BUSINESS NAME

JANUARY 2018 VOLUME 11 ISSUE 1

THE WOODLAND WITNESS

Inside this issue:

Hearts for Giving 1

Woodland Youth Activity

Prayer Requests

Bethesda Thrift Shop

2

Birthdays/Anniversaries

Attendance

Call Committee Update

3

Council Capsule 4

Treasurer’s Report

Woodland Family Dinner

Social Ministry News

5

Worship Assistants’

Schedule

6

Quilters

Advent Celebration at

Zion

Welcome Tammy &

Adam Klawitter

7

From Marines to Ministry 8

Calendar 9

More than 175 pairs of mittens, hats, and slippers were knit and

crocheted for this year’s mitten tree. Manette Flouro and Jan

Reinhardt were instrumental in accomplishing this amazing feat.

Manette herself made over 80 pairs of mittens, and with the sup-

port of her husband Grant, has been doing so every year, for

approximately 12 years! In addition, Jan and Manette are also

very active in the Community Quilting group—what a great tes-

timony of their generosity and commitment to reach out to the

community.

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;

another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,

and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:24-25

Hearts for Giving

Page 2

THE WOODLAND WITNESS

Cancer: Diane, Nancy Wenzlaff, Jim M, Kathy Hawkins, Raelen & Marv Jarvis, Jill Jones,

Judy McGuire, Lois Briggs, Arlene Greseth, Stephanie Fote, Mary Radtke

Doctor’s Care: Duane Polivka, Syna, Roberta Henrichs, Jean Bjelde, Chris Brown, Par-

ker Goebel, Kathy Scamfer, Trent, Dianna B., Michael Houdek, Gavin Middleton,

George Verhalen, Diane Nelson, Julie Pucel, Aileen Truhlar, Allan Flouro, Vernon Mey-

er, Mary Nelson

If you have an update or prayer request, please let the office secretary know so we

can include it here.

BETHESDA THRIFT SHOP: The Bethesda Thrift Shop closed Dec.

30. We regret that this had to happen, but with the sale of the mall,

we had to close our store. We searched the community for another

location but the size that we needed at a good location at a reasona-

ble cost was not available and what we found could have possibly

become a financial risk for Bethesda to continue to operate a store

in Rapids. We thank all the faithful non-paid volunteers who

worked thousands of hours for the past 14 years. Thanks also to our

donors and many wonderful customers. In the past 14 years, Be-

thesda profited more than 1.5 million dollars to help enhance the

lives of the intellectually and physically disabled folks served by

Bethesda. We thank you! The Bethesda Thrift Shop definitely was a

positive part of this community and will be missed by many.

Woodland’s youth once again provided us with the center-

pieces for our Christmas dinner.

Woodland Youth Activity

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THE WOODLAND WITNESS

Karl & Nancy Weinner 01/21

ATTENDANCE FOR DECEMBER

WAS 432

Grant Flouro 01/01

Barb Wilhorn 01/01

Chuck Kolstad 01/05

Jeck Mickler 01/05

Rose Meyer 01/12

Carl Lussmyer 01/14

Dennis Stauber 01/16

Chuck Willert 01/17

Daniel Kuspa 01/24

Linda Raap 01/24

Colleen Wegher 01/24

Tom Bee 01/26

Gene Francis 01/26

Phil Strand 01/28

Nathaniel Berg-Stojak 01/30

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Call Committee Update: As most of you may know, we thought

we might have had a candidate to interview for our pastoral vacan-

cy. Unfortunately, a glitch arose, and the committee was not able

to meet with the individual. Since then, we have not received any

communication from the Synod. We hope that now that the holi-

days are behind us, the opportunities will increase. I will keep the

congregation updated as needed. Thanks for your patience.

Janine Jensen

Finance: reported by John Gruenloh

Income for November was $10,072 and expenses were $6,719

leaving a positive balance for the month of $3,353. John gave a

summary report of Memorial Funds.

Evangelism: the Family Dinner was a success.

Property: the heat sensor in the library was replaced and the

thermostats are set for winter. Four light bulbs and one lens is

needed in the Fellowship/Quilters room. Jim Caulfield cleaned

the mowers. It was noted that the gasoline used for the snow

blowers must be premium with no ethanol.

Social Ministry: placement of the Road Clean-Up group was

discussed. It was agreed that it should remain a special project

and not be the responsibility of any one committee.

OLD BUSINESS:

Water update: we were advised to have our water pipes pres-

sure checked to test for a possible compromised water pipeline.

NEW BUSINESS:

Policy Review : council review of current church policies will begin in February.

Vacant Council Seat: a note will be put in the bulletin to see if anyone is interested in fill-

ing the vacated council seat.

Church Safety: This issue was raised and discussed. Council will review suggestions

provided by our insurance agency.

Page 4

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 1

Council Capsule

This is a short account of the last Council meeting held on

December 11, 2017. Complete minutes may be obtained in

the office.

Council Contacts

Co-Pres. Larry Halverson

715-325-6833;

L4rry@wctc.net

Co-Pres. Steve Raap

715-325-5094; raap@wctc.net

Treas. John Gruenloh 715-325-

3944; gus@wctc.net

Sec. Neal Kasper 262-844-6197;

nkasper50@gmail.com

Vernon Meyer 715-325-6783;

upnorthlc@scacable.com

E-mail Address

wlc@solarus.net

Please visit our website

at:

www.woodlandlutheranr

ome.org.

Page 5

THE WOODLAND WITNESS

From the Treasurer

The Treasurer’s report is forthcoming in our January bulletins.

Thank you.

John Gruenloh—WLC Treasurer

Social Ministry News

Many thanks to the talented ladies who knit or crocheted over

175 pairs of mittens, hats, and slippers for our mitten

tree. Thank you to the members of our congregation who pur-

chased items for the tree. These will be dropped off at local

schools and the Head Start Program in Adams County. Also

thank you for your tremendous generosity for the Fire Depart-

ment Food Baskets. Over $1,000 was collected for this ef-

fort. Your response to hear the call to "reach out" is heart

warming.

By Dolores Lagae

The Evangelism Committee hosted its fifth Fami-

ly Christmas Dinner, on Saturday, December 9, 2017. More

than 90 guests were in attendance and we shared a wonderful

Christmas dinner along with Christmas carols. Candy Hei-

necke and Jan Gildenzoph did an amazing job managing the

menu and overseeing the food preparation, and Rick Antin,

our Evangelism team chair, ensured that we were always on

task. The Community Quilters donated a handmade quilt to be

given as a door prize. The quilt was won by Kevin Steffanus,

and Hope Hoefling won the Christmas Plant. The event was a

great show of unity and hospitality, and we were honored to

serve many guests from the community.

Woodland Family Dinner

Worship Assistants

Music Tammy & Adam Klawitter

Greeters:

Jan. 07 Donna Hoffman

14 Daryl & Phyllis Pfeil

21 Candice Heinecke

28 Colleen Wegher

Ushers:

Jan. 07 Debb Eberhardt & Carol Pipala

14 Steve & Judy Nowicki

21 Debb Eberhardt & NEEDED

28 Ray & Cindy Holden

Readers:

Jan. 07 Karen Antin

14 Deb Gruenloh

21 Candy Heinecke

28 Steve Nowicki

January Altar Guild:

Judy Nowicki & Linda Raap

January Bread Maker:

Karen Antin

Snow Removal:

Jan. 01 Bob Nygaard

08 Mark Schroeder

15 Russ Terril

22 Steve Raap

29 Ray Holden

Communion Servers:

Jan. 07 Rick & Karen Antin

14 Carol Dunlap & NEEDED

21 Harland & Shirley Thoreson

28 Steve & Judy Nowicki

Custodians:

Jan. 08 Carl & Shelley Lussmyer

15 NEEDED

22 NEEDED

29 NEEDED

Coffee Servers:

Jan. 07 Larry & Kathy Halverson

14 NEEDED

21 NEEDED

28 NEEDED

Projectionist:

Jan. 07 John Gruenloh

14 Rick Antin

21 Travis Hoefling

28 Steve Raap

Page 6

THE WOODLAND WITNESS

Page 7

THE WOODLAND WITNESS

Quilters

The Quilters continue to make quilts every

Monday from 9-2 in the Fellowship Hall of

Woodland. Join us and see for yourself the

good times we have on this quilting pro-

ject. Invite a friend – we are a community

group.

The Quilters have already completed 149

quilts since Quilt Sunday in October!

Advent Celebration at Zion

On November 30th, Zion Lutheran invited Woodland and Trinity Lu-

theran members to join them for an Advent celebration. They did not

hold an advent service but instead we met in their fellowship hall,

where we ushered in the evening with a prayer and shared a

meal prepared by the excellent cooks at Zion. One of the members

also discussed several informational pieces she had written up on the

meaning and origin of Advent. The remainder of the evening was

spent in fellowship as we worked on a craft project and learned a song

along with the sign language about lighting a candle for peace and

love. Steve and I decided to make an angel (on display in the Narthex)

from one of the many green hymnals they had available. Crafts were

also available for the children. It was a wonderful evening getting to

know each other and sharing our faith in Christ.

Please welcome Tammy

Klawitter and her son Adam

to our worship team. Tammy

has agreed to provide us with

music for our Sunday worship

services while Russ is away.

Her son Adam will accompa-

ny Tammy with his guitar.

Tammy studied music at the

UWSP. She resides in the

Town of Rome and is the

mother of five children ages 6

to seventeen!

By Linda Behling Raap

Page 8

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 1

From Marines to Ministry

By Rick Antin

“I’m doing fine”. Have you given that reply many times to the question “How

are you doing?” ?

That was the reply that Marine Nathan Huffman gave to his chaplain during a

visit by him during his Iraq deployment in 2005. The chaplain wasn’t con-

vinced and pushed for a real answer. It turns out Nathan was unsettled as he

had not had communion for over a month.

The chaplain brought out his communion kit and offered him the sacrament

before Huffman started his nightly patrol. Huffman now felt at peace with dy-

ing, should he meet that end that night.

Nothing happened that night….but that year Huffman’s unit lost 46 Marines and

2 Navy corpsmen. Now a father of 3 he counts himself blessed to be alive.

After returning to the states, Huffman was a police officer in Richmond, VA for

several years. Then he and his wife began talking seriously about seminary

and chaplaincy. See Nathan was the son of a retired ELCA pastor and had been

very involved in the church growing up. That continued as he was an active

member of Epiphany Lutheran in Richmond.

“My father and my Epiphany’s pastor both emphasized the importance of faith

in times of challenge. I’ve carried that through my life and into ministry today.”

Because others had helped him, Huffman said he felt called to help military

personnel and veterans who were suffering.

In 2012 Huffman began his studies at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Get-

tysburg, PA. He applied and was accepted in the chaplain candidate program,

and one needs to have 3 years of pastoral experience before he can become a

chaplain. Huffman is currently an associate pastor at St Michael Lutheran

Church in Virginia Beach, VA. Here he is on familiar ground as roughly half of

the parishioners are former or current members of the military.

Huffman hopes ministry can bring light to those facing challenges today.

It is your mission dollars to the ELCA that support the ministry of chaplains and

the seminaries that train them.

Thank you for the HELP and HOPE you bring to so many.

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 1

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