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September/October 2014

Table

alkalkalk www.fairbankslutheran.org

1012 Cowles Street Fairbanks, AK 99701 (across from the public library)

Phone: 452-3425 Fax: 452-3422 Email: fairluth@gci.net

Sunday Schedule 8:30am Heritage Service

9:45am Sunday School for all ages

11:00am Celebration 2 Service

FFFairbanks

LLLutheran

CCChurch

Pg 2 Pastor's Words

Pg 3 Sunday School

Pg 4 Confirmation

Pg 4 Service Time Change

Pg 4 Photo Directory

Pg 5 Treasurer’s Report

Pg 6 Women’s Retreat

Pg 6 Christmas Bazaar

Pg 7-8 Thrivent

Pg 9-10 Summer Activities

Pg 11-12 VBS 2014

Pg 13 Family Camp

Pg 14 Birthdays & Anniversaries

Fairbanks Lutheran participated in ELCA’s Day of Service

by collecting new clothing for Fairbanks Homeless Teens

FLC participated in Love Inc’s Love Cruise Silent Auction

Bread Basket put together by several FLC folks

God’s Work, Our Hands

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How great to be back in Fairbanks again and with all of you

at FLC as your Interim Pastor for the rest of the year.

Thanks to everyone who brought in “stuff” to furnish the

parsonage for me. You never realize how many things it

takes to make a home functional until you start form

scratch!

Let me start by introducing myself for those of you who

may not know me. I lived in Fairbanks from 2003 to 2012, serving as Christ Lutheran’s pastor for

eight of those years. After retiring and enjoying living in Fairbanks as a non-working person for a

year, I moved back to Oregon where I’d served for nearly 20 years and where my extended family

lives. Bishop Shelly Wickstrom’s phone call inviting me to do the first part of the Interim at FLC has

given me a wonderful opportunity to “come home” for a while.

While I’m here, I’ll be taking on the regular duties of a parish pastor: preaching, teaching and

providing pastoral care. But my primary focus as an interim pastor will be to assess the health and

culture of Fairbanks Lutheran and help you to prepare for calling a new pastor. The Congregational

Profile Committee is now in place and my job will be to facilitate the completion of that document

so you are ready to begin the active process of calling a new permanent pastor in the New Year.

I look forward to becoming acquainted or re-acquainted with many of you in the next four months

as we together strive to carry out the gospel of Jesus Christ and the mission of Fairbanks Lutheran.

Peace to your hearts,

Pastor Susan Granata

Ephesians 6:18Ephesians 6:18Ephesians 6:18

AAAnd pray in the Spirit on nd pray in the Spirit on nd pray in the Spirit on allallall

occasions with all kinds of prayers occasions with all kinds of prayers occasions with all kinds of prayers

and requests. With this in mind, be and requests. With this in mind, be and requests. With this in mind, be

alert and always keep on praying alert and always keep on praying alert and always keep on praying

for for for allallall the Lord’s people.the Lord’s people.the Lord’s people.

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Attention all Children: Sunday School is starting up again. Children ages 4 through 6th grade will meet together upstairs in the community room until the Godly Play room downstairs is restored.

Our first day of Sunday School is this coming Sunday,

September 14 at 9:45am. This year the children will learn about great heroes in the Old

Testament like Isaac, Jacob, Samson, Jonah, Samuel, Solomon, Daniel and Nehemiah for the fall session. After Christmas there will be

lessons telling about the ministry of Jesus and his disciples. Come each Sunday and learn more about our awesome God!

Adults (young & not so young) and of course the youth, we encourage you to sign up to tell the story for the week or to be the helper which in-

cludes supplying a craft or a snack that would fit with the theme of the day. Please look at the schedule located in the narthex, find a lesson you would like to tell and sign up to help. If you are unsure of what to do as the storyteller, sign up to be a helper instead. Direct your questions to Lois Heine 456-5722, Vanessa Jackson 322-0200, Shawna Holman 979-308-8611 or Pastor Susan.

Fall Adult Education Schedule:

Sept. 14 to Oct. 12: “Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life” How do our spirituality and faith life change as we move

through adulthood? Is it the same at age 70 as it was at age

40 or age 20? Should it be? Join Pastor Susan as she helps us

explore this topic through a fascinating and thought provoking video series with Father Richard Rohr, a Franciscan Priest and

Founder of the Center For Action and Contemplation in

Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Oct. 26 to Nov. 16: “The Healthy Congregation” What does a healthy congregation look like? Are there signs that

indicate that it may be headed for trouble? What are ways to

head trouble off? As Fairbanks Lutheran prepares to call a new

pastor, it would be useful to assess the health of the

congregation and acquire some tools to maintain and

strengthen its health. Led by Pastor Susan.

Nov. 23 to Dec. 14: “Looking at the Christmas Stories with Fresh Eyes” We’ve heard the Christmas stories all our lives. We know them.

Or do we? There are stories within the stories of Jesus’ birth that

can teach us much about their significance in Jesus’ time as well

as our own. Join Pastor Susan for this special Christmas Bible Study.

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Confirmation To Begin Soon

Confirmation for the 2014-15 school year begins next week on

Wednesday, September 17th at 4:30pm. All 7th and 8th graders are

invited to participate. We’ll be using some fun videos from the

“Re-form” Curriculum as well as continuing with the “Here We Stand” books. Pastor Susan and Mikey Jackson will be your teachers.

Worship Service Times change

for the fall season this Sunday, September 14.

Smile! You’re In Our New Picture Directory!

The Stewardship Committee is planning on creating a new

congregational directory this fall. It will include pictures of people to help not only our Interim Pastors and New Pastor when he or she

arrives, but to help members and friends of FLC as well.

This directory will be created out of the church office and pictures will be taken after the worship services by a couple of our members. We’re not talking about portraits but snapshots so no special

dressing up will be required.

We’ll also have our current listing of folks along with addresses, phone numbers and email addresses so you can check the accuracy of your information.

The Fairbanks Lutheran Community includes both members and friends who are a part of our community. One need not be an official member to be included in the directory.

Watch for more information in the bulletins.

8:30am Heritage Service

9:45am Sunday School

11:00am Celebration 2 Service

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Greetings from our Church Treasurer

Financial Report :

As of August 21, 2014, giving has exceeded expenses so far in 2014.

Our checking account (general funds) is staying in the positive!

The budget approved in February 2014 at the Annual Meeting was

$297,000 up from $290,000 for 2013. On a pro-rated basis, this being

the 233rd day of the year, we would have projected to bring in and

have spent $189,592. We have actually seen giving of $182,857 and

have spent $175,320. Expenses are lower than projected mostly due

to a period of time without a pastor’s salary and benefits.

In addition, 3 generous individuals have given an extra $10,600 to-

wards the basement renovation once it dries out! We have also

incurred an unexpected $4,000 in basement expenses so far, with

many more expenses coming.

We promised $29,000 in benevolence again this year to the ELCA, which is a strong commitment!

So far this year we are able to assist the ELCA’s mission by paying 9 months worth of pledge!! Plus,

we’ve paid our budgeted benevolences to Love, Inc. ($1,000), Seward Peninsula Churches

($1,000), and Fairbanks Youth Advocates ($1,000)!

Our expenses continue to stay reasonable, thanks to Martin’s Moppers, Martin’s Mowers and

many thousands of volunteer hours graciously donated. The wet basement has consumed an

untold amount of time by volunteers as well. Hug a volunteer today, and everyday!!

Simply Giving, both thru direct Bank Account withdrawal and Credit Card withdrawal is providing

the church with a steady stream of giving in order to pay the bills. Simply Giving now represents

over 24% of giving so far in 2014. Many families contribute thru Credit Card withdrawal, and earn

airline miles!!

On the Building Fund accounting, giving has fallen slightly behind our monthly mortgage payment

of $6,782 per month. The MIF mortgage balance stands at $1,118,406 as of 07/31/14. Remember,

we’re into our new pledge cycle, and every little bit helps!

If you have any questions about budget matters, please get ahold of me!

Sincerely, Jim Lewandoski, Treasurer

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Alaska Synod Women’s Organization (ASWO)

2014 Annual Retreat

Do Justice! Show Love! Walk Humbly!

And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy and to

walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Drivers and Riders needed! September 26-28, 2014 (Fri-Sun)

@North Star Bible Camp in Willow.

Worship, Workshops, Bible Study, Fellowship, Rest and Relaxation

Registration forms are available. Contact Verna Henkel 456-2670

Fairbanks Lutheran Church’s 5th Annual Christmas Crafts Bazaar is Saturday, November 1, 2014 and is fast

approaching! Announcement notices of the date have been sent to previous ven-

dors informing them applications are in the mail. Once we know how many vendors

are returning, we will know how many new spaces may be available and we will

accept additional applications from new vendors. As most of you know, the entire

church basement, including kitchen, classrooms and fellowship hall are temporarily

unavailable for regular use due to the extremely high water table and water coming into the basement

since July. Because restoration will most likely still be underway, we plan to hold this year’s bazaar on the

church’s main level – the narthex, conference room and a portion of the sanctuary.

By the time you read this article, the planning committee will have met to finalize the 2014 information

sheet and vendor bazaar application and go over our bazaar check list to discuss organizational details of

the bazaar. More details will be announced soon, and a sign-up list will be available in October showing

specific areas where volunteers may help in the days leading up to the bazaar and on the day of the

bazaar. The committee is proud and pleased that our church crafters make and generously donate

handcrafted items for display and sale at the Fairbanks Lutheran Church’s crafts table.

Closer to bazaar time, posters will be available for distribution by volunteers around

the community at favorite bulletin boards. The committee will solicit volunteers for

the following: set up of tables before the bazaar; clean-up; take down and storage of

tables; ensuring the church is in perfect order for Sunday worship services.

In the meantime, please contact the church office, 452-3425 for referral to committee

members for further information.

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“Thrivent Action Teams” by Cindy Olsen

Want to help fund our Basement Restoration—but thought it impossible? Thrivent

Financial unveiled a new program this past spring. The member benefit, Thrivent Action Teams,

encourages each member to become active in meeting unmet needs in the community. Both

associate and benefit members have 2 (yes, two) $250 ‘mini grants’ each year to use as

seed money for each project.

When the new program was announced at the February Thrivent Chapter meeting, my mind started

spinning. In the Fairbanks community there are LOTS of unmet charitable needs. It was like

‘Corporate America’ (Thrivent) asking me, an individual member, which organization did I want to

help. I took a deep breath and wondered, could it be so easy? Okay, deciding on a project took a

little thought. My first project was the recycle stations at Fairbanks Lutheran Church. They are

located in the community room, narthex, and basement. And yes, it was as easy as submitting the

project idea on line at www.Thrivent.com/ActionTeam. Thrivent Financial reviews the projects and

once approved (within a week), sends a prepaid credit card with $250 to the Thrivent member who

serves as team leader. Thrivent provides t-shirts, a banner, announcements, thank-you notes, etc...

to support the project. Once a project is

funded, the Action Team Project needs to

be completed within 90 days. At that time

any unused funds on the credit card are

forfeited. These are not direct grants but

seed money to make having a project

easier.

So, what is the current need here at FLC?

Have you been downstairs recently? Yes, the flood damage is a big mess. Yes, recovery from this

disaster is a big project. The Council is working on a recovery plan and will break down individual

projects for Thrivent Action Teams. Recovery from the flooding will enable the Girl Scouts and the

Sons of Norway to continue meeting in our facility. For clarification, Thrivent Action Teams are you

and me making a difference in our community.

Who is Thrivent Financial? You might remember the names Aid Association for Lutherans or Lutheran

Brotherhood. Those 2 companies merged to become Thrivent Financial. The organization has recently

grown to include all Christians, not just Lutherans.

What does it take to become a Thrivent Financial member? There are 2 types of members, benefit

and associate. If you have internet access, go to www.Thrivent.com. Benefit members are those that

have insurance or Fraternal investments with Thrivent (speak to Holly Cannon or Cameron Gilchrist).

An associate member does not have a Fraternal product, but has yearly membership dues of $19.95.

Enrollment is available online or call 1-800-Thrivent. Again both types of membership are eligible for

the Action Team program.

Thrivent Financial has challenged each congregation to do at least 5 projects by Nov. 2.

If the challenge is met, Thrivent will give the congregation an additional $250.

Thrivent

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Are you a Thrivent member? Have you designated your Choice Dollars

this quarter? If not, you can do so from your online account at www.Thrivent.com, or by calling 1-800-Thrivent. At phone prompt, say "Thrivent Choice" to be connected to a representative.

Not sure if you have Choice Dollars to designate? Check with a Thrivent representative. You have the option of directing your choice dollars to Fairbanks Lutheran Church or selecting an eligible non profit. The list is on the website, or ask when you call.

In the past, members could designate their preferred charity indefinitely. That is no longer the case. Choice Dollars are available to be designated quarterly. Undesignated Choice Dollars are forfeited at the EOY.

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Thrivent

Thrivent Workshop

Social Security & Retirement

Oct 1 (Wed)

6pm

@Fairbanks Lutheran

Contact your FLC Thrivent

Congregational Advocates

Cindy Olsen

or

Arlene Strandberg

for more information.

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Roy & Hope Helms

Phil & Lois Heine

Jim Lewandoski

Bowling Medalists at Alaska

International Senior Games

Fairbanks Lutheran’s 70th Church

Anniversary Canned Food Drive

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 70th Church Anniversary Foodbank Canned Food Drive. It was a great success! We almost reached our goal. FLC collected over 400 canned goods, plus a $10.00 cash donation

to help feed the hungry and the poor. All of these canned goods were donated to the Fairbanks Community Foodbank, and the donation will be matched by BP.

Dylan (holding Wolfie) and Jacob

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“The rain came down and

the flood came up...”

A HUGE Thanks to all of those who spent many

hours (day and night) working and monitoring the

basement water problem.

Those helping are included but not limited to:

Phil & Lois Heine, Jerry & Karen Zellmer,

Tom & Kathy Alton, Jim Lewandoski, Casey and niece, Elise, Ron & Cathy Birklid, Ruth & Cole Carson, Sara Harvison,

Jim & Elrita Magoffin, Warrack Willson, Kathy Birch,

Jeremy & Vanessa Jackson, Mikey and William,

Gary Walker and others.

If you helped and your name is not included,

it is our oversight.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Stewardship Committee

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Gangway to Galilee was the theme for Vacation Bible School this year. Seventy-three children from FLC

and the community came to hear about God’s Amazing Grace. We started and ended each morning

singing inspirational songs and watching a video introducing the day’s

theme with Vanessa Jackson leading.

We had 4 groups of children led by these awesome volunteers: Mary

Demientieff with the Preschool and Kindergar-

ten children, Bev Higdon led the 1st and 2nd

graders, Elrita Magoffin, the 3rd and 4th Grad-

ers, and Jeremy Jackson had the largest group with 5th and 6th Graders. Their

helpers were Megan Johnston, Aleena Worrell, Dallas Benedict, and Andrew

Brunner.

The groups rotated to 5 different stations.

Kathy Alton taught the Bible Stories in fun,

interactive activities. How many kids can you get into a cardboard boat?

Ask Kathy to find out.

Shawna Holman, assisted by her mother,

Florence, and Jayden Neal inspired by their

creative side in Craft Time by making boats that they actually sailed down

rain gutters, beautiful Fish and Crosses and snazzy Bracelets using sailor’s

knots. Each project reminded the children about the story and how God is

with us always.

Vanessa Jackson taught them the lyrics of the awesome songs and memory verses in Music, and how

music helps us remember God’s promises. Mikey Jackson and Alissa coached lively, exciting Games.

Last, but not least was many of the children’s favorite group,

Snacks, organized by Sharon Cook and Harriott Oberg.

Thanks to Lois Niewohner, Cathy Birklid, Joyce Erickson,

Amy Applegate, and Lucy Andresen, who helped out.

I want to especially thank this group for being flexible as they had to

move all the food upstairs out of the flood zone. (cont. next pg.)

Vacation Bible Vacation Bible Vacation Bible

SchoolSchoolSchool

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Yes, we had the Sea of Galilee flowing through the basement as

the water table rose, causing water to seep into the basement

floor. Tuesday morning, everyone literally “walked on water.” But,

no one slipped or drowned and the children got a kick out of the

visual presented.

A big thank you to Sandy Mayfield,

who was always willing to type up,

print off materials and so much more.

I want to thank the many people that

gave their time, ideas, offerings and

especially the prayers to help make this a memorable time where God could

speak to and touch our young ones, drawing them closer to Him. There were

added challenges with the basement flooding, but I thank God for keeping the

rain away and the fabulous team of helpers that did what needed to be done.

It rained Monday, so we had game time in the basement, then it didn’t rain

again until after the closing program on

Friday. Our picnic was in the narthex so

everything worked out very well.

God is Good!

May He bless each of you as you continue to be blessings to others.

Lois Heine

VBS Director

(cont. from prev. pg.)

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Saturday, August 9th the

following people headed to Twin

Bears Campground: Tom & Kathy

Alton and granddaughter Mae

Eklund, Trish Johnston, Linda

Josucks, the Jackson family:

Jeremy, Vanessa, Mikey and

William, and Ed & Lois Niewohner.

After selecting our cabins,

individuals chose to fish, visit,

hike or take a nap.

Everyone brought food, lots of

snacks, and a dinner was shared by all. Mikey prepared a chocolate lasagna for dessert and we all

enjoyed this delicious dish. No one even thought about the calories! Thank you Mikey!

Pastor Susan joined us for dinner after which we adjourned to the firepit by the “lake.” Tom

provided the wood for a great fire. The service led by Pastor Susan began with “traditional” hymns

followed by Mikey and Vanessa leading songs from Celebration 2. Pastor Susan delivered the

sermon with input from the participants and the prayer included naming people who needed our

supplications to God. It was a fitting location to have a service surrounded by God’s creation.

S’mores were a treat to end the evening.

As we sat around the fire the full moon was visible above the lake framed by the trees—what a

blessing and again a vision of God’s creation. The evening was a time of blessed conversation and

just time away to meditate and reflect.

Sunday morning started with a great breakfast prepared by Kathy, Tom and Trish. We departed to

continue our life’s journeys.

For me personally (Lois), I felt it was a time to get to know people better and to form new

relationships within the body of Christ at FLC. I shall not forget our Saturday service, the bonfire,

and the beauty of the moon reflected in the water—God was present? Yes!!

Special Thanks to Kathy for making the arrangements and to Tom who brought extra supplies for what we needed. Also, to Tom, Trish, and Ed who performed mechanical duties! We appreciated Pastor Susan’s presence with us to share her talents.

Twin Bears Campground

August 9-10, 2014

by Lois Niewohner

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Terry Doerr 9/1

Jacob Meyer 9/1

Stacey Wahlgren 9/2

Andrew Brunner 9/2

Eli Woodward 9/2

John Bunn 9/3

Patricia Johnston 9/4

Laura Cartier 9/5

Eric Niewohner 9/6

Kaye Hufman 9/7

David Stephens 9/9

Travis Newberg 9/10

Jordan Boutang 9/10

David Shuttleworth 9/11

Ron Birklid 9/11

Jeremy Jackson 9/13

Aiden Meyer 9/13

Jeff Debbaut 9/15

Jacob Debbaut 9/15

Lupua Oba 9/17

Chris Mott 9/17

Jay Newberg 9/18

Cole Thomas 9/19

Rebecca Slane 9/19

Luke Carson 9/20

Ed Niewohner 9/21

John Orbeck 9/23

Zach Zellmer 9/23

Cindy Olsen 9/23

David Magoffin 9/24

Jonathan Bradish 9/24

Cole Carson 9/25

Beverly Higdon 9/26

Mel Birch 9/26

SSEPTEMBEREPTEMBER BBIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYS

September Anniversaries

Lucy & Bob Andresen 9/1

Elrita & Jim Magoffin 9/4

Jane & Chris Kennedy 9/9

Ed & Lois Niewohner 9/9

Barb Pierson & Jim Lewandoski 9/15

Danita & Lloyd Swenson 9/29

Jane & Steve Lanford 9/29

Lorren Johnston 10/2

Carlah Luck 10/2

John Luck 10/2

Carol Cirocco 10/4

Al Holmberg 10/4

Lois Niewohner 10/4

Amber Dufseth 10/6

Emily Organ 10/8

Phil Heine 10/9

Marian Josucks 10/9

Barbara Matthews 10/10

Kelsey Andresen 10/11

Dick Korvola 10/11

Christopher Teyler 10/11

Amy Mackinaw 10/12

Mike Cook 10/13

Chris Kosiek 10/13

Sari Birch 10/14

Janet Dokken 10/15

Eva Hansen 10/16

John Debbaut 10/17

Barbara Fleming 10/17

Jamie Koop 10/18

William Jackson 10/19

Stephanie Stickler 10/19

Lisa Nyland 10/20

Vilma Shuttleworth 10/20

Craig Ingham 10/21

LaVonne Gullickson 10/21

Erik Brunner 10/24

Trey Stephens 10/26

Bill Ottum 10/27

Chad Garey 10/30

Eileen Macomber 10/30

October Anniversaries

Nancy & Ron Allen 10/5

Trisha & Troy Towse 10/5

Patty & John Gentry 10/7

Jeannette & David Olson 10/14

Sandra & John Preshaw 10/21

Alicia & John Unruh 10/26

Janice & Larry Ostnes 10/28

OOCTOBERCTOBER BBIRTHDAYSIRTHDAYS

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Fairbanks Lutheran Church

1012 Cowles Street

Fairbanks, AK 99701

Return Service Requested

NONPROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PAID

FAIRBANKS AK PERMIT NO. 24

Ruth Carson Council Co-President