Dear beloveds,
Throughout my life I spend many mornings with the hymn “Morning has Broken” clamoring around in there. It is a hymn that reminds me of the joy of a new day. It reminds me that all of creation is singing, praising and greeting the rising sun. It also reminds me of the new day and new life gifted to us by God each and every day. It is a song we often sing around the Eastertide as well, reminding us of the new day that is Christ. Each day we are reminded that “morning has broken like the first morning.” This song inspires joy to me and the reminder of the morning is something we always can use in our world.
March is full of so many things that remind us of new life and this year it also holds the light of the beautiful morning of Jesus’ resurrection. Throughout March we will continue on our path growing closer to God and the mounting story that comes to its end and beginning with Holy Week and Easter. March also brings us the jumping ahead to daylight savings time, the welcoming of the change of winter to spring, and it brings us one step closer to outside turning green. We can only hope in this month to be inspired by the ways in which God meets us bringing newness through creation and through his Son.
With God’s Peace,
Pastor Leandra
Combined Services/Activities
March 6th – Meal and Lenten Service at 6 p.m. at ROG
March 13th – Meal and Lenten Service at 6 p.m. at CLC
March 20th – Meal and Lenten Service at 6 p.m. at ROG
Saturday, March 23rd – 10:30 a.m. at CLC – First Communion Class
Sunday, March 24 – 11:30 a.m. at ROG – Easter Celebration (Easter Egg Hunt, Lunch, Activities)
Holy Week
Palm Sunday, March 24th – Normal Services at CLC and ROG
Maundy Thursday March 28th - 5 p.m. ROG; 7 p.m. CLC
Good Friday March 29th – 7 p.m. at CLC; ROG to be announced
Easter Sunday
March 31st – 8 a.m. Easter Worship at CLC (breakfast after)
10 a.m. Easter Worship at ROG (breakfast before)
Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church Council Minutes – February 11, 2024
The meeting was called to order by President, Laura Tjomsland. Members in attendance included: Laura, Rony, Grant, Rachel, Diana, Mike, Nancy, Julie, Cathy, Pastor Leandra, Holly. Pastor Leandra led opening prayer.
Secretary Report:
Report read and approved as is by all present.
Pastor’s Report:
Report attached. Report approved by all present.
Treasurer’s Report:
Starting Balance: $93,664.44
Revenue: $14,649.31
Expenses: $10,431.23
Ending Balance: $97,882.52
Report approved as is by all present.
Deacon’s Report:
Putting together information for public view on social media for Easter service and Lent Schedule.
Letters sent to families to gather information back on what children may be participating in Sunday School. Have been able to get enough teachers to start Sunday school in April. Report approved by all present.
Trustee’s Report:
Carpet project will be finished before Easter. Report approved by all present.
WELCA Report:
Discussions began about the Strawberry Social for this year. More to come.
Old Business:
Reviewed Lent and Easter service schedule.
New Business:
March Noisy Coin and Coffee Serving offering will be split equally between Owatonna and Austin Food shelves, Motion made by Nancy and 2nd by Julie. Motion approved by all present.
2024 Council Ideas- Altar restoration, finishing carpet, Fellowship ceiling/roof fixes, Sign out front.
Men’s bathroom needs more immediate attention to cover some mold. Mike will be taking care of covering with Kilz. Katie will be asked to bleach and clean first.
Roof is first focus to check on first before we can proceed with other projects. Depending on what needs and funds the roof may need. Plan to finish carpet project and sign in the year.
Riley family asked to use church June 8 for Graduation Party. Approved by Council.
Memorial money at US Bank will need to be moved to MBT Bank with the closing of US Bank in Blooming Prairie. Motion to approve by Holly and 2nd by Mike. Approved by all present.
Next meeting: March 10, 2024 after church. Meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted, Diana Horan, Council Secretary
Council Coffee Servers:
March 3: Diana
April 7:
WELCA Report
On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, President Nancy Wesely began our monthly WELCA meeting at 1:10 p.m. The purpose was read in unison. Karen Beede gave opening devotions titled “Forgive Me When I Whine”. A piece she shared saved in her grandmother’s Bible.
Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports were given and approved.
Correspondence: A nice thank you note from Dorothy Phipps regarding her 101st birthday. Updated her address on the “Cheer List”. Judy Wambeam updated quilting report. The Ed. Foundation of Blooming Prairie received 1 large and 1 small quilt. Working on quilts for the auction. January Noisy Coin gave $34.86 to purchase mittens/hats for elementary schools in Austin and Blooming Prairie.
Old Business: Ceiling in Fellowship Room on hold and men’s bathroom to see about leaks with Spring thaw.
New Business: Discussion regarding time of summer meetings for Tuesday WELCA to be at 9:30 a.m. – June, July and August. Marilyn Helleck made motion. Joyce Peterson 2nd it. Rest will be at 1 p.m. followed by Bible Study.
Think about items. Some discussions regarding Strawberry Social. Outside or inside. Also, the meat served for the event. Things that will be decided in the future. Scott Basness along with Herm and Karen Beede are working on an outside spruce up project. More later.
The Lord’s Prayer was prayed. Closing reading by Nancy “One”. Marilyn Helleck had devotions to end our meeting. Ardell shared a letter found from a past Confirmation Class. Happy Birthday song sung for several birthdays.
Linda Christianson, Secretary
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Sunday School at Red Oak Grove will begin the first Sunday in April after worship. A meeting for those volunteering to help teach will be scheduled sometime in March.
The Easter Lily sign-up sheet is in the narthex. The cost for a lily is $10 and you must sign up by March 5th. Please give your payment to Ardell Swenson.
Ladies – WELCA will be meeting on Tuesday, March 5th at 1 p.m. followed by Bible Study.
Quilting will continue on Mondays at 9 a.m. for 6 weeks. Anyone interested is welcome.
Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church 