A Stewardship Moment

“Grace, Growth, Giving, Living”

he theme of our stewardship emphasis this year is captured in these four words; “Grace, Growth, Giving and Living”. Maybe that sounds simple and easy but we know that nothing so important can be easy or simple. Living a stewardship life is often at times extremely hard and extremely complicated.

Still, we do just that! We do our very best because that is the life we are invited to live following Jesus’ example. It all begins with “GRACE”.

TNo word has been given more attention in the Christian church than “Grace”. No word has been more

abused than the word “Grace”. Again it sounds so simple but actually it’s not. What is grace? How can grace lead us into a life of healthy stewardship? First this affirmation, “Every life living as grace responds in a life living in stewardship”. Stewardship is not an additional cross we bear because we are saved by the grace of God. Stewardship finds its birth in that same life of

grace. We cannot separate these two, because God loves me with an unconditional love I cannot help wanting to “Love, Praise, Serve, and Obey Him”. This is the mystery given to us from the explanation of the First Article of the Creed. “Since God created me and all that exists has given me and still preserves my body and soul with all their powers”. God’s grace is the very essence of my being alive. Grace is life!

Grace is God’s life giving power working in me and all around me. One of the places I see God’s grace these warm summer days is in the garden. I have been planting and toiling to prepare the soil. I know I am not a very good gardener and often I think everything depends on me. Well that’s not even close to the truth, because after all my toil and all my best efforts I still depend on God to bring both sunshine and rain on my garden. Without it, nothing could grow. I often forget that, and think of myself as the one who makes things happen. Stewardship is that life lived in hope of the good and gracious gifts of God.

As we begin again to think about stewardship for this year, we begin with the “Grace” of God. That grace is the sunshine and rain in our lives. That “Grace” that gives life to us, and salvation. That “Grace” without which we could bring nothing to life no matter how hard we tried. Grace is our life. Grace is the

KENWOOD LUTHERAN NEWSJULY 2019

STEWARDSHIP IS NOT AN ADDITIONAL

CROSS WE BEAR BECAUSE WE ARE

SAVED BY THE GRACE OF GOD.

STEWARDSHIP FINDS ITS BIRTH IN

THAT SAME LIFE OF GRACE.

I OFTEN FORGET THAT, AND THINK OF

MYSELF AS THE ONE WHO MAKES

THINGS HAPPEN.

sunlight and the rain to our stewardship. Grace may prove difficult to understand at times. The word is overused, and abused. One thing is clear, however; when grace touches us it gives life. It opens up our futures. When grace fills us and gives life to our stewardship it also gives life to us. It’s like we cannot wait to be in stewardship. Often the activities don’t change but the desire around the stewardship life does.

Next time: Stewardship is about “Growth”. It’s about “Grace… Growth”.

Blessings,

Pastor, Jeff Holter

President’s Report

July is here and we are heading into mid-summer. Before we know it, it will be time for Sunday School again.

A couple of things –

1. The ELCA is asking members of any of the Kenwood Church Committees and the Council if they would like to receive emails from the ELCA. If you would like to be added to their email list, please let Theresa know.

2. Camp Scholarships – We had 5 kids go to Camp Hiawatha this summer: Isabel, Connor, Michael, Natalie, and Sonya. They were there the last week of June. Thanks to the generous contributions of at the Pancake Fundraiser, a little over $400 was raised for camp scholarships. In addition, Voyageur’s Lutheran Ministry offered an additional $200 scholarship because we had five campers. All the campers received a scholarship. Thank you to all that contributed. Your generous support really makes a difference for our Kenwood Families.

There is a lot more going on at Kenwood this summer. Please check out the rest of this newsletter.

Blessings,

Joy Michalicek, Council President

From the

Hi!

My name is Lori Robison, and I’m the new Council Vice President.  Sorry it’s taken so long to introduce myself, but life gets crazy sometimes, and I can be a little forgetful if I don’t write things down.  Let me tell you about 2 exciting things that are happening at Kenwood:

Vice-President

1 - Wendy Peterson-Fowler3 - Meredythe Dornfeld6 – Kassidy Michelizzi Cecilia Barg8 - Anja Saksa John Sundberg

12 – Mike Michelizzi 15 - Lynn Kamphenkel16 - Nadine Moeller17 – Jaxon Butler 18 - Gloria Royseth19 - Todd Larson

If your birthday is not listed, call or email the church with your birth date including year!

From the

Hi!

My name is Lori Robison, and I’m the new Council Vice President.  Sorry it’s taken so long to introduce myself, but life gets crazy sometimes, and I can be a little forgetful if I don’t write things down.  Let me tell you about 2 exciting things that are happening at Kenwood:

There’s still time-to drop off rhubarb for the CHUM Rhubarb Festival! See the information elsewhere in this newsletter for the specifics.Senior Luncheon-Wednesday, July 3, 11:45 a.m. at Valentini’s.Church Book Club-will not meet during the summer. Books for the fall are as follows: September-Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens; October-Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles; November-Secret Wife by Gill Paul; December-What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. Please join us when we start again in the fall!Star Wars Night @Duluth Huskies game!-Thursday, July 25 at 6:35 p.m., join us for Star Wars Night at the Duluth Huskies game. Admission $8 if you have a group of 15 or more. This night is going to be out of this world! Questions? Talk with a member of the Fellowship team.Want free tickets to the City on the Hill Music Festival?-If you volunteer on August 2nd and/or 3rd, you can get free tickets to this music festival. Contact Nicole at 218-722-6700.We are still in need of volunteers-to bring treats and serve for Hospitality on Sundays during the summer. Thanks so much to all who have signed up so far! There is a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board in the Messiah Room. You do not have to belong to a Board or Team; everyone is welcome to sign up. HUGE THANKS-to Tom and Lisa Muehlberger for all the hard work doing repairs and painting in the sanctuary. It looks wonderful!

1 - Wendy Peterson-Fowler3 - Meredythe Dornfeld6 – Kassidy Michelizzi Cecilia Barg8 - Anja Saksa John Sundberg

12 – Mike Michelizzi 15 - Lynn Kamphenkel16 - Nadine Moeller17 – Jaxon Butler 18 - Gloria Royseth19 - Todd Larson

LSS Center for Changing Lives coin offering in May was $41.38; for the year $296.20.

Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry’s 8th Annual Bluegrass Festival will be held July 27th. KLC will be putting together a North Shore-themed basket. Congregation members are invited to donate items for the basket by Sunday, July 7th. Please mark and leave items in the center office. For questions, check with Ronna Butler (218-269-0826) or Carol Kolari (724-1267).

School supplies will start going on sale in July. It’s the perfect time to start picking up items to include in the Lutheran World Relief school kits. Each kit has:

4 notebooks (70 page)

5 pens (black or blue)

5 pencils (unsharpened)

1 eraser

1 pencil sharpener

1 scissors (blunt tip)

1 box of crayons (24 count)

1 ruler

Community Ministry

Memorials Received

In memory of Vivian Caesar:Doug & Peggy SimensenJim Caesar

Please remember in your prayers, the family of Phyllis Polla, who passed away June 14.

Lutheran World ReliefOur quilters completed 47 quilts to be sent to Lutheran World Relief! The quilts will be taken, along with the 123 school kits assembled, to Sugar Lake Lodge and from there transported to Lutheran World Relief. Kits and Quilts were blessed at the June 9 worship services.

COUNCIL MEETING - KENWOOD LUTHERAN CHURCHMay 9, 2019

Members Present: Joy Michalicek, Pastor Jeff Holter, Lori Robison, Lynn Hegrenes, Scott Goutermont, Brad Kamphenkel, Theresa Williams, Susan Muehlberger, Nadine Moeller, and Barb Lucia.

1. The meeting was called to order by President Joy Michalicek at 7:32 p.m. with devotions and prayer led by Pastor Jeff Holter.

2. Minutes from the meeting held on April 18, 2019, were approved as submitted. Thank you to Theresa Williams for taking the meeting minutes during my absence.

3. Treasurer’s report = $4,196.94 balance in the checkbook at end of April 2019. All bills are current. Approximately $22,147.21 in Capital Improvement fund. Savings Account = $28,403.32. Roof money and remaining funds in long-term savings = $17,442.

4. Action Items:a. New Members – Bruce and Chris Gilbertson. A motion was made by Pastor Holter and seconded to accept these

individuals into church membership. Motion carried. May 26 = new member Sunday. .

5. Discussion Items: a. Communication:

Graduate Sunday – June 2. Church quilts are all completed, and five quilts have been marked for the graduates.

Letter to Non-Attending Members - draft was discussed in April and final version submitted at May meeting. A statement will be added about Associate Membership. Another draft will be sent to Council via e-mail to reply with comments.

Military Bible Sunday. “Faith Comes by Hearing” DVD was played last Sunday and will be played again on Sunday, May 19, in the Fireside Room during the B.I.G. Hour. Offering will be taken on May 19 for this purchase.

June 30 = Combined Worship Service with more information forthcoming. A potluck meal will be held after the service.

Visioning 2020 = planning for the future. Individual groups would do this planning. One member from each group would send a representative to the Council meeting to establish an updated vision for the congregation. Eliminates the need for many extra meetings and for more input from more members in the church. Deadline of 2020 for having the information compiled. Use a shorter period for planning purposes, i.e. one to two years.

Roof update = $75,000 was the original amount set to be brought in with $80,000 to date raised for the project. Externally, all roof and masonry repairs have been completed. Inside repairs are currently taking place. All bills have been paid for this project. Suggested conducting informational meetings and having a congregational special meeting with final updates of the fund raising. This would be done at June 30 meeting and for celebration of the project after service.

Spirit of the Lake Pre-school requires two teachers and a cook to meet state regulations; there is currently legislation in draft stage for family certification that would change these requirements. Council members were encouraged to write to their legislators supporting this bill. The Pre-school is currently losing money and will be moving to the old Methodist church site in Lakeside. They will be done at the end of this school year at KLC unless legislation changes. Meeting with the Director and KLC Pre-school committee in early June to talk about the resolution.

6. Boards, Ministry Teams, Standing Committees: a. Asset Management Board

Automatic door operator will be installed for the front door of the church. Grill’n thing on Thursday, May 23; 5:30-7:00 p.m. Sidewalk repairs will be completed, bad railing. Capital improvement; basement doors to be fixed, six window replacements, and painting in sanctuary. Easter Breakfast – raised approximately $900, 128 people attended.

b. Mutual Ministry and Stewardship Board No new report.

c. Personnel Support Board No new report.

d. Christian Education Ministry Team No new report.

e. Community Ministry Team LSS offering - $82.70 for April; YTD = $254.82. 123 School Kits were assembled earlier this evening. Personal Hygiene products delivered to Union Gospel Mission for April. CHUM Assembly to be held on May 23 at Salem Lutheran Church.

f. Fellowship Ministry Team Assist Asset Management Board with Grill’n thing. Carnival planning for summer. Will coordinate potluck for Sunday, June 30.

g. Worship Ministry Team Blessing of school kits – schedule when the quilts are done. Liz Pearson – farewell will be conducted at a worship service. Bell Choir will play on May 19. May 26 = new member Sunday; P&W Band, name tag Sunday; Theme = favorite nature destination. June 2 = Graduate Sunday. Planned for Pentecost on June 9.

h. Youth Ministry Team No new report.

7. Pastor’s Report: Synod Assembly – went well; next year will be election of new Bishop. Youth lock-in on Saturday, 6:00 p.m. until Sunday morning service. Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry (VLM) workday on Saturday, May 18. LSS Luncheon today - raised over $100,000 for the Youth Center. Many congregations and businesses were

represented at the event. July 6 - Megan & Josh wedding (Assoc members). September 18 – God’s Work, Our Hands. Is there something special we want to do with another church for this

event? September 22-24 - Fall Theological Conference – continuing education event for pastors. September 26 = confirmation.

8. Meeting closed with recitation of the Lord’s Prayer and was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,Lynn Hegrenes, Secretary

July Worship Responsibilities at Kenwood Lutheran Church

Altar Guild: Susan Muehlberger

On June 9, we welcomed Georgina Margaret Barg into our family of believers! Georgina’s parents are Jim & Megan Barg, and her grandparents are Thomas & Mary Ewens and Larry & Janet Barg. Her sponsors were Amanda & Benjamin Murfin. Georgina also has 2 big sisters, Julianna and Cecilia. Welcome, Georgina!

Drop off your

rhubarb starting

Monday, June 24

Welcome Center

Attendant

Communion Server

Hospitality Acolyte Scripture Reader

Ushers

7Darlene Roebke

Lori Reed Need Volunteers Barb Lucia Sherry Goutermont & Pat Kleimola

14Brad Kamphenkel

Kim Stein Sarah Circle Diane Irving

Tom & Susan Muehlberger

21Clara Seafolk

Lynn Hegrenes

Bobbie Lou & Craig Carlson, Liz & Jeff Blix

Mark Irving

Kathy Erholtz & Peggy Pruden

28Jo Cox Craig

CarlsonQuilters Shannon

BorgesonBrad & Ronna Butler

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

Church Office closed 9:00 AM Tai Chi

2

Church Office closed 8:30 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds

3

Church Office closed 8:00 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds

4

Church Office closed

5 6

2:00 PM Effinger/Adamek Wedding

JULY 2019

Drop off your

rhubarb starting

Monday, June 24

Help us put together this fun “North Shore” themed basket for the auction at the VLM Bluegrass Festival!

←

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Sensibly) 7:00 PM Harbormasters

Sensibly) 11:45 AM Senior Luncheon 5:30 PM A.A.

7

8:45 AM Worship 9:45 AM B.I.G. Hour/Hospitality 10:45 AM United in Praise (UP!) Worship Service

8

9:00 AM Tai Chi 6:00 PM Ladies of Kaleva

9

8:30 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 7:00 PM Harbormasters

10

8:00 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 5:30 PM A.A.

11

9:00 AM Tai Chi 4:30 PM Kantele Choir 6:30 PM Boards and Teams 7:30 PM Council Meeting

12 13

14

8:45 AM Worship 9:45 AM B.I.G. Hour/Hospitality 10:45 AM United in Praise (UP!) Worship Service

15

9:00 AM Tai Chi

16

8:30 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 7:00 PM Harbormasters

17

8:00 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 5:30 PM A.A.

18

9:00 AM Tai Chi 4:30 PM Kantele Choir 6:30 PM Järvenpää Singers

19 20

21

Newsletter Deadline 8:45 AM Worship 9:45 AM B.I.G. Hour/Hospitality 10:45 AM United in Praise (UP!) Worship Service

22

9:00 AM Tai Chi

23

8:30 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 7:00 PM Harbormasters

24

8:00 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 5:30 PM A.A.

25

9:00 AM Tai Chi 4:30 PM Kantele Choir 6:30 PM Järvenpää Singers

26 27

28

8:45 AM Worship 9:45 AM B.I.G. Hour/Hospitality 10:45 AM United in Praise (UP!) Worship Service

29

9:00 AM Tai Chi

30

8:30 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 7:00 PM Harbormasters

31

8:00 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 5:30 PM A.A.

MISSING SOMETHING?