 11:00 J. & D Rust January 8: 7:30 G. & G. Garner 8:45 C. & A. Ewer R. Bardal 11:00 B. & C. Sherman January 15: 7:30 S. & B. Gaynor 8:45 J. & A. Fey C. Baumgartner 11:00 R. & D. Boyce January 22: 7:30 J. & N. Miller 8:45 K. & P. Grubb M. Berge 11:00 J. Carlson B. Smith January 29: 7:30 M. & J. O Shea 8:45 H. & R. Hanson M. Brisse 11:00 G. & G. Hanold Monthly Memory Verse Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118:1 9

10 Bible Study on Galatians January 1 st begins the celebration of the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation. 500 years ago a little known German monk, by the name of Martin Luther, didn t like the abuses that he saw in the church. Many of the things the church was doing and saying were in direct conflict with what Luther was reading in the Bible. One of the books of scripture that he saw the church s practice and doctrine contradicting each other was the epistle (Letter) of Galatians. What Luther read in Galatians, and throughout the Bible, pointed him away from his own works as a ways to gain forgiveness and salvation and lead him to Christ and HIS work as the only way we could be saved. It was that discovery that prompted Luther to post 95 theses, or statements, on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Those 95 statements were designed to spark a debate but in the end, they sparked a reformation of faith, government, and society. In celebration of the 500 th anniversary of Luther s rediscovery of the Gospel, Messiah s 10 am Sunday morning Bible study will going through the books of the Bible that most influenced Luther and prompted him to stand up and challenge the church s teaching on salvation. The first book we are going to look at is the book of Galatians. We will begin on Sunday, January 8 th and we will go verse by verse through the book looking at how it influenced Luther and why it is still very relevant for us today. If you are unable to come on Sunday mornings we will be studying the same verses on Wednesday nights after the 6:06 service. We look forward to seeing you there. Sign-Ups for Small Group Studies Have Begun! Messiah will start new small group studies early in A small group is 6 to 12 people who meet in homes or at church to study topics they choose. Each study is typically six to eight sessions long, though can be more or fewer depending on the topic. When a study is finished, the group may choose another topic to study. Groups typically meet once or twice a month, though could meet more or less often, if the group chooses. These groups work best if the members live reasonably close to each other, so coming together is convenient. Some benefits of small groups are: It s easy for everyone to participate with a small number of people Members get to know each other and build friendships. Discussion of topics can go into as much depth as the group chooses. Sign-ups for our small groups are available on the bulletin board by the Fireside Room door. Each study is a little different, so take a look at who the study is geared towards and what the topic is to find the right one for you! If the group you would like to participate is full or if you have an idea for another small group, please write your name on the forms on the shelf below the sign-up sheets. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Klaus or Allison Burkhow. 10

11 Sharing the Savior Developing Disciples Leadership Council Minutes Present: Betty Delano, Candace Johnson, Dayle Boyce, Brian Thistle, Jeff Goldsmith, Pastor Klaus & Pastor Kollmann The meeting started at 7:05 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 with Pastor Klaus opening with a devotion. Status of monthly minutes: A motion was made to accept the August 17, 2016 LC meeting minutes. The motion was seconded. The motion passed. Due to no LC meeting in September there were no minutes for September. Member Changes: There was one family received by transfer, one family transferring out and three baptisms. Treasurer s Report: September total income was $50,763, $9,654 less than budgeted. Monthly expenses for September were $3,488 less than the amount budgeted. For the month of September Messiah had an operating deficit of $12,525. The mortgage loan balance at the end of September is $1,449,455. Pastor Update: Pastor Klaus reported they are looking into the possibility of having a second emergency door for the Sanctuary for safety reasons. The Gathering Space carpet is wearing fast and will need to be replaced soon. The movable wall in the Pre-School is falling apart and they are looking into replacing it with a wall. Pastor Klaus and Curt will be looking into these projects and getting bids. The Advent theme this year will be Symbols of Christmas based around the Christmas tree. The Stewardship drive will take place a week after the 75th Anniversary celebration. New Business: The December LC meeting will be a gathering, December 6 th at Jeff Goldsmith s. The Annual Report will be published after the 1st of the year near the end of February. The LC will outline the structure for the report at the November meeting. Handbook changes need to be finalized. Jeff, Jonathan and Candace will work on it for the November LC meeting. Voter s meeting will be December 4th. Heather s 5 year anniversary will be celebrated during worship on November 20 th. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm with a closing prayer by Pastor Kollmann. Respectfully Submitted, Dayle Boyce 11

12 Upcoming Events at Messiah Wednesday, January 11: Friday, January 13: Sunday, January 15: Kids of Service Going to 6:00 pm CANA 6:30 PM XYZ Activity 3:00 PM Saturday, January 21: WOM Service 1:00 PM When moving, changing address and/or phone, please notify the church office Change Service Requested The Messiah January Newsletter 2017 Messiah Lutheran Church and Preschool 2848 County Road H2 Mounds View, Minnesota