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
October 2014
Anniversary After-Glow
God has blessed Friedens with Christian kindness, as evidenced in correspondence received from
former members relating to the 150th anniversary:
From Rachel Crites, daughter of former pastor Rev. & Mrs. Ruddat:
Thank you for posting the sermons from Sunday. I had really planned to fly down with my daughter
from Alaska as Friedens is and always will be my "home" church, but as David said in his sermon, our
stepdad is very ill and we're expecting to have to fly to WI for a funeral instead. Knowing Dave was
preaching and missing an opportunity to celebrate with you, see the expansion and the parsonage and
remember good times with friends and my brother wasn't
easy. I am the only organist up here at Shepherd of the Hills in
Anchorage and I can tell you that though my brain was up here
at the organ Sunday morning, my heart was with all of you! I
remember and still correspond with a lot of people from
Friedens, especially Gay Bohnsack Eaves who has been our
adopted auntie for 35 years, Steve and Marge Kulik whose
three children were our best friends (along with Chris
Grassman), and Lucille Ruehling who, together with her
husband Lester, visited us often after we left and kept us as
close family. When I attended BLC from 93-95 I'd make the drive on the weekends from Mankato to go to
church and visit Auntie Gay and the Kuliks. The pig roasts, Christmas parties, VBS, and so many other
memories sprang up when I saw pictures David had taken over the weekend. What a blessing it was to be a
part of that congregation for those formative years and how I think of them and all of you so fondly! The
bats that flew around my room, not so much. ;) Thanks again, congratulations, and God's blessings to you
and the Friedens family, Rachel (Ruddat) Crites
P.S. Here's a pic from our last Sunday, Feb 10, 1985, just for fun.  L to R Me, Chris Grassman, Tim Kulik,
Jonathan Ruddat, Keri Kulik, Tony Kulik, and Dave Ruddat.
From Mary Koepp of Belle Plaine:
Dear Members of Friedens,
What a great celebration you all helped put on! How great to come back and see so many people that I
remember from years ago. The food was just great. The services were very inspirational and full of special
messages. God ever bless, Mary & Fred Koepp.
From Rev. Marcus Neumann:
I received the check from your treasurer today. Thank you. I didn't say anything, but as we came
around 494 that weekend to go to our hotel, we had a piece of metal rip through our tire. So your
congregation's generosity with the mileage covered the replacement tire, our hotel and the gasoline for the
trip. We appreciate that! Thanks again!
Mission Festival Postponed
Rev. John C. Lawrenz, retired, former president & professor at Asia Lutheran Seminary, Hong Kong,
had been invited to preach for our Mission Festival in October (delayed from September due to the 150th
Anniversary). Rev. Lawrenz has been having some health issues, though, and until his health and medication
stabilizes, his doctor is advising him to slow his pace. Our hope is that in the near future we can reschedule
our Mission Festival with Dr. Lawrenz. He writes, “I would love to tell the story of God's grace through our
mission efforts in East Asia. There is so much we can't talk about via media and MUST do so face to face
with brothers and sisters back home in the USA.”
Sever’s Corn Maze
David Venditto, Rev. Will Neumann’s grandson, is organizing Hope Lutheran’s trip to Sever’s Corn
Maze on Saturday, October 18, 1100 Canterbury Rd., Shakopee. He is inviting children and parents from
Friedens: “$12.00 per person ages 4-adult. We will show up around 12 PM and stay for a few hours or just leave
whenever you like, anyone is welcome to come including parents. Be happy to see you there.” He can be reached at
(763) 377-5611.
Tax Savings Workshop
Roger Heller, a beet farmer, land broker, and farm management specialist from Zion in Olivia, has a
passion for the Lord and for ministry work, and wants to pass on that gospel-motivated passion. Christian
Giving Counselors Rev. Michael Dietz and Michael Hatzung are helping him share tax information and tax
savings that many of our WELS members would appreciate—information that might also enable them to
share special gifts to ministry—gifts that reflect grateful hearts to the Lord who loves them.
Roger would like to organize a workshop for 40-60 people where they would hear a speaker from
Clifton Larson Allen, one of the nation’s largest accounting firms, and a firm that he has worked with many
times over the years. Friedens is being asked to provide the name of one person who could be a key recruiter
of other lay people who might be interested in attending this workshop. A well respected person could
persuade others to attend with him/her, a person who cares about the Lord’s work locally and beyond. We
pray the Lord will bless this lay-led effort as they seek to support gospel ministry. Please speak to Pastor
Koch if you are willing to be this recruiter, or have someone to recommend.
Training Future Pastors and Parochial Teachers
The Lord continues to bless Martin Luther College (New Ulm) with students willing to prepare for
service to the church. Official opening enrollment for 2014-2015 is 727 students on campus. However,
current enrollment of preseminary students is 153 (44 first-years, 33 sophomores, 45 juniors, 31 seniors), one
of the lowest at NWC/MLC since 1959. We ask everyone to pray for pastors and to urge gifted young men
to consider the pastoral ministry. One of the boys in the photo on the first page is now a pastor. Which of the
boys in our 2014 Sunday School will become pastors? Encourage them to see ministry as a high calling.
MLC offers a Focus on Ministry weekend for high school students Thursday, November 6 – 8. They
bring a sleeping bag, may bring a swimsuit if swimming Thursday evening, and can attend a class, if they
wish. Registration deadline is October 23, but the college wants to know by October 3 if a student will be
visiting a class. As an alternative, Pastor Koch is offering to lead the catechism and/or the high school youth
group to MLC for its Fall Musical that same weekend. Even if a child is not planning on training for fulltime public ministry, it is good for them to know where and how future workers are trained! Please let
Pastor Koch know if you and/or your child(ren) would like to attend the musical.
Reformation Service Concert
Friedens will celebrate the Festival of the Reformation in a special way on Sunday, November 2nd.
Organist Charles Bonow, a former parish pastor in our Wisconsin Synod, will present his Reformation
festival service concert, “HERE WE STAND”, during our morning 9 AM worship. Through this
presentation of the Word of God, music, and song, we will focus on that great heritage which has been
entrusted to us by our loving Savior God – the message of His saving Gospel in His holy inspired Word.
Charles Bonow presents service concerts each Sunday in all parts of our country. These service concerts are
his ministry and means of supporting his family. A free-will offering for the Bonow family will be received
following the service. Invite your neighbors!
In Our Prayers
We have been praying for recovery and relief from pain for the Lutheran Home’s CEO, Michael
Klatt, following serious injury from being hit by a dump truck. God is answering those prayers! A September
30th article in the Belle Plaine Herald provides further details, and is an example of Christians letting their
light shine. Light can stand out more brightly against dark backdrops!
http://www.belleplaineherald.com/Content/News/Homepage-Rotating-Articles/Article/After-Serious-CrashKlatt-Recovering-At-a-Place-Like-Home/7/197/4956 A couple of Friedens members are residents, several
members are employed at the Lutheran Home, and a few members are past employees.
September Council Meeting Minutes
Old Business
 Sanctuary carpet-installed
 New Sunday School room
completed
 Final preparations were discussed
for the Anniversary planning
Pastors’ Report
 Catechism class- 9 in 7th and 8th
grade, 9 in 5th and 6th grade
Trustees Report
 Lawn mowing will be done by
Nathanael Koch and Izak Jirik
New Business
 Dozinky parade float –walkers
needed
Quarterly Voters’ Meeting will be
October 26th after the service at
10:20AM
Next Council Meeting will be October
13th at 6:30PM
October Birthdays
October 5 Thomas
Fadden
October 6 Jamie Jandt
October 9 Connie Meyer
October 10 Violet Krohn
October 11 Julie Hunt
October 12 Stephanie Schanus
October 14 Alan Ruehling
October 15 Brian Jahn
October 16 Eric Rabenberg
October 18 Brittany Brueggemeier
October 19 Joyce Hogan
October 20 Deb Schaefer
October 23 Cassie Ullom
October 26 Keenan Hunt
October 27 Daniel Barnack
October 29 Jason Plekkenpol
October 31 Hailee Ullom
MLC Choir Concert
October Usher/Elder Schedule
October 5
October 12
October 19
October 26
November 2
Don Meyer
Chris Meyer
Henry Meyer
Hunter Meyer
Janette Meyer
Mike Meyer
Phil Meyer
Roger Meyer
Russ Meyer
Scott Meyer
Tim Meyer
Troy Rabenberg
Will Rancour
Art Ripple
Matt Schellin
Patrick Schaefer
Dave Sulzle
Justin Storlie
Tom Thomsen
David Tietz
Fadden
Jirik
Baerbock
Fadden
Jirik
On Saturday, November 1 at 7:00 pm in
the Chapel of the Christ on the MLC
campus, the Martin Luther College Choir
will present a concert of music for
Reformation and All Saints’ Day. Some
of the familiar texts and melodies on the
program include: “A Mighty Fortress,”
“Lord, Keep Us Steadfast,” “For All the
Saints,” “How Firm a Foundation,” “Sing
With All the Saints in Glory,” - as well as
a selection of other works. We invite
you to join us for “Music for the Fall
Festivals.”
Reformation Service
Concert
Friedens will
celebrate the Festival of
the Reformation in a special way on
Sunday, November 2nd. Organist
Charles Bonow, a former parish pastor
in our Wisconsin Synod, will present his
Reformation festival service concert,
“HERE WE STAND”, during our
morning 9 AM worship. Through this
presentation of the Word of God, music,
and song, we will focus on that great
heritage which has been entrusted to us
by our loving Savior God – the message
of His saving Gospel in His holy inspired
Word. Charles Bonow presents service
concerts each Sunday in all parts of our
country. These service concerts are his
ministry and means of supporting his
family. A free-will offering for the Bonow
family will be received following the
service. Invite your neighbors!
In Our Prayers
We have been
praying for recovery and
relief from pain for the
Lutheran Home’s CEO,
Michael Klatt, following
serious injury from being
hit by a dump truck. God
is answering those prayers! A September
30th article in the Belle Plaine Herald
provides further details, and is an example
of Christians letting their light shine. Light
can stand out more brightly against dark
backdrops!
http://www.belleplaineherald.com/Content/
News/Homepage-Rotating-
Articles/Article/After-Serious-Crash-KlattRecovering-At-a-Place-LikeHome/7/197/4956 A couple of Friedens
members are residents, several members
are employed at the Lutheran Home, and a
few members are past employees.
Pioneer News
Fall Harvest party
will be Sunday,
October 12 at 11:151:15PM. We will walk
over to the church park shelter and
have our lunch and do some fun, Fall
activities. Please dress for the
weather! If it is too windy or rainy
we will do our activities in the church
fellowship hall.
Parent volunteers will be notified the
week before the party.
Rad Zoo Outing for
District Pioneers
There will be a sign up
sheet at our October 12
meeting for those wanting to attend.
When: Sunday, October 26th at
1:30PM
Where: Owatonna, MN
We need a count so we can give the
district organizers a number and pay
in advance.
November is Baking Day and Bake
Sale!
Friedens Ev. Lutheran Church
October
28983 181st Ave New Prague, MN 56071 952-758-2828 www.efriedens.com
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
9:45AM Bible Class
4:15PM 5&6 Catechism
5:40PM 7&8 Catechism
8
9:45AM Bible Class
4:15PM 5&6 Catechism
5:40PM 7&8 Catechism
2
3
9
1:00PM Ladies Aid
6:30PM FIFAF
10
Saturday
4
8:00AM Elders’
Meeting
Noon Worship
11
Noon Worship
5
9:00AM Communion
10:10AM Sunday School
10:15AM Coffee Hour/
Ladies Aid
6
7
6:30PM Worship
7:10PM Bible Info
Class
12
9:00AM Worship
10:10AM Sunday School
10:15AM Bible Class
11:15AM Pioneers
13
6:30PM Church
Council Meeting
14
6:30PM Worship
7:10PM Bible Info
Class
15
16
17
18
Noon Worship
19
9:00AM Communion
10:10AM Sunday School
10:15AM Bible Class
20
21
6:30PM Worship
7:10PM Bible Info
Class
22
9:45AM Bible Class
4:15PM 5&6 Catechism
5:40PM 7&8 Catechism
23
24
25
Noon Worship
26
9:00AM Worship
10:10AM Sunday School
10:20AM Voters’
Meeting
27
11:00AM Worship
at Mala Strana
28
6:30PM Worship
7:10PM Bible Info
Class
29
9:45AM Bible Class
4:15PM 5&6 Catechism
5:40PM 7&8 Catechism
30
31
1
Noon Worship