Cross of Glory & West Freeborn Lutheran Churches

July 2019

Sunday Morning Worship times:

West Freeborn – 9:00 a.m. – Cross of Glory – 10:30 a.m.

Our Maker “O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!”

(Psalm 95:6) Our universe is the home of the infinitely large and the infinitely small. We can peer through telescopes to see deeper and deeper into space, only to discover that where we live is larger than we can imagine. We can then peer into microscopes and discover that our world is even smaller than we can imagine. Your family can go to a water park or an amusement park, and there you will find lots of entertainment, but for all the things you can do, there is a limit. There is not an infinity of rides, there is not an infinity of food. The world that God created for you and me to inhabit is an infinity of wonders and for all of our scientific study and for all of our explorations, we have little more than scratched the surface. We could picture God looking at human beings scurrying around and believe that from God’s perspective it must be similar to a child watching an ant farm. The amazing thing about God is that this is not how God views humans. For all the vastness of creation God is capable of looking down with love and compassion upon each and every one of us, as well as each and every bit of the created order. You are not some ant running around to God; you are unique and special and loved. When God sees that you are carrying a heavy burden, that is not some source of curiosity to God, it becomes a cause for concern. When your heart is broken, when you hurt someone, when you are in need of help, our God, the maker of heaven and earth, is deeply concerned and wants to help. Seeing God as the creator of the universe is an easy thing for us to do. But just like our attempts to understand creation, to know God as the maker is to barely scratch the surface. Yours in Christ, Pastor Schwartz

1

Joint Council meeting – Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at Cross of Glory

Cross of Glory & West Freeborn Churches Joint Council Meeting June 04, 2019

The joint council meeting of Cross of Glory and West Freeborn Churches met on June 04, 2019, at

7:00 pm at West Freeborn. Jill Morstad, Jerry Morstad, Steve Ausen, Dave Ausen, Pastor Steve,

Rachel Knudson, Cathy Crowe, Carol Riskedahl, Matt Hoelscher , Paul Lynne, Mike Ehrich, Pat Ehrich,

There was not a lot of business to Glenn Ausen and Becky Ausen were present.

West Freeborn Secretary, Becky Ausen, called the meeting to order. Pastor Steve led us in prayer.

Pastor’s Report:

Hospital Visit: Dorothy Gulbrandson at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin.

Our year in the narrative lectionary ends this Sunday with Pentecost and I hope it has been an

interesting experience for people. It ought to have given us an opportunity to hear from parts of

the Bible we would not normally hear and to think about the Bible as being not simply a collection

of various passages relating to certain themes, but as one story that relates the ways in which

God has continually sought to achieve a vision for creation that stretches beyond our limited

experience. Along the way we focused on God’s decision to choose the descendants of Abraham

and Sarah, to bless that nation to be a blessing to all of creation. We will now be spending some

time this summer in the book of Job, which raises questions about this idea that certain people

are blessed by God.

On May 23, I attended a pre-retirement workshop put on by the Synod in Rochester. Pastors

over the age of 60 are invited to find out more about what opportunities there are for continuing

to minister once you are no longer under call to a specific congregation. We heard about pensions

and insurance and the problems associated with living in the community after you have retired. It

was all good information that I am happy to set aside for the time being.

The Synod Assembly for the Southeast Minnesota Synod was held at the convention center in

Rochester on May 31 and June 1. Many thanks to Ron Bartness and Mark Langrud for serving as

delegates. There was not a lot of business to conduct apart from the need to call a new Bishop

for the Synod to replace Steven Delzer who is retiring. That call process gets to be a rather

long and tedious affair of casting ballots and shortening the potential candidate list until one

remains, and in this case it was Pastor Regina Hassanally from Goodhue.

Secretary’s Report: Rachel read it. Matt made a motion to approve the report as read. Mike seconded

it. Motion carried.

Open Issues:

We will have 2 joint services this summer. Cross of Glory will host the one on July 14 at 10:30 with a potluck to follow. West Freeborn will host the one on August 11 at 9:00. It wasn’t decided

if West Freeborn’s will be potluck or not yet. Stay tuned till next month.

Parsonage Windows: The plastic trim pieces have not been put on yet. Jerry will talk with Matt

Staloch.

Parsonage Lawn: The grass is looking good where it was planted. The sidewalk still needs some

attention. Andy Flatness will need to be contacted.

Bulletins: Lacey Koopal son has done some of the drawings for the church bulletins. It was

suggested that some of the children of the congregation submit drawings that Cindi could use for

the front of the church bulletins 3

Confirmation Gown Rentals: We will no longer be able to rent confirmation gowns from the

company we have gotten them from in the past. They are willing to sell the gowns for $30.00. It

was decided to worry about getting them when the time comes.

Glenn made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Paul seconded it. Motion passed. The two councils will

reconvene in their prospective meetings.

Respectfully submitted, Becky Ausen, Secretary

West Freeborn Lutheran Church Council Meeting – June 04, 2019

The West Freeborn Church Council met on June 04, 2019, following the joint council meeting at West Freeborn. Members present were Mike Ehrich, Glenn Ausen, Dave Ausen, Pat Ehrich, Steve Ausen, and Becky Ausen. President Dave Ausen, called the meeting to order. There was no secretary’s report as last month there was not enough present to hold a meeting. Pat read the treasurer’s report. Steve made a motion to approve the report. Mike seconded it. Motion carried.

Old Business:

Windows: Dale Christopherson is getting another bid for the church windows. Dave will talk with Dale.

Tuck Pointing: The guy is coming to finish up what he started.

Podium: Tim Beyer’s don-in-law will make a new one for the back of the church where we sign for communion. It was agreed on by council to give him the okay to make.

New Business:

Youth Fund: Glenn made a motion to combine the Youth Fund with the Sunday School Fund. Steve seconded it. Motion carried.

Glenn made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Steve seconded it. Motion carried. Closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully Submitted Becky Ausen, Secretary

******************************************************************************************** Ushers for July - WF: Omer Emstad, Bill Goette, Mike Erlandson, Steve Ausen

Communion Servers for July – CG – Carol Riskedahl

Rachel Circle Rachel Circle will meet on Tuesday, July 16th, 7:00 p.m. @ CG Social Hall, Ann Lynne, hostess

Eunice Circle

Eunice Circle will meet on Wednesday, July 17th – 1:30 p.m. @ the church

Quilting at West Freeborn – 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month – see calendar

Coming up in July & August

Cross of Glory Vacation Bible School!

July 8th, 9th, and 11th - 5:30-8:00 PM. Supper provided!

Come learn about our Mighty God and his work through Moses & ourselves!

We'll visit the Burning Bush, Part the Red Sea and learn the Ten Commandments

through play, music, lesson and crafts!

Mighty Food Drive!! Our VBS is adding a fun twist to our food drive. If we can accomplish

raising $50 or 50 food items (or combination of both), the kids get to "PIE" the Pastor (or their

choice, but they all have to agree on the person!) This will occur on the last day of VBS. So help

those kiddos gather some $ or food items!! It's going to be fun!!

SUMMER JOINT SERVICES

There will be a joint service on Sunday, July 14th @ 10:30 a.m.

at Cross of Glory with a potluck dinner to follow.

There will be a joint service @ West Freeborn on Sunday, August 11 @ 9:00 a.m.

5

Community Events

Car/Tractor Show – Sunday, July 14th

1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Freeborn Area Heritage Museum in Freeborn

Questions Contact: Larry Nelson 507-402-6795

Ice Cream Social

Sun. July 14 – Zion Lutheran Church – Ellendale

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

*********

NRHEG Public School – REACH Program - See flyer on bulletin board for more info

**************************************************************************************

Stats for West Freeborn: Year to date: $ 29,681.95

Statistics for Cross of Glory Lutheran Church

SUNDAY ATTENDANCE GENERAL FUND IMPROVEMENTS MISSIONS___CEMETERY

6-2-19 23 $ 1,630.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00

6-9-19 34 1,312.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

6-16-19 23 713.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

6-23-19 29 1,430.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

TOTALS: $ 5,085.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00

(Will include June 30 in the next newsletter)

**************************************************************************************************

6

Cross of Glory email address: cgwf@smig.net

Cross of Glory Website: www.crossofglory.weebly.com

West Freeborn Website: www.westfreebornlutheranchurch.weebly.com

Jerry Morstad, Cross of Glory President 507-373-0085

Dave Ausen, West Freeborn President – 863-2165

Church Office – 507-845-2818 – Fax # - 507-845-2732

Stacie Madson, West Freeborn Custodian 845-2525

Pastor’s cell phone: 507-250-6694 Parsonage Phone – 845-2825

Alvin & Cindy Morstad, C.G. Custodians- 845-2813

Do-It-Yourself Bible Study For our Bible study this month let’s consider our belief in the Trinity. If you find this intriguing I hope that you will join others to go deeper.

These are the lessons for Trinity Sunday, when we consider the mystery of God having to reveal to human minds what it is to be God.

The concept of the Trinity has been of great importance to Christians historically. We believe that God has been revealed to us in three persons, but is still one God. While this teaching arose after Paul wrote his letters, the idea of the Trinity can be found in the way he talks about God.

When Jesus is baptized we see the Trinity as Jesus is in the water, the Holy Spirit comes down upon him like a dove, and God’s voice is heard declaring Jesus to be a beloved son. Jesus recalls this as he sends his disciples out to baptize.

Read Genesis 1:1-2:3. You really can’t picture God unless you begin by seeing God as the creator. Make a list of words that stand out in the reading or come to your mind as you read this passage.

Read 2 Corinthians 13:11-13. This passage is nothing more than the closing words of Paul’s letter, his way of signing off. The fact that he refers to God in three ways is what gets this lesson read on Trinity Sunday. Why do you think it is significant that Paul mentions Jesus first?

Read Matthew 28:16-20. How do you see the three persons of God present when a baptism is performed?

July 2019 Cross of Glory & West Freeborn Lutheran Churches, Hartland, MN

Worship times: West Freeborn – 9:00 a.m. – Cross of Glory – 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Cross of Glory Communion Servers:

Carol Riskedahl

West Freeborn Ushers: *Omer Emstad, Bill Goette,

Mike Erlandson, Steve Ausen

1 Staff meeting

9:00 a.m.

2

Joint Council

meeting – 7:00

p.m. @ CG

3 4 5 6

7 West Freeborn – 9:00 a.m.

Cross of Glory – 10:30 a.m.

8 Staff meeting

9:00 a.m.

Vacation Bible

School 5:30 – 8:00

p.m.

9 Vacation Bible

School 5:30 –

8:00 p.m.

10 Quilting @ WF

9:00 a.m.

11 Vacation Bible

School 5:30 – 8:00

p.m.

12 13

14 Joint Service @ CG – 10:30

a.m. followed by a potluck

dinner

15 Staff meeting

9:00 a.m.

16 Rachel Circle

7:00 p.m. @ CG

Social Hall

Ann Lynne,

hostess

17 Eunice Circle

1:30 p.m. @ the

church

18

19

20

21 West Freeborn – 9:00 a.m.

Cross of Glory – 10:30 a.m.

22 Staff meeting

9:00 a.m.

23

24 Quilting @ WF

9:00 a.m.

25 26 27

28 West Freeborn – 9:00 a.m.

Cross of Glory – 10:30 a.m.

29 Staff meeting

9:00 a.m.

30 31