FIRST ENGLISH AND BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCHES 17 MAIN ST. NW PO BOX 189 MENAHGA, MN 56464 PHONE: 218-564-4610 FAX: 218-564-5885 PARSONAGE: 218-564-4949 E-MAIL: FEBETH@WCTA.NET PASTOR S E-MAIL: PADREBRUER@WCTA.NET July 28, 2010 FIRST ENLGISH LUTHERAN BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH CHURCH STAFF PASTOR STEVE BRUER PARISH SECRETARY LISA DORMANEN CUSTODIAN CLAYTON ELLINGSON FIRST ENGLISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROGER HOLLERUD BETHANY COUNCIL PRESIDENT DAVE MICKELSON FIRST ENGLISH ORGANIST ELIZABETH SHAW BETHANY ORGANIST SHIRLEY ANDERSON SANDI MICKELSON Weekly Worship Schedule Weekly At First English Worship Lutheran Schedule At Worship: First English 8:30 Lutheran a.m. Coffee Worship: Fellowship 8:30 a.m. Adult Bible Coffee Study Fellowship and Sunday Adult Bible Study and Sunday School 9:45 a.m. School 9:45 a.m. Weekly Weekly Worship Schedule At At Bethany Bethany Lutheran Lutheran Worship 10:30 10:30 a.m. a.m. Sunday Sunday School School 9:30 9:30 a.m. a.m. 2nd 1st & and 3rd 4th Sundays Sundays Visit Our Website at: www.firstenglishbethany.homestead.com Mission Statement First English and Bethany churches are a caring, inclusive Christian Community dedicated to Word and Sacrament ministry; Growing in Christ; Sharing the faith; Serving our neighbors; and Supporting each other.
Page 2 Pastor s Perspective... THE ONLY ANSWER: GOD IS IN CONTROL In any difficult situation, whether it is facing joining a different denomination other than the one we are used to or some other uncertainty, the first thing we want to remember is this: God is in control, and there is nothing we will face that is beyond His sovereign ability. The second thing we must consider when facing difficulty is that God has a plan in mind. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God knows the plans He has for our lives. These plans are for our well-being and not for our harm. Any trial, tragedy, or hardship that comes our way must first be a part of God s permissive will for our lives. The apostle Paul writes: We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God... (Romans 8:28). In his let ter to the believers forced to live outside of Jerusalem, Peter writes these words of assurance: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise.... (2 Peter 3:9). Even though the trials seemed great, God had not forgotten these Jewish believers. Just as He has not forgotten us. When difficulty comes: Recall with assurance the fact that God is con tinually involved in your life. He loves you and has promised that He will not abandon you. (Psalm 94:14) Understand with assurance that He will take every circumstance and bring good out of it. Rest in the fact that nothing can touch the life of a believer apart from the permissive will of God. Discover the confidence you have for the future by viewing your life and all that concerns it as being held within the mighty hand of God. Worry and fear end at this point. Then, when we embrace the sovereignty of God, we find that we can face the future confidently and without caving in to the empty threats of anxiety. Finally, be wise in your approach to the issues we are facing in the church and in our community, state, country, and world. In prayer, ask God to give you His wisdom in handling these issues and the other issues of life. If preparation is needed, the Lord will provide the knowledge and wisdom you need. God is totally in control of humanity, their computer systems, and how each of these affects our lives. Focusing on God s sovereignty pro vides an awesome sense of strength, power, hope, and assurance. If you will practice these principles, God will prepare you to deal with not only the issues we currently face in the church and world, but also the next century with a sense of absolute hope and assurance. Remember, the God who created you and set this universe into motion is the same God who holds your life securely within His loving hands. Come and regularly worship our Sovereign God each week. See you in church!!! Pastor Steve
Page 3 Parish Report SUNDAY OFFERINGS FIRST ENGLISH Attendance 6/27 78 General $1371.00 Loose $ 27.50 Building $ 393.00 Food Shelf $ 50.00 VBS $ 200.00 $2041.50 7/4 65 General $1132.00 Building $ 258.00 Loose $ 66.00 $1456.00 7/10 Midsummer General $ 306.00 Building $ 105.00 Food Shelf $ 50.00 World Hunger $ 5.00 $466.00 7/18 100 General $ 2515.00 Building $ 305.00 Loose $ 22.00 World FIRST Hunger ENGLISH $ 15.00 Food 4/1 Shelf VBS attendance $ 5.00 $ 65 228.00 Offering $ 123.00 $3090.00 7/25 4/5 100 62 General General 1485.00 $ 949.00 Loose Building 425.00 $ 53.00 Building Act for Messiah 100.00 $ 355.00 Food Food Shelf Shelf 100.00 $ 50.00 VBS $2110.00 $ 10.00 4/9 $1417.00 46 Offering $ 107.00 4/10 92 WORLD HUNGER ENVELOPES World Hunger Envelopes can be found on the round table in the fellowship area. Pick them up from there to make your contribution to World Hunger. BETHANY 6/20 29 General $ 382.72 World Hunger $ 10.00 6/27 30 Offering $ 325.00 7/4 10 Offering $ 195.00 Memorials $ 190.00 7/10 Midsummer Offering $109.00 7/18 43 General $1639.00 Bulletins $ 20.00 Building Use $ 50.00 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our Christian Sympathies go out to the family of Elaine Makela who went home to be with the Lord on July 19th. Our sympathies also to the familes of Douglas Lustila and Glenda Beaver May you be strengthened in the days, weeks and months ahead in the hope of the resurrection to come. ************** Guest Speaker on Sunday, August 15th. Pastor Mark Birckzin from Christ Community Church of Pelican Rapids, MN
Page 4 Parish Report continued: Thank you to everyone who has helped volunteer and had the opportunity to experience Ruby s Pantry. Our next distribution is Saturday, August 7th, 2010 at the Assumption of Our Lady Catholic Church. If you are interested in volunteering please be at the church around 8:00 am. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Lynn Litzau, Social Ministry Committee. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Synod Consultation Sunday, August 29th 4:00 pm at First English. Bethany and First English will have the consultation time prescribed in our constitution. Bishop Larry Wohlrabe, Conference Dean Melissa Ehrardt of Clarissa and Possibly a Synod Council Person will be here. This is a time to for questions and comments. This is open to all members of Bethany and First English. A Special Thanks The Women of First English Board want to thank each o you who helped with the Scandinavian Feast. Every youth, man and women who participated made the dinner a success. We could not have done it without you. A Sincere Thanks, The Women of First English Board ***** ***************************** Thanks, Roger Henstorf, for a marvelous job on our new bench in the entryway. It looks Great! Bethany Church Auction Sale First English Lutheran Church Sunday, August 22, 2010 ***** Saturday, June 6th 1:oo pm Thank you to Ray and Ron Holzworth for Let Dennis and Rosie Anderson know what items 9 11 cleaning am our kitchen stove. It really needed it! you will be donating! Free will offering ***** All proceeds received go to the ******************************* I want to thank everyone for their prayers, food, cards, Campership flowers Program. and visits following my hip Thank you for the Memorials in This program Memory helps of Emogene families Etter supplement surgery. to the cost Your of thoughtfulness sending their was children very much to appreciated. Dennis & Rosie Anderson, Camp Dean - Emmaus & Bible Camp. God s Blessings, Diane Mickelson, Jeannette Jan Mickelson Mickelson, LYO Silent Rosella Auction Mickelson, in Carol conjunction with pancake breakfast. Mortenson, Roger Silent & Marilyn Auction Olson, Charles proceeds supplement & Karen costs associated ***** with the Sagedahl, Lorraine Madsen, and National Larry & Eileen A special thank you to our quilters Phyllis Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Pederson Leritz, Lucille Erickson, Arlene Anttila and Joan Torma for cutting the fleece for our VBS project and for coming on such short notice. You are appreciate! First English has a beautiful and workable kitchen. In order to keep it that way, we have a kitchen committee. They guide all of us who volunteer in the kitchen. Our committee: Diane Pederson, Phyllis Leritz and Lucille Erickson. Carol Olson will serve as consultant/advisor. Thanks to each of you. You are appreciated!
Page 5 FIRST ENGLISH USHERS 8/1 Tim Kohrs and Tre Wolfe 8/8 Tim Pederson and Ralph Cox BETHANY USHERS Mark Ristinen and Joe Vry BETHANY READERS 8/1 Jeanette Mickelson 8/8 Lois Peterson 8/15 Dave Mickelson 8/22 Carol Ristinen 8/29 Jamie Etzler BETHANY COMMUNION 8/1 Eleanor Huwe 8/15 Dean Mickelson... even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve. Matthew 20:28 We serve because Christ served. FIRST ENGLISH COMMUNION 8/1 Server: Kim Baarstad Setup/Clean up: Arlette Markkula and Jan Pederson Helper: Jacob Clements 8/15 Server: Joyce Holzworth Setup/Cleanup: Arlette Markkula and Alice Peterson Helper: Hailey Usher 8/15 Ellis and Sheila Bower 8/22 Dick and Norma Dissmore 8/29 Paul and Marlene Schiotz FIRST ENGLISH GREETERS 8/1 Millie Hendrickson and Arlene Anttila 8/8 Larry and Marlene Salo 8/15 Paul and Marlene Schiotz 8/22 Ray and Joyce Hozworth 8/29 Jay and Kim Baarstad FIRST ENGLISH READERS 8/1 Tim Kohrs 8/8 Tammy Yrjo 8/15 Paul Schiotz 8/22 Phyllis Leritz 8/29 Mark Hepokoski ACOLYTES Taylor Carlson and Jessica Yrjo COUNTERS AT FIRST ENGLISH 8/1 Marlene Marie 8/8 Russell Mike 8/15 Marie S. Clayton 8/22 Kyle Karen 8/29 Marlene Marie
Page 6 WOMEN OF FIRST ENGLISH AND BETHANY Women of First English Executive Board Meeting Next meeting August 19 4:00 p.m. Worship Service At GPA 2:00 pm Tuesday, August 3rd CIRCLE SCHEDULE Anna Circle Meets: Monday, August 2nd Esther and Sarah Circles 10:00 am Meets: Thursday, August 12th WSM 1:30 pm Hostess: Inez Eklund Rebecca Circle Meets: Tuesday, August 3rd 6:30 pm At Lorraine Madsen s ESTHER Meets: Thurs. 6/11 Meets: Thurs. 6/11 1:30 pm 1:30 pm Hostess: Hostess: Eleanor Eleanor Huwe Huwe Lesson: Lesson: Eleanor Huwe Eleanor Huwe Parish Partner Group Parish Partner group # 3 is responsible for greeters and servers for coffee during the month of August. Corrine Neisess and Norma Dissmore are the leaders. ************** Parish Partner Group # 2 is in need of volunteers to lead this group. Please contact the church office and let us know that you are willing to serve in this way. ALTAR Altar GUILD Guild MEMBERS FOR AUGUST AT FIRST ENGLISH Joyce Holzworth, Kim Baarstad, Arlette Markkula, Alice Peterson, Jan Pederson and Brenda Kohrs FOR AUGUST AT BETHANY Ron Munger
Page 7 FIRST ENGLISH WOMEN S EXECUTIVE BOARD First English Women s Executive Board met at the church on Thursday, July 15th at 4:00 pm. The meeting opened with devotions by Marlene. Secretary s report read and approved. Treasurer s report read and approved. OLD BUSINESS: Midsummer Picnic discussion changes Jello salad sweet pickles vegetable instead of spaghetti hotdish. NEW BUSINESS: Electric outlets cooking roasters for dinners. Penney Pots in Sept. Confirmation reception for 4 students on Sept. 12th Potluck supper in Sept. at Park. Kitchen cleaning and flowers for August will be Anna Circle. Rebecca Circle has birthday party at nursing home in August. Discussed a donation for speaker Molly Sanborn to speak to youth and public on sexual behavior and abstinence and teenage pregnancy. We will donate $250. Motion made and seconded. Next meeting Aug. 19th at 4:00 pm Meeting ended with Lord s Prayer West Central Telephone is inviting you to a Social Hour education on Solar Energy and why it is so important for our future to look at different renewable energy sources. Tuesday, August 17 th 2010 starting at 7:00 at the First English Church in Menahga. Lots of fun and very educational!
Page 8 Game Dates: Saturday, August 28th Vs Seattle Seahawks @ 7pm (Deadline to order id Friday, Aug. 13th) Thursday, Sept. 2nd Vs Denver Broncos @ 7pm (Deadline to order is Friday, Aug. 20th) MINNESOTA VIKINGS FOOTBALL 2010 FAITH & FAMILY NIGHTS Northwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA The Minnesota Vikings would like to show their appreciation and support with a special ticket offer! Details: Tickets will be discounted to $20, normally $50 $ 83 (save up to $63), are located in the upper level of Mall of America Field $10 of each ticket sold will benefit the Northern MN Synod ELCA Orders will be filled on a first come first serve basis with the best available tickets at the time the order is received. (Quantities are limited! Offer valid while supplies last! Return order form via mail or fax (612-333-0458) only. Your ticket will then be mailed to you. For questions contact Keenan Blalark at (952)918-8440 or Blalarkk@Vikings.nfl.net. Order forms available at both churches! Susan Gullekson Kayla Crane Rosemarie Senger Linda Ely Elmer Koski Johanna Oldenburger Tammy Basswood Arlene Anttila LaVelle Conger Stuart Fankhanel Marilyn Olson Ed Hilden Mary Ann Lusti Elaine Hollerud Shirley Torvinen Louise Jannusch Jan Mickelson All our Military George Peterson Ernie Trimble The future of our churches Family of Douglas Lustila Family of Elaine Makela Family of Glenda Beaver Wadena and surrounding areas ravaged by recent tornadoes Please let us know when you have a prayer request. You can call Pastor Steve or the Church Office, 564-4610 or 564-4949. Requests will be listed for 4 weeks. Please let us know if you would like your requests listed longer.
Page 9 First English Lutheran Church Council First English Lutheran Church Council Meeting July 13, 2010-7:00 p.m. Members Present: Lynn L., Roger H., Mike S., Pastor Steve, Marie H., Russell O., Dick D., Kevin K., Mike M. Members Absent: Marie S., Megan M. Meeting called to order by Pres. Roger H. at 7:00 pm. Pastor Steve led devotions Remember your on the winning side Sec. report of June 8 th was read. Motion to accept made by Dick D. and seconded by Mike S. Motion passed. Sec. report of June 15 th was read. Motion to accept made by Russell O. and seconded by Mike M. Motion passed. Treas. Report Roger H. reported our receipts are down and our building loan is now a little under $100,000. Motion to accept Treas. Report by Russell O. and a second by Lynn L. Motion passed. Committee Reports: Finance No further report Worship No report as they haven t met, but will search for a bell and choir director. Social Ministry No report Building/Grounds Russell cleaned the kitchen stove burners and will look into the electrical problems. Education Carolyn Pulju is planning VBS for the end of July. They will be meeting the latter part of July to organize Sunday School. Lynn s looking for a used popcorn machine to use as a fundraiser at events such as Midsummer. Evangelism No report, but will continue with what they are doing. Stewardship Mike reported an automatic withdraw giving and a discussion followed. The fundraiser cards are in and if we sell all of them, we will raise $2500. Discussion on where the monies should be directed, and the concession was to be divided to missions. A motion to divide the monies to missions was made by Dick D. and a second by Kevin K. Motion passed. Memorial The hearing devices have been purchase and installed by Travis. The committee will meet as needed. Pastor Pastor was not aware of anyone asking questions after church services concerning our congregational vote. Pastor feels we will have a stronger church after our vote, if we trust God. Calls for the second half of June: 13 visits, 7 phone, 1 funeral and preparation, funeral visit, ministerial, pre-marriage, wedding and wedding rehearsal. OLD BUSINESS: Council approved the ballot for July 18 and decided to have members vote in alphabetical lines. Updating the membership was tables for next month. Travis has worked on setting up the new microphones and also the new hearing devices. We have 5 ear plugs and it was recommended that the ushers be responsible for cleaning them and lock them in the cabinet after use. Antiseptic wipes will be available. NEW BUSINESS: Updating committee responsibilities tabled for next month. Motion to adjourn made by Lynn L. and seconded by Dick D. Closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully Submitted, Marie Hensorf
Page 10 First English Lutheran Church Special Congregational Meeting July 18, 2010 Meeting called to order by Pres. Roger H. at 9:30 am. Pres. Roger announced that this meeting has been duly called by your church council. Proper notification has been posted along with a mailing to members notifying them of the purpose of this meeting. A quorum of 10% of the voting members (38) was determined. The purpose of this meeting is to have the congregation of First English Lutheran Church take a vote on the resolution passed by the church council. The resolution is as follows: Be it resolved that the First English Lutheran Church of Menahga, MN disaffiliate from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and First English s governing documents be amended to reflect this action. This resolution must be approved by a super majority of the voting members present, or 66%. Absentee of blank votes are not counted. Voting proceeded with a final tally as follows: Yes 62 No 13 The percentage of yes votes is 82 %. The resolution passed. After the last member voted, Pres. Roger H. declared the meeting adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Marie Henstorf FREE KID FRIENDLY SNACK BAGS Will be given away at Menahga National Night Out August 3, 2010 And Menahga Elementary Open House September 2, 2010 Provided in cooperation with a grant from Hunger Solutions of Minnesota, Minnesota Energy Resources, Kids Against Hunger of Park Rapids, University of Minnesota Extension Office, volunteers from the Menahga Food Shelf and PLUNGE Ministries of United Methodist Church of Menahga/Sebeka. First English Lutheran Church Council CELEBRATE Jesus Christ the Same Yesterday, Today & Forever Tenth Annual Gathering Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ October 3 - October 6, 2010 Calvary Lutheran Church 7520 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427 More information in upcoming issues of the.
Page 11 Bethany Lutheran Council Meeting July, 14, 2010 Present: Jamie Etzler, Dave Mickelson, Dean Mickelson, Les Ristinen, Evelyn Meech, Eleanor Huwe, Pastor Steve Bruer Dave called the meeting to order. Pastor led devotions based on 1 John 5:4. The future id victor with God on our side. Let s press forward in the worst of times, and not be defeated. Secretary s Report: Accepted by motion form Les, seconded by Dean. Treasurer s Report: Evelyn Receipts are down, with not enough money in the general fund to pay most of the June/July bills. Motion was made by Eleanor to borrow $24.00 for the Mission Investment Fund to cover current expenses. Les seconded. Carried. Social Ministry: Eleanor No report. Stewardship: Les We need to give regularly regardless if we miss church service. Education: Lianna Jamie may need Lianna to replace her in Sunday school after Christmas. Worship: Heidi Hymns have been chosen for the rest of the year. Evangelism: Dean No report. Building and Grounds: Kelly (Jamie subbing). Dean has called the company for a date on painting the siding, but they aren t able to give him a time as of now. The parsonage needs a replacement exterior walk-in garage door, jamb. Will look for a used one. Discussed work which needs to be done on west side of church. Some graves need fill. Less offered to take care of it. Thrivent: Jamie (congregation advocate for Thrivent). Members will be allocated certain funds, and can vote where the money goes. General Fund will be urged. Motion in this respect made by Dean. Seconded by Les. Carried. Jamie will apply for VBS grant. We will have a special offering fund raiser. Pastor Steve: Things look bleak right now because of the turmoil, but when things settle down; we ll be a stronger church. Old Business: None New Business: Dennis and Rosie will do the auction sale bills. Call them with your auction donation items. Kris will be asked to organize the lunch. Rosie and Evelyn will take care of the bake sale. Mark will be asked about wagons. Pastor Steve listed possible dates and times for the consultation session with synod concerning the disaffiliation. Consensus was: we should do this jointly with First English. A possible date was August 29 at either 4 or 7 pm. Pastor will be taking vacation July 29- August 1, and August 11-15. Motion to adjourn made by Dean, seconded by Les. Carried. Eleanor Huwe Acting Secretary Bethany Church Auction Sale Sunday, August 22, 2010 1:oo pm Let Dennis and Rosie Anderson know what items you will be donating!
FIRST ENGLISH BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCHES 17 Main St. NW PO Box 189 MENAHGA, MN 56464 Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE Menahga, MN 56464 Permit NO. 3 CHOICE DOLLARS INFORMATION SESSION WHEN: AUGUST 4, 2010 TIME: 6:30 P.M. WHERE: FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH Call Financial Associate Brian Behrens at 218-237-0110 with any questions.