St. Peder s Evangelical Lutheran Church January 2013 4600 East 42nd Street Minneapolis, MN 55406 Phone: 612-722-8000 Fax: 612-722-8068 Email: stpeders@stpeders.net Website: www.stpeders.net Shepherding Group Sunday! Join us for Shepherding Group Sunday, January 13 Groups meet after 9:00 a.m. worship. There is no 10:30 service. Enjoy some coffee and a treat and some conversation and then the groups will gather throughout the building for a time of planning and conversation Group lists will be posted, along with the meeting locations. The agenda includes planning for soup suppers, fellowship and service events, and serving coffee on Sunday mornings. See you on the 13th! Child care will be provided. Annual Meeting of the Congregation is Sunday, January 27 at 10:45 a.m. There is no 10:30 worship All voting members (confirmed members) are invited to attend this meeting to elect new council members, receive reports from various ministries and hear about the 2012year-end financial report. The 2012 Ottar Jorgensen Service Award recipients will also be announced. Annual Reports will be prepared and available on January 27. January worship schedule There is only ONE worship service at 9:00 a.m. throughout January. January 6 - Holy Communion at 9:00 a.m. No Sunday School classes resume January 13 January 13 - Worship at 9:00 a.m. Shepherding Group Sunday groups meet at 10:20. January 20 - Worship at 9:00 a.m. Join us for a special Grundtvig service! January 27 - Worship at 9:00 a.m. Annual Congregational Meeting at 10:45 a.m.
Council President s Report - Judy Hogan 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2: 9 11 Life was not easy for the Shepherds. Their lives required hard physical labor and primitive living conditions. They didn t get out much. When they did leave their pastures, they experienced a society marked by political unrest, violence and poverty. No wonder the Bible describes them as being terrified. And yet these simple shepherds were able to stand through their fear and hear the great news that God was sharing with them. Not only were they able to hear, they were also able to take action. That action placed them at the heart of a world changing event. We can learn a lot from these shepherds. We also live in troubling times. News of wars, shootings, financial crises and general uncertainty greet us each time we turn on our TVs or computers. One can easily become fearful. Many attribute the joy of the holiday season to lights, gifts, food and time spent with family and friends. Come January, when these things get put away, many experience a letdown. Yet the true joy of Christmas remains the story these Shepherds heard through their fears the story of God s gift. The gift first experienced as a great teacher and counselor and later as the very lamb whose sacrifice validates humanity through eternity. As we enter into this New Year, and face the challenges and uncertainty it may bring, let us remember the strength of these shepherds. Let us stay strong in faith and always remember the joy that comes when we open ourselves to God s love. And let us have the courage to share this joy with the world. Judy Hogan AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LEADERSHIP The Church Council Nominating Committee has begun the search process for new Council members to serve a 3 year term beginning in February, 2012. Are you willing to serve? If you are interested in being a part of St Peder s leadership team by serving on Council, please contact Judy Hogan, Council President or Pastor Julie. If someone from the Nominating Committee seeks you out and asks you to consider sharing your time and talents in this way, please give your response prayerful consideration. Are you willing to be a partner in leadership? Serving on Council gives you an opportunity to play a key role in shaping our congregation s mission in the next few years as we continue to make outreach, faith formation for all ages, and congregational participation priorities in our ministry. If you have questions about the responsibilities of Council members, please talk with Pastor Julie. SUNDAY MORNING ADULT STUDY Adult Faith Forum begins again on February 3 at 9:00 a.m. Bring a friend and join this time of Bible study and learning led by Pastor Sharon Kelly. The sessions meet in the Conference Room near the east door. Quilters Group: Currently Lutheran World Relief ships about 400,000 quilts to 25 countries countries each year. And they would ship more if they had them. Our quilting group has helped LWR serve millions of people around the world. Our quilting group is challenged to increase the amount of quilts we make, we can do that if you come and help us. Date: January 2 and 16 Time: 9:30 A.M. Place: Church Fellowship Hall IF YOU CAN TIE YOUR SHOES YOU CAN QUILT!!! Joan Gerth--612-722-6533
Looking for a little fun this winter? Come to the Bowling Party on January 13! The mission partners of Trinity Lutheran/Riverside (Mt. Olivet/Plymouth, Nokomis Heights, and St Peder s) will join together with Trinity folks for a BOWLING OVER SANDY fundraiser and bowling party. This year s funds raised will go toward ELCA Disaster Relief efforts from Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy. ALL are invited to attend - silly prizes will be given, even for gutter balls! The Party is Sunday, January 13, 4:30 6:30 p.m. at Memory Lanes on 26 th Ave South, north of Lake Street. Cost is approximately $7.50 for shoes and 2 games. Come and bowl with whomever you want purchasing food and drink is up to you. This is a great opportunity for fun and fellowship and to meet some of our mission partner friends! Questions? Talk with Pastor Julie Grundtvig Service, Jan. 20 @ 9:00am On January 20th at 9:00am we will have a service celebrating the hymns and teachings of N.F.S. Grundtvig. Grundtvig was a 19th Century Danish theologian who preached the rebirth of the state church. The founders of St. Peder s were followers of Grundtvig and we take this time to recognize and honor his contributions to our congregation. This service will be led by Birgitte Simpson and officiated by Dr. Mark Tranvik of the religion department at Augsburg College. Birgitte has spent the fall semester studying Grundtvig and this service will be the final project of her semester long study. Official Website Preview Party Though St. Peder s redesigned website has been up for a while, you are invited to take an official tour on Sunday, January 20 during coffee time. The technology committee will set up a projector and laptop and highlight some of the new features intended for visitors as well as St. Peder s members. In the meantime, if you haven t had an opportunity to visit the site - feel free to do so - www.stpeders.net Fight the winter chill and gather with friends for lunch! The January Grownups/Koinonia luncheon is on Friday, January 18th at noon. It s potluck so bring a favorite winter comfort-food to share as we gather for nourishment of body and soul! Pub Theology! Wednesday, January 16th! 7:40pm! Topic: So(ul) what? All those over 21 are invited to join us in for a relaxed happy hour type conversation around faith & God! Questions talk to Sarah Grans! Meeting at Flashbacks Lounge! 2520 LIBRARY MATTERS: COD and VIKINGS IN COD WE TRUST: LIVING THE NORWEGIAN DREAM by Eric Dregni. In this cross-country memoir, Dregni tells the hair-raising, hilarious and sometimes poignant stories of his family s long Norwegian experiment. This paperback is waiting on the shelf for any reader who has similar dreams. In his new book, VIKINGS IN THE ATTIC: IN SEARCH OF NORDIC AMERICA, Dregni tracks down and explores the significant and quite often bizarre historic sites, tales and traditions of Scandinavia s peculiar colony in the Midwest. It s new on the shelf. Check it out. Eric Dregni lives in Minneapolis and is an assistant professor of English and journalism at Concordia University in St. Paul. January is National Book Month, National Mentoring Month and National Poverty in America Awareness Month SEE YOU IN THE LIBRARY!
Reconciling in Christ Festival Worship The Reconciling in Christ Program of ReconcilingWorks Twin Cities welcomes all people to join in their eighth annual Metro Area Festival Worship on Saturday, January 26, 2013, 4:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church (463 Maria Avenue, Saint Paul). The service of Word and Sacrament celebrates the welcoming ministries of Metro area Lutheran churches. Rev. Anita Hill will preach. The RIC program rosters Lutheran congregations that welcome and affirm LGBT persons in their full sacred worth. Both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods are RIC Synods and together include dozens of RIC worship communities. A light supper will follow the service. All are welcome! Donate to Cheerful Givers Hello St.Peder s Community! Jessica Geroux, Juliette Girl Scout, is looking for donations to Cheerful Givers, a non-profit organization that gives lessfortunate parents an opportunity to give their children birthday gifts. Suggested donations can be toys, money, gift cards, etc. for 5-12 year olds. Starting on January 6 th there will be a container in the fellowship hall to drop off donations. We will have a "Birthday Bagging Blitz" on January 27th. This "Blitz" will be held at 10:30 taking place during the annual meeting. All youth are invited to help put the bags together! Snacks will be provided. If you have questions please contact Jessica Geroux. Gather Bible Study: We resume our Bible Study, Gathered by God, with session 5, Getting Away, found in your January/ February Gather Magazine. The theme verse for this lesson is, "The apostles gathered around Jesus and told him all that the had done and taught. He said to them, 'come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat". (Mark 6:30-31). Date: January 15, 2013 Time: 9:30 am Place: Church Library Women and Men are welcome. We have extra lesson books in the Church Library. Joan Gerth--612-722-6533 Destination: Puerto Rico Mission Trip 2013 On June, 7 high school youth, and 2 adults will be making the trip down to Arecibo, Puerto Rice for a week long Mission Trip organized through YouthWorks, a company right here in South Minneapolis. In the coming months you will hear from the youth who will be attending this trip, and have the opportunity to help support our Youth in praying for them, and supporting the trip financially. We will be kicking off our first big fundraiser on January 13th. 144 Envelopes Project, there will be a colorful box located in the Narthex with 144 envelopes in it. Each envelope will be labeled with a dollar amount. Please choose an envelope, place the corresponding amount of money in the envelope. Write your name and offering envelope number (if you know it) and place it in the office or the offering plate. If you have any questions, please talk to Sarah Grans Together in Mission The offerings of your financial resources allow us not only to support the mission of our congregation, but to share our resources with others in ministry so that all may know of Christ s love. TOGETHER we work on Christ s behalf in the world - none of us can do it alone! Thank you for your offerings through the eleventh month of 2012. A detailed financial summary report is available at the church office for anyone who d like to see it. Income Month of November $ 24,078.95 Budget for the month $ 25,451.00 Year to Date $ 222,665.33 Budget Year to Date $ 249,051.00 Expenses Month of November $ 25,157.86 Budget for the month $ 24,316.67 Year to Date $ 247,102.85 Budget Year to Date $ 262,094.35 Mission Support to Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh YTD $ 3,666.63 Minneapolis Area Synod YTD $ 22,916.68 Roof Loan Fund: Beginning Roof Loan $75,000.00 As of the first week of December the roof loan was paid off.
Faith Formation Newsletter! Sunday School Calendar! Please follow this calendar! January 6th - No Sunday School 13th - Magi (Shepherding Group Sunday) 20th - Attend Special Grundtvig Worship at 9am (No Sunday School classes) Middle School & High School Bible Study! Please follow this calendar! January 6th No Bible Study 13th & 27th Bible Study for Middle Schoolers & High Schoolers! Confirmation Winter Retreat! February 1-3, 2013! Bay Lake Camp! Cost $110.00 Scholarships available! This retreat is part of our confirmation program here at St. Peder s. All confirmation students are required to attend! Talk to Sarah with any questions! All permission slips and money are due to the church office by January 20th Save the Date! Elementary Overnight at Bay Lake Camp! All 3rd 6th grade youth are invited to come up for a special overnight camp experience created just for you! Details: Saturday March 2 - Sunday March 3! Cost: $50 per person, scholarship are available! Come and explore camp and have some fun with other friends! This is a great opportunity to introduce your youth to camp! Parents are invited as well! Confirmation Schedule 2013! We start back up on Wednesday Jan. 9th! 6:30-7:30pm! JANUARY 9 Jesus: Parables and I AM teachings 16 An Evening With Martin (Luther) 23 Jesus: Passion and Crucifixion Mission Trip 2013 Destination: Puerto Rico Team meeting! Youth only! Sunday January 27th! 6:00-8:00pm!
January 6 January 13 January 20 January 27 January Volunteer Schedule One Service at 9:00am Greeters: Sue & Al Nielsen Ushers: Lisa Jensen & Daniel Peterson Acolyte: Chris Parshall Reader: Martha Olsen Communion Assistants (Intinction): 9:00am Peter Juhl, Judy Hogan, volunteer needed Communion Set Up and Clean Up: Kristin Lerstrom Nursery: 9:00am Kristin Lerstrom Counters: Ken Kistler and Curt Peterson LSS Safe House Dinner for January 7: Mark and Jodi Jensen Social Hour hosted by Shepherding Group 9 One Service at 9:00am Shepherding Groups Meeting at 10:30am Greeters: Michelle & Paul Aitchison Ushers: 9:00am Jim Nelsen & Glen Olsen Acolyte: Charlie Anderson Reader: Bruce Simpson Nursery: 9:00am Nicky Taylor Counters: Volunteers being arranged LSS Safe House Dinner for January 14: Hung and Shelly Brown Ton and Joan Gerth Social Hour hosted by the Christian Life Committee One service at 9:00am Special Grundtvig Service at 9:00am Greeters: Peter & Kathryn Gantriis Ushers: 9:00am Tim Anderson & Joe Munnich Acolytes: Isabelle Geroux Reader: 9:00am Karen Droegemueller Nursery: 9:00am Michelle Brown Ton Counters: Volunteers being arranged LSS Safe House Dinner for January 21: Dale and Jackie West and Jim and Heidi Nelson Social Hour hosted by Shepherding Group 10 Annual Meeting at 10:45am / One Service at 9:00am Greeters: Rey & Connie Mueller Ushers: Mark Jenson and Butch Vossen Acolyte: Alaiyah Nelsen-Tobechulwu Reader: Allison O Day Nursery: 9:00am Scott Wilson Counters: Volunteers being arranged. LSS Safe House Dinner for January 28: Allison and Michael O Day, Jill and Kerry Audette Social Hour hosted by Shepherding Group 11 Thank you for volunteering your time and talent at St. Peder s. Please try to arrange your own trades. If you are pressed for time or have questions or concerns, contact the church office at 612-722-8000 or kristin@stpeders.net. Sunday School January Birthdays Alaiyah Nelsen - Tobechukwu 1/18
The Messenger St. Peder s Evangelical Lutheran Church 4600 East 42nd Street Minneapolis, MN 55406 Annual Meeting of the Congregation Sunday, January 27 at 10:30 a.m. All voting members are invited to attend. Grown Ups and Koinonia - Mark your calendars for the January 18th Potluck Luncheon at noon. Details Inside. Staff of St. Peder s Evangelical Lutheran Church Rev. Julie Ebbesen - Pastor Sarah Grans - Director of Outreach & Faith Formation Kristin Lerstrom - Office Coordinator Nancy Hegdahl - Accounts Manager Matthew Olson - Choral Music Director Rita Juhl - Organist Jim Austin - Caretaker John Geroux III Sound Engineer (volunteer) Inside the January Issue... Shepherding Group Sunday, Jan. 13 Annual Meeting January Worship Schedule President s Report Opportunity for leadership Adult Faith Formation Bowling Over Sandy GrownUps & Koinonia Luncheon Pub Theology Library Matters RIC Festival Worship Donate to Cheerful Givers Mission Trip Fundraiser Gather Bible Study Quilters Together in Mission Faith Formation Newsletter January Calendar January Volunteer Schedule Shepherding Group Sunday Sunday, January 13 9:00 am Worship 10:00 Social time 10:20 am Gathering