First Lutheran Church Women met at 1:15 p.m. Feb. 8 in Bethany Hall.

Prelude music was provided by Joan Holt.

Co-President Elaine Peterson welcomed everyone and led the group in reciting the purpose statement.

Devotions were given by Thelma Foss who read a February Bible passage on how God loves everyone, not only during the month of February or just on Valentine’s Day, but throughout the entire year.

The group sang hymn No. 370 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds.”

Gen Montei introduced the Rev. Daphne Hamborg who is pastor of Conger and Bear Lake churches. Hamborg gave an interesting program on how she was encouraged to enter the seminary due to visits with the Revs. Bidne and Benson. As there were so few women who were pastors, Hamborg was thrilled to have both pastors behind her decision. She became the first woman pastor in Nebraska. In 2010 she was invited to become the pastor of the two congregations she now serves. She was thrilled to have classmates attending the program, as well as women from her congregation. Joy Christian, and of course, her parents, Phyllis and Milland Hamborg who attended the meeting, and gave them all credit for encouraging her along the way.

 

Business Meeting

Secretary’s report: The secretary’s report was presented and upon motion by Joy White, seconded by Neva Mathison and unanimously passed. This report will be placed on file.

Correspondence: Peterson reported that a note had been received from Deloris Fligge and Karin Mattson for all the help they had received during January for the nine funerals served that month. Youth for Christ also thanked for the donation given to their group.

Circle roll call: Montei asked that the Circle members representing their group be ready to present the number of members present at this meeting:

Circle No. 1: 0

Circle No. 4: 6

Circle No. 6: 0

Circle No. 12: 6

Circle No. 20: 4

Circle No. 21: 3

Circle No. 29: 3

Circle No. 31: 6

Circle No. 35: 9

Winners were:

Circle No. 31 with 75 percent

Circle No. 35 with 69 percent

Each received $5 for their Sunshine Fund.

Old business: Once again it was mentioned that the church has only six aprons in the kitchen for use and is still missing six others. If anyone has taken them home to wash, please bring them back and put them in the kitchen so they can be used when serving.

New business: Donna Ludtke stated that she had attended the United Church Women’s meeting in February and there was a question whether this group should continue. However, Central Freeborn has joined now and the scholarship luncheon is scheduled for May 18 at which time the group will need people to help with the luncheon. They met again on March 2 and there was be a guest speaker from Nepal for this meeting. Also Circle No. 6 is looking for more buttons again.

Cindy Martin requested that men should be contacted to see if they would like to help serve at funerals and other church activities that women serve now. Montei stated that many of the member’s husbands help when there is a funeral when it is necessary to clean up after the lunch is over and that has worked well. Also at the time of our Holidays Ahead, the salad luncheon and other events, the men do participate in helping with these activities.

Hymn No. 315 “Love Divine, All Love Excelling” was sung at which time the offering was collected.

The offering prayer was given by Holt who recited a beautiful poem which she found that her mother had saved. It was entitled “The Rose.”

Thank yous to:

Ushers: Shirley Christopherson and Hazel Senske

Greeters: Helen Lovik, Lavonne Oftedahl and Geraldine Sauke

Hostesses: Chairwomen: Bonnie Schneider and her committee: Phyllis Hamborg, Elaine Peterson, Virginia Thompson and Bonnie Trampel

Caring and Sharing: Co-chairwomen Deloris Fligge and Karin Mattson and their committee who served nine funerals in January.

Announcements:

Feb. 12: Congregation meeting 9:15 a.m. in the sanctuary.

Feb. 13: Food safety class 1 to 5 p.m. or 6 to 9 p.m.

Feb. 15: Winder BBQ 5 to 7:30 p.m. Bethany Hall, this is a fundraiser for the youth going to the ELCA National Youth Gathering in July 2012.

Feb 17: First Lutheran Church blood drive 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (walk-ins welcome).

March 2: Church Women United World Day of Prayer 9:15 a.m. United Methodist Church.

The group closed its meeting by praying the Lord’s Prayer together. Everyone also sang the Table Prayer before the lunch.