Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Time is flying by, and so is summer. Soon, perhaps way too soon for some of you, school will start. At this time of year we are reminded to take special notice of those yellow road signs which show the picture of a boy and a girl carrying books and crossing the street. Those traffic signs remind us to “Slow Down, School Zone.”

Edwards Hays writes in the book A Pilgrim’s Almanac that “Such yellow school signs can also be life signs for us. They can remind us not only to reduce the speed of our cars, but also that learning is not just the business of children between the ages of six and eighteen! To be a student is a lifetime vocation for each of us. We attend school not just to acquire knowledge, but also to learn how to love to learn – to fall in love with knowledge.”

What about you? Do you consider yourself a student? Those school signs should remind us to keep asking ourselves the question, “Am I still a person who enjoys learning new things?” Henry Ford once said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or

Newsletter- August 2014

eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”

Students are recognized, as we see on those school signs, as persons who have a book in hand. Do you have a book close by? Do you have the greatest book ever written close at hand? Of course, I’m talking about the Bible. If learning is to be a life-long adventure, then this should certainly be true about our Christian education. I do believe that we are meant to grow and mature in our faith, and this happens as the Holy Spirit speaks to us through God’s Word, or the teaching of another person.

This learning takes place as we daily read the Bible. I think that each time we read a portion of scripture, God can teach us something new.

Learning also takes place as we meet together to discuss God’s Word. Just as school is about to begin, it is also time to start making plans for Sunday School and Bible studies. I pray that God will lead you to take part in a study of His Word, whether as a teacher or a student. The Evangelism Committee and Congregation Council continue to discuss how small groups can be a part of your study and discussion of the

Bible and how to apply these truths to your life.

So, the next time you see a yellow school-zone sign, slow down for the students. May it also be a reminder that you are never too old to be a student, to grow in your faith.

Love in Christ,

Pastor MarkSummer Worship Schedule

Sundays in August: 10:00 a.m. WorshipAugust 3 Worship with BaptismsAugust 10 Worship with BaptismAugust 17 Worship with Pastor Connie SpitzackAugust 24 WorshipAugust 31 Worship

150th ANNIVERSARY UPDATE

Our 150th Anniversary Steering Committee has been finalized as follows: Dawn Bodenham, co-chair; Randy Morgan, co-chair; Julie Ostby, secretary; and members Vicky Bergstrom, Johanna Crawford, Art Lauer, Ralph Sandeen, Darrell Smith, Gail Smith, Tom Wenstrand, Shelly Wickham, Keith Zihlman and Pastor Mark.

We have finalized the dates for a three day event starting Friday, June 17 continuing through Sunday, June 19, 2016. The Steering Committee members and the dates are the only two items which have been finalized.

Committees are:

Media/Publicity; Historical; Worship/Programs/Music; Food; Games/Saturday Afternoon Fun; Interiors; and Capital Campaign.

We have leaders who have volunteered for many of the committees and others are being contacted. We have several SELC members who have indicated a desire to serve on many of the committees. Sign-up sheets have been posted in the Church narthex (entryway). One committee which will be quite active in the near term is Interiors. There are multiple decisions to be made concerning details of refurbishments in the lower level of the Church and in the Parish Hall.

Working with the Parish/Property Improvement committee, it is the intent to have an idea of the size and scope of improvements and related costs by the end of August. There will be an SELC congregational meeting Sunday, September 7, to discuss these plans and to vote on an overall plan with priorities. Now, in September, there may not be any projects finalized with one possible exception. Most likely, we will have a firm proposal about the replacement of the church roof. Most of the projects will be preliminary plans with rough ideas of cost. The meeting has two purposes: 1. To vote on any projects which have been fully developed; 2. To vote whether or not to proceed to finalize plans on other projects—subject to what we are willing to spend from current funds available and subject to what is realized with our fund raising efforts. If the congregation in September is favorable towards these projects, then we will proceed with fund raising. The intent is getting a fairly well defined sense of direction in September so we know where to spend the time, effort and energy to finalize plans. None of these projects will proceed without formal

congregational approval. We most likely can vote on more finalized plans at our annual meeting in January, 2015.

Some 150th anniversary event decisions will be finalized in the near term weeks and months. Some decisions will not be decided until well into the year 2016. We will make our best efforts to keep the congregation informed with this added thought—the best way to be informed is to get involved!

Radio Sponsorship

The Evangelism Committee has made the decision to start broadcasting our worship service on KILJ in September. We will take our taped hour worship service, and edit it to a half hour program to be aired the following Sunday on the FM station at 11:30. The cost is $50 per week. You may sign up for a whole week at $50 or you may sign up for partial sponsorship at $25. Please sign up in the narthex (entryway).Congregation Council and Church Finance

Notes

The Council met on Thursday, July 17, 2014. The next regular Council meeting will be Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

Financial Report 2014 General Fund Activity (as of July 29, 2014)

Gifts $121,823.95Ministry Expenses $111,703.64Mission Support $7,235.52Net Income $2,884.79

Swedesburg Women of the ELCA

WELCA Calendar of Events

Wednesday, August 13 2 p.m. Mary/Martha Circle meets

Pastor Mark, Study Leader

LWR School Kits

School days will soon be here so we need your help filling school bags for Lutheran World Relief. Through LWR we can reach out to those in need. To the children who receive school kits, these supplies mean the difference between getting an education or not. Our local WELCA purchases the school bags for these supplies. All items should be new and in good condition. A box will be set up in the narthex (entryway) for these supplies. Items that are needed include:

4 70 sheet notebooks, wide or college ruled (8” x 10 1/2”),

1 30 centimeter ruler or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other,

5 black or blue ballpoint pens, (no gel pens) secured with a rubber band

5 unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers, secured with a rubber band

1 box of 16 or 24 crayons1 2 ½” eraser1 pencil sharpener1 blunt pair of scissors

Churchmen Ice Cream Social Meal

You are invited to an ice cream social meal on Thursday, August 7. Serving starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Swedesburg Parish Hall. The event is sponsored by the Churchmen of the Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church. Hamburgers/hot dogs, chips, baked beans and homemade ice cream will be served. Freewill donations will be used to help local charities such as the Fellowship Cup, Tolson Community Action Center,

Henry County Habitat for Humanity, Christamore Family Treatment Center, and Henry County Foods Resource Bank. Everyone is invited for an evening of fellowship and ice cream!

Christian Education

Sunday School will resume on Rally Sunday, September 7, and then follow with regular classes the following week. Volunteers are needed to assist with teaching - particularly for preschool, elementary or confirmation levels. If you would be able to assist, please contact Emily Kann.

Burlington Bees Baseball Trip

Enjoy the last days of summer at the ballpark! Catch the Burlington Bees by saving the weekend of August 23rd. Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELC) will cover the cost of the tickets and will have more information about the game available in future bulletins.

This group outing is for all congregation members, as well as their friends and family. For those interested, we will carpool from the church (departure time to be determined). A sign-up sheet will be available in the narthex (entryway).

SELC Assists with the Summer Sack Lunch Program at Fellowship Cup

Tanzania Companion Coordinators

Pastor Mark and his wife, Pastor Connie Spitzack will have a pulpit exchange on Sunday, August 17. Pastor Connie, who has been to Tanzania, will also meet with the youth group after church to talk about youth involvement in the church in Tanzania.

There will be a potluck fundraiser on September 21 after Worship at the Parish Hall. It will include a potluck, where the coordinators will provide the meat, asking the congregation to bring salads and desserts. An auction of donated items will happen at the fundraiser along with the confirmation students putting on a carnival. The next meeting will be August 6 at 7 p.m.

Altar Flowers

There are openings for altar flowers on August 3, 10, and 17. If you can help beautify the sanctuary by providing flowers for the altar, you may sign up in the narthex (entryway) or contact Mary in the church office at 254-2216. Thank you for your assistance!

Hayride

Put Sunday, October 5 on your calendar as the day that the Evangelism Committee hosts a hayride for the church and Swedesburg community. Meet at the parish hall for the rides, as well as enjoying roasting hot dogs over a bonfire.

2014 Fall Theological Conference

Pastor Mark will be attending the Southeastern Iowa Synod Fall Theological Conference, September 28-30, 2014 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport.

This annual event provides opportunity for leaders to gather together for three days of fellowship, learning, and dialogue with one another. The theme for this year's conference is "Speaking with Greater Boldness: Public Witness on the Model of Philippians.

Baptism Sponsor

Julia Unkrich should be noted as an additional sponsor for Bennett Stewart Unkrich. Her name was inadvertently omitted from previous announcements of Bennett’s baptism.

Weekly Worship Audio Available

Did you know that you now may listen to our weekly worship services from the church website? You can! Visit our website, www.swedesburglutheran.org, click on “Weekly Worship Services”, and then select

“Launch Media Player”. Click on the weekly service date you wish to listen to. If you have any suggestions for improvement, please send feedback to Mary McLerran in the church office. Telephone 319-254-2216, send an email to office@swedesburglutheran.org or send a message via Facebook.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School took place at the Parish Hall on Tuesday, July 22 through Friday, July 25 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. each evening. Some pictures of the fun follow:

Back to School

For children who are struggling at school or are in trouble, what happens during the summer months? Suddenly, all the structure of the school year is gone. That’s where LSI helps. This summer LSI’s behavioral health intervention services (BHIS) have been busy helping keep children and youth stable so they can head back to school this August in great shape to have a terrific school year.

LSI’s BHIS program helps children and teens who have a mental health diagnosis build skills in areas such as anger management, coping, healthy decision making, communication, positive self-esteem and more. Thanks to your caring support of LSI, children in this program achieve positive outcomes at home, in school and in the community! LSI is proud to be an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Learn more at www.LSIowa.org and www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa.

“Having someone come to your home is amazing.”

Roycene had just turned her life around and had been sober for two years. When her son Lucas returned home from over a year in foster care, the transition wasn’t easy for either of them. “Lucas came home with a lot of behaviors,” she said. “It was almost unmanageable. It was a transition for him and for me.”

Thankfully, LSI’s behavioral health intervention services (BHIS) program was there to help. LSI caseworker Heidi helped Lucas, age seven, learn anger management, communication skills and coping skills, or as Lucas calls them, “scoping” skills.

“Having someone come to your home is amazing,” Roycene said. “Lucas is more comfortable here. I learn a lot from Heidi, and it’s really neat watching my son learn how to express his feelings. One of the awesome things about Heidi coming to my house is she can actually see what’s going on. I could go to a therapist or doctor and try to explain, but it’s not the same. I would be almost glad when Lucas was having a tantrum, so she was able to see and help us learn how to handle it. It’s nice having someone professional help coach me in my parenting and decisions. It makes me more confident.”

Heidi also helped Lucas learn how to make friends at school and helped Roycene find ways to talk to him about his father’s incarceration. Lucas has grown leaps and bounds, Roycene said. “Any time I get frustrated, I think about how it’s not like it was,” she said. “I’m just really grateful for this service. When friends are having problems, I tell them about how I have someone from LSI who supports me.” See more stories, past and present, at LSI’s anniversary website: www.LSIowa.org/150.

Deacon’s Fund Appeal

The SELC’s Deacon Fund is used to help those in need of financial assistance. The balance of the account is very low. You may make a contribution to the Deacon’s Fund through the offering, or by giving your gift to Monte Kann.

Mary McLerran on Vacation

Mary McLerran from the church office will be on vacation during the week of August 5-8, 2014. You will see a familiar face in her place during this time. Jeanie Jones has graciously accepted filling in at the office during this time. Jeanie will be able to assist you with any need that may occur in Mary’s absence.

September Newsletter Deadline

The deadline to have your items listed in the September newsletter is Wednesday, August 20, at noon. Submit any item to Mary McLerran in the church office at 254-2216 or email the office at office@swedesburglutheran.org before noon.

Federal Privacy Laws Reminder

Did you remember that if you are hospitalized our church is usually NOT contacted? Because of Federal Privacy Laws (HIPPA), if you or a member of your family are hospitalized, and would like Pastor Mark to visit, the church member or family must contact the church and let us know. The hospitals usually do not contact the church. Please let the church office know. You can reach the church office at (319) 254-2216.

Worship at the Henry County Fair, Wright Pavilion

THANK YOU’S RECEIVEDI would like to thank you for thinking of me during confirmation. I appreciate the cake, crosses and devotion book. I enjoyed the classes and activities. Thank you for your support of my faith.

--Allie McArtor

A special thank you to my family and all who sent me birthday cards and those who came to my 90th

open house. I have been honored and blessed.--Louise Unkrich

The Elnora Woline Family would like to thank everyone that furnished food and help with the funeral luncheon. It meant a lot to all of us to have such a wonderful church family.

Thanks again-The Elnora Woline Family

Time for children at the Henry County fair.

CONGREGATION REFLECTIONS

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTNorah Faith Beichter was born June 30, 2014 to Dustin and Kari Beichter of Aiea, Hawaii. She has a 6 year old sister, Khloe to welcome her home. Grandparents are Eldon and Lennis Beichter. Congratulations!

SYMPATHYTo the family of Elnora Woline who passed away Monday, July 14, 2014. Survivors include: her husband Richard, of Mt. Pleasant; five sons, Robert and Trudy Woline of West Des Moines; Dennis and Cindi Woline of Des Moines; Allan and Jodi Woline and Wayne and Leah Woline all of Mt. Pleasant; Olle Larsson of Sweden; 11 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and extended family.To the family of Mike and Jackie Brawner, whose uncle Harold Brawner, died July 21. To the family of Bob Hinkle (John’s brother)who passed away July 19.

PRAY FOR:ELCA missionaries Rev. Brian and Christine Palmer in Liberia.Rev. Eliewaha Ezekieli and people of Ngaeni Lutheran Parish, our partner congregation in Tanzania.friends and loved ones experiencing health concerns.

THANKS ARE DUE:to all the volunteers that assisted with making sandwiches and delivering the lunches for the Fellowship Cup during the summer sack lunch program.to all the volunteers that assisted with Vacation Bible School. to all the volunteers who are willing to give their time and talents to the 150th Anniversary committees.

You are invited to an

Ice Cream Socialwith mealThursday, August 7,

serving starts at 6:00 p.m.by freewill donation

at the Swedesburg Parish Hall,201 Academy Avenue, Swedesburg, Iowa.

Menu includes: Homemade Ice Cream, Hamburgers/Hot Dogs, Chips, and Baked Beans.

Sponsored by the Churchmen of

Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church.

1897 140th StreetP. O. Box 88Swedesburg, IA 52652

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED