S p r i n g G a r d e n L u t h e r a n C h u r c h. The Messenger. Wednesday nights: March 4, 11, 18, 25

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1 S p r i n g G a r d e n L u t h e r a n C h u r c h March 2015 The Messenger Wednesday nights: March 4, 11, 18, 25 Included in this issue: Pastor s Article 2 Pizza 6-6:45 pm Worship 7:00 pm Stewardship 2 Christian Ed 3 Parish Nurse 4 Council Meeting Minutes Women s Retreat 7 6 March 29: Palm Sunday Worship 10:00 am April 2: Maundy Thursday Worship 7:00 pm April 3: Good Friday Worship 7:00 pm April 5: Easter Sunrise Service 6:30 am Breakfast 7:30-9:30 am Easter Festival Service 10:00 am Cherub Choir will be singing during the 10 am worship service on Sunday, March 22 March is Food Share Month! We have a barrel here at Spring Garden that we collect food in and deliver to the food shelf. We d love to be able to get more to them! Please bring items that are NOT outdated. You can put them in the colorful barrel in the entry way and someone will make sure the food get to our food shelf! The food shelf (at First English Church) also accepts monetary donations. March/April Birthday Lists are available on the table outside of the sanctuary. Book Chatter will be meeting at Julie Magalis' house on March 26 at 7 pm. The book is People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks.

2 The Messenger Page 2 Pastor s Article.Pastor Nick Fisher-Broin CrossTraining Lent 2015 Marks of a Christian From the moment of our baptism, we are marked with the sign of Christ. Every day of our life, we live out the meaning of being marked by Christ. Life has many opportunities to stumble, or we are challenged by things beyond our control. In those moments, we call on God s grace and the mark of the cross. The cross of Christ is a mark, an identity that cannot be taken from us. God has marked us with gifts of the Holy Spirit that we might face life s challenge knowing that we are children of God. Join us this Lent as our CrossTrainers guide us through conversation on the Marks of a Christian. Let this journey through Lent remind you of the marks of Christ that guide your life. Be strengthened for your life s everyday challenges and prepare for the renewal of your life in the promises of Easter. See you at worship! Pastor Nick CrossTraining Lent 2015 Schedule 6pm: Pizza Supper 7pm: CrossTrainer Worship in the church basement * Worship will be informal and include table group discussion lead by our CrossTrainer Youth. Your support, encouragement, and discussion helps them develop confidence as leaders. Worship will include songs, scripture, a video to help open up discussion of the topic, and time for table discussion. You ll really enjoy this worship experience! Wednesday Feb Repentance Luke 5:27-32; Hosea 6:1-2 Wednesday March4 - Forgiveness Ephes. 4:29 5:2; 1 John 1:5-9 Wednesday March 11- Gentleness Phil. 4:4-7; Ruth 1:16-18, 22 Wednesday March 18 - Justice Micah 6:6-8; Isaiah 42:1-9 Wednesday March 25 - Joy Luke 15:1-7, Jeremiah 31:10-13 When we give to God, we are just taking our hands off what already belongs to Him. Financial Facts January 31, 2015: Corner Checkbook Balance: $11, Outstanding Loans, Memorial Committee: $5, ****If you forgot to drop your offering in the plate on Sunday, just simply go to our website click on the online giving tab and make your contribution that way. You will need to register and create a password, but once you have done that you can direct how much and how often you would like to give.

3 Page 3 The Sunday school kids collected $38.92 for Dec. and Jan. First grade came in with the most at $ Half of our collection foes to the ELCA Malaria fund. The first grade class chose to send the other half to the Cannon Falls food shelf. Good job, everyone!!! Keep it going! There is a brochure to take a look at right now in the office for summer camp! You can also go online. There are several programs for all ages. There are also some new programs! We like to pick a week for our church to try and go so our kids, no matter what program, are there at the same time. This summer our week is June Good Earth Village is such a great place for our kids to go. The counselors are so good with them. Kids that have gone in the past have had a wonderful time. As said before, you can find a brochure in the office at church or you can go online: February TBD World Vision 30-hr Famine Coming Soon: Think Spring.Flower Sales WEBSITES: First and foremost...thank you to all those that braved the cold and came out to the Spaghetti Supper. You support is very much appreciated. We ended serving just under 100 people (not including youth and adult leaders). FLOWER SALES.Winter starting to give you cabin fever? Gardeners itching for some warm weather and melting snow? Well, it s that time of year to start thinking spring The Spring Garden Youth will soon be selling, watch out for more information! National Youth Gathering Participants: Please watch facebook (messenger) for a meeting date coming out in the 1st half of March. We will go over upcoming fundraisers and start our mission group meetings. We will be working with Urland as one big group for the trip. We also welcome Sammy Anderson & Madalynn Lundell to the group bringing the total to 6 Spring Garden youth, 4 Urland youth and 3 adult chaperones. Leadership Opportunity for Older Youth / Young Adults: Confirmands (youth): Looking for those that are interested in taking on some leadership roles within the youth group and assist in planning the upcoming fundraisers and summer events. Tentative meeting will be Sunday March 1 (during the Sunday school hour).

4 Page 4 I was a bit stumped on what to write for March this year so I went back to a newsletter article that I wrote in I did add some of the symptoms of colorectal cancer to this year s article. The month of March has some great awareness events. Here are 2 of them: March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer, cancer of the colon or rectum, is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. Colorectal cancer also is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States. More than 90% of cases of colorectal cancer occur in people aged 50 or older. It is estimated that as many as 60% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if all men and women aged 50 or older were screened routinely. In most cases, colorectal cancer develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Some studies show that increased physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight may decrease the risk for colorectal cancer. You should begin routine screening soon after turning 50 (or earlier if you have a close relative that has had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer or if you have inflammatory bowel disease.) Some of the screening tests for colorectal cancer are: colonoscopy (every 10 years); fecal occult blood test (yearly) and flexible sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years). Some symptoms of colorectal cancer are diarrhea or constipation not normal for you, finding blood in the stool either bright red or black tarry stool, finding your stools narrower than usual, persistent abdominal pain such as cramps, bloating, gas, losing weight for unknown reason. Do not delay if you have any of these symptoms. See your provider! The second awareness for the month of March is National Nutrition Month. Here are a few tips you can do as a family or individually to eat healthier. For those with computer access, MyPryamid.com is a great resource to help with healthy eating tips for all ages starting with age 2. It provides nutritional and calorie guidelines. 1. Be creative. Try something different like washing and clipping grapes into small bunches and putting them in the freezer. Try bananas too. This is really good and these fruit tend to be sweeter when they are frozen. 2. Cut down on fat. Try low-fat dairy products, poultry without skin and lean meats to get flavor without a lot of calories. 3. Serve healthy snacks and have smaller meals. Stock your kitchen with healthy lunch and snack foods, such as raisins, popcorn, sliced vegetables and fruit (dipping raw veggies in ranch dressing has been a hit with our boys!) 4. Don't use food as punishment or reward. 5. Keep track. Let your kids "eat the rainbow." Keep a chart on the fridge so your kids can record each color fruit or vegetable they have each day. You can also have then plan, shop for and prepare meals they are likely to make better choices when they are involved in the process. 6. Get moving. Encourage informal play virtually every day. If you can't participate with your kid or grandkids during the week plan on being active during the weekend. Go skating, walk your dog, clean the house, and keep moving! 7. Turn off the TV. Never eat in front of the TV and encourage your family to do something active instead of watching TV. Blessings to you all, Yvonne Salmonson, RN, Parish Nurse

5 Page 5 Spring Garden s 1st Annual??? WINTERFEST! Calling all families...young and old! Time to come out of winter hibernation and get the body moving. Get outside and enjoy some sunshine, fresh air and best of all...friendship. DATE: WHERE: TIME: Sunday, March 8th Spring Garden Church Following Church services WHAT: A fun filled afternoon of indoor and outdoor activities, including but not limited to: opportunities to try snowshoeing, dogsledding, maple tree tapping, campfire and marshmallow roasting, snow sculpture building contest (if snow cooperates), snow tug of war between the Swedes, Norwegians and others :) Indoor events include Spring Garden Trivia contest, some good old card and/or board games, movies on the big screen and of course FOOD! Lunch will be served... hot pulled pork and pulled turkey sandwiches, salads, chips, desserts and beverages. COME JOIN THE FUN...LET'S BUILD A RURAL FAMILY IN CHRIST TOGETHER. Resurrection Garden The seasons of Lent and Easter are a time to remember God s promises of the Resurrection. The cross of Christ reminds us that Jesus joins us in our earthly journey so that we might join Him in eternal life. The Spring Garden Mission Endowment invites you to remember a loved one or honor someone you care about. Your gift will help to grow the fund. As a token of our appreciation, we invite you to claim a cross for each person you choose to remember. Here s how you can participate in the Resurrection Garden: 1. Claim a cross that catches your eye; 2. Write the name of your loved one on the butterfly behind the cross; 3. Replace the cross on the pin. You can claim it on Easter Sunday; 4. An envelope with butterflies on it is on the table. Your gift is whatever you wish to share and will be recorded in the Mission Endowment Fund. 5. You can place your envelope in the offering, in the basket, or leave it at the church office. Thank you for sharing in the ministry of the Mission Endowment as the legacy of Spring Garden s people share God s love with the world. May God s promise of resurrection continue to guide our mission. **Note: certain crosses which appear rustic or with wormholes are from the Randy Haggstrom barn, one of the oldest farms in Spring Garden, originally built by founding member, Charles Vanberg. -Mission Endowment

6 The Messenger Page 6 In Attendance: Scott Safe, Pastors Nick and Cindy Fisher-Broin, Jody Sjoblom, Rob Lorentz, Mark Sjoquist, Katie Sjoblom, Bill Erickson, Megan Nerison Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President Scott Safe at 7:08 pm in the church social hall. Secretary s Report from December tabled until next month. There was no January 2015 Council meeting. Treasurer s Reports from December 2014 and January 2015: A motion was moved, seconded and carried to approve the Treasurer s report. Parish nurse report from December 2014 and January 2015 was given. This included: 21 visits; 6 phone calls and texts; total hours: 28 Agenda Items: 1. Executive committee to meet before June to review the membership roster. Pam & Kim will provide report to Executive committee. 2. Date for Midsommar Festival June 21, 2015, which is also Fathers Day. 3. Initiate a Midsommar Task Force; will pass out a sign-up sheet for volunteers 4. Nominating Committee to begin search for candidates to fill upcoming vacancies for V. President (nominee Eric Lundell), Church Property, Stewardship (nominee Mark Sjoquist <a 2 nd term>) and Council Secretary 5. Council, staff & all board member appreciation- Council will host/serve a grill-out on the last day of Sunday school. 6. Continuing Resolutions from Mission Endowment Fund committee for approval by Council and inclusion in our Constitution Council requested they be rewritten and resubmitted to Council. 7. Investment Policy from Mission Endowment Fund committee - copy provided to Council. Pastors Report given. Spring Garden Council Meeting Minutes - February 5, 2015 Board and Committee Reports will be on file in the Church office. Worship and Music: No report Evangelism: Show & Tell for adults at different events; looking for people with talent to teach others. Will work with Congregational Life. Christian Education: Nothing to report Youth Ministry: Spaghetti supper and National Youth Gathering coming up. Congregational Life: Plan to start quarterly projects as family fun/intergenerational day & do some of the Show & Tell along with Evangelism. Church Property: Nothing to report Stewardship: Mission minute continues. Missions Board: The Guatemalan mission trip has concluded. Executive Committee: No meeting Memorial and Special Gifts Committee: Nothing to report Archives Committee: Nothing to report Mission Endowment Fund Committee: Met in December and January. In December, we approved the following grants: $500 to SGLC for Church Property toward WiFi thermostats; $ to the Good Samaritan Fund; $ to Luther Seminary toward Dean Safe s tuition. We ended our year with $217, in our 5 investment accounts, $ in our money market fund, for a total of $217, in all six accounts. Our report in the annual meeting booklet got cut off so we ll include the full report in the next Messenger. We are planning a Resurrection Garden during Lent. New Business: 1. Discussion on a family considering a donation to possibly be used as a scholarship. 2. Swedish-American Genealogy Society is in need of a person to help out. Agenda for Next Meeting 1. Executive committee meets sometime during the year to review membership roster 2. Date for April Congregational Meeting 3. Nominees for upcoming vacancies for V. Pres, Stewardship, Church Property, Council Secretary, Mission Endowment (1) and Cemetery Association (1) Adjournment: A motion was moved, seconded and carried to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9pm. Katie Sjoblom, acting secretary Announcements: Next council meeting: March 5 All Board meetings: March 10 Pam s Helper for Feb: Jody; March: Megan Closing prayer next month: Megan

7 Page 7 Ladies Weekend Out March 13-15, 2015 Good Earth Village, Spring Valley, MN Calling all Gals! We have a fabulous Ladies Weekend Planned. Our theme this year is: YOU ARE ENOUGH We ll Provide: A little time away Time for yourself Time to worship A relaxing setting The friendship of other women Beautiful surroundings Plenty of food Contact Sandy Hanson or Ruthie Sjoblom with Questions. Sandy: h cell s2shanske@gmail.com Ruthie: Sjoblom.Ruthie@mayo.edu Come join us and have some fun! You snooze, you lose! Cost: $138.50, includes meal and lodging. Don t let the cost be a barrier; scholarships are available! There are registration forms available in the church office. You can also Kim at springgardenchurch@frontiernet.net and get one ed to you. SHANGHAI DUMPLING SOUP Makes 4 dinner size servings One 16-ounce passage frozen pot stickers (dumplings) 2 quarts chicken broth (8 cups) 1 small knob fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into 4 pieces 1 broasted chicken, meet removed and cut into pieces 3-4 cups sliced napa or regular cabbage 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms caps 1 cup peeled and diced carrots 1/2 cup sliced green onion or leeks 3/4 cup thinly sliced snow peas 2 T soy sauce 1 to 2 tsp. sugar 1 tsp toasted sesame oil (optional) Bring 8 cups water to a boil in a large pot. Cook frozen dumplings in the boiling water for about 8-9 minutes. Drain in a colander and set aside. Bring chicken broth with the ginger to a simmer in a 5 1/2-quart Dutch oven over medium heat, cook for 5 minutes. Add the chicken, cabbage, mushrooms, and carrots, and cook uncovered for 5 minutes. Add the onion, snow peas, soy sauce, and oil and cook for 1 minute. Add the dumplings and cook for 2 minutes more. You can substitute precooked pork if you choose.

8 The Messenger - Spring Garden Lutheran Church Church Council Members & Board Members President Scott Safe Vice-President Bjorn Olson Secretary Sandy Hanson Treasurer Rob Lorentz Financial Secretary Pam Davis Worship & Music Lisa Miller Evangelism Bill Erickson Christian Education Kim Sjoquist Youth Ministry Megan Nerison Congregational Life Jody Sjoblom Church Property Glen Lundell Stewardship Mark Sjoquist Building a Rural Family In Christ Missions Board Katie Sjoblom Music Director Mary Kay Bougie Parish Nurse Yvonne Salmonson Custodian Sue Safe Administrative Asst. Kim Sjoquist Pastors Nick & Cindy Fisher-Broin P. Nick s Cell: P. Cindy s Cell: S p r i n g G a r d e n L u t h e r a n C h u r c h PO Box 237, County 1 Blvd., Cannon Falls, MN springgardenchurch@frontiernet.net US POSTAGE PAID Permit #69 Nonprofit Standard Mail Cannon Falls, MN Address Service Requested