ESTHER LUTHERAN NEWSLETTER June 2014

“Knowing Christ – Making Christ Known Through Faith, Hope and Love.”11019 625th Ave – Parkers Prairie, MN 56361 218-338-2171

email: esther@arvig.net Website: www.estherlutheran.comPastor Jeanette Bidne email: prjeanettebidne.estherlutheran@gmail.com C: 507-339-1178 H: 218-738-7112

What do you plan to grow this summer? Yesterday I walked out of the Miltona Greenhouse with three boxes of flowers and great ambitions. Now mind you, the flowers were not the finicky kind that you have to constantly fertilize, plant in special soil, and monitor temperature. Most of them were petunias, sturdy flowers that will hopefully add a little color to my back yard. Yet, although they are sturdy, come July, should the weather get warmer, the rain less frequent, I will need to give them more than a thought for them to continue to live. I need to water them and weed them for them to survive and definitely give them care for them to thrive.

During synod assembly we heard the same about faith. Faith is caught not taught. Faith is a gift from God and yet in order to grow we need to tend to it. Nurture it. Give it more than a passing thought.

How many of us have said the following to ourselves?

I should read the Bible more. I should pray more. I should help more.

I have said each of those phrases. We often fall short. In addition to giving ourselves a good dose of Lutheran guilt by this, we may also be choking the growth of our own faith, spirituality, and understanding. When we do not tend to our relationship with God and share our faith with one

another we may be more likely to miss God’s visible presence in our lives. We may even miss an opportunity for God to use our faith to help the faith of another.

Have you ever felt as if God is far away? Or that faith doesn’t matter?

By placing ourselves, as it was said at the assembly, “under the waterfall of God’s presence” through word, prayer and service, we can connect again with the truth.

That God is with us. And it does matter.

To nurture and grow our faith life can bring about joy in the midst of suffering, peace in the midst of busyness, life in the midst of death.

What do you plan to grow this summer?

United in Christ,

Pastor Jeanette

In Our PrayersScott Kreidler Wally SkoglundMyrtle ArvidsonAl FyrhieJayne ArvidsonDick ThomJennifer Bidne Sister of Pastor JeanetteMarcella Braun Grandmother of Pastor JeanetteRod Piepho Friend of our congregationEd Tasler Father of Jayne ArvidsonMax Townsend-Grandfather of Mike TownsendTanya Olson-friend of the Mike Townsend

family

Our Church Calendar

May 25th, Sixth Sunday of EasterPartnership in the GospelReadings: Luke 9:46-48Philippians 1:1-18a

June 1st, Seventh Sunday of EasterMind of ChristReadings: Luke 6:43-45Philippians 2:1-13

June 8th, Day of PentecostPentecostReadings: John 14:16-17Acts 2: 1-21

Summer Series Part 1 The Ten Commandments as Gifts (not rules!)We often think of the Ten Commandments as rules of “not-to-dos”, restrictions and restraints but what if we look at them as gifts, gifts that let us do more and live life more fully?

June 15th, Holy Trinity Sunday, 1st Sunday after Pentecost“I am the Lord Your God”Exodus 19:1-6; 20:1-2

June 22nd, 2nd Sunday after PentecostWho is the faithful one? Commandments 1-3Exodus 20:3-11

June 29th, 3rd Sunday after PentecostWho needs us to know these commandments? Commandments 4-9Exodus 20:12-16

July 6th, 4th Sunday after PentecostThe gift that keeps on giving? Commandment 10

July 13th, 5th Sunday after PentecostGod’s Tangible Word of LifeFocus Reading: 1 John 1:1-4Reading from the Gospels: John 1:14-16

Serving Us In June

Pastor: Jeanette Bidne

Organist: Marcia Guenther

Lay Reader: Joan Burquest

Acolytes: Kaylyn VeldeTanner Wambeke

Ushers: NEED VOLUNTEERS!

Communion Assistant: NEED VOLUNTEERS!

Altar Guild: Donna Pederson

Greeters: Need Volunteers!

Birthday Fellowship: Jim & Linda ArvidsonRick Guenther familyDavid Arvidson family

6/2  Darwin Hart6/2 Amber Guenther6/3  Kilen Klimek6/4 Adam Grabow6/6  Rebecca Chow6/8  Allen Fyhrie6/8  Kayla Thoennes6/9  Rachel Denny6/12 Wilbur Burquest6/15  Carrie Hart6/16 Dawn Reisig6/16 Ann Skoglund6/23  Dominic Hart6/23  Scott Hart6/25 Don Reisig6/25  Irene Peterson6/29 Haile Lenzen6/30 Bode Wagner

Thoughts about Synod Assembly by Jim Arvidson

Faith at Home, at Home in FaithThat was the theme for the Northwest Minnesota Synod Assembly held May 16 – 17 at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Special emphasis was given to practicing our faith at home with our families every day. Some of the principles for living and passing on faith include: 1. Faith is formed by the power of the Holy Spirit through personal trusted relationships – often in our own home. 2. The Church is a living partnership between the ministry of the congregation and the ministry of the home. 3. Where Christ is present in Faith, the home is Church, too. 4. Faith is caught more than it is taught. 5. If we want Christian children and youth, we need Christian adults. Pastor Jeanette, Linda, and I attended several different workshops offered including:

Language of Faith at Home, at Camp, and at Church.

Vibrant Faith at Home and Milestones Ministry .

Coaching Spiritual Vitality in your Congregation.

The New Youth Ministry. With Them, Not for Them. ELCA World Hunger. We Do More

Together. It was interesting to learn that there are 230 other Congregations in our Synod. You can definitely feel the power of the Church as a whole. We really can make a difference! In 2013 we gave over $500,000 to World Hunger and over $56,000 to the Malaria Campaign which earned us the #1 ranking out of 65 Synods. But,

there is more work to do and we can be a part of that. In fact, we could earn the Holy Cow Award for Giving! (The Holy Cow award is an award given to a congregation who raised the most money per capita towards the ELCA World Hunger Campaign.) BusinessThere were elections for the synod council. We approved financial reports, budgets, and heard an excellent report about the work of the Northwest MN Synod from Bishop Larry Wohlrabe, which through our mission support is also our work as a congregation. Three Resolutions were presented which brought some spirited debate, but all three passed. They included:

o Vibrant Faith Ministries o Campaign for the ELCA to raise $198

million – 2014 to 2018 (first ever in its history)

o Thrivent Financial Neutrality Policy Sue Ellwanger came on Saturday and gave an excellent report of the past year’s activities of the Synod Women’s Organization, of which she is a board member. We were put through 25 hours of pretty intense education and discussion, but were also inspired, motivated, and enjoyed some special worship services.

We encourage everyone to be part of this event someday and learn more about the work of the Church.

If you would like to see more details about the Assembly, go to: www.nwmnsynod.org Vibrant Ministry also has a site: www.vibrantfaith.org

An event coming up that Esther Lutheran could be part of is………. God’s Work , God’s Hands. September 7, 2014 www.elca.org/dayofservice Thank you for giving us the opportunity to attend this year’s Synod Assembly.

Jim and Linda Arvidson

Thank you to the Esther Confirmation Class for the delicious cookies that you sent to me. Your kindness is much appreciated.

Walter Heiser

Sunday, June 8th – Thursday June 12th

Esther VBS with Luther Crest at Esther Lutheran Church!

GOD'S TIME!  ALL THE TIME!

Theme Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” This summer, Luther Crest campers will be immersed in the story of Jesus through the many seasons of the church year (Advent, Christ, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost). Through this theme, we’ll learn that there is a time and season for the many journeys we take in our faith lives- times for waiting, times for excitement, times for joy, times for sorrow, times for reflection, and more. Learn more at: www.luthercrest.org

A Sunday morning kickoff at worship will begin our week of VBS, with students gathering in the evenings to sing and learn about God’s Love. Sunday through Wednesday, supper will be served each evening at 5 pm with VBS to follow. On Thursday evening there will be a potluck

supper at 6 pm for the entire family and congregation. A short program will follow supper. Forms have been mailed out to families, if you need another one, or your family has been missed; please contact the church office.

WELCA April MeetingApril 8, 2014

Checking Account balance: $436 Memorial Fund balance: $7,712

Business: Voted to donate the following:

$25 Target & $25 Wal-Mart gift cards to Triennial Convention/Gathering

$200/yr for 3 years to Luther Crest capital campaign towards W/ELCA cabin

$150 towards VBS $100 towards Pastor Jeanette's expenses to

Triennial Gathering

Upcoming important events: May 25 - High School Senior Recognition

Potluck - Circle 3 hosting. June 8 - All women meeting at Esther

following worship. Sept 12-13 - NW MN SWO Convention

Crookston.

Esther W/ELCA wishes to acknowledge the following donations to our ‘kitchen fund’

Edward Becker Memorial $300.00 Mary & Ken Robinson $196.00

(Thrivent Dollars) Delmar & Margaret Wehking $100.00

All of the above monies were donated to our kitchen fund.

Why go to North Carolina in July?

In 2012, Esther sent several youth to the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA but did you know that there is a gathering event for Women of the ELCA? From July 24-27 thousands of ELCA women with come together in Charlotte, North Caroline to hear featured speakers, attend workshops, spark conversations and draw on experiences in our own congregations. A chance to share successes, failures and lessons renewing and learning for the next generation. The theme verse for our time together is from Isaiah 58:12:“Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.”

Sue Ellwanger is attending the Triennial Gathering as a delegate of the Northwestern Minnesota and will be a voting member for the business portion of the Gathering.

Pastor Jeanette is attending the Triennial Gathering as the Northwestern Minnesota Young Women’s Grant Recipient.

This gathering is open to any woman in the ELCA to attend.To find out more check out the Triennial Gathering Website:http://www.welcatg.org/

An outdoor worship service is being planned for Sunday, July 13th at Rodney Peterson’s home. Worship will be at 10:00 a.m. with potluck to follow. We are hoping to make this a community event. Rodney will also be hosting an Open House that afternoon following potluck until 3 pm for those who would like to spend time together (and see his African mounts). Please watch for further details!

Youth Garage Sale will be:Fri., June 20th, 12-7Sat., June 21st, 8-12

At the Dave & Nancy Bunde residence 1008 Acorn Lane

Parkers Prairie

Please let Joan Burquest know if you have anything that you would like to donate towards the garage sale and we will get it picked up or it can be dropped off at Bunde's on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday before the sale.  Joan's cell 218-640-7827Joan's home 943-2232

When you are ready to recycle your Easter Garden, please consider bringing the components back to church. The Sunday School can use them for another fun project!

Esther church council would like to make you aware of the following: In the past few months Esther's checkbook balance has been very low, as

we approach the months of summer and traveling please consider your giving to help keep the ministries of Esther going strong and keep us on track with our budget.Please consider giving at this time:

If you are going to be away for parts of the summer

If you need to catch-up on your pledges for the year

And if you'd like this announcement to disappear from our bulletins, newsletters, and emails!

Kitchen ProposalThe members of the kitchen committee met and have proposed the following to be voted on at the June 8th meeting following worship.

To install drawers with plate dividers on the serving counter.

24” flip up and down wings on both ends of the serving island, with the materials to match the existing counter top.

Purchasing 4” commercial stainless pulls for the drawers and cupboards in the kitchen.

To purchase 3 Service carts. A “ hands free” automatic sink for washing

hands ‘Hands free” towel dispenser “Hands free” soap dispenser

The cost for the hardware and materials to complete the drawers and flip up ends is: $976.00Labor for this project: $500.00

Total cost is estimated at $1476.00

The (55) stainless steel pulls $102.30

The 3 service carts: $600.00

Hand washing sink: $414.00(does not include installation)

Towel dispenser: $59.00Towels for such per case: $38.00

Soap dispenser: $27.00Soap refills: $19.00

Below are items that we have been asked to obtain prices for:

42 oz. Coffee Carafes (lots of 12): $94.56

Rectangle 8’ tables (poly tops): $190.00

Round 60” tables (poly tops): $265.00

Deluxe plastic folding chairs: $44.00

Double Ovens: Range in price from $1500-$2000.00 (does not include the cabinet that would need to be built or the installation)

There is approximately $5,000.00 in the memorial/saving fund that can be used to fund this project.

We ask that you stay for the meeting following worship on June 8th and vote on what you would like to see finished in the kitchen.

If you would like to hear more about the proposal, have any other ideas or comments about the proposal for the kitchen please bring them to the kitchen committee members prior to the meeting: Linda Arvidson, Vicky Arvidson, Steph Stueve or Sue Ellwanger.

Explanation by the kitchen committee of why the proposed items have been given priority will be included at the meeting.

Honor Court at EstherCongratulations to Spencer Pomeranz on receiving his Eagle Scout, the highest badge awarded in the

Boy Scouts of America. An Eagle Honor Court was held at Esther on May 24th. With him in the picture

is his mom, Lorrie who was instrumental in his scout achievements.

Thanks to all who helped at the Esther Lutheran workday for Habitat for Humanity!

On Sunday May 25th, we recognized two of our high school graduating seniors, Jacob Bunde and Spencer Pomeranz in worship, as well as Lance Klimek, not able to with us, with prayers and blessings. A potluck lunch reception was held following worship to allow the members of Esther to congratulate and wish these two fine young men Goddspeed in their next adventure in life. The ladies of the congregation also gave each graduate a blanket to remind them of Esther. Jake is planning to attend North Dakota State University in Grand Forks and Spencer is planning to attend Normandale College in the Twin Cities.

Jake with his parents, Dave and Nancy Bunde

Spencer Pomeranz with his mom, Lorrie Pomeranz.

Scattered 2 ServeLuther Crest Bible Camp Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities for June

1.  PAINTING:  Luther Crest has 5 outdoor, overnight campout spaces that could use a new coat of paint.  We also have a swing set that needs to be painted as well.

2. GARDENING/LANDSCAPING:  Luther Crest has several flower gardens, an organic vegetable garden and the Hope Lives Memorial Garden that need a little TLC, cleaning, weeding, hoeing, planting, etc.

3.  WOOD SPLITTING/MAKING KINDLING:  We have a wood pile that we would like to get ready for all the campfires and campouts this summer. Dale can help get you hooked up with the equipment we have to split the wood OR you are welcome to bring your own splitter.

4.  NEW SCREENS:  2 of our campout circle shelters need to have the old, patched screens replaced with new screens to keep out the mosquitoes, etc.  We are very grateful to Family of Christ in Chanhassen for their volunteer work in fixing up 2 of our shelters earlier this Spring!

To volunteer today OR if you have questions, Contact Jody Johnson at 320-846-2431, ext. 13 or jodyj@luthercrest.org.

January 2009Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

�Worship w/Holy Communion, 10 AM

2 3 4Church Council 7 pm

5

PrayerShawl Ministry, 1 PMGloria Rosenquist’s

6 7

8�Worship 10 AM

All ladies W/ELCA meeting-following worship

VBSSupper 5 pm

9

VBSSupper 5 pmClass and Fun5:30 – 8:30

10

VBSSupper 5 pmClass and Fun5:30 – 8:30

11

VBSSupper 5 pmClass and Fun5:30 – 8:30

12

VBS POTLUCK6 PMPROGRAM TO FOLLOW

13 14

15

Birthday Fellowship 9:30�Worship w/Holy Communion 10 AM.

16 17 18 19 20 21

22

�Worship 10 AM.

23 24 25 26 27 28

29

�Worship 10 AM

30Save the Date!Outdoor WorshipJuly 13th 10 am

AtRodney Peterson’s! Potluck to follow

Save the Date!AnnualIce CreamSocialJuly 27th