Ascension Lutheran Church 2911 Libal St., Green Bay, WI 54301 920-336-3561 www.ascensiongb.com MARCH 2015 IN THIS ISSUE Page Sun Morning at a Glance 2 Lenten Services 2 Adult Education//1st Comm 3 Camp Sign Up 4 Confirmation (7th graders) 4 Youth & Family 5 Christian Svc: Adult Mission Trip 6 Food Collections/Meals 7 Home Sweet Home, etc. 8 Mbr Connection/Altar Guild 9 Appeal / Property Team 10 New Mbrs/Bread Breakers/ 11 Silent Retreat 11 Library/Joy Circle/WELCA 12 ChristCare / Thank Yous 13 Worship Participants 14 Updates/March B-days 15 Calendar* 16 17 Staff & Leaders As Lutheran Christians, we are redeemed by Christ to be people of God, inviting all to faith-filled worship, challenging all to grow in faith, reaching out to all in faithful service and witness. (Ascension’s vision statement) Blessed Lent to you, brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope and pray that you are somehow seeking to deepen your faith this Lent through Lenten devotionals, Scripture reading, prayer time, Lenten worship, and whatever other way you have chosen to honor the Lord this Lent. As part of our Lenten journey as a congregation, we are blessed to have the ministry of Jews for Jesus returning to both services on March 22. We have had a Jews for Jesus presentation 3 other times in the last 20 years. Some of you may remember how meaningful and powerful the presentation is. Jews for Jesus is a world-wide ministry of Jewish-Christians that have since 1973 done missionary work and outreach all over the globe to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus with their Jewish sisters and brothers. The mission statement of Jews for Jesus is: “We exist to make the Messiahship of Jesus an unavoidable issue to our Jewish people worldwide.” They do this through one-on-one evangelism, music, drama, books, and videos. Another one of their ministries is to visit Christian churches of all denominations to share the deep meaning of the Passover. Jesus’ Last Supper on Maundy Thursday was actually a Jewish Passover. At Ascension on March 22, at both services, Irina Volodarska of Jews for Jesus will re-create the traditional Passover service and explain how it foreshadowed Jesus’ death and resurrection in a presentation called “Christ in the Passover.” Irina will set a table with items traditionally used at the Passover meal and detail their spiritual significance. She will also explain the connection between the events of the first Passover in Egypt and the redemption that Jesus accomplished, as well as the deep bond between the ancient Passover feast and the Christian Communion celebration today. Jews for Jesus has presented “Christ in the Passover” at over 38,000 churches. It has been enthusiastically received by Christians who appreciate learning more about the Jewish backgrounds of their faith. Moishe Rosen, who founded Jews for Jesus in 1973, has also co-written the book, Christ in the Passover, with his, wife, Ceil. This seminal work includes a look at Passover in ancient times and how it is practiced today. It will be available on March 22, as well as a DVD of the Christ in the Passover presentation with David Brickner, the executive director of Jews for Jesus, officiating. Brickner, a fifth-generation Jewish believer in Jesus, succeeded Rosen as Executive Director in 1996, and has kept Jews for Jesus on the cutting edge as the ministry has expanded and established branches in 11 countries, including the U.S., Brazil, Israel, Russia, France and South Africa. Brickner states, “There are still a few of us Jews that haven’t heard of us yet!” Irina Volodarska was born in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1976. She came to the Lord in 1991 and since then has been involved in different ministries, mainly focusing on translation of Christian literature and working with disabled children. For several years, Irina did translation work for the Jews for Jesus ministry and then in 2000, joined Jews for Jesus in Kiev as the Publications Director. Irina has taken part in several Jews for Jesus evangelism campaigns, including co-leading the Budapest Behold Your God outreach. She now combines the functions of a translator, editor, designer, and overseer of several European projects. What a blessing and privilege to have Irina here at Ascension on March 22 in our services! Just 11 days before Maundy Thursday, you won’t want to miss this powerful and deeply meaningful presentation of “Christ in the Passover.” Lenten PEACE in Christ our ROCK, Pastor Lori March Sunday Morning Worship at-a-Glance Sunday 8:00 Worship 10:30 Worship Sunday Happenings March 1 Traditional Traditional, Choir First Communion Sunday March 8 Traditional Contemporary, Cherub Choir, New Members Clocks change “spring ahead” New Member Sunday March 15 Traditional, Choir Blended March 22 Special Service Special Service March 29 Palm Sunday Palm Sunday 3rd Anniversary of 1st Sunday in the new sanctuary Special Passover Services by Jews for Jesus: Christ in the Passover A Men Singers Midweek Lenten Wednesday Services Continue through March All the Wednesdays in March fall in the season of Lent. Come join us at our wonderful and meditative services on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Our unique worship style of Lenten Flow services combine a quiet time, prayer, music, scripture, a brief word, and prayer stations into one moving flow of worship. These services are only 30-35 minutes long yet are full and meaningful. Some say these are their favorite worship services of the whole year. Our midweek Lenten worship theme this year is “Witness to Lent – 1st Peter.” We are looking at key passages from 1st Peter that speak to both Christ’s sufferings and to the suffering that comes to those who follow faithfully as Christ’s disciples. Lenten Wednesdays-at-a-Glance Lenten Theme: “Witness to Lent – 1st Peter” Midweek Lenten Flow (Music, word, quiet prayer & prayer stations) February 25, 6:30 p.m. Inheritance of Heaven - 1 Peter 1:3-5 March 4, 6:30 p.m. Suffering is Normal - 1 Peter 4:12-16 March 11, 6:30 p.m. More Precious Than Gold - 1 Peter 1:6-9 March 18, 6:30 p.m. March 25, 6:30 p.m. Christ’s Example of Suffering - 1 Peter 2:20-25 After the Suffering - 1 Peter 5:6-11 A “Men” Singers Because March has 5 Sundays, the A “Men” Singers are scheduled to sing on Palm Sunday, March 29th. Please mark your calendars and plan to sing. The adjusted rehearsal schedule is below (we will be rehearsing on Thursday nights instead of our usual Wednesday night rehearsal times). Any questions, please contact Claire McCarthy at 336-7743. Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. 3/19 in choir room 3/26 in choir room Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. 3/21 in choir room 3/28 in sanctuary 2 EASTER TULIPS Help beautify our sanctuary on Easter morning by ordering a tulip in memory or in honor of a loved one. Cost is $11. Use a pew envelope, enclosing the $11 per plant and note who it is in memory or honor of and put in the offering. Orders must be to the church office by Monday, March 23. Sunday Morning 9:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study & Classes Adult Formation Class: Healing Facilitated by Rev. John Kepler Join us for seven weeks of (lively!) discussions on the topic of “Healing.” We’ll be dealing with a variety of inter-related topics: faith, miracles, medical science, prayer and, most important, a variety of Biblical texts that will help us to gain some insights on how God, through Jesus, has worked and is working. We’ll throw into the mix our own perspectives and experiences, all of which should make for an interesting “stew.” March 1 - “Healing As a Sign” The settings for Jesus’ healing miracles March 8 - “The One Who Heals” The primacy of Jesus Christ in healing; Exploring the relationship between “science” and “faith” March 15 - “Some Conditions for Healing” Are there some basic, Biblical “ground rules?” March 22 - “Ultimate Healing” We’re all terminal...how is Jesus “good news?” The place of forgiveness March 29 - Wrap up 6th & 7th Graders—Seder Meal All 6th and 7th grade students and their parents are invited to attend an authentic Seder meal. This year we will be focusing on the Old Testament setting. When: Sunday March 15th 2015 at 9:15am Where: Ascension Lutheran Church - North Hall The following students will be receiving their 1st communion on Sunday, March 1st: Reed Alexander Carlotta Black Braelyn Brazeau Addyson Bugni Caden Day Alex Dvorak Austin Everard RJ Everard Isaac Fagre Alex Fredrickson Anna Hermann Dylan Hogan Trenton Kriewaldt Carly Sanders Lauren Schneider Evan Seehafer Lila Shepherd John Sleeman Samuel Suda Collin Trepanier Greta VanDyck Lauren Wampler Owen Wathke Grace Williams Owen Zunker Please RSVP with the number attending by March 8th to Melanie Graff via email [email protected] or 737-5739. Take Some Extra Time to Pray This Lent —Take a Prayer/ Leave a Prayer Have you noticed the frames in the Narthex? We are asking you to leave a prayer request on a sheet of paper, use the clothes pin to attach to the strings in the frames, and then take a different one that someone else has left and pray for their prayer request throughout Lent. Do this as many times as you would like. 3 — It’s time to sign up for Ascension Week at Crossways Summer Bible Camp. While a person can go to camp any of the times offered by Crossways, at Ascension we like to pick one week that we call “Ascension Week” and try to go all together. Kids, camp is fun! There’s always good stuff to do and fun people to do it with. Yes, we worship and learn from the Bible together, but NO, it’s not “going to church all day.” Its meals in the mess hall, a cool counselor, quiet and small games, loud and whole camp games, swimming, canoeing, and a whole lot of laughing. Parents, camp is so important! Regular summer camp attendance as a youth is one of the key leading factors in strong faith development and in creating a positive faith experience in a person’s life. Camp is where the relationship bonds are formed that return to church and make things like Sunday School, Confirmation, and Youth Group even better. The more kids you have go to camp from your class now, the better your confirmation and youth group experience will be in the future. Parents, to sign up your child for camp: Go to www.crosswayscamps.org or call the camp office at 920-882-0023. We also have paper registration forms in the Narthex if you would like to mail it in. Do this asap to make sure you get a spot. This year they are not holding any spots for us and camp can fill up quickly Once you have completed this please email [email protected] so she can add you to the list of youth going to camp this year. This might even inspire others to go. : Completed Grades st nd rd – 1 , 2 & 3 Pioneer B 3rd, 4th & 5th – Pathfinders 6th, 7th & 8th – Mavericks Dates Early Registration Fee July 15-17 (Wednesday-Friday) July 12-17 (Sunday-Friday) July 12-17 (Sunday-Friday) $200 $400 $400 7th Grade Students and Parents: Information and registration forms for confirmation camp have been mailed (if you did not receive them, please contact Tracy). Forms and registration fees need to be turned in to Tracy by March 1st. Please make checks payable to Ascension Lutheran Church. Camp is a required part of the confirmation program. 4 We will meet on Wednesday, March 4th at 7:15 p.m. in the north hall. This meeting will roll out the 2 1/2 year confirmation program and all its requirements. Please mark your calendars now. It is extremely important that ALL students and their parents attend this meeting. YOUTH AND FAMILY NEW THIS SUMMER College-Age Young Adult Mini-Mission Trip PROGRAMMING to Minneapolis, MN. Wednesday, June 24th to Sunday, June 28th. If you are interested please contact Tracy. We have two people signed up so far! PJs & Prayers This is a special ministry provided for 3-year olds thru 1st grade youth and their parent(s). Join us on Mondays, March 30th, and April 27th at 6:00-7:00 p.m. for fun and fellowship. We will hear a story, make a craft, play games, and have some fun! All activities center around the story. Older and younger siblings are also welcome. You do need to register (sign up on green bulletin board in the middle hall) so we know how many to plan for!!!!. Photo Event and Required Mini Meeting For all Youth and adult leaders going on High School Mission Trip (Marvel, Arkansas) th 8 Grade Urban Immersion Service Trip (Twin Cities, MN) Get creative with Ascension Upcoming Scrip order dates: March 8 & 22; April 12 & 26; May 3 & 17 If you have any questions, contact Lori Weaver at [email protected] or 920-430-8588. stART the Month with Family Art— First Saturday of the month, Saturday, March 7th 10:00-11:30 a.m. We will meet in the North Hall— please use Door 8 or 9 Join us to create “make-and-take” art projects that reflect expressions of faith. Children of all ages are welcome with an adult. Refreshments will be served for a time of fellowship. Please register in advance and arrive on time to ensure time for project completion. No cost this month. 5 Mission Trippers You must attend one of the following meetings: Sunday, April 12th or Sunday, April 19th @11:45 a.m. in the North Hall Marcus Movie Tickets Marcus movie tickets are $8.50 each — and if you buy 2 tickets, you get a $3 voucher for the concession stand! Contact Geri Collette at [email protected] or 336-3863. Senior High Youth ChristCare (10th—12th graders) 2nd and 4th Wednesdays — 6:30 p.m. in Youth Room Co-Leaders: Wendy Gilley and Debbie Kralovetz IMPORTANT DATES 8TH GRADE URBAN IMMERSION SERVICE TRIP TWIN CITIES: JUNE 24 - 28 7TH GRADE CONFIRMATION CAMP WAYPOST CAMP: JUNE 14 - 19 COLLEGE-AGE MINI-MISSION TRIP TWIN CITIES: JUNE 24-28 YOUTH CAMP AT IMAGO DEI/1ST GRADE UP FULL W EEK – JULY 12TH TO JULY 17TH HALF W EEK – JULY 15TH TO JULY 17TH HIGH SCHOOL YOUTHWORKS MISSION TRIP ARKANSAS: JULY 10 - 19 CHRISTIAN SERVICE 2015 ADULT MISSION TRIP to City On A Hill in Milwaukee April 10-11. Watch Sunday bulletins for the Top 10 Reasons of why you should join the adventure! Adult Mission Trip – REFLECTIONS It’s a pleasant drive to Milwaukee with some brothers and sisters in Christ. We stop and break bread together. There is good Christian fellowship in the air. There is always some scripture shared and a sermon by Diane De La Santos, the director of City on a Hill. Last time we shared the story of the Good Samaritan. Diane put a very interesting modern spin on this timeless teaching. Could I be a “drive-by Christian”? We are all good Samaritans sometimes. Then sometimes we are the ones who did not stop to help (the Levite or the priest in the story). There are many ways to work to bring about the kingdom. We all throw money and time in for good causes and helping people in need. We bring groceries for the food pantry collections and the Christmas baskets. God puts that call on our hearts. “Feed my people.” Diane spoke about the Samaritan who got off his donkey and went to the wounded stranger and physically cared for him. The Samaritan got out of his comfort zone. He got into a possible danger zone there on the bandit-prone highway. City on a Hill is out of all of our comfort zones, we who live here in suburban Green Bay and De Pere. This is not about being the Levite or the priest. We are not “drive by” Christians. We do not ignore needy people. But maybe God is asking you to get off your donkey and make a trip to central city Milwaukee. It is truly a Christian experience that will bring you back to what it must have been like in the times of the Acts of the Apostles. God is with you as you pull ham off the bone to prepare the meal for the guests that will come to the City on a Hill. Take a moment in your prayer time. Ask God if this may be what He is talking about. Debbie Baum 6 CHRISTIAN SERVICE FIRST SUNDAY FOOD COLLECTION For Resurrection’s Food Pantry Is March 1st Consider picking up extra non-perishable food items as you shop during the month and donate as a special Lenten practice. Collection baskets are provided in the Narthex. Thanks! NEW Community Shelter Meal On Sunday, February 15, we served 183 people a meal of Cold tuna pasta salad, lettuce salad, fruit, rolls, and cookies. Many thanks to those who helped with meal prep/serving: Jeff & Lori Keller, Jacob Keller, Sara Keller, Connie Sablich, Dustin Sablich, Jeff & Nancy Jacobe Our cookie bakers: Nancy Hess, Lynn Roemaat, Rita Krempin, Kathy Kauth, Nancy Jacobe EASTER FOOD BASKETS Bags with the list of items we will collect will be distributed on Sunday, March 8th Food will be delivered on Saturday, March 28th at 9:00 a.m. Watch the bulletins for more details. Thanks for your continued support in feeding the hungry in this area. KNITTING MINISTRY The knitting ministry meets in the Fireside room at 3:00 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month (next meeting—March 15) Any questions, please contact Audrey Johnson at 468-9481. The next meal is Saturday, March 21st. Sign ups are on the bulletin board. Boys and Girls Club Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who helped with the February dinner. Do you have the winter blues? Looking for a pick me up? The Boys and Girls club is definitely the place to be. We always have a great time doing God’s work while enjoying a bit of fellowship at the same time. Join us for the upcoming dinners listed below at the east side Boys & Girls Club on University Ave. Sign up sheets are located in the narthex hallway. We begin prepping at 4:00 p.m., serve at 5:30 p.m., clean-up follows. See you there! UPCOMING DINNERS Monday, March 16th / Wednesday, April 8th / Monday, May 18th (Family style sit-down dinner “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you may also have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.” 1st John 1:3 Questions, call: Pam Schubert 465-6454, Cathy McDermott 406-3917, Susan Campbell 330-0578, or Michele Knowles 336-3098 7 CHRISTIAN SERVICE Help the Homeless by donating your gently used household items today! A Ministry of: Ascension Lutheran Church 2911 Libal Street Green Bay, WI 54301 To arrange pick-up call: [920] 784-7092 or send an email to: [email protected] As you begin thinking about spring cleaning, please consider donating your gently used furniture to Home Sweet Home (see below for items needed). We are low on several items in our inventory and need your help to stock them - so donate your gently used furniture today. Simply call the above dedicated phone number or sign up on the list located on the bulletin board in the Narthex Hallway. Don’t have any furniture to donate? Rest assured, there are many more ways you can help Home Sweet Home. We are looking for volunteers to take the dedicated phone for a week, or assist with furniture pick up and deliveries and even driving our dedicated HSH Truck – training available for all positions. Just sign up on the bulletin board for a particular task and someone will be in touch with you or fill in your name in a slot on the HSH calendar in the narthex in front of the nursery window. Coming soon – April Showers – watch for an upcoming list of household items that we will be collecting from Sunday, March 29 and ending on Sunday, April 26 th. Mark April 9th on your calendar for dinner out at Hu Hot Mongolian Grill – learn more about HSH, while a portion of your evening meal proceeds benefit HSH through Hu Hot’s Helping Hands program. (More info to follow.) “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 Immediate Needs: (smaller items can be brought to church and put in drawer labeled HSH below the mailboxes) Furniture Items Accepted: Twin or Full mattress & box springs Twin or Full headboards and/or frames Small Dressers Chest of drawers Nightstands Couches (please no sleeper sofas) Love seats Recliners/Rockers Living room chairs Coffee tables End tables Floor lamps Table lamps Kitchen Tables Kitchen Chairs Microwave carts Coffee pots Towels (bath and kitchen) Bakeware (cookie sheets/baking pans) Toasters Microwaves TV – really interested in flat screen/hd ready – older analog TV’s need to be 20” or less and come with converter boxes 8 “Hard work spotlights the character of people; some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all”. - Sam Ewing “Character is what defines you. It’s what people see in you. It’s what people will say about you after you pass away. Character is one of the most important things you have. How are you investing in yours? Do people see your faith in what you do? Is your character reflected in how you serve the Kingdom?” – from a commentary by Derek Hill Our 1000 plus member church (the total of active and in-active members, young and old) is a sizable organization staffed by just two full-time personnel (Lead Pastor and Youth & Confirmation Director) and a handful of parttime staff working from 5 hours per week on up and a whole lot of character building volunteers! What is your character? Interested in building your character? Get involved in your church! Actions speak louder than words! From the Message Bible Luke 22:27-30 “Who would you rather be: the one who eats the dinner or the one who serves the dinner? You’d rather eat and be served, right? But I’ve taken my place among you as the one who serves. And you’ve stuck with me through thick and thin. Now I confer on you the royal authority my Father conferred on me so you can eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and be strengthened as you take up responsibilities among the congregations of God’s people.” Pam Schubert Member Connections Questions? Stop by the Welcome and Connections Desk on Sunday morning or contact Pam Schubert at [email protected] or ph. 336-3561 ext. 109 Altar Guild Leadership – Thank You’s and Leadership Positions Open Great thanks is due to Nancy Jacobe for her four years of serving in the volunteer position of Chair of the Altar Guild. Nancy, often assisted by her husband Jeff, has provided excellent leadership of the Altar Guild membership and superb care for all the worship and worship preparation items overseen by the Altar Guild. Great thanks also to Debbie Matzke who has been serving in the Altar Guild assistant-leader position and who is also stepping down from the assisting position at this time. Together, Nancy and Debbie have been a strong and faithful leadership team. Nancy and Debbie will be serving in their positions through Easter. We hope to have new volunteers step forward and be ready to continue after Easter. We are also thankful for all the ongoing Altar Guild volunteers and all the behind the scenes work they do. Altar Guild is one of the most important ministries of our congregation. The sacramental ministry of the Church would not be possible without a strong Altar Guild. The Altar Guild serves the sacramental needs of both Altar and Font, preparing wafers, wine, and water. It takes a good team, and it takes good leaders to make and lead a good team. With Altar Guild leadership positions vacant now, we exploring the idea of creating a 3 person “core team” to oversee the Altar Guild ministry. The “core team” approach has found good success in several of our Mission Teams. So we are looking for three people to serve on the Altar Guild core team. It helps to have Altar Guild experience, of course. But the duties are straightforward and easy to learn, so even a person new to Altar Guild could easily jump into one of these leadership positions. If you are open to considering this leadership position, or even just want to learn a little more, please contact Pastor Luther. 9 Fall Stewardship Appeal Volunteers Needed We have an exciting fall ahead us at Ascension. The Packers aren’t the only ones making plans for the fall. We have our next big 3-year financial appeal ahead of us. We have found that appeals can be times of great creative energy, meaningful faith witness, and good fun, especially for those who get involved with helping to make the appeal happen. What is especially exciting about this upcoming appeal is that if we all get on board and build some group enthusiasm, we could accomplish something amazing. If we do a good job of it, we could actually pay off the loan on our sanctuary and burn the mortgage. It is already time for us to start planting and planning, planting seeds of invitation for people to help with the appeal, and soon we’ll start planning the appeal itself. We will be needing overall leaders, sub-group leaders, and helpers. We will be needing people to serve on a core leadership team, and specifically will be looking for two people to be co-chairs of the appeal campaign, but don’t worry, you’ll be working under the guidance of the professional appeal consultant that the council will be hiring soon. Along with the core leadership team, we plan to have a number of sub-groups: spiritual emphasis, advance commitment, creative arts, children & youth, social media & individual communications, cottage gatherings, and special events. So start thinking about this already, “Where could I lead or help?” More specific information will be coming soon, but if you already know you would be willing to help in some capacity, feel free to contact either Dennis Sachs (Stewardship Team Leader) or Pastor Luther. We’ll start collecting the names of volunteers and when we know more from our consultant, we’ll start matching up people with positions. Thanks. Get fired up; we really could do this! Appeal Duration 1/1/13 to 12/31/15 Amount Pledged $877,089 Amount Received (as of 1/31) 668,902 Amount Remaining $208,187 10 PROPERTY TEAM APPEAL The Property Team has plans and budgeted funds to complete several special projects this year. To accomplish this, volunteers are needed to serve as project leaders whose responsibilities include project planning, coordination of resources and carrying out the project within the objectives and costs outlined by the Property Team. A good working example of a special project is the recently completed floor tile repair and replacement in the narthex. The project involved working with Majestic Tile Company, a contractor selected by the Property Team to do the work, while scheduling around Church activities, applying Church resources where needed and arranging safety barricading was carried out by the project leader and helpers. If you have experience with project management or would like to apply your leadership skills in this very worthwhile purpose, please contact one of the Team leaders: Tony Brunette, Sherwin Schleif or Joe Dettlaff to learn more. NEW MEMBER WEEKEND: March 7 & 8 Workshop Saturday, March 7th, 9:00 a.m. —noon, joining at the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, March 8th. A lunch follows. WELCOME to our partnership in ministry! If you’d like to be a part of this weekend, please contact Pastor Lori at 336-3561, ext. 104, or e-mail [email protected]. ASCENSION’S 4TH SILENT RETREAT: June 23-25 at St. Norbert Abbey. BREAD BREAKERS – A FEW CHANGES: Many people have enjoyed getting to know other Ascension members through Bread Breakers – meeting for supper in each other’s homes for conversation and to share a meal. (more details on hallway bulletin board) Three-day, two nights, silent retreat (short sessions, informal worship, much time to think, pray, read, walk, SLOW DOWN). Theme: NOTHING can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:35-39). For any Ascension adult (18 yrs. or older), men and women, and any family or friend of Ascension members who are interested. Begins 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23; ends 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 25. Approximate cost: $150 (depending on how many sign up; the more that come, the lower the price!) Will be lead by Pastor Lori; Mike Gilley available for Spiritual Direction; Dan Weaver our resident retreat guitarist (the past years we’ve watched the sun set as Dan plays guitar – quite memorable!). Consider “being still, and knowing that God is God” for these days at the Abbey. This fellowship ministry for adults of all ages is going to have some changes this year (an experiment!): 1. There will be no “Large Group” meeting. 2. Groups will form just once a year; groups will have the year to meet, 4 times, instead of 3; up to each group, but could meet quarterly. (Many have said that it’s been hard to get 3 events in together in the fall/early winter, with many holidays). 3. Couples and singles will still sign up on the hallway bulletin board – by March 15. 4. That next week, folks will be notified of the groups they are in, with one couple designated as the “secretary” to contact folks to plan the first meal of the group. 5. Then, in February of 2016, new groups will be formed. Hopefully, this will make it easier and possible for more people to get involved! Sign up next time you are at church on the hallway bulletin board to be a part of this fun ministry! Questions? Contact Pastor Lori at 336-3561 x. 104 or e-mail [email protected] 11 March Library News Presenting 5 New Children’s Books JOY Circle For the month of March these books will be located on the bookrack by the west wall of the library. Later they will be found on the third shelf of the stacks marked “New Additions to the Library 2015” Next meeting: Monday, March 16th at 7:00 p.m. at church. We will use the Women of the ELCA “Gather” magazine from June, July/August 2014 for the Bible study for March, April and May. The study is about Mary, Jesus’ mother, Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, and Lydia, a leader in the early church. Visitors and new members are always welcome! Contact Marilynn Quirk (362-5746) or Joyce Tucker (465-6026) for information. The Blessing Jar by Colleen Coble This is a sweet story that provides a very concrete idea for helping children develop the habit of thankfulness. In addition it celebrates the special relationship between a grandma and her grandchild. It Will Be Okay by Lysa TerKeurst Using an unlikely friendship between a seed and a fox, the author creates a beautiful story about facing fears and learning to trust God. A timely subject presented appropriately for a preschooler as well as an older child. The book includes 10 different Bible verses that parents might find helpful. Audrey Bunny by Angie Smith As Audrey the bunny comes to accept her imperfections, children will learn that everyone is special and wonderfully made by God. A bonus page for parents offers suggestions to extend the theme. Green Bay Conference Women of the ELCA Annual Spring Event “Here I Am Lord, Send Me" Peace Lutheran Church, 1954 County Rd U, Green Bay Saturday, April 11, 2015 Featured speaker: Pastor Natalie (Kramer) McComb Registration forms on Hall bulletin board Questions: contact Marilynn Quirk or Joyce Tucker Twice Yours by Nan Guley A grandpa tells his grandson a parable that reveals God’s great love for each of us. This would be very appropriate to read and discuss with children age 4—8 during the Lenten season. A Picture of God: 3 in 1 by Jo Anne Marxhausen Concordia first published this book in 1973. Since then it has become a ‘classic’ in helping children begin to understand the unique relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or the Trinity. It offers simple text and colorful graphics. May need to be read and discussed more than once! Remember when taking books from the library, please sign the check out card in the back of each book and place in the brown plastic basket on the shelf. It helps librarians keep track not only of the books, but how often they used. Thank you! 12 ChristCare Small Groups— Circles of care, with Christ at the Center. Please refer to the calendar on page 16 for specific meeting dates this month. Days/Times Leaders Contact Info*** Theme Location 2nd & 4th Mondays 11:45 a.m. Judy Knudsen 983-0167 For adults At church 1st & 3rd Monday 6:30 p.m. Christopher & Kristen Paquet [email protected] [email protected] 983-0128 Parents of younger school age children At church 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 6:45 p.m. Jen Jacobsen [email protected] 213-2162 20s and 30s Singles At Jen’s home 2nd & 4th Wednesday 11:00 a.m. Joyce Tucker 465-6026 [email protected] For adults At church 2nd & 4th Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Wendy Gilley Deb Kralovetz 469-1359 863-3543 10th, 11th, 12th graders At church 2nd & 4th Wednesday** 7:00 p.m. Ann Dettlaff 655-7892 [email protected] Empty Nesters Dettlaff Home Every Thursday 6:30 a.m. Bob Voss [email protected] 351-3117 Men At Village Grille 1st & 3rd Thursday 6:30 p.m. Chad & Cathy McDermott 406-3917 [email protected] For adults At church 2nd & 4th Thursday 6:30 p.m. Mike Gilley 360-6166 [email protected] For adults At church 1st Wed, 11:30 a.m. 3rd Wed, 11:30 a.m. Pastor Lori 336-3561, ext. 104 [email protected] Grief Group Mandarin Garden At church 3rd Thursday month** 7:00 p.m. Bill & Pam Schubert 465-6454 [email protected] For couples Schubert’s Home 1st & 3rd Saturday 7:30 a.m. Kurt Piette 660-0916 [email protected] For adults At church *At capacity *At capacity All groups * welcome new folks at any time! *(At this time the following groups are at capacity and not able to take any more members - 2nd & 4th Monday at 11:45 a.m. AND 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.) **In addition, Schubert's ChristCare group meets at an area restaurant at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd Thursday of the following months: September, November, January, March, May. Thank You’s” Received for the Congregation “Dear Ascension Lutheran Members and Friends, Again, Resurrection Lutheran Food Pantry thanks you for the wonderful support of our pantry. You donating of 433 food items is great! God Bless!” ~ From Resurrection Lutheran Church Food Pantry, Judy Anderson, Pantry Manager. (Ascension collects food pantry food items on the first Sunday of each month. Thank you to all of you who participate donating these food items.) 13 Worship Participants — February / March 2015 Sunday, March 8 Usher Teams/Captains Lector Greeters Acolytes Projection Counters Sunday, March 15 Usher Teams/Captains Comm Assts (Bread) Comm Assts (Wine) Communion Runner Acolytes Lector Greeters Counters 8:00 a.m. Team 2—Dave Hongisto Dave Hongisto Bob & Libby Saunders 10:30 a.m. Team 2—Dave McAninch Cindy Sleeman Nicole Kasten Maeryn Shepherd, Ashley Van Rens N/A Robin Daanen Amy Anderson, Barb Rogaczewski 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Team 3—Gene Schmidt Team 3—Peter Daanen Kay Tupala, Angela Hager, Heidi Fagre, Cindy Sleeman, Bob Saunders Ann Dettlaff Alan and Karina Hager Susan Campbell, Libby Saunders Sophia and Margot Hansen Shelly Holten Tami Bohlman Help needed Patrick Moeller Sue Grunewald Warren Schultz Ken & Kaye Christman Kelly Kriescher Ron Raboin, Randy Roiko Sunday, March 22 Usher Teams/Captains Acolytes Lector Greeters Counters 8:00 a.m. Team 4—Mark Becker 10:30 a.m. Team 4—Richard Postel Alli Gajeski, Grace Streich Ruth Ann Reynen Joe Dettlaff Ray Haulotte Joe & Ann Dettlaff Richard Postel, Tracy Everson Sunday, March 29 Usher Teams/Captains Acolytes Lector Greeters Counters 8:00 a.m. Team 1—Craig Effertz 10:30 a.m. Team 1—Kerry Burdick Emma Fecteau, Grace Streich Dory Russell Robin Daanen Shelly Holten Jason & Amy Borley Heidi Cauldwell, Amy Gajeski ALTAR GUILD: March: Mary Sue Lavin, Chris Daleiden April: Lori Prevost, Jackie Scharping, Chris Daleiden, Nancy Jacobe Can you help with services during Holy Week and Easter? We are again asking for people to sign up to help as communion assistants, lectors, greeters, and counters for the many services that week. The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board. Any questions, please contact Sue Ludvigson ([email protected]) or Valerie ([email protected]) in the church office. Thanks! 14 MEMBERSHIP UPDATES FUNERAL: A list of March birthdays is available At the welcome desk. Our deepest sympathy to the family of Wade Hohol, who died on February 7. DIRECTORY UPDATE Jason & Jessica Gellin 1089 Chapel Hill Circle Green Bay, WI 54313-4223 Phone Numbers Please remember to contact the church office and give a number that can be used for our church directory if you discontinue your land line. Thanks! Online Tidings Remember you can receive the Tidings monthly newsletter as a PDF from a link on our website. If you would prefer this to a paper copy mailed to your home, please e-mail the church office: [email protected]. 15 Ascension Lutheran Church— March 2015 Sun Mon Tue 1 1st Commun both svcs 2 3 1st Sunday Food Colllect 9:00a Quilters 8:00a Worship 9:30a Staff Mtg 9:15a Educ Hour 10:30a Worship 1:00p Bldg Use: 6:30p Christ Svc Schwendemann 6:30p CC (Paquet) Core Team Mtg 6:30p Property MT 6:45p CC (Jacobsen) 8 Daylight Savings 9 Begins 8:00a Worship 9:15a Educ Hour/ 11:45a CC New Mbr Orientation (Knudsen) 10:30a Contemporary Worship//New Mbrs Recd 11:30a New Mbr Luncheon 10 9:00a Quilters 15 8:00a 9:15a 10:30a 3:00p 17 9:00a Quilters 9:30a Staff Mtg Worship Educ Hour Blended Worship Knitting Ministry 16 6:30p Council 4:00p B&G Club 6:15p Bldg Use: Webelos 6:30p CC (Paquet) 7:00p Joy Circle 6:45p CC (Jacobsen) 22 Jews for Jesus: Christ in the Passover (both svcs) 8:00a Worship 9:00a & 11:00a Blood Pressure Checks 9:15a Educ Hour 10:30a Worship 23 29 Palm Sunday 8:00a Worship 9:15a Educ Hour 10:30a Worship 30 24 9:00a Quilters 11:45a CC (Knudsen) 6:00p PJs and Prayers 31 9:00a Quilters Wed 4 11:30a CC Grief Grp (Mand Garden) Thu 5 6:30a CC (Voss) (Village Grille) Fri 6 9:00a Bulletin Assembly 6:30p Quiet Lent Worship 7:00p Kick off to 6:30p CC Confirmation (McDermott) 7:15p Choir Reh 6:30p Mutual 8:00p Worship Ministry MT Band Rehearsal 11 12 13 6:30a CC (Voss) 9:00a 11:00a CC (Tucker) (Village Grille) Bulletin 6:30p Quiet Lent Assembly Worship 7:00p Kick off to Confirmation 7:00p CC (Dettlaff) 6:30p CC 7:00p CC (Gilley/ (Schubert) Kralovetz) 7:15p Choir Reh 8:00p Blended Rehearsal Sat 7 7:30a CC (Piette) 9:00a New Mbr Workshop 10:00a Family Art 14 18 19 20 11:30a CC Grief Grp 6:30a CC (Voss) 9:00a (Village Grille) Bulletin Assembly 6:30p Quiet Lent 6:00p AMen Sing Worship Rehearsal 7:15p Choir Reh 6:30p CC (McDermott) 7:00p CC (Schubert) 21 7:30a CC (Piette) 9:30a AMen Singers Rehears 10:00a NEW Comm Meal 25 26 27 11:00a CC (Tucker) 6:30a CC (Voss) 9:00a 6:30p Quiet Lent (Village Grille) Bulletin Worship 9:00a Tidings Assembly 7:00p CC (Dettlaff) Assembly 7:00p CC (Gilley/ Kralovetz) 6:00p AMen Sing 7:15p Choir Reh Rehearsal 28 9;00a Food Basket Delivery 9:30a AMen Singers Rehears KEY: CC = ChristChare B&G = Boys & Girls Club MT = Mission Team Deadlines: Bulletin—Wednesday noon Tidings—20th of previous month’ ASCENSION CHURCH STAFF MINISTRY LEADERS Rev. Luther Swenson, Lead Pastor: Rev. Lori Swenson, Pastor of Congregational Care: Tracy Bahn, Youth & Confirmation Director: Cindy Sleeman, Sunday School Director: Valerie VanderMeuse, Office Manager: Nancy Jacobe, Bookkeeper: Jeannine Walker, Business Support Manager: Pam Schubert, Member Connections: Mike Gilley, Spiritual Direction: Claire McCarthy: Emily DeVillers, Kris Liedtke, Jean Fredrickson: Eric Ludvigson: Patrick Marchant, Chancel Choir Director: Dan Weaver: Rick & Audrey Johnson: Mike Sleeman: Jennifer Poley, Nursery Coordinator: Olyvia Kuchta: Church Office Telephone: Fax Machine: Check out our website: Prayer Chain Requests: Home Sweet Home Donations: Mark Becker ([email protected]): David Wegge ([email protected]): Lynn Roemaat ([email protected]): Jeff Greeneway ([email protected]): Mike Wathke ([email protected]): Paulette Pocquette: Joe Refsguard ([email protected]) Deb Kralovetz ([email protected]): Tony Brunette ([email protected]): Dennis Sachs: Craig Hanke: Mike Gilley & Pastor Lori: Mike Gilley: Nancy Jacobe: Katie Dehn: Sue Grunewald: Christopher Paquet: Sue Ludvigson: Peter Daanen: Joyce Tucker: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (volunteer) Organist Directors of Cherub Choir (volunteers) Worship Band Director [email protected] Supplemental Music Custodians Maintenance (Interim) [email protected] Nursery Attendants (920)336-3561 (920)338-1054 www.ascensiongb.com [email protected] (920)784-7092 President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Finance Mutual Ministry Christian Service Congregational Life & Growth Learning Ministry Property Stewardship Witness Worship & Music ChristCare Equippers Spiritual Direction Altar Guild Prayer Chain/e-mail [email protected] Prayer Chain/phone (425-3777) SS Rotation Coordinator Worship Participants Scheduler Head Usher Funeral Luncheon Coordinator Due to HIPAA privacy laws, the church is often not informed when a person is hospitalized. Please call the church office when you would like a pastoral visit when you are in the hospital. Do not rely on the hospital to call the church office, even if they have said they will. Please call the church office directly, or have a family member do so. 17 Prayer Chain Requests: [email protected] Or call Sue Grunewald at 425-3777 Ascension Lutheran Church 2911 Libal St. Green Bay, WI 54301 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 21 GREEN BAY, WI RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED WORSHIP SCHEDULE— Sundays 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. HOLY COMMUNION — 1st & 3rd Sundays CONTEMPORARY MUSIC 2nd & 4th Sundays at 10:30 a.m. BLENDED MUSIC 3rd Sundays at 10:30 a.m. SIGN LANGUAGE AVAILABLE 3rd Sundays at 8:00 a.m. EDUCATION HOUR—9:15 a.m. (Sunday School, Youth Forum, Adult Education) MID-WEEK LENTEN WORSHIP (Beginning on Ash Wednesday) Wednesdays, (2/18– 3/25) at 6:30 p.m. Nursery Available Sundays Both Services and during Education Hour OFFICE MANAGER’S HOURS: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday Check out our website: www.ascensiongb.com Facebook: Ascension Lutheran Church, Green Bay
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