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Connections
MerrimacUnited Methodist Church
May - Ju n e 2016
W
Issue 8
Walks in His Ways
it was just a coat
hile watching the animated movie “Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” the other day,
it reminded me why I love coats. The coat given to
Joseph by his father was a most beautiful purple color. The coat
was given to Joseph with love and he primarily wore it because he
loved his father.
I gave my mom a coat for her birthday last month because I wanted to make sure she was not only “covered” physically, but also
that she was covered with love. I know that whenever my mom
wears the coat, she will feel loved much like
Joseph felt when he wore his coat.
The difference in this scenario is that Joseph
did not love the jealousy that this coat represented to his brothers, so at first he wanted
to take it off and be like his brothers in herding sheep. It was just a coat, but was it? To
Joseph’s brothers, this colorful coat confirmed
that their father loved Joseph more than them.
As the story continued, the lesson learned by
the brothers was one of regret for their jealousy
and treatment of Joseph.
B.A.S.H.
ANNOUNCES WE’RE
HAVING A CAR
WASH
WHEN: Saturday, May
21, 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Merrimac UMC
(117 Church St., Merrimac)
Pastor Roxi Gnatzig
Love for us is shown in many different colors and in many different ways making it so important to discern. Maybe the love we
have experienced in our lives was never enough. Maybe we’ve
missed the love given as we’re always looking for something different.
Maybe you feel like the brothers of Joseph with jealousy or neglect. It is a responsibility of parents to nurture and recognize the
gifts of children. Joseph’s father saw in him a God-given gift to
be more than a keeper of sheep like his brothers, so gave him the
“coat of many colors” so that Joseph would also see in himself
what his father saw.
Because of this coat, Joseph was thrown in a pit by his envious
brothers, found by Egyptian slave owners who sold Joseph to
Continued on page 5
WHAT: We need HOSES
and BUCKETS
WHO: Washers include:
B.A.S.H. kids and helpers.
Parents Also Welcomed!
WHY: Those who attend
B.A.S.H. want to go to a
CHRISTIAN ROCK CONCERT!!! (where & when
will be announced later)
EMAIL
[email protected]
FACEBOOK
Facebook.com/MerrimacUMC
Pastor Roxi Gnatzig
200 Lu Foster Lane
Merrimac, WI 53561
608-415-1626
If you would like to meet
with Pastor Roxi, please stop by the
church on Mondays or Tuesdays
or call or email any time. She will
also make home visits. Please let her
know of your needs.
Those we lift in prayer, God knows all their needs
Church Council
Please lift up our friends with prayer, cards, letters and calls:
Chairperson: Michele Hopp
Charlene Kratzke, Don & Teri Higgason, Dale Sandmire, Amanda
Accola, Lyla Schultz, Al Shanks Family, Joe Raschka, Joan Konkel,
Derryll Beich family, Marlys Schulz, Chris Blau, Family of Richard Graham, Candy Adams, Jeff Frey, Nick Wendt Family, Don
Forbes, Hank Felski, Harmony, Betty Wendt, Kurt Andersen, John
Breneman, Rob Hopp, Bryan Forbes, Gina O’Connell & Family,
Paul Zenisek, Mary Belka, Bela Swenson and safe travel for all
snow birds.
Chair of Pastor/Parish:
Pat Gallus
Chair of Trustees:
Tom Gallus
Treasurer:
Debbie Breneman
Secretary:
Chris Blau
Chair of Finance
Bob Garrison
Chair of Stewardship
Bruce England
UMW President:
Char Olson
Chair of Worship:
Mike Scott
Chair of Missions and Nuture:
Debbie Breneman
Communications Team Leader:
Jody Scott
Christian Education
Barb Jasper
Young Adult Representative:
Jenna Zurbuchen
Lay Leader:
Greg Zurbuchen
Member at Large:
Char Kratzke
The Merrimac United Methodist
Church exists to help all people
know and experience the
saving grace found in
Jesus Christ, our LORD.
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FROM THE
MISSION
COMMITTEE
Here are our missions for the
next few months:
May will be for Gage Kelly
to help defer the cost to participate in hippo therapy at
Miracles on Hoof.
June will be a special offering
for the benevolent fund for
Roxi to use for obtaining gas
cards for those who need them
as the Merrimac Ecumenical
Food Pantry doesn’t do this
anymore.
July will be for Kairos Prison
Ministry which will take place
in October.
If you have questions about
any of these please speak to
either Pastor Roxi at 608-4151626 or Debbie Breneman at
608-356-8780.
OUR CARE BEARS
by Charlotte Olson
Teddy Bears can make you cry
Full of love for you and I,
Leaving our church to heal some
hearts
Knowing God is where it all
starts.
Take one home and hold it tight
Letting you know things
will be alright.
Teddy Bears can make you cry,
Full of love for you and I.
“If there ever comes a day
when we can’t be together,
Keep me in your heart, I’ll stay
there forever.”
-Winnie the Pooh
D
Reflections
Of The Way Life Use To Be
by Charlotte Olson
uring our last board meeting on Monday, March 21st, it was
mentioned, (thank you, Jody) that it would be good to include some of my Merrimac history in our newsletter, and
I thought… right, I really need a few more things on my plate and yet
being very complimented thought again… this will be fun and somewhat easy knowing I could use so much from my history book. A book I
spent 25 years on, “Merrimack, Wisconsin History & Ferry Tales Et ‘Cetera.”
This 552 pager includes 12 chapters regarding the lake, ferries, families,
businesses, the churches, our servicemen and women, the building of the
railroad and more, most on a local level with a bit of state, national and
international history mixed in.
Some of you will remember bits of history while others like newcomers
to the area or those having been born in the past dozen or so years, will
learn about this incredible area for the first time. So here goes…
1843 in the beginning a Mr. Brown decided to build a cabin on these
shores and the area was known as Brown’s Cabin.
1844 shortly after Mr. Chester Mattson came along and the name changed
to Matt’s Ferry on Ferry Road because he initiated a ferry service. He built
the Ferry House and a ferry solving the problem of crossing the Wisconsin River (some 170 years before it became Lake Wisconsin thanks to the
Prairie du Sac Dam) making it possible for horses, horse drawn vehicles,
stagecoaches and individuals to cross over being charged various prices
some 80 years before the State Department of Transportation provided
the first free ferry, Colsac I in 1924.
Mattson was very enterprising and wanted to have a post office here
so he applied for a charter by contacting a Mr. Colomar, the Postmaster
General of the United States. It was so granted and to honor or thank this
man he changed the name from Matt’s Ferry to Collomar. By the way,
there has been a Matt’s Ferry Road in Baraboo where the Baraboo News
Republic is located.
Many pioneers continued arriving from the east, from England, Germany, Italy, France and the Scandinavian countries including farmers,
teachers, preachers, businessmen, trappers, etc. Matt’s Ferry was in the
Kingston Township including: Kingston, Devil’s Lake, Sumpter and
Merrimac and of course Chester Mattson was appointed supervisor. A
Mr. George Grant lived here and together he and Chester built the Ferry
House and the ferry solved the problem of crossing the Wisconsin by
horse, horse drawn and stagecoach for businessmen and private individuals as well.
Several tracks served Merrimac(k).
Passergers - Feed - Livestock - Daily
Schedules.
1845 Wisconsin became known as “Dairyland of the Nation” introducing cheese making by Swiss immigrants. Years later we were known as
“America’s Dairyland.”
1848 as you know, Wisconsin became a state, no longer a territory.
Pioneers were building small huts put together with mud and small
gardens huddled close to the river’s edge while farms held under squatter’s claims of narrow land further off shore. The wildlife, forests, rivers
Continued on page 6
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UPCOMING GREETER
AND LITURGIST LIST
MAY LITURGISTS:
5/8-Mike Scott
5/15-Michele Hopp
5/22-Barb Jasper
5/29-Bruce England
MAY GREETERS:
5/8 Barb and Rick Jasper
5/15 Chris Blau Family
5/22-Greg & Debbie Zurbuchen
5/29-Rob & Michele Hopp Family
JUNE LITURGISTS:
6/5-Greg Zurbuchen
6/12-Pat Gallus
6/19-Debbie Breneman
6/26-Greg Hermanson
JUNE GREETERS:
6/5-Greg & Kris Hermanson
6/12- Sheri Beich Family
6/19-Greg & Kris Hermanson
6/26-John &Debbie Breneman
Junk in
Your Trunk
The 2nd Annual “Junk in Your
Trunk” sale will be held along
with the Merrimac Fire Department Annual Pancake Breakfast!
Get your yummy breakfast then
wander across the street to our
Trunk Sale.
This year $10.00 will get you a
parking spot in the upper driveway of the Merrimac United
Methodist Church. Contributions will be greatly appreciated.
Proceeds will go to “The Red
Bag Mission” for our local children. Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 1:00
p.m. on Saturday, May 28th.
We expect a bigger turnout this
year! Remember no clothing.
Calendar of Events
Please join us
Sunday Mornings: 9 a.m. Worship Time
Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.
1st and 3rd Sunday Service: 9 a.m. – Twelve:29 leads worship music
5th Sunday – Hymn Sing
Monday Evenings - It’s All Good Cafe - 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
1st and 3rd Monday: BASH! After school program. 3-5 p.m.
First Monday - S/PRC Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Second Monday - Trustee Meeting
3rd Monday Evening: 7 p.m. – Church Council Meetings
Last Monday Evening of the Month: 7 p.m. – WEAVE
Tuesdays: 7 p.m. – eMERGE - Merrimac Emmaus Reunion Group, Accountability, Prayer and Study
3rd Wednesday: Noon – United Methodist Women, Char Olson - 493-2561
3rd Saturday Morning: 8 a.m. – Men of Faith Breakfast
Special Events
May
May 1
May 2
May 8
May Day after church. Deliver May baskets to area shut-ins (kids & adults)
B.A.S.H. Kids makes Mother’s Day Cards
Recognition of Women of God
May 14 Baby shower for Amber
May 15 Blessing of all Bikes after church
May 15 Spring Clean Up Day after service
May 16 B.A.S.H. Kids clean up time & planting
May 21 B.A.S.H. Kids Car Wash, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
May 21 Teacher Appreciation Dinner (by invitation) 4:30 p.m.
Jose’s in Baraboo
May 22 Teacher Appreciation during worship, last Sunday of Sunday School & Stewardship Sunday
May 29 Celebrate Memorial Sunday with special candles, hymns & prayers commemorating men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces
June
Stop by and meet Pastor Roxi and
we all love to chat!
June 12 Outdoor Service in Church yard (no rain)
Questions? Call Pat 608-393-9267
June 26 Lay Servant leads worship, Pastor Roxi at school in Ohio
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June19
Celebrate Men of God
L O CA L
SERVICES
Merrimac Ecumenical Food
Pantry & Crisis Program
Pastor Roxi: 493-2774 or 415-1626
Pastor Lil: 493-2640
Located at 607 Main St,
Merimac.
Please call for an appointment.
“SPEND AWHILE ON THE NILE”
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
PLEASE SAVE THIS DATE:
AUGUST 1-4 (MON.-THURS.)
1:00 P.M. TO 4:00 P.M.
BE PREPARED TO CELEBRATE EACH DAY
FILLED WITH FAMILY, FESTIVITIES & FUN
AT 6:00 P.M., THE FINAL EVENING THURSDAY,
AUGUST 4, FAMILIES WILL ENJOY A DINNER
PUT ON BY THE STUDENTS
Continued from page 1
St. Vincent de Paul
Community Resource Center
1906 North St, Prairie du Sac
608-643-4749
Good Neighbor Clinic
Free medical care to individuals
who have no insurance & are
financially eligible.
Monday & Wednesday 1-5 p.m.
No appointment needed!
95 Lincoln Ave, Prairie du Sac
608-643-4749
Dental Services, 608-644-0504
Appointments preferred.
Mondays 1-5 p.m.
My Neighbor in Need
Visit our website or call us
for more information
608-644-0504 ext 18
saukprairie.myneighborinneed.org
Pharaoh’s captain of the guard. Through the interpretation of
many dreams, Pharaoh appointed Joseph authority over the land
of Egypt. He was again given many coats to adorn him in his position. When he finally met his brothers again, he wanted revenge
at first but in the end he helped them with food and brought his
entire family to live near him at the palace of Egypt.
Hope House
Free information & counseling
for victims and families of
domestic abuse and
or sexual assault.
Mondays 1:00-4:30 p.m..
It was just a coat, but a coat given in love which brought lessons of
hatred, envy, eventual regret, feelings of revenge, a need for forgiveness and back to love. No matter what we have experienced
in our lives and with loves, true happiness results in knowing for
certain that God’s love never ends no matter what we do or who
we are. God has given each of us a gift and a choice to share whatever that gift may be...with love.
24-HOUR EMERGENCY
CRISIS HOTLINES
With Many Colors of Love,
Pastor Roxi
Immediate counseling for people
having thoughts of suicide
SAUK COUNTY
608-355-4200 Mon.-Fri., 8 am -4 pm
1-800-533-5692
COLUMBIA COUNTY
1-888-552-6642
Genesis Chapters 37-50
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Continued from page 3
and bluffs and the red men of Wisconsin all drew the attention
of writers and painters, both trained and entertained. Some were
commissioned by the government and stationed at forts. A good
rider on a good horse could put on 60 miles in a single day. The
pioneers-settlers traded items and furs with the red men – Indians.
People continued to arrive from the east – French, English.
1850… Now… here’s my favorite part. In 1850, a Mrs. Train coming
from Merrimack, New Hampshire said, and I quote, “This beautiful area
with the waters splashing up on shore reminds us from where we came.”
The powers-to-be then voted to call this area Merrimack.
For the next 100 years the “K” remained on Merrimack. Some removed
it before then but officially it was taken off in 1950 as I learned while writing my book. Area people didn’t want to confuse our name with other
Merrimack’s in America and especially in the 1940’s when the Badger
Ammunition Plant was being built during WWII. From an artist’s point
of view, the “K” just looks better, I personally have kept it on like forever
and most of my return mail includes it as well. Someday, I hope that
Mrs. Train and those who voted for it will once again be honored.
Digressing a bit with “swimming time” upon us, I feel compelled to
mention a couple of bathing beauties from back-in-the day, like a few
decades ago.
I’m talking about Donna Getschman and her dearest friend Viviane Adams who would jump on the train at the station where Candy’s Café is
today and ride to Devil’s Lake for a day of swimming until Percy Adams
would bring them home a few hours later.
These gals went on to marry, live here most of their lives and have 14
children between them, adding much to this school system.
So, do you want to know who they are? Donna married a handsome
sailor named Dean Purcell and Viv married a dashing soldier named Bill
Selje who, before serving Uncle Sam during WWII, worked on his father
Art Selje’s Dairy Farm between the village and Devil’s Head at a time
when milk was delivered to your home for 80 cents a quart.
This train service I’m talking about had schedules where they transported seed, feed and grain, some animals and once in a while people
who choose to take the train to Madison to do some shopping, how exciting is that?
Speaking of animals, horses and other stock, on occasion some were
fenced in just north of Merrimac and featured in small but meaningful
rodeos on weekends, even a buffalo or two was featured. Decades later,
about 9, we had another buffalo living here, it was ours and his name
was Nickel. The villagers enjoyed him along with a couple of horses and
a goat. Later Nickel was sold for breeding stock, crossing him with Herefords somewhere in Missouri but not before he was featured on WISCTV Channel 3 in Madison.
Remember the words of the late, great August Derleth who once
said,“There isn’t much to see in a small town, but what you hear makes
up for it.”
That’s it for this time.
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From the Nurture
committee
The Nurture Committee would
like to announce upcoming 2016
events.
We will organize a car wash on
Saturday, May 21 for the BASH
kids to raise money for some special events for them.
Will be doing the “Junk in the
Trunk” sale on Memorial Day
Saturday, May 28.
We will be participating in the
Merrimac Festival again this year
on Saturday, August 6, selling donuts and coffee for vendors early
in the morning, and pork sandwiches, beverages and ice cream
for the remainder of the day.
Our brat sales will be August 12 &
13 and September 9 & 10 at Piggly
Wiggly in Sauk City.
We ask for any and all help and
will be getting out more specific
details in the future
First Quarter 2016
Financial Update
by Bob Garrison, Treasurer
As part of “due diligence” to the
congregation, I will be providing
short quarterly updates regarding
the finances of the church.
First quarter (13 Sundays)
Contributions
12,746**
Expenses13,111
Net deficit
(365)
Checking account balance $8,928.
** includes $10,935 to general
fund and $1,811 to other funds
(building, benevolent, All Good Café,
missions)
In summary, the church had a solid
first quarter financially, especially
considering it was the winter
months. Thanks to all of you for
your time, talents, gifts, and service!
From the
Stewardship
committee
With prayers may joy be your
reward as you serve the Lord and
his church.
We look toward to the joy of
reward when our salvation rewards us for a job well done. With
prayers paving the way to salvation we look forward to the day
our Lord Jesus comes in his glory.
Remember that the church is you
and me (us) together helping
people to know and experience the
saving grace found in a relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord.
4TH ANNUAL
ALL BIKES
BLESSING
We are stewards with our service,
our talents, our prayers and all that
the Lord gives us to do.
For we have only that which the
Lord provides.
May we always remember the
scripture, Romans 14:12: “So then
each one of us will give an account
of himself to God.”
Blessings as we pray it forward
with joy and love in our hearts for
all the earth, everything and everyone on it and in it.
Motorized and non-motorized bikes blessed for safety.
SUNDAY, MAY 15, CHURCH SERVICE 9 a.m.
Blessing about 10:30
MERRIMAC UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Corner of Church Street
and School Street in
Merrimac, WI
Thanks for all your service.
Blessings,
Bruce England
Stewardship Committee
Baptism of Nickolaus Alan Sorg
Easter Sunday, 2016
Merrimac United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 254, Corner of School/Church St.
Merrimac, WI 53561
608-493-2774
www.MerrimacUMC.org
Address correction requested
Sunday Worship: Experience God!
• Worship Time 9 a.m.
Come as You Are & Bring a Friend!
OD
’S ALL GO
IT
Cafe
M
ER
RIM
AC U M C
The It’s All Good Cafe
For three years the It’s All Good Cafe
has served the Merrimac area community at the Merrimac United Methodist Church. Every Monday night from
5:30 - 6:30, friends and neighbors
gather to enjoy a meal.