“The Visitor” Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Canby, MN

507-223-5528 – www.oslcanby.org Email: oslcanbymn@gmail.com

Volume 22 Issue 1 January 2020

Dates to

Remember…

1/1/20 - OFFICE

CLOSED

1/17/20 - Annual

Reports Due in office

1/12/20 - Sonshine

Worship

1/18/20 - No Sunday

School

1/23/20 - Visitor

Articles Due

1/26/20 - Annual

Meeting following

worship

Potluck Dinner to

follow meeting.

(Districts 1,6,7,8-

Hotdish; Districts

4&5 – Salads & Breads and Districts

2&3 Desserts)

Blessings in Christ, and I hope everybody had a great holiday season. I wanted to take some time this month to express my gratitude and immense thanks to Amber Groen for the ministry she has provided for our youth and youth program over the last two and a half years. Amber came on staff here during a time of transition when we were in the process of deciding what our youth program was going to look like. We had recently gone from having two pastors to only having one and we were unsure of what the needs of the youth program were going to be. Into this uncertainty Amber graciously stepped in as a youth coordinator who could be flexible. We decided to take these two years to really discover what kind of youth program we wanted, and how it would fit in with our evolving ministry model.

Over the last two years we have made some significant changes to our youth program. 7th and 8th grade Confirmation students are now meeting on Sunday with their Parents as part of their class. This has gone wonderfully and the kids are greatly growing their understanding of their faith. Amber also helped us shift some of the focus of the youth board to make them a more active participant in the fundraising and trips of the youth.

In light of these changes and others we came to the decision that because of the shift in ministry model that we had undertaken and the new structure of our youth ministry that the need for a youth coordinator was not as great as it once was. So, after discussion with the Board of Trustees, the Personnel Committee, and Amber we have decided that in order to be good stewards of our financial blessings we would move forward without a youth director.

I do want make two things very clear, this decision was not made because of any dissatisfaction in Amber’s work, (we would not be in the wonderful position we are with the youth if it wasn’t for her hard work), and this decision was not made because we are in any financial trouble, (that is also doing very well as I will lay out in next month’s letter).

So I will end this letter the way I started it, by expressing my heart felt gratitude and immense thanks to Amber Groen for the gift of service she has given this congregation and its youth. Thanks to the work of her and many others, the future looks very bright for our youth program.

Peace, Pastor Levi

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For November 21st – December 26th

Gifts/Offerings received: $30,000.77

Distributions: $14,472.96

GIVE+Online…… We invite you to consider our new electronic

giving program as a way to automate your

regular weekly offerings. Electronic giving is

convenient for you and provides much-needed

consistency for our church. There is no cost for

you to participate.

To get started you will need to sign up in the link

on the front page of our website (oslcanby.org)

or you may call the office 223-5528 for

assistance.

Driver Information - If you

need a ride to church for Sunday

morning services,

please call the church office at 223-5528 by Friday

noon prior to the Sunday for making arrangements.

Communion Services

Tuesday, January 14th 10:30 a.m. Holy

Communion at

Sylvan Court Chapel

12:45 p.m. Holy

Communion at

Sylvan Place

3:30 p.m. Holy Communion at

Twinwood A and Twinwood B

Wednesday, January 8th 1:30 p.m. Worship/Holy Communion in

Our Saviour’s Chapel

Women’s Circle Meeting Date & Time

Tuesday, January 14th

Elizabeth/Naomi Circle

2:00pm-Fireside Room

Tuesday, January 21st

Gather Bible Study-10:00am Sylvan Court

JANUARY WORSHIP ASSISTANTS

Altar Assistants: Juli Wornson & Lori Husby

Ushers

Mitch Groen, Captain

223-5915

Menno Fokken Curt Olsen

Wayne Giese Erich Fokken

5th: Dawn Ourada

12th: Sonshine

19th: Youth

26th: Bruce Wornson

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Eternal Lights for the month of

January

For January the Eternal Lights burn in the Sanctuary and Chapel to the glory and honor of our

Savior, Jesus Christ, who alone is worthy to be praised.

Mission Work Our Saviour’s mission church is Iglesia Lutherana Paz y

Esperanza [Peace and Hope Lutheran Church]. Our

Mission Calendar will go ½ toward our new mission

church and ½ to our missionary.

The Mission Calendar is $10 per day and you may

designate it for birthdays, anniversaries, or any special

day you may have.

December Mission Calendar 5th: In loving memory of Harold Harding. Given by Curt & Marilyn Rangaard.

Our Saviour’s Lutheran offers a mission opportunity for individuals and families to partner in spreading the

Gospel through financial support of our TV broadcasts.

Broadcasts may be given in honor or memory of loved

ones with their names being published in our weekly

bulletin and our monthly newsletter. One TV broadcast

costs $50.

December TV Broadcasts

22nd: In loving memory of Lloyd Kopperud. Given by his children, Rolf, Kevin & Jane. 24th: In loving memory of Wendell & Marion Snortum. Given by their family.

*A list of categories where you can designate your

money when giving Memorials to Our Saviour's Lutheran include:

Altar Fund Blanket Fund

Broadcast Fund Building Fund

Campership Fund Cemetery Fund

Cornerstone Fund Eternal Lights

Foundation Lutheran Educational Aid Fund (L.E.A.F.)

Mission Action Mission Calendar

Music Memorial Fund Organ Restoration Fund

Sunday School TEAF

Video Streaming Fund Women’s Retreat Fund WELCA Projects Fund

Youth Or you may give it as:

Undesignated

Broadcast

Lloyd Kopperud

Wendell & Marion Snortum

Cemetery

Leona Christianson

Floyd Haugen

Martin & Mable Schultz

Cornerstone

Charlene ‘Chuckie’ Christianson

Organ

Charlene ‘Chuckie’ Christianson

Newly Baptized in December

Henry Fredric Hacker

INTERNAL CHURCH STAFF:

Pastor:

Levi Bollerud

President of Congregation:

Bruce Wornson

Vice President:

Dee Benson

Congregational Secretary:

Dee Benson

Congregational Treasurer:

Brenda Lothert Organist/Handbell Director:

Karen Olsen

Choir Director:

Dawn Ourada

Custodian:

Jesse Engesmoe

Office Manager:

Cheryl Norquist

Youth Coordinator:

Amber Groen

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COUNCIL BOARD MEMBERS

BOARD OF DEACONS Dan Kraft* 2016 Eric Hanson 2018 Janice Zimmerman 2018 Cheryl Denelsbeck 2019 Craig Kaddatz 2019 BOARD OF EDUCATION Kristen Fairchild 2018 Jon Hanson 2018 Kelly Eischens Danielle Cornell Linda Richter

2019 2019 2019

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mark Fokken 2018 Carol Gorder 2018 Dawn Giese 2019 Mark Whittier 2019 Leon VanDerostyne 2019 YOUTH BOARD Cheryl Norquist* 2016 Beth Beiningen 2018 Rondine Shaffer 2018 Cameron Anderson 2019 Jack Nemitz Kelly Stoks

2019 2019

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church Council-at-Large Minutes of the

December 11, 2019 Meeting

Council at Large was called to order on 12/11 at 7:07 p.m. presided by Bruce Wornson, President. Pastor Levi led in devotions from Matthew 3…Prepare the Way of the Lord; ready or not, be prepared for the coming of the Lord “I am smoothing and straitening the way for you”.

The minutes of the 11/13/19 meeting were read; there were no corrections or additions and the minutes stand approved as read. New business: Pastor Levi shared due to the change in our ministry module, there will no longer be a Youth Coordinator; this is due to the changes in Sunday School and Confirmation; the Youth Board will be taking care of fundraisers and the Office Manager will handle more of the organizational items. In other business, Mark Fokken, Trustee’s Chair, asked if there were any Boards requesting changes to their budget for the upcoming year; there being none, the Boards will have the same budgeted amount for the upcoming year. Mark made a motion scheduling the Annual Meeting for January 26, 2020; the motion was seconded and approved. Mark also reminded the Chairs of the Boards they will need to do an annual report and get it to Cheryl by 1/17/20 at the latest (earlier preferred). President Wornson asked if there was any other business and there being none, the meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p.m. and the boards broke off into their separate groups. Respectfully submitted, Dee Benson BOARD OF TRUSTEES: December 11, 2019 Present: Mark Fokken, Leon Vanderostyne, Mark Whittier, Dawn Giese, Carol Gorder, Bruce Wornson, Dee Benson, Pastor Bollerud Absent: none The trustees met prior to the regularly scheduled meeting to work on the 2020 budget. Chair Mark Fokken called the meeting to order at 7:22 p.m.

I. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the

November meeting were read. Motion

made and seconded to approve the

minutes. Motion carried.

II. Review and Pay Bills: Outstanding bills were

reviewed and discussed. Motion made and

seconded to pay the outstanding bills from

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November 14th to December 11th. Motion

carried.

III. End of Year: Motion made and seconded to

authorize Chair Fokken to repay up to

$5,000.00 to the Cornerstone fund (if cash

flow allows) prior to closing of the books for

the year. Motion carried.

IV. Projects update: The trustees received an

update on work completed by Steve Benson

in the sacristy area.

V. Other:

a. Fire Extinguishers: Pat Vlaminck will

check over the extinguishers. Motion

was made and seconded to have Doug’s

Service and Marine fill the extinguishers

as they are licensed to do this work.

Motion carried.

b. Building Maintenance: Pastor Levi and

Cheryl will explore options for Pest

control.

c. The remainder of the meeting time was

spent working on the 2020 Budget. The

trustees will meet again prior to the

January council meeting to finalize the

budget.

Motion made and seconded to adjourn. Motion carried. The board adjourned at 8:27 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dawn Giese, Secretary, OSL Board of Trustees BOARD OF DEACONS Board of Deacons Minutes for December 11, 2019 meeting. Members Present: Janice Zimmerman, Craig Kaddatz, & Dan Kraft, Cheryl Denelsbeck Member Absent: Eric Hanson Read and approved minutes from the November 13th meeting.

Communion assistants were discussed for the 15th, 22nd, 24th, 29th of December and January 5th.

There being no other items to discuss on the agenda we adjourned to work on putting batteries in candles for Christmas Eve worship.

Respectfully Submitted, Janice Zimmerman YOUTH BOARD Youth Board Minutes for November 13, 2019 meeting. Members Present: Beth Beiningen, Jack Nemitz, Cheryl Norquist, Kelly Stoks Member Absent: Amber Groen, Cameron Anderson, Rondine Shaffer

Reviewed and approved minutes from November 13th meeting.

● Bake Sale ○ Will be held from 10a-11:30a in the

Fellowship Hall on Sunday, December 22nd following worship.

○ Families are asked to mark their own items.

○ Cheryl will take care of the money.

● Moberg Meat Fundraiser ○ There were 9 youth who participated in

the fundraiser. We profited about $475. Items will be available to pick up the week of the 18th.

● Blessed to Give ○ If there are leftover names on the

board, Amber will ask some students to go shopping with her to get them all.

● Other Business Pastor Levi shared that due to the change in our ministry module there will no longer there will no longer be a Youth Coordinator; this is due to the changes in Sunday School and Confirmation; the Youth Board will be taking care of fundraisers and the Office Manager will handle more of the organizational items.

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A note from Amber was shared expressing her thanks

for the Youth Board’s support over the years and that

she really enjoyed working with all of us.

There being no further discussion the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Jack Nemitz

BOARD OF EDUCATION:

Board of Education minutes from December 11, 2019. Members Present: Kristen Fairchild, Linda Richter, Kelly Eischens, Danielle Cornell, Jon Hanson Discussion took place for Christmas Program, Jesus’s Birthday Party, Gifts for Sunday School Kids.

Jesus’s Birthday Party

Jan – 5th

o Cupcakes from the Bakery

o Bingo – maybe make your

own bingo

o Pinata?

Christmas program

Insert for the bulletin

o Dress rehearsal on Sunday

15th – may more be needed

Linda has the order of service and

we will be filling in the middle with

our Nativity Skit

o 5th and 6th graders have

speaking parts

o 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders

are angels or shepherds

o Props downstairs to use

Gifts

After the program the kids will go

back upstairs and they will be given

an ornament for being part of our

Sunday School Program

Teachers will receive gift cards to

the Bakery

There being no further discussion the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Kelly Eischens

1st:

Jaime Hanson

Erin Hewer

2nd:

Thomas Jacobson

Kendra Vanderostyne

3rd:

Jadyn Schmitt

4th:

Paige Heidecker

Wanda Hemish

5th:

Blake Robbin

6th:

Cynthia Hiedeman

Teresa Menk

Larry Stoks

7th:

Karen Kockelman

Natalie Morris

8th:

Beth Beiningen

Rick Bueltel

Brett Stoks

9th:

Matthew Bliss

11th:

Kendra Hoffman

Cole Regnier

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12th:

Parker Anhalt

Karin Livermore

Nathan Oellien

Brian Svoboda

13th:

Tiffini Stockman

Makayla Bretschnieder

14th:

Bruce Wornson

15th:

Jocelynn Lacek

Richard Mortenson

16th

Gail Eilers

Brooklyn Frensko

Sheila Hegg

Miriam Kaczmarek

Bruce Madsen

Marcie Wolff

17th:

Jackie Mortenson

Curt Olsen

Silas Olson

18th:

Myron Anhalt

Jane Ellison

Peyton Svoboda

Maeley Wollum

20th:

Nina Benz

21st:

Gary VanDerostyne

Gerald VanDerostyne

22nd: Trevor Menk Natalie Stoks

23rd: Brynlee Jeppeson

Lucille Stoks

24th: Ben Whittier

25th:

Matthew Groen Piper Antony

26th:

Kaylin Anderson Levi Bollerud

28th:

Tucker Coil Madisen Krug Joshua Long

29th:

Tyler Baer Brooke Nelson

30th: Trish Hoffman

31st:

Gavin Benz Donald Beutler

Kerri DeVos Janet Full

Marion Oellien Richard Rogers Harvey Wollum

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Thank You’s….…

Look at all the amazing things that God has done this

past month at Our Saviour’s: Baptisms, special music,

Bible Studies, Advent worship, Christmas Eve Sonshine

Worship, Sunday School children Christmas Program

and Confirmation classes, communion services and

many other unnamed and unknown ministries. It takes

many hearts and hands to do God’s work. We are

grateful!

We ask God’s guidance and prayers for all those who have special needs: Katrina Vick, Leo Schmitt, Jesse Eischens, Greg Lohrenz, Peter Girard, Kiley Mercer & family, Deloris Griffith, Stan Paulsen, Cindy Hiedeman, Brayden Baker, Debbie Cornell, Rhonda Andree, Dane Nordquist, Monica Larson (Sherri Full’s niece), Delroy Thompson, Stephanie Kreutner, John Cornell, LaVonne Winters, Cameron Stockmann, Evelyn Husby, Jerry Thomsen, Joyce Brouwer, Mary Adler, Don Kirkeide, Robert Kokesh, Fern Emmons and granddaughter Gabrielle, Connie Severson, Bill & Fran Beecher, Patricia Hoffman, Bruce Garrels, Karin Livermore, Deanna Stephenson, Dean Hedge, Sandra Nelson, Kristina Paiakham, Sherry Olson, Linda Vlaminck, Noah Hanson, and all whom we name before you in our hearts. May God strengthen all who are in need.

NOTICE: Articles for the 2019 Annual Report are due by Friday, January 17th. It is important to have these in to the church

office by the deadline. Thank you!

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church will hold its

Annual Meeting of the Congregation on

Sunday, January 26th, following the 9:00

a.m. worship service.

Following the meeting there will be a potluck

dinner.

If you don’t know what district you’re in

please call the office.

Here’s what to bring to share…

Districts 1,6,7,8 – Hotdish

Districts 4 & 5 - Salads & Breads

Districts 2 & 3 - Desserts

Altar Guild Committee is in need of

several new members for the

upcoming year. If you have questions

or are interested in helping with this

important mission, please contact

Cheryl in the church office – 223-

5528 or Juli Wornson – 507-530-8001

We continue to pray for the Leaders of the Nations, for all the Peacekeeping forces and especially for the service men and women connected with OSL, both those who remain deployed and those who now feel the safety of home: Cody Dinius, Andrew Thompson, Ross Larson, Nicole Nelson (granddaughter of Larry & Joanne Nelson), Ethan Webster, Tony Geier, Ryan Stoks, Nicholas Schultz, Tony Nelson, Kirk Larson, Ryan Otto, Tyson Coil, Christopher Oellien, Stephanie Geier and Sue Behrens. May God continue to strengthen these committed military personnel and their families. If anyone has been omitted or you would like to add a name, please contact the church office. We ask God to surround them and their loved ones with His love and presence.

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Services are now being streamed over

YouTube If you can’t make it to church on Sunday mornings,

now you can join us for worship online! For the

past couple of months, we have been streaming our

regular Sunday morning services on our own

YouTube channel. You can access the live stream

by going to our website (www.oslcanby.org) and

clicking on the blue live stream button on the

homepage. You can access archived services by

visiting our YouTube channel which you can find

when you are on the livestream by clicking on the

Luther seal. There’s also a link to our YouTube

channel on our website. We encourage everyone to

subscribe to the channel and then you’ll receive

notifications whenever we “go live.” If you can’t

join us in person on Sunday morning, please join us

online! This service will be especially helpful for

members of our church family who are snowbirds

during the winter months. Please check it out. If

you’d like to help with this ministry or have

questions, please contact Mark Fokken or the

church office

This will be my final newsletter

as Youth Coordinator so, first of all I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and made wonderful memories with your families. It has been a pleasure serving the church as the Youth Coordinator these past few years. My favorite memories have been spending time with these amazing youth. They have touched my life in so many ways and I will be forever grateful. I hope that during my time as youth coordinator I have made a difference in one child’s life. My wish for our youth today is that they will always be themselves. God made them exactly as he wanted them to be so please don’t try and be like anyone else. I also hope that they know that they can make a difference in this world by being kind, generous and loving. In my own life, it has been so fun to see acts of kindness continue on. My own kids and the youth I have mentored know that I have stated many times to strive to make a difference in this world and to listen to your heart because it will lead you right!! I can’t say this enough, we are all here for a reason and we can all make a difference. Please continue to pray for these youth that they feel God’s love and that they love themselves. I would like to thank everyone for their support and kind words during my time as Youth Coordinator! Let God lead you and go out and make a difference in this world!!!!!!!! God’s Blessings!!! Amber Groen

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WELCA NEWS AND NOTES

If you are missing any pans or Tupperware containers you should take a look in the kitchen underneath the prep table. There are a lot there.

WELCA News and Notes on break for January…..back in February….any info

will be in the bulletins.

Hospitality Teams

Please continue to sign up for these teams. We

would like to have a minimum of 20 people on

each team because everyone on the team is not

always able to work a particular funeral. We

are so appreciative of the many individuals who

are willing to work in this important mission!

Thank You!