Grace November newsletter 2013 - gracelutheran

THE PARISH PULSE
Grace & Bethany Lutheran Churches
Parker & Hurley, SD
Office address: P.O. Box 667 Parker, SD 57053
Phone: 605.297.4417
Email: [email protected]
Web address: www.gracelutheran.wikispaces.com
Grace-Bethany Lutheran Parish Newsletter
Worship times…
November
Sunday Worship:
9:00 am Bethany
11:00 am Grace
Mark your
calendars…
Grace WELCA
Praise & Worship
Potluck Dinner
November 17
Following worship
Thanksgiving Eve
Worship Service
November 27
7:00 pm
Grace Church
Decorating
November 29
9:30 am
November 2013
Seeds
for the Parish
Thanksgiving for Thanksgiving
A couple of weeks ago, I said we are in desperate need of “thanksgiving.” I wasn’t talking about the holiday, even
though some of my Pre-Confirmation students thought I was. No, I was talking about the need to not only “see”
blessings right in front of us, but to “voice” them as well. Every time sight and word are combined in regards to
blessing, our blessing is somehow multiplied. So, I tried a little experiment one evening driving back to Parker from
Sioux Falls. How many “blessings” could I actually think of by the time I pulled into the garage? Here is the list I
came up with:
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I’ve been married for 13 years…and counting!
My oldest daughter confides in me with things most daughters would never discuss with their dad!
My youngest daughter stills wants a hug at bedtime!
My music “signing” has come in handy the past two weeks: A lady from Marion, who happens to be deaf,
came to chapel and watched every move I made. Afterwards, she signed, “Beautiful! Thank you!” I think I
made a new friend! I was invited to McCrossan’s Boys Ranch to sign, and they were very well-behaved and
even tried to sign along with me. I received an e-mail thanking me this week, and it said, “They are still
talking about it!”
Our parish now has a Facebook page, and a 91-year-old member sent me a message on Facebook!
Our Luther League youth led Worship this past Sunday. They wanted to do it, and they did GREAT!
And…they want to do it again!!
We have 42 young people in our Pre-Confirmation and Confirmation classes!
I took my dad to Active Generations last week, and he introduced me to staff by saying, “This is my son,
Don.” He remembered who I was that day!!
Our dog, Lily, is sleeping through the night!
I have the opportunity to go to Haiti!
A total of 142 “God’s Work” t-shirts were ordered by people in our parish!
I am now preparing for the third “Thanksgiving Eve” Worship Service since I was called to Grace & Bethany!
Did I mention our dog is now sleeping through the night? And on and on and on…
Take just a few minutes right now and decide if you’d rather focus on the challenges or the blessings in your life. I
hope you choose the blessings. And then go out and be a messenger of blessing and a bearer of powerful words of
gratitude so you can experience blessings multiplied. Then share them with the world God loves so much! Blessings
to you and to those you love!
**Continue to Shine!! (Daniel 12:3)
-Pastor Don Reiffenberger
In Our Parish
Church
Decorating
Thanksgiving Eve 2013 Worship Service
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
7:00 PM @ Grace Lutheran Church
We will be celebrating the Sacrament of
Holy Communion.
All are invited to bring bread and wine that
will be served at their Thanksgiving meal
for a special blessing.
~May the blessings of God be
abundantly yours,
and may your joy reflect your
gratitude~
If you aren't out Black Friday shopping or off to
grandma's house for Thanksgiving, we would be
glad to have you join us at Grace to get the church
ready for Advent. We are planning to decorate the
church on Friday, November 29th at 9:30 a.m.
Chris and Deb
Grace-Bethany Lutheran is now on Facebook!
“Like” us to see event pictures,
receive important announcements, and more…
November is
Northern Turner County Food Pantry Month
The tradition continues that November is
Food Pantry Awareness month at our
community food pantry, and the need
continues to grow. We are just weeks
away from celebrating Thanksgiving
followed shortly after by the merry of
Christmas. For many of us, the
excitement is beginning to build as we
think about what goodies we will be
baking, what presents we will be buying
our loved ones, and the time we get to
spend with our families. This season
please keep in your awareness and your
prayers the families who don’t share the
same excitement because of their
finances. For them, deciding how to
balance paying the necessities and
enjoying the extras that come with the
holidays, is stressful.
During this month of awareness, the Food
Pantry is asking churches, organizations
and individuals to help with stocking the
pantry. On average, 40 families have
been served at the pantry every month in
2013, and that number continues to grow.
The need is up 61% from this same time
last year, having served an additional 136
patrons. A box given to each family costs
roughly between $39 and $50. That’s
$1560 to $2000 a month to support this
mission. We continue to hear stories
about things like medical bills,
unexpected costs, layoffs, family deaths
and more that all drive the need to use
the pantry’s services. Your help and
support is greatly needed and genuinely
appreciated.
The Food Pantry is in need of both
monetary gifts and donated items.
It is startling when I go to church in Haiti. They sing joyfully. They sing loudly. They sing and praise God with intensity. How
can that be when they are hungry. They are poor and living often in houses of mud and stones. How can they worship like
that? The answer is Jesus. They need and know who walks with them. They need and know that this is not their home. They
need and know who saves them from their sins and who died for them. They need to praise and thank Him.
For Americans it can be harder. Why? Because we need and know we need more things. We are told so by a bombardment of
advertisements. I need to up-date my phone, my television (are they really 96 inches? Big brother has found us), my living
room carpet and of course my car. Things are ok (well within limits) but where is thankfulness?
My reminder thankfulness list for November and maybe yours?
....MilksCamp mitten tree (want to go and visit and help distribute?)
...Christmas tree at Jones for gifts for local folks
...Thanking our Pastor, Sunday School teachers, council members, organist, secretary, choir director, janitors, etc.
...Thanking our Luther League leaders
...Thanking those great teens (some of them are yours)
...Giving to the food pantry (November is the in-gathering for winter)
...Thanking your parents if they are alive (and being thankful if they are)
...Thanking that teacher or coach that really cared and helped you.
...Thanking God that I am warm in winter and have food at meals.
...___________(this is for what I forgot and you remembered)
Notice sometimes we thank by giving a thank gift. Sometimes the thanks is a smile, a word, a letter and yes a prayer.
God gives us so much. Sunshine and sunsets, birds, flowers and great children (love children's offering) to name a few. Best of
all God gave His son to free us from sin and save us to live with Him forever. Now that is Love!!
Thanks be to God
Gerry
This winter, a group from our parish will travel to Haiti. In “The Parish Pulse” for the next few months, individuals from
this group will share with us why they have decided to go to Haiti. The first is Gina Cole, who shares her thoughts below:
A mission trip to Haiti has always been in the back of my mind, with thoughts of looking further into it
once our girls were grown and out on their own. When McKenzie chose a mission trip to Haiti as her high
school senior project I could not have been more thrilled and also very proud of her. When she asked if I
would be willing to join her, it was just the icing on the cake!
It has been very exciting to share the experience with my daughter and the rest of the mission team as we
prepare, plan and dream of this trip. We have already enjoyed the bond of sewing dresses and shorts for
the children of Haiti, packaging meals together for Kids Against Hunger, getting our vaccinations and
planning for fundraisers.
Thank you for your prayers, words of support and your financial gifts you have provided as our team
prepares. I know this trip will challenge me physically, emotionally and most important spiritually in
ways I can only imagine. I look forward to sharing the love of God with the many gifts and blessings he
has provided for me.
Gina Cole
Youth News
We have a very active youth group that has proven they love to serve Jesus by
loving and serving others.
We started October with our meeting to plan the activities for the month and it
was a busy month for these dedicated youth. On October 9th, they had their
regular bible study with Pastor Don. On October 16th, a group went to Viborg
and Marion to visit not only the members on the regular monthly visiting list,
but also other residents of the nursing homes. This was a special treat for the
residents whom our kids had an opportunity to spend some time with.
The youth that did not visit the nursing homes stayed back and created beautiful cards for those that could use a cheerful
note sent their way. On October 20th, the Luther League did the majority of the service at both Grace Lutheran Church and
Bethany. If you happened to miss church that day, you missed an opportunity to witness a great group of young adults
greeting with their beautiful smiles, ushering, leading worship , special music, kid talk, and assisting with communion. On
October 23rd, a group went to Mitchell for a comedy skit, while a few others went to listen to Maya Angelou speak at
Augustana College. On October 30th, the youth bypassed their annual trip to the Jaycee’s Haunted House in Sioux Falls to
sponsor their own Halloween Party to Preschool through 4th graders. At the party they played games, such as the cupcake
walk, pin the stem on the pumpkin, pumpkin ring toss, spoon the cottonball, and cookie decorating. The cost to participate
at the Halloween party was 1 pantry food item or a school supply. Above all that they do with their time, we have collected
$50 in youth offering to donate to a family with a small child that has cancer, they are selling raffle tickets to raise a
MINIMUM of $500 to the Children’s Miracle Network in honor of Tessa, (PS-the drawing is not until November 3rd, so you
have a short amount of time left to get those raffle tickets), and are planning a Pancake feed on December 8 th to raise funds
for their mission trip! We would like to thank the congregation for all of your encouraging words of support and love!
Matthew 20:28-“For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for
many.”
Members of the
God’s Blessings,
Luther League
Jenn Preheim, Kathy Licht, & Shari Jensen
Jr FROGs & FROGs
The Jr. FROG's will be putting snack kits together at
their November 24th meeting and donations are
needed! Snack kits go to the Turner County Food
Pantry, and they were a HUGE success last year! Kids
LOVED picking them out! There is a collection box in
the entry way and we are looking for donations such as
pop tarts, fruit snacks, pudding cups, and anything else
individually wrapped. If you could help out by donating
an item or two, it would be greatly appreciated!
Donations will be accepted up until November 23rd!
and our parish
packed rice
packets for Kids
Against Hunger
in Yankton on
October 1. The
group packed
meals for 2,592
children/adults.
Upcoming Sunday School Events
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November 10 & 17 - Practice for the upcoming
Christmas program. It's important that all kids
are in attendance!
November 24 - No Sunday School
December 1 & 8 - Christmas program practice
December 15 - Christmas program at 9:00 am
Bethany WELCA
MEETINGS:
The October WELCA met at church on
Thursday morning, October 3rd, for a
day to work on quilts.
Thelma Mikkelsen hosted Ruth Circle at her
home on Wednesday evening,
October 16. Adeline Schempp led
the Bible Study.
Our November WELCA
meeting will be on
Thursday, November 7
at 1:30 pm. We will plan
our programs for the
next year.
Grace WELCA
Meeting:
November 14
1:00 pm
WELCA meeting and Bible Study
Business meeting first, followed by
Bible Study on James.
Lesson 6: “The Power of Prayer”
James 5: 13-20
Hostesses: Shirley Joffer & Donna Hertel
November 4th – 1:30 pm: Bingo at Parker
Assisted Living. Please come.
Praise & Worship Potluck Dinner
November 17 after church
Joy Work Group 2 is in charge.
Four WELCA
officers went to the
Fall Crossroads
Workshop held at
West Prairie
Lutheran Church on
Saturday, October
12.
Fall Workshop
Offerings of food and money will go to
Northern Turner County Food Pantry.
Communion Duties : Faith Work Group 3
Thank you to:
 Faith Work Group 3 for Communion duties in
Oct.
 Joy Workgroup 2 for Fellowship Coffee in
Oct.
 For those who helped with Bingo at Parker
Assisted Living.
Grace Lutheran Approved Church Council Minutes
September 18, 2013 8:00 pm
Members present: Ordell Oswald, Dawn Duerksen, Julie Anderson, Kathy Licht, Marci Leberman, Dennis Johnson, Pastor Don Reiffenberger,
and Barb Nelson.
President Ordell Oswald Called the meeting to order.
Agenda approved. M/S/P
Devotions given by Dennis Johnson
Secretary’s Report: M/S/P
Treasurer’s Report: M/S/P
Trustee’s Report: All the rooms in the west Sunday School wing have been painted. The railing on the west entrance has been lined up to get
fixed.
Deacon’s Report: Thankful for all the volunteers for kid’s talk.
Board of Education Report: September fishbowl offering will be given to Pastor’s emergency fund. The Board of Ed and teachers will be
putting more emphasis on memory work. The Sunday School has started a ‘Heifer’ project, which they hope to purchase a heifer and give to
someone in need in our community. The project can be followed on the Sunday School bulletin board. Ideas are being put into place for
keeping up post-Christmas attendance in Sunday School.
Organizations & Committee Reports:
Faith In Action: Gerry Schnabel representing the group visited with council in regards for a money request for a portion of the proceeds of
the fairstand to go to the Backpack program, and also for the Haiti mission trip.
nd
Choir: The Senior Choir has been asked to be the opening act for the Grand Old Opry November 2 in Parker. The computer used for choir,
Sunday school, Luther League, and other presentations has ‘crashed’ and cannot be repaired nor information retrieved from the computer.
th
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FROGS & Jr. FROGS: Next event is October 26 . 22 kids attended the first event September 8 .
Luther League: Three co-leaders are organizing and leading the group, Shari Jensen, Kathy Licht, and Jenn Preheim.
rd
Luther League will be conducting the entire church service the 3 Sunday in October.
Men in Mission: Will be getting organized soon.
Continuing Business:
1. Burgers with the Bishop: 4 members of our church attended. The future ELCA health benefits for church employees was presented.
Bishop Zellmer led a Bible study, and another individual gave a presentation on the future of social media in the ELCA and in our
congregations.
2. Snow Removal: M/S/P, to accept the bid from Herlyn Construction for snow removal for the 2013-2014 winter.
3. Legal papers received: the legal papers from the sale of the parsonage from several years ago, was received from Duncan Law office
will be placed in the church safe.
4. Picture: M/S/P, to hang the collage picture received from Life Touch above the table in the narthex near the church office hall.
New Business:
1. Time and Talent Sheets: Deacons will be reviewing and will be given to all members after next council meeting.
2. Fall Clean-up: The youth and whoever else would like to help, will have a rake-a-thon. Watch for date to be determined.
3. Highway Sign – Kathy Licht will contact Rise Jongeling for estimate to replace weathered old sign north of fairgrounds.
4. Eleanor Nold Check – M/S/P, to deposit the check from the Eleanor Nold Estate in the Memorial Fund, and to remain in the
Memorial Fund until council gives direction on the use of the funds.
Pastor’s Summary: Since last council meeting, Pastor made 22 visitations, and already by council Sept. 18 had 14 visitations this month. One
funeral in July and one in August. In August there was also 3 weddings conducted. Pastor plans on going on the Haiti mission trip. Next bread
th
giveaway is September 24 .
th
Next meeting: Wednesday, October 16 at 8:00pm
Devotions will be given by Barb Nelson
PARISH TREASURER'S REPORT 10/15/13
INCOME:
P101 Grace Deposits
P102 Bethany Deposits
P110 Misc Income
P112 AutoAdvance
TOTAL INCOME:
CURRENT
$945.21
$508.96
$0.00
$0.00
$1,454.17
YEAR TO
DATE
$9,452.10
$4,580.64
$0.00
$0.00
$14,032.74
EXPENSES - SALARIES:
P301 Parish Secretary
P302 Continuing Education
P303 Supply Pastor
P306 Pastoral Supplies
P310 Misc. Salary
TOTAL EXPENSES - SALARIES:
CURRENT
$476.87
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$476.87
YEAR TO
DATE
$5,086.66
$0.00
$946.74
$0.00
$0.00
$6,033.40
EXPENSES - OFFICE:
P401 Copier Lease Contract
P402 Computer Maintenance
P403 Office Supplies
P404 Postage
P405 Bulletins & Inserts
P406 Office Equipment Maintenance
P408 Church Office Telephone
P410 Pastor Cell Phone
P420 Miscellaneous Office Expense
P422 AutoAdvance Payments
P423 Bank Service Charge
p424 Xfer to Correct Account (Grace)
TOTAL EXPENSES - OFFICE:
CURRENT
$207.96
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$90.33
$75.00
$19.07
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$392.36
YEAR TO
DATE
$2,194.99
$0.00
$764.38
$46.00
$570.49
$0.00
$902.05
$750.00
$379.07
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$5,606.98
EXPENSES - PROGRAM:
P601 Books
P602 Lenten Materials
P603 Christmas Materials
P605 Baptism Supplies
P606 Confirmation Materials
P620 Miscellaneous Program Expense
P622 Synod Seminary
TOTAL EXPENSES - PROGRAM:
CURRENT
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
YEAR TO
DATE
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$101.22
$361.90
$236.11
$0.00
$699.23
$869.23
$12,339.61
GRAND TOTAL EXPENSES
Beginning Balance:
Total Income:
Total Expenses:
Ending Balance:
Dawn Duerksen
Parish Treasurer
$709.51
$14,032.74
$12,339.61
$2,402.64
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH TREASURER'S REPORT 10/15/13
INCOME:
101 General Offering
102 Envelope Offering
103 Quarterly Offering
104 Lenten Offering
109 Camper Savings
114 Bethany Reimbursement
121 Parking Lot
123 Endowment
202 Use of Building
203 Misc. Income
204 Augie/USF PACT
205 Thrivent
214 Lutheran World Relief Fundraiser
219 Transfer from Building Fund
222 Transfer from Memorial Fund
223 Twins Reimbursement
224 Church T-shirts
TOTAL INCOME:
Current
$491.59
$4,445.00
$970.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,413.81
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$27.00
$0.00
$1,485.42
$0.00
$0.00
$432.50
$9,265.32
SUMMARY GENERAL CHECKING:
Beginning Balance
Total Income
Total Expenses
Ending Balance
$9,479.59
$79,762.53
$86,516.79
$2,725.33
Monthly Summary
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Total Monthly Offering
Year To Date
$5,734.12
$46,182.00
$10,885.00
$1,962.00
$1,200.00
$0.00
$7,570.16
$0.00
$0.00
$9.33
$0.00
$775.00
$0.00
$1,485.42
$0.00
$3,527.00
$432.50
$79,762.53
Offering Total
$6,936.00
$6,252.75
$5,971.00
$4,746.60
$4,081.00
$4,810.20
$4,975.20
$4,699.61
$6,699.17
$2,744.59
Misc Income
$597.00
$1,790.25
$3,698.29
$2,981.54
$3,048.00
$5,032.27
$1,309.33
$2,250.00
$4,736.42
$2,403.31
Monthly Expenses
$6,502.90
$7,540.10
$8,792.07
$8,891.49
$9,993.22
$11,025.74
$8,509.80
$7,162.91
$10,242.01
$7,856.55
$51,916.12
$27,846.41
$86,516.79
SAVINGS ACCOUNT BALANCES:
Campers Savings
Building Fund Savings
Parking Lot Savings
$29.57
$5,519.59
$0.45
OTHER ACCOUNT BALANCES:
Farmer's State Bank CD
Home Federal Bank Money Market
$34,236.14
$3,400.48
PARKING LOT LOAN BALANCES:
Loan #1 approximate balance
$3,741.62
Loan #2 approximate balance
$4,597.85
Dawn Duerksen, Treasurer
Next pymt due 11/13/final pymt due
8/14
Next pymt due 11/13/final pymt due
8/14
EXPENSES: SALARIES/BENEFITS
301 Pastor Base Salary
302 Pastor Housing Allowance
303 Pastor Insurance
305 Pastor Car Allowance
307 Pastor Pension
308 Pastor Continuing Education
320 Custodian
321 Organist
325 Sub Pastor
326 FICA Expenses
TOTAL EXPENSES-SALARIES/BENEFITS:
Current
$2,004.17
$650.00
$61.04
$487.50
$265.42
$0.00
$561.02
$0.00
$0.00
$558.61
$4,587.76
Year-to-Date
$20,041.70
$6,500.00
$546.88
$4,875.00
$2,377.94
$0.00
$5,000.73
$637.20
$0.00
$1,642.54
$41,621.99
Proposed Budget
$24,050.00
$7,800.00
$1,051.05
$5,850.00
$3,185.00
$200.00
$7,500.00
$1,560.00
$400.00
$2,100.00
$53,696.05
EXPENSES: BUILDING & GROUNDS
401 Snow Removal
402B Natural Gas
405 Electricity and Water
407 Insurance
408 Misc. Bldg. & Grnd. Exp.
409 Piano Tuning
409A Organ Maintenance
413 State Farm - Workmen's Comp.
414 Parking Lot Expenses/Loan Payments
417 Transfer to Correct Account - Building
TOTAL EXPENSES-BUILDING &
GROUNDS:
Current
$0.00
$7.42
$0.00
$0.00
$65.19
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,171.27
$0.00
Year-to-Date
$614.46
$2,312.37
$2,106.24
$2,737.50
$2,554.32
$95.40
$0.00
$710.94
$7,570.16
$400.00
Proposed Budget
$1,250.00
$5,000.00
$3,300.00
$3,750.00
$7,500.00
$200.00
$200.00
$950.00
$0.00
$0.00
$1,243.88
$19,101.39
$22,150.00
Current
$945.21
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$108.71
$53.29
$127.12
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$459.95
Year-to-Date
$9,452.10
$3,519.50
$292.85
$0.00
$390.00
$0.00
$1,026.00
$663.87
$127.12
$0.00
$304.18
$3,510.50
$0.00
$1,034.90
Proposed Budget
$11,342.52
$500.00
$350.00
$300.00
$400.00
$100.00
$2,000.00
$600.00
$350.00
$100.00
$300.00
$0.00
$250.00
$0.00
$1,694.28
$20,321.02
$16,592.52
Current
$0.00
$669.91
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$669.91
Year-to-Date
$0.00
$4,903.15
$0.00
$0.00
$504.24
$65.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$5,472.39
Proposed Budget
$2,000.00
$7,500.00
$600.00
$50.00
$500.00
$0.00
$200.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$10,850.00
$8,195.83
$86,516.79
$103,288.57
EXPENSES: CHURCH PROGRAMS
501 Parish Fund
502 Bible Camp Sponsorships
503 Offering Envelopes
504 Confirmation Expense
506 Synod Assembly
507 Books and Materials
508 Misc. Program Expense
512 Bank Service Charges
517 Bibles for 3rd Graders
518 Father/Son Banquet
519 Postage
525 Twins Game
526 High School Graduate Gifts
527 Church T-shirts
TOTAL EXPENSES-CHURCH
PROGRAMS:
EXPENSES: MISSIONS/BENEVOLENCES
602 Augustana/USF PACT
603 ELCA Benevolence
604 Shetek Bible Camp
605 Crossroads Conference Dues
608 The Banquet
613 St. Dysmas
614 Emergency Cash Fund
615 Synod Seminary
616 Lutheran Outdoors
617 Mobile Food Pantry
TOTAL EXPENSES-MISSONS:
GRAND TOTAL EXPENSES: