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We are here to worship the living God, receive Christ’s gifts, and share God’s love.
King of Glory Lutheran Church, ELCA
4125 Grand Ave., Billings, MT 59106
406-652-1690
www.kingofglorybillings.com
Mark Your Calendar!! Dec. 24—Christmas Eve Worship @ 3, 5, & 9 pm Dec 27-Jan 2—King of Glory co-hosts Family Promise Dec. 27—ONE Sunday worship service @ 10:30 am Jan. 31—King of Glory Annual Meeting
Join us for
Christmas Eve Worship
3:00 PM—service liturgy
with children in mind. Spe-
cial children’s message &
gift. Special music by King’s
Kids Choir and Sunday
school children, age 3
through 2nd grade
5:00 PM—Special music by
Glory Ringers Handbell
Choir
9:00 PM—Special music by
King of Glory Choir
Dear Friends in Christ at King of Glory,
When a new year begins, we can’t help but look back at the one we just left. With God’s help, we did our Mission and our Ministry—we proclaimed God’s Good News, gave Christ’s gift away, and sought to love and serve our neighbor.
We had a surprisingly strong year. Under Claudia Baker’s enthusiastic and dedicated leadership, we headed into our Stewardship Challenge. Not only did we pay our line-of-credit debt in full early in 2015, but we had sustaining income through the entire year. We did not have to access our line-of-credit in 2015. (Who would have imagined that a year ago??) And if the “estimates of giving” cards tell us anything, giving will be generous and strong in 2016.
We filled our vacant staff positions with new and dedicated people who have done great work among us. Our programs are strong and growing. (Why do you think people are flocking to King of Glory?)
Our fine Associate Pastors are hitting their stride. Our pastoral team continues to work hard to make King of Glory the church place to be. You probably don’t notice this, but we try new things and new ideas. When they work and take off, great. When there is no energy for our ideas and they don’t go so well, we move on to try more new things. We aren’t afraid to fail. Don’t dwell on it, keep go-ing. I’m thankful for their partnership with us.
Our Associate Pastors are two of the finest ones I know. I hope you realize that. Gifted pastors like them are very hard to find. It is my great privilege to work with them. As Lead Pastor I am able to keep the congregation going from an administrative point of view and that frees them up to use their great skills to build up our congregation with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We added about 100 new members to King of Glory in 2015. There are very few ELCA congregations that can make that claim. And we’ve already got more people waiting to join us in 2016. We have people come to KOG and on their very first visit become convinced that KOG is the place to be. “I want KOG as my church!”
Lately we’ve begun to notice increases in worship attendance. Seating is be-coming a problem for us—we don’t have enough chairs for all the people who want to come to hear God’s Word, receive Christ’s gifts in the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and find genuine fellowship among us. Again, not many ELCA congregations can make that claim. Most are in decline. (Maybe we’ll have to look at building our new sanctuary sooner than we thought!) (continued on page 2)
2
Pastor’s letter continued from page 1
You can’t help but notice the excitement and new energy for finishing our building. I am confident that our church office wing will be done in short order. With that kind of enthusiasm, we will most likely see more sizea-ble financial gifts like the $20,000 one we just received. Add to that the fact that many of our members will actually do most of the work. I think that’s tremendous.
God has been with us—leading and guiding us as we go. At this time King of Glory is now in what might be called a “Size Transition Zone”. We are caught in the transition from a “program size” congregation and a larger “corporate size” congregation. We are right on the edge. It is not an easy transition to make. Which way will we go? Do we step up and move on? Or, do we back away and try to return to a smaller, more com-fortable day?
I am proud of the strong year King of Glory has had. I hope you are, too.
God bless you and keep you in His Grace!
Pastor James A. Darchuk
Official Notice of
Congregational Meeting
Plan now to attend the congregational meeting to be held on Sunday January 31st at 11:45 a.m. in the Commons. The main items of the agenda are the church budget for 2016 and the election of new Board members and other elected offices. We will hear other reports, too. Come and join us for this important
meeting.
Annual Reports will be available for you on Sunday January 24th so that you can review them prior to the
annual meeting.
Our Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
Lenten Devotional 2016
You are invited to write one devotion which will be shared with the congregation as part of a devotional book
we will publish for the season of Lent.
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less.
1. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; no merit of my own I claim, but
wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:
On Christ the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.
The beloved hymn from the 1800’s speaks of grace and faith as we are invited to join with all the saints in
faithful discipleship trusting in a redemption that comes only in Christ. Drawing from the parable of the house
built on the Rock from Matthew’s & Luke’s Gospels our engagement with this hymn and these texts invite us
to consider where our lives are built, where our hope lies, and whether we are heeding Christ’s commands.
Opportunities to participate in this writing project will be available in the Commons and on-line in January.
Please consider sharing your gifts of faith and writing with the congregation.
3
Most of the open positions have been filled. We are waiting for re-
sponses from a couple of people . Then we should be ready to go for
the annual meeting.
At the annual meeting you can nominate someone as long as they are
there to verify that they would serve if elected.
The slate of nominations will be included within the annual report that
will be available January 24th.
Nominating Committee is almost done with its work
2016 CHURCH BUDGET OPEN FORUMS
You are invited to attend one of the open forums to talk about the 2016 church working budget held this next month. These forums are designed for congregational members to look at the preliminary and working budget, ask questions, make comments, and forward suggestions to the January 19th Board of Directors meeting.
Here are some features of the 2016 working budget.
-Board members, after considering recent history, have estimated the income and expenses for 2016 at approxi-mately $600,000. The budget works with that number to suggest a plan for the year. -We included a 4% raise for our fine staff. -Benevolences are funded the same as 2015.
Open forums are scheduled for Thursday January 14th at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday January 17th at 9:35 a.m. (during the education hour). These forums will meet in the Fireside Room.
Board members will be present at these forums. Congregational President Russ Plath will guide the discussion.
Your input will be helpful in the final stages of budget preparation. The working budget will come before the Board at its January 19th meeting. The Board will take into consideration what they’ve heard at the open fo-rums and put the finishing touches on a proposed 2016 church budget. That proposed budget will then be dealt with at the congregational meeting scheduled for Sunday January 31st at 11:45 a.m.
For more information contact Russ Plath, congregational president, Marty Ambuehl, congregational vice-president, one of the Board members, or one of our Pastors.
Don’t forget…
Dec 29th @ 6 p.m.—Friendship Café Program Kick Off meeting at Friendship House of Christian Service —3123 8th Avenue South
GENEROSITY CHALLENGE UPDATES!
Each of our nine Sunday School classes was gifted $25 in No-vember and asked, how could you live generously? Here’s what they did! Thank you to Thrivent Financial for the $$$ and to the Sunday School teachers (and families) for helping this to be a great experience of learning! Preschool: Took an ornament from the angel tree. Pre-K & 1st Grade: combined their gifts a purchased a goat for God’s Global Barnyard. Kindergarten: Gave $2 to each child; invited them to double it; took an ornament from the angel tree. 2nd Grade: Hosted a lemonade stand on 12/13, with proceeds going to Toys for Tots. 3rd/4th Grade: Donated to the Billings Food Bank 5th Grade: Will be hosting a hot cocoa stand on 1/10/16, with proceeds going to 2 local charities. 6th Grade: Hosted a bake sale at the Advent Festival and raised over $140! All going to the Yellowstone Animal Shelter.
Youth Group (7th-12th grade): Want to do an activity to benefit Tumbleweed. *more info soon!
Children, Youth, and Family Ministry Children and Family Ministry (Birth—Grade 6)
Celebrate Baptism! An all-ages learning event
Sunday, January 10, 2016 Baptism of Our Lord Sunday
Time of celebration & remembering: 9:40-10:20am in the Commons
Time of blessing for those baptized in 2015 during both worship services
THANK YOU to... … all who helped with the Advent Festival in December…especially Lorie Hughes, for coordinating it. What a wonderful evening! … all who gifted angels from our Angel Tree. Children identified through Family Service, Inc. and the Homeless Education Program were blessed by KOG! Thank you! …Lorie Hughes for preparing the worship boxes for our Kindergartners participating in the Worship Milestone in November. … to the Meal Teams for preparing meals for LOGOS in December. … to all who caroled at St. John’s on Wednesday, Dec. 16th! Special thanks to the Nyquist family and Sandi Shawhan for providing musical accompaniment.
Sunday School News Sunday school meets from 9:40-10:20am for 3-year-olds (by 9/10/15) through Grade 6. Registration is always open. Please pick up a registration form in the office along with a yellow information packet. Jan. 3 No classes HAPPY NEW YEAR Jan.10 All classes meet Cross Generational Event : Celebrate Baptism! Beg.-Grade 2 meet in Sanctuary for music. Grade 3- Grade 6 meet in classrooms for attendance then move to Sanctuary for directions from Pastor Jen. Teachers please guide students to tables in the Com- mons and help them with the activities. All teachers Are needed. Jan.17 All classes meet Beginners-Grade 4: Simeon & Anna Jan.24 All classes meet Beginners-Grade 4:Boy at Temple Jan.31 All classes meet Beginners-Grade 4:John the Baptist
Sunday School Offering News!! At the end of December the Sunday School Students have given close to $300. Wow! $250 went to purchasing a Fish Farm through ELCA Good Gifts! Our Pre-K and 1st grad-ers combined their Generous Generations cash and pur-chased a Goat! Our Kindergarten class purchased $10 worth of Chicks! STUDENTS THANKS FOR YOUR GENER-OUS OFFERINGS!!!!!
LOGOS—Grades 2-6 We have had a great 1st half to LOGOS and have had
tons of fun with lessons, crafts and games!
Thank you to all who participated in the caroling event at St. John’s! Not only did all the kids have fun but the
residents loved it.
Parents please keep a look out in your email for the new parent helper sign up sheets! Jan. 6th Epiphany
13th On the look out 20th A Royal Night 27th PJ’s & Prayers Feb. 3rd Superbowl
Contact Suzi Rietz with questions about Sunday School
at [email protected] and Stephanie Stokke with
questions about LOGOS at [email protected]
Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
Jr. and Sr. High Ministry (Grades 7-12)
January 2016
Celebrate Baptism!
Sun. Jan. 10th
9:30 - meet in the
Cave for instructions.
The Youth will lead
different stations for
this cross-
generational learning
event in the
Commons.
Sign up with a buddy
at Youth Group!
*Youth Group will
NOT meet on 1/10
due to this event.
NeedtogetintouchwithPr.Jen?
Text/CellPhone:855-1537
KOG Mission
Trip 2016
July 23-30, 2016
Prichard, ID
8th-12th graders
DEADLINE
to register is
January 17th!
Complete the
registration form and
turn in a $50 non-
refundable deposit to
reserve your spot!
SUMMER
CAMP
Mountain air, time
with friends (new and
old), good food, and
growing in faith!
KOG heads to
CONFIRMATION
CAMP
(for 7th-8th graders)
June 19-25, 2016
Not in Confirmation, but
want to go to camp?
See the other offerings
www.christikon.org
Join us for a baking
party - “Treats for
Tumbleweed!”
Using our $25
generosity challenge
money, we’ll bake on
1/30 and then sell
items at on Sun. 1/31
at the Annual
Meeting. Proceeds
will go to
Tumbleweed!
BAKING PARTY:
Saturday, Jan.30
Shifts—announced
soon!
Care Package Project!
Join us on Sunday, Feb. 7th during Youth Group
time to pack Care Packages for our military
personnel and college students. Feel free to donate
small gifts (ie: granola bars, Kleenex packs, pens,
post it notes, etc) to be included.
Youthserving@theSouthSideChristmasStore
Glory StampersGlory StampersGlory StampersGlory Stampers (An Outreach Ministry of King of Glory)(An Outreach Ministry of King of Glory)(An Outreach Ministry of King of Glory)(An Outreach Ministry of King of Glory)
The Glory Stampers will meet at Brenda Ambuehl’s home, 4408 Summer Lane, on January 2nd at 9:30 a.m. They will be making items for the Baptism Milestone. Contact Brenda Ambuehl at 690-0986 with questions or for directions to her house.
6
Death & Resurrection: Bodies, Souls, & Christian Hope +What happens when we die? +Do we have a soul or are we a soul? +What do Christians believe about Heaven?
Beginning Sunday January 24 Pastor Ben will lead a six week class that addresses the issues of Death and Resurrection while review-ing the varying beliefs that Christians have held throughout history. Ultimately, the class will seek to give you understanding and lan-guage to speak to others in their grief.
Thursday Morning Bible Study
Ezekiel: The prophet, the book, the mystery
Ezekiel is one of the most challenging and rewarding Old Testament
books. Beginning January 14, we will read, study, and discuss the
symbolism and prophetic announcements of this great book.
Meet Thursdays at 9:30 am in the Fireside Room.
IF: Gather ing
A global gathering—February 5th & 6th
Big Horn Resort, 1811 Majestic Lane
Friday, Feb. 5th from 7—10 pm
Saturday, Feb. 6th from 9 am—7 pm
Register at https://ifgathering.com/
localgatherings/ifbillings
Tickets are $10
(Scholarships are available, without question, by
emailing [email protected])
See Pr. Jen with questions
Arts Without Boundaries Concert
King of Glory, January 21st at 7:00 p.m.
Music for Violin, Piano, and Cello featuring
Angella Ahn, Julie Gosswiller, and Julia
Cory Slovarp
7 “I stepped from Plank to Plank
A slow and cau�ous way
The Stars above my Head I felt
About my Feet the Sea.
I knew not but the next
Would be my final inch –
This gave me that precarious Gait
Some call Experience.”
Emily Dickenson, 1864
I could feel my heart pounding, quickening in my chest. Nervous? Yes. Worried I’d be late? That too. But the streets
were mostly empty as I drove from the west end to the south side of Billings that first dark morning. It was 6:15am.
I had driven these unfamiliar roads once before. But then, daylight and a partner made my pulse retreat. This was
different. In the dark, my privilege and prejudice stood out. I didn’t want them as companions, but they came anyway.
I parked at 316 Jefferson Street, with 3 minutes to spare. Siri went silent. It was up to me to step out, as Dickenson
did, and knock on the door of a house that was not mine. A neighborhood where I didn’t want to belong.
On the other side of the threshold I soon found my sweet spot. From kids as young as six – but even up to twelve – I
could not hide my smile. Watching the biscuits in the oven, I asked lots of ques�ons. “Who lives at your house?” And
“what’s your favorite food?” but the ques�on ea�ng at me was why didn’t I live here?
And by here, I don’t mean Jefferson Street, but a place that challenges me so. I like a mystery – especially one I can
solve. But here, I can only dare to be present. A light-bearer. A light-receiver. Invited into deep waters, where I am
not the fixer, but the changed.
Why do we live elsewhere? Rev. Jennifer Quanbeck, 2015
I wrote these words as I reflected upon my experience of volunteering with CLDI in their YouthWorks program
in 2015. YouthWorks ministers to neighborhood kids a@ending Orchard Elementary and Riverside Middle School.
From this experience, I feel a deepened calling to contribute to ministries happening in this part of our city.
If you would like informa�on about mentoring a student at Orchard Elementary or volunteering at 316 (CLDI
programs), or serving at Friendship Café (a new ministry of Friendship House, KOG, and other partners), I’d love to talk
with you! Many organiza�ons are doing great and faithful work on the south side of Billings and I look forward to King
of Glory’s partnership with them in 2016.
Daring to be changed,
Pastor Jen
New Member Classes Start SoonNew Member Classes Start SoonNew Member Classes Start SoonNew Member Classes Start Soon
Belonging, Believing, & Becoming: New Member Classes at King of Glory New Member Sunday is February 21, 2016
King of Glory welcomes all. We hope that all visitors feel that sense of welcome each time they attend worship, serve alongside members, or join us in celebrations. New Member Classes are the process we use to help visitors take the next step of investment this shared ministry.
New Member Classes involve four gatherings:
Gathering #1 – A conversation in your home. A chance to visit with a pastor personally. Please speak with Pastor Ben to arrange a time to visit. Gathering #2 – A party with the pastors. The Quanbecks enjoy hosting and this is a great excuse for get-ting together. Date: Sunday January 31 – 2-5pm Gathering #3 – A class at the church. We will gather in the church to learn more about the history, theol-ogy, and practices of the congregation. Two dates are available (pick one). Monday February 1, 6pm-8pm or Saturday February 6, 10am-Noon. Gathering #4 – A celebration in worship. Sunday February 21 is New Member Sunday. If you are interested in membership, you can sign up for the class in the commons area at the church or by con-tacting Pastor Ben directly. ([email protected])
Office Wing Construction worker—Contact Jerry Baker or Dennis Powers to help, or sign up on the clip-board in the Commons
Bible Study Leader - lead a weekly Thursday morning group, weekly Saturday morning
Men’s group or weekly or bi-weekly in-home group. You will be equipped and trained for the
task before you****
Offering Counter—help count the offering one Sunday every other month with
a partner+
Sunday Morning Head Usher—recruit and train new ushers. Assist with heavy
attendance Sundays such as Milestone Sundays, Palm Sunday, Easter, etc. ***
Join the “Welcome All” Strategic Planning Team―help the church become a
welcoming, open, and accepting congregation by practicing hospitality in its many forms.****
Join a Music Ministry Group—there are spots open in the King of Glory Choir & Glory Ringers Bell Choir just for YOU+++
**contact Pr. Jen ([email protected]) +contact Lisa Walker ([email protected]) *** contact Lorrie Maxwell ([email protected]) ****contact Pr. Ben ([email protected]) +++contact John Haughey([email protected]) or Melodi Drake ([email protected])
8
OFFICE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
The Board of Directors, at their November mee�ng, approved a project to begin finishing the shelled in office
wing of the church. A bid was obtained early last year from a construc�on professional totaling nearly
$185,000 and didn’t include furniture, computers, phone systems and other necessary items. Since this
amount was thought to be clearly out of reach in the near future, the Board has approved an effort using vol-
unteers and a “pay as you go” process. Dennis Powers and Jerry Baker will be co-chairs to lead the
effort. Work will start in January and proceed as rapidly as funds allow. Only those amounts specifically des-
ignated for the Office Project will be used. The 2016 budget that we approve at the January annual mee�ng
each year will not contain money for this work. Every member of the KOG staff is doing a great job in very
cramped, obsolete spaces and deserves to have the new offices completed to the highest standard as shown
on the original architects drawings. Minor changes will be made to comply with current building codes and
func�onal requirements. A clip board is located at the entrance to sign up and help out. We par�cularly
need people with construc�on trade experience. Look forward to seeing you swinging a hammer.
9
KOGpartnerswithnewministry“FriendshipCafé”in2016KingofGloryLutheranChurchisexcitedtojoinasapartnerinthenewministrybeginningat
FriendshipHousecalled“FriendshipCafe.”InOctober2015,KingofGloryLutheranChurch’sBoardofDirectorsvotedtobecomeapartnerinthedevelopmentandexecutionof“FriendshipCafe.”Wehaveagreedtogive$1200/yearforacommitmentof ?ive(5)yearsandtoencourageourcongregationtoserveasapartofthisministry.AsoneofKingofGlory’spastors,Icanattesttotheneedforasafe,reli-able, and encouraging space for at-risk and low income teens in the south side neighborhood ofBillings,MT.Thevisionfor“FriendshipCafe”isthatitwouldbesuchaplace!
Duringmyteenyears,Igrewupwithsigni?icantprivilege,resources,andasupportsystemof
adultsthatnurturedmydevelopment.Thepopulationthat“FriendshipCafe”seekstoservedoesnotalwayshavethesethings.Teensareoftenunsupervisedbecauseofworkingparentsandrelationshipswithavailable,af?irming,andauthenticadultrolemodelsareminimal.Billings’southsideneighbor-hoodisbothliterallyand?iguratively“ontheothersideofthetracks”andlacksresourcesforteens.Drugs,alcohol,sexualexperimentation,gangaf?iliation,andviolencearerealoptionsfortheseyoungpeople,whooftenfeeltheyhavenootherchoice.
“FriendshipCafe”dreamsofbeingachoicethatofferslifeandpossibilityforyoungpeople.By
providingasafespace for“hangouttime”withfriends,aswellasschoolassistanceandcreativeex-pression,“FriendshipCafe”seekstobealightinthedarkness.Jobskillscanbelearnedbyworkinginthekitchen/coffeehouse. Discoveryofselfcan happenthroughsharingat theopen-mic. ListeningadultscanoffersmilesandpresencethatembodythetruththatGod’slovedoesnotabandonus,evenwhentimesaretough.
FriendshipHouse isa trustednameandministry inourcommunity. As theyseek toexpand
theirministriestoat-riskandlowincometeenagers,Iinviteyoutoconsiderjoiningwithus!Aninfor-mationmeetingwillbeheldonTuesday,Dec.29that6pmatFriendshipHouse.VolunteershiftsbegininJanuary!Withoutadoubt,thesouthsideofBillingsneedswhat“FriendshipCafe”,withyourhelp,canbecome.
Sincerely,PastorJen
Dear KOG Family,
Thanks for the continued support both financially and for all of your prayers as well. My penultimate semester of seminary is over and all I have left is Jterm and one semester. It will be great to spend Christmas break back
here in Montana and to worship with you all again.
In the last couple newsletters I have shared some facts and statistics from the National Association for Children of Alcoholics website. In this newsletter I am sharing ideas from this same website how congregations and faith communities can engage in educating their communities to
bring awareness.
Here are some of the countless ways:
1.) Integrate alcohol/drug education into the ongoing
educational programming
2.) Invite an AA and/or an Alanon member with solid,
long-term recovery, to speak on the experience of addiction and recovery—This will provide an
experiential learning for those attending
3.) Create a library of information and materials
about alcoholism and drug dependence
4.) Offer space for recovery groups (such as AA
and Alanon) to meet.
Happy New Year to you all! May your 2016 be filled
with health, peace and joy!
Peace, Andrea Keene Final Year MA Diaconal
Youth, Culture, and Mission
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Billings, MT
Permit No. 25
King of Glory Lutheran Church 4125 Grand Avenue Billings, MT 59106 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
We are here to worship the living God,We are here to worship the living God,We are here to worship the living God,We are here to worship the living God, receive Christ’s gifts, and share God’s lovereceive Christ’s gifts, and share God’s lovereceive Christ’s gifts, and share God’s lovereceive Christ’s gifts, and share God’s love
Staff
Pastor James Darchuk ([email protected])
Associate Pastor Jen Quanbeck ([email protected])
Associate Pastor Ben Quanbeck ([email protected])
Susan Petersen ([email protected]) Worship and Music Coordinator
Lorrie Maxwell ([email protected]) Parish Administrator
Lisa Walker ([email protected]) Financial Administrator
Suzi Rietz ([email protected]) Sunday School Coordinator
Stephanie Stokke ([email protected]) LOGOS Coordinator
John Haughey ([email protected]) King of Glory Choir Director
Melodi Drake ([email protected]) Youth Choir & Glory Ringers Bell Choir Director
David Wyard555.Church Maintenance
Terry Gabert555..Church Custodian
Karen Haughey55..Choir Accompanist
Board of Directors
Russ Plath 55555555555555.President Marty Ambuehl555555.555...Vice President Robin Tunnicliff .5555.55555..5..Secretary
Marcia Welliever55555555.55....Treasurer Allen Simonsen..555..Property & Administration
Joan Felke55555..555..Congregational Care
Beth Adam555555.555.Christian Education
Maggie Hale..55..55555555.5....Fellowship
Becky Bey-. .555555...Mission & Lay Ministry
Sheryl Costanzo.5555555555.5..Outreach
Heather Miller5555...Public Relations & Witness
Claudia Baker5555555555.5..Stewardship
Jeremy Stricker5555...55.5.Worship & Music
Brent Lipp5555..5555555555.5..Youth
Other Parish Leadership
David Rye55555..55..Lay Pastoral Associate
Kaye & Duke Families555....Liturgical Arts Team
Phone: (406) 652-1690 Fax: (406) 652-1693
E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday—Friday
Worship: Sunday at 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. www.kingofglorybillings.com