THE MARTYR MONTHLY APRIL 2016 HE STILL LIVES. St. Stephen the Martyr Lutheran Church ELCA. In this Issue

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Stewardship 3 Music & Worship 4 Opportunity Corner 4 Human Concerns 5 Memorial

10 Council Highlights 11 Worship Opportunities: Saturday 5:00 pm Sunday 8:00

1 THE MARTYR MONTHLY APRIL 2016 St. Stephen the Martyr Lutheran Church ELCA In this Issue Pastor s Page 2 Stewardship 3 Music & Worship 4 Opportunity Corner 4 Human Concerns 5 Memorial Committee 5 Calendar 6 Women of the ELCA 8 Youth & Family 9 Noteworthy Events 10 Council Highlights 11 Worship Opportunities: Saturday 5:00 pm Sunday 8:00 am Sunday 9:30 am Sunday School Hour 9:30 am HE STILL LIVES 6101 South 51st Street, Greendale WI 53129;

2 PASTOR S PONDERINGS... Dear Friends in Christ, EASTER ISN'T OVER! And we sometimes forget that fact. With all of the buildup, the forty days of Lenten preparation, Palm/Passion Sunday, and Holy week services Easter Day can seem like the end of a long journey, or the 'light at the end of the tunnel'. On the Monday following Easter Sunday it's hard to not approach the day with a feeling of "well now we can get back to the normal church life". But there isn't anything normal about it: Alleluia! Christ has risen! Christ has risen indeed, Alleluia! And he isn't going anywhere for the next FIFTY DAYS and beyond! From now until Pentecost, we will journey with Christ's disciples as they carry out God's mission: to spread the Good News. The resurrection is not simply a one-time event but, as author Gail Ramshaw puts it, "is the continuing power of God in the believing community". Listen closely over the next seven Sundays to the first lessons from Acts as they recount the actions of the disciples in the wake of the events of Easter Day. They are a witness to the power of Christ's resurrection, made known in the actions of the disciples as they (guided by the power of the Spirit) journey forth to build up the body of Christ in the world. Just because service times are back to normal, and we won t have any elaborate processions it doesn't mean that the celebration is over. Easter rolls on for fifty days, and with it a continual reminder of the awesome power of God's work through Christ. Easter is remembering and participating in Jesus' death and resurrection. Easter is renewing our vows to live our baptism in the world. Easter is the world coming back to life in the yearly miracle of spring. Easter is about God s love. Peace in Christ, Pastor Brian PAGE 2

STEWARDSHIP. Choosing Life! Like so many of you, our family has recently experienced a life-altering challenge of health coupled with the decrements of aging.

3 STEWARDSHIP. Choosing Life! Like so many of you, our family has recently experienced a life-altering challenge of health coupled with the decrements of aging. And, like you, we turned to prayer and reading our Bible for strength and courage. My thoughts kept going to Deut. 30:19, I have set before you life and death. Choose life. Blessed with an abundance of professional caregivers, we soon realized the importance of each of them; as they shared generously of their time and talents, as we chose life. These gifted individuals were there to help us grab hold of life and accept a new normal one requiring our acceptance and gratitude of God s help manifested through these professionals. The professional caregivers also reminded us of 1 Timothy 6:18-19, They are to do good. To be rich in good works, generous and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they can take hold of the life that really is life. Indeed, being on the receiving end of generosity of time and talent, these words from 1 Timothy continue to ring true on our healing journey. A longtime friend of Paul, Timothy learned from Paul that the measure of life in Christian community is to be rich in good works, generous and willing to share of our time, talent and treasure, realizing that our life is enriched when we give to others abundantly. Clearly, this holds true for us today as we grab hold of life anew, mindful of our need to trust in the grace of life from Our Lord and Savior, Jesus, and to faithfully respond by both generously giving and thankfully receiving. We believe this is the essence of our stewardship generous giving and thankful receiving. Faithfully, this is who you are, dear friends from St. Stephen the Martyr: God s good stewards in generosity and gratitude. Last month our SSM stewardship chair, Pat Burns, reminded us to take a moment to reflect and ask of ourselves, What more can we give? To expand on Pat s challenge, I ask, What talent that God has given to you are you able, ready and willing to share? The need is great. As a gentle reminder from Timothy, it is our choice to live abundantly by sharing God s blessings. Thank you for your continuing prayers and stewardship. Marion Walton 2016 April Martyr Monthly St. Stephen the Martyr PAGE 3

MUSIC NOTES FROM BILL BRAVENER DIRECTOR OF MUSIC/ASSOCIATE IN MINISTRY My sincere thanks to our choirs for their beautiful music during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Choir CDs are still available.

4 MUSIC NOTES FROM BILL BRAVENER DIRECTOR OF MUSIC/ASSOCIATE IN MINISTRY My sincere thanks to our choirs for their beautiful music during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Choir CDs are still available. Look for the display on the table in the narthex. Happy Easter! See you at worship! NOTES FROM THE MUSIC & WORSHIP COMMITTEE We have added albs (robes) for some of the assisting ministers, more are on order. Acolytes are encouraged to wear one of the robes purchased for them; we have three sizes available. It has been nice to see so many volunteers; their presence enhances our worship. The committee has discussed acquiring contemporary music to be added to our repertoire. The times of the services and Sunday School were also discussed with no one ready to make changes as yet. The subject may be up for a survey. The Lenten series seems to have been well received. Thank you for all the planners, decorators, parament hangers, plant givers and the whole spectrum of music makers, bells choirs and of course Bill for your commitment during our Holy Week services. We continue to schedule for communion at all services. Anyone who would like to assist in prep or serving please let us know. Faith O Connell, Music and Worship Chairperson OPPORTUNITY CORNER Please prayerfully consider the following available volunteer opportunities: Christian Education Council position Fellowship Council position For more information regarding these position(s) please contact Eric Sanders or Jason Covert PAGE 4

5 HUMAN CONCERNS Our last Tippecanoe homes meal for the year was March 4th. Beginning April 1st, they began sleeping outdoors again. Items like socks, underwear, toilet paper and snacks will still be collected all during the spring, summer and fall. Also, tents, adult sleeping bags and blankets are desperately needed. April 10th is Meru Partnership Sunday. May 22nd is the Unity, Santa Fe and SSM Partnership Meeting at 3 PM here at SSM. Help is always needed at the Unity meal; either for setting up at 3 PM or serving and cleaning up at 5 PM. Please consider volunteering. It feels great to share your time. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Mineau, God s Blessings, The Human Concerns Committee The committee met March 12, Attending were Dick Kroll, Chairperson Sandy Petricek, and myself. We are still looking for new members interested in joining the committee. Please ask one of us about it. We meet only four times a year, so minimal time is required. The Prayer Garden committee evaluated the current state of the garden. Several ideas were proffered and there will be more estimates for water drainage control. Judy Lehman, a master gardener and member, has volunteered to assist in planning for spring planting and is a resource for some of the ideas we are working on. Signs to dress up the back of the building, for the Prayer Garden, More Parking and Office Upstairs are in production and we hope to see them soon. We are planning new small tables for the sanctuary as soon as the R & R construction crew can get to work. The giving brochures are being revised. We discussed a number of items approved for purchase. Several are under consideration for the near future. 1. Replace the office window with something efficient; 2. New sheet music and service settings; and 3. A digital sign at the entrance. We take suggestions! Our next meeting is set for Saturday June 18 th, 2016 at 9:30am. Faith O Connell MEMORIAL COMMITTEE NEWS 2016 April Martyr Monthly St. Stephen the Martyr PAGE 5

6 WOMEN OF THE ELCA The Women s Bible Study group will meet on Wednesday, April 13th and April 27th at 10:15 AM. All are welcome to join us. Bring a friend along to study God s Word. The LOOSE ENDS LUNCHEON is April 13th at The Forum. Please meet there at 12 Noon. If you have any questions, contact Diana The Women of the ELCA Greater Milwaukee Synod will be holding their SPRING JOINT CLUSTER MEETING on April 16th at Atonement Lutheran Church in Muskego. You are invited to attend. Marcia Marquardt will be our Bible Study leader with the theme Shaking and Shining for Jesus. Nancy Hanks & Renee Stadtler will lead the program; sharing with us information about the partnership Atonement has with the water project in Tepeagua, Costa Rica. Breakfast is included with the registration fee of $12. Registration forms, containing all the details, are posted on our kiosk. Please see Karen Hoffman with any questions you may have. Distribution of funds from the 2015 Bake and Craft Sale This distribution of funds was determined by our Women of the ELCA Steering Team at the 02/08/16 meeting held at SSM: Male Assistant Minister robes $ Altar Items $ Faith Santa Fe holiday needs $ Seed money for SSM Women of the ELCA future projects $ Women of the ELCA general fund $ Pastor Hartmut Barsnick $ Lutheran World Relief - Project Comfort (shipping costs for school supplies and quilts) $ Southwest Interfaith $ Sojourner Family Peace Center, Milwaukee $ ELCA World Hunger $ ELCA Good Gifts Women and Children - School fees for girls/text books $ Start a small business $ TOTAL $4, *Once again...thanks for your generous support of our Craft and Bake Sale in 2015* PAGE 8

7 WOMEN OF THE ELCA (CONT.) WARTBURG THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY-LIFELONG LEARNERS EVENT Dr. Norma Cook-Everist will dig deeper into her May Bible study in the Gather Magazine Mary and Elizabeth: Sisters Across the Generations, teach on her book Seventy Images of Grace in the Epistles that make all the Difference in Daily Life, and equip participants with skills of leading and participating in Bible study. The registration deadline is May 1st and $60. Please visit the website of wartburgseminary.edu for more information or pick up a registration form at the kiosk! YOUTH AND FAMILY SHORT-TERM VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Do you have a lot of energy? Do you love working with kids? Are you comfortable speaking in front of large groups? Join the VBS team as a station leader! We are looking for someone to serve as the Cave Quest Closing Leader. Responsibilities include: 1) become familiar with material in the leader manual 2) practice ahead of time 3) enthusiastically lead the closing session each day with lots of fun-filled activities that help kids discover that Jesus gives us hope, courage, and love! VBS is June 27-July 1, 4:45-8:00 p.m. To learn more, talk with Denise Sanders ( , or the.family.sanders@gmail.com). SCRIP Orders are placed the 2nd & 4th Sunday s of the month & are delivered the following Sunday. Please see Lisa Lisiecki or Amy Billman with any questions. Thanks! FAMILY GATHERING Mark your calendar. Our next meeting is on Saturday, May 14th. Details to follow! **** MARK YOUR CALENDAR**** VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL June 27-July 1, 2016 WATCH FOR THE KICK-OFF EVENT! 2016 April Martyr Monthly St. Stephen the Martyr PAGE 9

8 PAGE 10 NEWS & NOTEWORTHY EVENTS! INFORMATION UPDATES If you would like to share your address with us, please provide it to Glenna at Please also include any telephone or address changes that we should be aware of. We are now using Google Groups to keep you updated with church information. Providing your address, will insure that we keep you up to the minute with news and information. ST. STEPHEN THE MARTYR INTRODUCTION SESSION Would you like to get connected to a faith family? Grow in faith, spirituality, or service? SSM has INTRODUCTIONS (previously called new member classes) several times a year. Come and learn about St. Stephen and its ministry, and ways you can get connected. Whether you are a lifelong Lutheran or of another or no religious background, or even ambivalent about church, you are welcome here! No pressure at the introduction; you can get as involved as you want. The next introduction sessions will take place following the 5pm worship on April 23 and following the 9:30 AM worship on April 24.\ NEW RUN/WALK GROUP This summer I would like to get a walker and runner group going. Some possibilities include meeting in the mornings or evenings, possibly meeting at the church, some parks or traveling beer gardens. Both runners and walkers are welcome. I would like to brainstorm with you about some times and places that might work following the 9:30 AM worship on April 17. If you have interest or questions pastorbrianhooper@gmail.com. CHURCH ELECTRONIC SIGN We are going to start looking into the possibility of a church electronic sign as a way to engage our surrounding community further. If you have interest in being part of this exploration team, please contact the church office. and SSM FACEBOOK PAGE Don t forget about the SSM Website. It is a great place to see the church calendar and newsletter, as well as watch for updates in the church. Another great resource for keeping track of the church s activities is on Facebook. Check out the St Stephen the Martyr Facebook page and join in. EASTER MORNING BREAKFAST A HUGE thank you to those who worked tirelessly to see that the breakfast was a delicious success. Many volunteers made this happen, and it is impossible to name you all. The Lord knows who you are and He will bless you abundantly for your service to others. Thanks for a job well done!

9 CONDENSED MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING, 03/08/2016 ST. STEPHEN THE MARTYR LUTHERAN CHURCH President Eric Sanders called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M Council members present were: P. Burns, J. Covert, B Daleness, P. Gustafson, J. Konop, T. Lisiecki, L. Lisiecki, J. Muroni, F. O Connell, E. Sanders, J. Schultz and A. Woerpel. Pastor Brian was also in attendance. P. Gustafson led devotions. APPROVALS: The February minutes were approved. FINANCIAL SECRETARY S REPORT: J. Schultz reported that contributions for January and February were very good partially due to some full year contributions received. TREASURER'S REPORT: Checking account balance looks good. Some large repair bills have already been paid. Snow removal is at 50% of budget now so that is also good. Committees should let John know if any line items need to be changed or collapsed. Treasurer s Report was approved. PASTOR'S TIME: Midweek Lenten Services are being well received. Looking for another delegate for the ELCA Assembly in June. J. Muroni & C. Guliani will attend. The confirmation class took a trip to the Sikh temple. Diane May from Southwest Interfaith will be here on April 24 and Pastor Brummond will visit 4/30 and 5/1. OLD BUSINESS: The cell tower committee has selected an attorney and had an initial call with him. Committee chairman will need to be found to replace those whose terms are expiring for Fellowship, Human Concerns and Christian ED. Next Mega-Meeting is April 5. Next Council Meeting on April 12. COMMITTEE REPORTS: EVANGELISM: J. Konop reported that the web site is more active. He has been putting banners up each week for the midweek services. HUMAN CONCERNS: P. Gustafson reported that baskets will be put together for shut ins in May. Bonnie Zimmermann has joined the committee. STEWARDSHIP: P Burns reported they have a new member, Kipp Zimmermann. YOUTH: Preparations are starting for the mission trip to Louisville this summer. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Daleness - Council Secretary 2016 April Martyr Monthly St. Stephen the Martyr PAGE 11

SSM WEBSITE: www.ssmelca.org 8:15-2:45 M-Th 8:15-12:15 F *Rev. Brian Hooper, Pastor pastorbrianhooper@gmail.com *Glenna Finco, Administrative Assistant office@ssmelca.

10 SSM WEBSITE: 8:15-2:45 M-Th 8:15-12:15 F *Rev. Brian Hooper, Pastor pastorbrianhooper@gmail.com *Glenna Finco, Administrative Assistant office@ssmelca.org *Bill Bravener, Music Director/AIM bravenerb@aol.com *Char Guiliani, Shared Ministry sharedministry@ssmelca.org *Bob Brownell, Maintenance *Bob De Frank, Sunday School Superintendent *Mark Breutzmann, Saturday Musician office@ssmelca.org Martyr Monthly Newsletter Crew: Jean Brownell Diana Gastrau Karen Hoffman Nancy Hoffman Ruth Hoppe Shirley Rau Mary Rockstad Diane Stojanovich the Martyr Monthly US POST PAID Non-Profit Org. Permit No. 23 Greendale, WI CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Place label here PAGE April Martyr Monthly St. Stephen the Martyr

February THE MARTYR MONTHLY 2017

February THE MARTYR MONTHLY 2017 IN THIS ISSUE Pastor s Ponderings....1 Human Concerns...6 Stewardship.....2 Youth and Family...7 Music Director/Deacon Bill Bravener...3 Opportunity Corner...7 Music and