E-MAIL US Reverend Kyle Carnes Tina L. Scott-Bus. Manager Kelly Krembs-Admin. Asst. Jason Chandler-Facilities Mgr. Mary Pat Campbell-Interim Pastoral Associate The Interpreter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Council Pres. Letter 2 Desserts & Helpers 2 Special Gifts 2 Feed Your Spirit 3 Crunching Numbers 4 Lent: Soup & Ushers 4 March Birthdays 5 March Calendar 6 Christian Education 7 Scrip ... For Easter 7 Altar Flowers 8 Wanted: Volunteer 8 Fish Fries 8 Softball 9 Open Sponsorships 9 Weekly Calendar 10 LINK UP UCC WI Conference NW Association February 27, 2018 No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here. Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 8-4:30 | Fri 8-4 Rev. Kyle Carnes, Senior Minister The Interpreter Saint Stephens United Church of Christ 903 E 2nd St Merrill WI 54452 Office: 715-536-7322 Pastoral Care Needs: 715.575.3191 A DIFFERENT KIND OF SCHEDULE I was recently asked, why do we go to church on Wednesdays? And I thought it was a good, simple question that was worth a response, and perhaps worth an upsell. (More on upselling at the end.) I admit that I don’t have any historical data as to who started it or when, but according to just one simple Google search it looks like it’s been around in the United States at least since the 1800’s. I read that even then, there was a sense that church couldn’t do “all it needed to do” on Sundays, so they added Wednesdays because of our schedule in “modern times.” It’s crazy to think that church people in this country have been using the same reasons for attending or not attending church for 200 years … there’s not enough time … Have we Americans always been that allured with the rat race, the demands of production, and unsustainable schedules? (Granted for much of that time period in this area, the schedule would have been determined by the farm schedule and the factory schedule, and often still is.) Of course, one of the reasons that we worship on Wednesdays is just out of tradition. It’s what Protestants have done for a long time, so we continue it because we believe it’s good to gather and bring our attention to God together. Lent begins with worship on Ash Wednesday, so it makes sense to keep the rhythm of Wednesday worship throughout the season. I suppose the bigger question this brings up is, why do we go to church at all? And I’m not sure many of us spend much time with that question. What are our expectations of worship? What do we plan to experience, gain, or consume? Do our motivations to participate in church actually compel us to show up, or are they just good enough when the time is right? My point is this: our expectations drive our experience. If our expectation is that we will fulfill an obligation, then that’s what we’ll accomplish. If our expectation is that we’ll meet God there, and be affected by it, well then there’s a lot better chance that will happen by taking that route, rather than the obligatory one. What I’ve come to learn about so many of you at Saint Stephens is that you deeply value church, but somehow schedules are still a huge problem. I’ve learned that regular attendance these days means twice a month at best, and for many it means once a month; anything above that requires a tremendous amount of effort for families with kids or grandkids not in town. And yet, there will always be reasons not to go to church. There are always reasons NOT to do all kinds of things. However, to answer the question “Why?” requires time and intention, and demands substance out of our motivations. So, the question about why do we come to church on Wednesdays can come back to the question, “Why go to church at all?” and for that matter, the existential question “Why do we do anything at all, other than out of obligation?” And, here’s my upsell I mentioned at the beginning - my case that it’s worth the significant time investment to come to church on Wednesdays and Sundays. It’s not so that God will be pleased and we will receive extra gold stars. I don’t think God has any interest in that stuff. But I do think God is interested in interrupting our lives. The hope is that church has enough value to draw us in, so that we can hear God speak a word that we don’t hear anywhere else - to interrupt all the empty noise that wearies the soul and damages the heart. We come to church to hear: “You are good. You are worthy. You are loved. You bring me great joy. And another way is possible.” And I know that not all churches can be counted on to be places where these words are spoken. But it’s what we hear at Saint Stephens every time we gather. And I don’t know about you, but these are words I need to hear as often as possible if I’m going to have any hopes of believing them or experiencing their reality. So, I know life is nuts. Mine too (no, for real). Just know that we miss you when you don’t gather with us (no guilt, just true). We gather to remind each other that this life cannot, and I mean cannot, be done alone. So, blessings to you as we each bring the question “Why?” not just to church, but to everything we do. It really is the perfect question for Lent. Blessings for this crazy life that we share, Kyle
Transcript
E-MAIL USReverend Kyle Carnes
Tina L. Scott-Bus. Manager
Kelly Krembs-Admin. Asst.
Jason Chandler-Facilities Mgr.
Mary Pat Campbell-Interim Pastoral Associate
The Interpreter
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Council Pres. Letter 2
Desserts & Helpers 2
Special Gifts 2
Feed Your Spirit 3
Crunching Numbers 4
Lent: Soup & Ushers 4
March Birthdays 5
March Calendar 6
Christian Education 7
Scrip ... For Easter 7
Altar Flowers 8
Wanted: Volunteer 8
Fish Fries 8
Softball 9
Open Sponsorships 9
Weekly Calendar 10
LINK UPUCC
WI Conference
NW Association
February 27, 2018
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.
The Interpreter Saint Stephens United Church of Christ
903 E 2nd St Merrill WI 54452
Office: 715-536-7322
Pastoral Care Needs:715.575.3191
A DIFFERENT KIND OF SCHEDULE
I was recently asked, why do we go to church on Wednesdays? And I thought it was a good, simple question that was worth a response, and perhaps worth an upsell. (More on upselling at the end.)
I admit that I don’t have any historical data as to who started it or when, but according to just one simple Google search it looks like it’s been around in the United States at least since the 1800’s. I read that even then, there was a sense that church couldn’t do “all it needed to do” on Sundays, so they added Wednesdays because of our schedule in “modern times.” It’s crazy to think that church people in this country have been using the same reasons for attending or not attending church for 200 years … there’s not enough time …
Have we Americans always been that allured with the rat race, the demands of production, and unsustainable schedules? (Granted for much of that time period in this area, the schedule would have been determined by the farm schedule and the factory schedule, and often still is.)
Of course, one of the reasons that we worship on Wednesdays is just out of tradition. It’s what Protestants have done for a long time, so we continue it because we believe it’s good to gather and bring our attention to God together. Lent begins with worship on Ash Wednesday, so it makes sense to keep the rhythm of Wednesday worship throughout the season.
I suppose the bigger question this brings up is, why do we go to church at all? And I’m not sure many of us spend much time with that question. What are our expectations of worship? What do we plan to experience, gain, or consume? Do our motivations to participate in church actually compel us to show up, or are they just good enough when the time is right? My point is this: our expectations drive our experience. If our expectation is that we will fulfill an obligation, then that’s what we’ll accomplish. If our expectation is that we’ll meet God there, and be affected by it, well then there’s a lot better chance that will happen by taking that route, rather than the obligatory one.
What I’ve come to learn about so many of you at Saint Stephens is that you deeply value church, but somehow schedules are still a huge problem. I’ve learned that regular attendance these days means twice a month at best, and for many it means once a month; anything above that requires a tremendous amount of effort for families with kids or grandkids not in town.
And yet, there will always be reasons not to go to church. There are always reasons NOT to do all kinds of things. However, to answer the question “Why?” requires time and intention, and demands substance out of our motivations.
So, the question about why do we come to church on Wednesdays can come back to the question, “Why go to church at all?” and for that matter, the existential question “Why do we do anything at all, other than out of obligation?”
And, here’s my upsell I mentioned at the beginning - my case that it’s worth the significant time investment to come to church on Wednesdays and Sundays. It’s not so that God will be pleased and we will receive extra gold stars. I don’t think God has any interest in that stuff. But I do think God is interested in interrupting our lives. The hope is that church has enough value to draw us in, so that we can hear God speak a word that we don’t hear anywhere else - to interrupt all the empty noise that wearies the soul and damages the heart. We come to church to hear: “You are good. You are worthy. You are loved. You bring me great joy. And another way is possible.” And I know that not all churches can be counted on to be places where these words are spoken. But it’s what we hear at Saint Stephens every time we gather. And I don’t know about you, but these are words I need to hear as often as possible if I’m going to have any hopes of believing them or experiencing their reality.
So, I know life is nuts. Mine too (no, for real). Just know that we miss you when you don’t gather with us (no guilt, just true). We gather to remind each other that this life cannot, and I mean cannot, be done alone. So, blessings to you as we each bring the question “Why?” not just to church, but to everything we do. It really is the perfect question for Lent.
Blessings for this crazy life that we share, Kyle
February 27, 2018Page 2THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Dear Members,
I wanted to give you an update on the Capital Campaign. When we took the vote on Jan. 14, we voted to move forward by hiring a professional capital fundraising firm. With several new Council members on board, I called a special meeting to gain further knowledge and understanding of what that firm would be providing us for the $50,000 fundraising fee. We have also taken into account the many of you who have expressed concern about the $50,000 price tag and want to honor those concerns. While we still maintain our commitment to seek professional guidance through this important project in the life of our congregation, the Council felt compelled to perform more due diligence on this very important matter. Upon careful and diligent analysis of the proposal, we have decided to pursue other potential consulting options to help us achieve our fundraising goals.
We will be reviewing new proposals from two other firms still this month. We understand and embrace the urgency of this situation. We will do everything necessary to choose the right path for Saint Stephens.
Please know that once Council has reviewed the proposals and identified a recommended course of action, we will once again call a special meeting of the congregation so that this recommended course of action can be put to a new vote before we commit to taking any action.
Please feel free to reach out to me or any Council member with any questions you might have. We are all in this together as one! Sincerely, Kent Reinhardt 2018 Council President
Mark your calendar for ...Bow The Knee, an Easter musical
Be uplifted by the musicBe transformed by the message
Presentations at:Saint Stephens United Church of Christ,
903 E 2nd Street, MerrillSaturday, March 17, at 7:00 PMSunday, March 18, at 2:30 PM
Zion Lutheran Church, E7195 Star Rd, Aniwa (Easton)
Saturday, March 24, at 7:00 PMSunday, March 25, at 2:30 PM
LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS NEED DESSERTSAND HELPERSDo you love to bake? We need desserts to serve at our Wednesday night soup suppers during Lent.
Want to help with our soup suppers? Many hands make light work ... and we’re a little short-handed right now. So we could use more helpers!
Please call Tyler Drake at 715.218.8076.
Special gifts in honor or in memory will be printed with the dollar figures shown unless otherwise specified.
Memorial $50.00 in memory of parents, Duane & Ruth Heath, on their birthdays - March 4 and February 17 - from Bob & Cherie Kultgen and Family
Radio $190.00 in memory of loved ones from Bruce & Mary Schmidt
Organ Fund $25.00 in memory of Marge Bates, Scott Wallace’s Mom, from Diane Goetsch
SPECIAL GIFTS
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.
February 27, 2018Page 3THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
FEED YOUR SPIRIT . . .Functional Atheism
“This command I gave them, ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk only in the way that I command you, so that it may be well with you.’ Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but in the stubbornness of their evil will, they walked in their own counsels, and looked backward rather than forward.” - Jeremiah 7:23-24
A lot of us claim to believe in God, but then act as if everything depended on us, on our efforts and wisdom,
on our ability to keep all the little planets of our concerns in perfect orbit around the great blasting sun of our inner control freak. Meanwhile, we are white-knuckling it all the way. Nadia Bolz Weber calls this
“functional atheism.”
Some verbal hallmarks that you are a functional atheist: “I can handle this all by myself.” “Don’t worry about me.” “Yup, just fine.”
One of the great sicknesses of the 21st century is our solitariness, our isolation from each other and from God. We are allergic to asking for help and have a pathological fear of being thought “needy.” Some of us will walk in our own counsel right off a cliff rather than show our vulnerability to another human being, or turn to God in prayer.
Here’s a news flash: You’re just as God made you, and that includes being needy. Control freaks, perfectionists and fiercely independent types are not of much use to the God who made us to fit together, interlocking parts that hold the whole Creation in place.
Prayer
God, I know my strong-man biceps are puny compared to what You can bench-press on a bad day with a migraine. Take away my shame that I really can’t handle this all by myself, and use my neediness to show the world what Your power is really like. Amen.
By Jennifer Brownell
UNDERSTANDING GRIEFSpring Seminar 2018
Presented by Wings, a Grief Education Ministry
Seminar One:“Hanging On or Letting Go? Rebalancing Our World
after Death or Loss” A Community seminar to understand grief.
Thursday, April 19 | 7:00 - 9:00 PMFree of charge and open to the public
Holiday Inn & Suites - Cedar Creek, Rothschild
Seminar Two: “Helping Individuals and Families Move from Coping
and Surving to being Transformed and Thriving” A seminar for clergy, hospice, caregivers, and
families experiencing life-changing loss.Friday, April 20 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Fee: $50
Registration is not required for either seminar, but you can reserve a seat and learn more about both workshops at: wingsgrief.org
February 27, 2018Page 4THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
LOST AND FOUND/DISHES TO BE PICKED UPOur Lost and Found items and Dishes to be picked up are now located on a cart up in the coat closet. Please take a peek before or after worship and claim any items that are yours. We will donate any remaining, unclaimed items in another week or so.
We also found keys in the parking lot. Stop in the office during office hours to identify and claim them if you are missing keys. (Note: One is a fob with an electronic opener.)
LENTEN SOUP SUPPERSJoin us Wednesday evenings beginning at 5:00 PM for a Lenten soup supper in the Fellowship Hall followed by worship at 6:30 PM.
February 28 - Chicken Noodle and Taco soupsMarch 7 - Chicken Noodle and Broccoli Cheese soupsMarch 14 - Chicken Noodle and Stuffed Pepper soupsMarch 21 - Chicken Noodle and Loaded Baked Potato soupsMarch 29 - Chicken Noodle soup and Chili
2018 LENTEN SERVICE USHER SCHEDULE Date 10:00 AM Ushers 6:30 PM Ushers TeamWednesday, February 28 Dave S., Jerry O. Team 4 - George DintelmanWednesday, March 7 Dave S., Jerry O. Team 1 - Les SabatkeWednesday, March 14 Dave S., Jerry O. Team 2 - Lloyd Buck, Jr.Wednesday, March 21 Dave S., Jerry O. Team 3 - Dave SchwartzmanThursday, March 29 Dave S., Jerry O. Team 4 - George DintelmanFriday, March 30 Good Friday - 7:24 Tenebrae Service* Clint Golisch* Sunday, April 1 Easter Sunday 6:30 AM Sunrise Service* Ushers Needed 9:00 AM Service Team 1 - Les Sabatke 10:30 AM Service Ushers Needed*Ushers needed for 7:24 PM Good Friday Service, 6:30 AM Easter Sunrise Service, and 10:30 AM Easter Service.
(Sign-up sheet will be posted at the ushers’ station in the narthex.)
CRUNCHING THE NUMBERSThe charts above show that we had really good months financially in both December and January. December is always a high month for both income and expenses with the holidays yielding higher income and with bills due for the next quarter yielding higher expenses. Yet we ended the month, and the year 2017, with more income than expenses, wrapping up our fiscal year in the black. This was awesome and enabled us to again be generous and donate our Christmas Eve offering.
January income also exceeded expenses, though by a small margin. Still, we are starting 2018 in a financially healthy way and hope to continue consistently paying our bills on time. So thank you, each of you.
We want to acknowledge and celebrate your special days, and we’re starting with
birthdays! Send your church friends birthday wishes, whether in person, via email, or by
sending one of those wonderful cards you can hold in your hands by mail!
Mar 25 Ryan WildingMar 25 Lea KultgenMar 26 Clifford LuptonMar 26 Scott Wallace, Sr.Mar 27 Hope GolischMar 28 Sam BurrowsMar 28 Lee Ann HarbathMar 28 Lisa SturmMar 28 Natalie PodeweltzMar 28 Jordan NatzkeMar 29 Shirley WojciechowskiMar 29 Lynn HenrichMar 29 Lynette TrappMar 29 Avery FrischMar 30 Dorothy BerndtMar 31 Shirley AndersonMar 31 Betty KrauseMar 31 Vicky Leavitt
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
Mar 1 Barbara BonnellMar 1 Morgan SchwartzmanMar 2 Mary MalueggeMar 2 Mark ForsterMar 2 Lynelle SampoMar 2 Jessica KremsreiterMar 2 Matthew HoeftMar 3 Gerald OestreichMar 3 Maria GodleskeMar 3 Rob KoebeMar 3 Mathew DavisMar 3 Derek HoffmanMar 3 Mia HansonMar 3 Sullivan MootzMar 4 Sarah FrischMar 5 Mary Ann ForsterMar 5 Beth BadeauMar 5 Becky KludyMar 5 Nicole SobergMar 5 Stephanie LawrieMar 6 Eunice SchubertMar 6 Alice ZiemkeMar 6 Dennis KoehlerMar 6 Mark HeckendorfMar 7 Roland HallMar 7 Marilyn RathkeMar 7 Jolene PlautzMar 7 Susan SwansonMar 7 Emma MyersMar 7 Gavin GrulingMar 8 Marylin CulbertMar 8 Gloria SchenzelMar 8 Mark GanoMar 8 Kelly NatzkeMar 8 Zachary ZiemkeMar 9 Darlene KasperMar 9 Gail ScantlinMar 9 James KresselMar 9 Peter Fry IIMar 9 Mitchell BadeauMar 9 Mitchell AndersonMar 9 Blake HardinMar 9 Deliah Eisner
Mar 9 Calvin HoeftMar 9 Laney KultgenMar 10 Steven ErdmannMar 10 Brandon AmelseMar 10 Kolbie ShimelMar 11 Debra LuptonMar 11 Nancy Reinhardt-PorathMar 11 Rev. Kyle CarnesMar 11 Kylie RobergeMar 12 Paula McIntyreMar 12 Andy KoehlerMar 13 Dimitri AlftMar 15 Marie AmentMar 15 Jacob BeyerMar 15 Sydney BrandenburgMar 16 Amanda McDanielMar 16 Jamie SchmeltzerMar 16 Jeanne HanigMar 16 Braiden NelsonMar 16 Ava SalterMar 17 Judy HeathMar 18 Andrew HoffmanMar 18 Benjamin HoffmanMar 19 Diane WolffMar 19 Justin PyanMar 19 Aaron SchnablMar 19 Connor StenderMar 19 Claire KufahlMar 20 Eunice BerndtMar 20 Brittany BlochMar 20 Benjamin ThomMar 21 Melissa ButlerMar 21 Adam MesserschmidtMar 21 Joanne WengelerMar 22 Steven HansonMar 22 Donna PetruzatesMar 22 Meghan SampoMar 23 Jean CatlinMar 23 Jim NelsonMar 23 Grant CollinsMar 23 Lola KlugMar 24 Carol LeavittMar 25 Randy Schlueter
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February 27, 2018Page 7THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
NURSERY NEWSNursery care is available during our 9:00 AM worship service. Feel free to bring your little ones ages 0 - 2 to the nursery where our adult volunteers will be happy to care for them during the service. (If you have not already done so, please complete an enrollment form for your child.)
7th & 8th GRADERS ...
March Faith Formation classes will be held on Sunday, March 11, and Sunday, March 18, at 9:00 AM. Mark your calendars & see you in class!
7th & 8th GradeFaith Formation
SUNDAY SCHOOLNEWS
Parents should bring children directly to their Sunday School classrooms prior to 9:00 AM worship.
CONFIRMATION 2017-2018 If you missed our Confirmation meeting last Sunday, please chat with Rev. Carnes so he can update you on what you missed and what we are doing for Lent.
SCRIP ... FOR EASTERHop, hop, hop on down to Saint Stephens to pick up some Scrip. Then continue on down the bunny trail to pick up those Easter baskets and all the goodies that go into them using that Scrip. We’ve got both Walgreens and Walmart Scrip ... and we all know they have lots of cute fuzzy stuffed animals, chocolate goodies, and little toys to fill those baskets to the brim and make those little ones smile.
It’s fun and egg-citing to use County Market and Piggly Wiggly Scrip to purchase dozens of eggs and then have family fun dying hard boiled eggs with the kids and grandkids.
And let’s not forget Easter outfits ... from new britches for the boys to bonnets for the girls (OK, they probably don’t really do that anymore, but cute new clothes for spring is still nice ...), Kohls Scrip can outfit the entire family in style for Easter festivities.
Then it’s on to plans for Easter dinner. Will it be dinner at a family home (in which case you’re probably going to need more of that County Market and Piggly Wiggly Scrip) or dinner out in a favorite restaurant? If it’s the latter, we’ve got Scrip in stock for all kinds of great restaurants ... and a number of them will probably offer a nice Easter dinner or buffet ... why not try Friendship House, Pine Ridge Restaurant, or Olive Garden, for instance.
Whatever your Easter traditions or plans, you can use Scrip to earn extra money for Saint Stephens and do the Easter rabbit proud at the same time.
CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES FOR 20182018 contribution envelopes are now available in the office during normal business hours..
February 27, 2018Page 8THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 4 - Third Sunday in Lent: Worship at 9:00 AM, with Nursery; 9:00 AM Sunday School; Food Pantry Sunday
Coffee Hour after 9:00 AM WorshipDINNER @ FIVE Every Monday at 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall
WEDNESDAYS DURING LENT: Worship at 10:00 AM, Soup Supper at 5:00 PM, Worship at 6:30 PMEASTER SUNDAY - April 1
UPCOMING EVENTS
SAINT STEPHENS STAINLESS MUGS FOR SALESaint Stephens logo’d stainless mugs keep your beverages piping hot and are available for purchase in the office, while supplies last. Only $20 each.
WANT TO BUY A SAINT STEPHENS UMBRELLA?Saint Stephens logo’d umbrellas: Big, roomy, classy ... and only $20 each. Limited quantities available. Also available in the church office.
Sauerkraut DinnerMarch 11 - 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Town of Pine Riverin the Fellowship Hall
Adults: $8 Ages 6-12: $5 Under 6: FREEMenu: Sauerkraut, pork, hot dogs, vegetable, dinner
roll, desserts, coffee & milk.
STAATS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The deadline for the Staats Memorial Scholarship is April 1, 2018. Copies of the Information and Application for the Edward H. Staats and Mary Staats Memorial Scholarship are available in the church office. You may also download a copy directly from the Saint Stephens website under Resources/Forms. (http://ststephensucc.net/resources/forms)
WANTED: Volunteer to Run Random ErrandsPeriodically, we could use someone who likes to run errands to help us out at the church. It might be running aluminum cans to Schultz’s Recycling or going to the post office to get stamps. Perhaps it is taking a deposit to the bank or returning a jump drive to the radio station or taking donations to St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. We sometimes have a short list of random things like this just waiting to be done. If running random errands is your idea of fun, call Tina in the church office!
During Lent Only ...
Friday Night Fish Fries at St. Francis
1708 East 10th Street, Merrill Serving from 4:30 - 7:30 PMBaked & deep fried fish, Shrimp, French fries or baked potato, cheese curds, pizza, delicious homemade desserts, soda & beer, and more to choose from.
Delicious!
Dine in, carry outs, and delivery available.
ALTAR FLOWERS NEEDEDWe are in need of sponsors to provide flowers on the altar for our Sunday worship services. Our flower calendar is almost wide open. Please call or sign up in the office to sponsor flowers.
ELECTRONIC GIVING It’s the easiest way to give! Email Tina to get the easy peasy instructions so you can set it up. Everyone who has tried it thinks it’s great. Just set it and forget it!
Remember ...
SCRIP costs you NOTHING to use in place of cash!
February 27, 2018Page 9THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
2018 CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS/OFFICERS
President Kent ReinhardtVice President Cliff WilliamsTreasurer Marge JohnsonSecretary Beth Houle Kristine Bowe Tyler Drake Kevin Golisch Jennifer Oestreich Kristine Smith Judy Heath Janet Schaefer Christopher StammClergy: Rev. Kyle Carnes
COUNCIL/FISCAL TRANSPARENCYEver wonder what goes on behind the scenes? Wish you could be a fly on the wall at a Church Council meeting? Curious about church finances? Your Church Council wants you to know you can get a copy of the most recent Minutes and Treasurer’s Report at any time, by request. Simply call Tina in the church office to get a copy.
TEXT TO GIVE! It’s as Easy as 1-2-3!
Have a “smart” cell phone? Then you can donate to Saint Stephens by sending a Text. It’s Simple. Here’s all you need to do:
Text SaintStephens (no spaces in between) to 73256
You will get a reply message with a link. Tap the link.
Follow the prompts.
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3FOOD FOR KIDSSaint Stephens is now able to accept donations for the Food for Kids program we have adopted. Checks for Food for Kids should be made payable to: Food for Kids and may be dropped into the collection plate or delivered to the church office.
SOFTBALL SIGN-UPSoftball season may be months away, but the time to get our roster in to the church league is now. If you are planning to “Play Ball!” this summer on the Saint Stephens softball team, call Jerry Burnett at 715.722.0115. We need players, and the deadline for submitting our roster is in early March.
Can you sponsor a Coffee Hour?Sign up on the kioskin the Kuck Lounge.
ELECTRONIC GIVING It’s the easiest way to give! Email Tina to get the easy peasy instructions so you can set it up. Everyone who has tried it thinks it’s great. Just set it and forget it!
SUNDAY, MARCH 4... Third Sunday in Lent- Rev. Kyle Carnes
Worship at 9:00 AM, Nursery Available, Sunday School
Musicians are Darlene Johnson and the Choir. Flowers on the altar are sponsored by Chris & Heidi Stevenson.
Radio Ministry is in memory of all those who passed away in 2017 from Nila & Edgar Oestreich.
Coffee Hour is sponsored by Amanda and Jean Hoeft and Pearl Sabatke. Nursery will be staffed by Lottie Ziemke and Sally Woller.
For subscriptions, removals or changes of address: 715-536-7322 or [email protected] PROVIDES THE BEST SERVICE.
WEEKLY CALENDARMONDAY, MARCH 5 9:30 Former PALS 5:00 Aerobics 5:00 Dinner @ Five 6:00 Church & Ministry
TUESDAY, MARCH 6 5:00 Girl Scout Troop 7254
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 9:30 Former PALS 10:00 Worship with Communion 6:30 Worship with Communion 6:15 Choir Meets 7:15 Choir Practices
THURSDAY, MARCH 8 9:30 Former PALS 5:00 Aerobics 5:30 Girl Scout Troop 7075 6:00 Chimes
FRIDAY, MARCH 9 12:00 Alcoholics Anonymous
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T ST STEPHENS UCC US POSTAGE PAID 903 E SECOND ST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION MERRILL WI 54452 PERMIT #10 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED MERRILL WI 54452-2576
Pastoral Care Telephone Number: 715.575.3191.
Please add this number to the contacts in your cell phone or keep with your other important or emergency telephone numbers.
BOOK STUDY FOR LENTA new book study surrounding the book, The Bible Tells Me So by Peter Enns, is under way for Lent. It’s about how “to see beyond restrictive doctrine and learn to embrace God’s Word as it is actually written.” Want to join us? Check in the office to get a copy of the book (or talk to Rev. Carnes if we’re out) and plan to join us each Wednesday evening immediately after worship for some great discussion.
