Grand Meadow Lutheran Church

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NE PO Box 1021 Grand Meadow, MN 55936 507-754-5203 O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. officegml@arvig.net grandmeadowlutheranchurch.

1 Grand Meadow Lutheran Church We are a community of faith called together to worship God and sent out to bring God s message to the world. Pastor Beth s Monthly Message October 2013 Newsletter Hello from Pastor Beth! Grand Meadow Lutheran 115 1st St. NE PO Box 1021 Grand Meadow, MN O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. officegml@arvig.net grandmeadowlutheranchurch.org Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Psalm 96:1-2 Sing to the Lord a new song! These words are ringing in my ears as I prepare to move into a new role as your pastor. We will sing many songs together in the coming years, and as Dave and I prepare to have our voices raised with yours in worship for the first time on October 6, a few words of introduction are in order. My husband, Dave, and I have been married for 33 years. We have two sons, Brian and John, and a daughter, Sarah. Brian is married to Bethany and they have a daughter, Suzanna. We love being parents and grandparents! Dave is an engineer at IBM, an avid golfer, and a bicyclist in his spare time. I enjoy gardening, walking, bird watching and reading. We will be moving to our new home on the south side of Stewartville in a few weeks, and we look forward to getting acquainted with life in Grand Meadow soon. You ll probably find me strolling the streets, checking in at local businesses and the school, and stopping in the library often in these first weeks, so please stop me and say hello if you see me! I m a Luther Seminary alumnus, and I m excited to be part of what God is doing in and through Grand Meadow Lutheran Church. Your vibrant faith life is evident in all you do. I m especially appreciating your warm and welcoming way these days--that s a song Grand Meadow Lutheran sings well. I m looking forward to learning the unique tune and tempo of the new song of praise I ll be learning in Grand Meadow this month, and to joining in--so we can sing to the Lord a new song together. -Pastor Beth Secretary Hours Wednesday Evenings Pastor Beth Krolak Phone: pastorgml@arvig.net Pastor Beth s Office Hours TBD Worship Schedule 9 am Sunday, Oct. 6 Traditional Worship Sunday, Oct. 13 Traditional Worship -Pastor Beth Installation Sunday, Oct. 20 Old Time Religion Worship -No Sunday School Sunday, Oct. 27 Traditional Worship -Confirmation Sunday -Reformation Sunday

2 Page 2 Grand Meadow Lutheran Church Sunday School News Contact: Sara Lee, ericsara@frontiernet.net more information will be coming to your box. In October Please mark your calendars and plan to attend! Oct. 20: No Sunday School, MEA break Stuff the Pigs! A fun way to remember offering Oct. 27: Notes of Joy (children s choir) will sing in church The pigs have been cleaned out and ready for the new school year! Last year, we collected $229.54, of which we tithed 10% to our mission student in Colombia, Magda Liliana. The rest went toward our Sunday School expenses, including the purchase of 13 Bibles for our third graders and our Sunday School curriculum. We talk at Sunday School about the importance of saving, spending and sharing. Please know that we depend on our offering. In addition to that, the kids LOVE having money to stuff into the pig. Confirmation Sunday Reformation Sunday 5th and 6th graders will host a reception for Confirmation Students following worship Fifth and sixth graders to host reception for Confirmation students On Oct. 27, the fifth and sixth grade class will host a reception for the Confirmation students following worship. Please plan to attend, not only to greet the Confirmands, but also to help support the Sunday School. This is one of the service learning projects for this class and is also one of the Sunday School fundraisers. Parents of fifth and sixth graders, Please remember to talk with your child about why we take offering and to help them remember to bring theirs. Thank you! Good Earth Village hosts God s Super Hero Squad Youth in grades 3-6 are invited for an awesome overnight retreat at Good Earth Village. Enjoy live music, learning about God, campfire, exploring nature, active outdoor worship time and much more! Oct and Nov p.m. Fri to 4:30 p.m. Sat. Cost: $45/ per child To register, visit or call (507) Please register at least two weeks prior to the event.

3 Page 3 Grand Meadow Lutheran Church October Grand Meadow Lutheran Volunteers DATE ACOLYTES USHERS LECTOR GREETERS OCT. 6 Max Jech Robyn & Janet Lorenzen Tracy Jacobson Gerald & Marcia Carman Tom & Kris Bleifus Char Blanchard Dan & Leslie Hendricksen Stacy & Diane Jech Family Gerald Denisen Don & Marilyn Calkins Dennis & Kathy Berge Dorothy Jacobson Dorothy Ferguson Alec Hamilton OCT. 13 Sydney Bacon Allie Sloan OCT. 20 Max Jech Trever Green OCT. 27 Max Jech Alec Hamilton Bev Sorensen Head Usher: Dennis Berge Altar Guild: Kathy Berge and Ila Johnson Prayer Announcements PRAYER CONCERNS: Andrea Peterson s mother-in-law, Mary (cancer), Audrey Queensland, Deb Queensland, Dolores Stanaway (Bev Edland s sister), Jim Bustad, Nik Bloomfield, Jim Thorsen (heart surgery), Pete Olson, Hank Kahl, Russell Anderson (Joanne Dimick s father), Millie Simes w/ms (Mother of Deb Lester), Amy Green, Agnes Jensen, Maurcie Thorsen, Naomi Goodsell, Andrea Peterson, Kristin and Austin Eyre (daughter and grandson of Dennis Milburn), Carter Bessert (Grandson of Boone s), Chelsea Farnham, Leona Unverzagt, Lenora Jensen (Amy Green s sister (Alzheimers)), Helen Steinbring, Jane Queensland, Agnes Olson, Louis Foster, Betty Rasmussen, Pastor Lydia Mittag, Jane Sievertsen, David Steinhorst (lung cancer), Arlene Olson (pancreatic and lung cancer), Sabrina Blair (Paul Person s great niece), Ray Monson (Diane Jech s father), Loraine Johnson, Magda Lilana (sponsored by Sunday School), victims of natural disasters, victims of domestic violence, and victims of oppression; Habitat for Humanity; our Community Food Shelf; A.A.; the Church, leaders of our country & world, the men and women who serve our country: Kaleb Bill (grandson of Julie Kahl), Bruce Williams, Hans Burtt, Katie Guy and those we mention in the silence of our hearts. If you are hospitalized please notify the church office or atofficegml@arvig.net

Page 4 Grand Meadow Lutheran Church Grand Meadow Women of the ELCA News The Grand Meadow Women of the ELCA met Wednesday, September 11 at the Meadows Assisted Living with 12 members present.

Following the meeting members joined the residents in the dining room for coffee and delicious goodies.

4 Page 4 Grand Meadow Lutheran Church Grand Meadow Women of the ELCA News The Grand Meadow Women of the ELCA met Wednesday, September 11 at the Meadows Assisted Living with 12 members present. Pastor Jim led the Bible Study and discussion entitled "The Benefits of Grace." We are very grateful to Pastor Jim for leading Bible Study at WELCA the past months. Following the meeting members joined the residents in the dining room for coffee and delicious goodies. Jeanie Schultze represented GM WELCA as a delegate at the SE MN Synodical Women's Organization Convention in Albert Lea Saturday, September 21. Kathy Berge and Pat Lester also attended the convention. The Fall Festival will be held Saturday, October 12 with a luncheon from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00p.m. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE LEFSE to be sold at the Fall Festival. 50 pounds of potatoes were peeled, cooked, riced, and rolled into lefse. There will also be canned beef for sale. Donations will be needed for the bake sale and produce table. Please price your items and bring them to the church by 8:30 a.m. Another feature of the Fall Festival will be a "Quilt and Handwork Display and Contest." The display will be on the stage in the Fellowship Hall. This display may include quilts, any handwork, paintings, etc. Ribbons will be awarded to the winners. These items are for display only and will not be for sale. Please include a story about each item but do not include your name on your items. Items may be brought to the church on Tuesday, October 8 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and noon and also on Wednesday, October 9 from 1:00 pm -3:00 p.m. Please see the poster in this newsletter for more details of the Fall Festival. Tickets are being sold for the Quilt Raffle and the drawing for the quilt will be in December at the Sunday School Christmas program. WELCA ladies will be serving the monthly birthday party at the Grand Meadow Healthcare center on Friday, October 4. WELCA will meet Wednesday, October 9, in the Fellowship Hall at GML Church to set up for the Fall Festival.

6 Grand Meadow Lutheran Church Council Regular Monthly Meeting Date: May 22, 2013 Present: Pastor Jim, Jim Jacobson, Kathy Berge, Jerry Denisen, Kelvin Lester, Mary Monty, Paul Persons, Eleanor Riedemann, Nancy Scrabeck Absent: Diana Monty Opening Secretary s Report Treasurer s Report Pastor s Report Task Force Reports Council President Jim Jacobson called the meeting to order. Pastor Jim opened the meeting with a reading from1 Peter, Chapter 4 & prayer. The April 24, 2013 Council Meeting Minutes were reviewed. Kathy made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Paul. Motion carried. The treasurer s report from April 24, 2013 to May 22, 2013 was reviewed. A motion was made by Jerry & seconded by Eleanor to approve the report. Motion carried. Pastor Jim reported visitation of shut-ins and nursing home residents has been going well. Pastor Jim has received 2 wedding requests and a request from a couple who would like to join GMLC. Pastor Jim will proceed with setting up pre-marital meetings and new member education meetings with the couples. Task Force Reports 1. Youth: Char Blanchard has asked the confirmation students to attend the May 26th baptism and will meet for discussion with them after the church service. 2. Building & Maintenance Projects: Window Project: Wayne Dewall s work continues on the stain glass windows. Phones: The telephone issue has been resolved. Old Business 1. Hearing Assisted Device: The congregation will be reminded that the hearing assisted devices are available for use & easy to operate. 2. Call Committee: The call committee continues to interview candidates. 3. Photo Directory: Kathy reported they are considering hiring Life Touch to complete the church directory. If hired, they will look in to having them come in the fall to finish the project /50 Raffle at Deer Creek: Volunteers are still needed to work at the 50/50 raffle at Deer Creek Speedway scheduled for 6/15/2013. Jim will check with Char Blanchard to see if any of the confirmation students may be interested in working the raffle. New Business 5. Church Auction Fundraiser: Kathy has received a positive response and many church members have shown interest in having a church auction on a Saturday morning in August. Please contact Kathy Berge if you have any items to donate by the end of July. The profits from this fundraiser will go to the Energy Fund. 1. SE MN Synod Meeting: This meeting will be held June 7th & 8th at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN. Jim will follow-up with a few members of the congregation to see if they are interested in attending & an announcement will also be placed in the church bulletin.

7 New Business Other Upcoming Events 2013 Closing 2. Meadowfest: GMLC is hosting the Meadowfest Ecumenical Church Service on 6/30/2013. Two meetings have been held to plan the event. Jim asked on behalf of the GM Fire Department to use a portion of the church parking lot for the beer tent during Meadowfest. Paul made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Eleanor. Motion carried. 3. Council Meeting Schedule: The GMLC council meetings have changed from the 4th Thursday of the month to the 4th Wednesday of the month to coincide with Pastor Jim s schedule. 1. WELCA Quilts: GMLC WELCA will be sending quilts to the victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes through the Salvation Army or Red Cross. A basket will also be placed in the church entry-way for donations to the victims of the tornadoes. 1. May 26th Baptism Ryland Chavez 2. June 30th - Meadowfest Ecumenical Church Service 3. August 4th 8th Vacation Bible School A motion was made by Paul and seconded by Kelvin to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. The meeting closed with the Lord s Prayer. The next council meeting will be Wednesday June 26, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Mary E. Monty, Church Council Secretary

8 Grand Meadow Lutheran Church Council Regular Monthly Meeting Date: July 24, 2013 Present: Pastor Jim, Jim Jacobson, Kathy Berge, Jerry Denisen, Diana Monty, Mary Monty, Paul Persons Absent: Kelvin Lester, Eleanor Riedemann, Nancy Scrabeck Opening Secretary s Report Treasurer s Report Pastor s Report Task Force Reports Council President Jim Jacobson called the meeting to order. Pastor Jim opened the meeting with the reading of Psalm 119 & prayer. The May 22, 2013 and June 26, 2013 Council Meeting Minutes were reviewed. Paul made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Kathy. Motion carried. Not available. Pastor Jim reported he had received several requests from a parishioner asking if he could visit a member of Bear Creek Lutheran Church who was in need. Bear Creek currently does not have a permanent or interim Pastor. Pastor Jim spoke with Larry Iverson at the synod and also called and left several messages with the President of the Bear Creek Church Council to assure he wasn t overstepping any boundaries if he completed the visitation. Pastor Jim did visit the Bear Creek Church member in need and asked that this be noted in the council meeting minutes. Per Pastor Jim s contract, he is granted the benefit of 1 week of vacation per every 10 weeks of employment. Pastor Jim will plan vacation at a future date due to a busy August schedule. Task Force Reports 1. Youth: 2. The confirmation class completed the planting of a beautiful perennial flower garden. Vacation Bible School will be held August 4th 8th at GMLC. Building & Maintenance: 3. Pastor Jim reported the window air conditioner in his office is not working appropriately. Jim Jacobson will look in to the problem & refer to the building maintenance committee. Worship: Cedar Valley Blue Grass will be at the August 4th Sunday church service at GMLC. A reminder will be placed in the church bulletin and Diana will look in to placing an announcement on channel 2. A free will offering will be taken to help cover the group s expenses. A motion was made by Diana and seconded by Paul to equalize the payment to $ if this amount is not collected by the free will offering. Motion carried.

9 Old Business 1. Call Committee: The call committee interviewed a candidate on July 23 and will be calling the applicant back for a second interview. They also have been given the name of an additional candidate to interview. 2. Church Auction: Kathy reported she has been contacted by a few church members who have items for donation, but there is not enough at this time to hold an auction. Upcoming Events 1. August 4th 8th Vacation Bible School August 24th Baptism Dawson Boehm Closing 2. August 18th - Baptism Makayla Mae Johnson A motion was made by Jerry and seconded by Paul to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. The meeting closed with the Lord s Prayer. The next council meeting will be Wednesday August 28, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Mary E. Monty, Church Council Secretary

Grand Meadow Lutheran Church

Grand Meadow Lutheran Church We are a community of faith called together to worship God and sent out to bring God s message to the world. Pastor Jim s Monthly Message There are two references to mustard seeds in the Gospel of Matthew.