The H arvest. To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. December 2017 & January 2018

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1 December 2017 & January 2018 The H arvest 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, PdC, Eastman, Wauzeka Join us for Christmas Caroling! at the PdC UMC Saturday, December 9th 1pm Saturday, December 2 Wauzeka s COOKIE + CANDY WALK at Century Hall The most amazing collection of creative, scrumptious, holiday cookies and candy in 3 counties FOR SALE, 8:00-11:00 am! Free coffee and samples also offered. Can t be there? Call to order ahead. Will deliver. Thursday December 21st 6:00pm For friends and families of all our churches Held at Prairie du Chien UMC The Longest Night is a service of scripture, stories, silent reflection and healing prayer. It's a time to recognize that Christmas can be a bittersweet time of year. The constant refrain we hear about getting together with family, reminds many people of what and who they have lost, or what they never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation - all these can make us feel very much alone in the midst of the festive season. We need space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern. We need to know that we are not alone. We need to know God's presence during this season. So on the longest night, Pastors Lynn and Barb will offer together a meditative worship service that takes time for remembering, sharing our hurting places with God, and preparing our hearts for the coming of To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

2 ~M essage from Pastor B arb ~ Dear Friends: Charles Dickens has probably had a more profound effect on the American Christmas than the Bible. His classic tale A Christmas Carol, first published in 1843, has influenced even created the ideas, expectations, and emotions surrounding Christmas in the whole English-speaking world ever since. Yet beneath the warm fuzzy haze of pleasant family gatherings, sumptuous feasts, shiny decorations, and special gifts that surround the Ideal Christmas in Dickens fiction (which may not correspond at all to the real experience of people), is the Spirit of Christmas, which is also the Spirit of Jesus Christ let loose on the earth in the Incarnation. Ebenezer Scrooge allowing himself to be transformed by this Spirit from a mean and miserable man into a good and joyful one is a parable of every Christian s redemption in Jesus Christ. For this reason, The Redemption of Scrooge is going to be our Advent theme at Prairie du Chien UMC. You have a chance to join a study group on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. at Hardee s Restaurant starting November 28 or Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the church beginning November 29 and continuing through Advent. The themes for the study will also be the themes for Saturday evening and Sunday morning worship: Dec. 2-3: Bah! Humbug! Dec. 9-10: The Remembrance of Christmas Past Dec : The Life of Christmas Present Dec. 24: The Hope of Christmas Future (no worship service on Dec. 23) Christmas Eve services (Dec. 24 at 5 and 8 p.m.) will also feature a redemption story, one told by Dan Dick, assistant to Bishop Jung, called Yuletide Carol. Then, on New Year s Eve weekend, December 30-31, I am planning to lead an old fashioned Methodist Love Feast at which people will have a chance to think about and share if they wish what redeeming work God has been doing in their own lives as we sing lots of hymns as the old Methodists did on watch night and renew our covenant with God as Wesley did every New Year s Day. If you want to keep Christ in your Christmas, write worship on your holiday calendar and plan to offer your prayers and praises to God each week during this beautiful season of watching, waiting, and yearning for the birth of the Savior. God bless us, every one! Pastor Barb Page 2

3 (or a view of our world from Pastor Lynn s windshield) THANK YOU to all who are working so hard to make Christmas about Jesus birthday and NOT about us! To those of you who may have me on your Christmas list, SEND ME MONEY! I m not kidding! Instead of trinkets, I am looking for donations for the SALVATION ARMY and FMSC. So send your cash or check earmarked for one of those two worthy, Jesus-approved projects. I will total then MATCH YOUR GIFTS before sending them on. That s the gift I want: YOUR HELP in helping others know God s love through Christ! Hoping to see ALL of U in Advent!! As always, we remain TOGETHER in the ministry of Christ! Pastor Lynn Salvation Army BELL RINGING: Make a joyful noise for a good cause. Wauzeka/ Eastman's assigned day is Saturday, December 16 at Piggly Wiggly. We need bell ringers starting at 10 am, ending at 8pm. Sign up at church or call Pastor Lynn for one hour increments. Invite a friend and make it a team effort. Kids LOVE the experience. GIFTS FOR BABIES to Honor Baby Jesus: This project started when the Sunday School kids chose NOT to exchange gifts but give to others instead. The Family Resource Center has been the very grateful recipient. Parent Educator, Amanda Griswold, reports that these gifts of baby body wash and diapers (all sizes including opened packages) are VERY appreciated by the families who receive them through the Center. WAUZEKA place gifts at the Mitten Tree any time in December. EASTMAN -- the Sunday School / Rock Solid families are asked to bring these gifts on Dec. 17 th when they will be dedicated during the worship service. MITTEN TREE (Wauzeka only): Mittens/gloves, caps and scarves are always needed in the Wauzeka-Steuben elementary and are greatly appreciated by the staff who work hard to keep our kids safe and warm. These items will be collected at the church underneath the tree at the back of the sanctuary. OPERATION GIVING CROSS (Eastman only): Our church will again take on the challenge (7 th year) of providing Christmas for families in need in Crawford County. This year we will sponsor THREE FAMILIES. Volunteer coordinator, Jill Sheckler, will receive from Salvation Army Coor, Jen Kapinus the wish list of 3 families. These will be families who were NOT recipients of Operation Santa Claus. The individual items on that wish list will be placed on the 2 Giving Crosses (on landing outside sanctuary door and ramp door) November 26. pers can participate by choosing an item to purchase and returning it to the church by December 10 th. The church will also donate Bibles to each family. Thank you to all those who make the effort to go the extra mile to HONOR JESUS through these projects! 3

4 ~H appening s In E astm an & W auzeka~ Eastman s S.S./ROCK SOLID presents Simply Christmas SUNDAY, December 17 th during worship service BAD WEATHER DATE: Wed. December 20th Rehearsals Wed. Dec. 6 (5:30 pm Rock Solid) and Dec. 13 (6:00 pm NO SUPPER) As an alternative to exchanging gifts among the kids, families are asked to bring a baby gift in honor of Jesus. These gifts will be donated to the Family Resource Center. Suggestions: Baby Wipes, Baby Wash, Diapers. Eastman BLESSED BREW -- Sundays DECEMBER 3, 10, 17 9:45 am Yay! A time of warm fellowship & good food before worship. Blessed Brew Volunteers: December 3 Taya Granzow and Marsha Ritter December 10 Sally Light December 17 Cindy Payne and Jessica Granzow January 7 Tabby Benzing and Kari Kronberg *POINSETTIAS: To help adorn the sanctuary in celebration of Christ's birth, families are invited to bring a poinsettia on Christmas Eve to share. To include the names of those being remembered or honored in the Christmas Eve bulletin, please contact secretary Jen Kapinus ( or ) or Pastor Lynn. DATES to REMEMBER in DECEMBER 2 nd (W) COOKIE WALK, Century Hall 8:00-11:00 am 3 rd (E) Blessed Brew 9:45 am; COMMUNION 4 th (W) Bible Study at PdC Bluffhaven, 10:00 am 6 th -- (E) Rock Solid 5:30-7:15 pm; practicing Christmas Play 8 th Devotions at PdC Prairie Maison 9:45 am, Bluffhaven 10:30 am 10 th (E) Blessed Brew 9:45 am; CONFIRMATION 6:00-8:00 pm 16 th BELL RINGING at PdC Piggly Wiggly, 10:00-8:00pm 17 th (E) S.S. Christmas Play AND Blessed Brew 9:45 am 21 st Longest Night Service at PdC, UMC, 6:00 pm 24 th CHRISTMAS EVE: Candlelight, Carols & Communion = Wauzeka 6:30 pm; Eastman 8:30 pm NEW Family Service at Eastman 3:00 pm Page 4

5 ~H appening s In E astm an & W auzeka~ THANK YOU! Eastman FALL SUPPER Receipts $960 supporting the ministry of Christ! EASTVICES! 3:00 pm NEW Family Service in ADDITION TO 8:30 pm. NO MORNING Mark your JANUARY Calendars: Jan. 14 Sock it 2 Me Sunday (& Undies)= Bring new socks an undies for donation to the Salvation Army & Family Resource Center, and join in the tossing competition. FAMILY ANGEL ORNAMENT If you would like to help decorate the tree and sanctuary with ANGELS, families/ individuals are invited to donate a small, hanging angel ornament (5 inches or less). Please include your family name on the angel. To the churches of Eastman and Wauzeka: Thank you so much for the (Walmart) gift card ($350)! It will come in handy in our time of need. Keep me in your prayers for I will be in shock when I get home. Thanks again, Maricela Cordela Maricela is the sister-in-law of Phyllis (Lenzendorf) Rodriguez who s home was devastated in TX while visiting family in Wisconsin. Eastman & Wauzeka Celebrations! 2018, June going to Eastman December Birthday s: 2 Bob Sheckler, 3 Scott Schreck, 5 Pete Payne, 7 Brian Gillitzer, 9 Elsie Martin, 21 Bonnie Sheckler, 23 RJ Atkinson, 27 Vince Feye, 29 Hannah Atkinson Happy Anniversary: 1 Ed & Nola Nagel, 19 Jim & Darlene Payne Eastman BAD WEATHER POLICY At times, the blessing? of winter snow storms has prevented us from gathering for worship on Sunday mornings. Because we believe this to be an important part of a Christian s spiritual life the following practice will be implemented: whenever the worship service is canceled on Sunday morning or Saturday night it will be held on the following WEDNESDAY evening at 7:00 pm. Any event previously set for that night will be re-scheduled. Wauzeka December Birthday s: 3 Scott Schreck, 7 Eric Wolf, 13 Dayne Krachey, 13 Doug Oswald, 21 Will Hanson, 21 Justin Oswald, 24 Brooke Rooney, 28 Steven McKillip Eastman January Birthday s: 4 Kay Ritter, 10 Jacob Payne, 11 Lynn Schreck, 19 Brittany Payne, 22 Owen Feye, 25 Judene Schlee, 26 Michael Granzow, 28 Jayden Glasbrenner Wauzeka January Birthday s: 11 Lynn Schreck, 12 Rebecca Bartels, 21Lorna Wolf, Pg Jonathan Baumeister

6 ~Som ething for E veryone~ Ingredients: CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIE TRUFFLES 12 sugar cookies (about 2 1/2 to 3-inches in diameter) 3 tablespoons cream cheese, room temperature 2 cups white chocolate for melting (or candy melts) Sprinkles for decoration Place sugar cookies in a food processor and process until cookies turn into fine crumbs. Add cream cheese and process again until well-combined and mixture can be pressed into a ball, 1 to 2 minutes. Shape cookies into balls about 1-inch to 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer for 15 minutes or the refrigerator for 1 hour. In medium bowl, melt white chocolate according to instructions. Remove the cookie balls from refrigerator. Using a spoon or two forks, dip and roll chilled cookie balls, one at a time, in coating. Return to lined cookie sheet and immediately top with sprinkles. Repeat process for remaining cookie balls. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Notes: If the sugar cookie truffle dough is not firm enough, add another tablespoon of cream cheese. Attention: Eastman, PdC & Wauzeka UMC s January is Soup for the Super Bowl Month! Please bring in non-perishable food donations and place them on the altar each Sunday through Super Bowl, February 4th. Donations will be delivered to the Food Pantry on Monday, February 5th. Thank you, God, for the Advent of Love into our lives For new beginnings in a Word or star, an infant or a savior For peace in the touch of family, friend or neighbor For possibilities in new friendships and old For memories that sweeten with time Amen We wish you a merry Christmas, Jim Barnes and Karen LaPointe Bell Ringers Needed Can you give 2 hours to help change someone s life? All money raised in Crawford County, stays in Crawford County. Ringers are needed at Piggly Wiggly and Walmart in PdC. Call Jen at or pdcumc@gmail.com 2nd 50 There will be no 2nd 50 group in December. Watch the bulletins for information about the January activity. Merry Christmas!! Page 6

7 ~ N ew s F rom the PdC O ffice~ Treasurer s Report Treasurer: Jen Kapinus General Fund Receipts Nov. 1-22: $ Year to Date Apportionments paid: $ For a complete financial report, please see Jen in the office. 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 December : Waterloo, their clergy Heidi Loomis and the 170 members. Waterloo s mailing address is PO Box 124, Waterloo 53594; November 26 December 2. Waunakee; Crossroads, their clergy Kristen Lowe and the 158 members. Crossroads mailing address is PO Box 8, Waunakee 53597; December 3 December 9. Wauzeka: St. Paul s, their clergy Lynn Schreck and the 27 members. St. Paul s mailing address is Schreck Rd, Gays Mills 54631; December 10 December 16. Westby, their clergy Jim Aniol and the 45 members. Westby s mailing address is PO Box 21, Westby 54667; December 17 December 23. Westby: Faith, their clergy Jim Aniol and the 33 members. Faith s mailing address is PO Box 21, Westby 54667; December 24 December 30. Hillcrest Family Services, their ceo Julie Heiderscheit. Hillcrest Family Services is located at 2005 Asbury Rd, Dubuque IA 52001; December 31 January 6, Congratulations to Harold & Gloria Hutston they will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on December 16th. PdC Birthday s December: 1 Zakery Hafke 1 Heath Stuckey 1 Bob Sullivan 7 Pat Yager 15 Don Hafke 15 Allyson McCumber 17 Delia Cooley 19 Harold Hutson 20 Vicki Hand 20 Barb Cook 30 Helen Larson 30 Goldie Clanton 31 Don Hand Jr 31 Jeff Sinram 31 Sharon Anderson 31 Lauren Steiber Happy Anniversary December 2 Don Jr.and Vicki Hand 10 Ricky and Brenda Fabert 15 John & Mary Shaw 16 Harold and Gloria Hutson 22 Charles and Juanita Dyer In for December Greeters: Dec. 3rd Sandra McCluskey Dec. 10th Diana Temte Dec. 17th Katrina & Donna Christmas Eve 10am Mary & Deb 5pm Rodney & Charlene 8pm Volunteer Needed Dec. 31st Volunteer Needed Usher for December Ushers Needed December Accompanists: Dec. 3rd Lori Frailey Dec. 10th Accompanist Needed Dec. 17th Lori Frailey Dec. 24th 10am Nick Stavroplus Dec. 24th 5pm Sue McDonald Dec. 24th 8pm Garrett O Connell Dec. 31st Garrett O Connell Page 7

8 ~H appening s in PdC~ Our traditional Christmas Eve Service will be held on Sunday, December 24th at 10am, 5pm & 8pm. Join us for a joyous celebration! Christmas Poinsettias are available for ordering in honor or in memory of someone. As in the past we will order from The Blooming Basket. The cost is $8 each. The deadline is December 11 th. Call the office or sign-up during worship to place your order. News from UMW. Thanks to all who have supported the UMW Fall Bazaar and Craft Fair. It was a huge success! Our December meeting will be the Christmas Party on Dec. 6th. The UMW is looking for a new Rummage Sale chairperson. If you are interested, contact Sandy McCluskey or Dorothy Birrenbach. Sandy McCluskey, UMW President All Church Christmas Celebration & Potluck December 13th at 5:30pm Every one is welcome. Bring a dish to pass and your own table service. Beverages will be provided. The program will be our own Bert and Sharon Anderson with music and Christmas Carols. Come and enjoy the evening. Some of you may need to leave after the meal for Advent Bible Study, please come and enjoy the meal with us first. Sponsored by UMW and Martha Circle Prayer Circle We will meet on Tuesday, December 19th at 9am at Huckleberry s. See you there! Operation Santa & Cap and Mitten Tree We are collecting, hats and gloves, new toys and non-perishable food items to be donated to Op Santa. The deadline is Dec. 1st. All items can be placed in the Narthex. Blessings for Christmas Our congregation is collecting monetary donations to adopt a family for Christmas. This will include several kids and adults. We will purchase, clothes, toys and food. If you are able to donate, please mark your checks or envelopes with, Christmas Family. The deadline for donations is Sunday, December 10th. Thank you for your generosity! Page 8

9 ~H appening s in PdC~ ADVENT STUDY During this year s holy season of preparation and longing for the birth of Jesus, Pastor Barb will lead a study for adults called The Redemption of Scrooge. This study uses Dickens classic tale A Christmas Carol to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation that has the power to transform us from bitter, lonely self-centered people like Scrooge into generous, joyful lovers of life and our fellow human beings. This study will be offered on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. at Hardee s restaurant beginning November 29 and on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. beginning November 30. Scrip Ordering If you are planning to order Scrip for Christmas to use as gifts or for shopping, orders must be placed by Monday, Dec. 18th. This will be the last order before Christmas. Orders can be placed with either Juanita Dyer or Jen in the office. Thanks!! Please Note: There will be no Scrip orders on the weeks of November 20th, December 25th, January 1st. Order your Scrip by December 18th to get it in time for Christmas. Community Christmas Dinner Pies Needed The PdC UMC is asked to provide 15 pies: 5 pumpkin, 5 cherry, 5 lemon and 5 apple. If you can make pies please call the office to sign up. It s that time again! Time to sign up for snow removal thru the winter. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for interested persons. A very thanks to Sally Kann for the gorgeous fall table centerpieces that were used in the Fellowship Hall. They are such a beautiful addition to our Hall. Special Collection Church and Society /Global Concerns is putting together a basket of items to be raffled at the benefit for Adam and Beth Steiber. The benefit is Decembeer 16 th at Windwood of Watertown in Watertown, Wi from 2 pm to 8 pm. If you have a unique item or a homemade item that would fit into the basket please bring it to the church before Nov. 30 th. If you have any questions you can contact Diane Koth at Page 9

10 PdC December 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 5pm Contemporary 3 8:45 Church School 10am am Advent Study 6 7am Men s Breakfast 6:30 Advent Study 7 7pm Finance Committee Meets 8 9 1pm Caroling 5pm Contemporary 10 8:45 Church School 10am 11 6:45 Board of Trustees 7:30 Church Council 12 10am Advent Study 13 7am Men s Breakfast 5:30 Christmas Party 6:30 Advent Study 14 10am at Great River pm Contemporary 17 8:45 Church School 10am am Prayer Circle 10am Advent Study 20 7am Men s Breakfast 2:30 Prairie Maison 6:30 Advent Study 21 6pm Longest Night Service pm Contemporary 24 Christmas Eve 10am 5pm 8pm 25 Merry Christmas! am Men s Breakfast pm Contemporary 31 8:45 Church School 10am 1 Happy New Year!

11 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 7 10am 14 8:45 Church School 10am 21 8:45 Church School 10am 28 8:45 Church School 10am 1 Happy New Year! 8 6:45 Board of Trustees 7:30 Church Council am Men s Breakfast 1pm UMW 7pm SPRC 9am Prayer Circle 17 7am Men s Breakfast 2:30 Prairie Maison 18 10am at Walter Schmidt 5pm Contemporary pm Contemporary PdC January am Men s Breakfast 7pm Martha Circle pm Contemporary am Men s Breakfast pm Contemporary am Men s Breakfast PdC Birthday s JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 2 Bonnie Goodrich 2 Brett Kerscher 3 Zachary Wachter 10 Gayle McIntosh 10 Violet Wackershauser 11 Dorothy Birrenbach 12 Donna Hand 13 April Fabert 17 Ken Meyer 18 Keegan Owens 19 Marilyn Bouzek 19 Daniel Kerscher 20 Mary Ahrens 20 Ilene Wilkinson 22 Nicholas Sinram 25 Jerry Wilkinson 26 Rose Fischer 27 Holden Stuckey 28 Vikki Hafke 28 Sharon Martin 28 Tom Floyd 29 Nancy Wachter Happy Anniversary 1st Burt & Sharon Anderson 17th Jerry and Ilene Wilkinson 24th Luke and Nikki Baker

12 Prairie du Chien United Methodist Church 625 S Dousman Prairie du Chien, WI Address Service Requested TO: Eastman & Wauzeka Pastor Lynn Schreck Wauzeka Sunday mornings & Sunday School 8:30 am Communion 1st Sunday Eastman Sunday mornings at 10:15 Sunday School 10:15 (3rd Sunday of the 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 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 Communion served first Sunday Saturday Evenings Contemporary 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