The Faith Builder Building the Kingdom of God Together Build yourselves up on your most holy faith. Pray in the Holy Spirit.

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1 The Faith Builder Building the Kingdom of God Together Build yourselves up on your most holy faith. Pray in the Holy Spirit. Jude 1: 20 A publication of First American Lutheran Church, Tripp, and Hope Lutheran Church, Delmont January 2018 Don t Grow Cold This new year is getting off to a chilly start with freezing temperatures covering most of the country. And while the cold weather can be dangerous physically, there is another type of coldness that is much more dangerous and less easy to predict and detect. Jesus says in Matthew 24:12 that in the last days, because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. And it is interesting to note that in this context, Jesus is not speaking about the world in general, but He is specifically referring to those who claim to be His followers. For in verse 10, He warns that many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. We see that as false teachings and wickedness increase, love decreases. So as Christians, it is vital for our survival that we guard against this bitter cold that can so easily grow in our hearts, for Christ also exhorts at the end of verse 12, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. So how do we keep the love in our hearts from dying in the bitter cold? We keep warm by walking in the light of God s truth. This means living lives in obedience to God s Word, no matter how difficult that may be. Jesus says when wickedness is tolerated, love grows cold and dies. John says in 1 John 2:4, Whoever says, I know him [Christ], but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. Obedience is not always easy, but it is always necessary. It isn t easy to forgive those who we feel have wronged us; it isn t easy to love at all times; it isn t easy to put the needs of others before our own; it isn t easy to live a life of sexual purity in our thoughts and actions; it isn t easy to refrain from gossip or malicious speech; it isn t easy to find time to spend in God s word and in prayer, but it is necessary to do these things to keep love alive. Because God is love, and God is Holy. So to live a life of love requires that we live a life of holiness. Now that doesn t mean we are perfect, no, but our lack of perfection should never be used as an excuse to live in willful disobedience to God. For when obedience dies, love dies, and when love dies, faith dies. So I want to begin this new year with an encouragement to keep warm not just on the outside, but on the inside as well. Don t let your love die stay close to Christ, walk in obedience to His word, and walk in the warmth of His love and let His love radiate to all those around you. Blessings, Pastor Barry Join us on our website at FAHope.org and/or Facebook Sermon Notes Dec 3-1 Cor. 1:3-9 Awaiting God s Redemption: During the Advent season we remember Christ s first coming, but we also look forward to His second coming. And we are not to await the coming of God s kingdom passively, but with eagerness. Dec 6-Deut. 7:7-9 Seeing God s Redemption in the OT: From the very start of the Bible we see God s redemption plan. Immediately after Adam and Eve sinned, God announced His plan to win them back. Dec 10-2 Pet. 3:8-14 Looking Forward to God s Redemption: Peter warns on the last day that everything in creation will be destroyed including those that reject Christ. However, he also says 3 times that we are to look forward to that day. Dec 13-Gal 3:10-14 Seeing God s Redemption in the NT: The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus fulfilled God s promise to redeem His people. Dec 17 (Hope)-John 1:6-28 Preparing for God s Redemption: John the Baptist was used by God to prepare the people for the coming of Christ. So, too, it is the Holy Spirit who bears witness to Christ through the Scriptures and prepares our hearts to receive Him as well. Dec 24-John 1:1-9 Receiving God s Redemption: In order to be redeemed, we need to first recognize who Jesus is and receive Him by faith. And in receiving Jesus, we also receive the right to become the children of God. Dec 24 (FA)-At our candlelight service, Darold Bitterman encouraged us to keep our focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Dec 25-Isaiah 52:7-10 Rejoicing in God s Redemption: At Christmas often rejoice in the love, peace, joy, and hope that Christ gives us, but in order to fully appreciate those gifts, we need to acknowledge that we have been saved from hatred, war, misery and despair. All these sermons and more can be found on our website: FAHope.org Pastor s Page January 2018

2 In addition to our members in Care Centers, our nation and government, and the persecuted church, we offered prayers for the following members, family & friends last month: Wanda Anderson member of Hope, hip surgery Reese Baier son of Joel & Sandy Baier Kelley (Ziegler) Eggebraaten member of First American Peggy Friederich member of First American Dorothy Friman member of First American Larry Furney son-in-law of Loretta Bueber Arliss Hapney grandmother of Shawn Bietz Zach Hotchkiss member of Hope Leo Konstanz member of First American Newton Mapes uncle of Wanda Anderson Alisha McPartland friend of Devin Kurtz Jayce Moege Parkston Community Connie VanSky sister of Bob Miller Dean Varilek Tripp Community Steve Vermillion grandson-in-law of Dorothy Friman Francis Vogel sister of Roger Huether Billie Weerheim granddaughter of Allan Hale Hebbie Wentzel niece of Dorothy Friman We ve prayed for these ministries & AFLC churches Dec 3 Ministry: Hutchinson County Angel Tree; AFLC Churches: Trinity Lutheran, Brookings, OR; Spruce Free Lutheran, Salol, MN; Emmanuel Free Lutheran, Williston, ND Dec 10 Ministry: Brian & Leeanna Lunn, our 2017 Adopt-a- Seminary-Student Family; AFLC Churches: Spencer Creek Lutheran, Eugene, OR; Faith Free Lutheran, Bertrand, NE; Bethany Free Lutheran, Sebeka, MN Dec 17 Ministry: Good Samaritan Society- Tripp; AFLC Churches: St. John s Lutheran, Ambridge, PA; Faith Lutheran, Shakopee, MN; Abiding Word Lutheran, Deshler, NE Dec 24 Ministry: Union Gospel Mission, Sioux Falls, SD; AFLC Churches: Ruthfred Lutheran, Bethel Park, PA; King of Glory Lutheran, Shakopee, MN; Community of Grace Evangelical Lutheran, Elkhorn, NE Dec 31 Church cancelled due to extremely cold temps Corra Leanne Jensen was baptized on December 3, 2017, at First American. She was born May 10, 2016 to Christian & Caitlin Jensen. Corra s sponsors were Logan & Amanda Roth and Peter & Hannah Barthal. We welcome this new little one into the Lord s family! Congratulations to Dan & Cheryl Bones on the birth of their daughter, Lauryn Audrey, who was born Friday, December 22 nd, 2017, and weighed 7 lbs, 6 oz., and was 20 inches long. Rejoicing at her birth are her grandparents, Wayne & Tammy Bietz, and her greatgrandparents, Elmer & Carol Bietz. We are so blessed to be able to pray each Sunday for those members celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. Please contact the church office with any corrections or additions. 2 Kelli Fink 3 Dianne Semmler 9 Lauren Soulek 9 Gabriel Nelson 11 Carol Bietz 14 Darin Ziegler 15 Lorene Jerke 16 Donna Konstanz 21 Tara Droppers 2 Howard Friederich 2 Glen Batterman 5 Richard Bietz 7 Todd Bietz 8 James Bietz 11 Clara Bitterman 12 Austin Bitterman 13 Mary Miller January Birthdays 23 Declyn Schmidt 24 Jordan Ziegler 24 Anthony Walz 25 Connie Anderson 30 Pam Vetter 31 Tammy Bietz 31 Glenn Bueber 31 Becki Hauser 31 Devin Kurtz January Baptismal Birthdays January Anniversaries 31 Glenn & Tammy Ziegler 15 Candyce Mogck 16 Jon Bietz 17 Ernestine Konstanz 19 Wilma Herr 19 Lori Droppers 24 Bryan Bietz 29 Camden Ziegler 30 Carol Bietz Andrew Hanson: member of Hope Stationed in Hawaii; Army Dan Bones: husband of Cheryl (Bietz) Bones Deployed to Kuwait; Air Force Paul Coleman: brother of Kyrie & Barry Nelson Stationed in South Korea; Army Logan Fechner: grandson of Mike & Lila Fechner Stationed in Italy; Army Joshua Hirsch: grandson of Heine & Rose Prien Stationed in Germany; Army Austin Lien: nephew of Glenn & Tammy Ziegler Stationed in Jacksonville, FL; Navy In Our Thoughts & Prayers January 2018

3 SECRETARY S REPORT: MSC to approve minutes from three meetings. Meeting Minutes - MSC=Motion, seconded and carried Hope Council: December 6, 2017 at 8:40 pm Hope Lutheran Church Council met Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 8:40 pm. Those in attendance were Dave Bitterman, Dale Bitterman, Russ and Barb Dozark, Mike and Lila Fechner, Doug Bitterman, Doug Gunnare, Pastor Barry, and Steve Bitterman. Visitor: Becky Hotchkiss President Doug Bitterman called the meeting to order. Becky Hotchkiss presented information about an electronic organ from West-Mor Music in Sioux Falls. Retail price is $3200, $100 for set up and plus mileage and tax. Total approximately $3500. Pastor led prayer. Minutes were read. December 3 was to present the bylaws and not vote. Vote is to take place at annual meeting. MSC with correction. Treasurer s report $25, balance. MSC to accept report. Pastor s Report: 1. 2 home visits nursing home visits. 3. Good Samaritan services will be monthly, not every other. 4. Maurice will do service while on vacation. Will leave after Christmas Service. Old Business: 1. Discussion on term limits Tabled 2. A new gallon of paint was gotten New Business: 1. MSC to purchase organ from West-Mor with the funds coming from the memorial fund. 2. Christmas gifts will be given to Pastor Barry-$400, Becky Hotchkiss-$100, Becki Hauser, Cindy Schoenfelder, Kyrie Nelson--$60. MSC 3. Eilene is donating Christmas sacks to Sunday School kids and teachers. This is going to be her last year. Next meeting will be January 3, 2018 at 7:30 pm. MSC to adjourn. Closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Barb Dozark, Secretary pro tem First American Council: December 13, 2017 at 8:30pm Members of the council met for their regular monthly meeting with the following members present: David Mogck, Mary Friederich, Dave Semmler, Allan Hale, Bryan Bietz, Becki Hauser, Wayne Bietz and Glenn Ziegler. Absent: Tammy Bietz. Pastor Barry led us in prayer. TREASURER S REPORT: MSC to approve the report as presented. As of 11/30/17: Nov receipts: $6, Nov disbursements: $8, Nov benevolence: $2, Nov balance on hand: $53, OLD BUSINESS: 1. A new lease was sent to Brad Gunsch for the rental of the land in Mercer County, North Dakota. No response as of meeting. 2. Update on cross project by Allan Hale: top of wooden part of cross burned at some point, by the charring as presented in pictures. More discussion on replacing tubes with LED lights. Wayne Bietz spoke with Pride Neon Signs in Sioux Falls regarding replacement. This is all part of an insurance claim. MSC to contact Pride Neon Signs for an estimate. Further discussion to have Richard Gall look at the cross for possible repair options on burned area/weathering. Allan will contact Richard Gall. 3. Willmer Herr, Jim Weber, Jan Jerke and Glendora Zeitner have volunteered to be on the 50 th Anniversary Joint Parish Committee on behalf of First American. 4. Bryan Bietz looked into the office printer vs current copy machine. Price comparison was about equal to what we are paying now with A&B Business. Further discussion on the replacement of office printer; no action taken. 5. Two high chairs have been purchased. 6. TV for the sanctuary has been purchased. Discussion on a new laptop computer for the sanctuary TV vs the office laptop computer. No action taken. PASTOR S REPORT: 1. Visits: four home, three nursing home, two hospital visits, one new member class, GSS communion service. 2. Three weddings are planned next year: October 6 & 20, here at the church and one at another location on September First American Annual Meeting is January 28, NEW BUSINESS: 1. Elections for Annual Meeting: Wayne Bietz, Deacon; Allan Hale, Trustee (both terms are up), Willmer & Wilma Herr Financial Secretary; Mary Friederich, Sunday School Superintendent. Becki Hauser has also resigned from the last year of the council secretary term. 2. There is a request for use of the church basement on Thursday, December Pastor Barry will be taking vacation the week between Christmas and New Year s. Maurice Bueber & Happy Memories Band will be leading worship on Sunday, December 31, Christmas Caroling will be Sunday, December 17, 2017 at 6:30pm. 5. Discussion on price paid to supply pastors. December Meeting Minutes January 2018

4 6. Discussion on worship service DVDs, archives. Tabled until next meeting. Our next meeting will be held at 7:30pm on Wednesday, January 10, MSC to adjourn. The meeting closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Becki Hauser, Secretary Meeting Notes: Hope WMF: December 14, 2017 Pastor Barry led us in the study of Hosea Chapters 1-3. We will read Hosea chapters 4-7 for January s Bible Study. 1. Pastor Barry will check on a coat donation which Barb Dozark will purchase if needed. 2. We will pack five cheer sacks Sunday, Dec. 17 th after worship service. Rosie Grosz has made a donation of three bottles of lotion, also, to be given as a WMF Christmas gift. 3. Christmas donations of $50 each were mailed to DSU and USD campus ministries and Mitchell Area Safehouse. 4. Barb asked if anyone would like to be on a committee for the joint parish 50 th anniversary service. 5. Our next meeting will be held January 11, 2018 at 7:30 pm. We closed with the Lord s prayer. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Kurtz, WMF Secretary First American WMF: December 20, 2017 WMF of First American met on December 20, 2017 with ten members present. Opening with singing Christmas carols. Devotions and Program: Peggy Friederich dramatized the miracle of Christmas. Read the Tom Roberts books of the Wisemen and Christmas on the farm. President Jan Jerke called business meeting to order. Secretary report read and approved. Treasurer reported a balance of $ Correspondence: Thank you notes from Dorothy Friman and Peggy Friederich for the get well wishes Old Business: Thank you for serving Christmas potluck and packing school bags. New Business: Working on new program books for Committee 1 to serve January 18 at 2:00pm with bingo at Good Samaritan Society-Tripp. No meeting in the months of January and February. Worship offering led by Carol Bietz. Meeting closed with Lord s prayer and singing table grace. Hostesses: potluck snacks by all WMF members. Respectfully Submitted, Myra Weber, Secretary Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Traditionally, the third Sunday of every month, the First American and Hope congregations collect a special offering for a different mission. The children gather the offering. The December Noisy Offering at First American of $ went to the Good Samaritan Society- Tripp. January s Noisy Offering recipient will be announced. The December Noisy Offering at Hope of $76.22 went to Mitchell Safehouse. January s Noisy Offering recipient will be announced. Hope Annual Meeting January 21, :30pm First American Annual Meeting January 28, :30pm P U Z Z L E December Meeting Minutes January 2018

5 Giving We are very grateful for the way the Lord uses many faithful contributors to meet the needs of our ministries and missionaries. The office staff was recently reminded about what giving means when they received a precious package in the mail. Inside was an envelope (pictured) with $3.00 in quarters inside. A little girl wanted to give to AFLC World Missions and asked her Sunday school teacher to send it in for her. The Lord placed in this child s heart a spirit of gratitude and a desire to be a part of God s work throughout the world. Has He put such a desire in your own heart? Giving isn t about who you are or how much you have. It s not about you at all! Giving is about allowing God to bless others through you. Especially during this Christmas season, we reflect on the greatest gift the Lord has given each of us - His Son Jesus Christ. It is THAT gift which compelled this little girl to give of herself to others. Acts 20:35, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Prayer and Praises: -Praise the Lord for new life! Matthew and Ednay Abel are expecting in July Pray for the Bergers and Michael Rokenbrodt as they prepare to return to Uganda after Christmas -Pray for Pastor Del Palmer as he will be internationally traveling for an extended amount of time -Pray for Jonathan and Tamba Abel as they travel to the U.S. for a short family visit -Continue to pray for wisdom and guidance for the World Missions Committee and staff -Pray for Jonni Sliver as she plans to come to the U.S. for furlough beginning in January 2018; she will spend the first portion of her furlough on the east coast -Pray for Jonni as she once again goes through the process of renewing her visa -Praise God for how He works through people to provide for our finances and continue to pray that He will meet needs as we near the end of the year -Continue to pray for all our missionaries -Praise God for giving us His Son, the very reason we have to share, and praise Him for changing lives through our missionaries across the world

6 World Missions Resources World Missions would like to challenge every church to have an AFLC missionary of the month/week (whatever is a better fit for your congregation.) Our goal is to get congregations better connected with our missionaries and encourage regular prayer for our ministries. God hears the prayers of His people! Please talk to your Pastor about including a monthly (or weekly) missionary in your Sunday bulletin or having prayer cards readily available. Our prayer cards can now be downloaded and printed at a photo processing outlet of your choice or on your own printer. They are a wonderful tools to help us remember to pray! Above is an example of one of our prayer cards. In addition, the WM office has plans to provide a slideshow containing brief slides about each of our missionaries and departments. If your church projects announcements on a screen would you consider adding one of these slides every month/week? To the left is an example of what the slides look like. This feature can be found on our website! [ and click on resources, then Publications and PowerPoints] We appreciate your help and support in our quest to share the Gospel with the world. FYI - The resource tab on our World Missions website is where to go when looking for information. There you can find prayer and news updates, vision and goals of World Missions, contact information for missionaries and staff, approved special projects list, publications, prayer cards, missionary newsletters and websites, Mission projects for Sunday School and VBS. ALFC World Missions 3110 E Medicine Lake Blvd Plymouth, MN worldmis@aflc.org

7 Pray for the Lee Family Please pray for health and travel mercies in the coming months. We will be traveling to visit the grandparents for Christmas and then a couple days after we return, we'll head to Asia for a little over a week. May God Bless you all over Christmas and the New Year. What a wonderful blessing it is that Jesus to came to earth to save us from our sins. Pray for Partnership "Every free congregation, as well as every individual believer, is constrained by the Spirit of God and by the privileges of Christian love to do good and to work for the salvation of souls and the quickening of spiritual life" Some are compelled by rules others by personality and others shame. Some seem to have no motivation and do nothing! Let us be constrained and empowered by the Holy Spirit, "willingly... eagerly... being examples" (1 Peter 5:2-3). Under the Holy Spirit's guidance with much prayer, we have been asked and are excited to travel to Our Little Corner of Asia to hammer out a working agreement with our fellow workers. We will be traveling January So, please, pray for safe travel and that this working agreement would glorify Him. Pray for Provision We are sad to say our departure has been delayed to May. Two practical reasons for delaying: first, we need a solid working agreement and secondly, consistency in God's provision for our work.

8 We do not see this as a lack on God's part (it's His money) nor His people's (it's His Church) rather we see it as an encouragement to wait on His timing. We wait on the Lord and invite you to pray for May with us. Until then, we visit the Midwest. We trust our heavenly Father will supply every need for His kingdom. If you have prayed, believe, and are called to reach the unreached through us, Give tangibly by Phone: ; Mail: 3110 East Medicine Lake Blvd, Plymouth MN 55441; or Online: and Designate: John and Hannah Lee Culture Corner In November, we enjoyed our visit to Mission Lutheran in La Junta, Colorado. As with other congregations we visit, Mission Lutheran is like a fingerprint - a unique and special part of God's kingdom. They are a warm congregation and threw open their doors for us, loving our children and feasting. And it was so fun to see their service and kindness toward one another. Glory to God for them. Hannah and I certainly were blessed to hear the Gospel and share our call. Pray for Our Call Receive our newsletter for basics. Join Facebook or WhatsApp for more. Connect by Jelee89@gmail.com or call / text John and Hannah Lee have accepted a call from AFLC World Missions. They will serve in a predominantly Muslim country in Asia where security is a concern. Therefore, the Lee s exact location is not being publicly divulged. They will spend the first year learning the culture and language. Following that John will be involved in planting and nurturing Lutheran congregations, and training church leaders. The World Missions Committee seeks to send others to this same country to work alongside of the Lees. Please be in prayer for John and Hannah as they follow God s leading in this call Association of Free Lutheran Congregations 3110 E Medicine Lake Blvd; Plymouth, MN

9 Women of the AFLC Women s Missionary Federation FA No FA WMF meeting until March. Flowers Norma Mogck Committee #1 to GSS Bingo on Jan 18th Acolytes Hope: Zach Hotchkiss Noah Hotchkiss First American: Carson Bueber He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV 2018 First American Ushers Head: Allan Hale Steve Permann & Jerry Albrecht Substitute: Willmer Herr Video: Wayne Bietz Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 New Year s Day :30am GSS Communion 7:30pm Hope Council Epiphany 7 9:00am First Am. Worship w/ Holy Communion 9:30am Hope Sunday School 10:00am First Am. Sunday School 10:45am Hope Worship w/ Holy Communion 7:00pm Bible Study at FA :30pm FA Council 11 7:30pm Hope WMF Bible Study: Hosea :00am First Am. Worship 9:30am Hope Sunday School 10:00am First Am. Sunday School 10:45am Hope Worship 7:00pm Bible Study at FA pm BINGO at GSS FA Committee :00am First Am. Worship w/ Noisy Offering 9:30am Hope Sunday School 10:00am First Am. Sunday School 10:45am Hope Worship w/noisy Offering 1:30pm Hope Annual Meeting 7:00pm Bible Study at FA :00am First Am. Worship 9:30am Hope Sunday School 10:00am First Am. Sunday School 10:45am Hope Worship 1:30pm First American Annual Meeting First Am.. Readers Jan 7: David Mogck Jan 14: Carol Bietz Jan 21: Glendora Zeitner Jan 28: Becki Hauser Hope Readers Jan 7: Michelle Kurtz Jan 14: Albert Fink Jan 21: Rob Hotchkiss Jan 28: Barb Dozark

10 Association of Free Lutheran Congregations Pastor Barry Nelson First American Lutheran Church Hope Lutheran Church PO Box 459 Tripp, SD First American Lutheran Church - AFLC Tripp, SD Phone Parsonage David Mogck President Glenn Ziegler Vice President Becki Hauser Parish Secretary firsthope@santel.net Website: or find us on Facebook Hope Lutheran Church Delmont, SD - AFLC Phone Doug Bitterman President Doug Gunnare Vice President Becki Hauser Parish Secretary firsthope@santel.net Website: or find us on Facebook