The Church Messenger. Stewardship of God s Earth By Jim Tocko. August Immanuel Lutheran Church

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1 August 2016 The Church Messenger I m m a n u e l L u t h e r a n C h u r c h E l m S t r e e t ; S t r u m, W i s c o n s i n W e b s i t e : w w w. i m m a n u e l - s t r u m. c o m Worship Schedule Sunday 9 AM : Worship 10 AM: Coffee Hour No second service through the summer. Inside this issue Pastor Ken... 2 Memorials... 3 Financials... 5 Worship Assistants... 7 Calendar... 8 Food Programs... 9 Contact Information Stewardship of God s Earth By Jim Tocko Neonicotinoids. We all know what that means (if you are an ag chemist). As a result of consumer revolt against these neurotoxin pesticides, which are blamed for the decline of pollinators, thousands of vegetable and flower plants sold this spring were free of these poisons. This consumer pressure has resulted in an estimated seventy-five percent reduction in the use of these pesticides, which are the most widely used pesticides in the world.. Some of the chemical companies will no longer sell theses chemicals to home owners. It is amazing that in just a few short years the pressure from the concerned public has brought about a positive change. I guess there is power in the people. This such a great time of the year. A time when we get to savor the freshly grown local vegetables. Many people have to travel miles to reach such delights while they right at our finger tips. We should count our blessings. We take so much for granted. With this hot and humid weather, the corn is growing so fast that it squeaks. I wonder why we are so possessed with trying to find intelligent life on other planets, when we are surrounded by them. Immanuel Lutheran Church August p.m. For more information or to register, please contact Sherry Bjerke or Tera Gullicksrud at ilcsundayschool@yahoo.com. Registration forms and curriculum guide may be found on our website at:

2 A Message from Pastor Ken Accept me, dear God, accept me for this while. Let those orphaned days that passed without you be forgotten Now let me sit in peace and listen to your words in the soul of silence ~ Rabindranath Tagore Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper 1 Kings 19 For the past couple of weeks, I have been struggling with an intense bout with vertigo. For many days I was rendered fairly useless without even the ability to read, watch anything; only to recline, to rest, to sleep lest I again become dizzy and nauseated. I suppose I was [am] forced to review my days, my actions, my thoughts and to view those things I have done, and things I have failed to do If I could have a do-over on anything in my life, would I be able to do any better? I can recall the days that I have been busy with life, busy with family, busy doing ministry, and yet too many of those were orphaned days passed without truly seeking and listening after God a focus on the form to the expense of the substance. Anyone else? I recognize that being busy is part of life, and yet I am convicted of all the days in my life spent in the wind, in the earthquakes, and in the fires... pursuing material things, reputation, having fun, even the desire for acceptance from others. We pursue this busy life, believing the lie, chasing after all the things that we believe will make us feel whole and complete. Does it really? We may even recognize that we are spinning endlessly, and yet nothing ever changes. Ministry is a busy thing. Lots to do, people to see, things to read, to study, to write, to plan, etc maybe I needed to be laid up for a couple of weeks to be forced to listen for peace, to listen for direction, to listen for the still small voice. Do you need a break? Do you need to listen in stillness? accept me for this while [dear Lord] let me sit in peace and listen to Your words in the soul of silence In peace and in prayer ~ brother ken A U GU ST Page 2

3 Memorials Judy Back (Mar 18) General Fund Jean Amundson Dean & Carolyn Boehne Marian Thronson Mike & Rachel Olson Dale & Mary Pederson Gene & Carol Pulvermacher Romaine & Carol Back Karin Back Jim & Pat Weiss Paul & Sue Brashear & Family Rod & Jenny Franson & Family Robert & Paulette Tollefson Goodwin & Ida Mae Alf Robert & Helen Toft Ed & Judy Olson Ron & Mary Sterry Fricky & Janice Back Todd & Jessie Cole Dennis & Maxine Ulberg Donna Rick Norma Berge Clarice Bergerson Arlene Ruland Andrea Volbrecht & David Back Ricky & Shelly Back Jim & Judy Foss Don & Judy Haukeness Pat & Joe Smith Bob & Joyce Schmidt Carroll & Jane Enos Orrine O'Brien Jim Tocko Donna Hanson Joanne Brion Bob Schmidt (July 4) General Fund Dave & Colleen Berge Jean Amundson Jeanette Berg Jim, Vickie & Jeremy Shermo Joe & Mary Rindal Louise Gundersen Richard & Judy Owens Irene Brian Joan Tonn Albert & Anne Becker Bob & Mary Schoenknecht Sam & Virginia Yanakopulos Wallace & Judy Back Loraine Sloat David & Sonia Becker Page 3 Dale & Linda Franson Paul & Ruth Eide Dorothy Hulberg Susan & Jr. Larson George & Lois Johnson Doug & Nancy Holcomb Irene Brian Wallace Back Lois Hulberg Scott & Rhonda Krueger Janice Matson Virgil & Connie Hammerstad Steve & Karen Hanson Robert & Jill Olson Tom & Linda Johnson Glenn & Judy Deetz Java & Jane Bergerson Allen & Kay Hardy Russ & Debbie Carlisle Jim, Vickie & Jeremy Shermo Garry & Sonja Hageness Al, Jake, & Isaac Hulberg Michael & Judy Hammerstad Peter & Rita Berge Harvey & Ruth Anderson Dale & Charlene Olsen Dave & Colleen Berge Clark & Yvonne Williams Jeff & Jill Koxlien Don & Judy Matchey Pat Bue Joe & Mary Rindal Creative Beginnings Ron & Char Myhers Eleva Lutheran Church Gary & Debra Hillestad Gerard & Corinne Hanson Eric & Karen Franson Ruth Eide Thomas & Violet Miland Donald & Harriet Gilbertson Dale & Charlene Olsen Donna Hanson Watford & Marilyn Seguin Karin Back Gerald & Jane Bergerson Lois Hulberg Julane & Julie Miland Allerd Skovbroten & Phyllis Olson Clarice Bergerson David & Diane Thronson Terry & Joanne Brion David & Jean Herman Eleva-Strum Education Foundation Rodger & Cherry Larson Penny Von Haden Friends of Strum Library Ken & Cheryl Rue Java & Jane Bergerson Hamlin Cemetery Joan Brenengen Hensel & Betty Vold Deloris Sather Hospice Arlene Prissel Jim s Puzzle Fund Betty Reiman Music Fund Jeanette Berg Sunday School Lyle & Ellen Heck West Beef River Cemetery Mary Salava Ron & Jennifer Gullicksrud Dale & Linda Rustad Sam & Ginny Yanakopulos Window Fund Laverne & Ruth Gullicksrud Ron & Pat Runkel Butch & Deb Olson West Slope Food Bank Bob Indrebo Becky & Truman Coggins Ronald & Patricia Runkel John & Mary Stendahl Dorothy Hulberg Ardell & Wyllis Olson George & Lois Johnson Dale & Mary Pederson Dennis & Maxine Ulberg Wilmer & Edna Dahl Darlene Insteness Marian Thronson Anthony Amundson & David Edelfelt Clara Walde Cash Donations - Unknown Social Concerns Marie Murrell Window Fund Laverne & Ruth Gullicksrud T HE CHUR CH M ESSE NGER

4 Memorials (Continued) Paul Eide (July 7) Building Fund Gary & Corinne Hanson General Fund Jean Amundson David & Marlys Bjorklund Paul, Kerry & Duran Bjorklund Corinne Charlson Dean & Carolyn Boehne Social Concerns Marie Murrell Birthdays - August MEMORIAL FUNDS: Cemetery Funds: Hamlin Cemetery St. Paul s Cemetery (Strum) West Beef River Cemetery Immanuel Lutheran Church: Building Fund Community Dinners (Village Café), Community Cupboard Food Dist. Creative Beginnings Daughters of the King/Jr. DOK Endowment Fund Social Concerns Strum Area Food Pantry General Fund Library Music Fund Sunday School Window Fund Youth Fund WELCA When writing a check, please make the check payable to the individual memorial fund. Jim Tocko... 1 Edwin Guenther... 2 Debbie Olson... 2 Arlan Davidson... 4 Dorothy Hulberg... 4 Terry Koxlien... 4 Suzanne Anderson... 6 Jean Gunderson... 6 Judy Kunes... 6 Rachael Anderson... 8 Wayne Olson... 8 Grant Austin... 9 Fredric Back Kacie Franzwa Marie Rindal Pam Koxlien Shane Larson Linda Windjue Jeanine Windjue Helen Anderson Jon Olson Dean Boehne Rowan Koxlien Jaxon Rindal Karen Franson Gerald Thurston Alex Larson Michelle Peaslee Brian Hering Carol Sather Ruth Gullicksrud Hannah Olson Eric Franson Sara Heck Melissa Semingson Janet Higley David Salava Timothy Schiefelbein May you have all the joy your heart can hold, all the smiles a day can bring, all the blessings a life can unfold. May you have God s best in everything. Animals go to Heaven A cat and a mouse died on the same day and went up to Heaven. At the top they met God and he asked them 'How do you like it so far?' The mouse replied 'It's great, but can I get a pair of roller skates?' God said 'Sure', and he gave him a pair of roller skates. The next day God saw the cat and asked him 'How do you like it up here so far?' and the cat replied 'Great, I didn't know you had meals on wheels up here!' What is God's name? A Christian man had just died and was on his way to heaven. When he got to the gates of heaven he met an angel. The angel asked him what God's name was. 'Oh that's easy,' the man replied, 'His name is Andy.' 'What make you think his name is Andy?' the angel asked incredulously. 'Well, you see at Church we used to sing this song 'Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me.' A U GU ST Page 4

5 Financial Report - June 2016 Jun 1 - Jun 4 General Fund Contributions... $ Expenses... ($330.62) Net Income (Loss)... $ Jun 5 - Jun 11 General Fund Contributions... $4, Expenses... ($834.40) Net Income (Loss)... $3, Jun 12 - Jun 18 General Fund Contributions... $3, Expenses... ($4,740.50) Net Income (Loss)... ($1,158.54) Jun 19 - Jun 25 General Fund Contributions... $1, Expenses... ($651.08) Net Income (Loss)... $ Jun 26 - June 30 General Fund Contributions... $2, Expenses... ($7,832.46) Net Income (Loss)... ($5,591.19) Total Contributions... $12, Total Expenses... ($14,389.06) Net Income (Loss)... ($1,919.83) Liabilities (Line-of-Credit) Balance, Jun 1... $9, Loan Payment... (1,820.00) Balance, Jun $7, Restricted Fund Accounts Building Fund Beginning Balance, Jun 1 $1, Receipts $56.01 Disbursements ($0.00) Ending Balance, Jun 30 $1, Daughters of the King Beginning Balance, Jun 1 $71.79 Receipts $0.16 Disbursements ($2.50) Ending Balance, Jun 30 $69.45 Library Fund Beginning Balance, Jun 1 $ Receipts $0.13 Disbursements ($0.00) Ending Balance, Jun 30 $ Music Fund Beginning Balance, Jun 1 $1, Receipts $67.50 Disbursements ($173.07) Ending Balance, Jun 30 $1, Contributions & Expenses Comparison Average per month January - June Contributions 14, , , Expenses 16, , , Percent of Monthly Budget Allowance General Fund Contributions % Other Contributions % Benevolences... 0% General Operating Expenses... 0% Ministry % Office % Pastor % Payroll % Property % Utilities % Condensed P&L for June 2016 General Fund Contributions 12, Benevolences 0.00 General (62.52) Ministry Office Pastor 7, Payroll 5, Property Utilities 1, Total Expenses 14, Net Income (Loss) (1,919.83) Social Concerns Beginning Balance, Jun 1 $1, Receipts $67.32 Disbursements ($234.60) Ending Balance, Jun 30 $1, Sunday School Beginning Balance, Jun 1 $ Receipts $0.35 Disbursements ($0.00) Ending Balance, Jun 30 $ Window Fund Beginning Balance, Jun 1 $4, Receipts $17.09 Disbursements ($0.00) Ending Balance, Jun 30 $4, Youth Fund Beginning Balance, Jun 1 $3, Receipts $1.82 Disbursements ($455.00) Ending Balance, Jun 30 $3, Page 5 T HE CHUR CH M ESSE NGER

6 Community Announcements LSS is Recruiting Employees to Help Change the World, One Grace-Filled Life at a Time LSS has a wonderful staff who put their heart and souls into their work every day; and, we're always looking for people who can join us in this work. This summer, we have an unusually high number of job openings, and would like to ask your help by letting your congregation know about the opportunities that are available. We currently have more than 100 openings around Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, which include a variety of positions, both part-time and full-time and on various shifts. Looking for a Job? Lutheran Social Services is Hiring Throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan For most people, a job is a job; something they do for a paycheck. However, people who join in our mission at Lutheran Social Services desire a more meaningful career: they are committed to improving lives and changing the world, one life at a time. That's a big task but we do it, every day. LSS operates hundreds of programs at 188 sites in 115 communities across Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, so your LSS career could be in or close to your current community. We have job openings, both part- and full-time, for many different skills. Here are some of the more than 100 positions now available: Youth Counselor Direct Support Professional Mental Health Specialist Social Worker Licensed or Unlicensed Therapist Administrative Assistant Occupancy Specialist or Property Manager Care Advocate Specialist Community Supported Living Agent Support Professional Family and Community Specialist Case Manager Service Coordinator or Manager Program Supervisor or Manager A career at LSS comes with many benefits, including vacation, health insurance, a retirement plan, life insurance, and many other perks that support your life and future as a valued employee. Family Friendly Summer Monday Nights in Osseo's Central Park New Local Farmers Market from 6 pm to 8:30 pm with Local Artists at ParkBeats Summer Music Series from 5:30 pm to 8 pm Buy local farmers' eggs, meat, cheese, fruits, and veggies... Choose from local crafts, including custom-made Amish furniture, homemade soaps, lawn/garden decore, and more...15 local vendors (and, growing!) Every Monday night in Central Park from June 27 through September 12 (except July 4), 6 pm to 8:30 pm Presented by the Osseo Commercial Club A U GU ST Page 6

7 Worship Assistants GREETERS ALTAR GUILD Aug 7 Jeff & Jill Koxlien Aug 7 Phyllis Olson Skovbroten Aug 14 Ron & Char Myhers Aug 21 Kris Husby Aug 21 Rick & Tracie McSorley Robes Wyllis Olson Aug 28 Jon & Amy Olson Flowers Phyllis Olson Skovbroten READERS USHERS Aug 7 Gracie Schadrie *Ralph Kisor, Wayne, Alex & Shane Larson, Aug 14 Craig Semingson Dale Olsen, and David Bjorklund Aug 21 Tom Wagener Aug 28 McKenna Taylor *Denotes Team Captain ACOLYTES COFFEE HOUR HOSTS Aug 7 Madisyn Balk Aug 7 Host(s) Needed Aug 14 Riley Cegielski Aug 14 Host(s) Needed Aug 21 Luke Birdsill Aug 21 Host(s) Needed Aug 28 Skylar Gullicksrud Aug 28 Host(s) Needed COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Aug 7 Howard & Ramona Hanson Aug 21 Jon & Amy Olson WANTED: Coffee Hour Hosts! Please contact the office at (715) if you would like to volunteer. Thank you! Community Outreach & Food Programs COMMUNITY CUPBOARD FOOD DISTRIBUTION (FIRST TUESDAY): Tuesday, August 2, 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Parking is available on Elm Street and along 5th Ave N. Please use the Main entrance on Elm Street and bring a basket or tote with you to carry your items. Volunteers are welcome, and appreciated, to help unload the truck and set up tables at 9:00 a.m. and/or to help distribute the food and clean up. STRUM AREA FOOD PANTRY (FOURTH TUESDAY): Tuesday, August 23, 9 a.m a.m. in the Fireside Room COMMUNITY DINNER (FOURTH SUNDAY) Sunday, August 28, 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. COMMUNITY CLOSET: Gently used clothing of all sizes; children through adult; available to the public free of charge during normal office hours: Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Page 7 T HE CHUR CH M ESSE NGER

8 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 7 9 AM Worship/Holy Communion 10 AM Coffee Hour Host(s) Needed AM FMP Truck & Set up for food distribution 4:30-6 PM Community Cupboard Food Distribution-Chapel PM CBELC Board Meeting 7 PM Council Meeting 3 1:30 PM WELCA The Inviting Colors of Fall Election of Officers 4 5 Pastor s Sabbath Pastor s Sabbath VBS Day Camp August 7 through PM to 8PM AM Worship 10 AM Coffee Hour Host(s) Needed 21 9 AM Worship/Holy Communion 10 AM Coffee Hour Host(s) Needed Fair Trade Coffee Sales 28 9 AM Worship 10 AM Coffee Hour Host(s) Needed 4:30-6:30 PM Community Dinner Pastor s Sabbath AM Food Pantry Pastor s Sabbath A U GU ST Page 8

9 Community Food Programs Community Cupboard Food Distribution (funded by a partnership between Immanuel Lutheran Church in Strum and Eleva Lutheran Church and individual contributors, and staffed by volunteers from various local churches) 1 st Tuesday of each month - Emergency assistance by appointment 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. To everyone who is thirsty, He gives something to drink; to everyone who is hungry, He gives good things to eat ~Psalm 107. Parking available on Elm Street and along 5th Ave N. Please use the Main entrance on Elm Street and bring a basket or tote with you to carry items. Volunteers are welcome, and appreciated, to help unload the truck and set up tables at 9:00 a.m. and/or to help distribute the food and clean up. Serves approximately 200 residents of Eleva-Strum and its surrounding areas in Trempealeau County each month. Strum Area Food Pantry 4 th Tuesday of each month 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Located in the Fireside Room; Serves residents of the Eleva-Strum School District. Community Dinners (aka Village Café) 4 th Sunday of each month 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Located in the Fellowship Hall. Handicapped accessible. Carry-outs available. Free will donations accepted, but not required. All are welcome! To our volunteers: With gratitude in our hearts for your contributions to our cause, we want to thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. Words cannot express how grateful we are for your commitment, dedication, and compassion. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with all of you. You are truly an inspiration. For every dollar donated to the Community Cupboard Food Distribution between August 28, 2016 and October 8, 2016, Feed My People will match each dollar with a pound of food, up to 5,000 pounds. 100% of donations will be used to support the Community Cupboard Food Distribution. For more information, please call Michelle at Please send donations to: Immanuel Lutheran Church Community Food Programs PO Box 98 Strum, WI Note on memo line: Match Challenge Page 9 T HE CHUR CH M ESSE NGER

10 Immanuel Lutheran Church Welcome to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Strum, Wisconsin! We are a church family of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, who as disciples of Christ, are gathered together to embrace, encourage, and extend faith, hope, and love in Christ. Embrace, encourage, and extend: these three descriptive words sum up the mission of our congregation in following the command of Christ to love one another. Through worship, education, fellowship, and service, we share that love for each other and our community so that lives may be enriched and faith strengthened. Immanuel Lutheran Church is a congregation that is steeped in history while also engaging the context of the village of Strum, the community as a whole, and the world. Come and see! There is a place for you! Immanuel Lutheran Church Pastor... Rev. K D Taylor Parish Administrator... Michelle Peaslee Custodian... Ronnette Nelson Organist/Music Director... Jeanette Tobiason Sunday School Directors... Tera Gullicksrud & Sherry Bjerke Creative Beginnings Early Learning Center Director... Keri Solberg Lead Teacher Monkey Room... Dusti Bolgrin Lead Teacher Lily Pad Room... Kayla Sauers Lead Teacher - Busy Bees Room... Mandi Taylor Lead Teacher Forest Friends Room... Keshia Coleman Council Members President... Jim Tocko Secretary... Kate Back Treasurer... Michelle Peaslee Member-at-large... Dan Bjerke Member-at-large... Howard Hanson Member-at-large... Camille Skoug ILC Office... (715) CBELC Office... (715) Dial-up Service... (715) Immanuel Lutheran Church 109 Elm Street PO Box 98 Strum, WI NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID STRUM, WI PERMIT NO 2