ORFORDVILLE LUTHERAN CHURCH Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. 210 N. Main Street, Orfordville, WI 53576 Office Phone #: (608) 879-2575 Office Email: [email protected]Pastor Andy’s Phone #: (608) 886-0546 Pastor Andy’s Email: [email protected]NEWSLETTER – MARCH 2017 FROM PASTOR ANDY TWITON: “Tax collectors and sinners were all crowding around to listen to Jesus. So the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses started grumbling, ‘This man is friendly with sinners. He even eats with them.’” – Luke 15:1-2 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, As we begin March, we begin the season of Lent. This season of repentance and reflection calls us back to what’s most important. During Lent, we will have extra opportunities to worship on Wednesday nights, and I invite all of you to consider how you can use this season to refocus on your relationship with God. One of the joys of the past month has been an adult book study on Eating Your Way Through Luke’s Gospel by Robert J. Karris. Lee Bohnhoff and Tony Ends did an excellent job of leading the group, and I enjoyed popping into the conversation after Sunday School. One of my takeaways from the book is that so much of Jesus’ ministry was a meal -fellowship. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is often gathered around food with people. As Karris says, “In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is either going to a meal, at a meal, or coming from a meal” (pg. 97). It makes sense because food is so important in our everyday lives. We gather around food with family and friends. On important days like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and birthdays, we often gather people together to celebrate with food. Since Jesus’ ministry was a meal-fellowship, it makes sense that Christ’s church continues to be a meal- fellowship, in a way. Each Sunday we gather around the Lord’s Supper and continue Jesus’ ministry. And we gather around food at other times. During Lent, for example, we will gather for soup suppers every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Another takeaway from the book was that Jesus’ meal-fellowship was inclusive. In fact, many people thought he was too inclusive at his table. In the passage from Luke 15 above, the Pharisees grumble about Jesus’ welcoming sinners, about eating with the wrong sorts of people. I wonder: as disciples of Christ, how can we make our meal-fellowship like his? If Christ is our example, we might be surprised by who Jesus invites to the table with us. Likewise, if we are afraid that some sin can come between us and God, remember that Jesus likes to eat with sinners. May Christ guide us, and may Christ meet us at the table! Your brother in Christ, Pastor Andy Twiton
Transcript
ORFORDVILLE LUTHERAN CHURCH Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
“Tax collectors and sinners were all crowding around to listen to Jesus. So the Pharisees and the teachers of
the Law of Moses started grumbling, ‘This man is friendly with sinners. He even eats with them.’” – Luke 15:1-2
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we begin March, we begin the season of Lent. This season of repentance and reflection calls us back to what’s
most important. During Lent, we will have extra opportunities to worship on Wednesday nights, and I invite all
of you to consider how you can use this season to refocus on your relationship with God.
One of the joys of the past month has been an adult book study on Eating Your Way Through Luke’s Gospel by
Robert J. Karris. Lee Bohnhoff and Tony Ends did an excellent job of leading the group, and I enjoyed popping
into the conversation after Sunday School.
One of my takeaways from the book is that so much of Jesus’ ministry was a meal-fellowship. In the Gospel of
Luke, Jesus is often gathered around food with people. As Karris says, “In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is either going
to a meal, at a meal, or coming from a meal” (pg. 97).
It makes sense because food is so important in our everyday lives. We gather around food with family and friends.
On important days like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and birthdays, we often gather people together to celebrate with
food.
Since Jesus’ ministry was a meal-fellowship, it makes sense that Christ’s church continues to be a meal-
fellowship, in a way. Each Sunday we gather around the Lord’s Supper and continue Jesus’ ministry. And we
gather around food at other times. During Lent, for example, we will gather for soup suppers every Wednesday
at 6:00 p.m.
Another takeaway from the book was that Jesus’ meal-fellowship was inclusive. In fact, many people thought he
was too inclusive at his table. In the passage from Luke 15 above, the Pharisees grumble about Jesus’ welcoming
sinners, about eating with the wrong sorts of people.
I wonder: as disciples of Christ, how can we make our meal-fellowship like his? If Christ is our example, we
might be surprised by who Jesus invites to the table with us. Likewise, if we are afraid that some sin can come
between us and God, remember that Jesus likes to eat with sinners.
May Christ guide us, and may Christ meet us at the table!
Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Andy Twiton
HISTORY CORNER - By Lyle Amundson
Orfordville Lutheran Church will celebrate its 150th Anniversary as a congregation in 2018. In the coming
months, we will include snippets of our church’s history. Together we will celebrate God’s faithfulness to us
and our ancestors in faith!
ORFORDVILLE LUTHERAN CHURCH THROUGH THE YEARS
The Norwegian Synod was organized in 1853 at Koskonong and Luther Valley. The Norwegian Synod was
comprised of churches in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 1868 the synod name changed to the Synod for the
Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Truls Hei’s confirmation certificate, awarded by Pastor Thorvildsen in 1873, lists our church as Rock Prairie
Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. Printed by Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis.
Albert Amundson’s confirmation certificate, awarded by Pastor Kvale in 1910, lists our church as Luther
Valley Church of Orfordville.
1917 3 synods merged
Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Hauge’s Synod
United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America
and became Norwegian Lutheran Church of America
We were now the Luther Valley Norwegian Lutheran Church Orfordville, until 1946.
1946 The synod changed its name to Evangelical Lutheran Church.
We became Orfordville Lutheran Church.
1960 4 synods merged
American Lutheran Church
United Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lutheran Free Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church
to form the new American Lutheran Church
1988 3 synods merged
American Lutheran Church
Lutheran Church in America
Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches
to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
In summary, through the years we have been affiliated with Norwegian Synod, Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America Synod, Norwegian Lutheran Church of America Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church Synod,
American Lutheran Church Synod and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Synod.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
March Preaching Preview
During the month of March, we’ll continue our journey through the Gospel of Luke. Here are the upcoming
preaching texts:
Sunday, March 5th – Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-42)
Sunday, March 12th – Lament over Jerusalem (Luke 13:1-9, 31-35)
Sunday, March 19th – Lost Sheep, Coin, Son (Luke 15:1-32)
Sunday, March 26th – Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
Visit from Rev. Emily Tveite & Update from Lutheran Campus Ministry
– Sunday, March 5th OLC is a proud partner of Lutheran Campus Ministry and has been for several years.
On Sunday, March 5th, Rev. Emily Tveite will be our guest preacher and will share
an update on Lutheran Campus Ministry. High School youth and young adults are
especially encouraged to attend.
Pastor Emily Tveite began her work at Lutheran Campus Ministries of Madison in
August 2015. She was born and raised in Austin, Texas and earned her
undergraduate degree in Religion from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.
She completed her seminary studies at the Lutheran School of Theology at
Chicago. During that time, she served as Intern at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in
Vancouver, WA. The experience of working in the Pacific Northwest equipped her
for working in a climate of declining religiosity and inspired her passion for
journeying with those new to the Christian faith.
More recently, Pastor Emily served as Associate Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oregon, WI, where her
work focused on faith formation for all ages. Her husband, Paul Tveite, is a PhD candidate in Mathematics at
the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Pastor Emily enjoys cooking and eating, playing board games, and
reading. She and Paul love to travel and especially love discovering America’s National Parks.
Reformation 500 Bookfair – March 5th-19th
Our church is having a Reformation 500 Bookstore!
The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is fast approaching! Do you want to
learn more about Martin Luther, his writings, and their impact on
Christianity? Do you want to reflect on the ongoing impact of the Reformation
today? Stop by our Reformation 500 Bookstore to shop for engaging books on
the Reformation for readers of all ages and interests! Save up to 50% plus
receive free shipping on all Bookstore titles.
Stop by the Narthex of OLC on Sundays after Worship – March 5th-19th
between 10 – 11 a.m. to get fascinating books on the Reformation for you
and your family.
Our Bookstore is sponsored by Augsburg Fortress, the publishing ministry of the ELCA. The books will include
bestselling biographies like Luther the Reformer as well as an atlas of the European Reformations, a graphic
novel for young readers, and primary sources from The Annotated Luther series.
Senior Luncheon – Tuesday, March 7th at 11:30 a.m.
The Orfordville Community will be holding their monthly senior luncheon on Tuesday, March 7th. The meal will
start at 11:30 a.m. in OLC’s fellowship hall. This month’s menu will be Mini Meat Loaf, Scalloped Potatoes,
Jello Salad and Dessert. A Trivia Contest will follow the luncheon.
Soup Suppers During Lent – Wednesdays at 6:00 before Evening Services (Starting March 8th)
On Wednesdays during Lent, we’ll gather at 6:00 for a simple supper of soups and bread. There will be a sign up
sheet in the narthex for bringing food. We hope you’ll join us for some warm soup during these cold winter
months.
Wednesday Worship during Lent – “This is Most Certainly True”
2017 is the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation began by Martin Luther. During Lent, Pastor Andy
will be preaching on the Apostle’s Creed with particular attention to Martin Luther’s explanations of the Creed
in his Small Catechism. He ends each one of his explanations with “This is Most Certainly True.”
Wednesday, March 8th – “This is Most Certainly True”
Wednesday, March 15th – “I believe in God the Father”
Rev. Emily Tveite
Wednesday, March 22nd – “I believe in Jesus Christ”
Wednesday, March 29th – “I believe in the Holy Spirit”
Wednesday, April 5th – “… the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.”
Lent is a good time to get back to the basics, and the Apostle’s Creed teaches us the basics of the Christian faith.
We hope you’ll join us!
Council Retreat – Sunday, March 12th 2:00-4:00 pm
The OLC Council will have their annual retreat on March 12th at Pastor Andy’s home (a.k.a. the parsonage). We
will welcome some new council members and set some goals for the coming year.
Foundation Board Meeting – March 12th after worship
The OLC foundation board will meet on Sunday, March 12th to elect officer for the coming year.
Marcia Galvan Speaks about Housing 4 Our Vets – March 19th after worship
Marcia Galvan from Housing 4 Our Vets will speak at OLC on Sunday, March 19th after worship. She will give
us an update on their program and talk to us about how we can be involved in the future.
Sunday School Sings in Church and Noisy Offering – March 26th
The Sunday School will sing in church on Sunday, March 26th. Check your couch cushions and bring your coins
to church on that day. We’ll be collecting a “noisy” offering to benefit OLC’s kids.
Church Cookbook - All proceeds will go toward OLC’s 150th Celebration Please start submitting your recipes to the church office. They may be copied/scanned, typed or Neatly
Handwritten. You may drop them off in the purple envelope on the church office door or send via U.S. mail to
the church. You may also send via email to [email protected] or you may sent to Sue Draves’
personal email at [email protected]. Please make sure you put your name & phone number on the item(s) you
submit; so that the church office may contact you with any questions.
March Birthdays
3 Deanna Verderhei 23 Katie Sagaitis Note: Please help us keep our
