Pastor’s Message
Keep in Touch
Out of the blue here the other day, Mark a friend of mine from college days called. He said that he just suddenly felt the need to call and see how I was doing. Mark and his wife Kay live in Wisconsin and we rarely see each other. What is so interesting is that not more than a week earlier I had been thinking that it had been a long time since I had called Mark and I was wondering what he was up to. I can only imagine that each of us has had something similar to that happen to us. What triggers these intense needs to reach out to someone is probably something for psychologists to argue about. All we know is that we experience them.
Another thing that we must admit is that often when someone reaches out to us it happens at a time when we need to know that someone is out there thinking about us. We are people who were designed by God to be in social relationships and without those relationships our emotional and physical bodies get out of balance. So “keeping in touch” is crucial to our wellbeing. Maybe this is why worship and our relationship with God is not merely a “private” practice. We gather together to praise God and we gather together to support each other. But sometimes we can forget this. Sometimes we begin to think of ourselves as private Christians.
Everywhere I look in the scriptures leads me to believe that there is very little that is private about our “faith” walk with God. We have for a long time been given that message that “faith” is something between you and God, and no one else. But I just don’t see that in the bible. From the very beginnings of the church people prayed together, sang together, and held everything in common. That’s the story in Acts. Time for silence and meditation were also seen as times to strengthen and refresh to better prepare and enter into the life of the community. STAY IN TOUCH!
I also realize that summer is such a short season here in Minnesota, that everyone is trying to take advantage of the short season to relax and refresh. Sometimes we forget to stay in touch and neglect to remember the needs of the whole people of God.
Here is another thought though. I just received an email from a friend of mine from Brazil. I saw her at a reunion back in 2000. But since that time the only other contact we have is through Facebook. Still I know where she is and what she is doing. She writes for a woman’s magazine and her Facebook log is full of woman’s empowerment messages. She’s pretty amazing and also a bit eccentric.
The apostle Paul was pretty amazing and arguably also a bit eccentric, yet Paul understood how important is was to “Stay in Touch”. He wrote letters to the churches he started and to his friends as well. Some of these are preserved for us in the bible. But I love how Paul begins his letters. It usually begins with an opening greeting. Like this one from Philippians: “ I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now”. Paul knew the importance of “staying in touch”.
So let me say to you today: I thank my God every time I remember you, thankful that together we share in the sharing of the gospel and that we share together in this ministry that we do here at Kenwood. May we not lose touch but know that in God’s time we are always together. God bless you and keep you my friend… my brothers and sisters in Christ. And please!
“Stay in Touch”
Blessings, Pastor Jeff
President’s Message
Greetings,
I have just a brief message this month.
Thank you to all that have stepped up this past month. Whether you have increased your giving, participated in donations to purchase new windows, donated items, volunteered to work, or purchased items at the rummage sale, you are having an impact at Kenwood Lutheran.
We are seeing some improvement in our financial situation, though we are not “out of the woods” yet.
Representatives from Kenwood Lutheran will be meeting with the leadership of Concordia Lutheran Church in August to discuss ways that we can continue and expand working together for our mutual benefit.
Additionally, we continue through the process to refinance the mortgage and hope to have it completed soon.
“God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me”
Don Moen - God Will Make A Way Lyrics
Thank you for all you do.
God Bless You,
Jim Caesar
Stewardship Corner
Summer is a busy time of vacations, cabins, recreation, renewal and rest! We wish you a happy and safe summer! We hope to see you on Sunday mornings for worship but we understand the summer in the Northland is short so you may not be able to attend church as much as you would like. However, we do greatly appreciate your ongoing support throughout the summer. If you would like to begin Simply Giving please contact the church. This is a program through Thrivent that allows you to set up an automatic giving schedule from your bank. You can also make a donation online by going to our webpage and clicking “Online Giving” www.kenwoodlutheran.org or scan our QRcode with your smartphone.
KENWOOD THANKS YOU!
“YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD!”
“YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO KENWOOD!”
Baptism
On July 12th, Levi Andrew Lambus was
Baptized at Kenwood. Levi’s parents are Airiana Lambus & Timothy Barron and his sponsors are Kevin & Joy Michalicek and
Troy & Mary Rasch. We welcome Levi into
the community of believers here at Kenwood!
Ice Cream & Raspberries!
August 2nd we will have Hospitality served by Community Ministry with all proceeds going to Camp Vermilion in memory of Duane Long.
Harbormasters
August 9th the Harbormasters will be at Kenwood to sing for the Prelude from 8:50 -9:00. Come to church early to hear this great group perform!
Lutheran World Relief School Kits
Community Ministry Team received $250 in seed money from Thrivent Financial.It will be used to supplement donations from KLC members for quilts, school kits, and personal care kits. For example, sometimes it's necessary to purchase additional notebooks or rulers to fill out school kits. Our goal is 100 school kits. Thrivent Financial would like to know how many people (volunteers) are involved with our project. There will be a sheetnext to the drop-off spot in the Messiah Room to sign when leaving a donation of school supplies.Thanks for your generosity with supplies for the kits! Earlier this year, Lutheran World Relief donated 9,200 quilts and 1,000 personal care kits to earthquake victims in Nepal.
School Supplies are on sale!
Each kit contains:
4 seventy page notebooks, 30 cm ruler, 5 unsharpened pencils, 5 blue or black ink pens,
2 ½ inch eraser, blunt scissor.
(Note: Many stores have limits on how many items you can purchase at a time. We have found that Shopko and Walgreens in Kenwood will allow unlimited purchases to KLC if you talk to the managers.)
Thank you notes to the Quilters
Dear Quilt ladies of Kenwood Lutheran,
Thank you for the beautiful quilt as a present for my graduation.
It will provide much warmth as it comes with me to the University of Saint Thomas next year! Sincerely, Tanner Kimball
The Quilters,
Thank you so much for the beautiful blanket. Thank you for spending the time to make quilts for all of the seniors. I will definitely be using this blanket next year in college!
Thank you again. Morgan Erickson
Rummage Sale Results
Big THANK YOU to Peggy Simensen and Karla Payne for organizing the Rummage Sale!
We took in over 2,000 dollars in the three days of the sale!
Thank you to all the people who volunteered their time working at the sale.
You are AWESOME!
City on the Hill Music Fest
August 1st in Bayfront Park
Christian Bands and Family Activities
Ages 12 to adult $25 and Ages 5-11 $15.00
Vacation Bible School
Kids from Kenwood are encouraged to attend
VBS! Voyageur Lutheran Ministry will be
leading the week with the theme “Faith Outside”.
Place: Concordia Lutheran Church
Dates: August 3-7
9:00 – noon M-F (Preschool)
9:00 – 3:00 M-Th and 9-noon on Friday (Completed Kindergarten thru 5th grade)
Slash your grocery bill couponing class
FREE! August 11th at 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall
Learn how to strategically use coupons, apps, web sites and store policies to save at least 40% off your grocery bill. We will also cover how to save even more money at department stores, drug stores and big box retailers.
Steak Fry
Join your Kenwood Family for a
Delicious dinner and awesome fellowship!!
August 20th
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Steak Dinner: $12.00
Burger Dinner: $6.00
Tickets on Sale August 2nd!
CHUM WISH LIST
For Those Who Are Homeless
Warm water-proof hats and gloves, warm winter socks, Hand warmers, Sewing kits, Blankets, bath towels, and wash cloths, Wallets, Solar lights, You can also help with co-pays/cost of medication – please make checks out to "CHUM Fund."
For Those Who are Hungry
Peanut butter, Tuna, Whole chickens, Canned peaches, pears, and pineapple, Canned stew, hash, and/or chili, Creamed chicken soup, Canned pasta (Spaghettio's, Chef Boyardee, etc.)
For Households
Two-gallon cleaning buckets & cleaning supplies, Dish soap, All-purpose kitchen and bathroom cleansers, Window cleaner, Floor mops, brooms, & dustpans, Oil soap for wood floors, Cookware sets and baking sheets, Dinnerware (primarily plates and bowls), Manual can openers, New vacuum cleaners, Laundry items (sturdy laundry baskets/bags, detergent, bleach, dryer sheets), Grocery and gas gift cards
For Personal Hygiene
Baby and children's soaps, shampoos, & lotions, Diapers (sizes 3,4 & 5) and wipes, Family-sized shampoo, hair conditioner, bath soap, lotion, toothpaste & toothbrushes, Men's underwear in all sizes, Women's underwear in sizes 5, 6, and 7, White crew socks for adult men and women, Cough drops, Reading glasses, Denture adhesive and cleaning tablets, Feminine hygiene products
COUNCIL MEETING - KENWOOD LUTHERAN CHURCH
June 11, 2015 Approved Minutes
Members Present: Scott Goutermont, Frank Stokes, Kristy Stokes, Pastor Jeff Holter, Jim Caesar, Lynn Hegrenes, Troy Rasch, Brad Kamphenkel, and Diane Irving
1. The meeting was called to order by President Jim Caesar at 7:30 p.m. with devotions and prayer led by Pastor Jeff Holter.
2. Minutes from the meeting held on May 14, 2015, were approved as submitted.
3. Read an e-mail from Martha Oswald on status of church finances which equal -$1,750 short in the checkbook at the end of May, 2015. Short in finances – paid overdue bills only. Several items could not be paid on schedule.
4. Action Items: No action items.
5. Discussion Items:
a. Communication:
· June 11 & 12 – WELCA conference at UMD.
· June 20 – 6:30 a.m. Grandma’s Marathon with KLC volunteers at the Finish Line.
· June 21 – Newsletter Deadline.
· June 21 – 8:30-11:00 a.m. Bake Sale.
b. Long Range Planning Update: spent time talking about new items being proposed – pamphlet of residential area with invitation to worship at local churches was prepared and delivered to UMD and St. Scholastica.
The second item was following up on communication with Concordia Lutheran about Pastor Tryggestad retiring. They will have an interim pastor for the next six months to one year. We were asked to hold off contacting them for a couple of months.
c. Finances: Capital Campaign discussions have begun; bring up a list of items to work towards in a campaign. Need to inform the church members of what is happening; need the support and ideas from the church. There is a shortage of commercial kitchens in the Duluth/Superior area– look at renting out space at KLC; Child Care Centers needed in the local community; other ideas were suggested and discussed. Members agreed these topics should be pursued further. Trust Fund: received a call about borrowing from this fund – will check on compliance issues.
6. Boards, Ministry Teams, Standing Committees:
a. Asset Management Board
· Finance status.
· Reviewed capital improvement projects.
· Talking about an ‘adopt a window program’ for replacing church windows.
b. Mutual Ministry and Stewardship Board
· Attendance is sporadic in summer; remember electronic giving options.
c. Personnel Support Board No new report.
d. Christian Education Ministry Team No new report.
e. Community Ministry Team
· Donations of rhubarb will be going to CHUM Rhubarb Festival.
· Details were discussed for the bake sale to be held Sunday, June 21, to benefit KLC college students attending church colleges. Proceeds will help with tuition with the college matching the donation.
· Discussed donating a basket for VLM Blue Grass Festival on July 25 and possible basket theme.
· Will start notices about school kit supplies with July newsletter.
· Beginning in the fall, may use “noisy change” offerings to support LSS building endeavor.
f. Fellowship Ministry Team No new report.
g. Worship Ministry Team
· Pastor on vacation on June 21 – Pastor Carlson will preach.
· July 12 - 0utdoor service being planned.
h. Youth Ministry Team No new report.
7. Pastor’s Report:
· Healing Service - looking at August time frame.
· Working with Grace Lutheran on a seminar (Presenter: Dr. Richard Melheim - work on church dynamics; cross-generational faith entrepreneur) October 22-23, 2015, at Grace Lutheran Church; day care to be provided.
· Two-week’ vacation coming up.
· Visitation is important (personal contact is important).
8. Meeting closed with prayer and recitation of the Lord’s Prayer and was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.