Faith Matters AUGUST The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Transcription

1 Faith Matters AUGUST 2016 F A I T H L U T H E R A N C H U R C H The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Dear Friends and Family at Faith, This past month Pastor Erica, Nicolle Behnke, and I journeyed to Antioch, IL WORSHIP TIMES for a continuing education event. We spent the day listening to Nadia BolzSUNDAYS 9:00 A.M Weber. She is an ELCA pastor in Denver, CO at House for All Sinners and WEDNESDAYS 6:15 P.M. Saints. The event was much more than just listening to her perspective on the CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP church and the world, but we also spent time worshiping together. Nadia is a CHURCH OFFICE voice in the church that many are listening to as we wrestle with where God is 255 Roosevelt Street PO Box 369 calling the church and us as disciples today. Valders, Wisconsin Nadia is not your traditional pastor but has emerged as a leading voice in Phone the church today. She said, Oh, here s this tattooed pastor who is a recovering Fax alcoholic who used to be a stand-up comic that s interesting for like five Website minutes. Now this may be her words of describing herself, but traditional or STAFF DIRECTORY not her voice is one that is holding weight in the church in the world today. It Erica Cunningham, Senior Pastor is what she has to say and the work she has done that has led her to the place Direct Office Line she is today. She has written two books, Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of Cell: a Sinner & Saint and Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People. It is ...pastorerica@tds.net in these two books she talks about her own faith journey of being called by Nicole Welke, Associate Pastor God from the depths most would not imagine possible. She captures the many Direct Office Line moments of God s grace in this world where, herself included, would least Cell: expect God to be. She challenges the reader with her sheer authenticity. ...pastornicole@tds.net At the event, she spoke about why the church is still relevant today. Nadia Christine Olson, Adm. Assistant spoke about how God is a boundary breaking God who brings life out of death. Faith Matters Editor She spoke about the kingdom of God and how long after we are gone the one ...faith21@tds.net thing that will remain is God s Word. As I listened to her speak one thing Nicolle Behnke, Youth & Family Ministry caught my attention was when she mentioned fear. We are often afraid for Coordinator things to die, but that is where new life comes from. Now I am not saying that Office: here at Faith something necessarily needs to die for new life to emerge, but I ...FLCyouthandfamily@tds.net have to wonder what this less than traditional pastor from the city of Denver, David Kriewald, Custodian CO has to teach us in rural Valders, WI about the church and God. Derek Luckow, Bell and Mixed Choir These ponderings have developed into an idea for us here at Faith. We are Director going to be putting together a book discussion group on Nadia s book Pastrix. Kim Bremer, Dennis Luckow, If something above has sparked your interest, you want to learn more about Carol Ulness, Becky Schultz Nadia s authenticity that pushes people to see God s grace anew, or you are Contemporary Worship Coordinators Peggy Madson & Sue Riesterer, Organists searching for that place to grow in your faith with others discussing her book, then this group is for you. In the INSIDE next month we will be working on starting up this book In the Life of Faith...2 discussion group so if you would like to join or have In the Life of Faith continued...3 questions, please contact either myself or Pastor Erica. Finances...4 We would love to have you engage in reading and Liturgical Roles/Membership...5 discussing Nadia s book as we grow in our faith Fun Fest Summary...6 together. Scrip Update...7 Faith Lutheran Church Minutes...8 Celebrating Your Birthday...9 Calendar...10 Blessings, Pastor Nicole

2 Join Us for Outdoor Worship and Fellowship On Wednesday, August 10 the Board of Evangelism is hosting an outdoor service and fellowship event featuring Faith s Praise Band. Worship begins at 6:15 pm in the lower level parking lot. Participants are encouraged to bring blankets and/or lawn chairs. Refreshments and fellowship will follow. Your help is needed to fill the parking lot with joyous, faithful people. Starting today, event postcards are available on the Welcome Desk for you to take and give to someone you know searching for a church home. On Sunday, July 31 and Wednesday, August 3 smiley face Mylar balloons will be distributed to congregation members to display outside of their homes or to pass on to a friend or neighbor by attaching the balloon to their mailbox or other outside fixture. Research shows that the most effective way to grow a congregation is through personal invitation. Who will you invite? Full Life Trio Sunday, August 21 9:00 a.m. Their concerts include something for everyone. They sing many original songs written by group members Debbie Davis and Becki Parker, but also do some older songs as well. They are Southern Gospel with a country flavor! Grief Support Walk in sessions: First Monday of every month at 6:00 pm at Manitowoc County Office Complex, 4319 West Expo Drive Room 111, Manitowoc or 2 nd and 4 th Saturdays of each month at Aurora Medical Center, 5000 Memorial Drive, Two Rivers, at 10:00 am in the Michigan Conference Room. Safe Harbor A grief group for teens: Meeting on the 1 st and 3 rd Mondays of the month from 6:30 7:45pm. First Lutheran Church 521 N. 8 th St. Manitowoc. Contact Stephanie Bowman or at sb_flcmanitowoc@sbcglobal.net Wings of Hope Helping families as they grieve the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy or SIDS. Contact Jenny Weier, Grief Facilitator S.O.S (Survivors of Suicide): For more information contact Rhonda The Full Life Trio ministry team consists of: Debbie Davis (vocals/ keyboard/songwriter), Becki Parker (vocals/ songwriter), Lea Parker (vocals). Full Life Trio has ministered in Missouri, Iowa, Tennessee, Ohio, Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, as well as locally. 2

3 Kid s Night Out is Friday, August 12th from 6-9pm. Tubing in Tomahawk: August 13th-14th. We will leave early Saturday morning and return after church service on Sunday. Grades 5 and up are able to attend. Please bring a tube and life jacket. A male chaperone is needed for this trip. Sign up on Nicolle s door if interested or her at FLCyouthandfamily@tds.net with your questions. Campfire, S mores, and outdoor water games. Please have the kids bring a suit or clothes they can get wet in. If the weather is bad, we ll do indoor games and watch a August 7th is the Valders parade. The Christian Ed Board along with movie. Snacks will be provided. Nicolle Behnke are looking for some kids to help hand out some Please bring $5 per family to goodie bags. We will have two 4-wheelers with trailers for the kids to help with the costs. Please ride on. Please Stefanie Kaderabek at kaderabeks@mpsd.k12.wi.us, , text, or sign-up on my Bridget Valleskey at bvalleskey@yahoo.com, or Nicolle Behnke at door. Any adults that want to FLCyouthandfamily@tds.net if your child(ren) are interested. help out, please let me know! Nicolle Behnke Senior Christians will meet Tuesday, August 16 at 9:00 a.m. at Riverview Restaurant in Kiel. Thank you Loren and Carol Ulness for giving us a tour of your farm for July s Kid s Day Out. I learned a lot, as did the kids! Thanks for the ice cream and juice as well! It was a fun, beautiful day! Nicolle 3 3

4 Finances Income - June Budget YTD Actual YTD Budget Envelope Offerings $ 22, Other Income and Offerings $ General Fund Income $ 23, $ 29, $ 154, $ 179, Dedicated Income $ $ 6, Total Income $ 23, $ 161, Operating Expenses - June Benevolence $ 2, Board & Other Expenses $ 7, Personnel Salaries/Benefits $ 15, General Fund Expense $ 26, $ 29, $ 164, $ 178, Dedicated Expense $ 3, $ 6, Total Expenses $ 29, $ 170, Balances as of June 30, 2016 General Fund Checkbook: $ 55, Year to Date General Fund Net Income : -9, Capital Appeal 5/31/2016 Denmark State Bank Loan Balance $364, Monthly required payment $ 3, Additional payment for May Total May payment Principle paid $ Interest paid $1, /30/2016 Denmark State Bank Loan Balance $362, Donations this month were given to: World Hunger and Capital Appeal. Faith Lutheran Church now has a brokerage account for those members who would desire to gift to the church stocks and securities. I was asked by a member to go with him to a bank to be a signer to transfer some stock to the church. Do to the fact FLC had no broker account we could not receive the gift of stock as stock. I brought this issue forward to our stewardship board and also to the Board of Directors. I was directed to contact the Endowment Committee to see if they were willing and interested to establish a brokerage account for Faith Lutheran Church. Endowment chairperson Keith Schultz talked with his committee and they agreed to set this account up. The signees for the brokerage account are the chairperson, treasurer and secretary of the Endowment Committee. The account is with Edward Jones Investments. Gifts can be transferred to this account and the gifting persons can designate how they want the proceeds to be directed, be that in the endowment fund or any other fund or appeal that they choose. If members have questions they can contact members of the Endowment Committee. Bryce Larson 4

5 Liturgical Liturgical Roles Roles ~ Worship Responsibilities Pastoral Acts Baptism... Isaac Daniel Boll, Averie Grace Pivonka Marriages... Austin McCulley & Brittany McCarthy... Darcie Steinberg and Andy Bauknecht Acolyte Schedule 8/7 Bailey Koehler 8/14 Emma Karstaedt 8/21 Rhys Wilker 8/28 Aric Olson Membership Baptized Confirmed Families Worship Attendance Sunday Wednesday Total 6/ / / / / Altar Guild Servers Communion: August... Marlene Evenson, Chair (Committee #1) September... Bev Torrison, Chair (Committee #2) Lectors 8/3 Valerie Valleskey 8/7 Stefanie Kaderabek 8/10 Lorin Berge 8/14 Jenniffer Zutz 8/17 Sage Meyer 8/21 Brian Ulness 8/24 Sharon Pruitt 8/28 Bob Argall 8/31 Gary Exner Communion Servers 8/3 Delton & Cheryl Duchow 8/7 Stefanie Kaderabek & Bailey Goehring 8/10 Caroline & Linda Berge 8/14 Jenniffer Zutz & Katie Thomsen 8/17 Sage Meyer & Nicolle Behnke 8/21 Brian Ulness & Len Reinertson 8/24 Dave and Terry Haupt 8/28 Bob Argall and Judy Harris 8/31 Valerie Valleskey & Kayla Hildebrandt Head Usher Schedule- Sunday August... Scott Reinertson Greeters 8/3 Geoff & Bridget Valleskey Family 8/7 Lyle and Arlene Roehrig 8/10 Bob and Marge Klessig 8/14 Mark and Jenniffer Zutz Family 8/17 Gary and Linda Exner 8/21 Ben and Chloe Cigler Family 8/24 Dave and Terry Haupt 8/28 LuAnn Helgeson and Karen Baroun 8/31 Geoff & Bridget Valleskey Family Ushers 8/7 Paul and Michele Schmidt, Larry Naidl 8/14 Mark, Garrett & Clarissa Ulness 8/21 Keith and Audrey Lippert, Malachi Blanke 8/28 Earl and Barb Griffin, Wayne Huske Sound Operator Wednesday 8/7 Terry Huske Keith Schultz 8/14 Josh Olson 8/21 Loren Ulness 8/28 Cheryl Domrath/Kristin Pederson Video Operator Wednesday 8/7 Trevor Wittmus Keith Schultz 8/14 Bryce Larson 8/21 Jake Kaderabek 8/28 Don Domrath Projection 8/3 Mary Evenson 8/7 Lyle Roehrig 8/10 Kayla Hildebrandt 8/14 Cassie Zutz 8/17 Cody Meyer and Trenton O Leary 8/21 Ethan Ulness 8/24 Katie Kapinos and Sage Meyer 8/28 Erin Lenzner 8/31 Carolyn Hallberg and Kristin Pederson 5

6 Family Fun Fest Summary Hands on Mission wishes to thank all those who made the first Family Fun Fest a huge success. With over 125 present which included VBS children and their families, congregational members as well as guests from the Valders Community, everyone had a great time. A huge thank you to Thrivent Action Team for being so generous in making cards available for us to purchase food, publicity and recreational activities at no additional cost to the congregation. We were able to raise $1,275 with our silent auction baskets. Thank you for bidding and purchasing these baskets. The proceeds will be used for Community Outreach Mission Projects like Hope House, The Haven, the Crossing, Miracle League, Faith s Pantry, etc. Thank you to all who helped set up, take down, cleaned up and managed the events all being done to the Glory of God! SILENT AUCTION RESULTS FROM THE FAMILY FUN FEST EVENT (submitted by Hands on Mission Committee) AUCTION ITEM DONATED BY BID PURCHASED BY 2 white pots & lid Board of Church Property $20.00 Penny Larson Tractor Quilt Steve Ahrens $ Larry Madson Let's Get Cooking Board of Evangelism $ Steve Ahrens Hand Saws (2) Board of Church Property $5.00 Jen Zutz Garden Decorations Peggy Madson/Derek Luckow $48.00 Jen Zutz Beach Basket/Flip Flop wreath Church Office Staff $55.00 Rose Behnke Star Wars Hands on Mission $25.00 Erin Lenzner Oriole Feeder Wayne & Terry Huske $50.00 Pastor Erica Garden Plants Laura & Steve Halverson $50.00 Tiana Schisel Printing Mailbox Hands on Mission $5.00 Bill Bratz Sickle Board of Church Property $3.00 Bill Bratz Brown Crock Board of Church Property $40.00 Kerry Schnell Nativity Set Harvey Draheim $20.00 Melissa Frost Crocks (2) Board of Church Property $16.00 Richard Menza Large Crock Board of Church Property $60.00 Terry Haupt Shadow Box Harvey Draheim $8.00 Connie Hoyer Made in Wisconsin Penny & Bryce Larson $90.00 Ron Jones Camping Supplies Board of Christian Education $50.00 Eric Thomsen Bicycle Arlene Roehrig $ Nicolle Behnke Basket, cheese, golf balls Board of Church Property $26.00 Don Domrath Movie Basket Scrip Committee $40.00 Angie Ulness Coffee Basket Gail Madson Ryan $45.00 Angie Ulness Sewing Kit Quilters $45.00 Angie Ulness Garden Basket Board of Fellowship $35.00 Angie Ulness It's For the Birds Board of Stewardship $60.00 Linda Berge Hair & Personal Care items Rose Behnke $67.00 Stacy Wilker Yard Yahtze/games Board of Youth and Family $37.00 Pastor Nicole Total $1,275 6

7 Scrip Update It's that time of the year when we hear the theme Blue Jeans N Country Dreams and we are reminded that the Manitowoc County Fair is fast approaching, August We panic if our 4-H projects, FFA, and Open Class entries are not quite ready for judging day. So, make sure you have enough scrip cards handy to purchase needed items if you're baking, canning, freezing, sewing or showing that prize animal. Get your Piggly Wiggly, Roundy's, Festival, Wal-Mart, Fleet Farm, Silver Lake Country Store, Lowes, or Menards cards (to just name a few) so you are ready for last minute preparations. Fair time also reminds us that school is just around the corner. So start shopping for school supplies and clothing for those early deals and make sure you have scrip cards handy. If we do not have them in stock, they can be ordered and you receive them in a few days. Please remember that Cenex, Kwik Trip and Piggly Wiggly Cards all have a 12 month expiration date. So use them...don't keep them for extended times as they will loose their value. During the month of June, 31 families purchased 228 scrip cards at a face value of $8,665 with a rebate of $ Thank you for purchasing Scrip. The winner for the June drawing for a $10 gift card went to Dorothy Ulness. Congratulations! SPECIAL FORM NEEDS TO BE SIGNED When purchasing your scrip cards at the scrip counter please make sure you SIGN and indicated how you would like your scrip rebate to be used. Keep in mind 50% of the rebate will always go toward the Youth Program. Then you choose only ONE of the 3 choices. They are: 100% toward Youth Program 50% to Youth Program and 50% to a family designated youth 50% to Youth Program and 50% to Capital Appeal (Building Project loan) This signed sheet indicates how you will use your rebate from July 1, 2016 through June 30, You only need to sign this form once a year. Please do this to help in our bookkeeping. If anyone wishes to help sell and or be on the Scrip Committee please contact someone at the Information Desk or come to one of our very informal meetings. Our next Scrip Meeting will be Tuesday, August 2 at 5:00 pm in the Library. See you there!! Care Givers Support Group There was some confusion with an article in Faith Matters three months ago as to the starting of a Care Givers Support Group at Faith. Hopefully I can explain what this group would be about. A Care Givers Support Group is any group of people who act as a primary caregiver to others with an illness. It may be a spouse, parent(s), love one, child or a friend. The purpose of this group is to get together to discuss openly to one another common concerns, frustrations, and fears of the caregivers. It is also meant to lend support to one another as caregivers all while recognizing the valuable contribution you are making. Often times this type of sharing will lend itself toward being able to discuss alternatives and manners to handle common issues, all while knowing you are not alone at this and while trying to maintain a positive and caring caregiving attitude. If interested in starting a Care Givers Support Group at Faith, please call Sue Riesterer at

8 Faith Lutheran Church Minutes 7/18/16 Stewardship Stephanie Mittnacht reviewed the June financial reports. Although our average weekly giving is up approximately 9% over last year, our expenses are also higher due to the general fund now paying for a portion of the Associate Pastor compensation. Year to date $9988 has been taken out of the checkbook reserve to cover the giving shortfall. They would like to pre-pay $10,000 on the mortgage as there is currently over $15,000 available for Capital Appeal loan payments, in addition to the three month reserve. A motion made and carried. Luther League financial reports will now be presented to the board each month and it was noted that the funds in this account are actually used for many youth-related purposes, including the National Youth Gathering. The June Memorial Fund report reflects the removal of Hands on Mission monies as they now have their own checkbook. Pledge dates for the general fund stewardship drive will be October 16 & 19 with planning for that continuing. Lay Ministry Joan Pritzl reported that the Praise Band will lead outdoor worship on August 7 th and 10 th. The Full Life Trio is performing at Gospel Fest and will be at FLC for worship on Sunday, August 21 st. Thus far there has been no interest from members in providing special music for the summer. The patriotic hymn sing was well received, however it is important to obtain copyright permission if songs are chosen which we don t already have permission to use. Evangelism The Praise Band will again be participating in the Valders parade on August 7 th. Pastors Erica and Nicole are continuing work on the new website and hope to have it completed soon. A pancake breakfast will be held at 8:00am on Sunday, September 11 th as part of God s Work Our Hands Sunday. A new member class will be held in the near future as there are several persons interested in joining the church. Parish Fellowship Jan Mulhaney reported that about 125 people, both church and Valders area community members, participated in the Family Funfest on June 24 th. They are planning to do Soup for Souls cooking on God s Work Our Hands Sunday. Property Lyle Roehrig reported that he now has pictures of the steeple repair if anyone is interested in seeing what the problem was. A date for the parking lot sealing has not been confirmed, but the contract has been signed and work should start soon. They will use God s Work Our Hands Sunday to remove stumps, add topsoil, plant grass, etc. on church grounds. He requested that boxes and other items be labeled, and when something is used to return it to where it came from. Lyle is trying to get things organized throughout the church and as part of that has made room in the library cabinets to store electronic items such as cords and microphones. Christian Education Stefanie Kaderabek reported that VBS was very successful, with over 60 kids attending and 10 middle/high school students helping out. Next year there will not be a field trip, and they will also consider having the 3 & 4 year olds as a separate group. Sunday School will start September 18 th & the board is considering the possibility of having 5 th grade meet on Wednesday nights to better coordinate with when most of those children attend worship. Parents of those students have been surveyed for their opinions but no final decision has been made. The board is working on establishing a group for high school students to keep those confirmed students involved. The cleaning of Sunday School rooms and the supply closet is underway. Youth Ministry No report as they did not meet. Endowment No report as they did not meet. Pastor Erica Proposed and the board approved a 45 minute worship service on Sunday, September 11 th to allow more time for the God s Work Our Hands projects. When groups use the popcorn machine they are to keep track of the supplies they use so that the Luther League account can be reimbursed. Pastor Nicole She is beginning the process of setting up a new member class. This is a one day class typically about three hours. Pastor Nicole will be asking current members to attend and interact with the new members as this promotes a greater sense of inclusion for the new members. She will look at various demographics when deciding which current members to invite. The pastors are in the process of determining a curriculum of sorts for a new adult education program and requested money from the Expanded Ministries fund to supplement the $200 budgeted for adult education. Motion made to allocate up to $500 from Expanded Ministries to purchase the curriculum the pastors select. Motion carried. She will be on medical leave beginning August 16 th with the plan to be out for 4 weeks. Youth & Family The next Kids Night Out is Friday, August 12 th from 6-9pm with a campfire and outdoor water games. 53 people from the congregation will be attending the Timber Rattler s game in Appleton on Friday, July 22. Faith s youth will participate in the Valders parade on August 7 th using a couple of 4-wheelers and trailers. The kids will hand out FLC pencils with information regarding Sunday School attached to each pencil. Once again tubing up north will take place August 13 th & 14 th for the youth. A great deal of work is being put into a new confirmation curriculum which has the students using their bibles much more, along with different means to get students more engaged. President s Report Nothing to report. New Business A suggestion was made to allocate a portion of the general fund checkbook as an operating reserve account to be used for unanticipated expenses such as building issues, etc. With the money currently designated as general fund checkbook funds it gives the appearance that we have excess operating cash, when in reality the current balance of $55,300 would barely cover two months of budgeted expenses. The intention would be to replenish any money taken from the operating reserve as is feasible. A motion was made to move $40,000 from the general fund checkbook into an operating reserve account. Motion carried. There are currently three-four members who cover the church office when Christine has days off and they are not always available when coverage is needed. The result is that on rare occasion the office may need to be closed. The meeting adjourned at 8:35pm with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Kerry Schnell 8