New Member Sunday was December 8^th. We are blessed to welcome these brothers and sisters in Christ to our faith family at Rushford Lutheran Church.

Bobbi Jo and Isabella Eide

Laurie Johnson

Marilyn Nelson

Gerald Horton

Alicia Metz and Ben Anderson

In addition, we welcomed Casey, Shannon, Aubrey, Madison and Jackson Ingvalson; and Leigh, Kayla, Landon, Lauren and Lexus Volkman; and welcomed back Marlys Johnson as members of Rushford Lutheran Church. It is our hope that their faith in Christ will continue to grow. Rushford Lutheran Church is Christ Centered, Bible Based, Family Focused and Mission Minded.

We are looking for one to one faith mentors to begin working with our seventeen ninth grade students to be confirmed this year starting in January! Mentors need to be a member of the congregation, over 35 years of age, and have the time and commitment to meet one to one with our students over the next four months before they are confirmed. Please contact the church office for a copy of the mentor program booklet to learn more.

Annual Meeting of the Congregation

Sunday, February 2^nd, at 10:30 a.m.

Rushford Lutheran Church will be having their Annual Meeting of the Congregation on Sunday, February 2^nd at 10:30 a.m. Topics of discussion will include vision of the church, election of council members, presentation of the 2020 budget and proposed 2020 capital improvements. An official notice will be mailed in a few weeks.

Annual committee reports are due in the church office by Monday, January 13, 2020 for the 2019 RLC Annual Report.

Set your alarm clock to rise bright and early on January 19^th because the Praise Team is going to be on tv! The 5^th District Eagles Cancer Telethon in Rochester will be broadcast live on KTTC from 8:00 pm Saturday, January 18^th, to 4:00 pm Sunday, January 19^th, 2020, and the RLC Praise Team is set to perform at 7:01 am as the 71^st act.

                The Telethon, which is the longest-running local event of its kind in the nation, raises money for cancer research, as well as supporting those who suffer and remembering those who have gone ahead. In 2019, the total of donations raised topped one million dollars! The Praise Team will be presenting a check on behalf of Rushford Lutheran Church, and church members are encouraged to call in and make personal donations at that time in support of both the Praise Team and the members of our church family battling the disease. The number to call will be listed on the screen, and more information is available at any time on their website, https://eaglescancertelethon.org.

                The Praise Team submitted an audition video this fall and waited to receive word that they had been accepted. The organizers very kindly worked with our church schedule and gave us a slot that would allow us to be back in town for Sunday service. However, regular Praise Team rehearsal for that day has been cancelled, so you may not actually see the kids in person that morning. The kids will have a time slot approximately twenty minutes long, during which time they will play a number of favorite songs from the past couple of years. The kids are very excited to be on tv representing their church and community in the fight against cancer!

Director’s Notes: In addition to the telethon, these kids have been working very hard all season, especially at Christmastime. The Praise Team kicked off the month by opening for the Winona Brass Band for the third year running, incorporating other talented members of our congregation in some beautiful and challenging songs. The kids have also gone caroling, helped with the Cherubs, and learned more songs than you would believe! Praise Team not only rehearses regularly on Sundays, but sometimes add practices mid-week as well without complaint. I could brag on these kids all day because they are such a blessing! They are all very busy outside of Praise Team as well with activities like music, sports, dance, theatre, jobs, Scouts, and more, but their hard work and dedication within the group is unmatched! I ask you all as fellow brothers and sisters to thank, encourage, and pray for these kids on a regular basis. Their ministry of music in our church is helping to raise up the next generation of worshipers, as evidenced by the fact that the Team doubled in size to sixteen members from last year (when they’re all there). Bringing joy to the hearts of all ages is not an easy task, and they do it with skill, joy, and grace. I am so thankful to have been a part of the story these past several years and hope to continue with them for many more.

-Kristin

Get your RLCW Cookbooks! They are available for purchase, $15. The cookbooks can be purchased after church in the Fellowship Hall or in the church office during business hours.

PRAYER SHAWL & CRAFTING – Every Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room.

COFFEE:  January Fellowship Coffee will be served by Hannah Circle.

QUILTING: Quilting will take place January 13^th at 1 PM.

MEETING – No meeting this month.

RLCW December 4, 2019 Meeting

President Corrine opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and gave an opening prayer.  Pastor Steve then installed the following officers for the coming year:  President:  Marlene Boehmke, Vice Pres.:  Corrine Hill, Secretary:  Donna Boyum, Treasurer:  Carol Lukkason, Historian:  Sandy Skalet, Mission in Action Quilting Chairs:  Linda Paulson, Rhonda Lafleur, and Carol Lukkason. 

The program was then turned over to the Adah Circle.  Faye Heiden introduced Jon Thompson, the new superintendent at R-P Schools.  He told a little about his education background.  He retired after 34 years teaching and in administration in Iowa.  He decided he still enjoyed being in education and took the superintendent position at R-P.  He stated that he really likes the area and the students and staff at R-P are wonderful to work with.  An interesting note about his family that he told was that his daughter lives in Oklahoma and works with the Food Network program, The Pioneer Woman, as a sous chef in Bree Drummond’s recently opened Mercantile.  Mr. Thompson then talked about the R-P Foundation which raises money for scholarships for R-P students and other needs for students.  One of those being the Angel Fund which helps students who need assistance with paying for things they need at school.  He then opened the floor to questions.  The group then sang “Prepare the Way, O Zion” Donna Boyum gave devotions and a second hymn, “Joy to the World”, was sung.

President Corrine called the business meeting to order.  The secretary’s report was read and approved.  The treasurer’s report was read and approved showing a balance on hand of $7,477.67.

Old Business:  Motions were made, seconded and passed the disburse the following funds from the bazaar and the Thanksgiving offering:  Haiti Mission – $500, Susie Magnuson’s church in Texas – $500, Angel Fund – $500, Bundles of Love – $350, Hope Harbor – $500, Rushford Food Shelf – $500 ( to be paid in March 2020), 2^nd phase of church restoration project – $1000.

New Business:  Corrine announced that we will be hosting the Good Shepherd birthday party on Jan.6 at 1:30pm.  All are invited.  Linda Paulson reported that 261 bars of soap were collected. 208 quilts have been made and donated, 70 prayer shawls were made and 49 donated, 65 items for Bundles of Love, 47 sweater sets, 41 blankets, and 95 caps.  She ended with a cute story about Alice and her angel food cake.  Representatives of each circle gave their financial reports.  The 2^nd annual Cabin Fever Days is tentatively set for Feb. 24^th.  More details to follow.  Corrine announced that Pastor Steve will be doing a Bible study on Luke, “The Road to Damascus” on Thursdays at 10:00am.  There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Announcements:  The next meeting will be April 1 at 1:30pm.  No meetings in Jan., Feb., or March, but all are invited to Wed. crafting and Mon. quilting.  Hannah Circle has the program, Ruth circle has the lunch and Sunday coffee served by Hannah circle.  Birthdays and anniversaries were noted and prayer requests given.  Corrine closed with prayer and the Lord’s Prayer was said,  The Table Prayer was sung followed by a delicious potluck lunch.

Donna Boyum, secretary

If you are interested in becoming a member of Rushford Lutheran Church, please either talk to Pastor Steve or e-mail  him at [email protected]. Members participate in the mission and ministry of our congregation, including voting and holding office, and are notified of congregational activities through the newsletter and other means.  Members also receive the benefits of pastoral care, hospital visits, baptisms, weddings and funerals.  Membership is both a blessing and a responsibility, and a commitment to continuing one’s Christians growth. 

We would like to thank the Men’s Helping Hands for all the miscellaneous tasks they do around the church and two parsonages. They have done a wonderful job getting our church ready for the Christmas season. Many hands make light work. All are welcome to stop by Wednesdays at 9 AM for a cup of coffee and devotions led by Pastor Steve.

Rushford Lutheran Church offers a Monday night worship service at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  If you are unable to join us Sunday morning due to travel or work, please join us on Monday nights.  The service has the same hymn selections and sermon as Sunday morning, but held in the more informal setting of the fellowship hall.

The Sunday morning Bible study is welcoming and relaxed, no experts or know-it-alls; just friends discussing how faith fits into daily life.  Feel free to join us in the multipurpose room after worship.