FROM THE PASTOR---
ADVENT: TIME FOR HOUSE CLEANING
House cleaning in December? I thought that was in the spring! But, I wonder if many of us end up doing a lot of house cleaning this month as a preparation for the coming gatherings of family and friends at Christmas.
The prophetic readings from Isaiah speak
strongly about PEACE to our world. Peace
is not simply the absence of war, but the intentional act of beating swords
into plowshares (hoes?) and spears into pruning hooks (mower blades?). God does not want us to learn the trade of
war any more. Advent tunes our ears to
God’s dangerous call to serve as peacemakers.
The psalmist’s centuries-old prayer is still relevant today: “Pray for the peace of
The second readings are like God’s alarm
clock, waking us to the urgency of repentance.
God’s promised coming offers hope amidst all the alarming news of war,
violence, and famine in the world. Romans 15 serves as a type of benediction for the Sundays in
Advent as we celebrate the hopes and fears of all the years in the coming of
Jesus the Christ. Sometimes it seems as
though God’s coming is delayed or ineffective, but we are counseled to be patient
and wait on God’s promises in hopeful expectation. In this season we do not pretend that Jesus
has not yet come. We already claim the
promises that are ours in the power of Christ’s death and resurrection. We watch in confidence for the one who came,
who comes among us each time we gather around Word and Sacrament, and who draws
us into God’s final coming to make all things new.
In the gospel readings, hopeful people are
urged to be ready for God’s unexpected appearances according to God’s own time. A surprising voice in the wilderness again
calls all people to a new appraisal of their lives and an
openness to the Holy
One who
will baptize with the Holy
Spirit and a cleansing fire.
John, the whistle-blower on unholy lives, is jailed for pointing to
Jesus as God’s Messiah who brings good news to all people. It is good news that will become the song of
the angels and that will be on the lips and in the hearts of those forgiven and
healed by the Savior. All of this points
to the Christ who is Emmanuel – God with us.
We know him as the promised one who came among us, who continues to be
with us, and who opens up all of God’s future as a promise in which we can
hope.
If you had the privilege to be in
All of these Advent scripture readings stir
up a new vision of a world in which God comes among us. Will we allow our imaginations to lead us
toward a vision for what all this means for our
congregations and our life in the community and the world? During these
December days, the world tries to define Christmas in a way that mutes this
Advent message. The church has both the
opportunity and the responsibility to proclaim that Advent is not a wet blanket
on all the festivity, but rather a HOUSE CLEANING that prepares us to celebrate
what God has given us all in Christ Jesus; for that is what gives hope and joy
to this world.
Pastor John
OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOLY COMMUNION
December 14 Advent II
December 24 Christmas Eve (
December 25 Christmas Day (Trondhjem)
PARISH ADVENT MEN’S
BREAKFASTS
Join us for the Advent Parish Men’s
Breakfast each Tuesday morning at
This is a gathering of our community men
for a time of food, fellowship and a brief devotional to begin the day. Bring a friend, member or not, and join in
the fellowship. Our meetings will
continue through December 21st.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP STUDYING GALATIONS
We are studying the six chapters of Paul’s
letter to the Galatians.
We meet every Sunday evening at
Come and join us for a time of learning,
sharing and fellowship. Coffee and
goodies are served after each session.
If you would like to come and need a ride
to the church, please call the church office.
IT’S A CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
You are cordially invited to a Christmas
Open House at the parsonage on Sunday, November 19th from
TRONDHJEM NEWS
DECEMBER ASSIGNMENTS
Altar
Guild
Linda Kraushaar
Coffee
Servers
December 5 Sunday School
December 19 Barb Prantner
Communion
Assistant
Dean Lukes
Lectors
December 5 Steve Kraushaar
December 12 Scott Kraushaar
DECEMBER ACOLYTE/USHER
ASSIGNMENTS
December 5 Cameron Kolbe
& Jessica Naatz
December 12 Scott Kraushaar
& Matt Reese
December 19 Daniel Jax &
Cortney Thostenson
December 25 Cameron Kolbe
& Jessica Naatz
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
December 19 Cindy Severtson
December 20 Andy Reese
Tracy Jahnke
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
December 5 Dean &
Charlotte Lukes
December 13 Dick & Shirley
Kraushaar
Be careful that your marriage doesn’t become a duel instead of a duet.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and
things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 14:19
THANK YOU
All of us at
THANK YOU
Thank you to all who remembered me while I was in the hospital and
after coming home. A
special “thank you” to Pastor Malm for his visits and prayers.
-----Emil & Bev Prantner
FOOD FOR SALVATION ARMY
Members of Trondhjem will be
collecting food items from now until Christmas.
These items will be given to the Salvation Army.
MEMORIALS
GENERAL
FUND
In memory of Mary Cox by M/M Jim Benesh, Sr., Emily Cech, and M/M Roger Krause.
In
memory of Marge Osburn by Emily Cech.
BUILDING
FUND
In memory of Mary Cox by M/M
DavidMonson, Grace Cotter, M/M Richard Kraushaar, M/M Dale Lukes, Barb
Prantner and M/M Emil Prantner
MISSIONS
In
memory of Mary Cox by WELCA.
KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED
Emil Prantner in
TRONDHJEM WELCA NEWS
100 QUILTS COMPLETED
Since we have completed 100
quilts, it is time to say “Thank you” to all who contributed material, prepared
quilt tops, tied all the knots, hemmed the quilts, delivered about half to
local places in need and packed the rest for World Relief.
Let’s not forget our other
projects which include sewing kits and collecting soap. We need the help of all of you throughout the
year to be successful.
Thank you for making all of
our projects happen.
----Betty Krause,
WELCA President
FALL PROJECT DONATIONS RECEIVED
I would like to thank the
WELCA women for their donations to the Fall Project. We have received $470 as of October 31st. Anyone who hasn’t given to this project can
still do so. The money is going towards
the basement remodeling project.
Also, anyone who hasn’t given
to the Thank Offering can still do so.
We had our Thank Offering Service Thursday, November 18th for
those who attended our regular WELCA meeting.
We would like to encourage
any of our women to attend our WELCA monthly meetings as listed in your 2005
program booklet. We would like to
continue our ongoing projects and would like to see some new faces. Please try to participate if you can.
----Elaine Lukes,
WELCA Treasurer
FAMILY CHRISTMAS DINNER
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
On Saturday, December 4 at
Noon Trondhjem Lutheran will have their Family Christmas Dinner followed by the
Christmas Program. Come and join us for
the time of fellowship and worship.
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.
OUR STEWARDSHIP FOR 2004
Month Where we Actuals Should
be
January $ 8,358 $ 7,291.42
February $16,716 $16,032.34
March $25,074 $22.806.34
April $33,432 $30,555.34
May $41,790 $37,145.34
June $50,148 $42,566.00
July $58.506 $50,706.00
August $66,864 $56,491.00
September $75,222 $67,013.31
October $83,580 $75,236.31
November $91,938 $80,417.31 (As
of
The Hayward Church Council
met on
Present: Sonja Johnson, Keith Iverson, , Randy Eggum, Bob Armon, Pat Frydenlund, Sharon Malm,
Pastor John. Absent: Vickie Storlie
Randy Eggum presided over the
meeting.
The Agenda was
discussed. Sonja Johnson made a motion
to approve the Agenda. Keith Iverson
seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Secretary’s
Report – Last meeting’s Minutes were approved
and seconded by Randy Eggum. Motion
carried.
Treasurer’s
Report – Keith Iverson made a motion to approve
the Treasurer’s Report. Bob Armon seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
Items
Considered
The December calendar was
presented.
A Scholarship of $200 was
awarded to Brett Frydenlund for freshman attendance at a church affiliated
school.
There was discussion in
regards to designating part of our benevolence to a specific mission.
Church membership was
discussed.
Parsonage
New carpet has been
installed.
Replacement of windows is
planned.
Church
Properties
A new urinal for the
men’s restroom will be purchased and installed.
A diaper changing table
will be installed in the handicap bathroom by Bob Armon.
Containers of hand
sanitizer will be purchased to be available in key areas for members to use.
Painting of the Youth
Sunday School Room is pending.
A used Fire File is in
place in the church office. Thank you to
Tad Lunning for this contribution.
Keith Iverson made a motion
to adjourn the meeting. Sonja Johnson
seconded the motion. Motions carried.
The next meeting of the
Hayward Council will be December 12th. A Joint Council meeting with Trondhjem will
be held on December 15th.
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Frydenlund, Acting Secretary
DECEMBER ASSIGNMENTS
Altar
Guild
Marlene Thompson &
Carolyn Matson
Coffee
Servers
December 5 NO
COFFEE-SS. Program
December 12 Lynn
& Darlene Gilby/Shannon
Mayer
December 19 Gary & Paula
Broitzman/Dale Anderson
December 26 Mike & Vickie
Larson/Steve Lundak
Ushers
*David & Marlene
Thompson
Keith Iverson
Vern & Pat
Frydenlund
Gary Jacobsma
Communion
and Offering Duty
Keith Iverson &
Randy Eggum
Lectors
December 5 Phil Tennis
December 12 Randy Eggum
December 19 Jean Skaar
DECEMBER ACOLYTE/USHER SCHEDULE
December 5 Samantha Anderson
& Caylee Tennis
December 12 Louis &
December 19 Hunter Gilby &
Mitch Skaar
December 24 – 4 p.m. – Dahna Wright & Julie Erickson
December 26 Samantha Anderson
& Caylee Tennis
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
December 9
December 27 Kendall & Lila
Johnson
December 30 Paul & Min
Westland
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
December 3 Linda Johnson
December 4 Eugene Jenson
December 6
Linda
Jacobsma
December 11 Samantha Mayer
December 12 Shirley Gray
December 14 Bernhardt Anderson
Dawn
Jenson
December 16 Danielle Mayer
December 20 Pat Frydenlund
December 22 Paula Broitzman
December 23 Brie-Anne Woitas
December 24 Jill Erickson
December 25 Gertrude Iverson
December 26 John Habana
December 29 Wayne Kromminga
Travis
Jacobsen
KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED
Merle
MEMORIALS
BUILDING
FUND
In memory of Mary Cox
ALTAR
GUILD
In memory of Marie
Lamoreux
GENERAL
FUND
In memory of Lucille
Travnick
In memory of Marjorie
Jensen
In memory of Mary Cox
THANK YOU
Thank you to Doran & Shirley Gray, Faye Learn, Kendall Johnson,
Neal Skaar, Steve & Louis Tufte and Randy Eggum for helping move furniture
for the installation of carpeting at the parsonage.
THANK YOU
Thank you to Bev & Jerry Noland, Edith Samuelson, Dick & Gwen
Hanson for moving books & furniture for the installation of carpeting in
the Library.
THANK YOU
Thank you to Tad Lunning for donating the used Fire File to the Church
Office. Thank you also to Bob Armon and
Randy Eggum for moving a VERY HEAVY file.
CONGRATULATIONS to Casey and Cody Eggum, sons of Randy and Tammy Eggum. They received their Eagle Scout Awards on
Sunday, November 7, at a ceremony at First Baptist Church of Clarks Grove.
THANK YOU
Dear Friends and Relatives,
Thank you for remembering me
in your prayers and for all the cards and food and telephone calls. I really appreciate it. God’s blessings to all.
Love,
Lois Schroeder
ALTAR
GUILD
WOULD YOU LIKE TO
CONTRIBUTE FRESH 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,
Marlene Thompson (373-3895). 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.
SUNDAY
SCHOOL NEWS
THANK YOU FROM THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Sunday School Bake Sale generated
$80.00 for bikes and books for the graduating students of the Lutheran
Institute at Kiomboi.
Thanks to all who contributed the goodies. And a
special thank you to Kurt Freitag, Ashlyn Freitag and Millie Westland for
“manning” the sale.
----Cheryl Freitag, HLC Board Of
Education
“EARLY EARLY BIRD”
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
The students and teachers in
our Sunday School have been busy the past few weeks
preparing the music and parts for this Christmas musical which will be
presented on Sunday, December 12th during the
The name of the musical is “STRANGER
IN THE MANGER”.
This musical tells about the birth of Jesus. It teaches the children that this Stranger in
the manger wasn’t really so strange at all.
It was all part of God’s wonderful plan of salvation for our lives.
Come and hear the children
share this wonderful story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus!!!
WELCA NEWS
WELCA TO HAVE BAKE
The Hayward WELCA
will hold its Annual Christmas Bake Sale on Saturday, December 4th
from
Rolls, Coffee and
Hot Cider will be served during the morning.
Come and join your friends and neighbors for a time of fellowship.
Your words are windows to your heart.
…For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaketh.
Matthew 12:34b
THIS ‘N’ THAT
THE TABLECLOTH
The brand new pastor and his
wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in suburban
They worked hard, repairing
pews, plastering walls, painting, etc., and on December 18 were ahead of
schedule and just about finished. On
December 19th a terrible tempest – a driving rainstorm hit the area
and lasted for two days.
On the 21st, the
pastor went over to the church. His
heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of
plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary
just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high.
The pastor cleaned up the
mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas
Eve service, headed home. On the way he
noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity so
he stopped in. One of the items was a
beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work,
fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the
hole in the front wall. He bought it and
headed back to the church.
By this time it had started
to snow. An older woman running from the
opposite direction was trying to catch the bus.
She missed it. The pastor invited
her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later.
She sat in a pew and paid no
attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the
tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The
pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the
entire problem area.
Then he noticed the woman
walking down the center aisle. Her face
was like a sheet.. “Pastor,” she asked, “where did you get that
tablecloth?”
The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right
corner to see if the initials EBG were crocheted into it there. They were.
These were the initials of
the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in
The woman could hardly
believe it as the pastor told how he had just gotten the Tablecloth. The woman explained that before the war she
and her husband were well-to-do people in
The pastor wanted to give her
the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home. That was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of
What a wonderful service they
had on Christmas Eve. The church was
almost full. The music and the spirit
were great. At the end of the service,
the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they
would return.
One older man, whom the
pastor recognized from the neighborhood, continued to sit in one of the pews
and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn’t leaving.
The man asked him where he
got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his
wife had made years ago when they lived in
He told the pastor how the
Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety, and he was supposed
to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again all
the 35 years in between.
The pastor asked him if he
would allow him to take him for a little ride.
They drove to
He helped the man climb the
three flights of stairs to the woman’s apartment, knocked on the door and he
saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could every imagine.
The cost for the summer trip is as follows:
Adults
- $750
Senior
Citizens - $700
Children
(2-15 years) - $475
Children under 2 - $200.
COSTS MAY CHANGE AFTER THE FIRST
OF THE YEAR DUE TO TRAIN COSTS SO REGISTER TODAY!
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!
“EARLY
EARLY BIRD”