March 2014

Faith Matters grace delivery service Pastor’s Page

The season of Lent begins this month.

Lent is a 40-day period set aside to repent

as preparation for entering again into the

central mystery of our faith—the

suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus

for the salvation of the world. (Fun fact:

The 40 days of Lent count only weekdays,

because every Sunday, even in Lent, is a

reminder of Easter and Jesus’ ultimate

triumph over sin, death and

condemnation.)

The first day of Lent is Ash

Wednesday, which is on March 5 this

year. Ash Wednesday reminds us of our

mortality—that we are sinners subject to

death—which makes the gift of

salvation so necessary. In worship, we

put ashes on our foreheads in the shape

of a cross, both as a reminder that “you

are dust, to dust you shall

return,” (Genesis 3:19) and that Christ’s

death on the cross destroyed the power

of death.

For several years now, Faith

Lutheran has combined our mid-week

Lenten worship services with

confirmation. Confirmands gather with

their families and the rest of the

congregation to delve into one key part

of the faith.

This year, Lenten worship will focus on the sacraments. The theme is

“What can God do for you?” Based off the former advertising slogan of UPS—

“What can Brown do for you?”—it reflects that the sacraments are the means

of grace or God’s “delivery system” for bringing his saving power into our

lives.

Lent is an essential part of the rhythm of the Christian year. For these six

weeks, I strongly encourage you to worship on Wednesdays as well as

Sundays, preparing your heart and mind to experience the wonder of Holy

Week and Easter.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Scott Grorud

Dates to Remember:

Sun. March 2 7pm - Compline (p. 3)

Wed. March 5 Noon and 6:30pm - Ash

Wednesday Services

Sun. March 9 New Digging Deeper Options

Begin (p. 8)

Wednesdays, March 12—April 9 6:30pm Lenten Services

combined with

Confirmation

Sun. March 23 11:30am Music Vision

Potluck (p. 7)

Sat. April 5 10am to Noon - Skeptical

Believer Presentation by

Dr. Daniel Taylor (p. 7)

April 10-12 Faith Lutheran Rummage

Sale (p. 9)

Sat. July 12 Garden Tour & Salad

Luncheon (p. 9)

Aug. 15 - 17 FaithLife Camp (p. 4)

Lent 2014 Ash Wednesday

Wed. March 5 Noon & 6:30pm

Lenten Worship Wednesdays, March 12 - April 9

6:30pm (Confirmation 6:30-7:45pm)

2

The annual meeting in January heard the

great news that giving at the end of 2013 was

really strong, allowing the church to pay off all

of its old operating debt. It was the latest—and

best—sign of the growing financial health of

the congregation. At the same time, giving to

the church in January dropped dramatically,

down 16% from the previous year! There

could be many reasons for that. Severe winter

weather, many people traveling to warmer

climates and a boomerang effect from the

amazing December giving may all have played

a part.

Still, it was troubling to see such a sharp

drop, partly because the church absolutely

does not want to go right back into debt again.

Beyond that, Faith Lutheran has such a great

opportunity to expand its mission. Money that

had been going to pay off debt could be

directed to the work of God’s

kingdom instead—but only if we

all continue to give it.

Dr. Harry Wendt, the author of

the Crossways Bible study,

describes money as “mission in a

portable form.” The people of Faith

can do face-to-face ministry in our own

community, but mission dollars can be easily

sent all over the earth to further the work of

God’s kingdom. If giving to Faith matches or

exceeds last year, 2014 could provide amazing

new opportunities to do exactly that.

Even as we thank God for Faith’s much-

improved financial condition, we also extend a

challenge to Faith’s members to continue to

give generously, as God first blesses us, so that

we can support more Christian work here and

around the world.

This challenge, called Mission ’14, seeks to

celebrate Faith’s freedom from operating debt

by increasing our “portable mission,” instead.

Let’s see what new and important work God

can do through us for Jesus’ sake in 2014.

Faith Lutheran Church INFORMATION & STAFF DIRECTORY

335 Main St. S. 320-587-2093 FaithLC.com

Pastors

Scott Grorud 320-587-0171 (home)

scottg@faithlc.com

Dave Wollan 320-583-2385 (cell)

davidw@faithlc.com

Paul Knudson 320-587-2227 (home)

paulk@faithlc.com

Paulus Pilgrim, Visitation 320-234-9753 (home)

paulusp@faithlc.com

Staff

Gladys Bonnema, Youth & Family Ministry gladysb@faithlc.com

Jim Brodd, Custodial Services Coordinator brodd@hutchtel.net

Julie Guggemos, Administrative Assistant julieg@faithlc.com

Keith Lange, Maintenance

Mike Lauer, Director of Music & Worship mikel@faithlc.com

Diane Pedersen, Finance dianep@faithlc.com

Marsha Schmit, Pastoral Care & Evangelism marshas@faithlc.com

Mission ‘14

“At the same time,

giving to the

church in January

dropped

dramatically,

down 16%.”

3

C ome and worship at Faith’s new

monthly Sunday night service.

You may remember the Sunday

night Greenhouse worship service

was “closed for remodeling” back in the

spring of 2012. A lack of music leadership

caused us to take a fresh look at how we

could best use our time and talents. One of

the results, the Foundation service on Sunday

mornings, has been a great success. There

has always been a desire, however, to do

something again on Sunday nights.

Introducing Compline, a monthly worship

experience that will blend great music with a

reflective atmosphere, creative liturgy, and

topical messages. Traditionally, Compline is

the monastic service for prayer at the close of

the day. At Faith, it’s going to be an evening

praise service at the close of the day and

beginning of the week. Our Director of

Music, Mike Lauer, has assembled some top-

notch musicians. Our Director of Youth and

Family Ministry, Gladys Bonnema, is

crafting an atmosphere featuring a lot of

candles and soft-lighting, and Pastor Dave

Wollan is forming a message on the reality

and struggle of doubt in our lives. Everyone

is welcome at Compline, although the

reflective atmosphere may not suit younger

children.

The first Compline is on Sun. March 2,

beginning at 7pm in Faith’s sanctuary.

Questions? 320-587-2093.

4

Give-Match-Win We see the effects of hunger around the world on TV, but the

effects of hunger at home may not be as visible. In 2013, the McLeod County Emergency Food Shelf provided food for 401,246 meals to residents of McLeod County. Many families started and ended their day with hearty, sustainable meals because of the generosity of neighbors.

In 2013, Faith Lutheran donated 1803 pounds and $125 to the food shelf! But March is the month to really make your donation count. The food shelf can win a donation matching the amount of money collected at the food shelf during this month. Matching funds are provided by the Minneapolis Council of Churches and Minnesota FoodShare Drive.

Save the Date!

August 15-17, 2014 Make Time for Faith in Your Life

Families. Singles. Seniors. Youth:

5

New Hope Mission Society Moves Forward Updates on new and existing missions

Generous giving in 2013 has made possible

numerous essential repairs to the Bishara

Center in India. This place for retreat,

conferences, worship, and the future home of

a Bible School is in the major undertaking of

having the chapel roof replaced.

Pastor K.K. Alavi, with over $23,000 in

funds given in 2013, is completing plans to

open a Bible School in the late spring of

2014. This will train evangelists and others

to be more effective in bringing Muslims to

Christ, helping them provide caring

community for converts facing many

hardships and preparing them train others for

witness.

New Hope Mission Society is embarking on

a partnership with the Tabor Congregation in

Hawassa, Ethiopia, in conjunction with the

Augustana District, to provide a worship

center and early childhood education center

in a very challenging Muslim community. A

$10,000 challenge gift has been given by a

family that NHMS seeks to have donors

match during the coming year. Look for

more news on this in the weeks ahead.

We continue with support for the program

needs of Pastor Alavi’s outreach teams, for

Brother Titus in Nigeria, for Frank Hutton’s

support working among International

Students at Twin Cities universities, for the

Otten School, and for final payments on

Bishara debt.

With generous support from Faith Lutheran’s

members, NHMS continues to give

leadership to these multiple outreach

ministries to Muslims.

A class at the Bible School at Bishara in India

6

Partnership in Ethiopia Partnership in Ethiopia Delegation of 11 Brings Back Excitement for the New Partnership with Tabor Congregation in Hawassa, Ethiopia

Imagine this: You are in a congregation

that began less than 20 years ago. You

started with 368 members and are now well

over 7,000. In this brief history you have

already given birth to fifteen congregations

and send out nearly 60 evangelists in your

city (a largely Muslim region) and across the

country. You are in your third 5-year

strategic plan and have the intention of

giving birth to 10 more congregations within

the next five years. You are even expecting

to send missionaries to troubled lands like

Somalia and South Sudan.

This is our new and inspiring partner, the

Tabor Congregation from Ethiopia, from

whom we will receive more than we will give.

We pray this partnership will call forth others

within our denominational body, Lutheran

Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC),

and congregations and synods of the

Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus

(EECMY). A delegation of 11 people from the

Augustana District (including Faith

Lutheran’s Pastor Paul Knudson) visited

Tabor in January.

Stay tuned, and you will see marvelous

mission endeavors multiplied through the

power of the Holy Spirit working within and

among us.

7

Let’s talk about struggling with faith.

Maybe you know someone who has walked

away not only from the church but from faith

in God as well. Maybe this is you. Maybe your

loved one.

We invite you to engage your faith in a

fresh way by attending a presentation by Dr.

Daniel Taylor, a retired professor of literature

at Bethel University in the Twin Cities. In his

book, The Skeptical Believer: Talking to My

Inner Atheist, Taylor draws his readers into his

own faith journey, being claimed by the

biblical story centered in Jesus Christ but also

resisting the story and being tempted to walk

away from faith.

Those from our congregation who have

heard him speak have been fascinated by the

way he can use simple images to speak of the

challenges to faith.

Mark your calendar. Set aside two hours on

Saturday morning, April 5, from 10am to

Noon. If anyone wishes to read his book

before Taylor is here, call the church office

(320-587-2093). We have some copies

available to borrow.

Are You a

?

The Faith Singers are looking to increase their numbers and "Run Out of

Robes" by April 6. If you or someone you know is interested in being a member,

consider joining and come to a rehearsal. All are welcome. Singing in choir is an

opportunity to share your gift in worship, meet wonderful people, and learn more

about music in the church. Faith Singers meet Wednesday evenings at 6pm, and

during the Lenten season after the 6:30pm worship service.

A Music Vision Potluck is planned for Sun. March 23 at 11:30am in the Faith

Center. Present, former, and future musicians of the church are invited to join in on

a meal and conversation about the vision of the music ministry. All are welcome,

look for the sign-up sheet in the entry ways and church office. We have several

opportunities for special music during the Lenten services. If you are interested,

contact Mike Lauer (320-587-2093 or mikel@faithlc.com).

Music Notes

Daniel Taylor, author of The Skeptical Believer: Telling

Stories to Your Inner Atheist, will speak at Faith

Lutheran on Sat. April 5, from 10am to Noon.

8

Digging Deeper

Short-term studies are offered on Sunday mornings throughout the year. Dig deeper at Faith Lutheran with these new classes, beginning March 9, 2014:

Signs 9:15am (March 9 - April 13) This class will examine the seven

signs in the Gospel of John. From the wedding at Cana to the raising of Lazarus, we’ll take a close look

at what Jesus did and what it showed about him. This is an adaption of a FLY Night study

Pastor Dave wrote, so it promises to be simple, relevant, and fun!

Family Matters 9:15am (March 9 - April 13) This Bible Study is based on the

stories of families from the middle of Genesis. As we examine the stories, we’ll discuss them from a

Lutheran perspective and then see how they intersect with our own

family dynamics.

So That’s What It Means! 9:15am (March 9 - April 13)

The Small Catechism has been used for confirmation instruction for

centuries, but Martin Luther wrote it for adults, not children. Discover the

depth of meaning in this inspired work of genius when it is read from

an adult perspective.

Q: Why is there sin?

A: In Genesis 2, 3 and 4, the Bible details the nature, origin and result of sin in a

profound way. It reveals that the heart of sin is not moral failure, but the

unwillingness of people to trust God.

The Christian Church has long described Adam and Eve’s sin as “The Fall,”

which assumes that they “fell” from a position of moral purity to one of

wickedness. But, while wickedness surely occurred as a result of sin, it began, not

as a “fall,” but as an Uprising or rebellion.

When the serpent promised (falsely!) that “you will be like God,” Eve and Adam

failed to trust God’s good will for them and tried to “rise up” beyond their status as

creatures to try to be gods instead. In rebelling against God, they ruptured their

relationship with Him and caused a break between the whole creation and its

Creator.

Sinful rebellion against God has plagued people ever since. It is our human

condition, the “original sin” that affects us from birth. It is such a part of our nature

that we cannot overcome it or remove it from ourselves. The only solution to sin is

the one God worked in Christ Jesus—to take our sin to the cross in order to forgive

us, free us and return us to trusting faith in Him.

9

“Cold enough for ya?” That question has been going around in weather like this for many years. I’ve never heard anyone say, “No, it needs to be a bit colder for me.” Who would deny that what we long for is spring temperatures, warmth of the sun, and spirits lifted by the promise of another season of green and growth. Cold makes us look ahead to warmth.

This bitter winter has stimulated something else: reminiscence. People are telling me about how they used to play outside in the snow in below zero temperatures. They would ski, sled, and toboggan down the neighborhood hill, or strap on their ice skates to spend hours skating on the river.

And… get to church every Sunday; in sleighs, with the horses seeming to enjoy the outing as much as the blanket-covered riders. Because worship was not only important, it was absolutely necessary for living, surviving trials and experiencing God’s presence. Weekly worship was not an option, but a necessity. Even if it meant dad needed to put chains on the tires on Saturday night, or fire up a kerosene heater in the garage, making sure the car would

start early Sunday morning. I hope you keep sharing those stories of faith; not to lift up the past, but as a witness for today as we continue to respond to the call of God in new and different ways.

Speaking of the “good old days,” our next meeting’s topic is “Antique Road Show.” Lynn Buck, antique authority who shared interesting information about our antiques last May, will be with us again. Get your own personal antiques ready to bring for Lynn’s commentary. You may be surprised at their value, either higher or lower than you suspected.

Come to Seniors Potluck meeting on Thurs. March 27, beginning with potluck dinner at 12:00 noon. See you there, and bring a friend (and your antiques)!

SENIORS SCENE

Faith Lutheran Church Women Spring is around the corner, and it’s time to start gathering items for our annual Rummage Sale April 10-12. You may start bringing things to the area outside the church office on Mon. April 7 at 8am. Items include furniture, toys, clothes, kitchen ware, dishes, linens, decorative and holiday items, books, jewelry, pictures, CD’s, and garden décor. No TV’s, computers, appliances or large exercise equipment accepted. A sign up poster to help will be posted close to the date. This is a great opportunity to clean out, find treasures at rock bottom prices, and support the FLCW ministry.

The 5th annual Garden Tour & Salad Luncheon is scheduled for Sat. July 12. If you or someone you know is willing to show your yard or garden, call Bobbi Knudson (320-587-2227). Do you think our snow will be gone by then?

10

Thoughts and Prayers Remember our Faith members in Nursing Homes & Health Care Centers

Lakeside (Dassel) Dorothy Getz

Joanne Olesen

Glencoe Betty Garberich

Earl Peterson

Harmony River Valerie Fimon

Helen Goertzen

Charles Kisling

Clarence Kulberg

Agnes Rettman

Otto Streseman

Charlie & Harriet Thor

Prairie Senior Cottages Delores Saar

Peg Tapper

Prairie View (Hector) Jerome Lindquist

Sleepy Eye Babette Marks

Please remember all those who are serving our country through active duty: Sgt. Jason Gaulke (El Paso, TX - nephew of Alice Fransen)

Jens and Anders Gylland (Afghanistan - nephews of Randy & Stephanie Freund)

Andrew Hantge (Navy, Virginia Beach, VA - son of Marsha Schmit and Robert Hantge)

CAPT Gail Hathaway (Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX - daughter of Marlin & Ruth Torgerson)

Colten Hughes (Fort Carson, CO - son of Curt & Tressa Hughes)

Lee Johnson (Fort Bragg, NC - son of Geri & Ralph Johnson)

SGT Tyler Lauer (Hohenfels, Germany - son of Brian & Cyndi Lauer)

CAPT James Lepse (active duty - nephew of Lorraine Burch)

Lt Col Katie McCormick (granddaughter of Liz Krasen)

Justin Olsen (Behring, Kuwait - son of Sharon Grivna and Jerry Olsen)

SFC Guy Sing (Korea - nephew of Tony Sing & cousin of Darlene Karg)

BOOK SPOTLIGHT Written by Linda McGraw

The Faith Lutheran Book Club's February selection

was Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. This also

happens to be the book that has been selected for

suggested community-wide reading.

There are actually two stories that unfold throughout

the book. Molly Ayer is nearly 18 but has been in foster

care due to the death of her father and abandonment of

her mother. A community service position helping an

elderly woman clean out her attic is the only thing

keeping Molly out of juvenile detention. The elderly

woman, Vivian Daly-Maynard, age 91, an orphaned

Irish immigrant who rode an orphan train to Minnesota,

has a difficult time disposing of the things stored in her attic because of the

memories and secrets they hold. Together Molly and Vivian learn that they aren't

that different and Molly helps Vivian answer the mysteries of her life.

This novel exemplifies the resilience of people, the ability to endure upheaval

and the unusual friendships that develop in life. We all enjoyed the book, and it

generated great discussion among the group.

Several community events are scheduled around this book. Sun. March 30, 2-

4pm there will be a book discussion at the Hutchinson Public Library. On Sun.

April 27, 2-4pm a meet-the-author event is scheduled at the Hutchinson Event

Center. Both of these events are free to the public.

The Faith Book Club meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:30pm in the Luther

Lounge (near the 3rd floor elevator). Questions? 320-587-2093.