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Pastor Bob’s Moment
Pastor Denise’s Page
On-going program updates
Memorials report
Radio Ministry
In our church family
Ushers
Mother-Daughter Banquet Thanks
We celebrate fathers
June Schedule
Sunday School news
Vacation Bible School
Would you like a ride?
Thanks
In our community
Confirmation is June 8
Strengthen the Church offering
Pastor Bob vacation
Hats off to our graduates!
Annual Conference
Direct debit debuts
The Allemands are moving
Sunday School summer fundraiser
Summer hours
Missing
Caregivers class to be held
Consistory report
June 2003
First United Church of Christ
Staying Young
The Bible makes it clear, life is sacred and holy, a gift to be celebrated and treasured. The observance of the rebirth of the earth’s life in Spring makes us again aware of the “gift.” In a painful way the death of someone close to us in our family, church, or community also helps us remember how wonderful, precious and fragile life is.
My family gathered Tuesday, May 20 to celebrate the life of my Uncle Vern, to remember and celebrate his wit, his wisdom, the gifts of his life shared. We heard the words of scripture that sustained Vern, the hymns and music he loved. In our prayers we remembered him as our brother in Christ. When the service ended, we walked with him one last time, as we commended him to God. We departed Faith Lutheran Church to continue our lives, aware that we the living have the gift of life to share.
My brother Pastor Dan serves a Lutheran church in Twin Falls, Idaho. Dan recently sent me this e-mail titled Staying Young:
- Throw out non-essential numbers . This includes age, weight and height. Let your doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.
- Keep cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
- Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain go idle. An idle mind is evil’s workshop.
- Enjoy the simple things.
- Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
- The tears happen. Endure, grieve and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life is ourselves. Be Alive as long as you live!
- Surround yourself with what you love, whether it is family, pets, music, plants, or hobbies. Your home is your refuge.
- Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
- Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to another country, but not to where the guilt is.
- Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
Always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Pastor Bob
“The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ our Lord”
Pentecost (fifty days after Passover) found the disciples again gathered in Jerusalem. During Passover Jesus had shared a last meal with his friends, was arrested, tried, crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. For forty days Jesus walked, taught, ate, and inspired his disciples. Then on the fortieth day he ascended into heaven. The disciples, following Jesus’ instructions, went to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. And there, once again in the upper room they were. Jesus had explained much, yet they were still uncertain. How were they to fulfill his command to go into all nations, making disciples, and baptizing? With a great gust of wind the Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus, blew through the room. It filled the hearts and minds of all present. Suddenly they knew how to do the task given them. Suddenly they were full of hope, knowledge, and skill. So they went forth, preaching, teaching, healing, and living the good news.
“We are Christ’s new creation by water and the word”
On Pentecost we celebrate the creation of the church. We rejoice in our foundation – Jesus Christ. It is a special time filled with significance. And so we rejoice to celebrate the rite of Confirmation. Confirmation is the time when people take on for themselves the vows made by parents at baptism. An important part is becoming a member of the congregation. It is the realization of years of Christian nurture. The teaching and sharing of faith by parents, Sunday School teachers, members in church, and friends hopes for this maturing of the person’s faith. What joy to be part of this occasion!
“One name together blessing, one holy food we share”
This year we have 15 students who desire to be confirmed. The Confirmation service will on Sunday, June 8 – Pentecost. All who have promised to support and nurture these children when they were baptized, all who have watched them as they grow, are encouraged to be present on. The schedule for worship that weekend is:
Saturday, June 7 at 5:00 p.m. – Holy Communion
Sunday, June 8 at 8:00 a.m. – Holy Communion & radio broadcast
Sunday, June 8 at 10:00 a.m. – Holy Communion & Confirmation
May we be renewed in our faith as we celebrate this special occasion.
“at one in work and prayer”
Yours in Christ, Pastor Denise
On-going program updates
Games Night is taking a summer vacation. Next Games Night will be
September 26 – the fourth Friday. We look forward to seeing everyone
then!
Fibromyalgia Support Group is not meeting during the summer months.
We will be hosting a one-day medical screening program on July 17. Stroke screening/carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, peripheral arterial disease screening, and osteoporosis screening will all be available for $45 per test. More info next month.
Memorials report
April 2003 Gifts received in memory of:
Janet LeClaire
Elizabeth Kirschner
Harold Koenig
Memorial funds were used to make the first of three payments to AVS Stained Glass for the sanctuary windows, and to pay Sauk Prairie Remodeling for the reinstallation of the windows
Radio Ministry
We thank the sponsors of the April radio broadcasts of our 8:00AM Sunday worship:
Carol & Rod Hehenberger
Rev. & Mrs. Robert Rieke, Sr.
VaLera & Alton Accola
Liz Bongard and family
Anniversaries
Laura and Al Maenche, 61 years on June 8
Shirley and Charles Ritchie, 58 years on June 9
Chris and Norb Hardtke, 25 years on June 10
Franz and Myrtle Wyttenbach, 25 years on June 17
Eunice and Jim Becker, 55years on June 23
Greetings to all those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in June! (Please let the church office know if we missed your 1st, 5th, 10th, etc. anniversary or your 70th birthday.)
Congratulations to Buford Wicklund and Mary Price who were married on May 6 in Zephyr Hills, Florida. Buford and Mary plan to be in the area through most of the summer.
Birthdays
Bernie Sherwood - June 1st
Caroline Steuber - June 2nd
Florence Hoff - June 10th
Dorothy Kundert - June 10th
Charles Ritchie - June 11th
Emily Novotny - June 17th
Betty Ott - June 17th
Jim Becker - June 17th
Lela Genz - June 19th
Dorothy Wendt - June 20th
Winnie Grass - June 28th
Penny Roth - June 28th
Frances Giese - June 28th
Don Hosig - June 30th
| Ushers | |||
| June | July | ||
| 8:00 | 10:30 | 8:00 | 10:30 |
| Em & Bill Fuchs | Steffen family | Liz Bongard | Verda & David McFarlane |
| Deb & Arnold Wells | Heidi & Shawn Liverseed | Ruby & Chuck McFarlane | Gwen Walker |
| Chuck Henning | Larry Johnson | ||
Sign up to greet! We like to have two people |
|||
Mother-Daughter Banquet Thanks
Special thanks to the following women who chaired our annual
Mother/Daughter Banquet on May 1: Linda Lange, Sharon Rieke, Judy Weinke,
and Sherry Pieper. As usual, the food was exceptional, served in a
beautifully decorated setting, and Lola Huber’s oil lamp presentation
was very interesting.
We celebrate Fathers
Plan to be with us as we honor the fathers of our church and nation on
June 15. We’ll present boxes of candy to the oldest and youngest fathers
in attendance at each of our worship services.
| June Schedule | |
| 7 | last spring Saturday worship service |
| 11 | Pentecost – Confirmation at 10AM service |
| 9-13 | Vacation Bible School, here from 9:30-noon |
| 19 | Consistory – 7:00PM |
| 24 | Pastor Bob on vacation in Ohio until July 2 |
Sunday School news
by Margaret McFarlane
- Thanks to those who participated in our Lenten project, the Mexican Children’s Refuge. We collected $1,745 for this wonderful cause!
- It was a fun Sundae Sunday for our close of Sunday School. All students received an award and treats. Thanks to all for being patient while we scooped the ice cream.
- The Sunday School choir sounded great on May 18. Many thanks to all who joined in.
- My heartfelt thanks to Pastor Bob, Pastor Denise, and our wonderful Sunday School staff: Nadene Litscher, Kelli Straight, Heidi Liverseed, Samantha & Andrea Steffen, Brenda Ott, Amanda McFarlane, Jackie Sliter, Marcia Nachreiner, Theresa Doty, Teresa Kreutzmann, Dawn Breunig, Shirlee Lendved, and Sharon Diehl.
- Thanks also to those who substitued or helped out during special programs: Rita Larsen, Peggy Ganser, Tammy Young, Carmin Dederich, and Nancy Appleyard.
- Our special thanks to Jackie Sliter for the 10 years she faithfully served as our secretary/treasurer. She will be helping with the FiNKS program next year.
- Start picking out your favorite recipes . . . the Sunday School will soon start to collect them for a cookbook. Details to follow.
- We have 12 campers registered for church camp. Thank you for the wonderful donations—we collected $504.
- Mark your calendars: Sunday School will begin again on September 7.
- Thank you to the staff, parents, and students for a wonderful year! Have a safe summer!
Vacation Bible School
Classes will be held June 9-13 here at First UCC from 9:30AM-noon. Please
call the church office or Margaret McFarlane 643-6327 immediately if you
are interested in attending and have not registered. Friends from other
churches are welcome.
Would you like a ride?
Care Driver rides are available for church and community trips. Examples:
--dentist, doctor, optometrist
--worship services
--hospital and Maplewood visits
--doctor and dentist appointments
--bank and other errands
Call Kelli Straight, 643-3719 or the church office 643-8387 to arrange for a ride.
From Pastor Bob Sr. and Gladys Rieke and family
Thank you for your expressions of love and sympathy at the unexpected and sudden death of brother Vern Rieke. The May 20 service was a celebration of his life on earth. Our comfort and peace is knowing he is now with our Lord in heaven.
From Pastor Denise
Thank You! Thanks to all who remembered my birthday. The greetings, well-wishes, and singing made the day extra special. I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness.
From Galen Alwin
Thank you to Pastors Denise and Bob, and to everyone who sent cards, visited, or called while I was in the hospital and at home recovering from appendicitis. We have a great congregation!
From Samantha Steffen
Thank you very much for the scholarship. This money will help me a lot with my education. I will be attending UW-Richland this fall, majoring in elementary education or massage therapy. Thank you again for your generosity.
From Kevin Larsen
I am grateful to have been selected as a recipient of your scholarship. This gift will assist me in continuing my education. I will be attending the UW-Platteville this fall, majoring in agricultural marketing or animal science. Through your generosity, young people such as myself are given a helping hand to dwindle the cost of higher education and I greatly appreciate that help.
From Girl Scout Troop 1006
Thank you so much for allowing us to use the church for our meetings. We’ve had a great year.
From Lola Huber
Thank you so much for asking me to speak at your Mother/ Daughter Banquet. Showing off my lamps was truly a pleasure. Your group of ladies and girls were most responsive and the supper was superb. My thanks to you for a lovely evening!
Estate and Rummage Sale at Concordia, 8am-3pm
June 8th - Chicken BBQ sponsored by Denzer United Methodist at Leland Park 11am-3pm.
June 15th - Father’s Day Ice Cream Social at St. John’s Lutheran in Leland 3:30-8pm.
June 8-10 - Witwen Camp meeting at 7:30pm
June 8th - Open House at Sauk Prairie Food Pantry 1-4pm.
Wyoming Valley Hymn Sings: June 1, July 6, August 3, September 7, October 5.
Further info on these events is on the Washington Ave. bulletin board and from the church office.
We will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday, June 8 at a 10:00 service. The time has been changed due to the large number of confirmands this year.
The confirmation class of 2003: Denise Alwin, Jamie & Kevin Bestul, Michelle & Tom Brzezinski, Carley Doty, Kevin Hardtke, Tyler Jensen, John Lendved, Amanda McFarlane, Matt Stamm, Crystal Staples, Beth & Rudy Steffen, Kirsten Warren.
Strengthen the Church offering
This offering will be received on June 8. Please return your envelope by June 22. Through our gifts to this offering, we strengthen and renew existing congregations. We fund leadership for new congregations. We provide exciting new programs for youth and young adults. We fund leadership development for the whole church. Strengthen the Church: Faithfully building the Body of Christ.
Pastor Bob and Sharon will be on vacation June 23-July 2. They will be in Ohio, visiting Sharon’s family.
Congratulations to our Sauk Prairie High School graduates: Samantha Steffen, daughter of Sherry and Les, will attend UW Richland. She received one of our church scholarships. The other recipient is Keven Larsen, son of Rita and Ed Larsen. He will attend UW-Platteville. (He is currently running for state FFA office!) The recipient of the McFarlane Technical Education Scholarship is: Amy Heidenreich, daughter of Peggy and Roger. She will be attending MATC to become a registered nurse.
Our other SPHS graduates: Michael Davidson, son of Beverly and Rick; Kim Hardtke, daughter of Chris and Norb; Rich Peterson, son of Kim and Rick.
We are aware of one college graduate:
Doug Larsen recently received his diploma from UW-Platteville.
(Please let the church office know of any other member grads.)
Pastor Denise will be representing our church at Wisconsin Annual Conference
June 13-15 in Steven’s Point. Denise is secretary of the Conference.
Starting this month, you can have your offering automatically transferred from your bank account to the church’s account. On the 20th of each month, the amount you have designated will be debited from your account.
To many of our members, using envelopes will remain the desired way to remit to our church. But to some, setting up direct fund transfers may be more convenient. Again setting up a “direct debit” is completely optional. There is no cost to you. There is no minimum set amount and no need to commit to this for any set length of time.
Forms to set up this electronic donation service are available on the usher’s cabinet and from the church office.
Our good friends Mark and Kristin Allemand are moving to Illinois where Mark
has recently accepted a job. They, along with daughters Alyssa and Ashlyn, have been a significant part of our congregation. We have laughed and cried together. We have shared what it is to be in fellowship.
We will gather to offer our “to-be-continueds” and our best wishes at a potluck supper on Saturday, June 7 in the sanctuary basement at 5:45PM. Please bring tableware and a dish to share.
Sunday School summer fundraiser
We are scheduled to run a brat stand at Piggly Wiggly on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19. If you would like to help plan, cook, or serve brats, please contact Margaret McFarlane at 643-6327 or sign up on the sheet at the back of church.
Starting on June 16, the church facilities will be locked at noon on Tuesday and Thursday; 1:00 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Please make arrangements with Sue in the office if you need to get in the building after these times.
If you’ve taken home dish cloths and towels from the church kitchen to wash, please bring them back. Quite a few are missing. Also, several paring knives have disappeared.
“Taking Care of YOU: Powerful Tools for Caregivers” will be held on Thursdays, July 10-August 14, from 9:30am-noon at the Community Center. This six week class is for anyone helping a loved one, offering tools to help caregivers reduce stress, relax,
make tough decisions, set goals, and much more. The $10 fee includes “The Caregiver Helpbook”. To register or for more information, please contact Deanna at 1-800-428-9280.
Consistory met Thursday, May 15 met with Pam Alwin, Sue Barth, Rick Breininger,
Linda Lange, Nadene Litscher, Herman Tschudy, Jamie Witwer and Pastor Bob in attendance. (Pastor Denise was on vacation.)
Bills and financial reports were accepted. Offerings are roughly what they were last year at this time.
Pastors Bob and Denise attended the Maplewood Volunteer luncheon. Pastor Bob was a speaker at Pastor Dave’s funeral. We celebrated “mothers” at our Mother-Daughter banquet and on Mothers Day. Michael Davidson shared a Mother’s Day recital with 112 in attendance. Our Saturday services will continue through June 7.
Sunday School concludes until the fall with Sundae Sunday on May 18. On that day we’ll be celebrating Pastor Penny and Bill’s 50th wedding anniversary. One of our FiNKs small groups will be sponsoring a car wash to raise money to purchase a wheelchair for our church. On Sunday, May 25 our Memorial Committee Coordinator, Robin Meier will share the Memorials report covering May 2002—May 2003. Confirmation will be on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, and cooperative Vacation Bible School will be here Monday, June 9—Friday, June 13.
Christian Education/Sunday School reported a busy month. Over 80 were present for the Easter party. The Lenten project raised $1,655 for the Mexican Children’s Refuge. As of May 13 we have 11 campers registered and $364 donated to the camp fund. The Sunday School will soon begin work on a church cookbook. A brat stand to raise money for camp scholarships will be July 18-19 at Piggly Wiggly.
Members in Ministry report 18 care visits in April. Donna Seitz has completed 50 care visits.
Our church has established a Music Ministry Fund. All churches have been asked to demonstrate awareness of “Safe Sanctuaries” (safe child care) procedures. Consistory accepted a Safe Sanctuaries motion. We’re setting up a direct debit option for members of our church who desire to give in this way.
Remember your church in your will.