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Th
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August 2017
Why Are We Here…Why does Evergreen Lutheran Exist? by Pastor Vera Guebert-Steward
Not long after I was called as ELC’s Pastor, the
need for four worship services a week became
obvious and we began a rigorous worship
schedule which continued for two years. We
outgrew our facility in 2002 and were all aware
of the need to respond to the rapid growth.
I remember sitting in my office the Spring of
2004 contemplating our next move. After much
prayer and conversation, we began to build our
new facility.
I often felt as though I was “controlling the
burn.” By that I mean, the growth was so
exciting and so furious that I could barely keep
up. To manage the growth, I did my best to keep
us moving in the right direction; eyes on the
cross and hearts centered on serving. It was a
very exhilarating time. At our Church Council’s
Spring retreat in 2004 I led a Bible Study
discussion on being a
servant leader. And the
last question I asked
was “Why do we do
the things we do?”
“Why serve?”
The Apostle Paul
gives the church in
Rome a pretty clear
answer to my question.
Paul suggests in
Romans 15 verse 6 that the church exists:
To “join together with one voice, giving praise
and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ.” Indeed, our most important “why” is to
give God glory.
The church exists for the glory of God.
Ultimately, this is the only reason for the
church’s existence. If we accomplished every
other secondary goal - comforting thousands,
taught the Bible to thousands more and
thousands more were blessed by our generosity,
if it wasn’t done to give God glory, all would
be completely worthless. The church exists
for the glory of God.
But close behind that reason is reason #2.
The “why” of what we do day in and day out,
Sunday in and Sunday out is for the edification,
or building up of the saints. That is why we
continue to develop
opportunities to
study the Word.
And not only does
the edification of the
saints include Bible
study, but it also
consists of
encouraging one
another, building up
one another and
serving one another.
Finally, why
serve? Why praise
God? Why give our
hearts and souls to the ministry of our beautiful
church? Because we exist for the sake of the
world. We give, serve, love and bless so that the
world will come to
know the love of God
in Christ Jesus that we
have been gifted with.
ELC is a very busy
place. More and more
opportunities to make
a God-shaped impact
on the world are created
every month.
Sometimes I feel a need
to temper those activities…to have us take a step
back and look at what we are doing. But not just
look at what we are doing…but ask why we are
doing what we are doing?
Starting with the why is the most important
thing we can do for our mission and ministry.
If we don’t remember and emphasize the “why”,
we can’t know fully what to do or how to do it.
Simon Senek, in a lengthy TED talk speaks to the
issue of the golden circle…Senek says: Start With
Why. According to Simon Sinek, the
fundamental difference between the “Apple
Corporation” and everyone else is that they
start with “why.” What does that even mean?
To explain this concept, Sinek has developed
what he calls the “Golden Circle,” image pictured
on the next page.
(Continued on page 2)
“We give, serve, love and bless
so that the world will come to know
the love of God in Christ Jesus
that we have been gifted with.”
T H E M O U N T A I N E C H O 2
Adult Ministry
Even in the midst of summer I hear
how busy people are. There are
trips to take, relatives visiting,
house and yard projects, and still
there are the everyday tasks of life
and work. We can’t really slow
down or things will pile up and we
will soon be overwhelmed.
If we take some time to reflect
on the busyness of our days we
must ask, are they really filling us
with what we long for most. Here
is a prayer from Joyce Rupp’s
book, “Out of the Ordinary.” it
helps me to focus on those things
that matter the most and those
things I long for.
Open your mouth wide,
and I will fill it. Psalm 81:10
Come Holy Spirit
Help me to replace the busyness
of my life with a simpler lifestyle,
so I will focus on “the deeper
things” in life and allow time
for others.
Nourish my yearning to understand
and to appreciate myself;
keep me from being
too self-orientated
and unmindful of other’s needs.
Adult Ministries
The golden circle has three layers:
Why - This is the core belief of the
business. It's why the
business exists.
How - This is how the business
fulfills that core belief.
What - This is what the company
does to fulfill that core
belief.
Sounds simple, but what Sinek found
is that most companies do their
marketing backwards. They start with
their “what” and then move to “how”
they do it. Most of these companies
neglect to even mention why they do
what they do. More alarmingly, many
of them don't even know why they do
what they do!
You are a special people and we
are a very special church. We will
become an even more powerful force
in the community and the world if
we remember “why” we exist. As
we enter a time of contemplation
about Grateful Generosity, which
I believe is the heart of our ministry,
may we remember “why” we are
here: to praise God and be built up
so that we may have a God-shaped
impact on the world.
Thanks be to God!
(Continued from page 1)
Fill me with trust
in your consoling presence.
Calm me when I am anxious
and troubled about many things.
Help me to have the courage
to empty myself of everything
that does not contribute to the
transformation of this world.
Continue to create a deep hunger
for you within me.
Feed me with “the finest wheat”
of your joy, peace, and love.
Often replenish my weary spirit
with an enthusiasm and energy
that comes from surrendering
my life to you.
Be my wisdom as I search
for meaning in a world fraught with
pain, suffering, hostility and division.
Keep me hungry for you,
Source of Life,
so that I will always ache
and yearn a bit for you.
- by Joyce Rupp
With you in Ministry,
Kim Williams
Director of Adult Ministry
3 A U G U S T 2 0 1 7
Thursday:
ϯ Java & Jesus women’s weekly
Bible Study meet at 9:30 a.m.
We will continue to meet through
the summer with the DVD series
by Rob Bell “Nooma”. NOOMA
is a series of short films that
explore our world from a
perspective of Jesus. NOOMA
is an invitation to search,
question, and join the discussion.
Come and join us.
ϯ Thursday Evening the Faith
and Culture small discussion
group meets at 5:30pm before
evening worship. This is a
discussion about how faith
and culture intersect. We will
read and discuss a short article
from the Christian Century
magazine. The past conversations
have been really thought
provoking and generated a lot of
discussion. Come and join us.
ϯ Lunch Bunch We will meet
Thursday, August 17 at Beau
Jo’s on main street in Evergreen
at 12:00 p.m. This is a no host
lunch group for seniors, retirees,
those who live alone, are tired of
your own cooking or just want to
gather with others for lunch at one
of Evergreen’s local restaurants.
Please call the office before
Tuesday if you will be attending
so we can make reservations with
restaurant. If you need a ride let
Kim know 303-960-9093
Adult Faith Formation
Stephen Ministers will meet
Thursday, August 17 in Fellowship Hall
at 7:15 p.m.
Stephen Ministry
ELC Summer
Schedule Memorial Day through Labor Day
we have one Sunday morning
worship at 9:00 a.m.
Thursdays we worship at 6:30
p.m. in Agape Chapel, weather
permitting, except for the Thursday
prior to a Sunday Agape Chapel
worship.
Brunch Sundays are August 6, and
August 27. On these Sundays, we
encourage you to bring a brunch
dish to share.
Weather permitting, we will
worship in Agape Chapel, our
outdoor worship area, on Sunday,
September 3.
Summer Office hours are
Monday through Friday,
9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Summer Schedule
Confirmation
Orientation
Confirmation Orientation for kids
entering 6th-8th grade and their
parents will be in Fellowship Hall at
6:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 30.
We will spend about an hour
together talking about the program,
scheduling next year's Affirmation
of Baptism for the 8th graders,
discussing your commitment to the
program and simply fellowshipping
with one another.
Contact DeNae vanWestrienen,
303-995-0315, for more
information.
August Birthdays
1 Carl Cox, Phyllis Wittenberg,
Michael Evans
2 JoAnne Meinert, Ron Simonich,
Lee Kirberg
3 Jay Lipson, Scott Nelson
5 Rick Mitzelfelt
6 Mary Noonan, Stephanie Seaton
7 Jeanne Schubert
8 Garrett Coukos
9 Kaitlin Knochenmus,
Maggie Streett
10 Rosie Boettger, Judy Van Auken,
Julianna Hood, Alyssa Diflumeri
11 Mary Simonich
12 Linda Easton, Ethan Halingstad,
Sawyer Halingstad
13 Nancy Sohrweid, Katie Walke,
Cathy Tellman
15 Wyatt Bly
17 Jan Petrocchi
18 Ruth McEwen
19 Colleen Norrgard,
Noah Nemmers, Katherine Hood
20 Keegan Malecki
22 Scott Bergner,
Asher vanWestrienen
23 Candace O’Brien, Anna Brooks
24 Nicole Prolow
26 Jack Konigsbauer,
Valerie Hartford
27 Anita Seggelink
29 Ciara Moe, John Kounalis
August Anniversaries
3 Mike & Debbie Pucherelli
4 Barb & Fred Guist
6 Gordon & Sue Queen
7 Karen & Paul Phillipe
8 Arthur & Sharon Onweller
9 Andy & Larry Patella
10 Dan & Pastor Julie Brooks
12 Larry and Sue Petroskey
17 Sydney & Art Hogling
19 Gail & Jim Brannan
20 Jon and Jo Powers,
Randy & Sheila Tripp
23 Dianne & Bruce Campbell
26 Dave and Janet Blumenstein
27 Marlin & Paula Jung,
Carol & Darrel Meinert,
28 Kristi & John Kohnke
4 T H E M O U N T A I N E C H O
Grove Sale
Donations Accepted Sunday, August 6
10:00am-2:00pm
Mon., August 7-Wed., August 9
9:00am-8:00pm
Thursday, August 10
9:00am-1:00pm (note we close early on Thursday for
the big push before the sale).
Are You Ready to Get
Your Grove Sale On?!
Evergreen Lutheran Church's 26th
Annual Grove Sale will be held
Saturday, August 12, from 7:30
a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Now is the time
to clean out your closets, garage,
or basement and box up those
unwanted, unused, or out-grown
treasures for this event.
Please make sure donations are
clean and in good repair. Tarps,
canopy tents, plastic and paper bags,
and safety pins are also needed.
(Please note: We do NOT need wire
hangers.) Also note that big,
awkward items such as large
appliances, tires, mattresses, water
beds, curtain rods, encyclopedias,
windows, doors, paint, stain, tube
TVs, and computers cannot be
accepted. Only flat screen computer
monitors can be accepted.
Now here’s the FUN part:
You can also sign up for the many
volunteer opportunities posted in
the Narthex. Absolute joy in serving
guaranteed.
Looking for a fun camping
experience? We need grove sitters to
overnight it in the grove on Thursday
and Friday nights that week. This
could be that brief get-away you’ve
been trying to squeeze into your busy
summer. Call Jan at 303-697-6189 or
Carolyn at 303-674-2436 if you’re
interested.
Volunteers, we thank you in
advance for all your hard work. This
tremendous fundraiser wouldn't be
possible without you. Working the
Grove Sale touches lives in a very
profound way.
Remember: 100 percent of the
proceeds benefit our mountain-area
community, so let’s work together
to gather, sort, price, and sell for
a terrific bottom line for our
community. Let's make this 25th
Grove Sale our biggest FUNdraiser
ever. We can - with your support.
Carolyn Bergner, Jan Blumenstein,
Gary Sohrweid
The Grove Sale Policy Statement The ELC Grove Sale is a
community outreach project that
benefits those in our mountain
community in need. This requires
our members to work together in
an eight-day labor of love and
friendship to achieve our goal.
It blesses the members of our
congregation by giving us an
opportunity to serve and fellowship
in love during the Grove Sale week.
Please abide by the following
guidelines: • Congregants and friends who
work four hours or more are
permitted to buy a priced item or
items ahead of the sale on
Saturday.
• Please do not take or buy an
un-priced item. If a worker bee
sees an item which interests
them, wait for it to be priced or
take it to the appropriate person
for pricing.
• All
treasures taken
prior to the sale
from the church
must be paid for
or documented
by the chair-
persons of the
Sale: Carolyn,
Jan, and Gary.
Documenting
makes payment
on Saturday or
Sunday easy.
• If you see
something that
would benefit
the church
specifically,
i.e. furniture,
lamps, etc.,
please contact
our property
manager, Ed
Boettger. ELC promises
the shoppers
that all monies
made at the sale
will benefit a needy family/individual
in the mountain community. We are
blessed to have items donated from
all over the mountain area to sell at
our Grove Sale. As a people of
promise and integrity, we would like
to be certain that any item donated
for sale is actually paid for/purchased
and the money gifted to those
in need.
A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 5
Worship & Music Notes
To be Truly
Present
The nature of the work I
have done in all my jobs
as an adult has required
my focus to be in the
future. I’m not sure if that is what
has trained me to ‘live there’.
Consequently, I sometimes feel
anxious in my present, trying to
prepare for whatever the future may
hold. As a result, I probably miss
what is going on around me at that
moment.
I recently had a conversation with
one of our college students who
returned home for summer break.
I asked her if it was hard to leave her
school and friends and she responded
that it really was. She said college
feels like home to her now. But she
is equally happy to be here at home.
What incredible wisdom she has
gained in her first year away from
the home where she was born, loved
and raised. She has learned the
power, joy and peace of being truly
present wherever she is and it has
blessed her. Many of us spend
senseless hours worrying about the
past and feeling anxious about our
future, to the detriment of the only
moment we truly have – now.
We live in a world that demands
our attention and scatters our
thoughts and actions in every
direction. We multitask constantly
in order to keep up socially and in
our work. How can we practice
mindfulness in the midst of this?
Perhaps it is to focus on what God
wants for us. Meister Eckhart, a
German theologian, philosopher and
mystic says, “All God wants from
man is a peaceful heart”. If that is
so, how do we keep ourselves
grounded and focused on that loving
desire? In the hymn “What God
Ordains is Good”, we are given that
assurance.
It doesn’t require us to be different
people, but rather to focus more
intentionally on each moment we are
given, without distraction, and rest
assured that we are cared for and
loved by our benevolent God. As we
move into our fall schedule and life
seems to speed up, I pray we will be
able to be fully present in each thing
we do so that we might see God’s
presence and blessing in it.
Peggy Fetchenhier
Minister of Worship and Music
“What God ordains is good indeed, for all life well providing.
The will of God is best for me, the ground of my confiding.
My faithful God, on every road you know the way unfolding
and my hand you are holding.” ~What God Ordains is Good
Adult Choir Regular Choir rehearsals will begin
on September 13 at 7:30 p.m. We
joyfully welcome new singers any
time. Contact Peggy Fetchenhier if
you have questions. 303-674-4759
Glory Ringers Regular Bell Choir rehearsals will
begin on September 13 at 6:00 p.m.
If you are interested in joining the
choir or being a substitute player, call
Carl Cox, Director, 720-939-9933.
Youth Bell Choir Carl Cox will be directing a new
youth bell choir this fall. The choir
will meet in the Music Room from
5:15-6:00 p.m. Wednesday
evenings and will begin rehearsals on September 13, 2017. If your
child is in 5th – 12th grade and
interested in playing, give Carl a call,
720-939-9933. No previous
experience necessary.
Music Conferences. So we are
doing something historic by having
our retreat on the grounds of the old
Evergreen Music Conference. They
have a large gathering room and
kitchen. It is close to downtown, so
you can go for a good coffee during
breaks, shop, or just go for a walk
or meditate at their labyrinth.
Join us for a time to get to know
each other and share our passion for
music! This is a great time to try
our music ministry if you’ve been
thinking about it. I will send out a
schedule soon so you know where
we’ll be and when, so if you want
to come for part of the time, you are
certainly welcome to do that.
Choir Retreat This year we will have our choir
retreat in Evergreen on September 8
and 9. We will meet Friday evening
from 6:00-8:30 p.m. with snacks,
fellowship and music, and Saturday,
from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Our retreat
will be at the Episcopal Church, in
Douglas Hall. Originally it was a
hotel and then used as a church for
years until the current church
building was constructed. It is in the
national historic register so it's pretty
cool and has a lot of local history. It's
the building where Canon Charles
Douglas probably did all the hymn
arrangements and where folks from
all over the world worshipped when
they came to the summer Evergreen
T H E M O U N T A I N E C H O 6
In Observation of the
Reformation
To celebrate and commemorate the
500th anniversary of the Reformation,
the ELC Library Committee has put
together a collection of works by and
about Martin Luther and the
Reformation. The collection will be
on display on the table and counter in
the library throughout most of the rest
of the year. Please feel free to sign
out any works that you want; just
remember to return them in a timely
fashion so that others may enjoy
them.
Beyond Charity: Reformation
Initiatives for the Poor by Carter
Lindberg 261.8 Lin
The Bondage of the Will by Martin
Luther 234.9 Lut
Faith Active in Love by George W.
Forell 248 For
From Luther to 1580: A Pictorial
Account by Erwin
Weber Oversized 284.1 Web
Here I Stand: Life of Martin Luther
by Roland H. Bainton 284.1 Bai
Jesus, Remember Me: Words of
Assurance from Martin Luther by
Barbara Owen, ed. 230 Owe
Luther by John Osborne 808 Osb
Luther by Eric Till, dir. AV DVD
921 Til
Adult Library
“I love to lose myself
in other men's minds.
When I am not walking,
I am reading;
I cannot sit and think.
Books think for me.” ~ Charles Lamb,
Grandpa Lee's
Gems for the Fireside
Luther: An Experiment in
Biography by H. G. Haile 284.1
Hai
Luther: Man Between God and the
Devil by Heiko A. Oberman 284.1
Obe
Luther Now by Hanns Lilje from
Pastor Vera's collection
Luther the Reformer: The Story
of the Man and His Career by
James M. Kittelson 284.1 Kit
Luther’s Large Catechism by
Martin Luther 238.41 Lut
Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses by
Martin Luther 238.41 Lut
Luther’s Small Catechism by
Martin Luther 238.41 Lut
Martin Luther by Elsie
Singmaster 921 Sin
Martin Luther by Roslie F.
Baker, ed. 230.4 Bak
Martin Luther: A Life by James
A. Nestingen 284.1 Nes
Martlin Luther: A Man Who
Changed the World by Paul L.
Maier Oversized 912 Mai
Martin Luther and the
Reformation by A. G.
Dickens 230.41 Dic
Martin Luther: His Life and
Teachings by James Arne
Nestingen 270.6 Nes
Martin Luther: Selections from His
Writings by John Dillenberger from
Pastor Vera's collection
Melanchthen Selected Writings by
Charles Leander Hill from Pastor
Vera's collection
Our Neighbor: Martin Luther by
Elizabeth Rundle Charles 921 Cha
The Reformation by Diarmaid
MacCulloch 270.6 Mac
The Reformation: Then and Now
by Charles S. Anderson 270.6 And
Signs of Belonging: Luther's Marks
on the Church and the Christian Life
by Mary E. Hinkle 284.1
Theologian Germania of Martin Luther by Bengt Hoffman from
Pastor Vera's collection
Theology of the Reformers by
Timothy George
A Theology to Live By: The
Practical Luther for Practicing
Christians by Herman A. Preus 230
Pre
Through the Year with Martin Luther by Martin Luther 252.6 Lut
True Faith in the True God: An
Introduction to Luther's Life and
Thought by Hans Schwarz 234 Sch
Young Man Luther: A Study in
Psychoanalysis by Erik Erikson
270.6 Eri
August
02: †ED 6:00 p.m.
09: †ED 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
11: †ED Lock-in 7:00 pm
12: †ED Grove Sale Café
16: †ED No meeting
23: †ED 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
30: †ED 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Calendar
Hospitality
I often tell my kids of a story that
happened when I was on a study
abroad trip in 2011. My class was
in Gaziantep, a small town in
southern Turkey, when a hotel
clerk overheard my professor
complaining to our tour guide
about how he wanted a home
cooked meal. The hotel clerk
promptly took half a day off,
invited all 27 of us to his family’s
house, and hosted us for dinner.
Who does that? Who drops what
they are doing to host a bunch of
strangers from a different country?
A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 7
Dan’s Contact Information:
Cell: 701-412-1695
Church: 303-674-4654
Children, Youth, & Family
Get hooked up with our ELC
Youth News. You’ll get info for
all ELC Youth events! Email
if you want to get connected.
Last month, our Ecuador Mission
Team experienced that type of
hospitality over and over again. Each
time we entered a village, we were
met with handshakes, hugs, smiles,
and salutations. We were given food
and fantastic gifts of music and joy.
Hospitality springs forth like a stream
when you let it, and on our mission
trip we were bathed in it continually.
Hospitality is something
Evergreen Lutheran Church does
well. We really are a welcoming
bunch, but I want to issue a challenge
over the next few weeks and months:
Go above and beyond. In early
August, we will be joined by Pastor
Ron as Pastor Vera begins her
sabbatical. Open yourselves to our
new brother and partner in ministry
with open arms and treat him like
family. In early September, we will
be kicking off our Sunday School
program with Rally Day. We will
see families that are new or haven’t
been here in a while. Open your
arms to them with joy and kindness—
welcome them in, too! Go above
and beyond and be as hospitable
as you can be!
Dan Bock
Children, Youth, & Family Minister
T H E M O U N T A I N E C H O 8
Ready-Set-Retire! A seminar on the
non-financial aspects of
planning for retirement
In just 13 years every baby boomer
around the world will be age 65
or older. You know you need
a financial plan for retirement,
but what about a plan for the
non-financial aspects, such as:
• Creating a post-employment
identity
• Choosing a retirement location
• Replacing the structure
and social connection that
work provides
• Renegotiating relationship
roles and responsibilities
• Finding passion and purpose
in retirement life
Join national retirement planning
expert, author, and coach Kathryn
Severns Avery for complimentary
presentation and Q&A on what you
need to do to prepare.
When: Tuesday August 15, from
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Where: Evergreen Fire and Rescue
Training Room, 1802 Bergen
Parkway
Refreshments will be served. No
products or services will be sold at
this seminar.
Sponsored by
Bob Hawsey
Thrivent Financial and the Evergreen
Chamber of Commerce.
For more information please call Bob
at: 720-883-4626.
“It is not this way among you, but
whoever wishes to become great
among you shall be your servant.”
Matthew 20:26. From the July 2017
issue of Living Lutheran we learn
more about Lutheran Disaster
Response (LDR):
Jesus makes it clear that we are
called to serve others. In the
Lutheran church the continuum runs
from local church efforts to national
and international programs. At one
end of the continuum, LDR, operates
in areas where people have lost
everything in natural disasters.
“Among the first to respond to a
disaster and the last to leave the site,
LDR has a reputation for serving
communities even when other
agencies have packed up. Working
mostly behind the scenes, it’s able to
respond so readily through an
extensive network of partnerships
around the world.
“We often joke that long after the
media’s gone, Lutherans are the ones
leaving the building and turning off
the lights,” said Michael Stadie, LDR
-US program director,
LDR’s sustainability is intrinsic to
the way in which it responds to
disasters. After the 9/11 attacks in
New York, it continued to help those
affected for seven years, phasing out
its New York affiliate in 2008. Area
pastors also report that counseling is
continuing for first responders in
their ongoing healing from the
trauma at ground zero.
“This shows that we don’t forget
people and communities impacted by
disaster,” Stadie said. “That’s why
we’re in it for the long haul—we
don’t forget them.”
Sustaining help for those in need
is a building block of the Lutheran
faith, said Mark A. Anderson,
assistant to the bishop in the
Northeastern Iowa Synod.
Several examples of LDR
responding to disasters are:
Florida, North Carolina and
Georgia were hit hard by flooding
when Hurricane Matthew dumped
rain in September and October
2016. Nearly a year later, LDR is
still working with Lutheran
Services Carolinas after the agency
was awarded the Federal
Emergency Management Agency
disaster case management contract.
Five years after Hurricane
Sandy hit the Northeast, volunteers
are still working through Lutheran
Social Ministries of New Jersey to
help rebuild homes. New Jersey
was especially hard-hit, Stadie
said, and many people lost their
homes on or near the shore. “Our
affiliate is doing volunteer
management in rebuilding, “he
added. “Believe it or not, there are
people who are just now getting
their homes rebuilt.”
Two years later; LDR is still
working with Lutheran Social
Services of South Dakota to help
Native Americans recover from
tornadoes that caused flooding on
reservations in 2015. This was the
first time that tribal lands got a
federal declaration apart from that
of the state, Stadie said, adding,
“LDR is in conversation with our
local partners on long-term
recovery.”
To address the global migration
crisis, LDR works with partners
around the world in the migration
crisis focusing mostly in the Middle
East, Central America, and South
Sudan, Africa.
ELC members have responded
to disasters like Hurricane Ike in
Texas, and locally after the
September 2013 flooding.
Dave Kirberg
Board of Christian Outreach
Outreach
“This is a Lutheran thing
and goes back to the Reformation,
when Martin Luther said it
was the church’s responsibility
to care for people.” ~ Mark A. Anderson
Assistant to the Bishop, Northeastern Iowa Synod
Stewardship
A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 9
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TÄÄ fxtáÉÇá Update: Stewardship
For All Seasons (SAS)
The Fall Appeal’s theme is
“Growing in Grateful Generosity –
The Heart of Our Ministry”. It says
a lot about how we are called to be
generous stewards and why.
The SAS Team has been
working diligently to get as much
of the process completed before
Pastor’s departure for her
sabbatical. We are currently
collecting ministry suggestions
from the various Boards, Staff and
Council. Our plan is to present the
Top Ten Ministries to Council and
have them pick the three that will
be our focus for 2018.
Here are a few important dates to
remember:
October 8 Appeal begins
November 12 Commitment
Sunday (Pastor
Vera’s return)
December 3 Celebration
Here is the list of Stewardship for
All Seasons Team members:
Karla Briggs, Penny Conyers,
Bee Dickey, Jon Johnson,
Kim Lieb, Connell O’Brien,
Okie Ornot, Larry Patella,
Marcia Smith, Paul Stephenson,
and Sarah Tracy.
Lately, my typical newsletter
submission is in the stewardship
vein of thought. However, this
month I would like to address
“Community”.
We profess to be a “Community
of Believers”; however, there are
several parts to that, and you may be
missing out on an important and
fulfilling aspect of “Our
Community”.
If you worship at ELC regularly,
you will recognize people that sit
around you. They will probably be
the same folks from week to week—
we are creatures of habit, aren't we?
You will “Share the Peace” and
maybe even remember their names
from last Sunday. But do you really
know much about them?
To be a full-fledged member of
“Our Community” and to reap all the
benefits this entails, you need to
really get to know some folks. How
do you do that?
It isn't that hard. We don't bite.
When you work on a project or a
specific ministry that moves, excites,
or inspires you—you will meet other
like-minded members and get to
know a little more about them and
what they love about ELC. They
might learn something about you,
too. Soon, you have familiar faces
that you begin looking for because
you have established a connection,
enjoy conversing with them and are
becoming friends. If they're sick, you
will pray for their recovery and they
will do the same for you. If you need
a meal, they will contact the office
and arrange for rest of the family to
help.
This is when REAL community
starts. You have a group of people
that are “The Church (ELC)” that
truly do care about you and will lift
you up spiritually, emotionally, and
physically if need be.
Larry Patella
“Community is the fruit of
our capacity to make the
interests of others more
important than our own.” ~Henri Nouwen
Bread for the Journey
Thank You
from Dale Fetchenhier
Most of you know that I retired on
April 1, 2017 after 22 years as
Treasurer of ELC and many years as
the Chairperson of the Stewardship
Finance Committee. During this
time, ELC was not only a place
where my trust in God was ever
present, but a place where I felt the
trust of the congregation as financial
steward of this church.
ELC has been a place to use the
gifts God has given me and also to
be continually amazed at the talents
and gifts of this congregation and
their willingness to share not only
their financial gifts, but also to share
their time and talents in so many
ways as volunteers.
I’ve always felt a part of a spirit
filled group of people and watched
this infectious spirit grow. This not
only included the spirit of God, but
also a spirit of accomplishment and
pride in what has been done in our
faith community. I thank God for
giving us the challenge to grow and
spread God’s Word and use the time,
talent, and monetary gifts we have to
make this possible.
As God gave us the chance
to grow, some of the highlights
I had as Treasurer was to co-chair
two capital campaigns that raised
2.7 million dollars and manage these
funds and expenditures for our new
facilities and other related projects.
Secondly, to be involved in the
Stewardship emphasis each fall
reminded us that all our gifts come
from God. The members’ response
kept our church in the black all these
years. The time and talent gifts of so
many helped with our numerous
ministries. What a joy to see the
congregations’ response each year.
Thank you again for your trust in
me as your financial steward, and the
wonderful gifts you gave me to honor
my years of service to ELC.
With Love,
Dale Fetchenhier
All who serve in worship, please check in with the lay minister when you
arrive on Sunday to let them know you are present.
August Worship Participants
T H E M O U N T A I N E C H O 10
Evergreen Lutheran Church 5980 Highway 73
Evergreen, CO 80439 303-674-4654
Email: [email protected] www.evergreenlutheran.org
Ministers: The people of ELC Pastor: Rev. Vera Guebert-Steward
Sabbatical Interim: Rev. Ron Roschke
Staff
Minister of Worship and Music:
Peggy Fetchenhier
Director of Adult Ministries: Kim Williams
Minister of Children, Youth, & Family:
Dan Bock
Confirmation Coordinator: DeNae vanWestrienen
Office Administrator: Tara Walker
Organist: Jeanne Schubert
Thursday Musicians: Chris Besler,
Jon Johnson, Dan Bock, Shea McGrath,
Rich Reynolds
Glory Ringers & Youth Bell Choir
Director: Carl Cox
Property Manager: Ed Boettger
Asst. Property Manager: Jay Lipson
Church Custodians: Lloyd Peltzer,
Karladee Ormsby
Church House Custodian: Jacque Whyte
†ED Caring Adult: Pat Brewer
Newsletter Volunteers
Mountain Echo Editor: Jean Rother
Graphic Design: Tara Walker The article deadline for the newsletter is
the 15th of each month. Please email
your articles to the church office or Jean.
The goal of the Mountain Echo is to provide
an interesting and informative newsletter for
Evergreen Lutheran Church, provided to
you electronically before the first Sunday of
each month. It can also be viewed on our
website at www.evergreenlutheran.org.
each month. It can also be viewed on our
website at www.evergreenlutheran.org.
AUGUST LAY MINISTER: Jon Johnson
AUGUST 6 (9:00 a.m.) Pastor Vera’s last Sunday before Sabbatical Co-Presider: Dan Bock
Assisting Minister: Kim Williams
Reader: Mark Guebert-Steward Greeters: Steadman-Lieb Family
Communion Servers: Penny Lambert, Sheryl Fick, Lloyd Peltzer & Bob Mosca
Ushers: Anita Seggelink, Linda Easton, Jo & Jon Powers
AUGUST 13 (9:00 a.m.) Assisting Minister: Jim Barclay
Reader: Nancy Eldridge Greeters: Evans Family
Communion Servers: Carolyn & Scott Bergner, Linda & Carl Almquist
Ushers: Sue & Larry Petroskey, Val Prolow, Lyn Lewis
AUGUST 20 (9:00 a.m.) Assisting Minister: Ed Furlong
Reader: Janet Anderson Greeters: Nemmers Family
Communion Servers: Jan & Rocky Petrocchi, Scott & Kristi Moriarty
Ushers: Lloyd Peltzer & Bob Mosca, Shirley Russell, Wayne Lowe
AUGUST 27 (9:00 a.m.) Preacher & Co-Presider: Tom McEwen
Co-Presider: Jon Johnson Lay Minister: Larry Patella
Assisting Minister: George Wittenberg
Reader: Jan Blumenstein Greeters: Peder & Annie Kruger
Communion Servers: Rob & Barb Bender, Dave & Sue Plothow
Ushers: Deb Pucherelli, Eric Halingstad, Mark Bly, David Hood
June/July Pastoral Acts
Inurnment
6/25—Jackie Matzner
Vow Renewal 6/30—Mark & Alison Mitisek
Baptism
7/23—Russell William Collier
