MAY 2015

ISSUE 5

Vol. 70

Vendor Fair May 9 , Saturday

in Fellowship Hall

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Many home merchants with immediate

sales available.

Tastefully Simple - Pampered Chef

-Jamberry Nails - Scentsy

Tupperware - PartyLite - Perfectly Posh

See Abbey and Judi Solmonson for details

MUSIC SUNDAY—ONE SERVICE

MAY 17 9: 30 a.m.

JUBILATE HANDBELL CHOIR,

ALLELUIA RINGERS,

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

AND OUR OWN AHLC CHOIR.

Reception to follow after the service

Remember

Mom on

May 10

and our

Veterans

May 25

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Whither it Goeth?

“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell

whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” [John 3:8]

I recall this language from my teen years in the American Baptist Church. I still like some of the poetry of King James English. Those words came back to me on April 15th as I was taking a “short cut” from the reception room to the old church library. Earlier in the day one of the men in the Bible study mentioned seeing the baptismal font pushed aside in the chapel. Sure enough, there it was next to the altar and behind some musical instruments and a sound board. Yes, there’s surely a better place where it can serve to remind us of the Holy Spirit which came to us in our baptisms, which has been creating faith in us ever since, and from where it blows “whither it goeth.” A few moments later I was standing in the old library and contemplating the changes there. Gone are the carpet, the plush furniture, the globe and the coffee tables. Gone are the books! The shelves stand mostly empty. Sadness began to descend until I counted the ten tables and thirty, or so, chairs lined up for adult ESL classes. Then I thought to myself, “Who would have guessed…” Who would have guessed twenty or thirty years ago that our building would have housed a thriving learn-

ing program for new immigrants? Who would have guessed that we would also host House of Praise and Iglesia Cristiana Sinai congrega-

tions? Who would have guessed that we would have developed a vibrant relationship with the City of Saint

Paul? And that’s when it came to me. “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” Only God could have known where this congregation was headed twenty or thirty years ago. Now… how about you? Where is the Holy Spirit leading you? Wither it goeth with your life? Our congregation council has been considering some good questions based on evangelism that help us think about where the Holy Spirit may be leading us. Here are a few of my responses. 1. Why does evangelism matter? Because we all deserve to know that we are beloved children of God who

have a marvelous call to love God and neighbor and to save creation from ruin. 2. What motivates me to evangelize? Love of, and gratitude to, God… a hope that the world and everything

in it can be much more fruitful and joyful. 3. What difference does being a Christian make in my own life? Knowing the extent to which God has loved

me, frees me to be generous: with my finances, time and comparison. 4. Why does it matter that other people become Christians? When we all enjoy the abundant life, we all

enjoy the abundant life.(With apologies to the late Senator Wellstone…) 5. How could being a Christian matter in someone else’s life. They too can enjoy being loved and called by God for a purpose: for joy, hope, love, meaning, and power in this life. So, whither it goeth in your life? Where is the Spirit leading you to bring Good News?

Pr. Roger

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Being a Leader, Being a Follower, Being Both

Please read Genesis 11: 27 – 12: 5a I Kings 18: 17 – 40 Acts 9: 1 – 30

The book LEARNING FROM THE GIANTS contains advice about leadership. A chapter is devoted to these giants: Elijah, Elisha, Job, Jacob, Deborah, Isaiah, Jonah, Joshua and Daniel. Each chapter be-gins with a summary of the person’s life. In chapter 1 the author emphasizes Elijah’s completion of tasks that God assigned to him. Pages 6 through 9 describe Elijah’s confrontation with Ahab and Jezebel. The passage from I Kings describes the failure of Baal’s priests in a competition with Elijah. Because of that incident Elijah assumed that Israel would resume their worship of their God and that the influence of his ministry would increase. He was disappointed. Elijah’s message to us is: “God Loves You on Your Bad Days.”

The second part of each chapter contains Life Lessons. “Even When We Give Up on Ourselves, God Will Not Give Up on Us” is one of the four Life Lessons that we learn from Elijah. The third part of each chapter is a prayer for us. Elijah’s prayer includes the petition “When they have bad days and feel discouraged, speak to your servants in your gentle whisper and encourage them.” The fourth part of each chapter contains Leadership Lessons. One of the lessons is “Leaders Make the Greatest Impact When They Lead.” There is a brief explanation of why it is important to follow that obvious advice. The final part of each chapter included a quotation from scripture, several questions for group discussion or individual meditation and suggested Biblical passages. One of the questions in the Discussion Guide is “Have you ever allowed your disappointment in yourself to make you think God was disappointed in you?”

The giants described in LEARNING FROM GIANTS were Old Testament personalities. Could you write, or at least outline, a chapter about Paul’s leadership? Begin with the passage from Acts 9

John Maxwell, the author of LEARNING FROM THE GIANTS, has written 44 books of which 12 are about leadership. Although we may be a leader at some time in our family, in our employment or in a committee ,we are usually followers. There do not seem to be any books in libraries or book-stores about being effective followers. Genesis 12: 1 – 9 depicts Abram (later Abraham) as a fol-lower. What characteristics, in addition to obedience, did he demonstrate in that event? Read the story of Abraham’s life, recorded in Genesis 11: 27 through Genesis 25: 7. What additional charac-teristics of being an effective follower did he demonstrate? Can we apply those characteristics when we are followers?

Citizens of the United States have the privilege of choosing their leaders? Should U.S. citizens be merely followers, or share leadership? How do U.S. citizens effectively communicate with elected leaders? Are elected leaders, (mayors, governors, the president of the U.S.) responsible for listening to their constituents? The book LEARNING FROM GIANTS is available on the book cart in the gathering area. When you have finished reading it please return it, and other materials that have been borrowed, so that they may be used by others. Thanks. Clair

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~The Third Annual AHLC Bake Auction~

A Recipe for Success!

Arlington Hills held its Third Annual Bake Auction on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2015.

What a success it was!

Members outdid themselves donating baked goods that were presented to perfection with special themes and surprises that captured the imagination. Members who bid

on these items caught the spirit of the event and enthusiastically competed

to win the items of their choice.

The result was that Arlington Hills members contributed over 50 enticing and delicious items to the event. Then the bidders made it all worthwhile with their enthusiastic,

generous bidding that resulted in over $3,300 being raised to support the ministries of

Arlington Hills.

A great time was had by all! Everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly and got swept into the friendly, spirited competition of the auction. So much so that the date has

already been set for the Fourth Annual AHLC Bake Auction! So start dusting off your recipe box and mark your calendar today:

Fourth Annual AHLC Bake Auction---Palm Sunday, March 27, 2016

A big thank you is extended to everybody who participated in this event---Bakers, Bidders and

Volunteers. Each year your efforts have resulted in more fun and increasing financial support for

Arlington Hills ministries.

Congratulations!

MN FOODSHARE update

AHLC reached our 2015 pounds and food for the local food shelf of the

Eastside. It was a successful campaign all due to the generosity of our

friends and members of AHLC.

Thank you to the congregation members and friends who contributed to Cans for

Mission on April 19. OCM collected aluminum cans and with our noisy coin

collection the grand total was $439.22 . The collection will go to the Tanzania

Scholarship program. Next collection will be in October. Thank you again.

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Church Council Members & Board Chairs

Council President Mike Wiehe

Council VP Tom Brockway

Council Treasurer Jon Helgason

Council Secretary Silvester Vicic

Council Member Julie Stevenson

Council Member David Lauver

Council Member Bobbi Monette

Council Member Linda McInerney

Council Member Judi Solmonson

Council Member Anna Clarke

CYF Board Chair Bobbi Monette

FPA Board Chair Jim Persoon

WMA Board Chair Florence Rasmusson

PCD Board Russ Richards /Tom Brockway

OCM Board Chair Rotation Board Chair

May Worship Services

May 3 and May 10

8:00 a.m. service and

9:30 a.m. service

May 17, 24 and 31 there

will be only one service

at 9:30 a.m.

FLOWER ‘S WILL BE

DELIVERED MAY 20

Newsletter Articles

The Lights welcomes news and features from readers and staff members. All articles need to be print ready. The edi-tors reserve the right to edit material for content and length. E-mail articles to Cheryl Hollman at cheryl@ahlc-stp.org or leave it in the church office. Please have all arti-cles in the office by the 15th of every month. We need time to proofread and structure the layout. Thanks for your understanding. All address changes and mailing

inquiries should be directed to Cheryl at (651) 771-5501.

AED is located on the

first floor by the

Reception Room

Lay Servant Coordinators

Director, Alley Shoppe: Pam Wiehe

Communion Assistants: Florence Rasmusson

Greeters: Catherine Schoonover

Lectors: Priscilla Reeve

Sound Booth: David Lauver

Transportation Team: Chuck Larsen

Acolyte Coordinator: Mary Cincotta

Acolyte Training Linda Strohkirch

Coffee & Cookie Fellowship Julie Stevenson

Funeral Luncheon Coordinator Vicki O’Connor

PASTORAL ACTS -

March

Deaths

Pearl Olsen

Do you have a green thumb?

Open Door ESL students will

be starting the gardens soon

around AHLC. If you would like

to help, contact the church

office.

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MUSIC SUNDAY— MAY 17, 2015

Time to recognize and thank all the persons

that participate in our Music Ministry.

Sharon Vicic—Organist & Director of Special Music

Barbara Rossow– 8:00 a.m. Organist & Choir Director

Chuck Linderkamp– Director of Handbells

Choir -

Linda Strohkirch, Russ Richards, Sharon Hanson, Mary Ann Wistrom,

Silvester Vicic, Janine Almquist, David Almquist, Dean Anderson,

Paul Kowitz, Shirley Decker, Catherine Schoonover and Deb Perry.

Special Guests -Chuck Linderkamp, John Wiehe, Amy Adams–Westin,

Wally Jergensen, Julia Vicic, Pam Wiehe, Sarah Wiehe, Laurel Wiehe,

Evan Vicic and William Vicic,

Jubilate-

Jim Jaszczak, Jo Anne Policone, Silvester Vicic, Sharon Vicic, Mike

Wiehe, Pam Wiehe, and Laurel Wiehe

Special Guests-

Barb Rossow and William Vicic,

Alleluia Ringers- Justin Hanson and Josh LaRue

I want to thank my family and many friends for the beautiful cards, rides to the doctor

and grocery store, casseroles and stews, visits and phone calls during my recent

shoulder dislocation. I am finally out of my immobilizer and back to driving. I go to

therapy twice a week and I can already see my range of motion returning. Thanks

again to the angels who helped us out during this past month!!

Roxanne (and Chuck) Larsen

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May 18, Monday

Fundraiser at SunRay Culver’s 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Amy and Adams LIGHTS ON performances -

May 13 Rose of Sharon 2:30 p.m.

June 17 Norris Square/Presbyterian Homes 2:00 p.m.

June 23 St. Anthony Park Home 10:30 a.m.

Other performances to enjoy Amy and Adams

May 31 Amy and Adams 9:30 a.m. service

June 21 Park Service 9:30 a.m.

August 2, 9 and 30th - Park Service 9:30 a.m.

PARK WORSHIP SERVICE THIS SUMMER at 9:30 a.m.

June 21 and 28 August 2, 9, and 30 (Church Picnic)

May’s book will be “Emperor’s Children” by Claire Messud.

The book club will be meeting May 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the Reception

Room. The Arlington Hills Book Club will not meet in June, July or August,

but please join us on September 14.

Help will be needed to haul equipment to the Worship in the Park Sundays.

Sign up sheet is in the office. Thank you.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Month Amount Monthly Monthly Net Year-to-Date

2015 Received Expenses (Shortage) Net (Shortage)

March $39,502.21 $36,966.56 $2,535.65 ($17,908.08)

April $22,950.67 $20,227.21 $2,723.46 as of 4/15/2015

Thank you for your continued support to the ministry and mission of Arlington Hills

Lutheran Church. If you are able to give a little extra, it will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

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Ushers Lectors

3 Clair Haberman, Dan Reed and 3 Lolita Schaber

David Lauver 10 Beverly Lamb

10 Florence and Dennis Rasmusson 17 Roxanne Larsen

17 Wayne Blossey & John Hollman 24 Dennis Rasmusson

24 Charles , Elaine Rohrbach and Bill Gustafson 31 Mary Kowitz

31 Charles, Elaine Rohrbach and Bill Gustafson Sound Booth

3 David Lauver

Communion Assistants 9:30 a. m. 10 Mike Brown

3 Bubby Schaber 17 Carol Hansen 17 David Lauver

24 Mike Brown

Communion Assistant 8 :00 a. m. Jim Persoon 31 David Lauver

Tape Ministry Office Volunteer Fellowship/Coffee

3 Sharon Hanson 3 Jo Ann Metling 10 Lynn Boogren

10 Clair Haberman 10 Priscilla Reeve 17 Judi Solmonson

17 Clair Haberman 17 Marlene Odeen

24 Eugene Karls 24 Carol Hansen

31 Eugene Karls

Greeters

3 Gee Winter and

and Sharon Swanson

10 Clair and Dona Haberman

17 Roxanne Larsen

North Door

3 Skai Zarins 10 JoAnn Metling 17 Marion Scott

Last day for donations at Alley Shoppe

will be Saturday May 12.

Last day for volunteers and

clients will be May 19.

DIVINE DOLLARS- Earn Divine Dollars for your church while you shop your daily needs including gas and groceries. Sign up for PrestoPay (like paypal) to take maximum advantage of this remarkable program from your home computer. Please check out the program at Shop-scrip.com. Divine Dollars enrollment code for AHLC is *64C4656C3762L* Questions about the program may be directed to Tom Brockway or Dave Balfanz .

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ARLINGTON HILLS

LUTHERAN CHURCH

OFFICE HOURS:

MONDAY-THURSDAY

9:00 A .M. – 4 :00 P.M.

&

FRIDAY

9:00 A .M. – 3 :00 P.M.

PHONE: 651-771-5501

Fax: 651-771-2898

E-Mail: www.info@ahlc-stp.org

Visit us at: www.ahlc-stp.org

Facebook

Arlington Hills Lutheran Church Staff *part-time Ext.#

Senior Pastor: Pastor Roger Allmendinger 17

Administrative Assistants: Diane Allmendinger* 11

Cheryl Hollman* 16

Local Mission Program Coordinator Pam Wiehe* 19

Chief Custodian: Jim Jaszczak 23

Asst. Custodians: Dorothy Peterson* Kirk Solmonson* Indira Perez*

Organist/Director of Special Music: Sharon Vicic*

Chapel Organist & Choir Director: Barbara Rossow*

Handbell Director: Chuck Linderkamp*

Wedding Coordinator: Sharon Hanson*

Companion Congregation — Idegenda, Tanzania, Africa

OUR MISSION: “To Spread the Good News of Jesus Christ

to all in word and deed.

OUR VISION: “Arlington Hills Lutheran Church

Community, a Beacon for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.”

Arlington Hills Lutheran Church

1115 Greenbrier Street

St. Paul, MN 55106

Dated Material

April 27, 2015

Address Service Requested

Non-Profit

Organization

U. S. Postage

PAID

Twin Cities, MN

Permit No. 1400