first lutheran church first lutheran churchjan 12, 2016  · february 12th for coffee hour and also...

408 Ninth Street NW

Mandan, ND 58554

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH

Phone: 701-663-3594

Fax: 701-663-6217

E-mail: jackie@firstlutheranofmandan.org

Building Faith and

Transforming Lives

in Christ.

ADDRESS LABEL

The staff at

First Lutheran

Church would

like to wish

you and your

family a Happy

New Year!

www.firstlutheranofmandan.org

We’re on the web!

The month of January always ushers in the season of Epiphany.

‘Epiphany’ is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God in

his Son as human in Jesus Christ. In Western Christianity, the feast

commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ

child, and thus Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles.

Most of us probably don’t spend too much time focusing on the season

of Epiphany. After the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, we

probably would like to settle down for ‘a long winter’s nap.’ I thought I

would share with you some traditions from other parts of the United States

that were rooted in our nation’s history and some that are still practiced

today. Perhaps we can start a tradition of our own for this season of

Epiphany. We will probably stay away from the fruitcake ideas however.

This material is from Wikipedia.

In Colonial Virginia, Epiphany, or 12th Night, was an occasion of

great merriment, and was considered especially appropriate as a date for

balls and dancing, as well as for weddings. On 12th Night, Great Cake was

prepared, consisting in two giant layers of fruitcake, coated and filled with

royal icing. Custom dictated that the youngest child present cut and serve

the cake and whoever found the bean or prize in the Twelfth Night cake was

crowned "King of the Bean" similar to the European king cake custom.

Tarpon Springs, Florida is known for elaborate religious ceremonies

related to the Greek Orthodox Church, the most notable being the Epiphany

celebration. The blessings conclude with the ceremonial throwing of a

wooden cross into the city's Spring Bayou, and boys ages 16 to 18 diving in to

retrieve it. Whoever recovers the cross is said to be blessed for a full year.

Following the blessings, the celebration moves to the Sponge Docks where

food and music are made part of the festivities. Tarpon Springs has given

itself the nickname Epiphany City. The celebration attracts Greek Americans

from across the country, and the city's population is known to triple in size

for that day.

In Manitou Springs, Colorado, Epiphany is marked by the Great

Fruitcake Toss. Fruitcakes are thrown, participants dress as kings, fools,

etc., and competitions are held for the farthest throw, the most creative

projectile device, etc. As with customs in other countries, the fruitcake toss is

a sort of festive symbolic leave-taking of the Christmas holidays until next

year, but with humorous twist, since fruitcake (although the traditional

Christmas bread of America, England and other English speaking nations) is

considered in the United States with a certain degree of derision.

Wishing you a blessed Epiphany as you finish up that fruitcake!

Pastor Lee

January 2017

Administrative Pastor

Rev. Lee Herberg

663-3594

Associate Pastor

Rev. Christina Martin

663-3594

Administrative Assistant &

Coordinator of Lay

Ministries

Jackie Schulz

663-3594 (o)

663-3082 (h)

Custodians

Ron & Mavis Watson

Financial Administration

Jennifer Scheet

First Lutheran Is A Mission

Partner with Camp of the

Cross Ministries

First Lutheran

Staff

First Lutheran Church

January Newsletter

PAGE 2 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH January 2017

Lunch At First (LAF) is a ministry of this congregation. Every Thursday from October through May, we provide a free lunch for students from Mandan High School. We serve a rotating menu of Sloppy Joes, Sandwiches, Loaded Baked Potatoes, Hot Dogs, and Nachos. We are serving about 400 kids each week! We have volunteers who help to cook and serve the meals and clean up each week. Why do we do this? Because we love these young people and want them to know it! We want them to come in our doors and see that this is a safe, inviting place. We do it because God’s love has no requirements. We are blessed weekly by their “Thank you’s”, laughter and smiles. We are also blessed by the company of the many volunteers each week as we work together. There are many ways that you can help! We always need people to help serve the meals on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Lee or Jackie. We can also use financial donations to help the church with the cost. Stop by some Thursday and see the young people who join us each week and also see God’s work among us!

What: First Lutheran Church Annual Meeting

When: Sunday, January 29th

Please join us as we discuss our ministries of

the past year and plans for the coming year.

PAGE 10 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH JANUARY 2017

Mark Your

Calendar…

4th: No Confirmation

5th: LAF ~ Hot Dogs

11th: 7pm - Confirmation -

Large Group

12th: No LAF

18th: 7pm - Confirmation -

Large Group

19th: LAF ~ Sloppy Joes

25th: 7pm - Confirmation -

Small Group

26th: LAF ~ Sandwiches

Upcoming Events

Don't forget to mark your

calendars! Donkey Ball is

Coming to Mandan!!!

January 7th at Mandan Middle School, First Lutheran Mission

Trip Youth presents donkey basketball!! The event will start at

7:00 P.M., but please come early to get good seats. It will be fun

for the whole family, with concessions, and FREE donkey rides to

the first 125 kids age 12 and under at half time!!!

Please see our youth who are pre-selling tickets for $12.00 for all

ages, 5 and under are free. So get them early, tickets at the door

will be $15.00 for all ages, 5 and under free.

Please call the church office at 663-3594 if you have any

questions.

Caramel Roll Sale

The youth will be selling homemade caramel rolls on Sunday, February 12

th for coffee hour and also to go!

We are taking pre-orders, starting January 15th.

For PRE-SELL we will be selling a dozen for $25.00.

The day of February 12th, we will be selling a dozen for $30.00,

2 for $5.00 or 1 for $3.00.

Starting Sunday January 15th, there will be a sign up sheet in

the narthex for the pre-sell. Please include your name, phone number & the amount you will want to buy.

(We will call you the morning of Saturday, February 11th

to pick up your pre-orders)

Make sure to pick up some extra rolls and take them home to share with family and friends!

All proceeds will go to youth mission trip this summer!!

PAGE 4 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH JANUARY 2017

Sunday ~

8:30 am ~ Traditional

10:45 am ~ Contemporary

9:30 am ~ Coffee

9:30 am ~ Church School

Wednesday ~

6:00 pm ~ Transitional

6:00 pm ~ Church School

7:00 pm ~ Confirmation

Worship Schedule

Special Thanks

Thank you to all the greeters, ushers, communion servers,

readers, communion set-up, coffee hour workers, and to all

who have supplied goodies for the last month. Your help is

greatly appreciated!

Baptisms:

December 18 Slaon Charlotte Engbrecht

Weddings:

Funerals:

December 8 Audrey Cline

December 13 Harold Joos

December 16 Pat Larson

December 19 Alida Buck

December 23 Lorin Bornhoeft

Memorial Fund

Pastoral Acts

In memory of Mary Laubner given by Jacob &

Peggy Hertz, Elda Charvat, Rosalie Svihla, Ken

Charvat, Arden & Pat Hagerott, Walter & Leona

Keidel.

In memory of Pat Larson given by Gary & Claudia

Tomanek.

In memory of Rev. Waldemar Storm given by Wally

& Pauline Storm

Deadline for

articles for the

February

Newsletter will be

January 22nd.

January ~ Mission of the Month

Weekend Meals for Mandan Kids

Items needed are Peanut Butter, Jelly, Fruit Cups, Canned

Fruit, Granola Bars, Cereal, Pudding Cups, Applesauce, Chef

Boyardee', Mac & Cheese, Soups, Hamburger Helper, Spaghetti

Noodles, Spaghetti Sauce, Pop Tarts, Instant Mashed Potatoes,

Rice A Roni, Pasta Roni, Pork and Beans, Baked Beans, Pancake

Mix-no eggs required such as Krusteaz Brand, Syrup.

NO GLASS JARS PLEASE!

You may put your items in the boxes in the Narthex. Thank you!

PAGE 9 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH JANUARY 2017

PAGE 8 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH JANUARY 2017

Thank you to everyone

who took an angel tree

name. We had 203 kid’s

names from Mandan

Public Schools and all of

the names were spoken

for! Your thoughtfulness

helped a family in need.

Also, thank you to

everyone who helped

prepare and decorate the

church for the Advent

and Christmas season!

Left: Linda is getting all the Christmas gifts ready to go to

the schools. Top: gifts & some of the food collected for the

schools.

Linda is getting all the Christmas gifts ready

to go to the schools.

JANUARY 2017 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH PAGE 5

First Lutheran Church Council Minutes

Date: November 17, 2016 Time: 7:00 pm

Members Present

Pastor Lee Herberg, Pastor Christina Martin, President Jill Miller, Vice President Jeff Brad-

ford, Secretary Jessica Petrick, Darrell Nitschke, DJ Campbell, Tim Faller, Jessie Hilfer and

Andrea Bonness.

Absent

Rynell Rusch

Approval of Agenda:

Moved by Jessica Petrick and seconded by DJ Campbell to approve the agenda.

Secretary’s Report and Approval of Minutes:

Pastor Chris wanted to make additions to last months’ minutes. Additions to Pastor Christina’s

report include: attendance of the Roster Leader’s Conference in Medora , Heart River Confer-

ence gathering in Glen Ullin, Dishin’ with the Bish at Almont, and Pastor Chris was accepted

as the Western ND Synod LYO Coordinator for the 2018 Youth Gathering.

Approval was moved by Tim Faller, seconded by Jessie Hilfer to approve the minutes with addi-

tions. Motion Passed.

Financial Report/Review:

The last quarter of the year is historically the highest month for giving.

Budget Overview:

October’s income exceeded expenses.

Noted in Revenue that $11,730 was from the Lutefisk Event.

Total income is $59,793.32 and Expenses were $48,711.53

The expenses for the Confirmation Banquet were $1,452.18 and the Lutefisk expenses were

$6,470.30.

The total expenses for LAF as of October are $7,041 for the year which is $1,100 less than last

year.

Unfinished Business:

The task force will be meeting the first part of November. Task force agenda items include:

windows, flooring, railings, retaining walls – the ongoing issues as they relate to the 2013 Stra-

tegic Plan. Information was received from Al Fitterer and will be reviewed at the next task

force meeting.

Security System Update: A resolution has not been reached regarding using Jackie’s computer

for storage and to run the system. The total amount owed has not yet been paid. The outside

cameras resolution needs to be improved. We are not able to read license plates off of vehicles.

Sanctuary Projection System has been tabled as of 8/18/16.

Database Management/Accounting Software – Jeff Bradford is still in the researching phase

and he will meet with both clerical and accounting to narrow the options down to two different

vendors. Accounting plans to outsource payroll to a vendor; it makes sense for the low number

of employees being paid.

Retreat for Council Teams to revisit monthly meetings and options of having additional people

to volunteer – Tabled.

New Business

Budgets were reviewed. Budget will be finalized in December.

An overview of budget discussions includes:

It was discussed to increase our Missions budget by .5% overall. We are currently at 7.5%

of total income and that amount has not been adjusted for over 9 years.

In comparison, other Churches give anywhere from 20% to 0% to missions. Average is 9-

10%.

Tim Faller suggested that the Seminary Support line item should be included under

missions instead of personnel because the student will not be serving First Lutheran upon

completion of studies. Pastor Lee will discuss this topic with Jennifer.

Faculty and Operations budget was discussed.

Our 2016 budget under Maintenance Facility 553-Repairs was $5,000 and we are

currently at $14,162.94 for the year. The committee would like to increase that budget to

$8,000 as opposed to $5,000. Other suggested Maintenance Facility increases include:

Contracted Services by $1,800 for consultation from Prairie Engineering and others; Organ

and Piano by $750; Van Maintenance by $400 for new breaks and a decrease in gasoline

prices.

A $5,500 decline in the budget for utilities was also discussed.

A $1,350 increase in Maintenance Grounds was discussed.

Additional Items that will need to be discussed include: railings, flooring, outdoor sign, van

garage and capital campaign for boiler project.

The Child and Youth Education included the suggested changes in its budget: Mission

Trip budget increase of $2,700; Jr./Sr. High Study Material decrease of $400, Vacation Bible

School increase of $300; Church School Curriculum decrease of $100; Church School

Supplies decrease of $100; Church School Christmas increase by $50; 2nd Grade Bibles

increase by $20; Confirmation Curriculum increase of $600; Communion Curriculum

decrease by $100; Confirmation Retreat decrease by $420; Confirmation Banquet increase by

$150 and Remove the Sr. High School Ski Trip budget.

Evangelism & Outreach Budget was recommended to stay the same with the exception of

increasing the ongoing outreach by $300.

Church Functions Budget included a recommended increase of $300 for Trunk of Treat,

$100 increase for the Family BBQ (in place of Ice Cream Social); $500 decrease in the

Lutefisk Dinner and adding $500 to The Banquet budget.

Stewardship Budget will remain the same with a recommended increase for the WNDS

Synod Assembly from $1,000 to $2,200 as the location will now be in Minot.

PAGE 6 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH JANUARY 2017 New Business:

Bid from Tobias Marman Construction/ Chapel ceiling repair

Base price $10,394.00

Motion to use funds from the building fund to rectify the inadequate construction of the

chapel was presented by Jeff Bradford, seconded by Jesse Hilfer and passed unanimously by

the council.

Announcement to congregation to be made in the December newsletter.

Christmas Eve services currently set at 2pm, 4pm and 11pm.

Motion to move Christmas Eve services to 2pm, 4pm, and 7pm was presented Jesse Hilfer,

seconded by Andrea Bonness and passed unanimously by the council.

Additional holiday services were discussed. No services on Christmas day. New Year’s Day

falls on a Sunday in 2017.

Motion to have one service on 1/1/17 at 9:30am was presented by Jeff Bradford, seconded by

Andrea Bonness and passed unanimously by the council. This will be a service of Lessons

and Carols.

First Lutheran has a potential donor for pew cushions. Style of cushions was discussed as

well as how to ask the congregation for additional funds to finish the project.

Reports:

Pastor Lee: 1 baptism, 1 wedding, 1 funeral, communion services at Library Square II, Sanford

Continuing Care Center on Sunset, Sanford Continuing Care Center off Collins.

Pastor Christina: 2 baptisms, 1 funeral, 1 committal, participated in the 1st round of senate lis-

tening post on racism

Special events: Trunk or Treat = 500 kids, Senior Christmas scheduled for 12/6/16

Stewardship: 11/16/16 stewardship Wednesday, 11/20/16 stewardship Sunday

Education and Youth: 11/16/16 and 11/20/16 2nd grade bibles were handed out, butter braid

fundraiser going on now, kidnap the pastor and donkey basketball scheduled (Pastor Lee is so

excited!)

Evangelism and Outreach: Mandan Public Schools administrators have been invited to

LAF, puzzle exchange discussed for nursing homes.

Correspondence:

Thank you cards received from Ruth Meiers House, Golden Age Services, Mary Stark, Pastor

Lee and Pastor Christina.

Motion to adjourn presented by Jeff Bradford, seconded by DJ Campbell and passed unani-

mously by the council.

Minutes submitted by: Jessica K. Petrick, Secretary