Rev. Thomas Hartwig 651.252.1130 Mark Oppitz, Organist 651.451

Volume 49
Issue 12
November 21, 2013
Angelic Announcements of Advent
The season of Advent has come!
Most of us do Christmas planning. That planning includes visiting, decorating the house, baking goodies, visiting family, and purchasing and opening gifts. Our Christmas planning gains some real meaning if we do
some Advent planning. In God’s house we will gather for three special Wednesday evening services under the
theme, “Angelic Announcements of Advent” God’s gifts are the real gifts of Christmas. Please plan to be in
God’s house to hear his angelic call, and to praise Him for sending His Son as a child to be our Savior.
Advent worship service on Wednesday, December 4
Wednesday, December 11
Wednesday, December 18
These worship services are at 7:00 p.m.
Christmas for Kids is on Saturday, December 14, from 9:30 a.m.
to noon. The theme is “Jesus The Savior Is Born .”
Christmas Eve children’s Sunday School service at 4:00 p.m.
The theme is “I Love to Tell the Story.”
Candlelight service is at 10:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day service will be a devotional/song service that will wrap up the Advent season. We look
forward to a full church, singing with joy-filled voices at one service at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, December 29, our worship service at 9:00 a.m. (one service)
New Year’s Eve service will be on Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m.
We sincerely hope these services will be included in your Christmas plans.
website: www.grace-ssp.org
Rev. Thomas Hartwig 651.252.1130
Mark Oppitz, Organist 651.451.2213
Church office, Brenda 651.451.1035
Page 12
MESSENGER
A publication of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
149 8th Ave S in South St. Paul, MN 55075
I am the bread of life.
He who comes to me will
never go hungry, and he
who believes in me will
never be thirsty.
John 6:35
Dear Members and friends of Grace,
This December issue of the Messenger is arriving
in your homes before Thanksgiving Day in the final week of November. Everything seems to blur
together as we acclimate ourselves to the changes
in weather and winter draws ever closer. The stores
have long been gearing up for the holiday shopping
season. Even the renowned "Black Friday," is being replaced by "Black Friday events," to lure us
into shopping and spending even before the
Thanksgiving holiday arrives.
It is difficult to turn off all this noise and think
about using these holidays as opportunities to focus
on the God who loves us and the Savior whom He
sent for us. But if you can do that, suddenly there is
a calm, a quiet that fills our souls. There is really
one thing that is needful in our lives, and Jesus our
Savior fulfills that need. Can you remember the
Christmas hymn, O Little Town of Bethlehem? In
the third stanza we sing, "How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts
to human hearts the blessings of his heaven."
That little town of Bethlehem is famous as the
"City of David," to which Joseph and Mary traveled to fulfill their responsibilities in the Roman
December 2013
census, "because they were of the house and lineage of
David" (Luke 2:4). So God's prophecy was fulfilled that
foretold the very city where the Savior would be born.
But dig a little deeper and you might see God's hand
even more clearly. The name of the city, Bethlehem,
means "house of bread." Is it just coincidence that the
one who called himself the bread of life was born in a
city with that name? Everything about the Savior whom
God sent bears his signature. None of it just happened; it
happened in accordance with God's gracious salvation
design.
Are you going to eat some special foods for Thanksgiving? Are you going to bake some special cookies and
treats for Christmas? They will certainly be delicious,
even if they add to the frenzy and the hustle and bustle
of this time of year.
Will you pause regularly during this season to think
about the bread of life that God has provided for your
soul? People love to mention the "reason for the season." Will you come to God's house and worship each
week, and find some special moments of nourishment
and peace in the middle of each week at our Thanksgiving Eve service, at our Advent mid-week services, and
at our Christmas and New Year's services?
That too might sound like adding to the frenzy and obligations of the season. Or maybe, just maybe it is just
what you need.
May the Lord bless you with the peace that only he can
give and lead you to our little "house of bread" at Grace
Lutheran Church during the important weeks ahead.
Pastor Hartwig
I’m under
a lot
stress.
Come
Join Us
ForofWorship!
Altar Flower Changes
The congregation approved the 2014 budget at the
their last meeting in October. Weekly flowers for the
altar were not included in the adopted budget.
Beginning in January we will be putting flowers on
the altar for special occasions only. You may use the
2014 flower chart hanging on the west coat room
closet door or contact the office with your request.
It is almost time for composing our 2013 annual report.
Our next congregation voters’ meeting is Tuesday, January 21.
Therefore the deadline for the annual reports is Sunday,
January 12.
Christmas Party
The Grace Guild and Ladies Aid invite all the
women of the congregation to come to their annual
Christmas party at Angelo’s Restaurant in South St.
Paul on Tuesday, December 3, at 6:30. The meal
charge is $12.00 per person. Please bring an unwrapped gift for Neighbors, Inc. - child or teen.
For reservation, call Carol Weber at 651-451-2888 or
Betty Ohman at 651-451-1004 by December 1, or
sign up on the sheet in the narthex.
The Nominating Committee has met to consider
nominations for the 2014 Church Council. The positions are two-year terms for president, vice-president,
secretary, and one-year term for the vacant financial
secretary. Also, elected for a three-year term are two
elders.
We pray for God’s blessing as those nominated consider these
positions.
England and Scotland Tour
The Council has approved the request for a new pictorial church directory.
The dates set for photographing are Wednesday, February 26 through Saturday, March 1. If you already
know that you will not be available for pictures on
these dates, please contact the church office. We
would like to work with you so that you may also be
included.
Please save these dates and watch for more information to come.
Retired WELS pastor, James Humann, invites you to join
him and fellow WELS/ELS members on an eleven-day
tour to England and Scotland. The tour dates are July 1424, 2014. Space is limited. Twenty people have already
joined the tour. For a colorful brochure with the daily itinerary, costs, and General Conditions, e-mail Pastor Humann at [email protected] or call 253-839-9055. If
you would like a hard copy of the brochure, be sure to include your mailing address.
In Christ,
Pastor James Humann
Page 2
Messenger
The Messenger is on our website each
month. If you would like to help save
printing/mailing costs and have the
Messenger emailed to you, contact the
office at Brenda’s email, which is
[email protected].
Flowers
The flower chart is posted on the inside
door to the west coat room. If you would
like to beautify our altar on a certain Sunday, please fill in the date or call the
church office. December has only one
Sunday filled.
Glassing Florist Vases
The office learned in October that Glassing Florist will take their flower vases
back. If you decorated our altar or organ
with flowers in a vase and you do not
want it, Glassing Florist will take it back.
Contact the church office to make arrangements.
Military
If you know of any members of our congregation or family members now serving
in the military, please contact the church
office (651-451-1035) with names and
addresses.
Mobile Apps
WELS now offers mobile apps for both
the iOS and Android platforms. WELS
ONLINE collects devotional and educational audio, video, and text content from
WELS.net in an easy-to-use application.
Missing
If your birthday or anniversary has been
missing from our lists, please contact the
church office, and we will add the date to
our records.
Address Change
If you move and have a change of address,
please contact the church office at 651-4511035.
Hospitalized
If you are admitted to the hospital, have
someone contact the church office, and Pastor will come see you. The hospitals do
not contact the churches because of
privacy issues.
Meditations
The current Meditations is on the spin rack
in the lower narthex. We have many issues, so please help yourself!
Recycle
Old Meditations and Portals of Prayer
may be saved for the prison ministry at the
Mission for Visually Impaired. Drop off
your old copies in the church office or in
the box marked devotion books in the west
coat room. The church office hours are
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. weekdays.
Page 11
Page 10
Finance Secretary Report – October 2013
Fund Updates
October General Fund Receipts
Monthly Average Needed to Meet Our
Projected Budget
$13,478.30
$18,593.00
Classroom Window Replacement Fund
Goal: $24,000.00
(to date received) $11,278.00
Funds available: $2,371.07
YTD General Fund Receipts
YTD Average Needed to Meet Our
Projected Budget
$155,590.57
$167,337.00
Debt Reduction
(to date) $18,432.00
goal: $50,000.00
Total October Receipts
$15,820.30
YTD Total Receipts
$181,989.69
Major Repair Project Fund
(to date) $17,235.12
OCTOBER’S ATTENDANCE
Sunday, October 6
Monday, October 7
8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
136
16
Sunday, October 13
Monday, October 14
8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
132
11
Sunday, October 20
Monday, October 21
8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
108
23
Sunday, October 27
Monday, October 28
8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
140
12
Communion:
Communion:
113
13
Communion:
Communion:
93
20
Thank the Lord as He continues to strengthen the hearts of His people through the Word
and they in turn respond with their gifts of love.
Craft and Quilt Day
Golden Agers
Eight of us got together on Saturday, November 9. Our small group put together quilts to be taken home to sew and a couple worked on their personal
projects. A couple of us boxed up 39 tote bags for a church member to take to
the New Day Center the next week. These totes are very appreciated for
moms to carry their diapers etc. home.
Grace Church has a group called the
Golden Agers for anyone who is over
55. The Golden Agers would love to
have more of Grace’s members join
them.
We enjoyed a very yummy lunch and fellowship time. After lunch three of us
took down the spring flowers and did the fall decorating in the lower narthex.
This group meets at noon on the third
Thursday of each month. It is a wonderful time for fellowship as well as the
enjoyment of a delicious hot meal. We
have a good mix of both men and
women. Pastor also joins us for some
spiritual enrichment. The cost for the
dinner is $7.00.
Next year we will change the date in November from the second Saturday to
another Saturday due to two annual craft shows in the area.
If anyone has army wool blankets or other 100% wool items, our group has a
project that needs wool.
Each of us that come to Craft and Quilt Day has found this a very rewarding
experience personally from the sharing of ideas to being able to use our talents for others.
Please join us on Saturday, December 7!
Check the church calendar and join us
for our next gathering.
Page 3
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Evangelism Committee
The Evangelism Committee met on November 14, 2013.
The meeting was opened with prayer. The minutes from
our last meeting were read and approved.
December is always full of life with Christmas, family gettogethers, gifts, good food, and Christ being born.
We love seeing so many people in our holiday services.
Please remember also how important is to worship our Savior
all through the year.
This time of year, our homebound could use visits and calls. It
can be very lonely for them. Let’s give extra attention to
them this month. I know, if you do, you’ll really feel great.
So to all our “homebound”, a blessed Christmas and Happy
New Year. May 2014 give us good health and happiness.
Ken Wallert
Visitation Committee Chairman
Grace Guild
The Grace Guild meeting was held on November 5. We finished the study on 1Peter 1 with Pastor.
The On the Road Again money total was $1,657.95. The
treasurer will divide the money with the Ladies Aid. Guild
will use their share along with money collected for Craft/Bake
sale. The Craft/Bake sale money will come from the Guild
members. These funds will be used for Home Missions. We
will decide which one in January.
Four members from Grace attended the fall rally at Salem,
Woodbury, for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society
(LWMS). There were 84 guests from 20 congregations in attendance. The speaker was a student from Martin Luther College. Her topic, which was very interesting, was her work in
Japan.
The Grace Guild is sponsoring a Christmas party at Angelo’s
on Tuesday, December 3 at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $12.00 for
an Italian buffet. All the ladies of Grace are invited. The ladies will not exchange gifts but bring a gift for our Mitten Tree
for Neighbor’s Inc. Please call Carol Weber at 651-451-2888
or Betty Ohman at 651-451-1004.
Carol Weber
Secretary
We again discussed new signage for the church. Dennis
will head a committee to gather more information for the
church council. He is looking for and accepting volunteers for his committee.
We discussed this years Christmas for Kids. The Young
People Society is willing to help. This will be held on
December 14, 2013. We will be mailing out invitations
on December 2, 2013.
Pictures for a new directory will be taken this winter.
We will be discussing if there is a way we might help or
use this as an evangelism tool.
Lori Neujahr
Secretary
Lutheran Girl Pioneers Monthly Note
November went by so quickly. On October 27, we went
on a field trip to Country Sun Farm. The girls got to play
in a silly string area, a corn kernel pit, take a hay ride,
and visit with some farm animals. Unlike last year it was
a beautiful day and we all enjoyed ourselves. As we left,
everyone got to pick out a pumpkin for her house. We
stopped at Denney’s and had a late lunch before heading
home. I will post pictures downstairs soon. Be sure to
stop by and check them out.
Betty Ohman (my wonderful mom) came for two Sundays and did two different crafts (table décor) for the
Golden Agers and for Mission Festival dinners. Thanks
mom, and thank you, girls. They turned out beautiful!
We still have some glass figurines, rings, and assorted
novelties that Jim and June Peterson donated to us years
ago. My mom (yes, another wonderful idea from her)
and dad are going to drive down to our Belle Plaine Lutheran Home and deliver the figurines and novelties to
distribute to their patients. We will be boxing up the rest
of the jewelry again this year for Neighbors, Inc. In December we will finish our Christmas crafts for our families, go on a field trip (movie or theater?), and have a
Christmas party. Have a very blessed Christmas!
Beth Stroschein
Caravan Counselor
Page 4
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Preschool
St. Andrew’s has a preschool on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. The hours for the school are
9:00 to 11:30 a.m. The students must be potty trained. The cost is $135 a month, and there is a $50 registration fee. To
register or to discuss before/after school care, please contact Julie Tjernagel at 651-285-7226. The school is located at 1001
Holley in St. Paul Park.
True North WELS
Campus Ministry
Pastor Dan Lindner
[email protected]
www.truenorthwels.org
Office 612-378-1346
Address 1313 5th St E #328
Box 33
Minneapolis, MN 55414
All college students in the Twin Cities are invited to join True North WELS Campus Ministries
Sunday worship opportunities.
10:00 a.m. Worship Service
St. John’s Lutheran Church
610 Broadway St NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
11:30 a.m. Worship Service
Commons Hotel
615 Washington Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Students, please check the website (www.truenorthwels.org) for the latest news and updates.
1200 Oakdale Avenue
West St. Paul, MN 55118
www.stcroixlutheran.org
651.455.1521
Come see “The Glass Slipper,” a classic rendition of the Cinderella
story by the St. Croix Lutheran Drama Department. Bring the children and be delighted on Saturday, November 23, at 2:00 or
7:00 p.m. at St. Croix Lutheran. Tickets are $6.00—adults, $4.00—
high school students, $2.00-PK—8th grade.
A highlight of the year! Join us as the Croixaliers, Crusader Choir,
and bands brighten the season with music and praise on Friday, December 20, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Croix Lutheran for the high school
Christmas Concert.
Ladies Aid
The Ladies Aid met on Wednesday, November 13. Pastor led us in a
small discussion about an article on evolution. We all agreed that evolution is in conflict with God’s Word in the Bible.
The Scholarship Committee met and is dividing the funds between
seven students.
Our group discussed what was needed to be done for the pot luck on
Mission Sunday.
We voted to have the same officers for 2014. They are Evelyn Witz,
Marge Knoch, Carol Weber, and Donna Hartwig.
Ladies Aid will join the Guild for their December meeting at Angelo’s. The ladies will not exchange gifts but bring a gift for the Mitten Tree. Neighbors, Inc. is always in need of teenage gifts. The gathering will be on December 3 at 6:30 p.m., and the cost is $12.00. Call
the church office or Carol Weber if planning on attending.
Tuition Assistance Program
Our congregation has a long history of encouraging and supporting our families who choose to
enroll their children in Lutheran Christian
schools. Over the years financial assistance from
Grace has allowed many families to pursue
Christian education while enjoying membership
at Grace.
We are blessed to have several WELS elementary schools nearby, as well as St. Croix Middle
School and St. Croix Lutheran High School.
This year we have nine students from our families at Grace attending St. Croix Lutheran High
School.
In recent years such assistance was removed
from our budget, and instead our congregation
has supported those families in need through our
Tuition Assistance Fund. Funds for this year
have already been allocated. To secure the fund
with a balance that will cover emergencies and
projected possible requests, we would like to
raise $5,000 for the Tuition Assistance Fund.
Please prayerfully consider supporting Christian
based education and our families in need of assistance with a gift to the Tuition Assistance Fund.
You may use your monthly Special Offering envelope or mark your gift for the Tuition Assistance Fund.
Carol Weber, Secretary
Page 9
SCHOOL NEWS
Wildcat News & Notes
December, 2013
“Living to Soar”
Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength. They will soar on wings
like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Basketball season is here, and practices are well under way.
Our B-team played their first game of the season on November 8. Our gym is busy this season with St. Croix Lutheran using our gym for middle school basketball practices
and games. St. John students are partnering with St. Croix
students to form boys and girls teams.
Our 8th graders will be attending “Crusader for a Day” at
St. Croix Lutheran High School on Friday, December 6.
The students are invited to spend a good portion of the day
at St. Croix to learn about their curriculum and what the
school has to offer.
Practice will be starting next week for our Children’s
Christmas Service, which will be on Saturday, December
21, 4:00 p.m., at St. John Lutheran Church. This year we
are using the service, “Jesus is the Light” by Rebecca M.
Bishop. All of you are welcome to attend.
St. John Lutheran School
771 Margaret Street · St. Paul, MN 55106
phone: (651) 771-6406 · email: [email protected]
www.stjohnev.net/school
Tony Drkula, Principal
Mr. Jack Pearson, Minnesota musician/storyteller, will be
performing for our school children, staff, adults, and
guests once again on Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 10:30
a.m. in the St. John School gymnasium. Those of you who
may have heard Jack will remember his engaging style of
music and storytelling, and first-timers are in for a real
treat! His fiddle, banjo, and guitar will have everyone tapping and singing along in no time. Anyone, adults and
children alike, are welcome to join us that morning. There
is no cost to attend. Spread the word to family and
friends . . . the more who come, the merrier! Mr. Pearson
does have CDs and simple instruments for sale, but there
is not pressure to purchase anything. Please park in the
back parking lot and enter through those doors.
Crown of Life School
West St. Paul
December
2
6
11
13
15
20
24
Lego Club
Crusader for a Day
Good Samaritan
Choristers sing — 6:30 Advent service
Matins, Muffins, and Panera
Choristers sing at West St. Paul 8:00 and 10:30
Early dismissal at 11:30, Christmas Break begins
Children’s Christmas Service—4:00 p.m.
(Pre-K through 8th grade sing)
Martin Luther College
December
6
Poems by Shel Silverstein—7:30 p.m.
7
Poems by Shel Silverstein—2:00 p.m.
Christmas Concerts—7:30 p.m.
8
Christmas Concerts—4:00 p.m.
10
12-14
19
Koine Christmas Concert—7:30 p.m.
Emmanuel Lux
Focus on Ministry Tip-Off Tournament
December Commencement Service—10:00 a.m.
December 20 through January 8—Christmas recess
School resumes on Monday, January 6
Page 8
I Need More…JOY
These words of Jesus bring us true joy. They mean that
all is done, and Easter’s announcement "He Is Risen!"
guarantees that God our Father has accepted Jesus' life
and death as payment in full for all our sins. True joy is
the forgiveness of sins that is ours through faith in Jesus.
While we are in the midst of the season when it seems
hard to keep joy in our lives, focus on the true Joy Giver.
Ponder again the words of the angels to the shepherds,
“Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born. He
is Christ the Lord.” Come and worship the Babe born in
Bethlehem, and may God the Holy Spirit fill you with a
joy that never ends.
Monthly message from WELS Evangelism
After hastily opening the wrapped package and making
the obligatory thank yous, it certainly didn't take me long
to turn away from the thoughtful gift as something ho
hum.
Just then three-year-old Eleanor came along and stopping
by the discarded item exclaimed, "Oh, my, what a beautiful gift! Is that yours? You must be so happy?" As she
walked away, I thought to myself, "Why don't I have the
joy of that little girl?"
At times we have those feelings which cause us to cry
out, "I need more joy in my life!" That is so often true at
this time of year when for one reason or another we find
ourselves lacking joy. There are indications everywhere
that joy should fill our lives. Decorations are going up
inside and outside. Christmas music surrounds us and
cards are arriving daily.
Some days the festive joy fills our hearts as we excitedly
go about our holiday shopping and schedule planning.
But yet deep down we know that this joy will not last.
Planning becomes overwhelming, schedules start falling
apart, and decorating gets tiresome. Above all, we know
from experience, there will be no joy when we find we
don't have enough money to purchase the perfect gift or
when credit card payments come due. All of this leads us
to shout out, "I need more joy! I need joy that will last!"
Here’s some great news. Christmas brings us joy that
does last—the true joy found in Jesus.
With a love that we cannot comprehend, our heavenly
Father gave His only Son, born to be our Savior. With
perfect obedience Jesus lived the life all of us are unable
to live. Each and every evil thought, evil word, and evil
deed we have done has been picked from us by our heavenly Father and placed on Jesus. On Calvary’s cross, Jesus bowed His head in death declaring, “It is finished.”
Thrivent Choice Dollars
Thrivent Choice lets you help choose where some of
Thrivent Financials charitable outreach funds go by directing Choice Dollars and by participating in Voting Events.
Eligible members are designated Choice Dollars based on
their insurance premium, contract values, and Thrivent volunteer leadership. Thrivent members who received letters
in the mail with “x” number of dollars can designate their
“Choice Dollars” to Grace now if they choose.
Eligible members may call Thrivent (800-847-4836) and
say, “Thrivent Choice.” You can use your new Thrivent ID
card which was mailed to each member with a unique number on it. This program’s automatic recurring direction
feature was recently discontinued.
If you have a computer, you may go on-line at
www.thrivent.com. For the organization search; use only
this information: “Grace” “55075” “Minnesota”. This will
help you find our church in the listing.
The program will continue to be available for eligible
benefit members by calling 1-800-847-4836 (at the beginning of a new year or quarterly in January, April,
July, and October) to again direct your designated
Choice Dollars.
To date we have received $10,263.00. Thank you!
2014 Church Envelopes
Next year’s envelopes will be in the lower narthex starting
on December 1. Please note that your envelope number will
change for 2014. You will begin to your new envelopes in
January, 2014.
Page 5
Come join the fun!
We need a large group of volunteers
to decorate our church for Christmas.
We will be doing this on Saturday,
December 7, starting at 9:00 a.m.
Many times during the holidays, our
TV audience, shut-ins, and guests
compliment us on how beautifully our
church is decorated.
The church office is taking orders now
for poinsettias. There are two sizes:
the smaller 6 1/2” pot for $13.00 and
the larger 8 1/2” pot for $20.00. They
are available in pink, red, and white for
the smaller ones and only red and white
for the larger ones.
The deadline for ordering will be
Monday, December 2. These will all be
delivered for Sunday, December 22.
Bible Class is
available regularly
on Sunday mornings. We enjoy
good discussion
and fellowship as
we grow in our
understanding of
God's Word.
Suggestions for gifts for teens are
hair supplies and accessories, nail
polish, billfolds, cosmetics, bath &
body products, grooming items, basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, and
gift certificates.
Sunday's class meets between services
in the Fellowship Hall at 9:10 a.m. and
is studying the gospel of John.
All are welcome!
Please continue to collect and drop off
aluminum cans. The proceeds benefit
the Young People’s Society and the
Pioneers. Drop them into the large
grey/green “storage shed” under the
fire escape behind the church garage.
Thank you!
Please do not leave items near the alley by themselves because others will
help themselves to the cans.
We will be collecting unwrapped donations for Neighbors, Inc. These
items can be new clothing items.
Needed in infant to adult sizes are
socks, underwear (boys and girls, all
sizes, especially boys’ and young
men's boxers), hats, mittens, scarves,
and pajamas.
Common requests for toys are Legos,
remote control cars, doll clothes for
Barbie, learning toys, coloring books,
art and craft supplies, and board
games.
Grow in Faith
Aluminum
Our annual Mitten Trees will be set
up after Thanksgiving.
Ice Cream Buckets
Don’t throw away your large ice
cream buckets. We will be saving
them here at church. Many people
wanted to borrow one for their chili for
On the Road Again.
We will try to make the buckets available next year.
The final day for collecting is Tuesday, December 16, when everything
will be taken to Neighbors, Inc.
Mission Wearhouse
Thrift Store
Christian Life Ministry has a thrift
store which helps support the ministry. This thrift store has a need for
dishes, pots and pans, furniture, bedding, shoes, and jewelry. If you have
a few small items to donate, contact
the office to make arrangements.
The contact information number is
651-917-4149. The address is Mission Wearhouse Thrift Store, 2756
Lake Shore Ave., Little Canada, MN
55117.
Page 6
November 2013 Council Meeting Highlights
Congregation Vice-President Bill Bremel called the meeting to order
at 7:15 p.m. Pastor Hartwig provided an opening devotion.

Wanted: Volunteers
Please consider these special ministry opportunities. You need no prior experience at all
as there is training available.
We are in need of one more person to help
on Sundays with operating the camera.
We very much need another person who is
willing to edit the Sunday service tape and
insert hymn verses, etc. into it using computer equipment at Town Square Television.
This phase of the work is done during an
afternoon near the beginning of the week.
If one of these volunteer opportunities interests you, contact the church office. We want
to continue to put our worship service on the
cable network.
Young People’s Society (YPS)
Secretary’s report for the previous month was reviewed and
accepted with corrections.
 Financial Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports were reviewed and
accepted subject to audit.
 Pastor Hartwig met with Pastor Schneider of St. Andrew’s
Lutheran to discuss an Advent service rotation.
 Dave Ross read the printed October 2013 Elders’ and Chief
Usher’s reports reflecting membership changes, attendance and
service statistics.
 Council approved the transfer of Joel Schossow to Christ
Lutheran in Prescott Valley, AZ and removed Marvin Bares from
church membership due to his passing.
 We will have one service at 9 a.m. on the Sunday between
Christmas and New Years.
 Elders presented a proposed survey to seek congregational feedback on going to one Sunday service and possible service times.
 Date of Lifetouch Photography: The agreement has been signed.
Photo sessions will be February 26 – March 1.
 The lease on the copier will expire February, 2014. Pastor and
Brenda have been meeting with vendors to explore options. Council
directed Pastor to choose what they see as best, provided it is under
the budget.
Thank you to everyone who ordered Christmas
greenery! It is very appreciated.
The next Council meeting will be December 10 at 7 p.m. with the
Elders meeting at 6:15 p.m. that same night.
We will have our regular meeting on Sunday, December 1 after the 10:30 service. Our first 2014
monthly meeting will be January 5 also after the
10:30 service.
Respectfully submitted,
Anthony Kulik
Secretary
The YPS will be helping with Christmas for Kids
on Saturday, December 14 from 8:00 a.m. to
1:00 pm.
Our Christmas lock-in will be on Friday, December 20 from 6:00 p.m. to around 4:00 a.m. Dinner
will be provided. Please bring a snack to share and
a $15.00 gender neutral gift if you want to participate in the gift exchange.
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