The Church Messenger. Stewardship of God s Earth By Jim Tocko. December From the Council President. Worship Schedule.

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1 December 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 Inside this issue Pastor Paul... 2 Memorials... 3 Birthdays... 3 Financials... 4 Announcements... 5 WELCA... 6 Daughters of the King.. 7 Food Dist. Changes... 8 Worship Assistants... 9 Calendar VORP Contact Information Stewardship of God s Earth By Jim Tocko Christmas will be upon us before we realize it. For some it will be a hectic time. So much to do and so little time. I recently happened to observe a 24/7 news network in which the newscaster was interviewing a prominent politician. After a few questions he said, We just have 10 seconds left, what would you do about the current economic situation? I couldn t believe it. They find time for the survivor loser, how to grill a banana, or what Britney Spears had for breakfast, but for something important they only have a few seconds. It is like the ocean saying, I only have 10 gallons. I have even heard on NPR, we have only a few seconds." And they don t even run commercials till the end of the program. Sometimes I think that people want to hurry things along, just for the sake of hurrying things along. It is not only TV and radio; it s our lives. Stop being part of the rat race. Let the world go by while you spend some quality time with family and friends. Christmas will happen whether there is ten, five or no presents under the tree. The only present which is important is the gift of the Christ Child. Merry Christmas. From the Council President The call process has gotten off to a great start. I am encouraged by the enthusiasm of the members of the Transition Team who are formulating the Ministry Site Profile for our next pastor. A congregational survey is included in this newsletter. Please return to the church by December 11. Accompanying the call process is another challenge; before the call process can be completed, we need to eliminate the bank debt and build a reserve fund to offset expected expenses incurred in the call process, including moving expenses for the new pastor. I know we can rise up to the challenge. Continue to give generously in your offerings. I trust we can do this if we all accept the challenge. Jim T. YOU MIGHT BE A LUTHERAN IF you think the four food groups are coffee, lefse, lutefisk, and Jell-O. YOU MIGHT BE A LUTHERAN IF you have the uncontrollable urge to sit in the back of any room.

2 A Message from Pastor Paul Have this Mind In Philippians Paul writes "Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you which was in 'Christ Jesus." This was in part his Christmas card! What does the birth of God's only Son have to do with putting others before yourself? Because the Son of God did! He then goes to explain. "Who did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.." Meaning he could have chosen to be safe- remaining in the company of his Father God. "instead he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness, and being found in human form." Christmas calls forth the heart of God, how everything drives to the neighbor and how God plunges into our company, understanding us, feeling what we feel, and all the while loving us. Maybe this is what gift giving is all about, remembering God whose son gave himself from the very beginning being born of a virgin. Notes on the path to calling a Pastor When you think of the transition team, think of tuning up your car. News is that our Jetta is due for spark plugs in another miles! Pricey. But needed to insure good performance and mileage. This is what our transition team is doing. Where have we been? How has it gone? Are there some things we need to fix or avoid? And where is it that we, as a congregation, want to go? That question is especially important for calling a Pastor. They will put the right plugs in my car. If they did not, who knows what might happen. Any pastor we call must have a "right fit." This means the skills and passion for the mission we together might do. We all need time. We need to settle with losing a fine Pastor and friend. Then we need to really carefully look at candidates. In addition we are going to engage in the next talks with members of Elk Creek to consider walking together. So it is no simple thing. When I tended to dive into a task, fix something, make something, my Father always gave the advise I carry with me always. He said, "Study it out, Paul, study it out." What's New At Luther Park Bible Camp... Executive Ministry Director, Keith Newman, attended the national Lutheran Outdoor Ministries conference in Nebraska where one of the highlights was a presentation by Dr. Jake Sorenson and Dr. Paul Hill discussing their initial findings of their survey entitled Effective Camp Ministry. Luther Park was one of six camps included in the survey. Keith plans to invite Dr. Sorenson to meet with us on Saturday, January 28 th at our Annual Meeting beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Luther Park Bible Camp. Registration for summer camp began November 1 st at 6 a.m. and the first of many registrations came in at 6:03 a.m. Our camp is growing and we are blessed!! Upcoming events: January 6 & 7 Recharge Adult Ministry: December 10 - Paint Party paint a bonfire scene from Luther Park with presenter Christina Rambo January 28 Annual Meeting at camp beginning at 9:30 a.m. January 29 WinterFest at camp From all of us on the Luther Park Bible Camp Board: We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year and thank you for your continued prayers and support! DECEMB ER 2016 Page 2

3 Memorials & Honorariums In memory of: KIM NELSON (SEP 25) General Fund Dennis & Maxine Ulberg Howard & Ramona Hanson Clarice Bergerson Terry & Joanne Brion Chip Skovbroten & Phyllis Olson Edith Fenske Florine Koxlien Dorothy Hulberg Gerard & Corinne Hanson Hamlin Cemetery DeLaine Nyseth Hensel & Betty Vold Strum Area Food Pantry Laverne & Ruth Gullicksrud Birthdays - December In memory of: JIM KEHRMEYER (OCT 19) Sunday School Donna Kehrmeyer In memory of: ROSARIO ROXAS (OCT 23) General Fund Eric & Karen Franson Chip Skovbroten & Phyllis Olson Dale & Charlene Olsen West Beef River Cemetery Curtis & Edith Julson MEMORIAL FUNDS: Cemetery Funds: Hamlin Cemetery St. Paul s Cemetery (Strum) West Beef River Cemetery Immanuel Lutheran Church Funds: Building Fund Creative Beginnings Daughters of the King/Jr. DOK Endowment Fund General Fund Library Music Fund Social Concerns Strum Area Food Pantry Sunday School Tremp. Co. Community Cupboard Window Fund Youth Fund WELCA Please make checks payable to the individual memorial fund. Casey Ellifson... 2 Abigail Guenther... 2 Candace Schadrie... 5 Erica Wiedrich... 5 Connor Windjue... 5 Kent Nelson... 7 Heidi Becker... 9 Lucas Bauer Baily Giebel Joel Dregney Rachel Olson Olivia Windjue Savannah Austin Gloria Wagener Charlene Olsen Jon Nicolet Brynn Salava Amanda Yule Dave Bjorklund Brooke McLean Patti Dregney Sam Bates Michael Kensmoe Mark Rogness Yvonne Runkel...26 Joan Tonn...26 Ron Westphal...26 Gracey Kensmoe...28 Tessa Hazelton...30 Richard Myren...30 Plan your summer today! Summer camp and Family camp registration for 2017 opened on Tuesday November 1, 2016! Spots fill fast, especially PALS and Family Camp. Register online at Luther Park Bible Camp, /4 St, Chetek, WI Page 3 T HE CHUR CH M ESSE NGER

4 Financial Report - October 2016 Oct 1 - Oct 8 General Fund Contributions... $4, Expenses... ($1,653.29) Net Income (Loss)... $3, Oct 9 - Oct 15 General Fund Contributions... $2, Expenses... ($4,708.03) Net Income (Loss)... ($2,508.03) Oct 16 - Oct 22 General Fund Contributions... $3, Expenses... ($1,727.27) Net Income (Loss)... $1, Oct 23 - Oct 29 General Fund Contributions... $2, Expenses... ($297.53) Net Income (Loss)... $1, Oct 30 - Oct 31 General Fund Contributions... $2, Expenses... ($4,802.19) Net Income (Loss)... ($2,633.86) Total Contributions... $14, Total Expenses... ($13,188.31) Net Income (Loss)... $1, Liabilities (Line-of-Credit) Balance, Oct $12, Contributions & Expenses Comparison Average per month January - October Contributions 14, , , Expenses 15, , , Percent of Monthly Budget Allowance General Fund Contributions % Other Contributions % Benevolences... 0% General Operating Expenses % Ministry % Office % Pastor % Payroll % Property % Utilities % 1 Bulk mail annual fee & PO Box renewal; legal size paper purchase 2 Janitorial supplies (paper towels are $74.61 for a case of 6), air fresheners, and decorations. Condensed P&L for October 2016 General Fund Contributions $14, Benevolences 0.00 General Ministry Office Pastor 3, Payroll 5, Property Utilities 1, Total Expenses 13, Net Income (Loss) $1, Restricted Fund Accounts Building Fund Beginning Balance, Oct 1 $ Receipts $5.00 Disbursements ($0.00) Ending Balance, Oct 31 $ Daughters of the King Beginning Balance, Oct 1 $ Disbursements ($0.00) Ending Balance, Oct 31 $ Library Fund Beginning Balance, Oct 1 $ Disbursements ($0.00) Ending Balance, Oct 31 $ Music Fund Beginning Balance, Oct 1 $1, Disbursements ($350.00) Ending Balance, Oct 31 $ Social Concerns Beginning Balance, Oct 1 $1, Disbursements ($620.64) Ending Balance, Oct 31 $ Sunday School Beginning Balance, Oct 1 $ Disbursements ($233.73) Ending Balance, Oct 31 $ Window Fund Beginning Balance, Oct 1 $4, Disbursements ($0.00) Ending Balance, Oct 31 $4, Youth Fund Beginning Balance, Oct 1 $1, Disbursements ($479.43) Ending Balance, Oct 31 $1, DECEMB ER 2016 Page 4

5 Announcements Christmas Dinner & Concert Wednesday, December 14, 2016 Dinner served from 5:30-6:30 PM Concert begins at 7:00 PM Start your holiday season with an evening of food, fun and fellowship. Dinner will be Italian style and the music will put you in the Christmas mood. Please mark your calendar now and join the fun! WELCA Christmas Luncheon Wednesday, December 7, AM Featuring Gert & the Polka Cheers from the Overall Kampa Band Please sign up by Thursday, December 1 Traditional Meatball Dinner - desserts included (check one below) I will contribute a plant The Altar Guild presents this opportunity for you to purchase a Poinsettia plant in thanksgiving for, or in memory of, a loved one. The plant would be for placement in the Church on December 24 th. To order a plant(s), complete the form below and return it to the Church office by Thursday, December 15 th along with $8.00 for each plant ordered. Please make checks payable to Robbe s. If you wish recognition in the Christmas Service bulletin, please be sure that the information given below is exactly as you wish it to appear. I will give a monetary contribution to the General Fund (check one below) In memory of In thanksgiving for From: If you would like to pick up your plant, you may do so after the Christmas Service Page 5 T HE CHUR CH M ESSE NGER

6 WELCA Dear Friends in Christ, December is finally here! It is a time of wrapping up and endings for the World's Year; and a time of new beginnings and fresh starts in God's Time. On Wednesday, December 7, WELCA will have a Christmas Luncheon at 11 am, featuring Gert & the Polka Cheers, from the Overall Kampa Band. Gert Wilzciek plays the concertina and Leroy Marsolek plays the banjo. I will be ordering the food on Friday, December 2, so if you haven't signed up already, please call the Church Office to let us know you are coming! By the way, the Chanhassen trip was wonderful! Thanks to Jeanette Berg, we all saw "Camelot," and it was amazing! I hope everyone signs up for next year's show, which will be "Grease." Mark your calendars for the first Wednesday in September: September 9, Thank you to Serving Groups 3, 9, and 10 for serving in late October. Your loving service was much appreciated by a grieving family. Most Serving Group Chairs will be new next year! If I call you to ask you to take your turn, please keep an open heart and mind, and hear God's Call for you. This time it will only be for 2 years. When we rotate this often, it shouldn't be a hardship fo anyone. It's good to remember that our time, money, and talents really belong to God first, and we are just borrowing them. The new officers and Serving Chairs will be installed in January at the Semi-Annual Meeting. I am including a few Apple Pie pics for fun! Our next General Meeting will be Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 1:30pm, in the Parish Hall. Yours in Christ, Sara Heck ILC WELCA President DECEMB ER 2016 Page 6

7 Daughters of the King Greetings from Your ILC Ruth Chapter DOK and Rebekah & Esther JDOK Chapter at ILC, The senior DOK had a wonderful time at the Mini-Retreat last Saturday, at the Super 8 in Osseo. We were able to view the new information video from the National DOK titled, "A Closer Walk With God.". We hope to share it one day during coffee hour, in the Parish Hall. It answers many questions about who makes up the Order of the Daughters of the King, and what we are Called to do. Until then, this 18 minute video is available is available to borrow, if you would like to find out more about the DOK/ JDOK at home. Just let me know, or call the Church Office, and I'll get it to you. At the retreat, we also decided we would meet again the first Saturday in March. This time we will meet in the Fireside Room at Church. We are also going to be getting ready for another Admission Service for both senior Daughters and Junior Daughters in March! I will know the exact date after I contact the Province President, Lela Joscelyn, in Milwaukee. We are also looking at getting ready for the Province 5 Assembly/Retreat coming up April 21-23, in Adrien, Michigan. This Retreat is in conjunction with the Junior Daughters, so we are looking forward to caravanning together. This year, the theme is "The Lost Coin." As always, if you are interested in joining us, please talk to me or notify the Church Office. Our Junior Daughters have had a very busy month. We had quite a scare when we read on Facebook that Miss Mandi and McKenna had been in a car accident in Maryland! Thank goodness they are OK now. We spent some time at the next meeting signing a get well card and praying for them. At our meetings in November, Ms. Char Meyers showed us how to make Angels from old Sunday School hymnals. When they are finished in December, we will be delivering them to our parishioners at the Nursing Home in Strum. We also had another special guest: Sarah Qureshi, a foreign exchange student from Karachi, Pakistan. She told us about her homeland & about her Muslim faith. She answered all our questions! This was a very unique opportunity for us. Sarah also helped us fill Thanksgiving food baskets. She promised to come back in the new year & share some of her favorite food & recipes from her homeland. We also practiced singing for the Christmas Concert with Mrs. Tobiason. We will be singing with the Senior Choir, Wed., Dec. 14. On December 9, from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., we will be offering our 2nd annual St. Nicholas Shoppers' Special Babysitting Night. Please register by December 8. Christmas Blessings to you all, fhs Sara Heck President Ruth Chapter DOK Directress Rebekah and Esther JDOK At the mini-retreat: Sara, Amanda, & Janet Char Myhers making book angels with the Junior Daughters Sarah Qureshi assisting the Junior Daughters with the Thanksgiving Baskets Page 7 T HE CHUR CH M ESSE NGER

8 Changes to the Food Distribution The Community Cupboard Food Pantry (Feed My People Food Distribution) is changing in December We are now the official distribution site for TEFAP (USDA food commodities). Distribution will be held on the third Saturday of each month from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. On November 16, 2016, the Arcadia Food Pantry held its final food distribution. Their location at the former Arcadia Hospital was no longer available to them and they were unable to find a new location for their pantry. The Trempealeau County Community Cupboard will provide the same services as the Arcadia Pantry did. We will be working with Western Dairyland Community Action Agency to help individuals, families, and seniors in Trempealeau County meet their food needs through the assistance of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Rules for acceptance and participation in the program are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, or disability. What does this mean? We will be receiving monthly commodity donations from the USDA to distribute to residents of Trempealeau County and will need to match one for one. In the past, Immanuel Lutheran s Endowment Fund and the Village Café (community dinner program), along with Eleva Lutheran Church, have covered 100% of the cost of the monthly food distributions. Our matching portion of food/product will continue to be purchased through Feed My People Food Bank and/or acquired through individual/organization/business donations. The food from the USDA is provided at no cost to us. There will be no change to our area of service since we have always served the residents of Trempealeau County. Our registration process will also be changing in order to comply with TEFAP s regulations. Recipients will need to provide a form ID for themselves and household members, proof of residence, and meet income limitations to receive USDA Commodities. Proxy forms must be filled out for those picking up food for other households. Volunteer opportunities: Since we will now be receiving two trucks instead of one (one from the USDA and one from Feed My People), we will need volunteers to unload the trucks and stock the shelves prior to distribution day. The Feed My People truck currently delivers on the first Tuesday of each month at approximately 9:15 a.m.. Unloading usually takes 1-2 hours including set up. The delivery date will change in January. The USDA delivery will occur sometime within the first two weeks of the month. I will receive notice of the date 2 days in advance. There have been some concerns expressed about the distance to Strum from the towns in the southern part of the county and the possible hardship that it may bring to some individuals. We are currently working with RSVP to find a solution. Another possibility would be to have willing volunteers deliver food to shut-ins (a few of our current volunteers already do this) or providing a ride to the pantry. A volunteer fluent in Spanish would also be helpful for the registration table to assist our Hispanic clients. I can speak a little, but I am by no means fluent. On distribution day, we will need at least 10 volunteers if not more - 4 at the registration table, at least 2 in each room, 1 at bread and bakery, and 1 at produce. And it would be nice to have a few volunteers to help carry baskets/totes out to the vehicles. This would be a great opportunity for teens interested in performing community service. I would like to thank the Arcadia Food Pantry and its volunteers for the years of service they have provided to the residents of Trempealeau County and for donating their shelving, freezers, and other items to us as we continue to provide the same services they provided to county residents; to Ashley Furniture for supplying the trucks and manpower to move all the equipment in a very efficient manner and for their food and for their continued support; and to Mayo Clinic Health System for their generous financial contribution. I would also like to thank all our past, current, and future volunteers; without you, we would not be able to provide this service to the community. The Arcadia Food Pantry was blessed with a very supportive community. It is my hope that ours will be just as supportive. DECEMB ER 2016 Page 8

9 Worship Assistants GREETERS ALTAR GUILD Dec 4 Jon & Amy Olson Dec 4 Lois Johnson Dec 11 Ron & Pat Runkel Dec 18 Carol Sather Dec 18 Deloris Sather & Mary Salava Dec 24 To be determined Dec 24 5 PM To be determined Dec 25 Ronnette & Samantha Nelson 9 PM To be determined Robes Ruth Eide Dec 25 Dennis & Maxine Ulberg Flowers Diane Davidson & Debra Ellifson READERS COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Dec 4 Dale Olsen Dec 4 Ronnie & Julia Bjorgo Dec 11 Gracie Schadrie Dec 18 Scott & Mary Bjorgo Dec 18 Jodie Semingson Dec 24 5 PM To be determined Dec 24 5 PM To be determined 9 PM To be determined 9 PM To be determined Dec 25 Dean & Carolyn Boehne Dec 25 Jim Tocko ACOLYTES COFFEE HOUR HOSTS Dec 4 Gracie Hering Dec 4 The Schadrie Family & Dan Myren Dec 11 Bradley Hoch Dec 11 Matt & Ronnette Nelson Dec 18 Riley Ceigelski Dec 18 Sunday School Dec 25 Ethan Gunderson Dec 25 No Coffee Hour USHERS * Jim Tocko, Dave & Koby Back, Howard Hanson, and George Johnson The mission of the Immanuel Lutheran Church Endowment Fund is to encourage Christian Stewardship and to enhance the outreach ministry of the Congregation; As I have loved you, so you must love one another John 13:34 Requests are invited in December of each year and awards are made at the January annual congregational meeting. A minimum of five percent of the value is given out in four categories: Scholarships to members of the congregation attending a Lutheran college or seminary Local social service agencies administering to the needs of people in the community To ELCA education and outdoor ministries To ELCA and Northwest WI Synod sponsored outreach programs and partner ministries The Endowment Fund, being an important part of our congregation s ministry, encourages you to consider gifts or memorials and to consider a bequest in your estate planning. Applications are being accepted now through December 25 and are available in the church office. Community Outreach & Food Programs TREMPEALEAU COUNTY COMMUNITY CUPBOARD (TEFAP): Saturday, December 17, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Doors open at 2 p.m. Parking is available on Elm Street and along 5th Ave N. Please use the office entrance on Elm Street and bring baskets or totes with you to carry your items. Volunteers are welcome, and appreciated, to help unload the truck and stock shelves and/or to help distribute the food and clean up. Handicapped accessible. Located downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. Please contact Michelle Peaslee for more information or to volunteer: COMMUNITY DINNER: There will be no community dinner this month. STRUM AREA FOOD PANTRY Tuesday, December 6, 9 a.m a.m. Serves residents of the Eleva-Strum School Disctrict Page 9 T HE CHUR CH M ESSE NGER

10 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 9 AM Worship/ Communion 10 AM Sunday School/ Coffee Hour: The Schadrie Family & Dan Myren 10:15 AM Confirmation 11 9 AM Worship/Choir Service 10 AM Sunday School/ Coffee Hour: Matt & Ronnette Nelson 10:15 AM Confirmation Surveys Due 18 9 AM Worship/ Communion/Sunday School Christmas Program Coffee Hour: Sunday School Fair Trade Coffee Sales 10:15 AM Confirmation 25 9 AM Christmas Service AM Strum Area Food Pantry 12 6 PM Transition Team Meeting 13 7 PM Council Meeting 7 11 AM WELCA Christmas Dinner 3:45 PM JDOK 6 PM Choir 6:45 PM Chimes 14 9 AM Martha Circle Cardinal Café (Ellen & Sara Heck) 3:45 PM Junior DOK 5:30 PM Christmas Dinner 7 PM Christmas Concert PM Choir 6:45 PM Chimes 26 Office & CBELC Closed Immanuel Lutheran Church Office Hours: 1 6 PM CBELC Christmas Dinner 8 9 AM - Noon Quilting Sunday 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM Monday - Thursday 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Friday - Saturday Closed PM JDOK St. Nicholas Shoppers Babysitting Night 9-11 AM Breakfast with Santa PM Trempealeau County Community Cupboard TEFAP Distribution :30 PM Family Service 9 PM Candlelight Service DECEMB ER 2016 Page 10

11 Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP) Page 11 T HE CHUR CH M ESSE NGER

12 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 Interim Pastor... Rev. Paul Tobiason 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... Karli Miland Lead Teacher - Busy Bees Room... Keisha Coleman Lead Teacher - Forest Friends Room... Molly Minneker Floater... Jordan Sieg Council Members President... Jim Tocko Secretary... Kate Back Treasurer... Michelle Peaslee Member-at-large... Howard Hanson Member-at-large... Char Myhers 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