january 2012
TRANSCRIPT
Volume 18, Issue 2
January 2012
Chr
oni
cles
Gly
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on
L
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an
C
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Living the Story 2
Over Coffee 3
Council Update
Thank you
4-6
Income and Expense 7
Youth Notes
Confirmation Picture Prices 8
Prayers and Birthdays 9
Circle Information
Volunteer Committees
Memorials
10
January Calendar 11
Inside this issue:
Affirmation of Baptism Service
Affirmation of Baptism Service for our 9th graders will be Sunday, January 8th at the 9:00am worship
service.
The 9th graders will be af-firming their faith and make these statements, along with the words of The Apostles Creed, that they will contin-ue in the covenant God made with you in holy bap-tism:
to live among God's faithful people,
to hear the word of God and share in the Lord's supper,
to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
to serve all people, following the
example of Jesus,
and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
Our 9th graders are truly wonderful young people, and I invite you to pray for them by name Alex Fuchs, Alysia Fuchs, Alex-is Lara,
Tyler Madson, Kaitlyn McClaflin, Brett Meyers, Cheyenne Richards, Ni-cole Riegert, Dalton Roll, and Chase Schumann; as
they become adult members of our Glyndon Lutheran family and make important prom-ises in front of their families, friends and us.
Annual Meeting Sunday, January 22nd
As is stated in our Constitution, we are to hold annual meet-ing in January. We will hold our January Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 22nd at 10:45. Your voice and vote are needed to accept the budget and help us set the direction of the church for the year to come. Voting members are con-firmed members. Such confirmed members shall have com-muned and made a contribution of record during the current or preceding year. The Annual report will be available from January 8th either in paper form at the church or on our website. Please let Linda know if you would like to receive a copy of the report mailed to you (498-2368).
Living the Story with Pastor Jeni
Page 2 CHRONICLES
Resolutions
If it’s January, it means it’s time to make res-
olutions and changes. My running magazine’s cover
began the cacophonous new year chorus: “New
Year, New You!”
The number one resolution each year seems
to be: “lose weight and get healthier.” And so every-
one heads to the gym. We begin to circle the lot to
find a parking space, wait in line for the treadmill,
and lift weights shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow
with everyone else who is starting to get
healthy. Truth be told, I often resolve to not go to
the gym for the first few weeks of January
because it is just too busy!
Resolutions often do not last, not
because they are not good and healthy and
wise, but because they are challenging.
They stretch us and force us to make hard
choices. And the temptations are there to go
back to the way things were. So instead of a
salad with a slice of warm bread and butter
we might instead go for the burger and fries
in the drive-thru. Or instead of hitting the
gym on a cold night, we might opt for the
warm cup of hot chocolate, a warm blanket
and the warm glow of the tv
screen. Change is hard.
Flannery O’Connor once wrote: “All human
nature vigorously resists grace because grace chang-
es us and the change is painful.”
We’ve encountered some change at Glyndon
Lutheran in the last year, just as we will in the years
to come. And, as we find during the beginning of the
year, change is hard. We like things the way they
were because it is comfortable for us, we know what
we are doing and we know what to expect. And so
we resist change because change is hard, and some-
times, change is painful.
We don’t change just to change or because
we are bored; change often brings about far too much
work and stress! We make changes because we wish
to make church more accessible, to meet people
where they are in their lives, to welcome people into
our midst, into Christ’s church, into the very grace of
God which is always changing us.
A friend of mine once wrote: “In Christian par-
lance, future never means more of the same.” If our
faith is alive, if our faith is dynamic, then it is always
on the move.
The hope of our faith isn’t to go back to the
way things were as if there was a time when every-
thing was perfect and right. The church in every age
has struggled and had problems. No, we don’t look to
go back to the way things were. We look for the life of
the world to come that breaks into our present and
pulls us into our future. That is a future
that is out of our hands, but in Christ’s
hands. This future is forever given to
us as a gift; a gift we must share with
our neighbors, a gift we must open by
opening our hearts and our doors to oth-
er people, a gift that we pass on and
never keep only for ourselves.
St. Paul writes: “Do not be con-
formed to this age, but be transformed
by the renewing of your minds, so that
you may discern what is the will of God
--what is good and acceptable and per-
fect.” _Romans 12:2
As we change, we do it together. And we do it
for the glory of God. Your hands, your eyes, your
hearts, your words, your minds are needed to help us
be church together. All members are welcomed and
encouraged to participate in our Annual Meeting, tak-
ing place on January 22nd following worship. In this
meeting your council will submit it’s budget for your
approval. A budget is more than line items and dollar
signs; it is a mission statement of who we wish to be
as a church in the year to come.
Your council is also at work to create a strate-
gic plan to help us move forward together as a genera-
tion so that we may continue to be the church together
in Glyndon for many years to come. Interested in
shaping our future? Come and join our council!
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Jeni
Over Coffee with Kris
Page 3 VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2
It is a new year, a chance for a new beginning... This is the time of the year that we think of ways to better our life. We reflect on things in the past and hope for positive changes in the year (years) to come. This time of year I think of things on my "bucket list". I do not have too extensive of a "bucket list", maybe I should, but I really do not. However, this past December I was able to cross off of my list, something that I hon-estly never thought that I would be able to accomplish. I saw Bar-ry Manilow in concert. Laugh all you want...I am a "Fanilow" (what they call fans of Mr. Manilow). However, I learned fast, that I am not as big of a "Fanilow" as some "Fanilows", yikes! My dad for Christmas bought him-self, my brother and me tickets to see Barry Manilow in concert. It was one of the most surreal expe-riences that I have ever experi-enced. When Barry walked onto the stage, I started crying. I was not sobbing, but the tears would not stop rolling down my face for over the first three songs... I am a "Fanilow" because of my mother. My mom got to go to 2 concerts before she died, and she loved it! She even had an autographed picture, which is hanging up in my apartment now. My brother has been to two concerts (lucky duck), but my dad and I never had been. Loving Barry Manilow was not an option for me growing up. When we went on car trips, visiting my grandparents in South Dakota, we would have a few cassette tapes on heavy rotation. Neil Diamond "Jazz Singer", The Muppet Movie Soundtrack, Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume 2 (I used to sing "Lucy and this guy with dyna-
mite"), sometimes Olivia Newton-John's Volume 2 (if I got my way), and finally, "Manilow Magic" by Barry Manilow. I could probably sing that entire tape from start to finish. My favorite Barry Manilow song is not Mandy or Co-pacabana. Barry of course sang those at the con-cert. But, my favorite song was not sung that night,
it is the last song on the cas-sette tape “Manilow Magic” called “One Voice”, it is beauti-ful. Here are some of the lyr-ics: Just One Voice Singing in the darkness, All it takes is One Voice, Shout it out and let it ring. Just One Voice, It takes that One Voice, And everyone will sing! I think that this song is good for this time of year, because January 6th marks the begin-ning of Epiphany; the season of light. So, with the beginning of a “new year” and the season
we will be entering, I invite you to reflect on the first few verses of the Gospel of John: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. Blessings on the rest of your day, Kris Johnson
Page 4 CHRONICLES
Glyndon Lutheran Church
Council Meeting
December 14, 2011
Members Present: Jeff Wallin, Pam Rudolf, Joan Stenerson, Kris Johnson, Pastor Jeni Wanda Peterson and Cindy Henriksen
Devotion/Check-in/GLC Mission Statement
Secretary’s Report: Read and Passed
Treasure’s Report: Read and Passed. All general fund bills will be paid in full at the end of this year due to increase in attendance and giving on Sundays and Wednesdays. Thank you for all who have given and given extra!!
Ministers’ Report:
Pastor’s Report, December 2011 I was on vacation November 10th through the 15th in New York City for a family wedding. Colin and I had a wonderful time and enjoyed seeing family and friends. Being away has made the month go by quicker, especially as we are making Christmas Preparations. Worship and Education: I jumped right back into action on November 16th, teaching release time confirmation (7th graders), playing guitar, preaching and presiding at worship, and teaching 9th grade confirmation. I spent the rest of that week preparing for Sunday Worship. I preached and presided at worship each Sunday and Wednesday (except for during vacation). I’ve taught confirmation during release time and after worship on Sundays and Wednesdays. I’ve worked a little bit with 9th graders on their faith statements. Synod: I attended a synod meeting for our Forward Together Campaign. Because of being too busy, I stepped down from the Global Mission Table at the Synod. So far the Synod has been able to raise about $21,000 to-wards their $37,000 deficit. I worked on an online giving campaign through GiveMN.org that worked very nice-ly. I attended a Fabric of Mutual Ministry Meeting in Wahpeton, ND with pastoral colleagues. Organist: During the week of Thanksgiving it was difficult to find an organist to play for Sunday 11/27. We had one who said yes, but later no. All in all I called 10 people before asking Cindy Henriksen, who was so kind to play piano for us (and who did an excellent job!). I am happy to say that we have organists lined up through January, though no permanent replacements yet. Church: On Saturday, December 10th, along with a great group of helpers, I got to put up the Christmas Tree and decorate the church. Thanks to Roger and Shirleen Wyland, Roger and Joan Stenerson, Esther and Bruce Ellingson, Chad and Shauna Dubuque, Darlene Sandal, Sally Tanner, Cairo and Grace. We got a new to us tree donated this year and it looks beautiful! On Wednesday, December 14th I will bake Communion Bread with 7th and 8th Graders after school; this communion bread will be used on Christmas Eve. Visits: I made one home visit the week of Thanksgiving. I have made one hospital visit this month. I am una-ware if there were any other church members in the hospital. I visited (sat with) another member during court proceedings. I was able to attend a few minutes of Quilters fellowship. I cheered for our 7th and 8th grade girls basketball players in their game against Hawley. I also attended the JV and Varsity Boys Basketball Game
Council Minutes
Council Minutes cont.
Page 5
against Ulen-Hitterdahl. Colin and I were happy to enjoy a nice holiday meal at the home of Roger and Shirleen Wyland. I attended the Mary Circle Christmas Party at Dawn Tommerdahl's house. I made two home visits this month. Other: I spoke at the Church Professions Class at Concordia College. A lot of my work this month has centered around getting ready for some changes in 2012. These changes, I hope, will help us be church together in a more simple way. Such changes include organizing our serving teams, organizing our Altar Guild (we’re still looking for new members), working on the budget with our budget committee, preparing our readings for the narrative lec-tionary for the Winter and Spring (after a great Fall), preparing liturgy and sermons for Christmas Eve and Day, New Year’s Day and the season of Epiphany, as well as some other things that will help us be church together. I thank you for the conversations and questions and concerns raised as we try to figure out a simpler way.
Family Minister’s Report:
Family Minister Report for December 2011
Wow, this month has flown by!
Sunday/Wednesday School is still going great. The teachers and students seem to like the new set-up. Thank you to all the parents who volunteer their time to lead the stations to make this important ministry work. I con-tinue to work on lesson plans and find teachers. Pastor Jeni has showed me how to put the volunteer list on the website, and I look forward to using this tool starting in January.
I have been meeting with the young people who have speaking parts in the Advent Program once a week after school. We have a snack, catch up and practice their parts.
I organized a bus [thank you Kelly Richards and Calvin Carlson] for area churches to attend the Elementary Day at Camp Emmaus on November 12th. We had 12 4th-6th graders attend from GLC, as well as a bus load from area churches. Thank you to Samantha Blattenbauer who came along to help for the day.
I get to teach the 8th graders during Wednesday morning release time. We are finishing up our unit on Martin Luther and we will start up with Luther’s Small Catechism after the new year. The 7th and 8th graders went Christmas caroling at Eventide [Fairmont and Nursing Home on 8th] and Golden Living in Moorhead, we deliv-ered Christmas cards that the Sunday and Wednesday School students made for them. Thank you to Susan Roll, Cindy Henriksen, Bill and Heidi Dally and Lois Blattenbauer for helping drive and sing!
I have enjoyed spending time with the 9th graders as they prepare for their Affirmation of Baptism Service on January 8th. We had a great retreat at a family lake house on Height of the Land Lake, just east of Detroit Lakes December 2nd and 3rd. We spent time talking and learning about faith, forgiveness, and God’s love; we had some fun too.
I have been working with Pastor Jeni and members of the Church Council on making the 2012 budget more con-cise and accurate budget. I led worship while Pr. Jeni was away.
I was asked to speak at Concordia College at their Introduction to Church Professionals class. It was fun to share my call story and answer questions about ministry.
Christmas wreath delivery was the weekend of November 27th. Thank you to all who ordered Christmas wreaths from the youth that are attending the National Gathering in New Orleans this coming summer.
A vast majority of my time this past month was spent coordinating the Middle School Youth Gathering for the Synod. We had over 800 Middle Schoolers in Grand Forks at the Alerus Center, November 18th-20th and it was a great event for all the participants, including the 12 from Glyndon Lutheran. Thank you to Cindy Henriksen and Kally Anderson for being Adult Leaders for the GLCers and thank you to DaRinda Trudel and Sue Fischer for helping drive. I have continued working on the contracts and bill for the November gathering.
VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2
Page 6 CHRONICLES
Council Minutes
And I had a meeting with the sales people from Arrowood Resort in Alexandria to work on the contracts for the Middle School Gatherings in 2012 and 2013.
Topics of Discussion:
1. New Business: Cindy asked if the board would be willing to help host a benefit for Sonja Fuchs with the G-F Elementary Parents Group. Board was in unanimous agreement. Plans will be forthcoming.
2. Nominating Committee: Calvin, Carrie and Joan terms are all for one more year. Pam, Wanda, Jeff and Cindy’s terms are up but the term limit is not. All agreed to remain on the board for two more years.
3. Stewardship
a. 2012 Budget: Budget is almost finalized to be approved at the annual meeting.
b. Offering Steward: tabled
Food Pantry: We are planning on moving the food pantry to the Sunday School room in the southeast corner of the education wing. We would like to place a white board outside of that room to list items. We are looking into work that needs to be done to make this more accessible. We are looking to hire someone to build shelving etc. Cindy made a motion that after Christmas Baskets are made, monies left over in the food pantry account be used to pay for the expenses. Wanda 2nd. Motion passed
4. Worship
Altar Guild: We are still looking for members to be a part of this. If you are interested, please contact a board member or call the office.
5. Properties
a. Insurance: Switched to Grinnel Mutual Insurance and saved $1500 from our other premium.
Upcoming Projects: Plans and discussions are in motion about how to utilize space in the back of the church to accommodate growing numbers.
Closed with the Lord’s Prayer
Next meeting is January 11, 2012
THANK YOU Dear Members of Glyndon Lutheran Church,
We just wanted to thank you so much for your time and contribution to the Spirit of Giving this year. It was such a joy to see all of the gifts for 208 kids in the area that were in need. The difference your members have made to the community through generosity is extremely significant. We hope you enjoyed picking out gifts and wrapping them as well as the joy that comes through giving to those in need.
Thank you again.
Reach Office Staff
Jodi Puhala Neumann Amy Ebert Mary Jirik
Income and Expense November 2011 From the Treasurer
Page 7 VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2
Income $ 20,209.87
Expenses $ 17,339.24
Net Income $ 2,978.21
Funds Available (as of December 23 2011)
General Fund $ 2,953.44
Designated Funds:
Food Pantry $ 3,114.49
Sunday School $ 1,039.59
Memorials $ 642.09 to be paid out Dec. 31st
Adult Education $ 33.00
Children’s Ministry $ 510.00 (to be paid out)
Mission Possible Bucket $ 668.22 to be paid out Dec 31st
Properties Team $ 1,673.19
Unpaid Bills for December
Salaries (31st) $ 4,000.00 (approx.)
Fed. Withholding $ 1,025.00 (approx.)
MN Withholding $ 190.00 (approx.)
Page 8 CHRONICLES
Youth Notes
How is school going?
Finals are final for some of our college freshmen as they finished their first semesters. Here is an update from some of our GLC freshmen.
Austin Fuchs—I am currently at NDSU and I am lov-ing it. Its a lot of fun and the college atmosphere is very exciting, especially with the football team doing so well. There are lots of things to do in your free time, me and some of my friends are playing hockey.
Calvin Trudel—For starters I am at NDSU in Fargo and the campus is won-derful. Post-high school life is great be-cause at college, you get to eat as much food as you like and there are so many different options for food which I really really enjoy. It’s a little weird as far as the fact that none of the teachers know me or my name, so it’s a little different from high school where EVERY teacher knows you and basically all the sports you’re in-volved with. I do miss the days of class from 7 to 3 everyday, but college life is great because there is plenty of time for naps.
Patrick Lee- I am attending NDSCS in Wahpeton. My major is currently Business Management. My first se-mester in college has been challenging as well as eye-opening. It is a whole different experience and I love it! My most challenging class was Chemistry. My fa-vorite class was English.
Kally Anderson -These past 5 months have been an eye-opening experience...literally. There was transitioning from a high school with about 400 students to a univer-sity with about 14,000 students. There was learning that your parents were literally not kidding when they said you have to pay for your own gas. There was the ad-
justing to staying up until 4:30 am studying for the three exams you have the next day. Lastly, adjusting to two new homes; the dorms and the library. Although these new adjustments were very frustrating and scary at first, I survived! My first semester at NDSU went perfectly well and I'm glad I completed it before I go off to basic training in January. Even if I thought I did bad on a test, failed a quiz, or was just having a terrible day...I always knew I could survive through it and live my col-lege days healthy, educated, and happy! :)
Please keep Kally Anderson in your prayers as she is in Basic Training for the Air National Guard, and for all the Glyndon Lutheran family members who are serving in the military and in school.
Speech/Debate/Congress has a
great season!
I asked Nicole Riegert about this year in Varsity Debate/Congress. Here is what she said, I joined debate and congress
because I heard they were a lot of fun. The people on the team are great and we do have a lot of fun. At con-gress tournaments, speech tournaments, and debate tournaments you meet a lot of new people, so that’s always fun too. A lot of people who haven’t done speech or heard any speeches assume speech is boring (because who wants to listen to people give speeches all day?), and while some categories are serious, there are a lot of really funny speeches too.
Nicole will also be performing as Mrs. Greer in the FMCT’s performance of Annie Jr this February, “break a leg” Nicole!
ATTENTION:
9th Grade Confirmation Parents. Roll Photography will be doing our confirmation pic-tures again. Here is their price list. Memory Print $15.00 Frame $12.00 No Frame Others: 8x10 $12.00
Wallets 8 for $8.00 5x7 $7.00 4x6 $4.00 10/13 $25.00 11x14 $35.00
Confirmation pictures will be taken on Wednesday, Jan-uary 4th. Pictures must be paid for that evening.
Banquet will follow, along reading of their Faith State-ments
Page 9 VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2
[our extended family]
Betsy Anderson, Pelican Rapids MN
Iris Barta, Senior Apartments on Riverside Drive
Hallie Behrens, Eventide
Evelit Jegtvig, Eventide
Margaret Kingren, Eventide
Orville Muhle, Eventide
Prayers, Birthdays and Notes
Our sincere Christian sym-pathy is extended to the
family and friends of
Richard Link
Sandra Borstad
Eternal rest, grant, O Lord, and light perpetual shine.
Members of our Glyndon family that we will be praying for in January are:
Jan 1- Nicholas Kosen; Shane & Laurie Kosen;
John & Jan Kowalski;
Jan 8—Doug Krabbenhoft, Eric Krabbenhoft;
Michael Krabbenhoft
Jan 15—Dale & Tracy Kuehl, Erin, Kristen, Brett; Glenn Kuehl; Kevin Kuehl;
Jan 22—Bob & Debbie Kuehl; Wayne & Kathy Ku-ehl; Ron & Marilyn Labrensz;
Jan 29—Gene & Carol Langlie; Dan & Debbie Langseth, Jamie; Keith & Lorraine Langseth;
January Birthdays
1/1 Theresa Nygaard, Jerry Schumann 1/2 Cara Barbee, Amanda Lofgren, Kyle Olson 1/3 Jay Fortier, Morgan Fortier 1/4 Kaija Heuer, Brody Johnson, Pauline Litch 1/5 Bo Tollefson, Cody Tollefson, Devon Tollefson 1/6 Ben Henriksen, Trudi Rehn 1/7 Derek Behrens 1/8 Locki Carlson 1/9 Kristen Kuehl 1/10 Callie Fuchs, Kayla Mehrer 1/12 Lois Seter 1/13 Isaac Alderman, Susan Roll 1/14 Darrin Eide, Kaitlyn McClaflin 1/15 Sandra Anton 1/17 Anna Smith
1/18 Marilyn Labrensz 1/20 Iris Barta, Wilbert Fischer, Keith Langseth, Keith Miller, Jesse Olstad, David Trickle 1/21 Brandon Bahmann, Eric Behrens 1/22 Arlene Hagen 1/23 Erick Dally 1/24 Andrew Busta, Madison Geiser, Tyler Palya 1/25 Dan Motschenbacher 1/27 Marissa Blair, Alan Tollagson 1/28 Ryan Alderman, Sarah Knodel 1/29 Becky Cutler 1/30 TJ Hopkins 1/31 Joan Jacobson
Happy Birthday!
Please keep Tyler Palya & Trisha Baker in your prayers as they serve their country in
Iraq and Kuwait.
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keep-ing all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in trials and temptations; give courage to face perils that surround them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Page 10 CHRONICLES
Stewardship Workday January 2
February 7
Mary Circle—January 5:30 p.m.
Hostess: NO MEETING
Esther circle — Jan 19 2:00 p.m.
Hostess: Pat Hemmah
Bible Study: Pat Hemmah
Volunteers for January
Sunday Jan 1 Sunday Jan 8 Sunday Jan 15
Sunday Jan 22
Sunday Jan 29
Quilters Jan 2
Jake Rames Bo & Cody Tollefson
Devan Tollefson
Acolytes
N/A Reader
N/A Comm. Asst.
Brittnei, Tra-cy Tollefson
Todd & Dev-on Tollefson
Ushers
Memorials
Hymnals
Joe & Kelli Fuchs Austin, Bailey & Alex in memory of Jess Perala
Page 11 VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
9:00 Worship
2
3
9:00 Steward-ship Workday
9:30 Staff Mtg.
4
8:20 78s Confirmation
5:15Confirmation Pic-tures
6:00 Banquet
7:00 Faith Statements
5 6 7
8
9:00 Worship
Confirmation
Sunday
9
3:20 Girl Scouts
10
9:30 Staff Meeting
11:45 Ministers & Presidents Meeting
Nat’l Gathering Training Meet-ing Pelican Rapids
11
8:20 78s Confirmation
5:30 Meal
6:30 Worship
7:30 Education
7:45 Council Mtg.
12
Nat’l Gather-ing Training Meeting Thief River Falls
13
14
15
9:00 Worship
10:15
Education
16
NO Scouts
17
9:30 Staff
7:30 NO Mary Circle
18
8:20 Confirmation
5:30 Meal
6:30 Worship
7:30 Education
19
11:30 Youth-worker Lunch
2:00 Esther Circle
20 21
22
9:00 Worship
10:15
Education
10:45 Annual Meeting
23
3:20 Girl Scouts
24
9:30 Staff
25
8:20 Confirmation
5:30 Meal
6:30 Worship
7:30 Education
26
27 28
29
9:00 Worship
10:15
Education
Snowmobile to church Sunday
30
Girl Scouts
31
9:30 Staff
January 2012
Jeni at First Call
Education
Jeni at First Call
Education
Winter Worship Schedule
414 Parke Ave
PO Box 38
Glyndon, MN 56547
Glyndon Lutheran Church
Phone: 218-498-2368
Fax: 218-498-0186
E-mail: [email protected]
Glyndon Lutheran Church is a Christ-centered community church,
nurturing the faith of all generations.
We’re on the web!
glyndonlutheran.org
Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Change Service Requested
Please check the bulletin boards and calendar on the website to sign up for serving opportunities (teaching, usher-ing, acolyting, stewardship workday, reading, communion
stewards, etc.)