The Church Messenger. WELCA News By Karen Franson, Mission Growth Officer. July Worship Schedule Sunday 10:30 AM : Worship.

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1 July 2018 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 w w. i m m a n u e l - s t r u m. c o m WELCA News By Karen Franson, Mission Growth Officer Worship Schedule Sunday 10:30 AM : Worship Inside this issue Pastor... 2 Council... 3 Parish Council... 4 Announcements... 5 Finances... 6 Worship Assistants... 7 Calendar... 8 Memorials... 9 Birthdays... 9 Our WELCA does not meet in the month of July. ***NOTE THE CHANGE*** Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, August 15th. The Junior and Senior Daughters of the King will be joining us. They will be sharing their adventures about Austin, Texas and the Triennial Convention they attended. The Theme of the convention this year is Walk His Way. ***We also elect our officers in August. Please consider stepping up and taking an active roll in your WELCA.*** Our annual Chanhassen Bus Trip is planned for Wednesday, September 12th. We will be seeing the musical NEWSIES. This musical is based on the 1992 film, NEWSIES, which in turn, was inspired by the real life newsboys strike in 1899 in New York City. Don t miss this ultimate crowd pleaser, a Minnesota Regional Premiere, nominated for 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical. We are taking reservations now! Price is $ If you would like to sign up you may call Jeanette Berg at Jeanette is also planning a second bus trip on November 1st to the Ames Center in Burnsville, Minnesota. We will be seeing The Church Basement Ladies perform a new show called YOU SMELL BARN. Price is $ We need to pay for the tickets of both shows and the busses in advance. You can get on the list by calling Jeanette Berg. Both men and women are invited to go to one or both of these excellent performances. Call now! ***I would like to remind everyone that there are many bowls and cake pans left in the church kitchen. Please come and check them out if you are missing some. Thank you.

2 Liberty and Justice for All By Pastor Valerian J Ahles I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Once again, we come to that time of the year when we have opportunity to freely gather together to celebrate our nation s independence. Perhaps we will have opportunity to stand with hats off and hand upon the heart and recite the Pledge of Allegiance as quoted above. As we do so, I want all of us to consider the final phrase, with liberty and justice for all. What does this mean as immigrants come to our borders for sanctuary from their oppressors? What does this mean when we separate immigrant families from their children? What does this mean when we cage immigrants up like animals as if they have no humanity in them at all? Do we really desire our nation to be a nation that welcomes and promotes liberty and justice for all who come to our borders? Have we become a nation with 0 tolerance? What comes to mind for me this year, is what is written at the base of the Statue of Liberty in the New York harbor: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest -tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door! To some Americans, the words of Emma Lazarus(1883) are our national motto. Others say they re our national curse. What do you think? Motto? Curse? Both? Neither? What does the Statue of Liberty mean for us today? A gift from the people of France in the 1880 s, the Statue of Liberty stands as the image that symbolizes our immigrant heritage. Unless we are all native Americans who lived here centuries before our immigrant forefathers and foremothers, we are ALL descendants of immigrants. We are an immigrant nation! What would our ancestors have done if they were treated so badly at Ellis Island or any other port of entry? Maybe we wouldn t even be here in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We live in this nation of Liberty and Justice for All and sometimes we are terrified by what is happening around the world and here among us in the United States of America. We sometimes may be fearful of what could happen to our liberty and justice and let our fears determine our actions. Yet, as we stand together on the right or left or anywhere in between to celebrate with liberty and justice for all, let us remember we live in communities of faith believing that Jesus is with us; that God cares for us and the whole world; that even though God doesn t owe us anything, God sent Jesus to be with us so that all of us together, in faith and love, will work for Liberty and justice for All. Jesus said to his followers: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35) Pr. Ahles JULY 2018 Page 2

3 May 17, 2018 Council members present: Pastor Ahles, Charlotte Myhers, Vickie Hanson, Kate Back, Jenny Tollefson, Peter Berge, and Mark Rogness. Visitors: Tom Wagener and Matthew Nelson Relection and opening prayer given by Pastor Ahles. Tom Wagener present further information on Creative Beginnings recovery status. The insurance company has been given the documentation. The insurance company will notify Tom of a settlement and he will notify the council of the amount they will pay out. The CBELC board is in the process of restructure and will give a report to council soon. Motion was made to approve April meeting minutes by Mark Rogness and seconded by Jenny Tollefson. Motion was made to approve the Treasurer s report by Kate Back and seconded by Peter Berge. Report was given by Peter Berge on the progress being made on the repairs needed on the church. Mervin Miller will be contacted to see if he will give us a bid on the repairs needed on the church. Peter also presented information about the bell tower area that needs repair immediately. He will get a bid on those repairs also from Mervin Miller. There was discussion about handicap areas. The back door on the church on the north side needs to be replaced. Tom Wagener has offered to take care of this. Pastor Ahles asked about the parking lines in front of the church. They need to be redone as they are really faded. Vickie will talk to the city and find out if they are responsible to have them repainted and if we can request that be done. We will also need to get new handicap signage. Peter will make some inquiries to purchase new signage. Michelle presented an Accounting Policies & Procedures manual for approval. The council members will review and approve next month. Drugs in the community and effect presentation will be held at Eleva-Strum High School sponsored by the Strum Library. Kate Back s term as secretary will be done the end of July this year. The council would like to see two additional members-at-large added to the council. Vacation Bible School will be held Sunday, August 5, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. and August 6 through 9, 3:30 to 8:00 p.m. A coordinator and volunteers for dinners are needed. Food distribution will continue through June and then transfer to Whitehall. Thanks to Michelle for all her hard work and dedication during the time the Food Distribution has been held at Immanuel Lutheran. Additional counters for the Sunday offering have been added. Michelle will make a rotating schedule for them to follow. Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Warmest Regards, Vickie Hanson Page 3 T HE CHUR CH M ESSENGER

4 Parish Council Minutes (unapproved) X Tom Wagener X Pastor Ahles Mike Nelson X Camille Skoug X Steve Ebert X Vicki Hanson X Jim Odness Charlotte Myhers X Barb Fischer Joint Parish Council Meeting April 24, :30 pm Meeting of the Joint Parish Council was opened with devotions by Pastor Ahles. Minutes from previous meeting were reviewed, correction made: Mike Nelson was not present at the meeting. Motion to approve by Camille, 2 nd by Steve. Minutes were placed on file. Pastor s Report: Written report was given; Including number of services conducted, confirmation classes, choir rehearsals, 32 general visits, 28 Shut-in with communion, 13 hospital visits, local meetings and Text study. Baptisms and Funerals. Pastor has vacation plans April 25 May 1 st. (Pastor Tobiason will be available for emergencies during this time). Pastor also thanked everyone for their support, prayers and words of encouragement during their family s time of bereavement. Old Business: Worship Schedule: Will change on 6/3/18 to Elk 8:30 am, and Immanuel at 10:30 am. Discussion on how rushed it is for Pastor between services, and when Sunday school is at each site. A half hour is cutting it very tight between services. Pastor will be at Synod Assembly that weekend. Will dispense with Communion that (both churches) Sunday as no ordained Pastor will be available. Some discussion on this, will check into the possibility of Hannah Olson being available this Sunday for services. New Business: Joint Bank Account: There has been a problem with Portico getting checks from separate church accounts for payment. There seems to be misunderstanding of percentages 65/35 not 50/50. Pastor suggested that at previous parishes there was a joint account that payments for such things as Pension, Health, mileage costs currently split between the churches, were paid from. Each church would deposit their part into the account for payments to be made. Pastor to bring proposal to next meeting. Discussion on a 3 rd person to monitor or track these funds. Continuing Education: Pastor brought information on workshop he would like to attend June The cost is $ to attend as an Auditor. Motion by Camille 2 nd by Barb to approve Pastor going to this workshop June He did not attend the Rural Ministry conference in March, and money from this was refunded. Baccalaureate Services May 24 th : Pastor to assist with this Service and recognition of High School seniors. Pre-School: Tom spoke briefly on their preschool and some recent problems. Things are back on track, Pastor is looking forward to getting out his guitar and being more involved with the children of the preschool. Joint Service The end of April will be in Strum. Matt Nelson to lead worship, Amber and Tim Radaatz to do a talk on soil. Brunch will be served following the service. Next Joint Service falls on Strums semi-annual meeting. A joint service will not be held on this 5 th Sunday of July, but will be held on August 12 th by Strum hosting Church in the Barn. It will be held in Tom and Bonnie Johnsons Barn. Meal to follow service. JULY 2018 Page 4

5 Parish Council Minutes (unapproved) Feed my People: This may be moving to Whitehall. Next Meeting: August 21 st 6:30 pm at Elk Creek. Meeting adjourned with the Lord s Prayer. Barb Fischer, Sec. The Eleva-Strum Community Support Network (ESCSN) Can t make it to church? LIVE STREAM NOW AVAILABLE Watch our broadcast using your smartphone, tablet, or computer. All you need is an internet or Wi-Fi connection. To make an online contribution, one-time or recurring, click on requests your support.. Founded in 2014 to support families and children in our school district with unmet needs for food, social/academic support and physical fitness, this organization has partnered with Western Dairyland RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) to offer neighborly companionship and practical assistance to elderly and physically challenged people. Our goal is to help those citizens among us maintain their dignity and continued independence by matching them with local volunteers ages 55 and older. ESCSN also enlists drivers willing to transport our Veterans to medical appointments in Tomah. If you feel either of these assistance endeavors would be a worthwhile volunteerism project for you, and/or you know of anyone who could use these no cost services, please contact Ann Kisor at for more information. ESCSN also gratefully accepts donations at any United Bank location or mailing to N47353 Hamlin Road, Eleva, to continue our missions listed above with the school district. Online contributions may be made by credit or debit card, or by automatic transfer using your savings or checking account. Page 5 T HE CHUR CH M ESSE NGER

6 Financial Report - May 2018 Weekly Contributions & Expenses May 1 - May 5 General Fund Contributions... $ Expenses... (382.78) Net Income (Loss)... $ May 6 - May 12 General Fund Contributions... $3, Expenses... (927.34) Net Income (Loss)... $2, May 13 - May 19 General Fund Contributions... $3, Expenses... (6,405.06) Net Income (Loss)... ($3,143.97) May 20 - May 26 General Fund Contributions... $1, Expenses... (1,536.98) Net Income (Loss)... $ May 27 - May 31 General Fund Contributions... $1, Expenses... (5,203.92) Net Income (Loss)... ($2,512.23) Total Contributions... $12, Total Expenses... (14,456.08) Net Income (Loss)... ($2,208.28) Liabilities (Line-of-Credit) Balance, May $0.00 Average Sunday Attendance: 106 (W1-118, W2-101, W3-135, W4-70) Restricted Savings Accounts Building Fund Beginning Balance, May 1 $2, Receipts Disbursements (0.00) Ending Balance, May 31 $2, Daughters of the King Beginning Balance, May 1 $ Receipts 1, Disbursements 1 (0.00) Ending Balance, May 31 $1, Library Fund Beginning Balance, May 1 $ Receipts 0.00 Disbursements (0.00) Ending Balance, May 31 $ Music / Organ Fund Beginning Balance, May 1 $5, Receipts Disbursements (375.85) Ending Balance, May 31 $5, Contributions & Expenses Comparison Average per month January - May Contributions 16, , , Expenses 17, , , Percent of Budget Allowance Monthly Straightline May Budget ($) General Contributions 79.4% 15, Benevolences 0.0% Building / Property 95.5% General Operating 25.2% 1, Ministry 98.7% Office 146.7% Pastor 112.4% 5, Payroll 99.2% 5, Utilities 77.2% 1, Condensed P&L for May 2018 General Fund Contributions $12, Benevolences (0.00) Building / Property (465.49) General (285.77) Ministry (411.05) Office (629.58) Pastor (5,824.97) Payroll (5,386.73) Utilities (1,452.49) Total Expenses (14,456.08) Net Income (Loss) ($2,208.28) Parsonage Fund Beginning Balance, May 1 $5, Receipts Disbursements 2 (0.00) Ending Balance, May 31 $5, Social Concerns Beginning Balance, May 1 $1, Receipts Disbursements 3 (0.00) Ending Balance, May 31 $1, Sunday School Beginning Balance, May 1 $ Receipts 0.00 Disbursements 4 (0.00) Ending Balance, May 31 $ Youth Fund Beginning Balance, May 1 $14, Receipts Disbursements (0.00) Ending Balance, May 31 $14, JULY 2018 Page 6

7 Worship Assistants GREETERS July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 READERS July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 ACOLYTES July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 Rick & Tracie McSorley Ron & Char Myhers Deloris Sather & Mary Salava Brian & Candace Schadrie Kevin & Camille Skoug Craig Semingson Ron Myhers Jim Tocko Jodie Semingson Tom Wagener Annika Gullicksrud Antony Hanson Laney Windjue Annika Gullicksrud Antony Hanson COFFEE HOUR HOSTS July 1 Host(s) Needed July 8 Host(s) Needed July 15 Host(s) Needed July 22 Ron & Char Myhers July 29 ILC Council Community Outreach Food Programs ALTAR GUILD July 1 Joan Brenengen July 15 Marlys Bjorklund Flowers Mary Gullicksrud & Judy Foss Robes Joan Brenengen COMMUNION ASSISTANTS July 1 Jon & Amy Olson July 15 Deloris Sather & Mary Salava USHERS * Jon Olson, Jim Husby, Tyler Back, Robert & Barrent Herman Worship assistants brighten our day! Thanks for serving! COMMUNITY DINNER (ELC) Sunday, July 1 (First Sunday) 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Eleva Lutheran Church South 2nd St - Eleva STRUM AREA FOOD PANTRY Tuesday, July 3 (First Tuesday) 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Immanuel Lutheran Church 109 Elm Street - Strum Fireside Room Serves residents of the Eleva-Strum School District RUBY S PANTRY (UCC - OSSEO) Tuesday, July 10 (Second Tuesday) 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. United Church of Christ Corner of HWY 10 and Main St. - Osseo $20 Cash Donation. Bring two plastic totes or boxes for food. No income requirements or limitations. Anyone may come. Page 7 TREMPEALEAU FOOD PANTRY (TEFAP): Saturday, July 21 (Third Saturday) 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. *NEW LOCATION* Trempealeau County Health Care Center W20410 WI-121 Whitehall, WI Please bring ID, proof of residency (if first visit), and two plastic totes or boxes for food. Serves residents of Trempealeau County. Must meet Federal Income limitations. RUBY S PANTRY (HARVESTIME CHURCH) Tuesday, July 26 (4th Thursday) 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Harvestime Church 840 HWY 37 (north end of town) - Mondovi $20 Cash Donation. Bring two plastic totes or boxes for food. No income requirements or limitations. Anyone may come. T HE CHUR CH M ESSENGER

8 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 10:30 AM Worship/Holy Communion Music by Gabe Koxlien 8 10:30 AM Worship 15 10:30 AM Worship/Holy Communion Special Music by Rev Valerian Ahles and Rev Christine Iverson Fair Trade Coffee Sales 22 10:30 AM Worship Coffee Hour: Ron & Char Myhers 29 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 AM Picnic/Semi- Annual Meeting/Raffle THE DEADLINE FOR WEEKLY BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS IS WEDNESDAY AT NOON. 2 Pastor s Sabbath 9 Pastor s Sabbath 16 Pastor s Sabbath 23 Pastor s Sabbath 30 Pastor s Sabbath 3 9 am - 11 am Strum Area Food Pantry 10 6 PM CBELC 7 PM ILC Council AM Beulah Hollister Memorial Immanuel Lutheran Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Friday 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM Saturday - Sunday Closed THE DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER ARTICLES OR ANNOUNCEMENTS IS FRIDAY, JULY 20. JULY 2018 Page 8

9 Semi-Annual Meeting - July 29, 2018 Picnic in the Fellowship Hall following services - Brats, hot dogs, all kinds of fixings! Salads and an ice cream bar! Following lunch we will have the meeting! After the meeting we will have a drawing for some wonderful prizes - such as: a gift certificate to Robbe s, a gift certificate to Cenex, a gift certificate to the Locker plant, and many more! And a wonderful Grand Prize! Please plan on attending! Have a voice in some decisions for your church! See you there! Memorials Juanita Bergerson Food Pantry Rachael Herman General Fund Howard & Ramona Hanson Walter Brion West Beef River Cemetery Cynthia Petersen Peter Grant General Fund Dale & Linda Franson Doris Sather Music Fund Deloris Sather General Fund Jeanette Berg Birthdays - July Clarice Bergerson...1 Wendy Glenz...6 Charlene Anderson...7 Cloe Olson...8 John Runkel...9 Margaret Severson...9 Sherry Bjerke Jean Amundson Dawn Erickson Dawn Hering Patricia Runkel Tom Wagener Denise Boehne Florine Koxlien Ashlyn Bates Char Myhers MEMORIAL FUNDS: Immanuel Lutheran Church: Building Fund, Daughters of the King/Jr. DOK, General Fund, Library, Music Fund / Organ Repair Fund, Social Concerns, Sunday School, Youth Fund When writing a check to the following funds, please make the check payable to the individual fund or organization, not to Immanuel Lutheran Church. Creative Beginnings Early Learning Center (CBELC), Endowment Fund, Strum Area Food Pantry, WELCA Cemetery Funds: Hamlin Cemetery St. Paul s Cemetery (Strum) West Beef River Cemetery Allen Olson Owen Dregney Tonya Tonn Amy Olson Jean Nelson Xadon Franzwa Scott Bjorgo Eastan Brown Calvin Barneson Dan Myren Chris Cuddy Paula Gullicksrud Ryan Gunderson Scott Thronson Clark Williams CHURCH IN THE July 29th, a fifth Sunday, with be a normal worship service due to our regularly scheduled semi-annual meeting. We will celebrate the Immanuel and Elk Creek congregations joint service on Sunday, August 12 at the Johnson Barn for Church in the Barn. Page 9 T HE CHUR CH M ESSENGER

10 This is Christ s Church. There is a place for you here. We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God s work in Christ s name for the life of the world. Immanuel Lutheran Church Pastor... Rev. Valerian J Ahles Parish Administrator... Michelle Peaslee Custodian... Ronnette Nelson Organist/Music Director... Jeanette Tobiason Sunday School Director... Sherry Bjerke Creative Beginnings Early Learning Center (CBELC) Director... Dusti Bolgrin Lead Teacher - Infants... Dusti Lead Teacher - Ages Audrey Lead Teacher - Ages Kalleigh Lead Teacher - Ages Roxy Assistants... Jordyn & Patty Council Members President... Char Myhers Vice-President... Vickie Hanson Secretary... Kate Back Treasurer... Jenny Tollefson Member-at-large... Peter Berge Member-at-large... Mark Rogness Parish Council President... Tom Wagener ILC Office... (715) CBELC Office... (715) Dial-up Service... (715) Live Stream available at Immanuel Lutheran Church 109 Elm Street PO Box 98 Strum, WI NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID STRUM, WI PERMIT NO 2