Inside this issue:

Pastor Doug Stave 1

Council Minutes November 2019 2

WELCA Updates from Kathy Kaercher 3

Announcements—SLC Annual Meeting Notice 4-5

2020 Jan/Feb SS Schedule & ELCA Youth Gathering 2021 6

Confirmation Class and Acolyte Schedules 7

January Birthdays 8

January Calendar insert

SVERDRUP LUTHERAN CHURCH

JANUARY 2020 NEWSLETTER

209 Southern Ave. E, PO Box 70

Underwood, MN 56586

Office Phone: 218-826-6919

Pastor’s Cell: (701) 430-0161 Church Email: undlp@prtel.com

Pastor’s Email: pastor.sverdrup@prtel.com

Who am I? A good question for me to try to answer. The simple answer is that I am the new Interim Pastor at Sverdrup Lutheran. I am here to provide Word and Sacrament ministry as a part of the overall ministries that are in process every day here in your daily lives. A little bit longer answer that I am a farm kid from North Dakota. I grew up thinking I would join my dad on the farm but as life moved closer to graduation day from High School it seemed the Holy Spirit had a different plan. I was already signed up at NDSU to study agriculture, so I just stayed and was able to get all the course work I needed to apply for Seminary. I worked at the Grafton State School, a residential facility for people with disabilities for one year while my wife Doreen finished at UND. I had worked at a Bible Camp during the summers and had some experience working with adults with disabilities and found it to be a very rewarding. I tucked those experiences away and went off to seminary. My first job as a Pastor was in Rosholt, South Dakota. It was there where we got the crazy idea to buy a lake cabin, I say crazy because growing up, a lake was just something that flooded farmland. But Minnesota lake country seemed different, lakes were places to have fun.

Meanwhile we moved to Hillsboro, North Dakota. Those were great years as we watched our children grow and go off to college. As empty nesters I took the opportunity to go back to school and get my degree in Special Education. Something that had been stirring in the back of my mind for many years. The hardest part was we had two kids in college, and I had to set the right example and get good grades. I taught Special Education at every level, from kindergarten to high school. I enjoyed each level, but my favorite was K-6th graders in Hankinson, ND. We were living in Fargo and the commute was long, gas was also about $4 a gallon at the time so I switched to Fargo Public schools and taught in an Elementary, Junior High and High School, walking to work most days. My most recent teaching position was in Fergus Falls, with fifth and sixth graders. What brings me here? I am writing this on the one-year anniversary of a tragic event in our family. A young man took his own life. After this event I felt the same pull from the Holy Spirit that I had in High School to be a pastor. Just like than as much as I tried, I couldn't shake it, so I began the long process of getting back on the roster and becoming a pastor once again. All the doors along the way have opened, along with doors to your church so here I am to serve you as your Interim pastor. My wife Doreen is a Physician’s Assistant for Sanford, we have two adult children and 5 grandchildren. Life is GOOD. It has taken me awhile to readjust into a new mode of thinking. I told the people at Tingvold I would stop giving them homework soon and that after this semester ends there will be no more tests! I have felt incredibly welcome and appreciate your patience in the process. I look forward to working together as we both move forward. Pastor Doug

FROM THE PASTOR—JANUARY 2020

Page 2 SVERDRUP LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING: NOVEMBER 12, 2019 7:00 PM

Sverdrup Lutheran Church Mission Statement

The mission of Sverdrup Lutheran Church is to be a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in

which believers minister to the Spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of the congregation, community, and world.

President Steve Schultz called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Present: Steve Schultz, , Betsy Miller, Linda Martinson, Else Andersen, Karla Green, Bert Kinzler, Donna Wold, Kasey Lindstrom, Laurie Bauck, Stacy Hammes, Alan Sundby, Zinta Sundby, Gary Link, and Alan Thompson. Absent: Pastor Martha Halls, Lissa O’Donnell, Desiree Frie, and Krista Fix. Approval of Agenda: Added c) Personnel Committee, d) CDs for shut-ins. MSP: Else Andersen/Alan Sundby to approve Agenda as amended. Opening Devotions: Linda Martinson – “Addressing the Elder.” Pastor’s Report: None Secretary’s Report: MSP: Donna Wold/ Kasey Lindstrom to approve the minutes as printed. Financial Secretary’s Report: 2019 total for the furnace is $33,533.00, ($3,080 after payoff). Our weekly budget vs. of-fering given YTD is currently at -$26,272.46. Tingvold payments YTD are $22,000.00. New shed donations are $10,094.00, with expenses totaling $8,645.43. The balance of $1,448.57 should cover most of the electrical work that is yet to be done. MSP: Kasey Lindstrom/Donna Wold to approve the Financial Secretary report. Treasurer’s Report: P&L statements for October and January-October were distributed and discussed. MSP: Kasey Lindstrom/Laurie Bauck to approve the Treasurer’s report. Committee Reports: Executive: Did not meet, but Steve said that a background check on Pastor Stave has been started. Property & Management: LED lights were installed in the office. Construction of the new shed has been completed. Preparation for snow removal is being made. Worship and Stewardship: Committee did not meet in October. The Communion sign-up sheet was passed around. Education: Christmas program practice will begin next Sunday. First Communion is to be determined. Thank Offering Sunday will be Nov. 24th. Life & Fellowship: We are planning cake and ice cream for Pastor Martha’s last Sunday, Nov. 17th. Old Business:

Nominating Committee: No report. New Business:

Interim Pastor Doug Stave: Steve met with Pastor Stave and his wife at the Bishop’s meet & greet. He talked about his impressions and recommended we consider him for our interim pastor. MSP: Bert Kinzler/Zinta Sundby to hire Pastor Doug Stave as our interim pastor, pending the outcome of the background check.

2020 Budget Items: Else asked that $200.00 be added to the GWOH budget. It was recommended that the Education budget be raised to $1,000.00.

Personnel Committee: Karla and Else met with accompanists Nita and Val. We will give them an increase of $5.00 per service. Nita will receive $50.00 for coordinating and selecting hymns each week, and the rate for accompanying groups will remain at $60.00. We discussed Pastor Martha’s upcoming exit interview. It was also recommended that Tereasa be given a raise to $16.00/hr.

CDs for Shut-Ins: Zinta asked if it would be possible for CDs of the church service could be made for shut-ins? This will be looked into by the council. We also discussed the possibility of forming an IT task force to monitor the function and maintenance of the electronics, (computers, projectors, PA system, organ, etc.)

Devotions for December: Zinta Sundby Adjournment: MSP: Alan Sundby/Stacy Hammes to adjourn. Close with the Lord’s Prayer: The meeting ended at 7:55, and we closed with the Lord’s Prayer. The next meeting will be Tuesday, December 10, 2019. Alan Thompson, Secretary

Sunday Worship:

9:00 am followed by

Fellowship Coffee @ 10:00 am

Sunday School @ 10:15

Office Hours:

8:00 am - 12:00 noon

Tuesday - Friday

Confirmation Classes Wednesdays

@ 5:30 (meal) and 6 pm (class)

(concurrent with school calendar)

Page 3 SVERDRUP LUTHERAN CHURCH WELCA —JANUARY 2020

SVERDRUP LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN OF THE ELCA (WELCA)

Happy 2020 to our Sverdrup Congregation: We concluded our 2019 WELCA year with a fantastic evening of harmonized singing and testimonials with the Moline Sisters. Dianne Beckman gave an Advent devotion. It was an evening enjoyed by the WELCA members and our guests. Guests were invited to the fellowship hall for dessert served by the afternoon circle group. Our annual business meeting was convened by President Else Andersen. We ratified a budget for 2020 and received year end committee reports. Thankoffering Sunday saw $635 being sent to the national office of Women of the ELCA to support women’s programs and 102 pounds of food + $132.37 going to the local food shelf. A trailer load of goodies was delivered to Lutheran World Relief last week (Thanks to the guys for handling that duty) . Once again we have set a record for the annual number of baby care kits delivered (Way to go stitchers and packers). Newly elected officers were installed: Kathy Kaercher, president; Zinta Sundby, Secretary; Virginia Larsen, Mission Action; Tereasa Link, Mission Growth; Linda Martinson, Library. We are still in need of a Vice President/President Elect, please let me know if this is a mission you feel called to do, love to have you on board! I want to give a big thank you to Else for her leadership this past year. Please pray for this new team that our mission may be carried out in our community and in our world. Many blessing to you in the New Year. Kathy Kaercher WELCA president 2020

WELCA Circles meet the 1st Tuesday of each month. The Afternoon Circle meets

at 1 pm at Tamarack Manor and the Evening Circle meets at 7 pm at the church.

Quilters meet the 3rd Tuesday and

Wednesday of each month.

Quilting begins again January 21st

and 22nd

Page 4

When mailing letters or packages to Sverdrup Lutheran Church, our Post Office is asking that everyone please be sure to use our PO Box number in the address as that is where our mail

is delivered.

Sverdrup Lutheran Church 209 Southern Ave. E.

PO Box 70 Underwood, MN 56586

YOUNG WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY “Love Without Limits”

January 8 & 22

8:00 PM Sverdrup Library

All women are welcome and you need not have read the book!

PRAYER CHAIN

If you have prayer request, we will add them to

our

“Prayer Chain”.

Please email: sverdrupprayers@gmail.com or call

Laurie Bauck at 218-405-0557.

We are seeking more volunteers for our Prayer

Chain. If you are able to help, please contact Lau-

rie Bauck.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with

thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

SVERDRUP CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY JANUARY 1ST

FOR THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Page 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS—JANUARY 2020

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN TUNE IN?

“SING FOR JOY”

KBRF 1250 am Radio

Sundays @ 7:00 am

For excellent ELCA music,

scripture and weekly lessons.

“MORNING WATCH”

KBRF 1250 am Radio

Daily @ 8:45 a.m.

Bible Study with Pastor Zinta

Beginning January 6th

@ 2 pm at Sverdrup

An 8-week study on the beatitudes that reveal to us

eight qualities that bring God's blessing.

Order your books now –cost is $8.91 payable to Zinta

Sundby.

Page 6

2020 JANUARY & FEBRUARY SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Sunday School is held at 10:15 a.m. each Sunday (concurrent with school schedule). Kids sing during services on January 5th and February 2, the first Sunday of the month.

Date Sunday School -10:15-10:45 Music - 10:45-11:00

Spark Class-room

Year/Season: Green Winter

1/5/2020 Sunday School - Large Group Activity ZINTA & KATHY

1/12/2020 Sunday School Week 6: The Boy at the Temple Luke 2:41-52

1/19/2020 No Sunday School - SLC Annual Meeting (No school 1/20)

1/26/2020 Sunday School Week 7: John the Baptist Luke 3:1-18

2/2/2020 Kids Sing—please have kids to church at 8:45 Week 8: Jesus Goes to Nazareth Luke 4:14-30

2/9/2020 Sunday School—Large Group Activity GUY & THEA

2/16/2020 No Sunday School (No school 2/17)

2/23/2020 Sunday School Week 9: The Disciples Luke 5:1-11, 8:1-3

LUTHER CREST www.luthercrest.org 3-6 Grade Winter Youth Retreat: Friday - Sunday, January 24-26

6-9 Grade Winter Youth Retreat: Friday - Sunday, February 7-9

Cost: $110/camper ($50 non-refundable deposit)

Begins at 7:00pm on Friday; Ends after Closing Worship around 11:30am on Sunday (Parents welcome!) Lodg-ing will be in a winterized cabin with bunk-style beds, each with its own

bathroom and shower. will also be with a Luther Crest counselor and approximately 8-9 other same-aged campers.

See Stacy and Tim Hammes if you are interested in attending! All registration is on-line.

Scholarships for upcoming summer camps are available through Life & Fellowship Funds and WELCA Funds.

NWMN ELCA SYNOD SR. HIGH YOUTH GATHERING

February 22-23, 2020

Location: Luther Crest Bible Camp

See Tim and Stacy Hammes for registration

YOUTH ACTIV IT IES Page 7

LUTHER CREST www.luthercrest.org 3-6 Grade Winter Youth Retreat: Friday - Sunday, January 24-26 6-9 Grade Winter Youth Retreat: Friday - Sunday, February 7-9

Cost: $110/camper ($50 non-refundable deposit)

Begins at 7:00pm on Friday; Ends after Closing Worship around 11:30am on Sunday (Parents welcome!) Lodging will be in a winterized cabin with bunk-style beds, each with its own

bathroom and shower. You will also be with a Luther Crest counselor and approximately 8-9 other same-aged campers.

See Stacy and Tim Hammes if you are interested in attending! All registration is on-line.

Scholarships for upcoming summer camps are available through

DATE LESSON SUPPER

1/1/20 NO CONFIRMATION—NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAY

1/8/20 Is divorce a sin? Elizabeth Lukken

1/15/20 What does it mean to be “born again”? Emily Knutson

1/22/20 What if my friends aren’t Christian? Gaiden Hoeper

1/29/20 Is it OK to be angry at God? NEED VOLUNTEER

2/5/20 Can you accept the theory of evolution and still be a Christian?

Daidre Scott

2/12/20 Why does God let bad things happen? Jorja Gabrielson

2/19/20 Can I do something bad enough to make God stop loving me? MENTORS & STUDENTS

Taylen Pedersen

2/26/20 ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES @ 7 PM No supper

2020 CONFIRMATION CLASS SCHEDULE ( JAN . & FEB.)

SUPPER IS AT 5:30 PM AND CLASS RUNS FROM 6 -7 PM

1/5/20 Carson Roehl

1/12/20 Gaiden Hoeper

1/19/20 Cole Peterson

1/26/20 Cole Peterson

2/2/20 Cole Peterson

2/9/20 Daidre Scott

2/16/20 Cole Peterson

2/23/20 Taylen Pedersen

2/26/20 Elizabeth Lukken (Ash Wed.)

Reminder: The 1st Sunday of each month is dedicated as “Youth Service” Sunday—donations raised during fellowship coffee are designated for

the youth activities.

NEW FOR CONFIRMATION STUDENTS

AND FAMILY:

One family should sign up for each Lent Inter-generational Soup Supper (beginning in March

2020) to help along with other congregational members

in preparing and serving supper @ 5:30 pm. Sign up sheets will be provided.

ACOLYTE SCHEDULES: Be at church by 8:45 a.m.

Page 8

YOUTH GATHERING—2021

I T ’ S NOT TO EARLY TO START

PLANNING! !

Ashley Peters 1/1

Jakoby Shebeck 1/1

Ron Shebeck 1/2

Aaron Grove 1/6

Deb Schiele 1/6

Sophie Englestad 1/7

Desiree Frie 1/7

Gary Larsen 1/7

Mitch Anderson 1/10

Myrna Martinson 1/10

Virginia Larsen 1/11

Cloe Peterson 1/11

Conner Thompson 1/11

Andrew Wold 1/12

Colt Edin 1/13

Breck Grove 1/13

Crystal Hoekstra 1/15

Tereasa Link 1/16

John Alsgaard 1/17

Karla Green 1/19

Brody Bakken 1/21

Seth Johansen 1/24

Paul Beckman 1/25

Emily Knutson 1/25

Ray Norrgard 1/27

Camille Nelson 1/27

Brooke Jacobson 1/30

Rick Jacobson 1/31

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

DATE ATTENDANCE

10/6/19 75

10/13/19 88

10/20/19 63

10/27/19 74

11/3/19 116

11/10/19 55

11/17/19 86

11/24/19 124

12/1/19 54

12/8/19 72

12/15/19 187

12/22/19 103

OUR PAST 12-WEEK

REMINDER: SVERDRUP LUTHERAN CHURCH

COLD WEATHER CLOSING POLICY

The Sverdrup Church Council has established the following guidelines and policy to help manage people safety in times of inclement weather:

1. Sverdrup Lutheran Church will cancel all activities on days that the Underwood School closes for

inclement weather. Example: The school cancels or closes early on a Wednesday— Sverdrup will cancel Confirmation classes.

2. Worship Services may be also canceled due to inclement weather—this will be determined by the

Executive Council and/or Council President & Pastor. Announcements will be made on radio station KBRF (1250 AM) and on TV stations on WDAY and KVRR. An announcement will also be posted on our

Facebook page.