SUNNE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH February 2016 NEWSLETTER Pastor: Paul Schauer
Church Phone: 734-6485 Cell Phone: 391-0584
Home Phone: 734-6605 e-mail:
www.sunnelutheran.org
REFLECTIONS FROM THE PASTOR
You may know that I went down to Frisco, TX to experience the Bison win their fifth consecutive national football championship. Oh man, what a trip: a dominating victory, a raucous crowd, and Bison fans wherever we went – even on every flight we took – and all of us in the gold (technically yellow pantone #123) and green.
We flew home on the Sunday that the Vikings played Seattle in the playoffs. We got to watch the first half of the game while at the airport in Dallas. Thankfully we were on the plane to Atlanta for the last half of the game. From Atlanta we flew to Minneapolis. As we were getting off the plane in Minneapolis, a man seated across from me, who had noticed my green and gold, said to me, “You must be happy with the win”. As I was about to say something about the Bison and how great the game was, he went on to mutter about the Vikings losing….and it dawned on me that he thought, because I was wearing green and gold, that I was a Packers fan!!!! Can you believe that????? Well, I quickly set him straight.
Knowing our colors and what they mean is sometimes pretty important. We are about to transition from the green and gold colors of Epiphany to the purple of Lent as we change seasons in the church year. Our focus during Epiphany on the light of Christ illuminating the path of our life shifts to a focus on the light of Christ illuminating our lives as we search through our lives to make changes (repent) that help us to grow in our relationship with God and to live our faith every moment of our life.
Lent, which means “spring”, comes fairly early this year, while there is still lots of winter remaining. As winter continues, we change colors, we change our focus. Take some time during the six weeks of Lent for self-examination and repentance. Take a look at who we are. Take steps to change that which hinders God’s love from reaching into our lives. Take steps to change that which hinders our living out God love’s in the world. We do this together during worship (both on Sundays and on Wednesdays at 7pm). We do this individually in our own reflection and prayer life.
Please take time to shift from the green and gold to the purple, from the revealing of the light of Christ to a period of self-examination and repentance in which Christ’s light shines into our lives.
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
January 13, 2016
Ø Heard financial and attendance reports comparing 2015 and 2014. In 2015, average worship attendance increased 2%; general offerings increased 2%; and overall giving increased 11%.
Ø Heard a report on the Capital Campaign.
Ø Discussed the upcoming annual meeting.
Ø Elected Shelley Porter as president; Adam Klabunde as vice-president; and Karen Ryberg as secretary.
Ø Appointed the audit team.
Ø Heard various Ministry Team reports.
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HAPPY 123rd BIRTHDAY
SUNNE!!
On February 22, 1893 a group of Swedish immigrants who were originally from Sunne, Varmland, Sweden, gathered to form a Swedish Lutheran congregation in northern Burleigh County. For 123 years people have worshipped the Lord on top of this hill on the North Dakota prairie. Over the years, Sunne has become a congregation with members of many ethnic backgrounds, religious denominations and worship traditions. All those who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are welcome to become part of God’s family at Sunne.
WORSHIP
Wednesday, February 10
7:30pm
Imposition of Ashes
And
Holy Communion
Lenten Worship
Soup & Sandwiches
Every Wednesday during Lent (after Ash Wednesday) we will gather for soup and sandwiches at 6:00 p.m. and worship at 7:00 p.m.. Compline (prayer at the close of the day) will be the order of worship. We will spend time each Wednesday reflecting on various Biblical passages. Consider making fellowship, worship and study part of your Lenten discipline. A freewill offering will be received for the supper.
Let’s Wipe Out The Debt
Our total debt, as of December 31, 2015 is $119,556.77 plus interest at 6.75%.
SIMPLY GIVING
Sunne is now able to offer a simple way of
giving to God’s ministry at Sunne. Through
Simply Giving, an electronic fund transfer
program, members and friends of Sunne can make a monthly or semi-monthly gift directly from a person’s checking or savings account into Sunne’s account. This program is available no matter where a person banks. For more information, please contact Sunne Treasurer, SuAnn Olson at 258-3887. Please prayerfully consider this excellent opportunity.
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
Nearly 100 million Americans are expected to tune in to watch the Super Bowl. Many of them will be hosting or attending parties with abundant food, friendship and fellowship. At the same time, nearly 1 billion people will be hungry in our world - some worrying about staying warm, finding shelter and securing the next meal.
Please join us in serving the hungry by giving a donation to help fight hunger after worship on Super Bowl Sunday. Members of the Confirmation Class will be in the narthex with a soup kettle receiving your donations. All gifts will be given to the Wilton Food Pantry. This is the 21st year that Sunne has participated in this national event.
Camp of the Cross Annual Meeting Camp of the Cross will hold their annual meeting on Sunday, February 28th at 4 pm at Camp of the Cross. We are allowed three delegates, plus Pastor Paul. If you are interested in being one of our delegates, please speak to Pastor Paul.
BAPTISMS
Congratulations to those
celebrating their baptismal
anniversaries in February.
2--Tim Schatz
5--Jennifer Vesey
12--Jim Tosseth
13--Matthew Backman
13--Scott Sondrol
14--Kalea Morlock
14--Garrett Silliman
15--Trayton Bauer
19--Darla Leidy
21--Jennifer Hausauer
21--Jaycie Klabunde
23--Cheryl Woodcock
26--Jacob Hurt
27--Valdine Schneider
BAPTISMS
The following babies were welcomed into God’s family through the sacrament of Holy Baptism: Reese Marie Novak, daughter of Jerame and Lindsey, on December 27th. Alora Violet Sawicki, daughter of Jason and NaTasha, on January 3rd.
May Reese and Alora know God’s presence all of their lives.
SLY Bowling Party
Sunne Lutheran Youth (grades7-12) will go bowling on Sunday, February 21st. Meet at Pastor Paul’s at 12:45pm. Return around 4:00pm. Cost is $5 per person. Friends are welcome.
Take Stock in Our Youth
Sunne Lutheran Youth will be selling Stock Certificates through March 6th. Stock Certificates are available for $25. Proceeds will be used to fund the 2016 Seattle Faith Adventure in June. Those who buy stock will receive a certificate, a commemorative group photo, a postcard from Seattle and will be invited to a post gathering reception. Stocks will be sold before and after worship during through March 6th. Or, contact any of the participating youth.
FEBRUARY, 2016 Sunne Evangelical Lutheran Church
PO Box 217 Wilton, North Dakota
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / SaturdayThe names on the calendar are to remind us to pray for on another. / 1
Sandy Spitzer / 2
Jay Spitzer / 3
CJ Staloch / 4
Quilting
10 am-3 pm
Amber Staloch / 5
Caden Staloch / 6
Barney Strand
7
8:30 am Communion Service
9:30 am Sunday School/Conf.
10:30 am Communion Service / 8
Rose Strand / 9
Kirk Strand / 10
Worship 7:30 pm
Council 8:15 pm
Richard Strand / 11
Quilting
10 am-3 pm
Deb Strand / 12
Susan Szczur / 13
Gary Szczur
14
8:30 am Worship Service
9:30 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship Service / 15
Starnell Tarpley / 16
Brigette Tarpley / 17
Soup/Sandwiches 6 pm
Worship 7 pm
Ysabella Tarpley / 18
Quilting
10 am 3 pm
Sophia Tarpley / 19
James Theurer / 20
Char Theurer
21
8:30 am Communion Service
9:30 am Sunday School/Conf
10:30 am Communion Service
12:45 pm SLY Bowling / 22
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
SUNNE
Ally Albrecht / 23
Jackie Albrecht / 24
Soup/Sandwiches
6 pm
Worship 7 pm
John Thompson / 25
Quilting
10 am-3 pm
Naomi Thompson / 26
Connor Thompson / 27
Christian Thompson
28
8:30 am Worship Service
9:30 am Sunday School/Conf
10:30 am Worship Service
3:00 p.m. Camp of the Cross Mtg / 29
Erin Thompson
Pastor Paul Schauer: 734-6485 office, 391-0584 cell phone, 734-6605 home
www.sunnelutheran.org