November Grace Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 Grace Lutheran Church 108 W. SOMO AVENUE TOMAHAWK, WISCONSIN November 2014 All Saints Remembrance - November 1 st and 2 nd During each worship service on Saturday, November 1 st at 5:00 pm, and Sunday, November 2 nd at 8:30 and 10:45 am, we will ring a bell in memory of each person whose funeral was held at Grace, or was conducted by the pastors of Grace during this past year. There will also be time for you to personally remember your own loved ones who have died this year and in past years. Please invite other members of your family to join you for this special worship service! Grace does this each year on November 1 st or on the Sunday following. November 1 st is All Saints Day or All Hallows Day (the night before is Hallows Evening or Hallowe en). It is a 1,200 year tradition in the church to remember those who have died. The death of loved ones is the hardest struggle in life. We have a myriad of feelings and emotions. People often don t know what to say, and well intentioned comments can often hurt. Yet, if people say nothing our loss can become even lonelier and more hurtful. Remembering the person, recognizing the loss, and honoring the many emotions, good and bad, are important actions in working through grief. To do this in a community of people with prayer, worship, and Communion is a profound action of healing and hope. Please join us at one of the worship services on November 1 st or 2 nd! Remember your loved one or ones, recognize your loss, and express the depth of emotions you are feeling! As we do this, we will sing For All the Saints, commending those we love, and our grief, pain, and variety of emotions into God s care. Thanksgiving Worship Wednesday evening, November 26, at St. Barnabas St. Barnabas is joining Grace Lutheran and Tomahawk United Methodist in hosting the worship on Thanksgiving Eve. While one of the oldest churches in Tomahawk, St. Barnabas has been struggling in recent times. This worship is an opportunity to rally around St. Barnabas and support their congregation s existence and mission. The exact time has not yet been established, but likely will be at 7:00 pm the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving. St. Barnabas is not handicap accessible, but is hoping to have a ramp in place for this worship. The offering for this worship will go to Our Sisters House, the homeless shelter being established in Tomahawk. Our ELCA has a full communion relationship with the denominations of both of these congregations so that we may also unite in Holy Communion in our worship.

2 Cookie Walk Time Again It will be here before you know it. Saturday, December 13 th, will be our annual Cookie Walk and Lefse and Craft Sales. Doors to the Craft Sale will open at 8:30 am, and doors to the Cookie Walk and Lefse Sale will open at 9:30 am. Lefse will again be sold on a pre-order basis for members of our own congregation and any remaining will be sold to the public, for which the cost will go up to $6 per package of three. This is the first price increase in more than ten years! Be sure to sign up to buy ingredients, to order lefse, or to help with lefse making. Monday, December 8, and Tuesday, December 9, are planned as work days. For any questions, please call Linda Halverson (715) The Craft area will be led by Barb Schiltz with Kathy David assisting. Anyone willing to donate handmade items should contact these ladies, or see the sign-up sheets. For questions, please call Barb at (715) Of course, cookies, fudge, candies, and other delights are needed as well. The price will be $7.00 per pound, which is a slight increase while staying under that of most other Cookie Walks in our area. There are signup sheets for cookies and for helping work the event, both on Friday (preparation work) and Saturday (event day and clean-up). ALL help is very much appreciated. Hopes are to raise $3,500 again this year. Recipients will include the Kitchen Renovation Fund, Debt Reduction Fund, Replacement Windows Fund, Landscaping, and New Window Treatment Fund. Remember many hands can do amazing things, and with God s blessings we will have a successful event! Questions? Feel free to call Julie Dentler at Bulletin Board Salvation Army Bell Ringing Grace Lutheran has been asked to ring bells for the Salvation Army November 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22. Grace will be ringing at County Market and Great Lakes Foods. There will be two-hour shifts from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, 12:00 to 2:00 pm, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, plus a one-hour shift from 4:00 to 5:00 pm at County Market. Deer season opens November 22, which is the last day of the schedule. It is hoped that this schedule will be more convenient for deer hunters to participate. This is Salvation Army s major fund raiser. Eighty-six percent of the funds stay in the Tomahawk area to assist with rent, fuel, medical expenses, clothing needs, etc. If you are willing to ring alone or more than once, it will help to fill our dates. If you cannot ring during Grace s schedule but are willing to ring another time or at the Post Office, please sign the substitute list and you will be contacted. Any questions can be directed to Jim at , Sue at , or Binder at Pastor Karla Update Pastor Karla Kirkeby has received a call to serve as intentional interim at Fountain and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches in southeastern MN. She will be leaving St. Paul's in Fish Creek on November 3, about two weeks before the new pastor arrives. (Pastor Karla served Grace Lutheran for about eight months in 2012 and 2013) Thank You We offer a huge thank you to those of you who have already returned your 2015 Time & Talent forms and Commitment Cards! If you haven't had a chance to reply yet, it's not too late. We will leave blank copies of these forms in the pews for a while and boxes in the gathering space for you to return your completed forms. This information will be very important as the Church Council and our many ministries make plans for the coming year. Again, thank you for supporting God's mission at Grace and for providing this valuable information. The Stewardship Committee Thank you to Stan Torkelson and John Pashek for coming to the rescue and transporting our quilts and sewing kits for Lutheran World Relief to the drop-off point in Wausau on October 4! Thank you to the entire group of Prayer, Paint, Pound, and Pie Guys who come on Tuesday mornings to keep our church building and grounds in tip top shape. We so appreciate your dedication to this ministry. You are all awesome! 2

3 Ebola what you can do Our ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to walking with our brothers and sisters affected by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. In addition to health care, one of the most urgent needs is food. As people in affected areas are quarantined to their homes, towns are being shut down to limit the spread of the virus and people are not able to work, harvest crops or purchase food. The shipment of food has also stopped because people from other countries fear contracting the virus. We need food, says the Rev. D. Jensen Seyenkulo, bishop of the Lutheran Church in Liberia. There is a saying now: If we don t die of Ebola, we will die of starvation. ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response: Operating through our partners and companion churches, together we are: Supplying and shipping essential protective gear and supplies to protect medical workers at Phebe Hospital and Curran Lutheran Hospital in Liberia. Providing food assistance to the Lutheran Church in Liberia and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone. Raising awareness and providing sensitization messages on the symptoms and prevention methods of Ebola. Completing construction of an isolation center at Phebe Hospital and School of Nursing that meets World Health Organization standards. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and its predecessor church have walked with the people of Liberia for more than 150 years. Our long-standing relationship with our companions in Liberia and Sierra Leone provides a strong foundation to respond holistically to the needs of those who are suffering and living with the threat of Ebola. - See more at: Development/Lutheran-Disaster-Response/Our-Impact/ Ebola#sthash.2VuClf5B.dpuf Thank you Grace Lutheran! Thank you very much for handling the finances of TRUTH/Our Sisters House until we received our 501C! Sarah and Debbie did a fabulous job. We greatly appreciate everything that you do for us. God Bless, TRUTH Board Members Did you know? You can find a six week worship schedule in every newsletter. There is no need to wait for your weekly postcard reminder. You can plan ahead by checking the schedule in the back of every newsletter. STAFF (715 area codes) Pastor. Rev. Mark Ziemer or (home) pastorziemer@gracetomahawk.org Visitation Pastor Rev. Don Cannady Supply Pastor..Rev. Gerald Check Lay Pastoral Ass t... Wendy Black wblack@gracetomahawk.org Secretary....Debbie Hetzel or (home) dhetzel@gracetomahawk.org Secretary Support.. Sarah Mann smann@gracetomahawk.org Treasurer Sarah Mann smann@gracetomahawk.org Financial Reporter Sherry Clements Wedding Coordinator Kay Jensen Custodian Dar Anderson COUNCIL MEMBERS President Heather Engel Vice President Brian Schmidt Secretary Forrest Gibeault Mindy Gabrich Mark Schlegel Marilyn Smith Brian Storm Mary Wessel Bill Zorr Church Office Hours Mon. Fri. 8:30 am to 3:30 pm (closed for lunch noon to 1:00 pm) Staff Meetings (Office closed) Thursday 9:00 am to 10:00 am Deadlines Bulletin deadline: Wednesday Newsletter deadline: Third Monday of every month. 3

4 G r a c e L u t h e r a n C h u r c h Youth Ministry & Faith Formation November 2014 After-School GLOW November 12 activity will be putting together Care Packages for those in the military. Will you help the youth prepare care packages for our military personnel? Donations of the following items would be greatly appreciated, and may be left in the bin in the gathering space: Chapstick, wet wipes, playing cards, small puzzle books, pictures/postcards of Tomahawk, individual packets of beef jerky, instant coffee/tea/hot cocoa, nuts/trail mix (no chocolate or melty ingredients). Please place them in the bin by Nov. 10. We will be packing the boxes on Nov. 12. Monetary donations are also welcome, made out to Grace. Thanks for helping our kids & supporting our troops! No class on November 26th - Happy Thanksgiving Break. Sunday School No class on Sunday, November 30th - Happy Thanksgiving Break. Number of Light Bulbs@ $3.00 each 4 MEMORY TREE ORDER FORM (please print) In Memory of: In Honor of: Number of Christmas $5.00 each In Memory of: In Honor of: Make checks payable to Grace Lutheran Church Amount Owed $ We will light the Memory Tree after the 5:00 pm service on December 13th. Gift(s) Given by: You may drop this form with your check into the offering plate, bring to the church office, or mail it to: Grace Lutheran, 108 W. Somo Ave., Tomahawk, WI 54487

5 NOVEMBER 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9:00 AM AA/Alanon 9:00 AM Fellowship Hall Reserved 5:00 PM Worship HC 6:00 PM Fall Fiesta 2 All Saints Sunday 8:30 AM Worship HC 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Praise & Worship HC 5:00 PM New Member Welcome Dinner 3 9:00 AM Quilters 5:30 PM Girl Scouts 4 9:00 AM LWR Quilters 9:30 AM Bible Study 6:00 PM Women's Bible Study - Reiff Hall 7:00 PM Bible Study 5 Bulletin Deadline 3:40 PM After School GLOW 6:00 PM Handbell Choir 6:30 PM Gr. 8 & 9 Conf. 7:00 PM Cantata Practice 7:00 PM First Weds. Worship 6 9:00 AM Staff Meeting 6:00 PM Contemp. Choir Practice 7 Nursing Home Communion 8 9:00 AM AA/Alanon 5:00 PM Worship HC 9 Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost 8:30 AM Contemporary Worship HC 8:30 AM New Member Welcome 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship HC 4:00 PM Paul /Eric Hesse Voyage Presentation 4:30 PM EYG Meeting 10 9:00 AM Quilters 5:30 PM Girl Scouts 11 9:00 AM LWR Quilters 9:30 AM Bible Study 11:30 AM Joyful Thirsty Giraffe 7:00 PM Bible Study 12 Bulletin Deadline 9:00 AM 4 Rivers Q- Guild 3:40 PM After School GLOW 6:00 PM Handbell Choir 6:30 PM Gr. 8 & 9 Conf. 7:00 PM Cantata Practice 13 9:00 AM Staff Meeting 6:00 PM Council Meeting :00 AM AA/Alanon 5:00 PM Worship HC 16 Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost 8:30 AM Worship HC 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Praise & Worship HC 17 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 9:00 AM Quilters 5:30 PM Girl Scouts 18 9:00 AM LWR Quilters 9:30 AM Bible Study 6:00 PM Women's Bible Study - Reiff Hall 7:00 PM Bible Study 19 Bulletin Deadline 3:40 PM After School GLOW 6:00 PM Handbell Choir 6:30 PM Gr. 8 & 9 Conf. 7:00 PM Cantata Practice 20 9:00 AM Staff Meeting 6:00 PM Contemp. Choir Practice 6:00 PM Meeting Night - Worship, Fellowship, & Stewardship :00 AM AA/Alanon 5:00 PM Worship HC 23 Christ the King Sunday 8:30 AM Contemporary Worship HC 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship HC 24 Bulletin Deadline 9:00 AM Quilters 5:30 PM Girl Scouts 25 9:00 AM LWR Quilters 1:00 PM Prayer Shawl Meeting 26 6:00 PM Handbell Choir 7:00 PM Thanksgiving Eve St. Barnabas 27 Thanksgiving Day - Office Closed 28 Office Closed 29 9:00 AM AA/Alanon 5:00 PM Worship HC 30 First Sunday of Advent 8:30 AM Worship HC 10:45 AM Worship HC

6 November Special Offering Our Sisters House Homelessness is an everyday occurrence around the globe. Tomahawk is no exception. Currently, homeless individuals and families from Lincoln County must seek refuge in the surrounding counties of Oneida and Marathon. This causes additional hardship on homeless Lincoln County people who work or have children in school. In the past three years, 37 Lincoln County persons stayed at a shelter in Oneida County. In 2013 alone, seven persons from Lincoln County were admitted into a shelter in Marathon County. These numbers represent the documented cases of our homeless. These statistics do not take into account the people who are staying on friends couches, living with other family members, living in their vehicles, or are on the streets. TRUTH (Three Rivers United Temporary Housing), a new corporation in Tomahawk, will be opening Lincoln County s first homeless shelter. TRUTH is working diligently to raise awareness of homelessness and help give our homeless neighbors the stepping stones they need to become self-sufficient. The shelter, Our Sisters House, located at 328 E. Washington Avenue in Tomahawk, plans to open some time in In order to be allowed admittance to Our Sisters House, everyone must be drug and alcohol free. In addition to zero tolerance for substances, convicted felons and sex offenders will be denied access. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. While providing temporary housing (up to three months), the residents will be required to set and accomplish weekly goals for themselves. These goals may include securing employment, finding housing, furthering their education, and seeking needed medical and/or counseling services. TRUTH s goal is to provide the basic needs of food and shelter for our homeless while facilitating their journey to success and independence. In order to accomplish this goal, we need the support of our community through prayer, volunteers, and donations. At this time, monetary donations will be used toward renovating the home to increase its capacity and make the space more functional. Down the road funds will be used for operational costs. Volunteers are always welcome and appreciated! We could use help with various fund raisers throughout the year. If this is a cause that touches your heart, please call Lori Winch at For additional information, visit: Our Sisters House Tax Exempt Status Three Rivers United Temporary Housing, Inc (T.R.U.T.H.), the business arm of Our Sisters' House, is now an approved 501(c)(3) tax-deductible charity under US tax law. The IRS grants this status upon organizations that meet specific legal requirements and operate under strict conditions with the goal of providing a public benefit. This 501(c)3 status makes T.R.U.T.H. exempt from paying federal taxes and allows any donations to be a tax deduction for the donor. This status is also a requirement by most foundations and all government agencies when applying for grants. The process was started in May of this year and was expected to take up to a year to complete. After many forms and paperwork, legal advice, government fees, and a lot of effort by the entire Board of Directors and other volunteers, T.R.U.T.H. was able to surpass this milestone and be granted exempt status. President of the T.R.U.T.H. board, Bernice Duchac was excited about the organization getting the news. We are pleased to say Our Sisters' House doors are one giant step closer to opening now that we are tax exempt. We look forward to making a difference in the lives of those faced with homelessness in Lincoln County and the surrounding area." "While fundraising efforts have been on-going since May, using the help of Grace Lutheran Church and their non -profit status, our reach has been limited primarily to individual donors, area churches and help from a few area businesses," said board treasurer, Lori Winch. "With our non-profit status we can now reach out to area corporations and foundations that may have funds available for this worthy cause." Board member and finance committee chair, Cathy Sennett added, "Since our beginning talks, we knew that a non-profit status would be instrumental in gaining the amount of funds needed to support this endeavor." Preliminary budgets indicate that T.R.U.T.H. will need $100,000 annually to support Our Sisters' House at full capacity. " 6 (Continued on page 7)

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 is 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 service 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 thirty 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 our 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 9:18-26). Sometimes, in order to reach someone, He had to risk offending them (see John 4:1-26). 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 opportunity and ability. FINANCIAL NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2014 General Offerings Budgeted Expenses per month... $34, Offerings Received last month... $31, Actual Budget Expenditures... $29, Surplus (Deficit)... $1, Budgeted Expenses 9/30/14... $310, Offerings Received YTD... $272, Actual Budget Expenditures YTD... $297, Surplus (Deficit)..... ($25,111.00) Mortgage Status 2014 Regular Principal Payments... $26, Extra Principal Payments. $3, Total 2014 Principal Payments..$29, Interest Payments.. $27, Loan Balance 8/31/ $756, Special Offering-September Kinship... $ General Fund Balance 9/30/2014..$8, (Continued from page 6) Our Sister s House Tax Exempt Status Around $80,000 is required first for some upgrades needed, remodeling to improve capacity and additions of a handicap ramp and facilities to meet federal guidelines for homeless shelters. "It is hoped that much of these initial funds needed will be offset by materials gifted from area businesses and also volunteer labor," said John Novitzke, board member and housing chairperson. "It would take a lot of garage sales, bake sales, and spaghetti dinners to raise this kind of capital, so we will need to rely on the generosity of this community to get these projects done." This is a big undertaking that will require the entire county s involvement. Local fundraising efforts will continue with plans being finalized for several upcoming events. 7

8 The Philippine Story The Philippine s story continued This month I d like to introduce you to an especially wonderful young lady beautiful Honey Grace. She received the prayer shawl from Grace Lutheran with absolute joy. She longs for a family that she can call her own. She is kind and gentle and longs for physical affection. She wanted to hold my hand all the time that we were together. Honey Grace took countless selfies of the two of us together! She thoroughly enjoyed the fingernail polish that I brought to the Philippines from the Reinke Family. She spent time polishing her nails as well as the nails of anyone who wanted a manicure or pedicure! She enjoyed the craft projects and readily gave them away as gifts to members of our group. Honey Grace recently learned that she had an older brother and they are now living together at the same orphanage. You will meet her brother BJ next month. If you have any questions about adopting or supporting Honey Grace (or any of the other children), please call Cathy Schmit for more information. Cathy Share a Poinsettia If you wish to share a poinsettia with the church, you may purchase one for $ This is a 5+bloom plant. It may be in memory or in honor of a loved one. Memory of Honor of From: Checks should be made out to Grace Lutheran Church and can be placed in the offering plate (along with this form), or brought to the church office. 8 Deadline is December 8th OR until the number of plants that were pre-purchased have been ordered.

9 Christmas Concert Tour - December 6 & 7, 2014 Cost of Concert Tour per person: This includes the Augsburg College Advent Vespers, lunch at Central Lutheran Church, Gustavus Adolphus concert, motel room with breakfast, and coach bus per person. Please fill out one form per person. 2 in a room $150 each 3 in a room $134 each 4 in a room $125 each 1 in a room $200 each Check if willing to share a room Check if you will not be attending the concert at Gustavus Adolphus (subtract $30.00) Names of People in your room Total Cost per person Make check out to Grace Lutheran Church and hand in to the office by Nov. 2, 2014 Itinerary SATURDAY, DEC. 6, 2014 *Leave at 7am from Grace on a Coach Bus and pick up in Wausau at 7:45 am *Picnic Lunch and a Tour of Central Lutheran by Pastor Melissa Moyle Pohlman, Director of Community Ministries *Augsburg College, Minneapolis Advent Vespers 2:00 pm at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis *Check in at Home Town Inn & Suites (with attached restaurant) - Belle Plaine, MN *Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter Christmas in Christ Chapel Dinner on own at Gustavus Adolphus 7:30pm concert (for those who choose to attend) SUNDAY, DEC. 7, 2014 *Breakfast at motel St. Olaf, Northfield Worship Service (10:30) Boe Memorial Chapel (free will offering) Lunch on own in Northfield s unique restaurants For more information see the brochure. The Garden of Giving...An Accounting It is a pleasure to offer the results of the 2014 Garden of Giving. This was the first year for the Garden and we learned a lot. We made some mistakes and also enjoyed many successes. The important thing was the help and interaction that occurred in bringing the garden to fruition. A special Thank You to all who participated. Whether you donated money or materials, planted seeds, planned the layout, roto- tilled the soil, painted the sign, delivered the compost, helped with weeding and harvesting, said prayers, or offered words of encouragement, you all were instrumental in contributing to the success of this hands-on ministry. Special recognition must be given to Margie Welke, who took on the task of coordinating the entire effort from beginning to end. She was the glue that held everything together and kept it moving. The dates and amounts offered below are from the journal she kept throughout the season. April 6 Planted peat pots with the Confirmation and After School youth. May 7 Tilled garden area May 17 Spread compost and tilled. May 28 Mapped out the garden. June 4 Set up garden fence. June 7 Planted garden with youth and adult volunteers. June 10 Oct. 1 Periodic weeding, fertilizing, and harvesting as needed, again with youth and adult volunteers. We harvested: 44 ripe Tomatoes 9 grocery bags of green Tomatoes 30# of Potatoes 135 Cucumbers 9 gallon bags of Beans 6 gallon bags of Peas 6 Carrots 8 large bunches of Sunflowers 10 summer Squash 8 Zucchini 3 gallon bags of Basil 2 gallon bags of Parsley 8 heads of Broccoli 15 heads of Cabbage 1 gallon bag of Cilantro 22 gallon bags of Lettuce 10 gallon bags of Spinach 14 gallon bags of Arugula 53 Onions 4 Acorn Squash 20 Kohlrabi 31 Green Peppers 48 Banana Peppers 10 Pumpkins 4 bunches of Indian Corn Most of the produce went to the Food Pantry, while the potatoes went to the Back Pack Program. It was quite a season! Imagine this...in five short months we will be putting together plans for the 2015 edition of the Garden of Giving. 9

10 Grace Lutheran Council Meeting - October 9, 6pm Members Present: Heather Engel, Mindy Gabrich, Brian Storm, Brian Schmidt, Mary Wessel, Marilyn Smith, and Bill Zorr via phone until 7pm Other Present: Sherry Clements, Debbie Hetzel and Sarah Mann. Absent: Mark Schlegel, Forrest Gileaburt, Pastor Mark Meeting was called to order at 6pm by President Heather Engel. Mindy Gabrich made a motion to accept the revised agenda for the meeting. Brian Storm Second. Motion was carried. Mindy did the devotion by talking about how she has been working with the youth on different ways to explore God s word. They have interpreted songs, dropped the Bible and then went through whatever verse is on the open page when the Bible lands. The youth really enjoyed when they just dropped the bible and went with the verse. Discussion was opened by Heather Engel on the different ELCA benefit packages available to members of the Grace staff and if we would be offering benefits to whom and at which level. The cost of benefits will be increasing 11% in 2015 from The figures presented by Pastor Mark via we reviewed and several unexplained discrepancies were noted. Also, several council members voiced concerns over the budget and how the benefits will all be paid for. With the inability to answer all of the questions, the decision was made to table the benefit discussion until we could arrange a meeting with Pastor Mark. (Meeting was set up for the following Sunday 10/12/14 between services at 9:30) Heather Engel then opened the floor for discussion on the information Pastor Mark presented to the council on the ELCA position on same-sex-marriage within the church. (This information will be available in the Gathering Space) As a council we are trying to be in front of this passionate issue. The United State Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal from Wisconsin. This refusal made same-sex-marriages legal in the State of Wisconsin. Per Bishop Mansholt, other Congregations within the ELCA are running the gambit on how they are handling samesex-marriage within their churches. The ELCA is leaving the final decision up to the individual congregations to decide for themselves. As a council, we do have mixed feelings on where Grace should stand on this issue. Suggestions were made to call it a commitment ceremony instead of a marriage, poll the congregation, listen to our Pastor s feelings, the discussion was open and honest and a wonderful meeting of all sides. How do we present this to the congregation weighed on all our hearts. Should we have PZ preach about this issue? He is seen as a shepherd to us sheep. The council decided to add information to the next newsletter. We will include the information for the ELCA and Bishop Mansholt. We will point out to the congregation that the council is prayfully considering and discussing the subject and that we ask for prayers from the congregation also. Heather will ask Debbie to add the information to the next newsletter. God at Grace: Dinner with the confirmads was attended by Heather Engel, Brian Schmidt, Mary Wessel and Mindy Gabrich. The faith statements were inspiring and it was wonderful to get to spend time with the youth talking to them about their faith and where they see themselves going. Mary Wessel made a motion to accept the consent agenda items as submitted, Mindy Gabrich second. Motion was carried. Consent agenda Council minutes from September Ministry Minutes (reports are in the council packet) Fellowship 09/16/14 Stewardship 09/09/14 Projection Team 09/10/14 New Member s Group 10/02/14 Membership Release: Marilyn Deppe Member Transfer: Terry & Richard Fuchs Financial Report: General Fund is down over $23,000 since the first of the year. Since 2009 we have been we have been approving smaller budgets. This year s budget is 17% smaller than in (Continued on page 11)

11 (Continued from page 10) Council Minutes Reminder that we need the Audit committee to review the budgets financial records and document this in the Annual Report. Budget meeting will be set up for the first week in December. A notice will be placed in the November newsletter asking ministries to get their budgets to the council by the first 2 weeks in November. We will be asking them to prayerfully consider their needs vs. wants due to the financial situation the church is facing. Corky Burcalow has offered to fill in as secretary when Forrest is unavailable for council meetings. She will also be serving as the parliamentarian for this year s annual meeting. Also a reminder from Sherry to fill out and turn in your time and talent survey. Extra copies are available in the pews and the boxes are in the Gathering space. Motion was made by Mindy Gabrich to pay the November Mortgage payment out of the debt retirement fund. Second by Brian Schmidt. Motion Carried. Motion made by Brian Storm to accept the financial report, second by Mindy Gabrich. Motion carried. Youth Ministry Team report presented by Mindy Gabrich. Our after school program is growing. Our confirmation program is strong; we have a group of 23 coming up. The three and four year old Sunday school classes had to be split due to the amount of kids and more rooms have had to be found to hold Sunday school in. Motion made by Mindy Gabrich to adjourn the meeting. Marilyn second. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned with the Lord s Prayer. Faithfully submitted by Heather Engel, Council President Staff Benefit Meeting October 12, 2014 Members present; Heather Engel, Brian Schmidt, Brian Storm, Mary Wessel, Bill Zorr via phone and Pastor Mark. Heather Engel called the meeting to order at 9:30. Pastor Mark opened by explaining how the $ set this budget will be placed into a restricted fund and then applied to Debbie s benefits in the 2015 budget. By offering Debbie increased benefits, she will become a salaried employee and part of her salary will be her benefits. Different was to present the financial shortfall to the congregation were discussed. Pastor Mark stated the staff will announce what they are doing to help reduce the shortfall. He encouraged the council members to do the same. Brian Schmidt mad a motion to offer the Bronze+ benefit plan with Health savings account, to Pastor Mark, Wendy Black and Debbie Hetzel. This will be through Portico and the ELCA. Second by Brian Storm. Motion carried. Pastor Mark has been asked to perform a same-sex-marriage on November 1, This will be occurring outside of Grace and he wants the council s blessing. He has been working with the couple for their commitment ceremony. He has been advising them on verses and how the ceremony should flow, bible verses and even songs. The members present gave Pastor Mark our blessing to officiate the ceremony. We trust his judgment. Did you know? You can find a six week worship schedule in every newsletter. There is no need to wait for your weekly postcard reminder. You can plan ahead by checking the schedule in the back of every newsletter. Our sponsors who are listed on the inside back cover of this newsletter help make the publishing of our newsletter possible. Please patronize their businesses and thank them for their sponsorship. 11

12 November 1 & 2 Acolytes 5:00 pm Child of God 8:30 am Jackie Wick Allison Schmidt 10:45 am Kaylie Svacina Grace Witulski Greeters 5:00 pm Mary Ingman Dar Klubal 8:30 am Paul & Dotti Andersen Randy & Cindy Blair 10:45 am Stephanie Pellitteri Marilyn Smith Readers 5:00 pm Dar Kluball 8:30 am Corey Colburn 10:45 am Jeannie Gudgeon Ushers 5:00 pm Jeannette Lovsletten Mary Wilke 8:30 am Mike & Sandy Wick Tom & Donna Stone 10:45 am Greg & Steve Heikkinen Nursery 8:30 am Josh Wick 10:45 am Michael Svacina Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Nancy Kind 8:30 am Corey Colburn 10:45 am Wendy Black Communion Assistants 8:30 am Brian & Cindy Storm Running Projection 5:00 pm Karen Torkelson 8:30 am Steven Renn 10:45 am Tami Olson Projection Set up Keri Kelley Altar Guild Bernice Mitchell, Leanne Setlak Stephanie Pellitteri Counters Names Video Delivery Names LITURGICAL ROLES November 8 & 9 Acolytes 5:00 pm Child of God 8:30 am Matthew Strebig Trey Baalke 10:45 am Sam VonSchrader Greeters 5:00 pm Dan & Kay Salewske 8:30 am Judy & Gary Calhoun Fran Anderson Dar Clements 10:45 am Lois Langlois Mary Hoglund Readers 5:00 pm Rose Hoff 8:30 am Jeanne Rae Paulson 10:45 am Nancy Herbison Ushers 5:00 pm Darwin Klubal Ron Lueneberg 8:30 am Ed & Renee Raasch Larry & Janet Hagen 10:45 am Bill Martinson, Sue Horn Nursery 8:30 am Brynn Beaumier 10:45 am Drew VonSchrader Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Al Overhaug 8:30 am Dave Schmit 10:45 am Nancy Herbison Communion Assistants 8:30 am Child of God Lori Winch Running Projection 5:00 pm Don Tinker 8:30 am Lane Beaumier 10:45 am Phyllis Marquardt Projection Set up Chris Raasch Altar Guild Bernice Mitchell, Leanne Setlak Stephanie Pellitteri Counters Dorothy Kind, Karen Suske Video Delivery Roger & Kathy Cook November 15 & 16 Acolytes 5:00 pm Child of God 8:30 am Brady Tjugum Alex Norman 10:45 am Kamron Olson Erik Decker Greeters 5:00 pm Peggy Price, Deb Tinker 8:30 am Roger & Kathy Cook Don & Carolyn Halverson 10:45 am Jody & Emily Decker Readers 5:00 pm Nona Arthur 8:30 am Renee Raasch 10:45 am Sue Horn Ushers 5:00 pm Jim & Audrey Charles 8:30 am Marie Knipfer Dar Clements, Bill Erickson John Krueger 10:45 am Dawn & Craig LaFevre Nursery 8:30 am Abby Norman 10:45 am Karen Gauerke Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Mark Gaedtke 8:30 am Al Overhaug 10:45 am Kyle Olson Communion Assistants 8:30 am Jan & Larry Hagen Running Projection 5:00 pm Karen Torkelson 8:30 am Jackie Elliott 10:45 am Betty Hudson Projection Set up Karen Torkelson Altar Guild Bernice Mitchell, Leanne Setlak Stephanie Pellitteri Counters Dorothy Kind, Karen Suske Video Delivery Jim & Nancy Bronsted 12

13 November 22 & 23 Acolytes 5:00 pm Child of God 8:30 am Katy Volz 10:45 am Grace Witulski Greeters 5:00 pm Sherry Thompson Lynn Brown 8:30 am Mike & Nancy Pertmer Ed & Darleen Winkler 10:45 am Andy & LuAnn Kiander Readers 5:00 pm Jim Nelson 8:30 am Wendy Black 10:45 am Jeannie Gudgeon Ushers 5:00 pm Bob & Leanne Setlak 8:30 am Jim VanNorman Renee Raasch, Cathy Schmit Margie Welke 10:45 am Greg & Steve Heikkinen Nursery 8:30 am Maggee Renn 10:45 am Jody Decker Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Nancy Kind 8:30 am Wendy Black 10:45 am Dave Reiff Communion Assistants 8:30 am Dale & Nona Arthur Running Projection 5:00 pm Betty Hudson 8:30 am Zach Volz 10:45 am Tami Olson Projection Set up Bill & Jen Zorr Altar Guild Bernice Mitchell, Leanne Setlak Stephanie Pellitteri Counters Dorothy Kind, Karen Suske Video Delivery Brian Schmidt LITURGICAL ROLES November 29 & 30 Acolytes 5:00 pm Child of God 8:30 am Child of God 10:45 am Child of God Greeters 5:00 pm Lori Winch Bernice Mitchell 8:30 am Tobias Family Marie Knipfer 10:45 am Harold & Audrey Pedersen Readers 5:00 pm Jean Huntoon 8:30 am Cathy Schmit 10:45 am Nancy Herbison Ushers 5:00 pm Ed & Darleen Winkler 8:30 am Mike & Sandy Wick Don & Carolyn Halverson 10:45 am Sue Horn Bill Martinson Nursery 8:30 am Alexis Szarkowitz 10:45 am Michael Svacina Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Mindy Gabrich 8:30 am Corey Colburn 10:45 am Al Overhaug Communion Assistants 8:30 am Dave & Cathy Schmit Running Projection 5:00 pm Karen Torkelson 8:30 am James Zastrow 10:45 am Jared Kiander Projection Set up Jackie Leonhard Altar Guild Bernice Mitchell, Steph Pellitteri Leanne Setlak Counters Dorothy Kind, Karen Suske Video Delivery Brian Schmidt December 6 & 7 Acolytes 5:00 pm Child of God 8:30 am Child of God 10:45 am Child of God Greeters 5:00 pm Jim & Jan Nelson 8:30 am Ken & Pat Tjugum Bill & Leitta Turgeon 10:45 am Sue Horn Steph Pellitteri Readers 5:00 pm Sharon Lamer 8:30 am George Derleth 10:45 am Ruth Heyne Ushers 5:00 pm Rod & Marcy Greil 8:30 am George & Lynn Derleth Randy & Cindy Blair 10:45 am Craig & Dawn LaFevre Nursery 8:30 am Shirley Derleth 10:45 am Drew Von Schrader Assisting Minister 5:00 pm Nancy Kind 8:30 am Dave Schmit 10:45 am Nancy Herbison Communion Assistants 8:30 am Joe Story Mindy Gabrich Running Projection 5:00 pm Don Tinker 8:30 am Abby Leonhard 10:45 am Dravin Schmit Projection Set up Lisa Elliott Altar Guild Karen Arnott Jane Lueneberg Peggy Winter Counters Corrine Burcalow, Julie Dentler Jack Lauder Video Delivery Harold & Audrey Pedersen 13

14 1. DEBRA DECKER ANGELA KOPP MARLEEN ORADEI 2. MATT GERBER SARAH COLSTAD 3. LYNN BROWN BILL DECKER ROBERT MORRIS TOM ARNOTT DAVID RADZINSKI DALE WANTA MAGGEE RENN BEAU STORMBERG 4. KERRI SVACINA 5. DAN WILSON KAREN STORM SAM BOURASSA AUSTYN BOOTH 6. HEATHER SMITH DEB SCHULTZ NATE HILT 7. JODY DECKER JAMES MILLER TARA JONES GRANT LOKA 8. HEIDI GREIL CONRAD LEMMER MARY FRICKENSTEIN FINNIAN COLBURN 9. TRACY KRUEGER 10. KRISTA HINSA JOHN WALBECK SHAD HARPER 11. GERALD KLOPP JOAN HILGENDORF HEATHER ENGEL MARY BATT 12. FLORIAN RINGWELSKI RANDY BLAIR 13. BECKY DAIGLE WILLIS SANDQUIST JACK SONNENTAG NICHOLAS BAACKE NICOLE HARPER NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS 14. TONY CLEMENTS AARON WANTA JACQUELINE WICK 16. JASON DOWNING KIA BOLLIG 17. ROBERT WHITE BERTHA WURL MATT FUCHS 18. JACK DERLETH 19. DONNA STONE HALEY LIEBELT RICK MILES CHRIS WITULSKI JOHN TEAL ARCHIE CROHN CODY BRIETZKE AUTUMN FREDERICK 21. MATT TORMOHLEN BRITTNEY BEHLING CHARLEE GAUERKE GRACE WITULSKI 22. JANET WALBECK IRENE STRAUSS CHAD HERMAN JACK EVANS ISAAC OLSON SCOTT SKEES BEN BROWN MYA DAIGLE 23. JACQUILINE KAHLE KATHRYN DERLETH WALTER HALVERSON MARK GAEDTKE CHARLEE LUND SANDRA WICK 24. VICKI SEVERSON JUSTIN HOOPER TAYLOR MC CUMBER QUINN CALHOUN EDYTHE MIELKE 25. JACOB NIEMEC TAMI OLSON BRANDAN BIEVER CAROL SOUSEK 26. PAUL BOHNERT BOB WALLIS, SR. KAREN SUSKE JASON FRYAR BRITTANY WALKER 27. SHERRY CLEMENTS BETTY FRANK AUSTIN BELLILE RICHARD HUNTOON SANDRA HOBAN RACHEL ELLIOT MALACHI SCHEFFLER 28. DON PAULSON SHARON GUSTAFSON DEBBIE HETZEL CHRISTOPHER HARING EMILY BOURASSA JOSHUA WICK HALLE DERLETH 29. MELANIE MOYLE DAN SCHULLER JEFF GUNTHER JOSH JAECKS RICHARD COLLINS 30. ANDY WIEDEMAN JASON MIELKE 14

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16 GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 108 W. SOMO AVENUE TOMAHAWK, WI Change service requested NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Permit #37 Tomahawk, WI Regular Worship Services Labor Day to Memorial Day Saturday 5:00 pm Sunday 8:30 & 10:45 am Contemporary Worship 2nd & 4th 8:30 am Paul & Eric Hesse - Their Great Adventure Come and See - Everyone Is Welcome Did you know??? The Hesse Family had an adventure of a lifetime this past summer. Paul and Eric sailed across the ocean blue from Norway to Bayfield, WI. They traveled the northern route of the Atlantic through the Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and Labrador. Beautiful scenery, breathtaking views, cherished memories, but the waters were not always calm, why there were even icebergs! While Paul and Eric were living it, Therese and Kari were home following their course, sometimes anxiously waiting for news of their safety. Paul and Eric will be sharing their stories and pictures with the Tomahawk community right here at Grace. Please mark your calendars today and plan to join us: When: Sunday, November 9, 2014 Time: 4:00 Presentation, doors open at 3:30 Where: Grace Lutheran Church Sanctuary Refreshments served when doors open and following the program. We promise you will be home well before the Packers play!!