FROM THE PASTOR---

SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST A WEDDING

It happens to every pastor. The telephone rings and the voice on the other end announces that there is trouble in their marriage and they need to talk. “Is there any way that you can help? Are there people to whom you can refer us?” If that telephone call comes early enough in that marriage crisis, there may be some chance that the relationship can be repaired and the couple can move on to an even better marriage with each other. But far too often, the call comes to the pastor as a kind of last-ditch effort. The stinging words or actions have already left their mark and the chances are much less that the marriage, the relationship can be saved. At that point it would take much more work and commitment than most couples are willing to expend.

As a pastor who has performed many dozens of weddings over some thirty-plus years, I know that each and every marriage begins with a good measure of love and of trust on the part of a couple that this relationship is going to work out. But the truth of the matter is that trust and desire are only two of several ingredients necessary to keep a marriage exciting and alive. Like most things it takes a whole heap of work. It means clarifying and saying again and again how you feel about one another. It means tenderness and care. It means not taking the other for granted. It means time spent in building a relationship that is forever being pulled at and twisted around by various demands for time and attention. Indeed, it is a relationship that two people cannot hold together all by themselves; it is impossible.

For a marriage to work and become what God intended it to be, it needs God’s presence daily in Word and Spirit. For a marriage to become something more than a convenient way to see to the needs of the kids or keep a roof over your head,

that relationship will need to be built upon a faith not only in each other, but also in God.

If you want to see your marriage grow, then feed it worship and faith. If you want to see your relationship develop into something strong and significant, then let it be bathed in the sunshine of God’s forgiving love. Let your marriage become more than just another wedding. Let it be a unity held together by the glue of God and of God’s kind of love, a love that gives and gives and gives without demanding anything in return. Let it become a marriage that is worth coming home to.

Pastor John

OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOLY COMMUNION

July 4 5^th Sunday after Pentecost

August 1 9^th Sunday after Pentecost

August 8 10^th Sunday after Pentecost

WORLD WAR II VETERANS HONORED

On Sunday, June 6^th, the anniversary of D-Day, the members of Hayward Lutheran and Trondhjem Lutheran paused to remember and give honor to the many people from our parish who served in the armed forces during WW II, some on the European side and some on the Pacific. The following is a list, to the best of our knowledge, of those members still living:

HAYWARD LUTHERAN: Bernhardt Anderson, Bertha Frydenlund (Nursing), Galen Johnson, Kendall Johnson, Curt Larson, Sr., Paul Olson and Paul Samuelson.

TRONDHJEM LUTHERAN: Obert Haldorson, Maynard Johnson and Emil Prantner.

These people were honored during the worship service and received a Certificate of Recognition from the parish.

PASTOR LILLEJORD HERE JULY 3 & 4

Pastor Nels Lillejord and his wife will be visiting the parish on the weekend of July 3-4. On Saturday he will officiate with Pastor Malm at the Iverson-Wangler wedding. He also kindly agreed to preach at the worship service on Sunday, the 4^th. Because of this, the Parish Joint Council has agreed to have one parish communion service on the 4^th at Hayward Lutheran at 10:00 a.m., with both a coffee hour beforehand at 9:15 a.m. and a parish potluck meal after the worship. This way, people from both congregations who wish to do so can have an opportunity to visit with the Lillejords. Pastor Lillejord had one of the longer terms of ministry in this parish, serving here from 1977 to 1990, when he accepted a call, first to a parish at Hillman, MN for five years, and then to McVille, ND. They now enjoy retirement, living in Jamestown, ND and spending winters in Arizona. Please join us on July 4^th at HLC in welcoming the Lillejords.

DURING THE PASTOR’S ABSENCE THIS SUMMER

You will see from the summer calendar in the church paper that Pastor John and Sharon will be absent from the parish at different times this summer. Both will be absent from June 21-July 1 and August 2-6. Pastor Malm will be absent from July 12-28, but during those times Sharon will be home or in the office.

During those times, I have asked two area pastors to be available for any pastoral care needs in the parish: Pr. David Hernes of East Freeborn Lutheran (PH: 507-256-7665) and Pr. Jeff Wallager of the Bethel/Deer Creek Parish (PH: 507-448-2067). During times when both Pastor John and Sharon are gone, members can also contact the congregation officers for help and direction.

Ms. Rachel Oldfather will be the worship leader for parish services on June 27^th and July 18^th and 25^th. Rachel did the same for us last summer. She has completed two years of study at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. This summer she is taking a required course in Clinical Pastoral Education (chaplaincy) at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville. At the end of August she will pack up and journey to Avon, Connecticut for a year of internship at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Rachel grew up in Kiester, Minnesota and is a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, a congregation that Pastor Malm served in the 80’s. Her mom and Sharon grew up on neighboring farms south of Bricelyn and Rachel was one of Sharon’s Day Care “kids” in Kiester for several years. God has blessed Rachel with some very good gifts for ministry and we hope you will welcome her warmly during her time in our midst.

TRONDHJEM NEWS

JULY-AUGUST ASSIGNMENTS

Altar Guild

July Charlotte Lukes

August Betty & Jill Krause

Coffee Servers

July 18 Tracy Jahnke

July 25 Lucetta & Clifford Kermes

August 8 Doug & Peggy Thompson

Communion Assistant

July Dean Lukes

August Sheldon Lukes

JULY-AUGUST ACOLYTE/USHER

ASSIGNMENTS

July 4 Brad Thompson & Scott Kraushaar

July 11 Outdoor Worship at HLC

July 18 Daniel Jax & Kyle Thompson

July 25 Sean Kraushaar & Andrew Reese

August 1 Jessica Naatz & Megan Thompson

August 8 Scott Kraushaar & Matt Reese

August 15 Daniel Jax & Cameron Kolbe

August 22 Brad Thompson & Scott Kraushaar

August 29 Daniel Jax & Kyle Thompson

JULY-AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

July 5 Shirley Kraushaar

July 6 Arlene Chapek

July 15 Zachary Kestner

July 18 Greg Lukes

July 28 Anna Severtson

Joleen Krause

August 4 Jessica Naatz

August 6 Annette Naatz

August 23 Roger Severtson

August 27 Sandy Chapek

JULY-AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

July 22 Roger & Betty Krause

John & Sandy Chapek

August 5 Ruth & Sheldon Lukes

August 22 Mark & Debbie Brekke

REMEMBER ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Mark your calendars now! The annual Trondhjem Pie and Ice Cream Social will be held on Sunday, September 12^th beginning at 5 p.m.

Come and join us for the delicious meal as well as “yummy home made pies” and ice cream to top it off. And last, but not least, come and join us for the fun and fellowship!

COMMUNITY WORSHIP AT MYRTLE

AUGUST 15^TH

On Sunday, August 15^th, there will be no 10:00 a.m. worship service at Trondhjem. Rather, we will join together with people from the Myrtle area for a community worship at 10:30 a.m. This will coincide with the summer pancake breakfast meal sponsored by the Myrtle Fire Department. Pastor Malm, along with Pr. Jeff Wallager of the Bethlehem/Deer Creek Parish, will lead the worship service. Special Music will be provided.

The worship service will be outdoors, in front of the Myrtle Fire Hall. If the weather is not good, the service will take place at Bethlehem. Members can bring their normal offering envelopes for that day. Any loose offering will be given to the needs of the Fire Department.

HAYWARD NEWS

MISSION STATEMENT

We the people of Hayward Lutheran Church confess the Triune God, and strive to follow the words and deeds of Jesus Christ.

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.

HAYWARD LUTHERAN

OUR STEWARDSHIP FOR 2004

Month Where we Actual

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 thru June 13

A NOTE FROM YOUR TREASURER

Please remember that your congregation’s need for financial support does not decrease during these coming summer months. For these first five months, our income has not been able to keep ahead of our expenses, which includes our congregational goal to pay our synod benevolence obligations on a monthly basis, as well as return funds that we have borrowed from the Congregation Building Fund.

Because of a lack of income, we have needed to continue to borrow funds from the Building Fund into the General Fund. If our income does not increase, we will need to continue that borrowing. As of right now, the General Fund owes the Building Fund over $5,800, leaving a balance in the Building Fund of about $3,500.

Please consider the budgeted needs of our congregation during these coming weeks.

Thank you,

Sonja Johnson

Congregation Vice-President and Treasurer

JULY-AUGUST ASSIGNMENTS

Altar Guild

Bev Lunde and Gwen Hanson

Coffee Servers

July 4 Phil & Edie Tennis

July 11 LeMoyne & Carole Eggum/Ted

Eggum

July 18 Noona Barnick/Helen Dockwell

July 25 Bob & Bonnie Felt

August 1 Dave & Paulette Paulson

August 8 Bob & Cindy Armon

August 15 Steve & Kaye Tufte

August 22 Curt & Natalie Larson

August 29 Wes & Cammie Tennis

Ushers

JULY

*Curt, Natalie, Amy & Michael Larson

Tracy Skaar

Wes & Cammie Tennis

Travis & Brandon Quam

AUGUST

*Gary & Paula Broitzman

Lowell, Dawn & Jenny Nelson

Gene & Bev Jensen

Kendall & Lila Johnson

Communion and Offering Duty

JULY

Keith Iverson & Randy Eggum

AUGUST

Randy Eggum & Vickie Storlie

JULY-AUGUST ACOLYTE/USHER SCHEDULE

July 4 Cecilia Hill & Josselyn Hill

July 11 Julie Erickson & Lacy Wright

July 18 Louis Tufte & Hunter Gilby

July 25 Samantha Anderson & Caylee Tennis

August 1 Michelle Learn & Dahna Wright

August 8 Zoe Hill & Samantha Anderson

August 15 Cecilia Hill & Josselyn Hill

August 22 Julie Erickson & Lacy Wright

August 29 Louis Tufte & Hunter Gilby

JULY-AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

July 10 H.C. & Faye Nelson

Nick & Jeanne Schermer

July 11 Thomas & Stacey Westland

July 14 Wes & Cammie Tennis

July 17 Troy & Susan Eggum

July 20 Philip & Edith Tennis

July 27 Eugene & Beverly Jenson

July 28 Steven & Kaye Tufte

August 4 Curt Jr. & Natalie Larson

August 6 LeMoyne & Carole Eggum

August 13 Faye & Frank Learn

August 14 Troy & April Habana

August 16 Vern & Patricia Frydenlund

August 18 Neal & Jean Skaar

August 26 Devon & Cindy Wriedt

JULY-AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

July 2 Ted Eggum

July 3 Barb Miller

July 6 Bobbi Jo Jacobsma

July 7 Scott Thebiay

July 8 Jay Skaar

July 12 Michael Nelson

July 15 Nathaniel Lein

July 16 Sarah Iverson

July 17 Karen Sorenson

July 20 Diane Ladlie

Scott Nelson

July 21 Brian Berhow

July 24 Kyle Iverson

July 25 Cheryl Enderson

Denise Jenson

Joshua Johnson

Chelsea Hill

July 26 Gary Broitzman

July 30 Shane Christensen

LeMoyne Eggum

August 1 Cindy Armon

Paulette Paulson

August 2 Randy Eggum

Caylee Tennis

August 8 Sharon Malm

August 9 Virginia Hill

Emily Hafstad

August 10 Natalie Larson

August 12 Dylan Schroeder

August 14 Casey Jo Eggum

Cody Eggum

August 17 Min Westland

Shannon Mayer

Craig Nelson

August 20 Curtis Larson, Sr.

Melissa Sather

August 21 Nick Schermer

August 22 Helen Kycek

August 24 Sylvia Kycek

August 25 Philip Tennis

Gwen Hanson

August 26 Stephanie Larson

August 28 Kay Skaar

Millie Westland

August 29 Katherine Skaar

August 31 Lila Esse

Julie Erickson

Preston Lein

Haley Larson

KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED

Faye Olson at in Albert Lea

Lois Schroeder in Mason City

Lorraine Braff at St. Mary’s, Rochester

Sandy Jimenez and baby Quincey

BRIDAL SHOWER

Everyone is invited to an OPEN HOUSE BRIDAL SHOWER for Holly Matson on Thursday, July 22, 2004 beginning at 7:00 p.m. Holly and Daniel Ravenhorst will be married on August 21 at Hayward Lutheran.

THANK YOU

THANK YOU to Louie and Stephanie Larson and Dick and Gwen Hanson for purchasing and planting the new bushes on the east side of the new addition.

LOST AND FOUND

Left at church the day the LYO worked on the church lawns: A Garden Cultivator Fork

Left at church the day the LYO had the car wash: Car Washing Brush

If either of these items is yours, please claim them at the church.

THANK YOU

THANK YOU to Louie Larson for his work in replacing the rocks around the tree on the south side of the parking lot. Thanks to Pastor John for helping Louie.

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.

WELCA NEWS

WELCA TO HAVE BAKE SALE, RUMMAGE SALE AND MORNING COFFEE

On Saturday, July 10^th the Hayward WELCA will hold a bake sale and rummage sale from 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The rummage sale will be on tables on the East side of the church. Coffee, juice and rolls will be served in the social hall. Please come and browse and enjoy the fellowship

We are asking for donations of baked goods, rummage sale items or a donation of $10. The baked goods may be brought to the church kitchen and the rummage sale items may be brought to the first two Sunday School rooms on the East Side of the basement all day Friday until 8 p.m. or by 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning. Please mark the price on the items that you bring. The $10 donations may be left at Nick’s Grocery or given to the WELCA treasurer, Barb Miller.

We will not accept clothing or electronic items that are not in working condition for the rummage sale. Items that do not sell will be taken to the Salvation Army the following Monday morning.

WELCA HAD TEA PARTY

On Saturday, May 1 the Hayward WELCA entertained many women and girls at a Tea Party.

The event began with a program in the sanctuary. The Senior Members who were present were honored with a corsage in recognition of all that they have contributed and done throughout their many years as members of the WELCA.

A group of young girls entertained us with a song and a skit. Our guest, Mary Petersen from Alden, shared several songs as well.

We all had a very enjoyable afternoon. Thank you to all who organized and helped with the party.

WELCA TO REVEAL

”THE COFFEE CAN MYSTERY”

The Hayward WELCA will meet on Wednesday, July 7 at 12 Noon for a Potluck Picnic served by the Circle Vice-Presidents. The business meeting will follow the picnic.

Following the meeting we will reveal the reason for asking you to save those coffee cans! It promises to be a FUN AFTERNOON! Come and join us!

GROUP FROM HAYWARD ENTERTAINS AT ST. JOHN’S

On Wednesday, June 9, Chelsea, Josselyn and Zoe Hill, along with Gwen Hanson, went to St. John’s Home to give a Cheer Program for the residents. The girls played piano, sang and we shared some Readings.

After the program we visited with the residents and helped them to the lunch room for coffee time.

We visited with Gene Flusek, Lola Matson and Everett Larson from our church and also a former member, Margaret Fritz Olson. When she was a young girl and her father was pastor here at Hayward Lutheran, she lived in the house in which the Hill girls now live.

We were supposed to cheer the residents but they, in turn, cheered us.

Submitted by Gwen Hanson, WELCA Co-President

YOUTH NEWS

YOUTH GOING TO CAMP AMNICON

A group consisting of seven youth and two adults from Hayward Lutheran will be leaving July 18^th to spend a week canoeing at Camp Amnicon located east of Superior, Wisconsin. They will return Friday, July 23^rd. Those going on the trip are: Cody & Casey Eggum, Aaron Enderson, Lee Gulbranson, Louis Tufte, Ryan Hoium, Lacey Wright, Kaye Tufte and Pastor Malm.

On Thursday, July 8, this group will meet at church for a planning meeting at 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

DAY CAMP TO BE HELD AT HLC

From July 12-16^th, children in Kindergarten up to Grade 6 will be attending Day Camp at HLC. Monday through Thursday it will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Friday it will be held from 9 a.m. to Noon. Then at 7 p.m. Friday evening there will be a Family Program at HLC. Counselors from Good Earth Village will be leading the camp during the week. The cost per camper is $42.00. Young people in Grade 7 on up will be helpers for the week.

Thank you to those who volunteered to provide cookies, lodging and meals for the counselors from Good Earth Village

GOOD EARTH VILLAGE NEWS

COME TO FAMILY DAY CAMP!

Join us for a weekend of fun, fellowship and faith on a family camp weekend. They will be held July 3-6, July 7-10 and July 30-August 1. For more information, contact Good Earth Village – 507-346-2494 or goodearth@deskmedia.com.

SYNOD-CHURCHWIDE

AMAZING GRACE

By Bishop Mark S. Hanson

God’s grace ‘is the whole giftedness of life’

My favorite Bible verse has remained constant for the last few years: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the results of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Through years of ministry, my unscientific survey of what draws people to the Lutheran church – or keeps them there – overwhelmingly yields the same response: the emphasis on living in God’s amazing grace.

“Living in God’s amazing grace” is not a marketing slogan. It is the declaration that life is a gift from God. I have heard that witness from farmers and ranchers who work the land. It seems no matter how parched the soil or how volatile agricultural prices, they have awe for the giftedness of life. They remind me of early church theologians who wrote of God’s “common grace,” the grace into which everyone is born.

“What I am appealing for is an understanding of grace that has the magnitude of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity,” wrote Lutheran theologian Joseph Sittler. “{God’s grade} is the whole giftedness of life…which causes me to ask questions that transcend the moment.”

Living in God’s amazing grace means we are absolutely serious about our sinfulness. There is nothing I can do this day to earn God’s mercy, achieve salvation or make my life whole. Living in God’s amazing grace centers my life in Christ through faith. By the Spirit’s power we entrust our whole lives to the promise that God already has leaked the final verdict on our lives – “not guilty” because of what God in Christ has done for us.

Living in God’s amazing grace calls us to worship around the means of grace. At the font we are bathed in God’s grace, sealed with the Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. At the table we are nourished by Christ’s gracious presence in bread and wine. From the Scriptures read and proclaimed we hear God’s amazing grace incarnate in Jesus Christ for us and all creation.

“Change in the spirit of our minds must come about by putting the grace of God behind the eyes with which we look at the world and into the hands with which we touch the world,” Sittler wrote. In Christ we are free to witness boldly, serve humbly and work persistently for justice and peace. Praise and thanksgiving become our response to living in God’s amazing grace.

THIS ‘N’ THAT

TAKE MY SON

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.” The young man held out this package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.”

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was a to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?”

There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.” But the auctioneer persisted. “Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?

Another voice angrily, “We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!” But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?”

Finally a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. “We have $10. Who will bid $20?” “Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the master.” $10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?”

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for $10?”

A man sitting in the second row shouted, “Now let’s get on with the collection!” The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.” “What about the paintings?” “I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!”

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: “The son, the son, who’ll take the son?” Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

PARISH NEWS DEADLINE

The deadline for turning in articles and calendar information for the Parish News is the 20^th 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!