Calvary Lutheran. Knowing Jesus, Making Jesus Known

Transcription

1 Calvary Lutheran Church 675 Shell Creek Road PO Box 159, WI Calvary Lutheran Knowing Jesus, Making Jesus Known The Epistle January 2019

2 CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH E.L.C.A. PO BOX 159 MINONG, WI Pastor: Kevin Kaiser CHURCH COUNCIL President Dennis Visger Church Office Manager: Victor Hushcha Office Hours: Tue, Wed,, Fri 10 am 1 pm Vice President curtiswolson5@gmail.com Curt Olson Office calvaryminong@gmail.com Church Office: Secretary Sandy Ericson lumberjackm@ericsonlogging.com Pastor Kevin: (T) prkevinkaiser@gmail.com Office Hours: by appointment ************************************ COMMITTEE HEADS Memorial Bob Larson Property Roger Wojt Worship/Music Jerry Orvold Education Julie Hermeier CHURCH TREASURER Connie Visger Members Bob Hasse sbhasse@yahoo.com Martha Larson mhlarson@hotmail.com Shauna Ruud ruudsj@gmail.com Emily Schaefer mhlarson@hotmail.com FINANCIAL SECRETARY Marge Waggoner

3 A FAREWELL FROM PASTOR TERRY AND JUDY 3

4 FROM THE CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM O HOLY NIGHT How the Grinch Learned About Christmas Presented by the children of God s Crew Sunday December 16, CAST The Grinch Gunnar Golembiewski Cindy Lou Who Addison Sather Narrator/Angel Emma Elkins Narrator/Shepherd Austin Elkins Mary Olivia (Livy) Elkins Joseph Finley Sather Set Assistant Emily Schaefer

5 MARK YOUR CALENDARS Nursing Home Visitation, Tuesday, January 8 th, 2 PM, we will be visiting our nursing home friends at the Hayward Nursing Home. Join us a we usher in the New Year sharing stories, singing hymns, and enjoying each other s company during this hour of faith, fun and fellowship. Tuesday, January 8 th, 7 PM Theology on Tap at Bootleggers on Hwy 53 just north of the Washburn/ Douglas County line. A great opportunity to engage in conversation with other Christian friends join us for a bite to eat, a beverage or just the opportunity to listen to one another. Travel Opportunity with Elizabeth Bartsch, Assistant to the Bishop. Come and join her as a group travels to Germany and Austria to visit major Martin Luther sites, encounters Dachau Concentration Camp, visits Sound of Music sites, historic castles, and beautiful landmarks. The highlight will be experiencing the unique Passion Play performed by villagers every ten years. As you travel with tour guide, David Harper, you will be deeply rooted in the stories of these cities, discovering the history that has shaped the villagers and residents in and around the Bavarian Alps for hundreds of years. Passion Play organizers require a $ deposit, due by March 10, 2019 to secure a spot. Package price of $5, (per person/double occupancy) includes airfare from Minneapolis, 11 days private tour coach transportation, 10 nights in superior tourist class/first class hotels, most meals and tour destination admission fees. Final payment will be due January 8, Plan to join me for this one-of -a-kind journey in July Complete itinerary available online at: See brochure in the narthex of the church God s Crew resumes on the following Wednesday afternoons in 2019: 1/9 3/20 4/3 1/16 2/6 2/20 3/6 4/17 5/1 5/15 end of the year field trip/party Opportunities for Silent Retreat a new venture started this past Fall with our ecumenical partners on Wednesday evenings continues as participating sanctuaries open their doors for meditation, prayer, or quiet time with God, from 5-7 PM at the following locations: Jan PM St Mary Catholic Church Jan PM Calvary Lutheran Church Jan PM St Anthony Catholic Church Gordon Jan PM St Pius Catholic Church Solon Springs Jan PM New Hope Lutheran Church Feb PM St Mary Catholic Church Feb PM Calvary Lutheran Church Feb PM St Anthony Catholic Church Gordon Feb PM St Pius Catholic Church Solon Springs Come to pray, read, listen or count your blessings in the presence of God. 5

6 JUST A THOUGHT Isaiah 43:19: For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? (NLB) As we say good-bye to 2018, a new year stretches before us with new experiences and adventures, new friends to make, and fresh opportunities to serve Christ and grow to be more like Him. Cleaning out the pantry this past week to make room for the new things acquired this Christmas reminded me that sometimes before we can embrace the new, we may need to get rid of some of the old. To make room for the new ceramic baking dishes, I threw out the old plastic storage containers that had cracked or were missing lids. I tossed canned and boxed foods that had passed their expiration dates. I finally pared down our collection of travel mugs and water bottles to the ones we actually use. Next week it will be time to tackle the bookcases and pull out a number of books that have been read and make room for the new ones that were added recently. As we examine our life in Christ and make plans for the new year ahead, we would do well to engage in some serious self-examination to see what we need to get rid of. Perhaps it is habits that compromise our walk with Christ. Doubts that keep us from using our gifts to fully serve Him. And especially guilt and regret over past failures and sins. Just a few verses after God promises to do new things, we see His promise to not only forgive our sins when we repent, but to never think about them again. What a fantastic promise. What a great way to approach the New Year filled with hope and promise. Dianne Neal Matthews. STEWARDSHIP REPORT To date we have had 35 responses to the Step Up in Faith challenge. Considering that our Stewardship drive did not take place until late in the Fall and that many had already packed their bags for warmer climates this is an excellent response and demonstrates a positive response to closing the gap of our projected budget of $133, To date the pledges for 2019 total $75, It appears that we are very close to an annual increase in pledges that will be matched dollar for dollar up to $ which would bring our total to over $80, The Stewardship Committee has also begun compiling the Gifts Inventory and hopes to have a data base created very soon that will allow us to organize our Teams for various ministries. Thank you for your faithful response. 6

7 FINANCIAL REPORT November marks the half way point in our fiscal year (June-May). Total Income YTD $59, ( under budget), but ahead of income this same time last year. NOVEMBER 2018 FINANCIAL REPORT Curt Olson, Dennis Visger, Bob Has- Martha Larson, Emily Schaefer Pastor T. Stratton, Sandy Ericson, Shauna Ruud Present: se, Absent: Calvary Lutheran Church Council December 13, 2018 GENERAL BENEVOLENCE NW Synod of WI $ ELCA World Hunger $ Missions $ C.O.M.F.O.R.T.s $ Back Pack Program $ Wicker Basket (other) $ $ GENERAL GIVING Regular Offering $55, Donations 3, Other $59, ( )* Expenses $41, Net Income $18, *annual budget is $133, = $66, mid year ( represents current budget deficit) ASSETS Checking Account unrestricted funds $40, Checking Account restricted funds $18, $58, Agenda for meeting was approved. Minutes from the Nov 8 th were amended to include resolution stating At Calvary all are welcome. Minutes of November 8 th have been corrected to reflect this statement by the council. Old Business: Tabulators: Curt and Bob Curt and Martha and Emily Curt and Bob Martha and Emily Property Report: Bob Hasse reported new lighting fixtures in the kitchen, microwave Installed, refrigerator and stove are in and gas line to kitchen has been completed. The entire upstairs living space has been painted. New carpeting is being installed. Window treatments for the kitchen and dining area are to be placed on Friday. Shower out of basement bathroom, room will be left studs only at this time. Badger State Plumbing has been working on the boiler/heating system and bringing gas to kitchen for stove. There is a leak in the northeast corner of the basement below the porch off the garage. Considering sump pump as temporary solution until work can be done excavating around the exterior of the home in the Spring. Lorrie Money has Gary Christman bidding on the project. Plan to remove the hot tub in the basement and then several women of the church will complete cleaning of the main floor of the home. 7

8 Stewardship Report: Curt Olson reported the Step Up in Faith campaign was successful. Don t have the total figures at this time as Marge Waggoner needs to verify changes in giving, but looks like majority of people pledged to step up. A match dollar for dollar up to $ was pledged by several members. Stewardship Committee to meet in January to create data base with gifts inventory Using the responses to the gift inventory the following members have been identified for the following committees: Parsonage Committee to serve as liaison between the Pastor and his family and Property committee/ Council. Council felt that Property Committee could fulfill this role with added members of Marge Waggoner and Patti Kahut(Property Committee members: Roger Wojt, Bob Hasse, Roger Wilson) Hospitality Team: will help organize meetings with membership and Pastor/family, Will facilitate introduction to ecumenical partners, and community leaders. Kathy Turek, Donna Wilson, Al Moyer, Sue Melby, Roger Wilson Mutual Ministry Team: Conflict resolution. This team to be picked by the pastor To assist him with conflict resolution within the congregation and to assure the spiritual welfare of the pastor and his family. Members willing to be considered: Bill Matthias, Jerry Orvold, Patsy Quick, Curt Olson. Discussion followed about the best time to have the reception agreed that following the service would be most appropriate given that many of the people can not come until 1 pm given commitments for Sunday services etc. Reception will be pot luck Congregation will be invited to provide dishes to pass. Rolls, meat and cheese trays and veggie trays will be ordered by church, beverages provided. New Business: Farewell and thank you fellowship for Pastor Stratton following the Sunday, Dec 23 rd service. Potluck dessert, pastries planned. Council hosting the fellowship Staff Christmas gifts approved Proposal made for church to obtain a debit/credit card for use by the church office staff for payment of subscriptions, office supplies etc. Authorized users of the card shall be Victor Hushcha-Office Manager, Executive Committee Members: Dennis Visger Council President, Curt Olson Council Vice President, and Connie Visger Church Treasurer. Motion made and seconded Employee evaluations and compensation adjustments to be completed by the executive committee before the year end. Move to adjourn meeting approved. Closed with the Lord s Prayer. Secretary Minutes submitted by Martha Larson/Curt Olson Special Note: Emily Schaefer offered to help wherever she is needed. Installation Service for Pastor Kevin Kaiser is set for Sunday, January 6 th at 1 PM Dennis has a copy of the service from the ELCA website. Victor will prepare the bulletin. 8