It seems you can’t turn

on the news these days

without seeing another

dire report for America’s

farmers. Pick your favor-

ite news source, and I’ll

guarantee you that there

has been a story there

during this past week

regarding how the ongo-

ing trade war with China

is negatively impacting

this country’s farmers.

In one story on the NBC

News website, it states

that in 2018 alone, the

national net farm in-

come dropped by more

than $9 billion, or 12

percent of farmers’ over-

all income. Mind you,

that was a loss all in one

year!

Furthermore, the same

story reported that based

on data from the USDA

Agriculture Census that

was released in April

more than 160,000

farmers in the U.S. gave

up farming from 2007 to

2017.

Those are staggering

numbers. … Numbers

that begin to match what

America’s farmers lived

through during the

1980s. And I’m sure that

many in our congrega-

tion remember those

devastating days.

So, as your pastor, where

am I going with this? …

Well, it’s no secret that

Faith Lutheran resides in

the middle of farm coun-

try, and it’s no secret

that our farmers are fac-

ing hard times. And, so

as a community of faith -

- as a faith family -- even

if we don’t directly

farm ourselves, we

share in that emo-

tional burden with

which our’s and

the nation’s farm

families are living.

First, as Jesus’s

hands and feet

here on this earth,

it is incumbent of us to

reach out to our farm

families and make sure

that they are doing OK. I

don’t just mean finan-

cially, but are they doing

OK emotionally as well.

Do any amount of re-

search and you learn

very quickly how the

downturn of the agricul-

tural economy impacted

farmers and thus their

entire communities in

the 1980s. It was a bleak

time.

But as an extended faith

family we don’t have to

let that be the case. Part

of the commandment to

love one another is to

ensure that we each are

being cared for. And that

includes ensuring our

neighbors’ mental and

emotional health as well.

Might I suggest during

this difficult time for the

farmers that surround

us, that you reach out to

your neighbors. Tell

them that you are think-

ing about them. Tell

them that you care about

them, and that you un-

derstand their signifi-

cance to our community,

and frankly to the na-

June Food Pantry Item

Powdered Beverages

From our Pastor—Intern Devlyn Brooks

June 2019 Volume 22, Issue 6

Faith Lutheran Church PO Box 175

Wolverton, MN 56594

(218) 995-2556

faith@wtc-mail.net

www.faithwolverton.org

Devlyn Brooks, Intern Pastor

(701) 412-8733

devlynbrooks@gmail.com

It is the mission of Faith

Lutheran 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 Worship

9:30 a.m.

Holy Communion on the first and

third Sunday of the month.

Coffee Fellowship

10:30 a.m.

Follow Faith Lutheran

Wolverton on

Facebook

mailto:devlynbrooks@gmail.com

tion. Let’s not let it go unsaid.

Sometimes, a little validation is all

someone needs to make it through

a rough patch.

And second, if this message speaks

to you and hits home hard. If you

are someone who is being impact-

ed by the difficult agricultural

economy, and you are struggling

with the burden of this, I encour-

age you to reach out to someone.

Reach out to a trusted friend.

Reach out to a neighbor. Reach out

to me. Or reach out to a trained

counselor or other professional

resource. The key is just to reach

out. When we suffer in silence, we

hurt not only ourselves, but those

around us as well.

Lastly, and this is where being

your pastor comes into play. Re-

(Continued from page 1) member, that despite the tough

financial times, that your worth

does not come from your labor ef-

forts. What you do is a noble pro-

fession. Farmers helped forge this

country, and we are grateful for

your dedication and hard work.

But, at the end of the day, regard-

less of how the farm economy is

doing, your worth is found in the

fact that you are a blessed child of

God. … Let me reiterate that: Your

worth is not in the work that you

perform, but instead in your rela-

tionship with Jesus.

As your faith family, we will con-

tinue to pray that these difficult

times for our nation’s farmers will

soon pass, and meanwhile, we are

here to support you in any way

that we can. We care about you;

we value you; and we know what

your work means to the country.

Blessings to you as you begin the

spring planting season. The God

watch over you, bless you with

good planting whether, even better

growing weather and give those in

positions of authority the insight

and courage they need to work us

through these difficult times. ..

Amen.

Jane Buchholz—Sheyenne Crossing Long Term Care West Fargo, ND

Doris Dibley—at home Wolverton

Barney Edwards—Eventide, Moorhead, MN

Judy Getz—Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND

Louie Gruenberg—River Pointe Moorhead, MN

Rose Hanson—Bethany Grace Pointe Fargo

Elaine Johnson—Bethany on 42nd Ave Fargo

Linda Lucke—at home

Arlene Nelson—Eventide Senior Living Moorhead, MN

Keith Nelson—at home in Wolverton, MN

Prayer Requests

Page 2 Faith News

Please keep these people who are under medical care in your prayers. Let Pr. Devlyn know

if you would like your name or that of a loved one added to this list.

“Your worth is not

in the work that

you perform, but

instead in your

relationship with

Jesus.”

Devlyn Brooks

needs at Churches United until

May 19th. Devlyn will be blessing

the quilts and food panty items

before they are taken.

Men’s Group-Ross Aigner reported

15 men washed windows April 16th

and over 16 volunteer men in-

volved in their Sunday service and

meal served April 28th.

Music & Worship-Debi Byars re-

ported they met April 24th and

Sunday schedule is set through

June.

Property & Maintenance-Brad

Nelson reported they need to set

up a meeting for furnace replace-

ment.

Youth- Mike Aigner reported East-

er brunch was well attended.

Old Business:

Carpet Poll Results: 35 Red and 14

neutral, Faith Women will get red

carpet samples.

Opening Devotions: Keith

Kragerud

Members Present: Debi Byars,

Brad Nelson, Mike Aigner, Ross

Aigner, Kylie Hendrickson, Chad

Erickson and LaDawn Turner.

June Devotions: LaDawn Turner

Communion Assistant: May 5th

Chad Erickson, May 19th LaDawn

Turner, June 2nd Debi Byars.

Offering Counter: All of council

Food Pantry Item for June: Pow-

ered beverages

Secretary’s report: Approved

Treasurer’s report: Approved

Committee reports:

Education-Kylie Hendrickson re-

ported last day of Sunday School is

May 5th and kids sing at service.

Endowment-Met March 26th

Faith women-LaDawn Turner re-

ported we are taking donations for

FLC Council Minutes—May 1, 2019

Volume 22, Issue 6 Page 3

Internship- Devlyn will start in

June with Pastor Jill Steichen.

Discovering Your Congregation’s

Future- Pastor Keith Zeh will be

here to lead us in worship on May

12th and meet with us after service.

Adjourn

Lord’s Prayer

LaDawn Turner, Secretary

Synod Assembly

Please keep our delegates RC

Stein and Deb Byars in your

prayers as they represent Faith

Lutheran at the Northwest MN

Synod Assembly on June 7-9. The

assembly will be electing a new

bishop. Our current Bishop Wohl-

robe has served as bishop since

2007 and is retiring. Thank you to

RC and Deb for volunteering their

time.

June Birthdays

1 Randy Orud

2 Colleen Israelson

2 Bridget Hendrickson

2 Laura Wilner

3 Alyson Olthoff

5 Haley Israelson

8 Jay Nord

8 Stacey Rohan

12 Kenzie Jacob

13 John Kappes

15 Ava Heitman

21 Riley Miller

23 Mark Nelson

24 Kathy Hanson

24 Brooke Nord

24 Michael Thiessen

26 Robert C. Stein

27 Nancy Olthoff

29 Deb Smith

Anniversaries

12 Kevin and Nancy Olthoff

15 Megan and Michael Cassidy

19 Dennis and Jane Getz

22 Chad and Christie Erickson

24 Ron and Joanne Wilner

25 Randy and Jann Emerson

28 Brandon and Jamie Byars

29 Ashley and Clint Malikowski

American Legion Members Honored

Youth Reading Sunday Scripture

Alisson Smith

The Nelson-Otteson Post 370 of the American Legion celebrated its annual observance of Memorial Day at Faith Lutheran Church on May 27.

There was a short program, that included a prayer, a presentation of awards for continuous membership, music, and a skit that dramatized the importance of honoring all who served, especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

During the program Legionnaire Myron Taasaas was honored for 65 years continuous service to Legion, Legionnaire George Preston was honored for 45 years continuous service and Legionnaire Robert C. Stein was honored for 40 years continuous service.

The program was followed by a potluck lunch that turned out to be a feast.

We had a terrific turnout, with 46 people in attend-ance. And many folks came from surrounding com-munities all around.

If you weren't able to attend this year, put it on your calendar for next year. It is a terrific community event, for a very honorable purpose, and there is wonderful community fellowship afterward during the potluck. We would be pleased if you would join us next year!

Thanks again to the officers and members of the Nel-son-Otteson American Legion Post 370 for allowing Faith Lutheran to host this observance. We are hon-ored that you shared this day with our faith family.

Bridget Hendrickson

Faith Care & Share

Open House Bridal Shower

Honoring Alisha Nord

Bride to be of Dan Donnelly

Saturday, June 8 at 10am

The couple is planning an August 3rd

wedding. They are registered at Macy’s and

Crate and Barrel

June 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Faith Lutheran Church

PO Box 175

Wolverton, MN 56594

Altar Committee

Amber Nord

Debi Byars

June Ushers

LeRoy Turner

RC Stein

1

2

9:30 am Worship w/ communion—Devlyn Brooks 10:30 am Fellowship

3 4

7:00 pm Men’s

Group

5

7:00 pm Church

Council

6

7

Synod Assembly

8

10:00 am Alisha Nord’s Bridal Shower

Synod Assembly

9

9:30 am Worship 10:30 am Fellowship

Synod Assembly

10

11

12

13

14

15

Scholarship dead-

line

16 Father’s Day

9:30 am Worship w/ communion - Devlyn Brooks 10:30 am Fellowship

17 18

7:00 pm Men’s

Group

19

20

21

22

23

9:30 am Worship - Pr. Kirsten Frantsvog 10:30 am Fellowship

24 25

26 27

28 29

30

9:30 am Worship - Devlyn Brooks 10:30 am Fellowship

Births: Steve and Maryann Olthoff proudly an-

nounce the birth of a granddaughter, Hazel Annie

on May 21st. Parents are Amanda and Steve Haire.

We’re on the Web!

Faithwolverton.org

Follow us on Facebook:

Faith Lutheran Church Wolverton

And our youth group at

Faith Lutheran LYO Wolverton, MN

SUMMER WORSHIP at 9:30!

June Worship Schedule

June 2—Worship w/ communion @ 9:30—Intern Pas-tor Devlyn Brooks

June 9—Worship @ 9:30

June 16—Father’s Day -Worship w/ communion @ 9:30— Intern Pastor Devlyn Brooks

June 23—Guest Minister Pr. Kirsten Frantsvog— service @ 9:30

June 30– Worship @ 9:30— Intern Pastor Devlyn Brooks

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH PO BOX 175

302 1ST STREET WOLVERTON, MN 56594-0175

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NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 001

Wolverton, MN 56594

Faith Lutheran Church PO Box 175 Wolverton, MN 56594

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