INSIDE THIS ISSUE

No matter who you are or where you are on lifersquos journey yoursquore welcome here

Office Hours Mon-Thurs 8-430 | Fri 8-4 Rev Lucas Williams Associate Minister

The Interpreter Saint Stephens United Church of Christ

903 E 2nd St Merrill WI 54452

Office 715-536-7322

Pastoral Care Needs7155753191

for everyone you meet is going through something you know

nothing about

Lent amp Soup Suppers 2

Palm Burning 3

Pray for Rev Kuck 3

Humor 3

ldquoFree Willrdquo Sale 3

Emmarsquos Confirmation 3Volunteer

Appreciation Night4

Great Green Idea 5

Crunching Numbers 5Church Finances amp

NOW6-7

Feed Your Spirit 8

Special Gifts 8

YouthConfirmation 9

Pine Crest 9NurserySunday

School9

Dinner Five 9

Open Sponsorships 10

Upcoming Events 11

A New ReBOOT 11

Weekly Calendar 12

February 12 2020The Joy Is In The Journey

Some of you know that I ride a Harley It is a 2003 Sportster 883XLC the 100th

Anniversary model I won it 17 years ago in a Boston Store raffle Colleen was shopping I was bored I filled out an entry slip put it in a box and a few weeks later this bike showed up in my driveway

I love riding my Harley I always look forward to the next time I can ride although Wisconsin weather doesnrsquot often cooperate for very long

Why do I like it Well hard core Harley riders would say ldquoIf I have to explain you wouldnrsquot understandrdquo But since I am not nor will I ever be a black leather clad biker riding with only a ldquodo-ragrdquo covering my balding and fragile head Irsquoll try to explain

I love riding my Harley because it gives me a sense of accomplishment I took a riding safety class and passed it the first time Riding on two wheels has been a part of my life since I was a little child in Chicago We took our bicycles everywhere A big thrill was trying to find those promotional searchlights that occasionally would light up the evening sky We werenrsquot always successful but the joy was in the journey I had paper routes delivering the Chicago American as well as a local advertiser My bike and I were one

I love riding my Harley because when I am on the road itrsquos just my bike and me Safe riding requires constant vigilance and attention I donrsquot have time to think about my next sermon politics problems or anything else When I come back I am usually in a much better and clearer frame of mind I call it ldquoblowing out the cobwebsrdquo The joy is in the journey

I love riding my Harley because it makes me feel like I am a part of something bigger A big thrill for me is passing another motorcycle and having the other rider wave at me for no other reason than our bikes It doesnrsquot matter if they are ldquohard corerdquo sport bikes whatever there is that sense of connection

Isnrsquot that a big part of what the church of Jesus Christ is all about too making us feel a part of something bigger than ourselves a sense of connection with others who share the same love for Jesus or even simply faith in general

In the United Church of Christ we hear a lot about how we are to welcome one another to this great fellowship of Christ ldquoNo matter who you are or where you are on lifersquos journey you are welcome hererdquo This is more than something to print in the Sunday bulletin but something we need to practice each and every day Hospitality is a major part of our life together It is our way to connect removing physical spiritual and social barriers that keep people out It doesnrsquot matter who you are your background your race your faith journey your sexuality your social status The joy is in the journey

February 12 2020Page 2THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Saint StephensUnited Church of Christ903 East 2nd Street | Merrill Wisconsin | 54452

7155367322 | churchststephensuccnet903 East 2nd Street Merrill Wisconsin 544527155367322 ststephensuccnet

Rev Lucas WilliamsMary Pat Campbell

Tina L ScottTimothy Ruprecth

Kimberly McCaskillJim Bjorklund

Darlene Johnson

Associate MinisterPastoral AssociateBusiness ManagerFacilities ManagerAdministrative AssistantMusic DirectorOrganist

lucasststephensuccnetmarypatststephensuccnettinaststephensuccnettimothyststephensuccnetkimberlyststephensuccnetjamesststephensuccnetCall the church office

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP TIME ADJUSTMENTBeginning on Ash Wednesday (February 26) Wednesday evening worship will begin at 630 PM (instead of 600) for the duration of Lent so we can all enjoy a bowl of soup and fellowship beginning at 500 PM during our Lenten Soup Suppers before worship

LENTEN SOUP SUPPERSJoin us Wednesday evenings for a Lenten soup supper in the Fellowship Hall followed by worship at 630 PM

Our soup menu for the coming weeks is

Wednesday February 26 Wild Rice Soup Chicken Noodle SoupWednesday March 4 Cheesy Loaded Potato Soup Chicken Noodle SoupWednesday March 11 Chili Chicken Noodle SoupWednesday March 18 Mac amp Cheese Soup Chicken Noodle SoupWednesday March 25 Stuffed Pepper Soup Chicken Noodle SoupWednesday April 1 Beef Vegetable Soup Chicken Noodle SoupMaundy ThursdayThursday April 9 Taco Soup Chicken Noodle Soup

We hope you will join us for soup and fellowship and then join us for a meaningful mid-week Lenten worship service as well

Irsquod like to recommend a book called Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Rev Robert Schnase The first practice is ldquoRadical Hospitalityrdquo and there are some great ideas and challenges for local congregations who wish to be ldquofruitfulrdquo Removing pews to make room for differently abled folks removing ldquochurchyrdquo language in worship are just a couple good suggestions that can help us connect with folks who might otherwise feel un-welcome un-connected

It doesnrsquot matter who you are It doesnrsquot matter what you ride the joy is in the journey It is our connection to one another It gives us a sense of accomplishment to connect to those we know and to those we donrsquot know Letrsquos do more than wave at a passerby Letrsquos enlarge the circle to establish a pattern a habit of connection and radical hospitality to all

I am grateful and honored to be on this journey with you

Blessings and peace

Wayne- Rev Wayne C Drueck Pastoral Liaison

Ash Wednesday is Wednesday February 26 Worship with us at 1030 AM or 630 PM

All are Welcome

February 12 2020Page 3THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Annual Palm Burning

Saturday February 22 500 PM

here at Saint Stephenswith Potluck

in Fellowship Hallto follow

Come and share this ritual as we burn the palms from last year to create the ashes we will use for Ash Wednesday We will have the actual Palm Burning fire in the office area parking lot Then we will wrap up the evening with a potluck dinner in the Fellowship Hall

Enjoy food ritual and time with your friends Please bring a dish to pass

PRAYING FOR REV KUCKRev Dale Kuck and his wife Jackie request your continued prayers for their health Rev Kuck was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer and started treatments near their new residence His treatments will include both radiation and chemotherapy He says

ldquoPrayers are most welcomerdquo

In addition if you would like to drop them a card or note or call them here is their new address and phone

Rev Dale amp Jackie Kuck 101 Walnut Circle Apt 1313 Grafton WI 53024Phone (262) 2042754 or (715) 5364086 (cell)

ldquoWe make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we giverdquo

- Winston Churchill

ldquoFREE WILLrdquo SALEFor the next couple of weeks wersquoll have a rolling cart full of childrenrsquos Bibles song books coloring and puzzle books workbooks Bible stories and other materials we no longer use in our Sunday School curriculum located up near the Coffee Area in the narthex on Sundays and in Tinarsquos office during the week and we invite you to browse the materials on the cart (the cart is not for sale) take what you would like and leave a Free Will Donation in the jar on the cart The proceeds raised during this ldquoFree Willrdquo Sale will supplement our Sunday School Budget for 2020 Thank you for your generosity

CONGRATULATIONS EMMAEmma Pajtash was confirmed Wednesday February 5 2020 at our 600 PM Wednesday worship

Congratulations Emma We are excited to watch you grow in your faith and become ever more a part of the community of Saint Stephens

Get involved stay involved and help be the church that welcomes everyone No matter who they are or where they are on their journey in life

Follow the path God sets before you but always remember your roots are here at Saint Stephens

February 12 2020Page 4THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Your Invitation Will Be Arriving in the Mail Later This Week as Your Last Minute Reminder

Ushers - Choir Members - Special Music - Awareness amp Education - Chime Choir - Church amp Ministry - Church Council - Congregational Care - Counters - Dinner Five - Lenten Soup Suppers - Easter Pancake Breakfast - Faith Formation - Fill the Gazebo - Mowing Lawns - Food For Kids - Helping Hands (Funeral Luncheons) - Hospitality Corps - Interpreter CollatorsMailers - Mass Mailings - Boiler Checks - Office Volunteers - Medical Ministry - Missions - Sunday School Teachers and Helpers - Nursery Staff - Painters - Pine Crest - Prayer Shawl Ministry - Scrip - Staats Scholarship - Watering Flowers - Taco Tuesday - Under the Bridge - Prayer Chain - Worship amp Music - Search Group - Stewardship - Endowment Committee - Caregivers - Membership amp Evangelism - Ushers - Choir Members - Special Music - Awareness amp Education - Chime Choir - Church amp Ministry - Church Council - Congregational Care - Counters - Dinner Five - Lenten Soup Suppers - Easter Pancake Breakfast - Faith Formation - Fill the Gazebo - Food For Kids - Helping Hands (Funeral Luncheons) - Hospitality Core - Interpreter CollatorsMailers - Mass Mailings - Office Volunteers - Medical Ministry - Missions - Sunday School Teachers and Helpers - Nursery Staff - Painters - Pine Crest - Prayer Shawl Ministry - Scrip - Staats Scholarship - Watering Flowers - Taco Tuesday - Under the Bridge - Prayer Chain - Worship amp Music - Search Group - Stewardship - Endowment Committee - Caregivers - Membership amp Evangelism - Ushers - Choir Members - Special Music - Awareness amp Education - Chime Choir - Church amp Ministry - Church Council - Congregational Care - Counters - Dinner Five - Lenten Soup Suppers - Easter Pancake Breakfast - Faith Formation - Fill the Gazebo - Food For Kids - Helping Hands (Funeral Luncheons) - Hospitality Corps - Interpreter CollatorsMailers - Mass Mailings - Office Volunteers - Medical Ministry - Missions - Sunday School Teachers and Helpers - Nursery Staff - Painters - Pine Crest - Prayer Shawl Ministry - Scrip - Staats Scholarship - Watering Flowers - Taco Tuesday - Under the Bridge - Prayer Chain - Worship amp Music - Search Group - Stewardship - Endowment Committee - Caregivers - Membership amp Evangelism - Ushers - Choir Members - Special Music - Awareness amp Education - Chime Choir - Church amp Ministry - Church Council - Congregational Care - Counters - Dinner Five - Lenten Soup Suppers - Easter Pancake Breakfast - Faith Formation - Fill the Gazebo - Food For Kids - Helping Hands (Funeral Luncheons) - Hospitality Corps - Interpreter CollatorsMailers - Mass Mailings - Office Volunteers - Medical Ministry - Missions - Sunday School Teachers and Helpers - Nursery Staff - Painters - Pine Crest - Prayer Shawl Ministry - Scrip - Staats Scholarship - Watering Flowers - Taco Tuesday - Under the Bridge - Prayer Chain - Worship amp Music - Search Group - Stewardship - Endowment Committee - Caregivers - Membership amp Evangelism - Ushers - Choir Members - Special Music - Awareness amp Education - Chime Choir - Church amp Ministry - Church Council - Congregational Care - Counters - Dinner Five - Lenten Soup Suppers - Easter Pancake Breakfast - Faith Formation - Fill the Gazebo - Food For Kids - Helping Hands (Funeral Luncheons) - Hospitality Core - Interpreter CollatorsMailers - Mass Mailings - Office Volunteers - Medical Ministry - Missions - Sunday School Teachers and Helpers - Nursery Staff - Painters - Pine Crest - Prayer Shawl Ministry - Scrip - Staats Scholarship - Watering Flowers - Taco Tuesday - Under the Bridge - Prayer Chain - Worship amp Music - Search Group - Stewardship - Endowment Committee - Caregivers - Membership amp Evangelism - Ushers - Choir Members - Special Music - Awareness amp Education - Chime Choir - Church amp Ministry - Church Council - Congregational Care - Counters - Dinner Five - Lenten Soup Suppers - Easter Pancake Breakfast - Faith Formation - Fill the Gazebo - Food For Kids - Helping Hands (Funeral Luncheons) - Special Music - Hospitality Corps - Interpreter CollatorsMailers - Mass Mailings - Office Volunteers - Medical Ministry - Missions - Sunday School Teachers and Helpers - Nursery Staff - Painters - Pine Crest - Prayer Shawl Ministry - Scrip - Staats Scholarship - Watering Flowers - Taco Tuesday - Under the Bridge - Prayer Chain - Worship amp Music - Search Group - Stewardship - Endowment Committee - Caregivers - Membership amp Evangelism - Ushers - Choir Members - Special Music - Awareness amp Education - Chime Choir - Church amp Ministry - Church Council - Congregational Care - Counters - Dinner Five - Lenten Soup Suppers - Easter Pancake Breakfast - Faith Formation - Fill the Gazebo - Food For Kids - Helping Hands (Funeral Luncheons) - Hospitality Corps - Interpreter CollatorsMailers - Mass Mailings - Office Volunteers - Medical Ministry - Missions - Sunday School Teachers and Helpers - Nursery Staff - Painters - Pine Crest - Prayer Shawl Ministry - Scrip - Staats Scholarship - Watering Flowers - Taco Tuesday - Under the Bridge - Prayer Chain - Worship amp Music - Search Group - Stewardship - Endowment Committee - Caregivers - Membership amp Evangelism - Snow Shoveling - Ushers - Choir Members - Special Music - Worship Team - Awareness amp Education - Chime Choir - Church amp Ministry - Church Council - Congregational Care - Counters - Dinner Five - Lenten Soup Suppers - Easter Pancake Breakfast - Faith Formation - Fill the Gazebo

February 12 2020Page 5THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

PLEASE LET US KNOW If the living status of your loved one changes (ie going to a nursing home assisted living rehab hospice etc) please let us know so we can continue to provide visits support and care Or if you know of someone in the hospital We want to be there for you

- Mary Pat Campbell Pastoral Associate

The Green Team is happy to provide you with energy saving and often money saving tips and ideas to reduce reuse and recycle for a cleaner better more sustainable environment for our future our world and the world we leave for our kids

SOFTBALL SIGN-UPSoftball season may be months away but sign up time is now Will you play on our Saints Stephens team If you want to ldquoPlay Ballrdquo this summer please call Jerry Burnett at 7157220115 to get added to the roster or call Rev Lucas We need players and the deadline for submitting our roster is right around the corner

A Great Green IdeaDonrsquot waste paper napkins If everyone used one less napkin a day current figures show that it could save billions of pounds of space in landfills

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERSWersquore off to a bumpy start in 2020 as of the end of January and while this isnrsquot uncommon for this time of year itrsquos something all of us should be aware of Income in January totalled $19437 however Expenses in January came to $25052 That means that current cashflow came up short by $5615

We know that Lent will begin with Ash Wednesday on February 26 and that giving often increases during Lent and on Easter This is something wersquove come to count on as a church because the first couple of months tend to be a little lean on Income while Expenses like Snow Removal Expense and Gas Expense are at their peak In fact other than personnel these were our two highest Expenses in January

January Snow Removal Expense $1902January Gas Expense $1876Total $3778

Those two Expenses alone accounted for more than 15 of January Expenses

We are also aware that we are currently functioning with only one pastor Our Expenses would have been even higher if we had been at full staff during January

But what if we didnrsquot have to count on increased giving during Lent to pull us out of our January and February slump What if we were able to equalize our income a little more effectively (Electronic giving is great for helping with that)

I wonder what that would be like for our Church

February 12 2020Page 6THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

YEAR END 2019We ended up the calendar year 2019 in the black and after making the final adjustments and correcting any errors from the preliminary run we are doing better than when thought We ended 2019 $241832 in the black We had just over $352000 is General Fund Income as compared to almost $350000 in General Fund Expenses

That is awesome However lest we fall guilty to the sin of pride we are reminded that we did that without a second pastor for a full six months of the year If we had had two full-time pastors we would have gone into the red So we will need to contribute for 2020 with that in mind We budgeted for two full-time pastors for 2020

2020 BUDGETThe 2020 Budget as recommended by your Church Council was approved at the January 19 Congregational Meeting following worship The 2020 Budget totaled $412395

Income for 2019 totaled just over $352000 To completely fund a $412395 Budget to accomplish all that we hope to accomplish in 2020 means regular giving will need to increase by $60395

CHURCH FINANCES

An Udate on our NOW Capital Campaign Pledges NOW Summary

Pledges Recorded $43398100Pledges Received $15987400

Balance to be Received $27410700

Our Next Project Boiler Replacement Project - Estimated Cost $30000000

Replacing the Boiler is the next project on our priority list However we made a commitment to all of you that we will not spend money we do not have so this project will be accomplished as pledges are received and funds become available

Needs to be replaced within 4 years or ASAP

NOW MEMORIALS A Great Way to GiveDid you know in addition to Memorials given in past years to the Organ and New Roof Funds Memorials given to the NOW Capital Campaign have helped us reach our goals a LOT faster In fact the NOW Campaign received $42190 in Memorial gifts as of December 31 2019 in addition to pledged gifts

All NOW numbers shown on both pages are as of December 31 2019

February 12 2020Page 7THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

An Udate on our Capital Campaign

Current or Completed ProjectsSanctuary Roof amp Overhang Roof on School Building $12785400 Paid in FullParsonage Roof amp Garage Roof $ 4597500 Paid in FullNew Organ amp Electrical for Organ $10704964 $2617740 payable Being paid at $218145 on Interest Free Payments Parsonage Improvements New WindowsTrimSiding Etc $11783200 $1086100 payable(Final payment due upon completion of the work)Total of Current or Completed Projects $39871064 $3703840 payable

Future ProjectsReplace Boilers (within 4 years at the latest) $30000000 estimateExpanding Kuck Lounge Project $ 4200000 estimateElectrical Wiring - Sanctuary amp Attic After inspection no changes needed at this timeUpdating Parking Lot LightsElectrical $ 193400 estimate Electrical Fund ClosedSanctuary Refurbishing Estimates not yet done

Current Funds Available $17818661

Look What Wersquove Done In Just Year One

Status of Current Projects amp Available FundsTotal Funds Available to Pay $17818661

Total Left to Pay on Current Projects - $ 3703840 Available Funds after Payments $14114821

Pledges Yet to Be Received + $27410700Available For Potential Future Projects IF All Pledges are Received $41525521

February 12 2020Page 8THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

FEED YOUR SPIRIT Bent Not Broken

ldquoEven though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us on the inside where God is making new life not a day goes by without Godrsquos unfolding grace These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times the lavish celebration prepared for us Therersquos far more here than meets the eyerdquo - 2 Corinthians 416b-18a (MSG)

When my daughter was younger wersquod pare down her toybox when it got full On one such day the ldquokeeprdquo pile grew faster than the ldquodiscardrdquo pile I picked up an off-looking toy on the

ldquokeeprdquo pile ldquoHoney why are you keeping this Itrsquos brokenrdquo She took the toy back and said ldquoItrsquos not broken Itrsquos just bent Seerdquo She tossed it back on the ldquokeeprdquo pile and continued saving as many toys as possible

Like the Corinthians wersquore quick to declare things as broken and ready to discard We parents are prone to seeing the growing chasm between the day-to-day chaos surrounding us and the perfect parents we can never actually be The urgency and intensity of lifersquos stressors can diminish our capacity to see Godrsquos unfolding grace within us and around us

Paulrsquos letter to the Corinthians coincides so well with that serendipitous toybox lesson Even though things look as though theyrsquore falling apart on the outside dear parent God is making new life on the inside Yoursquore not broken just bent See

Prayer

Thank you God for seeing us deeply enough to know wersquore not broken but sometimes bent Help me do the same for my beloveds hellip and for myself Amen

by Phiwa Langeni

Special gifts in honor or in memory will be printed with the dollar figures shown unless otherwise specified

Memorial Fund $1000 in memory of Tristan Muenchow from Diana Huston and LaVern Sabatke $3100 in memory of Tristan Muenchow for her 31st birthday in heaven from Diana Huston and LaVern Sabatke $7500 in memory of Bruce Hass from Dave Bonnie Michelle Jeff LaNae and Kathy

Radio Ministry $19000 in honor of those who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces from Buzz amp Marge Fehrman

NOW $2000 in memory of Bruce Hass from Lois Wold $5000 in memory of Martin Hall from Lois Wold $1000 for roof in memory of Amber Schmidt from Betty Krause

SPECIAL GIFTS

COUNCILFISCAL 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 Treasurerrsquos Report at any time by request Simply call Tina in the church office in advance so she can get them ready for you She can also email you a copy if that is is more convenient

Minutes and Treasurerrsquos Reports are available beginning the Friday after each Council meeting after the Council has reviewed the financial reports and approved them

February 12 2020Page 9THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

YOUTH

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTHMark Your Calendars for these Upcoming Events

amp Please note the CHANGES

bull February 23 500 PM - HS Youth Gathering

bull March 15 645 PM - Movie Night Meet Church then go to Cosmo

bull May 17 845 AM - HS Youth Lead Worship Bake Sale Fundraiser after worship

bull June 21 1230 PM - HS Youth AmericInn Fun

Invite your friends to attend any youth events Just have their parents fill out a form Signed and completed forms are REQUIRED (Download the form from our website have your friendrsquos parent complete and sign it and bring your friend and the completed form along)

NURSERY NEWSNursery care is available during our 900 AM worship service on Sundays throughout the year Feel free to bring your little ones ages

0 - 3 to the nursery prior to the start of worship where our adult volunteers will be happy to care for them during the service (Registration form required)

SUNDAY SCHOOLANY child may attend Sunday School at Saint Stephens All are welcome Our only requirement A completed Registration Form Registration Forms are available right in the classrooms when you bring your child Completed Registration Forms help protect all of the children in

our care and provide us with important information in case of an emergency Forms are also available in the Church Office and on our website at w w ws t s tephensuccne t resourcesforms so you can save time on Sunday by simply giving the teacher the completed form

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTHMark Your Calendars for these Upcoming Events

bull March 22 1030 AM - MS Youth Gathering

bull May 17 1230 PM - MS Youth AmericInn Fun

CONFIRMATION CLASSESConfirmation Class meets this evening February 12 at 700 PM in the Third Floor C l a s s r o o m Yo u t h Room

Dinner Five is a community meal open to allEvery Monday evening at 500 PM

at Saint Stephens United Church of Christ903 E 2nd Street Merrill

(Downstairs in the Fellowship Hall)Free will donations are accepted

The menu for Monday February 17 will be

Meatloaf Mashed Potatoes Mixed Veggies Pasta Salad

Dessert amp Beverages

WOULD YOU LIKE GIVING ENVELOPESIf you havenrsquot had giving envelopes and would like a box please contact Tina in the office and she will assign you a number and issue you a box of giving envelopes for 2020

Donrsquot Forget to Use Scrip

SCRIP costs you NOTHING to use in place of cash

PINE CRESTThe February Pine Crest worship service will be held at 200 PM on Wednesday February 26 (Ash Wednesday) Members scheduled to assist residents to the service are Kathy Case and Penny Hommerding Rev Lucas Williams will lead the worship service and Darlene Johnson is the pianist

February 12 2020Page 10THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

OPEN SPONSORSHIP DATES

Flowers Sign up in Office

March 1 8 22 29 April 5 12 19 26

Radio Ministry Call the Office

March 15 22 29 April 5 12 19 26

Coffee Hour February 23

March 1 8 15 22 29

WELCOME TO ST STEPHENS

Are you a frequent visitor to Saint Stephens Thinking of joining Want to get our newsletter mailed or emailed to you Looking for opportunities to get

involved or volunteer Would you like contribution envelopes There are lots of opportunities to meet new people and get involved Join us for any of our upcoming events You are invited and very sincerely welcome If you answered ldquoyesrdquo to any of those first questions call the church office at 7155367322 and introduce yourself Wersquore happy to meet you And more than that to WELCOME you

DURING THE WEEK PLEASE USE DOOR 1 (OFFICE DOOR)Reminder During the week please enter and exit through Door 1 Alll other church doors will remain locked unless there is a funeral or other church-sponsored event

Door 6 and Door 3 will be opened from 430 PM to 600 PM on Monday evenings to accommodate our guests for Dinner Five Dinner Five guests are welcome to come earlier if they wish simply enter through Door 1

Doors 1 3 4 and 5 will be open on Sundays and staffed by Hospitality Corps members to welcome members and visitors to worship and Sunday School

Doors 2 and 7 are For Emergency Exit only

2020 CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERSOFFICERS

President Cliff WilliamsVice President Christopher StammTreasurer Marge JohnsonSecretary Cheryl Buck Beth Houle Chris Stevenson Kristine Smith Judy Heath Janet Schaefer Bonnie Koelsch Paula McIntyre Corey DornbrackYouth Rep Alexis SlagoskiClergy Rev Lucas Williams

YOUR CHURCH COUNCIL FOR 2020Standing left to right Janet Schaefer Judy Heath Christopher Stamm Cheryl Buck Bonnie Koelsch Corey Dornbrack and Kristine Smith Seated left to right Marge Johnson Cliff Williams Paula McIntyre Rev Lucas Williams and Chris Stevenson

Missing from photo Beth Houle and Alexis Slagoski (Youth Rep)

February 12 2020Page 11THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Thursdays600 - 800 PM

Saint StephensDINNER amp CHILDCARE

PROVIDED

Focusing on HEALING from SERVICE-RELATED TRAUMA

REBOOT Combat Recovery is a course--not a support group--providing practical help for service members veterans and families dealing with the moral and spiritual woulds and combat trauma You wonrsquot find shortcuts or easy answers but instead yoursquoll find solutions that last

STARTING MARCH 5REGISTER NOW AT

REBOOTRECOVERYCOMCONTACT FOR INFO

Corey Dornbrack

STARTING March 5 2020

ADDICTION RECOVERY MEETINGSDid you know we have both Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings held here at Saint Stephens If you or someone you know is looking for a meeting please share the following information

bull Alcoholics Anonymous meets Fridays at 1200 PMbull Narcotics Anonymous meets Wednesdays

at 630 PM Twelve-step programs have had proven success and we want to support recovery Meetings are held in the conference room on the other side of the Kuck Lounge kitchenette wall

WINTER WEATHER amp CANCELLATIONSWhen the pastor and Church Council make a decision to cancel worship for the safety of everyone we will make

every effort to make that decision and spread the word as soon as possible Cancellation information will be shared via the Saint Stephens Facebook page via email our website and through WJMT radio and local CBS ABC and NBC stations (Channel 7 9 and 12)

No matter who you are or where you are on lifersquos journey yoursquore welcome here

THIS SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16 - Sixth Sunday After Epiphany - 900 AM Worship - with Sunday School and Nursery (ages 0-3 in the third floor nursery)

DINNER FIVE Every Monday at 500 PM in the Fellowship Hall WEDNESDAY EVENING WORSHIP WITH COMMUNION Wednesdays at 600 PM until Ash Wednesday

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION NIGHT Saturday February 15 - 600 PM PALM BURNING CHURCH WITH POTLUCK IN FELLOWSHIP HALL Saturday February 22 500-800 PM

ASH WEDNESDAY LENT BEGINS Wednesday February 26 Worship with Communion at 1030 AM and 630 PM Wednesday worship times change for the duration of Lent

EASTER BREAKFAST Sunday April 12TRIVIA NIGHT Saturday April 25 - 500 PM

UPCOMING EVENTS

2020 CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES If you havenrsquot yet picked up your 2020 contribution envelopes please do so as soon as possible They are located on a table near the Scrip table and are arranged in numerical order For MOST of you your giving number is the same for 2020 as it was in 2019

BUT NOT ALL So please double check your box to be sure to select the box with your name on it Donrsquot find your envelopes Contact Tina in the church office 7155367322

For subscriptions removals or changes of address 715-536-7322 or interpreterststephensuccnetE-MAIL PROVIDES THE BEST SERVICE

WEEKLY CALENDAR

THE

INTE

RPR

ETER

ST S

TEPH

ENS

UN

ITED

CH

UR

CH

OF

CH

RIS

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 7155753191

Please add this number to the contacts in your cell phone or keep with your other important or emergency telephone numbers

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16 - Sixth Sunday after Epiphany- Rev Lucas Williams

Worship at 900 AM with Sunday School Nursery (3rd floor ages 0-3) Available

Musicians are Darlene Johnson and the Choir Liturgist is Mary Wilson

Flowers on the altar are sponsored in celebration of our awesome volunteers from the staff at Saint Stephens We love our Volunteers

Radio Ministry is sponsored in memory of Ronald Krueger from his children Coffee Hour is sponsored by the Saint Stephens Staff

Nursery will be staffed by Jena Brandenburg Molly Lyon and Carmen Klug Ushers scheduled will be David Schwartzman Bill Wengeler Phil Knospe Tom amp

Nancy Seidel Gerald Oestreich and Ray Schwartz Hospitality Corps Greeters will be Beth Houle Kristine Bowe Scott amp Kelly

Wallace Chris amp Mary Stamm Tim amp Kathy Anderson and Dean Bowe

MONDAY FEBRUARY 17 900 Senior Exercise 500 Dinner Five 500 Aerobics

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18 1200 Staff Lunch 200 Jenny Towers 630 Boy Scout Troop 513

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19 930 Senior Exercise (3rd Floor) 600 Worship with Communion 630 Narcotics Anonymous 700 Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20 900 Senior Exercise 500 Aerobics 600 Chime Choir 630 Girl Scout Troop 7074

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21 1200 Alcoholics Anonymous

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22 500 Palm Burning Church followed by Potluck in Fellowship Hall

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH LOCK-IN19 Middle School Youth along with chaperonesleaders Mary Stamm and Rev Lucas Williams had a Lock-In last Saturday night From seeing who could catch the most playing cards dropped from the balcony with a bucket down below to a race to build the tallest tower of cards (fun sanctuary games) to hide and seek in the church pizza and more before finally catching some zzzrsquos after 200 AM itrsquos safe to say they all had FUN