THE CONNECTION July-August 2021
United Lutheran Church, ELCA
21 Mesnard St., L’Anse, Michigan Ph: (906) 524-6484; Email: [email protected]
Website: www.unitedlutheranchurchlanse.org
Pastor: John Ansell; (906) 201-2864
Come and Worship! We celebrate with worship on
Sunday worship at 10 a.m.
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesday: 1 – 4 p.m.
United Lutheran C
hurch, ELCA
21 Mesnard St. L’
Anse, MI 49946
Greetings Everyone, Summer is upon us and it has been a warm one. Hopefully everyone has been enjoying the nice weather and staying safe as well. As far as the church goes, we continue to discuss and discern how we are wanting to continue moving forward during these crazy times we find ourselves in. No policy nor answer is easy during this time and we are still trying to do the best that we can. Hopefully, one day soon, we may not have to worry about these things as much, but for now we must continue the discussion in a way that is civil, productive, and for the overall wellbeing of others. As for myself, I must admit the thing that has always stayed in my heart, not only through the pandemic but through most of my life, is Christ instructing us of the Greatest Commandment. Ultimately the Greatest Commandment is to love God and love our neighbor. As Christians we should be focusing our love in an outwardly manner that has a greater concern not just for our faith but the overall wellbeing of our neighbors. For many of us we might have a sense of what it might mean to love God, but to what extent do we truly understand loving our neighbor. In fact, the reality is we as humans are made in the image of God as Genesis one reminds us. This means which means as we love each other we love God as well. So, to show love, care and support for each other means that we do the same to God. Furthermore, the understanding of neighbor is not just those who live right next door to us but ultimately any one in which we come into contact with be it friend or foe. Luke’s Gospel provides a wonderful story in regards to the concept of neighborly care when it comes to the story of the good Samaritan. In the end to do as Christ tells us as being the greatest commandment of loving God and loving neighbor is to be able to care, support, encourage, and love one another as we journey in this life. Yes, I understand we are all tired, frustrated, and would love for everything to be perfect in our lives. I would love nothing more than to have things be normal. Sadly, that is not the case. However, we still should be doing our best to meet what Christ tells us of being the Greatest Commandment of loving God and loving neighbor. What the finer points of that is I am not sure but I feel we can meet Christ Greatest Commandment. For ultimately it has been through the love of God and love of each other that has gotten us this far and it will surely help us move forward into the future. May God continue to bless us all during these warm summer months. Amen
Sincerely,
Pastor John Ansell
Direct Deposit for Contributions
Did you know that even if you do not attend worship YOU CAN still give to your church? Go to your financial institution and tell them you want to set up a deposit to United Lutheran Church General Fund Account #900104257; SNB Routing #091101879 It is as easy as that! Thank you for supporting your church!
WINDOW FUND ENVELOPES
We are still taking donations to replace the windows in the education wing of the church. If you are interested in donating to the Window Fund, there are envelopes in the Barrier-free entrance.
Articles for Newsletter
Looking for ideas and articles for the newsletter. What would you like to see? Do you have information to be put in the newsletter? Remember that we are publishing the newsletter every other month… the newsletter deadline for the September-October Newsletter is the 10th of August. Please submit any information to the church office by that date to be included in the next newsletter.
FOOD PANTRY
United Lutheran Church has a Food Pantry. Please bring in donations of non-perishable items. Please make sure that these items are not outdated. You can place the items in the box in the Barrier-free entrance.
The Food Pantry will be open during office hours. The office is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 am – 1 pm, Wednesdays from 1-4 pm and any time that Pastor John is in the office. Also, on Sunday when the church is open for worship service.
The Food Pantry is located upstairs in the education wing next to the secretary’s office. There are no eligibility guidelines. If you need food, please feel free to come and get something.
FOOD DRIVE: We are asking our congregation members to bring non-perishable food items to church when you come each week. We want to fill up our food pantry and then have a day to give out bags of food to people who need it. Please bring your non-
perishables and leave them in the box in the Barrier-free entrance or bring them up to the food pantry (in the classroom next to the church secretary’s office). Thank you!
Outdoor Worship Join us for Outdoor Worship on Sunday, August 1st at 11 am at the Ojibwa Campground Lighthouse with a picnic to follow.
United’s members are asked to bring your own chairs, beverages, along with a dessert to share. All other food will be provided.
This is a combined worship service with United Lutheran, Holy Cross, and Mission United. Any questions, please call the church office (906) 524-6484.
. Christian Education Committee
The Christian Education Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, July 14th at 6 p.m. at the church. We will be discussing changes to our Confirmation program. We are asking for anyone who would be interested in attending the meeting to help with ideas for the future of our Confirmation program, please join us.
Cleaning Sign Up!
We are looking for volunteers to help clean the church again this summer. There is a sign-up sheet on the Volunteer Wall for cleaning the church this summer. Please consider signing up to help clean the church.
LAWN MOWER: We are looking for someone to mow the church lawn this summer. You must be 16 years old or older. Equipment is provided. If you are interested, please contact the church office (906) 524-6484.
You can support United Lutheran Church when you shop on Amazon. Use this link to get started.
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1041889
You can use Amazon Smile if you have Prime also. If you have any questions, please call the church office.
SHUT-INS
Please remember our shut-ins. Keep them in your prayers. If you have a moment, stop and visit them.
. At home: Ellen Biekkola, Loretta Golden, Merc Magaraggia, Arlene Patterson, Judy Testen. At Canal View, Hancock, MI: Barbara DesLaurier (Woodland Haven) At Mill Creek Assisted Living, Marquette, MI: Betty Ann Pyhtila.
Charlie Ahlsen, Jr., Kyle Bianco, Ellen Biekkola, Lauryn Biekkola, Cassie Collins, Kevin Dean, Barbara DesLaurier, Tim Elmblad, Roger Jordan, Janel LaPlante, Greg Ollila,
Phil Ott, Arnie Putula, Betty Ann Pyhtila, Richard Schjoth Sr., Patti Seavoy, Steve Solberg, Ken Summers, Dan Uren, Russell Vizina, Michelle.
The Family and Friends of Jamie Reed The Family and Friends of Byron Butterfield The Family and Friends of Annette Mervar
The Family and Friends of Bernie Carr The Family and Friends of John Jorgenson
Dear God,
I humbly ask that you heal us from any hurt, shame, sickness, and
guilt. Heal our hearts, O Lord God. Give us beauty for ashes, the
oil of joy for mourning, and let us wear the garment of praise
instead of the spirit of heaviness and burden.
I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
August Birthdays August 1 Thomas Brown Mike Connor David Harden, Jr. Jane Olson August 3 Jason Eliason Cooper LaPlante August 4 Lisa Collins Lori Snow August 6 Karl Kokko August 9 Lucas Kissel Linnea Prost August 10 Rev. John Ansell Kelsey Lindstrom August 12 Jeanne Anderson Renee Eliason Mark Lindstrom August 15 Braylin LaPlante Kris Kokko August 16 Janel LaPlante August 17 Kyle Ahola Alexander Brown Elaine Whitman August 18 Birgit Mars August 20 Miles VanAlstine August 21 Jerry DesLaurier Sylvia Jestila August 23 Susan Copley Jenna Isaacson Henry LaFave Jill Lawson August 24 Khloe Skoglund August 25 LouElla Ellis Jenny Heikkinen August 26 Shirley Johnson August 27 Roger Copley August 29 Shirley Soli August 30 Kurt Allert Lisa DesLaurier Loretta Golden
Congratulations to our 5th graders (and one 6th grader) who received their 1st Communion in May!
L-R: Kale Cichosz, Sam Lee, Morgan Gibbons, Pastor John Ansell, Jadyn Chaudier, Aliina Penfold, Miles VanAlstine.
Congratulations to our 8th graders who were Confirmed in May!
L-R: Kolyn Sweeney, Madison Peterson, Mallory Waara, Cassie Kujansuu, Alyssa Kujansuu.
Back: Pastor John Ansell
Graduate Recognition
Congratulations to all of the high school and college graduates! Good luck in your future journey!
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
Isaac Collins – will be joining the work force
Jason Eliason – will be joining the work force
Madison Fish – no response
Bailey Harden – will be attending college in Wisconsin.
Haylee Heikkinen – no response
Breanna Hoffman – Central Michigan University, Political Science & Psychology
Alex Kissel – will be attending college (undecided at this time)
Keagan Laufenberg – will be attending college (undecided at this time)
Isabelle Martinez – no response
Brian Peterson – will be joining the work force
Alyssa Robillard – Gogebic Community College, Early Childhood Education
Natalie Swanson – Finlandia, International Business
Congratulations to Breanna Hoffman for receiving the Women of the Church Scholarship this year.
Save the Dates for Walking Together Events this Fall!
You are invited! Our Walking Together events will include idea generating conversation, encourage creative solutions, and offer the blessing of being church together with other congregations in your area. You are welcome to attend an event in a neighboring Conference, and next year, Conferences 1,2,4, and 6 will host. A flyer is available on our website. There is a sign-up sheet in the church office, if you are interested in attending.
Conference 8 Superior Central Thursday, September 16 at 5:30 pm ET
Messiah Lutheran Church in Marquette, MI
Birthdays for July
July 1 Kaila Copley James T. Stein July 6 Nancy Bernard July 13 Jean Baril July 14 Callie Cram July 16 Lilith Mares July 18 Jean Schultz July 20 Carol Roth July 25 Robert Eliason Margo Jentoft Sara LeClaire July 27 Isaac Collins July 28 Madison LaPlante July 31 Andrea G. Jorgenson
Please join us on Sundays at 10 a.m. for worship.
Sunday School! Sunday School will tentatively begin on Sunday,
October 3rd. Please mark your calendars. If you are interested in teaching Sunday School, please
contact Renee (906-524-6013).
Confirmation! Watch for more information on Confirmation in the next
newsletter, the Sunday bulletins, and Facebook.
COLLEGE GRADUATES
Lauren Gabe – Michigan Technological University, BS in Biological Science. Future plans are DDS.
Lauryn Schneider – University of Michigan, Movement Science degree with a focus in Intraoperative Neuromonitoring. Future plans are to receive a Master’s degree in business at the University of Michigan. Overall goal is to lead a team of intraoperative neuromonitorist to advocate for the best patient care.
Nicholas Lindstrom - Northern Michigan University with a certificate for an Electrical Lineman. He had sent out applications to various businesses in hopes of being accepted for an apprentice program. He will need to work 7,000 hours as an apprentice before he can get his Journeyman license. Nick has accepted a position with Baraga Telephone.
Anna Isaacson – Michigan Technological University, Materials Science Engineering degree. Anna has accepted a job offer with Worthington Industries in Monroe, MI and will be starting her new position in June.
Allison Waara – Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Masters of Science degree in Occupational Therapy.
Sara (Niemi) Cowling – University of Wisconsin, Platteville, Master of Science-Criminal Justice. Future plans are to pursue a PhD after her children start school.
Samantha Peltola – Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, Valedictorian (Class of 2021), A.A.Liberal Studies – Criminal Justice (4.0 gpa)
Congratulations to all of our College Graduates!
July & August 2021
Office Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9 am – 1 pm
Wednesday 1-4 pm
1 2 3
4 10 am Worship
5 6 7 8
9 10
11 10 am Worship 10:45 am Council
12 13 14 6 pm Christian Education Meeting
15 10 am Worship & Music Meeting
16 17 Baptism
18 10 am Worship
19 20 21 22
23 24
25 10 am Worship
26 27 28 29 30 31
Aug 1 11 am Worship @ Ojibwa Campground Lighthouse Potluck picnic to follow
2 3 4 5 6 7
8 10 am Worship
9 10 11 12 13 14
15 10 am Worship
16 17 18 19 20 21
22 10 am Worship
23 24 25 26 27 28
29 10 am Worship
30 31