Pastor s Page, July 2018

Transcription

1 Elstad ~ Highland Prairie Lutheran Parish A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ~ July 2018~ Pastor, Rev. Luther Mathsen lmmathsen@gmail.com Church Phone: (507) Lisa Chiglo, Parish Secretary/Administrator highlandprairie_elstad@ymail.com Pastor s Page, July 2018 There s Certainty On a recent trip to Spring Grove to see my mother, I took a detour past the place of my childhood, the farm. It had been a year since my brothers sold it to a young family we know. They are in the process of renovating the old house. I remember the finely groomed lawn---right up to the barn. It looked more like a hayfield. I remember my mother s beds of beautiful flowers. They are gone. The garden, a source of pride of my father and source of loathing for his kids (Who loves to weed in the garden?), is gone. I knew that there would be changes. But what I saw was a shock to me so much so that I wonder whether it would have been best for me to remember the place as it was when my parents moved to town. Yes, there are many things that once were but are no more, for we live in transition. Our lives are always in flux. One day passes into another. Things change. But we confess the Christ who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We are anchored in those things about which we can say, This is most certainly true. Our God is steadfastly faithful. His love is from everlasting to everlasting. We build our lives on his faithfulness. So the changes of life come, willy-nilly. But in the midst of them we are held in the strong grip of our Christ, from whom nothing can separate us. And that s a truth that doesn t change. Thanks be to God! O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home. (ELW, #632, verse 1)

2 July Worship Schedule +Sunday, July 1st 9:00 a.m., Highland Prairie 10:30 a.m., Elstad +Sunday, July 8th 9:00 a.m., Highland Prairie 10:30 a.m., Elstad Wednesday, July 11 Campfire Worship & S More Fellowship 7:00 p.m., Highland Prairie parsonage lawn +Sunday, June 15 th 9:00 a.m., Highland Prairie 10:30 a.m., Elstad +Sunday, July 22 nd Worship in the Bowl 10:30 a.m. *followed by lunch in the park picnic shelter and a Hayseed baseball game on the baseball field +Sunday, July 29 th 9:00 a.m., Highland Prairie 10:30 a.m., Elstad Joseph Morris Johnson funeral On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and hundreds of American servicemen died. One of the casualties was a young radio operator from Rushford who served aboard the USS Oklahoma, Joseph Morris Johnson. He and scores of his comrades were buried in a mass grave on the island. Through modern advancement in DNA identification, his remains have been identified and will be returned to Rushford for a memorial service and final interment alongside the graves of his parents. It will take place at Rushford Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 7 th, at 1:00 p.m. Burial, with full military honors, will take place at the Rushford Lutheran Church Cemetery following the service. Because of the recent retirement of Rushford Lutheran s pastor, Pr. Mathsen will be the officiant. We remember Serviceman Johnson and his fallen comrades with gratitude for their sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy. Campfire Worship and Fellowship with S Mores Another outdoor opportunity for worship will be offered during the summer months July and August. On Wednesday, July 11th, 7:00 p.m., we ll gather around the parsonage campfire pit for worship. After worship we ll linger in continued outdoor communion while feasting on those summer treats, s mores. You are asked to bring your own lawn chairs or blankets on which to sit. Thank You The mission support offering for our sisters and brothers in Haiti was gracious, indeed. Thank you for your Christian stewardship and care for others. It s the Christ-like thing we get to do. General Parish Visitation by Pr. Mathsen Part of Pr. Mathsen s ministry is general parish visitation. That means, he is making informal visits to parish members and families.for.the sake of mutual conversation of brothers and sisters in Christ for building up the body of Christ. He has been arranging visits via the phone, but he is placing a sign-up sheet in the narthex with some dates he is available for early evening visits. You are encouraged to sign up for a visit. Also, he makes visits during the day, too. Just let him know if that works better for your household.

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4 Highland Prairie Lutheran Church Council Meeting June 10th, :30pm Meeting was called to order at 5:33pm by Kyle. Sarah volunteered to take minutes in Becky s absence. Mary, Chris and Becky were absent. Quorum was called. Nancy gave devotions. Sarah made a motion, Tim seconded to accept the agenda as presented. Motion passed. No congregational members were present. Treasurer s report presented by Karen. Tim made a motion, Nancy seconded to accept the Treasurer s report as presented subject to audit., Motion passed. President s report - None Pastor s report ; Summer worship schedule is in progress. This Wednesday is the first fire pit fellowship. Worship attendance is down in the summer as is typical. The hope is that the weekday service will give folks an opportunity to come during the week. Pastor would like to get a pouring chalice for communion. Memorials could be designated for this item. Bible study was completed for Genesis 1-3. VBS is in session this week. Eight kids are in attendance. Grateful for all the helpers. Pastoral care continues for the ill, homebound and nursing home residents. The week of July 16th Pastor will be on vacation. Correspondence - Kyle passed a couple of pieces of mail around for review. Committee Reports A. Church - New vacuum is in. Darla will come on Wednesday to meeting with Joyce and Nancy about painting work. A canister vacuum might be needed for clean up work in the kitchen. B. Grounds - Water leak is still an issue. Gordon/Kyle will work on the hydrant to see if that is the problem. Nancy has a a list of items that should be advertised to the congregation or taken care of during grounds clean up dates. C. Worship - Covered in Pastor s report D. Youth & Education - VBS in progress. Eight kids are attending. Four kids have registered to go to Good Earth village camp with the assistance from the Maggelson fund. E. Parish - One of the new windows has a crack. The board store will be called. Squirrels are still causing significant issues. The screen doors need shocks. Old Business: A. AED machine - Joyce will look into possibilities New Business: A. Chapel power - There is a circuit box to the right of the door and it has a couple of breakers. The right moste breaker turns the power on/off to the outlet. B. Park Port-a-Potty - Sarah made a motion, Tim seconded to get a port-a-potty from B.S. Rentals for the summer. Motion passed. C. Water spigot on upper side of church - a request has been made to add a spigot to the top side of the church. At this time there s no easy access to add one. We will continue to look at other options. D. Rest House - The bathroom door will be locked while no water is available. The rest of the house can be left open for viewing/use. E. Bowl Clean up - June 16th & June 23rd 9am start. Bring shovels, rakes and other implements for clean up. F. Custodian - Josie s last cleaning day is August 18th. We will advertise the custodian position in the bulletin and newsletter. Cleaning and light maintenance work (2-3 hours/week) Deadline for submitting your interest in the position to a council member by July 7th. Secretary Report: July s newsletter will need May and June meeting minutes including the Parish meeting notes. Secretary s report present by Sarah Bearbower. Motion made by Gordon and Nancy seconded to accept the Secretary s Report. Motion passed. Motion made by Gordon and Tim seconded to adjourn. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:11pm

5 Elstad-Highland Prairie Lutheran Parish Council Meeting Call to Order: 6:44 PM by President Kyle. 2. Roll Call: Kyle Chiglo, Nancy Rustad, Mary Gudmundson, Pastor Luther Mathsen, Sarah Bearbower, Becky Halverson-Lind, Karen Bakken, Joyce Dahl. Jodie Daniels, Rachel Bearbower, Michelle Rein, Dick Haight, Rita Kelly and Jennifer Nepstad. Members absent: Chris Hoiland and Gordy Johnson. 3. Quorum called. 4. Approval of Agenda: Motion made by Sarah to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Rachel. Motion carried. 5. Devotions: Given by Pastor Mathsen 6. Congregation Members wishing to address the council: None 7. President s Report: Neither Kyle nor Dick had anything to report. 8. Pastor s Report: Pastor Mathsen talked about the summer worship schedule, stating there will be services at both churches with exception of the bowl services. Pastor discussed Bible studies which he will finish soon and resume in the fall. Confirmation instruction during Lenten Season is a point of concern being there are no Wednesday evening classes. Pastor would like to look into Confirmation Camp to fill in that gap. Pastor continues to provide Pastoral care visits to shut-ins and nursing home resident members. Pastor also shared a message from Pastor Marie that she is planning another trip to Haiti, Jodie mentioned perhaps we could invite her to come and share with us before she leaves. Pastor is planning to have an Open House to allow the congregation to see the new windows. There will be Vacation Bible School, more children are sought to register. Pastor would like to have 3 informal campfire worship services on Wednesday, June 13 and Wednesday, July 11 at 7:00 PM, with the August date to be determined. 9. Youth: Covered in Pastor s Report. Sunday School is done until fall. 10. Correspondence: None 11. Old Business: None 12. New Business: None 13. Secretary s Report: Becky read the Secretary s Report. Next parish council meeting will be held on July 8, 2018 at Elstad with Highland Prairie meeting at 5:30 and Parish meeting at 6:30. Respectfully submitted for approval by Becky Halverson-Lind. Motion to approve by Dick, seconded by Nancy. Motion carried. 14. Adjournment (The Lord s Prayer) Motion to adjourn by Sarah, seconded by Michelle Rein. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:22 PM

6 Highland Prairie Church Council Minutes Call to order at 6:33 PM 2. Roll Call: Pastor Luther, Kyle Chiglo, Nancy Rustad, Becky Halverson Lind, Joyce Dahl, Karen Bakken, Mary Gudmundson, Tim Stensgard, Sarah Bearbower. Members absent: Chris Hoiland and Gordy Johnson. 3. A quorum was called. 4. Devotions: Given by Pastor Mathsen. 5. Approval of the Agenda: Sarah would like to add item to New Business, 6. Congregational Members wishing to address the council: None. 7. Treasurer s Report: Karen ed the Treasurer s Report prior to the meeting to be reviewed. Sarah made a motion to accept the Treasurer s Report, Mary seconded, motion carried, subject to review and audit. 8. President s Report: Kyle had nothing to report. 9. Pastor s Report: see Parish minutes for May 20, Correspondence: None. 11. Committee Reports: a. Church: WELCA will be contacting someone to paint where there have been touch ups and other areas around the church. b. Grounds: Cemetery Board is working on the water issues. c. Worship: see Parish Minutes for summer worship schedule. d. Youth and Ed.: see Parish Minutes for Vacation Bible School information. 12. Old Business: a. AED Machine for church: Kyle will look into this item. 13. New Business: a. Chapel power: Kyle will look into this. b. Park Port-a-Potty: WELCA will be renting one. c. Spray lot: Kyle will spray the park for weeds. d. Rest house: will not be using the restroom. e. Bowl clean-up date: June 16th and 23rd at 9:00. f. Custodian: Our custodian is done August 8. New custodian will be allowed 2-3 hours per week with light maintenance and cleaning. New applications are due July 7th. 14. Secretary s Report: Becky read the secretary s report. Sarah made a motion to accept the secretary s report, Nancy seconded, motion carried. Report, respectfully submitted by Becky Halverson Lind 15. Meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM via Tim s motion, Mary seconded, motion carried. Meeting ended with the Lord s Prayer.

7 Elstad ~ Highland Prairie News Prayer Corner Scriptures tell us to pray without ceasing. Let s be known as a praying congregation. Please keep Peter & Elaine Holm, Jerry Evenson, Thora Lombard, Wendy Will, Mary Dunphy, the family of Ardith Plank, and all who are ill or in need of your prayers. PRAYER PARTNERS AT ELSTAD Remember you prayer partner in these busy summer days. Give thanks for her life and her part in our community of faith. Pray that she will have many blessings in her life and strength for her daily life. ELSTAD WELCA We will be serving lunch after the bowl service, Sunday, July 22. Please plan to join us. Highland Prairie Custodial Position Come August 18, our custodian, Josie Bearbower will be off to college. If you are interested in our custodial position, which includes cleaning and light maintenance (approx. 2-3 hours per week), please contact our council president, Kyle Chiglo, or any other council member. Highland Prairie Financials for May 2018 YTD Income $33,721 YTD Expenses $30,902 Income exc. Expenses $2,819 July WELCA Activities HP WELCA Wednesday, July 11, 1:30 p.m., meeting/bible study HP WELCA Wednesday, July 18, 9:30 Elstad budget for May received in May Under for May Budget YTD Received YTD Under YTD YTD Budget $38,792 YTD Income $33,721 YTD Under $ 5,071 The July Bridge page is printed and hard copies will be left at both congregations. If you need a printed version please contact Lisa Chiglo.

8 JULY BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES! All Birthdays & Anniversaries are listed according to the information on file. If you see an error please contact. Lisa Chiglo ~ highlandprairie_elstad@ymail.com 1~ Joey Stensgard 2~ Katy Redalen ~ Slade Pepin 3~ Mary Dunphy 5~ Peter Ask ~ Joshua Drinkall 6~ Rich Nepstad ~ Richard Johnson ~ Paul Peterson 7~ Beckett Hovland 8~ Glenn Peterson ~ Caroline Anfinson ~ Christine Knuston 9~ Dean Berland ~ Kyle Chiglo ~ Calvin Bergen 10~ Arlene Johnson ~ Adleigh Brisebois 11~ Allison Bauer ~ Marguerite Abrahamson 12~ Kathy Abrahamson ~ Kristi Oman ~ Jeremy Pederson 13~ Kyle Bearbower 16~ Charles Pederson ~ Lyle Rustad ~ David Stockton 17~ Jade Grabau ~ Nicole Howe ~ Kreedon Wangen 18~ Elizabeth Abrahamson ~ Kristin Lawstuen 19~ Shelly Nelson ~ John Knutson ~ Autumn Humble 20~ Marilyn Soland ~ Joan Finnegan ~ Mary Gudmundson ~ Brent Storhoff 21~ Colby Lind 22~ Ken Jacobson ~ Jerod Chiglo ~ Nolan Eide 23~ Karen Bakken ~ Bobbi Mathsen 24~ Jimmy Sharpe Jr. 25~ Siri Dworschak 29~ Lori Bakke ~ Josie Bearbower 30~ Lee Johnson ~ Kayleigh Wangen ~ Palmer Root 31~ Susan Blagsvedt 7~ Allan & Marion Dahl 9~ Clair & Patty Olson 20~ Kenny & Cathy Bakkum 21~ Richard & Pamela Johnson 22~ Trinity & Emily Johnson 24~ Glenn & Olive Peterson ~ Adam & Jodie Daniels 28~ Charles & Karen Mierau

9 JULY 2018 Elstad ~ Highland Prairie Lutheran Parish Elstad ~ Highland Prairie Lutheran Parish Visit our websites at Visit our websites at elstadlutheranchurch.org elstadlutheranchurch.org highlandprairielutheranchurch.org highlandprairielutheranchurch.org Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 HP 9:00 a.m. EL 10:30 a.m HP 9:00 a.m. EL 10:30 a.m Bulletin Deadline HP WELCA 1:30 Bible study Campfire Worship 7:00 p.m. Bulletin Deadline HP 9:00 a.m. EL 10:30 a.m HP WELCA 9:30 quilting/projects HP-Park shelter Mindrum Reunion 22 Bowl Service 10:30 a.m Bulletin Deadline Newsletter Deadline HP 9:00 a.m. EL 10:30 a.m. 30 Bulletin Deadline

10 Elstad ~ Highland Prairie Lutheran Parish Bowl Drive Peterson, MN Address Services Requested Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Peterson, MN Permit No. #6 Newsletter 2018 Highland Prairie Acolytes/Readers/Greeters Sunday, July 1, 2018 Acolytes: Kenna Gudmundson, Laci Sievers Readers: Jens Lind, Becky Lind Greeters: Roger & Sarah Bearbower Sunday, July 8, 2018 Acolytes: Kristina Stensgard, Alysta King Readers: Hale Stensgard, Sharon Ehler Greeters: Doug Lind Family Sunday, July 15, 2018 Acolytes: Lindsey Hoiness, Andrew Hoiness Readers: Andrew Hoiness, Scott Bestul Greeters: Lyle & Ann Meldahl Sunday, July 22, 2018 Readers: Jonah Sievers, Michele Thompson Greeters: Allan Skalet & Kay Eiken Sunday, July 29, 2018 Acolytes: Larissa Ryan, Caden Johnson Readers: Kristina Stensgard, Sylvia Passow Greeters: Gordon & Arlene Johnson Elstad Acolyte/Reader/Ushers Sunday, July 1, 2018 Acolyte: Kyle Daniels Readers: Mackenzie Knutson, Carol Overland Sunday, July 8, 2018 Acolyte: Makenzie Knutson Readers: J.T. Rein, Carolyn Smith Sunday, July 15, 2018 Acolyte: Parker Storhoff Readers: Alison Freese, Tom Dybing Sunday, July 22, 2018 Parish HP 10:30 a.m. Sundady, July 29, 2018 Acolyte: Michael Rein Readers: Kyle Daniels, Vicky Topness Ushers: John Overland, Larry Topness, Rich Nepstad, Adam Daniels, John Abrahamson, John Knutson