October 2024 Newsletter : simplebooklet.com

FromPastor ChipNew ways of relating to others andworking together in community areoften a little unsettling at first. Marriedclergy were unthinkable before Luther.But with a group of nuns no longerwelcome in the Catholic church, a newway of being church came into being.This new way of being has been withthe church from the very beginning. InActs 6, the apostles were faced with aproblem-- a group in their midst wasbeing missed because the apostles hadto focus on preaching and teaching. Sothey decided to try a new form ofleadership-- deacons. They selectedseven people from the church to focuson this newly recognized need. And itworked.Today, the church is seeing that some ofour practices aren’t meeting people’sneeds. And we are looking to the HolySpirit to guide us in finding expressionsthat will insure that God’s Love is MadeKnown.Our work together with Soldier andFaith may be the Spirit at work in ourarea. There may be some declutteringwe do, and we may see somerelationships that are new to us. But wepray that God’s Love is Made Knownbecause of our faithfulness.01FAITHTODAYPastor Chip's contact information:Mobile 402.670.6055Email PastorBorgstadt@gmail.comNow the Church is not wood and stone, but thecompany of believing people; one must hold to them,and see how they believe, live and teach.Martin LutherRita and I recently did a deepdecluttering of the house we’ve lived infor nearly 30 years. Wow. We had stuffwe didn’t know we had and hadn’t usedfor ages. Some of it was hard to get ridof, but with the help of our daughter andson-in-law, we found room to enjoy whatwe kept. Phyllis Tickle was a long-time observerof patterns in the church. She often said,“Every 500 years or so, the Churchholds a ‘great garage sale,’ and gets ridof things that aren’t really needed sothat it has space for things that are.” A little over 500 years ago, MartinLuther focused the realities of his timeand helped the church examine itspractices to better articulate the gospelto people. That new focus fueled whatwe call the Reformation. 500 years. A great garage sale.Decluttering. Maybe we are also in atime when the Holy Spirit is shaping anexpression of the church that bettercommunicates the message of God’samazing love.Photo by Morgan Wadsworth

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St. John, CarrollPastor Cindy JohnsonBishop Lorna HalaasSynod Authorized Minister, Travis BrincksGOD’S WORKOUR HANDSSt. John in Carroll has offered the community aweekly fellowship meal since September 2014. This year they celebrated the tenth anniversary ofthat “God’s Work Our Hands” meal which has grownfrom 75 people to 170-180 people a month. St. Johnhas kept God’s Work in the forefront as they loveand care for their neighbors.Build a longer table, not a higher wallFeeding those who hunger, making room for allFeasting together, stranger turns to friendChrist breaks walls to pieces, false divisions endAll Creation Sings 1062On Sunday, September 8, 2024, underneath beautifulblue skies with a nice breeze, the members of BethesdaLutheran Church, Moorhead, IA, hosted a cookout for ourcommunity at our town park.While the guys grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, theladies set out all the fixings to go with the burgers anddogs and set up a food line to include baked beans, mac& cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, a variety of baggedchips with ice tea, lemonade and water. Brownies with icecream and toppings rounded out our meal for dessert.Those attending, from infants to the more mature, sharedsmiles, much laughter and some hugs with each other.For all of us preparing and serving this meal for ourcommunity, our hearts were full seeing all come, eat, andenjoy this time with each other. We received back muchmore than we put in. “Thank yous” were heardthroughout our time together with many expressing whata wonderful way to spend time together with a good mealand conversation.Our heartfelt thanks to Thrivent for the funds provided toprovide this meal for our neighbors.Bethesda, Moorheadarticle by Cathy Stephensfrom the Synod news magazine...03FAITHTODAY

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06FAITHTODAY address the empty pulpits that are prevalent in every synod across the country. Hearing fromour TEIL (Theological Education for Indigenous Leaders) team, churchwide, from professors,etc., gave me hope in a church that is looking at the future and finding a way to continuedoings God’s work in the world with the resources that are already sitting in the pews.I was already very glad for the TEEM (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries) programbecause I don’t have an undergrad degree and there was no way that I would have beenable to uproot my life to go to college for four years and then seminary for another 3-4 yearsfull time. But I learned from this conference that TEEM & TEIL are both so much more thanthat. I was able to connect with people from around the country and people who come fromaround the world. Hearing amazing faith stories that helped inspire me to better serve mycommunity.At the conference we looked into what the future holds for us as a church and how educationfits with that vision. The overall thoughts that I took away from the speakers during the eventwas that the way that we used to do things is no longer working, and what can we dodifferently. Of course, we have TEEM and TEIL but churchwide is also looking at ways tomake things easier and more approachable to synod call staff to process candidates, howeducation today does not have to look the way that it did 10 to 20 years ago, andencouraged us to challenge the status quo of the church so that the Spirit might lead thechurch into greener pastures. Putting our trust in Jesus that he guides our faith into thefuture.I thank St. John’s in Dunlap as well as the Synod for allowing me the opportunity to visit PLTSand get to know some of the people that I will be connecting with over the next few years. Ialso want to thank Dr. Moses for arranging the conference filled with great speakers.Some Thoughts on the PLTS Fall Conferenceby Vicar HopkinsRecently Vicar Cece (from Essex), Pastor Chip and Iwent out to Berkley, Californa, for the fall conference atPLTS. The theme of the conference was “TheologicalEducation and Future Church”. Over the several dayswe were there we got to see what the ELCA is doing to

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Workshop DatesGrandparents: Oct. 1 @ 10 a.m. & Oct. 24 @ 7 p.m.Sign-up link: https://forms.gle/G9RJoAsiaS2eDRb5AParents: Oct. 9 @ 1 p.m. & Nov. 7 @ 7 p.m.Sign-up link: https://forms.gle/yTHM2nLTqHAen3fJATriple-A-Adults: Oct. 15 @ 1p.m. & Nov. 21 @ 7 p.m.Sign-up link: https://forms.gle/cquYGZvJ4mt9pasi6Welcome!Learn to be that grandparent who is remembered for your faith and life! Didyou know that faith is CAUGHT more than it is TAUGHT? Everything kidsdo at church is great. Even greater is what your grandkids see, hear, andsense about your faith. You play a vital role in shaping the faith of yourgrandkids! Please join us for one of our upcoming workshops. If you live nearby or arefar away from your grandchildren, you will learn... · Five faith practices · Ten intentional fun ways to share your faith and life · Learn from other grandparents’ faith ideas · How to receive and use weekly resources Who is the primary faith influencer for your children's faith? - You are!Worship, camps, youth groups, and Sunday school all are good! But, notnearly as influential as your own conversations, rituals and traditions andfaith practices. Your home is church too! Fear not! Sharing faith can be fun and easily woven into your normal liferoutines. Please join us for one of our upcoming workshops. You will learn… · Five faith practices · Ten intentional fun ways to share your faith and life · How to partner your home with your church · Learn from other parents’ faith ideas · How to receive and use weekly resources Whether it is your daily interactions while at church, over theneighborhood backyard fence, or being invited to have intentional one-to-one conversations at a coffee shop, your willingness to listen andcare is memorable and meaningful to young people. Come to thisworkshop to learn the surprises of how your life and the simplest andsmallest things influence the faith life of young people around you.Come to learn the five faith practices that are easy to model andmentor, as well as the importance of and the skills to...•become gift-namers for young people•listen more and talk less•use mentoring conversation tools to engage in deeper conversations•keep relationships in safe places, with safe people, and to have safeconversations08FAITHTODAY

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10FAITHTODAYST. JOHNST. JOHNSharing The JoySharing The JoyOf Hope NowOf Hope NowPhoto by Morgan WadsworthAll Saints Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024All Saints Sunday is always the Sunday following “All Hallows Eve” (better known asHalloween—the slang word created by fusing the three words together). All Hallows Evewas set on a pagan holiday. It was believed that on this day the dead would roam theearth. People put on masks and hid their faces in fear and in hopes of scaring off theghosts...The church placed All Saints Day on the day after “All Hallows Eve” to remind usthat we need not fear death. Through Christ we are joined to the family of God and asforgiven sinners we are given life...saints in the kingdom of God. All Saints Day is alwaysNov. 1, but All Saints Day is always celebrated on All Saints Sunday or on the first Sundayfollowing All Saints Day this year it will be Sunday, November 5th. On that day we willremember all those from St. John who have died this year and live in Christ.Wayne “Doc” MelbyPatricia HeinRita Christiansen Please keep their families in your prayers as they entrust their loved ones to the Lord and find hope in the life of Christ.

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Its hard to believe that Advent is almost here. Mark your calendars now so you canjoin us for the special worship opportunities that help prepare our hearts for thecoming of Christ at Christmas!Nov. 3—All Saints SundayNov. ?—Community-wide Thanksgiving Service; plans are in the works on this service .Dec. 1—Hanging of the Greens Worship Service 3—PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship at St. John 5—PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship at BethesdaAdvent Is Coming!!! Digital Giving for Your ChurchSimple and secure online giving Giving to your church should be meaningful, simple, and fast. That is why Tithe.lybuilt a complete set of digital giving tools for your church.You can still set up an online account. If you type in Tithe.ly and under the officialsite it will say Give to your church, click on that. Once there, Download the Tithe.lygiving app or click the “give on line” button to give. Your gift is safe/secure andgoes directly to you church. Plus, you'll be able to track all your gifts, setuprecurring and more. If you click "give online" it will ask you to set up an account. It issimple and will not take long. Or you can mail your donation to the church address: St. John Lutheran 902 Montague St. Dunlap, IA 51529. 11FAITHTODAY

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August Service Schedule12FAITHTODAYChurch Council Monthly Jobs... Thank you to everyone for serving onchurch council. Council members havesigned up to serve in the following ways.Thanks for completing these importanttasks. October Service Schedule: Snacks and Devotions: AmandaLeFebvre Offering Counters: Amanda LeFebvre &Steven WingroveNovember Service Schedule: Snacks and Devotions: Jay Petersen Offering Counters: Jay Petersen & The Lay Ministry Coordinator arranges theschedule a month in advance. Scriptures readerswill be receiving a copy of the readings in the mailsoon. Please mark your calendars and plan toserve. If you are unable to serve that day, pleasefind a replacement. Thank you for your leadership,it is greatly appreciated!!! Sincerely, Michelle Miller-Lay Ministry CoordinatorOUR LONG-TERM PRAYERS Each week we lift up each other in prayer. Sometimesthe need for prayer continues for extended periods oftime. As a church family, we care about those long-term needs. Please continue to keep these individualsand families in your prayers as they deal with longterm illnesses and life changes. Also, please keepPastor Chip and the office updated so thecongregation knows when extra prayers are needed. At BethesdaLenyce Lawrenson Chris Malone At St. John Jane GardnerArlene Eisermann Cheryl RathEllie NelsonPat Conrad OCTOBER BIRTHDAYSOCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 3 Ron Holst11 Owen Garside19 Nancy Heistand26 Justin Schaben 28 Coralynn LeFebvre30 Joyce Klein31 Luke Cripps Oct 6Greet: Michelle MillerLay Assist: Michelle MillerUsher: Jake Schaben Steve MillerAcolyte: Collins SchabenOct 13Greet: Kris PetersenRead: Kris PetersenUsher: Jay and Jake PetersenAcolyte: Harper BoysenOct 20Greet: Becky BerensLay Assist: Becky BerensUsher: Justin and Breck SchabenAcolyte: Joe SchabenOct 27Confirmation in SoldierAltar Care CommitteeChair: Susan Hein and Janet HoughAltar Colors: Green, 27th RedCommunion Dates: October 6 & 20

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BETHESDAA space for worship , discipleship and service15FAITHTODAYOCTOBER / NOVEMBEROCTOBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES:Oct 5 - Sheila Lindsey (B)Oct 8 - Brent & Julie Kuhlman (A)Oct 12 - Colleen Shol (B) Daryle Lauritsen (B)Oct 14 - Nancy DeLance(B)Oct 16 - Daryle & Deb Lauritsen (A) Cathy Stephens (B)Oct 19 - Dakota Bowman (B)Oct 20 - Joni Smith (B)Oct 26 - Darlene Bowman (B)Oct 27 - Novie Stanislav (B)October UshersRussell StanislavDonnie KochNovember UshersMike VaughnJim RainsScripture Readers:10.06 Eli Bowman10.13 Christina Haug10.20 Sharon Holverson10.27 Alan Johnson 11.03 Sam Johnson11.10 Susan Johnson11.17 Julie Kuhlman11.24 Sharon LeeLay Assistants:October-Eli BowmanNovember - Christina HaugAltar Care:October - Sharon LeeNovember- Julie KuhlmanAngie BothwellDecember - Darlene Bowman,Susan JohnsonCommunion Dates:October 6– First SundayOctober 13 - Third SundayOctober 27 - ReformationNovember 3 – First SundayNovember 17 – Third SundayAltar Colors:GreenRed 10-27

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PRAYERSWe pray for the people of God in all places. Shape our witnessto the good news of Jesus that we joyfully share yourtransforming love with all whom we encounter. Hear us, OGod. Your mercy is great.We pray for the healing of the earth. Renew oceans and seas,marshes and estuaries. Uphold the work of conservationists,oceanographers, and all who care for fragile ecosystems andhabitats. Be with those whose lives have been disrupted byHurricane Helene. Comfort those who have lost loved ones.Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.We pray for peace and cooperation among local and globalcommunities. Bless the efforts of community organizers,international aid workers, and all those who work for justiceand peace around the world. Hear us, O God. Your mercy isgreat.We pray for all who are in any need. To all who grieve, bringconsolation; to all who are weary or lonely, bring solace. Byyour grace, make your presence known among all who call toyou for healing especially Russ Klein, Harold Melby, KarenCaldwell, John Giovannetti, Kristi Little, Inge Hansen, GaryKalskett, Bill Nelson, Norman Kuhlman, Maggie Rains, NickLindsey, and those we name now in hearts or on our lips....Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.We pray for caregivers: doctors and nurses, home healthaides and counselors, and those who care for loved ones(other caregivers or individuals may be named). Sustain themin their work and help us to build a health care system thatsupports all. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.Hear the intercessions of our hearts. Hear us, O God. Yourmercy is great.We give thanks for the saints who now rest in your eternalpresence. In thanksgiving for their lives of faithful service andwitness, we commend them to your loving care. Hear us, OGod. Your mercy is great.We entrust these and all our prayers to you, holy God, in thename of your beloved child, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.Pray, and let God worry.Pray, and let God worry.Martin LutherMartin Luther17FAITHTODAYPhoto by Morgan Wadsworth

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18FAITHTODAYOCTOBEROCTOBEROCTOBER READINGSREADINGSREADINGSOCTOBER 6, 2024GENESIS 2:18-24Created for relationshipPSALM 8You crown us with glory and honor. (Ps.8:5)HEBREWS 1:1-4; 2:5-12God has spoken by a SonMARK 10:2-16Teaching on marriageOCTOBER 13, 2024AMOS 5:6-7, 10-15Turn from injustice to the poor, that youmay livePSALM 90:12-17So teach us to number our days that we mayapply our hearts to wisdom. (Ps. 90:12)HEBREWS 4:12-16Approach the throne of grace with boldnessMARK 10:17-31Teaching on wealth and rewardOCTOBER 20, 2024ISAIAH 53:4-12The suffering servantPSALM 91:9-16You have made the Lord your refuge, andthe Most High your habitation. (Ps. 91:9)HEBREWS 5:1-10Through suffering Christ becomes thesource of salvationMARK 10:35-45Warnings to ambitious disciplesOCTOBER 27, 2024JEREMIAH 31:31-34I will write my law in their hearts, saysthe LordPSALM 46The Lord of hosts is with us; the God ofJacob is our stronghold. (Ps. 46:7)ROMANS 3:19-28Justified by God’s grace as a giftJOHN 8:31-36Jesus says, Continue in my word andyou will know the truthThe law works fear and wrath; grace works hope and mercy.Martin Luther

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Fear not, for I am with you;Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.Isaiah 41:10Isaiah 41:10We would love to include your photos from the Loess Hills area. Simply email them to PastorBorgstadt@gmail.comPhoto by Morgan Wadsworth