THE MESSENGER
Emmanuel Lutheran Church June 2010
Grace and Peace,
Ecclesiastes 3: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter heaven…a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.”
At the present time, it is a time to plant. The farmers are very busy planting the seed. When I watch a farmer planting the seed, I’m reminded of another story. Each seed is planted with the hope that new life will emerge in the form of a plant. The seed is buried in a grave, with the farmer trusting and hoping that the death of the seed will give birth to new life. After a few days, the evidence of the seed’s death is revealed in rows of tiny plants. I don’t think you need to be reminded of the Biblical story this annual event of planting the seed illustrates.
Several stories in the Bible talk about farming. I would like to offer the following questions about farmers in the Bible. If you don’t know the answer, check the Biblical verses printed below.
- What was the farmer Elisha doing when Elijah threw his mantle upon him?
- What suffering man was a farmer?
- Who planted the first garden?
- What judge was a wheat farmer?
- What king of Judah loved farming?
- Who was the first man to plant a vineyard?
- What barley farmer married a Moabite woman and became an ancestor of David?
- Who was the first farmer?
- For what cripple did David order Ziba to farm the land?
- Who had a vineyard that Ahab coveted?
- What patriarch farmed in Gerar and received a hundredfold harvest?
- What lieutenant of David had his barley fields destroyed by Absolom?
- What king, famous for his building projects, also planted vineyards, gardens, and orchards?
If you don’t know the answers, dig in the Bible and harvest the answers.
- 1 Kings 19:19 8. Genesis 4:2
- Job 1:14 9. 2 Samuel 9:9-10
- Genesis 2:8 10. 1 Kings 21:1-2
- Judges 6:11 11: Genesis 26:12
- 2 Chronicles 26:9-10 12: 2 Samuel 14:30
- Genesis 9:20 13: Ecclesiastes 2:4-5
- Ruth 1:22-2:3
Pastor Greg
Greetings from Parish Nursing!
There are so many numbers in our life! Cell phone numbers, pin numbers, codes for keyless entry, it is endless! I recently read an article in “Real Simple” magazine about important health numbers and here they are for you!
120/80- Blood Pressure is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries when your heart beats and when your heart rests. The lower your blood pressure the less stress on your body. High blood pressure, hypertension, is the “silent killer” because there are no warning signs and can lead to: stroke, heart disease, kidney damage, vision and memory problems. Have yours checked on the second Sunday of every month, at your doctor, and at Lewis Drug store. To lower your blood pressure consume a low sodium diet, exercise, maintain a healthy weight, don’t smoke, and limit stress.
99- Blood sugar, fasting, of 99 or less. A number of 126 mg/dl or higher indicates diabetes. Diabetes indicates that your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or use insulin properly. This can lead to vision loss, kidney disease, heart disease, and triples your chance for complications following surgery. Have your physician check your Hemoglobin A1C, which gives an average number over a period of months. A good Hgb A1C is less than 5.7 percent. Simply losing weight can reverse type II diabetes.
200- To decrease your chance of heart disease your total cholesterol should stay below 200 mg/dl. LDL, the bad cholesterol, should be under 100 mg/dl. HDL, the good cholesterol, should be 50 mg/dl or higher. Keep a diet low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat. Increase your good cholesterol by not smoking, exercise, eat good fats (like olive oil), and keep alcoholic drinks to a minimum.
18.5 – 24.9 - Body Mass Index is a measure of your weight in relation to your height. To determine this take your body weight divided by height in inches. A low BMI can lead to osteoporosis, fertility problems, and anemia. A high BMI increases your chance for almost every disease.
4.0 - This number means your thyroid is functioning properly. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) directs the thyroid gland in your neck to regulate metabolism, body temperature, and heart rate. This also affects your skin, hair, muscle strength, and mood. If your thyroid isn’t producing enough hormone to help your body function properly then your TSH will be above 4.5 mIU/L. Have yours checked if you have symptoms or above age 35.
These are only some important numbers, but significant! Realize that many abnormal lab values are completely reversible with diet and exercise! Your physician and nurse can help you in your health journey. With this nice weather, it is easy to get out and exercise!
Congratulations to Rhonda Theel for
walking the most miles so far! Keep putting your miles in, there are prizes!!!
Peace and Blessings!
Andrea Engbarth, Parish Nurse
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Approved Council Minutes - Special Meeting April 28, 2010
Council members present: Junelle Hansen, Candice Zweifel, Chris Doeden, Chet Borah, Jeanette Silva, Kathy Moller. Sheree Christensen entered the meeting late.
Special meeting was held to discuss Rhonda’s request to begin summer church office hours as she has done in the past. Motion was made and seconded to honor Rhonda’s request to go to summer hours, but council stipulated that vacation hours must be used for these days until her vacation hours are exhausted. Vacation request for these days must be submitted to council. Once her vacation hours are exhausted any further hour reduction will be taken without pay with approval from an executive committee member. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned with next council meeting to be held on May 19th, 2010.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Doeden
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Approved Congregational Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2010
Meeting was called to order by Junelle Hansen. The purpose of the meeting was to vote on usage of the money donated to Emmanuel Lutheran Church from the John Bickett estate. Three proposals had been submitted to the council from congregation members for the congregation to consider.
Marilyn Carlson-Aronson spoke regarding use of the money for purchase of a baby grand piano. Discussion occurred.
Nathan Jensen spoke regarding use of the money as a down payment toward a church parsonage. Discussion occurred.
Junelle Hansen spoke regarding use of the money for music grants.
Vote was taken by written ballot with Chet Borah, Nathan Jensen, and Steve Cain counting the ballots.
The Lord’s Prayer was said.
Junelle Hansen adjourned the meeting.
Results of the vote returned with 115 total votes with 73 for parsonage, 39 for piano, and 3 abstained.
Respectfully submitted.
Chris Doeden
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Unapproved Council Minutes
May 19, 2010
Council members present: Junelle Hansen, Nathan Jensen, Sheree Christensen, Chris Doeden,
Candace Zweifel, Jessica Christensen, Pastor Greg, Rhonda Theel, Andrea Engbarth, Kathy Moller,
& Steve Cain.
The meeting was called to order by President Junelle Hansen.
Pastor Greg led us in prayer.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the Secretary’s report. Motion carried.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried.
Old Business:
Motion was made and seconded to approve council minutes from a special council
meeting held on April 28, 2010. Motion carried.
Motion was made and seconded to approve council minutes from a special council meeting held on May 4, 2010. Motion carried.
Motion was made and seconded to amend the decision made during the May 4 meeting changing Rhonda’s hours for the summer from 8:00 to 5:30 Monday-Thursday to 8:00-4:30 Monday-Thursday with 3 hours of vacation being used for the remaining hours (35 hours per week). The office will remain open on Friday’s unless Pastor is called away for an emergency. Motion carried.
New Business:
Andrea Engbarth was present to discuss the purchase of an AED (automated
external defibrillator) and other emergency equipment. She does have some
funds available and has received a grant from the United Fund. The council
suggested she look into grants from the Beresford Area Foundation and the
upcoming United Fund drive and come back to the council with that
information. Andrea also presented on many other things she has been doing
with Parish Nursing.
The council discussed initiation of a Human Resources Manual for church employees. Junelle passed out a sample manual, and the council members will review and come back with ideas at the next meeting. We also discussed hourly versus salary exempt requirements and noted than no Emmanuel employees except Pastor meet the federal guidelines for a salaried employee.
The council discussed the current policy regarding use of the church facility for weddings, etc. Motion was made and seconded to change the wording in the wedding guide for members from fee to suggested minimum gratuity. Motion carried.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Unapproved Council Minutes
May 19, 2010
(Cont.)
The council discussed the outcome of the vote from the congregational meeting for use of the Bickett money. Motion was made and seconded for the council to form a five member committee to further research the building of a parsonage. Motion carried. Council members will come back to the next meeting with ideas for committee make up.
Committee Reports:
WELCA:
Their next meeting will be on June 2 and there
will be a presentation of the Honor Flight. They will be attending the
Synodical WELCA Convention at Trinity Lutheran Church in
Vermillion on June 25th and 26th.
Music & Worship:
Junelle reported for Marilyn that both the
organ switch box and the organ fuse box were replaced and further wiring will
need to be replaced. This problem was discovered when the organ would not
turn on one day and faulty wiring was a safety issue.
Christian Education:
They are continuing to work on VBS.
Membership, Outreach, and Growth:
Candace has updated the current committee with
members Jenni Antonson, Krislyn Carlson, Molly Norling, and herself. Outdoor
service has been set for Sunday, August 15th. There will be a free-will
brunch follow. The committee is working on many other ideas.
Youth Report:
They met tonight for the last time this school
year. Six youth will be going to Pine Ridge in July for a mission trip. They
will be participating in some way with Wheels & Squeals weekend.
Stewardship:
No report.
Pastor’s Report:
Pastor and Janice will be attending the Synod assembly meeting June 11- 12th , and Pastor will be on vacation starting June 16th.
The meeting adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer. Next meeting will be held on June 16th, 2010.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Doeden
