Epistle for September, 2018

Transcription

1 Epistle for September, 2018 Bethany Lutheran Church First English Lutheran Church Friends in Christ Lutheran Church Meets at the DAC Building in Sebeka Sunday Schedule Worship 10:30 AM th St. Menahga, MN Sunday Schedule 8:30 Worship Coffee Fellowship 9:50 Sunday School 17 Main St. NW Menahga, MN Parish Newsletter Sunday Schedule 9:30 Worship Fellowship 305 5th St SW Sebeka, MN Phone: ~ Fax: febeth@wcta.net PO Box 189 ~ Menahga, MN Pastor James Hallaway 1716ofluke@gmail.com Parish Secretary Dayna Anderson dayna@wcta.net Bethany Council President Kris Spadgenske krsspad@gmail.com Bethany Organists Sandi Mickelson Kris Spadgenske First English Administrative Board President Marie Henstorf First English Pianist Sandy Nelson First English Custodian Dan Gilbert 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. The Epistle and weekly bulletins are also available online at: Friends in Christ Board of Trustees President Curt Oakland Friends in Christ Pianists Ardis Olson Laicy Erickson Chris Olson Ryan Oakland Follow us on Facebook: First English, Bethany, Friends in Christ Lutheran Churches

2 Ideas for articles or other tasks that I do regularly are often jotted down on a post-it or recorded in my phone notepad. Looking back in my phone I wasn t too excited about what I had put there myself recently. Sometimes we need to hear, no. I know it s true, but it doesn t make it any easier to swallow. No one likes to hear no! Can you think of some folks from your Bible that heard the word no? There are plenty to choose from. Adam and Eve were first. God said no to the tree of knowledge. Cain heard no when his offering was not accepted. Moses heard no when it came time to enter the promised land. Joshua heard no about the timing to attack in war. King David heard no when he wanted to build the temple of the Lord. James and John heard no when their mom asked for the places of honor in the kingdom of heaven. That s a lot of no s! Of the Ten Commandments eight are stated as a no. Is it possible that the word no strikes at the very heart of our problems. We want our independence, we want our way, we want to hear yes every time. Why are there areas of life when a no is necessary? Think of our Bible characters. The first no was a test of wills. The second no was a test of worship. Do you see the questions that you must ask yourself? Have you surrendered your will and taken up God s will as the course for your life? Do you understand the importance of worship in your life as a follower of Jesus Christ? These two questions will expose more of who you are than many others. I may follow Jesus, but not really see His will as something God is asking me to do. There s a cliche that says it straight- Jesus is either Lord of all or not Lord at all. There s a very strong verse in the Bible that should grip us for two reasons. It should make us tremble for our own salvation and it should make us tremble for those we know need Jesus. When We Hear the Word No S T E P S For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10b-12 Do you believe Jesus Christ is Lord of all, creator of the universe, Immanuel-God with us? If you do, how s the conflict of wills going? Listen to Adam and Eve, if you follow your own will you will only confirm the gospel-jesus came to save sinners with the shedding of His own blood. Receiving Him as Lord and denying your own will is the way your knee bows now. Without that your knee will bow as you stand before Him a moment before you hear the words, depart from me. Sorry to be so direct and so blunt. Perhaps if we keep pressing on we will find a good end. Worship is the next no in Scripture. Have you ever wondered if the manner in which you worship God is acceptable to Him? It s worth asking. Cain is not the only one to find out the hard way that worshipping God is worth doing your homework on. When King David tried to move the Ark of the Covenant back to the city he didn t remember God s Word gave the method. The result was a man was killed. Would you like some good news? Someone got it right when it really mattered. Someone qualified in God s eyes. That man was and is Jesus our Christ. Why does it matter so much that Jesus did what was right and was found to be righteous? I ve been meditating in Romans 5 for a few weeks. Please read the chapter for yourself. Let me give you a few thoughts from the chapter that will encourage you. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. Romans 5:8-9 Continued on next page

3 Continued from previous page Have ever been told no then told yes? If you have you also experienced grace. While I was experiencing God s no due to my sin God was also offering a way to experience yes through Jesus Christ. What is that yes? Life with Him! Being born again! Being made a child of God! Let me end with the beginning of chapter 5. It s really the bait that got me to bite on the whole chapter. Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Rev. 3:3 It gets worse. The church at Sardis thought they were alive and Jesus told them they were dead. But God is the God of life and so He says repent. Remember the good news? While we were yet sinners Jesus Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 God is so patient with His children. He lovingly warns you and I to repent. While you are breathing you have an opportunity! Don t waste it. The Lord is calling you and I to be honest with ourselves and with those around us. The Lord is coming again. If you expect to inherit heaven as your home heed the Word of God. The Lord s goodness cannot do for you what you will not allow it to do. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Rev. 3:19 When God says you have access, He s saying yes. Not just to forgive past sin but also future for those who abide in faith. Additionally, His grace gives us power and strength and wisdom to live lives as people who have been made new. Every person who is in Jesus Christ lives in God s yes! Is there anything you would withhold from God who has given you so much through Jesus? You can surrender your will today! Remember, if He s Lord of all He s your Lord. Spend time with God, don t cause others to stumble and be honest with yourself about your true condition. Holy Spirit will be faithful to tell you the truth if you ask Him. He will not tell you it s okay when it s not. And, He promises to give grace to the humble. Praise the Lord! Pastor Jim Pastor Jim will be heading to Malawi Africa after services on Sunday September 9th. Please pray for the team's health and safety and the blessing of God as they go to teach the Word of God and encourage the Church in Malawi! Pastor Jim will return September 18th. Pastor Ron can be reached at The LCMC Annual Gathering is October 7 10, 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa. For more information or if you are interested in attending, please speak to a pastor or a council member. New Website Address:

4 Friends in Christ Meeting August 26 th, 2018 Present: Tom, Curt, Rueben and Tracey. Tom opened the meeting with prayer. Rueben went through the financial report. A motion was made and passed to approve the report and move it to audit. Secretary Report: The secretary report was read, and a motion was made and passed to approve the report. Edward Jones investment group: Curt visited with Edward Jones adviser and Friends in Christ s money is in the most conservative plan available. So, we will be leaving it in this plan for the time being. Missions: Tabled for next month Identity/Vision: Tabled for next month Sunday School/Confirmation/Youth: Sunday School will be determined later. Youth Sundays will continue again beginning October 7 th. More info to follow. Meeting closed with prayer. Submitted by Tracey O Friends in Christ Attendance & Offering 8/ $ / $ /19 no service 8/ $ First English Administrative Board Meeting September 14, 2018 Present...Marie H., Verllien A., Roger H. As we did not have a quorum, we held a special meeting with those present and via phone for two items that needed to be voted on. l. The consensus was to go ahead with ABC Seamless to add rain gutters to the east and west side of the car port 2. We also decided to give Bethany $350 to help pay for expenses for our joint services Aug. 19 Next meeting date...sept. 11 6:30 p.m. Devotions for Sept...Marie The First English Administrative Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 4th at 7:00 PM. BETHANY Attendance & Offering 7/29/18 24 Adults 12 Children General $ 1, Missions $ $ 1, /5/18 19 Adults 8 Children General $ Cemetery $ $ /12/18 19 Adults 3 Children General $ Missions $ $ /19/18-Auction 74 Adults 13 Children General $ 1, Missions $ $ 1,26700 Auction $ 3, Lunch & CD Sales $ Pop Sales $ /26/18 17 Adults 1 Child General $ Missions $ $ Thank you to everyone that came out to Bethany for our Auction Day. Thank you to Luke Schmoll for sharing a message and to Carol Snelling for the special music. Thank you to each and everyone of you that spent time with us in fellowship over lunch. Thanks also to those who stayed for the auction and made it a success for us. All proceeds from the day will go to the Bethany Mission Fund. We are very grateful to you all and we enjoyed having you at Bethany for the day, please join us again. God s Blessings to you! ~ Bethany Lutheran Church Council & Congregation FIRST ENGLISH Attendance & Offering 7/29/18 47 Adults 8 Children General $ 1, Building $ $ 1, /5/18 46 Adults 7 Children General $ World Hunger $ WoW $ Building $ $ 1, /12/18 46 Adults 4 Children General $ Food Shelf $ Building $ $ 4, /19/18 Bethany Auction General $ Building $ $ /26/18 47 Adults 9 Children General $ Building $ $ 1, A Huge THANK YOU to all those that helped in anyway to move tables, chairs and furniture on Augst 5 at First English for the carpet cleaning. Thanks very much, Daniel Gilbert, First English Custodian

5 First English Women s Executive Board Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 16, 2018 The meeting was opened with devotions and prayer by Marlene. Correspondence: Thank you from Agnes Lindroos family for serving at funeral, CIA appeal for donations. The secretary s minutes were read and approved. The treasurer s report was read and approved. Missions-quilting to begin in September. Kitchen cleaning is August 18th at 10:00 AM. Bible Study Bible Study on Faith Meet 6 PM on 1st Tuesday at First English. and on 1st Monday at Woodside Manor at 10 AM. Confirmation is September 30th. September 23rd is Penny Pot Sunday. Tentative date for Movie at Woodside Manor is Saturday, October 20th at 1 PM. The next meeting will be held on September 20, at 4:00 PM. Lucille Erickson, secretary The First English Women of the Word are collecting Baby Care Kits and School Kits for Lutheran World Relief. There is a list of items to be included in these kits in the Fellowship hall at First English as well as in the Women s booklets Donations can be dropped off at First English Church. Confirmation is on Sunday, September 30, 2018 at First English and Bethany Churches. Confirmation Students, are you ready? Have you volunteered at Ruby s Pantry twice? Do you have your interview scheduled? Do you have your statement of faith done? Have you turned in 10 sermon notes? Please report directly to Pastor Jim! Quilting will begin on Wednesday, September 5 at 9:00 A.M. at First English, Quilters of any age or skill level are welcome! First English Midsummer Picnic Report Receipts Ticket Sales $ Donations $ Total Income $1, Expenses Food Expense $ Thrivent Seed Money $ Total Expenses $ Balance $ Distribution of Midsummer Picnic Income Special Projects $ Food Shelf $ Guatemala $ Missions $ Total $ A Big Thank You to everyone who helped make our Midsummer Picnic a success! Women of the Word Women's Bible Study The Bible Study is: Ambidextrous Christianity, A "Two-Handed" Approach to the Life of Faith A Nine-Session Bible Study by the Rev. Chris Brekke. Cost: $6.00 Study books are available at the first study. Dates, Times & Places for the Study Place: Woodside Manor Assisted Living - Green Pine Acres Time & Date: 10:00 A.M. on the 1st Monday of each Month (unless it is a holiday) First Bible Study at Woodside Manor is on September 4, 2018 OR Place: First English Lutheran Church Time & Date: 6:00 P.M. on the 1st Tuesday of each Month, First Bible Study at First English is on September 4, 2018 Women from Bethany and Friends in Christ as well as the community are welcome to join us. Call Marlene Schiotz at

6 PARISH CALENDAR - SEPTEMBER 2018 FRIENDS IN 1 BETHANY FIRST CHRIST Sunday Sunday ENGLISH Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 2 Green 2 Green :30 Worship Service 9:15 FE Bible Study 9:00 FE Quilting 9:30 Worship Service 10:30 Worship Service Holy Communion 10:00 WoW Bible 9:30 FE Men's Coffee & Holy Communion & Holy Communion Study at WSM Fellowship Communion Srvr: Diane M Coffee Fellowship 6:00 FE WoW Bible Study 7:00 FE Admin Board Meeting 9 9 Green 9 Green :30 Worship Service 9:30 Coffee 8:30 Worship Service 9:15 FE Bible Study 9:00 FE Quilting 1:30 B Circles Mtg Fellowship 10:30 Worship Service Coffee Fellowship 2:00 Service at 9:30 FE Men's Coffee GPA 6:00 B Council Meeting Green 16 Green :30 Worship Service 9:30 Coffee 8:30 Worship Service 9:15 FE Bible Study 9:00 FE Quilting 4:00 FE Women of & Holy Communion 10:30 Worship Service Holy Communion 9:30 FE Men's Coffee FE Exec. Fellowship & Holy Communion Epistle Deadline 6:00 LYO Kickoff Brd Mtg Board of Trustees Mtg. Communion Srvr: Evelyn M Coffee Fellowship at Litzau's Green 23 Green :30 Worship Service 9:30 Coffee 8:30 Worship Service 9:15 FE Bible Study 9:00 FE Quilting Fellowship 10:30 Worship Service Sunday School Rally Day 9:30 FE Men's Coffee Coffee Fellowship 4:00 FE Confirmation Green 30 Green 9:30 Worship Service 9:30 Coffee 8:30 Worship Service Fellowship 10:30 Worship Service Confirmation Confirmation Sunday School Friends in Christ Bethany First English 9/2 9/9 9/16 9/23 9/30 Readers Ushers: Ushers Dan & Roxanne G Verllien A Triska K. family 9/2 Joann O Altar Guild: Harold & Sandi M Greeters Dora M Verllien A Shirley T & Lynn L Sunday School 9/9 Sheila P Acolyte: Adam S Readers Beverlee H. Terry N. Lynn L. Kiara K. Karen K. 9/16 Mike S Readers Counters Marlene & Marie Jim T & Verllien A Joy B & Karen N. Kyle & Karen P Marlene & Marie 9/23 Mac O 9/2 Dave M Commuion Server Roxanne G. Joyce H. 9/30 Tim P 9/9 Diane M Setup/Cleanup Arlette/Alice Roxanne G. Coffee Servers 9/16 Jeannette M Helper Sophia R. Lucas L 9/2 Tom C. 9/23 Evelyn M Acolyte Alec K Emma J Andrew L Karson K 9/9 Chris &Laicy 9/30 Kris S 9/16 Katie H. Altar Guild: Joyce H, Arlette M, Alice P, Ellen Y, Roxanne G 9/23 9/30 Kelly & Gordy H. Mike & Marianne B=Bethany FE=First English FIC = Friends in Christ

7 Guatemala Mission Trip It's hard to believe the Guatemala Mission has come and gone. Thanks to our parish for your support! Your prayers, encouragement, finances, and so much more helped bless the Guatemalan people and Pastor Joshua and Ada Monson, our host missionaries. The Lord helped us accomplish our goals plus some more. We were able to give a gift of $700 to Joshua for ministry helping children. If you missed the team reporting to our parish churches feel free to ask any of them questions when you see them. This mission experience was a success in many ways. The team did wonderful! Keep watch for another trip to Guatemala in Pictured are Lydia Irons, Laicy Erickson, Kate and Adam Spadgenske, Kristian Kocurek, Pastor Joshua and Ada and Ian (little boy) Monson, Kiara Kocurek, Andrew Litzau, Ryan Spadgenske, Jen Stifter and Spencer Erickson. Confirmation Parent Meeting There will be a 5-10 minute parent meeting at our LYO Kick-Off. This short meeting will give an outline of: requirements of Confirmation, Schedule, Snack info, and how parents can help their student grow in their walk with Jesus Christ. We will also address any questions you may have. Confirmation starts September 26th. Class is in the LYO room at First English from 4:00 to 5:00 PM on Wednesdays. LYO Our teen ministry will kick off on September 19th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Lynn and Ron Litzau's home: Johannusburg Circle, Menahga. The evening will be a fun time of introductions, games, food (potluck). If you have a yard game please bring it to add to the fun! Remember in Prayer Kathy Burgau Izzy Donovan Greg Mickelson Ryan Paavola Kathy Maurer Verna Mattson Keith Soppeland Donald Komppa Bill Knapp Jr. Marlene Salo Dora Meyer s greatgrandson Neva Shepersky Chuck Boyer Art Yliniemi Curt Oakland Michael Knapp Loretta Ehrmantraut Peggy Lake Paul Shepersky Tom Carlson Lynette Hilden Linda Miller Brent Freeman Brie Schilling Dennis Anderson Tanya Porter Elaine Hollerud Naomi Butcher John Rader Thomas Merchlewicz Elvin Yrjo Susan Gullekson Our Country & Military Hayden Paulson Braden Tjosaas Luke Hallaway Our Churches, Pastors, Leaders, and Staff Our Shut-ins PLEASE NOTE: All meeting minutes published in the Epistle are yet to be approved at the next meeting of each council or board.

8 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 Sunday School Rally Days Bethany Lutheran Church Sunday, October 7th First English Lutheran Church Sunday, September 23rd Please keep the Sunday School students and the teachers in your prayers this year! LYO KICKOFF September 19, :00 to 8:00 P.M. At the home of Ron & Lynn Litzau The event is open to 7-12 graders throughout the community. Parents are encouraged to stay and join the fun! Johannusburg Circle Menahga