CALL to WORSHIP

“Share the Joy of Growing in Christ’s Love” Published Monthly October 2015 Pastor Steve Weston, interim Office Hours: Mon. – Fri. www.unitedinchristlutheran.org Office Phone: 744-2694

Worship every Sunday 8:45 a.m. - Traditional Worship 10:45 a.m. - Nontraditional Worship

Photographers will be here to add your family photo to our directory at no charge! We need YOU to make it complete. The dates are October 6, 7, 11, 12, and 13 from 2:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Just call the office at 744-2694 and schedule your photo appointment today.

United in Christ Lutheran Church201 Station 44 RoadEveleth, MN 55734

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

STND NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

1Some words of explanation

are in order.

There’s an important principle of Christian living called stewardship. We often use that word in reference to fund-raising for the church, but it’s much more. The principle of stewardship is this: We do not own the things we happen to have control over; they belong to God, and we are stewards (managers, caretakers) of those resources. We are responsible to God for what we do with our stuff. In a sense, there’s really no such thing as giving to God, since God is already the owner of everything.

Once during my Air Force days, one of the guys, Dave, I used to hang out with was in a panic. He had some commitments he was going to have trouble meeting while his car was in for repairs. Another guy, Bob, handed him a set of keys to his second car and said he could use it until he got his back. Dave objected that this was much too generous, and he couldn’t possibly accept. Bob said, “Hey, it’s not my car. It’s God’s car. You need it, so take it.” That’s stewardship.

Ownership is a useful social construct, but it’s not an objective reality. Property rights are not a law of nature; they were invented by human beings as a way of controlling our natural tendency to fight over stuff. In truth, however, we don’t actually own anything. Everything we have is really just on loan to us while we inhabit this earth.

Even in law, ownership of private property is only temporary. The instant you die, you own nothing. It may take a while to clear probate, but as soon as your life on earth ends all your possessions, prized or not, belong to your heirs.

The cliché is true: you can’t take it with you. Hearses don’t come with trailer hitches. When we realize that the stuff we have really belongs to God, not to us, it becomes easier to loosen

our grip on those things and to use them for God’s purposes.

The same is also true of other resources, such as our time and talents. They do not belong to us. They belong to God, and we are responsible to God for how we use them.

So, what about fund-raising for the church? It’s true that the nonprofit organization known as United in Christ Lutheran Church, incorporated under the laws of Minnesota, needs money to operate. That means there’s going to be some fund-raising. One of the ways we use our re-sources (of which God is the true owner) is to support this organization. When we contribute to the church, we’re not giving to God; we’re pooling resources (God’s resources) to help ourselves do God’s work together – the work of caring for our neighbors and proclaiming the good news of God’s love for all people.

And how much should a person contribute to this pooling of resources? The traditional standard is a tithe (that’s an old word that means 10%) of one’s income. A tithe is a good benchmark for a Christian’s overall generosity. It’s a represent-ative portion that helps us remember that it all really belongs to God. If you’re not giving away 10% of what you receive, you would do well to consider whether you’re being generous enough. If you are giving away a tithe, you might also consider if perhaps God may have entrusted you with enough resources so that you could contri-bute even more than that.

Most Christians don’t give a full tithe to the church. Truth be told, if everyone gave that much (speaking of American Christians in particular), the church would be too rich for its own good. What I’ve been recommending for many years is that people contribute a portion of their tithe (1/4 to 1/2 of it, or 2.5% to 5% of income) to the congregation they’re a part of, and spread the rest around to other worthy causes as the Spirit moves them. This is what I myself do. The important thing is that you use a signif-icant portion of your resources (which are really God’s resources) for God’s work, in a way that

doesn’t directly benefit you. That might include feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, dis-aster relief, development aid, supporting church

Pastor Steve’s message continued…Pastor Steve’s message continued…

camps or other church-associated organizations, and other such things. It may also include individual acts of generosity – helping friends in need.

So, fund-raising for the church, what about it? If the church is hurting for money, and if there are still people going without food or shelter, and if there are friendless people in need with no one to help them, the problem isn’t a shortage of Christian giving. The problem is an excess of unchristian keeping.

Greed is harmful. Greed hurts the greedy person at least as much as it hurts those who would be helped if the greedy person were generous instead. Jesus had something to say about this: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34 and Matthew 6:21). We tend to become attached to whatever we put the most resources and time and effort into. So if you want your heart to be attached more firmly to God, put your more of your treasure into doing God’s work. I’ve found this to be true in my life, and I expect you would as well.

Peace & blessings!Pastor Steve

PHONE NUMBER ANDADDRESS CHANGES

If you have disconnected your land line, please notify the church office of your new phone number. We have been unable to phone some of

our members. New addresses are also needed for all the youth that are off to college, working, or the military. (Do

we have any youth that are away at college?) We need their address. Thanks.

It is our practice to list the Gospel reading that will be

used during the next few weeks on Sunday mornings. Please join the bible study group on Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. as they study the next week’s lessons.

19 th Sunday after Pentecost October 4 The Gospel Lesson Mark 10:2-16

20 th Sunday after Pentecost October 11 The Gospel Lesson Mark 10:17-31

21 st Sunday after Pentecost October 18 The Gospel Lesson Mark 10:35-45

Sunday of the Reformation October 25The Gospel Lesson John 8:31-36

All Saints Sunday November 1The Gospel Lesson John 11:32-44

24 th Sunday after Pentecost November 8 The Gospel Lesson Mark 12:38-44

25 th Sunday after Pentecost November 15 The Gospel Lesson Mark 13:1-8

Christ the King Sunday November 22The Gospel Lesson John 18:33-37

The Iron Range Chapter of The Compassionate Friends will be meeting on Tues., October 13, 2015, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Virginia from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Speaker for this month will be Jeff Damm and activity will be led by Rose and

Thorn.   TCF is a mutual assistance, self-help organization offering friendship, understanding and hope to bereaved families.  Anyone who has experienced the death of a child, grandchild, or a

sibling from any cause is welcome to these sessions.  For more information, please call Sue Tuomela at 749-2089.

We will begin photography for our new direc-tory, and we need YOU to make it complete. The dates are October 6, 7, 11, 12, and 13 from 2:00 to 8:30 p.m. We are happy to offer you the service of professional photography very close to home.

Please sign up at the table in the narthex of the church. The times are posted for you to check out. Each person participating will receive a free 8” x 10” color portrait and a color directory of all the photos including names and address of our members. If you choose, you can have your extended family in a photo shoot or a favorite pet. (Sorry, the pet will not be in the church’s directory, just available for you.)

FATHER-SON RETREAT at Camp Vermilion on October 16-18

Calling all Fathers and Sons (ages 10 and older)! Come to camp for a weekend full of games and activities. Build some fun gadgets while exploring your faith as a secret agent team.  You'll work together to build various projects, then have the chance to try them out!  It's the perfect secret mission for boys and their dads. So don't miss out!

Activities for the weekend include: wood bowl burning, building Bottle Rockets, building potato guns, fishing, outdoor cooking, etc. Cost is $95 per person (with a $200 family maximum)Cost includes housing, meals, and all materials for

each activity. Financial help is available. Give us a call at 744-2694.

CONFIRMATION SERVICE Sunday, October 25, at 10:45 A.M.

REMINDER: Confirmation Student Families

Photos, practice, and brunch will be held at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 24.

Confirmation class and indiv-idual photos will be taken immediately at 9:30 a.m. (Photo

order forms will be available that morning.) Please dress appropriately and bring your stole and confirmation robe for the photos. We will then walk through a short practice for Sunday. Immediately following we will eat brunch and have a time of recognition for the confirmands.

The brunch will be paid by those participating. Immediate families, grandparents, sponsor, Godparents, etc. are invited. We ask that you RSVP by Sunday, October 18, to the office with your numbers for the brunch. You can call Pastor Steve or Sonja at 744-2694.

BLOOD DRIVE

The next blood drive, sponsored by Memorial Blood Centers, will be at the church on Wednesday, October 14, from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. If you are available and willing to help save a life, please call Bonnie Keller at 744-2875 or email her at

jbkeller25321@gmail.com to schedule your appointment. Thank you in advance for giving one of the greatest gifts that has no alternative! Blood.

“For it was Christ himself who gave gifts to equip His People for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

Ephesians 4:11-12

October 2015

Marian Chase, Donna Klander, Holly Haugen, and I attended the Laurentian Conference Fall Gathering at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Babbitt. We had a wonderful experience. The morning speaker was Michele Plagman, coordinator for the NEMN Synod Mission Interpreter Ministry. Her goal is to help individuals and congregations share their story and God’s story. For anyone interested in more information about this ministry, I have put her brochure on the WELCA bulletin board in the social hall, or there is information on the NEMN Synod website.

In the afternoon our new Laurentian Conference coordinator, Barb Tanem, gave a talk about the history and work of Lutheran Social Service. United in Christ congregation will be providing school kits again this year for the convention, but personal care kits or baby kits are also needed. Information about the kits is also on the WELCA website.

We can be proud that we collected $225 for PV for Phebe during the month of August. Thanks to all who donated. With solar power, Phebe Hospital will be able to serve the people of Liberia so much better. Right now they have to turn off their generators certain hours of the day or night because the fuel is so expensive.

I will continue to be the chair for the WELCA, but I am still looking for a co-chair. Jan Cutter

has volunteered to be WELCA secretary, and Holly Haugen will continue as treasurer. Anyone is welcome at our executive board meetings at 11:30 a.m. on the 4th Monday of each month. Please volunteer when asked, we know that God has given each of you gifts to equip you to help with his work.

UP COMING EVENTS

We are working to organize our Fall Salad luncheon and bake sale that will be held Tuesday, October 20. Some members have asked to bring back “Grandma’s Attic”. So, if you have a few items that have never used or are lightly used please bring them. Small knit or crochet items will be accepted for sale. If items do not sell, please be prepared to take them back or they will be donatedelsewhere.

Volunteers are needed in the kitchen, at the bake table, “Grandma’s Attic”, and for setup and cleanup. We also need salads, and don’t forget to bake for the bake sale. A bake day will be held on October 19 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the church.

It has been suggested that we have a cardamom bread bake before the luncheon and bake sale so we will have more of it to sell. Please contact me if you are interested in helping bake carda-mom bread at the church one day.

Our Pastie Sale will be October 29, 30 and 31. Carolyn Vest and Melissa Gulan will be heading it up. Sign-up sheets will be posted soon, so please volunteer and sign-up to purchase pasties.

Stancy WalterChairperson744-2639

THANK YOU to members of Esther Circle for donations they made to the kitchen in the form of supplies and utensils in memory of their departed sisters, Marian Jagunich, Mabel Jarvi, Mary Maki, Harriet Nelson, Laimi Niemi, Gladys

Orehek, JoAnn Raduenz, and Helen Zini. May their memories live on as faithful servants, great cooks, and generous volunteers.

STEWARDSHIP…My Journey

If you had told me three years ago that my family and I would have started attending church regularly, become members, that I would be serving as a member of the Congregation Coun-cil, that I would help host a Burger Bash, help to plan Sunday School, and now be serving as the Congregation Council President, I would have laughed at you. Honestly, I never thought this is the path that my life would have taken, but it has, and I am so grateful.

As we are planning our 2016 Stewardship Campaign, I started thinking of what stewardship means to me. Most people when they hear the word stewardship, they think of financial contri-butions; however, stewardship also includes volunteering and giving of your time and your talents.

When we became member of this congregation, I never envisioned becoming very active. The day that then Congregation Council President Heath Boe, asked me if I would be interested in becoming a member of the council is very vivid in my mind. I looked at him and said, “Me, really”? I agreed to think about it and decided to give it a try. After all, it was only one meeting a month. What harm is there in that, right?

Something happened when I started getting involved in our congregation…I realized that I liked the feeling I received in return. It is difficult to put into words the great feeling that you get when a project you have working on comes together and benefits others.

As we enter into our 2016 Stewardship Cam-paign, I strongly encourage each of you to think about volunteering your time and/or talents. The feelings that you get in return is well worth it!

Danielle Larson

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34 

United in Christ Lutheran

LEADERSHIPHave a question, concern, comment, or anything else you would like to discuss about United in Christ Lutheran congregation? Just send an email off to any of the Congregation Council members or staff listed below. Or you can call them at the phone number next to their name.

Marge Bartovich, 744-2231mbartovich@hotmail.com

Heath Boe, secretary, 744-1140heathboe@yahoo.com

David R. Hamalainen, 741-3821dvdhmlnn@aol.com

Ken Lahti, 744-5761fklahti@gmail.com

Danielle Larson, president, 744-4312danielle_larson@aol.com

Cheri Michaels, 744-1077 cheryl.l.michaels@gmail.com Roger Nelson, 744-5209

nonelson@live.comLaurie Oates, vice-president, 744-2551

oatesfameve@aol.comBrianne Pellinen, 290-0100

iso_amalia@hotmail.comSteve Weston, Pastor, 744-2694

steve.weston@ecunet.orgSonja Simonson, office manager, 744-2694

sonjalsimonson@gmail.com

Click on this QR code with your Smartphone to give your offering with a credit card to

United in Christ Lutheran Church. It will take you to

www.unitedinchristlutheran.org.

MESSAGE FROMTHE HEALTH MINISTRY COMMITTEE

October 2015

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Early Stage Breast Cancer Not a Death Sentence

Researchers estimated that only 3 percent of women with DCIS will die from it within 20 years of diagnosis

from WebMD News from HealthDayBy Emily Willingham, HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Aug. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Only 3 percent of women diagnosed with an early stage of breast cancer will die of their disease within 20 years, and more aggressive treatment does not improve that high survival rate, a new study suggests.

The researchers did find that the death rates for both younger women and black patients diagnosed with this early stage cancer were higher.

The early stage breast cancer that they studied is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a small, localized cluster of cancer cells. About 20 to 25 percent of breast cancers that mammogram screening detects are DCIS. It is considered a

stage 0 cancer that does not escape its location in the breast, the researchers said. Cancer that spreads into the rest of the breast or beyond is considered invasive.

"One clinical implication is to reiterate that DCIS is not an 'emergency,' " said Sarah Hawley, a cancer research specialist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. "The study supports that the risk of dying is extremely low for these patients."

Authors combed through a database of information on slightly more than 108,000 women who had been diagnosed with DCIS between 1988 and 2011. They compared these patients' risk of dying from breast cancer with the risk for women in the general population. On average, the women were 54 years of age when they received their DCIS diagnosis, and the authors followed their outcomes for an average of 7.5 years. The team then estimated overall death rates at 10 and 20 years.

In all, 956 women in the study ultimately died of breast cancer. Of those, 517 never had invasive cancer in the breast after treatment seemed to cure their DCIS. That means that the cancerous breast cells from their DCIS had escaped at some point and survived in the lungs or bone, later developing into a deadly cancer.

The study authors also found that women with a history of DCIS had about the same rates of invasive breast cancer in either breast, not just the breast where the DCIS was detected.Women with DCIS usually undergo either surgical removal of the cancerous area followed by radiation therapy, removal alone or complete removal of one or both breasts. The study authors found that the addition of radiation therapy did not appear to save any more lives compared to just surgery alone.

"The finding that radiation treatment did not impact survival for most DCIS patients suggests that alternatives to radiation should be consid-ered, including omitting it altogether," Hawley said.

Hawley noted that women under age 35 and black women had a higher risk of death from

DCIS. In the broadest analysis, younger women had a mortality risk of almost 8 percent, and the risk for black women was 7 percent.

In an accompanying editorial, Laura Esserman and Christina Yau, both from the University of California, San Francisco, wrote that DCIS looks different in younger women, causing symptoms such as a detectable mass or bloody nipple discharge because screening in women under age 40 is rare, they said, these symptoms are usuallyhow younger women end up on the clinical radar.

Health Ministry continued…Health Ministry continued…

Some other risk factors for a rogue DCIS include whether or not it responds to hormones, carries certain versions of cancer-related genes or is 2 inches across or larger.

These risk factors have yet to lead to different treatments for younger women or black women who are diagnosed with DCIS. Hawley said that with further research, more targeted treatments might be possible for women who are at higher risk.

The author suggested that for populations with the highest risk, at some point, chemotherapy might become an option to deal with DCIS cells that may be lingering somewhere outside the treated breast.

In spite of some heightened concerns for specific high-risk groups, the results are generally prom-ising for women who receive a DCIS diagnosis. They point out that the overall risk of dying because of DCIS is "not as bad as having a family history of breast cancer or high-density breast tissue."

Indeed, authors Esserman and Yau viewed the results as a reason to reduce a sense of urgency. They write that "given the low breast cancer mortality risk, we should stop telling women . . . that they should schedule definitive surgery within two weeks of diagnosis."

Earl Fisher October 1Florence Tweten October 7Donna Johnson October 8Dee Ekroos October 10Joyce Knutson October 11Ray Johnson October 14Dorothy Hall October 18Bernie Sabin October 24Lila Klaras October 26Arlene Hendrickson October 25

Fall Worship Schedule

8:45 A.M. Traditional Worship with Holy Communion 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. Refreshments served

9:45 A.M. Sunday School classes

10:00 A.M. Adult education class

10:45 A.M. Nontraditional Worship with Holy Communion

Thank you to each person and/or family who has honored a loved one recently with a gift in honor of or in memory of them. We praise God for those who are dear to our hearts.

IN MEMORY OF:Bruce O Johnson from

Gloria MaroltDavid Hartley from

Gary and Cindy HultmanDuane Johnson from

Ruth SickelWalter and Janet Nori from

Brian and Shannon JussilaGeorge Jorgenson from

John and Donna SepinPamela Homola

Al and Rose SteckerBrian and Elana Pfeifer

Taimi Mattila fromLes and Carol Maunu

IN HONOR OF:Dave and Viv Hamalainen on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary from

Ken and Fran Lahti

HERITAGE COMMITTEEThe Heritage Committee of United in Christ Lutheran meets on a regular basis. If you are or might be interested in preserving part of our history, why not visit the group and find out what they are about? The next meeting will be Friday, October 9, at 10:00 a.m. Call Donna Sepin at 744-4805.

United in Christ Lutheran ChurchEveleth MN 55734

Congregation Council Meeting MinutesSeptember 14, 2015

Members Present: Heath Boe, David R. Hamalainen, Roger Nelson, Danielle Larson, Brianne Pellinen, Sonja Simonson, Marge Bartovich, Laurie Oates, Cheri Michaels, and Pastor Steve WestonMember Excused: Ken Lahti

I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:34 PM by Congregation Council President Danielle Larson. Pastor Steve Weston led devotions.

II. Meeting Minutes: The minutes, from the August 10, 2015, meeting were accepted as submitted.

III. Financial Report: The report for August 31, 2015 was reviewed and received as submitted - MCU.

a. The General Fund balance on August 31, 2015 was -$21,988.80 and the Mortgage Building Fund balance was $1,926.07

b. A motion was made to combine the two items under the Memorial Fund (Memorial Fund – General and Memorial Fund – Other). A list of memorial fund requests would be kept going forward. MCU

c. A motion was made to move the funds ($95.00) from line 1037 – To Be Designated to the General Fund (#1005). MCU

d. A motion was made to move the funds (-$29.07) from the line 1000 – Checking-Other to the General Fund (#1005). MCU

e. A motion was made to zero out the accounts payable (-$131.58) and make a journal entry for this change. MCU

f. A motion was made to consult with the treasurer and, unless there is a valid reason, combine line items #1005 – General Fund and #1015 – Designated General Fund. MCU

g. A motion was made to request Miner’s National Bank to require all checks for our accounts to require two signatures. MCU

h. A motion was made to pay for several miscellaneous expenses, an amount of $2,700, out of the Memorial General Fund instead of the General Fund as these expenses were misallocated from the General Fund. MCU

i. The stewardship fall campaign was discussed and it was decided the dates will be Sundays, 10/4, 10/11, and 10/18. Pledge cards will be sent to everyone through the mail and will be available on a table in the narthex.

IV. Buildings & Grounds: No items were brought up for discussion.

V. Old Business: a. Nursery Coordinator Position: The back-

ground check information has not been completed yet. Laurie will work with Dani to try a different method and in the meantime Angela Pike will start and work with Kelly Suihkonen to transition the coordinator position.

b. Janitor Position Update: A motion was made to have the executive committee hire the janitor at the current rate. - MCU

c. Habitat for Humanity Build in Virginia: The support for the Habitat for Humanity projects in Virginia was discussed. Dave Hamalainen has the information and will share it with the Tuesday Morning work crew.

d. Pictorial Directory: The photo sessions for the new directory will take place in October. A sign-up sheet will be set out for hosts/hostesses as well as times for families for pictures.

e. Welcome Letter for people new to the area: Roger Nelson is working on the letter and will bring it to the meeting in October.

VI. New Businessa. Appoint Transition Team: The council

discussed members for the Transition Team. The team will consist of the following members: Roger Nelson Tom Roseen, Pat Moore, Elisa Boe, Steve Denny, Steve Pellinen, Erin Terrio, and Deb Hendrickson.

b. Transition Team Timeline: Roger will com-municate with the Transition Team and work with Pastor Steve to set up the meetings for the team.

c. Constitution and Bylaws Review: A team consisting of Danielle Larson, Brianne Pellinen, Heath Boe, and Pastor Steve Weston was formed

to review the Constitution and Bylaws and suggest changes to make them current. They will start with reviewing the ELCA model constitution and will start to meeting shortly with the goal of having the recommended changes available for review at the annual meeting.

d. Spaghetti Feed this fall: The council had previously discussed having a spaghetti feed this fall; similar to the burger bash that was held in May. Dave Hamalainen will talk to Kelly

Klander, who helped the youth group with their spaghetti feed last fall, and inquire if he is willing to help and what it would all entail.

VII. Adjourn: We closed with the Lord’s Prayer and the meeting adjourned at 8:21 PM. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be October 12 at 6:30 PM.

Heath Boe Congregation Council Secretary