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1The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December 2018

TheShepherd’s

Voice December 2018/

January 2019

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...

Ecclesiastes 3Photo by Dwayne Walker

2 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Our fall stewardship worship series has come to a grace filled conclusion. It was a blessed time of sharing our joy in ways that help us to live more fully as generous disciples of Christ and stewards of God’s good creation. It was a stewardship journey in worship that leads us beautifully into the season of Advent. It’s actually kind of hard to believe that Advent is upon us once again. It seems like we were just here a few days ago, not several months ago.

This year, I’m going to try to live Advent a little differently. Intentionally.

“For many people, Advent is a time of extreme busyness and stress. For others, it might be a time of sadness, grief and withdrawal. Or, ironically, it might even be both at the same time. The expectations of what this time is supposed to be can put anxiety into any of us.” [https://waytolead.org/portfolio-item/advent-2018/]

LEAD: Living Everyday as Disciples is

a ministry of the ELCA’s Southwestern Texas Synod. LEAD is inviting us to walk through Advent intentionally this year. Intentionally walking through this holy season with hope…peace…joy…love. Intentionally, and in community, seeking to lessen the anxiety that Advent may bring. I invite you to join me along this year’s Advent journey.

Advent begins on December 1st. Each day throughout Advent I will be posting a short video devotion and Bible study on Good Shepherd’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/goodshepherdbismarck) and my blog site (www.pastorcraig.org). We will join together each day for time that will encourage us to live Advent Intentionally, as we await the coming of our savior Jesus.

Have a blessed Advent journey brothers and sisters in Christ! I look forward to being together online this Advent.

Pastor Craig

Rev. Craig SchweitzerSenior Pastor

Advent intentionally

Engaging the Faithful

LEAD: Living Everyday as Disciples

3The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December 2018 Engaging the Faithful

O Holy Night

106 Osage Ave, BismarckCorner of Washington St. & Divide Ave.

Good Shepherd Christmas Worship ScheduleBlue ChristmasFriday, Dec. 217:00 pm (Sanctuary)

AdventWorship ServicesSaturday, Dec. 22

5:00 pm Sunday, Dec. 238:30, 9:45, & 11:00 am

6:00 pm

Christmas EveMonday, Dec. 241:00 pm (Sanctuary)3:00 pm (Sanctuary)

3:30 pm (Lynne Center)5:00 pm (Sanctuary)

5:30 pm (Lynne Center)10:00 pm (Sanctuary)

with Holy Communion

Christmas DayTuesday, Dec. 2510:00 am - Sanctuary

with Holy CommunionNo worship on Dec. 26

Christmas SeasonWorship ServicesSaturday, Dec. 29

5:00 pm Sunday, Dec. 308:30, 9:45, & 11:00 am

6:00 pmWednesday, Jan 2

6:30 pm

All are Welcome. goodshepherdbismarck.com • 255-1001

Please post in your home as a reminder of our Christmas Worship schedule.

4 Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchForming Faith

As we begin our new church year with the Advent season it is time to think about how we are going to respond to the gift of salvation. In Baptism, we are each day made a new creation in Christ which is the foundation of our daily lives. As the Church, the Body of Christ today, we are made up of many members. As individuals we are made up of many parts that make the whole. One way to

understand this is with something called the Wholeness Wheel, a tool developed by Portico of the ELCA it is a model of the parts that make up our whole. Place a labyrinth, a maze-like path, over it and you have a model of our life journey as we go in and out of the different areas each day. The areas of well-being are Financial, Vocational, Intellectual, Social/Interpersonal, Emotional, and Physical in the order you encounter them on the labyrinth and how we will explore them. All are surrounded by Spiritual

Well-Being and centered on baptism.

Each month in the coming six months we will learn more about each of these areas. You can get your own copy at www.porticobenefits.org/CallToLiveWell/FaithBasedWellBeing/TheWholenessWheel.

Download and print the form as a devotional tool. Follow the instructions on the back for “Pray the Wholeness Wheel Labyrinth.

With each area you are encouraged to develop a discipline or a resolution to make a change for the better in that area in your life. Rather than do everything at once let’s add one each month with the well-being. I will give you some suggestions but you get to decide and there may even be some congregational challenges along the way. Let us take time to give the gift of a life well lived in God’s plan as we care for ourselves and one another.

Pastor Julie

Rev. Julie AndersonAssociate Pastor of Congregational Life

& Pastoral Care

Happy New Year!?

The Wholeness Wheel

January Wholeness Wheel on Financial Well-BeingBeing financially well involves using our values to make decisions concerning our finances.

Save, share and spend as the order of our priorities shows a focus on generosity, resiliency and abundancy in our thinking and actions. Wisdom and peace come with practice and discernment.

In Luke 14:28-33, Jesus shares the parables of men evaluating their resources before embarking on new ventures. January is a good time to review how you have used money in the past year. Figure out the percentage of your take home salary you spend on your expenses. Dave Ramsey recommends the following ranges for Food – 5 to 15%; Charity – 10 to 15%; Savings – 10 to 15%; Housing – 25 to 35%. Then, the rest of your budget —including clothing, transportation, insurance, and entertainment—would be allocated to 100% of your take home pay. If your percentage is greater than 100% that is called debt. Make a budget for yourself based on these percentages and see how well you can stick to it. A budget is a guide to help you learn about what is important and will help reduce anxiety about money. A budget also shows the world your discipleship and mission to use God’s gifts of money.


I first heard about Heavens Helpers Soup Café on Facebook back in February 2018. I was intrigued, but my initial reaction was, “I would love to help but I don’t have the time.” My 8-year-old son has a rare health condition, so we have always spoken about the importance of showing kindness and compassion to everyone since you cannot always see what they are battling in life. However, I have a full-time job and we have a ton of doctor’s appointments and other commitments that keep us busy. This job was surely meant for someone that has more time on their hands, right? Well, God had a plan for me and was not about to let me ignore His call. He nudged my heart over and over until I caved and signed up for a 2 hour shift on a Thursday afternoon. I honestly thought it would be a one time thing.

I arrived at the café and found that this was much more than your typical soup kitchen. Patrons are served at their table – restaurant style – rather than walking through a line. I love that! It helps maintain a level of dignity for those in our community that so often find themselves in undignified situations. Patrons can also help themselves to a number of beverages, the salad bar and even a dessert table.

I had never waited tables in my life, so of course I was asked to wait tables on my first day. I was terrified, but I mustered up some courage and a smile, put on my apron, grabbed a notepad and pen and hit the floor. By the time my shift was over that first day, I walked out to my car with a lump in my throat and the tears swelled in my eyes. I felt like my soul was singing. There was a passion burning in my heart that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. I didn’t even start my car until I had signed up online for two more shifts in the

upcoming weeks. The rest is history. I now make the time to volunteer once per week and every day makes me love the place even more.

I have met some of the most wonderful people through this journey. The other volunteers are absolutely amazing – the true hands and heart of God working to bring some light to our community. But what’s even better are the relationships I have built with some of the patrons. I truly look forward to seeing my new friends every week. Being able to make them smile is more rewarding then I can put into words.

During the summer, my young sons also volunteered with me. They surpassed all of my expectations by waiting tables and sitting to talk with patrons. It was the most beautiful thing to see my children doing God’s work. Everyone has a story and no one deserves to walk thru their challenges alone. Even small acts can completely change the course of someone’s day. Watching my kids show love and kindness has not only warmed my heart, but the hearts of many they have served.

Volunteering at Heavens Helpers Soup Café has changed my life. It has brought me closer to God and has opened my eyes and heart in ways I never would have imagined. I have learned so much and look forward to continuing this journey that God has chosen for me.

Volunteering has changed my life

By Steph Orr

6 Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchForming Faith

I haven’t attended an LYO Gathering since I was a Senior in High School-18 years ago. I suppose I helped as an adult a couple times in the four years since I moved to Bismarck. Helping out as an adult meant assisting with registration, running back and forth making requests to the hotel front desk, and watching from afar as the speaker shares their message. This year was different.

I was approached last January to become the new Western North Dakota LYO Gathering Coordinator, before this job with Good Shepherd became available. At that time, I was the Christian Education Director with First Presbyterian Church of Bismarck and two months into motherhood. With my love of LYO, and love of being busy, I accepted the role.

LYO stands for “Lutheran Youth Organization”. Each October, during the Fall break, Western North Dakota holds a LYO Gathering for High School youth in either Bismarck or Minot. This past year, I shadowed the past LYO Gathering Coordinator, who leads an LYO Board of High School youth, as they plan this great event. High School youth decide the speaker that is chosen, the theme that is shared-even the dinner choices of the event!

This year, our LYO Board brought in AGAPE*, an incredible hip-hop preacher, who has traveled the world to share his message. Along with him was a Minot native, and Slam Poet, Joe Davis. The two shared a message of

hope and inclusion, and the energy they created with our youth was beyond amazing.

I loved LYO as I attended during High School, and attending this event reminded me why. Youth come from all across Western North Dakota to worship, pray together, and be who God made them to be. The LYO Gathering is a place where youth can truly be themselves, and not worry about what anyone else thinks. I saw our Good Shepherd youth open up in a way I hadn’t seen before. Youth were connecting and sharing deep, personal pain after only hours of knowing each other.

The energy of this event was beyond amazing, and each of our Good Shepherd youth felt it. Several youth applied to be a part of the LYO Board, and Emme Jackson will now be making the decisions as she serves as our Heart River Conference Representative.

This event would not be possible without the support of our congregation. Our youth were able to feel God in a whole new way, and I was renewed in my calling to the church during this event. I cannot wait to see what LYO continues to bring in the next few years, I know for sure Good Shepherd will be able to enjoy its incredible message and fellowship as we support this great event of the Synod.

Blessings and Peace!Ashley Greenwood

Confirmation & Senior High Youth Ministry Coordinator


Angel Tree

MERRYCHRISTMAS

Angel Tree

Sharing the Shepherd’s Love with All of God’s children

Tags are available on the tree in the Narthex.

Check out all the different tags hanging on the tree. Members are given the opportunity to give back to local and global communities during the 2018 Advent Season.

Artwork created by the church school youth.

This is the mission of Good Shepherd. In Webster’s Dictionary the word ALL is

defined as: every member or individual, man, women, children, old and young!

Anywhere you look downstairs you will see a welcome sign. Not just any old welcome sign, but a handmade sign created by church school kids of all ages!

Our welcome signs remind us that all are welcome, we all belong, we are all loved, and we all have a place at Good Shepherd.

You are never too young or old to share the Shepherds love by welcoming all!

Friday, Dec. 7at 6:30 pm

Lynne CenterAll ages are welcome to come decorate pre-baked sugar cookies that will be sold Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 8-9) after worship. Proceeds will go to help families in need this Christmas season.

Contact Wendy Berg at [email protected]

for more information.

8 Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchOutreach to Community

New member classes

The next set of classes are scheduled for Thursdays, January 24th and 31st or Saturday, January 26th, 2019.

Good Shepherd will contact you prior to the classes if we have a New Member Form completed by you. The first step in the New Member Process is to complete the form either on the website or from a staff member.

Attendance is encouraged. The classes cover church history, beliefs, mission, opportunities for involvement, information sources, introductions to program staff, pastors and a tour of the church.

Classes are unique to Good Shepherd whether you have been a Lutheran your whole life or new to the faith.

For more information, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call Wendy at 701-255-1001.

Financial Peace University coming

The next session of Financial Peace University (FPU) starts Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019 at 6 pm and will run for 9 weeks. The class will meet in the Lynn Center with coordinators Toni Soko ([email protected]) and Sheryl Zaun [email protected]).

Sign-up at www.financialpeace.com/groups/1077914

Enter the drawing for a free FPU membership. Go to our website or download our App and locate two events happening at Good Shepherd you would attend in December. Email the events to [email protected] by Dec. 11 at 5 pm and you will be entered in a drawing that will be held on Dec. 12. Membership is transferable.

More Info

Defeated by your empty bank account?Paycheck-to-paycheck living is no longer an option. Dave Ramsey and his team of financial experts will teach you how to take control of your money.

The Family Fall Social

The Family Fall Social was a success. It is a blessing to have all ages gather together to make Lefse and enjoy the afternoon playing games and each others’ company.

The youth of Good Shepherd, would like to thank all those who purchased caramel rolls, cinnamon rolls, and bid on the silent auction gift baskets. Your financial support of our youth, is greatly appreciated.

Enter to win a free Financial Peace membership!

9The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December 2018 Outreach to Community

As a Catholic priest, I had married hundreds of couples. I never disobeyed the Catholic marriage law or thought to go out of the way on sacrament of the Eucharist, until I had to marry a Catholic bride and a Lutheran groom. According to canon law of the Catholic church on sacrament of the Eucharist, in inter faith marriage, the priest was not supposed to give communion (bread and wine) to the party that belongs to other faith denominations.

On that day of marriage, during consecration time, God put in me this thought, “Selva, one God, one faith, one church, why do you discriminate the other?” I was confused, scared and my heart beat hiked. Should I give to the Lutheran groom? What will happen if I gave communion to the Lutheran? Will my bishop punish me? There was an inner battle between

to whom to obey, God or man? Realizing God’s spirit being upon me, I took courage to give communion to both, the bride and groom.

The family of the bride and groom came to me thanking for respecting the bride, groom and breaking the shame of man-made law of rejection. Some parishioners got amazed and appreciated my bold act.

Mark 2:27-28 27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Law was made

for man, not man for the Law. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Law.”

Selva PeriannanIntern Pastor

Why not be human

Packages for Lutheran World Relief and local ministry

Opportunity to serve othersGood Shepherd will be hosting the Banquet,

Saturday January 12, 2019 at noon. Please watch for sign-up sheets in the NarthexWe also will be serving other meals in 2019:

• Thursdays, February 28, June 20 and November 21 all in the evening an

• Tuesday September 24 in the evening.The Banquet is a feeding ministry for the

Bismarck-Mandan area. There are many who

are hungry, need friendship and a place to come for a hot balanced meal for their body and companionship for their soul

Please become a part of this great ministry. Any questions call Wendy at the church office 255-1001 or Sharon Heilman 425-3761.

Left photo: 134 quilts were shipped to Lutheran World Relief; 29 baby blankets were given to babies for their baptisms; 17 quilts were donated to Camp of the Cross; 7 were donated to Emergency Food Pantry and one is used in the Prayer Room. Right Photo: David Griffin delivered 13 quilts to Ministry on the Margins. All these beautiful quilts were made by the GSLC quilters - some of the ladies are Ann Ochsner, Marge Ketterling, Annetta Just, Gladys Demke, Myrna Wetzel, Arlene Olson and Jane Frank.


My dad loved lutefisk. It’s unusual that people do, and even more unusual that he did. My dad was born and raised in Japan and immigrated by himself to the US at the age of 19. But when he was introduced to the technique of eating lutefisk he understood you have to put something on it to make it slide down easier because you don’t want to make the rookie mistake of trying to chew. Most use butter, but Dad used soy sauce.

My parents were near the age of 40 when I came along, and Mom had lost a few pregnancies prior to my arrival. So this made me an only child and it was great! I didn’t ever have to share my room and never experienced wearing a hand-me-down. My parents spoiled me, particularly in love and attention. The biggest downside was when I did something wrong, I had no one else to blame. It was an idyllic childhood.

Fast forward to January 2, 2016. We had just celebrated Christmas at my parent’s house in Minnesota. We were back home and I got a phone call. Mom had some weakness in her left arm and went to the ER. The breast cancer she had beaten twice before, and supposedly had less than a 10% chance of recurrence was back. This time it had spread to her lungs, liver, and brain. A terminal diagnosis. Two weeks later my dad, who had advanced dementia, was hospitalized and he later moved to an assisted living facility.

Mom’s disease progressed and she landed in a rehab unit on hospice. So in 2016 on June 13 in room 103 at 9:13 in the evening I sat with my mom, just the two of us, and held her hand as she took her last breath. Three months and one day later, on September 14, I sat alone with my dad in a hospital room and held his hand as he took his last breath at 11:35 p.m. It’s a life-altering moment to watch someone you love pass away. It’s really a small part of their life, a bookend, but it changes everything.

A few months went by and I knew I had to start cleaning out their house. It was packed full of memories from the 37 years they spent there. Dad’s slippers were by the front door, a basket of laundry in their bedroom, folded and ready to be worn by people who no longer lived there. I was by myself and decided to clear out their pantry. It seemed like the softest way to start. I was a complete mess as I threw away stale cereal and sorted cans of vegetables. It was confusing and

surprising - how hard can it be to let go of a can of soup?

That night helped me understand what grief is and what it isn’t. I wasn’t crying over the Jell-O, the Hamburger Helper, or the jar of pickles. I was crying because of the relationship I saw between a pantry and my parent’s lives. That food was purchased with the intent that my parents would be eating it together, in that house.

When we grieve we don’t grieve over that person, that event, that action. We grieve because our relationship with it has changed in a way that pains us. We mourn what was or what could be.

My faith tells me my parent’s healing is not something to grieve. They were so sick, and now they are not. But I do mourn the relationship I want to have with them, that I know they hoped to have with their granddaughters. It’s still a struggle. Some days the cut feels so fresh.

If there was ever a time I wished for a sibling, it was planning the funerals and cleaning out Mom and Dad’s house. You wish you could look beside you and re-live memories in that family room, on that porch, sitting at that kitchen table. I wanted to talk to someone who had that shared memory, who knew what it was like to live at 8411 Red Pine Lane. Grief can so easily isolate you.

Grief transcends into gratitude when we start acknowledging what is instead of focusing on what we want it to be. Living in abundance, in gratitude, helps you to see what you are “left with” is not less valuable or important because it’s not what you wanted.

Grief is healthy, it is necessary, it needs to be acknowledged. But it is not a place we are called to stay. Gratitude is born from faith, hope, and love. And it can be born from grief.

Just like Dad needed soy sauce to make that lutefisk go down a little easier, we need gratitude to swallow the difficulties we encounter in this life. Don’t ignore the difficulties you face, no matter how small or insignificant they seem to you or others. Understand how you can be nourished by them. In the words of Paul to the Thessalonians: In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

CS Lewis said hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny. Thank God we don’t have to experience the hardship alone.

[This article is an excerpt from a sermon offered by Good Shepherd member Rachael Brash at the Chapel of the Word worship service at the University of Mary on November 5, 2018]

Grief and Gratitude

“My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

– Psalm 73:26


by Rachael Brash


Blue Christmas Worship

Friday, December 21at 6:30 pm.

Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the fi rst Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died. It may be a time that has always been diffi cult. This holy time of worship will gather us together as brothers and sisters united in Christ through prayer, scripture and music that acknowledges God’s presence and light continues to shine brightly in the darkness of this world. To fi nd more information on the mission and ministries, visit www.GoodShepherdBismarck.com.



December& JanuaryReadingsDec. 2

Jeremiah 33:14-16Psalm 25:1-101 Thessalonians 3:9-13Luke 21:25-36

Dec. 9Malachi 3:1-4Luke 1:68-79Philippians 1:3-11Luke 3:1-6

Dec. 16Zephaniah 3:14-20Isaiah 12:2-6Philippians 4:4-7Luke 3:7-18

Dec. 23Micah 5:2-5aLuke 1:46b-55Hebrews 10:5-10Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]

Jan. 6, 2019Isaiah 60:1-6Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 (11)Ephesians 3:1-12Matthew 2:1-12

Jan. 13Isaiah 43:1-7Psalm 29 (3)Acts 8:14-17Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Jan. 20 Isaiah 62:1-5Psalm 36:5-101 Corinthians 12:1-11John 2:1-11

Jan. 27 Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10Psalm 191 Corinthians 12:12-31aLuke 4:14-21

Indeed, God is greatRwanda

Frank’s father died when he was only 2 years old, and his mother, Angelique, struggled to provide for him. As he got older, supporting the family and caring for Angelique, who is HIV-positive, fell on the young boy’s shoulders. Fears for his health and future kept Angelique awake at night in tears.

Frank and Angelique are active members of the Lutheran Church of Rwanda (LCR), a young church founded in 2004 with 6,000 members in 20 parishes. Genocide in the mid-1990s left thousands of children orphans, and today nearly 1 million children are considered “vulnerable,” living in poverty and often without parents or other caregivers. The LCR decided to begin an ambitious “Integrated Child Support and Welfare” project focused on accompanying children like Frank and their families.

Frank’s good grades qualified him for a scholarship through the project, allowing him to start secondary education and, in 2017, begin his second year. Angelique’s tears of fear were turned to tears of hope and joy when she heard the news.

“I hadn’t thought that my son [could] continue with his education,” she says. “Indeed, God is great.”

The educational support project provided 136 children with money for school fees and supplies in the first half of 2017.

The project includes training and support in agriculture for parents and caregivers to address the deep poverty that keeps many children from going to school. Also, more than 100 families received livestock and training in animal husbandry to increase their capacity to provide food and income. By providing a stable income, families will have the resources they need to provide for food, health care and education.

With the support of the Lutheran Church of Rwanda through ELCA World Hunger, Frank’s story isn’t over. Today, he and his neighbors can tell a different story – a story of education and agriculture, of livelihoods and resilience that will point the way to a hopeful future.

From ELCA.org/hunger

Outreach to Community

Thank you Good Shepherd

Thank you Good Shepherd Lutheran church for the wonderful Thanksgiving meal at The Banquet served on November 15. We served 418 miles and had 45 wonderful volunteers!


Notes from the mission field

Rev. Lancelot Themba Mkhabela ELCA Regional Representative for Madagascar, West and Central Africa Good Shepherd Sponsored Missionary

November 5, 2018Dear Friends and Sponsors, Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ,

There is a lot happening in Madagascar, we

are now in the summer season, the weather has gotten much warmer. We have received some rain, but it still feels dry, more rain will certainly be welcomed. Madagascar is also in the heat of the election season, this week the country will hold its first round of presidential election. The second round will be in December. I am grateful for your prayers for the people of Madagascar, the development of this country depends on the outcome of peaceful and credible elections.

Over the last few months I have been mostly confined behind my computer, because the ELCA 2019 budgetary process is underway. I have been receiving and processing grant requests and reports from ELCA Companion Churches in the region.

In October 2018, I had the opportunity to attend the All Africa Theological Education by Extension Association (AATEEA) conference in Nairobi, Kenya. The gathering brought together 70 delegates from 17 countries from across the African continent. AATEEA is an association of theological institutions and churches which seeks to

make theological education and leadership training practical, accessible and available to Christian communities in Africa including rural, remote, and marginalized communities. The conference is held every four years to serve as a forum for fellowship, networking, mutual support, sharing best practices, and imparting training for participants. AATEEA has an important role to play in the continent because the church is growing, this creates a need for qualified leaders to lead worshiping communities, especially in areas were accessibility and cost might impair the ability of church to educate emerging leaders. The conference addressed several relevant topics like gender-based violence, prison ministry, validation and accreditation issues for Theological Education by Extension (TEE) Programs and the possibility for TEE programs to offer on-line classes and to market their programs through social media.

In December I will be traveling to the USA for two weeks for the ELCA- Global Mission In-House meeting.

In conclusion, I would like to wish you all a blessed thanksgiving. My family remains grateful for your continued love and concern for us and your sponsorship.

May the peace of the Lord be with you all.Pastor Themba

Holistic Stewardship

14 Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchEngaging the Faithful

Check it outSubmitted by Julie Fornshell

Library newsNovemberstatistics

Did you know that Good Shepherd’s library contains DVDs that can be checked out? There are a wide variety of movies including the following:

• Miracles from Heaven, which recounts the true story of a young girl who had a near-death experience and was later cured of an incurable disease, and Heaven is for Real, the movie based on the book of the near-death experience by Colton Burpo, can be found in a dual set.

• When the Landscape is Quiet Again – The Legacy of Art Link• Religious based movies such as Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace, Martin Luther and Peter and

Paul and the Christian Revolution• The Drop Box – This movie tells the story of South Korean pastor Lee Jong-rak and his

heroic efforts to embrace and protect the most vulnerable members of society. One winter, this pastor finds an abandoned infant on his church steps, and builds ‘a drop box’ to rescue others infants.

• Children’s DVDs such as Max Lucado’s Hermie and Friends and Veggie Tale’s The Little House that Stood

Explore the library’s collection of DVDs, found above the desk just inside the door. And if you decide one or more look interesting, check them out!

P.S. If you have checked out books, DVDs or CDs from the church library, please make sure that they get returned. There is also a new three ring binder in the church on the small shelf by the window that has clippings of past newsletter articles as well as a reminder on how to check books out and return them. So, if you have read about a book but don’t remember the title or author, you can now refer to the binder!

When you experience a power outageBy Beverly Sandness, Stephen Leader

Most of us have experienced a power outage...suddenly we are in complete darkness. Life comes to a standstill. We scramble to find alternate sources, “Where are the candles?” “The batteries are dead in the flashlight!” “I can’t believe how dark it is!” We forget how necessary light is for our lives.

When God created the world, it was veiled in darkness–until God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light. The Three Wise Men were led by the light of the star to Baby Jesus who came to earth to be our light and power source. The word, light, is used in over 200 verses in the Bible (depends on the translation).

In the training of our Stephen Ministers, we study Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Are you (or someone you know) walking through a dark time? Are there feelings of hopelessness and despair? Is it darkness like being in a tunnel and not seeing the light at the end? Maybe the darkness is not knowing where to turn to or where to go from here. As you grope in the darkness, what do you want most? Light! You seek direction, hope, illumination, and someone who will walk alongside you.

The light of God helps by shining through the darkened circumstances. We are fortunate to have Stephen Ministry at GSLC where a Stephen Minister can walk alongside you to help bring light to the darkness. If you would like to learn more about this ministry or how to obtain a Stephen Minister, please contact one of the Stephen Leaders: Claire Lorinser 595-1292, Toni Daede 426-5685, Mark Kamphuis 471-1979, or Beverly Sandness 527-6001

BaptizedGracelyn Marie HoffGreyson Allen OlheiserKaia Jo OlheiserJace Timothy SchaferMelanie Jane Rambur

WeddingsCourtney Klever and Austin

MaierCortney West and Richard

Weisz

Deaths/FuneralsVirginia Dockter

ThanksThank you for your generous

donation to the Abused Adult Resource Center. We are very grateful for this continued support.

Thank you for your gift to our M-Club. The M-Club was created so supportors of Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center could directly assist us in enhancing the lives of our residents. Your donation is greatly appreciated.

On behalf of the clients, staff and board of directors, thank you from the Welcome House for your generous donation to benefit our mission and the families served by our program.


Boy Scout Eagle ProjectThank you, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for providing me an opportunity for my Eagle Scout

Project. My project consisted of removing and replacing a 37’ x 8’ fence around the cooling tower on the North side of the church. To do this we filled and repaired the old post holes, installed new fence posts and finished installing the new vinyl fence. This not only improved the appearance of the north side of the church, but also provided increased security.

Thanks to the Endowment Council who provided the funding for the project, Pastor Craig, Pastor Bob, and Scott Markovic for their guidance and support. Also, thanks to the 15+ Scouts, Adults and other volunteers who provided over 100 hours of work to complete the project; and to Infinity Vinyl and Bryce for their support, training and supplies. The project provided more obstacles than I expected, however it was well worth the extra time and effort.


Before After

by Justin Anderson

Justin Anderson

Are you a Thrivent member? Did you know that, as a Thrivent member, you can apply for a grant of $250 to be used for anything related to community improvement, whether that is purchasing fleece to make fleece blankets to donate to nursing homes, getting food and toiletries for the Little Free Pantry, or helping purchase supplies for the senior high lock-in (all projects funded by Thrivent Action Teams in the past year). The application process is extremely easy—just pick a project that you would like to help with, answer a few questions, and Thrivent will get back to you in a couple of days informing you whether or not your project has been accepted. Then,

just do good! The project wrap-up consists of writing a brief summary of what was done and include a picture. Simple! What’s even better is that you can do this up to two times per calendar year for anybody that is a Thrivent member (16 and older). If you have any questions on Thrivent Action Teams, please ask your Thrivent agent or visit https://www.thrivent.com/making-a-difference/living-generously/thrivent-action-teams/

Thrivent Action Teams help many projects

Would you Consider yourself an “Older, Wiser Lutheran”?We are looking for 9 OWLs “Older, Wiser Lutherans” to join our 6th Grade Confirmation class

Wednesday, December 12 @ 5:30-6:20 pm. We’d like you to share about your life and faith journey with kids who have just started their

Confirmation journey. Please contact Pastor Bob at [email protected] or Ashley at [email protected] with any questions and to sign up. Or call the Church Office: (701) 255-1001


November Council Minutes 11-20-18


COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENTRoyce Schultze, PresidentJoel Just – Vice-PresidentJeff UbbenDerrick FehrWendy BergAddy Houston, SecretaryHeather LeMoineClaudia Kuball

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT None

OTHERS ATTENDINGAnnette Bjornstad-Executive Assistant Office

ManagerMelanie Nicklos – Parish AdministratorPastor Craig – Senior PastorPastor Julie – Associate Pastor of

Congregational Life and Pastoral CareSeveral confirmation students and parent

1) The meeting was called to order by President, Royce Schultze.

2) Opening prayer was led by Pastor Julie.3) Approval of Consent Agenda

a) Approval of Minutesb) Monthly Financial Reportc) Human Resources Committee – Reportd) Finance Committee Report – Reporte) Endowment Council Report – Report f ) Holistic Stewardship Committee –

Reportg) Audit Committee Report – No Reporth) Safety and Security Committee – Reporti) Staff Report j) Pastor’s Report Motion to approve the consent agenda

(Kuball/Berg, unanimous). 4) Devotions & Bible Study led by Pastor

Craig. For Bible study, Council will be reading the book entitled “The Agile Church.” Council will read Chapters 4 and 5 for the next Council meeting. We also spent time Dwelling in the Word around Acts 16:6-15. Discussion was held.

5) Old Businessa) Goal #1 – Wendy and Pastor Craig met

with an architect and Bismarck city staff regarding the long range improvement plan for the church this month. Included in the Council packet was an updated rough draft of different options for the Long Range Improvement Plan. Wendy would like Council to review the improvement plan and provide any feedback or recommendations. Discussion held. Council will develop a plan for presenting the plan to the

congregation at the December meeting. b) Goal #2 – 22 new households signed up

for electronic giving during the recent Fall Stewardship Worship Series.

c) Goal #3 – Pastor Craig and Derrick reported that Dinner Church worship is going very well, and they are happy with the turnout. There will not be a Dinner Church worship scheduled for December. The original planning team of Wendy B. and Derrick from council and Peder and Wendy C. from staff will meet to develop plans for 2019. Council agreed that this goal has been accomplished and will be removed from future agendas.

d) Goal #4 – Pastor Craig reported that he feels everything is going well with Campus Ministry. GSLC Deacon Candidate Angie Kutzer will be working with the Campus Ministry board next semester to help organize students in more formal ways. Discussion held. Council feels that this goal has also been achieved.

e) Goal #5 – No report.f ) Nominating Committee – Members of

this committee are Derrick, Claudia, Royce, and Pastor Craig.

g) Spiritual Life Inventory – Pastor Craig thanked everyone for sharing this on social media. We would like to have as many surveys filled out as possible. Members have until November 30, 2018, to complete the survey.

h) Peder Eide Concert – The Peder Eide Christmas concert will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2018, at 6:30pm. We still have tickets left.

i) Lutheran World Relief Initiative – Pastor Craig invited Council members to read handout provided, stressed importance of work done by LWR. Discussion held.

j) Committee Ministry Descriptions – Most committees’ descriptions are still in draft form. Work will continue. Discussion held.

k) Constitution Updates – Jeff reported that it has been hard to find a time that works for him, Kathy, and Dale to get together to review the constitution. Jeff feels that the constitution only needs minor changes. Jeff will make the updates needed and have a rough draft for Council to review at the next Council meeting.

l) Nursery Brainstorming – Staff will be

brainstorming a plan for having the nursery staffed during worship service, likely with volunteers. They will have a report for the December council meeting.

m) Council Evaluation Tool – Included in the Council packet was a Church Council Annual Evaluation tool. This evaluation can be used for a Council self-evaluation. Pastor Craig will email this evaluation tool to all Council members. Please complete this evaluation and email them to Addy by December 12.

n) Senior Pastor Evaluation – meeting time and date to be set by Royce and Joel for completion.

o) Thank You Cards – Annette handed out blank thank you cards to the Council members. Each month, Council members are invited to write one thank you card to a congregation member whom they have witnessed living out God’s mission and ministry for GSLC.

6) New Businessa) Pastor Julie was introduced to the

Council members. We are happy to have Pastor Julie with us at Good Shepherd.

b) Confirmation Schedule Change – A confirmation schedule change has been implemented at Good Shepherd. The 6th grade confirmation class will now meet at 4:40pm, the 7th grade confirmation class will meet at 5:30pm, and the 8th grade confirmation class will meet at 7:20pm. This schedule change will help with confirmation not getting over so late in the evening. Discussion held.

c) 2019 Proposed Ministry Financial Plan – Jeff presented the 2019 Ministry Financial Plan (budget) to Council. Discussion held. Motion was made to approve the 2019 financial plan. (Kuball/Just, unanimous)

d) Annual Report – Finance Update – Melanie handed out the 2017 Annual Report for review. Melanie shared some staff ideas for how we would like to present the financial section in this year’s annual report. Discussion was held.

e) Annual Meeting Date – Motion to hold the Annual Meeting on January 27, 2019 at 12:15 p.m. (LeMoine/Berg, unanimous)

f ) ND Association of Non-Profits – A memo from Bishop Narum regarding

Continued on page 18


YTD Budgeted Contributions: ............................................................ $1,145,807.90YTD Actual Contributions: .................................................................. 1,060,848.91Seminarian Internship Support from WND Synod ........................... 14,447.00 Difference between Budgeted & Actual: .......................................... -70,511.09

YTD Budgeted Expenses: ................................................................... $1,217,514.43YTD Actual Expenses: ........................................................................ 1,073,120.30 Difference between Budgeted & Actual: .......................................... (144,394.13)

YTD Actual Contributions/Revenue: ................................................. $1,075,295.91YTD Actual Expenses: ........................................................................ 1,073,120.30Net: ................................................................................................. $ 2,175.65


Making ministry possiblewith your financial giftsThank you for supporting Good Shepherd Ministries! A complete financial report is attached to the monthly Church Council minutes; located on the Good Shepherd website.

Contributions through October 31, 2018

Contributions at Work through October 31 2018

General Offering$934,765.70

Misc. Income$5,106.88

Interest Income$3,229.49

Loose Offering$85,346.84

Holiday Offering$32,400.00

Seminarian Internship Support from WND Synod$14,447.00

Music & Worship$173,903.43

Support Ministries$467,020.23

Youth Ministries$213,219.36

CongregationalLife $65,042.74

Seminarian Internship$31,387.85

Mission & Outreach/ Benevolence$122,546.69

Mission Statement“Good Shepherd Lutheran Church’s mission is to share the Shepherd’s love with all of God’s Children.”

Core ValuesCalled by our Savior Jesus the Christ, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is a Lutheran congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) that is ...• a welcoming and accepting

community where all people are welcome to receive God’s love, mercy and salvation. All are children of God, loved and accepted by God and this community of faith just as we are. Come and experience God’s love, share in the joy of God’s grace and learn of the hope that has been given in Jesus, God’s Son. (Romans15:17, Galatians 3:28, Mark 9:37)

• a worshiping community of God’s children that invites all to join us in worship that involves a variety of musical, liturgical and artistic expressions. Worship that is available to anyone wishing to receive the free gift of God’s forgiveness, mercy and grace through our shared worship life. (Psalm 100:1-2, Hebrews 12:28-29, Acts 2:1-4)

• founded in adult and youth ministry education; we build on that foundation by working to facilitate the faith formation of parishioners and community members across generations and support one another in our faith journeys. (Matthew 5:3-11, Matthew 28:19-20, John 13:34-35)

• committed to serve others by living the word daily in action and deed; offering our church facilities as a gathering place for member and non-member alike; and giving of our time, talent and financial resources to support local, domestic and global ministry and mission. (Matthew 25:35-40, Mark 10:45, Luke 10:25-37)

Areas of Ministry FociEngaging the Faithful

Forming FaithHolistic Stewardship



Meet a council memberHi! I’m Heather LeMoine, and this is my first year on the Church

Council of Good Shepherd. I didn’t know what to expect when I was asked to consider serving on the council but this work has been an honor. I sometimes feel selfish serving on the council, and as council liaison with the Endowment and Internship Committees, because it’s personally fulfilling and I get a rare perspective seeing God’s work in our congregation. The staff of Good Shepherd, their vision and tireless efforts, along with the vast multitude of good our church is doing, make me so proud to be a member of Good Shepherd.

A bit about me: I’m originally from rural Wahpeton, North Dakota. I’m an alum of Concordia College in Moorhead. And my husband, Matt, and I moved to Bismarck 13-years ago from Thief River Falls, Minn. We visited a handful of churches in the community but the music and people of Good Shepherd made us feel at home. Matt and I are the proud parents of Kate (12) and Anna (10). Our youth programs are another valuable asset of this church. I see the learning, excitement, joy and connection-to-faith our daughters are building, and I’m thankful for that foundation.

I work as the Marketing and Research Manager for North Dakota Tourism. I’m a cheerleader for our state and proudly advocate for our great attractions, events and cities. I hope my marketing, strategic planning and analytics experience will be a benefit for the mission of Good Shepherd as well.


Heather LaMoine

Back Row: Tab, Pastor Bob, Scott, Pastor Craig, and Karen; 2nd Row: Vicki, Wendy, Melanie, Nicole, Ashley, and Marianne; Front Row: Annette, Peder, Pastor Julie, Paige, and Pastor Selva.

Merry Christmas

membership in the ND Association of Non-Profits was included in the Council packet. Discussion held. Motion was made for Good Shepherd to join the ND Association of Non-Profits. (Berg/Houston, unanimous)

g) LSSND New Americans – January 13, 2019 is LSSND New Americans Day at all Bismarck-Mandan ELCA congregations. Good Shepherd will be one of the hosting locations. A staff representative from LSSND and a young man who has been blessed by the New American program will offer the sermon on during worship on January 12-13.

7) Other Business: • Heather let the Council

know that the Internship Committee is a great combination of people. She feels that the committee’s work with Pastor Selva is very beneficial.

• Addy let the Council know that a staff member relayed to her that the Portico Benefits are very beneficial to staff families and extended a thank you to Council and Pastor Craig.

8) Questions from the Floor: (5 minutes, Council may respond at a future meeting) None.

9) Closing Prayer led by Pastor Craig.

Respectfully submitted,Annette BjornstadExecutive Assistant/Office Manager

19The Shepherd’s Voice ■ December 2018 Forming Faith

I love this time of year. I actually don’t really mind the winter. I can dress for it and equip myself to exist just fine. I do wish the days weren’t short, but they start to grow longer again on the 21st. I like the way the trees look in the snow and frost. I like the crispness of the air. I like the way the world gets quiet under the white quilt that covers it all. But, mostly I really enjoy the sense of community that comes with the time between Thanksgiving and the New Year.

Now, there are folks that have a tough time with this season and I respect that. My love for this time of year includes the toughness. I also struggle with some things. I struggle with the losses of really significant people in my life that would make this time of year fun. I struggle with the materialism that is rampant in our society. I usually ask the youth in my world about their favorite memory of this season and I almost never hear anything to do with presents. I did not grow up with presents at the center of the season. The center of the season for me was always getting together with family friends over a wonderful, home-cooked, Italian

meal. Then, there is the focus of it all…the Christmas Eve worship service.

There are a lot of facets to this time of year. But, we cannot avoid the reason that all of it happens. The world, if only for a moment, comes together to celebrate the birth of a baby. There are many different faith traditions that celebrate in different ways and celebrate different things but, I think we all come together in a real and relational way. We stand as brothers and sisters of all faiths and sing our joy. That is the thing I love the most.

In this season of thanks and celebration, may you find that special something. May you feel the love of all your brothers and sisters from all over the world. For a moment, may you feel the comfort and quiet and warmth that the season can bring. My prayer is that you would feel inspired to share yourself with those that you love. Have a blessed Christmas.

Peace, Pastor Bob

Rev. Bob CaranicasPastor of Youth and

Family Ministries

For unto us a Child is Born

All Saints Day celebrated on Nov. 4

Youth Events

• Middle School Sunday Funday, December 2 @ 12-2 pm

• Soul Sisterhood December 2 & 16 @ 2-3:30 pm

Confirmation Christmas Party, December 19!After school until 6:30pmWorship

Confirmation will not hold class, but instead hold a party Wednesday, December 19! All 6th, 7th, and 8th grade youth are invited to hang out together for this fun event with snacks and games. We will have an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, with prizes, and awesome fun. Parents are welcome to attend, and sign up on the Youth Ministry Volunteer Sign-Up Website.

6th & 7th Grade Lock-in Friday, December 28

5 pm Friday-8 am SaturdayWhat says Christmas Spirit more

than a Middle School Lock-in? Our 6th and 7th grade youth are invited to Good Shepherd Friday, December 28 for an all-night fun event! There WILL be sleeping, so bring your sleeping bag, pillow, and snacks to share!

Friends are welcome and adults are NEEDED! Please sign up to volunteer on the Youth Ministry Volunteer Sign-Up Website.

Summer 2019 Middle School Minneapolis Trip!

Wed., May 29-Sun., June 2For current 6th-8th grade youth,

with high school leaders welcome and adults needed

Camp Amnicon Canoe Trip!Sun., July 21-Fri., July 26

For current 6th-12th grade youth

High School Denver Trip!Sat., July 27-Sat., August 3

For current 8th-12th grade youth with adults needed


Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 419Bismarck, ND

106 Osage AvenueBismarck, ND 58501-2673

Phone: 701-255-1001Fax: 701-255-3644

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDWWW.GOODSHEPHERDBISMARCK.COM

Good Shepherd Worship ScheduleSaturday 5 pm • Heritage Sunday 8:30 am • Festival 9:45 am • Celebrate! 11 am • Celebrate! 6 pm • The Well Wednesday 6:30 pm Sanctuary

Watch Worship Livegoodshepherdbismarck.com/worship/watch-online

Volunteer & Sign-up Onlinegoodshepherdbismarck.com/sign-up-sheet/

Ways to stay informed:Website: GoodShepherdBismarck.com

Facebook: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Twitter: GSLCBismarck

Instagram: gslc_bismarck

Mobile APP: Good Shepherd Lutheran ND

Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center Foundation Outstanding Senior Awards

On October 11, 2018 Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center’s (MSLCC) Foundation hosted the First Annual Outstanding Senior Awards. This event was held at MSLCC’s new property at 4916 N Washington Street in Bismarck.

Nominees for this year’s awards were: Fred Browning, Ann Dammel, Dale Ennen, Barbara Koch, Mike LaLonde, Martha Nygard, Ida Schmitt, Yvonne Smith, and Diane Zainhofsky.

“This event was meant to honor the contributions of seniors in our community,” said MSLCC Foundation Director Jessica Gilbertson. “There are so many worthy candidates in Bismarck and Mandan. The hardest part is selecting winners, when each nominee is so extraordinary.” Local restaurant Terra Nomad created a custom fall menu for the awards banquet.

The Foundation at MSLCC exists to raise money to benefit the residents, tenants and staff of the facility. The money raised through the Foundation goes toward providing full-time chaplaincy services for residents, advanced physical therapy equipment, scholarships to nursing students and many other worthy projects.

MSLCC is among one of the last locally operated health care facilities in the area and all money raised stays in Bismarck to benefit the residents, tenants and staff. MLSCC has been providing services for more than 51 years in the Bismarck area.

The First Annual Outstanding Senior Awards was a success! Congratulations to winners: Fred Browning, Ida Schmitt and Diane Zainhofsky. Congratulations again to all nominees and thank you to Terra Nomad, Amber Wheeler, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Celebrate Worship team, and Nicole Eileen Photography.

The delightful event was sponsored by Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center.

Ida Schmidt and Fred Browning

shepherd’s the voicegoodshepherdbismarck.com/wp-content/uploads/december...heart of god working to...

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