February 2020

LIVING WORD Lutheran Church of Alexandria, LCMC

Through the power of the Holy Spirit

we are growing, Sharing, and living

in God’s Word, Jesus Christ

320-762-1997 Office Hours T-Th 8:30a.m. —12:30 p.m.

pastorlwlc@gctel.net OR secretarylwlc@gctel.net

1722 16th Avenue East, Alexandria, MN

www.livingwordalexmn.org 320-762-1997

Your Neighbor as Yourself

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” And he said to him, “you shall love the Lord your

God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first command-

ment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself” [Matthew 22:37]

A professional football player was interviewed about the threat of brain injury in the game. He countered

with a question to the woman: “Tell me, do you love your husband?” “I certainly do,” she answered, “Why

do you ask?” “Because I love football,” he said, “and I would do anything to be able to play anytime.”

When that interview was conducted, the Super Bowl was only about 30 games old. This month of February,

Super Bowl LIV will be held. To be present for the pageantry costs a lot of money, if you can get a ticket to

go. Millions will view the event, making it a premium advertising target. This year, there is a pregame gala,

with music and hype beginning about 2 in the afternoon. The stars for that part of the event aren’t people you

would normally associate with the game. They are kind of like a cheerleading pregame assembly for your

High School team, only more.

Hours later, the kickoff itself comes after pregame analysis and interviews with participants. And after the

flyover that accompanies the national anthem and after the coin flip. The amount of play of the actual game

in the first half is 30 minutes. Then comes the half-time, with VERY brief analysis of the first half, then the

half-time show. The half-time show lasts long as the performers care to cavort; how you gonna stop ‘em?

Then the last 30 minutes of the game completes the competition… unless there’s overtime. Then the trophy is

awarded, then the locker room interviews, and then post-game analysis.

The statement by the pro football player was “I love football”, not “I love the Super Bowl.” Real sweat and

pain, real ambition and commitment make a football player real, pro or not. Teammates aim at a common

goal one game at a time, with the team working best as one. When someone fails, you huddle up, pat ‘im on

the back, and figure out how to support him. The focus is on something outside yourself, grinding self-

sacrifice as the element itself. During the actual game, each player must set aside critique of other’s play to

do his own work. Teams that don’t extend such care don’t stay teams very long, and rarely succeed. To gath-

er together against all resistance, to advance despite setbacks demands all you’ve got.

When you adjust rules for safety and officiating, those changes may threaten the game itself. Which brings us

back to the interview: a football player who loves football, a team effort. To dump love as an expression of

care for another “as yourself”, is to lose love altogether. This Valentine’s month, consider your neighbors:

your spouse, your children, your friends. Share with them the forgiveness of sins you have from Christ Jesus,

and pass His love along. ~ Peace, Pastor Nate

Sunday Morning Bible Study

All are welcome to Sunday Morning Bible Study that meets at 10:20am

and concludes at 11:00am. Focus in on “Discipleship”, a study written

by Stephen King. Dave Moeller will be leading this study.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

The Tuesday morning Bible Study is in Ephesians. Bible study begins

at 9:00 am and is open to anyone who wants to participate. There is

always coffee, tea, snacks and great conversation.

Wednesday Morning Men’s Bible Study

Our current study, “One for All - Experiencing the Exclusive Claim of

Christ”, is thought provoking. Come and join us for reflection and

conversation. There is never a dull moment with this group, so men,

come and join in the fun!!

WOW Bible Study

Women of the Word Study is ongoing and meets the first Thursday of

the month at 2:00pm. All women are welcome and bring a friend.

Check their section in the newsletter or our webpage for more infor-

Read The Bible In A Year

The LWLC Adult Education Commit-

tee is encouraging all members to get

involved in “Reading Through the

Bible in a Year”. The Scripture read-

ings for each month are included in

the monthly newsletter. Please consid-

er taking part in this exciting adven-

ture and encourage others to do so as

well. We can be assured that “God’s

Word does not return void” (Isaiah

55:11) As you read, pray, asking God

to open your heart to His Word.

February 1 Leviticus 12-14

February 2 Leviticus 15-17

February 3 Leviticus 18-20

February 4 Leviticus 21-23

February 5 Leviticus 24-25

February 6 Leviticus 26-27

February 7 Numbers 1-2

February 8 Numbers 3-4

February 9 Numbers 5-6

February 10 Numbers 7-8

February 11 Numbers 9-11

February 12 Numbers 12-14

February 13 Numbers 15-17

February 14 Numbers 18-20

February 15 Numbers 21-23

February 16 Numbers 24-26

February 17 Numbers 27-30

February 18 Numbers 31-33

February 19 Numbers 34-36

February 20 Deuteronomy 1-2

February 21 Deuteronomy 3-4

February 22 Deuteronomy 5-7

February 23 Deuteronomy 8-11

February 24 Deuteronomy 12-15

February 25 Deuteronomy 16-19

February 26 Deuteronomy 20-23

February 27 Deuteronomy 24-27

February 28 Deuteronomy 28-29

February 29 Catch Up Day

Adult Education

Hear God’s Word at LWLC

Sunday: 9:00am Worship

10:00am Fellowship/Refreshments

10:10am Kids Corner (2nd Sunday of the month)

10:20am Bible Study

11:00am Faith Fervor Worship

Tuesday: 9:00am Adult Bible Study

Wednesday: 8:30am Men’s Bible Study

Ash Wednesday service is Wednesday, February 26, at 6:00 p.m.

During the Season of Lent

we will have

Wednesday night worship at 6:00p.om.

With a lite meal of soup, meat, cheese and rolls starting at 5:15 p.m.

Augustana District News

The Augustana District Newsletter is packed full of wonderful stories and information. The en-

tire newsletter can be found on our webpage: https://www.livingwordalexmn.org/

augustana_district_newsletter or click on the link sent to you with this newsletter if you are

reading this electronically

WOW Women of the Word WOW Bible Study will meet Thursday, February 6, at 2:00 p.m. We will continue with Lesson 10, “Living With Finished and Unfinished Business,” from John, Old Places New Faces by Sola Publishing. Lesson leader this month is Jean Ricks.

WOW Bible study meets monthly on the first Thursday. All women of LWLC are welcome and en-couraged to attend. Those attending will soon be selecting a new study for 2020.

WOW Dates for 2020

Thursday, April 23 — Box Supper

Thursday, June 18 — Summer Event

Thursday September 10 — Salad Supper

WOW Groups

WOW groups are now being formed for 2020. Please check the list on the information table and add, move, or delete your name as you wish.

Library News Featured this month : Women of the Bible

Featured this month are books about women of

the Bible. See the Library display for these

interesting reads.

Check your home for Living Word library books/videos you may have overlooked. Please return them so others

can enjoy them also.

If you have read a book from our library which you have particularly enjoyed, the library committee encourages

you to write a brief recommendation. You will find a sheet on the library desk where you can write a few com-

ments.

Volunteer Opportunities If you have gotten your Time and Talent Sheets in, Thank you. If not, it is not too late.

Don’t wait and think someone else will step up. Many hands, make little work.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

KID’S CORNER Youth 2nd Grade & Younger Meets: Second Sunday of the Month

Time: Following Sunday Morning Worship

Biblical craft to make and take home!

LWLC Youth

February 2020

WEDNESDAY, February 2

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Sacrament of Baptism

Sunday, February 9th 10:15 a.m.

Kid’s Corner

WEDNESDAY, February 12th 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Paul’s Letters

WEDNESDAY, February 19th

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Youth Group

WEDNESDAY, February 26th 6:15 p.m. Ash Wednesday Worship

LIVING WORD LUTHERAN CHURCH

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Fri., Aug. 7th, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Sat., Aug. 8th, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE!

The LWLC Youth group along with youth

from Nelson

have been busy this month.

• January 8—participated in 3 days of Prayer

• January 22—Faith Night at the Blizzards Hockey Game, free tick-

ets provide for the youth and adult leaders

• January 29 — packed backpacks at the Osakis High School

Thank you Dear Living Word Lutheran Church,

Thank you very much for your generous donation of the beautiful quilts to Someplace Safe. No doubt they will

bring much comfort and warth to people who are in need in our community. We provide assistance to women, men

and children who have been victims of crime or abuse.

Thank you for the gift of your time and talent. Your gift is much appreciated!

Sincerely,

Susan Keehn

Dear Living Word Lutheran Church,

Please accept our deepest gratitude for your gift to Mount Carmel. We appreciate your generosity. Your invest-

ment means that each person who comes to Mount Carmel experiences God’s love and grace through rest, spiritual

renewal and recreation. Because of faithful donors like you: Those who are weary find their strength renewed, Dis-

connected families have time to play and pray together, and Those who are grieving find hope in Jesus resurrection.

In Christ,

Pastor Jana Swenson

Dear Partners in Mission,

Thank you again to the outreach witness of this Great Commission driven congregation.

It is important to note that some 700,000 refugees from S. Sudan fled across the border into Ethiopia. Many more

are in other countries adjacent to S. Sudan. This does give the Ethiopia Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus oppor-

tunity for witness to these desperate people. We are in communication the leaders of EECMY and Tabor as to how

we might in some small way support that witness.

Thank you again for your support

In Christ,

Dear Living Word Lutheran Church,

Thank you for your support of East European Mission Network Ministries, it is greatly appreciated and will help

us to continue to reach the millions of Spiritual Orphans after more than three generations of communist imposed

atheism. Because of this, there are no grandmothers and grandfathers, no mothers and fathers..on one that can share

their faith with the current generation.

Your congregation IS THE GENERATION OF FAITH, to these spiritual orphans and we praise God for your con-

tinues partnership.

In His Service,

Thank you to everyone that helped make our First 3 Days of Prayer a Success.

We had 12 adults come to pray with our youth on Wednesday, January 8.

We also posted a live Facebook event and had 9 others praying with us from home.

LIVING WORD LUTHERAN CHURCH 2019 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES

JANUARY 26, 2020

Meeting was called to order by President Gaylen Lerohl at 9:52 a.m. 62 members present.

Pastor Nate Hanson opened with prayer and a meditation on 1 John 1:5-8: “Making the Stretch.”

The congregation sang hymn #184, Jesus Calls Us, o’er the Tumult.

Approval of Minutes: Jan Gravley’s name was corrected. Motion Laverne Floen/Dan Engebretson to

approve the minutes from the 2018 Annual Meeting held on January 27, 2019. M/C.

Reports:

Pastor’s Report: Pastor Nate Hanson

Council: Gaylen Lerohl—asked us to look forward to this coming year of decision.

Financial Secretary: Brad Forbrook

Treasurer: Paul Johnson

Audit Committee: Curt Aamold—all books are in order.

Rest of reports are in the Annual Report.

Elections:

Council: Nominated were Erling Berger, Jan Ferguson, Doyle Polson. Each candidate received 55 votes

on the total 55 ballots cast and declared elected.

Nominating Committee: Nominated were Cindy Lerohl, Dan Engebretson, Carolyn Moeller, Laurie

Kluver, Shelly Nelson, Harold Withers. Motion David Moeller/Jan Ferguson that nominations cease

and a unanimous ballot be cast for the nominated individuals. M/C.

Delegates to the 10th Annual Augustana District Convention: Nominated were Dave Kaiser and Gaylen

Lerohl with Steve Ferguson as Alternate delegate. Date is May 2, 2020. Motion Jim Nelson/Dan

Engebretson to cast unanimous ballot for the nominated individuals. M/C.

Delegates to the LCMC Annual Gathering: Nominated were Kay Elvehjem and Ken Elvehjem. Date is

October 4-7, 2020. Motion Wayne Becker/Dan Engebretson to cast unanimous ballot for nominated

individuals.

Paul Johnson gave an explanation of the Proposed 2020 Living Word Lutheran Church Budget. Motion

Paul Johnson/Dan Engebretson to approve the proposed 2020 budget. M/C.

Unfinished Business: None

New Business: None

Annual Meeting

Annual Meeting

LWLC Annual Meeting was held on

Sunday, January 26 following the 9am

service. Pastor Nate provided opening

devotion, Gaylen Lerohl, LWLC Council

President, provided comments which was

followed by fellowship and a pot luck.

Thank to everyone that participated.

Matthew describes Jesus’ three-year ministry to the people of Israel. He goes to great lengths to show that Jesus

fulfilled the prophecies of the Torah, prophecies that God would send a Messiah to restore the broken covenant

with his people. He describes Jesus as the descendent of Abraham and David, a true Israelite. His story mirrors the

story of Israel and ends with His death and resurrection, His claim to be the final sacrifice, the reconciliation of the

nation prophesied seven hundred years prior.

At dawn of the first day of the week after the Sabbath when Jesus was executed, Mary and Mary Magdalene went

to the tomb. They witnessed an earthquake and saw an angel roll back the stone from the tomb. Sitting on the

stone, he told the women Jesus was risen and they should go and tell the news to the disciples. Jesus met the wom-

en on the road, comforted them and directed them to tell His disciples to meet Him in Galilee. There he gave the

disciples final instructions, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disci-

ples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching

them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

“Go and make disciples!” This is our directive too. So, what are these disciples? Simply, followers or students

of a master or teacher. The Gospels describe Jesus choosing twelve disciples early in his ministry. They were blue

collar guys – some fishermen, a tax collector – no Bible scholars, theologians or priests. Common uneducated men

of the people - but they left their occupations, families and life to go on the road with Jesus. For three years they

walked with Him learning as they went, assisting Jesus and sharing their knowledge of the good news with the

crowds hungry for Jesus’ teaching.

We are directed to do likewise but are unnerved by the thought of going out and evangelizing strangers, wonder-

ing if we will say the right thing. Frightening for most of us, frightening enough to prevent us from sharing the

news that Jesus the Christ has made the sacrifice, has done the work!

Pastor Greg and Susan Finke have looked with “new eyes” at the Gospels and have regained an understanding of

how we can integrate discipling into our lives. They encourage learning Jesus’ methods and lessons as presented in

the Gospels, refreshingly simple insights to discipling we can apply to our lives.

Our self-assessment has identified “outreach” as a weakness of our congregation. We can adopt the Finkes’ meth-

ods to address the weakness. Theirs’ is not a Bible study or complex program to develop evangelists. It simply

helps us discern Jesus’ methods and teachings about the Kingdom as recorded in the Gospels. We will invite inter-

ested members to intentionally apply the lessons from the gospels and share, when appropriate, with friends and

acquaintances who could benefit from hearing our stories of the good news. Making disciples one at a time!

~ Gaylen Lerohl, Council President

From our LWLC President

Church Life

Anniversaries Dean & LouAnn Peterson 2/15

Bill & Shirley Finley 2/27

Memorials

Need a ride to worship or other church activities?

Please call the team who lives closest to your location.

4541 Arbor Crossing SE, Alexandria

Alan Strom 2/4

Jim Nelson 2/5

Ed Weispfennig 2/5

Carol Wiitanen 2/8

Kurt Waltzing 2/73

John Brewster 2/15

Erling Berger 2/16

Allison Beach 2/20

Jay Englund 2/20

Karen Becker 2/21

Bill Finley 2/21

Sheila Spartz 2/39

Carla Beem 2/22

Financial .

2019 Financial Report: December Year to Date

Attendance: 496

General Offering $ 19,752 $ 179,411

Actual Expenses $ 18,362 $ 179,965

Net: $ 1,117 $ ( 544)

Building Fund Offering $ 41,601 $ 112,408

Building Debt Remaining $ 188,619 $ 188,619

JANUARY CELEBRATIONS

BIRTHDAYS

Of Arlo Kluver Given by Pastor A.J., Laurie & Family

FebruaryWorship Helpers 2 9 16 23

Communion Praise Band Communion

Reader Laurie Kluver Gaylen Lerohl Tonia Hagedon Carolyn Brewster

Ushers Dave Anderson

Nancy Anderson

Jim Nelson

Doyle Polson

Terry Berger

Erling Berger

Jim Nelson

Doyle Polson

Dan Engebretson

Steve Ferguson

Jim Nelson

Doyle Polson

Bill Finley

Curt Aamold

Jim Nelson

Doyle Polson

Greeters Brad Forbrook

Jean Ricks

Jeanette Stoen

Ron Stoen

Harold Withers

Kathy Withers

Dean Peterson

Lou Ann Peterson

Altar Prep Angie Anderson

Coffee and

Refreshments

Mary Jo Redfield

Karen Kirckof

Jean Ricks

Barb Engebretson

Kay Elvehjem

Nancy Anderson

Erling Berger

Terry Berger

Coffee Prep Denise Stoen Barb Engebretson Kay Elvehjem Erling Berger

Pianist Karen Kirckof Nancy Anderson Nancy Anderson Carolyn Moeller

Assist

Counting

Offering

Kathy Withers Ed Weispfennig Jan Ferguson

Gaylen Lerohl

Sound System

Paul Johnson John Kirckof Dave Anderson Wayne Becker/Laverne

Floen

Power Point Dan Engebretson Ed Weispfennig Jan Ferguson Gayle Nemmers

Communion

Preparation

Cindy Lerohl N/A

Cindy Lerohl N/A

Communion

Servers

Cindy Lerohl

Laurie Kluver

Gregg Stoen

N/A Dave Anderson

Gaylen Lerohl

Lou Ann Peterson

N/A

Communion

Assistant

Doyle Polson N/A

Marvelle Weispfennig N/A

Communion

Bread

Cindy Lerohl N/A

Gayle Neemers N/A

If you need a replacement please call someone from the schedule to switch with you and notify the office of the changes. Thank you!

March Worship Helpers 1 8 15 22 29

Communion Praise Band Communion Hymn Sing

Reader Kay Elvehjem Marvelle

Weispfennig

Steve Ferguson Curt Aamold Sandy Aamold

Ushers Dean Peterson

Lou Ann Peterson

Jim Nelson

Doyle Polson

Elder Peterson

Deloris Peterson

Jim Nelson

Doyle Polson

Harold Withers

Kathy Withers

Jim Nelson

Doyle Polson

Gregg Stoen

Dave Moeller

Jim Nelson

Doyle Polson

Julie

Massmann

Wayne Becker

Jim Nelson

Doyle Polson

Greeters Dave Anderson

Julie Massmann

Karen Becker

Wayne Becker

Bar & Dan Enge-

bretson

Terry Berger

Erling Berger

Tonia Hagedon

Cindy Lerohl

Altar Preparation Gayle Nemmers

Coffee and

Refreshments

Deloris Peterson

Lou Ann Peterson

Marvelle

Weispfennig

Sandy Aamold

MaryJo Redfield

Shirley Finley

Bonnie Pahan

Karen Becker

Jean Ricks

Nancy Anderson

Coffee Prep Lou Ann Peterson Sandy Aamold Denise Soten Karen Becker Nancy Anderson

Pianist Nancy Anderson Nancy Anderson Carolyn Moeller Carolyn Moeller Nancy Anderson

Assist Counting

Offering

Kathy Withers Ed Weispfennig Jan Ferguson

Gaylen Lerohl Kathy Withers

Sound System

Paul Johnson Laverne Floen Dave Anderson Wayne Becker

Laverne Floen

Dave Anderson

Power Point Dan Engebretson Ed Weispfennig Jan Ferguson Gayle Nemmers Dan Engebretson

Communion

Preparation

Gayle Nemmers

Deloris Peterson

N/A

Gayle Nemmers

Deloris Peterson

N/A N/A

Communion

Servers

Kathy Withers

Tonia Hagedon

Curt Aamold

N/A Bill Finley

Nancy Anderson

Steve Ferguson

N/A

N/A

Communion

Assistant

Laurie Kluver N/A

Cindy Lerhol N/A

N/A

Communion

Bread

Marvelle

Weispfennig

N/A

Sandy Aamold N/A

N/A

If you need a replacement please call someone from the schedule to switch with you and notify the office of the changes. Thank you!