April 2026 Lake Hanska News

 

News from Lake Hanska Lutheran Church

 

Food Shelf Report

We were able to once again bring 23# of supplies to the Brown County Food Shelf at the end of

February. 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 

5 ladies met on Wednesday, March 4th for a fun get-together. They were able to make 2 quilts during the morning hours plus assist with another quilt. We’d love for you to come join us. Another way to help out is to donate materials of old sheets or good 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. Any quilts we have are donated to NUMAS Haus, Brown County Human Services, Watonwan Human Services, Senior Homes, NOVA House, and more.

 

Bible Study

Ralph Flitter leads us in a more in-depth look of the Gospel from the worship the Sunday before we meet. This is a very relaxed, informal discussion of the Gospel. Everyone (men-women-Faith

Lutheran members and non-members) are welcome to join us. You do not have to do quilting if you come for the Bible Study. We will enjoy coffee and treats (optional: bring a treat to share) during the study. We look forward to seeing you. 

 

Living Meadows General Store

The Living Meadows at Luther Spring Festival will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madelia on Tuesday, April 14th. The public is encouraged to come and support Living Meadows. We continue to have a basket located in the narthex to receive small gift items to be donated to Living Meadows

General Store for bingo prizes and other things. Items can be lotions and cremes, soaps, body

sprays, hygiene care items, toothpaste, coloring books, large sized crayons, Word Finds, greeting cards, snacks and sugar-free candies, room décor and other small items.

 

Snow Removal Season

Like it or not we are in the season of possible snow removal. Please be considerate of the need and pitch in when you can. A shovel, broom, and salt is provided near the west door of the Narthex. If you have a blower or scoop, the trustees will be forever grateful for the help.

 

April Message from Minister

 

Here we are at April and we think spring is here to stay – but we have been fooled before. Easter is early this year, and I can remember as a kid playing with a cousin out in the snow on Easter – hopefully we won’t see that.

April is primarily a feminine given name of a Latin origin meaning “to open” which is very symbolic of what we think of spring. We think of the new buds on trees, of the grass beginning to turn green, of ice-covered lakes opening up and of course April showers so that we can have May flowers. Back to the Latin origin, it refers to the opening of nature during springtime.

During our Easter season, we can relate these meanings to our celebration of our Lord’s resurrection on Easter morning. However, we don’t look at the opening of nature – we look at the opening of the tomb and finding it empty! I think we all have experienced the feeling of opening a gift box, a package, that tub of ice cream in the freezer and finding that it is empty! We don’t rejoice at that time and neither did the women who had come in the early hours of Easter morning. They were very concerned with where their Lord had been taken – but their concerns were soon to turn to celebration when they discovered that Jesus was with them still. In his human form, nail holes in his hands and the spear slice in his side.

At this time of spring, when we get back outdoors to enjoy the warmer weather with walks, bike rides, lawn work or just sitting on a deck taking in the new beginnings after the winter – let us take in all the wonder around us and take time to rejoice that our Savior died and rose again for us.  

A proper prayer for spring – “As the sun rises, you are ever near us, risen Christ. We give you thanks and praise for your presence in all its surprising forms.” Let us truly revel and enjoy what God has done for us this Easter and every day of the year.

 

Just one of you in Christ - Ralph

 

March 12th Faith Lutheran Church Council

 

Faith Lutheran Church Council Minutes – March 12, 2026

 

           President - Lori Pietsch                          V. President - Randy Gustafson   

           Secretary - Stacy Reed                            Treasurers - Kathy Guyer, Jane Piepgras   

Deacons - Sherri Gustafson, Cindy Lehman    S.A.M - Ralph Flitter

Trustees - Ben Odegard, Chad Becker, Pam Bocock

BOE - Steph Odegard 

 

Secretary’s Report:

Reviewed February minutes as printed in the newsletter.

 

Treasurer’s Report: 

February expenses were $15,353.98 and receipts $8,876.05. Kathy reported she has asked for a larger garbage bin to be delivered. Also discussed was bringing in a 2 or 4 yd dumpster for the week of VBS.

 

Trustees Report:

The glass panel by the front sliding doors was shattered a few weeks ago, a police report was filed. The

replacement cost is $ 933.40 and has been ordered. Ben presented a quote for security cameras through

Christensen Communications. We discussed the need and cost of these cameras and will further discuss them at the next meeting.

 

Deacons: 

Easter garden order forms are available in the sanctuary.

¨ 3/21- 1st Communion class

¨ 3/29- Palm Sunday

¨ 4/5 - Easter Sunday with children's sermon

¨ 5/3- Confirmation Sunday

¨ 5/17- Senior Graduation Recognition

 

We have received 2 large cash donations for VBS.

 

Board of Ed:

April 29th will be the last night of JAM with a Parent/family night. Confirmation students are seeking donations for the food shelf. In April the students will be shopping for the food shelf with the donations collected. Last year they collected $1,070. A donation plate is also located in the back of the church for food shelf donations.

 

Ralph’s Report:

Ralph’s visits this month were 5 Home/l Living Meadows, 1 Office visit and 3 at Pray without Ceasing. He has attended a daylong session as part of the  Partners in Education of the SW MN Synod and also the annual

meeting of the Watonwan River Conference. Attendance for Wednesday Lenten services at Faith has been spotty. Ralph would like to address this for next year, do we need to change the time of the service? Ralph continues to meet with his mentors Scott Richards and Sarah Zender. He will be attending his 3rd and final SAM retreat April 19-21.

Motion to accept reports was made by Ben/seconded by Kathy.

 

Old Business:

Cranberry hymnals have been purchased. A listing was reviewed for the visiting committee. The new website is operating and looks great, take a look and let us know what you think. The new website is:

faithlutheranmadelia.org

 

New Business:

Spring clean-up is scheduled for 4/29 at 6:00pm. Please consider helping us. We have spoken to an organ repair specialist and received a quote for a service call to fix. They believe it is a magnetic issue with a stuck F pedal.

Chad made a motion to approve the organ repair and Ben seconded. 

Respectfully submitted, Stacy Reed-Secretary