Elim Lutheran Church The Messenger September 2018 Pastor Katherine Kolodziejczyk Gayle Nelson, Church Secretary Cell Phone: (419) 467-5391 Church Phone: (785) 546-2244 Email: [email protected]Email: [email protected]Elim Lutheran Church website: www.elimmarquette.org Pastor’s Ponderings . . . As some of you may know a few weeks ago I went to Luther Seminary to attend a continuing education event entitled, “Rethinking Stewardship.” My ponderings continue on stewardship and what can be done about the problem of not taking in as much money each week as the expenses require. As a young woman whenever I heard the words stewardship and evangelism, I cringed and mentally said to myself, “Oh no.” Here we go again - they are either going to talk to us about money or want us to do something. At that point I was so shy, doing anything was scary to me. I went to worship and talked to a few people I knew well and went home to hide in my own little world. God forbid anyone ask me to do something or tell someone about Jesus. When I was first married I asked why my father-in-law didn’t attend church with my mother-in-law. My answer was a story about a priest visiting my in-laws’ home one day. You see, the Catholic church they attended had built a new facility. The church believed that each contributing member should give 10% (a tithe) of their paycheck to pay for this new building. The priest was very insistent. If you knew my father-in-law you would know that tactic would not work with him. He practically threw the priest out of the house, telling him that he had six mouths to feed and there was no way he could give that amount. Furthermore, he would never set foot in the church again. Needless to say, he was very angry with the priest. Through all my married days the only time Chet, my father-in-law, set foot in a church was for a wedding, a funeral, or the grandchildren’s baptisms and confirmations (and he didn’t make all of those). Chet had been so upset he never forgot that day. With that story in mind I understand why people, even myself, feel a bit nervous and anxious whenever the word stewardship is spoken. By now you might know my love for words. So when I hear the word stewardship, I pull it apart and make several words out of it, such as stew and hardship. I would never want anyone to not attend worship because they were in turmoil about what they could or could not give. Finances do put us in a bit of a stew when there isn’t enough money to pay the bills. I also do not want giving to be a hardship either. What you give is between you and God. I would love to say that I learned so much at the conference I attended that I could take a magic wand and wave it, and all the churches in need of financial help could/would be helped. Most mainline denominations are in financial difficulties. Unfortunately, we all know better than believing in magic wands. So, what is rethinking stewardship? Rethinking stewardship is about the idea that everything we have belongs to God. Rethinking stewardship is about giving to God because we have a relationship with God. Rethinking stewardship is about giving to God so that others too might hear the word of God and know him. You know, it is humorous that in the New Testament one of the things that Jesus talked about more than any other is about money, yet we as humans have a terrible time discussing it. Another thing that I learned is that money is one of the things humans talk about least. We are a very private people on that subject. I wonder if you have ever talked about that with even family members. I remember my children asking how much we made in a year or a week. They were very firmly told it was none of their business. Can’t say I’ve changed all
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Elim Lutheran Church
The Messenger
September 2018
Pastor Katherine Kolodziejczyk Gayle Nelson, Church Secretary
Cell Phone: (419) 467-5391 Church Phone: (785) 546-2244
There will be an orientation for students entering the 7th and 8th grade
confirmation class and their parents on Wednesday, September 5 at 6:30 PM.
Supper will be provided. If you know of anyone entering those grades, please let
them know about the orientation. Also, please let Pastor or the church office
know if you are planning to attend, as curriculum will be distributed at this time.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call Pr. Katherine at (419) 467-5391.
Prayers
Please keep in prayer: Dan Morel, Darrell Martin, Mark Cook (Pastor Cross’ son-in-law), Don Lundquist, Ronnie Larson, Sarah Jane Smith, Diane Deckard, Mary Olson, Tim Thatcher (nephew of Pr. Katherine), Helen Weber, and Pastor Rick Raymer of the Zion Lutheran Church in Beloit, KS.
Elim strives to extend the power of prayer to those who feel they would benefit from it. New prayer requests will be taken at any time. Contact Pastor Katherine at (419) 467-5391 or the church office: leave a note on the bulletin board, call (785) 546-2244 (do not leave voice mail message), or email [email protected].
~ CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES ~
Church Council – Met August 6. Discussed plans for Rally Sunday, Blessing of the Backpacks, and God’s Work, Our Hands projects scheduled for September 9. Worship & Music – No meeting. Finance & Stewardship – No meeting. Letter to congregation discussed. Evangelism –No meeting. Back to School Swim Party scheduled for August 19. God’s Work, Our Hands projects discussed. Social Ministry –No meeting. Christian Education – Met August 6. Discussed Sunday School teachers, Youth Group, and Rally Sunday/Blessing of Backpacks. Property –No meeting. Plumbing project completed at parsonage. Sanctuary clock repair scheduled Memorial – No meeting. New members due for selection/approval October 1, 2018. Elim Cookbook Committee: - No meeting. Cookbooks arriving in September. Will be available at town locations. Security Committee: Met August 6. Discussed replacing doors for safety and efficiency, and installing security cameras. Next meeting to be held on September 4, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP
High School Youth Group begins Wednesday, September 12 with a meal at 6:30 PM. ALL high school youth
are welcome! If you’d like your student to be sent text reminders for any events or volunteer opportunities,
please text Hannah Jones at (620) 755-7520. Our first project will be the fleece tied blankets for Lutheran
World Relief. These will be packaged along with the care kits from WELCA in October. We’re looking forward
to seeing everyone again, and for newcomers too!
ELIM LIFE GROUP
September meetings will be Wednesday, September 5 at 7:30 PM (following the Confirmation Class
Orientation), and September 19 at 7:00 PM. Come as you are, bring a snack if you like, and join us in the Elim
Lutheran Parish Hall. All adults, young and old, are welcome, so invite a friend and join us for a time a
fellowship, scripture, prayer, inspiration, encouragement and support for one another. The session is very
informal. We welcome you to share your beliefs, concerns, and/or blessings with others. We also encourage
parents who are dropping off children for Confirmation Class or Youth Group to join us. Let Kelly French or
Jeremy Snapp know in advance if childcare will be needed so that arrangements can be made in the church
basement. Visit Elim’s website (elimmarquette.org) or Facebook page for more information. We hope to see