PARISH OFFICE 20201stfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2020-05... · believe in Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead, the source of our serenity is the blessed assurance

1

MAY

2020

PARISH OFFICE

W4950 State Highway 86

Ogema, WI 54459

715-767-5155

email: [email protected]

Web site: www.1stfamily.org

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH —OGEMA


Ogema, WI 54459

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH—WESTBORO

N8909 Business Hwy. 13

PO Box 214

Westboro, WI 54490-0214

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH —PRENTICE

670 Main Street

Prentice, WI 54556


ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH—BRANTWOOD

N5090 County Road D

Brantwood, WI 54513

Pastor Evelyn Weston

715-922-0823 (cell)


Pastor Steven Weston

715-922-0824 (cell)


Our best wishes to the graduates of

Northwoods STaR Ministries:

First Lutheran—Westboro:

Nick Gerstberger

First Lutheran—Prentice:

Peyton Enders, Karagan Esterholm, Senja Koch,

Noah Schnanter & Logan Severson

First Lutheran—Ogema:

John Granberg & Hannah Raab

A special recognition will be held later this summer.

Watch for more information in the coming months.

As you look to the future, may the goals you have set be

accomplished and your lives fulfilled with God’s Blessings.

We give thanks for NSM's funding from our Synod Technology grant, which made it possible to purchase a

camcorder, memory card, and tripod. An external microphone will be purchased soon to improve sound

quality. A special thank you to Al Schnepf for helping video the worship services until the purchase of

equipment for the parish.

If you haven't been receiving emails from the pastors and would like to get links to video worship, Zoom

events, or other email updates from the pastors, please email [email protected]

NSM Information and Announcements...

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.1stfamily.org

2

In times like these, I like to contemplate the “Serenity Prayer.” That’s the one that goes, God, grant me the

serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to

know the difference.

I first encountered that prayer in a newspaper advice column decades ago as a teenager. At the time the

prayer didn’t impress me. In particular, I wanted to add a something about working to preserve things that

should not be changed. I also wanted the prayer to ask for more than just courage ─ things like strength and

resources. Of course, that would have made the wording a lot more awkward, but I wasn’t much of a poet,

so that didn’t bother me. And then I quibbled about the fact that it doesn’t mention Jesus Christ.

More recently I’ve come to see wisdom in the wording of the Serenity Prayer as it is. Absolutely everything in

this life could stand some change for the better. On the other hand, not everything is within one’s own power

to change. Some things are only within other people’s power to change. One might urge others to change

those things, but the choice is theirs. And then there are those things, like the weather that no one but God

has the power to change (at least not with current technology), or a severe infectious disease that threatens

public health, that will take a long time to overcome. When I bump up against something I can’t change,

there’s no sense in doing anything other than to take it as it is and deal with it, keeping in mind that accepting

it doesn’t have to mean I approve of it.

What I can change, however, is my reaction to those troublesome things that I can’t change. I can choose

to make the best of the situation. I can choose, rather than griping and complaining, to find the hope in

what’s happening. I can choose to look beyond the current crisis to imagine a better future. As the old saying

goes, when life hands me lemons, I can make lemonade.

In Romans 8:28, Paul writes, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who

are called according to his purpose.” God can make good come from anything ─ even something as

monstrously evil as the crucifixion of his only Son. God turned that awful event into the best thing that ever

happened to us, by raising Christ from the dead and defeating the power of death. Likewise, God can and

will get us safely through to the other side of anything that comes our way, and probably in a better state

than we were before.

That’s what the Resurrection is all about. No matter what happens, no matter what obstacles we face, no

matter what things come our way, there is another side, a far shore and a brighter future, and God will carry

us through to it. That’s true even if the troublesome thing that comes our way is death itself.

That’s what Psalm 23 is talking about in the verse, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of

death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.” God doesn’t promise that there will be no valleys of shadows of

death in this life; but that he will be with us through them, leading us safely to the other side.

The Serenity Prayer is not specifically Christian, but it’s still a good prayer for Christians to pray. For us who

believe in Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead, the source of our serenity is the blessed assurance

and certain hope that something better is coming.

Peace and blessings! Pastor Steve

From Pastor Steve...

Preparing for Home Communion on Sunday, May 10, 2020

In so many ways, the Church is adapting so we can minister to God’s people during this pandemic. Usually we

gather in our churches for worship and the sacraments. When people are forced to remain away from our

congregations due to health concerns, pastors and volunteers who are Communion Visitors often visit and

bring Communion to people where they live or are in hospital. But with the pandemic, those visits can’t

happen either.

Our bishop, Pastor Laurie Skow-Anderson of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, has made it possible for you to

receive Holy Communion wherever you are during this pandemic. Some of the info on this page is adapted

from resources provided by our synod.

Our parish is planning a Communion Sunday for May 10th (which happens to be Mothers’ Day). You are

welcome to share Communion while you watch NSM’s worship video, or while you read the worship bulletin

(can be printed from NSM’s Facebook page or mailed to your address.) You can do this whenever during the

day is best for you. We also will offer Communion on Sunday, May 24, but the worship video won’t be online

until Sunday afternoon. continued

From Pastor Evelyn and Pastor Steve...

3

We are including this info in the May newsletter so you will have time to gather supplies as you prepare for

home worship to include Holy Communion.

In preparing for worship in your home on Sunday, May 10, you are invited to create an altar table in your

home. That can include:

+ Something white - the liturgical color for the Easter season.

+ Small bowl with water - This is a reminder of our baptism.

+ Small candle to light as you worship - This is a reminder of the Light of Christ.

+ Small cross to remember Our Lord Jesus Christ, the founder of this feast.

+ Prepare your table for the meal - You could include special dishes or decorations.

+ Wine or grape juice and bread for this holy meal.

If you are a household of two or more, include everyone from your household who is able to share in this holy

meal. Together, you are connected to the whole body of Christ.

If you are a household of one, Christ promises to come to us through the word and sacrament, and you are

connected to the whole body of Christ when you share in this meal.

The Church is anywhere people gather in Jesus’ name. When we cannot meet in a church building, God

continues to be present in the creative and intentional ways we gather for worship. Therefore, when you

gather in Jesus’ name, your home is Church, too.

Holy Communion is a special meal we celebrate when we worship. The bread and wine are mysteriously the

real presence of Jesus Christ, and we trust that Jesus is really with us in this meal. When we cannot gather for

this meal in a church building together, it is acceptable to either:

1.) Fast from Holy Communion until you can worship with others in your church building, OR

2.) Take part in NSM’s online worship and receive Holy Communion at home, OR

3.) Follow the printed worship service to celebrate Holy Communion in your home.

(A printed order of worship will be available for you to follow.)

May Christ bless you as you receive him in this Holy Supper. Pastor Evelyn & Pastor Steve

From Pastor Evelyn and Pastor Steve continued...

From Pastor Evelyn ... “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine.

When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.

When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.

When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—

Because I am your God, your personal God, the Holy of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1b-3a, The Message

It does seem like we’re in over our heads, between a rock and a hard place, with this pandemic. Our nation

and world weren’t prepared for this wicked virus. It is loose in our world now, and it will be awhile until we will–

with God’s help– subdue its reign of terror.

Covid-19 has disrupted much of our lives, and the same is true for our churches and parish. As the pandemic

began, many pastors said when their churches could worship again, they would have big Easter celebrations,

and I thought that sounded great. But as the weeks have worn on, we all have realized that it may be many

months until we can safely enjoy that celebration.

Your pastors are still figuring out how to do ministry during a pandemic. Technology makes it possible for us to

connect online, through video worship, Zoom Bible studies, fellowship, and meetings. But... especially in our

area, technology doesn’t work for all of you all the time or in all places. We are grateful for people with more

knowledge about tech who are teaching us. Please share any ideas you may have for how we can connect

with you.

We have done video worship, tried Zoom worship, and soon will have drive-in worship on May 24, 10am in FLC

-Ogema’s parking lots (bring your own “bread & fruit juice” for Communion). We had Zoom Communion on

Maundy Thursday and will offer Video Communion and Home Communion on Mothers’ Day. If you need print

copies mailed to you, please leave a message at NSM’s office (767-5155). We continue to learn. Continued

4

2 Pat Swenson

Paisley Carlson

3 Blanca Loubriel

Kevin Pokela

4 Courtney Peterson

Daniel Sieja

Miranda Kalander

5 Brad Bishop

Mary Anderson

Megan Raab

7 Ed Johnson

Kevin Gullickson

Tanner Mindock

8 Kurt Zimmerman

Joanne Quednow

9 Alyce Johnson

10 Lois Berg

Kris Gerstberger

Lyla Voda

13 Cathy Cummings

Sharon Dering

Kurt Mueller

14 Lori Tlusty

Ida Mae Schwartz

Nancy Longseth

Deb Strobl

15 Ben Dums

15 Matt Dunlop

16 Rachel Beaumont

17 Joyce Cummings

Payton Hawkins

18 Jerod Arkola

Cooper Cummings

19 Alyson Nehls

Lance Severson

20 Scott Raab

21 Jarrett Dunbar

Grady May

22 Daycen Nikkila

23 Kari Rodman

Candy Zutavern

25 Hank Zomchek

Rebekah Koch

26 Tara Murphy

27 Landon Cummings

Bernie Kraimer

28 Donna Lindau

29 Mandy Cummings

Michelle Brehm

Jacky Peterson

Kristine Arkola

Mary Hora

Tonya Kirchmeyer

30 Haley Cummings

Cody Hawkins

Ruth Makovsky

From Pastor Evelyn continued... Even when our area is cleared to have in-person worship in our sanctuaries, there will be some restrictions,

according to guidance from the Wisconsin Council of Churches. Some people with health concerns may not

be ready to come into church. Social distancing will mean limited numbers of people spread out in our

sanctuaries. Another big change will be no singing, which is considered risky behavior in a pandemic, due to

how we project our voices, which can spread droplets 15 feet or more. But... humming may be okay! Another

change may be if or how we can do Communion in our sanctuaries. Fellowship meals and coffee time may

not be possible. We pastors are still learning about the recommendations from medical folks. It may be quite

some time before worship can feel close to “normal” again.

Thank you to each of you who have mailed your offerings to your church. Thanks to Prentice members who

have signed up for online giving. If you aren’t able to give your usual offering now, please know that our

prayers truly are with you. Trust that someone else will be able to give a little extra. Please let us know how we

can offer you our support.

Thank you for volunteering in your community or helping neighbors. God bless you for your prayers and

support for those who are struggling in any way in this pandemic. The world needs the Church like never

before amid Covid-19. Thank you for being the arms and hands of Christ in our area.

Beloved of God, you belong to God, and God promises to be with you, holding you up when you feel down.

You are loved! Pastor Evelyn

May Birthdays & Anniversaries

1 Jalen Maki

6 Noah Schantner

7 Peggy Gullickson

Neil Heikkinen

8 Taylor Carlson

9 Sophie Staroba

10 Carli Hora

13 Marion Anderson

Logan Geiger

15 Ryan Bergman

17 Beverly Hartmann

18 Terry Haubert

20 Nancy Longseth

24 Micky Esterholm

26 Elizabeth Wiles

28 Dawn Lazar

29 Kay Esterholm

31 Theodore Trapp Davis

1 Terry/Pat Haubert

10 Gerald/Rachel Beaumont

15 Bruce/Bonnie Mueller

20 Leroy/Bev Steffen

5

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu F r i Sat

26

27

28

29

30

1

2 Online Worship

begins @ 5 pm

3 Online Worship anytime

4

5

6 7-8 am Zoom Parish

Chat

2 pm Zoom Bible Study

6:30 pm Zoom

Confirmation Class

7

10 am Zoom

Bible Study

8

9

Online Worship

begins @ 5 pm


10 am Ogema Council Mtg

@ First Ogema Fellowship

Hall &/or Zoom

MOTHER’S DAY

11

12

6 pm ZIon

Council

Zoom Mtg


Chat


6:30 pm Zoom

Confirmation Class

6:30 pm Prentice

Council Zoom Mtg

14 10 am Zoom

Bible Study

15

16

Online Worship

begins @ 5 pm


9 am Westboro Council

Zoom Mtg

4 pm Parish Council Mtg @

First Prentice &/or Zoom

18

19


Chat


6:30 pm Zoom

Confirmation Class

21 NO ZOOM

BIBLE STUDY

22

23

24

10 am NSM Joint Worship

Service Drive-In @ First

Ogema

25

26


Chat


28 10 am Zoom

Bible Study

29

30

31 Worship to be announced

1 2 3 4 5 6

May 2020 Calendar of Events

Pastors’

Day Off

Pastors’

Day Off

Pastors’

Day Off

Our ministry continues. Right now, much of our ministry is online, including worship, Bible studies, Confirmation

classes, and council meetings. Even when we can’t gather in person, each of us can reach out by phone, through

the internet, in prayer, or by helping our neighbors. Any way we can help God can be part of our offering.

Your financial offerings also are important to your church. Checks can be mailed to your church or financial

secretary. Prentice members have the option of online giving. With your support, the ministry of your church and

our parish will continue.

We encourage you to pray about your offering. The income of some members has changed, so they may need to

adjust their offering. If you are doing okay, you might consider giving a portion of your stimulus check to help.

Please pray about how you can support your congregation and our ministry.

Offerings can be mailed to:

Zion LC, c/o Karin Kivela, W2476 US Hwy 8, Brantwood, WI 54513

FLC-P. 670 Main Street, Prentice, WI 54556

FLC-W, P.O. Box 214, Westboro, WI 54490

FLC-O, W4950 State Hwy 86, Ogema, WI 54459

Offering Information...

Pastors’

Day Off

6

Northwoods STaR Ministries


Ogema, WI 54459-8340

“United in Christ, Sharing God’s Love”

WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR MAY 2020

Sunday, May 3 4th Sunday of Easter

Online worship from Zion Brantwood

(available 5/2/2020 at 5 pm)

MOTHER’S DAY


Online worship from First Prentice

with Home Communion



Online worship from First Westboro



Northwoods STaR Ministries Joint Worship Service

Drive-in at First Ogema 10 am

(Communion—bring your own bread & grape juice)

Online worship available later—weather permitting

Sunday, May 31 Day of Pentecost

Worship to be announced

PARISH OFFICE 20201stfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2020-05... · believe in Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead, the source of our serenity is the blessed assurance

Documents