Friedens Ev. Lutheran Church
(Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
28983 181st Ave, New Prague, MN 56071
Rev. Henry T. Koch [email protected]
Church: (952) 758-2828 Pastor’s Home: (952) 758-3245
Worship: Sunday 9 AM Tuesday 6:30 PM Saturday Noon
www.efriedens.com
June 2015
Free Concert June 16
Musician Chris Driesbach will be performing at Friedens
Tuesday evening, June 16th. He will participate in our informal 6:30
PM service, then present his concert at 7:15. For those new to
Friedens, you may check out chrisdriesbach.com. Chris sings original
Christian songs in a variety of styles. He says of them, “Some songs
are moving, some are thought-provoking, some are funny- but all give
glory to God. I haven't always been a Christian, and I love to tell the
story, in words and music, of how God brought me to faith.” He notes
of himself, “I'm a WELS Christian singer and songwriter, bringing my
music to WELS and ELS churches all over the US. I am also living
proof of the power of the Holy Spirit, who gave me the gift of faith
after I had lived 42 years as an atheist. My music reflects both that story and my current life as a Christian.”
Divine Call Received
Sunday afternoon, May 31, Pastor Koch learned by phone that Christ Ev. Lutheran Church of Eden
Prairie had issued a divine call to have him serve as their new pastor. Their previous pastor, Rev. John Dolan,
had just retired. (Greater numbers of baby boomer pastors are reaching retirement age). Christ Lutheran was one
of several congregations which did not receive a graduate from the seminary this past month. The call to Pastor
Koch is evidence of how a lower number of young men training for public ministry has a ripple effect through
the synod, even for congregations that have a pastor. According to synod President Schroeder, the number of
congregations requesting pastors or teachers is larger than it has been in some time. The vacancy rate is a
healthy 7%, but he says, “We don’t want to see that number continue to grow.”
What does this mean? How did this call to our pastor happen? Pastor Koch now has two calls, and must
weigh where the Lord would have him serve going forward. It is not automatic that a call is accepted. The
receiving of a call rightly prompts the pastor and the members of his current church to pause and evaluate their
work together. The path of ministry and selecting calls to accept is not about “moving up” in some way, nor
pursuing a path to personal advantage. The pastor weighs the needs of the two congregations, his gifts, the
welfare of his family, and what effect a change of ministry would have on the congregation he presently serves.
Feel free to speak to your pastor, if you wish, about his call. Your pastor expects to reach a decision within a
couple/few weeks. Pastor Koch had not requested to be placed on a call list. Our synod generally will not place
a called worker on a list for a congregation to consider for the first 5 years after someone accepts a new call.
(Pastor Koch has been at Friedens for 7 years). At a calling meeting the congregation considers names prepared
by the district president, as well as any nominations made from the floor. Please keep Pastor Koch and both
congregations in your prayers, that the Lord of his Church guides his workers where he would have them serve,
and blesses them in their work.
Member News
New member welcome potluck is coming up soon, on Sunday, June 14th. In recent months God has
blessed us to have seven adults join us by confirmation or profession of faith plus five teen confirmands. The
June 14 potluck is a way we can all welcome them to Friedens’ flock.
Teen News
Friedens’s teens meet for Bible Study the first Sunday
of each month. The teens met three times in May, once for a
Sunday Bible Class, and on two Thursdays, for tennis and a
bike trip.
The mission trip to Colorado is coming up June 20 to
27. Teens will be picked up at 7:15 AM at the Elko rest stop
on I-35. About 1 AM the next morning they will arrive in
Colorado Springs, worship there at 9 AM, then distribute
outreach materials around Fount of Life and Salem churches.
That afternoon they will tour the Air Force Academy and stop
at Garden of the Gods. On Monday morning they will raft on
the Arkansas River, then head to Denver. The next morning
they will assist with outreach at Castle Rock, Highland Ranch
and Littleton churches, then hike at Bergen Peak—and that is
just the schedule through Tuesday! Chaplain Ed Fredrich, from the Lutheran Home, Belle Plaine, will conduct
services at Friedens in pastor’s absence.
Surveys
As was mentioned last month, congregational surveys are being completed. We appreciate the participation
given on the first weekend it was offered. If you have not yet completed a survey, please ask the pastor or
secretary for a copy, and return it promptly, so our snapshot of Friedens in 2015 will be complete. God-willing,
this will help us recognize blessings received, and plan ministry moving forward!
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School here-- June 8-12! This year’s theme is “Camp Discovery—Jesus at Work
Through Us.” We meet from 9 AM to noon Monday through Friday. Teens and adults help with snacks,
singing, Bible teaching, crafts, outdoor activity, registration, publicity, and memory rhythms. We still have
some openings for volunteers and space available for more children. Our thanks for many who have already
responded with donations of materials, money and time!
May 11th, 2015 Church Council
Meeting
June Birthdays
Pastor opened with meditation.
Previous minutes approved.
Pastor’s report: Chris Driesbach concert
tentatively scheduled for June 6th.
VBS will be June 8th to 12th.
The Youth Mission Trip to Colorado is June
20th to 27th.
Treasurer’s report for April was approved.
Elders report: Discussed follow up to the March
23rd leadership workshop and a
congregational survey.
Trustee’s report: Building walkthroughs
planned to find any needed maintenance.
Old Business
New member welcome rescheduled for June
14th with potluck after service.
New Business:
Discussed review of Fellowship Hall rental.
Cemetery rules to be updated by the cemetery
committee, and brought back to the council.
Approved updating the Church computer.
Date of the next meeting will be June 8th at
6:30.
Vivian Bloch
June Usher/Elder Schedule
Sunday, June
7
Sunday, June
14
Sunday, June
21
Sunday, June
28
Sunday, July
5
Mike Meyer
Roger Meyer
Russ Meyer
Scott Meyer
Tim Meyer
Troy Rabenberg
Will Rancour
Matt Schellin
Patrick Schaefer
Dave Sulzle
Justin Storlie
Tom Thomsen
David Tietz
Austin Warner
David Warner
Randy Warner
Matthew Ullom
Ben Barnack
DeLynn Barta
Dale Benson
Aaron Baerbock
Ruth Brooks
Mark Fahrenkamp MaddilynHolicky
Duane Jirik
Patty Lau
Forest Lehmen
Christopher Meyer
Darrell Meyer
Matthew Meyer
Sue Meyer
Robin Pittmann
Megan Rabenberg Ryan Rancour
Ann Ruehling
David Tietz
Cheryl Warner
FIFAF Cookout
When: Thursday, June
25 @ 6:00PM
Where: Friedens
Fellowship Hall
Who: Women of the congregation
Please bring a dish to pass
Grilled meats and beverages will be
provided
Jirik
Invitation
Baerbock
Fadden
Jirik
Baerbock
At 4:30 PM, on
Sunday, June 14th,
Chris Driesbach will
present his “How Can
Creation Be True”
Special Worship
Service at Grace
Lutheran Church in Le
Sueur, MN. Grilled Hot Dogs, chips, water &
coffee (and condiments) will follow (outside, if
weather permits) along with picnic style games.
Chris will bring his guitar out for a little extra
entertainment. The larger community is being
invited.
Vacation Bible
School
Summer 2015 VBS is
right around the
corner! This year's
theme is "Camp
Discovery: Jesus at Work Through Us."
Registration forms are now available on the
table in the entryway. Children who are 4
years old through entering sixth grade are
welcome to attend. Teens and adults are also
needed to volunteer as group and site leaders-a volunteer sign-up sheet is available on the
table in the entryway. Finally, volunteers are
needed to help serve lunch for VBS children
and their parents on Friday, June 12th.
Anyone who is available may sign up on the
volunteer sign-up sheet. If you have any
questions, contact Lexi Barta or Cindy Koch.
Date: June 8-12, 9 a.m.-Noon, MondayFriday
Ireland
Pastor James Humann,
retired WELS pastor,
invites you to join him on
an eleven day tour
featuring The Best of
Ireland. Ireland is perhaps
one of the safest places today to visit. The tour
leaves March 24, 2016 and returns April 3,
2016. Visit the Waterford Glass factory to see
the famous Waterford crystal made by hand.
Kiss the Blarney Stone! Spend a full day
exploring the "Ring of Kerry." View the aweinspiring Cliffs of Moher. The scenery of the
seascapes and lakes, the green of the glen
and mountainside, the quaint thatched roof
cottages, the music, food and drink are
unforgettable. For a colorful brochure
describing the daily itinerary, tour conditions
and costs, please e-mail Pastor James
Humann at [email protected]. If
you'd prefer a hard copy of the brochure, be
sure to include your name and mailing
address.
Golf Outing
Mt. Olive in Shakopee is
sponsoring an 18-hole
Father's Day golf outing
at Creeksbend Golf
Course on Hwy 13 near
New Prague. The Greens
fee is $25 payable to Pastor Schwertfeger.
Carts are extra. Tee times begin at
noon on Sunday, June 21st. Please reply by
Friday, June 19th so that final reservations can
be made. 952-445-2872 or cell phone @ 612250-9343.
Friedens Ev. Lutheran Church
June 2015
28983
Sunday
181st
Monday
Ave New Prague, MN 56071952-758-2828 www.efriedens.com
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
6:30PM Worship
7:10 Marriage
Class
3
9:45 AM Bible Class
4:15PM 5&6 Catechism
5:40PM 7&8 Catechism
4
6:30PM FIFAF
5
6
8:00AM Elders’
Meeting
Noon Worship
7
9:00AM Communion
10:10AM Coffee
Hour/Ladies Aid
8
9:00-Noon VBS
6:30PM Church
Council Meeting
9
9:00-Noon VBS
6:30PM Worship
10
9:00-Noon VBS
11
9:00-Noon VBS
1:00PM Ladies Aid
6:30PM Youth
Group
12
9:00-Noon VBS
13
Noon Worship
14
9:00 Worship
Service
10:15AM Bible Class
New Member
Orientation/Potluck
21
9:00AM Communion
10:15AM Bible Class
15
16
6:30PM Worship
7:15PM Chris
Driesbach Concert
17
9:45 AM Bible Class
18
19
20
Noon Worship
Youth leave for
Mission Trip to
Denver
22
23
6:30PM Worship
24
25
6:00PM Evening
Ladies Cookout
26
27
Noon Worship
Youth return from
Mission Trip
28
9:00 Worship
Service
10:15AM Bible Class
29
11:00AM Worship at
Mala Strana
30
6:30PM Worship
1
9:45 AM Bible Class
2
6:30PM Youth
Group
3
4
Independence
Day