Feb 2009 Newsletter

Pioneer Lutheran Church Pioneer Lutheran Church Council Minutes- January Publisher: Julie Petersen [email protected] Volume Number 11 Issue 26 Date: FEBRUARY 2009 OLDNumber BUSINESS: 2009802 2nd ST BROOKINGS, SD 57006 [email protected] PASTOR TYLER HEPNER CELL PHONE: 695-2907 President Lew Weeks called the Pioneer Lutheran Church Council meeting to order on Wednesday, January 7, 2009. Present were Lew Weeks, Dana Crooks, Larry Holler, Tiffany Petersen , Glen Thompson, Aimee Lutz, and Pastor Tyler Hepner. Ron Tolrud was present as a guest and Arlene Madsen arrived late. Pastor Hepner read a letter written by a Seattle pastor on the “Slaughter of Holy Innocence” regarding the abortion dilemma. He closed in prayer. The meeting proceeded. Secretary’s Report: Minutes from the December, 2008 meeting were presented to the council. Larry Holler motioned to accept the minutes as presented. Dana Crooks seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Treasurer’s Report: Lew Weeks presented the monthly treasurer’s report. The general fund was negative $320.00 at the end of December; largely do to 2 missed Sunday services. Larry Holler moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and pay bills. Glen Thompson seconded the motion, and the motion passed. The proposed 2009 annual budget was presented to the council. Council members reviewed the budget, and Larry Holler moved to approve it the budget for presentation to the congregation at the annual meeting for final approval.

Annual Meeting: Aimee Lutz presented annual meeting cards to the council review. Meeting announcement cards will be addressed and sent to members. Meeting with ELCA Synod Bishop: Pastor Tyler Hepner, Pastor Dennis Bielfeldt, and Lew Weeks met with the ELCA bishop regarding Pioneer Lutheran Church being ELCA roistered and having called an LCMC roistered pastor. The bishop said that Pioneer Lutheran church can be dual roistered (ELCA & LCMC), but a pastor cannot be on both rosters. Pastor Hepner desires to be an LCMC-roistered pastor. Pioneer Lutheran Church has 3 options: 1) Vote to leave the ELCA; 2) Continue as we currently exist and face disciplinary action (eventually expulsion) from the ELCA synod; 3) Call an ELCA-roistered pastor that will serve as the figurehead for Pioneer Lutheran Church at the ELCA Synod. It was decided by the council that the best way to proceed was to vote to call Pastor Tom Walker, an ELCA-roistered pastor, as a mission pastor. Pastor Walker will serve as the liaison with the ELCA synod, and Pastor Tyler Hepner will remain an LCMC-roistered pastor and the head pastor at Pioneer Lutheran Church. This compromise will allow Pastor Hepner to continue to serve Pioneer Lutheran Church and will allow us maintain relations with LCMC & ELCA without disciplinary actions. Lew Weeks asked for additional old business and seeing none proceeded to new business

NEW BUSINESS: Pastor’s Report: Pastor Hepner reported he conducted 4 visitations, prepared 2 Sunday services and 5 bulletins; conducted 2 adult forums and 1 special service. Pastor Hepner discussed the 2009 LCMC Youth Rally that will be held in Salt Lake City, UT July 12 -15, 2009. He would like the youth group to attend and is going to get the information to Julie Petersen. Miscellaneous Announcements: ‐ Ron Tolrud reported that average attendance for the year was 46. ‐

Given the frequency of snow that we are experiencing this winter, snow removal options were discussed. Hiring someone to remove snow if those who normally do so cannot get it done prior to Sunday services. Council members were going to look into the cost of local individuals that remove snow for a fee.

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The agenda for the annual meeting was approved.

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Submitting the monthly newsletter via e-mail where possible was discussed.

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The annual meeting of the Heartland LCMC district will be held at Humbolt in the coming months. Lew Weeks discussed the value of Pioneer Lutheran Church being represented at the meeting, and he will provide further details as they develop.

Prayer was said in closing. The February meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 7:00 p.m Respectfully submitted, Aimee Lutz

Pioneer Lutheran Church Financial Report January 7, 2009 General Account.........................................(320.99) Social Ministry ................................................... 7.67 Memorial Fund............................................. 1952.85 Insurance Fund ............................................... 560.25 Funds in Checking ................................... $2199.78 Bills ITC-phone & internet..................................... 106.27 Sioux Valley Energy ........................................ 74.58 Postmaster–stamps ........................................... 16.80 Runnings – 6’ folding table.............................. 52.99 Drains Unlimited – 20 gal water heater ......... 560.00 Anderson Oil-190 gal. fuel @ $2.04 .............. 395.50 UPS Store - 2000 prepaid copies ..................... 74.20 Tyler Hepner-salary ..................................... 2583.37 Tyler Hepner-Christmas gift .......................... 150.00 Postmaster-box rent.......................................... 26.00 Sunday Offerings Dec. 7 ............................................................. 469.00 Dec. 14 .......................................... no church - storm Dec. 21 .............................. no church - storm & cold Dec. 24 ........................................................... 407.00 Dec. 28 ......................................................... 1540.00 Misc. Income Internet service donation ................................ 125.00 Pioneer Cemetery Assn.- ½ mowing cost ...... 500.00

Lutherans for Life Greetings,

HANDYLITTLE CHART - GOD HAS A POSITIVE ANSWER: YOU SAY

GOD SAYS

BIBLE VERSES

You say: 'It's impossible'

God says: All things are possible

(Luke 18:27)

The Winter Lutherans for Life meeting will be held at Zion Lutheran Church Parsonage in White, S.D. The date is set for Thursday evening, February 19th at 7:00PM. A movie and popcorn is on the agenda along with the usual business meeting. Please notify your church members of this meeting and join us for an evening of enlightening and fun. We welcome and encourage new members and visitors to join us. We hope to see you there. Your friend in Christ, Cindy Buchholtz-Secretary

You say: 'I'm too tired'

God says: I will give you rest

( Matthew 11:2830)

You say: 'Nobody really loves me'

God says: I love you

(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

You say: 'I can't go on'

God says: My grace is sufficient

(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: 'I can't figure things out'

God says: I will direct your steps

(Proverbs 3:56)

You say: 'I can't do it'

God says: You can do all things

(Philippians 4:13)

You say: 'I'm not able'

God says: I am able

(II Corinthians 9:8)

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go. Only 1 of 2 things will happen. Either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! 'The power of one sentence! God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor. If you believe, pass this on. God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close. If you need God to open some doors for you...send this to ten people. Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing.

You say: 'It's not worth it'

God says: It will be worth it

(Roman 8:28 )

You say: 'I can't forgive myself'

God says: I Forgive you

(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: 'I can't manage'

God says: I will supply all your (Philippians needs 4:19)

You say: 'I'm afraid'

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear

(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: 'I'm always worried God says: Cast all your cares (I Peter 5:7) and frustrated' on ME You say: 'I'm not smart enough'

God says: I give you wisdom

(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: 'I feel all alone'

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

(Hebrews 13:5)

A New Kind of Righteousness Making our way through the minor prophets this winter, when we came to the fourth chapter of the story Jonah we encountered one of the most obstinate figures in all of scripture. Confronted with God's decision to change his disposition towards the wicked, then believing, then repentant city of Ninevah, Jonah becomes infuriated. Jonah does not like who God has decided to be. In fact, he would rather die than live with such a God in control (Jonah 4:3). The story of Jonah's reaction to the work and even the person of God is not unlike like the stories in the gospels about the Pharisees' reaction to the person and work of God in Christ. Where they try and hold Jesus to the righteousness of God according to the law, they are setting who they believe God ought to be in theory above God as he is is presenting himself to them in the present through his Word. Just as Jonah rejected the word of God while the sinful Ninevites came to believe in him, so the Pharisees rejected the Word of God in Christ while sinners were brought to faith and the newness of life through him. Both Jonah and the Pharisees put before us clear examples of what we may refer to as sheer self-righteousness. And it is a deplorable thing to be not only because it is ungodly, but more importantly because it is in fact against God. This is one of the reasons Luther, in his commentary on Psalm 51, calls self-righteousness "the bitterest blasphemy against God." While God has indeed revealed many things to us very clearly about how things ought to be, we should not forget that the way God has decided to speak to us and work his will among us now is through his Son (Hebrews 1:2). In Christ he has made for us a new kind of righteousness, in an entirely unexpected way (Romans 3). Christ Jesus died to save sinners, not those who believe they have a righteousness of

their own (Mark 2:17). It is you who he died to save, and it is you who he has predestined to experience his righteousness, his glory, and his kingdom. It is you with whom he has chosen to dwell, in this world and the next. In Christ, Pastor Tyler