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
November 2014
The Disappeared Lutheran Church
2014 has been a year of looking back and counting blessings at Friedens. Meanwhile, in national
and international news, a deadly, infectious virus, Ebola, has grabbed attention. They seem entirely
unrelated! However, excerpts from an historical account of a small Pomeranian Lutheran congregation and
its cemetery to our south bring together our local history and infectious diseases. The names have changed
from Scarlet fever and diphtheria to Ebola, but the results were similarly devastating. How thankful we can
be today, as we read of the past! Below are excerpts Mrs. Walter (Esther) Scheffert recorded about the
harsh conditions past generations endured. We also learn from what German city Friedens’ (a.k.a.
“Lanesburg”) founders came. Reading of a church that was founded after Friedens (1867-1884), but no
longer exists and is almost forgotten reminds us of God’s grace in preserving Friedens!
These early pioneers came from the province of Pomerania in northern Germany. I remember my
grandfather calling it “Pommer Land.” They came, a few at a time, to join friends and relatives who
had already found this section to be productive land. My grandfather August Ehmke, lived in a log
house southwest of the intersection south of Heidelberg and there my mother was born in 1878.
Grandmother Ehmke often spoke of walking to Huber’s Store located on the place where Elmer
Huber’s house is now standing.
Most of the Lutherans around there were from Hanover, Germany, and had already established
their own church at Lanesburg. Wishing to have their own church too, the Pomeranians organized in
1867, purchased a piece of land from Ferdinand Tietz, and built a little log church and went by the
name
of
“Die
Pomersche
Gemeinde”
(the
Pomeranian
Congregation).
Following are a few excerpts of life at that time as told me by my aunt, Emma Sautten, who
remembers so well what her parents and others used to talk about.
Martha Ehmke (sister to Emma and my mother) died of convulsions when only a few days old.
She was laid out in a wooden bread box. There was no minister. Great-grandpa Ernest Carl Ehmke
prayed the Lord Prayer as she was being lowered into the little grave while overhead it was
thundering and lightening and the rain was pouring down.
Carl Ehmke, her brother, age 5, died of black diphtheria. Emma remembers Grandma telling how
the year before he had tried to help her plant potatoes and proudly said in German, “Next year,
mamma, I can count better and won’t make mistakes dropping them in.” Next year he was gone.
Grandpa walked to New Prague across the fields, in snow knee-deep, to get the doctor. He rode
back with him. He painted the throats of all except Bernard, who was a nursing baby and thus
immune. My mother survived but all her life she had a defective throat. Carl seemed to get better
but one day, a sudden gust of wind blew open the two doors that were on opposite sides of the
house and he was in a draft. They didn’t know if he had suffered a relapse or contracted scarlet
fever carried in by a neighbor who called to kindly offer her help, if needed. Both scarlet fever and
black diphtheria were raging in the neighborhood and kind neighbors tried to help one another and
thus, unknowingly, carried it from one home to another. They bad no resident pastors, but were
served by traveling ministers or from Lanesburg.
Mr. and Mrs. Dahlke lost five children in one week, all but Mary, a nursing baby, who later
married Hauer. The story was told that Mrs. Dahlke mourned and grieved so much for her children.
She would go to the little cemetery almost every day and lament the loss of her children until one
day there was a big snake at the cemetery gate. She was afraid to go in. It seems she took this for a
sign that it was wrong to grieve so, that instead she should trust God.
Emma also told me that Mrs. Ed Dahlke (Tena Erkel’s grandmother), was a good Christian
woman, and when Tena’s mother was 14 years old, her mother was expecting a baby. They were
friends of the Ehmkes, and she wanted no one but Grandma to assist at the birth. So she went,
although younger and pregnant herself. Grandma said things didn’t look right to her, so she asked
for Mrs. Anthony, a mid-wife. Upon her arrival the baby was already on the way. Mrs. Dahlke
looked up at her husband and said, “I think I’m going to die”, and she did. The baby lived and was
named Herman. (Later Herman Dahlke married Dora Meyer, sister to Fred and August Meyer.)1
What shall we think as we read such history? Let’s thank God for having preserved the faith of
people who suffered such losses of brothers, sisters, children, and/or spouse. Let’s thank Him for modern
blessings we often take for granted: antibiotics, ambulances, and hospitals. We give thanks that our Lord
continues to provide a church and pastors to stand by us at the grave, to point us to Christ, to comfort us
with His resurrection and the reunion we await with loved ones departed in Him.
Hymnal Project Survey
The WELS Hymnal Project team is asking for your input. Be a part of the development process by
filling out a survey about the current WELS Christian Worship and Christian Worship: Supplement hymn
books and how WELS members use them in worship and personally. It will take about 20 minutes.
The WELS Hymnal Project has conducted three previous surveys to solicit input about how the
current hymnal is being used and how the new hymnal can best serve our church body. The first was for
pastors, the second for teachers, and the third for musicians. This fourth survey, intended for all WELS
members, will ask for feedback on things like chanting psalms, instruments that accompany worship,
wording for the songs and prayers of worship, and singing in four-part harmony.
The survey results will help the WELS Hymnal Project committee analyze the issues that have
already been identified and make decisions about the next hymnal. Rev. Jonathan Bauer, communications
committee chairman of the WELS Hymnal Project, says, “While the survey isn't by any means a vote, it will
help the subcommittees make various decisions. Just as an example, question 22 asks about several items
that Christian Worship doesn't currently include that we are considering including in the next book. So we
want to know which ones people would find valuable.”
The deadline to submit your input is Tues., Nov. 25, 2014. Learn more about the hymnal project at
www.welshymnal.com. www.wels.net/news-events/hymnal-project-survey
Kingdom Workers Opportunity
Kingdom Workers has a new opportunity to place English teachers to Japan. Have you always wanted to
serve in an international mission field and enjoy teaching? Kingdom Workers is currently interviewing
candidates to either serve as English Teaching Assistants in elementary/junior high schools OR as an English
Professor at Ibaraki University. In both cases, the Japanese pastors are nearby and eager to work with
Kingdom Workers to engage their community. (High level fluency in Japanese language is not required)
1
A full copy is in the church office. A note says it is from LeSueur County Historical Society/Genealogy Center, Elysian.
The Joint Reformation Service of the Minnesota River Conference will be held on Sunday, November 2, at 3:00 pm in
the Chapel of the Christ at Martin Luther College. Prof. Paul Koelpin will preach from the book of Romans on the clear
and timeless Lutheran distinction between law and gospel. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the MLC
Chorale under the direction of Prof. Adrian Smith as well as organist Brent Nolte. WELS Kingdom Workers will hold
their annual meeting in the Chapel Fellowship Room following the service. Tickets for a complimentary meal in the
MLC cafeteria will be available for those who attend the meeting.
Quarterly Voters’ Meeting Minutes
Membership Action
 Beth Powers-released
 Margaret Werner-transferred to Our
Saviors Ev. Lutheran Church, South
Shore, SD
Old Business
 Sunday school remodeling old kitchen is
completed except for a door
 Parking lot crack filing to be completed
hopefully this fall
Pastors’ Report
 Weekly attendance during the summer
was 121
 Vacation Bible School next year will
possibly be in June
 150th Church Anniversary- Two services
and a lunch saw 193, over 250 and 144.
 New Bible Information class begins
November 1 at 1:00PM. Monday and
Tuesday evening classes are finishing
 Three are anticipated to be interested in
joining Friedens
New Business
 Copier costs and options were
discussed. Contract is by the quarter.
Tabled while options are looked in to

Treasurer Report
At the end of the 3rd quarter, $2,891.73 was
transferred from the Thrivent Choice Fund to
the General Fund. The Thrivent Choice Fund
money is used for children oriented activities
and education such as: Lutheran Pioneers,
Child Ministry, Easter for Kids, Vacation Bible
School, Sunday School supplies, Confirmation
gown rental, Kids Connection, MLC students,
etc.
Thank you for these donations!
Mission Goal Update
2014 Total Mission Goals:
$24,435.00
At the end of the 3rd Quarter, amount needed
to meet Goals: $8,530.24
Saturday, November 1 @ 8:00AM Elders’
Meeting
Monday, November 10 @ 6:30PM Church
Council Meeting
November Usher/Elder Schedule
Sunday,
November 2
Sunday,
November 9
Sunday,
November
16
Sunday,
November
23
Thursday,
November
27
Sunday,
November
30
Dave Sulzle
Justin Storlie
Tom Thomsen
Dave Tietz
Randy Warner
Matthew Ullom
Ben Barnack
DeLynn Barta
Keith Barta
Dale Benson
Al Bolanda
Mark Fahrenkamp
Josh Gilsrud
Scott Gilsrud
Gary Grassmann
Jeff Heine
Church Council
Members
Bob Heine
Wilfred Heine
Brian Jahn
Linda Jandt
Jirik
Baerbock
Fadden
Jirik
Baerbock
Baerbock
Martin Luther College is now accepting
applications for one full-time Early Childhood
Learning Center Assistant Teacher at the MLC
Early Childhood Learning Center. A
comprehensive description of this position and
application can be secured by visiting
www.mlc-wels.edu/hr/open-positions.
Applications will be accepted through 12:00
p.m. (noon) on Friday, November 14, 2014.
Additional information and details can be
obtained by contacting the Martin Luther
College Human Resources Office at 507-3548221, ext. 399
A Note From Donna
James, Friedens Choir
Director
As many of you are aware,
Friedens Choir has been down in
numbers the past few years and it has been
very difficult for me to plan music for the choir
to sing not knowing for sure who will be there
on a certain Sunday. Therefore instead of a
choir, I would be willing to work with anyone
who would like to sing solos, duets, small
groups etc. If anyone is interested in forming a
group or singing solos, please talk to me about
it and then we can go from there. Also if you
have any questions please feel free to call me
at 758-4859.
The Martin Luther College Wind
Symphony is pleased to
present, Song and Dance: Folk
Music of the World on Sunday,
November 23 at 3:00pm in the
Wittenberg Collegiate Center
Auditorium on the MLC Campus.
Music to be performed is representative of nine
different cultures across the globe including
Irish, Japanese, Armenian and Yiddish. A
highlight of the program will be Five Folk
Songs for Band by Bernard Gilmore, with guest
soloist Kathryn Wurster, MLC
Adjunct Instructor of Applied Voice. Other
works on the program include, The Jig is Up by
Minnesota composer Daniel Kallman,
and Armenian Dances, Part I by Alfred Reed.
The concert is open to the public and all are
cordially invited to attend.
Thanksgiving Service
Thursday,
November
27th at
9:00AM
November
Birthday
November 1
Donald Meyer
November 2 Bob
Heine
November 7
Ruth Lee, Pastor Koch
November 9
Russ Gebhardt
November 10 Michael Meyer
November 16 Troy Rabenberg
November 19 Amy Olson, David Meyer,
Martha Steinhagen
November 21 Abigail Baerbock
November 24 Nicole Meyer, Taylor Turek
Sandy Thomsen
November 25 Carol Heine
If your name and birthday are not on the list and you
would like them to be, please jot down your name and
date of birth and put in Karla Angrimson’s church
mailbox. Also, if you would prefer to not have your name
listed please let Karla know. Thanks!
Address Change
This is the new address for our
neighbor and friend, VI.
Violet Krohn
1000 Birch St. NE. Apt. 329
Lonsdale, Mn. 55046
507-744-5776
I’m sure that she would appreciate company.
Pioneer News
Upcoming Meeting: Sunday,
November 16th
Events: Wednesday,
December 3rd will be the first
Advent service! Pioneers will
be holding their annual
Congregational Christmas party.
If each family could bring a dessert, bars,
cookies, cheese/crackers, etc. for the coffee
hour. We will play our annual dice game
immediately following.
There is no Sunday meeting in December
True North Campus Ministry in the Twin
Cities exists to serve college students who are
away from home during the School Year.
Weekly worship services are held
every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Bible Studies are
held throughout the week. For more specifics,
please check their website
(www.truenorthwels.org). If you have children
or know of individuals enrolled at one of the
colleges or universities in the Twin Cities,
please let us know.
We are also asking for your prayers. This year
some major changes are happening. Our
worship location is once again moving.
Because worship will take place off of campus,
a True North Fleet is being assembled to
provide rides for the students without
transportation. True North is also establishing
a couple of rooms in St. John’s building. As
changes happen, we want to make sure
everyone knows that there is a place where
students can grow in their faith with others like
them while away from home. We are very
grateful for the support that comes through
LIMA and the direct donations of people
spread throughout our District and Synod so
that college students can be served. If you
would like any information about True North
Campus Ministry, please contact Pastor Daniel
M. Lindner ([email protected] or 612379-4296).
Christmas Decorating Committee
Chairs: Willard and Brenda
Rancour
Co-Chairs: Keith and DeLynn
Barta
Chris and Janette Meyer
Rebecca Barnack
Tom and Sandy Thomsen
Brian and Lori Gardow
Justin and Andrea Storlie
Pauline Helgestad
Christmas Program
Practice Dates:
November 22, 9:00AM11:00AM
December 6, 9:00AM-11:00AM
December 13, 9:00AM-11:00AM
December 20, 9:00AM-11:00AM
Friedens Ev. Lutheran Church
November 2014
28983 181st /We New Prague, MN 56071 952-758-2828 www.efriedens.com
Monday
Sunday
2
9:OOAM Reformation
Service
Bake Sale
10:10AM Sunday School
10:15 Coffee Hour
9
9:OOAM Worship Service
10:10AM Sunday School
10:15AM Bible Class
16
9:OOAM Communion
Service
10:10AM Sunday School
10:15AM Bible Class
11:15AM Pioneers
23
9:OOAM Worship Service
10:10AM Sunday School
10:15AM Bible Class
30
9:OOAM Worship Service
10:10AM Sunday School
10:15AM Bible Class
Wednesday
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
8:OOAM Elders' Mtg
9-ll:OOAM Pioneer
Baking
Noon Worship
1:OOPM Bible Info Class
8
Noon Worship
1:OOPM Bible Info Class
4:OOPM Youth Leave for
MLCTrip
3
4
6:30PM Worship
7:OOPM Bible
Info Class
5
9:45AM Bible Class
4:15PM 5&6 Catechism
5:40PM 7&8 Catechism
6
6:30PM FIFAF
7
10
6:30PM Church
Council Mtg
11
6:30PM Worship
7:OOPM Bible
Info Class
12
13
14
9:45AM Bible Class
4:15PM 5&6 Catechism
5:40PM 7&8 Catechism
1:OOPM Ladies Aid
15
Noon Worship
1:OOPM Bible Info Class
17
18
6:30PM Worship
7:OOPM Bible
Info Class
19
9:45AM Bible Class
4:15PM 5&6 Catechism
5:40PM 7&8 Catechism
20
21
22
9-ll:OOAM Christmas
Practice
Noon Worship
1:OOPM Bible Info Class
24
11:OOAM
Worship at Mala
Strana
25
6:30PM Worship
7:OOPM Bible
Info Class
26
9:45AM Bible Class
4:15PM 5&6 Catechism
5:40PM 7&8 Catechism
27
9:OOAM
Thanksgiving
Service
28
29
Noon Worship
1:OOPM Bible Info Class
1
2
6:30PM Worship
7:OOPM Bible
Info Class
3
7:15PM Advent Service
8:OOPM Coffee Hour/
Pioneers
4
5
6
9-ll:OOAM Christmas
Practice
Noon Worship
1:OOPM Bible Info Class