February 2018

Have you noticed how Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s

Day this year? On Valentine’s Day – the day of Hallmark
cards and roses and sweet treats – you are invited to come
to worship, receive a cross of ash on your forehead, and be
reminded of your mortality. Remember you are dust and to
dust you shall return.
What do we do with that? What do we do when this solemn
church day mashes up with culture’s day to celebrate love?
Well, honestly, I think we can make this work.
Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. Lent is the
season of forty days that take us to Easter morning. On Ash Wednesday, we always hear Matthew
6:1-6, 16-21. It’s the passage that has marked the day since the Middle Ages, the passage that sets
the stage for the fasting, almsgiving, and prayer that are often the focus during Lent.
On Ash Wednesday, during Lent, there are undercurrents of love – God’s ultimate love for us. It’s not
some Hallmark version of love with candy hearts and sappy cards. This is a love of sacrifice, a love
that stood up against the powers of the day, a love that never ends.
How many of us have had a valentine in the past, a love that did, ultimately, end? In our world, love
can be fleeting. It doesn’t necessarily last forever. We sentimentalize love, watch romantic movies,
and read stories of Prince Charming. The Ash Wednesday to Lent to Easter kind of love is not that.
When you come to worship on Ash Wednesday, you’ll be reminded of your mortality. You’ll be
reminded that this life on earth is not forever. You’ll begin the course through Lent, a time of reflection
and solemnity. But you’ll also be reminded that God loves you, even though you are dust. God loves
you, even though you screw up. God loves you, through and through, and nothing can change that.
Join us on Ash Wednesday and on Wednesdays in Lent following. Find information about those
services both on your calendar and on page five of this newsletter.
Pastor Lindsay
RED OAK GROVE LUTHERAN CHURCH – COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 14, 2018
The meeting was called to order by President, Brent Ingvalson. Members introduced themselves, attending
were: Brent Ingvalson, Jenny Ingvalson, Marilyn Helleck, Tom Harber, Wendy Cadwell, Jamie Hanson, Pete
Kleinschmidt, Tammy Harber, Terry Magnuson, Diane Maxwell, John Trihus, Marilyn Ulland, Pastor Lindsay
and Laura Tjomsland.

Opening prayer was led by Pastor Lindsay. Highs and Lows were shared.
Pastor’s Report included these highlights; Christmas Season was full of activities, Confirmation Youth went
caroling and planning now for Lent. Ash Wednesday will have two services and on Wednesdays during Lent a
noon meal and Bible study will take place. We will set up a time schedule to hold a congregational meeting
regarding the changes in the Constitution. Twenty one visits were completed, 1 hospital and 10 with
communion. 2 Prairie Manor services and one funeral. Shared ideas about Lenten devotionals.
The Secretary’s Report was given. A motion was made by Diane and seconded by Tom to approve the
minutes as presented. The motion was passed.
The Treasurer’s Report was given. A motion was made by Pete and seconded by John to approve the report
as presented. The motion was passed. Highlights were: opening balance was $25,515.17, after income and
expenses the remaining balance is $48,291.48. Youth Fund balance is $4,600.40 and the Improvement Fund
is $19,218.17.
WELCA Report was given. Questions about the refrigerator in the kitchen. Cost for fixing would be around
$300.00 and purchase of a used unit would be around $800.00 and a new unit would be around $1,700.00. A
motion was made by John and seconded by Marilyn to have the repairs completed. The motion was passed.
Also a discussion regarding coffee servers for the coming year. The following schedule was developed; first
Sunday of the month would be Youth, 2nd would be covered by WELCA, 3rd would be the Council, 4th would be
WIT. If there is a 5th Sunday, that would be open. Each group will invite other members to help with the coffee
hour. If you are asked by one of the groups, please lend a helping hand.
The Deacon’s Report was given. Highlights this year have been the great attendance at GIFT. A motion was
made by Jenny and seconded by Jamie to approve the report. The motion was passed.

Trustee’s Report was given. Brayden Johnson spread sand on the parking lot. A keyless lock has been
installed on the entry door by the office. Frank Peterson will be contacted regarding the WIFI and Jay Peterson
will be contacted about doing the wiring. The garage door opener needs to be replaced. Trustees will arrange
that to be completed.
New Business. The mission statement was reviewed and discussion regarding ministry goals. Discussion
regarding the Constitution and Holy Communion. At the present time 4th and 5th grade youth receive
instruction and receive their first communion on Maundy Thursday. This does not follow our current
Constitution. Changes will need to be made. Also discussed was the practice of having interactive
communion instruction during Lent for all people. This could also serve as an opportunity for families with
young children to learn about the practice of Holy Communion and decide if and when their child may be ready
to receive communion. This instruction would be offered every year to all members that would be interested in
a refresher about Holy Communion. A motion was made by Marilyn and seconded by Tammy to offer this
instruction during Lent. The motion was passed.

Lenten suppers were discussed. They will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end before the 7:00 p.m. worship service.
No supper on Ash Wednesday. February 21st and February 28th have been covered. Additional help for the
remaining weeks will be needed. Council signed up for Eucharist Assistant for 2018.

Next meeting will be February 11, 2018.

The meeting was adjourned and closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted, Laura Tjomsland, Council Secretary

 WELCA Minutes

On Sunday, January 7, 2018 at 10:15 the monthly meeting of the Red Oak Grove WELCA was called
to order by President Karen Johnson. The purpose was read together. Opening devotions were
given by Karen Johnson. She read “His Grace is Sufficient”.

The secretary’s minutes from December 6, 2017 were read. No corrections. Correspondence was a
thank you from Pastor Lindsay for her birthday gift and Christmas card and gift. Treasurer’s Report
was given by Lavonne and Annual Report shared. Both reports placed on file. Checking and savings
given.

Committee Reports: WIT - Ardell noted there will be no January get together. Prayer Chain updated
and would like more to volunteer. Quilting – Judy Wambeam is at Comfort Care and doing good. No
quilting until announced. Two large quilts and two baby quilts donated for up-coming Youth Club and
Education Foundation Auctions. Mitten Tree items were divided between Blooming Prairie – 17
gloves and 10 hats and Austin - 16 gloves and 11 hats. Visitation – cards and visits shared.

Unfinished Business: 76th Strawberry Social discussed. Deciding on event was discussed and
decided to wait until February meeting. Only 11 ladies present. Motion was rescinded.

New Business: Coffee hour discussion – Council President, Brent Ingvalson, Pastor and WELCA
discussed. More discussion at Council meeting. Each circle is to discuss our shut-in list and put a
plan in order to keep them all in our thoughts and prayers.

Offering meditation was read while offering was taken by Karen. She read 2 Corinthians 9:11. Our
next meeting will be on Sunday, February 4th at 10:15. Orlie Grant will read devotions. Birthday song
sung and closed with the Lord’s Prayer

Linda Christianson, Secretary

*******************************************************************

Funerals – Bernice Thompson

LaVonne Cochran

WELCA Ladies – At our WELCA meeting on Sunday, February 4th at 10:15 a.m. in the Fellowship
Room at church we will be voting on whether or not to continue our Strawberry Social. We
encourage you to be in attendance.

Annual Reports are available at the church. If you would like one mailed to you, please let the office
know.
Women, you’re invited to join the Moxie Book Club!
We’ll read Of Mess & Moxie: Wrangling Delight
out of this Wild and Glorious Life and meet a
couple times to get to better know one another,
eat (of course), and talk about what we read.
(But don’t be daunted. We will still welcome and
love you if you don’t get through all the
reading!) Purchase your own book or sign up in
the narthex and the church will order for you.
We will meet for the first time on Thursday,
February 15 at 6:30 at the parsonage. (We’ll
then decide as a group how often/when/where
we want to meet next!) Here’s the description of
the book:
Jen Hatmaker returns with another round of hilarious tales, shameless honesty, and hope for the
woman who has forgotten her moxie. In this highly anticipated new book, beloved author Jen
Hatmaker parlays her own triumphs and tragedies into a sigh of relief for all normal, fierce women
everywhere. Whether it’s the time she drove to the wrong city for a fourth-grade field trip (“Why are
we in San Antonio?”) or the way she learned to forgive (God was super clear: Pray for this person
every day, which was the meanest thing He ever said to me. I was furious.), she offers a reminder to
those of us who sometimes hide in the car eating crackers that we do have the moxie to get back up
and get back out. We can choose to live undaunted “in the moment” no matter what the moments
hold, and lead vibrant, courageous, grace-filled lives.

First Communion Education

This Lent, we will be holding a First Communion class for any and all ages. Parents, if you feel like
your child is ready to receive communion, join us for this class! Here’s what we’ll do – We’ll meet and
get to know each other and learn together by reading scripture. You’ll get some family homework – to
read through and color a book on Holy Communion, to eat meals together, and to have family
conversations about forgiveness and who Jesus is. We’ll meet again to talk about your homework,
walk through receiving the bread and wine/juice, and engage in some activities together.

The only requirement is that your child is baptized and you attend the course with him/her. Otherwise,
the decision about when to have your child receive his/her first communion is up to you. Please know
that we plan to hold this course yearly, and if the time comes in the middle of the year when your child
is ready, we certainly can do the class on an individual family basis if requested.

Our first meeting time will be Sunday, February 25 after worship (10:30 to 11:30), followed by our
second meeting on Sunday, March 18 after worship (10:30 to 11:30). We then invite your family to
attend Maundy Thursday worship on Thursday, March 29 at 7pm to participate in the Rite of First
Communion. (We understand this might be too late in the evening for some of our younger
participants! Please know that after completing this class, your child may commune at any time.)

Please sign up (by February 18) or ask questions by contacting Pastor Lindsay. You can text/call her
(507-440-3716) or email at pastorlindsaystolen@gmail.com.
The season of Lent begins this month. Here’s what you need to know:

Ash Wednesday is February 14. (Happy Valentine’s Day!) Red Oak Grove will host TWO services
with Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes on this day – one at 2:30 in the afternoon and one
in the evening at 7pm. Reminder: There is no meal served on Ash Wednesday.

Lenten services continue on the Wednesdays following. Again, you have two options.

• For those who do not care to drive in the evening, we will gather for study/service at 11:30
with simple lunch following. Pastor Lindsay will supply the first meal on Wednesday the 21;
we will discuss as a group that day what we would like to do with meals that follow.
• In the evening, we will gather for supper at 6pm (note the time change to better
accommodate work and sports schedules) with a service to follow at 7pm. If you are
interested in preparing and serving a meal, we need a group/family to serve on
Wednesday, March 21. Please contact the office if interested.

At both the 11:30 and 7pm gathering, we will be using a video series from author and pastor John
Ortberg called The Me I Want to Be: Becoming God’s Best Version of You. There is a book that goes
along with the study if people are interested. Information on ordering will be available at our first
service. Confirmation students will not meet for regular class during Lent but are required to attend
services through the season.

Pizza Ranch Tip Night for the Houston Youth

Let Pizza Ranch do the cooking for you on Monday, February 26 and – just by coming to eat – you’ll
help our four youth get to Houston for the Youth Gathering this coming summer. Come and eat
between 4:30 and 8:30, and you’ll see us there, clearing tables. A portion of the buffet proceeds and
all tips will go towards the trip. Hope to see you there!

GIFT (Growing in Faith Together) on Wednesday, February 6

Join us as we read and hear and learn about how God called Samuel. We begin with pizza supper
(free-will offering) at 5:30; story, prayer and activities will begin shortly after 6. All are welcome to join
us as we learn together! We learn from the story and we learn from each other while building
relationships and meeting new people. It is good for people of all ages to learn and be together!