Pastor Gordy’s Message

By Pastor Gordy Pennertz

Verse for February:

The disciples asked,

“Who then can be

saved?” Jesus looked

at them and said,

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are

possible.” Matthew 19: 26

A fable for my Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Once upon a time there was a very strong wood-cutter.

He asked for a job from a timber merchant and he got it. The

pay was very good and so were the work conditions and for

that reason the wood-cutter was determined to do his very

best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area in

the forest where he was to work.

The first day the wood-cutter cut down 18 trees. His

boss was extremely impressed and said, “Well done. Keep it

up. You are our best wood-cutter yet.” Motivated by his

boss’s words, the wood-cutter tried even harder the next day,

but he only cut down 15 trees. The third day he tried even

harder but only cut down 10 trees.

Day after day the woodcutter cut down fewer and

fewer trees. The wood-cutter needed the job, so he tried

harder and harder. He worked during his lunch breaks and

after hours, but still he could not cut down enough trees. “I

must be losing my strength” the wood-cutter thought to

himself.

Eventually his boss came to him and told him he was

fired. The wood-cutter was really upset, but he knew that he

had worked as hard as he could and just did not have enough

time to chop more trees. He sadly handed his axe back.

The boss took one look at the axe and asked, “When

was the last time you sharpened your axe?”

“Sharpen my axe?” the wood-cutter replied. “I have

never sharpened my axe. I have been too busy trying to cut

down enough trees.”

We need to sharpen our axes as servants of the Lord.

That means spending time in the word, in fellowship with

fellow believers, in prayer alone with the Father. When we

gather for worship, we sharpen our axes. Keep your axes

sharp so you are a productive worker for the Lord.

Peace, Hope and Joy in Christ's name,

Pastor Gordy

Don’t forget: Per Capita for 2018 is $40 per person. PLEASE get yours in during the New Year. THANK YOU! “I am the church, YOU are the church, WE are the church together. ALL who follow Jesus, all around the world, Yes, WE’RE the church TOGETHER!”

First Presbyterian Church of Litchfield, MN

FEBRUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER

Upcoming events:

Feb. 3 Presbytery at Spicer, 10:00 Feb. 4 Souper Bowl of Caring for WINGS Feb. 5: PW CT mtg 9 AM Feb. 6 Bible Study 4:00 PM Feb. 7 Home Communions

Feb. 13 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Feb 14 Ash Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal at 7:00 Feb. 19 CCC meeting 9:30 AM Feb. 20 LAMA mtg here 8:30; MAM at 11:00, Bible Study 4:00 Feb. 21 Lenten service at Trinity 6:00 supper, 7;00 worship Feb. 24 Elder and Deacon Presbytery training at Redwood Falls. 10-3 Feb. 25 Wellness prayer service following worship Feb 26 Mary Martha Bible Study 4 PM Feb 28 Lenten service at UMC 6:00 supper, 7;00 worship

THOSE SERVING DURING FEBRUARY

LITURGIST: Coffee Hour: 4-Shirley Brooks 4-Judy Holmes 11-Kay Hanson 11-Jayne Ackman 18-Judy Holmes 18-Rosie Graphenteen 25-Marshall Madsen 25-February serving Communion Servers: Kay, Roger, Judy, Barbara

USHERS: Money Counters: 4- Harriet Koelln 4-Susan & Rosie 11-Don MacKay 11-Don & Julie Rae 18-Ackmans 18-Mickael & Arlyce 25-Judy Holmes 25-Kay & Jayne

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES: 15-Linda Karg 22-Pastor Gordy Pennertz 23-Roger & Roz Landers 25-Jared Johnson 26-Sharon Detert 26- Ken Koelln

LENT SCHEDULE:

Feb 14: Ash Wednesday @ Trinity Episcopal

Feb 21: Soup supper 6 Worship 7 Trinity

Feb 28: Soup supper 6 Worship 7 Methodist

March 7: soup supper 6 Worship 7 Methodist

March 14: Soup supper 6 Worship 7 Presbyterian

March 21: Soup supper 6 Worship 7 Presbyterian

March 29: Maundy Thursday worship 7 Presbyterian

March 30: Good Friday worship 7 PM Methodist

Lent: As we commemorate the 40 days of Lent, I

will be doing something a little different for our

Sunday worship services. Instead of preaching

strictly from the Lectionary schedule, I will focus

each Sunday on a particular Bible person or scene or

theme from Holy Week. As we prepare for Holy

Week, it seems the actual events of the week can

get shorted. I will be choosing a reading and dig a

little deeper than we normally get to do. I will seek

to give you a week's notice so you can join me in

focusing on certain events or people. I pray this will

make our preparation for Easter more meaningful.

Pastor Gordy

Souper Bowl of Caring is youth from across the nation working to raise money for local charities. This year we will be collecting for the WINGS treatment center. As youth

working to overcome addiction, they have certain needs that are not always met by their families. We have sought to contribute or buy supplies that are needed. This money will be used to buy specific needs the home has. Our youth will be stationed at the exits on Sunday, February 4 collecting your contributions. Thank you for caring!

SANCTUARY DUTY: February-Julie Rae March-Rosie April-Rhonda May-Amy L. June-Shirley B. July-Jayne August- Julie Rae September- David October-Amy L November-Rosie December-Shirley B. January- Jayne

Deacons serving schedule: If you are in need of a deacon for rides, for help, for notifying someone is in the hospital etc…Please contact the deacon of the

month: February-Rosie Graphenteen March-Rhonda Joldersma Maundy Thurs: Rosie April-Rhonda Joldersma May- David Pennertz June-Julie Rae Pennertz July-Barbara Bremseth August-Beverly Driver September- David Pennertz October- Barbara Bremseth November- Julie Rae Pennertz December- Rosie Graphenteen Christmas: Julie Rae and ALL January 2019-Beverly Driver

Our Bible verse person of the month is Dwight Barrick. He said that he had no particular reason for this verse as there are so many he likes, but it just seemed to be the one. The disciples asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19: 26

February Liturgy 4th-Isaiah 40:21-31 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39 11th-2 Kings 2:1-12

2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9 18th-Genesis 9:8-17 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15 25th- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Romans 4:13-25

Mark 8:31-38

It’s time once again for Pastor Gordy’s fave food celebration (one of them)…Pancake Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday…the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lent

season, where we celebrate with pancakes and games! It starts at 5:15 PM and there will be all the pancakes

you can eat, some sausage and we have again invited the WINGS kids to join us. Pancake shuffleboard is on the agenda as well. Shirley Brooks is the defending champion! Please join us!

Bible Study: We are still in our new date and time for the Bible study of the New Testament overview. Tuesday afternoons at 4:00; but not every

Tuesday so please check the calendar. In February we will meet the 6th and the 20th.

We will be going to WINGS again on February 13th from 4-5 and then going to church for the pancake feed. Please join us!

SESSION MEETING

JANUARY 27, 2018

January Session Meeting Session members met January 27th following our annual training day conducted by Pastor Gordy. We listened to the Treasurer’s, Pastor’s and Session Clerk’s reports. We noted among upcoming events that

Souper Bowl of Caring will be held during church services on February 4th. The proceeds will be designated for our work with WINGS, Litchfield’s adolescent treatment center. Pastor Gordy also emphasized an officer training meeting in Redwood Falls scheduled on Saturday, February 24th available to any active or inactive members who wish to learn more about leadership in our church. Under old business, we approved the report of the pastor’s compensation. Under new business, committee chair assignments were agreed upon.

Michael Joldersma and Judy Holmes will co-chair of the Stewardship & Personnel Committee through June of 2018. Judy Holmes will then chair the committee as Michael be leaving the church at that time to permanently relocate to Redwood Falls.

Shirley Brooks will continue to chair the Worship & Christian Education Committee.

Kay Hanson will continue to chair the Christian Community Committee.

Don MacKay will chair the Building & Grounds Committee.

Under new business, Session members voted for Sue Berg to continue as the Presbytery Commissioner and authorized a back-up commissioner position to Kay Hanson to cover times when Sue is unavailable to attend Presbytery events. We acknowledged a need to have an email address for the church itself. We’ve sent emails for various reasons under Pastor Gordy’s email address or sometimes using other church member

email addresses. However, we discussed and determined email contacts carry more legitimacy when coming from the First Presbyterian Church email address. Session members approved setting up this address for future use. Pastor Gordy received a request for financial assistance from Amy Viehauser. Based on their difficult circumstances, Session members discussed and agreed to a stipend of $500 from our Special Missions account. If congregation members choose to individually donate to Wade and Amy, they may do so. Pastor Gordy has contact information. Committee reports: Worship/Christian Ed: Upcoming Lenten services; collections for the services will be donated to the Food for Kids program. Holy Humor scheduled for 4/15/18. Christian Community: Arlyce Dedrickson has agreed to join CCC as a committee member. Reviewed the discussion from the Child Safety Forum held 1/13/18. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner scheduled for 2/13/18 at 5:15 p.m. Buildings & Grounds: No immediate plans for projects. Don will be leading this committee now. Stewardship & Personnel: Reviewed the counting form and Technology Committee plans. PW: Gifts of Women Sunday scheduled for March 11. Session meets next March 13, 2018. No meeting is scheduled in February. Respectfully Submitted, Kay Hanson Lane

MARY-MARTHA

BIBLE STUDY We will be back to our lesson on Esther at our January meeting. Just a reminder…this is a WOMEN’s Bible study and you do not have to do anything but listen if you

want. Please consider coming and joining us. See you on Monday, February 26 at 4 PM. We will have done pp. 154-165 for this lesson. Mary-Martha SERVING: February 26—(we are looking for someone) March 26—Jayne Ackman April 23—Shirley Brooks **May 23—Potluck

When I was going to write this article, I ran across this little story… "We make a

living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" — Winston Churchill Everything we buy has a ripple effect in the world. Everything. And this season that we will be entering—called Valentine’s Day—is2nd only to Christmas in its consumer spending!!

With that in mind, I found a list of wonderful gifts with even better stories. Hopefully this will help us—together—leverage some consumerism to benefit inspiring, vulnerable people and important causes. As organizations reimagine what it means to create meaningful work, let’s consider reimagining what it means to give. With Ocean Sole, a piece of artwork takes care of our environment—Washed-up flip flops transform into pieces of art and create an economic engine for beach clean-up off the coast of Kenya. With Giving Keys, a piece of jewelry creates hope—Homeless individuals find purpose and employment by fashioning old keys into necklaces that share a message of hope to be passed on from giver to giver. With Thistle Farms, a bar of soap restores dignity—Survivors of human trafficking and prostitution discover healing and empowerment.

While our missions may not be as large or extravagent we still can do something to help others and share the love of Christ along with it. Stay tuned for more updates on our next mission project.

Blessings in Christ! Julie Rae Pennertz, Missions Coordinator

The Deacons are in need of some bud vases. If you have any that you would like to donate, please bring them to church on a Sunday morning. Thank you!

First Presby Turns 150 Years Old

We became First Presbyterian Church January 2, 1870. And though there is some contention, we were the first church erected in Litchfield. The town itself was platted in 1869 when the railroad was extended to that point. The Post Office services also began in 1869. Residents numbered 353 people in 1870. Litchfield was then incorporated in 1872. (Wikipedia). It’ll be fun to learn more about our historical roots both with the church and how it tied into the community. We’ve formed a small committee to plan our 150th celebration. Julie Pennertz, Kay Hanson and Judy Holmes will begin some

planning. We’d love to have more members join us as we unearth some of the stories behind our church. Please contact any of us if you’d like to contribute your knowledge and a little time to this fun and interesting endeavor.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Presbyterian women meet on Jan 8,2018. Rosie opened with

prayer and read a story on “What is a Grandmother.” Secretary and treasurers reports were read and approved. Balance in account is $1693.88. Gifts of Women will be on March 11th with Julie Rae giving the message. (Dates for Lenten services found elsewhere in this newsletter) . Cleaning day will be March 5th after PW CT meeting. We will be having a lunch brought in. ( but snacks are always welcome.) We are waiting for a list of things the Presbyterian church in Belize can use for the children. If you are in need, Ecumen offers cleaning and other service for seniors call 693-7367 to get more informatiRon. Moderator Rosie Graphenteen

FEBRUARY PAYER LIST

1- Bill & Bev Barr 2- Rev Mark & Nancy Chamberlain 3- CJ Crosbie 4- Dave & Sharon Detert 5- Deb Holmes & Michael 6- Rick & Carrie Johnson 7- Christa, Jacob & Colton Joseph 8- Roger & Roz Landers 9- Heidi, Richard, Ariel, William, Viola, Rebekah,

Conor & Lorelei Pennertz 10- Kris Torkelson 11- Truman Stehr 12- Ann & Lynn Abramson 13- Don & Jayne Ackman 14- Ryan Ackman 15- Dwight Barrick 16- Joel Barrick 17- Susan & Mortie Berg 18- Carol Blunt 19- Heath Bozonie 20- Barbara Bremseth 21- Shirley Brooks 22- Dennis & Melva Burnette 23- Roger & Mary Crosbie, Mariah & Katie 24- Arlyce Dedrickson 25- Beverly Driver 26- Bruce & Shirley Good 27- First Presbyterian Church of Foley 28- Presbytery of MN Valley

Accepting Others “Some people have a way of making themselves at home. They don’t ring the doorbell. They slip in the back. They don’t care if there’s clutter on the floor. They’ll either help you pick up, or they will step over it to get each of you a cup of coffee. How do these people do it? Perhaps the key to the backdoor of our hearts is simply acceptance—the kind of love that would just as soon hug you in a tattered bathrobe as in your Sunday best. Such people leave behind their expectations of how ohters should be and what they should do. To them, every person is buried treasure to be discovered and enjoyed. Differences are a source of delight. Evaluations, judgements, and makeovers are not their job. Loving acceptance is. When such a person takes you into their heart, it is certain that they cannot stay long out of ours.” “Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts people from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Acts 10:34-35 “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.” Psalm 133:1 “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebriews 10:24 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8