OCTOBER 2020
The following article was written by Rev. Matthew Richard who serves as pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minot.
Three spheres order society: the Government, the Church, and the Family. Through the Family: mercy and love are provided to individuals as parishioners of the Church and citizens of the Government. Through the Church: morals and forgiveness are given to shape individuals in the Family and Government. And through the Government: order and justice are enforced for Families and the Church.
Tragically, though, when there is a failure of Parents (Family), Pastors (Church), and Presidents (Government) to ‘uphold’ and ‘stay’ in their proper lanes, conflict emerges – much that is unnecessary.
For example, when some Families fail, the Government is often given the mandate to be the Parent. And Pastors? They are often tempted to want to rule their churches and society like Presidents. And Presidents? Instead of seeking to keep order and justice, they would rather pontificate from podiums about morals, as if they were Pastors. The net result; instead of the Church morally shaping the Government, the Government attempts to shape the Church – conflict erupts. When the Family stops giving mercy and love to those in need, it allows the Government to meddle in Families – conflict erupts. And finally, instead of Pastors casting forgiveness, they swing a sword – conflict erupts.
And so it can be said that Parents are neither Pastors nor Presidents. And Pastors? They are not Parents or Presidents. And Presidents are certainly not Pastors or Parents.
However, Pastors are Pastors; Presidents are Presidents; Parents are Parents – each with their separate spheres, yet all functioning for the sustainment of society with mercy, love, order, justice, morals, and forgiveness.
To the point, stay in your lanes. Fulfill your callings. Be at peace while you live with mercy, love, order, justice, morals, and forgiveness that flow from the Family, Government, and Church.
ND District Middle School Gathering
Ramada Inn, Bismarck
October 22-24, 2020
For students in grades 6-12. Registration forms available September 1.
Guest speaker: Brian Young, Creation Instruction Association – To learn more about Brian and his work, check out https://www.creationinstruction.org/
Bible study leader: Pastor Rick Jones, Chaplain and Vice President for Spiritual Life of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
This Gathering is geared to students in grades 6-8. The weekend will be filled with four Bible studies, four presentations by Brian Young, four Bible studies, morning and evening devotions, music, interest sessions including packing 10,000 Mercy Meals, variety show, recreation, closing worship service and more.
Students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to serve as Teen Counselors, mentoring the younger students. Adults are needed to serve as Counselors – one adult / 7 students.
For more information, contact Pat Sebastian, Gathering Coordinator (patsebbis@aol.com or (701) 471-3289)
Lutheran Hour Speaker To Speak At Conference And Preach At Service
Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler will be the featured speaker at the North Dakota District LC-MS Fall Pastoral Conference scheduled October 5-7 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Bismarck. Rev. Dr. Zeigler will also be the preacher for the Conference Worship Service that will take place on Monday, October 5th at 7:00pm at Bethel. You are invited to join pastors from across North Dakota for the worship service and to hear Rev. Zeigler proclaim God’s Word. Pastor Wolfgram will present at the Pastoral Conference, sharing information with the pastors about his experience as an emergency services chaplain. The conference begins Monday afternoon and ends at noon on Wednesday, October 7.
Greetings from your Board of Education!
We are a few weeks into the start of our Education Hour at Shepherd of the Valley and I hope you and your family are finding ways to engage during these unprecedented times. We are still offering options for the entire family, so please contact Pastor Wolfgram with questions about Adult Bible Study, Brent Purdy or Adam Dever about Confirmation, and Michelle Dever, Pastor Woodside, or myself, Samantha Henke, about Sunday School. There are plenty of options, in person and virtual, to keep your family active and engaged with us during the Education Hour.
As a reminder, if you are not following Shepherd of the Valley on Facebook, please do! There is also a private Facebook group just for our Sunday School if you would like to search and join that.
Blessings to you and your family, and we hope to see you soon!
Samantha Henke
Board of Education Chair
Senior High Youth Event
High School students at Bethel and Shepherd of the Valley are invited to a Pizza and Bible Study get together on Sunday, October 11. We will meet at Shepherd of the Valley at 12:30. Pizza and games will be provided as well as an in depth study of the Scriptures with Pastor Woodside. RSVP to: pastorwoodside@gmail.com
LWML Sunday
Kingdom People Produce Kingdom Fruit
The first Sunday in October is traditionally set aside for the observation of LWML Sunday, but it may be celebrated at any time.
The theme for LWML Sunday 2020 is based on Jesus’ words to the chief priests and Pharisees found in Matthew 21:43 that … The kingdom of God will be … given to a people producing its fruits. As people of the kingdom of God, God graciously nurtures us and generously gives us everything we need to produce fruit for the kingdom during the fruit-bearing season of our lives. In response to God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament, Kingdom People (in the LWML) Produce Kingdom Fruit for the season of our whole life on this earth.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
We are certainly living in chaotic and uncertain times. Just when you think it can’t get any crazier, it does! You might ask, when does it end, where does it end? When everything is seemingly out of control, we are reminded about what we can do and what is in our control, and that is “prayer”.
Pastor Woodside
It was just two months ago that the Woodsides returned to Bismarck but already it seems like they were never gone. The transition of Pastor Woodside into the ministry of Shepherd of the Valley has been a smooth one. We saw quite a lot of him during the month of September but will not see him much in October as he will be at Bethel Lutheran and then back at Shepherd in November. We look forward with joy and anticipation as to what God has in store for us through this shared ministry.
Voters’ Assembly
The Fall Voters’ Assembly will take place on November 22nd between worship services. The primary agenda item will be presentation of the 2021 budget and will also include updates from the Church Council and boards/committees.
Ministry Plan
A group of congregation leaders met with Pastor Mark Frith from Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) on September 22nd to learn about how LCEF can help us with our “ministry plan” which includes the expansion of our current facility. If you recall, back earlier this year there were some drawings for a potential addition of Sunday school classrooms, fellowship space and kitchen. A congregational forum to present the drawings and answer questions had been scheduled for late March but was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While we aren’t quite ready yet to jump back into this we want to start preparing for it and this is where LCEF can be of assistance. More to come….
Sound System Upgrade
We are currently in the process of upgrading our sound system in the church which will help us to continue to provide consistent professional “livestreaming” and recording of our services. Equipment has been ordered and installation is anticipated later this Fall. This is made possible by some very generous memorials given in memory of loved ones from the congregation. We are grateful to Ken Purdy and Rob Burkhardsmeier for all their efforts in putting together our needs and meeting with contractors.
New Storage Shed
Construction of a new storage shed is in progress; concrete slap has been poured and we are now waiting for walls to go up. Check out the progress at the east end of the sidewalk. If you would like to make donations to help defray the cost it would be greatly appreciated.
Your Brother in Christ,
Doug Hintz
Fourth Quarter Human Care Focus
Women’s Care Center provides free, confidential counseling, support and education for pregnant women. Free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds help determine viability and dates (prenatal medical care and abortions not provided).
They serve 30,000 women annually from 31 centers in 10 states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania & Wisconsin.
The Center in Bismarck is located at 614 N. 4th Street. One percent of our offerings from October through December will go to support this vital partner supporting mothers, babies, and fathers. The director of the Bismarck Women’s Care Center will be at Shepherd of the Valley during the Education Hour on October 18 to tell us more about the amazing ways God is using them to support life before and after birth.
October Acolytes
*Oct 4 Jensen H. 815am
Emma V. 1045am
Oct 11 Daisy A. 815am
Kallen H. 1045am
*Oct 18 Zeva B. 815am
Reese D. 1045am
Oct 25 Blake N. 815am
Mathew P. 1045am
| OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
Deb Beck Jean Leuwer Jerry Lippert Leona Mittag Aspen Roaldson Jason Colby Sylvia Dever Blake Nelson Daniel Russell Grace Wolfgram LaRae Kuusisto Jason Kuusisto Bobbie Burkhardsmeier Bradford Holton Duaine Dockter Hudson Hintz Keaton Hintz Roger Lawyer Kim Reiner |
| OCTOBER BAPTISMAL BIRTHDAYS
Andrew Kalonick 10/1 Olivia Dever 10/4 Brianna Albrecht 10/6 Brittany Miller 10/7 David Aarhus 10/11 Sharon Schwagler 10/14 Nate Burkhardsmeier 10/14 Lyn Krecklau 10/16 Andrew Krecklau 10/16 Deb Beck 10/21 Carol Mohl 10/29
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| THE PURPOSE OF SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH IS TO PROVIDE SPIRITUAL NURTURE THROUGH WORD AND SACRAMENT, LIVE THE FAITH AND REACH INTO THE COMMUNITY WITH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. |
| Elders
1-15 Dick Dever 16-30 Rob Burkhardsmeier
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| OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES
Don & Pat Bitz 10/07/60 Brent & Lyric Purdy 10/10/08 John & Connie Hoffman 10/13/79 Dan & Linda Houfek 10/20/72
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| We have coffee and treats between services. Because of covid , we are having prepackaged treats. Feel free to buy treats to share for adults. Sunday school is doing their own.
Any questions : Cathy Sitter-400-5545, Pam Dever -391-6332. Thanks, Stewardship |