July 2016 Newsletter - Gilbert Lutheran Church

Gilbert Lutheran Church
In Christ: We Care, We Pray, We Serve.
the
Neighbor
July 2016
www.gilbertlutheran.org
We are a congregation of the ELCA.
135 School St., P.O. Box 270
Gilbert, Iowa 50105
Church Office 515-233-2421
Sunday Worship Schedule
Worship
Fellowship
9:30 AM
10:30 AM
Staffed Nursery Sunday mornings
Wednesday Worship Schedule
Worship
6:30 PM
We celebrate Holy Communion on the 1st, 3rd,
and 5th Sundays of the month and special
occasions.
Staff:
Duane Miller
Interim Pastor
[email protected]
Theresa Willis
Office Manager
[email protected]
Courtney Anderson
Director of Children and Youth
[email protected]
Judy Fitz
Nursery Attendant
Dan Wright
Custodian
Come and join us in
faith & fellowship
www.gilbertlutheran.org
If you prefer to receive this newsletter via email,
please send a request to [email protected]
Gilbert Lutheran Church was established in 1881. We
are a warm, welcoming community of caring people
providing opportunities for growth in faith and service
to others.
THOUGHTS & PRAYERS
Carol Lucas
CONTINUING PRAYERS
Jeannette Buckingham (Jeri Saltzman’s mother),
Paul Fiala, Kyra Harbacheck, Rachel Henderson
(Dennis & Denise’s daughter), MarJean Sutter
(Izetta Bennett’s sister), Lori Valline (Izetta
Bennett's daughter)
For updates to the prayer list, please
contact the church office at 515-233-2421
or [email protected]
Summer schedule!
Sunday Worship Schedule
Worship
Fellowship
9:30 AM
10:30 AM
Staffed Nursery Sunday mornings
Wednesday Worship Schedule
Worship
6:30 PM
PASTOR’S NOTES
It is natural to look ahead. We look ahead to holidays, special
times with special people and milestone events like birthdays,
anniversaries, and retirements.
It is also natural for a congregation in a pastoral transition to
look ahead to the day when the Call Committee and the
Congregation Council bring a name to a Congregational
Meeting to extend a call to a new pastor. And congregations
especially look forward to the arrival of that new pastor, and
the beginning of what hopefully will be a long and fruitful
relationship.
I know that many of you are looking forward to the time when
that new pastor gets on the ground at Gilbert Lutheran Church.
Like I said, it’s natural.
Wondering how to get hold of the
Interim Pastor?
Pastor Duane is full-time, and even
though he resides in West Des
Moines, he is available 24
hours/7days per week in case of
emergency (there will alternative
coverage when he is on vacation or
continuing education leave).
So, if you need him immediately,
please call him on his cell at 515867-1162.
I’m looking ahead too, but in a somewhat different way.
Those of you who have worked with me closely this past year know that I have an interest in and
passion for the subject of non-profit organization and governance. Over the course of my career as a
pastor, and then as an interim ministry practitioner, I came to discover that most congregations are
looking for ways to improve their decision making processes. In most of the congregations I work
with, this usually necessitates a change in how the Congregation Council will function (although there
are always other moving parts that need attention too). I believe that congregations have some things
to learn from the best practices of non-profit boards; and I’ve studied with a few people who have
helped me think these things through.
One of my mentors (Dan Hotchkiss) is doing a lot of work in the area of lay-clergy partnerships. I think
he is onto something. Congregations, even Lutheran congregations, tend to veer into one of two
extremes. Either the lay folks come to believe that they own and control everything, including the
pastor; or the pastor comes to believe that s/he need not be accountable to anyone. Horizontal
organizational charts flourish, regardless of who the congregation considers to be in charge.
I think there is a better way, and so I’ve become focused on what lay and clergy partnerships might
look like. Part of the answer lies in the relationship between the pastor and the governing board;
clarity about the roles and responsibilities of each is always helpful. But I’m sure I have more to learn.
And so, in the spirit of looking ahead, I’ve already made
plans for my continuing education for the fall. I just
registered for a three day course called Governance
and Ministry: The Art of Cultivating Staff-Board
Partnerships. And yes, it’s being taught by my mentor. I
may or may not be the interim pastor of Gilbert
Lutheran when this rolls around in October; that will
depend on whether you have your new pastor by then.
But the important thing is that I’m looking ahead to
learning even more about how pastors and people can
work together to accomplish the mission to which God
in Christ is calling them.
Pastor Duane Miller
Interim Contract Extended
At its June meeting, the Gilbert Lutheran
Congregation Council voted to extend the
Letter of Agreement for Interim Ministry with
Pastor Duane Miller beyond the end date of
July 31, 2016.
Pastor Duane will continue to serve the
congregation as Interim Pastor until the new
pastor is identified. Details concerning his
eventual departure will be negotiated at that
point.
THANK YOU
Theresa Wills will be moving to Boston in July. Her
last day in the office at Gilbert Lutheran Church will
be Friday, July 15. We are most grateful to Theresa
for her six years of devoted service to our
congregation.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the
members of GLC for your prayers, cards and
support during my recent surgery and recovery. My
family and I are so grateful for your kindness. I
truly feel blessed.
We will be honoring Theresa during Fellowship
Hour on Sunday, July 10. Please stop by to thank
her and wish her farewell.
Marilyn Barrie
SOCIAL CONCERNS
LSI
God’s work. Our hands.
As a social ministry organization of the ELCA,
Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is so thankful for
your partnership in ministry! This month we also
want to give special thanks for the many
congregations who have made LSI a focus of a
“God’s work. Our hands.” project.
Past “God’s work. Our hands.” projects have
included donations of tools and handmade totes for
dads enrolled in our early childhood programs, plus
children’s books, towel bundles, school supplies
and backpacks. LSI has also been blessed to
receive “noisy” offerings, special offerings and
proceeds from yard work or luncheons. Some
Sunday School classes and youth groups have also
encouraged youth at LSI’s Beloit and Bremwood
Residential Treatment Centers through quilts and
letters.
We thank you for your witness of God’s love and
your service! If you are interested in ministering to
those served by LSI and would like to know more
about current needs, please contact Deb Whitford,
LSI director of philanthropy and church relations, at
[email protected].
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.
Thank You!
Thank you from me, as well. I’ve enjoyed my
time here and met some wonderful people.
I’ve been happy and grateful to be part of
helping support the work that is done here at
GLC, and seeing all that you do to reach out
to others through LWR, Backpack Buddies,
and all of our adult, youth and children’s
missions. I wish you all the best!
Theresa
GLC GIVING MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Each month, the first $50 of loose change collected
during services is donated to a community or world
outreach organization devoted to improving the
lives of those in need.
This July, GLC's loose change will support Beloit
Lutheran Childrens’ Home. Beloit was founded in
1890 as an orphanage in northwest Iowa. In 1949,
Beloit relocated to Ames with a new focus on
providing psychiatric care and mental health
services for children. LSI’s Beloit Residential
Treatment Center in Ames is one of only three
facilities in Iowa that serves children under 8 years
old. Children live in two buildings on campus. A
wooded area, playground, soccer field, gym and
community garden are also campus features.
SUMMER FELLOWSHIP TREATS
Welcome Ministry would like to thank everyone for all the wonderful Sunday Fellowship Treats that were
shared this past year!
You can sign up to share Sunday Fellowship treats in the months of June, July, and August. You can sign up
as an individual, as a family, as a group of friends, whatever and however you would like. We are suggesting
4-5 dozen of whatever you provide, cookies, bars, cupcakes, muffins, etc., and 1 gallon of something to drink,
koolaid, punch, juice, etc. Napkins and cups will be provided. Coffee and hot water for tea will also be taken
care of.
Sign up online at:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090544ada929a13-glcsummer
High School Youth Ministry
Youth group is a safe place to learn, grow,
question, wrestle with personal faith, invite friends,
and so much more. All 9th-12th grade students,
regardless of where they are in their faith journey,
are welcome!
Coming up in Youth Group:
July 22 @ 8:30 PM
Youth Movie Night Fundraiser @ Outside
July 24 - 29
High School Week @ Riverside Lutheran Bible
Camp
This summer, we will be going together, as a youth
group, to Riverside to learn, grow, worship,
experience God together in the camp setting. The
summer theme is Released, from Luke 4:18-19.
PLEASE REGISTER AS YOU’RE ABLE AT:
http://www.riversidelbc.org/programs/youth-programs/summer-camp-home/summer-programs
Looking Ahead:
August 1 – 4 @ 9 AM – noon
Youth helping with VBS (great service opportunity!) @ GLC
Sunday School Minstry
In Matthew 19:14 Jesus said:
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as
these."
Vacation Bible School
August 1 – 4 from 9 AM to noon!
Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp will be coming to provide “day camp” (VBS) for us.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent
me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to
proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” Luke 4:18-19.
The theme for VBS 2016 is Released! We are excited to learn all about how God released his love into the
world through the person of Jesus Christ, how we have been released from bondage, and how we are now
released to share the good news of the Gospel to the ends of the Earth.
We hope to see you this summer, as we dig into this even more. You can find registration forms online at
http://gilbertlutheran.org/vbs or in this newsletter!
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, thoughts, etc.! My email address is
[email protected]. I’m always available to talk, pray, or listen. Stay tuned for more service and fundraiser
dates!
God bless,
Courtney Anderson
Director of Youth & Children’s Ministries
CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Call Committee has completed the Ministry Site Profile. The Congregation Council approved the
profile at its June meeting. The congregation had an opportunity to learn about the profile at a forum
on Wednesday, June 22.
The Call Committee anticipates that it will soon meet with Synod Staff before it receives names of
candidates for the call. It will also, at some point, be soliciting the names of potential candidates from
the congregation.
When the committee receives names, it will need to them with complete confidentiality. The
committee respectfully asks the congregation to refrain from asking about the identity and
qualifications of candidates.
MANGES FAMILY REUNION
We are looking for Descendants of Henry & Mary Manges! There will be a Manges Family Reunion at the
Red Oak Shelter - Inis Grove Park, Ames IA. On Sunday July 17, 2016, please join us from 11:00am –
2:00pm. We want to hear from family in this area, please contact us:
Jim & Vicki Manges
PO Box 1152
Albert Lea, MN 56007
507-256-4459
[email protected]
If you are unable to attend please inform of us any family changes or how
you and your family is doing.
Bring a dish to pass, beverages of your choice and your own eating
utensils.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
LWR SCHOOL KITS
For many years GLC has been involved with making a difference in children's lives by providing
school kits through LWR. It is known that having an education is a huge step in helping eliminate
poverty.
We invite the congregation to participate in a special outreach project over the next several
weeks. As hard as it may be to believe, the Back to School Sales will soon be starting. At this
time of year our $$ can buy many more school supplies than in October. So by shopping now we
can send more school kits to LWR than if we shop in October.
Below is a list of specific items that are needed for each kit. Please buy only what is listed.
4 x 70 sheet notebooks
1 x pencil sharpener
1 x 12” ruler
1 x 2 ½” eraser
5 x black or blue ballpoint pens
1 box crayons (16 or 24 ct.)
5 x unsharpened #2 pencils
1 x blunt scissors
As in the past the notebooks, pencil sharpeners, and scissors are the items especially needed to
complete kits as many of the other items come in packages of multiple items. Last fall we sent
172 kits. Hopefully we can send that many again. That’s a lot of supplies, including 688
notebooks! Collection boxes will be in the narthax after VBS. Please have items to the church by
October 2nd. If you have questions, see Cindy Kruckenberg, 233-2953 or 460-2518.
July Service Committee
Chair: Anne Walden
David & Sharon Berryhill
Bob & Jill Caruth
Scott & Carolyn Raymond
Weldon & Pam Abarr
Holly Lester
Mark & Diane Twedt
Cass & DeeDee Haselhoff
Joe & Mary Consamus
Brad & Katie Nees
Mike & Angie Solberg
Ted & Kayla Lyon
Bruce & Staci Edwards
Ryan & Jeri Saltzman
Bill & Margie Scott
July Birthdays
Elijah Dahlstom
Madeline Jensen
Adrian Lucas
Jake Moore
Terri Nelson
Deb Ordal
Jason Taylor
Alpharetta Peterson
Margaret Schnormeier
Carol Harriman
Izzy Terrones
07/01
07/02
07/02
07/03
07/03
07/03
07/04
07/09
07/09
07/13
07/14
Autumn Binkowski
Tim Buffington
Christine Henley
Dick Cooper
Thelma Boss
Deb Anderson
Tanner Henningsen
Nyle Packer
Betty Upstill
Claire Roske
Michelle Thompson
07/15
07/15
07/17
07/19
07/20
07/22
07/22
07/22
07/22
07/23
07/23
Shawn Schnormeier
Pam Vandenberg
Braeden Nees
Jean Bremer
Eric Swart
Jonah Ordal
Broderick Hague
Cindy Kruckenberg
Carolyn Raymond
July Anniversaries
Paul & Margot Eness
Brian & Lori Fergen
Steve & Shirlie Forth
Kirk Geist & Pauline Geist
Josh & Renee Hansen
Billy & Carol Harriman
07/02
07/21
07/24
07/23
07/25
07/17
55 Years
26 Years
44 Years
38 Years
17 Years
33 Years
Brent & Beth Henningsen
Doyle & Peggy Jobe
Kayla & Ted Lyon
Nyle & Nancy Packer
Mike & Angie Solberg
Summer Wednesday Night Worship Suspended
Due to the declining number of worshipers, Wednesday
night services have been put on hold for the months of
July and August. Please feel free to contact Nancy
Rabe, chair of the board of worship, at [email protected]
or 402-680-5754 with questions or concerns regarding
this service.
07/11
07/20
07/22
07/30
07/01
41 Years
9 Years
49 Years
21 Years
07/24
07/25
07/26
07/27
07/28
07/29
07/30
07/30
07/31
July 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thurs
Fri
1
Upcoming Quilt Auction @ Riverside
The Quilt Auction is set for Saturday, August 6! From
10 – 12:30 the quilts will be on view in the airconditioned chapel with silent auction bidding for
baby quilts and small items. There will be a brief
outdoor service at 10:30 with lunch to follow and a
quilt auction at 1 PM.
3
9:30 AM Worship
10:30 AM Fellowship
4
10
9:30 AM Worship
10:30 AM Fellowship
Sat
2
TLC Coordinators for July
1-15
16-31
Gene Upstill
Kathy Henryson
5
6:00 PM Prayer Group
6:30 PM TOPS
6
6:30 PM Worship
7:15 PM Fellowship
7
8
9
8:00 AM Men’s Bible Study
11
7:00 PM Congregation
Council
12
12:00 PM 50+ Luncheon
6:00 PM Prayer Group
6:30 PM TOPS
13
6:30 PM Worship
7:15 PM Fellowship
14
15
16
8:00 AM Men’s Bible Study
17
9:30 AM Worship
10:30 AM Fellowship
18
7:00 PM Fabricators
19
6:00 PM Prayer Group
6:30 PM TOPS
20
6:30 PM Worship
7:15 PM Fellowship
21
22
23
8:00 AM Men’s Bible Study
24
9:30 AM Worship
10:30 AM Fellowship
25
26
6:00 PM Prayer Group
6:30 PM TOPS
27
6:30 PM Worship
7:15 PM Fellowship
28
29
30
8:00 AM Men’s Bible Study
31
9:30 AM Worship
10:30 AM Fellowship
Independence Day
Office Closed
July Worship Schedule
7/3
7/10
7/17
7/24
7/31
9:30 AM
9:30 AM
9:30 AM
9:30 AM
9:30 AM
Taylor Sniezek
Collin Gauck
Kylie Ziegler
Zach Cramer
Zak Buffington
Tony Terrones
Adalyn Gauck
Bella Saad
Truman Kruckenberg
Jacey Ordal
Ushers
Dee & Ron Stenstrom
Ryan & Jeri Saltzman
Jon & Sharon Popp
Scott & Nancy Nelson
Tim & Deb Ordal
Readers
Deb Adolphson
Kathy Henryson
Barb Licklider
Holly Lester
Darsi Christian
Acoyltes
CoAnne & Dave Hartman
Deb & Darrell Anderson
Joe & Susie Brause
Art & Nancy Bates
Joe & Mary Consamus
Communion Assistants
Cindy Clark
Cathy Adams
Altar Guild
Cindy Kruckenberg & Peg Uthe
Greeters
Jon & Sharon Popp
Breyfogle Family
Kirk & Pauline Geist
Don & Dee Draper
Buffington Family
Cantor
Marcia Prior-Miller
Joel Kruckenberg
Delayne Stokke
Jeff Nelson
Jerry Holtan
Gilbert Lutheran Church
135 School St
Box 270
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 233 - 2421
www.gilbertlutheran.org
Email: [email protected]