408 Ninth Street NW

Mandan, ND 58554

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH

Phone: 701-663-3594

Fax: 701-663-6217

E-mail: jackie@firstlutheranofmandan.org

Building Faith and

Transforming Lives

in Christ.

ADDRESS LABEL

www.firstlutheranofmandan.org

We’re on the web!

Council E-mail:

cc@firstlutheranofmandan.org

Happy Thanksgiving to

you and your family from

First Lutheran Staff!

30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and

tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you —

you of little faith?

34"So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of

its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6:30;34 NRSV

This month I write to you as a mother of two young boys. William is

turning four years old this month, and I think calling him energetic

doesn’t quite cover it. He is so full of life and he feels emotions deeply.

Then, there is Amos a beautiful baby boy. Amos was baptized into

Christ on Reformation Sunday, October 27th. It is fun to image what

his personality will be like in between sweet smiles and coos.

I have to confess I have never known so much anxiety and fear. I

worry about my children and feel a deep responsibility for them. I

want to shield them from the evil of the world, and I weep because I

know I can’t. Sometimes, the anxiety and fear can feel overwhelming.

How often does my anxiety and fear keep me from living for today? Do

my anxiety and fear keep me from seeing the blessing and gifts God

has given me?

Oh, me of little faith!

How many of you carry around anxiety and fear? How many of you

worry about the people and places you love? How often do you find it

overwhelming?

The gospel of Matthew reminds us that God is at work in our lives

taking care of all of our today’s and tomorrow’s. That you and I are

clothed in Christ, who is the one who calls us out of our fear and into

the bright light of today. There will always be trouble tomorrow. So

we look only to today, and Christ the one who gives us hope.

O God, you want us to give thanks in all circumstances and to lay all

our cares on you, knowing that you care for us. Grant that fears and

anxieties in this mortal life may not hide from us the light of your

immortal love shown to us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Your sister in Christ,

Pastor Chris

November 2019

First Lutheran Church

November Newsletter

First Lutheran

Staff Interim Pastor

Rev. Gene Anderson

663-3594

Associate Pastor

Rev. Christina Martin

663-3594

Parish Administrator

Jackie Schulz

663-3594

Sunday School Ministry

Coordinator

Kama Hoovestol

663-3594

Wednesday Family Ministry

Coordinator

Savannah Miller

663-3594

Custodians

Ron & Mavis Watson

Financial Administration

Jennifer Scheet

First Lutheran Is A Mission

Partner with Camp of the

Cross Ministries

PAGE 2 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH November 2019

November is Stewardship Month!

As we gather for Thanksgiving this year in homes across community,

we also give thanks to God for our faith home. Sunday, November 17th

and Wednesday, November 20th will be our stewardship ingathering

services as we pledge our commitment to Christ and his church for

2020.

Be sure to set your clocks

back 1 hour before you go to

bed on Saturday, November

2nd.

Thank you to Dakota Community

Bank & Trust for grilling,

providing all the food & serving

LAF on Thursday, October 3rd. It

was greatly appreciated!

Thank you to everyone who helped out for our lutefisk

supper. It was greatly appreciated!! This is a

congregational event that takes many people to accomplish

great things.

Special thanks to Lori Meyers for again

faithfully acting as Coordinator.

We have lutefisk & lefse available to buy. The cost for lutefisk is $5.59 a pound & lefse is $1.50 per sheet. Please stop in the office or call 663-3594. Thank you!

Thanks to all the workers listed below for all the help with the packing of

Lutheran World Relief on October 17th. Through all of your help, we can help

others. We packed 64 School Kits, 20 Health Kits and 100 Quilts. Also thanks to

Rod Skytland & Andrew Unruh for pickup and delivery of boxes. God’s love —

Leona Keidel.

Leona Keidel Les & Darlene Sayler Roy Poppe

Virginia Hambrick Ralph & Naida Feland Jacquie Chase

If you are not using your offering envelopes please call the

church office and let us know so we can save money on sending

them out! The church office number is 663-3594. Thank you!

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PAGE 10 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH NOVEMBER 2019

Mark Your Calendar…

7th: LAF ~ Hot Dogs

14th: LAF ~ Sloppy Joes

21st: LAF ~ Sandwiches

28th: No LAF

Who LOVES Popcorn?

The youth going on the Mission Trip this summer will be taking

orders for gourmet popcorn starting November 4th!

While supplies last, they

will even be handing out

samples.

We can take orders no

latter than Wednesday,

November 20th.

The orders will be ready

for pick up before Christmas. Come and check us out and maybe even

order a Christmas gift!

All Second Graders are Invited to Receive a

Bible!

2nd graders will be receiving their own Bible on Sunday,

November 17th at the 8:30 AM and 10:45 A.M. worship

services or Wednesday, November 20th at the 6:00 P.M.

worship.

Don’t forget to join during Sunday and Wednesday to

learn how to use your new bibles!

Please contact Pastor Chris at

663-3594 or by email, with the

child’s name and which service you

will be attending. Please contact

Pastor Chris no later than

Wednesday, November 13th.

The youth want to thank you for

all your support! Youth Mission

Trips are an important part of

faith formation. Without your

support and prayers it would

never be possible to raise the

funds necessary to go.

So THANK YOU!

PAGE 4 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH NOVEMBER 2019

Worship Schedule

Special Thanks

Thank you to all the greeters, ushers, communion servers,

readers, communion set-up, coffee hour workers, and to all

who have supplied goodies for the last month. Your help is

greatly appreciated!

Baptisms:

October 20 Jack James Seiler

October 23 Haley Jane Bernhardt

October 27 Amos Troy Martin

Weddings:

October 12 Daltin Berger & Kylee Southwood

Funerals:

Memorial Fund

Pastoral Acts

In memory of Ray Dockter given by Fred & Judy Bott, Pat Dockter.

In memory of Eugene Boehm given by Linda Stastny.

In memory of Warren Buehler given by Linda Stastny.

In memory of Harry, Gerald & Sandy Renken given by Hilda Renken.

Deadline for

articles for the

December

Newsletter will be

November 18th.

November ~ Mission of the Month

Weekend Meals for Mandan Kids

Items needed are Chap Stick, Canned Tuna, Canned Chicken,

Canned Ham, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Fruit Cups, Canned

Fruit, Granola Bars, Cereal, Pudding Cups, Applesauce, Chef

Boyardee', Mac & Cheese, Soups, Hamburger Helper, Spa-

ghetti Noodles, Spaghetti Sauce, Pop Tarts, Instant Mashed

Potatoes, Rice A Roni, Pasta Roni, Pork and Beans, Baked

Beans, Pancake Mix-no eggs required such as Krusteaz

Brand, Syrup.

NO GLASS JARS PLEASE!

You may put your items in the boxes in the Narthex. Thank

you!

Sunday ~

8:30 am ~ Traditional

10:45 am ~ Contemporary

9:30 am ~ Coffee

9:30 am ~ Church School

Wednesday ~

6:00 pm ~ Contemporary

6:00 pm ~ Church School

7:00 pm ~ Confirmation

The Saints who have departed from our congregation since our last All Saints observance on November 4, 2018:

PAGE 9 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH NOVEMBER 2019

Elvira Grenz

Lloyd Keidel

Dave Poppe

Ruth Hinkel

Helen Vanous

Bill Schott

Willis Koenig

Betty Eisenbeisz

Scott Heinert

Cheryl Lundstrom

John Hermanson

Lester Toman

Gilbert Stenmoen

Jamie MacKinnon

Jeanette Sagmiller

Grace Mork

Shawn Mehlhoff

Elaine Sinness

Gordon Berge

Arnold Albrecht

Paulette Bentz

Eugene Boehm

Ray Dockter

Brenda Davis

Warren Buehler

Mike Messelt

Tax Planning information….

A State Tax Credit for Endowment Gifts is available for individuals if they make a gift to a qualified ND endowment (First Lutheran Church Mission Endowment Fund is a qualified Fund.). In-dividuals may receive a state tax credit for a contribution of $5,000 or more (lump sum or aggregate in one year) to a qualified ND endowment. The tax credit is 40% of the chartable deduction allowed by the IRS up to a maximum credit of $10,000 per year per taxpayer or $20,000 per year per couple filing jointly. Effective for taxable years starting in 2007.

Businesses (C corporations, S corporations, estates, limited liability companies, trusts, and financial institutions) that pay state income tax may receive a 40% credit up to a maximum credit of $10,000 for contributions to a qualified ND endowment. Effective for taxable years starting in 2007, except for financial institutions effective in 2011.

Please consult your own attorney, accountant or financial advisor for advise on your situation.

For other ways to contribute, please refer to the Leave a Legacy brochure located in the Narthex and complete the “Information Request Form” located in the brochure. Also, find helpful information provided by the First Lutheran Mission Endowment Committee in the weekly bulletins and monthly newsletters. Contact any of the Committee Members: Kristi Entzi (400-6900), Michelle Radke (400-9687), Heather Heinle (226-4956), Terry Bohn (471-7725), or Dave Anderson (400-5081) or call the church office for more information on how you can contribute (663-3594).

You can now give electronically! Here’s how:

DOWNLOAD THE “GIVE PLUS” APP TODAY!

OR TEXT 8449340609 TO DONATE

PAGE 8 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH NOVEMBER 2019 NOVEMBER 2019 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH PAGE 5

First Lutheran Church Council Minutes

Date: September 16, 2019

Members Present: Pastor Gene Anderson, President Kevin Fishbeck, Vice President Wayne

Friesz, Secretary Jeff Bradford, Cody Miller, Mike Hatzenbuhler, Carol Nitschke, Mike Held,

Tony Michlitsch

Members Absent: Ron Webb, Pastor Christina Martin (Maternity Leave)

Additional Present: Darrell Nitschke, Claudia Tomanek, Lori Meyers, Jen Scheet

Devotions: Kevin Fishbeck talked about Roberts Rules of order and how they apply to our

mission.

Approval of Agenda: Motion to Approve by Carol Nitschke. Seconded by Tony Michlitsch.

Motion Passed.

Approval of August 15 Minutes: Motion to approve by Cody Miller. Seconded by Wayne

Friesz. Motion Passed.

Guests:

Lutefisk Supper – Lori Meyers: She has volunteered to chair the event this year. It will

happen on October 19. Last year income exceeded expenses even though there has been a

downward trend in attendance of the event. Next year new options may need to be

discussed. Lefse went up $0.02 / sheet but Lutefisk stayed the same.

Call Committee Update – Darrel Nitschke and Claudia Tomanek: Call Committee has

finished the first draft of the Site Profile which was well received by the council. There

will be a survey going out by mail and online to all members eliciting input on some focus

areas.

Financial Report: Operations are currently staying under budget, but revenues have been

trending down versus prior years. Discussion about Stewardship changes.

Unfinished Business: None

New Business:

Unofficial Council Meeting: Council convened in the last month, but not all members

notified so meetings were unofficial and had no formal business. Devotion discussion

clarified council guidelines.

Vanco Online Giving: Mike Held and Jen Scheet explored an online giving platform and

gave a report. This will allow congregation to give via electronic payments versus just the

offering at church. Motion made by Jeff Bradford to go forward with setting up an

account and explore further, but not purchase a kiosk at this time. Seconded by Carol

Nitschke. Motion Passed.

New Church Credit Card: Jen did some research about where a church can get a credit

card without requiring an individual person to sign as collateral. American Bank Center

has a program that does this. Wayne Friesz made a motion that Jen Scheet has approval

to move forward with the application process. Seconded by Mike Held. Motion Passed.

Church Van Windshield wiper repair: This is not a council issue.

Visitor Attendance Pads: Add to overhead

Council Members wear Name Tags: Idea was to keep the fellowship greeting with coffee

and donuts that happened on Rally Sunday to become a regular occurrence. Tony and

Carol will set this up and come up with a schedule.

Call Committee Request: The Guest Section of the meeting covered these details

Fall Church Services: (8:30, 10:45 and Wed 6:00 pm). When Pastor Chris returns, we will

be back on our normal sermon schedule.

Interim Process: Gene indicated that he would like to continue to serve the church through

the interim process so long as the congregation wants him to continue. He discussed the

phases of the interim process and the changes that often occur during this timeframe.

Reports: (Secretary Note: As the meeting went very late, it was requested by Kevin Fishbeck

that reports are submitted to the secretary electronically. They will be approved in the minutes

at the next meeting.)

Pastor Gene: No Update.

Pastor Christina: Absent (Maternity Leave)

Stewardship: Mike has started exploring a new stewardship campaign called Devoted to

Generosity 365 and will see how this pairs with the Vanco program.

Worship: See Attached.

Parish Education/Youth: Sunday and Wednesday School programs have started. As

always, more help is needed especially on Wednesday, but enthusiasm is high for the new

format and curriculum (Holy Moly). Jeff has scheduled a Demo of KidCheck, one of the

options for attendance security of our youth. Many other churches have a single point

checkin/checkout that is often a kiosk to ensure that each child is returned to the

respective parent.

Evangelism & Outreach: No Update.

Property Management: No Update.

Correspondence: None to note.

Motion to Adjourn: Motion made by Wayne Friesz. Seconded by Tony Michlitsch. Motion

Passed.

Meeting ended with the Lord’s Prayer. Next meeting will be Monday October 21st.

Continued on next page

PAGE 6 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH NOVEMBER 2019 Attachment: Worship Committee Report

The Worship Committee is currently working toward setting up worship teams for each of our

three services. Current team members are:

8:30 a.m.

Loretta White

Norma Lundstrom

Eunice Wolf

10:45 a.m.

Kyra Schulz

Kathy Brandvold

Alison Brandvold

Linda Anseth

Wednesday

Kathy Brandvold

Cathy Long

Cara Mitzel

We have met with the 8:30 and 10:45 worship teams on two occasions to date. The purpose of

the meetings are to give input to the overall service and also to discuss the various types of

music to be used at services and also to select the actual songs to be used.

We have a meeting set for Wednesday, October 2nd for the Wednesday and 10:45 teams.

At this point – the Wednesday and 10:45 services will be very similar in nature in terms of the

music selections.

Submitted by,

Carol Nitschke

Tony Michlitsch