Beloveds of Christ,
In a letter to a friend about prayer, C.S. Lewis writes that “Joy is the serious business of heaven.” Lewis speaks on how all the seriousness that we experience here on earth is not the seriousness of heaven; rather, the seriousness of heaven is nothing but joy.
Finding joy on earth is sometimes hard to do, especially when the stresses of life are in our way. Sometimes, we get in our own way from seeking and seeing joy in our lives. But, for all of us Christians, we find joy in Christ because of the joy found in the resurrection and the love and hope we find there in Christ.
This is the time of year where I am always reminded that there are in fact 50 days of Easter. 50 days of celebration that Christ is risen and with us. That leaves behind the 40 days we have of solemnity and introspection of Lent. We are reminded in these 50 days of Easter of something so central to the message of salvation, which is the joy that we have in Jesus. Lewis is correct in saying that the business of heaven is the business of pure joy.
I hope for you in this 50 days of Easter, that you find joy. Joy in the Spring. Joy in the the resurrected Christ. Joy in Jesus. After all, when we participate in joy, we are participating in the serious business of heaven.
With God’s Peace,
Pastor Leandra
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Thank you to all who helped deliver “Meals on Wheels” in April. We will be doing this again in August and need volunteers. If you would be willing to help, please contact Joyce Peterson.
Evening of Sharing for our Confirmands will be May 10th at 6:30 p.m. starting with pizza. The congregation is invited to attend this special event. Confirmation will take place at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 21st. Red Oak Grove will be confirming three students: Amelia Bucher, Lacey Haberman and Aden Doocy.
Baccalaureate and Graduation at Blooming Prairie for High School Seniors will be as follows:
Baccalaureate is at First Lutheran on May 31st at 7 p.m.
Graduation is June 2nd at 6:30 p.m.
We have three Seniors this year: Alex Riley, Jesse Cardenas and Cade Christianson.
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Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church – Council Minutes-April 13, 2023
The meeting was called to order by president, Rony Magnuson. Members in attendance included: Cathy, Nancy, Diana, Holly, Julie, Tom, Pastor Leandra, Rony, and Laura. Pastor Leandra led opening prayer.
Secretary’s Report:
Report approved as is by all present.
Pastor’s Report:
Council of Leaders event went well, links are available if anyone would like. Funeral for Virginia Davis last Wednesday. Usual services here and Prairie Manor, Lenten services and a movie night.
Treasurer’s Report:
Beginning Balance: $35, 220.75
Revenue: $7,892.27
Expenses: $11,040.62
Ending Balance: $32,072.40
Report approved as is by all present.
Deacon’s Report:
No report for meeting.
Trustee’s Report:
New mailboxes installed, adjusted doors on Sunday school wing, took off heater in well pit as it was running on an 80 degree day so Tom will purchase a new one. Repaired some loose carpet tiles in sanctuary.
WELCA Report:
Strawberry Social on Tuesday, June 13. 5-6 ladies attending Zumbro River conference. Sending $300 to First Lutheran Church for Feed My Starving Children.
Old Business:
1. Motion made and seconded to pay $322.00 from the Youth Fund to sponsor Samantha and Kori Horan attending Good Earth Village. Motion approved by all present.
2. Served 43 at Easter breakfast.
New Business:
1. Spring clean up scheduled for May 7 after church. Diana in charge of making list of areas to clean in church. If you see areas in need of attention please let her know.
2. Tom will be checking over lawn mower for the season this week.
3. Confirmation Sunday is May 21. Council will plan to serve cake to celebrate the confirmands.
4. Beginning stages/talks with Geneva Community Lutheran in contracting Pastor Leandra to have shared Pastoral services. Rony, Cathy, and Laura will begin meetings with Geneva council to start building contract for ROG Council to build and approve as being made.
Next Council meeting will be May 16 at 5:30
Motion from Laura and seconded by Julie to adjourn and closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Diana Horan, Council Secretary
Council Serving Dates:
May 7- Diana
May 21- Council serving Cake for Confirmation
June 4- July 2- August 6- September 3-
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WELCA Report
Following quilting on Monday, April 3, 2023 the ladies met for the April light lunch. Nine were present. Meeting began at 11 a.m. and called to order by Nancy Wesely, President. The purpose was read in unison.
Rony Magnuson met with us at 11:15 a.m. The pastor at Geneva Lutheran will be retiring at this time and they are not choosing to hire a new pastor. The Synod is aware of their decision. An option is to share Pastor Leandra with Geneva. The Council will continue with negotiations with Geneva Lutheran. Confirmations and events will come together as a starting point. More discussion will follow as decisions are made.
Secretary’s Report from February meeting was read by Linda. No correspondence.
Treasurer’s Report was given by Ardell. Both reports were placed on file and approved.
Quilting Report was given by Judy Wambeam: We started March 8th. Two quilts were given to the Ed. Foundation Auction. Gave a family a baby quilt, sold 3, gave one to Bowling for Prostate Cancer, one for After Prom and one Youth club. All fund raisers.
May 21st Confirmation. We will again give devotional books. Ardell to get them. Altar Committee still needs one more helper. Please talk to Nancy if you would volunteer.
More discussion regarding Geneva Lutheran Church. We have approximately 70 families. Not sure about Geneva. We both have a parsonage, secretary, Sunday School-but limited. Just wait and see of upcoming plans.
Voted to have Strawberry Social. This will be our 82nd social to be held on June 13th. Motion by Julie Berg, seconded by Judy Wambeam. Diana Magnuson is furnishing our quilt and will get to quilter.
Feed My Starving Children being held at First Lutheran from May 19-20. Quilting ladies voted by motion by Sue H. to give money for this project. Seconded by Linda. Check will be dropped off at first Lutheran.
Meals on Wheels for April: April 4th – Roger Peterson and Joyce Peterson, April 11th – Ardell Swenson and Joyce Peterson, April 14th – Roger Peterson and Karen Beede, April 18th, Jamie Hanson and Karen Beede, April 21st – Ardell Swenson and Joyce Peterson and April 25th and 26th – Linda and Nolan Christianson.
Virginia Davis funeral was April 5th and the ladies will serve.
SE Minnesota Women of the ELCA will have Zumbro River Conference at St. Olaf Lutheran in Hayfield on April 20th at 4:30 p.m. Several ladies plan to attend. An offering will be sent and individual offering taken. Bring donations for Women’s Shelter of bath, wash cloth and towel; twin sheets; tooth brush and paste; feminine hygiene products.
No offering taken. Next meeting Wednesday May 3rd at 1 p.m.
Devotions by Linda.
Respectfully,
Linda Christianson, Secretary
Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church 