Dear Siblings in Christ,
In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul writes, “ If I speak in the tongues of humans and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions and if I hand over my body so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” And in verse 13 Paul reminds us that “now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.”
February is the month where we most often think of the theme of love because of Valentine’s Day. When we think of love on Valentine’s Day, we naturally only think of those close to us. We share a gift or a meal with our significant other or maybe we give chocolate to friends. However it is celebrated, sometimes we forget to think on what love means to us in all of our relationships.
Jesus teaches his disciples that all commandments ultimately follow under loving God and loving others. Love is covered by kindness, patience, humbleness. Love is not boastful or irritable (most of the time). Love doesn’t keep track of who did what wrong. Love is found in all our hope and in all our rejoicing. Love is the very source of the goodness of God. Love is the very source of the goodness we share with everyone from those we love most dearly to the stranger. Love is the greatest of all things and it is what we need always more than anything else.
This February in the season of love, may you remember the source of love that we have in God and that love we share towards one another. May you know love each and every day.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
With God’s peace,
Pastor Leandra
Red Oak Grove Council Minutes – January 22, 2025
We began with installation of the 2025 Council which included two new members; Julie Hoffman and Justin Ferguson. The meeting was called to order by President Rony Magnuson. Members in attendance were Rony, Pastor Leandra, Rachael, Cathy, Pete, Mike, Julie H., Julie B. and Justin. The WELCA representative was Joyce Peterson. Pastor led with an opening prayer.
Secretary Report: Report was sent out to all via email. No additions or corrections made. Approved by all present.
Pastor’s Report: Performed several funerals, Confirmation classes are going well.
Treasurer’s Report:
Opening Balance: $53,236.89
Revenue: $28,615.36
Expenses: $15,887.53
Ending Balance: $65,964.72
Deacon’s Report: Nothing new to report.
Trustee’s Report: Water was frozen at church and parsonage. The well house needs a new heater. Installed a heat lamp as a temporary fix and got water flowing again. Roof was repaired again. Re-fix for the men’s bathroom ceiling has been scheduled.
WELCA Report: New roaster purchased for kitchen. Two 50 cup coffee makers purchased as backup to the commercial coffee maker.
Old Business: There were 94 attendees between both Christmas Eve services at Red Oak Grove.
New Business:
● Council will be held on the 2nd Wednesday each month at 6:30 pm.
● Charitable donations will continue to rotate. A motion was made for this quarter’s $250 to be split evenly between BP Fire Department and BP Ambulance. Motion was 2nd and approved by all present.
● Plans for coordinating Lent / Easter with Community Lutheran are in the works.
● Council will serve Breakfast Appetizers during coffee hour on Sunday February 2nd.
● Motion made to allow Mike Hoffman, Trustee to pick up bank receipts. Motion was 2nd and approved by all present.
● Motion was made to have Council President : Rony Magnuson and Council Treasurer Cathy Kleinschmidt (and all future Council Treasurers and Council Presidents) to be added to the accounts at MBT Bank. Motion was 2nd and approved by all present.
Next Meeting will be on February 12th at 6:30 p.m. Meeting adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rachael Magnuson, Council member
WELCA Report
We started off 2025 with our first WELCA meeting on Tuesday, January 7th at 1 p.m. The meeting was called to order by President Nancy Wesely in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The purpose was read. Karen Beede gave devotions regarding “The Joy for a Woman’s Soul”. Secretary Report given by Linda. Treasurer’s Report by Ardell Swenson. Both approved.
Correspondence: To the wonderful women of Red Oak Grove for our gift of $100 – Thank you. Crossroads Lutheran Campus Ministry thank you for $100.
Committee Report: Judy reported 66 pieces from the Mitten Tree. Noisy Coin offering of $34.43 helped purchase items. One roaster has been purchased. Still watching sales for one more. Quilting ladies are making 60 x 50 lap quilts for 60 Veterans for Honor Flight in April.
New Business: Laura made a motion to put $5,000 in an 8 month CD at MBT Bank in Blooming Prairie. Interest 4.10. Seconded by Linda. Ardell to follow up on this. Prayer Chain being updated. If anyone wishes to be added please tell a member of WELCA. Landline, cell number or email can be used to spread a message. Our annual mission of $1,000 will be given to Winona College Ministry for the first quarter. Second quarter to Mankato College Ministry, third quarter to Good Earth Village and fourth quarter to Blooming Prairie Youth Club.
January 19th WELCA servers will be Karen and Herman Beede.
The Christmas decorating was so beautiful this year. We want to thank ALL who had anything to do with that. We all appreciated your efforts.
Next meeting will be Tuesday, February 4th at 1 p.m. Devotions by Joyce P. and Laura will have birthday treats. Suzanne H. birthday cake today. Offering was taken and we closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Linda Christianson, Secretary
Thank you to all the Council members for their dedicated service this past year.
We are looking for volunteers to read scripture on Sundays. Would you be willing to help out?
If so, please sign up on the sheet in the narthex.
February Calendar
February 4th – WELCA at 1 p.m. followed by Bible Study
February 5th – Confirmation at Red Oak Grove, 6:30 p.m.
February 19th – Confirmation at Community Lutheran at 6:30 p.m.
Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church 