12
E-MAIL US Reverend Kyle Carnes Reverend Missy Holdorf Sue Catlin-Christian Ed Tina L. Scott-Bus. Manager Brian Gilbert-Facilities The Interpreter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Tornados 2 Wills, Trusts & Bequests 3 Scrip! 3 Sudden Cardiac Arrest 4 Memorials 6 New to St. Stephens? 6 Gardening Plots 7 One Great Hour of Sharing 7 Dinner @ Five Volunteers 8 Coloring Page 9 Feed Your Spirit 10 Bake Sale Today 10 Weekly Calendar 12 LINK UP UCC WI Conference NW Association Reverend Fun April 13, 2016 No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here. Office Hours: Mon-Wed 8-4:30 | Thurs 8-3| Fri 8-4 Rev. Kyle Carnes, Senior Minister | Rev. Missy Holdorf, Associate Minister The Interpreter Saint Stephens United Church of Christ 903 E 2nd St Merrill WI 54452 Office: 715-536-7322 Pastoral Care Concerns: 715.575.3191 ENOUGH EASTER ALREADY Some of you may have noticed that we’ve been singing certain hymn more weeks in a row than usual. Typically, we only sing Christ the Lord is Risen Today on Easter morning. Just pull it out once a year and then put it back until Easter morning the following year. And this makes sense, right, because it’s right there in the title, the word ‘today’. Why would we sing it any other day besides Easter? It’s the perfect song for Easter, it’s tradition, it just works, one day a year is fine. Well, we are still technically in what is called Eastertide. Easter is not just one day. It’s an entire church season that lasts for eight weeks. It’s the time that tradition says that Jesus was resurrected on this earth, and not yet returned to be with God. Our tradition tells us that Jesus ascended into heaven just before Pentecost (the birthday of the church) when the Holy Spirit comes to dwell among us. But wait, Easter isn’t over? That’s great, but there’s too much to do. I really only have time to celebrate holidays on the day that they happen, and then I need to move on. Besides Easter is kind of a lot. I mean, not in the way that Christmas is a lot with all of the presents, cookies, egg nog, and relatives, but it’s theologically…a lot. There’s only so much time we can spend thinking about the resurrection, and then we need to move on. In so many ways, it’s too much to handle. We get that. That’s why we’re singing Christ the Lord is Risen Today every week throughout Eastertide. Actually that’s just one of the reasons, there are few more. We believe that the resurrection was not just a one-and-done sort of a deal. The promise of new life, the promise that death and destruction do not have the last word of our story, or of creation’s story, is something that happens continuously. It happens on Easter, and today, and for all of the tomorrows to come. So we’re singing it again, because resurrection happens on that day too. But we look around and turn on the TV and talk to our friends and look at our lives and we might say, doesn’t really look like new life and love have much say at all. Agreed. And again why we need to keep singing it. We need something in our lives to remind us that perhaps there is something more to the struggle. That a thing called hope is possible, that there actually is a tomorrow that is worth living. There are other reasons, but the last one I’m going to share at the moment is: we are going to keep on singing Christ the Lord is Risen Today because thinking about it doesn’t get us very far. The resurrection doesn’t make much sense if we only use our mind and intellect and reason. It’s terribly unreasonable. But even our brain can understand that we need something more than the stories we hear around us. We need a story we can tell where love wins. Even if it makes no logical sense. I’d rather tell a story where love wins, than all the other stories that are being told these days. And why sing it? Because music hits the mind and the heart in a way that nothing else can. And we need a story that hits our whole being, and the best way to do that is through song. So I hope you keep coming to church for Easter, so that you leave still humming “made like him, like him we rise, ours the cross, the grave the skies.” Hopefully, you’ll be at work, humming “Al – le – lu – ia” and something will be different than it was before. Things can become new, particularly when we sing. Alleluia to that. Blessings, Kyle

The Interpreter SU aint nited Stephens Church of Christ€¦ · But we look around and turn on the TV and talk to our friends and look at our lives and we might say, doesn’t really

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Page 1: The Interpreter SU aint nited Stephens Church of Christ€¦ · But we look around and turn on the TV and talk to our friends and look at our lives and we might say, doesn’t really

E-MAIL USReverend Kyle Carnes

Reverend Missy Holdorf

Sue Catlin-Christian Ed

Tina L. Scott-Bus. Manager

Brian Gilbert-Facilities

The Interpreter

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Tornados 2Wills, Trusts &

Bequests3

Scrip! 3

Sudden Cardiac Arrest 4

Memorials 6

New to St. Stephens? 6

Gardening Plots 7One Great Hour of

Sharing7

Dinner @ Five Volunteers

8

Coloring Page 9

Feed Your Spirit 10

Bake Sale Today 10

Weekly Calendar 12

LINK UPUCC

WI Conference

NW Association

Reverend Fun

April 13, 2016

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.

Office Hours: Mon-Wed 8-4:30 | Thurs 8-3| Fri 8-4 Rev. Kyle Carnes, Senior Minister | Rev. Missy Holdorf, Associate Minister

The Interpreter Saint Stephens United Church of Christ

903 E 2nd St Merrill WI 54452

Office: 715-536-7322

Pastoral Care Concerns:715.575.3191

ENOUGH EASTER ALREADY Some of you may have noticed that we’ve been singing certain hymn more weeks in a row than usual. Typically, we only sing Christ the Lord is Risen Today on Easter morning. Just pull it out once a year and then put it back until Easter morning the following year. And this makes sense, right, because it’s right there in the title, the word ‘today’. Why would we sing it any other day besides Easter? It’s the perfect song for Easter, it’s tradition, it just works, one day a year is fine.

Well, we are still technically in what is called Eastertide. Easter is not just one day. It’s an entire church season that lasts for eight weeks. It’s the time that tradition says that Jesus was resurrected on this earth, and not yet returned to be with God. Our tradition tells us that Jesus ascended into heaven just before Pentecost (the birthday of the church) when the Holy Spirit comes to dwell among us.

But wait, Easter isn’t over? That’s great, but there’s too much to do. I really only have time to celebrate holidays on the day that they happen, and then I need to move on. Besides Easter is kind of a lot. I mean, not in the way that Christmas is a lot with all of the presents, cookies, egg nog, and relatives, but it’s theologically…a lot. There’s only so much time we can spend thinking about the resurrection, and then we need to move on. In so many ways, it’s too much to handle.

We get that. That’s why we’re singing Christ the Lord is Risen Today every week throughout Eastertide. Actually that’s just one of the reasons, there are few more. We believe that the resurrection was not just a one-and-done sort of a deal. The promise of new life, the promise that death and destruction do not have the last word of our story, or of creation’s story, is something that happens continuously. It happens on Easter, and today, and for all of the tomorrows to come. So we’re singing it again, because resurrection happens on that day too.

But we look around and turn on the TV and talk to our friends and look at our lives and we might say, doesn’t really look like new life and love have much say at all. Agreed. And again why we need to keep singing it. We need something in our lives to remind us that perhaps there is something more to the struggle. That a thing called hope is possible, that there actually is a tomorrow that is worth living.

There are other reasons, but the last one I’m going to share at the moment is: we are going to keep on singing Christ the Lord is Risen Today because thinking about it doesn’t get us very far. The resurrection doesn’t make much sense if we only use our mind and intellect and reason. It’s terribly unreasonable. But even our brain can understand that we need something more than the stories we hear around us. We need a story we can tell where love wins. Even if it makes no logical sense. I’d rather tell a story where love wins, than all the other stories that are being told these days. And why sing it? Because music hits the mind and the heart in a way that nothing else can. And we need a story that hits our whole being, and the best way to do that is through song.

So I hope you keep coming to church for Easter, so that you leave still humming “made like him, like him we rise, ours the cross, the grave the skies.” Hopefully, you’ll be at work, humming “Al – le – lu – ia” and something will be different than it was before. Things can become new, particularly when we sing. Alleluia to that.

Blessings, Kyle

Page 2: The Interpreter SU aint nited Stephens Church of Christ€¦ · But we look around and turn on the TV and talk to our friends and look at our lives and we might say, doesn’t really

April 13, 2016Page 2THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Music Notes & News

from Shelly

“And Elisha said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee. But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts. And this is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord; he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.” ~2 Kings 3:14-18

In this startling passage, the prophet Elisha asks for a musician to play. While the musician was playing, the power of God rested on Elisha, and he prophesied what the Lord would do. Now here’s an interesting thought: while the anthems and hymns are being sung or played every Sunday, what if the Holy Spirit of God is resting upon Rev. Carnes or Rev. Holdorf even more powerfully so that while they bring their messages to us, we will hear more clearly what God would have to say? Music is inherently powerful, and this passage (in my mind’s eye) proves that point exactly.

If God has given us a gift of music, why would we not use it for God’s glory? Who is to say? God may use that music to do a work in someone that may be life-changing ... maybe even miraculous? - Shelly Bitner

TORNADO AWARENESSApril 11-15 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin, culminating in a Tornado Drill on Thursday, April 14, between 1:00 and 2:00 PM. Many of us in Merrill still feel our hearts race when the tornado sirens go off on Wednesdays at noon, reminding us full well of that day on April 10, 2011, when a tornado left its mark here, resulting in millions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, and forests in our area, though thankfully no lives were lost. It was just five years ago when it happened, and it could happen again. So take drills seriously, and have a plan for your family in case of severe weather, so everyone knows where to go and what to do to be safe.

TORNADO PROCEDURES AT ST. STEPHENSDo you know what to do if a tornado strikes here at the church? In the event of a tornado here at St. Stephens, all adults are to make their way to the Fellowship Hall. If children are participating in activities at the church at that time (Sunday School, nursery, Scout meetings, youth group, etc.), all children and youth are to make their way to the Choir Room in the basement along with their adult caregivers, teachers, or chaperones. This direction is specifically given to avoid the chaos or panic that might ensue were parents to try to locate their children elsewhere in the building during such a time, and to ensure that all children are accounted for.

HUNGRY? USE SCRIP TO BUY YOUR NEXT MEALSome of these are in stock; others need to be special ordered. Ask at the Scrip table. Participating restaurants include:Applebees Arby’s Buffalo Wild Wings Burger King Dairy Queen Dunkin’ Donuts Fazoli’s Denny’s Hardee’s IHOP Little Caesar’s Pizza Wendy’s Noodles & Company Olive Garden Panda Express Panera Bread Pizza Hut Pizza Ranch Starbucks Subway Texas Roadhouse NOW are you hungry?

NEED TO SPECIAL ORDER SCRIP? NO PROBLEM!

Place your order at the Scrip table on Sunday, and in most cases, your Scrip will be available for you to pick up in the church office on Thursday, or you can pick it up after services on Sunday. Easy peasy!

So why aren’t YOU using Scrip? With a program this awesome earning FREE MONEY for our church, it just doesn’t get much better than this! Give it a try.

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April 13, 2016Page 3THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

WILLS, TRUSTS AND BEQUESTS

Did you know that you can give a charitable gift even after you die?

Gifts included in Wills and Living Trusts are popular because they are flexible, easy to arrange, and may be changed as your life circumstances change. In addition to filling an important role in providing for the future financial security of your family and others, your Will or Living Trust can offer a way to make thoughtful charitable gifts as part of your long-range estate and financial plans. It can be satisfying to know that a portion of your property will be put to good use in the future.

There are many ways to give through Wills or Trusts:• Make a gift of a specific amount. A gift of a

particular amount may be designated for general use or to fund a special need.

• Provide for a gift of a particular property. Real estate, stocks, and other items of value are examples of properties that can be used to fund charitable bequests.

• Designate that a percentage of your estate be given to the church through your Will or Living Trust.

• Give the remainder, or residue, of your estate--that is, what remains after all other bequests to friends and loved ones are satisfied.

• Name charitable interests to receive a bequest in the event other heirs are not there to receive their legacies.

There is no limit on amounts deductible from federal gift and estate taxes for charitable gifts made by Will or Trust, so no tax will be due on assets given in this way. To plan a charitable bequest, inform your attorney of your wishes and ask for advice regarding the best form for your gift.

If you decide to include a gift in your estate plans, the legal name of our church on our tax records is: St Stephens UCC and tax ID number is 39-0816825.

Planning a Shopping Trip? Going to the Mall?Load up on Scrip before you go!

All of these stores participate in the Scrip program, but you will need to special order most of them, so plan ahead, and Saint Stephens will benefit from your shopping trip by earning a percentage of your purchases!

Wausau Center Mall: Stores that Have Scrip:

AeropostaleAmerican Eagle

Bath & Body WorksBuckleClaire’s

Children’s PlaceFamous Footwear

MauricesPayless Shoes

SearSubway

Younkers

Other Wausau Shopping Hots Spots that Have Scrip:Barnes & Noble

Bed Bath & BeyondBest Buy

Dick’s Sporting GoodsDressbarn

Dunham’s SportsGander Mountain

GordmansJo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores

KmartKohls

MenardsMichaels

Pier 1 ImportsSam’s Club

ShopkoT.J. Maxx

TargetThe Home Depot

WalgreensWal Mart

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April 13, 2016Page 4THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Mother Nature can’t seem to decide whether it is truly spring in Wisconsin or still winter. But whether you’re snapping up a snow shovel at clearance prices to clear your sidewalk from a spring snowstorm or putting together plans for your future garden and purchasing seed packets to start germinating them indoors, you can use Scrip for all of those purchases. Scope out those clearance aisles and see what treasures you can find. Then let your imagination run wild with what you will do in your yard when it’s safe to start actually cultivating the soil outside. Whether you shop here in town ... at Wal Mart or Ace Hardware ... or head to Wausau to peruse the aisles of Fleet Farm and Menards ... we have Scrip cards that will get you what you need and earn a tidy little profit for Saint Stephens at the same time! Remember, when you shop with Scrip, the church gets a percentage back. So you can prepare to make all of your spring planting dreams come true ... while we wait for Old Man Winter to get tired and finally hibernate for a few months.

SPRING OR WINTER? SCRIP FOR EVERY SEASON

DO YOU KNOW WHEN TO USE A DEFIBRILLATOR?Our two defibrillator units (one in the Fellowship Hall, the other in the Narthex) could save lives! But do you know when to use one? Defibrillators are used in the event of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Without life-saving intervention, a person with SCA will die. First, determine if the person is in SCA. A person in SCA will not respond when you try to shake him or her. Check for breathing by listening next to the victim’s mouth and looking for chest movement. Use the defibrillator ONLY if the person is not responding, not moving, and not breathing normally or not breathing at all. If in doubt, use the defibrillator. The American Heart Association says 31.4% of people with SCA who are defibrillated will survive. You could save a life.

JOIN US FOR SUNDAY WORSHIPon May 8 at 9:00 AM

Drs. Jacob & Molly Roseman(Flutist and Pianist)

will bring us special music during the worship service. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!

A Testimonial from one of our members . . . COMMENTS ON OUR SOUND SYSTEMI give credit to those who have been involved in bringing our sound system up to what it is to date. For many members, it improves their hearing without hearing aids. I have much loss of hearing, even to the point that with one of my ears there is nothing a hearing aid can help. I need to use the ear phones so I can hear the church service. To me, this is such an improvement compared to the years I would come to church and not hear a lot that was said. I encourage others that have a difficult time still hearing to try the ear phones. I know some people may be too embarrassed to wear them. Just give the ear phones a chance, and you will see much improvement. Make sure you ask one of the ushers how they work. I at first had a problem until I was told how to make sure it was hooked up right. I’m really impressed that I can now hear the service.

- Dick BettinEditor’s Note: Don’t be embarrassed! Give the ear phones a try. You’ll be sooo glad you did!

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April 13, 2016Page 5THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

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CALLING ALL CHURCH MEMBERS!The middle school youth will continue to collect items to make Blessing Bags for the homeless as part of their ongoing ministry. If you would like to contribute any of the following items that would be useful for the homeless, please drop them off in the church office. Thank You! Please talk to Rev. Missy if you have any questions!

Items Needed:New socks of all sizes (men, women, children) Hand warmersBand-Aids (travel size)Baby Wipes (travel size)Hand Sanitizer (travel size)First aid Kits (travel size)Female Personal Hygiene ChapstickDeodorant (male and female) travel size)Toothbrushes & Tooth paste (travel size)Granola bars

YOUTH NEWS!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

July 11 -15

Youth Group meets again this Sunday, April 17.See you in the “old” youth room. If you are in Grades 6-12, join us then! Bring your smiles & enthusiasm and plan to have fun!

Have questions about Youth Group? Contact Shelly Burnett at 715.536.6191 or email [email protected]

STILL WATER IN CONCERTSt. Stephens will host the Southern Gospel group, Still Water, from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in concert on Wednesday evening, April 20, at 6:30 PM, following our 5:45 PM Wednesday evening worship service. Join us for worship and then stay for the concert! There will be a free will offering to help defray expenses.

At 5 PM Monday

Loaded Baked Potato Tossed Salad

Dessert and Beverages

Remember: SCRIP costs you NOTHING

to use in place of cash!

ATTENTION NEW MEMBERS!Would you like to join St. Stephens? If you did not receive a letter from us inviting you to three upcoming gatherings for new members, please call the church office at 715.536.7322 for complete information!

JOINING ST. STEPHENS!

MENTION SCRIPFor purchases by cash or check of $100 or more from: Hargrave Appliance ~ Miller Furniture -

Merrill Radio Shack ~ VIP Office Products

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April 13, 2016Page 6THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Memorials will be printed with the dollar figures shown unless otherwise specified.

Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) $10.00 in memory of Helen Berndt from Gerald Oestreich

Memorial/Gifts In memory of Emil & Tootie Ricci and John Davis from Leota Davis (Amount Not Published by Request) $20.00 in honor of our godson Gabriel Caraway’s baptism from Tonia & Mike Hoffman $20.00 in honor of the baptism of my grandson, Gabriel Brendt Caraway, by Shari Guenther $50.00 in honor of the baptism of our son, Gabriel Brendt Caraway, from Naomi Grovenburg & Joshua Lee Caraway

MEMORIALS

THIS SUNDAY, April 17: Worship at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM, ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING, Bake Sale following worship DINNER @ FIVE Every Monday at 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall

EVERY WEDNESDAY: Worship at 5:45 PMADULT BIBLE STUDY Wednesdays 6:35-7:45 PM, following 5:45 PM worship

NEW MEMBER GATHERINGS: April 18, May 3, and May 18NEW MEMBER SUNDAY: May 22

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: July 11-15

UPCOMING EVENTS

COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS NEEDEDHosting a Coffee Hour on Sunday mornings is easy. Bring in some treats, make coffee, set a few things up and do a small amount of clean up. Can you help? In the past, a few families have decided to sponsor together. Fun! Sign up in the Kuck lounge.

FOOD FOR KIDSThe “Food for Kids” program could really use some Scrip cards ... from Wal Mart or an area grocery store ... to help purchase needed items for this ongoing project to help the hungry children in our community!

Volunteers from area churches, including St. Stephens, pack special bags of non-perishable food for children in need to take home and eat when the school meal programs are not available to them. We appreciate your donations!

NEW TO SAINT STEPHENS? THINKING OF JOINING OUR CONGREGATION?

We are starting something brand new! We will host three gatherings for anyone interested in becoming a member of Saint Stephens. They will be held on the evenings of April 18, May 3, and May 18 in anticipation of our New Member Sunday on May 22. We are mailing a letter to anyone who has directly expressed interest and to others we believe may have an interest. If you did not receive a letter and you are interested in attending and becoming a member, please talk to one of the pastors after the service or call the office at 715.536.7322, and we will send you an invitation letter! If you know of a new member or frequent visitor, strike up a conversation with them and ask them if they would like more information. If the answer is yes, invite them to call the office for more information about these gatherings!

WEBSITE NEWS!Soon we will have a brand new website with an entirely fresh and exciting new look! Our website is undergoing a complete redesign. The new website will contain news and updates, issues of the Interpreter, audio files of sermons, our calendar of events, and much more. And, it will continue to evolve as we move forward in this year of exciting change! Stay tuned for the unveiling of the new site in the coming weeks!

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April 13, 2016Page 7THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Our new Pastoral Care Telephone Number is: 715.575.3191. Please add this number to the contacts in your cell phone or keep with your other important or emergency telephone numbers.

RE-MEMBER MISSION TRIPThe dates for our mission trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, have been set for July 23-30, 2016! A couple of people are already planning to join Rev. Carnes for this incredible experience. Will you join us? Mission trip participants will be responsible for their own travel and other expenses. For more information, contact Rev. Carnes directly and keep watching the Interpreter!

LOVE GARDENING?If you’ve always wished you had a place to make a garden of your own, wish no more. A new Community Garden--Tall Pine Community Garden--has been established at the corner of 6th Street and Memorial Street, and garden plots are now available. Cost is $20 for a 4’x10’ plot. Other plot sizes (4’x20’, 4’x40’ and 4’x8’ raised bed plots) are also available. Approximately 24 plots are available to rent this spring. No pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides will be permitted. This is more than just gardening. You can learn about new cooking techniques, new recipes, tips and tricks for your garden, and meet new people with similar interests and have fun, all while being able to give back to our community. Organizations are welcome to rent a garden plot, as well as individuals. For more information or to reserve your plot, contact Ann Stoeckmann at the Lincoln County Health Department at 715.536.0307 or visit the website at www.lincolncountyhealthdepartment.com to learn more.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

This Sunday, April 17, One Great Hour of Sharing will once again be celebrated at Saint Stephens. We hope you will prepare your offering and give generously to this life-giving offering.

Your gift to One Great Hour of Sharing will sustain lives through the mission work of the United Church of Christ and our mission partners in more than 80 countries. Your gift of money will transform into gifts of food for infants, education for children, income-earning work for women, shelter for refugee families, safety for young men, and clean water for entire villages.

“Serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” Please bring your offering to church on Sunday, serving others with your gift. Envelopes are included here in the Interpreter and are also in the pew racks.

Thank you.

With the peace of Christ, The Stewardship Team

YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSHaving a correct email address in our new Church Management software will ensure that you will be able to use the new features, like online updating of your own record. Send Tina an email at [email protected] and tell her who you are so she can link your email to your record.

. . . Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” - John 21:15

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April 13, 2016Page 8THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Dinner@Five celebrates one year at St. Stephens, and we’re celebrating our awesome fun volunteers who make this dinner happen, every Monday, year round, come rain or shine or sleet or snowstorms in April! 365 days a year, even on holidays, a hot meal is served every Monday at 5:00 PM, and anyone and everyone is welcome to come and eat with us, to enjoy food and fellowship and sometimes even some surprise entertainment! This past Monday Bill Storm and Butch Danielski, two thirds of The Good Times trio, surprised everyone with a concert and singalong, and Merrill’s own yodeling twins, Brad and Ryan Hildebrand, a/k/a Double Take, got up to share their talents, too!

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April 13, 2016Page 9THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

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Coloring Page Jesus Is A ShepherdWe Are His Sheep

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April 13, 2016Page 10THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

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FEED YOUR SPIRIT . . .The Hearing Aid Revelation

“Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin I had lost.” - Luke 15:9

Either she had eaten it, which seemed ridiculous, or she had sailed it across the room with a flick of a curious paw.

“It” was my recently acquired left hearing aid, which I quite liked and which was, besides that, plenty expensive. The “she” was our cat, George.

Down on my hands and knees, I peered over every inch of the wood floor. I overturned cushions, moved chairs, upended the couch. Could she really have eaten a hearing aid? I pried open her mouth searching for telltale plastic parts.

I had given up. All the hassle and expense of replacing it loomed. Then something said,

“Under the rug.” I Iifted the corner of the rug and there it was, no worse for wear, even the tiny battery still in place. I rejoiced, yes I did.

And I pondered this odd experience of finding what was lost. There was no finding it when I was all agitation, looking anxiously, frantically. When I gave up, sort of surrendered, then a word, as it were, came to me: “Look under the rug.” And there it was. It felt less like “I found it” (though I did say exactly those words to my wife), than that it had been revealed to me.

This being a daily devotion, you know something about God is coming, right? Okay, here it is: my experience of God is almost never that of “finding” God, no matter how anxiously I search, no matter how many books I consult. It is almost always that God finds me, surprises me in some weird way, was there all along, and then winks, as if to say, “gotcha.”

There is a God, (insert your name here), and it’s not you.

Prayer

For everyday reminders, ordinary intrusions of grace, and all the surprises that make me say, “Oh yeah, now I get it,” thank you. Amen.

By Tony Robinson

SOUND SYSTEM VOLUNTEER NEEDEDWe need someone to help us with managing the sound system during worship and other special events. You don’t necessarily have to be a techie to do this . . . training will be provided! This is an important ministry position to help keep the sound as consistent as possible. We need YOU! If you’re even a little interested, don’t be shy. It’s fairly intuitive overall, and we can show you what’s involved. Just call the church office at 715.536.7322 to let us know you’re interested.

BAKE SALE THIS SUNDAYThere will be a Bake Sale this Sunday, April 17, between worship services in the Kuck Lounge. Proceeds will help defray costs for the Still Water Southern Gospel concert on Wednesday, April 20, at 6:30 PM. It’s going to be a great evening of praise, worship, and old-fashioned fun, and your donation will help make it possible.

Volunteers are needed to provide homemade baked goods. Please label and pre-price your items and drop them off before the 9:00 AM service. If you can help or have any questions, please call Debbie Seeger. at 536.3259 Thank you!

Copyright @ 2015 HarperCollins Christian Publishing Free usage for Church and Sunday School publications, using 50 items or less.

Page 11: The Interpreter SU aint nited Stephens Church of Christ€¦ · But we look around and turn on the TV and talk to our friends and look at our lives and we might say, doesn’t really

April 13, 2016Page 11THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

ATTENTION CAMPERSIf you want to attend a church camp this summer but think you can’t afford to, a Camp Scholarship could make it possible for you! Camp Scholarship forms for both the St. Stephens UCC Camp Scholarship and the Northwest Association UCC Outdoor Ministry Scholarship Program are available in the church office. The amount of the scholarships can vary. Deadline for the scholarships from St. Stephens is May 1, so don’t delay. Pick up your forms and apply soon.

2016 CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERSDo you know who your Church Council members are? This list can help you get to know them!President: Jennifer PorathVice-President: Bill McIntyreSecretary: Terry KruegerTreasurer: Kenyon GolischYouth Rep: Wesley BoehmMembers: Kristine Bowe Shelly Burnett Tyler Drake Kevin Golisch Jennifer Oestreich Kent Reinhardt Angel Sholund Sara ZastrowClergy: Rev. Missy Holdorf Rev. Kyle CarnesIf you need to reach a member of the Church Council and do not have their contact information, please contact the church office, and we will be happy to share their telephone number or email address, whichever you prefer.

OPEN SPONSORSHIP DATES

Flowers Sign up in Office

May 22, 29 June 5, 12, 19, 26

Radio Call the Office

June 5 July 3, 10, 24, 31

Coffee Hour April 17, 24

May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Sign up in the Kuck lounge.

(It’s fun & easy... and we even provide instructions on

how to make the coffee!)

See you at Sunday School this Sunday ... Don’t forget to Bring Your Bibles!

SUNDAY SCHOOLNOTES

PINE CREST MOTHER’S DAY BREAKFASTPine Crest is planning a Mother’s Day Breakfast on May 8 from 9:00 - 10:30 AM. Please RSVP with your resident’s name and the time you will be coming. Call 715.539.2548 to make your reservation during the week of May 1, but no later than May 5, if you would like to attend.

Thank you to all of our Blood Donors

in March. Your donation is the gift of life!

You’re a lifesaver!

Jeff Anderson Sue KraftJoan Schiller Joel WendtJames M. Hughes Dennis KoehlerKaren Rajek Mark Woller

Merrill Eagles Club Pancake Breakfast1205 Lake Street, Merrill

Regular & Potato PancakesApril 17 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Adults: $7 Children 6-10: $3.50 Under 5: FREEProceeds will benefit Jennifer Wimmer to defray medical expenses.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 17

Worship at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM

“Testify”John 10:22-30

Rev. Kyle Carnes

Our worship music this weekend is provided by the Choir.

Coffee Hour is unsponsored at the time of this printing but you can purchase some awesome home-baked goodies from the bake sale.

Radio Ministry is in memory of Myron Laabs from Mary Jo Laabs. Altar flowers are in memory of parents, Marvin & Delores Hass, on their April 19

wedding anniversary from Kristine Smith.

For subscriptions, removals or changes of address: 715-536-7322 or [email protected] PROVIDES THE BEST SERVICE.

WEEKLY CALENDARMONDAY,APRIL 18 9:00 PALS 4:30 Aerobics 5:00 Dinner @ Five 6:00 New Member Gathering

TUESDAY, APRIL 19 10:00 Merrill District Meeting 2:00 Jenny Towers 6:00 Cub Scouts 6:00 Zumba 6:30 Property Advisors

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 9:00 PALS 5:45 Worship 6:30 Bible Study 6:30 Still Water Concert 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous (Open Meeting) 6:30 No Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, APRIL 21 9:00 PALS 4:30 Aerobics 6:00 Chimes 6:00 Guitar Lessons

FRIDAY, APRIL 15 12:00 Alcoholics Anonymous

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Would you like to sponsor altar flowers?There are many openings available on the calendar.

Sign up on the calendar in the office.