st. james united methodist church aware may · pdf filedirector of music & organist: ......
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AWARE May 2016
St. James United Methodist Church
Pastor: Mark Klaisner [email protected]
Lay Leader/Lay Member Ann. Conference: Larry Gyrion [email protected]
Staff Parish Relation Chairperson: Gary Linstad [email protected]
Administrative Board Chairperson: Deb Kraemer [email protected]
Children & Youth Ministries Coordinator: Margie Trueblood [email protected]
Director of Music & Organist: Andy Lambrecht [email protected]
Treasurer: Chris Bahr [email protected]
Finance Chair: Jon Krein [email protected]
Trustees Chair: Lloyd Eggert [email protected]
Missions & Outreach: Kay & Charlie Christenson [email protected]
Membership Care & Hospitality: TBA
Worship Committee Team Leader: Cal Christenson [email protected]
Website: Bill Kraemer [email protected]
Custodian: Todd Trueblood [email protected]
Administrative Assistant: Deb Kraemer [email protected]
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind and with
all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your
neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment
greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31 NIV).
Dear Friends
Greetings and peace to you in the name
of our risen Lord!
We just concluded a sermon series entitled “Why?” In the series we
asked the deep questions everyone wrestles with at some point in
their lives. When bad things happen, our prayers seem unan-
swered, and God seems far away, we cry out, “Why?” During the
series we also learned that God is never far away and that God’s
love journeys with us through every aspect of our living. God prom-
ises us a new life in spite of our failure and times of brokenness.
As we begin to look deeper at our lives. There is a need to move to
beyond “why” and ask how God can use you and me for a great-
er purpose. It is a purpose that stretches beyond the walls of the
church and touches the lives of others seeking to be loved. We
have all been made wonderfully complex and full of flaws, but until
we embrace who we are - including our flaws - we cannot make
the changes in our lives that will bring about true transformation.
One of the most important factors that influences your identity is
your connections. Your connections give your life purpose, mean-
ing, and identity. If you grew up with dysfunctional relationships,
then you question your purpose and struggle with identity.
Jesus said that the most important thing we should do is love God
and love other people (Mark 12:30-31). Life is not about your ac-
complishments or acquisitions, your popularity or prestige. It’s
about how well you love.
There are three problems that keep us from loving fully as God in-
tended:
1. We’re all imperfect. There are no perfect relationships because
there are no perfect people.
2. Sin disconnects us. Adam and Eve had the first broken relation-
ship and disconnected themselves from God and from each
other. We’ve been excusing ourselves and accusing the peo-
ple we love ever since.
The more disconnected we are, the more fearful we become. We
crave intimacy, but we fear vulnerability. We crave acceptance,
but we fear rejection.
You may not have had a say in the hand you were dealt in life.
Continued on the next page...
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MAY CELEBRATIONS!
Birthdays
5/1 Emma Price
5/6 Emma Trueblood
5/8 Brooklyn Shepard
5/8 Kendra Cruz
5/11 Rodney Lesnick
5/14 Miles Milbach
5/15 Mike Shepard
5/17 Corey Yahr
5/21 Marshall Behling
5/21 Rick Bahr
5/21 Zachary Van Linn
5/24 Helen Ann Linstad
5/24 Donna Potter
5/25 Gloria Carow
5/26 LuAnn Van Handel
5/26 Hudson Lang
5/27 Kayla Yahr
5/30 Al Pellett
5/31 Louise Pellett
5/31 Reid Graham
Anniversaries
5/14 Mike & Wendy Shepard
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
Wednesday Bible Study & Support Group: 1:00
p.m. Wednesdays, at St James.
Lunch Bunch: 12:15 p.m. on Mon., May 9, at
Denny’s, 3470 W. College Ave., Appleton.
Men’s Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, May10, at
Mary’s Place, 2312 N. Richmond St.
Ladies Night Out: 6:00 p.m. on Mon., May16,
at, Solea, 1104 N. Mutual Way, Appleton.
Confirmation: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday nights.
Youth Group: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday nights.
DATES TO REMEMBER: May
6 Carpet cleaning
14 Confirmation Rehearsal
15 Confirmation Sunday
15 Boy Scout Cross-Over (PM)
June
3 & 4 All Church Rummage Sale
More at UMCSJ.ORG
May 1
Why? Making Sense of God’s Will-
“More Than Conquerors”
Romans 8:28, 35, 37-39
May 8 Sermon title: “Called To Be One”
John 17:20-26, Acts 16:16-34
May 15
Veni Spiritus Sanctus
(Come Holy Spirit)
John 14:8-17, 25-27, Romans 8:14-17
May 22 Spring Cantata
(Pastor Mark is on vacation)
May 29
Kay Christenson will delivering
the message.
(Pastor Mark is on vacation)
Pastor’s letter continued….
But God sent his son as your Savior to transform
your cards into a winning hand. No matter what
connections you’ve made in life, you will be held
responsible for what you do with your connec-
tions today.
Will you let God affect your connections? Will
you trust him for your future in spite of a difficult
past? Will you nurture, protect, and build rela-
tionships so that God is more fully glorified in your
life?
Resolve today to build healthy and not hurtful
relationships with God’s help.
Shalom, Pastor Mark
Pastor Mark will be on
vacation from May 16
to 29. May 16, will be
our spring cantata,
and May 29, will be
guest speaker, Kay Christenson. If you should
have an emergency that needs pastoral care,
please call the church office at 734-5371. If it is
after hours, contact Deb at, 920-540-0190. Pas-
tor Woo from Zion UMC will be covering for Pas-
tor Mark during this time. (Please note: office
hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. M-TH)
ST. JAMES UMC FINANCE MOMENT
Could you give up one cup of coffee or soda
per week to help
balance the church budget?
Habitat Interfaith Build 2016
St James has joined with 30 other Fox Valley faith communities in an event titled Interfaith Build 2016. This event is be-
ing coordinated by the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity. The event consists of building (2) five bedroom homes on
Russet Court on the West side of Appleton.
Each faith community has been asked to provide volunteers to complete specific por- tions of
the building process and to help raise funds to pay for the building materials.
The work schedule for St James is as follows:
July 14th Thur (2) people to build walls
July 30th Sat (1) site support & morning prayer
July 30th Sat Noon meal for 14 people
Aug 2nd Tues (2) people ceiling sheet rock
Aug 23rd Tues (2) people underlayment & stairs
Aug 27th Sat (2) people painting
If you are interested in helping with the project, contact Gary Linstad or Lloyd Eggert. All workers will receive a com-
memorative T-Shirt.
The financial goal for St. James is $500.00.
We have a “jack” stud that will be used to frame one of the doorways in one of the homes. Everyone is invited to be
part of the project by signing the “jack” stud.
Donations can be made by cash or check in the box provided. Please see the weekly E-News for of list of companies
that will match employee donations.
Thanks in advance for your support of this community project.
Gary Linstad and Lloyd Eggert
Did you Know….
In March we collected and
donated 55 pounds of food
items.
In April, we have donated 36 pounds of food.
Grow A Row for St Joe’s
To read helpful gardening tips,
please click here: http://
www.helpfulgardener.com/
vegetable/
Hosts Needed For Korean Visitors June 1-5, 2016 there is a group of 12 visiting
from our Korean sister church in Wonju South
Korea. We will be working together with Zion
UMC to host these visitors. There is one cou-
ple, one pastor, and 9 individual ladies. If you
are able to help, by hosting one or two peo-
ple for these four evenings, please contact
pastor Mark at 920-540-2446, or
Spring Cantata
SINGERS UNTO THE LORD - The choir
will share a short musical cantata on
Sunday, May 22 during the worship
service. Singers Unto the Lord is a compilation of
favorite hymns, praise songs, and new songs, ar-
ranged by Don Marsh, one of the most prolific
and beloved church music composers of our
time. You will hear hymns including Children of
the Heavenly Father; Holy, Holy, Holy; and Come
Thou Almighty King; and praise songs including I
Will Sing Unto the Lord and King of Kings.
More singers are always welcome to join the
choir. We will be practicing on Tuesday evenings
from 6:30 to 8 P.M., beginning on May 3. If you
are interested in singing with the group, contact
Andy Lambrecht, or come to the first practice on
the 3rd.
Annual Rummage Sale
It's that time of year to remember St James when
you're cleaning closets and garages out. We'll
begin collecting items for our 7th annu-
al rummage sale, which will be on June 3 & 4.
Feel free to take home an empty box from the
coat room and fill it up with your donations. Re-
turn it to the coat room and we'll take it from
there!
If you have any bigger donations
that you need assistance with,
e-mail Chris Bahr to make pick up
arrangements. [email protected]
In-Gathering School Kits for Annual Conference
Every year the Annual Conference asks each congregation be in mission through In-Gathering kits. These will be tak-
en to Wisconsin Annual Conference in June when Larry and Pastor Mark attend to be added to other kits from
around the state. Midwest Distribution will then use them locally, nationally, and internationally. This year we are as-
sembling school kits.
Here is what is needed… Shipping donation per bag: $1
3 notebooks (8x10 1/2, spiral are best) 6 pencils (#2, unsharpened no advertising)
1 pair of blunt school scissors 1 ruler (12” with 30cm metric)
1 2 1/2” eraser 1 box of 24-count Crayola Crayons
1 school bag (sewn) 1 hand-held pencil sharpener
Please place items in the school bag. Directions for sewing a school bag are available in the church office, on the
table at the connection Center, or on the church website at: umcsj.org. They are very size specific.
If you would prefer not to buy supplies, you can donate money and someone from the Mission Committee will buy
the supplies for you. See Kay Christenson if you have any questions. Kits need to be completed no later than June
5th.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 Communion Sunday
Food Pantry Collection
6th Sunday of Easter
8:00 a.m. Choir Practice
8:20 a.m. Praise Team
9:00 a.m. Worship
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:15 a.m. Fellowship Time
10:30 a.m. SWOT meeting
2
6:30 p.m.
Boy Scouts
3
5:45 p.m.
Accountability
Group
6:30 p.m.
Choir
8:00 p.m.
Staff Meeting No praise team
practice
4
1:00 p.m.
Bible Study &
Support Group
6:30 p.m.
Christian Edu. &
Confirmation
Class
7:30 p.m.
Youth Group
5 6
Office
Closed
Pastor’s
Day Off
7:00 a.m.
Carpets are
being
cleaned
7
8 Mother’s Day
Gold Cross Sunday
7th Sunday of Easter
8:20 a.m. Praise Team
9:00 a.m. Worship
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:15 a.m. Fellowship Time
9
12:15 p.m.
Lunch Bunch Perkins, 2975 W.
College Ave.
5:30 p.m.
Girl Scouts
6:30 p.m.
S.P.R.C.
10
7:00 a.m.
Men’s Breakfast
5:45 p.m.
Accountability
Group
6:30 p.m.
Choir
8:00 p.m.
Praise Team
11
1:00 p.m.
Bible Study &
Support Group
6:30 p.m.
Confirmation
Class
7:30 p.m.
Youth Group
12
13
Office
Closed
Pastor’s
Day Off
14
10 a.m.
confirmation
practice
15 Pentecost Sunday
Confirmation Sunday
8:00 a.m. Choir Practice
8:20 a.m. Praise Team
9:00 a.m. Worship
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:15 a.m. Fellowship Time
10:30 a.m. Finance meeting
4:00 p.m. Boy Scout Event
Pastor Mark is on vacation
from May 16 to May 30
Please contact the office for
your pastoral needs.
16
6:00 p.m.
Ladies Night
Out Solea, 1104 N.
Mutual Way,
Appleton
17
5:45 p.m.
Accountability
Group
6:30 p.m.
Choir
18
1:00 p.m.
Bible Study &
Support Group
19
20
Office
Closed
Pastor’s
Day Off
6:30 p.m.
Family Fun
Night
21
22 Trinity Sunday
Peace with Justice Sunday
8:00 a.m. Choir Practice
9:00 a.m. Worship
Spring Cantata
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:15 a. m. Fellowship Time
10:30 a.m. Trustees meeting
23
5:30 p.m.
Girl Scouts
24
5:45 p.m.
Accountability
Group
25
1:00 p.m.
Bible Study &
Support Group
26
27
Office
Closed
Pastor’s
Day Off
28
29
2nd Sunday after Pentecost
8:30 a.m. Praise Team
9:00 a.m. Worship
Guest speaker:
Kay Christenson
10:15 a. m. Fellowship Time
30
Office Closed
31
5:45 p.m.
Accountability
Group
Aware Deadline
See UMCSJ.org for
additional info...
May 1 8 15 22 29
GREETER Mike Hert Rose Ann Luce Kim Robinson Mike Hert Julie Remmel
SOUND Sierra Gyrion Bill Kraemer Connie Klaisner Bill Kraemer Bill Kraemer
USHER CAPTAIN Connie Klaisner Bonnie Budreau
Carol Carlson Mike Shepard Wayne DeGrand
TBA
please contact
the office if
interested.
HOSPITALITY Nancy Adkins &
Diane Linstad
Jon & Kathy Krein
Tom & Mary
Schemm
The Gyrion
Family
Ethel Duhm
Diane DeGrand
TBA
please contact
the office if
interested.
ACOLYTE Lilli Gyrion Maizy Van Lynn Kirsten Runyon Avery Lang
TBA
please contact
the office if
interested.
LITURGIST Larry Gyrion Lloyd Eggert Connie Klaisner Nancy Adkins Deb Kraemer
CHILDREN’S TIME Diane Linstad &
Sarah Runyon Kathy Krein Mark Klaisner Margie Trueblood Mary Schemm
NURSERY TBA Michelle Price Carrie Walters Maria Genke Stacy Olson
COUNTERS Lloyd Eggert &
Tom Graf
Lloyd Eggert &
Tom Graf
Lloyd Eggert &
Tom Graf
Lloyd Eggert &
Tom Graf
Lloyd Eggert &
Tom Graf
KWIK TRIP CARDS Tom Schemm Mike Shepard Rich Stewart Margie Trueblood LuAnn
Van Handel
COMMUNION
SERVERS
Charlie, Kay &
Cal Christenson,
Kristen Langlais
N/A N/A See UMCSJ.org for updates
& additional info...
NEW BUSINESS
Finance/Treasurer: Chris Bahr
Both pledged and unpledged giving is above budget. Expenses were up, do to an unexpected furnace repair bill of $1,760.43. We received a $2000 donation for apportionments and this has been sent to conference. The church now has separate accounts for operating, capital and memorial funds. The finance notes for bul-letin have been updated to reflect current and year-to-date budget vs giving. Finance moments will be given monthly in worship on the 3rd Sunday of each month.
Trustees: Lloyd Eggert
The trustees are working on their ‘To-Do’ list, many of these things have been previously published in the Aware. In addition, they are working on getting quotes for roof repair and carpet replacement. Many things have been repaired in the church and parsonage. The list of those who have church keys, and code access, has been updated and the code was recently changed for entering the building. The floors will be cleaned and waxed on April 15th. Spring cleaning of the back stor-age and lawn mower shed is schedule for April 30th. Todd Trueblood is leading a group to develop the basic design of the memorial garden. Todd indicated that there are funds available for the basics of the garden to begin. Trustees have approved this, and he asked for approval of the Ad Board. The motion passed unani-mously.
Staff Relations: Gary Linstad
Gary reported on a conference workshop for SPRC orientation. Gary indicted that there were 2 take-a-ways from this. 1. Need for a strategic plan (we can’t be all things to all people), and 2. We need to be pro-active in bringing people into the church. Attendance has been tracked for the past 7 years, from 2009 to now, our average attendance is down by 10. With peaks in 2010 and 2012. Pastor Mark is holding regular staff meetings.
Missions: Kay and Charlie Christenson
The regular mission offering for April to June, will go to Henderson Settlement mission trip, which is planned for October. In-Gathering for Annual Conference will be school bags. Any donation for this are to be put in bags and marked as ‘In-Gathering’. A list of food items need-ed by Homeless Connections (The Emergency Shelter) is included in the mid-week E-News. Please take note that there are several nearby VIM trips scheduled.
Education: Margie Trueblood
Currently, the theme ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ is being used for Sunday school. The Education committee will be working on VBS for the coming summer.
Hosp./Outreach: No report but…
Larry Gyrion reported that people have stepped up to cover some of the duties with the absence of a hospitality chair. It is hoped to have that volunteer position filled soon.
Lay Lead/Mem/AC: Larry Gyrion
Larry emphasized that people are coming forward to help support St. James financially and that this is very good to see.
Web/IT: Bill Kraemer
Bill encouraged people to use the web site. He stated that there are both sermons, and children’s sermons posted there, as well as some of the music. There was some dis-cussion about updating the pictures, and that the ‘Kids Church’ is no longer happening. These items cannot be changed directly by us; we must pay a fee to update them. We need gather photos and make all the changes at one time.
Pastor Report: Pastor Mark
During the coming months there will be a monthly chance for Lay people to share their message during the sermon time. Confirmation is going well. Mark is working with Zi-on UMC for the upcoming visit of 12 guests from our sis-ter church in Wonju South Korea. He is looking for host families.
OTHER BUINESS:
SWOT update was asked for. Deb indicated that Ed plans an update for next Sunday. He plans to hold a follow-up meeting on May 1st after worship for anyone interested in attending.
Adjourned 11:24 a.m. The next Ad Board meeting is July 10th at 10:30 a.m. Please Mark your calendars.
If you would like to see the full report, you may ask for a copy in the church office.
Ad Council Meeting Minutes (Edited to fit) April 10, 2016
Administrative Board Chair: Deb Kraemer
Affix
Postage Here
St. James United Methodist Church
100 W. Capitol Drive
Appleton, WI 54911-1021
Return Service Requested
Mailing Label
St. James United
Methodist Church Pastor Mark Klaisner
Margie Trueblood
Children & Youth Ministries Coordinator
Andy Lambrecht
Music Director, Organist
Deb Kraemer
Administrative Assistant
Office phone number: 920-734-5371
Aware is published monthly by St. James UMC,
100 W. Capitol Drive, Appleton, WI.
Office Hours
9 a.m.–1 p.m., Monday–Thursday
Bulletin Information & Announcements Due
Monday of each week
Newsletter Submissions Due
20th of each month
For more information, go to
umcsj.org
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please send your email address to [email protected].