First United Lutheran Church August, 2011 Volume 1, Issue 1 Who We Are First United Lutheran Church was founded on September 9, 2010 by a group of individuals who believe that the Word of God as written in the Bible is the true Word of God and cannot be changed. Coming from many different backgrounds and church denominations, we share the united conviction that God's Word is the same yesterday, today and forever. We came together by choice and formed this united congregation to worship God and to reach out to others to share His grace and love. Watch for our new Founders Poster Coming soon! First United Lutheran Church 101 Third Avenue SW Roseau, MN 56751 Office Phone (218) 463-1392 Parsonage Phone (218) 452-2108 Office E-mail info@firstunitedroseau.org Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) is an association of congregations and individuals who are: free in Christ; accountable to one another; rooted in the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; working together to fulfill Christ s Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations. Visit the LCMC website at www.lcmc.net for more information about the LCMC, mission projects, other LCMC congregations and upcoming events, including the 11 th Annual LCMC Gathering in Des Moines, Iowa on October 2-5, 2011. First United and Messiah Lutheran Praise Bands will be performing at the City Gazebo in Roseau Thursday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs, Bring a picnic supper, And plan to enjoy an evening of great music! Pastor s E-mail pastordoninroseau@yahoo.com Emergency Contact Pastor Don s Cell Phone (715) 928-0636 Worship Opportunities Sundays 8:30 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 9:00 a.m. Worship Wednesdays 7:00 p.m. Friends & Neighbors Worship with coffee & fellowship after the service See the church calendar pages for more activities and opportunities to worship. We re on the Web! Visit us at: www.firstunitedroseau.org Page 1
First United Mission & Outreach News The purpose of the Mission & Outreach committee is to inspire the evangelism of First United Lutheran Church supporting the mission and community outreach and providing leadership to the members and volunteers involved in this ministry. Team members are: Doreen Jensen, Dorothy Monsrud, Teresa Fevold, Esther Welin, Shirley Mitterling, Connie Berg and Collin Jensen. Mission Trip to Ukraine Shirley Mitterling has returned from her mission work in the Ukraine. Please join us for services on September 25 th when Shirley will address the congregation with a recap of her mission trip. Team Haiti Dorothy Monsrud and Chuck Eaton are answering a call for a mission in Haiti with the Ruuska Village Orphanage in Port Au Prince, Haiti. They will be in Haiti December 27 th to January 5 th. Mission & Outreach is excited for the opportunity to support Dorothy & Chuck in this mission through prayer and financially with a $500 donation to each. They will be bringing much needed supplies, such as cloth diapers and clothing. While in Haiti they will be working to build homes and help with continued repairs in the orphanage. Please keep Dorothy & Chuck in your prayers as they prepare for this mission. If you would like to contribute financially to this mission please contact Dorothy at 463-2697 or Chuck at 684-4728. Upon their return we look forward to a recap of their mission trip. Worship Services on DVD First United currently delivers DVD s of our Sunday Services to: Roseau County Detention Center Oak Crest Life Care Manor Sunburst Apartments New Horizons For those who are interested in helping with this outreach ministry, we have a sign-up sheet in the narthex for delivery volunteers. DVDs can also be made upon request. If you know of anyone who would like a DVD of our Sunday services please contact a member of the M&O Ministry Team. FULC is accepting donated items for the Roseau County Detention Center. Items will not be returned and are subject to screening from Detention Center staff. Suggested items are DVDs, CDs, Christian books (fiction or nonfiction), magazines, etc. Items cannot contain violence, vulgar language or other inappropriate material. Place your donations in the box in the fellowship hall. Questions? Contact Esther Welin (463-1274) or Teresa Fevold (463-3402). Agape France Amy Broten, daughter of Aaron and Mary Broten, is answering a call for a year-long mission to France. She is working through Agape France, the French ministry of Campus Crusaders for Christ. With a protestant population of LESS than 1%, France is considered a post-christian country where the Gospel is considered irrelevant to life and happiness. We are very pleased to be able to support Amy in this mission through prayer and also with a $200 donation. Amy will send ministry updates to all who are interested in learning more of her mission. If you would like to make a donation to Amy and/or receive her updates, contact her at amy.broten@uscm.org. Her July newsletter is posted on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall. Adopt-a-Highway Ditch Cleaning/Picnic First United s fall ditch cleaning and picnic is scheduled for Sunday, September 18 th, immediately after the worship service. You do NOT have to clean ditches in order to attend the family picnic and games at the Chuck Eaton s home following ditch cleaning. Ditch cleaners should either bring a change of clothes to church, or come to church already dressed for cleaning! After the worship service, we ll meet in the fellowship hall to watch the safety DVD, get safety vests and have a snack. Then we ll carpool out to the respective sites and clean the ditches. All ages are welcome, but kids under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring a lawn chair for the picnic, but everything else will be provided by M&O and Adult Ed: grilled hotdogs/brats, baked beans, chips and potato salad. WANTED Church Office Secretary This is a paid position Please inquire at the church office More Praise Band Members! We d love to have you join us Call Connie Berg at 463-2673 or email her at ncberg@mncable.net And More CHOIR Members! Call Phil Sallberg at 463-3090 or email him at psallberg@hotmail.com Page 2
A Page From Pastor Don s Journal In Journaling 101 you and I talked about the S.O.A.P. method of reading and journaling for personal enrichment. I ve found this method to be invaluable as I do my reading and journaling. If you haven t given it a try yet, I highly recommend it. The idea is "Hungry? Feed yourself!" (Get into the Scriptures!) Choose Your Battles Wisely (August 5, 2011) Scripture: 2 Chronicles 35:20-24 Josiah Dies in Battle 20 After Josiah had finished restoring the Temple, King Neco of Egypt led his army up from Egypt to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah and his army marched out to fight him. 21 But King Neco sent messengers to Josiah with this message: What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you. 22 But Josiah refused to listen to Neco, to whom God had indeed spoken, and he would not turn back. Instead, he disguised himself and led his army into battle on the plain of Megiddo. 23 But the enemy archers hit King Josiah with their arrows and wounded him. He cried out to his men, Take me from the battle, for I am badly wounded! 24 So they lifted Josiah out of his chariot and placed him in another chariot. Then they brought him back to Jerusalem, where he died. Observation: God speaks through others. Josiah didn t heed the warning of King Neco and died in battle needlessly. Sadly, Josiah s sons were not as faithful as he was and the kingdom declined after his death as a consequence to wicked leadership. Listening to the counsel of others and inquiring of God could have preserved Josiah and those who were influenced by his leadership. It s notable to remember how often King David asked God for counsel before choosing to go into battle. Application: I should pay attention to Josiah s carelessness and realize that I can easily become a casualty of my own stubbornness. There should always be time to choose my battles wisely and ask God for direction before jumping into potentially volatile situations. I may not be risking life and limb but I could experience unnecessary setbacks in life. Prayer: God, I believe that I pose the greatest danger to myself when I think that I know what I m doing, and consequently, I fail to seek your wisdom. Help me to slow down, listen to others, and ask you to help me in sorting out the best path. I cannot choose my battles wisely unless your counsel informs my choices. Amen. Page 3
July 2011 Council Minutes The Congregational Council of First United Lutheran Church met on Monday, July 11, 2011 at 5:30 pm at the church. Members present: Rich Fredrickson, Phil Sallberg, Chuck Eaton, Collin Jensen, Jane Evans, Dean Hedlund, Randy Erdmann, Connie Johnson and Sue Hagen. Also present were Pastor Don and Karrie Rugland. Dean called the meeting to order and Collin opened with prayer. No minutes from June were available. The Treasurer s report was approved as presented. The year-to-date balance for the Raise the Roof fund is $10,445 and the current balance in our church account is $54,305.17. Youth: Karrie and the Youth Committee, along with the Worship Committee, met and discussed ideas for a Wednesday Night Sunday School. The Deacons will meet to discuss this and will get back to the board and the committees. Pastor: The Ad Hoc team has been meeting to launch church for those who don t do church. Bonnie is keeping the visitation records for Pastor Don. She is also doing the scheduling. Bonnie has also been doing some calls to the nursing home. Tuesday morning JAG has been going well and Bonnie is starting a Tuesday Women s JAG group. Worship/Music: There was brief discussion of Wednesday services and of second services on Sunday. The Deacons will include this information in their meeting. Mission/Outreach: Phil made a motion that anything over $500 needs to be brought to the council. Chuck seconded. Motion passed. Amy Broten will make a presentation on July 24 during the worship service. She is going to be a missionary in France. Old Business: Barry Johnson has agreed to be the Sexton at Spruce Cemetery. LeRoy Falk will help him with the transition process. Funds are dwindling for maintenance. Collin has talked with Spruce Township and Dennis Smedsmo has indicated that the township is not opposed to taking over the cemetery. Property Committee is meeting this week and will continue discussion on handicap accessibility, air conditioning and the fence. Newsletter: Jerolyn is working on it. August 1 is the anticipated start date. The council minutes, a pastor s page, financial summary, and calendar are to be included. The newsletter can be emailed, attached to the web page and a few copies printed to be available to all. Secretary and Janitor positions: Phil made a motion that Sandi Beito be hired as the janitor as per the job description. Jane seconded, motion passed. No one applied for the secretarial job. Sue will continue volunteering her time until someone is hired. The position is to be advertised in the paper and at job service. The trustees will meet to discuss the 6-month performance review for Pastor Don. The next council meeting will be August 1, 2011 at 5:30 pm at the church. Dean closed the meeting with prayer. Respectfully submitted, Connie Johnson, Acting Secretary July 2011 Financial Report INCOME July Year to date Donations $10,622.10 $90,504.33 Interest $8.38 $52.52 Transfers in $0.00 $6,372.47 EXPENSES Total $10,630.48 $96,929.32 Pastor Pay/FICO/Auto $3,719.08 $30,754.94 Medical/Pension $1,045.23 $5,887.13 Pastor continued Ed $0.00 $0.00 Secretary & Janitor $232.00 $580.00 Church utilities/internet $297.50 $5,260.47 Repair & maint $403.43 $18,121.73 Parsonage utilities/cell $306.59 $1,291.69 Property supplies $66.70 $403.62 Work comp & insurance $0.00 $2,420.00 Education $0.00 $456.46 Office supplies/copier $334.65 $1,803.33 LCMC conference $0.00 $0.00 Accounting fees $0.00 $0.00 Misc $78.29 $6,500.68 Worship & music $88.00 $696.51 Youth $0.00 $124.54 Mission/Outreach/LCMC $653.78 $2,421.85 Total expenses $7,225.25 $76,722.95 Net change $3,405.23 $20,206.37 Note: repair & maintenance includes roof project less special donations Checkbook balance 7/31/11 $57,644.14 Savings balance 7/31/11 (of memorials, special funds) $14,446.33 Page 4
August 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 5:30 PM Church Council Meeting 2 6:30 PM Mission & Outreach Cmte Mtg 3 7:00 Worship - Kingdom of God (Pt 1) 8:00 Worship Cmte Mtg 4 5 6 7 Worship with Holy 8 9 JAG at Nelson s Café JAG at 3 on Main 10 5:45 Peder Eide Concert, Galilee Bible Camp Practice 6:00 Property Board Mtg 7:00 Contemporary Worship w/holy - Kingdom of God (Pt 2) 7:45 Coffee & Fellowship 8:00 Worship Team #4 11 6:30 PM First United and Messiah Praise Bands @ City Gazebo 12 13 14 Contemporary Worship 15 6:30 W.O.W. Women of the Word *Note Change* 16 JAG at Nelson s Café JAG at 3 on Main 17 7:00 Worship - Kingdom of God (Pt 3) 18 19 20 21 Worship w/holy 22 23 JAG at Nelson s Café JAG at 3 on Main 24 6:00 Potluck at Rose's w/7:00 Worship 25 26 27 28 Worship Service 29 30 JAG at Nelson s Café JAG at 3 on Main 31 7:00 Worship w/holy - The Wisdom of Being Teachable and Youth Praise Band Page 5
September 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Every Tuesday Pastor Don s JAG at Nelson s Café Bonnie s JAG at 3 on Main 1 2 3 4 Worship w/holy 5 Labor Day 6 5:30 Council with Worship Cmte 6:30 Council Mtg 6:30 Worship Cmte 6:30 Mission/Outreach 7 7:00 Worship 8 9 10 11 Sunday School Coffee/ Fellowship 10:15 AM Contemporary Worship 12 6:30 W.O.W. Women of the Word 13 JAG at Nelson s Café JAG at 3 on Main 14 6:00 Property Board 7:00 Worship w/holy 8:00 Worship Team #5 15 16 17 18 Sunday School 10:15 AM Worship w/holy 11:30 AM Ditch Cleaning & Picnic @ Eatons 19 20 JAG at Nelson s Café JAG at 3 on Main 21 7:00 Worship 22 23 24 25 Sunday School 10:15 AM Worship w/ukraine Mission Recap 26 27 JAG at Nelson s Café JAG at 3 on Main 28 7:00 Worship 29 30 First United Lutheran Church is a Sanctuary grounded in the Biblical Truth of God's Word, committed to inspiring Spiritual Growth, and reaching out to all to Proclaim Salvation through Jesus Christ. Page 6
WOW Women of the Word Note the date change for August! Our next meeting and Bible Study is Monday August 15 th 6:30 pm. W.O.W usually meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. We start with a short business meeting and then we have our Bible Study, along with lots of fun and great conversation - please join us. Everyone is welcome, you can join the Bible study at any time and you will not be behind! Our current Bible Study is This isn't the life I signed up for! by Donna Partow At our August meeting we ll be working on Chapter 6: I signed up for Happiness Journaling Accountability Groups (JAG's) Tuesdays at 5:50 a.m. at Nelson's Café (Led by Pastor Don Guttormson) Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. at 3 on Main (Led by Bonnie Guttormson) C.H.A.O.S. Youth Group (Children Hyped About Our Savior) First United s Youth Group activities are for Grades 4-12 (younger children are welcome with a parent) Contact Karrie Rugland at 463-3775 or karugland@centurytel.net TGIJam is for Grades 7-12 (Meets 5 times through the school year) Sign Up for Sunday School! Sunday School starts September 11 th at 9:00 a.m. Ages 3 and up are welcome! PARENTS: If your child DID NOT attend FULC Sunday School last year, but would like to attend this year, please sign up now to make sure we order enough materials. If your child DID attend last year, we already have you on the roster for this year! Contact Karrie Rugland TODAY at 463-3775 or at karugland@centurytel.net Page 7
RECALL NOTICE The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed. Some of the symptoms include: 1. Loss of direction 2. Foul vocal emissions 3. Amnesia of origin 4. Lack of peace and joy 5. Selfish or violent behavior 6. Depression or confusion in the mental component 7. Fearfulness 8. Idolatry 9. Rebellion The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect. The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with: 1. Love 2. Joy 3. Peace 4. Patience 5. Kindness 6. Goodness 7. Faithfulness 8. Gentleness 9. Self control Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes. WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus. DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention! - GOD P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'! 101 Third Ave SW Roseau, MN 56751 Page 8