Trinity Lutheran Church Lake Norden, SD Member NALC Pastor David Patterson (605)520-8428 Trinity Office: 785-3277 Secretary Brittany Larson (605)520-7387 Email: office@trinityln.org Website: http://trinityln.org Pg 1 Upcoming Events Pg 2 Pastor s Page Pg 3 Council Minutes Pg 4 Prayer Program Birthdays Pg 5 Kids Page Pg 6 Missions Budget Review Pg 7 Evangelism Corner July 4 th Celebrations Pg 8 Evangelism Minutes Pg 9-10 Maintaining Unity Date Event Time June 5 th Summer Worship Hours Begin 10:15 am June 10 th June 10 th June 11 th June 12 th June 14 th June 15 th June 19 th June 20 th June 21 st June 24 th June 24 th Evangelism Meeting 6:30 pm Council Meeting 7:30 pm Parsonage Clean-up/Fix-up 9 am Flag Day Father s Day First Day of Summer Registration for VBS 5 pm VBS Program 7 pm Mending @ Lake Norden Nursing Home 1:30 pm Print Newsletter Fold Newsletter 8:45 am Pg 10 VBS Information Reminder that coffee will be served prior to the worship service every Sunday morning at 9:30 am. A sign-up sheet can be located in the Narthex for all who wish to serve. Thank you in advance for your help, this a great fellowship opportunity to catch up with our members! 1 P a g e
This last month with commencement happening at Arlington and Hamlin High Schools I ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be a student, what it means to graduate, and how one should define success as a student. Grades are important of course. If any children in our congregation read this, listen up! Work as hard as you can to get good grades in school. But while good grades can be an important gauge of the level of competence in a specific class, they do not in and of themselves serve as an indicator of success as a student. In college I knew many fellow students each of whom got great grades that I would not consider a successful student. I am speaking of course of the professional student. One who continually changes their major in order to continue as a full-time student, but never seems any closer to graduating. Now there is nothing wrong with being a life-long learner (I am one myself), but when I think about what it means to be a successful student, I don t think about just getting good grades and perpetually continuing courses with no end or goal in sight. One goes to school to learn and that learning is directed toward a specific goal or end, it s not as an end unto itself. For me, true success as a student must be gauged on meeting the goals for which you began your education and graduating on into your life making use of the education you have obtained. I mention this, because I often think of us Lutherans as the perfect professional students. We tend to be really good at doctrine and theology, but we tend to be quite poor at doing anything about it. We forever remain disciples with no interest in being anything else. A disciple is nothing other than a student or learner. When Jesus gathered His 12 disciples, they were His students and He was there teacher (or Rabbi). But the time came for His disciples to graduate, and He commissioned them as His sent ones (Apostles) to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I (Jesus) have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus did not make them disciples so they might remain disciples, but so they might learn all He commanded them so that they might graduate and be sent so that, through their proclamation of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit might call others as disciples. And they being made disciples through the waters of baptism might learn from the apostles all that Jesus had commanded them, in order that they in their time might also graduate and be sent to proclaim, baptize, and teach. Just as the professional student cannot be considered as successful student, so the perpetual disciple cannot be considered a successful disciple. What determines the success of disciples is seen in their apostleship. Now in none of this am I speaking of the issue of salvation. We are saved by the grace of the Father, through faith in Jesus Christ the Son, worked when and where the Spirit wills. No, I am speaking to the Church, the redeemed Body of Christ, made disciples in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit through the waters of baptism. We are made disciples so that we might learn and having learned might be sent so others might be called as disciples. This we Lutherans have not done well. We tend to think of improving things in the church with discipleship programs. We are so satisfied being such good disciples, it never occurs to us that we need to graduate and become apostles. We do not need to cease being a disciple. Every follower of Jesus remains His disciple (we should remain life-long learners). But being a great disciple does not necessarily mean that we are successful disciples. Our success as His disciples is only seen in our response to His sending us out as His apostles. Every Christian is called through the waters of baptism as a disciple and every disciple is a disciple in order to learn and be sent and every equipped disciple is sent as an apostles. As Lutherans, we are great disciples, but the time comes when we must graduate. Apostleship awaits! Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21). Rev. David Patterson 2 P a g e
Council Minutes Trinity Lutheran Church 16 May 2016 Meeting was conducted by President Larry Jensen Present: Bud Larrabee, Bob Hauschildt, Aaron Swanson, Lee Swanson, Brittany Larson, Larry Jensen, Roger Anderson, and Gerry Koisti Absent: Charles Anderson Devotions: Bud had devotions Secretary s Report: Gerry made a motion to approve secretary s report, seconded by Bud. Motion carried. Treasurer s Report: Treasurer s report reviewed. Brittany made a motion to approve, seconded by Bob. Motion carried. Committee Reports: Christian Ed: Brittany reported that VBS was set for June 12-15 at the Covenant Church. Evangelism: Bud reported on Evangelism Committee. They are looking at Video on Demand that ITC is offering the local churches if they want to record their sermons. Pastor Patterson will contact ITC for details. Property: Sylvia Riter and Patsy Steffensen had reviewed the parsonage and presented the council with a list of items needing to be addressed. Brittany will contact them to see what they want to do on the list. Gerry suggested we set a date in June to have people from the congregation to come and work on cleaning and repairing. It was decided to meet on Saturday June 11 at 09:00. This will be put in the bulletin and newsletter. Old Business: We discussed the Life-Touch company for a church directory. Brittany had met with the company representative out of Sioux Falls. The go-ahead was given to Brittany to schedule this with them for sometime in August or early fall. There were some problems with the names on the checks were made out to the missions. Brittany will work with Terry on resolving this when she gets them returned. Church hymnals were discussed. We need 17-20 hymnals to fill the pews. They cost $22.50 from Augsburg Publishing. Brittany ordered new hymn board slides. New Business: Brittany will print out a membership list for meeting in June so the council can review. Lee reported on Call Committee Survey. We had 38 responses with numerous comments. The committee was grateful for the responses and the number of people that took the time to respond. The church women wanted to know if we wanted to honor the Veterans at the Sunday before Memorial Day. It was agreed to proceed. Brittany will notify Jeannette. Next meeting will be Friday June 10, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. Pastor Patterson will have devotions. Brittany made a motion to adjourn and seconded by Bud. Motion carried. Submitted by: Lee Swanson 3 P a g e
June 5 th : Kim & Roxie Bevers; Jeff & Sharon Jager; Justin & Madeline Espland; Jade Kretzschmar 1 Jaden Bos 2 Sherri Tormanen 5 Shirley Skoglund 7 Anna Cromer 8 Trevor Gorder 9 Faith Steffensen 10 Brent Koisti 14 Joan Arneson 16 Don Andersen 18 Darryl Kastein 18 Deb Paso 20 Marvin Marttila 27 Chelsea Halonen 27 Brian Jager 27 Kasey Steffensen 28 David Carlson 31 Melanie Aho June 12 th : Amy (Riter) Parish; Jonas Peckenpaugh; James & Marla Andrews June 19 th : Lloyd Riter; Allan Arends; Ethel Koistinen; Ruby Crowe; Mark Pekas June 26 th : Kelsi (Nelson) Oderman; Alan & Lee Swanson; Patrick Anderson The above list is people that are in need of prayers this month. Each month we have different members of the church that we pray for each week. An additional list can be published for those that are needing extra prayers, whether due to health concerns general or specific illness, or some other things that may be going on in your life. ~ Communications~ Due to privacy laws, it is recommended that a family member or a friend notify either Brittany or Rev. Patterson directly with any hospitalizations, nursing homes admits, or if any pastoral care is needed. We don t want anyone to be left hanging during times of need. Coffee 9:30 A.M. in Educational Unit Worship 10:15 A.M. If you have a prayer concern that you would like to have passed along to our prayer chain, please contact the church office or stop by the narthex to pick up the latest prayer chain booklet. Please specify if you want the concern to be included in the Sunday morning prayers or just on the prayer chain. Thank you! 4 P a g e
Of the 66 books in the Protestant Bible, 39 have people s names as titles. Some names indicate the person credited as author for example, Matthew; others name the book s main character such as Ruth. How many books are written to the person named in the title? A. 2 B. 4 C. 13 D. 21 Answer: B (See 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 1:1.) 5 P a g e
American Mission Lutheran Outdoors LO provides opportunities for people of all ages/abilities to connect with one another. These connections allow each person to explore and play in a nurturing environment, which leads to a stronger faith foundation, discovering personal gifts, developing new skills, as well as building life-long relationships. LO in SD is dedicated to quality faith experiences and hospitality for youth and adults and has been for more than 65 years. Mission LO in SD welcomes all to explore and experience Christ s love in community and creation. Vision We are your first choice for dynamic and innovative Christ-centered ministries: many sites, many seasons, many experiences. Global Mission Institute of Lutheran Theology s International Division The Institute of Lutheran Theology offers financing in the form of tuition credit to International students who study with us. Many of the international student who study at ILT live in the US or Canada. They have part-time or full-time jobs in the communities in which they live and they also serve their congregation of immigrants who worship together in that community. When a person donates to the International fund, ILT has money to support the education of church leaders in immigrant congregations. BUDGET REVIEW Budget: April: Year to Date: Total Budget Disbursements: $82,970 $8,167.42 $29,282.31 Total Actual Disbursements: $8,167.42 $32,390.31 Total Income 4/1/16-4/30/16 $5,153.25 $27,257.42 Ending Bank Balance as of 4/30/16 $9,954.84 6 P a g e
Songs of Praise The Lord is my strength. My heart trusts in him and I find help. My heart rejoices and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7 In the midst of trials and testings, When there s little we can do, Let s just sing a song and praise God -- For His faithfulness is true. We will find there comes a comfort, And a calm within our soul When we praise God for His goodness Knowing He s in full control. We should never save our joy songs Just to sing when days are bright. We must lift our praises upward Even in the dark of night. God is always ever listening, Tuned to hear our songs of praise. He will bless the heart that s thankful And give cheer to dreary days. Beverly J. Anderson On June 11 th at 9 am members of the congregations will meet at the Parsonage to clean and fix up the parsonage. All help is appreciated for a short time or all day! A list will be hung in the Narthex of areas that need to be cleaned and that have already been done. Independence Day Celebrations Join us in celebrating our Country s birth! July 3 rd a community church service will be held at 10 am at the Community Center. The Trinity Lutheran Church Women will hold their annual Pork BBQ supper. All help is appreciated! On the 4 th a Lakers will have their annual Baseball Game with Fireworks to follow all are welcome to attend! 7 P a g e
Trinity Lutheran Evangelism Minutes May 12, 2016 Present: Bud Larrabee, Theresa Hauschildt, Brittany Larson, Bob Hauschildt, and Rev. Patterson. Meeting was opened with prayer led by Rev. Patterson. New Business: 1) Brittany took 2 webinars regarding evangelism in the past couple of months. 1. Faith Webbing targeting the whole congregation getting youth and the aging congregations together. Ideas shared with how to do this on webinar, examples included: a. Different ideas with how Sunday School operated i. each Sunday different examples first Sunday youth serve breakfast prior to worship ii. 2 nd & 3 rd Sundays divided by age iii. 4 th Sunday joint all kids together in 1 big room b. Prayer Buddies Program i. Elderly member praying for a specific child. Helps to get them acquainted. Example is Rose praying for Emily throughout the Sunday School year. c. Church Picnic i. Could do traditional picnic, or have hobby tables set up. Each table is ran by a person who is sharing their hobby with others. Example: Jane loves Facebook, she wants to teach some of the members how Facebook works. She sets a table up with lab top and shows those that stop by how to use Facebook. Other examples could be a game table; gardening table; how to decorate a cake table and etc. d. Catch the Faith non-youth events i. Service projects cleaning yards for those in need ii. Intergenerational games - Bowling 2. Senior Ministry Webinar that ANYONE can join held the 1 st Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm (next meeting is June 2 nd ). Please join - https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/523803314754411266. Webinar is FREE. a. Builders born before 1946 i. Diners (60s + dining), daytime bible studies that are lecture oriented, transportation services, visitations, nursing home/assisted living ministry b. Boomers born between 1946 and 1964 i. Travel, mission trips, singles ministry, retirement planning, grandparent issues (support groups), any activities to find meaning & purpose c. Busters born between 1965 and 1983 i. Support groups for those are suffering loss (parents) and/or caring for their children; continued learning with spirituality Discussion held on the above webinars. 2) Discussion held regarding Quarterly Programs 2 per quarter 1 fellowship and 1 service project 3 meetings per project/program for planning and or participation. Need volunteers and need few meetings so there s less commitment to the projection and easier to get volunteers. Looking @ 8 projections per year. 4 fellowship and 4 service. Implement Fall of 2016. List will be placed in the Narthex for people to jot down ideas and those interested in participating. 3) Video Conferencing videotaping the worship service a. ITC now offering this service free to local congregations. We record service, send to ITC, they archive it and then those who have ITC can view whenever. b. Excellent for our shut-ins, those who miss due to vacation/sickness, visitors & new to the community c. Bud will present to the council to get their thoughts. 4) Discussion held regarding youth activities and getting the boomers involved. Goal is not to bring people in, our goal is to bring Jesus outside of the church. The Holy Spirit will bring them to us! Next meeting will be held ½ hour prior to the council meeting. End with the Lord s Prayer. Submitted by: Brittany Larson 8 P a g e
Maintaining Unity What is a Pastor and what is Pastoral Leadership? I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 Perhaps one of the most misunderstood and neglected aspects of leadership within congregations is that of maintaining unity. Although this is, or should be, one of the primary tasks of the pastor, he or she cannot create and maintain unity alone. It is the work of the leadership team as a whole pastor, congregational officers and council. Indeed, the NALC model constitution, article 12.04.f states one of the responsibilities of the council is: To promote a congregational climate of peace and goodwill, and, as differences and conflicts arise, to foster resolution of such conflicts according to Biblical principles. In 1986, after five years in my first congregation, I was asked by my bishop to consider being called to a congregation in Colorado Springs which had been conflicted for 15 years (they were only in existence for 15 years!). After accepting the call and beginning our ministry together at this troubled church, many folks were baffled that in spite of the many visitors who showed up for worship each week, they rarely returned and the congregation rarely welcomed new members. I was baffled that our congregational leaders couldn t see the simple fact that visitors don t want to join a congregation that is conflicted! One Sunday morning visit was enough to sense the tension, pain and hurt present in the congregation. Thankfully, the climate changed and growth began to happen. But this experience impressed upon me the reality that one of the greatest hindrances to evangelism, mission and growth within any congregation is conflict and disharmony within the body. Whether the conflict and tension is between the pastor and council, members of the leadership team, or rank and file members of the congregation, lack of unity and harmony within a congregation drives folks away, and keeps new folks from wanting to come and participate. It is Job Number 1 for all congregational leaders pastor and council to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. To do so, it is important to understand what unity is not. Unity in the Body of Christ is not the lack of conflict or disagreement. Many in our congregations mistakenly believe that peace comes from never disagreeing about things. Some will actively seek to silence or quell any difference of opinion, fearful that leadership will not be able to handle or manage conflict, bringing about negative consequences. The truth of the matter is that negative consequences arise when conflict and disagreement are not handled openly and positively for the good of the whole. The more a pastor or council tries to silence and suppress any disagreement, the more it will often fester and grow until it becomes an open sore in the body, making healing more difficult. Addressing conflict openly and directly allows for involved parties to be heard and to hear, to have conversation, plan a positive course and foster healing. What will this look like in the congregation? 1. Direct, open, honest communication within the congregation, with no anonymous communications or criticisms, no triangulation, no secret meetings. The pastor and council set the tone for this kind of communication by the nature of their own relationships and dealings with one another. 2. Seeking no agenda other than that which is faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ, obedient to God s Word and serves the well-being of the whole congregation. Pushing personal agendas, wishes, wants and desires are not the chief aim of the pastor or council (or members, for that matter). 3. Build consensus within the leadership and the congregation as a whole. When the congregational leadership team informs the congregation, communicates openly and regularly and makes decisions only when there is a consensus, trust develops and unity grows. Although congregational constitutions usually provide for majority rules decision-making, this results in winners and losers factions and division within the congregation. Rarely is any decision so pressing 9 P a g e
that congregational leadership must act before informing, communicating with and building consensus within the congregation as a whole. It is important to note, however, that all must understand consensus-building is not about getting what I want, but acknowledging that what I want may not be what is best for the congregation. Although we never will compromise with regard to the Word of God, living together in community always requires sacrifice and compromise. This is how we arrive at consensus and unity around decision-making. The pastoral call committee met to review the survey results. 38 surveys were returned. It was great to see so many surveys returned along with comments. Thank you for taking the time to respond. It provided valuable information on our congregation as we continue to look for a pastor. 4. Live the Scriptures! As it says in the model constitution, as differences and conflicts arise... foster resolution of such conflicts according to Biblical principles. One of the most useful strategies for handling conflict and difficulty within congregations is to heed the guidance of our Lord in the Gospel of Matthew 18:15-20. Here Jesus suggests how believers can be reconciled one to another in a godly, loving manner. Sadly, many Lutherans are not aware of these teachings of our Lord and seek to handle conflict and disagreement according to the ways of the world, using gossip, back-biting and under-handedness, rather than straightforward, open, honest communication, offered in love. So finally, to live the Scriptures in our daily lives and in the community of the Church, we need to: 5. Know the Scriptures! How can we live God s Word if we don t know it? In the last generation or two, many Lutherans have become functionally illiterate when it comes to the Bible. To foster and maintain unity, harmony and peace within the Body of Christ, we will want to again become people of the Word of God. We will want to again learn what it means and how it is to be God s people within the Church and within the local congregation. This is how we may begin to lead lives worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The updated list of NALC congregations seeking to call pastors is available online at http://thenalc.org/pastoral-vacancies. The online list is updated each month. VBS will be held June 12 th through June 15 th Registration held from 5:00-5:25 on the 12 th at the Covenant Church VBS held Sunday-Tuesday: 5:30-8:30 Wednesday: 4:30-6:55 Program held on June 15 th at 7 pm at the Covenant Church Volunteers are still needed if you can help, please contact Sherry Antonen, Abby Schultz, or Heidi Noem. 10 P a g e