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“Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Take
my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest
for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my
burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Shining God’s Light
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
February, 2015
Reflections……………………….A Love Letter to ORLC
1 Corinthians 13
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
825 Golf Ave SW
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-2985
Facebook: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
www.orlcpc.com
[email protected]
Reverend Dr. Vicki L. Vander Vegt
Ext. 203
Jeff Hussong, Jr./Sr. Youth Director
Ext. 206
Preschool at Ext. 207
Patty Keyport, Secretary
Ext. 201
This is a monthly publication.
Deadline for articles is 4:30 pm on the third
Monday of each month.
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Inside
Reflections, Annual Meeting………..2
ORLC Family………..………....…....3
Lent, Pack the Pews…..……...…. ….4
Bible Studies, Community……..……5
WELCA……...……………………...6
Sunday School/Preschool……………7
Jr/Sr High Youth.…………………....8
Luther Point……………………........9
FPU/Church Council reports……….10
Sabbatical, Church Council….…11-12
Mission/Stewardship....………….....13
Ushers, Readers, Acolyte…….…….14
Monthly Calendar.. ..…….………...15
No one seems to write love letters any more. I suspect that love
letters went out of style so long ago few of us even know what
we’re missing. So, I have done a little research, and come up with a
several examples. Here is King Henry VIII writing to Anne Boleyn: “My
heart and I surrender themselves into your hands, and we (pray) to be
commended to your good graces.” Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine:
“Sweet, incomparable Josephine, what a strange effect you have on my
heart!” And into the modern era, Winston Churchill, rarely at a loss for
words, writes to his beloved wife Clemmie: “No phrases can convey
what it has been to me to live all these years in your heart and companionship.”
I trust you get the basic idea. Be that as it may I would not recommend hanging around the mailbox hoping to be on the receiving end of similar sentiments. But it just so happens that a
love letter addressed to Our Redeemer has arrived in this
month of February – the month of “love.” The author of this missive is
the Apostle Paul. According my sources, St. Paul is available--as far as
we know he has never married. But he does travel a lot. And his critics
say he’s nothing to look at. His “bodily presence is weak”(2. Cor. 10.10),
they say. Paul himself reports having a “thorn in the flesh,” though he
never discloses exactly what it is. We might prefer one of the other biblical characters as a suitor but our correspondent is St. Paul. It is he who
has taken a shine to us.
Now it is not unusual for our correspondence from St. Paul
to be intercepted. Brides and grooms are particularly guilty
of hijacking our text for today as if it were directed to them:
“And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the
greatest of these is love.” Surely, neither St. Paul nor we begrudge appropriation of this text for any good purpose. But
according to my sources Paul is not writing to young lovers, but to us as a
congregation.
Generic love letters are never very effective--think Hallmark, think Valentine’s Day. So it will be helpful for us to know what our suitor is concerned about. Apparently some of us have been boasting about how special ORLC is-- “open-minded, open-hearted” in world of “closed-shop”
churches; small in a world of big--and proud of it; friendly in the age of
anonymity; beautiful, traditional music; challenging classes; delightful
children; energetic youth; and, my favorite, good preaching! To us, St.
Paul writes: “If I speak in the tongues of mortals and angels, but do not
have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
Reflections continued on next page
But St. Paul, we protest, we do have love. In the words of an anonymous member, “I just love this little old church.” But
Church, itself, is not supposed to be the object our affections. Rather, what really counts is our love of the Lord Jesus
Christ--Christ and him crucified. The love St. Paul wants us to experience has nothing to do with romance or sentimentality, but everything to do with God’s love for humankind demonstrated in the life, death, resurrection and promised
coming again of Jesus Christ.
Contrary to popular opinion, this love is not a feeling--not a loosey, goosey feeling-- and it surely is not an intellectual
concept. This love is an action-- an action that seeks not its own good, Paul writes, but the good of the One who is loved.
Again, that One is Christ--the living Christ who this very day is present in the misery and chaos
of Haiti; the living Christ who stands on street corners with the homeless; the living
Christ who sits at the kitchen table with parents holding an eviction notice in trembling
hands.
Paul’s love letter gives the Church practical advice for the expression of our love for Christ, especially in times of conflict. In the great church debates of our age-- who’s in and who’s out, who’s to lead, who’s to follow. All of these issues
are to be addressed in such a manner that neither proponent nor opponent becomes “irritable or resentful.” Even though
we know “they” are wrong, we are not to rejoice; our love rejoices only in the truth of Christ and him crucified.
This love for Christ “bears all things”--our pain and their anguish, too. This love for Christ “believes all things,” for
there is something believable, something of value even in the most wrongheaded theology.
This love of Christ to which we are called “hopes all things, endures all things.” We
can endure precisely because we do have hope-- hope that God’s way in the world, made
known to us through Christ, will ultimately triumph. Left to our own devices, the standards of love St. Paul sets for us seem impossible.
Thank goodness we are not left to our own devices. Remember, this letter is not addressed to brides and grooms, weeping mothers and proud poppas. This letter is addressed to us as a congregation.
When we grow impatient, we have one another to urge patience. Where we grow callous, we
have each other to remind, “God’s love is kind.” Where we are tempted to envy or boast . . .
When we become arrogant or rude we have one another to remind us we have nothing to boast
about save the mercy and grace of God. When we become irritable or resentful, we have each
other to remind us that our goal in life is to reflect back upon the other the steadfast, neverstopping love that we experience here among those whom God has chosen for service as well as
for salvation.
Living into God’s Grace
Pastor Vicki
Come to our Annual Meeting at 9 a.m.
Sunday, 2/1
You are needed:

to vote for new council and committee members,
 approve replacing our roof this year
 and to approve the 2015 budget.
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To Pray for:Lor r aine Spencer (sister of Nancy Gottschalk), Mar tha Mar quar dt, Br uce
Gutknecht (son of Carol & Erv), Arlyce Theis (Carol Gutknecht’s sister) Jean Slade (Lisa
Westerman’s Mom), Bill McQuillan, Lorraine Doran, Sandy (daughter of Marilyn Arnold),
and anyone else that comes to mind.
Continuing to Pray for: Marlys Jackson (sister to Ann Hagestuen), Allie Rauschnot (daughter of Kenny &
Dana), John Woll, Trish Gahler, Mel Haug, Karen Blake (Dan’s sister), Steve Grady (Evie McAvoy’s son), Arlene Lauer, Lil Duda, Aine Casey (Judy & Larry Bothum’s grandchild), Ayden Radke (great-grandson of Donna & Ron Pingree), Wilma Cashin (Gail Mattison’s sister), Cal Hill, Steven Mueller (son-in-law to Vera Duzan), Donna Mae Johnson, Steve Johnson (son of Curt & Virginia),
Contact the church if you or someone you know is needing a hospital, home visit or phone call. Pastor
Vicki makes regular calls and visits; she needs to be told of what is happening in our lives. You can leave a
confidential voicemail or use one of the yellow forms on the tables in the hallway/narthex.
You are also encouraged to text prayer & visit requests to Pastor Vicki at 320-237-0652
Baptized:
On 1/11—Neva Michelle Lundgren, daughter of Brandon & Abby Lundgren,
Granddaughter of Becky & Doug Berglund and Great-granddaughter of Jim Berglund.
On 1/18—Ruby Rose Brouwer, daughter of Amy & Jason Brouwer.
We pray God’s blessings on the mar r iage of Kaylee (Sper l) and Lance J ohnson.
Our Prayers and Sympathy
To the family and friends of Rose Abdella
To Sheri Flesland and family in their loss of Kirk.
Texting Prayer Team is available to
pray for your needs. Text Deb Wagner
at 320-279-1757.
The February Sunday Coffee
free will offerings will go to
Pine City FoodShelf
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Lenten Worship
Join us for soup suppers and worship during the season of
Lent this year. The season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th with soup supper from 4:30-6:00 pm and one worship
service at 6:00pm.
Our theme this year is Soul Keeping –
Caring For the Most Important Part of You.
It is a challenging subject yet the soul is NOT simply theological and abstract. The soul is the coolest, eeriest, most mysterious, evocative, crucial, sacred, eternal, life-directing, fragile,
indestructible, controversial, expensive dimension of our existence.
Jesus said it’s worth more than the world. We would be an
foolish not to prize it above all else. Shouldn’t we get pretty
clear on exactly what it is? Shouldn’t we know what it runs
on? Wouldn’t it be worth knowing how to care for it?
Two things are for sure.
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Each of us has a soul.
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If we don’t look after this one we won’t be issued a
replacement.
Join us for a meal and fellowship each Wednesday at 4:30 pm
and worship at 6:00pm!
Lenten living
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18
this year. Christians have observed this season of the church year since the fourth century. It’s traditionally a time of reflection,
penitence and spiritual renewal before Easter.
During Lent, some Christians give up something that hinders their relationship with
God. Others do something extra for their
spiritual growth or make a special sacrifice.
The key is to make Lent a memorable season
of sincere spiritual growth — a time that can
set the tone for the rest of the year.
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FoodShelf
Looking ahead to
March FoodShare month
Watch for info on
PACK THE PEWS
Sunday, 3/22.
Senior High Youth (grades 10-12) meet Sundays at
7 p.m.—See Jeff Hussong
Healing Ministry
Third Monday of every month at ORLC.
6:30 p.m. All welcome.
You don't need to be a member of the team.
Healing Prayers by appt. (call Lynn Walz, Lois
Bengtson or John Oare)
Sunday Prayers available after worship
Men’s Breakfast Bible Study meets ever y Wednesday
morning at 6:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. Join them for
food, fellowship and discussion on how God’s word applies to our every day life.
Wed Bible Study at Old Oak Inn (Pine City) meets
at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays
Call Bonnie Menigo for more information.
Befrienders meet r egular ly for study and discussion. Contact Helen Clarke (629-1125)
SonRisers meets Thur sdays at 7 a.m. in the
small group meeting (crying) room.
They are on hiatus from 12/25-3/6/15.
We have a direct debit option for all
members who are interested. To get set
up, there is a form (on the small table
by Pastor Vicki’s office) to fill out and
give to Patty in the church office. The
Simply Giving program can simplify
your church giving with monthly or
weekly debits.
If you already use Simply Giving
(direct debit) and wish to change your
giving amount, email, mail or drop off
a written note stating what you want
done beginning when and Patty (the
church office) will update for you.
AA meets 7:30 p.m. Mondays in the Youth Room
Al Anon meets 7:30 p.m. Thursdays
Call Cindy S. at 320/279-1428 with questions
AA & Al Anon meet during holidays.
Narcotics Anonymous meets 7 p.m. Tuesday
nights at Hinckley High School room #107 (west
side/south corner). Call Steve at 218/380-0805
for more information.
Ordinary Grace
by William Kent Krueger.
Frank Drum looks back at a tragic event
that occurred during his thirteenth year.
He explores how a complicated web of
secrets, adultery, and betrayal shattered
his Methodist family and their small
1961 Minnesota community. Krueger
will be a guest of Pine City Reads on
Thursday, 2/12 at the Northwest Co. Fur
Post. Check the Pioneer for details.
Books are available
in the church office to sign out.
Meet to discuss at
6:30 p.m. on February 24th
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Bring your friends!
Sign up by the kitchen door.
All Women are invited
St. Valentine’s Brunch
Saturday, 2/7 at 9 a.m.
Featured Speaker is
Pastor Mary Brown
of Lutheran Social Services
Need a ride?
Call Carolyn Tuckner
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103, NRSV).
Recently I was confronted with this question: If you fed yourself with food the way you feed
yourself with God’s Word, would you still be alive? It gave me pause.
Do I eat enough spiritually? — feast regularly enough on Scripture to keep up my energy and
the health of my soul? Do I eat nutritiously? — take in a balanced meal of law and gospel,
comfort and commandments, prophecy and promise? Do I pass up spiritual junk food? — set
aside empty calories that lead to disease, in order to hunger for what truly gives life? Do I
drink enough Living Water to avoid faith dehydration? And once in a while, do I splurge on
dessert? — savor the sweetness and joy of belonging at God’s table?
What abundance God sets before us. May we never skip a “meal”!
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—Heidi Mann
All 5th Grade students (& any
6th grade who missed last year)
are invited to join Pastor Vicki
at a class on the sacrament of
Holy Communion.
Saturday, 2/14 9:30-noon
Please RSVP with Patty so that
we can prepare. 629-2985 ext.
201 or [email protected]
Sunday School
Students have challenged each other to donate
items for our Pine Community Food Shelf—
winning class will be served ice cream sundaes on
2/1.
Last Day for donations is on 2/1.
On 2/8, all students will sing at worship and
hand out valentines: please bring your students
by 8:45 a.m. so they may participate.
In February we are learning Parables including:
 the Mustard Seed,
 Yeast
 Net
 Lost Son
Winter is a challenging time in the preschool when temperatures drop and outdoor recess is
restricted. Colds and other illnesses are frustrating for the children as well yet the students
and teachers turn such challenges into learning opportunities.
The science unit in January/February is offering opportunities to explore how snow is formed and how
freezing affects certain substances. The students have been learning songs about snowmen and the joys of
winter. In language and the arts the emphasis has been upon direct-instruction reading and proper formation of upper/lower case letters as the students learn to write their names.
The faith story for January has been Jonah and the Big Fish. Through scripture the students
learn about how God speaks to each of us and how we are invited to be a part of God’s mission
in the world.
There has been a change in staffing for the preschool as Kristen Hussong left the school for a
social work position and a former teacher, Sarah Youngbauer has returned to teach. The students and staff wish Kristen the best and keep her in prayer while welcoming with joy Sarah’s
return!
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Bowling for Youth
Fundraising Event
A big thanks to all who participated and
helped fundraise for the 2015 mission
trip. This event raised $344 for mission
trip participants. We will be looking to
host another event at Chuckers during
the month of April. If you missed out
tickets are sold at $12 for an hour of
bowling and shoe rental. The youth profit $7 per ticket sold. We hope more people can come out and bowl for youth
fundraising in the month of April.
Jeff Hussong,
Jr/Sr. High Youth Director
Can be reached via email at
[email protected] Or call 629-2985
ext. 206
Confirmation
The season of Lent is fast approaching, with Ash Wednesday on February 18th.
Confirmands will be looking for mentors for the Lent worships. If you are interested in mentoring and haven’t been
asked by a student please let me know because we will
have some students that need mentors by the 18th.
If you become a mentor to a student, we will be having
mentoring orientation on Wednesday February 11th for all
students and their mentors from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Parents: there isn’t class on 2/11—
orientation only from 6-7.
Mission Trip 2015
We will be hosting our annual Super Bowl Subs event on February 1st. Each sub is only $6
and will be made to order. We will be making the bread for the subs and will pack each sub
full of ingredients. Order forms are on the table in the narthex. You can fill out a form to
pre-order your sandwich, or you can order the day of.
We will also be hosting the 2nd Lent soup and sandwich on February 25th. The students
will be grilling the sandwiches again for this event to go along with 3 different types of
soup. All proceeds for these 2 events will go towards helping out with the cost of the mission trip.
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Director Report
February, 2015
FAMILY WINTER WEEKEND!
Feb. 13-15 (or through 16th if you'd like!)
Does winter and the post-holiday season got you feeling a bit stir crazy? President's/Valentine's Day is a
three-day weekend for many-a perfect opportunity for a short getaway. I personally extend an invitation to
families of all shapes and sizes to join my family and me at Luther Point Bible Camp for a fun-filled time
away. We will be offering this as informal getaway-no programming, no schedules, just time to relax.
Come enjoy what Luther Point has to offer:
Cozy accommodations including our comfortable Retreat Center and toasty warm cabins by the lake
shore. Each family will have their own space, including their own bathroom and shower.
Delicious, a la carte meals served in our dining hall.
Outdoor activities: hiking, snow tubing, cross-country skiing (you will need your own skis), broomball, ice skating (you will need your own skates), ice fishing.
Indoor activities: board games, quiet space to read or nap, visit, informal devotions and worship.
Please visit www.lutherpoint.org for pricing and additional details. Plan on booking an additional overnight
to take advantage of the extended weekend and explore the sights and sounds of the great North woods.
OTHER NEWS:
Elementary (3rd-5th Grade) Weekend Camp is coming up - March 13 & 14. Details and Registration
information will available online Feb. 1st. Weekend Camps are 24 hours jam-packed with faith, fun,
and friends. Our Summer Camp Staff will be on hand to care for and lead the campers in all the great
activities.
Summer Camp Registration will soon be Underway! Traditional In-Camp, Horse Camp, Adventure Trips, Family Camp, Grandparent/Grandchild Camp, and much more. Visit our website to view our
2015 schedule and pricing. Updates and information added daily.
Applications are available for our 2015 Summer Staff. A summer spent serving at camp is more
than a job - it's an opportunity grow in faith and to help hundreds of youth do the same! Complete info can be found on the Employment page at www.LutherPoint.org
Grace and Peace, Rev. Mark Peters, Executive Director
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Financial Peace University: Son's First Paycheck
Amy's teenage son is about to receive his first paycheck. She asks Dave and Rachel about saving,
spending and teaching him to set goals.
QUESTION: Amy in Rockford, IL, has a 14-year-old son. He has a full-time job this summer and is
about to receive his first paycheck. They have taught him about spending, saving and giving, and his
first goal is to buy an iPad Mini. Amy asks Dave and Rachel if the money should be allocated from his
savings or his spending, since his dad is going to put $2,000 toward a fixer-upper car.
ANSWER: (Rachel) The way mom and dad raised us — and correct me if I’m wrong, dad — the savings category
for a 14-year-old is more of a long-term spending category. At that age, they’re not going to be saving for retirement or something in the distant future. Now, if college or a car is in the picture, then maybe he needs to make
that a higher priority than an iPad Mini. But as far as I’m concerned, a 14-year-old’s savings category is a longterm spending category.
(Dave) Sure, which means an iPad Mini is okay. The big question we would’ve had around our place would
be the car. We required our kids to buy their cars, and we agreed to match whatever they saved. At our house it
would have sounded like this: “You can use your savings for an iPad Mini, that’s fine. But you have to understand
this $400 thing is actually costing you $800 if we’re matching you.” We’re going to talk that part through, and it
would be one and done. If it were out of savings at our place, given that the car is in the picture, we’re probably
going to do that one. But from then on, your savings is going toward your car and the other stuff is coming out of
spending. You’ve got to be realistic about saving up toward a car.
The other thing is this … In the kids’ minds we were perfect at all this. Of course we weren’t perfect — there
were a lot of things we messed up in this deal — but we convinced them we were, I guess. More than anything
else, we were always asking ourselves this: What’s the lesson? What’s the takeaway here? The takeaway is not
an iPad Mini. The takeaway is not picking up a car. The takeaway is teaching the kid to save for a goal. But the
danger of the mathematics is part of the lesson, too. If he goes and buys an iPad Mini, then something else and
something else, he’s going to have about $3 in savings. He’ll be riding a bike, because his car’s not going to be
running.
Council Committee Reports
(excerpts from the written meeting reports)
January, 2015
The Personnel Committee is consider ing the dr aft of a Pastor al J ob descr iption and wor king to have a final ver sion for Council’s consideration at an upcoming meeting.
Outreach: The Pine Community Food Shelf is offer ing a flannel quilt named “Minnesota Blizzard” for raffle. The
quilt was made by Our Redeemer members in response to the ongoing financial needs of our local food shelf. Funds
raised will be used to help our neighbors who are struggling with food shortages. "Appearances" of the quilt are being
scheduled at local churches and businesses to provide an opportunity for individuals to purchase tickets. The drawing
will be March 22 at a concert (also in the planning stages) to be held on behalf of the food shelf. Watch for more information on the concert and the quilt to “appear “at Our Redeemer, purchase tickets, and help meet needs right here in the
Pine City area. Quilt raffle tickets may be purchased from Carolyn Tuckner at any time. 320.629.3966
Trivia: What were the top 5 gifts chosen through Lutheran World Relief by contributors such as you?
# 5-Medical Supplies, #4 LWR Dairy Cows, #3 LWR School Supplies, #2 LWR Hens and Chicks and #1 LWR
Goats!!! Visit lwr.org for an abundance of information
ELCA Good Gifts: pr ovides mor e than 50 differ ent gift-giving options that grow the church, fight hunger
and transform lives. These gifts, starting at just $10, provide direct support for the church-wide ministries of the ELCA.
See more at: http://www.elca.org/Resources/ELCA-Good-Gifts
Property and Grounds Report: a committee is wor king to r efur bish the Youth Room. Money for painting has
been in past budgets. New furniture was paid for by generous donations from a member and the WELCA Boutique committee. Once we have an estimate on replacing carpet, we are hopeful of using +$1 donations to complete. Respectively
submitted, Lyndon Hagestuen
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Summer Sabbatical
I have requested and the ORLC Church Council has granted a summer sabbatical that
will run from May 15 – August 15th, 2015. It will be an exciting time of renewal for me
as your pastor as well as an opportunity for members to explore their gifts in leading
worship and pastoral care. It does not mean that I am looking for another position or
that the duties/responsibilities of the pastoral position at ORLC will be neglected. There
will be very few, if any, changes in how ORLC worships & cares for each other during
this time. During the month of February, I will be putting together a small team to aide
in planning for the sabbatical. We will take a creative look at how the intent and purposes of the sabbatical are communicated, begin to fill positions of responsibility with interim leaders, and address member concerns. Look for more information in the next few
months to be coming to you through the newsletter, e-mails, and other methods of communication. As always, my door is open and questions are welcome.
Pastor Vicki
The Our Redeemer church council does everything from setting the
budget to making certain that the building is maintained. The council
is made up of people from the congregation and we are here to serve
the congregation. Please become familiar with your council members.
We want to hear from members about anything that concerns the
church body. Communication is the most important part of being a
member of this church. If we don’t have regular communication with
the membership we work sort of in a vacuum. We all have a tendency
to think of ourselves as too small a part of the membership to make a
difference as we are only a part of the entire body of Christ. But as
Paul says in chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians, Each part of the body of
Christ has an important calling to perform and we can’t all do the
same thing or nothing will get done.
Our Council does do some of the things that individuals can’t do alone
but the only way for a congregation to stay alive is for every member
to participate in some way. Our Christ has something good prepared
for you. He will lead us if we ask.
Yours in Christ ,
Doug Pieper
The next full meeting of ORLC Council is Thursday, February 12th at 7 p.m.
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OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
January 8, 2015
Our Vision:
Shining God’s light into the darkness, bringing hope where there is despair, and healing where there is hurt.
PRESENT: Jim Koppen Sue Oster dyk Penny Hudlow Kr is Gr oss Pastor Vicki
Doug Pieper
Carolyn Tuckner Chris Jahnz
Glenn Westing
EXCUSED: Tr udy Wood, Lyndon Hagestuen, Patty Keypor t
ABSENT:
Tim Schlichting
Lee Isaacson
President Jim Koppen called the meeting to order. Pastor Vicki opened with prayer.
Annual Meeting: The Nominating Committee has the following willing candidates for chur ch council: Car ole
Pederson, Brent Jahnz, Justin Jahnz, Doug Pieper and Penny Hudlow. Delegates for Synod Assembly and the Nominating Committee candidates are yet to be determined.
Financial Report: The financials were reviewed. It was opened for questions and comments. Sue Osterdyk pointed
out we are $11,000 positive from last year. Doug Pieper moved to accept the financial report; Kris Gross seconded:
motion carries.
Council Reports: wr itten r epor ts wer e included in the packet and excer pts will appear in the next newsletter .
Youth (Kris Gross/Trudy Wood) Leah Lange, Director of Children’s Ministry begins this month.
Personnel (Jim Koppen) see written report
Outreach (Tim/Chris Jahnz) nothing new.
Missions –World & Local (Carolyn) Pastor Mary Brown of Lutheran Social Services will speak at the WELCA sponsored St. Valentine’s Brunch on Saturday, 2/7.
Visitation (Lee Isaacson/Chris Jahnz/Trudy Wood) nothing new
Adult Ministry (Lyndon/Lee Isaacson) nothing new
Property & Grounds (Lyndon) & Van (Doug Pieper) See written report. The electric lift chair and couch in the youth
room are available to anyone interested; calls have been made to various members. Will check with A Place for You
or New Horizons.
Finance/Stewardship/Adult Ed (Glenn/Sue) the Stewardship Committee didn’t meet in December; nothing new.
Ministry Team Reports
Jeff Hussong, Youth Ministry: Confirmation and Mission trip planning/fundraising continues.
Pastor Vicki: Rose Abdella passed away; keep her family in our prayers.
Old Business:
February Newsletter: Doug Pieper will write. The deadline is Tuesday, 1/20 for all committees.
2015 Budget: Updated copies fr om the budget meeting wer e handed out. Jim Koppen r eviewed line by line. Sue
Osterdyk noted that we did not actually spend what we had budgeted last year. Jim stated when talking to members we
need to let them know this is a no fat budget and we need an increase in giving of 14%. Penny Hudlow asked what
happens if we fall short in giving? Pastor Vicki reminded that God will guide us. Jim stated if needed to pay salaries
we can borrow needed funds and let the congregation know. With 250 families, we need an average of $27 per week
per family to support our budget. Doug Pieper moved to accept the proposed 2015 budget; Pastor Vicki seconded: motion carries.
Annual Meeting: Teller s ar e needed. Jim will contact the nominating committee for needed wor k in finding
candidates for the remaining openings. Carolyn Tuckner moved for council members to be available to be tellers at the
Annual Meeting on 2/1; Doug Pieper seconded: motion carries.
New Business:
Children’s Ministry: Leah Lange’s hours were discussed. A meet and greet Leigha will be on Sunday, 1/18.
Closing Devotional & Prayer wer e led by Pastor Vicki.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carolyn Tuckner
Council Secretary
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Stewardship committee report
"Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have."
Margaret Mead
A few caring people....is that your DNA? Our gifts to others must begin with each one of us.
Our 2015 budget is $358,563.53.......this budget contains no cushion! The 2015 budget will keep our lights
on.... pay all bills and salaries and allow us to tithe (10%) to our missions. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
presently has about 250 member households and in order to fund this budget would equal to $27.58 per family per week. Remember folks this is YOUR Church. Never take it for granted, our 2015 budget expenses
must be paid monthly. As you review 2015 Budget you will notice our tithing (10%) under Missions. Our
Redeemer Lutheran Church tithes to our community and other organizations! Just last year Pine City Veteran's Council was added to our missions. Yes YOUR offerings did tell our Veteran's that WE CARE and
THANK YOU for your service! Be the few caring people (all 250 households) who can change and make a
difference. When you make that decision....that tithing is blessing others.... trust me.....God will guide you
as you move forward towards the Spirit of Giving......just listen and act!
The Stewardship Committee
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia
Our synod has contributed $170,000 to help build an Education Center and new church building in Petrozavodsk
in the Republic of Karelia, which was completed in September, 2011. Other churches in our synod partnered to
help build a small new church at Birsk in the Ural Deanery. Participants in a 2007 Mission Tour partnered with
the Laestadian Finns of Finland to build a new church building in Läskelä. The Russian government is returning
church buildings or land to Lutheran churches, but with the stipulation that they be rebuilt in a fixed period of
time - there simply aren't resources to do that. A building is needed for a church to avoid being labeled a cult.
Another great need is trained workers. $363.32 of our 2014 giving was designed to the Ural Deanery in Russia;
the remaining $64.09 will go where needs arise as determined by the Task force. 100% of our giving went to our
companion Lutheran Churches of Ingria in Russia.
The Church body of Ingria is one of the missions ORLC supports. God calls us to give out of our own abundance.
ORLC follows scripture and gives a tithe (meaning 10%) of general offerings to both local and global missions.
The total Missions Giving is 10% of our budget. The actual amount given each month is based on the offerings of
the previous month.
Our Vision:
Shining God’s light into the darkness, bringing hope where there is despair, and
healing where there is hurt.
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Altar Guild
Date
Time
Diane Vander Venter
Readers
Dave & Lisa Johnson
John & Ardelle Oare
Gary & Lillian Bue
Ushers
Tanner Brouwer
Sully Lucht
Ellee Foster
Kailey Jackson
Nicole Currie
Laura Abbott
Acolytes
X
Sue Osterdyk
Kris Gross
John & Ardelle Oare
Trudy Wood
Communion
Assistants (NEED 3)
Carole Samuelson
Feb 1
8:00
Sue Osterdyk
John & Ardelle Oare
Gary & Lillian Bue
Kiya Johnson
Madeline Wiener
February
9:30
Ella Mae Caroon
The Hansmann’s
Thank You
Don Lund who coordinates 8 a.m. worship
The 2015 schedule for 8 a.m. has been generated
and mailed out.
Feb 8
8:00
Jen Hansmann
Carl & Carole Anderson
Jennifer Krinke
9:30
Tanner & Jolie Wicktor
Ardelle Oare
John & Ardelle Oare
Gary & Lillian Bue
Feb 15
8:00
Julie Doenz, Gina Haug
Lynn Walz
Lynn Walz
Haven Spychalla
Sarah Dickey
9:30
John & Ardelle Oare
Gary & Lillian Bue
X
Jim Koppen
Allyson Tracy
Rachel Johnson
Feb 22
8:00
John and Ardelle Oare / Gary and Lillian Bue
Brent and Kathy Jahnz / Lyndon Hagestuen and Roger Knutson
Roger and Lorraine Cummings / Dale and Sandy Mathisen
Jenny and Mark Mansavage
Mark and Laurie Madison / Bill and Shirley Woischke
Jerry and Jane Tschida / John and Merrilee Eberhart
Arlen and Cindy Lund / Kathy and Greg Lea
Jeff and Bonnie Menigo / Norm Opheim and Roger Vacinek
Scott and Chris Jahnz / Bernice Wood and Lee Isaacson
Trudy Woods and Jeneice Carter
Del and Rosie Rude
Katelyn & Hannah Lorsung
Feb
March
April
May
June
July
August
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
14
9:30
COFFEE SCHEDULE
1 – Helen Clarke, Jeneice Carter
8 – Carolyn Tuckner
15 – Sheryl Nascene, Barb Christensen, Bette
Christensen
22 - Deb Eck, Sheila Basta, Eileen Neville
8 am USHERS
John 3:16 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Tue
5-8 p.m.
Lakes & Pines
Tax
Prep assistance
3 See Above
Wed
6:30 am Men’s Bible
Study
1 pm Staff meeting
3 pm Rejoice! Choir
4 pm Old Oak Bible
Study
7 pm Choir
4 See Above
8 am Salvation Army
Board meets-youth rm
6 Wed Nite Supper
6:30 Confirmation
Thu
7:30 Al-Anon
5 See Above
10 am Adult DayBreak
5:30 Worship
2
Fri
Sat
7
St. Valentine’s
Brunch at 9 a.m.
3
6 See Above
14
11 am—4 p.m.
Lakes & Pines
Tax Prep assistance
13 See Above
9 See Above
6 p.m. Finance
meeting
21
6:30 Healing Team
9:30-Noon
1st Communion
Class
10 See Above
11 See Above
4 pm WELCA board Confirmation/Mentor
Orientation 6-7 p.m.
20
28
12 See Above
5:30 Worship
6 pm Prayer meeting
7 pm Council meets
17 See Above
9:30 am JOY Circle
1:30 pm FAITH
19 See Above
10 am Adult DayBreak
12:15 Befrienders
1:30 pm HOPE Circle
27 See Above
23 See Above
See Above
16 See Above
Church office closed
for President’s Day
18 See Above
4:30 Soup/Sandwich
6 p.m. Worship
26 See Above
Newsletter Deadline
25 See Above
4:30 Soup/Sandwich
6 p.m. Worship
2 See Above
9:30 Quilting
7:30 pm AA
Mon
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For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten
(unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to
destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
Sun
Sunday Schedule
Worship
8:00 Life Connected
9:30 Life Surge
Sunday School
7 pm Sr Hi Youth
1 See Above
9 a.m. Annual
Meeting
8 See Above
10:40 am Mission
Trip meeting
15 See Above
22 See Above
24 See Above
6:30 p.m. Our Redeemer Readers
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