Service Times:
September through December
Faith Lutheran Madelia: 9:00 a.m.
Lake Hanska : 10:30 am
JAM starts September 16th at 3:15-5:00 pm
Confirmation starts September 30 at 6:00-7:30 pm
Madelia Food Shelf Open House September 23, 3:30-5:30
NO referral needed!
Madelia Food Shelf is open on the 4th Thursday of each month.
Faith Lutheran Church Council Minutes – Aug. 13, 2026
Secretary’s Report:
Trustees Report:
Deacons:
Will hold a meeting/game night to initiate interest in the 2027 Youth Gathering.
Ralph’s Report:
Motion to accept reports was made by Kathy/seconded by Patty.
Old Business:
New Business:
Motion to adjourn was made by Ralph and seconded by Mary.
Respectfully submitted, Stacy Reed-Secretary
And just like that summer is over and fall begins later this month. Where does the time go? There are two standard definitions of Fall – one is the meteorological fall which begins on the 1st of September and covers September, October, and November. The other is the one we most associate with -the astronomical fall which in 2026 begins at 7:04 PM on the 22nd of September. Whichever definition you relate to fall usually means the ramping up of activities in the church. J.A.M begins on September 16th, and confirmation starts up on the 30th. Both are exciting times to teach and share the message of God’s love to our youth. Also, this year we are planning on bringing back some traditions that fell by the wayside during the pandemic. Some will be for both congregations; some will be at only one. Things like new member Sunday – we have many people who have been faithfully worshipping with us, but we have never recognized them as members. We also want to bring our reputation of being the church that gives out bibles with a Sunday where 3-year-old, 3rd graders, and over 80 youth receive a bible. The traditional Harvest Festival at Lake Hanska may look different this year as the musical group from years past is not available anymore. We also will feature one Sunday a month through the fall to revisit the themes and animals featured in our outstanding vacation bible school. As you can see there is a lot to feature this fall, but one thing that doesn’t change with the season is our coming together as a faith community to worship and commune each Sunday. As a reminder we change service times in September through the end of the year. Faith will worship at 9:00 and Lake Hanska gets to sleep in and worship at 10:30. Personally, I will be at another S.A.M. retreat the 13th -15th and at the SW MN Synod Fall Theological Conference the 27th -29th. Just as J.A.M. and confirmation are opportunities for learning with our young people – these two events are energizing and very helpful in my learning curve. I continue to be thankful for the chance to serve these two congregations this fall and beyond. Just one of you in Christ - Ralph DATE 1ST READING PSALM 2ND READING GOSPEL Sunday, September 6 15th Sunday after Pentecost Ezekial 33:7-11 119:33-40 Romans 13:8-14 Matthew 18:15-20 Sunday, September 13 16th Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 50:15-21 103:1-13 Romans 14:1-12 Matthew 18:21-35 Sunday, September 20 17th Sunday after Pentecost Jonah 3:10—4:11 145:1-8 Philippians 1:21-30 Matthew 20:1-6 Sunday, September 27 18th Sunday after Pentecost Ezekial 18:1-4, 25-32 25:1-9 Philippians 2:1-13 Matthew 21:23-32 News for Faith Lutheran Ch
JAM (Jesus and Me)
Community Church School
Starts 9-16-2026 after school
Students meet in the Elementary cafeteria and walk to Faith Lutheran with two volunteers from September through December. In 2027, starting in January, we meet in the cafeteria and walk across the street to the Presbyterian Church.
Students should preregister. We serve the kids a snack when they arrive. JAM ends at 5:00 pm
Faith Lutheran Church Council Minutes-July 9, 2026
Attending council members: President - Lori Pietsch, Vice President - Randy Gustafson, S.A.M. - Ralph Flitter,
Treasurer - Jane Piepgras, Kathy Guyer, Deacons - Sherri Gustafson, Mary Feder, Cindy Lehman, Trustees - Chad Becker, Ben Odegard, BOE - Steph Odegard, Julia Young, Patti Young
Lori Pietsch called the meeting to order - Ralph Flitter opened the meeting with a prayer.
Secretary’s Report: Reviewed May minutes as printed in the newsletter.
Treasurer’s Report: June expenses were $10,648.26 and receipts $8,876.13.
Trustees Report: Satisfied where the budget is mid-year. Reported an increase in Centerpoint Energy monthly budget billing $396 to $592. Church CD was renewed for 5 months at an interest rate of 3.65. Dumpster has been requested for the week of VBS. Discussed budgeting more dollars for Synod Assembly costs. Will meet with Ryan Visher, Watonwan Emergency Management & Safety Director, who will assist with plans to mitigate disasters that could possibly affect our church. Will contact Elite Electrical for repairs to the church bell.
Deacon’s Report: Deacons will cover Altar Guild for the months of July and August. Ralph has requested that intinction be offered as a communion option one communion Sunday in August.
Board of Ed: The 2027 Tri-Annual Youth Gathering will be held in Minneapolis June 28-July 2nd. All interested youth grades 8-12 are welcome to attend. Informational letters will be sent to parents. JAM will start the 2nd week of
September, an informational letter will be distributed at VBS.
S.A.M. Report: For the month of June; Ralph officiated 3 baptisms at Faith and one wedding at Lake Hanska. Attended the Synod Assembly where he was officially commissioned as a Synod Authorized Minister (S.A.M.) Will be participating in Hanska’s 125th Community Anniversary church service on August 23rd. No services at Lake Hanska that day, Mya
Hanson will conduct worship services at Faith.
Motion to approve all reports was made by Ben Odegard and seconded by Julia Young.
Old Business: Peace of the Prairie service at Faith July 12th no services at Lake Hanska. September 27th- Bible Service,
October 27-New Member Service. The new table cart was delivered for stacking tables.
New Business: Carol Meier “Church Musician’s Retreat” will be held September 24-26 in Windom. Cost will be $300.
Motion was made by Sherri Gustafson and seconded by Patti Young to have Audrey Anderson attend. We are currently looking for a new church custodian. Confirmation will resume September 30th, 16 students have registered. Second year students will be confirmed April 25, 2027. A Communion Information Class will be held sometime this Fall, a time has not been set. Children’s sermons are scheduled for: Sept. 20, Oct. 25, Nov. 15th and Dec. 20th. VBS received a generous
donation from the American Legion - $1,000 and the Presbyterian Mission Fund - $3,000. A big thank you to both
organizations.
With no further business before the Council, a motion was made by Kathy Guyer and seconded by Ben, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted, Jane Piepgras - Treasurer
New Business: Carol Meier “Church Musician’s Retreat” will be held September 24-26 in Windom. Cost will be $300. Motion was made by Sherri Gustafson and seconded by Patti Young to have Audrey Anderson attend. We are currently looking for a new church custodian. Confirmation will resume September 30th, 16 students have registered. Second year students will be confirmed April 25, 2027. A Communion Information Class will be held sometime this Fall, a time has not been set. Children’s sermons are scheduled for: Sept. 20, Oct. 25, Nov. 15th and Dec. 20th. VBS received a generous donation from the American Legion -$1,000 and the Presbyterian Mission Fund-$3,000. A big thank you to both organizations.
With no further business before the Council, a motion was made by Kathy Guyer and seconded by Ben , to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted, Jane Piepgras - Treasurer
News From Lake Hanska Lutheran Church
Noisy Offering Sunday - August 30th at Lake Hanska Lutheran Church will be the Noisy Offering
Sunday. Continue to collect your change during August, and add it to the Noisy Offering Cans on Sunday, August 30th. This offering goes to the World Hunger Mission. We look forward to seeing the cans fill up for this mission gift.
Food Shelf Report - We delivered 30 lbs. of products for the month of June. We are so grateful to
deliver goods at the end of each month. It is so easy to drop any non-perishable groceries, cleaning supplies, or hygiene supplies into the box provided in the Narthex of the church.
WELCA Quilters Report - Two quilters met to tie a fleece blanket before they met with the rest of the quilters to have lunch together at Cottonwood Grill. What a fun get-together to enjoy. We’d love for you to come join us. If you have any materials in good shape, or donating cash to buy more materials as our
resources for funds are limited. If interested, we do also sell our quilts for $25 each. Quilters meet again on Wednesday, August 5th.
Lawn Mowing Time ---- This time is here. Please respect your time slot. Our yard has been very well taken care of, so we thank everyone for that. If, for some reason, you can not mow during your time slot, please trade with another person to keep our property looking excellent all summer. Thank you for your help.
Lawn Mowers ----- This is a 2-week schedule
July 24 thru August 13 ----- Brian Kjelshus and Collin Kjelshus
August 14 thru August 27 ----- Larry Stoesz, Jordan Lilleodden and Ian Kjelshus
August 28 thru September 10 ----- Lynn Ahlness and Riley Ahlness
August Altar Committee - Beth Kral, Nancy Lilleodden and Bonnie Lilleodden
Ushers ----- August 2nd and 9th ----- Grant Sletta and Norman Skarphol
August 16th and 23rd ----- Brian Kjelshus and Dennis Broste
August 30th and September 6th ----- Lynn Ahlness and Riley Ahlness