ACT PARISH MURDOCK-DEGRAFF CLUSTER NEWSLETTER

BETHESDA AND BUFFALO LAKE OF GRACE CHURCHES

APRIL 2016 PASTOR DAN CROONQUIST , PASTOR M ICHELLE KLEENE

PASTOR DAN : 320-220-3055 (CELL) ; OFFICE : 320-599-4548; HOME : 320-382-9099

CROON@FRONTIERNET .NET

PASTOR M ICHELLE : 320-226-3535 (CELL) ; OFFICE : 366-3426; HOME : 320-847-2572

MKLEENE89@GMAIL .COM

ACT WEBSITE : WWW .ACTPARISH .COM ; ACT ALSO HAS FACEBOOK

FROM PASTOR DAN. . .

Pastor Dan 1

Bethesda announce-

ments

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Buffalo Lake and Be-

thesda Missions of the

month

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Act Parish Announce-

ments

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Area Community An-

noucnements

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Dear Friends,

Spring is definitely in the air. The days are longer. The sun is shin-ing. The birds are singing. The trees are budding, and the landscape is turning green. It is wonderful to be outside and see all of the signs of new life.

It is also a wonderful time of year in the church as we experience the gift of new life during this Easter season. As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection we can be confident that because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too shall be raised on the last day. Because Christ lives, we too shall live.

This is really what Easter is all about. Because of the empty tomb, death has been defeated once and for all. Death will not have the final word. Death will not be the final answer. Death has been swallowed up. Because Christ has triumphed and been victorious over sin and the devil, in place of death we find new life.

Certainly, death is not something that is unfamiliar to us. We face death throughout our lives. From the second we are born, we begin dying. We face death in many ways: the death of a relationship, the death of a marriage, the loss of employment, an abusive spouse or par-ent, a struggle with addiction, the terminal illness or death of a loved one, or our own impending death.

What the Easter miracle does for us is enable us to see death not as an end in itself, but a beginning, a journey to new life. God in resurrec-tion power is able to bring life out of death, good out of evil, love out of hate, and hope out of despair. God rolls away the stones in our lives to bring to us new life. This helps us to face death, in whatever form it may confront us, with hope, confidence, and the assurance that our destiny as people of faith is to be with God, to live with God, free of pain, suffering, fear, sin, and death for all eternity. That is the gift that the resurrection promise brings to us. That is the good news of Easter.

Easter blessings,

Pastor Dan

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BETHESDA ESTHER QUILTING CIRCLE

Esther Circle will be quilting on April 7 at 9:30. Meeting and Potluck follow.

The Bethesda coffee dollars received each Sunday at the coffee hour will be designated to one specific ar-ea each month. Watch for the monthly list in the news-letter and on the bulletin.

April coffee dollars will be given to the “The Bethesda Prayer Garden”.

Next month’s coffee dollars will be given toward the “KMS Marching Saints” organization.

Ushers for April

Leah & Matt Claussen Karen & Jon Froehlich Jane Saulsbury Usher/Alter Guild Guide and Duties have been emailed out. There is also a copy on the bulletin board. If you need an extra copy, contact Jan. Please be sure to look at these carefully. We have become a very busy church and there are duties that are needed to be done weekly.

Easy Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Winning Casserole Bake-off Recipe

Serves 8 to 12

3 to 4 cooked chicken breasts, chopped 16-oz. pkg. wide egg noodles, cooked 24-oz. container sour cream 2 (10 3/4-oz.) cans cream of chicken soup 8-oz. pkg. shredded Cheddar cheese 8-oz. pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese 1 sleeve buttery crackers, crushed (ritz, town house, etc.) 1/4 cup margarine, melted 2 tablespoons poppy seed (optional) Combine chicken, noodles, sour cream, soup and cheeses in a large bowl. Pour into a lightly greased 13"x9" baking dish. Mix together cracker crumbs and margarine; sprinkle over top. Sprinkle poppy (optional) seed over cracker crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until crackers are crispy and golden and cheese is melted.

** The night before the bake-off, I baked the chicken breasts in the oven with salt, pepper, garlic pow-der and light olive oil. I mixed all the ingredients together, except for the butter and crackers. I put the mixture in the 9 x 13 lightly buttered dish, covered it with aluminum foil and put it in the refrigerator. The next morning, I revised the baking regime to the following: I put the “covered” casserole in a pre-heated 350° for one-half hour. After one-half hour, take casserole from oven and remove the alumi-num foil. I carefully stirred the edges of the casserole. Finally I sprinkled the butter/cracker crumbs on top. (Again, I did not use the poppy seeds.) I returned the casserole to the oven and baked it for an additional 25-30 minutes until crackers were crispy and golden.

Bon appetite !!

Bethesda Information

Bethesda members —

PLEASE check your mail boxes following each worship service.

The Bethesda church council has designated the loose change offerings for the months of Febru-ary, March and April as well as the proceeds from the Annual Meeting brunch to the three Bethesda KMS Marching Saints who will be head-ing to Hawaii in December. This money will be divided between Chris Moist, Rick Jones and Emelea Edberg. THESE OFFERINGS ARE IN NO WAY IN-TENDED TO TAKE THE PLACE OF ANY DONATIONS THAT YOU HAVE MADE OR WILL BE MAKING TO THE ENTIRE SAINTS MARCHING BAND as we wish to have the en-tire Marching Saints Band enjoy this opportunity.

PAGE 3 “Under His Wings” Mother Daughter Luncheon

Bethesda Lutheran April 23rd at 10:00 am

Program Lunch Prizes

Plenty of fun!

NEEDED for SYNOD ASSEMBLY: 2 representatives. (male and female) needed to attend starting Friday, June 10 at 8:00 am concluding early Saturday afternoon, June 11 with worship in Christ Chapel. Bethesda pays registration. Registration before May 15 receives early registration fee. Please let Pastor Dan or Pastor Michelle know if you are interested in attending.

From the library . . .

Watch for a number of news books which have been ordered for the library. As the books ar-rive, they will be placed in the library. Examples are.

If I Run by Terri Blackstock

A Treasure Concealed by Tracie Peterson

Two large print Bibles have also been ordered. These Bibles are not to leave Bethesda.

Daughter of the Reformation: A Historical Per-spective of the Life and Times of the Wife of Martin Luther by Mary Helene Rasmussen. This book is already in the library under Section 4Ra.

Also presently in the library are:

DVD - War Room

DVD - When the Game Stands Tall

There are also lots of VeggieTales DVD’s, plus lots and lots of children’s books for all ages.

And, it doesn’t cost you a thing! Enjoy!

It’s not too early . . . to mark your calendar for Sunday, September 11, the day our church has the opportunity to participate in “God’s work. Our Hands” Sunday. “God’s work. Our Hands” Sunday service activity offers an oppor-tunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ -- every act of service, in every daily call-ing, in every corner of life -- flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. More information will be forthcoming.

APRIL Missions of the Month . . .

Each month a list of giving opportunities in the Parish will be included in the bulletin and newsletter. Monetary donations are always welcome as well.

+ Buffalo Lake

Safe Avenues needs:

Women’s Clothing, Children’s Clothing, Hair Care Products (new), Cosmetics (new), Toiletries

Used Cell Phones, Gift Cards for Fuel, Gift Cards for Groceries

Dishes, Kettles, Kitchen Utensils, Food Storage Containers

Table Linens, Kitchen Towels, Silverware, Kitchen Chairs, Small kitchen Appliances, Vacuum Cleaners

Bed Linens, Quilts, Pillows, Lamps, Small Rugs

Bath Towels, Paper Towels, Facial Tissue, Toilet Paper

** There is a box in entry @ Buffalo Lake for these items or call or text Katherine Claussen @ 320-894-8441 to have your items picked up.

+ Bethesda -

All Lutheran World Relief Kits to be brought to the S.W. Minnesota Women of the ELCA Conven-tion in June at Vinje, Lutheran, Willmar. (See kits’ contents on page 5)

• Fleece-tied blankets (58”-59” x 80”)

Romans 12:8 “If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

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Thank you to Bobbie Jones who is now working with the ACT website as well as the ACT Facebook page.

See website: www.actparish.com

“Spring shows what God can do with

a drab and dirty world.”

Virgil A. Kraft

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF KITS

Personal care kits: 1 light-wt. bath-size towel, dark color 2-3 bath six bars of soap, equaling up to 8-9 oz. One adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging One sturdy comb, remove packaging One metal nail clippers (attached file optional), remove packaging Wrap all the items in the towel and tie securely with ribbons or yarn Baby care kits (please use new items unless noted otherwise) 2 lightweight cotton t-shirts 2 long- or short-sleeved gowns or sleepers (without feet) 2 receiving blankets, medium-weight cotton or flannel, or crocheted or knitted with lightweight yarn, up to 52” square 4 cloth diapers, flat fold preferred. 1 jacket, sweater or sweatshirt with a hood, or include a baby cap 2 pairs of socks 1 hand towel, dark color recommended 2-3 bath-size bars of soap equaling up to 8-9 oz, any brand, in original wrapping Two diaper pins or large safety pins

Do not add other items or leave out any of the items listed. Gently used, clean items (no stains or tears) can be substituted for new ones. Wrap items in one of the receiving blankets and secure with di-aper pins. Do not enclose the Kit or any of its contents in plastic bags. Fabric kits 2 spools of neutral-colored, general purpose thread, 250-300 yards each 2 pieces of material: 2 ½ yards of 60” wide material; or 3 yards of 44” material; or 4 yards of 36” wide material Pieces do not need to match in size or color/pattern. Fold thread and one piece of fabric inside second fabric piece and tie with yarn, sturdy string, ribbon or a strip of fabric. Do not enclose the Fabric Kit or any of its contents in a plastic bag. School Kits Four 70-sheet notebooks of wide- or college-ruled paper approximately 8” X 10½”; no loose-leaf paper One 30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other One pencil sharpener One blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well) Five unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers; secure together with a rubber band Five black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink); secure together with a rubber band One box of 16 or 24 crayons One 2½” eraser One sturdy drawstring backpack-style cloth bag approximately 14” X 17” with shoulder straps (no standard backpacks)

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** Caffeine & Conversation **

CAFFEINE & CONVERSATION will be held on Tuesdays at 9:30 at the Bethesda and Wednesdays at 1:00 at Hope.

If you have not been able to join us yet, PLEASE consider coming- we have great conversation about Scripture and life, yum-my goodies and wonderful fellowship (and coffee!)

ACT PARISH ACTIVITIES

** MEN’S BREAKFAST **

See you April 2nd at 7:30 a.m. at Sherrie’s Coffee in Kerkhoven.

KMS Area MOPS

Change for April meeting

The MOPS group will be having a Wine and Painting Event at the DeGraff Liquor Store on:

Thursday, April 7th

Time: 6pm

Enjoy an eventful evening of painting in the com-pany of friends in our community along with a delightful wine, if you so choose. Kendra Thorson will be our instructor that evening. The cost for this event is $40 per person. You can come early {say 5ish} if you would like to eat or come at 6 to start the class. There is NO childcare provided for this event. KMS Area MOPS members you can either attend by yourself or you can invite one guest to attend with you. If you choose to bring a guest, please invite them on Facebook so we have a head count. Can't wait to do this fun event with you ladies! Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Carla Olson.

April Confirmation Schedule

April 6 at Mamrelund

6pm - 7th grade

7pm - 8th & 9th grades

April 13 at Mamrelund

6pm - 7th grade

7pm - 8th & 9th grades

April 20th - no confirmation

April 27 at Mamrelund

6pm - 7th grade

7pm - 8th & 9th grades

REMINDER to Confirmation Students: The Sermon Notes outline is available at the church. Please use this form.

April 2016 Preaching Schedule

Pastor Dan Pastor Michelle Narrative Lectionary Readings April 3 Buffalo Lake – 8:15am St. Johns – 8am Acts 1:1-14 and Mark 6:7-13 Bethesda – 9:30am West Lake – 9:30am

Mamrelund – 11am Hope – 10:45am

April 10 Buffalo Lake – 8:15am St. Johns – 8am Acts 3:1-10 and Mark 6:53-56 Bethesda – 9:30am Monson Lake – 9:30am Mamrelund – 11am Hope – 10:45am

April 17 St. Johns – 8am Buffalo Lake – 8:15am Acts 17:1-9 and Mark 13:9-11 West Lake – 9:30am Bethesda – 9:30am Hope – 10:45am Mamrelund – 11am April 24 St. Johns – 8am Buffalo Lake – 8:15am Acts 18:1-4 and Mark 9:34-35 Monson Lake – 9:30am Bethesda – 9:30am Hope – 10:45am Mamrelund – 11am

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“Voices of Hope” Concert

Hope Lutheran

Wednesday, April 20th at 7pm

Cedar Creek Gospel Band

And Ice Cream Social

Where: Hope Lutheran

When: Sunday, April 3rd at 3pm

Free will offering.

ACT Parish Council meeting

St. Johns Lutheran

Sunday, April 17th at 6pm

“Companions in Faith”

Lakeland Spring Gathering

Grace Lutheran, Belgrade

Speakers: Patti Hagen & Anne Hagen

Registration: 8:30am

Program: 9:00am

Cost: $10 which includes noon lunch

Door Prizes

Registration deadline is April 5th.

Shedding a Light on Memory Loss . . .

Monday, April 11, 2016

ACMC– Benson meeting room

5pm-5:30—visit displays/gather information

Build your own Sundae (freewill)

5:30pm-6:30 — Pluto Legal medical/estate pre-planning; health care directives; power of attorney

6:30pm-7:30 — Kate Selseth—from MN Alz-heimer’s Assn. will speak on Supporting the Care Giver

This event is “free” — but a freewill donation will be accepted to support future Benson Area Memory Loss events

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Sunday, April 3

9:30am-1pm Kerkhoven Lions Club “Annual Pancake Break-fast” at the Kerkhoven Civic Center Kerkhoven Lions Club “Annual Pancake Break-fast” at the Kerkhoven Civic Center. The menu includes: scrambled eggs, french toast, pan-cakes, sausages, juice, milk and coffee for a free will donation. Proceeds from the breakfast will be given to the KMS Marching Band to be used for their trip to Pearl Harbor later this year. There is also a raffle with a Terry Redlin print be-ing one of the main prizes. The library will also have its used book and puz-zle sale. Pick up as many books and puzzles as you want for a free will donation. Those monies will be used to add to the collection of the Kerkhoven Library.

Healing Hearts Bereavement Support Groups Monday’s, April 4, 2016 (and April 11, 18, 25, May 2 and May 9) at 3pm This is for individuals who have experienced a loss. Held at Rice Memorial Hospital, Willmar – Hospice Conf. Rm. with Judie Dunlop. Enrollment is open to anyone in the communi-ty. We ask for pre-registration two (2) days prior to the beginning of a support group series. For more information, call Rice Hospice at (320) 231-4450.

Rice Hospice Training

Monday, April 4th and Wednesday April 6th

7:30pm – at the Lakeland Auditorium (Lower Level) & Lakeland Health Center (Blue Roof) in Willmar. For more information log on to: www.RiceHospice.com or call Deb Van Buren at 320-231-4433 or toll free (800) 336-7423.

Camp GK Bear

Saturday, April 9, 2016, 10am-3pm Rice Hospital-Lakeland Auditorium

This is a one day camp for children, grades K-6, who have experienced the death of a significant person in their life. Register with Rice Hospice by April 1st at 320-231-4450.

Please help the Swift County Food Shelf in Benson by saving and donating your egg car-tons. You can bring them to the Kerkhoven Public Library. No donation is too small. Thank you for your help in this project!