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September 2019
LIVING WORD Lutheran Church of Alexandria, LCMC
Through the power of the Holy Spirit
we are growing, Sharing, and living
in God’s Word, Jesus Christ
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It is hard to deal with the fact that this is my final newsletter article as your pastor… but this is the reality. So…
what can I say that will adequately express my appreciation and love for this wonderful community of faith? As I
think about this, it has become clear that I don’t want to leave you with just a bunch of “mush” about what you have
meant to me… I don’t want to leave you with a motivational speech to try to get you to “better yourself” as a
community of faith… I don’t want to leave you with my version of a five step process for improvement… and I
certainly don’t want to leave you with a self-analysis of my own “performance” as your pastor. So… what else is
there?
Well… here it is! “Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards,
not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the
wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world,
things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the
source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and
redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
I know… this is not a new Word… I’m not very original… not very creative… not very clever when it comes to
what is at the center of the proclamation of God’s Word and the mission of the church… but I’m certainly not going
to apologize for that! There are many times when I’ve realize how “not powerful”, “foolish”, “weak”, “low”,
“despised” and “nothing” I am without Christ. But the truth is, God’s Word calls you and I to this revelation, so we
will have ears to hear His Word, declaring “God chose… God chose… God chose… He is the source of your life in
Christ Jesus”!
While I apologize for the failures and frailties that I’ve exhibited during my 9-plus years serving as your pastor… I
do so trusting that all of these lie in the loving and merciful arms of my Lord and Savior, the source of my life and
yours, Jesus Christ! The next couple weeks will be a tremendous struggle for me… so I ask for your prayers and
patience. And as I trust in the Lord when it comes to what He has in store for me in the future, I pray that you will as
well!
Brothers and sisters in Christ… members of this wonderful community of faith… remember to keep the main thing
the main thing… and always, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord”!
With love and respect- Pastor A.J.
320-762-1997 Office Hours T-Th 8:30a.m. —12:30 p.m.
[email protected] OR [email protected]
1722 16th Avenue East, Alexandria, MN
www.livingwordalexmn.org 320-762-1997
Sunday Morning Bible Study
Sunday Morning Bible Study will be resume Sunday, September 22 at
10:20am following Worship. Focus in on “Discipleship”, a study written
by Stephen King. Dove Moeller will be leading this study.
Fall Monday Bible Study
A study on the book of Philippians entitled Rejoice in the Lord Always!!
(Sola Publishing) will run 5 consecutive Monday evenings starting Sep-
tember 16 with a light meal at 6:30pm with the study from 7:00-8:00pm.
Please sign up at by Sept 8 so meal preparations can be made.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
The Tuesday morning Bible Study group continues their study of 2 Co-
rinthians. Bible study begins at 9:00 am and is open to anyone who
wants to participate. There is always coffee, tea, snacks and great con-
versation.
Wednesday Morning Men’s Bible Study
Our new study, One for All - Experiencing the Exclusive Claim of
Christ. Come and join us for reflection and conversation. There is never
a dull moment with this group, so men, come and join in the fun!!
Read The Bible In A Year
The LWLC Adult Education Committee
is encouraging all members to get in-
volved in “Reading Through the Bible
in a Year”. The Scripture readings for
each month are included in the monthly
newsletter. Please consider taking part in
this exciting adventure and encourage
others to do so as well. We can be as-
sured that “God’s Word does not return
September 1 Ezekiel 20-21
September 2 Ezekiel 22-23
September 3 Ezekiel 24-26
September 4 Ezekiel 27-28
September 5 Ezekiel 29-31
September 6 Ezekiel 32-33
September 7 Ezekiel 34-36
September 8 Ezekiel 37-39
September 9 Ezekiel 40-42
September 10 Ezekiel 43-45
September 11 Ezekiel 46-48
September 12 Daniel 1-2
September 13 Daniel 3-4
September 14 Daniel 5-6
September 15 Daniel 7-9
September 16 Daniel 10-12
September 17 Hosea 1-4
September 18 Hosea 5-9
September 19 Hosea 10-14
September 20 Joel 1-3
September 21 Amos 1-3
September 22 Amos 4-6
September 23 Amos 7-9
September 24 Obadiah & Jonah
September 25 Micah 1-4
September 26 Micah 5-7
September 27 Nahum 1-3
September 28 Habakkuk 1-3
September 29 Zephaniah 1-3
September 30 Haggai 1-2
Adult Education
Fall Retreat
Saturday, October 5, 2019
9:00am-3:00pm Come for Coffee at 8:30 am
Worship starts at 9:00am
Alexandria Golf Course Cost: $30 per person $50 per couple
Topic: Transitions
Speaker: Pr. Randy Freund There will be music, worship, noon meal and snacks. For families with
younger children, youth activities will be offered. Sign up after Worship on
September 8th or September 15th .
LCMC 19th Annual Gathering and Convention:
Omaha, NE—September 29 – October 2, 2019
LWLC delegates attending: John & Karen Kirckof
Augustana District News
THEOLOGY – CHURCH – MISSION
MISSION PARTNERS IN ETHIOPIA:
“I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in the blessings.” (1 Cor. 9:23). The Augustana
District Newsletter includes a message from our mission partners in the Tabor Congregation of the Ethiopian
Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus. Praise God for the work that He is doing in and through them! Excerpts from
a letter written by Rev. Amenu Arsie, Tabor Congregation EECMY:
“Based on our vision, mission and goal we present a report especially in relation to your partnership as
follows:
1) Serving at seven regions in the country
2) Forty mission centers
3) Twenty-nine outreaches and Bible study centers
4) Sixty-two ministers and over seven hundred volunteers are serving God’s Mission.
5) AD has given 3,694,917 Ethiopian Birr in financial support – supporting these activities:
a) Reached 11,776 people
b) 105 of these people repented and 207 converted
c) 778 attending confirmation class and 544 salvation classes
d) 78 baptized in the first two quarter of 2019
6) Have purchased two outreach centers in Chafee Cottjabessa
7)Erected worship houses for Wotara and Golijota
We seek to give God the gory in all we say and do.”
READ more in the AD Newsletter – including the Ministry Opportunities and Ministry Challenges!
Prayers Around the World for our fellow heirs in Christ:
The civil unrest in Ethiopia and the battles and persecutions occurring there. Christians are suffering.
Flood victims in Assam, India.
Blessings for Young Adult Missions Internship as groundwork is laid for the maiden mission trips.
SAVE THE DATES • Augustana District WOW Annual Convention: Sat., Sept. 21, 2019 from 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
• First Annual Augustana District High School Retreat – December 6-8, 2019
• 2020 Annual Convention “10:10” – Saturday, May 2, 2020
(for more information go to: augustanadistrict.org)
Living Word has a new Facebook page! Look us up—”like” us and become our Face-
book Friend! This is a great tool to let each other know what we are up to—but also helps others know what a vi-
brant, active congregation we are!
LWLC’s website address: www.livingwordalexmn.org
WHAT’S ON THERE? Newsletter – Calendar - and Announcements – Council and Committee Minutes –
Pictures – Augustana District Newsletter – Bible Study Information – Events – Prayer Concerns – and
MORE!
Try it, YOU’LL LIKE IT!
STAY CONNECTED!
Thank you to all the parents, kids
and volunteers who helped make
VBS 2019 a success.
VBS 2019
“Greater love
has no one than this,
that one lay down his
life for his friends”
John 15:14
WOW Women of the Word
Annual Salad Supper September 4
The annual WOW salad supper will be held on Wednesday, September 5, at 5:00 p.m.
(PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE AND TIME)
September has been designated as mission emphasis month for our WOW group. This year, we will hear from
Living Word members Dave Anderson and John and Karen Kirckof, who participate in International Health Ser-
vices missions, particularly in Honduras. Updates will also be given on the Augustana District missions in India (a
newer mission project) and Ethiopia ( which WOW has supported in the past). Offering that evening will be divided
between the Augustana missions and the IHS missions.
Those attending are asked to bring a donation of school supplies for the Honduras mission. Suggested items in-
clude tablets/notebooks (for elementary age children), pencils and pens, pencil sharpeners, small boxes of crayons,
school glue, rulers, and colored paper.
The salad potluck supper menu has a slight change this year — we’re having PIE for dessert! Please sign up to
bring salad, bread, or PIE! Final date to sign up is Sunday, September 1.
Lydia is responsible for serving; Priscilla, for set-up and decorating; and Sarah, for cleanup.
WOW Bible Study will not be held during the month of September
Our next meeting will be Thursday, October 3, at 2:00 p.m.
LWLC Youth
**Wednesday Night Youth activities will start September 18 at 6:00pm.
Watch for full schedule in the bulletins, on our website and on facebook.
Living Word Library is currently featuring best-selling Christian author Max Lucado. An inspira-
tional writer, Lucado has written almost 100 books and has appeared regularly on several bestseller
lists. He has written books for adults, for kids, for teens. Some of his books have discussion/personal
reflection questions at the end, suitable for group discussion or individual contemplation.
Lucado, born in 1955, is a preacher in the conservative religious body known as the “Churches of
Christ.” He is a pastor at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas.
We have recently purchased God Came Near, God’s Perfect Gift, where Lucado brings the reader back in time,
right into the midst of significant events in Jesus’ life. Short, 4-5 page chapters with titles such as “The Arrival,”
“Mary’s Prayer,” “Absurdity in the Flesh,” and “Just Call Me Jesus” place the reader in the very center of the
events. The chapter entitled “Out of the Carpentry Shop” is particularly moving, as we see Jesus looking around at
the tools Joseph has taught him to use, remembering how peaceful life was there, and how many hours of content-
ment he had experienced there, hearing the voices from the past, “Good job, Jesus.” We hear the author’s voice,
thinking what must be going through Jesus’ mind: “It must have been difficult to leave. …Life as a carpenter
wasn’t bad. …Business was good. The future was bright, and his work was enjoyable. …I wonder if he wanted to
stay?”
Our library has several books by Lucado currently on display, some of which have not yet been discovered by
Living Word members! The books are thought-provoking and inspirational.
Always keep in mind, however, when reading a non-Lutheran author, you may encounter some theological
differences from the Lutheran tradition. In Lucado, the incidents of this are few, but always keep your Lutheran
theology in mind.
Library News
LWLC library is currently removing unused/extra books from the shelves. A basket on the library desk
holds the discarded books, with more books to be added. HELP YOURSELF!
Community Alexandria Lakes Area
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Alexandria City Park
Registration 12:00pm / Ceremony & Walk 1:00pm
Alz.org/walk
Women of the Word Fall Gathering will be held Saturday, September 21, at Peace
Lutheran Church in Nevis, MN. Based on Esther 4:13-17, this year’s theme is “For
Such a Time As This.” Everyone is welcome to attend, but if you are interested in
being a delegate from Living Word, please let one of the officers know. Registration forms can be found on the
Information Table; the registration deadline is September 14.
Secret Sister Reveal
The Secret Sister "reveal" will be at our September 4th WOW salad supper. Please bring a card for your secret sister
(no gifts) that evening. Since we only had 8 women participate in the program this past year, we have decided not to
continue it. Our main goal when we started it was to get to know other women in our church - and we have definitely
met that goal! Thank you all for your participation over the past years.
WOW Women of the Word
From our LWLC President
The congregation has completed a survey, the first in a series of planned self-assessments and a visioning process,
to determine our attitudes and the future directions we believe God is leading this congregation. It is intended to be
an unhurried and deliberate process to aid in preparing a depiction of the characteristics we seek in our new pastor.
The survey results have been compiled, a summary distributed and a more detailed compilation of your responses
are posted in the narthex. Study these responses to help stimulate your thought processes. As we continue the as-
sessment / visioning process we will have opportunity to express our thoughts and contribute to the shared vision.
Our interim pastor, Pastor Nate Hanson begins working with us, full time, September 16. He will be with us
throughout this period of transition. Many of you know Pastor Hanson from his work as interim at the Nelson
churches this past year, primarily in our joint youth ministry program. Pastor Hanson has also preached here several
times in our summer Wednesday services. He will be keeping regular office hours and attend to all the responsibili-
ties of a full- time pastor.
Plan to join us for worship services Sunday September 15. Pastor Kluver retires and will be honored with a short
program and potluck immediately after the service. Indicate your contribution to the potluck on the “sign-up sheet”
at the volunteer opportunities table in the narthex. Let’s give AJ our well-wishes and a memorable send-off!
It’s already September which means we begin developing our plans and budget for next year. Council has prepared
long-term goals for the congregation and some specific goals for the year 2020. Committee chairmen should watch
for planning and budgeting guidance in their committees’ mailboxes.
Council has adopted revised guidelines for the Audit Committee. Every year, after the financial records for the
previous year have been closed, the Audit Committee examines the books and presents the report of its findings to
the congregation’s annual meeting. The guidelines detail a basic procedure to review the congregation’s financial
reporting, accounting controls, its asset records and insurance coverage. A checklist is included to aid the commit-
tee in their review.
In other council action, we have signed a new five-year agreement with Gardonville to upgrade our internet and
voice communications, taking advantage of the increased speeds and bandwidth afforded by the installation of a
fiber-optic cable across McKay Avenue. This opens many possibilities for our ministry – live-streaming our wor-
ship services and hosting educational opportunities to name a couple.
Blessings
—Gaylen
Mission
Together in Prayer, published by World Mission Prayer League out of Minneapolis, is a wonderful publication
providing updates from around the world on missionaries and projects Christians are involved in projects to help
those in need and spread God’s Word. Through our congregations support we are helping support Juan and a team
of 12 teens and 6 adults from Calvery Lutheran in We receive this publication monthly and can be found on our
Love INC Back to School Shoe Drive-- Thank you from the mission committee to the volunteers for participating in the Back to School Shoe distribution at Love INC on Wednesday
August 21.2019. You made the children and parents of 55 children receiving tennis shoes feel BLESSED and VERY HAPPY! The parents kept
repeating that receiving these shoes made the return to school so much easier for them and exciting for the kids! We also need to mention
that there were socks to pick from to accompany the shoes! Our mission committee joined with Love INC to make this possible.
Church Life
AUGUST CELEBRATIONS
BIRTHDAY
Need a ride to worship or other church activities?
Please call the team who lives closest to your location.
Pastor A.J.’s last day with us is September 15. We will send him off to retirement
with a short program and potluck brunch following morning worship.
Pastor A.J. Kluver 9/11
Joshua Walzing 9/19
Ken Elvehjem 9/21
Korbyn Bailly 9/22
Wayne Becker 9/25
Carol Denke 9/25
Curt & Sandy Aamold 9/28
ANNIVERSARY
Dorothy Withers Evert (sister of Harold Withers)
Jim and Terri Elsey
Steve and Jan Ferguson
The 2nd Sunday of every month we are
blessed to have our Praise Band help lead
Worship. Thank you to Ken Elvehjem, Dave
Anderson, Nancy Anderson, Chelsa Lee and
(Julie Savoie—not pictured) for sharing your
Financial .
2019 Financial Report: July Year to Date
Attendance: 451
General Offering $ 14,921 $ 104,254
Actual Expenses $ 16,653 $ 96,439
Net: $ (1,732) $ 7,815
Building Fund Offering $ 5,830 $ 44,014
Building Debt Remaining $ 245,619 $ 245,619
Volunteer Opportunities
LWLC is looking for volunteers for the Mission Ministry,
summer worship helpers and folding the bulletins. Please
check the sign-up table in the back of the Narthex. For
more information.
Get Involved—Join a LWLC committee
We have something for everyone
Adult Christian Ed/Library
Altar Guild
Archive
Evangelism
Kitchen
Memorial
Missions
Property
Stewardship
Technology WOW Worship
Youth Christian Ed
August Puzzle and Answer
Butcher Hoe Pink Odd
Answer: Put your hope in God
Psalm 43:5
September Puzzle
Annie Turn Owl How Sin Evan
Test you knowledge of bible phrases and your knack of unscrambling phrases:
LWLC is hosting a blood drive
Thursday, September 5, 2019, 1-7 pm.
Volunteers will be needed to help make
this event a success. Sign up sheet is
on the volunteer opportunity table.
More information to follow.
September Worship Helpers 1 8 15 29 22
Communion Praise Band Communion Hymn Sing
Reader Laurie Kluver Sandy Aamold Steve Ferguson Dave Moeller Kathy Withers
Ushers Dave Anderson
Bill Finley
Jim Nelson
Doyle Polson
Karen Becker
Wayne Becker
Jim Nelson
Doyle Polson
Curt Aamold
Sandy Aamold
Jim Nelson
Doyle Polson
Deloris Peterson
Elder Peterson
Jim Nelson
Doyle Polson
Brad Forbrook
Cindy Lerohl
Jim Nelson
Doyle Polson
Greeters Brad Forbrook
Cindy Lerohl
Dan Engebretson
Barb Engebretson
Steve Ferguson
Dave Moeller
Greg Stoen
Denise Stoen
Ed Weispfennig
Marvelle
Weispfennig
Altar Prepara-
tion
Laurie Kluver
Coffee and
Refreshments
Karen Kirckof
Terry Berger
Sandy Aamold
Nancy Anderson
Wilma Johnson
Deloris Peterson
Kay Elvehjem
Marvelle
Weispfennig
Kathy Withers
Denise Stoen
Coffee Prep Terry Berger Sandy Aamold Nancy Anderson Kay Elvehjem Denise Stoen
Pianist Nancy Anderson Laurie Kluver Carolyn Moeller Carolyn Moeller Karen Kirckof
Assist Counting
Offering
Gaylen Lerohl Ed Weispfennig Jan Ferguson
Kathy Withers Gaylen Lerohl
Sound System
Paul Johnson Paul Johnson Dave Anderson Paul Johnson Wayne Becker
Laverne Floen
Video System Ed Weispfennig Dan Engebretson Jan Ferguson Jan Ferguson Steve Ferguson
Communion
Preparation
Gayle Nemmers
Deloris Peterson
N/A
Gayle Nemmers
Deloris Peterson
N/A N/A
Communion
Servers
Teri Elsey N/A Greg Stoen
LouAnn Peterson
Scott Johnson
N/A
N/A
Communion
Assistant
Marvelle
Weispfennig
N/A
Rose Johnson N/A
N/A
Communion
Bread
Nancy Anderson N/A
Sandy Aamold N/A
N/A
If you need a replacement please call someone from the schedule to switch with you and notify the office of the changes. Thank you!
October Worship Helpers 6 13 20 27
Communion Praise Band Communion
Reader Rose Johnson Karen Becker Nancy Anderson Wayne Becker
Ushers Laverne Floen
Bill Finley
Jim Nelson
Doyle Polson
Wayne Becker
Shirley Finley
Jim Nelson
Doyle Polson
Karen Becker
LouAnn Peterson
Jim Nelson
Doyle Polson
Dave Anderson
Denise Stoen
Jim Nelson
Doyle Polson
Greeters Angie Anderson
Gayle Nemmers
Terry Berger
LouAnn Peterson
Erling Berger
Sandy Aamold
Marv Gravley
Kathy Withers
Altar Preparation Marvelle Weispfennig Marvelle Weispfennig Marvelle Weispfennig Marvelle
Weispfennig
Coffee and
Refreshments
LouAnn Peterson
Karen Becker
Karen Kirckof
Denise Stoen
Wilma Johnson
Terry Elsey
Barb Engebretson
Nancy Anderson
Coffee Prep Karen Becker Denise Stoen Terry Elsey Nancy Anderson
Pianist Carolyn Moeller Nancy Anderson Carolyn Moeller Nancy Anderson
Assist Counting
Offering
Kathy Withers Ed Weispfennig Jan Ferguson
Gaylen Lerohl
Sound System
Paul Johnson Laverne Floen Dave Anderson Wayne Becker
Video System Dan Engebretson Ed Weispfennig Jan Ferguson Steve Ferguson
Communion
Preparation
Marvelle Weispfennig
Laurie Kluver
N/A
Marvelle Weispfennig
Laurie Kluver
N/A
Communion
Servers
Wilma Johnson
Greg Stoen
Dave Moeller
Steve Ferguson
Marvelle Weispfennig
Terry Elsey
N/A
Communion
Assistant
Rose Johnson N/A
Laurie Kluver N/A
Communion
Bread
Gayle Nemmers N/A
Kay Elvejhem N/A
If you need a replacement please call someone from the schedule to switch with you and notify the office of the changes. Thank you!
