September 2010

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From the Desk of Pastor Matt

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

             There was a man who served in the Navy during World War II. One night, this man was running his transport across the Atlantic, when he noticed the white trail of a torpedo coming toward him. His ship was manned by hundreds of soldiers; the potential loss of life would have been devastating.

Nearby, another smaller ship had also seen the torpedo coming. The captain of this smaller vessel maneuvered his ship between the transport and the torpedo. The explosion destroyed his ship. And all those aboard died.

The man latter told his story and ended it by saying, "The skipper of that other ship was my best friend." Then he slowly remarked, "You know, there is a verse in the Bible which has special meaning for me now. It is this: 'Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'"

What kind of love gives itself up for someone else? What kind of love is willing to die for you and me, especially knowing that at times we are going to simply forget or ignore the depth of that love? What kind of love is willing to die for people it never met?

It's a love that is greater than human love. It's a sacrificial kind of love. It's the kind of love that’s revealed on the cross of Christ our Lord. It’s the kind of love that holds back nothing as it reconciles us with God and leads us out into the world as new people—God’s people.

As you head into your busier schedule this September, you do so still as God’s child. And the Holy Spirit, who keeps us all in community with himself, will be there guiding you on a certain path, and reminding you of your forgiveness when the path becomes less than certain. 

 May that peace in Christ be with you always,

 Pastor Matt



A Big Firefighter Thank You!
Thanks so much to all of those who made our Firefighters VBS a huge success.  It was a wonderful week with about 60 children in attendance.  We couldn't have spread the love of God without the help of so many people.  Thanks to all who came, taught, guided, sang, cooked, played, advised, supported and prayed.  

Women’s Bible Study
The Purpose of Christmas  By Rick Warren

We will be studying the best news of Christmas using the Video and Book by Rick Warren* titled The Purpose of Christmas.  This will be a great way to prepare your heart for the coming Advent season.  We will look at Christmas as a time for celebration, a time for salvation and a time for reconciliation. 

When:  4 Wednesdays, October 27 through November 17^th
Time:    7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Where:  Zion Lutheran Church
Who:  All women are welcome.
Facilitator:  Gwen Downing, A.I.M.

Week 1, Oct 27 - Introductions & A Time for Celebration

Week 2, Nov 3 - Review & A Time for Salvation        

Week 3, Nov 10 - Review & A Time for Reconciliation

Week 4, Nov 17 - Review & The Purpose of Christmas

 It would be helpful if you would read the book as we go through this study, however, it is not necessary.  Another note, Rick Warren is not a Lutheran Pastor, so we will also look at how our Lutheran theology fits with his way of viewing Christmas.

 *Rick Warren is the author is The Purpose Driven Life.  He started Saddleback Church in California in 1980.  Through his leadership it has grown to 22,000 members that attend worship every weekend. 

Adult Education News       
The Adult Education Committee (AEC) met recently to plan some educational opportunities for this fall and early next year. Coming this month, on September 19th and 26th, from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., is a study entitled "Mad, Glad, Sad Psalms". Pastor Matt will lead this study. Have you ever read the Psalms, and then wondered how to interpret them or what they could mean? Then this study is an opportunity for you to learn how to read the Psalms and understand their meaning! Please plan to attend.

Some of the other opportunities coming up this Fall include “Luther and a Movie” learning about Martin Luther’s life and Lutheran beliefs led by Pastor Matt; a presentation by a Muslim woman on Islam and Muslim beliefs; a series relating to Advent, led by Gwen Downing with a co-leader, during the Advent season--possibly the Wednesday evenings of Advent (December 1, 8, 15, and 22).

Watch for further information in the weekly bulletin and in future Caller articles. If you have any questions about the programming, please contact Cindy Schlieve at 920-474-7134.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”   Matthew 11:29

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! 

Joyous Light
On the third weekend of every month, the worshippers attending the Saturday evening service will have the opportunity to participate in something very special.  Beginning September 18, we will be using an evening prayer service called "Joyous Light" written by Ray Makeever.   Ray is a graduate of Luther Seminary and a well-known musician.  This worship service is a beautiful way to center ourselves and celebrate God's Light in our life and in our world.  Please join us on September 18 at 5:00 pm and every third Saturday thereafter.

Special Gift
In January of 2010, St. Olaf’s lost a long-term member – Mr. Milton Bliss and his wife Ethel a few year prior to that. 

I am happy to report that Milton and Ethel remembered St. Olaf’s in their estate planning.  They blessed St. Olaf with a gift of just over $200,000.

They set many good examples by helping the church wherever needed, including counting and assistant ministry. Ethel was a published author, gardener, had a generous heart, and was a helper at church.

Milton and Ethel helped the church in many ways over the course of many years.  They set a very good example for all of us by remembering the church in their estate planning.

There are things we can do in response to their generous gift:

1.      Match a portion of their gift:  Although it was not a matching fund gift, perhaps you would like to stretch the gift by making a sacrificial gift in the name of Milton and Ethel?  It is hard to know Ethel and Milton and not have a story to tell.  Perhaps the Bliss’s were special in your life in some way and would like to acknowledge them with a sacrificial gift.

2.      Remember St. Olaf’s in your estate planning:  Estate planning is on those things we all know is important to do but often do not take the time to make it happen.  We all need to do estate planning and when you do, you can honor the Bliss’s memory by following their lead by remembering St. Olaf’s in your estate planning.  Why not tithe your estate at death?  Why not double tithe your estate at death. 

3.      Practice good personal stewardship:  Their gift was a blessing indeed.  But, there is a way to dishonor their gift and make it no longer a blessing – if you say that Milton and Ethel made this gift so I can back off on my stewardship commitment.  This would have the exact opposite effect of their desires.

What will we do with the money?  The church council recently passed a gift policy and we will meet on Tuesday to validate our approach for managing the money.  After council, we will report back.  But, I think I can say safely, the mortgage fund will be richly blessed.

The church has budgeted goal of $100,000 per year to make the mortgage payment and extra principal payments.  That still holds.  Our mortgage balance is just under $700,000.  After this gift is applied to the mortgage, we will be under $500,000. Each monthly payment will have about $800 more going towards principal.  This gift will take about 3 years off our mortgage, but not eliminate it. After we apply much of the gift to the mortgage, we still need to make mortgage payments.  That does not change. 

This fall, we will have a pledge campaign.  And, this is our chance to step up and honor the Bliss’s or remove the blessing. 

When the pledge card arrives, you do not need to know about the Bliss’s gifts, the size of the mortgage, the budget of the church, or what anyone else is giving.  None of that is necessary.  You need to know your income and your commitment to your God.  How much do you love and trust our Lord?  It does not matter if the church is swimming in money or broke.

Imagine this:  You are sitting at the kitchen table with your pay stubs, check book, and credit card statements for a few years, and Jesus.  He picks them up and says, “let’s take a look at these.”  Would that be one of your prouder moments?

The Bliss’s have made a terrific gift that is a blessing to the church.  Let’s keep it a blessing by following their lead and multiplying their blessing.

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.  

Contemporary Praise
Because of musician scheduling conflicts the 9:00 & 10:30 services on Sunday September 5^th will both be “Praise” services.

October Voter’s Meeting
We will have a special voter’s meeting on Sunday, October 24, 2010 after the Church service.  During that meeting, we will ask the voters to approve moving our annual meeting to May and the church fiscal calendar to June.

Why are we doing this?  Because we routinely have conflicts organizing the annual meeting in January. 

·        There is not enough time to get the December financials, our biggest month, completed in time for people to review before the meeting

·        There are a variety of year-end tasks that compete for staff time

·        Committee members are often tied up doing holiday functions and find it difficult to get their reports to the church office in a timely manner

At the meeting, we will ask the voters to approve an interim budget that will be in effect until the May voter’s meeting.  All officers and committee members will be asked to stay on until the May annual meeting.  There will be no meeting in January.

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!

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.




 

Mt Meru Coffee Project

OBJECTIVES

The Mt. Meru Coffee Project’s Objectives are to do Economic and Social Justice - empowering the small coffee farmers and the people of the Meru region with the ability to improve their standard of living and escape the long standing cycle of poverty.

Economic Justice is achieved when the Project, and ultimately the consumer, provides the producing farmers with a fair price for their quality coffee.  A fair price provides an increase in farm income, allowing the farmers to support their families with dignity while at the same time providing for crop sustainability, improved production quantity and, very important to the success of the Project, improved product quality. 

Social Justice is achieved when Project generated funds are used to upgrade coffee growing practices, improve processing facilities and equipment, and provide short term micro loan services for the small coffee farmers. Social justice is also achieved through the fair price as farm families have the funds available to send children to school, access and pay for health care, and have the funds needed to support local farm village markets and merchants.

As additional funds are generated, the Project envisions that they will be directed to civic and social programs that will improve health care, education and reduce poverty in the Meru region.

We are celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the founding of the Mt. Meru Coffee Project.  St. Olaf Lutheran Church was one of the founding participating congregations.   Thank you for your support all these years.  We can be proud of our tradition of supporting this project.  The Project worked with 200 farmers in 2002.  That number has grown to over 2000 today.  Yes, we are making a difference in the Meru area.   We also offer a special thanks to the Women of Grace of St. Olaf who purchase the coffee used for our weekly hospitality and for all our church functions.

Please consider using Mt. Meru as your coffee of choice.  Without us as consumers, the Project cannot remain viable.  As always, visit the hospitality table to purchase your coffee.  A 12 oz bag of drip or whole bean, regular or decaf can be purchased for $9.00.  Perc grind, large 4# bags (good for your place of employment, perhaps?)and/or green, unroasted coffee beans may also be purchased by special order.  See Denise Cairns for details.

September Anniversaries
7     Dale and Deonne Eske
7     Jeremy and Michelle Kluewer                        
14   James and Cheryl Monnahan                         
14   Scott and Jessi Rohlffs                                   
14   Mark and Debra Solveson                             
15   Jerry and Cindy Schlieve  
15   Douglass and LaVonne Schuett                      
17   John and Andrea Roth 
19   Earl and Deborah Christenson                        
22   Jeff and Robyn Cowell                                   
24   Randall and Jean Bates                                  
27   Douglas and Peggy Morrissey

 September Birthdays
2      Lily Byerly
3      Diane Wolf
4      Colleen Snowberger
5      Chelsea Schuett
7      Matthew Lee
9      Matt Hautala, Peggy Morrissey
11    Alyssa Kreger, Bruce Schell
12    Douglass Schuett
13    Larry Christopherson, Alan Davies, Mary Ellen Nelson
16    Amy Mason, Krista Stewart
17    Morgan Kielisch
18    Allen Warnecke
21    Jean Bates
22    Lauren Senfleben
23    Mary Millikin, Samantha Solveson
24    Cody Millikin, Eric Rettler
25    Josie Ray, Melissa Schultz, Brock Solveson
26    Cameron Meier
28    Emma Grochowski, Christie Johnson
28    Tracy Marx, Debbie Stephan
29    LaVonne Schuett, Nathan Stewart
29    Tonya Werner
30    Karson Reed

Taking Faith Home
Back to School
By Marilyn Sharpe (TYFI.org)

            How can it be time to go back to school already? Summer flew by. Kids would choose another six months of summer. So would we ...

         Or would we? Many parents and kids are ready to pull on a sweater, have a schedule, see friends they haven’t connected with over the summer, and get back at it.

         The “it” for our children and youth is school and studying. The “it” for parents might be engendering a lifelong love of learning. Outstanding schools and excellent teachers will have impact on this, but it is parents who set the tone, model a love of learning, and invite all children to see themselves as competent learners. Where do we begin?

         First, let’s remove some of the obstacles. What gets in the way of loving learning?

         For some, it is because they learn in a different way than the teacher usually teaches. We all learn by what we see, what we hear, and/or what we experience with our whole body. Most have a preference for visual, auditory or kinesthetic learning. Most teachers teach the way they prefer to learn. They are not trying to keep your child from learning. From observation, trial and error, parents often know how their child learns. Trust what you know and have observed and intuit. Share that with the child’s teacher. Virtually all teachers will vary the learning activities to accommodate all of their students.

         Some children deal with a learning disability. Parents may be the first to know because we closely and frequently observe the child. One of my children is colorblind. Teachers didn’t pick up on it, but I saw the same colors mixed up on kindergarten assignments, week after week, and wondered out loud with our pediatrician. Sure enough. And sometimes parents are the last to know, concerned that our child not get labeled, left behind, or teased.       Now we know that all children can learn, and early diagnosis of learning disabilities helps children get the support and modifications that help them to love learning, be competent, and achieve. The alternative is that they fall behind and feel that they aren’t bright enough to learn. Educators know so much about how to support all of our children to learn.

         Some children appear not even to try or they are brutally hard on themselves, engaging in negative and defeating self-talk. These are our perfectionists, who get stuck, because they want everything to be perfect, polished and accomplished. They need us to affirm effort and improvement and predict that they will soon learn to do it well.

         Education need not become a deadly serious, forced march, with treats and negative comparisons to siblings and other kids. We need to encourage our children, give them courage to try new and hard things.

         Instill a love of learning by making it a joyful thing. Model a love of learning. Share delight in something new we have learned. Create a place that is well lighted and quiet for studying. (Yes, I know they’ll soon fill it with media noise!) Make opportunities for kids to pursue an interest or passion. Let them slow down, explore lots of things, and be curious. Make education a priority. Celebrate learning, not just grades.

         When children struggle, celebrate effort, hard work, improvement, and little accomplishments. Remind them of past successes, accomplishments, and mastery. Share with them times you have been challenged.

         In the end, we will help our children to be all God has created them to be. That is what we are called as parents to do. Here are some ways to enjoy it:

 FAMILY ACTIVITIES 
1. Have a teaching-fest. Begin by asking, “What is one thing you’d like to teach another person?” and have them teach it!
2. Learn something new together – a game, a song, a dance, an art form, a story, a joke.
3. Light tea light candles, one for each teacher who shaped you. Thank God for the teachers in your lives.
4. Decorate the refrigerator, bulletin board or scrapbook to highlight family learning and accomplishments.
5. Before school begins, bless the backpacks, asking God to be especially present with the one who carries it, with their learning and their friendships.

 September Lay Ministry Schedule

September Altar Guild: Paula Olson & Marlene Connell
September Counters: Jim Lumsden, Rob Howell & Ron Egelseer

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.

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. 

When Hairy & Company take the stage, people of all ages laugh and learn.  But behind each performance is a serious message, leaving the audience refreshed and challenged.

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

Tithing- Giving Back to the Lord What is His
     “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.  This verse is from the Bible in the  Book of Leviticus 27:30.  What is a tithe?  In the Bible, it is defined as a tenth of one’s income that is given to God. 

      The Youth have been blessed with being able to do a lot of fundraising for the Youth Ministry Program here at St. Olaf and to have the support of our congregation and community.  In 2010 we were able to raise over $4,900 through our big fundraising events which were the Pie Auction & Spaghetti Lunch, Hanging Basket Sale, Flamingo Flocking, Brat Fry, and the Ice Cream Social.  These funds are used for the Confirmation Program, High School Youth Group, trips & events, to supplement the support of Tamirat in Ethiopia through Compassion International, purchase of a DVD player & projector for the sanctuary and the digital photo frame in the Gathering area, and educational material.

       Because it is God’s word written to us in the Bible and to learn the concept of tithing in addition to giving thanks, the Youth are tithing and giving back to the Lord by giving $500 to the General Fund of St. Olaf.

       It is said that “In giving, you receive.”  After tithing $500 to the general fund, an anonymous donation in the amount of $600 was given to the Youth Ministry of St. Olaf by someone outside the congregation.  God is good, all the time.  All the time, God is good.  We pray parents and youth discuss this valuable lesson and be involved by helping out and taking part in the Youth Programs offered here at St. Olaf.