February Newsletter Trusting in God s grace, An accepting, joyful community, Calling and growing followers of Jesus Who live in the Spirit, serving God and neighbor. Pastor s Message Elk River Lutheran is preparing for the next phase of its ministry Let s explore where God has led you these past 5 years.! You began as a worshipping group of 128 faithful individuals in December 2009.! You grew and moved from Holy Trinity to the Middle School to Unit 5 and then you built a church out of a repurposed bank. You were willing to let God support and guide you as you did the unimaginable. Within the next few months you will take over the mortgage and you will be responsible for the church.! Your membership continued to grow through invitation by the members, Spirit-filled Worship Services, a culture of joy and invitation to all, and God s presence in this place. At present you have 665 members, with many others that worship regularly and newcomers that are returning every week. You support Elk River Lutheran and outside ministries to the community through your monetary gifts and volunteerism. I have never seen a more active, faithful community of faith. You are invested in this Church, your community, and God s work in the world. Continued on page 2 Table of Contents Pastor s Message... 1-2 President s Message... 3 Treasurers Report... 3 Children, Youth & Family... 4 Music Ministry... 5 Lent Schedule... 6 Holy Week Schedule... 7 Call Committee & Hospitality... 8 News & Upcoming Events... 9 New Members Received... 10 Calendar... 11 Contact Information Loren Green...(763) 633-1181 loren.green@elkriverlutheran.org 1 Taylor Quinn...(816) 519-2719 taylor.quinn@elkriverlutheran.org Office... (763) 633-1181 info@elkriverlutheran.org Pastor Heidi... (612) 799-1232 pastorheidi@elkriverlutheran.org Kari Osmek... (763)772-7527 ksosmek@elkriverlutheran.org
Pastor s Message continued Where is God leading you now?! On the same journey you have been on for the past 5 years one filled with opportunity and blessing.! God s guiding spirit is leading the call process.! The ministry teams continue to grow and look to the future with new and exciting ministries.! The church will continue to grow and reach out into the community as God s light and love. What is your part in this journey?! To trust in God s presence and direction.! To pray for this place and the Call Committee.! To be open to God s call in your lives and your important place in the ongoing ministry of Elk River Lutheran. To God Be the Glory! Amen Pastor Heidi Umbrella Ministry At the All Hands meeting on Feb. 25 th we did an exercise to explore how ministry differs when it is a ministry that stands alone or a ministry supported by other ministry groups. Together we are the church and participate in God s vision for this place. Ministry is so much more energized when we work together. It was amazing to see how one idea THAT WHEN SHARED became so much bigger than anyone of us could imagine or do alone or as a single committee! 2
President s Message As we begin to prepare for the Lenten Season ERLC will again be having Lenten Soup Suppers prior to the service. We have new soup bowls thanks to Hospitality, and it will be interesting to see what is new on the soup selections this year. We continue to move forward in our technology department and it also keeps us moving forward in the GREEN efforts. The bulletin for the upcoming weeks worship service is now available on the church website. Loren will post the upcoming bulletins by Friday afternoon. If you want to "go GREEN" or be techie, you can open the bulletin on your smartphone or tablet and follow along. We tested it out at the January 25 services and it passed with flying colors! We now have the ability to do on site payments via our PayPal account with the card swipe and signature pad. And just a reminder to the parents of children going on summer trips - you can make payments on the church website thru PayPal. If there are any angels that would care to donate to the overall trip you may also do so by using the drop down tab for youth trip. Your giving statement will be credited. Our service opportunities have increased, both in Elk River as we look at assisting in the local homeless shelter (yes there are homeless teens in Elk River) and expanding and improving our serve into the metro area with the possibility of helping the new Whittier Family Center in Minneapolis. They are at the same stage that we were when we bought the bank. Any assistance we could provide will be greatly appreciated. As we move forward remember To God Be The Glory. Kim Hauger ERLC Council President Treasurer s Report 3-YEAR MONTHLY GENERAL OFFERING INCOME COMPARISON YEAR Sept Oct Nov Dec 2014 2015 $24,149.61 $28,444.87 $41,768.07 $41,867.35 2013 2014 $28,991.00 $30,414.01 $28,652.25 $47,448.52 2012 2013 $33,048.00 $24,947.24 $31,773.72 $48,645.40 2014 July-December general giving total: $199,779.77 2013 July-December general giving total: $190,447.89 2012 July-December general giving total: $198 481.36 ***You should be receiving your year-end giving statement shortly -- by the end of January. If you do not receive your statement, or if you have questions regarding any amounts, please contact Diane Harding (763-428-4876) or Loren at the Church office (763) 633-1181 As you can see by our general giving totals, we are doing very well. Thank you -- your generosity is overwhelming. Our Church family is truly blessed, Diane Harding ERLC Council Treasurer 3
Children, Youth & Family Updates: Parents Night Out Redux Friday, Feb. 13, 6:00-9:00pm Our first Parents Night Out was a smashing success, and great fun--especially for the ERLC youth leaders! We are again offering this childcare fundraiser just in time for your Valentines' Night Out. Please preregister by downloading the form from the ERLC web site for an evening of games, movies, and craft projects. Lenten Soup Supper Thanks to the generosity of our congregational council, 75% of the money raised at the Lenten dinners will be donated to the youth for their summer ministries. The other 25% will go to Open Doors For Youth, a new homeless youth initiative in Elk River. Thanks to the council! The first supper (Ash Wednesday, February 18) will be served by our youth attending the ELCA National Youth Gathering in Detroit. Lenten Mentor program Our confirmation students are looking for caring adults to serve as Mentors during Lent. Mentors are asked to meet with the students for a few minutes either before or after the mid-week worship. Please consider this opportunity to build relationships with our young people! Confirmation calendar Wednesday classes: February 4, 11 The Sacraments February 18 March 25 Lent/Mentor Program April 8, 15, 22 The Apostle s Creed April 29 End of Year Party Once Upon a Parable The youth musical, Once Upon a Parable, has begun rehearsals! Rehearsals are scheduled for Wednesday nights, 7:30-8:30 and will soon begin on Sunday's, 11:45-1:00. Open to all older elementary students through young adults. SUMMER TRIPS Detroit registration We currently have 7 high school youth attending the ELCA National Youth Gathering in Detroit next summer. We can take a couple more if you turn in your registrations to Kari asap. We also need a couple of adults to join us this is a larger-than-life experience for both young people and the adults who join them! Talk to Kari for more info. Plans are also underway for our middle school youth to attend another YouthWorks trip. Watch for more details. Elementary parents-- would you like to see a camp option other than VBS? Speak to Kari if you're interested. SAVE THE DATE: The Youth will be serving breakfast on Palm Sunday, March 29! Kari Osmek 4 Interim Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministry
Music Ministry Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; Worship His holy name. Sing like never before, O my soul; I ll worship Your holy name. The sun comes up; it s new day dawning, It s time to sing Your song again. Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me. Let me singing when the evening comes. You re rich in love and You re slow to anger. Your name is great and Your heart is kind. For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing; Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find. Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; Worship His holy name. Sing like never before, O my soul; I ll worship Your holy name. This month the music ministry of Elk River Lutheran will be preparing for all things Lenten and Easter; first the Choir will be singing at our Ash Wednesday service, and the Praise Team will be getting ready to provide some excellent music not only for you every week but for the Good Friday service as well. We are so blessed with so many talented and skilled musicians in our congregation. We re seeing some people enter into each of the ensembles, as well. The choir has seen the return of Pat Baysinger and Linda Hageseth. Each have been so happy to come back to sing with us. It s such a joy to see the joy on their faces when they come back to what they love to do. While we re seeing some transitions within the choir, we are seeing a bit of growth in the Praise Team. In a couple Sundays, you ll get to see a new face assisting the Praise Team in leading worship. Kara Hennig will be joining Mark Amborn and Laura Babneau in singing a beautiful arrangement of Michael Card s Gentle Healer. Each music ministry ensemble works so hard to provide you meaningful worship experiences every week. As you make your way through the sanctuary, be sure to express your gratitude to your worship leaders. Bea, Ron, the choir, and the Praise Team love to hear your feedback, and love feeling appreciated. See you Sunday Taylor Quinn ERLC Director of Music Ministry 5
Ash Wednesday Worship Service Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m. 5 Wednesdays in Lent February 25 March 25, 5:45-6:45 p.m. Join us for a simple soup supper, reflection, and conversation. Lenten Worship Services Come to the Table with Jesus Wednesday s at 7:00 p.m. February 25, March 4, March 11, March 18, and March 25 February 18 Ash Wednesday Luke 5:33-39 Feasting or Fasting? February 25 Luke 5:27-32 Eating with Sinners March 4 Luke 6:1-5 Who s in charge? March 11 Luke 7:36-50 Invited to the Table March 18 Luke 10:38-42 Welcome at the Table March 25 Luke 11:1-13 Our Daily Needs 6
A Look Ahead at the Holy Week Schedule Palm Sunday Worship Service Sunday, March 29! 8:15 a.m.! 10:30 a.m. Maundy Thursday Worship Service Wednesday, April 2! 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Worship Service Friday, April 3! 7:00 p.m. Easter Sunday Worship Services Sunday, April 5! 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service! 8:15 a.m.! 10:30 a.m. Church Bulletins In an effort to Go Green, and to reach members who are unable to join us at church, the weekly bulletins for the upcoming Sunday Worship Service are now available on our website at http://www.elkriverlutheran.org/media--downloads.html 7
Call Committee There was a great turnout for the meeting with Minneapolis Area Synod Bishop Ann Svennungsen between services on Sunday, January 25 th. Thank you to everyone who attended. Bishop Svennungsen asked for input from members about what we consider to be the strengths of ERLC as a congregation. Why would a talented pastor want to lead our growing congregation? As a group we offered a long list of those reasons. There was a brief discussion of the contents of the recently completed Ministry Site Profile and she affirmed the appropriateness of the document with perhaps some minor tweaks. There was an opportunity for those present to ask questions. The Bishop explained that there are three ways a pastor s name can be entered into consideration by the call committee. A member of the congregation may submit a potential candidate, a pastor may self-nominate and the synod will suggest names of people that they feel would meet our needs. If a member wants to suggest a name, nomination forms will be available on the table with the nametags in the fellowship area. Names should be submitted by February 8 th and given directly to one of the members of the call committee. The bishop explained that normally an interim pastor is not to be considered for the permanent call and it is not recommended by the synod. We should have names for the call committee to consider by sometime in February, perhaps as many as 8-10 names. The committee will then begin the process of further screening these candidates and preparing for interviews. The committee asks for your prayers and trust that God s will for ERLC will be done in this process! Call Committee Members: Larry Cook Co chair Kerry Livingston Co chair Mark Schwarze Jana Lundquist Carol Vikstrom Carrie McAuley Betty Zehringer Hospitality By the time you are reading this Barb and Peg will be enjoying sunny, warm Arizona! Charee Wagenpfeil-Cain has agreed to be the contact person while we are gone. She can be contacted at 763-291- 3069. Thanks to Charee for the new centerpieces in the fellowship area.! A new stainless steel table on wheels has been purchased by a member of ERL (which is very much appreciated) to be used outside the kitchen downstairs. This will be such help while preparing and serving funerals.! The microwave, which was located outside the boardroom, has been replaced with a smaller one that suits our needs better. The larger one that was there has been donated to an organization called Open Door for Youth.! Sue Hecker did some updating and revising on our guidelines for serving funerals. We need some people who are willing to assist with this. We need persons who are willing to help with: " Set up " Serving " Clean up. Please consider this ministry. Contact the church office or any member of Hospitality. 8
Fellowship Tubing Event that was held on January 17 at Elm Creek Recreation area. It was a great time! WE HAVE FOUND A FACILITY FOR OUR RESOURCE CENTER! It is located off Hwy 10 near downtown Elk River. Our goal is to be operational sometime this coming February. www.facebook.com/opendoorsforyouth 9
New Members Received on January 25 Carol Black Judy Lipka Marlin & Kathy Sanvick Milo & Kari Christianson Rick & Nancy Bock Tony, Beth Lucas & Zachary Pogreba Not pictured: John Pelletier 10
7:30pm - Highschool 10:30am - Praise Band 7:30pm - Choir/Praise 9:30am - Sunday School 7pm - Lent Worship 9:30am - Adult Education 1:30pm - Staff Meeting 6:30pm - Confirmation 8:15am - Traditional 7pm - Men's Bible Study 9:30am - Quilting Group 5:45pm - Lenten Soup 7:30pm - AA Meeting @ 8am - Men's Bible Study 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 10:30am - Praise Band 7:30pm - Highschool 9:30am - Sunday School 7pm - Men's Bible Study 7pm - Council Meeting @ 7:30pm - Choir/Praise 8:15am - Traditional 12:30pm - Parkinson 1:30pm - Staff Meeting 7pm - Ash Wednesday 8am - LOLCB Pancake Presidents' Day 9:30am - Quilting Group 6:30pm - Confirmation 7:30pm - AA Meeting @ 8am - Men's Bible Study 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 8pm - Staff Meeting @ 7pm - Women's Bible 7:30pm - Highschool 7pm - Finance meeting @ 7pm - Praise Team 7pm - Fellowship 6:30pm - CSO Meeting @ 7pm - Executive Council 10:30am - Praise Band 7pm - Men's Bible Study 1:30pm - Staff Meeting 6:30pm - Confirmation 9:30am - Sunday School 6:30pm - CYF Meeting 9:30am - Women's Bible 6:30pm - Choir Rehearsal 8am - Men's Bible Study 8:15am - Traditional 5:30pm - Hospitality 9:30am - Quilting Group 6pm - Worship Committee 7:30pm - AA Meeting @ 6pm - Parents Night Out Valentine's Day 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5pm - Chili Cook off 4pm - Improving Your 10:30am - Praise Band 6:30pm - New Members 9:30am - Sunday School 1:30pm - Staff Meeting 8pm - Adult Faith 8:15am - Traditional 9:30am - Improving Your 7pm - Men's Bible Study 9:30am - Quilting Group 10am - Caring Faith 6:30pm - Choir Rehearsal 7pm - Praise Team 7:30pm - AA Meeting @ 8am - Men's Bible Study 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat ERLC Calendar, Birthdays, Holidays in United States, LOLCB Family Calendar Feb 2015 (Central Time)
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