Vacation Bible School

Transcription

1 St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church Hemlock Street PO Box Marathon, WI The St. Matthew Communicator Website: stmatthewmarathon.org Phone: Jon W. Hadler, Pastor Cell: Jackie Matthiae, Secretary Cell: CHURCH COUNCIL Randy Hamann President Glenn Niemann Vice President Jim Zimmerman Secretary Jake Lemke Treasurer Don Koeller Christian Education Brian Ahrens Buildings & Grounds Dennis Cramer Buildings & Grounds Peter Faber Finance Committee Tim Lemmer Finance Committee August Message from Pastor Hadler My sincerest thanks to all for remembering me Koeller, Don Koeller, Roger & Judy Kraft, in your prayers while I was struggling with back Scott Kraft, Jackie Matthiae, my three girls, problems. Still not out of the woods yet but Anne, Heidi, and Haley, and Heidi s boyfriend, feeling much better. As much pain as it brought Rusty Krautkramer. me, it also gave me the opportunity to witness a Don & Lois Koeller and Jack & Lee Ann lot of you putting your faith into action. Wow! Thomsen, who came on Wednesday morning So many of you came forward and helped out as to serve as the enemy opposition when the you were able. I m trying to run the last three crew workers were rebuilding the walls. weeks through my mind and not overlook any those who helped immediately after VBS on one. I should have taken notes; so if I do forget Friday cleaning and setting up for the funeral anyone, please accept my apology. and meal that evening: Dennis Cramer, Brian Gumtz, Don & Lois Koeller, Roger & Judy My special thanks to Kraft, Jackie Matthiae, Jack & Lee Ann our VBS construction managers (teachers and Thomsen, as well as the construction managhelpers, listed on p. ), as well as the crew ers who cleaned up their work site areas. workers (children) for being such a wonder everyone who donated, served or helped in ful bunch of kids to work with. VBS is the some way with the church picnic especially week each year I try to devote as much of my Linda Lemmer for all she does every year to time as possible just to the children. Not only make this event such a great success. Check is it a wonderful opportunity for them to be out the pictures on the following pages! in God s Word, but it gives me a chance to get to know them a little better. Check out all Now to change the subject, August is my time the pictures on the following pages! to get ready for the new school year. Just a those who donated a total of about, head s up to whom it pertains: I plan to make inch x s for the Jerusalem wall: Jeff & Barb home visits with ALL the Catechism students Braunel, Brian & Linda Heise, Jerry & Michele and parents. If time permits, I am also hoping Natzke, and Roger & Jill Reisner, as well as to visit other parents with children in Sunday Orville Hanke and Jack Thomsen for sanding School, but some of these visits will probably down any x s with splintered edges. spill over into the fall. those who came on the afternoon of Sunday, In Christ, July and helped set up for VBS: Caleb Pastor Hadler The Letter F and the Flourishing Family Pastor Schmidt (Immanuel, Mosinee) and Pastor Hadler will be switching pulpits twice during August as they present a worship series on the Christian Family under the theme The Letter F and the Flourishing Family. The schedule here at St. Matthew s is as follows: August / Pastor Schmidt: Foundation August / Pastor Hadler: Faith August / Pastor Schmidt: Forgiveness August / Pastor Hadler: Finances

2 Vacation Bible School Construction Managers pictured from left: (Front Row) Brian Gumtz, Pastor Hadler, Marykay Niemann, Haley Hadler, Molly Urmanski, Ryan Matthiae, Landon Kreager (Back Row) Diana Niemann, Christine Sorge, Linda Heise, Ami Schumacher, Judy Kraft, Nicole Heise, Brianna Heise, Sue Matthiae VBS SPECIAL THANKS TO: Teachers & Assistants (Construction Managers) VBS Music: Brian Gumtz, Christine Sorge, and Charlotte Hanke Break Supervisors: Cookie Queen Judy Kraft & Connie Zimmerman Roger Kraft for lending a helping hand all week County Materials (Bill Sonnentag) for bringing in construction equipment on Tuesday Opposition Volunteers (see VBS article): Don & Lois Koeller and Jack & Lee Ann Thomsen Thank you as well to the families that enrolled children in VBS and juggled schedules to ensure their participation and education in God s Word. FOREMAN: Pastor Hadler PreK Construction Managers Crew Workers Brianna Heise Lucy Albrecht Olivia Lemmer Nicole Heise Quade Fuhrman Reid Passehl Linda Heise Emma Hill Brayson Schneider Lily Hill Derek Sorge K Construction Managers Crew Workers BreAnn Kreager Asher Adamski Adahlia Rouse ShyAnn Kreager Sophia Conn Mayven Schneider Haley Hadler Asher Lemke Alicia Schumacher Molly Urmanski Madison Matthiae Carly Pease Morgan Sorge Greenly Treankler K st Construction Managers Crew Workers Sue Matthiae Mya Buchberger Evan Gacke Ryan Matthiae Gavin Matthiae Alexis Hall Landon Kreager Madison Passehl Makaela Hill Tate Sonnentag Madelyn Volkman Wilson Marks Alexandria Matthiae Wesley Schumacher Grasci Yonker nd rd Construction Managers Crew Workers Christine Sorge Jazmin Landwehr Melani Landwehr Ami Schumacher Morgan Urmanski Jersey Lobner Maycie Yonker Dillan Yonker 4 th 7 th Construction Managers Crew Workers Diana Niemann Ethan Gacke Madigan Fuhrman Marykay Niemann Nathan Hanke Kolby Koeller Pastor Hadler Jaden Koeller Mavrick Kreager Regan Lobner Mercedes Lobner McKinnley Marks Carter Hanke Owen Marks Kory Wokatsch Chloe Sonnentag Kory Surprise The St. Matthew Co mmunicator

3 Vacation Bible School Guardian Construction We were blessed with crew workers participating in this year s Vacation Bible School. The theme of Guardian Construction led the group through the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. Work began each day with crew workers signing in for the day and receiving a brick to add on the wall in church. Workers also earned bricks throughout the week for participation in discussion and good behavior. Nehemiah appeared each day to tell his story and lead the workers through their own VBS story, which started with destroying the walls of Jerusalem in the Fellowship Hall on Monday. The group also reviewed the Ten Commandments as part of Monday s lesson. On Tuesday the group continued the story of Nehemiah as he asked King Artaxerxes to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls. County Materials brought in modern day building equipment to show the workers. As they planned to rebuild the walls in the church, the workers reviewed the tools Nehemiah used, especially prayer and his faith in God. workers discussed these and completed their building of the walls in church. Friday wrapped up the week with the workers learning about how Nehemiah s enemies tried to trick him and ruin his reputation. Enemies of the Jesus are also trying to deceive us into believing lies and not doing what God commands. Through the week, the crew workers learned how important it is for us to always build our lives on Christ and God s Word. During the week each group of workers did crafts and activities organized by their construction managers to remind them of God s love and VBS week. A scheduled snack break and recess took place each day, as well as time with Mr. Gumtz to learn the songs for Sunday s VBS Worship Service. souls attended the special VBS Service in which the crew workers and congregation were encouraged through God s Word to always be Building God s Way. On Wednesday the rebuilding of the walls began. But the workers faced opposition just as Nehemiah did and had to fight them off with swords they made earlier in the week. The workers learned the importance of doing what is right in the eyes of God (rebuilding the walls) even when others may ridicule or oppose them. On Thursday Nehemiah told the workers about the internal conflicts he faced when their rebuilding took place. The

4 Church Family Day Picnic The Church Family Day Picnic on July was again a wonderful success with people attending! The rain held off, but the committee was prepared in case it hadn t. Under the leadership of Linda & Tim Lemmer and their children Mallory and Matthew, the committee has every detail covered to make this event possible. Thanks to everyone who volunteered to prepare an abundant amount of food, grill, serve, setup, cleanup, sell tickets, etc. The list is long and it is great to see so many people join in to make this annual fellowship event for our congregation possible. It is a great opportunity for our members to relax a bit and get to know one another. Thanks as well to Melissa Lemke for her leadership in preparing numerous activities for the children. Without a park nearby, keeping the kids occupied is a job in itself and they were not bored! Raffle Drawing Thirtyone items were donated for the raffle drawing at the church picnic. The tickets were sold for. /ticket and a total of tickets were sold. These funds will help to defray the picnic expenses. Thank you to all the members that donated a wonderful variety of items to raffle off and to those that purchased tickets. Herb Braunel s clock was the item that sold the most tickets ( total). Congratulations to the winners! The St. Matthew Co mmunicator

5 Voters Meeting & Council Highlights Church Council Meeting Monday, July, Quarterly Voters Meeting Sunday, July, The voters approved the council s recommendation to offer tuition assistance to Glenn & Diana Niemann for Marykay to attend Luther Prep School (, ), and to Pastor & Anne Hadler for Haley to attend Northland Lutheran High School (, ). The voters approved the Catechism Covenant presented by pastor. The covenant states the responsibilities of those attending Catechism Class and will be signed by both the Catechism students and their parents. Building & Grounds: Brian Ahrens reported that the garage window was replaced by Pat Karlen. The committee will receive estimates for replacing the rain gutters on the parsonage. Mark Ahrens reported that he met with Bruce Abbot of Building Consultants, who will give us recommendations for repairing the church roof. Cemetery: Mark Ahrens reported that the property lines have been confirmed. There were two burials last quarter. Paperwork for a quickclaims deed were received and are in the process of being completed. Special thanks to Larry Block for all his work in helping the Cemetery Committee address this matter. Randy Wokatsch presented the treasurer s report for the Planned Giving Endowment/ Trust Fund. It was approved. DJ Adamski installed the updates for the sound system. It was approved that we try to sell the Looking Ahead into September September is just around the corner and here are a few things to keep in mind as the summer winds down: College students, as you move back to campus, please be sure to send your updated address to the church secretary at smlsecretary@outlook.com. Regular Worship Schedule resumes on Sunday, September with worship at : AM and : AM. Sunday School and Bible Class also resume on Sunday, September at : AM. Catechism Class begins on Wednesday, September from : : PM. old units, which have frequencies that are no longer in conformity with the FCC. Jake Lemke gave a report on the Western Wisconsin District Convention at LPS in Watertown, which he attended with Pastor Hadler in early June. The voters agreed that a bylaw should be added to our constitution stating our congregation s stance on Biblical marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman (Genesis : ; : ). Pastor Hadler and Jake Lemke will present a statement to the Elders Committee for approval. It will then be presented at a specially called Voters Meeting. Don Koeller brought to the voters attention a letter he received from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS) about a retreat the seminary will be holding from April, in San Antonio, Texas, for the WLS class of (Pastor Hadler s class). The theme of the retreat is Finishing Well in Grace. The seminary is encouraging the congregation to cover the cost for Pastor and Anne to attend. Cost averages for this year s retreat for both travel and retreat were approximately,. The voters will make a decision on this at the October Quarterly Voters Meeting. The council is seeking your feedback, so please express your opinions about this to a councilman. Roger Kraft reported that we are experiencing some issues with the organ. He is in consultation with an organ specialist in Watertown. Prior to Catechism class starting, Pastor will be meeting with catechism students and parents, as well as Sunday School families as time permits. Next Church Council Meeting: Monday, August : PM OFFERING OOPS! The offering from the : AM service on May was not put in the proper drawer of the church safe and wasn t found until late July. Be assured, no monies were missing, just temporarily misplaced. However, if you were in the early service on May and gave an offering, it is not reflected at this time on your midyear offering statement. If you would like to have an updated copy reflecting this offering, please speak with Tim Lemmer ( ). We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

6 Next Ladies Aid Meeting: Thursday, Sept. : PM Brittany Peche & Ryan Wokatsch Highlights from the Ladies Aid Meeting Meeting on July, Ten members and Pastor were in attendance. A thank you card was received and read from John Schultz for serving the funeral meal for his late wife, Diann. Thank you was also received from NLHS for the gift of money the Aid donated in memory of Elytha Geiger. The LWMS Convention in Dallas, TX was well attended. Motion carried to give. to the St. Special Gifts & Memorials We acknowledge with thankfulness the special gifts and memorials we recently received. In Memory of Diann Schultz To the Ladies Aid: Mary Ann Walsh Diann Schultz Matthew Tuition Assistance Fund as the monthly mission donation for July. Motion carried to direct August s mission funds of to the Ukrainian Lutheran Church. It was reported that the remaining cost for the exterior church flowers were covered by donations. August visitors are Judy Kraft and Bonnie Gacke. The September hostess is Darlene Hanke. A gift was given to the General Fund from HERB BRAUNEL for his th Birthday. In Memory of Herb Braunel To the Christian Education Fund: Donald & Ila Behnke Roger & Judy Kraft Herb Braunel Getting to Know Our Members With their wedding fast approaching on August, we asked Ryan Wokatsch and his fiancé Brittany Peche to share a bit about themselves for this month s membership profile. BRITTANY PECHE Member of St. Matthew s Since: Family: Parents: Mike & Tammy Siroin Brothers: Michael & Matthew Hometown: Rib Lake Occupation: Cellcom Sales & Fulltime Student Interests/Hobbies: Running, spending time with friends & family, shopping, cooking, fourwheeling, sight seeing Favorite Food: El Mezcal Memory, Song, or Bible Verse that Inspires You: Becoming a member of St. Matthew s Everyone was so warm and welcoming! RYAN WOKATSCH Member of St. Matthew s Since: Family: Parents: Randy & Kerry Wokatsch Brothers: Kyle, Ross, and Kory Hometown: Marathon Occupation: Wokatsch Dairy Relief Manager & Fulltime Student at UW Stevens Point Interests/Hobbies: Basketball, hanging out with friends/family, weightlifting, swimming, Frisbee golf, video games, football, sight seeing, fourwheeling Favorite Food: El Mezcal Memory, Song, or Bible Verse that Inspires You: Song Eagles Wings Heads up! You may be contacted for a member profile as we get to know the members of St. Matthew s. We will be selecting members from a hat at random for future profiles. The St. Matthew Co mmunicator

7 Stewardship Report To the members of St. Matthew's ~ During last month's report, I stated I would come back and give an update as to where we are sitting from a financial perspective. This month's giving was up % over our budget due to June being a five Sunday month. Our expenses have returned back to normal levels, so I am thankful to report we have increased our overall bank accounts by,. I will continue to keep a close eye on our financial position. So, let's switch gears and talk about our missions. Our missions have been very encouraging and through onehalf of the year, we are at % of our goal! If we look directly at the commitments to WELS and NLHS, we are at % of our goal! The generosity of this congregation has been and always continues to be very refreshing. It was great to see so many of you at the Church picnic this last week. If you should ever have any comments, questions, feedback or any other areas where I can improve, please don't hesitate to approach me. I welcome and encourage it. In His Service, Jake Lemke $25, , , , , ,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20, , , , , ,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 The next Change for Life baby bottle collection will be in late August early September. So keep collecting your spare change over the summer! August September Weekly Service Attendance Averages in June = Year to Date Service Averages through June = June Monthly Door Offering to WI Lutheran Child & Family Services =. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Missions 2014 Account Balances 2014 Offerings Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14 Nov14 Dec14 Actuals Budget Average Attendance 2014 Expenses Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14 Nov14 Dec14 Actuals Budget Missions YTD Budget WELS $ 16,440 $ 27,040 NLHS $ 2,166 $ 3,000 Door Offering $ 4,380 $ 1,800 Total $ 22,985 $ 31,840 72% $20,000 $15,000 $10,000 $5,000 $ Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sep13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 General Buildings & Ground Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sep13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 General $ 4,887 $ 6,847 $ 5,572 $ 6,735 $ 6,843 $ 8,474 $ 8,300 $ 9,140 $ 8,099 $ 7,720 $ 4,232 $ 2,095 $ 3,885 Buildings & Grounds $ 10,378 $ 15,565 $ 16,011 $ 4,154 $ 5,207 $ 5,924 $ 6,825 $ 7,514 $ 9,300 $ 9,764 $ 10,435 $ 10,920 $ 10,036 Total $ 15,266 $ 22,413 $ 21,583 $ 10,890 $ 12,050 $ 14,399 $ 15,124 $ 16,654 $ 17,399 $ 17,484 $ 14,667 $ 13,015 $ 13,921

8 St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church 206 Hemlock Street PO Box 647 Marathon, WI Walk/Run for Special Causes NLHS RUN/WALK/RIDE The Northland Lutheran High School th Annual NLHS Run/ Walk/Ride will be held at and near the Northland campus on Saturday, September. Everyone is invited to participate in this familyfriendly event which benefits the Tuition Assistance Fund at NLHS. Northland's standing policy is that no one will be denied Christian education due to finances. The participants and sponsors of the NLHS Run/Walk/Ride help provide the opportunity for young people to learn in a Christian family setting surrounded by God's representatives in a Christcentered and integrated curriculum. The registration fee is /person or / family. The fee includes participation in any of three events (a K run/walk, a mile run/ walk, or a K bicycle ride), a tshirt, and a meal. It's a great way for the whole family to spend a Saturday morning together with fun, fellowship, exercise, food, encouragement, and support for Christian education! If you cannot participate in the NLHS Run/Walk/Ride but want to support Northland's Tuition Assistance Fund, send your check to the school and include "NLHS R/W/R" in the memo line. A generous, anonymous donor is sponsoring a matching gift for a combination of the first registrations/ gifts. The schedule and registration information are available at or by calling the school at. WALK TO END ALZHEIMER S Alzheimer s disease is the sixthleading cause of death in the country and the only cause of death among the in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. Join the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer s taking place on Saturday, September at : AM at Athletic Park in Wausau. The Alzheimer s Association Walk to End Alzheimer s is the nation s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support, and research. If you would like to sponsor this event, start a team, or volunteer for the day, please contact Allie Swatek, Special Events Coordinator at or aswatek@alz.org.