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St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church 107 Tustin Road Fremont, WI 54940

Office: (920) 446-3251 Website: www.stpaulfremont.org

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied…but in fact Christ has been

raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” I Corinthians 15:19-20

The Resurrected Christ Is Your Greatest Treasure The Christians at Corinth and many Christians of

today share a common bond. That is the ability to believe in two opposite viewpoints. What does that mean? The Christians at Corinth were part of a culture that told them there really was no such thing as a physical resurrection from the dead. All that mattered was here and now. So live like there is no tomorrow. As Christians in the 21st Century, we can understand that. Our culture says the same thing, two thousand years later. Like the Corinthians we focus on the moment: “Am I happy…am I sad…am I content…am I frustrated?” And a million other feelings and emotions that run through us. However for the Christians at Corinth, Christ’s resurrection became a problem. How do you reconcile Christ’s physical resurrection from the dead with a culture and a mindset that says that just can’t happen? Isn’t that still a problem today? Like the Corinthian Christians, we are presented with the same answer. It comes from the Resurrected Christ who says to a believing Thomas: “Put your finger here and see My hands and put your hand, and place it in My side…stop doubting but believe...Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:27, 29)

Like Nicodemus, who said to Jesus, “How can these things be?” (John 3:9) we still wonder! Yet Jesus’ answer to Thomas at the end of His ministry and to Nicodemus, at the beginning of His ministry, is one in the same: God-given faith. Faith that hears, faith that trusts, and faith that believes and grows in God’s Word and Promises in Christ!

One thing that separates us from the Christians at Corinth is that Christians today don’t bother much with thinking. We don’t like it. We don’t have the time for it. So we skim the facts, draw our conclusions and without any further need for assessment or evaluating, are prepared to live and die on the basis of our feelings. How can you argue with people’s thoughts and feelings, we say! As if feelings and emotions are truth itself! Yet the Holy Spirit uses God’s Word along with our life

experiences to get us to think about how our lives and God’s Word intersect so that our faith deepens in Christ. The Holy Spirit helps us to see that faith is not a crutch but our greatest treasure.

A few weeks ago, a poem was read in a Midweek Lenten sermon that illustrates the role of faith when it comes to our Resurrected Lord and the reality of our own resurrection. The language is old-fashioned and complicated but the truths are real. The feelings and emotions are real but are not just empty gestures. What this Christian poet expresses is what every Christian sooner later has to come to grips with: our sin and where the reality of our own resurrection is.

A Hymn to God the Father

WILT Thou forgive that sin where I begun, Which was my sin, though it were done before?

Wilt Thou forgive that sin through which I run, And do run still, though still I do deplore? When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;

For I have more.

Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I have won Others to sin, and made my sins their door?

Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun A year or two, but wallow'd in a score?

When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done; For I have more.

I have a sin of fear, that when I've spun My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;

But swear by Thyself that at my death Thy Son Shall shine as He shines now and heretofore:

And having done that, Thou hast done; I fear no more.

This poem was written by John Donne (1573-1631). He wrote it in 1623, following a disease he called “the spotted fever”. This condition, spread by ticks, is similar to the Rocky Mountain spotted fever that we are familiar with. Without the use of antibiotics this bacterial infection proved fatal in 17th Century England. John Donne having survived this disease wrote this poem as a reflection of what was going through his mind during his days of illness.

Donne expresses the fear that every human being has when it comes to the enormity of sin in a

April 2017

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person’s life. This poem addresses two main thoughts: the alarming spread of sin in our lives and God’s ability in Christ to forgive those sins. Donne shows how sin spreads in each stanza. It begins in us as we do the same sins over and over again, giving us pain. Next our sins, spread and infect others that bring us guilt. Finally our sins, bring us to the reality of death, our own death that we must face.

In the first stanza, he speaks about the weakness we have to give up sin. When we confess our sin and receive God’s forgiveness; tragically we are back at it with the same sins over and over again. In stanza two, John Donne is frightened by the thought that his life has led others to his path of sin because of his attitudes, words and actions. In these two stanzas, Donne closes with the haunting phrase: “When Thou hast done, Thou has not done; For I have more.” What Donne is expressing is the enormity of God’s ability to forgive and keep on forgiving sin. Just when we think we reach the limit of what God can forgive; Donne is frightened by the thought: “I have more”. In other words, how God can forgive…when there still is more for God to forgive in my life and everyone’s life? How can God keep on forgiving me? How can God keep on loving me, and at the same time, keeping on with this forgiveness in Christ? Isn’t there a limit?

In the final stanza, Donne expresses what it is like to be at the very door of death and haunted with these thoughts, these doubts and fears. But instead of giving into fear and doubt that God can’t, won’t or will not forgive…Donne points to Christ. Our Savior is the God of free and faithful love and forgiveness! That is what Donne means when he wrote: “But swear by Thyself that at my death Thy Son; Shall shine as He shines now and heretofore;”

Our Resurrected Savior shines with forgiveness! That is what the Scriptures mean when they proclaim: “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (I John 1:7). His death and resurrection is the promise of our own! “Because I live, you will live also!” (John 14:19) We live in the light of God’s grace by coming to Him again and again, trusting and believing that His sacrifice forgives us from all sins. That includes repeated sins. That includes our sins that lead others into sin. Whenever we are troubled by sin, weighted with our guilt for sin; go to Christ, confessing your sins and receive His forgiveness. In the Book of Hebrews we read, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of

grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”(Hebrews 4:16). Jesus’ throne of Grace, Jesus’ forgiveness, Jesus’ mercy is all inclusive, all encompassing, and all forgiving for whatever the sin is! This forgiveness through Christ is for generations before us, generations now and generations after us. Here is the reality of the enormity and the scope of Christ’s sacrifice that secured our forgiveness.

We poor sinners need to hear that message of Christ’s forgiveness regularly and faithfully! To simply, hear the message of God’s forgiveness in Christ, on the occasion when we choose to come to church (Christmas and Easter/ when it fits with our schedules/priorities in life) isn’t strengthening us the way that God intends to strengthen us with the Word! The nature of sin, as Donne correctly points out, is its ability to create fear and panic. When fear and panic grabs hold people think they can deal with it on their own. Muffle that voice, stifle that voice; we think by living for the moment, to fill the bucket list, living like there is no tomorrow. Muffle that voice, stifle that voice with medication or substance abuse. How Satan loves to see his lies in action! Sin can and will smother us with fear and doubt because we can’t be rid of sin on our own! God provides no other way or an alternative way; other than Jesus Christ, crucified for our sins and raised for our justification! The only way is Christ! Come to His throne of Grace regularly and faithfully confessing your sins and leave your sins there; knowing, believing and rejoicing…they are all forgiven in Christ.

But give some serious thought to what Donne expresses in his last stanza. Death will come! It will come for us all if Jesus does not return in His glory during our moments on this earth. But to know, believe and rejoice, as Donne puts it: “And having done that, Thou hast done, I fear no more!” ; here is how the reality of forgiveness in Christ carries the believing child of God from this world of here and now to the physical heaven and earth of what is to come! Christ’s resurrection is the assurance of God’s ability to forgive all sins, of every age, of every time and in every life. Because Christ suffered death, endured it and destroyed it; we have the assurance that as we close our eyes in physical death; the victory was won on our behalf and eternal life is ours! Every Christian can whisper with their last breath, as Donne wrote…”I fear no more!”

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Lent 2017 Continues

**April 5 – Midweek Lenten Worship 6: 6:30PM Text: Colossians 2:13-15

“No Longer Dead But Alive”

**April 13 – Maundy Thursday Worship: 6:30PM Communion Service

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 “We Preach Christ Crucified In His Holy Supper”

**April 14 – Good Friday Worship: 1:00PM Text: Hebrews 7:27 “Once For All Time”

**April 16–Easter Sunday Worship w/Communion 6:30AM & 10:30AM Text: 1 Peter 1:3-9

“The Risen Christ Is Our Living Hope”

Holy Week At St. Paul Holy Week begins on Sunday, April 9 which is Palm Sunday. Services will be observed on Maundy Thursday, April 13 at 6:30PM and Good Friday, April 14 at 1PM. Please come for these special services! Like the season of Lent, they prepare us for the joy that our Lord’s Resurrection brings on Easter Sunday, April 16 with services at 6:30 & 10:30AM.

Holy Week Schedule Palm Sunday – April 9, 2017

Services: 7:45 & 10:30AM - Palm Processional

Maundy Thursday – April 13, 2017 Service: 6:30PM with Holy Communion

Good Friday – April 14, 2017 Service: 1PM

Easter Sunday – April 16, 2017 Services: 6:30 & 10:30AM with Holy Communion

Easter Breakfast: 7:30AM (No Sunday School)

Easter Breakfast Following Sunrise Easter Service on Sunday, April 16, the parents and students of St. Paul’s Catechism class will be hosting the annual Easter breakfast with all the trimmings. Please come and enjoy! The breakfast will last until 9:30 AM. A free will

offering will benefit the St. Paul Youth Group Fund.

Confirmation & Examination Sundays

Sunday, May 7, 2017 will be Confirmation Sunday at St. Paul’s. This year’s 2017 Confirmands are Cameron Borremans, Carson Kester, Logan Krause, Max Meyerhofer, Hailey Wheaton, Bohdan Witkowski and Matthew Zeichert. Examination of our Confirmands will be held on April 23, 2017. Parents of confirmands are asked to watch for materials that were sent out regarding Confirmation.

Spring Clean-Up Thank You!

Thanks to all who helped with the Spring Clean-Up on April 1st here at St. Paul’s. Your efforts inside and out are appreciated by all! Our thanks to the Board of Trustees for organizing this event.

Fundraiser THANK YOU Thank You to everyone who donated, participated and helped with our Raffle and Spaghetti Luncheon. Thank You to the Stewardship/Evangelism Committee for preparing and serving the Spaghetti Luncheon. Through our efforts we were able to raise $3,470 through the raffle and $489 through the freewill offering at the luncheon. All of these proceeds will go toward the flooring project in the upstairs fellowship area. For a list of those who won items please see the bulletin board in the fellowship hallway.

Automatic Contributions

Did you know that each year our congregation spends about $500 for offering envelopes plus $75 for shipping of the offering envelopes? Production, printing and shipping seem to be rising each year! There is a way that we can keep that cost in check and that is through the automatic contribution program. While this may sound like something “set in stone”; it doesn’t have to be! It can be as flexible as you want it. If you are interested in signing up for automatic contributions or would like to know more about how this program works, take a moment to call the church office (446-3251).

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Fellowship

Redecorating

Project

Easter Sunday Blooming Plant Display

The St. Paul Flower Committee is asking members this year to again consider a monetary donation to offset the cost of an assortment of 36 Easter flowers (lilies, tulips, chrysanthemums and hyacinths) to be displayed at both Easter services on April 16, 2017. Last year’s assortment of Easter flowers was beautiful at the end of March; and we are anticipating another beautiful display of Easter plants this year in the middle of April. After services this day, on this day, donors will be able to pick a plant of their choice to take home. Your gift of $20 also does double duty by replenishing the St. Paul Flower Fund so that fresh flowers can be placed on the altar on a regular basis.

Fellowship Refurbishing Update

As a result of the Raffle/Spaghetti Dinner which happened through the month of March; we are able to complete the cost of the new laminate flooring as well as installation which will occur during the last week of the month of April. This project has been divided into three phases: painting of fellowship area and bathrooms, the installation of the new laminate flooring, and finally new tables chairs and furnishings in the fellowship area. At the moment, the congregation has contributed $25,592 for this project. All that remains is gathering funds together so that new tables, chairs and other furnishings can be purchased. The additional amount needed for this final phase of this project is about $4,400. Thanks to everyone who has contributed towards this project to this point. With God’s help, we can complete it!

$30,000

$25,592

New Member Welcome Rescheduled

New Member Welcome scheduled for this Sunday, April 2, has been rescheduled for Sunday, May 14 at both services. This was done because of a conflict of schedules. The Board of Stewardship/Evangelism will host a New Member Welcome with Coffee and treats in between services. Please take the opportunity to introduce and welcome the following new members into our congregation: Tabby Bucholtz and her son Tristin, Susan Hansen, and Jake Gabrilska.

Usher/Greeters Month at St. Paul

After each service during the month of April, Pastor along with the Board of Stewardship/Evangelism would like to touch base with our ushers and greeters here at St. Paul. This will be a brief and informal opportunity to hear from you what works and what we can improve upon when it comes to the Usher/Greeter program at St. Paul. We will meet for 5-10 minutes after each service in the month of April to contact as many people on an informal basis; we will meet in the church sanctuary.

Spring Quarterly Voter’s Meeting

Sunday, April 23, will be the Spring Quarterly Meeting at St. Paul beginning at 9:15AM.

Ushers & Greeters Program at St. Paul

We are in need of ushers and greeters here at St. Paul, especially for the 10:30AM service. We have very few families or couples who has signed up. This is an important function in our congregation each and every Sunday morning! This program helps our congregation in three ways! First: Everyone likes to be welcomed! A smile and a handshake goes a long way every Sunday morning! Secondly: It helps you as an individual member to get to know fellow church members. Members often say: “I don’t know who that is…well, here is your chance! It gives you the opportunity to connect a face with a name. Thirdly: You can welcome visitors who may join our congregation. Your welcoming smile and conversation with visitors who come to worship shows guests and visitors that we as a congregation are interested in people. God blesses us each and every Sunday with His Love and forgiveness. These are treasures we want others to have and we can do so with our welcoming words to one another.

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St. Paul Lutheran Church Council February 21, 2017

The meeting was called to order by Doug Ehrenberg at 6:29 pm.

Pastor opened with a devotion.

Roll Call: Matthew Voigt, Paul Krause, Pastor Pope, Mark Peters, Bob Wendt, Doug Ehrenberg, Kirk Delwiche Absent: Bobbi Marks, Stewardship/Evangelism

Minutes: The minutes of January 24, 2017 were reviewed. A motion was made by Mark Peters, seconded by Paul Krause to approve. Motion Carried.

Treasurer: Modern Business Machines has been overcharging us on our per copy rate for the past year. A full review has been done and we will be credited on subsequent bills. A motion was made by Mark Peters, seconded by Kirk Delwiche to approve the treasurer’s report. Motion Carried

Pastor: Jake Gabrilska will be joining from Emmaus Poy Sippi. The second Sunday in March will be New Member welcome. Pastor Baker will be here in March. Lent begins next week. Council will host the March 15th meal. The schedule for Lent is in the Newsletter. Aric Fenske will be installed as the new minister in Bear Creek on March 5th. A new mission church in the Appleton area is looking to start. They are looking for members from French Africa.

Elders: Looking into new communion cards that are cost effective. Also, looking at security in the church in terms of safes. Looking at options for the drop box and for the scrip cards. Four different safe options were provided. It was agreed that two separate safes were better than a combined one. It was recommended to get the smaller safe for scrip and a bigger drop box style one for the collection. They also discussed Christ-mas Eve and New Year’s Eve. They are currently looking at Christmas Eve Sunday Service at 9 am and Christ-mas Eve at 4:30 pm. New Year’s Eve Sunday Service at 7:45 & 10:30 am. This is preliminary and a formal rec-ommendation to council in March. Examination Sunday will be April 23rd and Confirmation the first Sunday in May. A motion was made to approve Examination Sunday and confirmation Sunday was made by Kirk Del-wiche, seconded by Bob Wendt. Motion Carries.

Trustees: Would like to schedule a Spring Cleanup of the grounds of the church. Saturday April 1st was se-lected at 9:00 am.

Board of Education: Attendance at the Daycare has been very strong. Cleaning service has been well re-ceived. Grandparent’s Day is coming up. The Winter Chili Luncheon went well. Looking into idea for the Summer Film Fest.

Stewardship/Evangelism: None Present

Old Business: Fellowship Redecorating: We will need help after Easter with moving stuff so that the flooring can be laid. Fundraiser has been planned and will take place during the month of March.

New Business: None

A motion was made by Mark Peters, seconded by Paul Krause to adjourn. We adjourned at 7:21 pm.

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully Submitted – Matthew Voigt – Secretary

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April 1 – Lynn Zeinert

April 2 – Todd Arrowood, Dolores Dikkers

April 3 – Aaron Kloehn

April 4 – Butch Owen

April 6 – Cindy Gitter, Katelyn Gitter, Joyce Lankford, Kimberly Vanevenhoven April 7 – Holly Brogaard, Sarah Hartrick

April 8 – Victoria Emond

April 9 – Jack Wohlt, Tabby Bucholtz

April 11 – Dan Kohl

April 12 – Ellie Pomrening

April 14 – Savannah Kloehn

April 16 – Betsy Oehlke

April 17 – Oliver Haase

April 18 – Irvin Kloehn, Rob Buss

April 19 – Blake Bartel, Julie Hansen

April 21 – Debora Kloehn

April 24– Quentin Borremans, Michelle Ferg

Liv Ziemba

April 25 – Tyler Buchholz

April 26 – Mona Tews

April 27 – Peyton Oehlke

April 30 – Max Meyerhofer

April 4 – Bob & Faith Stevens

April 8 – Willard & Natalie Rieckmann

April 15 – Robert & Margaret Kramer

April 21 – Rory & Susan Borchardt

April 22 – Bob & Karen Wendt

April 23 – Steve & Mary Oehlke

April 27 – Michael & Valorie Liebl

April 30 – Tim & Mona Tews Corey & Norene Meidl

April 2 & 9

Greeters 1st – Roger & Holly Schrieber

2nd – Dan & Diane Kohl

Ushers 1st – Roger & Holly Shcrieber

Eric & Michelle Berndt

2nd – Pat Gorchals, Harley Bartel

Brandy & Quentin Borremans

April 16 - Easter Sunday 6:30AM Service - Kirk Delwiche, Bryce Akey Glenn Pomrening, Jerry Witkowski

10:30AM Service - Paul & Karen Hartrick

Terry Block, Seth Miller

April 23 & 30 Greeters 1st – Ken & Ellen Rothe

2nd – Tabby Bucholtz

Ushers 1st – Ken & Ellen Rothe

Debbie Thorne, Pat Kons

2nd – Tabby Bucholtz, Peter Kohl

Kevin Miller, Ron Kester

ACOLYTES

April 2 1st – Matthew Zeichert 2nd– Hailey Wheaton April 5 – Lent–Mackenzie Hansen April 9 1st – Blake Bartel 2nd– Evan Marquardt April 13 –Maundy/Thursday–Cooper Kester April 16 1st – Logan Krause 2nd– Cameron Borremans April 23 1st – Ellie Pomrening 2nd– Reilly Claassen April 30 - 1st – Bohdan Witkowski 2nd– Emma Looker

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St. Paul Child Care-Preschool Newsletter April 2017

107 Tustin Road Fremont, WI 54940 Telephone:920-446-3633

E-mail:stpaulchildcare@centurytel.net Director: Sandra Smith (920-407-1191)

Preschool Program Teacher: Nancy Bleck School Age Teacher: Becca Schalkowski Little Learners Teacher: Nan Young

Child Care Teachers: Shelly Kohl, Susan McGlin, Cindy Billington, Jane Freer, Tammy Ebert, Lori Gabrielson, Tammy Yonke,

Terry Fischer

CALENDAR Thursday, April 13 WF No School Child Care Open Friday, April 14 GOOD FRIDAY ST. PAUL CHILD CENTER CLOSED Monday, April 17 WF No School Child Care Open Wednesday, April 19 St. Paul Child Care Conferences Noon-6PM Thursday, April 20 St. Paul Child Care Conferences Noon-6PM

IMPORTANT DATE TO REMEMBER

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 6:30 FAMILY NIGHT-ALL CHILDREN CELEBRATION OF SCHOOL YEAR/ST. PAUL SUMMER PROGRAM REGISTRATION

A Little Bit of Everything - Summer 2017 We are in the process of scheduling summer events. There will be craft workshops, sports

workshops, field trips, etc. Watch for more information.

April 9

7:45 & 10:30 AM With Holy Communion

April 13

6:30 PM With Holy Communion

April 14

1:00 PM

EASTER SUNDAY April 16

Sunrise Service With Holy Communion

6:30 AM

Easter Breakfast 7:30 AM

Easter Worship With Holy Communion

10:30 AM

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fremont Holy Week Schedule—Please Join Us!

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