Volume 22, Issue 7 PARISH PULSE United in Christ PARISH PULSE

Volume 22, Issue 7 PARISH PULSE July 2018

Pastor’s Notes

As I write this I find myself a changed man. I have been in hiding in my home. Behind closed doors and drawn blinds, I found myself brought down by illness. This happens, after all there is a world of stuff out there that we can catch, so I suppose its not all that surprising when I get something. Now what I did find surprising was what I caught and how badly I caught it. Last week I was informed that my boy Harry was showing the symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease a common and generally mild ailment in young children that features little red dots on and around the hands, feet, and mouth. Being the amazing father that I am, I stayed home with my ailing son, knowing full well that he had a kid’s disease that I was no doubt immune to. And then my face exploded. Then my hands and feet, and then everything else. I was not covered with red dots, I was a red dot. The simple virus that made my son mildly uncomfortable had successfully been weaponized within my person, and left me with only fantasies of feeling normal and healthy once again. In the swing of things the event was minor. Not for one second did I really think that my life would be altered by this sickness, it was simply a temporary inconvenience. It was enough however to remind me of a common cycle that I go through whenever I get sick. While I am sick, I sit and pray for health. I think about how much easier life is when my body is performing the way I want it to. I think to myself that when I am healthy again, I will appreciate it. I will find myself a changed man. I will give thanks to God for this gift of health. And then I get better. All of a sudden, now healthy, my health is again unimportant to me. I do not appreciate being clear of disease, I do not find myself at all changed. I get distracted by daily life until the next time, when I am doomed to repeat my cycle. Lord, help me to remember what gifts I have been given. Let me give thanks for what I have when I have it. Remind me that there are those out there whose fights with illness dwarf my own, and that these people might just need some support. So time to get to it. Amen.

Pastor Dan Morton

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Special Points of Interest:

**No Council Meetings

In July**

Inside this Issue:

ML News Items 2

Conc. News Items 3

Conc. News Items 4

LN News Items 5

Misc. News Items 6

Trin. News Items 7

Children’s Page 8

Misc. News Items 9

Devotion 10

United in Christ

PARISH PULSE


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Recently we were blessed to be a part of Harper Christine’s baptism, daughter of Kelly and Amy Solie. It was heartwarming to see and listen to big sisters, Gracie and Britta as they stood up front and sang “Jesus Loves Me” and sang it very well! Congratulations and good luck to Kelly with all these girls in the house!

We send our love to Ardis Qualley and family as they experienced the loss of Clayton in June. The attendance at the funeral was overflowing with people who knew and loved him. We will miss him here at Maple Lake- he was a gentle, faithful man.

The Women of the ELCA had a good turn- out at the Fair Hills Resort on June 11-12th. I understand they extended the invitation to nearby conferences so the attendance was 100 ladies! It was a good day with excellent speakers, singers and food! Please consider coming next year if you have never attended, it is a relaxing and inspiring day!

Vacation Bible School at Maple Lake was a success! 55 kids attended – all shapes, sizes and ages! “Shipwrecked” was the back drop and theme of the week. The church was decorated from front to back and top to bottom! What an experience for the kids and teachers, and we thank them all! As a Grandma, it was a blessing to hear the kids singing the songs at home throughout the week and see how excited they were to go back every night. Well done teachers and helpers, you have made a lasting impression on these kids and you have shown them, through your actions and teaching, about the love of God. Connecting, caring and sharing in Christ, that is what we are called to do!

Church services continue to be at 10:30 throughout the summer months, just remember to come to the fair grounds for church during the fair – no church services at Maple Lake on Sunday, July 15th.

The WELCA is taking the month of July off. At the time of this writing I do not have the total of the “No Pie” Fundraiser but participation has been good. Will let you know the final amount raised!

Greeters for July are Dusty & Elissa Raaen and family, Trent & Stacey Oftedahl and family

Custodians for July are the same families!

Have a nice summer, remember to attend church and bring your relatives! Oh, about relatives – Congratulations to my nephew, Joshua Slevin on retiring from the Air Force after 20 years of service! He is home for several weeks before he starts his new job in Peoria, Illinois – so if you see him, tell him thanks for his commitment to protecting us and the United States of America! Love you Josh!

Submitted by: Marlene Block

MAPLE LAKE NEWS ITEMS


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Regular Meeting Minutes: June 12, 2018

The regular monthly meeting of the Concordia Church Council was called to order at 7:11 pm, June 12, 2018. In attendance: President Amanda Riegert, Tammy Hemmah, Myrna Moore, JanaDee Fuchs, Chad Braun, Carol Osmondson, Paul Engelstad, Salome Hanson, Stanton Wang, Pastor Phil, Sandy Rasmussen. Pastor Phil opened with devotions and prayer. Secretary’s Report was reviewed and a correction noted concerning microphone equipment repair in the choir loft. Approved as corrected. M/S/P (Braun, Fuchs) Treasurer’s Report: Approved as read with the note that all bills are currently paid to-date. M/S/P (Wang, Moore) Financial Report: Nothing to report. Pastor’s Report: Attending the Synod Assembly in Moorhead on June 8-9, 2018, were Pastor Phil, Pastor Dan, and Andrew Larson. Andrew Larson will be a delegate to the Synod convention this fall in Milwaukee, WI. Concordia is one of five church/parishes chosen to participate in an 18-month ongoing training on topics to include generosity, giving, service, and sharing. Pastor Phil, along with 3 or 4 members of the congregation, will be involved. A music concert by Brock and Braydon Drevlow will be hosted by Concordia at the church, July 2, 2018. All parish members and area citizens are welcome to attend. The annual Minnesota Twins bus trip to Target Field in Minneapolis is scheduled for August 19, 2018. The bus departs from the church at 7:00 am and returns that evening. The cost is $60 per person with a sign-up sheet near the church office. The Twins play the Detroit Tigers. Concordia VBS will be held August 5-9, 2018. Hours for 4-yr olds through Pre-K will be 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The remainder of the students, K through 6th grade, will attend from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Volunteers are needed in various areas: leading games, crafts, lessons, clean-up, kitchen help, supervision, and decorations. Contact the church office to volunteer.

Management and Finance: Church insurance premiums will be increasing $17 per month. The insurance company has indicated that some electrical outlets are in need of upgrading/replacement to GFCI by July 15, 2018. An extension of that deadline may be requested in order to complete those upgrades. Also, the parsonage occupied by Pastor Dan is in need of similar electrical outlet upgrades. It was recommended that an architectural assessment be conducted to evaluate the condition of the bell tower to confirm that it is structurally sound. Worship: Work is in progress on various parts of the service to be implemented in the next several months. Home and Church: New ideas for future group activities are being discussed. Outreach: The committee is considering having a “Christmas in July” collection campaign for Samaritans Purse shoe box ministry. Back-to-school sales can be utilized to collect inventory for the Sunday School to fill mission boxes this fall. Day Care: The play area perimeter fencing was generously donated and has been installed, along with donated outdoor toys. Two security doors will be installed this week. Old Business: Fairstand: Needed repair work will be done by Isaac Ness and Chris Solie; Dave and Amanda Riegert will be constructing new benches for the east side of the building – with thanks from the church council. Communion cup receptacles: Improvements to help stabilize the collection bowls for communion cups are forthcoming. Progress of this work will be checked on. Church Directory: All members are encouraged to sign up for pictures for the new directory either online or by calling the church office. Reminders will be given to those who have not signed up by a certain date. There are several available timesAugust 14-18th, 2018. Adjournment at 7:53 pm. M/S/P (Wang, Hemmah) Meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Note: The next regular Council meeting will be August 14, 2018 at 7:00 pm. There is no Council meeting scheduled for July, 2018. Respectfully submitted: Sandy Rasmussen, Secretary

CONCORDIA CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES


July 2018

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS Thank you for serving in this capacity!

If you are unable to serve on the Sunday listed please exchange with someone on the list and

notify the church office.

July 1 – Altar Guild: Kerri Solie and Shelley Rice Ushers – Chris Solie and Nick Solie

Greeters – Bruce & Norma Erickson Lector – Pam Blaeser

Communion Assistants –

Dean & Sandy Rasmussen, Sylvia Rickey

July 8 – Ushers – Jon & Cole Christianson Greeters –Sherry & Richard Wellman

Lector – Darcey Larsen Communion Assistants – Ron & Lori Sannes, Tim Sykes

July 15 – Fair Worship

July 22 – Ushers – Isaac Ness and Tony Engelstad Greeters – Alta & Ellsworth Sulerud Lector – Erman Ueland

Communion Assistants – Craig & Cindy Engelstad, Kristi Gullickson

July 29 – Ushers – Ron Hanson and Mike Petersen

Greeters – Mark & Sue Lindberg Lector – Larry Erdahl Communion Assistants –

Carol Petersen, Mike & Myrna Moore

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CONCORDIA NEWS ITEMS

JUNE PASTORAL ACTS

Concordia – Funeral for Sharon Remark

Trinity-Baptism for Kage Kulzer, son of Miranda and Paul

Little Norway-Funeral for Jerry Fuglseth

Maple Lake-Funeral for Clayton Qualley

Special thanks to Machelle Engelstad the Concordia library has a number of new fiction books: The

Quilter’s Daughter and the Bishop’s Daughter by Wanda Brunstetter; Tomorrow’s Treasure by Linda

Chaikin; Sophie’s Dilemma & Amethyst by Lauraine Snelling; Land of the Brave & Free and A Home for

the Heart by Michael Phillips; Secret on the Wind, Footprints on the Horizon and Watchers on the Hill by

Stephanie Whitson; Jessie, Sabrina, Leave a Candle Burning and Cassidy by Lori Wick.


Little Norway Lutheran Church June 6. 2018

The regular monthly meeting was called to order by President Kathy Christensen. Devotions were read by Joan Kronschnabel.

Pastor’s Report –The Drevlow Brothers concert will be July 2 at 7:00 at Concordia. Pastor Phil spoke of a synod workshop, Creating a Congregational Culture of Generosity, August 2 in Alexandria. The LN council will participate if the other parish churches wish to. Parish directory signup sheets will be available online or at services . Philip Knutson will speak at Concordia on June 10 at 2:00.

Secretary’s report was read, approved and placed on file.

Treasurer’s report was read, approved and placed on file. A motion was made, seconded and passed to send charity donation checks to Pathways and the Alaskan Bible trip. President’s report – Kathy reported on the offering that will be sent to the Synod Assembly and the response from the synod

“pickle jars”. These were from last year’s Mission Sunday project. The council discussed parking and elevator issues from recent events held at the church.

Trustees – Carr Tree Service removed some trees for the building project. The septic system will be pumped. The air conditioner system will be checked. The church will contact a company to spray the church for beetles.

Education- Vacation Bible School will be held July 28. The location is still uncertain at this time.

New Business – Garden Valley will be contacted about installing internet in the church.

The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Next meeting – August 1, 2018

Devotions – Kim Treats – Jim

Respectfully Submitted,

Joan Kronschnabel

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Happy July Birthday to:

10-Arianna Orre 14-Matthew Larson 17-Savannah Anderson 22-Lynn Jacobson 22-Alton Morvig

July Anniversary Celebrations:

10-Lionel & Theresa Sandness 17-Lee & Lisa Duckstad

DEACON ON DUTY Garth Kaste

ALTER GUILD/COMMUNION PREP Susan Ackre and Colleen Kaste

JANITOR Mark Gullickson

USHERS Deacons

SCRIPTURE READERS 01 George Ackre 08 Susan Ackre 15 FAIR 22 Lynn Jacobson 29 Grant Kaste

CLEANERS AND GREETERS 01 & 08 Deane & Ginney Radke 15 & 22 Mark & Heidi Benson 29 & Aug. 5-Tim & Kim Larson

CIRCLES

DORCAS No Meeting

ESTHER July 5 at 2:00 p.m. Hostess: Ginny Radke

MARY No Meeting

Submitted by: Gloria Kaste

LITTLE NORWAY NEWS ITEMS


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FAIR STAND SCHEDULE

Wednesday: OPEN @ 4 pm

Oven Baked Chicken Dinner

Thursday: OPEN @ 10 am Noon: Hamburgers and Hot Dogs Supper: Meatball Dinner

Friday: OPEN @ 10 am Noon: Tater Tot Hot Dish Supper: Oven Baked Pork Chops OR Roast Beef Dinner

Saturday: OPEN @ 10 am Noon: Scalloped Potatoes Supper: Roast Beef or

Roast Pork Dinner

Sunday: OPEN @ 10 am Noon: Ham, Roast Pork or Beef Dinner Supper: Lasagna with Garlic Bread

Date: Sunday, August 5th -Thursday, August 9th

Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

(Supper is served from 5:30-6:00)

Place: Concordia Lutheran

Ages: 4 years-entering 6th grade (Ages 4-PreK will attend from 5:30-7:30 pm,

K-6 will attend from 5:30-8:30 p.m.)

To register, please call the church office at (218)-945-6696 OR call/text Karin Braun at (218) 637-0404

CONCORDIA VBS!


It’s June as I write this….a month of bright sunshine, dazzling blue skies and a time of enjoying God’s beautiful creation.

“All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all”

-Cecil F. Alexander, published 1848 Are you familiar with this hymn? What hymns come to mind when you think of the wonder in the gifts of summer? Happenings at Trinity in June:

· We rejoice in the baptism of Kage Michael Kulzer, son of Paul and Miranda Kulzer…welcome to God’s family, Kage! · Sharon Lenz represented Trinity at the Synod Assembly held in Moorhead · The carpets have been cleaned courtesy of Joni Page, Judy Mosher, and Chrys O’Neill · The grounds are being mowed by Irving Broden and Warren Paul. The lawn is beautiful! · Mike Skaug, DeAnn Skaug, and Joni Page have been working to maintain the shrubs and gardens; and Joni Page has donated and planted flowers in the bed along the sidewalk, by the cornerstone, and in the planter. Thanks, people! · The church council met on June 13th and voted to convert to natural gas. Bob Yuergens, Scott Eia, and Mike Skaug installed a basement jack on the wall between the sancturary and fellowship hall. A more permanent solution is in the works. · A tentative date to celebrate Trinity’s 125th anniversary has been set for December 2nd.

July Birthdays: July Anniversaries: Irving Broden 7/5 Steve & Tammy Voje 7/7 Jon Broden 7/18 Mike & DeAnn Skaug 7/11 Charlene Stromstad 7/20 David & Marie Johnstad 7/18 Evelyn Hagen 7/23 Jason Kohl 7/26 Jeffry Broden 7/29 Blessings to you as you enjoy June and look forward to July! Remember…the worship service on July 15th will be at the Polk County Fair! See you there!

Submitted by: Chrys O’Neill

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TRINITY NOTES


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MISC. NEWS ITEMS

Travel to Italy in November!

Pastor Phil and Darcey are hosting an 11-day tour of Italy from November 1-11. The tour will include Venice, Pisa, Florence, Sorrento, Pompeii and three days in Rome, including a tour of the Vatican. The tour includes roundtrip airfare from Minneapolis, hotels, most meals and comprehensive sightseeing. Please talk to Pastor Phil if you are interested.

Minnesota Twins Trip to Target Field

Join us for our 5th annual Minnesota Twins trip to Target Field on Sunday, August 19th. We board our air-conditioned Anderson Bus at 7:00 am from the Concordia Lutheran parking lot to watch the Twins host the Detroit Tigers for an afternoon game. Each ticket also includes a hotdog and a pop. We need to have at least 40 people signed up by Monday, July 16th, so please call the parish office at 945-6696 to reserve your seat today!

Drevlow Brothers Concert on July 2nd

Last summer our parish hosted brothers Brock and Brayden Drevlow for an evening concert, and those who attended were amazed at the musical talent these young men shared with us. They perform concerts as the only touring String Bass and Piano duo in the country. They are known as the "L'Ambizioso" Duo, which in Italian means "the ambitious one." Brayden and Brock grew up in Thief River Falls and come from a very musical family. Their sister, Brianna, who is also a concert pianist, is the current Miss Minnesota. Brayden is a piano performance major at Concordia College in Moorhead, while Brock is pursuing a degree in Double Bass (String Bass) Performance at the Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Brock does not fly commercially with his string bass, as it is valued at $30,000.00 and is one-of-a-kind instrument.

This concert is free and open to the public, so invite your friends and neighbors to their concert on Monday evening, July 2nd at 7:00 pm at Concordia Lutheran Church. Their summer tour is sponsored in part by the Minnesota Arts Council. Coffee and cookies will be served

following the concert.


*Thanks to Elaine Erdahl for submitting this devotion!*

“Worship With a Purpose”

The following devotion is based on Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 (printed below). Permission was given by Pastor Laurie Neill to reprint in the Parish Pulse.

Psalm 92:1-4,12-15 (NRSV)

1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, 3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. 4 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy... 12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. 14 In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, 15 showing that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

This psalm's heading "For the Sabbath" makes sense. It talks about giving thanks; singing praises; declaring God's love; and making music. All things we do in worship. Yet, sometimes I worry that we might think of worship as a play. The worshipers are the audience. The clergy is the emcee. The musicians are the entertainment, and God is the prompter in the wings. Shouldn't it be the other way around? The worshipers are the performers; the clergy and musicians are the prompters; and God is the only audience.

Has worship become a place where we expect to be entertained? How can we move from observing to bursting forth with passion and praise? If we truly believed in the attributes and characteristics of God, we couldn't help but join in with our passion and praise. "Did I get anything out of worship?" is the wrong question. Rather we could ask: "Did my worship make God smile?"

Holy Lord, correct us when we make worship about us--when we let our tastes and preferences override glorifying you. You alone are worthy of our praise. Amen.

Laurie Neill, '12 Discipleship Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND

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NEWSLETTER OF THE CONCORDIA, LITTLE NORWAY, MAPLE LAKE, AND TRINITY CONGREGATIONS OF THE UNITED IN CHRIST LUTHERAN PARISH, ELCA

Philip Larsen: Senior Pastor 218-289-3970 or 945-3228 email: [email protected] Daniel Morton: Associate Pastor 320-260-6955 or 945-3025 email: [email protected]

Ernie Christensen: Visitation Pastor 218-689-7247 Karin Braun: Youth Director 945-3090 or 218-637-0404 email: [email protected] Marjie Broden and Lori Sannes: Office Managers email: [email protected]

United in Christ Lutheran Parish 100 Jefferson Ave. SW PO Box 615 Fertile, MN 56540 Telephone: 218-945-6696 website: www.unitedinchristlutheranparish.org

WORSHIP SCHEDULE JULY 2018

7/01 7/08 7/15 7/22 7/29 T Pr.D Pr. P POLK Pr. D Pr. P 9 am LN Pr. P Pr. D COUNTY Pr. P Pr. D 9 am

ML Pr. P Pr. D FAIR Pr. P Pr. D 10:30 am

C Pr. D Pr. P WORSHIP Pr. D Pr. P 10:30 am

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Volume 22, Issue 7 PARISH PULSE United in Christ PARISH PULSE

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Transcript of Volume 22, Issue 7 PARISH PULSE United in Christ PARISH PULSE