1 October 2019 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Luke 17:5-6 Dear Friends in Christ, Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! There are times we need to move trees or at least cut them down, but have you ever tried to do so using the method Jesus describes here? Probably not! You might have been tempted to do this with your teenager who refuses to do anything or even with some other stubborn person of your acquaintance, but we generally do not simply command immoveable objects to move. Why is that? Because it seems impossible? Because we do not want to be thought a fool? Because we are afraid our faith is not strong enough? Or because such a move really does not seem necessary? We are certain- ly not above wishing for a certain immoveable object to more, nor are we above praying for it. In fact, we do pray for such things, as when we pray for a loved one’s cancer to be gone or pray for a certain weight to be lift- ed from our shoulders. But these things at least seem to be more necessary. In the story above, the disciples ask the Lord to increase their faith in response to his directive to forgive a per- son who has sinned against them seven times and repented seven times. They do not think they have enough faith to do that. Do you? We generally have trouble forgiving the first offense, let alone the second or third or seventh! Jesus is not telling the disciples to move trees in some miraculous way. He is telling his disciples and us that we have enough faith to forgive people again and again and again. If faith the size of a mustard seed (the small- est seed thought to exist in those days) is enough to move a tree that is firmly rooted in the ground, then Jesus’ followers have enough faith to forgive those who sin against them. If faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to do something unnecessary and impossible, then we have enough faith to do something necessary and possi- ble. And forgiving others is both necessary and possible. For this is exactly what Jesus has done for us. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ God forgives our sins, and many of them are sins we commit again and again and again. Whether it is our stubbornness or selfishness or greed or arrogance, God’s grace is suffi- cient to forgive us every time. Because God is so faithful to love and forgive us, we can love and forgive one another and others. All it takes is a little bit of faith, and this faith has already been planted in us in baptism. Actually, it is the faith of Jesus that has been imbedded within us. It is his faith in us that is enough to do what seems impossible to us—like forgiving sins that others commit against us. Let us pray. Lord Jesus, we thank you for the forgiveness you died to give us. Come and live in and through us, so that we might be more patient with the frailties and weaknesses of others and so that we might more read- ily forgive them, as we have been forgiven. Amen. In Christ’s Love, Joy, and Peace, Pastor Jim
Transcript
1
October 2019
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard
seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
Luke 17:5-6 Dear Friends in Christ, Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! There are times we need to move trees or at least cut
them down, but have you ever tried to do so using the method Jesus describes here? Probably not! You might
have been tempted to do this with your teenager who refuses to do anything or even with some other stubborn
person of your acquaintance, but we generally do not simply command immoveable objects to move. Why is that? Because it seems impossible? Because we do not want to be thought a fool? Because we are
afraid our faith is not strong enough? Or because such a move really does not seem necessary? We are certain-
ly not above wishing for a certain immoveable object to more, nor are we above praying for it. In fact, we do
pray for such things, as when we pray for a loved one’s cancer to be gone or pray for a certain weight to be lift-
ed from our shoulders. But these things at least seem to be more necessary. In the story above, the disciples ask the Lord to increase their faith in response to his directive to forgive a per-
son who has sinned against them seven times and repented seven times. They do not think they have enough
faith to do that. Do you? We generally have trouble forgiving the first offense, let alone the second or third or
seventh! Jesus is not telling the disciples to move trees in some miraculous way. He is telling his disciples and us that
we have enough faith to forgive people again and again and again. If faith the size of a mustard seed (the small-
est seed thought to exist in those days) is enough to move a tree that is firmly rooted in the ground, then Jesus’
followers have enough faith to forgive those who sin against them. If faith the size of a mustard seed is enough
to do something unnecessary and impossible, then we have enough faith to do something necessary and possi-
ble. And forgiving others is both necessary and possible. For this is exactly what Jesus has done for us. Through
the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ God forgives our sins, and many of them are sins we commit again
and again and again. Whether it is our stubbornness or selfishness or greed or arrogance, God’s grace is suffi-
cient to forgive us every time. Because God is so faithful to love and forgive us, we can love and forgive one
another and others. All it takes is a little bit of faith, and this faith has already been planted in us in baptism.
Actually, it is the faith of Jesus that has been imbedded within us. It is his faith in us that is enough to do what
seems impossible to us—like forgiving sins that others commit against us. Let us pray. Lord Jesus, we thank you for the forgiveness you died to give us. Come and live in and through
us, so that we might be more patient with the frailties and weaknesses of others and so that we might more read-
ily forgive them, as we have been forgiven. Amen. In Christ’s Love, Joy, and Peace,
Pastor Jim
2
New Synod Staff Announced
The election of a new bishop becomes a time of transition and gives us the opportunity to take a breath, look at
what we have been doing and what we might do in order to fulfill the purpose and mission to which God calls
us now, in this day, in this synod, through this call. Since all synod staff are co-terminus with the bishop (and
therefore everyone’s position ends on August 31) this is also true regarding staff positions. This transition is a time to assess; what staffing is needed to support the priorities of our work together as a
synod, the funding available for those staff positions, and the best persons to take on the changing roles. In
conversation with the executive committee of the synod council, I proposed the following staffing structure
with some basic responsibilities outlined. Additionally, the following people have accepted these new posi-
tions which will begin September 1.
Bishop’s Associate (full time) - Rev. Dave Whetter
Congregational transitions
Leadership development
Congregational support
Preaching, teaching, visiting congregations Bishop’s Associate for Congregational Relations and Mission Support (part-time) –
Rev. Christyn Koschmann
Connecting congregations to the mission of the synod
Mission support
Mission interpretation Director for Communications (full time) – Tim Anderson
Designing and maintaining the synod website
Producing the synod e-newsletter
Coordinating AV at synod events
Relator to synod ministries teams and committees Synod Administrator (full time) – Dawne Bockelman
Office management
Event planning and coordination
Roster and candidacy coordinator Directors for Evangelical Mission (two half-time positions funded by the ELCA) –
Rev. Donna Simon (Kansas City)
Rev. Kendra Nolde (St. Louis)
Congregational Vitality
New Ministries
Area Ministry Strategies
This staffing structure reduces the synod staff the equivalent of a ¾ time position. I appreciate your patience as
the new staff works together to make sure we are serving the synod as effectively as possible. I also want to express my appreciation for the leadership of Bishop Roger Gustafson, Bishop’s Associate
Keith Hohly, and synod administrator Sandy VanTuyl and pray God’s blessings on their next endeavors.
While change can be challenging and difficult, it also presents us with new opportunities. I look forward to
exploring those new opportunities with you and am excited to work with the new staff.
The Rev. Susan Candea, Bishop-Elect
Central States Synod, ELCA
3
KICK 2019
Our KICK "kick off" day was September 11 and we had a great time! Children got to
sing about Jesus, play ice breaker games, make crafts, and play at Swensson park! We
are grateful for the many people who work to make KICK possible and for all of the
support from the churches! Thanks also to the Smoky Valley Community Foundation,
the McPherson County Community Foundation, and Thrivent for KICK grants.
Dear Bethany Lutheran Church
Thank you for your kind and generous donations towards the
Lutheran World Relief School Kits. On Sunday, September 8
we packed 150 kits. They have been delivered to Trinity Lu-
theran Church of Salina Kansas. In mid-October they will be
shipped overseas.
Jan Michael
4
Thursday October 3, 2:00 pm, FH
Leader Nancy Lundblad
Hostess Sarah Circle
Program Salina Rescue Mission
Executive Director, Chad Young
Spec. Offering Salina Rescue Mission
Items Needed: deodorant, toilet paper, & canned fruit
Thursday November 7, 12:00 pm, FH
RSVP to Office Catered Luncheon in Fellowship Hall
Leader Elly Ostlind
Hostess Miriam Circle
Program Thank Offering Service
Spec. Offering Thank Offering
5
October Birthdays & Baptisms Jerry Webster 10/01
Robert Carlson 10/03
Chloe Jones 10/04
Ella Patterson 10/04
Lillian Nelson 10/05
Anders Peterson 10/05
Janet Monson 10/06
McKinley Johnson 10/07
Landvis Ferm 10/09
Isabella Fanning 10/10
Elwin Bergstraesser 10/11
Lesley Ferm 10/11
Marlin Johnson 10/12
Duane Kelley 10/13
Rhea Mader 10/13
Carter Couchman 10/14
Mary Train 10/14
Brooke Bengtson 10/15
Sarah Crouse 10/15
Crystal Gengler 10/15
Trey Lindsey 10/15
Olivia Peterson 10/16
Kent Blomberg 10/17
Eli Olson 10/17
Conner Smith-Bolin 10/17
Phillip Youngquist Jr. 10/19
Marilyn Cooper 10/21
David Cummings 10/21
Karna Humphrey 10/21
James E. Nelson 10/21
Jane Anderson 10/22
Karna Peterson 10/22
Isaiah Ruble 10/22
Anne Wallen 10/22
Ava Brunsell 10/23
Ervalene Johnson 10/24
Irene Nielsen 10/24
Avery VanDerWege 10/24
Lars Peterson 10/26
Debra Erickson 10/27
Jayne Norlin 10/27
Joel Woodard 10/27
Marvin Anderson 10/28
James Attleson 10/28
Gail Gustafson 10/29
Ethan Peterson 10/29
Linda Branch 10/30
Phyllis Kelling 10/30
Miriam Strasen 10/01
Wanda Esping 10/03
James W. Nelson 10/05
Toni Haukom 10/06
Leland A. Nelson 10/06
Irene Bengtson 10/07
McKinley Johnson 10/09
Alan Leaf 10/09
Ron Rolander 10/09
Dwight Hopp 10/10
Paul Hanson 10/11
Michael DuMars 10/13
Danielle Greene 10/13
Clarice Eckstrom 10/16
Brad Johnson 10/16
Avery Larson 10/17
Bertil Malm 10/17
Teagan Miller 10/17
Joshua Elliott 10/18
Charles Malm 10/18
Erik Rasmusson 10/18
Justin Kelling 10/19
Dale Swanson 10/20
Anders Peterson 10/21
Lillian Nelson 10/22
Ryan Dreier 10/25
Diesel Dauer 10/26
Isabella Fanning 10/26
Carol Pearson 10/26
Jerry Webster 10/27
Paige Clark 10/30
Lana Clark 10/30
Becky Chambers 10/31
Sarah Crouse 10/31
Nadine Kelling 10/31
David & Rachel
McCullick
10/01
Matt & Karen
Clark
10/07
Greg & Erica 10/09
Mike & Becky
Chambers
10/19
Erik & Holly 10/20
Paul & Robin
Hanson
10/26
George & Cristina 10/31
6
Church Council. August 14, 2019 Absent: Car r ie Nelson, Er ica Kruckenberg, Matt Stula, Ken Branch, Krista Harr is
Present: James Nelson, Marlin Johnson, Mer le Larson, Ter r i Nelson, Amy Roraback,
Elly Anderson, Dan Norden, Jan Michael, Kathey Bengtson, Pastor Strasen, Mary Parker,
Steve Gustafson.
Minutes and Financial
The minutes of the July meeting were reviewed. It was MSC to approve the minutes as
written. The financial report attached was reviewed. Contributions during July were
approximately $5,700 greater than budgeted due to multiple one-time contributions.
Expenses for July were approximately $773 under budget. Income YTD is approximately
$4,100 greater than budgeted. Expenses YTD are approximately $8,000 under budget,
which leaves us NET $12,100 ahead of budget through the first seven months of the year.
Total income for July 2019 was approximately $6,100 greater than July 2018. Total expenses
for July 2019 were approximately $407 less than July 2018. It was MSC to approve the
financial report as submitted.
Informational Reports
Pastor's report is attached. 4 Sunday services, 2 wedding counseling meetings along
with visits to residents of Bethany Home and Assisted Living. Pastor Strasen continues to
work on updating our membership list. Anniversary Committee - confirmation reunion
weekend coming up on August 17. Amy asked for help from council to set up downstairs
prior to 5:30. Discussion to move potluck from park to Fellowship Hall following service on
August 18. Amy will discuss with her committee. Call Committee -They have completed the
lengthy Ministry Site Profile to submit to Synod. It was reviewed by Council and will be
submitted as written once the financial committee fills out requested financial information.
Christian Education -Rally Day coming up on September 8. Bouncy House, snacks,
assembling school kits upstairs. August 25, Swede Sunday-Stuga sandwiches. Old Business
Do we need to look at IT part time paid position?
Discussion on size, layout and quantity of weekly bulletins
Bethany College Sunday, October 20 with concert at 2:00 New Business
Sunday School teacher installation, September 8, 2019.
Activate Nominating Committee for October 27 elections. Nominating committee-
Donna Ruble, Trampas Miller, Alexa Reed, Nate Woodard, Bill Ferguson and Aaron Esping.
Next Executive meeting, September 3 at 4:00 and the next Council Meeting, September
![Review Article Surgical Treatment of Perianal Fistulizing ...downloads.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2014/146281.pdfperianal involvement, and % have perianal stula [ , ]. e pathogenesis](https://static.documents.pub/doc/80x56/5fcd42904dd28c53963aa802/review-article-surgical-treatment-of-perianal-fistulizing-perianal-involvement.jpg)
