Zion Lutheran Church

Zion & Carpio Newsletter

September 2020

"Strength Through Stuggle”

Rev. George Schuessler

     If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been. Instead of growing frustrated with all that’s going wrong in life, try shifting your focus to what you’ll become after the struggle has ceased.

     Joey found a cocoon of a butterfly a few blocks from his home. He stared at it for several minutes and made a mental note of where it was, so that he could keep an eye on it during the next number of days. After a week, he noticed a small opening in the cocoon. Joey sat and watched as the insect inside struggled to force its body through the tiny hole. Throughout the night he couldn’t stop thinking about what he had observed. After school the next day Joey stopped to look at the cocoon again and noticed that the insect appeared to be stuck in the hole. It seemed to him that the insect had gotten as far as it could and was helplessly and mostly inside of the cocoon.

     The next morning Joey put a pair of scissors in to his backpack. On the way to school he stopped and looked again at the cocoon. Feeling sorry for the insect, he decided to help it enter the outside world by carefully snipping a bit of the cocoon. Joey smiled as he watched the butterfly emerge smoothly from the hole.

     As he watched, he was surprised as he noticed the butterfly’s swollen body and small and shriveled wings. He continued to watch with a childlike innocence expecting at any moment for the wings to expand to support the butterfly in flight, but it did not happen.

     In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It was never able to fly. What Joey didn’t understand was that the restricting cocoon, and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny hole, was God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the insect into its wings so that it could be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

     The Apostle James writes in his letter: “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

     Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. Though few of us enjoy them, God does use them for our good. While God rarely causes them, He strengthens us through the dark hours of struggle in life’s trials. He increases our faith when we call on him for help through the pain of life’s trials. Therefore, let us ask God to change the way that you and I view our struggles amid life’s trials, so that we may “spread our wings” to be all that we were created to be.

CARPIO Sunday School & Crossroads:

ALL ARE INVITED TO:
Carpio Lutheran Rally Day!
When:  Sunday, September 13th
Where:  Carpio Lutheran Church
Worship:  9 a.m.
Rally Day: 10 a.m. Scavenger Hunt! Food! Fellowship!
Sunday School/Crossroad Classes start Sunday, September 20^th!

For SS/Crossroad classes, we will be following whatever Berthold school does.
If we go to distance learning in school, we’ll also do Sunday School distance learning.

ZION Sunday School & Crossroads:

ALL ARE INVITED TO ZION’S Sunday School Rally Day!

When: Sunday, September 13th

Where: Zion Lutheran Church

Time:  Sunday School/Crossroads 10am, Worship 11am

We will be welcoming new preschool students and handing out Bibles to 3^rd graders during worship!

Join us for a scavenger hunt, donuts, & Bible Bucks!

Regular Classes will begin on Sunday, September 20^th!

We will be following what the Berthold school is doing regarding Covid-19. If the school goes to distance learning, we’ll also do Sunday School by distance learning.

LUTHER LEAGUE:

Luther League Kickoff event will be Sunday, September 13^th at the Berthold City Park at 12:30pm!! We will be grilling and playing yard games. 

This is open to ALL Berthold & Carpio youth in grades 7-12!

Hope to see everyone there!!

Confirmation:

Confirmation classes will resume on September 2^nd! We will meet in the Church Sanctuary at 6:30pm. There will be no meals served this year and no food or drink is allowed in the sanctuary. September class dates will be the 2^nd, 16^th, & 30^th.

Zion ZLCW

The ZLCW and Mary/Martha Circle will not be meeting during September. We will wait and see how it goes in October. Please stay safe.

Your sister in Christ

Barbara Cooper, ZLCW President

SCHOOL SUPPLIES are now on sale. This is a great time to purchase items needed for Lutheran World Relief School kits! Items needed are: 70 sheet notebooks, rulers, pencil sharpeners, blunt scissors, #2 pencils, black or blue pens, crayons, & 2 ½ # erasers.

Carpio CLCW

The CLCW will be having a meeting in September. We sent out completed quilts this summer to LWR, and some have been sent to places in Minot. We are also collecting items for school kits and baby care kits!

Serving in September @ Carpio:

Usher: Jeff Huber

Altar Guild: Altar Cloths, Communion, Flowers and Greenery:  Cathy Armstrong

Serving in September @ Zion:

Readers:                                                           

September 6               Jill Brown                     September 13             Laurie Gathman                                 

September 20             Lyle Gorseth                September 27             Corine Christman                               

Ushers:  Curt Schumaier, Carson Schumaier, Steve Ibach, Cale Ibach

Altar Guild:     Nancy Hanson & Helen Grant

Organist: Kristin Berg

Fellowship for September at Zion is served by the Luther League.

September 6^th ~ Group 1                    September 13^th ~ Rally Sunday, Everyone Helps

September 20^th ~ Group 2                  September 27^th ~ Group 3

Luther League Service Groups for 2020-2021:

Group 1 ~ Seth Fjeldahl, Cooper Bredahl, Alexis Bauer, Ella Brown, Kashtyn Bredahl

Group 2 ~ Katelyn Schumaier, Kari Eide, Justin Eide, Jeffrey Eide, Izzy Michel

Group 3 ~ Alexis Christman, Piper Sorenson, Benit Sorenson, Natalie Helfrich, Riley Miller, Laney Brown

Group 4 ~ Jake Ulberg, Christian Carico, Nathan Carico, Carter Finke, Brennan Asmundson

Group 5 ~ Ava Lee, Cale Ibach, Mya Neshem, Aubree Schepp, Tika Wallace

Group 6 ~ Lynzee Schepp, Tucker Johnson, Emma Neshem, Kaleb Neshem, Elyssa Lindahl, Ashley Seaver

Zion is updating their list of Readers! If you would like to be added to the list, please let Amy know by email zionberthold@gmail.com or leave a message at the church.

CARPIO LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES

President Aaron Haaland called the meeting to order on August 16^TH at about 11:15am.

Present are: Aaron Haaland, Stan Vangsness, Travis Engelhard, Jeff Huber, with Treasurer Summer Engelhard, CLCW President Carolyn Graff, and Pastor George. Tammi Moen was at a family gathering in Williston.

Secretary Tammi Moen ask Pastor to take the Minutes for the meeting and get them to her.

Stan Vangsness move to accept the June 7^TH Minutes as printed. Second by Jeff Huber. Motion Carried.

Treasurer Summer Engelhard presented the Treasurer’s Report:

                6/1/20 Beginning Checking Balance                          $12669.60

                6/30/20 Ending Checking Balance                             $10516.29  (Checking Balance as of 8/15/20 $7570.32)

                6/30/20 Thrivent Contingency Fund                         $3746.78

                6/30/20 Thrivent Lindberg Fund                $13843.00

The full Treasurer’s Report is with the Secretary’s materials.

Discussion arose on PPP Loan. Pastor just received email with Loan forgiveness information and paper work from the Kenmare Bank that he will forward to Treasurer Summer Engelhard.

Travis Engelhard moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Second by Stan Vangsness. Motion Carried.

CLCW President Carolyn Graff reported that the Community Garden is doing well. She also received a call from Ann Marks about the Jim Swift Household Sale. The family was looking to use the Carpio Senior Center on a Friday near the end of August for a one day sale and was asking if Carpio would be interested in helping. Any items that remained after the one day sale would be taken to the Carpio City Dump. Jeff note that Austin is in charge of the City Dump that is usually open on Saturdays. Discussion noted the beginning of harvest. Carolyn will check with the Church Women to see if they are interested in helping.

Pastor George reported that he is now making some outdoor lawn or porch visits when possible, he continues with putting his message on FACEBOOK Pages, put together Confirmation lessons for this year that are paperless, participated in the on-line Synod Assembly July 17^TH, plans to participate in the Aug. 31^ST Metigoshe Board meeting in Minot, and note that the Synod Pastors Gathering on Sept. 13-15 is uncertain at this time.

OLD BUSINESS: 1. Hymnals are being used in Carpio Worship Services. 2. The Aug. 2^ND Motorcycle Rally Worship Service was cancelled. We hope to hold it again in 2021. 3. Pastor received an assessment from Brandon Trondson about Live Streaming equipment for Carpio. We will use existing Web site and domain for the Live Stream, we may not need Vimeo if we can us Live Producer, we will need use of a computer to log in for our Live Stream, Camera, video mixer, cable, hardware, set up and installation will cost $2268.00 plus tax of $113.40 for State and $45.36 for county & city ($2426.76 total). The full proposal from Brandon Trondson is with the Secretary’s books for future reference. Summer Engelhard noted that Tammi Anderson gave a gift of $1000 for possible Live Stream equipment and the Sunday School may also have some money available. Travis Engelhard moved to work with Brandon Tronsdon and order the equipment as proposed in the assessment of $2426.76. Second by Stan Vangsness. Motion Carried. 4. Jeff Huber will get to the work of the front down spout and office light installation when he can.

NEW BUSINESS: 1. Following a discussion on Social Distancing guidelines at Carpio Lutheran Church, Jeff Huber moved to continue Social Distancing guidelines and our present form of Worship in our Sanctuary, but that we will allow a return to Coffee Fellowship using the CDC (ND Smart) guidelines for Restaurant serving to begin in September 2020. Second by Stan Vangsness. Motion Carried. 2. With Public School beginning August 24^TH with a plan for in-person classes, the Carpio Board of Education will begin in-person Sunday School on September 13^TH using Public School guidance for the operation of our Carpio Sunday School. 3. Stan Vangsness moved to purchase two $25 Gift Cards to show our appreciation to Cathy Armstrong and her Grand-daughter Allie Feland for helping Maynard & Patsy Anderson participate in the Synod Assembly that was on-line July 17^TH. Second by Jeff Huber. Motion Carried. 4. Travis Engelhard move to allow Cathy Armstrong and Pastor George to purchase a computer for the Church Office with a cost of No More than $1000.00. Second by Jeff Huber. Motion Carried. 5. Jeff Huber moved to allow Pastor George vacation time August 20^TH – September 7^TH and that Rev. Norm Paskowsky be the supply Pastor on the Sundays that Pastor George is gone. (Pastor George will be on call for any other pastoral business during this time period.) Second by Travis Engelhard. Motion Carried. Treasurer Summer Engelhard ask if Pastor Paskowsky will be paid each week or at one time? Pastor George will check on this with Pastor Paskowsky and get the information to Summer Engelhard.

NEXT CARPIO CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING IS OCTOBER 4^TH at 7pm.

Meeting was Adjourned and The Lord’s Prayer was Prayed.

Carpio Financials

PASTOR PAYROLL ACCOUNT (ZION & CARPIO)

Beginning Balance July                                                                                                 $4,252.55

Zion Deposits                                                                                     $4,100.00

Carpio Deposits                                                                                $4,100.00

                                                  Total Deposits                                                                 $8,200.00                     

Expenses:                                                                                                                                                                      

Portico (Pastor’s Benefits)                                                           $2,569.83                          

Mileage                                                                                                $   207.00

Pastor George Payroll                                                                     $4,395.72

                                             Total Expenses:                                                                    $7,172.55

Ending Balance July                                                              $5,280.00

Zion Financials ~ July

BEGINNING BALANCE- July                                                                                                          $12,117.13

INCOME: Offerings          7/01/2020            $1,500.00             7/05/2020           $1,242.00                                                                                             7/19/2020            $3,028.00            7/22/2020           $   525.00

                                                7/26/2020            $1,608.00

Carpio Luth Reimbursement                       $150.77                 Simply Giving         $392.15

State Bank and Trust- Interest                    $    1.09                SRT Capital Refund  $127.92                        

 TOTAL INCOME- July                                                                                                                     $8,074.93

EXPENSES:          Western ND Synod-ELCA                                                                  $ 632.2

Church Mutual Insurance                                                                                              $ 392.14

MDU                                                                                                                                   $ 145.52                      

Xcel Energy                                                                                                                        $   57.05

SRT                                                                                                                                      $ 219.04

City of Berthold                                                                                                                $ 100.50

517 Media                                                                                                                         $   59.85                                       

Curt Schumaier (Custodian)                                                                                           $ 350.00

Amy Neshem (Secretary)                                                                                                $ 500.00              

Kylene Hornberger (Treasurer)                                                                                       $ 550.00

Western ND Synod-Pastor George                                                                                 $ 100.00

Transfer to Pastor Account                                                                                              $4,100.00

TOTAL EXPENSES- July                                                                                                                   $8,183.82

ENDING BALANCE - July                                                                                                                $12,008.24

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES                                             AUGUST 12^TH, 2020

Council Members Present: Kristin Berg, Curt Schumaier, Myron Rovig, Jacki Deaver, Marvin Heller, Kristen Schepp, with Treasurer Kylene Hornberger and Pastor George Schuessler. Council Members Not Present: Julie Ulberg, Todd Finke, and Gary Neshem.

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by President Curt Schumaier. DEVOTION: Hebrews 11 and Prayer by Pastor George.

REVIEWED MINUTES FROM JUNE 3^RD Council meeting.

Myron Rovig moved to approve the Minutes. Second by Marvin Heller. Motion Carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT was given by Treasurer Kylene Hornberger:  General Fund Beginning Balance, $12117.13.  July Income, $8074.93.  July Expenses, $8183.82.  Ending Balance, $12008.24.

Pastoral Account Beginning Balance, $4252.55.  Ending July Balance, $7172.55.

Kylene reported that Endowment Interest payments are paid quarterly. (June $1132.15)

Kylene reported that Carprio paid for Picture Display Book on Dec. 18^TH, 2019. Myron Rovig moved that this money be moved from the General Fund and put into the Special Projects Fund. Second by Kristin Berg. Motion Carried.

Marvin Heller moved to approve the Financial report. Second by Kristen Schepp.  Motion Carried.

TEAM REPORTS:               Worship & Music: Last meetings discussion brought out a desire by some to return to “normal” operations and fellowship each Sunday. Noting that the Berthold Public School will open with in person learning and no requirement of face masks and that the Zion Board of Education will hold in person Sunday School with no requirement of face masks, the Council discussion was open to discontinuing Social Distancing to allow for “normal” Coffee Fellowship and Sunday School. In care for the safety of our worshipping membership and guests we will continue Social Distancing in the Sanctuary at all of our Worship Services. Marvin Heller moved to keep Social Distancing practices for Worship in the Sanctuary, but to discontinue Social Distancing practices to allow “normal” Coffee Fellowship and Sunday School classes beginning in September 2020. Second by Myron Rovig. Motion Carried  Board of Education: Rally Sunday is Sept. 13^TH with a Scavenger Hunt. This will start Zion’s in person Sunday School with face masks being optional. A “Home Learning” option will be available for families not comfortable with in person Sunday School. The Christmas program is Dec. 13^TH. Sunday School will end on March 28^TH. Maintenance & Property: Travis Sorenson has not begun work on Sunday School exterior windows on east side of building or to repair bowed siding.  Folding Door in the Chapel has arrived, but has not yet been installed by John Fjeldahl. Kylene Hornberger has paid $1969.60 for the folding door. Curt Schumaier received three bids for the replacing of the boiler: Minot Plumbing & Heating for $10803.53 / A & J Plumbing and Heating for $13500.00 / C & C Plumbing & Heating for $9838.00. Review and discussion raised a number of questions like the fact that each bid seemed to have a different size furnace. Curt will contact each contractor to get clarification and answers for a future meeting. Curt also noted that hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed, but the batteries run out quickly.

PASTOR’S REPORT: 

Made visits by phone and in person outside on the lawn or porch when possible. Putting Sunday Sermon on FACEBOOK in both printed version and on FACEBOOK LIVE. Participated in Synod Assembly on July 17^TH that was on line. Reworked Confirmation lessons to be paperless during our New Normal. Is planning to participate in the Metigoshe Ministries Board meeting on August 31^ST in Minot. The Synod Pastors Gathering on Sept. 13-15 is uncertain at this time.

OLD BUSINESS: 1. Andy Fjeldahl will wait until next year’s tradeshow to purchase folding chairs. 2. Live Streaming equipment put on hold to get more bids and information. 3. Myron Rovig moved to have Amy Neshem purchase a new computer for the Church Office        with the total package not to exceed $1000.00. Second by Jacki Deaver. Motion Carried. 4. No Action taken on the desk top copier offer from Gaffaney’s.

NEW BUSINESS: 1. Kristin Berg moved to Transfer-Out Debbie Nelson and her children Elizabeth, Jordan, and       Alex to First Lutheran Church of Minot. Second by Marvin Heller. Motion Carried. 2. Kristen Schepp moved to allow our church facility to be used as an emergency shelter.           Second by Myron Rovig. Motion Carried. 3. Kristen Schepp moved to allow Pastor George vacation time Aug. 21^ST through Sept. 6^TH? Second by Jacki Deaver. Motion Carried. 4. Myron Rovig moved to reimburse Pastor George for Guardian Pest Solutions cost of $175 to kill wasps and to pay Steve Helfrich for plugging hole and repairing the removed siding.             Second by Marvin Heller. Motion Carried. 5. Marvin Heller moved to reimburse Myron Rovig for broken glass window repair on a west              Sunday School room for $139.07. Second byKristin Berg. Motion Carried. It was            suggested that we make out a claim and submit it to our Insurance company. 6. Pastor George noted that at our next council meeting we need to choose a health care plan       for Pastor George and Ladora. A memo from Portico was given out with information.

Next Zion Church Council meeting is SEPTEMBER 9^TH at 7pm.  Meeting was Adjourned and the Lord’s Prayer was prayed.

Respectfully Submitted by Pastor George.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 BERTHOLD ZION FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN:

And YES, you get to select your food choices as before the pandemic!

SEPTEMBER 8^TH Tuesday morning from 10am until Noon.

SEPTEMBER 16^TH Wednesday afternoon from 3pm-5pm and from 7pm-9pm.

If the above times do not work for you, you may make an appointment at an alternate day and time by calling Ladora at 453-3121 or on her cell phone at 701-562-0041, or Barb Cooper at 701-629-5075.

          Any household may come Once per Month to get items in the Food Pantry Free of Charge. All that is needed from anyone using the Food Pantry is to give your NAME, STREET ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, and NUMBER OF PEOPLE in the Household. NO OTHER QUESTIONS will be asked. All are welcome! Our mission is a Hunger Free North Dakota!

ECUMENICAL QUILTING is back in operation as quilters gather to make quilts for Graduates and for Lutheran World Relief each Monday afternoon at 1pm in Zion Lutheran of Berthold.

PARISH BIBLE STUDY meets each Thursday morning at 10am in Carpio Lutheran to read and discuss the Bible readings for the coming Sunday morning Worship Service.

SUNDAY DEVOTIONAL WORSHIP ON FACEBOOK WILL CONTINUE: Pastor George will continue to provide his written message for each Sunday as well as have a brief FACEBOOK LIVE Sunday Devotional with the reading of the Scripture and his message. FACEBOOK LIVE will be posted on Saturday mornings at about 7am. Printed copies of the Sunday Devotion may be picked up in both of the church entrances Saturday morning about 9am. For those who choose to use the FACEBOOK or printed version of worship, your OFFERINGS may be mailed to the Financial Secretary of your congregation.   CARPIO FINANCIAL SECRETARY, Marlis Peterson, 4230   74^TH Street NW, Carpio ND 58725               

ZION FINANCIAL SECRETARY, Connie Hagen, 6101   310^TH Street NW, Berthold, ND. 58718

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SCHOOL KITS are once again being assembled.  Needed supplies are: 70 sheet notebooks, rulers, pencil sharpeners, blunt scissors, #2 pencils, black or blue ink pens, crayons, and 2 ½ inch erasers. Thanks in advance for your generous gifts of loving care for children around the world to use these school supplies in learning.

DO YOU HAVE EXTRA GARDEN PRODUCE! If you do have extra produce the FOOD PANTRY would like to help you distribute the extras to people who would love to make use of it. Please call Ladora Schuessler at 453-3121 or 701-562-0041 to make arrangements to drop off the extra garden produce. Thank you for your generous support!

THE CARPIO COMMUNITY GARDEN is in full production and could use your attention as the fruits and vegetables ripen and need to be picked and used as nutritious food. Literally anybody may stop to pick produce or weeds in this PUBLIC Garden for personal use or to share with others that you know. Special Thanks to the Women of Carpio Lutheran for making the Carpio Community Garden possible along with the many sponsors that are listed on the sign by the garden. Please voice your appreciation to the sponsors you see to let them know of its use.

PASTOR GEORGE IS TAKING SOME VACATION TIME through Sept. 7^TH. Pastor George will still be available for any emergency pastoral need during his time off. Please call him on his cell phone as needs arise at 701-720-8639.

PUBLIC IN-PERSON WORSHIP will remain with Social Distancing and will continue the use of pre-filled communion cups. Please be patient as we seek to make in-person worship available to most of our members.

We’ll also begin our Fall Worship Schedule with 9am worship in Carpio and 11am worship in Zion. At 10am in both congregations we will begin to have Coffee Fellowship using CDC (ND SMART) guidelines that do not require Social Distancing. We encourage the use of Masks but do not require them. Please wash hands often and use hand sanitizer.

CONFIRMATION CLASS will begin in-person class sessions Sept. 2^ND at 6:30pm in Zion Lutheran sanctuary where social distancing is possible. There are NO meals served this year and NO food or drink is allowed in the church sanctuary. Students must bring a Bible of any translation to class. Pastor will be using New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and the New International Version (NIV), but any version may be used by Students. On Sept. 2^ND Pastor will hand-out a copy of Luther’s Small Catechism that will also be used during each class session. The class sessions will end about 7:45pm.

SUNDAY WORSHIP BIBLE READERS will begin in September in both congregations. Please visit with Amy or Cathy if you would like to read scripture lessons during the worship service in the congregation that you participate in.

NO ACOLYTES during worship services until we return to serving Holy Communion in the front of the sanctuary.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS…  The Families of Kevin Abri’go & Ann Heinz. Freddie Frier, Joyce Bryans, Ardella Johnson, Lois Vincent, Adam Erickson, Carol Rostad, Bob Lee, Rick Lim, Gregg Lee, Marjorie Marzolf, Jerry Miller, Joan Laumb, and Dale Sandberg.

CONTINUED PRAYERS for all nursing home residents and home-bound members.

CONTINUED SAFETY for Carneen Cotton, Lucus Zabka, Aaron Zabka, Zach Trail, Jeremija Arnold, Chaplain David Johnson, & all military personnel who are stationed around the world.

Bob Heinz sent word that his wife Ann passed away on Aug.  12^th, she was 81. They are former Carpio Area residents.