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2019 Lenten Worship and Theme

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Cultivate (verb): to prepare and use for the raising of crops; to foster the growth of; to improve by labor, care, or study; to refine; to further; to encourage.

“Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty.” – Brene Brown. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are.

Lent is a season of spiritual gardening; of inviting God to unearth in us what lies fallow, what needs to be tended, and what needs to die for new life to emerge.

Each week one of the pastors in our Lenten rotation

Pastor Anna Sorenson, French Creek
Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen, North Beaver Creek
Pastor Kary Jonas, Living Hope
Vicar Paul Sannerud, Blair
Pastor Peter Jonas, Our Savior’s in Whitehall and Grace in Pleasantville

will reflect on one of the “Letting Go/Cultivating” themes.

Please join in the simple meals, fellowship, worship and reflection

When: Wednesday from March 6 (Ash Wednesday) thru April 10.
Time: Meals begin at 5:15 PM and worship will be at 6:30 PM
Where: at the white church.

You are invited to read Brene Brown’s book during this season as well.

The Sunday lectionary readings also will offer images and stories with themes of earthiness and grit. You are encouraged to make this Lent a time of spiritual growth and blessing for yourself, your fellow believers, and our families of faith. There are ELCA World Hunger resources for additional Lenten observances in your home. These will be available in the greeting space at the brick church and are posted above this article for your convenience. Below is our Lenten Service Calendar, detailing this year's pastor rotation.

Sunday March 10 -- Scripture

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 – First Fruits and Tithes
When you have come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. 3 You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, “Today I declare to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us.” 4 When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the Lord your God, 5 you shall make this response before the Lord your God: “A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. 6 When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, 7 we cried to the Lord, the God of our ancestors; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; 9 and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me.” You shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God. 11 Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house.

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 (11)Assurance of God’s Protection
1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
    who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,[a]
2 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
    my God, in whom I trust.”
Because you have made the Lord your refuge,[b]
    the Most High your dwelling place,
10 no evil shall befall you,
    no scourge come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
    so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder,
    the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
14 Those who love me, I will deliver;
    I will protect those who know my name.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them;
    I will be with them in trouble,
    I will rescue them and honor them.
16 With long life I will satisfy them,
    and show them my salvation.

Romans 10:8b-13 – Salvation Is for All But what does it say?
“The word is near you,
    on your lips and in your heart”
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because[b] if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13 For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Luke 4:1-13 The Temptation of Jesus
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”
5 Then the devil[a] led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil[b] said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
    and serve only him.’”
9 Then the devil[c] took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    to protect you,’
11 and
‘On their hands they will bear you up,
    so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time

January 2019 -- Interim Pastor's Column
by Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen

Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! And Happy New Year! Since my first Sunday on December 30th, I have been enjoying meeting and mingling with the people of North Beaver Creek. Let me introduce myself and tell you a little bit about me. I just (semi) retired as I finished 14 years at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Viroqua (my fourth regular call). My husband Thom Hunt and I moved to Onalaska in October and joined Journey Lutheran (on the border between Onalaska and Holmen) recently. That is the place we chose as our home church, which it is appropriate to do in retirement – but my main time at church will be spent at North Beaver Creek as the search for the next regular pastor is underway! I took training in interim ministry a few years ago, and this is my first time doing such ministry. So North Beaver Creek will be teaching me as I serve the congregation!

There is information posted at the office in the white church, and perhaps in the bulletin each week or in the entryway at the brick church, about my schedule as I begin commuting from Onalaska. There will be name tags available at worship. Please take a moment to put one on for a few Sundays in January – I am good at remembering faces, but not as much with names, at least not right away. If my face and name seem familiar to some of you, that’s probably because my second regular call was 9½ years (from 1989-1999) at French Creek Lutheran west of Ettrick. My first call was in SE Minnesota and NE Iowa, a two-point parish right on the border on Highway 63 in and near Chester, IA. My third call was 5½ years in NE Minnesota at a two-point parish west and south of Brainerd. I have enjoyed rural and small-town ministry very much. And I look forward to fruitful partnership in the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of North Beaver Creek!

Email: kingbritsen@gmail.com

Jan. 21, 2019 -- On this Martin Luther King Day...

We should all take a moment to reflect on our privilege and what we can do to empower others.

Following is an excerpt of the last two paragraphs of an article entitled “Confronting Our Comfort” by Judith Roberts, the ELCA Director for Racial Justice Ministries. The complete article can be found at https://www.gathermagazine.org/confronting-our-comfort/

Confronting Our Comfort

Community, Life
There is power in proximity. We must get close enough so that we can hear the other’s story, wrestle with our privilege and act. Simply acknowledging privilege isn’t enough. Let us all be moved beyond a place of guilt and shame. Let us be moved toward actions that work to lift all people. Let us not be so comfortable in our privilege that we ignore another’s grieving but rather work to end what makes them grieve.

As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Working for a fair and just society benefits us all. When people feel valued, there is more social harmony. Social harmony creates unity. When we have unity, we celebrate the gifts of all people, and we all prosper. When we all prosper, the possibilities of our human potential become boundless.

Sunday School Rally Day!
Wagon Ride, Thanks Peach Vehrenkamp!

William Rykal Wasson Baptized July 16, 2017

July 14 -- Facebook Post by the La Crosse Area Synod

Members of the La Crosse Area Synod at the 2017 Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering with the theme All Anew. Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee, the fearless Kelly Fryer and the courageous Rev. Alexia Salvatierra challenged and inspired us with their wisdom, work and witness. 3000+ beautiful, strong, powerful, faithful women collectively committed to be a force for justice and peace in this world. If you haven't been to a W-ELCA triennial, you're missing out. Just do it. It's fantastic.

July 13 -- New Ministry Opportunity -- Painting Class

Resident artist, Charlene Saxe, has volunteered to host painting classes as a new ministry opportunity at North Beaver Creek.

The first class will be at Charlene's home July 13th at 5 PM. Please see our Facebook Page (link at top of page) to send a message to register, or sign up at Church.

July 11 -- W-ELCA Meeting Featuring Eleanor Ostman

We enjoyed Eleanor's presentation so very much. She is a wonderful speaker who can entertain with her many stories of cooking, travel, and... lunch with Paul Newman (collective sigh).

Thank you, Eleanor.

For anyone who missed out on the presentation and might wish to inquire about purchasing her cookbook, her email address is: eaostman@aol.com

July 11 -- Mission Ideation and Discernment Dinner

Great discussion at our first dinner! Wondering what in Hegg God is up to!

Thanks folks!

June 28 -- Backyard Bonfire & Biblical Confab
The rain didn't keep us from having fun at the 'driveway fire' and garage party. We got a rainbow and remembered God's promise not to flood the earth again. (To which Willie V. said, "I'm not so sure about that this year!"

June 19-23 -- Day Camp
Sugar Creek counselors held day camp from Monday, June 19 to Thursday, June 23, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily. Living Hope hosted and French Creek and NBC co-sponsored.

Below are pictures of a few of the many activities the children participated in.

Sunday, May 21 -- Many Activities, Many Blessings

We had a busy schedule this past Sunday:
Tucker Jon Graff joined the Lord's family in baptism.

The Sunday School sang for the congregation after holding its last class until next Fall.

High school seniors were honored on Senior Recognition Day, with homemade quilts, bibles and the blessings of all our members. We also remembered Cole Anderson, presenting his family with a quilt and bible. Additionally, Janna Ekern, Ellie Kraemer and Deven Lien received scholarship certificates.

A truly special day.

Sunday School Activities

Our Sunday School Graduates -- Adam and Shane -- lead us in the Lord's Prayer

All The Seniors

Our Scholarship Recipients

NBC Adopt-a-Highway Sunday, April 23

Super Crew

Our Easter Celebrations

Sunday School

Prayer Partners

More Babies...More Baptisms -- April 23, April 9

Charly Misch

More Baptisms

Thoughts on March 10 readings
Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen

1 LENT, YEAR C     2019

Prayer: Day by day, O dear Lord, three things I pray: to see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.

          Blessings on this first Sunday of our Lenten journey together this year. It’s all about worshipping and serving the true God. That’s the message with which we begin today. Our purpose on earth is all about knowing God in Jesus Christ, confessing our faith in the one who has saved us (first and second lessons) seeking and following God’s will, dealing with others with loving hearts, and sharing our faith in God.

          So far so good. But put us out in the world, and what sounds good here at church isn’t so easy. And add being hungry, angry, lonely, or tired, and it all is in danger of going out the window. I think at the most extreme moment of vulnerability like Jesus faced After 40 days, we would follow anyone who gave us a donut and promised us more! At that point, when the chips are down, is it still possible to have it all be about God? That’s what we have to tangle with today. How do we deal with our times of testing, our temptations? And we do so as we watch Jesus being tempted by the power that opposes God, wants to usurp God. His temptations were not garden variety, but targeted on who he was and his purpose on earth his vulnerable Jesus as Son of God. In the first temptation, the question “If you are the Son of God ... ” has the meaning of since you are… Both the devil and Jesus know the reality of Jesus’ identity, but how will he carry out his Spirit-anointed purpose. The first temptation of a different way of being Son of God is turned away by Scripture – actually, all three will be.

          The “if” of the second temptation is a bit different, it is conditional: If you do X, I will do Y. But why are the kingdoms of this world, their authority and glory for the devil to give? God doesn’t have rivals, right? The sense of the question is that maybe God has “given over” such power to the devil. the evil one has temporary holding on the present order. (That belief is why some religious denominations want nothing to do with worldly governments, considering them just plain evil.) Whatever the devil is trying to claim, Jesus refutes the opposer again with scripture. God alone is to receive honor and worship.

          With the third and final temptation both the devil and Jesus turn the tables. The devil does it by starting with scripture, and says again since you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here and show me and all of Jerusalem what you got. Provoke God’s action for your own interest. Jesus, however, is not interested in being Son of God in any of these ways. God is not to be managed or provoked. He answers back with Scripture and turns away the power of evil, of rebellion, of self-interest. But it will return at a later time, at Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion and death. So the power and work of the Spirit is not just in happy times. In fact, it is probably needed the most at the hard times (in the laying on of hands and blessing during confirmation, on of the petitions the pastor prays is give him/her patience in suffering).

          In every response to the evil one, Jesus makes it about God, not himself. He shows what kind of Messiah he will be, and it will not be on the opposer’s terms. What is interesting is that Jesus does all the types of things that Satan tempts him to do at some point in his ministry. He does feed thousands of people from virtually nothing; he does miracles that show God’s amazing power; and he does claim his kingship over the earth. But he does them at God’s appointed time and in God’s way, not Satan’s. Like the clarity of a bell which rings true every time, or like a hammer that hits the nail directly each time it is swung, Jesus words sound true and drive out the devil’s power.

          But we are not Jesus. Though we too have the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and we are strengthened as we witness Jesus’ faithfulness, we do not ring true or hit the mark every time. We do sometimes – we are capable of breathlessly wonderful acts of love and generosity. But we also face temptation large and small in our journeys. And it’s often not the big things that cause us to fail. When I think of temptation and testing and the general brokenness of human life, I think more of Judge Judy and the cases she decides than a major federal court. Have you ever seen that show? It’s not on my regular viewing schedule, but I do watch on occasion and am amazed at the small ways people make one another miserable and then can’t seem to work it out until someone intervenes; and I am intrigued by her ability to cut to the chase, and to remind people of justice and common decency even though they often don’t want to hear it (especially if they are on the losing side). Judge Judy is rarely kind and understanding when she shares her verdict – she seems weary of human nature and it’s failings after all her years of listening to people bicker.

          That’s often where we struggle most in life – in the small stuff that we just can’t seem to conquer. And so we come here, with special attention during Lent (I hope and pray). God’s power is renewed in us when exercise our faith – when we worship, give, pray, witness, serve, have fellowship with other Christians. That is what we are all about here at church – being equipped. getting stronger for the tests, the temptations, the battles large and small we face in life. As we learn more about the One who we can lean on, turn to, cry out for when we feel overwhelmed, we grow strong in our imperfect lives, and offer to the world the best we are able. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Excerpt from the January 2019 Edition of the Parish Paper © 2019 by Herb Miller --
The La Crosse Area Synod Website

Defining Church Vitality: Let Me Count the Ways
Most pastors, laypersons, and denominational leaders develop a personal theory that says one particular factor is the key to congregational vitality. Each of those theories is correct and incorrect. Each “favorite factor” is important, but church vitality is a result of a long list of factors.

What Is the Church’s Macro Mission? Looking at church vitality from the macro direction produces a list of classic, universal mission functions for churches of every size, in every generation, in every kind of community. From this perspective, all vital churches have the same mission. Theologians and church historians have summarized that macro mission with terms such as Koinonia (fellowship/relational/community), Diaconia (service), Didache (Bible teaching), Kerygma (proclamation), and Leiturgia (worship/communal prayer). We see this macro mission in the writings of theologians, the printed mission statements of denominations, and the preambles of local church constitutions. All of these documents are biblical, truthful statements of purpose. Most church leaders and members feel adequately informed with the three verses in which Jesus answered the macro mission question: the Great Commandment, the Great Commission, and the Apostle Paul’s definitions of the church’s macro mission. Stated in those biblical ways, congregations accomplish that macro mission by doing three things: (a) transforming the quality of peoples’ lives by helping them strengthen their spiritual connection with God (Luke 10:27); (b) helping hurting people in the church, community, and across the world who have physical and emotional needs (Luke 10:27); and (c) encouraging more people to form a spiritual connection with God (Luke 10:29-37; Matthew 23:19-20).

What Is the Church’s Micro Mission? Why is the micro mission important? Books, journal articles, and blogs that answer this micro mission question tell us “how to do it” in small churches or megachurches, while other experts write about the mission of churches located in urban or rural areas or other specific environments. Ultimately, congregations use dissimilar ways to accomplish Jesus’ mission and ministry in each community and generation. A healthy congregational mission identity fits its size, fits its members, fits its resources, and meets the contemporary needs of people in its surrounding community. Most unhealthy congregations fall short — not by affirming something other than a biblically mandated macro mission — but by emphasizing a micro mission identity that does not fit that congregation, community, or generation.

Want to keep reading? Here's complete edition of the January 2019 Parish Paper.

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Lutefisk Archives

Baptism of Adley Sue Paulowski

News/Notices (continued)

There's a lot going on in the community at large. Please see the Home/Community tab above to keep up to date.

Youth Activities

St. Paul, MInnesota May 6 and 7
Great trip to the Twin Cities with our Youth Group! Thanks Melody, Dawn, and Yen, for all the help! This morning we worshiped with the people of Redeemer Lutheran in North Minneapolis. Got to connect with Pastor Kelly Chatman. We met Beatrice and she got us working on some serious weeding of the garden! We made some great progress today! We even found another Vehrenkamp! Beatrice also shared with us her story of how she grew up in Kenya and now finds herself finishing her Ph.D. at Luther Seminary and Gardening with some kids from Wisconsin! Thank You to all who helped, prayed, and made this happen! God is good!

Weeding the Garden

St. Paul's Cathedral

We toured Luther Seminary St Paul

NBC Youth Volunteering at Festival of Nations St. Paul

In the spirit of the Festival of Nations

A Special Sunday Celebration -- April 2, 2017
Our NBC congregation was doubly blessed this Sunday when we welcomed Clayton Bangsberg to the Lord's family in baptism, and celebrated the presence of five generations of his family, starting with great great grandmother Birdine Finch.

Spring Clean Up 2017 -- A Great Turnout/A Big Success
April Fools Day turned out to be a great day to schedule grounds work on the churches. Lots of people came out to clean up and repair all the problems a Wisconsin winter leaves behind.

Following the hard-working example of Trevor Tjerstad, the whole group worked tirelessly. We are now spiffed up and ready for a joyous Easter morning!

March 22, 2017 Midweek Lenten Service focusing on Prayer -- we prayed for places around the world.

Sunday School and Confirmation Class -- March 19, 2017
Our children took center stage Sunday, as the Sunday School sang at the start of service, the 2-3 year-olds led us in a table prayer, and finally one sweet kiddo surprised Pastor Dave with a little lamb kiss. Confirmation class introduced a farewell "peace be with you" song at the end of service. All in all it was a touching and inspirational experience.

The Song

Table Grace: 2-3 year-olds with teacher Crystal Sweno

The lamb kiss for Pastor.

Ettrick Irish Fest -- March 18, 2017
North Beaver Creek had a great turnout at the Ettrick Irish Fest 5K hosted by the Fire Department.

Sunday March 5
This past Sunday marked milestones in the lives of our 2nd and 3rd graders with first communion and bible presentations. We are so proud of the blessings that are our children.

Confirmation Group Sings for Congregation --
February 5, 2017

Lutefisk Pictures

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New Member Sunday
January 29, 2017
What a phenomenal day. What a blessing for our church and our community.

New Member Orientation
Sunday, January 22, 2017

In preparation for new member installation during worship on Sunday, January 29, many of our new members attended Sunday service and then shared a meal with Bishop Arends and council members. It was a time of fun and fellowship -- and gave council members an opportunity to share their NBC history and stories, and for new members to ask questions.

Annual Lutefisk Dinner

Official Lutefisk Sign Placement

Eat Lutefisk: Save Lives
Every year NBC gives away all the proceeds from the previous year's dinner. In 2016 we contributed the following to the work being done by these organizations:

Blair Food Pantry $1,500.00
Jackson County Food Pantry $1,500.00
Sugar Creek Bible Camp $   500.00
Living Hope "Come to Supper $   350.00
Trempealeau County Humane Society $   400.00
Four Fire Departments ($200 each) $   800.00
(Blair, Melrose, Ettrick and Taylor)
Marinuka Gazebo $   300.00
Good Samaritan Fund $   818.95