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Parish News

MAY 2020 BRITTON LUTHERAN PARISH

Worship services will continue to be live-streamed

on Britton Lutheran Parish Facebook page at 9:00

am on Sunday mornings until further notice. There

has been some discussion about opening church

Memorial Day weekend, but nothing definite yet.

Vespers will continue at 5:00 pm Wednesdays.

If you do not have Facebook, you can see the

video services at www.brittonlutheranparish.com.

Click All Videos to see the past worship services.

What are you missing during this Epidemic?

Awards Sunday Baby Showers Baptisms

Baccalaureate Bible Camps Bible Study

Choir Circle Coffee and Fellowship Communion

Confirmation Council Family First Communion

Friends FSA Garden Party Graduation

JAWS Memorial Day Dinner Men of First

Mother’s Day Dinner Quilting Senior Recognition

Senior Supper Singing Sunday School

Teachers Worship Vacation Bible School

Warm Hugs Weddings Women of First

The Britton Lutheran Parish Bible Study on the book of Matthew will be live-streamed Thursdays mornings at 11:00am on BLP Facebook page. Join us!

Remember

Mom on

May 10

We remember, O Lord, all those peo-ple throughout the years who have made the supreme sacrifice for our country, for liberty, for us. Whenever we breathe the air of freedom or

claim the right to justice or enjoy the privilege of wor-ship, fill us with gratitude for those who selflessly gave the last full measure of devotion — their very lives — for our benefit. May these brave men and women now know the joy of eternity and your presence. And may the families of the fallen receive comfort and peace amid their grief. Help us as we minister to their needs. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Education Committee plans to meet in May to

discuss the possibility of Vacation Bible School.

A Prayer for Memorial Day

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From the Pastor . . . .

And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” — Revelation 21:5a Our daughter Liz is currently in graduate school studying economics. This is not a disci-pline I know very much about, but I do know that in economics there is a concept called: Cre-ative Destruction. What that means, as I understand it, is that the continual process of innova-tion in products and processes, leads to the ending of some products and means of production as they are replaced by newer products and processes. I have an example of this economic concept. My grandfather on my Dad’s side owned and operated the last harness shop in Irene, SD. He discontinued it prior to World War One and concentrated on farming. The reason is obvious, the transition from animal power to mecha-nized power was in full swing. The demand for harness and buggy whips and the rest was diminishing rapidly. The tractor put an end to the harness business, which I suppose was hard for my grandfather, but you and I are fortunate it did. We would be living in a very hungry world if we depended on horses and oxen to produce our food and fiber. We have been experiencing a good bit of destruction to life as we have known it these last few weeks with the advent of the Corona virus epidemic. A lot of the things we had planned, a lot of the things we are used to, have been cancelled. The way we are used to doing things, including worship, have been turned upside down. A lot of this destruction will be forgotten once the virus subsides, and we will go back to the traditions and events of life we have been blessed with, graduations, eating out, proms, and of course gathering to hear God’s Word and give him praise. But I hope this destruction will bring about some new realities. I hope not being able to gather for worship and going on the computer to hear God’s Word will destroy the notion that we don’t need to hear from our Lord, that we don’t need to come together to receive his gifts. I hope not being able to spend time with friends and neighbors and family will destroy the idea that we can live just to ourselves, that we will be more aware of all the gifts God has giv-en us in those around us. If this experience destroys the idea that life is only about what we can get, about ourselves, and replaces it with the truth, that we are children of a God who loves us, then this all will have been truly creative.

God’s Blessings as we continue in his grace and care,

Pastor Terrill

We must offer ourselves to God like a clean, smooth canvas and not worry ourselves about what God may choose to paint on it, but at each moment, feel only the stroke of his brush. … It is the same with a piece of stone. Each blow from the sculptor’s chisel makes it feel … as if it were being destroyed. … All I know is that I must stay immobile in the hands of the sculptor. … I have no idea what he is doing … but I know his work is the best possible.

—Jean Pierre de Caussade

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Pastor Terrill led the Palm Sunday Car Processional

on April 5th. Over 50 cars joined in waving palm

branches out their windows as they processed

around town. Seeing friends and neighbors

during this unusual time brought smiles to many.

Palm Sunday

Processional

Britton Lutheran Parish Hi-Tech Broadcast Studio. MJ Hrabik’s picture of watching church from home.

Thanks to Livia, Mataya and Reeve Knecht for

sharing their Lazarus story drawings.

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lLEVI BOYKO EMMA STORLEY TYSON MORRIS

STANLEY HASKINS

TYSON WADE

CHASE MUNDT

Class of 2020 MAKIAH HENNING

Graduating Seniors will be hon-

ored on May 10th during the live

streamed service at 9:00 am.

A quilt will be presented to each

graduate at that time.

Congratulations!

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Lutheran Outdoors has cancelled all summer pro-

grams at all Lutheran Outdoors sites for the 2020

summer season.

“As much as we love and care for our camps, we love

and care for our campers and guests even more.”

Rosalie Deloris Hagen, daughter of Jeremy and Linda (Ortega) Hagen, was baptized April 26, 2020. She was born September 11, 2019 at Ab-erdeen, SD. Her sponsors are Shandy Newton, Vanessa Quezada, and John and Jackie Hagen.

From Our Parish Records

In Memory of Richard Bell

Roofing Fund

Bob and Marlene Hardina

Roofing Fund

Ray and Jill Gerrick

Mildred’s Family

Roofing Fund

Randy and Candie Beck

Ben and Benita Braaten

Gordon Braaten

Brian and Kim Peters

Kristofferson Family

Roofing Fund

Betty Beck

Ed Brubakken

Norman Carlson

Luanne Jensen

Brian and Kim Peters

Jim and Sandi Polkinghorn

Steve and Brenda Schmidt

Al and Marlene Sime

Janet’s Friends and Family

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In Memory of Mildred Hunter

In Memory of Diane Kristofferson

In Memory of Janet Peterson

“God is not a Workaholic” In Sabbath as Resistance, Walter Brueggemann likens our consumerism-driven society to ancient Egypt. He-brew slaves made bricks for storehouses for the wealth of the upper class, at the top of which sat Pharaoh. Now, as then, the push is always to do more, earn more, make more; we worry there’s not enough time or money. “In this system there can be no Sabbath rest,” says the author. Yet, at the culmination of creation, “God rested on the seventh day. God did not show up to do more. … God did not come and check on creation in anxiety to be sure it was all working.” And “because the creator is anxiety-free,” we can be too. “God is not a workahol-ic,” writes Brueggemann. “God does not keep jacking up production schedules. To the contrary, God rests, confident, serene, at peace.” God’s rest, in turn, gives us — who are created in his image — a “restfulness that contradicts the ‘drivenness’” of Pharaoh’s Egypt and modern society.

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Of Patience and Pruning

In many parts of America, Mother’s Day is the rec-ommended date for planting flowers outdoors. Sub-jecting blooms to the elements any sooner is risky, though sunny spring days sure make waiting tough. Perhaps that’s why poet May Sarton calls gardening “an instrument of grace,” for it “slows us down and forces patience.” Courage is also required. Gardeners “must be brave enough to cut back the old and sit with bare branch-es, awaiting new growth,” writes Cheryl Richardson (Waking Up in Winter). “And we must trust that it will come.” When God prunes us, we too must trust that new growth and new life are in store … and then patiently wait.

“Where flowers bloom, so does hope.”

- Lady Bird Johnson

Anecdotes abound of couples who become preg-nant soon after finalizing a long-awaited adoption. A Reader’s Digest contributor recounts how one such mother later handled well-meaning inquiries about which child was “hers” (biologically). She replied: “I’ve forgotten.” That mindset, perhaps, is why John Piper calls adoption “a picture of the Gospel.” God, through his Son Jesus, makes us his very own eternally be-loved children. Max Lucado writes: “If anybody understands God’s ardor for his children, it’s someone who has rescued an orphan from despair, for that is what God has done for us. God has adopted you. God sought you, found you, signed the papers and took you home.”

Adopted by God

May 31

As governors are trying to figure out how to ease back in to a new normal, please remember:

Some people don’t agree with the state opening.... that’s okay. Be kind.

Some people are still planning to stay home.... that’s okay. Be kind.

Some are still scared of getting the virus and a sec-ond wave happening....that’s okay. Be kind.

Some are sighing with relief to go back to work knowing they may not lose their business or their homes....that’s okay. Be kind.

Some are thankful they can finally have a surgery they have put off....that’s okay. Be kind.

Some will be able to attend interviews after weeks without a job....that’s okay. Be kind.

Some will wear masks for weeks....that’s okay. Be kind.

Some people will rush out to get the hair or nails done.... that’s okay. Be kind.

The point is, everyone has different viewpoints/feelings and that’s okay. Be kind.

We each have a different story. If you need to stay home, stay home. But be kind .

If you need to go out, just respect others when in public and be kind! Don’t judge fellow humans because you’re not in their story. We all are in different mental states than we were months ago. So remember, be kind.

Be Kind