february, 2017 in sacred places… be happy to recommend a couple to you. god’s word contains so...

...In sacred places…

February, 2017

Dear Swede Home Members, Thank you to the wonderful scholarship for Katleigh Spale. It has helped out tremendously with books and tuition. Swede Home has al-ways been there for Katleigh in youth groups and outings that they did. Thanks again. Katleigh Spale Kris and Steve Udey and family Dear Zion Church Family,

Thank you so much for the generous Christ-

mas gift. I haven’t decided how to use it but

will probably purchase more music.

Thank you,

Yvonne

Dear Calvary Lutheran Church,

Thank you for your generous donation. This

kindness helps us keep our senior center open

and we appreciate your gift.

Your friends at the Polk Senior Center

WELCA News Page 2

Mission & ministry update Page 3

Meet A Member Page 6

Calendar Page 8

Thank you . . . Message from

Pastor Kim

In early January, I had the opportunity to

travel to Minnesota for a couple of days to

see the Luther and the Reformation art

exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

The exhibit featured several artifacts from the reformation period

and from Luther’s home. Included were items like one of the fami-

ly beer steins, marbles found at his childhood home, the actual pul-

pit from the church where Luther preached his final sermon, and

clergy stoles from the Reformation era. They also had one of the

indulgences chest and an indulgence letter. Luther’s outrage at the

selling of indulgences (papers granting pardon of your sins or a

deceased person’s sins that could be purchased from the church)

was what kicked the reformation off.

All of these pieces were incredibly interesting but by far my favor-

ite was the 16-panel art piece that was the backdrop to a refor-

mation era church altar. It was beautiful. Each panel was in two

parts- one depicted a Bible story in picture and a smaller part of

that had the story summarized in words. Because so many people

either couldn’t read at all or couldn’t read Latin (which was the lan-

guage of the Scriptures in the church of Luther’s day), pictures

were used to teach the Bible. Thus altar pieces like the beautiful

one I saw at the exhibit were frequently found in churches. Addi-

tionally, clergy stoles and chasubles contained pictures telling of

Jesus, God, or the Virgin Mary. These pieces were hand stitched

and amazingly and intricately detailed.

While art and music can tell us the Biblical story and evoke power-

ful emotions, Luther felt it was important for people to also be able

to read and study the Scriptures for themselves. To this end, Lu-

ther translated the Bible into German. Other reformers around

Europe would follow suit and as a result of the reformation, ordi-

(Continued on page 2)

CELEBRATING MINISTRIES OF CALVARY AND ZION

LUTHERAN CHURCHES


W.E.L.C.A. News

Winter Greetings:

Our circles are meeting monthly for our Bible

study. There are no special activities planned at this

time.

The Winter Retreat was at St. Paul’s in Grand

Island on Saturday January 21st. I haven't received

any reports of members from our Church that

attended.

The spring Gathering is at St. Johns in Norfolk on

March 4th. Contact your Leader for information.

Bye for now.

Love Marj

February

Hostess/Dessert Bible Study

Mary Anna LaVerne Stevens LaVerne Stevens

Miriam Marlene/Corrinne Carol Jones

Ruth Bonnie Carlson Kay Jones

Bible Study: Gather - February

Service: Thank-Offering #1 (Ref. pg. 15)

March

Hostess/Dessert Bible Study

Mary Anna Gladys Johnson Gladys Johnson

Miriam Carol Jones Marj Johnson

Ruth Deb Hanquist Deb Hanquist

Bible Study: Gather - March

Service: Genesis Home (monetary or tangible) (a list of

tangible items will be provided)

nary people were able to read Scripture.

Because of this focus of Luther and other reformers, we as

Lutherans have a strong tradition of studying Scripture. In

our congregation, we hear from Scripture on Sunday

mornings and other worship services. We gather for Bible

Study on Wednesday mornings at Calvary or for other top-

ical Bible Studies throughout the year. But neither of these

things is meant to replace our own devotional time with

the Bible. Given that, I would encourage you if you are not

already, to set aside as little as five to ten minutes a day to

read from the Bible. If you don’t know where to start,

there are numerous Bible reading plans out there and I

would be happy to recommend a couple to you.

God’s word contains so much for our lives and is so im-

portant to growing in our life of faith!

Peace,

Pr. Kim

PS.- We have a new Bible study starting on 2/2 at 7pm at

Calvary on the Book of Galatians. Our study will last four

weeks. Come for all the sessions or just one and see why

Galatians is one of my favorite books of the Bible (and

incidentally was one of Luther’s top picks as well!)

(Continued from Pastor Kim’s Message on page 1)


Swede Home Food Pantry

The Evangelism and Outreach

Team oversees a nonperishable

food and personal care item

collection. You are welcome

to bring donations at any time.

Please place items you wish

to donate in the basket located in the entry way of

the church.

Items are usually delivered the last week of the month.

In February, your donations will go to Blue Valley

Community Action in Osceola.

Most recipients of Blue Valley Food Bank are families

of 4 headed with working parents with little extra time.

Canned meats are especially needed, Box Dinners,

Canned Fruits, and Vegetables, and Breakfast Cereal

are always needed as well. Dessert mixes are a special

treat. All of the items we donate are greatly appreciated

by the recipients as they help meet critical needs.

When William

“Big Bill” Ho-

gan was 16, he

yearned to be a

chef. Working

in a number of

restaurants

over the past

30 years, his

experience fostered a calling to serve people facing hun-

ger. When he saw restaurants throwing away hundreds of

pounds of food each night, he asked if he could have it to

feed hungry neighbors out of his apartment. With food in

hand, Bill began serving, Members of Galilee Lutheran

Church in Roseville, Minn., took notice today to Help for

the ‘Hood’, a meal ministry, is part of Galilee’s outreach

to neighbors who go hungry, especially at the end of the

month when resources for food become scarce. The min-

istry has become especially important during summer

when school-aged children are home.

“After 30 years in the food business, I’d rather have a

ministry than a restaurant,” Bill said. “Giving back feels

good.”

Students age 11-18 help prepare and serve meals and ac-

quire job skills along the way. Bill mentors the students

and teaches them about the basics of running a small busi-

ness and the important of money management. The stu-

dents also receive a stipend for their work.

Ler Say, 14, is one of the young members of his staff.

Born in Burma, he helps cook, serve food and clean up

the free lunchtime meals.

“It’s heartwarming to help people out,” says Ler. “This is

a really good job with good people, and we make a

brighter future for everyone. It’s good job training experi-

ence for me, too.” Thanks to your gifts to ELCA World

Hunger, more people in Roseville and communities

across the country have food for today and skills for to-

morrow. Ler adds a personal message to supporters like

Mission and Ministry

Update


Dear Calvary Lutheran Church Endowment,

Thank you so much for your monetary gift to the

Stromsburg Senior Center. We appreciate your support

of our facility and programs.

Again, thank you.

Stromsburg Senior Center

Thank You, Thank You…..


It is so nice that you are all friends of Blue Valley because

you bring in so many very nice items for our food pantry

service. We are truly blessed by you and we send thank

you’s. God’s blessings to you and yours and wishes for a

blessed New Year.

Sincerely,

Lola Reetz, Blue Valley Food Service


The officers and members of the Polk Volunteer Fire De-

partment thank you very much for your donation to our

department.

Sincerely,

Dennis Carlstrom, Fire Chief


Announcements

Meeting Notice for Zion Notice of Annual Meeting for Zion Lutheran Church Annual meeting will be on Sunday, February 5th dur-ing worship to conduct the business of the congrega-tion including discussion of congregation budget.

You are Invited…

Osceola Ministerial Association invites you to Journey to the

Cross. Services (and lunch) will be at 11:45am on Wednesdays.

3/1- Caesarea Philippi Pr. Dan Cloeter preaching

Calvary Swede Home hosting

3/8- Galilee Fr. Val Bartek preaching

Osceola UMC hosting

3/15- Samaria Pr. Dan Cloeter preaching

St. Vincent’s hosting

3/22- Jericho Pr. Kimberly Belken preaching

St. Paul’s hosting

3/29- Bethany Pr. Teri Lucas preaching

Calvary Swede Home hosting

Congratulations! Congratulations to Bri Schoch, winner of the 2016 Chamber Service Award from the York Chamber of Commerce.

The 8th grade confirmation students attended the Nebraska Synod Middle School Gathering in Grand Island. Over 200 middle school youth were in at-tendance over the weekend. Youth spent time volunteering in the community, learning first -hand about hunger issues in Nebraska and around the world, and having fun meeting new people . Calvary youth volunteered at Mary’s Closet thrift store cleaning and organizing donations. They also participated in a Food for a Week simulation and large group gathering activities.

Mark your Calendars…. Benedict Community Sunday School Biscuit and Gravy

Feed is March 19th following Worship at the Community

Center.

Calvary Lutheran Church

Nebraska Synod, ELCA

950 129th Road

Stromsburg, NE 68666

Church Phone: (402)764-5981

Doug Jones, Council President

Diana Johnson, Organist

Brianne Schoch, Secretary

Tina Watts, Sunday School

LeeAnn Willhoft, Custodian

Council Members:

Linda Fuhr, Doug Jones, Bill Carlstrom, Nick Nicholson,

Carolyn Nielsen, Chris Smith,

Deb Swedenburg

All Calvary members, Ministers

Harvey Schlegelmilch was

born in Seward, NE. He

lived on the family farm

until he was 14 when his

family moved to York. He

graduated from high

school in York in 1949.

After graduation, he went

to work for Piper Plumb-

ing and Water Service in

York.

When Harvey was 18, he would set pins at the bowling

alley for extra money. One night, he ran into a friend

their who introduced him to Merdith who was 13 at the

time. He said he wasn’t sure what it was about her, but

something just clicked and he knew this was the girl he

would end up marrying. He loved how God had des-

tined them to meet and how when he was only 5 years

old, God was already at work to bring the perfect part-

ner for him into being. Harvey and Merdith were mar-

ried in 1954 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in York.

Around the same time, Harvey and his co-worker Merle

Redman decided that since they were doing all the

work for their boss at Piper Plumbing and Water Ser-

vice, that they would rather be in business themselves.

They bought a business in Benedict and started S & R

Well Service. The two had a good working relationship

which Harvey attributes to the fact that both of them

had a Christian upbringing.

With the business in Benedict, Harvey and Merdith

moved there from York. They visited Zion Lutheran

Church one Sunday and kept coming back because of

the warm hospitality. Harvey sang in the church choir

there and played trumpet on Easter Sunday. He also

taught Bible studies which helped him to learn more

about the Bible, faith, and the Lutheran Catechism.

Harvey and Merdith had three children- Sandra, Lon-

ney, and Cory. There are 6 grandkids, 4 great grand-

kids, and 1 great great grandchild.

Meet a Member

Zion Lutheran Church


202 Sherman

Benedict NE 68316

Gregg Bolton, Council President

Yvonne Stauber, Organist

Brianne Schoch/Chris Jarosz, Sunday School

Council Members:

Gregg Bolton, Todd Schoch, Dawn Kush

All of Zion members, Ministers

Rev. Kimberly Belken

Pastor

(402) 764-0481 (cell)

(402) 764-5961 (parsonage)

(402) 764-5981 (church office)

[email protected]


Anniversaries


Birthdays Remember in

your prayers

Fred & Lori Ehlers Janise Forsberg Melissa Forsberg Blake Hicks Shafiq Jahish Lenore Kessler June Larson

Genesis House and Living Waters Rescue Mis-sion, Blue Valley Action

Houses for Health recipients.

Table Grace Café

Bishop Brian Maas and the Nebraska Synod staff

Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and all ELCA congrega-tions and members

Pastor Bob Bryan and the Nebraska Synod Pris-on Ministry

Our ELCA Partner Synod—Pacifica Synod

Our companion synods in Tanzania and Argen-tina

Myron Larson Elvin Reetz Imo Richardson Harvey Schlegelmilch Vance & Elaine Toline Jan Wells-Bachman

To request prayers call

Calvary: Jan Ernst 402-747-8041

Zion: LuAnn Bolton 402-710-8708

Calvary Worship Assistants

February

Assistant Ministers— Anita Haack Scripture Reader—Sandy Johnston Ushers— Bill & Venida Carlstrom

Acolyte—Jadyn Johnson Altar Care— Carolyn Nielsen & Bonnie Carlson

Bell Ringer— Monty Jones

Calvary:

Roger and Marlene Hanquist

14th

Mike and Anita Haack

21st

Calvary:

1—Claire Smith

2—Mitch Cramer

9—Kamdyn Udey

25—Kolton Neujahr

25—Allen Peterson

Zion:

5—Brianne Schoch

13—Aaron Reetz

15—Tommie Rediger

27—Todd Schoch

Zion Worship Assistants

February

Communion Assistant: Usher: Justin Schoch

Greeter: Brianne Schoch

Reader: 5—Teresa Bittinger, 12—Dawn Kush, 19—Gary Hild,

26– Melanie Miester

Acolyte: 5—Harley Martin, 12—Lyndsey Bolton, 19—Isaac

Reetz, 26– Tierney Schoch

February 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 7p Calvary Council

Meeting

6p Confirmation

2 7p Galatians Bible

Study

3 4

5 8:30a Zion Worship/

Annual Meeting

10:30a Calvary Wor-

ship

6 7 8 6p Confirmation

7p Men’s Bible Study

7p Ruth WELCA

Circle

9 2p Mary Anna

WELCA circle

7p Galatians Bible

Study

10 9a Miriam WELCA

Circle

11

12 8:30a Zion Worship

10:30a Calvary Wor-

ship


16 7p Galatians Bible

Study

17 18


10:30a Calvary Wor-

ship


23 9a Calvary Quilt Day

7p Galatians Bible

Study

24 25 9:30a Council Re-

treat St. Benedict

Center


10:30a Calvary Wor-

ship

27 28


Council Notes

Calvary Lutheran Church Council met on January 4,

2017.

President Linda called the meeting to order. Present

were Linda, Chris, Kay, Doug, Pastor Kim, Deb,

and Carolyn. Absent was Monty

Pastor led us in a devotion of faith and courage from

prison, followed by prayer.

The agenda was read and approved by common

consent.

The December 8th minutes were read and approved

by common consent.

Pastor’s report was read, discussed and approved by

common consent.

OLD BUSINESS:

The work on the stain glass windows will move

forward as budget allows.

NEW BUSINESS:

No building report

The annual church meeting will be on January

29.2017 during the church service. A catered

congregational meal will follow.

The outgoing council members Kay Jones and

Monty Jones were thanked for their service,

The treasurer’s report was read and accepted by

common consent.

Meeting adjourned

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer

Respectfully Submitted

Carolyn Nielsen

Treasurer’s Report December, 2016

Beginning Balance $88956.25

Offering:

General Offering 17995.00

Sunday School Offering 47.60

ELCA Disaster Relief 105.00

ELCA Mission Share 5814.94

Houses for Health Tanzania 1400.00

Zion October & November Share 3351.16

$28,713.70

Expenses:

Bank Charges 2.80

Advent Wreath 48.15

Computer Virus Protection 58.84

Carl’s Skrap-larger Dumpster December 2016 60.00

Confirmation 65.13

Deluxe Check Order 75.38

Office Supplies 81.23

Advent 89.98

Postage Shipping Expense 105.84

ELCA Disaster Relief 135.00

Office Net—Quarterly Service 188.21

Mowing—Oct & Nov 300.00

Church Mutual Premium Adjustment 468.00

NE Synod ELCA-Mission Share 1400.00

Zion Benedict December Share 1591.40

Houses for Health Tanzania 4000.00

Utilities:

Church: 757.06

Parsonage: 154.15

Salaries:

Pastor 2123.33

Mileage 266.19

SECA 211.17

Portico Benefits 958.45

Diana 423.52

LeeAnn 230.87

Bri 657.41

14,452.11

Balance as of December 31st, 2016 $23,157.84

Know God, Love God, Share God’s Love

*This page is only seen by Calvary Members

Our Guiding Principles

Mission Statement: Know God, Love God,

Share God’s Love

Guiding Principles:

1. Jesus is Lord and Savior

2. All are welcome in this place.

3. Serving in love with generosity and hospitality

4. Provide an atmosphere for spiritual growth and reflection.

5. Teaching and sharing God’s Word with joy

6. Mutual respect in relationships

950 129th Road

Stromsburg, NE 68666

Calvary Lutheran Church


.....in sacred Places.....

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february, 2017 in sacred places… be happy to recommend a couple to you. god’s word contains so...

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