St. John Norrona Newsletter
February 2021
Please have any reports or information to be included in the newsletter, submitted by the 24th of each month. Thank you.
If you would like to receive your newsletter by email, please send a message to: stjohn.norrona@sasktel.net
Pastor Carlton Larsen
Parish Phone (306) 725-3113
Email – stjohn.norrona_pastor@sasktel.net
Mailing Address: Box 505
Strasbourg, Sk. S0G 4V0
Website: stjohnnorrona.com
Online Services Only
As per the guidelines put forward by the Saskatchewan Synod as of Wednesday, November 25, 2020, live services have once again been suspended until further notice. Online services will continue. All St. John and Norrona Lutheran Church services may be viewed at http://stjohnnorrona.com
Scripture Lessons
February 7, 2021 (Fifth Sunday After Epiphany):
Isaiah 40:21-31 Psalm 147:1-11, 20
1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39
February 14, 2021 (Transfiguration Of Our Lord):
2 Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6
2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9
February 21, 2021 (First Sunday In Lent):
Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-10
1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15
February 28, 2021 (Second Sunday In Lent):
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Psalm 22:23-31
Romans 4:13-25 Mark 8:31-38
Pastor’s Report
We are entering the end of this winter. To me it has felt like a long one already as I write this near the end of January. However long it has been, there is no doubt the days are noticeably longer and the sun has a lot more heat in it when it shines. The change is coming.
Change is good. Sometimes we can feel like change is happening too quickly. Sometimes we can feel like we are being left behind. It can feel like change is accelerating and even out of control. For most people change gets more difficult as we get a bit older. It is easy to get comfortable with what we are used to. “That’s the way it has always been” can sound reasonable but it is not a good excuse and it is not even true! “The way it has always been” just means the way something has been recently. It means no more than “what we are used to.” Most of the time it is just an excuse to avoid accepting the new.
New ways can be challenging. New ways can be uncomfortable. The new is unfamiliar by definition. And the unfamiliar can feel frightening. Even threatening. But that does not keep things from changing. That does not keep the new from arriving.
My aunt has spent the last couple of years learning how to use an iPad. She has learned to text and to email and to use facebook. My mother has learned to love texting on her smart phone. Rev. George Evenson, former president of our seminary was in his eighties when he got his first computer. He spent his last twenty years staying in constant touch with hundreds of colleagues and former students via email. These are examples of people willing to learn and grow and stay fresh and green and young despite their age. I hope I do the same.
Others decide they don’t want to learn anything new. They decide to stay stuck in the past and as a result they get left behind. It is sad when that happens. It often results in unnecessary isolation and sometimes can lead to great loneliness.
But change comes to us unbidden. Even God changes! Read the stories of Moses praying for the people in the wilderness. Remember the story of Jonah. When we repent God says that the divine mind is changed. When the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us (John 1) God changed. God took up into divinity the reality of human experience. Salvation changed. Our experience of God is now seen through Christ. That is the essence of the gospel, God become man; the Incarnation. And it is truly The Good News!
So this year we have had a lot of changes. On line church. Zoom meetings. Scripture readings in a corral. New liturgies. New songs. Masks and physical distancing. Some very good things and some things that nobody really enjoys. But here we are and this has all happened. We continue to grow and adapt and change. As God said about the creation: “Behold it is good.” And as for the change that comes in and through human beings God said “Behold it is very good.”
Stay green, stay flexible, keep growing and together we will accept and will grow to love whatever changes God sends to us!
Amen.
Norrona News
As Covid19 restrictions prevent our usual gathering for our annual meeting, alternative plans are being considered. Annual reports and plans for the meeting will be emailed to those for whom we have an email address. They will be hand delivered or mailed to those who we know have no access to email.
Merna and Bob Hanson will be moving to Moose Jaw at the beginning of February. We are so sorry to see them go, but wish God’s blessing on them in their new home.
“The only safe place for a sheep is by the side of his shepherd, because the Devil does not fear sheep. He just fears the Shepherd.”
| Norrona 2020 Financial Statement | |||
| January – December, 2020 | Actual | Budget | |
| General Account Opening Balance | 5155.87 |
| |
| Offering Income |
|
| |
| Offering Envelops | 27373.50 |
| |
| Loose Offering | 179.00 |
| |
| In support of on line worship services | 1120.00 |
| |
| Fundraising Income |
|
| |
| Scandinavian Supper |
|
| |
| Other Income |
|
| |
| GST Income | 208.18 |
| |
| Faith Life Grants |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| Easter Breakfast |
|
| |
| Total Income | 28880.68 |
| |
| EXPENSES |
|
| |
| Parish Expenses (Paid to St. John) | |||
| Pastoral Ministry |
|
| |
| Pastor Salary | 16905.02 | 16922.76 | |
| CPP |
| 787.86 | 724.50 |
| EI |
| 312.16 | 299.72 |
| Mileage |
| 51.22 | 325.00 |
| Health and Dental | 1312.00 | 1338.00 | |
| Continuing Ed. Plan | 168.75 | 150.00 | |
| Pension |
| 1668.27 | 1353.82 |
| LTD |
| 667.80 | 676.91 |
| Book Allowance | 25.08 | 125.00 | |
| Worship and Services |
|
| |
| Pulpit Supply |
| 500.00 | |
| Supply Mileage | 0.00 | 150.00 | |
| Supply Travel Time | 0.00 | 62.50 | |
| Supply Honourariums | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Supply Meetings | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Parish Secretary | 900.00 | 900.00 | |
| Secretary EI | 19.96 | 20.41 | |
| Secretary CPP | 1.32 | 1.28 | |
| Pastor’s Discretionary Fund | 0.00 | 125.00 | |
| Worship Supplies (a/v equip) | 1741.97 | 250.00 | |
| Confirmation/Baptism Supplies | 0.00 | 12.50 | |
| Copier lease, paper, insurance | 366.30 | 575.00 | |
| Office Supplies | 0.00 | 250.00 | |
| Advertising | 24.75 | 11.25 | |
| Copyright Licensing Fees | 36.25 | 40.00 | |
| Miscellaneous | 89.65 | 0.00 | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Parish Properties |
|
| |
| Telephone | 215.28 | 225.00 | |
| Internet Service | 178.84 | 162.50 | |
| Website Hosting | 59.66 | 150.00 | |
| Total Parish Expenses | 25532.14 | 25351.15 | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Congregational Expense |
|
| |
| Insurance |
| 1279.42 | 1300.00 |
| Office/General Administrative | 920.42 | 900.00 | |
| Organist (Designated Fees) | 1170.00 | 1650.00 | |
| Treasurer (Designated Fees) | 600.00 | 600.00 | |
| Repair and Maintenance | 380.89 | 2000.00 | |
| SaskEnergy | 776.14 | 1100.00 | |
| Sask Power | 627.07 | 1200.00 | |
| Scandinavian Supper | 20.67 | 1800.00 | |
| Youth Account | 700.00 | 700.00 | |
| Supplies – Groceries | 18.49 | 400.00 | |
| Worship Supplies | 162.18 | 150.00 | |
| Conventions | 0.00 | 200.00 | |
| Miscellaneous | 0.00 | 100.00 | |
| CLWR Concert (entertainment) | 0.00 | 300.00 | |
| GST Paid on Purchases | 164.93 | 250.00 | |
| Total Congregations Expense | 6820.21 | 12650.00 | |
| Total Expenses | 32352.35 | 38001.15 | |
| Covid 19 wage subsidy | 366.24 |
| |
| From Memorial Acc’t for Audio Equipment | 487.69 |
| |
| From Memorial Acc’t for R/M | 380.89 |
| |
| General Account Closing Balance | 2919.02 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Missions | 01-Jan-20 |
|
|
| Benevolence Received | 1930.00 |
| |
|
| Other (Christmas Hampers) | 500.00 |
|
|
| From Memorial account | 770.00 |
|
| Disbursed – | Synod Benevolence | 1900.00 | 1900.00 |
|
| Kinasao Bible Camp | 250.00 | 250.00 |
|
| Hospital Chaplaincy | 250.00 | 250.00 |
|
| Campus Ministry | 50.00 | 50.00 |
|
| Lutheran Seminary | 250.00 | 250.00 |
|
| Other (Christmas Hampers) | 500.00 | 0.00 |
| Total Disbursed | 3200.00 | 2700.00 | |
| CLWR | 01-Jan-20 |
|
|
| Received | (Benevolence) | 830.00 | 780.00 |
| CLWR Raffle | 0.00 | 350.00 | |
| Fundraiser | (Equip a School & food security) | 1575.00 | 1670.00 |
| Total Disbursed | 2405.00 | 2800.00 | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Memorial | January 1, 2020 | 13045.11 |
|
| Donations |
| 3680.45 |
|
| To General for audio/visual equipment | 487.69 |
| |
| Transferred to Repairs & Maintenance | 380.89 |
| |
| To Missions (benevolence) | 770.00 |
| |
| Balance | 31-Dec-20 | 15086.98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cemetery Fund – January 1, 2020 | 492.86 |
| |
| Donations |
| 1200.00 |
|
| Grass Cutting | 420.00 |
| |
| Balance | 31-Dec-20 | 1272.86 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Youth Group – January 1, 2020 | 730.00 |
| |
| Donations |
|
|
|
| From General Account | 700.00 |
| |
| Balance | 31-Dec-20 | 1430.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Investor Savings – January 1, 2020 | 29111.64 |
| |
| Interest |
| 139.60 |
|
| Balance | 31-Dec-20 | 29251.24 |
|
Norrona Lutheran Church
Financial Report
December 2020
Norrona Revenue
*Regular Sunday Offering (envelopes,
benevolence/missions (including CLWR),
loose, and other Norrona regular offering) $5,688.50
*Other revenue (e.g. bank interest, Norrona
fundraising, and other Norrona-specific
revenue) $ 303.73
Total Revenue $5,992.23
Norrona Expenses
*Norrona portion of Parish Expenses (e.g.
Pastor salary, benefits, EI, mileage, Pulpit
Supply, office & worship supplies, telephone
office secretary) – paid to St. John $1,710.28
*Norrona Congregational Expenses (e.g.
maintenance, insurance, utilities, fundraising,
worship & office supplies, organist) $ 332.37
*Missions of the Church (e.g. Sask. Synod,
CLWR, and other Norrona specific mission
projects) $ 315.00
Total Expenses $2,357.65
Net Income $3,634.58
St. John News
The date for St. John’s Annual Meeting has been set for Sunday, March 14th.
St. John Lutheran Church
Monthly Financial Summary
December 2020
Revenue
Total regular offering (includes for our
Church, CLWR, Benevolence, and pre-
Authorized monthly giving) 5,710.00
Total other revenue (e.g. rental property,
Donations, interest, etc.) 10,372.95
Total revenue 16,082.95
Expenses
Pastor Payroll (e.g. salary, benefits, EI,
mileage, etc.) 5,235.69
Missions (e.g. Benevolence, Sask. Synod,
etc.) 1,395.00
Worship and services (e.g. Pulpit Supply,
travel time, mileage, worship and office
supplies, Organist, Secretary, Treasurer,
Envelope Secretary, etc.) 875.89
Church properties (e.g. power, telephone,
natural gas, bank service charges, line of
credit, insurance, church maintenance,
etc.) 995.60
Total expenses 8,502.18
Net Income 7,580.77
December revenues exceeded expenses. Revenues included mailed-in donations, e-transfers, pre-authorized giving, and direct deposits. Most of the donations (this month and through most of 2020) have been recorded as “gifts received” rather than as regular offering because the donations arrived at various times throughout the month, and were not associated with any particular Sunday service.
Expenses during the month included a special “payroll management” charge to pay for preparation of the 2021 payroll budget.
If you have any questions or comments related to this financial summary report, please contact a St. John Council member.
| St. John Lutheran Church |
| |
| Income Statement 12/01/2020 to 12/31/2020 |
| |
| REVENUE |
| |
| Regular Offering |
| |
| Benevolence | 825.00 |
|
| CLWR | 400.00 |
|
| Envelopes | 4,485.00 |
|
| Loose Offering | 0.00 |
|
| Total Regular Offering | 5,710.00 |
|
| Other Revenue |
| |
| Church Use | 0.00 |
|
| Dividends | 0.00 |
|
| Church Directory | 0.00 |
|
| Fund Raising Income | 0.00 |
|
| Clay Revenue | 0.00 |
|
| Faithlife Grants | 0.00 |
|
| Hospital Ministry | 0.00 |
|
| Epiphany Dessert | 0.00 |
|
| Gifts Received | 9,440.60 |
|
| Property Donations | 0.00 |
|
| Memorial Donations | 60.00 |
|
| Mosaic Fundraiser | 0.00 |
|
| Canada Lutheran | 19.40 |
|
| Parsonage Rent | 850.00 |
|
| Plan 24 Interest | 2.95 |
|
| Total Other Offerings | 10,372.95 |
|
| TOTAL REVENUE | 16,082.95 |
|
| EXPENSE |
| |
| Pastor Payroll Expenses |
| |
| Pastors Salary | 4,230.69 |
|
| CPP | 0.00 |
|
| EI | 0.00 |
|
| Mileage | 0.00 |
|
| Health & Dental | 334.50 |
|
| Church Pension | 451.27 |
|
| Continuing Education Plan | 50.00 |
|
| Long term Disability | 169.23 |
|
| Total Pastor Costs | 5,235.69 |
|
| Missions of the Church |
| |
| Benevolence | 995.00 |
|
| CLWR | 400.00 |
|
| Hospital Ministry | 0.00 |
|
| Total Sask Synod | 1,395.00 |
|
| Fundraising Expenses | 0.00 |
|
| Strasbourg District Foodgrains Bank | 0.00 |
|
| Clay Expenses | 0.00 |
|
| Parish Youth | 0.00 |
|
| Total Missions | 1,395.00 |
|
| Worship & Services |
| |
| Supply Travel Time | 0.00 |
|
| Parish Secretary | 225.00 |
|
| Employer share of EI | 4.98 |
|
| Employer share of CPP | 0.33 |
|
| Organist & Choir | 100.00 |
|
| Postage | 229.65 |
|
| Worship Supplies | 0.00 |
|
| Designated Fees | 125.00 |
|
| Copyright Licensing Fees | 0.00 |
|
| Copier Lease, Paper, Insurance | 0.00 |
|
| Office Supplies | 190.93 |
|
| Office Equipment | 0.00 |
|
| Total Worship & Services | 875.89 |
|
| Church Properties |
| |
| Church Maintenance | 100.00 |
|
| Church Energy | 229.99 |
|
| Church Power | 242.37 |
|
| Website Hosting | 0.00 |
|
| Internet Service | 0.00 |
|
| Church Telephone | 98.94 |
|
| Church Water & Sewer | 0.00 |
|
| Total Church Costs | 671.30 |
|
| Parsonage Energy | 0.00 |
|
| Parsonage Power | 0.00 |
|
| Parsonage Water & Sewer | 0.00 |
|
| Parsonage Maintenance | 0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Parsonage Expenses | 0.00 |
|
| Insurance | 0.00 |
|
| Audit | 0.00 |
|
| Payroll Management | 322.80 |
|
| Service Charges | .00 |
|
| Line of Credit | 1.50 |
|
| Church Directory | 0.00 |
|
| Elevator Maintenance | 0.00 |
|
| Groceries Purchased | 0.00 |
|
| Total Church Properties Expenses | 995.60 | |
| TOTAL EXPENSE | 8,502.18 | |
| NET INCOME | 7,580.77 |
| St. John Lutheran Church |
| |
| Balance Sheet As at 12/31/2020 |
| |
| ASSET |
| |
| Current Assets |
| |
| Affinity Credit Union Chequing | 7,242.09 |
|
| Youth Savings Bank Account | 5,058.01 |
|
| St. John Youth Savings | 1,662.19 |
|
| Memorial Account | 11,371.64 |
|
| Property Account | 9,792.69 |
|
| Insurance/Taxes Account | 1,252.37 |
|
| Total Current Assets | 36,378.99 |
|
| Investments |
| |
| Flex Term | 50,364.77 |
|
| Escalator GIC 60 month | 85,971.57 |
|
| Total Investments | 136,336.34 |
|
| Receivable Accounts |
| |
| Norrona Receivable | 1,688.65 |
|
| Total Norrona Receivable | 1,688.65 |
|
| 50 % GST Receivable | 40.81 |
|
| Total Receivables | 1,729.46 |
|
| Capital Assets |
| |
| Church & Property | 675,339.00 |
|
| Office Furniture & Equipment | 116,800.00 |
|
| Net-Church Building & Equipment | 792,139.00 |
|
| Parsonage | 228,500.00 |
|
| Total Capital Assets | 1,020,639.00 |
|
| TOTAL ASSET | 1,195,083.79 |
|
| LIABILITY |
| |
| Current Liabilities |
|
|
| Damage Deposit | 850.00 |
|
| EI Payable | 10.50 |
|
| CPP Payable | -10.50 |
|
| Total Receiver General | 0.00 |
|
| Total Current Liabilities | 850.00 |
|
| TOTAL LIABILITY | 850.00 |
|
| EQUITY |
| |
| Member’s Equity |
| |
| Equity – Previous Year | 1,190,277.20 | |
| Current Earnings | 3,956.59 | |
| Total Retained Earnings | 1,194,233.79 | |
| TOTAL EQUITY | 1,194,233.79 | |
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | 1,195,083.79 |