April Administrative Pastor Rev. Lee Herberg Associate Pastor Rev. Christina Martin Custodians Ron & Mavis Watson

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1 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURC H 408 Ninth Street NW Mandan, ND Phone: Fax: jackie@firstlutheranofmandan.org Building Faith and Transforming Lives in Christ. We re on the web! Tammy-Lapp Harris C W Sponsor for this month: ADDRESS LABEL April 2016 First Lutheran Church First Lutheran Staff Administrative Pastor Rev. Lee Herberg Associate Pastor Rev. Christina Martin Administrative Assistant & Coordinator of Lay Ministries Jackie Schulz (o) (h) Custodians Ron & Mavis Watson Financial Administration Jennifer Scheet April Newsletter Jeremiah 17:7-8 NRSV 7 Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 8 They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. There seems to be a lot of new interest in the color 'green' lately. The city of Mandan implemented recycling this past January to have its citizens embrace recycling as a lifestyle. For myself, I can t believe how much less garbage I now put out to the curb Thursday mornings. Now every other Thursday, I wheel my green recycling container out and its usually full! As a society, we are being called to 'go green' Maybe this spring we could also try and 'go green with God'. Why go green with God? God is involved in the ongoing creation of the universe and of our home, Earth. God creates and calls it good and dwells in the whole creation. God appoints humans to be hands-on caretakers of God's creation. Human life is dependent upon the health of the whole creation; we are Earth creatures. The Earth is under a great deal of stress due to our broken relationship with creation. Humans need to find a new way to live in harmony with the Earth in order for the Earth to heal and thrive. Caring for creation is a joy, a gift, and a responsibility. As Christians, we worship and act from a place of gratitude and vocation rather than fear or guilt. First Lutheran Is A Mission Partner with Camp of the Cross Ministries As we contemplate our responsibilities as Christians who are called by God in the book of Genesis to be caretakers of the earth on God's behalf, let us look at our relationship with the earth as one of ongoing gratitude, wonder, and humility. Sometimes at night, I like to sit outside for awhile, and look up at the stars. In those times, this prayer comes to mind. For the earth and the gift of good land, we give thanks, O God. For the beauty of our winters, we give thanks, O God. For the anticipation of a new growing season, we give thanks, O God. For those who work the land and those who bring us food; for the abundance of food and the opportunities to share, we give thanks, O God. Give us grace to be patient in suffering and sensitive to the pain of others. Help us be caretakers of this planet earth so that we may realize your kingdom where we are. Amen. Until next time, Pastor Lee

2 PAGE 2 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH April 2016 Thank you to this months sponsor - Tammy Lapp-Harris of Integra Realty Group for sponsoring this months newsletter. We will be having a new member orientation on Sunday, April 3 rd at 6:00 P.M. If you are interested in becoming a member here at First Lutheran please call the church office at as soon as possible. Thank you. Camp of the Cross Ministries cordially invites you to attend the annual S mores & Much More Gala Friday, April 8 th, 2016 at the Bismarck Municipal Country Club Please Contact the Camp Office at to make your reservation today!

3 PAGE 10 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH APRIL 2016 Don t miss out on this FUNdraiser!! Our First Lutheran Youth, going to Hollywood this summer, have selected activities for Pastor Chris to do. These activities or tortures that Pastor Chris has agreed too, include: a pie in the face, coloring her hair a wild color, dressing in PJ s, Pre-K make over, etc. Best of all... you get to decide what torture befalls her!!!! Check out the chart in the narthex! Depending on how much money the youth raises, the torture Pastor Chris endures changes. Help our youth reach their goal of $3000 or more and Pastor Chris has agreed to shave off her hair!! Mark Your Calendar 6th: 7pm - Confirmation - Large Group 7th: LAF - Baked Potatoes 13th: 7pm - Confirmation - Large Group 14th: LAF - Hot Dogs 20th: 7pm - Confirmation - Large Group 21st: LAF - Sloppy Joes 27th: 7pm - Confirmation (Last Session) 28th: LAF - Sandwiches Upcoming Events Wednesday, April 27th is the Easter Program for Church School. Come and join us at 6 p.m. for worship, singing, and a living tableau! SAVE THE DATE!!! VBS is June 6 th - 10 th. We have a wide variety of activities planned this year. Come join us and experience the fun of camp staff from Camp of the Cross, a water day, and a tour of our local fire station. Registration will open starting mid-april on our website. HURRY..It ends on April 17 th. The youth will be sitting in the Narthex collecting money for this fundraiser. Come and join us at Station West!!! Our youth going on the mission trip will be at Station West on April 2 nd from 11:00 A.M. until 10:00 P.M. We will be serving food and working and our youth will receive a percentage of the profits and all the tips. So please come and support our youth, by eating brunch, lunch, or dinner at Station West.

4 APRIL 2016 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH PAGE 4 PAGE 9 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH APRIL 2016 Pastoral Acts Baptisms: Weddings: Funerals: March 18 Mary Nelson Memorial Fund In memory of Harry, Gerald & Sandy Renken given by Hilda Renken & family. April ~ Mission of the Month Weekend Meals For Mandan Kids Items needed are Peanut Butter, Jelly, Fruit Cups, Canned Fruit, Granola Bars, Cereal, Pudding Cups, Applesauce, Chef Boyardee', Mac & Cheese, Soups, Hamburger Helper, Spaghetti Noodles, Spaghetti Sauce, Pop Tarts, Instant Mashed Potatoes, Rice A Roni, Pasta Roni, Pork and Beans, Baked Beans, Pancake Mix-no eggs required such as Krusteaz Brand, Syrup. Special Thanks NO GLASS JARS PLEASE! You may put your items in the boxes in the Narthex. Thank you! Thank you to all the greeters, ushers, communion servers, readers, communion set-up, coffee hour workers, and to all who have supplied goodies for the last month. Your help is greatly appreciated! Deadline for articles for the May Newsletter will be April 15 th. Worship Schedule Sunday ~ 8:30 am ~ Traditional 10:45 am ~ Contemporary 9:30 am ~ Coffee 9:30 am ~ Church School Wednesday ~ 6:00 pm ~ Transitional 6:00 pm ~ Church School 7:00 pm ~ Confirmation

5 PAGE 8 FI R S T LU T H E R A N C HU R C H APRIL 2016 APRIL 2016 FI R S T LU T H E R A N C HU R C H PAGE 5 First Lutheran Church Council Minutes Date: February18, 2016 Time: 7:00 pm Members Present Pastor Lee Herberg, Pastor Christina Martin, President Jill Miller, Vice-President Jeff Bradford, Secretary Jessica Petrick, Rynell Rusch, Tim Faller, Darrell Nitschke and Andrea Bonness. Absent DJ Campbell and Jessie Hilfer Approval of Agenda Tim Faller moved and Darrell Nitschke seconded to approve the agenda. Motion passed. Secretary s Report and Approval of Minutes Moved by Darrell Nitschke, seconded by Jeff Bradford to approve the December 17, 2015 and January 31, 2016 minutes. Motion Passed. Financial Report/Review Reviewed cash on hand. Income vs. Expenses is healthier than last year. Current expenses are larger than normal due to the following expenses: Benevolence to Missions paid out in January, two years of copyright releases paid at $930, facility repairs were $1, for a tank heater and boiler expenses. Total income is $3, more than the year to date last year. Unfinished Business The sanctuary windows were installed in early January. The expense was accrued as part of fiscal The committee is currently looking at options for blinds. One estimate has been received from House of Color. Tim suggested to the committee that another estimate is done before a final decision is made. Railings refinish will be held off until spring. We may have access to a parishioner with sandblasting experience to help refinish. Retaining walls are scheduled for April to May timeframe. New Business The committee reviewed the First Lutheran Church teams. The following teams were decided: Worship Team Jessie Hilfer; Stewardship Team Jessica Petrick; Evangelism Team Rynell Rusch and Tim Faller; Parish Education Team Jill Miller, Pastor Christina, Darrell Nitschke and Andrea Bonness; Property Management Team Jeff Bradford and DJ Campbell; Special Events Team First Lutheran Church Council; Communications Jackie Schulz; Youth Team Pastor Christina, Jill Miller and Jeff Bradford; Executive Team Pastor Lee Herberg, Jill Miller, Jeff Bradford and Jessica Petrick. Reviewed the 2013 Strategic Plan which is good for 5 years. All of the areas of focus are being worked on and/or complete.

6 PAGE 6 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH APRIL 2016 A development of a Property Management task force from Annual Meeting proposal was discussed and it was recommended to have a committee of no more than 7-8 people. A funding request from the Mandan Kiwanis to sponsor a Mandan Youth Baseball team was discussed. The idea was tabled and will be reviewed again at the March meeting. Reports Pastor Lee - 2 baptisms, 3 funerals, 0 weddings and still mentoring Bill Dodd with weekly meetings. Pastor Chris 4 baptisms, 1 funeral, 0 weddings. Pastor Chris led worship at local nursing homes in January and February and a February service at Lakewood Landing. She and Pastor Lee are on call for the Sanford Care centers while Chaplain Ron Hildahl is on vacation. Special Events Mid-week Lenten worship services have started. Senior Easter Service and meal is scheduled for Tuesday, March 15, Stewardship No Report Worship No Report Parish Education/Youth The spring session of church school has 76 attendees on Wednesday and 70 attendees on Sundays. The youth are selling caramel rolls on Sunday, February 21 st for coffee hour. The Sacrament of Holy Communion classes are being held for 5th graders on February 16th, February 23rd and February 28th. A Youth Mission trip is scheduled for July and will have 14 youth attending. Evangelism and Outreach The LAF program continues to feed kids each week. Property and Management No Report Correspondence Mandan Public Schools sent a card thanking the church for the Christmas Gift donations. Golden Age Services thank you for $132.9, $ and $ for the Home Delivered Meals program. Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center thank you for $ and $ for the M-Club Camp of the Cross Ministries thank you for the Congregation benevolence donation of $ Motion to Adjourn/Lord s Prayer Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm by Jill Miller. The next Council meeting will be at 7:00 on March 17, The meeting was closed with the Lord s Prayer. Minutes submitted by: Jessica K. Petrick, Secretary