Christian life

Worship & Lifelong learning in Christ

Faith Formation:

We are a people always learning about how to be and live into our lives of following Christ. In different opportunities we are invited to join and learn together starting at birth and onward as adults. This is called continued Faith Formation. Please look through different opportinues in which you might feel called to learn more about of connectedness in Christ. We are glad to grow together in Christ with you!

Why do we provide these faith building opportunities?

  • We want to provide activities for all ages of the faith life.

  • The church is not just the adults and elders, but also the little ones with
    big hearts who are to be involved and included.

  • We want Triple A Adults (Authentic, Available, Affirming) as mentors or
    examples of our faith for our fellow disciples.

  • We want to send Youth to the Middle School Gathering and Cardia Deo.

  • We want to help get kids to camp at Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry.

  • We Want young and old feeling like this is a safe place to ask questions,
    to learn more, and connect more.

  • We’re all in this together, supporting one another, and having fun together!

Spiritual Education

  • From Mid September to Mid May, Sunday School is held after communion on Sunday Mornings until 11:30. The curriculum is from Sparkhouse of Augsburg Fortress.

    Blessing of the backpacks and Rally Sunday were held in September Children Received Bibles in October. Vacation Bible School is often Held the second week in June.

    Children and families are encouraged to participate in an active worship and faith community life at French River Lutheran. The Four Sunday of the Month is Youth Led Worship alongside Pastor Kim Sturtz. If you or your child would like to participate or share special music, please contact the church office.

  • Fish Force is a Wednesday Night implemented group for those kids who are older Sunday school kids but too young for confirmation. (4th Grade -6th Grade) meeting from 5:30 -6:30 we have weekly checkin, small bible connection, and game and/or snacks.

    Think youth group!

  • Ages 6th-9th grade

    Focus on Biblical Faith and Lutheran Theology of Grace. Wednesday Nights during school year 6:45-7:45pm. Contact Pastor Kim or church office to enroll your child.

  • Held Monday evenings 6-7 pm. Various studies are done on biblical connection to our lives of faith

  • What’s up Wednesday or Sup Sundays is are different events that invite the community in to learn about peoples journeys around the countryand world and how it connects to seeing the bigger creation of God in our lives.

  • Engagement in Faith Formation Team

    ASSISTANT TO THE MINISTER
    yes, you may all do this! Please speak with Pastor Kim Sturtz or contact the office to pick a date.

    ACOYLTE training to provide this service is available. Contact Pr. Kim Sturtz or the office with your interest. if you are old enough to focus on holding the acolyte stick with bringing the light (fire) of Christ into the worship service, you may be an acolyte. FUNDRAISING

    *Grandma’s Marathon Parking Lot & Snack Stall Fundraiser. Our biggest fundraiser of the year on the busiest day on the the Scenic North Shore!

    *Pie and T-shirt fundraisers throughout the year

Worship & Music Ministry:

  • FRLC has a very fruitful Worship & Music Committee with a group of people within a church responsible for many aspects of worship.

    Worship in a church usually consists of the music, songs and the people leading it in voice and with instruments. A worship committee plans and coordinates these aspects for the church’s services.

    Meeting monthly on the Second Tuesday at 11 am, we gather to plan ways that worship will carry out the vision of the church through the way it worships. The committee plan the ways the church will worship depending on the season of the church year. One duty of this team is to design worship services that nurture and enhance the congregation’s worship life. This is accomplished through dynamic, meaningful services.

    Please Contact ArMand Nelson, Worship & Music Chair if you have ideas, questions, or would like to join this group.

  • We have many ways of making a joyful noise in celebration of our faith:

    FRLC Choir practices on Wednesdays fall through spring at 7pm in the choir loft

    FRLC Bell Ringers practice on Sunday Mornings once a month before playing for worship

    FRLC Riversong Rising Contemporary Band practices second & third Thursdays @ 5pm in the sanctuary. If you would like to share your gifts in these pathways, email Pastor Kim at frlcpastorsturtz@gmail.com

  • The Altar Guild is a group of volunteers who help prepare the church for worship services, weddings, funerals, baptism, Holy Communion, and other important acts carried out in the church. The members who serve on the Altar Guild perform critical roles in the worship life of our congregation. If you are interested in helping serve in this capacity, new members are always welcomed and will receive the necessary training and support to ensure you are comfortable with the altar guild role.

    For more information about getting involved with the Altar Guild, please contact Lynne Compton, FRLC Altar Guild Lead

  • Ushers are member of the church congregation who are trained to greet those coming in the door, and assist in the aid of leading congregation members in how to participate in the service. They play an important role in ensuring that the service is welcoming, comfortable, and runs smoothly for the members and visitors.

    If you would like to be an Usher or have more questions please contact, Phil Strom

  • Lector is someone who reads during our worship service, usually the scripture readings, and prayers of the people. Any age is welcome to be lectors during the service.

    A sign up sheet for dates is located at the Welcome Center in the Narthex (Gathering Space Area in the back of the church) or contact Skipper Sironen.

Hospitality Team:

  • Every year we have some traditional events that the Hospitality Team Hosts to help bring our community of faith together. Through helpful creative planing and organization, we become more woven together in what connects us at our center, hospitality of welcoming all to our faith

    Yearly Held Events below:

    National Night Out Neighborhood Gathering (August)
    Rally Sunday (September)
    Adopt-A-Highway Roadside Clean up (Early October)
    Trunk Or Treat (October)
    Turkey Bingo (November)
    Scandinavian Festival (December)
    Scandinavian Dinner (Feb or March before Lent)
    Easter Breakfast (March or April)
    Adopt-A-Highway Roadside Clean up (Late April - Early May —*depends on snow depth)
    Graduate Sunday (May)

  • Correspondence in form of cards of encouragement. Sent in honor of anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, in sympathy. If you have someone you know that could use a bit of love via snail mail, please contact Carol Surine

  • Shawls which have bean made for centuries universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted, affirmed, and wrapped in the prayers of our community.

    Whether they are called Prayer Shawls, Comfort Shawls, Peace Shawls, or Mantles, etc., the shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way. Some recipients have continued the kindness by making a shawl and passing it onto someone in need. Thus, the blessing ripples from person-to-person, with both the giver and receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mothering God!

    Shawls can be used for: undergoing medical procedures; as a comfort after a loss or in times of stress; during bereavement; prayer or meditation; commitment or marriage ceremonies; birthing, nursing a baby; bridal shower or wedding gift; leading ritual; first menses or croning rites of passage; during an illness and recovery; ministering to others; graduation, birthday, anniversary, ordination, holiday gifts; or just socializing...there are endless possibilities!

  • Crafters of fabric unite in fun and creativity to create different items for our graduates, people in need, or for sale for our various events held at the church.

    Got an itch to learn how to quilt or sew? Contact Peggy Dahlberg or Sandy Dahlberg

  • When people need help, the French River Lutheran Church prayer chain is here for them. We all know how powerful prayer can be and many have experienced healing, peace, guidance, and other answers to their needs through this ministry. 

    Requests are compiled daily and distributed to our members of the Prayer Chain. Prayers for those with long-term needs are placed on a special list and prayed for daily. Other requests are prayed according to the desires of those requesting the prayers.

    It can be heart-wrenching to read some of the requests for relief and suffering, the emotional anguish some are experiencing, and the trials some endure. There are also moments of joy when we hear praise reports of prayers that have been answered.

    Typically, a prayer chain starts with one person who shares a prayer need with the group, then the request is passed along to the members of the group to pray over.

    If you would like ask for a prayer for any one of these situation please contact Carol Surine or Babs Strom

  • Archive of Books Read

    The French River Readers have been meeting continuously since 2004. Our reading choices are varied and always chosen by consensus. We meet on the third Thursday of each month, year round. November through April we meet at 1 PM, and May through October we meet at 7:30 PM. We usually meet in the Fireside Room of French River Lutheran Church. We often have a snack and dessert, though our main focus is on the book at hand.

    Once a year, for our November meeting, and in thanksgiving for our fellowship and our love of reading, we collect children's board books for distribution to a children's outreach. We want to start a reading habit early in life.

    Once a year, for our December meeting, we all bring appetizers - sweet or savory - and play a game. Our December book is usually a light-hearted Christmas-themed story.

    We have a good time, and we would love for you to join us!

    If you have questions, call or email Carol Surine at 218-525-4426 or carolsurine@gmail.com.

Memorial Committee:

  • Memorial gifts can be in memory of a loved one who has died or in honor of a loved one who is still alive. If you would like to designate your memorial, you should place your gift in a separate envelope from your regular offering. Be sure to include your name, your address, and the fund you would like the memorial deposited into on the envelope. This an important step to help ensure your gift is properly recognized and designated because the financial secretary only receives envelopes and a listing of loose checks ? not the actual checks which are deposited promptly. The Memorial Committee is responsible for sending thank you notes for all memorial contributions. Memorial gifts will also be acknowledged on the statement you receive from the financial secretary.

    The funds within the memorial account are:

    • Altar Guild
    • Choir/Music
    • Designated Funds
    • Fireside Room
    • Flooring
    • Maintenance
    • Office/Computer
    • Organ/Bells
    • Parking Lot
    • Undesignated

    *memorial gifts can be divided between funds

    Memorial Committee requests are carefully considered. Decisions are based on whether an item qualifies as a suitable memorial and will enhance the worship experience at French River Lutheran Church. The committee may disburse memorial gift fund money of $500 or less, consistent with fund designation, at their discretion through the church treasurer. Disbursements of more than $500 need to be approved by the church council. The committee meets regularly in March, June, September and December and at other times as necessary. Memorial funds should be requested prior to the purchase of an item(s) and not used for reimbursement of expenses already incurred.

    Memorial Fund requests should be submitted using the form available on the FRLC website or in the Memorial Committee mailbox located outside the church office.

    Forms for Memorial Gifts for Memorial Committee to review is found in the Resource Tab under Helpful Documents

WOMen of French River - (Women of the ELCA -W.E.L.C.A.):

  • What is WELCA? It’s an easy way to say Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

    Quite a mouthful, we know. Our organization includes Lutheran women who gather in more than 4,500 locations in the U.S. and the Caribbean, for service, study, advocacy, fellowship and more! WELCA embraces all kinds of ministries that support our mission of mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. There is a place for you in Women of the ELCA.

    Starting During the First World War, WELCA was known as Lutheran Ladies Aid. In Lutheran churches around the country and world, many women of the church gathered and organized food & clothing drives, letters & care packages to those over seas, and ministries to third world countries through care kits for women, children, and those looking to give a better opportunity to lives in Christ though any and all hardship. Over the years it has developed extensively to serve a multitude of ministries, empowering women to be BOLD in their ministry to serve in whatever capacity they are able.

    WELCA of French River Lutheran (or Women of French River - W.O.F.R.) Typically meets on the second Thursday of the Month at 1 pm. Light Refreshments, a bible study, and business meeting are typical for these monthly gatherings.

    *****WELCA is the women’s ministry organization of the ELCA. It is separately incorporated and is not an auxiliary of the church. It is financially independent and responsible for its own financial affairs. Financial support comes from individual and group offerings and gifts.

WelLNESS & Health Education

  • “The Body of Christ and Mental Illness” seeks to raise awareness of the challenges of mental illness, offer reflection and direction, and inspire action. This social message notes how mental illness makes the most basic aspects of everyday life daunting and sketches some of the challenges. These include the challenges to human dignity and difficulties in gaining access to treatment, problems that worsen existing social inequalities and lapses in the U.S. health care system.

    The message puts to rest the notion that mental illness is an indicator of special sin in the family or the person suffering from it. It emphasizes the church's role in encouraging companionship and healing, via restoration of relationships — heeding Galatians 6:2. What people with mental illness most need is time to pursue and engage in treatment and to maintain or create relationships where they can exercise their abilities. Throughout the many forms of ministry the church provides, the church is called to confront practices that do not uphold human dignity and to offer hope and companionship, and attend to its own practices around health, its public voice, and the sensitive and thoughtful preparation of church leaders.

    If you are experiencing depression, anxiety, self doubt, or anything that may cause your mental health to wary, Pastor Kim would be glad to have a pastoral care meeting with you and provide spiritual care to the level of her understanding. If what care is needed is beyond her knowledge or level of aid, she will help connect with mental health counselors and doctors.

    Resources are also vailable from our Synod Office and Mental Health Coordinator, Joy Hensel.

    Click here for more information and guidance: https://nemnsynod.org/mentalhealth/

  • Healing Services are held quarterly during our worship services. This isn’t considered a miracle healing but rather a place to name, whether silently or aloud, the hurts or healing that is desired in the heart an head with an anointing blessing from the pastor.

  • Bi-Annualy after worship, congregants may come to the fireside room and have their blood pressure checked by one of our many talented nurses in our congregation.

LONG RANGE PLANNING

  • Our Consititution was updated in accordance with the updated changes of the larger body of the ELCA, in the Spring of 2023 Please click here if you wish to read through this detailed document of how and why we do what we do in our denomination and congregation.

    Click here for the FLRC Constitution 2023

  • This congregation may adopt bylaws. No bylaw may conflict with this constitution.

    Bylaws may be adopted or amended at any legally called meeting of this congregation with a quorum present by a two-thirds vote of those voting members present and voting.

    Changes to the bylaws may be proposed by any voting member, provided that such additions or amendments be submitted in writing to the Congregation Council at least 60 days before a regular or special Congregation Meeting called for that purpose. The Congregation Council shall notify this congregation’s members of the proposal with the council’s recommendations at least 30 days in advance of the Congregation Meeting. Notification may take place by mail or electronic means, as permitted by state law.

    By-Laws updated as of 2023 - Click here

  • This committee oversees analyzing, understanding and communicating the long-range needs of the congregation and of the church, in accordance with the church’s mission.

    This committee shall be responsible for conducting open congregational forums, surveys, and other activities aimed at obtaining thoughts, perceptions, and ideas about the current state of the church, and to solicit input as to the long-range strategies needed to effectively pursue the mission of FRLC. Subsequently, this committee is responsible for outlining and collating the results of these studies in a written report to the FRLC Council for prioritization and action. The report will also be submitted to the FRLC office for inclusion in the FRLC Annual Report. This Committee will be responsible for communicating all findings to the congregation as needed.