Incarnation Image In about five weeks we will celebrate our 50 th anniversary as a congregation. As Lutherans, it is important for us also to celebrate who we are and what we are to be about as God s people in this world. So, let s review this month a little about our Lutheranism. According August to Martin 2018 Luther, God has given us two sacraments: the sacrament of Holy Baptism and the sacrament of Holy Communion. Both sacraments remind us that God is the actor, and we are the receivers of God s amazing grace through Jesus the Christ. In Baptism, we see most clearly God s gracious love. When an infant, toddler, or adult comes to the font, they are welcomed and surrounded by God s love. Fame, riches, status, family lines and intelligence have no bearing on the promise of God to those who are baptized. For at the font, God says: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, and you are mine. In The Small Catechism Luther says: Baptism effects forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and grants eternal salvation to all who believe, as the Word and promise of God declare. A non-lutheran minister once teased: Why do you Lutherans baptize babies? A baby has no clue what is going on. Exactly! We do not come to faith by our own reason of strength. We come to faith through the mercy and power of God s Holy Spirit. In Holy Communion, we see most clearly God s gracious love. When we move toward the altar, laying down our sins along the way, we remember these beautiful words from Ephesians, But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our sins, made us alive together in Christ by grace. Martin Luther speaks again from The Small Catechism: The forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given to us in the sacrament, for where there is forgiveness of sins, there are also life and salvation. In a time when many churches are shaping ministries and programs around: worship styles, locations, liturgies, traditions, non-traditions, current trends, historic patterns, popular authors, respected theologians and successful gurus what do you think would happen if our ministries and programs were shaped by God s amazing grace? What would the Lutheran Church look like? I think we would see a Church that Spends more time feeding, serving, and loving the poor and the needy. Welcomes those who are hurting instead of judging those who might be wrong. Cares more about the lost and forsaken than buildings and programs. Looks to the future instead of focusing on the past. Honors God s Word and the Confessions more than trendy experts. Changes the neighborhoods they are in rather than being forgotten in the neighborhoods they are in. Cares as it has been cared for Shares as it has been blessed Forgives as it has been forgiven Loves as it has been loved. For the Church according to Martin Luther, is not wood and stone but the group of people who believe in Christ. The Church is the group which has been gathered together through the gospel and therefore is also gathered around the gospel. If we are in a time of challenge so be it! We are not left to hopelessness no matter what we face as a church. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ represents a victory that is won! Our souls and our hearts belong to God in Christ. Together, filled with God s grace, we can let go of our fears and cling tenaciously to God s undying love and the FUTURE which God has planned for us as a congregation. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing; it is a gift of God So, what do we as members of Incarnation Lutheran Church do with these thoughts? How do we as individuals and members of our congregation reclaim a Lutheran understanding of God s amazing grace. Most of organized Christianity has made one deadly mistake. Many individual congregations have used their church buildings as a barrier to mission and ministry. Today, too many churches sit back and wait for the unchurched to come knocking on their doors.
PAGE 2 AUGUST 2018 Pastor s Letter continued. We need to be out beyond our four walls inviting people to experience God s grace. We need to be caring, sharing, forgiving, and loving in the world not just in our congregation. We need to spend more time welcoming those who are hurting rather than judging. We need to spend more time changing the community around us rather than being forgotten in it. We need to look more to the future rather than getting bogged down in the past. Enough talk; it is time for action. God s grace calls us to it. God s love commands it. God s Spirit empowers it. Go, in Jesus name. Your cheerleader, Pastor Ralph COUNCIL NOTES - June 12, 2018 NOTE TO THE CONGREGATION Council Notes will be shared in second month following the meeting. Here are the June notes being shared in August. This allows the full council to approve the minutes before publishing. 1. Meeting called to order by Tim Kesy at 6:54 p.m. 2. Roll Call of Council Officers & Council Members Pastor HankermeyerTim Kesy Judy Trow Myrna Herrbold PresentPresent Present Present Valerie Tingley Jean Watson Don Kneisler -Present -- 8. Old Business a. An estimate for cleaninh the carpet and rest room tiles has been received. Myrna will schedule this to be done as soon as possible. b. This last spring was too cold to give out hot dogs. It will be reconsidered the fall. 3. Devotions - Pastor RLPH: Psalm 34:5 Calves Look at Life. 4. Approval of Agenda a. Motion by Jean Watson, 2nd by Tim Kesy. Approval: Yes 5. Minutes from Last Month a. Changes? None b. Motion by Jean Watson, 2nd by Tim Kesy. Approval: Yes 6. Pastor s Report Pastor Ralph Hankermeyer a. Thank you from Carl Peters for the celebration of his 60th ordination b. No Wednesday service on July 4 c. Last Wednesday service will be August 29 d. Pastor Ralph sent letter for Steve Ashman e. Discussed ideas on recording parts or all of services to share f. Observing Birthdays g. Serving shut-ins 7. Standing Committees - Action Items Wo rship Updates & Schedules SUNDAY SCHEDULE a. Stewardship Valerie Tingley b. Evangelism/Social Ministry Don Kneisler. i. Sandy Krakow is working on health kits for Trinity and Resurrection. c. Finance / Treasurer Myrna Herrbold & Valerie Tingley i. The sign and tractor funds will be paid back as new funds are raised. d. Worship and Music Myrna Herrbold i. Choir is off for the summer. e. Christian Education Jean Watson i. Jean will work with 3 older girls at VBS. ii. Linda Snell will not work VBS next year. f. Buildings and Grounds Tim Kesy i. Sign coming down this week, and a mason will repair the brick. ii. New tractor is working well iii. Plans being made to seal parking lot. 9. New Business a. A suggestion was received and passed to replace the coffee mker in the fellowship hall. 10. Other Business 11. Next Meeting: a. Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 7:00 pm b. Devotions 12. Adjournment a. Motion by: Jean Watson Second by: Judy Trow Approval: Yes b. Adjourn at 8:00 p.m. 13. Closing Prayer The Lord's Prayer Last month for Wednesday Evening Praise Worship Worship - 9 am Fellowship - 10 am Scrappy Stitchers Quilting: 1st & 3rd Friday 9:30 am - August 3rd & 17th AUGUST IS THE LAST MONTH FOR WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAISE WORSHIP Church Council 2nd Tuesday 7:00 pm August 14th 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall Men s Morning Bible Study 1st and 3rd Monday 6:30 am August 6th & 20th Men s Evening Bible Study 2nd Thurs. 6:30- pm, Aug. 16th Women s Bible Study 1st and 3rd Thursday -- 9:30 am August 2nd & 16th
A U G U S T 2018 P A G E 3 NEWS FROM THE ELCA East Central Synod Women s Presents
P A G E 4 A U G U S T 2018 TREASURER S REPORT You can read your Incarnation Newsletter on-line www.incarnationgb.com. Click Calendar & Events
AUGUST 2018 PAGE 5 Outreach Incarnation Community Garden is growing...corn, tomatoes, brussel sprouts, pumpkins, all guarded by a fierce scarecrow! Daniel's corn is taller than he is! Harvest from the Garden will be exhibited at the 50th Anniversary-Picnic on Sept. 9. Former sign down Base repaired New Sign when done. The total cost of the new sign is $18,110. The amount donated as of July 15 is $14,604 (this includes $7500 for the Olson Fund). The balance needed is $3,506 NOTE: All offerings donated during the summer Wednesday Evening Praise Worship will be donated to the sign fund. Some of the harvest from our Community Garden will go to the Food pantries at Trinity and Resurrection. Don and I want to thank our Incarnation family for the cards, calls, words of encouragement and especially the prayers during my recent episode with melanoma. God and you, his earthly angels, surrounded us throughout these past 6 months and we are humbled, blessed and grateful! Kaye and Don Sterling
P A G E 6 On the calendar A U G U S T 2018 Church Calendar and all pictures in color on our website: www.incarnationgb.com Thursday, August 2, 6:00 pm Dinner first at 4:00 pm The August event is If Tombstones Could Talk walk at Allouez Cemetery. Docents, in character costume, relate the life stories of the individual laid to rest. Learn the fascinating existences of ordinary people as well as those who influenced the growth of communities in our area. Supper before the walk at the Village Grille, 801 Hoffman Rd at 4:00. If due to rain or extreme heat, we ll just meet to eat and return to church to play games. Sign-up sheet in Narthex.. Rally Sunday on September 16 First day of Sunday School This is always an exciting day for children, parents and all who cherish the little ones. If you have invited children to Vacation Bible School, share some encouragement to continue their learning and laughter at Sunday School. After the 9:00 a.m. Family Worship. Tuesday, August 7 at 10:00 am After a very successful year of YAH activities, it is time to plan for the 2018-19 year. Bring your ideas or if you cannot attend, give them to Barb Brumm. We need input for planning as well as members willing to coordinate events. There are some really good points of interest in the Spring 18 edition of Our Wisconsin. If you have a copy, please being it along. Thanks to all who planned events, last year. Interesting, educational. Let s do it again! Thurs., Sept. 13 at 6:30 pm A movie about Moses, filmed in front of a live audience at the Sight & Sound Theater located in Lancaster and Branson. If you have attended a performance at either theater, you know how outstanding their productions are. We will be attending the show at Bay Park Cinema. Cost of the tickets are $13.75, which is quite reasonable compared to $50.00 or more to see it in person. For our pre-show supper we will be meeting at the Olive Garden at 4:30. Sign up by August 26, in the narthex if you are interested in attending. Everyone - children, friends and/or relatives are welcome to come for the meal, show or both. Sat., Sept. 22 at 7:00 pm On Saturday, September 22 we ll be returning to the Abrams Spotlight Theater to see the play Cabaret. This is a musical set in a 1920 s Berlin nightclub. The play begins at 7:00, so we will be meeting at our usual restaurant, Luigi s at 5:00. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors. If more than 10 people sign up, the cost will be less. Sign up by September 2. you are interested in attending. All are welcome!!
A U G U S T 2018 P A G E 7 Incarnation s 50th Anniversary and Picnic planning has begun. A special Celebration Worship Service will be held on Sunday, September 9th at 10:00 a.m. followed by a picnic! Worship service planning will take place in conjunction with the church council. Please speak with Pastor Ralph if you wish to contribute something special to the service. The picnic planning committee is looking for volunteers, as well. Your help is needed with delicious side dishes, desserts,, condiments, chips, beverages, etc. The sign-up sheets for your excellent cooking, baking, and contributions will be in the Narthex shortly. We promise a lot of fun in planning this celebratory benchmark in the life of our church. Men add an evening Bible Study 2nd Thur. at 6:30 pm This topical study will be based on a series entitled: God Has a Plan for You! The Morning Studies on the 1st and 3rd Mondays are ongoing. All are welcome. Women s Bible Study continue the 1st and 3rd Thur s., 9:30 am First Thursday, the Study uses the ELCA Magazine "Gather" as a study guide. On the 3rd Thursday, Pastor continues to share lessons about the Women of the Bible. August the last month for SUMMER PRAISE WORSHIP A Wednesday Worship with an a new assortment of song and music. If you haven t attended, take this last month to discover this alternative style. Wednesday at 6:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. Lessons posted on church website: www.incarnationgb.com..
INCARNATION LUTHERAN CHURCH 920 499-2011 incarnationgb@gmail.com 2071 Ninth Street Green Bay, WI 54304 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED We gather to give thanks... for all the members, past and present, who have nurtured this congregation. for the many ministers who have served this congregation. to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for guiding this congregation throughout these 50 years, and into the future. Jack Below singing accompanied by Dick Dombeck. Old-fashioned races, face painting, bubble blowing, and more. Scrappy Stitchers and Community Gardens share their missions. In addition to the traditional and delicious picnic food from our Incarnation cooks, Tim and Aaron plan a cook-off.