August Newsletter

A Ministry Publication of Faith Lutheran Church          August 2008

Volume 33, Issue 8

“I learned it yesterday”                                                       by Pastor Plautz

Good news A golf professional, hired by a large department store to give golf lessons, was approached by two women.  “Do you wish to learn to play golf?” he asked one of the women.  “Oh, no,” she replied, “it’s my friend here who would life to learn.  You see, I learned yesterday.”

     Having played golf now for 35 years I have learned that it is a game you can never master.  You can get better and improve through practice but master it?  Not in my lifetime.

     It’s funny how Christians can think that with Sunday School attendance a child and a smattering of worship experiences under their belt they can claim to have “learned” it.  They believe they have what they need spiritually to navigate through life.

     Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  The word “continue” is the sticker.  It means that discipleship isn’t about how we define it or that it is conducted on our terms, but how Jesus defines it.  Jesus indicates the Christian life and discipleship is an ongoing journey, never mastered but shows growth and improvement through spiritual practice:  Word and sacrament.  God has revealed to us that these are the means by which He deepens and grows us into the mature followers He desires us to be. 

Our congregation is in the process of asking our gracious God to transform us to be the congregation and disciples He wants us to be.  That happens when His Holy Spirit works in our hearts to see that there is more to learn, and more growth that can take place in me.

Rite of Passage           author unknown

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth’s Rite of Passage? His father takes him into the forest, blind folds him and leaves him alone.

He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm.

The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm. 

We , too, are never alone.  Even when we don’t know it, God is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us.  When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him. If you liked this story, pass it on. If not, you took off your blindfold before dawn.

Moral of the story: Just because you can’t see God, Doesn’t mean He is not there. ‘For we walk by faith, not by sight.’

From the Mission & Ministry Council...

The Mission and Ministry Council has been meeting and working behind the scenes regularly during the summer months.  Good progress is being made in two critical areas.

The first is setting parameters and general goals for each of the primary team focus areas.  Drafts are being prepared and will be discussed and finalized in the next several meetings.  These general expectations will then be conveyed to the teams and the teams will be responsible for bringing about the results. 

The second is getting Faith’s disciples on the team that gives them the most satisfaction and allows them to be the most productive.  The Council has been working with Karen Prenzlow, the Volunteer Coordinator, to develop a Time and Talent Promise survey, different and more extensive than previous surveys.  This survey will give everyone an opportunity to express, not only their skills and interests and how those can be helpful to the teams as they are developed, but also their needs for training and support to prepare themselves for serving. 

We need your help with the second area.  Since we don’t know at this time what additional teams will be created as this process continues, it is important that the volunteer coordinator is aware of talents and interests so that the people with the needed skills and enthusiasm can help these teams be successful.

We ask that everyone take a look inside and start thinking about how your discipleship can best grow at Faith.  If you do that, when the survey arrives, we hope that you will not have to set it aside to think about and perhaps forget about, but you will be prepared to complete it immediately and return it so that we can continue with the Making of Disciples in our community.  God’s blessings to you as you consider your role and your opportunity to serve.     

August Bible Study Opportunities

Tuesday Morn Bible Breakfast                       Time: Tuesday’s at 6:30am           

Who: Anyone & everyone!                                  Location: Chippewa Family Restaurant

Leader: Pastors Plautz & Mathews                      Topic: First Book of Corinthians

High School Bible Study

Time: Wednesday’s at 6pm                              Who: All 7th & 8th graders & all HS students Location: 3rd grade classroom                                 Leader: Sue Smith

Thursday Morn Bible Study

Time: Thursday’s at 9:30am                            Who: fellow Bible seekers

Location: Youth/Choir room                             Topic: to be announced

Leaders: Pastor Mathews

Youth News                                    

During the summer, the Youth room will be open on the second and fourth Wednesdays (August 13 & 27—after Sue Smith’s Bible Study).  Please come and stay for some fun and games.Other Youth activities will be planned throughout the summer. 

Fundraiser Scheduled      

The youth here at Faith Lutheran will have another opportunity to serve in their community on Tuesday, August 19 from 1:30-4:30pm. They will help run a carnival at the Western WI Auto Auction. If you are a youth or parent of a youth and are willing to help with this event, please be sure to call Julie Schaller at 726-9009. Remember monies raised can help defray expenses for youth activities, like bowling/golfing events, Camp Luther, 2010 Youth Gathering, etc.

Confirmation students, this is a great way to earn service hours for confirmation and what could be more fun than a carnival! If a ride is needed, let us know—we will meet in the church parking lot at 1:15pm. We need to have 12 people work this event and adults can help too!

Women of Faith

A sincere note of thanks to Bonnie Senn for hosting our summer breakfast outing in July. A delicious meal and fun time in fellowship was had by all.

Women of Faith will be meeting on Tuesday, August 19 at 6pm for their annual potluck supper. After supper, ladies will be doing some church cleaning. Bring your favorite cleaning supplies and a happy heart in knowing you are helping maintain the house of our Lord. LWML mite offerings will be collected. All ladies of the congregation are welcome.

Monetary Donations Needed:

Pencils were ordered for distribution with our PWD parade entry. If you could help out monetarily with this venture, it would be appreciated. The total cost was $250.

Breakfast-in-a-Bag

This delicious breakfast served up by our Board of Trustees is being planned for Sunday, Sept. 7 between services. Please make a note of it. This fundraiser will benefit debt reduction for the church. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will supplement funds raised up to $1,600.00. A sign-up sheet for donations will be forthcoming. Questions? Contact Del or Sharon Braunberger, Event Coordinators.

Other Congregational News

You’re Invited!

To a wedding reception for Chris & Julie Plautz on Friday, August 22 from 5:30-8pm in the fellowship hall. A sign-up for participation is available in the narthex.

Labor Day Family Weekend Retreat—August 29-Sept. 1

Enjoy Retreat Center housing and all that Camp Luther has to offer for the last real weekend of summer! Highlights include pontoon rides, minnow races, campfire singing and devotions! Hurry, this retreat is nearly full! Visit www.camp luther.com for registration or additional details.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is hosting their annual benefit auction and chicken dinner for Luther Park Bible Camp on Sunday, August 10. Outdoor worship begins at 10:30am with dinner and auctions to follow. Thrivent will provide supplemental funds up to $2000.

August Birthdays and Anniversaries

Happy Birthday!

1-Brittany Chaussee, Evie Schaller

2-Gerald Fellenz, Steven Kozlowski, Gordon Roytek

4-Barb Hand

5-Jimmy Hayes

6-Sara Glenz, Joseph Marquardt

7-Justin Musser, Kathy Parks, Kim Sorenson

8-Caroline Black, Evelyn Elam, Jacob Johnson, Richard Wirth

9-Robert Gannon, Kimberly Musser, Sarah Schroeder, Susan Smith

10-Sandy Bornsen, Marion Frank, Nancy Garbers, Gerald Goettl, Rachel Schaller, Morgan Wirtz

11-Donna Hopkins, Molly Isaacson

12-Jacob Foslid, Robyn Nelson, Janice Schindler

14-Allison Wing

15-Elaine Twerberg, Dale Volrath, Delbert Zimpel

16-Amanda Allen, Tony Cunningham, Lauren Wikan

17-Roberta Chittendon, Christopher Witkowski

18-Lorraine Rasmussen

19-Patrick Isenberger

21-Amy Hedrington, Bethany Marquardt

22-Adam Ericksen, Mark Flint, Amy Redlin

23-Lacy Kelly, Merle Quale Sr., Suzanne Schroeder, Courtney Spaeth, Cynthia Swoboda, Sharon Tiry

25-Joe Green, Sadie LaGesse

26-Al Twerberg

27-Kayla Ring

28-Austin Prueher, Jean Ruf

29-Scott Prueher, Erika Swoboda

30-Lyle Hackler, Helen Irwin

31-Lucille Yauch

Happy Anniversary!

1-Greg & Brenda Musser

5-Adam & Linda Kuechle

7-Arlan & Kathleen Cloutier

7-Kenneth & Jodi Silvernail

9-Jim & Linda Isaacson

13-Jim & Cindy Swoboda

14-Richard & Christine Miller

14-Brian & Lori Petska

20-James & Debra Peterson

21-Terry & Donna Spaeth

28-Eric & Angela Wedemeyer