November, 2016 The WORD Mother of Exilesnekoosaucc.com/201611_newsletter.pdf · 2016-10-27 · November, 2016 The worrying about appointments and schedules. But for everything Sunday

November, 2016

The WORD

Nekoosa United Church of Christ (the church by the bridge)

Rev. Timothy Miller, Pastor 205 Market street Nekoosa, WI 54494 715 886-3371 Sunday Worship: 9:30 am Fellowship follows Worship Office Hours: Mon – Fri 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Pastor’s Hours: Mon 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm Tues – Thur 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Email: [email protected] [email protected] Web Site: www.nekoosaucc.com

Mother of Exiles

What a beautiful October it was! Having two weeks of vacation this

October made me appreciate every day that I spent in the splendor

of the woods. I only had one night of rain and the rest were beautiful

sun filled days with star filled cool nights. What a Sabbath it was to

be free of political banter and nonsense, e-mails, phone calls, and

worrying about appointments and schedules. But for everything

there is a season and the season changed in a hurry as soon as I

returned back to the office. 204 e-mails were waiting for my

attention, several phone messages, as well as a handful of mail and

of course…a few personal bills waiting not-so-patiently to be paid. I

came to the conclusion that, as far as I am behind, it was still worth

it!

But now it’s back to business. As I went through the pile of

paper that sprouted on my desktop like mushrooms while I was

gone, I found the Wisconsin conference’s request that all UCC

churches study and have a conversation on immigration. They want

churches to do a couple of studies and then talk about how they feel

about it after they take a look at it. If churches that do this report

that it went positively then they will make a suggestion that the WI

UCC become a welcoming community to refugees and immigrants

at the 2018 annual meeting.

We will be holding several talks on this matter where all

questions and concerns are welcomed and we will look for answers

to all questions and concerns. These will be the time and place to

express your thoughts together. I personally want to hear everyone’s

thoughts, concerns, fears, joy and excitement on this and to learn

more.

Why as a church and conference, are we beginning a discussion

on immigration? I have been asked this many times already along

with “ok, but not the illegal ones”. It doesn’t make sense when you

just hear about it on tv. I ate dinner in Guatemala with two men who

had “illegally” come to the United States. They explained that

forces came to their village to kill everyone so corporations could

take the land for growing fruit crops. The two men fled and ended

up in Madison Wisconsin where they worked as janitors. They were

eventually “caught”, jailed, and sent back to Guatemala. Our group

asked why they didn’t come “legally”. They explained that their

birth certificates and all legal documents were burned when the

village was taken over which makes it impossible to come legally.

They fled for their lives that very night so there was no time to try

and petition the court or write letters.

Why should we even consider the request? Let’s look at my

favorite book of the bible (very much just kidding) Leviticus 19. It

says, “ 9

When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the

very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your

harvest. 10

You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the

BIRTHDAYS 1 – Bob Krummel 1 - Carl Saylor 3 - Chris Turok 5 -Jeffrey Wegner 9 - Jean Lavey 13–Tanner Sorenson 13 - Chuck Sorrell 14–CindySaylor 14 – Melani Johnson 23 – Don Hobart 26 – Tim Dean 26 – Jean Olson 27 – Shelby Sorrell 29 – June Hamel ANNIVERSARIES

1 -Tom and Connie Pangburn 2 – Mark & Melani Johnson

If you would like to have your birthday or anniversary listed during the year, or there is an error in the date, please contact the church office at 715- 886-3371.

fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the

poor and the alien: I am the LORD your God.

And:

33 When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not

oppress the alien. 34

The alien who resides with you shall be

to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as

yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am

the LORD your God.”

If we are to call ourselves Christians, I believe we

should at least take a serious look, openly and respectfully,

deeper into the subject. I hope that we can all attend and feel

safe and open to listen and to be heard. I end this with a poem

which I believe is on the base of the statue of Liberty which

symbolically stands on our coast calling for all immigrants to

come for refuge.

The New Colossus EMMA LAZARUS

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she

With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Looking forward to our conversations and learning more…and getting rid of these piles on my desk!

Peace and Love, Pastor Tim

Hey, Big Spender: As a man and his family

drove home after church, he was

complaining about everything. He said, “The

music was too loud. The sermon was too

long. The announcements were unclear. The

building was hot. “ He went on and on,

complaining about virtually everything.

Finally, his very observant son said, “Dad,

you’ve got to admit, it wasn’t a bad show for

just a dollar.”

‘A Silent Talk with God’ … every Thursday from 7:00

to 8:00 pm.

Sit and Stitch November 12

(9:00am to 4:00pm)

It’s Rummage Sale time

again. The Women

United will hold their

annual fall sale on Nov. 3,4 from

8:00am – 4:00pm and Nov.5 from

8:00am to 12:00noon. They say one

person’s junk is another person’s treasure

so bring in your stuff so someone else

can treasure it.

It is through the anonymous generosity of

many people in our church that our Wish

List needs have been and continue to be

met. We are always in need of:

KLEENEX and PAPER TOWELING

But at this time are running a little low on

TOILET PAPER!!

Thank you to the many wonderful

individuals in our church family who

continue to provide when the need is there.

Your kindness is greatly appreciated.

Committee Meeting Dates Diaconate – Nov. 14 6:15pm Christian Education – Nov. 10 6:00pm Mission & Outreach – Nov. 16 6:00pm Trustees – Nov. 16 6:00pm Church Council – 7:00pm Nov. 16 (meetings are open to congregation)

Living the Questions Study:

11:00-Noon

September 18th

-An Invitation to Journey

September 25th

-Taking the Bible

seriously

October 16th

-Thinking Theologically

October 30th

-Stories of Creation

November 6th

-Lives of Jesus

November 13t –A Passion for Christ: Paul

the Apostle

November 27th

– Out in the World:

Challenges facing Progressive

Christians

Dates to Remember Nov 3,4,5 Rummage Sale

Nov. 6 Bible Study 11:00am Nov. 13 Bible Study 11:00 am Nov. 13 Stewardship Sunday Nov. 13 Italian Feast 11:00am Nov. 24 & 25 Office Closed

Nov. 25 Thanksgiving Nov 27 – Dec 17 Love Gift

Collections Nov. 27 Bible Study 11:00am

YOU ARE INVITED TO

“AN ITALIAN FEAST”

WHAT: “AN ITALIAN FEAST” TO

CELEBRATE STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY

WHO: ALL MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF

THE CHURCH

DATE: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2016

TIME: FOLLOWING THE SERVICE

WHERE: CHURCH DINING ROOM

COST: GRATUITO – IT IS FREE!!

WHY: STEWARDSHIP IS NOT ALL

ABOUT THE MONEY. IT IS ALSO ABOUT

SHARING, FELLOWSHIP, AND CARING.

COME EAT & HAVE FUN. YOU

MIGHT EVEN SEE A PIZZA PIE OR TWO!!

Jesus’ final words after

telling the parable of the

Good Samaritan…. “GO

AND DO THE SAME”.

(Luke 10:37)

1. Watch your mail for your pledge card – or you might even have it by the time you read this.

2. Prayerfully consider your 2016 monetary contribution to your church.

3. Prayerfully consider your 2016 time & talent contribution to your church.

4. Fill out your pledge card and return it to the box in the Narthex on Sunday, November 13, 2016 or before…. Or mail it to church and we will put it in the box for you.

5. Don’t like to pledge, just write “Give What Can” on your pledge card and return it to the box in the Narthex on Sunday, November 13, 2016 or before. Then we know you received your pledge card and don’t need to make a follow-up call.

6. Attend the “AN ITALIAN FEAST” event on Sunday, November 13 to celebrate our giving. See separate poster in this newsletter – an event you won’t want to miss!!

7. Follow through on your pledges of time, talent and treasure throughout the year.

8. “GO AND DO THE SAME”. (Luke 10:37)

Stewardship Committee

IT’S COMING, IT’S COMING !!

E-GIVING IS COMING TO NEKOOSA UCC!!

What is E-Giving? E-giving is the convenience to donate to your church without writing a

check or having to have cash on-hand. The money will be electronically moved directly

from your bank account into the church’s bank account. Here are some frequently asked

questions regarding E-Giving:

Why would I want to do that?

1. It helps the church have a steady income every month so we don’t have to “rob Peter to pay Paul”.

2. It is convenient for you – no writing a check, no remembering to write a check – your donation happens even when you are on vacation or sick.

3. Our Financial Secretaries don’t have to open envelopes, count money, record it, or take it to the bank. They will receive an electronic weekly report with all the information they need.

Will the Church have access to my banking/financial information? Absolutely not.

You can sign up online on your own computer or at one of our sign-up sessions where a

member of our financial team can help you based on your paper authorization form.

I don’t know anything about computers. You don’t have to know anything about

computers. It is a one-time set up and you will still receive your end-of-the year statement –

same as always - all without ever having to write a check.

Give an example of something I know about that is similar. Social Security Payments

are electronically moved directly from the US Govt bank account into your

checking/savings account on the same day each month. This is exactly what will happen

between you and the church. You will see the transaction on your bank statement.

What if I want to increase or decrease the amount I want to give to the church. You

can change it online on your own or ask one of our financial team members to help you with

it.

Can I stop E-Giving if I try it and don’t like it? Absolutely you can stop E-Giving. You

can cancel online on your own or ask one of our financial team members to help you with it.

However, we are sure you are going to love it!!

We ask you to start thinking about IS THIS SOMETHING I FEEL COMFORTABLE

DOING TO HELP MY CHURCH? It will not feel right for everyone, but we are hoping it

will feel right for many of you. The important thing is to do what feels comfortable for you.

You will be hearing and seeing more about E-Giving in the next few weeks and will have a

chance to ask any questions you may have.

STAY TUNED FOR SIGN-UP DETAILS AND DATES!! WHAT AN EXCITING

OPPORTUNITY THIS WILL BE!!

SHOUT OUT to all the ladies who planned, cooked, served

and cleaned up the tasty Chicken Dinner. It was

awesome!!

SHOUT OUT to Rita Freeman and Donna Grunewald, our

two certified kitchen managers. They are truly our Church Basement Kitchen Ladies.

SHOUT OUT to Cason Heckendorf, our guest

organist on Oct. 23.

SHOUT OUT to Susan Stein our guest speaker on Oct 23,

Ben Powell guest speaker on Oct.2 and Glenn Svetnicka

guest speaker on Oct. 9.

SHOUT OUT to the Diaconate for finding these speakers to fill

pulpit supply .

SHOUT OUT to Bonnie Wheeler our new choir

director. The choir sounds fabulous, as always.

SHOUT OUTS to Alyssa

Wilhorn, Lynette Hilgers, Vicki Nehring, Bonnie Wheeler and Michelle

Sorenson for preparing & leading the services while I was

gone.

SHOUT OUT to entire Church family. Thank you for

supporting God’s church.

“LOVE GIFTS”

"Love Gifts" is the title of a project that our

church family does each December. We

receive names of families/individuals in the

Nekoosa area, who are in need of food for the

Holidays. We will collect food from our

church family and shop for any additional

food, to make a full box of food. Then we

will deliver these "Love Gift" boxes to our

friends and neighbors in need.

In years past, many of our church family have

contributed to these Love Gifts, with either

canned or boxed food or a monetary

donation. We are asking again, for this help

from our church family.

Boxes for donated canned or boxed foods will

be at the parking lot entrance doors, from

Sunday, Nov. 27 - Sat. Dec. 17. Suggestions

for donated food items are: flour, sugar,

canned fruits and vegetables, pasta,

hamburger helper, tuna helper, ketchup, tuna,

pancake mix, syrup, peanut butter, jelly,

cereal, bottled juice….just to name a few.

Monetary donations can be left with the

church office.

If you know of someone who is having

financial difficulty, and would benefit from a

"Love Gift", please submit their name/s to the

church office. The list of names will remain

confidential, other than to the M&O

committee members who will deliver the

"Love Gifts", on December 17.

Thank you again, for helping the Mission and

Outreach Committee fulfill this wonderful

outreach for our Nekoosa community.

Calling all Readers!!! Do you enjoy a good

romantic thriller?

The library has a

number of books by Sandra

Brown, Mary Higgins Clark, Patricia

Cornwell and Danielle Steel among

others. Follow the adventures of Dr.

Kay Scarpetta and others as they work to

find the clues to various mysteries.

The Nekoosa UCC library is now open

and can be found in the youth room.

Checkout is easy, just sign the log.

There is no time limit on borrowed

books.

CITY OF NEKOOSA &

NEKOOSA UCC

RECYCLING

GUIDELINES

AS OF 10/01/2016

1. Separate paper from other recyclables. A. All boxes must be flattened.

2. All other recyclables can be combined, but must be rinsed out: A. Plastic Containers stamped with #1 thru #7 recycle symbol. B. Glass Containers. C. Tin/Metal Cans. D. Aluminum Cans.

3. Do Not Recycle: A. Aluminum foil. B. Styrofoam. C. Ceramics or dishes. D. Plastic food bags (i.e., Ziploc, Baggies). E. Plastic grocery bags. F. Light bulbs. G. Window glass or mirrors. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE SEE A MEMBER OF THE TRUSTEES BOARD.

Help Wanted

St Luke’s Lutheran Church in Wisconsin

Rapids has an opening for a part time

church secretary. A job share position

working 40 hours in a two week period.

Hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am to

4:30pm. Applications are available in the

church office. An up-to-date resume and

a completed application should be

received by Nov.7. Call Anne Tietsort at

715 423-5990 or

[email protected] if you

have question.

**********************************

The Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest

Committee is looking for someone to

oversee the Bake Off . This person would

be responsible for getting judges, setting

and enforcing rules, and tallying scores.

The Bake Off usually runs from 9:00am –

2:30pm on the first day of the Pumpkin

Fest. If you would like more information,

see Marcia in the church office or contact

Kris Kaberle.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS?

If you are moving, have a change of address or, planning a temporary address change, please contact the Church Office. Did you know returned mail is an additional expense to our church? Call 715-886-3371

HOSPITALIZATION Please remember to contact the Church Office when there is an illness, concern, hospitalization or, you would like a call from Pastor Tim. The hospital will not inform us without your permission!

BULLETINS & NEWSLETTERS

Would you like an Announcement

made in a Sunday Bulletin? Please

contact the Church Office NO LATER

than 10:00 AM, THURSDAY’S.

Articles for the “the Word” must be submitted by NO LATER than 10:00 AM the 3rd Friday of every month. The Church Office can’t guarantee late articles will be put in the newsletter due to time and space constraints.

Update from Rainbow Preschool on Campbell

Soup Labels for Education:

:

The Campbell Soup company is ending

their Campbell Soup Labels for

Education program as of August 1,

2017. They are ending this program

which has supplied schools and other

organizations with educational materials

and supplies for years, due to a decline

in participation in the program.

Please continue to save the UPC codes

on Campbell company products that

carry the Labels for Education symbol

on them through this school year. After

that we can no longer redeem them for

money or materials. You may turn them

into the church office or directly to

Rainbow Preschool. Thanks for your

years of support with this program.

SCRIPTURE READERS FOR November

Nov 6 – Melani Johnson

Nov 13 – Melani Johnson

Nov 20 – Donette Krcmar

Nov 27 – Donette Krcmar

You are invited to sign up for the

church email put out by Loren Elkin. If

you are presently receiving it, please

open them. Email Loren at

[email protected]

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

“God is Still Speaking”

1

2

9:00am…WU

3 8:00am-4:00pm Rummage Sale 7:00-8:00pm…Silent Talk w/God

4 8:00am-4:00pm Rummage Sale

5

8:00am-12noon.. Rummage Sale

6 9:30am...Worship w/Communion 10:30am…Coffee 11:00…Bible Study -Scrip Sales -

9:30am…Exercise 6:00pm….Choir 7:00pm…AA

8 6:30pm…Prayer Shawl

RECYCLE 9

9:30am…Exercise

6:00-8:00pm,,,Confirmands

10 ChristianEd…6:00am 7:00-8:00pm…Silent Talk w/God

11

12

13 Stewardship Sunday 9:30am…Worship 11:00am…Italian Feast

14 9:30am…Exercise 6:00pm…Choir 7:00pm…Diaconate 7:00pm…AA

15 4:00pm-8pm ..Rainbow Prskl

16

9:00am…WU 9:30am…Exercise 6:00pm…M&O, Trustees 7:00pm…Council

17 7:00-8:00pm…Silent Talk w/God

18

19

20 9:30am…Worship 10:30am…Coffee & Fellowship Pocket Change Sunday

21 9:30am…Exercise 6:00pm…Choir 7:00pm…AA

22 RECYCLE 23

9:30am…Exercise

6:00pm…Prayer/Supper Service

24 OFFICES CLOSED

25

OFFICES CLOSED

26

27 9:30am…Worship 10:30am…Hanging of Greens 11:00am…Bible Study

28 9:30am…Exercise

6:00pm…Choir 7:00pm…AA

29

30 9:30am…Exercise

Nekoosa United Church of Christ

205 Market Street – Nekoosa, WI 54457

715 886-3371

Church Office…office@nekoosa ucc.com

Pastor…[email protected]

Web Page…www.nekoosaucc.com