The Moravian Star. January, Faith.Love.Hope.

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1 Faith.Love.Hope. The Moravian Star For years, I have signed my s and less formal correspondences peace. kdk. I m not sure when or why I started that but it was a simple blessing. Peace is a simple wish of a precious and sometimes rare commodity. Not that I no longer want a dose of peace for the people I communicate with, but I have changed my signature. Faith.Love.Hope. It is also a blessing, a simple wish of equally precious and rare commodities. The formula comes from our ancient Moravian roots. For the early Moravians, there were six essentials. Three were the essentials that God offers us. The second three were our responses to God s essentials. The essentials of God are: God creates. God redeems. God sanctifies. In the beauty of Moravian simplicity, God can create, redeem and sanctify anyway that God sees fit. We have no systematic theology that declares in what way God created, or under what circumstances God can redeem. We have left those things of God up to God. Our response, however, is telling. We respond to the activity of God with faith, love and hope. In faith we trust in God s essentials and make the work of God the center of our lives. Love is an action, seeking the good of our friends, family, neighbors, strangers and enemies. In hope we look and work for a better day perhaps in this life, perhaps in the eternal life promised to us through Christ. There is a powerful temptation to be satisfied with the perfect formula of essentials. Now, just as in 1457, and maybe even more now, we need to be living out the essentials and not simply reciting them. And perhaps that is why I changed my parting signature. Not just as a blessing for those who receive it, but as a reminder as the one who sends it. Each letter, each I send ends with a catalyst for me to do my part: to demonstrate faithfulness, love and hope. All of this to say, I have not chosen these words lightly. They have the power to shape and reshape my life and ministry. I hope they do the same for you. Faith.Love.Hope. kdk January, 2014 Pastor Kerry s Office Hours: Barring emergency, I am in the office Monday Wednesday 9 a.m. 12 p.m. I am always available for a time to meet my place or yours Office: Cell: kkrauss@dcwis.com

2 Financial Update: November 2013 First, the good news: our income continues to exceed that of Throughout the course of the year, our income has been steady and slightly higher than in Unfortunately, our expenses have also been steady and slightly higher than in At this writing, we still have not completed our payments for our share of the Provincial Common Ministries: Provincial Service and Administration, 2013 Pastor s Pension and 2013 Medical Insurance. While it would be a great tribute to the strength of this congregation if we could have all of our Provincial payments in by Jan. 1, 2014, let us not fret too much. We have made significant progress in our financial stewardship throughout this year. If we can continue likewise faith and growth in 2014, we will remain on track. 2

3 Northern Door Health & Wellness Ministry continues its Community Health Information Programs with an upcoming series of two presentations on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Health Care Reform) to be held on Sunday, January 26th, and Sunday, February 9th, both at 4:00 pm at First Baptist Church, Sister Bay. The status quo of health insurance and health care in America is changing. The driving force behind much of this change is health care reform. While much has been written and spoken about it, the truth remains that many of us are still unclear about what health care reform changes will mean for us. Now is the time to come and hear about the Affordable Care Act from a panel of local experts and have the opportunity to ask the questions that for you remain unanswered. Come hear the Panel led by Matt Luders, Business Health and Wellness Executive for Ministry Health Care, speak on the Affordable Care Act addressing the Health Care reform, the Affordable Care Act, its cost and how it is funded and the goals of reform. EPIPHANY JANUARY 06, 2014 Matthew: chapter 2 We Three Kings We three kings of Orient are bearing gifts; we traverse afar: Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. O, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding. Guide us to thy perfect light. Born a King on Bethlehem s plain, gold I bring to crown him again. King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign. O, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding. Guide us to thy perfect light. Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and sacrifice, Alleluia, alleluia; Earth to heaven replies. O, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding. Guide us to thy perfect light. 3 Church Council Report 2013 Highlights from our 2013 annual church council include: Bill Schaefer was elected to the Board of Elders, replacing Trudy Fandrei after serving two terms, and Bill Surbaugh was elected, replacing Dawn Emery-Janzen. Sally Pfeifer and Greg Sunstrom were elected to the Board of Trustees replacing Lynn Frederick and Craig Thorpe. Linda Schaefer was re-elected as the Secretary to Church Council, Britt Maltby was replaced by Heidi Sitte to represent the Christian Education Committee, Lucille Kostka was reelected for a second term to represent the Memorial Committee, Debbie Mann replacing Michael Walker on the Cemetery Committee. MID WINTER RETREAT 2014 for All youth currently in 9 th grade to age 21 Where is God in Our Choices? Come learn about where God is in our choices and how to make choices with God Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church 323 South 5 th Ave Sturgeon Bay, WI Friday, January 31st - Sunday, February 2nd Arrive Friday evening, Depart after Sunday morning worship $35 by Friday, January 24, 2014 $50 after Friday, January 24, 2014 (Registration and parental permission forms are available in the church office.) Pat Beckstrom will continue as the Church Treasurer, with much appreciation to Pat for all her time. Amie Olson will serve a second term on the 2013 Nominating Committee. The Proposed Budget for 2014 of $195,287.00, as presented and amended was approved.

4 GUIDANCE FOR THE JOURNEY A young adult retreat open to all Western District young adults ages Friday, February 21st - February 23, 2014 At Black Oak Lodge, Mt. Morris Conference Center Enjoy a weekend event filled with Fellowship, worship and music by JJ Heller. Only $55! Includes JJ Heller Concert, lodging and 5 meals *Space is limited so please send in your registration as soon as possible!* If you have any questions concerning the retreat or travel to the retreat please feel free to Greg Behrend at emtbehrend2942@hotmail.com Ladies, Mark your calendars so you won t miss the Women s Retreat this year! Ellison Bay Community Clubhouse, overlooking the Bay Wednesday, May 28th, 9:00 to 3:00, with lunch. Yelone Clague will be the speaker Sue Raye Hughes will provide the music WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION IN APRIL May 2014 WOMEN S RETREAT Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Please remember in your daily prayers. Those who are ill or recovering: Lori Alexander, Rick Gename, Nancy Hughes, Billie Johnson, Denise Kostka, Hank Krapf, Mabel, Harold & Kaye Knutson, Bob Kreter, Dave Kreter, Melissa Nelson, Randy Pluff. In Assisted Living & Nursing Care Ctrs. Barbara Ferry, Don Johnson, Elaine Kalms, Bill Reinhard, and June Witalison Serving in the military: Bryan Duff, Brian Flood, Patrick Flood, Aaron Frick, Austin Lent, David Mann, Todd Pichette, Billy Jack Sargent, Jimmy Wiltse. Prayer update: Pastor Keith Harke came home on December 13, after 20 days in the hospital. He remains on IV antibiotics for an infection in his lung. Please continue to hold him in prayer. He extends his heartfelt thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement. Prayers of Sympathy: Paul Linden passed away Friday, November 29, 2013, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. We offer our prayers of sympathy to Paul s mother Eleanor & sister Diane Linden, a special Aunt and Uncle Kathy & Don Ray, plus other aunts, uncles and cousins and many friends. A Celebration of his Life was held at the Bethel Baptist Church Tuesday, December 03, Our Sympathies to the family of our long time member and friend, Ethel Tencate, 95, passed away peacefully on December 17 at Dorchester Golden Living Center in Sturgeon Bay. She will have a graveside service for family members in Oak Brook, Illinois. A full obituary can be read on caspersonfuneralhome.com. The members of the Ephraim Moravian Church are looking forward to a grand Moravian Epiphany Lovefeast in Milwaukee and would love to have Sister Bay Moravian Church join them at the Divine Word Pentecost Lutheran Church! 55 th & Lloyd Streets, Milwaukee (5505 W. Lloyd Street) If you can help in any of these ways please contact us at worship@ephraimmoravian.org or call Pastor Dawn Volpe at Lovefeast Servers, Lovefeast bun makers! Brass Musicians

5 January Birthdays: 04 - Karen Krauss 05 - Ron Fandrei Bill Reinhard 06 - Jane Flaherty 12 - Dawn Emery-Janzen 14 - Britt Hilander 14 - Ellison Syers 18 - Robert Lindquist 19 - Brandon Emery-Janzen 21 - Max Maltby Mitchell Olson Jr 24 - Mike Walker January Anniversaries 04 - Linden & Wendi Ray Erl & Bonnie Sandstrom 20 - Willard & Bernice Sunstrom CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL! If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary this month & your name is omitted, please call the office to make sure we have a date and/or correct date listed. JANUARY LECTORS 05 - Ruth Budic 12 - Marilyn Potts 19 - Ardis Fletcher 26 - Kathy Wagner ELDER OF THE MONTH Kathy Wagner January 2014 December Servants in Service Our appreciation is extended to all who served in December as volunteers. Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat FEED MY PEOPLE 5 6 1:30 Wm s the home of Betty Holland Ephraim Moravian free Open Door Lunch 12:

6 Youth Sunday School (Oct - May) 9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Women's Study, Tuesday 9:30 a.m. Men s Study, Thurs. 8:00 a.m. Pastor Kerry s office hours: Monday through Wednesday 9:00 - Noon, always available for a time to meet Cell Parsonage Church Office Secretary Mon through Thursday 8:30-12:30 Judy Pichette kkrauss@dcwis.com Secretary: jpichette@dcwis.com Website: Sister Bay Moravian Church Box Sister Bay. WI The Moravian Star January, 2014