The Beacon – January 2016

THE BEACONThe monthly newsletter of Light of Christ Lutheran Church

Delano, Minnesota

JANUARY 2016The Marks of Discipleship

Pray dailyWorship weekly

Read the BibleServe at or beyond Light of Christ

Relate to others for spiritual growthGive of my time, talents and resources

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

The gospel writer, with these words, places Jesus at the beginning of time. Our Lord rules time, is beyond time, and in Jesus enters time, enters our time.

We mark time with arbitrary dates, such as New Year’s Day. This is not a Christian holiday, but a day that ancient Romans dedicated to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings. January is named after Janus, who had two faces, one looking forward and the other looking backward.

A lingering tradition of New Year’s Day is taking stock of the year past, and resolving to behave differently in the year to come, what we call “New Year resolutions.” It’s a good tradition.

But we Christians also remember that Jesus forgives our past transgressions and goes with us into the unknown future. We have no fear of the future for Jesus is already there and “has prepared a place for us” (John 14:1-3).

Light of Christ has experienced turmoil and change this past year. Some experience it as great turmoil and change, but in larger reality, it has not been more than most churches experience from time to time. Things happened, but they are now past. It is a new year. It is a new time in the life of Light of Christ.

This coming year is a new start. God has blessed Light of Christ with the gift of ministry to children, youth and families. Our Sunday school is wonderful. Confirmation has high standards. Raising our children to be disciples of Jesus is a core function of this congregation.

Lutheran worship continues to hold high value here. Other congregations have other styles that appeal to some. God bless them. Worship here means experiencing God in our midst and connecting to one another as one body in Christ. Worship is at our core as church.

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The Beacon – January 2016God has also blessed this church with many wise and experienced people. The members

of Light of Christ come with a treasure of skills. And so this congregation is being called to care and guide people who are struggling with various life circumstances. Parenting is hard. Disciplining children is controversial. Parents have questions on how best to raise their children, and Light of Christ has the people with answers. Household financial management, health care decisions, lifestyle choices, marriage challenges, people in our community are struggling with such life issues. Light of Christ has the people and the calling to give guidance and help for those challenged by life circumstances. This is the third key area of focus as we move into the coming year.

At the end of the Gospel of John, one of the last words Jesus says to Peter is, “Follow me.” With these two words is hope and confidence and purpose for the future. Jesus does not leave. God does not withdraw. With these two words, Jesus declares that he is still in this world leading us into the future. And we are participants in Christ’s work of healing and making new.

Pastor Chris

NEW MEMBERS TO BE RECEIVED

On Sunday, January 24, 2016 we will welcome new members. An orientation for new members will be held on Tuesday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m. Anyone interested in becoming a member is invited to contact the church office at 763-972-2400, or email lochrist@frontiernet.net.

January 31, 2016 - 9:30 a.m.All members are encouraged to come and be

a part of the decision-making process of Light of Christ Lutheran Church.

Please note that late service will begin at 11:00 am, due to the annual meeting.

November Financials Income: $38,033.57 Expenses: $46,235.07

Interim Update for January 2016

The Call Committee is well under way. Their next order of business is completing the Ministry Site Profile that describes the uniqueness of Light of Christ in a way that excites candidates. Once that is complete, Bishop Svennungsen will meet with this

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The Beacon – January 2016

Your Call Committee is hard at work, meeting everyMonday night. Currently we are in the process ofcompleting the Ministry Site Profile which is ourchurch's resume. Information from the CAT surveyis being used in this process. Please feel free to contactany of us with your concerns, questions or suggestions.

Interim Update for January 2016

The Call Committee is well under way. Their next order of business is completing the Ministry Site Profile that describes the uniqueness of Light of Christ in a way that excites candidates. Once that is complete, Bishop Svennungsen will meet with this

The Beacon – January 2016MONTHLY SERVICE TEAMMembers of Light of Christ are dedicated to serving the Lord by sharing, caring and loving, and do so

through the work of Monthly Service Teams, serving at funerals and other functions. January Service Team families:

Lee & Cheri AshfeldWade & Kathy BaluskiLee & Michelle BunkerTim & Rhonda CurrentBill & Sue FinkBrandon & Sue HeinzenDon & Linda JohanesonBrian & Aimee KettenackerJon & Jeanelle KinchesJarrett & Laura LundquistLandon & Maria MenzChris MeyersSteve & Traci MeyersMike & Candace MielkeKevin & Holly MikkelsenBrandon & Denise MitchellJon & Rene MoenBeth Palmer & Craig SwensonTim & Kristine PaulsonDale & Janelle RussenbergerDoug & Becky SchaustJonathan & Allison SchreinLisa SchroerBryce & Crystal StahlkeGordon & Eileen TorgerudJamie & Sarah UlfertsRyan & Amanda VailCharlene Warne

From the fullness of hisgrace we have all receivedone blessing after another. John 1:16Thank you Light of Christ members for responding so graciously and abundantly for the Heifer Project and Poinsettias you purchased. Because of you we were able to beautifully decorate our church and provide a “barn yard” of animals to help some very needy people. We were able to purchase the following: One share of a Heifer, two goats, two sheep, four pigs, nine flocks of chicks, three flocks of ducks, three flocks of geese and seven hives of bees. May God continue to bless us all this coming

“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”Looking for a fun way to get to know others in our congregation in a relaxed and informal atmosphere? What better way than to come

together and share food and casual conversation with other LOC members. The next dinner date is January 16th at 6:00 pm.

The Beacon – January 2016

Light of Christ Music Ministry Sue Quist, Director of Music

2015 was a Musically Joyful Year at Light of Christ!Did You Know…

39 Sundays in 2015 included Special Music from members of our

Congregation.The Sunday School Christmas Programs involved

over 150 youth.The choir sang 11 Sundays in 2015.The Sunday School Youth Sang 9 times in 2015.Praise Team played 8 Sundays in 2015.Special Music included singing and playing 18

different instruments.Special Music included music spanning 300 years.19 Sundays of Special Music were by youth under the

age of 15.

God has richly blessed our church with much talent.

Thank you for sharing your gifts in God’s glory.Can You Name this Hymn? Test your hymn knowledge and be a WINNER!

“Shall we bring incense and off’rings divine….”Tell Sue the title of this hymn and win the prize of the month!

CHOIRThe choir will begin rehearsing for Easter Sunday in early February. Watch the bulletin for rehearsal dates and times – come join us and raise a joyful song to the Lord.

The Beacon – January 2016

YOUTH NEWS

CHILDREN’S MINISTRYBlankets for Camp Noah Family Event – On Feb. 14 during Sunday School, families will be putting together blankets for Camp Noah, a ministry of Lutheran Social Services. Camp Noah is a locally hosted event for elementary-age children whose communities have been impacted by disaster. Each child receives a blanket during camp. Each fleece blanket costs a minimum of $15. If you are interested in donating $15 to help purchase the supplies for the blankets, please contact Sonja Nelson. More information about the family event will go out in the month of February.Noisy Offering at Sunday School – Bring the Coins! – Each child at Sunday School is encouraged to bring offering. The offering goes to different Sunday School servant projects like Operation Christmas Child and Easter baskets. Starting in January, the children will be doing Noisy Offering during the large group opening. Bring any loose, loud change to be thrown into our big metal bucket! We will make a loud noise as we celebrate God’s love!Thank You to All for the Christmas Programs – Thank you to the parents, guardians, costume team, children, special singers, teachers, Children’s Education Committee, special

YOUTH MINISTRYHigh School Retreat at Sugar Creek! Join us on a high school retreat to Sugar Creek Bible Camp, Jan. 15-17. Students will join other youth for a weekend of faith, worship, and snow fun. Cost is $75, including meals at camp and transportation. Register online by Jan. 10 at the LOC website, www.lightofchristlutheran.com. High School Bible Study on James – On Jan. 3, 10 and 25, the high school youth will spend time looking at the book of James. Meet at the church at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 3 and 10. On Jan. 25 we will meet for lunch at 12:00/noon and have pizza (free!). Students and friends are welcome to come to any of the dates as the studies will have a separate theme each time. NEEDED – Letters to LOC Young Adults – The congregation is invited to write one letter in the next month to our young adults at college, universities, tech schools, and new jobs. Why? Most of those young adults are far away or unable to connect with Light of Christ. So Light of Christ will connect with them. If you are interested in writing a letter, please contact Sonja Nelson or sign up on Sunday mornings during January.Prayer Ministry for LOC Youth – Many youth have a variety of struggles in their lives – health issues, trouble in school, depression, divorce in their family, break up of a relationship. The ministry is putting together a team that helps coordinate prayers for youth when they request them. If you are interested in the ministry, please contact Sonja Nelson.

The Beacon – January 2016readers, and staff for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ’s birth. And thank you to the Congregation of Light of Christ for praying, caring and supporting the children of LOC.

Sonja Nelson, Interim Director of Children,Youth & Family Ministry

Epiphany: Light DivineEpiphany is such a cool word. And Epiphany is such a cool time in the Church. As Lutherans, we are pretty good at recognizing Advent and Lent – great periods of time to prepare for Christ’s birth and death – but we sometimes overlook Epiphany. For the Church, Epiphany is the time that Christ is revealed as the divine Son of God to the Gentiles, specifically the Magi (you know, the wisemen). Lower case epiphany means a moment of insight or revelation. One simple word, epiphany, gives meaning to so many other words – Christ, revelation, divine, insight, holy, light. Light of Christ NEEDS an Epiphany – an Epiphany to reveal the presence of Christ at Light of Christ.Look around and you will see Christ revealed in the Confirmation Guides who come every Wednesday night to be with our 7-9th grade students. Christ is revealed in the classrooms filled with Sunday School children. Christ is revealed in the youth who are more and more participating in worship as musicians, readers, and hopefully in the future as liturgical leaders. Christ is revealed in the families who put together 100 shoeboxes of gifts for children around the world. Christ is revealed in all the baptisms in the last two months. Christ is revealed in over 25 care packages sent to LOC young adults across the nation. Christ is revealed in a caring adult sending a card to a sick youth. Christ is revealed.During this upcoming time of Epiphany, the Children and Youth Ministry will continue to reveal the divine presence of Christ in the life of Light of Christ. Some revelations will be obvious, like the Milestone for the Baptism of Our Lord where we celebrate in worship all who have been baptized at LOC in the past year. Some will not be as obvious unless you come on Wednesday night as the confirmation students do prayer stations or if you volunteer to write a letter to our young adults.Christ is present. Christ is divine. Christ is here at Light of Christ.Peace,Sonja NelsonInterim Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry

The Beacon – January 2016

Loree Kinney, Spiritual Gifts CoordinatorThe New Year is fast approaching. A time of renovation, reconstruction, renewal and resolution. I've been thinking about the past year. So many things have changed over this year in my personal life and my Church life and that's true for all of us.

This year I decided to make one resolution. My only resolution is to be a better person, a more faithful servant of God. To listen more and talk less (I know hard for me). To focus on the future and think less on the past. To let God heal all the small, foolish things I dwell on and all the big things that can break your heart. Slights, disappointments, anger, hurts, loss, fear --- all the negative things that become this heavy burden to carry. If you carry a big bag over your shoulder, it's hard to keep your head up.

If we can't keep our head up, it's hard to keep our eyes on the cross. But if we drop the bag and let God pick it up, we no longer have to carry those things. Our hearts open and there's a fresh renewal of Spirit, love and joy.

I read these verses the other day and I thought they were perfect for what I was feeling.

Philippians 2: 1-4Imitating Christ’s Humility2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

It's easy to let life get to us. But as we go into the New Year, let's try and move with joy and abandon into this new time. A new time in our lives and in our Church.

Blessings, Love and Joy!

Loree

The Beacon – January 2016

The Peace and Justice Ministry meets the 3rd Saturday of each monthat 10:15 a.m.

Men’s GrouP

Saturday, january 2 8:00 a.m.

Join us for breakfast, fellowship and discussion.

WOMEN of LIGHT of CHRISTwill meet on Wednesday, January 13th

at 10:00 am in Room 101.

All the women of LOC are invited to attend.

JANUARY HOT TOPICS BOOK CLUB

We will be discussing “Ghost Boy”, the miraculous escape of a misdiagnosed boy trapped inside his own body. Join us on January 7th at 7:00 pm in the church library to discuss the book.

ADULT EDUCATIONSUNDAYS, 9:30-10:30

Room 101 Jan. 3rd – Coffee, Cookies &

Conversation with Pastor Chris. Come & visit or ask about scripture or faith questions, learn more about the interim process, & connect with other members.

Jan. 10th & 17th – Discerning Spiritual Gifts. Learn what makes you unique & valuable to God.

Jan. 24th – Pope Francis Catholic Climate Covenant

Jan. 31st – Annual Meeting

Quilting News

Happy New Year!

Quilting will begin again on January 11, 2016. The quilters meet at the church each Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. in Room 106.

The Beacon – January 2016

The Beacon – January 2016

January01 Neil Cramb

Tom FriendshuhDennis IversonBoden RosaaenBrianna St. Aubin

02 Gracie Ann LarsonCarli RussenbergerJenna Untiedt

03 Marissa BartelsBruce Beltrand

04 Ella Dallmann05 Jessica Campbell

Peter Swenson06 Tracie Erickson

Kelly FroehleLaurie GrimmGloria LarsonJeff RubertusJanet Swenson

07 Sydney Sinnott08 Sarah Zerull09 Lisa Donley

Andrea KlatkeSherri RubertusSharon Sebelien

10 Reed GraunkeChris Meyers

12 Chris LotzerMaggie Thomas

13 Paula AndersonScott BassettMollie LohmannCallie NelsonRyan Schaust

14 Laura JaunichTraci MooreKirsten Palan

15 Everett HensonWill Magner

16 Zachary BigotCourtney Spicer

17 David Rosaaen18 Owen Fink

McKenna MoorePatricia Williams

19 David AndersonMaria Menz

20 Kelly PetersonSarah UlfertsJoMarie Williamson

21 Rene MoenDerek VanCuraMatthew WarnHogan Williams

22 Jay BernickRay CordesAaron LuebkeChloe Moore

23 Julie AtkinsonTracy MagnerBen VossEmily Wallace

24 Katie HoreisKaren KyrolaGreg MaschinoTanner Schroer-Lampi

25 Nick Vatnsdal26 Ashlee Bruhn27 Jarrett Lundquist

Becky Schaust28 Ashley Brown

Holly Johnson-CapleAmy KroellsJill Radermacher

29 Sally Adams30 Mike Franklin

Nathan KnisleyCandace MielkeKevin MikkelsenJulie Strobl

31 Ashlynn Kley31 Cooper Larson

Gina NeeDavid NelsonEmily OlsonGunnar PaulsonAaron VanCura

01 Jim & Michelle Chiapetta02 Tom & Amy Bigot04 Nathan & Ashley Savage09 Dale & Lori Luebke12 Jake & Jessica Fitch15 Stuart & Megan Dallmann16 Terry & Susan Pumper22 Peter & Sara Schoepke23 Ken & Nicki Peterson29 Scott & Kathy Sandberg29 Ryan & Maggie Thomas

If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary in January, and your name is not on this list, please contact the church office at 763-972-2400 so that we may update our records.

The Beacon – January 2016WORSHIP ASSISTANT SCHEDULE

Please note: If you are unable to serve on your assigned day, please arrange for a substitute and notify the church office. Thank you! 763-972-2400 Email: lochrist@frontiernet.net

Sunday, January 3, 2016Council Rep: 8:15 a.m. Stacy VanCura 10:45 a.m.Greeters: Bill & Jinnelle Weis Kevin & Heidi VossAcolyte: Briana VanCura Sam BrownLector: Janine Holter Laurie BrownUshers: Dan & Laurie Langner, John & Tracy Magner Matt Coyle, Jason Engel, Cheryl ThomasAltar Guild: MaryAnn McKay, Bea Zerull Kylee Amdor, Jan Styve

Sunday, January 10, 2016Council Rep: 8:15 a.m. Laura Jaunich 10:45 a.m.Greeters: John & Brenda Schroedl John & Wendy AndersonAcolyte: Andy Palan Brenna DurickLector: Becky Schaust William BuengerUshers: Penny Bailey Becky Coyle, Derek Schansberg

Doug & Becky Schaust Dale & Janelle Russenberger

Sunday, January 17, 2016Council Rep: 8:15 a.m. Janine Holter 10:45 a.m.Greeters: Wes & Jessie Aylsworth Greg & Sarah BersieAcolyte: Tanner Schroer Charlotte BeltrandLector: Sue Fink Cheryl CollinsUshers: Chris Andrews, Greg Johnson John McClelland, Cheryl Thomas

David & Linda RosaaenAltar Guild: MaryAnn McKay, JoMarie Williamson Linda Moore, Dawn Vaadeland

Sunday, January 24, 2016Council Rep: 8:15 a.m. Laura Jaunich 10:45 a.m.Greeters: Mel & Julie Bernick Tim & Heather VanderlindeAcolyte: Reed Graunke Annabel FrakeLector: Maxine Johnson Cheryl GielauUshers: Scott Sandberg, Craig Schansberg, Nathen Will Spencer Family

Sunday, January 31, 2016Council Rep: 8:15 a.m. Janine Holter 11:00 a.m.Greeters: Tim & Amy Underhill William & Mary BuengerAcolyte: Liliana Schroedl Claudia SchmidtLector: Bob GielauUshers: Len Beilke, Lisa Boecker Bob Gielau, Jim Schafer,

Cheryl Thomas