March 2012

The Lamb’s Pen

A monthly publication of Abiding Shepherd Lutheran Church

“BRING them in...LIFT them up...SEND them out”

Abiding Shepherd Lutheran Church

406 W. Cottage Grove Road

Cottage Grove, WI 53527

(608) 839-3770

Pastor Nathan Krause

Vicar Nathanael Abrahamson

MISSION UPDATE (Ruthann Mickelson)

In a recent Lutheran Sentinel article, we learned

that our Evangelical Lutheran Synod has

adopted this mission statement: “In the next five

years, we will learn more faithfully to engage

others with Jesus.” Are we up to the challenge?

Can we confidently speak to people in our own

community about our wonderful Savior? Each of

us is a witness for Christ every day of our lives.

We’ll be hearing more about various aspects of

outreach and ways that we can become better

witnesses for the Lord in future Lutheran Sentinel issues. Pray that the Holy

Spirit comes into our hearts abundantly so that we become bold in

“engaging” those around us (friends, neighbors, family) with Jesus.

We all are one in mission; We all are one in call,

Our varied gifts united; By Christ, the Lord of all.

A single great commission; Compels us from above

To plan and work together; That all may know Christ’s love.

Christian Worship #566 verse 1

“When you have THE SHEPHERD…

...you have everything you need.”

Visit our website at www.AbidingShepherd.org The Lamb’s Pen - 2

NEWS AND EVENTS

3 - March 2012

Bryson Walter Endres was

baptized on Monday,

February 6. We celebrate

with his family as he is

adopted into God’s

Christian family.

A New Member Weekend was celebrated on

Sunday, February 19 and Monday, February 20.

Please stop and introduce yourself to our newest

family members!

Diane Alward and

family

Bill and Bonnie

Anderson

Gordy and Sue Bethke

Rachel McManama

and Jesse Schroeder

Dan Rinehart joins wife,

Ruth, and daughters

Christine and Jessica

Thomas Fiechter who

joined earlier this year.

The Lamb’s Pen - 4

FYI… (Pastor Krause)

Spiritual information…

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth

comparing with the glory that will be revealed in

us” (Romans 8:18).

It’s bad enough when you are not feeling well, but

often times it is even worse when others are suffering. I was recently

reminded of this truth when my wife came down with one of those bugs that

has been making the rounds. I did my best to help out and comfort her. But I

always feel so helpless when I do not have the ability to make someone I

care about feel better.

In the passage above the apostle Paul speaks about very much the same

feelings. He writes to his brothers and sisters in the church of Rome trying to

comfort them. But Paul is able to do a much better job with the Romans than

I was able to do with my wife. Paul offers inspired words from God reminding

the Roman Christians that suffering here is temporary, and it is a limited

experience compared to the joy and exhilaration awaiting us in heaven.

Sometimes God allows a little bit of suffering in this life to teach us to

appreciate all the more how differently life will be for us in our next life.

This is that time of year, as winter blahs and the aches

and pains of the cold weather have their way with us,

that we need to stop for a moment and consider

suffering that went far beyond whatever we

experienced - the suffering of our Savior. Most often we

focus on the cross and the painful events Jesus

endured leading up to the cross. But the truth is that all

thirty-three years of His life were “suffering”. As true God

Jesus did not have to put up with any of the sinful

consequences of living in this sinful world, yet He chose to do so... willingly…

lovingly… for us. It was His ultimate suffering that guarantees to us that one

day we will never hurt nor suffer ever again - no colds or flu, no arthritis nor

sore backs from shoveling snow, no hunger pains nor broken hearts.

I’m not sure if you can hear it in Paul’s words, but it sure sounds as if he can

hardly wait. After watching loved ones suffer here and feeling the “pain” of

helplessly standing by, to tell you the truth, I can hardly wait myself!

Congregational information…

At the February Coordination Team Meeting* your Team Leads…

Finalized the Call Form to submit to the Synod as they place a divine call

for Vicar Abrahamson to become our second called pastor.

Discussed filling vacant positions for Coordinators and Lay Team Members

as they reviewed the updated Administrative Structure.

Began the process of defining/redefining job descriptions as reflected in

the updated Administrative Structure.

Reviewed the 2012 budget and were instructed to calendarized their

portion of the budget and send to Brent Wegner, Finance and Operations

Team Lead.

Heard about plans to:

Develop a Leadership Care and Support Program.

Create several teams to serve funeral luncheons.

Update our website.

Highlight the work of each Team through video interviews with Team

Leads. (Video will be used as an education tool for congregation.)

Schedule a Sunday presentation on the Ukrainian Vacation Bible

School program being promoted through the Direct Ministry and

Mission Support program this quarter.

Offer many family and outreach events in 2012.

Developed a timetable and recommended deadlines to:

Update the Constitution and Bi-laws to reflect changes approved at

the Annual Congregation Meeting through an Ad Hoc team.

Form Ad Hoc team to review, discuss and develop a comprehensive

Child Abuse and Sexual Harassment Policy implementing feedback

received at an earlier Annual Meeting.

Finalize details for a membership binder which will include: Handbook,

Approved Policies and Constitution with Bi-Laws.

*Complete minutes of the meeting are available upon request to the office.

5 - March 2012

FORWARD MARCH! (Vicar Abrahamson)

As we head into the ninth month of my Vicarage, things continue to move

pleasantly forward here at church! With each month, as I’ve become more

and more comfortable, I’ve been able to take on more tasks. Now,

especially after the decisions reached at the

Annual Congregational Meeting, things have

really started to march forward.

Since the congregation has expressed its desire

that my time here continue on past my vicarage,

we’ve begun to plan and act accordingly. You

may have noticed that things like preaching at

weekly worship and making personal visits have

become more evenly shared between Pastor

Krause and myself. There have also been some

other specific tasks and things that I have

become responsible for that correspond with the

list of duties that the Coordination Team approved for Pastor and myself. This

includes things such as meeting with the Communication and Assimilation

Team, working with media, and planning ahead for E.P.I.C. Youth Ministry just

to name a few.

I don’t know if you can tell, but I’m extremely excited about the potential of

staying here! I have absolutely loved my time here so far. I’ve learned so

much and have developed some great relationships with people in our

congregation. My fiancée Stella, with the visits she has made, has also

voiced how much she likes this community and our congregation.

When considering what potentially lies ahead, there is one thing that has us

excited above all else, the incredible possibilities for ministry here at Abiding

Shepherd. God has blessed our congregation in so many ways and I have no

doubt that He will continue to do so in the future! There are so many creative

ideas, energetic people, and most importantly, opportunities to get into

God’s word at Abiding Shepherd, I truly am excited to see where the Lord

takes us! When thinking about what is to come, all I have to say is, forward

march!

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E.P.I.C. YOUTH MINISTRY (Vicar Abrahamson)

Sunday nights continue to be E.P.I.C. at Abiding

Shepherd! This last month we’ve also added a little

twist. In addition to our games and faith discussions,

we’ve been planning an E.P.I.C. mini-movie! We spent

time on the 12th and 19th coming up with ideas for the

movie and depending on when you read this, we

either will be about to film the movie or will have just

finished. Watch the weekly e-Newsletter as well as our

facebook page (facebook.com/epicyouthwi) so you

don’t miss the mini-movie premier!

This past month we’ve also finalized the details for the upcoming Cabin Fever

Youth Retreat! The retreat is occurring March 16 - 18 at Camp Phillip near

Wautoma. All 7th through 12th grade youth are invited! Not only will this be a

great weekend of getting away with your friends, but it will also be an

opportunity to meet other youth from throughout Wisconsin! The weekend will

be fun, memorable and filled with unique activities designed to connect you

with Christ and with other Christian teens.

Our theme for the weekend is “To the Rescue” as we’ll

spend time talking about how even in the most

dangerous of times in our lives, there’s always One

who comes to the rescue! There’s plenty of space so

bring all your friends, but you’d better act fast,

registration forms are due Sunday, March 4! Check

out the “Youth & Children” page on

abidingshepherd.org or go to our Facebook page for

a link to all the details and registration information!

7 - March 2012

The Lamb’s Pen - 8

SUMMER DATES FOR TEENS AND KIDS!

WELS Middle School Band Camp

Sunday, June 17 - Friday, June 22 Students entering sixth through ninth grades (with at least

one year of band lessons) are invited to the I Love to Tell the

Story band camp at Wisconsin Lutheran High School in

Milwaukee. Stay for the week, make new friends, learn new

skills and perform in the grand finale concert Friday, June 22.

Complete details and registration forms are in the lobby at

church. Limited camp scholarships are available through the program.

Camp Indianhead

Sunday, July 15 - Friday, July 20 Kids ages ten through sixteen are invited to join other ELS

youth from Wisconsin and Iowa for a week of camp packed

with fun, fellowship, Bible Study, swimming, boating, campfire

songs and more! And if you’ve never heard of “Romans and

Christians” you really MUST plan to attend camp this year.

Cost is $240*. For an additional $20 Abiding Shepherd

students can ride to and from camp on the Holy Cross bus.

Registration deadline is May 1.

LYA (Lutheran Youth Convention)

Thursday, July 26 - Sunday, July 29

This year’s theme is "From Beginning to End You Are

Mine”. The convention will include a trip to the

new Answers in Genesis Creation Museum. This is

open to all confirmed youth of the ELS and their

friends! It will be held at Xavier University in

Cincinnati, Ohio. Cost is $235*.

* Should the cost of Camp Indianhead or LYA prevent any family from

considering these fine summer activities, please speak with Pastor Krause

regarding scholarship assistance.

MINISTRY BUILDERS (Holly Freund)

Thanks to those of you who pick up Ministry Builders

stamps. We just purchased communion wafers and

cups totaling $40.49 and paid a grand total of…

49 cents! Keep up the good work, Abiding Shepherd!

The Family Christian Store (with one location in the

Princeton Club Shopping Center next to East Towne

and another on Mineral Point Road) has a program

called Ministry Builders. For every $5.00 you spend in

the store you get a small stamp (you must ask for the stamps as you check

out). Bring the stamps to church and place them in the blue envelope on

the bulletin board. Even one or two stamps can help!

9 - March 2012

SUNDAY SCHOOL PARENTS (Claire Doelger)

Kids sing on Sunday, March 11

Children are practicing a favorite Christmas for

Kids song, The B-I-B-L-E to sing on Sunday, March

11! Children from the community who attended

Christmas for Kids will also be invited to join in

singing the song at the beginning of each

service. YOUR kids will be rockin’ with special

hand motions and fancy foot work - this is going to

be great!

Please arrive at 8:30 am to warm up. If possible,

families are asked to stay for the first few minutes

of the second worship service so their children can sing at the beginning of

the service. There will be a special craft and story time between services

that morning instead of Sunday School classes.

EVENTS FOR MARCH (Shawna Jobke)

SALTY EARTH PICTURES TOUR (with lunch)

March 25, Noon to 5:00 pm

Lunch will be served at church following the

second service (about noon). After that

families will caravan to Fort Atkinson for an

escorted tour through a Christian film

company. Folks will learn how movie pictures

are made. After the tour, families are invited to stay and watch Journey to

Paradise, a full-length family movie produced by Salty Earth. Younger

children that may not want to sit through the movie will be supervised in an

adjoining room where they will be entertained with the children’s movie Little

Critters as well as activities and a snack.

Salty Earth is one of the four ministries Abiding Shepherd will be supporting in

2012 through our Direct Ministries and Mission Support program. Come see

what all the excitement is about! Please sign up at church

DINING TOUR TO BONFYRE AMERICAN GRILL

March 10, 5:30 pm

On the second Saturday of each month, we visit a

different restaurant. This has turned out to be great

fun for everyone who has been able to attend.

The sign-up sheet, as well as the BonFyre menu, are

posted on the bulletin board in the lobby at

church. We make a group reservation, while each

member is responsible for the cost of his or her own meal.

EUCHRE NIGHT AT ABIDING SHEPHERD (Sue O’Kroley)

Friday, March 16, 6:30 pm

Experienced players as well those that would like to learn are

invited. Most folks bring a snack to share. If you would like to join

or find out more, please contact Sue at 332-3622 or

sueprep1@yahoo.com.

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11 - March 2012

SIMPLY TASTY RECIPE EXCHANGE, Tuesday, March 20, 6:00 pm

Ed & Leslie Wren’s home, 716 St. John Street, Cottage Grove

Attend the next recipe exchange and tasting party!

Prepare an entrée, side dish or dessert to share with the

group as well as enough recipes for everyone. (Make it

for your family and then bring a sample for everyone to

try!) We are looking for volunteers to host (host/hostess is

asked to provide beverages and does not have to

cook). The recipes introduced in the group will be the

starting point for an Abiding Shepherd cookbook!

SIMPLY TASTY

ADULT/COED KICKBALL LEAGUE

Plans are in the works to form an adult/coed kickball

team to join the Madison Kickball League. A team

commitment is needed very soon, so please sign up on

the bulletin board at church if you have any interest in

joining the team - time is running out! Also indicate on

the sign-up sheet the best nights for you.

(NEW FOR MEN!) WARRIORS FOR CHRIST (Regina Kolbow)

There are going to be lots of exciting additions to Abiding Shepherd’s event

calendar for men! We recently showed the movie Courageous with supper

and a discussion - just for guys. Also, every Wednesday at 7:00 am, men are

invited to join the Foxhole meetings (see article below). Watch the calendar

for a bonfire ice-breaker event for guys to hangout. If you have ideas for

things you would like to see available for men, please contact me at

(608) 205-3095 or reginakolbow@gmail.com.

Foxhole Meetings each Wednesday, 7:00 am at church

Men! Come to discuss such topics as leadership,

setting priorities, being equipped for spiritual

warfare and accountability. Beverages and rolls

provided. This is an open meeting – there is no

registration. All men are encouraged to come

every Wednesday morning they can.

MORE EVENTS (Shawna Jobke)

Mt. Olympus Indoor Water and Theme Park, Wisconsin Dells

April 14, 10:00 am to ??

The cost for each person is $8. Children under

three are free. This includes a lunch ticket for a

hot dog, chips and beverage. Wristbands will be

distributed beginning Sunday, April 1. If your

family, friends and neighbors would like to spend

the day splishing and splashing - please sign up

on the bulletin board in the lobby.

Spring Carnival, Saturday, May 19

This carnival will not only be a fun afternoon for

members, but an outreach opportunity to the

community. Along with face painting, possible

bounce house, pony rides and other events, the

Christian band Koiné will perform. MANY volunteers

will be needed!

Family Camping at Camp Phillip, Saturday and Sunday, June 23 - 24

Three full campsites have been reserved (some with electricity) at this

beautiful WELS campground in Wautoma. All the fun of a secular camp

ground with a unique Sunday morning worship service!

Ordination of Vicar Abrahamson, Sunday, July 1

If things proceed as we prayerfully hope they will, “Vicar” Abrahamson will

become our second called pastor and will be ordained “Pastor”

Abrahamson that Sunday. A celebration of “E.P.I.C.” proportions is sure to

follow.

The Lamb’s Pen - 12

Free

Congregational Meeting, Sunday, July 8

Enjoy a nice lunch provided by the church and then stay for the meeting.

The wording in the Constitution By-Laws as well as several other items will be

discussed at this important meeting.

Church Picnic, Sunday, July 15 Travel to Cambridge for good food and

water fun at Richard and Holly Freund’s

pond. The church provides the meat

and beverages, everyone brings a dish

to pass.

Mallards Game, Sunday, August 5,

Tailgate at 3:00 pm, Game at 5:05 pm This annual event draws a big crowd.

We’ve already ordered the tickets. Again

the church provides the food, all you

have to do is come and enjoy an

afternoon of fellowship and baseball.

Summer Splash, Sunday, August 26 We rent an entire waterpark (location to be determined)

late afternoon and hang out with other area churches. This

is a great event for the whole family.

Rookies, Sunday, September 9 This place has an “Authentic Regulation Wiffle Ball Field” - really! We’ll take

the beautiful drive to Mazomanie for lunch and a pick-up game of Wiffle

Ball. The church will furnish the food. This sounds like loads of fun!

13 - March 2012

EASTER LILIES (Linda Reason)

Each year members have the opportunity to purchase

Easter lilies to decorate the worship area for Easter

morning. If you would like to purchase a lily, please

complete an order form and place it (along with your

check) in the box located on the table in the lobby. This

year the cost for each lily is $14.00. Please make your

checks payable to: Abiding Shepherd Church. You are

welcome to take your lily home anytime after Easter

services. Deadline for ordering is Sunday, March 13.

Everyone had a great time at

the first of the monthly “Dining

Tours” being offered by the

Benevolence and Fellowship

Team.

The Lamb’s Pen - 14

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME STARTS (Holly Freund)

On the evening of Saturday, March 10, please

remember to set your clocks AHEAD one hour. Of

course, if you forget, you might be a little late for

services on Sunday!

SKI/SNOWBOARD EVENT AT TYROL BASIN

15 - March 2012

The annual event at Tyrol Basin had a record number

of attendees this year - over 75 people turned out!

WHO ARE WE? (Holly Freund)

At the end of 2011 we reached a total membership of 400 souls! God’s

blessings are abundant! Below is a list of some statistics that may be of

interest to you.

The Lamb’s Pen - 16

Families (By Zip Codes)

Out of State - 3

Cambridge - 3

Cottage Grove - 75

Cross Plains - 1

Madison - 27

Stevens Point - 1

Deerfield - 8

DeForest -1

Janesville - 2

Jefferson - 2

Lake Mills - 18

McFarland - 3

Oregon - 1

Prairie du Sac - 1

Stoughton - 2

Sun Prairie - 11

Waterloo - 2

Members by Age

0-5 = 48

6-12 =43

13-19 = 38

20 Somethings = 64

30 Somethings = 49

40 Somethings = 51

50 Somethings = 60

60 and up = 47

Newsletter Statistics

The printed newsletter is

placed in 140 mailboxes

at church. It is also

mailed to eighteen

“friends” of Abiding

Shepherd each month.

The e-Newsletter is sent

to 187 separate email

accounts each Monday.

Each week about 53% of

the emails are opened.

The most popular links in

the E-Newsletter are the

prayer list and the links to

photographs of church

and fellowship events.

Website - In the last

Month…

There were 367

visits to our

website from 180

different visitors.

34% were from

new visitors.

50% of the traffic

to our website

comes from

Madison.

The most visited

website page is

the youth page.

Moscow is the

farthest point

from which a

search was made

(yes, really!).

Education

There are 40 students

attending one of three

Sunday School classes.

15 teens are in

Confirmation this year.

Over 75 adults are

attending a small group

Bible study this year.

Gender

Age Female Male

0 - 12 38 53

13 - 18 19 9

19 - 25 23 32

26 - 59 100 79

60 + 29 18

Loved by Jesus?

100%