Christ Lutheran News January, 2019 Prayer for the New Year Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love. We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side. We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us. We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone. Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom. Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen. We will seek God s will, share God s love, and serve as Christ s people.
Worship Information Contact Information Saturday: 5:15 pm Saturday Evening Worship with Holy Communion Sunday: 9:00 am Worship in September 10:00 am Sunday School (September 9 May) Broadcasts: Sunday, 11:30 am Worship broadcast on Radio KJOE FM 106.1 Wednesday, 10:00 am Worship on Television Channels 3 & 67 Church Office: 836-8291 Street Address: 2959 Queen Avenue, Slayton, MN 56172 E-mail: slaytonchristlutheran@gmail.com Website: christinslayton.weebly.com Dawn Mouw, Office Manager Dale Lange, Custodian Pastor Grant Fischer cell phone: 320-444-3517 E-mail: ogfischer@gmail.com Executive Council Inside this issue: Pastor s Column 4 Summary of Council Minutes 6 Financial Information 9 Calendar 10 WCLC / School Kits 12 Birthdays / Anniversaries 14 Worship Assistants 16 Prayer Concerns / Living Lutheran 18 Canews 19 Mike Stelter, President Jerry Moline, Vice President Kathy Behrends, Secretary Ronda Radke, Treasurer Remember to check out our Mobile Friendly Website: christinslayton.weebly.com Slayton Christ Lutheran Church Would you prefer to read your newsletter online or by e-mail? Please e-mail us: slaytonchrist lutheran@gmail.com Prayer Requests Call the church office at 507-836-8291, or e-mail with your prayer requests. If you would like a pastoral visit or be included in pastoral prayers during worship, please call the church office. Address, Phone & Email Corrections Christ Lutheran maintains a database of all members. If you have had any changes to your address, phone number, marital status, etc. please contact Dawn with your name and the changes that need to be made. If You Are Ill Hospitals no longer notify churches when their members are admitted for care. While we feel these laws are important to maintain your privacy, we would like to support you with prayer and a visit. Please call the church office 836-8291 to keep us informed of your situation. 2 3
From the Interim... 4 The New Year brings new opportunities, new challenges and new possibilities. New has a way unsettling us a little, except for maybe a new car and even then, it takes some adjustment to learn and understand what all the knobs and buttons do. As the Transition Team, the Call Committee and the Personnel committee close out the old year, they are wrestling with the new reality of having one pastor for Christ Lutheran, along with additional lay staffing. They are working to honor the wishes of people who participated in cottage meetings. This has been somewhat of a challenging task for three reasons: 1) not knowing the availability of trained people to fill one or two lay positions, 2) what is doable financially and 3) is lay staffing to be done before or after a new pastor is called. None of these challenges are insurmountable but it is going to take a bit of time to sort things out. That s the thing with new, it takes awhile to sort things out. The Personnel Committee besides working with the Transition Team and the Call Committee is working on a review of all the job descriptions, including congregational boards. This hasn t been done for a while. I have noticed some of the board members do not have a clear or only a limited understanding of their responsibilities and duties. The Stewardship Board is working on ways to stabilize giving throughout the year so that deficit giving doesn t need to take place in December and January. New will always challenge us if we try to take it in all at once. It is better to take time to sort things out and learn the lessons of patience. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ~Proverbs 3:5-6 A Word about Stewardship One of the things that I have noticed as a pastor, is that a good majority of church members don t have a good understanding of stewardship. Often when people hear the word stewardship, they hear the word money. Dollars and cents are only one aspect of stewardship. Biblically, when the word stewardship is used, it is to be understood as time, talents and treasures. In Genesis 2 after God finishes creation, God turns creation over to humans to be stewards of all that God has created. In other words, God gives us stewardship of what God has first given us, to care for and to use God s stuff for the benefit of all. I have also found most people understand this concept of stewardship that we are caretakers of God s stuff, but when it comes to financial stewardship two question often arise: 1) Why should I give to the Church? and 2) How much should I be giving? The first question isn t always easy to answer fully. The simplest answer I ve heard is that money is nothing more than stored ministry. The truth is the ministries of a congregation take money to fund as will as building upkeep. A more biblical way of answering this first question is that our financial offering to the Church is an act of worship, a way of thanking God for what God has first given us. This leads us to the second question, How much should I be giving? The biblical standard has been the tithe, that is 10% of the first fruits harvested. Israel was an agricultural society and that grain offering was brought to the Temple as a gift back to God and as a way of supporting the Temple priest. Another way of looking at the question is determining a proportionate share of what God has blessed you with to give weekly, monthly or yearly. This allows a person to incrementally work towards the biblical tithe if that is their desire. I think the bottom line isn t how much to give. It s more about planning to give, giving regularly, and that your giving is a spiritual exercise rather than a financial exercise. And that is always the goal of a congregation, to help people grow in their trust and faith in God. If a congregation fails to encourage and do this, why do they even exist? Trust and faith are processes that we grow into over time. Trust and faith are not instantaneous or without some trial and error. So be gentle with yourself and allow God s grace and mercy guide you in your stewardship journey. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has not according to what one does not have. ~2 Corinthians 8:12 5
Council Minutes 6 Christ Lutheran Church Summary of Executive Council Minutes December 19, 2018 The meeting was called to order by President Stelter. Those in attendance were: Keith Rossow, Mike Stelter, Nicki Platt, Jerry Moline, Kathy Behrends, Mary Ellen Moline, Ronda Radke and Pastor Grant. Devotions were held by Pastor Grant. He also presented his report with suggestions that have been made with the personnel committee regarding the Administrative boards. This includes a proposal of each board submitting their plans and budgets on an annual basis. Motion to approve the agenda with the addition of adding discussion regarding the sound board, nominating committee progress, carpet cleaning and past due rent of office space. M/S/P Jerry/Nicki The secretary s report for the November 14 th meeting was reviewed. A correction was made to read that our December, rather than November, meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 19 th at 6:00 p.m. M/S/P Keith/Ronda The Treasurer s report was reviewed. It was reiterated that our loan at Minnwest Bank is $11,000 and our savings account borrowing is at $19,000. The letter which was recently sent to congregational members has made a difference in last week s offering amount. M/S/P Kathy/Mary Ellen Old Business: Child Care Aware Use of Building. They would like to use our fellowship hall for 8 to 10 meetings a year for meetings. Liability issues were of concern. A motion was made by Mary Ellen and second by Nicki to approve this request at a rate of $100.00 per event with the requirement that they provide C.L.C. with a Certificate of Insurance. Sound board - Jerry reported that the quote for the upgraded sound board was good until the end of December. The total cost will be $2,413. The Endowment committee has pledged $1,500 towards this upgrade. The memorial committee will be contacted for a possible contribution along with other potential contributors. New Business: The January board meeting will be held on January 9, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. The budget for the year 2019 will be worked on at this meeting. Each committee is asked to present their proposed budgets prior to this date. Equipping Congregations Day is scheduled for February 23, 2019. Pastor Grant encouraged board members to attend this. This will be held at Willmar, MN. Annual reports are due at the end of the month. The 2019 congregational annual meeting agenda will be approved in January. Tim Lange will be contacted to ask his input in securing a replacement auditor for our end of the year financial audit as Steve Haugen will not be available. Input will be given to the Nominating committee for next year s board and committee members. Discussion was held regarding the past due rent that is owed for previous years office space. Mike Stelter will work with Dawn to make contact to resolve this issue. Property and Management has obtained bids for cleaning the carpets of our church and refurbishing the fellowship hall floor. We have received $1,200 from donations towards this project. A motion was made to have the carpets cleaned at this time for $717. M/S/P Jerry/Nicki Pastor Grant will work on a project of recruiting volunteers to help with refurbishing the fellowship hall floors. The bid to refurbish the fellowship hall floors was listed at $1,568. Board Reports: Fellowship and Service: 3 funerals and a special event for the Blood Mobile were held in November. Their financial balance is $3,231.36. Mission Outreach: No report Parish Education: Discussed the Sunday school and V.B.S. budgets and our Sunday school lessons. They also have a concern regarding the decreased amount of Sunday school offerings. The committee has had a project of providing financial assistance to the Bibles on the Street project, the church in Sioux Falls that sponsors this project has loaned our V.B.S. their visual art displays and materials for several of our past V.B.S. years. Pastor Grant suggested a noisy offering which could be held during the Sunday morning services. Property and Management: They have been obtaining bids for glass replacement on the North, East and South doors as they presently are only single pane glass. They also have been working on proposals to make the west doors A.D.A. com- 7
Financial Information pliant. The board was made aware of an upcoming expense for the lawn tractor repair bill. Stewardship: They will meet in January Women of Christ Lutheran: No report Worship and Evangelism: Did not meet Youth: No report There being no further business a motion was made by Keith and seconded by Mary Ellen to adjourn with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted Kathy Behrends Year End Financial Update This is an estimation of Christ Lutheran s current financial situation and a rough idea of what is needed to break even at the end of the year. November 30 Balance: $ (974.81) Estimated December Expense: $ (17,700.00) Estimated Year End Balance: $ (18,674.81) 8 Choir - You are Invited Christ Lutheran choir has a need for people who enjoy music and like to sing. We have lost members due to relocations, illnesses and various other reasons so there are spots that have not been filled. As we look forward to the Lenten season and Easter Day, we would welcome anyone who could join us as we praise our God with our voices. We meet on Wednesday nights at 7:00PM but, if you can t be here every week, please join us at your convenience. We are not perfectionists (even though we try to be) so we have fun laughing at ourselves sometimes too. Contact the church office for question or email Lila at lila.anderson02@gmail.com. Feel free to come join the fun of singing to our Lord. ~ Lila Radio Broadcast Ministry Thank you to everyone who has helped to support the Radio Broadcast Ministry in 2018. The 2019 schedule is on the clipboard. Next available dates are January 27 and February 3. Checks ($65) can be made out to Christ Lutheran with Radio Broadcast in the memo or you can pay online by visiting our website. The following amounts were borrowed and need to be repaid at the end of the year: Minnwest Loan: $ (11,000.00) Savings Account: $ (19,000.00) Estimated Total Amount Needed: $ 48,675.00 December Offering: $ 48,877.48 Goal Exceeded by: $ 202.48 Thank you for your generosity throughout the last month in helping Christ Lutheran meet the goal of repaying both the loan at Minnwest Bank and the Savings Account as well as meeting our estimated expenses for December. The actual numbers will be calculated within the next week. ~ Christ Lutheran Executive Board Christ Lutheran Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 27 immediately following worship. Snow date is Sunday, February 3. 9
6 Christ Lutheran s Calendar for January 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Pastor Grant Fischer Cell Phone #: 320-444-3517 Email: ogfischer@ gmail.com 9:00 Worship w/ Holy Comm 10:00 Sunday School, Adult Class, Coffee Fellowship Epiphany of Our Lord 13 9:00 Worship 10:00 Sunday School, Adult Class, Coffee Fellowship Baptism of Our Lord 20 Newsletter Deadline 9:00 Worship w/ Holy Comm 10:00 Sunday School, Adult Class, Coffee Fellowship 27 2nd Sunday After Epiphany 9:00 Worship 10:00 Sunday School, Annual Meeting 3rd Sunday After Epiphany Normal Wednesday Schedule: 10:00 Worship on Channels 3 & 67 5:45 Children s Choir 6:15 Meal 6:40 Confirmation 7:00 Choir 7 9:00 WCLC Board Meeting 1:00 Quilting 14 7:00 Love Circle 1 New Year s Day Office Closed 8 9:00 Comm @ Sunrise 10:15 Comm @ Slayton Rehab 1:00 Quilting 2 Normal Wednesday Schedule + 10:00 Devotions @ Maple Lawn 5:45 Endowment Meeting 9 15 16 21 22 23 28 1:00 Quilting 29 1:00 Quilting Normal Wednesday Schedule + 9:30 Peace Circle @ Sunrise 1:30 Faith Circle 6:00 Council 3 Interim Pastor Meeting 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 9:00 Yarn & Yak 5:15 Worship w/holy Communion 5:15 Worship w/holy Communion Normal Wednesday 9:00 Conference Schedule + Pastors w/holy Communion Normal Wednesday Schedule + 30 Normal Wednesday Schedule + 24 25 26 31 5:15 Worship w/holy 5:15 Worship w/holy Communion Worship Service is broadcast every Sunday morning @ 11:30 am on KJOE 106.1 FM 10 11
Women of Christ Lutheran Church Our Mission: To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. Ongoing Ministry Projects: Yarn & Yak Saturday, January 5 at 9:00 am in the Chapel Lounge 12 Peace Circle Wednesday, January 9 at 9:30 am At Sunrise Bible Study: Mary Mesner Hostess: Karen Onken Faith Circle Wednesday, January 9 at 1:30 pm Love Circle Monday, January 14 at 7:00 pm Bible Study: Theresa Nysetvold Hostess: Carolyn Gillette Quilting Monday, January 7 and Tuesday, January 8 at 1:00 pm Monday, January 28 and Tuesday, January 29 at 1:00 pm Circle Bible Study The Circle Bible Study groups meet once a month. Please feel free to attend any of the Circles anytime. You do not have to sign up, just come. The Bible Studies are found in the current Gather magazine. Extra copies are available in the library. We enjoy getting know each other and we have great discussions. All are welcome to come any time. Quilting Monday, January 7 and Tuesday, January 8 at 1:00 also Monday, January 28, and Tuesday, January 29 at 1:00 pm School Kits The following items will be included in School Kits for Lutheran World Relief. Please donate new items only. NO items with religious symbols, US flag, patriotic or military or armed forces symbols including camouflage. 4 70 sheet notebooks of wide- or college-ruled paper, approximately 8 x 10 1/2 ; no loose leaf paper 1 30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other 1 pencil sharpener 1 pair of blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well) 5 unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers 5 black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink) 1 box of 16 or 24 crayons 1 2 ½ eraser 1 sturdy drawstring backpackstyle cloth bag, approximately 14 x 17 with shoulder straps Handmade Greeting Cards are available in the Library for $1 each. Proceeds will go to WCLC. 13
14 1 Lila Anderson Brad Bergerson 2 Nancy Moberg Mandy Carlson 3 Deb Meyer Britta Malchow Karna Tommeraasen 4 Emily Gass 5 Elise Rohrer Elisabeth Walker Jaxson Kline 6 Mary Everson Brooke Neilson Gordon Opdahl Rob Rohrer Darren Schuur Everett Johnson 7 Ruth Roeder Sharon Staples 8 Mitchell Bonnstetter Donna Carnahan Amy Loosbrock Melissa Schmidt Amy Hamilton 9 Brady Johansen Kim Johnson Avery Wynia 11 Cole Rachuy 13 Jesse Estum Jenna Mollema 14 Eldon Nelson 15 David Bennett Terri Swanson Jordan Ahlers 16 Lenni-Ann Dardis 17 Elyse Paulzine Floyd Schadt Elizabeth Thomsen Emily Wajer Evan Gillette 18 Brooke Ackerman 19 Alyssa Anderson Thea Schneider 20 Amy Gertsema 21 Benjamin Loosbrock Cassidy Paulzine Nicole Platt Everly Morrow Elliot Bonnstetter Mike Olivier 22 Brett Behrends Jaden Boerboom Gayleen Kirchner Caren Voss 23 Brockton Sell 24 Trey Johnson 25 Jason Carlson 26 Edwin Nepp Jim Kluis Collyns Ackerman 27 Trish Erickson 28 Kori Robinson Elizabeth Dardis 29 Kora Grocholski 30 Alexandra Kleven Mariella Danneman Theda Ross 31 Abigail Erickson Gage Carlson 12 Jeff & Brenda Bose (1991) 23 James & Charlotte Larson (1971) Please contact the office if you notice a mistake or omission on the Birthday or Anniversary lists. Thanks for your help! Mark your Calendars!! Saturday, February 23, 2019 8:30 am 3:30 pm Vinje Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran, Willmar, MN All Are Welcome Congregation Members, Council Officers, Youth Leaders, Christian Educators, Pastors Everyone! You can find more information on the posters in the church or on the church website. Christ Lutheran is in need of an additional flat screen computer monitor. Please contact Keith Rossow or the church office if you have one to donate. Thanks!! 15
Worship Assistants for January, 2019 Sat, Jan 5 5:15 PM Acolytes Lector Greeters Terry Larson Communion Usher Video Power Point Terry Larson Steve & Ann Muecke Kathy Behrends Ann Muecke Linda Nelson Sun, Jan 6 Derek Kluis Brenda John & 9:00 AM Dylan Doeden Loosbrock Darlene Meyer Brenda Loosbrock Mike & Brenda Loosbrock James Katie Gillette Kari Mathiowetz Dennis & Janet Opdahl Berglund Sara Mathiowetz & Acolytes Sat, Jan 12 5:15 PM Marshal Isder Nicki Platt Nicki Platt Morgan Winter Jan Cuperus Dennis & Judy Lickness Sun, Jan 13 Carli Moline Darren Saner ushers 9:00 AM Darren & Lisa Saner Leon Kruse Carli Moline John & Owen Moline Sat, Jan 19 5:15 PM Ann Muecke Linda Nelson Tom & Clarice Kappes Keith Rossow Vicki Hoffmann Linda Nelson Sun, Jan 20 9:00 AM Sat, Jan 26 5:15 PM Danica Behnke Nancy Boerboom ushers Marv Nysetvold Dee Telkamp Steve Telkamp & Rylan Behnke Arlyn Keigan Behnke Cassidy Schmidt & acolyte Chuck & Abe Paulzine Stokesbary Marv Nysetvold Leon & Marlys Hegstad Linda Thovson Cheryl Krant Sue Gass Sun, Jan 27 Emily Rohrer Travis Pierson Travis & Daisy 9:00 AM Pierson Rob & Kris Rohrer Sara Emily Rohrer Terry & Natalie Schmidt Mathiowetz Bread Bakers: Marlys Hegstad, Char Busse DVD to City Hall: Carisa Clarke Thank you to everyone who is helping during worship services at Christ Lutheran Church this month. If you cannot fulfill your ministry responsibilities, please find your own substitute and let the office know of your replacement. Thank you!!! 16 17
January 2019 14 Keeley Island Dr Slayton, MN 56172 507-763-3567 slbc@frontiernet.net www.shetek.org It s time to renew, or even begin, your subscription to Living Lutheran magazine for 2019. Many of you have chosen to receive this in your home. If you purchase your subscription through Christ Lutheran you are able to receive this for only $8.95 per year. Please send a check to the office with Living Lutheran in the memo to renew or add your subscription for 2019. Prayer Concerns Bernice Crompton, Roger Busswitz, Lavonne Goering, Karen Burch, Jon Hoyme, Carl Schreier, Donna Lee, Allison Grieme, and Darlene Meyer. Continue to remember in prayer ~ Those dealing with cancer and other long-term illnesses. Members who are shut-in Service men and women Those who mourn the loss of loved ones Shetek Lutheran Ministries Where Christ Renews and Empowers Mark Your Calendar January 11 Snowshoeing & Stargazing January 18-20 SLM Quilting Retreat January 25-27 Scraptacular January 27, 2-4 pm Family Ski Day February 2 Family Snowshoe Day February 10 SLM Annual Meeting February 10 Women s Tea & Ski February 23 Winter toddlers & trees For more information go to Shetek.org or Call 507-763-3567 Happy New Year! The Shetek Staff and board would like to thank all who gave of their time, talents, and gifts in 2018. With your support we together are transforming lives and nurturing Faith-filled leaders for tomorrow. Your gifts make a difference for all who come to Shetek Lutheran Ministries. May God richly bless you for your support! 18 Weather Policy When school is let out early because of stormy weather, we will automatically cancel after-school and evening events that night. We will rarely cancel Sunday morning worship, as people appreciate the radio broadcast even more in stormy weather. Sunday School may be cancelled, however, as may Saturday evening worship. Listen to KJOE Radio for news of storm-related cancellations, or check the Slayton Christ Lutheran Church Facebook page. Shetek Lutheran Ministries Quilting Retreat January 18-20, 2019 Enjoy a crafting weekend at SLM! Spend time in a relaxed, Christcentered environment sewing, bonding with other crafters of faith, eating delicious food and engaging in daily devotions. Questions? Contact SLM at 507-763-3567 or at www.shetek.org Help send Kids to Camp Become a Pelican/Timber member today. For more info. Call 507-763-3567 or check out our website at www.shetek.org 19
God s work. Our hands. CHRIST LUTHERAN CHUR CH 2959 QUEEN AVENUE SLAYTON MN 56172 Phone: 507-836-8291 Fax: 507-836-8789 Email: slaytonchristlutheran@gmail.com RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Visit us on the web at... christinslayton.weebly.com Published 11 times a year Volume 2019, Issue #1 January 3, 2019 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US Postage Paid Permit #4 Slayton MN 56172-1513 20