The Beacon – February 2016
THE BEACON
The monthly newsletter of Light of Christ Lutheran Church
Delano, Minnesota
FEBRUARY 2016
The Marks of Discipleship
Pray daily
Worship weekly
Read the Bible
Serve at or beyond Light of Christ
Relate to others for spiritual growth
Give of my time, talents and resources
The Beacon – February 2016
The Beacon – February 2016
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Isaiah 58:6-7
“What are you giving up for Lent?” was a common question about this time of year in my childhood. I did not know it at the time, but it was the Catholic kids mostly who asked it. Being Lutheran, I did not know I was supposed to give up anything.
The tradition grows out of long-ago agrarian life. Come late winter the abundant stores of autumn harvest often gave out. There were lean months until first spring sprouts.
Fasting, going without much food, was a common annual cycle in early spring. Rather than give in to hunger’s fatalism and despair, fasting became a spiritual practice that deepened dependence on God. Giving up became a choice, defying death’s threat of starvation.
But making it an individual, pious act robs fasting of its social and communal aspects. Ritual fasting does assist the individual in facing food shortage. Yet, since the days of Isaiah, fasting also was meant to enhance the community. Eating less and sharing with neighbors made sure that everyone made it through the lean season until spring.
We in America now experience an abundance of cheap food. Improvements in agriculture production in the last 40 years has vastly increased the amount of food available to Americans. Fasting is no longer a necessary seasonal practice. We are far removed from food scarcity—most of us.
Ash Wednesday, February 10, we begin the season of Lent, a time to remember God’s mercy in Jesus Christ, and to reexamine our relationships. It is a time to give thanks to God for food security, and to commit to making sure others have enough to eat. Lent is a time to reevaluate our lifestyle and choices, and to take intentional steps in making this world a better place for others.
Perhaps a better Lenten discipline is each day recalling all that God has given you, giving thanks, and then resolving how you might bless someone else’s day.
Pastor Chris
The Beacon – February 2016
The Beacon – February 2016
The Beacon – February 2016
MONTHLY SERVICE TEAM
Members of Light of Christ are dedicated to serving the Lord by sharing, caring and loving, and do so through the work of Monthly Service Teams, serving at funerals and other functions.
February Service Team families:
Ann Bassett
Len & Dee Beilke
Mitch & Kristen Cayler
Shannon Cox
Steve & Lisa Dahlberg
Brenda Dalbec
Tony & Jennifer Donahue
Stan & Edith Droneck
Dave & Lynn Eidahl
Steve Freese
Jason & Monica Gabrick
Christina Garrett
Pete & Amy Halluska
Paul & Carol Henry
Julie Imamura
Dan & Laurie Langner
Linda Moore
Traci Moore
Dan & Melanie Paulson
Richard & Krista Reske
Curt & Terri Reuter
Jeff & Sherri Rubertus
Joe & Cheryl Schleper
Rick Schmit
Gloria Schuette
Daren & Jeanie Stigman
Cody & Kelly Thompson
Tim & Amy Underhill
Ed & Pat Williams
Steve & Patti Williams
Adam & Kim Wortz
The Beacon – February 2016
Light of Christ Music Ministry
Sue Quist, Director of Music
Can You Name this Hymn? Test your hymn knowledge and be a WINNER!
“Help, then, O Lord, our unbelief, and may our faith abound.”
Email Sue and be a Winner!
Feel like Winter is getting a little long? Come sing away the winter blues with the choir every Wednesday evening, 7:30-8:30 pm, beginning Feb. 3rd. Choir will then rehearse
following Lenten worship services on Wednesdays leading up to Easter.
Seasons Change…God Never Does.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
The Beacon – February 2016
Birthdays:
01 Tina Cummings, Tyson Kroells, Emil Medelberg, Tom Sebelien
02 Thelma Estby, Josh Hiltner, Barb Russell
03 Don Anderson, Mike Boyack
04 Jessica Fitch, Miranda Maxwell, Cooper Reuter, John Sweet, Samantha Trible
05 Pat Krebsbach, Natalie McClelland, Scott Olson
06 Harper Chapa, Meghan Finn-Bruhn
07 Steve Farniok, Mary Holm, Lori Prickett
08 Sherri Field, Janell Gildemeister, Dan Lofrano, Bea Zerull
09 Sally Prinsen, Anna Schleper, Tammy Schmidt, Jennifer Sprengeler
10 Larry Adams, C. Rowan Leyda, Sandy Parpart, Kurt Radermacher, Olyvia Stahlke, Grace Techam
11 Bonnie Czanstkowski, Weston Fink
12 Sandy Hartin
13 Lori Anderson, Amy Bigot, Ryan Nimtz
14 Elizabeth Vaadeland, Kelly VanderBroek
15 Ellie Chock, Don Collins, Joseph Griffiths, Janelle Holle, Brenda Schroedl, Ashlynn Wortz
16 Ellie Loux, Sue Neisen, Gavin Popp, Isaac
Quandt
17 Wendy Kohls, Laura Lundquist, Amy Swanson
18 Paul Ludwig, Michael Mielke, Andrew Palan, Elizabeth Wood
19 Reeva Lodermeier, Grace Popp
20 Tucker Hart, Lucas Truax
21 Lauren Froehle, Michael McAdam
22 Sarah Anderson, Duncan Bistodeau, Jean Gevik, Brandon Mitchell, Jack Paulson, Lori Vatnsdal
23 Ashley Effertz, Shelby Effertz, Tracey Effertz, Natalie Holmer, Thatcher Larson
24 Peter Anderson, Donna Knudson, Mary Ann McKay, Mary Robinson, Autumn Ulferts
25 Jeff Fink, Kylee Heinzen, Emily Tysdal
26 Kenneth Behrman, Caleb Checkal, Harry Grant, Sarah Kirchmann, Lee Langner, Rilynn Peterson
27 Lori Checkal, Dale Gildemeister, Melanie Gross, Haley Kuechle, Noah Lind, Zachary Muckenhirn, Andrew Rosaaen
28 Braeden Collings, Lee Erickson,
Kensington Mickolichek
Anniversaries:
02 Sean & Caron Ihde
13 Lee & Michelle Bunker
14 Bruce & Shannon Beltrand
15 Kurt & Carol Lofrano
18 Randee & Karen Kyrola
19 Jason & Monica Gabrick
27 Dave & Louise Hauge
28 Del & Carolyn Hirsch
If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary in February, and your name is not listed, please contact the church office so that we may update our records. Thank you!
The Beacon – February 2016
WORSHIP ASSISTANT SCHEDULE
Please note: If you are unable to serve on your assigned day, please arrange for a substitute and notify the church office. Thank you! 763-972-2400 Email:
Sunday, February 7, 2016
8:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
Council Rep: Janine Holter
Greeters: Lee & Michelle Bunker Doug & Helen Campbell
Acolyte: Olivia Condon Emily Olson
Lector: Sue Fink Marcus Hanson
Ushers: Mike & Wendy Franklin Mark & Lori Vatnsdal
Paul & Marcie Ludwig Lindsay & Theresa Wallace
Altar Guild: Ginny Iverson, Bea Zerull JoMarie Williamson, Kim Wortz
Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2016
6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Council Rep:
Acolyte: Emily Olson Duncan Bistodeau
Lector: Loree Kinney
Ushers:
Altar Guild: Ginny Iverson, Kim Wortz Bea Zerull
Sunday, February 14, 2016
8:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
Council Rep:
Greeters: Fred & Wendy Caslavka John & Kristy Cardinal
Acolyte: Jenna Bunker Anna Blonigen
Lector: Bonnie Snaza Lisa Spencer
Ushers: Wes & Jessie Aylsworth Ray & Nancy Cordes
Kevin & Vicki Noetzelman Travis Knisley, Tory Spanier
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Council Rep: Lector: Tim Johnson
Acolyte: Seth Wiest Ushers:
Sunday, February 21, 2016
8:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
Council Rep:
Greeters: Stan & Edie Droneck Steve & Tonya Zitzloff
Acolyte: Nicholas Egly Isabel Johnson
Lector: Bea Zerull Janie Thompson
Ushers: Steve Crosby, Craig Schansberg Dan Lind, Cheryl Thomas
Wade & Holly Sprengeler
Altar Guild: Ginny Iverson, Lori Skogman Kylee Amdor, Jan Styve
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Council Rep: Lector: Anne Farniok
Acolyte: Jordan Wiest Ushers:
Sunday, February 28, 2016
8:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
Council Rep:
Greeters: Darrell & Gwen Egly David & Lynn Eidahl
Acolyte: Devyn Kimball Adam Brown
Lector: Loree Kinney Julie Wischmann
Ushers: Greg Johnson, Tom McKay John McClelland, Kent Wischmann
Joe Vieau, John Zerull