August 2010

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From the Desk of Pastor Matt

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.”
(2 Corinthians 4: 8-10)

                        People frequently turn to pastors for meaning in the face of apparently meaningless tragedy. When disaster strikes, when death happens and grief overwhelms, people want their religious leaders to make sense out of what appears to be totally senseless. And of course, as caregivers and comforters, pastors want to say something to make the hurt go away and restore order and beauty to what is messy and broken. At which point pastors (and all people of faith) often get themselves into terrible trouble.  In the grief and hurt of terrible loss we can’t help but ask: Where was God?  Why didn’t God work some kind of miracle? How can God let such a tragedy occur?

            As people of faith, what are we to say?  We want to say something in God’s defense. We want to say something that will ease the pain and resolve the anguish. Too often, though, we just end up saying something stupid. At best, we mumble some platitude; at worst, we make some grand statement on God’s will or the designs of Satan. We speak over our heads, and in the process we fall into the error of trying to read the mind of God in the booming, buzzing confusion of daily life.

            Martin Luther once wrote that we make our way through this world by three great lights. The first is the light of nature, which includes the power of reason. God has given each of us a brain with which to make rational decisions and manage our daily affairs. When we use it wisely and diligently, reason can do wonders, and yet even the most powerful intellect cannot bridge the chasm between God and man. Which brings us to what Luther called the light of grace. What reason and logic could never penetrate, grace reveals in the cross of our Lord Jesus.  The light that shines from the cross makes known to us a God of infinite love and boundless compassion. In the light of grace, we know that God is for us, and by grace through faith we know that, in Christ, nothing can separate us from the love who is God. But even the light of grace leaves some questions unanswered. You can hardly turn a page in the Bible without tripping across some enormous imponderable:

¨      Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? (Jeremiah 12:1)

¨      Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? … Why do the wicked renounce God, and say in their hearts, "You will not call us to account"? (Psalm 10:1, 13)

¨      My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?( Psalm 22:1)

            For all these questions Luther says we must await the light of glory. When the kingdom has come in its fullness, when we are for once and all time with our Lord in heavenly glory, then we will know. Then we will understand. Then all will be revealed, though even now we may occasionally catch a peek of that glory yet to be. After deep reflection and disciplined prayer, we can sometimes see through the fog of our fractured lives and glimpse the very hand of God. But not always, and hardly ever when we’re in the thick of life’s struggle and strife.

            Describing himself and his co-ministers, Paul actually used words like afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. But not crushed, not driven to despair, not forsaken, and most definitely not destroyed. For though we may still be some distance from glory, we have the light of grace. We walk in the light of Jesus, and clinging to his cross, we have more than something to say.  We have Jesus.

God’s Peace!

Pastor Matt

Voters Meeting in October
The meeting will include changes to the Bylaws to move the Church Calendar from January to December to June to May.  We will vote on an interim budget to span from January to May.  All officers and committee members will be asked to remain in their positions until the Voter’s meeting in May.  So mark your calendar for Sunday, October 24 at 10:00 a.m.

Firefighters Coming Soon! 
    Mark your calendars for this year’s Firefighters VBS-Sun-Thurs., Aug. 1-5 from 6:15- 8:30 p.m.  We welcome all children who will be 4 years old by 9/1/2010 up to those who have completed 5^th grade to participate.  This program is open to the community, so we encourage you to invite classmates, friends and neighbors to share in the fun and learning.   Any older children are invited to volunteer to help.
    This year we are offering something new prior to the start of VBS each evening.  It’s hard to get your family fed and then to church, so we are offering kid-friendly meals to your entire family.  There is a $5 charge for each person to eat the whole week.  What a deal!  We’ll start serving meals at 5:30 each day.  Then we will begin at 6:15 p.m. each evening and close at 8:30 p.m.  Children do need to be supervised until VBS begins at 6:15.  We then invite everyone to stay for the opening worship and fun skits.  Please fill out the registration form and return it to the fire truck at church by July 18. 
    This year we do have a registration fee of $5, which will include a shirt.  We also are in need of additional donations to help us cover the cost of VBS, which is about $20 a student.  Any amount you are able to donate will be greatly appreciated.
    If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact co-chairs Tiffany Brewer or Laura Lee.  

Contemporary Worship
Our Praise worship services will continue with the first Sunday of each month at 10:30 a.m.  Get the word out, pray for us, and join us! 

Changes Are Coming
We have decided to try a new approach to our church year. Church Council voted during the May meeting to change the Church calendar to conducting the Annual Meeting in May and beginning the new church year on June 1.  Why?  It was difficult to complete all the work during the Christmas season and during January when year-end paperwork was demanding time.  Plus, Council was approving a budget in early December when our largest month’s giving, December, was not known.  Starting new committees in June provides them an opportunity to get their committees up and running before the beginning of the new school year.

To implement this change, we will have a Quarterly meeting in October to approve the Bylaw changes to move the meeting date and to pass an interim budget.  We will ask all committees members to retain their positions until the Annual meeting in May.

Look for more information on this change in the coming months.

Adult VBS class slated
During VBS on August 1-5 there will be an adult class, starting at about 6:45 each night, after our Opening with lots of songs and a fun skit which begins at 6:15. Please join us for a great evening.  We will be watching the movie Fireproof which features a heroic fire captain who values dedication and service to others above all else.  But the most important partnership in his life, his marriage, is about to go up in smoke.  This gripping story follows one man's desire to transform his life and marriage through the healing power of faith.  Join us to watch the movie and then discuss how it can change our lives as well.

Altar Guild Looking for New Members
The responsibilities of the Altar Guild are to prepare the trays of wine and sacraments and also do the clean-up following communion.  Call Liz Laack at 262-707-4424 if interested.

It’s time for School Kits
We’ll be collecting school kits again for Lutheran World Relief.  A school kit may provide the only supplies for children returning to school after the disruption of war. School kits help parents continue their children's education, even while living in a refugee camp, for example. A school kit may also be used in adult literacy classes.  We need the following supplies:

►   Notebooks of wide- or college-ruled paper   
       approximately 8" x 10 ½" totaling 150-200
       sheets (if using 70-sheet notebooks, please
       include three); no loose-leaf paper

►   One blunt scissors (safety scissors with
       embedded steel blades work well)

►   One 30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with
        centimeters on one side and inches on the other

►   One pencil sharpener

►   Six new, unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers;
       secure together with a rubber band

►   One eraser approximately 2" long

►  12 sheets of construction paper in assorted colors
      (if necessary, fold in half to fit into the school kit
       bag)

►   One box of 16 or 24 crayons

►   One sturdy cloth bag approximately 12" X 14"
       with cloth handles or drawstring closure

 Please bring items to church and leave in box by the nursery.  Thanks in advance for all the wonderful donations.

Tech Support for the Praise Band
We are looking for someone to be tech support for our Praise Band.  We have lots of equipment – microphones, amplifiers, mixing boards, … - but we need someone to put it together and balance out the sound.  A good candidate would have an aptitude for hooking up electronics (nothing more complicated than your home entertainment system), an ear for music (preferably), and a willingness to experiment and try different options.  This could be a great way for a high school aged person to get involved.  If interested, contact Bruce Benson at 262-224-3070.

August Anniversaries
1     Gerald and Jessie Bohen                                
2     John and Lisa Christenson                              
3     Glen and Brenda Houghtaling                         
7     Benjamin and Amy Hoffmann                         
7     David and Joan Uhlman                                 
8     Jon and Karen Hoppe                                   
8     Kyle and Christie Johnson                              
10   Jennifer and John Guenther                            
11   Bruce Benson and Denise Cairns                   
12   Tony and Stacy Brakob                                 
12   Jeffrey and Tiffany Brewer                             
12   Karl and Claudine Scheife                              
13   Randy and Heidi Sikkema                              
16   David and Lisa Sutrick                                   
18   Glenn and Elaine Mason                                
22   Mary and Mike Davy                                    
22   Wayne and Judy Kielisch                               
23   Jake and Michelle Homulos                           
24   Matt and Anne Hautala                                  
25   Dennis and Debra Uhlman                             
26   Bob and Lori Christel                                    
26   Tonya and Corey Werner                              
28   Dennis and Dorothy Portz

August Birthdays
1       Gabriel Hoffmann, Kathy Johnston
2       Deonne Eske
6       Ruby Christenson
7       Ethan Birkel
8       Frank Downing, Rachel Kraemer
9       Benjamin Hoffmann
10     Michael Reitz
11     Sandra Henninger
15     Eugene Connell, Rodney Downing
17     Alaina Roth, David Uhlman
18     Sarah Johnston
21     Benjamin Guenther
22     Michelle Homulos
23     Marley Kreger
24     David Sutrick
25     Lisa Piller, Jayden Smithyman
26     Karl Scheife, Johnny Wolf
28     Laura Sander
29     Jessie Bohen, Marlene Connell
29     Ryan Dauss, Grant Rettler
30     Patricia Davies
31     Dorothy Portz

V.B.S. Sunday, August 8^th, 9:00 a.m.
Please join us and the children that attended our Vacation Bible School for our Sunday morning worship. You will be able to enjoy the skits and the songs that were experienced during the week of V.B.S.

Rally Day!! Sun. Sept. 12^th at 9:00 a.m.
John and Diane Windle and Hairy and Company will be with us once again for our Rally Day Worship Service on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, at 9:00 A.M.  John and Diane’s program offers enjoyment for every member of the family.  They combine music, comedy, puppetry, and teaching that together drives home  the truths of scripture.

It’s always a new program so come enjoy John and Diane and Hairy & Co.

Holden Evening Prayer Saturday Worship at 5:00 p.m.
We will be using the Holden Evening Prayer for the last three Saturday evening worship services in August.  Please come and join us for this wonderful experience.

Revelation Book Study
The Book of Revelation was not written as a riddle nor was it meant to be difficult or confusing. Verse 1:3 states, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy; and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near.” Come join us for an in-depth study of this final book of the Bible and be blessed. If you are confused or questioning terms like “rapture” or “Apocalypse”, this study is for you!
We will be using the Life Change Series by Navpress. Gwen Downing will lead this 14-week study beginning Monday, September 13, 2010 and
concluding on December 13, 2010. We will meet from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each Monday at Holy Cross in Menomonee Falls.  Please call Gwen at  414-531-7924 for more information and to register your participation.

Vacation Bible School
2010 Theme: Fire Fighters
Hey Kids and Families,

You're invited to a fun firehouse adventure at Vacation Bible School August 1st-8th!  This summer come on over to Fire Station 316 and learn how to fight fires of evil and to “fireproof” yourself through Jesus Christ.  Packed with fun skits, Music, Crafts, games, and more.  “Fire Fighters” is a vacation Bible School Adventure you won't want to miss!  To make this adventure come to life the following items are needed in the craft area:

6 cans of red spray paint
9x12 construction paper one pack of each color:  light blue, black
9x12 construction paper white- 2packs
12x18 red construction paper- 2 packs
100 yellow pipe cleaners
100 small white craft pom pons
100 small red craft pom pons
200 sheets 8 ½ in. x 11 red craft foam sheets
80 12”x5/16 wooden dowels
 

Any questions please contact:
Kathy Monis- Preschool craft coordinator (262-670-0731)
Ann Hautala- 1st- 3^rd grade craft coordinator
Mary Millikin- 4^th and 5^th grade craft coordinator

YOUTH . . . .   We Need Your Help!!!!!!
Are you bored with summer? And need something to do?

Maybe we can help each other . . . .
    If you like to sing
    If you play an instrument
    If you like to work with younger children

Then I have an opportunity for you!

    Music and Worship would like to invite you to sing or play an instrument during worship this summer.  There are two organists that are willing to work with you, help you find music and accompany you Saturday night or Sunday morning.

    Music and Worship is also looking for a few young people to do the children’s messages on Sunday mornings this summer.  I will be training anyone who is interested in leading the children’s messages.

There will be a training meeting on Tuesday August 10^th from 10 – 11 a.m.

 If you are interested in our offer, email Mrs. Downing at gdowning@nconnect.net .  You can also call her cell phone 414-531-7924.

Taking Faith Home
Groceries
By Marilyn Sharpe (TYFI.org)

No, this is not going to be a column on nutrition, as important as that topic is. This is an opportunity to think about the “faith groceries” we stock for family life together.

Groceries are the raw material for feeding yourself and the others you love. You may have grown some food in your garden or gone to a farmers’ market, purchased a share of a community supported agriculture, or shopped for food regularly, mindful of the tastes and preferences of those you will be feeding. Without food, you would first lose strength, then life itself. Food is essential to life, for all God’s living things.

So, what are “faith groceries,” and why are they important?

First, what? Faith groceries are the resources we use to regularly nurture and feed a life of faith. They include:

·    Bibles appropriate to each person in your family circle. Just as you would never grill a steak to feed a six month old, select Bibles that are age and experience appropriate. Plan on developing a wardrobe of Bibles for each age and stage of development, tailored to the life and spiritual experiences of each person. Share favorite Bible stories of God’s love, promises, and faithfulness. Memorize meaningful verses.

·    Devotional materials.

·    Songs of faith from a hymnal or CDs of children’s songs, praise music, traditional hymns, songs of faith from other cultures, or works of faith-filled, long-dead composers. You and your creative children can make up songs, too.

·    Framed and displayed Baptismal certificates and family photos of faithful moments.

·    A cross, visible to all, on a wall or on your person.

·    Stock a FaithChest®, which may be given at baptism, confirmation, marriage, moving to assisted living, or any faith‐filled moment, filled with resources that have shaped or will shape faith.

·    For more ideas, go to The Youth & Family Institute website www.tyfi.org

Now, why? Just as we need to provide food so that our children grow, are strong, and live, so, too, faith groceries are essential to growing a strong, vibrant, living faith for our children.

My husband pointed out that it is important to have staples on hand, in case of an emergency. The same is true of faith groceries.

My mother died very suddenly 31 years ago. I was incredibly grateful that this was not the first time I had talked with my four year old about where God is in death, in grief, in the loss of a loved one. That day, it was Alison who delivered the Good News. Encircling me with a hug, she spoke with great assurance. “Mom, we’re going to be sad and miss Gramma for a very long time, because we loved her. But who Gramma is, is with God now. She can see us, even without holes in the roof.” I’ve heard worse funeral sermons!

Many survivors of concentration camps reported that what got them through that horrific, faith‐defying time was their own personal library of Bible stories, scripture verses, prayers, and songs of faith, stocked in their minds by homes and congregations that rocked them in the faith.

May all our children be richly stocked with faith groceries.

1. Inventory the faith groceries in your home. Are there…

·         Bibles appropriate to each person?

·         Devotional materials that speak to the life experiences of each?

·         “Artifacts” of the faith. (Candles, cross, pictures, Milestone Blessing Bowl, photos of faith‐filled family times, books, etc.)

2. Fill a devotional basket with a Bible, FaithTalk® cards, Scripture Talk, cards with prayer

3. concerns, newspaper article that raises a faith question, Christmas card photos of those you want to remember in prayer.

4. Plan to feed others. As a family, decide on a family service project. Schedule it. Do it.

5. As a family, plan a gift of faith nurturing resources for a birthday, wedding, baby shower, baptism, or at the time of loss. Keep the list ... and use it.

Christmas Cactus Available
Six inch Christmas cactus plants are available for $10 each.  Information, details, and pre-order forms can be found in the lobby.  All proceeds will go toward the mortgage reduction fund.  Purchase a plant that will bring many years of beauty to your home AND help reduce our church’s mortgage.  If you have questions contact Becky Schuett at bschuett@plbb.us or (920) 583-2253 or Tim Schuett at (920) 474-7642.  Thank you!

St Olaf Scrip

Summer is a busy time for everyone.  So busy we forget about gift cards.  Don't forget you can place an order from St Olaf's Scrip.  It not only is a great way of getting gifts but you can also use it for your shopping and gasoline.  It is also great for the kids for their needs.  Ask for an order form at the Scrip desk.  Also available at times are extra gift cards for gas and Walmart.  This is a great way for St. Olaf to fund our ministry plan while you do your everyday shopping.  

St. Olaf’s Garden
Come and pick flowers, tomatoes and peppers if you wish. Drive by and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.

August Lay Ministry Schedule

August Altar Guild: Liz Laack
August Counters: Larry Christopherson, Roger & Lyn Johnson

Make a Donation, Ride a Bike, Support Outreach for Hope

Family Bike Ride in Dousman

Saturday, September 11

30 & 40 Mile Road Ride – 9:00 a.m.

14 Mile paved trail ride – 10:00 a.m.

Family Picnic – 12 noon

 There is something for everyone at the Family Biking Event to support the churches of the Greater Milwaukee Synod, doing ministry among the poor in our synod.

• For the casual family and child biker, a ride on the paved Glacial Drumlin Trail, 14 miles, or less if you prefer. Helmet required.
• For the more avid bicycler, a 30 and 40 mile mapped and cued ride on country roads around Dousman.
• For everyone, a potluck picnic at noon, with games, biking stories and Outreach for Hope ministries highlighted.
• For anyone who wants to support Outreach for Hope, the chance to donate and have your gift doubled by a generous grant of $25,000.

Registration and more info can be found online at www.outreachforhope.org and find the like for the Bike Ride.

Look Who's Having a Birthday!

Open House Celebration

At Shorehaven in Oconomowoc

1305 W. Wisconsin Ave. 2^nd Floor

 For

Ruby Christenson’s

90^th Birthday

Saturday August 7^th

12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Please join us for cake and punch and wish Ruby a very happy 90^th birthday!