Dear Beloveds in Christ,
Jesus teaches us the greatest commandment is the commandment of love. In the gospel of Matthew while being challenged by the Pharisees is tested with a simple question about the greatest commandment in the Law. Matthew 22:37- 40 tells us that Jesus replied “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Jesus instructs that above all else the commandments fall into loving God and loving our neighbor. When we love God, we allow God to guide our loves and we follow God’s path. It is because of our love of God that we love our neighbors as ourselves treating them as God would have us treat others. Ultimately, we are reminded that our faith and our lives are centered around the commandment to love.
February is the month we talk about love often because we think all about love with Valentine’s Day. We also can think about Lent in the same light. It is the journey when we draw closer to God who loves us so dearly. It is the season where we gather with our neighbors to share a meal and center our lenten journeys on the community God draws us to. At the core of our sharing in Lent, is God’s love for us, our love for God, and the love for our neighbors. Love is the greatest of all things and it is what we need 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.
I hope you have a happy Valentine’s Day and a peaceful start to the Lenten season.
With God’s Peace and Love,
Pastor Leandra
Lenten Schedule
Meals at 6:15 PM, brief service around 6:45 PM
February 25 – Red Oak Grove
March 4 – Community Lutheran Church
March 11 -Red Oak Grove
March 18 – Community Lutheran Church
March 25 – Red Oak Grove
Holy Week
March 29 – Palm/Passion Sunday — Normal Services
April 2 – Maundy Thursday — 5:30 pm ROG, 7:00 pm CLC
April 3 – Good Friday — Noon, First Lutheran Booming Prairie
Easter Sunday
April 5 – 8:30 am ROG, 10:00 am CLC
Take Note – March 8th will be a combined Worship Service at
Red Oak Grove starting at 9 :30 a.m.
Combined baby shower around 11 a.m. follows service.
RSVP Diana Horan or Jenna Petranek
Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church Council Minutes-
January 20, 2026
The meeting was called to order by president, Justin Ferguson. Members in attendance included: Justin, Rony, Nancy, Julie H., Julie B., Cathy, Pete, Diana, and Pastor Leandra. Pastor Leandra led opening prayer.
Secretary Report:
Report sent via email with no corrections back. Approved by all present.
Pastor’s Report:
All Christmas services went well and have upcoming funeral this Saturday. Confirmation is working on their project and would like to host a game night at church and raise money for their project of re-painting the youth room. Council likes both the idea of a game night with more details on the event and re-painting room with color being approved and making sure is painted nicely and precautions for any mess or spills. 2026 Parish Lent/Easter Service Schedule was passed out to all for review.
Treasurer’s Report:
December starting Balance: $52,440.48
Incoming: $29,024.29
Expenses: $12,403.00
Ending Balance: $69,061.77
CD coming to terms on January 5, 2026. Motion made by Diana to rollover CD for another 8 months with MBT Bank. Motion 2nd by Julie. Motion approved by all in response. Motion approved.
Discussed how we want to handle the new MN Paid Leave premiums for Katie, Marilyn, and Laura. Options are to pay whole premium of .88% or split with employees at .44%. Amount is based off each one’s income Katie and Marilyn will be around $60 and Laura will be around $45, motion made to pay entire premium for each. Motion was 2nd and passed by all in response. Pastor is considered self-employed so she is excluded from the employer paid account.
Motion made to give each of the 4 snowplow volunteers a $25 gift card as a thank you for their help all winter in keeping the church clear. Motion seconded and approved by all present.
Treasurer Report approved by all present.
Deacon’s Report:
Nothing to report
Trustee’s Report:
New door is being ordered and replaced at parsonage for the Storm door that is broken and needing to be replaced. North wall of church will be looked at for sealing this spring to prevent more water damage on brick wall. Windows in fellowship hall need to be re-caulked, Justin will take care of this.
WELCA Report:
No meeting due to weather
Old Business:
Christmas dinner went very well and had very positive feedback. Had around 12 present.
Annual report minutes were emailed to council for review. Will send to Marilyn to post out to congregation. Minutes will be reviewed for approval at next annual meeting.
Envelopes are ready and will be picked up this week and be available this Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Pastor and Jesse are still looking into replacing/fixing sound system in sanctuary.
New Business:
Goals for 2026: Lights in Fellowship Hall. Spring doing check of roof for any leaks or areas needing patching North wall repair
Noisy Coin offering for 2026:
Jan-Mitten Tree
February: Paint the Town Pink Hormel
March: Food Shelf (Mower and Steele)
April: BP Youth Club
May: Synod Assembly
June-October: Backpack Program
November: HyVee Feed-a-Family
December: BP Ministerial
Motion made to approve yearly noisy coin giving. 2nd and approved by all present.
Motion made to purchase books again in 2026 for Blooming Prairie Elementary School 1st Grade Students. Motion 2nd and approved by all present.
Council will serve supper at first Midweek Lenten Meal and Service on February 25, 2026.
1st Quarter $250 community donation motion was made to give to Blooming Prairie Music Boosters. Motion approved by all present.
Meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Next meeting: February 17, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diana Horan, Council Secretary
Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church 