M e s s i a h M e s s e n g e r

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1 Messiah Lutheran Church M e s s i a h M e s s e n g e r September, 2017 Lutheran Men in Mission - Bold Gathering Dennis Wohlers and I were privileged to participate in the Bold Gathering in Minneapolis July It was sponsored by Lutheran Men in Mission, an organization whose vision is: God is on the move and we desire to follow Him where he is going. We heard from several speakers whose varied experiences, from the pastoral and academic areas, demonstrated unique ways to relate to and build up men, young and old, inside and outside the formal church. The objective was to partner together so as to lead us into a new obedience to follow the Lord s command to love one another. I was astounded by the collective energy of the group and its commitment to the Gospel of Christ to boldly and unabashedly assume responsibility to further the Lord s kingdom. There are further opportunities for men both inside and outside Messiah to further delve into their own spirituality and commitment through an upcoming workshop sponsored by the Northeast Iowa Synod and Camp Ewalu. It is entitled One Year to Live and will be held at the camp the weekend of November I for one plan to attend, and would encourage any other men who wish to investigate further their own relationship to our Lord and the community of other men in mission, to attend. Should you need more information, please talk with Dennis in the office or to me. Roger Hatteberg The Northeastern Iowa Synod and Camp Ewalu serve as hosts for the Lutheran Men in Mission s One Year to Live men s retreat. This spiritual boot camp is a unique opportunity for men to examine their lives, make decisions for their future, and experience spiritual and personal growth as part of a special fellowship of brothers. This retreat takes place at the beautiful setting of Ewalu Camp & Retreat Center near Strawberry Point, Iowa. Cost to attend is $185 if registered by Oct. 31; $225 after that date. It includes two nights lodging, meals and retreat materials. For more information talk to Roger Hatteberg, Dennis Wohlers, or pick up a One Year to Live brochure in the narthex. Staff and Council Members at Messiah Pastor Rev. Susanne Smith Youth Director Kelly Benz Organist Hal Morton Choir Director Alice Kenel Administrator/Bookkeeper Dennis Wohlers Secretary Toni Landon Facilities Jerry & Kay Claussen, & Matt Mitchell Nursery Attendant Ashley Gerst Preschool Staff Margie Gerst, Director Aubrey Gerst, Krystal Klein, Erica Moser 2017 Council Members: Joel Hanger-president, Mark Smith-vice-president, Steve Sanders-treasurer, Roger Hatteberg-secretary, Karen Cahill, Sandy Good, John Larson, Lotegeluaki Lengai, Rich Miller, Joanne Mohr, Marcia Taeger Inside this issue: September Happenings Youth Notes From the Pastor s Desk Preschool News Note from Pastor Kathleen Wohlers Lutheran Services in Iowa Scheduled to Serve, Birthdays & Anniversaries Calendar

2 COMMUNITY AND CARE PRAYERS FOR OUR SERVICE MEMBERS Please keep in your prayers our members who are in the armed services. Josh Myatt is a combat medic in the Army/National Guard. Titan Miller is a 2nd lieutenant in the Air Force at Columbus, MS. He is an undergraduate in pilot training. After graduation on October 27, he will begin training in operational planes. service and witness GOD S WORK, OUR HANDS DAY On Saturday, September 9, Burlington area ELCA congregations are participating in the annual ELCA God s Work, Our Hands event. We will gather at Faith Lutheran at 8:30am for breakfast, and then go to our projects. We are already gathering supplies for celebration bags, which have been a complete hit at Community Action. Bring cake mix, frosting mix, birthday candles and small party favors to the box in the narthex. Or bring cleaning kit supplies for Lutheran Services of Iowa s office in Trinity s basement. LSI is asking us to collect scrub buckets, mops, brooms and dustpans, and cleaning liquids. Wear your GWOH t-shirts, or pick one up in the narthex. Most projects will be done by lunchtime. DURING GOD S WORK, OUR HANDS work day on Saturday, September 9 th, Take Away Hunger will be having a special packaging at 10:30 a.m. at Messiah. Our next regular packaging is Saturday, September 23 rd with Messiah scheduled at 10 a.m. Please sign the sheets in the narthex if you plan to work at either of these events. Thanks to everyone who supports TAH financially and by packaging. Your involvement is very important. THE TAKE AWAY HUNGER Christmas sale is scheduled for November 11th this year. We would love to get more gently used toys, books, etc. for our Toy Store. If you wish to donate toys, please place them in the tote under the coat rack. Thanks for all the wonderful donations that we have already received. It will be a fantastic sale again this year. BURLINGTON AREA CROP HUNGER WALK SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2017 Around the world over 200 million hours are spent each day (primarily by women and children) collecting water for their families use. The funds you raise for the Burlington Area CROP Walk will help CWS provide Safe options for improving water and sanitation wherever needed. Thank you for your past support of the Burlington Area CROP Walk. Our local walks have raised money for food and wells around the world and for our local food pantries. Join us in walking October 15 at 1:30 p.m. at the Community of Christ Church, 901 South Twelfth. MESSIAH S COLUMBARIUM TASK FORCE has resumed meeting. During an interim of some months, members of Property Committee have been assessing the engineering involved in placing a columbarium in different places on the church property. The task force is working with Eickhof Columbaria of Crookston, Minnesota, to develop a proposal. Hopefully, a drawing of a proposed site and design will be available in a few months for the congregation to see. Eickhof reminds us that most churches take two to three years to develop a proposal and make decisions on a columbarium. Our task force has been at the task for less than a year, and has a long ways to go. This group will meet next on Thursday, September 14, 3:30pm. You are welcome to attend the meeting or to speak with Jana Hayes, John Lundgren, Don Shackleford or Paul Walker about your interest in the project. Thanks, Pastor Susanne+ TEACHING AND LEARNING ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL/ADULT FORUM September 3: Pr. Susanne presents the gospel for the Sunday. September 10 & 17: By Heart the Story of the Small Catechism with Pastor Susanne September 24: Rick Steves Luther and the Reformation 500th anniversary DVD October 1: A tour of the Messiah gardens with Messiah s landscapers. Wear walking shoes! October 8, 22: By Heart: Luther s story of the ten commandments with Pastor Susanne October 29 & November 5: By Heart: Lutheran story of the Lord s Prayer with Pastor Susanne THANK YOU FROM SUSAN HOORNSTRA I along with the entire family wish to thank all of you who attended Don s memorial service. Your outpouring of love was beyond special. I can honestly say he loved you all. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. So, please know we the family feel blessed to have had you in our lives. Susan Hoornstra Susan s address and phone number: th Ave. N. Apt Minneapolis, MN Phone: RALLY DAY IS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Sunday School is at 9:15 a.m. for all ages Messiah s church picnic is at noon in the shelter house PAGE 2

3 Youth News Rally Day/First day of Sunday School will be September 10th. We will also install our teachers during worship! LIFT is an educational program for children in preschool 6th grade. We share a meal, have craft, music, games, Bible lesson, and end in worship. Join us. Bring your friends. All are welcome. September 10th Trinity Lutheran Church If you were unable to attend but would like to receive a tag, please see Kelly. She has plenty of tags and would love to bless your bag! Acolyte training will be held Wednesday, September 20th at 6:30pm for new & returning acolytes, torchbearers, and crucifers. High School Youth Group High school youth will be meeting on the last Wednesday of the month at 8:00pm (starting September 27th) for youth group/bible study. If you volunteered this summer, don t forget to have Kelly sign your silver cord sheet. Confirmation Program will meet every Wednesday night from 7:30-8:30pm in the conference room starting September 13th! Confirmation Sunday for these students is October 15th. PAGE 3

4 From the Pastor s desk I often pray when I walk, and I walk nearly every morning. Distractible folks like me appreciate doing something physical to keep our minds from wandering during our prayers. In late September, I am joining a group from Minneapolis on a walk across northern Spain. We are walking an ancient pilgrimage path called the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, from west of Bilbao, Spain, to the northwestern town named Santiago de Compostela. Tradition holds that the apostle St. James is buried there. I will be issued a pilgrim s passport, to be stamped along the way, and will be given a scallop shell and a certificate when I complete my walk. Our group expects to walk about 110 miles in 11 days. If you are curious about the Camino in English, The Way, you could watch the movie The Way, starring Martin Sheen. It is nearly a documentary about the Camino and those who walk it. We ll show it in adult Sunday School when I get back, and we ll talk about pilgrimages. The Camino de Santiago de Compostela walk has been on my bucket list since I was twenty years old, and hitchhiked across Spain with other St. Olaf College students. Sabbatical means that this trip is neither vacation nor continuing education, but time for personal and professional renewal. Pastors can ask for a three month sabbatical every 5-8 years. I m taking two weeks. Messiah now has her own miniature pilgrimage walk. Messiah members, including Joel Hanger, Darrell Sweezer, the Lotegeluakis, Joanne Mohr and others, have constructed a full-sized Chartres design labyrinth at the southwest corner of the church property. Labyrinths are sort of like mazes, but with no dead ends, just many twists and turns till the walker gets to the middle. Like life. They are shorter alternatives to long pilgrimages, and are opportunities for prayer, for thinking and musing, and sometimes, for just walking. Medieval Christians walked labyrinths like ours, which is modeled on the one inside Chartres Cathedral in France, when it was not possible to pilgrimage to Jerusalem or another dangerous, but holy, place. Messiah s labyrinth is available for the whole community to experience. But it is especially offered to us, for quiet reflection and prayer, for a break in a busy day, for time to let God s Spirit speak, comfort, and calm us, while we walk. I will keep you all in my prayers while I am away. Pastor Jacquie Berlien will preach those two Sundays. And I invite you to pray for eachother and the world in the mini-pilgrimage that is our labyrinth. Pastor Susanne+ PAGE 4

5 SHAPING FUTURES Through Faith Based Education Messiah Preschool News Greetings from the Children s Wing of the church. We already have had several large and small praying mantises in our aquarium of which we are waiting for hopefully many other insects to join them. The children have enjoyed bringing various other insects in for them to munch on. Crickets are the most fun to watch them eat as they sometimes chirp during the process. I know it sounds a bit gory but the kiddos do get a lot of vocabulary during our chats about the praying mantises and all the research it leads to as well. The parents even come in to participate in the lasts news of what is going on in the big aquariums and net houses we have. The Praying Mantis helps us to remember to pray in our preschool day as well. Thus the cycle of life begins again for the preschool year! Our teachers are inspired from our 3 day training at the State Iowa AEYC Conference and anticipating a great year filled with fun and the joy of learning the children do HANDS ON! We also have a Patriotic Day for the preschoolers where we learn about our flag and why we say the Pledge of Allegiance before our circle time starts. The children wear red white and blue and paint flags as well. Many of the children share with us that their parents or family members are or were in the service. We read stories about our nation and talk about the president of the United States and of course the Statue of Liberty. Through the music we sing and books we read they begin to understand that we are only a few of the many people in our great nation that love and respect our flag. They know that when they see the flag it is time to take off your hat and put your right hand to your heart and say thank you for those that serve and protect us every day! We are running our annual Braided Bread and Pull Apart Cookie Dough which helps with updating classroom materials. This is a local company and tastes really yummy! Please help us out and select some of the yummy breads or cookies they offer. All of them are delicious and easy to prepare! They have added a few new items that look yummy!! The order forms will be in the narthex or in the church office or come see us in the preschool. All checks are made out to Messiah Preschool. OR please consider making a monetary donation to the preschool. We would like to introduce our newest teacher, Ms. Erica Moser. She and her husband Gage have two children Rowen 7 and Raylee 2. She comes with lots of experience and a great smile. We are pleased to have her with us. We have openings for children in our 3 and 4-year-old sessions. If you have questions, please call Ms. Margie (our Director) at ext. 2. Thank you. PAGE 5

6 Zikomo Kwambiri! Zikomo Kwambiri is Chichewa for thank you, the language of Malawi, Africa. The definition of the two words is Thanks; Praise; Exaltation; and lot/a lot; very much; deeply. It is with humble and deep gratitude that I say to all, Zikomo Kwambiri for your prayers and donations for my mission trip to Malawi. Some of the ways your support has made a difference for the people of Malawi who live in poverty include: Bibles purchased and given to young men at the youth prison in Lilongwe Treadle water pumps to be used in the villages. Watering used to take all day, every day in the field with watering cans. Often women and girls walked long distances to collect the waters. Now it can be done in one day with treadle water pumps. Crops are growing and being harvested due to the water they receive. Feeding centers supported where children are fed Lukini Phala. Women in Poverty Program. A micro finance program that helps alleviate poverty by helping women improve their lives and the lives of their children and families. School books and supplies purchased with a donation to one of the schools. I would like to extend an invitation to join me October 1 at Peace Lutheran for a presentation of my mission trip at 2:00 p.m. In addition, a silent auction will be held to include curios from Malawi, a quilt sewn by the Peace Sewing ladies with fabric from Malawi and several other items. Proceeds from the silent auction will go toward sending our youth to the National Youth Gathering Zikomo, Pastor Kathleen Be imitators of God, as beloved children and live in love, as Christ loved us. ~Ephesians 5:1-2a Rev. Kathleen Wohlers (top, middle), Lissa Wohlers Briggs (bottom, front) and Ann Knutson (right) with children of the Beni Feeding Center, Malawi PAGE 6

7 LUTHERAN SERVICES IN IOWA Direct Support Professionals Week Do you know someone who is a caregiver to a loved one? It is often both a demanding and meaningful role. During September s National Direct Support Professionals Week, we celebrate all the ways in which these professionals help children and adults achieve their goals and build meaningful lives. One way LSI is empowering Iowans with disabilities is through our Respite Care program. We offer respite care for both children and adults, providing caregivers with a well-deserved break. Through respite, an individual is able to get out into his or her community and build a strong bond with a respite care provider. It s another way LSI is empowering the people we serve toward a more independent lifestyle. We thank you for your faithful support of LSI you create so many new life-changing possibilities for children, families and adults! If you would like to learn more about how you can support these crucial services, please contact Deb Whitford, LSI director of philanthropy and church relations, at deborah.whitford@lsiowa.org. Our Mission: Lutheran Services in Iowa responds to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service. LSI is an affiliated social ministry partner of the Iowa congregations of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and a member of LSA (Lutheran Services in America). We proudly serve people of all ages, abilities, religions, sexes, gender identities, national origins, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations. Learn more at and It takes a village Jessica felt overwhelmed. She spent most of her time caregiving for her daughters, Angelique and Ariana, and she knew she needed a break. She turned to LSI s Services for People with Disabilities. Through LSI, Jessica and her family could receive respite care for the girls, which gave her some time to take a break and catch her breath. Angelique and Ariana now receive respite care from their providers, Kaitlyn and Megan. Once a month, Kaitlyn and Megan play games with the girls and get them out in their community, giving Jessica time to take care of herself. Since last fall, Jessica has seen her daughters become more confident and independent as they ve built a strong bond with their LSI caregivers. She is feeling more relaxed and in control of her parenting, and she is happy to see Angelique and Ariana find great role models in Kaitlyn and Megan. It was a big decision to open up and feel comfortable with respite care for the girls, but Kaitlyn and Megan have done wonderful things for them, Jessica says. We re so appreciative for LSI s respite care, and having that resource is just wonderful. PAGE 7

8 Scheduled to Serve in September 8:00 SERVICE Communion Assistant: September Kathryn Boyle September Cathy Borden September Kathy Geren September Carm McBeth Lector: September Mary Chicken September Cathy Borden September Kathy Geren September Carm McBeth 10:30 SERVICE Ushers: Bob Engberg (head usher) September 3-John Larson, Mark Smith, Darrell & Linda Sweezer September 10-John Larson, Chalmer Good, Dan & Marcia Wiedemeier September 17-John Larson, Mark Smith, John & Kay Wischmeier September 24-John Larson, Chalmer Good, Nancy & Larry Johannsen Greeters: September Barbara Powell September Mary Kulp September Luetta Peterson September Mary Kulp Refreshments: September Congregational Picnic September Ruth Ann Griggs September Lorna Miller Communion Assistants: September Lisa Weiler September Chalmer Good September Darrell Sweezer September Joel Hanger Lector: September Pr. Dick Bailey September Sandy Good September Stan Lehman September Marcia Lohmann Acolytes: September Jacob Dittner September Lachlan Kirk September Nenyo Lotegeluaki September Brian Newberry Altar Guild: Chris Hanger Mission Statement Welcoming all people to share in God s blessings by strengthening our commitment to God through prayer, fellowship and service. SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 - Chalmer Good 2 - Pat Crawford, Carter Hester 3 - Mary Engberg 4 - AJ Fedler 5 - Mallory Gustison, Jana Hayes 6 - Don Myatt, John Wischmeier 7 - Kenneth Wills 8 - Christa Ruther 10 - Gloria DeVilbiss 12 - Amanda Carruthers 13 - Todd Bloomquist, Kylie Wolf 14 - Donna Duke, Wendy Lotegeluaki, Richard Miller 15 - Ralph Andersen, Annaka Ruther 16 - Don Demijan, Emma Tessen 18 - Aaron Benz, Brinley Benz, Barbara Powell 19 - Alex Gaudian 20 - Don Duke, Linda Holley, Lotegeluaki Lengai 21 - Randy Armstrong, Jackson Barner, Debbie Dowell, Judy Furnald 23 - Dione Miller 24 - Larae Stemmerman Arnold 27 - Deb Brinkley, Gail Kerns, Vince Taeger 29 - Dave Richter, Lois Sirek, Ben Wolter ALTAR FLOWERS FOR SEPTEMBER: September 3 - Given by Jan Godfrey & her daughters, Jodi Castillo and Janell Kallenbach in memory of Darold Godfrey who passed away on August 30, September 10 - Given in memory of Roy & Ruth Magnuson, Bob Hanger & Duane Griggs by family. September 17 - Given in memory of Donald Engberg by his family. September 24 - Given in honor of Sally & Paul Miller s wedding anniversary. SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 1 Will and Debra Brinkley Kent and Ruth Gaudian Larry and Donna Williams Don and Venita Myatt David and Jane Richter Jim and Pat Watts Roger and Deborah Hatteberg Bob and Dorothy Goede Kate and Randy McKasson Paul and Sally Miller Don and Susan Fedler *Let the office know if we have missed your birthday or anniversary. If you prefer not to have your name included in the birthday and anniversary lists, please let us know. PAGE 8

9 September 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 8:00a-Worship 9:15a-Sunday School 10:30a-Worship 11:30a-Fellowship 11:30a-Worship & the Arts Comm. 10 Rally Day 8:00a-Worship 9:15a-Choir Rehearsal 9:15a-Sunday School 10:30a-Worship 11:30a-Congregational Picnic 5:00p-LIFT at Trinity 17 8:00a-Worship 9:15a-Choir Rehearsal 9:15a-Sunday School 10:30a-Worship 11:30a-Fellowship 1:00p-Burlington Organists Network Downtown Organ Crawl 24 8:00a-Worship 9:15a-Choir Rehearsal 9:15a-Sunday School 10:30a-Worship 11:30a-Fellowship 4 Labor Day 5 9:00a-Landscapers 9:30a-Pastors Text Study 12:00p-Alanon-Conf. Rm. 7:00p-Quad Township Ambulance & Fire mtg. 11 7:00p-Men s Bible Study 18 6:30p-Congregation Council-Conference Room 25 7:00p-Men s Bible Study 12 9:00a-Landscapers 9:30a-Pastors Text Study 12:00p-Alanon-Conf. Rm. 12:30p-Membership Comm. -Happy Joe s 4:30p-Communications Comm. 6:30p-Executive Committee -Conference Room 7:00p-Piecemakers/Quilters -Conference Room 8:00p-Christian Ed. Comm.- online 19 9:00a-Landscapers 9:30a-Pastors Text Study 11:30a-Staff Meeting 12:00p-Alanon-Conf. Rm. 26 9:00a-Landscapers 9:30a-Pastors Text Study 12:00p-Alanon-Conf. Rm. 4:00p-PEO-Library, Kitchen & Conference Room 6 9:30a-Ruth/Mary Elizabeth Circle-Social Hall 4:30p-Open Circle-Library 13 9:00a-Piecemakers/Quilters 7:30p-Confirmation- Conference Room 20 6:00p-3rd Wednesday supper & Global Mission Round Table-Social Hall 6:30p-Acolyte Training 7:00p-Holden Evening Prayer 7:30p-Confirmation- Conference Room 27 9:00a-Piecemakers/Quilters 7:30p-Confirmation- Conference Room 8:00p-HS Youth Group 7 9:30a-Weekly Bible Study- Conf. Rm. 6:00p-Property Committee- Conference Room 7:00p-Sarah Circle 14 9:30a-Weekly Bible Study- Conf. Rm. 3:30p-Columbarium Task Force meeting-pastor s office 21 9:30a-Weekly Bible Study- Conf. Rm. 28 9:30a-Weekly Bible Study- Conf. Rm :30a-God s Work, Our Hands-starting at Faith 10:30a-TAH packaging- Social Hall (part of God s Work, Our Hands) 15 11:00a-3:00p-PEO luncheon-social Hall & Kitchen 22 12:00p-DEADLINE for submission of Messenger articles :00a-TAH packaging 12:00p-Messiah Lunch Bunch

10 MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH 2411 West Avenue BURLINGTON, IOWA Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Burlington, IA Permit No. 360 Return Service Requested SEPTEMBER 2017 MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH Phone: Fax: Sunday Mornings Worship Sunday School & Adult Bible Study Worship Third Wednesdays Supper Holden Evening Prayer 8:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. This month Landscapers work crew - every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. Weekly Bible Study - every Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. Alanon - every Tuesday at noon God s Work, Our Hands - September 9 at 8:30 a.m. starting at Faith Lutheran Rally Day - September 10 with congregational picnic following the late service 3rd Wednesday - September 20 supper & Global Mission Round Table (6:00 p.m.) and Holden Evening Prayer (7:00 p.m.)