The Messenger

Points of Interest…

Assignments

Bible Study

Deadlines...

Nutrition Site

Statistics

Worship Schedule

Pastor’s Message 1

Financials 2

The ROC 3

Christian Doctrine 4

Stewardship 5

Pastoral Acts 6

Spanish Outreach 7

Memorials 8

July 2014

July is the month for … Independ-

ence Day, picnics, beaches, vaca-

tions, training camp … and ordina-

tions and installations.

That’s worth bringing up, because

the front edge of a wave of sons

and daughters of the congregation

is now entering into the public

Ministry of the Gospel. (You’ll find

some names elsewhere in this news-

letter.) It’s appropriate for you to

celebrate. These are your sons and

daughters, St. Mark’s!

You remember them when they were

tiny little kids, nearly twenty years

ago, fidgeting in front at the chil-

dren’s Christmas Eve service. You

remember them, not many years lat-

er, when (clad in white and looking a

little more grown up) they recited

their confirmation verses. You’ve

seen them in church more recently,

from time to time when they were

home from college, and you’ve mar-

veled how they’ve grown.

You provided the church in which

Sons & Daughters of the Congregation

they got to know Jesus. You provid-

ed the school in which they learned

his Word. You arranged the procla-

mation of the Gospel which has mo-

tivated them to proclaim the Gospel.

So, celebrate! By these children of

the congregation, the good news that

Jesus is Savior is getting passed

down from generation to generation

(Ps 78:4). Keep up the good work;

be sure to recruit some more workers

(2 Tim 2:2). And don’t forget to

pray for them—as the Lord has bid

us (Mt 9:38).

Most of all: be sure that Jesus keeps

his promises. He will always supply

you with the Spirit’s proclamation

that Jesus is your everlasting Savior.

- Pastor Walther

Happy

Independence Day!

The members of St. Mark’s Church contributed a total $165,745.27 in May.

$87,745.26 was received for the general operating fund in May and the operating needs were $111,763.68 leaving a shortfall

of $24,018.42. With the carryover balance from 2013 and the contributions to the debt reduction fund, no borrowing has been

needed this year.

$22,783.98 was received for the month of May toward our goals for Missions, Lakeside, Property Maintenance, Debt reduc-

tion, Hispanic Outreach, and the ROC. The needs for our goals were $29,452.64. Contributions toward the goals were

$6,668.66 below the needs.

$55,216.03 was received toward Stay the course in May to pay for the school expansion and renovation. Needs were

$17,760.00. Contributions were $37,456.03 above needs.

Weekly contribution needs, for operation, is $27,266.08. $7,218.53 is needed weekly toward goals for Missions, Lakeside,

Property Maintenance, Debt Reduction, Hispanic Outreach and the ROC. - Submitted by, Larry Schuett, Treasurer

Financials - St. Mark’s Mission Statement Page 2

St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Our Mission…

To serve all people in God’s world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the basis of Holy Scripture.

Our Objectives…

1. To proclaim Law and Gospel

2. To strengthen believers through the means of grace

3. To equip believers in sharing the Gospel of Jesus with others

4. To provide a Christian Day School

Pebbles from the ROC - Summer Bible Study Page 3

Pebbles From the ROC...

At our Watertown Recreation and Outreach Center (THE ROC) for Youth we have a daily Bible/Talk

Time. Last night we discussed trusting in the true God and our Savior and never despairing or giving

up on God. The subject moved to suicide and how Judas gave up on God and forgiveness, killed him-

self, and went to hell. The Bible Study then moved to God's promises and holding to them by faith. The

teens were reminded how much God loves them, even going to the cross in their place to pay for their

sins. As the Bible/Talk Time ended with "Always Go To The Cross," even though the teens were dis-

missed, they hung around but with a calmness and quietness not usually seen at THE ROC. They then

began encouraging each other as some had admitted in the Bible/Talk Time how they had thought of

suicide.

Mark your calendars - The ROC rummage/bake sale will be held July 17, 18 & 19.

Receiving will be 12-5 on July 13; 8-5 on July 14 & 15 and 8-NOON only on July

16. Please call Ruth Uttech - 920-261-6772, Pam Erdman - 920-261-9674 or Joyce

Zwieg - 920-253-6788 with any questions.

FUTURE ROC EVENTS: Please volunteer to help - 920-206-9581. Thanks!

Thursday -Saturday, July 17, 18, 19 – ROC Rummage Sale

Friday, August 1st, serving 10-3 at Glenn’s Brat Stand

Summer Bible Study Sessions: Selected Parables of Jesus

Our summer Bible studies will again be held on Tuesday evenings, starting at 7:00PM. This

will be a six session series which will run from Tuesday July 8, through Tuesday, August 12.

The following parables will be studied:

The Parable of the Farmer and the Seed (Matthew 13:1-23)

The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast (Matthew 13:31-33)

The Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43)

The Parable of the Rich Man and Poor Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

The Parable of the Lost Son Luke (15:11-32)

These classes will be led by Pastors David Dolan and Charles Isles. Due to the anticipated

installation of new carpeting in the upper level of the Parish Center during the month of July,

the classes will be held in the School Commons

Christian Doctrine - Messenger Page 4

Christian Doctrine: Christ’s Humiliation & Exaltation

Jesus’ state of humiliation took

place from the time he was in the

womb to the time he was in the

tomb, when he emptied himself

of the full use of his divine at-

tributes: “Jesus made himself

nothing”—in the original Greek:

“he emptied himself…. He hum-

bled himself and became obedi-

ent to death, even death on a

cross!” (Php 2:6-8)

As God, Jesus is omnipresent,

yet he occupied a manger—for

our salvation. As God, Jesus is

omniscient, yet he learned (He

5:8)—perfectly to please his Fa-

ther for us. As God, Jesus is om-

nipotent, yet he allowed himself

to be captured, bound, crucified,

and killed for us.

Jesus’ state of exaltation takes

place from the time he descend-

ed into hell to his eternal rule in

heavenly glory, now that he has

again taken up the full use of

Jesus said (Mt 24:36): “No one

knows about that day or hour [of

Judgment], not even the angels

in heaven, nor the Son, but only

the Father.”

Whoa! That doesn’t seem right,

does it? Our souls cry out,

“Jesus, you and the Father are

one; you said so yourself” (Jn

10:30). You are God; so, you

know all things!”

But of course, Jesus was right.

(He’s always right!) His pro-

fessed lack of knowledge was

because of something called his

state of humiliation (which is

paired with his state of exalta-

tion).

To include an article or notice in The Messenger, drop off your information

at the church office or e-mail to: messenger@smlcwatertown.com

The Messenger Deadline is the 15th of the month.

Information received AFTER that date is NOT guaranteed inclusion.

KEEP ALL ARTICLES BRIEF: A PARAGRAPH OR TWO - NO page-long articles!

Articles, notices, etc., are only printed once - unless otherwise requested, and all articles are subject

to modification by the editor. Special requests will be taken into consideration, however please

understand that for various reasons and space, your request may not be honored.

his divine attributes: “God ex-

alted him to the highest place…,

that at the name of Jesus every

knee should bow” (Php 2:9-11).

Yes, even Jesus’ descent into

hell was exaltation. On Easter

Jesus became alive again and,

body and soul intact, he went

down to hell to declare there the

victory he had won over his ene-

mies (1 Pt 3:19-20). There Jesus

displayed in triumph his divine

nature: present everywhere,

knowing all things, and entirely

almighty—all proof of our salva-

tion.

So, on Tuesday of Holy Week,

Jesus did not identify the day of

his return. Today, he has it pin-

pointed to the exact millisecond.

Thankfully, our exalted Savior

will arrive at precisely the right

time to rescue us!

The Work of Our Pastors & Others: Baptisms at Saint Mark’s?

Assignments - Thank You - Stewardship Page 5

Stewardship Status & An Anecdote

What little known ministry does your offering support?

Pastor Walther comments:

“The tears were tears of great joy, and years – even decades – in

the making….She had worshipped with us hundreds of times, but

now she could commune—and join family members in doing so,

for the very first time. Plus, I’ll vouch that she is a true student of

the Word.”

“He and our church go back more than a decade…. His back-

ground is exceedingly checkered, and he is still the Lord’s work

in progress—aren’t we all?! But the Spirit is getting a good op-

portunity to operate on his soul, and his progress is evident.”

“Those are two separate stories of salvation you might not other-

wise know about. But it was the support of your prayers and your

resources that have allowed us to witness them. Your labor in the

Lord is not in vain! (1 Co 15:58)”

Assignments...

Individuals connected to St. Mark’s recently assigned to Divine Calls from Martin Luther College:

Emily Hughes - Good Shepherd Lutheran School Cedar, Rapids, IA - K-8

Jon Kulhanek - (student taught at St. Mark’s) Bay Pines Lutheran School, Seminole, FL - 5-6

Elizabeth Loersch - Trinity Lutheran School, Aberdeen, SD - K-1, organ

Aimee Ulm - (to marry Joshua Jensen this month) Word of Life Lutheran School Milwaukee, WI - K-4

Amanda Walther - Little Lambs Lutheran Preschool, Mandan, ND - ECE teacher

Individual connected to St. Mark’s recently assigned to Divine Call from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary:

Nathan Walther - Grace Lutheran Church, Minot, ND

Thank You…

A thank you was received from the WELS Christian Aid & Relief program for the gift of $496.50 from

St. Mark’s. This agency provides assistance to people suffering from a disaster or hardship in their lives.

Page 6 Pastoral Acts/Membership Updates - Stats

Baptisms... Birth Baptism Parents

Aubrianna Marie Digby 1-25-14 6-8-14 Jessica Tackes

Vincent Lee Pagel 6-16-14 6-16-14 Martin & Leann (Swogger) Pagel

Noelle Marie Fisher 5-23-14 6-16-14 Brandon & Linda (Jahn) Fisher

Jude Matthew Nottling 6-12-14 6-22-14 Matthew & Erin (Czer) Nottling

Logan Tyler Felder 3-31-14 6-22-14 Nicholas & Kaitlin (Zastrow) Felder

Airah Sage Rogge 8-6-07 6-28-14

Rain Mary Miller 12-2-13 6-28-14

Funeral... Date of Death Funeral

William Wolfgang 5-29-14 6-4-14

Weddings...

6-15-14 Justin Seeber & Emily Hughes

6-28-14 Kyle Bliefernicht & Desirae Alba

Membership:

Transfer In: Lynette Schliewe

Transfers Out: Matthew Zuehlke, Tom Thrams

WELS 2013 Statistical Report

The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod totals about 376,000 souls in 1272 churches.

St. Mark’s is the largest congregation, with 2985 souls. We averaged 1048 in attendance

at church each week, with 266 students in our church’s school.

Also noteworthy were our 66 baptisms and 40 adult confirmations (third among WELS

congregations).

This year’s statistics pointed to one favorable trend and one unfavorable trend….

Favorably, this past year was the first in many years that our baptized membership grew in

number. This seems to have happened because our membership list is now a fairer repre-

sentation of those under our care than it was previously.

Unfavorably, our average weekly church attendance sank from 40% (2012) to 35%

(2013). This seems to reflect a drift toward lesser faithfulness on the part of many of our

members (as opposed to a sudden degree of unfaithfulness from fewer of them).

God the Holy Spirit grant that we rejoice in the many blessings above, and that we repent-

antly treasure his Good News of Jesus our Savior.

Page 7 Worship Schedule - Camp Wyalusing - Spanish Outreach

Camp Wyalusing Camp will run from July 13-18, 2014. Camp

Wyalusing is run solely by WELS members

for the purpose of sharing God's word with

children ages 8-14 (going into 9th grade) at

Wyalusing State Park one week each Sum-

mer. If you have any questions, please contact

our director, Pastor Paul Vander Galien at

pvgandy@netscape.net or 920-927-5353.

Worship This Month...

July 2, 5, 6

Nation: Jeremiah 18:5-10

“To Judah & to the USA, the Lord Says: Repent & Live”

Then, we start a series on post-exilic times,

at the very end of the Old Testament...

July 9, 12, 13

Pentecost 6: Ezra 5:1-3, 6:6-12

“The Lord Cares for His People”

July 16, 19, 20

Pentecost 7: Esther 4:12-17

“Esther Witnesses Deliverance for the Jews”

July 23, 26, 27

Pentecost 8: Ezra 9:5-15

“Look What We Have Done!”

Spanish Language Outreach

We rejoice that we’ve witnessed considerable faithfulness in church attendance through the early summer.

The June 29th service has us hosting an annual favorite: a fireworks display after the worship service.

Pastor Walther has again appreciated Pastor Dale’s flexibility in substituting for worship.

(June & July are sending Pastor Walther on two trips to Dakota al Norte.)

Pastor Dale is making his every-year, every-member visits. You may recall that the special

subject this summer is Holy Matrimony.

Daisy, Lysha, María, & Tania fill out this year’s edition of Pastor Walther’s summer Spanish language pre-

communion course.

In July in worship, our study of the times of los Jueces (the Judges) will give way to our consideration of La

Epístola a los Gálatas (the Letter to the Galatians).

¡Gracias! to all who have been steadfast in prayer, encouragement, and financial support—all of

which continue to be very necessary.

Memorials - Senior Nutrition Program Page 8

Memorials – for St. Mark’s Church, School, Missions, School Building Fund, the ROC, St. Mark’s

Scholarship Fund, etc. These memorials have been given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of

the following:

Jerrold Lillge

Audrey Scharp, Glenn & Julie

Egnarski, Lyle & Karen Borth,

Doug & Beth Beckett, Jim & Carol

Otto

George Lueder

Joyce Zwieg, Joshua & Nicole

Kreutzman

Otto Schwefel

Cathie King

William Wolfgang

Badger Meter

Rayme Wolfram

Rose Christian, Steve & Sarah Nick-

els, Jim & Judy Kramer, Clyde

Gerth, Dan Helbing, Doug & Ella

Behling, Carol Bohlman & Jim Baa-

de, John & Denise Grinwald, Linda

Stark, John & Teresa Gerloff, Sharry

Lueck, Allison DeWitt, Leon

Degner, John & Hiroko Wachowiak,

Frank & Betty Jimenez, Terry &

Donna Buss, Fred Sievert, Conrad

Bohlman, Josh & Amanda Manske,

Wayne & Sherry Nuernberg, Dennis

& Karin Hoeft, Roy & Mary

Eisfeldt, Dawn Justman, Ron &

Sandy Lenz, Mark & Faith Zoellick,

Audrey Scharp, Phil & Michelle

Zimmermann, Elmer & Carol

Boettcher, Ron & Rose Degner,

John & Barb Kaliebe, Ken Hemker,

Darrell & Christina Trzebiatowski,

Neil & Ann Parker, Dean & Karen

Curtis, Jim & Connie Burow, Paul

& Paula Bartel, Tom & Mary Jeske,

Lynne Patrick, Gary & Ann Glock,

Randy & Carla Mayes, Jim & Susy

Schultz, Glen & Frieda Pawlitzke,

Jim & Norma Jean Cliver, Don &

Althea Gunderson, Sally Zimmer-

man, Avis Poyhonen, Paul & Lois

Clasen, Cliff & Becky Doro, Dick &

Pam Onstad, Scott & Stephanie

Wolfram, Gerald & Janice Ernst,

Lynn Seifert, Tom & Nancy Jirschele,

Dan & Heidi Lindner, other family &

friends ╬

Gifts given to church or school…

In memory of her Dad, Lloyd Behling,

Pat Peterson gave a gift to St. Mark’s

School Fund in honor of Father’s Day.

Pat Peterson gave a gift to the School

Playground Fund in honor of the mar-

riage of Julie Richart & Kirk Kuss-

man on July 4, 2014.

Prof. & Mrs. James (Lucille) Thrams

sponsored the church bulletins for the

weekend of June 22nd, in honor of their

61st wedding anniversary on June 22nd.

Rev. & Mrs. David (Mary Lou) Do-

lan put flowers on the altar the weekend

of June 22nd in honor of their 45th wed-

ding anniversary on June 22nd. They also

gave a gift to St. Mark’s Hispanic Minis-

try Program.

Robert & Angela Schmidt also put

flowers on the altar for the weekend of

June 22nd in honor of their 23rd wedding

anniversary on June 22nd.

Bill & Helen Birsching sponsored the

church bulletins for the weekend of June

29th in honor of their 58th wedding anni-

versary on June 24th.

Lester & Irene Zwieg gave a gift to the

church in honor of their 67th wedding

anniversary on June 28th.

Brent & Lois Schmidt sponsored the

church bulletins for the weekend of June

29th in honor of their 57th wedding anni-

Carl Duckworth

Earl & Sue Zubke

Lenora Jaeger

Phyllis Gerth, Daryl & Deb

Hundt

Lorretta Kottwitz

Dorothy Zubke, Wesley Alt-

wies, Prof. & Mrs. James

Thrams

Bill Lenius

Marlin & Lorraine Kube,

Charles & Delores Zoellick,

Joan Jones, Erich & Helen

Zellmer, Larry & Lyn Quinn,

Dale & Carol Lenius, Arleen

Lenius, Bob & Janice Thosten-

son, Neale & Ruth Jones, Stan-

ley & Sherry Jones, Ronald &

Mildred Bohn, Florence, Sha-

ron, & Diane Buedler, Lois

Lenius, Henry & Margaret

Savelkoul, Kathy Kassube,

Robert & Lorelei Fredrick, Bob

& Carol Schmidt, Esther C.

Lessard, John & Hertha Ster-

wald, George Kunert & family,

Ken Lenius, Joe & Charmaine

Plasil, Don & Phyllis Vehlow,

Lois & Stan Kassube, Greg &

Cindy Krumenackee, Dennis &

Carol Jaeger, Nickey Lenius &

Branden Kroll, Rachel Strauss,

Dean & Amy Sellnow, Jerry &

Pauline Quinn, Donna Woods,

Gary Lenius, Sandy Sykes

We apologize for any missing or misspelled names.

Senior Nutrition Program…

The Watertown Senior Center, 514 S. First Street, Watertown, is the Senior Dining Site. Enjoy conversa-

tion and a delicious Noon meal. Reservations are required one day in advance by calling 920-261-7013

between 10 AM and Noon. The site serves Monday through Friday and the suggested donation is $3.50

for those age 60 and over. Volunteers are always welcome. Call the number above for information.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

7PM AA Mtg B1

2

10AM Golden Living

2:30PM Highland House 7PM Church Service

3 4 Independence Day

(Church Office

Closed)

4:00:Kussman/Richart

Wedding

(Riverside Park)

5 2:30PM Loersch/

Engelbrecht Wedding

6PM Church Service

6 Church Services

7:30, 9:00 & 10:45AM

6:30PM Spanish Service

7 6PM Sch. Min. Bd.

6PM Praise Singers

7PM Leadership Bible

Study (School)

8PM Standing Bds

8 7PM AA Mtg B1

9 10:15AM Marquardt

2:30PM Johnson Arms 7PM Church Service

10 10:30AM Zinzendorf

11 12 2PM Jensen/Ulm

Wedding

Zehren/Filenius

Wedding (up North)

6PM Church Service

13 Church Services

7:30, 9:00 & 10:45AM

10AM-1PM: Alpha

Life Resource Center

Ice Cream Social in

School Commons

6:30PM Spanish Service

14 6PM Praise Singers

7PM Ministry Council

15 7PM AA Mtg B1

Noon: Rock River

OWLS Annual Picnic at

Riverside park/WTTN

16 10AM Golden Living 7PM Church Service

17 8AM-7PM ROC

Rummage/ Bake

Sale

@ TSL gym on

Western Ave.

18 8AM-5PM ROC

Rummage/ Bake

Sale

@ TSL gym on

Western Ave.

19 8AM-NOON ROC

Rummage/ Bake

Sale

@ TSL gym on

Western Ave.

6PM Contemporary

Church Service

20 Church Services

7:30, 9:00 & 10:45AM

6:30PM Spanish Service

21 10A-Noon Circuit Mtg.

@ St. Luke’s

6PM Praise Singers

7PM: Voters Meeting

(MP)

22 7PM AA Mtg B1

23 10:15AM Marquardt 7PM Church Service

24

10:30AM Zinzendorf

25 26 3PM: Zimmerman/

VanTussi Wedding

(Poynette) 6PM Church Service

27 Church Services

7:30, 9:00 & 10:45AM

6:30PM Spanish Service

28 6PM Praise Singers

6:30PM: Members

Visiting Members Mtg.

(B2)

29 7PM AA Mtg B1

30 10AM Golden Living 7PM Church Service

31

July 2014 - St. Mark’s Ev. Lutheran Church Calendar

215 N. 6th Street, Watertown, WI 53094 – Phone (920)-262-8500

Federation Connection

July 2014a publication of Lakeside Lutheran High School

Volume 3 : Issue 11

Contact Info920-648-2321 • info@llhs.org • llhs.org • fb.com/yourllhs • @LakesideLuthHS

Graduation speakers often exhort their hearers to “go out and change the world.” The speaker assumes that the graduates–after years of schooling–have the potential to improve the lives of themselves and others.We all believe that we have something to offer. Whether from vanity or out of a sense of duty, we feel that we have the potential make meaningful contributions in life.Spiritually, we are tempted to believe the same. Perhaps we desire to be right with God. We may hope to be closer to him. In any event, we often believe that we can better ourselves by who we are and what we do.God clearly states that this is not the case. In Genesis, Moses states that “every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart [is] only evil all the time” (Genesis 6:5). Later in Scripture, David unequivocally declares, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5). The New Testament similarly addresses the inborn sins of “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” The holy writer Paul sternly concludes, “I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).Spiritually, we bring nothing to the game. There is no potential in us for good.God alone changes this situation. He is holy and just. He demands nothing but perfection from sinful people like you and me. So, how are his righteous requirements

met? Paul tells us that “at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). Christ’s holy, sinless life and his innocent suffering death pay the price that God the Father demanded for our sin. Furthermore, Jesus’ glorious resurrection clearly proves that this price is fully paid.

What do we do with no potential?

Events to NoteJuly 11 .............................................Booster Golf OutingJuly 14–17 ................Co-ed Running Camp | 8–10:30aJuly 14 ....... Warrior Band “Homecoming” parade | 3pJuly 15–17 ......................Grades 7–12 Wrestling CampJuly 20 ....................Warrior Classic 5K/10K Run/WalkJuly 21–24 ...Grade Schl Volleyball & Football CampsAugust 4 ......................... Boys Football Practices beginAugust 6 ................Lakeside Registration Night | 5–8pAugust 11 .......................... Boys Soccer practices begin Registration Night | 5–8:30pAugust 18 ............................ Freshmen Orientation | 8a CC & VB practices begin Board of Regents | 6:30pAugust 19 .......1st Day of classes 8a/Opening Srvc 10a

The summer edition of the Lakeside Advantage magazine mailed recently. Does your household have children from K–8 but not receive a copy in the mail? We’d like to hear from you!Ask your church office for a copy this time, but please tell us you’d like your own! In this issue, grade school students are invited to submit an entry in a photo contest called “Lakeside=Fun.” Prizes for participating and tuition credit for the winners! See the mag for details, or go to llhs.org/advantagecontest.html.

Send an e-mail to contact us at info@llhs.org or call Kim at 920-648-2321 x 2224

Principal’s Pen

See Principal’s Pen, last page

Don’t misunderstand me: there is nothing wrong with using our God-given gifts to work for the betterment of others in life. It is one way by which we believers glorify God. However, we are totally mistaken if we think that we can meet God’s righteous requirements on our own. That is sinful, deluded thinking. Only through Christ are our sins forgiven, and through him is our relationship with God restored.“God made [Christ] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). In Christ alone are our hope and our future. Mr. Jim Grasby is principal of Lakeside Lutheran; his column is featured every FedCon. Reach him

at 920.648.2321 x 2204 or at jgrasby@llhs.org

Principal’s Pen, continued from first page

extra to note

There are many ways to connect with your LLHS! Go to llhs.org for links to social media, photo & file sharing, announcements, our senior religion blog and more!

school news and notes: Bauer says he’s “living the dream” at Lakeside Lutheran This article is seventh in a series of faculty and staff responses to why they’re thankful to serve at your Lakeside, along with recollections of moments that demonstrate the value of the investment of time and resources for the families who choose LLHS for their children.

Going into his 15th year at your LLHS, math and phy ed teacher, boys varsity basketball and track coach Jim Bauer says, “Some people laugh when I answer their greeting of ‘How are you doing?’ with ‘Living the

Dream.’ I am not kidding. I am truly living the dream. To me that means getting to do the things that you enjoy most.”

Mr. Bauer goes on to explain:

▶ I have a passion for Geometry, one of the most practical courses we offer, and I get to teach that at Lakeside.

▶ I have a passion for helping young people reach for their God-given potential in athletic ability. I get to do that every day in my Strength/Speed classes at Lakeside.

▶ I have a passion for taking a group of young people in a sport, and seeing how good we can become when everybody moves unselfishly forward in the same direction. I get to do that in coaching basketball and track at Lakeside.

▶ On top of all that, I get to do that with fellow Christians that have the same love for their Savior that I do.

When asked to share a memory that represents the special qualities of LLHS, he responds, “How many pages do you want? I have so many great memories it’s not fair.”

He shares that some of his greatest memories are after the last contest of the season. With the outstanding 2014 track season just completed (well after classes let out in May, see other article), a memory from an earlier championship year seems an apt one to share. He writes:

“In 2006 we won a State Championship in Girls Track. We received our trophy, pictures, the whole bit. It’s Saturday night in LaCrosse, we have a long trip home, and my coaches are anxious to get going.

But by now, the girls are on the other side of the track, having their usual post-meet prayer. Now that too is done with, but they are still not coming over to leave. I finally said to a bunch of antsy coaches, ‘Guys, we are just going to wait, because these girls are having trouble saying goodbye to each other.’ They had grown so close, and now they realized they were going their separate ways.” That bond—in prayer, in sportsmanship, in Christian friendship—is a big part of what makes Lakeside so special.

‘perfect way to end season’ Track & Field Seniors Complete Final Meet of CareersThe June 11 weekly Lake Mills Leader newspaper recently ran an article about the Warrior Girls Track program and its performance at the WIAA State Meet June 6–7. Of the 13 individual Warriors (boys and girls) who qualified for the state meet, 11 of those earned podium spots in their events, meaning they finished in the top 6 from across the state in Division 2. The Girls 4x200m relay took the state championship for the second straight year and four school records were broken, 3 in hurdles and in that championship relay race. Matt Gardner of the Leader wrote:

The State Meet at Veterans Memorial Stadium at UW-La Crosse was the perfect way for some Lakeside girls track and field athletes to end their careers with the program.

To some, the most gratifying part of the state meet was just being there. Senior Lizi Schwartz competed in high jump, finishing 14th with a height of 4-feet, 10-inches. “It took a while for us to figure out her two best events were the high jump and triple jump. When we did, she really performed beautifully,” LLHS head coach Jim Bauer said. “Again, a senior ends her career with a trip to state. Awesome.” Schwartz finished her career with two consecutive trips to state in high jump.

Schwartz wasn’t the only senior to end her career at the state meet. Both Keri Bachler and Natalie Bubolz wrapped up their careers at the meet, and they did it in fashion by making it to the podium in their respective events.

Bachler ran the first leg of the 4x200 relay and helped the team win its second consecutive state title with a time of 1:44.73 in the finals. Bachler has been a mainstay for the Lady Warriors since a freshman, but was almost unable to compete at all in her final season when diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. She finally returned to the team in mid-May. “I was especially happy for Keri, who battled through to get back, and ran her splits as fast as last year. It was a great way to end her career,” Bauer said.

Bubolz, a four-year member of track and cross-country programs, ran the second leg of the 4x400 relay, which took fifth at the meet in a time of 4:04.42. The relay team ran its fastest time of the season in the preliminary round Friday as it clocked the second-fastest time of the year in Division 2 with a 4:01.53.

Bubolz, who ran the 4x400 for the first time this season, combined with juniors Sydney Cody and Sami Huebner and sophomore Meghan Pingel to give the Warriors another podium finish in the 4x400 relay. “I was delighted for Natalie. She stuck with track for four years and got on that podium,” Bauer said.

One of the aspects of this year’s team Bauer said he will miss is the close nature of all of the runners. “One of the neatest things for me to see was how close this group of girls was,” Bauer said. “Their parents were all at the meet, but the girls wanted to ride the bus back to be together one last time. Isn’t that what high school athletics is all about? The great friendship and memories that come from it are amazing.”

For a summary of all medals won by Warriors at the 2014 State Track & Field Meet, see <llhs.org/activities/track.html> Read the full Leader article at <http://goo.gl/taq7i8>