Augustana Lutheran Church

Genoa Nebraska 68640

www.augustanagenoa.org.

AUGUST……..2015

From the desk of Pastor Josh:

Augustana Voice

Swatting Mosquitoes with The Church

The mosquitoes have been pretty thick this season. The recent precipitation is good for the crops, but also good for the mosquitoes. Thankfully, the pests around here only rarely carry dangerous diseases.

That is not the case in other parts of the world. For many, sitting outside on a cool evening could mean months of torment, and resting in the shade could welcome death. Mosquitoes in places like Africa and Asia are quick to share malaria. But they have not been sharing it as much lately.

The amount we as the ELCA have shared is $14,500,000. That's how much we have raised for combating

malaria in Africa. Working together with other churches and aid groups, we have done much: reported cases

of malaria in Africa are dropping by 45,000,000 each year. That's a huge number. Though education, training

people to treat malaria, and giving out mosquito nets, the death toll has rapidly shrank. We set a goal as the

ELCA to pledge $15 million to this effort, and we are almost there. All that is needed is another $500,000.

Soon, mosquitoes throughout the world may just be another pest.

Want to learn more? Visit: www.elca.org/malaria.

Pastor Josh

Available Now Online: The Augustana Voice

Augustana's website is up and now hosts our monthly newsletter. In the future, you can download the news there to read at your convenience, plus follow Bible studies, read previous sermons, and keep up-to-date on all things Augustana! Check it out at: www.augustanagenoa.org.

If you still need a paper copy newsletter, give us a call at the church office.

Blessing the backpacks August 16th

Since school starts in a couple of weeks (August 19th), Augustana is hosting a blessing of the backpacks August 16th! Both children and adults are invited to bring their backpacks, messenger bags, equipment bags, and satchels to church so we may ask for God's blessing in all their studies and adventures.

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BIRTHDAYS:

Cindy Sorensen Aug 2

Jennie Christman Aug.3

Katherine Peterson Aug.4

Jack Connelly Aug. 6

Jean Nelson Aug 6

John Rice Aug. 9

Kyle Litz Aug. 11

Kristan Connelly Aug. 14

Jayden Schroeder Aug. 16

Don Nelson Aug. 17

Randy Andreasen Aug. 18

Chase Cherry Aug. 18

Natalie Reeg Aug. 18

Logan Reeg Aug. 18

Cooper Green Aug. 19

Worship AssistantsWorship AssistantsWorship AssistantsWorship Assistants

Readers:

Sat. Aug. 1: Sue Turner

Sun. Aug. 2: Curtis Peterson

Sat. Aug. 8: Margaret Peterson

Sun. Aug. 9: Kris Bosak

Sat. Aug. 15: Linda Sass

Sun. Aug. 16: Dave Clausen

Sat. Aug. 22: Deb Rippke

Sun. Aug. 23: Brad Cromwell

Sat. Aug. 29: Connie Pierson

Sun. Aug. 30 Volunteer needed

Ushers:

Saturday: Kris Bosak, Norm & Julie Silverberg, and Jeanie Goines

Sunday: Kevin & Jennie Christman, Brad & Cindy Cromwell, Jay & Tracey Hagerbaumer

Church Service Committee: Roberta Clausen, Jennie Christman, Julie Silverberg and Cindy Sorensen

Communion Assistants:

Saturday– Volunteer Needed

Sunday-Cindy Sorensen

Lawn Care: Mowing of church property:

Aug. 2-15: Tony Turner

Aug. 16-29 Dave Rippke

AUGUST AUGUST AUGUST AUGUST BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIESBIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIESBIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIESBIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

Jeanie Goines Aug. 20

Al Boyd Aug. 22

Betty Silverberg Aug. 25

Amber Hagerbaumer Aug. 26

Gregg Baxa Aug. 28

Don Cromwell Aug. 28

Eric Olsufka Aug. 28

Wendy Ramaekers Aug. 28

Jeanette Olson Aug. 30

ANNIVERSARIES:

Tina & Dan Foltz Aug. 6

DeEtta & Louis Baue Aug 18

Dorothy & Ike Anderson Aug 20

Brooke & Joe Kleckner Aug. 23

Don & Rose Nelson Aug. 23

Tracey & Jay Hagerbaumer Aug. 25

Chris & Dan Parry Aug. 25

Jean & Ray Nelson Aug. 28

Bev. & Al Boyd Aug. 29

Lettie & Tony Edwards Aug. 29

Karen & Jason Whitlow Aug. 31

Save The Date: Sunday School Kick-Off

Mark your calendars for Sunday September 13th, because Sunday School is coming back! The theme this year is “We are the work of God's hands.” Each month, we will have a “helping hands” day where we use our hands to share God's love with others. September 13th kicks off with hands-on activities. Plus, children will be visited by nurse practitioner Stacy Nelson, who will share how she uses her hands in medicine to share God's love. Watch your mailbox for details.

Confirmation Kick-Off September 23rd

It's back! The time has come for seven youth to begin the two-year quest that we call confirmation. Our first

gathering is an information session for both the youth and their parents. We will meet September 23rd at 6:00

PM to discuss plans for the year and expectations. Need more information about confirmation? Please call

Pastor Josh at the church office.

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One Gift Night Passed, Another on the Way! Wednesday, July 22 was a tremendously fun night in the park with all ages of people from Augustana. After

grilling and a shared supper together we learned what it means to “run the race,” (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Then we

played the park games: tug-o-war, ladder ball, egg racing, and more. Special thanks to the GIFT team who

made this event possible.

On your calendars, mark August 12, 6:30 PM at the Headgates for our next GIFT Night, featuring hay rack

rides and campfire games! See you soon!

Financ

ial

Summa

ry

To meet the approved 2015 budgeted needs, we need an average of

$2,118 each week.

July 5 $ 958.00

July 11/12 $2,355.00

July 18/19 $1,089.00

July 25/26 $2,605.30

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We Need to Talk: Marriage study series

There are not too many people who were neutral toward Obergefell v. Hodges, the case heard by the Supreme Court of The United States that led to the court's decision, making same sex marriage a right for people across the United States. Some jumped with joy at the decision, while others threw their hands up in frustration. The decision has also stirred the church. “This decision affects each of us, some profoundly, and we are not of one mind,” wrote Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton in a letter sent to pastors late last month. The ruling reminds many of us of divisions and battle lines that have formed within the ELCA during the past couple of decades.

Since same sex marriage will continue to be a lightning rod for the church for years to come, we need to talk about this. No, nobody from the synod office or even the IRS is here to make us change – either in favor or in opposition to the Supreme Court's ruling. Neither body can make us as Augustana support or condemn same sex marriage. Instead, we need to talk about the issue behind the issue. Very few people seem to be addressing it, too: just what exactly is marriage today?

Throughout the Supreme Court's deliberation, the justices can be heard wrestling with this very question.

Join us in a four-part series as we discuss and explore facets, dimensions, and competing ideas about

marriage in the 21st century. The first study is in the Augustana gathering space Tuesday September 15th,

at 7:00 PM.

To meet our average monthly budgeted needs, we need approximately $9,160.00 each month. In July our

total contributions were $7,007.30.

Building Fund: $ 30.00

Women of the E L C A Breakfast

The ladies begin a new year with a breakfast on August 19, 2015 at the Great Plains Café beginning at

9:00 a.m. All women are welcome to join them. The WELCA group will resume their regular schedule

in September, meeting on the third Wednesday of the month at 2:00 p.m. at the church for Bible Study,

fellowship and dessert.

Energy Pioneer Proposal

The church council is currently exploring a project that would improve the energy efficiency of the parsonage

which would result in energy savings and improved comfort levels throughout the parsonage. The council is

working with a company called Energy Pioneers based out of Omaha, NE. After an onsite inspection, they

recommend improvements to the following areas of the parsonage:

Attic– Inject foam into the floor decking, replace 2 windows with custom made louvers, one on each side, to

facility attic ventilation, insulate the angled walls exposed to the attic.

Crawl Spaces: Insulate and seal crawlspaces

Walls: Inject wall foam in all exterior walls as needed– removing siding as needed to drill holes allowing

access.

Basement: Apply 2 part spray foam insulation to seal and insulate entire sill area in basement. Replace

existing basement windows with energy efficient windows or cover existing with Plexiglas.

The estimated cost of this project would be $7,281.00. They estimate these improvements should result in a

15-25% reduction in energy costs for heating and cooling annually. A complete copy of the energy proposal

is available on the bulletin board in the back of church as well as in the gathering room. If you have any

questions or concerns, please talk with one of the council members before their August council meeting when

they will be making plans for a congregational meeting.

Minutes of the July Church Council Meting

Meeting called to order by President Ike Anderson. Also present included: Brad C., Ryan C., Susan N., Gary

J., Bob G., Darlene W., Cindy S., Pastor Josh and Lori R.

Pastor led opening devotion on Ephesians 2:11-22 and how we overcome divisions in the Church.

Pastor reported he had conducted the funeral for John Sorensen before leaving on a one week vacation. Pastor

has been contacted by Britt Preister asking for congregational help for the Maggie Turpitt benefit on Aug. 6.

Needed are volunteers to help serve and items for the silent raffle. Ways of helping were discussed. Susan N.

will coordinate. Lori R. will check with Steve Blase about involving Thrivent Financial for additional

financial support.

Page 5

It was one of the main goals of the Accessibility Committee to provide parking and easier access to the church.

It has taken a long time and many steps along the way, but that vision has become a reality. For months the

pile of millings on the parking lot waited for the right time. On a hot afternoon in July, the pile disappeared

and became a smooth surface! Gary Juracek and Dave Clausen worked for several hours, slowly moving,

smoothing, and packing the asphalt millings. This area has accomplished that goal and is definitely an asset to

the congregation! A special thank you to Joe Swantek for again allowing us to borrow his pay loader and to all

those who have donated time, skills, equipment and financial support to the Accessibility Project!

If You Build It,

They Will Park!

Continued…..Church Council Minutes

Lori Reynolds presented the treasurers report was available for review. Ryan C. made a motion to approve with

second by Brad C.

NEW BUSINESS:

Compensation was discussed for Pastor Brenda Pfeifly of Salem Lutheran in Stromsburg who filled in while

Pastor Josh was on vacation. She made 4 trips to Genoa to meet with the family of Maggie Turpitt, make

funeral plans, for visitation and to conduct the funeral. Congregation will pay her mileage. Discussion was

held on further compensation for her time. No motion made.

Council discussed the possibility off extending the sound system of the church into the Gathering Room. This

would be helpful when additional seating is necessary. Pastor also made the suggestion of upgrading to include

video equipment. He will ask Scotty to check into the cost.

Pastor opened a discussion of Augustana’s stand on marriage in light of the Supreme Court ruling. Council

expressed concern to conducting same sex marriage at Augustana Church. Pastor will plan a fall Bible Study

on the subject.

Susan N. asked about plans for confirmation classes this fall. Pastor stated he plans to begin classes in

September for students in 7th grade and up.

Twin River School has asked about the possibility of Augustana allowing students to park in the lot behind the

church until road construction is completed and the school again has access to their parking areas. Following

some discussion the council felt this would be agreeable.

Gary J. suggested the church look into doing additional work on the parking area including hiring a packer and

putting down a top coat when the crew is in Genoa redoing the streets. Estimated cost would be around $8,000.

More information is needed.

Pastor contacted Ray’s appliance to repair the dishwasher in the parsonage. A new pump was installed at a cost

of approximately $300 including cost of a service call.

OLD BUSINESS:

Further discussion of possible parsonage energy efficiency improvements from Pioneer Energy was held. Their

bid is for $7,281 which would include sealing the basement windows with plexiglass, insulating the walls with

foam and sealing the foundation sill. Because of costs, the congregation needs to be given more information

before a decision is made. Church secretary will be asked to do this in the newsletter and bulletin.

The church website should be done in 2 weeks.

Pastor presented copies of the changes that were made by the Churchwide Assembly in the Model Constitution

for Congregations in the summer of 2013. Augustana’s constitution and bylaws need to be updated.

A committee consisting of council officers; Ike A. Ryan C. and Cindy S. will be conducting evaluations of the

church staff including the pastor and secretary. Due to conflict of interest, Gary J. will replace Ryan when

meeting with secretary.

Discussion of Augustana’s mission and ministry this month centered on youth ministry and worship. Pastor

stated that worship is our opportunity to focus on God; to build relationships of trust as well as a time to pray for

others and for ourselves.

Next meeting will be held on August 19 at 7:30 p.m. Meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Cindy Sorensen, Council secretary

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

2 10:00 Communion Worship

3

4

5

6 Lori’s Office Hours 10-4 7p.m. Alanon

7

1 6:30 p.m.

Communion Worship

8 6:30 Worship

9 10:00 Worship

10

11

12

G.I.F.T. Night 6:30 @ the Headgates

13 Lori’s Office Hours 10-4

7p.m. Alanon

14

Pastor’s Day Off

15

6:30 p.m. Communion Worship

16

10:00 Communion Worship & Blessing of Backpacks

17

18

19 9:00 a.m. WELCA breakfast @ Great Plains 7:30 p.m. Council Mtg

20 Lori’s Office Hours 10-4 7p.m. Alanon

21

Pastor’s Day Off

22 6:30 p.m. Worship

23

10:00 Worship

24

25

26

27 7p.m. Alanon

28 Pastor’s Day Off

29

6:30 p.m. Communion Worship

30

10:00 Communion Worship

31

7:00 p.m.

Worship

Team

Sept. 1

August 2015

Pastor on vacation…………..…………...….

Pastor on vacation…………………

Augustana Lutheran Church

Box 309

Genoa, NE 69640

Silent Auction Benefit & Spaghetti Feed

For the family of Maggie Turpitt

Thursday, August 6th from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

St. Rose Community Hall Genoa, NE

Funds will be supplemented by Thrivent Financial