EMBLEM May/June 2018 • 1 Emblem Bi-Monthly Newsletter of Olivet Lutheran Church, ELCA May & June 2018 SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING We will have a special congregational meeting on Sunday, May 6, 9:45 in the Fellowship Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on replacing the roof on the Fellowship Hall/Education Wing. The motion our Church Council brings is this, “The Church Coun- cil recommends that the Congregation accept the leading bid to repair the roof in fellowship hall, not to exceed $80K, with up to 50% of the cost to come from proceeds from the estate gift.” Your voice and attendance are appreciated. SUMMER CHANGES AT OLIVET We have many fun ideas and changes coming to Olivet this summer! Learn all about them below. We’re excited for warmer weather, longer days and summer worship! 2018 CONFIRMATION CLASS Congratulations to our class of 2018 confirmands! They were confirmed on Sunday, April 29 and Wednesday, May 2. Those confirmed are: Amber Adler, Carsyn Bachmeier, Tyler Balluff, Ethan Baumgartner, Tasha Branden, Rebecca Briest, Brett Cowman, Abby Dignan, Josh Gronneberg, Seth Hansen, Connor Johnson, Parker Johnson, Eli Keller, Stian Krogstad, Jack Lingle, Gracie Lingle, Hanna Millar, Mikaya Owens, Hunter Ramberg, Grace Ryland, Annika Shern, Jacob Sobolik, Emma Tennyson, Geoffrey Youngs. SUMMER WORSHIP TIMES - NEW! Thanks to the input of those that completed the congregational worship survey, we have changed the summer worship time this summer to 10 a.m. We will also hold a Bible study at 9 a.m. and hold Fellowship at 9:30 a.m. Beginning Sunday, May 27 through September 2 9 a.m. - Bible Study, Upper Room (starting June 3) 9:30 a.m. - Fellowship, Fellowship Hall 10 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary Wednesday services held at it’s regular time of 5:45 p.m. SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY Beginning Sunday, June 3, we will hold a weekly Bible study on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. in the Upper Room. We will be dis- cussing that week’s scripture. Please join us! SUNDAY NIGHT AT OLIVET - NEW! EVENING WORSHIP New this summer - Sunday evening worship every third Sunday of the month! Just getting back from the lake? Or need some time to wind down from a busy weekend? This 7 p.m. worship will be perfect for you. We’ll gather in our outdoor worship space, sing some song and worship together. Dinner served before the service. And we’ll get the bonfire going at dusk. Sunday Evening Worships Held: Sunday, June 17 Sunday, July 15 Sunday, August 19 We hope to see you there! CHILDREN’S WORSHIP AREA At Olivet, we love to have children join us in worship. Their little voices or occasional cries are a part of every day life and we welcome the sounds of children in the sanctuary. New this summer we’ll have a children’s worship area in the sanctuary during the 10 a.m. worship time. Kasi, our nursery coordinator, will be there to help provide supervision as the kids enjoy quiet toys and activities. We’d love to see your children in worship this summer! OLIVET’S HIRING - YOUTH DIRECTOR On March 15, Grant Vanderford began his pastoral internship here at Olivet. Grant has resigned his position as Youth Direc- tor to focus on his internship and his seminary studies. We are happy to say that Grant remains an important part of the ministry team at Olivet and we look forward to watching him grow and serve in his role as Pastor Intern. This means that Olivet is now hiring a full-time youth director. Olivet has put together a search committee. You can find the job description on our website or Facebook page. For more informa- tion, contact Pastor Kris Gorden ([email protected]) or Pastor Bill Boelter ([email protected]) at 235.6603.
Transcript
EMBLEM May/June 2018 • 1
EmblemBi-Monthly Newsletter of Olivet Lutheran Church, ELCA
May & June 2018
SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGWe will have a special congregational meeting on Sunday, May 6, 9:45 in the Fellowship Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on replacing the roof on the Fellowship Hall/Education Wing. The motion our Church Council brings is this, “The Church Coun-cil recommends that the Congregation accept the leading bid to repair the roof in fellowship hall, not to exceed $80K, with up to 50% of the cost to come from proceeds from the estate gift.” Your voice and attendance are appreciated.
SUMMER CHANGES AT OLIVETWe have many fun ideas and changes coming to Olivet this summer! Learn all about them below. We’re excited for warmer weather, longer days and summer worship!
2018 CONFIRMATION CLASSCongratulations to our class of 2018 confirmands! They were confirmed on Sunday, April 29 and Wednesday, May 2. Those confirmed are: Amber Adler, Carsyn Bachmeier, Tyler Balluff, Ethan Baumgartner, Tasha Branden, Rebecca Briest, Brett Cowman, Abby Dignan, Josh Gronneberg, Seth Hansen, Connor Johnson, Parker Johnson, Eli Keller, Stian Krogstad, Jack Lingle, Gracie Lingle, Hanna Millar, Mikaya Owens, Hunter Ramberg, Grace Ryland, Annika Shern, Jacob Sobolik, Emma Tennyson, Geoffrey Youngs.
SUMMER WORSHIP TIMES - NEW!Thanks to the input of those that completed the congregational worship survey, we have changed the summer worship time this summer to 10 a.m. We will also hold a Bible study at 9 a.m. and hold Fellowship at 9:30 a.m.
Beginning Sunday, May 27 through September 29 a.m. - Bible Study, Upper Room (starting June 3)9:30 a.m. - Fellowship, Fellowship Hall10 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary
Wednesday services held at it’s regular time of 5:45 p.m.
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY Beginning Sunday, June 3, we will hold a weekly Bible study on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. in the Upper Room. We will be dis-cussing that week’s scripture. Please join us!
SUNDAY NIGHT AT OLIVET - NEW!EVENING WORSHIPNew this summer - Sunday evening worship every third Sunday of the month! Just getting back from the lake? Or need some time to wind down from a busy weekend? This 7 p.m. worship will be perfect for you. We’ll gather in our outdoor worship space, sing some song and worship together. Dinner served before the service. And we’ll get the bonfire going at dusk.
Sunday Evening Worships Held:Sunday, June 17Sunday, July 15Sunday, August 19
We hope to see you there!
CHILDREN’S WORSHIP AREA At Olivet, we love to have children join us in worship. Their little voices or occasional cries are a part of every day life and we welcome the sounds of children in the sanctuary.
New this summer we’ll have a children’s worship area in the sanctuary during the 10 a.m. worship time. Kasi, our nursery coordinator, will be there to help provide supervision as the kids enjoy quiet toys and activities.
We’d love to see your children in worship this summer!
OLIVET’S HIRING - YOUTH DIRECTOROn March 15, Grant Vanderford began his pastoral internship here at Olivet. Grant has resigned his position as Youth Direc-tor to focus on his internship and his seminary studies. We are happy to say that Grant remains an important part of the ministry team at Olivet and we look forward to watching him grow and serve in his role as Pastor Intern.
This means that Olivet is now hiring a full-time youth director. Olivet has put together a search committee. You can find the job description on our website or Facebook page. For more informa-tion, contact Pastor Kris Gorden ([email protected]) or Pastor Bill Boelter ([email protected]) at 235.6603.
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by Intern Pastor Grant VanderfordPastor’s Pen
Psalm 19:1-6 (The Message)1-2 God’s glory is on tour in the skies,
God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.
3-4 Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded,But their silence fills the earth:
unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.4-5 God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome!
The morning sun’s a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed,
The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.
6 That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.
Now that Spring has finally sprung and the evenings stretch out lazily into the eight-o’clock hour, I like to spend time sitting in the chair next to our living room picture window. I toss the curtains open wide, grab one of the books I’m reading for class, and settle in. But so often, I can’t keep my focus on the reading I need to do because my eyes are drawn away from the pages and out toward the setting sun and the rolling clouds, the budding trees and greening grass, the moon peeking out of the twilight sky. And as it gets warmer outside the quicker I am to set down my reading and wander out into the wonder of my own backyard, just to be present in the fullness of the riches of God’s good creation there. The beginning of Psalm 19 helps me see that the joy I sense as I’m pulled out of myself and into creation is part of what God intends for humans: deep connection to the earth and to our surroundings. In these days of fast-paced living, it’s all-too easy for us to think that creation is something to be used, to be consumed, to burn up for our progress. This viewpoint, though, is challenged from the very start of God’s big story in Genesis 1 as God calls each piece of creation good. And, even more, we are part of that good creation, given responsibility to steward and care for all created things. So, as Spring and Summer break out all over the place in these weeks may we as individuals and as the faith community called Olivet Lutheran Church seek to care for, appreciate, and work to preserve and protect the good gifts that God has given to us in nature
Blessings,
Intern Pastor Grant Vanderford
Church Council Lifelong Learning ....Tim Rensch - President, Denise Eide, Tanya LingleParish Life/Social Outreach .............Amy Aasen - Vice President,
Missy Heilman, Lori AskewResource/Development .......................... Steve Wood - Treasurer,
Doug Reardon, Randy Bishoff, Judy Hauschulz, Pastor Kris Gorden
Worship & Witness ............................................Janice Anderson,Bob Owens, Mike Wohlfeil
Church StaffPastors .......................Kris Gorden, Tiffany Sundeen, Bill BoelterPastoral Intern....................................................Grant VanderfordParish Administrator ............................................Judy HauschulzAdministrative Assistant/Volunteer Coordinator...............Pennie KankelfitzCommunications Director ...........................................Kelly HeyerCommunications Assistant................................... Bev GravdahlParish Nurse Coordinator .......................................Brenda Bauer
Children, Youth & Family Ministry Director................Michelle ElnessHead Custodian ............................................................ Bob ElnessPart-time Custodian ...............Carter Morrau, Noah Adler, Eli Heyer, Casey AasenOlivet Choir Director, Handbell Director,Music Coordinator, and Organist.................................Marlys HerringSunday/Wednesday School Music,Choir Accompanist...............................................Andrea GreenawaltSunday/Wednesday Schoool......................................Jenica BoelterContemporary Music Director .................................. ........Jeff MeyerOlivet Joy Choir Director.............................................Carole SkalskyCherub Choir Director......................................................... Patti HallNursery Coordinator..........................................................Kasi Adler
The Emblem is published monthly for the congregation of Olivet Lutheran Church, 1330 South University Drive, Fargo, ND 58103,
701-235-6603. Articles and other materials will be accepted before 5pm on the 15th of the month prior to publication. Submit articles
UPCOMING SUMMER TRIPSWe are planning a number of trips this summer! The following is a tentative list. Additonal sows and trips may be added. Prices and more information will be available later. Mark your calendars now!
NEWSIES THE MUSICAL - JUNE 23We will be taking a trip to see Tony Award Winning musical, “Newsies” at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. We’ll be attend-ing a matinee performance and plan to return to Fargo around 8 p.m.
Newsies The Musical is a musical based on the 1992 film News-ies, which in turn was inspired by the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City.
ROUTE 66 - JULY 11On July 11, we’ll head to Frost Fire Summer Theater located in the beauti-ful Pembina River Gorge to see “Route 66”. This show features music from the 50’s and 60’s as we move along the center of America from Chicago to California.
JASPER’S THEATER - AUGUST 9It’s always a fun time when we head to Jasper’s Theater in Park Rapids. And no trip to Jasper’s would be complete without one of our favorite stops at the Y-Steak House.
LAKE OF THE WOODS FISHING RETREATWHEN: June 6-10Come up to Lake of the Woods Bible Camp for a fantastic long weekend of fishing and a host of other activities. We’re gonna have a great time, great fishing, and great fellowship. Early in the week we’ll have work days to help spruce up the camp and do some repairs. Come for the whole time or for which days work for you. WHO: Everyone! Women, men, boys, girls! Come on your
own, or as a group.COST: Approximate, $75 for adults, $35 for 18 and underREGISTER: In the church office or on-line at olivet.orgQUESTION: Pastor Kris Gorden, 235-6603, [email protected] Mark Magness, 701-361-3128 or mags.magness@
gmail.com. BOAT NOT REQUIRED! Resort rentals are available, or we mayalso have room in other boats. Transportation is on your own.
MOTHER’S DAY PROGRAM - MAY 13On May 13 our Sunday and Wednesday school children will present a program for mothers and grandmothers and eveyone else in the Sanctuary between services. Everyone is welcome - please make plans to be there!
EDUCATION LEADERS APPRECIATIONOn Sunday, May 13, the entire congregation of Olivet will have the opportuity to show their thanks, appreciation and gratitude to the Sunday/Wednesday School teachers, and Confirmation leaders who have shared their time and talents with the youth of our church this past year. During both worship services, these leaders will be recognized. This will be your opportunity to say thank you to the people who have planted and nourished the seeds of faith in our children. Please join us at these special services.
MUSIC SUNDAY - MAY 13You won’t want to miss worship on Sunday, May 13 as it is Music Sunday! Our adult and children’s choirs, brass and Celebrate! Band will lead us in worship.
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR RECOGNITIONOn Sunday, May 20, we will be recognizing Olivet’s high school graduates during worship and with a breakfast for family members in the Fellowship Hall at 9:45 a.m. Congratuations to: Noah Adler, Xander Boelter, Dylan Branden, Aeyana Buchanan, Emmy Burtsfield, Lauren Cain, Ethan Campbell, Adam Dufner, Cole Fergen, Kiana Gilbraith, Andy Gravdahl, Paige Hennebry, Rebekah Koch, Tanner Nester, Hannah Rosenberg, Ana Claire Rue, Alyssa Stutlien, Grace Witschonke.
THANK YOU FROM KANKELFITZ FAMILYThank you to Bob Monson and the generous people of Olivet for donations to Pennie’s gas fund as she travels back and forth to be with Dave in Minneapolis.
VBS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!Would you like to help with Vacation Bible School? Adults, high school and middle schoolers are needed to help lead our pre-K through 5th graders during the Vacation Bible School week. Email Michelle Elness if you are interested at [email protected]. Join us for the fun!
QUILTER RECOGNITION - MAY 6Quilts made by the Olivet quilters, pillowcase dresses and baby quilts will be displayed Sunday, May 6 (a week earlier than usual) to accommodate getting them to the Lutheran World Relief truck the following week.
Several quilts will be sold at silent auction again this year. They will be displayed May 6 and 13, with bids accepted until the second service on the 13th.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO:• All who gave to our annual Stock Sales fundraiser!• Parents and students who helped with Lenten Dinners• To Jenica Boelter, Kelsey Elness & Taylor Trager for teaching
Sunday School Too. • To Jane Lean and Bill Pallasch for making the Sanctuary and
building so beautiful for Lent and Easter.• To the Olivet Quilters, Circles and all who participated in
Operation Love.
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Congregational Life
OPERATION LOVEForty nine ladies attended Operation Love April 4th. Everyone en-joyed muffins, juice and coffee upon their arrival before getting to work tying quilts, assembling and boxing up kits and trimming stamps. The number of kits assembled were: 1 sewing kit, 24 baby kits, 19 school kits and 12 personal care kits. Many used stamps were trimmed and delivered to the Sons of Norway. They will be shipped to Norway where they are repackaged and sold to collectors as a fund raiser. Stamps should have about an 1/2 inch margin or more around stamp to keep perforation around stamp intact. The morning concluded with a salad luncheon.
LAWN AND LANDSCAPE: SPRING CLEAN-UPSpring is finally here and it’s time to clean up the church grounds and begin some landscaping projects. Join us Saturday, May 5 at 8:30am in the atrium for coffee & donuts, followed by working outside. Everyone is welcome! We plan to be done by noon if we have enough volunteers (ideally 40). If you can’t attend the entire time, you’re welcome to come when you can. Bring your gloves and if you have them, shovels for digging and trimmers. Please sign up in the church office if you will participate, so we can better plan & manage the workload. We’ll start planting the end of May, and most plants and trees are donated. Perhaps you can’t partic-ipate in Spring Clean-up but still want to contribute to beautifying the church grounds. If so, we welcome any donations for future plants and trees.
THE SHAPE OF WORSHIP Have you ever wondered why our worship is structured the way it is? Or maybe you’ve pondered why pastors do some things in a worship service and congregation members do others? May-be you just want to know a bit more about what makes worship, well…WORSHIP!?!?
Join us for a study called The Shape of Worship! Olivet’s Pastoral Intern, Grant Vanderford, wrote this study based on his January Independent Study research.
Tuesday, May 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m., The Shape of Worship: GatherTuesday, May 8, 5:30-6:30 p.m., The Shape of Worship: WordTuesday, May 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m., The Shape of Worship: MealMonday, May 21, 5:30-6:30 p.m., The Shape of Worship: Send
Led by: Grant Vanderford, Olivet’s Pastoral Intern & Rev. Dr. Thomas Schattauer, Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Liturgics at Wartburg Theological Seminary.
Please sign up by calling the church office at 701-235-6603, put-ting your name on the sign-up sheet at the front desk, or by email-ing Grant ([email protected]) or calling/texting him at 218-849-0907.
FOOD PANTRY UPDATE...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven. ~Matthew 5:16
Our Olivet family certainly has shone a light for others and glorified God through the work done in the Olivet Food Pantry. We praise God for providing volunteers, generous donations, and the oppor-tunity to serve others in such a meaningful way. Here are some updates from the pantry:
1. Our little pantry grew very popular in the month of February, jumping from serving 89 families in January to 139 in February. In one week, we gave out over 2000 pounds of food! It quickly became clear that we were not going to be able to serve people at that capacity. In order to ensure we have enough food and vol-unteers to serve others, we made adjustments to the number of weeks we are open. Starting in May, we will be open the first and third Mondays of each month. 2. We reached out to our friends at Nativity Catholic Church and will soon work with a handful of new volunteers.3. We have begun receiving “food rescue” items from local gro-cery stores and bakeries, which helps fill our fridges with milk and freezers with meat. 4. While we are able to purchase food items at a low cost from the Great Plains Food Bank, the types of items available each month varies. We rely on the generosity of our congregation and the com-munity to help with items such as: pasta sauce, peanut butter, jelly, butter, toilet paper, and baby products.
We sincerely thank all of you who have donated food or money to the food pantry ministry. We are especially grateful for our volun-teers. We truly have the BEST volunteer team!
~Food Pantry Coordinators Lori Bakken, Kris Reardon, and Kim Rensch
USHER TEAM LEADERS NEEDEDWorship services at Olivet would not be the same without all of our wonderful volunteers! From getting communion prepared and served, to greeting visitors and guests, to serving coffee and ush-ering. Your help is so appreciated. To help make this process go smoothly, we are asking for Usher Team Leaders. Team leaders would be in charge of arranging for ushers for 1 month out of the year. You can pick the month you’d like to lead and arrange for your friends and families to help usher that month. If you are in-tersted in helping us out, please contact Pennie at 235-6603 or [email protected].
HOUSTON ELCA YOUTH GATHERINGDid you know that Olivet is sending a group of 50 students and adults to Hous-ton this summer for the ELCA Youth Gath-ering? The group leaves on Saturday, June 23 and returns home Monday, July 2. Please keep them in your prayers as they experience 10 days of worship, ser-
vice and fellowship - an adventure of a lifetime! Thank you to all those who support our students with stock sale donations. Many of them use the dollars they raised to help cover the expensives of this trip. We’ll have a send-off for the group on Sunday, June 17.
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLEThe Olivet Foundation provides scholarships to Olivet members attending any of the ELCA colleges. Students are eligible to receive $100 per year for up to four years. The guidelines to qualify are:• Students are eligible the 4 school years after high school
graduation.• The applicant must be a full-time student, and they must attend
the qualifying school continuously during the 4 year period.• Applications must be submitted by August 1 each year.• Some schools offer to match these amounts. Check with your
college for match deadlines.Applications are available in the church office.
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Congregational LifeYEAR-TO-DATE FINANCIALSOlivet is off to a strong start for the year. Income has exceeded our budgeted expectations by $46,054. Some of this is thanks to new activity through the Olivet App. Expenses have been able to stay under budget thanks to no unexpected repairs or costs.
To date, $9,058 has be contributed for the mortgage payoff. We will be making monthly principal payments for these contribu-tions.
Thanks to all of you who continue to support Olivet through your generous gifts!
OLIVET INTERACT SERVICE: TEXT TO AUDIO INSTRUCTIONSThis service is for those who are hearing impaired. It translates the services from audio into text. You may use your personal device or see the council member on duty or Bob/Tyann Owens, Lori Bakken, or Brenda Bauer to use an Olivet device or for help in setting up this program.Instructions:Get on Olivet WiFiGo to speechgear.cloudapp.netLogin in to OlivetPassword is 123456
NEW FACEBOOK GROUPIn addition to our current Facebook page, we have started a Facebook group. Both the page and the group are essential com-munication tools that we use to keep you up-to-date on all the latest happenings at Olivet. Why two? The Facebook Page is for our internal Olivet member and also for the community. It is our way or sharing things about our church that are of interest to the community and to tell our story to potential new members. The Facebook Group is for Olivet member or regular Olivet attend-ees. On this group, we will post volunteer needs, annual meeting, special requests, etc. Be sure to be a member of both our Facebook page and our Facebook group! For the group, go to Facebook and search: Olivet Lutheran Church Group. For the Facebook Page: facebook.com/olivetlutheran
DOWNLOAD THE OLIVET APP!Olivet now has an app for your mobile devices! You will have access to Olivet’s calendar of events, contact information, staff bios, and mobile giving - all at your fingertips. Be sure to sign up for push notifications through the app and you’ll receive notifications to remind you of important upcoming events. It’s easy to download - text “Olivet App” to 77977. Then click on the link sent to you and follow instructions. If you’re experiencing issues, please contact Kelly Heyer at [email protected].
PRAYER CHAINWould you like to be apart of a weekly prayer chain? On Mon-days we email you a list of people to lift up in prayer. To sign-up, contact Pastor Tiffany at [email protected]. END OF YEAR LOCK-IN
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend the night in the church?! We will be holding our annual lock-in for middle and high school students on Friday, June 1. We’ll have lots activites planned - watch for more details coming soon!
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Congregational LifeLIBRARY NEWS MAY/JUNE 2018Recent additions to the Olivet Library....
Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah HeiligmanDrawing on the 658 letters Vincent wrote to Theo during his lifetime, the author weaves a tale of two lives intertwined and the love of the Van Gogh brothers. ( Art History)
Say Goodbye for Now by Catherine Ryan Hyde.In a heavily segregated community of 1959 Texas, a 12-year-old white boy befriends a black boy. Only trouble can follow. A sen-timental yet heartwarming novel of transgression and redemption.
Ants Among Elephants: An Untouchable Family and Making of Modern India by Sujatha Gidla.A firsthand account of the lives of people categorized as the low-est of the low in India's caste system.
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...and Maybe the World by William H. McRaven. Sometimes the simple act of making your bed can give you the lift you need to start your day and provide you the satisfaction to end it right.
Angels Walking by Karen Kingsburg.Fans of this Christian fiction writer will enjoy this book, along with the other two in the series, Chasing Sunsets and Brush of Wings. The Library has all three titles.
Money and Possessions by Walter Brueggemann.The author explores the recurring theme of money and posses-sions in the Old and New Testaments and advises us to reassess the ways in which our society engages—or does not engage—questions of money and possessions as carriers of social possibility. He invites the church to move toward an alternative neighborly economy that is more consistent with the gospel we confess. ( Excerpt from John Knox Press website)
I Matter and I Can Handle it! By Laurie Wright.Two books in the Mindful Mantras series. Mindful Mantras’s books equip children, ages 4-8, with necessary skills to help them deal with everyday anxieties.
Plus many more for all ages. Come in, browse, and check out a book. Enjoy a good read.
SUMMER WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: PRAYERIn Summer 2018, Anna Madsen will present a three-part study on prayer. Anna Madsen a freelance theologian and proud mama to daughter, Else, and son, Karl. She works with OMG: Center for Theological Conversation (omgcenter.com) and enjoys seeing the occasional moose and bear in their woods.
June 19: Session one: the paradoxes of prayer (1 Samuel 12:16-23) (Martha Circle-set up/clean up, 4 dozen muffins, OJ)Called to pray, but for what purpose? Can we persuade God with prayer? Do we actually encounter God in prayer? Is the practice of prayer intended for the sake of the one praying or for the One to whom we pray? The Bible references all of these scenarios; however, each comes with biblical, theological and practical questions. In this first session on prayer, we’ll investigate the paradoxical truths of this spiritual practice.
July 17: Session two: the practices of prayer (Psalm 19:14) (Miriam Circle- set up/clean up, 4 dozen muffins, OJ)Jesus taught us how to pray by way of the Lord’s Prayer. But both in Scripture and in the Christian tradition, people of faith have developed a wide variety of ways to come before God. In this session, we’ll look at different ways to pray, what each might offer and how knowing an array of prayer styles can enrich our devotional life.
August 17: Session three: the products of prayer (Romans 8:26-28) (Priscilla Circle- set up/clean up, 4 dozen muffins, OJ)It is indeed true that many results of prayer are intangible—and even impossible—to discern. But it is also true that prayer can demonstrably change the brain, reduce stress levels and, some studies say, appear to correlate to otherwise inexplicable healing in those for whom people have prayed. In the final session of this series, we will investigate the effects of prayer personally, communally and on the mission of the church.
THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY SERIESOn Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., Pastor Bill Boelter will lead a Bible Study on the three texts assigned for the following Sunday. The goal of the study is two-fold: to examine the background and underlying message of each lesson and attempt to see the connections among them. All are invited. The study may be of special interest to the lectors who read the lessons at worship. Each week’s study is separate from the next which means you can benefit even if you can’t be present each week. Questions: Pastor Bill at 235-6603.
THANK YOU SHARON HELEY! Thank you to Sharon Heley, for her many years of service and leadership in Olivet’s worship band. We are going to miss seeing you in the band! Sharon’s last day with the band will be on Music Sunday - May 13. Please give her a big thank-you when you see her.
Easter 2018
2018 MAY FRIENDSHIP DAYYou are invited to Church Women United’s 2018 May Friendship Day: Reaching for Wholeness in Gratitude for God’s Presence.To be held at First Congregational UCC Church at 1101 17th Ave S., Fargo on Friday, May 4 at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Childcare is provided.
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CommunityPRISCILLA SHIRER BIBLE STUDYTuesdays, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Begins June 5 Discerning the Voice of God - How to Recognize When God Speaks.This is a 7-week study beginning on Tuesday, June 5. There is a workbook which can be purchased by Life Day or at a Christian book store. You may sign up by May 18 to have one ordered for you. If questions, please contact Elaine at 367-4633.
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Children’s MinistriesVACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Monday, June 4-Thursday, June 79-11:30 a.m.
(preschoolers who attendedSunday or Wednesday School - 5th Grade)
VBS REGISTRATION:Online - Now Open!
ADULTS & OLDER YOUTH:Interested in helping with VBS?
CAMP EMMAUS BIBLE CAMPHalf Pint Days (K-2nd grade) ......................................................................................................................................................... $35.00 June 22Half Pint Days (K-2nd grade) ...........................................................................................................................................................$35.00 July 13
Come have one of your first experiences at camp! You will get a chance to meet some of our summer staff, worship, learn about God’s Word, play games, and create arts and crafts all while seeing what camp is like! Our day together starts at 10:30am and ends at 4:30pm with lunch and a snack included. So bring a friend and spend a day at camp together!
Pint Plus (1st-3rd grade/adult) ...................................................................................... $100.00 (youth pay/adult free) June 17-18, July 22-23Pack your sleeping bag, your suitcase and your favorite adult for an overnight at camp! This program offers a chance for 1st-3rd grade campers and their adults to pack all the fun and adventure of camp into 24 hours. They will get a chance to stay in a cabin, worship, play games and find out what camp is all about together! This is a great program to get more comfortable and familiar with camp. Due to rooming, we ask that females bring females and males bring males.
Elementary Mini (2nd-3rd grade)............................................................................................................................................... $225.00 July 8-10Elementary Mini (3rd-4th grade)...............................................................................................................................................$225.00 July 11-13
Would you like more of an introduction into a camp week? This half week program could be a great fit! Campers will spend two nights and three days living in a cabin with others their age and under the care of a trained and responsible staff. They will get a chance to worship, play games, go swimming, have campfire, make arts and crafts and more! Come get more of a glimpse of the camp community!
Elementary Juniors (4th-5th grade) ...................................................................................................................................... $270.00 July 124-27Check out our new 4th-5th grade program! Come spend 4 days & 3 nights at camp hanging out with kids and awesome counselors. You will play crazy games, sing camp songs, swim, learn more about God and eat lots of yummy food! This is a great program for those who are ready for more than the mini experience but not quite ready for a full week of camp.
Elementary Classic (4th-5th grade) ....................................................................................................................................... $365.00 June 10-15All 4th and 5th graders will have a blast during this full week of camp! Join us for a week filled with meeting new kids your age, hanging with a counselor all week and learning more about God. In this time together you will also get a chance to stay in a tent one night, roast marshmallows, challenge yourself on our low ropes course, sing your favorite bible camp songs and play those wacky camp games!
Note: Camp Emmaus dates are for children entering the grades listed in the fall. Registration details and forms are available online at www.PathwaysBibleCamps.org. You are responsible for sending your registration directly to Pathways. Transportation to the camp is not provided. Carpooling can be arranged shortly before the dates that you attend. Questions? Call Michelle at 235-6603; or email at [email protected]!
LET’S GET AMPED!Get ready to live life like Jesus is alive - because he is! Be part of a bigger story, live like Jesus is with you. Get ready to be AMPED! Join us for Vacation Bible School this summer, June 4-7 from 9-11:30 a.m. We’ll play games, do crafts, learn about
how Jesus is with us and have a lot of fun! Registration is now open at www.olivet.org or call the church office at 235-6603 for more details.
First Communion Class and 5th Grade ConfirmationSolomon Anderson Christian Baumgartner Nora Benson Christian Boelke Sutton Bruggeman Lily Burow Carson Cantler Madysin Espeseth Andrew Hanson Blaze Johnson
Hunter Kuppich Eleanor Lindquist Lucas Lyson Mason Nester Lena Nielsen Griffin Olson Porter Rokke Nick Shirley Colten Spiewak Ashton Tvedton Breck Wilson
Reagan Wilson Lynnzee Wold
Student Ministries
9 EMBLEM May/June 2018
COOKING SCHOOL THIS SUMMERJuly 9-12 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.Come and learn basic cooking skills and kitchen safety with Grant and friends! It’s a lot of fun and you’ll get to eat delicious food. :)
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BREAKFASTSunday, May 20, 9:45 a.m.High school seniors and families--you are invited to the Senior Breakfast on Sunday, May 20 at 9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Graduation is a special time for you, and we’d like to take the time to honor you, and to say congratulations from your friends at Olivet. Please RSVP to the church office at 235.6603. Thank you!
TWO-DAY MYSTERY TRIPAugust 1 & 2 for Middle and High School StudentsWe will depart early on Wednesday, August 1 in a coach bus and travel to several exciting locations and activities that you are sure to LOVE! Bring your friends and don’t miss out! Cost is $100. Please sign up in the church office by July 15.
VBS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!Would you like to help with Vacation Bible School? High school and middle schoolers are needed to help lead our pre-K through 5th graders during the Vacation Bible School week. Email Mi-chelle Elness if you are interested at [email protected]. Join us for the fun!
BEST WISHES TO TAYLOR TRAGER!Thank you to Taylor Trager, our college intern, for her service and dedication to our Children’s ministry program this past school year. Taylor is graduating from Concordia College Nursing pro-gram this month and will be moving to the Mpls. area. She and Adam Kolling (former college intern) are engaged to be married at Olivet in August. Please keep them in your prayers and they begin their new life together. Thank you, Taylor, for your pa-tience, hard work, caring, teaching, and all the craft projects. You will be missed.
Aubrie HeyerKatie HoppTricia HoppMelissa JohnsonBekah KochEmily (Korman) HenningKatie Korman Jessica LarsonKatelyn LarsonGracie LingleJack Lingle Aiden Lundblad Lisa MaloyHalle MaloyHannah MillarMiranda Morgan Connie RokkeGrace Ryland Kajsa SimsKara SkarpholShannon SpiewakTaylor TragerGrant VanderfordAbigail Von Bank
PRAYERS FOR YOUTH GATHERING CREWOlivet is sending 50 students and leaders to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, TX. Please keep the following students and leaders in your prayers:Leaders:Grant VanderfordPastor Tiffany SundeenKelly HeyerAmy AasenDeNae MillarTrudy BoelterMary GriffinKasi AdlerEric HeyerAdam KollingCarmen KellerCheri KochMiranda MorganTyann OwensKaia Hassel
CANCER CARE GROUPThursday May 3, 3 p.m.Last session until Fall 2018Join us for an informal gathering of person and family members who face cancer. Come to receive support and come to give support. Members and non members are welcome.Refreshments provided.
For more information on Parish Health Programs contact Deacon Parish Nurse Brenda at 235-6603 ext 23 or email her at [email protected]!
FOOT CAREA foot care program is offered through Olivet Parish Health. The cost is $25 to All Health Home Care and $5 to Olivet Lutheran. It includes a foot assessment, soak, trimming of nails, care of nail beds, exfoliation, and option of a paraffin wax treatment. Appointments are needed. Upcoming dates are: May 14, 16, and 21 and June 11, 20, and 25.
NEW OLIVET VISITORS RECOGNIZEDOn Sunday, May 6 Olivet will lift up those who have completed the training to serve in the area of visitation. These members have completed approximately 20 hours of training and will continue either as an Olivet Visitor (assigned to specific individuals) or use these skills informally in their life. We lift up: Jane Lean, Bruce Hummel, Phyllis Hummel, Pat Olson, Jo Scholberg, and Michelle Nielsen. Please keep these individuals in your prayers as they serve others through compassion and caring.
PLEASE NOTEDeacon Nurse Brenda will be gone from June 26 until July 5.
“GOOD GRIEF” BOOK CLUB SERIESWednesdays at 6:30 p.m. (Meets weekly during May)
Has a loved one died or have you experienced a major loss in your life? Olivet invites you to take part in a book study based on the classic book, “Good Grief”. It is an easy book to read, but helps
those grieving to understand the emotions and affects of grief. Members and non-members are invited to share in this study. Books are available by contacting Deacon-Nurse Brenda.
KITCHEN CREW TASK FORCEJoin the Olivet Kitchen Crew Task Force on Thursday, May 24 and June 28 from 1-3 p.m.
MILITARY RECOGNITIONOlivet has formed a task force to honor and recognize our mili-tary personal(past and present). We are especially seeking out at present the names of those who have served in World War II. Our hope is to honor those persons who served during World War II and are still living at our Memorial Service on Wednesday, May 30th. Please submit names of members who have served to Dea-con Brenda with the following information: name, dates of service, branch – rank in service. It is our hope during this coming year to gather all names of those who have served or are serving pres-ently.
The task force is also asking for individuals to help with the honor gift for the veterans. We presently are in need of crocheters and knitters willing to make this a possibility. Supplies will be provided. Contact Kay Bakken at 701-630-1434 if you can assist.
MEMORIAL SERVICEWednesday, May 30 at 5:45 p.m.Join us for a special service of Remembrance and Hope. During the service we share a message of hope and lift up symbols of hope and resurrection. We will recognize the service of those who have served in the military. Watch for Notices at worship explain-ing more details. We especially invite those who are grieving the death of a loved one. There will be a special activity at the end of the worship service.
BABYSITTING CLASSThursday, June 7 from 12:30-5 p.m.Are you interested in being a babysitter? We invite ages 11+, or grandma’s and grandpa’s to attend Olivet’s Babysitting Course. Youth must take the Home Alone Course prior to attending the babysit-ting class. Cost to attend is $15. Included is a Babysitting Manual. Sign up at the church office or email to [email protected] to register.
HOLY WEEK BLOOD DRIVE SUCCESSFULOlivet had an amazing Holy Week Blood Drive. 42 units were collected from 33 donors and 41 attempted donors. We had a great crew of volunteers. This was an amazing gift of life shared for those in need. Olivet’s next blood drive is Wednesday, August 22.
BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS IN THE PARISH HEALTH OFFICEMay 13 – Mother’s Day & June 10“Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord is giving you.
As Mother’s and Father’s Days approach I invite you to honor your parents in a different way. Encourage them to have their blood pressure checked at Olivet. High blood pressure can be a silent killer making persons at risk for heart problems or a stroke. A simple gift is to ask your parent to have their blood pressure checked. It could be that your suggestion may enable them to live a healthy, long life.
HOME ALONE CLASSWednesday June 6, 12:30–5 p.m.Youth ages 10+ are encouraged to take part in a course which gives them skills to be home alone. Sign up is in the church office or email [email protected]. Included are presentations by fire, ambulance, and police personal. Cost is $15. Those taking the babysitting course must attend prior to taking the babysitting course.
EMBLEM May/June 2018 u 11
MilestonesStatistics for events from March 1-April 28, 2018
Memorials / HonorsCHOIRIn memory of Judith Hofrenning from Connie Price.
RADIOIn memory of Dale Vitalis from Eleanor Infeld and Bob & Gail Monson.
In memory of Margaret Wasche from Corinne Zimmerman.
BUILDING FUNDIn memory of Bob Olafson from Dan & Amy Aasen.
In memory of Dale Vitalis from Dane & Amy Aasen.
LIBRARY FUNDIn memory of Dale Vitalis from Gary & Joyce Westerholm.
In memory of Dorothy Jordet from Gary & Joyce Westerholm.
In memory of Tom McGeehan from Bruce & Linda Hoefs, Gelaine Orvik, Mike Palmer, Bobbi Carney, Shelley Lesteberg, Sharon Hoverson, Jeanette Boelter, Kathy Shark, Marge Lorentzen, Judie Lee.
BaptismsMarch 25 - Vance Molstre, son of Michael & Allison MolstreMarch 25 - Isabel Collins, daughter of Adam & Nicole CollinsMarch 25 - Chloe Refling, daughter of Steve & Kimberly ReflingApril 1- Luke Soland, son of Brian & Anna SolandApril 15- Maksim Leslie, son of Robert & Melissa Leslie
FuneralsMarch 20 - Thomas McGeehanApril 16 - Lee Frigen
PARISH NURSE FUNDIn memory of Arlene Peterson from Duane & Ardyce Bergeson, Phyllis Wilson, Ivy Peterson.
In memory of Dale Vitalis from Ella Borge and Angie Patch.
SEMINARY FUNDIn memory of Arlene Peterson from Alice Jondahl.
In memory of Howard Smedshammer from Dean & Carol Ferguson.
In memory of Jimmie Low from Dean & Carol Ferguson.
MISC. FUNDSIn honor of Lynn Melby’s 90th birthday from Galeyn Thompson.
Hymnals in memory of Arlene Peterson from DeWayne Peterson.
For Jeremiah Project in memory of Tom McGeehan from Barb Bibelheimer
CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL NOTESSeveral new voices have joined the Olivet Congregation Council. At the meeting of the congregation in February, Lori Askew and Denise Eide were elected to three-year terms on the council as John Campbell and Maria Rue completed their terms of service on Olivet’s governing body. The council is grateful for the years of service, the collective wisdom, and good humor that John and Maria brought to the table. And the council is excited to welcome Lori and Denise and the gifts that they bring to our work.
Assignments have been made to the various commissions. Serving on the Executive Commission are Tim Rensch (president), Amy Aasen (vice president), Michael Wohlfeil (secretary), and Steve Wood (treasurer). Composition of the other commissions is as follows:• Parish Life and Social Outreach: Amy Aasen, Lori Askew, Missy Heilman• Worship & Witness Commission: Janice Anderson, Bob Owens, Michael Wohlfeil • Lifelong Learning Commission: Denise Eide, Tanya Wrigley-Lingle, Tim Rensch• Resource Development Commission: Randy Bishoff, Doug Reardon, Steve Wood
Each of the commissions meets monthly as does the church council. Members of the congregation are welcome to attend meetings of the commissions and to attend meetings of the congregational council. The council at Olivet is an active and dedicated group, committed to ensuring that Olivet is fulfilling its mission and has the resources to accomplish that mission. At its March meeting, which was a retreat for all council members and staff, much of the focus centered on clarifying and refining the goals for Olivet’s strategic plan.Currently the council is wrestling with approaches to enhance the use of technology in its various programs, including the mobile app and online giving; focusing on the search for a staff member in youth ministry, improving the numerous special events of the congregation, analyzing the results of the recently completed worship survey, seeking ways to enrich the experience of intern pastor Grant Vanderford, and exploring mechanisms for funding the replacement of the roof and improved audio/video equipment in Fellowship Hall and the sanctuary. Tentatively, a meeting of the congregation is scheduled for May 6 to seek approval for replacement of the roof. Speak with any of the council members if you have suggestions or comments.
Olivet Lutheran Church May 2018Mother’s Day, Music Sunday, Quilter’s Sunday, Memorial Day, Senior Recognition
Olivet Lutheran Church June 2018Vacation Bible School, Fishing Retreat, Father’s Day, Youth Gathering Departs*Please note - beginning June 1 the building will close at 1 p.m. on Fridays through Labor Day.
