GOSPEL NEWS

The Newsletter for the St. Charles and Dover

United Methodist Churches

November 2016

Pastor: Rev. Heather E. Klason

Church Office: 824 Church Avenue, St. Charles, MN

Telephone: 507-932-4966 (O) 507-932-4931 (H)

Email: Church: scdumcs@hbci.com Pastor: pastor.scdumcs@hbci.com

Website: http://www.scdmethodist.com

Worship Times: 8:30 am St. Charles & 10 am Dover Community Church

Shalom

As I write, in a few weeks voters all over the country will take to the polls to elect a President and a

host of other public officials. If you are like me you are overwhelmed by the rhetoric and elitism being

shown. If we pay attention at all, we realize how uncomfortable we have become. We give that

discomfort names – anger, fear, sadness, confusion – but the root of what we are feeling as people of

faith has a deeper origin.

This month is not just the election and aftermath of the results, but it is the month that holds the

celebration of Thanksgiving and all our traditions that have grown up around that one day. In many

different ways we will give thanks, showing our gratitude for God’s blessings all around us. And in giving

thanks for the gifts given we are blessed again. And when we pay attention, we notice abundance.

That is what has been missing. The discomfort we feel, whatever name we give it, has at its source

living in an age governed by a sense of scarcity and ‘looking out for number one’,

Everything we hear these days invites us to live in fear, uncertainty and insecurity. When we fall into

that trap, even a little bit, we are robbed of being opened up to a world of abundance and possibility,

God’s world. It may seem like a small thing, noticing and thanking, but it is the first step to setting in

motion a cycle of gratitude and grace.

That needs to be our focus. When we notice, when we say thanks, not only are we changed, but we

create a motion and energy that is passed along. We become more gracious and grateful in our

interactions with others. “It only takes a spark to get a fire going and soon all those around will warm

up in its glowing.” As our eyes are opened to all God is giving, each and every day, we will become a

force for justice, compassion, mercy and love. And the world will change, one person at a time. Not by

fear, not by taking care of number one, not by judging and condemning, not by reaction and revenge, but

by love.

I believe deeply that is God’s plan

Blessings

Pastor Heather

Worship Focus/Worship Preparation

Seasons of the Spirit – November 2016

November 6 – God Is Near to All – “All Saints Sunday”

Focus Text: Psalm 145:1–5, 17–21 “God is near to all who call.” The

psalmist reminds us that God is always close to us – “God is near to all who

call on God.” This is important to remember during times of trial, and also when things in our lives

are going just fine. God’s glorious splendor and wondrous works are to be praised daily, forever

and ever.

Additional Texts for Study and Devotions: Haggai 1:15b—2:9; Psalm 98 (alternate psalm);

2 Thessalonians 2:1–5, 13–17; Luke 20:27–38

This week: start each day by stretching your arms into the air, and naming one or two things for

which you are thankful saying, “I praise God for .”

November 13 – Joy Begins Now

Focus Text: Isaiah 65:17–25 “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw

like the ox.” God sees reconciliation where there is misunderstanding and hostility. Things are

going to be transformed – there will be life and new homes where there was once death and

despair. Everything will live in harmony – creation, too.

Additional Texts for Study and Devotions: Isaiah 12; Thessalonians 3:6–13; Luke 21:5–19

This week: think about the areas of your life that need transformation. Maybe cluttered

cupboards, an unhealthy diet, or an over-booked schedule. Pick one of these areas and work on

transforming it into something more balanced in order to bring harmony to your own life.

November 20 – Christ over Chaos

Focus Text: Colossians 1:11–20 “Christ is the image of the invisible God.” Christ holds all things

together – a way for God to also hold us close. We have a hard time imagining the complete glory

of the Reign of Christ. God’s ways are more grand than we can imagine. We can know that

through Christ, we can learn more about God’s wisdom and what we need to do to become the

loving church community that God wants us to be.

Additional Texts for Study and Devotions: Jeremiah 23:1–6; Luke 1:68–79; Luke 23:33–43

This week: start and add to a list of ways that you see God at work in the world around you.

November 27 – Hanging of the Greens

How do you prepare your home for the celebration of Christmas?

On November 6

we remember

Duane “Dewey” O. Stennes

Alfrieda Lylian Bishop

Elmer Papenfus

Allan Nielsen

Shirley Rossi

Connie Searcy

Hillis McKay

at a special worship service

St. Charles

Nominations Committee

If you are unable to serve in

your current position or are

interested in serving, please

contact Pastor Heather.

Are you prepared to vote?

By Bishop Bruce R. Ough, resident bishop of the Dakotas-Minnesota Area

of The United Methodist Church.

In the fall of 2004, I was the “senior” United Methodist bishop in Ohio when Bishop John Hopkins moved into the neighborhood to assume leadership of the East Ohio Conference. He had just come from the Minnesota Conference after eight years of valued episcopal oversight.

I was privileged to participate in Bishop Hopkins’ installation service at Cambridge First United Methodist Church in mid-October. When it was time for

him to speak, he stood before the congregation assembled in the grand First Church sanctuary and asked three questions:

Do you love Jesus? Do you love your neighbors? Are you registered to vote?

The congregation responded with generous acclaim to the first two questions. The third took them and me by surprise. Bishop Hopkins had everyone’s attention.

He went on to remind his new flock that as people of the Methodist Way, we are called to scriptural holiness, which has both personal and societal dimensions and expressions. The question “Do you love Jesus?” is a call to vital piety. The question “Do you love your neighbors?” is a call to mission and evangelism. The question “Have you registered to vote?” is a call to advocacy and justice.

Our Methodist DNA is to be formational-“making” or shaping followers of Jesus into devoted, obedient, mature disciples. Our Methodist DNA is to be evangelical-inviting persons into a saving, grace-informed, and loving relationship with

Jesus. Our Methodist DNA is to be in mission-extending abundant life to our neighbors far and near. Our Methodist DNA is to be advocates-standing with those who hunger for peace and justice, those who hunger for hope. These strands of DNA are interwoven; they cannot be separated or broken, and they are our distinctive witness to the world.

By the time you read this, voting day will be drawing near (and in Minnesota, you can register at your polling place on election day). I urge you not to neglect the unique opportunity you have on November 8 to exercise your Methodist DNA as an advocate for God’s people.

This election cycle has been particularly partisan, bitter, bigoted, and uncivil. For much of the electorate, political

affiliation has become indistinguishable from religious or theological affiliation. Some say preachers must endorse candidates. No, say others; that would violate their unique role as the moral compass for our communities and nation. And, what about those pesky IRS regulations? With both their personal integrity and paychecks on the line, many clergy and congregations feel trapped.

Many congregations tend to be inconveniently diverse in the political loyalties of their members and constituents. This is often particularly true in United Methodism, which has historically sought to bring very diverse persons to a common table unified by the overarching reality of God’s grace available to all.

In this bubbling stew of intertwined religion and politics, diverse political affiliations, and intense pressure to choose a side, one thing remains clear: Those who have been saved by grace and take the name of Jesus are first and foremost

citizens of the kingdom of God. We may argue about whether or not this should or does translate into a particular political party affiliation. But we cannot argue that we are called to embrace and express the identity and mission that Jesus came to fulfill when he declared:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. God has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to

proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Luke 4:18-19

When we take on the yoke of Christ through baptism and/or commissioning and ordination, we also take on this kingdom-building mission. We become citizens of the kingdom of God above all else.

So, as this election season builds to a crescendo, I ask you these three questions: Do you love Jesus? Do you love your neighbors?

Are you prepared to vote?

As United Methodists, we have a wonderful opportunity to express our DNA. I urge you to go to the polls. Go as a citizen of the kingdom of God. Go as an advocate for God’s children. Go to bring good news to the poor. Go to let the oppressed go free. Go to proclaim the Lord’s favor. Go to express your love for your neighbor.

May God’s kingdom vision and values find voice through those who vote and may God’s anointing be upon those selected to lead our communities, state, and country.

November 3 Mission Project – Hometown Resource Center

Week of November 7 Home & Family Assignment

November 16 Class: Genesis & Exodus/History of Israel

December 7 Mission Project – Cookies and Cards

St Charles United Methodist Church

Fall Event

Fall, Christmas &

Attic Treasures

Bake Sale & Luncheon

Saturday, November 5 9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Morning Coffee

9:00

to

10:30

Turkey Supreme Luncheon

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

Adult $6.00

12 yrs & under $3.00

St. Charles/Dover United Methodist Church

Administrative Council Meeting

October 12, 2016

Members Present: Jon and Teri Arnold, Sue Stefanich, David Hinckley, Dianna Pulley, Dale

Kieffer, Jennifer Mitchell Betty Pederson, Rory Ellsworth, Marion Decker, and Pastor Heather.

The minutes of the September 12, 2016 Ad. Council meeting were approved.

Finance:

Dover expressed concern that financial reports haven’t been timely.

Giving envelopes will go into the Nov. and Dec. newsletters then bimonthly thereafter.

Worship:

There are young student piano players that may play for worship. David Hinckley motioned that

student accompanists be paid $25 per church service with the Worship Committee working out details

about how many hymns etc. will be played. Motion passed.

The Worship Committee recommends that Easter be celebrated with a 7:30 a.m. Sonrise service and

breakfast following at SCUMC. Dover will have a 10:00 Easter service. Motion passed.

The Worship Committee recommends that SCUMC and Dover have a joint Christmas Eve service at

5:30 pm. The location will alternate by year with Dover having the 2016 service. Motion passed.

November 27 will be “The Hanging of the Greens” services at both churches instead of a shared

service with a pulpit supply minister.

Children’s Christmas Programs will be December 11 at both churches.

There will be a joint service on December 25 at 9:00 am at SCUMC.

January 1 will be a joint service at Dover at 10:00 am.

Communications:

Pastor Heather gave a devotional on Matthew 18:15-20 “The Rule of Christ” . Communication in the

church needs to be one to one.

Web Site: Teri Arnold and Dianna Pulley are keeping it up to date. They are working on a way to

keep it current even when Teri is in Arizona this winter.

Newsletters will be mailed out for another year. The permit expires Sept. 30. Changes in newsletter

delivery will be revisited in Sept. 2017. Jennifer Mitchell suggested that newsletters be sent both

with paper and electronically. It is already available on the web site. We will e-mail a link to the web

site to those for whom we have e-mail addresses.

Charge Conference:

Report forms were distributed. These need to be done before the Charge Conference November 16,

at 7:15 p.m. The nominations committees will meet October 23, 2016.

The next SCUMC administrative council meeting will be November 9, 2016.

The next joint meeting will be December 14, 2016 at 7:00 pm at SCUMC.

Respectfully submitted,

Dianna Pulley

See colorful copies

of the newsletter plus

much more information

and pictures on the

website.

Check out

our website!!!

www.scdmethodist.com

Turkey Dinner Report

Income $ 5060.76

Expense $ 1486.43

Profit $ 3574.33

St. Charles/Dover United Methodist Women

October 6, 2016

Members Present: Joan Hoff, Jan Behrens, Gail Keller, Carol Mueske,

Linda Ferguson, Allice Dabelstein, Dianna Pulley, Barb Traxler, and Pastor

Heather

After Joan Hoff gave devotions, Pastor Heather prayed for our joys and concerns.

The minutes of the Sept. 8, 2016 UMW meeting were read and approved.

Treasurer’s Report: There is currently $2,417.40 in the account.

New Business:

The workday to make firestarters will be Fri. Oct. 7 at 9:00 am.

The Turkey Dinner went well. Around 430 were served. Thank you to everyone for helping.

The Fall Event is November 5, 2016.

Dianna asked for someone to help with the bakery. Norma Stephens was suggested.

Barb, Linda, Pastor Heather and Marion Decker will make coffee cakes for the coffee time.

Allice, Sue and Dianna will make salads Friday Nov 4.

Gail, Dianna, Carol, Joan and Sue will bring bars for the lunch.

Sue and Allice will make the Turkey Supreme.

Carol, Gail, and Pastor Heather will bring fruit for the lunch.

Is the Prayer Chain working? We need to be mindful to be sure to make the calls and to keep it

going if the person doesn’t answer.

Barb and Carol will do the Christmas bags for the ‘shut-ins’.

Calendars will be $6.00 for those who want to purchase one.

Gail will be stepping down as President. Who will step up?

The next meeting will be November 10, 2016. (Changed to be after the Fall Event.) Jan Behrens will be

hostess. Linda Ferguson will do devotions.

Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Dianna Pulley

Christmas Poinsettias Each year it is tradition to have Poinsettias adorn our Churches.

If you would like to order and share, please sign up on the

clipboard at church.

Or contact:

SC—Rory Ellsworth,

507-951-9853

Dover—Geri Ihrke,

507-696-1466

Orders will be taken until

November 27.

Why the envelope?

Notice that an offering

envelope has been included

in this newsletter.

The administrative council

is trying to make it easier

for you to support our

churches even when you are

not able to attend worship.

Reverse Advent

Calendar

This year for Advent instead of a calendar count-

ing down the days to Christmas with your family,

start a new tradition. Each day celebrate advent

together by adding a nonperishable food item, a

personal care item or a “be creative item” to the

basket. It's fun to put something in the box every

day, and think of what someone else might enjoy,

find useful or need.

Then donate it to the

Resource Center!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Save these dates

Children’s Christmas Programs

December 11, 2016

UMW Christmas Party

December 16, 2016

All Women in our churches are

United Methodist Women

Please come!

Joint Christmas Eve Service

At Dover Community Church

December 24, 2016 5:30 pm

Joint Christmas Day Service

At St Charles UMC

December 25, 2016 9:00 am

For Local Children through

Hometown Resource Center

From November 1 to December 1

we will be collecting new toys for

children ages birth to 12.

All toys gathered will be used for

area children.

Please be generous!

Please bring all toys to the church.

New Fellowship Hall

Chairs!

An anonymous donor has

given $1,000 to be used to replace

St. Charles fellowship hall chairs.

We are grateful!!

This is a big start toward all new

chairs.

If you would like to help with this

project, please write a

check to the church and

indicate that your

donation is for chairs.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

November

Birthdays and Anniversaries November

1 Aurie Ellsworth St. Charles

2 Jim Tilford Dover

Rodney Hammel Dover

3 Eric Decker St. Charles

Kristen Olson St. Charles

4 Leah Rypstra Dover

Britt Fix Dover

6 Shelly Wegman Dover

Savannah Evelyn Fay Dover

7 Karin Ferden St. Charles

8 Samantha Ihrke Dover

George & Dee Schwoboda St. Charles

10 Rebecca Anne Harps Dover

Jeff Olsgard Dover

11 Deb Fagan St. Charles

Victoria Schultz St. Charles

14 Rick Lane St. Charles

15 Keith & Gail Keller St. Charles

18 Steve Harvey Dover

Riley Ferden St. Charles

19 Lindsey DeMarino St. Charles

20 Stacey Swenson St. Charles

22 Robert Mathieson Dover

23 Brady Koeppel St. Charles

25 Mark Roubinek St. Charles

Dale Kieffer Dover

27 Alex Strain St. Charles

29 Jon & Teri Arnold St. Charles

30 Jon Keller St. Charles

Our thoughts and prayers

go to the

family and friends of

Hillis McKay

who passed away on

October 18, 2016.

Please Remember these People in Your Prayers

Vicki Marquart Evelyn Biers Evan Wegman Leah Arnold Maynard Millard

If you know of anyone in the hospital or in need of prayers,

visits, or who would like communion brought to them, please contact

Pastor Heather.

Novem

ber

2016

Th

e U

nit

ed M

eth

od

ist

Ch

urc

h

St. C

har

les

and

Do

ver

Pas

tor:

Hea

ther

E K

laso

n

Ch

urc

h p

ho

ne:

50

7-9

32

-49

66

P

asto

r’s

cell

ph

on

e: 3

20

-29

0-7

46

0

E-m

ail:

scd

um

cs@

hb

ci.c

om

W

ebsi

te:

ww

w.s

cdm

eth

od

ist.

com

29

1

2

5

3

4

26

25

24

23

22

21

12

7

18

19

8

9

10

11

15

16

17

14

8:

30 a

m S

C W

orsh

ip

9:

30 a

m S

C S

S

10:0

0 am

D W

orsh

ip

10:1

5 am

D S

S

9:

00 a

m U

MW

10:0

0 am

Ass

iste

d

Livi

ng W

orsh

ip

10:0

0 am

Ass

iste

d

Livi

ng W

orsh

ip

No

Ass

iste

d Li

ving

Wor

ship

Ser

vice

28

30

6:0

0 pm

Con

firm

atio

n

7:00

pm

SC

Ad.

Boa

rd

Art

icle

s fo

r D

ecem

ber

New

slet

ter

due

in

offic

e

6

13

20

27

8:

30 a

m S

C W

orsh

ip

9:

30 a

m S

C S

S

10:0

0 am

D W

orsh

ip

10:1

5 am

D S

S

8:

30 a

m S

C W

orsh

ip

9:

30 a

m S

C S

S

10:0

0 am

D W

orsh

ip

10:1

5 am

D S

S

8:

30 a

m S

C W

orsh

ip

9:

30 a

m S

C S

S

10:0

0 am

D W

orsh

ip

10:1

5 am

D S

S

9:00

am

S

C

Fal

l Eve

nt

6:3

0

pm

W

ors

hip

C

om

mitte

e

7:1

5

pm

C

harg

e

Co

nfe

rence a

t D

United Methodist Church

St. Charles & Dover

824 Church Ave.

St. Charles, MN 55972

Address Service Requested

Mailing

Address

Non-Profit Organization Presorted Special

U.S. Postage Paid

St. Charles, MN 55972

Permit No. 22

X

X

X

X

X