Praising God + Serving Others + Building Friendships

Transcription

1 Grace Lutheran Church 108 W. SOMO AVENUE TOMAHAWK, WISCONSIN February 2018 Praising God + Serving Others + Building Friendships Shared Lenten Evening Services With St. Mary s Grace Lutheran and St. Mary s will worship together for Lenten evening services. This is a continuation of the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation using the Study Guide from the international Lutheran/Catholic document and prayer service: From Conflict to Communion. Many Catholic and Lutheran communities around the world are using Lent as a time to worship, fellowship and explore together where the Holy Spirit is stirring and leading us. These shared services are for the evening service only. Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday services will be at Grace Lutheran. See the schedule below. From Conflict to Communion with St. Mary Catholic Church The Prayer Service of St. Mary and Grace last November was a great beginning. Now may we seize where the Spirit is stirring and leading and seek to listen and follow. The plan for this discernment during the Lenten Season is: 5:156:30Meal: eating together 6:30 Fellowship: small group discussion and activity 7:00Worship: using Holden Evening Prayer The Study Guide was developed by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh and the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod. Jan Huseby and Deacon Dave Bablick at St. Mary and Pastor Mark have learned a lot from this document and the simple, effective way it explains the Reformation, CatholicLutheran Dialogs, Vatican II, the 9 th Theses, the International Ecumenical Imperatives, and concrete steps we can take and do together. February 14Ash WednesdayGrace Lutheran 1:00 & 5:15 pm Soup Meals 7:00 pm WORSHIP February 21 & 28St. Mary s 5:15 pm Soup Meals 6:30 pmactivity/worship Introduction to From Conflict to Communion (2/21) The Five Ecumenical Imperatives (2/28) March 7, 14 & 21Grace Lutheran 5:15 Soup Meals 6:30 pmactivity/worship Next steps for today s ecumenical, global, and secular world (3/7) US Catholic/Lutheran Dialogsrediscovering the gospel (3/14) International Catholic/Lutheran Dialogs our common witness (3/21) March 29 & 30 Maundy Thursday & Good FridayGrace Lutheran 1:00 & 7:00 pm WORSHIP All 1:00 pm Worship services and soup luncheons will be at Grace. More information on 1:00 pm services on page 3.

2 Sweethearts of Grace Lutheran We rejoice in all couples who celebrate wedding anniversaries in Special congratulations to all who celebrate Milestone anniversaries! On February 17and 18 Grace Lutheran will recognize couples celebrating milestone anniversaries in years or more Russell & Kathy Jenks * Bruce & Marleen Oradei Harold & Audrey Pedersen Ed & Darleen Winkler Robert & Carol White Jim & Mary Ann Clark Pastor Don & Ramona Cannady Don & Jeanne Rae Paulson Wayne & Marge Breitbarth Everett & Helen Lange 60th 50 years or more Robert & Beth Lekfield-50th Joe & Gerri Story -50th Margaret & Earl Thomas -50th Linda & Lornie Haugen -50th Dale & Nancy Braatz -50th Eugene & Lennie Calhoun George & Sandy Catencamp Roger & Mary Schlegel Gary & Judi Calhoun Florian & Barb Ringwelski Larry & Jan Hagen Dale & Nona Arthur Edwin & Karen Becker Jerry & Judy Crass DeWayne & Carmen Bellile Dick & Ruth Ann Richardson Don & Carolyn Halverson Bill & Arlene Strand Ben & Ida Brown Richard & Lynn Brown Gilbert & Mary Wessel Pastor Gerald & Joan Check Gene & Roselie Wiedow James & Janis Nelson James & Janet VanNorman Ken & Pat Tjugum Duane & Irene Strauss 50 years or more cont. Terry & Judy Schlinkmann Art & Jeannie Osero LeRoy & Lucille Charles Oscar & Diane Popp Dave & Sara Reiff Dan & Kay Salewske Stan & Karen Torkelson John & Janet Walbeck Darlene & Paul Wechsler 45 years Bruce & Karen Wiedeman Lowell & Rita Meidam 40 years Forrest & Wendy Black Don & Debi Tinker Keith & Kay Jensen Dan & Jane Schuller Mark & Marilyn Smith 35 years Michael & Kathleen Johnson Robert E. & Patricia LaNou Grant & Judith Peterson 30 years Bob & Jackie Leonhard Andy & Luann Kiander 25 years Ron & Sara Volz Kris & Russ Berg Gary & Corie Baacke 20 years David & Joy Verfuerth 20 years cont. Thomas & Donna Stone John & Brenda Marcks Paul & Barb Zastrow David & Heather Jones Rick & Dani Miles Don & Brita Leibelt Mike & Sandy Wick Chuck & Cindy Medinger Curt & Cari Strebig 15 years Jack & Sandy Sonnentag Ken & Deb Kincaid Todd & Tracy Halverson Greg & Marissa Scott 10 years Corey & Amber Chonsky Jessica & Nathan Dahl Karen & Chad Gauerke 5 years Daniel & Peggy Winter Shawna & Jeremy Wyland Mindy & James Sowatzke Zach & Ashely Boyd 1 year James & Donna Olson Jill & Matt Sykes Tim & Sara Hinke Sarah & Alexander DevVillers Amanda & Jake Wedeberg Alicia & Tadd Wegener Eric & Katya Hesse * Longest Married Sweethearts Russell & Kathy Jenks

3 A W P M 2018 LENT Worship Lent is the season of connecting our life more directly into Jesus. We do this in four ways during this time. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent. It is always the fortieth day before Easter (not counting Sundays), and Easter is always on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Ash Wednesday begins a time of repentance and various practices that center our life on all that matters most. We get too busy, preoccupied, depressed, selffocused, and lost so that we need a time and practices to recenter ourselves... Ashes are an ancient symbol used to remind us of what happens if we don t get centered, i.e. death, and ashes were also a cleansing ingredient. Forty days is the length of time Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for his ministry. Sundays in Lent are not included in the forty days of Lent. Sundays for Christians has forever been transformed by Jesus resurrection. Every Sunday is a reminder of God s ultimate goal for us. In the Sunday gospel readings Jesus teaches that he has come to die for us and the Old Testament readings emphasize all God s covenanted promises. The five Wednesdays betw een Ash W ednesday and Holy Week follow a theme each year. This is a unique time to center ourselves more clearly on Jesus through specific activities. These are activities that take us outside of ourselves or our immediate community to center on God s mission and world or Christ s passion and death or the Holy Spirit s work in us. Holy Week is the m ost im portant tim e for Christians: Palm Sunday with the Passion Story. Maundy Thursday from the Latin word maundatum meaning commandment when we receive Jesus very body and blood empowering us to live out his new commandment of loving others as Jesus loves us. Good Friday celebrates Jesus death because this is God s plan and God s action for our salvation. The Easter Vigil on Saturday brings the week to a powerful conclusion as we act out God s promises which culminate in Jesus resurrection. Wednesday 1:00 Lenten Worship Five Stories in the Passion of Christ as told in Mark s Gospel Feb. 21 The woman anointing Jesus feet Feb. 28 Judas betrayal March 7 Peter s confidence March 14 A young man s fleeing March 21 Pilate s pleasing the people S (715 area codes) Pastor.. Rev. Mark Ziemer or (home) Visitation Pastor..Rev. Don Cannady Supply Pastor..Rev. Gerald Check Lay Pastoral Ass t.... Wendy Black wkblack@yahoo.com Director of Young Adults.. Margie Welke welkes@gmail.com Dir. of Children s Ministries.. Patti Gaedtke , patti@gracetomahawk.org Secretary......Debbie Hetzel or (home) dhetzel@gracetomahawk.org Secretary Support.. Sandi Pellicori spellicori@gracetomahawk.org Treasurer......Shirley Derleth treasurersjd@gmail.com Wedding Coordinator.Kay Jensen Custodian... Colleen Yirsa C M President Mark Gaedtke Vice President Mary Wessel Secretary Sandy Wick Luann Kiander Ken Kincaid Bill Zorr Brandon Hafeman Keri Kelley Don Narloch Church Office Hours MondayThursday: 8:00 am to 3:30 pm (closed for lunch noon to 1:00 pm) Friday: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm Staff Meetings (Office closed) Tuesdays: 11:00 am 3

4 Lenten Soup Meals Come and join us for a warm bowl of soup, the best in town. Soup mea ls w ill begin on Ash Wednesday, February 14 and continue through March 21. Signup sheets are posted in the Gathering Area. Please prayerfully consider providing the needed supplies, soup, or joining the kitchen crew. Soup chefs, if you sign up for meatless soup, please be sure to bring a soup without meat. Thank you. Lunch will start being served at 11:30. If this tim e is too ea rly for y our schedule, plea se com e a s soon as possible before noon. This will allow time for the kitchen crew to clean up before the start of the church service. Kitchen workers should plan on staying until the cleanup is completed so that all helpers can attend the church service. Signup sheets for both lunch and supper meals will be on the same table. Your generous support is greatly appreciated. Please come and enjoy a delicious meal along with fellowship prior to Lenten worship services. The Fellowship Committee First Communion 2018 We had 10 children, along with their parents, who received communion instruction in preparation for their First Communion. Congratulations to the following who received their First Communion on February 11. It was a special day to their receiving Jesus: Jack Derleth Blake Hafeman Lauren Hansmann Jax Loka Kiannah Mullen Mya Pankow Tyler Sundquist Madilynn Tobias Sean Towne Aaron Wanta Did you know? When you see Child of God on the worship schedule it means OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE! We need you! Baptisms in 2017 at Grace Lutheran totaled 26!!! Grace week at Waypost set a record number of campers in There 30!!! In 2017, VBS welcomed 86 children. We connected 97 children/youth with adult prayer partners. Endowment News The Grace Endowment Committee has selected the following as recipients for income earned in 2017: EYG Youth Gathering Houston 2018 $500 Camp Scholarship Fund $500 Our Sister s House $400 Gathering Space $350 Young Adults Global Mission $350 Cookie Report! The 2017 Cookie Walk, Lefse & Craft Sale was a success!!! The goal was to raise $4000 and we made a net profit of $4400. WOW! Thank you to the many people who contributed their time, efforts, talents, sweat, donations, and other contributions. A simple thank you just seems so inadequate for all the work involved with this annual event. From using a new system of counting funds this year we are able to report the following areas brought in these amounts: Lefse $1500, Crafts $1400 (this includes $250 from the silent auction Christmas quilt), and Cookie Walk $1800. This shows each component of this event is equally important. Funds will be shared through out the church in the following ways: Debt Reduction $1000, Kitchen Renovation $1000, Confirmation Hallway $1200, Church Security System $200, Sunday School Area $500, and the 125th Celebration $300. Hope you are looking forward to this time of fellowship, laughter, and fun again. Mark your calendars now for Sat., Dec. 8, 2018! See you there! Julie Dentler Christmas With Friends Report Romans 1:8... I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you... (NLT) The Christmas With Friends Community Dinner experienced great success again this year due to the wonderful hearts of all of you in the congregation and community. Fiftyfive people came together to help in so many ways to reach out to those people who would have otherwise been alone. We were able to serve about 114 people at church and delivered about 135 dinners out into the community. Thank you to all who prayed for this ministry, donated money, or volunteered time out of your Christmas Day to cook, serve, clean, or deliver. We appreciate all that you did to make this day special and meaningful to so many! 4

5 February 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00 PM Stewardship Webinar Rsvd. 7:30 AM Men's Fellowship Hall 6:00 PM Strategic Planning Mtg. 4 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 8:30 AM Worship HC 9:30 AM Companion Breakfast 9:40 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship H/C 5 9:00 AM Quilters 5:30 PM Coloring Bible Study 6:00 PM 4H Transfiguration of Our Lord 9:00 AM Quilters 8:30 AM Contemporary Worship 5:30 PM Church 1st Communion Council Meeting 9:40 AM Sunday School 5:30 PM Coloring 10:45 AM Worship H/C Bible Study 18 First Sunday in Lent 8:30 AM Worship HC 9:30 AM Marraige Milestone Celebration 9:40 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship H/C 25 Second Sunday in Lent 8:30 AM Contemporary Worship 9:40 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship H/C 19 9:00 AM Quilters 5:30 PM Coloring Bible Study 26 9:00 AM Quilters 5:30 PM Coloring Bible Study 6 7 9:00 AM LWR Quilters Weds. Meal 5:45 PM First 9:30 AM Bible 6:30 PM First Study Weds. at Grace 6:00 PM Contemp Choir Reh. 7:00 PM Bible Study 13 9:00 AM LWR Quilters 9:30 AM Bible Study 11:00 AM Staff Meeting 11:30 AM Joyful Happy Snapper 7:00 PM Bible Study 20 9:00 AM LWR Quilters 9:30 AM Bible Study 11:00 AM Staff Meeting 1:00 PM Prayer Shawl Meeting 6:00 PM Contemp Choir Reh. 7:00 PM Bible 14 Ash Wednesday 11:30 AM Soup Grace 1:00 PM Worship 3:40 PM GLOW 5:15 PM Soup Grace 6:00 PM Mentor Huddle 6:30 PM Conf Gr. 8 & 9 7:00 PM Grace 21 11:30 AM Soup Grace 1:00 PM Worship 3:40 PM GLOW 5:15 PM Soup St. Mary's 6:30 PM Activity/ St. Mary's 6:30 PM Conf Gr. 8 & :00 AM LWR Quilters Grace 11:30 AM Soup 9:30 AM Bible 1:00 PM Worship Study 3:40 PM GLOW 11:00 AM Staff 5:15 PM Soup Meal St. Mary's 7:00 PM Bible 6:30 PM Activity/ Study St. Mary's 6:30 PM Conf Gr. 8 & :00 AM Vibrant Faith LIve Stream 22 10:00 AM Global Mission Meeting Cafe on Main 3:30 PM Kitchen Reserved EYG Group 9 7:30 AM Men's Cafe on Main 5:30 PM EYG Retreat 16 NURSING HOME COMMUNION 7:30 AM Men's Cafe on Main 3:00 PM Congregation Retreat Trinity Rhinelander 23 7:30 AM Men's Cafe on Main 6:00 PM Kids (Youth) Night Out 9:00 AM AA/Alanon 10:00 AM Advocacy Training Trinity Waupaca 5:00 PM Worship 10 9:00 AM AA/Alanon 5:00 PM Worship HC 17 8:00 AM VDC Training Church Rsvd. 9:00 AM AA/Alanon 9:00 AM Congregation Retreat Trinity Rhinelander 5:00 PM Worship HC 24 9:00 AM AA/Alanon 5:00 PM Worship HC Save these Dates!!! February 1617Congregational Retreat at Trinity Lutheran in Rhinelander (Details on page 8) July 813Grace Week at Waypost for Grades 18 July 30August 3VBS for preschool to grade 5 August 35Greater Galilee visit

6 OUR FINANCIAL PICTURE 2017 DEC 2017 Needed for RECEIPTS ACTUAL RECEIPTS DECEMBER Receipts Budget vs BUDGET SPENDING vs SPENDING General Fund $49,864 $31,157 $18,507 $42,174 $7,690 Building Fund $7,329 $5,076 $2,253 $5,076 $2,253 Total $57,193 $36,433 $20,760 $47,250 $9,943 YTD YTD YTD YTD Needed for ACTUAL RECEIPTS YEARTO DATE Receipts Budget DIFFERENCE SPENDING vs SPENDING General Fund $350,752 $376,288 ($25,536) $351,420 ($668) Building Fund $60,141 $60,910 ($769) $60,910 ($769) Total $410,893 $437,197 ($26,304) $412,330, ($1,437) Mortgage Status 2017 Reg. Principal Payments $ 35, Extra Principal Payments $ 13, Total Principal Payments $ 49, Total Interest Payments $ 25, Loan Balance as of DECEMBER 2017 $ 595, DECEMBER Special Offering GIFT GIVING (SUNDAY SCHOOL $3,076 + ELCA GOOD GIFTS $200) $ 3, Special Offerings The Stewardship Committee has established the following special offerings for Please prayerfully consider giving to those that speak to your heart. For those months that have multiple choices, please designate on your offering envelope if there is one in particular you wish to donate. If there is no designation on the envelope, the monies collected that month will be split equally between the designations. Thank you for your continued support of these organizations that help Grace, the Tomahawk Community, the Nation, and the World. January February March April May June July August September October November December Damascus Road/Human Trafficking ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission Tomahawk Area Interfaith Volunteers (TAIV) Camp Scholarships Kinship Preschool CrecheSouth Africa ELCA Disaster Relief Tomahawk/Nokomis Food Pantries Salvation Army Backpack Program School Milk Our Sisters House ELCA Good Gifts Gift Giving: Grace s Gift Catalog Building Utilization Committee The Building Utilization Committee is reviewing the results of surveys that were recently completed by the various ministries of Grace regarding their meeting and storage needs. During this survey process, ministries were asked to review the items they have in storage and identify things they don t need to keep. Those items will be placed on display for two weeks in February. All Grace ministries will be offered an opportunity to see if they can use any of the items. The remaining items will be offered in a twoweek congregational rummage sale. Anything left over will be disposed. The Building Utilization Committee is comprised of these representatives from the following areas: Corky Burcalow...Fellowship Patti Gaedtke.Sunday School Sherry Clements..Worship Margie Welke Youth John Pashek Building/Grounds Chairman The committee will be meeting to discuss the survey results and communicate to the congregation any suggested actions. Members of the congregation are encouraged to provide input to members of the committee if they have concerns or recommendations. 6

7 From the Stewardship Committee Are You a Giver or a Taker? Even though we know that God wants us to give generously and, when we do, we derive great joy from our giving, oddly enough, we still often hold back in our giving. Perhaps some of our reluctance to give stems from a fear that something will happen, and we will need that money we ve given away. This is simply lack of faith, isn t it? God promises to provide for our needs, but we re just not sure He means it. A second reason for not giving is that, through most of our lives, we ve gotten into the habit of taking rather than giving. We have become more comfortable in acquiring things not giving things away. We are taught how to get friends, how to influence people, how to make money, how to invest so that we make more money, and how to hold on to things. Yes, it is natural that many of us are more skilled in getting and keeping than in giving. By God s grace, we don t have to remain selfish hoarders of God s gifts to us. As we read and study God s Word, we must be struck by His giving nature, starting with His very Son! For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Through His perfect life, death, resurrection, and ascension, He has given us all we need. He Who did spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32). Through His Word, we are given confidence that He will provide for all our needs (Matthew 6:2534); we re promised that He will always be with us (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20). He has promised to give us joy in our giving (2 Corinthians 8:15). God frees us from the selfishness and fear that keep our hands clenching our wallets and opens our hearts to give as we ve received: Freely you have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8 NIV). Prompted by the Holy Spirit to give generously and cheerfully, we begin to understand why Jesus said, It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). February Special OfferingYoung Adults in Global Mission This is a fitting special offering in light of our synod s trip to South Africa. Lekubu Parish, Grace Lutheran s companion parish in South Africa, has hosted two YAGMs. They do not have one currently but most years there is at least one placed in the Western Diocese which is the companion Diocese to our synod. The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program invites ELCA young adults ages 2129 into a transformative, yearlong journey in international service. As they offer themselves in service, it also provides a journey of self reflection, providing space to consider their sense of identity, God s work in the world, and their place within it all. Candidates for Young Adults in Global Mission apply to the program atlarge rather than to a specific country. Applicant preferences are taken into account but the final decision about where volunteers serve is made by Global Mission staff and YAGM country coordinators in midapril. Current YAGM country programs include:argentina/uruguay,australia,cambodia,central Europe,Jerusalem/West Bank,Madagascar,Mexico,Rwanda,Senegal,Southern Africa andunited Kingdom Evan, a YAGM participant in South Africa was asked at a retreat if YAGM should be called a year of service. Here is a portion of his response: YAGMs are considered missionaries, and with that title comes a heavy weight, especially here in Africa. Missionaries have, in the past, come to Africa and told people that they need to change in order to be accepted. The YAGM model attempts to change that idea of what we are as missionaries. We aren t here to change people; we are here to understand people, to learn more about what is happening in these different corners of the world, and to see new ways in which God is working around the globe. In this way, our communities are serving us, because they are helping to teach us how to better serve our world. So then, we are back to the original question, should YAGM be called a year of service? Yes, I think it should, but not because we are here to serve the people in our communities, but rather because we are learning how to serve our world through the love and the accompaniment of the people within our communities. Coming in and listening to these people and hearing the stories and hearing what these people actually need has taught me how to better serve the world. So, yes, YAGM should be called a year of service, but only because a year of experience, learning, sharing, story telling, getting your butt kicked every day, being, realizing you might have some things wrong, living, seeing the world, experiencing God in new ways, and loving is a little too long to fit onto one small pamphlet. YAGM: A Year of Service, only gives a small taste of what the year actually has in store. To learn more about YAGM go to the ELCA website at Enter YAGM Southern Africa in the search box on FaceBook and you can follow the YAGMs placed in South Africa 7

8 Via De Cristo weekend March 1518, 2018 Forest Springs CampWestboro WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Men or women 21 and over, baptized Christians who want to strengthen their faith and come to a closer walk with Christ in their lay ministries and everyday lives. VIA DE CRISTO OFFERS: A potential for personal growth A tool for renewal for the church An opportunity to deepen your faith A launching pad to encourage action in the church in the world A focus of responsibility and mission beyond the Via de Cristo weekend A personal experience with God alone and in Christian community The weekend starts Thursday evening and concludes by 4:00 Sunday evening. The cost per person is $75 and covers all food and lodging in comfortable heated cabins. Transportation is provided too! Married couples are encouraged to attend together. Brochures and applications can be found in the special display in the gathering space. Please contact Pastor Mark for more information or go to our website: The deadline is March 1. Scholarships are available. If you have questions or would like more information, please call Gail Wilson, (715) Thank you to everyone who purchased lights and ornaments for our Memory Tree. The money raised will go toward service trips for the youth. We really appreciate the support from the congregation in all we do. May God Bless everyone in the New Year. Grace Lutheran Youth Group. Thank You for all your support from the Youth and Adult planning on attending EYG in Houston, Texas this summer. We are very blessed by all your generous support. Thank you again and blessings in the New Year. We really enjoyed hosting the companion breakfast and the coffee hour and bake sale EYG Group This event will serve as Grace s Annual Congregational Retreat! We encourage all congregational leaders, teachers, mentors, and anyone interested in growing your faith. There is no cost for Grace members. Please sign up in the church office by Monday, Feb. 12. Location: Trinity Lutheran Church, 235 N Stevens St, Rhinelander, WI 2Day Event: February 1617, 2018 Presenter: Tom Schwolert Coach & Trainer with Vibrant Faith Schedule and Content: Vibrant Faith for All Ages & Stages February 16 & 17, 2018 Day 1 Friday, February 16 3:00pm 8:00pm (dinner included) A Vision for Vibrant Faith in Context 21 st Century Faith Formation Transforming Relationships Intergenerational Relationships Day 2 Saturday, February 17 9:00am 3:00pm (lunch included) A New Approach for Faith Formation Four Locations for New Possibilities Innovations in Faith Formation Developing a Ministry Plan that Matters Partner Congregations Hosting this Event Include: Ascension, Minocqua + Grace, Tomahawk + Mt. Calvary, Rothschild + Prince of Peace, Eagle River + Trinity, Rhinelander + the Northern Great Lakes Synod 2018 Synod Trip to South Africa July 418 Registration deadline was January 31 but at this writing there may still be room. Talk with Pastor Mark if you wonder about God s call to this experience Wilderness Trip July 2129 to Southern Montana Nearly all ages are welcome to join in traveling out together. We have a group of collegeage young adults considering doing their own hike. Christikon Bible Camp has four rooms reserved in Grace s name in their Living Center you can see it at 8

9 Grace Lutheran Council January Minutes Date: January 8, 2018 Council in attendance:sandy Wick, Mary Wessel, Brandon Hafeman, Keri Kelley, Bill Zorr, Don Narloch, Luann Kiander, Mark Gaedtke Missing: Ken Kincaid Other Attendees: Shirley Derleth, Pastor Mark, Wendy Black Meeting called to order at 6:05 pm. Devotions: Mark led council in prayer on discussion of prayer, in Jesus name. Where have we seen God at work? Bill talked about his national gas business and how he buys low and tries to sell high and with the gas economy how often he prayed and in the end, God took care of him. First Wednesday of January Prayer Partner event and bringing in the different generations. Approve Agenda Sandy moved to amend the agenda by adding the following items under Old Business: Congregation Annual Meeting Draft Policy, Pastor Mark Job Description and under New Business: 2017 Staff Reviews, Annual Audit Review, Lenten Worship Service Times, and Temporary Custodian Replacement. Mary seconded. Motion passed. Mark moved to approve the amended agenda. Brandon seconded. Motion passed. Consent Agenda Motion made by Sandy to approve the consent agenda and seconded by Brandon. Consent agenda consisted of December council minutes, November Worship Report, and December Group Fundraiser/Event Report. Consent agenda approved. Treasurer's Report (Shirley) Shirley highlighted the following items in her report: We have 6% ($24,867) of the budget remaining at end of December. However, offerings are $26, short of budget. Overall expenses for the year were $ greater than offerings. Our checkbook had a large enough balance to cover the expenses. Prior to this month, expenses year to date were $16, greater than offerings, but December had a tremendous giving number which helped make up most of this deficit. Shirley walked through the proposed 2018 budget and compared the end of year results of 2017 to see if there were any changes that council wanted to make to proposed budget. Council indicated it appeared they had already accounted for the adjustments in the proposed budget. Mark moved to accept the treasurer report. Mary seconded. Motion passed. Committee and staff reports Wendy reported: Vibrant Faith for All Ages and Stages. See #6 under New business. The Worship Music Committee will be purchasing additional books for the organ and alter amounting to $ Margie Welke and 11 youth who signed up will be attending the ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston this summer First Aid Kits asked our Parish Nurses to take stock and to update these and make them more visible as there was a recent need for these and they were found sparse. Pastor Mark reviewed his report. Items highlighted include: Pastor Job Descriptionsee #2 under Old Business 1 st Wednesday at Grace Prayer Partner over 70 of all generations attended. Well done! Faith Formation in the 21 st Century SeptDec focused on Faith Formation in the LifeCycle. There is now a separate website: representing this. Upcoming Vibrant events: 2018 Congregation RetreatVibrant Faith for All AgesFeb 1617 and 2018 Synod AssemblyMay th Anniversarywill be honored at Synod Assembly Banquet on Friday, May 18, 2018 at Oshkosh. It is recommended that we get a larger group to attend and receive this recognition 2018 Lent Worship waiting a reply on Fr. Louis to see about anything joint (Continued on page 10) 9

10 Multiple 2018 events and preparation St. Barnabastheir Bishop is pursuing a plan and is not interested in connections with Grace at this time Staff Reviewssee #8 under New Business Old Business 1.Grace House Update There was a sewer backup which resulted with the basement of the Grace House being flooded with sewer. John Pashek called Service Masters and they professionally cleaned this The backup resulted in some damage to items stored in the basement. Owners were notified of any damages they had. Plumbing was fixed to prevent this issue from occurring again. Brandon will check to see if he can find the cost to get a professional to investigate whether the Grace House is fundamentally solid to see if it can be remodeled or if we need to look into other alternatives for the building as more things will continue needing fixes due to its age. It was noted that the Grace House is considered to be a major community asset and is highly valued. In addition to it being used by AAA, Salvation Army, the upstairs is also being used by 3 homeless individuals as part of the Warming Center. Insurance forms are being updated for Church Mutual for the Warming Center. 2.Pastor Mark Job Description Pastor Mark shared what he thought his job description was and asked council to review and make any additional comments. This has changed over the years with now his top priorities being 1) creating events, activities and experiences 2) personal conversations with people and 3) milestone activities and teaching 3.Congregational Annual Meeting Draft Policy Sandy The draft copy was updated after the December council meeting and sent out for review and was then reviewed in this meeting Sandy made a motion that we implement the Congregation Annual Meeting Policy this year which helps provide direction and establish guidelines to those writing and/or presenting reports at the congregation annual meeting. Brandon seconded. Motion passed. Council will incorporate the policy this year. 4.Church use policy Pastor and staff are working on outlining a policy regarding use of church properties In progress 5. SMART goals for 2017 Update. Goal 1: Increase the diversity of our membership in our ministries Sandy/Luann the last item that we worked on was helping to write up the insert for the prayer ministries in the bulletin and monthly newsletter. Goal 2: Spread the Grace of God through communication and covert good deeds. Mark/Don no action Goal 3: Enhance the worship service experience at Grace Lutheran Church. Mary/Brandon There was a meeting January 7 th with the worship committee New Business 1. Annual Meeting PreparationPastor Mark Reports are due in the office January 12 th. A planning meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 15 th at 6 pm for the executive council to review the policies and establish the agenda. Sandy should inform Debbie and Shirley. 2. Nominating Committee Update Mark Nominations were filled for the 5 open positions: Steve Garrison, Lori Schmidt, Paul Kurth, Christi Lobermeier and youth Jackie Wick/Abby Norman (1 position split). Mary has also announced that due to her major milestone birthday it is time for her to slow down and she will be stepping down after this year which opens up 1 additional 2year position that the nominating committee is now looking to fill. Council thanked her for her many years of contributions. She provided insight and topics of concern from the congregation many times and the council really appreciated that input. 3. Transition of Council Members

11 Sandy will contact the nominees and walk them through some of the expectations before the February meeting. This will help bring them up to speed for their first February meeting. 4. SMART Goals 2017 Review & Setting SMART Goals for 2018 We discussed that 2017 years are over and we should now be focusing on 2018 Goals. We have gotten a later start on the 2018 goals. This year s SMART goals will focus on the second part of our mission statement Serving Others It was discussed setting SMART goals will be part of the February meeting with the new council members to they could contribute their ideas for Sandy will send Mark last year s notes which introduced what a SMART goal was and he will bring this forward at the February meeting. 5. Rental Value on Pastor Ziemer s HomePastor Mark Pastor Mark made council aware that for tax purposes he needs to evaluate what the Fair Housing Allowance is on his taxes. He indicated it will continue to be 20K. 6. Vibrant Faith for All Ages and Stages (Congregation Retreat)February 1617, 2018 Wendy Held at Trinity Lutheran in Rhinelander. Grace paid money up front for this so it will be a free event for any Grace member who wishes to attend. Attendees can attend one or all the different presentations/topics so if you miss one session you can still partake. Council is encouraged to help promote the activity Friday 3pm8pm with dinner included Saturday, February 17 from 9am 3pm with lunch included 7. Annual Audit Review Shirley Shirley indicated this will be conducted on Thursday January 11 th. Pam Kopp, Joan Hilgendorf, and Sarah Mann will do the review. This will be Pam s last year. Results will be shared with council at the February meeting. 8. Staff Reviews for 2017 and Goals for 2018 Pastor Mark Pastor Mark has started to review the job descriptions, goals, and job satisfaction with the staff as part of their 2017 review and 2018 goals. Wendy s description has been revised to include a new title of Minister of Lifelong Faith which will represent more of her role this year. 9. Midweek Lenten services Wendy Grace has tried switching times for the midweek Lenten services to try and improve attendance, but there has been no change in attendance whether it has started at 6:30 or 7. Recommendation from worship committee that this year the midweek Lenten services be at 6:30. No objections from anyone on this and all agreed with the recommendation. 10. Temporary Custodian Replacement Colleen needs 2 weeks off due to doctor s orders to rest as she has symptoms of carpal tunnel. This means Grace will be without a custodian for the next 2 weeks while she rests Sandy will check to see if either of her kids can pick up any time as they have been a backup in the past If not, council is open to other suggestions on how to fill this temporary spot. Public Comments: None Future Meetings, Events and Dates to Remember: Monday, January 6 pm at 6 pmexecutive Committee Congregation Annual Prep Meeting Sunday, January 28 Annual Congregation Meeting at 10:00 am Monday, February 12Council Meeting at 6:00 pm Friday/Saturday, February 1617Vibrant Faith for all Ages & Stages (Congregational Retreat) Adjourn meeting Mark moved we adjourn. Sandy second. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:50pm. Meeting closed with the Lord s Prayer. Minutes by Sandy Wick, Secretary

12 February 3 & 4 Acolytes 5:00 pm Mason Peck 8:30 am Cayden Johnson 10:45 am Ayla McCormick Greeters 5:00 pm Bernice Mitchell Sherry Thompson 8:30 am Pete/Lynn Wurl Tom/Donna Stone 10:45 am Andy/Luann Kiander Readers 5:00 pm Nona Arthur 8:30 am Sandy Wick 10:45 am Gail Wilson Ushers 5:00 pm Dave Dettmering Child of God 8:30 am Megan/Kirsten Marcks Jack Lauder, Jerry Jagmin 10:45 am Mary Hoglund Child of God Nursery 8:30 am Child of God 10:45 am Child of God Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Karen Olson 8:30 am Corey Colburn 10:45 am Gail Wilson Communion Assistants 8:30 am Margie Welke Whitney Osero Running Projection 5:00 pm Don Tinker 8:30 am James Zastrow 10:45 am Betty Hudson Projection Set up Jackie Leonhard Altar Guild Sue Mielke, Donna Olson Karen Torkelson Counters Kathy David, Heather Kurth Corky Burcalow Video Delivery Al Overhaug L R February 10 & 11 Acolytes 5:00 pm Eli Mullen 8:30 am Caley Scholz 10:45 am Halle Derleth Greeters 5:00 pm Karen Olson Peggy Price 8:30 am Zastrow Family Marcie Schmit 10:45 am Jody/Emily Decker Readers 5:00 pm Darlene Wurl 8:30 am Chris Raasch 10:45 am Jeannie Gudgeon Ushers 5:00 pm Jeanette Lovsletten Ron Lueneberg 8:30 am Dar Clements Marie Knipfer Ed/Chris Raasch 10:45 am Dawn LaFevre Marilyn Smith Nursery 8:30 am Child of God 10:45 am Child of God Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Gail Wilson 8:30 am Al Overhaug 10:45 am Nancy Herbison Communion Assistants 8:30 am Megan Marcks Lynn Brown Running Projection 5:00 pm Jason Mielke 8:30 am Whitney Osero 10:45 am Tami Olson Projection Set up Chris Raasch Altar Guild Sue Mielke, Donna Olson Karen Torkelson Counters Kathy David, Heather Kurth Corky Burcalow Video Delivery Al Overhaug February 17 & 18 Acolytes 5:00 pm Child of God 8:30 am Sam Kurth 10:45 am Child of God Greeters 5:00 pm Dar Clements Rose Hoff 8:30 am Paul/Dotti Andersen Fran Anderson 10:45 am Lois Langlois Marilyn Smith Readers 5:00 pm Dar Kluball 8:30 am Shirley Derleth 10:45 am Nancy Herbison Ushers 5:00 pm Dar Kluball Peggy Price 8:30 am John Krueger Renee Raasch Tom/Donna Stone 10:45 am Steve/Greg Heikkinen Nursery 8:30 am Child of God 10:45 am Child of God Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Mark Gaedtke 8:30 am Paul Kurth 10:45 am Al Overhaug Communion Assistants 8:30 am Eric Anderson Shirley Derleth Running Projection 5:00 pm KarenTorkelson 8:30 am Mike Wick 10:45 am Dravin Schmit Projection Set up Karen Torkelson Altar Guild Sue Mielke, Donna Olson Karen Torkelson Counters Kathy David, Heather Kurth Corky Burcalow Video Delivery Nancy Bronsted 12

13 February 24 & 25 Acolytes 5:00 pm Garrett Nelson 8:30 am Macey Mann 10:45 am Logan Schreiner Greeters 5:00 pm Dar Kluball Bernice Mitchell 8:30 am Gary/Judy Calhoun Don/Carolyn Halverson 10:45 am Jody/Emily Decker Readers 5:00 pm Chris Raasch 8:30 am Eric Anderson 10:45 am Jeannie Gudgeon Ushers 5:00 pm Chris/Ed Raasch 8:30 am Jim VanNorman Margie Welke Brett Beaumier, Jerry Jagmin 10:45 am Dawn LaFevre Marilyn Smith Nursery 8:30 am Child of God 10:45 am Child of God Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Joe Story 8:30 am Shirley Derleth 10:45 am Kam Olson Communion Assistants 8:30 am Whitney Osero Lynn Brown Running Projection 5:00 pm Sue Mielke 8:30 am Paula Norman 10:45 am Tami Olson Projection Set up Paula Norman Altar Guild Sue Mielke, Donna Olson Karen Torkelson Counters Kathy David, Heather Kurth Corky Burcalow Video Delivery Toekelsons L R March 3 & 4 Acolytes 5:00 pm Sadie Leibelt 8:30 am MartinSchmidt 10:45 am Halle Derleth Greeters 5:00 pm Dan/Kay Salewske 8:30 am Tobias Family Al Tesch 10:45 am Jim/Donna Olson Readers 5:00 pm Nancy Herbison 8:30 am Rita Meidam 10:45 am Dan Schuller Ushers 5:00 pm Dar Clements Jeanette Lovsletten 8:30 am Don/Carolyn Halverson Marie Knipfer ` Child of God 10:45 am Dan Schuller Mary Hoglund Nursery 8:30 am Child of God 10:45 am Child of God Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Karen Olson 8:30 am Corey Colburn 10:45 am Gail Wilson Communion Assistants 8:30 am Megan Marcks Margie Welke Running Projection 5:00 pm Don Tinker 8:30 am Brynn Beaumier 10:45 am Betty Hudson Projection Set up Keri Kelly Altar Guild Georgie Crass Rita Hilgendorf Heather Nieds Counters Linda Pashek, Bob LaNou Julie Dentler Video Delivery Al Overhaug March 10 & 11 Acolytes 5:00 pm Ellie Witulski 8:30 am Geena Wanta 10:45 am Haley Liebelt Greeters 5:00 pm Peggy Price Sherry Thompson 8:30 am John/Kari Krueger Bill/Arlene Strand 10:45 am Andy/LuannKiander Readers 5:00 pm Karen Olson 8:30 am Kathy Wolff 10:45 am Nancy Herbison Ushers 5:00 pm Georgeanne Crass John Kromm 8:30 am Ed/Chris Raasch Megan/Kirsten Marcks 10:45 am Steve/Greg Heikkinen Nursery 8:30 am Child of God 10:45 am Child of God Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Gail Wilson 8:30 am Al Overhaug 10:45 am Nancy Herbison Communion Assistants 8:30 am Joe Story Eric Anderson Running Projection 5:00 pm Jason Mielke 8:30 am Nichole Scholz 10:45 am Kam Olson Projection Set up Jackie Leonhard Altar Guild Georgie Crass Rita Hilgendorf Heather Nieds Counters Linda Pashek, Bob LaNou Julie Dentler Video Delivery Al Overhaug 13

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16 GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 108 W. SOMO AVENUE TOMAHAWK, WI Change service requested NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Permit #37 Tomahawk, WI Regular Worship Services Labor Day to Memorial Day Saturday5:00 pm Sunday8:30 & 10:45 am Contemporary Worship 2nd & 4th 8:30 am Kids Night Out February 23 and March 23 6:00 to 9:00 pm Kids need a night away from mom and dad. Come Join Us. We will have games crafts, movie, and snacks. The Group going to EYG in Houston this next summer will be offering this event for the children. A minimum donation of $5.00 per child would be appreciated. Please register ahead of time so we can make plans for the event. Some of the youth are certiied babysitters and we will have also adults to help. Call Margie at (715) , (715) or the Church ofice at (715) Sponsors of the Month