Sharon Lutheran Church: June 2008 Newsletter

Vacation Bible School was held the first week of June 2008. What a wonderful week it was! Every year at the completion of VBS I wonder how I can transfer into words all the wonderful moments that were experienced. How can I give you a small picture in words for the monthly newsletter? Impossible! VBS is a week like no other in the church year. I can only hope that in the future you will have an opportunity to experience it yourself.
Whether as a volunteer or a spectator, you’re all invited to join us again next year. For now this is my honest attempt to bring to you some of the great highlights of the week.

Our music was led by Small Fish (Evan Lafloch) and Kim Adams (Director of Youth Ministies). Their talents and time with the kids is truly a sight to behold. For most kids this is hands down their favorite part of the week. It’s great to see them sing out with joy and dance like no one is watching them.

Should you wish to hear some of the kids’ music or share songs with your family, please see the website: www.smallfishadventures.com/nd.fish

Just guessing, but I think the second favorite part of VBS for most of the kids ends in a tie between snack and story. Our Sharon kids love their fruit on a stick and can munch down 200 pudding cups, 400 cookies, and 12 gallons of ice cream. Each night the story room filled their hearts with God’s Word and allowed them to experience Bible stories coming to life. All 160-plus kids walked on water, were blinded, gained sight, and experienced what it felt like to be a leper. Thank you to our wonderful story leaders: Paul Plutowski, Natalie Feltman, Barb Burian, Pam Elmquist, Danika Bakke, and Alisa Bakke. Each night they brought your leadership, love and care to all the kids.

I have had the pleasure of being part of VBS ministry for 10 years. This year was truly the best of all 10. As I reflect, I know it was due to the huge amount of volunteers, the
most who have ever worked on VBS in my time here at Sharon. From the entire congregation and their donation of supplies, to our supper supply people like Barry Branvold and Mary Adams, to the 80-plus individuals that served as small group guides, craft, game and snack helpers - you made this an awesome year. Special thanks to Dave Berger who served as our Games Coordinator, Shelley Mussman - Craft Coordinatorand Kathy Bakke - Snack Coordinator. It makes me think of how all the members of the body of Christ were in true form sharing their gifts of time and talents.

On the last night of VBS we shared in our 4th annual family BBQ. Five hundred hot dogs were grilled by Allen Dahlen, Kevin Dahlen, Matt Dahlen, Steve Breidenbach and Cody Schmidt. Families brought cookies and chips to share. I loved seeing our building bursting at the seams. Families filled the South Hall, upstairs classrooms and the floors of the Narthex and hallways. As I was able to make my way around to visit families I was touched by the smiles and giggles as families ate and relaxed together. One could not help but sense the excitement from the kids as they were preparing to share their gift of song in worship.

Throughout the week parents, students and volunteers would comment to me on how much they were enjoying VBS. One individual volunteer caught me off guard. This individual came to thank me for asking that person to be a volunteer and said, “This has been one of the best weeks ever. Thank you so much for asking me to be a volunteer; I would not have been a part of VBS had you not asked me to help.” Later, as I thought about what this volunteer had said to me, I realized a gift lay in those words. Seeking people out to volunteer is a large part of what we do here at Sharon. At times this can be a difficult task; we may feel bad asking people to help. The words of this individual reminded me that seeking out others to share in ministry, the work of the body of Christ, is not only worth the effort but also provides an opportunity and gift to the individual being called to help.

We had 160 kids registered for VBS. Each night, however, a few new kids found their way to be here with us. An official number is a challenge to give you. But I trust you understand the number is not what is important here, because whether it was 2 or 200 God’s amazing love was shared, the spirit was abounding and the promise of the Gospel was proclaimed.

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve in Education Ministries where I have the chance to experience firsthand all of the wonders of VBS. Thank you for your investment in our children, those that are living in your own home and those children whom you do not even know. Your continued support of the ministries here at Sharon make the week of VBS possible.

Once again this summer the Board of Church in Society is sponsoring “Gardens for Hunger”. This project is an opportunity for us to bring items from our gardens to the church. These are available for people to take home in exchange for a monetary donation. The donated money is given to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. The Gardens for Hunger table will be set up at the church for the entire summer, beginning June 1. Along with typical fruit and vegetable produce which may be brought, consider bringing garden seeds, flower bulbs, leftover bedding plants, rhubarb, radishes, flowers, herbs, and berries. Thank you for supporting hungry people around the world!

Be sure to come and join in on the celebration between worship services on Sunday, July 13th, as we give thanks for what God has accomplished through this congregation in the first quarter of our Fulfilling the Dream capital campaign!

God gave each of us special gifts to use to further Christ's work. Whether for teaching,
preparing and serving food or providing comfort, use them to glorify God and serve others. Please prayerfully consider saying “yes” when invited to volunteer. God gives you a gift, it’s up to you to nurture, strengthen and use it wisely.

Sharon Lutheran's 5th Annual Outdoor Worship in Town Square (corner of Demers Ave. & South 3rd St.) Sunday, August 3rd at 10:30 a.m. (music begins at 10:15 a.m.) Bring your family & friends! Bring your lawn chairs and worship in the open-air pavilion. Donuts will be served!

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. We recently received our first check for $273.89!

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!

Sharon Lutheran now offers Electronic Giving from your credit card or debit card. The procedure is similar to Simply Giving and will also be available through our web site. For more information or to get set up, call Joan in the church office, 772-3122.

Remember to tune into “Grace Matters” each Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. on KCNN Radio (1590 AM).
Go to www.gracematters.org for previews of upcoming programs, to listen to past programs, or to sign up for podcasts. There are six months for sponsorship that are still available on the poster near the church office. Consider sponsoring a month in honor or memory of someone or to celebrate a significant event in your life. Sign up soon to reserve your month.

The blessing of summer travel and good weather often takes people away from the church resulting in a ‘summer slump’ in offerings received. As one way to help Sharon through this time, consider participating in Adopt a Bill. Just take an envelope from the display, enclose the amount indicated and return it in the offering or to the church office. Thank you for blessing the ministry of Sharon with your gifts.

You may have noticed that the Sharon bus is no longer parked in the church parking lot.
The bus has been sold to a private school in Minnesota. The Parish Planning Councilmade the decision to sell the bus because of increasing costs of fuel, insurance, and maintenance. In addition, the Department of Transportation has increased regulations regarding inspections and driver requirements which make it more difficult for a private organization to operate and maintain a bus. We are grateful for the many years and miles which our bus provided for numerous parish trips.

Staff and leaders of Sharon are 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.

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.

06-08-08 ALEXA EDEN KNODLE Chad & Rachel Knodle

06-08-08 CHLOE ELIZABETH DETIENNE Chad & Shauna Detienne

06-08-08 SKY LYNN BETH KOPP Tanner & Nichole Kopp

06-22-08 SYLVIA ELAINE STRASNER Matt & Katrina Strasner

06-22-08 EVERETT GREGORY KELLING John & Megan Kelling

06-22-08 JACEY ALIZABETH BRYNJULSON Eric & Beth Brynjulson

05-31-08 Daniel Robinson & Kayla Woinarowicz

06-07-08 Brendon Mitzel & Tessa Hansen

06-14-08 Adam Lizakowski & Tonia Baxley

06-21-08 Jason Schwindt & Sherry Nikle

06-11-08 Ulric Johnson

06-23-08 James Forsberg

In Memory of: Ulric Johnson, by Vidette, Knain, Connie Strand, Dottie & Gary Swanson

In Memory of: Ulric Johnson, by Jodi & Scott Boettner, Carl Penny Morken, Jeff & Kristi Larson