December 2017

Red Oak Grove friends,

This December, lets go on an ADVENT-ure!
The season of Advent is upon us. The season that leads us to Christmas is all about anticipation,
preparing, and waiting for Jesus birth. In a world that goes full-on Christmas the day after
Thanksgiving, the church is a bit weird in its waiting. Lets embrace the weird and have an ADVENT-
ure together this year.
Heres how:
Advent devotions for adults and for children/families will be available in the narthex. Grab one and let
it shape your morning or evening at home this season.
Grab an Advent wreath kit! This is for families, individuals, ANYONE who would like to participate in
this Advent activity. There are instructions included. Take your kit home and mark the weeks of
Advent by lighting the candles and saying the prayers as instructed. A great place for this wreath is
on your kitchen table light the candles as you eat your evening meal!
In worship, well be using an Advent liturgy during the season. These pieces of worship such as the
kyrie and Holy, Holy, Holy will be sung to well-known, traditional Advent/Christmas tunes.
Check your bulletin for a new take home opportunity! Beginning in Advent, your bulletin will include a
half sheet of paper called Taking Faith Home. It is for people of ALL ages. It will offer readings for
the week ahead, prayers, blessings, and activities that you can do by yourself or together with others.
We really hope youll take advantage of this resource!
This ADVENT-ure will, of course, lead us to the manger, to Emmanuel, to Jesus birth on Christmas.
As Jesus is born, the waiting in darkness is over. The light of the world has come. We will offer two
worship services on Christmas Eve this year 9am and 5pm candlelight. (Please note there will be
no Christmas Day service as we will gather for a Christmas Eve morning service this year.)
May your Advent season be a time of simplicity and anticipation, and your Christmas full of the joy
and peace Jesus brings.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Lindsay
RED OAK GROVE LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 12, 2017

The meeting was called to order by Vice President, Brent Ingvalson. The Pastors report was
reviewed with the following highlights; three tenth grade youth were confirmed, Third Thursday Bible
Study, planning for Houston trip, Ecumenical Thanksgiving service at St. Columbanus, decorating for
Christmas Nov. 26, visits included 2 Prairie Manor services, 26 visits, 4 hospital, 7 communion and 1
funeral. (Side note) Council will suggest they could help with some of the visits. Also we are
considering looking at a person to help on days that we have funerals.

The Secretarys Rreport was presented. A motion was made, seconded and passed to approve as
presented.
The Treasurers Report was given. Highlights from the report included; opening balance is
$27,759.56, income was $8,476.83, expenses were $12,198.54, ending balance is $24,038.15. The
Youth Fund has a balance of $1,914.62. The Improvement Fund has a balance of $13,664.82. The
Boiler Fund has a balance of $18,856.71 with $2,143.82 left to raise. A motion was made seconded
and passed to accept the report as presented.

WELCA reported that the refrigerator in the kitchen needs to be checked. A motion was made,
seconded and passed to arrange for this to be done.

Deacons Report was presented. They are working on ideas for the Christmas program in
conjunction with the families that attend GIFT.

Trustees Report included update on the concrete on the north side of church and at the parsonage.
The roof repairs will be worked on, supplies were from Kiekers. The tree removal was discussed.
The elevator company will be contacted to review the necessary repairs for the elevator.

New Business. Coffee servers on Dec. 3 will be the Houston youth. Council will serve on Dec. 10th
and the Christmas program families will serve on the 17th. Coffee servers are totally volunteer, we no
longer have a person in charge of this activity. So, if you want to continue to have coffee after service
everyone needs to volunteer. Wi-Fi for the church was discussed, this would have important uses for
the new boiler system.
If any congregation member has thoughts or ideas, please share them with the Council. This is your
church and your suggestions are appreciated.

Meeting adjourned. Closed with the Lords Prayer.

Next meeting will be casual with a potluck on Dec. 10th, 6:00 p.m.

Eucharist Assistant is Brent on the 3rd and Jacob on the 24th.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura Tjomsland, Council Secretary

 WELCA Report

On Sunday, November 5, 2017, Joyce Peterson opened our monthly meeting at 10:45 in the Name of
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There were 13 present. After enjoying a Harvest Potluck Brunch the
meeting got underway. Donations from the brunch were given to the Boiler Fund. Marlys Peterson
shared Psalm 100. The Psalm of Thanks for devotions. Linda read our September 6, 2017 report
and updates of our Guest Day were shared by Joyce. We had 17 churches in attendance with 62
outside guests plus our Red Oak Grove ladies. Lavonne read the Treasurers Reports and updates
from September and October.
Committee Reports: Judy quilting, 10 childrens and 4 larger quilts were given to Rachels Hope.
One large and 4 childrens were given to Relay for Life for Nancy Wesely. Ardell next meeting will
be November 27th for Prairie Manor Auxiliary. Also reported Madelon Collette at St. Marks. All
needed to take down some Harvest decorations for use of Narthex. All decorations will come down
by November 20th.
Unfinished Business: Joyce thanked all who helped with Guest Day. Linda read thank you notes-
Jake, Stephanie and Natalie for baptismal quilt Rachels Hope for quilts. We have given them 10
childrens and larger bed quilts. From Dorothy and Burton for their 70th Anniversary, the Marjorie
Trihus family, Heidi Becker for our gift of money and quilts for her Warrior Wagon Project, Isaac Ille
for stole and Confirmation gift, ELCA for our gift of money for donation to Ministries for Women.

New Business: Our annual list of donations: Good Earth Village $ 50

Lutheran Campus Ministry 25
Lutheran Social Service 100
Rachels Hope 50
BP Youth Club 100
Marie Sandvik 50
Peace and Power TV 125
ROG Church 1,000
Boiler Fund 1,000
$2,500

Motion made by Ardell and seconded by Linda, motion carried.

Confirmation picture case was repaired by fixing many photos ahead of Guest Day. Plans are to
replace all deteriorated gold fabric with new foam board and remount all pictures. Pat made a motion
to buy the material needed and Judy seconded. To be completed in near future. Linda will oversee
project.
There will be a Craft/Bake Sale at St. Marks on December 7th from 10-3. Judy will get our table
confirmed and items can be brought to church by Sunday December 3rd or WELCA meeting
December 6th. Linda and Marlys will sit at the table on the 7th. Pat made a motion and Marlys
seconded the motion.
The Presbyterian Church in Austin is having an open house on December 1st and December 2nd.
Christmas Nativity sets all lighted on Friday from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday from 4-8 p.m.
Thankoffering was taken and Ardell conducted the service for offering. Next meeting will be
Wednesday, December 6 at 1 p.m. A dessert from each circle. Thanked Judy and Virginia for
ushering. Birthday song was sung. Closed with the Lords Prayer.

Linda Christianson, Secretary

 Pastoral Acts: Funerals Ethel Christianson
John (Jack) Sheedy
Cheryl Kruckeberg

A Note of Thanks - As members of Dorcas Circle join with Naomi, Rebekah and Ruth in 2018, I
want to thank all the members for all the years that we did Gods work with our hands for others. The
funeral services we helped families cherish loved ones, all the Soup Suppers we served for Lenten
Season, all the WELCA suppers we shared. It was wonderful to meet in all your homes. The journey
will continue with different faces and in different places. Linda Christianson, President of Dorcas
Circle

Interested in ordering a poinsettia plant this holiday season in memory or honor of a loved one?
Sign up in the narthex. Not making it to church the next couple weeks? Place your order by calling
the church office by December 10. Cost: $10.

Do you (or someone you know) order from Schwans? If you order and use our fundraising code
(Campaign #35504), the youth will get 20% of your total order amount through mid-December. If you
want to order a thing or two through the church (instead of scheduling a drop off at your house), there
are order forms and catalogs available through December 10.

Third Thursday Coffee and Study: December 21 at 9:30 in the church

library. We spend an hour and a half sipping coffee and working our way
through the upcoming gospel texts that we hear on Sunday mornings. All are
welcome to join us in our fellowship and study!

Christmas at Red Oak Grove

Sunday, December 17, 9am: Christmas Program
Sunday, December 24, 9am: Christmas Eve worship with Holy Communion
5pm: Candlelight Christmas Eve with Holy Communion
 Children, Youth & Family
December GIFT: Join us on the first Wednesday, December 6th, for a Growing In Faith Event which
will focus on the Christmas story. Well begin at 5:30 for pizza, continue with our story and worship
and learning, and wrap up by 7pm.
Christmas Book Fair: Right now, through December 6, there is a Christmas book fair in the narthex.
Order books at a discounted rate, get free shipping, and you will be supporting the church. There are
some really great Christmas books to share the story with the young people in your life!
Coffee Hour Brunch to support the Youth Gathering youth: December 3. Stay after worship and
eat delicious food, knowing that your donations are helping the young people get to Houston next
summer!
Christmas Program: Join us in worship on Sunday, December 17 to hear the Christmas story anew.
There will be a part for everyone! Come hear the story, sing your favorite carols, and celebrate the
season together! Kids and families: Please be to worship by 8:30 this morning. Families: We need
you to help serve coffee this day too! If you are able, please bring a couple dozen goodies to share.

Confirmation: Gracie Rudlong, Isaac Ille, and

Matthew Pryor were confirmed on Reformation
Sunday at the end of October. (Left) We also
welcomed the Confirmation Class of 1967 to
remember their own confirmation 50 years ago:
those able to join us were Roger Peterson, Diane
Ulland, and Suzanne Goodwin. (Below)