NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 17

DEVILS LAKE, NORTH DAKOTA

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

JA N UA R Y 2 0 1 9

St. Olaf Lutheran Church 601 6th Street NE

Devils Lake, ND 58301-2525

Phone: 701-662-4911

FAX: 701-662-4820

Email: stolaf@gondtc.com

www.stolfchurchdevilslake.com

Pastor Jim Paulson

Email: stolafprjim@gondtc.com

Deacon James W. Travers

Family Ministry Coordinator

Darci Gilbertson

Office & Financial Secretary

Kirk Sweeney, Custodian

Dan Nybo, Organist

Annual Meeting The annual meeting of the St. Olaf Congregation

will be

Sunday,January 27, 2019

following the 9:30 a.m. worship service (10:30 a.m.)

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Alyssa Schall Chad & Amanda Engen

SSgt. Sherri Read & SSgt. Barry Read

Cpl. Jeffrey J. Olson Sgt. Jesse S. Olson Grant Thompson

Justin & Jill Johnson Derrick Owens

Jonathan Pearson Matthew Martin

Sgt. Major Brian Soper Nevon Heisler

Brian Pederson Cory Schall Brent Schall

Amy & Cory Everson Austin Dammen Ryan Mertens Gregory Fritz

Spc. Jade Baker Major Miranda Iverson SSgt. Billyjo Sandberg

If you know of someone serving in the military, please let the church office (662-4911) know.

Weekly Attendance & Envelope Giving

November General Fund Expenses Auto Exp (Mileage) ..................... 249.28 BCBS Exp ..................................... 767.10 Church Supplies .......................... 367.11 Confirmation Exp ........................ 182.97 Custodian HIR Exp ....................... 280.00 Electricity (Otter Tail) .................. 774.00 FMC Housing Allow ..................... 392.94 MDU (Oct) ................................... 419.00 Insurance Exp .............................. 670.08 Maintenance Exp ........................ 371.62 Ace Hardware—$35.82 Dakota Wash Master—298.30 (Snow) Dakota Wash Master—37.50 (rugs) Missions: EaND Synod ....................................... 0 Hope Center ...................................... 0 LR Comm. Shelter .............................. 0 Luth. Soc. Serv. .................................. 0 Office Equip................................. 626.66 Office Supplies .............................. 36.09 Miscellaneous Exp ..................... 148.12: Vanco: 35.54 (EFTs) Ramsey Bank: LOC interest: 67.80 Cardmember Service: $44.78

Pastor Housing Allowance……..2,030.30 Pastor Soc. Sec. Allowance ......... 378.42 Payroll Exp .................................. 672.40 Pension/Ins Exp ...................... 3,151.16 Postage Exp ................................ 159.53 City of Devils L.ake ...................... 257.62 Sunday School Exp ...................... 362.54 NDTC (tele./internet/security) ... 369.86 Wedding Exp. .............................. 100.00 Wages .................................... 11,209.84 Worship Supplies ........................ 141.00 Total Expenses ................... $24,117.64 Total income: Giving……………………...23,845.88

Ramsey Bank Line of Credit

(for operating expenses)

PAID IN FULL

Thank you to everyone who helped fill the gap!

Date

November 21 November 25 November 28 December 2 December 5 December 9 December 12 December 16 December 19 December 23 December 24

Attendance 9:30 a.m. 5:15 p.m. 11 94

22 120

15 146

23 258

67 104 286 (5:00) 42 (11:00)

General Fund

$90.00 $3,010.00 $270.00

$5,698.00 $70.00

$5,643.00 $300.00

$4,330.00 $737.00

$5,134.00 $3,952.00

Electronic Giving for NOVEMBER (26 Households): $3,720.00

Retreat Center Fund November Expenses Nodak ................................................................. 71.00

Greater Ramsey Water District ......................... 21.28

Elshaug Septic Vacuum ...................................... 220.00

MDU ................................................................... 62.12

The Retreat Center Fund is a separate fund from general operating expenses. It is in a separate checking account with other funds that are designated

for specific purposes (ex.: Men’s Club, Radio Fund, Faith & Care etc.).

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Like many others Christmas has always been a special time for the Paulson family. As our two sons have their own families, and my call to ministry has brought us here to North Dakota, Barb and I have learned to celebrate Christmas in different ways. We don’t always get to be with our family at Christmas. As our kids have their own plans, we find that we cele-brate Christmas with those around us like our church family. If you find yourself away from family or alone this year, you may find some joy and comfort by doing things with people you know. The Kiwanis offers a Christ-mas dinner at the Senior Center and that gives you time with other people. Oth-ers may find solace by occu-pying themselves with a pro-ject around the house or by doing a hobby. Whatever helps you keep a healthy atti-tude is what matters during the holidays. My hope is that, no matter what, you’ll feel blessed by the gift of the Christ child and be comforted by all the people God has put in your life. In my case, I count on God to give me the opportunity to refresh myself after the Christmas worship services and from the usual busyness we all experience this time of year. Along with your many bless-ings this year, please take time to thank God for being

here at St. Olaf and for the opportunities we’ve been giv-en to serve God’s Kingdom in 2018. I’m excited about our walking together with the Gospel of Luke this church year. Luke gave us the beautiful stories of the nativi-ty and how the angels and the shepherds took part in spreading the news about the Holy birth of the Christ child. I want to encourage you to read Luke’s Gospel and other Bible passages this year. Also, feel free to bring your Bible to church whenever you can. While the Message translation is in the pews when we need it, you may be fed by reading another translation. As a pastor, there is nothing more inspiring to me than to see folks investing in the words of Scripture as part of their faith walk. Well-worn or tat-tered Bibles are cause for celebration in our time when religion has lost it appeal for some. However, worship, sacraments, prayer, financial giving, reading the Bible, and Christian service all remain important in following Jesus. May these words of the

prophet Isaiah enliven our hope: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us…” (Isaiah 9:6). Prophets like Isaiah proclaimed that God’s promises would be ful-filled for us through the com-ing of the Messiah. The Gospel according to Luke testified that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. Now it is our turn to follow the path Jesus gave to us as the Church. The titles that ac-company this verse from Isaiah, stand as attributes of this God who loves us: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.” May this Christmastime in-spire you to deeper faith. May this Christmastime guide you to leave behind whatever worry and anxiety you have about today or to-morrow, because you aren’t alone and God can shoulder it for you. Trust in this faith we have in Jesus, a faith that comes with a relationship that doesn’t end. May God continue to bless each of us as we strive to do his work in Devils Lake. Blessings, Pastor Jim

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Merry Christmas dear friends in Christ!

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Memorials

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If you or someone you know are

in need of prayers,

please contact the church office:

662-4911.

Your name and concern will be

held before God and prayed for

by everyone on the

Prayer Chain.

You will be asked if you would like

to be included in the prayers at

Sunday worship or you may

request it.

Adalynn Ranae McCloud Daughter of Christian McCloud &

Stephanie Schnaidt

Altar Guild Fund In MEMORY of

Mrs. & Mrs. Fred K. Rance, Dr. Beu-lah Hedahl from Sharon Rance

Radio Fund In MEMORY of

Darold E. Ulrich from John Sletteland Leland Langelin from John Sletteland Norma Skramstad from Family Linda Hunt from Carole Fenner, Lar-ry & Betty Nygren Aimee Larson from John Sletteland Deanna Kenner from Helen Hanson Dena Campbell (Erin Wood’s moth-er) from Myrna Unger Mary Shankar from Larry & Betty Nygren

General Fund In MEMORY of

Norma Skramstad from Family, Ger-ald & Vivian Gilbertson Linda Hunt from Dale & Loretta Giedd Irving Thompson from Ron & Barb Miller Evelyn Nagel from Ron & Barb Mil-ler Marcee Mertens from Ron & Barb Miller Tommy Peterson from Ron & Barb Miller Jerry Peters from Ron & Barb Miller Wayne Owens from Ron & Barb Mil-ler Deanna Kenner from Janice Thomp-son, Dennis & Jean Aardahl, Helen Weed, Collin & Beth Evenson, Gary & Nancy Conkins, Aaron & Maryla Newcomb, Larry Weed, Sharon Pe-

terson, Jerry & Daria Miller Shirley Davidson from Duane Da-vidson

In HONOR of Kade Lybeck from Carol & Rich Lybeck

General Fund– Line of Credit

In MEMORY of Alois & Ione Boehmer from Mike & Sherry Boehmer

Sunday School Fund In MEMORY of

Deanna Kenner from Myrna Unger

Music Fund In MEMORY of

Deanna Kenner from Gary Bryn

Norway Cemetery Fund

In MEMORY of Olive E. Johnson from Gary Bryn Deanna Kenner from Harlan Adahl

Building Fund In MEMORY of

Norma Skramstad from Family, Ken & Karen Tollefson Jim Johnson from Irene & Lawrence Johnson

WELCA In MEMORY of

Linda Hunt from Grace Paul

WELCA-Stewardship In MEMORY of

Donna Borgerson, Deanna Kenner, Friend from Dazey from Florene Rogne

Olive Johnson Deanna Kenner

H. Ray Bryn

New Envelope Numbers

For 2019 Everyone has been assigned a new number for 2019 offering envelopes. They are in the Centennial Room in alphabetical order for you to pick up.

Faith & Care Group #2—January 2019 Faith & Care Group #3 February 2019

662-9227 Dennis & Jean Aardahl

662-2612 Eric & Corrine Aasmundstad, Britt, Jenna, Taylor

662-3797 Harlan Adahl

662-3653 Duane A. & Susan Armstrong, Molly & Ben

230-3738 Katelyn Armstrong, Ashton

381-9492 Trent & Holly Beckedahl

662-2513 Dean & Allison Blazer

662-8797 Kory & Colette Boehmer, William

662-8260 Marvin & Patricia Bye, Bryan, Justin

799-5529 Kelsie Bye, Kennedy

662-5986 William & Lynn Byram

662-8324 Jared & Elisa Christensen, Cassandra, Kaylee, Carter

662-3447 Judy Cox, Michael & Patrick

351-3145 Wendy Cox Olson, Jacob, Austin

662-5199 Cleo Deplazes

662-9269 Jeremy & Jennifer Devier, Blair, Coby, Austin, Zoee, Braxton,

Eliza, Piper

662-2881 Luann Devier, Chris

230-1850 Cynthia Geller, Dana, Kirsten, Stephanie

662-4081 Douglas & Lynn Goodwill, Natalie

662-7568 Sharon Henke

662-4779 Lloyd Hintz

398-3035 Melissa Hodous, Brody, Mason, Bennett

230-8753 LeAnn Holter, Crystal

351-9224 Benjamin & Jenna Idland, Kaspynn

662-5897 Norma Jacobson

662-3253 Elizabeth Kalhagen

320-815-3011 Michael & Rachel Kitsch, Sophie (230-1875)

662-2972 Esther Larson

682-5324 Kristian & Danielle Lindseth, Isabel, Abigail

381-2152 Darren & Lori Lippert, Kaylee, Blake

351-2418 Nicole McIvor, Julia, Blaine

662-2518 Necito Montaniel

350-2697 Allan Mosbaek

701-822-2527 James H. Murray

395-4375 Keith & Joan Ness

662-3347 Robert Ness

662-3752 Rose Marie Nyhus

662-7234 Rene & Sherri Oullette, Carson

662-3282 Art & Carol Rohr

398-3075 Byron & Jessica Rohr, Julia, Clara, Wyatt

665-3031 David & Ranae Schnaidt, Emily

799-3720 Stephanie Schnaidt, Raeleigh, Rylan, Adalynn

662-7270 Terry & Connie Straabe, Caitlin, Michelle & Tara

662-4289 Jarrod & Lori Stubbe, Quenten & Malcolm

662-2910 Ken & Karen Tollefson

662-4122 Shirley Tostenson

662-8026 James Travers

662-8373 Barbara Walden

662-3704 Helen Weed

.

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Duaine & Barb Ash Lisa Bachmeier Robert Banet, Bailee, Caleb Roxanne & Mike Barendt, Morgan, Hannah Orlinda Bendickson Rodney Bennes Terry & Beth Black, Molly, Elle, Charly Janice Breakey Jon & Cindy Brown, Drew, Casey, Reagan, Bailey Gene & Melissa Burkhard, Brady, Toby Dennis & Paulette Clemenson Kermit & Glenna Garske Judy Hager Helen Hanson Leonard Jemtrud Dona Krahler, Jadyn & Zachary Ruby Lohnes, Dani Richard Mahoney Brandon & Kelsey Mertens, Holden, Leightyn Don Mertens, Ryan Duane Moen Kent & Hayley Ness, Ty Chuck & Barb Olson, Alex, Kelley, Mallory Linda Olson Sigurd Olson (Oberon) Derrick & Holly Owens, Alexander Stella Papachek Jacqueline Peterson, Jesse Myrna Peterson Harry & Darlene Pflaum Mabel Rabadeaux Bonnie Rader, James Sharon Rance Ann & Richard Rasmusson, David, Blake Arvin & Jeanette Rohrer Marlene & Dana Salisbury Cory & Tobey Schall, Austin, Alyssa Stacy & Shannon Schmidt, Preston Valerie Sensiba Valerie Skadsem Amber Skadsem, Clint, Kasyn, Esperanza Betty Soper Gaylene & Lawrence Tollefson Kristie Tollefson Kristi Trottier & Travis Pflaum Nicole Tollefson, Austin Orville & Audrey Wang, Autumn, George Nancy Watt, Brandon Kristi Ystaas

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November Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Present: Dan Ness, Lisa Bachmeier, Mike Boehmer, Dale Giedd, Doris Michaels, Sherry Boehmer, Jeri Steffen, Darci Gilbert-son, Pastor Jim Paulson and Jamie Travers Absent: Dona Krahler, Steve Geigle, Rachel Quam, Crystal Eversvik Pastor Jim opened the meeting with a prayer and read a passage from John. Minutes from the November council meeting were motioned to be approved by Dan, followed by a second motion by Dale. Treasurer’s report: Mike Boehmer read and reviewed totals. Darci spoke of depos-its made in the total of $3120 as part of the “Closing the Gap” Shingle fundraiser. These funds are designated to the general fund. Note: this dollar amount reflects the first 2 Sundays of December. Pastor’s monthly report was reviewed. Family Ministry report was reviewed. Ja-mie put together Coloring In Advent ser-vices on Wednesdays this year as part of the Advent season. He was also acknowl-edged for the many events he attends and supports in the Devils Lake area. Church Properties and Retreat Center: Dale did a recap of all of the projects that were taken on and taken care of in 2018. Good job and thank you to all who help keep us going! He also provided a list of projects that may need to be addressed in 2019; which are priority will need to be decided. The Retreat Center Christmas service is set for Wednesday, December 19th. Supper will be at 6:00p.m., followed by a service at 7:00. There was discussion about having coffee and fellowship at the Retreat Center after the service. More info will follow. Wednesday evening services were talked about. It seems to fit the needs of a seg-ment of our congregation. We are seeing a consistent number of around 30 partici-pants on a normal week.

Congregational Life: Members set up the shingle fundraiser. Discussions were had about potential new members and cre-ating some new activities for them is a possibility. Mutual Ministry (Board of Lay Ministry): We now have 3 members on this board and graciously thank Louise Oleson, Kitty Overbo and Rhonda Allery for filling the positions. Pastor mentioned adding a male to the board as well. Stewardship: There is discussion of some-one coming some Sunday in March to talk about stewardship, through preaching and videos. Youth & Family Ministry: Karen Clementich and Crystal Eversvik will co-chair this board in 2019. Worship & Music: Met on December 4th. Discussion about possible choir practice times or bringing confirmation students into the choir as a service project were talked about. Sunday church attendance for 1 service is about the same as when we held 2 church services each Sunday. Unfinished Business: Having a Nominating Committee and finding potential council / board members is huge. Checking into possibly reorganizing monthly meetings, etc. to better fit today’s working members

was discussed. Also, looking at employee reviews and job descriptions (for future reviews) was talked about. The custodian position de-scription was updated in 2017. New Business: The new industrial coffee maker is on its way; after a delay it will hopefully be here by the end of next week. THANK YOU to Duaine Ash, Gary Bryn and Armen Hanson for generously donating the funds to purchase the equipment. THANK YOU to Harris Saele and Rodger Haugen for taking on the WIFI project. Jamie said the coverage is wonderful. Pastor Jim is working on a grant through the Synod to assist with the WIFI installa-tion, as well. THANK YOU. THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the “Closing the Gap” Shingle fundrais-er. The meeting was adjourned. The evening ended with a joining of hands to recite the Lord’s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Bachmeier

Roxanne Rose, a Clinical Social Work Specialist, works with families in need. She asked area churches to help make Christmas special for 3 families. This is a photo of Roxanne and

all of the donations from St. Olaf members. They were asked at the Retreat Center Christmas Service on Wednesday, Dec. 19th to sponsor 3 families. Each child re-ceived a toy, new clothes, hat and mittens...plus each family received a $60 gas card. Dan and Bonnie Ness and Rachel Quam purchased the items and many members donated funds needed. The hats and mittens were from the Mitten Tree downstairs. Thank you St. Olaf members.

St. Olaf Members Sponsor 3 Area Families