March 2016 Messenger - Our Saviour`s Lutheran Church

Volume 18, Issue 3
March 2016
Pastor Yvonne
Marshall
Lent is a journey - following Jesus on the way
that leads to the cross. Early Christians did not
think of themselves as following a religion, but
of following Jesus in the Way of Life: a life of
self-sacrificial service and generosity. That means
not focusing on having our needs and wants
catered to, but focusing on the wants and needs
of others. Christianity began as a “movement”
that gave folks a sense of meaning and purpose
in life as they worked together for the sake of
healing, reconciliation, tending to the needs of
the poor and vulnerable, offering radical
hospitality in reaching out to welcome and
integrate the “outsiders,” praying for and with
one another, sharing meals together, and
nurturing children. The Way was all about
walking together, being together (even if only
two gathered in His name), and encountering
the Living God.
that. It starts to define us. Repentance frees us
of that. And paradoxically, it’s when we own
them - rather than away from them - that we
actually become free of them. Repentance isn’t
about dwelling on our terribleness. It is about
telling the truth. And it is about the freedom
that truth-telling promises.
The truth is God both wants to hold us
accountable and wants to forgive us.
Repentance insists that you be held fully
accountable, and it insists simultaneously that
there’s a way back to being in a right relationship
with God. The good news is God’s forgiveness is
there before “the ask” ever happens.
Repentance is an opportunity to grow, to learn,
and to do better. While repentance is a private,
interior journey, we do it as members of a
community of faith together. And as the Body of
Christ, the Church, we get to embody the
The focus of Lent is on honesty about what
certainty of God’s forgiveness for all people.
being a human being is like. It’s hard. It’s messy.
Earthly consequences may be guaranteed, but as
It hurts. It weeps. Lent calls us to take a hard
God’s people we get to be the safe place, the
look at ourselves in the mirror: our human
circle of friends, the people with which we share
nature, our sinful selves and social systems, and
our common brokenness. We are the ones who
our inability to undo the wrongs of our past. But,
speak the truth, “God is good, and you are loved,
if our sinful reality is all we have, then we would
no matter what!” The truth takes us to the Cross
be relegated to despair. Lent also reminds us
of Christ, for in his death we are freed from the
that God has called us good from the very
power of sin and death. In His death we find the
beginning, and is always working for mercy,
way to Life. The paradox of Lent is the journey
justice, and reconciliation.
leads us to the way of the cross, and the promise
Lent is a time of “repentance” - the spiritual
of Life revealed on Easter morning. Jesus said, “I
truth telling of how we fail to live up to what is
am the way, the truth, and the life.”
good and right as God desires, owning our
Blessings on this journey.
failings (our sins), and not running from them or
trying to cover them up. Without the honest,
~Pastor Yvonne Marshall
brutal look in the mirror, we are in bondage to
our failures. We let it dictate our next move after
Members
2
“SHARING
GOD’S
LOVE
WITH
A L L”
Inside this issue:
The Messenger
OUR SAVIOUR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH - WHITEHALL, WI
The Way. The Truth. The Life.
Upcoming Events
3
Church News
4
Council Members
5
WELCA
6
Mission Kits
7
Easter Flower Form
8
March Calendar
9
March Birthdays
10
Grandview Care Center - Blair
Tri-County Memorial - Whitehall
Goodwin Anderson,
Selma Estenson, Marie Lee,
Pastor Richard Kelling
Hallie Nordhagen, Ronald Fields
Pigeon Falls Assisted Living/Nursing Care
Sunrise Manor - Whitehall
Center
Francis Foss, Margaret Steinke, Dorothy Vito,
Patricia Giebel
Riverway North - Pigeon Falls
Helen Kleven, Clinton Larson
Crystal Lake Manor - Strum
Lorraine Narva , Marian Miller
Roy Arneson
Altar Guild: Margo Ausderau, Ellen Hauser
Altar Flowers: Margo Ausderau, Ellen Hauser
Ushers: Bev and Richard Waldera
Communion Servers: Dave and Brenda Loga
Organist: Nancy Martinovici, Sue Kohnert
Lectors: Linda Schaefer, Dave Schaefer,
Barb Mathson, David Anderson
Altar Guild: Barb Johnson, Barb Mathson,
Dawn Sauerwein.
Altar Flowers: Linda Schaefer
Ushers: Linda Middleton, Harriet Witt
Communion Servers: Bruce and Margo Ausderau
Organist: Nancy Martinovici, Sue Kohnert
OSLC Youth Facebook
Are you on Facebook? Have you liked "OSLC Youth" Facebook page? If not please do
so, and share every crazy thing we put on the page. Help us get everyone involved!!
PAGE 2
T HE M E S S E N G E R
Maundy Thursday
March 24th - Grace of Pleasantville 6:00pm/Our Saviour’s 7:30pm
Good Friday
March 25th - Grace of Pleasantville 6:00pm/Our Saviour’s 7:30pm
Easter Sunday
March 27th - Grace of Pleasantville 8:00am/Our Saviour’s 9:30am
Attention Hungry Lutherans:
Our Soup Suppers will continue until Wednesday March 16th. Join us
in the church basement at 6:00pm for homemade soup, donated by
Our Saviour’s members, and bread and dessert bars provided by our
confirmation students . Free will donations are appreciated! We will
see you there!
Communion Instruction
Youth who have not yet received first communion instruction, or those
who may desire a refresher in “what does this mean” are invited to
meet with Pastor Yvonne on Sunday, March 13th, following worship at
Our Saviour’s. Parents must accompany their children.
Hues for Houston!
Come join Youth and Family for a Painting Party! Learn how to paint a
portrait with "Pigments and Port" on April 6th in the basement of Our
Saviour's. Everyone is welcome but you must buy a ticket ahead of time.
Cost is $30 per person. This is a fundraiser to get Our Saviour's High school
students to attend the 2018 Youth Conference in Houston! Contact Patti
Zimmerman at 715-530-1350 or [email protected] for tickets.
Attention Confirmation Students!
Confirmation classes will now be held on Wednesdays at 5:00 pm until April
3rd. We will then be resuming the regular Sunday classes at 10:30am. Thanks!
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T HE M E S S E N G E R
Malawi Famine
The people of Malawi, Africa are suffering an extreme famine due to disastrous
flooding last year which killed their crops. Our Saviour’s WELCA will be sending over
a gift of $100. The loose offering given on Sunday, March 6th will also be sent.
Please pray for these people and give generously for our sisters and brothers in
these dire circumstances. God bless our efforts as we "Share God's Love with All".
Toys Needed!
Currently the Wisconsin-Nicaragua Partners of the Americas are collecting
stuffed toys for children in Nicaragua. You can donate your soft toys in a
specially marked basket in the Narthex of Our Saviour’s church. It is greatly
appreciated! God bless!
Thank you!
A special thank you to Fred Jacobson for building the shelves in the
banner closet. They were much needed and look wonderful! Also
thanks to Mary Ann Watson for collecting the mail and helping with
various tasks around the church. You are a great help!
Holy Baptism
We welcomed Cassidy Rae Przybilla, daughter of Greg and Angel
Przybilla, into our Christian family through the Sacrament of Holy
Baptism on January 31, 2016. Her sponsors are Cailyn Kneifl, Buck Kneifl,
and Shay Olson. God bless Cassidy and her family!
Holy Baptism
We welcomed Rhett James Frei, son of Steve and Shannon Frei, into our
Christian family through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on February 14,
2016. His baptismal sponsors are Andrew Lien and Julie Schaefer. We
pray for Rhett and his family.
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T HE M E S S E N G E R
PRESIDENT-Jamie Goplin
SECRETARY - Dawn Peterson
TREASURER - Barb Mathson
CHURCH COUNCIL AT LARGE
Tom Richter - Greg Fonstad - Linda Schroeder - Thom Stephens
FINANCE AND PROPERTY COMMITTEE
John Powell - Viola Jacobson - Mary Ann Watson - Karen Witte - Brenda Loga - Fred Staff Sam Speerstra
LIFE AND GROWTH COMMITTEE
Laura Foss - Elsa Kulig - Marnie Anderson - Donna Lindberg - Paula Hentges - Megan Densmore
BOARD OF YOUTH AND FAMILY
Patti Zimmerman - Melissa Frank - Niccole Kulig - Peggy Kneifl - Kathy Harms - Donna Fernholz
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Jennie Everson - Lisa Schmitt - Laura Foss - Bambi Beck - Tiffany Theisen - Jami Hanvold
WORSHIP MUSIC MINISTRY
Nancy Martinovici - Sue Kohnert - Mary Speerstra - Sherri Daggett - Nancy Lyngen
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Mary Richter - JoAnn Foss - Viola Jacobson
AUDITORS
Michelle Giebel - Stacey Lisowski - Val Pronschinske
Meeting Minutes
From now on church members will be able to view the Council
and Board minutes on the bulletin board in the narthex of the
church.
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T HE M E S S E N G E R
Prayer Breakfast
Immanuel Lutheran of Strum has invited us to their Prayer Breakfast on
March 9, 2016, at 9:30am. RSVP by March 4th to the Strum church:
715-695-3511, Karen Franson: 715-695-3553 or Sara Heck: 715-695-3229.
The speaker is Natalia Peterson, author of “I’m Not the Pastor’s Wife, I’m
Just Married to Him”. She is a singer, songwriter, a stage and commercial
actress, playwright and a fine arts educator as well as a wife and mother.
Her humor flows through it all! See the poster on the WELCA bulletin
board in the entry way of our church for more details.
Northwest Synod Women’s Organization Convention
“Ordinary Women Serving an Extraordinary God”
The convention will take place at the Plaza Suites in Eau Claire on Friday,
April 29th and Saturday, April 30th. Registration begins Friday evening,
April 29th, at 4pm. Early registration is $60 until April 13th and $70 after
that. Friday evening buffet is extra but Saturday lunch is included. You may
attend one or both days. Hotel accommodations are available. There will be
exhibits, speakers and work sessions, including making cards for residents
of the area Nursing Homes and tying fleece blankets for Veteran’s Homes
and area hospitals. Please see the agenda and registration form on the
WELCA bulletin board in the church entry way for further details.
Malawi Project
Thank you to everyone who donated prescription pill containers to be used
for Malawi. It was a great success! They collected over 2 million containers
thanks to everyone ’ s generosity! The project will now be focusing on the
devastating famine that is spreading across the country. Please refocus your
efforts on donating and praying for the starving people of this country.
Vanilla for Sale!
WELCA continues to have Watkins Vanilla for sale. The cost is $15 per bottle. There is
light and dark variations available. The bottles are located the narthex and in front of
the Fellowship Hall. Please make checks payable to WELCA. Enjoy!
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T HE M E S S E N G E R
Why wait until fall to begin collecting supplies for mission kits? Each month we will try
and collect certain items so the kits will be ready to go by October. Cut out the list of items
for each month and take it with you when you go shopping. If you have any questions
please contact Marnie Anderson at 715-538-2255. Also check out lwr.org/getinvolved/kits
for more information on mission kits.
Towels (Bath and hand towels - light weight - 52x27 dark colors) Soap (Bath size bars - 4-5 oz)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Socks (Baby socks up to 24 months) T-Shirts, Sleepers
(Long and short sleeve sleepers without feet up to 24
months) Gowns.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Combs (sturdy wide tooth), Nail clippers, Toothbrushes
(adult size)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jackets, Sweaters (Baby size up to 24 months with a
hood or cap, preferably front ties or buttons)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Notebooks (70 count wide rule) Blunt scissors, Pink
erasers, Ballpoint pens, Crayons (16 or 24 count)
#2 Pencils, Rulers (30 cm or in and cm) Pencil
sharpener (hand held)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Diapers (Cloth flat fold preferred - Can be made from
flannel or old T shirts)
PAGE 7
T HE M E S S E N G E R
Flowers for
Church at Easter
The Easter season coincides with the beginning of spring, a
time of renewal and rebirth. Spring-blooming flowers sing of hope
and carry special religious meaning as we celebrate rebirth
through Christ's resurrection.
Members of Our Saviour’s may purchase and bring spring plants to the basement prior
to the Easter morning services with a tag stating who donated the plant and for whom
the plant is in honor or in memory of. Easter plants can also be ordered through the
church for $10.00. Orders should be placed by Sunday, March 20th to ensure delivery
by Easter. Orders can be taken to the church office or collected in the Narthex.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Easter Flower Order Form
From:____________________________________________________
In Memory of:______________________________________________
In Honor of:________________________________________________
Flower preference (Tulip, Lily, Easter Lily): _______________________
Cost $10.00 per Flower
PAGE 8
T HE M E S S E N G E R
March 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
1
Fri
2
Sat
3
4
5
11
12
18
19
25
26
Sundays Comin’ 9:15am
Confirmation 5:00pm
Soup Supper 6:00pm
Quilting 8:30am
JCrew 6:30pm
Senior Choir 6:30pm
Church Council
Meeting 7:00pm
6
7
Kid’s Choir Practice
3:35pm
Worship 7:30am
8
9
10
Sundays Comin’ 9:15am
Confirmation 5:00pm
Soup Supper 6:00pm
Worship 9:30am
JCrew 6:30pm
Senior Choir 6:30pm
Sunday School
10:30am
Kid’s Choir Practice
3:35pm
Worship 7:30am
13
14
15
16
17
Sundays Comin’ 9:15am
Girl Scout French Toast
Breakfast 8:00am
Confirmation 5:00pm
Worship 9:30am
JCrew 6:30pm
Sunday School
10:30am
Senior Choir 6:30pm
Soup Supper 6:00pm
Quilting 8:30am
20
21
Worship 7:30am
23
22
Kid’s Choir Practice
3:35pm
Cub Scouts Meeting
6:00pm
24
Sundays Comin’ 9:15am
Confirmation 5:00pm
Worship 9:30am
JCrew 6:30pm
Sunday School
10:30am
Senior Choir 7:00pm
27
28
29
30
Kid’s Choir Practice
3:35pm
Worship 7:30pm
Worship 7:30pm
31
Sundays Comin’ 9:15am
Confirmation 5:00pm
VOLUME 18, ISSUE 3
Worship 9:30am
JCrew 6:30pm
Senior Choir 7:00pm
Page 9
Kid’s Choir Practice
3:35pm
“Sharing God’s Love With
Non Profit
All”
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
36197 Main Street
P.O. Box 455
Whitehall, WI 54773
Permit 15
Whitehall
Return Service
Requested
Pastor Yvonne Marshall
Church E-mail: [email protected]
Pastor’s Cell: 712-308-6741
Church Website: oslcwhitehall.org
Pastor’s E-mail:
[email protected]
Office Hours:
Church Secretary: Megan Nelson
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-1pm
Church Office: 715-538-4334
Tuesday, Thursday 7am-2pm
Check us out on Facebook and friend Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Whitehall, WI
and Pastor Yvonne Kiefer Marshall
1 - Alyssa Glanzman, Benjamin Ringstad, Gary Semb
14 - Vernon Vold
2 - Ralph Johnson, Michael Mathson
16 - Diane Waldera
3 - Timothy Lyga, Dawn Mathson, Mitchell Peters
17 - Sheila Feltes
4 - Amanda Berg, Jada Moats, Jordyn Moats, Daniel Oates,
18 - Jaclyn Hauser, Mavis Mitskogen
Kay Speerstra
21 - Brianna Harvie
5 - Maggie Lindberg
22 - Sandra Everson, Gordon Fimreite, Dale Herbenson
6 - Delores Ausderau
23 - Georgia Hughes
7 - Rose Rogers
24 - Delores Beardsley, Marie Johnson
8 - Amy Klomsten
9 - Valerie Pronschinske, Sarah Sosalla
11 - Megan Kjos
12 - Tess Johnson, Trajan Schaub
13 - Aaron Berg, Carl Peterson
25 - John Mathson
26 - Kennedy Harms, Abigail Staff
27 - Melissa Frank, Ardell Jacobson, Caitlin Thomson
30 - James Larson
31 - Braydon Fonstad