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STEPHEN ELCA
Honoring the Past Welcoming the Future
NEWSLETTER
JANUARY, 2017
I will help you say goodbye to the previous year filled with yesterdays and
comprised of disappointments and surprises; losses and gains; failures and
successes, defeats and victories; a year which may be remembered by recalling:
fleeting moments; delightful memories and good times; the sobering reality of
missed opportunity; the insight gained from daily living; the unexpected surprise of
reconnecting with old friends. The joy of sins forgiven, golden words fitly spoken
(Proverbs 25:11), and the fruit of obedience and pleasing the Lord.
Yes, the old year is a time in which we can recall with gratitude: blessings,
protection, and rewards from the providential hand of God; grace that was sufficient
for our every need; mercy received when justice would have just as easily been
fitting for us. And realizing that even bad things that happened could have been
worse . . . much worse.
May your past productively transition to the future as you experience: the
warm daylight of lessons hard-learned, and the fading sunset of the pain that was
long endured while living through them; the priceless value found in genuine friends,
and the sober understanding of the shackles of superficial people who merely use
us. The glorious journey of: the unmatched wealth in reading and studying the Bible,
the unparalleled stability of Christian fellowship, and the unrivaled enjoyment of
serving the Lord; and the wise departure from: the comfortable enticement of
procrastination, the deceptive decoy of excuses, the childish pleasure of pettiness,
and the dull applause of mediocrity.
I Am the New Year! I am: the challenge of new goals; the desire for spiritual
growth; the continual burden for lost souls; the anticipation of answered prayer; and
the eager expectation of Christs soon return for his Bride, the Church. I am the New
Year, and I may be lived only one moment at a time. I am replete with the unknown
and rife with: opportunities to trust; unexpected moments of blessing and delight;
satisfaction for spiritual truth and hunger; motivations to give of your time and effort
to people and projects; and the joy and privilege of serving the Lord in new and
exciting ways.
JANUARY 11
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Copeland
Kohel
Todd
Reid
BIRTHDAYS 12 Spaulding Marilyn
21 Haanstad Rick
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24 Schreier Kathy Financial reports must be submitted NO LATER than:
25 Steinke Deb Wednesday, January 11th; St. Stephen budget report by
26 Kohel Jace Sunday, January 15th.
26 Ringle Jeff
They may be given copy ready directly to Sherry or sent to
27 Heiden Rachel
her at her email address: sarshe2@frontier.com.
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ST. STEPHEN NEWSLETTER The deadline for the
February Newsletter is Wednesday, January 25th.
St. Stephen Council officers for 2017 are: I hope you had a very pleasant holiday season, and that the
President Kathy Schreier beginning of 2017 is off to a splendid start. Although it is
Vice-President Vicki Maurer quite cold outside, baseball season is right around the corner,
Secretary Sherry Gayken and it is not too early to start planning St. Stephens outing
Treasurer Rod Zietlow with the Wisconsin Woodchucks in 2017. I wanted to reach
Financial Secretary Kristin Schreier out now to let you know some of the exciting things we have
Deacons Dale Pilgrim, Clarence Werner, Mark Schreier planned for the 2017 season.
Trustees Dennis Lang, Vern Spaulding, Dave Harm
Friday Night Fireworks will be returning to Athletic Park,
Please keep these individuals in your prayers as they lead St. and we look forward to celebrating these games with our
Stephen in the year ahead. If you have any concerns, fans. We have a number of bobble head giveaways and
questions, or input regarding any matter, speak with any traveling entertainment acts visiting us as well. Keep an eye
Council member. out for the 2017 schedule and release of our promotional
schedule.
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WOMENS BIBLE STUDY is held the 2nd Tuesday of Biblical scholars describe Pauls letter to the Galatians as the
each month in the St. Stephen Church basement (unless Magna Carta of Christian freedom, Kleinhans writes.
otherwise noted) starting at 1:00 PM. The date for January is: Martin Luther called it my Katie von Bora. Like his
Tuesday, January 10th. Hostess is needed. The Bible Study marriage to Katie, Luthers relationship with Galatians was a
lesson is from the Gather magazine (copies are available). rich and lasting one.
Every woman that is a member of St. Stephen is a member of
the womens group. All are WELCOME and encouraged to
participate (along with family and friends). In the summer of 2017, Kelly Fryer will explore All Anew,
a three-session Bible study that shares the theme of the 2017
Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering in Minneapolis, July
Thanks to all who joined in the Ladies Annual Salad 13-16. A pastor, teacher, entrepreneur and communicator,
Luncheon in December. Fifteen ladies attended including Fryer has written several faith-related books, including
several guests from St. John on N. Fun, fellowship, and Bible Reclaiming the L Word: Renewing the Church from its
study enjoyed by all (see photos below).l Lutheran Core.
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THANK YOU:
and to the dynamic youth volunteer helpers: Travis
Guralski, Devin Guralski, Katie Haanstad, and Marlena
Strasser and Thank You to Vern Spaulding for joining the
children to wish all A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS !!
DIRECT CHOICE DOLLARS to St. Stephen Lutheran Claudette (Claudette has indicated it would be helpful if we
Church as follows: would let her know the number who may be coming from
1. Direct Choice Dollars online at our church. She promises treats! Her email address is:
www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice cbh5956@charter.net and phone number: 715) 241-8351;
2. Or, call 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) and OR let me (Sherry) know and I will be in touch with her).
state Thrivent Choice.
JANUARY, 2017
MONDAY TUESDAY
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29 4th Sunday after Epiphany 30 31
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