LIVING WORD LUTHERAN CHURCH 438.9672 CHURCH NOVEmBER 2018 NEWSLETTER CONFIRMATION Living Word Lutheran Church confirmed its seventh class of confirmands on Reformation Sunday, October 28, 2018 with Pastor KentGroethe officiating. Shaylee Pekelder, Jack Sandvig and Ethan Sullivan received instruction in Lutheran history and doctrine, the Lord s Prayer, Ten Commandments and Apostles Creed under Linda Anderson and Pastor Kent as well as learning the basics of Christian faith and what it means to live a Christian life. They spent time with their mentors Tina Balling (Shaylee), Linda Anderson (Jack), and Brad Olson (Ethan) learning about faith and writing and presenting a personal faith statement. We pray that Jesus continues to renew and increase in them the gift of the Holy Spirit, the strengthening of their faith and witness, their growth in grace, their patience in suffering and to the blessed hope of everlasting life. Amen. WHAT S INSIDE Fall Festival Halloween St. Lucia Women of the Word Youth News Pastor s Letter Council Minutes November Event Calendar Nov. Birth/Ann. Calendar
YOUTH The Fall Festival was a huge success. We had over 30 come to celebrate fall by painting pumpkins, pumpkin tic tac toe, pumpkin ring toss, bobbing for apples, fall crafts, face painting, games and treats. It was such a fun day. Thank you to everyone who donated items and their time to help make this event a success.we hope to see you on treat street October 31.
COMMUNITY HALLOWEEN: Jake Sandvig, Alec Bien, Kay Groethe and Roslyn Reich handed out candy and glow sticks at Treat Street downtown Milbank. Top right: Tyler, Hailey, Sally and Brittany Heinje. St. Lucia Breakfast Living Word Church Women are again in the process of planning a St Lucia breakfast event. It will be held on Saturday, December 8 starting at 9:30 Am. Women are invited to join us for traditional Swedish food, fellowship and a program of inspirational readings and music. Because of limited seating, tickets are required. The tickets are free and may be picked up at the church office during the week or before and after church services on Sunday. You may invite friends but be sure to pick up tickets for them also. Workers will be needed to help in the kitchen the morning of the breakfast and to assist with the cleanup. If you are willing and able to assist with food preparation and serving or with decorating prior to the event please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
WOMEN OF THE LIVING WORD Harvest time is here. Our prayers for the farmers are being answered, as the forecast today is 8 days of no rain. Our NOVEMBER CIRCLE date will be on the 20. We will be studying Lesson 2 The Story of Sarah from our study book, The Proverbs 31 Woman. Our afternoon tea has been well received by the ladies at Park Place. You are welcome to come join us. We meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 2:00 Pm. missions for this month will be the MITTEN TREE. Once the tree is up you may hang your mittens, hats, or gloves on it. We still have 4 APRONS left to be returned to rightful owners. Reminder that the BAKE SALE will be held on November 18. Please sign up to help either Saturday or Sunday. If you donate a non-food item please price it. Karen Hallquist was approached about donating QUILTS FOR THE NEWBORNS AT THE HOSPITAL. She has already made them. Thanks Karen. The ST. LUCIA BREAKFAST will be on December 8 at 9:30 Am. Joanne Schmig and Rosalyn Reich along with Linda Anderson are chairing it and will need helpers. With Gods Blessings for a Happy Thanksgiving, Shirley Zahn YOUTH youth news to Ilove the fall season with the beautiful colors and smells. I am always amazed at God s grand design in creation with the red, orange, yellow, green and brown displaying a tapestry of art all around us. What an awesome creator we have! Instead of the food scavenger hunt this fall, the youth will be packing MERCY MEALS on Wednesday, November 14 at the Orphan Grain Train location in milbank from 4:00-5:30 Pm. The bags they will be filling of rice, dried vegetables, soy protein and chicken broth will be packaged up and shipped areas in need of food. This will be for both junior and senior high. The senior high have an opportunity to participate in a weekend recharge retreat at OKOBOJI BIBLE CAMP on November 16-18. The weekends for the junior high and 4-5 graders will be in the spring. Continue to pray for the youth in our church and community. God is on the move and desires so much for our kids to know Him in a deeper way. We have amazing youth! Keep praying that the light of Jesus will shine through them to make a difference in the world around them. IMPACT the world for CHriST! Kay, Director of Youth Ministry
PASTOR S LETTER STUMBLING IN THE DARK John 20:1-2 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark... (v. 1) Only in John s account of Easter Sunday is mary out in the dark as she makes her way to the tomb. This begins to make sense when one remembers John s use of light and darkness imagery throughout his gospel. It is when [a person] walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light (11:10). Again, The [person] who walks in the dark does not know where he is going (12:35). mary stumbled to the tomb that Sunday morning, not knowing where she was going. Even though she had loved Jesus and even though he was raised from the dead, she still walked in the darkness because she did not see him. He was alive and close by, but until she knew it, her unbelief was a darkness that blinded her journey. She did not know where she was going. She stumbled to the grave thinking she would find a cold, quiet, and sealed tomb. She did not know the surprise that awaited her. She did not realize she was going to meet the risen Lord. Even though we are followers of Christ, we can sometimes stumble along, not sure where we are going. We stumble because we forget that Christ is risen. Even though the truth is that he is alive and accompanying us, we are in darkness if we forget that, and will journey on in fear. His brilliant light can be thwarted momentarily in our life because of our shallow faith, dull senses, or forgetful minds. Darkness covers even the Christian at times. Even though we may momentarily stumble through that darkness, however, it will not destroy the light (1:6). As God s light pierced mary s dark world early that morning, it continually pierces ours so that we may behold him again and again. Almighty God, you are our great light. Forgive us for still walking as if the darkness controls the day. remind us time and again that we walk in your light, not in the darkness of the world around us. in Jesus name. Amen
COUNCIL MINUTES Living Word Lutheran Church Council Minutes, October 16, 2018 Members Present: Dave Hepper, Howard Heinje, Tim DeJong, Larry Olson, mary Kinder, Roger Christensen, Jerry Brown, Roslyn Reich and Pastor Kent Groethe. Pastor Kent opened the meeting with prayer. motion made by Roger Christensen and seconded by mary Kinder to approve the agenda with additions. Agenda approved. Secretary Report: motion made by Larry Olson and seconded by Roger Christensen to approve. Secretary s report approved. Treasurer s/finance Report: motion made by Jerry Brown and seconded by Tim DeJong to approve. Treasurer s/finance report approved. Pastor s Observations: Pastor Kent reports that there was a lot of interest expressed following Bill moberly s presentation on World missions. Council and congregation members are encouraged to welcome visitors to our church by introducing ourselves and sitting with them during fellowship coffee. Pastor Kent has 2 home visits left. Our church is filled with people with time and talents to offer. It is important to identify member s talents and ensuring they are in the right place to utilize their gifts. Pastor Kent says it has been an immense pleasure to have been a Pastor in our church these past 15 months Property Management Report: Increased lighting for the parking lot was discussed. Howard Heinje and Tim DeJong will research available options. Tim and Howard will research assorted styles of baby changing tables to be installed in the nursery. Howard reports that nursery signs have been ordered to better identify the nursery. Jerry Brown will work with Pastor Kent regarding microphones. Worship & Evangelism Report: The communion server list was updated. There will be a formation of usher, evangelism, outreach, and building and ground teams. The usher team will be the first to be developed. A meeting has been scheduled for November 4 following the service for all those interested in becoming an usher. Roslyn Reich, Dave Hepper and Roger Christensen will develop a head usher duty list. Youth & Education Report: The council reviewed and approved the job description for Youth Director, Kay Groethe. Brad Olson made a motion to approve the job description, seconded by Tim DeJong. Job description was approved. Treat Street will be held October 31. Kay Groethe will be organizing a table and treats to be set up for this event. Old Business: Dave Hepper and Tim DeJong will adjust the spotlight on the steeple cross. New Business: Budgeting for 2019 was discussed. Budgets for worship/music/evangelism, administrative, property/management, and youth and education were submitted. Pastor Kent, Jerry Brown and Roslyn Reich will review the benevolence budget before final submission. Planning for the annual meeting, November 18 was completed. The nominating committee has submitted 3 candidates for council. Brad Olson recommended that our member directory be updated. He will research costs. Visioning: Great Commandment, care for the poor and Great Commission, share Christ. Next council meeting will be November 13 at 6:30 Pm. motion to adjourn was made by Tim DeJong and seconded by Larry Olson. meeting adjourned. meeting concluded with the Lord s Prayer. respectfully submitted, Roslyn Reich
November 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 9:00 Community Coffee Fellowship Open to the Public 3:00 Circle Bible study at St. William's Care Center 4 All Saints Sunday 5 6 7 8 9 10 8:45 Sunday School 5:30 CBS Leaders 9:00 Searcher's Bible study 7:20 Fellowship of Christian 9:00 Coffee Fellowship 7:00 Community Bible study 1:30 Prayer time Athletes 10:00 Worship/Communion 3:30 6th - 8th Grade Confirmation 9:00 Community Coffee Fellowship 11:15 Sr. High Youth Group 5:00 Puppet Practice Open to the Public 6:00 Worship 6:30 LWLW Executive Board meeting 6:45 Choir 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 5:30 CBS Leaders 9:00 Quilting 9:00 Searcher's Bible study 9:00 Community Coffee Fellowship 9th thru 12th Grade Retreat at Okoboji Bible Camp 8:45 Sunday School 7:00 Community Bible study 6:30 Church council 1:30 Prayer time Open to the Public 9:00 Coffee Fellowship 3:30 Jr/Sr High Youth Food 6:30 Bible study briefing 10:00 Worship Packing event 11:00 Chapel Communion NO Puppets 11:15 Sr. High Youth Group 6:00 Worship 6:45 Choir 18 Bake and Craft Sale/Annual meeting 19 20 7:30 Dawn Circle meets at 21 22 23 24 9th thru 12th grade Retreat at Okoboji 5:30 CBS Leaders the church 9:00 Searcher's Bible study Thanksgiving 8:45 Sunday School 7:00 Community Bible study 9:00 Faith Circle meets at 1:30 Prayer time Church Office Closed 9:00 Coffee Fellowship the church 3:30 6th - 8th Grade Confirmation Church office closed 9:00 Servant Team meets 9:00 Mary/Martha Circle meets 5:00 Puppet Practice 10:00 Worship at the church 6:45 Choir 11:00 Annual Meeting/Potluck dinner 2:00 Love Circle meets at the 7:00 Community Thanksgiving 2:30 St. William's Care Center Worship Service church Service at Emanuel Lutheran Church 3:15 Park Place Worship Service 2:00 Circle Bible study at NO Worship 4:00 Milbank Rehab & Care Center Worship Service Park Place 25 26 27 28 9:00 Searcher's Bible study 29 30 8:45 Sunday School 5:30 CBS Leaders 9:00 Quilting 2:00 Afternoon Tea at Park Place 9:00 Community Coffee Fellowship 9:00 Coffee Fellowship 7:00 Community Bible study 3:30 6th - 8th Grade Confirmation Open to the Public 10:00 Worship 5:00 Puppet Practice 2:30 Park Place Communion 6:00 Worship 6:45 Choir Arnold Rehn Ardell Barck