A Congregation of

the

Northeastern

Minnesota Synod,

ELCA

Pastor:

Erin Coutts

Office Administrator:

Aimee Droba

Office Hours:

Monday—Friday

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

218-283-2208

www.firstlutheranifalls.org

firstlutheranifalls@gmail.com

Music Ministers:

FLC Choir Director: Nancy

McBride

FLC Organist: Elaine Beach

Voice The

February 2020

Join us for the start of Lent with Ash Wednesday soup and service on February 26th. Soup is from 5-6pm and worship follows at 6pm. All are welcome!

Looking ahead-

Midweek Soup Suppers & Services are Wednesdays, March 4th through April 1st. Soup is from 5-6pm and worship is at 6pm.

THE VOICE February 2020

From the Pastor’s Desk

One of the things I really love about the church building here at First Lutheran is the colored glass panels. They catch the light at different parts of the day and cast colors onto the inside of the sanctuary. One afternoon I recently was in the sanctuary and there were red and green spots of light, in places I hadn't seen them before. The light looks different in the winter than in the middle of summer, providing an ever-changing experience of light. We are now in the season of Time After Epiphany-- the new year is starting to get a bit old, (most) of the Christmas decorations have been put away, the days are slowly getting longer as we wait under and ever-increasing pile of snow for spring to arrive. In the early church, Epiphany was one of the major celebrations of the church year, along with Easter. Rather than focusing on the birth of Jesus like we now do at Christmas, the early church spent more time on what it meant that Jesus had entered the world-- the Light of Christ had arrived, illuminating the darkness, bringing warmth to the cold. The word Epiphany comes from the Greek "to shine forth," although many of us are more familiar with coming to a sudden realization, as through a bright light was sud-denly turned on in the dark. This season of light comes to an end with Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, a more solemn time of reflection and repentance. The rhythms of the church year are often like that-- great celebration collides with the real-ity of hard times and difficult seasons, sometimes even intermingling. But in that way I think the church year reflects the reality of our lives-- oftentimes the seasons of our lives are not neatly separated from one another but bleed together, and it is only in hindsight that we see what moved us from one season of life into another. In this season of Epiphany, of showing forth the Light of Christ that shines within each of us, may we always remember that God's light often shows itself in the darkest times, providing a glimmer of hope from which to move forward.

THE VOICE February 2020

6th & 7th grade made homemade cards with Becky Olson and mailed them to home bound members of our congregation.

Thank you to……………….. • Everyone who helped with worship. • Everyone who helped fold the Voice. • Rich & Irene Johnson, Elaine Beach, Eric &

Steve Earley, Barb Bergh, Sandy Harju, Sue Matthews, Jan Nelson & Bill Mio, Brenda Bertilson and Carol Bass for volunteering at Community Café in January.

• Everyone who helped with 6th & 7th classes and everyone who cooked snacks for them.

• Aaron Johnson and Steve Earley for shovel-ing snow in January.

• Cynthia Warren for being on altar guild in January.

THE VOICE February 2020

Prayer Chain First Lutheran Church has four active prayer

chains. If you have prayer requests for someone,

or yourself, call either the church office at 283-

2208, or Brenda Bertilson 283-2144, 240-4939. You

must have permission to put someone on the

chain, either from the person, or from a close rel-

ative. To put someone on the list for Sunday pray-

ers, call the office at 283-2208. People will be on

the list for one week only, unless you ask that

they remain on the list. In that case, please call

back when they can be removed.

Remember in your prayers those in need, and those in Nursing & Senior Homes

Good Samaritan: Lillian Larsen, Denise Snare Romonowicz & JoAnn Kockelman Littlefork Nursing Home: Marlene Erickson

Did you know... If you are a Thrivent mem-ber, you can contribute to First Lutheran Church through Thrivent Choice Dollars and Thrivent Actions Teams. Log into you Thrivent account online, call 1-800-847-4836 or speak with your personal Thrivent representative for more information.

Community Cafe Community Café is a year round program. We are in need of volunteers to help continue this very important community project. If you are interested in helping, please sign up in the Narthex. * * *

Endowment Scholarship Applications for First Lutheran Endowment Scholarships

are available in the Narthex or in the office.

Applications deadline is April 1, 2020.

* * *

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday: February 26th 5-6pm: Soup Supper 6pm: Ash Wednesday Service Bethany: Thursday, February 27th at 7pm

* * *

Quilting Quilting is Thursday and Friday 9:00am—2:00pm and will go until April 3rd. Please come and help, even if you have never quilted before!

* * *

Coffee Servers Needed If you would like to serve coffee some Sunday please contact Ronna MacKay at 218-340-9368.

2/3 Kaitlyn Droba Trevor Plasky 2/5 Gage Bergstrom Jen Hansen Maddy Lorenson Linda Pelland 2/8 Duayne Johnson Parker Rousseau 2/9 Don Hale Erika Rautio Breanna Shofner 2/10 Stella Sandager 2/11 David Mannausau 2/12 Michele McDonald Nicole Shipley 2/13 Tyler Fentem Regan Hanson Emmitt Olson Georgie Slatinski 2/14 Hailey Fentem Garrett MacKay 2/15 Howard Bixby Rachel Amdahl 2/16 Barb Owen-Boerger 2/17 Ashley Germain Pat Nash 2/19 Simon Palm 2/21 Evan Holenko

THE VOICE February 2020

Announcements

General Fund Financial Information As of December 31, 2019

Current Month Actual

Current Month Budget

Variance Year To

Date Actual

Year To Date

Budget Variance

Operating In-come

29,931 16,647 13,284 188,177 199,765 (11,588)

Operating Ex-pense

15,896 16,647 (751) 175,954 199,765 (23,811)

Operating In-come Less Ex-pense

14,035 12,222

Thanks for supporting First Lutheran Church Ministries.

2/22 Jerry Streiff 2/23 Alyce Mannausau 2/24 Floyd Christianson Mary Jane Haanen 2/25 Melissa Marcotte 2/26 Brady Hasbargen Eldon Voight 2/27 Allison Bergstrom Bette Simon 2/28 Jaxon Germain

February Birthdays

THE VOICE February 2020

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES November 17, 2019

Present: Pastor Erin Coutts, Fred Wilson, Brenda Bertilson, Brenda Sullivan, Nancy Johnson, BettyJeanne Henrickson, Ardel Henrickson Absent: Ronna MacKay, Dwayne Mannausau, Nancy McBride Opening Prayer: John 1 Pastors Report: *Worship -Good Sam Service: 22 on December 5 -Longest Night Service and Christmas *Pastoral Care -Pastoral visits *Education/Formation -Bible Studies: Matthew and Revelations -Release Time and Confirmation on break until January 8th -Book study: A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans starting in January *Other -Housing allowance designation for 2020: $12,330 -I will be gone December 25 to January 2 -Devos for 2020 “Motion to approve the November 17, 2019 minutes with the change that Brenda Sullivan was in attendance” Motion by: Brenda Bertilson Second by: Nancy Johnson Carried Old Business: New Business: *Buildings and Grounds Committee Chair -Lloyd Skogstad has agreed to be the head of Building and Grounds *Thrivent Money: “Motion to move Thrivent money into the Endowment Fund” Motion by: BettyJeanne Henrickson Second by: Brenda Bertilson *Budget for 2020 “Motion to recommend the 2020 budget at the annual meeting for the next year (2020) Motion by: BettyJeanne Henrickson Second by: Nancy Johnson President Report: *Fred talked to Steve Shermoen and it was recommended we not pursue the land offer made to the church. Steve said it would be an expensive venture and not worth the possible costs. Aimee will contact the couple making the offering rejecting the offer. *Still nothing on the roof. *It will cost $65 to put new locks on the office door Outreach/Service: Met December 12th @5:15. Members present: Kitty Sandstrom, Aimee Droba, and Brenda Bertilson. We opened with devotions based on 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

No issues with Voice or the Website No word back regarding a directory Service acts- 2 cards sent Community Cafe and Ruby's Pantry are going well Christmas cards were sent to shut-ins No roster updates Decision pending as to whether to do a cheer squad for the Blizzard Run Reviewed an offer for Christmas radio spots and decided it was not cost effective Completed a pew check Next meeting will be Thursday, January 16th @5:15. Discipleship: November 19, 2019 Present: Pastor Erin, Sherri Mannausau, Jen Hanson, Michelle Willmarth, Nancy Johnson Religious Instruction Release Time- Attendance ranges from 12 -14 Christmas Program on Dec. 18 No release time in the spring Sixth and Seventh Grades Working on service projects Eight students, Pastor Erin and Jen Hanson going to middle school gathering Plans continue for sixth and seventh grade classes in 2020 Confirmation – put confirmation picture in DJ Bible Studies Two studies in progress Pastor Erin is beginning a book study on Jan. 6, 2020 Upcoming Events Cardia Deo Gathering – February 28 – March 1, 2020 for grades 9 – 12 We will recruit in the new year Youth gathering in 2021 Kick off fund raising in spring of 2020 Will try and join forces with Littlefork and Zion Possible money makers – Wild Game Feed, Beer and Hymns, Bingo, Breakfast Bake, Bagging at Super One Finances – in order Next meeting December 17

Fellowship: No Report Buildings and Grounds: Committee Members Present: Pastor Erin, Steve Lindberg, Betty Jeanne Henrickson, Jon Talsness, Lloyd Skogstad Ongoing Projects Painting Entryways and Main Doors: Entryways will be painted this winter. Main doors and exterior of office window will be painted in the spring.

Storage Assessment still in progress. -Memorial Hall Redesign: BettyJeanne and Lloyd will meet with group to get input on project and storage needs in Memorial Hall. -Snow Removal: the committee will have an extension cord available to help with the use of the snow blower this winter, and look long term at getting power to the shed to help with snow blower and charging batteries. -Loose Shingles: BettyJeanne will ask for copies of letters sent for the committee’s files. -Railings: it was reported that Dwayne will contact Donny Belanger to see where he is on the project. -Furnace filters: Lloyd and Dwayne replaced them looking at revising the replacement schedule for when building is in heavy use. Upcoming Projects -Outlets in Narthex: once Christmas decorations are removed, Lloyd will look at fixing one outlet and installing another. -Cleaning chairs in Fellowship Hall: Will move forward in cleaning once youth programming is finished in early April. -Carpet cleaning in Memorial Hall and Offices: on hold until details of Memorial Hall project have been decided. Phase 2 of moving to LED lighting: will be completed in the new year. -Replacing siding on Memorial Hall: original siding will need to be replaced eventually. Will get a quote to see estimated cost. -Committee discussed long term planning for updating bathrooms, no action was taken. -Smoke detectors: Dwayne will be checking to see if we can get some 10 year detectors from fire department. Committee Chair to elect at 2020 Annual Meeting Job Description for Committee Chair was approved by committee. A candidate has come forward, but the committee is still open to receiving names. Set Next Meeting Date Tuesday, January 14 at

10:30am in Memorial Hall

Finance: *We are in the red but also below on expenses “Motion to accept financial report” Motion by: Ardel Henrickson Second by: BettyJeanne Henrickson

Worship & Music: Unfinished Business Organist/Pianist rotation: Michelle Boelk is interested in playing during Sunday services. Pastor Erin will talk with Elaine about scheduling a Sunday. Worship Assistance Schedule: survey will be made and distributed in the new year. Longest Night Service: businesses were identified to be asked to hang posters to advertise our new service on December 21st. AV system tweaks/fixes: nothing to report yet. Digital Projector: committee received three options from Amazon. Will get pricing from Small Town Tech and will be purchased with private funds. New Business Choir Schedule for Holidays and beginning of 2020: Choir will sing on Christmas Eve, but will not practice on Christmas day. Nancy will discuss with choir to see if they will break for January or will sing. Hanging of the Greens, December 15th after worship service: set up will take place on Thursday, and decorations will be up until after worship on January 5th. Steamer: Betty Jeanne will price out purchasing a steamer to use on paraments and banners as needed. Stewardship: Next Meeting Date: Sunday, January 19th at 9:00 Respectfully submitted by: Ardel Henrickson

THE VOICE February 2020

Quilting began in January and this dedicated group already has over 50 mission quilts com-pleted. Quilting is Thursday and Friday each week from 9am—2pm. All are welcome to come and help.

NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE

PAID INTL FALLS, MN PERMIT NO. 52

(CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED)

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA 123 Wayside Lane International Falls, MN 56649

February 2020

NEWSLETTER

First Lutheran’s Mission Statement Sharing God’s Grace

First Lutheran’s Vision Statement First Lutheran Church will be a congregation

that shares God’s grace by: + Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ with integrity.

+ Welcoming all to active involvement in ministry.

+ Offering a non-judgmental encounter with God through the

celebration of liturgical worship with word and sacrament. + Responding faithfully to the Great Commission of Matthew 28

-- to grow. + Committing ourselves to serving the needs of our congregation and

the community at large.

WORSHIP SERVICE

Sundays at 10:30 am

OFFICE HOURS Mon. through Fri., 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Office: 218-283-2208

Check out our Website!!!

www.firstlutheranifalls.org

First Lutheran Church, ELCA wherever you are on your journey, you are Welcome here!