messenger september

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church201 Maple Street • Lowry, MN 56349

SEPTEMBER Messenger2021

SEPTEMBER 2021 at a glance

Pastor: Bryan TaffeCell: 605.880.5821Email: [email protected]

Secretary: Lori MorkOffice: 320.283.5413

Cell: 320.760.8649Email: [email protected]

Office hours: Mon, Wed: 9 a.m.-noon; Tues, Thurs: 10 a.m.-noon

September/October Noisy Offering: Gifts of Grace – SW Mn Syod Initiative

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER WORK COMMITTEEChris Gulbranson, chair; Jean Person, Char Lunde-brek, Cheryl Farber, Sara Moen, Jennifer Kluver, Mi-chalene Martin, Renae Brown, Judy Pederson, Court-ney Moen, Carol Weisel, Audrey Frey.

SEPTEMBER 2021 COFFEE SERVERSSeptember 7 Christina Tauber, Dawn Olson, Kristie TaffeSeptember 12 God’s Work - Our HandsSeptember 19 Rally Sunday - Marge Nelson, Jennifer Kluver, Ruth Duhn, Amber GullicksonSeptember 26 First Day of Sunday School - Sara Robbins, Michalene Martin, Kaley Poegel

Newsletter deadline: 22nd of each month

Worship services: Sundays, 9:30 a.m.

Communion: First and third Sundays of the month

PASTORAL CARE If you or someone you know needs pastoral care, please contact Pastor Bryan Taffe. His email is [email protected] and his phone number is 605-880-5821.

Messenger

www.stpaulslowry.org • [email protected] • [email protected]

Page 1 • St. Paul’s Messenger

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

IN THISISSUE:•OUR COMMUNITY

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

SHARE YOUR MUSICAL TALENTS

GOD'S WORK. OUR. HANDS SUNDAY IS SEPT. 12

POPE COUNTY FOOD DROP

•OUR CHURCH COUNCILMEETING MINUTES

•OUR CONGREGATIONPRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

ADULT CHOIR PRACTICE

YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

BRING YOUR CHILDREN TO CHURCH

SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED

SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

•OUR WELCA MEETING MINUTES

UPCOMING WORK COMMITTEE/COFFEE SERVERS FOR OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER 2021

AS WE GATHER

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)

September is here! I get a little bit giddy at the thought. Fall is my fa-vorite season. Football games, crisp evenings, the perfect combination of a pair of shorts and a hooded sweatshirt, and the launching of a new programmatic year in the church. After the vacation time and absence of weekly continuity that comes with the freedom of summer, it is great to get back to a routine schedule once again. September ushers in a new start with an old fa-miliar comfort, and I am incredibly excited for this month to begin!

I have been looking forward to writing this article for what feels like a thousand months. I imagined it would include buzzwords like “Back to Normal” or “New Normal.” But I’m really sick of those phras-es. Not only do they come loaded

with problematic assumptions that things can stay the same forever, but they fail to capture what God is doing among us. God is always bringing about new life among us, and it rarely ever looks the way we expect it would.

We will see the return of in-person ministries that we missed last year, and for that I give thanks to God! However, there is a good chance that they will not look like they did back in the fall of 2019. We do not yet know exactly how the Delta Variant will impact Pope County, and we will continue monitor what is happening as we think outside the box on how we can minister to each other face-to-face and from a distance.

I am writing this article to achieve a few things. First, I want to inform you of upcoming dates. September 12th is God’s Work Our Hands Sun-day. We will have opportunities to get out into our community to love and serve our neighbor together.

GATHER continued on page 6

St. Paul’s Messenger • Page 2


Our

COMMUNITY

Birthdays1: Shiona Olson Kristin Stone4: Benjamin Gullickson3: Angie Reichmann5: Pat Thompson6: Jonathon McIver8: Ellie Lundblad9: Leland Seidel10: Colten Hvezda12: Ali Femrite14: Ron Nelsen Cory Seidel16: Jean Person17: Dee Weisel20: Jolee Boysen Char Lundebrek Jakob Swalla

21: Sara Moen Sophia Radil22: Haley Floan24: Shawn Fish26: Brooke Olson27: John Moen Brian Piekarski Melissa Dallmann28: Lori Mork Justin Dallmann29: Jase Moen30: Gurvin Femrite Melissa Schlosser Jana McIver

Anniversaries1: Allen & Deb Dahlseng2: Rick & Tammie Ekstrand5: Armon & Karen Kaehler Erica & Jacob Carlson8: Rick & Patti Erickson Ken & Carol Weisel11: Steve & Coleen Gullickson15: John & Sara Robbins Julie & Lyle Blair17: Nancy & Terry Brown20: Hannah & Nicholas Gilbert29: Dean & Angie Reichmann

St. Paul’s September birthdays and anniversaries

Pope County Mobile Food DropGlenwood United Parish, Tuesday, September 14Registration takes place online or by calling 320-834-7800 prior to this date. Those interested in helping or receiving groceries need to call in advance. The Pope County monthly food distri-bution is coordinated by the United Way of Pope and Douglas Counties and is free of charge.

St. Paul’s is looking for people of any age willing to share special music during summer Sunday services. Soloists, small groups, singers and instrumentalists are all welcome. Contact Renae Brown at [email protected] or call (320) 760-5974 to schedule a Sunday.

Share your musical talents with us

God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday is September 12“God’s Work Our Hands Sunday” is a dedicated nation-wide day of service and celebration of who we are as the Evangelical Luther-an Church in America—a church freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. It is a day where we join millions of other Lutherans across the country in trying to make God’s love visible in our communities.

“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday

Sept. 12 2021

• St. Paul’s Messenger


St.Paul’s Church Council minutes August 19, 2021

Our

CHURCH COUNCILMembers Present: Pastor Bryan, Bob Mork, Ron Nelsen, Jason Frey, Scott Gullickson, Terri Moen, Michalene Martin, and Kori Gullickson.

President Bob called the meeting to order.Devotions by Pastor Bryan: Joshua 24

Secretary’s Report: June minutes approved as printed. Motion to approve Secretary’s report was made by Ron. Scott seconded.

Treasurer’s Report: Month Income: $9,400.16 Monthly Expenses: $10,652.77Net Income: $-1,252.61Motion to approve the Treasurer’s report was made by Terri. Kori seconded. Approved.

Old Business:• Removal of the alter in DDP

room: Looking for help from a couple of people to remove the alter in the Discovery Days room that we talked about in the prior months and also requested by Discovery Days to have it removed so that they can utilize the wall in their classroom before school starts. Hoping to get it removed before school begins, and find a new place to hang it.

• Luther Crest Golf: Dennis Jones, Bob Mork, Katie Elenberger, and Jennifer Erickson were on a team for the golf outing at the Luther Crest Fundraiser on August 9th. They had a good turn out for the event and sounds like it was a big success. If any other

members at St. Paul’s would like to join that golf outing fundraiser, please keep it on the radar for next year!

• Pr. Bryan Fellowship: Pastor Bryan was accepted for the Collegeville Fellows Institute Rural Fellows Program that he applied for a few months ago. It’s a 22-month program with 12 other Clergy in Minnesota that will discuss with other professionals from other sectors of rural Minnesota to help strengthen their sense of the themselves as civic leaders and public theologians. We are excited for this opportunity that Pr. Bryan will endure!

New Business:• Parking Lot: We discussed

putting the parking lot projects on hold until after the MnDot project and tree removal of the streets. After the project is complete we can better assess the estimate of the parking lot getting paved. In the mean time we talked about possibly getting some crushed concrete to fill in the pot holes in the south driveway.

• Gods Work, our Hands Sunday: Discussed having Gods Work, our Hands Sunday on September 11th, with doing clean up around the Lowry Community. More details of that event would be posted in the weekly bulletin.

• Sunday School: RALLY SUNDAY- will be set for September 19th with some fun activities for the kids and of course-FOOD for all ages!

• TeacHaiti: Haiti had another magnitude earthquake strike again which was stronger than the one that hit back in 2010. It has damaged several cities, burying people in the rubble of collapsed buildings. TeacHaiti is a nonprofit organization that teaches kids and families about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by empowering Haitian children to emerge from poverty through Christian-led education.The TeacHaiti students and staff are accounted for, though many have extended family in the south. So far, two of the staff have reported the complete destruction of a relatives home. A motion from Ron, to send TeacHaiti a donation of $500 to help with damages from the earthquake. A second from Michalene. Motion passed.

Next Meeting September 16th at 7pm

Announcements: It’s finally happening: Installation for Pastor Bryan Sunday August 22nd.

Terri motioned to adjourn the meeting. Ron seconded. Approved.Closed with prayerRespectfully Submitted,Kori Gullickson, Secretary

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH COUNCILMEETING MINUTES



PRAYERS OF THE

ChurchPlease remember these special people in your prayers:

•Dee Weisel•Floyd Scott•Dustin Brosh•Anne Snider•Megan Wagner•Jacqueline Bauman•Marge Nelsen•Patrick Bursau•Debbie Chan

•Matt Sieg•Melissa Fierro•Jim Kalina•Laurie Bennett•Kristy Anderson•Pat Thompson•Chuck Thompson•Griffin Adam

Our

CONGREGATION

PLEASE TAKE HOME YOUR PANS AND BOWLS There have been several pans and bowls left in St. Paul’s kitchen after serving in the past year or so. They’ve been moved into the fellowship hall. If any belon to you, please take them home. Thanks!

St. Paul’s Adult choir will hold practice on Sunday, September 26 in the multi-purpose meeting room following worship.

If you’re interested in singing with this group, they’d love to have you join them!

Kendall EricksonDear St. Paul’s Church,

Thank you for helping me to go to Luther Crest. I was there June 20-24 and had so much fun. My favorite parts were the all-camp games and Ome-ga, which is when we got to stay up really late and play more games. I learned a lot more about God and building on a firm foun-dation. I wish I could have stayed longer! Thanks for donating money for me to go.

Love, Kendall Erickson

Luther Crest Bible CampDear St. Paul’s Church,

Thank you! Luther Crest's 20th annual Golf Scram-ble was a huge success! Your support to this spe-cial event was a blessing to many.

116 golfers, 42 hole sponsors ans 28 raffle and prize donors participated in the scramble held on August 9 at Lake Miltona Golf Club.

With your help, over $20,000 was raised and will go into Luther Crest's annual fund. This directly impacts the ministry programs at camp. Please know that you are making a difference inthe lives of children, youth and their families!

Many thanks to you for your support and com-mitment to the work of Luther Crest. We'll look forward to seeing you again next year on Monday, August 8, 2022.

2021 Luther Crest Golf Scramble Committee: Ruth Blom, KC Franson, Vinal Franson, Bruce Hanstad, Dave Holtz, Jody Johnson and Paige Meier.

YOU

MAKEDIFFERENCEDO A

St. Paul's Adult Choir practice

St. Paul’s has received another $1,000 from Tom’s Mar-ket after reaching $100,000 in receipts for the second time! We will continue to collect receipts as we try for a third goal. St. Paul’s receives a donation for every $100,000 worth of receipts collected.

We've reached another $100,000

There’s been progress on St. Paul’s Wish List! A sin-cere thank you to those who have made several wish list items a reality.

The generosity of your gifts is greatly appreciated!

Parking Lot crushed granite

One dozen chairs for the multipurpose room

Communion rail kneel-ing pads

Smart TV

Bathroom flooring for Sunday School wing

THANKS TO YOU!Wondering about a proj-ect or ministry to desig-nate a gift or memorial? Consider some of these wish list items for a des-ignated offering:

•Building addition loan•Signage for west lawn•Harold Anderson Fund replenishment

•Electronic bell

•New sanctuary carpet•Paved parking lots•Changing table - men’s bathroom ($200-$250)

•Other?

Questions? Comments? Something to add to this wish list? Contact Pastor Bryan Taffe, president Bob Mork or secretary Lori Mork.

St. Paul's Wish List



Our

CONGREGATION

JOIN US EACH SUNDAY ON FACEBOOK LIVE

www.facebook.com at stpaulslowry

Each Sunday at 9:30 a.m., you can worship with Pastor Bryan Taffe on St. Paul’s Lutheran Church’s Facebook Live. Bulletins for each Sunday are online at www.stpaulslowry.org.

but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

Matthew 19:14

To you who have small children in church

Thank you for bringing them!We’re so glad you want to be in church and that you're bring-ing your children with you.

We know how hard it is when children are wiggly and not us-ing indoor voices. We know how anxious it can make you feel.

But know that we not only understand, but love seeing and hearing them here.

They are always welcome here at St. Paul’s Lutheran!

It’s important that they are here and know they are part of the church communi-ty. After all, this congregation is made up of parents and grandparents, chil-dren and grandchildren, and even some great-grandchildren. We understand that you might feel self-conscious or stressed. Please don’t. You’re not disrupting worship. Your being here with them only adds to the joy of being together!

At this time we are planning to resume in person Sunday School classes for our Pre-K through 6th graders, with Rally Sunday on September 19 and the first day of class on September 26. We plan to follow the Minnewaska School District’s COVID protocols as we make decisions for our Sunday School programming this year.

You can contact [email protected] and a link to the form will be sent to you. There are also forms in the back of the church.

If you have more than 1 child, complete a separate form for each student.

REGISTRATION FORM

Sunday School registration open!

Emails being returnedIf you've changed your email address, please let Lori Mork know at [email protected]. Several emails have been returned because of full mailboxes and other unknown reasons.

As part of our “God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday,” we are col-lecting school supplies for Minnewaska Area Schools. Here is a list of the common supplies that the schools can use:

Crayola crayons, colored pencils, pencils (Ticonderoga brand), dry erase markers, Crayola markers – wide and nar-row, spiral notebooks, pocket folders, glue sticks, scissors, backpacks. There is a container in the secretary’s office that you can drop supplies off in. Thank you in advance!

GRV is looking for volunteers to help in many different ways. Please prayerfully consider spending even a couple hours a week helping out. The reward you will receive is great. Please contact Missy for more information. (320) 634-5794.

We're collecting school supplies for Minnewaska Area Schools

Glenwood Retirement Village is looking for volunteers



Sunday Morning Coffee serversIf you are serving coffee on a Sunday morning, please arrive 1/2 hour prior to church. Each server is requested to bring 5 dozen goodies. Cof-fee will have already been made, but you will need to make up juice.

If you are the first name on the list, please call the other families as a reminder to serve.

If you are unable to serve during your assigned Sunday, please switch with someone else and make the changes on the list in the kitchen.

See the schedule in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Directory and in the Messenger. It is also on a list in the kitchen.

St. Paul's WELCA will meet September 5St. Paul's WELCA will hold it's monthly meeting on September 5 after worship.

COME JOIN US!

Our

CONGREGATIONTentative schedule for September at St. Paul's LutheranWEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 6:30 p.m. Education meeting.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 9:30 a.m. worship with

communion, fellowship to follow, WELCA during fellowship.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday. 9:30 a.m. worship.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 7 p.m. Church council


Rally Sunday. 9:30 a.m. worship, fellowship to follow.


First day of Sunday School. 9:30 a.m. worship, fellowship to follow. Adult choir during fellowship. 10:45 a.m. Sunday School music, 11 a.m. Sunday School class

I hope to have more information on that shortly. September 19th is Rally Sunday. We will recognize our Sunday School teachers in worship and gather for some family fun and fellowship together after wor-ship. Sunday School classes will begin on Septem-ber 26th after worship, and the choir will meet after worship as well.

Secondly, I want to also reach out to those of you who are not yet ready for in-person ministries in congregational life. Part of this new thing that God is doing among us is helping us to re-evaluate how to stay connected when we are not physically present with each other. If you have any ideas or suggestions as to how we can continue to incorporate new ways of staying connected outside of the church building, please let me know.

Finally, and most importantly, I want to encourage you to take heart. This year will most likely not look exactly the way we imagine it will. There will be dis-appointments along the way, but there will also be holy surprises! Just know that when you look around at what is happening within the church and see that it looks a bit different than you expected, it is ok to feel conflicted about it. This is part of what happens when God continues to do new things among us. The good news is that when God has promised to continue to bring about new things among us, that means God always remains present among us. God will keep surprising us and providing for us as we move forward into the season of Fall!

God’s peace be with you, Pastor Bryan

GATHER continued from page 1



Our

WELCAThe August meeting of St. Paul’s WELCA meeting was called to order by president Pam Jones with 12 members present.

The secretary’s report was read. A motion was made to approve the report, was seconded and approved.

The treasurer’s report was read with the following balances on hand: $2,204.96 general, $1,494.91 kitch-en $1,269.35 mission, $986.49 altar. A motion to place the report on file was approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Sunshine – Jane Dingwall will replace R’Dell on the Sunshine committee. Cards should be sent to Char Lundebrek on the death of her mother, Floyd Scott, and to R’Dell to thank her for her service.

Altar – None.

Mission – 14 boxes were set to Lutheran World Relief through the Glacial Ridge Conference on July 19.

GRV – The Pie and Ice Cream social went well and there were very few pies left. For the September 10 fundraiser, Becky McIver brought a few items for the auction and after a motion and second, WELCA vot-ed to add a $50 gift certificate to Minnewaska Meats. WELCA will also give two tickets to our fall supper. All the auction items need to be at church for the next meeting on Sunday, September 5.

OLD BUSINESS:

Thank you to the July/August work committee for serving at the combined Vacation Bible School at Lowry Community Covenant Church as well as for the desserts that were donated.

WELCA will pay ½ the bill for the stove cleaning. The total bill was $195.

Still need people to help water flowers.

FALL SUPPER: It was decided to keep the price of the meals at $12 with no separate price for children. Lori will take care of printing and emailing flyers, Marge Nelsen will distribute flyers and Deb Dahlseng will take care of newspaper advertising.

The September/October work committee will help prepare food with the Fall Supper Committee.

A sign-up sheet will be in the back of church for the other positions that need to be filled such as traffic control, ticket sellers, take-out delivery, dish wash-ing and take-out preparation. Serving will be from 4:30-7:30 p.m., with customers staying in their cars and runners taking the meals out. There will be two lines for the vehicles. Jeanie Person, Ann Drewes and Marge Nelsen will set up the take-out desserts. We will also need to have buns packaged. We will need more take-out containers as well as disposable cutlery and napkins. Lori will look into prices for pre-wrapped cutlery and plastic take-out bags.

There will be no bake/craft sale this year and that change will be noted on the postcards.

NEW BUSINESS:

We reached our goal of $100,000 in Tom’s receipts and received a check for $1,000. It was decided to deposit the check and make decisions on what it will be used for later. We still have around $12,000 in receipts so will be starting on another $100,000.

A motion was made to adjourn. It was seconded and approved.

The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer

Lori Mork, Secretary

WELCA minutes August 8, 2021

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER WORK COMMITTEEWork Committee: Chris Gulbranson, chair; Jean Person, Char Lundebrek, Cheryl Farber, Sara Moen, Jennifer Kluver, Michalene Martin, Renae Brown, Judy Pederson, Courtney Moen, Carol Weisel, Audrey Frey.

OCTOBER 2021 COFFEE SERVERSOctober 3 Christine Tauber, Terri Moen, Brittany AndersonOctober 10 Renae Brown, Jana McIver, Shiona OlsonOctober 17 Tammie Ekstrand, Patti Erickson, Kathy DuVall, Ann KramerOctober 24 Jennifer Lundblad, Jessey Paulzine, Shirley Boysen, Iva GullicksonOctober 31 Ann Drewes, Darla Schwendeman, Kristen Stone, Katie Henry

UPCOMING . . .

messenger september

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