Blessed is the one who believes that God fulfills God’s promises.

~Luke 1:45

Pastor Yvonne Marshall

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Volume 18, Issue 2

February 2016

“ S H A R I N G

G O D ’ S

L O V E

W I T H

A L L”

Inside this issu

e:

From the beginning, God has reassured us with promises: His presence with us; His plan of redemption and salvation to restore us to his vision of peace, healing, and reconciliation; His forgiveness of sins to those who repent; His love for the vulnerable and marginalized; and eternal life. Some people trust in those promises, and in them find comfort and joy. They experience the “light” of the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ. Some doubt the promises of God, and life to them often seems chaotic, painful, and even meaningless. Some have never heard the promises that God made through the prophets recorded in the Bible, and some have rejected them. These people live in “darkness.”

During the dark time of winter, the church gathers for “Lent” (a word whose origin denotes spring-the increase in light, the promise of new life). It is a time to return to the Lord our God in prayer, in Bible study, in kindness shown to others, through offerings and service, and in “giving up” what gets in the way of our being in a right relationship with God. We commit to coming to worship to hear God’s Word and allow it to shape our lives and strengthen us in faith. We give up self-indulgent and mindless activities that get in the way of living life fully as a Christian. We take time to pray and to listen to what God is saying to us and look for signs that God is present with us.

The season of Lent is a journey with Jesus, because it is only through Jesus that God’s promises are fully made known, and fully made complete. The promises that God makes

to us is fulfilled through Christ’s suffering and death on the cross. We cannot understand or experience the full joy of Easter’s promise of resurrection to new life, to eternal life, if we do not walk with Jesus Christ on the way that leads through his teaching what God promises, through the times of experiencing temptation when faith is tested, through the experiences of humble service to others, forgiving those who have hurt us, and praying “Thy will be done” in those times we wish things would instead go our way. Lent is a journey with Jesus to the cross.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday (February 10th), a most solemn day, when we are marked with the sign of the cross of Christ and we hear “remember you are dust and to dust you shall return” When we were baptized into Christ, we were baptized into his death, and united with him by baptism into his resurrection. That is the promise God makes to us in Baptism. Lent continues through Holy Week: Palm Sunday (March 20th) when we enter into the Week of the Lord’s Passion, Maundy Thursday (March 24th) when Jesus gives us the new commandment to love as he loves us, to take and eat, take and drink, Christ’s body and blood given for you for the forgiveness of sins. This is the promise of Holy Communion. Good Friday (March 25th) we gather beneath the Cross of Jesus and consider what it means that God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him will not die but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

-Pastor Yvonne Marshall

Members 2

Lent 3

Church News 4

WELCA/ELCA News 5

Easter Flower Form 6

February Calendar 7

February Birthdays 8

PAGE 2 T HE M ESS E NGE R

Grandview Care Center - Blair

Goodwin Anderson,

Pastor Richard Kelling

Pigeon Falls Assisted Living/Nursing Care Center

Francis Foss, Margaret Steinke, Dorothy Vito, Patricia Giebel

Riverway North - Pigeon Falls

Roy Arneson

Tri-County Memorial - Whitehall

Selma Estenson, Lois Everson,

Marie Lee, Hallie Nordhagen, Ronald Fields

Sunrise Manor - Whitehall

Helen Kleven, Clinton Larson

Crystal Lake Manor - Strum

Lorraine Narva , Marian Miller

Altar Guild: Sharon Pederson, Shirley

Hanson, Diane Carlson

Altar Flowers: Shirley Hanson, Paula Hentges

Ushers: Ben and Sharon Ringstad

Communion Servers: Fred and Viola Jacobson

Organist: Nancy Martinovici, Sue Kohnert

Lectors: Barb Mathson, Kris Matchey,

Kay Nelson

**CORRECTION: Gaylord Stuve is at home, not at the Health Care Center as reported last month. Apologies for any confusion this may have caused.

Altar Guild: Margo Ausderau, Ellen Hauser

Altar Flowers: Margo Ausderau, Ellen Hauser

Ushers: Bev and Richard Waldera

Communion Servers: Dave and Brenda Loga

Organist: Nancy Martinovici, Sue Kohnert

Lectors: Linda Schaefer, Dave Schaefer,

Barb Mathson, David Anderson

T HE M ESS E NGE R PAGE 3

February 10th Ash Wednesday (Worship with Imposition of Ashes) Grace of Pleasantville 6:00pm/Our Saviour’s 7:30pm

Feb. 17th thru March 16th Midweek Lenten Worship (visiting area pastors will preach)

Grace of Pleasantville 6:00pm/Our Saviour’s 7:30pm March 24th

Maundy Thursday Worship Grace of Pleasantville 6:00pm/Our Saviour’s 7:30pm

March 25th Good Friday

Cantata at Our Saviour’s 7:00pm

Calling All Soup Makers!

Are you willing to share your soup making talents again this year? We

are looking for homemade soup for the Lenten Soup Suppers starting

on Wednesday, February 17th. We will be needing 3-4 crocks of soup

each week. The dinners will begin at 6:00 pm in the church basement.

Please let Patti Zimmerman know what kind of soup and what week in

Lent you want to donate by calling 715-530-1350 or e-mailing

zimmerman@tcc.coop.

Attention Hungry Lutherans:

Starting Wednesday, February 17th thru Wednesday March 16th, join us in the church basement at 6:00pm for a Soup Supper. Homemade soup is donated by Our Saviour’s members, and

Confirmation students will provide the bread and dessert bars. Free will donations are appreciated! We will see you there!

We Need Your Voice!

Our Saviour’s choir director, Ellen Hauser, invites singers middle school and older

from Our Saviour’s and Grace to let her know if they are willing to sing in a Good

Friday Cantata at Our Saviour’s on Friday, March 25th at 7:00pm. You can contact

Ellen at 715-538-2440. Thanks!

PAGE 4 T HE M ESS E NGE R

In Christian Sympathy

We pray for the family and friends of Lois Everson, who claimed the promises made to her in baptism and entered into eternal life on January 16, 2016.

Funeral services were held on January 21st at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Yvonne Marshall presiding. Rest eternal grant her, O Lord, and light

perpetual shine upon her.

Holy Baptism

We welcomed Deklin Sorlie, son of Karessa Johnson and Thomas

Sorlie into our Christian family through the Sacrament of Holy

Baptism on January 10, 2016. His sponsors are Katelyn Johnson and

Jesse Johnson. God bless Deklin and his family!

Communion Instruction

Youth who have not yet received first communion instruction, or those

who may desire a refresher in “what does this mean?” are invited to

meet with Pastor Yvonne on Sunday, March 13th, following worship at

Our Saviour’s.

Words of Thanks! *Thank you for continued prayers, words of encouragement, cards and gifts as Pastor Yvonne went through radiation treatments in January. Your kindness is most appreciated! *Thanks to all who participated in the United in Faith worship and potluck on January 17th. What a great time! *Thanks so much to all those who have completed their terms on the council and committee/board positions. We are grateful for you faithful service. And thank you to all who have accepted new positions starting in February 2016. *Thank you Fred and Viola Jacobson for donating a chair to be used in the Ritland Room. It is so comfortable!

PAGE 5 T HE M ESS E NGE R

ELCA Malaria Campaign The ELCA Malaria Campaign has reached its goal of $15 million. While this campaign ends on January 31, 2016, the fight against malaria

will continue through gifts to ELCA World Hunger. Thanks to all who donated and the

prayers for this program.

Thank You! Many thanks to Tom & Mim Richter for donating 3 and a 1/2 dozen

forks and also to Marie Clatt for donating 40 forks to the church

kitchen. These donations are very much appreciated! We can still use

more forks if anyone would like to donate. We will be glad to reimburse

you. God bless!

WELCA Meeting

The March WELCA business meeting will be held during

coffee break at Quilting on Tuesday, March 1st. We will

see you there!

ELCA World Hunger ELCA World Hunger has been helping families in

drought stricken East Porterville, California. After 5 years of drought, their wells and the local river have

dried up. The unincorporated town's Area Coordinating Council, supported in part by gifts from

ELCA World Hunger, has been installing it’s own water system for residents. It has been life saving for

them to receive this help. Your donations to World Hunger are greatly appreciated.

National Youth Gathering

Our Saviour’s WELCA donated $300 towards the Youth & Family fund

to be used for expenses for youth members to attend the National Youth

Gathering in 2018. We will also be donating $300 in 2016, 2017 and

2018.

Flowers for

Church at Easter The Easter season coincides with the beginning of spring, a

time of renewal and rebirth. Spring-blooming flowers sing of hope

and carry special religious meaning as we celebrate rebirth

through Christ's resurrection.

Members of Our Saviour’s may purchase and bring spring plants to the basement prior

to the Easter morning services with a tag stating who donated the plant and for whom

the plant is in honor or in memory of. Easter plants can also be ordered for $10.00.

Orders should be placed by Sunday, March 29th to ensure delivery by Easter.

Orders can be taken to the church office or collected in the Narthex.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Easter Flower Order Form

From:____________________________________________________

In Memory of:______________________________________________

In Honor of:________________________________________________

Flower preference (Tulip, Lily, Easter Lily): _______________________ Cost $10.00 per Flower

T HE M ESS E NGE R PAGE 6

V OLU ME 1 8, IS SU E 2 Page 7

February 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Cub Scout Meeting

6:00pm

2

Quilting 8:30am

Church Council

Meeting 7:00pm

3

Sunday’s Comin’

9:15am

JCrew 6:30am

4

Kid’s Choir Practice

3:35pm

5 6

7

Worship 9:30am

(Installation of New

Board Members)

Sunday School

10:30am

Confirmation 10:30am

8

Praise Team Practice

7:00pm

9

10

Sunday’s Comin’ 9:15am

JCrew 6:30am

Worship 7:30pm

11

Kid’s Choir Practice

3:35pm

12 13

14

Worship 9:30am

Sunday School

10:30am

Confirmation 10:30am

15

Praise Team Practice

7:00pm

16

Quilting 8:30am

17

Sunday’s Comin’ 9:15am

JCrew 6:30am

Senior Choir Practice

6:30pm

Soup Supper 6:00pm

Worship 7:30pm

18

Kid’s Choir Practice

3:35pm

19

Cub Scout Chili

Supper

20

21

Worship 9:30am

Sunday School

10:30am

Confirmation 10:30am

22

Finance and

Property Committee

Meeting 6:00pm

Praise Team Practice

7:00pm

23 24

Sunday’s Comin’ 9:15am

JCrew 6:30am

Senior Choir Practice

6:30pm

Soup Supper 6:00pm

Worship 7:30pm

25

Kid’s Choir Practice

3:35pm

26 27

28

Worship 9:30am

Sunday School

10:30am

Confirmation 10:30am

29

Church E-mail: osluthwh@gmail.com

Church Website: oslcwhitehall.org

Office Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-1pm

Tuesday, Thursday 7am-2pm

Pastor Yvonne Marshall

Pastor’s Cell: 712-308-6741

Pastor’s E-mail:

pastoroslcwh@gmail.com

Church Secretary: Megan Nelson

Church Office: 715-538-4334

Non Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit 15

Whitehall

“Sharing God’s Love With All”

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church

36197 Main Street

P.O. Box 455

Whitehall, WI 54773

Return Service

Requested

2 - Marlys Giese, Julie Johnson, Lilliana Ochsner

3 - Christopher Demulling, Easton Moats, Lorraine

Narva, Jane Olson, Scotrene Ryan, Joseph Sygulla

4 - Darcy Goplin, Emerson Pronschinske

7 - Tracy Solberg

9 -Donna Lindberg, Adam Stendahl

10 - Nicole Carlson

12 - Jamie Goplin, David Henrickson

13 - Barb Harms, Halaynna Macharia, Seth Olson

16 - Jill Knudtson

17 - David Anderson, Daytona

Hensley, Tiffany Hensley

18 - Darlene Baken, Wayne Harms, Abigail Olson, Myrtle

Olson, Scott Schmitt

19 - Olivia Schaefer, Delores Stuve, Richard Waldera

20 - Stacey Lisowski

21 - Max Pientok

22 - Delores Coburn

25 - Shad Goplin, Jeffrey Herried, Cailyn Kneifl

26 - Paul Beck, Adam Kohnert

28 - Brennon Metzler, Jason Standish

Check us out on Facebook and friend Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Whitehall, WI

and Pastor Yvonne Kiefer Marshall