PEACE TIDINGS

WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.

                

 

              

 

                                   

                         

 

 

PUSH FOR PEACE

 

 

JUNE 2008

** ATTENTION**

Anyone wishing to read the Peace Tidings online can view it at http://keysystemsplus.com/peace. By choosing to do this you will be saving the church money in postage and copy paper. Mary will not be sending the newsletter via email to those that previously agreed to getting it by email due to the trouble she had sending it and those receiving it.  Thanks, Mary.

 

 

SNIPPETS FROM SUSAN…

 

            Dogs are amazing creatures. Most of the time they take quickly to their owner. Dogs are teachable and ready to do whatever the owner wants them to do providing they have been trained well.

            For those who have owned a dog, we know how swift they are to love us; love us unconditionally. We can scold and discipline them, but at the end of the day, they are at the door greeting us with wagging tails and beaming eyes.

            Dog owners become dog masters and a dog follows and heeds his master’s every step and word.

            I believe God takes simple things from His creation to teach us the meaning of His word. God takes a dog and uses the dog to illustrate the importance of training. A serious Christian won’t bypass this necessary task of the Heavenly Master and knows that with training comes wisdom and understanding about the things of God. God uses the dog to illustrate obedience and unconditional love; to illustrate loyalty and devotion to a master.

            God calls His children to undergo training. As we do we will understand His love and the importance of heeding His command to love Him and to love thy neighbor. We can only love others unconditionally through the love of Jesus Christ flowing through us. This love comes with no strings attached; no I’ll scratch you back if you scratch mine(unless of course a flea appears) and no I’ll give to you if I get something in return. God’s children are called to heed a love so high and a vast and wide that it cannot be measured or bottled and sold. It is a love that calls us to walk with the Master and to meet him daily with the devotion and loyalty the dog show his master. If a dog gets it, why won’t we?

 

“As the Father loved Me (Jesus) , I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” John 15:9-10

                    

PUSH FOR PEACE

From now until Oct 12, 2008 Peace Church will intently try to match a $5000.00 gift to the church if the congregation can meet the match. Two teams have been formed (see team list in newsletter) and will see which team can bring in the most money. Yes, this is a competition; one we wish to have fun with. Each team will be led by a captain and co-captain. They will be your contact people and will help build excitement and cheer on their team. The team who brings in the most money will be designated winners and will be honored by the losing team serving them brunch after worship Oct. 19, 2008.

An important rule is this: giving to match a $5000.00 gift is not intended to keep you from your regular church giving.

Another important rule is this: no amount given is too small. Loose change (yes, even those pennies) is welcomed and accepted. We encourage parents to get you children involved.

All proceeds will go into our general fund with 10% of the total going to our P I N (People In Need) fund. Team captains and co-captains will be getting in touch with you.    

 

 

P I N…..(People In Need)

The P I N Fund was started a couple of years ago when a temporary resident of Minnesota Lake gifted our church with money out of her appreciation for Peace Church’s ministry to her. Her request was that we would help another in need; thus the P I N fund began. This fund is set up to help church members, community members, and other neighbors in need.

 

 

PEACE MISSION

                Peace Church will soon help others by collecting nonperishable food items to help those in need of them. A Sunday school room will be transformed into a Mission room. Watch for details. You support, help, and contributions are needed.

 

Church Staff

            Pastor                                                     The Rev Susan K.Cline

                Organist/Pianist                                    Connie Roessler

                Director of Christian Ed                     Heidi Beske

                Director of Missions                            Tanya Redfield

                Pastor’s Assistant                                                Mary Evenson Wentler

                Treasurer                                               Eric Boertje

                Financial Secretary                             Chris Schroader

                Custodian                                             Sharon Vogelsang

                                    Email Addresses

            Pastor Susan                                                         skcline@bevcomm.net

                Pastor’s Assistant                                                                rmeven@bevcomm.net

           

 

 

CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS

 

            Sharon Vogelsang- President              553-5542

            Arvilla Kain                                        462-3296

            Tanya Redfield                                   462-3309

            Tom Thiesse                                        462-3742

            Krista Schroader                                 524-3788

            Carol Malzahn                                     462-3261

 
 
CHANGE IS A PROCESS NOT AN EVENT!

 

 

BUS TRIP#2/PLAY/and BUFFET SUPPER CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES 2-the sequel is here!!

Please join us - Sunday, June 22nd

Bus will LEAVE Peace UCC in MN Lake at 11:15a.m. SHARP.

Pickup in Mapleton 11:25 a.m. – Windmill Bar Parking lot

Pickup in Mankato 12:00 – Gander Mt. Parking lot (south end closer to Applebee’s)

Lake Crystal Coach bus (with restroom) Bring your own sack lunch and beverage to eat/drink on the way up there.

 

Play begins at 2:00 in Plymouth.  Buffet supper of baked chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn, salad, cake & coffee/tea -following the play- in a reserved banquet room.

 

Play = $24.00 Bus = $16.00 Buffet Supper = 15.00 Total = $55.00 each

If you are 70 or over AND a member of Peace Women’s Guild you pay $45.00 each

 

Please fill out the form below and give or mail it, along with your payment to

Carol Malzahn 23 8th Ave, Minnesota Lake, MN  56068

 

Make checks payable to Peace UCC Women’s Guild for $55.00 (or $45 if you qualify) (Includes ticket for the play, bus and supper.)

Deadline is June 1st. Call Carol with questions – 462.3261

 

Cut here  (fill out and return bottom part with your check or cash) cut here

 

Name(s)__________________________________No. attending________________

Your phone number_____________________________

I will board the bus at  (circle one)  Mn Lake   Mapleton     Mankato

 

Payment enclosed $_________________check #_________________or cash_________

 

Meet at Peace UCC at 11:00 a.m. June 22nd.  (Right after worship)

Deadline is June 1st No Refunds after that date.

 

           

PRAYER: At Myrna Foley’s, Tuesday’s at 9:00 a.m. You don’t have to be a member of Peace Church to attend. This is open to the community. If you don’t want to come, but know of someone who needs prayers, please call me at 507-462-3660. Everyone is welcome!       

 

Prayer List:              SHUT-IN LIST

Sonny Malzahn           John Meyer-Home

Ruth Albrecht             Bernice Putz- Mapleton Community Home

Burnell Hamman         Bea Fable-Home

Connie Smalley          Dorothy Neitzel-CountryNeighbors,Mapleton

Lynn Albrecht             Woody Beske- 708 Mound Ave, Mankato

 

Our sympathy goes out to Connie Smalley on the loss of her step-dad. If anyone would like to send her a card her address is: 54001 Date Street, Minnesota Lake, MN 56068

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ

            The Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Conference of the UCC will be held June 6-8, 2008 at the collage of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN. This year’s theme is “Extravagant Welcome…Evangelical Courage” Keynote speaker is the Rev. John Thomas, UCC General Minister and President

SPIRITUAL LIFE meets Sun June 22 following worship. We will discuss and set up calling teams. Committee members please attend.

 

WOOF(Worship Outside on Fridays) June 20th @ 7:00

Bring a lawn chair and gather around the fire pit behind the church.Everyone Welcome!

HELP! God’s church is designed as a unit. In order for the unit to operate effectively, everyone is called to offer their gifts and tithes to the Lord so God’s work can indeed be carried out. Some who help in many ways are burning out because they carry too much of the load. Presently Peace church is like a scale with unequal weights and balances. Our unit is “top heavy”. We need teachers, Sunday school aides, youth leaders, WOW (Worship on Wednesday) helpers, outreach workers, kitchen help and those willing to call on and minister to others. God’s church really has nothing to do about us, and everything to do about the Lord Jesus Christ and telling and showing a lost hurting world about Him.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

If you are willing to help sort through and clean out files this summer, organize older Sunday School material and file items, PLEASE let Pastor Susan know.

 

If anyone would care to donate a couple of hours of their time to help Sharon clean at the church on Thursday afternoon’s give her a call @ 553-5542

 

DONATIONS of paper products such as paper towels, napkins small paper plates, toilet paper, copy paper, light bulbs, coffee, dish soap, garbage bags, etc. would be gratefully accepted. By doing this we can help cut some of the expenses that occur on a regular basis yet needed to keep our church going as we are used to having it.

  

WELLS AREA FOOD SHELF

If you are, or know of someone in need of food, the Wells Area Food Shelf can help you out. Every Tues from 4-6 p.m. those in need may drop by Good Shepard Lutheran Church and receive food and paper products needed. If you need a ride or wish to know more about the service, call Sue at 507-553-5343. The Wells Area Food Shelf is continually looking for advocates, volunteers and donors. This ministry helps others. If you’re interested in helping others call Sue at the number listed above.

 

                                               

Women’s Guild Meeting

Wednesday, May 7th, 2008, 7:00 p.m.

Peace United Church of Christ

 

  In the absence of President LeAnna Nelson, VP Sharon Vogelsang called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with 7 members present.  The secretary’s report was approved as read.  Marilyn Beske gave the treasurer’s report.  The bills were discussed, especially the one from Wells Marketplace Foods. It would help to reconcile the bill if everyone would give the receipts for charges made to Marilyn. Total in checking is $1780.

 

OLD BUSINESS

                We discussed the rummage sale. We are thinking about just having one a year, in the Spring and having a bazaar in the Fall. The soup and pie supper goes over well in the Fall also. Tabled until next meeting.

                It was decided to cancel the graduation recognition breakfast on June 8th. That weekend is too busy.

 

NEW BUSINESS

                We all signed a card for Don Kain beginning his new job at St. Paul’s church.

                We talked about a better way of thanking all the volunteers for their good deeds. Good ideas were presented. It was decided to stick with a verbal thank you from the pulpit by Pastor Susan as she has been doing. I will also try to get them thanked in the bulletins and Peace Tidings. Dean and Marilyn Stille & Bob Roessler trimmed all the bushes, I mowed the lawn, Myrna puts out the garbage and recycles and picked up the bread from Panera with Scott, and Sharon continues to work weekly on the maintenance of the building and grounds. We don’t always know who has done something and might omit someone and cause hurt feelings.

                Sharon and Krista will work together on getting the paint for the parsonage.

                The need for new chairs for the fellowship hall was discussed.

                Having the Festag food stand at the Legion again this year was discussed. Last year we made $1,200 having it.  

                Marilyn Beske moved and Joy 2nd it to do the Legion Food stand again this year. Motion carried.

                Joy will contact Charlie Hueper to let him know our decision.

               

                Our next meeting will be on June 4th at 6:00.  Wear your favorite apron. Ethel will make her bread pudding if she is able. I will make rhubarb bread pudding. Joy will make her potato salad (she has no recipe). Marilyn B. will do an “apron” reading.

 

At 8:25 the meeting was adjourned.  We enjoyed looking at old school photos members had brought to share. Sharon V. served lunch.

Secretary, Carol Malzahn

 


PEACE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

COUNCIL MEETING

 Wednesday, May 14, 2008, 7:00 p.m.

 

            Present were Pastor Susan Cline, Sharon Vogelsang, Arvilla Kain, Dean Stille, Tanya Redfield, Tom Thiesse, Carol Malzahn and Krista Schroader.

                Pastor led us in prayer. We had a short Bible study covering the homework page Pastor Susan had given us at the previous meeting. Four topics were pointed out in the scriptures read: Outreach, Evangelism, Discipleship, and Stewardship. Focusing on these should help guide us, as a council, with WHO Peace Church is and WHERE are we going for this day and age.

                The meeting was called to order by President Sharon.

                The secretary’s report was read. Pastor duly noted that the door knobs had been purchased for the parsonage but had yet to be installed. Correction was made. 

                A financial handout, prepared by Treasurer Ric Boertje, was discussed.

                We discussed having a food shelf and clothing drive for our own community, keeping and distributing these items one day per week from one of the Sunday school rooms now mostly vacant because of the low Sunday School attendance. This would fit into our outreach goal. Sharon and Carol along with Pastor volunteered to head up this project

                Pastor Susan introduced an idea presented to her by a fellow parishioner, who wishes to remain anonymous, of two options he would back. This parishioner is willing to match funds, which the church would raise, up to $5000 (total of $10,000) or donate $2,000 now.

                Krista moved we raise the $5,000 to be matched by donor. Tanya seconded. Motion carried.

                This would fit into our stewardship goal. Pastor will further discuss the matching funds with the anonymous benefactor in order to set up any ground rules, guidelines, or timelines they might have in mind. Tanya and Dean volunteered to head up this project along with Pastor Susan.

OLD BUSINESS

                Tom was able to talk to Tim of Bill’s Hardware. Their bill was sufficiently explained.

                Tom had checked out the safety deposit box. All that is in it are 3 contracts for the church and one for the steel siding on the parsonage. We still need to find the furnace contract, roof contract and the blue prints. Sharon, Dean and I will meet at the church at 1:30 p.m. on May 28th, to begin looking through files and boxes to try to find these three items.

                Tanya just needs the blue prints to figure the approximate square footage of the church to continue the process of becoming a certified emergency site in case of any catastrophe.

                The new garage door opener has never operated. Tom will take another look at it and see if he can return it at Menard’s.

                Pastor will check with Sue Nasinac to get a copy of the contract with the funeral home on using Peace Church for visitation. Our own members should not get charged. Non-members are suppose to be charged $150.

                We welcomed Dean to the council. Sharon will announce his decision to be a member of the council, at church on Sunday.

                Tom will bring the door knobs to church for someone on building and grounds to replace in parsonage.

                WOOF is the same night as Relay for Life in Mapleton. Heidi has offered to bring hotdogs. Pastor will supply the buns and Sharon will bring ingredients to make s’mores.

                                Tom moved to have Mary Wentler, church secretary, come in no more than 4-5 hours per week instead of the 8 – 10 she had been hired for. Krista seconded. Discussion included we have Mary continue to generate a monthly Peace Tidings as one of her main duties. Motion carried

                Carol moved to use up the current stock of bulletins, then begin making our own. Tom seconded. Motion carried

                Tanya will contact Heidi Beske to get Bibles for the sanctuary. This way we can follow the scripture readings during church rather than read them off the back of the bulletins. We will start with getting 20 Bibles with fairly large print.

NEW BUSINESS

                June 6, 7 and 8th are the dates for the Conference meeting in St. Joseph. Sharon and Pastor are not available to attend.

                Karen Cornwell and Donna Schroader will each be charged $25.00 to rent Peace Church in May. Plus Sharon will make up a list of guidelines anyone renting the church must abide by. Members should also pay this fee if they use the church for a non-church function as stated in the by-laws.

                Sharon will make a sign up list for summer mowing. Carol will call Bill Minks to find out the age limit for mowers covered by the church’s insurance policy. I will also ask him why this year’s insurance premium increased $250. We discussed looking into other insurance available.

                Philip Schroader plans to build a shed for the lawnmowers, snow blower etc. to earn his Eagle Scout award. We discussed where it should be placed. Philip will need to research the necessary zoning laws of Minnesota Lake to see if a permit is required. Tabled until next meeting.

                Tom moved to have $100 available to Sharon Vogelsang for lawn mower gas. Carol seconded. Sharon will be required to keep all receipts in an envelope and she will keep the red gas container filled. Motion carried.

                Craig Schroader is getting a battery for the lawn mower. Sonny Malzahn had to jump start it for the first mowing. It would not start again afterwards.

                Pastor requested vacation time for June 5 through the 18th.

                Dean suggested the next time we have communion by intincture we should have two lines for better flow.

                Current membership list was discussed. We would like to have it available to all council members.

                The next meeting will be June 11, Wednesday, at 7:00 p.m.  Tom moved to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. Tanya seconded. Motion carried.

Carol Malzahn, Secretary

 


Carol Beske’s Latest Newsletter from Macau, China

Our Tuesday night free English Bible class is growing and we have had to add another small group for discussion. When I first got here there were about 10 to 12 that came and then it decreased to about 8 and now it has grown to about 20. We have four groups. High level that have a very good grasp of the English language, then middle that can understand most of what we say, then low that understand some, and last .but not least very low that understand very little of what we say. We are very fortunate to have Mary one of our teachers that can speak both Cantonese and Mandarin. She leads to very low level and is a joy to work with.

Our Friday night free English Bible study takes place at our partner church here in Macau. When I first came there were 5 that came all the time and usually two or three others. We have been trying to get the Chinese students more active in that one and encourage one of them to lead. It has also grown and now about 12 to 14 are attending and there is less English and more gospel each week. We all praise God for the chance to see these programs grow.

                Since I am not teaching any more I have been doing a lot of things behind the scenes. One of the things I do is help put information into a database to help keep information for the center on the students. Things like phone numbers addresses when they paid and how much they paid. Also things about what each class pertained to and what materials were used. We are hopeful that this will help new teachers be able to have a better idea of what the students need from them.

Last Sunday we had an interesting event with our students. We called it Cafe Concordia. It was set up like a small cafe and we served punch and popcorn and fruit and taught the students how to play scrabble. It was a lot of fun and the students had a lot of English practice looking up words and of course making up words. None of the students had ever played the game before and really liked the challenge of making words out of the letters. It made the game quite challenging because they used a lot of three and four letter words.

Due to unforeseen family problems I will be cutting my commitment to Macau short and will be returning to the US on May 12, 2008. This has certainly been an adventure that I will not soon forget. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to serve my God in this way, but I must return to my family at this time. I will be bringing back much information as to what is being done over here and what is left to be done. I have met so many wonderful people over here. They have all been so kind and helpful and protective of me. I will miss each and everyone of them. My co-workers are truly a special gift of God in my life and have been a true joy to work with and for.

I want to thank you all again for all your prayers and support in my adventure in serving the Lord these last 9 months and am looking forward to sharing my adventures with you all.

Yours in Christ Jesus Carol Beske

 

Congratulations Class of 2008!

Graduating May 30th from Maple river High School are the following Peace members.
Seth Anderson, McCall Bisel, Donald Cornwell,
Allen & Tyler Jacobsen.
God bless you, Christ be at the center of all you do, and the Holy Spirit fill, equip and empower you for the Lord’s work.

In loving memory of John Thomas Cline who would have graduated with the class of 2008.

USHERS FOR JUNE

June 1                          Robert Jacobsen Family & Scott Johnson Family

June 8                          Jim & Pam Kauffmann

                                    Julie Lindblom & Joyce Lembke

June 15                         Mark Maquet Family

                                    David Malakowsky family

June 22                         Art & Carol Malzahn

                                    Donna McGregor & Lori Neitzel

June 29                         Jim & LeAnna Nelson

                                    Matt & Sue Nowak Family

Please contact a replacement if you can not fulfill your duties for the week you are assigned.