Monthly Newsletter - Minnetonka Lutheran Church

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TheWater’s Edge
January 2015
Minnetonka Lutheran Church
Happy New Year!
16023 Minnetonka Blvd | Minnetonka, MN 55345 | 952.935.3419
www.mtkalutheran.org
FYI
Prayer Requests
Call the church office at
952.935.3419 or email
[email protected]
with your prayer requests. If
you want a pastoral visit or
would like to be included in
pastoral prayers during
worship, please call the
church office.
Sunday Worship Times
9:00am Traditional Worship
10:05am Friendship and Education Hour
10:00am Adult Forum (meets occasionally, watch bulletins for details)
10:45am Contemporary Worship
Communion Sundays
First and Third Sunday of the month at 9:00am Worship
Second and Fourth Sunday of the month at 10:45am Worship
We practice an “Open Table” at MLC. All baptized Christians who recognize the Presence
of Christ in the bread and wine are welcome to celebrate regardless of church
membership. Grape juice is available from the final server. Welcome to the Lord’s Table.
Address, Phone
and Email
Contact Us
Corrections
Email
Online
Office Hours
Church Office
Fax
MLC maintains a database of
all its members. If you have
had any changes to your
address, phone number,
marital status, etc. please
contact the church office with
your name, phone number
and the changes that need to
be made.
If You Are Ill
Hospitals no longer notify
churches when their
members are admitted for
care. Call 952-935-3419 and
let us know so we can
support you with prayer and
with presence.
Publication Deadlines
[email protected]
www.mtkalutheran.org
Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
952.935.3419
952.931.9341
MLC Staff
Bob Rusert
Sue Lungstrom
Rachel Coen-Tuff
Tim James
Senior Pastor /x201/ [email protected]
Office Administrator/x200/[email protected]
Intern Director CYF /x202/[email protected]
Chancel Choir Director/Edgy Waters leader
x 206/[email protected]
MLC Organist / x 204
Property Manager
Weekend Custodian
Diane Tuseth
Norm Gehrke
Thomas Whisler
MLC Council
Sue Hlavac
Matt Haakenstad
Stu Deuring
Joanna Koenig
Rae Vanek
Pastor Bob Rusert
Pam Grossmann
Jean Schlemmer
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Weekly Bulletin:
Thursday at Noon
January Newsletter:
December 8
Grow in Faith, Share the Good News, Serve in Love
All in Jesus’ name.
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The Water’s Edge
January 2015
2015 A New Year, A New Creation.!.
17
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation:
everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2
Corinthians 5:17
Pondering New Year’s resolutions, this wonderful, grace-filled and life-transforming
Word of our Lord came to mind. Connected to Christ we waltz right into the Kingdom
and I am wondering if we might find here too… inspiration for more readily waltzing
into or through other transforming experiences… including behavioral
resolutions. Willpower being what it is for me at least, over the years I have found
myself making poor and unrealistic choices of resolutions and far too often too quickly
failing miserably at keeping any. If… in good Lutheran form we can agree that… God
does all the work of salvation and making us new creations, why not invite our Lord to
co-opt our meager efforts at self-transformation to empower and enable us beyond our
disabilities? If God does the heavy lifting of our transformation {sanctification?}, then
perhaps we can find ourselves in a better place in the new year. The thing of it is, God
usually always has better ideas and more power than we. So, given relying on the Lord for our salvation works so
wonderfully, why not rely on the Lord for our sanctification/transformation/reshaping?
For 2015 I am inviting any who have ears to hear to join me in some God-powered behavioral modification:
Resolution # 1: Practice praying these inspiration-for-reshaping passages each night and morning…
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Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything
worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
Resolution # 2: See Resolution # 1!
OK… so… 365 consecutive nights and days sounds improbable if not impossible.?.
30 Day trails are popular these days.
OK… so… 30 consecutive nights and days sounds daunting.?.
Let’s take a page from the AA folks and their behavioral transformation plan --Let’s resolve to a 1 Day @ a Time Trial… of praying 2 Cor 5:17 & Phil 4:8 tonight and tomorrow morning
and see if we can find ourselves celebrating the God-powered reshaping of our lives… body, mind, and spirit.
Watch for it… enfolding our lives ---evening and morning--- in prayer of God’s Word… well--- “with God, {who
knows} all things are {made} possible!”
A Blessed New Year 2015
Pastor Bob
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The Water’s Edge
January 2015
MLC Asset Enhancement Continues!
Our Refresh Asset Enhancement Team continues its exploratory phase of investigating other churches that have
transformed parts of their facilities to assist with ministry and outreach. Improved welcoming, openness, and expanded
gathering space in our Narthex and at the rear of our Sanctuary remains the primary focus, but the team’s work has led
to awareness that more parts of our facilities can be improved. The team intends to present an update of learnings and
progress at the Annul Meeting January 25. If you have questions or input, Council and the team members are eager
and available to respond.
Council: Sue Hlavac, Matt
Haakenstad, Stu Deuring, Jo
Koenig, Rae Vanek, Jean
Schlemmer, & Pam Grossmann
Team: Team Leaders Gail
Conroy & Matt Haakenstad with
team members Jenn Vorland, &
Sue Hlavac. While Susan
Friedrich has chosen to step down
from the team, she remains
available for consultation and
when the time comes…
implementation of the possible
improvements.
What a Great Year to Love Books!
The Women’s book group has selected their reading list for 2015. The group meets the third Monday of each month to
discuss the book of the month. All are welcome—even men!
2015 Book List
Date-
Book-
Author-
Host
19-Jan-15
16-Feb-15
16-Mar-15
20-Apr-15
18-May-15
15-Jun-15
20-Jul-15
17-Aug-15
21-Sep-15
19-Oct-15
16-Nov-15
21-Dec-15
Olive Kitteridge
Life After Life
Unbroken
Elizabeth Strout
Kate Atkinson
Laura Hillenbrand
Anne Deuring
Karen Antonovich & Jean Schlemmer
Kathryn Schmidt
Lila
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Redeployment
Ordinary Grace
Animal Farm
The Fault in Our Stars
All the Light We Cannot See
Planning Party
Marilynn Robinson
Muriel Barbery
Phil Kay
William Kent Krueger
George Orwell
John Green
Anthony Doerr
Diane Reishus
Nan Peterson
Jo Koenig
Sue Hlavac
Heather Simso
Amy Olson
open
open
open
open
Nancy Sorebo
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The Water’s Edge
MLC Membership Information Class
January 2015
Constructive Conversations on
Contentious Issues
Sunday, January 18 beginning at 12:05pm
Interested in membership information for Minnetonka Lutheran
Church family of God?
The fourth in the series of dinner conversations was
attended by 34 MLC members On November 13.
Come and share friendship and a meaningful introduction to
life in Membership.
The topic discussed was the battle with ISIS in Syria and
Iraq. We discussed who ISIS is, why it is so complicated
and the long history of the Sunni-Shia divide, the US 6 point
plan, and various recent opinion polls of American’s views
on the issue. Conversation was lively and informative. The
dinner was as always, excellent.
We will share the ministry programs and opportunities through
MLC, examine our Lutheran Faith, share with and get to know
one another, and dialog about the future of MLC.
Child care is available—please make your needs known.
Call or e-mail the church office to RSVP 952-935-419
[email protected].
The next dinner conversation will be Thursday January 22
on the topic of Gun Control. A sign up will be available at
church in January. Come, share your views in a cordial
respectful environment, bring a friend.
“Away From The Manger” 2014 Sunday School Christmas Program—Was this fun, or what?!
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The Water’s Edge
January 2015
Children, Youth and Family Ministries
Rachel Coen-Tuff—Intern Director CYF
Welcome to 2015!
I would like to give a big thank you for all of the kind words of care and support for the kids
after the Christmas program “Away from the Manger”. The kids did a great job, but we couldn’t
have done it without all of our volunteers. Thank you! The New Year brings lots of fun things in
store for the children youth and their families at MLC. The Sunday School is going to be
preparing for Memory Olympics this winter. Each class will have a specific Bible verse or prayer
to memorize and present to the rest of the Sunday school class. The Sunday school will also be
getting ready to decide upon what we will be giving with our funds raised for God’s Good
Gifts. Last year we were able to send animals and supplies to families in a developing country.
Keep an eye out for what we decided to pick!
The confirmation group will be having a rescheduled winter retreat, these retreats are a great
bonding experience for our youth and they enjoy spending time together having fun and playing in the snow! In the
month of January is also our service month and this year, upon popular request we have chosen to do Feed My Starving
Children, which is a nonprofit organization that packs meals for families full of healthy nutrients and then sends those
healthy meals to places in need. And the best part is this organization is located right here in the Twin Cities!
Our youth group will also be preparing for their summer trip. Please keep an eye out for fundraising opportunities to
help our youth get to their summer destination! The youth summer trips are partially funded by youth but also a large
amount comes from the church. We appreciate all of our support during the fundraising process and we are excited
about another fun summer opportunity!
Blessings to all of our families at Minnetonka Lutheran, and welcome to a joy-filled 2015!
In Christ,
Rachel Coen-Tuff
Intern Children Youth and Family Director
Wednesday Night Family Dinners
Our Wednesday Night supper program is in full swing.
Delicious, affordable meals will be ready for your dining pleasure at 6:00pm on Wednesday evenings, with a suggested
donation of $3 per person, or $10 per family.
Confirmation students along with their families are asked to serve the meals, and clean up. NEW
this year, a ministry team will also serve and clean up one meal per month.
This year’s offerings will be a rotation of 4 menus, to include: Lasagna, Grown Up Mac & Cheese,
Tacos and Chicken Wild Rice Soup.
The supper program will run concurrently with the confirmation program.
Who should come to Wednesday Night Family Dinner?
YOU! All are welcome and invited to come. Give it a try—you might decide to make it a weekly
tradition!
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The Water’s Edge
Miss a Sunday Message?
January 2015
A Word From the Financial
Secretary
If you are unable to attend worship, but don’t want to miss
one of Pastor Bob’s insightful sermons or wonderful special
music … visit us online to catch up.
1. Offering Envelopes will be out on tables in the
entrance to the church as of 12/12/14. Please use
your Offering Envelopes to insure timely and accurate
data entry. If you do not have your 2015 Envelopes
after 12/12/14, please e-mail me at JAWinberg @
aol.com. If you do not do e-mail, please call me
weekdays between 7:30 and 9:30 PM @ 952-4751491.
2. I will credit your 2014 Contribution Record with any
2014 Offering Envelope or loose check dated
12/31/14 or earlier if received by 12:00 noon Sunday,
1/4/15.
3. You may contribute to multiple accounts with one
check inserted into one envelope. Simply designate
the fund (General, Missions, etc.) and the amount to
go to each fund on your envelope. PLEASE
DESIGNATE HOW MUCH IS TO GO TO EACH
FUND! If you miss a week you do not have to write
separate checks and use separate envelopes. Simply
write one check and designate the amount to go to
each fund on the front of the envelope.
4. Please consider using "Simply Giving", the automated
withdrawal program. This program insures an even
flow of contributions throughout the year, and saves
time and money depositing funds into the church's
bank account. You can sign up for Monthly
withdrawals by contacting me by e-mail or phone.
5. If you would like an update on your 2014 giving,
please e-mail or call at the addresses listed above.
Sunday sermons dating back to April 6, 2014 are now
available on our website.
Visit us at www.mtkalutheran.org
Can Recycling
The can recycling program continues at MLC, Please save
your cans, and empty them into the trailer near the road.
Let’s make the job of our faithful volunteers associated
with this project a little easier by following a couple of
simple rules:
 No food cans (they are not aluminum)
 No tin foil
 no bags—please empty your bag directly into the
trailer
Pictorial Directory Update
Thank you to everyone who had their picture taken for
the pictorial directory. You may still submit your own
photo for inclusion if you wish. There will also be two
make-up photo days in January: January 18 and 25.
Thank you,
John Winberg, Financial Secretary
We will now be working at adding the photos to the
directory, designing the front pages, and uploading
to our website.
The directory will also be available in print version
for a nominal charge. WHAT?! Yes, because we are
not selling photos, the printed version will incur
some costs for paper and printing. More details to
come.
You may request a digital copy of your own photo to
be emailed to you. Again, a printed copy or a digital
copy will incur some cost. Thank you for
understanding this new paradigm!
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The Water’s Edge
Mission Partnership
January 2015
Healing Prayer Service —
All Things New!
The Gospel message of loving and sharing was abundantly
expressed at MLC this Holiday Season. The many, many gifts
for MN Teen and Adult Challenge, Plymouth Christian Youth
Center, and the ICA food shelf have surely been a blessing to
those who received them. May you also feel blessed by your
care for those in need.
5
And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am
making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these
words are trustworthy and true." 6Then he said to me, "It is
done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the
end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring
of the water of life. 7Those who conquer will inherit these
things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
Revelation 21:5-7
MAKE OLD THINGS NEW
For many years MLC has provided some support for Make All
Things New. This is a non-profit organization started by
John Troyer to provide meals for transient people. This
evolved into a residential Christian ministry for men coming
from prison to help them transition back into the
mainstream. Now the ministry has expanded to include
those with mental health issues and the chronically
homeless. The facility is housed in two apartment buildings
with a total of 12 apartments.
A Healing Prayer Service takes place monthly at MLC,
capturing the power of God to “make all things new!”
Come and grasp the blessings of the power of prayer
and the advantages of a caring friends willing to walk
together to share burdens and celebrate joys.
Experiencing a time of affliction… searching for hope
in time of struggle… searching for encouragement in
time of feeling alone? Illness or anxiety leading to
disease? Look no further… God is still, as always,
healing. Find here a source of compassion and
promise of healing? Prayer in the power of the Spirit
and the presence of a sensitive and faithful prayer
team could be the blessing you need.
ICA FOODSHELF PARTNERSHIP
The "Food of the Month" for January is PASTA. Any type of
pasta, pasta sauce or canned pasta meals will be welcomed.
Please leave your donations in the wicker basket right inside
the front entrance doors.
Sunday January 18th
{* note this is 3rd Sun of Jan}
Following 10:45 AM Worship
Minnetonka Lutheran Library
Seasoned Citizen Care
Watch for information on our upcoming February speaker for
our Aging Abundantly series.
7
"Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find;
knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8For everyone
who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for
everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9Is there
anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give
a stone? 10Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake?
11
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to
your children, how much more will your Father in heaven
give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7-11
Let your need, your curiosity, the inkling and the
urging of the Holy Spirit inspire you to come and
capture the hope and blessings of gathering and
praying in the power of Jesus’ Name…
Pastor Bob
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The Water’s Edge
January 2015
December 11 Council Meeting Highlights
Financial Secretary John Winberg presented a proposed budget for 2015, which Council voted to recommend to the
congregation for adoption at the Annual Meeting on January 25, 2015.
Pastor Bob submitted his written report. Highlights - Refresh 2014 Facility Enhancement Team has visited other
churches as part of an analysis for facility enhancements we could consider. Great koinonia experiences at the annual
smorgasbord, led this year by Mark and Heidi Peterson, and at Bob and Lori Rusert’s “Christmas on the Mississippi”
party. We’re blessed with great leadership by Cindy Beltz and others for the Sunday School Christmas Program.
Treasurer’s Report – as of November 30 our total income for the year to date was $330,338.34, above budget of
$323,298.67 for the same period. Expenses for the year to date were $339,457.08, in excess of budget of $336,816.88
for the same period.
Our prayers are with Sue Lungstrom and her family as she encounters significant health issues.
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The Water’s Edge
January 2015
Narrative Lectionary
The Season of Epiphany “The Star of the Show!”
January 4 – February 15 (Transfiguration)
January 4, 2015
January 11
Festival of Epiphany
Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 2:1-12
“The Star of Wisdom!”—Wise Men come and worship…
First Sunday after Epiphany
Matthew 3:1-17, Psalm 2:7-8
“The Star of Amendment!”—John the Baptist’s call to repentance…
January 18
Second Sunday after Epiphany
Matthew 4:1-17, Psalm 91:9-12
“The Star of Self-Restraint!”—Temptation in the wilderness…
January 25
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Matthew 5:1-20, Psalm 1:1-3
“The Star of Vision!”—Beatitudes… {See selves as blest}
February 1
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Matthew 6:7-21, Psalm 20:7
“The Star of True Treasure!”—Lord’s Prayer and true treasure in heaven…
February 8
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Matthew 14:13-33, Psalm 95:1-5
“The Star of Resourcefulness!”—Feeding of 5000…
February 15
Transfiguration
Matthew 16:24-17:8, Psalm 41:7-10
“The Star of Self-Denial!”—Cost of discipleship and Transfiguration
Christmas Day Children
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The Water’s Edge
January 2015
January 2015
28
9:00 AM Traditional
Worship
10:45 AM
Contemporary Worship
w/ HC
11:00 AM Great and
Mighty Ministries in
Youth Room
11:45 AM Healing
Service
29
7:30 AM
Men's Bible
Study
30
9:30 AM Al-Anon Meeting
6:30 PM Forward XIX AA
6:30 PM Handbell
Rehearsal
7:00 PM Scout Troop 426 Activity Rm
4
ICA Emphasis Sunday
9:00 AM Traditional
Worship with HC
10:45 AM
Contemporary Worship
11:00 AM Great and
Mighty Ministries in
Youth Room
5
7:30 AM
Men's Bible
Study
7:00 PM Boy
Scout Parent
Meeting
11
9:00 AM Traditional
Worship
10:45 AM
Contemporary Worship
w/ HC
11:00 AM Great and
Mighty Ministries in
Youth Room
31
9:30 AM Wednesday
Morning Bible Study
1:30 PM Staff Meeting
7:00 PM Rescue from
Shipwreck - AA
1
Building Closed
2
9:00 AM
Friday Boys
3
9:00 AM
Edgy
Water's
Rehearsal
6
7
9:00 AM Quilting Group
9:30 AM Wednesday
9:30 AM Al-Anon Meeting Morning Bible Study
6:00 PM Scout Parent
1:30 PM Staff Meeting
Meeting
6:00 PM Wednesday Night
6:30 PM Forward XIX AA
Dinner
6:30 PM Handbell
6:30 PM Confirmation
Rehearsal
6:45 PM Chancel Choir
7:00 PM Scout Troop 426 - Rehearsal
Activity Rm
7:00 PM Rescue from
Shipwreck - AA
8:15 PM Edgy Waters
Rehearsal
8
9:00 AM Al Anon
1:30 PM Naomi
Circle - Colleen
Bom Hostess
6:00 PM Den 5
in Activity Room
9
9:00 AM
Friday Boys
10
9:00 AM
Edgy
Water's
Rehearsal
12
Newsletter
Deadline
7:30 AM
Men's Bible
Study
13
9:30 AM Al-Anon Meeting
9:30 AM Hannah Circle Vollie Hinrichs Hostess
4:15 PM CMTMT Meeting
in Conference Room
5:30 PM Witness Team
Meeting in Conference
Room
6:30 PM Forward XIX AA
6:30 PM Handbell
Rehearsal
7:00 PM Scout Troop 426 Activity Rm
14
9:30 AM Wednesday
Morning Bible Study
1:30 PM Staff Meeting
6:00 PM Wednesday Night
Dinner
6:30 PM Confirmation
6:45 PM Chancel Choir
Rehearsal
7:00 PM Rescue from
Shipwreck - AA
8:15 PM Edgy Waters
Rehearsal
15
9:00 AM Al Anon
6:00 PM Den 3
in Youth Room
6:30 PM Pack
426 in Activity
Room
7:00 PM Council
Meeting in
Conference Room
7:00 PM Den 5
in Activity Room
16
9:00 AM
Friday Boys
6:30 PM
Derby Weigh
In
17
9:00 AM
Edgy
Water's
Rehearsal
9:00 AM
Fantastic
Prayer Shawl
Ministry
9:00 AM
Pinewood
Derby
18
9:00 AM Traditional
Worship with HC
10:45 AM
Contemporary Worship
11:00 AM Great and
Mighty Ministries in
Youth Room
19
7:30 AM
Men's Bible
Study
7:00 PM
Bookclub at
Anne During
Home
20
21
9:00 AM Quilting Group
9:30 AM Wednesday
9:30 AM Al-Anon Meeting Morning Bible Study
6:30 PM Forward XIX AA
1:30 PM Staff Meeting
6:30 PM Handbell
6:00 PM Wednesday Night
Rehearsal
Dinner
7:00 PM Scout Troop 426 - 6:30 PM Confirmation
Activity Rm
6:45 PM Chancel Choir
Rehearsal
7:00 PM Rescue from
Shipwreck - AA
8:15 PM Edgy Waters
Rehearsal
22
9:00 AM Al Anon
6:00 PM Den 5
in Activity Room
6:30 PM Pack
426 in Activity
Room
6:00 PM
Constructive
Conv. on
Contentious
Issues in Fireside
Room
23
9:00 AM
Friday Boys
24
9:00 AM
Edgy
Water's
Rehearsal
25
9:00 AM Traditional
Worship
10:45 AM
Contemporary Worship
w/ HC
11:00 AM Great and
Mighty Ministries in
Youth Room
11:45 AM Healing
Service
26
7:30 AM
Men's Bible
Study
27
28
9:30 AM Al-Anon Meeting Newsletter Assembly
6:30 PM Forward XIX AA
9:30 AM Wednesday
6:30 PM Handbell
Morning Bible Study
Rehearsal
1:30 PM Staff Meeting
7:00 PM Scout Troop 426 - 6:00 PM Wednesday Night
Activity Rm
Dinner
6:30 PM Confirmation
6:45 PM Chancel Choir
Rehearsal
7:00 PM Rescue from
Shipwreck - AA
8:15 PM Edgy Waters
11
Rehearsal
29
9:00 AM Al Anon
30
9:00 AM
Friday Boys
31
9:00 AM
Edgy
Water's
Rehearsal
Minnetonka Lutheran Church
16023 Minnetonka Boulevard
Minnetonka, MN 55345
www.mtkalutheran.org
January 2015
Return service requested
Inside
From the Pastor
page 3
Asset Enhancement
page 4
Book Group Book List
page 4
New Member Class
page 5
Constructive Conversations
page 5
CYF
page 6
Pictorial Directory Update
page 7
Letter From Financial Secretary
page 7
Mission Partnerships
page 8
Healing Prayer Service
page 8
December Council Highlights
page 9
Epiphany Sermon Series
page 10
January Calendar
page 11
www.mtkalutheran.
org
12
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #181
HOPKINS, MN 55343