FROM THE PASTOR

PRAISE TO GOD!

The highest point in our capital city of Washington, D.C. is the top of the Washington Monument. At its pointed aluminum-capped peak are engraved the words LAUS DEO, which means, “Praise To God.” No one can see these words and visitors who stand at the peak, looking out its windows at the beautiful vistas probably don’t even know that they are there, and couldn’t care less.

These words of praise to God are engraved on an obelisk that is over 555 feet high and overlooks the 69 square miles of the District of Columbia. They face up to God and “oversee” a most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world. From its peak you can look over a city uniquely designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant. The layout is in the form of a perfect cross, which the White House to the North, the Jefferson Memorial to the South, the Lincoln Memorial to the West, and the Capitol to the East. The streets of the city move out from the center like spokes of a wheel, with many connecting streets built in circles or arcs connecting the spokes.

Construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, while James Polk was President, and was not completed until 1888 when it was inaugurated and open to the public. Inside the Monument are 898 steps and 50 landings. On each landing there is a memorial stone to look upon. On the 12^th landing is a stone given by the City of Baltimore, with a prayer inscribed. On the 20^th landing is a stone given by Chinese Christians. On the 24^th is a stone given by Sunday School children from Philadelphia and New York, quoting passages from Proverbs and Luke.

In a box in the cornerstone, when it was laid on July 4, 1848, reside many items, including a Bible.

This is a Monument that is dedicated to the first President of the United States, George Washington, in honor of his faithful leadership of our country at its beginnings. What follows is prayer that he once prayed for his country:

“Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy Holy protections; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to the government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.”

Pastor John

OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOLY COMMUNION

July 3 Pentecost VII

August 7 Pentecost XII

August 14 Pentecost XIII

RALLY DAY COMING SEPTEMBER 11^TH

Sunday, September 11^th will be Rally Day at both Trondhjem Lutheran and Hayward Lutheran. That’s the day when our worship times will change and Sunday School will begin. Watch for more information in the September Newsletter.

PASTOR WILL TO BE AWAY FROM PARISH

Pastor Malm will be away from the parish from July 11 through August 2. From July 11 – 15^th he will be at Mount Carmel Bible Camp in Alexandria for continuing education.

FOR EMERGENCIES, CONTACT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PASTORS:

Rev. David Hernes, East Freeborn Lutheran

Church: 256-7665 Home: 256-4760

Rev. Linda Gunderson, Central Freeborn Lutheran

Church: 826-3346 Home: 256-4211

Rev. Jeff Wallager, Bethlehem Lutheran

Church and Home: 448-2067

THE PARSONAGE DRIVEWAY PROJECT IS FINISHED!!

Loads of thanks to the following people who contributed time, talent and materials for the parsonage driveway project. We had great weather, lots of good food and many laborers to complete this project very successfully. Thanks to all who prayed for fair weather, for it proved to be a most wonderful cluster of days for such a project.

Thursday, June 16^th, we dug out all of the old cement and asphalt. Friday, the 17^th, we set forms, hauled in and packed down the gravel base. Saturday, the 18^th, starting at 7:30 in the morning, we poured and shaped about 21 cubic yards of concrete. Sunday (after worship) we did the necessary tasks of breaking out the forms and making the cuts in the cement for crack control. Total cost: $1882.65.

THANK YOU TO:

Bob Armon, Doran and Mike Gray, Darrell Storlie, Keith Iverson, Curt & Mike Larson, Louie Larson, Paul Miller, Dave Thompson, Mike, Mark and Ethan Severtson, Obert Haldorson (sidewalk superintendent), Roger Severtson (sidewalk superintendent), Steve, Scott and Sean Kraushaar, Dick Kraushaar, Dale Lukes, Kiven Lukes, and Sheldon Lukes.

The following provided food: Jeanne Schermer, Barb Miller, Natalie Larson, Kaye Tufte, Gwyneth Nelson, Sharon Seidel, Carolyn Matson, Marlene Thompson and Alice Englin.

ON MY HONOR I WILL DO MY BEST

If I remember right, the Boy Scout Oath begins something like this: “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country…”

As a boy, while still living in New York, I had the opportunity to participate in the Cub Scout program, but then we moved to Minneapolis and I never had the opportunity to continue in the Scouts. But I remember having the Scout Handbook, and reading up on all the things in there about tying knots and about making fires and setting up campsites and cook sites and how to get along and survive in the wilderness, and also to learn the Scout Oath and the Scout Motto. I am reminded of this recently as the nation focused on an 11-year-old boy who was lost from a Scout wilderness camp in the western mountains for four days. He had learned enough about how to survive to keep him alive, even though he was hungry and dehydrated.

Over a hundred years ago, when the Scout program was first started, there was a concern that boys and young men be trained, not only with the skills to live and survive in the wilderness, but, more importantly, to learn the skills and duties of good citizenship – good citizenship not only in the “Kingdom” of this earth and of this country, but also in the “Kingdom” of God. So it is that the Scout Oath begins, “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country.”

Implied in how that Oath is worded is that our first and foremost loyalty and duty belongs to the God who created us and saved us and sustains us from day to day. It is probably true that fifty or a hundred years ago there was much more of a focus on the “religious” aspect of that oath than might be the case today. Even though many church congregations still sponsor Scout troops and activities, one can wonder how that translates into one’s personal involvement in the worship and ministry activities of that congregation by some Scouts or their leaders beyond the achievement of some particular merit badge.

Maybe that’s how too many of us would look at our own Christian life or church membership and our personal involvement in worship and ministry – that it is NOT a matter of a daily, Christian, Christ-centered lifestyle, NOT a matter of any real commitment and loyalty to God and God’s Son where, in gratitude for all that God has done for us, we would truly respond, in word and deed, with “On my honor, I will do my best…” but only in doing just enough things, here and there, to MERIT, earn, a few points with God and hopefully get a reward here and there.

There’s that humorous story about the barnyard animals that are talking over how they might do something to help out the people of the world who are poor and hungry. The chicken is willing to contribute a few of her eggs to the cause, and suggests to the pig that he also make a contribution. And the pig responds, “Well, that’s easy for YOU to say. For you it’s only a contribution, but for ME, it’s a total commitment!”

In our church calendar year, this is the Season of Pentecost. For about six months we give focus to our life, growth and nourishment as disciples of Christ, as the Church, the Body of Christ. We focus on what it means to be a disciple, a student and follower of Jesus, and how that translates into our relationships with other people and with our God. We focus on what it means to be truly committed to this God movement that Jesus began some two thousand years ago. Even the Scout Oath tells us that we should give the primary focus of our commitment, our “honor,” and our “best”, and our “duty” to God, and then move from there into giving our best to those duties of citizenship in our community, state and nation. Hopefully, with our highest honor and our very best, we can faithfully, loyally, do justice to both. “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country….”

TRONDHJEM NEWS

JULY AND AUGUST ASSIGNMENTS

Altar Guild

July Ruth Lukes

August Betty & Jill Krause

Coffee Servers

July 17 Tracy Jahnke

July 31 Lucetta & Clifford Kermes

August 28 Food Committee

Communion Assistant

July Dean Lukes

August Sheldon Lukes

Lectors

July 3 Obert Haldorson

July 10 Elaine Lukes

July 17

July 24 Steve Kraushaar

July 31 Linda Kraushaar

JULY AND AUGUSTACOLYTE/USHERS

July 3 Jessica Naatz

July 17 Daniel Jax

July 24 Matt Reese

July 31 Scott Kraushaar

August 7 Jessica Naatz

August 14 Cortney Thostenson

August 21 Matt Reese

August 31 Scott Kraushaar

JULY AND AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

July 5 Shirley Kraushaar

July 6 Arlene Chapek

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 AND AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

July 22 Roger and Betty Krause

July 22 John and Sandy Chapek

August 5 Sheldon & Ruth Lukes

August 22 Mark & Debbie Brekke

MEMORIALS

GENERAL FUND

In memory of Donald Nelson by M/M Jim Benesh, Sr.

In memory of Caroline Jerdee by M/M Jim Benesh Sr.

BUILDING FUND

In memory of Margaret & Carl Ziebell by Marian Ziebell

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

--Aesop

There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do.

-- Freya Stark

THE PIE AND ICE CREAM SOCIAL IS COMING!!!

Remember to mark your calendars for the Pie and Ice Cream Social coming to Trondhjem Lutheran on Sunday, September 11^th.

Those Trondhjem ladies sure know how to make pies!! And the men are really good “ice cream scoopers”.

And, those barbecues that come with the pie and ice cream -----mmmmm good!

COME AND TASTE. The fellowship is great too!

FUNDS TO GO TOWARDS S.E. MN. LEADERS IN MISSION

On July 17^th, the coffee money at Trondhjem will go towards the SE Minnesota Leaders in Mission fund. For every $2 that we contribute, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will contribute $1.

WELCA MET AT JERRY’S OTHER PLACE

On Thursday, June 23^rd, the WELCA of Trondhjem Lutheran met at Jerry’s Other Place for noon lunch. The WELCA had their business meeting following the lunch.

COMMUNITY OUTDOOR WORSHIP TO BE HELD IN MYRTLE

On Sunday, August 14^th, the members of Trondhjem will attend the Community Outdoor Worship at Myrtle at 8:30 a.m. Pastor Malm will be the speaker.

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 2005

Month Where we Actuals Should be

January $ 8,540 $8,095

February $17,080 $15,353

March $25,620 $25,295

April $34,160 $32,237

May $42,700 $38,950

June $51,240 (As of 6-19) $42,049

July $59,780 $

August $68,320 $

September $78,860 $

October $85,400 $

November $93,940 $

December $102,475 $

REMEMBER YOUR CHURCH OFFERING

It was necessary to borrow more funds from the Building Fund to cover expenses. We will no longer be able to borrow from the Building Fund. Therefore, if funds do not come in to cover expenses, we will have to borrow from Ready Reserve at 18% interest. Remember that the expenses do not get less during the summer months. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.

Hayward Congregation Council

Sonja Johnson, Treasurer

JOINT COUNCIL MEETING

HAYWARD-TRONDHJEM LUTHERAN PARISH

June 15^th 2005

Those present: Dean Lukes, Obert Haldorson, John Malm, Kendall Johnson, Pat Frydenlund, Sonja Johnson, Keith Iverson, Darlene Gilby, Steve Kraushaar, Sheldon Lukes, Dale Lukes.

President, Sonja Johnson, called the meeting to order.

The Agenda was approved. Pastor Malm gave devotions. The Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports were approved.

Items Considered:

A video in which Bishop Usgaard outlined the Synod Goals was viewed. Pastor Malm discussed the three-year synod plan.

The Calendar was reviewed. The Christmas weekend schedule was approved.

The parsonage driveway project was discussed. The plan and prospective workers was discussed.

The 2006 church anniversaries were discussed. Hayward Lutheran – 130 years, Trondhjem Lutheran – 115 years. Special events for each of the anniversaries will be planned, including history and fellowship.

There was discussion regarding joining the Gustavus Adolphus Association. There is no cost involved. Each congregation will determine this individually.

The next meeting will be December 14, 2005 at Trondhjem Lutheran.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Frydenlund, Secretary

HAYWARD CONGREGATION COUNCIL MEETING

June 15, 2005

Those present: Kendall Johnson, Pat Frydenlund, Sonja Johnson, Keith Iverson, Darlene Gilby, John Malm.

Sonja Johnson called the meeting to order. There was one addition to the Agenda.

The Secretary’s report was reviewed and approved. The Treasurer’s report was reviewed and approved.

The decision was made to join the Gustavus Adolphus College Association.

The membership roster was reviewed with corrections and suggestions presented.

Work on the Tanzania display and the making of easels continues.

The following Thrivent Policy resolution was approved:

Resolved: That the annual allotment that Hayward Lutheran Church is given from Thrivent Financial shall be designated equally among the following congregational groups: The Hayward Lutheran WELCA, the Hayward Lutheran LYO and the Hayward Lutheran Board of Education (for Sunday School and Day Camp programs).

If any group has unused matching funds allotment for the year, another group may apply to the Congregational Council for the approval to fund raise for those matching fund allotments.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Frydenlund, Secretary

ASSIGNMENTS

Altar Guild

July - Bev Lunde & Gwen Hanson

August – Diane Ladlie & Elaine Flusek

Coffee Servers

July 3 Katherine Barnick & Faye Olson

July 10 Phil & Edie Tennis

July 17 Ray & Sharon Seidel & Gwyneth Nelson

July 24 Bob & Bonnie Felt

July 31 Paul & Edith Samuelson

August 7 Bob & Cindy Armon

August 14 Jim & Judy Becker

August 21 Curt & Natalie Larson

August 28 Wes & Cammie Tennis

Ushers

July

*Curt & Natalie Larson

Tracy Skaar

Wes & Cammie Tennis

Travis & Brandon Quam

August

*Gary & Paula Broitzman

Lowell, Dawn & Jenny Nelson

Gene & Bev Jensen

Kendall & Lila Johnson

Lectors

July 10 Darlene & McKenzie Gilby

July 31 Neal Skaar

Communion Assistants

July Pat Frydenlund & Bob Armon

August Darlene Gilby & Bob Armon

JULY AND AUGUST ACOLYTE/USHERS

July 3 Lacy Wright & Julie Erickson

July 17 Hunter Gilby & Caylee Tennis

July 24 Samantha Anderson & Mitchell Skaar

July 31 Louis & Logan Tufte

August 7 Dahna Wright & Julie Erickson

August 14 Mitchell Skaar & Caylee Tennis

August 21 Samantha Anderson & Hunter Gilby

August 28 Louis & Logan Tufte

JULY AND AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

July 2 Ted Eggum

July 3 Barb Miller

July 6 Bobbi Jo Jacobsma

July 8 Jay Skaar

July 12 Michael Nelson

July 15 Nathaniel Lein

July 16 Sarah Wangler

July 17 Karen Sorenson

July 20 Diane Ladlie & Scott Nelson

July 21 Brian Berhow

July 24 Kyle Iverson

July 25 Cheryl Enderson, Denise O’Neil, Josh

Enderson

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 10 Natalie Larson

August 12 Dylan Schroeder

August 14 Casey Eggum & Cody Eggum

August 17 Min Westland & Craig Nelson

August 20 Lola Matson, Curtis Larson, Sr. &

Melissa Sather

August 21 Nick Schermer

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

JULY AND AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

July 10 H.C. & Faye Nelson

Nick & Jeanne Schermer

July 11 Thomas & Stacey Westland

July 13 Jerry & Bev Noland

July 14 Wes & Cammie Tennis

July 17 Troy & Susan Eggum

July 20 Philip & Edith Tennis

July 27 Eugene & Beverly Jenson

July 28 Steve & Kaye Tufte

August 4 Curt & 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

MEMORIALS

LIFT FUND

In memory of Milt Kennedy

By Jack & Jean Thisius,Jim & Nancy Skaar, M/M Phil Tennis, M/M Keith Iverson, M/M Jerry Noland, M/M Dick Kraushaar, M/M Bernhardt Anderson, Merle Anderson, M/M Kendall Johnson, M/M David Paulson, M/M Curt Larson Jr., Camilla Frydenlund, M/M Neal Skaar, M/M Scott Woitas, M/M Ashle Skaar, M/M Bill Lyle, Gwyneth Nelson, Clayton Peterson, Helen Dockwell.

In memory of Caroline Jerdee

By M/M David Thompson, M/M Richard Kraushaar, M/M Neal Skaar, M/M Phil Tennis, Camilla Frydenlund, M/M Vern Frydenlund

ALTAR GUILD

In memory of Caroline Jerdee

By M/M Dick Hanson

In memory of Milton Kennedy

By M/M Dick Hanson

GENERAL FUND

In memory of Helen Kycek

By Thomas & Judy Knudtson

In memory of Victor Frydenlund

By M/M Vern Frydenlund

In memory of Milton Kennedy

By Evelyn Savik, M/M Gerald Vogt, M/M Mitchell Hanson, M/M Rex Stotts, M/M Bob Armon, M/M Al Brown, Julius Hanson, Lila Esse, Eva Bratsch, M/M Bruce Olson, M/M Paul Field, M/M Gary Thompson, M/M Curt Larson, Sr., Shirley Olson, M/M H.C. Nelson, Lorraine Kruckeberg, Walter & Fern Wangen, Vi Kycek, Jim & Bertha Frydenlund

SUNDAY SCHOOL

In memory of Milton Kennedy

By Sally Anderson

BUILDING FUND

In memory of Milton Kennedy

By Art Sherman, M/M Art Solinger

THANK YOU to Steve Tufte for replacing the sprayers and a faucet on the sinks in the church kitchen.

BRIDAL SHOWER FOR

VALERI JACOBSEN

All are invited to a Bridal Shower for Valeri Jacobsen on Monday, July 11, 2005 from 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. in the Social Hall at Hayward Lutheran Church. Valeri is the bride of Thomas Jacobsen. Valeri & Thomas Jacobsen were married on Saturday, May 28^th, 2005 at Owatonna, with Pastor Malm officiating. The Sarah Circle will be hosting the shower.

JACOBSEN’S WED

On Saturday, May 8, 2005, Thomas Jacobsen and Valeri Carroll were married at the Fairgrounds Historical Church in Owatonna, with Pastor John Malm officiating. We pray God’s blessings on their life together.

NELSON BABIES BAPTIZED

On Sunday, May 29^th, 2005, Calli Ann Nelson, child of Michael and Gwendolyn Nelson, was baptized at Hayward Lutheran. Callie was born March 21, 2005 at Austin Medical Center.

On Sunday, June 5^th, 2005, Samantha Erin Nelson, child of Craig Allen Nelson and Lisa Kopka Nelson, was baptized at Hayward Lutheran. Samantha was born March 19^th, 2005 at Austin Medical Center.

GREETINGS FROM OUR MISSIONARIES IN EAST AFRICA!

Friends in Christ,

Many greetings from East Africa! We hope and pray that this letter finds each of you and your communities of faith rich in the hope that comes of a life centered in serving our Risen Lord.

I write from Nairobi, as Rebecca and Shoonie (my Mom) look forward to bussing up country to see Heidi. It’s an hour and a half trip, and we who are seasoned public transport users hope it’s all easy on the mother…

Heidi had been sick for a week, in the infirmary at school. But as is often the case, by the time we figure it all out she’s on the mend. This is a last check on her before mid July graduation. Then she’s off with my Mom to Minnesota and St. Olaf College. We’ll have the marvelous distinction of having all 3 daughters in college at once, with Jenny a senior at Eastern Mennonite in Virginia (education and Spanish) and Kirsten, a junior at Goshen, Indiana (nursing). Happily, Kirsten has already joined us for these 2 months, and Jenny will for 6 weeks as of the end of June. We’ll only be missing son Daniel in Los Angeles.

School seems to have sorted itself out for Nathan as well. He’s now officially enrolled at Rift Valley Academy (Heidi’s boarding school) for 7^th grade in August. Be sure we have anguished greatly this year about what schooling would work best for him, but at last we’re feeling a real peace about it. What a different life it will be with no children at home.

My work theme for this past stretch of weeks has been “20 hospitals”. This is in reference to the 20 hospitals of the Tanzanian Lutheran Church, and in particular the 3 at the “bottom of the list.”

Lutindi Mental Hospital: we visited last December and, although a wonderful facility and care place for people with chronic mental illness, it did not seem suited for establishing a Home-Based Care or Palliative Care service. But! A new medical supervisor was recently posted there, having come from Bumbuli Hospital 2 hours to the south. He had been to one of our long training sessions on Palliative Care, and told me at a meeting last week that Lutindi needs to respond to the large number of AIDS patients living and dying in their community.

Lugala Lutheran Hospital wins the “most remote” award, amongst many remote Lutheran hospitals in Tanzania. It’s far to the south, 8 hours from a reasonable road, and in a hot, malarious river valley. I was assured that any ELCT Head Office activity (like Palliative Care) would be poorly received and minimally implemented. But! A mighty effort to travel there in May bore fruit, as they are just this month beginning a comprehensive HIV/AIDS care program. In many ways, it was the best of the various hospital visits I’ve made, and the very last of the 20 for the reason noted above. There was a good teaching time with staff, positive relationship building with the leadership, and specific goals laid out for the future.

KCMC (Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre) is a huge teaching hospital in nearby Moshi (75 minutes drive). It has long been considered the best place in Tanzania for specialty medical care, and has numerous schools attached including medical and nursing. Although a hospital of the Lutheran Church, it is administered independently and has no formal ties to my work or the national office. Nonetheless, I’ve been awaiting the “right moment” to get a foot in the door there, because of its being such a center for education (Hospice and Palliative Care must eventually be part of the national education system if there is to be any long-term incorporation into the medical system here). That moment came last month when Dr. Mark Jacobson of Selian Hospital had the need to meet with Professor John Shao, the Director of the KCMC. He got me in on the interview, and the upshot was a big plan for the future which includes developing a curriculum for teaching Palliative Care at the various levels of education offered at KCMC. When this will be implemented is another question, and daily in Tanzania we are reminded of the proverb “slowly, slowly is the way to achieve the goal.” It doesn’t hurt (!) that Professor Shao had my father as a high school teacher and knows my mother as a consultant for KCMC’s place in the Lutheran Tumaini University.

Next week it’s my turn to lead morning devotions at the LECT main office. The reading for the day is Revelation 3:8, “Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept my work and have not denied my name…” I recently heard Pastor Kimirei of Selian Hospital use those words to describe the Church’s role in addressing HIV/AIDS. But it is also suitable for us individually as we, of such little power, have open doors placed before us, opened and kept open by unimaginable power.

May you each be encouraged to walk towards and through the open doors in your lives.

In the Love and Power of Christ,

Kristopher for the Hartwig’s

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

GOOD EARTH VILLAGE DAY CAMP!!!

Good Earth Village Day Camp will be held July 11-15^th at Oakland Lutheran Church. The theme for the week is “Road Trip 2005”. The Theme verse is “Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge the Lord in all of your ways and He will make your paths straight.”

On Sunday, July 10^th, the counselors from Good Earth Village will be with us for our Outdoor Worship to share some music with us.

CAMPERS GOING TO GOOD EARTH VILLAGE

On August 7^th, Logan and Tate Tufte will be heading off to Good Earth Village for a week of learning and fun. Logan will be in the Pioneers Program and Tate will be in the Pathfinders Program.

WELCA NEWS

HAYWARD WELCA BAKE SALE TIME!!

On Saturday, July 9^th beginning at 7:30 a.m., the Hayward WELCA will hold their annual bake sale fundraiser.

All WELCA members are asked to donate $15 worth of baked goods or a monetary contribution of $15. You may drop off the money at Nick’s Grocery or give it to Gwen Hanson or the cashier on the day of the bake sale.

Coffee, juice and rolls will be served in the Social Hall beginning at 7:30 a.m. Come and enjoy the food, fellowship and purchase some goodies to take home with you!

LIBRARY NEWS

A BOOK REVIEW BY BARB MILLER

I Grew Up Little by Patsy Clairmont

On the last page of this book (p. 168 at the bottom), is a question asked of the author. The answer she gives is sensible; and wouldn’t it be good if it came to be! Read this question and answer before starting chapter 1 and keep it in mind the whole time you’re reading. This book is an easy, quick read. At times frightening, but always from the author’s good and sometimes troubled heart.

She is an ordinary woman (like any of us) with an ordinary faith in God (like any of us).

I would someday like to hear her speak.

Please read and enjoy I Grew Up Little.

(This book can be found in the Hayward Church Library, along with many other “good reading”.)

THIS ‘N’ THAT

WHAT KIND OF PRINTS DO YOU LEAVE?

One night I had a wondrous dream,

One set of footprints there was seen,

The footprints of my precious Lord,

But mine were not along the shore.

But then some stranger prints appeared,

And I asked the Lord, “What have we here?”

Those prints are large and round and neat,

“But Lord, they are too big for feet.”

“My child,” He said in somber tones,

“For miles I carried you along.

I challenged you to walk in faith,

But you refused and made me wait.”

“You disobeyed, you would not grow,

The walk of faith, you would not know,

So I got tired, I got fed up,

And there I dropped you on your butt”

“Because in life, there comes a time,

When one must fight and one must climb,

When one must rise and take a stand,

Or leave their butt prints in the sand.

WHAT IS GOD LIKE?

God is like Ford – He has a better idea.

God is like Coke – He’s the real thing.

God is like Pan Am – He makes the going great.

God is like Alka Seltzer – Try Him; you’ll like Him.

God is like Bayer Aspirin – He takes the pain away.

God is like Tide – He gets the stain that others leave behind.

God is like Frosted Flakes – He’s GRRRREAT!

God is like Hallmark cards – He cared enough to send the very best.

And if we are low in spirit, we can be like a Timex – Take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’.

THE 23^RD PSALM ACCORDING TO TIMMY

Timmy was a little five-year-old boy whose Mom loved him very much, and being a worrier she was concerned about his walking to school when he started Kindergarten. She walked him to school the first couple of days, and at the end of the week he came home from school and told his mother that he did not want her walking him to school every day. He wanted to be like the “big boys” he protested loudly. So, she had an idea of how to handle it.

She asked a neighbor, Mrs. Goodnest, if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance so he probably wouldn’t notice her. Mrs. Goodnest said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well. So, she agreed.

The next school day, Mrs. Goodnest and her little girl, Marcy, set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor boy he knew. She did this for the whole week. As the boys walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy’s little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week.

Finally, he said to Timmy, “Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?” Timmy nonchalantly replied, “Yeah, I know who she is.” The friend said, “Well, who is she?” “That’s just Shirley Goodnest”, Timmy replied, “and her daughter Marcy.” “Shirley Goodnest?” Who is she and why is she following us?” “Well”, Timmy explained, “every night my Mom makes me say the 23^rd Psalm with my prayers, ‘cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says ‘Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life.’

DADDY’S EMPTY CHAIR

A man’s daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed. The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.

“I guess you were expecting me,” he said. “No, who are you?” said the father. The minister told him his name and then remarked, “I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up.” “Oh, yeah, the chair,” said the bedridden man.

“Would you mind closing the door?” Puzzled, the minister shut the door. “I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter,” said the man. “But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head. I abandoned any attempt at prayer,” the old man continued, “until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, ‘Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here is what I suggest. Sit down in a chair, place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It’s not spooky because he promised, I will be with you always. Then just speak to him in the same way you’re doing with me right now.’”

“So, I tried it and I’ve liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I’m careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she’d either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm.”

Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon. “Did he die in peace?” he asked. “Yes, when I left the house about two o’clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?”

The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, “I wish we could all go like that.”

+++

Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching. Sing like nobody’s listening. Live like it’s heaven on earth.

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