Three-Point Parish Newsletter Bethany, First English and Friends in Christ Lutheran Churches Epistle for January, First English Lutheran Church

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1 Three-Point Parish Newsletter Bethany, First English and Friends in Christ Lutheran Churches Epistle for January, 2017 Bethany Lutheran Church First English Lutheran Church Friends in Christ Lutheran Church Meets at the DAC Building in Sebeka Sunday Schedule Sunday School 9:30 A.M. Worship 10:30 AM th St. Menahga, MN Sunday Schedule 8:30 Worship Sunday School Coffee Fellowship 17 Main St. NW Menahga, MN Sunday Schedule 9:30 Worship Sunday School Fellowship 305 5th St SW Sebeka, MN Members of Mission Statement Bethany, First English & Friends in Christ Lutheran Churches are a caring, inclusive Christian Community dedicated to Word and Sacrament ministry; Growing in Christ; Sharing the faith; Serving our neighbors; and Supporting each other. Phone: ~ Fax: ~ Parsonage: ~ febeth@wcta.net PO Box 189 ~ Menahga, MN Senior Pastor Steven Bruer pastorsteve@wcta.net Associate Pastor James Hallaway 1716ofluke@gmail.com Parish Secretary Dayna Anderson Bethany Council President Art Yliniemi Bethany Organists Sandi Mickelson Kris Spadgenske First English Administrative Board President Russ Olson First English Organist Mary Hanninen First English Custodian Dan Gilbert The Epistle and weekly bulletins are also available online at: Friends in Christ Board of Trustees President Tim Puttonen Friends in Christ Pianists Ardis Olson Laicy Erickson Chris Olson

2 Pastor s Perspective... and a Happy New Year During the month of December we heard and sang many songs and carols: some proclaiming the birth of a Savior, others hoping for a winter wonderland, and a few wishing us a Merry Christmas. In fact, the carol We Wish You a Merry Christmas has reportedly been sung since sometime in the 16th century, although its author is reportedly unknown. Do you remember the way it begins? The first verse starts: We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Of course, we usually associate Christmas with the New Year, as only a week separates them, but they seem on the surface to be two festivals or celebrations that are at odds with each other. Christmas comes with a wondrous sense of reverence, while New Year s comes with a sense of an all night party that welcomes us into tomorrow. But perhaps if we step back a bit we can see the connection and indeed how closely the one is linked to the other. We can do that by seeing in Christmas the wonderful gift of a Savior God has given us. Even the not seriously religious folk will pause for a moment during the Christmas season to reflect upon what the Scriptures tell us what the Christian community is celebrating. Indeed, the season is merry exactly because God has come into the world to save humanity from its rebellion and sin. The Christmas season tends to bring out the best in us as we open our hearts to others and contemplate the babe born in a manger to be Lord of all. Christmas truly is merry when the spirit of the new-born Christ child is born into our lives. But how does that connect with the Happy New Year portion of the formula? Do parties and the birth of Christ go together? I don t think so, but I am sure that Merry Christmas and Happy New Year go handin-hand. Perhaps the reality facing us is that it is only by celebrating the birth of Christ and experiencing the joy and excitement that His birth causes that we can ever find true happiness in the first place or hope to have a Happy New Year. It is in the realization that God has acted by coming into our world to reveal himself and his love and plan for our salvation that hope is brought to life in us and in our world. At Christmas people often say Christ is the reason for the season, and I would add on any and every day that Christ is the reason for all seasons. If we hope to have a Happy New Year or a happy today or tomorrow or any day, we must begin by thinking about the gift of a Savior God has given us and remember this gift is not just given at Christmas, but given new each and every day. If we want a Happy New Year, when we put away the Christmas decorations and forget all the presents we both gave and received, let us not put away or forget the Savior who brings to us hope and joy and promise and forgiveness. If we could just remember that Jesus Christ is born so that we may truly live, not only can we anticipate a Happy New Year, but we can and should anticipate joy and hope in every day and all days. I m praying for an exciting Happy New Year for you and for me as we enter God s richest blessings on this New Year, Pastor Steve Jane and I would like to say thank you to all those who remembered us this Christmas with many cards and generous gifts. Your thoughtfulness and generosity is greatly appreciated by our family. You all truly made this Christmas a most blessed and merry season. You are truly walking in the brightness of God s glory and in His Son Jesus, the babe in Bethlehem. You are also living the saying, God is good all the time! Thank you and may you all have a safe and Happy New Year. Let us journey together in Christ in 2017!! Pastor Steve & Jane

3 First English Lutheran Church Administrative Board Meeting December 15, 2016 Present: Kari C., Virgel O., Russ O., Pastor Steve, Verllien A., Marlene S., Dianne S., Kathy M., Trisha K., Carol O. Absent: Roxanne G. Russ called the meeting to order. Devotions by Russ. Secretary s report was read and motion to accept with addition of Christmas program at all 3 churches by Kari, seconded by Kathy, minutes accepted. Treasurer s report was read, motion to accept by Trisha, seconded by Kari, motion approved. Bible Institute donation checks discussed, tabled until next meeting. Building Loan down to $29, Committee Reports: LYO Finance: reviewed Stewardship-Quilters sold 3 Christmas quilts, more to be sold. Annual Report is ready. Worship-Mary is really happy about being up front. Social Ministry-Donated $100 to fruit baskets, altar banners were discussed, helped a person in need with a prescription. Youth-Sebeka bus is working out to bring Sebeka kids to First English on Wednesdays. Youth sang at Nursing home and Assisted Living and had a Christmas party. Building & Grounds-Hand rail on outside of the lectern and pulpit, motion made by Kari to do this, seconded by Dianne, motion approved. Pastor Steve s office window will be fixed next week. Need to add floor outlet by piano, and outlet on partition wall of the sound booth. Education-Rescheduled Christmas Program to January 8 th, Trisha will contact Pastor Jim Evangelism-cards are ordered and Youth Bibles to be distributed after January meeting. Pastor Steve-thankful for his sabbatical, suggested supporting Institute of Lutheran Theology. New Business: 1. Nominating Committee needs to find 3 new people to serve on the Administrative Board. 2. Take money out of Mission fund to pay for magazines, radio, and Bible Institute. 3. Motion was made to upgrade the internet service and add a router at First English by Verllien, seconded by Kari, motion approved. Costs will be shared by the Tri-Parish. 4. Motion was made by Marlene to designate the Thanksgiving offering to the Mission Fund, seconded by Verllien, motion approved. 5. Motion was made by Dianne to have a joint service on January 1 at First English with Joel Koripalli speaking, seconded by Kathy, motion approved. Coffee will be served after the service. 6. Discussion was held on the ads on the live-streaming services. This program is free. Steve will head up finding cost of an ad free website for Sunday services Proposed Budget, Motion was made, seconded and approved to present this to the congregation. 8. The women will be purchasing a rug cleaner and the cinnamon rolls fundraiser will continue monthly with donations being used to purchase 2 6 x 8 foot rugs. Motion made by Dianne to do this, seconded by Trisha, motion approved. 9. Annual Meeting is January 22 nd following worship. Worship will be held at 10:30 A.M. 10.Discussion was held on Pastors having 5 th Sundays off, needs to be brought up at tri -point level and then to the congregations. 11.Next Tri-Point Council meeting is in March or April. 12.Discussion was held on LYO members not in church services. 13.Steve will include Mission Partners in Epistle. 14.Lutefisk Supper is Saturday, January 21. Meeting adjourned. Trisha Knapp, Acting Secretary The First English Lutheran Church Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2016 following the morning service. The morning service will be held at 10:30 A.M. A potluck meal will be held following the meeting. FIRST ENGLISH Attendance & Offering 12/4/16 66 General $ 1, Loose $ Food Shelf $ Building $ $ 1, /11/16 69 General $ 1, Loose $ Music Fund $ Food Shelf $ Building $ $ 2, /24/ General $ 1, Loose $ Pastor Jim Mission $ Elizabeth H. Mission $ Music Fund $ Building $ $ 2, CINNAMON ROLLS will be served on Sunday, January 15th after the Worship Service. Free will offering will be taken. Offering will go towards the cost of new entry rugs.

4 News, Notes & Dates to Remember for the Women of First English First English Women s Exec. Board Meeting Thursday, December 15th at 4:00 P.M. The meeting opened with prayer & devotions by Marlene S. Secretary s report read & approved. Treasurer s report read & approved. The women s group is giving $140 to the FE Building Fund, motion passed. Discussed Christmas giving for Gifts to be given to Pastor Steve, Pastor Jim, Dayna Anderson, Mary Hanninen, Dan Gilbert, LAMP, Central Asia Institute, Lost & Found Ministries, St. Joseph s Hospice & Acts of Messiah. Motion passed. A motion was made and seconded and approved to purchase a carpet Shampooer from Wal-mart for $ Missions: Baby Care Kits are to be collected in December and January. Three quilts have been sold. Events: The movie Son of God will be held at Woodside Manor of Saturday, January 28th at 1:00 P.M. The Lutefisk Supper will be held on Saturday, January 21st. Next meeting is Thursday, January 19th at 4:00 P.M. The meeting closed with the Lord s Prayer. Lucille Erickson, Secretary Movie Matinee January 28 th at 1:00 pm Woodside Manor Assisted Living Day Room Everybody is Welcome Bethany- First English-Friends in Christ- Community THEIR EMPIRE. HIS KINGDOM. SON OF GOD POWERFUL & POIGNANT From producers Mark Burnett & Roma Downey comes Son of God the most important chapter of the Greatest Story Ever Told for a whole new generation of families to enjoy. Acclaimed Portuguese actor Diago Morgado delivers a spectacular portrayal of Jesus as this powerful and inspirational feature film depicts the life of Christ from His humble birth through His teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection. WOW MISSION PROJECT: BABY CARE KITS Bringing a baby into the world can be a difficult and scary thing for a mother living in poverty. She worries about her baby's health and well- being when there is a lack of money to buy the things every mother wants for her newborn. The items included in a Baby Care Kit provide the things a mother needs to care for her baby the way she hopes to soft blankets to give warmth and comfort, soap to keep germs away. Lack of something to dress her baby in often keeps a mother isolated from her community, but the clothes in a Baby Care Kit welcome both mother and baby out into the world. There is a Play & Pack in the Narthex with a list of items that is needed for the Baby Care Kit. Diapers are especially needed! They can be made from flannel or even by recycling T-shirts. Visit lwr.org/babycarekits or call for instructions for Diaper Tip Sheet with instructions. Baby Care Kits will be collected until the end of January. Thank you to the Women of First English for their gift to the First English Building Fund in memory of Dolly Dissmore, Melvin Karkkinen, Marie Seikkula, Joe Weaver, Clyde Allebach, Verna Allebach, Sophie Lent, Basil Kumpula, David Marjama, Mary Ann Torma, Connie Torvinen, Carol Mortenson, Dorothy Meyer and John Heerdt. Thank you to Dan & Tammy Yrjo for their donation to the First English Music Fund in memory of John Heerdt.

5 BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING ~ December 14, 2016 MEMBERS PRESENT: Pastor Steve, Art Yliniemi, Rita Hendrickson, Ron Munger, Mark and Kris Spadgenske, Dave Mickelson, Lynette Yliniemi and Evelyn Meech. Ron made a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting as printed. Mark seconded. Motion carried. Dave made a motion to approve the Treasurer s Report. Ron seconded. Motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Stewardship Dave: As we draw near to the end of another year, we give thanks to God for His many blessings. May we, in our gratitude, continue to remember our call to stewardship. Namely to use our time, talents and treasures to His glory. Education Verdell: Sunday School Christmas Program will be this Sunday. Social Ministry Lynette: Went over list for Christmas Bags. Will be putting them together on Sunday at 9:30am. 51 quilts were boxed and went to Pohlmans. 4 quilts went to Pine Manor. Thank you to the quilters for all their hard work. Worship Ron: Nothing new to report. Evangelism Rita: Has contacted Pine Manor about needing Bibles. Buildings and Grounds Mark: Snow plowing on the north side of the church was again discussed. Because there is no place to push the snow and because the township plow creates a ridge of snow in that area it takes just as much time to clear snow on the north side as it does the south side. The sidewalk going north always drifts in extensively making it very hard to shovel. For the last several years, snow plowing has been donated. Council agreed that the previous decision to not plow the north side stands. Mark did contact Kelly Etzler about helping with plowing snow and he agreed to help when available. Thank you to Adam and Seth Spadgenske who make sure the sidewalks are always shoveled. Youth: Just this evening the LYO went caroling at the nursing home. It was very well attended and the kids and residents had a great time. A potluck supper and party was held at First English following caroling. Pastor Steve gave a report about his visit to ILT in Brookings, SD. He suggested that we support ILT financially. This request will be brought to the congregation at the annual meeting. OLD BUSINESS: Turn in Council Reports to Dayna by January 3. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Internet service at First English is not adequate to use the Smart TV for the LYO. Dave made a motion to upgrade to a faster internet service. Mark seconded. Motion carried. 2. Pastor Steve and Mark will make decision about cancelling church. Pastor Steve will make sure closures are announced on local radio and tv. It was noted that church would not be cancelled, unless absolutely necessary. 3. Pastor Steve and Pastor Jim would like to have a joint worship service at First English on January 1 at 10:30am with Pastor Moses son, Joel, preaching. Ron made a motion to approve. Rita seconded. Motion carried with unanimous decision. 4. Lutefisk Supper at First English on January Annual meeting will be January 15 with a potluck lunch following worship service. January 22 worship at Bethany will be at 8:30 so First English can have their annual meeting. 6. Discussed a different microphone option for the Lectern, one that can be attached to the side of the Lectern instead of the front. Will look into options. 7. Kris asked if Art could create a block of wood to raise the microphone receivers on the top of the sound cabinet to possibly help eliminate sound feedback. 8. During the Executive Meeting, a proposal was suggested to give Pastors the 5 th Sunday of the month off. Lay ministry, youth, bible study or a hymn sing could be used instead. There are 5 months with a 5 th Sunday in It was noted that Ash Wednesday is March 1 with Easter being April 16. The Methodist church of Sebeka has opted not to join our Lenten worship services this year. Meeting closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectively submitted by Kristine Spadgenske, Secretary The Bethany Lutheran Church Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2016 following the morning service. A potluck meal will be held following the meeting. The Service on January 22, 2016 will be at 8:30 A.M. BETHANY Attendance & Offering 12/4/16 31 Adults, 14 Children General $ 1, Missions $ $ 1, /11/16 20 Adults, 3 Children General $ Missions $ $ /18/16 31 Adults, 14 Children General $ Missions $ $ /24/16 69 Adults, 27 Children General $ Missions $ $ 1,183.73

6 First English Stewardship Report by Verllien Augst 1. Five stewardship articles were printed in the Epistle during the year Donation of food and money were collected for the Menahga Food Shelf. 3. Quilting stewards continued making quilts for Lutheran World Relief, for families who might have suffered a disaster, and for newborn babies being baptized in our congregation. 4. Confirmation students helped other members of the congregation in assembling donated and purchased items for personal care kits. Items for school kits and baby care kits were also donated and packaged for shipping. 5. Listed is the number of items given this year. 165 quilts, 33 personal care kits, 6 school kits, 3 quilts for Pine Manor, school supplies were delivered to our local school district for those in need, 4 baptismal crib size quilts were presented to the parents of their newborns. 6. Shipping dates to LWR are the first week in June and the first week in December. 7. Quilters are on the move to gather supplies for quilt making. Examples: old sheets in good condition, left over spools of thread, blankets, comforters, pillow cases, old drapes, fabric you no longer want. 8. Four quilt hangers have been placed on the side walls in the fellowship room to display quilts which also serves as a sound barrier. (Thank you, Russ) Other quilts are also displayed on five easels in the fellowship hall. 9. Let s not forget the men s coffee group which meets on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 A.M. every week of the year. Keep it up men. You are all invited to a SPECIAL NIGHT OF WORSHIP Wednesday, January 18, :00 P.M. First English Lutheran Church The Cornerstone Worship Team from Walker, MN will be leading a night of worship at First English, please join us for a night of worship and praise to our KING! Pastor Jim s Book Recommendation: The Insanity of Obedience: Walking with Jesus in Tough Places by Nik Ripken Wise Sheep Among the Wolves All Christian disciples have one thing in common: as they carry the gospel across the ocean and across the street, persecution will become the norm for those who choose to follow Jesus. How believers respond in the face of persecution reveals everything about their level of faith and obedience. The Insanity of Obedience is a bold challenge to global discipleship. Nik Ripken exposes the danger of safe Christianity and calls readers to something greater. The Insanity of Obedience challenges Christians in the same, provocative way that Jesus did. This book dares you and prepares you to cross the street and the oceans with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Some of Jesus instructions sound uncomfortable and are potentially dangerous. We may be initially encouraged by His declaration, I am sending you out. But how are we to respond when He then tells us that He is sending us out like sheep among wolves"? In light of the words of Jesus, how can modern day believers rest comfortably in the status quo? How can we embrace casual faith in light of the radical commands of Jesus which are anything but casual? Ripken brings decades of ministry experience in some of the most persecuted areas of the world to bear on our understanding of faith in Jesus. The Insanity of Obedience is a call to roll up your sleeves... and to follow and partner with Jesus in the toughest places on this planet. "We have the high privilege of answering Jesus call to go," Ripken says. "But let us be clear about this: we go on His terms, not ours. If we go at all, we go as sheep among wolves." Jesus gives us Himself. And He gives us the tools necessary for those who dare to journey with Him. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK Search: First English Bethany Friends in Christ Lutheran Churches Church news, events, cancellations and postponements can be found on our Facebook page. Share our page with others or invite them to LIKE us too!

7 The Friends in Christ Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 5, 2016 following the morning service. To all those who blessed my family and I with cards and gifts the past couple of weeks I thank you. These are wonderful blessings! All monetary gifts given to me over Christmas are being given to my daughter Elizabeth toward her mission trip to India with me in late February. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Pastor Jim, Beverlee and our entire family. To the Disciples and Friends of the 3 Point Parish: Thank you for the prayers, cards & gifts through this past Christmas season and all of 2016 that you have given to my husband and I! They are greatly appreciated by us. Thank you also for praying & continuing to pray for my brother-in-law Gerry Southerton. He is at home now (after 7 weeks in the hospital with pancreatitis) with his wife & 3 children, but still has a very long recovery road ahead of him. With God s Peace & Love, Dayna & Chet Anderson Ruby s Pantry next distribution is Saturday, January 21, Registration is at 9:00 A.M. at First English Lutheran Church and distribution is at 10:00 A.M. If you are interested in volunteering, please be at First English at 8:30 A.M. Please listen to these radio stations for winter weather church related cancellations, postponements, or announcements: KRCQ DL FM, KWAD Wadena 920 AM, KDKK Park Rapids 97.5 FM. Remember in Prayer Family of Dorothy Billing Carl Nelson Frank & Dianne Schilling Freddie Hanson Judy Ellingson Katie Wilkowski Tanya Porter Steve Huttunen Helen Mickelson Hazel Carlson Ron Usher Lucille Erickson Clayton Ellingson Aden Munson Gerry Southerton Beverlee Hallaway Tammy Yrjo Roger & Elaine Hollerud Mark Ristinen Cornie Paulson MaryAnn Lusti Mabel Ehnert Tammy Evans Pastor Jim s foster daughter Naomi Sharon Berg John Rader Thomas Merchlewicz Jim Johnson Ashley Anderson Tracey Skroski Joann Koskela Bruce Blanchard Elvin Yrjo Susan Gullekson Our Country & Military Hayden Paulson Brandon Tjosaas Luke Hallaway Kyle Soppeland Jason Wilker Our Churches, Pastors, Leaders, and Staff Our Shut-ins

8 S T E P S Discrepancies and Opportunities in 2017 Do you have discrepancies in your life? Discrepancies in your checkbook ledger, discrepancies in the way you see things or discrepancies in the way people see you, discrepancies between what you expect from life and what life gives you. In life, it s hard not to have discrepancies when advertisements promise so much and products deliver so much less. But this mirror also gives the solution for discrepancies. Every one of them! Do you know the difference between turning to God and turning away from discrepancies? For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2Corinthians 7:10 My smart phone didn t make me smarter or save me time. My high speed internet didn t give me more time for leisure, it took more time from me in fact. Ladies, do the products that promise you the perfect eyes, the perfect thighs or the prettiest feet you ve ever seen delivered? This is why I love the start of a new year. The new year always seems to be a time for a fresh start. Truth is, I have discrepancies in my life that I would like to deal with but often wonder how to beat these things that seemed to have attached themselves to my life so tenaciously. (See Hebrews 12:1-2a) So here we are in We will have a new president this month. As in the past the first 100 days of this president s office will be very active. Hmmmm, 100 days. January 1st until April 11th. I ve heard it said that it takes 21 days to start a new habit. In 100 we may be able to get it pretty established in a new routine. Let me give you a metaphor. What does the word mirror mean to you? We see in movies a magic mirror that tells the person holding it they are the fairest person of all. This turns out to be a lie, doesn t it? What if you could hold a mirror that would let you know your discrepancies? At this point, you're thinking I already have one of those. I do too. There is a better mirror than that one. We don t think of it as a mirror, but it is. The mirror I m speaking of is the Word of God. We call it the Bible. The Bible is a mirror of your heart and your mind. It will tell you what s in there both good and bad. For instance, Thou shall not lie. What do you see? Keep the Sabbath. What do you see? Honor your father and mother. What do you see? I see a perfect reflection of what is in my heart and mind (and actions). Psalm 40:2 Regretting getting drunk last night without any intention of changing this in the future is one way to turn away from discrepancies. But it won t lead to life. On the other hand if you react to one of these discrepancies with what Paul called godly grief he said it would produce repentance that leads to salvation. What is my part in that? My part is to agree with Holy Spirit. He s the one who gives the godly grief. You didn t think it came from inside you, did you? No, we can do nothing to earn salvation, including repent. Holy Spirit lets us know our actions displease God. We hear Him in our spirits and don t reject Him. He in turn gives us power to turn toward Him which results in salvation. When you experience salvation, that is the life of Jesus Christ, you will overcome your discrepancy. You will overcome your discrepancy! This is the actuality of what God said to Cain, sin is crouching at the door and you must master it. Give it a try. Pray like king David, Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! Psalm 139:23 Invite Him, agree with Him, ask Him for forgiveness, obey what He asks of you and you will have life, real life. You will have Jesus Christ! I have one last metaphor for you. Receiving the life of Jesus Christ is like the water at the wedding of Cana becoming wine. When did it happen? When the water was being brought toward the master waiter. So when you bring your life toward God in agreement with His will your life too will become changed into only something useful, into the best life you can live. When people look at your life it will be like the response to the water made wine, you have kept the good wine until now. John 2:10b ~ Pastor Jim

9 BETHANY, FIRST ENGLISH, FRIENDS IN CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCHES 17 Main St. NW PO Box 189 MENAHGA, MN Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE Menahga, MN Permit NO. 3 Lutefisk & Swedish Meatball Dinner Menu includes lutefisk, Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, gravy, lefse, corn, rice pudding, fruit soup, flat bread, dessert and more! Saturday, January 21, :00 to 6:30 PM Lutefisk & Meatballs $15.00 Meatballs Only $11.00 Children 12 & Under $8.00 Proceeds will go to the needs and work of First English Lutheran Church. First English Lutheran Church, 17 Main St NW, Menahga, MN In case of a storm it will be rescheduled to Saturday, January, 28th.