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NEW HOPE TRUMPETFebruary 2019
When First Jesus Touches Us When we think of healing many images may come to mind. Certainly the story of the man born blind in John 9,
may be one. Jesus breaks down barriers in thought, and acts of love and kindness. When is it appropriate to reach out, to share, and extend a healing word or touch? Always! Jesus challenges the idea that sin has to do with presence of illness or any violation of law, rules and regulations. Sin has to do with humanity resisting Jesus.
It seems the physical healing of the blind man was easy for Jesus to accomplish. At the same time, he understood that the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees—those who thought they knew everything and had memorized all their human-made rules—was a much more difficult nut to crack. Jesus is much more troubled by the figurative blindness of those who refuse to see Him, than he is about the physical blindness of the man.
We sometimes find ourselves standing with the Pharisees. We think we know how things are to be. But, we forget that it’s all about Jesus and not us. Jesus, the One who is sent—to us and to the world. Jesus, the One who calls us to go out and encounter others and ask, as the young man does later in the story: “Do you want to follow Him too?”
The imagery of baptism comes to us in this story as Jesus tells the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam. We may await an experience of profound excitement in our faith journey. We may want some overwhelming sign from God. And, it may happen.
But, we must always remember not to take lightly, or call into question, the time when Jesus first touched us. In that holy moment – for many of us who received this Sacrament of Grace as infants remembered only through photos – Jesus claimed us.
We freely and joyously—on occasion with some exuberance—receive this free gift. It wasn’t the water. It was not the candles flame, the shell from which the water may have been poured, or the one baptizing. It wasn’t because we, who in our human pride decided or directed, that the mystery happened. It was because God decided to love us and make us His own through Jesus. It wasn’t because it happened on a Sunday or any other day. It wasn’t because someone had enough faith. We were claimed and named solely by the grace – the unconditional love because of Jesus—the One sent. It is a love that never fails and is never withdrawn. Good news! -Pr. Michael D. Sparby
“Holy Experiment” event hosts ‘Walking Together’ in tandem with ‘Christ Jam’ annual middle school event. Time together begins with a large group, cross generational opening, including conversation, an activity, and TED-type talks about innovation, and trying new things. This will be followed by 5 workshop opportunities and lunch. Registration forms are available in the narthex at both Pine Creek and Sand Creek sites. Let’s get together to spend the day with others from our Northwest Synod of Wisconsin. We will carpool, or you can meet us there. Register soon.
DEVOTIONS: Held by God’s Love “…and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side.” -Psalms 139: 5 (CEV)
Some mornings I wake up and feel a little lost. Not being fully awake I might feel as if I’m floating, but not entirely free. I feel tethered by something or someone. Not by a rope or chain as we would tether an animal, but by an unseen connection. I soon realize the connection as Jesus. He is holding me, loving me. Because of forgiveness and my faith, I do believe that Jesus is there in my waking and my sleeping and every moment in between. There are days that don’t go right. I have to make difficult decisions and I’m afraid I won’t decide right. Fears can overwhelm me, but only for a time. Even if I have to pick myself up and start over. I can feel that tether and welcome it. The tether and the One who holds it, is for everyone who believes. Thank you, dear Jesus. I know who holds me close. -Sue Piotrowski
FEBRUARY STEWARDSHIP: Personal Care Kits February 10th Bars of Soap (4-5oz., any brand, in original wrap) February 17th Bath Towels (light-weight, maximum 52” x 72”, dark color recommended) February 24th Nail Clippers (metal, attached file optional. Remove packaging) March 3rd Combs March 10th Toothbrushes (adult size, in original package) March 17th Bars of Soap (4-5oz., any brand, in original wrap)
Pine Creek WELCA 9:30 am Sunday, February 10th
Hostesses: Mary Peterson & Family
“Wells for Uganda” February 3rd 9:00 a.m./Sand Creek Fellowship Hour. All welcome! Guest, Tom Jenkins (brother of Judy Buffington) will share progress reports. Free-will offering will be received to support the continued mission for “Scientists Without Borders”.
Sand Creek Circles Rhoda: 12 pm/Church Monday, February 4th Phoebe: 9:30 am/Church Thursday, February 7th Eve: 7 pm /Lou Ann Gilbert’s Thursday, February 7th
Sand Creek WELCA Community Visits: 1 pm Wednesday, February 13th (Bring 1 dozen treats)
“Bold Women” Sunday, February 24th Pine Creek & Sand Creek worship services lead by women presenting lessons from Bold Women in History
“World Day of Prayer-Celebrating Slovenia” Friday, March 1st Worship hosted by New Scandinavia Lutheran & Dallas Lutheran Church at Dallas Lutheran Church. Details to come.
National Quilting Day: March 16, 2019 “Those who sleep under a quilt, sleep under a blanket of love.” For nearly 70 years, compassionate people just like you put their faith into action in making quilts for people in need around the world. And not just a few quilts—hundreds of thousands of quilts every year. These gifts of love make life brighter, softer, and a bit more comfortable for our global neighbors struggling with displacement, chronic poverty, illness, natural disaster and conflict. LWR celebrates you! -Melanie Gibbons, Quilt & Kit Ministry (LWR)
Thursday, February 21st 7 pm at Sand Creek Church All Ages Welcome!
New Hope – Pine Creek Soup & Sandwich Supper
Wednesday, February 20th 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
New Hope – Pine Creek Church
E6698 County Road V Ridgeland
Proceeds go to the Pine Creek Cemetery Fund
Several Varieties of Soup Sandwiches
Baked Treats
Free Will Donation
Bake Sale
Last Day to Designate 2018 Thrivent Choice Dollars is March 1, 2019
Local Barron Office: 715-637-7410 with representatives
Ann Matheny & Josh Estreen
FEBRUARY “NOISY” OFFERING 3rd Guests, “Youth in Christ”from Prairie Farm 10th Sand Creek: Musical Guest, Warren Petryk Pine Creek: To be announced 17th To be announced 24th To be announced
Treasurer’s Report -Kelly Hoff, Hoff Financial See 2018 annual report
2018 Annual Report Revised Several updates/additions received after printing the annual report may be uploaded to view from our church website at www.newhopescpc.org/
End Human Trafficking Presentation Dallas Lutheran Church
Thursday, March 14 Attend either 4:30-5:30 pm or 6:30-7:30 pm
(Childcare provided) Guest Speaker: 'Fierce Freedom' Staff Member, Kat, with Barron Co. Sheriff Dept.
Dear friends,
Over 1500 people gathered at the Diocesan Center of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa - Central Diocese for the induction of the newly elected Dean of the Soweto Circuit Rev. J. Mogale. He will serve a six-year term.
The Prayer Women’s League members were prominent in their black and white uniforms as were the men, young adults and youth.
Bishop MW Rakuba of the ELCSA Central Diocese presided at the induction service. Dean Mogale preached the sermon based on the epistle reading from 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. The Dean emphasized the varieties of God-given gifts given to each person by the one Spirit for the common good.
The music, led by a brass band and a drummer together with a mass choir and the joyful singing of hymns and choruses in various local languages by the whole congregation, was a highlight of the celebration.
The service ended with Holy Communion, the gathering in of gifts and a meal. Each parish came forward in turn, dancing and singing, to bring their envelope to the front of the church where the Dean and Mrs. Mogale were seated.
I was honoured to bring a greeting to the congregation on behalf of ELCA Global Mission and the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod.
Thank you for your prayers and support and your participation in God’s mission locally and globally.
Yours faithfully, Rev. Dr. Philip Knutson ELCA Global Mission Regional Representative - Southern Africa Johannesburg January 21, 2019 My blog page address is: https://southernafricanconnections.wordpress.com/ Please note the link to my online giving page on www.elca.org: community.elca.org/SouthAfrica
UPCOMING EVENTS *Pr. Sparby is away in February
Sunday, February 3 “Youth in Christ” from United Lutheran Prairie Farm, lead worship services—No Communion or Sand Creek Sunday school *9 am Special Coffee Fellowship at Sand Creek: Tom Jenkins (Judy Buffington’s brother), from “Scientists Without Borders” shares updates on ‘Wells for Uganda’. A free-will offering supports the group’s work.
Sunday, February 10 Guest Pr. David Sands 8:30am 10a Worship Music Guest-Warren Petryk
(No 10a Communion or Sunday school) Sunday, February 17 Guest Pr. David Sands Wednesday, February 20 4:30-7p at Pine Creek—Cemetery Assoc. Soup & Sandwich Fundraiser/Free-will offering Sunday, February 24 Bold Women Sunday—Guest Pr. David Sands presiding Sermon by women sharing the story of four Reformation Era women of faith.
Sunday, March 3 Transfiguration of Our Lord
“Lasting Hope” Lenten Devotions + “Luther’s Catechism” will soon be available Lent Wed. 1, March 6 Ash Wednesday-Confession 1a Worship & Lunch/ Sand Creek site 7p Worship at Pine Creek site
Saturday, March 9 Adults & Youth Synod Event UW-EC SIGN UP TODAY TO JOIN US!
Lent 2 Wed. 2 March 13 Worship-Ten Commandments 11a Holden Worship & Lunch/ Sand Creek 7p Interactive Worship/Pine Creek Lent 3 Wed. March 20 Worship-Apostles’ Creed 11a Holden Worship & Lunch/Sand Creek 7p Interactive Worship/Pine Creek Lent 4 Wed. March 27 Worship-Lord’s Prayer 11a Holden Worship & Lunch/Sand Creek 7p Interactive Worship/Pine Creek Lent 5 Wed. April 3 Worship-Holy Baptism 11a Holden Worship & Lunch/Sand Creek 7p Interactive Worship/Pine Creek Lent 6 Wed. April 10 Worship-Sacrament of the Altar 11a Holden Worship & Lunch/Sand Creek 7p Interactive Worship/Pine Creek
Sunday, April 14 Palm Sunday Thursday, April 18 Maundy Thursday Friday, April 19 Good Friday Sunday, April 21 EASTER
Wednesday, May 15 Confirmation rehearsal/photo/dinner Sunday, May 19 Confirmation Sunday *Sunday, May 26 One service—8:30a Worship Together at Pine Cree site to include Memorial Day Service observance for Pine Creek Cemetery Monday, May 27 Memorial Day Services 9a at Our Saviors Cemetery 9:30a at Zion Cemetery
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
2019 1
3“Youth in Christ” Guests8:30a Pine Creek8:45a “Uganda Wells” Fellowship at SC prior 10a worshipNo SC Sunday School
4 8:30 a Comforters12pm Rhoda/SC
5 7p AA/SC
6 6p Confirmation/SCLego Project
7 9:30a Phoebe/SC7p Eve/Lou Ann Gilbert’s
8 9
10 Guest Pr. Sands 8:30a Pine Creek9:30a PC WELCA10a Sand Creek Guest, Warren PetrykNo SC Sunday school
11 8:30 a Comforters
12 7p AA/SC
13 6p Confirmation/SC
15Newsletter articles due
16
17 Guest Pr. Sands 8:30a Pine Creek10a Sand Creek
18 8:30 a Comforters
19 7p AA/SC
20 6p Confirmation/SC4:30-7p Soup & Sandwich/PC
21 7p Men’s Group/SC
22 23
24 Bold Women Sunday Guest Pr. Sands 8:30a Pine Creek10a Sand Creek
25 8:30 a Comforters
26 7p AA/SC
27 6p Confirmation/SC
28
14 Valentine’s Day
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2 Groundhog Day
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USHERS Pine Creek Brad Shipley Kirby Clemetson Sand Creek John Paulson, Chair Steve Berg Alden Berg Jeffrey Berg
LECTORS Pine Creek Sand Creek
3 Lon Christopherson Clyde Allison10 Lilly Kunkel John Loy 27 Pat Bechard Gene Buffington Caden Mickelson24 Tiffany Buck Lana Anderson
ALTAR GUILD Pine Creek Linda Bilodeau Sue Christopherson Sand Creek Sandy Anderson Joni Berres
SC COMMUNION ASSISTANTS 3 No Holy Communion 10 No Holy Communion at SC 17 Carol Anderson, Ella Audorff 24 Lana Anderson, Anita Jenson, Sandy Anderson
SC COFFEE HOSTS 3 Confirmation “Wells for Uganda” Guest 10 Phoebe Circle 17 Men’s Group 24 Eve Circle
FamilyEducationKellyNelson-Esterby 715-658-1861 [email protected] WendyLoy 715-658-1000 [email protected] PattiAudorff 715-642-2344 [email protected] RobbieJoEllefson 715-642-2344 [email protected] DesireeBuck 715-658-1287 [email protected] Property&ManagementDalePaulson 715-658-1364 [email protected] GeneBufOington 715-237-2154 [email protected] 715-837-1029 --------------------------------------- PC Vacancy —————————————————————— Stewardship&EvangelismSuePaulson 715-658-1364 [email protected] Mary Peterson MaryAnnOmtvedt 715-658-1896 MOmtvedtnewaburn.k12.wi.us AimeeMIkl-Young 715-308-0240 [email protected] Worship&MusicJodieMadison 715-495-5297 [email protected] LindaBilodeau 715-458-2479 [email protected] CathyDavis 715-949-1817 [email protected] PC Vacancy —————————————————————
2019 New Hope Council PresidentVicePresidentSecretary TreasurerKellyHoff/HoffFinancialServices715-455-1968orkelly@teamhoff.comAsst.TreasurerGeneBufOingtonWORSHIP 8:30 am/Pine Creek 9:30 Fellowship/Sunday School 10 am/Sand Creek 9:20 am Coffee Fellowship Telephone Ministry: 1-515-739-9173 (long distance rates apply) FREE Live stream www.newhopescpc.org/
Pr. Michael Sparby 715-764-9779 [email protected] Office 715-658-1470 [email protected]
New Hope Lutheran Church E9085 County Road V PO BX 85 Sand Creek, WI 54765 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
WEATHER RELATED CANCELLATIONS www.newhopescpc.org/ our Facebook page, WJMC, WEAU, & WCCO
New Member Reception Coming this Spring To make New Hope your spiritual home, contact the office for a reception at Pastor's late spring/early summer.
First Communion Instruction Information Forthcoming Come Grow With Us!
