Incarnation Image Dear Pastor,

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life recently surveyed some 35,000 church

attending adults. The survey showed that America remains a nation of believers,

but most Americans don’t feel that their religion is the only way to eternal life. Are

there many roads that lead to heaven?

Dear Parishioner, There are two ways this survey can be taken. You can see the results as a sign of growing religious

toleration, or you can see evidence that Americans dismiss or don’t even know the fundamental teachings of their own faiths. I see definite problems here. First what does Scripture say about reli-gious toleration? Are we to tolerate all faiths or are some faiths of the devil rather than God?

Jesus throughout his ministry called religious leaders to task for twisting and turning God’s word. Je-sus called a “spade a spade.” He said that his message would create division and conflict because

there is only one way to salvation. Jesus said, “I am the Way, I am the Truth, and I am the Life. No one comes to the Father but through me.” So, the simple conclusion is: Not all religions point the way to the true and living God.

Even before Jesus was born God identified the trouble religious toleration can cause. If you remem-

ber God commanded Joshua to utterly destroy the idol worshiping people who lived in the Holy Land. God saw from day one that to be tolerant of other gods was a road to disaster. Did Joshua listen to God? The answer is “NO.” And what do the commandments say about other gods? The first com-

mandment says, “There is one and only one true God.”

The survey is also right on the money when it says that it is very difficult to discern what is true and what is false in religious circles today. The only way to do that is to spend time in God’s Word. Unless one digs into the Scriptures one will never find the truth. But try and convince today’s “church going”

people that they need to do this, and they rebel. Yes, there is a definite problem with what people know about their Christian faith. And that problem starts with a lack of concern about what God says in God’s Word. The other false notion that prevails in Christianity today is this: “As soon as I have been

baptized and confirmed, I know it all and my salvation is a certainty.”

The Pew Survey further shocked me when it said that 70 percent of Americans with a religious affilia-

tion believe many religions can lead to eternal life. That is after all in direct conflict with Scripture it-self. Then to make a mole hill out of a mountain, 68 percent believe that there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their own religion.

It appears then that D. Michael Lindsay a religious sociologist is correct when he says, “Religion in

America today is 3,000 miles wide but only 3 inches deep.” Our growing religious toleration, which is born out of our political belief in separation of church and state, is having theological consequences that will be significant for the spreading of the gospel. If we buy into the all roads lead to salvation

concept, Christ is no longer central to God’s plan. Jesus becomes just another itinerate preacher who talked a good line and showed us how to live a good life. If that is believed, the Gospel message be-comes just one Good News among many and Christ’s call to teach, preach, and baptize in the name

of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, loses its importance.

The survey went on to say that 92 percent of Americans believe in God. 74 percent believe in life af-ter death, and 63 percent say that their respective scriptures are the word of God. But for me ques-tions arise immediately: What god do they believe in? Who is this supreme being that created them

and gives them life? What kind of life after death do they look forward to? Do they believe in a series of reincarnations or a heaven on earth? And what about the scripture books used? I simply cannot call “Science and Health with Keys to the Scriptures” or the “Book of Mormon” the holy Word of the Living God!

It’s sad that people who call themselves “believers” are so quickly willing to compromise their Chris-tian heritage in order to be tolerant of faiths that are not Christ centered. God has craved a relation-

ship with humanity since Adam and Eve were created. Remember it was human beings, Adam and Eve, that walked away from God, and humans have been walking away ever since.

In Christ’s name, Pastor Ralph

July 2019

P A G E 2 J U L Y 2 0 1 9

NOTE TO THE CONGREGATION Council Notes will be shared in month immediately following the meeting. Here are the June notes being shared in July. 1. Meeting called to order by Don Kneisler at 6:30p.m.

2. Roll Call of Council Officers & Council Members 3. Devotions - Aaron Hankermeyer. Thank you, Aaron

4. Approval of Agenda -- no changes a. Motion by Aaron Ahnkermeyer, 2nd by Shgerry Rasmussen. Approval: Yes

5. Minutes from Last month, May 14, 2019 Council Meeting a. Changes? None b. Motion by Judy Trow, 2nd by Rick Manning. Approval: Yes

6. Pastor’s Report—Pastor Ralph Hankermeyer

a. Verbal b. Visitation: 12 Home - 2 Hospital c. Some updates of the condition of current members d. One Baptism and one new member e. Pastor Warren Egebo will be substituting on July 21

7. Standing Committees - Action Items a. Christian Education—Don Kneisler, Judy Trow ( Allan Kvam ) i. Did not meet - No report b. Stewardship—Allan Kvam (Lee Blom) i. Report written and approved ii. Working with Treasurer on electronic giving c. Evangelism/Social Ministry – Karen Flood & Sherry Rasumssen i. Report written and approved ii. Most action items and business in Old Business

d. Finance / Treasurer – Myrna Herrbold i. Written report and spreadsheets -- Approved.

e. Worship and Music— Aaron Hankermeyer, Myrna Herrbold, Rick Manning i. Report written and approved ii. Summer Wednesday Service progressing nicely iii. Organist are now at full staff and are all set for the coming months iv. Prelude •As the organist plays music prior to the worship service, Pastor Ralph

will take a few minutes to prayerfully focus on the coming service.

•At 9:00 a.m. the music will stop - a short period of silence - the organ-

ist will toll the bell three times -- Pastor will enter -- service will begin.

f. Buildings and Grounds– Tim Kesy, Bob Brumm, Rick Manning i. Report written and approve ii. Swing Set will be checked, tested, repaired, and sealed. iii. TRI-CITY Glass will be looking at seals on all doors and windows g. Technology Sub-Committee - Aaron Hankermeyer and Bob Brumm i. Sub-committee overview will be presented for approval

ii. No report at this time iii.Volunteeers welcome

8. Old Business a. Constitution i. Incarnation reviewed, updated, and sent our constitution to the

Synod in 2013. ii.Synod has been making changes to their policies and will contact

Incarnation with all the new formats and updates. b.. Warming Gifts and Christmas by Candlelight -- Karen Flood i. Key dates are set

ii. Trinity and Resurrection are both being invited to join us

• Pastor Ralph will make the contact

iii. Details are moving along iv. Next meeting will be in August c.. Recovery Documentation i. Still working to reset the Contact Person and Administrator ii.Valerie Tingley may still need to get involved (current contact person) . d. Ride Sharing i. Lists of possible drivers is being compiled ii. Lists for individuals needing a ride is being compiled. e. Alternatives to Food Drive -- Karen Flood i. Other options for Outreach?

•Love Life - Charity for young, single mothers with NB to 3 years old

•Ask congregation for additional options

f. Garden Plots i. All plots being utilized ii. Still working on watering and faucet keys 9. New Business

a. Banners -- Karen Flood i. Banner for Wednesday Hot Dogs i- have and was being used ii. Banner (ala real estate signs) for Booyah-approved and ordered b. Wednesday Offering i. Envelope will go as designated ii. Loose offering and non--designated to Lord’s House of Hope c.. Alternative services i. There are several styles of services to consider: • Blended - Traditional - Contemporary

ii. Offer a variety of styles to appeal to more individuals (possible new members)

iii. In-depth discussion on Pros and Cons ( and variations) of each style iv. Different styles would depend on Service schedule. Musician abilities,

and Church Calendar v. More information will be presented in the future by the Worship and

Music Committee. 10. Next Meeting a. Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 6:30 pm b. Devotions will be by Don Kneisler 11. Adjournment a. Motion by Sherry Rasmussen. Second by Don Kneisler Approved: Yes b. Lord’s Prayer c. Adjourn at 7:50 pm.

Pastor Hankermeyer

Don Kneisler

Judy Trow

Myrna Herrbold

Allan Kvam

Present

Present

Present

Present

Present

Tim Kesy

Karen Flood

Sherry Rasmussen

Bob Brumm

Rick Manning

-

Present

Present

Present

Present-

SUNDAY SCHEDULE Worship - 9 am

Fellowship 10 am

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP 6:00 pm

NO July 3rd Worship

Scrappy Stitchers Quilting Group on

Summer Break

Church Council 2nd Tuesday — 6:30 pm

July 9

Men’s Bible Study On Summer Break

Women’s Bible Study

2nd & 4th Thur. at 9:30 am July 11 and July 25

Worship Updates

& Schedules Our 51st Year continues .

We celebrate every day !

P A G E 3 J U L Y 2 0 1 9

A Word from our Stewardship Chair This summer, whether you plan to take a vacation, or just

to take it easy, remember to keep the Lord in your life

through reading the Psalms or your favorite devotions.

Also remember responsibilities to your church. Your

church doesn’t go on vacation in the summertime. Nor

does it just take it easy. Your church needs your help.

Don’t be off duty for God until Fall. Make your motto:

Summertime, and the GIVING is easy!

I forgot my Lord in the summertime

As I lazily laid in bed,

While the faithful few had the work to do,

I was spiritually dead.

I forgot my offering in the summertime

When God needed it most of all;

My cash was spent, I was pleasure bent,

Off duty for God until Fall

I forgot my Soul in the summertime;

I went without spiritual food.

While the Lord on high sent me blessings

I showed Him no Gratitude.

If my Lord should come in the summertime,

When from duty I am free,

What would I do when life is through,

If by chance, He should forget me?

Parish Publications July 2000

Thoughts on Holy Trinity Sunday

Three persons, one love R e f l e c t i o n - J u n e 2 0 1 9 By Brian Hiortdahl June 14, 2019

I thank Ethel and Ed for teaching me about the Trinity. They weren’t seminary professors or pastors or even Sun-day school teachers. They were pillars of my congregation who had been married for about 50 years when I was a teenager.

One Sunday, I looked around the sanctuary and noticed Ed and Ethel holding hands. It was easy to see their love for each other, even when they were bickering, which was-n’t uncommon. For the first time, I noticed how different and how devoted they were. Ethel liked to gossip and shop. Ed liked playing poker and smoking cigars. The only thing they both enjoyed, as far as I could tell, was com-plaining about each other and being together. They shared a special presence and persona together that neither could match alone, though both were strong individuals. Their relationship was a dynamic dance of three distinct identities: Ethel, Ed, And. Their bond had its own unique life.

Ethel and Ed’s marriage was made in the image of God—three in one, one in three, vibrantly living love. It pointed

me beyond math to mystery. It gave me a glimpse into the heartbeat of God that sustains both creation and re-creation: relationship.

Trinity Sunday is the hinge of the liturgical year. After cele-brating Christ—the Father’s “only begotten” gift—at Christmas, Christ’s (the Son’s) resurrection at Easter and the power of the Spirit at Pentecost, we sub-tly shift the focus from God’s life reaching toward us to the fruit the Spirit bears in our life as we grow in God. Sum-mer, with its rich greenery, charts a course for us into the heart of this holy love, which is so deep and eternal it lasts beyond any season.

The life we receive comes from God through Jesus, who

bestows the “And” we share with the Trinity: fully human,

fully divine; Son of God, son of Mary. He furnishes the

hinge that connects creation and creator, heaven and

earth, this world and the next. Joined to his life, death and

resurrection, our story pops with new color and continues

past its end. For the Spirit, the bond of love in God is

stronger than sin or death for us. The Trinity endures. Our

shared adventure goes on. God’s life persists, triumphs

and overflows, holding together all things—including you,

me, and Ethel and Ed.

P A G E 6 J U L Y 2 0 1 9

treasurer’s report

6/2/2019 1:57 pm

P A G E 7 J U L Y 2 0 1 9

Sun M o n T ue W e d T hu F r i Sat

1

2 3

NOTE: No Wednesday

Worship

4 5 6

7

W o r s h i p 9 a m F e l l o w -s h i p 1 0 a m

8 9

C h u r c h C o u n c i l 6 : 3 0 p m

10

S u m m e r W o r s h i p 6 : 3 0 p m

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W o m e n ’ s B i b l e S t u d y 9 : 3 0 a m

12 13

14

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15

16 17

S u m m e r W o r s h i p 6 : 3 0 p m

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19

D i n n e r -T h e a t e r . “ S i n g i n g i n t h e R a i n ”

20

21

W o r s h i p 9 a m F e l l o w -s h i p 1 0 a m

22 23 24

S u m m e r W o r s h i p 6 : 3 0 p m

25

W o m e n ’ s B i b l e S t u d y 9 : 3 0 a m

26 27

28

W o r s h i p 9 a m F e l l o w -s h i p 1 0 a m

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S u m m e r W o r s h i p 6 : 3 0 p m

Phone: 920.499.2011 E-mail: incarnationgb@gmail.com Web: www. incarnationgb.com

Incarnation Lutheran Church 2071 Ninth Street Green Bay, WI 54303

Please cut out this calendar and the event details on the back. This is also

on our website: www. Incarnationgb.com. Click on Calendar and Events.

P A G E 8 J U L Y 2 0 1 9

Church Calendar and all pictures in color

on our website: www.incarnationgb.com

Back-to-back “scoop” on church activities: page 5 is the calendar and page 6 has the details.

Cut this page from the Newsletter for a daily reference to Church Activities.

YAHs Planning for Upcoming Months -- Kicks off Wed. Aug.14.

Here’s the line-up for the next season of YAHs. An early start to the Lichtenberg Heritage Farm. It was fea-tured in Our Wisconsin Magazine under “The Prettiest Farm in Wisconsin” article in April. Lunch in the area and another stop is in the planning. More details on that later. We will meet at church at 9:00, Wed. Aug. 14.

We still need people to host months, Ideas of places to go. Call Barb Brumm 499-2559.

Save the Date: August 8

Supper at Village Grille followed by

“If Tombstones Could Talk” in the Allouez Cemetery

Date Activity Coordinator

Aug. 14 Lichtenberg’s Heritage Farm in

Clintonville. Lunch and one more

destination. Details coming.

Bob and Barb

Brumm

Sept. 25 Visit Pastor Ralph’s home gardens

and the Marine Corp Museum in

DePere

Seeking a

coordinator

Oct. 11 Pencil Museum in Winneconne

and Oshkosh Museum in Historic

Sawyer House

Seeking…

Nov. 13 Stone Barn in Chase, Lunch at Nar-

row Bridge, and the Angeline

Champeau Rioux House

Sandy Krakow

Dec. 11 Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Still Bend”

house plus one other attraction

Karen Flood

Jan. 22 Healthy Pot Luck at noon Sarah

Kniesler sharing “Making the Most

of your Mind>“ Trinity and Resur-

rection congregations will be in-

vited.

Bob and Barb

Brumm

Feb. 25 Idea ?? Coordinator needed

Mar. 25 Idea ?? Coordinator needed

April 22 Idea ?? Coordinator needed

May 20 Belgian Heritage Center in Brus-

sels, Tour St. Mary and St. Frances

Churches in Brussels. Our Lady of

Good Hope Shrine.

Coordinator needed

June Planning for 2020-2021

Dinner -

Theater set

for Friday,

July 19

Lately the rains have

stopped but that doesn’t

mean that it couldn’t start up

again and then we could be

doing what the next

event/musical is called

“Singin’ in the Rain”.

We will start the night by meeting at 5:30 for supper at the Brickhouse Restaurant, 500 Grant St, De Pere, followed by the musical at St Norbert’s Walter theater at 7:30.

Tickets are $29 each, unless 10 or more people sign up when the price drops to $23.25. The deadline to sign up for this fun evening is July 7. All are welcome to join us to eat, to at-tend the musical or both.

Any questions call Kaye at 499-9693.

P A G E 9

outreach

J U L Y 2 0 1 9

Council votes to donate loose cash donations

from Wed. Worship to Lord’s House of Hope

Incarnation congregation was introduced to Lord’s House of Hope at

the first Wednesday Worship on May 29. The featured speaker that eve-

ning was Paula Wainscott. Paula and her husband are one of many

sponsors of the Lord’s House of Hope Orphanage located in Kibera,

Kenya. Kibera is home to one of the largest slums in the world where

one million people live a one square mile area.

Paula shared her personal and spiritual path toward her decision to visit the orphanage. She shared

stories of individual children as well as the caring adults who work at Lord’s House. She told of chil-

dren, who before coming to the orphanage, didn’t think about getting food each day...they only

prayed for water. There was no food.

Whatever assistance can be offered to these children is truly needed. Thank you .

Children from Lord’s House of Hope

While we eagerly watch our community gardens grow with

God’s love, there is no fresh food to share yet. Hunger

doesn't take a break in Summer. Please contribute on

Sunday or Wednesday. Or Both !!! Many Thanks,

The day of Pentecost has come, and we as a church

continue to gather in community. Suddenly come the

sounds of organs, pianos, guitars, drums, percussion,

strings, brass and woodwinds, filling the sanctuaries.

People sing, full of the breath of God, in languages,

rhythms and melodies from around the world, an-

cient and new.

Excerpts from Rev. Felix Malpica article in Living Lutheran.

More from Pastor Malica next month.

In worship, we give shape to our communal image of God. If you only ever wor-ship using one musical style, you limit your capacity to paint a full image of God.

The spirit of Pentecost in our worship

every time we gather? Cemetery Plots

at Nicolet Gardens

Incarnation Lutheran Church was gifted

cemetery plots in 1989. Four remain

available.

If there is interest, please contact Myrna

Herrbold : mmherrbold@yahoo.com

While these are available at no cost, a

donation to Incarnation would be warmly

received.

Nicolet charges a transfer fee of $125.

Current value of these plots is $4495.

INCARNATION LUTHERAN CHURCH

920 499-2011 incarnationgb@gmail.com 2071 Ninth Street Green Bay, WI 54304 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

The theme this summer is DISCIPLES: PAST & PRESENT.

Each week will feature a biblical disciple as well as faith

talks from the present day Christian community including

several members from Incarnation.

The Incarnation Praise Band will provide music each week, featuring many songs that you have heard during the Sunday worship services as well as new selections. New members are always welcome so join us each week. Warm-up begins at 5:45 with service beginning at 6:30.

Please bring your family, friends and neighbors as we wit-

ness the Holy Spirit at work among us each Wednesday

evening through-out the summer. There will be no ser-

vice on July 3rd

and the mid-week services will conclude

on Wednesday, September 4th

with a celebration.