Fall 2015

St. Olaf Lutheran Church 665 Central Ave. N. Swift Current, Sask.

306-773-4697

Pastor Greg Kiel –306-773-8872 Pastor Linda Hall-306-778-6982

Serving Southwest Lutheran Parish-

St. Olaf, Swift Current; Kyle Lutheran Parish; St. Paul-Herbert; Scandia-Cabri; and

Immanuel-Admiral.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Whether we like it or not fall is coming! Harvest is progressing, the days are getting shorter, I already see the blackbirds gathering together, ducks and geese flocking to-gether, leaves starting to change colour and the temperature cool-ing off at night. Dare I say sn**? Change is in the air! As Canadians, one thing we know is that we always have to be ready for the next season coming. Each season has its own beauty and challenges. We can see change happening all around us in the church and our congregation as well. Sometimes I think we get paralyzed when we are faced with change in the church because we are in uncomfortable territory. It is not a “season” we embrace nor un-derstand. In our modern day culture, it is difficult to know how to reach out, and even who to reach out to. We can make assump-tions about people’s background and history and this prevents us from reaching out to them. Ecclesiastes 11:4 says; Whoever observes the wind will not sow; and whoever regards the clouds will not reap. Evangelism is much like farming; you plant regardless of what you think the year may be like. You sow the crop in spite of difficult conditions or challenges. In farming one thing is for sure; if you don’t plant a crop you will not get a crop! This is very similar to the church in regards to the modern culture; we will not reach any-body with the Gospel unless we reach out! Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that it is God who prepares us for all things; there is a time and a season for all matters under heaven. I guess it begs the question; What matters? The cross prepares us for all things. It prepares us for disappoint-ment and it prepares us for challenge. It also prepares us for a new wonderful, glorious hope! May the one who rose from the dead, enliven us to continue to reach out in this season of the storms of uncertainty in the church and the present day culture, give us new life, and surprise us with possibility and hope for all that lies ahead of us. Change is in the air! Blessings; Pastor Greg

FUNERALS Tillman Moe passed away Aug 14,2015 Shirley Schlichting passed away Aug 21, 2015 Kresti Schatkoksi passed away Sept. 1, 2015

Martha Deobald passed away Aug 11, 2015.

May God Comfort Those Who Mourn ===========================================

Baptisms: Taytum Steele Davie son of Nicole & Blade Davie was born

March 20, 2015 in Swift Current. Baptized Aug 23,2015

Sponsors are Riley Straub and Melissa Paulsen.

Blade George Davie-Adult Baptism –Aug 23. 2015

Weddings:

Tony Gatzke & Tanya Thome were married in Regina on

Sept.5 ,2015

Canadian Lutherans respond to Syrian refugee crisis with sponsorship and aid

As the conflict enters into fifth year people are growing increasingly desperate and

need for assistance heightens: You can help

A heartbreaking photo of a little boy, Aylan Kurdi, who drowned when the boat he

was on capsized off the coast of Turkey. Thousands of people desperately trying to

find refuge in Europe. For many, these stories have been a renewed call-to-action

to help Syrians fleeing violence and bloodshed in their country.

As that conflict escalates, Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) and our part-

ners are continuing to respond to the suffering.

CLWR has been supporting Syrian refugees in Jordan since 2012 with support

from the Canadian government, the Government of Saskatchewan, partner agen-

cies including Canadian Foodgrains Bank and The Lutheran World Federation,

and Lutherans from across the country.

Our response to date has grown to more than $9 million in programming.

Emergency food vouchers were distributed over two six month periods to almost

3,500 households having difficulty meeting their family’s food needs.

Over 6,000 households have received non-food relief items including heaters, gas

refills, clothing, sheets, mattress covers and hygiene kits. Over 700 dilapidated

shelters were rehabilitated for warmth, safety, and water and sanitation.

This programming supported Syrian refugees and impoverished Jordanian families

struggling with rising costs due to the increased demand for housing, food and

other resources.

CLWR has also shipped $300,000 worth of aid donated by Canadians through our

We Care program to people in the Za’atari refugee camp and refugees living in ur-

ban areas in northern Jordan. The shipments included sweaters and other clothing,

blankets, school supplies and hygiene kits. Another shipment is scheduled to be

loaded and dispatched on September 22 and 23.

In Canada, CLWR has submitted 124 refugee sponsorship applications to date for

Syrians on behalf of Canadian congregations, groups and families who wish to

sponsor them to come to Canada. CLWR is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder with

the Canadian government. CLWR continues to receive requests in record numbers

from other Canadians who wish to help Syrian refugees find a safe home in Can-

ada.

In particular, CLWR is anticipating applications for 500 refugee sponsorships over

the next three years following the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s recent

motion at the July national convention. It is expected that most of the 500 people

will be Syrians.

We’ve been on the front lines delivering aid to Syrian refugees with the support of

Canadian Lutherans, our Canadian and international partners, communities in Jor-

dan, and Syrian refugees themselves,” says Robert Granke, CLWR’s executive di-

rector. “We intend to continue doing so.”

“Although the needs are enormous, there are things Canadians can do. One way is

make a donation to help those who are struggling to survive because of the con-

flict, or consider sponsoring refugees to come to Canada. Another is to pray for

peace in the region, so people no longer need to flee. Please reach out today.”

Those who would like to make a donation to help those affected by the crisis in

Syria can go to http://clwr.donorshops.com/product/685132A/

syrianrefugeerelief.php.

For those interested in learning more about refugee sponsorship, please contact

Fikre Tsehai, CLWR’s Development Manager for Refugee Resettlement, at

1.888.588.6686, or Jennifer Ardon, CLWR’s Project Officer for Refugee Resettle-

ment, at 1.888.255.0150. Or visit our website at www.clwr.org/

refugeeresettlement.

For more information, contact: Tom Brook, Community Relations Director for Ca-

nadian Lutheran World Relief, tbrook@clwr.mb.ca

Canadian Lutheran World Relief carries out international relief, development and

refugee resettlement on behalf of Canadian Lutherans. Our vision is world where

people live in justice, peace and dignity, united in diversity and empowered to

achieve their universal rights to basic needs and quality of life. www.clwr.org

=========================================================

ELCIC National Convention was held July 9-15 in

Edmonton,Alta.

A full report of the convention experience and work of the

church gathered is posted on the St. Olaf website www.stolaf.ca

under News –Newsletter (Convention Report 2015)

Copies of the report are also available at the back of the church.

Pastor Linda Hall & Sonja Lidfors attended as your delegates

and John McPherson attended as a visitor.

Acolyte Training Event

Inviting all youth grade two and older.

You can be a part of the worship service by lighting candles

carrying the cross helping with a baptism

collecting communion glasses help with taking the offering

Please come and join Pastor Linda in a training session on

Monday, October 26 at 4:00 p.m.

We will begin with a snack and then move into the training.

Please call the church office at 306-773-4697 to let us know you are coming.

============================================= St Olaf Fall Supper

The committee will be calling volunteers for food and workers,

there will also be a sign up sheet in the Narthex

for a few other groceries

Hope to see you there!

Fall Supper Committee is Louise Morris, Debbie Unger,

Marla Kiel, Connie Rayner, Donna Bourgoin, Patti Gatzke.

Cool days and long evenings are upon us — a good time to curl up with a good book. Over the spring and summer the library committee has received a good number of books through pur-chase or donation. Many of them are on the table in the li-brary, not yet on the shelves. There are novels, which are a great favourite of some readers, books such as The "Ghost Boy" that tell inspirational real life stories, books for thought and meditation, and a variety of children’s books. Check them out. We will display them for a time before put-ting them on the shelves. The committee asks you that when you borrow a book, please pull out the card from the inside cover, sign your name on it and drop it into the little box that is provided. Usually there is a member of the committee in the library on Sunday mornings to help you if you need it, and to suggest books that might interest you. If someone takes out a book and doesn’t leave the card, we have no way of tracking it down. Unfortunately, we have lost books because of this oversight. Children are probably the most eager users of the library. There is a brisk turnover of books and videos that is very good to see. A handful of very avid adult readers keep us on our toes to bring in new books. Come to the library and have a look, borrow books. There’s lots of good stuff there for every taste. Give us suggestions of what you would like to see added to the shelves and feedback about books you have read. The library is yours. The committee is just the caretaker. Happy reading.

ELW Report for Newsletter ELW ladies kept busy with regular duties in the summer months. In July we served at 1 funeral, cleaned the kitchen, looked after altar duties. In July and August we have no General meetings or Bible studies. Our Program Coordinators look after the summer programs. July we went on a garden tour. Most enjoyable! Sunday morning coffee was served with Circles taking turns providing the goodies and serving. August we again served at 1 funeral, cleaned the kitchen , altar du-ties. During the summer Hope circle supplied us with garden flowers. Eva Lang arranged them for the Altar. Thank you. Great job! Flowers add to our service.! Supper at Doc's Town was our program for August. Great food. We toured the West Wing Gallery where we viewed paintings. Our own Dennis Hall had 5 great prints! Thanks. Summer coffee donation of $302.55 was sent to CLWR Sept. found us back and busy. Serving at 3 funerals, Cooking at Fresh Start, Bible study with Circle meetings, Altar duties, kitchen cleaning, etc. Nominating committee had their meeting, filling all the positions. Thanks Coming in Sept. we will have a General meeting with program, Esther circle is our hostess. ELW continues to help out with the utilities by donating $300 a month. Oct., Nov. we will continue with our Bible studies and regular duties. No General meetings. Executive will meet if needed. October--Hope Circle will be hosting a Birthday party at Pioneer Lodge. We will be decorating the altar for Thanksgiving. Coming in Dec. ELW Christmas program. President--------Louise Morris

FOOD BANK SUNDAY IS ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF

EVERY MONTH.

Remember the less fortunate in our community by buying some

groceries for them. There is always a need for canned soups,

canned vegetables, pasta sauce, pasta, rice, canned milk,

tomatoes, beans or even onions & potatoes. Personal items can

also be purchased such as soaps, laundry detergent,

hair shampoos, hand lotions etc. Thank you to Allen & Isabella

Sundby who take these items to Mental Health & the South-

west Crisis Center every month.

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The Adult Bible Study is every Wed @ 9:30 am in the Friendship Room. Bible Studies are avail-able in the office. ====================================================

Radio Broadcast Sundays

Broadcasts are sponsored by members of the

congregation for special occasions or in memory

of loved ones . The cost is $115.50.

If you are interested in sponsoring a broadcast

please let the church office know.

The next Broadcast Sunday is Nov 8.

The service will be recorded on Nov 1 .

Thank you to those who have sponsored broadcasts in the past

What’s Happening @ St. Olaf Lutheran Church & the Southwest Lutheran Parish

Sunday Oct. 4– CLWR Pie Sale before Service. All proceeds go to CLWR.

Oct. 15-Lefsa Bee 1:00 pm

Oct. 22-Lefsa Bee 1:00 pm

Oct. 27-Perogy Bee 12:00 noon-Peel Potatoes 5:00

pm Make perogies

Oct. 29-Lefsa Bee 1:00 pm

Sat. Nov. 7– St. Olaf Fall Supper-two settings 4:30 pm & 6:00 pm.

Nov 17-Perogy Bee 8:30 am Peel Potatoes

1:00 pm Make perogies.

Nov. 22-Grateful Sunday Service and Sunday School Soup &

Sandwich Lunch after service.

Nov. 28-Cookie Walk 9:00 am-1:00 pm Soup Lunch available @ 11:00am

Lefsa & Perogies for sale

Time to Think About Your Canada Lutheran Renewals From progressive ministries to practical spiritual guidance, Canada Lutheran introduces readers to people and ideas that will provoke discussion and connect them to their home congregations, the Na-tional Church, and our global ministries - helping our members live their lives In Mission for Others. If you want the Canada Lutheran please send a cheque payable to St. Olaf Lutheran Church , marked “Canada Lutheran” for $18. All cheques should be in our office before Oct. 31, 2015 Ruby Laing is our Canada Lutheran rep. Please contact her if there are any changes. 306-784-3251

COOKIE WALK Craft Sale & Soup Lunch Nov 28 9 am-1:00 pm Come and do all your Christmas baking in a few minutes. Soup Lunch will be available @ 11:00 am We will be selling perogies and lefsa. Calling all cookie bakers to make cookies for our Cookie Walk. We need lots of

cookies (over 300 dozen) or dainties to make this a successful fundraiser. We have lots of people who come to our Cookie Walk and get all their Christmas baking-be creative.

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Julian Weiseth

Mike Wollbaum

3 Allan Chilton

4 Misty Shotter

Ryker Wall

5 Julia Norheim

Burnette Olson

Shannon Soparlo

7 Lloyd Meyer

Kale Scherger

9 Patti Gatzke

Esther Weiseth

Dennis Wagner

Amy Chilton

10 Lorrie Regier

11 Evelyn Olson

Deb Steinley

12 Waldemar Boehm

13 Cynthia Lenz

Leo Wengel

16 Ron Sauder

Lane Peters

17 Lloyd Busch

Shae Congdon

Logan Lenz

19 Karen Erlandson

Krystina Mantie

20 Louise Busch

Wayne Kelln

Harvey Mantie

Ron Phaneuf

22 Connie Rayner

Mary Vangen

25 Allen Sundby

26 Gilbert Bulin

Maryanne Wagner

Rueben Heglund

31 Marla Kiel

.NOVEMBER

BIRTHDAYS

1 Tim Scherger

5 Loel Steinley

Austin Urbanoski

6 Russell Hanson

9 Angela Doane

13 Hailey Hornung

14 Ben Unger

16 Ron Heeg

18 Jeanne Heeg

Ruby Martinson

Peggy Nybo

Keith Peters

20 Margaret Wall

Alex Wollbaum

23 Bryon Campbell

Howard Steinley

24 Leon Singbeil

Morgan Nybo

25 Harley Hagman

26 Duane Doane

28 Pauline Singbeil

29 Alice Hennig

30 Michelle Wall

NOVEMBER ANNIVER-

SARIES

15/69 Allen & Isabella

Sundby

16/63 Gordon & Ev Evjen

OCTOBER ANNIVER

SARIES 01/88 Bryan & Kerrie Nybo

06/79 Neil & Shauna Bulin

07/72 Peter & Dorothy

Quebec

08/83 Ed & Lana Birkedal

08/77 Jim & Pam Plewis

09/65 Horst & Alice Hennig

09/99 Cam & Heidi Laing

09/65 Harvey & Cheryl

Nybo

10/87 Russell & Wendy

Muri

10/70 Gordon & Debbie

Sauder

10/87 Greg & Pauline

Singbeil

10/58 Leo & Shirley Wengel

11/75 Ben & Debbie Unger

12/63 Ron & Jeanne Heeg

12/91 Wendell &

Roxanne Kehler

12/96 Darren & Michelle

Steinley

16/93 Mike & Rhonda

Wollbaum

17/43 James & Cora

Macaulay

20/84 Tim & Kathy Scherger

22/56 Lawrence & Lillian

Feil

25/56 Ron & Linda Sauder

26/91 Owen & Lisa Wall

28/89 Clarence & Lorinda

Hughes

28/00 Sharon Lang & Bob

Armstrong

30/65 Floyd & Doreen

Currie

Perogy Bees are set Oct.27– 12 am Peel potatoes. Cook & Mash.

5:00 pm make perogies Nov 17 –8:30 am peel potatoes. Cook & mash. Need some men to lift the heavy pots. 1:00 am –Making perogies-no experience necessary. We will only sell perogies at the Cookie Walk

Lefsa Bees—Mark the days, sign up sheets on the bulletin Board for supplies . If you can help in any way that would be great. Oct. 15@ 1:00pm Oct.22@ 1:00 pm Oct. 29 @ 1:00 pm If you have a lefsa griddle, rolling pin or lifters please bring them with you. No experience necessary. Come and have fun. Lefsa will only be sold at the Cookie Walk.

SASK YOUTH NEWS Big plans are in the works for a Maritime site seeing bus trip to take place before CLAY 2016 in Charlottetown, PEI. As of right now, the plan is for everyone who is coming on the bus trip to fly in to Halifax, NS on Sunday, August 14, 2016. We will spend 2 nights in Halifax while we take a day trip out of the city to see amazing places like Peg-gy’s Cove and we’ll also have a day in the city to go to the Citadel and hopefully go on a boat cruise in the harbour (yet to be confirmed!). From Halifax, we will take the bus to Moncton so we are close to Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy which we’ll visit at low tide so we can explore the ocean floor. Then we’ll head to Charlottetown to get ready for the gath-ering! It’s going to be an amazing trip!! Watch for registration forms this September. For more information, please contact Gretchen (Synod Youth Ministry Coordinator) at sksynody-outh@elcic.ca

DIRECT FAIR TRADE COFFEE Need some good tasting coffee and want to help the farmers that produce it: we have several types of coffee available at the church. 300 gm packages are $8 (beans or ground). If you want to order coffee in larger quantities just give Lorraine at the office a call.

(306-773-4697) There are also packages of dried fruit. These make great snacks. Packages are $5. We have pineapple & mango. There will be new packages next order in one pound bags For $12. We can get Columbia, Decaffinated Columbia, Bolivia,Peru,Tanzania,Ethiopa,Congo,Espresso Blend,French Roast,Summer Blend & Winter Harvest. These coffees make great gifts.

Southwest Homes Community Connections Day

Program has a new and exciting service to offer the

communities residents!

We now do person errands or shopping

Pick up your groceries

Pick up medications

Deliver or pick up a parcel

Cost to you ? Only $3.00 minimum charge right to your

door.

St. Olaf Lutheran Church Fall Supper

665 Central Ave. N.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Settings @ 4:30 pm & 6:00 pm Turkey & all the trimmings.

Pie for dessert. Gluten free options are available.

Adult $15 Youth( 6-12) $8 Preschool-Free

Advance tickets only @ the Church

or phone 773-4697 Preorder your takeouts before

November 4, 2015