Pioneer Lutheran Church
Publisher: Julie Petersen jmpete@itctel.com Volume Number 11
Pioneer Lutheran
AUGUST 2009Church Council Minutes- July, changed or added to the website. The council did not have anything to add
or change on the website.
2009
PASTOR TYLER HEPNER 601 4TH St. APT 12 BROOKINGS, SD 57006
President Dana Crooks called the Pioneer Lutheran Church Council meeting
to order on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Present were Larry Holler,
Aimee Lutz, Kevin Quail, Arlene Madsen, Pastor Tyler Hepner, and Tiffany
Petersen. Glen Thompson was absent. Pastor Hepner began with devotions
on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and then led the council in prayer.
Secretary’s Report: Minutes from the June, 2009 meeting were presented
to the council. Dana Crooks asked for additions or corrections. Kevin
Quail moved to accept the minutes. Larry Holler seconded the motion, and
the motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report: Arlene Madsen presented the monthly and quarterly
treasurer’s report. Larry Holler moved to accept the treasurer’s report.
Tiffany Petersen seconded the motion, and the motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS:
Insurance status: Dana discussed that all insurance payment has been
received until the building is completed. Kevin Quail asked if a
congregational vote was needed, and Dana responded that a congregational
voted was needed to approve building and the location for the building.
Dana asked for additional old business. Seeing none he proceeded to new
business.
NEW BUSINESS:
Pastor’s Report: Pastor Hepner reported that he prepared 4 sermons and
bulletins, had 3 visitations, and wrote 1 newsletter, 10 website articles, 9
blogs. Pastor Hepner asked if there was anything the council would like
Issue Number 30 Date:
The official status of Pastor Tom Walker was discussed. Dana indicated that
it was a matter of completing the paper work to have Pastor Walker listed as
Pastor of Pioneer Lutheran Church.
Membership Transfers: Jim Madsen asked that for his membership to be
transferred. Larry Holler moved to accept the transfer and Kevin Quail
seconded the motion and it passed. Ryan and Stacy Ness asked that their
membership be transferred to Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings.
Larry Holler moved to accept the transfer and Tiffany Petersen seconded the
motion and it passed.
Meeting Funds: Dana Crooks discussed funding for registration and travel
for Pastor Hepner to attend the major LCMC events annually. There are 3
major meeting each year: the LCMC annual meeting, the Heartland
Conference, and the Leadership conference. The council agreed that we
should continue to find financial support for Pastor Hepner to attend these
meetings.
125th Anniversary: The celebration committee is for the celebration to
coincide with the dedication of the new building, and to recognize the
anniversary on Sunday 7/5/09. Larry Holler moved to accept the
recommendation and Kevin Quail seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Organ Donation: Family in Lennox wants to donate an organ to our
church. The organ is 7 years old. Dana Crooks suggested that we hire
professional movers to move the organ. Kevin Quail moved to accept the
organ and check into hiring professional movers. Aimee Lutz seconded and
the motion passed.
Building: The council spent the remainder of the meeting discussing the
potential sites for the new church building and other factors regarding
replacing the building.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned and the Lord’s Prayer was said
in closing. The August meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2009
at 7:00 p.m. at the Whit Funeral Chapel.

Respectfully submitted,
Aimee Lutz

Reminder we need to keep the

funeral home clean so I will be
putting the cleaning schedule on
the calendar again.

Our Defining Center
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been
brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)
As a people called out of the kingdom of the world into the
kingdom of God in Jesus Christ, all that we are and do is to
revolve around this as the defining characteristic of our
existence: we are brought into the life of God by the blood of
Christ, and so are called to live according to his will and
purpose.
But building your life on the foundation of Jesus Christ does
not necessarily come naturally. There is no reliable 12-step
program for ensuring God is at the center of your life, and most
of the time it happens in rather subtle ways that we begin to
neglect things like studying scripture, regular prayer, attending
worship, etc. The rootedness of our lives in the Word and
presence of God is pushed to the periphery, while more
mundane concerns and tasks and interests overtake the center
stage.
We shouldn’t expect such a revolution into the newness of life
to be easy or overnight kind of change, wherever we feel we
are with respect to God. And to be sure we are still in the fight,
we need to ask ourselves the hard, self-reflective questions. To
what extent are we truly converted into the newness of life? Is
our faith a peripheral idea in the consciousness, or does it
actually form the habitual center of our personal energy? Have
we learned to recognize God at work in our daily lives and
callings, as the one who has given to us all we are and have;
who has put us in relationship with our families and friends,
and given us daily work in which to help shape the world for
the good? Have we learned where to look for strength and
guidance in all things relative to this age and the next; to
immerse ourselves in the bread from heaven of the Holy
Scriptures, to express our needs and desires to God in prayer,
whatever the time or place, and expect the abundance of his
grace? Are we disciplined enough in our hearts to crave that
which does not pass away, get consumed by moth and rust, and
degrade this earthly life; but builds up our lives and the lives of
others into the spiritual house that is the church of God?
God means to be all of these things for you, as he wills to work
every good thing for your benefit, that you may walk in the
newness of life bestowed upon you in Christ, and the same
strength that has overcome sin and death, the powers of the
world and the grave.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.
Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not
against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this
present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so
that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having
done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the
belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of
righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will
make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of
these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to
quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet
of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and
supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in
supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
God bless you and keep you, in Christ,
Pastor Tyler