January
2016 Annual Meeting
of Faith Ev. Lutheran Church
Move
April
13, special thanks to every member of the congregation for all the
help in preparing the Parsonage, the food, helping move tons of
furniture, appliances, household goods, books, and all else.
Installation
April
19, Pastor Mark DeGarmeaux, Liturgist; Pres. John Moldstad, Jr.,
Preaching; 11 Pastors in attendance. Special thanks to the musicians,
the choir, and all the members for a wonderful day, getting to know
more members with an excellent meal, and the loving attention to all
the details of preparation and clean-up.
Worship Services
Sunday,
Divine Service
35
Sunday Services (8 with the Lord’s Supper, Rite I), 25 with Rite
II, 2 with Matins
Mission/Reformation
Festival Last Sunday of Oct. with guest Pr. L. Wentzlaff.
Advent,
Vespers
3
Wednesday Advent Vespers with Individual Absolution, Dec. 2, 9, 23.
December
16 was cancelled due to bad weather.
Festival/Holiday
Thanksgiving
Vespers, Wed. Nov. 25th
Christmas
Program
Christmas
Eve, Lord’s Supper
Christmas
Day, Lord’s Supper
CCCC
Pastor
began rotation in the worship schedule at the Clara City Care Center.
Services in 2015 were held:
April
23
June
18
July
2
August
6
September
3
Pastoral Teaching Activities
Sunday School
Establishing
curriculum and schedule. Monthly meetings with teachers preparing for
the upcoming lessons. We are using the Small Catechism and the
curriculum made freely available by the Churches of the Lutheran
Confessions. The congregation is blessed to have several volunteers
to teach and assist in teaching. Please give them your personal
thanks.
Vacation Bible School
Pastor
was involved in writing, teaching, and performing music for the
Summer VBS and the Christmas VBS.
Confirmation Class
There
are 11 students in the confirmation classes from grades 6-8. After a
few weeks it was determined that 4 of the students would benefit more
from basic catechetical instruction. Confirmation classes begin with
a short devotion using the Office of Suffrages in the Hymnary.
Classes divide. The Pastor’s class is taught from the Scripture and
also uses the ELS Explanation
book
for Luther’s Small
Catechism,
Luther’s Large
Catechism,
Walther’s God’s
No and God’s Yes,
and the Hymnary.
Confirmand
Examination was done during the Children’s Christmas Service.
There
are two other confirmation students being instructed apart from the
Wednesday classes.
Youth Group
Monthly
Bible Study and meetings have been held from May through December.
Pastor hosted several campfire meetings June 28. Activities for the
youth have included:
Shootout
at Lopez’, July 19
Lutheran
Youth Convention at Bethany Lutheran College, July 23-26
Hiking
at Upper Sioux, October
Trip
to Apple Orchard, October
Camp
Indianhead, July 5-10
Stingers
Baseball Game, August 5
And
probably some other events that have slipped the Pastor’s mind.
Women's’ Christian Fellowship
Pastor
held opening devotion for the Women's’ Christian Fellowship. The
lessons focused on what worship is, how it came to us from God in the
Old Testament, How Jesus fulfilled this and gave us the Means of
Grace, How the Apostles Worshipped, How this was carried out in the
early Church, how our church year relates to the Old Testament and
Christ’s fulfillment, how our worship service today is arranged,
where it comes from in Scripture, and how we gather around the Means
of Grace where God has promised to come to us to serve us with
forgiveness.
In
December we went through the Christmas narrative with Christmas
hymns.
Bible Studies
Sunday
Bible Study
Sunday
Bible studies in 2015 focused mainly on reading through the Gospel of
Matthew from Chapter 1 through 23. At the beginning of Lent in 2016
we will resume with the Passion Narrative through the resurrection in
chapters 24 to 28.
There
were 4 topical Bible Studies on Sundays through 2015.
Wednesday
Bible Study
Wednesday
Bible Studies have been mainly topical. Topics have included, the
History of the Bible, How to Better Read and Understand the Bible,
Note Taking for Bible Study, Archaeology and Ancient Inscriptions and
How These Relate to Understanding the Bible and History,
Distinguishing Between God’s Law and God’s Gospel, How to
Evaluate a Sermon or Preacher on the Basis of Scripture, The Origins
of Some Denominations of Christianity. How the Old Testament Teaches
Christ (Pictures of Christ in the Old Testament).
We
did study some particular books of the Bible to apply skills from
these studies, these included: Jonah, Ruth, several chapters of the
Gospel of Mark.
CCCC
Bible Study
Pastor
was asked to teach Bible Study at the Clara City Care Center for the
Month of October. The dates were October 5, 19, 26. Pastor was ill on
the 12th. The Bible Study was the first four chapters of Genesis:
Creation, Man, The Fall into Sin, the Promise, and Cain and Abel.
Adult Instruction
Pastor
has been meeting regularly with four different families in adult
instruction. There are two other families scheduled to start
instruction soon. This instruction typically takes place on Tuesday
and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings and/or afternoons.
Pastoral Report on Members
Elders
Meetings
averaged monthly, though no regular date was planned. Meetings take
place so that the Elders can bring concerns about the congregation,
the pastor, or the situation of members to the pastor’s attention.
They also take place so the Pastor can speak in confidence to the
Elders about situations where he needs guidance.
New
Members
3
New members this fall.
Baptisms
2
Baptized December 24, 2015
Deaths/Funerals
1
member passed away in 2015 and funeral services were held by Pastor
Muelenhardt.
Pastor
served for the funeral of 2 members of Clearwater Lutheran Parish,
June 12-13, Grygla, MN.
Transfers
1
Transfer out of membership.
Inactive
Members
Pastor
has met with a few formerly active members and will keep in contact
with them. Some of them he has visited quite frequently. Getting
moved in an established in the Congregation and community consumed
much time this past year. Focusing on inactive members
Shut-in
Care
Technically
a shut-in is a member who due to health or age is unable to attend
worship services. Thankfully, we don’t have any genuine or regular
shut-ins. But we do have members in the nursing home. The members in
the nursing home are able to attend regularly through the kind work
of family and members. Nursing home visits for these members count
more as home visits.
But
on occasion we have had members who for health reasons have been
unable to attend church for several weeks: such as, for surgery.
Pastor has tried to maintain shut-in visits at least once per month
while they are shut-in. Pastor has also been visiting a Rock Dell congregation member in
the Granite Manor during their
vacancy.
Two
members of Clearwater Lutheran Parish needed pastoral care for
hospital visits during the vacancy of pastors previous call. Pastor
traveled to Fargo and to Thief River Falls for these. The one at
Thief River Falls coincided with a funeral Pastor served at
Clearwater Parish.
Hospital
Calls
(1) Alexandria
(3x) Montevideo
(3x) Willmar
(1) St. Cloud
Home
Visits
Pastor
has been to 19 different member families' homes.
Counselling
Pastor
has been involved with personal spiritual counsel with several
members. On occasion this has taken place in the Church building.
Most often, pastor will drive to meet the member at his or her home
or some other place.
Supplementary Activities
Church
Institutional Governance
Church
Council Meetings
Voters’
Meetings
Building
Committee Meetings
Winkel
A
Winkel is a monthly meeting of the E.L.S. pastors in our region. The
purpose is mutual study of Scripture and the theology of God’s
Word, building, honing, and evaluating preaching and teaching,
examination of issues facing the congregations and Christians in our
societal context, and discussion of pressing issues faced by member
pastors or congregations.
September
14
October
12
November
9
December
14
Synod
Convention
June
21-24
General
Pastoral Conference
The
GPC is for all the pastors in the E.L.S. and is held annually.
October
1-3
Circuit
#9 Pastoral Conference
This
conference is for the E.L.S. pastors in Southern Minnesota, held
annually.
May
20th
Choir/Musicians/Vocalists
Faith
Lutheran Church is richly blessed in being a singing congregation,
and it is especially blessed to have several musicians and vocalists
who are willing to serve for the benefit of our services.
Pastor
usually lets the Organists choose the pre-service hymns from the
Hymnary or other approved sources. Similarly, the Choir Director and
vocalists bring suggestions for the pastor’s approval. He would
like to offer his thanks and encourage the congregation members to
give these members their thanks also for the extra work they go to.
Caroling
Congregational
Caroling at the CCCC December 20th.
Parades
Maynard
Clara
City
Raymond
Community
Events
Participated
in a CCCC Thanksgiving Program
Coordinated
and Planned CCCC Birthday Program (January 2016)
Personal
and Family Involvement
Family
Campfires
Pastor’s
family has held a few campfires to get to know people, inviting
members their families and some families associated or interested in
Faith Lutheran Church.
Family
Outings: Hiking, Sledding
In
order to get to know people better while having fun, Pastor’s
family has also made it a point to invite other families associated
with Faith Lutheran Church along on sledding trips.
Community
Recreation
Pastor’s
family took advantage of the Clara City Swimming Pool. There, Mary
made contacts with community members, building relationships with
other families.
Articles
Written/Radio Interviews While at Faith Lutheran Church
Pastor
has been writing up his sermon preparation notes and Martin Luther’s
notes on the Gospel texts as articles. Articles directly related to
sermon writing are marked with an x. All these articles are published
at my theological blog: http://diatheke.blogspot.com
They
are also published at Steadfast Lutherans
http://steadfastlutherans.org
A
list of the most recently published articles is available at the
bottom of the church website
The
articles and interviews are used by people all over the world,
including by people in our own community. Access to these resources
has been an influence of interest in our congregation.
May
(5)
x
Prayers for the Festival of the Holy Trinity
A
Domestic Benediction for Christian Householders....
x
Litany to the Holy Ghost, for Pentecost.
The
Three Outposts, part 8 – The State (Notice of Radio Interview
Podcast)
Let
No Man Put Asunder
June
(13)
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 5-Dis...
Resources
for the Liturgical and Doctrinal History...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: Visitation
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospels: Sts. Peter and Paul...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 4- Ch...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Nativity of J...
The
Three Outposts, part 10 – Conflicts between Ch...(Notice of Radio
Interview Podcast)
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 3-The...
The
Three Outposts, part 9 – Conflicts between Chu...(Notice of Radio
Interview Podcast)
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 2-Inv...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity I-Div...
Intimidation:
A Needed Reminder from 1884
Worship
Wars New and Old, well, really just Old.
July
(6)
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 9-Ste...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 8- Be...
Brumalia--Ancient
Latin Sources: post 46 BC Julian...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospels: St. Mary Magdalene
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 7-Pro...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 6-Sin...
August
(6)
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 14-Th...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 13-Ch...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: St. Bartholomew's Da...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 12
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 11-Hu...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 10-Re...
September
(8)
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 18 - ...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Michaelmas 1 ...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: St. Michael and All ...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 17 - ...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: St. Matthew
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 16 - ...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Trinity 15 - ...
The
War Room: A Movie Review
October
(10)
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: All Saints' D...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Michaelmas 5 ...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Michaelmas 6 ...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: Sts. Simon and Jude ...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Reformation
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Michaelmas 4 ...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: St. James the Elder ...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: St. Luke the Evangel...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Michaelmas 3 ...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Michaelmas 2 ...
November
(7)
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: Second Sunday in Adv...
Redeeming
Christian Holy Days: The Christians Stol...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: St. Andrew the Apost...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: First Sunday in Adve...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Last Sunday (...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Second Last S...
x
Luther's Notes on the Sunday Gospel: Third Last Su...
December
(16)
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: Epiphany (January 6)...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: Second Sunday After ...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: Circumcision (Januar...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: Holy Innocents (Dece...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: First Sunday After C...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: St John the Apostle ...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: St. Stephen the Mart...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: Christmas Day 2 - Na...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: Chrismtas Day 1 - Na...
The
Christmas Gospel In Prophecy and Persecution
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: Christmas Eve' - Nat...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: St. Thomas the Apost...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: Fourth Sunday in Adv...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: Third Sunday in Adve...
Redeeming
Christian Holy Days: Brumalia in the Rom...
x
Luther's Notes on the Gospel: St. Nicholas of Myra...
Radio
Interviews
For
Steadfast
Throwdown
- Recorded April 30: Round 46, The Three Outposts, Part 8: The State, broadcast May 11, 2015
- Recorded May 7: Round 47, The Three Outposts, Part 9: Conflicts between the Church and the Home, broadcast June 8, 2015
- Recorded June 4: Round 48, The Three Outposts, Part 10: Conflicts between the Church and the Home (Cont.), broadcast June 15, 2015
For
Issues, Etc.
- September 10, 2015 Interview Review of the Movie, “War Room”
Pastor
purchased a domain name for the congregation and contracted for web
service through a company called Hostgator. He also designed and put
into production a website using the Wordpress platform coordinated
with a MySQL database. In addition to this he has made extensive use
of the congregational Facebook Page, a Faith Youthgroup Facebook
Page. He also established a congregational Google account, set up an
online calendar and blog presence. The blog presence was used as a
congregational website until the official website was set up.
Facebook
has been fairly useful for disseminating information. He has not used
the blog presence much since the website has been working.
Pastor
also established an email address for the treasurer of the
congregation for electronic billing.
The
Google calendar has been widely used.
The
MySQL database works in the website to provide lesson information for
each Sunday.
Pastor
has also experimented with publishing digital audio recordings of the
Sunday sermons at the website. This works well for the website user.
It tends to take a couple of hours to prepare the file for the web.
Pastor is looking into ways to streamline or outsource the editing
process for the web. The audio files are not currently available on
the web due to the time it takes for preparation. He would like to
make them available again soon for the sake of the snowbirds and
shut-ins. As an additional note. When the recordings were available
people from all over the world were listening to them, places like:
India, England, Australia, Jakarta, Russia, Germany, South American
countries, Israel, and many others.
Personal
Retreat -
A short break with a couple of my children at a cabin in a State Park
August
23-26
Conclusion
Pastor
would like to extend his sincerest thanks to all the members and
other supporters of Faith Ev. Lutheran Church. Our first few months
here have had their hiccups as we grow to know each other’s
personalities and quirks. There are probably several other things
which members would like to know and about which they would expect to
be informed. Please do speak with the Pastor about these.
Clara
City is an exciting opportunity for sharing the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. We have seen what just a little stirring of the kettle can do
here. Let us keep our congregation, our city, and our wider community
in our prayers. And let us ever hold fast to the Word of God and His
service to us in Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrament. Faith
really does have the gold of God’s grace to offer our community.
Let us serve them with our hearts and hands through the Love of
Christ. And let us speak to them about His grace and forgiveness,
inviting them to receive this blessed salvation.
