Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
CHRIST LUTHERAN 222 Church Avenue Oshkosh, WI 54901
OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday 9:00 am-Noon
SUNDAYS 9:00 am Worship
10:15 am Coffee Hr.
WEDNESDAYS 5:00 pm JAM Kids
& Youth Group 6:00 pm Worship
6:30 pm Confirmation
CONTACT
INFORMATION:
CHURCH OFFICE
Barb Schneider 920.231.6570
PASTOR
Rev. Connie Weiss 920.904.5919
PRESIDENT Kevin Harvot 920.379.0829
February, 2019
Dear Friend,
This newsletter makes it to you late again as so much has been happening with our church. The time of transition has come! We have planned for this change for over a year now. And I want to thank you for being so open to God’s Spirit to guide you and all of us together in seeing ourselves in a new way and in a new location.
Change is never easy - but it can be life-changing!
I believe that Christ Lutheran has experienced a wilderness time that is not foreign to God’s people. As the numbers began to shrink over the past decade, Christ Lutheran went into survival mode. And over the past few years, I was able to witness scarcity turn into abundance as members explored how God is calling them in a new age for the church. I saw a bright green shoot of new life and ministry break through the hard crust that had formed during Christ Lutheran’s desert time. And now, I believe, God is about to do a NEW THING - by bringing rivers to our desert - to feed and sustain us.
I’ve been meditating on this passage from Isaiah where the prophet speaks a word of hope and promise to a people held in captivity. Isaiah is talking about Israel’s redemp-tion. And we know that God makes good on God’s promises. We have Jesus as proof of that! The prophet’s words speak truth for us this day- that God’s love will support, re-deem and restore God’s people. And, we are also a part of that promise.
I just love the imagery Isaiah paints for a people who have gone through this time of testing. God’s liberation will bring life like a river that runs through the desert. I believe God has made a way in our wilderness, my friend. And the river that is sustaining us will continue to flow. I find it ironic that we are actually moving close to a river. I write about the new move we will be making in March on the 3rd page of this newsletter. This loca-tion is within eyeshot of a river. Coincidence? I think not. Maybe it’s God’s way of re-minding us how the river of life has been feeding us and preparing us for new growth!
Your Partner in Christ,
“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive
it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:19
2
December, 2018 Report
Total Offerings: $7,538.25
Other Revenue: $7,958.26
Total Expenses: $15,496.51
Net Profit/(Loss): $2408.13
2018 Yearly Totals
Total Offerings: $70,151.73
Other Revenue: $58,351.96
Total Expenses: $150,552.98
Net Profit/(Loss): (-$22,049.29)
Pastor Connie’s Sunday sermons are now being streamed live on Facebook. Just search for Christ Lutheran Church Oshkosh, WI. Then like us, and you can see the sermons live, or listen to them later.
Also, check out our newly-created website at https://clcoshkosh.com/
Kevin Harvot President
Ron Lippold Vice President
Susie Smith Secretary
Ryan Birschbach Treasurer
Gloria Heidl
Barbara Shew
2019 CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS
02/17 Brooklyn
02/24 Lucas
03/03 Mason
03/10 Ben
03/17 Brooklyn
03/24 Lucas
03/31 Mason
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Join us for...
February 24th
9 am
Help us build our hymns for Hymn Sing Sun-
day. Suggestion slips will be located on the
table in the front Narthex. Fill out a few
hymns you would like to sing. Then, drop
your hymn suggestions in the box next to the
slips. We will try to select at least one of your
favorites.
Come and Join in the Fun!
3
On Sunday, January 27th, the council held a short congregational meeting to vote on the proposed relocation site for our church. After an exhaustive search, the Hooper Community Center at 36 Broad Street had the most to offer. The congregation voted to accept this location. A letter of request to the Hooper Directing Board and an 8-page Request for Relocation to Synod Council were submitted. The Synod Council approved our move. And the Hooper Center approved us as their newest tenants.
We will be able to begin moving to our new office space beginning February 15th. We will also have access to their board room and basement space for meetings and worship services. We feel positive about this new site, it’s location and the new opportunity to be connected more with the other non-profits that share this building. This site is 3 blocks east of Main Street and 1 block from the Fox River. We will be sharing more about the move, our new location and plans in the upcoming weeks!
2019 ANNUAL MEETING
On January 13th, we held our 131st Annual Meeting. The church council presented the 2019 budget which
was approved. The big item up for vote was the proposal to sell our church building/property for $250,000 or
more. This vote passed as the congregation came to understand that our highest offer was for that amount.
At the time of the meeting, this offer would expire two days later. Since our church was nearing its own dead-
line financially, the council then accepted the offer for $250,000 from local non-denominational church -
Calvary RisingSon. The target date for the new owner/congregation to move in will be April 1st.
Outgoing Council Members: Dorene Myers and Carrie Lewis
Incoming Council Members: Ron Lippold and Barbara Shew
SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING VOTES ON NEW LOCATION
4
Bring your own lunch and a Bible. We will have hot beverages and water availa-ble. These are the gospel texts we will discuss on December Mondays:
Feb. 18 Luke 6:17-26
Feb. 24 Luke 6:27-38
Mar. 3 Luke 9:28-36
In December, the team finished it’s 2-year program with a commitment to continue to gather now and then to stay in touch with the congregation and its progress as a church in mission
Our congregation has identified its core values and has adopted a brand new mission statement. We are looking forward to moving forward together as we move from one location to a brand new one.
Are you shut-in or without a car? Would you benefit from a ride to church and church activities? Please let us know!
Would you be willing to offer someone a ride to church and other church activities? Let us know!
Contact the parish office if you’re interest-ed in helping or need help getting to church — 920.231.6570.
DREAM TEAM REPORT
OUR MISSION:
ONE WAY WE’RE LIVING OUT OUR MISSION
As a result of last year’s mission grant, I was able to connect more with the community. I discovered that many churches in our city had little knowledge of how to help those in need in our city and varied in knowing where resources for help are.
Christ Lutheran then became host to 4 workshops-as we brought together church leaders/staff with local agencies in order to learn and discuss how churches can be more effective in filling the gap. This has resulted in a planning team that meets monthly. Currently, we call ourselves “Fill the Gap-Oshkosh”.
- Pastor Connie
Here are a few of our partners in this mission...
• Salvation Army
• Advocap
• United Way
• Osh. Comm. Food Pantry
• HUB Oshkosh
• All Saints Lutheran
• St. Raphael’s
• First Presbyterian
• Trinity Episcopal
• and so many more!
5
COMMITTEES The normal meeting times listed here may change as needed. Watch the monthly calen-dar and weekly bulletin for any changes.
Women of the ELCA (1st Sunday of month)
Buildings & Grounds (1st Tuesday of month)
Music & Worship (2nd Sunday of month)
Hospitality (3rd Sunday of month)
A NEW Prayer for our Church
Good and gracious God: We have
placed our church in your hands, and
you have seen us through. Thank you
for your loving care. You have given us
a new vision. You have prepared us to
carry out your mission in a new place.
Strengthen us now for the journey
ahead. In your love, send your Holy
Spirit to us. Fill us with a renewed vital-
ity as we continue live out the love of
Christ. Amen.
December & January
MILESTONES
MEMORIAL SERVICE
December 28, 2018
Nyna Schuessler
January 20, 2019
Carter Jeffrey Wilson
January 27, 2019
Koa Radtke Raikk William Radtke
Treston Eckstein Braelyn Eckstein Lincoln Eckstein
6
February Sunday Volunteers
Date Reader Ushers Communion
Assistant
Offering
Counters Close
February 3 Kevin Harvot Needed Needed Debbie Reichenberger Barbara Shew
Kevin Harvot
February 10 Needed Needed Needed Mark Arend Gloria Heidl
Gloria Heidl
February 17 Needed Needed Needed Debbie Reichenberger Barbara Shew
Ron Lippold
February 24 Susie Smith Needed Needed Mark Arend Gloria Heidl
Barbara Shew
Coffee Hour sponsors and volunteers are also needed to complete the schedule.
Anyone wishing to volunteer, please sign up on the volunteer sheet located on the credenza in the Narthex. All Sunday readings are printed in advance, so you may take your Sunday’s reading and look over it before you read on your designated Sunday. You may also call the church office, and someone will assist you in signing up for service.
Thanks to all who continue to volunteer!
Altar Guild Volunteers for February: Margie Mahoney & Nancy Schwartz
