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| Newsletters > Good News > 03-07-07 | ||
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Remember that you are dust... We began this Lenten season with the stark reminder that we are dust and to dust we will one day return. A black, ashen cross was smeared on our foreheads, some of the ash cascaded onto our noses, and the ones who marred our faces had black fingernails for hours afterward. I am considering leaving the ashes that fell onto the front of my white robe on Ash Wednesday throughout the season of Lent as a reminder of how it all began. We were made out of the dust of the earth, our bodies are as fragile as the specks of dust falling from our foreheads, our lives are marred by sin as grimy as those ashes, and we will one day return to that same earth when we die. Pretty grim stuff, if you think about it, but the grace in those ashes is found in Jesus Christ who washes us clean in our baptism and who Himself rose from the ashes of the cross and into new life. This is the promise we carry with us this Lent as baptized believers in Christ. In ancient times ashes were used to enrich the soil for better growth, a symbol that may also be helpful to us throughout these forty days of Lent. Many people practice a spiritual discipline during Lent as a way to grow in their faith and to confess their need for a God who cleanses us in the waters of baptism. Oftentimes, Lent is used as an excuse to lose weight, watch less television, or to purge oneself from bad habits, but such disciplines tend to be too individualistic and miss the point of deepening one’s relationship with Jesus Christ. I often use this time to read a book on some aspect of Christian living as a way to grow in my discipleship and, hopefully, to help others in their faith walk as well. This year I am reading the book, Six Weeks to a Simpler Lifestyle, which offers daily Bible readings and reflections, a simple action step for each day, and journaling exercises. The idea is to simplify one’s life in order so spend more time with family, friends, and most importantly, God. I chose this book in order to complement my work in caring for creation; a simple lifestyle tends to be easier on the earth and the people who inhabit it. I encourage you, if you are inclined towards a Lenten discipline, to identify something that will help you to consider what it means to be a baptized and redeemed child of God, rather than to try to win the favor of God and others. I pray that this is a time for growth, renewal, and cleansing for you as we walk towards the cross of Christ together and into the promise of new life. ~Pastor Gail
Daylight Saving Time - Spring Ahead Take note - it’s coming early this year! On Sunday, March 11, we begin Daylight Saving Time. So be sure to set your clocks AHEAD 1 hour before you go to bed Saturday, March 10 th!
Donuts & Dialogue Were you confirmed decades ago? Would you like a refresher course in Lutheranism? Have you forgotten what a sacrament is? Come to Donuts and Dialogue in March as we return to the Lutheran basics with The Lutheran Course, somewhat of a Confirmation class for adults! Based on the handbook that our 7 th and 8 th grade Confirmation students are using, The Lutheran Course will take us through the Lutheran Reformation, baptism, communion, reading the Bible, and sharing our faith with others. With video presentations and group conversation, The Lutheran Course is a fun way to refresh our memories of what we learned all those years ago! Pastor Gail will lead the sessions on March 4, 11, 18 and 25 between worship services in the Genszler Room.
Lent Worship continues The season of Lent continues with two worship services at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel and 6:30 p.m. in the church. Services will be held on the Wednesdays of: March 7 And please be sure to join us for the Soup Suppers offered at 5:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Lenten Soup Suppers All evening Lenten worship services are preceded by a Soup Supper, prepared by Bill and Pam Gottsacker of City Streets Restaurant, and are served along with rolls and beverages in Fellowship Hall beginning at 5:30 p.m. Peanut butter and jelly is also available for the kids. (Assistance is needed in setting up and serving. If you can help, please contact Lee Anne Gilson at 452-2401). And if you’d like to share a dessert with those attending, we’d be so grateful! So, please join us for soup during Lent! It’s a marvelous time to share food and fellowship together.
Confirmation Students! A reminder to all 7th-9th graders that, during Lent, your attendance at worship is required! Check-in is at the Welcome Center in the Gathering Area before worship at 6:30 p.m. If you are unable to attend, please contact the church office before worship so that your absence may be excused. On the first and third Wednesdays of the month the 9 th grade mentees will meet with their mentors immediately following worship. On the first Wednesday of the month they will meet one-on-one to discuss their selected topics; on the third Wednesday of the month all mentors and mentees should gather in the Chapel for a large group session. Questions? Please contact Thom Nicla or Pastor Gail in the church office.
Soup Supper Clean Up The 7th and 8th Grade Confirmation classes will clean-up following each of the Lenten Soup Suppers. Guides and students need to report to Fellowship Hall kitchen no later than 6:00 p.m. on the night your group is scheduled. Mar 7 - 8th Gr. boys Group #7 & half of 8th Grade girls Group #9 Mar 14 - 7th Grade boys Group #2 & 7th Grade girls Group #5 Mar 21- 8th Grade boys Group #8 & half of 8th Gr. girls Group #9 Mar 28 - 7th Grade boys Group #3 & 7th Grade girls Group #6
Care for Creation The next Care for Creation meeting is on Monday, March 12, at 5:15 p.m. We will be finished in time for All Committee Night at 6:15 p.m. We always welcome new faces to the committee as we continue to seek ways to care for God’s creation here at First United.
9th Grade Student Confirmation Deadlines By now, you should have turned in the following items to the church office:
Sign-up sheets for the Confirmation Interview with Pastor Jacobs or Pastor Gail are on Debbie Frick’s desk in the church office. Interviews must be completed by March 29! Your paragraph summarizing an All Committee Night committee meeting is also due by March 29. Don’t forget your sermon notes! Twelve are required to be Confirmed and you have plenty of time during Lent to catch up! If you have any questions or concerns about the requirements for Confirmation, please contact Thom Nicla or Pastor Gail (452-2401).
Join the Holy Knitters! Once a month the Holy Knitters set aside an hour to sit and knit, crochet, offer a prayer, and talk. We also read the thank you cards and notes that people send us, thanking us for the prayer shawls and lap blankets that they received. Thank you notes like this one: “A warm thank you to the Holy Knitters for one lovely prayer shawl! It’s keeping me cozy and warm, within your love, as I rest and recover from my surgeries. You’ve been a great blessing to me!” Do you knit or crochet? Join us on the second Monday of each month in Room 8, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. , then stay for the All Committee dinner in the Gathering Area. Can you financially support our ministry? Your financial donations help pay for the yarn, cards, and bookmarks, and help make our ministry possible! Thank you!
Monday Night Books The next Monday Night Books will take place on Monday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m. , featuring The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier. The City, as described in the book, is inhabited by the recently departed who reside there only as long as they remain in the memories of the living. A full book description can be found on the kiosk in the Gathering Area, along with a sign-up sheet Even if you have never attended a Monday Night Books group, you are welcome to come join the conversation!
Medical Supplies are needed “Bread of Healing” is a medical clinic that is organized and run by Cross Lutheran Church , Milwaukee , one of our Partner congregations. This clinic offers free primary medical care to people in the Milwaukee area who can’t afford health insurance. This care includes medical exams, lab tests, and follow-up care. The clinic is non-profit. Everyone, including the doctors and nurses, volunteer their time and services. The Bread of Healing Clinic is in need of medical supplies! Please help by donating the following items: + Accu-Chek ACTIVE Diabetic Glucose Meter Strips (pick up at a pharmacy without a prescription) Please check expiration dates, and donate only new items that are in sealed packages. Please bring items during the month of March to the Bread of Healing Display in the Gathering Area. Thank you! ~The Social Ministry Committee
The 2007 Global Mission Event It’s not too early to plan for the 2007 Global Mission Event! The four-day 2007 ELCA Summer Global Mission Event will take place July 19-22 at the Ohio State University in Columbus , Ohio . This full-length event will feature international presenters, global music, and multi-generational programming for children and junior and senior high youth. Immaculee Ilibaguza of Rwanda , who survived the 1994 genocide by hiding in a cramped bathroom of a local pastor’s house for 91 days, will share her story of forgiveness, faith, and a profound relationship with God. Read more on the kiosk, or visit www.elca.org/gme. You can register on this web site or find registration forms on the kiosk. This is a great event for families. Don’t miss it!
Good News Deadline Articles for the next issue of the Good News should be in the church office by Monday, March 12!
Special Offerings for the Lenten Season The special offering on Ash Wednesday was designated for “Lutheran Social Services” (LSS). Lutheran Social Services is the social ministry arm of the ELCA congregations. Each year, LSS touches the lives of over 100,000 people through a variety of compassionate social services from adoption to counseling to older adult services. As a non-profit agency, LSS relies on the generous support of churches, corporations, foundations and thousands of individuals to continue its mission. Special offerings received during our Wednesday worship services throughout Lent will be designated for Crossways Camping Ministry. Crossways Camping Ministries is an outdoor ministry of the ELCA, providing camping/retreat experiences for youth and families. Three camps are located here in Wisconsin , and our own First United seventh and eighth graders will attend a Crossways camp this summer.
Holy Week Special Offerings Special offerings received on Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday will also be designated for Crossways Camping Ministry. Crossways has opportunities for all ages! Whether you’re a grandmother, a first grader, a father...they have a program for you! Check out their website at www.CrosswaysCamp.org for information about their many family camping opportunities.
All Committee Night All the committees of First United meet September through May (but not in the summer months) for a dinner served in the Gathering Area at 6:15 p.m. Afterwards, each individual committee meets in a classroom at 7:00 p.m. to discuss their business at hand. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 12, and the following committees will meet:
Outreach Committee (Room 4) Property Committee (Bride’s Room) Social Ministry Committee (Room 8) Worship Committee (Genszler Room) Youth & Education Committee (Library)
Committees not meeting this month include: Long Range Committee Nominations Committee Our committees are always looking for new people to get involved in the life and decision-making of our congregation. We encourage you to come Monday, March 12, and sit in on any of the above committee meetings and consider joining them!
Before you leave on Spring Break... Please check your Worship Responsibility Book to be sure that you are not scheduled while you’re gone! And, if you are, please find a replacement and call the church office before you leave!
Men of the congregation... A new men’s group is forming at the suggestion of several members for social interaction, topic discussion and service. The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 7, at 1:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining, please come to this first meeting, or contact Pastor Jacobs at 452-2401.
Easter Lilies Easter lilies will again adorn our worship space on Easter Sunday. Beginning Sunday, March18, Easter lily forms can be found in the church pews for you to sponsor an Easter lily in loving memory of a loved one, in living tribute or in gratitude to someone you love, etc. The cost of each plant this year is $9.00 which you can put into an offering envelope with your form, and note on your offering envelope that the contribution is for lilies. The deadline for ordering lilies is Sunday, April 1.
It’s an option... but we’ll need a lot of cans! We are in need of replacing our telephone system for the church. Last month we unexpectedly lost the computer panel that operates the incoming and outgoing calls for First United, leaving us without phone service for several hours. We now have a refurbished unit in place to keep us operational, but need to look toward a new permanent system.
Come to Praisefest April 22! Do you enjoy singing and listening to praise music? Mark your calendars for a fun, worship-filled day of music, scripture, prayer, community, and lots of food! Praisefest is an annual worship celebration with the members of Cross Lutheran Church and all of their partner congregations. Because Cross is one of our partner congregations in Milwaukee, we are invited to come and sing our praises with them and the members of Ascension Lutheran Church, Waukesha, St. Mark from Neenah, and Immanuel, Watertown. The worship itself consists of praise music that is sung by choirs or vocal groups from the various congregations, mixed with short scripture readings and prayer. The atmosphere is casual, fun, and exhilarating! It would be great to have a group from First United represent our congrega-tion by singing a song of praise! So if you sing and/or play an instrument, especially piano or guitar, and want to be part of this, please sign up on the kiosk! Praisefest will be held at Cross Lutheran Church , Milwaukee , at 3:00 p.m. A delicious potluck dinner will follow, so there will be time to meet and get to know the members of Cross and talk to their other partners. So plan to come, whether you plan to sing or just go to listen! Sign up on the kiosk if you would like to carpool. Directions to Cross are also available on the kiosk.
Tanzania Visions! Tanzania is located in eastern Africa on the Indian Ocean . It is home to Mt. Kilimanjaro , the highest point in Africa , Lake Victoria , the second largest lake in the world, and the Great Rift Valley . Natural resources include tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas and nickel. Despite all this, Tanzania is one of the poorest nations in Africa . For the next few weeks we will have the opportunity to view and purchase original oil paintings that were done by young artists who reside in the northern area of Tanzania , on the hills of Mt. Meru . These young artists are very committed to their church and to lifting themselves from poverty through their artistic talents. The area where they live is one of the most remote in regard to communication and transportation, so marketing has been a problem. The paintings were brought by members of our Synod who traveled to Tanzania last fall, and are on sale! All proceeds will go back to the artists. The paintings range in price from $25 to $55, and will be displayed in the Gathering Area and Genszler Room. Please make checks payable to First United Lutheran Church, memo: Meru Paintings, when purchasing a painting. Thank you for your support in this important ministry!
Snow Cancellations If there’s a need to cancel services due to weather, please tune in to WHBL, or WTMJ (Channel 4 on Cable TV).
Lenten Bible Study Pastor Jacobs is offering a brief (30 minutes) Bible Study on the Wednesdays during Lent after both the morning and evening services. In keeping with the theme of The Two Roads, each week focuses on a different person that Jesus meets on the Road from Galilee to Jerusalem , from Safety to the Cross:
Games & Pizza! Children, youth and families! Come join us at First United for an afternoon of fun, fellowship and food! On Sunday, March 18, Fellowship Hall will be open to you and your family, and we invite you to bring your favorite board game or PS2 Game (must first be approved by Mary Gorges or Thom Nicla). We will order pizza for lunch, so see the sign-up sheet at the Youth & Family bulletin board for more information. The fun starts at 12:00 noon and will go until 2:00 p.m. Questions? Contact Thom Nicla or Mary Gorges.
Thank Yous The following are notes received in the past month. They have been posted on the bulletin board outside the church office: Thank you for your recent donation of $996.81 to Bridgeway House. We appreciate your support of the mission and programming of Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization. ... It takes the combined effort of all community stakeholders to help us carry out our work on a daily basis. Thank you for helping us to fulfill our mission. ~Bob Holland, Executive Director Thank you for your generous offering. We are grateful to have your support for our mission. Together, we are able to make a difference in many lives. For some, Safe Harbor is a temporary respite from the violence in their lives. For others, it is the beginning of their journey to a more peaceful life. The needs of those who turn to Safe Harbor may differ, but your contribution helps to ensure that each can find the hope and support they need. ... ~Sincerely, Mary Fontanazza On behalf of the thousands of children, families, and adult, we ministered with in 2006, I say “THANK YOU” for your financial and prayerful support of this important ministry during this past year. ... This vital ministry could not happen without the faithful support of you and others like you who have included Crossways in your congregation’s financial benevolence giving. ... ~Yours in Christ, Pastor Wayne Harrison Executive Director
Thank you for your generous donation to All Peoples Church . ~Scott Carpenter, treasurer
How I Care for the Earth -A Message from the Care for Creation Committee As a member of the Care for Creation Committee, I would like to share with you some things I do to care for this beautiful Mother Earth. Of course, I recycle paper, cans and glass. But I also re-use tissue paper from gifts and gift-wrap, if it’s not too torn up, plus I take my used newspapers to the Animal Clinic where they use them for their kennels. I use biodegradable cleaning products that are safe for the environment. I have found one of the most versatile product around. It’s concentrated, so a couple of ounces mixed with water make several quarts or gallons, depending on the size of bottle you purchase. They also offer products for washing dishes and clothes, plus health-conscious cosmetic products. Another line offers anything from recycled paper towels and other paper products to dish and dishwasher detergents, clothes washing detergents and all-natural deodorants and toothpaste. These products can be found at the local stores, and also online. Please contact me, or stop me in church if you would like to know where I have found these products There is one product I never, ever buy or use: Styrofoam products. This stuff will never break down! So please join the Care for Creation Committee members in caring for God’s beautiful earth. ~Linda Brandt
Holy Communion Prep Second graders will prepare for their First Communion on Maundy Thursday, April 5, at 7:00 p.m. Please note that DUE TO THE SNOW CANCELLATION, classes were re-scheduled for the Sundays of March 4, 11 and 18, and Chalice making on Wednesday, March 14 at 7:15 p.m. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend with their child. These classes are required of all students in 2 nd grade (or any student who has not received instruction) who wishes to receive First Communion. If you have any questions, contact Pastor Gail or Mary Gorges at 452-2401.
Monday Night Books for Kids reads Harry Potter On Monday, April 16, Monday Night Books for Kids will feature a Harry Potter Night where you can discuss your favorite Harry Potter book. We couldn’t decide which book was our favorite, so a Harry Potter theme night seemed to be a great idea! If there is great interest in the Potter series, we will plan additional times to meet in anticipation of the final book being released this summer. Please come and join us as we discuss these wonderful books, share in fun activities, and maybe do a little cooking too! Friends are welcome! Sign up on the Youth & Family bulletin board, or call Mary Gorges for details.
Anti-Racism - Sheboygan’s Rich Heritage Six members of First United attended an Anti-Racism Training weekend in Milwaukee in January, and have formed an Anti-Racism Committee. In order to learn more about the history of race relations in the Sheboygan area, the Committee decided to research the history of race and minority migration to Sheboygan and Wisconsin . Information on our Sheboygan history and highlights of what we learned at the training will be shared during Donuts & Dialogue in April. We hope this will spark thoughtful dialogue of where we have been and where God is calling us to go. To start this journey of dialogue, let us consider the first people to inhabit Wisconsin and Sheboygan and its unique landscape. Jim Holperin , Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary, said, “Our oldest roots come from 11 Native American tribes that occupied our region for more than 10,000 years. Each tribe has a colorful and meaningful history.” The official Sheboygan County Government Website (www.co.sheboygan.wi.us) states, “When the white man first came, there were probably about 1000 Indians living in the county, composed mainly of Pottawatomie, Chippewa, Ottowa, Winnebago and Menominee tribes. Their villages and camps were clustered on the bank or shore of practically every lake or stream, with the largest villages situated along the shore of Lake Michigan . After this territory began to interest the pioneers, treaties were made with the Indians. On September 26, 1833, in a treaty made at Chicago, the Indians relinquished all claim to the lands on the west shore of Lake Michigan, including what is now Sheboygan County, though many Indians remained here for many years.”
Great Beginnings Preschool Notes - Spring Fling! If the recent snow storms have got you and your little ones down and you need a pick me up, Great Beginnings has an offer for you! Great Beginnings Preschool is opening its doors to the public and congregation for their annual Arts & Carnival Night on Tuesday, March 6, at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The theme this year is “Spring Fling!” So come and join us as we anticipate spring. There will be games and activities for all and you can view the wonderful display of artwork done by the kids. If you know of a family looking for a preschool, Great Beginnings is now offering enrollment for the 2007-2008 school year. If you have or know of a child who will be three years of age by September 1, 2007 , please consider enrolling them in our wonderful preschool. Enrollment information is available in the church office. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Gorges or Cindy Wigdahl in the church office.
In Deepest Sympathy We offer our Christian love to the family of Fred Schram at the death of his brother; and to David and Sarah Nelson at the loss of their unborn child.
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