Elk Creek Lutheran

Church Newsletter Volume 27 Issue 4 April 2016

Do You Have the Courage To Be The Teller Of An “Idle Tale”?

I remember the day well, as do many of you I presume. It was January 28th, 1986 and, for me, another semester of college had just resumed as I arrived at a late morning class. The first unusual thing that I noticed was that no one in the lecture hall was seated, dozens of students were instead gathered around the television in the corner of the room. The next thing that registered was that no one was saying a word, everyone sat mute as they listened to the shocking events that had just unfolded. The space shuttle Challenger had exploded a mere 73 seconds into its journey toward outer space. A nation watched and listened as one of the greatest technological accomplishments of our time failed and disintegrated before our very eyes. The earthly lives of six dedicated astronauts and one inspirational high school teacher had abruptly come to a tragic end with hundreds of millions of people watching all around the world. My memories of the Challenger disaster came rushing back to me recently when I read the AP

news story announcing the death of Bob Ebeling. Mr. Ebeling, as you may remember, was one of the engineers who designed and built booster rockets for NASA. In the days leading up to the late January launch of the Challenger space shuttle he worked tirelessly gathering data, running through scenarios that all ended badly, and did whatever else he could think of to convince his superiors to postpone the launch until warmer weather arrived. Bob was convinced that if the temperature at launch was too cold, the pressurized seals on the booster rockets would fail, and...You already know what would happen after that. It is well documented that Mr. Ebeling had the courage and tried valiantly to tell what others considered to be “idle tales” about the risks of

that fateful launch. For Mr. Ebeling it would take nearly all of the next 30 years for him to forgive himself for not finding a way to convince others that his idle tales could have saved lives had he been taken seriously.

Telling idle tales is precisely the way that the gospel writer Luke reports on the news that is delivered back to the eleven disciples and all the rest on that first Easter Sunday. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women, upon their return from the tomb, reported that by seeing the tomb void of Jesus' body and remembering the words they had once been told they had come to learn that their Lord was raised from the dead. And initially, no one believe a word of it. “But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.” is the way in which Luke records the response of the disciples. May we like Bob, the two Marys, Joanna, and many others through the generations find the courage, when given the opportunity, to speak the truth no matter how much it may sound like an idle tale. Jesus Christ is risen. He is Risen Indeed! Hallelujah!

Bob Ebeling

1926 - 2016

A Blessed Easter Season to all, Pastor Terry Lorenz

Free Financial Education Series Offered

Peace Lutheran of Pigeon Falls will be hosting a series of 3 free financial workshops from 2 to 3 p.m. on the following dates: Sunday, April 3, Sunday, April 24, and Sunday May 15. These sessions will cover Powers of Attorney, Probate Avoidance, and Will & Trusts. Registration must be completed by noon on the Thursday before each session.

To register Call the church office at 715-

983-2242, or send an email to pfluthparish@triwest.net

Thank You Kindly

“We thank you kindly, we thank you kindly, we thank you kindly, for this GOOD

GOOD FOOD!” Thank you to all those who

helped prepare and those who gathered for the midweek

Lenten Meals.

Hale Cemetery Spring Cleanup

The Board of Directors for the Hale Cemetery is seeking volunteers to help with the annual cleanup of the grounds as we head into the spring season and begin our preparation for Memorial Day.

On Saturday, April 2nd folks are invited to bring their rakes, work gloves, and whatever else would be helpful.

Come as early as you like and leave when you need to.

Spring: Life Blooms Again.

Can we try very hard to be what God wants us to be? In the book of

Revelations, a book of opening a door to heaven and the early chapters open

a door on earth. They show us the church of the first century. We have some

of the problems that those Christians had.

In Johns opening passage he speaks of grace from him who is and who was

and who is to come. He describes Jesus as a faithful witness, the firstborn of

the dead and the ruler of kings on earth. Jesus the one who loves us, the one

who freed us from our sins and to him who made us a kingdom.

Jesus loved us and it was a costly love. Many people had no

assurance of love when they first received this message

many folks were slaves and some had no family to love

them. They rejoiced that there was one in heaven who loved

them. They were happy to think that they mattered and were

loved by Jesus.

To think of the great sacrifice Jesus made the one who paid the

greatest price. Jesus freed us from our sins by his own blood. This shows us

how precious Jesus thought we were. We are all made in the image of God, in

heart and mind as well and God thought we were worth saving.

Like the people in the church at Ephesus, we forget Jesus too, be he

goes on loving us. If we have lost love of Jesus. Come and repent. He corrects

us because he loves us. He checks us and tries to bring us back to him.

He freed us from our sins the first century was a world of

oppression and people were in captivity. They were terrified because they

thought they were under the dominion of death. Life would end and so they

really were terrified in the pagan world.

The early Christians believed they were free from their sins. They believed

that now they were aide into the people they ought to be and want to be. They

were now freed for God. They were redeemed and ransomed for God because

of all that Christ had done for them on the cross and because of his

resurrection. He did this because of his great love for us.

Can we even imagine a love like that? He makes us into his people.

Into the people that God wants us to e. the devil destroys, but God has

creative power. We need to remember that we are not our own. We belong to

our heavenly father. He created us. We are partners of a very privileged

kingdom. We belong to a king. To be members of this wonderful kingdom

we must acknowledge his rule over our loves. And admit his rights over us.

We can fulfill our destiny in Christ.

Do we live so near to the lord because we are loved by him? Freed

from our sins because of him, that people seek us out. When Jesus was on

earth people sought him out because they knew that he would help them.

If we realize at the foot of the cross and remember the empty tomb as

we meet the living lord Jesus, he will make us all the way he wants us to be

and the way we ought to be. If we can be the way God wants us to be, maybe

we can turn many from their iniquities. The most evangelistic force is

holiness of life.

For God who said “let light shine out of darkness.” Made his light

shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God

in the face of Christ.

Has spring really sprung? The birds are really singing and the grass is

getting very green. Isn’t spring great, everything coming to life again.

Have a great spring. We can be renewed in faith like spring.-LaVerne

March 2, 2016 Meeting of the Elk Creek

WELCA

Meeting was called to order at 1:00 by co-

president Stephanie. Members present were Sheryl

Ellwood, LaVerne Schaefer, Becky Rongstad, Mary

Dubiel, Jean Schermetzler, Barb Hammer, Barb

Nelson and Roseann Thompson. Meeting opened

with the WELCA Creed, Theme Verse and Theme

Song.

Secretary’s report was read by Jean

approved and placed on file.

Treasurer’s report was read by Becky.

Ending checking balance as of February 29, 2015

was $8,400.46, Max Rate $4,401.54, Seminary

Savings $91.52, Seminary CD $10,998.34. Report

was approved and placed on file as read.

Dick Schermetzler, President of the Elk

Creek Lutheran Church Council, attended today’s

meeting to provide information to the Ladies on

upcoming changes to the new constitution that

would affect the Ladies and to give an update on the

dishwasher situation.

For the year 2017 the WELCA will

nominate a person to serve a 3 year term on the

Congregation Council at their October Meeting.

That name will be given to the Parish Nominating

Committee to be placed on the ballot at the Annual

Meeting. The person’s term of office will start at

the close of the Annual Meeting at which they are

elected. Questions and discussion by Ladies who

then approved the new way they would be

represented on the council according to the new

constitution.

Dick then went on to give an update on the

dishwasher situation. He has been in contact with

Benedict Refrigeration, who sold us the dishwasher,

CMS the manufacturer of dishwasher, and Osseo

Plumbing who put in the new hot water heater.

After many hours of calls it has come down to

couple of choices, purchase a small under the

counter electric heater for the dishwasher, another

set of dishes so that we would have time in between

sittings for present hot water heater to get up to

temperature, or swap present hot water heater for a

commercial hot water heater. After discussion, it

was the Ladies recommendation to go with the

purchase of the small under the counter hot water

heater.

Old Business-None

New Business

We received information about reserving

space at the Lake Martha Days, June 18, so that we

could sell our cookbooks and raffle tickets for the

Bazaar Quilt. Motion was made by Becky to send

in money for a booth at Lake Martha Days, 2nd by

Jean. Motion approved. We will be looking for

people to help by working two hour shifts, between

9 am and 3 pm, at the booth.

Letter from Compassion Child was read by

Stephanie.

Thank you notes will be sent to Tim Schaal

family for their generous gift to the WELCA and

also to Tim and Barb Fisher for the use of their

refrigerated trailer.

Next Wednesday, March 9that 9:30, at

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Strum they will have

their morning Prayer Breakfast. Program will be

“I’m not the Pastor’s Wife I’m just married to him.”

Women of the WELCA Northwest Wisconsin

Synod SWO Convention will be held at the Plaza

Hotel April 29-30. Registration is $60. Looking for

a delegate to attend whose registration would be

paid for.

Dairyland Morning of Renewal Conference

will be held on April 13 at Nordon. Advance tickets

will be $8.00 or $10 at the door. Registration will

begin at 8:30 meeting will start at 9:30. Speaker

will be Sherry DePolis Thompson. Please

remember “Love Gifts” of canned goods or paper

products.

LaVerne will do devotion for next month

meeting.

Thank you notes were read

from Barb Hammer and Family,

Lutheran Ministry Project

Comfort for check sent to help

with shipping of Mission Quilts,

Debbie from Eleva/Strum

School for donation to Weekend

Meals Program, Lutheran World Relief for Mission

Kits and quilts, and the Tim Schaal Family.

Motion to adjourn was made by Barb Nelson, 2nd by

Jean. Motion carried.

Meeting closed with Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted by,

Jean Schermetzler

Lutefisk Dinner Thank you to all those who helped make this year a success. Profit as of March 25, 2016 is $4424.52. We sold 386 tickets. There is still

frozen lutefisk for sale $5/pound.

March 14, 2016

Congregational Council meeting Meeting was called to order

at 7:04 p.m. by President

Dick Schermetzler. Members

present were Barb Howard,

Brandi Berg, Tammy

Danenberg, Dick

Schermetzler, Kevin Eid, Jim

Kehrmeyer & Pastor Lorenz.

Pastor Lorenz led us in devotions from Paul,

chapter 19. He reminded us that Holy Week can be a

stressful and emotional time; just as our service to God

can be the same. He then led us in prayer.

Treasurer's Report presented by Brandi Berg.

Checking balance as of 3/14/16 was $9,231.00. Motion

to approve by Kevin, 2nd by Jim; approved

Checking Account - $9,231.00

Building fund checking - $10,442.00

2020 Fund - $20,130.00

22 month CD - $13,420.00

22 month new CD - $5,693.00

Clavinova Fund - $4,151.00

Memorial Fund - $1,343.00

Secretary's report for February was read by Tammy.

Motion to approve by Barb, 2nd Kevin; approved.

Pastor's Report

Thank you was read from RAYS (Runaway and

Youth Services) for our donation to them

We have several new members whose names were

brought forth by Pastor for the council’s

consideration. They will be joining later in the year,

possibly by summer – Swett Family and Diane and

Bjorn Rusten.

Adelina, daughter of Naomi Stevens and Alex Mota,

will be baptized here in April. They will be moving

here soon.

Church in the Barn Day has been set for August 14th

at the Johnson Barn. Pastor has asked Jane Pederson

to speak at it.

Parish Board will be Clarissa Clark (continuing) and

Barb Fischer (new representative)

Email account from TC

C will be set up for our treasurer to use. Pastor will

help set this up.

Surveys have been distributed and the box is set up

in the Narthex for use. Please have your survey in by

the end of March.

Clavinova Fund has exceeded our goal. It will be

purchased soon and the plan is to place it in the front

of the church, possibly on the pulpit side.

W/ELCA – No report Deacons - No Report Youth

Group - No Report Custodian - No report

Cemetery Board - No Report Board of Ed. - No

Report Organist/Choir Director - No Report

President’s Report

Portico Benefit Services sent a letter encouraging

our Pastor to stay healthy

Ruby’s Pantry is encouraging people to come and

take part in their food distribution. It takes place in

Osseo on the 2nd Tuesday of the month

Feed My People Food Bank also distributes in

Strum on the 1st Tuesday of the month as well.

Old Business

Work still needs to be completed on the back step

and the roof leak above the balcony piano.

New oven is temporarily placed in the old location

but will be moved soon.

Dishwasher did not work as well as we had hoped

for the Lutefisk dinner. We will be installing a 75

gallon hot water heater designated specifically for

the dishwasher and probably hook the sprayer up to

the on-demand system. We will receive credit for the

current hot water heater and pay an addition $650

for the upgrade. Hopefully, this will solve the

problem.

Electrical – we will be installing a 300 amp box with

about 36 – 48 circuit breakers thru Onstad Electric.

Many of the old circuit breakers in the old 200 amp

box were in poor condition.

New reflective tape needs to be put on the back

stairway / furnace room step. There have been

several slips and falls back there. Hopefully the new

lighting that is being put back there will help as well.

Front step / landing area needs to be repainted as

well.

Constitution updates were looked at.

New Business

Brandi asked that people please read the newsletter

and if anyone has any suggestions for it to please let

her know.

Website needs some updates like the Council’s

photo and the President’s phone number.

Brandi suggested we could do something special for

Earth Day / Earth Month (April). Pastor said that

many churches do a “Rogation Sunday” for blessing

of seeds and crops and we could possibly tie it into

that. He will meet with Brandi to plan some possible

activities.

Fan in the church needs to be replaced – it hums

quite loudly. Dick will continue looking into getting

a new one.

Motion to adjourn made by Barb, 2nd by Kevin; Motion

carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:05. We closed with the

Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted by Tammy Danenberg,

Recording Secretary.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Ushers: Isaac, Dawsyn, & Gavin Greeter: Josie Robinson

1 2

Cemetery Clean Up

3

Sunday School @ 9:15 Church @ 10:30

Church Choir Communion Celebrated

Deacons Assisting: Wendy & Kevin Acolyte/Crucifer: Owen Gibson & Isiac Filla

Alter Gild: Deb

4

Lion’s Club Group 2

5 6

WELCA @ 1:00pm

7 8 9

10 Sunday School @ 9:15

Church @ 10:30 Sunday School Choir & Food Pantry

Communion Celebrated Deacons Assisting: Barb & Jim

Acolyte/Crucifer: Taylor Hammer & Dawsyn Lyngen Alter Gild: Lindsey

11

Council Meeting @ 7:00pm

12 13

All Day Quilting

14 15 16

17 Sunday School @ 9:15

Church @ 10:30 Church Choir

18 Bible Study @ 6:00pm Jean

Schermetzler’s

19 20 Bible Study

@ 1:30pm Church

21 22

Earth Day

23

24 Sunday School @ 9:15

Church @ 10:30

25 26

Healthcare Center @ 2:00pm

27

All Day Quilting

28 29 30

April 2016

Church: #715.694.2187

Terry Home: #715.695.3524

Sunday Bulletin: Mariah Filla fillamariah@gmail.com

Newsletter: Brandi Berg berg9515@gmail.com or #694.2298

Elk Creek Lutheran W16333 Cty Rd OO Osseo, WI 54758