When we think of February, we usually think of Valentine’s Day and its symbols of the HEART. It is the heart that we associate with the feeling, the emotion and the caring of love – love for that special person of the opposite sex, for spouse, children, family, friends.
It is interesting to look at how the word “Heart” is used in the Bible. In terms of the word being used to refer to the biological organ of the body, it is used rather rarely. To a much greater degree, the heart is a way of referring to the psyche or the life force of a person at its deepest level. It is a reference to the ‘spirit’ of a person, or to the ‘inward mind’ of a person. The heart was the innermost spring of individual life, the ultimate source of all its physical, intellectual, emotional, and volitional energies. Thus, the ancients thought that this was the part of a person by which one made contact with the divine. In the very chambers of the heart dwelt the thoughts, plans, attitudes, fears and hopes that determined the character of an individual. Here also, God could work in secret to transform that character by implanting new thoughts and feelings.
All of the emotions of which a person is capable were attributed to the heart – joy, sorrow, despair, courage, fear, envy, trust, generosity, hate, love. Thus, the heart could also behave as the body might. It could fail, faint, melt, tremble, throb, flutter, grow hot, be sick, be broken, be hungry, be either good or bad.
The heart was thought to be the center of all intellectual life. Thought took its form in the heart, and it was the source of meditation, planning, speech, memory, wisdom. It was also the center of the will and of moral life. The heart could plan evil and become perverted. It could be prideful and become hardened, stubborn. One could have a deceived heart or a hypocritical one. The good heart was one that was righteous, blameless, whole, pure, honest.
Thousands of years after the writings of the Bible, how often it is that we use these same kinds of references to the heart. The ancients could understand what the heart was about and how basic it was to the life of a person or animal. Yet, it is really only in the last two centuries that we have come to know as much as we do about the brain, and about how much influence chemicals, hormones, etc. have a say in what the brain does and how it functions or doesn’t function. Yet, in our poetry, in our prose, in our romantic songs, etc., we still place the heart at the center of our thoughts and feelings.
We still refer to the heart as our point of contact with God. We speak about how our hearts need to be open to God and open to God’s influence upon us. We wish God to speak to our hearts as well as our minds, and that we want the Word of God to dwell in our hearts richly. We ask God to see into our hearts, to know us, as we ask for God’s forgiveness and for the cleansing of our hearts so that we can better trust him and do good.
We still use the language of the ancients, perhaps, because we still have that sense that the heart really is at the heart of it all, it really is at the center of our lives. It is difficult for us to survive long without the heart there to pump that life-giving blood through the many miles of arteries, veins, and vessels in our body. If the heart no longer pumps, we say that a person is dead, even though we know that the more accurate way for determining a person’s death is by the ending of all brain-wave activity.
I hope that we don’t get so scientifically or clinically knowledgeable or refined that we no longer use the symbols and poetry of the ancients in having that understanding of the heart being the center of all life. To have the heart be the center of one’s life, one’s thoughts and feelings is of some comfort to us. Perhaps even more so now, in the midst of much of the sterileness and coldness of life, where things often get too clinical.
I think there is comfort and peace for us in having a God who has created and formed our heart, and who speaks to us through the heart, and who dwells in our hearts and brings forth faith from our hearts. There is comfort in knowing that God is at the heart of our lives and that He has the power to change us, reform us, heal us, reconcile us, forgive us and bring new life to us, and so make us complete and full.
May we keep praying that our God would keep coming to us and knocking at the door of our hearts, seeking to come in and dwell with us and save us for Himself. May we ever be open to receiving Him.
PASTOR JOHN
High School Seniors who are planning to attend
LOCAL CHURCH
SCHOLARSHIPS TO BE AWARDED
Hayward Lutheran and Trondhjem Lutheran are both offering
scholarships to their
OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOLY COMMUNION
During these coming weeks, members of the Parish will have
the following opportunities to participate in Holy Communion on the following
dates:
February 2
– Epiphany IV
February 9
– Epiphany V
Come, be blessed and nourished at the Lord’s Table.
TRONDHJEM NEWS
MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING
The Trondhjem Annual Meeting was called to
order by President Obert Haldorson.
Kiven Lukes read the Minutes of the 200
Annual Meeting. A motion by Steve
Kraushaar to approve the Minutes was seconded by Ruth Lukes and carried.
Kim Naatz gave a favorable report from the
Audit Committee. Linda Kraushaar then
gave the Financial Secretary’s Report.
Member giving has gone up again this year. The balance on hand at the end of 2002 is $6,962.06
with $2,924.23 in the General Fund. Doug
Thompson gave the Treasurer’s Report.
The only outstanding bill is an undetermined amount to be paid to Pastor
Hagen relating to pension and mileage.
The probable amount will be about $1,800 for Trondhjem. Total disbursements for 2002 were
$34,754.47. A motion was made by Kiven
Lukes, which was seconded by Dean Lukes to accept the Financial Reports. Carried.
Pastor Malm gave his report. He thanked us for the Call and said he enjoys
his position here and the parsonage. He
commended us for our outreach and benevolence.
Dean Lukes gave the Trustee’s Report. Siding of the church has been completed.
Betty Krause gave the WELCA Report. The women of the church have carried on a
great deal of benevolence work, providing over 100 quilts, $1,037.00 in
donations, and lots of food to local and regional needs.
The Sunday School Report was given by Linda
Kraushaar. Eleven children are in
school. They are learning Old Testament
stories and other stories stressing moral issues.
Jill Krause gave the Custodian’s
Report. She caught two mice this fall.
Emil Prantner presented the Nominating
Committee’s slate of candidates.
President Obert Haldorson
Secretary Kiven Lukes
Financial Secretary Steve & Linda Kraushaar
Treasurer Doug Thompson
Board of Education Linda Kraushaar
Custodian Jill Krause
Snow Removal Don Chapek
Trustee – 1 year Shirley Kraushaar
Trustee – 2 years Sheldon Lukes
Trustee – 3 years Dean Lukes
Nominating
Committee – 1 year Ed Prantner
Nominating
Committee – 2 years Emil Prantner
Parsonage Dale Lukes
Audit Committee
1 year Jim
Benesh
Audit Committee
2 years Kim
Naatz
Motion was made by Kiven Lukes, which was
seconded by Dean Lukes to cast a unanimous ballot. Carried.
Obert Haldorson presented the Council’s
proposal of a $32,174 Budget for 2003. A
motion was made by Dean Lukes and seconded by Emil Prantner to approve. Discussion followed. Synod benevolence will go up to $2,600 and
the proposal includes a new furnace in the parsonage. Motion to approve; carried.
New Business
Use of the Ethel Moen memorial was
discussed. The Sunday School needs more
storage. Building a new storage closet
on the south wall would help. Also,
another cabinet over the Altar Guild cabinet and new carpet for the room were
agreed as part of the project. A motion
was made by Ruth Lukes and seconded by Betty Krause to do the Sunday School
room project and use the Ethel Moen memorial money toward the project. Motion carried.
The Trustees were instructed to proceed
with installing the kitchen fan.
The new Trondhjem Constitution and By-laws
were reviewed. They have not been
updated since 1955. The members
expressed their appreciation to Steve & Shirley Kraushaar for all of the
time and effort they put into this rewriting.
Motion was made by Steve Kraushaar, which wa seconded by Kiven Lukes, to
approve the new Constitution and By-Laws; carried.
Special offerings designations were
discussed. Pastor Malm made a motion to
have the Thanksgiving offering go to World Hunger, Easter go to Lutheran Social
Services and Christmas to be split between the Salvation Army of Freeborn and
Motion was made by Dean Lukes, which was
seconded by Betty Krause, to adjourn; carried.
Secretary,
Kiven Lukes
TRONDHJEM
FEBRUARY
ASSIGNMENTS
Altar Guild
Eileen
Reese
Coffee Servers
February 2
– Kim & Annette Naatz
February
16 – Eileen Reese
Communion Assistant
Steve
Kraushaar
FEBRUARY
CONFIRMATION ACOLYTE/USHER
ASSIGNMENTS
February 2 Sean
Kraushaar and Andrew Reese
February 9 Lindsey
Lukes and Scott Kraushaar
February 16 Daniel
Jax and Cameron Kolbe
February 23 Zachary
Kestner and Matthew Reese
TRONDHJEM BIRTHDAYS
February 4 Maynard Johnson
February 10 Dick Kraushaar
February 16 Irene Benesh
February 17 Megan Thompson
Brad
Thompson
February 26 David Krause
February 28 Ann Chapek
TRONDHJEM ANNIVERSARIES
February 15 Elna & Roger Severtson
TRONDHJEM MEMORIALS
BUILDING FUND
In memory of
Ethyl Moen by M/M Ralph George, M/M Morgan d’Etienne & family
In memory of
Ethyl Moen by M/M Richard Kraushaar, M/M Dean Lukes, M/M Ed Prantner, Mary Cox
In memory of
Robert Babey by Marie Belshan
In memory of
Deylan Cech by Marie Belshan & Mary Cox
In memory of
Ethyl Moen by M/M Maynard Johnson
GENERAL FUND
In memory of
Deylan Cech by M/M Jim Benesh, Sr.
In memory of
Arnold Barta by Ann, Randy and M/M Don Chapek
In memory of
Ethyl Moen by M/M Roger Krause
SUNDAY SCHOOL
In memory of
Ethyl Moen by M/M Sheldon Lukes
A generous
memorial was given in memory of Ethyl Moen by M/M Ralph George, M/M Morgan
d’Etienne and family. At our Annual
Meeting it was voted to put this money towards remodeling our Sunday School
Room. Ethyl adored children; it will be
a fitting use for this memorial. “Thank
you” to Ethyl’s family!
We the people of
VISION STATEMENT
As a community of faith in Jesus Christ, we
will demonstrate care and compassion for one another and also to a world in
much need. God’s Word and the Holy
Sacraments are central to our life of faith.
As we grow and are nourished by these, we will bring the good news of
God’s forgiveness, life and salvation to those around us.
FEBRUARY ASSIGNMENTS
Altar Guild
Marlene Thompson and Carolyn Matson
Coffee Servers
February 2 Carolyn
& Greg Matson
February 9 Bev
& Jerry Noland/Shirley & Doran Gray
February 16 Dawn &
February 23 Edith & Paul Samuelson/Jack & Jean
Thisius
Ushers
*David, Paulette & Betsy Paulson
Dale
& Millie Westlund
Steve, Kaye & Tristan Tufte
Bob & Bonnie Felt
February
Confirmation Acolyte/Usher
Schedule
February 2 Melissa Sather and Brooke Woitas
February 9 Miranda Garduno and Michelle Learn
February 16
February 23 Ben Berhow and Eric Elleby
THANK YOU for your
generous donations during the Christmas season.
The money was given to a family that needs to install a lift in their
van for medical reasons.
The
February 1 Philip Hafstad
February 2 Bob Armon
February 3 Kelly Jo Christensen
Carol
Conley
February 4 Paul Westland
Greg
Matson
February 5 Dave Paulson
February 6 Jordan Elleby
February 8 Paul Ladlie
Brett
Frydenlund
February 9 Clayton Peterson
Chris
Skaar
Kellie
Anderson
February 10 James Becker
February 14 Cheryl Heimsness
February 15 Pat Hafstad
February 17 Sandra Ruble
Susan
Hoiseth
February 18 Edith Tennis
February 19 Marlene Schroeder
February 20 Michael Hill
February 21 Steven Tufte
Joshua
Enderson
Shelby
Eggum
February 26 Kendall Johnson
Scott
Nelson
February 27 Diane Matson
Doran
Schroeder
February 28 David Westland
February 15 David & Marlene Thompson
February 26 Todd & Cheryl Enderson
ALTAR GUILD
NEWS
ALTAR FLOWERS
Fresh
flowers for the altar are a beautiful addition to our worship service. If you wish to furnish flowers, all you need
to do is call the Altar Guild president, Diane Ladlie, 256-7514. The Guild will purchase and display the
flowers for you, and if you wish, will put an acknowledgement in the Sunday
bulletin. Cost of the flowers is usually
about $15. Your generosity and support
are greatly appreciated. Thank you.
LIFT FUND
In memory of Janet Skaar Pecora by Polly Noland, Ray & Mavis Miller, Opal Petersen,
Ron & Ginny Petersen, Bob & Trudy Walsh, Gertrude Iverson, Mildred A.
Gurwell, Keith & Judy Olson, Helen Sheldon, Judith Johnson, Paul &
LaVonne Stieler, Gen Olson, Jim & Nancy Skaar, Kendall & Lila Johnson,
Dick & Shirley Kraushaar, Keith & Janet Iverson, James & Bertha
Frydenlund, Raymond & Mavis Miller, Merle Anderson, Art Sherman, M/M David
L. Benson, M/M Donald Bolinger, M/M Bill Sherman, Marjorie Stephenson
In memory of Olive Westrum by Merle Anderson, Willis & Barb Pfiefer, Beulah
Wiegand, Helen Dockwell, Cleon & Helene Westrum, Sylvia Kycek, Jim &
Bertha Frydenlund, Curt & Natalie Larson, Dave & Marlene Thompson,
Kendall & Lila Johnson, Gayler & Ethel Jensen, Galen & Carmen
Johnson, Gen Greibrok, Shirley Olson, Beatrice & Melvin Wacholz, Joe &
Frances Nelson, Carlyle & Dorothy Greibrok, Alice & Neal Rasmussen,
Paul & Marilyn Grasdalen, Bernhardt & Lucille Anderson, Keith &
Janet Iverson, Ron & Linda Erickson, Gary Lind Peterson, Marv & Joyce
Stenzel, Dwight & Loretta Schewe, Morningstar Home Health, Milford &
Millie Larson, Marie & Alton Krikava, Maple Hill Manor, Ed & Virginia
Plantage, Bill & Pat Draayer, Irene Jensen, Milt & Mabel Larson, Sharon
& Frank Holway, Dick & Marlene Jensen, Don & Norma Stoneking,
Charlie & Mary Kernes, Bob & Joanne Kleunder, Harold & Loretta
Kermes, Bonnie Berndt, Tom & Diane Leake, Fred & Judi Moller, Lisa
Johnson Sharpe, Hayward Senior Citizens, Sally Anderson, Dale & Gloria Schroeder,
Gordon & Faye Jensen, Curtis & Lucille Larson, Bob & Phyllis
Johnson, Neighborhood Club, Neal & Jean Skaar, Camilla Frydenlund, Lornie
& Elinor Stotts, Bob & Maracia Larson, H.C. & Faye Nelson, Phil
Shari, Brett Staehling, John & Linda Galkin, Carol Williams, Mike &
Susanne Moore, Paul & Dora Levine, Robert Olson, Sue & Randy Studier,
Jean Heary, Gertrude Iverson, Violet Kycek, Lila Esse, Lois Schroeder, Sonja
Johnson, Nick & Jeanne Schermer, Jim & Nancy Skaar, Gen Olson.
In memory of Verda Gunnarson by James Frydenlund, Bonnie Berndt, Nick & Jeanne
Schermer, Randall Brown, Polly Noland, Lila Esse, Rebecca Circle, James
Frydenlund, Bertha Frydenlund, Hayward Sr. Citizens, Merle Anderson.
In memory of Mildred
Nelson
by Lowell& Dawn Nelson.
In honor of Gertrude
Iverson’s 90th birthday by Ruben & Ila Schmidt, S. E. Bornfleth, Kristin
Bornfleth, Sharon Bornfleth.
ALTAR GUILD
In memory of Janet Skaar Pecora by Odean & Janet Jerdee.
In memory of Olive Westrum by Carole & Alan Blitstein, Ron & Volly Johnson,
Gene & Elaine Flusek.
ORGAN FUND
In memory of Olive Westrum by Lori Nordaas, Gwyneth Nelson, Paul & Barb Miller,
Ed & Donna Bylund, Clarence & Ada Hendrickson, Steve & Liz Olson.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
In memory of Olive Westrum by Edna & Duane Fenske, Mary Ann Storry, Priscilla
Melby, Marge Walton, Kevin & Terry Walton, Rita Seeger.
STAINED GLASS FUND
In memory of Olive Westrum by Gen Olson, Chris & Kay Skaar, Ashle & Harriet
Skaar, Katherine Barnick, Faye Olson, Lavonne Williams, Paul & Min
Westland, M/M Dale Westlund.
In memory of Janet Skaar Pecora by Tracy & Sue Skaar, Phil & Edie Tennis, Don
& Nancy Golde, Dave & Marlene Thompson, Ashle & Harriet Skaar, Lila Esse, H. C. & Faye Nelson, Al &
Donna Mendenhall, Don & Gerry Johnson, Gene & Elaine Flusek, Faye Olson.
CEMETERY FUND
In memory of Olive Westrum by Oscar & Sheila Johnson.
In memory of Janet Skaar Pecora by Clayton Peterson.
In memory of Ada Westlund by Ted & Janet Thorson, Keith & Susan Bengtson,
M/M Melvin Kaasa, Kris Burtgel, Emily Bengtson.
A Memorial Service for VERDE BELLE GUNNARSON was held on
A
Funeral Service for Olive R.
Westrum
was held on
A
Funeral Service for Melvin
Wacholz
was held on
The Hayward Church Council meeting was held
on
Present were: Steve Tufte,
Steve Tufte called the meeting to
order. The Agenda was discussed and
approved.
Secretary’s Report:
Motion was made by Randy Eggum
and seconded by Dean Anderson to accept the Secretary’s Report as printed. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer’s Report was presented
by Sue Skaar. Motion was made by
Sue asked for permission to change the
computer software she is using to Quick Book.
Permission given.
Items to be considered:
1.
Annual
Meeting Agenda:
The agenda for the Annual
meeting was discussed and decided on.
2.
Parsonage
Furnace:
Quotes were obtained from
Johnson Heating & Air Conditioning and Christianson Plumbing for the
purchase of a new furnace and air conditioner for the parsonage. A motion was made by Steve Tufte and seconded
by
3.
Coffee
Machine:
Still having problems with the coffee
machine overflowing. The company we
received it from sold out to a company in Rochester and they don’t know how to
fix it. Dick will be talking to Four
Seasons to have them bring in a machine.
4.
Church
Organ:
5.
Nominating
Committee:
Dean Anderson reported on the
Nominating Committee. They are still
looking for one more person for the Council position.
6.
Handicapped
Lift Project:
Steve Tufte will be speaking
with Larson Construction reference the concerns of the Hayward City Council and
also attend the Council meeting on January 20th.
A motion was made by
7.
Membership
List:
Working on getting an active
list together.
8.
Telephone
System:
Should be installed this next
week.
9.
Pastor
Hagen’s Pension:
Steve Tufte received some more
information from the Synod concerning this issue.
A motion was made by Pastor Malm to adjourn
the meeting. Motion seconded by Dean
Anderson. Meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
Next meeting February 16, 2003
after worship.
Respectfully submitted,
HAYWARD LUTHERAN CONGREGATION OFFICERS
Steve Tufte, President (04)
Sonja Johnson, Vice-President
(06)
Sue Skaar, Treasurer (elected)
COUNCIL: Jean
Skaar (04)
Randy
Eggum (05)
Bob
Armon (06)
NOTICE TO HAYWARD MEMBERS
On Monday,
February 10, 7:00 p.m., the Hayward City Council will
consider the request of Hayward Lutheran for a building permit for its Handicap
Lift & Bathroom addition. As a part
of that, the Council will consider our request to dig and tap into the Main
Street sewer for the bathroom we wish to install, something that the City Council
has already indicated they are not willing to do. We need members present to help convince them
that this is OK to do.
HAYWARD CHURCH ORGAN
Be sure to be on hand the first two Sundays in February to
listen to the new and different sounds of a church organ. Schmitt Music of Rochester has agreed to let
us try out a Johannes Opus 20 to see how it works and fits in our particular
worship setting. This new digital organ
has a much greater capability to more closely reproduce the sounds of an actual
pipe organ. We think you will be
pleasantly surprised in what you hear.
NOTICE: HAYWARD LUTHERAN – CHANGE
IN WORSHIP TIME
At its Annual Meeting, the
congregation voted to change its worship time from 10:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for the rest of the school year.
PARISH NEWS DEADLINE
The deadline for turning in articles and calendar information for the
Parish News is the 20th
of each month. Thank you for your cooperation.
ADDRESS CHANGE? If you or someone you know has
had a change of address or phone number within this past year, please inform
the Church Office as soon as possible.
Thank you for your help!
CHRIS SCHERMER IN “WEST SIDE STORY”
Chris Schermer
has the lead role at Tony in the play “West Side Story” to be presented January
30 – February 23, 2003 by the Bloomington Civic Theatre at the Richfield Middle
School Theatre. See the bulletin board
in the narthex for times and ticket information.
BECKY SKAAR IN OPERA “MARRIAGE OF FIGARO”
CHURCH LEADERS TO BE
INSTALLED
Officers, Council Members and other leaders of Hayward
Lutheran and Trondhjem Lutheran, both newly elected and those continuing in
office, will be installed on Sunday, February 2 during the Worship Service.
The PARISH BIBLE STUDY will resume this coming Sunday, February 2 at 6
p.m. at Hayward Lutheran.
You are invited to come and join us!
REVEREND MONRAD MANDSAGER RETIRING
After 40 years of ministry, including 13
years of Chaplaincy at St. John’s Lutheran Home, Reverend Monrad Mandsager is
retiring on February 9, 2003. Because
Monrad has been such a blessing to St. John’s, come help us celebrate his
devoted ministry.
Celebration Service at 1:30 p.m. in the
Chapel. Open House Reception from 2:15
to 4:30 p.m. in the dining room.
ART SERIES AT UNITED METHODIST
The Minnesota BoyChoir
Mark Johnson, Director
February 23, 2003, Sunday
4 o’clock in the afternoon
Founded in
1962, the Minnesota Boychoir is the oldest boychoir in the Twin Cities. In recent years they have toured Austria,
Japan, England, France, and Norway. The
Boychoir provides excellent training for young singers, and builds the
ground-work for a life-long enjoyment of music and the Arts. Mr. Johnson appears frequently as accompanist
and director for various musical activities.
This will be a concert to remember.
.