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THE PARISH VISITOR

Wannaska Lutheran Parish, ELCA

Bethesda               Pine Grove               Riverside

 Paul C. Koch, Pastor

luthpaul@gmail.com

P. O. Box 38             Wannaska, MN 56761

Vol. 46  No. 1                                                     January  2012

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The New Life For The New Year

Life Is a Journey. I will live it trustingly.

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow…I will fear no evil, Thou art with me.” (Psa.23:4)

Life Is a Task. I will live it obediently.

“We keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 3:22)

Life Is a Mission. I will live it helpfully.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another.” (Eph. 4:32)

Life Is a Contest. I will live it earnestly.

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit ye like men, be strong.” (! Cor. 16:13)

Life Is a Battle. I will live it courageously.

“Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid; for the Lord thy God is with thee.” (Josh. 1:9)

Frank Ellsworth Bigelow

 

 

  

QUICK MONTHLY SCHEDULE:

Wannaska Parish Schedule

January Worship

Holy Communion – January 8

January 1 January 8

9:45 – Bethesda 8:30 – Pine Grove

11:00 – Riverside 9:45 – Bethesda

11:00 - Riverside

January 15 January 22 January 29

8:30 – Riverside 8:30 – Riverside 8:30 – Pine Grove

9:45 – Pine Grove 9:45 – Bethesda 9:45 – Bethesda

11:00 – Bethesda 11:00 – Pine Grove 11:00 – Riverside

Annual Meeting Annual Meeting Annual Meeting

Sunday School at Riverside begins January 8 at 9:45 a.m.

Bethesda and Pine Grove do not have Sunday School in January

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Confirmation Schedule – 7:00 & 8:00 pm

January 5 – Twelfth Night at Pine Grove, 6:30 pm

January 11 – Bethesda

January 18 – Pine Grove

January 25 – Riverside

 

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Worship on New Year’s

Worship on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day!

Sing your favorite Christmas carols!

Pine Grove Lutheran Church

Sat. Dec. 31 – 7:00 pm

(No Sunday morning service at Pine Grove)

Bethesda Lutheran Church

Sun. Jan. 1 – 9:45 am

Riverside Lutheran Church

Sun. Jan. 1 – 11:00 am

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Twelfth Night Bonfire

Bethesda, Pine Grove & Riverside Churches  invite everyone to bring their Christmas trees & other greens for a bonfire.

We’ll start with a fun Craft Project, then enjoy the Fire, Worship and Treats.

Where: Pine Grove Lutheran Church

When: Thurs. Jan. 5, 2012 – 6:30 pm

 

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Parish on Facebook
Melvin Ellefson has created a page for the Wannaska Lutheran Parish on Facebook.  It has pictures and information about our churches, a
calendar, and a link to our website.  Those who don't use Facebook can find the page by going online to Google and typing in "Wannaska
Lutheran Parish Facebook."

 

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"Luther: The Graphic Novel" Just Released
Concordia Publishing House has just published  a new graphic novel (sort of like a comic book) about Martin Luther. It tells the story of the man who headed a revolution that still echoes throughout the world, for readers ages 12 and up. Reading this book or giving it as a gift would be a fun way to celebrate Reformation Sunday, which is at the end of October. There is also a game you can play on the Concordia website.  For more information, go to www.cph.org/luthernovel or call 1-800-325-3040.

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Read the Bible in a Year on Parish Website

The parish website has a link to daily Bible readings that allow you to read the entire Bible in one year. The readings start on January 1st with the beginning of Genesis.

Now is a great time to start!

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  SPECIAL EVENTS:  
 

Youth News 

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Food Shelf at Riverside—all people are encouraged to bring staple items to the shelf. 

 

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News:

Pathways Urges LOWBC Registration by March 15
Pathways Bible Camps sent out an urgent message to all who are interested in attending Bible camp this summer at Lake of the Woods.  March 15th is the early bird deadline for registration.  After that date, the Pathways staff will decide whether or not to program their planned weeks at Lake of the Woods Bible Camp.  They write: “It is important to note that for Pathways to responsibly move forward with summer programming at LOWBC, we will need to meet a minimum amount of registrations by this date.”  They will base their decision on the number of registrations received by March 15th, so it is important to turn registrations in before then.  More information about the upcoming summer at camp can be found at www.pathwaysbiblecamps.com or by calling 218-751-4208.  

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Parish to Sing the Psalms

This summer, starting with the first Sunday in June, we will sing the Psalms during worship. We did this during our midweek services in Lent. The Psalms were originally written to be sung, and they are written in our hymnal in such a way that singing them is easy.

 

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Pastor Koch’s Catechism/Bible Songs Available Online

A year ago Pastor Koch rapped the books of the Bible during midweek Lenten services, the same raps he uses with release time students. Some people asked him for recordings of those raps, and he said he would create CDs, but then the CD burner on his computer stopped working. So, he created a website that has all raps for the books of the Bible, as well as the raps and songs he has made to help confirmation students memorize the Catechism. If you would like to listen to those songs and raps, go to: www.SoundCloud.com/CatechismKoch.

At that website, you can listen to the songs or download any of them to your computer or iPod.

 

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LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE – LSS

 

Lutheran Social Service in partnership with the community of Roseau provides senior meals to people 60 and older living in and around the Roseau area.  These meals are served daily at the Four Seasons Senior Center.

 

The meals are served at 11:45 AM.  The senior diners coming to the center can enjoy time together while enjoying a nutritious meal.  Milk and dessert are included with every meal.  Meals on Wheels are also available for seniors that find it hard to get out of their home and come to the senior center. If you are interested in joining the group for a meal or having a meal delivered, please contact the dining manager, Tammy at 463-1331 for more information.

 

LSS asks a confidential suggested donation of $3.50 per meal, but no one is refused a meal based on their donation.  Lutheran Social Service is funded in part with federal funds under contract with the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Land of the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging as a part of the Older American Act.

 

If you, or someone you know may be interested in learning more about the LSS Senior Nutrition Program or if you would be interested in learning how you can volunteer to help the program continue, please contact Tammy at the number above, or call the Moorhead office at 1-800-488-4146.

 

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Pray for our parish military

                                                Parents

Terry Englund                           Venessa Englund

Daniel Skime                            Tim and Ulrike Skime

Georgia Jesme Mitchell             Curtis and Mary Ann Jesme

Luke Lisell                                Dwight and Becky Lisell

Travis Anderson                       Dan and Shireen Anderson

.  If you know of additional names, please call the church office at 425-7782.

Our Parish Military Addresses

PV2 Daniel Skime                                CPT Luke Lisell                      

C Troop 3-4 Cav                                 1121 Old FM 440, Apt. 5-104

FOB Sykes                                          Killeen TX 76549

APO AE 09351

                                                CW2 Travis Anderson

MSGT Georgia (Jesme) Mitchell           3rd AVN BDE 31D

MNFI C2/C1OC/C2X/DOCEX          2/3 B CO. CAB          

Camp Slayer                                        Unit 43403      

APO AE 09342-1400                          APO AE 09322-3403 

Remember with thanksgiving the people who serve in the military.  We remember him whose love includes people of all nations—our Lord Jesus who gave his life for all of us. 

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PARISH NURSE NEWS

A Message from the Parish Nurses

God’s 26 Guards

Here’s a message that will bring you chills.

Have you ever felt the urge to pray for someone and then just put it on a list and said, “I’ll pray for them later?” Or has anyone ever called you and said, “I need you to pray for me, I have this need?”

Read the following story that was sent to me and may it change the way that you may think about prayer and also the way you pray…you will be blessed by this…

A missionary on furlough told this true story while visiting his home church in Michigan. While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, every two weeks I traveled by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies. This was a journey of two days and required camping overnight at the halfway point.

On one of these journeys I arrived in the city where I planned to collect money from a bank, purchase medicine, and supplies, and then begin my two-day journey back to the field hospital. Upon arrival in the city, I observed two men fighting, one of whom had been injured. I treated him for his injuries and at the same time talked to him about the Lord. I then traveled two days, camping overnight, and arrived home without incident.

Two weeks later I repeated my journey. Upon arriving in the city, I was approached by the young man I had treated. He told me that he had known

I carried money and medicines. He said, “Some friends and I followed you in the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight. We planned to kill you and take your money and drugs, but just as we were about to move into your camp, we saw that you were surrounded by 26 guards.”

At this, I laughed and said that I was certainly all alone in that jungle campsite. The young man pressed the point, however, and said, “No, sir, I was not the only person to see the guards. My friends also saw them, and we all counted them. It was because of those guards that we were afraid and left you alone.”

At this point in the sermon, one of the men in the congregation jumped to his feet and interrupted the missionary and asked if he could tell him the exact day this happened. The missionary told the congregation the date and the man who interrupted told him this story:

“On the night of your incident in Africa, it was morning here and I was preparing to play golf. I was about to putt when I felt the urge to pray for you. In fact, the urging of the Lord was so strong; I called men in this church to meet with me here in the sanctuary to pray for you. Would all of those men who met with me on that day stand up?” The men who had met together to pray that day stood up. The missionary wasn’t concerned with whom they were. He was too busy counting how many men he saw. There were 26.

This story is an incredible example of how the Spirit of the Lord moves in behalf of those who love Him. If you ever feel such prodding to pray, go along with it. You don’t know what it can mean to that person.

Nothing is ever hurt by prayer except the gates of hell. I encourage you to forward this to as many people as you know. If we all take it to heart, we can turn this world toward God once again. As the above true story clearly illustrates, ‘With God all things are possible.’ More importantly, how God hears and answers the prayers of the faithful.

After reading this, please pass it on and give God thanks for the beautiful gift of your faith, for the powerful gift of prayer, and for the many miracles he works in your own daily life. And then pass it on. Who says God does not move on the earth today?

I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today.

To guide you and protect you as you go along your way.

His love is always with you, His promises are true,

and when we give Him our cares you know He will see us through.

So when the road you’re traveling on seems difficult at best,

just remember I’m here praying, and God will do the rest.

(Pass this on to those whom you want God to bless.)

Let us remember to pray for one another in this coming year. Also remember to pray for our missionaries and if God gives you a nudge or urge to pray for someone, you may not even know the person, it doesn’t matter, please pray for them. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil.4:13

Parish Nurses: Donna Johnson and Elaine Billberg

Blood Pressure Screening – January 15, 2012

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LifeCare Hospice

LifeCare Hospice, a department of LifeCare Medical Center, is sponsoring an Adult Grief Support Group this fall. The group is open to all adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one, not necessarily those who have been served by hospice. The group will meet Thursdays from 3:30-5:00 p.m. beginning October 13th and running through November 17th. Meetings will be held in the dining room conference room at LifeCare Medical Center. For more information or to register, please call Erin at 463-3211.

 

 

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Caring For A Loved One With Alzheimer’s Disease

Roseau Awareness and Support Group can help.  Meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month at the Roseau Masonic Lodge across from the clinic.  Learn tips and caring techniques and the comfort of knowing that you are not alone in this journey of Alzheimer’s Disease.

For more information contact:  Jill Wulff, 425-7401

                                                  Paula Peterson, 463-2833

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Lutheran Social Service

Lutheran Social Services sent a letter recently thanking our congregations for their financial support.  LSS uses contributions from congregations and synods to give hope to thousands of people each year.  Anyone who’d like to know more about LSS can visit www.lssmn.org.  Currently, LSS is working on an effort to ensure that every child and youth in Minnesota has a safe, supportive place to live by 2015.  If you would like to participate in this effort, contact Kirsten Anderson-Stembridge at 651-969-2354 or kanderso@lssmn.org.

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GRACE MATTERS

   The radio ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

can be heard on Warroad station KKWQ 92.5 at 10:00 a.m. Sundays or find it on the web page www.gracematters.org

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New Members / Transfers – Welcome!

The Parish welcomes these persons into the membership of the Wannaska Lutheran Parish and into our fellowship in the Gospel.

 

 

 

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WEDDINGS

 

 

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BAPTISMS

 

LYRICK AVERY LARSON

Birth: September 3, 2011

Baptism: December 4, 2011 at Riverside

Parents: Geoffrey & Stephanie Larson

Sponsors: Gavin & Tera Nordby, Kevin Severson

 

JILLIAN BEVERLY WIKA

Birth: June 6, 2011

Baptism: December 11, 2011 at Bethesda

Parents: Jared & Tasha Wika

Sponsors: Bobbi Broderson, Jason Wika,

Scott Matelski, Wade & Lisa Dunham

 

 

 

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FUNERALS

                                                                          

ERNEST E. CARLSON

Birth: May 24, 1928

Death: December 16, 2011

Funeral: December 20, 2011 at Helgeson’s Chapel

Interment: Pine Grove

 

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Transfer Out

Andy & Lindsay Oslund, Mya, Kinsley and Jens from Riverside to Grace Lutheran, Grygla

 

 

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Ongoing Fundraiser:  Empty computer inkjet cartridges can be dropped off at Riverside.  Youth Group is reimbursed at least $2.00 per cartridge from Empties4Cash.

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Peter’s Travels on DVD

   The ELCA recently produced a DVD movie on the life and travels of the Apostle Peter, and sent a copy to every congregation.  It’s presented by Rick Steeves, who is a travel guide on television, and who happens to be Lutheran.  The DVD can be found in each congregation’s library.  Go ahead and borrow it! 

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Bible Study Helps Youth Connect Life and Faith

   Have you ever wondered how to help young people better understand their daily life and world events in the context of faith and scripture?  Faith Lens, a free online weekly Bible study for youth can do just that http://www.elca.org/faithlens

   Faith Lens is posted every week on the ELCA Youth Ministry Web site and connects a current news story in the world with the lectionary texts for the upcoming Sunday.  The format includes a summary of a current news story, discussion questions, a reflection on the Gospel text, suggested activities, prayer and links to related resources.

   ELCA Youth Ministry’s Faith Lens is designed for senior high age youth but is adaptable for young adults and adult groups. You can even write your own Faith Lens when big news is breaking close to home.  “Create Your Own Faith Lens” (http:// www.elca.org/faithlens/createyourown.html  ) provides you with some “how to” tips and links to different news sources.

   You’ll find a new Faith Lens posted online each week throughout the year.  It’s usually accessibly by Tuesday and is written by a different writer each week.  A print-ready (PDF) version is also available and you can send the current Faith Lens study to other leaders and congregations by using the links at the top of the page.

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Care for Families of Deployed Military

We express our deep concern, love, and care for our troops in many different ways. We send them care packages, letters, Bibles, pictures, and e-mails. We tell them that they are missed and that we pray for them.

But what about the families and friends who wait at home?

Throughout the ELCA there are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, spouses, children, extended families, and close friends of the troops.

   For some there is greater responsibility and more work, which adds to the feelings of anxiousness.  All the child rearing, bill paying, housework, and problem solving, now fall on their shoulders. Finances are tight, on top of the stabbing worry, the throbbing headaches, the addiction to the television, and the weight loss (or gain) that results from a spouse, child or grandchild having gone to war. All this while the children of soldiers act out in school, suffer from anxiety attacks, and cry themselves to sleep.

   How can we as individuals and as congregations help the families and friends of our deployed military?  The following are a few suggestions for consideration.

§         Invite family to dinner

§         Send a letter

§         Prayer

§         Send calling cards to troops

§         List military in newsletter (please call names to secretary)

Resources available to help the families of deployed troops:

   At www.elca.org/peaceandwar/families there are “tried and true” suggestions for congregations and individuals.

   At www.developmentlink.osd.mil/deploy/famil/family_support.shtml

The military has listed all the ways you can help regardless of branch of service.

   Federal chaplains can help, too at www.elca.org/federalchaplains        and read the journal entries from chaplains who serve beside our troops.

                                                          Reprinted from Seeds for the Parish

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The Minnesota Department of Human Services, Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) Program, provides specialized telephone equipment free of charge, for eligible Minnesotans who are hard of hearing, have difficulty with their speech and/or have a physical disability.  Equipment available: Phones that amplify and clarify voices, devices that help you know when the telephone rings, speaker phones, special equipment for people who are deaf/blind

For questions, call 1-800-657-3663 or web site: www.tedprogram.org

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  WOMEN OF THE ELCA  
   

Women of the Church

Bethesda – Church Women will meet Sun. Jan. 8 following 9:45 worship.

Pine Grove – Hannah Circle meets at Pine Grove Church on

Wed. Jan. 4 at 10:00 am; Sarah Circle meets Wed. Jan. 11, 7:30 pm

at Shirley Miller’s

Quilting begins Wed. Jan. 11 at 9:00 a.m. and continues every Wednesday.

Riverside – Women’s Bible study is Mon. Jan. 9 at 7:30 pm

Quilting begins Monday, Jan. 9 at 9:00 am and continues every Monday and Tuesday.

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  BIRTHDAYS AT SHELTERING OAKS MANOR
Attention Riverside women who have a resident’s name at Roseau LifeCare Manor: Card giving for birthdays and special days will continue throughout the year. We will continue gift giving at Christmas. It is up to each individual if you wish to purchase gifts for birthdays or other holidays. If you do not have a resident’s name and would like to be involved, please contact Lu Solberg, 425-7696.
 

DATE

NAME

 Visitor
Jan. 4 Helen Holcomb Donna Johnson
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
  USHERS/CLEANING
   

Ushers/Greeters – January

Bethesda Jan. Anita Bue, Mary Jesme

Coffee/Rolls Debie Olson, Linda Anderson

 

Pine Grove Jan. 1 Wayne & Meg Christianson

Jan. 8 Bruce & Gail Briese

Jan. 15 David & Joan Wensloff

Jan. 22 Bert & Debbie Erickson

Jan. 29 Jerry & Nancy Lee

 

Riverside Jan. 1 Steve & Colleen Nelson

Jan. 8 Lalyn Monsrud, Lu Solberg

Jan. 15 Jeremy & Amy Lindemann

Jan. 22 Lenore & Emily Severson

Jan. 29 Shane & Carrie Delaney

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Church Cleaning – January

Pine Grove – Joan Wensloff, Barb Tesarek, Gloria Tesarek

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Parish Council Updates:

Wannaska Parish Council Highlights

Highlights of Parish Council Meeting

The Wannaska Lutheran Parish Council met Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 7:00 p.m. at Bethesda. President Curtis Amundson called the meeting to order. The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were approved as printed.

The 2011 budget was reviewed. Pastor Koch is considered in his 9th year and the council felt we should keep up with MN NW Synod compensation guidelines. Rusty Billberg made a motion to agree with guideline amount, seconded by Wayne Letourneau. Motion carried. The benefit package for Pastor Koch was calculated according to ELCA Group Pension rates; figures include family health coverage, retirement, disability, survivor and retiree support. The other items in the parish budget were discussed. The amounts will be printed in the annual report. Donovan Hetteen made a motion to accept the proposed budget, seconded by Jane Comstock. Motion carried. The proposed budget will be voted on at each annual meeting.

Pastor Koch joined the council at 7:30 pm and led in devotions and prayer. Pastor’s Report: 1) His education loan will be paid up this year and he thanked the council for contributing this amount. 2) The Bible study on the Psalms went well at Bethesda and in March a study will begin at Pine Grove. 3) Melvin Ellefson put the parish newsletter on Facebook; an announcement will be in the December issue. 4) Pastor Koch took Olivia Comstock, Rita Smebak, Savannah Carlson, and Jane Comstock to visit Luther Seminary. One of the professors will be here Feb. 1st and visit with the confirmation students. 5) A new member class is Nov. 20th at 1:30 at Riverside. 6) A parish choir will sing at Thanksgiving Service and Twelfth Night. 7) If you know of people that are not receiving the newsletter and would like to be included in the mailing, please call name and address to the church office.

Old Business: Curtis thanked Donovan Hetteen for installing the step railing at the parsonage.

New Business:

Each church agreed on worship times for Christmas:

Saturday, Christmas Eve Sunday, Christmas Day

5 pm – Riverside 8:30 am – Bethesda

8 pm – Pine Grove 9:45 am – Pine Grove

10 pm – Bethesda 11:00 am – Riverside

On January 1st Pastor Koch will be gone—council agreed that each church should lead their service. Pastor Koch would write a Homily and favorite carols sung.

The parish has two students attending confirmation class at other churches. He read a statement of expectations for these students to be signed by parents. Clarissa Nelson made a motion to accept this statement, seconded by Wayne Letourneau. Motion carried.

Pastor wondered if the council would reimburse mileage for his seminary trip. Jane Comstock made a motion to pay mileage, seconded by Brannon Anderson. Motion carried.

Annual meetings in January were set:

January 15 January 22 January 29

8:30 – Riverside 8:30 – Riverside 8:30 – Pine Grove

9:45 – Pine Grove 9:45 – Bethesda 9:45 – Bethesda

11:00 – Bethesda 11:00 – Pine Grove 11:00 – Riverside

B. annual meeting PG annual meeting R. annual meeting

Meeting adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.

　

Carol Regelstad, Secretary

Members present: Clarissa Nelson, Donovan Hetteen, Dennis Dole, Jane Comstock, Curtis Amundson, Rusty Billberg, David Oslund, Don Wensloff, Wayne Letourneau, Brannon Anderson, Pastor Koch, and Carol Regelstad

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2011 Church Council Officers and Church Women Officers

                                 BETHESDA               PINE GROVE               RIVERSIDE

President                  Clarissa Nelson                Scott Miller                   Curtis Amundson

Vice Pres.                Myron Norberg                David Wensloff             Rusty Billberg

Trustee                    Donovan Hetteen              Gary Johnson                David Oslund

Deacon                   Stephanie Johnson             Wayne Christianson       Don Wensloff

Deacon                   Donald Diesen                   Steve Haugen                Wayne Letourneau

Deacon                   Dennis Dole                       Jane Comstock              Brannon Anderson

Secretary                Anita Bue                           Deb Johnson                 Marion Solom

Treasurer                Sheila Solberg                    Kenneth Rygh               Elizabeth Santl

Youth                     Sharman Loken                  Sue Suess                     Bill & Heidi Petersen

                                                                                                              Rusty Billberg

Education               Sharman Loken                   Nancy Lee                    Chandra Schneider

                              Clarissa Nelson                   Sarah Buley                   Amy Lindemann

                                                                                                              Mary Jo Wensloff

                                                                                                              Rachel Diesen

Church Women Officers

President                June Foss                           Ida Mae Johnson            Elaine Billberg

Co-Pres.                                                          Sue Lisell

Vice Pres.              Chris Hetteen                                                            Marion Solom

Secretary                Mary Jesme                        Jane Comstock              Carrie Kazmierczak

Treasurer                Anita Bue                            Carol Comstock            Ruth Breiland

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God has a purpose for each one of us, a work for each one to do, a place for each one to fill, an influence for each one to exert, a likeness to his dear Son for each one to manifest, and then, a place for each one to fill in his holy temple.

Arthur C.A. Hall

The Treasure Chest