Reports from the Annual Meeting that were not printed in the booklet:

Board of Education Pre-School-6th Grade

“Let the children come to me” Matthew 19:4 has continued to serve as a vehicle to communicate all the wonderful avenues the children of First Lutheran can come to learn about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In January 2020, JoDee Driggs’ three-year term was complete. We thank her for her years of service to the youth of First Lutheran and her great talent of prop creation. Months later, we welcomed Jessica Bloomquist to the Board of Education. Jess began serving with only voice until she officially became a member of First Lutheran. Welcome, Jessica! The end of the school year concluded Deanne Flom’s service to the Board of Education as she joyfully pursued a new job path. We wish the Floms the best of luck in northern Minnesota and cannot thank her enough for leading our choirs and leading our wonderful Christmas programs in recent years. Therefore, the Board of Education members are Jess Bloomquist and Liza Fagen. Nora Kronlokken would like to offer her talents to the Board pending the congregational vote at the Annual Meeting. We anxiously await her joining the team! Together, we can train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Winter of the 2019-2020 Sunday School year consisted of Kids’ Sundays and celebration of baptisms. Kids’ Sunday allows the kids an opportunity to participate in worship services as well as share their love of Jesus through song. The ministry of baptismal birthday cupcakes is a way to celebrate the relationship of our children with Christ and our promises made to them! Thank you to Sandy Link for your talent of baking our delicious cupcakes. On March 8, we celebrated the support for our youth once again at the Ecumenical VBS Belgian Waffle Feed. Thank you to our congregations and neighbors within our communities for showing your support to the kids in our communities and of our Ecumenical VBS program. Kids, you ARE LOVED!

In the middle of March, our life was turned upside down because of COVID-19. It abruptly ended our Sunday School year – the cancellation of our ecumenical Easter Egg hunt, celebration our fifth graders partaking in the Lord’s Supper, and Ecumenical VBS.

COVID-19 delayed the start of the 2020-2021 Sunday School year. The year looks different, but we joyfully welcomed children back on October 25. In our first newsletter, it was stated “Sunday School will be ever-fluid this year.” And, it has. In the middle of November, worship and Sunday School was again suspended as positive COVID-19 cases increased in Renville County. 2020 came to end with the anticipation of welcoming the children back on January 10, 2021 with an unknown future.

The Board of Education would like to sincerely thank our teachers who are extremely important to our Sunday School operation. Their dedication to our youth is vital and doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you to all the others who have helped make our events possible throughout the year. We genuinely appreciate your help in bringing your/our children to Jesus!

In closing, a prayer from Proverbs 31 Ministries:

Heavenly Father, help me to trust in Your will over my own, knowing that Your plan is infinitely better than mine. Thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who is with us always, and for Your Spirit who dwells within us as we navigate life’s uncertainties. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

In Christ,

Liza Fagen

2020 Trustees Report

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance of the church property and parsonage, and offer in-put to prepare the annual budget.

There are two windows on the north kitchen wall that will be replaced as soon as weather permits. Thanks to four church members for donations.

Fortunately, this was a light year for repairs and maintenance.

We try to act on repairs as soon as possible.

Board of Trustees
Jim Peterson, Damon Bratsch, Steve Wordes

2020 Deacon's Report
The duties of the Board of Deacons are to assist the Pastor, provide spiritual leadership to the congregation, assist in worship and promote volunteerism in the congregation.
The Deacons work in conjunction with the Pastor and the Board of Education by assisting with Sunday School and the Confirmation students with youth activities and memory work. The Deacons also assist the Pastor in worship with communion, baptism and other events.
The Deacons work to support the worship committee in church service organization, music and involvement by the congregation. The Audio-video team and weekly Missionary support are special ministries that are part of the Deacon's responsibilities. They are enhancing the outreach beyond the walls of our church. Thank you for your prayers, ideas, support and involvement.
Board of Deacons
Phillip Haen, Paul Holm and Ben Schroeder

STEPHEN MINISTERY

Stephen Ministry is still alive and well at First Lutheran. Our Stephen Ministers have continued to have contact with their care receivers through phone calls and emails. This has been of great support to those needing special encouragement during these times of distancing with the COVID-19 pandemic. We as Leaders have also been able to have contact with the Stephen Ministers through much the same way to lend support and encouragement for their commitment. We truly praise God for the support and strength he has given to those Stephen Ministers who continually strive to do their very best. We hope to begin meeting face to face (safely, of course) very soon.

Again, thanks to the whole congregation for all your prayers and support.

Deb Baalson and Deanna Doerr
Stephen Leaders

2020 WELCA Report
Due to COVID-19, the WELCA group did not have a lot of activity in 2020. We were able to hold our annual Lenten breakfast and a supper before the shutdown. The proceeds from the breakfast and supper were $450.00

We had a meeting in November to distribute our annual benevolence to various funds - $1,700 – leaving a balance of $2,716.78 in our account.

The funeral groups served one funeral prior to the shutdown. We were able to purchase 12 white, lightweight tables with our funds, leaving a balance of $4,456.73 in the funeral account.

Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Sunvold, Treasurer