February 2011 Newsletter - St. Paul`s Lutheran Church

 St. Paul’s Epistle February 2011
“Reaching out with the love of Jesus”
Are Our Conversations Seasoned Well?
by Pastor Douglas
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how to answer everyone.
- Colossians 4:5, 6
Let me start by saying that my
next sentence is merely a
personal opinion. I believe that
conversation levels are at an all
time low in our society today.
Our children are learning to
“talk” in 140-160 characters
(text messages and Twitter).
We use emails and personal
web pages to blast what we
don’t like and trumpet what we
do. Emails are regularly sent
without a second thought with
harmful and many times untrue
words and statements. It has
become far too easy to say what
we think without thinking about
what we say. The Holy Spirit
through Paul speaks to the
Colossians about their
conversations. It is a simple
topic but one that can bring a
tidal wave of consequences and
repercussions.
So how does this apply to us at
St. Paul’s? It applies in many
ways. Notice how the Spirit
begins his encouragement. “Be
wise in the way you act toward
outsiders…” How we speak
about the blessings and
challenges we have at St. Paul’s
says a lot to those outside of our
family of believers. When St.
Paul’s comes up in conversation
do people first see a smile or a
roll of the eyes and a look of
disgust? Does the conversation
immediately turn to the
challenges we face, seasoned
with a negative tone? Or do we
speak gratefully for the blessing
the LORD gives us through St.
Paul’s?
What about those inside our
family of believers? The Spirit
says, “make the most of every
opportunity.” Perhaps our
concerns about the church’s
finances, school enrollment, or
worship attendance is not what
our brother or sister in Christ
needs to hear right now.
Perhaps they need an
encouragement filled with
grace! Make the most of every
opportunity! How? “Let your
conversation be always full of
grace, seasoned with salt…”
I believe we can all agree that
St. Paul’s has challenges, every
congregation does. The devil is
always at work! But the devil
hates grace! He hates the facts
that our sins are forgiven by
grace. He hates the fact that our
faith is a gift of grace from the
Holy Spirit! And he especially
hates it when our conversations
are seasoned with God’s grace!
Outsider or insider, it makes no
difference. Christian friend, let
your speech be filled with the
wonders of God’s grace. Let
those who hear your words hear
and see (speak with a smile☺)
the wonderful blessings that the
LORD has bestowed on you
and your family through His
church and His Gospel. And,
when challenges must be
discussed, you will know how to
answer everyone!
May our gracious LORD bless
your listening and your
speaking so that all your
conversations are always
seasoned well!
February 2011
Just Another 40
Days?
Lent will begin on Ash
Wednesday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m.
During these 40 days, we will take
a very special trip as we prepare
our hearts and minds to stand at
our Savior’s cross and rejoice at
his empty tomb. The theme for
our midweek Lenten journey this
year will be “What Did They See
in Him?” We will look at Mary,
Judas, Peter, Caiaphas, Herod and
Pilate. As we consider how they
viewed Jesus, we will examine
ourselves to see if our views of
him are Scriptural or worldly.
This is not just another 40 day
period in the church year. This is
an important opportunity to be
refreshed by the core message of
the Bible: Christ crucified for
sinners! If you have been away
from worship for a while, now is
the time to return. If you have
been struggling with difficult times
in your life now is the time to
journey with your family of
believers to your Savior’s cross
and empty tomb. If you aren’t sure
of what you believe anymore now
is the time to be refreshed and
reassured of your Savior’s
unselfish love for you. If you’ve
been here all the while now is the
time to strengthen your
understanding of God’s plan of
salvation and with your brothers
and sisters in Christ! Now is the
time!
Be sure to journey with us on
Wednesdays during Lent. Worship
will be held at 9:30 a.m. & 6:30
p.m. We will have an evening
meal beginning at 5:00 p.m. So,
don’t worry about coming from
work! Grab the kids and come
over for a good meal and
wonderful journey with your
family to the Savior’s cross seen
St. Paul’s Epistle
Page 2
Anywhere you can help would be
appreciated.
through the eyes of those who
followed Him!
To divide the labor, the
congregation has been broken into
teams based on the first letter in
your last name. Please help out on
the evening you are scheduled:
March 9: A-B
March 16: C-G
March 23: H-J
th
March 30: K-M
Ash Wednesday – March 9 at
6:30 p.m.
April: 6: N-R
Midweek Worship 2 – March 16th
at 9:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Midweek Worship 3 – March 23rd
at 9:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Midweek Worship 4 – March 30th
at 9:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Midweek Worship 5 – April 6th at
9:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
th
Midweek Worship 6 – April 13 at
9:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Maundy Thursday Worship – April
21st at 9:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday Worship – April 22nd
at 12:10 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday Worship – April
24th at 6:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Please note that there are no
Monday night services during
Lent. The last Monday service is
Feb. 28.
Your Help Needed
for Lenten Meals
We appreciate everyone’s help for
the Lenten fellowship meals. We
need people who can arrive early
to help with food prep, people who
can serve food or wash dishes
during the meal, and people who
can stay late to ensure the kitchen
is clean and everything is back
where it belongs.
April 13: S-Z
Kindergarten
Round Up at
St. Paul’s School
Our Kindergarten Roundup is
Wednesday, March 2 from 9:30
a.m. to 11:15 a.m. All children
eligible for kindergarten next year
and their parents are invited for
this fun event. You will have an
opportunity to see the classroom,
meet future classmates and the
teacher, and get a flavor of
kindergarten at St. Paul’s There
will be activities in the gym, so
please dress comfortably and wear
gym shoes! There will also be a
snack and art project. Parents, if
you cannot attend, you are
welcome to drop off your child or
visit another time. Call Mrs.
Duehlmeier with any questions at
715-421-3634 ext. 20.
February 2011
St. Paul’s Epistle
Page 3
Give Blood for
the Red Cross
Playgroup Sets
Schedule
cooperating we will play in the
Family Room or Gym. Kristie will
bring a snack.
We are interested in sponsoring a
blood drive with the American Red
Cross. By hosting blood drives,
our church will demonstrate its
commitment to community health
needs while helping to ensure that
an adequate blood supply is
available at all times for anyone
who needs it. Also, by holding a
blood drive, we are hoping to offer
our church members a more
convenient blood donation
opportunity.
The Journeys with Jesus Playgroup
has set their schedule for the rest of
the school year. Bring your little
ones for some fun games, crafts
and field trips. Playgroup begins at
10:00 am unless otherwise noted.
Any questions, needing to carpool
or for directions, please call Kristie
Schroeder at 715-421-4202.
May 24
KASH Park
We will go to KASH park in
Steven’s Point. The children can
play, and we can bring a sack
lunch so they can play longer. This
will be the final Playgroup of the
season.
If you are at least 18 years old,
weigh at least 110 pounds and are
in good health, you may be eligible
to give blood. (Younger donors
must also meet other
requirements.) Giving blood is
safe, simple and helps save lives.
Each pint of blood that is donated
may be helping as many as three
people. The American Red Cross
is the largest single provider of
blood in the country. They provide
blood to 3,000 hospitals across the
country. About 38,000 people
need blood each day in the United
States. Those people count on
volunteer donors to give them a
chance at life.
We would like to determine the
level of interest in inviting the
American Red Cross into our
church. If you would be interested
in donating blood, please add your
name to the list in the Welcome
Center. We will let you know if a
blood drive will be scheduled.
Thank you in advance for helping
to save lives!
February 22
McDonalds Playland
Bring the children to play on the
playground equipment. Plan to eat
lunch too, so the children can play
longer.
March 8
Children’s Museum
We will visit the Children’s
Museum in Steven’s Point. We
will look at maybe carpooling also.
Stay tuned for more information.
Bring your own snack.
March 22
Spring Craft in the Family Room
We will do a craft with the
children and then let them play.
Kristen will plan craft/Laura will
bring snack.
April 12
Visit to the Alpaca Hideaway
We will visit the Alpaca farm at
8831 100th Street S. We may also
get a craft and hayride while we
are there. Plans are still pending so
stay tuned.
April 26
Easter Craft in the Family Room
We will do an Easter themed craft
and then let the children play.
Kristi will plan the craft/Sandy will
bring snack.
May 10
Play in the Family Room and
Playground
Weather permitting we will enjoy
some time on the playground
outside. If weather is not
Lutheran
Education Week
March 13-19
Special Services
Open House
More info soon.
Helping Women
with Cancer
Many women from our church
attend a retreat in Plover where
they learned of a unique ministry
to women with cancer. Through
Comforter Ministry, women with
cancer receive a quilt and journal
to comfort them during their battle
with cancer. If you know of
anyone who would benefit from
this ministry, please contact
Susanne Hanson, 12326 Fitzgerald
lane, Manitowish Water, WI
54545, 715-543-8483 or
[email protected].
The women who attended the
retreat were moved to be a part of
this ministry by making a quilt. To
be involved in the quilitng, please
contact Helen McAuley at 715421-0823.
February 2011
We need YOU!
by Kristie Schroeder
We will be hosting the
INTERNATIONAL PINECAR
DERBY on APRIL 16 of this year.
This will bring upwards of 300
people to our fine facility that
weekend. In the next month, we
will be getting further information
to you regarding how we need you.
Please put the date on your
calendar so that you are able to
join us for the event. There will be
very interesting cars made
especially for craft design, and
very fast cars to speed down our
track.
We had three of the International
leaders here for our District event
and they were very impressed with
our layout and the facility. We
look forward to sharing with those
from around the country and
beyond. Stay tuned for further
information, or contact one of our
leaders to get further information:
Shelly Antoniewicz, Nicki and
Gerri Rickaby, Tom and Sue
Kulhanek or Kent and Kristie
Schroeder. We need YOU!
Save the Date:
Date:
April 16
International
nternational Pine Car
Derby at St. Paul’s
St. Paul’s Epistle
Possible Bus Trip
to WLC Concert
Ron Provost is trying to organize a
bus trip to see the Wisconsin
Lutheran Choir and Chamber
Choir on March 12. The concert
starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Lunda
Theatre, located at 1202 Pierce
Street in Black River Falls. If you
are interested in sharing the cost of
a bus ride, please contact Ron
Provost at 715-424-1533.
Touring is an important part of the
Wisconsin Lutheran Choir season.
Not only does it give students the
chance to travel and grow together
as a family of believers, it also
allows choir members to fulfill an
important part of their mission as a
choir: to serve as ambassadors for
the college and for their Savior.
NLHS Performs
Lent & Easter
Concert
On Sunday, March 20, at 3:00 p.m.
Northland Lutheran High School
will present its annual Lent/Easter
Concert, this year titled “And We
Remember”. The title of a song,
that phrase is also an
encouragement for us to share the
seasonal story of Christ's Passion
and Resurrection. The
introspective themes of Lent,
recognizing our sinfulness and the
sacrifice of Jesus are balanced with
the joyful themes of Easter--our
debt paid, Christ Risen. These
events are truly worth
remembering. Please join us as the
bands and choir review these great
truths in song. The concert will be
at the school, 2107 Tower Road,
Mosinee, with refreshments and
fellowship time to follow.
Page 4
Gift Cards
Available
Did you know that you can get gift
cards for groceries, gas,
prescription drugs, and other daily
necessities right here at St. Paul’s?
Gift cards are readily available for
the following businesses:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Copps
WalMart
Kwik Trip
Quality Foods (IGA)
Shopko
BP Gas
Trig’s
Walgreens
Homestead Golf
Misty’s Menu
J.C. Penney
To purchase any of these, visit the
Northland scrip table in the
Welcome Center on Sunday
mornings or see the secretaries in
the office during the week. You
can also order gift cards for many
restaurants and other businesses
through either Northland or St.
Paul’s scrip program on Sunday
mornings. Order forms are always
available on the table in the
Welcome Center.
This is an excellent way to
contribute to Christian education at
NO EXTRA EXPENSE. You buy
and spend the gift cards at face
value, and the company donates a
certain percentage to Northland
Lutheran High School or St. Paul’s
School. You would buy all these
items anyway, so why not
contribute to our schools at the
same time? Please check it out! If
you have any questions, contact
Sue Kulhanek at 715-421-4414 or
Carol Brown in the office.
February 2011
Local LWMS Circuit
Seeks Officer
Candidates
The LWMS WI River Valley
Circuit is privileged to have
women and pastors in our Circuit
that are blessed by God with
varying talents and abilities. Each
one of us possesses gifts that are to
be used to serve God and bring
glory and praise to him.
Have you been blessed with skills
that could be used at the Circuit
level? Is there someone you know
who has been blessed with
leadership qualities, a heart for
missions, or the desire to serve in a
mission focused setting? Please
prayerfully consider allowing your
name to be placed in nomination
for the election at our Spring Rally
2011. The Circuit officers meet
twice a year to conduct business of
the Circuit midway between rallies
(July/August and Jan./Feb.) usually
at the church of the current
President.
The following offices will be
elected at the Spring Rally:
President Elect, 1 year (20112012), automatically become s
President 2nd year (2012-2013).
Perform the presidential duties in
the absence of the President.
Coordinate the work of the
Spiritual Growth Committee,
including Befriend a Mission
Program and other duties.
Treasurer, 2 years (2011-2013).
Receive and record the Circuit
Offering. Make Disbursements
according to the resolutions of the
body, or according to the
procedures established by the
Board. Submit the books for audit.
Spiritual Growth Woman, 2 years
(2011-2013). Serve on the Spiritual
Growth Committee and perform
other duties.
St. Paul’s Epistle
Page 5
God bless you as you prayerfully
consider putting your name on the
ballot for an office. Please contact
Edith Carpenter-Neu, President
LWMS WI River Valley Circuit
([email protected]).
Learn More About
Outreach and
Mission Work
You are invited to the 12th
Biennial WKW Convention, Equip
to Serve, April 1-2, 2011, at Christ
Lutheran Church, Pewaukee, Wis.
You will be able to choose from a
variety of mission presentations
and hear about the work being
done from the mission assistants.
Through a variety of workshops,
you will also learn how to do
mission work in your own
congregation and beyond.
Presenters will include Carmen
Thomforde (Hong Kong) and Ryan
Kolander (Mexico). Each will take
a break from their duties and join
us for the weekend. Rev. Mark
Jeske will open the convention and
Dr. Dan Johnson, WLC President,
will also address the convention.
Register at
www.WELSKingdomWorkers.org
today!
Enjoy MLC Events
at Home
The MLC website is your link to
worship, sacred concerts, and
sports events. To view daily
worship services or sacred
concerts, follow the MLCTV link
at the top of our website. You can
follow the worship services or
sacred concerts live, or watch
archived recordings. To watch our
basketball games, live or archived,
visit our athletics website and
follow the Knight Vision link. Our
athletic department will also
provide you with instant game
scores via email, phone call and/or
text message. Go to the "Get
Instant Updates" link on our
athletics website for all the details.
Teens Working In God’s Service
at Northland Lutheran High School
is proud to sponsor the annual
TWIGS Variety Show
in the NLHS gymnasium
Friday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Please join us for an evening of fun and fellowship as students
from NLHS entertain us with a variety of talent!
February 2011
St. Paul’s Epistle
Page 6
In the Mailbag
The heart is happiest when it beats
for others.
Dear St. Paul’s Ev Lutheran
Church,
Thank ya St. Paul’s Church for
thinking of us. We thank ya for
the presents. God bless! Alex.
The South Wood Emergency
Pantry Shelf gratefully
acknowledges and thanks you for
the donation of 864 items delivered
on December 8, 2010. What a
generous gift! We appreciate your
concern and support as we provide
food for the hungry. Our
wonderful SWEPS volunteers
filled 129 requests for food in
November bringing our total to
1447 request thus far in 2010.
Each family receives 7 days worth
of food and hygiene items.
Thank you so much for your
generous gifts. Bless you all –
Dianne
Your thoughtfulness is wonderful.
Thank you for all the gifts. God
bless you. – Kristin
The Christmas gifts I received
were just fantastic. Your
generosity is a true blessing. it
made being away from home on
Christmas a little easier. May God
bless you all! – Diana
Thank you so much for the
wonderful gifts at Christmas. It
really made a difference to these
ladies here at Destiny Point.
Sincerely,
Erlene Haure, Manager
~.~
THANK YOU
Sarah, Emma and I would like to
thank everyone at St. Paul’s for
their prayers, their well-wishes and
the gifts that we have received
after the birth of our son Jacob
Benjamin. When the LORD
blesses us with a new life it is
always a wonderful privilege and
joy. But everyone at St. Paul’s has
added to our joy! Thank you for
sharing this very special time in
our life with us. We feel very
blessed to be a part of such a
wonderful family of believers!
THANK YOU!
Pastor, Sarah, Emma,
and Jacob
At this holiday Season we give
thanks for the spirit of giving that
exists in our community/area.
Sharing with those in need is the
best way to celebrate the season.
A gift of food is a gift of hope to
those who are hungry. On behalf
of the families who will receive the
benefits of your gift – thank you.
Thank You
We would like to thank all of those
people that gave donations or their
time to the District Pinecar Derby
on February 12. The day was a
huge success with many
compliments and accolades. Karli
Rickaby was the overall winner at
the Derby, which means we will be
asking for your help again next
year. Congratulations Karli! A
special thank you to our leaders
Shelly and John Antoniewicz,
Nicki and Gerry Rickaby, Mike
and Marcie Marzofka and Tom and
Sue Kulhanek. Without your help
and guidance we would not have
the success we do. There are others
to name, but I will miss someone.
If you helped in ANY way, know
that you are appreciated very
much.
Kent & Kristie Schroeder
3rdk -2girls.JPG
Sincerely,
Judy Steele, Treasurer
SWEPS Board
~.~
“How beautiful a day can be when
kindness touches it.”
– George Elliston
Karli Rickaby’s winning car
1st3-5.JP G
Your donation has touched the
lives of many families.
On behalf of the families we serve
– Thank you!
Arline Hillestad, Executive
Director
Family Center, Inc.
One of the winning craft cars
~.~
~.~
February 2011
A Measure
of our Love
St. Paul’s Epistle
TWM2 - The Next Peaks
•
Gifts given through 2/13/11.
Current
• In memory of Jim McIntyre
and Robert Laack given by
Harvey & Naomi Pierce
• In memory of Lucille Whitrock
given by Pat & Jack Fluno
St. Paul’s School
• In memory of Lucille Whitrock
given Sue Bobrowski
Mortgage
• In memory of Jim McIntyre
given by Max & Nancy Hoppe,
Ron & Georgene Provost
• In memory of Dale Wotruba
given by Ron & Georgene
Provost
Page 7
•
•
In memory of Lucille
Whitrock given by Helen
Kroening, Bill & Elaine
Wittrock, Donna & Wilmer
Burgeson, Terry & Helen
McAuley, Ron & Georgene
Provost, Marvin & Dorothy
Raasch, Wally & Kathy
Jackson
In memory of the January &
February birthdays of Kenneth
& Mildred Fisher, parents of
Pat Fluno given by Jack & Pat
Fluno
In memory of Wayne Lubeck’s
mother Leona given by Carol
& Larry Newsom, Ron &
Georgene Provost, Benson &
Clara Bottensek
•
In memory of Jim McIntyre
given by Jack & Pat Fluno
Pastor Teacher Assistance Fund
•
In memory of Robert Laack
given by Ellen Sabetta
•
In memory of Dale Wotruba
given by Edna Haferman
•
In memory of Wayne Lubeck’s
mother Leona given by Edna
Haferman
Outdoor Sign
•
In memory of Lucille
Whitrock given by Donna
Stensberg
Organ Cleaning Fund
•
In memory of Jim McIntyre
given by His Family
Bonded Together In Love
Bonded together in Christian love,
We send our prayers to God above.
Grant us the will to serve You, Lord,
To spread abroad Your holy Word.
Members News
Pastor & Mrs. Douglas were
blessed with a baby boy on Jan. 19.
The following Sunday, Pastor
Douglas had the privilege of
baptizing his son, Jacob Benjamin
Douglas.
So often we have failed to do
The tasks assigned to us by You
Forgive us, Lord, for our delay,
Teach us to work for You each day.
Strengthen our faith when it grows weak,
Your words of wisdom let us speak.
So lost and straying souls may find
The One who died for all mankind.
May love abound within our hearts
As God to us His grace imparts.
With hymns of thanks our voices raise
To honor God with fervent praise.
Helen Kroening
Daylights Savings Time
Begins March 13
February 2011
St. Paul’s Epistle
Page 8
Non-Profit
Organization
US Postage
Paid
Permit No. 46
54495
311 14th Avenue South
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-2402
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
715-421-3634
February 2011 Edition
Worship Services
March 9 at 9:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Fellowship Meal at 5:00 p.m.