Parish Secretary: Carol Lekies Home: Submit News to:

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1 Electronic Service Requested Nonprofit Organization Postage Paid Permit # 100 Medford, WI Our mission is to share the love of Christ with each other, our community, and the world. Our Saviour s Lutheran Church W7809 Apple Avenue Medford, WI For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 Pastor Amy Heinz revamyheinz@gmail.com Parish Secretary: Carol Lekies Home: carol.ossp@ceas.coop; carol_lekies@yahoo.com Next issue: January 2019 Deadline: December 19, 2018 Submit News to: carol.ossp@ceas.coop Facebook: Our Saviour s Lutheran Holway Parish Office: Website: oursavioursholway.com Our Saviour s Lutheran Church of Holway, ELCA Mailing address: W7809 Apple Ave., Medford, WI The Parish Internet Our Saviour s Lutheran of Holway ELCA - Established 1888 Sunday Worship 8:15am; Sunday School 9:15am December 2018 Our mission is to share the love of Christ with each other, our community, and the world.

2 Our mission is to share the love of Christ with each other, our community and the world. The Parish Internet December 2018 October 2018 Joint Treasurer s Report 2 Table of Contents 3 Pastor s Page 4-5 Bishop s Message 6 Sunday School Christmas Program 7 WELCA 8 Poinsettias 9 Youth News/Thank You Community Polka Sunday 12 News & Events 13 Financial Report 14 Treasurer s Report 15 Joint Treasurer s Report 16 Contact Information Center - December Calendar & Worship Assistants January December 19 Upcoming December Events: Video Bible Study Thursday mornings in Dec. 8:30 9:30am Topic Mary s Song from Luke (Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27) The Symbols of Christmas, Sunday School Christmas Program, Dec. 16 during 8:15 worship Christmas Eve Worship Dec. 24, 4pm No worship Christmas Day at Our Saviour s 2 Submitted by Brenda Nernberger, Joint Treasurer 15

3 Our Saviour s Treasurer s Report Pastor s Page Last week I received a reminder call that I had a dental appointment this week. Naturally, I flossed furiously for several days leading up to this morning. I've been better about flossing since my last appointment, and the hygienist said my gums are looking healthier. "But they'd look a lot better if you flossed more," she prodded. I came away from my dental appointment having heard where I've gone wrong, how I can improve, and determined to set a new course with caring for my teeth and gums over a longer period of time. In the weeks to come, we will observe the season of Advent. Advent means coming. Not only do we wait to celebrate the coming of the Word made flesh, but we also anticipate the day when Jesus will come as judge as well as redeemer. Although we tend to see Advent as a time filled with celebration and anticipation, the season of Advent is actually a penitential season similar to Lent. It is a time to examine our lives; where we've gone wrong, where we can do better, how best to follow the Way of the Christ. In a sense, then, we can use this time to spiritually floss better and more consistently so that our life in Christ truly is our entire life. And just like flossing, we have to work at it. This month we will have Advent devotionals available, a video Bible study on Thursday mornings centered on Mary's Song from Luke, a Sunday school Christmas program, an opportunity to buy presents for our Taylor County Giving Tree participants, lighting of the Advent candles, and, of course, a Christmas Eve candle-lit worship service. Try some of these activities designed to deepen your experience of faith; you just may start spiritually flossing on a regular basis! May you have healthy teeth and gums, an open mind, and a heart for serving others in Jesus' name! 14 In Christ s service, Pastor Amy 3

4 Bishop s Christmas Message 2018 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors. Dear Friends of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, I m writing this the day after I get home from my first ever trip to the Holy Land. My husband Randy and I decided that after three decades as pastors we should make a pilgrimage to all the places we ve been preaching about for so many years. I was excited to see Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Temple Wall, and Athens, Corinth and Rome and all the other landmarks of our Spiritual Geography. I was especially excited to see Bethlehem. While I was in Bethlehem, I heard Pastor Lori Ruge-Jones, a gifted story teller recite from heart, Luke 2, the Christmas story. We were in a beautiful chapel on the site where according to tradition; the angels announced to the Shepherds the good news of Jesus birth. Imagine these familiar words, spoken from the heart, echoing off the stones of the Shepherd s Field chapel. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. The group of pilgrims I was with sat in silence for a few moments before we sang Christmas carols: O Little Town of Bethlehem, Angels we have heard on High, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, Away in the Manger... It was a holy moment and 4 Our Saviour s October Financial Report: Financial Report EXPLANATIONS: The October report shows the normal, ongoing bills that are paid on a regular basis. In addition, I have clarified a few of the line item expenses as follows: Income Section: General - $5, (includes $73.05 Co-op Rebate #2, $ reimbursement from Office Depot, $54.19 Taylor Electric Patronage Check ) Hunger - $ Sunday School - $ Scrip - $1, Total Income: $7, Expenses Section: Snowplowing: This bill was from March 2018, submitted late - $ MUSIC Fund: We added $160 Monthly amount to our Music fund, bringing that total to $1, Scrip Cards: One purchases of $1,000 worth of County Market scrip cards $960 plus Great Lakes Scrip Center order for miscellaneous cards - $ Total $1, Mission Investment Fund Update as of 9/28/2018: TERM Investment Fixed 4 Year 3839 = $17, TERM Investment Fixed 4 Year 3847 = $15, Total Investment Balance = $32, Submitted by Elaine Hallgren Each month I look forward to Lay School weekend. Last month we took a close look at parts of the worship service and the ELCA hymnal which is a wealth of information besides songs and liturgy. Some Sunday before worship take a minute to look at what is included in the front and back. In another class we are discussing spiritual practices. For the class we are reading the book Soul Feast which looks at the how and why of differing spiritual practices. As Christians what are other spiritual practices you do in addition to Sunday worship and daily devotions? By Carol Lekies. 13

5 News & Events Council Minutes... The regularly scheduled November council meeting was rescheduled to November 29 and missed the newsletter deadline. The November minutes will be available in the church office. highlight of our trip to the Holy Land. It was simple, beautiful, goose bump, Hallmark Card moment... BUT the undercurrent of that moment is more complicated. As tourists we were well aware that Bethlehem in 2018 is a city controlled by the Palestinians and the surrounding area is controlled by Israel. It is a land that has been fought over throughout known history by those who considered it Holy; Jews, Muslims and Christians. It is a place that builds walls to separate, and struggles with daily violence and conflict. The Shepherds of first century were well aware that Bethlehem was under foreign occupation by Rome. The Roman Caesar, Augustus sent out a decree that Jews were to be enrolled in their hometown to be taxed. There were uprisings and revolts against Roman rule of the Jews. It was and is complicated and there is no quick fix. On November 16 during worship, Pastor Warren Behling blesses food donated during the recent food drive. Thank you to everyone for donating food for the less fortunate. December Bible Study Thursdays 8:30-9:30am A Blessed Advent with Mary s Song This four-week study will focus on different aspects for one story, The Song of Mary, from Luke. Enjoy reading and listening to Mary s Song. There will be time for questions, time to ponder and time for conversation. For those unable to attend, the videos are available for download through the NW Synod of Wisconsin website. But all of that is far away or long ago. How about the here and now? Is your life like a beautiful peaceful Hallmark card wishing season s greetings or is your life more complicated like a major geopolitical conflict? Or is it somewhere in between? Regardless, there is one thing that is true, in the midst of it all God put on flesh and came down to us, to live among us. In the midst of it all, Jesus was born. Rev Laurie Skow-Anderson A Blessed Advent with Mary s Song 12 Planning committee for Polka Sunday: Marian Nernberger, Lori Duginski, Pastor Amy, Carol Lekies, Mollie B, and Brenda Nernberger. Missing: Cindy Hardrath, Pat Klimmer and Barbara Soback. 5

6 News & Events Roger & Ruth Schmidt Pastor Amy & Lori Duginski October 22, 2018 Carole & Ladies of Our Saviour s Church: The Wisconsin Lions would like to THANK YOU all for your thoughtful and generous donations again. Your items were taken to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation near Winblee, South Dakota. It is close to the Badlands. I researched it on the internet and it is a very large area. Roy Jaslowski They also received sewing machines and are giving sewing lessons. Lion, Bob and Mary Epps former Deforest residents, operate the Families Working Together Foundation and live on the reservation. Again we want to thank you all for your donations that are so greatly appreciated. We look forward to the next time. Sincerely, Dennis & Patti Christianson 6 Carol Lekies & Mollie B Mollie Busta is a popular polka music performer. She began singing at the age of 3 and plays several instruments. See Mollie B Polka Party on RFD-TV. Carol Beyer, Jeri Schmidt & Meadow Beyer 11

7 Community Polka Sunday Community Polka Sunday hosted by Our Saviour s Lutheran of Holway and Trinity Lutheran of Unity held November 25 at the Centennial Community Center, Stetsonville. At 9:30 am Pastor Amy greeted everyone for worship. Mollie B led songs accompanied by Jeff and Mark Heinz (brothers). The opening song was It s Time to Praise sung to the tune of the Pennsylvania Polka followed by the Kyrie sung to Edelweiss. The liturgy and hymns were arranged and written by Rev. Rolf Svanoe and sung to polka tunes. The Song of Praise was Sing Alleluia sung to the tune of the Beer Barrel Polka. The first line has been going over and over through my mind. Sing Alleluia! Come let us worship the Lord. The lyrics throughout the service were beautiful and fun to sing. The sending song was A Mighty Fortress Polka sung to the tune of The Happy Wanderer. Pastor Amy invited everyone was invited to communion. In anticipation of a large crowd, two stations were set up. Ushers counted 124 worshipers at the service. After worship, a light lunch of ham sandwiches, barbeques, coleslaw, cheese, pickles, chips, beverages and dessert were served. The service and meal didn t take as long as planned. With an hour and a half to spare between lunch and the dance, Mollie and the band graciously started playing a half hour early. From my perspective, everyone had a good time all 185 attendees. Young and old danced and visited. Friends got together who hadn t seen each other in awhile. A hand-made quilt was donated by the family of Grace Klehr for a drawing. Joe Duginski from Trinity was the lucky recipient of the quilt. The polka Sunday has been in the planning stages since early this year. In April a blizzard forced us to cancel our original event. Thank you to the planning committee from both churches who didn t give up and went back to work. Thank you to everyone who helped set up, served, and donated. Thank you to everyone I missed. By Carol Lekies 10 Annabelle Neitzel & Sharon Cicha News & Events The meeting was called to order November 4 after worship by President Lynette Sanders with 10 ladies present. Secretary and treasurer s reports read and approved. Carole Jari reported making lap robes for Hope Hospice. The ladies used the money from the Lions for buying things they needed for sewing. Old business Anniversary dinner: served 220 adults and 14 kids. That was down from last year. Paula Stroinski made a motion to have the dinner October 20 at the Centennial hall for Lynette Sanders seconded. New business Meeting to update the year book for next year on November 11 after church. There are no meetings in December or January. The next meeting is February 3 after church. Christmas Eve worship service is at 4pm. Echo made a motion to give the same Christmas gifts as last year. Submitted by Dorothy Pagel, Secretary The altar for Community Polka Sunday at the Centennial Community Center, Stetsonville, on November 25. Molly B and Jeff Heinz (background) setting up before the Polka worship service. 7

8 Memorial Poinsettias If you would like to purchase a POINSETTIA for Christmas please complete the form below, and return it with $10.00 to the church office. You can send the form and money (write checks to Our Saviour s) to: Our Saviour s W7809 Apple Ave., Medford, WI or drop them off at the church office before or after Sunday worship Poinsettias - Cost $10.00 each 8 Name: Phone No. (in case of questions) Number of $10. each Total Amt.$ (Please Circle One) In Memory of: OR In Honor of: Given by: The DEADLINE for ordering poinsettias is December 13th. The purchase of a poinsettia is a nice way to remember and honor our loved ones. Names will be included in the Christmas Eve bulletin. The poinsettias will be here in time for the Sunday School Christmas program and will adorn the altar through Christmas Eve. You are encouraged to take your plant home after the Christmas Eve service. Merry Christmas! Youth News The Sunday School Christmas program, The Symbols of Christmas, is just around the corner. To prepare Sunday School has been extended to 10:45am on December 2 and December 9. If possible on December 16 the day of the program, have your children to church by 7:45am to get ready. As of November 12, God s Global Barnyard collection from the Sunday School children was $ The children will have many options to choose from when deciding where this money will help out those in need. Merry Christmas! There will be no Sunday School on December 23 and 30. Confirmation During December the students will study the three creeds used by Lutherans beginning with the Apostles Creed. Class will not meet on December 19, 26 and January 2. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Class meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30 8:00pm at Our Saviour s. To our friends at Our Saviour s, Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving. Thanks for hosting Thanksgiving eve worship! Community United Church of Christ, The Red Brick Church Medford. On November 16, thank you to Pastor Warren Behling for leading us in worship and to Sue King (left) for offering to play the piano with no advanced notice. National Human Trafficking Hotline If you suspect something call. 9