Rethinking Church At the end of July I had the opportunity to go to the Rethinking Church Confer- ence at Luther Seminary with some of our council leaders: Bob and Teresa Reinders and Margaret Robinson. We all know the church is changing. We all know we can’t go back to the way it was. It was a helpful conference for a number of rea- sons. First, we weren’t alone – there were 300 people there with us struggling with the same is- sues. Second, we were given permission to try things and fail. Since there is no road map or pro- gram that is going to see us through this new “reformation” in the church, we need to just try things and see what works and what doesn’t. Third, one thing was abundantly clear from all those who have been trying things and have had some things work – that was relationships, net- working, community. The church is a tool to help us be the people God has created us to be – it is a community of faith, a network of people that seek to follow Jesus. The purpose of the tool is to be God’s creative, trans- forming, forgiving love in the world. If people aren’t being transformed and loved, then the tool isn’t being used properly. Relationships were the key to many congregations who were beginning to see God’s love grow in their communities. Congregations in relationship with the geograph- ical place that they inhabit, congregations in rela- tionship with those who connect with them on social media and through ministries that they par- ticipate in, congregations in relationship with oth- er faithful followers of Jesus and of God. “Membership” in a congregation is not a term that people talk about much anymore. Being disciples, following Jesus and doing what it takes to make that happen is the focus of what a lot of church folks talk about these days. The old structures that provided programs and infrastructure and hierarchical authority simply aren’t working any- more because it doesn’t always provide belong- ing, transformation and community. Knowledge and belief have led much of our faith under these old structures, but people are want- ing to trust in God in a way that goes beyond knowledge and belief. Paul probably said it best when he spoke to the Athenians – God is “the one in whom we live and move and have our being. ” This is the kind of trust and belonging people seek. How do we become a congregation that helps people live into the God who is their life and be- ing? By becoming people who live and move and have our being in God? It’s a different way to think about church. It might be a whole different way to think about life as well. It may be a very hard way to think if we are used to something else. I know I have difficulty some days. But as we (Continued on Page 2)
Transcript
Rethinking Church
At the end of July I had the opportunity to go to the Rethinking Church Confer-ence at Luther Seminary with some of our council leaders: Bob and Teresa Reinders and Margaret Robinson. We all know the church is changing. We all know we can’t go back
to the way it was.
It was a helpful conference for a number of rea-sons. First, we weren’t alone – there were 300 people there with us struggling with the same is-sues. Second, we were given permission to try things and fail. Since there is no road map or pro-gram that is going to see us through this new “reformation” in the church, we need to just try things and see what works and what doesn’t. Third, one thing was abundantly clear from all those who have been trying things and have had some things work – that was relationships, net-working, community.
The church is a tool to help us be the people God has created us to be – it is a community of faith, a network of people that seek to follow Jesus. The purpose of the tool is to be God’s creative, trans-forming, forgiving love in the world. If people aren’t being transformed and loved, then the tool isn’t being used properly. Relationships were the key to many congregations who were beginning to see God’s love grow in their communities.
Congregations in relationship with the geograph-ical place that they inhabit, congregations in rela-tionship with those who connect with them on social media and through ministries that they par-ticipate in, congregations in relationship with oth-er faithful followers of Jesus and of God.
“Membership” in a congregation is not a term that people talk about much anymore. Being disciples, following Jesus and doing what it takes to make that happen is the focus of what a lot of church folks talk about these days. The old structures that provided programs and infrastructure and hierarchical authority simply aren’t working any-more because it doesn’t always provide belong-ing, transformation and community.
Knowledge and belief have led much of our faith under these old structures, but people are want-ing to trust in God in a way that goes beyond knowledge and belief. Paul probably said it best when he spoke to the Athenians – God is “the one in whom we live and move and have our being.” This is the kind of trust and belonging people seek.
How do we become a congregation that helps people live into the God who is their life and be-ing? By becoming people who live and move and have our being in God? It’s a different way to think about church. It might be a whole different way to think about life as well. It may be a very hard way to think if we are used to something else. I know I have difficulty some days. But as we (Continued on Page 2)
2 | The Journey A publication of Living Faith Lutheran Church
Council Highlights from the July Meeting
Opening devotions by Pastor Warren - What is Lutheran? God’s Grace
1. Check – In where did you see God this week or month?
2. Reports went out yesterday and today, therefore we will approve each on separately:
a. Pastor Warren – gave brief summary
b. Pastor Denise – explained ¾ Sundays
c. It was moved and seconded to accept pastors’ reports. It was passed.
3. Discussion/Action Agenda
a. Finance Team
i. Requests authorization to change the bank account relationships from Tri City due to a change in their policy to implement monthly fees. Bob Reinders, Pastor Warren, Ginny White and Jill Steiner will be looking into this. Warren made motion to looking into other financial institutions for our accounts. It was seconded and passed.
ii. Bob reviewed the financial statements and recommended that we consider looking at all accounts for the next budget.
b. Old Business
i. Living Faith sick day policy draft review. Ginny questioned the funeral leave policy. Warren suggested this be put in different policy. Did some revisions on Sick Day Policy. Motion for ap- proval policy pending the amendments. It was seconded and passed.
ii. AIM Offering - June and July AIM totaled $840. $220 was designated for Accelerated Debt Reduction. The remainder was designated for National Night Out expenses for both sites.
iii. Estate Sale report: Vicki reported that after expenses we have a balance of $2,894.81. We are planning on designating $750 to Youth for youth gathering, $750 for member care and $750 for Youth Programming, and $750 to Adult Family Fellowship (i.e. church picnic etc.)
c. New Business i. Finance: Discussion of building needs and projects suggested in a meeting with Ollie Nielsen and Tom Isaacson. Bob informed us of the concerns about our facility. Suggested that the park ing lot is a high priority and needs to be done by winter, estimating $20,000. Council went over the list he prepared. Vicki moved to use the $750 that was given from the Estate Sale for mem ber care be used for handicap parking sign bases. Seconded and passed.
We need to get estimates and plans for courtyard. We have monies designated for this project. Committee will be Pastor Warren, Margaret Robinson and we will invite others from the con gregation. Ollie has begun looking into this project.
ii. First reading of fundraising policy options Teresa gave out three options. Review and discuss at the next meeting. (Continued on Page 3)
(Continued from Page 1)
journey together we are not alone, we can try new ideas to see if we can make an impact in people’s lives and their relationship with God, and we can continue to be Living Faith so that God is the one in whom we live and move and have our being. And as a community of faith, a congregation, we support and encour-age one another for the work of being God’s people in the world.
Finding Faith. Building Faith. Living Faith. ~ Still pondering, Pastor Denise
SEPTEMBER 2017 ∙ Volume #2, Issue #9 3
No Price Rummage Sale & Boutique$$
Now that the dust has settled on the very suc-cessful and fun Estate/Treasure Sale, it is time to start thinking about
our Fall No Price Rummage Sale and Boutique$$, to be held on Saturday, October 14. Time to “de-clutter” your attics, closets and garages even more!
Donation days will begin Sunday, September 17 and run through Sunday, October 8. We will be accept-ing furniture items (no sofas), and all kinds of housewares, home/holiday décor, arts & crafts, jew-elry, books, shoes, kids clothes, small electronics (computers and TV’s will not be accepted), toys and
everything in between. Please put your clean and gently used items in front of the stage in Fellowship Hall.
The “Boutique$$” will be in the Youth Room and will feature a collection of the many items remaining from the Estate/Treasure Sale. There will also be a ‘Lunch Counter’ and the youth will be sponsoring a bake sale to help with expenses for the National Youth Gathering next year.
Watch the Journey and Weekly Journey in the fu-ture for opportunities to sign up to help with this fun and exciting event! Proceeds from the Rummage Sale, Boutique$$ and Lunch Counter will be given to support both the Faithworks Food Pantry and the Living Faith general budget.
News From the MET
Plans are being made for our first of three “Listening Circles” facilitated by the Zeidler Center to take place in September. The core team of Steve Blegen, Teresa Reinders, Ginny White and Chris Simon will be working closely with Mary Campbell from the cen-ter to set dates and determine the emphasis of each session. These “Listening Circles”
are crucial to the future of Living Faith and we pray they will be well attended.
The Mission Exploration Team still has some major areas to cover in the area of “The Leader We Seek,” which includes leadership needs, qualifications, mutual expectations and ministry tasks. We have been advised by the Synod to hold off on that section until we determine if there is a shared vision within the congregation.
Please let us know if you have any questions and thank you again for your continued support and prayers! Steve Blegen, Kevin Ehnert, Rose Frey, Joy Webb, Karin Langlois, Chris Simon, Logan Muñoz and Vicki Siefert
(Continued from Page 2)
iii. Vicki presented an idea for a young adult dance and the council was supportive. She will put together a presentation and report back.
iv. Vicki presented having Godly play available at East. She will meet with West Godly Play Team and see if we can coordinate both programs.
v. Rummage Sale No Price - October 14th. 10% of proceeds will be given to food pantry and rest to general budget.
vi. Ginny made a motion to use some of our M&M fund raising money for a new server. It was seconded and passed.
vii. National Night Out – plans have been made for both sites. We will use past costs as an estimate.
4. Meeting Review
5. Adjourn with Lord’s Prayer
4 | The Journey A publication of Living Faith Lutheran Church
Names in the News
Anniversaries:
Don & Sandra Hansen will celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary on September 10th … Ollie & Alberta Nielsen will celebrate 53 years together on September 12th … Paul & Sally Cushman will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on September 21st and Don & Jean Hemm will celebrate 58 years together on September 26th. May you all enjoy many more happy years.
Nonagenarian Birthdays:
George DePelecyn celebrates his 97th birthday on September 12 and James Kimberlain will celebrate his 92nd birthday on September 28th. Best wishes to you both!
Weddings:
Mary Amundsen and Scott Nelson were married at Living Faith Lutheran Church on August 5th. Happi-ness to you both!
“To Living Faith Church,
We really enjoyed the National Night Out you hosted Tuesday. The food, music and entertainment were awesome! It’s a great neighborhood outreach and we thank you. With love Allen & Judy Mueller”
Condolences
Heartfelt love, sympathy and support to:
Children, Julie (Anthony) Appollonio, Michael (Patty) Creuziger and Amy (Russell) Konstans and family at the death of BOB CREUZIGER who passed away at Wisconsin Veterans Home on August 9th.
Wife Judy and son and daughter-in-law, Sean & Jackie Cranley, sisters-in-law Janet Cranley, Joanne (Rev. Warren) Williams and Margaret Robinson and brother-in-law Jim (Kathy) Foldy and family at the death of JOE CRANLEY who passed away on August 12th at Ascension-All Saints.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15
Known to be Hospitalized
Ascension All Saints: Mark Johnson
Kenosha Medical Center: James Braun
Home Again: Victor Howard, Pat Krueger, Mark Krieger and Jean Gummow
Hospitalized?
Ascension All Saints Racine Hospital has completely computerized its record keeping system.
As a result they are no longer providing the church with information as to who from the congregation is currently a patient. We are hoping to get them to
change this, but at this point they are not moving.
The point is this, we would love to visit you in the hospital, but we will not be able to do so unless you let us know that you, or a loved one are there. Please call the church office and let us know if you or a loved one is in the hospital.
SEPTEMBER 2017 ∙ Volume #2, Issue #9 5
Noisy Offering - The August Noisy Offering went to Lutherdale Bible Camp for their tree restoration project for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. Lutherdale has lost many trees due to disease. Thank you! September’s offering will go to Racine ELCA Cluster Community Meal Program.
Thrivent Action Grants - If you need help using your Thrivent Action Grants or directing your Choice Dollars please contact Pastor Denise.
Altar Flowers - Honor or remember someone with flowers on the altar. Bouquets cost as little as $25 (we use Signature Flowers by Randy.) You may also bring your own in. Call the church office to sign up.
Members in Need - If you know of a member in need who is recovering from a surgery or illness who could use a little extra TLC with some home cooked meals, rides to appointments, companionship or other needs, please either call the office at 262-637-5671, Alma Vacek at 262-681-1738 or let Pastor
Denise know. Thanks!
National Youth Gathering - We have a small group going in 2018 to Houston. We will be having some fundraisers coming up in the next few months, so watch for ways you can help make it possible for our youth to attend the gathering.
No Price Rummage Sale - Saturday, October 14 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. We’ll be accepting rummage of all kinds and kids clothes.
Sundaes on Wednesday - Wednesday, October 18 at 1:30 pm. Enjoy the make your own sundae bar and program, featuring Jessica Michna’s ‘First Impression’ theatrical presentation: ‘Mary Todd Lincoln – Preserve the Union.’
Stewards of Congregational Community
In our ongoing series of articles about what it means to be a steward of God’s Love, today we ex-plore what it means to be a steward of community.
When I (Pastor Warren) do premarital counseling I will often tell couples that the old saying, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will nev-er harm me,” is a horrid lie. Words kill, and what they kill are relationships. God is a God of abun-dance. And God has showered this congregation with an abundance of resources and a call to share in God’s mission in the world. One of the first plac-es that we should be concerned about living the way of Jesus…the way of love, hospitality, justice and forgiveness…is in the congregation.
To be a steward of something is first and foremost an acknowledgement that something does not be-long to you, but to another. The church has always believed that it is more than just a group of people that decided to get together to worship. We be-
lieve that we are called together, led together by the Holy Spirit, and that each person led into the community has a role to play that is vital to the suc-cess of mission. So the first thing that a good stew-ard of Congregational Community does is the task that God has called them to perform for the church in this place and time.
Second, we all need to take care that we treat each other with love. Jesus said, when asked what the greatest commandment was, that we are to love God above all else and love our neighbor as our self. We need to treat each member of the com-munity with gentleness, kindness, forgiveness and welcome.
God has blessed Living Faith with a unique commu-nity, made up of two previously different congrega-tions, now worshipping in two locations. This is a blessing. We need to treat one another as just that blessings, treasures given each to the other as gifts from a loving Heavenly Father.
6 | The Journey A publication of Living Faith Lutheran Church
All events in the calendar are at Living Faith on Wright & Quincy unless otherwise noted.
9:15 A.M. SERVICE (Blood Pres-sure Screening after service) 10:00 Sunday Worship at Living Faith West & Sunday School at 8700 Durand Ave. in Sturtevant 10:15 Coffee Hour East 4:30 ELCA Cluster Community Meal (2915 Wright Ave.)
4
LABOR DAY
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED!
5 9:30 Stitchers of Blessings 1-3:00 Food Pantry
6 8:30 Park Transition Group 8:30 a.m. - Women’s Breakfast at DeRango’s in West Racine 10:00 - 11:00 Staff Mtg 10:00 Senior Center with Communion 6:00 West Vision Team Meeting 6:30 MET Team Meeting 7:30 Belle City Brass-works 8:00 Selah Practice
7 8:30 Park Transition Group 5:15 Community Worship 6-8:00 Food Pantry
8
9 10:30 Caregiver Support Group 5:00 Vespers with Communion
10 COMMUNION (Mission Moment) 9:15 WORSHIP SERVICE SENIOR CHOIR WILL PRACTICE AFTER SERVICE
10:00 Sunday Worship at Living Faith West & Sunday School at 8700 Durand Ave. in Sturtevant 10:15 Coffee Hour East 4:30 ELCA Cluster Community Meal (2915 Wright Ave.) Living Faith hosts the Community Meal
11 9:00 Quilters 9:30 Ruth Circle Mtg. 12 NOON BIBLE STUDY 6:00 “Ladies' Night Out” at Javier’s on Lathrop Ave. 6:30 Dorcas Circle Meeting 7:00 Overeaters Anonymous Meeting
12 1-3:00 Food Pantry 4:30 Spanish Class
13 8:30 Park Transition Group 9:15 Rebekah Circle 10:00 - 11:00 Staff Meeting 6:30 BMCS Team Meet-ing (Culver’s, 21st Street) 7:30 Belle City Brass-works 8:00 Selah Practice
14 8:30 Park Transition Group 5:15 Community Worship 6-8:00 Food Pantry
15
16 12:00-5:00 Event in Fellowship Hall 5:00 Vespers with Communion
17 COMMUNION (Noisy Offer-ing to ELCA Community Meal) Senior Choir will practice before and after the 9:15 service and MAY begin to sing this Sunday 9:15 a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE (EMAUS Youth Gathering Fund-raiser-selling Mexican food after the service) 10:00 Sunday Worship at Living Faith West & Sunday School at 8700 Durand Ave. in Sturtevant (EMAUS Youth Gathering Fund-raiser-selling Mexican food after the service) 10:15 Coffee Hour East 4:30 ELCA Cluster Community Meal (2915 Wright Ave.)
19 6am - 11pm Special Primary Election in Fellowship Hall 9:30 Stitchers of Bless-ings 1-3:00 Food Pantry 4:30 Spanish Class
20 8:30 Park Transition Group 10:30 Senior Center 6:00 Bible Study “Making Sense of Scrip-ture” (7 weeks) 7:30 Belle City Brass-works 8:00 Selah Practice
21 7:30-8:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast & Book Study (Luther’s Small Cate-chism”) at Annetta’s Café 8:30 Park Transition Group 5:15 Community Worship 6-8:00 Food Pantry
22 5:00 Wedding Rehearsal
23 Wedding: Kate-lyn Wagner / Dan Gibson 5:00 Vespers with Communion
24 COMMUNION (Mission Mo-ment) Senior Choir will practice before and after the 9:15 service. 9:15 a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE (Senior Choir) 10:00 Sunday Worship at Living Faith West & Sunday School at 8700 Durand Ave. in Sturtevant 10:15 Coffee Hour East 4:30 ELCA Cluster Community Meal (2915 Wright Ave.)
26 1-3:00 Food Pantry 4:30 Spanish Class 7:00 Church Council Meeting
27 8:30 Park Transition Group 10:00 - 11:00 Staff Meeting 4:00 Large Worship (East & West) Planning Team Meeting 6:00 Bible Study “Making Sense of Scrip-ture” 7:30 Belle City Brass-works 8:00 Selah Practice
28 8:30 Park Transition Group 5:15 Community Worship 6-8:00 Food Pantry
29 3:00 Wedding Rehearsal Offsite
30 Wedding Offsite
9:30-11:30 Theologi-cal Book Study: “Waking Up White” and Brunch 12-5:00 Event in Fellowship Hall 5:00 Vespers with Communion
SEPTEMBER 2017 ∙ Volume #2, Issue #9 7
Wednesday Night Bible Study
Wednesday night Bible Study will resume on September 20 and go through November 1. We will meet at 6pm at the East Campus for a 7 week course entitled “Making Sense of Scripture”.
Week One: What is the Bible?
Week Two: Is the Bible True?
Week Three: How is the Bible the Word of God?
Week Four: Where Did the Bible Come From?
Week Five: How Can I Read the Bible with Greater Understanding?
Week Six: Is there a “Center” to Scripture?
Week Seven: What Kind of Authority Does the Bible Hold?
Pastor Denise will lead this course written and presented on video by Rev. Dr. David J. Lose who is currently the president of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Previous to that he taught Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN as well as serving as Academic Dean. Prior to teach-ing at Luther, David served ELCA congregations in New Jersey for 10 years. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Lutheran World Relief.
There is a book for the course with reading between sessions. We will also use a video presentation to
begin our study. A $15.00 contribution is requested to defray costs. Please let Pastor Denise know if you
will participate so she can order books.
Monday Bible Study
After taking the summer off, we will resume after Labor Day, on September 11. Join us as we look at the upcoming Sunday’s lessons.
Men’s Breakfast
Every male is invited to attend a men’s breakfast at Annetta’s Café (8020 Durand Avenue) in Sturtevant. After taking part of the summer off we will return on September 21st at 7:30 a.m. We will continue our study of Luther’s Small Catechism. We are currently exploring the Apostle’s Creed. Even if you have been unable to attend in the past, you are welcome now. Bring a few dollars to buy some breakfast and enjoy the company of a great group of guys.
Theological Book Study
A new book study will start up on Saturday, Septem-ber 30 from 9:30-11:30. Brunch will be served. The book we’ll be delving into is “Waking Up White” by Debby Irving. On September 30 we will discuss the first two sections (pages 3-62), entitled “Childhood in White” and “MidLife Wake-up Calls”. Contact Pastor Denise for questions or information. The book is available on Amazon.com.
“For twenty-five years, Debby Irving sensed inexpli-cable racial tensions in her personal and profession-al relationships. As a colleague and neighbor, she worried about offending people she dearly wanted to befriend. As an arts administrator, she didn't un-
derstand why her diversity efforts lacked traction. As a teacher, she found her best efforts to reach out to students and families of color left her wondering what she was missing. Then, in 2009, one "aha!" moment launched an ad-venture of discovery and insight that drastically shifted her worldview and upended her life plan. In Waking Up White, Irving tells her often cringe-worthy story with such openness that read-ers will turn every page rooting for her-and ulti-mately for all of us. “ (Source: Amazon.com)
8 | The Journey A publication of Living Faith Lutheran Church
Women’s Breakfast
Please join us for Women’s Breakfast! We meet the 1st Wednesday of the month at 8:30am at DeRango’s in West Racine (3114 Washington Ave.) for breakfast, devotions and conver-sation. All are welcome! Questions? Contact Pastor Denise or Rosemary Fritchen.
Please join us on Monday, September 11 at 6:00pm.
We’ll be meeting at Javier’s Cuisine for dinner. Javier’s is located at 2011 Lathrop Avenue. Never been to Javier’s? Check out their menu at www.javierscuisine.com
Please sign up on the long yellow sheet in the weekly bulletin, or let Pastor Denise know if you’d like to attend, so we know how many to expect. Hope you can join us!
Senior Friendship Center
Sept. 6 Devotions and Communion “Back to School” Fun Chicken Foot Dominoes Sept. 20 Bingo 11:00 a.m. Lunch: Surprise Fun ‘N Games
Senior Friendship Center
The “New Age Seniors” of today are a busy, productive, talented, loved, appreciat-ed, energetic, active and inspiring. Age is just a number and laughter is their medi-cine. The Senior Friendship Center at Living Faith meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month and is waiting for you to come for a visit and check us out. We love to play games, cards, have great conversation over lunch and just plain “hang out together.”
Coming up in the next few months is “Back to School Day” and “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” complete with peanuts, popcorn and crackerjacks! Let us know if you have any questions and we would love to have you stop in! There is no age limit.
We welcome seniors of all ages, after all, we are all “Young at Heart!”
~James & Elaine Peters, Pat LeClair, Anne Jaworski, Al & Judy Mueller, LaVerne Hyduke and Vicki Siefert
Sundaes on Wednesday: An Afternoon with Mary Todd Lincoln
Please mark your calendars now and plan to join us on Wednesday, October 18 at 1:30pm in Fellowship Hall for another of our “Sundaes on Wednesday” fellowship events.
Our program will feature Jessica Michna, well known history and theatre lover, as she transforms herself into Mary Todd Lincoln and keeps us all “spellbound with the story of her life, including rem-iniscences of her girlhood, her courtship and wed-ding and her life with the young lawyer and then politician, Abraham Lincoln.” Mary will introduce us to life in Washington, stories about her boys, includ-
ing her biggest boy Mr. Lincoln and the personal tragedies they suffered concluding with that fateful day in April of 1865.”
This special event is open to the public so please invite your friends and family to come join us for a delightful afternoon with Mary Todd Lincoln and enjoy our “Make Your Own Sundae Bar” with all the fixings. Reservations can be made by calling the office at 262-637-5671 or signing up on the long yellow sheet in the weekly bulletin. A $5 donation is requested to help defray the speaker fee. Thanks and hope to see you there!
SEPTEMBER 2017 ∙ Volume #2, Issue #9 9
News from the Crazy SCRIP Lady
It’s September and school has begun. Did you know we are helping to build our relationships with Knapp and Schulte schools by providing filled backpacks for needy students? Use Scrip to make those purchases and Living Faith benefits, too. Cards are available for local and national retailers including Target, Dell, Office Max/Depot, and many, many more. Retail-ers set aside a certain percentage of their profits for charitable giving. SOMEONE will get those charitable dollars from the retailers – Why not help to make that money come to Living Faith to
support our ministries?
To get your Scrip, see Dick Langlois at the Scrip table before the 9:15 service or at coffee hour. You can also pick up an order form in the nar-thex and call Karin at 672-0635 or email her at [email protected] to order your Scrip. (The weekly order deadline is Monday even-
ing.) SCRIP ordered by then can be picked up by Thursday evening, if you need it before the week-end, or on Sunday at church.
If you attend our West Campus, June Klingbeil has order forms and a good selection of cards, and you can get your Scrip there.
Fundraising Made Simple
Did you know that when you shop at GFS and you mention Living Faith, we receive a per-centage of some of the purchases you make? If you dine at Texas Roadhouse on Sundays
and turn in a copy of the bulletin, they will donate 10 percent of your food purchases to Living Faith. A great opportunity to use those Texas Roadhouse Scrip Cards you have purchased from Dick Langlois at the East Campus in the narthex or June Klingbeil at the West Campus. Thanks for supporting our fundraising efforts!
Focus: Air Care Program
TerraCycle® strives to develop effective recycling solutions for items that are not widely recyclable at a local level. Once collect-ed, the air care products are cleaned and melted into hard plastic that can be remolded to make new recycled products. This program is sponsored by Fe-
breze, a company that believes in actions speaking louder than words and consistently demonstrates pro-gress on environmental sustainability. Their motto: Leave Nothing But Fresh Air Behind.
Air Care Program accepted waste: ANY brand of air freshener cartridges & plugs, packaging & flexible film packaging, and trigger heads. (This program does NOT accept aerosol containers.)
Turning in your collections is easy. A TerraCycle® collection box is conveniently located inside the south entrance. Or, you can bring your collections to the church office and tell Jill, Kim, or Cathi you have a “gift” for Karin Langlois. By partnering with eco-innovator TerraCycle®, we can keep these items out of our landfill and convert them into fun and unique products.
Labels for Education UPC’s
GREAT NEWS! There’s still time to turn in your Labels for Education UPC’s for AIM Now Child Care Center!
Campbell’s has decided to extend the time for sub-mission of UPCs to the end of this calendar year!
So, we have 3 more months to turn in as many UPCs as we can. We would still like to qualify for the $250 Visa card, so if you have some UPCs, please bring them in. They MUST have the Labels for Education symbol like the one shown at the left to qualify. Thank you so much for your help!
Tech Person Bob Reinders Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed
Living Faith East September 3 September 10 September 17 September 24 October 1
Reader Joannie Williams Karin Langlois Laila Youngman Ginny White Dick Koch
Acolytes Anna-Lisa Mbise Alexander Mbise
Logan Muñoz Bryce Helland
Logan Muñoz Journey Koepke
Anna-Lisa Mbise Alexander Mbise
Bryce Helland Journey Koepke
Communion Assistants
Joannie Williams Gary King
Karin Langlois Barb Elmer
Elaine Lucht Gary King
Ginny White Helen Zelinger
Fred Marks Gary King
Tech Person Cliff Vacek Jennifer Miller Vicy Arnold Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed
Ushers Ollie Nielsen, Lois Beres, Rose Frey
Altar Guild Marion Beyer, Joy Webb
Coffee Hour Ruth & Teresa
Therkelsen Cyndy King
Sandy Fugate Linda Hendrickson
Carolyn Gibson Peggy Abbott Volunteer Needed
Last Month to Gather Items for Lutheran World Relief Kits
This month, we’re going to try to fill out the kits we have started, so we especially need the following:
For School Kits: ● 70-sheet notebooks ● Blunt scissors ● Pencil sharpeners (shavings catcher not required) ● Boxes of 16 or 24 crayons ● Sturdy drawstring backpack-style cloth bags with shoulder straps, about 14”x17”
For Baby Care Kits: ● Gowns or sleepers without feet ● Cloth diapers, flat-fold preferred ● T-shirts, short or long sleeved, NO onesies ● Pairs of infant socks ● Jacket, sweaters, or sweatshirts with hoods, OR include a baby cap
For Personal Care Kits: ● Metal nail clippers ● Bath towels (about 27” x 52”, new or GENTLY used, NO stains)
We also gratefully accept donations of money to purchase the needed items.
Thank you for your support of people in crisis around the world!
SEPTEMBER 2017 ∙ Volume #2, Issue #9 11
Volunteer Opportunities
Living Faith Tech Team
Have you ever wondered how things on the tech-nical side of the worship service work? Here is your
chance to learn about it and help us out!
We need people to help operate the screen for an-nouncements, etc. Training will be provided at your convenience. If you have questions, please contact Vicki Siefert.
Our Harmony Club
Our Harmony Club pro-vides day programs for the elderly in our community who may have been diag-nosed with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, have suffered a stroke, or who are simply socially isolated.
They can spend up to 6 hours at our sites where they interact with other guests and volunteers in games, crafts, lunch, and bingo.
If you would like to volunteer with Our Harmony Club, please contact Dawn Vlach at (262) 880-5301 or via email at DawnVlach@ourharmony club.org
FaithWorks Food Pantry Needs
While every donation is greatly appreciated, with our new shopping arrangement at Feeding Ameri-ca, monetary donations actually go further than food donations. Checks can be made out to ”FaithWorks Food Pantry”; you will still get credit on your contributions statement.
That said, all food donations are welcomed. Our greatest needs right now are:
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Egg Noodles
• Peanut Butter
• Toilet Paper
• Bar Soap
Volunteers are needed to staff the pantry during operating hours (Tuesdays 1-3pm and Thursdays 6-8pm.) Volunteers are also needed to package produce and bakery on Tuesdays from 10:30am to 12:30pm in the Food Pantry.
Please sign up on the long yellow sheet, or talk to Margaret Robin-son or Jody Pease if you are inter-ested.
Socks and Undies and Jogging Pants Sundays
Living Faith has been blessed in many ways through our Knapp School Partner-ship and with the new school year upon us we have another great opportunity to further that mission partnership.
We have been in touch with the school nurse, Laurie Jackson, who has men-tioned they are always in need of socks, undies and jogging pants to be used when children have accidents while at school and they cannot reach parents by phone. Their needs are for any sizes ranging from small to extra large; both boys & girls. The ages of the children are 4-12 and the reason for jogging type pants is they fit most body shapes easily.
We will kick off our “Socks, Undies & Jogging Pants Sundays” on September 24 and from then on the last Sunday of each month. Please look for the specially marked collection box at both our East and West Campuses and thanks in advance for your support of our Knapp School Partnership!
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
12 | The Journey A publication of Living Faith Lutheran Church
Lutheran Disaster Response: Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast of the United States on August 25, 2017, threatening millions of people in coastal Texas and Louisiana with multiple days of heavy rain, winds and rising tides. While many have evacuated, significant damage is still expected, and thousands of people may be housed in shelters for an extended period of time.
Lutheran Disaster Response’s affiliate is actively present, collaborating with community leaders and officials to ini-tiate the proper responses, particularly the long-term re-cover efforts. Together, we have a strong history of working with disasters in the Gulf Coast area. The road to recover will be long, and Lutheran Disaster Response will be there to accompany those affected through every phase of this disaster.
We invite you to stand by our neighbors on the Gulf Coast during this time. Your gifts ensure that our church will be able to provide help and hope for those left homeless or otherwise affected by this disaster for years to come.
Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response designated for “Hurricane Response – United States” will be used entirely (100 percent) for this disaster until the response is complete. Together, we can help provide im-mediate and long-lasting support. Give today to support the needs in this response and others like it.
What you can do:
• Pray Please pray for the people who have been affected and are in the path of Hurricane Harvey. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need.
• Give Gifts to “US Hurricane Relief” Checks can be made out to Lutheran Disaster Response and sent to:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
ELCA Gift Processing Center
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
Write “Hurricane Response, United States” on your check’s memo line. These gifts will be used to as sist those affected by the hurricane until the response is complete.
You may also call 800-638-3522 to make a donation with a credit card. Operators are ready to assist you Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Central Time.
• Connect: To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:
• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
• Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook and follow @ELCALDR on Twitter.
• Visit www.ELCA.org/disaster
SEPTEMBER 2017 ∙ Volume #2, Issue #9 13
14 | The Journey A publication of Living Faith Lutheran Church
SEPTEMBER 2017 ∙ Volume #2, Issue #9 15
Service Times
Saturday Vespers Service (Quincy) ............................................................................. 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Service at Living Faith (Quincy) ………………………….. ............................... 9:15 a.m.
Sunday Service at Living Faith West (8700 Durand Avenue, Sturtevant)) ............... 10:00 a.m.
Thursday Community Worship at Living Faith (Quincy) ............................................... 5:15 p.m.
Living Faith E-mail .................................................................. [email protected]
Living Faith Website ............................................................................. www.livingfaithracine.org
Living Faith Facebook .................................................... www.facebook.com/LivingFaithRacine
Free Blood Pressure Clinic
A free blood pres-sure clinic will be held the first Sun-day of each month following the 9:15
service at the East campus.
Please stop down to Fellowship Hall after the service and have your blood pressure checked. - Barb Elmer, RN and Marion Beyer, RN
September Readings
Sep. 3: 13th Sunday After Pentecost
First Reading: Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm: 26:1-8
Second Reading: Romans 12:9-21
Gospel: Matthew 16:21-28
Sep. 10: 14th Sunday After Pentecost
First Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-11
Psalm: 119:33-40
Second Reading: Romans 13:8-14
Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20
Sep. 17: 15th Sunday After Pentecost
First Reading: Genesis 50:15-21
Psalm: 103:[1-7] 8-13
Second Reading: Romans 14:1-12
Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35
Sep. 24: 16th Sunday After Pentecost
First Reading: Jonah 3:10-4:11
Psalm: Psalm 145:1-8
Second Reading: Philippians 1:21-30
Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16
Newsletter Deadline
Articles to be included in the October 2017 issue of The Journey should be submitted to Diane Thygeson (email: [email protected]) no later than September 20.
If you are not receiving The Journey please call or email the church office to let us know. Thanks!
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Living Faith Lutheran Church 2915 Wright Avenue Racine, WI 53405-5094 Published Once a Month
