American ALC Lutheran Church LCMC Newsletteramericanlutheranchurch.org/alc/wp-content/uploads/2019/... · 2019-09-28 · Larry & Jodi Eckel Jim Flan Jan Mellgren Betty Meyer Kay Larson

American Lutheran Church LCMC

215 9TH St SE Long Prairie, MN 56347 320-732-2932

[email protected]

americanlutheranchurch.org

ALC Newsletter

In this Issue: A Place to Come Home To…

From the Pastor….

Here at American Lutheran Church we find ourselves in a time of transition. It is a time for seeking the Lord

and for asking Him to bring to us the next pastor of His choosing to minister among us as His faithful shepherd.

As you probably already know, I will be retiring on June 1, 2020. Between now and then we will be looking for a new pastor, asking the Holy Spirit to bring to us

the shepherd of His choosing. A process has now begun to do that. A letter from our president, Blanche Tirk,

summarizing the process of what will take place over the next eight months or so, immediately follows.

We need to look to God at this time, asking Him to provide in His time and according to His will. As we

patiently do that, and trust Him to provide for us, we can be confident that He will. If you’ve ever flown in an airplane you know that

your perspective of the earth is far different from what it is when you are on the ground. Pictures of the earth

that have been taken from the moon and from space show an earth that looks much different from what we

see down here or even from an airplane. This is the kind of perspective God wants to give us concerning our lives and our future. They are both in

His hands. As we look to God, instead of to ourselves and to circumstances, our perspectives change, and we

begin to see things the way He wants us to. God sees not only the present but the future as well.

He wants to lift us above ourselves. He wants us to see everything in light of His plans. God says to us, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for

welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11). We do not know who He will

Pastor Bill

From the Pastor

Letter from our President

Reformation Sunday

Youth & Family

Upcoming Events

Youth & Family Calendar

Family Supper Schedule

Family Supper Team Members

Bible Studies

Wednesday Breakfast Group

5x5x5 Bible Readers

ALCW News

Fall Women’s Retreat

Super Spud Supper

Shoebox Update

Regular Features

Mission Focus

Service Group

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Calendar

OCTOBER 2019 Pastor Bill Bakewicz

mailto:american

http://www.americanlutheranchurch.org/

From the Pastor (Continued)

send to us, but He does. We pray now for discernment, that we will know who that person is when He sends

him to us. We need to keep our eyes on God. He knows what is best for us as a congregation. We can and need to trust

Him to meet our needs. We need to keep our eyes on God, because He sees the whole picture….we don’t, and

He knows what is best for us. We can trust Him, because He loves us and He is trustworthy.

Sincerely,

Pastor Bill

From our President

Dear fellow members of American Lutheran Church,

Our pastor will be retiring June 1, 2020. Between now and then we will be engaged in the process of

seeking a new pastor. To help us do that, our Church Council has decided to connect with a ministry called

Congregations in Transition, a ministry recommended by Lutheran Congregations in Ministry for Christ

(LCMC). Congregations in Transition (CiT) is designed to help congregations navigate the transition period that follows

a solo pastor’s retirement. This is done by providing a trained coach to work with us. The coach will be

working with a Transition Team of 4-6 members of our church. We are currently in the process of forming the

Transition Team. The Transition team will be active approximately 3-5 months and will primarily be taking a close look at our vision for mission and ministry and

what (we pray?) it will look like going into the future. The work of the Transition Team will be given to a

Call Committee that will subsequently be formed for the purpose of seeking and finding our next pastor.

Throughout this time of transition I ask you to pray and trust that the Holy Spirit will guide us and bring us the pastor that God wants for us.

Sincerely, Blanche Tirk, president

Reformation Sunday

Sunday, October 25th

First Wednesday breakfast group

Kirk Olson will provide

breakfast and several choices of studies for a

breakfast Bible study group.

Times:

The first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 AM,

starting Oct. 2. Place: American Lutheran

Fellowship Hall Purpose: Spiritual support

for men in their working

years. All are welcome. Studies available: Kirk

bought 6 possible studies, two with videos. The

attendees will decide what to do and choose their own leader.

Kirk Olson 320-732-6895

C 320-219-2624

Youth & Family

Coming Up:

TeamKID happens every Wednesday night from 6-7 for 1-6 graders! (No class October 16 due to MEA). October 6th: Adopt a Highway Fall Cleanup; 11:15 after Sunday School October 13th: Family Pumpkin Party @ ALC 11:30-1:30 November 2nd: Cornerstone Pines Event; grades 3-6 November 3rd: Mission Trip Interest Meeting @ 11:15

How’s life? Want to talk

about it? Feel free to

contact me…..

Kari Christians (320)533-3021 [email protected]

Family Pumpkin Party!

Sunday, October 13th 11:30-1:30

ALL are welcome to stay after Sunday School for a meal

and a time of pumpkin painting! Paint a pumpkin for you

and one to share with someone in need. All supplies and

meal provided. No cost! Sign up on the Youth and Family

Board or contact Kari Christians. Please register by

October 6th!

adopt-a-

highway

fall cleanup has

been set for

Sunday, Oct 6th

@ 11:15

we plan to eat at

midway after the

cleanup!

Mission Trip Interest Meeting

Sunday, November 3rd @ 11:15

Interested in going on the mission trip next summer? We are inviting all youth

grades 7-12 (and adults!) to attend the interest meeting

and learn more!

Youth & Family Yearly Calendar – Page 1

AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH YOUTH & FAMILY CALENDAR 2019-2020

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS! EVENT

4:14-5:15 7th & 8th Grade Confirmation

5:30 Family Night Supper

6:00-7:00 9th Grade Confirmation

6:00-7:00 TEAM KID (Grades 1-6)

7:00-8:00 Choir Rehearsal (Grades 7-Adult)

September October EVENT EVENT

8th: 10:15-11:15: Sunday School begins 2nd: No confirmation classes (Pastor gone)

11th: 4:15/6:00: Confirmation classes begin 16th: No confirmation classes/No TEAM KID (MEA)

18th: 5:30 Family Night Suppers begin 18-20th: Fall Fire at Camp Lebanon (Grades 9-12)

21st: 9:00am-Operation Christmas Child speaker (servant

27th: Reformation Sunday -Confirmation Service 9:00am

opportunity; grades 7-12 serve from 8-11:00)

22nd: Third Graders get bibles at 9:00am Worship Service

25th: 7AM: See You at the Pole (student led prayer at

school flagpole)

25th: 6:00-7:00 TEAM KID begins

27-28: Thrive Women’s Conference (mnbtg.org)

November December EVENT EVENT

2nd: 1:00-5:00 Cornerstone Pines event (Grades 3-6) 1st: No Sunday School classes (Thanksgiving)

8th-9th: rethink Apologetics Student Conference; Grace 4th: Advent Party

Church, Eden Prairie (7th grade-college age) 8th: Sunday School class until 11:30

10th: OCC Packing Party during Sunday School classes 11th: Youth Mission Trip Supper

11th: OCC Packing (all day or come at 5:30pm) 15th: Sunday School class until 11:30

22nd: Sunday School Christmas Program

25th: No Confirmation/no TEAM KID-Merry Christmas!

29th: No Sunday School

Kari Christians, Youth and Family Coordinator/320-533-3021/[email protected]

Youth & Family Yearly Calendar – Page 2

AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH YOUTH & FAMILY CALENDAR 2019-2020

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS! EVENT

4:14-5:15 7th & 8th Grade Confirmation

5:30 Family Night Supper

6:00-7:00 9th Grade Confirmation

6:00-7:00 TEAM KID (Grades 1-6)

7:00-8:00 Choir Rehearsal (Grades 7-Adult)

January February EVENT EVENT

1st: No Confirmation/No TEAM KID 7th-8th: IF: Long Prairie (Women’s Event)

5th: Sunday School classes resume 9th: Family Waterpark Event

8th: Confirmation & TEAM KID resumes 12th: Youth Mission Trip Supper

10-11: Mega Fun at Camp Lebanon (Grades 3-6) 26th: Ash Wednesday Service 7:00pm

March April EVENT EVENT

4th: 7:00pm Lenten Service 1st: 7:00pm Lenten Service

6th-7th: Set Apart Conference for Women (St. Paul) 5th: Palm Sunday Brunch

11th: 7:00pm Lenten Service 9th: Maundy Thursday Service 7:00pm

18th: 7:00pm Lenten Service 10th: Good Friday Service 7:00pm

22nd: 1:00-3:00 Blanket Bash (grades 3-6) 12th: Easter Sunday

25th: 7:00pm Lenten Service 26th: First Communion Sunday

29th: Final TEAM KID class/Final Family Night Supper

May EVENT

3rd: Confirmation Service

7th: National Day of Prayer

10th: Sunday School Program

17th: Baccalaureate Service

20th: Final Confirmation Class (7th/8th grades)

Kari Christians, Youth and Family Coordinator/320-533-3021/[email protected]

mailto:Coordinator/320-533-3021/[email protected]

Family Supper Schedule Wednesday Family Night Suppers

2019-2020 Schedule

September

18th Team 4 Taco Temptations

25th Team 1 Duke’s Mixture

October

2nd Sarah Circle Spud Supper

9th Team 2 Variables

16th No Supper-MEA

23rd Team 3 Spaghetti

30th Team 5 Toppers

November


13th Choir


27th No Supper-Thanksgiving

December

4th Team 5 Toppers

11th Youth Mission Trip

18th Team 3 Spaghetti

25th No Supper

January

1st No Supper



22nd Team 4 Taco Temptations

29th Team 5 Toppers

February

5th Choir

12th Youth Mission Trip



March



18th Team 5 Toppers


April

1st Team 1 Duke’s Mixture



22nd Team 5 Toppers

29th ALCW

Family Supper Team Members Wednesday Night Family Suppers

2019-2020 Team Members Team 1 Duke’s Mixture

Leaders Wanda Thompson – Captain Marlyne Klinder – Co-Captain

Helpers Dave & Julie Atkinson Larry & Jodi Eckel Jim Flan Jan Mellgren Betty Meyer

Kay Larson Bars, Cookies, Cakes, Salads, Etc.

Deb Fearing Kathy Guthrie

Team 2 Variables

Leaders Ione Krause – Captain

Helpers Linda Haugen Jan Jorgensen John & Helen Monson Marge Morgan Russ & Jen Olson

Bars, Cookies, Cakes, Salads, Etc. Jane Olson Diane Young

Team 3 Spaghetti

Leaders Celeste Miller – Captain

Helpers Julie Bodle Dianne Flaten Heather Marcyes Julie & Dean Schultes Emily Steinert Ruth Zinter

Bars, Cookies, Cakes, Salads, Etc. Peg Drevlow Darlene Johnson Gloria Larson Betty Oliver

Team 4 Taco Temptations Leaders

Shaughn Warzecha – Captain Helpers

Jammie Hedlund Joanne Hillman Russ & Jean Jacobsen Janie & Sy Thole Jerry Voigt Sheila Vanselow

Bars, Cookies, Cakes, Salads, Etc. Karen Bakewicz Sherri Evenson Blanche Tirk

Team 5 Toppers

Leaders Tami Priebe – Captain Allen Priebe – Co-Captain

Helpers Liza Haase

Tracy Schultz Sarah Westerberg Marsha Paulson Karl and Beth Arenson Chris Westerberg Pearl Kramer Connie Marcyes Bars, Cookies, Cakes, Salads, Etc.

Melinda Bruder Barb Orr Wanda Thompson

Mission Focus for October – Page 1

Mission Focus for October – Page 2

Super Spud Supper

Shoebox Update – Page 1

Remember October is Shoebox month!

Sarah ‘S’ircle Successful Sizzling Super Spud Supper! October 2– what an

amazing way to start our Shoebox month! This is our major fund raising effort which enables us to send boxes. If we send at least 400 boxes - - we need at least $3600 to supplement the cost of Samaritan’s Purse efforts to ship these boxes, provide “The Greatest Journey” booklets to teach each Shoebox child how much they are loved by God, train teachers who can effectively lead these lessons, give each participant in the “Greatest Journey” classes a Bible in their

own language and other costs which we probably do not begin to comprehend (ie: elephant feed/river dugout canoe oars, straps to fit over camels” humps etc!) SO PLEASE PLAN TO BE AT THE SPUD SUPPER ON OCTOBER 2 & MAKE YOUR DONATION AS GENEROUS AS YOU ARE ABLE!

~ OTHER IMPORTANT DATES TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR:

October 9 & 23- Beginning at 1:30, working as long as you are able or until 5:30 Wednesday night supper time. Come help wrap cardboard shoeboxes, remove wrapping from items that go in boxes, assemble some of the “kits” we ceate to go into boxes and many other tasks we try to do beforehand to make the actual packing in November run smoothly. There will be some task Anyone can do!. Just come – you will have FUN & BE MUCH APPRECIATED!

SHOEBOX PACKING DATES: November 10 – Sunday School Packing Party during the Sunday School

hour! November 11 – EVERYBODY PACK DAY! We will begin organizing that day

at 9:30 & will begin the atcual packing activity at 5:30 in the evening

If you have any questions, ask me or Helen Monson! Last year’s packing experience was so amazing simply because of ALL the help - Boys/girls/men/ladies/3rd graders to 80 year olds

Shoebox Update – Page 2

The truly amazing part of all these details is each of YOU! Thank you for all you

have already donated.. Thank you in advance for the generosity I know you will show in your donations at the spud supper. If you want to help financially but

are not able to make it to the supper, checks may be put in the offering plate, left in the office or given to Jane Olson, Helen Monson or Blanche Tirk. They should be made to Samaritan’s Purse & earmarked for OCC or Shoeboxes.

“GO” (Gospel Opportunity) boxes will be available during the month of October

in the narthex if you want to take one/some home to fill. Invite your family or

friends to help! If you still want to donate items that can be used to fill our Sunday School or General church boxes, a list of our remaining “greatest needs” is posted by our box in the narthex. PLEASE REMEMBER: no candy, no liquids and no toothpaste

This list is extensive, but we are SO pleased with all the items we have received

from YOU throughout the year! Your response has been phenomenal! We are well on our way toward setting our new record goal of 400 boxes!

There will also be a volunteer sign-up sheet if you could help at our ALC Drop

Off Center during the week of November 18-25.

REPEATING DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR: October 2 Wednesday nite Sarah ‘S’ircle Successful Sizzling Super Spud Supper!

October 9 & 23 1:30 Workday to sort/unwrap & organize shoebox items November 10 – Sunday School Packing Party

November 11 – All-Church (and bring your friends!)/All-day Packing Party November 18-25 – ALC serves as Drop-Off Location for area shoebox packers

Fall Women’s Retreat

“We Believe in the Holy Spirit,

Lord and Giver of Life” *

Fall Women's Retreat

October 25-26

Bakewicz Home

Beginning with Friday night supper, departing for home, returning for full day on Saturday

Cost $10.00 for meals/treats

Look for poster for further details!!

Make your reservation on the poster by October 16!!!

Friends are ALWAYS welcome!!

*taken from Nicene Creed, Lutheran Book of Worship

5x5x5 Bible Readers

If Jesus wrote messages to you, would you read them? If He told others to write to you, would you read those messages as well? Well, He has! The third graders now have their Bibles. Let’s set an example as adults and make sure we read our own Bibles! Instead of worrying about your many challenges and troubles, and placing more burdens on

yourselves, find rest, encouragement and strength to do God’s will! Every adult Christian will be blessed tremendously by reading more of the Bible. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28 Please join the 5x5x5 Bible Readers group that will help you apply Christ’s teachings as you think through the Word of God. We meet once per month, the second Sunday of each month at 7 PM at the church fellowship hall or church library. The next meeting is Oct. 13.

Service Group 5 – September – October

Service Group Responsibilities:

• Serve for funerals on a rotating basis every 7th Funeral.

• Serve for special events occurring during the two month period.

Group 5 Leader: Janie Thole………….. 320-291-4598 Group 5 Members:

Adamek, Larry & Deb……………………………… 320-732-6573 Berscheit, Mark & Jessie…………………………. 320-874-0113 Christians, Steve & Kari………………………….. 320-533-3021

Evenson, Brad &…………………………………… 320-249-7343 Sherri…………………………………….. 320-249-7344 Fearing, Lee &………………………………………. 320-732-4184 Deb………………………………………… 701-471-9384 Flan, Jamie & Andrea…………………………….. 320-732-7035 Flan, Jim & Sandy…………………………………. 320-732-6989

Flaten, Dianne………………………………. (Cell) 320-219-5568 ……………………………. (Home) 320-219-6498 Goblirsch, Sheila……………………………………. 320-732-3833 Goplen, Ellie…………………………………………. 320-732-2244 Hasse, Mark & Mary………………………………. 320-837-5883 Hatton, LaMoine &…………………………………. 320-219-3090

Linda………………………………………… 320-219-3190 Kaneski, Dennis &…………………………………. 320-732-6005 Sue………………………………………… 956-272-3456 Larsen, Gary & Gloria…………………………….. 320-732-6043 Merritt, Glenn & Joan…………………………….. 320-732-3660 Roering, Dennis & Carrie………………………… 320-630-0559

St. Germain, Glen & Karen………………………. 320-732-2736 Simon, Matt & Coyer, Allison……………………. 320-760-8115 Zinter, Ruth…………………………………………. 320-732-3304

October

Happy Anniversary

21st Stan & Joanne Hillman 27th Frank & Nancy Ademite

Happy Birthday

5th Dave Atkinson 5th Dustin Bleess 6th Russ Olson 7th Abby Simon 7th Larry Hatton 8th Toni Drum

10th Finn Kruse 12th Chuck Eldred 12th Bob Zinter 16th Evan Flan 16th Joanne Hillman 17th Ben Hatton

17th Addison Miller 18th Melinda Bruder 18th Nathaniel Flan 18th Brian Katterhagen 19th Beth Jacobsen 22nd Ron Richter

25th Fred Berscheit 26th Janet Katterhagen 28th Betty Hansen 29th Bill Bakewicz 29th Hope Karjala 30th Jane Olson

31st Kevin Dahl 31st Megan Kruse 31st Ryan Marcyes

ALC CALENDAR – OCTOBER 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3

4

5

10:00am Music Ministry at Valley View

7:00pm Trustees Meeting

5:30pm Family Night Super Spud Supper

6:00pm Praise Team Practice

6:00pm Team Kid - Grades 1 - 6 7:00pm Choir Practice

9:30am Food Shelf Committee Meeting

7:30pm Deacons Meeting

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

8:00am Praise Team Rehearsal

8:45am Children's Nursery 9:00am Worship Service with Communion

10:15am Sunday School

11:15am Board of Education Meeting

11:15 am Highway Cleanup

7:00pm Sarah Circle Nursing Home Birthday Party

9:00am Staff Meeting


4:15pm 7th & 8th Grade Confirmation

5:30pm Family Night Supper

6:00pm Team Kid - Grades 1 - 6

6:00pm 9th Grade Confirmation 6:00pm Worship Team Practice 7:00pm Choir Practice 8:00pm Church Council Meeting

9:30am Chapel at Nursing Home

10:15am Chapel at Assisted Living

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

8:45am Children's Nursery 9:00am Worship Service 10:15am Sunday School 11:15am Missions Committee Summer Meeting

11:30 am – 1:30 pm Family Pumpkin Party

7:00pm 5x5x5 Bible Readers Meeting



9:30am Esther Circle 11:00am Newsletter Articles Due 4:30pm Audio-Visual Committee Meeting


6:00pm Worship Team Practice

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

8:00am Worship Team Rehearsal

8:45am Children's Nursery 9:00am Worship Service with Communion

6:45pm Sarah Circle Valley View Hymn Sing

7:45pm Sarah Circle Bible Study





6:00pm Team Kid - Grades 1 - 6 6:00pm Praise Team Practice 6:00pm 9th Grade Confirmation 7:00pm Choir Practice

27

28

29

30

31

8:30 am Choir Rehearsal 8:45am Children's Nursery 9:00am Worship Service 10:15am Sunday School 11:15am Youth & Family Committee Meeting





6:00pm Team Kid - Grades 1 - 6 6:00pm Praise Team Practice 6:00pm 9th Grade Confirmation 7:00pm Choir Practice

Overflow Conference in Wilmar

Fall Women’s

Retreat at

Bakewicz Home

Pastor Bill at

LCMC Gathering

in Omaha, NE

from 9/29 to 10/2

Documents

American ALC Lutheran Church LCMC Newsletteramericanlutheranchurch.org/alc/wp-content/uploads/2019/... · 2019-09-28 · Larry & Jodi Eckel Jim Flan Jan Mellgren Betty Meyer Kay Larson