contents 3 Men s Club Corner / Confirmation 6 Farewell! Pastor & Sonja Johnson August 2018 Pastor s Pen

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1 Pastor s Pen Farewell! The Apostle Paul writes: As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love [Greek=agape--self-giving, self-sacrificing, steadfast]. (Ephesians 4:1-2) I would hope and pray that with the arrival of Pastor Stenzel that you will gladly and faithfully live out these words of Paul as you shape your vision for the ministry of Christ Lutheran Church and School in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. The task of an interim pastor is to prepare the way for the next pastor. The preparation continues with greater movement toward unity, leadership is reshaping itself, the school is preparing to begin its 25 th year, and there is a wonderful anticipation for Pastor Stenzel and his wife Tanya. The upcoming congregational meeting on August 12 th to elect new leadership is another positive step forward. It has been very enjoyable getting to know so many committed, Christian people at Christ Lutheran. I am very grateful for the support provided by so many people. Thank YOU! As I have announced, my last Sunday will be August 12 th. Sonja and I are looking forward m e s s e n g e r to flying out on Tuesday, August 14 th for a month in Ireland. I am also looking forward to returning to retirement--i have missed it. There is a saying about retirement: Retirement takes all the fun out of Saturdays. However, it is a little different for pastors: Retirement puts the fun back into Saturdays! Pastor Stenzel will immediately begin his ministry at Christ Lutheran Church and School on Monday, August 13, This is good for all of us. Praise the Lord! However, I am still open to occasionally conducting Sunday worship and supply preaching, so maybe our paths will cross again. May the Lord Bless you and keep you, May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you, May the Lord look with favor upon you and give you His peace. (Numbers 6:24-26) In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessings in Christ, August 2018 Pastor & Sonja Johnson 2 Quilt Throws for Comfort/ 5 3 Men s Club Corner / Confirmation 6 4 Simply Giving / Welcome Basket 7 Understanding/ Weaver Birthdays & Anniversaries Calendar of Events contents

2 Quilt throws f or comf or t Do you have a sick or hurting friend or relative? Bring them a little extra hands on comfort in the form of a cozy quilt throw. Take one from the narthex to give them with our blessing! The Peacemakers Christ Lutheran School Update The joy of Christian Education It is a joy to be starting our 25 th year of Christian education at Christ Lutheran School (CLS). CLS partners with parents as they approach instruction, discipline, conflict-resolution, and daily life from a biblical perspective. CLS recognizes the biblical mandate for parents to educate their children. Proverbs 22:6 says Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. CLS works closely with each child s parents to understand each student s individual needs and strengths. Open communication between school and home are essential for maximum learning to take place. What can you do to help our school? Please pray for our school, staff and students. Attend our fundraising events and spread the word to the community about our Christian school. It is with great joy that we are able to partner with CLS families and the church congregation to instruct our children to walk in truth for the past 25 years and for many years to come! Upcoming CLS dates CLS Parent Orientation - August 21st at 5:40pm First Day of school - September 5th, doors open at 7:35am First day of chapel - September 6th at 8am, parents and church members welcome Fall Spaghetti Dinner - October 25, 2018 from 4-7pm 2

3 CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH MEN S CLUB The Men s Club welcomes ALL men to our monthly breakfast and events. Breakfast meetings are informal gatherings during which we share some food and often some form of service to our church community or an informative lecture on a topic of interest (e.g. fish habitat, etc.). Our Mission: To support Christ Lutheran Church and School and its members through service and faith based activities while enjoying the camaraderie of friendship. To build our faith and knowledge of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit along with creating fellowship with our families and each other by serving and spreading the Word of God to our community. F ut u r e Ev en t C a l en d a r : Saturday, September 1 8:00 am Breakfast Meeting Men s Bible Study The Men's Bible Study met Thursday, July 12. We read 1 John 2:15-27, which admonishes us against influence from antichrists, and to give preference to the eternal love of the Father over loving this temporal world. It is of note that this is one example of a dichotomy that comes up repeatedly in this Epistle, that we ought to walk as children of light, rather than walking in darkness (1:5-10). Next Bible Study: Next meeting: Thursday, August 9, 6:30 PM; 1 John 2:28ff: Children of God vs. children of the devil (3:10). Thank you!!! Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time emptying the narthex and many other rooms for carpet cleaning. You are appreciated! conf irmat ion Confirmation classes will begin this fall and is for those in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. If your child will be attending confirmation this fall, please contact the church office at secretary4clc@gmail.com to ensure that you will receive informational s regarding acolyting and meal providing. 3

4 SIMPLY GIVING aut omat ic b ank p ayment s While the Sunday offering is the most common opportunity to give, many of our congregants have asked for the option of making a payment automatically through their bank. This simple one-time process will allow you to set up an automatic draft withdrawal from your account without having to write or mail checks. It s as simple as 1-2-3: 1. Contact your banking institution directly. Banks use advanced encryption technology to ensure that your information stays safe and secure. Your bank will most likely require some or all of the following information: Name: Christ Lutheran Church Address: 467 E. Colome Street, Chippewa Falls, WI Phone: (715) Routing Number: Account Number: Contact the Church Office at (715) for the account number of the General Fund at Northwestern Bank. 2. Choose the frequency of payments - once a week, once a month, two times a month, once a year. Payments can be changed or stopped at any time. 3. Sit back and relax... Knowing your First Fruits of God are given back to God as taught to us in Proverbs 3:9 in a timely and secure manner. Contact the church office if you need help or have any questions or concerns. Wel come b a sket We have been so blessed to have a new pastor join our church family. Pastor Greg Stenzel and his wife, Tanya, will be moving from California to our area in a few weeks. Let's show him a warm Christ Lutheran welcome by putting together a basket of goodies to help them get started. Please place your "welcoming" items(s) in the basket located in the church narthex by Monday, August 13. Suggestions: dry goods - flour, sugar, pancake mix, pasta, crackers, etc. canned vegetables condiments - ketchup, mustard, mayo toiletries - toilet paper, bar soap kitchen items - paper towel/plates/cups, napkins laundry supplies - clothes wash soap, dryer sheets cleaning supplies - windex, spray cleaners, scratch pads snacks - chips, cookies, (Pastor likes Neutella peanut butter) throws/blankets - to ease them into Wisconsin weather gift cards - grocery, restaurants, gas welcome greeting cards miscellaneous - any other "welcoming" items Thank you for your generosity. 4

5 Understanding CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH Though I teach with the skill of the finest teachers, but do not have understanding, I become only a clever speaker and charming entertainer. And though I understand all techniques and all methods, and though I have much training so that I feel quite competent, but do not have understanding of the way my pupils think, It is not enough. And if I spend many hours in lesson preparation, and become tense and nervous with the strain, but do not have understanding of the personal problems of my pupils It is still not enough. The understanding teacher is very patient, very kind; The teacher is not shocked when young people bring their confidences; Does not gossip; is not easily discouraged; Does not behave in ways that are unworthy, But is at all times a living example to the students, of the good way of life of which is spoken. Understanding never fails. But whatever there be materials, they will become obsolete; Whether there be methods, they will become outmoded; Whether there be techniques, they will be abandoned; For we know only a little and can pass on to our children only a little. But when we have understanding, then all our efforts will become creative and our influence will live forever in the lives of our pupils. When I was a child, I spoke with immaturity, my emotions were uncontrolled and I behaved childishly; But now that I am an adult, I must face life as it is, with courage and understanding. And now abides skill, devotion, and understanding, these three, and the greatest of these is understanding. Paraphrase of I Corinthians 13:1-13 by Elouise B Rivinius The Weaver My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me. I cannot choose the colors He works steadily. Often times He weaves sorrow, and I in foolish pride forget He sees the upper and I, the underside. Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why. The dark threads are as needful in the Weaver s skillful hand as the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned. Anonymous 5

6 August BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARYS CELEBRATE WITH US FOLLOWING SUNDAY SERVICE AUGUST 19TH Emma Marek 2 Matt & Christi Krantz 2 Sheldon Schneider 3 Jamie Mayer 4 Kory Shervey 5 Drake Anderson 5 Adam & Linda Kuechle 5 Rees Anderson 6 Beverly Nengas 7 Brady Seidlitz 7 James & Kari Ledebuhr 7 Linda Bateman 8 Shaun & Angela Christensen 8 Carol Johnson 9 Eva Bergevin 9 Danica Wright 14 Chloe Thompson 15 Mike Bodine 16 Bonnie Langel 18 Nathan Cowell 18 Jane Schneider 22 Linda Bateman 27 Courtney Gasper 27 Jerry Salow 28 Colleen Bergevin 28 Edward & Flower Ray 28 Edward Ray 29 Dave & Kathy Shervey 29 Owen Bodine 30 Christipher Belonge 31 ADDITIONAL Inf ormat ion and dat es august USHERS Don Leifheit Tory Freed reser ving CHURCH FACILITIES K it chen NEEDS pr ayer CHAIN church WEBSITE If you would like to use the fellowship hall, kitchen or gym, please check in the church office to ensure the space is available and to fill out the required paperwork. Needed supplies: Coffee Sunday fellowship treats needed for the 1st, 2nd & 4th Sunday every month If you find a need for prayer in your life or in the life of a friend, you are invited to put our Prayer Chain to use. Please call Carol Johnson at: christlutheranchippewafalls.com Check it out! Access this newsletter, most recent Sunday sermon, worship times, church Facebook page and much more. 6 cont a ct INFO CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH 467 E. Colome Street Chippewa Falls, WI secretary4clc@gmail.com PASTOR DAVID F. JOHNSON shepherdvalley1859@gmail.com

7 CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 9:30AM Joyful Faith Circle 4:00 PM Bible Study 2 John August :00AM ELDERS MEETING 4 8:00AM Men s Club Breakfast/ Meeting 5 9:30AM Worship/ Communion 10:30AM Pastor Johnson Appreciation Potluck :00PM Bible Study 3 John 9 6:30PM Men s Bible Study 10 8:30AM Willing Workers :30AM Worship 10:30AM Fellowship SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING 7:00PM CLS School Board Mtg 19 9:30AM Worship/SS/ Communion 10:30AM Fellowship BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 20 Newsletter Submissions Due to the Church Office 21 5:45PM CLS Parent Orientation Night :30AM Willing Workers :30AM Worship 10:30AM Fellowship 10:50AM DEACONS MEETING