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Elder Report Upcoming Events
Sunday Worship Times:
8:00, 9:25 , and 11:00 AM in
the sanctuary
Awakening at 10:30 AM in the
Soul Garage
June 4—Monday Night Prayer in Maranatha’s conference
room at 6:30 PM
June 5,12,19 & 26th —every Tuesday, Victory Bound Recovery at 6:00 PM in the conference room by the church offices. Open to anyone trying to overcome an addiction or behavior with the
help of Christ.
June 11— Monday, Potting Class in the fellowship hall at 6:30 PM with Leah Margan of Blue View Nursery. Must RSVP. Cost for class is $25 with check
made out to Blue View.
June 13—Wednesday, Aqua-Fest Worship Concert at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary with Jerry
Williams and Taken.
June 13—Wednesday, Middle School Bonfire and Campout at Hultman’s at 6:30 PM, Senior High Senior Celebration
at Kuhrts at 6:00 PM
June 7, 14, 21, & 28th —Thursdays, Sonshine Ladies Bible Study in the conference room at 1:30 PM led by Val
Caldwell.
June 17—Sunday, Happy
Father’s Day to fathers.
June 20—Wednesday, Young at Heart (lunch provided) in the fellowship hall at noon followed by a movie in the sanctuary. RSVP at the bulletin board to the left as you enter the fellowship hall so we know
how many to prepare for.
June 24—Sunday, Children’s Vacation Bible School Pre-Registration begins in the fellowship hall between worship services (9:10 AM and
10:30 AM)
June
I’m Pastor Dan. It’s my turn to give our
monthly elder report. It’s been my privilege to
serve the Lord as Senior Pastor for 14 years at
Maranatha, and to serve as an elder at Maranatha
for the past 7 years. Julie is my wife of 26 years.
She teaches 2nd grade at Cameron Elementary.
Besides being my big supporter in ministry, she shares her gifts and talents
primarily in the areas of Worship and Dramatic Arts. We have two daughters.
Katie is a junior at UWEC studying Biology and going toward some health
profession. Holly is completing her Junior Year at Rice Lake High School and
works part-time at Rice Lake Convalescent Center. You might see her at Soul
Garage, or on a golf course, or operating our projection software in one of our
services.
It’s been great as the leader of the
pastoral staff at Maranatha to watch how God is
using our current pastoral team of Paul, Tony
and me. In May, our elder board voted to extend
a calling to Anthony (Andrea) Hubin to come to
Maranatha as our Worship Arts Pastor. Anthony
accepted our call and is scheduled to start
leading worship on July 29th. Pray for the
Hubin’s transition from China, where they are teaching English, to the states
and then to Maranatha. We want to thank our Worship Arts Search Team
which invested so much time and talent into this process: Scott Carlson,
Sheila Hobein, Paul Green, Janna Haack, Rachel Schofield, and Dan and Julie
Reid.
Julie Henningsen had a vision for a dinner to honor our volunteers who
served in our children and youth ministries this past year. Julie and Pastor
Tony pulled together a great team that planned and prepared the evening.
Under Julie’s direction our elders literally served this dinner to our wonderful
team of volunteers.
This is church budget season. All of our ministries are putting together
plans for another exciting year of ministry. The elders will review these
ministry budgets and then compile them into an all church budget to present
at our annual church meeting in July. Pray for our ministry team leaders, staff
and elders. We desire a budget loaded with vision, which stretches our faith,
but keeps us grounded in good stewardship.
It’s very hard to discontinue any ministry opportunity. Especially one
begun with great intentions with great people involved. There are good
reasons to keep something going that is doing okay. One of the harder recent
decisions our elders have made was to suspend our Saturday Night service for
the summer. It just didn’t pass the good stewardship of volunteer and staff
Maranatha Evangelical Free Church June 2012
time test, as well as the worship volunteer availability test. Our Saturday Night Service averaged 50-60
attendees for the past year. Maranatha still needs 3 sanctuary services, so we moved to 3 identical services
on Sunday AM with the same worship team in all three. Hopefully our church family will find plenty of room to
attend either our 8:00 AM, 9:25 AM or 11:00 AM services. So far the 9:25 service is the most full. I want to
encourage you to check out the 8:00 AM or 11:00 AM service especially if crowded isn’t your thing.
Also, don’t forget our AWAKENING Service in Soul Garage. We have a leadership team for
AWAKENING: Andre and Renee Abraham, Luke Neraasen, Cheyenne Clark, Dan and Janette Young, Cody
Zurn and Simon Peterson. AWAKENING Worship in Soul Garage is at 10:30 AM.
We will continue to evaluate the idea of having alternative services other than Sunday morning. I look
forward to working with Pastor Anthony, our new Worship Arts Pastor, as we consider future worship venues
on or off site.
Our last two original elders are rotating off our board next month. Dale Heinecke and Doug Ripplinger
have served faithfully for the past 7 years. Doug has been the only elder chairman our church has ever
known. He has set a standard of excellence and spiritual maturity. God used him in tremendous ways in the
unique position of elder chairmen. Both Doug and Dale will be missed, but its right to bring on new
leadership and perspectives. Please make it a point to thank our elders for their service. Please pray for our
2012 Elder Nominating team: Paul Hodge, Kevin Pinkerton, Dean Valentin, Val Caldwell, Doug Ripplinger,
Dale Heinecke, Heather Cox, and Pastor Dan.
Sincerely,
Pastor Dan
Elder Report continued
Women’s Quilting class
Pretty and practical
A beautiful handbag
was the result of this
year’s quilter’s class
led by Diann Raymond
and Angie Allen.
Pictures courtesy of
Stacey Wenzel.
Maranatha Membership Notification of Proposed Changes To the Constitution and By-Laws of
Maranatha Evangelical Free Church of Rice Lake, Wisconsin
According to the current Constitution and By-Laws: Article VII: Amendments
“This Constitution may be amended or altered by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at any
regular or special business meeting of the church, providing notification of the proposed alteration or
amendment has been made to the members at least 30 days prior to such meeting.”
Proposed changes recommended by the Board of Elders:
Article II: Government
Responsibilities
Voting on: the annual budget, constitutional changes, building expansion projects, purchasing or selling
property, hiring or dismissing pastoral staff* and electing or removing elders.
(take out pastoral staff, replace with senior pastor)
* note: Last year the membership voted that the pastors and staff, other than senior pastor, be chosen by the
elder board. This changes the verbiage to go along with the decision that was made last year.
Section 2: Pastors/Elders/Lay Staff
Fifth paragraph – Responsibilities – second sentence: The Elders shall elect their own officers to preside over
the annual church meetings, appoint an auditing committee, and the appointing of and annual evaluation of
Ministry Team Leaders.
(take out and the appointing of and, replace with: appoint and conduct an
Note: Verbiage change for sentence flow.
Article V: Amendments
Flow Chart – Christian Education & Discipleship box. Remove: Christian Education and add Connecting.
Note: Christian Education is included within the Ministry boxes where applicable.
Youth box: Add: College
The Amazing Story of Steven Thorpe Steven Thorpe of Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England was 17 when the accident occurred
in February 2008. His friend was driving the car which struck a wayward horse. Two other cars were also involved
in the accident. The horse and his friend Matthew Jones, another passenger in the car, died. Steven barely survived.
He was taken to a hospital in Coventry, a few miles from his home, and placed in a chemically induced coma.
Surgery was done to reduce swelling in his brain.
After a couple of days, the medical staff concluded that his life could not be saved. Four
doctors had concluded that Steven was brain dead and suggested that the family should consider
organ donations before the life-support was removed. The family requested a second opinion.
They enlisted the aid of Dr. Julia Piper, a private practice doctor in nearby Leicester. Dr. Piper
in consultation with a neurologist determined that Steven was still alive. He awoke from the
coma two weeks later and was discharged from the hospital seven weeks after the accident.
According to BBC News, Dr. Piper said, “I had this strong feeling that this wasn't right and then eventually I
got someone else to look at him and of course it proved to have been the right thing to have done. One feels this
may happen more often. We don't have any figures but I think it's important to always ask and if you're not sure
about something to push as hard as you can. As with all human beings, we can sometimes have procedures in place
and they sometimes fail. We need to understand why they're failing.”
Steven has had four reconstruction facial surgeries and is receiving physiotherapy to restore some
functionality to his badly injured left arm. He is now 21 and is studying accounting.
Steven’s story is amazing. It appears almost as if the dead has arisen. It is also a troubling one in today’s
world. We want to trust those in whom we place our lives. But Dr. Piper’s words are haunting. “One feels this may
happen more often. . . . I think it’s important . . . . if you’re not sure about something to push as hard as you can.”
The truth is the story as God sees it through his window on the scene. With our human
limitations we never have that compete and perfect view. This story requires us to push as hard
as we can until we can see the truth as closely as we can. Steven’s story presents particular
problems in discerning the truth. It draws out all kinds of troubling thoughts, emotions and
motivations. It tests our love for God in mind, heart, and will.
The determination of the end of life through a diagnosis of “brain death” is quite recent. It
became common after the first heart transplants were done in the late 1960s. Transplanted organs must remain
oxygenated by the flow of blood until they are removed. Until the diagnosis of “brain death” was popularized, death
was determined when the heart stopped and blood flow ceased. A book by Dick Teresi, The Undead: Organ
Harvesting, the Ice-Water Test, Beating Heart Cadavers—How Medicine Is Blurring the Line Between Life and
Death, raises serious questions with regard to determinations of death for organ transplantation. The Scripture tells us that truth matters. Truth telling is commanded (Exodus 20:16, Matthew 5:33-37) and
describes one who walks with the Lord (Psalm 15). The truth defines a righteous nation (Isaiah 26:2-4). It is
discovered in following Jesus’ words and example. It makes us free and identifies our relationship with Christ (John
8:31-47). Jesus came to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37). The ungodly turn the truth into a lie (Romans 1:25)
and do not obey the truth (Romans 2:8).
A council of lies convened to
bring about the execution of Christ
(Matthew 26:47-27:44; Mark 14:43-
15:32; Luke 22:47-23:48; John 18:1-
19:22). A study of these passages reveals
that people who hated each other, the
Sadducees and the Pharisees, the
Herodians and the Romans, conspired
together to bring about the crucifixion.
They brought along the masses with their
Please include these people in your prayers:
Don Frolik, Marv Oftedahl, Sonna Phillips, Stan Oftedahl, Darlene Strohmeyer, Don Swan, Ray Caldwell, Pat Swanson, Violet Fossum, Marjie Peterson’s husband Lynn, Paul Green’s step-brother Tom, Joe Kidder’s daughter Sydney, Esther Swan’s brother David, Patti Aune’s sister Betty, Kathy Johnson’s mother Irene Vaughn, Rod Flohr’s parents, Fran Reich’s children, Pavick’s son Jeremiah, Lillian Bjugstad’s son Mark, Elfriede Harwart’s children, Eva Condon’s daughters, Janette Young’s father Jim, Connie Blix’s family, Larry Hawley’s sisters, Marsha Stoeberl’s dad Ken Coleman, Don & Bernadette Park’s son Bruce & nephew AJ, Harold & Marilyn Edward’s son Steve, Keven Jensen’s cousin Rob, Patti Gibbons’ brother Chuck Jones, Steve Gibbons’ brother Mike, Vicky Heldt’s friend Brenda Espeseth, Sandy Hodge’s sister Jo & friend Ann, McClain’s daughter-in-law Sandy, Leah Margan’s niece Leanna, Rich Robinson’s cousin Stephanie, Joan Neidermire’s friend Tami Erickson, Mary Graese’s friend Leah, Yvonne Hansen’s friend Sue, Laura Hill’s friends Ardis & Shannon, & Carol Montgomery’s brother Ronnie.
Serving in the military: Dave & Darlene Strohmeyer’s daughter Dawn, and Keven Jensen’s nephew Jordan are serving in Afghanistan. Steve Blihovde’s son Grant is also
“But God has surely listened
and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!” Psalm 66:19-20
serving in Afghanistan.
Praises: The healthy birth of Mara Violet Dennis to parents Dave & Cyndi Dennis on May 2nd. New members Tony & Michelle Nord and Tanya Jahnke.
Jesse Sigurdsen is safely home from military service
in Kuwait. The following students that are graduating from local high schools this year: Courtney Bier, Tom Heinecke, Alex Hill, Brianna Jilek, Molly Kohler, Shawna Kuhrt, Josiah Madison-Sigurdsen, and Alex Melgosa. Graduates from UW-Barron County with Associates Degrees are: Abi Kesler, April Holmstrom, and Tiffany Carlson. Elizabeth Swan has graduated from UW-River Falls with a degree in Elementary Education. May God bless each one!
Congregational Care - Prayer Concerns
hysterical demand to release a true criminal, Barabbas, and crucify Jesus. Even some of the disciples were caught in
the lie, notably, Judas and Peter. It is easy to pass judgment on each of the participants of this council. In truth, we
can see ourselves in each of these participants. All of them accepted the lie rather than the truth in order to further
their own self-interest.
God’s hand of providence was upon Steven Thorpe. Perhaps the council of lies is still at work, hiding certain
aspects of the truth in order to achieve an end that may not be in line with the truth as it is seen through God’s eyes.
Since the father of lies is hard at work, we who follow God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2) should be especially careful not
to accept too readily what seems popular, to question the truth of what is being said, and to discover the lie that is
being told through what is left unsaid.
By Lawrence D. Anderson
Maranatha Community Gardens—If you have not already signed up for a garden plot in our community Gardens, we still have plots available so contact Lee Wohlk at 715-458-2925. Our church Is powered by prayer—Please join us Monday, June 4th at 6:30 PM for Monday Night Prayer in the new conference room by the church offices.. Bring requests and pray.
New Members: Tanya Jahnke and Tony & Michelle Nord have completed all the necessary requirements for membership at Maranatha. If you have any Biblical reason why these individuals should not be accepted into membership, please contact an elder or Pastor Dan. Please welcome the Nords and Tanya into membership. Maranatha Women's ministries Potting Class, June 11th in the fellowship hall: Join Leah Margan in the fellowship hall at 6:30 PM to learn how to combine plants for making your own potted plants. $25 fee will be charged.. (Checks need to be made out to “Blue View Nursery” At the time of the class) RSVP is necessary. to reserve your spot, sign up by calling Cindy McClain at 715-236-2706 by June 10th, on the back of the blue sheet, or by signing up at the connecting Point. Aquafest worship concert—Wednesday, June 13th at 7:00 PM in Maranatha sanctuary. Come worship with Jerry Williams (formerly of Harvest) and Taken. Free concert. Young At Heart — Wednesday, June 20th in the fellowship hall at noon. Lunch is provided, followed by a movie in the sanctuary. Please RSVP at the bulletin board to the left as you enter the fellowship hall or indicating your coming on the back of the Blue sheet so we know how many to prepare for. more information is available by contacting Lee & Selby Wohlk at 715-458-2925. STEVE Edwards benefit—Harold & Marilyn Edward’s son and Mark Edward’s brother Steve was in a serious motorcycle accident recently. to help the family a benefit spaghetti dinner is planned for June 23rd at Chetek airplane Park from noon to 5:00 PM. remember our Missionaries… Visit our website: www.maranathafree.com and click on the link for MINISTRIES which will take you to where you can click on “missions.” Monthly updated prayer requests will be posted there. If you do not have access to the internet, please pick up a copy of the Missionary Prayer Sheet from the Connecting Point (desk) in the Welcome Center Lobby) each month as we update it.
Please remember our new summer Service Times : Sunday services in the Sanctuary at 8:00 AM, 9:25 AM and 11:00 AM, with Children’s Sunday Program at the ministry Center from 9:25AM-10:25 AM.. Nursery is available for infants through 36 months in the main church for all services. Awakening Service times are 10:30 AM Sunday Mornings in the Soul Garage. Children’s vacation bible school “Sonquest Rainforest” is coming July 9-13—Kids ages 4 years through 5th Grade are invited to attend and bring friends. Pre=registration begins Sunday, June 24th in the fellowship hall between worship services (9:10 AM and 10:30 AM) Volunteers are needed and can contact Carrie Wessman at 715-943-2579.
3340 S. Main Street
Rice Lake, WI 54868
Phone: 715-234-8313
Maranatha Evangelical Free Church
We’re on the Web!
www.maranathafree.com
June 2012
June Announcements