Dec newsletteruse! - Bone Lake Lutheran Church

THE “FISHER”
DECEMBER 2011
A newsletter for the members and friends of
Bone Lake Lutheran Church
1101 255th Avenue Luck, WI 54853
715-472-2535 Office / Fax 715-472-8153 Pastor’s Office
715-472-2754 Parsonage 715-554-0789 Pastor’s Cell
E-mail: [email protected] church office
PONDERINGS OF THE PASTOR
We understand the advent of Jesus as a baby. It is historical fact. But we wrestle with understanding and staying focused on the second coming of Jesus at the end of
all time because we don’t know when that will be....not
even Jesus could tell this disciples the “where and when”
of their questions on this topic.
“We are called to ponder mystery and await the
coming Christ to embody God’s compassion for
each fragile human life.
God is with us in our longing to bring healing to
the earth,
While we watch with joy and wonder for the
promised Savior’s birth.”
—Unexpected and Mysterious ELW #258
It is also tough to understand and stay focused on the
advent of God into our daily lives. We are distracted by
so many things at this time of year. If our schedules were
hectic before, they get almost ridiculous the four weeks
leading up to Christmas. Even family rituals and traditions of running here and there and everywhere zap the
energy of the most patient and even-tempered people.
Dear friends in Christ,
Welcome to the season of Advent....the season of the
church year that we are challenged to stay awake, be
alert, stay focused. Why? So we don’t miss the advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as he enters
our world and our lives!
It is very hard for me to stay focused on the season of
Advent this year as Greg and I await the birth of our first
grandchild in a couple of weeks. I am waiting for this first
baby in our family with joyous anticipation. I can’t forget
that “joyous anticipation” is also how I need to prepare
my heart and my home for the birth of the Christ child.
The word “advent” means “the arrival of something
important or awaited.” There are actually three advents in which we are to prepare and watch for our
Lord’s coming or arrival:
• The birth of Jesus as God incarnate (God in the
flesh!)
• The second coming of Jesus at the end of the
world when he will judge the living and the dead
• Jesus’ arrival or inbreaking into our lives each and
every day
Maybe the anticipatory waiting and excitement of the
birth of my grandchild is just the metaphor I need as I
wait for the days leading up to Christmas. It’s a gentle
reminder for me and all of us that we are to await the advent of Jesus the Messiah with joyous anticipation each
and every day. We are to expect the arrival of Christ in
our lives each day as he works in and through us in unexpected and mysterious ways that oftentimes we miss.
We are to expect the arrival of Christ at the end of all
time and, in the meantime, live out our lives in our Christian faith as Christ taught us.
In This Issue
Ponderings of the Pastor
Page 1
Council Minutes
Page 2
Christmas Message from Bishop
Page 3
Letter from our ELCA Missionary
Page 4
Mid-week Advent Worship Schedule
Page 5
Sunday School Program News
Page 7
WELCA News
Page 9
And much, much more
Stay alert! Stay focused! Prepare for the advent of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in unexpected and mysterious ways......while we watch with joy and wonder for the
promised Savior’s birth!
Peace and joy to you and your family this season and
always. Greg and I thank God for each and everyone of
you. We are blessed!
—Pastor Mary Ann
1
BONE LAKE CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
November 7, 2011
Members present: Todd Route, Sherri Schaffer,
Joan Sorenson, Sharon Peterson.
Members absent: Jack Caroon, Tim Bradwell
Also present: Terri Knowlan and Pastor Mary Ann
Todd opened the meeting and Pastor led with devotions.
Secretary’s Report: Motion by Sherri, second by
Sharon to approve the report as read. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Terri reported that all bills
have been paid. Council agreed to catch up on
benevolence. The Finance team will meet on November 14 or 15 at 6:00p to start working on the
2012 budget. Motion by Sherri, second by Joan to
approve the report. Motion carried.
Worship team: Gloria Rolstad will be the leader
of this team and work with pastor on agenda
items. The team will discuss the formation of an
Altar Guild at a later meeting.
The first Sunday of Advent is November 27. Midweek advent worship will be November 30 and December 7 and 14 from 6:30 – 7:15p. Christmas
Eve worship is at 4:00 and 10:00p. Christmas Day
worship is at 10:30a. We are working on getting
special music for the Christmas Eve services.
Education team: Christmas program will be on
Sunday, December 18 during worship.
Old Business: Sharon Johnson will be the head
of the Property Committee. The property committee is looking into various support options to display the Buck memorial stone in our entry garden.
New Business:
• Living Waters is a new ELCA mission church
start in Cameron, WI. The Bishop has asked all
synod congregations to uphold this new congregation in prayers and financial support as they purchase land for a new church. The council agreed
to designate $500 or 50% of the 2012 lenten offerings (whichever is greater) to go in support of this
new church start.
• Pastor has requested a 3-month sabbatical for
the summer of 2012. The council reviewed the
synod’s Sabbatical Guidelines and pastor’s plans for
sabbatical regarding rest and focus of study. The
synod guidelines indicate the importance for a pastor’s sabbatical every six years to avoid burn-out and
to have a dedicated time for spiritual renewal. Motion by Sherri, second by Joan to approve this sabbatical time for Pastor Mary Ann. Motion carried
unanimously.
• Dana Paulsen, Debbie Lunsmann, and Liz Bowman are to be added as signers on the Senior High
checking account at Frandsen Bank in Luck.
The council talked about the youth checking accounts in general and will continue the discussion in
December.
Pastor’s Report:
• Spent a few days last week at Luther Seminary
for continuing education.
• Encouraging high school youth to attend a special camp through Luther Point this summer: Kayaking around the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior.
Cost is that of a normal camp, $350 with a 10% discount if signed up by November 30. This would be
part of the campership fundraising program like all
the other camping opportunities.
• Luck Medical clinic is doing a coat drive in November for our Gift of Warm Clothes outreach ministry.
• The Apple River Conference annual meeting is
Thursday, November 10 at 7:00p at North Valley
Luther church. Pastor is looking for people to attend
with her.
• The Peder Eide concert was a huge success.
His $1000 fee was met through free-will offerings.
An additional $735 came in through the offerings
which we put in the account for the youth going to
New Orleans this summer.
•
A video camera is needed for Sunday School.
Pastor asked if Thrivent Choice dollars could be
used for that purchase. Chad Strege is gathering
costs for this item.
Todd adjourned the meeting and we closed in
prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Sorenson, secretary
2
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM
BISHOP DUANE PEDERSON
For Jesus has a habit of embracing the lost,
the least, and the last, and calls us to do the
same.
Most of us will be in worship on Christmas Eve.
We’ll listen to Luke 2, the nativity account beloved by most, and we will envision a manger
scene with animals and angels and three giftbearing kings. Our tradition creates a glow
around this scene — star light illuminating the
baby Jesus surrounded by the adoration of various players in a holy drama.
For Jesus completely claims us as his own,
and invites faith and commitment completely
in him.
For Jesus reveals God’s grace in his selfgiving, and bids us to share this same unmerited love with all, even the most undesirable or
difficult to love.
Our tradition has made it somewhat crowded
around the manger. Our tradition tends to favor a
cattle feeder in a wooden shed, not the possibility of a cave commonly used as animal pens.
Never mind that the angels left after announcing
the birth; never mind that no animals are mentioned in the story; never mind that gift-bearing
men are not identified as three or kings or that
they wouldn’t make an appearance until much,
much later. Yet, we crowd all of these details and
characters into a sentimental image we hold
about the birth of Jesus.
There is no guarantee that this child is going
to bring you the warm fuzzies many of us look
for when we hear the Christmas story, light the
candles, and sing of a silent night. But this
child will bring you a sense of God’s nearness,
a promise of love that will never end, and
meaning for your life that sustains through
thick and thin. Note that the story itself doesn’t
do that. The child does. A story crowded with
pietistic, sentimental notions will not do this.
The Christ who calls you unto himself does.
Merry Uncrowded Christmas!
Confession: I am not that sentimental. I am perfectly content to remove the animals and angels
and three kings, and all the other unattested, pietistic additions to the scene of the manger, so
that there can be room for you and me!
Bishop Duane C. Pederson
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR
NEW YEARS EVE FUN!
Our youth
that are
heading to
New Orleans
will be hosting a New
Years Eve
Dinner/ Card party at church.
Everyone is invited to come.
More information will be coming
soon. This is for all ages!
You see, it’s very comforting to crowd this Christmas scene with all kinds of pretty images that
make us feel good. But the danger is that we fill
that scene so full that we don’t really have to get
ourselves into the picture. I want you to get in
there!
The traditional image might be cherished and
lovely, but the sentimental image is not necessarily what we need, even though it may be what
we like. The child is what we need, and it may be
that many of us who celebrate the birth of Jesus
need to unclutter our picture of the manger a bit,
so that the Christ who came to save us can actually get close to us; close enough to allow the
newborn Jesus to unsettle our lives.
3
Nevertheless, we would say that we are
mostly back to normal here. We went up to
Sendai again in August, and we were surprised at how much had been cleaned up
since we were previously there in April.
Still mountains of mangled things like cars
and gas stations and so on. At least much
of the debris had been put into piles,
whereas before it had just been scattered
willy-nilly over miles and miles of land. So
there is progress. We were actually
amazed at how much had been accomplished.
LETTER FROM OUR MISSIONARY
IN JAPAN
Dear Supporting Congregations:
It has been a few months since our last contact
with you and we wanted to update you in regard to
our lives.
We are doing pretty well these days in Tokyo,
though with the contrasting reports of the nuclear
situation we do live with unseen and unknown
anxieties. We can't help being a bit concerned
about what it means to have Jon's Miho ten weeks
pregnant when the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear
disaster took place, and also what it means to
have a wee little one come into life in this city at
this time.
Yet, needless to say, the scars in the
hearts cannot be so clearly put into piles
and cleaned up. After the functional lifesupport lines of infrastructure have been
restored, lost memories, lost communities,
lost jobs, lost meaning, lost hopes and lost
family members may take years or lifetimes~ and indeed may never be restored.
Only through loving care can the losses
even hope to be transformed into new
depth of purpose. We cannot lose faith that
this is possible even in the seemingly
worst of scenarios. (That is the power of
the Cross.) March 11 was one of the worst
scenarios anyone could imagine (though
we know there are examples more horrendous going on in unnamed places as we
speak.) But we choose to hold onto blessing!
We hear conflicting reports about Tokyo's safety.
And we can't fathom what it all means for tens of
thousands displaced from their entire existences
up north. WHAT A MESS. Even though we are
nine months past the earthquake and tsunami the
consequences of that huge act of nature continues
to affect all of us living in Japan.
However, on the surface things seem to be pretty
much back to "business as usual." In the past half
year we did see many good things, like people
truly taking care to conserve electrical energy,
even through the hottest summer months, and a
huge increase in volunteer helping spirit~ also an
increased consciousness to not take our food and
water and gasoline etc for granted. It is curious
and a bit unfortunate that as we get more complacent, we also lose those senses of gratitude and
meaning. What is it about humans that does that
we wonder? Why are "comfort" and "ease" generally so blanding to the soul?
Fall brings the busiest part of the year for
us as we continue our ministries in music,
counseling and teaching. It is such a privilege to be allowed to do God’s work in a
culture other than our own. Not only do we
sense we are making a contribution, but
we are also being stimulated by the Japanese and their own understanding of God
and how God works in this culture.
Well, one other factor we must mention is that we
do almost always keep in mind the fact that the
earthen plates under our feet have shifted in epic
proportions. So the thought of the possibility of a
big quake in Tokyo is never too far from our minds.
We keep supplies in my car and always wear good
walking shoes when any distance from home.
Carol carries a backpack with energy bars, water,
flashlight and Swiss Army knife etc; a bit inconvenient, unless of course they are needed some day.
May the Grace of Christ accompany you
each day this Advent,
Rev. Jim and Carol Sack
Tokyo, Japan
4
MID-WEEK ADVENT WORSHIP
FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS
AND CAROLS
The first Sunday of Advent is November 27th.
We will have mid-week
worship during Advent on
Wednesday nights November 30, December 7
and 14. Our mid-week
service is very kid-friendly
and laid back for all ages
as we pause during our
week to ponder the mystery and coming of Jesus
Christ. Our Confirmation youth will be leading
worship. Mid-week worship is 6:30—7:15p followed by fellowship time of “pot luck” desserts/
cookies/coffee/hot chocolate. Please join us!
A Festival of Nine Lessons and
Carols is being performed by
an Ecumenical Choir from
churches in our region on Sunday, December 4, at 4:00p at
Fristad Lutheran church in
Centuria. This is a great way
to begin the Advent season as
we wait for the Messiah, Jesus
Christ. Fellowship time follows
the service.
CHRISTMAS EVE
AND
CHRISTMAS DAY
WORSHIP
SCHEDULE
ADVENT COOKIE BAKING & FELLOWSHIP
RETREAT AT LUTHER POINT ON
DECEMBER 3
Saturday, December 24
4:00p and 10:00p
Christmas Eve Candle Light Service
with Holy Communion
Sunday, December 25
10:30a Worship with Holy Communion
Enjoy the tradition of Christmas cookie baking
in the fellowship of others without messing up
your kitchen! Most of the day will be dedicated
to baking a vast array of cookies with one another. Everyone will have the opportunity to be
in conversation with each other and get a taste
of others’ favorite Advent and Christmas traditions and memories. 9:00 am – 4:30 pm $40/
adult, $25/child under 11 Each participant will
bring home a variety of recipes and cookies
baked during the day! Share this opportunity
with your friends, children, grandchildren,
spouses–all ages are welcome. (Youth must
be accompanied by an adult). All baking supplies will be provided and lunch will be served.
Register online at www.lutherpoint.org or call
Liz Bowman at the camp office 715-689-2347.
NURSING HOME ADDRESSES
Please remember our members who live in nursing
homes in the area. They would love to get a card or
a visit from you!
5
Olivia Hansen
United Pioneer Home
Butternut Ave.
Luck, WI 54853
Esther Mohnsen
United Pioneer Home
Butternut Ave.
Luck, WI 54853
Lois Grambow
Willow Ridge Healthcare
400 Deronda Street
Amery, WI 54001
Arlene Young
Sophie’s Manor
300 Michigan Avenue
Centuria, WI 54824
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
Pastor Mary Ann and Greg invite
you to our home on Saturday,
December 10 between 2—5 p.m.
Join us for some Christmas goodies
and fellowship. We hope you will
stop by with your family!
FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK
Attention committee members! It is that time of
year again when we will be working on the annual
report. I need to get the information
from you that needs to go into the
annual report. Please have it to me
the morning of Dec 30 at the latest! It would be best if you could
email it to me so I can just cut and
paste it instead of having to retype
everything, that can always lead to
mistakes.
RECEIPTS: If you have receipts that you want reimbursement for they need to be in to me by Dec
27. If they are not in by then it will be considered a
contribution.
CONTRIBUTIONS for 2011: Your last contribution
has to be received on my desk by Dec 31 in order
for it to be counted as 2011 contribution (just obeying tax laws!). If you are mailing it please make
sure you mail it early enough to get here. It makes
no difference what the date says on the check it
has to be received at the church office by December 31. Thank you for your cooperation.
Please remember to pick up your poinsettias Dec
25 after service.
May all of you have a very blessed Christmas
Season.
Terri Knowlan, Church Secretary
SUB SUNDAY!
On Sunday, December 11
the middle school youth
will be having a "Sub Sunday”. Custom order your
Sub Sandwich and we'll
have it freshly made and
ready to take home after
church on the 11th. Subs are $5 each and the order form is on the Narthex sign-up table. The proceeds help fund their youth activities.
6
SCHOOL BACKPACK
OUTREACH MINISTRY
We will be packing up food for
school back packs the week of December 12. The backpacks go
home to families who are on the
free and reduced lunch program at
the Luck school. This gift of food
really helps families out on the weekends who
are having trouble making ends meet.
If you would like to donate food to this program,
please leave it in the tile room by the kitchen under the “Back Pack” sign. Label your grocery
sack “Back Packs” so we know for sure what it is
for. Our church will be sharing food the second
week of every month.
IMPORTANT: We need NUTRITIOUS food
that is kid-friendly and won’t crush when
packed. Ideas include peanut butter, hamburger/tuna helper, granola bars, canned
tuna, soup, canned fruit and vegetables,
packets of flavored oatmeal, spaghetti sauce
in a plastic jar or metal can, jello, pudding,
and boxed cereal. (Please do not buy items
packed in glass containers, candy, cookies,
highly sugared cereals, etc. Many families in
general have high carb diets and are fighting
the obesity epidemic; keep your choices
healthy ones.)
Thanks so much for you help! This program
worked so well last year at school and received
rave reviews. Thanks for making a difference in
the lives of the families in our community.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
Thank you to everyone who, baked,
worked, donated, and made things for
our Deer Hunters Widow sale. We had a
great turn out. Without everyone’s help
we could not have done it. We raised
about $2,000 for WELCA and the youth
raised over $600 from the raffle sales.
Thanks also to everyone who made our
Thanksgiving Day dinner possible. We
served about 100 very grateful people
(and no ungrateful ones!).
Sunday School Christmas Program
Sunday, December 18 at 10:30a
“Too Many Shepherds”
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM NEWS
Amazingly it is time to get ready for the Sunday school Christmas program! The theme of the Christmas Program is “Too Many Shepherds”. It stresses the role of the shepherds in the Christmas story.
The children have begun getting ready and now we need to work on the finishing touches. We will
be sending home speaking lines on Sunday, December 4th. The lyrics for the songs we will sing are
included here so you can practice with your child.
Saturday, December 17th will be the final practice for our program. The practice will begin at
10:00am for children K-middle school and will begin at 11:30 for our preschoolers. We will have a
Christmas party, complete with lunch and a birthday cake for Baby Jesus following the practice.
The party will end by 1:30pm. Parents are encouraged to stay for the practice. Parents of preschool aged children, please plan to stay and help your child through the practice.
After practice and Christmas birthday party on Saturday, we plan to go caroling with the youth
from Luck Lutheran Church. We will leave from the church and meet the youth at Luck Lutheran
1:45p. If you can help us drive our youth to Luck and back to church, please let us know. This is a
nice opportunity to join with other youth to glorify and praise God as the shepherds were told to
do. We plan to be back to church by 3:30 for pick-up.
Again this year we are asking for cookie donations for the cookie potluck after church on Sunday.
The congregation enjoys this Christmas tradition.
The children should arrive to church at the regular Sunday school time (9:00) on Sunday the 18th.
The program is a part of worship which begins at 10:30. The cookie potluck follows the church service. Thank you to all of you for helping get your children to Sunday school and the Saturday practice, and for all of your donations of time, energy, props, and cookies.
Thanks,
Shahla Brown and Kristin Boland
IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMES For Sunday School Children:
Sat., Dec. 17 10:00-1:00— Program practice and party for grades K— through 8th grade
11:30-1:00—Program practice and party for Preschool children
Sunday Dec. 18 9:00a
10:30a
Children arrive for Sunday school program
Christmas Program as part of Church service
Cookie potluck to follow worship
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BAPTISMS
Harper Marie & Gemma Gail Jilek were baptized
on November 27. Their parents are Jennifer
Greenwald and Steven Jilek. Amber & Jared
Langford are Harper’s sponsors and Devon
Broome & Dylan Broome are Gemma’s sponsors. Welcome little sisters in Christ!
DEATH
Prayers go out to the family of
Edith Mohnsen who passed away
on Saturday, November 26 at the
nursing home in Frederic. Visitation is at Rowe Funeral Home in
Frederic on Wednesday, November
30 from 5—7:00p. Her Celebration of Life Service
is at church on Thursday, December 1 at 11:00a
with visitation one hour prior to the service.
Thanks be to God for the life of our sister in Christ,
Edie Mohnsen.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOME
The home Habitat for Humanity is building on Park
Ave in Luck must be completed by the end of the
year so that the Thrivent Builds funds will not be
lost. Please consider donating some time before
the end of the year to help finish the home. Most of
the exterior work is done but there is still work to
complete on the inside. You can help out any
Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday from 8-4. No experience required you can just show up. If those
days and times don’t work for you contact Wild rivers Habitat for Humanity at 715-483-2700 and they
will work with you on finding another time.
CONFIRMATION NEWS
Confirmation meets on Wednesday nights
during Advent with your families for the midweek Advent worship service from 6:30—
7:15p. Pot luck “goodies” and fellowship
time follows worship. The Confirmation
youth will lead the services.
S.H.Y.
The Senior Youth will meet
during Advent on November
30, December 7 and 14. Because of mid-week worship,
SHY will start at 6:00p for a
light meal and fellowship, attend worship from 6:30—7:15,
and then hang out until
8:00p....starting with setting up the Christmas tree
on November 30th after worship. Bring a friend!
Please note: the Feed My Starving Children
service event on Saturday, December 4 has
been canceled. FMSC cannot afford to have
a mobile unit in Amery this year. Make sure
to tell your mentor!
FELLOWSHIP TIME TREATS
How about helping to give our fellowship time
treats a healthy make-over?
Instead of all sweets, think
about bringing fruit, cheese
and crackers, salsa, etc. when
it is your turn to host coffee
time. As we try to adapt
healthier eating habits in our
families it wouldn’t hurt any of
us to have some healthier options with our church
family as well!
FIRE WOOD FOR SALE
We still have a few cords of wood for sale at
$45/fireplace cord. Place your
orders with Jack Caroon (715857-6036). All proceeds go to
the church. So far about
$1,300 has been raised for
the church. Thanks to all who
have helped with this project!
8
NEWS FROM LUTHER POINT
LUTHER POINT BIBLE CAMP
Forming Faith, Pointing to Christ
11525 Luther Point Rd., Grantsburg, WI
715-689-2347 www.LutherPoint.org
Pastor Craig M. Corbin, Director
Greetings from Luther Point
December
Advent Fellowship and Cookie Baking: Dec. 3 at
Luther Point, Dec. 10 at Luther Park
Quilting Retreat, Feb. 2-5, 2012 at Luther Park
Men’s Retreat: March 9-11, 2012 at Luther Point
Spirituality of Bread Baking: March 23-24, 2012
at Luther Point
2011
Advent Fellowship & Cookie Baking Retreat,
Dec. 3 and Dec. 10, 9am-4pm: We would like to
invite you to our Advent Fellowship and Cookie
Baking Retreats at Luther Point in Grantsburg
and at Luther Park in Chetek, WI. These retreats
are a perfect opportunity for you and family or
friends to get some Christmas baking completed.
All you need to do is gather the people and we’ll
provide the rest—snacks, lunch, devotions and
cookie baking supplies. You will be able to enjoy
the tradition of Christmas cookie baking with the
fellowship of others and bring home 144 cookies
all without messing up your kitchen.
Register today by calling Luther Point at 715-6892347 or Luther Park at 715-859-2215. You can
also register online at our websites—Luther Point
or Luther Park! Or you can download a registration form to mail in. Cost is $40 / adult and $25 /
attendee with not cookies (children must be accompanied by an adult). Deposit is $20.
Check out our Website: LutherPoint.org:
The website has greatly improved and there are
some really cool photos and updated info. Especially check out our Wish List: You can now go
online and order wish list items directly from
Amazon.com and have the items shipped directly to the camp. PLEASE NOTE: We are
still looking for good used vehicles, preferably mini-vans or mid-size sedans. We have
some older vehicles that are showing their
wear and tear. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Flicker and YouTube.
Introducing the “Memorial and Honor Program” Luther Point is offering a way to help recognize those special events and dates in life. We
will send a card to a loved one or a friend recognizing their special day on your behalf. Honor a
person with a gift to Luther Point for a birthday,
anniversary, confirmation, wedding, baptism, get
well and more. Give a gift in memory of someone
as well. Go to our website, www.lutherpoint.org
and click on Donate or M & H Program. Follow
the prompts, give a gift via credit card and Luther
Point will send a personal hand written card to the
person(s) you are recognizing. This new giving
opportunity should be up and running in early December.
Please contact [email protected] if you are
interested in serving on this committee or know
of someone you want to recommend who is a
creative person who could help further the year
round ministries at Luther Park and Luther Point.
Looking for Leadership: The year round retreat ministry committee is seeking additional
volunteers to serve. This is a committee of
adults represented by both Luther Park and Luther Point Bible Camps. The primary responsibility of the group is to brainstorm future program
opportunities for adults. The committee meets a
few times a year at a centrally located congregation and continues to stay connected via email.
Come and Retreat with Us: We have weekend
openings for the Retreat Center, Family Cabins,
Luther Lodge and more. Perfect for a weekend
get away with family and friends. Are you
looking to schedule a family reunion? Whatever
the occasion, consider staying at Luther Point!
Inquire with [email protected] or call (715)
689-2347.
Together in Ministry Rev. Craig M. Corbin,
Executive Director
Fall Retreats Offered Jointly with Luther Park:
Check out our website LutherPoint.org and
choose a retreat offering:
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Weekly Attendance & Contributions
Date
Attendance
Contributions
10/30
175
$1843*
11/6
127
$2064*
11/13
120
$1547*
11/20
75
$1040*
Contributions include:General, Simply
Giving, Designated (i.e. Missionary
Support, World Hunger Support ) and
Sunday School
Weekly estimate to meet ministry/vision
budget is $3,129.00
Prayer requests in our
congregation,
community, and world:
Those with prayer concerns in our
church, community, and world:
• The family of Edie Mohnsen,
Denise Nelson, Karoline White, Kathie
Christensen, Marie Bazey, Al Girard, Ken Fisher,
Gary Ramich, David Maack, Mary Schilling, Marcia
Jensen, and Sandy Schroeder.
• Prayers of thanksgiving for our newest sisters in
Christ, Gemma Gail and Harper Marie Jilek.
• Prayers of hope for all those who are struggling
with depression, addictions, relationships, cancer and other illnesses.
Those Who Serve our Country:
• Prayers of thanksgiving for all our military who
serve our country, including Jesse Gross and
Ross Petersen. Continued prayers for those
whose lives have been lost in the pursuit of freedom for our nation.
If you would like to be involved with
Bone Lake Lutheran’s Prayer Chain
please contact the church office
@ 472-2535.
Our members who are in care centers:
Arlene Young, Olivia Hansen, Lois Grambow, and
Esther Mohnsen
BULLETIN SUPPORT FOR DECEMBER
We appreciate our members who sign up for weekly
bulletin support ($15.00)
Dec 4
Betty Bohn In memory of Dorayne
Dec 11
Bob & Martha Solfest “Thanks be to God”
Dec 18
Barb & Jonn Dinnies In honor of our anniversary
Dec 25
Pastor Mary Ann and Greg in thanksgiving for the
birth of Jesus Christ
MEMORIAL
CONTRIBUTIONS
Memorial contributions
are given to our church
and help fund special and
designated projects.
MISSIONARY SUPPORT FOR DECEMBER
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WHO SUPPORT
PASTOR JAMES SACK IN JAPAN
Dec 4
Ole & Judy Randall In honor of our anniversary
Dec 11
Barry & Sherri Schaffer In honor of Anne Schaffer’s
Birthday
Dec 18
Barb & Jonn Dinnies In honor of our anniversary
Dec 25
open
Each $20.00 contribution greatly helps ELCA missionary work and also allows
us to acknowledge special events in our lives.
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DECEMBER 2011 WORSHIP ASSISTANTS
USHERS
12/4
GREETERS
Neil & Tammy Peterson
12/4
Open
12/11 Allan & Collen Foxwell
12/11
Jim & Linda Svoboda
12/18 Youth assigned by Pastor
12/18
12/24 4p Todd and Jill Route
10p LeRoy Buck Family
Sue Buck & youth assigned
by Pastor
12/24
12/25 Open
12/25
4p Open
10p LeRoy Buck Family
Open
SCRIPTURE READERS
12/4
ACOLYTES
Dawn Ferguson
12/4
12/7
12/11 Andrew Hoehne
Markie Ramich
Kahlen Albee
12/18 None needed
12/11 Christopher Kuechenmeister
12/14 Sami Ferguson
12/24 Sign up sheet in Narthex
12/25 Open
12/18 Julia Buck
12/24 4p Brittany Sanford, Andrew
Hoehne, Tiffany Brown
COMMUNION SET-UP
12/4
Marie Bazey
10p Julia Buck, Kahlen Albee
12/24 Pastor
& 25
12/25 Open
FELLOWSHIP TIME HOSTS
& CLEAN-UP CREW
12/4
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS
12/4
Dawn Ferguson & John Bazey
Tammy Peterson, Dawn Ferguson,
Charlie Hoehne
12/11 Cinnamon Roll Sunday
12/24 Open
12/18 Linda Svoboda, Sue Buck, Rita
Frandsen
12/25 Open
12/25 No treats
COMMUNION
BREAD
Ramich’s
COMMUNION
WINE
None needed
Please note:
The worship assistant list is posted at
church. If you cannot serve for the month
you are listed, please call Sherri Schaffer
(553-0686) to make other arrangements.
LOOKING AHEAD: JANUARY
WORSHIP TEAM
Lead—Paul & Lori Denny Gary Ehrich
Gwynne & Duane Wisse
Melissa Runnels
Seth- David Maack
Doug & Laura Ramich
Larry & Linda Glenn
Roger & Pat Neumann
Todd & Jill Route
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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
May your special day be filled
with God’s blessings!
Jen Hacker
Madelynn Schmidt
Sylas Bossingham
Donna Hilmanouske
Tiffany Brown
Tony Johnson
Melissa Rock
Mike Boland
Charles Hoehne
Dianne Dueholm
Joe Christensen
Paul King
Kim Erickson
Susan Gregorash
Shahla Brown
Nick Kuechenmeister
Kris Mattson
Mason Brown
Brendan Fenning
12/01
12/01
12/02
12/04
12/04
12/05
12/05
12/05
12/06
12/07
12/07
12/07
12/08
12/08
12/08
12/08
12/09
12/09
12/10
LOOKING AHEAD:
SCRIPTURE READINGS
FOR DECEMBER
DECEMBER 4:
Isaiah 40:1-11
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Mark 1:1-8
DECEMBER 11:
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
DECEMBER 18:
2 Samuel 7:1-11,16
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38
DECEMBER 25:
Isaiah 52:7-10
Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12)
John 1:1-14
Rhonda Bazey
Broc Carter
Lynnette Burdick
Dorothy Roberts
Kent Petersen
Jordyn Ohlander
LeRoy Buck
Riley Lund
Easton Jones
Irene Ogilvie
John Denny
Amber Broome
Cody Ince
Kristi Fenning
Lynn Albee
Kristin Colassaco
Sharry Swenson
Sarah Miles
Katie Pfaff
12/11
12/11
12/12
12/13
12/13
12/13
12/14
12/14
12/16
12/16
12/17
12/18
12/18
12/19
12/20
12/20
12/23
12/27
12/27
Jacob Welu
Samantha Harvey
Linda Hostrup
Brittany Douglas
Rob Bergstrom
Dylan Broome
12/27
12/28
12/29
12/29
12/29
12/31
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my
body, you knit them
together in my
mother’s womb.
Thank you for making
me so wonderfully
complex!”
—Psalm 139:13-14
DECEMBER BAPTISMAL ANNIVERSARIES
HAPPY “RE-BIRTH” DAY!
Tony
Amy
Sheila
Julie
Holly
Kelsey
Austin
Caleb
Esther
Doug
Michael
Peter
Sue
Aubre
Ariane
Aaron
Jolleen
Austin
Jackson
John
Johnson
Aguado
Sorenson
Buck
Bergstrom
Harvey
Ayde
Nick
Mohnsen
Johnson
Richter
Dueholm
Buck
Snider
Mattson
Sorenson
Nichols
Hillman-Baker
Cramlet
Cramlet
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Danielle Tonnar
Alexander Kaphingst
Lisa
Fjorden
Greg
Bowman
Randy Brunette
Paige Hacker
Taylor Hacker
Taylor Hanson
Kendra Mosay- Buck
Jordan Dock
Karie Bartlett
Kris
Mattson
Riley Runnels
Ben
Buck
David Buck
Judy
Randall
“Go, therefore, and
baptize all nations in
the name of the
Father, and of the
Son, and of the
Holy Spirit.”
—Matthew 28:19
The December Fisher is sponsored by
Pastor Mary Ann and Greg Bowman
In grateful thanks for the birth of Jesus, “Emmanuel, God with us.”
If you would like to sponsor an issue of the “Fisher”, please notify the church office or sign up
on the appropriate sheet in the narthex. The “Fisher” sponsorship is $50.00.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
“A family of caring believers, growing in faith, reaching out to the community,
and sharing Christ’s love.”
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
BONE LAKE STAFF
Pastor’s Office
472-8153
Cell 715-554-0789
Fri
Terri
Terri
Terri
9—3
9—3
9—1
Pastor Mary Ann can be reached Monday
through Thursday @ 715– 472– 8153 (w) or
715-472-2754 (h). Pastor’s cell phone number is 715-554-0789.
Council President
Todd Route
(H) 472-8447
Deadlines:
• Sunday Bulletin news is due
Thursdays @ noon.
• “Fisher” news is due the 4th
Monday of each month at noon.
• The “Fisher” is collated and prepared for
mailing on the 4th Thursday of the month
@ 9:00a @ church unless otherwise
noted.
• The “Fisher” will be available online on
the 4th Thursday of every month.
Office & Financial
Terri Knowlan
(H) 653-2247
Custodian
Jim & Gail Starr
(H) 825-3931
PASTOR/PARISH RELATIONS TEAM
We have a great team in place in our congregation
who meet quarterly (or more often if necessary) to talk
about the general health and well-being of both the
congregation and the pastor. This is a confidential
place for the pastor to talk about church issues, how
the pastor is doing with all her responsibilities, and to
dialogue about our congregation in general. This confidential team is an important link to a healthy and vital
congregation. If you have any concerns, constructive
feedback or kudos regarding our congregation or pastor, please bring it to one of the team members:
Steve Tonnar, Velma Broome, Joan Sorenson, or
Ken Fisher.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Todd Route
Tim Bradwell
Joan Sorenson
Jack Caroon
Sherri Schaffer
472-8447
472-2807
472-8155
857-6036
472-8890
Sharon Peterson 646-2840
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President
Vice President, Property
Secretary
Treasurer
Financial Secretary,
Worship, Education
Financial Assistant
WELCA NEWS
Women of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America
WOMEN’S CIRCLES: Please Join Us
Faith Circle
Dec 7 @ 1:00pm
@ Donna Davidson
715-472-2298
Dorcas Circle
Dec 1 @ 1:00pm
@ Thelma Hendricks
715-472-2916
Naomi Circle
Dec 20 @ 7:15pm @ church
Reflections of Grace Dec 7 @ 7:00pm
@ Cassie Moore’s
FAITH CIRCLE’S OUTREACH
PROJECT
715-472-8301
POLK COUNTY OPERATION
CHRISTMAS
Faith Circle invites ALL members of
Bone Lake Lutheran to help them collect paper products for the CRA house
in Milltown. This is a family crisis home
where women/children can stay. They are in need
of paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, feminine
hygiene products and also coloring books &
crayons, and reading books for the children.
There will be a marked box in the narthex to put
the items in. We will be collecting them from Sunday, Nov 20th to Sunday, Dec.18th. THANKS for
your help in this ministry with the Faith Circle
members.
The NAOMI CIRCLE is sponsoring
the “Polk County Operation Christmas.” We will be collecting of new
toys, games, blankets, pajamas,
hats, mittens, snow pants, snow
boots, etc., or gift cards and or gift certificates for 13-18 year olds.
Volunteers are needed to help at the distribution site, United VFW on Hwy 46 (north of
Unity School), Please watch for more information.
UNITED PIONEER HOME CHRISTMAS TEA
The UPH will host their annual Christmas Tea on Sunday,
Dec. 4 at 2:00 pm. They would appreciate a donation of coffee cakes or 5 dozen cookies OR bars. These items can be
dropped off at the UPH’s kitchen or activity dept. on Saturday,
Dec 3 or Sunday morning, Dec 4.
Thanks for your help with this community event.
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