To our family of faith at the Tri Point Parish,
Grace and peace to you all as we enter into the final stretch of summer.Grace and peace to you in the midst of work, vacations, fairs, ball games, trips, and the whole host of things that summer brings.Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I am writing this letter after just returning to Nebraska from the National Youth Gathering in Detroit. I hope that you were able to keep up with what the kids were doing through Facebook but if not, I invite you to do so now. What you will see is faith formation in action, you will see God made present to a community, that has seemingly been abandoned by the world, through the hands, legs, and voices of an entire generation of young Lutherans.
Being in a religious setting with thirty thousand other people who believe and worship God the same way that you do is not an experience that we get very often, especially in these busy summer months, we are sometimes fortunate to worship with tens of people, not thousands. And yet whether there are twenty people at worship or fifty or one hundred or thirty thousand, God is present and he is calling us not only to a service of worship but also to service of evangelism, of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the world.
The kids at the Youth Gathering learned that Evangelism is a situation of action being a lot louder than words. Our group helped clean up a poor neighborhood park so that their kids would have a clean and safe place to play. It is hard for us to imagine not having the resources to properly care for something as simple as a park but for many citizens of Detroit this is a reality. There is no money from the city to pay for lawn maintenance, many of the houses are vacant, many of those that still live there are unemployed and there are no jobs available for them to find employment. Added to this the lack of resources to even leave to find a better situation and we saw a community that was stuck in a downward spiral of poverty, drugs, and violence.
And yet, God was active in such an abandoned place. Various residents of the community organized food distribution so that the kids of the neighborhood could at least get a nutritious lunch, the place where this distribution took place? The park where we spent our time cleaning. Lots of the kids who where there helped us clean, we had a little gal named Brooklyn hanging out with us and as we shared labor, lunch and ice-cream together an interesting thing happened. It was no longer “those poor people” or “those lazy people who don’t take care of their stuff” it was Brooklyn, and her brother and her mom and Pat, the gal who was organizing the food distribution. It was community.
That is what being the church is all about. Whether amongst thirty thousand kids spread out through a depopulated city or among fifty people spread throughout a town of 100 or 400 or 2,000. This is something that we will be spending more time on in the months and years ahead. Be on the look out for mission opportunities. If something comes to your attention share it with Pr. Becky or myself because that is God calling us to be his feet and hands. In the meantime, our next service opportunity will come up on September 15th for God’s Work Our Hands ELCA service day. Stay tuned for what our service project will be. Let us remind ourselves that even in the middle of busy lives we can be church together!
Blessings and peace throughout the month of August.
Pr. James
SUNDAY / MONDAY / TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY / THURSDAY / FRIDAY / SATURDAY
26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31 / 1
Pastors Out of Town
2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
8:30am Worship / 7am Men’s B. Study / 9am-Noon / 9am-Noon
9:30am Fellowship / 10:30am Text Study / Office Hrs. / Office Hrs.
2-5:30pm Office Hrs.
7pm TPLP
- - - Pastors Out of Town - - - / Council Mtg.
9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15
8:30am Worship w/ / Pastors’ Sabbath / 7am Men’s B. Study / Planning Day / 9am-Noon / 9am-Noon / 7pm Blackwood
Holy Communion / 10:30am Text Study / For Pastors / Office Hrs. / Office Hrs. / Legacy Brothers
9:30am Fellowship / 2-5:30pm Office Hrs. / 1pm Ministerial / 7pm Worship & / 2:30pm Hymn Sing / Concert @ First
2pm Camp Songs & / 7pm Women’s Night / 7pm PoP Council / Music Meeting / @ Heritage Crossings
Games @ CJH / Out @ PoP FH / Meeting
16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22
10:30am Lakeside / Pastors’ Sabbath / 7am Men’s B. Study / 9am-Noon / 8am BVLH Golf
Service @ Lone Star / 10:30am Text Study / Office Hrs. / Tournament @
Recreation Area / 2-5:30pm Office Hrs. / Noon Senior Meal / Hebron Country Club
@ Senior Center / 9am-Noon
Office Hrs.
23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29
8:30am Worship / Pastors’ Sabbath / 7am Men’s B. Study / Planning Day / 9am-Noon / 9am-Noon
9:30am Fellowship / 10:30am Text Study / For Pastors / Office Hrs. / Office Hrs.
2-5:30pm Office Hrs.
30 / 31 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
8:30am Worship / Pastors’ Sabbath
9:30am Fellowship
Servers for August 2015
Counters for August: Kim Gaston & Larry Smith
Worship Date / August 2 / August 9 / August 16 / August 23 / August 30
Greeters / Kim Kamler / ToodieBiegert / Kaiser Family / Jividen Family
Ushers / John Steider Family / Theis Family / Trowbridge Family / Whitehead Family
Organist
Reader / Lisa Hopken / Sylvia Jividen / Lakeside Service / Teresa Kapperman / Nancy Meyer
Acolytes / KayLynnSieber
Trevor Meyer / KateLynn Petersen & Halle Theis / at Lone Star Recreation Area / Alexia Dittmer &
Kelsi Gaston / Bella Lichti
Lexi Theis
Video / Matt Hogue / LeytonHopken / 10:30am / Cole Jividen / Ashton O’Brien
Communion Prep. / Sandy Lichti
Communion Asst. / Mark O’Brien
Sound Board / Marsha Kennel / Jacob Bespalec / John Steider / Chad Gaston
Fellowship / Theis Family / Whitehead Family / Bespalec Family / Birky Family
August 2015 – First Evangelical
SUNDAY / MONDAY / TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY / THURSDAY / FRIDAY / SATURDAY
26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31 / 1
Pastors Out of Town
2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
10:30am Worship / 10:30am Text Study / Noon Senior Meal / 3-5pm Office Hrs.
7:00pm TPLP / 3-5pm Office Hrs.
Council Mtg. / 7pm Men’s B. Study
@ Kerry’s
- - - Pastors Out of Town - - -
9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15
10:30am Worship / Pastors’ Sabbath / 10:30am Text Study / Noon Senior Meal / 3-5pm Office Hrs. / 7:00pm Blackwood
w/ Holy Communion / 7pm Women’s Night / 3-5pm Office Hrs. / Legacy Brothers
2:00pm Camp Songs / Out @ PoP FH / 7pm Men’s B. Study / Concert @ First
& Games @ CJH / @ Kerry’s
16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22
10:30am Lakeside / Pastors’ Sabbath / 10:30am Text Study / Noon Senior Meal / 3-5pm Office Hrs. / 8:00am BVLH Golf
Service @ Lone Star / 3-5pm Office Hrs. / Tournament @
Recreation Area / 7pm Men’s B. Study / Hebron Country Club
7pm First Council
Meeting
23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29
10:30am Worship / Pastors’ Sabbath / 10:30am Text Study / Noon Senior Meal / 3-5pm Office Hrs.
(Heritage Sunday) / 3-5pm Office Hrs.
7pm Men’s B. Study
@ Kerry’s
30 / 31 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
10:30am Worship / Pastors’ Sabbath
Servers for August 2015
Worship Date / August 2 / August 9 / August 16 / August 23 / August 30
Reader / BernaceNorquest / Tim Stacy / Lakeside Service / Pattie Bailey / Christian Stacy
Organist / Deb Tonniges / Jane Hoeft / at Lone Star / Jane Hoeft / Jane Hoeft
Ushers / Neil West &
Eric Barnes / Neil West &
Eric Barnes / Recreation Area 10:30am / Randy Barnes & Dustin Chrisman / Mike Vorderstrasse & Jim Green
Communion Asst. / Doug Smith
First Evangelical News
First Evangelical - Regular Meeting Minutes
June 17, 2015
Present: Jim Norquest, Mike Vorderstrasse, Curt Cogswell, Jim Green, Jack Bellis
Absent: Tim Stacy
Also Present: Pam Norquest
Meeting Called to order by Jim Norquest called at 7:15 p.m.
Devotions by Pastor Becky
Motion to approve the Agenda made by Mike seconded by Jim G. (All ayes - motion passed.)
Motion to approve the April Board Minutes made by Mike seconded by Jim G. (All ayes - motion passed.)
Pastors Report:. The new Tri-Point Secretary starting working this month. Hoping to have a Men’s Retreat at Swan Lake this Friday. Pastor Becky and James will be gone July 1st through the 6th. Vacation Bible School in McCool Junction starting on July 19th.
Motion made by Jim G. and seconded by Curt to approve Pastor’s Report. (All ayes - motion passed.)
Treasurer’s Report:
Pam presented the Treasures Report
Pam reported that the church received a refund on our propane contract from the COOP. New premiums for insurance went up $540.
Motion to accept by Curt Seconded by Jack – (All ayes - motion passed.)
Tri-Point Parish Report:
Tri-Point hired new secretary as mentioned in Pastor Report. Currently discussing how to pay the new secretary between the Tri-Point Parishes. One Call is being united this month.
Next Tri-Point Meeting is in August.
Ministry Teams Report:
Worship – Music was picked for the next two months. Becky Weber is calling the organist. We need Acolytes for services – have ushers do it before the service on Sunday. Went over bylaws for Worship and Music.
Youth - No Report (Rachel Mertz going to the youth gathering).
Evangelism – No Report
Property – Looking into getting bids for painting the church. Fairbury Glass came up to bid on the church doors.
Christian Education – Dan Aude and Paul Dawson have agreed to serve on the committee.
Stewardship – No Report
Hospitality – The Committee talked about doing a Cream Can Dinner at Octoberfest. Baileys have agreed to head up the Raffle/Auction for Octoberfest.
Endowment Committee: No Report
Old Business:
a.)Motion to loan out Round Tables to congregation members made by Curt and seconded by Jim G. (Passed all ayes.)
b.) Pastor will pass out bylaws to Council Members.
New Business:
a.)Wedding during Mustang Round-up.
Communication: Pastor no official “Join Hands Day.”
Closing Prayer: Pastor Becky
Adjournment Made by Jim and seconded by Mike.
Next Meeting: Wednesday August 19 at 7:00 p.m.
August 2015 – St. John’sSUNDAY / MONDAY / TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY / THURSDAY / FRIDAY / SATURDAY
26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31 / 1
Pastors Out of Town
2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
9am Worship w/ / 10:30am Text Study / 9-11am Office Hrs.
Holy Communion / 1:30pm WELCA Mtg.
3-5pm Office Hrs.
7:00pm TPLP
- - - Pastors Out of Town - - - / Council Mtg.
9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15
9am Worship / Pastors’ Sabbath / 10:30am Text Study / 1:00pm Ministerial / 9-11am Office Hrs. / 7:00pm Blackwood
Council Mtg. / 3-5pm Office Hrs. / Legacy Brothers
following service / 7pm Women’s Night / Concert @ First
2:00pm Camp Songs / Out @ PoP FH
& Games @ CJH
16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22
10:30am Lakeside / Pastors’ Sabbath / 10:30am Text Study / 9:30am / 8:00am BVLH Golf
Service @ Lone Star / 3-5pm Office Hrs. / Birthday Coffee @ / Tournament @
Recreation Area / Ohiowa Cafe / Hebron Country Club
- - - Sewing Days - - - / 9-11am Office Hrs.
23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29
9am Worship / Pastors’ Sabbath / 10:30am Text Study / 9-11am Office Hrs.
3-5pm Office Hrs.
30 / 31 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
9am Worship / Pastors’ Sabbath
Servers for August 2015
Organist: Nancy Cradduck
Ushers for August: Galen & Patsy Niederklein, Russell Ozenbaugh
Flowers for August: Betty Remter
Communion Assistant for August: Luther Roit
Worship Date / August 2 / August 9 / August 16 / August 23 / August 30
Acolyte / Kala Most / Kimberly Schropfer / Lakeside Service
at Lone Star / KayLynnSieber / Conner Nun
Lay Reader / Galen Kuska / Barb Dunse / Recreation Area 10:30am / Larry Nun / Carol Kapperman
St. John’s News
Letters from Lutheran World Relief:
Dear St. John’s WELCA,
Greetings from Lutheran World Relief! Thank you for your generous gift of quilts and kits for LWR distribution overseas. These gifts of your hearts and hands are beautiful expressions of God’s grace and love to people all around the world. Your care and compassion makes it possible for families and communities to keep themselves healthy, warm, educated and employed.
Since the beginning of the Syrian Civil War in March 2011, many Syrian refugees have fled to Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, & Iraq. Since 2011, LWR has been responding to the Syrian refugee needs. Thanks to your generosity, 9 Mission Quilts and 7 School Kits have been distributed. On behalf of our neighbors in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and many other villages, schools, hospitals, and refugee camps, thanks for your contribution.
From the Quilt and Kit Ministry Manager
Lutheran World Relief
Another letter from the Quilt and Kit Ministry Manager stated that, according to the online tracking record, our Mission Quilts went to Tanzania, departing the LWR warehouse on February 25, 2015. This shipment included 36 of our quilts. This receipt may not reflect our full donation.
“Mission Quilts provide comfort and warmth when temperatures drop at night. Thank you so much for your partnership in bringing hope to our neighbors in Tanzania. We thank God for you!”
From the Quilt and Kit Ministry Manager
Lutheran World Relief
Birthdays / Anniversaries
Prince of Peace
August01Christine Coash
02Chad Gaston
Linda Newell
Megan Poppert
Trenton Srajhans
03Jessica Herman
04Mark O’Brien
08Lauren Hopken
12Kristopher Kaiser
13Larry Smith
15Douglas Hafer / 17Harlan Fangmeyer
18Tami Dittmer
Carsyn Koenig
19Colleen Rippe
21Jacob Bespalec
22Keith Nunns
25Donald Belau
Ryan Koenig
26Ashley Srajhans
27Gabriel Eberhardt
29Gordon Sukstorf / August02Glen & Lori Loontjer
John & Audrey Steider
05John & PattLentfer
06Andy & Sharie Hubert
08Jeffrey & Jenna Theis
09Jerry & Jane Stratman
19Ashley & Jason Srajhans
20Jason & Pamela Bespalec
21Stanley & Nancy Meyer
26Becky & Richard Reinsch
27Larry & Lisa Hopken
First Evangelical
August08Sharon Davis
Jim Norquest
14Rynee Spencer
16Don Norquest
17Lisa Cogswell
19Curtis Cogswell / 21Paige Stacy
22Tyonna Johnson
26Derek Rea
27Abbie Christian
28Tripp Chrisman / August28Dustin & Paige Chrisman
St. John’s
August05Duane Cecrle
08Weldon Bornschlegl
09Carol Kapperman
15Mitch Ozenbaugh
16Francis Garrison
18Vicki Ozenbaugh
18Wes Rippe
Kevin Wolfteich / 20Sara Cradduck
21Brooks Reetz
23Tonya Wagner
Nicole Sanders
29Avery Rippe
Peggy Roit
30Gaylord Gradduck / August2Jay & Kay Knapp
Alan & Kaye Mussman
Galen & Sharon Kuska
08Jess & Georgia Schropfer
12Ron & Carol Kapperman
13Kevin & Jodi Wolfteich
14Bruce & Kathy Soukup
15Dallas & Claire Ann Mussman
21Nick & Melissa Mussman
Louis & Darlene Schropfer
25Gorlyn & Jenene Nun
TRI POINT LUTHERAN PARISH MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 14, 2015
Members Present: Nancy Meyer, Pastor James, Gaylord Cradduck, Tim Stacy, Kathy Barnes, Ruth Drake.
Clark Poppert was not present.
Devotions led by Pastor James
Joys and Concerns shared
Review of Lenten/Easter activities: Attendance down this year. Will use Holden Evening Prayer next year. Schedule for next year will remain the same with meal at 6:00 PM and service at 7:00 PM.
Secretary update: No applicants. Discussed possibilities and options.
Helpmate/One Call possible changes: Motion by Ruth to divide cost of One call by 1/3. Second by Gaylord. Motion carried.
Cell phone Plans: Currently each church pays approximately $16 per month. A discussion was had about increasing each church’s portion to $30 per month. Tim indicated that he would need to check with his council first. Motion by Tim to increase.Second by Ruth. Motion carried.
Confirmation plans: Interviews will be held with pastors. Confirmation is May 3 for all 3 congregations. Confirmation camp will be June 14-19 @ Camp Carol Joy Holling.
VBS: McCool will have VBS July 20-24; Geneva June 2-4. The Geneva UCC Church is in charge this year.
Next meeting scheduled for August 4 @ 7:00 PM.
Meeting closed with Lord’s Prayer.
Diaper Drive at Youth Gathering
Faith Tenneh, 19, of Lancaster, PA hands off diapers to be donated at the Starfish Family Services in Inkster Friday, July 17th, 2015. This event was sponsored by the Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America allowing the young members to volunteer their time and services while visiting the Detroit area which will culminate in a four day event at Ford Field. Busloads of Lutheran teens who are volunteering throughout metro Detroit this week turned up in Inkster on Friday to help with a massive diaper drive. (Photo credits: Gary Malerba)
The teens, part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Youth Gathering, partnered with Starfish Family Services in Inkster for Operation Diapers for Detroiters. The goal: to build a “mountain” of diaper boxes collected by 18 busloads of people.
Some of the teens, who come from across the country, brought diapers with them, while others had them shipped to their hotels. In all, the teens collected 40,000 boxes of diapers. On Saturday, the groups distributed the diapers to more than 50 non-profit organizations across the Metro Detroit.
The Lutheran youth conference, which is held every three years, draws more than 30,000 people to one city to partake in community outreach. New Orleans was the featured city for the past two gatherings.
Kyla Smith contributed this report.
Local Point of Interest:
The Tri Point Lutheran Parish raised $600.00 for this mission, thank you everyone!
August Jokes and Quotes
“Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.”
-Doug Larson
“A man should never plant a garden larger than his wife can take care of.”
-T.H. Everett
A man walks into a flower shop.
“I’d like some flowers, please.”
“Certainly, sir. What did you have in mind?”
He shrugs. “Well I’m not sure, I uh, I uh, I uh…”
“Perhaps I could help. What exactly have you done?”
A new business was opening and one of the owner’s friends wanted to send him flowers for the occasion. The flowers arrived at the new business site and the owner read the card: “Rest in Peace.” The owner was annoyed, and called to complain. “Sir, I’m really sorry for the mistake, and sorry you were offended,” said the florist. “But even worse, somewhere there is a funeral taking place today, and they have flowers with a note saying, ‘Congratulations on your new location.’”
“The philosopher who said that work well done never needs doing over never weeded a garden.”
-Ray D. Everson
What do you get if you cross a four-leaf clover with poison ivy?