November 2014 Newsletter “Living Together in Christ!” “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul “therefore I will hope in him.”” (Lamentations 3:21-24) On Wednesday, October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses for debate to the chapel door in Wittenberg which set the Reformation in motion. He had a new understanding of the Gospel, and sought to renew the church with this knowledge. Instead, the church excommunicated him, kicked him out and, in so doing, set him free to bring the Gospel to the German people in many new ways: through sermons, tracts, a German New Testament, the Large and Small Catechism and a new order and elements of worship. Luther’s new Gospel–filled sermons were published thanks to the Guttenberg press, and they were very different from the annually recited sermons that were the norm in his day. He also wrote tracts addressing various issues of the faith, always focusing on justification by GRACE ALONE, through FAITH ALONE, in CHRIST ALONE. Luther wrote new hymns and new liturgies so the people could participate in the worship of their God. It was very important to Luther that the people connected with God in their worship. On October 26, 2014, we confirmed our 10th-Graders in the Lutheran faith. They will now start a new journey, one of working out their own salvation with fear and trembling, as Paul wrote, having learned the basic tenets of Lutheranism. They will learn to connect with God in ways that work for them. In May we will confirm our 9thGraders as well as we work on trying some new things in our parish. Having two services at First Lutheran has been a big success, as well as restarting Sunday school at Banks and Garden. We serve a God who is always doing new things and it is exciting to see God working in new ways in our congregations. As we approach the 500-yearmark of the Reformation, we just celebrated the centennial of Watford City, where new buildings are popping up almost overnight and the population has grown exponentially in the last five years. And we are about to celebrate the centennial of First Lutheran Church in Watford. In conjunction with the centennial, we have a new directory coming out this year of the members in our parish, and we should thank the directory committee for all their hard work in putting it together. We have the new addition to the church in Watford which will be completed in the new year, and that will surely lead to more, new opportunities for our parish. Sometimes it is hard to adjust to new things. We want to return to the “good old days.” And the older we get, the more we forget that those days weren’t so good. The truth is, new things are constantly present with us, even WE were new to the area at some point, and we got used to that. As we face new challenges ahead, it I helpful to remember, as the scripture says, God is faithful, loving, merciful, and is, Himself, everything we need to face all the changes and challenges ahead. As we head into a new Advent season, let us look to Christ, God’s gift to the world, and may we continue to express the hope that is in us to all the newcomers around us. Amen. Together in Christ, Pastor Mark Thank You ! SPONSORS Thank you to the following for sponsoring the Sunday morning broadcast of FLC worship for the month of October: in memory of Owen and Orrin Hovland by their families; In honor of Olga Hovet’s 95th Birthday by her family; in memory of WR & Marie Henderson, by their grandchildren: Craig, Terrill & Elisabeth & their families; Owen & Laurie Hamre in honor of their grandchildren: Addison, Serena, Cade Gefroh and Reese Hamre. Please check your special dates and call the office (444-3244) to sponsor a Sunday in this new year. The cost is $100.00 per broadcast. Kids Stewardship Challenge Greetings, I wanted to let everyone know about the service event that we held for children on the 16th of last month. We had 21 kids throughout the morning and together we made 9 fleece tied blankets. The kids had a great time helping out others with their time off. 8 of those blankets were given to Lutheran World Relief, and the other was given to the Family Crisis Shelter. I would like to thank Laurie Hamre, Celeste Berg, Pastor Mark and Lorrie Honstein, for all of their help. We will certainly have more projects like this in the future, where we can provide activities for children of working parents, while helping God's creation at the same time. Look for a December event coming soon. Garrett November 2014 Grace, peace and greetings to all of you! Newsletter Paul wrote this, “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:8). To the Philippians Paul wrote this, “It is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Paul correctly says that we are to engage in all aspects of our lives, dedicating everything to the glory of God. When we know and feel the presence of God in everything that we do, say, or think, many things in our life start to fall into place. It does not mean that our troubles or worries will cease. It means that we learn to handle what comes at us better than if we had no God in our lives at all. We learn to prioritize the things of life that are most important, and to plan accordingly in order to face what gets thrown at us on a daily basis. Aside what we already know about the life of Jesus, let us be reminded of the wholistic life that he led, which was one of joy, persistence, hard work, discipline, harmony, and taking care of his health. Allow prayer to be a constant in your life, so that God’s entry into your soul to be freely allowed, and to use that spiritual balance to achieve balance in the world outside in which all of us have to live. The prophet wrote, ”What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover He has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” These words from Ecclesiastes speak to us today, especially in a time and place in which change has not only become inevitable, but has invaded our lives here in this part of the state, whether we like it or not. It just is! It’s here! Change can easily overwhelm us, as it did for many of us roughly five years ago. The landscape is different and continues to evolve as newer building projects emerge, as it has regarding our own church. The change is hard, but our capacity to adapt to a new reality is what we should all question in ourselves. My term for that would be “balance.” How to we achieve balance or a steady sense of well-being amidst the daily struggle of living among so much change, not only of what we see occurring, but experiencing those Yours in Christ, Pastor Rob people who have come to our community to make a living. For those who have moved from other places, their sense of balance has been uprooted. They have come from faraway places, leaving loved ones behind, or bringing them with them to settle in less than adequate living First Lutheran Church quarters. Many of us could never weekly offering for September 07: $ 8,309.00 imagine how difficult that might be. But 14: $ 3,996.00 the capacity of human beings to adapt 21: $ 6,577.08 is one of the God-given gifts that we all 28: $ 5,053.95 have built into us, but often never have to make use of. I Needed for the month: $23,550.00 In the midst of all of this, how do we live out our lives as God’s own people, nourished and strengthened by God’s Word that dwells within us? The disciple Women of the ELCA Circles Wednesday, Nov 5 11:30 AM FLC WELCA General mt.@ library Monday, Nov 10 5:00 PM Hope @ Horizon Tuesday, Nov 11 9:30 AM Patience @ Library 2:30 PM Garden @ TBA Wednesday, Nov. 12 1:30 PM Peace @ Horizon Banks WELCA will not meet until April 2015 FLC WELCA Recap of Rummage Sale and Lunch The Committee would like to thanks all of the man and women who helped with the sale. We took in $2,225.44 at the lunch and $4,402.23 from the sale…. And at 50 cents an item that is really astounding! If you have ideas for next year, call a Women of the WLECA Board member or better yet, come to a General Meeting, it is held at 11:30 AM on the first Wednesday of each month at the library! Healthcare Systems Family Fall Festival to be held Sat. November 8th from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Veteran’s Memorial Building. If anyone is interested in bringing a specialty or holiday treat to sell, please price and wrap the items individually to bring to the Festival. November 2014 Worship Assistants November calling chair, Lynn Haugeberg Newsletter First Lutheran Church Council Highlights of October included in that worship service. Confirmation will be on Sunday October 26 at the 11:00 AM service. Prior to confirmation Sunday, they will have a banquet and pictures on October 22. Staff: If you would consider helping with coffee hour *Other Business: on November 9th or Ushering on November 30th Present: Don Stenberg, Kelly Olson, Anne 8:30 AM Reader: Greeters: Ushers: Comm: Coffee Hr: Barbara Curren Tim & Terri Taylor Gary & Linda Melland Randy & Donna Slais Cameron & Jan Dodge 8:30 AM Reader: Sue Jorgenson Greeters: Mary Lou Ault Ushers: Justin & Cari Forbes Coffee Hr: ____________________ 8:30 AM Reader: Greeters: Ushers: Comm: Coffee Hr: Ari Johnson Gary & Michelle Foli Bob & Deb Wisness Kent & JoLynn Pelton Jaret & Megan Wirtz 8:30 AM Reader: Greeters: Ushers: Coffee Hr: Frances Olson Karn & Kylee Pederson Tim & Sue Jorgenson Mitch & Lynn Haugeberg 8:30 AM Reader: Greeters: Ushers: Coffee Hr: Marcia Hellandsaas Orrin & Joyce Moe ______________________ LYO In memory of…… To the Building Fund Florence Slais Vi Stenhejm Orvel Thorp Oscar JOhnsrud $ 20.00 $ 30.00 $ 5.00 $ 75.00 Meeting was called to order by President Don Stenberg. Stef Russell gave devotions. Glen Beard gave a report on the building addition. Minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Discussion about the use of the Centennial Tent for a youth dance or a concert during Homefest. Garrett will contact the Homefest Committee about this. Motion was approved to sign the charter for the Boy Scouts, so they would have a meeting place at the church. Discussion was held on the church times. They will stay the same . Suggestion about presenting congregational member with a choice of an automate withdrawal tithing/offering. This option will go out in the letter to the church members. Cards and goodies were presented to the pastors for “Pastor Appreciation month” Picture of the council was taken for the church directory. Committee Reports: Next meeting: November 12 @ 7:30 PM Beard, Mark Sparby, Kylee Pederson, Marcia Hovet, Sahron Endrud, Ari Johnson Stef Russell Absent: Colette Anderson, Michon Sax Others present: Pastor Rob Favorite, Pastor Mark Honstein, Pastoral Assistant, Garrett Gudmunsen Guests Present: Glen Beard *Finance report was approved. *Property: Security System is in at the parsonage. Step by Step…… *Worship: Cotemporary Worship is well ……..check by check… received. Discussion on the Sound System in the Worship area. Ari & Garrett will …..donations to Building Fund Streamline Water Services LLC, access what is needed. Gary & Linda Melland, *Stewardship/Evangelism: Sharon Ed & Charlotte Schilke, Glen Beard, reported that 126 families have had their Norman & Marlene Sondrol pictures taken for the booklet. David & Arnold Peterson Celeste Berg photographed the GSH residents to be included in the directory. October is Stewardship Month, pastors will send a letter to the congregation to remind the parish to contribute to special projects in the church. New Member Sunday is November 23rd. This will follow with a potluck dinner. Committee will be working Congratulations~ on the Caring and Sharing callers for the The following young people were months ahead. confirmed on October 26th at *Youth/Education: Garrett reported that FLC: Sunday School is struggling. There are so Cassandra Bellon, Sean Larsen, many members traveling on the weekends. Brady Leiseth, Jayden Leiseth and MacKenzie Sparby Families are attending the 11:00 AM worship more so then when there was only one service. A children’s message is