NEW HOPE TRUMPETDECEMBER 2019

Follow the Bright Morning StarAt times in our lives we find ourselves unable to see the

full vision God is placing before us. We become so centered in ourselves, or our view of the world, that we are like a sailor who looks only at the sea around her. The waves beat against the ship but give no sense of direction.

When we center our lives on the movement of God’s Spirit, we are like a sailor who takes her bearings from the stars. All of a sudden, a new world seems possible. There is a way ahead. Uncertainty gives way to faith. Movement becomes more important than certainty. Trust becomes a way of life. The journey continues and hope prevails.

As Christians we look to Christ and are assured that, though we may be in a sea of troubles, the greater reality is God with us, above us, around us, and within us. God is always guiding us even when we see no light, and hear no voice.

We are human—and experience weakness, confusion and failure. We live with the reality of sickness and death. But God is with us every step of the way. God gives us everything we need for this journey. And, in every dark corner we face, God’s power, healing, and forgiveness surround us.

In Christ, God has taken on any burden we bear. We are not alone. When we find ourselves—eyes focused only on the seemingly endless turbulent waters that surround—we need to look toward heaven again. Jesus said, “I Am the Bright Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16) He said, “Come, follow me.”

We are not able to do it alone, but God promises to be with us. Let the weak say, “I am strong.” Let the poor say, “I am rich, because of what the Lord has done for me.” Give thanks!

Our faith gives us a sure and certain hope, and in quiet confidence we live out our faith with conviction, until that day when we see clearly, and experience the peace that only God can give.

Paul writes to the Ephesians in 3:20 - “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

In this season, as we journey into the four weeks of Advent, and then ponder God’s Son coming to be born in a humble stable as one of us, we realize again that the meaning of life is much more than we often make it. May we take moments, often, to look to the stars and remember the glory that is God. May we capture a glimpse of the majesty and mystery that lies beyond our understanding this side of heaven. May we make time for silence, so that the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – have room to fill us.

- Pastor Michael Sparby

Devotions:

2019 Graduates: Apply for a scholarship while home for Christmas! Applications can be found on our website newhopescpc.org or contact the church office.

Pine Creek Site WELCA 9:30 am Sunday, December 8th

Christmas Potluck

Monday, December 23rd Christmas Worship 7 pm at Pine Creek site

6 pm Potluck dinner prior the service A sign-up sheet is available

Sand Creek Site WELCA Monday, December 9th : Offering received

(2nd Monday/monthly)

Sand Creek Site Circles Eve 6p Wednesday, December 4th/Outing *Members call Lou Ann Gilberts for details 715-658-1317 Rhoda 12p Monday, December 9th/Church Phoebe 9:30a Thursday, December 12th/Church

DECEMBER STEWARDSHIP * Celebrate a Christmas Family * Shop “Alternative Giving” to double gifts

Are you willing to help with serving committees? Contact Carol Gerner or the church office for Sand Creek site. This is to assist serving food for funerals and other events.

WOMEN OF THE ELCA TRIENNIAL GATHERING July 16-19, 2020/Phoenix, AZ

“What is impossible with us is possible with God” -Luke 18: 27 Early bird discount through Jan. 6, 2020. Registration NOW open online only. Visit WELCATG.ORG. Arrange your own transportation and roommates. Direct ?s to Roberta Bitler (715.566.1680)

New Hope Men’s Group Thursday, December 19th

7pm at Sand Creek Site

“An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” -Matthew 1: 1 (NRSV) I often watch programs on TV that search for a person’s roots. With today’s technology, researchers can go back many hundreds of years for records and family history to find out where you began. They can backtrack from who you are now to grandparents on both sides, back to four or more greats. People are amazed at the percentages of and how many nationalities they may be a part of. Through DNA they may find out who is a present relative. Jesus’ genealogy goes back to the beginning, to Adam. His percentage is recorded in the books of Matthew and Luke. He was born into a Jewish family of Mary and Joseph. When we read the names we can see that some ancestors came from other tribes and nations. We well know the story of Jesus’ virgin birth and how it all came about. It was all in God’s plan. Through spiritual DNA, we as believers, are genealogically related to Jesus, even if we have German, Norwegian, African, Indian, etc blood running through our veins. As we anticipate Advent, and celebrate Christmas, we can know our past genealogy gives us an earthly family, and we can know we belong to Jesus’ family for eternity. What a wonderful reason for celebrating Jesus’ birth. Merry Christmas! -Sue Piotrowski

NOISY OFFERINGS 2019 January Bible Camp Scholarships $ 724.30 February Prairie Farm “Youth in Christ” 125.00 Warren Petryk/Sand Creek 207.00 March Southwest Flooding 418.20 April Malawi Flooding 663.35 May Local Food Pantries 379.55 (Bloomer/New Auburn, Chetek, Colfax, Prairie Farm/Ridgeland) June “Beds 4 Kids” 970.45 July Lutheran World Relief 322.78 August Malawi Sister Synod 416.53 September Luther Park Capital Campaign 710.18 “Building & Rejoicing” October Eau Claire Homeless Youth Shelter 362.61 November Hunger Relief Pending after November 24th collection December “Christmas Critter”

Treasurer’s Summary January-October 2019 2019 Actual Income Expense Difference

Jan 1-Oct 31 $ 137,153.86 $172,686.84 - $ 35,532.98

Last Year’s Comparison 2018 Actual Income Expense Difference Jan1-Oct 31 $139,818.00 $139.909.00 - $ 91.00

-Kelly Hoff, Hoff Financial Services 715-455-1968 Prairie Farm 715-637-1968 Barron kelly@teamhoff.com *Detailed Treasurer’s Reports are always available from the office upon request

CHRISTMAS FAMILY Deadline for gifts to be dropped off at church is Thursday, December 12th

November Memorials In Memory of Leland Tallman Men’s Group Margaret O’Flanagan Comforters

Church Council Meeting Monday, December 9, 2019 at

Pine Creek site

Annual Reports Due Monday, January 6, 2020

B1 (12 yr-old boy) Boots size 8 Snow pants 16-18 Socks Pants 16-18 Personal Care Items toothbrush/paste, deodorant, body spray

Board games, books, craft sets, “Fortnite” video game things

B2 (5 yr-old girl) Boots size youth 11 Snow pants Small 5/6 Hat/Mittens Socks Pants Small 5/6

Barbies, LOL Doll, books, craft sets, Legos

Single Mom No list available at this time. Updates will be posted at church

Warm clothing items you share will find their way to someone in need.

Homeless Youth Christmas Stockings Students are collecting items for homeless youth Christmas

Care Packages. Our goal is 35 Stockings (2 per student) Updates will be posted at church for items received and those still needed. If you prefer to give a monetary donation, we can shop. Thank you!

Items needed: 35 of each • Small Toothbrush/Toothpaste • Adult Thermal Socks • Small First Aid Kit (.99 cent size) • Small Pack of Tissues • Full-size Deodorant • Lip Balm • Hand Cream • Hand Warmers • Pair of Magic Gloves • Small memo pad/pen • Candy, Chocolates, Breath Mints, Gum • Deck of Cards • $20 Gift Cards (Target or Wal-Mart) • $10 Gift Cards (Walgreens & CVS) • $5 Gift Cards (McDonald’s, Subway, Starbucks) • Adult Tube Socks

ASSEMBLY: Wednesday, December 4 Bring items to the church in the “Homeless Youth Christmas” box by Sunday, December 1.

Christmas Pageants Sunday, December 22nd

8:30a Pine Creek Site10a Sand Creek Site

New Auburn Community Choir 7p Saturday, December 14th

Sand Creek SiteRefreshments to follow

Confirmation Class food pantry collection. THANK YOU!

New Hope Confirmation Class: Thank you for your recent donations. Even more importantly, for your ongoing support. Your continued thoughtfulness & generosity enables us to help the increasing number of people in our community and your neighbors in need. -Chetek Food Shelf

“Many thanks for the very generous amount of food you collected & donated. This will make so many families happy! Bless you all!” -Bloomer Food Pantry

November18,2019Dearfriends,AllthisisfromGod,whoreconciledustohimselfthroughChrist,andhasgivenustheministryofreconcilia9on. -2Corinthians5:18 InearlyNovemberafive-daytrainingoftrainers(TOT)workshopinconflictresoluKonandpeacebuildingwasheldattheLutheranCenterinJohannesburg,SouthAfrica.TheworkshopwasajointventurebetweentheLutheranCommunioninSouthernAfrica(LUCSA)with15memberchurchesin10countriesandexperttrainersfromtheEcumenicalChurchLeaders’Forum(ECLF)basedinZimbabwe. MemberchurcheswereinvitedtoeachsendtworepresentaKves.InteracKvesessionsincludeddemysKfyingconflict,toolsforanalyzingthemanifestaKonsandrootcausesofconflict,acKvelisteningandeffecKvecommunicaKonskills,understandingpower,dialogue,mediaKon,theimportanceofinnerhealingandthenexusbetweenpeaceanddevelopment.DailysessionsopenedandclosedwithdevoKons.TheLUCSA/ECLFtrainingmanual,PathstoPeacewasofficiallylaunchedFridayNov.8. ManyparKcipantsindicatedthatthe“healing”sessionwasoneofthemostimportantandtransformingexperiencesattheworkshopandacknowledgedthatfurthertrainingwouldbehelpfulforthemtobeeffecKvetrainersoftrainers. AstheELCAweareseekingtobeavisiblechurchdeeplycommi_edtoworkingecumenicallyandwithotherpeopleoffaithforjusKce,peaceandreconciliaKoninourcommuniKesandaroundtheworld.(Goal4oftheELCA’sStrategicDirec9ons2025document,CALLEDFORWARDTOGETHERINCHRIST). ELCA-GlobalMissionthroughDiakonia/WorldHungerFundingisthereforesupporKngthecollaboraKveworkofLUCSAandECLFinprovidingtrainingandthesharingofresourcesintheregionandontheAfricanconKnenttopromoteconflictresoluKonandpeacebuildingprograms. Thankyouforyourprayers,supportandparKcipaKoninGod’smissionlocallyandglobally.

Yoursfaithfully,Rev.Dr.PhilipKnutsonELCAGlobalMissionRegionalRepresentaKve-SouthernAfricaJohannesburgMyblogpageaddressis:h_ps://southernafricanconnecKons.wordpress.com/

LOOKING AHEADDECEMBER

Sunday, December 1 First Sunday of Advent - Guest Pastor David Sands Monday, December 2 Poinsettia Orders Due Tuesday, December 3 Pastor Chapel at Dove/Atrium in Bloomer Saturday, December 14 9a Confirmation makeup class 7p New Auburn Community Choir & refreshments at Sand Creek site Sunday, December 22 Regular Sunday schedule w Sunday school Christmas Pageants Monday, December 23 6p Christmas Potluck served by Women/ELCA 7p Christmas Candlelight/Pine Creek Site Tuesday, December 24 5p Christmas Candlelight/Sand Creek Site Sunday, December 29 Regular schedule - Lessons and Carols/no communion ***For those who do not drive after dark, please contact the office, so we can help arrange rideshare.

JANUARY 2020Monday, January 6 Annual Reports due in the church office - the earlier the better! Sunday, January 19 1 Worship together at Pine Creek site 8:30a followed by Annual Meeting at 9:30a, followed with potluck brunch

FEBRUARYSunday, February 2 Guest Pastor Ralph Marquardt Sunday, February 16 Guest Pastor Edward Zaiser Saturday, February 22 “Walking Together & Christ Jam”/UWEC Davies Center-Eau Claire Sunday, February 23 Transfiguration Sunday Wednesday, February 26 Ash Wednesday - Lenten Worship begins: 11a SC and 7p PC

April Saturday, April 4 Women of the ELCA Synod Day of Renewal hosted at Sand Creek site Sunday, April 5 Palm Sunday Thursday, April 9 7p Maundy Thursday at our Pine Creek site Friday, April 10 7p Good Friday at our Sand Creek site Sunday, April 12 Easter Sunday

MAYWednesday, May 13 6p Confirmation Rehearsal/Dinner at our Pine Creek site, 6th/7th families serve Saturday, May 16 Northwest Wisconsin Synod Assembly at Trinity Lutheran/Eau Claire Sunday, May 17 Confirmation Sunday, students confirmed at their home sites Sunday, May 24 1 Worship together at our Pine Creek site with Memorial Day observed

JULYThursday July 16-Sunday, July 19 Women of the ELCA Triennial Convention in Phoenix, AZ Sunday, July 19 1 Worship together outdoors at Memorial Park in Sand Creek

SEPTEMBERSunday, September 6 1 Worship together at our Sand Creek site/Labor Day Weekend

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 1st Sunday of Advent 8:30a/PC 10a/SC Guest Pr. David Sands

2 Poinsettia orders due 8a Comforters/SC

3 7p AA/SCPastor Chapel at Bloomer Dove & Atrium

4 6p Confirmation/SC pack Homeless Youth stockings6p Eve Circle Outing

5 6 7

8 2nd Sunday of Advent 8:30a/PC 10a/SC 9:30a PC WELCA

9 8a Comforters/SC12p Rhoda/SC7p Council/PC

10 7p AA/SC

11 6p Confirmation/SC Christmas Party

12 9:30a Phoebe/SC

13 14 9a SC Confirmation Makeup class7p New Auburn Choir/SC

15 3rd Sunday of Advent 8:30a/PC 10a/SCNewsletter articles due

16 8a Comforters/SC

17 7p AA/SC

18 19 7p Men’s Group

20 21

22 4th Sunday of Advent Christmas Pageants 8:30a/PC 10a/SC

23 NO Comforters 6p Potfaith Supper/PC 7p Christmas Worship

24 5p Christmas Worship/SC

25 Christmas Day No Worship Services

26 27 9:30a/SC newsletter assembly

28

29 1st Sunday of Christmas 8:30a/PC 10a/SC

30 NO Comforters 31 7p AA/SC

USHERS Pine Creek Mike & Tiffany BuckSand Creek Brian Thompson (Chair), Eric/Maveric Suvada, Mike Goodremote, Mike Nelson

LECTORS Pine Creek Sand Creek

1 Kay Moen-Urseth Clyde Allison 8 Susan Christopherson Sandy Anderson 15 Dawn Kunkel Jodie Madison 22 Annette Mason Brody Killoren23 Alan Peterson Pine Creek 24 Sand Creek Kelly/Alex Timm 29 Tiffany Buck Carol Anderson

ALTAR GUILD Pine Creek Dawn Kunkel & Annette MasonSand Creek Lou Ann Gilberts & Susan Paulson

SC COMMUNION ASSISTANTS 1 Isaac Anderson, Lou Ann Gilberts8 Kyra North, Kathie Irwin 15 Abbie Neilsen, Carol Anderson 22 Angel Murray, Anita Jenson, Sandy Anderson24 Bryce & Teresa Killoren, Ella & Patti Audorff, Adam & Kelly Timm, Noah & Kelly Nelson 29 NO Communion

SC COFFEE HOSTS 1 Rhoda Circle 8 Phoebe Circle 15 Men’s Group 22 Eve Circle29 Robyn Lee “Beds 4 Kids”

FamilyEducationKellyNelson-Esterby 715-658-1861 kelly.esterby@chibardun.net WendyLoy 715-658-1000 wendy.loy@witc.edu PattiAudorff 715-642-2602 skiturtle3@yahoo.com RobbieJoEllefson 715-642-2344 robbiejo.ellefson@yahoo.com DesireeBuck 715-658-1287 tdbuck@chibardun.net Property&ManagementDalePaulson 715-658-1364 spaulson@chibardun.net GeneBufOington 715-237-2154 buffg@citizens-tel.netVernEllefson 715-837-1029 PC Vacancy ——————— Stewardship & Evangelism SuePaulson 715-658-1364 spaulson@chibardun.net Mary Peterson 715-308-9593 grammypete718@yahoo.com MaryAnnOmtvedt 715-658-1896 MOmtvedtnewaburn.k12.wi.us AimeeMikl 715-308-0240 aimeesuemikl@gmail.com Worship&MusicJodieMadison 715-495-5297 madisonjodie@yahoo.com LindaBilodeau 715-458-2479 lbilodeau2@yahoo.com CathyDavis 715-949-1817 roncate@chibardun.net PC Vacancy —————————————————————

2019 New Hope Council PresidentRobbieJoEllefsonVicePresidentAimeeMiklSecretaryWendyLoy TreasurerKellyHoff/HoffFinancialServices715-455-1968kelly@teamhoff.comAsst.TreasurerGeneBufOingtonWORSHIP 8:30 am/Pine Creek 9:20a Coffee Fellowship Sunday school 10 am/Sand Creek 9:20 am Coffee Fellowship Sunday school during worship Telephone Ministry: 1-515-739-9173 (long distance rates apply) FREE Live stream www.newhopescpc.org/

Pr. Michael Sparby 715-764-9779 nhpastor@chibardun.net Office 715-658-1470 newhope@chibardun.net

New Hope Lutheran Church E9085 County Road V PO BX 85 Sand Creek, WI 54765 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Missing Confirmation Photos Needed We’re in process of uploading all Confirmation class

lists/pictures to our website. Former Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 1919, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1928, January 19, 1930, December 6, 1930, June 14, 1931, 1932, 1935, 1936, 1938, 1942, 1943, 1950, 1954, 1959 Former Zion Lutheran Church: 1946 & 1968 If you may have these photos, please bring them to the church office to be scanned in updating our history.