KENWOOD LUTHERAN NEWS

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KENWOOD LUTHERAN NEWS January 2018 Salvation to All I t s a strange thing to end the Advent season on the same day as Christmas Eve, yet that is what we will be doing.

1 KENWOOD LUTHERAN NEWS January 2018 Salvation to All I t s a strange thing to end the Advent season on the same day as Christmas Eve, yet that is what we will be doing. These two important events fall on the same day so as we are getting ready for Jesus arrival, and are in preparation mode, we are also in surprise expectation mode. It s like when you are getting ready for family to come over for dinner at 6pm and they suddenly arrive at 4pm. Guess we didn t see that one coming. That s how it feels this year. There are other surprises in this story of Jesus birth. Some are less jarring, others are so huge we can t even get our minds around them. That may account for why we don t even see them. The story of the manger, cows, donkeys, and swaddling clothes get all the attention and consume our thoughts while other details get overlooked. JUST LIKE THE BABY JESUS WHOSE BIRTH IS HIDDEN, SO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS ARRIVAL GETS HIDDEN. Most congregations don t celebrate with a Christmas Day worship service. I get that. Like the rest of you, I like getting up on Christmas Day to the sound of my grandchildren excitedly trying to guess what Santa has brought them. Grandma has a pretty good relationship with the old man and makes certain things are just as he wants them. Consequently, we miss the Christmas day scriptures. That s too bad! So, we miss these texts: Isaiah 9:2-7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. We miss Psalm 96:1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord all the earth. But the text that really captures the sentiment of this story is from Titus 2:11 The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, SALVATION IS NOT DEPENDENT ON GOOD WORKS. Just like the baby Jesus whose birth is hidden, so the significance of His arrival gets hidden. But one thing is made clear in this letter to Titus, the author expects Titus to live in the awareness that God sent Jesus into the world to save us. So although we are to live responsible and godly lives, to resist

false teachings, and to live together in love. As Titus says, salvation is not dependent on good works. Salvation is God s gift to us. This is a pastoral letter, to encourage us when things get tough.

2 false teachings, and to live together in love. As Titus says, salvation is not dependent on good works. Salvation is God s gift to us. This is a pastoral letter, to encourage us when things get tough. So how are things going? Are things tough today? Christmas is a wonderful, glamorous and joyous time of year! It is also filled with unrealistic and at times, destructive expectations. We may celebrate God s birth in Jesus at Christmas and at the same time be overwhelmed by the harshness of life. Jobs that don t pay enough to give a sense of security. Family relationships stressed and strained. Perhaps faith too altogether focused on what we are doing or not doing, instead of focused on the incarnate God who is breaking in and lifting up. Titus reminds us: The grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all. So take a moment this week. Read the story (Luke 2:1-20) Meditate: What is God doing through Jesus for me? Give: Find something to do for a neighbor. Thank: Thank someone for something they did for you. Pray: Ask God to make you aware of the salvation, (spiritual, emotional, relational) he has provided for you. Repeat! That s right. Repeat! Not repent, although that is just fine. But get active and take ahold of the gifts God has bless us with. Make 2018 the start of a new year filled with God s salvation flowing into you and from you! Have a Blessed Christmas And a Happy New Year! Pastor Jeffrey Holter

3 Happy New Year! I am writing this right before Christmas. The Sunday School Program was two days ago and the kids did a fantastic job. Thanks to everyone that made that happen. As you are reading this there still may be Christmas Cookies in your kitchens, and Christmas leftovers in the fridge. Epiphany is right around the corner. Last month we had our bazaar. So you are aware, we raised $3000. This money was split between Lutheran Disaster Response and the church. Thank you to everyone who made this event happen. This is the second highest amount the bazaar has ever raised. The silent auction also did well. Special thanks to Peggy Simensen and Mary Rasch for all their hard work. It is greatly appreciated. January is a very busy month at Kenwood Lutheran. It is our Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting this year will be Sunday, January 28, during the B.I.G. Hour. Personnel is busy trying to fill positions on our Boards and Teams. Maybe you would like to help with a potluck, organize a youth event or serve on the church council. There is a job for everyone in God s Kingdom. All are welcome to participate. Please prayerfully consider joining a board or team here at Kenwood. We do have fun getting together. As I have stated before, Kenwood Lutheran is striving to become a more missional congregation. This means that we are looking at what the congregation submits to missions. There will be a report inside our Kenwood Lutheran Annual Report stating what has gone out to missions from our boards and teams. As you are writing your annual reports please include monies that have been sent to missions from your groups. This includes quilts, school kits, noisy can offering, coats, and toys to name a few. Next year there are talks about including volunteer time as well. But for this year, we will concentrate on gifts and monetary donations to missions. Happy New Year and Blessings to you all! Joy Michalicek, President P.S. Please check out some of the activities going on during the B.I.G. Hour in January. There will be a speaker talking about happiness and a book club starting.

4 - Harry Podgorski Nancy Koss 8 - Alanna Stokes 9 - Janice Podgorski 12 Cindy Peterson 16-Kristin Randall 18-Sonya Skar 20-Carol Kolari Bertha Witt Happy Birthday!

Wednesday, January 3, at Foster s, 11:45 a.m. Guest Speaker- Sunday, January 7, during the B.I.G. Hour, we ll have a guest speaker, Vinod Gupta. He will be speaking about Happiness. T.O.P.S. Sensibly)- is having Open House during their meetings in January.

Church Book Club- Starting January 21st, the newly formed church Book Club will be meeting every third Sunday of the month in the Fireside Room during the B.I.G. Hour.

4 4 - Harry Podgorski Nancy Koss 8 - Alanna Stokes 9 - Janice Podgorski 12 Cindy Peterson 16-Kristin Randall 18-Sonya Skar 20-Carol Kolari Bertha Witt Happy Birthday! 23-Sandy Burgstahler Celeste Reich 24-Nancy Andrews Jessica Hohl 27-Brad Kamphenkel 28-Anssi Rannikko 30-Linda Tyacke June Randall 31-Eric Saksa Michael Rasch Senior Luncheon-will be held on Wednesday, January 3, at Foster s, 11:45 a.m. Guest Speaker- Sunday, January 7, during the B.I.G. Hour, we ll have a guest speaker, Vinod Gupta. He will be speaking about Happiness. T.O.P.S. Sensibly)- is having Open House during their meetings in January. Meetings are at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays in the Fellowship Hall. Church Book Club- Starting January 21st, the newly formed church Book Club will be meeting every third Sunday of the month in the Fireside Room during the B.I.G. Hour. The first book the club will read and discuss is The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young. Giving Envelopes for are ready for pickup. You can find them in the middle office. If you give electronically and no longer would like to receive envelopes, please notify the church office. Our Annual Meeting- will be held Sunday, January 28, at 9:45 a.m., during the B.I.G. Hour. New Member Orientation- will be held Monday, January 29. Please get in touch with the church office to sign up. Adult Classes- will be offered in the next couple of months. Please contact the church office if you d like to take part.

5 Please pray for the family of James Hansen, who passed Away in early December. Parking: Able bodied members please park in the lower lot, leaving the upper lot for those with more limited mobility. LSS Center for Changing Lives coin collection in November was $ A delivery of generous toy donations went to the Salvation Army s Toyland Express. COUNCIL MEETING - KENWOOD LUTHERAN CHURCH November 9, 2017 Members Present: Joy Michalicek, Pastor Jeff Holter, Lynn Hegrenes, Kathie Severson, Diane Irving, Scott Goutermont, Sue Muehlberger, John Senich, and Barb Lucia. Guest: Theresa Williams 1. The meeting was called to order by President Joy Michalicek at 7:32 p.m. with devotions and prayer led by Barb Lucia. 2. Minutes from the meeting held on October 12, 2017, were approved as submitted. 3. Treasurer s report = negative balance of $ in the checkbook at the end of the month of October, All bills were paid. 4. Action Items: a. None. 5. Discussion Items: a. Communication: New Member Sunday not needed at this time. Thanksgiving Service Tuesday, November 21, 7:00 p.m.; the service will be held at Family of God Lutheran Church. Christmas Eve Services (Sunday): one service in a.m. (9:45 a.m.) and one at 4:00 p.m. still in discussion stages; want to connect with representatives from the UPS service. KLC Bazaar Saturday, December 2, 2017; 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. End of Year Reports; due no later than December 31, 2017 in the church office. Officers and board/teams are being asked to add information about any fund raisers that were done during the past year. In the reports also mention time and effort involved in the process. Office Closed weather related. Procedures to be followed: Church closing determined by President and Pastor on a Sunday. History: collection of materials being organized for KLC; pictures have come in from individuals in the church. Old confirmation pictures - ask for input from church members. Ask

6 for volunteers to help with this project. Project to begin sometime in the month of January, Boards, Ministry Teams, Standing Committees: a. Asset Management Board Turkey Bingo: Thursday, November 16, 2017; 6:00-9:00 p.m. A long-term savings account has been established. Fire key box has been installed at the front door for use, if needed, by the Duluth Fire Department. Fourteen rectangular tables are available to use in the church basement. Bids on roof repair have been received and are being discussed. Continuing discussions on fireside room repurposing and furniture needed. b. Mutual Ministry and Stewardship Board Commitment Sunday to be held on November 12. Altar Guild is serving on Sunday for this event. February time frame = Self & Service sheets will be distributed and collected. c. Personnel Support Board No new report. d. Christian Education Ministry Team No new report. e. Community Ministry Team Cold weather clothing drive donations were delivered to Damiano Center. Toyland Express donations will be accepted in the Messiah Room through Sunday, December 17, f. Fellowship Ministry Team Plan to bake cookies on Sunday, November 12, during the B.I.G. Hour for the bazaar. Helping with Turkey Bingo by providing refreshments. KLC Bazaar Profits will be split 50/50 between Lutheran Disaster Relief for wild fires and hurricane efforts and the church general fund. g. Worship Ministry Team Discussed services for the upcoming holidays. Talked about Book of Remembrance. Discussed Lenten season; February 14, 2018 = Ash Wednesday. November 26 = Christ the King Sunday; show the congregational picture; giving thanks to God for all that he has done for us. Moving into the beginning of the new church year. h. Youth Ministry Team No new report. 7. Pastor s Report: Report on web site (2300 hits last month; 35 asked for church address). Funeral today for Helen Niemi was well attended. Friday; confirmands (seven members) will be taken to an ELCA middle school gathering. Mission interpreter for ELCA he would be happy to come and speak at our church to identify for members where mission funds are distributed and used; talk more in the future on this topic. Be attentive to KLC schedule changes and notifying people of these changes.

7 Financial adviser Vinod Gupta speaker on positive thinking - He would be willing to make a presentation to the church on this topic. Do we want to do this at KLC, e.g. B.I.G. Hour, evening time, etc. For future discussions. 8. Meeting closed with recitation of the Lord s Prayer and was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lynn Hegrenes, Secretary JANUARY 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :45 AM Senior Luncheon :45 AM B.I.G. Hour/Hospitality 9:45 AM Speaker-Vinod Gupta speaks on Happiness 14 Ladies of Kaleva :30 PM Boards and Teams 7:30 PM Council Meeting :45 AM B.I.G. Hour/Hospitality Newsletter Deadline 9:45 AM B.I.G. Hour/Hospitality 9:45 AM Church Book Club :45 AM B.I.G. Hour/Hospitality/Annual Meeting :00 PM SOTLCS Stone Soup

Tomorrow Today LIKE HEAVEN IS GOING TO HAPPEN BUT IT S ALWAYS OTHER WORLDLY. SOMEWHERE OUT THERE IN A FAR FAR AWAY GALAXY.

Tomorrow Today LIKE HEAVEN IS GOING TO HAPPEN BUT IT S ALWAYS OTHER WORLDLY. SOMEWHERE OUT THERE IN A FAR FAR AWAY GALAXY. Tomorrow Today S eventy five years is a long time. Really it is! Yet not so long that a church (any church) should be looking backwards. Looking back is OK, but looking backwards well that is just BACKWARDS!