1

In this issue:

Altar Candle Sponsors………………………...3

Attendance .................................. …………….3

Quilting…………………………………… ......... 4

Young at Heart ............................................... 4

Calendar ...................................................... 11

Council/Committee Contacts………………...12

Council Highlights ........................................... 8

Passages ..................................................... ..3

Pastor Susan’s Message .............................. .2

Youth……………………………………………..5

Faith Quest ..................................................... 7

Stepping Stones ............................................. 7

523 4th

Ave. SE, Jamestown, ND July 2020 Vol. 17 Issue 7

Trinity Lutheran Church

Bond

Trinity’s purpose:

Connect with God

and with each other.

Share God’s good

news with all.

Returning to in person

worship

Trinity started inviting people to return for in person worship at 8:30 am on Sundays. See pages 5 and 10 for the ways volunteers can help and for what to expect during the phased return plan.

2

This spring, for the first time ever, we planted a small garden. I’ve never been a gardener. Some of you have heard me say that I have a terrible track record with all plants. I don’t keep plants in my house and I don’t keep them in my office. Here’s what happened. We were looking for projects

during quarantine and decided to plant seeds in cups. Then suddenly the seeds were too big for the cups. Aaaaaaaand now I have a garden. So each day I water and pull weeds around the pumpkins, cucumbers, peas, carrots, and strawberries. Suddenly I get why people garden. Seeing the garden grow is so exciting and hopeful. I love to see the growth and imagine the results. Often in the Bible, God is compared to a gardener and the Kingdom of God to a garden. I was pondering this as I worked on my garden the other day and here’s some truths about gardens and the Christian life: WEEDS - Weeds compete for the water and nutrients in the soil. Like a garden there are weeds in our lives that take the life away from us. Sometimes the weeds are people who drain our energy or spirit. Sometimes weeds are the distractions that keep us from what is life-giving and make us fail to thrive. Sometimes the weeds are habits we need to break or truths we need to hear about ourselves. Sometimes the weeds are hard to see and even look like good plants, but they don’t bear fruit. Whatever the weeds are we need good gardeners to help us uproot them. A supportive group of family and friends, people who are honest and loving, can do a lot of the weeding in your garden. A relationship with God that includes prayer and time to listen for God’s guidance is another powerful tool when eradicating the weeds in the garden that is your life. These gardeners can help you see what’s a weed and what’s a plant you want growing in your life, what is life-giving and what isn’t. PESTS - There are a variety of outside influences that will infiltrate your garden and cause havoc. The cute bunny we loved to see hopping in our yard also ate all the strawberries out of our garden. Here’s where good boundaries

are important. In our garden we put up a fence. In your life boundaries will keep people from taking what you aren’t willing to give them. It’s ok to say no and to know your limits. When you discover that the boundary you have isn’t strong enough, it’s ok to upgrade. (The bunny totally hopped over our first fence). Here again you can call on your gardeners to help you create and maintain healthy fences to keep your garden growing. WATER - Watering the garden has become a morning ritual and I’m learning a lot about how much water is needed. Sometimes there’s plenty of rain. Sometimes the days are hot and dry. Water to a garden is like the Word of God for Christians. We need to connect with God’s Word everyday. When life gives us dry days, we need God’s words of promise and love even more. Here is where God is the master gardener, offering us exactly what we need to thrive when we soak our roots in his living Word. SUN - Gardens need sun. The gardens that are our lives need the Son. This is the easiest metaphor of all. We cannot grow without God’s love embodied by God’s beloved son. Listening to the Word of God made flesh in Jesus Christ will help us thrive and grow and bless those around us. Whether you are a gardener or not, I offer you this metaphor. Like a good gardener God loves to see us grow and imagine the results as our lives unfold. May this summer be one of growth for you and may your growth be a blessing to the world around you! Blessings, Pastor Susan Haukaas

Lessons from the Garden

3

Worship on FM radio

If you are having trouble with the reception on

1400 AM for the radio broadcast of the 8:30

am Sunday worship, try 107.1 FM to get

better reception.

Radio Broadcast

7/05/20 by Russ & Cheryl Sunderland in honor

of their 38th wedding anniversary

7/12/20 by Les & Vicki Odland & family in

memory of Evelyn Hanson

7/19/20 by Norma Repko in memory of Dale

Repko’s birthday on June 28th

7/26/20 by Mary & John Craft in memory of

John Holtan

Altar Flowers

7/05/20 by Tom & Marcia Koushkouski in

honor of their 41st wedding anniversary

7/12/20 by Gayle Nelson in memory of Tom

Klinkhammer

7/19/20 in memory of Mary Gums

7/26/20 by Judy Brueske in honor of LuAnn

Knoke’s birthday

Altar Candles

7/05/20 by Jim & Connie Vagneur in memory

of James D. & Marjorie Vagneur

7/12/20 by Jim & Connie Vagneur in honor of

daughter, Michelle’s birthday

7/19/20 by Scott & Beth Fritz in honor of

Kamryn Benson’s birthday

7/26/20 by family members in memory of John

Johnson

June YouTube views

Sunday 10:45 a.m.

May 31 ……….41

June 7 ……….39

June 14……….38

June 21 …..28

June 21 …….19 in person at 8:30 a.m.

June 28……20

Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

Re-posting of previous Sunday—

an additional 1-3 views each

In person, planning to resume July 8

THE Bond is published monthly by

Trinity Lutheran Church

523 4th Ave. SE, Jamestown, ND 58401

Telephone (701) 252-2841

E-mail: connect@trinityjamestown.com Web site: www.trinityjamestown.com

Kristina Weber (320-2077)………………….. Senior Pastor

Susan Haukaas (320-1446)……………… Associate Pastor

Wendy Thompson …………………………..Pastoral Assistant

Ashley Gehlhar (320-8216) Director of Stepping Stones

Kirstie Dobson (659-1226)………Director of Youth Ministries

Dick Morris………………………………………..Organist/Choir Director

Meggen Henke……………………… Administrative Assistant

Office staff continue working from both

the office and home during regular business

hours. Please leave a message at 252-2841

or connect@trinityjamestown.com and

someone will get back to you. Thank you

for your patience and understanding.

Sponsorships for 2020 are available.

Please call the church office or check the sign-up

sheets in the Narthex for the dates you would

like to sponsor these items. The cost is $15 for

candles, $35 for flowers and $100 for the radio

broadcast. It is a nice way to honor or memorialize a

loved one.

Thank you to West End Hide and Fur for the

donation of rebar for the paving project in

honor and remembrance of Raymond and

Marjorie Oster.

4

Trinity Choir

This statement by Martin Luther is posted outside my church office. "I am strongly persuaded that after theology, there is no art that can be placed on a level with music, for besides theology, MUSIC is the only art capable

of affording Peace and Joy to the heart." I eagerly look forward to the time when we can again fill our sanctuary with a congregation raising their voices in song. I am grateful to those soloists and instrumentalists who have provided special music during these past months. And I am deeply grateful to the six members of Celebration who have faithfully come together each week - practicing proper distancing - and providing the music for the 10:45 Service each Sunday. My fondest wish now is that once we can truly come together we will discover even more people who will wish to raise their voices in song and provide instrumental music. Music brings joy and hope and a rich expression of faith. Let us all look forward with eager anticipation to renewed excitement in our worship. Dick Morris

Christ in our Home devotion books

The July, August, and September edition is

available at Trinity. Copies will be placed

outside the building by the north door for pick

up Sundays through Thursdays (unless it is

raining.)

Hymnals

Would you like to borrow a hymnal for a couple

months or purchase your own so you can sing

along with worship? Please call the church office

252-2841 and leave a message.

Meggen will make arrangements for you to pick

one up or help you place an order with Augsburg

Fortress. Cost is approximately $25 plus shipping.

Pew editions and e book versions are available.

The Salad Luncheon That Wasn’t!! Trinity Women of the ELCA rely on income from

our 2 fundraisers to fund our benevolences and

to pay the $100 monthly for kitchen cleaning

which the Women have committed to finance.

COVID-19 made the salad luncheon an impossibility,

with the fall bazaar decision still pending Trinity

women have been very generous in providing a

tasty assortment of salads for the salad luncheon

and pies and other items for the bazaar, as well

as working at both events. In lieu of the salad

luncheon donations of salads and labor, we are

appealing to the women to donate cash to fund

our benevolences and kitchen cleaning commitment.

Please bring/send to the office: checks are

payable to Trinity Lutheran Church, on the memo

line, write: Women of Trinity.

In the last 3 years our benevolences have included:

3rd Grade Bibles $217.44, $273.60, and $201.26;

Red Willow Bible Camp $300, $300, $400;

Head Start $150 each year;

Safe Shelter $200, $400, $200; and

Salvation Army $200, $300, $300.

Additionally, we have twice given $500 to Lutheran

Disaster Response and funded Lutheran World

Relief twice with $100 and $200. We have

provided $300 for Trinity Youth to attend the

churchwide youth gathering and $200 for Trinity

quilting supplies as well as $188.32 for Trinity

confirmands’ flowers, $150 for Lost and Found

Ministries (a drug and alcohol rehab program),

$100 for Perry Center for unwed mothers, and

$300 for tornado relief in Watford City.

We also urge women to consider becoming a part

of Women of Trinity. In non-COVID times we

meet at noon in the conference room on the 2nd

Thursday of most months to plan events and to

disburse funds. Our core group has grown smaller

and older each passing year and new faces and

ideas are welcome!!! When regular monthly

meeting of “Ladies’ Aid” became a “thing of the

past”, the core group continued meeting and

planning as they were reluctant to end the

funding of the benevolences.

Anyone who shares that passion for continuing

the benevolent work is asked to notify the office

or Ruth Urdahl at 952-1733.

5

Community Notices

Stay Safe and help prevent the spread of COVID 19.

Wash your hands.

Cover your cough.

Stay home if you are sick and ask yourself if this trip is necessary if you are well.

Find more information at www.cdc.gov or health.nd.gov

SCAM ALERT

During the past couple of months, several

false email addresses have been set up

pretending to be Pastor Kristi Weber.

Please know,

1) I have not changed my email address.

2) I will not ask you to purchase gift cards

to help someone in need.

3) If it doesn’t “smell right,” it’s NOT.

Any time Trinity is requesting donations,

you will hear from a known source and will

see it in all the regular places Trinity

provides information.

If in doubt, call the church office 252-2841.

Thank you.

In Peace, Pastor Kristi Weber

How can I volunteer to prepare for people to

return for in-person worship?

Thank you to everyone who helped get Trinity ready to

welcome people back for in-person worship.

Additional help is needed:

Sewing Masks: A pattern, fabric and supplies will be

provided for sewers who are willing to make cloth

masks for people who do not have them.

Goal: 5 people making more kid sized masks by July 15

Ushers: Receive training on new procedures for seating,

receiving offering, directing traffic flow, and communion.

Four ushers are needed for each service each week.

Summer Lawn Care A volunteer lawn mowing team

will be caring for Trinity’s lawn this summer. To volunteer,

please contact Meggen Henke at meggentjnd@gmail.com or

call the Trinity office at 252-2841. Trinity has an electric

mower located in the garage.

Youth Ministries

Please stay connected with Kirstie Dobson

for evening check-ins via text

and other plans for later this summer.

Kirstie Dobson (659-1226)

Director of Youth Ministries

6

Blessing of the Parking Lot

Retaining Wall Construction and Alley Paving

“Trust in the Lord with all

your heart, and He will be

with you.” Proverbs 3:5

“For nothing will be

impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37

“This is the day the Lord

has made. Rejoice and be

glad.” Psalm 118:24

Paving blocks from the

former retaining wall are

available for pick up near

the garage. Suggested

donation is $2 per block.

Please pick up by July 5th.

The new retaining wall has

a trench to direct water

down the alley instead into

the neighbors’ yards.

Thank you McGruder Construction

for inviting this day laborer to help

with the project. Her 5 minutes of

work did not make the whole team

have to work an extra hour to fix

what she did.

7

LITTLE MESSENGER I am convinced that nothing will be able to separate us

from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Faith Quest is

on break for

the summer.

10:45 AM Family Worship

Includes ways for all ages

to actively participate

Listen for ways children

are invited to participate

from home during the

10:45 service.

Watch Music with

Mr. Morris videos

to help sing during

the 10:45 online

worship service.

Faith Quest ONLINE!

Online Family Sunday School ended on Sunday, June 7.

We hope you have enjoyed these lessons and are grateful to

SparkHouse and Augsburg Fortress

for producing excellent material during this challenging time.

Have a great summer!

We look forward to seeing you in the fall!

Stepping Stones News!

SteppingStonesPlayCenter.com

Director for Stepping Stones

Ashley Gehlhar

SteppingStones@TrinityJamestown.com

Call 701-320-8216

Summer classes will be posted soon.

Register at SteppingStonesPlayCenter.com

Ready, Set, Get Wet!, Alphabet Art, Dinosaurs, and More

Check our Stepping Stones Family Play Center Facebook page for our weekly activities to make at home.

8

Trinity Lutheran Church Council Highlights June 15, 2020 7:00 PM

Present: Mitch Ostlie, Jon Schlenker, Erin Klein, Judy Brueske, Nathan Steele, Leslee Larson,

Eric Knodel, Pastor Susan Haukaas, Pastor Kristi Weber

Minutes: Judy moved that the minutes of the May meeting be approved. Seconded by Leslee. The motion passed. Treasurer’s Report: Erin moved to approve the report. Seconded by Jon. The motion passed. ACTION ITEMS

A. Review of congregation owned housing at 506 5th Ave SE. from the letter of understanding: “This

letter shall be in effect from October 1, 2019 until August 31, 2020. By June 30, 2020, either party may give 60 days’ notice of the intention to separate housing from the compensation package or of the intention to renew this agreement with the same or different terms.”

Jon moved to renew agreement now with the same terms. Seconded by Judy. The motion passed.

B. Appoint Audit Committee: Becky Knodel, Steve Brubakken, plus one more. It is time to Audit the 2019 financial records. The third person will be identified soon.

C. Notice about Estate Gift – call for special meeting on Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. for Council to discuss how the estate gift impacts Trinity’s financial planning. Council is asked to add to the “dream bigger” list between now and Sunday, June 21.

D. Appoint small group to oversee resuming in person worship and activities at Trinity (14 days

declining known active cases of COVID-19 in Stutsman County). Mitch, pastors and one more. E. Update about new video/sound tech to support online worship with people present. Pastor Susan shared the proposal from Dakota Sound. Page 1 ($7,295) is for the upgrades to Live Streaming worship set-up. Not included in this proposal is the computer program ProPresenter to run all the tech. That will cost an additional $300. Computer in the sanctuary will also need to be upgraded ($500-$1,000). Page 2 ($10,150) includes upgrades to the sanctuary displays. It would replace the screen and projector with two large screen televisions. This would allow us to run ProPresenter on the screens. $15,000 is budgeted in current Connect Share Grow Capital Campaign funds for technology up grades. Judy moved to approve moving forward with the items listed on the proposal, plus the necessary software and computer, with a total not to exceed $22,000. Seconded by Nathan. The motion passed. Professionals from Dakota Sound will also provide an estimate for technology in the Fellowship Hall.

▪ Next meeting: special meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 to discuss estate gift ▪ Next Executive Committee Meeting: noon on Tuesday, July 14 ▪ Next regular meeting: 7 p.m., Monday, July 20, snacks and devotions by Judy

9

Financial Snapshot—Trinity’s General Fund

Through May 2020

Year to Date Income $ 140,800

Year to Date Designated Income* +$ 1,300

PPP Loan Income +$ 38,900

Year to Date Total Income $ 181,000

Year to Date Expenses -$ 166,500

Surplus (deficit) $ 14,500

*Designated income includes funds received for specific bills paid through Trinity’s General Fund.

Trinity received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan of $52,450 in April. The amount noted

above is the amount of that loan used for eligible expenses in April and May. Trinity plans to apply

for loan forgiveness to turn the portion of the loan that was used for eligible expenses (payroll, utili-

ties, mortgage interest) into a grant.

Thank you to congregation treasurer, Judy Brueske, for keeping a close eye on this process to help support Trinity’s ministries during a time when the financial circumstances of many congregation members have changed and in person attendance at worship has been minimal.

Without the PPP Loan, Trinity would have had a deficit of nearly $17,000 through the end of May.

By the end of June, the full amount of the PPP Loan will have been used to cover eligible expenses and Trinity will need to have income that covers monthly ministry expenses. Thank you for your generosity that sustains Trinity’s ministries when people are limiting in-person activities.

What financial changes have happened at Trinity since March 2020?

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan provided funds to keep all full-time, part-time, and

Stepping Stones employees paid at the same rates as in February. The PPP Loan also paid

mortgage interest and utility bills for April and May.

With fewer people in the building, the needs for cleaning were reduced. Trinity reduced the

number of hours paid to ServiceMaster for cleaning, but will redirect those hours to having the

carpets cleaned in the Fellowship Hall, Gathering Space and hallways.

Some congregation and community members have experienced reductions in hours or cuts in

pay. Others have been working more hours. Some small businesses have had fewer clients and

customers. Others have seen stable demand for their services and products. Farmers have been

planting and ranchers have been calving, but markets have been fluctuating and some farmers

finished last year’s harvest the same week they finished this year’s planting.

Some members have switched to giving online or to mailing their offerings to Trinity. Others

are waiting to return to in person worship before making an offering. Thank you to everyone

who has been supporting Trinity generously with prayer and with financial gifts that match your

current financial circumstances.

10

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WHEN I RETURN TO IN-PERSON WORSHIP

AT TRINITY?

All people who are sick are asked to stay home to protect their neighbors.

People who are vulnerable are encouraged to worship at home for their own safety.

Sunday 8:30 am worship

You are invited to attend. This service will also be broadcast on the radio.

If you attend in person, please expect:

SEATING – will be in designated areas of each pew to practice social distancing. Ushers will

direct you to and from your seats. Pew cushions will be removed.

MASKS – bring a mask from home and wear it. If you do not have a mask, one will be

provided for you to wear. Masks are intended to help slow the spread of droplets that are

sent out when people speak, sing, cough and sneeze. The pastors will wear masks when

they are near people, but not when they are in the front leading worship.

PROJECTION – words for worship will be projected on the screen. No bulletins or hymnals will

be present. Worship guides will be available online for people listening on the radio.

GREETINGS – greet people verbally only. Handshakes and hugs can wait. After worship, no

coffee or food will be served. Please do not linger to visit. Talk with people from a distance

of at least 6 feet.

WORSHIP PRACTICES – offering plates will be near the door, not passed during worship.

Communion will not be part of the 8:30 am service until several weeks have passed.

TOYS FOR CHILDREN – parents are asked to bring their own quiet toys for children to play

with during worship.

STAY IN THE SANCTUARY AND GATHERING SPACE – the Fellowship Hall, Lower Level and

Balcony will remain closed.

Sunday 10:45 am livestream only (please participate from home)

Wednesday 6:30 pm (please participate from home watching the re-posting of Sunday

10:45 am)

After two additional weeks with no spikes in cases of COVID-19, people will be invited to

worship in person on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm.

In person worship at 10:45 am on Sunday will wait at least until July 26.

Watch TrinityJamestown.com and Facebook for information about when in person

worship will resume.

11

Su

n

Mo

n

Tu

e

Wed

T

hu

F

ri S

at

All events subject to change. W

e

are closely monitoring the status of

positive Covid-19 cases in

Stutsm

an County. T

he worship

schedule may be m

odified

accordingly.

S

tepping Stones classes

may resum

e in July. Go to

steppingstonesplay-

center,com for registration

details.

1 2

3 Office C

losed

4

Independence Day

5 8:30am W

orship—in person

10:45am W

orship-online

6 7 1:00pm

Staff M

eeting

2:30pm T

ext Study

8 6:30pm W

orship—in person

9 10 O

ffice Clo

sed

11

12

8:30am W

orship– in person

10:45am W

orship– online

13 14

1:00pm S

taff Meeting

2:30pm T

ext Study

15

6:30pm W

orship—in person

16 17 O

ffice Clo

sed

18

19

8:30am W

orship—in person

10:45am W

orship-online

20 21

1:00pm S

taff Meeting

2:30pm T

ext Study

22

6:30pm W

orship –in person

23 24 O

ffice Clo

sed

25

26

8:30am W

orship—in person

10:45am W

orship-in person?

27 281:00pm

Staff M

eeting

2:30pm T

ext Study

29

6:30pm W

orship—in person

30 31 O

ffice Clo

sed

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Trinity Lutheran Church 523 4th Ave SE Jamestown, ND 58401 Address Service Requested

Trinity’s Purpose:

Connect with God and with each other.

Share God’s good news with all.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 128 Jamestown, ND

2020 COUNCIL MEMBERS (Telephone)

Mitch Ostlie, President (320-8822)

Chris Flann, Vice President (269-6756)

Judy Brueske, Treas. (320-6473)

Erin Klein, Sec. (320-4560)

Jon Schlenker (251-1018), Member at Large

Eric Knodel (320-9968)

Nathan Steele (269-2811)

Skip Olson (252-8534)

COMMITTEE/TEAM CHAIRS (Telephone)

Altar Guild……………………………….………….….Ardell Quigley (952-5062)

Boy Scouts………...………………………………….. Aaron Motter (952-3428)

Education……………………………………………………………….. 252-2841

Fine Arts………………………………………………………………….252-2841

Library…………………………………………………………………….252-2841

Memorial……………………………………… ………Peg Beckman (252-1896)

Men of Trinity………………………………………….Randy Lebahn (952-8337)

Outreach………………………………………...Donette Rasmussen (252-4890)

Parish Care………………………………………………..Ruth Urdahl (952-1733)

Property & Management………………………………………………..252-2841

Selma Alexander/Trinity Foundation……………………...Bob Toso (252-5027)

Stephen Ministry……………………………………… Carol Delaney (952-3793)

Women of Trinity………………………………………….Ruth Urdahl (952-1733)

Worship ………………………………………………………………… .252-2841

Youth………………………………………………..Wynn Rasmussen (252-4890)

Church Office……………………………………………………………...252-2841

Leslee Larson (368-2063)

Katie Banet (739-8871)

Greg Ulland (218-791-0415)

At the time the Bond was printed (6/29/20),

in-person worship has begun Sundays at 8:30 am

July 8 is planned as the first in-person worship at

6:30 pm on Wednesdays.

The plan is for 10:45 am Sundays to remain online

only at least until late July so technical upgrades

can be present when people return.

Worship Continues to be available on the radio

AM 1400/107.1 FM and online

Sundays 8:30 am

(radio and in person)

10:45 am (online)

Wednesdays 6:30 pm

(in person starting July 8)