March 2007

General

From Pastor Deanna

I recently read an article about worship and music where the author shared a story about the people he was working with in Cameroon. In teaching and learning music in the church, he asked who had written the songs they sang. The people replied, God wrote the songs.

As I reflected on this, I realized naming God as the writer of the song is truth. It is truth because God is the source of all gifts and talents and skills. As a pastor and a lover of music, I often think about what a song is trying to say or teach. But thinking about the songs being written by God shifts the focus a bit. The question becomes: What is God doing?

So, I want to ask you, who writes the song of your life? Do you orchestrate how you live and what you do with all that you have? Or is the song of your life written by God?

Naming God as the writer of the song of our life is truth. It is truth because God provides all we need for life, including the world around us and the people in our lives. God blesses us in all we are able to do, our skills and our talents. God is at work in every part of our lives.

Too often the question is: what are you doing with your gifts? What are you doing with your life? How are you sharing your time, talent and money? But, if God writes the song of our life, perhaps the focus needs to shift a bit. The question becomes: What is God doing? What is God doing with the gifts you have been given? How is God at work in the sharing of your time and skills and financial resources? What is God trying to say or teach through your life?

God writes your song of life. So, how is God’s work expressed in your living and giving?

It is a good question.

Created

Called

Committed

Prayer Team Update

We currently have two prayer teams meeting regularly to lift up our lay leaders and our staff in prayer. We give thanks for the team members who are giving their time and energy to this valuable and powerful ministry. We are off to a good start but there is certainly room to grow. If you feel called to serve in this ministry in some way, please contact by phone (772-3122).

Grace Matters

Remember to tune into “Grace Matters” each Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. on KCNN Radio (1590 AM). Sharon Lutheran’s support of the broadcast is sponsored for the month of March by Alice Senechal, in memory of her mother, Dora Senechal, whose birthday was March 3. Go to www.gracematters.org for previews of upcoming programs or to listen to past programs. Additional months for sponsorship are still available on the poster near the church office.

New ELW Hymnal Workshop

Saturday, March 3, 8:30am to 3:30pm, Sharon Lutheran Church. You are encourage you to attend this introductory event. It’s a great value, and a new hymnal is even included in the registration fee. FEE: $25 per person $85 per group of 4.

Care In Congregations

How can members and non-members get involved in the Care in Congregations® program? The Care in Congregations® program relies on the initiative of Thrivent Financial members and non-members through congregational service teams. Please contact Sue Bjornstad, or the church office, if you are interested in working on any of these projects for the benefit of the members of Sharon Lutheran Church.

Board Highlights

Christian Education: Vicki Ronkowski, Director

Parish Planning Council: Allen Dahlen, Executive Director

Ministry with Women: Jan Nelson, Director

Pysanky and the Passion!

Would you like to learn how to decorate pysanky and explore the story of Christ’s Passion? If so, please sign up for this four session class being offered during the month of March. Dates are March 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Ben Franklin Crafts in its new location at Grand Cities Mall. This course will be led by Pastor David and his wife Rhonda who have decorated pysanky as a part of their Lenten/Easter tradition for many years and would love the opportunity to share that tradition with you. Jo Martin, owner of Ben Franklin Crafts and member Sharon Lutheran, will be our host.

Eggs symbolize the release of the earth from the shackles of winter and the coming of spring with its promise of new hope, new life and prosperity. For Christians, Easter eggs symbolize the Resurrection and a promise of eternal life. In fact, many of the elements of pysanky designs are symbols derived from scripture and the Christian tradition. Legend has it that as long as pysanky are decorated, goodness will prevail over evil throughout the world.

There is a $10 registration fee to cover materials for the class. Each person registered will receive a kit that includes dyes so they can continue the tradition after the course is completed. Registered participants will also receive coupons for 15% off all purchases in the store. Each participant will complete at minimum one egg and more if desired. If you participated last year or have some experience with pysanky you will have the option to choose a more intricate pattern. Please register at Ben Franklin Crafts. You can stop
in the store or call 701-738-0040 (toll-free 1-866- 300-0044) or send your check to Ben Franklin Crafts, Suite 1014 1726 S Washington St., Grand Forks 58201. Register as soon as you can as there is a limited number of openings. We look forward to sharing in this Lenten journey with you.

*Pysanky (puh-sahn-key) are Ukrainian Easter Eggs, decorated using beeswax and dyes that are applied in layers.

Life Giving Water Lenten Project

Share A Cup Of Life Giving Water! The Board of Church in Society is sponsoring a Lenten Mission Project through the ELCA World Hunger Appeal and in partnership with ELCA Lutheran World Relief Good Gifts Program to help a community that needs clean, life giving water. We hope to secure one of the following:

We are encouraging each Sharon family/household to make a Lenten family goal of what they might like to set aside and/or go without and put that money toward the Life Giving Water Project. On Ash Wednesday, boards will begin handing out a water cup that you can take home as a visual reminder and fill up with spare change or your household goal
(above and beyond your regular generous giving) and bring it back to church on Good Friday and/or Easter Sunday. Let's see what we can do together to be like Christ--Life Giving Water-- for the world.

Auction/Rummage Sale

Baptism Celebrations

The Sacrament of Baptism marks a significant moment in the life of an individual as well as the family and the congregation as God joins us to Christ and declares us to be children of God. Sharon Lutheran Church highlights this sacrament in some very specific ways. One is by offering a “Welcome to Baptism” orientation on the first Sunday of each month at 2:30 PM. This one-hour class, led by a pastor, offers information on the theology and practical aspects of baptism for the family anticipating a baptism.

The second method of highlighting the sacrament is by focusing on baptism the second Sunday and the following Wednesday of each month. Baptisms may be scheduled at any of the services that day, and adequate time and emphasis will be devoted to the sacrament. Occasionally, because of family circumstances, a baptism may be scheduled at another church service during the month, but the encouragement is to plan ahead, in consultation with the pastors and church office, to schedule the baptism celebration on the second Sunday (or following Wednesday) of the month. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the pastors or church office.

"Jesus Seminar on the Road" Coming to Grand Forks in April

The Jesus Seminar is coming to Grand Forks this April to shed some light on the role of women in the early church and the birth of Christianity. The event will take place on the campus of UND Friday and Saturday April 13 -14. Sound interesting? To learn more call (877) 523-3545 toll free or visit www.westarinstitute.org. Registration for this event is $50 (by March 23rd) and $60 (after March 23rd). Check out the posters in the Narthex for further details.

S.A.S.S. (Support for Adult Survivors of Suicide)

This new support group is designed to offer hope, healing, and a safe place to explore your feelings and work through the grief of losing a loved one or friend through suicide.

The group meets the 3rd Thursday of each month from 7:00-8:30pm at Sharon Lutheran Church. S.A.S.S. is sponsored by T.E.A.R.S. (Together we Educate About the Realities of Suicide) And Altru Health Systems.

Bright Lights

A choir specifically designed for Kindergartners, 1st and 2nd graders. Bright Lights members learn basic music fundamentals and begin the art of creating a beautiful singing tone. Their choir experience will be in an atmosphere where they are recognized as a loved child of God and an important part of our church family. Bright Lights rehearses on Wednesdays from 4:45 - 5:15 p.m. and sings approximately one Sunday and/or Wednesday per month.

Shine!

A musical experience for third, fourth and fifth graders. This group focuses on expanding their knowledge of music fundamentals, begin part-singing and explore the use of "hands-on" instrumental accompaniments. Shine! members utilize their musical gifts in a variety of ways throughout the year! Shine! rehearses on Wednesdays from 5:15 - 5:45 p.m. and sings approximately one Sunday and/or Wednesday a per month.

By Grace

By Grace is for middle school kids and serves as a unique opportunity for youth to create and build relationships with their peers and their church through the arts. By Grace provides experience for musical and spiritual growth, as well as a regular opportunity for service. By Grace determines when rehearsals occur and perform approximately every six weeks. Check bulletin board for rehearsal date and time.

Questions? Contact Roxanne Bartosh at 772-3122.

Money Ministry

Your past support of Sharon Lutheran is appreciated and has enabled us to grow in mission through worship, education and service. However, serious financial challenges will compromise the ministry and programs of our church. Ministry in every area is at risk because of the need to further reduce expenses to meet anticipated income. Because all program costs have already been adjusted, reductions in personnel expenses, including eliminating positions, is being considered. Ministry at Sharon Lutheran cannot continue at current levels without increased financial resources. Please prayerfully consider your financial commitment to Sharon Lutheran.

Our financial situation is critical. Below you will find the actual figures for revenue and expense for the year to date through January 2007. The amounts for last year are noted as well.

The expense figures include our mortgage amount of $13,465.00 per month.

Current financial information is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office. If you have any questions, please contact Joan in the church office.

Welcome to Baptism

To prepare for the celebration of Baptism. These important helps are offered on the first Sunday of each month from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. for those anticipating a baptism (scheduled or not yet scheduled).

“Welcome to Baptism” is intended for:

• Those expecting the birth of a child.
• Those who have recently given birth,
• Older children not yet baptized.
• Adults not yet baptized.
• Family members of those to be baptized.
• Sponsors for those being baptized.

“Welcome to Baptism” is designed to answer common questions about baptism including:

• What is baptism?
• What happens at the service of baptism?
• What is my role as a parent, sponsor, family member of the baptized?

"Welcome to Baptism” will be led by Sharon Lutheran pastors. If a baptism in your family has already happened, those involved are also welcome to participate.

Pastoral Acts

Memorial Gifts

Cynthia Lunn, by Lee & Pam Ness; Scott & Sherry Opdahl; Larry & Brenda Hanson; Wilbur G. Finnie, by L. Mavis Evenson, Gladyce Hendrickson, Delpha Berg, Esther Lerfald, Nelw & LaVera Strande, Fern & Ardell Bunde, Carol & Marshall Guntzburger, Dale & Janet Kopecky, Elsie M. Rike, Red & Fern Berg, Karen & Paul Bentrap, Neil & Jody Strande and family, Ulric & Ginger Johnson; Mary Huetzenroeder, by Pam & Lee Ness;

Elsie McEnroe, by Scott & Sherry Opdahl, Frances Falos, Jack Ferguson, Mary & Cedric Theel; Angeline Tripp, by Larry & Ramona Halvorson; Wilbur G. Finnie, by Vivian Finnie & family, Betty Kvitne, Ken & Mary Sobolik, Mike & Leonida Strande, Lillian & Kristine Speten, ThorGene & Annette Ulberg, Larry & Lois Morstad, Frances Gonitzke, Kent & Dale Peterson, Annabelle Bilden, Janice & David Strandde and family, Marion Strom, Dennis & Peggy Nordstrom, Gary & Janet Brattlie, Elaine Haroldson, by Dale & Gayle Davidson;

Elaine Haroldson, by Karen & Rich Axvig