Dear Members & Friends,

An ancient tradition that has grown in popularity over the years is the establishment of New Year’s resolutions. As we enter each new year, we inventory our life, and

select those areas that we would like to be more proficient in.

This year I would like to place a challenge at your feet. Rather than establishing the typical New Year’s resolutions for this year (“I resolve to lose 99 pounds this year,” even though there is nothing wrong with that), resolve instead to fulfill the two Great Commandments and make disciples for Christ.

To help us give greater thought to such an indeavor is Dr. Dale Galloway. Dr. Galloway spent 23 years pastor-ing New Hope Community Church in Portland, Oregon. Under God’s grace and Dr. Galloway’s leadership, New Hope grew to a membership of 6400. Today, Dr. Galloway serves as the Dean of the Beeson Institute for Biblical Preaching and Church Leadership at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky.

Without any further delay, please permit me to share Dr. Galloway’s article with you. Dr. Galloway writes:

“Traditions are part of every culture in all parts of the world. They can be found in both the secular and relgious worlds. When our children were still living at home, we had a Christmas Eve tradition of having a nice meal around the Christmas tree, reading the Christmas story from Luke 2, then opening our presents. It was wonder-ful and something we looked forward to every year.

Most traditions are good and result in a sense of close-ness and continuity to those holding the tradition. However, if clinging to a certain tradition impedes one’s emotional or spiritual growth, then it may not be a healthy tradition to preserve. Sometimes we see this in churches who refuse to make changes simply because ‘we’ve always done it that way’ (Tradition!). But, for the

most part, traditions are good and serve to connect the generations.

One of the traditions that seems to be worldwide is that of making New Year’s resolutions. Now confess, you’ve made several of them through the years, haven’t you? In fact, do you suppose there is anyone past his teen years who has never made a New Year’s resolution? I doubt it. Further, do you suppose there is anyone alive who has actually kept all those traditions? My skepticism reaches its zenith at the mere thought of such a prospect.

Why do we make New Year’s resolutions? I have no idea who made the first one, but I suspect it was because the beginning of a new year is a logical place to initiate a fresh beginning in troubling areas of our lives. It is a kind of symbolic way of wiping the slate clean and start-ing anew. I like that! You guessed it, I think New Year’s resolutions have great merit in our lives.

What kind of New Year’s resolutions will you make this year? To lose weight? To think more before speaking? To visit one shut-in a month? There certainly wouldn’t be anything wrong with any of those. But I’d like to make a few suggestios that could be worthy for any of us to con-sider.

First, how about resolving to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? That in itself would

1300 Townline Rd., Wausau, WI 54403 • 715-848-2040 • www.clc-wausau.org January 2006

Is God a part of your New Year’s resolution?

PASTOR’S MESSAGE CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

JanuaryInside this issue:Thank Yous Pg. 2CCN Featured Broadcast Pg. 5Sites to See Pg. 5

Published monthly by:

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH1300 Townline Road, Wausau, WI 54403Church Office: 715-848-2040Internet: www.clc-wausau.org

Pastor: Pat McKenzie < pastorpat@myexcel.com > 842-5413Pastoral Assistant: Leonard Erdman 355-4295Minister of Music & Education: Dian Schlichtmann < dians@dwave.net > 355-4205Little Lambs Day Care Director: Donna Stolze 848-2040 ext. 4Youth Leader: Renee Whitehead 849-9877Choir Director: Vicki Kuester 536-2626Praise Band - Mission: Gretchen Erdman, Polly Piehler, Russ VasilovichNewsletter Editor: Brian Otten 845-0959Deadlines: 20th of each monthChurch Officers 2006President: David AckermanVice-president: Secretary: Yvonne TaftTreasurer: Cindy StraubFinancial Secretary: Dave HenrichBoard of Elders: Steve Bahr Brian Garrity Tom Houting Allen Krueger Bud RedeenEvangelism (Outreach): Bruce Anklam Margaret Kinney Tim StelzelBoard of Stewardship: Sam Morgan Carol Ray Ross SolverudTrustees: Don Anklam Greg Eschmann Larry Gavitt Don Gille Alan Schmidt Jim StraubBoard of Education: Barb Arndt Mike Otten Rose StuplichYouth Ministry: Dwayne Maroszek Tom Murphy Jean Timken Megan Juliot Carly Henrich Andrea Lewis Joshua Woller

In Our Prayers Today . . .Bev Ackerman’s nephew (Bill Peiler - deployed to Iraq); Lloyd Andrews (Kim Vasilovich’s father-surgery); Jerry Arndt and Family (Jay Arndt’s brother - deployed over-seas); Pastor Batiansila (Renee Whitehead’s father - cancer); David Bichler (recovery); Julie Bliese (recovery); Brooke & Devon Brandenburg (God’s guidance & protec-tion); Seth Dahlke (son-in-law of John and Pat Schultz); Janice (Larry Gavett’s sister-health); Marilyn Getzlaff (health); Laurie Gunderson (health); Christie Hale (niece of Jerry & Donna Leffel); Kollette Hermann (coma); Pastor Kevin Hoogland; Carl & Lorraine Hunsicker (recovery); Donald Kelly (Karen Lindstrum’s faher-recovery); Cindy Beidle’s mother (Marion Kohnhorst (health); Alice Kroeplin (recovery); Hester Kuester (health); Luke Leslie; Sean McKenzie (son of Pastor & Kristen); Harold Long Jr. (deployed to Iraq - Barb Morgan’s nephew); Stephanie Posterler (health); Susan Railey (Pauline Erdman’s sister-health); Betty Rawson (health); Rick Rayford (recovery); Bob and Lou Ann Schlei (health); Paul Schiefelbein (health); Andrew Schmidt (neph-ew of Mike & Linda Otten); Armin Schmidt (Al Schmidt’s brother-health); Judy Teske (health); Russ Vasilovich (recovery); James Wakely (recovery); Connor Whitehead (recovery); Doris Wurtinger (Carol Fendo’s mother-broken hip); Wisconsin Valley Lutheran High School, and the unchurched.

Weddings . . .Kathryn M. Powell and Robert L. Stolze on 12/10/05

Sara Lynn Childers and William J. Staubs on 12/10/05

Jennifer Jean Zunker and Lance Frank Abraham on 12/31/05

Thank Yous To . . .• Youth families who donated to the Advent suppers.

• Blood donors and all who helped in any way.

• Don Bevers and Bryan Piepenberg for their work on microphones.

• All the actors and actresses for the Advent service skits.

• Ladies Guild, Anklam CCG, Erdman CCG and the Youth Group for the Advent Suppers.

• Jack Baumann for the Christmas tree.

• All who helped decorate the church - Very Beautiful.

• Vicki Kuester for her work on the Cantata.

• Board of Ed and Ladies Guild for “Case for Christmas” broadcast.

• Special musicians for Christmas music.

• All who packed & delivered the food boxes.

• Tom & Kelly Murphy for organizing the caroling evening.

• The volunteer snow shovelers.

• Sunday school staff and parents for all their work on the Christmas

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THANK YOUS CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

involve a number of other resolutions, such as develop-ing a more fruitful personal prayer time and Bible study. Perhaps it would include deeper involvement in church activities.

Second, how wonderful would it be to resolve to love your neighbor as yourself? Can you imagine how transforming it would be if we really loved our neighbors as ourselves? I mean really loved them. Maybe that would mean tak-ing more time to visit the elderly, or volunteering at a shelter, or ... well, you fill in the blank.

Third, why not make a resolution to go and make dis-ciples? That might include mentoring a young believer, or perhaps starting a neighborhood Bible study. Maybe it would mean getting some additional Bible training yourself.

I can’t know what kinds of resolutions God wants you to make for the new year, if any at all. But I do believe the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions has merit and that if you will commit to the three I have mentioned, it could revolutionize your life, or church, and our com-munity. Imagine, resolving to love God supremely, to love others as you love yourself, and to make disciples for Christ. Sounds like something Jesus might ask of us.”

May God empower us to establish and fulfill our New Year’s resolutions especially those that deal with spiri-tual issues. For when it comes to life in general, the spiri-tual dimension is always the most important!

Have a Blessed New Year in Jesus,Pastor Pat

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PASTOR’S MESSAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Eve service.

• Elaine Hess CCG group for soup & sandwiches at the blood drive.

• Steve & Mary Shuler for donat-ing a Compact Refrigerator to the Church!

Gifts Were Given to the Elevator Fund by . . .• Gerald & Carol Ray

• Robert & Helen Ippel

• Fred & Marge Langsdorf

• Sam & Elaine Hess

• Mike & Arline Edens

• Don Anklam

• Cheryl & Del Hoffman

Gifts Were Given to the Genesis Fund by . . .• Mike & Linda Otten

Gifts Were Given to Health Ministry by . . .• Mike & Linda Otten

Gifts Were Given in Memory of . . .• Michael Lokker by Karla Lokker for the elevator fund

• Michael Lokker by Sam & Elaine Hess for the elevator fund

• Clifford Nimz by Gary & Sherrie

Zillman

• Paul & Vera Gappa & Alvin Marquardt by Niles & Doris Gappa for the elevator fund

• Rose Rascena by Sandi Michaelis for the elevator fund

• Gary Peterson & Michael Lokker by Sandi Michaelis for the elevator fund

• Vernon E. Krenz (late husband) by Betty Rawson for the elevator fund

• Parents of Virgine & Robert White

• All CLC members who have gone to their heavenly home by Sam, Barb, Mark & Tim Morgan for the elevator fund

Remember to visit our CLC website at clc-wausau.org

THANK YOUS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Thanks to the generosity of CLC members and friends, a total of $2,346.01 has been sent to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lake Worth, FL. The sanctuary of Our Savior Lutheran, the congregation at which former CLC pas-tor Steve Wipperman now serves, was destroyed in Hurricane Wilma on Monday, October 24th. The mon-etary gift sent by CLC was the result of three special projects:

1. A door offering was received on Sunday, December 4th for Our Savior Lutheran Church.

2. Christ Lutheran’s Ladies Guild provided an Advent Supper prior to Advent Service on December 15th with all the proceeds going to Our Savior Lutheran Church.

They publicized this throughout the Wausau community and many visitors came to enjoy a delicious meal and help support Our Savior Lutheran. The Ladies Guild also chose Our Savior Lutheran to receive a Christmas mis-sion gift.

3. Christ Lutheran’s Sunday School staff and children added their November and December offerings to this gift.

Thanks to all who so generously offered their time, food, and financial support to these projects. Please continue to keep our brothers and sister in Christ at Our Savior Lutheran, as well as all who have suffered from natural disasters, in your prayers.

Support Heads South to Florida Congregation

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LIFE QUOTESfrom Lutherans for Life

“Compassion means to ‘suffer with’ not to kill those who we think are suf-fering. To kill those who are suffering, even for the most compassionate of reasons, is an insult to our God and Savior Jesus Christ. To say things like, ‘Well, I wouldn’t want to live like that’ or ‘What kind of life is that?’ denies that our value comes from what God has done and not from what we are able to do. Such thinking denies that God is powerful enough and wise enough to give meaning and purpose to every life regardless of mental and physical condition.”

— Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb, Executive Director, Lutherans for Life

A Life Quote from Lutherans for Life/ www.lutheransforlife.org /

888-364-LIFE

2005 Blessings Offering Totals Over a Thousand Dollars!Throughout 2005, CLC mem-bers placed special “Blessings Offering” contributions in the offering plate in thanksgiving for God’s many blessings. The 2005 recipient, Wisconsin Valley Lutheran High School, received a total of $1,352.95 through this offering. Thanks to all who gave so generously!

The recipient for the 2006 Blessings Offering will be cho-sen at the January CLC Council meeting. Watch your bulletin and the February VOICE for more information. Also, please remember to clearly label your gift as “Blessings Offering” before placing it in the offering plate. All quarters in the offer-ing plate will automatically go to the Blessings Offering recipi-ent.

Mission Statement: To offer Christ centered ministry of Hope, Health and Healing for the mind, body and soul.

Prayer Shawls: 56 made, 37 distrib-uted between March and December

Fund Raiser: Solicitation letters to 250 area businesses, raised $350.00, thank you notes sent

Blood Drives: March 28 Units, July 24 Units, October 20 Units, December 20 Units for a total of 92 units whole blood then broken down in Platelets, Red Blood Cell and Plasma, so 276 units received by those in need in our area.

Blood Pressure screenings month-ly totaling 193 January to December with 16 referrals made for medical management.

Wheatridge Grant approvedResources made available: Health related videos, Senior Resource Books, information on Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Metabolic Syndrome and Heart Health, information on effects of high and low blood pressure.

Information sessions: explained the Health Ministry to 1 CCG and Ladies Guild, Advance Directives, Supplement Application for Social Security Part D

Health History and con-sent forms: Rewrote forms at the request of church administration to meet current needs

Items Obtained: Large and adult blood pressure cuffs, waterproof bar-rier, fabric, thread and yarn for prayer shawls.

Milk caps: collected 17 pounds of Kemps and Golden Guernsey milk

bottle caps and donated them to St. John Lutheran School. 2006 donated caps will be donated to Trinity Lutheran Schools. For every 2,000 caps collected the school will receive $200.00!

Health Ministry Plans for 2006:Prayer Shawl Sewing Day: Saturday, January 28 from 9-2 to con-tinue Prayer Shawl ministry

Upcoming Blood Drives: March 23, June 22, September 21 and December 21. All Thursday dates!

Second Sunday Blood Pressure monthly between first and second services. Additional times can be arranged if enough people request it.

AED: Work with CCG on pur-chase of AED, Automated External Defibrillator

Volunteer inservices: AED, assist-ing people safely, other topics as they are needed, consider additional CPR training.

Milk cap collection: continue to collect milk bottle caps and donate to local Lutheran schools who are eli-gible for exchange monies.

Address HIPPA concerns.Educational Programs: as needs and topics arise

Add at least two new members to the Health Ministry Committee. If you are interested or know of some-one you think would be especially interested in being involved in this ministry, please contact Donna Leffel or put your name and contact number in the idea box.

2005 Health Ministry Review:

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Sitesto see

Next time you’re on-line, check out these websites.

www.89q.orgIn case you’re away from

your radio or I Pod, you can listen to great Christian music

online by going to this web-site. Find out other interesting

tidbits about the Christian music scene as well.

www.familyshieldministries.com

Family Shield Ministries educates and equips people,

through the power of the Gospel, to know Christ, grow in His Word, and strengthen

individuals and their fami-lies. Check out all the great

resources.

www.lutheranscience.org The mission of the Lutheran Science Institute is to learn,

share, and promote the glory of God as revealed in His holy

Word and demonstrated in His created world.

“As always, God’s Word remains the foundation for our faith and life. All ideas and information, whether

gained via books, movies, websites, or other resources,

must be held up to God’s Word to determine their

level of truthfulness in God’s eyes. Please use care and

discretion in evaluating any resource you use.”

This month’s CCN Featured Broadcast features best-selling author, Henry Cloud. Cloud, a clinical psychologist and inter-national speaker, is known for his work with the “Boundaries” series and numer-ous other books including “Changes that Heal” and “How to Get a Date Worth Keeping.” This 3 hour CCN broadcast is available in CLC’s library. Here’s a short preview:

“If there’s one topic that remains central to the hearts, minds and souls of singles –even more than anyone dares to admit - it’s dating! We love it and we hate it! Dating is awesome in its potential for good and frightening in its potential for pain and set back. At its finest, dating is an exciting path towards personal and spiritual growth, great life experiences and discovering a partner for life!

So, how can you help the singles in your church date in a way that leads to posi-tive growth and healthy relationships? And how does the church speak with rel-evance on this extremely vital issue?

This seminar will help singles conquer the two basic problems of dating: no dates and wrong dates. They’ll receive some real solutions and practical steps to improve their dating life, while learning:

How to make dating an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth.

How to view dating as an important time to learn about other people.

How to avoid unfruitful and stale dating.

How to build a team of people that can provide encouragement and help prevent self-destructive behaviors.

How to make dating an opportunity to love and serve others.

And more!

Singles will learn that God’s truth is rel-evant and reliable – even in the complex world of dating. Don’t miss this chance to reach the singles in your church and community with this hopeful and helpful seminar!”

THIS MONTH’S CCN FEATURED BROADCAST“How to Get a Date Worth Keeping”

The Christ Lutheran Choir presents their Christmas Cantata.

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Sunday School NewsHark! The herald angels sang – wait, it just sound-ed like angels – that was our Sunday School leading the Christmas Eve Service! Thanks to all of the children, parents and staff for their time and effort in sharing God’s Word on Christmas Eve. Thanks, also, to Dian for her creative input and gentle guidance to make this a very special service.

Now, time to get out your 2006 calendars. If you haven’t written anything in yet, be sure to mark

FUN on your calendar for January 29th! CLC is having a Sunday School Family Event at Christ Lutheran Church, led by Camp Luther counsel-ors. The date is Sunday January 29th, from 12:30-2:30 pm. There is no cost and each Preschool-Grade 6 Sunday School student is encouraged to invite a friend to come along. There will be more information provided soon.

— Machelle EschmannSS Superintendent

2006 VBS Dates

Announced As I write this article, it is still 2005 and yet, planning has already begun for CLC’s 2006 VBS! That’s right, we’re thinking about summer fun while dressed in turtlenecks, coats, boots, and mittens. (Or should I say “dreaming about” it?) You’ll be hearing more as plans develop, but for now please note that VBS will NOT be held the week of the Wisconsin Valley Fair during 2006. That’s right; this year we are moving VBS to the week AFTER the fair. So, mark your calendars today:

CLC’s 2006 VBSMonday,

August 7th - Friday, August 11th

9:00-11:30am

Shining for Jesus

It was standing room only. Eager relatives with cameras in hand lined the walls and stood on chairs to get just the right angle. There were tears shed - by anxious toddlers and proud parents. It was a night to remember. And at its focus was one very special baby - JESUS! As the infants, toddlers, and preschoolers of Little Lambs Day Care presented their Christmas pro-gram for family and friends, one thing was obvious - they were shining for Jesus! These wonderful little witnesses shared the account of Jesus’ birth with enthusiasm and joy! Great Job!

Special thanks to Donna Stolze, Little Lambs Day Care Director, and her staff for teaching the students ‘the rea-son for the season’ and help-ing them share the great news with others. May God continue to water and grow the seeds of faith that have been planted in these young lives and in the lives of those in attendance that special night.

The Race Is On

Look out adults, the CLC Sunday School kids have added some stickers to their Hide It In Your Heart memory work poster in the lower level. How’s the heart in the Fellowship Hall doing? To add a Bible sticker, just say a Bible verse to a Memory Work Listener standing by the heart. Each week you can learn by heart and share a new verse! Verse suggestions are printed in each week’s bulletin announcements or choose a verse of your own.

Members out Christmas Caroling on Saturday, Dec. 10.

Bruce Anklam hangs ornaments on the Christmas tree.