Sharon Lutheran Church: January 2008 Newsletter

Sharon Lutheran is a community of people who are united in purpose. By our mission directive we proclaim who we are:

Created to worship

Called to teach

Committed to serve

Early this year we will have an opportunity to support the future of our mission as we engage in a capital fund appeal. The congregation approved the undertaking of a capital campaign at its meeting in August. We have begun the preliminary work of sharing background information about the congregation’s finances and ministries. As we are moving forward with the planning, we must make decisions concerning how the funds received will be used as we strive to accomplish God’s will. At the annual meeting a recommendation will be brought by Parish Planning Council concerning this.

No proposal is ready at the time of this writing. However, at the congregational meeting we spoke of eliminating the operating loan debt and perhaps reducing other long tem debt, mission/benevolence support, the sanctuary renovation, installation of an elevator, and creating some building and operating reserve. The reduction of our debt will in turn impact the financial support available for ministry development, especially in the areas of education and youth. Discussion of this and a vote to approve the allocation of funds raised will be held at the annual meeting on Sunday January 27th at noon.

We will be guided by faith in our decisions. Our faith will be manifest as we work to be good stewards of our money ministry and good stewards of our mission. I want you to be a part of this conversation and decision. Together we will be blessed as we move into our future.

In the a line from a favorite hymn: ponder anew what the Almighty can do… by God’s grace, we are created, called and committed to be God’s people to worship and grow and serve as we share God’s story.

Shalom,

Pastor Deanna

All of us have things we do in our lives that give us joy. Something that we cannot imagine living without, something that fills our souls, enlivens our spirits and makes us feel whole. It may be in your work or home life. It may be a hobby or a skill. It may be something you are very good at or it may be something that simply gives you pleasure regardless of your ability.

What is this for you? Do you make certain to take time for this? Are you able to share this joy-giving, soul-filling, spirit-enliving ‘something’ with others? If we did, I wonder what difference this would make for us and for our world?

With a community of faith the size of Sharon Lutheran it is helpful for you to share your name when greeting one another. It isn’t a bit odd (just a bit awkward) if you say, “Hello (good morning), I am not sure we have met, my name is ___________. Some of you may hesitate with the excuse, “What if that person has been a member for years, that’s embarrassing.” Please remember, we are a large church and it is not possible for all of us to know one another. Sharing our names is simply good hospitality, even with fellow members of this congregation.

If we routinely greeted each other with our names, soon it would become a blessed habit. Plus, this is good practice for greeting visitors and other unfamiliar people in the congregation. In fact, for those of us who sometimes experience a memory lapse (even with those we know), sharing names is an indescribable blessing! Please consider stepping out of your comfort zone and you will help develop the outreach of Sharon Lutheran as well.

PRAY - What is God up to in this place? Give thanks for the blessings of Sharon, past, present and future.

PLAN - How will we fulfill God’s direction? Give thanks for the ministries of Sharon, past, present and future.

PARTICIPATE - Where will God lead you? Give thanks for your part at Sharon, past, present and future.

January 6 is Epiphany, bringing the 12 days of Christmas to a close. Epiphany is the season that focuses on God’s revelation in Jesus Christ. Light and stars are strong symbols of the Epiphany season. Jesus brings light into our troubled world; then we are to share the light of God’s saving love with all people. As the wise men traveled from far-off lands to see the new king and tell others what they had seen, we too are reminded to share the good news with people everywhere. An important Epiphany message is that God’s saving love is for all people. We are called not only to the mission to all nations, but reminded that all nations have something to offer when it comes to our understanding about Jesus Christ.

On January 13 we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord. Baptism is the beginning of a new story. It was for Jesus; it is for us. God claims us as sons and daughters, fills us with the Holy Spirit, and promises to travel through life with us. Thanks be to God for this amazing gift!

We have been hearing some concerns from some of our members who have tried to get their Sharon News online via the Sharon Sharings Google Group. After subscribing and receiving the Calendar, Sharings and Newsletter for a while, some people have told us that they suddenly stopped receiving them or never received any at all.

If this is the case for you, or if you know someone who has had similar complaints, we want you to know that we are looking into the problem.

Our first suggestion is that you simply unsubscribe (by sending an e-mail to SharonSharings-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com) and then subscribe again (by sending an e-mail to SharonSharings-subscribe@googlegroups.com).

If that doesn’t work, here are a couple of possible causes and suggested remedies:

1. One possibility is that your internet service provider, your mail program or the network your computer is connected to could be incompatible with Google Groups. The only suggestion we have for solving this is to consider subscribing on a different computer or network (for instance, your home computer if you currently subscribe at work, or vice versa).

2. If you have not entered the Google Groups address in your address book, your mail program may be putting all of your Sharon News directly into your junk folder. If this is the case, simply enter SharonSharings@googlegroups.com into your computer’s e-mail address book and your computer will no longer mistake Sharon news for junk.

Please let us know if you, or someone you know, are not getting the online news from Sharon you subscribed to. We will continue working toward finding a solution to this problem.

In the meantime, you can still access the entire newsletter by going to Sharon’s web site (www.sharonlutheran.org) and clicking on the button labeled ‘Newsletter’

Prayer Team Ministry at Sharon Lutheran begins its second year in 2008. This is a ministry that will always have room to grow. There will always be a need for people engaged in prayer, lifting up to God the ministries (worship, education, service, etc.) and ministers (that’s all of you) that are part of the life and mission of Sharon Lutheran.

Prayer Teams meet monthly to lift up a particular group or ministry in prayer. This past year we had two Prayer Teams: one team prayed for our staff and the other focused on prayers for our lay leaders, parish planning council and board members. We appreciate the men and women who participated in Prayer Teams this past year and thank them for keeping the leaders of Sharon Lutheran in prayer.

If you are interested in being part of a Prayer Team here at Sharon Lutheran, please plan to attend our 2008 kickoff meeting on Tuesday, February 19th,, at 7:00 pm. At that meeting we will share some refreshments, discuss logistics, divide up into teams and plan our schedule for the rest of the year.

If you are want to learn more about Sharon Lutheran Prayer Teams, please contact Pastor David by phone (701-772-3122) or .

On Sunday, January 13th @ 9:00 and Sunday, Jan. 20th @ 10:30, there will be opportunity to hear information about the upcoming capital campaign. This will prepare you for the annual meeting on Jan. 27th @ noon when the decision will be made concerning how the capital campaign funds will be used.

The sale will probably be on the first weekend in May 2008. We will collect items in the Spring of 2008. Start thinking ahead of items you may want to donate and watch future newsletters for more information. Board of Church Properties.

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 Nov. by Sonja and Kevin Nelson, in memory of her mother, Jean Olson, whose birthday was Nov. 19, and in honor of their grandson, George Aaron Olson, who will be two on November 2. Go to www.gracematters.org for previews of upcoming programs or to listen to past programs. The month of December is still available for sponsorship on the poster near the church office.

“Bless This House” project to gather items for local refugees.

Thanks to all who participated in the “Stories To Tell-Gifts to Share” stewardship campaign.

We are still accepting commitment cards from anyone that hasn’t provided one.

Starting to plan for the spring Rummage Sale & Auction.

Fundraising for Mission Trips are in full swing.

Middle School and High School Ski Trips are planned.

Reviewed Sharon’s pastoral sabbatical policy in anticipation of upcoming sabbatical requests.

Investigating purchase of equipment to make audio recordings of worship services.

Bowling Party on January 20th @ Red Ray Lanes. Sign up on the bulletin board

The Public Relations Board is looking for a few new members Please contact Kristin Shea if you are interested in participating in the new year.

There is new and easy way to raise money for Sharon Lutheran just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch.com. Last year, search engines generated close to $6 billion in revenue from advertisers. With GoodSearch part of this advertising revenue will now be directed to Sharon.

We hope that not only will you use GoodSearch as your main search engine from here on out, but will also pass this message on to your friends and family. The more people who use this, the more money will go to support our ministry.

GoodSearch donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities selected by its users. The pennies quickly add up. For example, if 1,000 people searched just twice a day, we would receive an estimated $7,300 per year.

What’s great is that you use GoodSearch just as you would any search engine. Again, it’s powered by Yahoo!, so you get proven, high quality results.

Just go to www.goodsearch.com and enter Sharon Lutheran as the charity you want to support. The more people who use this site, the more money we’ll earn so please spread the word!

This 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.

What happens if you are in the hospital? Pastoral visits to the hospital are routinely made on Tuesdays, Thursdays and on either Saturday or Sunday. We are able to check a ‘Lutheran’ folder provided by the hospital for members of Sharon who are patients. This folder is updated periodically throughout each day by the hospital. This works... mostly. Sometimes people only note that they are Lutheran, with no church and if we do not recognize their name it is likely they are not visited. Sometimes people have changed churches since a prior admission (even years previously) and the information is not updated so they are noted as members of whatever previous congregation (and if we do not notice, they are missed). And sometimes (perhaps more than anything) if people
respond that they do not want their admission information to be shared, they are not reported on this list. And of course, sometimes we may miss someone because of our own oversight, or the individual is out of the room for something or sleeping or we may not be allowed in to see the patient... we try to leave a note then, but sometimes that fails!

To insure a visit if you are hospitalized, you may contact the church office and request a visit, a pastor will respond as soon as possible.

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.

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 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.

Staff and leaders of Sharon have been working hard to be responsible stewards of all the resources of this congregation. We appreciate the care and concern that has been shown by many as we are moving to become a stronger and healthier community of faith. The challenges are many, but the blessings are greater. Thank you for your continued support as together we grow in faith, love and obedience to the will of God.

Regular, sustained giving – As people of faith, Scripture teaches us to give regularly, proportionately and first to God (first fruits). Participating in Simply Giving provides that opportunity. Your offering can be made to Sharon Lutheran through an electronic transfer of funds. Weekly, once or twice a month you can offer first to God. It is a wonderful way to grow in consistent faithful offering and it is a blessing to the church in its reliability. Forms are available at the church or contact the office.

Capital Campaign – Undertaking a capital campaign was approved at the congregational meeting held August 15. This financial appeal will address reducing long term debt (mortgage), and other important things such as an elevator, an appropriate sound system and furnishings for the sanctuary and other facility needs. The possibility of developing new ministries/outreach and supporting any additional staff would also be a part of planning for this campaign.

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.

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 designed to answer common questions about baptism including:

"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.

12-09-07 LEAH FAITH HART; Jessica & Kelly Hart

12-09-07 PAYGE ANDI GUDAJTES; Reannon & Andy Gudajtes

12-09-07 ISAAC HUNTER FELTMAN; Natalie & Shane Feltman

12-23-07 ADDYSON MARIE LEDDIGE; Anna & Michael Leddige

12-23-07 JARRET BRENT JONASSON; Angie & Adam Jonasson

11-17-07 Stephan Bott & Lorilee Arndt

Jean Skalicky

11-16-07 Dona Krom

11-28-07 Taylor Vossekuil