July Newsletter 2017 «TITLE» «FIRST_NAME» «LAST_NAME» «ADDRESS» «CITY», «ST» «ZIP» www. saintolaflutheran.org

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1 Return Service Requested July Newsletter 2017 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Cranfills Gap, TX Permit No. 2 St. Olaf Lutheran Church 402 Meridian Street Cranfills Gap, TX «TITLE» «FIRST_NAME» «LAST_NAME» «ADDRESS» «CITY», «ST» «ZIP» 8:30AM A D U L T S U N D A Y S C H O O L 9 : 3 0 AM W O R S H I P Office: Interim Pastor Ryan Pederson Council President Phyllis Rieser Office Secretary Angela Roberson www. saintolaflutheran.org saintolaflutheran@gmail.com

2 T he Rev. Walter J. Maakestad Family Family Spotlight Rev. Walter J. Maakestad was born in Suttons Bay, Michigan, August 3, 1890 to parents, Rev. John J. Maaskestad and Caroline Aslakson Maakestad. He was baptized and confirmed by his father. He was educated in the public school of Sutton Bay, Michigan. Upon completing his academy training at Pacific Lutheran College, Parkland, Washington, he entered Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Luther College in He returned to Luther Theological Seminary and completed his work there in He was ordained in St. Paul on June 10, 1917 and received a call to the mission field in Petersburg, Alaska. He served there until On June 18, 1917 Walter and Laura Ellefson were married in Willmar, Minnesota. She was born April 7, 1890, the youngest of 12 children to Ellet and Gunhild Tallakson Ellefson. They met as students at Pacific Lutheran Academy in Parkland, Washington. They were blessed with five children, John, Walter, Maurice, Rolf and Dorothy. Rolf was killed while serving in the Airforce during World War II in January He was buried in St.Olaf Rock Church Cemetery. Rev. Maakestad was called to Pasadena, California and organized Grace Lutheran Congregation, which he served from 1920 to He was called back to Petersburg, Alaska and served there from 1928 to From 1933 to 1935 he succeeded his father at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Norge, Virginia. The family moved to Cranfills Gap, Texas in August 1935 and served St. Olaf Lutheran Church until his death in April 1941 at the age of 50 years. Members of the church serving as pallbearers were Bernard Rohne, Canute Sorenson, John Bryn, Martin Knudson, Jorgen Jorgenson, Tilden Hastings. A lot was provided for the family in the Rock Church Cemetery. Under the direction of Walter Maaskestad the St. Olaf Male Chorus was organized in September They became well known and performed in churches of the surrounding area. The Junior League was organized to provide a well-balanced program for Bible study, service, recreation and leadership training for the youth of the church. The Maakestad children were loved, respected, and a role model for everyone in the church, school and community. John followed in his father and grandfather s footsteps and became an ordained minister. He attained his bachelor s degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1941, and his divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota in He married Louise Knutson from Oslo, Texas in 1948 and they had three daughter and two sons. Having lived in Alaska growing up, he loved the outdoor life and spent much of his life in Alaska. He served as Wing Chaplin for the Civil Air Patrol and started the Alaska Native Lutheran Church. John Maakestad passed away on December 31, 2014 at the age of 96 in Anchorage. A number of St. Olaf members today have fond memories of this family s time at St. Olaf and are grateful for their influence on our lives. References: Meridian Tribune Obituary 1941, Google, St. Olaf Cemetery records, St. Olaf History Book Additions or corrections: Contact Geneva Finstad

3 Thoughts about the summer July Reflections This, the last week of June, the community wide vacation bible school is being held at the Methodist church. This is actually my first time to be a part of this event. One of the activity sessions is about missions (people who are engaged in missions that help others). Individuals from Bosque County organizations are coming to talk with the kids about what it is that they do and the impact of their work. But as I see the familiar faces of Cranfills Gap engaged in this event, I realize how many among us are engaged in some time of mission that helps our community in some way. I believe it shows everyone in our town what being a Christian is all about. I would like to name all these individuals but I am sure that I would leave someone out. There are actually more volunteers (youth and adults) than there are children participating in VBS. Last week, there were those of you who ministered to a family who had lost their mom. This Saturday, we will have the community wide July 4 th Fun Day event for kids. We will see those same faces from VBS and St. Olaf volunteering to make sure the children of our town have a great day celebrating this special holiday. Then at the end of July, the summer day camp program will be held at St. Olaf. This year, it has been planned and will be conducted by members of our congregation. Two of our college age members will even return to help out. Nikki Warms the Colds and the Kids Kloset are two ongoing missions that we should never forget how they impact others. With so many bad things happening in our world today, it is refreshing to see the engagement of volunteers in so many places around town. We may be different in our beliefs but that we can come together to make things happen for our community. Through these individual and group ministries, we are making this a better country and world. Thank you for all you do at St. Olaf and our community. Happy July 4 th, Phyllis Rieser, Council President July am-3pm Ages 5-10 Lunch provided Saint Olaf Lutheran Day Camp 2017 Contact Jami Edwards to register: (254) jami1224@gmail.com

4 Centennial Committee Report for July The Centennial Committee continues to meet monthly, the first Wednesday of each month at 10 AM. Church members are welcome to attend any meeting, whether one time or monthly. Even though the event is nearly four months away, plans are shaping up for this to be a very special time for Saint Olaf. We are excited to have the website on the internet including information about us, event registration, schedule, archival pictures, then and now pictures, the new history book Heritage of Faith, and how to contact us. We are requesting that people planning to attend register and prepay for the catered lunch by September 15 th. This will give us an idea of how many to prepare for on October 22 nd. Go to: Stolaf100years.org for more information. The caterer has been secured, menu finalized, tents ordered, as well as mugs and possible other items to sell. The Book Committee has spent many hours collecting data and pictures for the new History book. We are hoping to be able to collect more confirmation pictures. If you have a picture of any family member confirmed in our church, please contact us. Location of the Texas Historic Commission plaque identifying St. Olaf as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Site will be decided by the church council members. The members of the Centennial Celebration Committee studied and measured a possible location at their last meeting. Host ribbons will be available for current mem- PRAYER LIST: Heather Christensen, Margret Turpin, Mary Ann Stokely, Brady Warrick, Darcy Cassidy, Kathy Johnston, Ronnie Ogle, Cooper Brown, Martha & Helena McCormick, Dacey Patrick, Josh Wilhelm, Raymond Bailes, Chris Lujan, Larry Barger, Charles Osborn, Daniel Smith, Makayla Pierce, Gwyn Christensen, Junelle Johnson, Rev. C. A. & Gloria Mangham, Donna Mangham, Delbert Patrick, Rick Payne, Tom Pierce, Nikki Stone, Tracy Finstad, Henrietta Medina, Jamie Dittrich, the family of Bettye Knudson, and The Lutheran Church Sierra Leone, Persecuted Christians SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN: Matthew Medina, Justin Barnes, Kevin Moore, Michael Crackhome, Alex Saborsky, Kirk Luedeke, Daniel Ramirez. WELCA will host the LSM July birthday party on Wed., July 19 at 2:30pm bers of St. Olaf to wear for the celebration and this is how guests will know who can answer questions. As I have said before, this will take many hands and willing hearts to accomplish. Let us know how you wish to be involved. We all are proud members of St. Olaf and want to share with family, friends, former members and community our praise and thankfulness for our many blessings. Financial Report Submitted by Gerald Nelson, Treasurer Receipts Disbursements Net Budget through May 31, 2017 $36, $33, $2, Actual through May 31, , , ,593.52

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6 St. Olaf Lutheran Church Worship, teach, nurture and share Christ s love. Thoughts from Pastor Ryan July 2017 I am writing to you on a Wednesday afternoon, the middle day of the community Vacation Bible School. There is a pretty good group of kids attending VBS at the Methodist church this year. Monday is taken up with people getting to know one another and learning the theme of the curriculum. Tuesday, after new friendships are made and the kids are more comfortable, is an all-around fun day. By Wednesday, however, most of the kids are getting a little tired, as are the adults and youth volunteers. It is hot, though not as hot as it could be. The songs that everyone has only just now learned are starting to feel too familiar. The games and outdoor activities are booooring, as some of the kids will tell you. Thursday will be similar, but Friday will be a better day for the kids: they will be even more tired, but glad that stuck with it and grateful for the experience. It s funny how something like the days of Vacation Bible School can serve as a metaphor for other things in life. Last month I mentioned how Ordinary Time, or the Time After Pentecost, can stretch on and on and get booooring. Our lives can mirror this same pattern, with uninspiring stretches here and there. But even during these stretches God s grace is never far from us. Our readings over the next few weeks talk about being rewarded for giving even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones and how Jesus offers rest to those who are weary and carry heavy burdens. Sometimes we are in the long Wednesdays of life and we really need a cold drink of water, or something else, and to have our loads lightened. At these times, our sisters and brothers, our neighbors, friends, and family, can be agents of God s grace in our lives. Sometimes we are on the receiving end of this grace and at other times we deliver it to those in need. May we all take joy in God s grace as we encounter it in our lives, whatever the day of the week. ~ Pastor Ryan We are in need of supplies for Day Camp (begins July 24th). We would appreciate any donations! Thank you! Supply List: paint brushes toilet paper rolls pint size mason jars with lids glow in the dark paint fishing line pom poms pipe cleaners Popsicle sticks wire small rope or jute rope canned food lids cut with a clean edge