NEWSLETTER ST PAUL S LUTHERAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 NEWSLETTER ST PAUL S LUTHERAN CHURCH 226 E Madison Street Waterloo, WI (920) Volume LIX Number 7 July 2018 HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! St. Paul s Pie, Ice Cream and Sloppy Joe Sale Wednesday, July 4th, 2018 Pastor Robert W. Kosky, Jr. (920) Office (608) Cell Office Hours: Please see calendar pastorrobb@frontier.com stpaul226@frontier.com INSIDE Inside St. Paul s Page 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Birthdays Page 3 Waterloo Fireman's Park from 11am-9pm St. Paul s will be selling fruit pies, ice cream, brownies, sloppy joes, chips and bottled water again this year during the Fourth of July Celebration at Waterloo Fireman s Park. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used for the 2019 Youth Mission Trip and the newly formed Mutual Community Mission Group, Groceries for Growth, that will provide weekend meals for kindergarteners starting in the fall. We are in need of more volunteers to help out in two hour shifts as well as food items. Sign-up sheets are on the table in the narthex. We are requesting FRUIT PIES so that we have a variety for our customers, and pans of uncut brownies as we prefer to cut the serving size based on our prices. Please note, we do not have the facilities to keep cream pies cold. Thank you in advance for your donations and time; It s greatly appreciated! We look forward to seeing you all there. Have a safe and happy holiday celebration. Business Directory Page 4 Calendar Page 7 Who s Serving? Page 8 From Pastor s Desk Page 9 1

2 Inside St. Paul s June Council Highlights The parking lot repaving is expected to begin Monday, June 25th. Notes from the Combined Committees: 37 goats were sold. The Pentecost Tree had a good response from members. Sixteen youth participated in the service on June 3rd. Sue Quamme is looking into several outside of church activities that would be feasible for member participation. There are still a few issues with the office computer. The council voted to have a technology company come in to take care of these problems. The council voted to split the receipts from the July 4th sale between the 2019 Youth Mission Trip and the newly formed Mutual Community Mission Group. They approved the checking account signers for this committee to be Pastor Robb and Jan Crave. They also approved the for this committee to be MCMG@stpaulswaterloo.com The council approved the movement of the Wambold CD to a money market account upon it s maturity on June 21, Pastor Robb will take care of this. The council reviewed job descriptions of all the church s committees. It was decided to present these descriptions to each committee for any additions or changes. June membership changes: Received: 0(UC), 0(C) Removed: 9(UC), 15(C) Total Members: 507 Received: Confirmed: 433 Unconfirmed: 74 Removed: Roger Schimmel, Death Rachel Abendroth, Inactive Caitlin Berndt, Inactive Julien Riedl, Inactive Rylan Berndt, Inactive Rachelle Berndt, Inactive Remmington Berndt, Inactive Ruger Stratton, Inactive Colleen Bronkhorst, Inactive Skylar Wolking, Inactive Gavin Dimond, Inactive Amy Clover, Inactive Rick Clover, Inactive Brandon Clover, Inactive Rylee Custis, Inactive Jessica Kidd, Inactive Christian Narvaez, Inactive Quincy Tuck, Inactive Stacey Schultz, Inactive Jonah Jimenez, Inactive Tyler Schwartz, Inactive Chuck & Jackie Wallace, Inactive Hunter Wallace, Inactive *Deadline for Newsletter* If you would like to make a contribution to August s newsletter, please submit information to the office no later than July 23rd. Information submitted after this date may not go into the newsletter for that month. stpaul226@frontier.com 2

3 July Birthdays 7/2 Richard Blawusch I 7/2 Gordon Pionkowski 7/3 Olivia Pratt 7/3 William Springer 7/5 Ryan Berndt 7/6 Ryan Lenius 7/8 Dale Bleecker 7/8 Tristan VanBuren 7/10 Caden Sullivan 7/10 Madisen Sullivan 7/10 Michael Weber 7/14 Beverly Haberman 7/14 Colleen Oelke 7/16 Karen Nelson 7/16 Arlene Schemm 7/16 Kristine Wilke 7/17 Emily Billings 7/17 Keith Hollatz 7/17 Jacob Schemm 7/17 Nicholas Schemm 7/17 Donald Vehlow 7/17 Ivy Yelk 7/19 Russel Peloquin 7/20 Paul Duessler 7/21 Michelle Kidd 7/23 James Geise 7/24 Don Olmstead 7/24 Roxanne Stahnke 7/24 Maddelyn Webster 7/25 Kimberly Gorder 7//26 Sydney Anderson 7/28 Brandon Gates 7/28 Esther Pratt 7/29 Kay Weber 7/30 Matthew Eilenfeldt 7/31 Rebecca Blyth 7/31 Timothy Tarnowski If your birthday is not listed; the omission not intentional (please contact the church office with an update). We wish you a very Happy Birthday as well!! Summer Camp Crossways and Lutherdale Register your children, 2 nd grade High School for summer camp at Crossways Camping Ministries (Waupaca, Clintonville or Hatley), or Lutherdale (Elkhorn). Each camp has various programs. Information can be found online at or or at St. Paul s. Camp Scholarships are available for up to 50% of the cost of the camp. For an application, please pick one up at St. Paul s, or contact the church office. Mobile Food Pantry Friday, July 27th 2:00-5:30 pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, in Marshall. It is open to people in the Marshall and Waterloo area who are in need of assistance. Volunteers are also needed from 1-6 pm to help unload the truck, set-up, distribute food and clean-up. 3

4 Attn: Members Advertise your business Here!! St. Paul s is offering free advertising to members who own or manage a business. Your ad space will be based on number of ads and newsletter space available. Typically a 2x3 ad will be available. We want members to recognize, and be aware of other members business so we can all help strengthen and support each other. Please contact the office for more information. You can also your ad, business card or a basic one can be created for you. Stpaul226@frontier.com St. Paul s Lutheran Church is seeking volunteers to help with the following openings: Saturday Pianist Lectors & Prayer Leaders Videographers Ushers Counters Assistants Volunteers for most positions are needed about once every two months. We will work with you to schedule Sundays that work best for you. Please consider stepping up to assist us with our worship services. If you are able to help, please talk to Pastor Robb. Thank you for your ministry to St. Paul s. 4

5 Help share the love of reading. Youth Service St. Paul s has a free little library and we are in need of books. If you have a couple of books that you think others would enjoy reading, please bring them and place them in the little library. Thank you! St. Paul s would like to thank everyone who participated in the youth service on June 3rd. We received many compliments on the service and were very pleased with the number of youth who participated. Great job to all! Brayden Junkers, Jacob Filter, Abby & Evie Quamme, Corryn Retzloff, Anna Lanphier, Ashley & Lexi Yelk, Kylie Webster, Kaylee, Dylan & Chase Bostwick, Bradee Haberman, Tristin Braunschweig, Laura Farwell, Seth Kosky, Maddie Webster, and Sue Quamme Help Feed Children in Waterloo St. Paul s Outreach Committee has formed the Mutual Community Mission Group. The group s mission is to enhance the basic nutrition of school children in our community to facilitate their physical and intellectual development. We have developed a pilot program called Groceries for Growth, in which we will provide food for the Kindergarten students who qualify for free or reduced lunches at school. We will be working in cooperation with the Waterloo School District and St. Paul s Lutheran Church. Our program will begin in the fall of For more information about the Mutual Community Mission Group, please speak to Jean Tousignant, Marilyn Connell or Jan Crave. 5

6 St. Luke s FREE CROSS AND OUTREACH MINISTRY St. Luke s Church of Rome (Sullivan) Wisconsin has developed an interesting way of spreading the Gospel. In the past two years they have made, prayed over and given away 3700 wooden crosses with the simple but powerful truth that: JESUS IS LORD painted on them. A message that ALL Christians share and a message to welcome people to the faith. They are made of cedar picket material, stand about 40 tall and are designed to be put on a lawn, in a flower bed, at a grave site or any special place. Our goal is to produce 3000 crosses for the summer of 2018 and to promote this ministry throughout the Synod, the state of Wisconsin and wherever God wants them. There are three ways you can take an active part in this ministry. 1.) Begin to make and distribute crosses as your own outreach ministry (We can help you get started). 2.) Become a distribution point for crosses made by St. Luke s. 3.) Support this ministry by spreading the word through social media. For more information on how to get involved with this ministry please contact Robert and Nancy Stephan W 1566 Stephan Lane, Sullivan, WI 53178, (262) Summer Outdoor Family Movie Night Our Saviors (Sun Prairie) You are Invited to This Community Event! Bring the whole family to three wonderful movies this summer. Our Saviors Lutheran Church at 550 Lincoln Dr Sun Prairie will open the parking lot to the public, food trucks from Let's Eat Out and a wonderful family friendly movie. Thursday, June 28th 8:45pm The Greatest Showman Thursday, July 26th 8:30pm Wonder Thursday, August 23rd 8pm Ferdinand The money raised from the food trucks and free offering will benefit C.A.R.D.S Closet. Questions? Contact Coordinator Tonya Koskelin HOLD THE DATE OF AUGUST 18, 2018 at 2:00 PM for the Installation of Our New Bishop - First Lutheran Church (Janesville) Bishop-elect, Rev. Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld will be installed on Aug. 18 at First Lutheran Church in Janesville, Wisconsin. Please hold this date for this holy and historic occasion! Formal invitations will be sent early July to all congregations. Everyone is invited! Want more information about local Synod events... Stay connected to exciting events and stories of our faith in action in our synod! To sign up for synod news, please Synod Communicator & Event Manager, Deacon Vicki Hanrahan at vickih@scsw-elca.org to be added to What Matters. 6

7 July 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Happy Independence Day! 11am-9pm Pie & Ice Cream Sale 5 6:30 Combined Committee 7:30 AA 6 7 4:15 8 9:00 9 5:30 Committee :30 AA :15 Service of the Word 15 9: :30 AA 20 Deadline for Newsletter 21 4: : :30 Council Meeting :30 AA :15 Service of the Word 29 9:

8 July 1st Serving in July July 8th ORGANIST: Elizabeth Converse LECTOR: Mary Hunt PRAYER LEADER: Mary Hunt CANTOR: None GREETERS: Dave Zastrow & Judy Gehler COMM ASST: Intinction VIDEOGRAPHER: Ray Unrein ACOLYTE: Maddie Webster CONF. USHER: Cabella Ellis USHERS: Dennis & Jean Buss Harvey Duessler Robert Hanson July 15th ORGANIST: Elizabeth Converse LECTOR: Sharon Braunschweig PRAYER LEADER: Sharon Braunschweig CANTOR: Jean Tousignant GREETERS: Don & Phyllis Vehlow COMM ASST: None VIDEOGRAPHER: Alice Filter ACOLYTE: Bradee Haberman CONF. USHER: Kaylee Bostwick USHERS: Lyle Braunschweig David Braunsweig Rick Sellnow Don & Phyllis Vehlow ORGANIST: Elizabeth Converse LECTOR: Jill Oelke PRAYER LEADER: Jill Oelke CANTOR: Jill Oelke GREETERS: Kris Wilke & Jan Crave COMM ASST: None VIDEOGRAPHER: Volunteer Needed ACOLYTE: Corryn Retzloff CONF. USHER: Rylee Duessler USHERS: Lyle Braunschweig David Braunsweig Rick Sellnow Don & Phyllis Vehlow July 22nd ORGANIST: Elizabeth Converse LECTOR: Stephen Peachey PRAYER LEADER: Stephen Peachey CANTOR: Stephen Peachey GREETERS: Ray & Joan Unrein COMM ASST: None VIDEOGRAPHER: Cyril Converse ACOLYTE: Cabella Ellis CONF. USHER: Maddie Webster USHERS: Dave & Kay Weber Dale Eilenfeldt Cyril Converse July 29th ORGANIST: Elizabeth Converse LECTOR: Terry Sauer PRAYER LEADER: Terry Sauer CANTOR: Terry Sauer GREETERS: Ed & Jean Tousignant COMM ASST: None VIDEOGRAPHER: Volunteer Needed ACOLYTE: Christopher Kohn CONF. USHER: Braden Junkers USHERS: Dave & Kay Weber Dale Eilenfeldt Cyril Converse Sat July 7th PIANIST: COMM ASST: Sat July 14th PIANIST: Sat July 21st PIANIST: COMM ASST: Sat July 28th PIANIST: ACOLYTE: GUITAR: Jenni Hayes Harvey Duessler Jenni Hayes Becky Christian Harvey Duessler Elizabeth Converse Brenna Huebner Randy Sharpe & Bill Springer Pre/Post Altar Guild: Intinction through Labor Day 8

9 From the Pastor s Desk Swords or Plowshares How Do We Know? The Bible is a big book. It is fairly easy to find a line or two to use to support just about anything. You can use the Bible to beat your swords into plowshares, or you can use it to beat your plowshares into swords (likewise with spears and pruning hooks see Isaiah 2:4 and Joel 3:10). Apparently, agricultural implements and weapons were quite versatile and so too is the Bible. So, when we read it, or when someone uses it to support a certain position, or as often happens, different people use it to support opposing positions how are we to know? Is it plowshares now, or is back to swords again? Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently used the Bible to support the administration s policies and practices regarding immigration and the separation of families. He made reference to Romans chapter 13 and was speaking to Christians who were opposed to then current practices. If Christians read and apply the Bible differently, how are we to decide which way to turn. Whose side is God on? Or better, who is closer to God s side? A few basic principles can help. What does the Bible actually say? If you look at what Mr. Sessions said about Romans 13 you ll notice that he is not quoting it but summarizing the passage and that Paul does not simply say that we are to obey the laws of the government. What else does the Bible say? There are a lot of examples of people both obeying and disobeying governing authorities in the Bible. The Bible also has a lot to say about people who leave their homes to live in another land both people of Israel who go to live elsewhere, and foreigners who come to live among the people of Israel. Mary and Joseph fled with their child from Israel to Egypt to escape violence in their homeland. They were not separated from one another at the border. (Matthew 2:13-23) What does Jesus say and do? How does the claim that is being made stack up to the teachings and actions of Jesus? In the end, it is Jesus who is our Lord and Savior not the Bible. It is Jesus who loves us and calls us to follow him not the Bible. Jesus commands us to love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12) How does Jesus follow and apply laws from render to Caesar the things that are Caesar s, and to God the things that are God s, to I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. (Matthew 22:21 & 12:7) What do your church, pastor, and Christians you trust have to say? We do not read the Bible alone. We read it along with others who make up the Body of Christ? Open your heart to the teachings of others. Listen to what they have to say. Ask questions. Pray with one another. We are justified by Grace and not by Works. This is our central Lutheran understanding of how our relationship with God works. It is a relationship based on God s grace and love for us, and not on our abilities to get everything right. As we read and apply the Bible to our lives, and to the complicated world we live in, we will get plenty of things wrong. That s okay. We are not required to always be right. To quote my confirmation verse, and one I have carried with me throughout my life, we are required to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with (our) God. (Micah 6:8) Part of the humility is knowing that it is not all up to us. Christian s of all stripes and persuasions read the Bible and take it seriously as the Word of God. We do not always agree very much about the Bible otherwise. In the present situation, I believe that Mr. Sessions was misusing the Bible to defend a practice that is contrary to the teachings of Jesus and the Will of God. I am thankful that the policy has changed. I pray that the children and parents who were separated will soon be reunited. I want our government to allow the dreamers to become citizens of the country they grew up in. I hope that our government can find a way to allow immigrants who seek a better life for themselves and their children in our country to do so. I pray that God will be with us all, Christians and non-christians, democrats and republicans, Americans and immigrants, that God will forgive us, and guide us, and help us to love one another as we have been loved. Your Pastor in Christ, Pastor Robb 9

10 St. Paul's Lutheran Church - ELCA 226 East Madison Street Waterloo, Wisconsin Address Service Requested Non-Profit Org. U S Postage PAID Waterloo, WI Permit No. 2 A Christ centered community striving to make our faith active in love to all! Services Offered: Wednesday 6:30 P.M. (No Services June, July & August) Saturday 4:15 P.M. Search St. Paul s Lutheran Church, ELCA Sunday 9:00 A.M. offered every Wednesday, Sunday and the 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month Inside St. Paul s News/Communication Front page, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Birthdays Page 3 Calendar Page 7 Who s serving Page 8 From Pastor s Desk Page 9 10