Pastor s Page. Country Chronicles March 2018

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Country Chronicles March 2018 Cannon River and Cross of Christ Lutheran Parish, ELCA Pastor s Page Lent is a time when Christians all over the world are looking for a new beginning.

It doesn t matter who we are or what we have been through in this troubled and difficult life, we are offered repentance and faith as a gift from God. If we have been lost, we are found.

1 Country Chronicles March 2018 Cannon River and Cross of Christ Lutheran Parish, ELCA Pastor s Page Lent is a time when Christians all over the world are looking for a new beginning. We examine ourselves and we walk with Jesus to the Cross in preparation for Easter. It doesn t matter who we are or what we have been through in this troubled and difficult life, we are offered repentance and faith as a gift from God. If we have been lost, we are found. If we have been blind, we see. We are offered a new beginning. Our new beginning is truly a new beginning. And that may not sound like great good news to all of us, but I can tell you that I know a lot of people for whom this Word of Christ is living water, the light of the world, and the bread of life. There are sometimes when there is no fixing what has happened, and nothing short of a new beginning is going to change the situation. And the good news of the Gospel is that we can have that new beginning. Fred Craddock captures it so well, he writes: When I was pastoring in Tennessee there was a girl about seven years old who came to our church regularly, to Sunday School and sometimes her parents let her stay for the worship service. They didn t come. We had a circular drive at that church. It was built for people who let their children off and drove on. We didn t want to inconvenience them, so we had a circular drive. But they were very faithful, Mom and Dad. They had moved here from New Jersey with the chemical plant. He was upwardly mobile, they were both very ambitious, and they didn t come to church. There wasn t really any need for that, I guess. But on Saturday nights, the whole town knew of their parties. They gave parties, not for entertainment, but as part of the upwardly mobile thing. That determined who was invited--the right people, the one just above, finally on up to the boss. And those parties were full of drinking and wild and vulgar things. Everybody knew. But there was a beautiful girl every Sunday. 1

2 One Sunday morning, I looked out and she was there, and I thought, well, she s with her friends, but there were Mom and Dad. And after the service, Mr. and Mrs. Mom and Dad come down to the front of the church and they said, Well, do you know about our parties? And I said, yeah, I heard about your parties. They said, well, we had one last night again, and it got a little loud and it got a little rough. And there was too much drinking. And we waked our daughter, and she came downstairs, she was on the third step. And she saw that we were eating and drinking and she said, Oh, can I give the blessing? God is great; God is good, let us thank him for our food. Good night everybody. She went back upstairs. Oh My land, it s time to go, we got to be going. We ve stayed Within two minutes the room was empty. Mr. and Mrs. Mom and Dad are picking up crumpled napkins and wasted and spilled peanuts and half-sandwiches and taking empty glasses on trays to the kitchen. And with two trays he and she meet beside the sink on either side, and they look at each other, and he expresses what both are thinking, where do we think we re going. The moment of truth. In the moment of truth, there can be a new beginning. Because that s what we re here for, a new name, a new beginning. We re here to follow an itinerant preacher who wandered through town and changed the world and that includes us. We can t say, Oh, there s a new beginning for you, but not you. We can t say, "There s grace enough for this person, but not that person. We can t say, I ll be a Christian on Sundays, but leave my business out of this. We can t say, "I ll be a Christian unless it s unpopular or unless it s not fiscally sound," because that s not following Christ. It's an "all in" sort of thing. Peter and Andrew and Paul got up and walked away and followed Christ. They took a new beginning, and so can we. Because of the grace of God in Jesus Christ, we can all take a new beginning. Pastor Robert C. Berthold Contact Information for Pastor Berthold: Church Phone: Cell Phone: pastor@cccrchurch.com or rcberthold@gmail.com 2

3 Cannon River News Attendance January 28 th 31 February 4 th 8 February 11 th 19 February 18 th 24 February 25 th 20 Financial Report Income Expenses Net Jan $2,148 $3,272 ($1,124) Year to Date $2,148 $3,272 ($1,124) Special Meeting Cannon River will hold a special congregational meeting on Sunday March 11 th, 2018 following service to vote on air conditioning. Lenten and Holy Week Schedule Maundy Thursday, March 29 th 7:00 p.m.-cr Good Friday, March 30 th 7:00 p.m.-cc All other lent services will be held at Cross of Christ Easter Worship Schedule-April 1st Sonrise Service 7:00 a.m.-cc Worship Service 9:00 a.m.-cr Worship Service 10:30 a.m.-cc 3

4 Cross of Christ News We are called by the Spirit to be a lasting presence in our community, faithfully sharing the Word of God through worship, fellowship and service to our neighbors. Faithful through Generations Assistants for March Greeters March 4 th Jackie & Dennis Martin March 11 th Mary Fjetland March 18 th Ann Kulla March 25 th Eric & Sara Strusz Family Readers March 4 th March 11 th March 18 th March 25 th Dennis Martin Paul Hansen Jim Hill Joan Slingsby Altar 4 th Cathy Nemcek Altar helper: Emma Dinndorf 11 th Cathy Nemcek Altar helper: Carl Peterson Council Person Robin Nelson-Williams Attendance January 28 th 38 Kitchen February 4 th 32 Doris Gruber February 11 th 63 Judy Meyer-Substitute Ushers for March Paul Hanson Jeff Busse Jim Chester 4

5 Cross of Christ Financial Report Income Expenses Jan $8,576 $11,412 Year to Date $8,576 $11,412 Financial News The finance committee recommended that Lent offerings be split between the Red Wing, Cannon Falls and Hastings food shelves. We reviewed the Education Trust Fund statement and opted to continue with $200/month payments to the Education Fund. We discussed our current phone and internet service and recommended that council look into other options. Memorials: We ve received $25 (undesignated) in memory of Robert Scheitel. We ve received $50 (Building and Grounds) in memory or Robert Scheitel. The Kwik trip card sales have made a big difference for us. If you frequent Kwik Trip, contact Julie Schriefels at to buy some pre-paid cards. A portion of your purchase price comes directly to Cross of Christ. It is a very easy way to support your church! 5

The Simply Giving Program allows you to have your church offering automatically deducted from your checking or savings account, weekly or monthly.

Please contact Rebecca Peterson for help with setting up scheduled donations through Simply Giving, or your bank. If you make any purchase on Amazon.com, you can designate.

6 The Simply Giving Program allows you to have your church offering automatically deducted from your checking or savings account, weekly or monthly. You also have the option to set up automatic donations through your bank with (possibly) no fee. Please contact Rebecca Peterson for help with setting up scheduled donations through Simply Giving, or your bank. If you make any purchase on Amazon.com, you can designate.5% of your order to come to Cross of Christ by using smile.amazon.com instead, and designating us as the recipient. The next Finance committee meeting will be Wed, Mar. 7 at 6:30 pm at church. Please remember to designate your Thrivent Choice Dollars through your agent. The deadline to designate 2017 dollars is March 31, Cross of Christ greatly appreciates these gifts! The chart-topping band, MercyMe, will be performing with Tenth Avenue North at the Target Center on Friday, April 13 at 7 pm. We have a limited number of discounted lower-level tickets available! Cross of Christ and Cannon River youth get first dibs, but ANYONE who is interested should contact Rebecca Peterson ( ) to get 'on the list!' The cost will be $15 per person, and Pastor Bob will drive the van up. Kids younger than 5th grade should be with a parent or guardian. 6

You pay the amount of the card being purchased; the church makes 5% of the sales and another 10% for non-fuel purchases made with the cards. Contact Julie Schreifels to purchase at hjschreif@live.

7 Kwik Trip Cards Help support our Building Maintenance Fund by buying Kwik Trip scrip cards. The cards can be used to purchase anything at Kwik Trip from gas, groceries and car washes to anything else they sell. Available in $10, $20, $25, $50 and $100. You pay the amount of the card being purchased; the church makes 5% of the sales and another 10% for non-fuel purchases made with the cards. Contact Julie Schreifels to purchase at or The next order will be put in on Tuesday, March 13th and will be available during church on Sunday, March 18 th. Thank you to those who have ordered Kwik Trip Cards. Out next Blood Drive will be on Thursday, March 29 th from 12:00 6:00 pm. If you would like to sign up in advance: Call or go online to enter sponsor code: welchmn. Contact Julie Schreifels if you would like to help. Save the Date The Women of the ELCA Cannon River Conference Spring Gathering Saturday, April 14, 2018 Holden Lutheran Church - Rural Kenyon th St, Kenyon, MN Julie Schreifels Cannon River Conference WELCA Communications WELCA Bible Study WELCA Bible Study will meet at Virginia Strand's apartment (at her son Al Strands house) on March 13-at 9:00 AM. We can meet at church at 8:45 and drive to her place. Millie Niebeling will give you the directions to her place. The address is also in the Church Directory. If you need the Questions for the Bible Study- Millie also has those. Study Chapter 17 on Isaiah- Pages Janelle Lahr is hostess. Pastor Bob will lead bible study. Lent Soup Suppers & Services Please join us for Soup Supper at 5:30pm and Lent Service at 7:00pm for the following Wednesdays: March 7 th, March 14 th and March 21 st Please bring your own bowls and silverware. 7

8 Missions Mission Update: Please continue to save your Econo Foods and Family Fare store receipts! Both Cross of Christ and Cannon River churches are collecting receipts and participating in this great mission outreach. When the receipts total $150,000, we will receive a check for $1,000 which will go to Feed My Starving Children. We have already reached this goal twice, and are now on our third collection. It s amazing! Shop, bring your receipt to church and we will support children who are hungry! Thank you, the Mission Committee Youth Sunday School: Remember we start at 9:15 am with music in the sanctuary for the Pre-K -6 th and 7-8 grades in their classroom with Dean. During March we will be learning about The Messiah Comes. If you are interested in helping with Sunday School in any way please let Julie Schreifels know. Activities & Reminders: Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm : Confirmation Class March 11 th : Sunday School Sings during church Daylight Savings-Spring Ahead 1 hour Easter Baskets for Connecting Connections Youth and Learning Committee meeting after church March 25 th : Palm Sunday Breakfast - First Communion for 5 th Grade April 1 st : Easter Sunday No Sunday School April 8 th : Sunday School Sings during church April 29 th : Letters to Gabby May 13 th : Mother s Day Last day of Sunday School Sunday School Sings during church 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering: June 27 - July 1, 2018 Houston. The Learning and Youth committee voted to support all youth who are in 8

8th - 12th grade next school year who wish to attend. Go to http://www.elca.org/youthgathering for more information.

9 8th - 12th grade next school year who wish to attend. Go to for more information. Mission Projects: Weekly offering will be used towards the assistance of Gabby, a child in Tanzania. The Sunday School kids will once again make cards to send to Gabby. They are invited to share a picture of themselves with Gabby. Buck-A-Chick The Sunday School students will be selling paper chicks for a buck though Palm Sunday, March 25 th. Buy a Chick in Honor or Memory of someone close to you and/or as a donation. Help us meet goal of 250 chicks. The Buck-a-Chick fundraiser will provide chicks for families in impoverished areas of the world. They will be purchased through the ELCA Good Gifts program. ELCA World Hunger responds to the root causes of hunger with work in 60 countries around the world, including the United States. Julie Schreifels Sunday School Superintendent hjschreif@live.com h c The next WELCA meeting will be Thursday, March 8 th at 7:00pm. The agenda will include: Days for Girls kits, Spring Salad Luncheon, WELCA Booklet, other Purpose Statement: As a community of women, created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit We commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society and the world. 9

10 Days for Girls Kits: Washable feminine hygiene kits for girls in the Kuwaa Mission in Liberia. We will be making the drawstring bags, shields and liners then assembling the kits. We will need dark colored and other cotton flannel and cotton material. Other items needed for the each completed kit: two pair of girls briefs sizes and a washcloth We completed several kits and items for kits during our February craft day. We will have another craft day on Saturday, March 10th from 10-2 pm to work on this project again. We received a Thrivent Action Grant to help pay for items needed for the kits. For more information contact Julie Schreifels or go to Spring Salad Luncheon: Save the Date April 7, :00 am. Note Date change. Kathy Jacobson author of thee Noted series will be our speaker. Please let Julie know if you would like to help with the luncheon WELCA Booklet: The Church Council decided that the Kitchen Committee and Funeral Committee will now be under the WELCA umbrella. At our January meeting we decided that chairs/co-chairs for these committees would be voted on annually or biennially along with the WELCA officers. We also decided to revive the WELCA Booklet from several years ago to include information about WELCA in general, list of officers, guidelines for church use, funeral guidelines, members and chairs of each committee. We will also likely include names and phone numbers of all WELCA members. Reminder: All confirmed women belonging to Cross of Christ Church are WELCA members. Future Events: Red Cross Blood Drive: Thursday, March 29th 12-6 pm Days for Girls Kit Making Day: Saturday, March 10th 10-2 pm Spring Salad Luncheon: April 7, :00 am Cannon River Conference Spring Gathering at Holden Lutheran rural Kenyon: April 14, 2018 Officers: President/Vice- President: Julie Schreifels/Tracy Harth Secretary: Charlotte Leurquin Treasurer: Jean Kehren Kitchen Committee: Doris Gruber, Joan Slingsby, Diane Hermanson, Jean Kehren, Janet Daley & Sandy Luhman. God go with you! Your sister in Christ, Julie Schreifels phone: cell: hjschreif@live.com 10

11 Cross of Christ Draft Council Minutes Faithful through Generations February 13 th, 2018 Present: Joan Slingsby, Robin Nelson-Williams, Jim Hill, Jean Kehren,, Present: Joan Slingsby, Robin Nelson-Williams, Jim Hill, Jean Kehren,, Jim Gustafson, Rhonda Meyer, Kellie Dahling, Pr. Bob Berthold and Parish secretary Deanna Gehloff Absent: Ann Kulla and Dennis Martin Meeting was called to order by Jim Hill, the Mission Statement was read. The agenda was approved with the addition of Darwin Fox under New Business, and the January minutes were approved. Devotions- Pastor gave a handout 20 Questions to Determine Church Health and Honesty is Good Stewardship Unfinished Business: Pastor s mic usage Deanna checked with Pastor on the use of the mic vs head set. Some members cannot hear, but if the PA is turned up too loud it creates a lot of feedback and makes hearing more difficult. Pastor suggested purchasing personal PA s for those with hearing issues and approximated the cost around $1500 for the transmitter and about six personal PA. It was asked of Pastor to gather some quotes and will be discussed further. New Business: *Darwin Fox Darwin discussed ways to keep our new asphalt looking new. He suggested looking into the garbage dumpster placement and also into getting a No Trucks sign at the entrance to avoid heavy vehicles from entering. Darwin also noted the edges of asphalt will be filled in this spring when weather permits. *Jeff Rudi Pastor was notified by Jeff he was offered a salary of $14,000 at another church. Jeff would like to stay with Cross of Christ and Cannon River Churches if we would increase his salary to match. The budget was looked at by the council. 11

12 -Motion was made and seconded to increase Jeff s salary to $14,000 and to share the increase difference between Cross of Christ and Cannon River Churches. Motion passed *Election of Offices *Nominations were announced and the election was held. Jim Hill-President, Dennis Martin-Vice President, Jean Kehren-Secretary *March Council Person: Robin Nelson-Williams Joan Slingsby has volunteered to take over the remaining Sundays in February as Council Person. *Annual Meeting Survey Results More surveys are still coming in and we will re-visit this topic at a later date. Committee Reports: *Finance -Motion was made and seconded to approve the Financial Secretary s Report.-Motion passed -Motion was made and seconded to approve the Finance Committee recommendation to have the offerings from Ash Wednesday, Lent Services and donations from soup suppers be split between the Cannon Falls, Red Wing and Hastings Food Shelves. Motion passed -Motion was made and seconded to approve the 2018 Budget. Motion passed It was discussed by the finance committee to look into different phone/internet service do to unreliable service we currently have with Century Link. Dean Dinndorf has been heading this up and looked into VoiP (Voice over internet protocol) Jim Hill will be in contact with Dean and will move ahead with this starting with the lowest option and working up to our needs. *Property Management Joan mentioned it was missed on the Annual Report: Pr Bob and Paul Hansen purchased the microwave for the basement. -Jean discussed replacing our current mail boxes with locking ones and also a locking box for the Parish as well. -Motion was made and seconded to purchase two locking mail boxes. Motion passed -Joan mentioned Lynette Hanson would like the garage sale proceeds to go towards new windows in Dahlen Hall. 12

13 Jim Hill noted other members have expressed interest in replacement of the windows as well, they will be ing council on this. -It was suggested by Jim Hill to establish a building committee, Jim will include something in the Chronicles, bulletin and weekly updates. -Motion was made and seconded to form a Building Committee to access the accessibility options. -Motion passed *Worship & Music Choir is singing this Sunday during service and during lent service on this Wednesday. Joan also mentioned about serving the Community Meals again at the Methodist Church in Red Wing. The dates of May 30 th, July 8 th and September 23 rd have been chosen. *Learning & Youth The next Youth and Learning meeting will be on March 11 th after service. *Missions Valentines were sent out, six packages and four cards. March is Minnesota Food Share month. *Stewardship A Stewardship meeting will be held in March *Personnel No report. We closed with prayer. Respectfully submitted Deanna Gehloff, Parish Secretary Accessibility Building Committee Formation As discussed at the Annual Meeting, a Building Committee is being formed to consider modification options provided by our Accessibility Committee, and recommend which changes should take place for further accessibility accommodations. Thank you to the Accessibility Committee and their work, that is now passed on to this new committee. Any changes of significance would be reviewed by the congregation prior to proceeding, likely through a meeting. In 2007 our church spent considerable time and effort in a larger building study. These materials are available for reference, and have some applicability to our current effort. Dennis Martin chaired this previous committee; given his familiarity with that effort he will chair our new committee, The need to consider additional accessibility was also one of the top suggestions from the Annual Meeting survey response. If there are any members that have interest in participating, please contact Dennis ( or djmartin25481@gmail.com). 13

Start saving your items for our Annual Garage sale.

Drop off dates will be Monday April 23 rd -Thursday April 26 th until noon. Helpers are needed for set up and to work the sale.

Please contact Lynette Hanson at 388-7814 or Julie Schfeifels at 388-2326 if you are interested in helping in any way.

14 Start saving your items for our Annual Garage sale. The sale will be held on Thursday April 26 th, 2018 from 2-7pm, Friday April 27 th 8-4pm and Saturday April 28 th, 2018 from 8-Noon. Drop off dates will be Monday April 23 rd -Thursday April 26 th until noon. Helpers are needed for set up and to work the sale. If you have any brown paper bags, please save them for use at the sale. Please contact Lynette Hanson at or Julie Schfeifels at if you are interested in helping in any way. INSIDE WINTER FUN Join us Saturday March 10th for a hot meal served at 5:30pm, after dinner we ll play a few rounds of Bunco. It s truly a game for all ages! Please come join in the meal, laughs and some not so serious Bunco. Hope to see you there. Game Night March 10, :30 P.m. Play Bunco! Food! All Ages Welcome! Free! Fellowship! Fun for All! 14

15 March is Minnesota Food Share Month... Let s join this state-wide campaign to raise money and collect food for our local food shelves. For over 30 years, this effort has made a major difference in relieving hunger in Minnesota. We need your help in stocking the local food shelves. For the last two years our church has been very generous. Let s make this another successful church-wide effort! Please bring your donations this month to the back of the church. Here are some ideas: March 4th cereal, peanut butter and jelly March 11th soup and crackers March 18 th pasta and sauces, boxed dinners March 25 th canned fruits and canned vegetables Your Mission Committee Thanks You! You must actively help the hungry and feed the oppressed. Then your light will dispel the darkness... Isaiah 58:10 15

EASTER FLOWERS It s time to order flowers to beautify our sanctuary for Easter. You may choose from: Easter Lilies $9.99 Colored Lilies $10.99 Azaleas $23.00 Rieger Begonias $15.00 Blue Hydrangea $20.

16 EASTER FLOWERS It s time to order flowers to beautify our sanctuary for Easter. You may choose from: Easter Lilies $9.99 Colored Lilies $10.99 Azaleas $23.00 Rieger Begonias $15.00 Blue Hydrangea $20.00 Pink Hydrangea $20.00 Mums $15.00 Bulb Plants $12.99 Please complete this form and leave it in the offering plate or mail it to the church at County 7 Blvd, Welch, MN with your check. Order forms must be received by March 18 th. You may pick up your plant following the services on Easter. Name In Honor of or Memory of (please circle one) Type of Plant(s) Total Amount Enclosed Please make checks payable to Cross of Christ 16

Cannon River & Cross of Christ Lutheran Churches ELCA Faithful Through Generations March 18, 2018

Cannon River & Cross of Christ Lutheran Churches ELCA Faithful Through Generations March 18, 2018 PRELUDE Welcome and Announcements Organist: Jeff Rudi *OPENING HYMN O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts ELW #658