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The Parish Times
October 2014
SHEPHERD OF THE PRAIRIE LUTHERAN PARISH
Parish Office: 2517 9th Avenue West, Williston, ND 58801
Parish Office Phone: (701) 774-8919 Parsonage Phone: (701) 572-4846
GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH — WEST PRAIRIE LUTHERAN CHURCH
2517 9th Avenue West 774-8919
5729 151st Avenue NW 875-4336
Pastor Muriel J. Lippert — ([email protected])
Sara Cerkoney — ([email protected])
Church Website – (www.willistongoodshepherd.com)
From the Pastor’s Pen
October 2014 From the Pastor’s Pen. . .
One of my friends was working in another state at one point and became very ill. He was living in an extended
stay hotel and did not know very many people in this new place. He felt really awful, too awful to go to the
grocery store to get food to eat, let alone go to a restaurant. I happened to know someone who lived there,
actually the sister of someone in the town where I lived. So I called her and asked if maybe she might be
willing to bring a care basket to my friend on my behalf, be my personal representative / agent. She
enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to do something nice for someone she did not even know. I got a
phone call from my friend expressing gratitude for the incredibly wonderful surprise that the care basket was
and how much that brightened his outlook. That care basket did not make him instantaneously better but it sure
brightened his day, I could hear it in his voice.
Another time I called a friend of mine to be my agent and go and pray with someone who was ill and in a
distant place. That person really hesitated, explaining that the ill person would not know them and so what
difference would it make and their car was in the shop so it wasn’t going to happen.
Being someone’s personal representative / agent may not always be possible and may seem insignificant. It
may seem impractical, perhaps even uncomfortable if you do not know the person.
Throughout the Bible there are all kinds of stories of God calling others to be God’s personal representative /
agent, think about Moses or Ananias or the first disciples of Jesus. Now think of yourself as being called and
equipped by God to be God’s personal representative / agent. It really is not about you. When you are called
and equipped to be God’s agent, it is all about God. You go to bring God’s presence to whatever situation and
people where God sends you. You go to offer a prayer when the person to whom you have been sent may not
be able to find the words to pray for themselves. You go to bring a word from God to sustain and encourage
them. You bring whatever God has given you because you are going as God’s personal representative / agent.
You may not think it matters, but it can have incredible impact.
How and Where is God calling you to be God’s personal representative / agent?
Shepherd of the Prairie Parish Newsletter
October 2014 — page 1
Announcements
Children Devotions: Good Shepherd will hold children devotions during worship instead of Sunday
School at this time. Please bring yourself and your children, to Worship at 9:00am on Sunday’s.
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LWR School Kits: Our goal is to assemble 74 SCHOOL KITS. LWR pick up dates are Oct 21 & 22 we
will need someone with a pickup to help transport boxes to Midwest Motors.
50 – Notebooks (70 sheet); 10 – Pens and 44 – crayons (24 count)
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UMM Retreats: Father Son Retreat Oct 3-4 and Crafting Retreat Oct 3-5. For more information on the
retreats and to register go to www/campumm.org
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Mildred Lee Birthday: is Sunday October 5. You can mail a card to her at 1000 West Century Ave #205,
Bismarck ND 58503.
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Ruth Miller Birthday: is Tuesday October 7. You can mail a card to her at 1515 2 Ave W, Williston ND
58801. Everyone is invited to Ruth’s 90 birthday party at Bethel Home on Saturday October 11 in the activity
room from 2-4pm, no gifts please just your visit.
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Pastor Jonathon Halverson: of Metigoshe Ministries in Bottineau, ND was assigned to be our coach
for the renewal process at Good Shepherd. We (Breanna Hodgkiss, Anne Lee, Phyllis Owan, and Pastor Muriel)
met him at the first retreat in March. He will be in Williston with us on Sunday, October 12 and possibly
Monday, Oct 13 as well. The purpose of his visit is to acquaint him with our ministry setting so he might better
serve as a coach to us. Please greet him warmly and be willing to engage in conversation.
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Harvest Festival: Sunday October 12 at West Prairie. In the past we have had a joint service at West
Prairie however this year THERE WIL BE WORSHIP AT BOTH CHURCHES ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 12.
After worship at West Prairie there will be a plentiful potluck with vibrant visiting.
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Chili with the Bishop: Thursday, October 23 Good Shepherd is hosting CHILI WITH THE BISHOP.
The bishop and his staff will prepare all the food. Your presence is requested at dinner (serving begins at
5:30pm) and for conversation and bible study with Bishop Mark Narum at approximately 6:15pm. During the
Bible Study time there will be a special activity for the children present which will be led by Pastor Lisa
Ahlness and Ms. Sherie Heine, assistants to the bishop. We are glad to have this be a very family friendly faith
building event. After the Bible study we will have our annual conference meeting. We will be electing 1 lay
person to the synod council (3 year term, 3 - 4 meetings per year); 1 LYO Board Advisor (1 year term); 1
clergy(1st alternate) and 1 lay person to serve as Churchwide Assembly Voting Members. If you are interested
in serving in any of these positions please call Conference Dean - Rev. Jim Reeb - 701-572-2667 church.
Shepherd of the Prairie Parish Newsletter
October 2014 — page 2
Greeting Cards: Good Shepherd WELCA has received a new selection of greeting cards, mainly
sympathy cards. The sale of the cards is a fundraiser for WELCA.
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Bethel Annual Meeting Held: Bethel Lutheran Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Bethel Lutheran
Foundation held their annual meeting Monday, September 22, 2014, in the Bethel Activity Room.
Good Shepherd and West Prairie are owner congregations of these entities along with 22 other area
congregations.
The meeting was held following a barbeque supper. I (Anne Lee) attended out of personal interest and
enjoyed the company of Rodney Miller, West Prairie. So a bonus was the opportunity to get acquainted with our
fellow parish members. We learned that Jim Yockim, Foundation Director, plans to retire in March of 2015.
Also, Kurt Stoner, Bethel Administrator, stated he is considering a move to something else.
Our community is very fortunate to have the Center and the dedicated people who work there.
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Time To Serve and Care
West Prairie Usher / Janitor duties in October/November
October
October 5 – Wes Oyloe
October 12 –David & Matthew Joregenson
October 19 – Mike Skor
October 26 – Myron & Walker Lee
November
November 2 – Linda Ydstie
November 9 – Jim Stout
November 16 – Larissa Theige
November 23 – Forsberg’s
November 30 – Tammy Wright
Serving during Worship at Good Shepherd in October
Please call the office at 774-8919 or Judy Skaare 572-3258 if you can serve in one of these areas in the coming months.
October
Ushers
Lector
5
19
Skaare’s
Mortenson’s
Judy Skaare
Mortenson’s
26
Judy Skaare
Prepare
Communion
Distribute
Communion
Coffee
Skaare’s
Clean (before
Mortenson’s
Sunday)
12
Judy Skaare
Shepherd of the Prairie Parish Newsletter
Becky Egge
Mortenson’s
Becky Egge
Mortenson;s
Becky Egge
October 2014 — page 3
A Time for Women
Naomi Circle: Wednesday October 8 at 1:30 pm in the Good Shepherd meeting room. The study will be
“We Are Called” which is session two of “Transforming Life and Faith”. We will consider how we have been
called in baptism and throughout our lives.
Good Shepherd Women of the ELCA: WELCA board will meet Sunday October 5 at 10:00 am in
the meeting room. All women are welcome!
West Prairie Circle: West Prairie WELCA met on September 17 at the church with Joy as hostess!
Our next meeting is scheduled for October 15 at West Prairie with Helen as hostess and Bible Study leader. See
you there!
Women of the ELCA
Upper Missouri Cluster
Fall Gathering
White Earth Lutheran Church
October 18, 2014
Registration: 9:30 am Cost $10.00
Welcome: 10:00 am
Music: Singing of Hymns
Our Speakers: Kristine Sambor, Human Trafficking
Triennial Gathering at Charlotte NC (attendees sharing)
Cynthia Gardner, Leaving a Legacy of Faith
Offering: Churchwide Women, Bible Camp, White Earth Sunday School
Love Offering: Family Crisis Shelter – Used, good clean clothing for women and children, canned vegetables,
boxed items, feminine products, diapers etc.
Book Exchange: Bring a book or two, take one or two
Officer Updates:
Worship/Communion: Jim Hamann
Gathering Host Church: Spring of 2015
Contacts: Connie Anderson – [email protected]; Bev Thompson – [email protected] (701) 641-0178
Shepherd of the Prairie Parish Newsletter
October 2014 — page 4
A Time to Learn
Men of the Lutheran Church: All men are invited to gather for about 1 hour with other men at Gloria
Dei Lutheran Church (1821 9th Ave. W) every Saturday morning at 8:00 am for Bible study. Direct questions to
Bill Christensen (570-5881, 572-6424, or by email [email protected]).
A Time to Pray
October Baptismal Anniversaries
5 – Eryn Adkins
8 – Blaine Jorgenson
8 – Amy Jorgenson
9 – Olivia Larson
9 – Nicholas Horob
12 – Tucker Jorgenson
17 – Kurtis Christensen
18 – Nathan Jorgenson
20 – Katelyn Christensen
22 – Arnold Anderson
24 – Samuel Owan
24 – Frances Brown
26 – Patty Christensen
30 – Leah Jorgenson
Wedding Anniversaries
Bill & Phyllis Owan October 6, 1990
Floyd & Debbie Miller October 9, 1976
Those in Need of Prayer
ILL: Chris Baxter (friend of Slade Fenster); Al Bervig; Ted Bilingsley; Dan Blomberg (brother-in-law of Lisa Lee);
Chase Clark (friend of Walker Leee); Linda Cooney (sister-in-law of Judy Skaare); Garth Harmon; Carolyn Haug;
Marilyn Illston (sister of Dean Carlson); Ronald Irvine (son of Jackie Wahlstrom); Barbara Johnson (sister of Susan
Jorgenson); Dwan Knutson (sister-in-law of Fran Brown); Joshua Leake (great grandson of Dorothy Johnson); Mary
Ann Lund; Jim Mann; Floyd Miller; Dash Ohlsen; Danielle Raveling (daughter of Teri Walters); Joe Rockstad; Bob
Salo (friend of Kathy Larson); Craig Storseth (friend of Floyd Miller); Gregg Turner; Harry VanCampen (friend of Anne
Lee); Dena Vedaa (daughter of Kevin & Julie Edie); Sandy Winter
Nursing Home / Assisted Living
Alteen Mortenson, Barbara Lange,
Calvin Haug, Clarice Carlson,
Donna Eide, Dorothy Kilbride,
Frances Lee, Gladys Hansen,
Gust Skurdal, Jim Mann, Mildred
Lee, Millie Heller,
Ruth Miller, Sandy Fischer
Shepherd of the Prairie Parish Newsletter
Central African Republic
Missionary
Susan Smith
College Students
Hailey Bendixson, Adam
Carlson, Alison Carlson; Kurt
Christensen, Nikki Egge,
Marshall Eide, Jackie Lee,
Eric Schauer
October 2014 — page 5
Gospel Seeds…October 2014
A Monthly Update from the
Western North Dakota Synod Office
Avoiding Needless Conflict…
A pastor, counselor, and congregationally-tested
church consultant has a simple message - when a
congregation knows why they exist, what ministry
God is calling them to, they will not experience
church-dividing conflict. The person who said this
is Peter Steinke, a Lutheran pastor, author, lecture
and church consultant. At the end of August synod
staffer Sherie Heine and I had the chance to spend
four days training under Steinke.
Steinke has been invited by over 200 congregations
to come and help them put a process in place to
work through conflict. The process is called "Bridge
Builders". Steinke says there is a common thread
which runs through every congregation he has
consulted with - they do not have a clear sense of
God's mission.
Through the "Bridge Builders" process a
congregation is not told what to do by an outsider.
Instead they are given a process for the
congregation to engage. That process involves
interviews with randomly selected individuals from
the congregation, an open congregational forum
where people are allowed to share their concerns
for their congregation, and the forming of a team to
engage in addressing major issues within the
congregation. Through this process the solution
to the conflict arises out of the work and
conversations of the congregation.
We now are trained to engage such processes in
this synod. If you would like more information call
the office and we can chat.
Renewal Retreat
It is not too late to sign up for the Rostered
Leader's Renewal Retreat January 23-25th. Cost is $110/person (family rates
are available). Some congregations are giving this
retreat as a gift for Pastor's Appreciation Month
(which is October).
Chili With The Bishop
Oct 14 Bread of Life, Minot (Turtle Mountain and
Western Prairie Conference Meetings)
Shepherd of the Prairie Parish Newsletter
Oct 21 Lord of Life, Bismarck (East Missouri &
Heart River Conference Meetings)
Oct 22 Zion, Elgin
Oct 23 Good Shepherd, Williston (Upper
Missouri Conference Meeting)
Nov 4 St. John, Dickinson (Badlands Conference
Meeting)
Nov 5 Trinity, Napoleon
Nov 6 Oak Valley, Velva (Lonetree Conference
Meeting)
Chili and Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup will be
served from 5:30pm to 6:15pm. At 6:15pm we will
shift into Bible Study and conversation. We will
break into Conference Meeting time somewhere
between 7:15pm and 7:30pm.
Please encourage people from your congregation especially council leadership- to come for
fellowship, study and conversation. This is one
way we are able to help strengthen our partnership.
You Conference Dean has a copy of positions
which will need to be elected including: Synod
Council Representatives, Team Reps, LYO
board Advisors, Churchwide Assembly 2016
Voting Members and Alternates. Help your
Conference Dean out - if you know of someone
who could serve well in those positions share the
name(s).
Check your Checks…
Just a reminder - if you congregation is writing a
check to either the Mission Endowment Fund or the
Ministry Endowment Fund - please write the check
out to WND Mission Endowment Fund or WND
Ministry Endowment Fund…
Please do not use the word "Trust" any longer - the
bank will not accept those checks…
Stewardship help is available - Call Rev. Lisa
Ahlness in the synod office. Rev. Ahlness would
love to come and help your congregation.
Blessings - Bishop Mark Narum
October 2014 — page 6