From Our Pastor-
Faith News Volume 19, Issue 6 June 2016
Faith Lutheran
Church
PO Box 175
Wolverton, MN 56594
(218) 995-2556
www.faithwolverton.org
Rev. Clay Ellingson,
Pastor
1303 24th Avenue S.
Moorhead, MN 56560
(218) 233-3941
It is the mission of Faith
Lutheran Church:
To gather prayerfully as
the Body of Christ;
To grow in faith, love, and
service;
To go into the world
joyfully as disciples.
Sunday Worship
9:30 a.m.
Holy Communion on the first
and third Sunday of the
month.
Coffee Fellowship
10:30 a.m.
June Food Pantry Item:
Kid Snacks
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ;
During our May council meeting we spent some time reflecting our how we might renew our stewardship focus here at Faith Lutheran. The following article was very helpful in reminding us that all we do as disciples of Jesus are issues of stewardship. As you read and reflect on all the ways you have received in life may a sense of gratefulness well up within you once again.
Thank you for all of the ways you give generously to make our ministry here at Faith Lutheran a reality.
Peace,
Pastor Ellingson
ON STEWARDSHIP
Pastor Blair Morgan, Director for Evangelical Mission
Below is an article provided through the Stewardship of Life Institute (SOLI) that is based at Get-
tysburg Seminary and is used with permission. You can learn more about SOLI at their website:
www.stewardshipoflife.org.
“Use That Nasty “S” Word”
By Rev. Robert Blezard
“What’s another word for stewardship,” a pastor friend wanted to know. The need arose because whenever he mentioned “stewardship” in his congregation, everybody would avert their eyes, hold onto their wallets and quickly find something else to do. ”Stewardship,” he complained, “simply has too much baggage.”
That’s true in many congregations, but it’s possibly because pastors and leaders talk about stew-ardship only in the context of fundraising, pledging or making the budget.
The solution is not to find other words, fresher words -- words that have no baggage, but rather to use stewardship more widely, in non-financial contexts as well. That way people will learn what their pastor learned in seminary: That stewardship affects every decision we make.
The Stewardship of Life Institute is dedicated to helping people understand stewardship as a key element of their walk as followers of Christ. Here's why:
First some basics: A steward is someone who is entrusted to the care and use of property or things that belong to someone else. Stewardship is the responsible care and use of that property.
Christian stewardship starts with the twofold proposition that 1) all we have and all that we are belongs to God, and 2) that God expects us to care for and use those gifts responsibly and for the good of others.
And obviously, God gives us much more than just money. Make a list of the blessings God has given to you. It starts with life itself! You breathe, think and are because God has given you life. Included on the list are faith, salvation, love, health, intelligence, wisdom, eyesight, hearing, smell, touch, family, friends, church, freedom, security, joy, comfort, peace and relationships. How about that?
List your special talents, things like music, mechanics, cooking, plumbing, laundering, raising chil-dren, landscaping, singing, sewing, dancing, teaching, preaching, accounting, writing, running,
Faith Lutheran Scholarships Available FLC has two scholarship opportunities for students attending college or trade school. The Memorial Scholarship is open to
all members or a blood relative of a current or former member of FLC. This scholarship is awarded one time per student.
The Endowment Scholarship is open to all confirmed members of FLC. This scholarship is renewable each year the student
is enrolled in college up to four years.
For each of these scholarships, there is no limit to the number of scholarships awarded. The amount of the scholarship will
depend on the number of scholarships granted.
FLC encourages all college students that haven't previously applied for the scholarships to do so as long as they will be
attending school in the 2016/17 academic year. The deadline is June 15, 2016. Applications are available at
www.faithwolverton.org and in the church office.
playing a sport, remembering, cracking jokes, caring for the sick, listening, punc-tuality, understanding. You get the idea.
Now list the things God gives us in our environment, including air, water, wind, weather, rain, clouds, sun, moon, stars, forests, trees, streams, rivers, animals, sky, morning, evening, deserts, mountains, trees, glaciers, oceans, rivers, lakes, prairie and beaches.
How about that list? We haven’t even gotten to money yet, and it’s already pretty long. Now start with your economic possessions: a job, house, car, fur-nishings, clothing, computer, TV, electronics, food, medical insurance, books, land, retirement plan and, finally, money in the bank.
All of these things are gifts of God to you, to me and all of humanity. We are entrusted with their responsible care and proper use. Stewardship is how we live as followers of God. Since every decision involves something that really be-longs to God, every decision is a stewardship decision. Got it?
So, in your congregation, is “stewardship” becoming a just a synonym for “give money to the church”? The remedy is to broaden its use.
Make every sermon and every newsletter message a stewardship message. And after a while, people will stop averting their gaze, holding onto their wallets and finding something else to do whenever you mention the "S" word.
Rev. Robert Blezard served Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville, Pa., and as content
editor for SOLI when this article was written, but is now Asst. to the Bishop of the Lower
Susquehanna Synod, ELCA.
Birthdays 1 Randy Orud 2 Colleen Israelson 2 Bridget Hendrickson 2 Laura Wilner 3 Alyson Olthoff 5 Haley Israelson 8 Jay Nord 8 Shelly Carlson 8 Stacey Rohan 12 Kenzie Jacob 12 John Kappes 13 Patricia Fuentes 19 Elijah Wallace 21 Riley Miller 23 Mark Nelson 24 Kathy Hanson 24 Brooke Nord 24 Michael Thiessen 26 Robert C. Stein 27 Nancy Olthoff 29 Deb Smith
Anniversary 2 Jeff and Heidi Sell 12 Kevin and Nancy Olthoff 15 Megan and Michael Cassidy 18 Jeremy and Beth Maesse 19 Dennis and Jane Getz 22 Chad and Christie Erickson 24 Ron and Joanne Wilner 25 Randy and Jann Emerson 28 Brandon and Jamie Byars 29 Ashley and Clint Malikowski
All kids are welcome to come and spend the afternoon
learning about the fruits of the spirit. Come join us June 28th
from 3pm to 5:30 for activities. The entire congregation is
welcome to come for supper from 5:30 to 6:30. Meat
(hamburgers or hotdogs or bbq’s) will be provided by the
Sunday School. Bring a salad or dessert to share.
Everyone is welcome from 6:30 to 7:30 for a
worship service and to learn all about what we
learned in our fun afternoon! This service will
be in place of our Sunday, July 3rd worship.
Any and all helpers are welcome! If you have any questions
contact Renata Smeby at 320-894-2496. Come and have a fun
and fantastic day!
A Banquet of the Spirit: Learning the fruits
V B S
Faith Formation Journey to the
Land of the Bible
February 19 - March 2, 2017
Hosted by Rev. Clay and Dr. Sue Ellingson
To receive updates and brochure Rev. Clay Ellingson
Faith Lutheran Church [email protected] 218.995.2556
For travel related questions Lori Moline, Seminars International
612.345.4917 / 800.541.7506 [email protected] www.semint.com
SEMINARS INTERNATIONAL 55 E. Monroe Street, Suite 2870 Chicago, IL 60603-5713 P: 312.332.7027 800.541.7506 F: 312.3325509 [email protected] www.semint.com
Registration for this custom-designed journey to the Holy Land will open in late May. Space will likely be limited to a group size of around 26. Flights for travel in February 2017 are not available until approximately 11 months prior to the return date of the program. When flights are confirmed, the program cost will be finalized. To receive updates on this travel opportunity, please provide Rev. Clay Ellingson with your name and contact information for a mailing list to receive updates. Those on this list will be the first to receive the brochure when the tour opens for registration.
Information meeting
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 @ 7pm
Faith Lutheran Church
302 1st St.
Wolverton, MN 56594
Jane Buchholz—Sheyenne Crossing Long Term Care
West Fargo, ND
Barney Edwards—Eventide, Moorhead, MN
Ethel Edwards—at Eventide Fairmont Moorhead, MN
Louie Gruenberg—River Pointe Moorhead, MN
Marion Israelson—Eventide Senior Living Moorhead, MN
Elaine Johnson—River Pointe Moorhead, MN
Leona Johnson—Rosewood Fargo, ND
Arlene Nelson—Eventide Senior Living Moorhead, MN
Keith Nelson—Group home in Duluth, MN
Harriet Ness—at Tim’s home in Sioux Falls, SD (as of 5/19)
Beatrice Nord—Riverview Place Fargo, ND
Myrtle Nord—St. Francis Breckenridge, MN
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes May 4, 2016
NOT APPROVED
Members Present: Mark Miller, Bev Israelson, Mike Aigner, Chad Erickson, Pat Freitag, and Deb Byars
Others Present: Pastor Ellingson
Prayer: Pastor Ellingson
Opening Devotion: Pastor Ellingson
June 1 Devotions: Robert Stein
Communion Assistant: May 15 - Mark Miller
Communion Assistant: June 5 - Debi Byars
Offering Counter: All of Council
Food Pantry Item for June: Kid Snacks
Secretary’s Report: Approved April minutes with no changes.
Treasurer’s Report: Approved with no changes.
Committee Reports:
Finance - Scott Smith - absent
Property and Maintenance - RC Stein - absent
Education - Chad Erickson -Sunday School sing on Mother's Day
Music and Worship - Bev Israelson - still working on getting information and estimates
Youth - Mike Aigner - Kids went to SkyZone in April, youth are participating in Service on Mother's Day, Kaitlyn and harlie went to Senior High Gathering in April
Faith Women - Deb Byars - Mother Daughter Tea is May 7, Lori Brakke speaker
Stewardship - Ross Aigner (absent) discussed having a steward-ship article in the newsletter more often or every month. We will check with Ross to see if he wants to get a committee together to look for articles and other stewardship activities.
Endowment - Mark Miller - scholarship deadline is June 15
Decorating - Pat Freitag - nothing to report
Old Business:
Bertha Otteson Bequeath - No report
Senior Sunday - May 15 Gifts will be given to our four seniors (Hunter Aigner, Riley Miller, Garrett Morten-son, and Harlie Nord)
New Business:
Synod Assembly - RC and Sue will be our delegates. Pr. Nadia Bolz-Weber is the keynote speaker on Fri-day, May 20 at 7pm. Others can attend with admission.
Next meeting will be June 1 at 7 pm. We will meet at 7 until further notice.
Meeting adjourn.
Lord's Prayer.
Submitted by Debi Byars
Faith Women
The ELCA Women’s Bible
Retreat will be held on
Monday, June 6th at the
Holiday Inn in Detroit Lakes.
Lori Kettner of Fergus Falls
will be the speaker.
Attendees are asked to bring
one item for the Lakes Crisis
and Resource center, such as
hand Crème, deodorant,
toothpaste, toothbrush, gift
cards from K-Mart or Wal-
Mart, or gas cards.
Faith Share and Care
Congratulations to Heidi Rasmussen on receiving
her Masters Degree in Soil Sciences from NDSU.
Heidi’s undergraduate degree is Zoology.
Congratulations to Sheyenne Doctor on graduating
from NDSCS with an Associate in Applied Science
Degree as an Occupation Therapy Assistant!
Sheyenne was honored with the Scholastic
Achievement Award. Sheyenne thanks the Faith
Lutheran congregation for their support & for the
generous scholarships she received.
Memorial Day Service At Faith Lutheran Church Monday, May 30, 2016 At 11:00 am Potluck to follow
Please come and honor those who have made such great sacrifices on our behalf.
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FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH PO BOX 175
302 1ST STREET WOLVERTON, MN 56594-0175
Return Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage
PAID Permit No. 001
Wolverton, MN 56594
Faith Lutheran Church will return to our
summer schedule of 9:30 worship
in the month’s of June, July, and August.
Important Dates
Monday, May 30—Memrorial Day Service at FLC 11:00am potluck to follow
June 15—Scholarship deadline
Sunday, June 19—Pr. Helen Beth Kuhens will lead worship
Sunday, June 26—Lay Service
Tuesday, June 28—VBS 3:00—5:30
5:30-6:30 Supper (bring a salad or dessert to share)
6:30-7:30 Worship (Lay service lead by youth)
Sunday, July 3—NO WORSHIP—the VBS lead worship on June 28
will replace this service.