May/June 2012

Summer is quickly approaching. Kiddos are getting anxious to be on summer vacation. Families are itching to get to the cabin. Vacations are planned. Its the wonderful season of campfires, baseball, and swinging in hammocks. And lets be honest - its the season when we may not make it to church as often. Thats life; I know that. But I also know that worship is not restricted to a building or a specific time or place because God is not only found in church buildings on Sunday mornings. God accompanies you to the ends of the earth, wherever you may be! So the weekends this summer when youre at the camper, or on the boat, or in a car on a family vacation to Mount Rushmore, this is my challenge to you: worship where you are. Worship where you are. It could look like a lot of things! Worship at a local congregation maybe even one that isnt Lutheran! Take a hike and share with each other where you see Gods fingerprints in creation. Read a psalm about creation and talk about it. [Try Psalm 104!] Choose Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Read a chapter each day/Sunday during your campfire breakfast. Sign up for devotionals delivered to your email inbox and smartphone. [These two sites www.luthersem.edu/godpause and www.davidlose.net - are good places to start!] Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. [Psalm 100] Well miss you at Red Oak Grove when youre off on your adventures. Come when youre here we want to see you and worship with you! - but when youre not, make a joyful noise to the Lord and worship where you are. Pastor Lindsay

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Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church Council Meeting April 9, 2012

Members present: President Karen Johnson, Dan Sistek, Nancy Schwartz, Tom Harber, Rachel Ulland, Pastor Lindsay, Marilyn Helleck, Bonita Herdina, Marilyn Ulland, Bob Kittelson, Diane Maxwell, Larry Helgeson, Shad Rudlong and Katie Zipse. Present Karen Johnson called the meeting to order. Pastor Lindsay opened with a devotion from II Corinthians 8:1-7 and a prayer. Pastors Report: Three children received their First Communion on Maundy Thursday during Lent. $44 was raised in the noisy coin offering which is enough money to buy 44 chicks. 174 pounds of food and $25 was collected and delivered to the Steele County Foodshelf. Pastor has had two pre-marital counseling sessions and 14 home and hospital visits. Internet will be installed by Radio Link on Wednesday, April 11th. There are two more Sundays of Bible Study left. Secretarys Report: Approved as read. Financial Report: Beginning Balance 3-1-12 Carpet Fund Ending Balance $498.38 500.00 629.33

WELCA Report: So far 50 quilts have been made and quilting will be wrapping it up in April. Five ladies are attending the conference in Leroy. Deacons Report: Sunday School is almost over for the year. The kids will be singing the last Sunday of Sunday School. Diane will be checking into Vacation Bible School and Marilyn will be checking to see if the kids will be able to sell pop/water at the Blooming July 4th festivities again this year. The youth cleaned around the church and it looks very nice and their Easter egg hunt went very well. Trustees Report: The no heavy truck parking was brought up again and the cost for signs runs about $60$100. Diane and Bob will mention to Cenex if they could park elsewhere. Jeremy Simon gave an estimate of $350-$400 for the cost of concrete to re-slope both sidewalks on the north side of the church to make them handicap accessible. Jeremy is willing to donate all labor costs. Old Business: Carpet-Shad was given incorrect information when he inquired about the cost of carpet for the church. A more realistic price for just carpet costs is $7,500 not including labor. More decisions on the carpet will be made when there are finances in the fund. New Business: Camp scholarships are available. WELCA is donating $50 to each camper and New Orleans Kids. The church and Youth Fund will also be donating. Polka Service will be April 29th with Big Ben and Brian starting at 9 a.m. Church Council will be serving coffee on May 13th. The last Sundays in June, July and August will be outdoor services. Bring your chairs. Mark on your calendar April 28th for a plant exchange. Katie brought up the idea of having a 50/50 raffle or some additional fundraising options during the Strawberry Festival. Marilyn will check with WELCA and see if that would be something they would like to do or allow the Council to do something. Next meeting will be May 7th at 7 p.m. Rachel Ulland will be the Eucharist Assistant for May. Following the Lords Prayer, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Respectfully submitted, Katie Zipse, Red Oak Grove Council Secretary

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Women of the ELCA Report April 1, 2012

The Women of Red Oak Grove WELCA met on April 1st during coffee hour in the Fellowship Room. President Ardell opened the meeting in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The purpose was read in unison. The Secretarys Report was read and approved. A thank you from Dale Johnson was read. He is doing well in his recovery. The Treasurers Report was given by Lavonne and accepted. Shirley gave a report on St. Marks annual meeting with five members from Red Oak Grove attending on March 19th at St. Olaf Church. St. Marks is planning to publish a cookbook. Anyone with recipes must submit them by April 2, 2012. Norma gave a report on Prairie Manor. There are 56 beds and they are full. Plans on re-doing the patio are in the works. Judy gave a report on the quilts that are available for sale at the Strawberry Festival. Asking price may be $45.00. There are 8 youth going to Bible Camp and 5 youth going to New Orleans. They each will receive $50 from WELCA. The Spring Conference at Leroy on April 19th (must be registered by April 13th) will cost $10 which includes dinner at 5 p.m. The meeting is at 7 p.m. Four ladies have planned to attend. Diane Maxwell and Cindy Hingeveld will deliver donated goods to the Marie Sandvik Center on May 1st. WELCA will purchase two new chairs for Pastor Lindsays office after the Strawberry Festival. They will cost approximately $300 each.

Good Earth Village Quilt Auction is August 8, 2012. It was voted to send $30 to the Zumbro Spring Conference. Our hymn books are in need of repair. Marilyn agreed to check out mending them with any volunteers available to help. Happy Birthday was sung to those enjoying April birthdays and Virginia and Orline passed the offering plates. The next meeting will be May 2nd at 9 a.m. Program by Naomi Circle and Rebekah members will be hostesses. We closed with the Lords Prayer. Eunice Doocy, Secretary

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Sunday School Recognition Sunday will be Sunday, April 20th. The children will be singing during the worship service that day. We want to thank everyone who was involved with our Sunday School program. Sunday School will resume in the fall on September 9th. Take note The Church Council will be meeting one week earlier than usual. They will meet at 7 p.m. on May 7th. The 71st Annual Strawberry Festival at Red Oak Grove will be on June 12th serving from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be a work day on Sunday, June 10th after church and on Monday, June 11th starting at 8 a.m. A big THANK YOU to all of our quilters The ladies completed over 103 quilts this year plus 42 baby quilts made by Dorothy Kruger.

Pastoral Acts Funeral Chloe Nicole Schwartz

New Orleans News! 76 days and counting

Jessica Ferguson, Tyler Ferguson, Alexa Rudlong, Hunter Rudlong and Emma Weikum continue to prepare for their trip to New Orleans for the ELCA National Youth Gathering. So far, nearly 32,000 Lutheran youth and adult leaders are registered for the gathering! Southeastern Minnesota is the synod with the second-to-most youth and adults registered! While at the gathering, youth will practice peacemaking, practice discipleship, and practice justice through different organized events. The youth are so close to reaching their fundraising goal of $4,800. Thank you to everyone who has helped us get this far and will continue to support this ministry!

The Baccalaureate Service for Blooming Prairie high school graduates will be held at St. Columbanus at 7:00 p.m. on May 30th. Graduation will be June 3rd at 2 p.m. at the high school. Graduating seniors from Red Oak Grove include Lyndsay Pryor, daughter of Michael and Kelly Pryor and Gabriel Kartes, son of Chad and Laura Hamersma.

Red Oak Grove Members, Vacation Bible School needs YOUR help! The theme is:

SKY VBS Everything is possible with God! Needed: *Model Airplanes for a display on May 20th and during the week of VBS (June 10-14) *Toy airplanes to help decorate *Adults to be Crew Leaders (training will be provided) Information About VBS: *We will join with First Lutheran in Blooming Prairie *Registration will be available on or before May 20. Cost is $15 per child, $45 per family maximum. After May 20th cost goes to $20. *A kick off for VBS will be a potluck dinner at First Lutheran on May 20th. An airplane will be on display, along with the model airplanes. For more information, contact Marilyn Ulland at 507-440-2415 or Pastor Lindsay. -4-