Sunday

Worship

Services

9:00 Evangelical

Lutheran

Harmonized

Worship

***

————-

STAFF

Interim Pastor: Dennis Preston

Deacon for Music &

Adult Ministries: Ruth Blom

Director of Children & Youth Ministries:

Tim Knorek

Accounting: Cheryl Burbank

Office Administrator: Carol Hedlund

Volume 18, No. 11

Shalom Now!

Shalom Lutheran Church

681 Voyager Drive, Alexandria, MN 56308

November 2018

“We believe God is calling us to invite people into a deeper relationship with Christ, that

all may discover true peace and be prepared to follow him in compassionate service”

NOTER FRA PRESTEN Norwegian for “Notes from the Pastor”

Giving thanks; living daily in gratitude to God

October 31st is a traditional day for Lutheran’s to celebrate their heritage. The name

of our church comes from Dr. Martin Luther, a German priest and pastor who lived 500

years ago. He wrote the Small Catechism, a small booklet that Dr. Luther intended for

parents to use for instructing their children in the Christian faith. He used the format of short

questions and answers to explain the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Command-

ments, etc. Here is what he wrote concerning the line from the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this

day our daily bread.”

What does this mean?

God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all people, though sinful, but we ask

in this prayer that he will help us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with

thanks.

What is meant by “daily bread”?

Daily bread includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home

and property, work and income, a devoted family, an orderly community, good

government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends and

neighbors.

Martin Luther reminds us that everything needed for this life is a gift from God. We

can’t create any of it. We might think, well I or my parents work hard for our living, it is not

a gift. It is true that hard work can have its rewards, but even so it is all a gift from God. Our

minds and our bodies are all gifts from God. The ability to work, the farm, the company, all

the stuff we call ours, is all gift. We can’t create any of it. We can improve it. We can take

care of it. We can share it. But in the end, everything needed for this life, “daily bread,” is

given to us by God. When we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we are praying for

God to give us an attitude of gratitude. Receiving our daily bread with thanks, knowing that

everything we call ours always belongs and always will belong to God, puts a different mind

-set to our day. If it is all God’s, if our very lives belong to God, what does it mean to let

God be the director, the guide, the one we always consult during the thousands of decisions

we make with our lives. We are stewards of our lives and of these things we call ours for a

very short period of time.

We live in a culture that is based on a very different set of values and standards.

What Dr. Luther has to say sounds very similar to Paul’s words in Colossians 3:17, “Giving

thanks to God in everything we do.” May thanksgiving not just be a holiday for us, but a

way of life. Dr. Luther tells us to begin by recognizing that God gives us everything we need

for daily life, even without our prayer, to all people.

Shalom! May all be well with you!

Pastor Dennis

Volunteer Opportunity for Love INC Wed., Nov. 7

6:00 to 7:30 PM

The confirmation students will be volunteering at Love In the Name of Christ. Any one who would like to

come and join in is welcome to come. Love INC is located at 44 Glenn Rd NW, Alexandria.

What will we be doing?

After a short orientation and information about the ministries of Love INC,

projects will be: --sort clothing donations

--pack incentive bags for spring classes

--make fleece tie blankets for transformational ministry incentives

--write cards of encouragement to attach to quilts and fleece blankets

About Love INC of Douglas County In 2008, Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) began its volunteer based Christian ministry in

Douglas County. The mission of Love INC is to mobilize local churches to transform lives and communities In the Name of Christ. Shalom Lutheran, along with 31 other churches in the county, have agreed to unite and support this mission by praying, volunteering beyond their church walls and giving financially. Valued volunteers are able to reach out as disciples or to be “mobilized” to those in need, with the ultimate goal of people connected to or reconnected to Christ for the real transformation to occur. Love INC provides a clearinghouse (office) to hear the stories of those in need and to verify situations. As Love INC knows the resources our community provides, along with church ministries, one church alone does not have to face the complex needs of someone dealing with poverty. As the Body of Christ, we can show the love of Jesus and bring hope to people who feel hopeless. Recently, Love INC began a transformational ministry program mobilizing 17 area churches to offer classes in finances, healthy boundaries and goal setting for our neighbors in need to become more self-sustaining and grow closer to the Lord.

THANKSGIVING EVE, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 6:30 PM

Shalom will be joining with Bethesda, Calvary, and First Lutheran

Churches as well as St. Mary’s Catholic Church for an Ecumenical

Service at St. Mary’s. This is a wonderful opportunity for the community

to come together in Praise and Thanks to God for the many blessings we

receive.

There will be an opportunity to sing with a combined choir. Talk to Ruth

for more information.

NEEDS: We need people to help with the following tasks for this evening:

2 ushers,

2 greeters, and

2 people to help with set up, serving and cleanup of reception (bars and cookies which will be

provided). If you can help with any of these, please get your name and email to Carol or Ruth. Thank you!

ADVENT – A time of preparation for the celebration of the arrival of the Savior of the World.

Mid-week Advent Suppers and Worship will be Dec. 5, 12, and 19.

*We are looking for 3 groups of people (families, committee, groups) who would

be willing to host each of these suppers. There is a signup sheet in the Fellowship

Hall. Please include name of group, a contact person, and your menu plan. Supper

is served between 5:30 and 6:15 pm with an average attendance of 60-80 people.

*Worship will be at 6:30 pm and will again feature “Holden Evening Prayer”. If

you would like to be a part of worship leadership for these worship services

(reader, singer, etc.) please talk with Ruth.

In gratitude, let’s share our bounty with our neighbors

who have difficulty putting food on the table.

Sustained healthy nutrition helps students excel,

promotes family harmony & adds to the well being of

neighborhoods. Let’s share our thankful hearts by

providing groceries for those in need. Food gifts can be

put in the Narthex grocery cart. Thank you for your

generosity.

“God’s Work, Our Hands” Team

Daily Texts Shalom will be ordering 20 copies for the church. If you would like to order one (or more) and get in on a

reduced rate, there is a sign up in the Community Room. Depending on how many are added to the order

the cost will be $6.95/book (or possibly less if we order many more). Please sign up for these before

Thanksgiving so that we can get the order to Mt. Carmel. Thank you and blessings on your devotional life.

Shalom gives guests and members an easy way to contribute to our mission with a smart phone. First

connect your iPhone or Android to the GivePlus+ app. Search for Shalom Lutheran of Alexandria, MN and

select. Explore the convenience of making credit or debit card donations from your bank account as a guest

user, or create an account to set up recurring donations and view your giving

history. GivePlus+ offers a safe, secure way to make one-time or recurring

contributions to Shalom, and we thank you for supporting our mission!

New Member Reception A group of prospective members have been attending “New

Member Classes” during October. We will accept them into

membership at Shalom, introduce them to the congregation and

welcome them at a reception on Sunday, November 11, 2018.

Please join us in welcoming:

Alan Shaw Rich & Carolyn Carlson

Eric Holthusen Paula Bohanen

Jill Stark John & Judy Mastel

Shalom Lutheran Church Unapproved Minutes

October 15, 2018

PRESENT: Dave Burbank, Tammy Drewes, Dave Rush, Lloyd Berger, Vic Dale,

Linda Huebner, Gavin Pexsa, Pastor Dennis and Ruth Nagle

Absent: Todd Zarbok and Dale Kittleson

Guests: Ruth Blom, Grant Pexsa, Jay Kulp, Jaiden Drewes, Jeannette Priebe, and

Sharon Vanderheiden

Devotion lead by Pastor Dennis. Abundance of God’s grace. 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. God is a cheerful giver

President Burbank called meeting to order at 4:42pm

Motion made to approve agenda. Seconded and Motion passed.

Motion made to approve September minutes from two meetings. Seconded. Motion passed.

No Treasurer’s Report presented.

Discussed new software. It is going great. Cheryl is doing a great job and working very hard to get it all

running smoothly.

Call committee presented Site Profile earlier to Council to review. Council feels the site profile is

fantastic. Very well done, very thorough, very appropriately represents our church and our community.

Good job thus far Call Committee. Call Committee stated this group works extremely hard and very,

very well together. Call Committee asking Pastor for any pointers he can offer from a Pastors position.

Pastor Dennis will relook and make any suggestions he thinks would help.

Motion made to accept Site Profile. Seconded. Motion passed.

Call committee member guest left at this time.

Discussed information presented regarding Emily Erickson and an internship opportunity with Shalom.

Motion made to offer the position to Emily. Seconded. Motion passed.

Discussed outreach teams request for a line item. Council was very receptive to adding a line item for

this team and will act according. There was much interest in personal people donating to this team for the

Soup Kitchen. Proceed forward. Great opportunity.

Misprint in Education and Youth team minutes, Youth Sunday is December 9

Discussed and reviewed letter of intent from Knute Nelson Nursing home and Shalom for the shared

services of Ruth Blom.

Motion made to extend the meeting until 6:30. Seconded. Motion passed.

Ruth Blom excused for a few minutes as we discussed budget and intent letter.

Motion to accept Knute Nelsons letter of intent and to enter into negotiations with Knute as a result

after Shalom priorities are set by personnel committee and presented to council. Seconded. Motion

passed.

Closing prayer led by Deacon Ruth Blom

Motion to adjourn. Seconded. Motion carried.

Submitted by

Tammy Drewes

Outreach and Caring Team Ongoing programs:

Follow-up visitors team

Home delivered communion team

Home delivered meals to those in need (surgery, new baby, illness)

Home visitation

Bereavement aftercare

Mailing note to individuals or groups

New Member classes

Future programs:

Contact with snowbirds (beginning this winter)

Providing & serving soup meal at Common Grounds (first time in November)

Transportation to Worship

If you would be interested in taking part in any of these projects, please let Carol in the Office know and it will

be forwarded on to the team. If you know of someone who would appreciated receiving any of these services

please let Carol know that as well. Shalom is a caring community—this is one way we show it.

Lutheran Disaster Response provides immediate and long-term disaster relief On Sept. 28, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit parts of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. More than 1,200 people have died and the death toll is expected to rise. Lutheran Disaster Response is providing immediate relief through longstanding partnerships in Indonesia, and it will continue to provide long-term support. In the U.S., Lutheran Disaster Response is coordinating with synods and affiliated social ministry organizations to provide long-term support in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

Give to Lutheran Disaster Response to assist people affected by these recent disasters.

Daylight Savings time ends early Sunday

morning, November 4, 2018. Be sure to turn

your clock back one hour Saturday night. Getting Through the Holidays

Thursday, November 15, 2018

2-3:30 or 6-7:30 pm First Lutheran Church, 222 Douglas Street, Alex.

Free seminar, no registration required.

For anyone grieving the death of a loved one.

For information call First Lutheran at 320-762-219.

Children and Youth Events

November 4, 6:00 - 8:00 PM - Go Deep high school event for grades 9-12, Theme we are discussing is Balancing

life, stress, and self care.

November 7, 6:00 PM – CONFIRMATION Field Trip to LOVE Inc. We will meet at 44 Glenn Rd NW,

Alexandria, MN 56308.

November 11, 6:00 PM - All Youth Service project at church - this month we will be making tie-blankets to keep

people in need warm.

November 15, Rend Collective Concert, Sign-up to join us for an evening of good music and worship at the Geneva

Christian Center. Only 15 tickets are left. Open to all youth and adults.

November 16 - 17 - NWMN Synod Middle School Gathering at Luther Crest for grades 6-8, high school aged

leaders are encouraged to participate as well. This event requires registration.

Registration after October 31 is priced at $120. Scholarships are available upon request

This event will be in place of November Cross Training

November 21 - No Confirmation (Thanksgiving week)

November 25 - No Sunday School (Thanksgiving week)

December 9, 9:00 AM - Children's Christmas Program + Youth Led Worship, Please join us for community room

activities following worship. Activities to include Youth Bake Sale Fundraiser + Family Christmas crafts.

Congratulations to our Confirmands, here is a couple photos from their Prayer Journey in October!

There are lots and lots of ideas for a gift basket.

Here are some:

Popcorn & a movie, candles & scents, gardening—seed packets, garden

gloves, books & magazines; music—stationary, music composition paper,

cd’s , bath— towels, oils, soap; kitchen—dish towels, oven mitt, pothold-

ers, spoons, whisks, recipes; fishing—lures, magazines, tackle box; fun

basket—joke books, puzzle books, Uno game jigsaw puzzle; tea—several

different flavor teas, tea cups, lemons; coffee—coffee mugs, chocolates,

creamers, sweetener, special coffees, gift certificate; homemade good-

ies—jams/jelly, pickles, bread; snack basket—bread, cheese, crackers,

pretzels, candy, wine or flavored water.

Bake Sale treats:

Bread, special cookies, ethnic

items—Kringla, Scandinavian

almond cake, Fatiman, bars,

cookies, flat bread, lefse,

various jams & jelly, home-

made candy—fudge, divinity,

caramels, peanut brittle, home

canned pickles, snack mixes,

fruit pies, trail mixes, jars of

mixes ready to bake.

Soup, soup, soup! Chicken wild rice, ham wild

rice, baked potato, chili and

tomato basil. It is soup

weather! Come and join us!

Set-up 1:00 pm on Thursday, Nov. 1st. Bring your items for the Bazaar to church on Thursday 8 am to 6 pm and Friday between 8 am and 7 pm. Soups by 7 am on Saturday.

“Stars Galore”

(full/queen size—86”x 102”) Designed, stitched & quilted by Connie Medenwaldt

Quilt Raffle

Please help WELCA raise funds for various projects

(including a storage garage). Sell, or purchase, the ten

tickets you received in your mailbox.

Tickets are $2.00

Need not be present to win. The drawing for the winner

will be made at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 5th.

Put the envelope with the ticket stubs and the money in

Linda Fenelon’s mailbox.

Shalom Fall Bazaar and Luncheon — Saturday, November 3, 2018 9:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.

Shalom’s Photo Directory can be picked up in the Community Room on

Sunday mornings or the church office during the week. Please mark your

name on the list with the date you picked up your copy and ENJOY.

If you discover any incorrect family information in the Directory, someone

in your family, can make the corrections on-line or you can inform Carol

Hedlund in the office or CJ (Carol Jensen) via e-mail or phone.

A great BIG thank you goes to Janette Priebe, Deb Kramer, Renae Rush,

Pastor Dennis, Carol Hedlund and the Photographers, Dave & Karen Blom

for their help in getting the Photo Directory put together. Your valuable

time and hard work is greatly appreciated. You were instrumental in mak-

ing this project a success. CJ

Please make the following changes to your printed Photo Directories:

Pertains to: Corrections:

Call Committee Chair Grant Pexsa

Phil Blom e-mail philsueblom@gmail.com

Brian & Kim Casavan Anniv Sept 18

Jaiden Drewes Phone 320-766-2604

Jeryn Drewes Phone 320-219-1216

Ryan Erickson e-mail annae@info-link.net

Emily Erickson e-mail emilyy.erickson@outlook.com

Ryan & Angie Anniversary Aug 22

Ryan Erickson B’Day Dec 16

Cassie Evjen E-mail cassieevjen@gmail.com

Dave Harris Birthday May 28

Evie Harris Birthday May 7

Josh & Amy Anniversary Aug 28

Amy Klimek Phone 320-759-6542

Jan Melchert Phone 612-384-0195

Melchert Home Phone Remove: 320-762-1527

Donna Moenck Phone 651-489-0478

Alan Shaw Address 908 Anderson Way

Jill Stark Phone 937-371-6104

Steussy Address 807 Eldo Ln

Wacholz Address 9162 County Rd 34 NW

November Shared Ministry Shared Ministry 11/4/18, 9:00 11/11/18, 9:00

Acolyte Natalie Klimek MaCee Linow & Daisy Whipkey

Assisting Minister Jan Keller Jan Keller

Communion Assistant Ron Fenelon Marlys Wanttie

Communion Assistant Catherine Scholer Kliewer Sharon Eddy

Communion Assistant Dean Kliewer Roy Medenwldt

Communion Bread Linda Huebner

Greeters Sue Engstrom Sue Engstrom

Renae Rush Alli Halvorson

Kitchen Monitor Lynn Malvin

Lector Amy Klimek Marilyn Myers

Proclaim Barb Wishard

Usher Carter Rush Bettie Anderson

Usher Garrett & Dave Rush Al Anderson

If you are unable to

be here for your

Shared Ministry

appointment, please

try your best to find

someone else to take

your place. Then, let

the church Office

know who will be

here. Thank you for

your service.

The Bookworm Bunch

The Bookworm Bunch meets the last Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m.. The Bookworm Bunch chooses

novels, sometimes biographies, that bring to light current social issues of which we as Christians need to be

aware. They take a break from Dec.—March. The Bookworms will resume their meetings next April .

The books are generally available at the Douglas County Library, and several copies are also in circulation among the

members. All readers are invited to attend.

11/18/18, 9:00 11/21/18, 6:30pm 11/25/18, 9:00

Acolyte James Feigum Thanksgiving Eve James Feigum

Assisting Minister Brian Hiles at St. Mary’s Colleen Rooney

Communion Assistant Carol Hedlund Carol Hedlund

Communion Assistant Todd Zarbok Need 2 Reception Todd Zarbok

Communion Assistant Jay Kulp helpers Ron Otterson

Greeters Renae Hills Dave Malvin

Greeters Marilyn Myers Need 2 Greeters Lynn Malvin

Lector Nola Smith Cami Pexsa

Proclaim Mason Evjen Need 2 Ushers Barb Wishard Usher Tammy Drewes Grant Pexsa

Usher Corey Drewes Gavin Pexsa

April 29, 2019 An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski

The Church Office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22, 2018

Hsppy Thanksgiving!

Connect to Celebrate!

(C2C) Connect to Celebrate Events

(for adults unless otherwise noted)

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”. In this hilarious Christmas tale, a

couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with cast-

ing the Herdman kids - probably the most inventively awful kids in history.

You won't believe the mayhem - and the fun - when the Herdmans collide

with the Christmas story head on!

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will be showing at the Andria Theatre

and is our next Connect to Celebrate – Shalom Family Event. Shalom has a

block of 40 tickets reserved for our Shalom families on Sunday, December

16th at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $14/adult or student and $10/K-5th Grade

Child. To reserve our spot, we must sign up and pay by Friday, November

9th. Put check to “Andria Theatre” in envelope in Tam Bukowski’s mailbox at Shalom.

We are looking for people to help us coordinate each of these events. If you would like to help, talk with Tam Bukow-

ski or Ruth Blom. Let’s keep the fun going!

BREAD

GOD’S WORK OUR HANDS emphasized with a BREAD FOR THE WORLD

SUNDAY the importance of contacting our Senators and Representatives

encouraging them to support the Senate version of the 2018 Farm Bill. The

Senate version supports the bipartisan work requirements established in 1996.

The House Bill increases those requirements which could mean that 1.2 million

SNAP recipients could lose their benefits because they would be unable to comply with the new provisions. The

reconciliation process remains deadlocked.

Well, we responded. We wrote 59 letters! BFW and our committee thank you for exercising our Christian and

Civic privilege and responsibility.

Ron Otterson Member of the God’s Work, Our Hands Committee

Shalom is a Bread for the World covenant congregation.

Representative Collin Peterson Senator Amy Klobuchar Senator Tina Smith

2211 Rayburn House Office Building 302 Hart Senate Office Building 307 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510

SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT

The average low temperature in November is 21º.

The average high November temperature is 35º.

The record low temperature was -18º in 1964.

The record high temperature was 73º in 2006.

The average precipitation in November is 1.24 in.

The average snowfall for November is 6.7 inches.

1 8-9:45 Quilting

10:00 Bible Study

2

7:30 Men’s Bible Breakfast at Trav-elers Inn

3 9-2:00 Shalom

Fall Bazaar

4 9:00 Worship

10:00 Hospitality/

Sunday School/

Adult Bible School/

6 pm Go Deep

5

5:00 Chair Yoga

6:00 Holy Yoga

6 9:00 Dartball

5:30 Adult Choir

7 10 am Staff mtg.

5:00-5:45 Chil-

dren’s Choir

6:00 Confirmation

at Love INC

8 8-9:45 Quilting

8:30 Property

10:00 Bible Study

9

7:30 Men’s Bible Breakfast at Trav-elers Inn

10

11 9:00 Worship

10:00 Hospitality/

Sunday School/

Adult Bible School/

God’s Work, Our

Hands

6 pm Youth Service

New Member Recp.

12 1:30 pm Worship

Committee

5:30 pm Educa-

tion Team

5:00 Chair Yoga

6:00 Holy Yoga

13 9:00 Dartball

10 am Staff mtg.

5:30 Adult Choir

14 5:00-5:45 Chil-

dren’s Choir

6:00 Confirmation

15 8-9:45 Quilting

10:00 Bible Study

7:00 Rend Collec-

tive Concert

Deadline for

16

7:30 Men’s Bible Breakfast at Trav-elers Inn Middle School Gathering

17

Middle School Gathering

18 9:00 Worship

10:00 Hospitality/

Sunday School/

Adult Bible School/

19 5:30 Council

5:00 Chair Yoga

6:00 Holy Yoga

20 9:00 Dartball

10 am Staff mtg.

5:30 Adult Choir

21 6:30 pm

Thanksgiving Eve

Community

Worship at

St. Mary’s

No Wednesday

activities

22

Thanksgiving

Office closed

23

7:30 Men’s Bible Breakfast at Trav-elers Inn

24

25 9:00 Worship

10:00 Hospitality/

Sunday School/

Adult Bible School/

26

5:00 Chair Yoga

6:00 Holy Yoga

27 9:00 Dartball

10 am Staff mtg.

5:30 Adult Choir

28 5:00-5:45 Chil-

dren’s Choir

6:00 Confirmation

29 8-9:45 Quilting

10:00 Bible Study

30

7:30 Men’s Bible Breakfast at Trav-elers Inn

Janel Mays 11/11

Samantha Hanish 11/11

Stacey Abraham 11/14

Cindy Stueve 11/14

Reed Hiles 11/15

Greg Toivonen 11/17

Michael Kuhn 11/17

Gavin Pexsa 11/22

Mason Evjen 11/22

Sharon Swenson 11/26

Marlene Silver 11/27

John Mastel 11/27

Tom Hills 11/29

Kathy Norum 11/30

Jeff Kuhn 11/30

Asher Zarbok 11/30

Dennis Melchert 11/1

Karleigh Prater 11/2

Sue Blom 11/2

Anna Erickson 11/3

Tam Bukowski 11/5

Ava Malvin 11/5

Jill Stark 11/5

Susan Pletcher 11/7

Dylan Nordby 11/9

If we missed your birthday, please let us know in the church office because

we would like to include you in our thoughts and prayers on your birthday!

Providing time to share the love of Christ with our fellow members and guests is the reason we have Sunday Morning

Hospitality. Thank you for being on the Sunday Morning hospitality team for November. It is a real gift you are providing.

Thank you!

1. Each week four family units are assigned. Each of them is requested to bring 4 dozen cookies, donuts or bars.—or

you may bring half healthy treats (fruit, cheese, nuts, etc.).

2. The first 2 on the list will be in charge of setting up before the worship service is finished, (10:00 am) (Trays for

treats are in the kitchen or under the serving area and pitchers for water are in the kitchen.) and then acting as hosts during the

coffee hour. The second two on the list will be in charge of cleaning up after 10:45. (This includes washing the cups and

other dishes, emptying and rinsing the coffee pots, and cleaning up the serving area.) Directions for the dishwasher are on the

dishwasher door.) These duties rotate.

Hospitality treats will be served in the Community Room after worship on Sundays. Cleanup may begin

after 10:50, but please don’t rush anyone.

If you are unable to serve on the date you are scheduled please change with another family unit. Thanks for your ministry in

this area.

November 4, 2018

Corey & Naomi Paine

Joyce & Garrett Visser

Tim & Wanda Nordby

Grant & Cami Pexsa

November 25, 2018 Jill Stark

Greg & Karen Toivonen

Amy Schlosser

Dave & Irene Vagle

November 18, 2018

Dave & Renae Rush

Tim & Sharon Ruud

Terry & Sharon Vanderheiden

Phil & Sharon Swenson

November 11, 2018 Judy Radjenovich

Michelle Ritten

Dan & Colleen Rooney

Dick & Marlene Silver

Your Shalom family rejoices with you as

you celebrate the day God gave you life.

Join us for refreshments following worship.

Call Committee Survey Results

Thank you all for the great response to our call committee surveys! Your feedback helped us com-

plete our Ministry Site Profile that we will submit to the Synod and share with prospective Pastors.

Below are the summarized responses for each question with the response percentage in parenthe-

sis. The write-in responses are omitted to protect anonymity.

(Most questions allowed multiple selections so totals will not add up to 100%)

Survey #1

1. Why do you believe people attend our church?

1. Fellowship/Community (88%)

2. Sunday experience (54%)

3. Love of the music (50%)

4. Ministry offerings (29%)

5. Love of the teaching (17%)

6. Location (16%)

1 2. Why do you attend our church?

1. Fellowship/Community (77%)

2. Sunday experience (57%)

3. Love of the music (54%)

4. Ministry offerings (30%)

5. Love of the teaching (26%)

6. Location (13%)

1 3. Where do you feel our church could use the most improvement?

1. Connecting with younger generations (31%)

2. First impressions and retention (19%)

3. Bigger volunteer base (18%)

4. Evangelism (9%)

5. Worship (9%)

6. Teaching (9%)

7. Other (please specify)* (9%)

8. Building community (8%)

Survey #2

1. What do you prefer to be the new Pastor's top strengths?

1. Pastor (73%)

2. Preacher (53%)

3. Teacher (45%)

4. Administrator (30%)

5. Visionary (29%)

6. Counselor (26%)

7. Theologian (20%

8. Evangelist (7%)

9. Director (7%)

10. Prophet (2%)

2. What do you hope the new Senior Pastor will accomplish in their first 12 months?

1. Successfully assimilating into church and culture (58%)

2. Growth in numbers (21%)

3. Increased/renewed vision for the church (19%)

4. Other (1%)

5. New Programming (0%)

3. What are the most important leadership qualities our new Pastor must possess?

1. Inspiring and challenging preacher and teacher (76%)

2. Passionate about reaching young people and young families (57%)

3. Attracts and draws in new members (42%)

4. Inspires generous stewardship of members’ time, money, and resources (30%)

5. Skilled and knowledgeable administrator (26%)

6. Deals with conflict well (24%)

7. Well-loved leader and vision-caster (20%)

8. Mentor and intentional discipler (11%)

4. What should our new Pastor focus most of their energy/time on?

1. Attracting new members and retention (64%)

2. Pastoral care (52%)

3. Teaching and the weekend experience (43%)

4. Inspiring generosity and stewardship (34%)

5. Outreach and evangelism (31%)

6. Implementing vision (24%)

7. Staff Management (18%)

8. Small groups and discipleship (16%)

9. Other (7%)

10. Professional development and continuing education (3%)

11. Meeting physical needs of community (2%)

Phone (320) 762-8641

Fax (320) 762-0732

Shalom Lutheran Church

681 Voyager Drive,

Alexandria, MN 56308

OUR EMAIL:

Pastor: pastor@shalomlutheran.org

Secretary: shalomlutheran@gctel.net

“We believe God is calling us to invite people into a deeper relationship with Christ, that all may discover true peace and be prepared to follow Him in compassionate service.”

We’re on the web

www.shalomlutheran.org

Looking Ahead November 3—Fall Bazaar

4—Daylight Savings Time has ended/All Saints Day

8—Liz Curtis Higgs presentation in Fargo

11—New Member Reception

21—Thanksgiving Eve Worship at St. Mary’s

December 5—Midweek Advent Supper & Worship

9—Sunday School Christmas program