November 2014 - storage.cloversites.comstorage.cloversites.com/swedesburgevangelicallutheranc…  · Web viewThe average person will spend five years of their life waiting. Waiting

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Awhile back I saw a field of beans being combined, a sign that harvest would soon be in full motion. Well, as you know, there are still beans out in the field, and we’re not at the point that we’d like to be.

It’s hard to wait, isn’t it? Waiting in line at the store; waiting for my Kansas City Royals to win another World Series (Some of you were not even born when this happened last); waiting for a report from the doctor; waiting for healing; waiting to hear from family or friends; waiting for good weather reports; waiting for another successful harvest. We all play the waiting game.

You perhaps have seen the statistics on how many hours of our lives are spent doing various things. For example, we spend anywhere from one-fourth to one-third of our lives sleeping. The average person will spend five years of their life waiting. Waiting for our turn at the checkout counter; for our wife, husband, or children to get ready; for good weather; the list goes on and on. I don’t know about you, but I must admit that I sometimes get a bit impatient when I’m in a situation where I must wait.

A Bible verse that comes to mind is the words from Proverbs 3:5-6. They are words that are sometimes chosen for a Confirmation verse, and

Newsletter- November 2014

they are certainly applicable for such an occasion: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”They are words for all of us to live by each day. Especially in times of waiting. What a witness we can be to those around us when in the midst of adversity we can trust that God is leading and guiding us, wanting the best for our lives. As our psalm for Reformation Sunday proclaims: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam; though the mountains tremble with its tumult…The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.” (Psalm 46:1-3, 11) God is with us; we are not alone in this life. I am thankful for this!

One way that we can show our thankfulness to God, for all of God’s blessings, is by joining together for our Thanksgiving Eve worship service. What a witness of our gratitude this will be as we join our voices in thankfulness and praise on Wednesday, November 26, at 7:00 p.m. It will truly be a time to thank God for all of the many blessings of our lives. For family and friends, for a Christian community that truly loves and cares about one another, and for the blessings of the harvest. I hope to see you there!

Love in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Fall Sunday Schedule 8:30 a.m. Prayer time in the library 8:30 a.m. Confirmation in the parsonage 9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School in the Parish Hall,

electric rm. 9:00 a.m. Sunday School in the basement 9:00 a.m. Choir rehearsal10:00 a.m. Worship

ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE

The Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church will meet for our annual meeting on Sunday, January 25, 2015. Please remember that Confirmed members need to commune and/or have a contribution on record by the end of 2014 in order to vote at this meeting.

ThankofferingThankoffering is a time-honored tradition with women in the ELCA. Our foremothers held Thankoffering services, mainly in the fall, to give thanks for God’s faithfulness at harvest time. Today’s women give thanks for what God has done and is doing in our lives throughout the year. These offerings support the church-wide ministry of Women of the ELCA to multiply the mission work of our church. We encourage all of our Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church women to support this annual offering. The enclosed envelope may be placed in the church offering plates during the month of November.

School KitsThanks to everyone’s generosity, WELCA packaged and sent 61 school kits, weighing 200 pounds, in 9

boxes. Thanks to Wayne and Leah Woline for driving the packages for delivery to Cedar Rapids. Thank you to everyone who donated to this worthwhile project.

Social MinistryThe SELC Social Ministry Committee is gathering snow boots and tennis shoes for children at the WMU School. It would be great if these are new, but they can also be items that are in good condition. Please place these gifts in the baskets in the narthex and west entrance to the church.

Congregation Council and Church Finance Notes

The Council met on Thursday, October 16, 2014. Meeting minutes are posted in the church narthex bulletin board when they become available. Council minutes are also available in the church office. The next regular Council meeting will be Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

Financial Report 2014 General Fund Activity (as of October 27)

Gifts $160,426.17Ministry Expenses $153,966.85Mission Support Submitted $9,201.78Net Income ($2,742.46)

SmorgasbordA “getting started” Smorgasbord meeting was held following worship Sunday, October 12, 2014 in a Sunday School room of the church basement. The purpose of course was to “Get Started” on the 76th nearly continuous annual event. Interested persons were welcomed. Discussed items included all aspects of this service project that is sponsored by the church. Everything will be as in the past pending contact and acceptance with two exceptions. Because of crop failures the past two years the source for brown beans has exhausted their inventory and therefore they will not be available at this year’s event. And secondly, sadly because of the rising cost of supplies ticket cost will be raised to seventeen dollars.

As usual Smorgasbord tickets will go on sale the first Monday in November in the Parish Hall (November 3 at 9 a.m.) at 201 Academy Avenue, Swedesburg. Only a limited number will be available.

Sign-up sheets are available in the narthex for helpers; all congregation members are encouraged to sign up

for one or more preparation tasks, many hands make any task easier. Work sessions for Ostakaka, Apple Kaka and Rice Pudding will be a part of the signup sheets along with the four days of preparation before that first Thursday in December which falls on the fourth for 2014.

Luther League Baked Potato Bar Fundraiser

Luther League is hosting a Baked Potato Bar on Sunday, November 2, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Parish Hall. Make certain you bring your friends!

SELC Churchmen Pancake Breakfast Mark your calendars for a pancake breakfast at the Parish Hall on Sunday, November 9, from 7 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Come and enjoy pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice, milk and coffee.

The Churchmen Group hosts the breakfast as a freewill-offering fundraiser for local efforts to alleviate world hunger through the Foods Resource Bank of Henry County (check them out at: foodsresourcebank.org). This is a Thrivent sponsored event!

Evangelism CommitteeThe Evangelism Committee met on October 13. Unbinding your Soul study was reviewed. It was decided to continue with chapters 5 through 8. The radio program was discussed and it has been asked of the radio station that we need to know the exact time of our broadcast. The “Welcome Table” began and included baked goods. The hayride details were reviewed. Thanks to all who provided food. We have had a couple of students from IWC visit. One of the students was at the IWC Community Day. In new

business, new members were discussed. Pastor Mark will be attending continuing education October 22-24 in Loveland, Colorado. Movie night has been tabled until the next meeting. Closed in prayer. The next meeting will be January 12, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.

Welcome TableThe Evangelism Committee has begun a “Welcome Table.” If you are a visitor or have not been in the Swedesburg area recently please stop by the “Welcome Table” basket to pick up a baked gift. We are glad to see you!

Sunday School NewsWe'll be starting practice for the Christmas program. The youth are especially encouraged to participate in as many rehearsals as possible. Here's our schedule:

Nov. 2- Abram Follows God Nov. 9 - God makes A Covenant with Abram Nov. 16- Introduce Christmas program / Special

Craft Nov. 23 - Christmas program practice / Service

Project Nov. 30- Thanksgiving Break.

We will have a noisy offering every Sunday during worship in November. Offerings will be going to ELCA World Hunger. Please start saving your change.

Parents, you may have noticed that each lesson builds upon previous lessons as we work our way through the book of Genesis. While the Kids Own Worship®

curriculum we use in Sunday School is designed so that lessons can stand alone, regular attendance provides for a deeper, richer understanding of how God acts in our lives and how all of the Word is interconnected. Also, by attending Sunday School on a regular basis, kids build relationships with each other

and with their teachers, and we love to see your children on Sunday mornings!

Advent & Christmas. We’ll be taking a break from regular lessons for a special time to focus on the seasons of Advent and Christmas. This will include practice for the Christmas Program, as well as several Advent related activities, such a special crafts, service projects and games. This is always an especially fun time in Sunday School! Please plan to have your children attend as many rehearsals as possible, if they are interested in being in this year's program.

A Night in BethlehemThe Christmas Program is coming! Mark your calendars for December 14th. The children of Swedesburg ELCA will present the play "A Night in Bethlehem" during worship that day at church. It is VERY important that your child be present for rehearsals starting November 9th at 9:00 a.m. We’ll assign parts that day and start running lines.

November 9: First rehearsal: 9 a.m. November 16th: Rehearsal: 9 a.m. November 23rd: Rehearsal 9 a.m. November 30th: NO SUNDAY SCHOOL:

Thanksgiving Break December 7th: Rehearsal: 9 a.m. SATURDAY December 13th: 9 a.m.-12: Dress

rehearsal and pizza party Sunday, December 14th: Rehearsal 9 a.m. then

PERFORMANCE at 10 a.m.

If your child will not be participating in this year’s program, please let Becky know! Becky Rauenbuehler: [email protected], or 319.931.1527 or 319.986.6820

Tanzania Companion Coordinators

The Tanzania Companion Coordinators did a fabulous job raising funds through their silent auction. They would like to thank everyone who donated to their auction. All the items have been sold, if you have not picked yours up it is still in the green Sunday School room. Be sure to pick up your item soon.

Confirmation HappeningsOn Sunday, October 19 fun was had by all as they traveled to the corn maze in Donnellson for some fun and fellowship. Following are a few pictures of the fun.

Choir UpdatesWelcome Blake Wickham as our new Choir Director. Sunday choir rehearsals will start at 9:00 a.m. At this time, there will be no Wednesday rehearsals.

PoinsettiasThose wishing to order a poinsettia to help decorate the church sanctuary during Advent and Christmas should contact Lynn Graf, or Mary McLerran in the church office at 319-254-2216. Each poinsettia costs $13.00 each. Checks should be made out to “Lori's Loft” and either be given to Lynn Graf or left at the church office. The deadline for poinsettia orders will be Sunday, November 23. Thank you to all who help by providing flowers for our church.

Stewardship Commitment Sunday is Nov. 23

Information has been mailed to all SELC families along with Time and Talent, Church Information forms and an estimate of giving form.

Please return your Time & Talent sheet(s), Information for Church Records, and Estimate of Giving form on or before Sunday, November 23rd. Anyone who did not receive a Stewardship packet and would like to have one should contact Mary McLerran in the church at 319-254-2216 or email: [email protected].

Forms are due by November 23 so that information may be included in the new 2015 Membership Directory.

Evangelism’s Hayride and Hot Dog Roast pictures

Lutheran Services in Iowa

November is National Adoption MonthNovember is National Adoption Month, a time to celebrate the power of adoption and to raise awareness about children waiting to be adopted into a forever family.

Nationally, there are more than 101,000 children waiting to be adopted from the U.S. foster care system. LSI is a partner agency in Iowa KidsNet, the statewide collaboration of agencies that helps find safe homes for foster children, and LSI foster care and post-adoption support staff are helping families every day to care for children in the foster care system, whether for a few days or for a lifetime through adoption.

Thank you for being a partner in helping Iowa children feel safe, secure and loved during difficult times! LSI is proud to

be an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Learn more at www.LSIowa.org and www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa.

“Our three special children”With their oldest children grown, Shirley and her husband Ed decided the time was right to fill up their home again. They began taking foster parent classes in Mason City, never imagining they would later adopt three young children. First, Shirley and Ed worked to help those children reunify with their birth mother. When it became clear that children would need an adoptive home, Shirley and Ed stepped up.

“When we got into foster care we never imagined we would adopt,” Shirley said. “The birth mother was very appreciative that we would do that for the kids. We talked to our biological kids to see if they were on board with us, and we did a lot of praying.” It’s a story that shows how foster parents not only can help kids, but birth parents, too. The siblings’ birth mother continues to visit them weekly.

“This family was truly champions at birth family interaction,” said Josh, an LSI foster care staff. “Adoption was never their intent, but these children touched their lives, and they made great decisions. They did things the right way without ever losing sight of their role in actively working towards permanency for these children.” “I think their mother said it perfectly,” Shirley recalled. “She said, ‘This isn’t the perfect solution, but you will only have that many more people to love you. Shirley and Ed will take good care of you.’ And she is so right. If we can keep working together, they will have a whole tribe of people to love and care for them. The ultimate goal for my whole family is to make a difference in the life of a child, and in this case, the lives of our three special children.”

See more stories, past and present, at LSI’s anniversary website: www.LSIowa.org/150.

Thank you’s received

Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is blessed to have been able to share our mission in your church on Sunday, October 5.

Thank you for your hospitality. We hope our message gave you a better understanding of the role LSI plays in bringing critical human services to Iowa’s children, families and individuals, done in partnership with you, your church and the three Iowa synods of the ELCA. If you would like more detail about LSI and the services it offers, please contact Deb Whitford at [email protected] or 563-322-7419.

Joyce Williams | Advancement AssistantAdvancement & Church Relations, LSI

Thank you so very much for your generous donation of $147 for our students afternoon milk. We very much appreciate your help and thoughtfulness.

Don LeBlanc, Principal, Van Allen Elementary SchoolMt. Pleasant Community School

For the month of October, the Social Ministry Committee collected 20 bags/boxes for the Fellowship Cup Food drive. Thank you from the Social Ministry Committee for the generous donations.

Office HoursDue to the Thanksgiving Holiday, the church office WILL be open on Monday, November 24 and will be CLOSED on Friday, November 28.

December Newsletter DeadlineThe deadline to have your information listed in the December newsletter is Thursday, November 20, at 5 p.m. Submit your items to Mary McLerran in the church office at 254-2216 or email Mary in the office at [email protected]. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, this deadline will not be able to be extended.

Please note that this monthly newsletter is available on our website at swedesburglutheran.org. It is located under “calendar”, then “newsletter”, click on the month you wish to read. Also, watch the SELC website’s online calendar for any changes that may occur during the month.

Reminder about Federal Privacy Laws

Because of Federal Privacy Laws (HIPPA), if you or a member of your family are hospitalized, and would like Pastor Mark to visit, you must contact the church and let us know. While the hospital may ask what church you are affiliated with and you ask the hospital to contact your pastor, they usually do not. You can reach the church office at (319) 254-2216.

The Dala HorseThe Swedish American Museum has a new resident. Arriving on September 17, 2014 from Sparta, Wisconsin the 14 foot fiberglass Dala Horse was met by an enthusiastic group of Swedesburg people. The red-orange color of the horse with its kurbit of blue, white, green and read now brightens the southeast corner of the Museum property. We guarantee you can’t miss the Dala Horse when you arrive! Congratulations to the Museum.

CONGREGATION REFLECTIONS

THANKS ARE DUE . . .for the Stewardship committee for folding and stuffing all the stewardship materials for each member of our congregation.for Pr. David Aanonson who led us in Worship on Sunday, October 26.for Rev. Elisa Mrutu and people of Ngaeni Lutheran Parish, our partner congregation in Tanzania.

PRAY FOR . . .the family of Margaret Pauline Johnson, who died October 8, 2014 in California. Pr. Mark Youngquist officiated the graveside service at SELC on October 20.the family of C. Wendell Anderson, who died October 17, 2014 in Pella, Iowa and was buried at SELC on Wednesday, October 22.Debbie Swanson, who writes: Dear Swedesburg Lutheran church family,I would like to ask urgent prayer for God's direction and leading and perhaps divine intervention in the way of a miracle. If God does not intervene, I will be relocating to Rapid City, South Dakota by June 2015,

possibly sooner. The thought of leaving everything familiar and secure and comfortable in my life, including my music ministry here at church, and living 800 miles away from my children and other family, breaks my heart. the thought of not being able to share my life with the man God brought to me in a very miraculous way two years ago, who I have experienced true love with for the first time in my life, also breaks my heart. I am afraid. I am heartbroken. I am confused. I desperately need God's comfort and peace and clear direction in my life in all of this. Thank you so much for caring, and for praying. Debbie Swansonfriends and loved ones experiencing health concerns.for Pastor Elisa Mrutu and people of Ngaeni Lutheran Parish, our partner congregation in Tanzania.ELCA missionaries Rev. Brian and Christine Palmer in Liberia.

Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church1897 140th Street, P. O. Box 88,Swedesburg, Iowa 52652-0088

Telephone (319) 254-2216www.swedesburglutheran.org emails: [email protected] or [email protected]