ESTHERLUTHERANNEWSLETTERApril2016“KnowingChrist–MakingChristKnownThroughFaith,HopeandLove.”

11019625thAve–ParkersPrairie,MN56361218-338-2171email:esther@arvig.netWebsite:www.estherlutheran.com

PastorJeanetteBidneemail:prjeanettebidne.estherlutheran@gmail.com

I Know That My Redeemer Lives! 1 I know that my Redeemer lives! What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, he lives, who once was dead; he lives, my ever-living head! 2 He lives triumphant from the grave; he lives eternally to save; he lives exalted, throned above; he lives to rule his church in love. 3 He lives to grant me rich supply; he lives to guide me with his eye; he lives to comfort me when faint; he lives to hear my soul's complaint. 4 He lives to silence all my fears; he lives to wipe away my tears; he lives to calm my troubled heart; he lives all blessings to impart. 5 He lives to bless me with his love; he lives to plead for me above; he lives my hungry soul to feed; he lives to help in time of need. 6 He lives, my kind, wise, heav'nly friend; he lives and loves me to the end; he lives, and while he lives, I'll sing; he lives, my prophet, priest, and king! 7 He lives and grants me daily breath; he lives, and I shall conquer death; he lives my mansion to prepare; he lives to bring me safely there. 8 He lives, all glory to his name! He lives, my Savior, still the same; what joy this blest assurance gives: I know that my Redeemer lives! Text: Samuel Medley, 1738-1799, alt.

We are an Easter people, living in a Holy Saturday world. Holy Saturday is the day between the death of Jesus and the joy of the Resurrection. The day when the disciples had Jesus’ words from the Last Supper ringing in the ears and yet the reality of Jesus death imprinted on their minds. We, even as followers of Jesus, live in that space of leaning into God’s promises but wishing to see them more clearly in our world. Hovering between despair and hope. Yet, God comes triumphant, arose triumphant, whether we feel the joy of Palm Sunday or the dark of Holy Saturday.

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed. Alleluia. So although there is darkness, sin, and death it can nevermore overcome us. Holy Saturdays do not last forever. I know that my Redeemer lives! Praise Be To God! United in Christ, Pastor Jeanette

Office Hours Office Hours for Pastor Jeanette include: Tuesdays and Thursdays. 10 am-12 pm Wednesday afternoons. Due to pastoral needs and meetings, if you wish to make sure Pastor Jeanette is in the office, please give her a call at 507-339-1178, zip her an email or set up a time with her.

Our Church Calendar April 3rd

2nd Sunday after Easter Readings: Mark 6: 7-13 Focus: You Shall be Witnesses Acts 1: 1-14 April 10th 3rd Sunday after Easter Readings: Mark 6: 53-56 Focus: Peter Heals in Jerusalem Acts 3: 1-10 Sunday School Children sing during worsip April 17th 4th Sunday after Easter Readings: Mark 13: 9-11 Focus: Church at Thessalonia Acts 17:1-9 Noisy Offering today April 24th 5th Sunday after Easter Readings: Mark 9:34-25 Focus: Church at Corinth Acts 18:1-4 May 1st 6th Sunday after Easter Readings: Mark 12: 28-31 Focus: Faith, Hope and Love 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 May 8th 7th Sunday after Easter Readings Mark 12:26-27a Focus: Death Swallowed in Life

1 Corinthians 15:1-26, 51-57

InOurPrayersMyrtleArvidsonKristyFyhrieWallySkoglundLuellaThomBevKreidlerElmerBeireisDaveHaaseJenniferBidne SisterofPastorJeanetteMarcellaBraunGrandmotherofPastorJeanetteWendyKuhnaCoworkerofJewelTownsend RobertDobratz FatherofSteveDobratz

ThomasCollumGreat-GrandsonofGary&Bev KreidlerEleynaWillie-daughterofMike&Mari(Mikeisthe

nephewofJerry&YuvonneAndersonMeurrielWillie-sisterinlawofJerry&Yuvonne

AndersonLoisSjobeck– friendofthecongregationFamilyandfriendsofJayneArvidson,JamesHiggs,LouisaCarlson,NancyCarterandOliverChristianson–UncleofLuellaThom.

April Birthdays

4/03 Samantha Hoppe 4/04 Josh Hendershot 4/04 Chad Stueve 4/05 Shelly Hoppe 4/06 Easton Arvidson 4/07 Jeff Koep 4/09 Jery Anderson 4/09 Ernie Hart 4/10 Georgia Hart 4/14 Joseph Hoppe 4/15 Megan Higgs 4/16 John Hoppe 4/19 Laurie Ratajesak 4/20 Jared Higgs 4/21 Sheryl Thennes 4/21 Megan Higgs 4/22 Larry Carlson 4/22 Wade Grinager 4/23 Morley Carlson 4/25 Elijah Denny 4/25 Jeff McPhail 4/26 Mark Wehking 4/28 Myrtle Arvidson 4/28 Erin Krueger 4/30 Mark Kreidler

Serving Us In April Pastor: Jeanette Bidne

O Lord, hear our O Lord, hear our prayers.. .prayers.. .

Organist: Marcia Guenther Lay Reader: Lorrie Pomeranz Acolytes Kylie Velde Ushers: Jerry Anderson Communion Asst. Al Pederson Altar Guild: Donna Pederson Greeters: Christy & Orran Hart Birthday Fellowship: Jerry & Yuvonne Anderson Ernie & Geogia Hart John & Shelly Hoppe family

February 2016

Beginning Balance $ 64.42 Deposits $ 9,329.86 Disbursements $ 9,321.65 Ending Balance 2/29/2016 $ 72.63 Contributions needed based on budget $ 17,566.17 Actual Contributions $ 12,997.36 Budget Shortfall ($ 4,568.841)

Highlights of the Month: In addition to providing for worship, the office, tithes and the building your general offerings…

• Purchased a new computer for the office so we can continue to put together newsletters, emails, and worship bulletins!

• Provided Palm branches to celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

• Continue to provide a welcoming space for a potluck to celebrate our new members.

Thank you for your giving and how you support the ministry of Esther Lutheran

Church!

Abundance isn't God's provision for me to live in luxury. It's his provision for me to help others live. God entrusts me with his money not to build my kingdom on earth, but to build his kingdom in heaven.”

― Randy Alcorn, Money, Possessions and Eternity

Upcoming Events

April 10th All-Committee Meeting- Anyone wishing to brainstorm about ideas for events or actions for our church is invited after worship to join for a potluck lunch and conversation! May 15th Pentecost Sunday and Confirmation Sunday as Megan Higgs and Megan Townsend affirm their baptism. May 20th -21st NW MN Synod Assembly Concordia, Moorhead June 12th -16th- Evening Vacation Bible School 2016 at Esther! More details to come soon!

“THANK YOU” for all the cards, prayers, well wishes sent my way during my knee replacement. It is great to have a support system like our church to help us get through things like this.

Luella Thom Thank you members of my Esther family, for the support that was provided to me on my trip to visit our companion synod in India. It was an experience that I will never soon forget. Thank you again for allowing me to make this trip. Namaste! Sue Ellwanger

Celebration of First Communion:

Five students have participated in instruction about Holy Communion. On Maundy Thursday, Sabrina Aldrich, Kiley Peterson, Andrew Sansness, Devin Steele and Kad Wehking celebrated their first communion at Esther. In the ELCA any baptized member may participate in communion, here at Esther we have a practice of offering instruction for 5th graders and all those who wish to learn about this gift and celebrate their first communion with them.

Our 5th Grade students baking Communion Bread Congratulation to Ben & Veronica Arvidson on the birth of their daughter, Thea Violet, on March 1st. Violet weighed 7 lbs.2 oz. and was 19 inches long. Congratulations and God’s richest blessings on Thea, her parents and the entire Arvidson family!

Welcome New Members

On Palm Sunday we received new members to our Esther family. We welcome Jessica Arvidson, Andrea Carlson, Dawn Kreidler, The Sansness family-Ryan & Amanda and their children-Andrew, Seth and Bree, and Judy Thoeness. Welcome to the Esther family!

An Open House to celebrate the 100th birthday of Myrtle Arvidson will be held on Saturday, April 30th from 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. in Vogren Hall at St. William’s Living Center. All are invited to help celebrate the birthday of the oldest living member of Esther Lutheran.

The Easter Gardens our Sunday School kids planted.

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

As our journey through the Lenten Season ends and we rejoice in the Risen Christ, we want to thank everyone that was instrumental in our worship experience.Thanks to those who:

o Organized and brought food for the Soup and Sandwich Suppers.

o Cleaned up after the meal. o Led our Holden Evening Services

o Helped with our Midweek Services by being part of our monologues.

o Found and provided the props used during the monologues.

Thank you to those who helped on Easter Sunday by:

o Setting up our beautiful Easter Garden. o The Altar Guild for all their help with

preparing the Table for communion services. o Providing special music through

instrumental music, and the extra work done by our organist, Marcia.

o Our youth for the Good Friday Passion of Christ drama.

o The youth, their leaders and parents for the great Easter breakfast

And lastly, 'Thank You' to everyone who worshipped with us!

Esther WELCA March Meeting

Treasurer’s Report: Checking Account: $1,425.00 Memorial balance: $7,596.00

Old Business:

• 8 quilts were donated to the Salvation Army in Henning

• Clayton Skoglund completed fixtures in the basement coat closet. Thank you!!

New Business: • Cluster 9 Spring Gathering at Faith Lutheran

in Staples on April 19th. More information elsewhere in newsletter.

Please continue to make or gather donations for the Country Store that we run during the Ice Cream Social.

ESTHER KITCHEN UPDATE

On March 13, 2016 the kitchen committee presented information on next project ideas that could be started in the kitchen. Both a cabinet with countertop and a sterilizer/dishwasher projects were discussed. Since both items would not be able to be completed at this time there was much discussion.

A motion was made and seconded to go ahead with having 11 feet of cabinets (4 cabinets with roll out drawers) and counter top be built on the west wall of the kitchen for an approximate cost of $5,700. This motion passed unanimously. Room will be left near the hand washing sink for a future sterilizer/dishwasher. Thanks to the members of the kitchen committee for their continued involvement in our kitchen process.

Cluster 9 Spring Gathering

WELCA Spring Gathering will be held on Tuesday, April 19th at Faith Lutheran in Staples. Peace for our Souls is the theme. Candice Simar, keynote speaker. Cost is $10.00. The deadline to register with Margaret Wehking is Sunday, April 10th, Registration and coffee from 8-9 a.m. The gathering will finish with lunch at noon.

Anyone interested is invited to join us to work on prayer shawls or any other creative arts crafts on Thursday, April 7th at 1 pm. We will be meeting at the church.

Church Council Meeting The April meeting of the Esther Church Council will be held on Tuesday, April 5th at 7 p.m.

We are getting the church stained glass windows updated. The windows in the narthex, done by Pastor Streed have been beefed up, B & H fixed the leaks, and Clayton made/repaired the new wood

frames to reinstall them. They look great and will last a long time. Thanks to all that have been involved in getting them done. Because the windows are part of the history of the church, it would be nice to know more about the windows. In review for the history of Esther with the new members, it is noted the cost to build the original church building was $ 5,000. Did that include the stained glass windows? If anyone has any information to shed on the installation of the windows all those years ago, it would be great to document that in our history. Along with this – is our beautiful organ. As you may remember, the organ had been shipped but had not arrived yet for the first church building that burnt. When it arrived, it was put in storage until the new church was built. It was then installed. Does anyone have any tidbits of information you know about that we could document in our records regarding the organ? It would be good to put this in our history if anyone can remember or remember hearing others telling about the organ when it was ordered all those years ago. If you have any information, please forward to the church office. We will do a recap of all the information we receive from all of you. Council President, Luella Thom