good shepherd lutheran church 2702 hwy 29 north...
TRANSCRIPT
FEBRUARY 2019 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
2702 Hwy 29 North
Alexandria, MN 56308 1-320-762-5152
www.goodshepherd-lcms.org
1.
A happy and warm greetings to you this fine day in Min-nesota! May the sun shine on you and warm your body. May God’s love shine down on you and warm you within as you continue to live out these cold winter days! So, HOW are you facing and coping with all this winter time of snow and cold? Lately, I’ve been joining in on conversations and listening to different people’s reactions to all the different things happening in the world. Just recently I heard the term “snowflake.” It intrigued me. All by itself the world “snowflake” moves me to think of all the beautiful white snow. Yet, hearing it said by people to describe other peo-ple, it changed my view in a not-so-good way. So, I did some research and read a good article. (I have it and can send a link if you ask.) In this article, I learned the term and how it has been used down through recent his-tory. But this “Flock Talk” won’t be about snowflakes. Instead, it will be about HOW we see and handle things in life and at church. So, how do you see and handle things in life and at church? For many, we will handle these things similar to how we handle all other things. We will act and react either with our old nature or with God’s new nature. Be-ing believers, we will most likely do both. We will behave wrongly and then we will be led to see what’s wrong and then we will be led to repent and change and try to do better. Where does this leave you? Are you repenting and chang-ing, or not? Are you growing in faith-moved obedience or are you still slipping, stumbling, tripping, and falling? Are you walking more by faith or are you falling into disobedi-ence, laziness and indifference? I know I deal with my own sinful responses and reactions. I know sometimes I repent, other times I don’t repent and I struggle. Either way, I also experience God’s ministry done unto me. I experience God’s Word and His Supper as it feeds and cleanses me. I experience God getting my attention
through events in my life. I experience GOD minister to me through different people who act and speak to encourage, correct, and even challenge me to grow and change. This is good! This is GREAT, encouraging and uplifting! At the same time, I see and hear this happening with others. This too is good, encouraging and uplifting! And just like me, I also see others suffer, struggle, and stum-ble. So, HOW do I deal with it? I deal with it just like HOW God deals with me. I deal with it through God’s Word. I consciously make an effort to work at reflecting on what God’s Word says to me and then I apply it to my life. I also read daily devotions and faith-growth books, like the ones on the shelves in my office. (Take a look and let me know.) Sometimes, I’m able to use these tools to help me get ready to face what comes my way. Other times I am not and AFTER things have come my way and sent me reeling, I use them to help me stand up again. All I know is, when I do spend time walking, listening, and talking with God, I’m way better prepared to learn, grow, and deal with what comes my way. The times I don’t, it’s harder. It’s harder to see, hear and trust God’s love is real. It’s harder to know for sure God loves me. This is what I believe the Church is to be about. It’s to be about the message of God loving people and forgiv-ing them. It is to be about Jesus making a REAL DIF-FERENCE in people’s lives. It is to be about a God touching and changing people’s lives. It is to be about God changing and growing sinners into being “Caring Believers Sharing Joy.” In Jesus, God has saved us. In Je-sus, God is making us be: “Caring Believers Sharing Joy!” IF you are joining in on this mission and are learning how to be a Caring Believer Sharing Joy… GREAT! If not, join in! Come and connect with Jesus and others as HE teaches us and fills us with His joy! It’s REAL! It’s HERE! Jesus’s Joy is for YOU! Happy St. Valentines Day to you and yours! Pastor Tim
2.
LENTEN SERIES
At the
Crossroads Join us for Worship
Wednesday Evenings beginning:
Ash Wednesday March 6th at 7:00p.m.
Many of those involved in the story of the Passion of Christ came to a crossroads and had to decide which way to go. Some chose well, some did not, and the stories of each of these experiences at various crossroads helps us to know what to do and what not to do when we encounter similar crossroads in our own lives. In the end, each ser-vice in the series reveals in some way how Christ and his cross help us to decide which path is in line with God’s will for us.
March 6th-Ash Wednesday Confession • Psalm 32:1-5 As a model for us, the psalmist David reaches the cross-roads of confession and confesses his sins to the Lord. We are called to confess our sins to the Son of David and find forgiveness in him.
March 13th-Week 1 Betrayal • John 13:21-30 When Judas Iscariot comes to the point where he must either listen to Jesus or listen to the devil, he chooses to betray Jesus. When we are tempted by Satan to betray our Lord, we must gain strength from our Savior to say, “No” to the devil.
March 20th-Week 2 Judgment • Matthew 27:11-26 When Pontius Pilate is called upon by the crowds to make a judgment call about Jesus, his decision not to decide results in the death of Christ. We look to the cross of Christ to make definitive judgment calls in our lives.
March 27th-Week 3 Compassion • Luke 22:47-51 When Jesus is taken into custody, he chooses to show compassion to a wounded participant in the arrest. We are called to show compassion, not anger, even to those in our midst whom we might consider our enemies.
April 3rd-Week 4 Declaration • Luke 22:54-62 When Peter is asked to declare whether or not he knows Jesus, he decides to deny his Savior. When ques-tioned about our Lord, we are called to boldly declare our faith in Christ.
April 10th-Week 5
Obedience • Matthew 26:36-46
When Jesus nears the time when he must die for our
sins, he asks his Father if the cup might pass from him.
But when the time comes, he obeys his Father’s will.
When we are called upon to follow God’s will, we
must obey.
We have “At the Crossroads” Devotional Booklets
available.
Join us for our Lenten Super Suppers before worship
at 6:00p.m.
Please check-out the Needs List and the sign-ups for group
ministries to HOST one of the suppers during Lent.
3.
Submitted by: Karen Nolz
February will be starting out with the end of NLSW (National Lutheran School Week). Friday, the 1st, the children will be heading to the Perham Lutheran School for a day filled with activities and lunch with the school children there. On the 9th, the annual Bible Bowl will be held in Walker. Tradition prevails on the 14th with a day of ice skating at the RCC. The 15th brings the mid-quarter already. 18th-19th there is no school for President’s Day and Teacher In-Service. Ski day at Andes was postponed from January as the temps were too cold that day, so tentatively, Feb. 22nd will be the new ski day. Lastly, Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on the 28th and continue on March 1st. . . . there you have it, LOTS of events happening in the short month of
Submitted by: Elaine Beulke
February!!
The Spring Rally planning meeting was held on January 17th at Good Shepherd. The Spring Rally will be on Friday, May 3rd at Good Shepherd. The speaker will be Joy Markus from POB-LO. The theme will be "Mercy". Registration is $6.00.
The February LWML program is the Food Shelf.]
Submitted by: Amory Anderson
Very soon the second great division of the Church Year will be here, that being the Lenten Season. Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, a time of devotional preparation, penitence and deep spiritual discipline.
For the Altar Guild, this means that the appearance of the chancel and nave will be the least adorned, so that the worshipers can focus their energy and devotion on Jesus saying, “O come, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”
Because of the mood of Lent being subdued, ornamentation along with the paraments and other standard appointments is inappropri-ate. The use of flowers is discontinued during this season as well.
Ash Wednesday is on March 6th with Wednesday evening services to follow each week until Holy wee
Thank you to Gloria Rumohr and Audrey Robatcek for their willing hands to care for the Altar in January. February Altar care will be done by Marian Brelje and Marilyn Groth.
Zion’s Happenings Submitted by: Deb Hull
WHAT? Did you say FEBRUARY… YEAH- Mark your
calendars--- February 10th Our Good Shepherd Sunday
School will be singing for both services “Sharing their Joy”
Hope to see you there!
As we approach the Lenten Season- our Sunday School team
will be hosting one of our Lenten Suppers –Stay tuned for
date and information to be sent home with your children.
Teachers/kids/parents are all invited to join in the love/
work/sharing and serving our Good Shepherd Family.
We are truly blessed to have your children with us weekly-
Jump for Joy the following children had perfect
attendance in December:
Nursery- Colton Walberg Bryar Blakesley Quinn Johnson Jason Simonson Raiden Luedeke Charlie Thimmesh Avery Bolstad Lydia Tahtineen Brynn Erickson
Kindergarten- Sky Wiire Violet Wiire Connor Walberg
1st Grade- Reid Johnson Chloe Patrick Layla Simonson
3rd Grade- Kadin Bolstad Jase Johnson Kyle Wink Beckett Erdahl
4th Grade- Grady Starzl Leah Hunt
5th Grade- Maya Wiirre Anika Haug
6th Grade- Trey Johnson Thomas Kraemer Marshal Swenson
7th Grade- Makiah Haug Ethan Hunt
8th Grade- Marly Nolz Jordan Reese
We continue seeking ideas for the offer-
ings, growth and fun with our children, if you have one of
those ideas- let us know…
Share your joy by saying HI to one of our parents/kids or
teachers through February! You can do it! A SMILE can go
a long way!!!
Thanks for the prayers and support!
SSSquad
Sunday School
Altar Guild News
LWML
4.
February Giggles Q: What flower gives the most kisses on
Valentines Day?
A: Tulips.
Q: Why did the man send his wife’s Val-
entine through twitter?
A: Because she is his tweetheart.
Q: What kind of Valentine’s Day candy is
never on time?
A: ChocoLATE
Q: What did Pilgrims give each other on
Valentine’s Day?
A: Mayflowers
Q: What food is crazy about Valentine’s
Day chocolates?
A: A cocoa-nut.
Q: What was the French cat’s favorite
Valentine’s Day dessert?
A: Chocolate mousse
Q: What did the drum say to the other
drum on Valentine’s Day?
A: My heart beats for you.
Caring Believers
Sharing JOY!
Contact Information Pastor Tim Schiller
Shirley
WebSite
www.goodshepherd-lcms.org
The Flock Talk and Monthly Calendar are available on the site!
If you have information about your ministry and you would
like it put on our website, let me know! Shirley
Service Cancellation Information To check for service cancellations listen to KXRA radio
station or go to www.voiceofalexandria.com
Kooltv
go to: www.kooltv-mn.com
Our Elders are here
for YOU!
Contact us for any
spiritual needs, prayer
or visitation needs.
Gary Christianson
320-491-0258
Mike Doehling
320-808-4250
Jeff Fassett
846-1128
Brandon Luedeke
320-304-4237
Paul Luedeke
320-760-6937
Keith Ramsay
886-5574
Pastor Tim Schiller
712-898-1658
Who My Elder Is?
What Do I Do?
The Elder Flock Lists are
posted on the bulletin
board in the Hallway to the
Fellowship Hall, or
Call the Church Office.
We Are Here For YOU!
Executive Council Members
2019
Chairman– Blaine Elbert
Vice Chairman—Paul Gesell
Secretary-Erin Johnson
Treasurer-Evelyn Beulke
Executive Board-
Tracy Boysen
Rich Duncan
Chad Kohls
Dale Nibbe
Kristi Stevens
Council Minutes are posted on the bulletin
board in the hallway to the Fellowship Hall!
5.
Weds.
Morning You are WELCOME to join
us for Bible Study!
Wednesday Mornings
10:00a.m.
Ed Wing
Led by Pastor Schiller
Feb. 1… Elaine Hollis
Chad Schimmelpfennig
Feb. 2… Deanna Griese Todd Myhr
Jan Teschendorf
Feb. 3…Val Christopherson
Diane Dietz
Feb. 4...Wesley Betterman
Trent Lueth Samantha Rau
Feb. 5...Ellie Christians
Aaron Telander
Feb. 6...Arlis Johnson Aiden Kluver
Jason Norheim Nancy Schmidt
Feb. 7...Angela Christianson
Feb. 8...Randy Bruun
Feb. 10… Blaine Elbert
Myah Kremer
Feb. 11...Rich Duncan
Peggy Erickson Jan Grosenick
Feb. 14...Kay Nibbe
Kendra Swenson
Feb. 15…Jackie Reed
Feb. 16…Erling Berger
Aidan Chan Jeanette Weickert
Feb. 18… Marly Nolz
Feb. 19…Courtney Hodgson
Quincy Luedeke Nadine Peters
Brittany Torgrimson
Feb. 20...Lydia Tahtinen
Duncan Vandergon Craig Zappe
Feb. 21…Tyler Gerard Matt Johnson
Kiley Kranz Shaelyn Melrose
Pam Reese Al Telander
Feb. 24… Lynn Murray
Feb. 25…Stephanie Bertek
Cydnee Luedeke Gene Meier
FEBRUARY Birthdays
6.
May God Bless You
On Your Birthday
And Always!
Wedding Anniversaries
Anniversary Prayer
Lord, we thank you for this couple and for all of the years that they have had together.
As they celebrate their anniversary, our prayer is that you will continue to bless them.
Let their testimony of love and forgiveness be a help to other couples as they start on their own journeys into married life. Lord, we
pray that You will honor their commitment to each other and to You by granting them many more years of happiness together.
Amen
February 5th-Ron & Judy Peterson
February 10th-Gus & Jo Berninghaus
February 14th-Dennis & Rosemary Flick
7.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The following lines were taken from a letter John Quincy Adams wrote to his son, believed to be in 1850. Much of this letter dealt with the Bible and its teachings.
The law given from Sinai was a civil and municipal as well as a moral and religious code; it contained many statutes . . . of universal application-laws essential to the existence of men in society, and most of which have been enacted by every nation which ever professed any code of laws.
Luther talked and was criticized for his statements regarding two kingdoms, an earthly kingdom and a heavenly
kingdom. CS Lewis in his book “Mere Christianity” put it this way:
The State exists simply to promote and to protect the ordinary happiness of human beings in this life. A husband and a wife chatting over a fire, a couple of friends having a game of darts in a pub, a man reading a book in his own room or digging in his own garden—that is what the State is there for. And unless they are helping to increase and prolong and protect such moments, all the laws, parliaments, armies, courts, police, economics, etc., are simply a waste of time. In the same way the Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose.
While we have this conflict to desire to live in the heavenly kingdom, we must endure the earthly kingdom.
And how do we do that? Matthew 5:16 puts it this way, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” We do this by obeying not only civil and
municipal laws, but God’s laws. Jesus, when asked by a lawyer what the greatest commandment was, replied
by summarizing both tablets,
‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as your-self.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40).
Our society is being torn apart by civil strife, by division, by those that believe that they have the moral high
ground, and by the those tolerant people that are only tolerant if you believe like they do. We live in the earthly
kingdom.
Why do I bring this up in the Flocktalk? Because we as Christians live in a very difficult time, but a time that is really no different spiritually than it has been since Christs ascension. It is clear from reading the passages of the Revelation, that we are in the end times and have been. Over the last 2000 years there have been periods of great distress, or tribulation, as it is referred to in the Revelation. We as Christ followers have an opportunity to demon-strate the heavenly kingdom while still in the earthly kingdom, by following the two commandments given by Je-sus. By sharing how “God so love the world that he gave his one and only begotten son, that whosoever should believe on him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). As CS Lewis said, the church exists to draw men to Christ, to make them little Christs. What a way to live. Your friend in Christ Jeff Fassett
Let Your Light Shine Before Men...
8.
For Your Sweetheart...
LOAF PAN
DEEP-DISH PIZZA
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon Oil 1 can (13.8 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated classic pizza crust 1/2 lb. bulk Italian Sausage 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper 1 package (8oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese (2 c.) 3/4 cup Pizza sauce 10 slices of pepperoni
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Brush bottom and sides of two 8x4 inch shiny aluminum loaf pans with olive oil.
2. Unroll dough onto large cutting board; cut in half crosswise, let stand 5 minutes. Press each piece of dough firmly into bottom and at least 2 inches up sides of each pan. Bake 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile heat 10 inch nonstick skillet over me-dium-high heat. Cook sausage, onion and bell pepper in skillet 7-9 minutes, stirring frequently, until sausage is no longer pink. Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese and the pizza sauce until chees is melted.
4. Sprinkle bottom of each partially baked crust with 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese. Divide sausage mixture evenly, and spoon onto cheese layer in each of the pans. Top each evenly with pepperoni slices and remaining 1/2 cheese.
5. Bake pizzas 12-15 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown and cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes. Run metal spatula or sharp knife around edges of pan to loose, and carefully remove piz-zas from pan to cutting board. With sharp knife, cut each pizza into 4 wedges
SWEETHEART
CHERRY BARS
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened 2 cups sugar 1 tsp. salt 4 large eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/4 tsp. almond extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling
Glaze: 1 cup confectioners sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 tsp. almond extract 2 or 3 Tbls. Whole milk
Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl cream butter, sugar and salt until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts. Gradually add flour.
2. Spread 3 cups dough into a greased 15x10x1 in baking pan. Spread with pie filling. Drop remaining dough by teaspoonful’s over filling. Bake 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
3. In a small bowl, mix confectioners sugar, extracts and enough mild to reach desired consistency; drizzle over top.