BRISTOL BANNER Newsletter of Bristol Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 THE BRISTOL BANNER Newsletter of Bristol Lutheran Church February 2016 Inspired by the Gospel, we love and serve creation through our Christ-centered community. Sunday WORSHIP 9:00 a.m. Wednesday WORSHIP 6:30 p.m. Attended NURSERY and BRISTOL BUTTERFLIES for Sunday Worship (3 kindergarten age program) Sunday School- 10:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Fellowship 10:00 a.m. Pastor Rick Reiten, phone , Council President: Kathy Thorstad, home phone Parish Secretary: Michelle Meier, The Bristol Banner February edition is the official monthly publication of Bristol Lutheran Church. Membership is voluntary. We are located at 6835 HWY N, Sun Prairie, WI Love Wins! A Lent Discussion about HEAVEN, HELL, and the fate of EVERY person who ever lived. Come for Dinner at 5:45pm Stay for Worship, Communion, and Discussion at 6:30pm Based on bestselling novel Love Wins by Rob Bell. You are welcome to read the book before our discussion. Can you host a Lent Meal? We usually have people for dinner, from 5:45-6:15pm, before worship at 6:30pm. Meals range from soup and bread, to casseroles and spaghetti. Sign up with another family, if you want, and host together. All the freewill offering for the meal will go towards charities that the youth choose to support. From Palm Sunday to February 10 th -6:30 PM Where we are reminded that we are mortal and finite. Where we hear that we are dust and to dust we shall return. When we recognize that though we die, we will be restored to new life. 1

2 Council Challenge! A chance to send a gift to your favorite charity. As part of our financial learning as a congregation, we have a fun challenge for you all. If you sign up (or have signed up) for Simply Giving, any amount, between September and the annual meeting on January 31, you will be entered into a drawing. If you already participate in Simply Giving, but make an increase, you also will be in the drawing. The first name drawn will, get $100 to the charity of her/his choice, the second name will get $20 to a charity. The funds have been donated by council members, and council members are not eligible to win. Even if you have been curious about simply giving, now is a great chance to sign up. Also, if you still want to do envelope offering, think about giving $5 a month through Simply Giving to the youth group, or Habitat, or Lutheran World Relief, or anything else that brings you joy. Thanks and Good Luck! Adult Forum Sunday School On January 10 th, we will have an introduction to the start of an 8 week class, using God Has A Dream by Bishop Desmond Tutu. The class will take place on January 10, 24, February 7,14,21,28, and March 6, 13. The dates may change, but if you can only make it to a few, each class is self-contained. If you are interested, please contact Pr. Rick. Books are about $10 each. Remember, faith education is important for all of us, it doesn t end when we are confirmed. Come, be part of how the spirit is deepening and strengthening the faith of the Church. And look forward to the next one after Easter Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Habitat for Humanity 5K run/walk Hosted by Bristol Lutheran Mark your calendars May 21 st, 2016! Would you be willing to take a letter to area businesses (or a business with which you may be connected?) asking for sponsorship, giveaway items, or other in-kind donations? Our hope is to cover all expenses of the run/walk through sponsorships, so that every dollar from runner registrations can be given to Habitat for Humanity. We have made a commitment of $7500 to participate in the faith build. We realize this is a large amount, which is why we hope to do some community fundraising, so that the congregation alone does not incur the full cost. So our cost, is our time and effort put into this fundraiser event. This is a community outreach event, that will benefit the community. It is a win-win. Our financial commitment can be paid over a three year period. So we will need your help next summer during the Habitat Faith build, because we have also committed to 10 days of working. But also before that to raise these funds to support the build. 2

3 Youth Ministry Focus for February! What is Youth Ministry really? PASTOR S MESSAGE Growing up, in the small country church, we didn t have much of a youth program. Our confirmation class consisted of 4 boys. The pastor never took us to camp, or on retreats. The best youth group interaction I had was when I went to another church with my friends from school. It was a bit dull and lifeless. When I came to Bristol, I was encouraged in the call process that a goal for Bristol was to strengthen the youth ministry. That is no small task! It also cannot be accomplished in a year, or two, or even three. Youth ministry and the youth in the ministry, are always changing. It takes a lot of energy, patience, listening, and more energy. Plus a lot of adults who love teenagers. The youth involvement in the church is always a good litmus test for the life of the congregation. Youth ministry means a lot of things, but is much more than food and games (though that helps ;)). I believe our youth group is doing great things. We are meeting monthly for fun, games, and service projects. We take kids to camp, and teach confirmation. We are learning together and praying together, and for each other. I love sitting back and watching our youth interact with each other and the adult leaders around them. The National Youth Gathering and upcoming mission trip show how these kids enjoy serving together. The youth lead worship on Sundays and Wednesdays, as assisting ministers, with special music, and just in their presence within the congregation. Your youth group is not the future of the church, but is the church now and you are part of the youth ministry, whether you realize it or not. You support the youth ministry in fundraisers, praying for our youth, and in every conversation you have with a young person. Continue to explore ways how you are invested in the life of the youth ministry. Continue to explore ways how we can continue to strengthen the youth mission that we see in this place. Growing up I wish I would have a little more understanding of youth ministry. I wish I would have been told that teenagers had an important role in the congregation. I wish I would have more opportunities. When I look at the youth of Bristol, I hope they have some of the experiences that I missed. This is a small country church, but we continue to do good things with our youth, who minister to all of us. Peace, Pastor Rick OUTREACH COMMITTEE Bristol Lutheran is scheduled to serve Sunshine Supper on March 14 th. Sign-up sheets for volunteer time and food donations will be out in mid-february. Our menu will remain the same that we will be serving hot turkey sandwiches and peaches! Shelter From the Storm invites everyone to stop in at Eddie's Alehouse & Eatery 238 E Main St in Sun Prairie in February and ask them how they are helping the Shelter ministry as you enjoy some good food and drink. They are the featured eatery for February. LIBRARY SPOTLIGHT Ann Spangler has written a book that is 26 chapters written for 26 weeks devoted to studying and praying a particular name of God. Her book is titled "Praying the Names of God A Daily Guide" Each of the 26 weeks provides reading and study of a name of God, devotional readings that connect to scripture passages that help you know the name of God, and ends with ideas for reflecting on the name of God that give you more Bible passages and understanding of praying in the name of God. "Praying the Names of God' will lead into a fresh experience of God's love and power by exploring the Hebrew names of God revealed in Scripture and then showing you how to pray them on a daily basis." Come to the library and check out Ann Spangler's book. 3

4 STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE The Stewardship Committee has decided that as a means of promoting volunteerism and making everyone aware of all the committees that serve this congregation that we try to highlight one committee each month. Since it was our idea, Stewardship gets to be first! Announcements and additional information pertaining to the "committee of the month" will be made at worship services and during fellowship. Stewardship involves so many things within our congregation. To me it is the preservation of God's Word and his teachings. Simply stated, we need to take care of what God created. I see that happening here at Bristol! I hear uplifting music! I hear God's Word in pertinent, thought provoking messages! I see the caring and commitment in adult education, vacation bible school and during the din of fellowship. Each Sunday, I see that someone has prepared the sanctuary, the alter and the bread and wine. Some have prepared computer slides, large print worship folders, chosen hymns and posted them. Some have made the effort to level and plumb the alter. Others are trying to resolve the leaky roof. I see all the fabulous creations that come out of Bristol Butterflies! I hear about Bristol volunteers procuring, assembling and distributing food at the pantry! I see all the helping hands and donations at the Sunshine Suppers! I see the excitement, anticipation and tension related to the planning of the Habitat commitment. I see the children scrambling to fill the jug! I hear about the crafting of 400 quilts from donated and sometimes dumpster bound fabrics that end up being a prized and comfort-giving gift to someone in a remote, devastated region of our world! I hear about our youth writing notes to thank their teachers for helping them and buying gifts and accumulating basic items for those less fortunate. I hear about the visits to the home bound, caroling for them and seeing the genuine joy that those encounters bring to both... And the list goes on and on! This is all stewardship and it is AMAZING! Reflecting upon these experiences, it is obvious, that here at Bristol, we have a boatload of wonderfully cool things going on and I would be amiss not to want to be involved! The Stewardship Committee thanks you ALL for ALL that you do!! Arlynn Schwanke, Stewardship Committee Please share your ideas of what Stewardship is... with the stewardship ministry team members: Cathy Pierce, Pastor Rick, and Janice Vollmert Thank you. CHRISTIAN ED COMMITTEE Christian Education is excited to introduce a new program for Sunday School age students. We still want to have a Bristol Butterflies craft/learning time for younger students, but we also want to encourage older Sunday School students to remain in worship the entire hour and be involved/interested participants. We want to help children learn how to worship and the best way to do that is by having them at worship, interested in worship, and participating in worship! We will be asking students to fill out worship notes similar to sermon notes required in confirmation but less intensive. The notes will consist of 3 questions on a worship service from different parts of the service, such as: What was your favorite song from the service? Name something or someone who prayed for today. Sermon notes will not be required, but there will be a participation incentive Students can put their completed sermon notes in a box located by the Sunday School rooms. Names will be drawn out for a reward, maybe even having ice cream with Pastor Rick! 4

5 BRISTOL LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN To the people of Bristol Lutheran, I hope this note finds you all healthy, well and warm as we begin the New Year! I want to thank you for your generous support of the Jail Ministry this winter. When I sent out a message asking for donations I had no expectations in mind. I was simply hopeful that we would receive some donations. Through your support, along with the support of other local faith communities, the jail ministry received the following donations in the final two weeks of December: 53 pairs of underwear 63 composition books 65 undershirts 250 pencils Hundreds of books and 1670 Christmas Cards! 5 boxes of tissue 9 decks of cards 10 sketch pads 15 packs of colored pencils 16 pairs of reading glasses 18 sets of thermals 30 calendars 75 Scarves 98 Winter Coats 100 stamps or stamped envelopes 122 Pairs of Gloves 150 Hats 200 pairs of socks Needless to say, I was overwhelmed by your generosity! And the men and women were touched by your kindness. As I passed out supplies, I felt a bit like St Nicholas, filing stockings with Christmas cheer. Christmas in jail can be an exceptionally lonely time. Many people feel forgotten and disposable around the holidays. Despite the reality of their situations, they were able to experience a bit of the joy and peace which defines Christmas. As I passed out the cards, the men were excited but confused. Is this from you? and Do you want me to give this to someone else? were the questions I most often heard. It s for you, I would say. Someone whom you don t know wrote it for you. They would look at me curiously, to which I would reply, You are not forgotten. There are hundreds of people in our community who are thinking of you, praying for you and working to make this a more just system. This card is from them. Merry Christmas. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Chaplain Christa Fisher WORSHIP & MUSIC COMMITTEE meets at 6:30 p.m., 2 nd Tuesday of the month Committee members: Pastor Rick, Jean Bauer, Marilyn Betlach, Ken Forney (Director of Music Ministry), & Cyndi Voeck (Chair, Secretary, Council Rep.) WOW! Just WOW! Thank the Lord for pulling so many hands and hearts together for such a great worship service and fellowship. Perhaps it was the position of my own heart, but I do believe that there was something special about our worship on Sunday, January 24 th, It was a blessing to have the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, the Director of Evangelical Mission for the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, the Rev. Eric Jelinek, and the pastor of Bristol Lutheran Church, the Rev. Rick Reiten, all sharing worship with us! Ash Wednesday On February 10 we begin our Lenten journey with worship at 6:30 p.m. The following six Wednesdays we ll be gathering for worship with Holden Evening Prayer. If anyone is interested in leading the singing for this beautiful service, please contact Pastor Rick or Ken Forney. Easter Flower Orders On Easter Sunday we will use a variety of flowers to decorate the sanctuary. Lilies, daffodils, azaleas, hydrangeas, mums, and tulips, several with color options, will be used. Order forms will be available in the next couple of weeks. You ll find the Flower Order box and forms in the lower entrance. The deadline for ordering is Sunday, March 6. EASTER is on March 27 with services at 9 and 10:30. Make a JOYFUL noise unto the Lord! SERVE the Lord with GLADNESS! Come before his presence with SINGING!!! Cyndi Voeck, W & M Chair 5

6 YOUTH Boot Hockey! February 10 7:30 pm At the rink behind the church. Wear BOOTS, gloves, hats, snow pants. Birthdays and Anniversaries!! It's a brand new month!! - February Along with this new month comes some new birthdays and anniversaries. Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to our members who celebrate the occasion in February!! Please join us on February 21 st for cake during the fellowship time Let Us Pray Prayers of healing, comfort and support for members: Clara Higgins, Bob Sherman, and Don Hanson. For family & friends: Mary Ann Jacobi (sister of Roger Nolden), Linda Parker (friend of Janice Vollmert), Casey Pope (friend of Janice Vollmert), Jerry Schmelzer (Nancy Scott s brother), Chris Briggs (Jim Bauer s sister), Russ Lorenz, Eli Allen Mundth (Nancy Scott s great nephew), Tricia Hodel (Sister of Tammy Weiss), Jim Esterby (son -in-law of Rich and Barbara Schnell), Ursula (friend of Polly Colliver), Ron Stanek (Joy Moore s father), Jamie Falk (friend of Ken Forney), Al Young (Family of Jeff & Wendy Hoffmann), Sara Jessel (Friend of Laurie Gates), Christopher Flynn (Diane Coudray grandson), Mary Lynn Piezker (friend of Jim & Jean Bauer), Bev Gehrke (Gene & Bev Gehrke s family). For our homebound: Lorie Nolden, Bernice Sherman, Betty Skrenes, Milt & Ilene Austin, Tom Weigen, Mary Wagner, David Grulke, Ruth Wipperfurth, and Phyllis Reinen. Prayers of celebration: Prayers of comfort for the family of: Margaret Jenks (Arlynn Schwanke s aunt) who passed away on 12/28/15. Nancy Sluder (cousin of Linda Campbell & Gary Scott) who passed away on 12/31/15. New Communication/Sign-up Area You may have noticed some of the exciting changes around the church. Council has been talking about how to continue to make Bristol a welcoming environment, as well as provide clearer points of communication, and accessiblity to everyone. Everything that has been done, was simply through rearranging furniture. We would like to try the new set-up and see how it works. The office entrance has been cleaned and now serves as a place where communication (events signup, community posters, flower chart, fellowship signup) can take place. Previously, we had bulletin boards, posters, sign-ups, pamphlets, papers, etc. in multiple locations. It will be easier to direct people to one spot. With the entrances cleaned up, the visitors, vendors, community members that come to Bristol, are greeted with a hospitable area. With these changes, it will be important to teach people where to go to find information, especially signing up for events. You can help with this transition! We have already started to hear good responses to the simple changes, and hope that will continue. If you have more suggestions please talk to any council member, Pastor Rick or Michelle. A BIG thanks to everyone who gave donations for the homeless veteran s collection. Over 300 lbs was collected for this great cause!! Thank you to everyone last Sunday for your hospitality and warm greetings for Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and her film crew. The video filmed at Bristol will be used during synod assembly meetings this year across the country. It is exciting that we are a community full of life and energy for living out the gospel. 6