July 2010

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From the Desk of Pastor Matt

^“But take care and watch yourselves closely,

so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children—how you once stood

before the Lord your God at Horeb, when the Lord said to me, “Assemble the people for me, and I will let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me as long as they live on the earth, and may teach their children so.” (Deuteronomy 4: 9-10)

 According to research by the Search Institute, adults in America have a love affair for youthfulness but a disdain for youth themselves.  While that study may surprise us, be defended by us, or even seem ironic to us, the real irony is that it is a common story that we actually feel most youthful when we are interacting with youth in a positive way. 

Share your experiences of God with your children and your children’s children, so that they may know the Living God our above scripture verses tell us.  Seems like good advice for all involved.  What wonderful blessings come from it.

Dr. Rollie Martinson, who specializes in inter-generational ministries, visited a little church in Texas.  Upon approaching the church, he noticed that one of the corners of the foundation had crumbled away and was now replaced by roughly hewn stumps of wood.  Getting closer he saw the church needed painting, the front steps, while safe, had all the signs of many years of use, and the sun-faded front door was propped wide open.  While the door gave an inviting gesture, it also told that this Texas church did not have air conditioning.  The inside was small and quaint, and Dr. Martinson took a seat in the back before the service began.  Just before the start of the service, an older woman stood up in the back of the church and moved to the center aisle with her grandson.  She was a tall and very muscular woman with forearms that would put most lumberjacks to shame.  In jean shorts and a t-shirt with the sleeves cut off, the grandmother walked up the center aisle holding her grandson’s hand in one hand and the torch to light the candles in the other.  At the altar, she lit the torch and gave it to her grandson.  Dr. Martinson got a little confused at this point, because the grandson was clearly not tall enough to do the task.  But Grandma then reached down and grabbed the boy with those big arms and held him out like he was a torch and the child then lit the candles on the altar.  As they returned to their seats, Dr. Martinson could see a joyful, fulfilled smile on that boy’s face.  Reflecting, Martinson thought, of all the churches I have visited throughout America, this little church in Texas really gets what it means to be in ministry together.

I had similar thoughts as Dr. Martinson as I have watched out the St. Olaf Stewards groups hand out bulletins, pass the offering plates and the like.   Children and adults working together to pass out bulletins, offering plates, etc… as we go about doing the work of worship.  My only encouragement is not to hesitate to mix the generations together as you put your Steward groups together.  That is real ministry taking place right here in Wisconsin, as well as letting us share our experiences of God with our children and children’s children, so that all may know the joy of being in relationship with the Living God.

God’s peace,

Pastor Matt

Blood Drive: Monday, July 12^th

2:30 - 7:30 p.m.  You can make your appointment on line at http://www.bcw.edu/stolafs or call Laura Savatski at 414-937-3833.  The need for blood is especially critical over summer as donations go down.  You can help by: signing up to donate, helping spread the word, or helping on the day of the drive.  Those who have helped out patients in the past know what a rewarding experience this is.  The goal is to have 35 donors which will save 105 local patients lives.

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.   

You May Be the One

We are looking for a volunteer to fill a new position – Membership Secretary.  This person would work with Michelle in the office and focus on assuring that our membership list is correct and up to date and has the correct contact information.  Duties would include:

·        Assuring the membership database is correct

·        Assisting with new member classes to assure new members are welcomed and engaged

·        Gathering new member data

·        Developing a time and talent reference

·        Distributing information to the church office and committees for their use

It is important that we have up-to-date membership information and that we effectively involve congregation members in doing the Church’s work.  If you agree, this is a great way to make things happen.  Please contact Pastor or the church office and let us know.

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.

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.

Bingo at Shorehaven

Friday, July 30^th, 2010 from 1:00-2:30

Volunteers are needed to help transport residents to the activity room and to sit along side and help some of them tend to their cards. Please bring fresh fruit such as bananas, peaches, and pears and Hershey bars for prizes. Plenty of other non-perishables have already been donated.

Arrive at 1:00 to help transport residents. Bingo will begin at 1:30. Serve snacks at 2:00 and then help transport back. Leave Shorehaven around 2:30.

Please let Jenni Guenther know if you can help: 920-474-7725 or jjtbguenther@aol.com.

July Anniversaries

9       Jerrold and Blondie Green
12      Shawn and Lisa Piller                                  
15     Clara and George Birkel                              
15     Rena and James Kowalski                           
20     Linda and Dick Feutz                                   
22     Kenneth and Mary Ellen Nelson                   
27     Edith and Dale Schlehlein

July Birthdays

2       Catherine VanLare
3       Lauryn Slade
4       Jon Hoppe
5       Daniel Gannon
7       Hannah Fick, Katie Johnston, Kali Schmitt
8       Jodi Anderson
11      Sarah Becker
13      James Lumsden
15      Amy Hoffmann
18      Mark Fredrick, Edith Schlehlein, Jordyn Sutrick
19      Truman Schultz
20      Alma Eggert
21      Tad Christenson
22      Lisa Rettler, Timothy Schuett
23      Lisa Christenson
24      Lincoln Meier
25      Alyse Anderson, Judy Kielisch, Randy Parlee
26      Julie Mason
28      Andrea Stephan
29      Morgan Smeaton
30      Andrew Hoffmann, Lisa Rolefson

Family Fun Zone

The Ashippun Fire Department is hosting its annual Fireman’s Picnic July 9-11, 2010. We are opening a new Family Fun Zone that’s focus is on educating the community on all of the services that are available to them in the town of Ashippun and surrounding areas. It is our goal to have several community services represent themselves throughout the weekend. 

This is an opportunity for you not only to educate the community on what services you provide but also to play a key role in interacting with the many parents and children visiting the picnic.

If you are interested in joining in on the fun or sponsoring one of our many crafts the Family Fun Zone will be engaging in please contact Sara Schlieve @ 262-490-0721 or slschlieve@yahoo.com.

We would appreciate any and all assistance with our community outreach program as possible. 

Your consideration is greatly appreciated,

Sara Schlieve, Ashippun Fire Department

 Free Brats & Hot Dogs

The Outreach Committee is having a FREE BRAT & HOT DOG event on July 10, 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Millikins' BP Station - Hwy O & 83.  Our purpose is to let the neighbors get to know more about St. Olaf Lutheran Church.  Let them get to know us, our location and worship times, maybe they would like to join us.  We need help for this event.

    1.  helpers - young and mature

    2.  donation of brats and hot dogs

3.  donation of prizes for our good neighbor drawing

4.      MOST IMPORTANT - need members with the "gift of gab" (I know we have many) to talk and visit with our friends.

All brats & hot dogs, please leave in church freezer by 7/8/10 so we can prepare in advance.  Direct questions to Jon /Carol Evert -920 696 3459 or Jon Evert @ charter.net.  Come and visit!  In advance - THANK YOU.

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

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! 

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.

Thanks

Thank you to all those who helped plant and care for the flower garden. The flower garden is south of the parking lot by the stewards sign.  Flowers are beginning to bloom. Tomatoes and peppers are also blooming.

Anyone who needs a flower is welcome to stop and pick your choice! Enjoy! 

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. 

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

Good Questions

By Marilyn Sharpe (TYFI.org) 

As a mom, I wasn’t very good at asking questions. Usually they sounded like this: How was your day? What did you do today? The answers I received were grunts, hunched shoulders, or the single word, “Fine,” delivered in a breezy voice or a snarl. At the end of questioning my kids, I knew nothing and had alienated them with my perceived meddling.

But those weren’t the worst questions I asked. Try a few of these on for relational size: Why did you...? Why didn’t you...? How many times do I have to tell you...? What were you thinking? These slammed the door shut on further conversation, relationship building, or enjoying time together. 

So what do I wish I had done differently?

SETTING AND CONTEXT: Consider where and when you ask questions. Do you have your child’s undivided attention and does your child have yours? Do you have time to spend on a conversation? Have you turned off the distractions? Are others listening in? If this is a time of conflict, tension, or high drama, postpone this conversation until peace reigns. Great conversations depend on deep, respectful listening, with a generous amount of time to spend together. With youth, talk in the dark (the carpool after other kids have been dropped off, walk the dog, do a project together, tuck your teen into bed ... or, if they stay up later than you, have them tuck you in!). If talking isn’t working, write a note or pass a journal back and forth, asking and answering one another’s questions. Make a date with just one kid to do something your child wants to do with you. Then, do it. Tell your child how much that time together meant. Remember it together. Do it again. This is not a time for correcting table manners, criticizing friends, or grilling about academic performance. This is a time where the only goal is to know and love one another better.

THE QUESTIONS THEMSELVES: My biggest mistake was asking “closed” questions, the ones that can be answered with one word. They sound like: Where are you going? Do you have homework? Did you clean your room? They close down the conversation.

Better questions are “open” questions, the ones that begin a conversation. They are generous, interested, and engaged. They are an invitation to deepen the relationship. They say, “I want to know you better. I want to know who you are.” They sound like: What qualities of a friend do you value in Ben? If you could spend a day doing anything you wanted, how would you fill your day? What is hard for you about the soccer team this year? If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and why?

When I’ve inadvertently asked a closed question, I’ve learned to ask the follow up, “Tell me more.”

THE ART OF LISTENING: This is a conversation’s most important ingredient. No one is a better conversationalist than the one who listens, really listens to you. Give undivided attention. Ask further questions and give evidence of understanding and interest. Nod, smile, lean toward the speaker. Don’t interrupt. Do remember what has been said. Ask about it as a follow up.

In Genesis 3:9, after humankind had already broken the relationship with God by sinning, God restored the relationship by asking a question, “Where are you?” Can’t we follow this divine example of building bridges to one another with a good question?

FAMILY ACTIVITIES: A COLLECTION OF GOOD QUESTIONS

Try some of these on a walk, at the beach, around the picnic table, or at the bedside of a child you love. 

1. What are the best things about being your age?

2. What are the hardest things about being your age?

3. What do you wish I knew about your life now?

4. What makes you most proud?

5. For what do I need to ask your forgiveness? Will you forgive me?

6. Where or when or how did you experience God today?

7. For what can I pray for you today?

St. Olaf’s Annual Ice Cream Social
& Classic Car Show

 Sunday, July 25, 2010

 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.

For the last 50 some years, our Ice Cream Social has been a great fellowship event not only for congregation members but for the community as well.  Proceeds benefit our youth programming, trips and events.  So, invite everyone you know.   Tell them we are celebrating 165 years of sharing God’s love and caring for community.   Take a few pink invites to hand out. 

Spread the word and boast about our menu.  Hot beef, barbeque and ham sandwiches are on the menu in addition to lots of ice cream.  We serve sundaes with homemade toppings, banana splits, milk shakes, root beer floats and more.  So come and enjoy!  Indoor and outdoor seating is available. 

There will also be classic and antique cars on display outside in front of the church for people to view.  If you know of anyone who has a car to display, invite them to bring it to St. Olaf the morning of the Social.  

Please visit the sign up poster in the Gathering area to volunteer some time either before the Social, the day of the Ice Cream Social, or for cleanup after the Social.    Many hands make light work! 

Ecumenical Service

Join the Ashippun area in an ecumenical church service held in conjunction with the Ashippun Firefighter’s picnic on Sunday, July 11, 2010, at 10:00 A.M. at the Ashippun Firemen’s Park.  Participating churches are: Zion, Ashippun; St. Paul’s Episcopal, Ashippun; St. Paul’s E.L.C.A., Sugar Island, St. Catherine’s Catholic, Mapleton; and St. Olaf’s.  St. Olaf will also have regular worship at the church at 9:00 a.m.

Directions from St. Olaf:  Go west on Hwy O to Hwy 67.  Take a left on 67; take a right after the railroad tracks onto Hwy O (Oak St.) to the park. 

Let Your Light Shine On

Karl Monis, Treasurer

This month we would like to focus your attention to the greatest gift given to us; God's son Jesus.  He came into this world so that we might begin to understand the power and greatness of our Lord.  He shown his light on us, so that we might receive eternal life by believing in him.  We need to remember this always, not just during the Christmas season.  Therefore, we ask you to continue “letting your light shine on” in the Christmas spirit, as we celebrate the gift of Jesus in July. 

As we implement this theme in the world around us, there are many opportunities.  A simple act of kindness, a smile to a familiar face, a helpful gesture – while insignificant in effort, these behaviors model Jesus in the world around us.  Perhaps participating in the blood drive at St. Olaf July 12?  As we grow in faith we learn to love, to forgive, and to share our talents and gifts with others.   Through these interactions, we remind each other of the gift God gave to the world through his only Son.  We need to be reminded that Jesus calls us to action to care for those around us.  And we need to be reminded that it is through his Grace alone that we are saved.  

We all know of a neighbor, a friend, a colleague, or a fellow member here who may be struggling due to the economy.  Especially now, we need to reach out and support our local food pantries, share the good news of forgiveness, and provide Hope for those struggling in this world.  We need to rise to the challenge God put before us.  He will not give us a burden too heavy to carry, so long as we take our burden to Him. 

Last year, we began the Christmas in July event, by supporting local food pantries, our congregation, and those in need.   We celebrate all that is accomplished by working together in stewardship, and are thankful for all those who supported this event last year as we work to increase our impact in 2010.  This year, we would like to recognize everyone who contributes financially, so please use the designated envelopes.  Also, we will be giving one benefactor a Norwegian Spruce Evergreen for their yard.  There will be more information in weekly bulletins for special activities that weekend.  We ask everyone to Pray for those in need, Bring donations for our local Food pantries on July 24-25, and consider increasing your giving to support the missions of our church.  Thank you.

July Lay Ministry Schedule

July Altar Guild: Jane Christenson & Marlene Connell
July Counters: Randy Buth, John Roth, June Sumnicht

A Letter From Bishop Barrow

Dear Friends,

On October 12-23, 2010 the Greater Milwaukee Synod will be sponsoring a bishop’s delegation to visit our partners in the Mt. Meru Diocese of Tanzania. 

A bishop’s delegation is a bit different than some of the trips sponsored by individual partner congregations, because we will be traveling throughout the diocese instead of going to primarily one location. 

We well get a chance to see things like the Makimura farm project, the Ailanga junior seminary, various congregations, hospitals and clinics, water projects and more.  As many of our travelers have done, we will get a chance to go on a short safari since the nation parks are the pride of Tanzania.

At the same time the trip is about more than what we see.  We are invited to experience the power of worship in Tanzania and to explore the spirituality lived out in daily life by the people there.

I would also like a group on 18-24 people, including some representatives from existing partnerships as well as some who are first time visitors or whose congregations may have an interest in knowing more about Mt. Meru.  I would also like to take a group of people who represent a wide range of age and experience.  The cost is approximately $3,100 plus tips/ per person.

Please let me know if you have an interest in going yourself or if you know someone who would be an asset to such a group.

In Christ,

The Rev. Jeff Barrow, Bishop

You Are Invited to

Zion Lutheran Church

Ice Cream Social

Wednesday, July 21^st

4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Some other menu items include BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, potato salad and cake

For more information call 920-474-7234 or visit Zion’s Website at www.zionashippun.org.  Proceeds will go towards new lighting in the church.