connections - House of Prayer Lutheran Church ELCA, Bismarck

HOUSE OF PRAYER LUTHERAN CHURCH
1470 S. Washington St., Bismarck, ND 58504
CONNECTIONS
Networking People in Prayer, Planning, and Praise
SUMMER QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER – 2015
Pentecost, the Season of the summer.
Pentecost is the church season that we enter into on May 31st and it runs all the way into October. It is the
longest season we have in the church year, so it seems fitting that as we enter into the season of Pentecost we learn
a little more about the season.
Pentecost has a long history in the church, and through the years it has taken on different emphasis.
Pentecost started off in the Old Testament as one of three high festivals that the Jewish people were called to
observe. It fell between the other two high festivals, the Passover and Tabernacles. In the Old Testament
Pentecost was known as the Feast of the Weeks, and it was predominantly an agricultural festival, an occasion on
which the community was expected to show gratitude to God for the first fruits of the harvest. As stated in Deut.
16:9, the festival began “from the time you first put the sickle to the standing grain.”
The meaning of Pentecost began to take on new meaning in the Hellenistic Period (300 BC to 300 AD).
Pentecost began to lose its association with agriculture and became increasingly associated with the religious
history of the Hebrew people. Around 70 AD Pentecost began to become connected with giving of the Torah on
Mt. Sinai.
Thirdly, in the New Testament we see the understanding of Pentecost change again. Its focus changes to
the coming of the “Holy Spirit.” In Act 1:8, just prior to his ascension, the risen Jesus had said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and
Samaria and to the end of the earth.” Thus, the events of Pentecost are presented in Acts as the fulfillment of this promise: on that day, the Holy Spirit did indeed come upon the apostles and empowered them to witness to Jesus
the Christ. As we enter into June 2006, we continue to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit; which empowers us
to go out and witness and sustains us in the midst of our challenges. The following story is a good illustration of
how the Holy Spirit is to be understood.
The largest subway in the world is in New Your City. It is an electric-powered, underground railway
system. Every day, the system’s 6,200 cars carry 3.5 million people to their destinations. Each year, more than a billion people use the subway. The subway trains get their power through a “third rail,” which runs alongside the 723 miles of track and supplies 600 volts of electricity to each train.
Without the third rail’s power, the whole system would fail, and millions of people would be stranded. At all times, the successful operation of the subway system depends on the power of the third rail. Like the third rail
is the subway’s source of power, the Holy Spirit is the source of power for Christians. As we connect with the Spirit, we have power we need to live out our faith.
So in this season of Pentecost let us celebrate the Holy Spirit, our advocate given to us by God to sustain
our faith, and grow the church. The season of Pentecost celebrates just that, the growth of the church through
people who embrace and trust the power of the Spirit. My desire for House of Prayer is we embrace the Holy
Spirit in our lives, by opening our hearts up through prayer, scripture, and worship. As you enjoy the light of
summer, let it remind you have the light of the Spirit within.
Pastor Joel
QUARTERLY NEWLETTER FOR JUNE - AUGUST 2015
“Connections” is a Quarterly Newsletter produced by House of Prayer Lutheran Church of Bismarck, ND. Printed four times a year (Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec), this mailer is available for members and visitors.
Call the Church Office (223-2202) to receive your copy.
Dear House of Prayer,
The Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery gratefully acknowledge your donation
of $436.64 in support of “Ministries on the Margin”. Your gift will help provide for those
who are going through times of difficult transition. God Bless You!
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY “KICK-OFF” AND POTLUCK:
Ladies of House of Prayer…you are invited to a special gathering on THURSDAY, SEP 10TH at 6:30 PM. This event will introduce you to our
2015-2016 Saturday Morning Women’s Bible Study series. All women of House of Prayer are welcome! Bring your favorite dish to share as we begin a new year of fellowship and growing
in faith.`
All women of House of Prayer are members of W.E.L.C.A., a women’s organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. We are
encouraged to participate in the monthly Bible Studies and fellowship. It
is a great place to become more acquainted and for support with other ladies at House of
Prayer. There is a circle monthly meeting (Bible study) the third Saturday at the Church at 9:30
a.m. All women are also encouraged to participate in joining others for the spring Mothers ‘N Others banquet and the December Advent brunch. All women can also participate in bringing treats on the
third Sunday of each month for coffee hour following the 10:00 a.m. service; proceeds go to further
community projects.
GET READY FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!
This year’s event is scheduled for:
JUNE 8-11 (12:30-5:30 PM)
JUNE 12 (12:30-3:00 PM)
Cost is $25 per child and $45 for two or more children. Registration Forms are also
available in the Gathering Area.
Call the Church Office for details! 701-223-2202
2015 National
Youth Gathering in
Detroit
July 12-20, 2015
Youth attending include:
Drew Sandvig
Rachel Sayler
Katie Schauer
Ryanne Smith
Kate Johnson
Allison Johnson
Bryce Emineth
Andrew Strand
Hannah Braaten Megan Billadeau
Drighten Neugebauer
Mandy Fiest
Chaperoned by
Pastor Joel & Tracie Emineth
Hershey Bar
Fundraiser
And the grand total is…
$4984.00 with 90 bars sold!
Thank you for supporting the
youth with your generous
contributions.
We are excited about the
gathering and the faith
journey we are about to
begin. Thank you for all
your support this past year.
“The Detroit Gang”
Youth Gathering Events
th
July 12
Depart at 5:30am on buses with 110 youth and leaders from
the Bismarck Mandan area.
Spend the day at Valley Fair in Minneapolis. Rollercoasters!
July 13th
Take in a bit of Chicago and eat Chicago Style pizza. Mmm!
July 14th
Arrive in Detroit. Complete our first service project.
End the evening at Bert’s for food and a bit of jazz & blues.
July 15-18th Attend the 2015 ELCA National Youth Gathering
Share faith stories, interactive learning activities, and service
work in the Detroit communities.
th
July 19-20 Leave for home after the final Sunday Worship. Travel!!!!
God - According to Kids
God
God
God
God
God
is
is
is
is
is
like
like
like
like
like
God is like BAYER ASPIRIN ... He works miracles.
God is like a FORD ...He's got a better idea.
God is like COKE ... He's the real thing.
God is like HALLMARK CARDS ... He cares enough to send His
very best.
God is like TIDE ... He gets the stains out that others leave
behind.
God is like GENERAL ELECTRIC ... He brings good things to life.
God is like SEARS ... He has everything.
God is like ALKA- SELTZER...Try Him, you'll like him.
SCOTCH TAPE ... You can't see him, but you know He's there.
DELTA ... He's ready when you are.
ALLSTATE... You're in good hands with Him.
VO-5 HAIR SPRAY... He holds through all kinds of weather.
DIAL SOAP ... Aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?
After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His
father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, "That preacher said he wanted us brought
up in a Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys."
The Sabbath School Teacher asked, "Now, Johnny, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?" "No, sir,"
Johnny replies, "I don't have to. My mom is a good cook!"
I had been teaching my three-year-old daughter, Caitlin, the Lord's Prayer. For several evenings at bedtime, she
would repeat after me the lines from the prayer. Finally, she decided to go solo. I listened with pride as she carefully
enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer: "Lead us not into temptation," she prayed, "but deliver us
some E-mail. Amen."
And one particular four-year-old prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in
our baskets."
A little boy was overheard praying: "Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real
good time like I am."
A Sabbath school teacher asked her children, as they were on the way to church service, "And why is it necessary
to be quiet in church?" One bright little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping."
The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel microphone, and as he preached, he moved briskly about the
platform, jerking the mike cord as he went. Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord and nearly
tripping before jerking it again. After several circles and jerks, a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her mother
and whispered, "If he gets loose, will he hurt us?"
Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother Joel were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang, and talked
out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church." "Why? Who's
going to stop me?" Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by
the door? They're hushers."
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get
the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, he would say,
'Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.' "Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be
Jesus!"
A father was at the beach with his children when the four-year-old son ran up to him, grabbed his hand, and led
him to the shore, where a seagull lay dead in the sand. "Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked. "He died
and went to Heaven," the Dad replied. The boy thought a moment and then said, "Did God throw him back down?"
A Sunday school class was studying the Ten Commandments. They were ready to discuss the last one. The teacher
asked if anyone could tell her what it was. Susie raised her hand, stood tall, and quoted, "Thou shall not take the
covers off the neighbor's wife."
My co-worker's 3-year-old son, Reese: "Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Howard is His name. Amen."
The first Sunday of each month has
been set aside to celebrate the
birthdays of our House of Prayer
members. Each month, two of our
members make goodies to be shared for
this occasion. In 2015, we need bakers
for July, August, November, and
December. Please share your baking
talents with the other members of HOP
and help us all celebrate our member’s
birthdays! Call me at the church office
at 223-2202 if you would like to signup!
Thanks!! Vera
House of Prayer will be having a church picnic on
August 30th at General Sibley Park, south of
Bismarck. A church service will be at 10:00 AM
with a potluck to follow! After dinner there will be
entertainment, and fun & games for the kids!
More details to follow, but be sure to mark your
calendar!
Well, Sunday School officially came to end on May 10th! It was a
beautiful spring with the kids, and they worked very hard on learning
more about the different Superheroes of the Bible, and seeing what
super powers are instilled in them by God.
We ended the year with making beautiful Mother's Day presents, and the kids all worked very hard to be a
part of the worship service, and they did amazing!
A big THANK YOU to everyone for all their support and guidance over the past year. We appreciate it more
than you know. Thank you to Pastor Dave and Joel for all the help and support this past year!!
To the Sunday School teachers and helpers, thank you, thank you, thank you. This program would not be what
it is without you! :) Please remember to think about Vacation Bible School as it is a wonderful opportunity for
your child to learn about God this summer through worship, fun activities, and music.
Sincerely,
Jenise
House of Prayer Lutheran Church
Council Meeting ~ May 21, 2015
Present: Samantha Baros, Vera Hermanson, Coleen Olson, Chris Reinicke, Pastor
Joel Samuelson, Bob Sheldon, Heather Van Erem, Keith Zhorela & Ladine Zwarych.
Absent: Craig Serr & Pastor Dave Swonger (Sabbatical).
President Chris Reinicke called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm.
Pastor Joel gave the devotional on the book of Revelations, which is a message to the
7 churches to be faithful to God & not be afraid to be active in their faith. They
believed that rather than ascending to heaven, God would come down & make all
things new.
Minutes from the April 16th meeting were approved. Motion by Coleen, second by Bob.
Correspondence – There was none.
Treasurer’s Report – Keith reported that as of this date, the balance in checking is $12,302.25 (with bills of $1,1335.90
yet to be paid), savings $29,551.51, Kitchen Improvement $3,694.00, Media Fund $4,176.00 & Good Samaritan Fund
$155.49. Keith reported that $500 has been added to each of the Pastors’ Continuing Education accounts.
Also, Keith compared the Church attendance for January 1st through April 30th for 2014 & 2015 and found that
attendance had dropped from 4,885 to 4,601.
Committee Reports
Executive – A lockbox (about $20) will be purchased to hold the receipts from Sunday offerings until Monday
when they can be deposited at Kirkwood Bank. Vera will notify the Council members of the lockbox combination
after it has been ordered & received.
Extended Ministry, Mutual Ministry, Building & Property, Worship, and Stewardship – no reports.
Outreach – Council discussed the proposal to have an outdoor service at Sibley Park, possibly on Labor Day
weekend.
Pastor’s Reports – Pastor Joel said they need volunteers for the Synod meeting in Minot on June 4-6.
Unfinished Business – Striping the parking lot will be done on a Saturday in July but the date needs to be
coordinated with Vera Weber to avoid any scheduled wedding.
New Business – Council approved the purchase of a stick vacuum for $160.
New Sound System for House of Prayer
A new digital, programmable sound system has been ordered for the church! Training
and installation will be in the next couple of weeks.
HOUSE OF PRAYER LUTHERAN CHURCH 2015
SUNDAY
31
MONDAY
1
TUESDAY
2
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
4
3
FRIDAY
5
SATURDAY
6
6:30p Worship/Comm.
7 5th 2 Pentecost
8
9:00a Adult Bible Study
10:00a Worship/Comm.
11:00a Coffee–Birthdays
10:00a
QUILTERS
7:00p
WELCA
Board
14 3 Pentecost
15
10:00a QUILTERS
9
6:00p TOPS
Western ND Synod
Gathering
Western ND Synod
Gathering
Minot
Minot
Minot
11
12:30 – 5:30 – M-TH
12:30 – 3:30 – Fri
12 Abbey Pelerine &
13 Abbey Pelerine
Justin Beutler
Rehearsal - 5p
& Justin Beutler Wedding – 4p
19
20
June 8 - 12
SCHOOL
BIBLE
VACATION
9:00a Adult Bible Study
10:00a Worship
11:00a Coffee – Youth
10
6:30p Worship
Western ND Synod
Gathering
16
17
6:00p TOPS
6:30p Worship/Comm.
18
9:30a Women’s Bible Study
.
21 4 Pentecost
22
23
9:00a Adult Bible Study
10:00a Worship/Comm.
11:00a Coffee – WELCA
10:00a QUILTERS
6:00p TOPS
24
25
6:30p Worship
MISSOURI
VALLEY
QUILTERS
26
27
Jackie Glaser & Dennis
Parr Wedding – 4p
Church Council
7:00p
Jackie Glaser & Dennis
Parr Rehearsal – 6p
28 5 PENTECOST
9:00a Adult Bible Study
10:00a Worship
11:00a Coffee - Quilters
29
30
10:00a QUILTERS
6:00p TOPS
1
2
3
4
HOUSE OF PRAYER LUTHERAN CHURCH 2015
SUNDAY
28
5 5th 6 Pentecost
10:00a Worship/Comm.
11:00a Coffee–Birthdays
MONDAY
29
6
10:00a QUILTERS
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
1
6:30p
Worship/Comm.
2
7
6:00p TOPS
8
6:30p Worship
9
14
6:00p TOPS
15
6:30p
Worship/Comm.
16
30
FRIDAY
3
SATURDAY
4
Office closed in
observance of the 4th
of July
10
11
Kyleigh Bader & Nick
Bethke Rehearsal
5:30p
Kyleigh Bader & Nick
Bethke Wedding
4:00p
7:00p
WELCA Board
12 7 Pentecost
10:00a Worship
11:00a Coffee – Youth
13
10:00a QUILTERS
ELCA YOUTH
GATHERING
DETROIT MI
19 8 Pentecost
9:00a Adult Bible Study
10:00a Worship/Comm.
11:00a Coffee – WELCA
ELCA YOUTH
GATHERING
26 9 PENTECOST
9:00a Adult Bible Study
10:00a Worship
11:00a Coffee - Quilters
20
10:00a QUILTERS
21
6:00p TOPS
22
6:30p Worship
17
ELCA YOUTH
GATHERING
18
9:30a Women’s Bible Study
ELCA YOUTH
GATHERING
ELCA YOUTH
GATHERING
23
MISSOURI
VALLEY
QUILTERS
24
25
Church Council
7:00p
27
10:00a QUILTERS
28
6:00p TOPS
29
6:30p
Worship/Comm.
30
31 Zachary Schuchard
& Jazmyn Oban
Rehearsal – 5:00p
1
HOUSE OF PRAYER LUTHERAN CHURCH 2015
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
Zachary Schuchard
& Jazmyn Oban
Wedding 2:00p
2 5th 10 Pentecost
9:00a Adult Bible
Study
10:00a
Worship/Comm.
11:00a Coffee–
Birthdays
9 11 Pentecost
10:00a Worship
11:00a Coffee –
Youth
3
10:00a
4
6:00p TOPS
5
6:30p Worship
6
7
8
10
10:00a QUILTERS
11
6:00p TOPS
12
6:30p
Worship/Comm.
13
16 12 Pentecost
10:00a
Worship/Comm.
11:00a Coffee –
WELCA
17
10:00a
QUILTERS
18
6:00p TOPS
19
6:30p Worship
20
QUILTERS
7:00p WELCA Board
.
14
15
9:30a Women’s Bible Study
21
22
28
29
MISSOURI
VALLEY
QUILTERS
Church Council
7:00p
23 13 PENTECOST
10:00a Worship
11:00a Coffee Quilters
24
10:00a QUILTERS
31
10:00a QUILTERS
30 14 PENTECOST
10:00a
Worship/Comm.
25
6:00p TOPS
26
6:30p
Worship/Comm.
27
HOUSE OF PRAYER
NON-PROFIT
LUTHERAN CHURCH
1470 S. Washington St.
Bismarck, ND 58504 * 223-2202
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT# 76
BISMARCK, ND
MINISTRY PARTNERS WITH CAMP OF THE CROSS -- GARRISON
Return Service Requested
House of Prayer Staff:
Pastor – Reverend Dave Swonger – 516-4369
Pastor – Reverend Joel Samuelson – 516-4368
Administrative Assistant – VeraLyn Weber
Custodians – Steve and Karen Helgeson
Organist/Chancel Choir Director – Rhonda Gowen
Children’s Ministry Coordinator – Jenise Wilson
Youth Events Coordinator – Tracie Emineth
MISSION STATEMENT
The members of House of Prayer celebrate faith by
inviting all people into a deepening
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 8-12p & 1-5p; Fri. 8-12p
Church Council:
Chris Reinicke – President/Extended Ministries
Coleen Olson – Vice President/Mutual Ministries
Ladine Zwarych – Secretary/Education Ministries
Keith Zhorela – Treasurer/Budget & Finance
Vera Hermanson – Worship
Bob Sheldon – Stewardship
Heather Van Erem – Outreach
Samantha Baros – Outreach
Craig Serr – Building & Property
SUNDAY SCHOOL/ADULT ED. – 9:00AM
SUNDAY WORSHIP: 10:00AM
WEDNESDAY WORSHIP: 6:30PM