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St. John & Trinity Lutheran

January 2020 Newsletter Volume 27; Issue 1

JANUARY, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2020

Beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ, a blessed New Year to you as this

Christmas season ends and we enter the Church season of Epiphany!

Spoken to me many mornings when I was a child and again years later, by me as a

parent of two children, was this: “It’s time to rise and shine!” Rousing us from our

slumber as with the start of a new day, God comes to us early in the New Year in the

Church season of Epiphany, saying, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the

glory of the LORD has risen upon you” – Isaiah 60:1. It’s a start to a new day for us

spiritually, as God reveals (brings to light) His marvelous truth: JESUS is

a SAVIOR for ALL people, not just the Jews.

As the world packs away the remnants of a Christmas now past, God in

time calls out, inviting us to “arise” to meet the Christ who has come to

light our way. “The Lord, your God, in your midst is mighty to save; He

will rejoice over you with joy, and quiet you with His love; He will rejoice

over you with singing!” – Zephaniah 3:17.

A star led Magi (the Wise Men) who traveled thousands of miles from the east to

worship newborn King, Jesus. Now the Word of God shines a light into our dark world,

revealing ‘Immanuel’ – “God with us!” Why avoid the Lord who delights in coming

to rejoice over you and to quiet you with His love? The Savior is here; come and bask in

His light! Receive His gifts for you; join us regularly in worship, coming with the gifts

Jesus counts most precious: your presence and adoration!

Living in Jesus, our Light and Life! Pastor Kramp

St. John Lutheran’s Prayer Chain is a vital tool for committing to

our gracious Lord with supplications the ailing or otherwise distressed

who seek our prayers. Please contact Kathy Hanson or Pastor Kramp

with such prayer requests! You can be a part of this vital service; call

Kathy Hanson and ask to be added to St. John’s Church Prayer Chain.

With your request, you will then be added to the congregation’s prayer chain.

Hillsboro & Hope, North Dakota

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This truly is a Season of Lights in the Church Year. With Christmas and Epiphany

we really are a church which lights the lights. And rightly so, for in this time we praise

God for the revealing His grace and love in His dear Son, the Light of the world.

The world can be a dark place. Though massive media machines touch almost the

whole world, they speak so little about the deadly problem of sin. Instead, they

frequently promote excess with little excuse. But in the midst of the kingdoms of this

world there is another reality: the kingdom of light in Christ Jesus. We give thanks to

God when we ponder and rejoice over the message of light and life and full forgiveness

of sins that God has revealed to us as freely ours through His Son Jesus.

As we begin this New Year, may the Lord direct us into His love in

Jesus Christ. For that good, let us pray: Almighty God, we rejoice,

that You have sent Your Son to earth as the Light of the world, to

shine His light even upon the Gentiles. As Your children, we offer

You thanks for that grace which is ours through

faith in His name. Make us to arise and shine, reflecting Your love

and glory. In Jesus’ saving and holy name we pray. Amen.

St. John and Trinity on acebook Have you explored our church’s Facebook page? Among items you will find

there are: church news, event listings & announcements, and occasional photos from

church events. Spread the word and like St. John/Trinity Lutheran Church’s

Facebook Page. Thanks page administrator Ginger Kramp for adding posts.

Melissa Stuart and Amy Steinke wonderfully serve as Sunday

School superintendents at St. John and Trinity respectively.

Ladies, we thank God for your service to His glory and honor!

The complete 2019-2020 Greeters’ list can be found on the bulletin board in the

narthex. Please check to see when you have been asked to greet. Reminders will be

posted in the Sunday bulletin and we also will attempt to give you a reminder call. If

you have a conflict, please talk to Sharon Schlichtmann or Kathy Hanson.

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ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH

SUNDAY, JAN. 12, after Service

Lunch, Planning Session & Activities: meet in SJLC Fellowship Hall

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN US !!! ALL YOUTH (grades 7-12) & PARENTS . . . we will restart youth activities at

St. John in January. Thank you to all who participated in the brief meeting after

Worship back on November 17. Your participation is critical to make this a reality.

For the January 12th meeting, all family members of our youth are invited, plus adults

who wish to lend a hand. Please contact Pastor Kramp if you are an adult who would

like to serve with youth group activities, even if part-time.

Brady Sand, ninth grade son of Lynn and Tammy,

having completed his studies of Luther’s Small

Catechism and passing the examination on the Six

Chief Parts therein administered by Pastor Kramp, will

later this month publicly confirm as his own the

Christian faith into which he was baptized.

We commend Brady for his exemplary performance on

the examination. May God the Holy Spirit keep and

guide Brady in his walk in the Lord throughout his life

on earth. May Brady openly confess Jesus as His

Savior and Lord for his eternal good and that of others

who receive his witness and to the glory of God!

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LWML News

This year “Behold the Child” was presented by the children during their Sunday School service. May I be so bold as to borrow from their program and entitle this message about the LWML, “Behold the LWML”. Hopefully, with these little updates, you will more clearly “see” (behold) our organization.

Although the LWML is active year-round, the last couple of months have been the busiest. We presented gifts to Grayson Henn and Rylan Sherod at their baptisms and to Ryker Sherod at his baptism affirmation. In December, the LWML again sponsored the Christmas Giving Tree and remembered our congregation’s shut-ins with gifts and a card signed by our members. Advent service lunches were served by the LWML. We made financial donations to the LWML Mites and to the ND District LCMS Mission project to Chile, South America. Starting January 9th, our ladies will begin quilting again. We invite and welcome anyone to come and join us even if you have never quilted before.

Kathy Hanson, President

LWML meets January 11th at 9:30 am. Coffee is served at 9:15 am followed by the LWML Prayer Service. Quarterly subscriptions are due next month. The cost is $5 per subscription. Thank You. Stacey Riemer, Treasurer Pick Up Your Copy Today!

Located on the

table in the

Narthex.

Digest size copies are put in mailboxes of

those who wish to receive a larger copy.

December Attendance at St. John

Welcome to new members:

• Paul & Kay Brown, transfer from Grace LCMS, Fargo, ND

• Bryan & Stephanie Hall, and their children: Carolyn & Lydia, transfer from St. Andrew LCMS, West Fargo, ND

• Pastor Allen & Ginger Kramp, transfer from Peace LCMS, Beaver Dam, WI

St. John Annual Voters’ Meeting was held on Dec. 18th at 8:00 pm. Highlights of the Meeting:

St. John Treasurer’s Report 2019 YTD 2020 Forecast Income $92,707.89 $102,830.00

Expense $79,102.95 $122,909.26

$13,604.94 ($29,749.26)

The above forecast (budget) was approved. The $122,909 in expenses includes 10% of all envelope offering going to the building fund. It was approved to change the fiscal year from what we currently have now which follows the church year (Dec. 2020 – Nov. 2021) to a fiscal year that follows the calendar year.

Sun., Dec. 1 Cancelled - storm

Wed., Dec. 4 27

Sun., Dec. 8 54

Wed., Dec. 11 26

Sun., Dec. 15 50

Wed., Dec. 18 30

Sun., Dec. 22 52

Sun., Dec 22, 5 pm Children’s Service

91

Tues., Dec. 24, 9 pm 37

Wed., Dec. 25, 10:30 am 46

Sun., Dec. 29, Cancelled - storm

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There was discussion on changing the way offering from special services is distributed but no action was taken. Election of the following Officers:

• Elder – Lee Schlichtmann* • Trustee – Randy Rust • Trustee – Daniel Manthey* • Trustee – Tyler Hanson* • Recording Secretary – Ashley Henn* • Finance Secretary – Nicole Haffely*

• Steward – Don Hanson • SS Superintendent – Melissa Stuart* • Board of Ed – Stacey Riemer • Head Usher- John Meyer*

*Denotes those who were reelected. Accepted 6 communicant and 2 baptized members into membership.

January Birthdays 1 Effie Brendemuhl 2 Beata Garcia 2 Melissa Kozojed 5 Caitlyn Stuart 6 Brynlee Johnson 7 Harold McDonald 7 Kay Meyer

10 Glen Lougheed 11 David Steinke 15 Ken Kroeplin 18 Sarah Overby 21 Hadley Elbert 21 Toni Nelson 26 Wyatt Hamre

January Anniversaries 5 Joshua & Sarah Overby 7 Randy & Judy Rust

A Letter from Pastor & Mary Bramstedt is posted on the bulletin board at St. John. They send you all Christmas Greetings. Their address is: 509 Whitewater Way NE, Elgin, MN 55932.

Email: revbramstedt@centurylink.net mabramstedt@centurylink.net Phone: 507-876-9929

Can you believe it was the mid-eighties when they left here?

January 2020 Programs Jan 5: Rev. Rev. Bernie Seter, Zion English Grafton, ND, Trinity Lutheran Church, Drayton, ND, St.

John Lutheran Church, Crystal, ND, presents the message: “Who is in Charge Here?” based on Ephesians 1:3-14. “This Is The Life” program is: “A Friend in Deed.” Jan 12: Rev. Rev. John Bumgardner, St. John Lutheran Church, Red Lake Falls, MN, presents the message: “To Fulfill All Righteousness,” based on Matthew 3:13-17. “This Is The Life” program: “God of Love.” Jan 19: Rev. Michael Suelzle, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Niagara, ND, Grace Lutheran Church, Lakota, ND, and St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Devils Lake, ND, presents the message: “Jesus Revealed,” based on John 1:29-42. “This Is The Life” program is: “Adrift.” Jan 26: Rev. Thomas Puffe, St John's Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN, and Zion Lutheran Church, Warren, MN, presents the message: “Matthew 4:16,” based on Matthew 4:12-25. “This Is The Life” program: “The Hand of God.”

Programs are broadcast at 9:00 am Central time on the following FOX station: KVRR Fargo-Moorhead Channel 15.1, AND at 10:00 am on the following WDAY & affiliate

Xtra Channels: WDAY Xtra Channel 6.3 Fargo-Moorhead, WDAZ Xtra Channel 8.3 Grand Forks, – as well as the cable and satellite systems carrying these stations.

Website: www.mainstreetliving.com

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The ND District has adopted a new model for funding the missions of the District.

It’s completely Voluntary. It is very simple. Introducing:

Every baptized member of the Body of Christ in your congregation, from the

newest baby baptized to the oldest member is involved. This funding model is

based on the belief that "there is power and strength in many giving a little."

Loving our neighbor includes caring for their spiritual well-being.

The need exists for God’s people to come

together in support of missions that are bearing

kingdom fruit. In addition to each congregation’s regular giving to the District, the

1-1-1 funds will stay in the District and support missions of the District, such as

Christ Care of Children, Kenya, main Street Living, Wittenberg Lutheran Chapel,

UND; Iglesia Luterana de Chile; and others. God’s generosity is not lacking! The

gifts are there. Where the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and the

Sacraments are administered according to their institution by Christ, there are

ample resources to do this ministry. Look for a special collection box and brochure

with more information in your church!

Congregations’ Status

St. Peter, Belfield and Redeemer, Grassy Butte: vacancy (served by Rev. Anthony Ahrendt.) Trinity, Tolley: vacancy (served by Rev. Joel Brandvold.) Zion, Claire City: A call has been extended with Zion, Brown Valley, MN to Rev. Paul Weisenborn, Bunceton, MO (served by Minnesota North District.)

Pastors and DCE’S

Rev. Mark Chepulis, Our Savior, Cavalier, St. Paul, St. Thomas and Redeemer, Langdon has returned a call to Shepherd of the Valley, Salmon ID.

Rev. Sean Daenzer, Peace, Barney and Trinity, Great Bend, has accepted the call to serve as Director of Worship for the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and chaplain at its headquarters in St. Louis, MO.

Your servant in Christ, ND District President

Rev. Arie Bertsch

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Epiphany Word Search Puzzle:

M S T A R X E J O O W T L

Y M A R Y G N O P F D H F

R G I F T S T Y E F C E R

R Q D O W N E S N E H I A

H O U S E I R T I R E R N

T H E Y O T I O N E S G K

R T H E N H N P G D T O I

E E W E R E G P H I S L N

A O V E R W H E L M E D C

S P T C H I L D W H E N E

U A H S H I M O T H E R N

R I A A K N E L T A N D S

E D T W C W I T H D Q E E

H O M A G E M A T T H E W

WORD LIST:

AND CHESTS CHILD DOWN ENTERING FRANKINCENSE GIFTS GOLD HAD

HIM HOMAGE HIS HOUSE JOY KNELT MATTHEW MARY MOTHER MYRRH

ON OFFERED OPENING OVERWHELMED PAID SAW STOPPED STAR THAT

THEIR THEN THEY TREASURE WHEN WERE WITH

When they (the Magi) saw that the star had stopped, they were overcome with joy. Upon

entering the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they knelt down and

paid Him homage. And opening their treasure chests, they offered Him gifts of gold,

frankincense and myrrh - Matthew 2:10-11.

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St. John & Trinity Lutheran

PO Box 99 Hillsboro ND 58045 X January 2020 r Sunday Worship & Sunday School:

Trinity 8:30 am 9:30 am St. John 10:30 am 9:15 am

Rev. Allen Kramp Cell: 701-430-7117 Office: 701-636-4692 Email: revkramp@gmail.com Secretary: Stacey Riemer Email: secretarystj@rrv.net Church email: trinitystjohn@outlook.com On the Web: trinitystjohn.com facebook.com/stjohnhillsboro