Three-Point Parish Newsletter Bethany, First English and Friends in Christ Lutheran Churches Epistle for May, 2017 Bethany Lutheran Church First English Lutheran Church Friends in Christ Lutheran Church Meets at the DAC Building in Sebeka Sunday Schedule Sunday School 9:30 A.M. Worship 10:30 AM 59423 140th St. Menahga, MN 56464 Sunday Schedule 8:30 Worship Sunday School Coffee Fellowship 17 Main St. NW Menahga, MN 56464 Sunday Schedule 9:30 Worship Fellowship 305 5th St SW Sebeka, MN 56477 Members of Mission Statement Bethany, First English & Friends in Christ Lutheran 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. Phone: 218-564-4610 ~ Fax: 218-564-5885 ~ Parsonage: 218-564-4949 ~ E-Mail: febeth@wcta.net PO Box 189 ~ Menahga, MN 56464 Pastor Steven Bruer pastorsteve@wcta.net Pastor James Hallaway 1716ofluke@gmail.com Parish Secretary Dayna Anderson dayna@wcta.net Bethany Council President Kris Spadgenske Bethany Organists Sandi Mickelson Kris Spadgenske Vickie Paurus First English Administrative Board President Verllien Augst First English Organist Mary Hanninen First English Custodian Dan Gilbert The Epistle and weekly bulletins are also available online at: www.firstenglishbethany.org Friends in Christ Board of Trustees President Tim Puttonen Friends in Christ Pianists Ardis Olson Laicy Erickson Chris Olson Ryan Oakland
Pastor s Perspective Easter greetings to you all!!! April 16 th we celebrated perhaps God s most inspiring part of His plan in the resurrection of His only Son Jesus. I say inspiring because in the resurrection of Jesus, we are heirs of His eternal promise of new life. That in and of itself ought to lead us to want to shout it from the mountaintops for all to hear. So here we are moving into the month of May. Still celebrating, still in awe of God s power to raise Jesus from the grave. My hope and prayer for each and every one of you is that because Jesus resurrection is for you and me together, that we can continue to celebrate that throughout the month of May and even for the rest of our lives. As many of us peek at our May calendars we may sigh thinking, This is going to be a busy month! The month of May does bring a lot of events, celebrations, and gatherings. But it is also a joyous time for us. National Day of Prayer falls on May 4 th. I encourage each of you to stop for a few moments from your busy schedules to pray. Pray for our world, our nation, our state, all our leaders; our churches and our pastors, the staff and leaders of our churches, and also pray for our disciples that they might live in a right relationship with the Father. Although the title is National Day of Prayer, I encourage you all to pray for everything. Look local if you have to. Bottom line is to take the time to stop and pray. That s what we are called to do as His disciples! Pray. Mother s Day is the second weekend, the First English Rummage Sale is that weekend during the citywide garage sales, it also is the time of fishing opener. Many will spend some time preparing for the graduation from High School of their kids, then putting on a party in their honor. Churches will acknowledge and honor these graduates in worship, the Ministerial Association will provide a Baccalaureate Service for them the week before graduation. Then of course we celebrate Memorial Day on Monday May 29 th. On this day we remember those who have died in the faith, those who gave their lives so that we might continue to enjoy the freedoms we enjoy. While all these special days and celebrations go on, we continue to celebrate Jesus resurrection. If you look at a Christian calendar, you ll quickly see that the season of Easter continues through May 28 th. The week after that on June 4 th, we celebrate Pentecost (God s giving of the promised Holy Spirit). I pray that you all will continue to praise God for His marvelous work in the raising of His Son Jesus from the grave. Let s celebrate that for the rest of our lives!!!! Easter Blessings, Pastor Steve Thank you to everyone who prayed for us, sent us cards and have kept us in your thoughts over these past few months. We appreciate it very much. Pastor Steve & Jane. Congratulations to the Class of 2017! Jake Clements ~ MHS Mackenzie Kako ~ MHS Kristian Kocurek ~ MHS Anna Olson ~ SHS Hailey Usher ~ MHS We pray God s blessings on your accomplishments and futures! We will be honoring the graduates at the First English Church and at Friends in Christ on May 21st. Baccalaureate Services The Menahga High School Baccalaureate Service will be held on Sunday, May 21st at 6:30 P.M. in the Menahga High School Music Room. The Sebeka High School Baccalaureate Service will be held on Wednesday, May 17 th at 7:00 P.M. at Sebeka United Methodist Church in Sebeka. Ruby s Pantry next distribution is Saturday, May 20th, 2017. Registration is at 9:00 A.M. at First English Lutheran Church and distribution is at 10:00 A.M. If you are interested in volunteering, please be at First English at 8:30 A.M.
Statement of Faith-Devon Huttunen I know how to live on almost nothing or almost everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it s with a full stomach of empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13 (NLT) I chose this verse because I believe it is the secret of life. It is what every Christian should live by and always place God first in their life. God will provide what you truly need to live by. Truths About God: God is infinite in His wisdom. This means He knows what is best for everyone. On the day I got baptized I became a child of God. God took me as His son and I will continue to learn more about God s promise to me. Only God alone can forgive my sins. He is almighty and He is the only way I can get to heaven. He judges every good and bad thing that I do. God sent His only Son, Jesus to die for the redemption of our sins. Jesus came to show the people on earth how to pray. He showed that God has awesome powers. He taught people how to live simply through His words. God is my strength and my shelter and is always ready to help in times of trouble. We must pray daily about all of our decisions rather they be big or small. There is only one God. God is the lord of the future. He is the only one who knows when and how the earth will end. Many have tried to predict, but have failed. False prophets and psychics appear and disappear at will. God s love is unfailing. This means that He is here for me always, even though as a sinner I make mistakes. Nothing is impossible with God. This means if I share my thoughts, fears, anxieties, happy times, and scary ones with the Lord and include Him in daily prayer, I can do anything. God s promises are never ending. This means when you live by His laws you will live a happy fulfilling life. When you have times of trouble you will know God has a reason for what is happening, and he carries you. The Ten Commandments are God s laws that you should live by. This means that you should do your very best to obey His laws. When you break His laws you should ask for God s mercy on your soul, and be truly sorry. Statement of Faith-Spencer Lake My Bible verse I picked is 1Timothy 6:12 (GNT) Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you when you firmly professed your faith before many witnesses. I picked this verse because this it what I m doing with I m getting confirmed today. I am professing my faith in front of witnesses and allowing my future with God. I believe in God almighty creator of Heaven and Earth. He sent his one and only Son to save us on Earth from our sins so we will receive salvation. I believe that in life and death we belong to God. I believe that Jesus died and descended into Hell on the third day he rose again and ascended into Heaven. I believe that prayer helps strengthen our relationship with God. Prayer lets us talk to God and helps your faith in the Lord. I believe that worship strengthens our faith in God too. Throughout these paragraphs I have expressed my faith in many different ways. I m asking the Lord to be with me throughout my life and guide me through everything and anything I do. Statement of Faith-Heidi Oakland My journey with Jesus began when I was a little girl. I started learning about Jesus at home and at Sunday school. The Bible verse I chose is Joshua 1:9 which says Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. This comforts me knowing that whatever situation I am in or wherever I am at that Jesus is always with me. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose again. When I think of Jesus I think of his miracles and everything he did. We are all sinners and Jesus is perfect and yet with all of our sins and doubts he still loves us and protects us so we do not have to be afraid or discouraged. I always feel safe knowing that Jesus is always with me. Statement of Faith-Grace Olson Where God guides he provides Isaiah 58:11. God has crazy plans for people, crazy tasks. I believe he'll provide for you along the way God will be with you. Even when people don't believe in you or think you're crazy. Ignore all of them and just keep listening to God and doing as he asks. Joshua 1:9 says be strong, be brave, be fearless you are never alone. I believe I that verse very much because we are never alone God is always with us. I believe God will send each and every of us on a special mission/task. Along the way there will be bumps, and rough paths. You may have people telling you that you're insane, crazy, psycho and probably worse things. Keep on going for you are never alone. With God all things are possible. When you have accomplished your tasks and finished the work God has given you will be rewarded tremendously. I believe in prayer. I believe in praying to our heavenly Father every night, before every meal, before events, whenever you're in doubt and simply whenever. Psalm 56:8 says Tears are prayers too they travel to God when we can't speak. With prayer things will get better. Prayer is a an amazing way to speak to God and understand more. I believe in going to God when in doubt, because how is he supposed to help us if we can't talk to him.
First English Administrative Board Meeting ~ April 10, 2017 Present: Verllien A., Roger H., Russ O., Marlene S., Kari C., Trisha K., Marie H., Roxanne G., Dianne S., Pastor Steve and Pastor Jim Guests: Irene C., Carol O., Karen N. Call to order at 6:30 P.M. Dianne S. read devotions. Secretary s report, motion made to accept by Roger H. seconded by Kari C., motion passed. Treasurer s report was reviewed and will be filed for audit. Committee Reports LYO Finance-Marlene S.: doing fine Stewardship-Roger H.: Worship-Marie H.: Worship committee picking out hymns, given a list of readers for Sundays, Pastor Steve would like to select the communion helpers and acolytes. Pastor Jim will work with him to select these helpers. Meeting with a praise band on April 25, 2017 Social Ministry-Kari C.: A round of applause to all for the donations to the Menahga Area Food Shelf in March. $863.00 will be matched. Youth-Pastor Jim: LYO starts again on 4-19-2017. Nine students will be getting confirmed this year. Building & Grounds-Russ O.: Piano was moved into sanctuary. Electrician was contacted to install four outlets in sanctuary, tentative cost of $400.00. Kari C. made a motion to have the outlets installed and sound and music funds will cover the cost, Trisha K. seconded, motion passed. Education-Trisha K.: Park Rapids hospital will be getting their beanie babies for hospitalized children this week. Wadena Hospital will be getting theirs soon. Evangelism-Dianne S.: Still doing prayer chain, sending cards, possibly sending out group e-mails for prayer chain. Pastor Steve s report read. Pastor Jim s report read. Old Business: 1. Slap Happy Comedy Group, Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Methodist Church in Sebeka all are welcome to attend the 6:00 P.M. show. Social Ministry will meet to make a donation to this show. 2. Daycare-Trisha K. made a motion to not accept the daycare proposal, Roxanne G. seconded, motion passed. 3. Live-streaming, workout bugs. Pastor Steve is checking this out, more commercials are coming than before. Microphones over congregation is a possibility. This cost could be $2,500. 4. Visitation worksheet-mileage worksheets. Motion made by Trisha K. that the suggestion be made to the Tri-Parish that the Presidents review the mileage worksheet with the pastors on a monthly basis. New Business: 1. Spring Clean-up on April 26, 2017 at 6:00 P.M. 2. Garage Sale May 12 & 13, 2017. Info was added to bulletins, donations can be put in the library. Please preprice items. Will be meeting with volunteers on May 11, 2017 to set up at 5:30. Possible lunch on Friday. Donuts and coffee on Saturday. Tax deductible form wills be available for donations. 3. Pastors attend board meeting by invite only. Motion mad by Roxanne G. to have a pastor at our board meetings once a month. Roger H. seconded, motion passed. 4. Harvest Bible Institute India/ Kandhamal. Discussion was held on this, Pastor Jim will get information on this topic to the congregation. Marlene S. made a motion to have a congregational meeting on May 7, 2017 to discuss change of name of Harvest Bible Institute- that was voted on at annual meeting on January 2017, Trisha K. seconded, Motion passed. 5. Use of church guidelines, who decides? Pastors can decide this, also a call the President of First English Board needs to be made. 6. We reviewed Jane B. s medical insurance, looking into different options. 7. VBS will be August 7-11, 2017. Would like to use Thrivent Choice Dollars. 8. Agenda for May-would like to FIRST ENGLISH Attendance & Offering 4/2/17 52 General $ 1,938.51 Loose $ 28.00 Building $ 183.00 $ 2,149.51 4/5/17 Lent Service 43 $ 215.00 4/9/17 73 General $ 1,399.00 Loose $ 24.00 Food Shelf $ 100.00 World Hunger $ 10.00 Building $ 368.00 $ 1,901.00 4/13/17 Maundy Thursday 32 General $ 20.00 Lent Offering $ 114.00 Building $ 20.00 $ 154.00 4/13/17 Good Friday 48 4/16/17 125 General $ 1,682.00 Loose $ 222.00 Building $ 188.00 $ 2,092.00 4/23/17 57 General $ 1,353.00 Food Shelf $ 25.00 Loose $ 45.00 Building $ 258.00 $ 1,681.00 include a Children s sermon once every 3 months starting in the fall. Next Meeting date May 8, 2017 Devotions for next month Trisha K. Motion to adjourn made by Roger H., seconded & passed. Closed by standing together and holding hands and saying the Lord s Prayer. Submitted by: Roxanne G. **On April 13th, 2017 Marlene S. made a verbal motion that would rescind the motion she made at the April council meeting to have a congregational meeting on May 7th. The motion will be rescinded due to additional information that was obtained. 8 ayes and 1 no response. Motion carried.
Remember in Prayer Confirmands at Friends in Christ Family of Wayne Maki Family of Joyce Palmer Tom Mickelson Joan Bruer Ron Usher Lynette Hilden Luke Makela Onie Samuelson Mike Maurer Linda Miller Brent Freeman Sandy Schilling Mary Ann Lusti Kurt Mattson Brie Schilling Gail Hawkins Craig Ahlin Dennis & Rosie Anderson Freddie Hanson Katie Wilkowski Tanya Porter Steve Huttunen Aden Munson Elaine Hollerud Cornie Paulson Naomi Sharon Berg John Rader Thomas Merchlewicz Ashley Anderson Tracey Skroski Joann Koskela Bruce Blanchard Elvin Yrjo Susan Gullekson Our Country & Military Jon Soppeland Hayden Paulson Brandon Tjosaas Luke Hallaway Kyle Soppeland Our Churches, Pastors, Leaders, and Staff Our Shut-ins Disciples of First English ~ We need your help & donations! We will be having a Rummage Sale on Friday, May 12 & Saturday, May 13 at the Church. Please feel free to donate any treasures you feel another cannot live without. Go through your closets, garages & kids rooms. All Donations should have a suggested selling price marked on the items. Donations can be dropped off in the Library/Sunday School Room A Tax deduction form is available in the office. Please have all items delivered to the church by the afternoon of the 11 th. Any questions, suggestions or desires to help can be addressed to Trisha Knapp 218/564-1969 or 239/877-7531 We are still looking for quite a few volunteers. CINNAMON ROLLS will be served on Sunday, May 21st at First English after the Worship Service. Free will offering will be taken. Offering will go towards the cost of the new entry rugs. First English Women s Executive Board Meeting The Women s Executive board met at the church on Thursday, April 20th at 4:00. The meeting opened with devotions and prayer by Marlene Schiotz. Secretary s report read & approved. Correspondence: letter stating 3 new schools being built by the Central Asia Institute. Treasurer s report read & approved. Motion made & seconded to give $285 from Lenten Supper to special projects. A motion was made & seconded to give 6 quilts to Park Rapids Women s Shelter. Kitchen cleaning: setup time later. April 22nd funeral at 2:00 P.M. Terry Tomperi. April 25th-Joyce Palmer funeral. Rummage Sale Lunchpulled pork, buns, potato chips from US Food service, pop, coffee & cookies. Next meeting is on May 18th at 4 P.M. The meeting closed with Lord s Prayer. Lucille Erickson, Secretary FRIENDS IN CHRIST Attendance & Offering 4/2/17 20 $ 735.00 4/9/17 33 $ 375.00 4/16/17 65 $ 819.45 BETHANY Attendance & Offering 3/26/17 23 Adults 3 Children General $ 380.00 Food Shelf $ 30.00 Missions $ 20.00 $ 430.00 3/29/17 Lent Service 40 Adults 12 Children General $ 116.00 Missions $ 55.00 $ 171.00 Soup & Sandwich Supper General $ 40.00 Missions $ 99.00 $ 139.00 4/2/17 32 Adults 7 Children General $ 470.00 Missions $ 45.00 $ 515.00 4/9/17 36 Adults 13 Children General $ 1,252.00 Missions $ 41.00 $ 1,293.00 4/14/17 Good Friday 30 Adults 6 Children 4/16/17 50 Adults 13 Children General $ 1,130.00 Building & Grounds $ 50.00 Missions $ 201.00 $ 835.00 Spring Cleaning of the inside of the Bethany church needs to be done. Please help when you are able. There is a list of items to be done in the kitchen, please write down what you have completed. Thank you to the Hasbargen and Spadgenske families for doing the Spring Cleaning of the church grounds and the cemetery at Bethany church. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
Now what? Ever heard that after some highlight or the day after going to some big event? We get bored so easily. Even church can seem like long low points between two very high points. We love to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus, proving He is both Lord and Savior. He is King of kings and we long for His return. Or do we? For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord s death until he comes. 1Corinthians 11:26 We are directed to proclaim His death until He comes. And we proclaim not only with words, but with action, participation in the sacrament. Both now and when it was written the sacrament took place in large and small gatherings of disciples of Jesus Christ. Are there other directives that help us understand more about the Church? More about the what, where, when, why and how of being the Church? As we preach through the text of the gospels and the book of Acts leading up to the feast of Pentecost I am preparing a series of messages called simply: The Church. This series will answer these questions in detail. I m trusting the Lord to give us plenty of insight, some needed correction, plenty of encouragement and plenty of power to be what He gave His life for. He gave His life for the Body of Christ-the Church, a people for His very own possession. Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her Ephesians 5:25b There are notable Scriptures that express our value to Jesus Christ and how He had His eyes on us, individually and collectively as He gave Himself up. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 Why would Jesus lay His life down? He did it out of love! * Next Wednesday, May 3 the LYO will be participating in a Recreation Night at the Faithbridge Church in Park Rapids. Cost is $1. Students need to be at First English by 6:15, we will leave at 6:20. Students will return to First English by 8:45. Drivers are still needed, please contact Pastor Jim if you are willing. S T E P S LYO NOTES Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Psalms 31:23 What are we preserved for? What is the purpose after His love was expressed so intensely? He had something in mind, right? In our natural lives love hopes for something, doesn t it? People who are married hope to share life together, hope to pursue dreams together, hope to have children together, they hope to be happy together. So the Church is meant for a future and a present with specifics in mind. As a organism, the Church filled with Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus are meant to go forth to enjoy each other, to pursue the kingdom together, to have offspring together and to go on and on in relationship for all eternity together. Offspring? Psalm 40:2 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19 Disciples are offspring. The Church is meant to procreate, if you will. I wonder if I ve got you thinking. Many people long to make a difference. Many people long for a richer Church experience. Many people aren t satisfied with their own walk with Jesus Christ. How would you like that to change? Paul the Apostle said, follow me as I follow Christ. As a pastor I can do no better than him. Come follow me as I follow Christ and let s see if we can grow in our understanding, in our experience, in our mission, in our fulfillment in Christ and in bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God. I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide John 15:16b God bless you! ~ Pastor Jim * Senior Send-off & Last Night of LYO for this school year is Wednesday, May 10 th. We will be meeting at the Menahga City Campground, just south of Menahga at 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. This is a POTLUCK, please sign up on Facebook with food items that you will be bringing. Paper goods will be provided.
BETHANY, FIRST ENGLISH, FRIENDS IN CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCHES 17 Main St. NW PO Box 189 MENAHGA, MN 56464 Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE Menahga, MN 56464 Permit NO. 3 First English Lutheran Church Rummage Sale Friday May 12, 2017 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Saturday, May 13, 2017 8:00 to 1:00 P.M. Proceeds from the Rummage Sale will go towards the work & needs of First English Lutheran Church. Lunch served by the First English Women of the Word Friday, May 12, 2017 starting at 11:00 A.M. Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Chips, Pop, Coffee & Cookies will be available. Prices will be posted. Proceeds from lunch will go towards the work & needs of First English Lutheran Church. Sunday School Pancake Breakfast Saturday, May 12, 2017 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Free-will offering will go to the First English Lutheran Church Sunday School First English Lutheran Church ~ 17 Main St. NW ~ Menahga