Heritage Herald – July 2025 Edition
From Pastor’s Desk
As we celebrate our nation’s birthday, a few words from Luther from his “Table of Duties” in the Small Catechism:
To Bishops, Pastors, and Preachers
The overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 1 Tim. 3:2–4
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 1 Tim. 3:6
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. Titus 1:9
What the Hearers Owe Their Pastors
The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 1 Cor. 9:14
Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Gal. 6:6–7
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” 1 Tim. 5:17–18
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 1 Thess. 5:12–13
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Heb. 13:17
Of Civil Government
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrong-doer. Rom. 13:1–4
Of Citizens
Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. Matt. 22:21
It is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Rom. 13:5–7
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior. 1 Tim. 2:1–3
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good. Titus 3:1
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 1 Peter 2:13–14
Pastor Anderson
FY25 Financial Summary
FY26 Heritage Budget Presentation and Summary (3)
2025 Annual Meeting Packet (2)
Council Update
DIRECTOR REPORTS:
Inreach
- Josh and Pastor will coordinate for inreach installation
- VBS is scheduled for July 7-10
Spiritual Oversight
- Zack has begun playing piano for Saturday services
School Board
- Summer program has started and is off to a great start!
- Ongoing grade offering assessment
- We’re planning an open house
- July 10th (4-7 pm) at the end of VBS
- We will be having classroom floors waxed! We would love some help moving things out prior to this (Aug 14 or 15).
Outreach
- Food truck event will be on the last day of VBS. We would like to coordinate with the open house.
Properties
- A security mailbox will be installed for the church office.
Treasurer
- Further paying down mortgage before Jan ’26 refinance
Chairman
- There will be no July Council Meeting.
TLC/Office
- Jane Fahning is hosting a brunch on 6/14/2025
Adult Bible Study Opportunities
Women’s Bible Study.
Men’s Bible Study
The Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Class will reconvene in the fall.
Heritage Choir
The choir will reconvene in the fall. New members are always welcome!
Member Directory
Here is the Heritage Picture Directory 2025. If you have a family photo that you would like us to use, please submit it to the office.
Volunteer Opportunities Around the Church
- Adopt a Garden signup – please see the volunteer board if you would like to sign up to help maintain one of the garden areas here at Heritage.
- Spring Clean Up – There is a sign up sheet on the volunteer board for spring clean up projects needed around church.
Members Helping Members
VBS –
Vacation Bible School is scheduled for the week of July 7-10. The theme this year is “Epic Australian Adventure.” We have about 50 children pre-registered for VBS. We are looking forward to sharing God’s Word through storytelling, songs, crafts, themed games and snacks. The week will end with a Food Truck event from 4-7 pm on Thursday where we wiil have BD Sammies Food Truck and Kona Ice, the VBS participants will be sharing some of their songs and dances in the parking lot and we will be having an open house for our school as well. All are invited – help spread the word and we hope to see you there!
TLC – The Ladies’ Connection
The Ladies’ Connection will reconvene in September.
Companions in Prayer
My Prayer Story
Have I ever told you about my Aunt Bertha? She was quite a bit older than my Dad – I almost thought of her as another Gramma. Although she always seemed sober and stern, I liked her. Going to her house in Sioux Falls was always a treat. We always celebrated the 4th of July at her house. Mostly because she had such a tiny house and we wouldn’t fit at other holidays. It was 4 rooms – living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen – I think the whole thing including the garage would fit in our Fellowship Hall. There was, I would call it a root cellar, below the kitchen. I always thought it was fun to be sent down the almost ladder-like stairs to get some canned (home made) item off the shelf. On the 4th, aunts, uncles, cousins would gather. The backyard and small attached garage provided enough room for all. She had a big garden – lovely roses and a raspberry patch were what I remember most. I and my cousins would chase through the paths, but knew enough not to step on any plants! The reason I am telling you about my Aunt Bertha is because I remember her on the 4th and also because I learned what I think of as a special table prayer from her. Let me share it with you.
Great God, Giver of all good, Accept our praise and bless our food.
Grace, strength and help to us afford, Through Jesus Christ, our Blessed Lord.
If you would like examples of additional table prayers, there are samples for you to take on the bookcase in the Narthex.
Congregation Prayer Suggestions:
Intercessory prayer – prayers on the behalf of others – are a part of a Christian’s life. If you have a request for Companions in Prayer at Heritage to pray for you or someone you know, please contact Alice Schmidt, Pastor Anderson or the Office. Here are some suggestions to add to your prayer list.
- We celebrate the 4th of July to celebrate our country, especially the blessing of freedom of worship. While there are many views opposing our beliefs, we must be thankful that we are able to practice and share our faith.
Serving in July
Click the link –> Greeter Calendar
Greeter Guidelines
To provide a consistent, friendly, and sincere greeting every Sunday to all members and visitors to Heritage Lutheran Church, guidelines have been developed to help accomplish that goal. Following are some of those guidelines:
- Please mark your calendar for the date you are assigned. The date assigned will be published in the Heritage Newsletter for a two-month period.
- Please be ready to greet no less than 20 minutes before each service for which you have been assigned.
- As you greet visitors, please encourage them to sign our guest book. If there are two people greeting, one of you could escort them to the guest book while the other continues to greet. Ideally you should try to introduce them to another member standing nearby. Sometimes this is difficult to do as the service is starting. In that case, try to chat with them after the service and introduce them to other members after the service.
- Stay at the door until the service is underway; visitors quite often show up late and really need extra help in getting bulletins and a place to sit. Feel free to involve the ushers as needed.
- If you have a chance, get their contact information from the guest book or by asking them for it, and then follow up with a thank you text, email, or note sent to them thanking them for visiting our church. If you inform the church office, they could help with this task.
- If you are unable to greet at both services, please ask someone to fill in for you. If you find out at the last minute, text the following who are willing to help – Remus 651-800-5827, Braun 612-237-1064, Fahning 952-200-2870, Eisenbeis 651-230-4423, Barb Oachs 952-465-5272
- If you have a conflict with the date you were assigned, please contact someone from your month or the next month and trade with them. This helps those doing the scheduling with juggling all the rescheduling. Thank You!
July Ushers, Acolytes & Communion Helpers
Click the link –> Usher Acolyte Calendar
July Recording
7/6 – Stan Miller
7/13- Martin Paulsen
7/20 – Stan Miller
7/27 – Libby Paulsen
July Altar Guild
Sondra Frimanslund/Hannah Anderson
July Fellowship
7/6 – Remus
7/13 – Calhoun
7/20 – Open
7/27 – Braun
July Birthdays
2 Rhoda Siewert
6 Laura Mears
8 Tim Oachs
8 Luchia Balliet
9 Dan Schwanz
14 Sarah Salava
18 Julie Damico-O’Gara
18 Rhonda Eisenbeis
18 Marie Mears
18 Dustin Balliet
22 Alex Meany
23 Carly Sutton
23 Sondra Frimanslund
24 Nathan Nikoley
26 Brooke Oachs
29 Dave Boldt
29 Debbie Krueger
29 Gavin Meany
30 Barb Oachs
31 Josh Mears
31 Kurt Arehart
31 Elizabeth Schmidt