SLICE OF BREAD Monthly Newsletter of Bread of Life Lutheran Church 1415 17th Avenue Southwest, Minot ND 58701 (701) 838-3360

Web Site: breadoflifeminot.com ~~ Email: bollc@srt.com Pastor Taryn Montgomery December 2017

Ladies ~ You Are Invited Need a good start to the busy weeks of December? Join Bread of Life Women for their Holiday Pot Luck, Monday December 4th 6:00pm. Bring your favorite dish, enjoy the fellowship and sharing of holiday traditions and tips.

Eve Circle will have a holiday supper at

Badlands on Tues, Dec 5th,

5:30pm

Merry Circle will have a holiday lunch at

Badlands on WedsDec 6th

, 12:30.

Longest Night Worship For some the holidays can be a challenging time. While many gather with joy and celebration, others walk in grief, sorrow and loss. On Wednesday, Dec 20th we will hold our Longest Night of the Year Worship at 7:00pm. This is an intentionally quiet and re-flective service. We will pray, light candles, remember, and find comfort in the hope of Christ this Advent season. Bring a friend,

Christmas Worship Schedule:

December 23 No Saturday service

December 24 Christmas Eve 9:00AM Douglas Worship 9:30am Morning Worship

4:00 Family service 7:00 Traditional service

This is an event for all ages. Come and be a part!

From Pastor Taryn

A Thank You Letter

I thank my God every time I remember you. –Philippians 1:3

I write this a few days before Thanksgiving. Last night our 6 year-old asked me what Thanksgiving was all about. I told her it was a time to gather with loved ones and share in the blessings around us. A time to take stock, to make note, of all we have to be grateful for. I deeply value the ability to give thanks. I also feel it’s really important to say thank you. Which is somewhat ironic these days, as I am still working on thank you cards from our son Peter’s birth 6 months ago! If you are among those I still need to thank – please forgive me! As I share with Maggie the importance of gratitude, I also take stock of all I have to be thankful for this holiday season. And toward the top of that list is YOU. I would not be the pastor I am today without each and every one of you. You have taught me about God’s abounding love, about commitment to one’s faith community, and about resiliency in the eyes of life’s heartaches. You have shown me grace. You have supported me, encouraged me, challenged me, and probably been upset with me at times. You have forgiven me when I messed up and affirmed me when I did right. You, Bread of Life, have been the body of Christ for me, and you have illustrated what it means to love my neighbor as myself. I am thankful for you. I praise God for your ministry and presence in my life. I thank my God every time I remember you. What are you thankful for this Advent season? What moves you to stop, to take pause and take stock of the abundance in your life? How do you praise God with a heart of gratitude? Write it out. Send a card. Tell someone. Give thanks. Please forgive me if I don’t say it enough, but THANK YOU! Thank you for being who you are, and for opening your heart to the Holy Spirit’s movement in your life and in your faith. May this season of Advent waiting and preparing be one soaked in gratitude – for the kingdom of God that we live into each new day and the Bethlehem baby await. Blessings this holiday season- Pastor Taryn

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Memorial Gift

In memory of Rod Shuman by James & Dawn Evenson Pastoral Acts ~ Baptisms

Blake Michael Guritz Lucas Brian Guritz Millie Rae Guritz

From the President Holiday Greetings - Members and Friends, Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends, and survived the madness of black Friday shopping. Thank you to everyone that attended the informational meeting on the expansion of the church,. A lot of good questions were raised. The building committee continues to work with our

engineers to get everything ready to let bids on this project. Once we have bids in, there will be a congregational meeting to vote on whether to proceed or not, this will be in early 2018. There are going to be vacancies on the church council,. If you are interested in serving, please reach out to Scot Redding, Jerry Gooch, Troy Langmaack or myself, as we serve on the nominating committee. A meeting was held with Trinity Lutheran in Douglas on November 19th. Beth Anderson from the Synod office attended to explain to the congregation the TEEM process that Tammy Hamm will enter ithe Fall of 2018, I am proud to announce that she has successfully been accepted into the program, and Trinity Lutheran will be her congregation through the 3 year process.

The Christmas season is upon us. Be watching bulletins and e-news for all the activities, during this special time. Lots of exciting things happening in our church community right now. Thank you to everyone for all that you do for our church. Once again if you have any questions or concerns, please contact any council member, myself, or Pastor Taryn. Be happy and safe. God Bless, President Cody Roteliuk

Annual Meeting - January 21, 2018

The Annual Meeting will be January 21. Put the date on your calendar and plan to attend. To prepare for this meeting, it is important that all congregation leaders have their yearly reports to the church office as soon as possible.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Isaiah 9:6

May we celebrate our Savior’s love by sharing with others..

May His peace and joy be yours in every season.

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Poinsettia Plants……. We are again asking for poinsettia plants for our Christmas services. The

plan is to order the plants and have them delivered to the church. Cost for a plant is $10.00 and payment must accompany this order. Please make checks payable to Bread of Life. Orders must be to the church

office AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NO LATER than December 18

Number of plants __ at $10.00 each = ______

In loving memory of (deceased) _____________________________________________

In honor of ___________________________________________________________

Or a gift to the glory of God …...

Given by ________________________________________

There are many families in the Minot area in need of help this Christ-mas season. You can make someone’s Christmas a little brighter by buying a gift for them.

Take a gift tag off the narthex tree and buy a gift. Return the wrapped gift to the church office by Sunday December 17 (with the tag attached securely to the outside). Thank you for helping!

Opportunities For Holiday Outreach

Bringing Home the Bacon

•This season of Advent, we will be using piggy banks to collect money for ELCA World Hunger •Take a piggy bank from the table in the narthex, put it together and fill it with loose change •Bring your piggy bank back and leave it by the large pig in front of the church

during offering

ELCA Good Gifts Ornaments •Help make a difference to a family in need - give to God’s Global Barnyard •Pick an animal ornament from the tree in the narthex •Donate the amount stated on the ornament to www.ELCA.org/goodgifts or earmark your donation to Good Gifts in the offering plate •Thank you for your donation to Good Gifts to help alleviate world hunger!!

Consecration Sunday Results THANK YOU to everyone who filled out an estimate of giving card this fall. To date, we have received commitments of $178,442 for the 2018 annual ministry fund. If you have not filled out an estimate of giving card and would like to, please stop by the church office. Your commitment to our ministry allows us to share the Good News and love of Christ. Thank you for your dedication to our ministry!

THANK YOU to everyone who has given generously to both our annual ministry fund and the Capital Campaign during 2017! Below are the current numbers of where we are with each fund:

2017 Annual Ministry Fund Capital Campaign

Commitments Made - $193,637 Commitments Made - $504,706

Gifts Given to Date - $153,733 Gifts Given to Date - $235,070

Difference: $39,904

As we approach the end of the year you are invited to give toward your commitments, as you are able. Join us on Saturday, Dec 9

th and Sunday, Dec 10

th for “Catch-Up Sunday”! Everyone is

encouraged to ‘catch-up’ on their commitments for the year. And we are going to have some fun while we are at it… complete with some special guests!

We give thanks to God daily for all we have been given. In response Christ encourages us to give to the work of God’s church, growing our ministry and our faith. Join the fun, give and grow!

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to talk to Linda Langmaack or Pastor Taryn.

Fellowship Events You are invited to eat out.

Bring a friend, meet someone new! Saturday, Dec 2, 8:30 am breakfast at Homesteaders Saturday, Dec 15, 8:30 am potluck breakfast at the Fellowship Hall Saturday, Dec 23, 6:30 pm supper at Primos

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December Birthdays 2 Ryley Godejohn, Ashley Lawson, Erna Eidmann, Clay Poole 3 Marlene Melom ,Diane Kesten 4 Doug Berg 5 Josh Abrahamson, Dolores

Blomquist 6 Cecelia Lillemon, Colton

Bartuska, Maxim Hall 7 Jana Nelson, Tom Rafferty,

Dillon Poole , Rhoda Montgomery Schmidt 8 Derald Larson , Jeff Mindt, Lynn Mosher 9 Jacob Fylling, Mya Jacobson, Ron Smith 10 Sophia Fylling, Jerry Nelson, Tasha Jacobson 11 Erna Martinson 12 Renae Anderson, Samantha Fuller 13 Ian Burnham, Ella Kesler, Kirk Roos 15 Corey Carstens, Leo Lambrecht 17 Rylan Roteliuk 18 Leone Bolinske, Olivia Hanson 19 Linda Langmaack 20 Colleen Sherven, Laila Anderson 21 Marvel Bakken , Paisley Hovey, Beverly Ward 22 Kyle Flaten, Rowen Risbrudt 23 Beverly Helstedt, Laura Reuer 24 Kira Hardy 25 Michael Morey 26 John Rowe 28 Reed McCarty, Sadler Huber, Andy Radford 29 Rachel Ellis, Reya Olson 30 Larry Herslip, Samantha Lundy 31 Aanika Wilber

December Wedding Anniversaries 14 Kir& Beth Abrahamson Steve & RaeLynn Mapes 17 DuWayne & Inez Glein 27 Larry & Donna Herslip

Celebrate The Baptism Birth days are

traditionally celebrated each year. At each Bread of Life baptism a candle is given to be used each year to help celebrate the baptismal birth day. To encourage remembering this special day, individuals and their baptism date are included in the newsletter. Make it a special day in your household.

December Baptisms 1 Troy Langmaack 4 Brad Harju, Shawn Smith, Steve

Wienbar 5 Gavin Fylling, Sophia Fylling 6 Katie Brackel 8 Travis Berg, Mardell Poirier 11 Greg Dupre’ 12 Doris Sorenson 14 Darrell Roos, Carol Sitter 15 Devin Morey, Kaden Reiter 18 Brady Myers 20 Brenda Flaten, Doug Goetz, Ryder Smith-Johnson, Cullan Thompson 21 Jim Bergo 22 James Bakken, Alie Conger, Aubrey Fylling 23 Tatum Ehli, Mya Jacobson 24 Erna Eidmann 26 Dawn Graczyk, Mike Morey 28 Kim Francis, Andrew Vetter, Lyvia Vetter 29 Ryley Godejohn, Ethan Lawson 31 Maxine Juelich

Blood Pressure Weekend The 3rd weekend of each month

Have your blood pressure checked.

December 16, 17 Saturday ~ Before 5 pm Service

Sunday Between Services

Gospel Seeds… December 2017 A Monthly Update from the Western North Dakota Synod

Waiting… The season of Advent, a season of waiting. We wait expectantly for the Savior of the world – the Christ – to return. We gather for Christmas programs, family gatherings with good food and presents. We gather with friends and co-workers and we celebrate. This is a time to remember that God made a choice, a choice of incredible love for you, for each of us, for all the world. The choice to become fully human, in the form of an infant. One who would experience all of life, including death. So we celebrate and we await His coming again as we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus.” Guests Are Coming! As I write this we are preparing to welcome four guests from our churchwide offices. Reverend Dr. Stephen Bouman, the Executive Director of the Domestic Mission Unit along with three Washington D.C. based staff members of the Advocacy Office will be in the synod in mid-December. They are coming to learn more about rural life and issues, as well as energy issues. This visit is about meeting faithful ELCA Lutherans who make their living from the land and how federal policy affects the work they do. Pray for this group, for safe travel, fruitful conversation and learning all around. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton to visit… We have just received word that Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will be with us during our Synod Assem-bly in Bismarck, June 1-2 as well as for our pre-assembly workshop May 31. Each year a churchwide repre-sentative is at synod assembly to talk about the inter-dependent partnership between congregations, synods and churchwide. Remember each congregation of the synod may send at least two voting members to assembly. Once again, we will also accept visitor registrations for the assembly. More details will be shared about theme and schedules in the coming months. “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord…” Luke 2:10-11 “We give Thee, but thine own…” God has blessed us! There is no question about that fact. I want to thank those who have shared lavishly with their congregations this past year. Those who have quietly shared their time serving on committees, be-ing confirmation mentors, church council members or worked in the kitchen sharing the gift of hospitality – well done good and faithful steward. Thanks to those who have shared their talents; those who have organized events, those who have cut, stitched, bound and quilted; those who have taught or visited or sang or play an instrument, your gifts are valued – well done good and faithful servant. I want to thank those who have shared from the financial resources God has provided them. Those who gave to their church, those who have given gifts to the synod appeal, those who have shared with the Synod Endowment Fund – your generosity is contagious. Well done, good and faithful servant. Ministry in Christ’s name happens because ordinary people, use their time, talent and treasures faithfully. Thank You! End of Year Giving… You still have time to make an end of the year gift to the Western North Dakota Endowment Fund. The earnings off these funds help train up future pastors and deacons, support creative Christ centered ministries in our synod and provide funds to do the work of walking with those in discernment. Gifts of $5,000 or more may receive a North Dakota Income Tax credit. Check with your tax advisor for ways your gifts can benefit you come tax time. Faith Simonieg, Assistant to the Bishop for Stewardship and Generosity is more than happy to assist you with gift planning – I would love to introduce her to you. First Call Theological Event… One way we support first call leaders across this church is through a program called First Call Theological Education. All first call leaders in their first three years of service attend these gatherings which happen once a year, in late January. We gather to talk about the joys and challenges of ministry. We gather to worship, learn, laugh and eat together. Through these events leaders are formed for the sake of the proclamation of the Gospel. We are thankful to God for these leader and they gifts they bring to their settings. Blessings all! Rev. Mark Narum Serving as Bishop of the Western North Dakota Synod

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