MAUSTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 420 Suszycki Drive, Mauston

“Hill Top News” 2019

Home Page: http://www.maustonumc.com E-Mail: pastor@maustonumc.com or office@maustonumc.com

Phone: 608-847-5964 Check us out on Facebook & YouTube

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Anita Genrich, Pastor Cell Phone: 608-393-0856

Debby Bollig, Office Administrator

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WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sunday Worship Service 9:00 Fellowship 10:00 Sunday Bible Study 10:30

Wednesday Night Service 6:00 WOW Dinner 6:30

Activities 7:00

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Covenant Missions

CALEB & LAURA COOK, Minnesota University

MUJILA FALLS AG PROJECT, Africa

FOND BLANC ORPHANAGE, Haiti

GOSHEN BLESSINGS, Uganda, Africa

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I Will Follow You probably know the Chris Tomlin popular hit song, “I Will Follow.” As a Christian, desiring to be a Christ Follower, the words are convicting:

Where You go, I'll go…Where You stay, I'll stay…When You move, I'll

move…I will follow

All Your ways are good…All Your ways are sure…I will trust in You alone.

Higher than my side…High above my life…I will trust in You alone

Where You go, I'll go…Where You stay, I'll stay…When You move, I'll

move…I will follow. Who You love, I'll love…How You serve I'll serve…If

this life I lose, I will follow You…I will follow You

Light unto the world…Light unto my life…I will live for You alone

You're the one I seek…Knowing I will find…All I need in You alone, in You

alone

Where You go, I'll go…Where You stay, I'll stay…When You move, I'll

move…I will follow. Who You love, I'll love…How You serve I'll serve…If

this life I lose, I will follow You…I will follow You…I will follow YOU!

In the Gospels of: Matthew, Mark & Luke, we hear Jesus telling the followers, “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Jesus goes on to tell them that means we treasure following Jesus over our own lives, worldly possessions, family, and worldly identity. This was a hard message for the followers, and many left as related in the Scriptures. How about you and me? We say we are Christians, followers of Jesus, the Christ. But do we take it seriously? Are we really ready to give up family, possessions, identity, and even our own life for the sake of sharing the Gospel. The Walk to Emmaus teaches us about that call of Jesus on our lives to walk as Christ followers. It’s not easy, and most of us look back and start to resume the lives of our past, prior to our WALK and commitment to Christ to follow. For me it is a constant struggle, serving God over wife, mother, grandmother, Pastor/leader, etc. Paul writes about similar, personal/spiritual struggles in Romans 7 and Galatians 5. Read the song words again.

Let us strive forward and remember our first love (Jesus). Pray for God to help us grow in faith to follow our LORD. When we do, the Spirit sends forth enough peace for the journey ahead; to that truth I

can give a witness! Pastor Anita Genrich

Each Wednesday there is a full meal, furnished for a suggested donation of

$3.oo per person with a $10.oo max. per family. The night starts with

worship at 6:00; then moves into the Fellowship Hall for dinner at 6:30, with

activities starting at 7:00.

Menu

September 4th - Meatloaf

September 11th - Pizza

September 18th - Spaghetti

September 25th - Pork Roast

WEB SITES, FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE

Have you visited the church Website, YouTube channel or Facebook page yet? These are great tools for us to reach out to our members & friends. We have information on upcoming events and videos of the Sunday sermons.

For the church website: Go to www.maustonumc.com where you’ll find church information, event information and much more. For the YouTube channel: Type in www.youtube.com Type MaustonUMC in the search bar. You can watch past sermons. For the Facebook: Go to www.facebook.com and search for Mauston United Methodist Church and hit like.

Volunteers Needed!! Sunday Morning Fellowship Time is in need of volunteers to

do any or all of the following parts of morning fellowship:

donate and prepare treats & juice; make the coffee;

set up serving table; or clean up. If you would like

to volunteer, please sign up on the bulletin board.

WOW Worship on Wednesdays

Euchre Night

September 21st ~ 5:30

There is no cost for the evening, which starts with a

pot luck dinner at 5:30. Cards start at 6:00; night

ends at 8:00. It’s an opportunity to invite your

friends & family for Christian Fellowship.

WOW

(Worship On Wednesdays)

Do you enjoy getting together in the middle of the week for worship, dinner and fellowship? WOW - worship at 6:00 and dinner at 6:30.

WOW Sermon Series

Sept. 4th ~ Overcomer Series ~ Who Are You? – Psalm 32

Sept. 11th ~ We Remember Video – Psalm 77:10-12

Sept. 18th ~ Overcomer Series ~ You are Broken – Jeremiah 2:1-13

Sept. 25th ~ Overcomer Series ~ You are Chosen – Ephesians 1:3-11

Newsletter Deadline is the 20th of each month; please have

all articles and notices into Debby in the church office

before this date.

Communion is served the first Sunday

of each month.

(Open for all who call on the name of Jesus)

ADULT Bible STUDIES

Sunday Adult Bible Study resumes on Sept. 22nd at 10:30am in

the Fellowship Hall. Don Genrich will be finishing up the study on the

book of Hebrews. Jim Mills will be starting a class on “Scripture and

the Wesleyan Way” on October 6th.

Monday Monday Night Men & Women’s Bible Studies resume on Sept. 9th

from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. Sharon Daniels is leading a Women’s study

from “Through the Bible in One Year”; books are now available from

Sharon. Pastor Anita is leading a Women’s study in the Lower Level

Classroom from the movie “Overcomer”. Jim Mills will continue

facilitating the Men’s study on “The Parables of Jesus”.

Wednesday Adult Bible Study meets on Wednesday from 4:30pm – 5:30pm.

Teresa Wilhite leads a study on “Discernment”. Devotional time after

the WOW meal at 7:30pm, led by Pastor Anita.

Thursday The Men’s Accountability/Bible Discussion group will meet at 6:30

until Sept. 19th; after this group will meet on Mondays at 5:30pm.

September ~ Sunday Morning Sermon Series

Sept. 1st ~ (12th Sun. of Pentecost & Communion) What Does the Lord Require of You? – Micah 1:1-5; 6:6-8

Sept. 8th ~ (13th Sun of Pentecost) The Lord is Slow in Anger & Great in Power – Nahum 1:1-8; 3:18-19

Sept. 15th ~ (165th Anniversary Celebration Sunday) Pastor Bob Kenas will give the message with Communion with other

former pastors participating.

Sept. 22nd ~ (15th Sunday of Pentecost & Mission Sunday) The Future Foretold – 1 John 3:1-3, 11, 16-18

Sept. 30th ~ (16th Sunday of Pentecost) God Uses All Things for His Glory – Habakkuk 1:1-6, 18-19

Short Term Volunteers in Mission Trips Acts 1:8 ~ You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and

Samaria, and to the ends of the earth

(Mauston UMC) Fairbanks, Alaska – Sept. 2019 and/or Feb. 2020 ~

Plans are being made to take a small crew back to finish roofing and

winterizing the cabins on Sept. 15th – 21st and in Feb. we will be going

back to work on the insides of the Joshua Project houses. Contact Vic

or Debby Bollig if you are interested in either of these trips.

(Wis. VIM) Elroy, WI –Aug 31st – Sept. 1st & 2nd, 2019 ~ Working on

a home build for a family who lost their home in the fall 2018 floods.

(VIM) Wis. VIM Trips ~ Many opportunities available; check the

Missions Bulletin Board by the Church Office.

Sunday Worship Servers

September 1st ~ Pastor’s Assistant ~ Sharon Daniels

Ushers ~ Diane Bevins, Jan Brockman, Diane K, & Bob Severson

Fellowship ~ _____________________

September 8th ~ Pastor’s Assistant ~ Sam Rattunde

Ushers ~ Barb Gray, Evelyn Gray, Darryl Teske & Loana

Fellowship ~ _____________________ September 15th ~ Pastor’s Assistant~ Pastor Anita Genrich

Ushers ~ Lura Dahl, Brandy Ellsworth, Arlene L, & Katie Parrott

Fellowship ~ (none) Everyone’s invited to the Anniversary Dinner

September 22nd ~ Pastor’s Assistant ~ Chad Ellsworth

Ushers ~ Teresa Wilhite, and Bryan, Reese & Payton Hansen

Fellowship ~ Diane Kropiwka

September 29th ~ Pastor’s Assistant ~ Janet Brockman

Ushers ~ Andy & Kris Asbel, Steve & Bernadine Lange

Fellowship ~ _______________________

Ushers please arrive ½ hour before service. Thank you to those that serve the church through Ushering & Assisting the

Pastor. If you would like to serve with ushering please contact Julie Christensen @ 847-4584. And if you would like to serve through

Fellowship please sign up on the bulletin board. If you would like to be a Pastor’s Assistant, please contact Pastor Anita.

Mission Projects & Outreach The King will reply, "I tell you, whatever you did for one of the

least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." ~

Matthew 25:40

Adopt-A-Hwy ~ The next cleanup will be Wed, Sept. 18th. Meet

at the church at 4:00 to car pool out to our section of Hwy. 82.

Volunteer to help with this Local Mission Project!

Rummage Sale ~ Sale is Sept. 12th – 14th; we can use

extra volunteers to help price and sort! If you need

someone to come and pick up your items, please contact

Debby in the church office.

Kids4Keeps ~ We will be holding a Diaper Drive for Juneau

County Social Services (Kids4Keeps) from Sept. 8th – 29th.

Harvest Supper ~ Save the date – Saturday, Oct. 26th.

Spaghetti Dinner ~ Save the date – Saturday, Nov. 23rd.

2019 Walk to Emmaus Weekends

Men’s Fall Walk ~ September 19th – 22nd, 2019

Women’s Fall Walk ~ September 26th – 29th, 2019

Sparrow’s Nest – Sparta, WI

If you are looking to grow in your faith, this weekend is for you.

More info is available on the Bulletin across from Church Office.

The Mauston United Methodist Church strives to provide a safe place

for worship for all individuals, especially children. To that end we have

a Safe Sanctuary policy (available for review: www.maustonumc.com)

As a place to worship, we have been called to do the ministry God

directs as stated in Matthew 28. We are a body of believers that all

have broken lives and pasts that may be tarnished in many different ways. Some of our body of believers may have a history of

incarceration and/or legal standings that have been deemed not

suitable for society. Our church is a place full of sinners in need of a

Savior. All are welcome. The MUMC has in place guidelines to help

provide the safest possible environment and reflects God’s grace and

mercy for all.

Youth Ministry News

Youth Ministries Escape Room Event ~ Sept. 22nd @ 10:30 ~ All

youth in K – 12th grade (parents too!) are invited to this Biblical

Escape Experience! This is a Sunday School Kick Off Event!

LWBC Lumberjack Days ~ October 12th @ 8:30am ~ Youth are

invited to a day of helping at Living Waters Bible Camp.

September Church Family Birthdays & Anniversaries

1 ~ Joe Hammer, Kathy Seif

2 ~ Guy & Evie Smith

4 ~ Tom Raabe, Victor & Debby Bollig

5 ~ Pastor Wendell & Sue Williams

7 ~ Jim Schlosser, Edith Winker, Dawson Erickson

10 ~ Erica Bellile, Brandon Goedjen, Chad Ellsworth, Jim & Wanda

Hover

11 ~ Doug Wells, Arlene Lipke

12 ~ Barb Koppang

13 ~ Randy Ilgen

14 ~ Geri Shore

15 ~ Diane Kropiwka, Katie Parrott

17 ~ Amber Chouinard

18 ~ Neil & Barb Koppang

19 ~ Bob & Evelyn Gray

20 ~ Steve & Lisa Buchmeier

21 ~ Jim Lange

22 ~ Scott & Teresa Wilhite

23 ~ Darren Teske, Tara Hansen, Jake & Hawk Bollig,

Scott & Michelle Musiel, Phillip & Toni Erickson

24 ~ Art & Barb Wells

25 ~ Ella Panten, Evelyn Smith

27 ~ Mike Kropiwka

29 ~ Leigh Walsh

30 ~ Scott Dennison

If your birthday or anniversary is not on our list please let the office know.

Church Library

Looking for something to watch or read this summer? Check out the Church Library! There are many Christian books and movies; borrowing materials is easy. Please return materials

within a few weeks so that others may enjoy them

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Hands of God Team The team had another very busy month moving people, helping

clean apartments, cutting wood, and cleaning out homes.

Please contact Jim Mills or Debby in the church office if you

would like to be a part of this local mission team.

Crafter’s Fellowship ~ Sept. 28th ~ 9:00 – 3:00

Spend a day or part of a day in fellowship. If you crotchet, knit, scrapbook, quilt, or embroider; it doesn’t matter what your craft of choice is, come and have a day of fun. This is a time to work

on and share your craft with others. We talk, work, eat, and even get a little silly at times. There is a pot luck lunch at noon. Bring a friend. Come join us and if you have questions contact

Terry Beck-Mills or Sharon Daniels.

Please Let Us Know… If you know of someone who is in the hospital or is working through medical issues at home, please call the church office (608-847-5964) so that Pastor Anita is aware of the need and can respond accordingly. If you know of an individual or family that is working through medical issues, hospitalization or some other crisis and could benefit from the gift of a meal, please let Sharon Daniels know. .

General Budget Finance Committee Report (Jan. – July)

Budgeted Income: $ 125,957.00

Budgeted Expenses: $ 129,017.19

Actual Income: $114,560.90

Actual Expenses: $122,454.36

(We have not paid the June & July apportionments)

General Checking Balance on July 31st: $ 761.44

Thank you to everyone for your financial support of our church.

Jennifer Laursen, Treasurer

Chrisitan Disciple Farm 2003 – 2019 (16 years)

A big THANK YOU to the Mission Committee for their sponsorship gift

of $500 & ½ mission scholarships for 8 individuals to participate at this

Special Needs VBS in Sullivan, Wisconsin. Lives are changed as we do

ministry with others, especially those who are different than our

experiences. Over 200 participated in this week long camp…families with

special needs kids/young adults and volunteers. Christian Ed./Rhode

fund also helped with ¼ of the Volunteer cost as well as a Camp/Retreat

Angel. Everyone paid $25 of their own money to go and most paid 1/4th

of the cost. They are planning for 2020, so mark your calendars if you

are interested…August 2nd – 7th (Sun-Friday). Youth/Young

Adults/Adults…they need lots of volunteers to make this work. Calling

all “Knights of the Round Table” to plan ahead for CDF 2020!.

Pastor Anita Genrich

“Pilgrim’s Progress” Sunday, September 8th

Movie shown after Worship (10:30am)

Everyone is invited to these

events and encouraged to bring

a friend or two!

165 Years of Ministry in Mauston, WI

A Special, Celebration Worship Service is planned for Sunday,

September 15th at 9am. Join us as Rev. Keith Davison (1955-1959);

Rev. Richard Bonney (1974 – 1996); Rev. Robert Kenas (1996 –

2008) & Pastor Anita Genrich (2016 – present) lead worship with

the Theme: “Why I Believe in Jesus”. Rev. Kenas will be the

Sermon Bearer! Rev. Wendell Williams (2008 – 2016) is unable to

join us due to his new appointment at Black River Falls UMC. Open

Table Communion will be shared for ALL. Fellowship and

Celebration Dinner will be served at 11am – Fellowship Hall – All are

invited! Call the church office to reserve a place at the table (for food

preparations). History booklets are being made and will be

distributed on 165 Year Celebration Sunday.

Since 1954, the beginning of the Lemonier Circuit, Mauston has had a

Methodist worshiping community. Our names have adjusted over

time to meet the changing identity of our Global Methodist Church,

presently known as The United Methodist Church. Forty-Three

pastors have been appointed & served over the past 165 years.

Currently, five are still living, three which continue to actively worship

at Mauston UMC. We have a rich history of “Serving the

community,” as we live out our mission: “Using the Bible as our

foundation and authority, we put our faith and love into action,

trusting the Holy Spirit to bring all to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.”

165th Anniversary Dinner September 15, 2019 ~ 11:00am

Beef Tips, Honey Glazed Ham, Rice Pilaf, Sour Cream & Chive Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Almandine, Glazed

Carrots, Caesar Salad, Rolls, Old Fashioned Bread Pudding, Marshmallow Fruit Salad, Coffee and Lemonade

No tickets to purchase but you MUST sign up if you plan to attend!! There is a signup sheet on the lobby. Deadline to

signup is: September 5th

Both Circles have different dates from the USUAL

Ruth Circle: Wednesday, September 18 (Third Wednesday) Evelyn Baerbock – Lesson Leader / Susan Schubert – Hostess Sisters of Faith - September 21 (Third Saturday) Study: Mary: Surviving Life’s Messy Plot Twists

SEPTEMBER 14 – DISTRICT ANNUAL GATHERING

At Wausau Wesley; See Angy Gouker or Janet Brockman for details

Trustees September Update

Well the elevator project is marching forward but we have hit a delay.

The elevator company has the elevator on back order and tell us that it

may not be in until mid-September before it arrives. Some things we

just can’t help. Trustees had asked the congregation if they would be

willing to help fund this project by raising about one-third of the cost.

We have raised so far $30,440.00, only $69,560.00 to go. We will be

paying our second installment in September.

If you have any questions please ask a Trustee member: Bob Beaver,

Terry Beck-Mills, Vic Bollig, Diane Dannenberg, Russ Harmon,

Diane Kropiwka, Ruth Martin, and Tom McDonald.

Dee Hamlin Memorial Scholarship

We are pleased to announce that the Mauston United Methodist Church

received three applications this year for the Dee Hamlin Memorial

Scholarship. All three were worthy candidates, Taylor Bellile, Grace

Hammer, and Shawn Laursen. The Memorial Fund did well this year

in the market and we were able to award $10,000 collectively. Taylor is

majoring in Elementary Education and Grace in Biology/Biomedical.

Shawn is working on his Doctorate of Philosophy in Molecular, Cellular

and Developmental Biology. It is wonderful that Dee was foresighted

enough to help out future generations achieve the goal of a college

education.

The Scholarship Committee – Terry Beck-Mills, Sharon Daniels, Sally

Erickson, and Jim Gearhart

Faithful People Serve Others

Pastor Rick Warren wrote the following devotion in 2014. When I read it today, I thought of the Mauston

UMC and your mission/vision statement, “Here to Serve.” May the message inspire and lift your spirit

as it did mine, P.A. ----------------------------------------------------

God uses my talents to test my unselfishness. You have to decide in life for whom or what you’re going to live. You’re either going to live a self-centered, miserly life or you’re going to live for something greater than yourself — the kingdom of God. Faithful people don’t live for themselves. They realize that the talents God gave them are not for their own benefit; they’re to make the world a better place.

When God made you, he gave you all kinds of gifts, talents, and abilities. We call it your S.H.A.P.E.: your spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences. These five things make you you. And God made you you. There’s nobody like you in the whole world, and he wants you to be you for his glory. God shaped you to serve him, and there’s only one way to do that: by serving other people.

Faithful people realize that their talents are not for their benefit. You may have a talent for art and say that you do it “just because you love to do it.” That’s nice, but that’s not a good enough motive. God didn’t give you artistic ability just so you can love to do it. He gave it to you so you can use your art in some way to help other people.

Some of you have an ability to fix things. Some of you are good at math. Some of you are good at closing deals. Some of you are good at music. Some of you are good at organizing. And some of you are good at trimming and gardening. God made us all different so that everything in the world gets done. If we all liked to do the same thing, there would be a whole lot left undone.

You are the steward of your talents, and God is watching to see if you use what he gave you effectively on Earth. If you use them effectively on Earth, he’s going to give you more responsibility in Heaven.

Have you ever thought about why didn’t God just create us and take us to Heaven? Why does he put us here on a broken planet for 80 or 90 years? He put you here because life is a test and a trust and a temporary assignment. He’s watching to see if you are faithful to use what he gave you here on Earth to bless other people. The Bible says in 1 Peter 4:10, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.

Use them well to serve one another” (NLT). God gave you talents, and he’s watching to see if you’re faithful with them.

Hannah Rattunde and her new buddy

for the week at Christian Disciple

Farm…we are forever changed by the

experiences we are given. God is

glorified by our Servant Hearts.

Have you missed a Sunday Worship Service and wondered what the

message was on? Have you ever left church and thought, “I wish I

could share that message with someone”? No problem! You can

watch the MUMC Worship Videos on youtube!

Go to: https://www.youtube.com/user/MaustonUMC/videos

Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes Our annual Shoebox collection will start in late October.

This is a project that can make a great impact on a child,

both physically and spiritually.

Pray for the child when you are choosing school supplies,

bar soap, washcloth, hairbrush or comb and toys; the child

will be doubly blessed. The child will also receive a pamphlet

about Jesus to learn about the Gift of Salvation.

So now, while school supplies are on sale and rummage

sales are happening, consider getting items to fill a shoebox

this fall.

Sue Williams, OCC Coordinator

This project was started by Franklin

Graham, not only providing for the need of

material things but also as a way to

introduce Jesus Christ to children who may

not have another chance to hear the Good

News. The boxes are sent to children all

over the world with literature for spiritual

growth in their own language included.

It’s almost here!!

The Annual Fall Rummage Sale is one of our

biggest Community Outreach Projects and we

are in need of Many, Many, Many Volunteers!

Thursday – Saturday, Sept. 12th – 14th

We will need lots of volunteers. Please sign up on the

bulletin board or just come anytime that week when you

are free to help out. Biggest needs are Wednesday around

4:00 to unload the trailers and on Saturday at 11:00 for

cleanup.

Bring in your items SOON. They can be left in the church

entry way or in the upstairs classroom. If you need

someone to pick them up call Debby in the church office or

contact Jim Mills.

Start thinking about what you would like to make for the

Bake Sale. We would love to have items for all three days!

Help us get the word out to the community. We

have lots of great stuff and we will need lots of

shoppers! There are posters available in the

lobby to put up at your place of work or to give

to friends, relatives and neighbors.

Community Outreach

Mauston Teacher Welcome ~ We helped welcome 15 new Mauston area teachers into the community by placing information and a small gift into the Chamber’s Welcome Bags in August.

Juneau County Fair ~ Thank you to the many volunteers that manned our booth for this Local Outreach project. And a BIG THANKS to this year’s booth coordinator, Teresa Wilhite!

Prayer Shawls ~ In the last 15 years we have handed out over 350 shawls! We are in need of knitters & crocheters to help restock our supply, or if you know of someone who could use one please contact Debby in the church office.

Meals on Wheels ~ Gloria Hale is our new liaison for this local mission project. If you are able to help serve meals in September (our church’s turn) please contact her.

* * * * * * * * * Thank You

Dear Vic, Debby & Team,

Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude and praise for your

time and hard work this summer! As part of the Joshua

Community Project, you helped build a home and a community;

but most importantly, you are helping to rebuild lives.

Fairbanks Rescue Mission

I want to express my immense gratitude upon receiving the

DeLoris Hamlin Memorial Scholarship for the 2019-2020 school

year. I will be returning to UW-Whitewater for my second year

studying elementary education. The generosity of this

scholarship is greatly appreciated as is the love and

encouragement from my entire church family. – Taylor Bellile

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously. (2 Psalm 37:21)

People give to the church for a variety of reasons and motivations. Think about how much, proportionately, you give; how willingly you give; how you respond to being asked to pledge your support to the mission and ministry of the church, and how openly you talk about your giving. What motivates you to give?

Some people feel called to give out of their faith. Giving generously feels right and natural. It is a part of their discipleship. In turn, they are grateful for their own blessings including a place in the church where they can contribute.

Some people feel fulfilled by giving. They derive joy, energy and good feelings from giving. They value the church in their lives and want to support it so it is there for others.

Some people value giving as a duty. It is the right thing to do and creates good in the world. Giving influences the community for good and connects the giver with the community.

Some people would feel guilty if they did not give. They feel giving is something they should do, even if they would rather not. Alternatively, that fear they will be shamed if they do not give.

Finally, some people feel coerced. They feel their situation compels them to give.

Which of these describes why you give? Which do you think would be most pleasing to God?

Jim Wells, Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation