REJOICE REFLECTIONSDECEMBER 2015

Rejoice Lutheran Church

1155 County Rd 75P O Box 307

Clearwater, MN 55320

Worship Schedule8:30 am Worship9:30 Fellowship10:30 Worship

Holy Communion is served the second & fourth Sundays

Inside this Issue:

Council Minutes

Stewardship

Music

Celebrations

Sunday School

Grow & Go!

Notices

December Calendar

December Servants

from Pastor Laurie WeisAdvent is about shades of light, moving from the darkness of winter to the light of spring as we experience the longing of God to send a Messiah as well as the joy of the Christ Child’s coming, surrounded by shepherds and a chorus of angels, all back dropped with a beautifully star-kissed sky. It’s about expectation and hope; the fulfillment of God’s promise and love for us, after waiting thousands of years for God’s Son to be sent into a world greatly in need of a Savior.

I appreciate light, but don’t much like waiting. I remember waiting for mom and dad to bring down our three boxes of Christmas stuff as well as the anticipation I felt as Alan, Nancy, or I would get to put the silver and blue topper on the highest branch of the Christmas tree. I waited for the last day of Sunday School before Christmas to receive a sack of candy and small toy to take home. I marked off days on a calendar until Santa would come; made a list mom took to heart, passed along to relatives, and sometimes I actually received what I’d been hoping for!

It just seemed as if Christmas would never come; time couldn’t move fast enough. I just wanted Christmas to arrive, with all its gifts, time off from school, turkey and potato bologna dinner, and fun with family and friends.

A couple memories I have speak to waiting in an Advent sense, though I never realized it at the time. One is our family nativity set that consisted of a cardboard stable with breakable figurines; the shepherds, animals, and holy family. I would take them out and play with them; I can still see the small blue light bulb poked through the hole in the stable’s peak,

continued next page

Pastor Laurie Weis continued

the baby Jesus with arms outstretched would be the final figurine I would place in the manger, front and center in the midst of all the others. I did this a lot, taking all the time I needed to go through this childlike ritual. Baby Jesus always took place last underneath that royal blue light.

The other was Sunday evening at church, where our Advent Supper ended out on the front lawn next to the large pine tree that had been strung with those big, glass lights in all kinds of colors. The tree was yet to be lit up, our pastors always picked one of the kids to crawl back underneath to plug it in as a favorite Christmas carol was sung. When I was six or seven, my turn came! I remember making my way on my hands and knees back to where the cord’s end was; the snow sticking to my legs as I found what I was looking for, plugging it in, and then the cries and applause that resounded as the tree lit up. It was special; an Advent moment, light streaming forth as the people took notice and cheered.

We wait for Christmas for whatever reasons. But during Advent, there is purpose to the discipline of moving from darkness to light; with hope, courage, joy, and love. The time does come when baby Jesus is placed at last in the manger, when all who have heard the good news from the beginning of time to the moment of His birth see holy light shed in some way that brings them all to that defining moment, to gather round the One who is timeless, Who was, Who is, and Who is to come. The waiting ends for us then too; light streams forth and we are called to the stable as well, to take notice and cheer, to proclaim God’s reign to a world still caught in darkness, yet with the shining hope and expectant joy in Christ’s coming again!

God’s Peace,

Pastor Laurie

from the Rejoice Church CouncilCouncil Meeting Condensed Minutes

November 10, 2015

Members Present: Chari Ahrenholz, Paul Amundson, Carolyn Bissell, Becky Brzinski, Jim Eich, Denise Kantor, Kay Krogstad, David Lindberg, Janelle Rudningen, Ruthie Seidenkranz

Members Absent: None.Advisory Member: Pastor Laurie Weis (present) Ex-Officio Members: Rhoda Senkler (present)

• Discussed participation in ELCA World Hunger Relief during November. • Discussed November 8 Coffee With Council event. Will request Call Committee to provide more

frequent, short updates to congregation about call process.• Stewardship campaign update provided; estimates of giving are down from previous years. • Staffing update: Jan Nairn to provide some short-term pastoral services and lead bible studies. Kody

Kantor will publish electronic weekly update and website editing.• Reviewed newly updated council handbooks.• Contact Music Coordinator Nicole Heberling if you can lead singing for 8:30 service.• Contact Pastor Laurie if you are willing to write prayers or perform other tasks during worship.

Colleen Kiffmeyer from the Clearwater-Clear Lake Food Shelf sends a thank you to Rejoice members for a contribution of $234.00 in October, 2015. She reminds us that, together, we are caring for neighbors in need. The food shelf provides emergency food and support information.

Advent:

The Geography of Waiting

With

Hope, Courage, Joy

& Love

Please join us for worship during the four weeks of Advent; November 29, December 6, 13 & 20. Its theme will center around waiting; with hope, courage, joy, and love. The spiritual practice of coloring will be encouraged throughout the four weeks with the hope some of you will display your results in Celebration Hall! You’ll notice a difference in the liturgy, sanctuary, and tone of the service. Want to know more? You’ll just have to join us; please do! See you at either the 8:30 or 10:30 service!

from StewardshipThe final results of the 2015 We Are Church Together stewardship emphasis have been calculated.As of November 16th we have received 93 commitments in support of the church Mortgage Fund with annual giving of $65,518 per year, or $5,459 per month.  (reminder: our monthly mortgage payment is $7,845.00 a month) In addition the General Fund commitment total is $169,642 per year.   These totals are below past commitments primarily due to the low number of responses.  During the calendar year 2014 there were 228 individual giving units supporting Rejoice and its mission.  This means we are still missing responses from approximately 135 giving units.It is the faithful stewardship of our families that has supported God’s work through Rejoice Lutheran Church for the past 28 years.  It is your faithful support that makes this ministry possible, but we need everyone’s support to equip and maintain this ministry.  If you have received the stewardship commitment mailed out in early November, you could help us by completing and returning this to the church office.

 Thank You for your faithfulness. Paul AmundsonStewardship Council Representative

from Music As we enter the season of Advent and approach Christmas, there is a great amount of excitement that fills this time of year. Our music during this season will focus on the excitement and anticipated coming of Jesus Christ. We will again have a 3:00 and 5:00 Christmas Eve Service. If you are interested in sharing your musical gifts through special music for either of the services, please let me know. This year we will have a group gathering to sing a prelude song for the 3:00 service. This group will meet two times for practice prior to Christmas Eve. The dates are Tuesday 12/15 and Tuesday 12/22. I am proposing that we schedule the rehearsal at 4:00pm. If there is a conflict with this time please let me know. We will have a final rehearsal prior to the 3:00 service on Christmas Eve.  Please refer to the calendar as well for the dates. As always thank you for your continued support and help with the music ministry at Rejoice.

Nicole Heberling

To the people of Rejoice:

When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. - Philemon 1:4-7

There are few passages in scripture that more perfectly express my feelings for the people of Rejoice than Paul's greeting to Philemon in his short letter to him.  Thank you for being a congregation that allowed me to be a husband, father and then a pastor.  I thoroughly enjoyed my ministry with you because your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus always inspired me.  With the Apostle Paul, I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ!  There are many gifted people at Rejoice, and I thank you for sharing some of those gifts with me and especially my children Vera and Luke.  We indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love.  I was particularly touched by the many, many cards, gifts, and well wishes on my last Sunday. Thank you for the ELW Pastoral Care book which I'm sure I will use for many years to come.  Thanks also for the Bobble Head Luther, who shakes his head at me every time I walk by him!?!  Many thanks to Carol for putting up with me these past 8 years.  Thanks also to Interim Pastor Laurie for her gentle, patient, and prayerful presence during a difficult interim.  I believe I've finished all of my thank you notes, except one - thanks to the person who gave me a beautiful unsigned card with a Starbucks gift card inside.  Whoever you are, God bless you for gracing me with good coffee, you are an angel sent from heaven!   May God bless you all as you seek a new pastor!  Peace,Tim, Paula, Vera & Luke 

Anniversaries2 James & Dawn Ziebarth 29 Lee & Rosemary Monk

6 Jason & Jennifer Gades 29 Darryl & Carolyn Bissell

6 James & Megan Wanders 30 Stan Berg & Nancy Lorentz-Berg

23 Caryn & Bryan Dunderi 31 Craig & Heidi Lietha

Birthdays2 Marilyn Koontz 10 Deena Monk-Kobow 17 Krista Kowalsky 22 Mckenzie Peterson

2 JoAnn Eldridge 10 Jeff Faust 17 Kayla Kowalsky 22 Allan Groth

2 Blake Schaeffer 10 Avery Guyer 17 Doug Kantor 22 Alex Hard

3 Nancy Lorentz-Berg 11 Brett Hanson 18 Joseph Mulqueen 23 Jack Trovall

3 Morgan Rodenborg 11 Hope Luberda 18 Natalie VanNurden 24 Emelya Hanson

4 Marge Johnson 11 David Kirchoff 18 Austin Ferrell 26 Paul Goenner

4 Jake Sanders 12 Bentley Trautner 18 Tommy Halverson 26 Megan Hanson

4 Logan Hanson 13 Adam Gades 18 Logan Michalski 27 Dianne Stute

5 Christopher Eckerman 13 Dick Rasmussen 19 Don Kemkes 28 Skylar Storkamp

5 Russ Ferrell 14 Morgan Luberda 19 Julie Janski 29 Chuck Sanders

6 Jacob Wiehoff 15 Donna Brown 19 Julie Binczik 29 Mike Kunz

6 Michael Haessly 15 Bailey Dingmann 20 Madeline Johnson 30 Marcia Benson

7 Blayne Leuthard 15 Abbey Dingmann 20 Jessie Faust 31 Luella Roberts

8 Cheryl Wedin 16 Ayden Trautner 20 Logan Wipper 31 Greg Pierson

8 John Kastner 16 Randee Heikkila 20 Kay Behrendt 31 Jodi Rodenborg

8 Chloe Wilson 17 Bonnie Barkosky 21 Becky Brzinski

December Celebrations

October 2015 Financial Recap

General Fund Income General Fund Income General Fund Income

October $19,734.14 $27,205.68 -$7,471.54

YTD $210,987.85 $265,123.22 $44,135.37

Mortgage Fund Income Mortgage Fund Income Mortgage Fund Income

October $6,358.00 $7,845.00 -$1,487.00

YTD $74,137.00 $78,450.00 -$4,313.00

Income and expenses have both decreased in comparison to last year, as they should have; however, income has decreased at a faster rate than expenses. Many of our expenses are fixed or necessary, such as heat and lights, insurance, mortgage payment, supplies, security, etc. There are many other expenses that could be added to this list. We need to be aware of what is necessary to keep Rejoice vital and active. We have many volunteers who fill many roles at Rejoice and we are very thankful for them. Our mission – To Grow in Faith, Love & Service in response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to Extend God’s Welcome to All – depends on all of us, working together, to maintain and grow our ministries at Rejoice.

Rhoda Senkler, Treasurer

Sunday School Events

Sun. Nov. 29 Advent Craft Event (no class) and decorating-of-the-tree for the European Christmas Coffee. Parents & grandparents join us in the Welcome Center at 9:30 am. Remember to pick up your children’s Advent devotion book. (1 per family) Thanksgiving weekend.

Sat. Dec. 5 Christmas Coffee We are encouraging children and parents to sign up in the Welcome Center to help at the European Christmas Coffee from either from 10-11:00 or 11-12:00. Dress in your Christmas finest.

Sun. Dec. 6 Children sing at both services (special music)

Sat. Dec. 12 Christmas Program Rehearsal and Jesus' Birthday Celebration 10am-12pm.

Sun. Dec. 13 Children’s Christmas Program at 4pm. Soup Supper will follow. (There will be program practice during Sunday School.)

Children’sMinistry

Rejoice Lutheran Youth & Family Team

GROW & GO!Youth Ministry

Youthworks Mission TripDates and destination to be determined at confirmation

U SHOP KIDS FREE FUNDRAISERDecember 12th 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.All donations go to summer mission trips

Date

Cappuccino Bible Study

Every Sunday@ 9:30 a.m.Youth Room

Open to all youth ingrades 6–12. Grow

your faith, relationships and learn how to apply it all to

your life.

Summer Mission Trip to

MexicoJuly 23rd to 30th, more details to follow

‘Like’ the Rejoice Youth Team Facebook page to keep up-to-date with youth

events!

Tis the SeasonSaturday, December 12 – 10:00a.m. – noonSunday School Christmas Program Rehearsal

and Birthday Party for Jesus, Noon – 3:00p.m U Shop Kidz free

Sunday, December 13 4:00 pm Sunday School Christmas ProgramSoup supper to follow

Thursday, December 24 – 3:00 & 5:00p Christmas Eve Candlelight Services with Holy Communion

Friday, December 25 ClosedSunday, December 27 One worship service at 9:30 am ~ Service of Lessons and Carols Friday, January 1 Closed Sunday, January 3 One worship service at 9:30 am

✞Additional help is needed on Christmas Eve. Please sign-up sheet at the Gift Table.

Those attending the “Young At Heart” 55+ group had a great time playing Grocery Bingo in November. Thanks to the Lions Club for the use of the Bingo machine and to Coborn’s and the Travel Plaza for furnishing food prizes.

The next “Young at Heart” lunch will be on Thursday, Dec. 17, with a suggested donation of $4.50. Card playing begins at 11 a.m., and lunch will be followed by Special Music. Reservations are encouraged as it helps us calculate how much food to make and helps keep the cost down. Make reservations by Wed., Dec. 16, by emailing rejoice@rejoicelutheranchurch.org or call 320-558-6851, and leave message.

Young at Hearts has started a FREE four-week Yoga Sampler, designed for mature bodies. Shalynn Benson of our congregation is leading us in “stretching endeavors!” The timing is perfect as the colder weather is settling in and lots of holiday food abounds. If you are interested call Shalynn and leave a message at 320-492-7527.

We are also encouraging seniors to stay active by walking the halls of Rejoice. Entrance can be gained by pushing the buzzer at the corner door leading to the office. Hours for walking are the same as office hours.

We are also exploring other programming. If you want to be in on the development call Kay Krogstad at 558-6576, or Karolyn Boucher, 320-293-2242.

A time of food and fun forClearwater–Clear Lake area 55+

This is open to members AND non-members alike!Sponsored by Rejoice Lutheran Church in partnership

with other area churches.

Notices

Youth & Family Mission TripJuly 23-30, 2016

We invite you to join us on an unforgettable trip to Children’s Haven International (CHI) in Reynosa, Mexico. This incredible journey will open your eyes to seeing another part of the world where they are less fortunate than we are here in the United States. Not only will we share the love God has given us, we will receive so much more than just the love these children have to give- we will gain appreciation for all that God has provided for us. You will make a few amigos for sure!

We will leave on the morning of Saturday, July 23rd and arrive at CHI on Sunday afternoon. We will stay in Reynosa until Friday morning when we will head back to the U.S., arriving back in Clearwater late afternoon or evening on Saturday.

While we are there, we will help with some small projects and our main focus will be Vacation Bible School each day. On Wednesday, we have the opportunity to go to Progresso, where we have lunch at a nice restaurant and have some time to go shopping for Mexican souvenirs.

Cost: $250 for adults and children 12+, $150 for children 11 & under (price is based on 10 or more people going). .This fee covers the basic costs of running the program, such as lodging, food (14 meals), project materials, transportation to and from the Home, and administration costs.

Our goal would be to fundraise for the remaining cost of the trip – transportation to Pharr, TX and back home, gas, meals and snacks for the trip.

All children under the age of 12 will need to have a parent go on the trip as well.

Passports: You will need a Passport Book or Passport Card to get back into the U.S. They can take up to 3 months to get, so make sure to get them early.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

Forms available in Celebration Hall

$8.50 each

Kits for Europe and the Syrian Refugeeand Migrant Crisis

As we are all aware through the media, the refugees are in a difficult situation over in Europe and the Middle East. We here at Rejoice can help in this effort to relieve some of their hardship. Lutheran World Relief is shipping necessities to distribute in the way of kits to help in this emergency situation. The two kinds we are collecting at Rejoice are health kits and layette kits. From now through December 31st we are asking when you are out shopping that you pick up some of these items. In January after Christmas break the confirmation youth will be assembling these items, they will then be brought down to St. Paul to be shipped out. Following is a list of the items needed.

Health care kits:

• Bath towels, light weight (between 20”x 40”or 52”x27”) dark color.

• Bath size bars of soap, 8-9 oz.

• Adult size toothbrush in its original packaging.

• Sturdy comb.

• Metal nail clipper.

Layette or baby care kits, sizes 6 to 24 months:

• Lightweight, cotton T-shirts.

• Sleepers or gowns (without feet), long or short sleeve.

• Receiving blankets, medium weight, cotton or flannel, can be knitted or crocheted with lightweight yarn, up to 52 inches.

• Cloth diapers (flat folded preferred), cannot use disposables.

• Jacket, sweater or sweatshirt with hood or baby cap.

• Socks.

• Hand towel (dark color).

• Bath-size bars of soap, 8-9 oz.

• Diaper pins or large safety pins.

We can also pray for the people affected by this crisis and the humanitarian aid staff working to reach them.

Thank you! For more information, go to lwr.org or contact Kay Krogstad, Heidi Eckerman, or Janelle Hennen. Thank you!

ADULT EDUCATION UPDATEWednesday night sessions continue through the first three weeks of December. Rather than a particular “Bible Study” this will be a (brief!) “Study of the Bible.”

How was it formed? How does it form and transform us?What’s in it? What’s in it for me/us?

Where is the truth?

Join us to explore these and other questions on:

December 2, 9, & 16at 6:30 p.m.

For the five Wednesdays between Christmas and Lent, we turn to questions of Christian action: Given our foundation in scripture, how do we make difficult choices in challenging times? The film: Bonhoeffer, Agent of Grace will be used for illustration.

For more information speak to or phone Jan Nairn at (320)558-8118.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Several interested persons met to discuss prayer shawls on November 14. There is still time to get involved either by knitting or crocheting a prayer shawl, supporting this with a monetary gift to purchase yarn, or by praying that this will be a successful and meaningful ministry of Rejoice Lutheran Church. Prayer shawls will be given to support those who are need of special prayer at times of surgery or other medical issues, shut-ins, grief support or celebration. The shawl will be a symbol of Rejoice’s loving, prayerful support.

Would you like to learn to knit or crochet? We have experienced people who would be willing to help you get started. If you are so inclined to support this ministry with a monetary gift to purchase yarn, please note Prayer Shawl Ministry on the memo line of your check and include it with your regular offering. Your gift will help us support our congregation’s outreach to those needing special prayers and comfort. Please contact me at 320-558-9909 if you have questions.

Audrey Lidberg

Be a Bell Ringer!At Clearwater Coborns or Travel PlazaHelp clean up disaster areas, save lives,Feed the hungry, and give hope toThose in need by volunteering justTwo hours of your time. Volunteer asAn individual or gather a group and splitA block of time:To become a bell ringerCall: 320-558-5678Or register online at:www.RegisterToRing.com

Year End ContributionsRejoice Family, Contributions for the 2015 tax year must be postmarked by the USPS on or before December 30, placed in the offering plate on December 27 or dropped off in the church office by noon on Wednesday, December 30.

Thank you

from the LibraryAngels and shepherds, a star up above, a manger, a baby, God beaming with love…. Celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ with a festive book or dvd! Your library has an awesome – and abundant – selection of Christmas titles. Come to the library or (just new) find the library book cart near the fellowship area. We’re literally ‘bringing good news of great joy’ to you! Supplies and check out instructions are on the cart and library counter. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! from your library staff – Jean, Jodi, Carla and Pam

December 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

19:00a Women’s Bible Study11:00a Staff Mtg.

27:00a Men’s Bible Study6:30p Conf, Adult Ed, Youth Group, MR,7:15p MR

38:00a Senior Yoga

4 510:00a-12 noon European Christmas

68:30 Worship9:30 Fellowship, S.S., Cappuccino Bible Study, Adult Ed10:30 Worship

77:00p Y & F Mtg.

811:00a Staff Mtg.6:30p Council Mtg.

97:00a Men’s Bible Study6:30p Conf, Adult Ed, Youth Group, MR7:15p MR

108:00a Senior Yoga

11 1210:00a -12 noon Christmas Program rehearsal/Birthday Party for Jesus12 Noon -3:00pU Shop Kids free

138:30 Worship/HC9:30 Fellowship, S.S., Cappuccino Bible Study, Adult Ed10:30 Worship/HC4:00p Sunday School Christmas Program followedSoup Supper

14 1511:00a Staff Mtg4:00p Christmas Eve Music Rehearsal

167:00a Men’s Bible Study6:30p Conf, Adult Ed, Youth Group, MR7:15p MR

178:00a Senior Yoga11:00a Young at Hearts

18 19

208:30 Worship/HC9:30 Fellowship, S.S., Cappuccino Bible Study, Adult Ed10:30 Worship/HC

21 2211:00a Staff Mtg.4:00 & 7:00p Christmas Eve Music Rehearsal

237:00a Men’s Bible Study

243:00 Service of Carols and Candlelight5:00p Service of Carols and Candlelight

25Merry Christmas

Closed

26

279:30 Worship/HC10:30 Fellowship

28 29 307:00a Men’s Bible Study

31Closing at noon

1Happy New YearClosed

HC – Holy CommunionMR- Music RehearsalCVBC – Clear Valley Business Connections

December Servants

DEC 69:30 am

DEC 138:30 am

DEC 208:30 am

DEC 279:30 am

GREETERS Leigh Holman Joshua & Jodi Rodenborg family

Marty Samuelson Tim DuBois & Gretchen Laakso

USHERS Randy &Jodi Pawlicki family

Gene & Kay Krogstad, James Kirchenbauer,

Ken Hutchinson

Gladys Steiger, Ramona Nielsen, Betty Loehr,

Dianne Stute

Nick & Hope Luberda family

READER Marlys Johnson Deb Biorn Lori Johnson Wally Westerberg

COMMUNION SETUP

Sue Severson Hope Luberda

FELLOWSHIP Randy & Paula Lilga OPEN OPEN OPEN

DEC 610:30 am

DEC 1310:30 am

DEC 2010:30 am

ONE SERVICE 9:30AM

GREETERS Craig & Karen Brettingen Bill & Gail Bradford Jeff & Alisha Brust

USHERS Rick & Pam Bender Dayle & Jean Meyer Youth

READER Lyle Rudningen Becky Brzinski Doris Scharmer

COMMUNION SETUP

Volunteers are needed for both the 3:00 p.m. and the 5:00 p.m. services on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.Please sign up at the gift table.

Non-Profit OrgU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPermit No. 17

Clearwater, MN 55320

Rejoice Lutheran Church (ELCA)1155 County Road 75(Near the water tower)PO Box 307 (mailing)Clearwater, MN 55320

Office Hours Monday – Thursday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm Friday 7:30 am – 12:00 pm

Telephone (320) 558-6851 Fax (320) 558-6654 Web www.rejoicelutheranchurch.org

STAFF Interim Lead Pastor

Laurie WeisOffice Administrator

Carol Eich Youth and Family Minister

Danielle Lundquist Music Director

Nicole Heberling

OUR MISSION:

To Growin Faith, Love and

Service in Responseto the Gospel

of Jesus Christ, and to Extend

God’s Welcome to All.

Christmas Eve Worship ServicesCandle light services

with Holy Communionat 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.