& THE FLAME THE CROSS & THE FLAME THE CROSS. P.O. Box 127, Viroqua, WI January 1, 2019

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1 Viroqua and Liberty Pole United Methodist Churches Post Office Box 127 Viroqua, WI THE CROSS & THE FLAME Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID PHONE: (Office/Lisa) /Office/Pastor Jean) FAX: Website: Viroqua & Liberty Pole Viroqua, Wisconsin Permit Number 11 United Methodist Churches DATE SENSITIVE P.O. Box 127, Viroqua, WI Return Service Requested Address Label THE CROSS & THE FLAME January 2019 Calendar Enclosed SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Liberty Pole United Methodist Church 9:00 A.M. Viroqua United Methodist Church 10:30 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL Liberty Pole UMC 9:15 A.M. Viroqua UMC Adults-9:00 A.M., Children-10:45 A.M. Wednesday Church School 3:30 Viroqua UMC Friends, January 2019 January 1, 2019 Happy New Year! While looking through some of our UMC resources, I came across the hymn #383, This Is the Day of New Beginnings. The lyrics are: This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on, time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that s gone. For by the life and death of Jesus, love s mighty Spirit, now as then, can make for us a world of difference, as faith and hope are born again. Then let us, with the Spirit s daring, step from the past and leave behind our disappointment, guilt and grieving, seeking new paths, and sure to find. Christ is alive, and goes before us to show and share what love can do. This is a day of new beginnings our God is making all things new. What a power-packed song! In 2018, both churches experienced the grief of some dear members. Add to that, each person s own grief and loss, whether it be a friend, loved one, pet, job, home, marriage, finances, (add your own grief/loss); the list is endless. As one who has experienced my own share of grief and loss, I can tell you that it is the hope I have in Jesus his life, death and resurrection that keeps me going. I may not always lie to rest the pain from grief and loss like I should; but, I know that as I walk by faith, my faith is resurrected again and hope is found new, once again. I don t always leave behind my disappointments, guilt and grieving, but, I continue to strive forward ever learning, ever embracing the Holy Spirit. My biggest discovery in almost 25 years of ministry is that we, as humans, need each other. If we are all going to be honest with God and each other in this beautiful New Year, there isn t one of us that hasn t experienced some type of grief or loss. And, as the song states, Jesus Spirit can make for us a world of difference. We all need God Christ is alive! May we step into 2019 trying a little harder to put away the past and stepping out anew, on faith, seeking good paths that lead to the heart of Jesus. In Matthew 28:18 it states, Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Since Jesus has all authority, I find comfort in knowing that I am serving a living God who knows all about me. This same God who knows all about me, knows all about you AND loves you very much. God is your best friend, your confidant, your helper, your comforter, your counselor, and Savior. Little by little, give God your disappointment, guilt and grieving for God can bring healing and new life! May we seek new paths and life with God in A brand New Year with the same Wonderful God who was, who is, and who is to Come! Ever creating, ever new, ever bringing love to you and me and to His world. Remember, Christ is alive, and goes before us to show and share what love can do. This is a day (YEAR) of new beginnings our God is making all things new. See you in Church, Pastor Jean

2 2 THE CROSS AND THE FLAME TABLE OF CONTENTS January Scriptures......pg. 3 Viroqua UMC Missions Report...pg. 3 Passages on Joy...pg. 4 Birthdays, Anniversaries...pg. 5 VUMC Facebook...pg. 5 Viroqua Trustees Meeting Minutes...pg. 6 The BIG THING...pg. 6 Special Sundays...pg. 7 Confirmation Class News...pg. 7 We should be rigorous in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others. John Wesley The Cross & The Flame is published monthly by the Viroqua and Liberty Pole United Methodist Churches for our congregation and friends. We welcome you with open hearts, open arms and open doors. VIROQUA UMC/OFFICE 221 S. Center Ave. Viroqua, WI Phone: Fax: info@viroquaumc.org OFFICE HOURS 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 p.m. on Monday & Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - noon on Thursday & Friday LIBERTY POLE UMC S 6759 St. Hwy. 27 Viroqua, WI Phone: STAFF Jean Waldron, Pastor Parsonage Phone: Pastor s Direct Line: jeanlwaldron@gmail.com Kristin Potochick, Secretary Office Phone: info@viroquaumc.org Viroqua Administrative Council Minutes...pg. 8 Viroqua UMW...pg. 8 LP Administrative Board Meeting Minutes...pg. 9 Thankful Leaves...pgs. 10&11 Thank You s From Todd Overbo...pg. 11 Viroqua UMC Service Assistants Ushers January 6th - Holly Fanta & Cavan Fang January 13th - Veryel & Lorraine Gerdl January 20th - Ardith Olson & Janice Primmer January 27th - Layne & Janette Hanson January 6th - January 13th - January 20th - January 27th - January 6th - January 13th - January 20th - January 27th Greeters Annabel McGarry David Peterson Lynn Whitney Miny Hirschfield Liturgist Gregory Cheever Liberty Pole Liturgist Amy Hardy Amy Hardy THE CROSS AND THE FLAME 11 Thankful Leaves Liberty Pole UMC 2018 near and far For our church family My family. A roof over our heads. Food to eat. Faith in our Lord. Freedom to worship Jesus and family Grace My family and friends The loves in my life-family, friends and someone very special, friends, church, health, grandchildren, health Friends My family, friends and country People who serve Freedom, safety Good health My family Health, family, home, food Education My family and friends My pets Grandpa Alan and Grandma Judy My 4 sons and daughter who were all kept safe in all the years in the Air Force-also for everyone in the family of God, friends, just being alive, mostly knowing that God loves me!!, friends, health My family and friends and our dog For all the good things in my life, God is always there for you, friends, and food The unconditional love of God and salvation thru the finished work of Christ God (Everything good) Thank You s From Todd Overbo Prayer Vigil 19 involved. It is so nice to see people who love to pray. Thanks to all. Christmas program--16 kids took part in the beautiful telling of THE STORY that changed the world and all in it. Special thanks to: Janette for setting up tables with cookies and punch and coffee; Shelley for costumes; Avis for song boards for the program; Holly for program practices; Tabithah for the flag routine; Kathy for playing and putting together the program; and to all who baked cookies for the after fellowship time.

3 10 THE CROSS AND THE FLAME Thankful Leaves Viroqua UMC 2018 God, and Health Health and family My church family. Thankful for shelter, food, money enough to live comfortably! Friends at church Thankful for family Thankful I have this church as a free place to worship God s many blessings and love Thankful I live in Wisconsin That I was raised in the church Clowning, music and dance God loves me, health, friends; the ones who are serving and who have served Our health, our family For my beautiful wife Sundays to worship God and spend time with friends and church family God s word, the Bible and the guidance God provides me day by day, moment by moment Lifelong friends Tools I need Pastor Jean Thankful Jesus died for my sins so I can be forgiven God, health, family, friends and church, friends, a home, a car, food and a caring church family, friends Thankful to God for being there during my times of need. Thanksgiving God, Life, family, friends and veterans The faithful service of the choir and quartet The ministry of VUMC, church, health and work to do Thankful to the Lord for all he does for family, friends and a church in which to worship I love God My savior Jesus Christ, family, friends, church Adopted grandparents Thankful for my son, my daughter and honest friends God s presence in my life., blessings from God, opportunities to give My family and my health For my friend Irene-patience and friendship, home, friends Health, family and faith For plenty of food-we never go hungry Health, family and VUMC Involved children, nieces, nephews The many friends I have in my church family THE CROSS AND THE FLAME 3 January 6, New Year s w/ H.C. at Rail Psalm 118:14-29, rsp. 2 UMH 839 Psalm 8 Philippians 4:11 John 1:1-18 God Is Down to Earth Theme: New Year with God 251 Go Tell It on the Mountain 254 We Three Kings 117 O God, Our Help in Ages Past January 13, Baptism of the Lord Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows Psalm 29:1-11 UMH Corinthians 1:1-19 John 1:29-41 Matthew 3:13-17 My Beloved Son Theme: Baptism of the Lord 344 Lord, You Have Come By the Lakeshore 2051 I Was There to Hear 252 When Jesus Came to Jordan Viroqua Missions Committee Report The committee thanks everyone who participated in the Advent food drive. Also thanks to Lorna Peterson for delivering the food to the food pantry. We also thank everyone who helped decorate the Mitten Tree with warm clothing, and who brought in toys for the Toys for Tots program. Again thanks to Lorna for delivering these items. The first Special Sunday in 2019 will be Human Relations Day on January 20, the Sunday before the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr s., birthday. We will take a special offering that day for United Methodist programs focused on social justice and at-risk youth. January Scriptures January 20, 2 nd Sunday after the Epiphany Human Relations Day Offering Psalm 36:5-10 UMH 771 Isaiah 6: Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11 Out Into the Deep Theme: Devoting our Future to God 462 Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus 378 Amazing Grace 2196 We Walk by Faith January 27, 3 rd Sunday after the Epiphany Psalm 19:1-14, rsp. 2 UMH 750 Nehemiah 8: Corinthians 12:12-31 Luke 4:14-21 Homecoming Theme: Coming home to God 383 This Is the Day 469 Jesus Is All the World to Me 348 Softly and Tenderly Viroqua & Liberty Pole United Methodist Churches Mission Statement The Viroqua & Liberty Pole United Methodist Churches exist for the purpose of carrying out Christ s Great Commission by enabling all who come to personally know the joy of God s love and forgiveness and to lovingly share this joy in the fellowship of the church and in reaching people throughout the world.

4 4 THE CROSS AND THE FLAME Passages on Joy in the New Testament THE CROSS AND THE FLAME 9 LP Administrative Board Meeting Minutes Dec. 4th Present: Bill and Sandy Marohl, Barb Robson, Pastor Jean and Steve and Tamie Thompson. Meeting called to order with Pastor Jean giving devotions from Psalm 118 verse 24. Secretary and Treasurer's reports were read and approved. Old Business: Trees were removed from ramp area and the night light was taken down due to rotting of the light pole. Railing was also removed during tree removal. Railing and light will need to be replaced. Will have to wait until spring to finish these projects. Pastor Jean suggested the church have a Bungee cord to hold ramp door open for funeral processions to keep door open. Bill will purchase. Cleaning concerns were brought forward. Kevin is back from medical leave and cleaning issues are still present. Eric Deaver has been filling in during this leave and doing a great job. It was decided to offer the position to Eric. Amy Hardy was approached to take the rest of the wooden chairs from the basement. It was decided to put out the new chairs and get the wooden ones out of the basement. Thank you for removing them. Motion was made and seconded to donate the metal chairs in the basement to the Vernon County Fair. We will keep a few of the better ones in case extra seating is needed. Tanner Robson will shovel snow at church again this year. New Business: Suggestion was made for LP to have it's own bulletin for church service. Pastor Jean agreed this would make it easier. Will take suggestion to Worship Committee. December 23rd will be the Candlelight Service during church. Was suggested that the Confirmands do the readings. Pastor Jean will talk to them and see how many would be available for this service. Basement carpet could use cleaning. Will contact cleaning service for spring cleaning date. Discussed phone calling list for when church cancelled due to bad weather. It will be put on WVRQ radio and on Facebook. Administrative Board members will also do a calling chain. Let us know if you have a new phone number and would like to be called. Meeting was adjourned with the Lord's Prayer. Meeting was held at Bill and Sandy's house. Thanks for hosting and the lunch afterwards. Respectfully submitted by Tamie Thompson

5 8 THE CROSS AND THE FLAME THE CROSS AND THE FLAME 5 Viroqua Administrative Council Minutes Dec. 18th Members Present: Gregory Cheever, Cavan Fang, Jolene Gudgeon, Aaron Hanson, Kathy Hanson, Layne Hanson, Kristin Parrot, David Peterson, Gregg Roberts, Janet Welch The meeting was called to order at 7:05 following the Finance Committee meeting. Cavan and Kristin have been developing a Facebook page. They will proceed with that and attempt to get a button on the Website which will link to the Facebook page. For now all posts will to be approved by them. The conference Stewardship Challenge Grant was reviewed. Cavan, Gregg Roberts and Kathy will meet in the next few months to put together a recommendation for getting started with that. Kathy had some copies of Sue Nilson Kibbey s book, Flood Gates. She is putting together a group of folks to read and discuss the possibilities of breakthrough prayer in our congregation. The Big Thing is being planned for February 16. At this time, a menu of chicken and biscuits is planned along with a charge for the meal. The committee will meet again on January 7 and welcomes input. UMW - UMW had their Christmas party on December 13. They will be furnishing cookies for the Blood Drive in January. See complete minutes elsewhere in the newsletter. Care and Nurture - The committee has not met this month. The Shepherd s Run will be done again this year on Christmas Eve. Missions Committee - The fall food drive is being continued through Advent. Human Relations Sunday will be recognized in January. See complete minutes elsewhere in newsletter. Trustees - See minutes elsewhere in newsletter. Worship Committee -The committee will meet before Lent. Education - The kids, including the Confirmation class and Pastor Jean rang the Salvation Army bells at all four locations in town on December 9. They have adopted a family through Human Services again this year as a mission project, and will be shopping for them on December 19. The meeting ended with the Lord s Prayer at approximately 8:10. Next meeting January 15, 2019 at 7:00 following the Finance meeting. Happy Anniversary Viroqua Luther and Hazel Hendrickson January 20th Viroqua VUMC Facebook VUMC now has a Facebook page! The address is Please "Like" the page to receive Facebook announcements and news. Administrative Council Birthdays Liberty Pole Joyce Funk January 1st Matthew Ostrem January 4th Olive Brinkman January 10th Joe Funk January 16th Debra Solverson January 18th Judy Gardner January 21st Debora Hornby January 21st Wade Vikemyr January 21st Tammy Gardner January 25th Viroqua Peggy Selin January 1st Chuck Mulvaney-Kemp January 2nd Veryel Gerdl January 5th Mary Hare January 7th Nancy Weatherbie January 10th Ruby Roberts January 16th Gus Roberts January 20th Hazel Hendrickson January 22nd Viroqua United Methodist Women/Lydia Circle Minutes Dec.13th Michael Welch Gregory Cheever January 23rd January 25th The Lydia Circle met December 13th for their Christmas lunch at Kickapoo Corners. Hostesses for 2019 were scheduled. Janet, Barb, Joanne and Ardith will furnish 2 dozen cookies for the Blood Drive at the Church of Christ on January 15th. A discussion on how better to obtain cookies for the before church cookies and coffee. A group will meet early in January to address this. Craig Starr January 29th Ashlyn Davidson January 30th HAPPY BIRTHDAY! The January meeting will be January 10th. We will clean the kitchen. Pastor Jean will serve. Thank you to everyone who helped or served in any way in We extend an invitation to meet with us on the second Thursday of the month. Janet Welch Co-Chairman January 21, 3 rd Sunday after the Epiphany

6 6 THE CROSS AND THE FLAME THE CROSS AND THE FLAME 7 Present: Aaron Hanson, Pete Gilman, David Peterson, Gregory Cheever, Sandy Skarda, Dale Gudgeon, Pastor Jean Pastor Jean opened with prayer. (We thanked Pastor Jean for the Christmas treats and eggnog.) Aaron read the current bills: Snow removal $435.00; Elevator inspection $95.00; Paper supplies $128.71; Outside lights from Menards $126.10; and $14.93 for wire. All approved. There is an Ice problem at the back entrance. Repairman cannot seal the gutters because Viroqua Trustees Minutes Dec. 11th of the cold weather. Will replace them in the Spring. Suggest a sign be posted on the inside and outside of the door to warn of ice. The parsonage chimney has not been checked. The church furnace needs repair for a water leak due to a faulty valve. The office lights are in need of repair. The copier service contract will be checked for options and possibly renewed. We were short of bulletins for church service on Sunday. This should not happen. Efforts to prevent this will be made. The old used toilets are still in the basement. David will take them to LaCrosse. Discussion was held about having a Capital Campaign Fundraiser. One idea was to sell the ends of the pews and place the donor s name on the end purchased. Also, it was noted that having the side curtains open during worship was an open and friendly feeling. Perhaps the coffee and cookies could be there instead of the chapel. We could try this for Lent. This idea will be referred to the Worship and Care and Nurture Committees. The 2018 Apportionments are paid in full. Next meeting is Tues., January 8th at 6:00 p.m. Epiphany of the Lord Sunday, Jan. 6th The Epiphany (Manifestation) of the Lord (January 6), an even more ancient celebration among Christians than Christmas, originally focused on the nativity, incarnation, and baptism of Christ. Today we celebrate the coming of the three wise men (magi), who brought gifts to the Christ child. For this reason, in Puerto Rico and in most Latin American countries this day is observed as Three Kings Day or Dia de Los Reyes. It marks the end of the Christmas Cycle, which began the First Sunday of Advent. The Latino culture has preserved and developed this ancient celebration in a way that is a great gift to the whole Church. Within the church service, this day is celebrated with plays and special songs emphasizing the coming of the kings and their gifts for the Christ child. In the home the children are told to place boxes filled with hay under their beds so that the camels will eat the hay and the kings leave presents for the children. Congregations that do not worship on January 6 unless it is a Sunday may celebrate Epiphany on the first Sunday in January. Human Relations Day Sun., Jan. 20th On Jan. 20th, 2019, United Methodists will celebrate God s call to empower those struggling to thrive and equip change agents and others to transform the world. Turn on the news or drive around the outskirts of your town and you will find what Jesus called the least of these. Those living in the margins of society, struggling to survive. Over and over Jesus served people like this, embracing them. And that is what we want to model as the people of The United Methodist Church. To continue the ministry of Jesus we established Human Relations Day as a Special Sunday that calls all of our churches to participate in helping all God s Children to realize their potential. Will you continue to support Human Relations Day? Will you continue nurturing at-risk youth, strengthening communities self-improvement efforts and advocating for the oppressed? Confirmation Class The Big Thing Fundraiser All-Church Event Saturday, February 16th, :00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Meal Silent Auction Live Auction How can you help? Donate items, Serve on a work committee, TELL YOUR FRIENDS, attend Confirmation is going well. A special Thank You to all the Confirmands that were able to ring the Salvation Army Bell on Sunday, Dec. 9 th. What a great way to have a little fun, bring some cheer to the community, and raise money for those in need. Another Thank You to all the Confirmands that helped with each Churches Christmas program and have also helped with lighting the candles, offering usher or helping with announcements. Your attendance and participation are vital to your growth as a young believer. Not only that, but, you are all cherished by God, family and your church family and we love seeing all of you and having you use your creative talents for the sake of God s Kingdom. See you in Church and in the New Year s Confirmation classes. Pastor Jean