The Cross & The Flame

Transcription

1 December 2011 P.O. Box 127, Viroqua, WI The Cross & The Flame Inside this issue: Laugh Corner Pg. 2 HAPPY BIRTHDAY Pg. 2 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Pg. 2 VUMC Library Pg. 3 Health & Spiritual Corner Pg. 4 Calendar Pg. 5 Sunbeam Daycare News Pg. 6 Community Calendar Pg.6-7 Service Assistants Pg. 7 Liberty Pole News Pg. 8 Viroqua News Pg DecemberAcolytes Bible Doublepuzzle & Answer Key With open hearts & open minds. Special Points of Interest Oh a Wintery Sleigh Ride I will take... Bring a friend, bring a family member, even bring an angel! Clean, clean cleanup... Advent Devotionals available Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles...mmm Christmas Programs Back Page Back Page What We Could Not Do For Ourselves... Rev. Ethan Larson December, what are your pans for Christmas day this year? Six years ago we had a similar Christmas weekend as this year; Christmas Eve on Saturday and Christmas Day on Sunday. Some people may come on Christmas Eve and other may come on Christmas Day, as you might guess I plan on being here both Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Six years ago Laverne and I had the added blessing of celebrating our marriage late that Friday afternoon and evening. We will have many more services or people to be a part of this year just as in years past. In Viroqua, the Caroling of the Choirs continues to be celebrated the first Sunday evening of December at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. One week later, December 11 th at 3:30 pm, there is the Community Carol Singing at the Viroqua United Methodist Church and the evening of the 19 th, our Annual Blue Christmas Service. There are also the weekly worship services at 8:00 at Viroqua, 9:00 at Liberty Pole and 10:30 back at Viroqua each Sunday morning as we celebrate the Sundays of Advent. Both congregations will celebrate their Christmas programs on December 18 th. Over all, with the extra opportunities to gather and worship and the regular meetings at each Church throughout the month, it will be a busy month. In the midst of this business, one thing that we need to remember is what Christmas is all about. C.S. Lewis, the great British author and Christian apologist from the last century, felt Christmas was the most important Holiday of the Christian faith. His reasoning was that you could not have the grand miracles of Jesus earthly ministry, His atoning death and resurrection without His becoming human. Christmas was and is about God doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Whether you like to look at Christmas or Easter/Holy Week as the most important to the Christian faith, the reality is that both were necessary to meet our needs. If Jesus had come into this world fully Continued on Page 4

2 PAGE 2 THE CROSS & F LAME DE CE MBER A Special Hymn A preacher was completing a temperance sermon; with great expression he said, "If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."with even greater emphasis he said, "And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."and then finally, he said, "And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."he sat down. The song leader then stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, "For our closing song, let us sing Hymn # 365: "Shall We Gather at the River." Lesson in Lying A minister told his congregation, "Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17."The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17. Every hand went up. The minister smiled and said, "Mark has only sixteen chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying." Angels From The Homes Of Members Viroqua members and friends Don t forget to bring your angel ornaments for the display in the Narthex. Bring your angel figurines, statuettes, ornaments, pictures or other representations of these messengers of God, for as few or as many weeks as you want. Please write your name on the bottom so we make sure everyone gets the right item back. And if you like, attach a card telling why the item is special to you. Last year s Narthex display was enjoyed by many visitors to our community Carol sing and other events, so we hope to have another good display up this year. Thank you for helping to spread the Christmas cheer! December Laugh Corner The Viroqua Church is cleaning house! On Saturday morning, December 3rd from 9:30 a.m. to noon, we will be having our semi-annual Sanctuary Cleaning Party polishing the pews, dusting the doors, burnishing the brass and generally sprucing things up to welcome our Lord. If you are interested in helping out, we would appreciate the assistance. For more information call Cavan at Advent devotional booklets are available in the Narthex for you to take home. Please consider making the daily devotions a part of your Christmas preparation. If you would like a booklet mailed to you, please call the church office. 4 Things to do TODAY 1. Write a thank you note to someone who has made a difference in your life. 2. Pay for someone s drink or drive thru meal...just because. 3. Pray for a church in your town...a church that you don t attend. 4. Visit that someone who you ve been too busy to visit. Naomi Fanta - November 17th Ardith Olson - December 3rd Debbie Keesler - December 3rd Joe Schipper - December 4th Joanne Hornby - December 8th Rachel Turben - December 15th Inga Jacobson - December 20th Happy Birthday from the Viroqua & Liberty Pole United Methodist Churches!!! Brian & Carole Funk - December 5th Craig & Kay Starr - December 8th Michael & Sue Stephen - December 9th Lloyd & Debbie Keesler - December 11th Bernard & Harriet DeLap - December 29th Willard & Ann Carlow - December 31st

3 DE CE MBER THE CRO SS & F LAME Come Along, On A Wintery Sleigh Ride How many times have you seen White Christmas, and upon seeing that horse drawn sleigh, imagined one day enjoying Christmas season with such a snow ride? Well if that is what you are looking for and not sure where to start, below are some locations nearest to Viroqua I could find. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Redrock Trail Rides Katydid Ave. Sparta, WI Enjoy a 3 mile bobsled ride to their "Castle on the Rock" for homemade cookies and hot chocolate. Rides daily in season, reservations required Enjoy! A portion of each ride is donated to Rotary Lights No better way to view 2.6 million lights. Scheduled dates in the Park: December: 2, 3, 9, 10,16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 30. Cost: $20/per couple OR $25/per family Wilderness Resort 511 East Adams Street Wisconsin, Dells, WI Cinderella Carriage Rides: Rotary Lights, WI For those of you looking to get away but still thinking about that winter sleigh ride here is one in the Dells. Not only do you get to ride in an old fashioned style horse drawn wagon but this place has many other amenities to relax this holiday season. Believe it or not, time away can definitely help recharge you spiritually as you relax and have fun. Thanks be to God! From Our Library PAGE 3 Have you visited the Viroqua United Methodist Church Library recently? If not, you are missing out! Here s something we offer that might interest you: Kids & Families (VHS tape) The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Regency Home Video Beware the Herdmans! They re the nastiest, dirtiest kids you could ever meet... And they ve just decided they belong in this year s pageant. But the town thinks they belong in the care of the local police. When the curtain finally goes up, a miracle begins and it all turns into... The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! Adult (Inspirational) Like Father, Like Son By. Hunter S. Fulghum The author is the son of the bestselling author Robert Fulghum. The author writes about his own quixotic generation in this warm, witty, and wise collection of stories on being a man at mid-life in America. Like Father, Life Son is about experiencing life even when you feel there may not be much happening. It s about remembering how you lied to your daughter s dad about out your intentions toward his daughter as well as planning for the day when your daughter s date lies to you. It s about all the other memorable moments in life. Women (Spiritual Guide) Interludes: a busy woman s invitation to personal and spiritual rest By. Linda Andersen Are you luxuriating in an ordered, joyful, fruitful life? Or are you like most of the women you know? Frazzled. Busy. Weary. Depleted. You long to enjoy personal and spiritual abundance, but you have trouble stopping long enough to experience real intimacy with God and receive divine direction. You wonder how it can happen when your schedule already feels so precariously balanced. Rediscover simple, practical ways you can restore your serenity, find restful moments in every day, and enjoy the quiet interludes in which God communicates with those who seek Him. **Don t forget to come and check out the other selections throughout the Library!

4 PAGE 4 THE CROSS & F LAME DE CE MBER Continued from Page 1 grown we would not have been able to relate to Him as a human. Had He come with all of His power and authority for the world to see, we would have been awed by His magnificence and power but would not have seen His love for us, for all of humanity. Had He come only to teach, H would have been one choice of teachers among many others to follow. Had He come as a soldier conquering all that lay before Him, we would have been forced to bow our knees but we would not have bowed our hearts. Jesus came as a child, an infant so that we could come close and hold Him, He became a Chocolate Chip-Cookie Dough Truffles child and a youth who learned to be obedient to His earthly parents He became a young man who worked with His hands so we knew He understood the reality of working hard to put food on the table. And He became a man who was arrested for telling the truth about Himself so we would know that He understood the pain of betrayal that we have all experienced in our lives. Everything He did in coming was for us so that we would have a High Priest who understood our needs and had come to meet them and fulfill them on a cross. Merry Christmas Ingredients: 1/3 cup butter, softened 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 1 T Vanilla 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate pieces 4 oz. dark chocolate or semisweet chocolate, chopped 4 oz. chocolate-flavor candy coating, chopped 1 T shortening Directions: 1. Line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with waxed paper; set aside. In a medium bowl beat butter, brown sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Beat in flour just until combined. Stir in chocolate pieces. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place on prepared baking pan. Cover; freeze about 30 minutes or until firm. 2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan heat chopped chocolate, candy coating, and shortening over low heat, stirring until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. 3. Line a tray or baking sheet with waxed paper. Using a fork, dip balls into chocolate mixture, allowing excess chocolate mixture to drip back into saucepan. Place dipped balls on prepared tray. Let stand or chill about 30 minutes or until set. Lightly drizzle with the remaining melted chocolate mixture. Health Corner For Healthy Living 5 Naughty Foods That Are Nice! 1. Best Ice Cream... Edy s/dreyers Slow Churned Double Fudge Brownie. A scoop of this fudgy ice cream tastes sinful to your waistline but saves you calories and fat compared to the full-fat variety. 2. Best Tortilla Chip... Garden of Eatin Multigrain With Sea Salt. Their shape and texture make these flax-fortified chips ideal for dunking in guacamole or a chunky salsa. 3. Best Frozen Fries... Alexia Oven Reds With Olive Oil, Parmesan & Roasted Garlic. These crispy thick-sliced spuds flavored with seal salt are simply delectable. 4. Best Light Beer... Budweiser Select 55. This refreshing light brew with a full-bodied taste and golden color is one slim tasty sipper. 5. Best Cookie... Back to Nature Chocolate Chunk. Thanks to massive chunks of chocolate and buttery dough, this cookie took the cake! naughty-foods-aren%e2%80%99t-ice-cream-too Spiritual Health: Christian Quotes about God and Love: 1. Following Christ has nothing to do with success as the world sees success. It has to do with love (Madeleine L Engle) 2. God is love. He didn t need us. But he wanted us. And that is the most amazing thing. (Rick Warren) 3. The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people." (G.K. Chesterton) 4. "Love wholeheartedly, be surprised, give thanks and praise- then you will discover the fullness of your life." (Brother David Steindl-Rast) 5. "The first duty of love is to listen." (Paul Tillich) 6. "Love is an act of endless forgiveness." (Jean Vanier)

5 DE CE MBER December 2011 Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. ~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby THE CRO SS & F LA ME Tuesday, December 13th 6:30pm V Trustees Wednesday, December 14th 1:15pm Prayer (V) 3:30pm (V) 5:30pm LP UMW Executive meeting Saturday, December 17th Thursday, December 1st 8:45am Church of Nazarene 9:00am V Christmas Program Practice until 11am 11:30am Lydia Circle church Sunday, December 18 th 5:30pm Joint (V) 8:00am Viroqua UMC Early Worship Service 9:00am Liberty Pole UMC Worship Service Saturday, December 3rd LP Christmas Program (refreshments after) 9:30am Sanctuary Cleaning Party (until Noon) 9:00am Viroqua UMC Sunday School (adults) 9:00am Viroqua Christmas Program Practice Sunday, December 4 th 10:30am Viroqua UMC Worship Service 8:00am Viroqua UMC Early Worship Service V Christmas Program (fellowship after) 9:00am Liberty Pole UMC Worship Service Sunday School (during service) Sunday, December 19th 9:00am Viroqua UMC Sunday School (adults) 7:00pm Blue Christmas (V) 9:00am Viroqua Christmas Program Practice 10:00am Liberty Pole Christmas Program Practice Tuesday, December 20th 10:30am Viroqua UMC Worship Service 6:00pm V Finance Committee 7:00pm Caroling of Good Shepherd 7:00pm V Ad Council Monday, December 5th Wednesday, December 21st 7:00pm Men s (V) 1:15pm Prayer (V) 3:30pm (V) Tuesday, December 6th 9:00am Circuit Leaders Dells/Delton Saturday, December 24th 7:30pm LP Ad Council 4:00pm Choir Practice 5:00pm Christmas Eve (V) Wednesday, December 7th 7:00pm Pastor Viola Christmas Eve Service 1:15pm Prayer (V) 3:30pm (V) Sunday, December 25 th 6:00pm Choir Practice 8:00am Viroqua UMC Early Worship Service 9:00am Liberty Pole UMC Worship Service Sunday, December 11 th 9:00am Viroqua UMC Sunday School (adults) 8:00am Viroqua UMC Early Worship Service 10:30am Viroqua UMC Worship Service 9:00am Liberty Pole UMC Worship Service Sunday School (during service) Pastor Larson leaves (returns on Tues) 9:00am Viroqua UMC Sunday School (adults) Monday. December 26th 9:00am Viroqua Christmas Program Practice NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 10:00am Liberty Pole Christmas Program Practice 10:30am Viroqua UMC Worship Service Wednesday, December 28th 3:30pm Community Carol Sing 1:15pm Prayer (V) 4:30pm Living Nativity (until 6:00pm) 3:30pm (V) PAGE 5

6 PAGE 6 THE CROSS & F LAME DE CE MBER December Themes Winter Animals Jingle Bells Christmas Celebrate the New Year December Birthdays Jesus on the 25 th Special Days Christmas Party 22 nd Notes Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are both holidays for Sunbeam. Since they fall on a weekend, Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26 will be holidays at Sunbeam and the Daycare will not be open. The annual Apple Pie Sale was a huge success! We made and sold 125 pies that was the most ever! Thanks to everyone who bought, sold or made pies. You are great! The weather will be getting colder and snow will be here soon, but we will still go outside as much as possible. Make sure to have warm clothes at the daycare. A change of clothes is good too, in case we get wet. Continue to check your child s cubbie for communications. Merry Christmas FOR U PDATES PLEASE CHEC K OU R WEBSI TE, R OQUA U MC. ORG /DAYCA RE/ INDEX. HTML Community Upcoming Events Date December 1-31 December 2 La Farge December 3 La Farge Event Rotary Lights Riverside Park, Downtown, over TWO MIL- LION lights illuminate from 5p-10pm daily. Visit for more information. Book Release: Reading & Singing-Local historian Brad Steinmetz says that it is the best dam book that he has ever written. THAT DAM HISTORY: The Story of the La Farge Dam Project. The author will read selections from the new book and take questions. Refreshments and socializing at 6:30 pm. Talk begins at 7 pm. For more information, call or kickapoo.reserve@krm.state.wi.us. Friends of the KVR Annual Holiday Event- 5 pm - Gift Shop Grand Opening; Cookie & Candy Walk 6:30 pm - Photo Contest Awards 7 pm - String Ties Performs The concert is free to the public, but donations will be accepted. Attendees are encouraged to renew their Friends of the KVR membership at the holiday event. Dec. 3 & 4 December 3 Onalaska December 3 Live Nativity At Rotary Lights YMCA-North Branch, 400 Mason Street Pancake Breakfast: 8:30am - 10:30am Rudolph's Dash for Kids - 10:30am Rudolph is calling all children ages 3-10 to run Rudolph's Dash and meet Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer at the finish line& for an all-you-can-eat, familystyle pancake breakfast. Entry Fee: $6/child, includes T-shirt, ribbon and breakfast Breakfast Only (Not participating in Dash): $3/person Ecotainment: Food Fight - A documentary film at Myrick Hixon Ecopark (789 Myrick Park Drive)-7:00pm Food Fight: A Documentary Film at Myrick Hixon EcoPark Part of the EcoTainment Fundraiser Series for the EcoPark. This film is a fascinating look at how American agricultural policy and food culture developed in the 20th Century. The film compels people to question whether their food sources are healthy and sustainable and provides insight into alternative food provision choices. A $10 donation will support EcoPark education programs. Adult beverages, soda and organic snacks will be available for an additional donation.

7 DE CE MBER Continued Events December 3-4 Coon Valley December 4 Viroqua December 4 THE CRO SS & F LA ME Norskedalen Heritage & Nature Center-Come experience the holiday season with some of your favorite foods, holiday entertainment, bake sale, decorated pioneer homestead, raffle, cake walk, gift shops, wagon rides and more! Candy cane land usually has a visitor from the North Pole too! Regular admission fees apply: $6/adult, $3/child, $15/family (with two adults and children under 18 years of age) Annual Caroling of the Choirs Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, S. Main St. Community church choirs and organizations share their talents this Christmas season. St. Olaf Christmas Festival Live More than 500 musicians perform a Christmas concert on the campus of Minnesota s St. Olaf College. Marcus Cinema Theatres (2032 Ward Ave.) 2:30pm December 18 December 18 December 19 PAGE 7 Chamber Chorale: Advent Hymn Sing Christ Episcopal Church (111 North 9 th St.) Come and sing familiar Christmas hymns. Tickets are not issued for this event. Admission is free a suggested donation of $5 is appreciated. Please bring a nonperishable food item for WAFER. The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker Carmike Valley Square 6 (4400 State Rd. 16) 2:30pm Boy Choir Holiday Concert: Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols Shrine Church, Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (5250 Justin Rd.) Join a celebration of Christmas the story of the Nativity is told through words and songs. Tickets are $17/adult and $15/child 12 and under. 4:00pm - 7:00pm December 4 December 7 Viroqua December 9-18 December 8-10 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train Amtrak Station, 601 St. Andrew Street. Come enjoy the awesome Canadian Pacific Railroad Holiday Train, brilliantly decorated! Featuring a boxcar show with live music, complimentary hot chocolate and cookies. Please bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Hunger Task Force of. 9:00pm Viroqua Fire Dept. s Annual Toys for Tots Chili Supper Come down to the Viroqua Fire Station for a free will donation supper. All proceeds to Toys for Tots. The Last Christmas Gift.- Community Theatre, What happens after Santa leaves for his annual delivery? Elves will play, of course, until the discovery of the worst possible disaster one gift has been left behind! Try as they might, the elves only make matters worse when they learn the unexpected answer that ensures everyone a merry Christmas. Call or to Over The Hill & Through The Woods-The Pump House Regional Arts Center (119 King St.). Using a unique blend of stories, music and images, Sara Slayton, Terry Visger and Lynn Wing share humorous, sometimes poignant memories of holidays, celebrations and other 'events' that were colored by the norms and oddities of growing up in teh 1950's and 1960's. Admission fee applies. Visit the Pump House online for additional details. Liberty Pole UMC Service Assistants Ushers/Greeters December 4: Amy & Shana Hardy December 11: Amy & Shana Hardy December 18: Lynn & Arden Zitzner December 25: Lynn & Arden Zitzner Liturgist Cyndy Hubbard Viroqua UMC Service Assistants Ushers December 4: Minie Hirschfield & Janet Welch December 11: Trygve & Erma Overbo December 11 (Carol Sing) : John Eumurian December 18: Chuck & Kathie Stelzner December 19 (Blue Christmas) : Dan Casper December 24 (Eve) : Layne & Janette Hanson December 25: Paul 7 Sonja Bjerkos Greeters December 4: Annabel McGarry December 11: David Peterson December 18: Shirley Gilman December 24: Dan Casper December 25: Janet Welch Liturgist Greg Cheever

8 PAGE 8 THE CROSS & F LAME DE CE MBER Liberty Pole News Liberty Pole UMW November 2011 UMW meeting on December 14th, 5:30 p.m. Esther circle to provide program. Christmas pot luck, bring a dish to pass, bring your family & a friend. Lets rejoice in the holiday season. It s time to bring those mittens, hats and scarves to keep someone in need warm. There is still a need for food at the Food Pantries / Lets share & fill that cart one more time before 2012 arrives. LIBERTY POLE FINANCIAL SUMMARY By. Bill Marohl VUMC Christian Education Committee Meeting Minutes Present: Chuck Mulvaney-Kemp, Joanne Hornby, Pastor Larson, Sonja Bjerkos, Janette Hanson, Kristen Parrott and Linda Weilnau Approve Minutes: Minutes from October meeting were approved by consensus. Reports: Sunday School: This department has been asked to help decorate the church for Christmas. It was decided to help and we will start decorating at 9:00 AM on Sunday, November 27 th. It may take more than one time to complete the decorating. Pastor Ethan said it was okay if it is decorated in stages. Daycare: Members of the Daycare Committee and their families made 113 pies for the Thanksgiving Pie fundraiser. It was asked if parents of the daycare children helped with this project and we were informed that none of them did. The Daycare Committee will be discussing the matter of Daycare parents assisting with fundraisers in the future. Daycare enrollment is currently a little low. Confirmation: There are currently a total of 3 students in confirmation, 2 from Liberty Pole and 1 from Viroqua. The Confirmation class will do the Adopt a Family for Christmas this year. They will use the money collected from the pop cans for this project. Old Business: Bibles: Kathy will order the 5 Bibles for her Sunday School class (grades 2-8). The Bibles will stay at church so they can use them during their class time. Budget: It was approved by consensus. Christmas Program: It will be Sunday, December 18th during the church service. The name of it is Star of Wonder. Everyone from the Education Committee will bring at least 2 dozen cookies to be served after the September (9/30/11) October (10/31/11) Monthly Receipts $3, $3, Monthly Disbursements $5, $3, Year-to-Date Receipts $36, $40, Year-to-Date Disbursements $34, $37, Balance on Hand (10/31/11) $5, $5, Conference Apportionment Paid to Date $2, $3, Missions/Special Gifts $1, $1, Conference Apportionments for the year $9, $9, Christmas program. Extra cookies will be used for the following Sunday, December 25 th during the fellowship time and some will be available to be given to the service employees who work on Christmas Eve. Linda will take care of purchasing the beverages. MacInnis Scholarship: Motion was made by Chuck and Sonja seconded the motion to keep this item on the agenda until a final decision has been made. Janette read the proposed

9 DE CE MBER THE CRO SS & F LA ME PAGE 9 changes we would like to have made to this scholarship. They dealt with when the recipient could receive the scholarship money. A copy of the scholarship was given to everyone. We discussed the parameters of the scholarship and decided we may want to make some changes. Janette will contact the Foundation to see if we can make any changes and she will check with the school to find out the timeline for students applying for the scholarship. Everyone is to look over the scholarship and send any suggestions to Janette. If we are allowed to make changes, we will meet on December 4 th after church to discuss the changes. New Business: Committee Membership: It was recommended that Chuck and Linda remain on this committee and they both agreed to this. Soup & Subs: Sonja will head this project. Sales will start January 22 nd and sales will only be done before and after church services. The soup and subs will be available on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5 th. Fortney Hotel Meal: Motion was made by Sonja and seconded by Chuck to have our committee serve the meal on February 19 th, Ig-Nite: will be held on November 30th and there will be a variety of games and a pasta meal. Next Meeting: Regular Committee January 16 th, 2012 at 5:30 PM (potluck) Respectfully Submitted by Robert A. Starr Viroqua Administrative Council Meeting October Present: Kathy Hanson, Ethan Larson, Veryel Gerdl, Ardith Olson, Greg Cheever and Robert Starr. The meeting opened at 7:05 with Kathy reading from a book titled, My Utmost for the Highest. The Minutes of the October Meeting were reviewed and approved by consensus. Worship Committee: Cavan did not attend the meeting. It was mentioned that the Good Samaritan Fund is depleted. It is expected that the church organ will be playable by late November. The Community Carol sing is scheduled for December 11th in the afternoon. The Blue Christmas will be on December 19 th. Mission Committee: The Committee did not meet yet this month. A total of $1, has been raised for Paul Webster. The amount over the assigned commitment will be given to his associate Tshalla Mwengo. Care & Nurture Committee: David Peterson could not be present. The Committee did a wonderful job on Veteran s Day. All Veterans present stood before the church and were presented with an American Flag. A Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said by all present. A wonderful cake had been appreciated by all at luncheon before the church service and also at the share a dish after services. Education Committee: Kathy will provide a summary of the committee meeting. The Christmas Children s Program will be on December 18 th. They are searching for the Christmas Tree that is just right for the sanctuary. They plan to have Soup and Subs for Super Bowl Sunday. They plan to provide the Fortney Hotel Meal In February. UMW: Ardith reported that they hope to have a small refrigerator upstairs which would be convenient for serving on Sunday and special occasions. SPRC: No Meeting. Trustee Meeting: It was reported that the new glass windows are in above the doors. A lot of repair had to be done around the doors especially the main west door because of water leakage. Apparently this was because the roofer had made an error. The bill for this expense will be sent to the roofer. A new sign will be installed at the west side of the church. A new church Altar is planned as requested by the Amundson family. Suggestions have been made about size and style and will be considered at the time of construction. Finance Committee: Chuck Stelzner gave the report and a summary will be in the Newsletter. Wills, Memorials and Gifts Committee: The report was given by Veryel Gerdl. IgNite will be on Wednesday, November 30 th. The meeting adjourned at 8 pm with the Lords Prayer.

10 PAGE 10 THE CROSS & F LAME DE CE MBER VUMC Finance Committee-November 15 th, 2011 The VUMC Finance Committee will meet next on Tuesday December 20 at 6:00 PM. All are welcome to attend. Copies of all financial committee minutes and forms can be requested from any committee member. Our ending balance in our checking account for October was $10, In addition to this we have a reserve of $1, in our money market savings account. Our October income was $16, and expenses were $15, Please refer to the financial summary created by our treasurer Greg Cheever if you VIROQUA FINANCIAL SUMMARY By. Greg Cheever Cash Flow October 2011 Beginning Balance $9, Deposits $16, Disbursements $15, Ending Balance $10, Financial Highlights: have any questions regarding these figures. Our church members and friends of the church have done a fantastic job supporting all of the staff, programs, maintenance/ repairs and capital improvements for 2011 through their generous donations. Our capital improvement costs have one major payment of approximately $20,000, for the organ, left to pay in Veryel Gerdl created an accounting of our capital campaign disbursements starting in December 2010 through November Monthly Income $11, YTD Income $113, This included roofing, construction, and landscaping to the parsonage at a total cost of $51, (Liberty Pole share was $19,650.81). In addition to this the organ repairs for VUMC for this period were $48, The total disbursements for capital improvements from VUMC were $80, A breakdown of these figures can be obtained from Veryel. I would like to thank Veryel for the great job he has done supporting these campaigns as well as all of his Wills/Memorials committee efforts. We have a great group of individuals who have supported our Finance Committee efforts for the past several years including: Cavan Fang, Pastor Ethan Larson, Veryel Gerdl, Robert Starr, Jerry Schroeder, Orvis Primmer, Kathy Hanson, Fred Nelson, Greg Cheever (Treasurer), and Betty Ross. Starting in January Sonja Bjerkos will be taking over as chair of the finance committee, Fred Nelson and I will be dropping off and Tony Rubasch will become a new member of the committee. We could not have done it without all of you! Monthly Expenses $15, YTD Expenses $116, LP Balance $1,604.88** Daycare Balance $3,974.14** NH/Retreat Balance $883.88** YTD Apportionment Paid $12, YTD Missions/Special Gifts $5, Savings Balance $1, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not our heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - John 14:27 Chuck Stelzner,

11 DE CE MBER Viroqua UMW Our Executive meeting was held on November 2nd in the Church lounge. It was voted to give a Christmas money gift to the minister, the Church secretary and the custodian. Ladies need to remember to bring a Christmas gift to go to Vernon Manor. It can be left in the library with a note as for a man or woman and to state what it is. Some residents cannot have candy etc. The Sunday School mothers will serve cookies before services in December. At circle on November 3 rd, Joanne Hornby gave a program on the Conference Annual Gathering held in Black River Falls on October 21 st -22 nd. Lydia Circle will meet at the Church at 11:30 on December 1 st to go to Kickapoo Corners for noon lunch. Merry Christmas to all! Remember to use the Church library. To the members of UMC, the Viroqua Bluegrass & Gospel Music Association appreciates the use of your kitchen and fellowship hall. The Viroqua Bluegrass & Gospel Festival would not be possible without community support. We hope that many of the people who joined us for chili & music were members of your congregation. We appreciated their support. THE CRO SS & F LA ME Dates to Remember: December 1 st : December 7 th : Care & Nurture Report By. Gloria Freilinger PAGE 11 Lydia Circle to Kickapoo Corners Executive Committee 9:30 A.M. The Care and Nurture Committee met November 8th at 1:00 p.m. with the following members present: Harry Fox, Mary Fox, Joanne Hornby and Gloria Freilinger. We discussed plans for honoring veterans on November 13 th, the Thanksgiving meal which will be served at the Catholic Church, and the 50 th Wedding Anniversary Recognition which will be on November 27 th. Mission Report By. Lorna Peterson Christmas has traditionally been Blue Christmas Ser- a season of light and celebration, but not everyone finds it easy to be cheerful. The holidays with their forced joyfulness can be a difficult time for those who have lost a loved one, are facing an uncertain future or are simply overwhelmed by life s circumstances. On December 19th, our churches are hosting a Blue Christmas worship service in cooperation with the Viroqua Ministerial Association. A Blue Christmas service is a quiet, meditative gathering that focuses on healing, recovery and the comfort God offers during dark times. Through prayer, scripture and music we will share our burdens with God and one another and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. The Blue Christmas worship service is for anyone who needs help getting through the holidays. No matter why Christmas has you feeling blue, we hope you will come and let God bring peace to your pain. The service will be held at Viroqua Church, 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 19th nearly the longest night of the year when the darkness seems greatest. In case of bad weather the service will be postponed to December 22nd listen for announcements on WVRQ, or check the church website. Refreshments will be served after worship during a time for fellowship and mutual support. All are welcome. The Mission Meeting was held on November 21st at 1:00 p.m. Attending were Pastor Ethan, Janet Starr, Jean Knudson, Rick Schneiderman & Lorna Peterson. Our pledge for Paul Webster has been met for The mitten tree or toys for tots has been set up. Please donate scarves, mittens or toys for area children. Our Church is responsible for the Fortney Hotel meal on Sunday, December 18th. Our Good Samaritan Fund is very low. Donations are welcome. The United Methodist Student Day is on January 8 th, Human Relations Day is February 5 th, Our next meeting will be January 16th at 1:00 p.m. 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 Pho ne: Fax: info@viroquaumc.org OFFICE HOURS 8:30 11:30 a.m. Monday Friday LIBERTY POLE UMC S6759 St. Hwy. 27 Viroqua, WI Pho ne: STAFF Ethan Larso n, Pastor Cell Pho ne: Parso nage Pho ne: ethanlarso n@msn.co m Stephanie Larso n, Secretary

12 Viroqua and Liberty Pole United Methodist Churches Post Office Box 127 Viroqua, WI PHONE: FAX: Website: Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Viroqua, Wisconsin Permit Number 11 DATE SENSITIVE THE CROSS THE FLAME THE CROSS & THE FLAME LIBERTY POLE VIROQUA UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES LIBERTY POLE & VIROQUA UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Liberty Pole United Methodist Church 9:00 A.M. Viroqua United Methodist Church 8:00 A.M. 10:30 A.M. November Doublepuzzle Answer Shout Tempt Whip Force Divine Along Sigh Life Wisdom is the principle thing Proverbs 4:7 SUNDAY SCHOOL Liberty Pole UMC **During the Service Viroqua UMC 9:00.A.M. (Adults) 9:30.A.M. (Children) December Acolytes December 4: Mitchell Hanson December 11: Ben Hanson December 18: Mallory Hanson December 25: Jim Porter