“Lutherans and the Election”
Tuesday, November 5 is Election Day. What does the Lutheran Church say about American politics?
Here are some basic guidelines that have been set out.
1. We respect the separation of Church and State.
This separation keeps the State from interfering with the Church. It also keeps the Church from abuses of power.
2. People are encouraged to vote.
Voting is part of being a responsible American citizen. Government policies affect people in many different ways.
3. People have a right to make up their own minds.
The Church does not (or at least should not) tell people how to vote. Usually there is not one right way to vote on most issues.
4. Our faith influences our views on political issues.
Our faith impacts every sphere of human life, including politics. Of course, just how, is open to interpretation.
5. We should pray for people in positions of leadership.
We may not approve of all our government officials. But we should ask God to give them wisdom and guidance in their roles.
Here is a prayer for our nation:
O God, where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope.
Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance.
Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination.
Help us in these days to elect trustworthy leaders, participate in wise decisions for our common life, and serve our neighbors.
Bless those we elect, that our nation may grow toward peace among ourselves and be a blessing to other nations of the earth.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Think carefully about the candidates and the issues facing us.
Pray to God and ask for wisdom and guidance.
And if you are eligible- go out and vote on Tuesday, November 5!
One final note:
It’s clear that our country is divided along political party lines.
There’s no doubt that there are members of American Lutheran Church who are Democrats and who are Republicans.
People of both parties feel strongly about their candidates of choice and their policies.
I will only say this: Let’s respect each other, listen to each other, and be civil to one another.
In the end, we are all American citizens who want what’s best for our country.
But let’s also understand that first and foremost, we are Christians. That’s our primary commitment.
And as Christians, we are called by Jesus to “love God with our heart, soul, and mind; and love our neighbor as ourselves.”
Even the neighbor we disagree with.
+ Pastor Paul Kratzke
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“I was glad when they said to me,
‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”
Psalm 122:1 |
Worship Services
Worship Services will be held on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM in November.
Holy Communion will be served the first and third Sundays of the month.
We will continue to stream our services live through the Facebook app and upload them to our Facebook page for later viewing.
If you are unable to attend a service in person, you can watch it online.
Schedule for Musicians
Here is the schedule of Musicians/Singers for the month of November.
Thank you to these committed musicians for sharing their time and talents.
Sunday, November 3: Connie will play guitar and the Gospel Group will sing.
Sunday, November 10: Lenore will play piano and the Praise Team will sing..
Sunday, November 17: Patty will play piano.
Sunday, November 24: Connie will play guitar and the Men’s Group will sing.
Sermon Topics
Pastor Paul will preach a Sermon Series this fall called “Questions Jesus Asked”.
Jesus asked lots of questions. Depending on how they are counted, as many as 300 of them in the four gospels.
Here are twelve of the most important, thought-provoking questions he asked.
Join us as we delve into these questions that challenge our thinking and encourage our faith.
Sunday, September 8- Why are you searching for me? Luke 2:41-52
Sunday, September 15- Why do you worry? Matthew 6:25-34
Sunday, September 22- Why do you not see the log in your own eye? Matthew 7:1-5
Sunday, September 29- Who do you say that I am? Matthew 16:13-20
Sunday, October 6- Why are you afraid? Mark 4:35-41
Sunday, October 13- Who touched my clothes? Mark 5:24-34
Sunday, October 20- What is the Kingdom of God like? Luke 13:18-21
Sunday, October 27- Do you also wish to go away? John 6:60-69
Sunday, November 3- Has no one condemned you? John 8:1-11
Sunday, November 10- Do you believe this? John 11:17-27
Sunday, November 17- Why are you weeping? John 20:11-18
Sunday, November 24- Do you love me? John 21:15-19
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“And from childhood you have known
the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” II Timothy 3:15
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Sunday School
Sunday School for students in preschool through seventh grade will be held Sunday mornings from 8:30-9:20 AM.
Kids will gather in the fellowship hall for music with Connie and then meet with Pastor Paul in the Friendship Room for a Bible story.
After that, the kids will meet with Tami and Krystal for a lesson and craft in the nursery room.
Confirmation Class
The seventh grade Confirmation Class will meet on Wednesdays after school from 4:00-5:00 PM in the Friendship Room.
Students will focus on the Bible, with units on the Life and Ministry of Jesus, Old Testament Figures, and the Apostle Paul.
(There is no eighth grade class this year.)
All Saints Sunday
All Saints Sunday is November 3. It’s a day to remember and give thanks for the Christian saints who have gone before us in death and eternal life.
During the service we will remember the church saints who have died since our last celebration of All Saints Sunday in 2023.
There will also be an opportunity during the service for people to fill out forms so that we can recognize non-member family and friends
who have died in the last year. Candles can also be lit in honor of loved ones during our celebration of Holy Communion.
General Election
American Lutheran Church will be the polling place for Gaylord residents to vote in the General Election on Tuesday, November 5.
Voting will take place from 7:00 AM-8:00 PM in the fellowship hall.
Wedding
Alyssa and Jacob will be married on Saturday, November 9 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe.
May God bless Alyssa and Jake as they plan for their wedding service and new life of marriage.
WELCA Bible Study
The Women of the ELCA will meet on Wednesday, November 13 at 1:00 PM.
The ladies will continue their three-session Bible Study called “Receiving Grace: A Study of Ephesians” by Pastor Heidi Havercamp.
Session 3 is titled “Living as children of the light.”
Worship Committee Meeting
The Worship Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 13 at 7:00 PM.
The committee will review worship services from the fall and start making plans for Advent and Christmas.
Members of the Worship Committee are Pam, Todd, Terry, Connie, April, Patty, and Ann.
Prayer Shawl Group
The Prayer Shawl Group will meet on Wednesday, November 13 at 6:30 PM. Thank you to this group of ladies for their faithful work.
They have given away dozens of shawls to people going through difficult times to offer comfort and reminders of God’s presence.
Baptism
Faelynn Grace, daughter of Nick and Rylee, will be Baptized on Sunday, November 17.
Faelynn was born on August 14, 2024 at the Glencoe Hospital.
Adult Education Class
The Adult Education Class will meet on Sunday, November 17 after the service in the Friendship Room.
Pastor Paul is working on a topic for study and reflection.
Quilting Schedule
The ladies will have a Quilting Day on Monday, November 18 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Thank you to this group of ladies for their faithful work.
In recent months they have provided several quilts to children who have been Baptized and couples who have been married.
Church Council Meeting
The Church Council will meet on Wednesday, November 20 at 6:30 PM. The minutes from the meeting in October are included in this newsletter.
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Jesus is King of Kings
and Lord of lords. |
Christ the King Sunday
Christ the King Sunday is November 24. It’s the last Sunday of the liturgical church year- and a time to celebrate the kingship of Jesus.
He is King of kings and Lord of all creation.
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Stewardship:
Sharing God’s blessings. |
Stewardship Sunday
Our annual Stewardship Service will be held on Sunday, November 24.
The service will focus on how we can be good stewards of our time, talent, and treasure.
As good stewards of God’s gifts, we are called to share our blessings with gratitude and generosity.
People in church on Stewardship Sunday will fill out Time & Talent Forms during the service.
WELCA Thankofferings will be collected on Sunday November 24.
Offering envelopesand boxes will be set out in the narthex for a few weeks in advance.
The money that is collected will be used to support local and global women’s ministries.
Stewardship Letters will be mailed to members of the church the week of November 24.
This will kick off our annual Stewardship Drive that will continue to the end of the year.
The letter will include a General Fund appeal to support the ministry of the church.
Thanksgiving Meals
All Confirmation Students will meet on Sunday, November 24.
Students will help prepare and deliver Thanksgiving Meals to shut ins and people who may be alone on Thanksgiving.
If you are aware of any people in this situation, please inform Pastor Paul or Missy Weber.
There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex to donate food or money to buy food supplies.
Meals will be delivered by parents and students between 4:30-5:30 PM.
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“Give thanks unto the Lord
for He is good
and His mercy endures forever.”
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Thanksgiving Service
There will be a Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday, November 27 at 7:00 PM at church.
(This is no longer an ecumenical service with UCC.) Join us as we give thanks to God for the blessings of life.
A free will offering will be received for the Sibley County Food Shelf.
Season of Advent
The Season of Advent begins this year on Sunday, December 1.
Advent is a time of spiritual preparation as we wait to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus. There are four Sundays in Advent.
The liturgical color is blue, which is a symbol of hope.
ELCA Good Gifts
Once again, we will support the ELCA Good Gifts Program during the seasons of Advent and Christmas.
You can purchase items off a Christmas tree set up in the narthex or donate money to our main project (which is yet to be determined).
There will be more information about Good Gifts in the December Newsletter and in upcoming Sunday bulletins.
Treatment Center Gifts
Donations for the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center will be received through Sunday, December 8.
There will be a plastic tote placed on a table in the fellowship hall. Some ideas for donations include:
Men’s and women’s clothing (pajamas, t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, jeans, underwear, and socks),
hygiene items (shampoo, body wash, deodorant, and toothpaste), and entertainment items (books, DVDs, and CDs).
Cash gifts are also appreciated.
Hurricane Relief
If you are interested in making a donation for Hurricane Helene/Milton Relief through the church, please make your check out to:
Lutheran Disaster Response and put it in the offering plate or drop it off at church.
100% of the money donated to LDR goes directly to people affected by the hurricanes in the southeastern part of the United States.
The church will collect all the donations and mail them in early November.
New Member Reception
There was a New Member Reception held on Sunday, October 20. Scott D is a new member of American Lutheran Church.
We welcome Scott into our church family and pray God’s blessings upon him. Scott is engaged to Brenda P. They live in Gaylord.
Scott works as a cook at the Sibley County Jail in Gaylord.
Reformation Sunday
Reformation Sunday was October 27.
It was a day to celebrate the life of Martin Luther, his reforming work in the Church, and our identity as Lutheran Christians.
There was also a Bible Presentation for third grade Sunday School students. Students receiving Bibles were Riley and Brezlyn.
Baptism
Everleigh Rae, daughter of Michael and Shania, was Baptized on Sunday, October 27.
Everleigh’s Baptism sponsors are Jennifer, Katherine, Max, and Blake.
Metal Folding Chairs
The Church Council would like to get rid of the old metal folding chairs in the storage room.
If you are interested in a taking some chairs, please talk to Doug Quast or Pastor Paul.
