THE PARISH NEWS

June 2004                                           Volume 9, No. 6

 

COUNTING THE COST

 

    My, how time flies.  It’s hard to believe that it was some eight years ago that our son, David, and I took a summer vacation camping trip out east.  Our goal was to try and visit several of the Civil War sites.  We stopped at Gettysburg, Antietam and Manassas.  All three were key and important battle sites during the course of the war.  The Manassas site, or Bull Run, was the place of two battles at two different times.

    In reading about these and other battles during the course of the war, it was most interesting to note how often the course of the war was changed or prolonged because of a particular General’s or Commander’s inability to decide, or to quickly obey and act.  We would read an analysis of a particular battle or campaign in which it was said that if the leader had acted quickly and decisively, and committed his troops to the battle, then the battle would have been over or the war shortened, and thousands of lives would have been saved.  But many times, all that the Commander could perhaps see was the already mounting toll of dead bodies and of weary troops.  He could only count the cost in this way, and not see how many lives would have been saved with an immediate response to another commander’s order to make the charge, make the commitment.

    The Gospel story is one that tells us that God committed his only Son to a war to end all wars.  He commanded his Son to go into the most significant and intense battle of all time.  Jesus was sent to do battle against those legion powers of the world, sin, death and the devil.  If Jesus were to win that battle, that war, he would have to act quickly and decisively, with a clear obedience.

    As I write this, I can glance up to a picture hanging on my office wall.  It is a famous painting of a key moment in the life of our Lord Jesus.  That picture holds a nostalgic place for me, because there was a similar picture that was in place above the altar of my hometown church, Holy Trinity, the place where I worshipped the first nine years of my life.  It is that picture of Jesus kneeling alongside a large rock (altar?) in the dark of night in that olive tree orchard outside Jerusalem.  Jesus knows that his time is short and he is praying earnestly to God in such anguish that, says the gospel writer, he is actually sweating drops of blood.  He knows what is soon ahead of him – suffering, pain and death.  And so he prayed:   “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”  He prayed this three times, for it was like, at this point in the battle, that he hesitated, hesitated in that most human way that we all do.  But only for an instant.  It was like his moment to stop and to truly count the cost.  If he didn’t obey his Father’s will – command – what would happen to all his followers, to all these other people?  What would the powers of evil then be able to do and enact in this our Father’s world?  Jesus counted the cost and then quickly decided:   “yet, not what I want but what you want.”  And then he launched himself into that most fierce of battles, suffering, pain, persecution, mocking, rejection, crucifixion and death, dying so that you and I and billions of others might have the gift offered to us of forgiveness of sin, which is life and salvation for us – the opportunity for a right and restored relationship with our God.

    As we head into the church season of Pentecost, a season associated with the greenness of life and growth, let us not forget to count the cost of what has brought us to this time of life and growth.  Let us count the cost of what God has both given us and given up for us.  Let us count the cost of what we ourselves are called upon to both give and give up in order to be true disciples of Jesus Christ and faithful followers of this wonderful Gospel.  For us, no different that for Jesus himself, or for any so-called “soldier” in the thick of battle, it all centers on that matter of obedience.  Only the one who believes is obedient and only the one who is obedient believes.  Faith is only real when there is obedience, never without it, and faith only becomes faith in the act of obedience.  It is not merely WHAT we are to obey, but also WHO we are to obey.  We are called by Christ to follow and obey him, even unto suffering and death.  It is a call to love and serve family and neighbor always and all-ways.

 

Pastor John

 

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES  FOR  HOLY COMMUNION

 

June 6               Holy Trinity

June 13             Second Sunday after Pentecost

 

 

PARENTS OF COLLEGE GRADUATES

 

    If you have students who are graduating from a Technical School or College, please inform the church office.  Thank you.

 

 

TRONDHJEM NEWS

 

JUNE  ASSIGNMENTS

 

Altar Guild

            Elaine Lukes

Coffee Servers

            June 6             Jim & Irene Benesh

            June 20           Sunday  School

Communion Assistant

            Steve Kraushaar

 

 

JUNE  ACOLYTE/USHER

ASSIGNMENTS

 

June 6

            Sean Kraushaar & Daniel Jax

June 13

            Zach Kestner & Andrew Reese

June 20

            Matt Reese & Cameron Kolbe

June 27          

            Brad Thompson & Scott Kraushaar

 

 

TRONDHJEM MEMORIALS

 

GENERAL FUND

    In memory of John Register Sr. by M/M Roger Krause

    In memory of Marcia Neilon by Emily Cech

    In memory of Marcia Neilon by M/M Jim Benesh, Sr.

    In memory of Marcia Neilon by Mary Cox

 

BUILDING FUND

    In memory of Marcia Neilon by M/M Emil Prantner

    In memory of Marcia Neilon by Barb Prantner

 

 

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

 

June 3             Charlotte Lukes

June 7             Art Fann

June 9             Sheldon Lukes

June 10           Brenda Krause

June 12           Gilma Bothum

June 13           Adam Brekke

June 15           Doris Benesh

June 18           Randy Lukes

 

JUNE ANNIVERSARIES

 

June 15             Randy  & Mona Lukes

June 23             Ken & Doris Benesh

June 29             Kim and Annette Naatz

 

 

 

 

DANIEL JAX CONFIRMED

 

Congratulations to Daniel Jax who was confirmed on April 25th at Trondhjem Lutheran.  Daniel was baptized April 2, 1989.  He is the son of John Jax and Debbie & Mark Brekke.

 

 

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 CHURCH COUNCIL

Sunday, May 16, 2004 – 11:45 a.m.

 

    Present:  Sonja Johnson, Keith Iverson, Randy Eggum, Pat Frydenlund, Pastor Malm, Sharon Malm.  Absent:  Bob Armon and Vickie Storlie

    President, Randy Eggum, called the meeting to order.

    Sonja Johnson made a motion to approve the Agenda as amended.  Keith Iverson seconded the motion.

    Keith Iverson made a motion to approve the Minutes as read.  Randy Eggum seconded the motion.

    Keith Iverson made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  Pat Frydenlund seconded the motion.

    Calendar Events were discussed.

    New programmable thermostats have been purchased.

    Larson Contracting has examined the Social Hall roof.  There are no immediate problems but in 2 – 5 years, replacement may need to be considered.

    The cost for garbage disposal was discussed.  Sonja Johnson made a motion to discontinue our contract with Waste Management beginning as soon as possible.  Randy Eggum seconded the motion.  At that time we will contract with Thompson Sanitation, which will be less expensive.

    Shrubs need to be planted on the East side of the new addition.  Lou Larson and Dick Hanson will take care of it.  Thank you.

    Discussion was held regarding resurfacing the parsonage driveway.  The matter was deferred until the June Joint Council meeting.

    A Stewardship Program, “We Say Yes”, put out by ELCA, was discussed.  Pat Frydenlund made a motion to purchase this program.  Keith Iverson seconded the motion.

    The cost of the bulletins that we purchase from Augsburg Fortress Publishing was discussed.  Sonja Johnson made a motion to discontinue the use of bulletins from Augsburg Fortress Publishing.  Beginning in September 2004, we will begin using bulletins of our own design, as a cost saving measure.  Keith Iverson seconded the motion

    Discussion was held regarding the necessity for Terrorist Risk Insurance.  Sonja Johnson made a motion that the insurance policy be reviewed and that the Executive Committee make a decision on whether the coverage is necessary.  Randy Eggum seconded the motion.

    Keith Iverson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 1:45 p.m.  Sonja Johnson seconded the motion.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon Malm, Acting Secretary

 

 

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             $36,333.34

                                                As of May 23                           

 

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

 

 

JUNE  ASSIGNMENTS

 

Altar Guild

    Noona Barnick & LaVonne Williams

Coffee Servers

    June 6         Randy & Tammy Eggum

    June 13       Ken & Barb Schroeder

    June 20       Jim & Judy Becker

    June 27       Brian & Nancy Berhow

   

 Ushers

    *Nick & Jeanne Schermer

    Paul & Diane Ladlie

    Troy & April Habana

    Ken & Barb Schroeder

Communion and Offering Duty

   Sonja Johnson & Bob Armon

 

 

 

JUNE ACOLYTE/USHER SCHEDULE

 

June 6                           Louis Tufte & Hunter Gilby

June 13                         Chelsea Hill & Caylee Tennis

June 20                         Michelle Learn & Dahna Wright

June 27                         Zoe Hill & Samantha Anderson

           

 

JUNE ANNIVERSARIES

 

June 8              Greg & Carolyn Matson

June 14            Kurt & Cheryl Freitag

June 15            Paul & Edith Samuelson

June 18            Helmer & Helen Brandt

June 19            Galen & Carmen Johnson

June 20            Dean & Kellie Anderson

June 21            Gary & Paula Broitzman

June 22            John & Sharon Malm

 

 

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

 

June 5             Janice Habana

June 6             Justin Erickson

June 7             David Thompson

June 9             Shirley Olson

                        Benjamin Berhow

June 11           Judy Olson

June 12           Neal Skaar

June 13           Floyd Matson

June 16           Janet Kromminga

June 20           Brandi Wriedt

June 21           Jeanne Schermer

June 22           Tracy Skaar

June 28           Beverly Jenson

                        Mayra Hill

June 29           Elaine Flusek

 

 

 

KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED

 

Barb Miller and Bev Jenson in Albert Lea

Beatrice Wacholz in St. Mary’s, Rochester

Lois Schroeder in Mason City

 

 

BRIDAL SHOWER

 

Everyone is invited to an OPEN HOUSE BRIDAL SHOWER for Sarah Iverson on Saturday, June 12, 2004 beginning at 2:00 p.m.  Sarah and Troy Wangler will be married on July 3 at Hayward Lutheran.

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU

 

THANK YOU to Clayton Peterson and Dan Johnson for the time they spent putting in the new bases for the flags at the cemetery.  The flag bases were damaged in the wind last summer.  Money for buying the bases was donated by the Hayward Fire Department 

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS COLLEGE GRADUATES

 

    We congratulate the following young people who have graduated from institutions of higher learning:  Holland Matson from Concordia College, Moorhead and Ben Storlie from the University of Minnesota College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences.

 

TWO CONFIRMED AT HAYWARD

 

    Chelsea Elizabeth Hill and Michelle Ann Learn were confirmed on Sunday, May 2, 2004 at Hayward Lutheran.  Chelsea was baptized March 23, 1997 and is the daughter of Robert & Virginia Hill.  Michelle was baptized June 19, 1989 and is the daughter of Frank & Faye Learn.

 

 

 

ALTAR GUILD NEWS

 

 

 

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 QUILTS DISTRIBUTED

 

    The Women of Hayward WELCA made a total of 75 quilts in 2004.  Those who have been recipients of these quilts are as follows:

    Graduating Seniors (4)

    Lutheran World Relief

    Fire Victims (2 given recently to family on Cty. Rd. 19)

   Red Cross

    Salvation Army

    Good Earth Village

    Victim’s Crisis Center

    Community Action Agency

    New Horizons Women’s Shelter

    Faribault School for Deaf & Blind

         THANK YOU to all who contributed time, fabric and money to making these quilts.

 

 

YOUTH NEWS

 

THANK YOU to all who brought their car to the LYO Car Wash on Saturday, May 22.  Funds raised will help cover expenses for their trip this summer.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

 

THANK YOU FROM ELCA

 

A “Thank You” was received from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for the gift of $157.12 given by the Sunday School (The Stop Light) and other members of Hayward Lutheran for World Hunger.  Keep up the good work!

 

 

 

KIDS!  SIGN UP FOR DAY CAMP!

   

    Please mark your calendars for DAY CAMP, which will be held JULY 12 – 16, 2004 here at Hayward Lutheran Church.  It is open to children Kindergarten up through 6th grade.  Youth in 7th grade on up are encouraged to be helpers.

    There is sign-up sheet in the Narthex where children may sign up for Day Camp.  Please sign up so that we know how many to plan for. 

    There also is a sheet in the narthex listing the various items that will be needed for Day Camp.  If you can contribute in this way, it would be greatly appreciated.  The Sunday School Board would like to thank everyone who participates in this wonderful event.

 

 

THANK YOU to all who came to the Pork Dinner that was sponsored by the Sunday School Board of Education on Sunday, May 23.  The funds raised will help cover the expenses for the students who sign up for Day Camp this summer.

 

REMEMBER THE

“STOP AND GO” LIGHT

 

    The World Hunger “Stop & Go” Light in the hallway by the Sunday School rooms was filled to the top.  A total of $157.12 was sent to the ELCA for World Hunger.  THANK YOU!  Please continue to bring your pennies and coins every Sunday for children who are hungry.   

    The loose coins in the offering each Sunday will also be added to the “Stop & Go” Light for ELCA World Hunger. 

 

YOUNG PEOPLE HELP AT

ST. JOHN’S HOME

 

    On Sunday, May 16th, the 7th, 8th, and 9th grade Sunday School students – Cecilia & Zoe Hill, Samantha Anderson, Michelle Learn, Louis Tufte and Julie Erickson – went to St. John’s Home with their teacher, Pat Frydenlund.  They assisted the residents in getting to the worship service and  also helped them back to their rooms.  They also helped with the worship service.  Zoe Hill and Louis Tufte read the scripture lessons and Michelle Learn & Julie Erickson helped in receiving the offering.

 

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 306, July 7-10 and July 30-August 1.  For more information, contact Good Earth Village – 507-346-2494 or goodearth@deskmedia.com.

 

 

A FATHER’S WISDOM

 

    A young boy had just gotten his driving permit.  He asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss his use of the car.

    His father said to him, “I’ll make a deal with you.  You bring your grades up, study your Bible a little and get your hair cut, then we will talk about it.”

    A month later the boy came back and again asked his father if they could discuss his use of the car.

    His father said, “Son, I’m real proud of you.  You have brought your grades up, you’ve studied your Bible diligently, but you didn’t get your hair cut!”

    The young man waited a moment and replied, “You know, Dad, I’ve been thinking about that.  I’ve read in the Bible that Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair.”

    His father replied, “Yes, Son, and if you read on further you’ll find out that they walked everywhere they went!”

 

DO YOU CARE WHAT MOVIES YOUR CHILDREN SEE?

 

      If you would like to know more about the movies that your children want to see, there is a website that reviews movies for sex/nudity, violence and profanity.  It is remarkably detailed in its information.  It would be especially useful for parents who are wondering what exactly their children might be seeing in a movie and whether or not you should let them see it.  The website is http://www.kids-in-mind.com/

 

 

HOW OLD IS GRANDPA?

 

   One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events.  The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age and just things in general.

   The grandfather replied, “Well, let me think a minute.  I was born before television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees and the pill.

   There were no credit cards, laser beams or ballpoint pens.  Man had not invented pantyhose, air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and man had yet to walk on the moon.

   Your grandmother and I got married first and then lived together.  Every family had a father and a mother.

   Until I was 25 I called every man older than I, “Sir” and after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, “Sir”.

   We were before gay rights, computer dating, dual careers, day care centers and group therapy.

   The Ten Commandments, good judgment and common sense governed our lives.  We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.

   Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege.

   We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent.

   Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.

   Draft dodgers were people who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started.

   Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends – not purchasing condominiums.

   We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt or guys wearing earrings.

   We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President’s speeches on our radios.  And I don’t remember any kid blowing his brains out from listening to Tommy Dorsey.

   If you saw anything with ‘Made in Japan’ on it, it was junk.

   The term ‘making out’ referred to how you did on your school exam.

   Pizza Hut, McDonald’s and instant coffee were unheard of.

   We had 5 & 10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.

   Ice Cream Cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar and a Pepsi were all a nickel.  If you wanted to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards.

   You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $500 but who could afford one?  Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.

   In my day ‘grass’ was mowed, ‘coke’ was a cold drink, ‘pot’ was something your mother cooked in and ‘rock music’ was your grandmother’s lullaby.

   ‘Aids’ were helpers in the Principal’s office, ‘chip’ meant a piece of wood, ‘hardware’ was found in a hardware store, and ‘software’ wasn’t even a word.

   And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby.

   No wonder people call us ‘old and confused’ and say there is a generation gap.  How old do you think I am?

   GRANDPA IS ONLY 58 YEARS OLD!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE PERFECT PASTOR

 

    The Perfect Pastor preaches exactly ten minutes, firmly condemning sin, but never hurting anyone’s feelings.  The Pastor works from 8 a.m. to midnight and is also the church custodian.

    The Perfect Pastor makes $40 a week, wears good clothes, drives a good car, buys good books and donates $30 a week to the church.  The Pastor is 29 years old and has 40 years worth of experience and, above all, is good looking.

   The Perfect Pastor has a burning desire to work with teenagers, and spends a great deal of time with senior citizens.  The Pastor smiles all the time with a straight face but has a sense of humor that reflects a serious dedication to the parish.  The Pastor makes fifteen home visits a day but is always in the office and handy for anyone who has need.

    The Perfect Pastor always has time for the Congregation Council and any and all committees and never misses any congregational meetings and is always busy evangelizing the unchurched, not only in the local community, but throughout the whole county area.

    If your Pastor is not measuring up to the above, simply send this article to six other congregations that may also be tired of their Pastor.  Then bundle up your Pastor to send to the congregation at the top of the list.  If everyone cooperates, in one week you will receive 1,643 Pastors in return.   Surely, one of them should be perfect for you.

    But you MUST have faith in this process.  One congregation broke the chain and got its old Pastor back in less than three months.

 

IS GOD IN OUR CHURCH?

 

    One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin.  Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged.  In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally worn out Bible.

    The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city.  It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen.  The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories.

    As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him.  No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him.  They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.

    The preacher gave a long sermon about hellfire and brimstone and a stern lecture on how much money the church needed to do God’s work.

    As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor.  “Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what He thinks would be appropriate attire for worship.”  The old cowboy assured the preacher he would. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots and hat.  Once again he was completely shunned and ignored.

    The preacher approached the man and said, “I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church.”  “I did,” replied the old cowboy.  “If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping in here? Asked the preacher.

    “Well, sir, God told me that He didn’t have a clue what I should wear.  He said He’d never been in this church before.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!