Parish Visitor. Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 2016 Parish Visitor Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church In This Issue Page 2 Pastor s Page Page 3 Youth & Confirmation Page 4 ASP Page 5 W/ELCA Page 6-7 Planning Ahead & Miscellaneous Page 8 Sponsorships & Parish Events Page 9 Worship Assistants Page December Calendar Ernie & Margie Vold for sponsoring the Security System for December in honor of their grandchildren. Armond Wier for sponsoring 1/2 Newsletter for December in memory of Kay s birthday Dec. 12th. Sharon Jermstad for sponsoring 1/2 Newsletter in memory of Family Members. OELC Staff: Holiday Celebrations at Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Wednesday IGNITE/Advent Services December 7th, 14th & 21st Wednesday, December 7th W/ELCA Christmas Festival Potluck Sunday, December 11th Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata 6:00 PM 12:00 noon 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. Sunday, December 18th 10:45 a.m. Sunday School Christmas Program All grades Saturday, December 24 th 4:30 PM ' 6:00 PM ' 10:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Services Sunday, December 25 th 9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Festival Worship with Holy Communion Sunday, January 1st Worship Service with Holy Communion 9:00 a.m. Pastor: Terry Lorenz ; pastorterrylorenz@tcc.coop Director of Music & Worship Ministries: Jim Newman.....jimnewman@centurytel.net Director of Youth & Family Ministries: Les Munnik ; lesmunnik@gmail.com Parish Administrator: MollyVold....oelc@triwest.net Asst. Parish Administrator: Deanna Klindworth.....oelc2@triwest.net Chancel Choir Director & Organist: Dan Newman...newmandr4546@me.com Kingdom Kids Preschool Teacher/Director: Melissa Jensen; osseokingdomkids@gmail.com Assistant Preschool Teachers: Erin Everson & Mackenzie Prudlick Custodians: Ingrid Thompson; Carl Holmen Financial Assistants: Shirley Bagley, Betty Ward Church Council Council President: Tom Peterson; Secretary: Traci Loonstra; Vice President: Betty Ward; Treasurer: Dionne Anderson; David Lundberg, Wyatt Holmen, Maria Paulus, Brett Jensen, Kurt Howson, Carol Dodge, Jody Groell, John Haugen

2 Advent, When The Waiting Can Become Quite Crowded Maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself, or to be more accurate getting a little ahead of the church's calendar, but I've been thinking about what this Advent season might be like, this being my first time with you for the church's season of preparation and waiting. Here's what I imagine will happen this Advent season: as we make our way toward Christmas I imagine that things will become more and more tightly compacted. We will say yes to more events that will be planned one nearly on top of another and our already robust to-do lists may very well spill over into the margins and onto a second page. I imagine that we'll also be squeezing in a lot more gatherings of friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members. Oh yeah, the calendars we keep on our fridges, smart phones, and desks are going to be peppered with great plans. I also expect that its going to get more and more crowded at our worship services. There will be two different series of midweek Advent services happening, one on Wednesday nights with IGNITE at 6 p.m. and another on Thursdays in the Family Room at 5:30 p.m. Our Sunday morning worship services will be punctuated with a Cantata on December 11th and a Sunday School program on the 18th. And then according to the records we keep in the church office our sanctuary will be filled to capacity multiple times when we gather for the three services we'll hold on Christmas Eve at 4:30, 6, and 10 p.m. and again on Christmas Day at 9 a.m. So be forewarned that it looks like things might indeed become quite crowded as Christmas approaches, and that's a good thing. Speaking for myself, I often try to avoid the holiday crowds. You won't bump into me shopping on Black Friday. And if that to-do list includes a trip to the grocery store, I'd sooner go at 5 a.m. There is however something that I cherish about the crowding that occurs as we make our way through Advent. I love it that the church fills to the brim as we work our way towards Christmas for it is as if we all crowd around with renewed purpose and we collectively hold our breath as we wait, wide eyed, for it to happen once again. All of creation crowding around the manger waiting quietly to hear the story one more time, the story of how much God loves us. Come, hear the story of Immanuel once again this year, we'll save you a spot squeeze you in if we have to. May your Advent journey be a time of meaningful preparation for hearing the the greatest story ever told. Pastor Terry Lorenz College Boxes Again this year our Family Ministries Team sent over 35 boxes to college students and young adults not living at home to help remind them that their families are thinking of them. Congregation members took these preaddressed boxes home and filled them with homemade goodies and treats. They were then taped up and filled with notes from their church family and the generous person that filled their box and sent on there way to make some young student or person feel they are remembered by the good folks at Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church. A big thank you to the congregation members who took and filled the boxes and or donated postage money. 2

3 C-YA Youth group met at the end of October at Les house on a beautiful sunny warm afternoon for spiritual uplifting and pumpkin carving. After chowing down on campfire hot dogs, beans and chips, Sue Fisher presented the group with Snap Chats to God. She had the youth think about what kind of snap chats we would send to God and what kind of snap chats God would send to us. After getting filled spiritually the youth split up in pairs of two and chose their prize pumpkin for the big annual pumpkin-carving contest. Some very talented pumpkins were on display the following Sunday for the congregation to vote on. After over 400 votes the big winners were the team of Maddy Kempf and Kameara Tiller. For their winning pumpkin they both got a Subway gift certificate. Big thank you to Katie Walsh and Denise Knuth for organizing and serving the food. Our First meeting in N o v e m b e r w e combined with Pastor Lisa s group from her Tri Parishes and went bowling in Eau Claire at Wagner s Lanes. Thirty youth and adults hit the lanes to have bragging rights of the highest scoring game. Sawyer Anderson was the first person to score a strike but in the end Kendra Hasz had the high score. We have some pretty good bowlers in this youth group with many scores being in the high 100 s. Next C-YA youth events will be Sunday December 4 th -curling and Sunday, December 18 th with an in house program called Spread the Christmas Joy. For both of these events we will meet at the Lutheran Church at 12:30 PM. 3 December Schedule Sunday, December 4 8:15 A: Spencer Anderson 10:45 A: Ashton Bertrang 8:15 C: Ben Jacobson 10:45 C: Brock Hansen Wednesday, December 7 Snack at 3:35; Class 4:00-5:00 PM Snack: Garret Bratsven Sunday, December 11 8:15 A: Greta Nelson 10:45 A: Wyatt Ramseier 8:15 C: Brenna Lundberg 10:45 C: Abby Mulcahy Wednesday, December 14 Snack at 3:35; Class 4:00-5:00 PM Snack: Madison Hugdahl & Taylor Nelson Sunday, December 18 8:15 A: Chelsey Severson 10:45 A: Brice Shimon 8:15 C: Taylor Nelson 10:45 C: Parker Schwoch Wednesday, December 21 NO Class Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4:30 A: Dayne Vojtik 6:00 A: Ian Vold 4:30 C: Della Vojtik 6:00 C: Bo Prudlick 10:00 A: Kaden Moseley 10:00 C: Keyton Boettcher Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day 9:00 A: Garret Bratsven 9:00 C: Shelby Pettis Wednesday, December 28 NO Class Sunday, January 1 New Year s Day 9:00 A: Ella Bischoff 9:00 C: Ashton Bertrang A=Acolyte; C=Crucifer 7 th Grade Confirmation Our 7 th grade confirmation class has taken over the previous Movie Room in the Sunday school wing and have begun to decorate to make it their space. The first part of the year we have been diving into the Old Testament, studying creation and Moses and Jacob. Then for three weeks we combined with Pastor Terry s class and watched the video Luther and learned about the reformation and some history of the Lutheran faith. In December we will be studying the prophets and of course the birth of Jesus and the Magi.

4 Another Record ASP Pizza Sale Thanks to Community Support Thanks to tremendous community support and generosity, it only took about eight hours for the C-YA Youth, ASP volunteers and their supporters to assemble, wrap and distribute over 1400 of their cheesy, delicious pizzas. It all took place the weekend of November 3 rd when over forty volunteers gathered at the Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church ready and willing to make lots of pizzas. Each person had a job. One group weighed out the cheese, another weighed the sausage or counted out pepperonis. Some spread on the special sauce, some sprinkled on the one half pound of mozzarella cheese, others added ingredients such as sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon and mixed pizza veggies. Assembling 1400 pizzas may sound like a lot of work, but it was a lot of fun, too. As the volunteers worked they laughed and sang and talked and got to know one another better. Maybe things went so well because this community event has a special purpose. The profits from the semi-annual Pizza Sales go directly to fund the Appalachian Service Project Mission Trips. Each summer crews of young volunteers and adult leaders travel to the most impoverished parts of the Appalachian Mountains to help make homes there safer, dryer and warmer. Poverty has increased dramatically with the domino effect of coal mines closing and jobs disappearing. Living day to day is a struggle for many. Making even the most basic repairs or upgrades is financially out of reach. Each summer families apply for ASP assistance with roof repairs, foundation improvements, floor replacements, drainage installation, entry ramps and more. Each ASP crew is assigned a project and spends the week working to complete it. Osseo can be especially proud of their young people as each crew has not only completed their projects, they ve often gone above and beyond in their tasks. Many have formed real bonds with the families they ve helped. But none of this would be possible if it weren t for the support and generosity of the people and businesses in and around Osseo. The ASP teams wish to extend a very special Thank You to Gordy s Market in Osseo and Pigeon Falls Meats for the use of their refrigerated truck. ASP Deer Hunter Dinner a Delicious Success Nothing but happy faces and filled tummies came out of the 1 st annual ASP deer hunters dinner on Saturday, November 19 th. It was the first year that our ASP leaders decided to try this event and by the many positive comments it will be back next year. A big thank you goes out to Betty Ward and Maggie Luallen for all the time they spent cooking over 100 squash and shredding 14 heads of cabbage to make this event so delicious. Our ASP team is making this an annual event so if you enjoyed the food tell your friends and mark it down for supper for opening Saturday of deer hunting in All proceeds went to help support the 2017 ASP youth mission project. Questions about ASP, C-YA, or anything Youth & Family, call Youth Director Les: Left over from Pizza sale We have six (6) five-pound bags of mozzarella cheese left over form the pizza sale that we would love to sell. This is high quality cheese and the code date is good for months. We are asking $15 a bag. This is very cheap for this quality and quantity of cheese. If interested please see Molly or Les. 4

5 Youth Group Bowling Our T.G.I.F. middle school youth group took an excursion to Augusta WI to Beaver Lanes for a great afternoon of pizza and bowling. After three extra large pizzas and 3 pitchers of soda were consumed, the youth and adult leaders hit the lanes. The pins were flying and the scores were climbing as the afternoon went on. When the pins settled it was Parker Schwoch who had the high game of 107. Big thank you to all the adults for providing transportation and bowling with these great kids!!! Big Thank You From Youth and Family Director Les I just want to say a huge thank you to all the congregation members that sent me cards, visited and brought food over to my house during my recent knee surgery. I was so blessed with all the love, support and prayers I received during my recovery. It was very much appreciated. Les W/ELCA Calendar 2016 December 7 Christmas Buffet W/ELCA Bible Study 3rd Wednesday of the month 1:00 PM In the family room Greetings in Christ! In digging through my recipe drawer I came across a recipe with this blessing written by Pearl Ward, a long time member, generous donor, and hard worker. She wrote, I ve learned that I have never regretted being too generous, but often regretted not being generous enough. And as I think about being generous, my thoughts are on you, the women of our church and your selfless response, stepping up when asked to serve, decorate, clean, or to do whatever needs doing. A special thank you to the Bazaar Committee for the many hours of preparation for the successful, enjoyable event. Thank you! The measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. (Mark 4:24) Your continued support of the local food pantry is appreciated and birthdays continue to roll around so Birthday Bags are needed on a continuous basis. In addition, think about adopting a family that you know needs love and support as small acts of love and kindness make a difference. Giving generously from the heart is extremely satisfying for a multitude of reasons- we are helping others and it makes us feel good, but more importantly giving from the heart glorifies God. This giving may come in the form of greeting a neighbor with a friendly smile, sending a card of greeting or support, paying a visit to a shut-in, providing financial support to someone in need or simply sharing a cup of coffee and companionship. By helping others, we act as a conduit for God s love. Remember the Christmas Buffet, potluck, scheduled for Wednesday, December 7 at noon. We are again having the swing choir from the Osseo-Fairchild music department provide a musical Christmas program. Please plan to attend and bring a friend! At this meeting remember the mitten tree, gifts for the Health Care Center and we will also collect our thank offering which we then send in to the W/ELCA headquarters. And from God s Little Devotional Book: When God measures a man, He puts the tape around the heart instead of the head! Sincerely, Rosemary Twesme 5

6 COMING UP December 1 Annual Committee Reports Due to Molly December 4 New Member Recognition & Reception December 7 W/ELCA Christmas Buffet December 11 Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata December 10 Lion s Club Breakfast with Santa December 18 Sunday School Christmas Program December 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Services at 4:30, 6:00 & 10:00 PM December 25 & Jan. 1 Worship Service with Holy Communion 9:00 a.m. January 8, 2017 C-YA Reunion January 29, 2017 Annual Congregational Meeting April 2, 2017 First Communion-6th Graders May 7, 2017 Confirmation Sunday Every Wednesday IGNITE 5:00-6:00 PM Supper 6:00-6:45 PM Worship Last Wednesday of the month = POTLUCK ***No Sunday School December 25 & January 1 When: EVERY Wednesday Where: OELC gymnasium What time: 5:00 6:00 Supper 6:00 6:45 - Worship Last Wednesday of every month will be potluck bring a dish to pass. The Sunday School Christmas Program will be Sunday, December 18th at 10:45 a.m. Our next monthly meeting is Wednesday, December 7th from 1:00-3:00 PM. The group gathers the first Wednesday of the month. For more information, call Rosi at The Tri County Food Pantry needs workers. There will be a sign up on the counter in the church office. We need 5 to 7 workers each month. The food pantry is open the third Saturday of each month. Workers are needed from 9:15 to 11:00 a.m. Care Packages (Formerly Senior Boxes) Care Packages are available for pick up and home delivery to the home-bound, healing, sick or otherwise needy in our community. These packages contain non-perishable food items for individuals, regardless of age, who may not be able to travel to the grocery store due to recovering from surgery or physical limitations. Anyone is welcome to pick-up and deliver a package to someone who they feel has a need for the items and would just greatly appreciate this small gift to get through a difficult time in their life. These packages are intended for anyone in the community not just for members of OELC. The packages are located on a designated cart in the kitchen. Thank you for supporting this new ministry and extending God s love to others. Social Concerns Committee Members Peggy Lundberg, Jody Groell, Tali Kempf and Rosi Seffens Do you know someone who lives in the Osseo area and needs a ride to church??? OR Would you be willing to give someone who lives in the Osseo area a ride to church??? Call the church office today at

7 IGNITE Advent Services Our annual Wednesday night advent services will be a part of the Wednesday night IGNITE worship service. The services will include families lighting the advent wreath, seasonal worship music and lots of visuals to go with the theme and message for the night. The first advent service will be on Wednesday, November 30 th with a potluck dinner at 5:00 PM and worship service from 6:00-6:45 PM. Here is a list of themes we will be using at the IGNITE Advent Worship Services. Wednesday, November 30 th Hope In God we have HOPE. We look to God, creator of heavens and earth for the hope of sending his son Jesus. Wednesday, December 7 th Peace We pray for PEACE in our world and in our own lives. Only God can give this kind of peace. Wednesday, December 14 th Joy We feel JOY that makes us smile, as we know Jesus is coming form God to us. Wednesday, December 21 st Love There is no greater LOVE then God sending us Jesus. Jesus forgives. He is our example, our guide sent form God. ADVENT Time to Prepare, Pray, Play & Participate ; a time to PAUSE for the presence of GOD. Join us on Thursdays in December from 5:30 to 6:30pm at OELC in the Family Room, to experience together the season of Advent. Everyone is welcome, as each week we will explore a different theme; Dec. 1st-- Prepare to Hope Dec. 8th-- Pray for Peace Dec. 15th-- Play joyfully Dec. 22nd--Participate in Love Led by Julie Garber; Spiritual Director and Licensed UCC Pastor No need to pre-regeister; come when you are able to. Take some time to Pause and Prepare for the coming of Emmanuel God with us. 2nd Tuesday of the month 4:30-6:00 PM Osseo UCC Want to make a gift to the church from home, school, work or anywhere??? Go to the church webpage and click on the yellow Donate button. Although it says it is for the Parsonage Remodeling Fund, there is a place to write a memo of where you would like the money to be designated. If you have any questions, give Molly a call For COFFEE FELLOWSHIP Every Sunday between services. Coffee & treats for all! Please sign up in the church office if you d like to supply and/or serve treats between services. If you prefer not to serve, let us know that you will bring the treats. Thanks! A NOISY OFFERING is being collected the last Sunday of the month (Praise Team Sunday). This will be a fun way for everyone to give some spare change to be donated to a selected mission or ministry of OELC. The children (& adults) can bring tin-cans of loose change and make some noise by emptying it into a large metal pan as we offer our gifts to God. 7

8 We Express Joy & Thanksgiving for the Baptism of Hunter Scott Becker, son of Derric & Sondra (Knapcik) Becker, on Saturday, October 22. Jason Lee Walker, son of Steven Walker & Kara Lynn Bissett, on Sunday, November 6. He was baptised along with his mother, Kara. Parish Visitor submissions are due every month on the 16th. If you have something you want in the newsletter, let Molly know. The Annual Meeting of OELC will be Sunday, January 29th between worship services. We invite you to volunteer for your church. There are many ministry opportunities for every member to get involved with. What are you interested in doing for YOUR church? Please let us know! If you have recently moved or changed phone numbers (disconnected your landline), please let the office staff know of the changes Stop by the church office if you d like to sponsor the bulletin or the Parish Visitor, or provide altar flowers. Altar Flowers, Bulletins, Newsletter, & Security System Altar flowers sponsorship for a Sunday is $ Bulletin sponsorship is $14.00 per Sunday. Security System sponsorship is $25.00 per month. Newsletter Sponsorship is $75 per month; $40 half month. If you wish to sponsor altar flowers, bulletins, security system, or newsletter, please call the church office ( ) or return the following: ALTAR FLOWERS BULLETINS NEWSLETTER SECURITY SYSTEM NAME DATE YOU WISH TO SPONSOR IN MEMORY OF IN HONOR OF 8

9 Date Time Communion Servers Acolytes & Crucifers Lectors Usher Teams 12/4 12/11 12/18 12/24 8:15 10:45 8:15 10:45 8:15 10:45 4:30 6:00 10:00 12/25 9:00 Jan :00 Greg & Tammy Dahl Jason & Shelley Christopherson Judy Hageness, Jane Stanek, Jody Groell, Stacy Smith Steve & Darcy Guntner Vern & Becky Larson Sue Coey, Kim Kubishak, Dan & Linda Ness Spencer Anderson Ben Jacobson Ashton Bertrang Brock Hansen Greta Nelson Brenna Lundberg Wyatt Ramseier Abby Mulcahy Chesley Severson Taylor Nelson Brice Shimon Parker Schwoch Dayne Vojtik Della Vojtik Ian Vold Bo Prudlick Kaden Moseley Keyton Boettcher Garret Bratsven Shelby Pettis Ella Bischoff Ashton Bertrang Naomi Bodway Team #9: Larry Husom (Capt.) Carol Dodge Team #10: Dan Ness (Capt.) Cantata Team #12: Matt Nelson (Capt.) Team #1: Mark Martinson (Capt.) Stacy Smith Team #3: Marv McCune (Capt.) Children s Program Team #4: Eric Johnson (Capt.) Jane Stanek Abby Groell Marty Kempf Team #6: Martin Jermstad (Capt.) Team #7: Terry Halderson (Capt.) Team #8: Curt Skoyen (Capt.) Team #9: Larry Husom (Capt.) Team #10: Dan Ness (Capt.) Team #11: Shaun Everson (Capt.) Dan Ness Team #12: Matt Nelson (Capt.) Sharon Jermstad Team to-be-determined

10 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 Advent Series 5:30 PM Prepare to Hope nd Sunday of Advent Holy Communion 8:15 Worship Celebration 9:30 Sunday School & Coffee Fellowship 10:45 Worship Celebration 12-3 PM CY-A Youth Group Curling 5 6:00 PM Girl Scouts 6 7:00 a.m. Men s Bible Study Breakfast at Norske Nook 8:00 a.m. Staff Meeting 8:30-10:30 Head Start 10:00-Noon Pastors Text Study 7 Noon W/ELCA Christmas Buffet 1:00-3:00 PM Prayer Shawl Gathering 4:00 PM Confirmation 5:00-6:45 PM IGNITE/ADVENT Worship Service 6:45 PM Choir Practice 8 Advent Series 5:30 PM Pray for Peace :30-10:30 Lion s Club Breakfast with Santa 11 3rd Sunday of Advent 8:15 Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata 9:30 Sunday School & Coffee Fellowship 10:45 Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata :00 a.m. Staff Meeting 10:00-Noon Pastors Text Study 10:00-4:00 Quilting 4:30-6:00 PM Ruby s Pantry at Osseo UCC 14 4:00 PM Confirmation 5:00-6:45 PM IGNITE/ADVENT Worship Service 6:45 PM Choir Practice 7:00 PM Church Council Meeting 7:00-9:00 PM Craft Night 15 Advent Series 5:30 PM Play Joyfully a.m. Tri-County Food Pantry Holmen Family Christmas Party RED POINSETTIAS will again be ordered this year to be placed in our sanctuary and around the facility to add to the beauty of the holiday season. The cost remains the same as last year, $11 for a regular size plant or $23 for large plants. If you would like to order a plant, forms for ordering are on the counter by the office window. Deadline to order is December 4th. You are welcome to take your plant home after the holidays. 10

11 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 18 2nd Sunday of Advent 8:15 Worship Celebration 9:30 Sunday School & Coffee Fellowship 10:45 Children s Christams Program Noon-3 PM C-YA Spread the Christmas Joy 19 8:00-4:00 Tremp. Cty. WIC 20 8:00 a.m. Staff Meeting 8:30-10:30 Head Start 10:00 Noon Pastors Text Study 21 10:00 a.m. Nursing Home 1:00 PM W/ELCA Bible Study NO CONFIRMATION 5:00-6:45 PM IGNITE/ADVENT Worship Service 6:45 PM Choir Practice 22 Advent Series 5:30 PM Participate in Love :30 PM 6:00 PM 10:00 PM 25 Holy Communion 9:00 Worship Celebration :00 a.m. Staff Meeting 10:00-4:00 Quilting 28 8:00 a.m. Newsletter Assembly 29 9:00 a.m. IGNITE Meeting Stanek Family Christmas Party 10:00 Noon Pastors Text Study NO CONFIRMATION 5:00 PM Potluck 6:00 PM IGNITE Worship Service 6:45 PM Choir Practice 11

12 PARISH VISITOR is the newsletter of Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church Harmony Street Osseo, WI Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church NONPROFIT Harmony Street U.S. POSTAGE PAID Osseo, WI OSSEO, WI Address Service Requested PERMIT NO. 5 * DATED MATERIAL * Please join us for Sunday Worship 8:15 & 10:45 Pastor: Terry Lorenz Our Mission at OELC: to share our faith and bring people to Jesus Christ, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to minister to the needs of ALL people.