faith & charities

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It’s cool in the basement

In the theater room, we get to

chill and just talk, relax and

eat pizza.

I like the downstairs because it is big and open and there are lots of things to do, like study the Bible.By Tim Engstrom

Zion Lutheran Church plans to make changes to its rooms for youth activities.

First on the list, said the Rev. Joel Vano, is to paint and redecorate the walls. Down the road, however, members of the church would like to bring upgrades to the theater and playroom, such as a flatscreen television set and surround sound speakers.

But for now, the church’s youth are quite happy with the rooms they have in the base-ment. Teens like to hang out and chat in the theater room. The younger kids tend to play games in the game room. Grown-ups who recall their days in youth groups can see contributions they made, such as paintings on the walls or games donated.

Zion Lutheran built a major addition in 1985, and at that time created rooms in the church basement for youth activities. It’s fitting, because kids love food, and the base-ment also is home to the dining hall. There is a fellowship hall down there, too, and it has a pull down screen on which the youth enjoy playing video games on a large scale.

The church’s youth activities are not exclusive to the children of members of the church. Zion Lutheran gets many kids whose parents wish their children to learn about Jesus Christ and the selfless ways of Christianity.

The youth of Zion Lutheran enjoy the kid-friendly spaces

My favorite thing in the game room is shooting hoops with a plush basketball.

My friend has a pool table so when I am at JAM (Jesus and Me) I like to play pool in the game

room.

I like air hockey because I play

ice hockey.But I am

better than she is.

I am better on the air hockey table. She is better on ice.

No! That’s not true.

Logan Stadheim, 13

Haley DeSart, 13

Brock Hammer, 12

Daysha Luttrell, 10

Anthony Sorenson, 10

Molly Hulburt, 11

2 4 5 6

Page 2 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • PROGRESS 2013

901 Luther Place • Albert Lea, MN 56007507-373-8226

Respecting the Past...

... Embracing the Future

*See our

insert for a sneak

preview of our

new campus!

Our Savior’s Lutheran ChurchPastor: James Kassera

320 W. CollegeAlbert Lea, MN

373-6097Sunday worship: 9:00 a.m.Sunday School: 10:15 a.m.

www.oursaviorsels.com

We follow only God’s Word.Hear & delight in Salvation through Christ alone!

Albert Lea Assembly of GodSunday School: 8:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship (Nursery Provided): 10:00 a.m.Wed. Family Night: 6:30 p.m.

Supper served $2.00 ea.: 5:30 p.m.

Pastor: Lee Freshour1540 South Shore Dr.

(507) 373-7989 Albert Lea, MN

Adult Bible Study, Awaken Youth Group & Kidz Ministry

A place to Believe, Belong and Become

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the

transformation of the world.

8:45 a.m. Sunday Morning Alive

9:45 a.m. Faith Builders

10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship

UniTed MeThodiST chUrch702 highway 69 S

Albert Lea

Inviting people to actively participate in the life of Jesus

St. theodore CatholiC ChurCh

315 e. Clark St, albert lea

ConfeSSion: 4 p.m. SaturdayMaSS SChedule:

5:15 p.m. Saturday9:30 a.m. Sunday Broadcast on KATE 1450 AM

11 a.m. Sunday Español

St. JaMeS CatholiC ChurCh, twin lakeS

Mass 8 a.m. Sundaywww.sttheo.org

924 Bridge Ave., Albert Lea, MN507-373-8609 • www.zion4jesus.org

8:00 a.m.Sunday Traditional

10:30 a.m.Contemporary

9:15 a.m.Education Hour

6:45 p.m.Thursday Worship

Jeans at church? No problemAt Albert Lea Vineyard Church, people can ‘come as you are’

Social mediaChurches with con-

temporary services also use contemporary media. The Albert Lea Vineyard Church is no different. Learn about the church at these online locations:

Website: www.alvineyard.orgFacebook: Type “Albert Lea Vineyard Church” in the search fieldTwitter: @alvineyard

Other infoAddress: 419 Adams Ave.Phone: 377-1412Services: 10 a.m. Sunday

Justin and Michelle LestrudYears with the church: 3Favorite sports team: Minnesota VikingsBackground: This husband and wife attend Vineyard as part of the Christian Mo-

torcyclists Association, and their leather vests show it. Justin rides a Harley Classic, and Michelle rides a Honda Shadow.

John McKeanYears with the church: 6Favorite sports team:

Minnesota TwinsBackground: This deacon

of the church and caretaker of the café (the kitchen and fel-lowship hall) said switching to contemporary services took some getting used to but now he likes it. He said he likes the Bible-based messages and how the church is involved in local missions.

Tim EngstromAt Albert Lea Vineyard Church, greeting each other isn’t just a handshake and a greeting. It is chit-chat and catching up.

By Tim Engstrom

Sure, at many church-es, people can wear Sat-urday clothes on Sunday morning services, but often because everyone else dresses up, people who dress down feel out of place.

Not at the Albert Lea Vineyard Church. Dress-ing down is the norm.

“It’s just part of the Vineyard DNA,” said the Rev. Matt Hundley.

The denomination grew out of southern California in the 1970s, as people sought a con-temporary way to wor-ship Jesus Christ. They came wearing flip-flops, Hawaiian shirts, shorts and a laid-back attitude. In a place like Albert Lea, that translates to T-shirts, sweatshirts and jeans. Not everyone wears jeans to church, but most do.

“Come as you are,” said Deacon John McKean.

Nowadays, Vineyard services focus on the lessons from Christ and are punctuated by lively Christian singing. Dur-ing services, when mem-bers of the congregation turn to greet each other, they don’t just say hello and move on to the next

person. They gab and gab. Hundley has to lead them back to the service at hand.

On a typical Sunday morning during football season, about a quarter of the congregation — that’s a rough estimate — is wearing football jerseys to show support for their favorite NFL team playing later the same day.

Hundley said that more-structured congre-gations might see Vine-yard’s low-key approach to worship as rebellious.

“It is not,” he said. “It is more that our main focus is the heart, what’s on the inside.”

He said many places talk about the heart. He said the difference is Vineyard attempts to model that in action, even in the low-key dress code.

Do people who dress up feel out of place? No, said Hundley. He cited a biker who at times dressed up in a suit, sim-ply because he felt like it. And many members wear collared shirts, sweaters or blouses, so there is an array of dress styles, which makes fit-ting in no matter what a church-goer prefers to wear easier to do.

grace lutheran church918 garfield • 373-6496

Bringing people together & BECOMING disciples for christ

sunday worship • 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

EDUCATION HOUR • 9:45 a.m.

wednesday worship • 5:30 p.m.

We invite you to worship with us this week!

Pastors: Rev. Todd M. Walsh, Rev. Andrea J. Myerswww.gracealbertlea.org

We Are Five Individual ChurchesWorking Together To Share Christ in Our World

By Sharing Staff and ResourcesWe Strengthen Our Congregations and Communities

Come And Visit UsFor Sunday School & Worship

Bethany Lutheran Church – Joice, IASunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship 9:00 a.m.

Immanuel Lutheran Church – Scarville, IASunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship 8:00 a.m.Lunder Lutheran Church – Rural Albert Lea

Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Silver Lake Lutheran Church – Rural Northwood, IA

Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.mWinnebago Lutheran Church – Rural Lake Mills, IA

Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:30 a.m.

www.oneinchristlutheranparish.orgParish Office 641-567-3550

Pastor Bill Peters • Pastor Randy Baldwin

Please join us for worship, fellowshipand coffee following

the service.

Hope to seeyou soon.

MeMBeR OF LCMC

www.RoundPrairieLutheran.org

We are located off exit 2 on I-35, approximately 6 miles south of Albert Lea at

12881 757 Ave. We are

handicapped-accessible.

CELEBRATING 148 YEARS!

Round Prairie Lutheran Churchinvites you to worship with us.

In 2010, our members voted to leave the eLCA and joined the Lutheran

Congregations in Mission for Christ.

Pastor Kent OttermanSunday Worship - 8:00 a.m.Sunday School - 9:15 a.m.

First Lutheran Church

Welcome to Sunday Worship:8:00 a.m. Traditional Service

9:15 a.m. Blended Service10:30 a.m. Praise & Worship Service

9:15 a.m. Sunday School6:30 p.m. Thursday Chapel Service

301 W Clark St. 373-6424

www.flcal.org ELCA

Hayward Lutheran Church200 Main St. Hayward

10:30 a.m. Sundays9:30 a.m. Sunday School

Trondjhem Lutheran Church 87740 170th St. Austin

8:45 a.m. Sundays9:45 a.m. Sunday School

507-373-8479

Our Father’s House18358 Hwy 69, Albert Lea, MN

507-373-7799www.ourfathershouseinternational.com

9:00 a.m. Fellowship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship

1/2

A wallet card that church members pass out features blue jeans on the front and touts the “express yourself” ap-proach the church takes.

A wallet card that members of Albert Lea Vineyard Church pass out has blue jeans on the front and a map to the church, 419 Adams Ave., on the back.

It folds out and has the headline, “Come Ex-press Yourself at Albert Lea Vineyard Church.”

Then it offers this statement: “Everyone is unique — no one understands that better than God. He welcomes

you unconditionally, and so do we. Tees or ties, quirky or quiet, polished or pierced, canes or kids … at Albert Lea Vineyard Church, you’ll feel com-fortable and accepted. We’re enjoying God’s love and discovering the unique people He made us to be. Come enjoy great music and biblical messages at a church where you can just be yourself.”

Even the card features blue jeans

John SevcikYears with the church: 11Favorite sports team: Minnesota VikingsBackground: He said he likes how the church seems

more real than other places. Some church-goers, he said, at traditional churches tend to put on a “fake facade” on Sunday morning. “People here actually care. They are not just shaking hands.”

Jillann LuomaYears with the church: 10Favorite sports team: Minnesota VikingsBackground: She likes that the church offers a

contemporary Christian service. She is part of the band. She said she also relates to the messages about the heart from the Rev. Matt Hundley. Members of the congrega-tion call him Pastor Matt.

Mallorie GilYears with the church: 13Favorite sports team: Chicago Black HawksBackground: This 17-year-old doesn’t like to wear

matching socks. “It makes me feel uncomfortable.” She said she likes how the church is laid-back and “just really chill.”

PROGRESS 2013 • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 3

SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH (ELCA)115 N Washington, Albert Lea, MN

507-373-21848:00 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship

9:15 a.m. Sunday Schoolwww.salemalbertlea.org

Growing in Christ - called to serve

Columnists who get you thinking

Page 4 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • PROGRESS 2013

If ever there was a time to enjoy living in the present, it’s when you’re retired. Retirement is a lot easier to do when you can put aside worries about the future. By choosing the Good Samaritan Society, you not only give yourself the opportunity to get more out of every day. You give yourself peace of mind knowing that whatever the future brings, you’ll never have to leave behind the life you’ve created and the friends you’ve made if your needs change.

The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society provides housing and services to qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status, national origin or other protected statuses according to applicable federal, state or local laws. All faiths or beliefs are welcome. Copyright © 2012 The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. All rights reserved. 12-G2017

L iving today to the fullest is a matter of fully preparing for tomorrow.

To learn more about the Good Samaritan Society communities in southeastern Minnesota, call 1-888-839-4258 or visit www.good-sam.com.

By Brandi Hagen

The United Way of Freeborn County is giv-ing out $481,801 to its agencies in 2013.

To be able to do that, it has to hold its agen-cies and itself more ac-countable than ever for spending.

More accountable does not mean less money, however.

“We’ve given more out this year than we ever have,” said Executive Director Ann Austin. “It’s just accommodating the need that has been increasing dramatically.”

Austin, Bob Haas and Mary Laeger-Hagemeis-ter want the commu-nity to understand the United Way has in-depth discussions about funding and helping in other ways like advocat-ing and volunteering, but may not always have the right answer.

“We want to work with

everybody but obviously we can provide funding only for the most im-pactful programs in the community at this point and time,” Austin said.

That’s why collabora-tion and evaluation is becoming so important, especially in a county where the last recorded poverty rate was 12.3 percent.

Something the United Way board is working on is bringing in tools that teach its agencies how to do an effective evalu-ation of the programs that they’re putting on.

That way when the board or allocations committees asks what the program is doing, it can show exactly where its money is spent.

“It gives them a bet-ter idea also to where they can improve their programs to do the best for their clientele,” said Laeger-Hagemeister, the 2013 United Way

chairwoman, said. “The expectation is that all the agencies will attend that.”

By giving its agencies the right tools and the same tools to evaluate, it also makes it easier for the United Way to ap-proach its contributors and say why they need more money than previ-ous years because they can show what money is being spent on.

Austin said the United Way is trying to hold itself accountable, too, to make sure it is part of the solution.

“We’re making sure we’re not just giving money off to these pro-grams and saying here you go do your good work,” Austin said. “It’s really about working together with them to support them and help them be more effective. A lot of times it means bringing in more people to the conversation.”

Bringing more people to the conversation is ex-actly the road the United Way of Freeborn County is headed down. Even though there is a limit to funding, there are other ways it can help agencies and organizations.

“It’s actually a nation-wide, worldwide exam-ple — giving, advocating, volunteering — you can better solve problems by using all of those resources in a commu-nity,” Austin said.

An example of the effort would be office upgrades.

Many of the United Way’s agencies have needs for newer tech-nology, but instead of spending their budget on technology, the United Way has con-nected them with people or groups in the com-munity who had those items to donate.

Austin said while it’s a long-term effort,

another way agencies can improve without increasing the need for funds is sharing space and resources with other agencies.

Haas, the former chairman, said groups need to get out of the “everyone protects their own turf” mindset.

“It’s not giving some-thing up, it’s collectively coming together to co-ordinate services,” Haas said.

Some of the other changes that the United Way is seeing that have an impact funding wise is that organiza-tions are finding other means for funding and transition out of the United Way program or they are giving back money they didn’t need to allow funding of other services in the community.

“It doesn’t happen very often, but it shows you that they’re not

just saying, ‘OK we got $20,000 from the United Way so we’re going to spend it all,”’ Haas said.

Austin said with the step toward more col-laboration and account-ability the United Way of Freeborn County is just tying in to what other groups have already started to do because many of the agencies it works with already have expecta-tions put on them to be more accountable.

“We’re trying to pro-vide extra resources to those who haven’t had that exposure before,” Austin said. “And, it’s more of a challenge sometimes as a smaller community because we have less resources at hand and, of course, a smaller staff size, but I think it’s really impor-tant for us to move in this direction.”

Stretching the dollar

How the United Way of Freeborn County allocates the funds you donate

PROGRESS 2013 • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 5

Noon Kiwanis (Founded 1922)

Meetings every Monday at American Legion

www.albertleakiwanis.org

Activities• Pastor’s Day • Highway Cleanup • Bell Ringing

• Scholarships for students in Freeborn County area high schools & Riverland Community College • AKTION Club • Christmas Shopping for children & families

• High School Key Club • Frank Hall Park Playground • New Basketball Courts • Bringing Up Grades Program

These projects are supported through various fundraising efforts

President - Rhonda AllisonPresident Elect - Tim Engstrom

Vice President - Lance SkovImmediate Past President - Angie Eggum

Co-Secretaries - Larry Forster & Iris TarvestadTreasurer - Judy Verdoorn

Clover Leaf LionsMeets First & Third

Tuesdays at Big Island Bar & Grill, Americas

Best Value Inn

Projects: Flight Breakfast at Airport Radio Days at KATE Radio Fair Ring Toss World Service Days Road Clean-upALL LIONS MEMBERS WELCOMEIf you would like to become a member

call Tom at 373-1696

40 YEARS SERVING THE COMMUNITY

DAYBREAKERS We welcome you to learn more about our club by attending one

of our weekly meetings

Kiwanis — changing the world, one child and one community at a time.

FRIDAYS, 7AM-8AMAlbert Lea American Legion

Our Projects:Kettle Korn • Highway Cleanup

Geneva Cancer AuctionSalvation Army Backpack Program

Scholarship Fish Fry FundraiserSalvation Army Red Kettle Ringing

Freeborn County American Cancer Society Bike-a-ThonAktion Club (with Noon Kiwanis)

Eliminate Golf Tournament

For more info please visit: www.facebook.com/daybreakerskiwanis

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AllocAtions for 2013How the United Way of Freeborn County plans to spend the funds raised in the fall 2012 campaign:Adult Basic Education $12,233Albert Lea Family Y, membership support $53,185Albert Lea Family Y, middle school program $5, 319American Red Cross, disaster services $14,505The Arc of Freeborn County, direct services $34,329Catholic charities, counseling $6, 621Cedar Valley Services, transportation $19,340Cedar Valley Services, community employment $19,340The Children’s Center, scholarship/sliding fee $58,020Community technologies & services $14,505Crime Victim’s Crisis Center $22,241Group support services, education $19,322Group support services, visitation/exchange $15,415Habitat for Humanity $2,418Healthy Families $19,340Parenting Resource Center, crisis nursery $13,538PRC, partnering with parents $5,319PRC, Seibel Center *reimburse* $4,835Salvation Army, emergency services $29,010Salvation Army, food pantry $33,845Salvation Army, meal program $14,505Semcac, homeless shelter $3,868Semcac, senior nutrition $3,868Semcac, dollars & sense $1,451Senior Resources, ride services $9, 167Senior Resources, chore services $4,291Senior Resources, family caregivers $9,703Senior Resources, senior advocacy $19,046Senior Resources, RSVP $13,222

It’s not easy being green, especially for dollars donated to the United Way of Freeborn County. They go through a careful allocation process before being spent for the good of people in need.

Many small business owners question which accounting method they should use in their small business. I was re-minded of this last week as Bobbi Olson taught the Quick Books Basics seminar for area small business CEOs. This question is definitely a part of “knowing your business numbers” that I have been discussing in the last few columns.

The IRS doesn’t require all businesses to use a prescribed method, but it does require busi-nesses to use a system that accurately reflects

their income and expens-es. The two basic ways to account for your income and expenses are the cash method and the ac-crual method, and some businesses use a hybrid.

The cash method: Using the cash method, you record income when you actually receive it and expenses when you actually pay them. For example, if you complete

a project in December 2012 but don’t get paid until March 2013, you record the income in March 2013. Similarly, if you buy a digital camera for your business on credit, you record the expense not when you charge the camera and take it home, but when you pay the bill. The IRS won’t let you manipu-late your income by, for example, not cashing a client’s check until the next year; you must re-port income when it be-comes available to you, not when you actually decide to deal with it.

The accrual meth-od: Under the accrual method, you record income as you earn it, and expenses as you incur them. For ex-ample, if you complete a project in December 2012, that’s when you record the income, you expect to receive from it, no matter when the client actually gets around to paying you. If the client never puts the check in the mail, you can eventually deduct the money as a bad debt. And if you charge some furniture, you record the expense on the day of purchase, not when you pay the bill.

So which method is

better? It depends, of course. The cash method is much easier to use; most of us deal with our personal finances this way, so it’s a system that we are familiar with. It also gives you a clear picture of your actual cash on hand at any point in time. The accrual method can’t tell you how much cash you’ve got, but it pro-vides a more accurate picture of your busi-ness’s overall financial health, particularly if your clients or custom-ers are pretty good about paying their bills. It will show money that you’ve obligated yourself to pay, so you’ll know that

you can’t count on using that money for other purposes. It will also show money you can look forward to receiving (again, if your customers pay you as promised).

As long as you make less than $1 million a year, you may choose whichever method seems right for your business.

For more information, check out IRS Publica-tions 334, Tax Guide for Small Business, and 538, Accounting Periods and Methods, both available at www.irs.gov.

Dean L. Swanson is a volunteer SCORE Men-tor and district director.

Choosing an accounting methodDean

Swanson

Ask SCORE

2Page 6 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • PROGRESS 2013

Voted Best Mexican

Restaurant 4 Years!

2314 Hendrickson RdAlbert Lea, MN

(Near Dollar Tree, across from Walmart)

Locally owned & operated.

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welcome you!

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BEER • LIQUOR WINE

FREE ICE!(first bag FREE with purchase)

Open: Mon-Thurs 10am-8pm

Fri & Sat 10am-10pm

405 E. William, Albert Lea (507) 373-3822

Dinah’s Style, Inc.welcomes

Kari FjeldbergMaster Stylist

Color SpecialistArtificial Nail and Shellac Technician

Emily ToresdahlMassage Therapist

With 2 years experience, Emily specializes in Swedish massage & prenatal massage. Visit Emily on

Facebook at Emily Toresdahl LMT

Hair & skin care for the entire family!• Full service complete

hair styling• Therapeutic Massages

• Skin Treatments• Eyelash extensions• Manicurist services

Time to relax at yourFavorite Salon

Calvary and First are sharing their pastorsBy Sarah Stultz

For more than 100 years, two Baptist churches in Albert Lea have run mostly separate locations, with separate leaders.

But starting last year, in a decision that they say was led by God, Calvary Baptist Church and First Baptist Church joined ministries and are now sharing pastors.

“I believe the Scrip-ture is very clear and plain that Christ wants members of his body to be unified and one in purpose,” said Clayton Balsley, senior pastor at both churches. “It’s not about First Baptist Church, and it’s not about Calvary Bap-tist Church. It’s about building the kingdom of God.”

While the church con-gregations meet together each Wednesday night for youth groups and Bible study classes and occasionally combine services, they are still under two separate roofs on Sundays.

“I feel like we’re going in the right direction,” said Mark Miller, 4P. 7

Baptist churches unify ministries

Members of Calvary Baptist and First Baptist churches stand behind the Revs. Clayton Balsley and Mark Miller following a Wednesday night activity at Calvary Baptist. The churches now share pastors and come together on Wednesday nights for shared youth activities and Bible study classes.Sarah Stultz

Northbridge Mall2414 Bridge Avenue

Albert Lea

507-373-2403

A Unique,Customized

ConsultationUsing your skin tone,

eye color and face shape,let us help you find the

perfect haircolor.

$10 fee is reimbursedwhen applied to

color service.

PROGRESS 2013 • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 7

Albert LeaNorthbridge Mall

507-373-9194www.PlazaMorena

Restaurant.com

Owatonna160 26th St NE507-413-0819

Entertainment info:507-413-0817

www.PlazaMorena.com

FULL SERVICE BAR AVAILABLE

224 W Main St., Lake Mills • 641-592-3303627 Main Street, Osage • 641-832-3300104 N Elm St., Cresco • 563-547-3300

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HOME OF THE FLAT IRON STEAK

Grill open Mon. - Thurs. 11am-10pmFri. - Sat. 11am-11pm

FULL BAR and Full Menu Featuring:• Flat Iron Steaks • Baby Back Ribs • Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

• Steaks • Seafood • Pasta • Burgers • Sandwiches• Soups • Salads • Appetizers • Desserts

Drink specials: Fri - $2.50 Margaritas (strawberry & lime)Sat. - $3.00 Bloody Mary & Chaser

1 Large Pizza with single topping and 8 chicken wings

8 Chicken wings and 2 liters of soda

2 Large pizzas, 3 topping or specialty, double order of sitcks & 2 liters of soda

$1599

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1725 E. Main St, Albert Lea

373-2444

1617 W. Main St., Albert Lea • 507.379.2364Business Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9-8, Fri.-Sat. 9-10

• Wide selection of wine & spirits

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2740 Bridge Avenue, Albert Lea

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associate pastor at both churches. “I believe if it’s God’s will, this will all work out, and I believe it is God’s will because of the way it has been working.”

Calvary Baptist ChurchIn December 2011, Calvary Bap-

tist Church’s senior pastor, Bob Weniger, left Albert Lea to serve at a church in another community.

Doug Jensen, who was chairman of the church’s deacon board at the time, said the church leadership began looking at different options for replacing Weniger.

One of the deacons brought up the fact that with Weniger’s depar-ture, Calvary Baptist Church was left with an associate pastor, while First Baptist Church had a senior pastor but no associate pastor.

“We started praying about it, and we really came to the conclu-sion that God wants us to take this step forward,” said Miller, who has been at Calvary for eight years.

“We looked at it as an opportunity to join forces and come together.”

It would be a big change for the church, which has been in exis-tence since 1872 and in its current building on Bridge Avenue just south of Hammer Road since 1974.

Jensen said he met with Balsley to talk with him about the idea, and after more prayer, Balsley met with a series of boards at Calvary Baptist Church.

Then came a meeting between the leadership of the two churches to work out the details, and Balsley came to Calvary to preach and answer questions.

Both churches voted favorably for the merger.

“I believe that the Lord is doing something here,” Jensen said. “It’s a difficult thing to put two church-es together, to work together and try and do some things for the Lord, but I really sense and believe he’s going to do mighty things.”

The two churches met in a joint worship service under the com-

bined ministry on July 1, 2012, and the various leadership boards are starting to meet to get to know each other better.

Though they don’t know where the merging ministries will take them, they said they feel optimistic about the direction they are taking.

“We’re working toward the fact that we want to get together and talk about what each church does and get rid of some of the duplica-tion,” Jensen said.

Though both pastors are busier than they were previously, the merging ministries has brought the two churches closer together, said Dave Thunstedt, who lives in Alden.

“We’re really one church but working together at two build-ings,” said Thunstedt, who has been attending the church since 1957. “In the future, I hope we ac-tually may be at one facility. We’ll see where God leads us and how people feel as we do more minis-try.” 4P. 8

Sarah StultzCalvary Baptist and First Baptist churches are be-ing led by Clayton Balsley, senior pastor, and Mark Miller, associate pastor.

Continued from Page 6

Page 8 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • PROGRESS 2013

331 S. Broadway, Albert Lea

377-6868MEMBERFDIC

308 7th AvenueEllendale, MN

56026(507) 684-2881

2210 East Main St.Albert Lea, MN

56007(507) 373-2461

217 West Division St.New Richland, MN

56072(507) 465-8015

www.BonnerupFuneralService.com

Larry WulffLicensedFuneralDirector

Karla TukuaLicensed

PreplanningConsultant

Paula WilsonLicense FuneralDirector

ConnieVanRyswyk

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Steve MerfeldLicensedFuneralDirector

Brady NelsonLicensedFuneralDirector

Our goal is to help each family honor the life of their loved one with a service offering dignity, integrity and respect. Allowing family and friends to come together to remember, honor and

support each other and to celebrate a life that was lived.

First Baptist ChurchBalsley had served

as pastor for First Baptist Church for 13 1/2 years when he was approached by Jensen about the possibilities of Calvary and First Baptist joining ministries.

At that time, Cal-vary and First Baptist churches had done a few things together, but not much, Balsley said.

First Baptist had been in existence since September of 1866 and in its current building on Clark Street since 1910.

He said there were a few people from both congregations who knew each other and some were even relatives.

“It’s doubtful either one of us knew at the time where God would

lead us in that adven-ture,” Balsley writes in his pastor’s letter in January. “To be honest, though I believe with-out a doubt that Jesus desires unity among the members of his body, I was skeptical that anything would de-velop beyond our initial conversation. Obviously God had other plans in mind.”

He said he believes since that meeting with Jensen — and through much prayer — that God has brought the church-es together. Finances did not play into the decision.

“With God’s leading, we are becoming one church in two locations,” said First Baptist Church member Marvin Miller.

He said the churches

are having occasional worship services, youth programs, Bible stud-ies, events, mission opportunities and outreach opportunities together.

“We are all a part of the family of God,” he said. “This has given us the op-portunity to get to know our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is our prayer that we will support and encourage each other as we do the Lord’s work.”

Both churches are affiliated with American Baptist Churches.

Services begin at 9 a.m. Sundays at Calvary Baptist Church with Sunday school to follow at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. at First Baptist Church with worship services at 10:30 a.m.

First Baptist Church members from back left are Mike Nelson and Dustin Pe-tersen. In front from left are Marvin Miller, Miriam White and Sheila Petersen.

Members of Calvary Baptist Church are from back left are Janet Poeschl, Kay Werner, Dave Thunstedt and Bruce Himmerich. In front from left are Louis Henderson and Doug Jensen.

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