Shepherd of the Pines

Lutheran Church
1950 125th Street
NW
Rice, MN 56367
Phone: 393-4295
Pastors
Home/Study
Phone: 320-363-1323
Email: sotpministries@jetup.net

2015

Church Website:

sotpministries.com
Greetings,
We have walked the Lenten journey and we are stepping into
Holy week remembering our Lord Jesus Christ's suffering and death
for our forgiveness and life in His forever family, culminating with
the celebration of Easter and the message that the tomb is empty,
Jesus is ALIVE! That means that as He promised, He is with us day
by day to have a personal relationship with us. Here is a story to
help us live in Easter and listen for our living Lord's guidance each
day...
A jogger was nearing the end of a run. Sand dunes on the left blocked
his view of the beach beyond. Crossing the dunes would require extra effort
after a long tiring workout. Instead, he could opt to remain on the flat road
that veered off to the right. Although the scenery was less appealing, the
easier route was enticing. Past experience had taught him to avoid pushing
himself too hard. Yet he loved the sight of the ocean.
The jogger hesitated. An inner nudge urged him toward the dunes, and
he chose to respond to it. As the beach appeared, a spectacular sunset
hovered above the crashing waves. Humility overwhelmed the runner when
he realized that in his moment of hesitation, he had listened to the inner
voice of the Lord, one who could see over the dunes and around blind
corners.
Our logic may dictate a certain course of action while the inner
voice of the Lord urges in a different direction. We may think we
will have an easier time if we follow the dictate of logic,
convenience, or past experience, but are we cheating ourselves out
of something much better? Each day let us pause at the crossroads
of life and listen for our Lords guiding voice. Well be glad we did!
Jesus is alive and with us! That's the message of Easter.
God bless,
Pastor Bob J

Board of Lay Ministry

Pending Approval Minutes
February 19, 2015
BOLM members present: Brent Betker, Deb Erdmann, Curt Kvamme, Keith Hackett, Keith Peterson, Sarah
Anderson, Pastor Bob. EMT members present: Brenda Hackett, Michelle Motchke
Absent: Tim Neutz, Wayne Johnson, Tom Ollman, Maria Traut
Meeting was called to order by President Brent Betker at 6:33pm. Pastor Bob opened the meeting with prayer.
Mission statement was read by Deb Erdmann.
Peter Keyes shared outreach plans on what he would suggest for serving Shepherd of the Pines Lutheran
Church including Bible study and group presentation options.
Acts Chapter 9 was read and discussed.
Next steps with Peter Keyes outreach plan. The BOLM felt that his plan for rural outreach would fit in well
with our service team. Next step is to talk to the Service Team to see if a contractual proposal matches their
plan for outreach. Brent will follow up with Maria.
EMT members were excused from the meeting.
Treasurers report was reviewed. Motion made to accept the report by Keith Peterson, seconded by Deb
Erdmann. Motion carried.
Properties Report: Tom is not able to attend the BOLM meeting on the current schedule until June. There has
been a problem with the lock on the front door breaking which has been resolved. The back door has been
replaced.
Secretarys report was read by Sarah Anderson. Corrections included Keith Hackett seconded the motion to
continue to $50 rebate for successful completion of the FPU course and that April Starry did not request to be
removed from the membership but had been inactive in membership. Motion made to accept the report as
corrected by Keith Hackett, seconded by Deb Erdmann. Motion carried.
Old business:
Sarah Anderson moved to reinstate April Starry into membership as requested, Keith Hackett seconded.
Motion carried.

Pastor announced that a Gideon speaker will be coming Sunday June 14th, 2015 for a presentation at the
start of the service.

Pastor announced that $850.00 in rebates given to participants who paid the $100 fee and completed the
Financial Peace University class.

Pastoral Search committee will meet on Thursday March 26 th at 7pm at the church.

New member classes We have 9 people signed up for membership classes. Part one was Saturday,
March 14th and part two will be Saturday, March 28th.

New business
Worship Shepherd schedule was reviewed through April

Next BOLM meeting Thursday, April 16th at 6:30pm (joint with EMT)

Jubilee Team Report - The team is working to promote the class for full congregational participation as
well as inviting the community. Classes will be offered at various times in September. A motion was
made by Keith Hackett and seconded by Keith Peterson to continue the $50 rebate for successful
completion of the class following the purchase of materials. Motion carried.

Bruce Resch & Pastor Bob will be attending the MN North District Convention April 13-15 at Maddens
in Brainerd. We are thankful that they are both able to attend this event.

Pastor comments - Peter Keyes is working with a group called St Cloud Faith Happenings that advertises
church happenings on the website FaithHappenings.com. This helps people in their search of churches and
activities at churches in the area. Our church could participate for free the first year; future years will have a fee
for participation. Deb will talk to Karen to see if she is the one who has been updating the SOTP Facebook
page. Keith Hackett made a motion to proceed with listing our church activities with FaithHappenings.com,
seconded by Deb Erdmann. Motion carried.
Other Leaders comments The BOLM encourages the congregation to utilize Right Now Media. There are
new Bible Studies available regularly. If you havent logged on lately, check it out. If you dont have a login,
please send Karen your email address and she can help you with access.
Motion was made by Sarah Anderson to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Deb Erdmann. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:27pm.
Meeting
was
closed with prayer.
Respectfully
submitted by Sarah
Anderson, BOLM
Secretary

We have been praying for our church

family each week as we go through
our church directory from A to Z. As
you go about your daily tasks lift a
prayer for the family of the week as the Lord brings
them to mind.
In April we will be praying for:

3:00-5:30pm at the Old

Village Hall.

April

To request prayers through the Prayer Chain,

call Karen in the church office at 320-393-4295
OR
e-mail your prayer request to
sotpministries@jetup.net and it will be forwarded
on to the prayer chain.

5-

Jackie Wallen

April 12 -

Lucas & Jennifer Weimer

Children: Payton & Jace

April 19 -

Edris Weinand

April 26 -

Richael Weinand
Children: Erin, Emily & Eli

Have you asked yourself, "How can I

have a variety of inspiring Bible
based information and teaching on
many topics & issues for kids, teens
and
adults
available
on
my
smartphone, I-Pad, TV, computer,
etc?" Shepherd of the Pines offers
you, for no charge, all of that on
RightNow Media. Just send us your
email address if you have done so
already, and we will send you the
way to connect to all this wonderful
stuff to help you grow in your faith.

RICE AREA FOOD

SHELF
April
distribution is
Thursday, April 9th,

Need Prayer? Put it on the Prayer Chain

We will be quilting at
the church on April
th
9 , 23rd and 30th from
2:00-6:00pm.
Contact Ardelle for more information
at 656-5858.

Anyone is welcome to stop

in and join us!

Thrivent Financial is sponsoring a

Bus trip to the Chanhassen Dinner
Theater to see the musical Mary
Poppins on Saturday, April 11,
2015. We will be leaving Zion
Lutheran Church, 411 3 rd Ave NE,
Little Falls, at 9:00 AM. The cost is
$79 which includes the meal,

theater ticket, and bus. We will

return to Little Falls by around 6:00
PM. To reserve your tickets, call
Carlyle Olsen at (320) 632-1655.
Send your check within one week
of your reservation to: Thrivent MC,
105 1st St NE, Little Falls, MN
56345.
There is a sign up
sheet in the church
lobby for any one
interested in helping
plan the 2015 VBS
program. We will have VBS planning
meetings on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday
evenings of the month of April at 7:30pm.
Please come join the team and enjoy the
climb us Everest!
There is a tote
in
the
fellowship hall
for you yearround shoppers. If you wish to
fill your own box (wrapped or
unwrapped) please bring that
also.
We received some
generous cash donations so
we're up and running for 2015.
Thank you for all of the
support!
The Easter
Breakfast will
be provided
once again
this year and the sign up sheets
are in the church lobby. Please join
us on Sunday, April 5, for our
Annual Easter Breakfast! We will
be serving up a variety of
wonderful breakfast foods for you
to enjoy until 10:00am. All

proceeds go to the SOTP Youth

Group.
Trinity Lutheran
Church is
sponsoring a driver
safety class. This
is the 4-hour refresher course for
those 55+ who need to renew their
every three year certificate. AARP
has scheduled the course on Tuesday,
April 21, beginning at 1:00pm and
finishing at 5:00pm at Trinity Lutheran
Church. If there are any questions
please contact Chuck Hoese at 320743-4129.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

The Crusade Choir will be
with us on Sunday, April
19th, during our 8:00am
service.
They will be
encouraging us in our faith in Jesus
Christ, as they present "I Will Rise",
a worship event celebrating God's
resurrection power. Plan to join us
for this very special presentation
and bring a friend!
THE
RED
CROSS
BLOODMOBILE will be at
Shepherd of the Pines Church
on Monday, April 27th,
from 1:30pm until 6:45pm.
Anyone who is 17 years old or older,
weighing at least 110 pounds and who is
in general good health
may donate blood so
others may live. 16
year olds may donate
with a signed Red
Cross
parental/guardian
consent form. Call 1-800-GiveLife to set
up your appointment. Thank you for
your support.
Our SOTP Youth want to sincerely

express their appreciation to the

congregation for their support
through prayer and financial giving
which made our recent trip to
Acquire the Fire possible. We had a
group of 24 amazing adults and
youth that had a fun-filled 2 days.
We were able to mix with other
groups from different parts of the
state and make some new friends,
have some fun and LOUD worship
time and enjoy some quality time
with our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ as well as with one another.
Look for us to be helping out with
the Easter Breakfast and pray for
us to continue our momentum with
more fun events coming up!
-Karen Ellefson
Mark 16-6, "And He said to them,
'Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of
Nazareth, who was crucified. He has
risen; He is not here. See the place
where they laid Him.'"
This spring
semester we again are blessed by each
of you in the many gifts you give whether
in money, donated time, or other needed
items for the ministry house.
Bible study has
been in full swing at
Lutheran
Student
Fellowship!
The
4pm seems to have
helped.
Some of
the Mondays we have 10 students in
attendance! We give thanks to Pastor
Peter Holm, Pastor Bruce Timm, and
DCO Craig Cooper for leading us in the
study of Gods Word. The students
enjoy studying Gods Word and look
forward to Bible study time.
This is
amazing in and of itself. So exciting!
Thank you for your prayers, they
continue to be felt in many ways.
May God bless and keep each of you in
His faithful, loving Hands.
Please
continue to keep the LSF ministry in your
prayers.
In Christ, Barbara Hertling, DCE

This year of 2015 is Shepherd of the

Pines year of Jubilee. Come experience
financial freedom God's way. We are
excited that God has led us to this
journey and that He is touching the lives
of those who have gone through the 9
week course with His hand of blessing.
April 26th, Pastor Bob will be facilitating a
Dave Ramsey video message during the
sermon time to give you a good taste of
how God is using him to bless many.
Don't miss it and invite a friend. Over 60
people have been through the 9 week
course and we are experiencing God's
help and guidance to financial freedom.
We are learning to be blessed to be a
blessing. In September of this year we
will kick off our church wide Jubilee
experience of Enjoying Financial Freedom
God's Way, as we go on a 9 week journey
in our Sunday School, Youth Group,
Sunday morning worship services and
adult study groups. This is based on
Dave Ramsey's materials. What we are
learning gives us the ability to pass on a
Godly heritage to our children concerning
money. Here is this month's info from
Dave Ramsey and his daughter Rachel
Cruze:
ENCOURAGE SAVINGS
DAVE: Years ago, one of our girls wanted
a Celebration Barbie. When we got to
the store, we counted up that she had
saved $5; the doll was $25 so we left the
store without it. Tremendous character
can be built by understanding the reality
that Barbie is not in your budget.
RACHEL: But don't go overboard. One
mom told me her son had saved $300 for
a PlayStation, but he had forgotten about
the tax. "So we left the store without it,"
she said proudly. My jaw dropped. I

thought, Are you kidding me? You pay

the tax! If your child saves $300, you
want to reward that behavior so he
remembers saving as a positive
experience.
Can you believe this
warm weather?? Oh how
God is good and brings it
just in the nick of time! I
promise that I will not
complain about cutting
grass again....at least
through August...well maybe July....and so
the story goes right? I am sure we all have
these thoughts or maybe I stand alone, but it
is a constant reminder that even though we
don't stick to the plan, God does! His perfect
plan is set for each one of us and we can find
it through reading His word! As we enter into
the close of the Easter season, may the
Risen Lord be a reminder that He will never
fail, never take a break with the plan, and is
in it for the eternity!
If you have a chance, I recommend that
you take some time and embrace "the Time
of Your Life" by Andy Stanley on Right Now
Media! You will not be disappointed with the
5 lessons he has. Each one takes about 35
minutes to watch and is filled with sooo
many good life skills to apply at any age!
Make it a movie night with your spouse, a
date night with your significant other, or just
a time passer for yourself!
We also are into the next session of FPU
and although the class sizes are smaller this
time around, it is such a good program. They

Worship Shepherds
April

EASTER SUNDAY
6:00am
Sarah Anderson
8:00am
Keith Peterson
10:30am
Tim Neutz

April 12

Wayne Johnson

April 19

Tim Neutz

April 26

Curt Kvamme

April 5

EASTER SIGN UP

April 12

8:00am

Al & Bev Gerads

are not into selling you anything, but it

makes all the sense in the world to be good
stewards of the gift of money God gave to
you! Think about it, and I pray that God
moves your heart to be on the road to
financial freedom!
Blessings to you all friends and may the
Risen Lord shine on you! May His grace pour
out on your days and may you give Him the
glory!
Brenda Hackett, Small Group Team Leader

Starting Wednesday, May 6th, Pastor

Bob is offering what's called Triad
Mentor Groups. Triads are groups of
Three (3 men or 3 women) who meet
together for prayer, growing together in
their faith, for encouragement, and
mentoring each other through life's ups
and downs. According to Matthew 18:20
there is a 4th person in a Triad, "For
where two or three gather in my name,
there am I with them." Jesus, by His Holy
Spirit meets us as we gather together
with other believers. So for 5 weeks we
will launch those who would like to be in
a Triad into Christian mentor groups
using the Bible based book "When Life
Hurts." There is a sign-up sheet on the
counter in the church lobby.
Find a
couple other people who would like to
join you on this 5 week journey and sign
up for your Triad Mentor Group. For more
information talk with Pastor Bob, 3934295.
10:30am
Bryon & Michelle Motschke
April 19

8:00am
10:30am

Brad & Holly Jasmer

Beth & Shawn Richter

April 26

8:00am
10:30am

Brent & Jennifer Betker

Bruce & Sandie Resch

April 5

EASTER SIGN UP

April 12

8:00am
10:30am

Roxann Ree
Heather Ostendorf

April 19

8:00am
10:30am

Ruth Brutcher
Sandie Resch

April 26

8:00am
10:30am

April

EASTER SIGN UP

April 12

Jordie Stay

April 19

Joyce Saldana

April 26

Karie Wagner

Lois Perleberg
Carol Trinklein

APRIL COUNTERS
Ernie Oltz, Milt Popp,
Jerry Nelson, Barb McKeever
If it is your turn to serve
fellowship, please bring
some treats to share and
arrive early to help set up.
If your name is first on the
list, please arrive 30
minutes prior to the
8:00am service to make coffee. The
directions for making coffee are posted on
the bulletin board in the kitchen. When
you serve fellowship, please plan on
serving coffee and treats and cleaning up
the kitchen after the first service. The
others serving with you would appreciate
it!

April

5-

April 12 -

EASTER BREAKFAST
W. Peterson, J. Hoeft, J. Funt,
J. Dumonceaux, K. Foss

April 19 -

B. Gottwalt, J. Brouns, K. Feia,

T. Ollman, T. Neutz

April 26 -

Ja. Saldana, Ro Gummert,

K. Gummert, J. Gummert, D. Traut

April 5 -

I Chronicles 29:11-13
Matthew 28:1-20

April 12 -

Acts 3:11-21
Luke 24:36-49

April 19 -

Acts 4:32-35
John 20:19-31

April 26 -

Romans 13:7-8
Matthew 25:14-30

APRIL
Nancy Anderson, Joan Ramey,
Pam Fuchs, Sandie Resch

PROJECTIONIST
April 5

EASTER SUNDAY-None Needed

April 12

8:00am
10:30am

Bill Paradeis
Matthew Neutz

April 19

8:00am
10:30am

Donovan Elyea
Noah Ellefson

April 26

8:00am
10:30am

Samantha Dubbin
Denise Leahy

NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
RICE, MN
PERMIT NO. 32

RETURN SERVICES REQUESTED

Jesus Is Alive For...

Bob Trinklein, Pastor

Church Phone: 393-4295
Pastors Home Study: 320-363-1323
Email: sotpministries@jetup.net
Church Website: sotpministries.com
SOTP BOARD OF LAY MINISTRY/ELDERS
Brent Betker, President 584-8170, Deb Erdmann, 393-4279, Keith Hackett, 393-4531, Keith Peterson, Vice-President 292-4007,
Curt Kvamme, Treas. 393-3353, Sarah Anderson, Secretary 267-2628, Tim Neutz, 393-3386, Wayne Johnson 253-9020
Tom Ollman, Church Properties 253-4623
EXECUTIVE MINISTRY TEAM
Brenda Hackett - Small Group Team Leader, Michelle Motschke - Worship Team Leader, Maria Traut - Service Team Leader
In case of church cancellation due to bad weather listen to, 98 COUNTRY 98.1, SPIRIT 92.9, KCLD 104.7, WJON 1240,
or call the church office and listen to the message.

Shepherd of the Pines Mission Statement: Connecting People to GodTo Othersand To Service
The purpose of this congregation is mandated for us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as found in the words of the Great
Commission (Matthew 28), namely first of all to Go. To leave our walls of refuge, going into all the world, comprising of our families
and neighbors. We plan to achieve our purpose by identifying persons with whom we are particularly well-equipped to serve and reach
with the challenge of becoming Disciples of Christ.
Second, to Make Disciples or in the words of St Paul, To equip the saints (Ephesians 4:12). This is to be understood as helping
people to live the Christian life here on earth. Preparing and encouraging young and old alike to find and to use their God given gifts
and abilities for the extension of His Kingdom, and to grow in fervent love for God and for others.
Thirdly, to Baptize as commanded by Jesus Himself. As God reaches down to mankind with His means of grace, He would have us
baptize His people, bringing them into His family and Kingdom, granting to them life, forgiveness of sins, and eternal salvation.
And lastly, to continue steadfast in His Word, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. A continued
zeal for the study of His Word, the Bible, is necessary for the growth of any Christian congregation. Thus, the Word of God will be
taught and studied in full measure and His Word shall be the rule and norm of this congregations faith and life.
To that end, our every effort and energy will be used in motivating, training, and putting to use our time, and talents and treasures
to Make Disciples.