With Christ, We Welcome, Nurture, Equip and Serve. July 2015

Pella Lutheran Church

Ambassador

Going Home This month (July 13-August 2), I get to vacation at home in Illinois. I am looking for-

ward to it, and I’m even counting the days. I was last home at Thanksgiving. I will get to see

my wife, eldest son, hopefully my youngest son and family (especially the 2 grandkids!),

my extended family and my longtime friends. It seems to be the case that I only get home

about every six months. Also, set in motion is a semi-annual task: the “honey-do list.”

Becoming an intentional interim pastor, my wife and I both knew that rarely would

I be able to work out of our home. We both accepted that reality of my profession. We often

somewhat-less-than-jokingly refer to my contracts as “deployments,” with the main differ-

ence that I only have to be careful of “friendly fire” (my youngest son served in the Army

and knows the real difference).

So we also have accepted this routine when I do get home: my first and foremost task

of the “honey-do list” is to clean the basement. Though to myself I wonder how I’ve clut-

tered and messed it up while I’ve been gone (I’m smart enough to never say this out loud),

I have become the “throw it away” expert. I’ve never finished this task. And just like any

homeowner, there are always more tasks to be added. I will work on them until my wife

says “this hasn’t been very much fun for you.” Then I can play and visit and refocus, maybe

play some golf (my wife’s favorite hobby). My time home grounds me to value family and

home and relationships.

All too soon it seems it is time to return. Summer trips are easier to plan (except for

road construction) than are the trips of winter weather and its vagaries. I have actually come

to like the road trips. I have my books on CD and music to keep my mind occupied across

the many miles. I don’t try to rush, but most of the time I arrive early. My time home also

enables me to focus my time and ministry here. TGBG – Interim Pastor Paul

Pella Call Committee Report Bishop Jessica Crist brought us a name and we are excited. We met as a committee

with the Bishop after worship last Sunday, June 21.

We had a call committee meeting Tuesday, June 23, to proceed with the process.

Please pray for us! Grace and Peace. Greg Miller

It is safe to say that

VBS at Pella was a success!

Each day of VBS (held June

15-19), volunteers led be-

tween 80-90 children in a

program titled “Everest:

Conquering Challenges with

God’s Mighty Power.” The

church was transformed into

a winter wonderland that in-

cluded a snow-capped moun-

tain, a ski slope, an igloo

(made with 281 milk jugs),

a snow cave, two climbing

walls and several campsites.

It was awesome, and we

thank Vanessa Pooch for her

decorating skills! Each day

was filled with Bible stories,

music, science experiments/

gizmos, games, snacks, glob-

al awareness, and service.

The Children learned

God has the power to

PROVIDE, COMFORT,

HEAL, FORGIVE and

LOVE US FOREVER.

Not only did we part-

ner with Lonsdale United

Methodist again this year, but

we had several volunteers

from other

congregations helping.

And without the volunteers,

VBS would not have been so

successful. Thank you to eve-

ryone who helped with plan-

ning, decorating the week

prior, leading that week, tear-

ing down, donating, etc.

Thank you to the following:

Anonymous – All those who

gave without our knowledge,

especially the person who

provided food for the tear-

down crew on Friday night.

D’Lon & Jenna Anderson

Suttyn Barnhart

Jordan Baxter

Lauren Beenken

Nanette Bergerson

Samantha Berglund

Melissa Buckley

Hailey Christensen

Torey Dahl

Erin Erickson

Morgan & Rhonda Folstad

Claire & Donny Frank

Samantha Gangstad

Kyra Hagberg

Kimberly Hill

Joanna Horsburgh

Alexa & Susan Iversen

Liliana Johnson

Randy Jones

Becky Kallevig

Jason Lamb

Grady & Kristin Larson

Zachary Leader

Leila Massar

Katrina & Synneva Meldahl

Kathryn Murphy

Jane Olson

Vanessa Pooch

Faith Rohner

Diane Savage

Chloe Schroeder

Janet Spracklin

Ashton & Emily Swenson

Emma Torgerson

Hanna Uran

Devon Watkins

Special thanks also go

out to the staff. Chole, Judy,

and Pastor Paul went above

and beyond to help in any

way they could. Also thanks

to Kenny and Danielle for

keeping the church neat and

tidy.

VBS Service Project

As part of Everest

VBS, the kids participated in

an Operation Kid-to-Kid™

international mission project.

The participants raised more

than $600 to purchase color-

ful, kid-friendly, Thai-

language New Testaments to

children in the Buddhist

country of Thailand. Every

$4 collected equals 1 Bible,

which means we raised

enough for 150 Bibles.

Great job everyone!

Page 2 Ambassador

Thank you

Volunteers!

July 2015 Page 3

Acolytes

If you cannot acolyte on your assigned day,

please find a replacement and let the office

know. Thank you!

July 5

Taylor Stewart

July 12

Alexia Metz

Jenna Baxter

July 19

Samantha Berglund

Hailey Christensen

July 26

Kade Anderson

Carter Johnson

9th Graders to Affirm Faith

This Fall The 9th graders in the Confirma-

tion program will be completing this phase of

their faith journeys with their Affirmations of

Faith this Fall. Watch the newsletter and web site

for more information.

Program Ideas We are hoping to establish some

adult educational opportunities here

at Pella. If you have any ideas

please contact Janelle.

Nursery Open The nursery will be open during worship this

summer. If you are willing to help watch

children, please contact Bev Jones at 488-2813.

Eller Visit Here Reverend Justin, Kari and Everette

visited the congregation and Sidney the

weekend of June 12-14.

At worship, Justin preached and

Kari led the children's message, at which

time she presented the congregation with

an awayu. The awayu is a rectangular

carrying cloth used in traditional commu-

nities in the Andes region of Argentina,

Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and

Peru. The awayu is most associated with

Aymara and Quechua culture, but is not

exclusive to them, and people use it to

carry small children or all kinds of items

on their backs. The awayus typically fea-

ture colorful stripes intercalated with

figures with symbolic values.

Sunday after worship, the Ellers

shared a presentation and conversation

with members. After their visit to the

United States, the Ellers will return to

their mission work in Argentina.

Now that July is here and summer is in full

swing, it’s time to get a look at your family’s schedule for the Richland County Fair and Rodeo

August 5 - 8. Block out a section of time where you and your family can join Pella members

at The Pella Pantry for some wonderful community time and visit with people from all over

Eastern Montana. Whether you deliver orders to hungry people, grill burgers, or dish up pie

and ice cream along with cold drinks and coffee, your time is appreciated by all fair-goers and

Pella members. Sign up sheets are at the information desk at the church and staff is willing to

help if you need some direction. Also, if you have some extra rhubarb we would love it to

make pies. See you at the fair!

Pella Library Have some time to relax this summer? Whether it’s a

rainy day or just time with a glass of lemonade, the Pella

Library has books for the whole family. Come look and check

out something that interests you! By: Yvonne Gebhardt

Montana Synod Assembly 2015 “Serve the World, Especially the Poor and those in Need” The Synod Assembly was

held in Great Falls at the Heritage Inn, June 5-7. Traffic was light on the drive over through

the spectacularly green countryside of Jordan and Lewistown, with an occasional deer or

antelope watching me drive by. The theme for the assembly this year was centered around our

work as a church in Global Mission. The music, worship and speakers reflected that theme.

My favorite presentation was from Justin Eller who went into detail about our mission efforts

in Bolivia and the philosophy of mission, “Walking With” our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

Partnership, Inclusivity, Vulnerability, Empowerment, Sustainability are key words he used to

describe our mission efforts. He said it is like “Dancing with an Elephant” compared to the old

mission model of being in control of everything and dictating how things are going to work.

Music was also a high point for me, which was led by a very talented group of musicians from

around the U.S. They taught us worship music from around the world, usually in a foreign

language, all through the assembly. The surprising thing to me was that those songs were then

incorporated into the final worship service on Sunday. My whole experience was enjoyable

and inspirational, and I recommend it to everyone for next year. By: Greg Miller

Page 4 Ambassador

Pella Pantry News

July 2015 Page 5

Property recommended and was

approved to purchase a storage shed (w/steel

roof and sides) for $7600. Site prep, if neces-

sary, and location will be up to the Property

Comm. Property also recommended and was

approved that we pay our “fair share” ($5100)

for the common fence with the Kings. Bear

Paw will pay for the damage they caused. Community Meals was approved to

donate $1000 each to Food Bank and 3rd Mile.

A smaller donation was approved for the

Detroit trip, if needed.

Survey Says … The Christian Education Committee

wants to know what ALL of our members

think about ALL of our educational programs

at Pella. We want responses from everyone in

the congregation so the committee has a foun-

dation from which to build programs for

everyone. Watch your email and mailbox for

more details.

Save the Date -- Sept. 2 Mark your calendars for September 2 --

the first Wednesday night of activities for

2015/2016. Watch for more details at worship,

in the Ambassador, on the web site, and on

Facebook.

Last Month at Council We affirmed the Executive Commit-

tee actions of giving the budgeted monies to

the synod offerings ($500 Bolivian Water

project and $300 synod offering that will go

to the local food bank). John reported that we still have

money in the bank! Checking balance was

$95,980.77 and the general fund balance

was $11,765.48. Call Committee had no activity to

report. Frustrating not having names to

interview. Personnel reported that they had

conducted an extensive and positive annual

review of Pastor Paul. Pastor Paul reported

that he had successfully completed Chole’s

90 day review (it was very positive) and

that the next one will be her six month and

the ending of her probationary period. Background checks will eventually

be required of all who work with our kids.

Church Mutual will pay the enrollment fee

and we will pay for each individual ($25).

We will start with the current staff and

Youth Leaders, then expand. Pastor Paul

will bring next month a policy for review.

Our operating premise is that we want to do

all we can to help ensure the safety of our

leaders and – more importantly – our kids.

JULY 2015 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

2

3Office

Closed

4th

Observance

4

Independ-

ence Day!

5

9:00 am Worship

Rosaaen Baptism

10:00 am Coffee

Fellowship

6

7

7:00 p.m.

Council Meeting

8

9

10

6:00 p.m.

Wedding

rehearsal

11

4:30 p.m.

Goff/

Sorteberg

Wedding

12

9:00 am Worship

10:00 am Coffee

Fellowship

13

Pastor

14

Paul

15

Gone

ELCA Youth

16

On Vacation

7:00 p.m.

Faith Circle

Gathering

17

This Week

6:00 p

Wedding

rehearsal

In

18

4:30 p

Dynneson/

Sir Wedding

Detroit

19

Pastor

9:00 am Worship

10:00 am Coffee

Fellowship

ELCA Youth

Gathering

20

Paul

Ambassa-

dor News

Articles

Due

21

Gone

22

On Vacation

23

This Week

7:00 p.m.

CE Committee

Meeting

24

……………….

Mail out

Newsletter

25

26

Pastor

9:00 am Worship

10:00 am Coffee

Fellowship

27

Paul

28

Gone

10:00 a.m.

Extended Care

Worship

29

On Vacation

30

This Week

31

Through

Aug. 2nd

Page 7 July 2015

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In Memory or Honor Memorial From Designated Fund

Margaret Free Wendi Chamberlain Memorial

Margaret Free & Park Tibbits Enid & Russ Huotari 3rd Mile

Robert “RC” Fasig Gene & Judy Sondeno 3rd Mile

Bob Averett Madelyn Averett Memorial

Bob Averett Lance & Shelly Averett Memorial

Clara Selle Palmer & Doris Norby Memorial

Clara Selle Lois Dump 3rd Mile

Clara Selle Ruth Iversen Radio Fund

Clara Selle Dale & Charlotte Iversen 3rd Mile

Clara Selle Gene & Judy Sondeno 3rd Mile

B

S

F

U

N

418 West Main Street Sidney, MT 59270

Phone: (406)433-3350

Fax: (406) 433-3352

Email: pella@pellachurch.net Facebook: Pella Lutheran Church

PELLA LUTHERAN

CHURCH

INTERIM PASTOR: Pastor Paul Balaban

pdbalaban@hotmail.com 309-267-1653 ADMIN. ASSISTANT:

Chole Butler cbutler@pellachurch.net PARISH ASSISTANT:

Judy Sondeno

jsondeno@pellachurch.net YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY ASSISTANT:

Janelle Lamb jlamb@pellachurch.net CUSTODIAN/S:

Kenny Vannatta Danielle Topping

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

Pella Lutheran Church

418 West Main Street

Sidney, Montana 59270

VBS - Lots of activities and it was great!!