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Christ
Lutheran Church:
To spread near
and far the
Good News of
what God has
done in Jesus
Christ!
January 2016
The Messenger Christ Lutheran Church, LCMC
Jan. 2016 The Messenger Page 2
Happy New Year 2016!!!
I have to remind myself that God is always doing great things, because he is God. Every New Year I always
get excited because I believe and think God is going to do new and greater things. But God is always at his
best. Last Sunday I encouraged us to think of making a New Year’s resolution to take in all the more of God’s
grace for us in Jesus. It is in knowing and experiencing how much we are loved, how we are saved, how we
are 100 % righteous through Jesus that transforms are very lives.
Too often we see and expect only what is visible and understandable according to human thinking. God
invites us to know by his word and by the Holy Spirit the great things that God has for us. Paul writes in
Ephesians 1:18 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope
to which you have been called, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his
incomparably great power for us who believe.” This verse just barely touches on what our attitudes and
expectations should be about being God’s children.
God invites us to look to him, to search for his riches in faith, in his character of goodness and kindness and
to draw from his life for our lives. God invites us to know his way of growth by giving. We give ourselves to
God and God fills us with his nature. Then we go forth to empty ourselves into others; the stranger, the
hurting ones, the unbelieving, that we might come back to God again to be refilled with all the joy and hope
of being in him.
Jesus says, ‘We have not because we ask not, and or we have not because we ask with the wrong motives’.
In other words we do not know how to pray as we ought but God leads us in prayer to pray with him. God
expects us to come to him as his very own children! But we often come to him with our old nature. Come
believing, come hoping, come expecting God to move because He has chosen you to know him and to be in
Christ.
In the Men’s Bible Study on Wednesdays, we are learning from Tony Evans how in order for us to know the
wonder of victory in Christ in our daily living we have to fully embrace what Christ has won for us in his
death for us. How the very self-giving of Jesus, to the point of his death, has freed us from the power of sin
and death. He has given us his righteousness! We are baptized into God’s family!
Growth and newness is all about giving and emptying ourselves… we are excited about God’s growth for the
people of Christ Lutheran. What spiritual work, what healing work, what work of love, unconditional love
does God want to do at Christ Lutheran in you, In me, in us?
Please come to the Three Days of Prayer Service on Wednesday January 6th at 7:00 pm
May Christ fill your New Year with love that does not pass away, with courage and faith!
Pastor Ron Boettner
Page 3 Jan. 2016 The Messenger
December Council Meeting Highlights
Financial Report for November 2015
Our offerings for November were $21,637, which is about $3,000 below our monthly
average. Our expenses were $31, 006 which included $4,500 of benevolence to We Can,
Love Inc., and Minnesota Adult Teen Challenge which we all paid in November. We also
caught up on payments for the lawn mowing.
We are thankful for months like December that helps us make our mission needs. Thank you
for your December offerings which look pretty good. The year to date totals for income are
$274,221 and current cash on hand is $95,285. This figure does not include all our assets in
designated and restricted giving.
Pastor Ron Boettner and Co-treasurers Denny Grenell and Zach Eckhoff
Monthly council minutes
are available on the
welcome desk
in the narthex.
Furnace in parsonage went out and was replaced
Pastor Mark Vander Tuig from LCMC will be back on April 23rd for a 'Training 2B Witnesses Workshop' and will also preach on April 24th
4 New Council Members attended the December Council Meeting - Angie Petersen, Brad Sim, Kayla Dudzinski, and Greg Rietow
3 Council Members have fulfilled their terms and are leaving - Skye Heupel, Mary Ann Johnson & Rich Mickschl. Thanks for your faithful service to CLC!
Page 4 Jan. 2016
Name Term Contact info
Jim Unterseher 14-16 [email protected]
h 763-777-5655
c 612-965-6904
Karen Pennaz 15-17 [email protected]
c 763-234-9130
Steve Carlson 14-16 [email protected]
h 952-475-0107
c 612 991-8217
Yvonne Breeschoten 15-17 [email protected]
c 612-859-1287
Renee Burrows 15-17 [email protected]
h 763-479-1900
Zach Eckhoff 14-16 [email protected]
c 763-355-4352
Danielle Thomas 15-17 [email protected]
c 612-270-6780
Kayla Dudzinki 16-18
Angie Petersen 16-18
Greg Reitow 16-18
Brad Sim 16-18
CLW President
Pastor Ron Boettner [email protected]
c 651-470-4337
2016 CLC COUNCIL
Date Service Lector Greeters Coffee
Jan. 3
9:00
Huck Burrows
Doyle Family
Mystery servers!
Jan. 10
9:00
Sharon Michael
R. Grandstrands
Omans/Stouts
Jan. 17
9:00
Steve Pennaz
V. Innes/Michaels
Udstrands
Jan. 24
9:00
Huck Burrows
Rietows
Zulkoskys
Jan. 31
9:00
Bonita Heilman
Heilman Family
Roilands
Council Representative: TBD
Sunshine Caller: Carolyn Grandstrand
Altar Guild: Julie Doyle, Randi Carlson
Ushers: Greg & Sharon Michael, Ron Gustafson,
Tom Heilman, Mark & Barb Carlson
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE 2016
Events on the calendar are subject to change.
Please check our website, the weekly bulletin or
call the office. www.mpclc.org
Page 8 Jan. 2016 The Messenger
AIC-Anchored in Christ
Page 9 The Messenger
New Members Fellowship and Dinner !!!
Sunday, January 31st at 6:00 – 8:00 pm
On Sunday evening January 31, we will be hosting a dinner, games, and fellowship
for new members to Christ Lutheran Church. Invitations are being sent out to families
that have been attending and participating in worship and activities at Christ Lutheran
and we look forward to a great evening of food, fun, and fellowship. Invitations are
being sent out January 5th and if you would like to help host this event please contact
Pastor Ron.
Holy Communion Instruction…
for children grades second and up!
On Wednesdays January 13th and 20th from 4:30 to 5:15
Pastor Ron and Youth and Family Director Chris will lead our children in instruction
for receiving Holy Communion. We will learn the story and the meaning behind why
Jesus gave us Holy Communion as a way to be nurtured and renewed in him. This
experience is for those who are going to be receiving Holy Communion and for those
children or youth who would like to learn again or more about Holy Communion so
worship is more meaningful. We will also make some communion bread for Sunday,
January 24th -that will be the day some of our children celebrate their First Holy
Communion.
Nov. 1-Everett H.
Nov. 15-Lucas M.
Dec. 27- Mackenzie E.
Dec. 27-Emmett P.
A scallop shell, pointing downward
with three drops of water falling from
it, is often used to symbolize baptism
and the washing away of sin. The
three water droplets stand for the
Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
Page 1 0 Jan. 2016 The Messenger
Jan. 2016 The Messenger
Seasoned Veteran: Jean Lemmerman Flatten
Family- I have 5 children: Jody, Jon, Jen, Jocelyn and Jolene and 12 grandkids. I was married to Stan for 23 years until he died of cancer at the age of 52 in 1998. I married Skip Flatten in 2015. Can you believe it that Rev. Garwick married all of my kids and Skip and I? Hometown-Browns Valley, MN (Located on the Minnesota/South Dakota border) Occupation- I have worked in Sales and customer service most of my life. Most recently at Morrie’s Mazda in Minnetonka for 21 years. How were you introduced to Christ Lutheran? Well at first we attended Lyndale Lutheran, but then we moved to Maple Plain and my kids wanted to go to a church that their school friends went to so we switched over to Christ Lutheran. How long have you been attending Christ Lutheran? Since 1975, 40 years! What is your earliest memory of Christ Lutheran? I remember attending a Bible Study and feeling welcomed. A lot of the ladies were young moms with kids. There were also people of all ages and that is what a home church should feel like. It takes me 5 minutes to get to church. What are your hobbies, what do you like to do? I like to walk, snow shoe (when we have snow) read and I love to travel. What is something you can share that most people would not know about you? In 1999 I camped out for a week on a beach near Cancun, Mexico. I loved it! And I learned to snorkel on that trip! What is your favorite bible verse? John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Why is that your favorite verse? It covers all areas of my faith. Sometimes I don’t feel worthy of the gift of grace, I know that it is still there for me (and everyone) and all that is required is faith. How have you used your God given talents here at Christ Lutheran? Sunday school teacher, several terms on council, CLW President, I taught Bible School in Iflord, Manitoba, Canada to the Indian children for 4 years. That was such a great experience. Share a great story about Christ Lutheran or something great you have seen here. The members of Christ Lutheran Church have been with me for so many years. Through difficult times (when Stan died) and rejoiced with me during the happy times (when Skip and I were married). You are truly my family!
The Messenger Page 1 2 Jan. 2016
Jan. 5-7 Three Days of Prayer
Feb 10-Ash Wednesday
Feb. 20-Bunco Night
LCMC Workshop: MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Mark Vander Tuig will be at CLC April 22-24 for our next LCMC Workshop.
For those who remember the last event in March 2015, you know this is a must do !!
The subject of the workshop on the 23rd is,
"Training 2 B Witnesses". Time is 10 AM-3 PM. More information soon.
The Call committee has been busy organizing and preparing necessary
items for the eventual call of a Pastor for Christ Lutheran.
The members of the committee
are:
Jim Unterseher
Mark Mundahl
Huck Burrows
Stephanie Heupel
Sharon Michel
Skip Flatten
Jean Flatten
Becky Rietow
The most important thing that you can do is PRAY; pray that God provide a
Pastor for His church.
There are new locations for the Food Shelf donations
AND the MNATC Choir donations. Please see the
labeled cabinets under the mailboxes in the ENTRY!
The Messenger Page 1 3 Jan. 2016
IF YOU DON’T HAVE EMAIL, please check
out the stand on the welcome desk labeled
CONGREGATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE.
All emails to the congregation are printed out and
placed in this folder.
Thank you Furnishings Committee
for the update to the entry-
it looks great!
As we settle back into non-holiday routines, Jesus, remind us that every day is holy when we live in you. Amen.
Our new Charis Bible study begins Thursday,
January 14 at 9:15 am.
Together we will dig into
Philippians, The Epistle of Joy.
All women are welcome.
Come and enjoy fellowship around God’s
word and be encouraged and challenged.
Questions?
Call Kathy Oman or
Joan Murphy
Always doing a new thing
In 2015, scientists discovered more than 18,000 new species — some ancient and extinct, others contemporary. They include a cartwheeling spider; fossils of a “feathered dinosaur”; a beautiful sea slug that photographs in brilliant blues, reds and golds; a Christmas-colored plant that grows in near isolation in Mexico; and a pufferfish whose males make intricate seafloor “crop circles” as spawning nests. Such discoveries — regardless of how old or new the species are — demonstrate the ongoing creativity of God, who both does new things and gives people new abilities to discover them. Recently, we began a new church year with Advent. At Christmas, God did a new thing by becoming human. Now we launch into a new calendar year, in which scientists will surely discover more new creatures. The newness all around us reminds us that God is always
doing a new thing in our lives, too!
Isaiah 43:19a See, I am
doing a new
thing!
Now it
springs up;
do you not
perceive it?
The Messenger Page 1 4 Jan. 2016
Page 1 5 The Messenger
Mission and Outreach January 2016
New On-Going Gap Ministry with Love INC!!!
Christ Lutheran Church has been searching for our niche with Love INC. (Love In the Name of Christ) for a
long time. At one of their recent meetings where we sent a representative, we learned that they were looking
for a church to help fill the needs in their “Lullaby” Missions. This will be targeting the on-going and very
real need for diapers, baby food, formula, pack and plays, and other items. Mission and Outreach is excited to
have a steady dedicated Mission that all members will be aware of and can count on to participate with month
after month. It also fits with our love for children and young families!
Discipleship Opportunity coming to CLC!!
Mission and Outreach has been looking for opportunities to invite our communities into CLC, and into having
a relationship with Jesus Christ. CLC will be hosting the Alpha Program in Late February! This is a program
that over 27 million people have experienced. You can check more out at their website http://alphausa.org/
youth-campus/
The program is open to all ages, and is a perfect way to invite a friend to CLC. The four basics of it are food,
talk, conversation and fun! Everyone of us can have a conversation about life, faith and God. We will be
looking for members to attend, invite people, help cook meals, and maybe even provide daycare during the
event! This is such a great opportunity to further His Kingdom here in Maple Plain!
Adopt a Family Mission Re-cap
Thank you to all of you who participated in our Adopt A Family Mission with WeCAN (Westonka Commu-
nity Action Network). Our Mission was successful in providing Christmas gifts with both needs and wants
for three different families with 9 children! Amen!
The Mission and Outreach Committee Mission Statement: To connect the body of Christ Lutheran Church to communities near and far, as disciples, through good works and love.
The Mission and Outreach Committee Mission Statement: To connect the body of Christ Lutheran Church to communities near and far, as disciples, through good works and love.
On December 17th, the prayer cabin was placed onto a firm foundation!!
Upgrading the electrical is almost done.
Next steps are heating and finishing the interior.
Continued...
The Messenger Page 1 6 Jan. 2016
The Messenger Jan. 2016 Page 17
January Food Shelf
Items of the Month: Coffee, soups, Kleenex,
Hot Chocolate mixes, and cold & hot cereals
ALWAYS NEEDED:
Grocery bags for clients
food!
CLC collects needed items for our local food shelf each month. By picking up an extra item on your shopping trip, you and your family have another way to contribute to those that need it most.
The Maple Plain Food Shelf has been thankful for the offer to add to their supplies and indicated that
sometimes food items are not available from their grocery providers. THANK YOU!
CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, LCMC
5084 E. MAIN STREET
MAPLE PLAIN, MN 55359
The Messenger Newsletter January 2016
Christ Lutheran Church Maple Plain, MN
763-479-2373 (Phone / Voicemail) 763-479-2306 (Fax)
Office Hours-M-TH 9-3pm www.mpclc.org
Worship: Sunday 9:00am Coffee Fellowship following worship.
Three Days of Prayer-Jan. 5-7
