july 2016 newsletter - razor planetjuly 2016 newsletter gloria dei lutheran church 2 from the desk...

July 2016 Newsletter

Gloria Dei

Lutheran Church

2

From the Desk of Pastor David Maxfield

Dear Friends in Christ,

Have you noticed it? I have. Have you sensed it? I have. It more than a warm summer breeze wafting through on Sunday mornings. Something, or perhaps it is Someone is stirring in our midst. What are the signs?

Warming Hospitality: Before worship the Gathering area is buzzing. I t is good not only to catch up with friends and neighbors, it is good to share a smile and handshake as we say, “Welcome to Gloria Dei, my name is…” You have welcomed the families of children who are bap-tized, former members who come back in the summer, new folks to the town.

Thank you for the gift of the pop-up canopy. Lemonade and treats out on the lawn we can delight in the beauty of God’s creation (thanks also for all who tend to the landscaping and flowers)

Infectious Generosity: The “Noisy Offering” has taken off beyond anyone’s dreams. Have you seen the faces of the children as they grab the pails and dump the coins in the funnel? Thank you for sharing your loose change. Thank you also for helping to teach by example that we are blessed to be a blessing. There is a deep joy in the heart of gratitude, and the children are teaching us to mine its depths. By the way: I just received word that the noisy offering for June resulted in $275.21 being shared which will go to bless others ( We’ll announce the recipients soon)

Enthusiastic, reverential Worship: One of the joys of summer worship is the opportunity of worshipping together. We’re sharing the gifts of our rich, diverse worship life. Whether it is in sing-ing one of the classic hymns of faith, or one of the songs of praise, we are discovering that worship is like a rainbow of many colors which flows from and towards the Cross. We are discovering the journey of worship which leads us to the presence of God who comes to us in Word and Sacrament and sends us out to be his hands and feet in the world.

Persistent Patience: You are not about to let a minor inconvenience such as a “Road Clos-es” sign, a torn up street, or a detour distract you from worship.

Excited Invitation: The story is told of a young man who was so excited, he told his brother he had to “come and see.” As I watch the planning and prayer in preparation for Vacation Bible School, I sense the same kind of excitement in the children and staff as Phillip had when he grabbed Nathaniel’s arm.

Open-eyed Awareness- Snippets, notes, pieces on facebook…. what we are beginning to notice is what we already knew. God is walking among us! We can sense it in the beauty of each day, in a conversation with a friend or family member, in something good that happened along the way, or in the smile and story you heard in the life of someone you met. Maybe a good question for us as we gather for worship on Sunday is simply to think of one way you and I experienced the amazing love of God this past week.

Thankful Prayerfulness- I grow more and more convinced in the power of prayer and I also realize how little I thank you for your prayerfulness. Whether it is daily devotion, or at a stop light. In the stillness of dawn or the quiet of late evening. Maybe you pray for 5 minutes, or for an hour. Please remember to pray, our lives, our ministry, our world needs to brought into the pres-ence of peace and only God can give the peace we need. Thank you for praying for me, and know that I pray for you.

Shalom,

Pastor David

LOOK FOR UPCOMING 2016—2017 CHURCH SCHOOL CALENDAR IN AUGUST 2016 NEWSLETTER

NEW EXCITING CURRICULUM!

RALLY DAY WILL BE

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH & WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH

CHURCH SCHOOL REGISTRATION AVAILABLE ONLINE

@ www.gloriadeiwill.org

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

to Vote to call Pastor David Maxfield

DATE: JULY 10th

TIME: FOLLOWING WORSHIP

Vacation

Bible School

July 8th – 10th

Friday and Saturday VBS will end with Closing Worship.

Please join us to hear all about the activities from the day!

Friday, July 8th at 7:50 pm

Saturday, July 9th at 12:05 pm

Sunday VBS will be closing out our 9:30 a.m.

Worship with new Music learned at VBS!

Following the Congregational Meeting, we will be

having a VBS BBQ Celebration including

Bounce Houses, Lawn Games and a BBQ.

We are looking for grills and grillers. If you are able to

help please contact Scott or Rachael Studsrud ASAP @

570-2115 or 770-8013.

If your last name starts with A-M please bring a salad to share, if your

last name is N-Z please bring a dessert! Burgers, hotdogs, chips and

drinks will be provided.

4

June Worship Attendance

June Memorials In Memory of Borghild Heller

John & Lois Kuester......……………………………………………….………...……..…...Memorial Fund John & Carrie Forthun ……………………………………………………………..……….Quilters Fund Dick & Marg McKennett………………………………………………………….……………..50/50 Fund Edna Forthun………………………………………………………………………….……...Quilters Fund Gerald & Joanne Christensen……………………………………………………………...…...50/50 Fund David & Kaylene Heller…………………………………………………………………….…..50/50 Fund

In Memory of Mary Harrington Bob & Shanna Rude....……………………………………………….……………..……….....50/50 Fund

In Memory of Lloyd Berg Hazel Kolden………………………………………………………………………………...…..50/50 Fund Wayne & Karen Kamp………………………………………………………………………….50/50 Fund Les & Nancy Holgerson…………………………………………………………...……UMM Campership

In Memory of Florence Larvick Harold & Arlene Tvedt………………………………………………………………………....50/50 Fund Louise Watterson…….………………………………………………………………………....50/50 Fund Zoanni Liffrig………..………………………………………………………………………....50/50 Fund Lorraine Nelson……...………………………………………………………………………....50/50 Fund Ione Nice……………...………………………………………………………………………....50/50 Fund Ron & Deb Bingeman……………….……………………………………………………....Quilters Fund Dale Livdahl………….………………………………………………………………………....50/50 Fund

Duane & Dorothy Fenster………..……………………………………………………………...50/50 Fund Ollie & Joan Bekkedahl………..……………………………………………………………...Music Fund Golf Enterprises, LLP…………………………………………..……………………………...50/50 Fund

In Memory of Jim Hill Ron & Deb Bingeman………………………………………………………………...UMM Campership

In Memory of Erik Rauser Floyd & Donna Peterson………………………………………………………..…………….50/50 Fund Ted & Peggy Bearce…………………………………………………………………………..50/50 Fund

In Memory of Earl Haugenoe Cheryl Haugenoe……………………………….……………...Banquet West/50-50 Fund/Food Pantry Jory Meyer……………………………………………………………………………..…….Food Pantry Floyd & Donna Peterson…………………………………………………………………….Food Pantry Stan & Shirley Lyson………………………………………………………………………….50/50 Fund Arlene Farber……………………………………………………………………………..…...50/50 Fund

In Memory of DeLaine Rude Steve Adducci………………………………………………………………...…...Outdoor Flower Fund Gary & Jane Bartlett…………………………………………………………….Outdoor Flower Fund John & Lois Kuester…………………………………………………………………...…….50/50 Fund

Date: Sat - 5:00PM Sunday - 9:30AM Total

June 5 4 149 153

June 12 7 155 162

June 19 7 170 177

June 26 7 132 139

In Honor of Bill & Lola Christensen & Rae Olson for “All you do & for all you are!”

Dick & Marg McKennett………………………………………………………….……….50/50 Fund

BIRTHDAYS 07/01

TIM KLEVEN KEIANA RONESS

JOSH SOLEM 07/02

DEEANN GRUNDSTAD JADA OSBORN

07/03 TYLER COLEBANK

KARLA SHEETS BETTY TVEDT

07/04 NORM HANSON

JEFF KLEVEN

BRITTANY SKARPHOL 07/05

DIANE ANDERSON

MOLLY GATHMAN

07/06

ABBIE KEMP

DAN LERVICK

WINIFRED SCHIELE

JANETTE STONER 07/07

KYLIE BOLDT JORDAN BRACKEY

CHRIS HURAVITCH

RON LAWRENCE

MIRIAM THEIGE

07/08 BRANDON BENTH

JIM ENGEN

KRISTI OLSON

07/09

JADEN LYNCH

PAUL OLSON 07/10

JAXON ALVARADO KASI BERGSTROM

RYLEE IRGENS KEEGAN REDKA

SHANNA RUDE

GARY SUNDET

07/11

LEON BRACKEY JEFF GRAUPE

RAE OLSON ASHLEY OWAN

KATHY TROGSTAD CLARENE VEE

ALAN WENSTAD 07/12

KENTON CARNELL CODY KREIL

07/13 ADELYNN KNUDSON

07/14

ZOANNI LIFFRIG BRYCE PARISIEN

CATHELEEN STRINDEN

07/15

DAVE CHALLES

CLAY GAFKJEN

MATT KOHLER

MARY JO NEUBAUER

KASETEN QUAMME CARL ZEMAN

07/16 SADIE GRAUPE

BEV ZAHN

07/17

KATHY BRIGHAM

VERNA COLBY 07/18

BOBBIE KOHLER

07/19

NIKOLE HELLEN

JAXON JEANNOTTE

ZACK NELSON 07/20

EMILY EHLERT TY GERRARD

MARTY HAUG JAY SOLEM

07/21

KYMBREE HOLM LYNN LEININGER

LEON SIME

07/22 KERRY MONSON

07/23 BRAD KJORSTAD

HAYLEE MOLDENHAUER JERRY OPSAL

MONIQUE WISNESS 07/25

TAMSEN ALLEN

LAURIE GARBEL JAYDIS RAMSEY

HAILEY VADER

07/26

BRAYDEN HELLER

WAYNE KAMP

SCOTT SIM

JADEN WYMAN

07/27 LANDON EDWARDS

KELSEY ENGBERG GARRETT HOLTE

TAMMY LACROSSE

HEATHER POWELL

KENNEDY WHRITENOUR

TENLEIGH WROLSON 07/29

BRIE MOLDENHAUER

MADISON NELSON

07/30

JASON BARTEN

VICKI HAUGE MORGAN STRIETZEL

07/31 RYAN WICKUM

6

Sun Mon Tue Wed

3 4 OFFICE CLOSED 5

Ex. Committee - 5:30PM

6

10 Special Congregational

meeting - After worship

VBS Celebration - 9:30AM

11

GDLC Work Night—5:30 PM

Tri County Childcare — 7 PM

SOS - 7 PM

12 13

17 18 19 20

Women’s Bible Study

24 25

SOS - 7 PM

26 27

Stewardship —

31

Healing Service Sunday

JULY 2016Gloria Dei Sunday Schedule

9:30 AM Summer Worship

9:00 AM Gloria Dei Coffee Hour

Thu Fri Sat

1 2

Bible Breakfast - 8 AM

7

Quilting - 9 AM

8

Vacation Bible School

6--8 PM

9


VBS - 9 AM— Noon

14

Quilting - 9 AM

Council - 6 PM

15 16


Women’s Bible Study - 9 AM

21

Quilting - 9 AM

Gideons - 5 PM

22 23


Stewardship — 7:30AM

28

Quilting - 9 AM

29 30


ULY 2016 Faith Lutheran Sunday Schedule

10:00 AM Worship

Gloria Dei Saturday Schedule

5:00 PM Worship

8

Gospel Seed…July 2016

A Monthly Update from the Western North Dakota Synod Office

Synod Assembly Re-Cap

A record number of people (at least in recent years) gathered to worship, engage Bible study, learn together, and conduct business during this year's Synod Assembly June 10th & 11th in Bis-marck.

Highlights include:

-Opening worship with musicians gathered from across the synod leading us in joyful song.

-Engaging conversation around how God gifts and calls each of us through our baptism for the sake of our neighbor. Bishop Terry Brandt and Shar Gumke, Eastern North Dakota Synod, helped us engage these issues and ponder how God might be calling each of us.

-Heard stories of wrestling with God’s calling from the perspective of a farm/ranch couple - My-ron and Georgean Lick, from the perspective of a woman who is Native American - Prairie Rose Semi-nole, from a Campus Pastor and college student - Rev. Christoph Schmidt and Karen Langemo, and from the perspective of a business leader – Reier Thompson, CEO of Missouri Slope Care Center.

-Heard a detailed presentation of your Synod's financial condition. The good news is Mission Sup-port has continued to grow the past several years; the challenging news is recent budgets passed by Synod Assemblies rely on reserve funds to balance the budget. The Assembly then spent time in table top conversations to provide your Synod Council members with advice about how we financially sustain our synod. We are not in a crisis situation, rather, we are in a time where steps need to be taken to solidify our financial future for the sake of ministry in Christ's name.

-A memorial was brought forward late in the Assembly on the Repudiation of the Doctrine of Dis-covery. The Assembly Reference and Counsel Committee referred the memorial to Synod Council noting it was too important a document to engage in a limited amount of time.

-Tabled a proposed Synod Bylaw which would have brought the Synod Constitution and Bylaws in alignment; this would have removed term limits for the Bishop.

-Gave notice that next year there will be consti-tutional changes proposed; watch for the text of those changes this fall.

More Assembly News…

The Assembly Bible study, the conversations around vocation, and Dan Rift's keynote presenta-tion on the work of World Hunger will all be availa-ble online as resources for your congregation.

In other news:

-The Assembly heard that through "Bringin' Home the Bacon", the #HungerRide, and other of-ferings the Western North Dakota Synod has shared over $95,000 with ELCA World Hunger.

-Those attending the Mission Gala at Lord of Life were treated to an excellent meal; thanks to Pas-tors Nadine and Larry, as well as, the talented kitchen crew.

-Rev. Taryn Montgomery was honored with the Peterman Award for her efforts in modeling and teaching holistic stewardship. Each year one pas-tor from across the ELCA is chosen for this award.

Milestone Reached…

Over the top! Thanks to the Mission Gala, Live Auction, and Silent Auction at Synod Assembly the Western North Dakota Mission Endowment Fund has gone over the half million-dollar mark. Congratulations to all of you who have contributed to this fund in the past six years! That is correct… In six short years, we have invested that amazing amount of money!

Thursday evening, the Synod Council Execu-tive Committee gathered and awarded three grants from proceeds of the Mission Endowment Fund. One award was given to the youth of Bread of Life Lutheran, Minot for a Mission Trip to form relation-ships with people in Haiti. A $1,000 grant was giv-en to Carpio Lutheran, Carpio for their handicap accessible, raised garden project, and a $1,000 grant to Zion Lutheran, Berthold to help them buy fixtures as they establish a community food pantry.

Rev. Mark Narum

Serving as Bishop of the Western North Dakota Synod

Synod Assembly 2017 - Grand Hotel - Minot

Mission Gala & Auction: Thursday, June 1

Assembly: Friday & Saturday, June 2-3

General Checking Account:

May 1 2016 General Checking Account Balance 202,289.85

May Offering +31,376.82

May Expenses (25,330.06)

May 31 2016 General Checking Account Balance $208,336.61

Special Checking Account:

May 1 2016 Special Checking Account Balance 254,505.84

May Specials Offering +8247.03

May Expenses (11,282.98)

May 31 2016 Special Checking Account Balance $251,469.89

Benevolences :

WND Synod—ELCA Benevolence 1849.60

UMM Bible Camp Benevolence 264.23

Bethel Lutheran Home Benevolence 184.96

Lutheran Social Services Benevolence 132.11

WND Synod– WND Benevolence 211.38

Total Benevolences for May $2642.28

Thrivent Mortgage Payment $7552.00

Building Loan Balance as of April 20th, 2016 $302,587.76

May Financials

“SHARE YOUR GARDEN” Members are encouraged to bring in extra produce to be offered

to other church members & people who use the food pantry.

From the Stewardship Committee:

As stated at the annual meeting and in the annual report, the Council’s goal is to keep $60,000 in the 50/50 debt retirement fund. As of the end of June 2016, the current balance in the 50/50 fund is $3,777.06. The current mort-gage payment is $6552. This will put us at a balance of $-2774.94 after we make the July payment. Please prayerfully consider a donation to the 50/50 fund as we support our “Gathering to Grow to the Glory of God” mission.

There have been approximately 25 Ministry Opportunity (Time & Talent) forms returned to the of-fice. If you have not completed one of these forms please do so as soon as possible. Forms are located in the back of the church/gathering area.

We are pleased to announce that the Above and Beyond generated $1045 dollars for our spring flower plantings & that the office computer campaign generated $1500. We greatly appreciate all who donated. When a new request is made, the Above & Beyond poster will be put back up in the gathering area. Please look for this in the coming weeks.

Please contact a Stewardship committee member if you have any questions, concerns, suggestions. Respectfully, Wendy McGinley, Kent Reierson, Rick Clemes, James Bervig, Alberta Parisian.

Prayers for Healing - Sunday, July 31

As part of the” Fifth Sunday” worship at Gloria Dei, you are invited to participate in a special time of Healing prayer at both services. God is the giver of life, and Jesus is the one who brings forgiveness, peace, healing and wholeness. You may choose to pray in your seat, you may wish to come and receive anointing with oil for your-self or someone for whom you are praying. Always we rest on the promises of our Lord and together seek God’s good and gracious will in life and in death.

10

July 3 Worship 10:00 AM





No Meeting in July or August

Naomi Njos confirmation - July 3rd

Faith News July 2016

Bill Christensen

Little Billy

Little Billy was out in his front yard throwing a ball up in the air. A passerby asked Little Billy what he was doing. He replied, “I am playing a game of catch with God. I throw the ball up in the air and God throws it back.” Let’s look at Little Billy’s theology because he is beginning to get it right. The same process applies to our religious lives. It is a good thing to “go up” and have a great experience with

God but we need to remember that eventually we have to “come down” again and live here on earth. Psalm 14:2 “The Lord looks down from heaven,”

An atheist friend of Little Billy was lamenting the fact that they did not have any holidays like Christ-mas and Easter. Little Billy thought about that for a few minutes and replied, “you do, you have a holiday you have April Fool’s Day.” “What, how’ so is that?” his friend asked. Little Billy said, “In Psalm 14 verse 1 it says: “The fool in his heart says there is no God.”

Little Billy asked his father, “Dad where did we all come from, you know how did get started here on earth?” His dad replied, “We all came from monkeys.” Little Billy wasn’t quite convinced that was how we came about so he asked his mother, “Mom where did we all come from?” His mother told him, “Well son, God created everything in the world and then God made man and woman and out of their love for each other children were born and that’s where we all got started.” “Dad told me we came from monkeys.” “Well Little Billy, Daddy told you about his side of the family, I told you about mine.” Genesis 2

Little Billy was standing looking at the table dedicated to members who lost their life in military ser-vice. The pastor walked up to him and put his arm around him and asked, “Do you know what that is? That is a memorial to all our members who died in service.” Little Billy thought for moment and asked, “Which one, the 8:30 or the 10:45 service?” Acts 7:56

Faith Lutheran Church

Nursing Home Worship As we move towards fall, I would like to invite you in joining with me in reaching out to our members and friends who are residents at Bethel

Nursing Home. Together with the care ministry team of First Lutheran we would like to create a shared ministry of prayer, song and Sac-

rament on Tuesday mornings.

Currently there are ten members/friends of Gloria Dei who are residents at Bethel. Sunday worship is provided by Pastor Betty and often is

shared with family members. What we would like to do is multiply the care and the community of both Gloria Dei and First by joining togeth-

er for shared worship (and perhaps coffee).

Would you be willing to:

+share 90 minutes of your time on Tuesdays, 2 times/month +develop relationships with residents, congregational members and friends? +serve as valets helping residents to/from worship +share a musical gift, a prayer and /or a warm friendly smile? What is the next step? Pray. Ask and listen in silence. If God is calling you to this ministry venture your heart and imagination will be stirred. Then contact the church office expressing your interest. I am hoping this chapel ministry can resume in September. Thanks for your partnership in the Gospel, Shalom - Pastor David

The Youth and Parish Ed Committees at Gloria Dei have been working together over the past few months to bring some exciting new changes to our Church School and Youth Programs for the upcoming year. While we are still working on the details, here are a few highlights that we can pass along:

Sunday and Wednesday Church School will be held for children age 3 through 4th grade. The new curriculum for this age group is “Dig In” which will have new lessons and activities for the kids.

Grades 5 – 7 will meet on Wednesdays from 6 – 7 p.m. The curriculum for this new age group is called “Grapple”. This is a curriculum specifically designed for preteens. The following is an excerpt from their website:

“The lessons in Grapple – based on real questions asked by real 10- to 12-year-olds – grab their attention and don’t let go. Kids will learn how to search the Bible for answers and build a faith foundation that guides wise choices. Each quarter of Grapple, through 12 easily-adapted lessons, plunges preteens into the Bible to find answers to their big-gest questions about relationships, faith questions and choice”

Our goal is to combine our bible lesson time with fun youth group activities and projects for this age group. We have some really fun ideas and announcements that we will announce next month so…..stay tuned!

For our youth entering grade 8, they will begin the 2 year confirmation program.

Youth in grades 8 – 12 will be invited and encouraged to attend our youth group that meets on Sunday evenings.

As the start of the school year gets closer, we will be asking the congregation to prayerfully consider ways in which they would like to help with our new and exciting youth programs. We will also have informational parent meetings for the new grade 5 - 7 youth program as well as the 8th grade parents who have kids entering confirmation.

12

Gloria Dei Ministry Staff

Pastor David Maxfield 701-572-2667 [email protected]

Gloria Dei Office Staff

Ann Nelson 701-572-2667 [email protected]

Amber Ogaard 701-572-2667 [email protected]

Tess Colebank 701-572-2667

General office email [email protected]

Faith Lutheran Church Staff

Bill Christensen 701-572-6424 [email protected]

Gloria Dei Council

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church ELCA

1821 9th Avenue West

Williston, North Dakota, 58801

Executive Committee

President - Dick McKennett

701-572-6131

Vice-President—Ashley Weisz

Treasurer - Lois Reierson

701-770-1922

Secretary - Melissa Sundby

701-774-8509

[email protected]

Committee Council Representatives

Parish Ed

Kami Dornfeld

Evangelism

Mary Schroeder

Property

Frank Weisz

Mark Telehey

Stewardship

Wendy McGinley

Worship

Linda Clemes

Youth Committee

Wendy Slotsve

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

july 2016 newsletter - razor planetjuly 2016 newsletter gloria dei lutheran church 2 from the desk...

Documents