Eastman, Prairie du Chien & Wauzeka UMC s 7:30 p.m. Wednesday March 15, 4:30 to 7:00 pm Find us on Facebook! PdC Search Eastman Search

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1 The H arvest 2017 Combined N ew sletter of the: the Prairie du Chien U nited M ethodist Church Eastman Salem U nited M ethodist Church W auzeka St. Paul s U nited M ethodist Church Welcome to the combined newsletter of the Prairie du Chien, Eastman and Wauzeka United Methodist Churches. We hope you enjoy it and welcome your feedback! Be sure to check out the full color version of this newsletter at, Eastman, Prairie du Chien & Wauzeka UMC s Ash Wednesday Worship March 1st-7:30pm at the Prairie du Chien United Methodist Church For centuries the season of Lent has begun on Ash Wednesday, a day of remembrance of our sin and mortality to remind every Christian of his or her absolute need of God s redemption in Jesus Christ. A worship service will be offered at Prairie du Chien UMC this Ash Wednesday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. Please note that this time is half an hour later than the earlier published time of 7 p.m. The reason for the time change is to allow Pastor Lynn Schreck and lay leaders from Eastman and Wauzeka to participate in the service and still keep their commitments to other ministries that day. All are welcome to this somber but beautiful service. Wednesday March 15, 4:30 to 7:00 pm This is a major fund raiser for those Eastman youth who will be attending the Sidekick Mission Trip to Missouri, June 25-July 1. Serving pancakes, sausages, apple sauce and drinks -- come hungry and help support the youth who seek to serve Christ! Then STAY for the Wednesday evening service at 7:00 pm. Sermon Series Half Truths will consider the saying, God helps those who help themselves. In the Bible or not?? Find us on Facebook! PdC Search PdC United Methodist Church Eastman Search The United Methodist Church of Eastman Wauzeka Search United Methodist Church of Wauzeka, WI

2 ~M essage from Pastor B arb ~ Dear Friends: The season of Lent begins on March 1. Lent is a very old practice in the Christian church; its name comes from a very old Germanic word for spring. In the beginning, meaning at least the 2 nd century when we first see a period of preparation for Easter mentioned in writing, Lent was observed only by people planning to be baptized on Easter Sunday. But by the 4 th century, Lent was for everybody, and lasted 40 days the period of time scripture says Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil. Catholics and Orthodox Christians have specific rules for the observance of Lent. Protestants don t, though more and more of them, especially from the churches now called old line like the United Methodist Church, have begun to see the advantages of this period of deliberate spiritual exercise for the health and strength of their faith. The traditional practices of Lent are fasting, prayer, almsgiving (charity), and the reading the scripture. I commend them all to you. Fasting: John Wesley recommended fasting to all Methodists as a way to control your appetite and focus your attention on God and your need of Him. A good way to begin this discipline if you have not already established it in your life is to try a Wesley fast : abstaining from food from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., being sure to drink plenty of water. Use the time you save by not preparing and eating a noon meal to pray or read. (Note: Diabetics and people with certain other medical conditions should not fast.) Prayer: Lent is the perfect time to strengthen the practice of regular prayer. A good goal would be to read Morning Prayer and Evening prayer each day. You can find these services in the back of our hymnal. If you already do that, you might want to add prayer at noon or night (called Compline) to your daily practice. I have some good noon and night prayer services I would be happy to share if you would like them. Almsgiving: While Lent is usually described as a time of giving something up, it is also a time of putting something positive in its place. Consider setting aside the money you save by fasting or other form of abstinence for a gift to a cause that extends God s grace and mercy in the world. You will have a chance to make an extra gift to your church during Lent, and many other causes are also worthy. Reading Scripture: Jesus relied on his knowledge of scripture to recognize, resist and reject the temptations of the devil. Lent is an excellent time to deepen and broaden your own knowledge of scripture. A Bible Study called The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus will be offered at Prairie du Chien UMC on Sunday evenings in Lent; all adults are welcome. You may also want to set a goal of reading a book of the Bible with which you are unfamiliar or study intensively the readings for worship each weekend. I look forward to this season of spiritual refreshment. May God give us a holy Lent, and the means to observe it. Pastor Barb Page 2

3 (or a view of our world from Pastor Lynn s windshield) A little boy had just returned home from an Ash Wednesday church service. The little girl from next door asked him what the smudge was on his forehead. He replied, "It's Ash Wednesday." "What's Ash Wednesday?" she asked. "Oh," he replied, "It's when Christians begin their diet." Well, Ash Wednesday and Lent are about more than just changing our eating habits. Ash Wednesday occurs 46 days before Easter. That might strike you as odd, because we often speak of the 40 days of Lent. Here s the reason for the discrepancy: Sundays in this period are not counted among the days of Lent because each Sunday is a celebration of the Resurrection. Ash Wednesday falls on different dates from year to year depending on the date of Easter (which is determined by a very complicated formula). It can occur as early as February 4 or as late as March 10. Lent is a season observed ONLY by the Church. It is our way of remembering the adult Jesus (and how everything ended)... rather than the baby Jesus (and how everything began). For some, Lent is a disciplined effort at self-improvement. Lent might involve a conscious decision to better the self in ways deemed necessary or spiritually beneficial: providing a service for someone, changing a habit, reading an inspirational book/devotion, attending worship, daily offering an undeserved kindness, seeking reconciliation. While for others, Lent is the church's permission to go inward, to investigate the interior life, to be rather than do, to deepen rather than widen: listening for God; waiting upon God; praying; journaling; or merely making peace with silence. As for giving something up... or taking something on... you be the judge. As for doing better... versus digging deeper... well, you be the judge of that, too. Ask yourself a question: "Which needs more work, my behavior or my interior?" Only you know. The Wauzeka & Eastman churches are providing Lenten devotional booklets and pocket coins to help you remember the importance of this season Christians observe. You are encouraged to take extras and GIVE THEM AWAY, a simple way to witness to your faith. Our Sermon Series for Lent is based on the book Half Truths by Adam Hamilton. These are phrases that sound Christian like something you might find in the Bible. Each captures some element of truth, yet misses the point in important ways. Our series will compare these common Christian clichés to the message and ministry of Jesus. March Everything happens for a reason. March God helps those who help themselves. March God won t give you more than you can handle. March God said it, I believe it, that settles it. April Love the sinner, hate the sin. All of our Lenten preparation/ observations/ disciplines lead us to the most significant week in the life of any Christian HOLY WEEK. Below you will find our Holy Week schedule. Mark your calendars NOW! (Cont. on next page)

4 ~H appening s In E astm an & W auzeka~ Maundy Thursday (April 13) this night we remember how Christ served the disciples and the world as we recall the Footwashing and participate in The Last Supper. Services at the Wauzeka Lutheran Church (Time TBA) and the Prairie du Chien UMC 7:00 pm. No service in Eastman. Good Friday (April 14) time to remember + contemplate the suffering + death of Jesus on the cross. Wauzeka: the CROSSWALK is a silent procession led by a single somber drummer. Participants carry a cross as a witness to the community of Christ s sacrifice for the world. Gather at 12:30 in riverside park. We will conclude at the UMC with a brief ceremony remembering the last words of Jesus from the cross. Eastman: a brief Last Supper will be shared, followed by a TENEBRAE SERVICE through readings and music, as candles and all light is extinguished, we will remember the betrayal, abandonment and agony of Christ the last 3 days of his mortal life. This very moving service begins at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. Prairie du Chien: no services EASTER (April 16) Wauzeka Sunrise Service begins at 7:00 am followed by Breakfast Prairie du Chien -- Sunrise Service at 7:00 am; Breakfast at 8:00 am; Easter Worship at 10am Eastman 10:15 am service with video and special music to express our joy for the Resurrection! Together in this journey through Lent & Life, Pastor Lynn EASTMAN That s right! During the season of Lent, the worship service will be offered TWICE: on Sunday morning at 10:15 am and again on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm, beginning March 8 th. While the Wednesday evening service will be shorter in length, it will also focus on the sermon series Half Truths. Please see Pastor Lynn s corner for more details. DATES to REMEMBER in MARCH: 1 (E) Rock Solid, 5:30-7:00 pm; 15 (E) Pancake Supper 4:30-7:00 pm ASH WED. service in PdC 7:30 pm (E) Sun. AM on Wed. Worship 7:00pm 5 Communion; (E) Blessed Brew God Helps Those who Help Themselves (W) Admin. Counc. Mtg 6:00 pm 19 (E) Sunday School 6 (W) Bible Study at PdC, 10 am 22 (E) Sun. AM on Wed. Worship 7:00pm 8 (E) Sun. AM on Wed. Worship 7:00pm God Won t Give You more than You Can Handle Everything Happens for a Reason 29 (E) Sun. AM on Wed. Worship 7:00pm 10 Devotions Prairie Maison 9:45 & God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It Hymn Sing Bluff Haven 10:30 am APRIL 5 (E) MOVIE TIME following 12 [Daylight Savings] worship: God is NOT Dead Page 4

5 ~H appening s In E astm an & W auzeka~ The February CAKE AUCTION had tremendous support, bringing in more than $4,500! Thanks to Kathy Oswald who s berry pie sold for $65! We still need to raise about $10,000 to reach our goal of $27, so we can pack/provide 124,416 meals (16 pallets). COUNTRY WESTERN CONCERT Sunday, March 19 1:30 pm at St. John s Lutheran Church, Boscobel Eric Nofsinger & his Most Wanted Band who travel with Maggie Mae & the Heartland Band; won numerous awards for his country/ gospel/ down home easy-listening music! All proceeds to FMSC! Our sympathy and prayers go to the family and friends whose loved one has found new life with Christ: Laverne DuCharme January 30, 2017 (husband of June, brother-in-law of Leota Granzow) SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM Emersyn Marie Smethurst February 5, 2017 (daughter of Chad & Teesha, sister to Avery/ Hayven/Irelynn, granddaughter of Jim & Darlene Payne, great-grandchild of Art & Lena Zabel) Our GREETERS on the frontline of hospitality, are: Wauzeka Eastman March 5 Kristine Hanson Darlene Payne & Lena Zabel March 12 Dana Knutson Susie Konichek Family March 19 Reichmanns Sally Light March 26 Mary Chunat Cindy Payne & Family Eastman Blessed Brew March 5 Sally Light and Linda Christensen April 2 Kari Kronberg and Jessica Granzow March Celebrations: Eastman Birthday s: 7 Gabby Routt, 8 Shae Routt, 9 Scott Sheckler, 12 Briar Routt, 13 Brittany Sheckler, 17 Del Schreck, 18 Jerry Jones, 23 Landon Trautsch, 25 Abigail Feye, 26 Brandon Routt, 26 Janet Geisler Happy Anniversary Steve & Terri Achanbach on March 20th Wauzeka Birthday s: 9 Tony Burgus, 14 Megan Mormann, 15 Karen Burgus, 20 Tyson Wolf, 22 Sharon Dearborn, 22 Ken Dearborn Pg. 5

6 ~Som ething for E veryone~ Sunday, March 12th Daylight savings time begins! Ham & Hash Brown Casserole Ingredients: 1 (32-oz) package frozen hash brown potatoes 1 pound cooked diced ham 2 (10.75-oz) cans condensed cream of potato soup 1 (16-oz) container sour cream 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix together hash browns, ham, cream of potato soup, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. Spread into prepared pan. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake 1 hour, or until bubbly and lightly brown. What s Happening at Mt. Hope UMC? Pancake Breakfast Sunday, March 19-8am to noon Malachi Memorial Youth Camp July 30th to August 3, 2017 More info next month If interested contact Lance Wetter Phone: Second Fifty Group The Second Fifty Group meets Tuesday, March 28th at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church. They will be going to Bagley for Lunch and Donna Teynor, master gardener, will be the speaker after the luncheon. If you wish to go, call the St. Peter's church office for the correct time and to register. Anyone may go. Just call in your reservation to the office. Important Reminder Please keep the church office updated with your current address, phone number, address, birthday s and anniversaries. We want to keep in touch with you! Card Making Fundraiser for Relay for Life Friday, April 21st 4-8pm at the PdC United Methodist Church Cost: $11 Cost includes card making for 5 cards (variety of styles) snacks and drinks. Basket Raffles! Questions: Contact Nola Nagel Page 6

7 ~ N ew s F rom the PdC O ffice~ Treasurer s Report Treasurer: Jen Kapinus General Fund Receipts February 1-20: $6968 Apportionments Our goal: $7400 Where we are: $ (as on Feb. 20, 2017) Where it came from: Scrip Revenue: $ Designated Giving: $ % of General Fund Offering: $ For a complete financial report, please see Jen in the office. PdC Birthday s 7 Randall VandeCreek 11 Abigail McCullick 13 Joan Paulson 15 Rob McDonald 16 Nickolas McCullick 17 Kay McDonald 19 Hazel Boom 24 Jo Cox 27 Dee Dee Muilenburg 28 Rosemary Streeter 31 Megan Carpenter Happy Anniversary! 23rd Ron and Sylvia Hollenberger Our District Superintendent Scott Carlson and District Administrative Assistant Sherry Malone have asked that United Methodists in the Southwest District pray for the following congregations during March: Marshall, their clergy Heidi Loomis and the 138 members. Marshall is located at 318 William St, PO Box 187, Marshall 53559; March 6 March 12. Mazomanie: Midland, their clergy Aaron Alfred and the 131 members. Midland is located at County Rd KP, Mazomanie 53560; March 13 March 19. Merrimac, their clergy Roxanne Gnatzig, and the 76 members. Merrimac s mailing address is 200 LuFoster Ln, Merrimac 53561; March 20 March 26. Mineral Point: Bethel, their clergy Gerhardt Miller and the 49 members. Bethel s mailing address is 400 Doty St, Mineral Point 53565; March 27 April 2. Save time, simplify your life, and support the church! Our electronic contribution program is an automatic funds transfer program that will allow you to make contributions without having to lift a pen to write a check or reach into your wallet for cash! Here is how it works: you authorize a specified amount of money to be electronically transferred directly from your checking or savings account to the Church account. You also specify the frequency of the transfer to allow you to keep your check register up to date. In Worship for March Greeters: March 1-(Ash Wed.) Ken & Jan Meyer March 5 -Diana Temte March 12-Helen Larson March 19-Jo Cox March 26-Brenda William March Ushers Ken & Dorothy Birrenbach Ushers are needed April December March Accompanists March 5 Lori Frailey March 12 Sue McDonald March 19 Garrett O Connell March 26 Garrett O Connell Page 7

8 ~H appening s in PdC~ YOU ARE INVITED TO THE WAY: FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS : During Lent, Pastor Barb will lead a Bible study for adults on Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. (the regular 7 a.m. Bible study is moving to this later time for Lent). The first sessions will be on March 5 and March 7 (and will continue weekly until Holy Week); each session will last one hour. This study focuses on gospel passages which follow the ministry of Jesus from his baptism and temptation through his entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and reflects on how Christians today can imitate his virtues in daily life. Daily devotional readings are also provided. The Way was written by Adam Hamilton, pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, who will be a featured speaker at Annual Conference this year. This study would be one way to get acquainted with one of the most effective leaders of our denomination today. Easter Lilies will be available in April for purchase in honor or in memory of a loved one. Contact the office to place your order. Price details and deadlines have not yet been made available. Volunteer Needed.to plan and coordinate a Brat and Hot Dog stand at True Value sometime this summer. If you are interested in leading this fundraiser, call Jen in the office! Looking Ahead to Palm Sunday Worship April 9th at 10am Maundy Thursday Worship April 13th at 7pm Good Friday Worship at Wauzeka UMC the CROSSWALK is a silent procession led by a single somber drummer. Participants carry a cross as a witness to the community of Christ s sacrifice for the world. Gather at 12:30 in riverside park. We will conclude at the UMC with a brief ceremony remembering the last words of Jesus from the cross. Community Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 15th at 10am (see details on pg. 11) Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at 7am Easter Breakfast 8-9am Easter Worship at 10am For more details please read Pastor Lynn s letter on pages 3 & 4. There are many opportunities for Worship during Lent. Page 8

9 ~H appening s in PdC~ News from UMW. Our next meeting will be March 8th at 1pm. Our program, Regional Missionaries will be given by Lola Childs. Hostess is Juanita Dyer. Mark Your Calendars: UMW Mission Action Day Sat. April 1, 2017 At Columbus UMC. Program topic: homelessness. Full details are on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Sandy McCluskey, UMW President Martha Circle Martha Circle will be changed to Monday, March 6th at 7pm. We will have a guest speaker, Terri Lins. She has recently traveled to Africa and is eager to share her experiences and pictures with us. Any one interested in hearing Terri speak is invited to come. Our Hostess for the evening is Sharon Anderson. Youth Breakfast Sunday, March 5, :30am Cost is a free will offering. Serving: Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage & Apple Sauce Come and support our Youth Group! Prayer Circle Our next meeting will be Tuesday, March 21st at 9am at Huckleberry s. PdC UMC Annual Chicken Dinner Fried Chicken, Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Corn, Dessert! Thursday, April 27th 4:30-7:30pm At Huckleberry s Banquet Hall Cost: $9 Adults & $4.50 Kids Basket Raffles & Quilt Raffle PDC ANNUAL SPRING RUMMAGE SALE April 7th & 8th 8am until Noon Set up will be Thursday, April 6th. Volunteers are needed to help set up. Donations can be dropped off all week beginning April 2nd. All donations are welcome! Scrip Card Orders Reminder~ Scrip orders are placed every Monday by 10am. Orders can be placed with either Juanita Dyer on Sunday mornings, or with Jen in the office. Orders typically arrive by Thursday mornings. All Scrip revenue is applied to our Conference Apportionments. There are hundreds of stores and restaurants that offer Scrip (gift cards). Just a few of the local options are: Walmart, Piggly Wiggly, Kwik Trip, BP, Cabela s, Papa Murphy s, Maurices, Subway, Hardees. Other options from around the area include: Target, Kohl s, Menards, most chain restaurants, JCPenny, Macy s, Lowes, Amazon, Sears, Home Depot, and MANY more. NOW available Visa and Discover pre-paid cards that work anywhere! See Jen Kapinus with your questions! Page 9

10 PdC March 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 7am Men s Breakfast 6:30 Youth Group 2 4 5pm Potluck and Prayer Service :30 Youth Breakfast 8:45 Church School 9:30 Prayer 10am Worship 6:30 Lenten Study 6 7pm Martha Circle 7 10am Memorial Committee Meets 10am Lenten Study 8 7am Men s Breakfast 1pm UMW 6:30 Youth Group 9 7pm Finance Committee Meets pm Contemporary Service 12 8:45 Church School 9am Fellowship 9:30 Prayer 10am Worship 6:30 Lenten Study 13 6:45 Board of Trustees 7:30 Church Council 14 10am Lenten Study 15 7am Men s Breakfast 2:30 Prairie Maison 6:30 Youth Group 16 10am Worship at Walter Schmidt pm Contemporary Service 19 8:45 Church School 9am Fellowship 9:30 Prayer 10am Worship 6:30 Lenten Study am Prayer Circle 10am Lenten Study 22 7am Men s Breakfast 6:30 Youth Group pm Contemporary Service 26 8:45 Church School 9am Fellowship 9:30 Prayer 10am Worship 6:30 Lenten Study am Lenten Study 11am-1pm 2nd St. Peter s Lutheran 29 7am Men s Breakfast 6:30 Youth Group 30 31

11 ~PdC A nnual E aster E gg H unt~ Saturday, April 15th at 10am We are looking forward to this years Easter Egg hunt! In the meantime, we are going to begin to collect items to fill the eggs. This year we are looking at some alternatives to candy. We have been looking at how many eggs we have and how much candy it takes to fill the eggs. We can reduce the amount of sugar we are giving the kids, by filling the eggs with other fun surprises. Below is a list of suggestions and things needed. We are also asking for donated bags of candy. Temporary tattoos Mini dinosaur figures Colorful Band-Aids Bouncy Balls Stickers Stamps Matchbox car Porcupine Balls Rings Barrettes, bows, ponytail holders Alphabet magnets Finger puppets Light up rings Zipper pulls Mini flashlights Sticky hands Jumping frogs Slap bracelets Mini springs Glow in the dark bugs Bracelets Party Poppers Spin tops These are some ideas of toys that we feel will fit inside of eggs. We are open to other items you may want to contribute that can be hidden inside of the eggs. Our goal is to do half the eggs in candy and half the eggs in small treasures. We are looking forward to another egg hunt and appreciate all the help and support. If you have any questions please contact Katrina Owens , or Dorothy Birrenbach Page 11

12 Prairie du Chien United Methodist Church 625 S Dousman Prairie du Chien, WI Address Service Requested TO: 2017 Eastman & Wauzeka Worship Pastor Lynn Schreck Wauzeka Sunday mornings Worship & Sunday School 8:30 am Communion 1st Sunday Eastman Sunday mornings Worship at 10:15 Sunday School 10:15 (except 1st Sun. of month) Communion First Sunday Rock Solid 1 st Wednesday, 5:30-7:15pm Contact Info: Find us on Facebook, search: Wauzeka: United Methodist Church of Wauzeka, WI Eastman: The United Methodist Church of Eastman Pastor Lynn Phone: sschreck@centurytel.net Prairie du Chien Worship Pastor Barb Cook Pastor Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 8:30-12:30 Sunday Mornings 8:45am Children s Church School 9:00am Fellowship Hour 10:00am Traditional Worship Communion served first Sunday Saturday Evenings Contemporary Worship Service every Saturday at 5pm Communion served first Saturday Contact Info: pdcumc@mhtc.net Phone Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Friday 8:30-12:30