The Peace Messenger
Peace Lutheran Church
2090 Commerce Drive
North Mankato MN 56003
Questions You’ve Never Asked
Worship Schedule
5/17/15 – 8/19/15
Sundays
9:00 a.m.
Wednesdays
6:30 p.m.
Serving Peace
Pastor Tim Hartwig
Office – 507-385-1386
Cell – 507-382-6826
[email protected]
Office - Karen Wold
[email protected]
Church Council
President:
Eric Woller
Vice President:
Chris Harstad
Secretary:
Matt Riehl
Spiritual Leadership:
Paul Fries
Christian Education:
Ted Manthe
Property Management:
Jim Howson
Stewardship:
Brian Koch
Gospel Outreach:
Nick Peters
Jesus’ Lambs Preschool
Joslyn Moldstad 385-7752
[email protected]
Crossed - Youth Group
www.peacemankato.org/crossed
[email protected]
Special Interest Dates
3, 10, 17, 24 Wed Service 6:30p
16st
Council Meeting 6:30p
17-19th
VBS 9a to 2p
st
21 Outdoor Worship Service
22-25th
Synod Convention
at Bethany Lutheran College
Newsletter
June 2015
Maybe you never thought to ask. Or
maybe you were too busy considering
other questions, and searching out their
answers.
One way or another there are
questions that haven't been
asked, that are worth asking.
There are mysteries full of
meaning right before our eyes,
and under our noses, that beg
the question. For instance:





Why do we have a seven-day
week?
Why are there such diverse
languages in the world?
Why do people wear clothes, and
eat meat?
Why after all this time is the
"Missing Link" still missing?
Why do people die? (And by the
way, then what happens?)
If you peel the onion that far, it then
becomes personal, and important for us
to find the answers to what comes up
next!





make a difference? Would it ease your
mind, and reassure you when you're
afraid, or confronted with life's
reversals? What if you found peace and
joy in it?
Someone has answers: The One
Who made the deaf hear and the
lame leap like a deer . . . Who
announces good news to the poor .
. . Light for those who sit in
darkness . . . Life for those living
under the shadow of death . . .
forgiveness for sins and eternal salvation
in a concrete, real-time, truly present
peace with God.
While we're at it, why has Jesus, the
Jewish Carpenter of 2000 years ago from
the small-potatoes town of Nazareth,
become the most beloved, most
despised, most controversial, most
revered, most pivotal and consequential
person in all of history? Why not come
and see?
Is there a God?
Does He care about me?
If God's loving, why do I have so
many problems?
Why does it seem that bad things
happen to good people?
Other than my own plans -- which
often fall short -- is there a plan
for my life?
TOO DEEP FOR ME. But before you drop
this newsletter and head out for a latte
with your 'to-do' list -- what if you knew?
What if you had answers? Would that
Board for Home Outreach
Our Mission
The purpose of our congregation is to worship God, who gives life through Word and Sacrament; to serve one
another in love and fellowship; and to proclaim forgiveness and salvation to all through Jesus Christ alone.
Council Meeting Minutes – May 19, 2015
The Mission & Ministry Coordination Council (MMCC) meeting of Peace Lutheran Church was held on May 19,
2015, at Peace. Council members present were: Pastor Hartwig, Eric Woller – President, Chris Harstad – Vice
President, Paul Fries – Spiritual Leadership, Ted Manthe – Christian Education, Nick Peters – Gospel Outreach, Brian
Koch – Stewardship, Matt Riehl - Secretary. Absent and excused: Jim Howson – Property Management




Announcements - None.
Agenda – Agenda was approved.
Minutes of Previous Meeting – Approved as presented.
Pastor’s Report (Pastor Hartwig)
 April average was 296 (last year was 326). May (to date) 309 (last year was 236).
 Bible study 47 average for year to date, Sunday school 42.
 One couple is almost finished with Bible Information classes, another couple is about to begin.
 Spiritual Leadership (Coordinator ~ Paul Fries)
 No report.
 Gospel Outreach (Coordinator ~ Nick Peters)
 No report.
 Christian Education (Coordinator ~ Ted Manthe)
 Preschool graduation is on Friday.
 VBS planning continues (June 17-19); there will be a $5 charge per student to help defray costs.
 A video promoting the preschool has been made and is available online.
 Stewardship (Coordinator ~ Brian Koch)
 New budget for FY 2015-16 is being prepared. Income for FY 2014-15 is good, but next year we will
have a Vicar to pay (Matt Behmer, joint with Bethany Lutheran College):
 Property Management (Coordinator ~ Jim Howson)
 No report.
 Old Business
 Building Committee Report: Have been meeting with architects. Will bring proposals to June 16
council meeting. We could borrow 1.5 million from one bank.
 New Business
 Annual voters meeting: Scheduled for June 28th after the service (10:30).
 Next council meeting – June 16th @ 6:30 pm.
MM = Motion Made
MMS = Motion Made Seconded
 Adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer
MMSP = Motion Made Seconded Passed
MMCC = Mission and Ministry Coordinating Council
Respectfully Submitted, Matthew Riehl, Secretary
10 Months Ended April 30, 2015
Actual
YTD Budget
Offerings
$ 281,753 $ 285,830
Preschool
$ 52,702 $
47,160
Other
$
3,860 $
2,910
Total Income
$ 338,315 $ 335,900
Total Expenses
$ (346,082) $ (335,900)
Net
$
(7,767)
Position Open:
Music Coordinator
If you are interested in this
position, please contact
Pastor Hartwig.
On May 17th, Peace members
celebrated with our nine youth
who publicly professed the
faith in which they believe.
May God bless these Confirmands
and Peace Lutheran Church!
Happy
Birthday!
Olivia Woller
6/01
10 years old
Caleb Loe
6/03
17 years old
Lynken Lanz
6/05
3 years old
Kiara Riehl
6/05
14 years old
Ian Chopp
6/06
3 years old
Conner Blaukat
6/07
13 years old
Jack Homan
6/08
2 years old
Elyse Lyngholm
6/11
2 years old
Vera Vandermause
6/16
4 years old
Julia Neumann
6/17
12 years old
Job Wosmek
6/17
13 years old
Adam Ferkenstad
6/18
3 years old
Sam Halvorson
6/18
11 years old
Eivind Jore
6/21
4 years old
Myles Kletschka
6/24
1 year old
Emmett Lundsten
6/24
1 year old
Adelyn Harstad
6/25
5 years old
Lydia Hartwig
6/28
12 years old
Grace Wiechmann
6/30
1 year old
Also – Elizabeth Harstad, Dan Tetzloff,
John Tetzloff, Steven Henry, Steph Johnston,
Benjamin Moldstad, Pete Schuch,
Denise Geistfeld, Meghan Butler,
Aaron Krattiger, Matt Wiechmann, Pete Kjeer,
Dean Botten, Traci Routier, Connie Schulz,
Jonnica Mayer, Kincaid Smith, Dani Merritt,
Lisa Neumann, Jon Michaletz, Stephanie Howe,
Tim Schmeling, Jason Loe, Beka Matthes,
Steve Petersen, Matt Riehl, Nikki Basel,
Allison Petzel, Gabby Miller, Debra Howson
May the Lord bless you,
today and always.
Back row: Pastor Hartwig, Taylor Theiste, Lauren
Paulsen, Kiara Riehl, Joshua Beiswanger.
Front row: Austin Olsen, Malia Neumann, Rebekah
Hartwig, Rachel Clennon, Joseph Howson.
Anniversaries:
David & Nancy Ring
Tim & Katie Hartwig
Corey & Ashley Olsen
Gaylin & Becky Schmeling
Tom & Judy Kuster
Jeremy & Laura Cole
Aaron & Marta Krattiger
Jason & Kari Loe
Randy & Traci Routier
Brian & Valerie Koch
Kyle & Kayla Jore
Eric & Barbara Halvorson
Pete & Julie Kjeer
Josh & Jonnica Mayer
Doyle & Mary Holbird
Matt & Kristen Lukasek
Robert & Rhonda Geving
Brad & Jen Wosmek
Scott & Sophia Abbey
Adie & Helen Harstad
Todd & Ruth Olsen
6/01/85
6/03/00
6/06/09
6/08/73
6/09/67
6/11/05
6/11/11
6/11/94
6/12/10
6/14/08
6/19/04
6/21/97
6/21/86
6/21/14
6/22/86
6/22/02
6/23/90
6/26/99
6/27/14
6/28/75
6/29/91
30 years
15 years
6 years
42 years
48 years
10 years
4 years
21 years
5 years
7 years
11 years
18 years
29 years
1 year
29 years
13 years
25 years
16 years
1 year
40 years
24 years
Congratulations!
May the Lord continue to bless you
and may your Christian marriage serve as an inspiration
to others.
A Personal Note
In the fall of 2011, I signed on to direct the adult choir at Peace, a role that eventually led to the
position of Music Coordinator. As of May 31, I will be leaving this position. My path now leads
elsewhere, to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where my husband Phil has accepted the call to serve Our
Saviour Lutheran Church. So it is with a heart at once sad and grateful that I now must say good-bye
to members and friends of Peace.
It has been my humble privilege and great joy to identify and organize the bounty of musical talent
at Peace to be used to the glory of God. I cannot conceive of a more rewarding way to have spent the
past four years. Peace is extraordinarily blessed musically, a true gift from God! I thank you all from
the depths of my heart for the opportunity to serve this congregation. I shall miss the work and the
people.
From Martin Luther: “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the
agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has
given us.” Again from Luther: “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest
praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he
should proclaim the Word of God through Music.” May God-pleasing and beautiful music
ever be a vital part of the worship life at Peace.
Susan Lepak
Pastor Hartwig will be on vacation
June 1-11. If you are in need of pastoral
assistance during his absence please
contact Rev. Paul Fries at (507)381-6807.
New 2 You Annual meeting/Volunteer
Appreciation will be held on Wednesday,
June 17th, at St. Paul's Lutheran, North
Mankato from 6:00 – 7:30PM. Please join
us for dessert and fellowship.
If anyone is interested in having a
garden plot on the church property,
or if you have any questions about
having a garden here, please contact
Jim Howson at 507-384-1030.
Serving the month of June:
Altar/Communion preparation
14th Emily Peters & Denice Woller
28th Danielle Geistfeld & Amanda Madson
Communion Assistants
th
14
28th
9:00am
Paul Wold
Tom Kuster
Ushers
9:00am
Pete Schuch
7th Tom Schulz
Ben Moldstad
14th John Moldstad
John Tetzloff
21st Eric Theiste
Rob Pipal
28th Matt Riehl
Counters
1st Sunday: Brian Koch & Todd Olsen
2nd Sunday: Orrin Ausen & Brad Wosmek
3rd Sunday: Danielle Geistfeld & Chris Harstad
4th Sunday: Brian Koch & Matt Riehl
5th Sunday: Karen Wold & TBD
Jesus’ Lambs at Peace Preschool has completed its 11 eleventh year as a preschool. Our last days
were busy with field trips, reviewing, games and a visit to our duck pond. We visited Edenvale
Nursery, the Children’s Museum and Sibley Park. We also had a visit from the Pet Therapy Dogs
of Mankato.
The main part of our day is our Bible story. These last days
the children enjoyed the stories of Jesus’ disciples fulfilling
their commission from Jesus to make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit.
We thank our Pastor Hartwig for many chapel days this year
and to Heidi Riehl for all of her help in the classroom. We
also thank Amanda Madson for accompanying us on the
piano so often and to Emily Klammer and Dawn Waletski for
subbing throughout our busy school year.
We have 24 graduates for 2014-2015!
They are: Alaina Kittleson, Alexis DeVos, Brecken and Carly Smith, Cheyenne
Kockziem, C. J. Raddatz, Faith Peters, Kjeren Kelly, Jacelyn Wilking, Katelyn
Basel, Lillian Olsen, Max Starkweather, Owen Manthe, Peyton Jensen, Ryott Bauer, Victoria Ringen
Aaron Dittmer, Adelyn Harstad, Madison Krier, Maggie Klammer, Mallory Novak, Mila Hubbard, Ray
Kom and Simeon Guetschow. May God in Christ bless and keep you all in His loving care!
Outdoor Worship Service scheduled:
 June 21st
Please bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, if you have them.
VBS children will be singing at this service.
CALLING ALL CAMPERS!!!
Camp Discovery VBS is taking place Wednesday through Friday, June 17-19
from 9am-2pm at Peace! We hope you are registered (registration form is online and due
June 1) and ready to enjoy three days of games, songs, crafts, scripture verses, and
discovering how Jesus works through you! Remember to bring your sack lunch each day!
The VBS children will sing during the 9:00 church service on Sunday, June 21.
FAMILY CAMPOUT - VBS FINALE: Friday night, June 19th – Come back for a bonfire, s’mores, and campout?!?!
 5:30 Cook-out! Bring your hotdogs/brats, buns and a dish to pass. Lemonade,
water, condiments, and s’more fixings provided. (throw in extra chairs, blankets,
bug spray, and roasting sticks)
 6:30 Sing around the campfire – VBS kids will start off the singing
 Optional family campout following campfire fellowship
WE CAN STILL USE YOUR HELP: We need lots of adults and high school aged youth to help
supervise children during VBS. Be a part of these awesome three days for our church. Volunteer
yourself today by talking to Denice Woller (507)351-5472 or Kristen Lukasek (507)382-7963.
SNACKS NEEDED: Want to help with VBS, but can’t be there? Put your name on the snack volunteer list (on
bulletin board in narthex). We will contact you closer to VBS time and let you know what you can bring.
ITEMS NEEDED ON LOAN: We need your small to medium artificial Christmas trees. Clearly label
your tree (and your box) and put it in the cry room. We also need hammers - clearly labeled. We
will give them back after VBS week. If you are able to loan either a tree or hammer, please let
Denice know – 351-5472 or [email protected]. They don’t need to be at church until June 15.
DONATIONS NEEDED: We need your old neckties and buttons for a craft project. So clean out
your closets and put those old neckties to a good cause! Finally, we are looking for scrap wood
that is at least 1 foot long, 6 inches wide and 1 inch thick. Please bring any donations to the
church office as soon as possible. (These will not be returned) Thank you!
YOU MAY CONTACT KAREN AT 385-1386 TO MAKE SURE THE CHURCH IS OPEN BEFORE
STOPING BY TO DROP OFF ITEMS
Jan-Feb
Mar-Apr
May-Jun
Jul-Aug
Sep-Oct
Nov-Dec
Refreshments
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Seasonal Church Cleaning
Date
Groups
March 21
3
&
6
June 13
2
&
5
November 21
1
&
4
Greeters
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Funerals
Group 3
Group 6
Group 2
Group 5
Group 4
Group 1
Advent Meals
Date
Group
December 2
4
December 9
5
December 16
6
The following was taken from
‘Martin Luther’s Little Instruction Book’:
A POSITION OF HONOR
“No power on earth is so noble and
so great as that of parents.”
†
†
†
Just a reminder of the option you have of using “electronic giving” for
making your regular church offerings. Contributions can be debited
automatically from your checking or savings account or processed using your
credit or debit card. The electronic giving program offers convenience for you
and much needed donation consistency for our congregation.
If you are currently giving on a weekly basis, you will no longer need to write out 52 checks a year or
prepare 52 envelopes. And, when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending
services, this program will allow your weekly offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis.
If you think you might be interested, please contact either Karen Wold or Keith Wiederhoeft for a
“Frequently Asked Questions” flyer. It is now possible for you to set it up yourself by going to our
website, www.peacemankato.org, clicking on the “Give now” box and putting in your information. You
can choose how often you donate (weekly, monthly, certain date(s), etc.).
Are you unable to care for your feet? Your church home is offering a service to
help you care for your feet and toenails. By appointment, a registered nurse, using
sanitary equipment, will soak and wash your feet, trim toenails, and finish with a
lotion foot massage. If the nurse feels further medical attention is needed, she may
suggest an appointment with your health care provider. This service is free;
however, donations will be accepted to go to a church cause. For more information,
or to set up an appointment, please call Amy Jo Reiner at 507-340-2061.
Volunteers are the reason that New 2 You Family Thrift is able to make
quarterly donations for Christian Education to MVL and New 2 You
association churches.
Volunteers can be anyone high school age and older. Normal Volunteer time
slots are 9:00-1:00 & 1:00-5:00 Weekdays and Saturdays 9:45-12:30 & 12:30-3:00
(other times can be arranged). You can volunteer once or twice a month or
weekly if you wish! If you are able to volunteer please either stop by the store at
1838 Commerce Drive or call them at 385-1455. The New 2 You Board of
Directors and the store staff thank you!
Also, remember that donating items to the store and shopping
at New 2 You are additional ways that you can help support
New 2 You's donations for Christian Education.
Offering envelopes for 2015 are available to take home. Please stop by the table in
the entryway and get your box.
From Martin Luther’s Little Instruction Book:
GIVING GENEROUSLY:
“God divided the hand into fingers so that money would slip through.”
“Give, and it will be given to you…For whatever measure you deal out to others, it
will be dealt to you in return.” Luke 6:38
Newer Members – If you haven’t filled out the Membership Profile Questionnaire and
the Time & Talent Sheet please ask Karen Wold or Pastor Hartwig for the forms.
If other members wish to update their Time & Talent Sheet, please ask Karen Wold or
Pastor Hartwig for the form.
Here is the schedule for the season:
Date
Softball Schedule
Monday, June 1st
Double-header
Monday, June 8th
Double-header
Monday, June 15th
Double-header
Monday June 22nd
Monday June 29th
Monday, July 6th
Monday, July 13th
Location
C-1
C-2
JC-3
JC-3
C-2
C-3
C-4
C-2
JC-3
C-2
Time
6:15pm &
7:15pm
7:15pm &
8:15pm
8:15pm &
9:15pm
8:15pm
6:15pm **
6:15pm **
7:15pm
**The softball team would like to invite
the members of Peace to join them in a
cookout (weather permitting) at the ball
field on the days that they have single
games at 6:15 on June 29th, and July 6th.
The cookout would be held right after the
game, at approximately 7:15. Please
come, cheer them on, and then enjoy
some wonderful food and fellowship!
C = Caswell Park, west end of Howard Drive, N. Mankato across Hwy 14 (& a little East) from church
JC = Jaycee Park, Balcerzak & Pohl Road, Mankato (by MSU)
Start planning now to come out and support OUR Peace
Lutheran Church team during the games this spring and
summer. While cheering on our team, enjoy the
wonderful fellowship opportunity of visiting with the
other members there.
Come on, it’s a ‘ball’!
To watch our services live, go to:
www.peacemankato.com/live-streaming.
The service will start automatically when it is
live (8:30AM).
For recorded services, go to
www.vimeo.com/peacemankato and you
can choose which service you want to watch.
Groups & please plan to help on
Saturday, June 13th, 9-11a.m.
If you have any questions, please
contact your group leaders.
Volunteers Sought
Peace is looking for volunteers to run the video
equipment for worship services. If you can help,
please get in touch with Paul Fries (507-3816807; [email protected]).
Don’t know what to do with the kids during the summer? Bring them to the park! The Moms On a Mission
(M.O.M.s) group has set up park playdates on Wednesday mornings for the summer months. All are welcome
(even dads)!!! Join us Wednesdays, starting June 3, from 9-11:30am, bring a picnic lunch if you like. Come
and go as you please. We will be rotating a different park each month. June is Alexander Park, July is Sibley
Park, and August is Spring Lake Park. There a few “field trip” playdates, too. Wednesday, July 15, we will play
at Treemendous Park in St. Peter, and Wednesday, August 5, we will have some beach fun at Hinniker Pond in
North Mankato. If weather is rainy, playdate is cancelled. Come when you can! Questions? Contact Kristen
Lukasek 507-382-7963 or [email protected].
May 17-28, 2016
The Way of the Martyrs
The Best of Italy: Rome~Florence~Venice
Hosted By:
Prof. Adie Harstad & Dr. William Kessel
Dear Friends:
“All roads lead to Rome,” at least that’s the medieval sentiment. Some who traveled to Rome were on a
one-way trip. According to tradition, St. Paul and St. Peter were martyred in Rome. Then there were the
countless men, women, and children who confessed the name of Jesus and entered through the arches of
the arena and into the gates of heaven.
Our 2016 Italy journey will take us to churches, crucifixion sites, the Coliseum, and the catacombs. There
we will remember those who died in the faith.
At the same time we will retrace Paul’s path across southern Italy as outlined the the book of Acts and gain
a new understanding of Paul’s Letter to the Romans and letters he wrote from his prison cell.
But we can’t imagine being in Italy without sampling the best that this magnificent country has to offer.
Naples, Pompeii, Rome, Vatican City, Assisi, Florence, Pisa, Venice – ever had a hankering to see those
places? Michelangelo’s Pieta, Bernini’s Baldacchino, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon – art history buffs, you get
the picture. Oh, we are going to sample, “the Wonder that was (and is) Rome (and Italy).” We are going to
Italy, the home of spaghetti and Sofia Loren, of Gucci shoes and Armani jackets, of the Ferrari and
Giuseppe Verdi, of Leonardo de Vinci and lasagna.
Come with us to Italy! We have something for every appetite.
Prof. Adie Harstad – [email protected]
Dr. William Kessel – [email protected]
For more information:
Adie Harstad
6 Browns Court
Mankato, MN 56001
(507)344-7373
Brochures are on the bulletin board in the narthex.
The 98th Annual Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod
and the 59th Annual Meeting of Bethany Lutheran College Inc.
“Engaging One Another with Jesus’ Teachings”
June 21-25, 2015
All events are in the Ronald J. Younge Gymnasium of the Sports and Fitness Center unless noted
otherwise.
Synod Sunday – June 21, 2015
3:00 – Festival Service, (Trinity Chapel)
4:30 – Supper (free-will donation)
*6:00 – ELS Historical Society Annual Meeting and Program
Monday – June 22
9:00 – Opening Convention Service
*1:30-3:30 – The Bethany Women’s Auxiliary of Mankato will host a tea reception at the home
of Presiden & Joslyn Moldstad (1117 Lori Lane)
*7:00 – Cross-stitch presentation (Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center)
Tuesday – June 23
1:30 – Convention Essay
5:00 – Memorial Service
*7:00 – ELS Shepherd Plan Presentation, Hahn Financial Group
Wednesday – June 24
1:30 – Convention Essay
3:45 – Anniversaries Observed
7:30 – Communion Service
Thursday – June 25
8:30 – Unfinished business
*1:00 – Honor Choir Closing Recital, Trinity Chapel
*These concurrent events are not an official part of the convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod