GOOD NEWS

Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church • www.kmlchurch.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

OCTOBER 2014

From the Pastor

Kountze Family Nightat Vala’s Pumpkin Patch

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‘Going Green’ RenovationsCompleted

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CROP Walk is Oct. 12Pg. 4

2015 Kountze Youth Mission Trip to ELCA Gathering in Detroit

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Dear Friends,

It was renewing and enriching to visit Germany and see the sites where saints like Luther, Melanchthon, Bonhoeffer and others lived, worked, worshipped and prayed. We had a chance to worship at The American Church in Berlin, which Kountze helps support. It is such a vibrant, international and inclusive congregation. Hopefully some of their confirmation students will join our young people at the national ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit next July. Not only was it renewing and enriching to see the various sites important in the development of the Lutheran Church, but it was good to change the rhythm of life and get to know so many wonderful people from Kountze. If there is another tour in 2018, I would highly encourage you to go—especially if Pastor Dean Bard is planning the trip. Our confirmation students will tell you that a lot of what they study was inspired by Martin Luther. The catechism is simply a compilation of the basics of what we believe as Lutheran Christians. Luther was often mired in guilt. The question that tore at his soul was whether anyone could be good enough to be worthy of God’s love. Luther discovered through studying scriptures like these: …from Jeremiah: “I will forgive their sin, and remember their sin no more.”

…from the Psalms: “The Lord of hosts is

with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.”

…from Romans: “For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

…from John: “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

…. from Ephesians: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Luther described the discovery as like passing through a door to paradise.

Later this month on “Reformation Sunday,” when we sing such great hymns like “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” what we celebrate is not only a one-time event or period in history. The very word, “re-formation” implies something that is not static, but an ongoing endeavor, which God uses to re-form and re-shape the church to meet the needs of people in a particular place and time. Reformation is a festival packed with beautiful images, deep-seated ideas and a rich history. For life-long Lutherans, these things can provoke a sense of pride in our denomination, but Reformation Sunday is not “Lutheran Pride Day.” Instead it is a day focused on knowing God truthfully and in the process understanding who

we are as people of faith and children of God in light of God’s grace. Luther spent a great deal of time trying to know who God was and to find ways of expressing what he came to know and believe so that others would know God, too. He used coarse language, drank beer and wrote hymns using tunes people knew and recognized. When he wrote his catechism, he used language his small son could understand. He even translated the Bible into the language people spoke. Truth about God and our faith, as complex as it is, should be something we can grasp and wrestle with. Reformation Sunday is certainly a festival day where we celebrate and remember our history, but it should also be a day to re-examine our faith. Part of that is recognizing the truth about our inadequacies, our failings and our sinfulness. The law is like a mirror in a room with intense fluorescent lights; it shows us who we are with every flaw and wrinkle. But God doesn’t look at us in that mirror. The truth about God brings us new knowledge about ourselves. God shines a new light on us, where iniquities and sins are forgotten. The message of Reformation is God’s love for us. It is a love that frees us and redefines us as people of God and as members of the whole body of Christ.

See you in worship!Jeffery Alvestad, Pastor

Good News2

October Adult Forum Schedule

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So, who’s a “saint”?

Stewardship Theme and Overview

Stewardship Program, Part 1

Stewardship Program, Part 2

Join us each Sunday at 10:10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall for the Adult Forum.

Kountze Family Night at Vala’s Oct. 19

All KMLC Children, Youth, Friends, and Families are invited.

5-10 p.m. | Campfire Site #20Free Hotdogs, Chips, Pop, and Smore’s

Admission: At the door - $14.99 (plus tax)Buy Online: $13.99 (plus tax)

Bag N Save or No Frill Supermarkets: $14.99 (includes $2.50 off pumpkin coupon and $1.00 Vala

Buck)

Address: 12102 S. 180th St., Gretna, Neb.- Please come early to avoid the traffic -

Visit www.valaspumpkinpatch.com for more information!

Parish Planning DayOct. 20

All church committee/task force mem-bers from Christian Education, Social Ministry, Stewardship, Finance, Health, Worship and Music, Global Mission, Outreach, Youth Ministries, Media and Technology, Going Green, Food Pantry and Property should plan to attend a Parish Planning Day on Monday, Oct. 20 from 6-8:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. A light dinner will be provided. We will come together to brain-storm, plan and share ideas for ministry in 2015. We hope to build a sense of cohesiveness as we worship, grow and serve together in Christ. In preparation for this event, we are asking all committees and task forces to prepare a brief description and listing of their efforts, as well as their mission statement, to be included in a new church committee handbook. Please bring ideas, goals and dreams for the next 1-5 years. All are invited!

Faith in ActionEach month, we will highlight a faith for-mation ministry hap-pening in the church. Send us your stories of Faith In Action, and we’ll share them with the congregation. Con-tact Ian Hartfield at (402) 341-7761 or e-mail ian@kmlchurch.org with your stories.

In celebration of the ELCA’s “God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday on Sept. 7, Kountze Memorial and First Lutheran Church gathered together in Dewey Park to participate in a neighbor-hood clean-up. Lunch was provided, and groups spread out across the Park East Neighborhood to clean up parks, streets and sidewalks. Some of our youth also worked on removing the ivy

growing up the walls of the church. Thanks to everyone who participated and helped plan this special service event! NOTE: The special yellow God’s Work, Our Hands shirts have been re-printed and can be picked up from Ian Hartfield on Sunday mornings.

Call the church office at (402) 341-7761 or e-mail

info@kmlchurch.org to be added to our weekly

e-blast list.

Do we have your e-mail address?

3www.kmlchurch.org

Our Immersion Bible Study continues on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. We will prepare ourselves for worship by studying the readings for the coming Sunday, with emphasis on the Gospel lessons from Matthew. This series is led by Dr. Richard Sieling.

Immersion Bible Studycontinues

We would like to thank all the members who came to the benefit for Shauna. Thank you also to everyone who donated or bought an auction item, helped set up or clean up, and a special thanks to Faith Klein and the kitchen crew. We would also like to thank Barb Carlsen for all she did for making the day a success. Thanks to the Kountze staff for the use of the church. The day gave Shauna a renewed vigor in fighting this terrible disease.

--Jerry and Shauna Clanton

Thank you!

Heritage Series continues

Just got back from Germany (or talked to people who have) and are eager to learn more about Luther, Melanchthon and the Lutheran Confessions? Well, here’s your chance! Starting Wednes-day, Oct. 1 at 6:30 p.m., Pr. Hall will continue the Heritage Series with an examination of Timothy Wengert’s “A Formula for Parish Practice: Using the Formula of Concord in Congregations” (ISBN: 978-0802830265). Participants may order the book online; a limited number of books will be available for purchase ($21) through the church office. All are welcome. Weekly atten-dance is not necessary. A mind eager to explore is the only prerequisite.

Going Green

Trick? or Treat?The biggest candy holiday is just around the corner, and before you stock-up on sugary snacks for trick-or-treaters, consider the source of your treats. Many can include more worrisome ingredients than just excess sugar, and the human toll on producing other treats can be even worse. Specifically, the truth behind chocolate isn’t so sweet. Chocolate is made from cocoa, and the cocoa supply is grown primarily in Africa; 43% from the Ivory Coast. Unfortunately, this market is largely unregulated, and an estimated 284,000 children work the cocoa farms—many in deplorable working conditions. Not unlike the garment industry that was forced to change their business methods in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, the chocolate industry is gaining the same negative notoriety. When purchasing cocoa and chocolate products consider selecting brands marked as Fair Trade Certified. Although there are many cocoa products that are Fair Trade Certified, here are a few that you can find locally: • Equal Exchange (Whole Foods) • Endangered Species (Whole Foods, Target) • Rapunzel (Whole Foods) • Green and Black’s (Target) • Newman’s Own (various grocers) • Cloud Nine (various grocers)

• Tropical Source (Whole Foods) You can also check out the full Better World Shopping Guide for other slave-free products. Local Events Green in the City Exhibit Continues through March 1, 2015; The Durham Museum, 801 S 10th St. View project renderings and a 3D model of the winning design in this national competition. 2014 Sustainability Summit: Road to Zero Waste Oct. 28 & 29, Embassy Suites in Downtown Lincoln For more information go to www.wastecapne.org. Have a specific sustainable education interest? Send your Going Green newsletter topic suggestions to tarna.kidder@kiewit.com. If you’re interesting in getting more involved in the Going Green Program, please contact Pastor Hall. Green Links www.treehugger.com www.greenomahacoalition.org www.bambootique.wordpress.com

A year ago, an energy audit of our facilities was conducted by Kiewit Building Group. This survey of our facilities is a comprehen-sive evaluation and record of our building. The Council approved funds from the Bland Estate to make improvements to our energy use and efficiency, prioritized in the areas of our greatest monthly expenditures: lighting and air conditioning/heating. A comprehen-sive maintenance schedule was also created to help manage future facilities needs. That work is now completed and included the installa-tion of energy efficient lighting in the class-rooms, Fellowship Hall, and nave; occupancy

sensors; cleaning and anti-microbial coating of the air ducts; adjusting of air diffusers and balancers; and new controls. While this does not solve all of our facilities needs, this work will help ensure lower energy use and better stewardship through lower energy costs. A more complete report was submitted at the Sunday Forum and to the Council and is available upon request. Pr. Hall, who was the staff laison to this project, would like to thank Kiewit professionals Tonia Kinish, John Simonson and Tarna Kidder, and our building superintendent, John Bogue, for their work on this project.

Going Green renovations completed

Good News4

Pastoral ActsBaptismsLillian O’Kane Aug. 24, 2014 Kamden Robert Garday Aug. 30, 2014Luke Robert Silver Sept. 7, 2014Nora Juliette Silver Sept. 7, 2014

FuneralsRobert Root Sept. 9, 2014

Congregational Life CornerBy Ian Hartfield, Director of Congregational Life

“Our faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing,” said Martin Luther. Indeed, Kountze Memorial has always been active and busy and living mightily. When I look around on a Sunday morning, I see families worshiping together. I hear how thankful people are that their joys and struggles are lifted up in our faith community. I feel connected to the wider church and its mission in the world through our many outreach and church-wide ministries. And I truly experience what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ! Thanks be to God! Here are just a few highlights of the wonderful mission and ministry happening at Kountze Memorial over the past few weeks. • It was a joy to participate in the God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday with First Lutheran Church, sharing in ministry in our neighborhood. More than 40 individuals of all ages came together to support our city through creation care, especially those who live nearest our congregation, some of whom don’t have a roof over their head. • A brand new Youth Choir (grades 6-8) has formed, under the wonderful direction of our own Janet Campbell. The choir will be singing in worship occasionally throughout the year and participating in the

Candlelight Carol Sing in December. • Two weeks ago, Confirmation began, bringing together youth in grades 7, 8 and 9, along with their families for weekly faith formation, group building, food, worship and fun. It is also a joy to be able to share in fellowship and sacrament with the adults who attend Pastor Hall’s Heritage series. • Our New Member Class was packed full this last Sunday. Our congregation remains vital to our community and people of faith in Omaha. • Our Food Pantry and Medical Clinic are led by dedicated volunteers who provide Christ-centered hospitality and care for all those who come through the doors. Each week, hundreds are nourished and healed through their important work. • The KMLC Endowment Fund recently provided significant support for our sister congregation, the American Church in Berlin (where many of our members just returned from), our Children, Youth and Family and Church Library/Archives Ministries, Technology upgrades to our facility, and much more. Our 2015 Stewardship Theme is “Generations of Generosity.” God, through Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church, has generously blessed each of us—generations of Kountze members. May each of us continue to live out our blessings in faith—actively, busily and mightily!

CROP Walk Oct. 12It’s CROP Walk time again! Please consider walking or sponsoring a walker. See Ken Johnson in the Fellowship Hall on Sundays, Oct. 5 and 12 to talk to your favorite walker or see Katie in the Sunday School office. You may also simply make a check out to “CWS/CROP” and put it in the offering plate or leave it in the church office. Our goal this year is 40 walkers and $4,000 in pledges. The walk is Sunday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. with registration beginning at 1:30 p.m. A light lunch will be served at Kountze at 12:30 p.m. for all of our walkers. Bring your walking clothes and shoes. We will carpool to Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 1031 Sunset Trail (corner of 61st & Western).

Do you remember? During World War II, the troop trains went through Nebraska, and many stopped in North Platte. There were many volunteers that met trains and they would feed the troops. This is a great example of what volunteers can do working together. Please join us on Tuesday, Oct. 7 for lunch followed by a video of the North Platte USO. Make your reservations with the church office at (402) 341-7761. Hope to see you on Oct. 7!

Yesterday’s Youth

The 35+ Fellowship Group will meet on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall for a potluck meal followed by the showing of the movie “God’s Not Dead.” Please bring a dish to share and contact Bob or Carole

Woodworth at (402) 339-2056 or e-mail caroleandbobwoody@cox.net if you are coming. You may also sign up at the Welcome Desk in Fellowship Hall. Note: There is NOT a Husker game that day!

35+ Fellowship Group to meet Oct. 11

www.kmlchurch.org 5

YOUTH And FAMILY @KMLCYOUTH

FACEBOOK.COM/KMLCYOUTH

@KMLCYOUTH

Connect with us!

Middle, High School ChoirCheck out the Middle School and High School Choir! They will continue to meet throughout October on Wednesdays from 5:45-6:30 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Janet Campbell at jlcc2@cox.net.

Children’s Ministries Check out what’s happening on Wednesday evenings:

ConfirmationThis month Confirmation students and their families are asked to participate in two service projects. First, is CROP Walk, which is Sunday, Oct. 12. We will meet at Kountze Memorial following the 11 a.m. service. Lunch will be provided. We will then carpool to Luther Memorial Church (6099 Western Ave.). Pick up a sponsor form at church and ask people to make pledges for you to walk with us. The second service project is Trunk N Treat on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 6-8 p.m. Trunk N Treat is an outreach event for the community that provides children with a safe place to go trick or treating. We will set up tables in the Fellowship Hall, and each family and/or person will decorate their table and hand out candy to the chil-dren who come to visit. Feel free to dress

in costume, and please bring candy to hand out.

PLEASE NOTICE THE CHANGE TO THE CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE BELOW!We will NOT have confirmation on Wednesday, Oct. 1 and will then be meet-ing on Wednesday, Oct. 22, to make that day up. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Larson at katie@kmlchurch.org or (402) 341-7761. Schedule: Oct. 1: No confirmation; Oct. 8: Exploring the Commandments, Part 3; Oct. 15: Exploring the Command-ments, Part 4; Oct. 22: Gospel+Law and Sinner+Saint; Oct. 29: Trunk N Treat from 6-8 p.m.; Nov. 5: Lutheran Worship Practices.

Sunday Mornings are a WHIRLof excitement!Sunday School is in full swing! This Fall we are using a new curriculum called Whirl. It is a lectionary-based curriculum, which means the lessons that are taught in Sunday School are also the Gospels that are read in worship. See the schedule below to see what the children are learning this month: Oct. 5: Rejection of the Vineyard (Matthew 21:23-32) Oct. 12: Rejoice in the Lord Always (Philippians 4:1-9) Oct. 19: A Question About Taxes (Matthew 22:15-22) Oct. 26: Bible Sunday; The Great-est Commandment (Matthew 22:34-46) Nov. 2: Humble and Exalted (Mat-thew 23:1-12). Don’t forget to check out Children’s Choirs on Sunday mornings. Both the Cherub Choir (K-2nd) and Good News Singers (3-6th grade) meet upstairs in the Sunday School classrooms from 11-11:45 a.m.

Christian EducationThere will be a Christian Education meet-ing on Monday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m.

Music MinistryThere will be a Music Ministry meeting on Monday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. Trunk N Treat

Join us Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 6-8 p.m. for our first Trunk N Treat! Trunk N Treat is an outreach event for the community that provides children with a safe place to go trick or treating. We will set up tables in the Fellowship Hall and each family and/or person will decorate their table and hand out

candy to the children who come to visit. Feel free to dress in costume, and please bring candy to hand out. We are also collecting Halloween decorations to help decorate the tables and Fellowship Hall. Please give all donations to Katie Larson.

Mark your calendar!Friday, Nov. 14: High School Lock-In at 7 p.m.Friday, Nov. 21: Parents Night Out at 6 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 30: Advent Gathering at 10 a.m.

Good News6

Elevate Youth Retreat in October

KMLC Youth (grades 6-12) are invited to join us for the 3rd Annual Elevate Retreat Oct. 3-5, a faith-filled and fun weekend getaway at Camp Rivercrest near Fremont, Nebraska. Friends are welcome, too. We are excited to announce that our speaker is Sam Breen. Breen was born in London, U.K., and currently lives in South Carolina. He and his wife, Taylor, lead Wayfarer ministry, which does Bible camps and equips youth with gifts to grow in discipleship and mission. Also joining us for the weekend is a gifted worship leader, David Walker. Walker is all about encouraging people to follow Jesus with everything. We are excited to experience worship in a new way as Walker leads us. Lodging will be in cabins. There will be home-cooked style meals and activities, including worship, devotions, games, music and group-building initiatives such as the climbing wall, zip line, high ropes, gaga ball, volleyball and paintball. More than 100 Lutheran youth from Nebraska will be attending! Make plans to join us as we worship, grow, and serve together while having an amazing time at Camp Rivercrest!

Late Registration (Due Oct. 1): $100 per person

Scholarships are available for those in need. Registration forms are available in the Youth Center or online at www.kmlchurch.org under the Youth Ministries tab.

3rd SundayYouth Group

Please join us for 3rd Sunday Youth Group (for high school and college youth) from 6-7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19 at St. Michael Lutheran Church at 13232 Blondo St. in Omaha. Come for free food, fellowship with your youth group friends, praise music, prayer and fun. Friends are invited. Don’t miss this event, and invite your friends!

Five members of OSJ will represent Kountze Memorial and our Acolyte Ministry at the National Acolyte Festi-val being held on Saturday, Oct. 11 at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Seniors Johnny Albers, Blake Gittler (OSJ Vice President), Mattie O’Kane (OSJ President), Junior Naomi Kirkvold (OSJ Secretary) and Sopho-more Bailey Gittler (OSJ Underclass-men Representative), along with Jill Gittler and Ian Hartfield will travel to our nation’s capital and join hundreds of other acolytes from around the

country by partici-pating in a special worship service and work-shops. The Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, will be preaching.

Five to represent Kountze at National Acolyte Festival

Girls Bible StudyGirls Bible Study will meet Sunday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. The topic is Lutheranism. Please contact Katie Larson at katie@kmlchurch.org or (402)341-7761 for the location.

Veteran’s Breakfast is Nov. 9

The Youth Group invites all members of Kountze to a Breakfast and Coffee honoring all Veterans on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 8-11 a.m. A free-will offering will be taken. We will be serving pancakes, eggs and sausage. All Kountze Veterans: Please contact Ian Hartfield, Director of Con-gregational Life, at (402) 341-7761 or e-mail ian@kmlchurch.org, so we can be sure to honor you! Youth and families: Please contact Ian if you can help cook break-fast.

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Kountze Youth Summer Mission Trip to ELCA Youth Gathering

All KMLC High School Youth (grades 9-12) and Current 8th graders are in-vited to travel with us July 13-20, 2015, for a once in-a-lifetime opoportunity to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit, Michigan! We will gather in Detroit with nearly 40,000 Lutheran teenagers from around the country for a transformative week of worship, growth and service. If we have at least 30 youth register, Ian has promised to dye his hair whatever color the group votes on. Let’s not miss out on this epic opportunity! We will be traveling by motorcoach with other area churches. The ELCA Youth Gathering exists to accompany young people in their faith journey to claim their baptismal identity and articulate their faith in Jesus Christ.

DETAILSBe sure to watch your mail soon for a reg-istration packet and dates for an upcoming Parent informational meeting.

REGISTRATION DUE: Nov. 16. Space is limited so SIGN UP EARLY!

COST: Early-Bird: $550 per person (BY NOV. 2); Late: $650 (NOV. 3-16)

DEPOSIT: A $150 deposit is due with your registration forms.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Financial Assistance is available—it is our goal to make this experience available to everyone. We do ask that families try to commit to providing a portion of the cost if possible.

Check out the Gathering web site for more info at http://www.elca.org/gathering.

What’s it like to attend the Youth Gathering with Kountze Memorial?The summer before my sophomore year of high school, I was invited to attend the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. In July, myself and 32 other youth and adults from KMLC traveled to New Orleans together to meet the thousands of other ELCA youth from all over the nation. We spent time in the Superdome worshiping together as well as doing service work all over the city. Specifically, we worked at a daycare for less-fortunate children. This experience was moving. To see kids who, although they may not have been handed the easiest lives, had better attitudes than we did and were so thankful for the simplest things such as reading a book, hula hooping, or whatever we really had in mind. Overall, my 2012 mission trip changed me in ways that I cannot even explain. That week, my faith grew more than I ever imagined possible. I grew close with people I never imagined meeting, and I stepped out of my comfort zone with the people I love more than anything. Trips like this are something that I will never forget and I am so thankful for opportunities such as this. --KMLC Senior, Mattie O’Kane

WHAT WILL WE EXPERIENCE AS A PART OF THE ELCA

YOUTH GATHERING?

• Mass gatherings and worship with 40,000 other Lutherans in Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions • Servant projects throughout the city of Detroit and beyond • Nightly hotel life in hotels across the city including dance parties, inflata-bles, concerts, devotions and more! • A larger-than-life Interaction Center, featuring high-ropes challenges, games, service learning and TONS of other fun activities • Meeting and hanging out with Lutheran youth from across Nebraska and the nation • Traveling with teenagers from our sister congregation, the American Church in Berlin • Tours of the city, museums and historical sites • Other surprise activities.

Good News8

Church Directories available in OctoberBeginning Sunday, Oct. 5, you may pick up your new church directory in the Fellowship Hall. If you haven’t already paid for your directory, payments can be made at that time. The new directo-ries will feature a spiral binding, staff and ministry pages, church history and more than 400 photos of our members and families, as well as a contact infor-mation directory and member business ads in the back. Our thanks to the church staff and directory committee for all their hard work (thousands of hours over the past nine months) in making this project happen!

Directory Committee:Bob and Carole WoodworthChet and Sara WormDarlene AndersonMyrtle Weible

LaVern LarkowskiJake Madison – PhotographerJoslyn Hopkins – Graphic DesignerIan Hartfield – Staff Representative

Men’s LuncheonOct. 9

All KMLC men, working or retired, are invited to attend this new fellow-ship group, the KMLC Men’s Lun-cheon. We’ll meet every month at 11:30 a.m. for a program, coffee and catered lunch. This month’s luncheon is on Thursday, Oct. 9. Our speaker this month will be David deFreese, vice president of church relations for Mosaic, which is a faith-based organization that serves people with intellectual disabilities. DeFreese is also the former Bishop of the Nebraska Synod ELCA and a son of our congregation. All are welcome! The cost is $10 for the catered lunch. Please R.S.V.P. to the church office at (402) 341-7761 or e-mail Ian Hartfield at ian@kmlchurch.org.

n Giving takes many forms at the pantry. These are two of the more heartwarming examples: When Joan Nelson turned 80, her children had a party for her. In lieu of gifts, Joan asked her guests to bring items for the Kountze Food Pantry. Besides a large ingathering of food items, she also received monetary gifts, which she used to purchase 50 jars of peanut butter for the pantry.

Urban Ministries

The other example of giving arrived recently in the form of an envelope delivered to the church office. Across the front of the envelope was written: “$52.50—Money for Food Pantry from Cat & Gwen Fonda’s Kool-Aid Stand.” From two little girls’ Kool-Aid stand to an 80th birthday party, generosity spans the generations. What is learned in childhood lasts a lifetime. Thanks Cat, Gwen and Joan for showing the rest of us the way to give.

Women’s Newsn Lutheran Women of Omaha will meet Oct. 14 at noon at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church (1725 S 60th St.) for a program and lunch. This is a great way to meet some of your fellow Lutheran sisters in Omaha. If interested in attending, please call Carole Woodworth at (402) 339-2056.

n The W-ELCA project for October is the Lutheran Home for their Christmas gifts.

n Forms for nuts (our annual fund-raiser) for Church Women United will be available to all the circles at your October meeting.

n Keep the Dec. 5 date in mind—that is the Christmas Tea at noon. Simone Weber will entertain with her own written music.

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Stewardship Spotlight

Book Club meets Oct. 12The Book Club will meet on Sunday, Oct. 12 at noon to discuss “Dear Life: Stories” by Alice Munro. In story after story in this brilliant new collection, Munro pinpoints the moment a person is forever altered by a chance encounter, an action not taken, or a simple twist of fate. Her characters are flawed and fully human: a soldier returning from war and avoiding his fiancée, a wealthy woman deciding whether to confront a blackmailer, an adulterous mother and her neglected children, a guilt-ridden father, a young teacher jilted by her employer.

Illumined by Munro’s unflinching insight, these lives draw us in with their quiet depth and surprise us with unexpected turns. And while most are set in her signature territory around Lake Huron, some strike even closer to home: an astonishing suite of four autobiographical tales offers an unprecedented glimpse into Munro’s

own childhood. Exalted by her clarity of vision and her unparalleled gift for storytelling, “Dear Life: Stories” shows how strange, perilous, and extraordinary ordinary life can be.

Church CouncilThe Church Council met on Sept. 16, 2014. The Council reviewed the plans for the Forum presentation on Sept. 21 and the Congregational Meeting on Sept. 28 regarding KETV with Tim Holland. The following members will be appointed to a KETV Task Force, pending a successful congregational vote on Sept. 28: Del Weber, Scott Henneman, Bob Siffring, Robert Ellison, Tim Holland, Tarna Kidder and Jennifer Hamann. Church Council Officers will remain the same for 2014-2015: Kathe Andersen, Vice Chair; Mike Edris, Treasurer; and Adam Klinker, Secretary. The following committee assignments were made: Ashley Sum, Christian Education; Rhonda Wachholtz, Congregational Activities; Mike Edris, Finance; Chet Worm, Global Mission; Penny Hovendick, Health Ministry; Kathe Andersen, Media and Technology, Personnel and Endowment Board; Adam Klinker, Outreach; Tarna Kidder, Property; Carol Wake, Social Ministry; Robert Fonda, Stewardship; Debbie Hinrichs, Worship & Music; Alex Clatterbuck, Youth. The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed and accepted. Staff reports were reviewed and accepted. Pastor Alvestad provided an update on the organ refurbishment. The organ will be returned to Kountze starting Sept. 22, but will take 4-6 weeks for reassembly. A series of concerts will be planned. The Church Directory should be available beginning in October. The Council reviewed the final report on the Going Green Energy Efficiency of our Building Project, managed by Kiewit Building Group. Pastor Hall thanked Tonia Kinish, John Simonson and Tarna Kidder from Kiewit and John Bogue, our Building Superintendent, for their work on the project. This work has put us on a better path to better stewardship of the congregation’s resources and sustainable use of our historic building for decades to come. The meeting adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside a share of what you earn for God’s work. (1 Corinthians 16:2) You will be receiving information soon on the annual stewardship drive leading up to Consecration Sunday on Nov. 8-9. On that day, each household is provided the opportunity to express their estimate of giving for 2015. By providing information on your intentions to give, you will enable the church—through its leaders and staff—to create a plan for the thoughtful use of the resources we have, individually, received from God and are returning to Him for His work through our church. Each must give as they have made up their mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Over the next weeks, please consider the information you will be provided and prayerfully consider what you estimate you will return to God for God’s work through the activities of Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church. Generations have gone before each of ours in the history of this congregation, and generations of generosity have established a vibrant City-wide Church with a World-wide Ministry. Your expression of giving intentions will enable Kountze to continue its 150+-year ministry to Worship, Grow and Serve. If you have any questions about the annual stewardship drive or suggestions for expanded stewardship activities and opportunities, please feel free to contact any member of the stewardship committee or the pastors.

Good News10

Happy Birthday!Oct. 1

E. Lawrence Camenzind, Jr., Meghan Gunia, Duane Hovendick, Steven Lamphere, Heather McShane, Darlene White

Oct. 2Janet Bain, Rodney Edwards, Jr., Ardell Hobscheidt

Oct. 3Dana Boden, Lois Reinke

Oct. 4Emilia Dietrich, Nicole Peterson, Jack Wiese

Oct. 5Natalie Blanke, Charles Kracher, Diane Rasmussen, Ronald Rasmussen, Angela Carlson

Oct. 6Carly Costanzo, Katherine Swanson

Oct. 7Donald Barnes, Mary Jo Fike, Kathryn Geiger, Kenneth Kendall, Julie O’Doherty, Molly Ohm, Stephanie Stephens

Oct. 8Gary Bannick, James Gleason, Roger Waller

Oct. 9Christina Broekemeier, Joan Jacobson-Trotter, Janet Mason, Ann McKenna, Steve Rowe

Oct. 10Gordon Boe, Robert Crouse, Myrna Esluer, Barbara Nissen, Jerry Weible

Oct. 11Eileen Gustafson, Dori Harshbarger, Keith Powell, Kevin Powell, Carol Prokop

Oct. 12Alexandra Clatterbuck, Warren Cooke, Allyson Fili, Ruth Martis, Michael Vutov

Oct. 13Nathan Hagge, John Martens

Oct. 14Robert Fonda

Oct. 15Amy Dyer, Ryan Kosola, Emma Link, Eileen Sanfilippo

Oct. 16Kenneth Bailey, Sarah Fili, Keith Jansen, Lorraine Jensen, Julee Schroeder

Oct. 17Louis Andersen, Stephen Coufal, Richard Hagge, Kari Lancaster, Elizabeth Morse, Thomas Nippert

Oct. 18Jonathan Fischer, Dawn Hiatt, Robert Matuszeski, Marylin Oldaker, Donald Palmer, Linda Rosenberg, Louise Vanzago

Oct. 19Marie Clymer, Matthew Hagge, Agnes Kracher

Oct. 20Patricia Baker, Lisa Bladt, Ranae Gardner, Jon H. Natvig, Linda Sheely, Abbie Ashcraft, Randall Strobel

Oct. 21Jeffery Alvestad, Sarah Brumfield, James Comfort

Oct. 22Misty Parker, John Sarich

Oct. 23Robert C. Johnson, Brad Madison, Ryan Miller

Oct. 24Ronald Frykberg, Vicki Siderewicz

Oct. 25Dean Bard, Mark Kidder, Frank Kuthan, Lindsey Natvig, Jon Vawter

Oct. 26Alicia Brommer, Courtney Cameron, Juan Menchaca, Jennifer Misbach, Mary Jane Petersen

Oct. 27Ralph Diggins, Beverly Eccles, Teri Meyer, Chris Zinnecker

Oct. 28Jonathan Sarich, Paul Sum, Paul Swanson

Oct. 29Ted Greguska, Robert Sundell

Oct. 30Eleanor Brown, William Fogle, Edith Goodwin, Deborah Mangen

Oct. 31Steven Hirsh, Rodney Nord, Mary Taylor

Sunday breakfast availableA hot, Sunday breakfast is available at Kountze each Sunday from 8-11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall with a free-will offering. Please be generous! The menu consists of an egg dish, a breakfast meat, fresh fruit and hot cereal.

If you would like to help with breakfast service, please contact Pastor Alvestad in the church office at (402) 341-7761 or Chef Dan Templeton at (402) 342-0547.

The Interfaith Coalition is doing a rehab on a house located at 5834 N. 28th Ave. in Omaha. All volunteers must register on the website at https://habitatomaha.volunteerconnect.com/Interfaith2014/full. Volunteers must provide their own hard hat and safety glasses. You will be asked to sign a waiver. Workers must be at least 16 years old. Work days will be Friday afternoons from 12:30-3:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Habitat build underway

Often people will ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?” One answer is that Stephen Ministers are “after people.” Stephen Ministers are there— • after you arrive home following the funeral, and the emotions you have held at bay come crashing in on you. • after the doctors have said, “There is nothing more we can do.” • after the divorce papers have been served, and the bottom falls out of your life. • after you have had to move to the senior living center. Stephen Ministers are the “after people” who are ready to come alongside you—or your friends, neighbors or relatives—and provide comfort and support as long “after” as needed. Stephen Ministers are available! If you would like to talk to a Stephen Minister, contact Donna Reinig at (402) 558-6352 or one of our pastors.

Stephen Ministersavailable

Our regular Sunday evening worship at Creighton University is at 9 p.m. Our Taizé liturgies (in partnership with the Office of Campus Ministry at Creighton) in the Fall are Thursdays at 8 p.m. in St. John’s Church on Oct. 9 and Nov. 13. All are welcome!

Lutheran Campus Ministry

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDOmaha NE 68131

Permit 238

Kountze MemorialLutheran ChurchGood News • October 20142650 Farnam St.Omaha, NE 68131-3616

Phone: (402) 341-7761Fax: (402) 341-4841E-mail: info@kmlchurch.orgWeb: www.kmlchurch.org Jeffery Alvestad, Senior PastorH. Ashley Hall, Associate Pastor Inba Inbarasu, Visitation Pastor

Worship Schedule:Saturday at 5 p.m.

Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m. Wednesday Communion at 12:15 p.m.

The 9 a.m. Sunday service is televised live on Cox Cable Ch. 126 in Omaha.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Thank you!A big “Thank You” to everyone (more than 200) who volunteered and at-tended the all-church Picnic in Septem-ber! It was a beautiful afternoon full of faith, fellowship, food and fun—Face painting, clowns, music, games, prizes, delicious food and desserts and more. Special thanks to the Social Min-istry Committee, the Congregational Activities Committee and the Young Mother’s Group for all their hard work, and Barb Chrisman and Center Trophy for donating/printing the special edi-tion KMLC Cups! Plans are underway for the 2015 Church Picnic, so stay tuned.