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August 2015 Pastor Delvin Strecker Parsonage/Pastor s Office: (785) 546-2636 Dori Weber, Church Secretary Cell Phone: (785) 822-4355 Church Phone: (785) 546-2244 Email: strecker.delvin@gmail.

com Dear Members of Elim, I recently had a conversation with someone who said that even after a lifetime of being a member of the church, they found it hard to have a meaningful prayer life.

1 August 2015 Pastor Delvin Strecker Parsonage/Pastor s Office: (785) Dori Weber, Church Secretary Cell Phone: (785) Church Phone: (785) strecker.delvin@gmail.com elimsec@gmail.com Dear Members of Elim, I recently had a conversation with someone who said that even after a lifetime of being a member of the church, they found it hard to have a meaningful prayer life. I knew I had a story in my files that showed how it really isn t all that difficult to have a prayer life. I found it and want to share it with all of you. Many of you may have heard it years ago, but I still think that it can teach a lesson Pastor Delvin MOM'S EMPTY CHAIR A woman's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her mother. When the minister arrived, he found the woman lying in bed with her head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside her bed. The minister assumed that the woman had been informed of his visit. 'I guess you were expecting me, he said. 'No, who are you?' said the mother. The minister told her his name and then remarked, 'I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up.' 'Oh yeah, the chair,' said the bedridden woman. 'Would you mind closing the door?' Puzzled, the minister shut the door. 'I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter,' said the woman. 'But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head.' I abandoned any attempt at prayer,' the old woman continued, ' until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, ' Prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus Here is what I suggest. 'Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I will be with you always'. 'Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now.' 'So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm.' The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old woman to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with her, anointed her with oil, and returned to the church. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her mama had died that afternoon. Did she die in peace?' he asked.

2 Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, she called me over to her bedside, told me she loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found her. But there was something strange about her death. Apparently, just before Mom died, she leaned over and rested her head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?' The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, 'I wish we could all go like that.' Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God Painful moments, trust God Every moment, thank God. ~ WELCA NEWS ~ Dates to remember: Wednesday, August 26 1:30 p.m. Quilting at church Friday, August 28 2:00 p.m. Riverview Birthday Party WELCA Group now meets on the second Sunday of the month from 9:30-10:15 a.m. There will no longer be individual group meetings or Wednesday night meetings. Quilting has been moved to the last Wednesday of the month for If you have not received a 2015 WELCA book, extra copies are available for pick-up in the Narthex. The Ashby House of Salina, Kansas is in need of: hygiene items, laundry soap, dish soap, diapers, diaper wipes, children s socks & underwear, toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, canned fruit & vegetables, clothing, used household items, used furniture, used appliances, and used yard tools. Please place any items you can give by the Parish Hall and we ll make sure they get donated to the correct person. Thanks Brooke Olson, WELCA President Please keep in prayer Lory Traugott, Merle Larson, Margaret Worrell (Susan Hamma s mother), Kelsey Erichsen, Bruce Amos, Lee Fry. If you have prayer requests, please contact Pastor Delvin or the church office by leaving a note on the bulletin board, calling , or ing to elimsec@gmail.com. The list will renew every three months on April 1, July 1, October 1, and January 1. New prayer list requests will be taken at any time.

Monthly Financial Report June 2015 General Checking Account: Beginning Balance as of 6/1/15: $ 8,423.03 Revenue: $17,482.38 Expenses: $ (15,269.92) Ending Balance as of 6/30/15 $ 10,635.

3 Monthly Financial Report June 2015 General Checking Account: Beginning Balance as of 6/1/15: $ 8, Revenue: $17, Expenses: $ (15,269.92) Ending Balance as of 6/30/15 $ 10, ~ A NOTE ABOUT THE MESSENGER ~ The August Messengers will be available at church the last Sunday of July and first week of August. They will be labeled by family. Those not picked up will be mailed the following week but will not be received by the 1 st. Please give us your feedback on this change and tell us how it is working. This is in an effort to cut down on postage cost. ~ CONFIRMATION ~ Attention 7th & 8th graders and parents! Confirmation classes will start on Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the parsonage. Please see From Pastor's Desk column in this newsletter for more information. ~ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ There is a signup sheet for Meals on Wheels for September ~ ALTAR FLOWERS ~ The altar flowers on July 19 were from the wedding of Matt and Diane Wickstrom, ~ SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED ~ The Christian Education Committee is in need of Sunday school teachers for the upcoming school year. We are looking for volunteers for one or two Sunday's a month. Lesson material is provided. Sunday school class time will begin in September. Please contact Tammy Feil or Diane Hedberg if you would like more information or would be willing to teach. We have an amazing group of students! Come and get to know Elim's youth! ~ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ Spots are still available to assist with Riverview Sing-a-long on the 3 rd Sunday of every month. Please sign-up on the main bulletin board if you are able to help in this way. ~ New Church Directories ~ The New Church Directories are finished and can be picked up in the narthex. Please only one per family. ~ FREE MAGAZINE ~ Feel free to pick up a copy of The Lutheran magazine in the Narthex. They are available for anyone who is not already receiving their own subscription at home. ~ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ Summer Lunch volunteers needed to serve meals. Elim is in charge of providing volunteers during the weeks of Aug. 3-7, and Aug If you can help this summer, please let Pastor Delvin know or sign up on the main bulletin board in the Parish Hall. ~ NOISE OFFERING ~ The monthly noise offering will be taken on Sunday, August 9 during worship. The Noise Offering, which is taken on the second Sunday of every month, is to benefit the Children's Memorial Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Please remember to bring your loose change for the Sunday School children to collect.

MILESTONES AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 1- Scott Martin Jill Hedberg Anita Strecker 2- Karsyn Sommerfeld 3- Lindsy Edwards Layne Patrick Ryan Arnold 4- Marcella McMickell Kayla Fox 6- Lara Reid 8- Amanda

4 MILESTONES AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 1- Scott Martin Jill Hedberg Anita Strecker 2- Karsyn Sommerfeld 3- Lindsy Edwards Layne Patrick Ryan Arnold 4- Marcella McMickell Kayla Fox 6- Lara Reid 8- Amanda Mansfield Keri Niegsch 9- Beverly Olson Piper Schulze 10- Cynthia Hulse 11- Ryenne Cunningham Keri Niegsch 12- Josh Nelson 13- Patty Kolling 14- Dixon Olson Brandi Young 15 - Jenna Jones 16- Bryan McBride 17- John Myers Peggy Spillman 18- Curtis Patrick 19- Allan Lindfors Amy Young Lisa Riedel Ethan Reid 20- Vinita Harms Garrett McMahan 21- Josie Riggs 22- Todd Johnson 23- Lory Traugott Don Miller 24- Dawson Feil 25- Quaid Spohn 27- Dorine Cunningham 28- Vicki Young 30- Darla Nochowicz Lilyan Boughfman 31- Nathan Reid Lee Fry AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES 5- Mr. & Mrs. Steve Coney 26 years 9- Mr. & Mrs. Darryl Talbott 35 years 10- Mr. & Mrs. Peter Hamma 30 years 11- Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Amos 36 years 14- Mr. & Mrs. Craig Larson 38 years 17- Mr. & Mrs. Eric Weber 13 years 18- Mr. & Mrs. Steve Christensen 25 years 19- Pastor & Mrs. Cross 49 years 23- Mr. & Mrs. Kerry Kelsey 29 years 26- Mr. & Mrs. Dean Johnson 54 years 30- Mr. & Mrs. Matt Hedberg 12 years ON THE JOB AT ELIM ACOLYTES Shannon and Abbie Hudson GREETERS Kelly Larson and Kate Emery 16- Pete Hamma 23 - Sarah Jane Smith 30- Dorine Cunningham LECTORS 2 - Linda Johnson 9 - Kate Emery 16- Pete Hamma 23- Flora Malm 30- Allan Lindfors CHILDREN S SERMON 9- Kelly French 23 - Gracy Feil COMMUNION SET-UP/CLEAN-UP 2- Darryl and Diane Talbott COMMUNION BREAD 2 - COMMUNION ASSISTANT 2 & 16 Darryl Talbott ALTAR FLOWERS 9- Scott and Linda Johnson 23- Terry Hopp Family USHERS Merle Larson captain, Matthew Everhart, Lee Fry, Ken Hedberg, Brian Hopp, Greg Hopp, Terry Hopp, Lance Hulse, Mike Hulse, Ron Larson, Noah Lindfors, Fred Peterson, Brian Hopp, Matthew Wickstrom, Brad Windholz, Logan Windholz COFFEE HOSTS/HOSTESSES 2- Linda Johnson 9- Julie Olson 16- _ 23- Dorine Cunningham 30- Brooke Olson Please sign up in the kitchen if you are able to provide snacks for fellowship time on Sundays from 10:30-11:00 a.m.

5 FROM PASTOR S DESK ~ I will be on vacation from July 30 th through August 6 th. If you need pastoral care, please call PMA Wally Bunk. Confirmation classes will start on Wednesday, August 19 th. There will be a short parent meeting that evening at 7:00 p.m. Class will follow the meeting. I will be sending out letters around the 10 th of August to remind everyone. We are continuing our study of 1 st Samuel and this will be the Bible study we will continue once regular Sunday School starts up. Susan Candea, Assistant to the Bishop, will be preaching for worship and presiding at Communion on August 2 nd, while I am gone. We send our congratulations and best wishes top Matt and Diane Wickstrom, married on July 18. We are looking forward to the sacrament of Holy Baptism for Carly Patrick on Sunday, August 9. Thank you to all of you who sent cards, texted me, and posted messages on Facebook for my birthday. It made for a wonderful day to receive so many birthday greetings. ~ CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES ~ 12 church council members were present at the meeting. Evangelism - The Children's Half-Day Camp has been planned for June 4. There are currently 30 signed permission forms for those going. The group will gather at the church at 7:30 a.m. and carpool to the lake at 8:00 a.m. The committee is supplying church for each camper and those volunteering to help. The group will return to the church at 12:15 and the campers will have lunch at the church before being released to their parents.. Property Committee The committee met. They discussed the metal fascia behind the guttering, replacing the soffits, did a house walk though and are planning a work day middle of July. They also fixed the faucet in the upstairs sink of the parsonage. Reported the cutters needed cleaning, the basement wall was crumbing. Pastor mentioned the carpet in his office was beginning to wear. Julie mentioned that they may have a piece carpet that would work in his room. Social Ministry The Committee held the pancake feed on May 16 for the Kansas Motorcycle Rally. The turnout was good even though it rained most of the day. They counted 97 people all the proceeds went to the Christian Ed Fund. Next Meeting: Monday, July 6 at 7:00 p.m. Communion Assistants: July 5 & 19 Adam Jones

6 ~ HOST FAMILIES ~ Outstanding teens have been granted United States government scholarships to spend a year in the United States. Increase your international understanding and have fun hosting one of the these outstanding teens. Students are Christian. A note detailing description of an available student is available on the main bulletin board in the Parish Hall. Any good caring family of any religion may host. Host parents must be at least 25. There do not have to be kids in the home. For more information on hosting, please call Nancy at (620) or perrinnj@hotmail.com. What are those Women of Elim Doing Now?? The Women of Elim are at it again. They are collecting items for the Lutheran World Relief. This is a large project we do every year to do our part to help end poverty, injustice and human suffering. There are many items needed to put together the Baby Care Kits, Personal Care Kits and the School Kits. Are you asking yourself how you can help with this Lutheran World Relief mission? If so, there are many items still needed to make up the kits, so please contact one of the following ladies, Carol Jones, Jackie Larson, or Donna Patrick. If you do not have time to shop for any of the items, but still want to help by donating money, please see Beth Thomas and make your donation. The money will be used to buy the remaining items that will be needed to complete the kits. We will need these items or money no later than Sunday, October 5, Thank you in advance for making a difference in many people's lives. For any questions regarding LWR, or any other questions about the Women of Elim, please contact Kate Emery, (620) or , kae61761@yahoo.com. Lutheran World Relief Kits Sign Up List PLEASE BRING KITS TO THE SEPTEMBER MEETING Name of Kit Name of Person Signed Up

Cell Phone: (785) Church Phone: (785)

Cell Phone: (785) Church Phone: (785) August 2015 Pastor Delvin Strecker Parsonage/Pastor s Office: (785) 546-2636 Dori Weber, Church Secretary Cell Phone: (785) 822-4355 Church Phone: (785) 546-2244 Email: strecker.delvin@gmail.com Email: