Greetings from Devlyn Brooks

Volume 20, Issue 11 December 2017

Faith Lutheran

Church

PO Box 175

Wolverton, MN 56594

(218) 995-2556

faith@wtc-mail.net

www.faithwolverton.org

Devlyn Brooks, Interim SAM

(701) 412-8733

devlynbrooks@gmail.com

It is the mission of Faith Lu-

theran Church:

To gather prayerfully as

the Body of Christ;

To grow in faith, love, and

service;

To go into the world

joyfully as disciples.

Sunday School &

Confirmation

9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship

10:00 a.m.

Holy Communion on the first

and third Sunday of the

month.

Coffee Fellowship

11:00 a.m.

December Food Pantry

Item:

Holiday

Foods

Hello Faith Lutheran Church!

My name is Devlyn Brooks, and my family and I are honored to be on this journey

with everyone at Faith Lutheran! ... And I also am honored to be your synodically au-

thorized minister!

I have been grateful to get to meet the many folks here that I have so far, but I know

there are a great number more whom I have not yet met. And so I look forward to it.

Meanwhile, I'd to share a little bit about our family. First, we live in Moorhead, but

both Shelley and I grew up and graduated in northwestern Minnesota, me in Fertile,

and Shelley in Ada.

Shelley, in addition to running

our house likely a fine-tuned

instrument, works as a

paraprofessional at Horizon

Middle School in Moorhead.

Our oldest son, Garrett, is a

sophomore at Augustana Uni-

versity in Sioux Falls, S.D. He is

majoring in nursing.

Our next oldest, Carter, is a

freshman student at Moorhead

High School and is busy in sports year round. He currently is gearing up to play bas-

ketball this winter.

Next comes Ava, a seventh-grader at Horizon Middle School in Moorhead. She is a

swimmer and is busy with her competitive season, and she plays violin in the orches-

tra.

And finally, there is our little Siri, a fourth-grader at Ellen Hopkins Elementary in

Moorhead. She is our artist, enjoying music, style and theater.

We also have our trusty pets, our beloved Cody, who is a husky, and three cats, Gin-

ger, Sky and Grace.

We stay busy, of course, chasing after the kids, but occasionally when we get a free

moment, Shelley and I like to chase around looking for good used records!

Thank you all for the first wonderful month here at Faith Lutheran. And I can tell you

even after this short bit, that you have something special here at FLC. You all are so

very supportive and tightknit, and I can attest to the fact that not all congregations are.

In addition, your council is truly remarkable. They are engaged and active and are ex-

cellent servant leaders! ... Also, your worship and music committee

is more active than other churches even much bigger in size. And

you have a group of youth who are simply very great people. They

are going to make fine adults! ... You have much to be proud of

here! You have a strong congregation, a beautiful church and caring

(Continued on page 2)

The December newsletter is given in memory of

Orlyn Kragerud

by Jackie Kragerud.

Carter, Devlyn’s Mom, Devlyn, Siri, Shelly, and Ava

Faith Share and Care

Death: Prayers to the family of Marion Israelson whose

funeral was November 17 at Faith.

Death: Prayers to the family of Paul Aigner whose funeral

was November 25 at Faith.

Baptism: We celebrated the baptism of Brayden Wayne

Retzlaff, son of Alisha Freitag and Dylan Retzlaff, on

November 19.

Congregation Chooses Nelson Pipe Organ

A Congregational Meeting was held after worship on November

12. The congregation voted to replace the organ with a pipe or-

gan built by Nelson Organ. The congregation can donate to the

organ fund if they wish to contribute to the purchase. All other

funds will be taken from the Bertha Otteson bequeath. The cost

of the organ was bid at $98,000 and with a 15% contingency

added the cost is budgeted to be $112,700.

We are blessed with the opportunity to have Bertha’s gift and

Mike’s generous in-kind donations make it possible to have a

pipe organ installed in our sanctuary.

May God bless Mike as he creates an instrument for Faith Lu-

theran. Thank you to the Music and Worship Committee for their

work researching organ options for Faith.

leaders! That is a terrific recipe for a vi-

brant faith community!

I will continue to get involved in as

many activities as possible, and I look

forward to getting to meet many more of

you during the Christmas season! A

church never seems as beautiful as it

does during the advent season!

Starting this month, in addition to ser-

vices and other events, I will be schedul-

ing some time to spend at the church,

open for conversation or other visits. I

will be posting those times in advance on

our Facebook page, and communicating

them as widely as possible.

Additionally, you can reach me at my

email address devlynbrooks@gmail.com

or you can call me at 701.412.8733.

Thank you all for allowing me to be a

part of your community. I am honored to

be on this journey with you, and I look

forward to meeting many more of you

soon!

God's peace to you!

Devlyn

(Continued from page 1)

Greetings from the President

Hello Everybody and Greetings From the Wolverton Community Church,

OK, OK, I know that we are Faith Lutheran Church but sometimes when I think about everything that happens

and how we function around here, I suggest that Wolverton Community Church accurately describes who we

are and what we do.

Several years ago when we were considering how to best make our church accessible, we recognized that there

were fewer and fewer places in Wolverton for community gatherings. So we agreed that in addition to

accessibility, community usability would be a priority of our improvement project. I would say that we were

wildly successful on both counts. Some of the community activities that we have hosted in recent years include:

Rescue Squad bingo and brats, gun training, American Legion meetings, coffee ladies, local fund raisers, scrap

booking, exercise group, Christmas cantata, and a youth sleep over.

We also hosted three funerals in the past three months at Faith Lutheran Church: Myrtle Nord, Marion

Israelson, and Paul Aigner. Each of the departed were wonderful community members and led unique lives.

While these deaths engendered times of emotion, grief, and sorrow for their friends and family, they also

offered a time for reflection, thanksgiving, and joy. This was evident at all of the funerals, but it seems that the

Holy Spirit was particularly active and inspired many from our broader community to attend Paul’s funeral.

The funeral celebration transcended our congregation to the degree that it felt more like a community event –

truly a community celebration of life! And what better place to have our community celebrations than right here

at Faith Lutheran Church, or should I say, the Wolverton Community Church.

God’s blessings and thank you all for everything that you do.

RC Stein

December Birthdays

2 Ken Hodnefield 2 Frank Israelson 2 Duane Nelson 3 Dennis Getz 10 Terry Flemming 11 Sheri Buchholz 15 Ryan Nord 17 Leslie Johnson 19 Barry Ness 19 Jack Rohan 19 Katie Tuel 22 Garrett Nelson 25 Cindy Nord 26 Stephanie Beyer 26 Lowell Picotte 27 Michael Mastin 28 LaDawn Turner 30 Kathy Church

Jane Buchholz—Sheyenne Crossing Long Term Care West

Fargo, ND

Doris Dibley—at home Wolverton

Barney Edwards—Eventide, Moorhead, MN

Louie Gruenberg—River Pointe Moorhead, MN

Rose Hanson—Bethany Grace Pointe Fargo

Elaine Johnson—River Pointe Moorhead, MN

Linda Lucke—at home

Arlene Nelson—Eventide Senior Living Moorhead, MN

Keith Nelson—at home in Wolverton, MN

Please keep these people who are under medical care in your pray-ers. Let Devlyn Brooks know if you would like your name or that of a loved one added to this list.

Operation Christmas

Child—Thank you to all the

kids who packed a shoebox

size container with Christmas

presents for kids across the

globe. Sixteen boxes were

sent out to kids across the

globe! Thank you to Faith

Women for paying for the

shipping and boxes.

Merry Christmas to all of you from Faith’s

LYO! First, we would like to thank everyone that participated

in Bingo and Brats and our annual pie auction. Bingo

was so much fun we are planning another one soon! Stay

tuned for more information.

We would like to invite all of you to join us for brunch

following the Sunday School Christmas Program on De-

cember 17th. The youth look forward to these events and

enjoy serving the congregation, family and friends.

LYO Upcoming Events:

December 3: LYO meeting following the church service

December 3: National Youth Gathering Meeting, 7:00

p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church

December 17: Brunch following the Sunday School

Christmas Program

Christmas Program

Come here the Christmas Story told by our

Youth. Join angel agent Double O-Heaven and

a host of helpers in this delightful telling of

the Christmas story. Discover what happens when several

spies try to claim the newborn, Jesus for their own

countries. Double O-Heaven and his angel agents must

show them that Jesus is for everyone.

LYO will serve a Christmas brunch after the program.

So much happening in November! What will December bring???

LY

O B

ingo an

d B

rats

Doves of Peace sing during WELCA

Sunday

So much happening in November! What will December bring???

Devlyn introduced

Faith Women’s Annual

Auction

Old

est Faith

Mem

ber L

ouie

Gru

enberg

(96) h

old

ing o

ur

yo

un

gest B

rayden

Retzlaff (3

Month

s)

Don Nelson and Barney Edwards honored as members of

the American Legion for 75 continuous years.

Faith Women – Be Bold!

Highlights & Happenings:

Christmas Party—Sunday, December 3 after worship. All are welcome!

Book Club—Tuesday, December 12 at 9:00am (Chapters 7-12 of 50 Women Every Christian Should

Know)

Church Auction: Thank you to everyone who helped with and attended the Church Auction. Even though

the turn out was down this year with just 39 numbers assigned, we made $3,394. Faith women gave

Linda & Jim Lucke and Heidi & Jeff Rasmussen each $850. The remaining proceeds will support the

many organizations that Faith Women support such as Someplace Safe, Lutheran Campus Ministry,

Hospice as well as the quilting ministry. The quilt raffle made $500 for Lutheran Disaster Hurricane

Relief. Thanks again to all of you who contributed your time, talents and money to help out our Faith

family and community. We are very blessed!

Quilting will resume again in January 2018.

Save the Date—

Someplace Safe Purple Power Fundraiser—February 22 5:30pm at City

Brew Hall in Wahpeton $30/ticket

The Little Black Dress Fundraiser—March 9 10:30am-1:00 pm at Holiday

Inn in Fargo $50/ticket

Faith Women Christmas Party At Faith Lutheran Church Fellowship Room

Sunday, December 3

Following worship All women of Faith Lutheran are invited.

Please join us for food, fund and fellowship!

Faith Women Minutes

November 5, 2017

President Maryann Olthoff

called the meeting to order.

We recited the statement of

purpose.

There was no secretary’s

report. Cindy Nord gave

the treasurer’s report with a

balance of $5,283.33. A

motion was made by Lois

Picotte to accept the report.

It was seconded and car-

ried.

Old Business: Our up-

coming November 8 40th

annual auction was dis-

cussed.

A motion was made by

Cindy Nord to pay for

shipping of the Operation

Christmas Child boxes that

the Sunday School had

assembled. It was second-

ed and carried.

New Business: Another

hostess was needed for the

December 3 Christmas

meeting. Diane Nord vol-

unteered.

We had discussion on up-

coming events: MS Little

Black Dress, ideas for at-

tending other fund raisers,

Mother Daughter Other

brunch, book club.

There being no further

business, President Olthoff

adjourned the meeting.

Diane Nord, Secretary

NOTICE OF FLC Annual Meeting When: December 10 after worship

What: Distribution of Annual Reports, Summary of our year, election of council members, and approve a 2018 budget All members of Faith Lutheran Church are encouraged to attend. NOTICE OF Faith Lutheran Cemetery Annual Meeting

Saturday, December 9 at 10:00 am in fellowship room

Poinsettias Thank you to those who purchased poinsettias in memory or in honor of someone. They may be taken home after our Christmas Eve Service.

Ross and Christina Aigner (2) In honor of Doris Dibley and Marvin & Ann Peterson

Loren and Maurine Blilie (2) In memory of Sharon Blilie and Steve Blilie

Randy & Jann Emerson and In memory of Curtis & Winnie Emerson and Jeff Weik

LuAnn Weik (2)

Greg and Pat Freitag Family(2) In memory of deceased loved ones

Dennis and Jane Getz Family (4) In memory of Monte Getz, Burnell Schulz, Oswald & Marilyn Getz

In honor of Lyla Schulz

Judy Getz Family (3) In memory of Robert Getz, Ann & Leonard Getz, Russell & Clarina Hegge

Louie Gruenberg In memory of Betty Gruenberg

Rose Hanson Family In memory of Gerald Hanson

Jackie Kragerud In memory of Orlyn Kragerud

Jim and Linda Lucke In memory of Lester & Lucille Lucke, LeRoy & Marjean Miller, and Scott Miller

Lois Picotte (3) In honor of God’s greatest gift—Jesus!

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL

Meeting Minutes

November 1, 2017

Members Present: LaDawn Turner, Mark Miller, Debi

Byars, Chad Erickson, Ross Aigner, Scott Smith, Mike Aign-

er and Dave Matz

Others Present: Devlyn Brooks, Jill Steichen, Lisa Miller

Devotions – Dave Matz

Devotions for December 6: Debi Byars

Communion Assistant for November 5th: Lisa Miller

Communion Assistant for November 19th: LaDawn Turner

Communion Assistant for November 22: Debi Byars

Offering Counter: All of Council

Food Pantry Item for November: Holiday Foods

Secretary’s Report: Approved with no changes

Treasurer’s Report: Approved with no changes

Committee Reports:

Education- Chad Erickson- Shoe Box for Sunday school –

operation Christmas Child

Property and Maintenance- the sound system needs some

attention—the church will be locked from now on—see Lisa

if you want a key. Dave will get more made

Music and Worship Debi Byars -will be meeting Tuesday

Nov 7th in the evening. Christmas Eve. Service only

Youth- Mike Aigner –Nov. 5th regular meeting—Nov. 17th

Bingo and Brats fundraised—Nov. 19th Pie Auction

Faith Women and Decorating- LaDawn Turner— Church

Auction November 8th. Nov. 5th Faith Women doing the ser-

vice. Doves of Peace doing music.

Old Business:

Congregational Meeting – Nov. 12th to vote on Organ Re-

placement and Constitutional Amendment. There will be 3

ballots. 1-vote yes or no to replace the organ. 2- Nelson or

Rogers organ. 3- payment

Proposed 2018 Budget - motion to accept the proposed

budget for 2018 2nd and passed.

New Business:

Interim Documents: Motion to approve the Interim Docu-

ments – Attachment #4 - 2nd and passed

Adjourn -

The Lord’s Prayer

Submitted by Debi Byars

De

ce

mb

er

20

17

S

un

M

on

Tu

e

We

d

Th

u

Fri

S

at

Fa

ith

Lu

ther

an

Ch

urc

h

PO

Box 1

75

Wolv

erto

n,

MN

56

59

4

1

2

3

9:0

0 a

m S

S,

Confirm

atio

n

10

:00

am

Wo

rship

w/ co

mm

unio

n-

Devly

n B

rooks

11

:00

am

Fe

llow

sh

ip,

Fa

ith

Wo

me

n

Chri

stm

as P

art

y

11

:00

am

L

YO

Me

etin

g

7:0

0 p

m L

YO

Na

tio

nal Y

ou

th G

ath

-

eri

ng

Me

eting

4

5

6

7

7:0

0p

m F

itn

ess

at

Fa

ith

8

9

10

:0 a

m F

LC

Ce

me

tery

Me

etin

g

10

9:0

0 a

m S

S,

Confirm

atio

n

10

:00

am

Wo

rship

—L

ay S

erv

ice

11

:00

am

FL

C A

nn

ua

l M

ee

tin

g

11

1

2

9:0

0 a

m B

ook

Clu

b

7:0

0 p

m M

usic

& W

ors

hip

13

1

4

7:0

0p

m F

itn

ess

at

Fa

ith

15

1

6

17

9:0

0 a

m S

S,

Confirm

atio

n,

10

:00

am

Wo

rship

—S

un

day

Sch

ool P

rog

ram

18

1

9

20

2

1

7:0

0p

m F

itn

ess

at

Fa

ith

22

2

3

24

NO

MO

RN

ING

WO

RS

IP!

5:0

0 p

m C

hri

stm

as

Eve

Ca

nd

le-

lig

ht

Se

rvic

e

25

Me

rry

Ch

rist-

ma

s!

26

2

7

28

7:0

0p

m F

itn

ess

at

Fa

ith

29

3

0

31

10

:00

am

Wo

rship

—D

evly

n B

roo

ks

11

:00

am

Fe

llow

sh

ip

A

ltar

Com

mit

tee

LaD

aw

n T

urn

er

Nata

lie N

els

on

Jean

Aig

ner

D

ece

mb

er

Ush

ers

Mik

e B

ya

rs

Ch

ad

Erickso

n

Ca

lvin

An

ne

tte

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH PO BOX 175

302 1ST STREET WOLVERTON, MN 56594-0175

Return Service Requested

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 001

Wolverton, MN 56594

December Sunday Schedule December 3—Interim Devlyn Brooks Faith Women Christmas Party after worship

December 10—Lay Service FLC Annual Meeting after worship

December 17—Christmas Program during worship with LYO serving Holiday Brunch

December 24—No morning worship 5PM—Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

December 31—Interim Devlyn Brooks (no Sunday school, confirmation, adult forum)