Parish Secretary: Carol Lekies Home: Submit News to:

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Next issue: January 2017 Deadline: December 16, 2016 Submit News to: carol.ossp@ceas.coop Pastor Lowell Bolstad 715-226-0163 Email: pstrbolstad@gmail.

com Organist: Donna Schmidt Home: 715-644-2022 Facebook: Our Saviour s and St. Paul s ELCA Parish Office: 715-785-7975 Website: osspelca.org Our Saviour s and St.

, Medford, WI 54451 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #1 CURTISS, WI 54422 Our mission is to share the love of Christ with each

1 Next issue: January 2017 Deadline: December 16, 2016 Submit News to: Pastor Lowell Bolstad Parish Secretary: Carol Lekies Home: Organist: Donna Schmidt Home: Facebook: Our Saviour s and St. Paul s ELCA Parish Office: Website: osspelca.org Our Saviour s and St. Paul s Lutheran Church, ELCA Mailing address: W7809 Apple Ave., Medford, WI CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #1 CURTISS, WI Our mission is to share the love of Christ with each other, our community, and the world. ST. PAUL S & OUR SAVIOUR S LUTHERAN PARISH, ELCA 1131 MERIDIAN STREET CURTISS, WI The Parish Internet Our Saviour s & St. Paul s Lutheran Parish, ELCA Sunday Worship Schedule Our Saviour s 8:30 am; St. Paul s 10:15 am Our mission is to share the love of Christ with each other, our community, and the world. December 2016

Our Saviour s News 9 Our Saviour s News 10 Our Saviour s News WELCA 11 Our Saviour s News 12 Our Saviour s News 13 Our Saviour s News Council Minutes 14 Our Saviour s News Council Minutes 15 Our

2 Our mission is to share the love of Christ with each other, our community and the world. Joint Financial Report The Parish Internet December Table of contents 3 Parish News Events 4 Parish News From the Pastor 5 Parish News Synod News 6 Parish News Synod News 7 Parish News 8 Our Saviour s News 9 Our Saviour s News 10 Our Saviour s News WELCA 11 Our Saviour s News 12 Our Saviour s News 13 Our Saviour s News Council Minutes 14 Our Saviour s News Council Minutes 15 Our Saviour s News Council Minutes 16 Our Saviour s News Financial Report 17 St. Paul s News 18 St. Paul s News 19 Joint Financial 20 Cover Center------December Calendar & Lectionary Worship Schedule Our Saviour s 8:30 am St. Paul s 10:15 am December 16 Submitted by Brenda Nernberger, joint treasuerer 2 19

St. Paul s News Tupperware FUNDRAISER Sunday December 11 before & after worship @ St. Paul s All proceeds go to the general fund. Shop now for Christmas.

Paul s for the Advent Season in memory or honor of loved ones. Label your poinsettias with the names of your loved one. Labels will be available in the parish hall.

3 St. Paul s News Tupperware FUNDRAISER Sunday December 11 before & after St. Paul s All proceeds go to the general fund. Shop now for Christmas. Nancy McAleese, host, will also be selling at the Owen/Withee High School Saturday December Poinsettias Beginning December 18 members are invited to bring poinsettias to St. Paul s for the Advent Season in memory or honor of loved ones. Label your poinsettias with the names of your loved one. Labels will be available in the parish hall. Please take home your poinsettias after the Christmas Eve and day services. Thank you. St. Paul s Record of Giving For November Date Offering 6-Nov $ Nov $1, Nov $ Nov $ $ needed/week St. Paul s Counters Week of December 4 Michelle Albrecht, Robert May Weeks of December 11 & 18 LaVerna Marcott, Sherry Krueger, Sharon Brecke December 24 & 25 Volunteers Thank you. Your help is appreciated. Events Parish News Cookie and Craft Sale at OS on December 11 The annual cookie and craft sale will be offered at OS on Sunday, December 11 before and after worship. Proceeds go to Community Mission with Jesus. Our Saviour s Sunday School Program on December 18 The Sunday School under the leadership of Andrea Kawa and Barb Krug will help the assembly prepare for the coming of Jesus with the program as a part of the 8:30am worship service at OS on December 18. Invite the grandpas and grandmas as well as the relatives and friends! St. Paul s Sunday School Program on December 24, 7 pm The Sunday School under the leadership of Jenny Jakel will help the assembly celebrate the coming of Jesus with the program as a part of the 7pm Christmas Eve worship service at SP on Saturday, December 24. Invite the grandpas and grandmas as well as the relatives and friends! Invite others to worship with you for Christmas! Are you having company for Christmas? Do you know someone who does not have a church home? Be sure to invite them to worship God come into human flesh in the person of Jesus. Even as shepherds could not contain themselves in telling others what they had heard, you are encouraged to share the Christmas spirit with those about you! Christmas Eve, December 24 at 7pm SP, 9pm OS Christmas Day, December 25 at 8:30am OS, 10:15am SP Merry Christmas Thank you for your participation in and support of the life and mission of this parish! 3

From the Pastor s Study Letter from the Pastor And she gave birth to her first son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

It is intended that the spirit of the season be characterized by peace and goodwill. It is hoped that the spirit of the Christmas season can be with us throughout the whole year.

Those who have been welcomed into God s family through Jesus Christ are called to express that same welcome to others. Such a climate attracts others into the fellowship of God s people.

Everybody is somebody where the gift of the Christ child is received with thanksgiving and joy. Come to worship during this Advent and Christmas season!

Christmas Day Worship Service on Sunday, December 25 at OS 8:30am, SP 10:45am.

4 From the Pastor s Study Letter from the Pastor And she gave birth to her first son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7) During this upcoming season of the church year, we anticipate the birth of the Christ child. God s Son comes into the world as a small baby born to a young woman. It is intended that the spirit of the season be characterized by peace and goodwill. It is hoped that the spirit of the Christmas season can be with us throughout the whole year. One of the characteristics of vibrant congregations is a climate of hospitality, enthusiasm, and joy. Those who have been welcomed into God s family through Jesus Christ are called to express that same welcome to others. Such a climate attracts others into the fellowship of God s people. They can feel the warmth and want to be a part of it. In congregations living out a spirit of welcome, each person is made to feel important. Everybody is somebody where the gift of the Christ child is received with thanksgiving and joy. Come to worship during this Advent and Christmas season! Sunday School Program at OS on December 18 at 8:30am Sunday School Program at SP on December 24 at 7pm. Christmas Eve Worship Services on Saturday, December 24 at SP, 7pm; OS 9pm. Christmas Day Worship Service on Sunday, December 25 at OS 8:30am, SP 10:45am. The season of Christmas will come and go again this year, but it is hoped that the spirit of the Christ child will remain with us. In Christ s name, welcome! Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Lowell Bolstad Pray for God s direction during the transition Earnest prayer is requested for this transition as we make our way between installed pastorates. Special prayer is requested for congregation leadership, task forces, pastor and staff, bishop and synod staff. 4 Harvest Dinner St. Paul s News St. Paul s Sunday School Program on December 24 Thank You, Thank You, Thank you. Our Harvest dinner was a great success. All possible from the donations, volunteers, general public, and our youth. Proceeds were $2, Believe-it-or-not, 262 meals were served which was the same as last year. Tupperware Fundraiser St. Paul s Nancy McAleese thanks everyone who purchased Tupperware at the August Fundraiser. Over $ was raised and donated to St. Paul s general fund. Nancy will host another fundraiser on December St. Paul s with all proceeds going to the general fund. The Sunday School under the leadership of Jenny Jakel will help the assembly celebrate the coming of Jesus with the program as a part of the 7pm Christmas Eve worship service at SP on Saturday, December 24. Invite the grandpas and grandmas as well as the relatives and friends! Invite others to worship with you for Christmas! Are you having company for Christmas? Do you know someone who does not have a church home? Be sure to invite them to worship God come into human flesh in the person of Jesus. Even as shepherds could not contain themselves in telling others what they had heard, you are encouraged to share the Christmas spirit with those about you! Christmas Eve, December 24 at 7pm Christmas Day, December 25 at 10:15 am 17

what God is up to in the world. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person questions, complexities and all. Youth Ministry Youth Ministry is alive and well in our synod.

5 OurSaviour s Financial News We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God s grace. For us as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, this faith comes through the good news of Jesus Christ and gives us the freedom and the courage to wonder, discover and boldly participate in what God is up to in the world. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person questions, complexities and all. Youth Ministry Youth Ministry is alive and well in our synod. Although it is primarily carried out at the congregational level, there are also opportunities for youth to be involved at the synodical level. 16 Submitted by Elaine Hallgren Treasurer The Synod Youth Board Participation in the Synod Youth Board is open to high school youth in our synod. The board has youth and adult representation from each of our seven conferences. Board members are elected by their peers each year at Godstock, the high school youth gathering that takes place in November. The board also sponsors a Middle School Gathering, Christ Jam, in the spring. View the Synod Youth Board Website at Carole DeJardin at cdejardin@nwswi.org to learn more or invite a board member to speak at your congregation. The Youth Workers Network Professionals and volunteers who work with youth to gather, share ideas, resources, conversation, and ongoing education in youth ministry. They meet as a group quarterly at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake. Learn more about the network by contacting our synod office. 5

Synod News Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. A Christmas Message from Bishop Hoyme.

As she stood beside it she said with great pride, "Here's our Christmas tree!" The Christmas Queen she ain't. She is a Christmas minimalist at best. But she is one of the finest Christians I know.

And every year when we gather around the table for Christmas Eve dinner, I wonder, how was I ever so blessed to "get" her? I don't deserve her.

I wish more people could spend time with my family at Christmas. If being kind was given a dollar value, I would be the richest guy in the world. Maybe that's the gift we could all focus on this year.

6 Synod News Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. A Christmas Message from Bishop Hoyme. Dear Friends of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, My wife Diane went into the woods yesterday and dug up a little pine tree of unknown origin and planted it in a simple clay pot. As she stood beside it she said with great pride, "Here's our Christmas tree!" The Christmas Queen she ain't. She is a Christmas minimalist at best. But she is one of the finest Christians I know. She just gets it. She gets love. She gets grace. She gets creation. She gets generosity. She gets patience. She gets hope. She gets kindness. And every year when we gather around the table for Christmas Eve dinner, I wonder, how was I ever so blessed to "get" her? I don't deserve her. I sure as heck didn't earn her and lord knows, I didn't win her. She is just pure gift. We seem to be living in a time, and in a country, where being kind is a vanishing gift. I wish more people could spend time with my family at Christmas. If being kind was given a dollar value, I would be the richest guy in the world. Maybe that's the gift we could all focus on this year. Just be kind. Love your neighbor. Love yourself. Or as my mom used to say, "If you can't say anything nice about somebody, don't say anything at all." She actually lived that way...until she turned 90. Then she gave herself permission to get a little snarky once in a while. But until then... I have never quite gotten this Advent "wait" thing the church talks about...but there are lots of things I don't get. So this year, I'm just going to try to be a little bit more like the woman who loves me when I'm not kind. And I'm going to work on being a little kinder...to her, to my enemies, to my friends and to Jesus. Because, I don't deserve Him either. Our Saviour s News We are without anyone to snow plow the church s parking lot this winter. Motion was made (Brenda) and seconded (Carol) to have Bruce Krug do the plowing. Motion carried. We may need someone to shovel the areas not reached by the plow. Perhaps a short term co-mission can be set up to handle this important task. Salting the areas around the door and steps was also discussed. Ed and Bruce will check the snow blower to make sure it is ready for the season. A discussion followed on the relationship we have with St. Paul s, Curtiss. They are in conversation with Our Savior s at Stanley church and their council is recommending they begin a shared ministry with them as it will cost them less per month than their partnership with Our Saviour s, and Ken Schmidt is the pastor at the church. Our council has directed our transition task force to begin conversation with Nazareth in Withee. Barb will contact Lyle Roe and set up a meeting as soon as possible. A motion was made (Paula) and seconded (Dorothy) to adjourn the meeting. Motion approved and we closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Barb Krug Snow shovelers needed at Our Saviour s. Volunteers needed to shovel snow before worship on Sunday mornings. Sign up sheet in the fellowship hall. Merry Christmas! 6 15

Our Saviour s News during the worship service on Sunday, December 18. The 2017 Sunday School schedule will vary somewhat. Parents will be contacted with the calendar. Confirmation is going well.

7 Our Saviour s News during the worship service on Sunday, December 18. The 2017 Sunday School schedule will vary somewhat. Parents will be contacted with the calendar. Confirmation is going well. Finance No meeting. Teresa Gretzinger has resigned as financial secretary. Brian Hallgren has volunteered to take the position. The co-mission will meet as soon as all 2016 information is in to work on the 2017 budget. Property The roof on the church needs to be replaced. Bids were obtained. A motion was made (Kurt) and seconded (Ed) to replace the entire roof using Memorial funds. Motion carried. When replacing the roof, the eave troughs should be replaced too. There will be a congregational informational meeting in January to discuss the project. The furnace filter may need to be changed. Kurt will check on this. W/ELCA December 7 will be a baking day for the confirmation students in preparation for the Cookie Sale (and craft sale) being held on December 11 before and after worship. The funds from this will go to the Community Mission with Jesus group. Worship There will not be any evening Advent services this season. Christmas Eve service will be at 9:00 p.m. The Pernsteiners will be providing music again this year. Christmas Day service at our usual worship time of 8:30 a.m. We are in need of an organist for this day. Poinsettias will be provided for any members that would like to purchase one in memory or honor of someone. Scrip sales were discussed. The percentage our church receives from the sale of these is free money for us. Members will be encouraged to purchase gift cards through the church. There is a huge list of cards that can be ordered. The last order before Christmas will be sent out on December 11 th. It was mentioned that chairs had not been purchased to replace the old white ones that were taken out during the renovation. Kurt will check on designs and prices. The Joint treasurer s report was presented and discussed. 14 Parish News Frankie & Tamara Soto sponsored the website in November in memory of Glen Tidquist. Thank you. Thrivent Choice Program The Thrivent Choice program is a charitable grant program that allows members to designate where Thrivent Financial distributes a portion of its charitable grant funds, Choice Dollars, each year. For October, Our Saviour s received Choice Dollars from Steve Hamann. Thank you for directing your Choice Dollars. If you have any questions about Thrivent Choice, or if you have updated bank, or other contact information, please call and when prompted, say, "Thrivent Choice" or us at mail@thrivent.com. CHURCH CANCELLATION POLICY----If weather conditions are bad and have forced worship services to cancel, you can hear this on MEDFORD RADIO STATION-99.3 FM and our Facebook Page. Updated Constitutions to be Brought Before Annual Meetings Both Congregation Councils at their October meetings voted to place the updated constitutions on the agenda of the annual meeting for approval. The internet address for the amendments passed at the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is listed below. Highlights include: seasonal membership, rostered ministers, and parish authorization., Amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations download.elca.org/elca%20resource%20repository/ Amendments_to_Constitution_for_Congregations 7

Our Saviour s News Poinsettia Orders If you would like to purchase a POINSETTIA for Christmas Eve and day services at Our Saviour s, please fill in the information below, and return the form with $9.

, Medford, WI 54451 or drop them off at the parish office before or after Sunday worship. Poinsettias can be taken home following Christmas Day worship.

8 Our Saviour s News Poinsettia Orders If you would like to purchase a POINSETTIA for Christmas Eve and day services at Our Saviour s, please fill in the information below, and return the form with $9.00 to the parish 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 parish office before or after Sunday worship. Poinsettias can be taken home following Christmas Day worship Poinsettias for Our Saviour s - Cost $9.00 each Your name: Phone No. (in case of questions) Number of $9. each Total Amt.$ (Please Circle One) In Memory of: OR In Honor of: Given by: Our Saviour s Council News Our Saviour s Council Meeting Minutes 11/21/16 Present were Ed Rowe, Barb Krug, Paula Stroinski, Elaine Hallgren, Pastor Bolstad, Carol Lekies, Dorothy Pagel, Kurt Staab & Brenda Nernberger The meeting was called to order by Ed Rowe. Pastor led devotions. Caring conversations from members followed. Upcoming goals Annual Meeting February 5 th Report deadlines to Carol by January 8 th Financial deadline to Carol by January 17 th The minutes from October s meeting were read and approved. Pastor gave his report. He will be participating in the ecumenical Thanksgiving service at the Methodist Church on November 23. The parish secretary s report was discussed. Carol collected a list of current council members to establish a contact list. She will send that to all council members. Carol put together and purchased some Sanctuary Renovation books. She would like the council to approve giving one copy to the Krug family, the Hansen family and Kurt Staab. This was approved to be paid for from the Memorial Fund. Carol can order more of the books if members would like to order them. The cost is $ Carol is working on the lectionary roster for The schedule will be set up and if you can t read or usher on a date, members are asked to get a replacement. There is a co-mission book in the fellowship hall. Co-mission reps are asked to put any minute notes in there. Agape This is a small group of members and asking for any members to join them as they work together doing God s work. The Honor s brunch was discussed. Because of the small number of co-mission members, this may be eliminated. Matching funds have been applied for to benefit LWR. Donations from fellowship following worship service will be used for this important cause. 8 The DEADLINE for ordering poinsettias is December 14. Education The Sunday School program is coming along nicely. The program Hay, A Stable Experience will be performed 13

Our Saviour s News Sunday School Christmas Program December 18 Our Saviour s Sunday School under the leadership of Andrea Kawa and Barb Krug will help the assembly prepare for the

LWR Christmas Matching Gift Challenge December s Coffee fellowship donations are designated for LWR.

Never the wrong size or color. Fills all wants & needs! Scrip Gift Cards This Christmas season gift cards from hundreds of different retailers will be available to pr e or der.

Unwrapped gifts need to be returned to Our Saviour s by Sunday Dec. 11. Don t forget to include the child s ID number on the gifts.

need. Help us meet the Christmas Matching Gift Challenge with your gift today. Lutheran World Relief Donations can also be made online at lwr.org/match16 or you can call 800-597-5972.

Roofing Project Congregational Informational Meeting Sunday January 8 @ Our Saviour s following 8:30 worship service.

9 Our Saviour s News Sunday School Christmas Program December 18 Our Saviour s Sunday School under the leadership of Andrea Kawa and Barb Krug will help the assembly prepare for the coming of Jesus with the program as a part of the 8:30am worship service at OS on December 18. Invite the grandpas and grandmas as well as the relatives and friends! LWR Christmas Matching Gift Challenge December s Coffee fellowship donations are designated for LWR. They will be matched dollar for dollar by a group of Lutheran World Relief supporters. Our Saviour s News This Christmas give scrip cards from Our Saviour s. Convenient! Never the wrong size or color. Fills all wants & needs! Scrip Gift Cards This Christmas season gift cards from hundreds of different retailers will be available to pr e or der. Lists of par ticipating retailers are available from the scrip sellers. For Christmas gifts, place orders on or before December 11. Questions contact Brenda Nernberger. Unwrapped gifts need to be returned to Our Saviour s by Sunday Dec. 11. Don t forget to include the child s ID number on the gifts. Christmas Cookie/Craft Sale As Christmas approaches and we gather with friends and family to celebrate the birth of Christ, please put your faith in action and help a family in deep need. Help us meet the Christmas Matching Gift Challenge with your gift today. Lutheran World Relief Donations can also be made online at lwr.org/match16 or you can call Be sure to make your gift before Dec. 31 to receive matching fund. Visit lwr.org/impact to learn how every dollar donated is used. Roofing Project Congregational Informational Meeting Sunday January Our Saviour s following 8:30 worship service. Kurt Staab, Property Co-Mission 12 December 11 before & after worship. cookies, bars, candies, breads, & crafts Proceeds will go to Community Mission With Jesus. The church will be open on Saturday morning, December 10 to drop off bake sale items and crafts or they can be brought to church Sunday morning. Please drop items between 8 and 10 am Saturday. Plans are to sell at 8 am before worship, and following the service too. For details contact Elaine Hallgren or Sue Aszmann. 9

Our Saviour s News WELCA Minutes Nov. 2 WELCA meeting was called to order by Echo at 7:30 pm, Nov. 2, following lunch. There were 9 ladies plus pastor at the meeting.

10 Our Saviour s News WELCA Minutes Nov. 2 WELCA meeting was called to order by Echo at 7:30 pm, Nov. 2, following lunch. There were 9 ladies plus pastor at the meeting. Carole Jari gave her Mission Report. Lutheran World Relief and the Lions project to Mexico have been shipped out. Right now the entire congregation is collecting items for the Homeless Veterans. The ladies are continuing to make lap robes for Hope Hospice. Marian gave the treasurers report. The final numbers weren t in yet for the Anniversary Dinner but appears to be about the same as last year. Carol Lekies gave a report on the Leadership Conference. Some of the discussion was the future of WELCA and try to figure out what the younger ladies want. She attended another meeting in Spooner where the WELCA Triennial Convention was discussed, also busing possibilities to the Triennial Convention. Marian and Carol reported on the Fall Retreat at Loyal. The theme was: Playing on God s Team. Old business: Report on Anniversary dinner, statements were mostly positive with a few points to work on. Thanks was given to Kelly, and she will accept the job for next year. New business: November 20 is the Thankoffering service. Please volunteer for Sunday coffee treats. Motion m/s/c to pay for the website in January and February in honor of Al Minshall and Doris Neibacher, in place of a poinsettia. Motion m/s/c to give Christmas gifts the same as last year. Cookie, candy, craft sale is December 11. Notion m/s/c that the proceeds go to Community Mission for Jesus. Carol will order poinsettias for church. No meetings in December of January. Yearbook meeting will be Nov. 14 at 7 pm at church. Submitted by Lois Neibacher, acting secretary. 10 Our Saviour s News WELCA 2016 Stewardship ACTION REPORT Lutheran World Relief 75 Quilts & 33 Layettes Items Shipped to Mexico 32 Quilts, 9 boxes of material, 12 Boxes of Clothing (men s, women s, children s, baby clothes) Hope Hospice - 49 Lap Robes Four quilts - sold at the Anniversary Dinner The HANDS foundation / HELP-A-VET $50.61 coffee/fellowship donations, 42 quilts, 32 back packs, 30 jackets, 17 vests, 36 flannel & sweat shirts, 19 pants, 39 pair new winter socks, 7 pair long underwear, 10 winter hats, caps, and gloves, 1 plastic sleeting mat. A BIG thank you for all your time and energy you put into this project. No matter what you did, whether you sewed or donated material for the quilts or clothes to keep the vets warm this winter. This was a great year! Thank you again. Carole Jari. If you would like to help, give Carole Jari a call. Thank you to the Curtiss ladies for their help and the Colby Library ladies for 8 back packs and the plastic sleeping mat. December 11 Deadline Taylor County Giving Tree, Operation Christmas, Christmas from the Heart; December 11 is the deadline for bringing in donations for these charities. Don t forget to label each unwrapped Giving Tree gift with the child s number. Just a reminder, gifts must be new and in the original packaging. Financial donations are also appreciated and used to purchase gifts for last minute or unfulfilled requests. Thank you for participating. 11

Parish Secretary: Carol Lekies Home: Submit News to:

Next issue: March/April 2017 Deadline: February 24, 2017 Submit News to: carol.ossp@ceas.coop Pastor Lowell Bolstad 715-226-0163 Email: pstrbolstad@gmail.com Parish Secretary: Carol Lekies Home: 715-785-7362