Parish Secretary: Carol Lekies Home: Submit News to:

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Next issue: March/April 2017 Deadline: February 24, 2017 Submit News to: carol.ossp@ceas.

com Parish Secretary: Carol Lekies Home: 715-785-7362 Email: carol.ossp@ceas.coop; carol_lekies@yahoo.

Paul s ELCA Parish Office: 715-785-7975 Website: osspelca.org Our Saviour s and St.

, Medford, WI 54451 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #1 CURTISS, WI 54422 Our mission is

1 Next issue: March/April 2017 Deadline: February 24, 2017 Submit News to: Pastor Lowell Bolstad Parish Secretary: Carol Lekies Home: Organist: Donna Schmidt Home: Facebook: Our Saviour s and St. Paul s ELCA Parish Office: Website: osspelca.org Our Saviour s and St. Paul s Lutheran Church, ELCA Mailing address: W7809 Apple Ave., Medford, WI CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #1 CURTISS, WI Our mission is to share the love of Christ with each other, our community, and the world. ST. PAUL S & OUR SAVIOUR S LUTHERAN PARISH, ELCA 1131 MERIDIAN STREET CURTISS, WI The Parish Internet Our Saviour s & St. Paul s Lutheran Parish, ELCA Sunday Worship Schedule Our Saviour s 8:30 am; St. Paul s 10:15 am Our mission is to share the love of Christ with each other, our community, and the world. February 2017

2 Our mission is to share the love of Christ with each other, our community and the world. 2 The Parish Internet February Table of contents 3 Parish News Events March/April 4 Parish News From the Pastor 5 Parish News 6 Parish News Joint Financial 7 Parish News 8 Our Saviour s News 9 Our Saviour s Youth News 10 Our Saviour s News February Our Saviour s News 12 Our Saviour s Financial Report 13 St. Paul s Council Meeting Minutes 14 St. Paul s Council Meeting Minutes 15 SP Council Minutes continued 16 Cover Center - February Calendar & Worship Assistant Schedule St. Paul s Council Minutes Letter of Agreement (LOA) with Our Savior s in Stanley/ Separation from Our Saviour s: the LOA will be voted on at Our Savior s in Stanley Sunday, 1/22/17. Upon a favorable result, it will be voted on at St. Paul s at the annual meeting on 2/12/17. St. Paul s would officially separate from Our Saviour s after a three-month trial period with Our Savior s in Stanley. Pastor Bolstad assured the council that the Transition Task Force and the council at Our Saviour s is fully aware of the situation and are making plans for after April 1. The council realizes that several members of the congregation still have questions about the proposed separation and is confident that all will be answered in due course. Constitution Update: This will be addressed after the threemonth trial period, and basically it will mean that St. Paul s constitution will be updated and then voted on at the annual meeting in Duties List for Administration: The various administrative tasks now performed by Carol Lekies were reviewed. Sue will arrange to meet with Carol and Jenny at the office in Holway to discuss bulletins, newsletters, reports, files, ledgers, the Facebook page, the website, etc. A fundraiser in March was discussed, and tentative plans are for one on either 3/12 or 3/19. This topic will be discussed further at the next council meeting. A motion was made by Roxy and seconded by Lila to approve all reports as presented. The motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:35 pm and ended with the Lord s Prayer. Submitted by Sue Ackerman, Council Secretary Minutes provisional until approved St. Paul s Record of Giving For January $ needed/week St. Paul s Counters Weeks of February 5 & 12 LaVerna Marcott, Sherry Krueger & Sharon Brecke Weeks of February 19 & 26 Carrie Westberg & Lila Meske Date Amount Given 1-Jan $ Jan $ Jan $ Jan $ Jan Not Available 15

3 St. Paul s Council Minutes 14 for a gas card, and the motion carried. The Women in Balance event scheduled for 2/4/17, and a speaker or two are still needed. Lila will invite Shari Rohland from Munson Bridge Winery to speak and attend. She will also send an invitation to the ladies of Our Savior s in Stanley. Michelle suggested planning a new food pantry collection. This was tabled until the next council meeting. A fundraiser by the Trust Fund Committee has been scheduled for 2/24/17. Finance: the group reviewed the proposed 2017 budget for St. Paul s which showed a 2017 budget including Our Saviour s in Holway, a 2017 budget including Our Savior s in Stanley, and a 2018 budget including Our Savior s in Stanley. The proposed 2017 Joint Budget was reviewed and discussed. Further discussion of the Joint Budget was tabled until the result of the vote of the Letter of Acceptance at the annual meeting of Our Savior s in Stanley, which is scheduled for 1/22/17. The annual Synod Benevolence Pledge form was reviewed, and all agreed to leave the pledged figure at $2,400. Property: Sand is needed for the parking spaces on the north side of the church. Michelle will contact a few people and will report back with her findings. Worship: Carrie Westberg suggested starting a prayer service once or twice a month in the summer on Thursday and/or Saturday evenings. The group all believed it was a good idea. This will be discussed further after Lent. TREASURER S REPORT: Roxy distributed an account statement for the period 12/19/16 1/22/17, which was reviewed by the council. She noted that still to be paid were Our Saviour s and the bill for snow plowing, and a couple of other bills. Lila suggested that any proceeds from the 2/24/17 fundraiser be put toward these bills. Roxy reported that the quarterly insurance invoice of $527 will be due next month. While reviewing the account statement, discussion ensued about ways to reduce the utility bills. Lila will check with Stephie about the when the changing of the furnace filter is due. OTHER: Pastor Bolstad reported that the fire inspector made a visit, and the fire extinguishers are due to be recharged. Events Parish News Our Saviour s Annual Meeting on February 5 The service of worship will be at 10:15am this day with the annual meeting to follow, while St. Paul s service of worship will be at 8:30am. Potluck dinner after the annual meeting at Our Saviour s. St. Paul s Annual Meeting on February 12 The congregation will vote on the proposed letter of agreement with Our Savior s in Stanley. Our Saviour s Intergenerational Event on February 12 Join Our Saviour s Sunday School and youth at A Dog s Purpose movie at the Broadway Theater, Medford. This is a time to share with the youth from OS. See page 10 for more information. Commemoration of Saint Valentine with Celebration of Love and Marriage on February 19 One of God s gifts is that of love and marriage. You are invited to give thanks for the gift of companionship, in general, and of love and marriage, in particular, at worship on the weekend of Valentine s Day. A special invitation is extended to those married at the church this past year as well as those planning to be married this coming year. Pray that God will strengthen the gifts of companionship, love, and marriage. The Transfiguration of our Lord on February 26 Shortly before he enters Jerusalem, where he will be crucified, Jesus is revealed to his disciples in a mountaintop experience of divine glory called the transfiguration. This festival concludes the Christmas cycle that began at Advent. From the festival of the transfiguration, the church turns to Ash Wednesday and its baptismal journey to Christ s death and resurrection celebrated during the days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Pray for God s direction during the transition Earnest prayer is requested for this transition as we make our way between installed pastorates. Special prayer is requested for congregation leadership, task forces, pastor and staff, bishop and synod staff. 3

4 From the Pastor s Study 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation When Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the church door in Wittenberg in 1517, no one expected the breadth of evangelical reforms in Christian teaching and practice that followed. In every dimension of Christian faith, a renewed trust in God s forgiving mercy replaced a reliance on teachings and practices that, like the sale of indulgences, were vulnerable to abuse and corruption. Preaching a few years later, Luther said, I opposed indulgences... but never with force. I simply taught, preached, and wrote God s Word; otherwise I did nothing. I did nothing; the Word did everything. When he began to propose reforms in worship, he wrote similar words. This is the sum of the matter: let everything be done so that the Word may have free course. Nearly 500 years later, the results of this evangelical confidence in God s forgiving and liberating Word are evident today in Christian communities of all types. In the years leading to 2017 ELCA members, congregations and synods will observe the anniversary of this evangelical reformation in a variety of ways with numerous partners. Here in this parish, a mid-week Lenten series will be offered on With Awe and Love: A Midweek Lenten Series Based on Luther s Small Catechism starting on Ash Wednesday, March 1. The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin will offer a Walking Together: 500 for the 500 th on Sat., March 18, at the Davies Center, UWEC in Eau Claire. In these and other ways, we honor our heritage even as we look ahead to the future. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Lowell Bolstad CHURCH CANCELLATION POLICY----If weather conditions are bad and have forced worship services to cancel, you can hear this on MEDFORD RADIO STATION-99.3 FM and our Facebook Page. 4 St. Paul s Council Minutes JANUARY 19, 2017 PRESENT: Lila Meske, Roxy Tranberg, Michelle Albrecht, Pastor Bolstad, & Sue Ackerman CALL TO ORDER: the meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm by Vice President Albrecht. DEVOTIONS & PRAYER: Pastor Bolstad read from Paul s letter to the Corinthians and led the group in prayer. MISSION STATEMENT: The gr oup r ecited our mission statement aloud. CARING CONVERSATION: each of the group recounted what was going on in our lives. GOALS: 30 day goal is the annual Women in Balance event scheduled for Saturday, 2/4/ day goal is the transition, if approved, to the new agreement with Our Savior s in Stanley. MINUTES: Lila read the minutes from the 12/6/16 meeting. There were no changes. A motion was made by Michelle and seconded by Lila to approve as presented, and the motion carried. PASTOR S REPORT: Pastor Bolstad r epor ted that he r ecently met with several pastors in our synod; he reminded the group that we are in the season of Epiphany; the Congregation Report was reviewed; and he updated the group with regard to how the call process is proceeding in other churches in our synod. Each council member answered questions on the Congregational Report related to St. Paul s. After meeting with Our Saviour s last night, Pastor stated that he is confident that St. Paul s has done its due diligence in terms of the call process. PARISH SECRETARY S REPORT: Pastor noted that Carol Lekies has chosen to reduce her work hours. CO-MISSION REPORTS: Agape: Pr ior to the meeting, a r epr esentative fr om the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Clark County spoke with Jenny Jakel by phone, reporting on a family situation where a donation from the Mercy Fund would be helpful. The council members discussed that a $50 gas card would help out the family in need. A motion was made by Lila and seconded by Roxy to withdraw $50 from the Mercy Fund 13

This Sunday ONLY! Officers will be needed at St. Paul s and Our Saviour s. Prayerfully consider filling a position.

5 Our Saviour s Financial News Parish News ANNUAL MEETINGS Our Saviour s will be held on Sunday, February 5, 2017following 10:15 am worship. St. Paul s will be held on February 12, 2017 following 10:15 am worship. SERVICE TIME CHANGE February 5, 2017 St. Paul s will worship at 8:30 am, and Our Saviour s will worship at 10:15 am. This Sunday ONLY! Officers will be needed at St. Paul s and Our Saviour s. Prayerfully consider filling a position. Updated Constitutions to be Brought Before Annual Meetings Both Congregation Councils at their October meetings voted to place the updated constitutions on the agenda of the annual meeting for approval. The internet address for the amendments passed at the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is listed below. Highlights include: seasonal membership, rostered ministers, and parish authorization., Amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations download.elca.org/elca%20resource%20repository/ Amendments_to_Constitution_for_Congregations Lutheran Social Services Changing Lives For more than 100 years, Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan has supported individuals, families and communities with services and programs designed to change the world - one grace-filled life at a time. We help people all along the lifespan with services as essential as shelter and clothing, and as life-changing as trauma-informed counseling and adoption. Affliliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, LSS welcomes and serves people of all faiths and backgrounds. Donna Nicks sponsored the website in February in memory of her late husband Roger. Thank you. 12 Submitted by Elaine Hallgren, Treasurer osspelca.org If you would like to sponsor the website, call the parish office at

Submitted by Brenda Nernberger, joint treasuerer Parish News Joint Budget Our Saviour s News The Sunday school youth learned about quilting with Carole Jari & Joann Lavin.

Students were told why the ladies make quilts, where they send them, who might receive one, and a little bit about how the ladies put the quilts together.

They put their back to the front of their square and pinned it together for the ladies to sew. Next time they meet, the kids will get to tie their own square and take it home with them.

6 Submitted by Brenda Nernberger, joint treasuerer Parish News Joint Budget Our Saviour s News The Sunday school youth learned about quilting with Carole Jari & Joann Lavin. They learned that each one of them in their own way, and with their own talents, can help people and that Jesus loves for them to do that. Students were told why the ladies make quilts, where they send them, who might receive one, and a little bit about how the ladies put the quilts together. Many quilts go to hurricane victims, homeless people, veterans, fire victims, etc. The kids got to pick out their own fabric from what the ladies had at church and cut squares. They put their back to the front of their square and pinned it together for the ladies to sew. Next time they meet, the kids will get to tie their own square and take it home with them. The Sunday School class also made the paper quilt that is on the wall downstairs with the children s birthdays and names on them. More squares will be added as students attend. 6 Ken turns 80! Please join the family in celebrating his birthday. Saturday, February 4 at the Centennial Community Center, Stetsonville. Please arrive about 7pm. The family will already be there because Ken thinks this is a get together for his son Neil s 50 birthday. The bar will be open. The family will provide beer and soda. And of course, the Nernberger s will feed you. No gifts please just come and celebrate with us! Marian 11

Our Saviour s News COMING UP Join Our Saviour s Sunday School and youth at A DOG S PURPOSE movie at the Broadway Theater on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 A dog looks to discover his purpose in life over the

Witness the incredible journey that will make you believe in second chances.

7 Our Saviour s News COMING UP Join Our Saviour s Sunday School and youth at A DOG S PURPOSE movie at the Broadway Theater on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 A dog looks to discover his purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes and owners. We first meet Bailey and his life with Ethan. Through many lives and lots of loved humans, Bailey makes the journey back home to Ethan. Witness the incredible journey that will make you believe in second chances. There has been some controversy over this movie, but even though there is not a religious message, the overall story is a wonderful display of love that we all need to be reminded of. We will leave from Our Saviour s at 9:40 a.m. on February 12 and travel by school bus to the theater. Congregation members, parents, grandparents and friends are invited and encouraged to join us (in your own car or on the bus). The Fleegel family is opening the theater especially for us so we would need at least 35 people to attend. Please RSVP to Barb Krug by February 6 th with the number attending. The movie will begin at 10:00 a.m. The cost will be $8.00 for admission, popcorn and a soda. If you want to meet us at the theater, that would be wonderful! This is a great deal to see a great movie and to share some time with the youth of Our Saviour s! RSVP By February 6, , fax, mail, hand to or call: Barb Krug 883 Brucker St. Medford, WI barbkrug@charter.net Phone Fax NAME & NUMBER ATTENDING Phone Number Circle one: We will get on the bus at church OR We will meet the group at the theater Circle one : We will get off the bus at church 10 We will leave directly from the theater OR Parish News Luther Park Bible Camp Where Faith is Nurtured through Holy Play Camp registrations are open for the 2017 summer sessions. For more information and to register go to: Scholarships are available. Mission Statement: Luther Park Bible Camp intends to be faithful to Jesus Christ and his ministry of reaching out to people of all ages with the good news of salvation: Prepare the way of the Lord Isaiah 40:3. Office Hours Before driving out to Our Saviour s, call first so you won t be disappointed if the doors are locked and you can t get in. I ll be working fewer hours than posted. Hours will vary depending on the church year and what needs to be done that week. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your parish secretary. I appreciate the flexibility of the job, so I can take care of family obligations. Respectfully submitted, Carol Lekies Walking Together The word synod comes from two Greek words: syn (together) and hodos (a way) A way together or walking together We are a part of something larger than ourselves. Christ prayed that we may be one. Our synod, one of 65 in the ELCA, is a way that we walk together. Together is an important idea for understanding Christianity and the Church. Christians are joined to the Church through baptism into Christ. The Christian Church is understood as the Body of Christ with individual parts that contribute to the whole. The gift given by the Holy Spirit are meant to build up the whole body through sharing. In Christ, Christians are joined together in a common fellowship. God has intended us to function are our best in relationship to each other. 7

Taylor County Giving Tree Committee Dear Friends, We recently received your gift of $32.54 to Lutheran World Relief. Thank you! Warm regards, Daniel V.

8 Our Saviour s News Our Saviour s Youth News Dear Our Saviour s, Thank you for buying gifts for the Taylor County Giving Tree. Your generosity helped make it possible for us to provide Christmas gifts to 495 children in need throughout Taylor County. We couldn t have done it without your help! Thank you. Taylor County Giving Tree Committee Dear Friends, We recently received your gift of $32.54 to Lutheran World Relief. Thank you! Warm regards, Daniel V. Speckhard, CEO Dear Our Saviour s Church, Thank you so much for your very generous Christmas donation to CCRLC. It is the mission of CCRC to ensure quality health care in a homelike environment and to provide for the health, welfare, and safety of the individuals that reside at our facility. Your donation will go a long way to help us provide this care, and to put a smile of the resident s faces. With Kind Regards, Megan Thums, Activities Director In December and January, there were no meetings. The next scheduled meeting is February 1. Barb Krug is the program leader. Handbooks The 2017 handbooks are done and can be picked up in the fellowship hall. 8 The January Our Saviour s Council Meeting minutes will be available after worship in the parish hall. Unavailable at time of printing. Education Co-mission Meeting Minutes January 18, 2017 Barb Krug, Andrea Kawa, Lynette Sanders & Pastor Bolstad VBS will be held Wednesday July 26. We are looking for a volunteer to run VBS this year. Working with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes worked great last year, but will plan to do something different this year. Confirmation Sunday will be May 21 during church service. The 4 children being confirmed are; Dalton Krug, Alicia Kawa, Josie Loucks & Jasmine Carlson. Barb will contact Frese Frame Photography regarding pictures Wednesday May 17. We will ask Carol to contact Sue Aszmann to make flower boutonnieres. Andrea will send a letter to the parents. No Confirmation on Wednesday March 1 (Ash Wednesday) No Confirmation on Wednesday April 12 (Holy Week) The confirmation students will have class during lent, and they are encouraged to attend Lent worship services. They will also be encouraged to help with the soup-supper before worship service. Sunday School The Sunday School children will be singing during worship service Sunday May 14. This will be considered the last day of Sunday School for the year. Class will not be held after worship service. Barb has been working with Dave Fleegel at the Broadway Theater regarding a Movie Day for the children. We are looking at Sunday February 12, opening the offer to children, parents and members of the congregation. The movie will be A Dogs Purpose. It is not a religious movie, but Dave feels it sends a positive message. Funds in the Sunday School s account will be used to pay for the children s ticket. Parents or anyone else going will be asked to pay for their own ticket. Dave will give us a group rate. Submitted by Andrea Kawa Confirmation Class at Our Saviour s will meet Feb. 1, 8, 15, and 22. During Lent after class and before worship, youth will help with the Wednesday Soup Suppers. 9

Parish Secretary: Carol Lekies Home: Submit News to:

Next issue: January 2017 Deadline: December 16, 2016 Submit News to: carol.ossp@ceas.coop Pastor Lowell Bolstad 715-226-0163 Email: pstrbolstad@gmail.com Parish Secretary: Carol Lekies Home: 715-785-7362