Praising God + Serving Others + Building Friendships

Transcription

1 Grace Lutheran Church 108 W. SOMO AVENUE TOMAHAWK, WISCONSIN April 2018 Praising God + Serving Others + Building Friendships Grace Lutheran s 125th Anniversary Celebration Members are invited to a special worship service and a catered meal on Sunday, April 29, 2018, to celebrate our congregation s 125 th anniversary! Bishop Mansholt will be presiding during this historical celebration service, plus there will be special music which will include our Sunday School children. There will be only one service on that Sunday which will begin at 10 am and then the meal will follow at 11:30 am. Even if you decide to attend the Saturday evening service instead of the Sunday morning service, please come join us for the meal. To RSVP for the meal, there will be a reservation table set up in the Gathering Area starting the weekend of March 2425 and continuing each weekend until the deadline date of April 22 nd. You can sign up at this table which will be manned during service times or you can contact the office at (715) during the week to make your reservation. The total number of attendees is necessary for the caterers. A minimal fee will be charged to offset the meal cost: ages 11 and up $5.00/person, age 4 to 10 $3.00/person, and age 3 & under free. There will be a maximum cost limit of $15 per family. Please sign up and join in the festivities on Sunday, April 29, 2018! The deadline is April 22 nd. Lets Experiment! Worship Times Temporarily Change There has been much discussion about ways we might change our Sunday service times at Grace. The Worship Ministry Group and Church Council have decided to experiment with some of the ideas and see how they work. The first idea we ll try is to temporarily change Sunday to a single service at 9:00 AM with Sunday School from 10:0011:00 AM. Since our 125 th Anniversary will be celebrated with a single Sunday service at 10:00 AM on April 29, we will use the following three weeks to try our experimental schedule as listed below. This will lead us into our summer schedule with 8:30 AM worship at Grace and 10:00 AM outdoor worship at Schaefer s Wharf. After this 3week trial, we ll be asking for your opinions about this experimental schedule. Your feedback will be very important to help determine what other trial schedules should be tried. April 29 10:00 AMOne Service 11:30 AM Congregational Luncheon May 6.9:00 AM One Service w/fellowship to follow 10:0011:00 AM Sunday School May :00 AM One w/fellowship to follow No Sunday School Mother s Day May :00 AMOne w/fellowship to follow Sunday School Celebration (Last Day ) 10:0011:00 AM NOTE: The Saturday 5:00 p.m. service time will remain the same. May 27..8:30 AM Grace 10:00 AM Outdoor Service at Schaefer s Wharf Worship Ministry GroupChristi Lobermeier, Mary Wessel, Sherry Clements, Wendy Black

2 A Heartfelt Thank you to everyone who prepared soup, donated supplies, worked in the kitchen, or joined us for a warm bowl of soup and fellowship during the Lenten season. These meals were served thanks to your generous gift of your time and talents. The Fellowship Committee Bulletin Board New custodian We are excited to welcome Emily Zastrow as our new custodian. She began her work at Grace in March. Our former custodian, Colleen Yirsa, had to resign for health reasons. We are grateful to Colleen for her hard work and wish her well. Out of the Comfort Zone Unique experiences that take us out of our comfort zone and which lead us to experience faith and community in new and deeper ways! The above is the growing edge of where faith grows and relationships are deepened. Life has become so busy. We are more distracted, listen less, look at our phones and not people s faces, miss worship, skip meal prayers, and attend less often to that which most matters. The result is that we need unique experiences that provide adventure in an interesting setting and with enough time. These experiences lead us to pause, reflect and discover our identity and purpose. When well led it provides guidance for us to thoughtfully choose and commit to people and practices that will deepen our soul, enrich life, and hold us accountable. Most opportunities are available to all. Summer is an especially great time to consider growing in faith and life: Fellowship of Christian Athletes Sports Camp...June 2528 for Middle & High School Crossways Camp 10August 10 week or weekends Family camps, Grandparent/Kids, etc. Grace s Vacation Bible School attend or help...july 30August 3 Retreat with Greater Galilee at Pine Lake Camp...August 35 Service Trip?...Talk with Margie Welke on possibilities Via de Cristo weekend.november 14, 2018 Listen for the stories of those already filled and consider using these to grow your soul, life, and faith: ELCA Youth Gathering (also women s & men s)...june 27July 1 Synod Trip to South Africa (Lekubu Parish) July 418 Grace & FCA Wilderness Trip..July 2129 Education & More service in Guatemala...TBD Grace especially urges our 9 th graders preparing for Confirmation in October to do this. But these are great experiences for all of us, and increasingly important for us to do regularly. The Art of Marriage April 13 and 14, 2018 Prince of Peace Christian Church, 1328 County Road A, is sponsoring The Art of Marriage. This is a guided six video series event designed to build stronger marriages. Cost is $75 per couple and $55 single. Event is 6:00 9:30 on Friday, April 13 and 8:004:30 on Saturday, April 14. To register contact Katie at (715) or katieg@poptomahawk.com Parenting Workshops Throughout the Year Northwoods Vineyard Church, 418KaphaemRoad is hosting a series of parenting workshops led by Eric & Melissa Dichsen. The first event is: Saturday, April 21st 10am12pm on Forming a Healthy Family Identity. No preregistration or cost, just come! No childcare provided. Call the Vineyard church office with any questions at (715) DEADLINES: NewsletterThird Monday of every month, BulletinWednesday

3 F D P M The Next 125 Years Grace has chosen many changes in the past 125 years. Some of these were quite radical. It changed languages, its name, has had fortyfive different pastors, started many ministries, and chose four extensive building changes. It began as First Scandinavian Lutheran Church served by itinerant ministers with worship in Norwegian and its ministry aimed specifically at new immigrants. A hundred years ago First Scandinavian began a season of change. Within roughly ten years, from it chose to worship in English, have a resident pastor, built both a parsonage and a new church building, changed the name to Grace Lutheran, and began welcoming all people in Tomahawk. Fifty years ago Grace had another season of change. Again within ten years, from , Prairie Rapids Lutheran Church merged with Grace, a fellowship/education wing was built, a second pastor called, COLLANHI formed as a musical ministry of college and high school youth, and Grace focused even more strongly on engaging with the Tomahawk community and beyond. Another season of change in recent years brought about the Summer Outdoor Ministry, the Grace House, community garden, support for many Tomahawk ministries (Salvation Army, Kinship, Food Pantry, Tomahawk Area Interfaith Volunteers, Our Sisters House, Tomahawk Warming Center, Associated Clergy of Tomahawk), ongoing relationships with Greater Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, Lekubu Lutheran Parish in South Africa, and recently with St. Mary Catholic Church and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a resurgence of attendance at Waypost Camp and Vacation Bible School. Looking forward to the next 125 years Grace will continue to need change to remain vibrant and effective. As with previous changes Grace chose, may Grace again choose change in order to more effectively form and grow faith in Jesus, and to also focus more clearly on God s mission. Sunday School and Confirmation have worked well in the past to form faith. How will that work in the realities of today s endless information, busyness, addictions, and immediate access to mobile devices? In the next 125 years faith may best be formed by including much content on the Internet and through building trusted relationships and offering unique experiences that take people out of our comfort zone to experience faith and community in new and deeper ways. The called pastor and elected leaders led us well in the past. In today s world well trusted people have been compromised and mislead by respected institutions. What can we trust? In the next 125 years being Lutheran i.e. well connected to other Christians and deeply rooted in a Jesuscentered, gracefocused, longstanding tradition will be crucial so that we are about God s mission and not a personal agenda. Change will continue to be necessary to keep this congregation vibrant, effective, and focused on God s mission. Reflection will likely form faith in the next 125 years more than information. People, time, and a safe yet stimulating place to reflect will be increasingly important along with solid, gracebased content. Rich tradition rooted in the widest possible Christian community will guide us far better than anyone s individual passion no matter how impressive. The leavening action of the Lutheran World Federation, all the ecumenical relations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the direct work with and through our synod (East Central Synod of Wisconsin) will be increasingly important to guide us in discerning God s mission. (Continued on page 4) S (715 area codes) Pastor.. Rev. Mark Ziemer or (home) Visitation Pastor..Rev. Don Cannady Support Pastor....Nancy Richmond Guest Pastor...Rev. Gerald Check Minister of Lifelong Faith...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... Emily Zastrow C M President Mark Gaedtke Vice President Brandon Hafeman Secretary Laurie Schmidt Bill Zorr Keri Kelley Don Narloch Steve Garrison Christianna Lobermeier Kayci Stevenson Jackie Wick 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 (Continued from page 3) Pastor Mark A few can tell the stories and all of us can imagine that the journey and changes of the past 125 years were not easy. It is also certain that the best changes were those that moved Grace outward in God s mission and those that deepened trust in God and empowered, equipped and trained people in God s mission. As we celebrate the past let us also move boldly into the next 125 years praising God, serving others, building friendships and always centered in and filled with grace, God s undeserved love of Jesus for us. Fellowship of Christian Athletes Joining Grace s Wilderness Trip FCA will be joining Grace on our annual Wilderness Trip. This year s trip is July 2129 to the AbsarokaBeartooth Wilderness in southern Montana. Grace does this for those presently in 9 th grade and for their parents if they so choose. Fellowship of Christian Athletes will offer this through their FCA huddles. The value of Grace and FCA joining together is that FCA will use Grace s experience in obtaining gear, receiving leave no trace training, preparing kits, food and gear, creating presentations on the geology, history, plants, and wildlife of southern Montana. We will do preparatory hiking, camp out, and travel together. Grace will benefit from the FCA theme and devotions that is used at their summer camps. Plus several of Grace s young adults are planning to assist FCA in leading and launching this new ministry. Rev. Jeff Tarras, the Regional Director for North Central WI Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was pastor at Grace from Google Wisconsin FCA or search on FaceBook to see more. Jeff has run a marathon in EVERY State except Hawaii (two are scheduled on Memorial weekend) so he can do the hike. But he has never backpacked. He is looking forward to doing this with Grace in order to expand FCA s emphasis on outdoors sports e.g. hunting, fishing, backpacking. The past two years the North Central WI FCA has held a banquet in Tomahawk lifting up this outdoors emphasis. This trip with Grace is an exploration for attracting and enriching youth and young adults experience and faith connection in the outdoors. The ELCA Task Force on Women and Jusce: One in Christ invites you to read and evaluate the Dra of a Social Statement on Women and Jusce. Receiving input from all spheres of the church is essenal to create a strong social statement. To download the dra, or order mulple copies, visit: hp://resources.elca.org/mendra_social_statement_on_women_and_jusce_1.html Single copies of the dra can be picked up in the Synod office. Opons for sharing your response include: Use the response form, on pg 62 of the printed dra, or online at bit.ly/womenandjuscedra. Submit general comments at hp:// WomenandJusce/Dra Aend a hearing to respond verbally to a rep of the task force. The ECSW is hosng two local hearings: April 5, 7 Prince of Peace, 2330 E. Calumet St., Appleton April 30, 7 Trinity, 1410 Rogers St., Stevens Point Responses that reference line numbers from the dra itself will help the task force quickly idenfy your area of affirmaon or concern. The task force will read and analyze all responses submied by Sept. 30, 2018 and consider what they have heard when they begin to prepare the Proposed Social Statement in the fall of The proposed social statement will go to the ELCA Church Council in the spring of A recommended proposed statement will be considered by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. 4

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6 Grow the Vision, Support the Cause, Change Lives Forever The Grace Church Council has acted to join our synod s Stewardship for All Seasons. This is an equipping program to guide congregations to clarify their vision, create a culture of gratitude and generosity, and learn tools and methods that work well today in guiding people to take a big but doable step in their life and giving. The synod is funding most of the cost and offering it to all 125 synod congregations by taking 1012 congregations each year. With this being our 125 th anniversary the Grace Council sees this as an excellent tool and time to take us into the future. Please consider participating! If Grace Lutheran is important to you and giving is a passion for you, consider inviting and guiding others into generosity and growing giving for God s mission at Grace. The recommendation is for Grace to have a team of four to six people who serve from May, 2018 until April, The $1,900 cost for this training and guidance is also recommended to be raised outside the church budget from those who want to see growth both their church s vision and in people s generosity. For more information talk with the Council, Long Range Planning or Stewardship Committee, or Pastor Mark. To contribute for this training mark your gift Stewardship for All Seasons OUR FINANCIAL PICTURE 2018 FEB 2018 Needed for RECEIPTS ACTUAL RECEIPTS FEBRUARY Receipts Budget vs BUDGET SPENDING vs SPENDING General Fund $24,685 $31,777 ($7,092) $29,888 ($5,203) Building Fund $4,316 $5,077 ($760) $5,076 ($760) Total $29,001 $36,853 ($7,852) $34,964 ($5,963) YTD YTD YTD YTD Needed for ACTUAL RECEIPTS YEARTO DATE Receipts Budget DIFFERENCE SPENDING vs SPENDING General Fund $54,312 $63,533 ($9,241) $55,881 ($1,569) Building Fund $7,761 $10,152 ($2,391) $10,152 (2,391) Total $62,073 $73,705 ($11,632) $66,033 ($3,960) Mortgage Status 2018 Reg. Principal Payments $6, Extra Principal Payments $4, Total Principal Payments $10, Total Interest Payments $4, Loan Balance as of FEBRUARY 2018 $586, JANUARY Special Offering YOUNG ADULTS IN GLOBAL MISSION $

7 From the Stewardship Committee God Working through You Most of us have done some landscaping and gardening projects. Perhaps you have run across a handy device called a tree pruner. It is used to reach up high into a tree to lop off unwanted branches. Working like an arm extension, it s much more convenient than getting on a ladder, which may not reach the branch you want to remove. In a way, that tree pruner is a picture of what serving is like. Just as it reaches beyond your own arm's length, so do your arms and hands reach out to help others as extensions of Christ's love. Jesus walked this earth for approximately 30 years, and, during that time, His hands were always busy touching, healing, lifting, and comforting. With His ascension into Heaven, that job has been left to all of God s people, including you. How can you carry out that task? Whom can you touch, lift up, or comfort? You are the most likely person to answer that question. Just by looking around, you can find someone who would benefit from your service. What about the shy person where you work? Could you encourage him or her? What about the lonely person in your church who just seems to want to talk? Could you be a patient listener? What about your neighbors? Maybe there is someone near where you live who would appreciate some help around the house and yard, or just a little time with you! Jesus was never too rushed to stop and talk to someone in need. Although He had much to accomplish, He never raced from one task to another. Sometimes their needs surfaced at inconvenient times (See Matthew 9:1826.) Sometimes, in order to reach someone, He had to risk offending them (See John 4:126.) He always spoke to them in love, carrying out the reason for His coming into this world: the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). God, Who gives you all you need to do whatever He asks you to do (Philippians 4:13), will give you the opportunity and ability. April Special Offering Camp Scholarships The special offering for March is for the campership fund for ALL Grace youth in grades 18 to attend Crossways Waypost Camp. Many claim a week at Bible Camp as the greatest faith experience in their life and many others as the best week of summer. Prayer partners, consider sponsoring your partner. Designate your gift in his/her name. Adults, please think of the future generation of the church and support the youth who will experience lasting memories and faith building as a result of your support. The pictures below are some of the youth who attended camp in

8 ELCA Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice In preparation for the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, congregations are invited and encouraged to study and give comment to a document that will be considered at that Assembly. The document to be considered in 2019 is a social statement on Women and Justice. ELCA Social Statements are both a process and a guide. The process of developing them is a means of gathering all congregations around one specific topic, praying for God s Holy Spirit to guide us, and digging deeply into the Scriptures and church teachings to give guidance to a significant issue that is troubling our nation, culture and world at this time. The first step in this process is an action of a Churchwide Assembly calling forth a study on a topic of significance, then a task force is formed to pray and study, and then their draft is sent to all congregations to study and give comment. The 2009 Churchwide Assembly called for this study on Women and Justice, a task force was formed, they issued a study in 2016 titled, Faith, Sexism and Justice: conversations toward a Social Statement, and from that study went into the present draft titled Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice. Responses to this draft are to be sent in prior to September 30, The Task Force will use those responses to develop the statement that will be submitted to the 2019 Churchwide Assembly. If approved by this 2019 Churchwide Assembly with all amendments that may be made to it, the statement then becomes a guide for all congregations and a basis for witness and action with others. There are three ways of studying and responding to this document: Individuals can read and respond to it. Go to and search Social Statement on Women and Justice. Or ask the church office for a paper copy which has a response form that can be mailed in. Congregations can initiate a study. The staff at Grace would be delighted to assist. Please contact us if you want to see a study at Grace. Synods each will have hearings on it. Look for this on the synod website, or ask the church office. Message from the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ: When we began our work in 2012, we were charged to foster church dialogue around issues of sexism. We had no idea those issues would be dominating the headlines when we scheduled the publication of the "Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice" for 2018! We invite you to join this timely conversation about the draft because we need the voices of everyone from across our church. How can you join the conversation? You can read the draft and respond. Just as talking together has helped our task force to think about these issues, we encourage you to get together with a group. You also may choose to attend a hearing in your synod. The comment period is open through Sept. 30, What will you find in the draft? Among many important theological themes, the draft stands upon the Lutheran emphasis that we are justified by grace through faith. It explores how this marvelous gift urges, even empowers, us to challenge the structures of patriarchy and sexism because they prevent all people from living the abundant lives God intends. Some of the issues the draft explores include: how Lutherans understand Scripture; restricted access to health care and economic resources; objectifying portrayals of women and girls in the media and popular culture; and genderbased violence. It has been an immensely humbling and gratifying experience to be part of the Task Force on Women and Justice. We invite you to the table as the Spirit moves you. We invite you to be a part of advancing this social statement process and to contribute to what will be a living guide for our church. Yours in Christ, The Rev. Viviane ThomasBreitfeld, Intentional Interim Pastor, Wisconsin Professor Brad Wendel, Cornell University School of Law CoChairs, ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ 8

9 Grace Lutheran Council March Meeting MinutesMarch 12, 2018 Council in attendance: Bill Zorr (via phone), Steve Garrison, Mark Gaedtke, Keri Kelley, Christi Lobermeier, Brandon Hafemann, Laurie Schmidt, Jacqueline Wick, Abigail Norman, Paul Kurth (via phone) Missing: Kayci Stevenson, Don Narloch Others in Attendance: Shirley Derleth, Pastor Mark Meeting called to order at 6:05 pm. Devotions Led by Mark. God will always give love and mercy, it s up to us to choose whether we accept and embrace it. Where have we seen God at work? Middle school kids outside of church discussing religion and sharing profound thoughts about faith & God, God making good out of tough and undesirable situations for families in our community, watching the relationship & joint worship with St. Mary s develop with openness in discussion at the joint events as well as the beautiful and touching music (Holden Evening Prayer) at the joint worship services, seeing how the Grace House does such positive things for people Approve Agenda Steve moved to amend the agenda by adding the following: Covenant with Pastor Nancy Letters to Ascension Health Care Christi seconded. Motion passed. Steve moved to approve the amended agenda. Christi seconded. Motion passed. Consent Agenda Brandon moved to approve the consent agenda. Keri seconded. Consent agenda passed. Consent agenda consisted of the following. Approval of council minutes (February 2018) Any updates or background reports provided for informational purposes only such as pastor s informational report (presented at February 2018 Council meeting & ed out in March 2018) Strategic Planning Group Report (February 2018) Group Fundraiser/Event Report (February 2018) Planning Committee 125th Celebration (February 2018) Treasurer's Report Shirley reported that at this time of year, there was nothing in the treasurer s report that looked out of line in relation to the expected for receipts and expenses. However, it was noted that yeartodate offerings are down from last year. This is something to keep an eye on. Steve made a motion to approve the treasurer s report. Brandon seconded. Motion carried. Committee and staff reports Pastor Mark highlighted the following from his report. Covenant & experiments with Lekubu Lutheran Parish to be discussed further in April 2018 Pastor Mark & Marie Stark attending, Clay Schmit to be involved in theological education planning, Bishop has been very attentive in this process. Thursday, March 22 Pastor Mark s live presentation on missional faith formation (missional outreach & pathways to discipleship) Stewardship for all Seasons to be further discussed under new business Lenten worship with St. Mary to be further discussed under new business Jeff Tarras (pastor at Grace & current Regional Director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes) is planning to join th grade Wilderness trip to Beartooth Wilderness Retreat with Greater Galilee August 35, 2018 in planning stages will be seeking help as time gets closer Brandon moved to accept Committee/Staff reports. Christi seconded. Motion carried. Old Business 1. Church use policy Pastor and staff had nothing new to report at this time. 2. Grace House update on condition/usage Brandon had spoken with John Pashek and shared a list of repairs done and for the future. Discussed the process of determining whether the building was fundamentally solid, how that information would be a factor in the determination of possible repairs, the amount of community ministries that are shared (Continued on page 10) 9

10 (Continued from page 9) in the Grace House, and question of whether a task force that may have included Al Overhaug had looked into this prior to any of our current members being on council. It was determined that Al should be a part of this conversation. Brandon would be contacting Al and John again. Brandon moved to approve up to $500 for inspection if building/grounds, Al Overhaug (Grace House liaison), and Brandon deem it necessary to move forward with that for the Grace House. Christi seconded. Motion carried Smart Goals Mark Beginning in 2017, each year a part of Grace s mission statement (Praising God. Serving others. Building friendships.) is the focus by which to set goals for Grace goals (listed below) under the focus Praising God were discussed. It was determined that some positive steps came out of these goals. They could also lead nicely into the 2018 goals under the focus of serving others. Increase the diversity of our membership in our ministries Spread the Grace of God through communication and covert good deeds Enhance the worship service experience at Grace Lutheran Discussion for 2018 goals centered around brainstorming goal possibilities. It was determined a first step would be to have the synthesis of last fall s Blessed to be a Blessing discernment redistributed to current council members prior to the April meeting to guide us in determining goals and the next steps for the 2018 focus of serving others. 4. Hiring of custodian replacement Mark After Deb Hetzel and Mark conducted interviews, they recommended Emily Zastrow for the custodial position, subject to background checks. She would start out at $10.00 per hour, starting in March. In the interest of timing and allowing Emily to start in March, a vote of the council was taken via . Brandon made the motion to approve this recommendation for hiring, and Kayci seconded. Motion carried. Thus, Emily Zastrow was hired ($10/hour) and began working on March 5, It is going well thus far. Update on Worship Committee Recommendation for 10:45 service Christi An announcement is in to Debbie for April newsletter. Worship will meet this month to discuss additional ways to publicize the pilot and an input/feedback timeline following the pilot. 6. Council Covenant New members either signed it at the meeting or will stop at church office to take care of this. New Business 1. Recap and review of congregational retreat Mark & Pastor Mark Topics of presentations were discussed. It was noted that many of the sessions addressed the idea of congregation feeling more like family. There was further discussion on having Vibrant Faith lead the retreat in 2020 and inviting other congregations to join as well as share the cost would be led by Synod Staff with Grace only. A motion made by Steve to direct Pastor to look into the 2020 planning idea with Vibrant Faith ministries and other Northwoods community churches and report back to council on these possibilities. Christi seconded. Motion carried. 2. Report, comment, and next steps as a result of the shared Lenten worship with St. Mary and the study of From Conflict to Communion Pastor Mark Feedback has been positive. Amount of people attending seems to grow with each Lenten worship. Discussion about ways to continue to build the St. Mary s/grace relationship and include youth as well. Motion made by Brandon to look into doing the Lenten services together again next year with St. Mary s. 2nd Steve Motion carried. 3. Loose/undesignated offerings from Grace/St. Mary s Lenten services Pastor Mark Brandon made a motion to approve giving loose/undesignated offerings from Grace/St. Mary s joint Lenten services to TAIV. Kayci seconded. Motion carried. 4. Easter breakfast Margie & Laurie EYG group would like requested council assistance. A signup sheet was sent around for those who could help and would be willing to. The EYG group thanks the council. 5. Youth representative policy for Constitution 10 Currently there is a three year term for youth, who cannot be voted onto the council until they are sophomores in high school. We would like to amend the constitution to cut the term for youth down to one year, and to put language into the constitution to allow for the position to be shared. Steve will volunteer to write up some language to be brought forward to the council and to then be shared at the next two annual meetings. Discussion to amend the young adult position description to allow for a young adult to continue on with their term on the council if they turn 30 before their term has ended. (Continued on page 11)

11 (Continued from page 10) Synod Trip to South Africa Pastor Mark At this time, there is hope that 12 others will still consider attending the trip. The deadline to sign up is March 15th. 7. Stewardship for All Seasons Pastor Mark Through this initiative with our Synod, we can have access to the resources of GSB Fundraising to guide us through this stewardship effort. The purpose of Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS) is to guide pastors and congregation leaders to learn tried and true basic principles and effective methodologies to carry out productive stewardship programs. The reduced fee through partnership with the Synod is $1900 and then the congregations involved are asked to give 10% of increased givings to help offset costs for the Synod. Both Long Range Planning and Stewardship have looked into this and would like to see involvement for Grace. A team of 57 people will be gathered and will be part of 7 team gatherings throughout the year with a GSB consultant to assist in our stewardship development. After council discussion, a motion was made by Keri to allow Long Range Planning & Stewardship to proceed with the GSB Stewardship For All Seasons imitative & fundraising for this plan. Steve seconded. Motion carried. 8. Updates from representatives of our congregation to meetings (i.e. Cr ossw ays, Synod Assem bly, Homme) Laurie Do we want them to give an update to council the month after they attend to share information received? Motion made to table this agenda item to April 2018 meeting by Steve and seconded by Brandon. Motion carried. 9. Church Ladies Diner Motion made by Brandon to approve allocating funds raised by Church Ladies Diner in April 2018 to go to maintenance on Grace House, Lekubu Creche, and a Grace ministry to be determined. Steve seconded. Motion carried. 10.EPIC event Pastor Mark Pastor Mark and Margie Welke attended this event and found their learning to be valuable. Pastor Mark will follow up with groups that would benefit from the learning. This event will be added to the council calendar as an annual event on a Saturday to be determined in March. 11. Sponsorship of Damascus Road Kinship presentation in April 2018 Pastor Mark Steve made a motion to approve $100 from the benevolence for Tomahawk Area Ministries fund to support this Kinship community event. Brandon seconded. Motion carried. 12.Covenant with Pastor Nancy Pastor Mark After discussion, we decided to change the title of the position from supply to support pastor. Steve made a motion to approve the support pastor ministry covenant between Pastor Nancy and Grace at the rate outlined in the covenant. Paul seconded. Motion carried. 13.Consideration of letters to Ascension Health Care Pastor Mark Pastor Mark will council members with information about this and it will then be discussed at the April meeting. Future Agenda Items: Council Youth Representation Policy (April 2018) 2019 council needs and suggestions for nominating committee (April 2018) Summer Study (April 2018) Development of GraceLekubu Covenant (May 2018?) SCRIP (June 2018) revisit Scrip possibilities August 35 retreat at Pine Lake with Greater Galilee (June 2018) Our Hands, God s Work service and planning for September (July 2018) Fall Fillup or Blessed to Be a Blessing? (July 2018) (PZ to share some thoughts on this.) Finance Committee 2019 budget planning (September 2018) Notify ministries/committees to have budget requests turned in October (September 2018) SMART goals for 2019 (September 2018) Planning for 2018 staff and volunteer end of year recognition (October 2018) (who wants to step up and take care of this? Cards, gifts?) 2019 budget (November 2018) Annual meeting planning group (November 2018) Public Comments: none Future Meetings, Events and Dates to Remember: Monday, April 9th Council meeting at 6 pm April 78 Church Ladies Diner 11

12 April 7 & 8 Acolytes 5:00 pm Mason Peck 8:30 am Greta Tjugum 10:45 am Morgan Hansmann Greeters 5:00 pm Peggy Price Sherry Thompson 8:30 am Paul/Dotti Andersen 10:45 am Andy/Luann Kiander Readers 5:00 pm Nancy Kind 8:30 am Sandy Wick 10:45 am Mary Wilke Ushers 5:00 pm Jeanette Lovsletten Karen Olson 8:30 am Marie Knipfer Dar Clements Jerry Jagmin Brett Beaumier 10:45 am Mary Wilke Child of God Nursery 8:30 am Child of God 10:45 am Child of God Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Nancy Kind 8:30 am Corey Colburn 10:45 am Nancy Herbison Communion Assistants 8:30 am Lynn Brown Shirley Derleth Running Projection 5:00 pm Jason Mielke 8:30 am Brynn Beaumier 10:45 am Tami Olson Projection Set up Paula Norman Altar Guild Karen Stefan, Kathryn Loka Rhonda Grabow Counters Barb Schiltz, Diane Popp Ruth Ann Richardson Video Delivery Al Overhaug L R April 14 & 15 Acolytes 5:00 pm Eli Mullen 8:30 am Bryn Baalke 10:45 am Ayla McCormick Greeters 5:00 pm Kay/Dan Salewske 8:30 am Gary/Judi Calhoun 10:45 am Jim/Donna Olson Readers 5:00 pm Chris Raasch 8:30 am Laurie Schmidt 10:45 am Shirley Derleth Ushers 5:00 pm Chris/Ed Raasch 8:30 am Don/Carolyn Halverson Steve Kahle John Krueger 10:45 am Dan Schuler Mary Hoglund Nursery 8:30 am Child of God 10:45 am Child of God Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Al Overhaug 8:30 am Paul Kurth 10:45 am Shirley Derleth Communion Assistants 10:00 am Megan Marcks Marie Stark Running Projection 5:00 pm Sue Mielke 8:30 am Paula Norman 10:45 am Tami Olson Projection Set up Altar Guild Karen Stefan, Kathryn Loka Rhonda Grabow Counters Barb Schiltz, Diane Popp Ruth Ann Richardson Video Delivery Al Overhaug April 21 & 22 Acolytes 5:00 pm Child of God 8:30 am Mason Schreiner 10:45 am Robin Schmidt Greeters 5:00 pm Dar Kluball, Rose Hoff 8:30 am Gibeault Family 10:45 am Jody/Emily Decker Readers 5:00 pm Jim Nelson 8:30 am Renee Raasch 10:45 am Jeannie Gudgeon Ushers 5:00 pm Dar Clements Dave Dettmering 8:30 am Tom/Donna Stone Jim VanNorman Renee Raasch 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 Gail Wilson 10:45 am Wendy Black Communion Assistants 8:30 am Mary Wilke Joe Story Running Projection 5:00 pm Don Tinker 8:30 am Nichole Scholz 10:45 am Betty Hudson Projection Set up Altar Guild Karen Stefan, Kathryn Loka Rhonda Grabow Counters Barb Schiltz, Diane Popp Ruth Ann Richardson Video Delivery Nancy Bronsted 12

13 April 28 & th Anniversary Worship 10:00 am Acolytes 5:00 pm Scout Stromberg 10:00 am Macey Mann Greeters 5:00 pm Dar Clements Karen Olson 10:00 am Tobias Family Al Tesch Readers 5:00 pm Nona Arthur 10:00 am Marie Stark Ushers 5:00 pm Georgie Crass John Kromm 10:00 am Wick Family Chris/Ed Raasch Dawn LaFevre Marilyn Smith Greg/Steve Heikkinen Nursery 10:00 am Child of God Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Joe Story 10:00 am Wendy Black Communion Assistants 10:00 am Brynn Beaumier Margie Welke Marie Stark Gail Wilson Running Projection 5:00 pm Karen Torkelson 10:00 am Whitney Osero Projection Set up Altar Guild Karen Stefan, Kathryn Loka Rhonda Grabow Counters Barb Schiltz, Diane Popp Ruth Ann Richardson Video Delivery Torkelsons L R May 5 & 6 Change in Sunday service time! Acolytes 5:00 pm 9:00 am Greeters 5:00 pm Dan/Kay Salewske 9:00 am Mann Family Readers 5:00 pm Nancy Kind 9:00 am Jessie Stromberg Ushers 5:00 pm George/Lynn Derleth 9:00 am Wm. Erickson Jerry Jagmin Steve Kahle Brett Beaumier Nursery 9:00 am Child of God Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Nancy Kind 9:00 am Corey Colburn Communion Assistants 9:00 0 am Jan/Larry Hagen Running Projection 5:00 pm Kirk Kind 9:00 am Mike Wick Projection Set up Altar Guild Rita Meidam, Marcy Greil Irene Strauss Counters Gil/Mary Wessel, Nancy Kind Video Delivery Al Overhaug May 12 & 13 Change in Sunday service time! Acolytes 5:00 pm 9:00 am Greeters 5:00 pm Sherry Thompson Dar Kluball 9:00 am Andy/Luann Kiander Frances Anderson Readers 5:00 pm Dar Kluball 9:00 am Rita Meidam Ushers 5:00 pm Dar Kluball Mary Wilke 9:00 am John Krueger Jack Lauder Don/Carolyn Halverson Nursery 10:00 am Child of God Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Joe Story 9:00 am Paul Kurth 10:00 am Communion Assistants 9:00 am Lynn Brown Shirley Derleth Running Projection 5:00 pm Jason Mielke 9:00 am Paula Norman Projection Set up Altar Guild Rita Meidam, Marcy Greil Irene Straus Counters Gil/Mary Wessel, Nancy Kind Video Delivery Al Overhaug 13

14 A B 1. Debi Tinker Deborah Pettet Tim Glaeser Jessica Scheffler 2. Joyce Osness Larry Hagen Nicholas Glaeser Leanne Gunther Sarah Mann Bruce Oradei Aydin Michael Ava Zapar Steven Metzenbauer Rhonda Grabow 3. Roger Cook Michael Reilly Taylor Wilson Zeke Zehner Scot Sawicky 4. Ken Brokaw Dale Elliott Patrick Tjugum Maeghan Strebig 5. Pat LaFevre Dana Zehner Jennifer Richards Wendy Black Addison Zapar 6. Cindy Bierlich John Gunther Chase Hilgendorf Jared Nease 7. Linda Cole Sara Roberts Jennifer Steinke Claudia Osero Morgan Wallis Madisyn Wallis 8. Meghan Gillette 9. Sheila Jaecks Jed Baus Destiny Hanke 10. Carlyss Beier Karen Gauerke Easton Cherney 11. Elizabeth Hilgendorf Kaleb Kaminski 12. Ellie Magnant Linda Taylor Heather Tobias John Webie Adison Villar Faye Witulski Jordy Kelley Clay Wyland 13. Brian Skolaski Christopher Denetz James Herbison Ayla Lobermeier 14. Johnny Van Norman 15. Stephanie David Sophie Roberts Stella Tormholen 16. Laurel Morris Gary Hilgendorf Larry Hilgendorf Jane Wahl Karen Albrant 17. Don Habeck James Dentler Peggy Price Trina Verage Heather Jones Fred Jach Stacy Biever 18. Lennie Calhoun 19. Barbara Reilly Edward Raasch Lori Mott Tana Evans Katie Taylor 20. Gladys Raab Grant Wilson James Norman Lynne Kral Adam Massa 21. Joan Kleist Frank Benoy Sandra Sonnentag CheyeAnn Eastman Gerald Kall Steven Denetz Michael Brouwers Jerry Steinke Stephanie Pellitteri Terry Mann Todd Schauer Kersten Wilson Nicole Whitaker Mary Wessel Mya Loka Deborah Velleux Gretchen Baus Nathon Tobias Brynn Beaumier Elise Gibeault Carrie Dalgetty James Nelson Darwin Kluball Hailey Wiedeman Gil Wessel Sara Reiff Janice Wickersham John Schade Kari Herbison Amber Troutman Timothy Hodges Arthur Osero Justin Teal Shawn Black Peter Mathwich Cassidy Myre Trey Baalke Geena Wanta Robin Schmidt Chelsey McMahon Jenna Shelley Ed Winkler Margaret Wurl 14

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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 Exploring EasterSunday, April 15 9:40 Join Support Pastor Nancy Richmond in the Anna Fredereksen lounge between services for a look at the Great Fifty Days of Easter. Easter is more than one day. The Easter season carries us from the Resurrection of Jesus to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (May 20.) We'll explore together how we can grow in our faith during this season and what the resurrection can mean in our day to day life. AA/A M Grace Lutheran AA and Alanon: Saturday. 9:00 am Grace Community House AA: Sunday 10:10 am AA: Friday 7:30 pm (open) AA: Wednesday 12:10 pm St. Paul s (12 E. Wisconsin Ave.) AA and Alanon: Monday 7:00 pm If you have a problem with alcohol or if someone you know suffers from the disease, AA (for the alcoholic) or Alanon (for family or friend of alcoholic) could be your lifeline. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of both these groups. If you would like to speak with someone personally, the church office, , or Pastor Ziemer can put you in touch with an AA or Alanon member. All communications will be confidential.