Faith Matters M A Y F A I T H L U T H E R A N C H U R C H The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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1 Faith Matters M A Y F A I T H L U T H E R A N C H U R C H The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America WORSHIP TIMES SUNDAYS 9:00 A.M WEDNESDAYS 6:15 P.M. CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP CHURCH OFFICE 255 Roosevelt Street PO Box 369 Valders, Wisconsin Phone Fax Website STAFF DIRECTORY Erica Cunningham, Senior Pastor Direct Office Line Cell: pastorerica@tds.net Nicole Welke, Associate Pastor Direct Office Line Cell: pastornicole@tds.net Christine Olson, Adm. Assistant Faith Matters Editor ...faith21@tds.net Nicolle Behnke, Youth & Family Ministry Coordinator Office: FLCyouthandfamily@tds.net David Kriewald, Custodian Kim Bremer, Dennis Luckow, Carol Ulness, Becky Schultz Contemporary Worship Coordinators Peggy Madson & Sue Riesterer, Organists INSIDE In the Life of Faith... 2 In the Life of Faith continued... 3 Finances... 4 Liturgical Roles/Membership... 5 Brat Fry/Family Fun Fest... 6 What The Church Mouse Saw... 7 Faith Lutheran Church Minutes... 8 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Resurrecting Vision, Rekindling Hope If you ve followed Faith Matters over the past year, you know not all is entirely well in River City. Current giving is not sufficient to support our mortgage, staffing and hoped-for ministry. We re starting to see signs of a congregation under stress. The board is looking at difficult choices. Where is God in THIS good news? Well, the answer is, among us of course. That s the answer of Easter. God is working right here, right now, in the people we love, with the beauty and mess and challenge of life at Faith. And God s tapping us on the shoulder while we re huddling in sanctuary, reminding us that all things are possible through Christ in this season of resurrection. Feeling that tap, a number of members started chatting after budget meetings and worship a few months ago. We share a mutual belief in the Mission, Ministry and Vision Faith began in We believe in Faith, our Pastors and our Staff. And we wanted to continue moving forward in a positive way. As a group, we expressed our hopes to the Board of Directors. A supportive ad -hoc ministry group dubbed the Hodge Podge Disciples was born. (Lorin Berge aptly described us as a hodge podge group. It stuck.) We began by praying together, asking God s guidance, and studying congregational success or decline. No surprise, we learned a clear shared sense of Mission and Vision is critical to the heath and dynamism of the congregation. We asked ourselves if we still carried that clear vision from our congregation s deep spiritual work in Ultimately, we all had difficulty remembering. We imagine you do to. That s why working with our Pastors, we ll be dusting off our Vision, Mission and Ministry Plan. We ll be sharing our thoughts with you in worship. And we ll be asking you to once again Experience Faith with us in this season of Resurrection. Truly, we have actually have come far, and can celebrate many wonderful examples of God at work in our midst. Yet we have far to go. We do not know the future, but we can be confident that God has a plan for us. And God has assured us He has given us all we need in resources, in people, in gifts, to spread God s Word and show Christ s love. We invite you to the conversation, community and prayer. Watch for opportunities in your bulletin and Faith Matters. Thank you, The Hodge Podge Disciples ~ Kim Bremer (Chair ), Matt Berge, Lorin Berge, Chloe Cigler, Julie Endries, David Haupt, Peter Larson, Carol Ulness

2 The 66th annual National Day of Prayer will be observed May 4, The theme for 2017 is, For Your Great Name s Sake! Hear Us Forgive Us Heal Us! These words are taken from Daniel 9:19, which reads, Oh, Lord, listen! Oh, Lord, forgive! Oh Lord, hear and act! For your sake, oh my God. The Board of Evangelism will once again host a National Day of Prayer event at Faith Lutheran. An informal prayer service is being planned for 6:00 PM on Thursday, May 4 th. Interested participants should meet in the upper level Gathering Space. Weather permitting we will gather outside on the church grounds for a time of prayer for our world, our nation, and each other. If you are unable to be with us in person on this evening, we are asking families and individuals to be intentional in prayer during a part of this day. Please accept this invitation to emphasize the importance of PRAYER as a testimony to who God is and what we believe. Fellow Bikers Faith Lutheran Church will once again be hosting our Annual Blessing of the Bikes ceremony on May 13th. The Blessing Ceremony will begin at 10:00am with registration at 9:30. Following the bike blessing, a ride is planned which will end at Hoban Brothers Summer Kickoff Party. Coffee and donuts will be available. We want to thank you for your participation and support in this event in the past and invite you to this year s event. Senior Christians will meet Tuesday, May 16 at 9:00 at Riverview Restaurant in Kiel. Faith is heading to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game!!! We will be going on Friday, June 9, 2017 for the 7:05pm game. It is Superhero Night, and fireworks to follow. We will be enjoying the Picnic Deck. Your ticket will include the bus to the game, ticket, and an all you can eat picnic. The picnic will start at the beginning of the 2 nd inning and go for an hour and a half of the game. The bus will leave from church at 5pm. Wondering what the picnic all includes? The LEAD OFF HITTER picnic includes: Grilled Hamburgers, Grilled Cher-Make Brats, Cher-Make Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, Assorted Potato Chips, Pasta Salad, Dessert, Two Beverages per person (beer, soda or water). What will it cost? Ticket prices are Adults: $14, Children: $10 (age 10 & under), Children under 2 are free. We will be located on the Kid s Zone side of the field where wristbands for unlimited inflatable bounce houses can be purchased. It promises to be a great night at the ballpark! A sign-up sheet is located on the display in the gathering space. We will need payment at the time of sign up and the final date to sign up is Sunday, May 21 st. If cost is a concern, please talk with Pastor Nicole, Pastor Erica, or Nicolle Behnke. 2

3 Jesus appears to Mary, his disciples and doubting Thomas. 3

4 Finances Income - March 2017 Budget YTD Actual YTD Budget Envelope Offerings $ 21, Other Income and Offerings $ 4, General Fund Income $ 25, $ 26, $ 69, $ 80, Dedicated Income $ $ 1, Total Income $ 25, $ 70, Operating Expenses - March 2017 Benevolence $ 2, Board & Other Expenses $ 9, Personnel Salaries/Benefits $ 21, General Fund Expense $ 32, $ 31, $ 92, $ 94, Dedicated Expense $ $ 1, Total Expenses $ 32, $ 93, Year to Date General Fund Net Income : $-23, Capital Appeal 2/28/2017 Denmark State Bank Loan Balance - $308, Payment Amount $ 2, Additional payment for February $ - Total March payment Principle paid Interest paid 3/31/2017 Denmark State Bank Loan Balance - $305, Donations this month were given to: Capital Appeal, World Hunger and the Quilters Fund. 4

5 Liturgical Liturgical Roles Roles ~ Worship Responsibilities Pastoral Acts Funeral... Doris Erickson Membership Baptized Confirmed Families Worship Attendance Sunday Wednesday Total 3/ / / / /13 4: :00 42 (Maundy Thursday) 4/14 4: :00 52 (Good Friday) 4/16 7: : :45 43 (Easter) Altar Guild Servers Communion: May... Bev Torrison, Chair (Committee #2) June... Marlene Evenson, Chair (Committee #1) Lectors 5/7 Jenniffer Zutz 5/10 Cheryl Duchow 5/14 Ava Ulness 5/17 Carol Ulness 5/21 Joan Pritzl 5/24 Jill Backus 5/28 Joy Madson 5/31 Julie Endries Communion Servers 5/7 Jenniffer Zutz and Nicolle Behnke 5/10 Delton and Cheryl Duchow 5/14 Jim and Jeanette Schuessler 5/17 Nancy Christianson and Emma Karstaedt 5/21 Katie Thomsen and Clarissa Ulness 5/24 Judy Valleskey and Valerie Valleskey 5/28 Malachi Blanke and Garrett Ulness 5/31 Julie Endries and Ava Petska Greeters 5/7 Jill Backus and Mitchell Zutz 5/10 Gary and Linda Exner 5/14 Paul and Jill Franz 5/17 Bob and Marge Klessig 5/21 Katie Thomsen and Clarissa Ulness 5/24 Judy Valleskey and Valerie Valleskey 5/28 Earl and Barb Griffin 5/31 Roger and Char Manke Ushers 5/7 Wayne Huske, Tom and Kathy Muench 5/14 Bob Argall, Richard and Linda Menza 5/21 Tyler Madson, Larry and Joy Madson 5/28 Brian and Parker Ulness, Dennis Evenson Head Usher Schedule- Sunday May... Matt Krogh and Paul Franz June... Mark Zutz July... Lee A. Evenson Sound Operator Wednesday 5/7 Terry Huske Keith Schultz 5/14 Judy Harris 5/21 Erin Lenzner 5/28 Loren Ulness Video Operator Wednesday 5/7 Peter Larson Keith Schultz 5/14 Jason Robley 5/21 Jake Kaderabek 5/28 Bryce Larson Projection 5/7 Cassie Zutz 5/10 Trenton O Leary 5/14 Rachel Robley 5/17 Nate Bremer 5/21 Eric Thomsen 5/24 Mary Evenson 5/28 Judy Harris 5/31 Kayla Hildebrandt 5

6 Brat Fry/Bake Sale Family Fun Fest Saturday, June 3 rd the group going on the mission trip will be having a brat fry/bake sale at Piggly Wiggly. Please come support us to help with expenses towards the trip. If you would like to donate some baked goods, please let Nicolle Behnke know. SAVE THE DATE Family Fun Fest will be on Friday, June 23 after Vacation Bible School. This is open to all Faith members as well as families from the community. We will have a potluck supper with hamburgers/hot dogs provided (families bring dish for to share). Outdoor games, slip & slide, etc. (weather permitting) and an opportunity for family fun and fellowship. There will be no charge for any of these activities and all are welcome to come and participate. If weather does not cooperate, activities would be indoors. 6

7 What the Church Mouse Saw... A few years back a member of Faith created and wrote a monthly Faith Matters article titled, What the Church Mouse Saw. From what the Board of Evangelism remembers it was used as an opportunity to lift up the works and ministries of Faith Lutheran Church. The Board of Evangelism has made plans to bring back the Church Mouse. The idea behind this is that there are many happenings at Faith that go unnoticed and therefore are not celebrated. Watch for the Church Mouse report of these happenings weekly in the bulletins and monthly in Faith Matters. Did you see something that the Church Mouse might have missed? Feel free to forward your sightings to Christine for publication. Let s help the Church Mouse to focus on the many positive things happening at Faith. The church mouse didn't just see good works, the church mouse smelled the good smells of Wednesday night Soup and Sandwich meals. Throughout Lent, a full slate of volunteers worked to prepare over 20 kettles of soup to efficiently and deliciously serve more than 250 soup and sandwich meals. Yummy! Thanks to all the youth and adults who helped with the Easter service and breakfast. It was a great success and I ve heard many people talk about how good everything was, so give yourselves a big pat on the back!! Thanks to Lisa Mulhaney and Peter Larson for helping chaperone the Upper Elementary School Blast Retreat! Wonderful memories were made with you and the youth who came! Thanks to everyone who helped with Kid s Day Out and the Easter Egg Hunt, we had a great turnout and all the table decorations made for Easter turned out great. If you haven t picked the things you made up yet, they are sitting outside Nikki s office. The "Church Mouse" travelled to Imago Dei Village to witness 17 members of Faith participate in a Family Retreat. A few days later, that same "Church Mouse" watched 7 youth and 3 chaperones take part in an uplifting, faith-filled BLAST Event. Wow! 7

8 Faith Lutheran Church Minutes March 20, 2017 Council minutes edited and abbreviated for length. A full version copy can be found on the bulletin board outside the church office. Stewardship The general fund income was $22, Net income was -$ and YTD net income is -$15, The checkbook balance is down to $34, as money is being used from the operational reserve fund to pay expenses. The church mortgage is now through Bank First National. Time & Talent sheets will be distributed this spring. Lay Ministry A leader is being sought for the Men s Choir on Easter Sunday, and Kelly Meyer will be coordinating the music for the Brass Choir for which Angie Ulness and Nicki Behnke are seeking participants. Training for main operators of the chime system will be held on March 29 th and they will be asked to train others. Evangelism Easter postcards are again being sent out inviting recipients to participate in the Holy Week worship services. Hands on Mission is still in need of a chairperson; Penny Larson is continuing to serve in that interim role. Ron Jones and the Valders Lions Club are constructing a building for use during brat fry s held at the Piggly Wiggly. Work is continuing on PMA or Positive Mental Attitude concepts at FLC, including the table conversation starters currently in the gathering space. Consideration is being given to developing a FLC logo that could be used for apparel to be worn at events such as picnics, baseball games, etc. Parish Fellowship Work is ongoing for the May 2 nd Senior Luncheon to be held at FLC. Property Lyle Roehrig reported that he is aware of the piece of steel flopping around in the area of the steeple and is working on the issue. He will be meeting with a person regarding the possibility of remodeling the lower level bathroom(s) and is also looking into options for lighting in the sanctuary. Quotes for the roof repair are coming in and include various repair options, including removal of the skylights. Christian Education no meeting was held Youth Ministry Fourteen people were signed up for the FLC Imago Dei weekend retreat being held March 25 th -26 th. A meeting was recently held for the 2018 National Youth Gathering to gauge interest in sightseeing, where to stay, and other items needed to make preparations for the trip. Endowment Pastor Erica reported that the Endowment Committee is meeting March 22 nd and an invitation was extended to Brian Ulness to attend. Pastor Erica She will not be at worship on March 26 th as she is attending Imago Dei with the FLC group that weekend. Two voting members from Faith are needed to attend the Synod Assembly being held in Green Bay May 19 th -20 th, ideally one male and one female. Overnight accommodations are available or the FLC representatives can commute each day. The pastors will be staying overnight. Pastor Nicole She questioned the April 17 th BoD meeting as the church office is closed that day and she is also taking vacation on April 18 th thus would not be attending the meeting. Discussion concluded that if a pastor is on vacation the day of a board meeting they are not obligated to attend. Plans are being made to have a group from FLC attend a WI Timber Rattlers game on June 9 th. A motion was made to offset the ticket cost by allocating $10/ticket from the Expanded Ministries fund. Motion carried. Youth & Family Nicki attended a weekend Via de Cristo retreat and felt it was an amazing experience. The weekend included worship, prayer, and spiritual renewal. Pastor Nicole, attending as a leader, said it is an event everyone should consider attending at least once. Nicki, Bobbi Jo Robley, and Pastor Nicole also recently attended Recharge - a one day event that had seminars focused on youth and family. President s Report The Community Dinner held at FLC on March 19 th served an estimated 175 people and was very nice, giving people a great chance to socialize. Old Business No update from the ad-hoc committee but they are meeting again on Wednesday, March 22 nd. Jim Schuessler will attend the meeting as the BoD liaison. New Business The Cemetery Association is considering purchasing another lawnmower to be kept at West Cemetery, allowing the current mowers to be kept at church and Gjerpen Cemetery. The mower at church would also be used at Our Savior s Cemetery. Brian Ulness will talk with Christine regarding past practices in financing mower purchases. The Annual Election Mtg. will be held on Sunday, April 2 nd after worship. Jeanette Schuessler will take minutes in Kerry s absence that day. The next BoD meeting will be held on Monday, April 6:30pm. The meeting adjourned at 8:18pm with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Kerry Schnell 8

9 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2:00-6:00 Blood Drive 6:00 & 7:30 Tel. Worship 7:00 Board of Christian Education 2 11:00 Senior Appreciation Dinner 4:00 Hands on Mission 6:00 Board of Evangelism 3 6:45 Men s Bible 7:15 Confirmation 6-7 grades/8th gr. conf. rehearsal 7:15 Endowment Committee 4 Quilting 12:00 Pastor s Lunch 6:00 National Day of Prayer event 6:30 Board of Stewardship 5 5:30 Wedding Rehearsal 6 8:00-9:00 Jazzercise 1:00 Amber Schultz and William Meidl Wedding 7 9:00 Worship Confirmation 10:15 Sunday School 10:25 Adult Forum 8 6:00 & 7:30 Tel. Worship 6:30 Board of Lay Ministry 9 9:00 Library Cmt. 9:30 GB Conference Pastors 6:30 Book Club at Jan Mulhaney s 7:00 Board of Church Property 10 6:45 Men s Bible 7:15 Confirmation evaluations for grades 6-7 students and parents 11 Quilting 8:00 Secretary s Meeting 12 5:00-8:00 Kids Night Out 13 8:00-9:00 Jazzercise 9:00 2nd Saturday Bible 9:30 Blessing of the Bikes 14 9:00 Worship NO Sunday School 10:25 Adult Forum 15 Newsletter info due 6:00 & 7:30 Tel. Worship 6:30 Board of Directors 16 9:00 Senior Christians at Riverview Restaurant in Kiel 17 6:45 Men s Bible 18 Quilting 12:00 Pastor s Lunch 19 Synod Assembly 20 Synod Assembly 8:00-9:00 Jazzercise 9:00-10:00 Open Pantry :00 Worship Baptism Ava Alice Hammel Last Day of Sunday School 10:25 Adult Forum 6:00 & 7:30 Tel. Worship 11:30 Pastor s Women s Lunch 6:45 Men s Bible 1:30 Terry/Marge Circle Quilting 8:00-9:00 Jazzercise 28 9:00 Worship 10:25 Adult Forum 29 Office and Church Closed 30 31