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FOCUS |
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2012 Council Members
Ned Doan, President Mike Stevens, Vice President & Personnel Committee Chris Quisley, Secretary & EDUCATE Monte DeArmoun, Personnel Committee Sue Grundel, Personnel Committee Marcia Kraft, GLORIFY Cynthia Krull, CARE Randy Severson, RESPOND & ACT |
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INTERIM PASTOR |
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Dearly Beloved in Christ, As we look at the February calendar, I see four important dates. On February 12 we vote on whether or not to leave the ELCA. Valentine’s Day is on February 14, and we begin Lent with Ash Wednesday on February 22. We will have an informal youth service on Sunday, February 26.
First, the vote. The church council wants as many of you as possible to vote. The problem with votes is that no matter which side wins, there are people on the losing side who are disappointed. I am asking all of us to neither gloat if we are on the winning side, nor to stay away too long if we end up on the losing side. I hope that we can be a church that welcomes and respects all people no matter what their opinion on this question. I hope that being part of Jesus’ mission at First Lutheran is more important than being right or winning the vote. Jesus Christ is our foundation, and the Holy Spirit gathers us together to be God’s church.
Second, Valentine’s Day. God gives us the gift of love and marriage. We all need a little romance and fun in the midst of hard or serious times. So have fun, and come to church with a smile! Being married can be very good for us. We can also be sensitive to those who are single.
Third, Lent. Traditionally we focus on Jesus’ work of dying on the cross and rising again. Jesus died so that our sins may be forgiven, and our old selves would die. Jesus rose triumphant over death so that we might rise with Jesus to new life. Lutherans focus on Jesus’ dying and rising for us.
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On Ash Wednesday especially, but also throughout Lent, we focus on confessing our sin, which means admitting that we are powerless to keep from sinning and we need God’s mercy. We let our sin be nailed to the cross as we remember Jesus’ willingness to die for us. Thank you, Jesus!
At the end of Lent on Maundy Thursday, and at each Sunday service, we hear Jesus’ words, “You are forgiven. You are made right with God. God invites you to live in new life, eternal life.” God’s word acts on us to create what it says, forgiveness of sin and new life. We are both guilty of sin and innocent in God’s eyes at the same time. The church is both a hotel for the saints, of which we are proud, and a hospital for sinners who need Jesus’ help.
Fourth, we have needed a more informal, more youth-oriented service in a more informal setting like the fellowship hall. Educate to Grow members are working on this project If interested in helping to lead, talk to Janelle Johnson.
Thank you, Gary Hennigar for being our church custodian these past 8 years. You cleaned our large building, kept the boiler going, cleared snow and mowed grass, ran the sound system most Sundays, set up for various events, and did many other things as well. We will be advertising the position soon.
Finally, a reminder that your continued offerings are an act of worship. You can decide that the first check you write for bills will be to God’s work through our church. Pastor Karen Grandall |
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Jr. High Youth - Sunday (6:30 - 8:00 pm) Confirmation –Wednesday (5:30-7:15 pm) Sr. High Youth - Wednesday (7:00 – 9:00 pm) Sr. High Deeper – Monday (6:30 – 9:00 pm) |
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February Volunteers Acolytes February 5th—Carly Wentworth and Bethany Gentz February 12th—Ashlyn VanSabben and Madison Eilertson February 19th—Kristin Eilertson and Terran Habberman February 22nd—Josh Einertson and Hayden Halbach February 26th—Kailey Eskildsen and Erika Heideman
Greeters February 5th—Mitch & Jess Hanson February 12th—Lonnie & Myra Harris February 19th—Ned & Joanne Doan February 26th—Lois Hogen
Ushers February 5th—Harlan & Barb Helgeson and David & Cheryl Gentz February 12th—Mike, DeAnn, Joey, Justin Read February 19th—Lois Hogen, George Lindflott, Richard Butler, Dennis Johnson February 26th—Dan Hendrikson, Bernie VanVeldhuizen, John Midtgaard, Scott Halbach
Lay Readers February 5th—Laure Buehrer February 12th—David Irons February 19th—Kayla Krull February 26th—Stu Anderson
LRH Communion Helper February 19th—Looking for volunteer |
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FIRST LUTHERAN WOMEN “Celebrate Your Faith” Julia February 6th 2:00 pm Jan Thompson’s home Leah February 2nd 9:00 am Maple Court, Sharyl Lunde-hostess Lydia February 8th 1:00 pm Nancy Amundson’s home Martha February 6th 1:30 pm Fireside room, Wanda Hoffman-hostess Rachel February 1st 9:00 am Sally Aase’s home Rebecca February 1st 1:30 pm Fireside Room, potluck Sarah February 7th 1:00 pm Fran Pixley’s home |
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The Jr./Sr. High Winter Lock-In was a huge success at the end of January. The day before it was held, we had 13 signed up, and by the end of the next day the number had grown to 97. We went to the elementary gym for awhile, then back to the church for games and hang out time. The little kids lock-in held a few days later was also a fun time, around 25 kids showed up to spend New Years Eve together.
During December we spent time focusing on “Happy Birthday Jesus” as it’s his birth that we were celebrating. Each youth group got to meet up and exchange some fun gifts and focus a bit more on Jesus’ birthday.
We recently purchased tents for the summer festivals. Thank you to all who donated money, especially the Trust Fund, and time to the youth so we could make this purchase. The kids used much of the money we made from the Annual Meeting Lunch, Candle Sales, Christmas Bake Sale and Lock-Ins to purchase the tents and supplies. We do have some candles left over, so if anyone is interested in picking some more up, go ahead and let me know.
In Sunday School we’ve continued learning more about the minor Prophets, with the last few sessions being about Micah and the things that God told him to do. We took a few weeks off to celebrate Christmas and Riverside Sunday, and after we finish studying Micah we’ll move onto Zephaniah, Nahum and Habakkuk.
During Junior High Youth we spent a couple of weeks on “Go There” where the kids get to talk openly and candidly about what’s really going on in their lives. These sessions are always amazing, as it really does make many of the kids learn to trust each other more.
Senior High recently spent a couple of weeks working on DayCamp 2012. We took time to start assigning teens to different classes and going through the games and lessons. Even though we’re in the middle of Winter, we’re looking forward to Summer and spending time with the younger kids. This years theme for DayCamp is called Operation Overboard and focuses on daring to go deep with God and will be held June 3rd to June 7th. Any teens or adults that want to help out let me know and we’ll find a place for you.
Educate to Grow and some of the teens have been working on a new service aimed at being a bit more contemporary and a whole lot different than normal worship. This service will be open to everyone A.L.I.V.E.’s original kickoff date was moved due to a calendar conflict. Keep your eyes open for more info the rest of the month. Mark Willand 390-1032 |
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First Lutheran Church Council Meeting Minutes January 11, 2012
First Lutheran Church Council met at 7:00 p.m. in regular session on January 11, 2012. Pastor Karen and all council members were present. President Ned Doan opened the meeting with the lighting of the Christ candle. Pastor Karen opened with devotions and prayer.
Motion made, seconded and carried (MMSC) to accept the following reports: Secretary with corrections December minutes should reflect that voting members will be members who are confirmed and have communed and give a contribution of record, as per our FLC constitution C8.02c Treasurer’s report, Membership, Pastor Grandall, Youth director Mark Willand GRACE groups- Council links reported out news from Grace groups. Concerns for the present: Discussion and/or actions taken Motion Made/Seconded to approve funds to send Mark Willand to Ignite Youth Leadership Conference in Des Moines on March 16 and 17th 2012. Passed Motion Made/Seconded to approve the purchase of tents and camping equipment for youth. Passed Motion Made/Seconded to offer a final mailing to both groups around the ELCA issue. A one page document to summarize or cover additional details after each forum has been held. Documents shall be signed and in the office by Thursday February 2, 2012 so that they can be mailed together by FLC. Passed Motion Made/Seconded to change the time of the ELCA vote. With the new voting hours to be from 10:30 to 3:00 on February 12, 2012. Passed Discussion followed about tasks that will need to be done to assure a smooth voting experience for all. Mailing to inform all FLC members about the call for a special congregational meeting in which the vote will be taken on February 12, 2012 will go out from the church office by January 27, 2012 Council will have a workshop meeting on February 15, 2012 to address the next steps needed after the vote has been decided. Motion Made/Seconded to give the 2012 Lenten offering to each of the three FLC missions stated below with the offering from the Lenten meals to go to world hunger. Passed 1/3 of total Lenten service offering to the Waldorf foundation 1/3 of total Lenten service offering to Riverside 1/3 of total Lenten service offering to Lutheran Social Services President Ned Doan informed the council that he had received and accepted a verbal resignation from Gary Hennigar. Discussion around filling the open staff position as well as looking for people to help with the Sunday audio system. Motion Made/Seconded to create a stipend to go to the operator of the sound system starting at $25. Passed Motion Made/Seconded to rescind the previous motion to create a stipend to go to the operation of the sound system starting at $25. Passed Continued discussion around how to fill newly opened positions. Discussion will continue at February 8, 2012 council meeting. Accepted Gift given by the David Irons family to cement the back alley entrance steps later in the year. Educate to Grow would like to pursue having a musical service in the fellowship hall on February 26th at 11:00. Council discussion was favorable. Council would appreciate the Educate to Grow group keeping council informed of plans and communicating with Glorify group.
Council communion server schedule: January 15th – Monte DeArmoun, Mike Stevens, Sue Grundel February 5th – Cynthia Krull, Ned Doan, Marcia Kraft
The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be February 8, 2012. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm with Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted, Christine Quisley, secretary **These minutes are pending council approval** |
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AGAPE Soup Deliverers Looking for volunteer
AGAPE Soup Maker Traci Hauge Kim Hengesteg Taylor Hauge |