creator? That is your relationship with God now. You are accepted for who you are and to prove it countdown to the observance of

Transcription

1 500 Years and Counting By Pastor Timothy J. Wittwer The creator? That is your relationship with God now. You are accepted for who you are and to prove it countdown to the observance of God is letting you help with the work. You won t the five hundredth anniversary year of the be doing the heavy-lifting, star creation and Reformation will happen on October 31st! Five gravity, time and space etc. God s still got that hundred Years ago Martin Luther nailed 95 but you and I will be creating the world around statements or thesis on the Castle Church door in us through our relationships relationships Wittenberg. Martin wanted the church to talk with our environment and with all the people Gustavus Adolphus about the practice of selling indulgences. and critters in our lives. Lutheran Church The first thesis is most undoubted the most The five-hundred-year observance worships God by popular. It states, "When our Lord and Master Jesus of the Reformation is a witness that the inviting people to Christ said, 'Repent,' he willed the entire life of church is still reforming. We must lift up the grace of God in Christ and proclaim it to believers to be one of repentance." the world. Human traditions What? You mean I that do not lift up Jesus the Have you ever to a relationship with can t just buy a piece of paper that says my sins are forgiven thought of yourself Christ as Savior of all God s God and one another; people are not important. as a co-creator? and keep on doing what I want to do? No! Luther says In fact we must examine our that one s whole life should be about repentance. own practices. The bad traditions that in abundant grace We should be examining the way that we live our life up human power, like indulgences through faith in Christ; lives so that we can learn from our mistakes, be less should be stopped. God s power is made selfish and less stingy. Most of all we are blessed to manifest through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, new learn how to love others. God and neighbor as life for you and me and the world. We will never get it right. However, we Jesus taught us; keep on trying to do right knowing that we are God s unconditional love and forgiven by God through Christ when we make forgiveness for you and me and the mistakes. There is nothing to be added to or taken world through Jesus the Christ is what to invite others to be away from the work of Christ for you and me and the Reformation is all about. Let the a part of our faith the world. reformation ever continue! community. Now we have a job to do because God is See you in Worship! involved in every life and vocation. God invites us to work together with God in the world that we live in through our daily lives. Timothy J. Wittwer Have you ever thought of yourself as a copastor

2 October 2017 GA News 2017 Sunday Volunteer Schedule October 1 - Jazzy 8 -Remembering the Promise Worship Assistant Reader Ushers 15 - Blue Grass Page setting setting 10 8:00 AM 10:30 AM 8:00 AM 10:30 AM 8:00 AM 10:30 AM 8:00 AM 10:30 AM 8:00 AM 10:30 AM Levi Henry Jenna Haaf Erin Bengtson Tanner Breckan Ethan McKenna Adam Jayden Snell Hanks Oswald Gross Turnquist Hermanson Logan Bosshart Carol Ted Boettcher Karen Mersinger Bengtson Erica Kris Lippo Marie Marie Jane Miller Teresa Alecia Bowan Erlandson Hartman Johnson Hageman Marge & Ted & Judy Fred & John & Tina Gerry Brett & Ken & Jane & Jason & Darryl & Barb Larry Boettcher Karen David Hovde & Maria Lynette Chuck Miller Tami Bosshart Andel Bengtson Cliff Carlson Erlandson Hartman Hermanson Communion Jon Henry Steward Lynn Pagel Gerry Hovde Doug Brinkman Nita Lindgren Jordan David Coffee Servers Ray & Nita Lindgren/ Gerry & Marilyn Hovde/ Richard&Nancy Ammend Doug & Sharon Meyer Fred & Karen Bengtson/ Ken & Lynette Hartman Diane & Howard Swendra/ Doug&Kathy Brinkman Lynn & Jeff Pagel/ Shari&Jordan Johnsrud Counter Balvitsch/Oswald Freudenberg/Johnsrud Winkelman/C.Olson Andel/Swendra Dingmann/Wruck Pianist/ Organist Cindy Stay Cindy Stay Lisa Weber Bev Sandy Lisa Weber November 5 - Jazzy Worship 12 - Remembering The Promise 19 - setting Thanksgiving Eve at GA 26 - setting 10 8:00 AM 10:30 AM 8:00 AM 10:30 AM 8:00 AM 10:30 AM 7:00 PM 8:00 AM 10:30 AM Worship Assistant Tanner Funk Jordan Johnsrud Tristan Rudolph Levi Selander Abby Hartman Alaina Hageman Marie Hartman Andrew Knutson Colton Dingmann Reader Carole Mersinger Bonnie Turnquist Ray Lindgren Darrin Strosahl Sheryle Dahl Colton Dingmann Sharon Henry Janet Niemann Ushers John & Leighton & Ray & Nita Lynn & Jeff Ty Forner & Carole Shari Lindgren Pagel Tiffany Platz Amy Bob & Beth Oswald Dave & Howard & Dingmann Krista Diane Mersinger Johnsrud family Hutchins Swendra Communion Steward Nancy Ammend Maria Erlandson Lynette Hartman Al Niemann Coffee Servers Tom & Sheryle Dahl/ Darryl & Barb Bosshart Chuck & Jane Miller/ Kathy and Larry Balvitsch John & Tina David/Tara Klar Dave & Sharon Henry/ Doug & Kathy Brinkman (treats provided by 1st Presbyterian) Emily & Nick Hanks Counter Dahl/Pagel Balvitsch/Oswald Freudenberg/Johnsrud Andel/C.Olson Pianist/Organist Cindy Stay Cindy Stay Bev Sandy Cindy Stay Lisa Weber P a s t o r T i m o t h y J. W i t t w e r twittwer@gustavusadolphus.org O F F I C E nammend@gustavusadolphus.o rg Like us on Facebook Hours Mon - Thurs, 9:00am - 12:30pm B r o a d w a y A v e N P O B 5 4 5, F o l e y M N G A L C N e w s l e t t e r i s p u b l i s h e d m o n t h l y ( 1 2 i s s u e s / y e a r ) E d i t o r i a l D e a d l i n e i s 3 r d M o n d a y o f t h e M o n t h Lutefisk, Ham and Potato Sausage Dinner with all the fixings and topped off with Scandinavian desserts. October 21st 3:30-7pm Trinity Lutheran Church 735 2nd ST SE Milaca (Hwy 23 & 2nd ST SE) Adults $15: Lutefisk dinner $10: Ham and sausage dinner Kids 6-12 $5; kids under 5 FREE Bake Sale with Equal Exchange Coffee/Tea for sale Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church Fall Dinner Swedish Meatballs, Baked Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Lefse including a Beverage and Freshly Baked Pie with Ice Cream October 11, :30pm 7pm Henry s Event Center Bake Sale proceeds to CARE & CROSS Entertainment by Durban Circuit Singers Raising funds musically for Health Ministry needs in and around Durbin, South Africa. Seed Money Courtesy of Thrivent Financial Action Team Dollars Adults: $12; Kids: (5-10) $5; Under 4 Free Work schedules for the dinner are ready and are in the Church mailboxes. Thank you for your help! Contact Kathy Brinkman

3 October 2017 GA News Page 3 Salli Brown Visits South Africa Freelance writer: Allison Norgren E lephants, lions, cape buffalo, rhinos and leopards-oh my! Those five animals are considered the Big 5 of Africa and are what first got Salli Brown of Sauk Centre interested in a trip to South Africa. When I first heard about it I thought how exciting that would be, said Brown. Brown was at a religious women s retreat last year in Wilmar when she first heard about the trip. An 86-year-old retired Sauk Centre teacher, Brown wanted a big trip before she can t travel anymore. I think my family thought maybe I didn t have to go quite that far, said Brown, with a smile. Brown s trip was through a travel company called Lion World Travel out of Toronto, Canada. It was a trip meant to introduce her and her group of 6 others, including Pastor Timothy Wittwer from Foley, to some of the needs in Africa and also more about the culture. They also learned a lot about Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and the years South Africa was under apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination from 1948 to Brown learned that Mandela and Tutu used forgiveness and reconciliation to heal the hurt in South Africa after apartheid. The circuit that First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre belongs to is matched with a diocese in Durban, South Africa. This was part of an exchange between the two. As part of this exchange they spent three nights staying with a host family to see how the people of the area live. Brown stayed with Karen Fugile a retired physical education teacher from Sartell. The other group members were all from the St. Cloud area. They visited Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. During their time Brown was surprised by how the HIV/AIDS epidemic has affected the area. It seems those in the middle age group are the most victimized, said Brown. Brown was also surprised by the level of poverty in the area she visited. There is a huge gap between the rich and poor, said Brown. Many of the students either can t afford to attend school, or if they can the teacher may speak a different language than them. There are eleven languages spoken in South Africa. Some of the townships that Brown visited have no running water or electricity. They also have homes which are more like a shed or shanty. Brown was surprised to find, knowing the level of poverty, how happy the people are. When we arrived our tour guide told us we have more value in our suitcases than they will make in a year, said Brown. The people that Brown s group visited were so honored to serve Salli Brown takes a once in a lifetime trip to South Africa What We Need this Month! Canned Corn, Toothpaste, Deodorant, Diapers, Popcorn, Kleenex, mac and Cheese and Canned Sloppy Joe. THANK YOU DONORS The CROSS Center would like to thank those who donated for the school supply distribution. It is very important the kids can start off the school year with everything they might need. WANTED BOARD MEMBERS and VOLUNTEERS Please contact us at ; crosscenter@hotmail.com or visit our website Give A Gift with CARE! Give that special someone a unique gift of a ride or homemaking services through C.A.R.E. These services can now be purchased on the Foley Area C.A.R.E. website at or call Food Program CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) for eligible seniors age 60 and older. Food distribution events are held the 2nd Monday of each month at Foley Area C.A.R.E office from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. To see if you qualify for this program call or Make donations to the C.A.R.E. Program Your financial support is near and dear to us! Financial support from local business, organizations, churches, and private donors are essential to help support our program s accomplishments of them that the meals were often very elaborate. The host family we stayed with the father said on our last day, I never thought I d live to see am American in my home, said Brown. He was so honored to have us there. When Brown and Karen Fugile left the home of their host family, they left money as a thank you for their visit. Brown knew the family was likely going to use the money to buy a washing machine. The mother often woke at 4:00 a.m. to do the laundry by hand for her family. A highlight for Brown was visiting the schools, with her background in education. One of the days they give a pep talk to the students about the importance of education. We just explained to them how important it is to stay in school, said Brown. One of the biggest needs Brown saw was the lack of books among the elementary students. She filled some of her suitcase with books to give to the students. Another highlight was a visit to the Kapama Game Reserve where they set out on a safari and saw over 20 animals, including the big 5 along with zebras and giraffes to name a few. Brown s trip can be wrapped up well in a quote she read before her trip. Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the page of a passport, Saber Ben Hassen.

4 October 2017 GA News Page 4 By Edith Grosland, GA Library Team xxx by xxx xxx xxx xxx This book xxx is on the library cart in the fellowship hall. E-Offering It s Automatic and Easy! Just fill out the e-giving form and we ll take of the rest! For more information contact the GA office

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7 October 2017 GA News Page 3 1 Jazzy Worship 8:00 (Holy Comm) & 10:30am Services 8 Remembering the Promise 8:00 & 10:30am (Holy Comm) Services 15 Blue Grass Worship 8:00 (Holy Comm) & 10:30am Services 22 Setting 3 Worship 8:00 & 10:30am (Holy Comm) Services 29 Reformation Sunday Setting#10 8:00 & 10:30am Services (Holy Comm) 9:30 am-honor Confirmands 10:30 am-10th grade Affirmation of Baptism 1 Grant Henry E.J. Schrader 2 Sierra Villanueva 3 Carole Mersinger Zachary Zillmer 5 Daren Beack Rachel Zillmer 7 Nicholas LaFosse Richard Rux 8 Harlyn Moshier 10 Paislee Bauman 11 Larry Balvitsch Carrie Peterson 12 Marcus Lafore 15 Natalie Kelash Wendy Strosahl 16 Tara Schommer 17 Levi Bosshart Kenneth Hartman Sunday Mon Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Fri Sat 18 Gloria Fouquette Brittney Henry Alvin Henry Christian Selander 19 Ivan Olson 20 Rosalie Wittwer 23 Jacob Drexler Emily Falk Riley Mass 24 Autum Page 25 Hans Mersinger 26 Hailee Ketz Meggan Martin 27 Levi Selander 28 Tricia Drexler 29 Anthony Bagley John Mersinger Nori Rohling Chair Yoga -9am All TEAM Meet 6:00pm Council Meet 7:00pm 24 Fellowship: Make and Take Sign Party 6:30pm 31 Tell your Story Mark 5:19 Tell them how much the Lord has done for you. 4 Confirmation Class 5:30pm National Walk to School Day: GA parking lot 7:30-7:45am 11 NO Confirmation Class GA Fall Dinner s 18 NO Confirmation Class 25 Confirmation Class 5:30pm Fall/Winter Worship Schedule 8:00am & 10:30am Worship 9:00am Coffee/Fellowship 5 Narcotics Anonymous 7:30pm 12 Narcotics Anonymous 7:30pm 19 Narcotics Anonymous 7:30pm MEA 26 Narcotics Anonymous 7:30pm 6 7 GRC Welca Fall Gathering -8:30am- 12noon MEA th Grade Faith Night 6pm Pastor Timothy J Wittwer twittwer@gustavusadolphus.org PO Box 545, Foley MN nammend@gustavusadolphus.org Great River Conference WELCA Fall Gathering Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 8:30am 12noon Luncheon Following (dietary requests accepted) Glendorado Lutheran Church th AVE NE, Princeton MN Speaker: Melanie Braunberger will talk about her South Africa trip Registration $8.00 (Deadline is Oct 2) Contact Betty Ghylin, conference Secretary th ST NE, SR MN 56379, or curtisg@goldengate.enet Please join us on Faith Night, Saturday, October at 6 pm for a potluck supper (bring a dish to share). Then at 7 pm that night the confirmands will share their faith statements in the sanctuary! 10th Grade Affirmation of Baptism is on Sunday, October starting at 9:30am for fellowship with service starting at 10:30am.

8 640 Broadway Ave N PO Box 545 Foley, MN Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID FOLEY, MN PERMIT # 37 Newsletter deadline: the 3rd Monday of every month ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Page 4 October 2017 GA News GA Church Leadership 2017 Contact the Church Office... Congregation Council Officers and Members Lynn Pagel... President... (320) pagelfam@msn.com Ken Hartman... Vice-President... (320) klhartman1016@q.com Heidi Runyon... Secretary... (320) runyonhempeck@cloudnet.com Nita Lindgren... Treasurer... (320) nitalindgren@msn.com Teresa Johnson... Financial Secretary. (320) ljsfoley@gmail.com Amy Marquard (320) amy.marquard@gmail.com Brett Erlandson (320) brett.erlandson@merrillcorp.com Carrie Peterson (320) nordicpack@hotmail.com Heidi Janku (320) biscuitheidi@yahoo.com Leah Swendra/Ziwicki.... (320) leah.7kids@gmail.com Lyle Freudenburg (320) ljfreudenburg@hotmail.com If you have a prayer request, call Gloria Fouquette or the Church office Come join us for fellowship and CRAFT NIGHT! MAKE and TAKE SIGN with Michelle Gunderson Choose your design and Paint your very own wood sign! Thursday, October 24th 6:30pm at GA. Watch for the Sign-up on the Event board! Submitted by Nita Lindgren & Nancy Ammend If there is a change of address/phone# If you have a new baby in the family If a member of your family is ill If you would like a Pastoral visit nammend@gustavusadolphus.org Pastor Timothy J Wittwer twittwer@gustavusadolphus.org Hours: Mon - Thurs: 9:00am - 12:30 Lay Ministry Team Is looking for anyone wanting to help on the Ministry team. This could include home visits, helping at the Nursing Home services, working with the Stepping Stones program or anything else that involves helping with the Ministry out reach to our Church Family. Contact Doug Brinkman, Brenda Henry, or Sheryle Dahl What We Need this Month! Canned Corn, Toothpaste, Deodorant, Diapers, Popcorn, Kleenex, mac and Cheese and Canned Sloppy Joe. THANK YOU DONORS The CROSS Center would like to thank those who donated for the school supply distribution. It is very important the kids can start off the school year with everything they might need.