Tuesday, June 4, 2019

June Newsletter


Maria Lutheran Church Newsletter
June 2019
Mailing Address: 521 N Lincoln Ave, Hershey, NE 69143   
Maria Office/Fellowship Hall Phone: 308-368-5510  Parish Assistant Wade Hudson: Cell Phone: 308-530-2963     https://marialutheran.blogspot.com/              https://www.facebook.com/MariaLutheranChurch/

Maria Office Hours: Mondays and Tuesdays, 1:30PM - 5:30 PM

Words from Wade

I recently read a article by Dan Reiland about God doing big things in small churches.  This article caught my eye because we can all agree on two things.   First, we are a small church, and second we are doing big things in this community.  Whether its seen or unseen, this congregation makes a big difference in this community. 
The article asks church leaders four important questions, Is your church culture healthy? Is the Gospel being taught? Is there vision for reaching people? Are lives being changed?

Church Culture
I believe our church culture has come a long way recently. I have heard many say what a joy it is to come to church and worship with each other.  We even stick around for coffee and fellowship, and I know its not for the great tasting coffee, maybe for the cookies though.

Gospel
I don't think anyone can argue if the Gospel is being taught each Sunday.  Whether it’s Lawrence or any of the worship leaders, a commitment to teaching the Gospel at Maria is evident.

Vision for reaching people and are lives being changed?
We have an impact on the youth in this community, through Marias ark, and our support of the Beautiful you retreat, we plant seeds and share the Gospel and love of Christ with our youth.

The untold ways that we impact these youth is a powerful ministry in this community.
We also have individuals who reach out to community members in need and help and love them.   It is easy to get caught up on the question of how many were at worship Sunday.  I don't think God is keeping track of our weekly attendance the same way that we are, but I am sure he notices the impact that we have on our community in his name.
 Yes, this small congregation is making a big difference.  I pray that we continue to grow our ministry, not only at Maria but also in the community that we serve.  May we never stop looking for new ways to be God's hands and heart in this community.             
                                                                                                            God Is Good!!!
                                                                                                            Wade Hudson


Sunday Worship Leaders at Maria in June:
June 2nd    Wade Hudson
June 9th     Lawrence Wendelin
June 16th   Tim Johnson
June 23rd   Turner Dorr
June 30th    Lawrence Wendelin

 Upcoming Events:

June 20-24th  Mission trip with Trinity Lutheran to the Pine Ridge reservation

Maria Council Meeting:  To be announced, following worship service

Maria Women Bible Study: To Be Announced
            We are doing a study on the Lord’s Prayer.  Each session should last about 1 hour, and only focus on the study, without any business meeting or meal.  We invite all women to join us.    

A Star is born!! Congratulations! To Kayla and Jason Star! Dawsen Jean Star, baby girl born on May 10th! Seven pounds and 10 oz! All are doing well!

June Birthdays and Anniversaries*
Neal Creekpaum     2
Logan Brown          3
Issac Thomas Weekly       4
Jennifer Davis         4
Jenna Frels  5
Jeremy & Angela Sanford            5
Hannah Uecker       6
Savannah (Konruff) Lashley       6
Trey & Dayna Wasserburger      6
Turner & Bridget Dorr       7
Suzanna Klassmeyer        7
Thad & Kim Eckhoff          8
Tim & Stacey Brannan     9
Jane Davis   9
Brian & Stephanie Dorr    9
Lyndy Fleecs           9
Andy & Marcia Olson        10
Brian Dorr    13
Ray Kostman          14
Kirk & Tracy Olson            14
Don & Barb Frels   16
Lloyd Fleecs            16
Chase Martin           17
Ashlee Hallstead    18
Bill & Judy Maassen          18
Marc Moorhead       19
Kerry Frels   20
John & Jane Davis            21
Brekkyn Baker        22
Laynie Hudson       25
Jacque Star 28
Jaylee Jo Lashley  29
Shelley Frels            30


2019 Volunteers Needed
June Volunteers:
Readers, Ushers, Altar Guild, Communion Assistants and Fellowship Cookie Time volunteers needed.  Please sign up at the church or call Tim Johnson to add your names. 

Contact Numbers for Prayer Chain and Concerns: Tim Johnson (308) 520-0677

Grant healing and hope to all who suffer in body, mind or spirit.
Prayers:   Doris Greder passed away, please keep Paige Maasen, friends and family in you prayers.   Barb Frels “surgery”,   Mike Star “Leukemia treatments”,   Jude Stout “Evie Lewis brother, born Premature”,   Judy Maassen “chronic pain”,   Janie Matzen “Peggy Browns mother, medical concerns”,    Nicki Schuster “chronic pain”,    Kara Kostman “cancer treatments”, Margaret Johnson “recovering from surgery”,     Ron Schumacher “Jeanie Stars brother, medical concerns”,    Rod Calvin “Bridget Dorrs uncle, recovering from stroke”,    Gilbert and Kathy Hiatt “community friends, battling ALS”,    Carol Ziebell “Stephanie Dorrs mother, medical concerns”, Anita Martin “Jeremy Martin's mother, medical concerns/care home”,    Betty Hellmuth,    Ruth Brown “care home”,    Kip and Mary Ann Jorgenson “battling Alzheimer's”,    Vickie Frisell “medical concerns”,    Dennis and Jessica Lyons “ Terri Johnson's nephew and niece, recovering from accident”,    June Lindstrom “care home”.  Refresh them with your gracious Spirit, and give them the joy of your saving help.

Maria Lutheran Church Council Minutes May 19, 2019
Council members attending were Peggy Brown, Hannah Uecker, Brian Dorr, Tim Johnson, Terri Johnson, Sara Wiseman, Reagan Hudson and Wade Hudson.
Tim opened the meeting.  Minutes were read and approved.
Peggy reported that we took in almost $10,000 in the month of April and she was able to put money back into the money market and it is now at over $58,000.
Tim reported that we received $9064 in general donations and $105 in special giving.  He said that first quarter general giving is up significantly compared to the first quarter giving 2018.
Financial reports were approved.
Wade gave us his Parish Assistant report.  He has been very busy visitations and going to community events.  He told us that he has had a hard time keeping consistent office hours but that with school being out for the summer that should be easier to accomplish.  We are very glad that we have a presence in the community going to as many events as he does.  We also feel the community is starting to notice.
New business.  A donation from Maria was given to the Women’s Resource Center of $100.  It was also discussed and approved that we would donate $250 to the Beautiful You program.
Wade told us that we have a potential wedding and would like for us to come up with a “wedding policy”.  We discussed a few things about this.  Tim is going to look through the old files and see if he can find what the previous policy was.  Wade will be consulting with Pastor Jeff at Trinity about the counseling.
Wade would like to get 2 racks or stands that we can put all our hand out materials such as the newsletter, devotionals, etc. and to put one in the church and one in the fellowship hall.
Peggy said the carpet in the fellowship hall needs to be cleaned.  Council approved for her to go ahead and make the arrangements as summer was a good time to get that done.
Wade said the heating and air in the fellowship hall is not functioning correctly.  Langmeiers came and looked at it and suggested we replace the element.  They will let Wade know what it costs before they order it.
Old business.  June 14th will be the Karin Gunderson harp concert.  The concert will begin at 7 PM and the public will be welcome.  Wade is going to start putting up flyers to advertise it.  It will be a free will donation to attend.  She asked that we either find a host family to put her and her assistant up for the night or pay for a hotel room.  Tim and Terri volunteered to host them.  We are inviting Trinity from Gothenburg and New Life from Paxton for a 6 PM meal.  We will be asking the congregation to provide lasagna and sides for this.
Wade also reported that the new audio system is coming along but isn’t done yet.  He is going to have someone else come in and look at it to see what they suggest.
We decided to not do a June meeting unless something comes up in the meantime.  No other date was set. 
Respectfully submitted
Sara Wiseman


                                                 Newsletter editor : Reagan Hudson