Messiah. Messiah Lutheran Church Mounds View, MN. Sharing The Savior Developing Disciples. Staff

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1 Messiah Messiah Lutheran Church Mounds View, MN Sharing The Savior Developing Disciples N O V E M B E R, Staff N E W S L E T T E R Ext. Senior Pastor 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... 8:00 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 Family Life it can be the best of times, but also the worst of times. We love our families, but there are also times when we just can t stand them! And there is no better example than during the holidays. There are years when all of the great times and wonderful memories are also accompanied by disappointment and conflict. This Advent, we are going to be doing a Wednesday Evening Sermon Series called Family Life. (On Wednesdays December 6th, 13th, and 20th at 4:00 and 6:00 pm) Often times, when we think of Biblical families, we think of great heroes like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and even Mary and Joseph. But those heroes were all sinners, and many of them came from families that were broken and full of conflict. Yet God still used those people despite their sin and their brokenness to His glory and for His service. This Advent, we are going to be taking a closer look at some of those families who were involved in the Christmas story. Mary and Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth, King Herod, and more! As we explore their stories, we will discover how God used their imperfection as part of his plan to send his perfect Son. We will also be uncovering lessons that we can learn from them, that will help prepare and equip us to face conflicts in our own families in a God-pleasing way. I would like to encourage you all to join us for this exciting new Advent series! See you on Wednesday, December 6th! Pastor Chris

2 Messiah-Supported Servant Event XYZ ACTIVITY The XYZ event for November will be a Mrs. Luther night on Sunday, Nov. 12 starting at 4 PM. In this 500th anniversary of the Reformation year, we have heard and seen much about Martin. What about Katie?! Did she have any input into what was happening? Or was she at home trying to talk Martin out of some of his activities? We'll look into the historical record and try and learn more about Katie Luther (nee von Bora). In addition to learning about Katie there with be food. We will have a German food themed potluck so break out your recipes for German potato salad, sausage, schnitzel, or sauerkraut, and apple cake. The congregation and friends are invited. Please sign up on the sheet by the library. No charge for this event but we would like to have an approximate count for set-up. For questions see Aneita Hitzeman or Faith Graefe. My name is Eli Sontag. Last spring I went on a Habitat for Humanity trip through an organization at Gustavus Adolphus College. The trip was to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I had a great experience. The week consisted of working on 4 different houses that were all at different stages of completion. Throughout the week we were instructed by professionals who worked for Habitat and some older men who had volunteered for years. The week consisted of preparing the foundation of a house, nailing together and raising walls, and in another house, installing floor boards and baseboards. We also spent one day moving furniture from a building that Habitat had recently acquired to their store. Another aspect of the trip was the community that was built among the Gustavus students. When we had finished for the day we spent the evenings exploring the town, hiking, playing sports, cards and group games. It was a great opportunity to simply enjoy people. It dawned on me during the trip that the community of people I was with all paid to be there. They put money and time into serving and working hard for a week. I never once noticed a bad or lazy attitude. Everyone was there to work hard. It was incredibly encouraging to see the fruits of a correct attitude. After I returned from the trip, I found a verse that stood out to me as I reflected on the trip. Colossians 3:23-24 reads, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. We get to work for our heavenly Father! Think about it. He delights in seeing his kids work for him! We can work hard for God out of worship, because we love him and want to (not because we have to). I can t help but think of Him having a huge grin on His face when he sees His kids working for Him. He must be proud of His kids! 2

3 ALTAR GUILD Twyla Vosika Delores Radamacher Sandy Remme USHERS 7:30 R. Roehl & N. Roehl 8:45 B. Brolsma, C. Hayes, J. Kvitrud, W. Schuldt 11:00 B. Bargman & M. Johnson READERS Sunday, Nov. 5: Sunday, Nov. 19: 7:30 C. Hyatt 7:30 B. Gaynor 8:45 R. Bardal 8:45 R. Karger 11:00 A. Hitzeman 11:00 J. Klemz Sunday, Nov. 12: Sunday, Nov. 26: 7:30 G. Ness 7:30 R. Roth 8:45 R. Cobian 8:45 B. Brolsma 11:00 H. Hansen 11:00 B. Sherman ACOLYTES Sunday, Nov. 5: Sunday, Nov. 19: 8:45 E. Kunz & L. Panelli 8:45 H. Gray & M. Thomas 11:00 C. Knoebel & G. Gerhard 11:00 A. Laughlin & J. Birkeland Sunday, Nov. 12: Sunday, Nov. 26: 8:45 E. Doku & S. Kettelhut 8:45 R. Olson & M. Olson 11:00 H. Blake & L. Johnson 11:00 K. Lammi & E. Allen 3

4 GREETERS Nov. 5: Nov. 19: 7:30 R. & C. Sroga 7:30 D. Rossbach & P. Hildreth 8:45 M. & D. Kroll 8:45 J. & Y. Peterson C. Baugmartner M. Brisse 11:00 G. & G. Hanold 11:00 V. Fish & C. O Malley Nov. 12: Nov. 26: 7:30 M. & B. Stickley 7:30 V. & I. Beyer 8:45 R. & S. LaBounty 8:45 W. & J. Schuldt 11:00 R. & D. Boyce J. Goldsmith 11:00 L. Radtke C. Schwanbeck WE LIVE IN MINNE-SNOWTA! Volunteers are needed for shoveling and blowing of the church walks this winter. You won t have to come in every time it snows and you won t be alone. Groups of volunteers are scheduled alternating weekends (Friday night to after church on Sunday) from November to April. If it snows on your group s weekend, you come in. If you would like to help please contact Curt at (763) or me at cflor@messiahlutheran.org Thank you. Stewardship The Stewardship Campaign for this year will be conducted in November. This year the theme will be Why do we give?. Pastor Kollmann will incorporate a discussion of this in his message on November 19 th. You should receive a mailing in early November that discusses Stewardship. Everyone will have an opportunity to fill out a pledge card for Pledge cards will be turned in on Sunday, November 26 th during the worship services. Your pledge cards should arrive in your mail in early November. 4

5 "Leftovers" By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour Psalm 51: For You will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; You will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Once upon a time, a Christian church was having a food drive. You know, the kind of program where the congregation was asking people to give canned goods, boxed goods, things that -- like Hostess Twinkies -- had a "forever" shelf-life. One mother, with her six-year-old, was going through her pantry. As she shuffled things around, she came across a bottle of beets. She brought those out. She found some condensed milk, which was also set aside. Lastly, she found some lima beans and placed that can with the other two. Surveying her gifts, mom said to her daughter, "There, that will do, and we won't miss these things; nobody here likes them." It took but a second for the girl to politely ask, "But if we give them only what we don't want, aren't they helping us?" Well, that may have been the case at a Cardiff food bank in Wales, Great Britain. The workers at the place were shocked to get a can of soup with unusual markers on the label. An examination of the price tag said the soup had been sold so long ago the country was using a different currency. The soup, Heinz kidney soup, was 46 years old. That type of soup itself had been discontinued more than 35 years before. In the same donation, was a can of Green Giant sweet corn whose label revealed it was a recent newcomer, having been canned in the 1980s. In spite of the shock, the manager of the food bank put the best construction on the gift when she stated, "It's out of a generous heart, but I just think they don't think and don't necessarily look at the dates." They are keeping both cans to educate folks on what people shouldn't give. You know, I wonder how the Lord scans the gifts which come in for Him. The story of the widow's mites tell us God doesn't look with disfavor on gifts which flow from a solid, sincere heart. He certainly is more impressed by those donations than He is by all those who gave a bunch, but are only sacrificing a small percentage of the bounty the Lord has bestowed. The Psalmist tells us the Lord, who really owns everything, is not all that interested in sacrifices which cost a few coins, but leaves the individual untouched. Nor is the Lord going to be overwhelmed by a burnt sacrifice, which is only some individual going through the motions. What the Lord wants, first, foremost, and always is a Christian heart which has seen the Savior's sacrifice and is moved to respond. That response may be shown through financial gifts, but it always finds its source in a broken and contrite heart. When we take a look at where we once were headed eternally and where we are going now, we should be touched with gratitude. When we see the Savior who left a heavenly throne to die on a cruel cross, we cannot help responding with a life of thanks and praise which begins in a new heart. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, accept our hearts which, having been cleansed of sin's stain by the Savior's sacrifice, are willing to respond. May our gratitude, like Your grace and love, be undying. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen. Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 5

6 OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD This Christmas season, you can share joy and hope with a needy child in a country troubled by war, natural disaster, famine or poverty by participating in Operation Christmas Child, an annual project of the relief organization Samaritan s Purse. Each child receiving a box will not only receive your gifts, but the Gospel message in the child s own language and an invitation to learn more about Jesus through an area church. Your gifts may be placed in a regular giftwrapped shoebox (top and bottom wrapped separately), or placed in a plastic snap lid container. Fill your box, add a label indicating the age and gender of the child the box is intended for, and enclose a check for $9 made out to Samaritan s Purse to cover expenses to get the box to its destination. When the lid is in place, secure it with a large rubber band. Suggested gifts to enclose are school supplies (pens, pencils, sharpener, crayons, markers, paper or a notebook); hygiene items (soap in a ziploc bag, washcloth, toothbrush, comb or brush, hair ornaments); small toys; things to wear such as a t shirt, simple dress, mittens, socks, sunglasses or a hat. You may also add a personal note and a photo, if you like; occasionally donors get a message back! DO NOT INCLUDE liquids, lotions, medicines, war toys, food, or items made of glass; these will be removed at the local processing center. Toothpaste and candy are no longer allowed. If you need boxes, box labels, ideas for items to pack, brochures, or prayer cards for this ministry, see the OCC display at Messiah. When you pay the shipping cost, please place the envelope with the check in the top of the box; if you are packing more than one box, one check covering all the boxes is fine. You can also pay for shipping online at Samaritan s Purse.org/OCC and print out your shipping label(s). Boxes can be dropped off at Messiah in the designated bins outside the church offices through Sunday, November 19. Questions about packing your box can be directed to Denise Rust, (763) , or often found at the OCC display Sunday mornings. This is a great group project (host a packing party!) and an excellent way to teach children the joy of sharing with others by having them help shop for and pack a box. 6

7 NOVEMBER, 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday WEDNESDAY Activities: 6:00 PM Sr. Youth 6:06 PM Worship Service 7:00 PM Christianity 101 7:00 PM Messiah Singers 5 7:30 AM,8:45, 11:00 AM Worship Communion at all services 10:00 AM Education Hour 12 Robin s Nest Mission Appeal 7:30 AM,8:45, 11:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM Education Hour 4:00 PM XYZ Event 19 7:30 AM,8:45& 11:00 AM Worship Communion at all services 10:00 AM Education Hour 26 FOOD SHELF SUNDAY STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY 7:30 AM,8:45, 11:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM Education Hour 6 4:00 PM Griefshare 13 4:00 PM Griefshare 20 4:00 PM Griefshare 27 4:00 PM Griefshare 7 9:00 AM Prayer Group/Work Crew /Quilting Noon Women s Bible Study 7:00 PM Call Committee 7:30 PM AA Group Noon Women s Bible Study 5:00 PM WOM 7:00 PM Elders 7:30 PM AA 21 9:00 AM Work Crew/Prayer Group /Quilting Noon Women s Bible Study 7:00 PM Call Committee 7:30 PM AA 28 9:00 AM Work Crew/Prayer Group Noon Women s Bible Study 7:00 PM Leadership Council 7:30 PM AA 1 11:00 AM Messiah Seniors 4:45 PM Community Meal 5:00 PM Joyful Ringers 6:45 PM Kids of Service 8 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study Bible Study 4:45 PM Community Meal 5:00 PM Joyful Ringers 7:00 PM Kids of Service 15 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study 4:45 PM Community Meal 5:00 PM Joyful Ringers 6:00 P M Kids of Service 22 7:00 PM Thanksgiving Eve Service w/communion 29 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study 4:45 PM Community Meal 5:00 PM Joyful Ringers 2 9:00 AM Lefse Making 2:00 PM Cribbage 7:00 PM Jubilant Bells 9 2:00 PM Cribbage 7:00 PM Jubilant Bells 16 2:00 PM Cribbage 7:00 PM Jubilant Bells 7:00 PM Mom s Bible Study 23 10:00 AM Thanksgiving Day Service w/communion OFFICE CLOSED 30 2:00 PM Cribbage 7:00 PM Jubilant Bells 3 6:00 AM Men s Bible RJ Riches 10 6:00 AM Men s Bible RJ Riches 9:00 AM MOPS 17 6:00 AM Men s Bible RJ Riiches : 24 6:00 AM Men s Bible RJ Riches OFFICE CLOSED 4 9:00 AM Bazaar :00 AM Work Crew/Prayer

8 Sharing the Savior Developing Disciples Leadership Council Minutes Present: Jeff Goldsmith, Jonathan Spitzer, Dayle Boyce, Candace Johnson, Betty Delano, Brian Thistle, Pam Groscost & Pastor Kollmann The meeting started at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 with Pastor Kollmann opening with a devotion. Status of monthly minutes: A motion was made to accept the July 25, 2017 LC meeting minutes. The motion was seconded. The motion passed. Member Changes: There was one family Transferring out, one Baptism and a non-member Wedding Aug. 12th. A motion was made to accept the membership changes. The motion was seconded. The motion passed. Treasurer s Report: Summary: The total income for July was $56,826 verses budgeted $65,917. The monthly expenses for July were $71,787 versus $67,613 leaving a monthly shortfall of ($14,961). Monthly operating shortfall was ($8,598) including dedicated accounts. Messiah's currently mortgage balance at the end of July is $1,368,849. A motion was made to make a $40,000 payment to the Mortgage principal. The motion was seconded. The motion passed. Pastor Update: Pastor Kollmann presented the three options from the District for Help during a Vacancy. It was decided to go with Option #3 with the Associate Pastor taking on some of the Senior Pastor s responsibilities and some reshuffling. A part-time pastor will fill in as needed. L.C. will be asking the District for names. Business to Review The Call Committee was selected and will be presented at the Voter s Meeting, August 20 th. The Budget was reviewed for the August Voter s Meeting. The Voter s Meeting Agenda was reviewed for the August meeting. Special financial requests were made from Kay Knutson for a foreign student at Concordia College and from Curt Flor for the possible replacement of the HVAC Control Interface System. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm with a closing prayer by Jeff Goldsmith. Respectfully Submitted, Dayle Boyce 8

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10 WOM We are busy getting ready for the bazaar on Saturday Nov. 4 th. See the separate article in this newsletter on how you can help. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday Nov. 14 th. Potluck dinner and fellowship begins at 6pm with our business meeting at 7. Prayer Partners will be revealed and new ones assigned. After the meeting we will be assembling baskets for shut-ins and shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Upcoming Events Advent by Candlelight Thursday Nov. 30 th Guest speaker and photographer Doug Ohman will present Barns and Mangers. January Service Event: Date TBD We will be assembling hygiene kits for girls in third world countries. We are in need of hotel size soaps, dark colored inexpensive wash cloths, and teen size panties. You may contact Lorraine Quarnstrom with any questions. LWML We hosted a very successful Capitol Conference Fall Rally at Messiah on Oct. 7 th. We had over 50 in attendance. Thank you to all of the ladies that helped prepare the delicious breakfast. Our speaker was Rebecca Wagner from Campus Ministries at U of M. We had an ingathering of food to be distributed to needy students as part of their outreach ministry. Pastor Neel gave a very thought provoking devotional study. Highlights of the National Convention in Albuquerque, NM this past summer were shared. MN South District President Margaret Hesemann addressed the group. She shared that the new national LWML mission goal was set at million for the biennium. This goal, by the grace of God, will fund 22 mission grants. Everyone can help by responding with prayers and offerings. Look for the large mite box on the first Sunday of each month. MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE: The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 10

11 WHAT: BAZAAR WHEN: Saturday, November 4 WHERE: Gathering Space, Cross Roads, Room 210, Blue Room, Fireside Room TIME: 9:00 2:00 WHY: Because Messiah consists of talented and crafty people who want to share their talents; To give one and all a chance to get rid of items taking up valuable space in their closets; because the bazaar offers an avenue to earn money for mission projects here and abroad. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Items for Grandma s Attic may be brought to the east end of the Blue Room AFTER services on Sunday, October 29, and any time up to Thursday, November 3. Please have your items clean. Manly items such as hunting and fishing gear, tools, and garden things are also welcome. Clothing, exercise equipment, baby cribs, car seats, tvs, and other electronics cannot be accepted. Large items can be accepted ONLY if you agree to pick it up after the sale if it is not sold. For security reasons, it would be best if antiques be brought to church not before Thursday, November 2. They can be dropped off in the Fireside Room. Cookies, baked goods, and all craft items may be brought to church on Friday, November 3, between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The Cookie Parade is a VERY popular aspect of the bazaar. In order to keep our reputation high, we need cookie bakers. Please see the sign up sheet on the board by the Sunday School office, next to the elevator. Recipes are provided. A dozen different kinds of Christmas cookies are sold. When bringing your items on Friday, please stop at the table by the west door and sign the register. This helps greatly in record keeping and it will give you the opportunity to get a receipt for your donation. Please note that unsold items need to be picked up after the sale on Sunday. They will not be stored for next year s sale. Messiah has a good reputation for one of the best bazaars around, due to our large craft sale, Grandma s Attic for the clean and organized items, a room full of nostalgic antiques, and the Cookie Parade with a dozen different Christmas cookies. Also popular are the apple pies, freshly made lefse, many baked items, and lunch. Plan to attend and bring your neighbors, friends, and relatives. You will have a good time. Proceeds are divided equally between Outreach and Inreach projects. They are: Outreach: Habitat for Humanity Lutheran Bible Translators for Becky Grossman MN South District Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack Project Inreach: Organ repair fund Carpet replacement fund 11

12 TUESDAY MORNING QUILTING GROUP THANK YOU!!!! The Tuesday morning quilting group delivered 16 quilts to Bridging in Roseville. This is a non-profit whose mission is to furnish homes with hope. Recently received is a thank note from them: "Thank you so much for the 16 beautiful quilts you brought in this week. We rolled and put them out and many of them are already gone! I had the chance to see them before we rolled them; they are beautiful. Thanks so much for the care you put into making something so wonderful for our families. Can you imagine how happy someone who's been homeless would be to receive one of your quilts? Overjoyed!" This quilting group meets the first, third, and fifth Tuesday of each month, 9:00 to noon! Everyone is invited to visit Room 110 to see the group in action. We finish 2-5 quilts every session. You, too, can join us. No experience necessary! BUTTER BRAIDS ARE BACK! Messiah's Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group is beginning their annual Butter Braid fundraiser! Butter Braids cost $13 and come in the following flavors: Cream Cheese, Strawberry & Cream Cheese, Apple, Cinnamon, Blueberry & Cream Cheese, Raspberry, and Caramel Rolls. The NEW flavor for this year is 4 Cheese & Herb for $14. Contact Valma Evink (MOPS Mentor) to place your order by calling or by ing evinkvalma@comcast.net. Orders can be placed through November 10th and Butter Braids will be available for pick up starting December 8. Thanks for supporting Messiah MOPS! IT IS TIME TO ORDER POINSETTIAS! The Altar Guild is once again selling Poinsettias to decorate the front of the church. All plants will be a red double Poinsettia with 6-10 blooms at a cost of $20.00 If you would like to order one, please fill out a form located in the office and make a check payable to Messiah Altar Guild. Deadline to order is: November 12! 12

13 Call Committee Progress We are waiting for the MN South District to add names to bring our list of candidates up to pastors as well as supply us with background information about all the potential candidates. The Call Committee has been meeting to plan how we will be narrowing this list down to identify the best fit for Messiah. Prayers of the Month President Nadasdy as he reviews our Congregational Self-Study and adds candidates for Messiah to consider The MN South District office as they compile all of the background information on all of our pastoral candidates Discernment for the Call Committee IMPORTANT VOTING INFORMATION As we begin the process of calling our next Senior Pastor, it is important for the congregation to remember that it is up to the Voters Assembly to make the final decision on who we call based on the recommendation of our Call Committee. We will have a special voters meeting to call a Senior Pastor, but in order to vote at that meeting you need to be a voting member. All Messiah members 18 years of age or older are eligible to become a voting member. You need to attend a voters meeting to be accepted as a voting member, but you cannot vote until the following meeting. If you have been a voting member in the past but have not attended a voters meeting in the last two years, you are no longer eligible to vote and need to go through the voters acceptance process again. Our next Voters Meeting will be December 3rd at 12:45PM. 13

14 HOLIDAY FOOD BASKETS For over twenty years, members of Messiah Lutheran Church have annually delivered food and fruit baskets to families who have experienced a loss or are facing hardships. We are currently seeking financial donations for this ministry. Please plan now to share your time and blessings this Christmas season by making a cash donation in support of Messiah s Holiday Food Basket program. Cash contributions can be made by noting the amount on your weekly giving envelope or placing it in an envelope marked Holiday Food Baskets. On Saturday December 16 th, 2017 we will be seeking help with the delivery of these baskets. Thank you! It's that time of year again for Messiah's Giving Tree program. The people of Messiah will have the opportunity to purchase gifts for people from our church and community who need our support. The Tree will be ready on Sunday, November 19th. It will be located in the Gathering Space near the office. If you wish to participate in fulfilling a wish, take an ornament from the Tree, purchase the gift indicated, wrap the gift and attach the ornament to it. Return the gift under the Tree by Sunday, December 17th. Thank you for your generous support. 14

15 SAVE THE DATES! Come join us as we experience the joy of Christmas... December 4PM Sunday School Children present The Symbols of Christmas December 7:30, 8:45, & 11:00 AM Music Sunday Bethlehem December 4:30PM Preschool Children present Christmas in our Jammies When moving, changing address and/or phone, please notify the church office Change Service Requested The Messiah November Newsletter 2017 Messiah Lutheran Church and Preschool 2848 County Road H2 Mounds View, Minnesota