Parish Scope/January 2019 LIVE FROM BETHLEHEM

Transcription

1 Parish Scope/January 2019 LIVE FROM BETHLEHEM

2 Memorials and Special Gifts Building Fund Mark & Sarah Chambers, Mark & Karen Jansen, Mike Fairchild & Juliana Schmidt ELCA/Disaster Kim & Karen Fruit, Bob & Kathy Hirsch, David & Emily Beck, Nancy Bjornson Youth Ken & Jeannette Breckner, David & Emily Beck, Nick & Sarah Place, Mark & Sonya Kalscheur, Josh Madsen, Harvey & Bobbie Hintzman, Tom & Barb Johnson Radio Broadcast Mary Busalacchi, Cal & Bonnie Christianson, Gayle Holte, Avis Smithback (Memorial for Sylvia Nelson), Harriet Felber (In memory of Robert Philip Johnson), Kris Lemke (In memory of Inez Lemke, whose birthday is January 14 th ), Ruth Hendrickson Greatest Needs David & Emily Beck, Julie Bloom, Megan Bayrd & Paul Horvath, Kelly Jensen, Hank & Marge Kunkel, Angie Ruchti, Tom & Barb Johnson, Trudy Forster (Memorial for Sylvia Nelson), Lorayne Baldus (Memorial for Sylvia Nelson), Elna Johnson (Memorial for Sylvia Nelson) Children s Library Mike & Sally Schendel (Memorial for Sylvia Nelson), Howard & Rita Slinden (Memorial for Sylvia Nelson) Electronic Outdoor Sign Scott & Jane Kingzett (Memorial for Sylvia Nelson), Rod & Trudy Smeltzer (Memorial for Sylvia Nelson) Music Judy Kirk (Memorial for Sylvia Nelson), Kris Lemke (Memorial for Sylvia Nelson), Tom & Kristy Olson (Memorial for Sylvia Nelson) OSL Women Carolyn Barnhart General Mark & Karen Jansen (Memorial for Sylvia Nelson), Darrell & Janet Quarderer (Memorial for Sylvia Nelson) WELCA Carlyle & Ruth Gilbertson Poinsettias Pat Erickson (In memory of Clayton Erickson and John Sander, in honor of family: Chris, Barb, & Alaina Erickson and Patrice, Dave & Sam Adkins), Megan Bayrd & Paul Horvath & family (In memory of all the saints who have gone before us and in honor of our loved ones near and far), Sherry Otto (In memory of Allen Otto and in honor of grandchildren Bennett, Alayna, Kenna and Allison), Donna Lark (In memory of Paul Lark and Evelyn Petan, and in honor of Paul Lark s family, Carolyn Barnhart (In honor of her children and grandchildren), Pauline Liesenfelt (In memory of Charles Liesenfelt), Bonnie Nelson (In memory of Richard Nelson and Verna Kreth), Kris, Roger & Andy Lemke (In memory of Amund & Marie Bakke and Harold & Inez Lemke), Anita Klamm (in memory of Kermit & Orphie Grefsrud), Dennis & Roxie Close (In memory of Grove & Marion Mickelson & Joy Close and in honor of Mildred Close), Harvey & Bobbie Hintzman (In memory of Leo & Elizabeth Hintzman), Jane Bahr (In memory of Gerald Bahr), Roxie Till (In memory of her mother, Elsie Vilz, who passed away one year ago), Steve & Sue VandeBerg (In memory of Gordon & Esther VandeBerg), Martha Bauer (In memory of Richard and in honor of her children, Roxanne, Gail & Keith), Kurt & Heather Obenberger (In memory of Robert Obenberger), Everett & Verla Haney (In memory of Floyd & Alice Reckin), Greg Mickelson (In memory of Marion & Grove Mickelson, and in honor of children Erick & Megan Mickelson and Andy Mickelson, and grandchildren Max & Hatti), Loren & Bonnie Barker (In memory of Myron & Dorothy Wendt and Robert & June Barker and in honor of their children and grandchildren), Mary Langford ELCA Good Gifts Kyle & Betsy Scribner, Louis & RoseAnn Husby, Becky Kneer, Kris Lemke, Mark & Sonya Kalscheur, Sara Palmer, Maddy Palmer, Paul Horvath & Megan Bayrd, Gayle Holte, Don Kuether, Glen & Gloria Miller, Karl & Jennifer Palmer (on behalf of 5 th Grade Sunday School Class), Mary Langford,

3 Blood Pressure Checks Between Services Sunday, January 6 HEALTH MINISTRY In the Friendship Room Volunteer Opportunity Preparing Feminine Hygiene Kits (for Guatemala) through a Thrivent grant SUN, Jan 20, 1-3 PM, in the OSL Rec Room (downstairs). Tasks will include cutting (bring favorite scissors) and some sewing (machines available). Contact becky@oslme.com for more info Living with Losses Support Group TUE Jan 15 1:30 PM Fireside Room Blood Pressure Checks between services Sunday, January 6 th Living with Losses Support Group Tuesday, January 15 th at 1:30 PM On Dec 12, a group from OSL traveled to Fridley, MN to volunteer at Global Health Ministries. We helped out in the warehouse preparing a shipment for Madagascar. We also brought along 10 boxes of roller bandages, 1 box of devotionals and two pickup loads of medical equipment & supplies from the Dunn County Veterans Service Office! Here we are presenting staff member Scott Lien with a $500 check from the OSL Mission Endowment Fund. Pictured left to right: Marge Kunkel, Jane Kingzett, Becky Kneer, Scott Lien (staff), Don Kuether, Kathy & Bob Hirsch, Dave Bergstrand and Carol Seppa. A fruitful day! We d love to have you join us next time on our twice a year ministry day at GHM! Contact: becky@oslme.com

4 Ski Trip to Trollhaugen: January 20 th, 12:00-9:30 PM YOUTH MINISTRY This trip is open to grades 6-12, as well as elementary students who are accompanied by an adult. Friends welcome! Come ski or snowboard with other church members from Menomonie while taking advantage of great group rates on lift tickets and rentals! We will meet at OSL at Noon to load the bus. Please be sure to eat lunch before arriving. Supper is available for purchase at the lodge. You may bring a sack meal if you wish. We anticipate arriving back at church by 9:30 PM. Costs are as follows: Bus Ride: $13, Lift Tickets: $18 (Students under age 6 get free lift tickets!), Ski or Snowboard Rental: $20 Free lessons if you sign up ahead of time! Please register by Jan 13 th by completing the medical release form and returning it with payment to Kelly Jensen, or to the church office. If you have any questions, please contact Kelly: kelly@oslme.com, January 20 th Annual Trollhaugen Ski Trip Pine Ridge registration due by January 31 st Pine Ridge Mission Trip: June 22-28, 2019: A Mission Outreach of Our Savior s Lutheran Church Trip Registration Deadline: January 31 st Interested in attending the intergenerational mission trip to Pine Ridge June 22-28, 2019? Your $150 deposit is due by January 31 st. OSL Members will be traveling to Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota to work with the Re-Member organization: building bunk beds, wheelchair ramps, steps, and outhouses, as well installing skirting on trailer houses. YOU CAN SUPPORT THIS OUTREACH MISSION OF OUR SAVIOR S BY: A. Participating (turn in your $150 deposit prior to January 31 st.) B. Providing financial support by taking an envelope of your choice off the envelope board in Friendship Room and returning it with the dollar amount listed on the envelope. If you include your name, your gift will be recorded with your tax-deductible donations. Your gift may be placed in the collection plate or turned it to the office. C. Praying for the participants of the trip, or signing up be a prayer partner for one of the participants. Please contact Kelly Jensen to be assigned a prayer partner. Have questions or want to know how you can support the people of Pine Ridge? Contact Kelly Jensen: Kelly@oslme.com,

5 News from the Youth YOUTH MINISTRY Wednesday Night Youth Activities at 6:00 PM December was a busy month celebrating Christmas, from Reindeer games and crafts at Wednesday Night Youth to Caroling at the American Lutheran Home and Autumn Village. The children made nativity scenes for OSL s home-bound residents and they were delighted! We also worked on a collaborative Nativity Art project, which will be displayed for all to see at Christmas in the Friendship room. Check it out! We hosted a Family Cookie Decorating Event Sunday the 9th with 12 children and their families decorating dozens of cookies donated by members of OSL. Leftover cookies were delivered to the staff at The Neighbors of Dunn County and residents of Autumn Village and the American Lutheran Home. Residents couldn't say enough about how much they enjoyed all the children coming in to sing carols for them and pass out our small Nativity scene gifts. Chili-Fest 1/27 from 12-4 PM at Luther Bible Camp RECHARGE Luther Bible Camp Event 3/1 & 3/2 Coming Events: Wednesday Night Youth will resume January 2 nd at 6 PM following Dinner. Plan to join us for fun, games and building spiritual friendships CHILI-FEST is January 27 th from 12-4 PM at Luther Park Bible Camp. An annual fundraiser, Chili-Fest includes a chili cook-off, bottomless chili for $7 or a hotdog for $2 (includes hot cocoa, coffee, milk & water), raffle baskets, crafts, games and activities, live music in the Dining Hall, a camp fire and sledding. For more info, contact Kellee Petick at kellee@lutherpark.org or One opportunity for Youth 3rd 5th Grade RECHARGE 2019, which will be held March 1st and 2nd at Luther Park Bible Camp. The cost is $80. Forms will be available in January for registration, and Scholarship forms (Camperships) are an option for those needing financial assistance. See me for forms or more information.

6 NOTICES, EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES A big thank you to all of our OSL choirs, directors and musicians for a wonderful Advent and Christmas season. We are blessed to have such a vibrant music ministry! From the Property Management Committee: We recently replaced our T12 fluorescent tubes with over 400 much more efficient LED tubes, mainly on the lower level, hallways and north classrooms. Our sincere thanks to John Alexander for donating his time and that of his assistant Carl Groepper to install the new tubes, assist with the Focus on Energy/Xcel rebate applications, and procurement of the tubes. We also very much appreciated all the help we received from Dave Bergstrand, Don Kuether, Dennis Repaal, and Rich Vernon to insure rebate installation deadlines were met. Thank you! Thank you so much for allowing us to make use of your beautiful space to host our 2018 Quilt Tour for The Bridge to Hope. It was a great success, and would not have been possible without the support of your congregation as well as so many others in our community. I m very happy to report that we surpassed our goal, and over $14,000 was raised! Those funds will go directly to provide services to victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Thank you from all of us and from all of the individuals that your warmth and caring have touched. ~Naomi Cummings, Executive Director, Bridge to Hope Pass the food, the warmth and sharing, Pass the kindness, the love and caring, Pass the blessings big and small, Pass them on to one and all. Thanks to you for passing the food, love, etc. by your donation of $ to Stepping Stones! The food pantry has been very busy so many families wanting and needing to stock up for the holidays. Just as you have so kindly passed on the gifts of the poem, we hope this holiday season also brings you and yours a generous helping of blessings! ~Katherine Dutton, Executive Director, Stepping Stones

7 The Bencke Family in Japan January 番 As I write this article, I am sitting in a tiny waiting room in a dingy building in downtown Fukuoka. Our oldest daughter is taking the ACT test in a (hot) room that is 10 x 15 feet at most, along with 5 other test-takers. Over the past ten days, Emilie finished a week of midterm exams, which count toward 50% of her course grades, and prefectural standardized exams, which have some bearing on her eligibility for Japanese colleges, and now the ACT test, which of course holds a lot of weight when considering her options for college in the U.S. The Japanese education system puts its students through a rigorous testing process, starting from elementary school, increasing in frequency and intensity all the way through high school. What you read or hear about Japan schools teaching to the test is absolutely true. There are classes and courses and cram schools specifically designed to help students pass various kinds of tests. What I didn t know until Emilie was in high school is that the exams are specifically designed for the average student s score to be 50%, reflecting a bell curve. When a class average is 60% or more, the exams are said to be too easy. The extensive rigor of test preparation is truly boggling, and as parents, we often question whether we are doing right by Emilie by submitting her to this system. As missionaries in a city that doesn t have an international school, we had to decide early whether Emilie would pursue her secondary education in the Japanese system, or if we would send her to an international school where she would be a boarding student for six years. We chose the former. It s easy to second guess ourselves when the going gets tough, or when we are criticized either subtly or directly. We second guess our motivations, our intentions, our devotion, our wisdom; especially since we don t have experience walking in shoes like those Emilie must wear. This past year has been particularly demanding for our family, as various and unexpected circumstances seemed to crop up almost weekly. These were things we were unprepared for, situations that we didn t see coming or were not on our radar, and it seemed like as we were completing one challenge, another would crop up. Individually, they were manageable. But without a margin of time to recover, perhaps heal, make sense of things, it s like an intense period of examinations in a Japanese education system, where it simply seems like we just need to push through it to pass the test, regardless of the quality of our work. In the end, how does our score actually reflect our abilities and skills? I have found my courage weak at times. My belief that God will provide that healing, Some of the prayers of our hearts We pray for those in Indonesia who have lost their homes, family and friends, in the recent tsunami. May the grace of God be poured out upon this nation that has endured so much suffering. We pray for the people who continue to live in communities devastated by war and violence. May their prayers for peace and healing be answered. We pray for our families and friends who continue to support our family while we enter our 13th year overseas. We pray in thanksgiving for our students, young adults seeking their path at Kyushu Lutheran College. May they find that star that guided many to a baby in Bethlehem that night 2000 years ago.

8 Our current mailing address: Bencke Family KUMAMOTO SHI KITA-KU SHIMIZU MANGOKU JAPAN Global Mission If you are interested in learning more about the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America s global mission and/or opportunities to serve, please visit: Missionary Sponsorship For more information on ELCA missionary sponsorship, please contact Charlotte Flynn: Global Mission Support 8765 W. Higgins Road Chicago IL (800) , ext rysponsorship skills? I have found my courage is weak at times. My belief is that God will provide that healing, and courage to trust that He is walking right there, and the strength to remember that He walked a bitter road to Calgary in order to pay the price for my unbelief, wavered. There is a beautiful hymn by Keith and Krysten Getty called I will wait for you, based on Psalm 130. As we wait for His coming this advent season, I d like to share a little section of the lyrics: Now He has come to make a way And God Himself has paid the price That all who trust in Him today Find healing in His sacrifice I will wait for You I will wait for You Through the storm and through the night I will wait for you Surely wait for you For Your love is my delight God s love is steadfast and enduring in strength. This Advent season, I pray for each of you to feel that peace of surrendering to that promise. Maybe it will be in the quiet of an evening fire. Or the purple and pink of a cold dawn. Or maybe in the quiet of your workspace. Enjoy the beautiful music and text. November music highlights: In late November we held a special worship service at the college that featured some interesting music. One of my juniors played Canon in D on the Japanese koto, and senior student Nagata-san sang a contemporary hymn that was composed in a Japanese traditional matsuri-style. A third musical piece was performed by a trio of super-dedicated junior hand bell students who wanted to do something a little above and beyond the call to duty. Normally I don t get a lot of feedback for the music worship services, but this time, perhaps due to the inclusion of Japanese koto, teachers and staff seemed genuinely pleasantly surprised and moved during the worship service. Japanese koto: Christmas service highlights: This past week, we held our annual Christmas service at the college. There were moments of delight, introspection, and comfort. Here are two selections that came out fairly well in the video-taking process. The first is of three junior students who have enjoyed performing together since they were freshmen. The second is of the hand bell team doing an arrangement of Wizards in Winter as the recessional for the service.

9 Our Savior's Lutheran Church Council Meeting December 11, :00 p.m. Fireside Room Present: Pastor Heather, Pastor Sarah, Jane Kingzett, Kris Lemke, Diane Hausler, Dan Krueger, Karl Palmer, Roxie Close, Sarah Place, Paul Horvath, and Tom Rundle Absent: Guests: Mark Kalscheur, Devotions: Pastor Sarah Old Business Call to order at 6:08 PM. A. The November 13th meeting minutes were approved electronically by majority vote. B. Financial Report. a. Income for the first nine months of the fiscal year was $274,554. Expenses were $325,915 leaving us with a negative cash flow of $51,361 for the nine months. Karl made a motion to approve the financial report. The motion was seconded by Dan and unanimously approved. C. Pastor Heather s report. a. The Annual Meeting will be Sunday, February 10, b. Christmas office schedule is: 12/24 closed half day, 12/25 closed. Tentatively, the office will be closed on 12/26 as long as the counters can gain access to count the offerings. c. Our guest preacher budget has been spent but Heather would like Don to preach once in February before he leaves for the winter. Cost is $ 150. Will be paid from Worship budget. D. Pastor Sarah s report. a. Pastor Sarah will be on vacation from 12/26 through 1/2/19. b. Worship services for the holiday season will be: 12/16 Children s Christmas program, 12/23 one service at 9AM, 12/24 - three services, 12/30 - one service at 9AM. Pastor Don will preach on 12/30. Kelly Jensen will preach on 1/6/19 when we return to the regular service schedule. c. Pastor Sarah has been working on the summer worship plan when Pastor Heather is on sabbatical. Pastor Don will preach 7 days but will be at OSL each week. He will also be available for pastoral needs. Pastor Sarah will draft a contract to be signed by Roxie & Don. d. Pastor Sarah is interested in attending a study trip to the Holy Land from 7/1/19 to 7/12/19. She will use her Continuing Education funds. Pastor Don will cover the worship services but but may need some help from assisting ministers. New Business A. Committee Reports a. Worship Committee did not meet. b. Youth and Family did not meet. c. Personnel did not meet. d. Property Management did not meet. e. Mission Endowment reviewed and approved 7 or 8 applications in the last meeting. f. Health Ministry will meet next week. The committee needs some feedback from congregation to prioritize the needs that we want to support vs. the resources we have. We need to maximize the available skill sets so they are used on the high priority needs. g. Ministry Outside Our Walls (M.O.O.W) i. M.O.O.W is accepting donations of specific items and cash donations for the purchase of items for area youth. They are being donated to students at Oaklawn and River Heights. The school district has expanded our contacts in the district. ii. M.O.O.W went to Winterhaven to determine if we could commit to a week of volunteering for their overnight shelter. Roxie and a friend attended the training. iii. A coalition of local churches has joined together to support needs of the community; affordable housing, finding foster parents, and health care. h. Technology Committee did not meet. B. Other C. Lord s Prayer. D. Adjourned at 7:56 pm. E. Next meeting: January 8, 6:00pm in the Fireside Room.

10 REMINDERS & ONGOING MINISTRIES Baptismal Family Meeting Pastors conduct a group baptismal orientation at 9:40AM on the second Sunday of each month. This month the orientation will be on January 13th. Please call the church office at or office@oslme.com to schedule a baptism. If you have contribution questions, contact Bonnie Christianson at: contributions@oslme.com If you need to contact Kim Studinger, please her at: bookkeeper@oslme.com If you would like to volunteer on Sunday mornings, contact RoseAnn Husby at: info@oslme.com If you have an announcement for the bulletin or Scope, contact Charis Collins at: charis@oslme.com Contributions & Giving If you are out of giving envelopes, let the office know. We can easily print more. If your offering is in a plain envelope, please make sure you write your name and number on it. Online giving is available on OSL s website. Whether you re a member, a visitor or a friend, you re able to make regular contributions, a special one-time donation, or a memorial gift online using your debit or credit card. As a way to celebrate your online Simply Giving, feel free to use the brightly colored giving cards during offering during the service (located in the pew racks) OSL now has a QR (Quick Response) Code: Give directly using the QR Reader app on your device! Men s Bible Study Meets at the Menomonie Family Restaurant at 6 PM on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Contact: Doug Larson AMers Meets the First Thursday of each month at Denny s at 8:30 AM Contact: Jan Willow Leah Circle Meets the second Monday of the month at 11 AM. Contact: Gloria Kraemer Brown Bag Bible Study Meets Wednesdays at Noon in the Library with Pastor Don Wisner. Women in Action Meets Mondays at 8:30 AM in the Recreation Room. Quilting Queens Meets the third Thursday of each month at 9 AM in the Recreation Room. Reading Club Meets the third Wednesday of the month at 1 PM in the Fireside Room. This month they ll be discussing Waterwalk: A Passage of Ghosts by Steven Faulkner. All are welcome! Writing Group Meets the third Wednesday of the month at 1 PM. 500 Card Party Meets the third Tuesday of each month

11 Our Savior s Lutheran Church (715) STAFF: Senior Pastor: Rev. Heather T. Wigdahl, heather@oslme.com, Ext. 203 Associate Pastor: Rev. Sarah Miller, sarah@oslme.com. Ext. 204 Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Don Wisner Bookkeeper: Kim Studinger, bookkeeper@oslme.com, Ext. 202 Contributions: Bonnie Christianson, contributions@oslme.com, Ext. 202 Director of Youth Ministry: Deacon Kelly Jensen, kelly@oslme.com, Ext. 206 Director of Children s Ministry: Denise Vick, denise@oslme.com, Ext. 205 Health Ministry/Parish Nurse: Becky Kneer, becky@oslme.com, Ext. 207 Parish Nurse: Amy Whelan Administrative Assistants: Charis Collins & Janell Evan, office@oslme.com, Ext. 201 Director of Music Ministry: Michaela Gifford, michaela@oslme.com, Ext. 216 Sunday School Coordinator: Lexi Marsh, sundayschool@oslme.com, Ext. 205 OSL Choir Director: Michael Dayton Joy & Jubilee Choir Director: Emily Hansen Bell Choir Director: Merlyn Aude Worship Band Leader: Ted Bensen Wedding Coordinator: Michaela Gifford Custodian: Josh Madsen, custodian@oslme.com, Ext CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS Roxanne Close: President Diane Hausler: Vice President Tom Rundle: Secretary Paul Horvath Jane Kingzett Kris Lemke Karl Palmer Sarah Place Dan Krueger Mark Kalscheur: Treasurer

12 OUR MISSION God calls all members of Our Savior s Lutheran to: +WELCOME all to faith in Jesus Christ +WORSHIP our Lord and Savior +EQUIP us for a faith that works in real life +SEND us into the world to minister in Jesus name Contact Us Our Savior s Lutheran 910 9th Street Menomonie, WI (715) office@oslme.com