God's Model
y daughters have dressed up for Halloween since their first trick or treating adventure. They have been Disney princesses, woodland fairies, characters from movies, books and TV shows. Each one plans her costume, consults with the other sister and makes their costumes on their own, sometimes with a little help from mom. My girls have such fun being creative and enjoy the time they get to spend with each other. It would be so nice if we could just put on a certain outfit and become a model for Christ, but it doesn’t work that way.
Young Youth Update for October 2015
Let’s pray for beautiful weather so that we can use this verse to guide and remind us that God is always there watching over us especially as we try to find our way through the Hidden Trails Corn Maze. The young youth will be venturing to Hidden Trails Corn Maze on October 10th from 3-6pm. The cost is yet to be determined. It’s bound to be a fun afternoon filled with adventure!! The more the merrier so I hope to see you there!
OWLs Post for October 2015
September began with a fun potluck and music from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s sitting on the deck at the Narvesons. It was a beautiful day and fun was had by all. The month was completed with a tour of Mayowood Mansion and Gardens in Rochester.
Pencil Me In
I remember the days when my daughters where in school. It was so exciting getting everything ready for the new school year: new clothes, new shoes, new school supplies. My girls would line up all their school supplies in their rooms for a month before school started. Then, when we got the school calendar and other events calendars, we would mark everything down on our family calendar. I would have a different color for everyone: LeAnn would be red, Sarah green, I would be pink, and Perry would be blue. I would mark down everything, so nothing was missed. Church worship and activities were so important to us, and we would try not to miss anything. I know we get so busy that sometimes we forget how important it is to pencil in serving at church.
Come to the Table
Throughout this program year, you will hear a lot about tables. You will hear about God’s constant welcome at the altar table. You will consider how God is present at your own kitchen table. And you will be asked to use your imagination in such a way to see how our congregation acts as a table where those in need come to be fed with God’s word, with clothes from our teen clothes closet, with assistance and spiritual strength.
Small Group Update for September 2015
You’re probably familiar with this scenario: you’re at the doctor’s office and she is reviewing with you a diagnosis and plan of treatment for whatever brought you there. You’re following most of what she’s saying, but from time to time there are terms that escape your. You know she’s using medical lingo, but because you trust your doctor you’re not too concerned. Still, it’s never fun feeling like you don’t fully understand what’s going on, especially when it comes to your health.
First Teen Clothes Closet Update for September 2015
Many people may think of the clothes closet as blessing its clients simply through giving them needed clothing. But our hosts have also seen clients blessed by being able to give back. One such client, a 20-year-old woman, visited the closet in search of black pants and a black shirt. Caught in a catch-22, she was starting a new job in which that wardrobe was required, but until she had worked and gotten a paycheck, she couldn’t afford the new clothes. While we were able to bless her with the simple things she needed to start her new job, she in turn blessed the clothes closet by donating other items of clothing from her wardrobe and offering to use some of her new income to purchase undergarments for the closet.
Veteran’s Struggles and Small Groups
Have you ever noticed the different ways one gathers strength to endure those struggles that pop up in life? It may be the quiet of a starry night. It may the freshness of the air in the fall as you hear a breeze gently blowing through the leaves. It may be the presence one feels as they read a book, listen to music or contemplate a piece of art. It may be the rippling of the water as the children play close by. I do these things, but the most important thing that I do to find that inner strength, the energy, the peace to do the thing that I do, is to connect with other people. I have a true story to tell.
Young Youth Update for September 2015
I hope you all had a wonderful summer and found God’s blessings surrounding you in all that you did. As we enter into a new school year we welcome new friends as well as old and look for new adventures where we can blossom in God’s word. Some of our activities for the year will be new. You can be assured that the favorites will remain however: movie night, Sugar Creek Winter fun days, Sugar Creek summer camp, cookie decorating, etc.
Upcoming Youth Events in September 2015!
There is lots happening for high school and middle school youth in September! Read the full post for all the details!
OWLs Post for September 2015
We got things warmed up in August, and the fun will continue in September. We will start the month with our potluck on Wednesday, September 16, at noon. But take note!!! To change things up a bit, we will have the potluck at Mary and Brian Narveson’s house. We are hoping for a warm fall day where everyone can gather on the deck for fresh air and fun. In case of bad weather, we will gather in the house. Our program will be musical games.
Sunday School Update for September 2015
Sunday school at First Lutheran kicks off with “Rally Day” on First Fest Sunday, August 30th, from 9:15 to 10:15 in the narthex. There will not be Sunday school class this day, however parents and kids are encouraged to come register, see their classrooms, meet their teachers and receive their registration packets
Message From Pastor Stanton for August 2015
Day One: “Welcome to Detroit!” was the refrain we heard throughout the day from EVERYone, and the city seems genuinely excited about the arrival of over 30,000 ELCA youth and adult leaders. First Lutheran gathered at 4:00 AM for a journey that would begin a bit later than expected, but we eventually made up time. Our bus drivers, Jay and Deborah got us to Milwaukee and then to Detroit safely. So… Let me get to the fun stuff!...
Veteran’s Ministry Update for August 2015
Last month I explained to you about the Veterans Ministry and some of the things that I would be writing about. The following is one of the first calls I received on behalf of this initiative. I think you might be surprised at what the outcome was....
Small Group Update for August 2015
We read in the Bible that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move a mountain (Matthew 17:20). Mustard seeds are tiny, but when nurtured—just like our faith—they can grow into something hardy. Something strong. Something that will flourish in all kinds of places, at all different times. Isn’t that what we aspire to have? Likely you have observed a person and thought, wow, their faith is so strong. I hope I have faith like that one day. In my former job, I was a little bit famous for saying “hope is not a strategy.” You won’t nurture and grow your faith just by hoping for it. It takes intentional action to nurture your faith....
Young Youth Update for August 2015
I hope all of you have been enjoying the beautiful summer that God has provided for us. There are so many things to be thankful for that we must not forget to talk to God and let him know that we appreciate everything He blesses us with. Even the sad moments are a blessing because without rain things cannot grow....
Meet Tina!
Hi everyone! My name is Tina Nelson and I just recently got hired as the new Director of Discipleship of Youth. I am from Rapid City, South Dakota and graduated from the University of South Dakota this past May. I have been working in camping ministry for over 9 years now. I started in Custer, SD at a Lutheran camp called Outlaw Ranch, and after five years decided to change to Sugar Creek Bible Camp in Ferryville, WI for a new challenge. I have had so many amazing experiences over the past four years there as a High School Village Leader. I am so very passionate about working with young adults and helping them to learn their own unique gifts and callings. I love the outdoors and connecting with God through adventures with youth in His creation. This job is such a blessing to me and I can’t wait to get to know all of you and share my passions!
OWLs Post for August 2015
The OWLs took the month of July off for vacation travel, family gatherings and summer fun. Hope everyone had a great July. At the end of June our monthly outing took us to Elmer’s Auto and Toy Museum in Fountain City. We had a great day looking at beautiful classic cars and a fantastic toy collection with what has to be one of the largest collections of pedal cars in the country. The museum and ice cream at the Narveson’s made for a great day.
Message From Pastor Stanton for July 2015
A couple years ago, my wife Carla and I hosted a guest from out of town on behalf of the church. We went out for a drink to get to know each other a little better and the conversation went to, “where did you go to college?” I shared that I went to Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Her response was, “that place is expensive!” I didn’t want to come across as a rich kid who was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, so I explained, “well, I won a scholarship there that paid for most of my expenses, so I couldn’t refuse.” Her response was, “Oh, white privilege at its best.” To put it mildly, that upset me. I remember thinking, “I worked hard throughout high school… I earned that scholarship!” She dropped it, but God has kept that accusation tucked tightly into the back of my head....