pella lutheran church · 6 jarret averett nathan carlsen 13 faith bartels kylie schoepp 20 hope...

418 West Main Street Sidney, MT 59270

Phone: (406) 433-3350

Fax: (406) 433-3352 Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Pella Lutheran Church Web page: www.pellachurch.net

Radio Broadcast: 95.1 FM 9 am

PELLA LUTHERAN

CHURCH

PASTOR: Audrey Rydbom

[email protected] DIRECTOR OF YOUTH AND

FAMILY MINISTRY: Janelle Leader Lamb

[email protected]

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Chole Butler [email protected]

PARISH ASSISTANT: Becky Reidle

[email protected] CUSTODIAN:

Brian McNutt

MISSION PARTNER Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church at Rocky Boy

COMPANION SYNOD Cape Orange Diocese

Evangelical Lutheran Church

of South Africa COMPANION CONGREGATOIN

Upington Parish Northern Cape, South Africa

THE PELLA

“AMBASSADOR” IS

PUBLISHED MONTHLY

BY PELLA LUTHERAN

CHURCH

Office Hours

Monday - Friday

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

(Closed from Noon to

1:00 pm for lunch)

Pella Lutheran Church

418 West Main Street

Sidney, Montana 59270

Pastor Audrey will be on vacation through

October 4.

In her absence Pastor Alton Hillesland

will be on call.

Don’t forget to visit our web page:

www.pellachurch.net

and our Facebook page:

Pella Lutheran Church

for information and updates.

October 1 - Tuesday

8:00 am Quilting CR D&E

4:45 pm Piano Lessons M

October 2 - Wednesday

5:15 pm WBS/Praise Band

5:30 pm Handbells Practice

6:00 pm Community Meal FH/K

6:45 pm Confirmation/LYO

October 3 - Thursday

6:30 am Men’s Breakfast FH/K

7:00 pm Table Talk Cancelled

October 6 - Sunday

9:00 am Worship

10:00 am Fellowship FH

4:00 pm Alpha Marriage Course

October 7 - Monday

11:00 am Staff Meeting W

3:30 pm Jr Girl Scouts CR C

5:00 pm V. Ball Supper FH/K

5:30 pm Worship Cmte W

6:30 pm Property Cmte CR C

October 8 - Tuesday



7:00 pm Council Meeting CR C



5:30 Handbells Practice





12:00 pm Faith Circle CR D&E

7:00 pm Table Talk Meadowlark

October 13 - Sunday

8:15 am Choir Practice

9:00 am Worship


10:10 am Pella Pantry Mtg FH

4:00 pm Alpha Marriage Course

October 14 - Monday


October 15 - Tuesday



5:30 pm Christian Ed Mtg W









October 18 - Friday

News letter articles due

October 18 - 19

LPA Class: Prayer

October 20 - Sunday

8:15 am Choir Practice

9:00 am Worship - Jason A.


October 21 - Monday


3:30 pm Jr Girl Scouts CR C



4:30 pm HS Golf Banquet FH/K









TBA pm VBall Supper FH/K


October 27 - Sunday

Reformation Sunday

9:00 am Worship


October 28 - Monday




10:30 am Worship Ext. Care










UPCOMING

November - December Nov. 27 No Wed. Activities

Nov. 28 - 29 Office Closed

Dec. 1 First Sunday of Advent In Dec.: Advent Services -

Holden Evening Prayer

Christmas Eve Services

4:00, 7:00 & 9:00 p.m.

Dec. 24 Office Closed at noon

Dec. 25 Office Closed

Room Codes: FH = Fellowship Hall, K = Kitchen, CR-D&E = Double Classroom, CR-C = Corner Classroom, CR-B = Kindergarten,

CR-A = Preschool room, L = Library, N = Nursery, CR-Comm = Classroom Commons, M = Music, GC = Gathering Commons,

NX = Narthex, S = Sanctuary, W = Work room in Office. Basement areas: YR = Youth room, LL-CR = Lower Level Classroom

October 2019

Ambassador

10/6 17th Sunday after Pentecost

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4

Psalm 37:1-9

2 Timothy 1:1-14

St. Luke 17:5-10

10/13

18th Sunday after Pentecost

2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15

Psalm 111

2 Timothy 2:8-15

St. Luke 17:11-19

10/20 19th Sunday after Pentecost

Genesis 32:22-31

Psalm 121

2Timothy 3:14-4:5

St. Luke 18:1-8

10/27 Reformation Sunday

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Psalm 46

Romans 3:19-28

St. Luke 8:31-36

Scripture for October

Page 10

WELCOME Brian McNutt is our

new custodian here

at Pella Lutheran. He has lived in

Washington and has

three children and

one granddaughter

that still live there. Brian has a furry

child named

“Buckshot” at home.

They both like to hunt and fish in their spare time.

Brian has worked at the Sidney Country Club for the

past eight years, and he is very happy to be a part of

the Pella staff! When you see Brian, please tell him

hello and welcome. We are happy he is here!

MEMORIALS Set Free to Serve

In memory of Dick Christensen

Kerry Rasmussen, Louise Iversen,

Mark & Marilyn Olson,

Randy & Bev Jones,

Gail & Rhonda Peterson

In honor of Greta Thunberg

Terry Anvik

Radio Fund

In memory of Lola Strasheim

Keith & Tammy Dynneson

In memory of Dick Christensen

Iona Hansen

Education Fund

In memory of Ivan Wambheim

Lois Wambheim

OCTOBER ACOLYTES

6 Jarret Averett

Nathan Carlsen

13 Faith Bartels

Kylie Schoepp

20 Hope Bartels

Jori Horsburgh

27 Asle Everett

Mercedes Lamb

October 2019 Page 9

Council Summary — September

General fund $123,722.99; Income for August $25,728.41 with expenses being $27,212.92. Set Free

to Serve balance — $222,181.89. Pella received a life insurance benefit of $7,113.99 and with other

donations $10,000 can be applied to Set Free to Serve’s principal.

Pastor reported the Depression and Anxiety group is moving forward and the Marriage course has

begun with five couples attending.

Christian Ed. Bill N. reported that the Denver Mission trip, confirmation, fair and the Mapleton, MN

youth group have kept our Committee very busy.

Property and Grounds rep Scott K. reported that Brian McNutt was hired as the Custodian (25

hours). A lawnmower was purchased, and a snow blower and backpack will be purchased.

Outreach met prior to the August service in the Park/Blessing of the animals for planning per Tom H.

Worship Committee has music planned through the middle of October. Natalie W. also reported that

Betty Cumming has stepped down after 30 plus years of dedicated service. The Council plans to

send Betty a card of thanks.

OLD BUSINESS: LED lights in Fellowship Hall - one has been installed and people are very happy

with it. Motion was made and passed to replace the other lights with LED ones. Computer

replacement - Leif A. and Brian M. assessed the office computers and recommended updating those

purchased in 2011 and 2013 or the ones having the most failures. Staff will report back to the

Council on which ones need replaced first. Gods Work. Our Hands projects were discussed.

NEW BUSINESS: 2020 Budget - Proposals are needed from each committee by the first part of

December. Nominating Committee - will be comprised of three outgoing council members and Mark

Olson and Greg Miller. Benevolence - paying the July amount was tabled until the October meeting.

Next Meeting date: Tuesday, October 8, at 7:00 p.m.

Library Report for October

It’s fall, and with the weather change comes an opportunity to sit

down, relax, and read a good book. The Pella Library has added

several additional books for all age levels. Come check us out!

There are books to read to your little ones, chapter books for young

readers, teen selections, and both fiction and non-fiction for adults.

We have bibles that you may borrow for bible studies and other

reference items as well.

The library is a serve-yourself place. When you find a book, just

sign the book card and stamp the due date (two weeks) onto both the card and the paper slip. The

card will go on the small metal holder next to the stamp, and the paper slip stays with the book to

remind you when it’s due back in the library. Returned books can be placed on the counter or on the

small trapezoid table in front of the counter.

If you have questions or need a reading suggestion, please see Yvonne Gebhardt, Dawn Biebl, or

Kelly Johnson for assistance. Anytime the church is open, the library is available to sit, relax, and

peruse books you might enjoy taking home to read. Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings

would be a great time to stop in and check out the additional titles.

Ambassador

FROM THE DOG HOUSE

Hello, all of us here this month …

Pastor Audrey and Eric tell us they are going on something called a VA-CA-SHUN.

We don’t understand that. But it seems like they are going somewhere and we are

not. That hardly seems fair and it makes no sense because they go everywhere with

us. To be honest, it’s a little scary. We don’t understand how long they will be gone

or when they are coming back.

But, Pastor Audrey has arranged for a REAL nice lady to come visit us 4 or 5 times a day. She came

over and saw how we are fed and when. She knows how to give Verdell his pills and she sure seems

to like dogs. Pastor Audrey and Eric are preparing special food packages for us to make feeding us

every day easy. They say all God’s creatures should be taken care of.

We always can get outside through the dog door, but there will be no truck rides for a while and

only one person to visit each day. Brian says he’ll bring his dog Buckshot over to play sometimes,

but overall, it’s going to be pretty lonely. We try to do as Pastor Audrey has taught us and love

everybody, but not too many people come to visit us. I sure hope some come and see us while

Pastor and Eric are gone. Somebody needs to throw a tennis ball for Ruby!

COME SEE US! Verdell, Duke, Ruby, Rella, and Gunner

“Come Holy Spirit” “Praise to the Lord” Choir and Handbells are in full swing for the new season! Choir will be singing the 3rd Sunday each

month, so there is plenty of time for rehearsal of each song. Practices are the first, second, and third

Sundays at 8:15 am before church. The song for October is “Come Holy Spirit.” All voices are

welcome to join the group in the music room.

Handbells have been practicing Wednesday nights at 5:30 pm. This currently is a dedicated group of

six people. New members are welcome, but they must be dedicated, as each person plays

independently within the group. The ability to read music is a plus. We have been working three

months ahead to allow plenty of practice time for each song. The song for October is “Praise to the

Lord,” and November’s song is “Fairest Lord Jesus.” A group of three has been practicing a trio

selection, and we have duets and solo music for more challenges. Please consider joining the “Ding

a Lings.” We will teach newcomers!

October 2019 Page 7

Wednesday Night Schedule

Pella’s midweek programs started on September 11, but it’s never too late to join us.

The schedule is:

5:15-6:15 pm – WBS (Wednesday Bible School) — Classroom Commons

6:00-7:00 pm – Community Meal — Fellowship Hall 6:45-8:00 pm – Confirmation — Classroom Commons

and

LYO (Lutheran Youth Organization) — Basement

3rd Graders received Bibles: Ryatt Wick, Kinsey Nagle, Danny Carlsen,

Taya Schepens, Connor Rosaaen, Ainsleigh Moore,

Dallas Brown, Violet Frank, Cameron Coryell

Not pictured: Joseph Carey, Alia King, Leddy

Larson, James Snow, Addison Steffan, Henry Truax

Preschoolers

received prayer books:

Ransom Wick, Letty

Buxbaum, Grayson

Rosaaen, Hadley Rosaaen,

Dax Moore, Claira Coryell Not pictured: Molly

Christensen, Harper Nagle,

Cayden Nay, Archer

Peterson, Talia Strait,

Foster Sukut

6th Graders

received

Study Bibles

for

Confirmation:

Alex Karanjai

Amara Iversen

Jarret Averett Zachary Olson

Asle Everett

Not pictured: Faith Bartels,

Hope Bartels, Landry Larson,

Grady Swenson

Ambassador

NEWS FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES by Janelle Leader Lamb

Wednesday Bible School We would like to introduce our Bible School teachers for 2019/2020 by grade:

Preschool — Diane Savage and Linda Becker

Kindergarten — Joanna Horsburgh

1st Grade — Rhea Christensen

2nd Grade — Nicole Goulart-Wick

3rd Grade — Aleah Rosaaen

4th Grade — Megan Coryell

5th Grade — Megan Flatmoe We also have others who have offered to substitute and

help out as needed.

Confirmation We would like to introduce our Confirmation leaders for 2019/2020 by year:

Year 1 — Susan and Randy Iversen

Year 2 — Eric Rydbom and Tonya Schoepp

Year 3 — April Boehler/Kristin Larson and Kaci Dean

LYO Jason Lamb and Vanessa Pooch are leading our Lutheran Youth Organization.

Thank you to all of our volunteers … without you, we would not have

WBS, Confirmation and LYO.

Care Packages — Addresses and Donations Needed

Each Fall Pella sends care packages to those who have moved away to

pursue education/career training, but we need your help.

Addresses:

If you have someone in your family who would appreciate a care package,

please contact the office with his/her name and address.

Donations:

If you have something to donate for the care packages, please deliver it to the

church. Items to consider: toiletries, snacks, school/office supplies.

We are estimating that we’ll send about 20 packages, and will plan to mail

them in the mid to end of October. Thank you for helping us stay in touch

with those in our faith family who are away from home!

Items sent in last

year’s packages!

October 2019

THANK YOU PELLA!

Thank you Pella church people for helping George and I take down those

two trees. It will help from having a dreary winter. The sun can now come

in our windows. Thank you for the lunches too and chance to visit. You all

are a blessing to our community! God Bless.

George and Carol

Reflections on God’s Work. Our Hands.

What a blessing to have been able to work with a wonderful group of volunteers on GWOH Sunday.

Our group of 13 had ages spanning from kindergarten to, well, let’s just say much older than that!

We spent our time clearing overgrowth from the front yard of a home, as well as cutting down one

large tree. Everyone stayed busy with trimming, hauling, chipping, mowing and raking.

Some of our group had never met before, but after working together for several hours, you wouldn’t

have known it. In addition, the man who lives next door to where we were working stepped in to

help us out. He came over to see what we were doing and felt called to join us. The homeowner

helped out as he could and expressed much gratitude and some concern that we were doing too

much.

While we were eating lunch, he and his wife shared that

they had been praying about their overgrowth and tree

problem. It was amazing to watch the faces of our

volunteers as they heard that THEY were the answers to

somebody’s prayers. Great job being God’s Hands!

Thank you to:

Keith & Tammy Dynneson; William & Corben Holler;

Joanna, Jori, Hitch & Hollis Horsburgh;

Jason, Janelle, Mercedes & Tristan Lamb; Zac Leader;

and Lenny Carver.

… Before

we started

←

→ Almost

done ...

Home and Yard Crew Testimony

by George Biebl

Over at George and Carol’s home/yard, our team got a lot

accomplished. We took down two trees. Each tree was limbed and piled

for the chipper within 15 minutes. Jamie and Jen Carlsen and their boys

Ben, Nate and Danny, and Duane Anderson

and Jim Tibbits were constantly busy. Ben

was our monkey and climbed the trees, went

home for tools, and he moved George’s truck

a couple of times, in addition to branch

dragging duties. Jamie was a jack of all trades, Jen took pictures in

between helping, Danny helped as needed and he helped me with leverage

on the stumps, and Nate was busy pulling rope, getting things from the

truck or piling branches. I believe my chain sawing the trees was the

easiest job. I looked up to see busy people working. I saw different people

talking to Carol. Everyone was doing things spontaneously and working

together.

Lunch was a chance to sit with Carol

and Dawn, to visit, and to talk to George who was in his chair by

the front door. After lunch, cleaning up the driveway and a final

clean up on the boulevard and street was handled efficiently.

I believe I gained much more than I gave. I got to know the

Carlsen family. I listened to George and Carol and heard their

gratitude. We old guys thought we did a fair job of keeping up

with the youngsters. George gave me a new trimmer that he had

not been able to use. I told him I would find a good home for it

where it would be used. He also wanted to give me an edger on

wheels. I told him I would return to

talk to him when he was feeling

better in order to pick it up. I learned

that George and Carol would have a busy week with medical

appointments.

I returned home after helping the chipping crew of Jason and Tristan

Lamb, Zac Leader and Keith Dynneson. I felt more energized than I

should have been! My morning had been such a positive experience, so

I continued doing some yard work that was timely for me. I had a full

and satisfying day! Thanks for encouraging Pella to have our first God’s

Work. Our Hands Day. It was a good idea! I hope we have many more!

See the Thank You Note from George and Carol on Page 5 ...

Ambassador Page 4

October 2019

Gods Work. Our Hands.

In this issue you will see pictures and testimonials from God’s

Work. Our Hands. on Sept. 15, 2019. Thank you to the 68

members of Pella, ages 1 through 70+ish who served others in our

community. They served following God’s command to love their

neighbor.

In serving there is no expectation of anything in return and no

judgement of the worthiness of those served. We serve because a

neighbor has a need. We serve because many hands together can

make light work of what may have seemed overwhelming or

impossible to those being served. Jesus kneels at our feet and

washes them and then says “do you know what I have done for you? You have been served; go and

do likewise.” Jesus never asks “are you worthy?” Jesus never asks “is this service worthwhile?”

Jesus simply serves and says “go and do likewise.” Thank you for doing your part.

Please take time to look at the pictures and read the testimonies. Share in the joy of serving. Pastor

Doing crafts with

people at ROI

group home

Making lunches for Gods Work. Our Hands. participants

and emergency workers.

Making cards for the lunches

Crew Members

Ambassador Page 2

Continued from Page 1 ... As a part of their stewardship, the Montana Synod is also called to tithe. The Montana Synod gives

35% of what is received in general offering to church wide. For example, of the $9.00 received from

Pella, $3.65 goes on to support the ministry of the ELCA. Again, salaries are paid, and a plethora of

ministries are funded. In the 2017 budget of the $3.65 sent to the ELCA 22% (about .80¢) goes to

ELCA World Hunger, 14% (.51¢) was designated for Global Missions, which includes Young

Adults in Global Missions (YGAM). Montana has had several YGAM’s who have returned from

their missions and gone on to become pastors in the Montana Synod. And 18% was used for

planting and supporting congregations. As one congregation, Pella could not accomplish what is

being accomplished; however, by being church together, many congregations giving what they are

able can make big things happen.

This does not mean we always agree on how the funds are used. One of our baptismal promises is to

“work for justice and peace in all the world.” Many of us disagree on how this promise can be

fulfilled. Church wide assembly, such as the one Ron Gebhardt was a delegate, make these

decisions. God gives to us freely but it can be difficult to give back when a person disagrees with

how the church is working for justice and peace in all the world. When this happens I invite you to

think about what you do feel you can support in the church; where your 9% or 35% of 9 % will

most effectively work for justice and peace in all of the world. We CAN have these conversations.

As members of the ELCA we are not ordered to tithe as in some denominations. We ARE called to

remember everything we have is a gift of God and God does call us to use what we are given to

God’s glory. Giving is an act of trust and faith. By giving we are given the opportunity to grow in

trust and faith of God.

In Christ, Pastor Audrey

THANK YOU for all the work at the Parsonage!

We are so thankful for all the volunteers who came over to the parsonage during

the flooding and tore out carpet, pad, paneling, sheet rock and bailed water.

Thank you to those who continue to check on the basement during this wet

season. We just want to express our sincere gratitude. May God continue to

bless you.

Pastor Audrey, Eric and the Property and Grounds Committee

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

We so appreciated the help from Eric Rydbom and Tim Tharp with the shop vacuums and muscles

to help dry and clear our basement after the excessive rain we had here. An extra special thank you

to our awesome LYO group who helped move items out of our basement into the garage on

Wednesday evening too. What an amazing gift of time and energy! Without your help, we would

have been swimming in water and our precious family mementos would have been in dire straits.

It’s truly a blessing to have Pella as our extended family.

Ron and Yvonne Gebhardt

October 2019 With Christ; We Welcome, Nurture, Equip and Serve.

Pella Lutheran Church Ambassador

How is the offering each household makes each Sunday used? Have you

ever wondered? As you plan your family budget and giving to Pella do

you ever ask yourself, “I wonder if what I give makes a difference?” God

created us to be stewards of everything God entrusts to us. This includes

our land, animals, and our wealth. Just like with your home budget, you, as a member of Pella, need

to know how your giving is used. As Pella’s leadership prepares to create a budget for the

upcoming year it seems appropriate to answer the question, “How is our offering used?”

General offering is used for the day-to-day expenses of ministry. When we think of ministry

expenses, we often think of things for worship and education. However, ministry would not happen

without staff and a building to do the work of ministry. Ministry expenses include everything from

staff salaries, to educational materials, to utilities, to maintenance, to tissues. Pella also supports

ministries which are unable to support themselves, such as “Freedom in Christ Prison Ministry,” of

which Pella is one of the top three supporters in the state, and Rocky Boy reservation ministry, and

Global Missions. This totality of ministry is paid for through the stewardship of your resources,

general giving.

Dedicated giving to “Set Free to Serve” helps to pay down the mortgage on our new building.

Memorials are used as either family members request or as the memorial committee designates.

Some choose to designate money to ELCA World Hunger or Lutheran Disaster Response.

Designated monies go wholly to those ministries above and beyond the benevolence that Pella

sends to the Montana Synod.

Just as you are called to be a good steward of your resources and give back to God, so is Pella. At

the 2019 annual congregational meeting Pella made the decision to give 9% in benevolence of all

general fund giving to the Montana Synod. Simply stated, for every $100 received, Pella gives

$9.00 to support the ministry of the Montana Synod. The Montana Synod ministry objectives are to

support the 106 congregations of the Montana Synod. Therefore, the $9 is used towards the Synod

staff salaries, education, programs such as care of clergy and family, candidacy to raise up new

pastors, social ministries such as campus ministry, and continuing education for pastors. If a

congregation has called a pastor who no longer is teaching or preaching the gospel, the

congregation can call on the Synod to assist. If a congregation becomes the target

of a legal matter, the Synod is there to assist. The Synod provides oversight and

assistance whenever a congregation calls upon them.

Pastor’s article continued on Page 2 ...

pella lutheran church · 6 jarret averett nathan carlsen 13 faith bartels kylie schoepp 20 hope...

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