ESTHER LUTHERAN NEWSLETTER September 2020“Knowing Christ – Making Christ Known Through Faith, Hope and Love.”

11019 625th Ave – Parkers Prairie, MN 56361 218-338-2171 email: esther@arvig.net Website: www.estherlutheran.com

Pastor Scott Hoecker - email: prscott@estherlutheran.net Cell: (218) 355-0187

God heals us and sends us out in similar ways . . . 

If you were asked to share a time when you experienced God in your life - what type of story would you tell? 

When I’ve asked this question before, the stories that’ve been shared are usually rough times in a person’s life or in the life of a friend. Perhaps the death of a loved one. Or, a friend that’s struggling with ______________ (fill-in-the-blank). Sometimes the stories revolve around an illness . . . Other times the stories center on a loss (of a relationship, a job, a dream, etc.).

These days, I imagine the losses we might point to include less contact with friends and family (perhaps) than in the past. Familiar routines have changed . . . At home, work, and school . . . Church also. Life as we knew it . . . well, it’s changed. And change frankly is rough. 

And yet, what if God meets us during the rough times . . . The times when our ability to make something happen . . . Our ability to control events and steer them is gone . . .  When life as we knew it has changed. 

What if God shows up then . . . During the rough times and ministers to us . . . 

And having been ministered to and healed by God . . . God sends us out . . . Out to our neighbor in need to do likewise. To meet them in their need. Share in their loss. Listen to their struggles with change, illness, or ________ (fill-in-the-blank).

Recently, folks have gathered around fire pits at Esther for a meal and fellowship and prayer. Time to share stories of life together. 

I’m reminded of Jesus’ promise, “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there . . .” (Matthew 18:20). 

What if God meets us as we share life together . . . Around a fire pit . . . As stories are shared and prayers are prayed . . . What if God is there healing us and sending us out to do likewise . . .

Pastor Scott

Serving Us In SeptemberPastor: Scott HoeckerOrganist: Marcia GuentherLay Reader: Cindy SkoglundAcolytes Emma Arvidson, Peyton SkoglundUshers: Dave ArvidsonCommunion Asst. Cindy SkoglundAltar Guild: Donna PedersonGreeters: Dick & Luella ThomBirthday Fellowship: Mike & Becky Arvidson family

Bob & Leann Aldrich family Tom & Joan Burquest

John & Sara Skoglund family

These assignments were made pre COVID. If you are not comfortable attending in person worship, you do not have to serve.

September Birthdays

09/02 Audrey Arvidson09/03 Kathryn McDaniel09/09 Christy Hart09/14 Russ Higgs09/15 Brady Arvidson09/15 Brooklyn McPhail09/17 Averie Dobratz09/18 Molly Stanley09/18 Orran Hart09/18 Ryan Sansness09/19 Sawyer Ratejasek09/20 Jeremy Arvidson09/21 Vanessa Garlitz09/21 Scott Hoecker09/23 Carrie Price09/23 Deana Vik09/24 Colby Schlosser09/26 Leann Aldrich09/26 Michael Arvidson09/26 Lorraine Truax09/29 Alicia Kruse09/30 Ben Arvidson

IN OUR PRAYERS

July 2020

Beginning Balance $528.08Deposits $7,270.00 Disbursements $7,476.33Ending Balance 07/31/2020 $ 321.75

Contributions needed to date based on budget $ 68,025.42

Actual Contributions $ 55,291.62Budget Shortfall (- $ 12,733.80)

Joan Arvidson

Colleen & Wilbur Burquest

Mary Durling

Kristy Fhyrie

Elsie Heiser

Gloria Rosenquist

Camryn Schlosser

Justin Schlosser

Lorraine Truax

Kaleb Klimek – friend of the Townsends

Randy Pederson -brother of Al Pederson

Ava Allison – niece of Mark & Laurie Ratajesak

Bruce Miller – father of Karin Wagner

Sylvia Raasch – cousin of Luella Thom

The families & friends of:

Milo Arvidson

Our Stewardship/Evangelism Committee has begun a “Get to Know your Neighbor …”

Those giving presentations so far, Delmar & Margaret Wehking, Pastor Scott & Jacey Hoecker and Megan Townsend.

Megan Townsends Presentation.

Hi everyone, my name is Megan Lee Townsend, which you may or may not know.  I was born April 21, 2002.  I am the daughter of Mike and Jewel Townsend and the granddaughter of Walter and Elsie Heiser and Ralph and Helen Townsend.  I grew up in Miltona, Minnesota and I went to Miltona Elementary School, I then went to Discovery Middle School, and I just recently graduated in the Class of 2020 from Alexandria Area High School.  All my life my faith has always been important to me.  Since I was ten, I had the call to be a pastor, and since then I have had much help to get to where I am today.  Many pastors, mentors, family and church members have guided me and helped me over the years, which has helped me choose my college choice.  I will be attending Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.  I will be majoring in Religion and going into the Accelerated Ministry Program to become a pastor.  But it's not just people that have formed me.  The things I have done have given me skills and experiences for my future.  Some things that I have done so far are Girl Scouts, piano, orchestra, swim team, archery team, 4-H, and going to Luther Crest Bible Camp, which was really fun, because you met many people who want to worship and grow in faith.  One thing I have learned is that all experiences are God's guidance to your future, whether they are good or bad, but how we react to it is on us.Jacey was born in Sisseton SD and grew up in Roslyn about 45 minutes southwest of the hospital. She was baptized and confirmed at Roslyn Lutheran church - the only church her father, Ed, ever knew. She has three siblings. Jacey left Roslyn for Brookings SD to study nursing. After college, she and a friend headed to Billings Montana on a wing and a prayer where she worked in a hospital. Eventually, she landed in Grand Forks ND to go back to school to study anesthesia. In her second year, she had Josie and raised her as a single mom while finishing school which was paid for by the Air Force - who then wanted their money back by serving three years, which she did in California. After the military, she moved to Wisconsin where she and I met at a Christian singles retreat. Jacey and I married a few years later and moved to the suburbs of Chicago for my job.

Pastor Scott and Jacey Hoecker’s Presentation

I worked just a few miles from the hospital where I was born. I was baptized on the day I was born. Not far away, was the parochial grade school and church I attended (and where I was confirmed). During high school, my best friend and I were WWII buffs. After studying civil engineering, I joined the military. To make a long story short, I ended up in Desert Storm as a communications officer and in the middle of the desert, I ran into adistant relative. We were both on scouting missions, when we bumped into each other and since I had my name on my uniform, he made the connection that we were related. Small world. After the military, I met Jacey, we married and found a church in our neighborhood. During this time I adopted Josie. Eventually, we moved to Duluth for Jacey’s job and then to the cities for internship before being called to Esther.

Continued on following page

Each time we’ve moved, there’s been a very distinct sense that things were shifting. And by that I mean that responsibilities were falling off and God was making a way for what was next. In Illinois, we were very involved in Via de Christo and those responsibilities went away as we were called to Duluth. A similar thing happened when leaving Duluthfor the cities. And again when experiencing God’s call from the cities to Esther. In terms of hobbies, we both like to read and kayak. Jacey sews and gardens as well. I enjoy playing golf and board games like backgammon.

Pastor ScottScott (and Jacey) Hoecker

If you are interested in doing a short “get to know you…” please contact Jewel Townsend 320-760-2503

We are excited to get our Esther Sunday School children back together!!  Sunday School will start on September 13th at 9:00 am.  For the safety of the children, their families, and our congregation, Sunday School will follow the MDH and CDC guidelines that the children will also be following in school.  Please send a mask with your child. The children 5 years old and under are not required to wear a mask. Even though we will "look" different, we are blessed with the opportunity to get together in person to learn about and celebrate our loving God.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call Karin at 320.760.9494.  

WELCA Update

Dear Esther WELCA members:

We had our third WELCA meeting, August 9, 2020, since the COVID disaster.  All 3 meetings have been held via Zoom and in person.  Please attend whichever way you are most comfortable.

We have in our checking account $ 2,416.83 and $ 5,113.62 in our memorial fund.

The main agenda for this meeting was to decide if we would do an Ice Cream Social this year.  After much discussion, it was decided to cancel for 2020.

To get people together again, we promoted a “Little House on the Prairie” picnic on Friday, July 31st.  It was a time everyone brought their own food and utensils… a fire was provided to roast hot dogs.  There were 31 that attended this picnic.  Everyone had a great time and we decided we should do another one.

A second picnic was held Wednesday, August 19th at 6:00 PM.  There were about 10 people there.  Scott Hart’s made sure there was a fire again.  Again, all brought their own food and utensils to eat.  Even though it was a small crown, those attending felt it was a great time and could talk to everyone.

We received a letter from Luther Crest asking for a donation.  After much discussion, we are sending them $100.

All in person WELCA gatherings have been cancelled for 2020.  We will have to wait until the end of 2020 to see what 2021 will bring.

In the explosion in Beirut a few weeks ago, over 20,000 quilts and 20,000 kits were destroyed that were in a container from Lutheran World Relief.  They sent out a plea to all churches to see about donating more quilts.  There is a fall pickup in Fargo so if Quilt Ladies want some sent, we will make sure they get up there.

We had to adjourn the meeting quickly so we could catch up with one another.  It is difficult when we do not see each other regularly to know how everyone is doing.

Don’t forget to check in on our shut-ins… they need to know Esther people are still thinking of them.

Next meeting:  September 13, 2020 @ 8:30 AM via Zoom and in person again.

Congratulations to Kathryn Burquest and Hunter McDaniel married at a beautiful outside ceremony at Esther on August 8th. God’s blessings as you begin life as a married couple.

Hunter and Kathryn McDaniel’s address: 107 Birch Avenue Miltona, Mn 56454

Address Update Please update your directory for Lois Rosenquest Henningsgaard

Lois Rosenquest-Henningsgaard4403 Pioneer Road SERoom 178Alexandria, MN 56308

From the Stewardship/Evangelism Committee:

Our "Get to know your neighbor" presenters will be:

August 30: Mike & Jewel Townsend

September 6:  Dick & Luella Thom

September 13:  Cindy Skoglund

We invite everyone to join us on Sunday, September 13, which is "God's work, Our hands" Sunday,  after church to make "Thank You" cards for our health care workers at St. Williams, as a show of appreciation for all the extra they are doing for our loved ones during the pandemic.  If we have enough helpers and cards we can look at doing some for other facilities as well.  If you have thank you cards or blank notecards that you would like to donate to this cause, or if you would like to make some hand drawn/colored/painted cards ahead of time, please bring them with you or leave at church ahead of time if you cannot attend.  We invite you to bring a sack lunch and we will have our Evangelism and Stewardship meeting during this time.

All are invited to join us on Sunday, September 20, after worship, for another "God's work, Our hands" event of “Glean the Beans”.  We will be sorting and bagging beans for our local food shelves at church.  Please bring a sack lunch.  Note:  this date is tentative depending on weather and may need to be moved back.  We will keep you posted.

The committee is also looking at harvesting potatoes for the food shelves sometime in October - we will keep you posted.

  NEED HELP?

If you need help with any of the follow: someone to pick up and drop off groceries or prescriptions, someone to provide relief shifts for care of a loved one (so caregiver can have some time to do whatever is most helpful or needed), or someone to help around the house (yard work perhaps or minor repairs) . . . Then, please contact Pastor Scott at 218-355-0187 as we have folks willing to help.

Notes from the Council-We will be worshipping both in person and through the Zoom platform. If you’re not familiar with Zoom, it allows folks to either phone-in to listen to the worship service, or if you have a smartphone, computer, or iPad / tablet you can download an app and access the service (which would have video and audio) that way.

Zoom allows people in different places to connect virtually either via phone or using theZoom app. If by phone, you’d hear the service. And with the app you’d see and hear the worshipservice. Our Sunday worship join the meeting code is: 552 542 497.Of the two ways to attend worship using Zoom, the easiest is by phone. In that case, you would:a) dial this number, 1-253-215-8782, b) enter the Meeting ID which is 552-542-497, c) enter the pound sign to access meeting - #, and d) when prompted for “participant ID” hit the pound sign # once more (to skip having to enter participant ID).Once you’re in the meeting, you can enter *6 to mute your audio, and if you wish to unmute -enter *6 again.

- We prefer you not to sing during in person, but if you decide to sing, you must wear a mask.- The balcony will be reserved for high risk individuals with an air filtration system.- The Council invites any member to attend a meeting to voice your concerns/opinions. We are trying our best to navigate through these difficult times as no one has prepared us for this. We meet the first Wednesday of every month and all are welcome.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2

7 pm Council Meets

3 4 5

6 10 am Worship/Communion

Blessing of Back Packs

7 8 9 10 11 12

13 8:30 am WELCA

9 am Sunday School

10 am Worship

God’s Work, Our Hands following worship

14 15 16 17 18 19

20

9 am Sunday School

10 am Worship/Communion

God’s Work, Our Hands following worship

21 22 23 24 25 26

27

9 am Sunday School

10 am Worship

28 29 30

September 2020

Esther Lutheran Church11019 625th Ave.Parkers Prairie, MN 56361

“Knowing Christ-Making Christ Known through Faith,Hope and Love”