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This week in the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin-ELCA
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Week of November 16, 2014
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Our roots are in Scripture, tradition and the Lutheran Confessions, as well as in the vibrant communities and rich histories of our congregations. These roots are an ongoing source of nourishment; they enable us to be a church guided by the Holy Spirit that is both resilient and always being reformed.
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Deeply rooted and always being made new
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Welcome to the third installment dedicated to the future--and renewing congregations. This week, Laurie Skow-Anderson, Director for Evangelical Mission, focuses on the next step congregations can take to help them change and thrive.
Remember to visit the Missional Toy Box on our website: www.nwswi.org. We encourage you to look around in the toy box to find playful and imaginative ways to explore renewal in your congregation. To get you started, we will highlight a different toy (resource) each week.
 This week we found a Jenga game in the toy box! If you have ever played this game, you know that it helps to have a steady hand--and confidence! It also helps keep the tower of blocks from tumbling down if you have a solid foundation. Hmm, sounds like those same attributes would serve you well in congregation renewal!
Are you ready for the next step in renewing a congregation? It's prayer. Wait a minute, wasn't prayer the answer last week? Of course. Prayer builds a strong foundation, and helps you gain some confidence so that you will have a steady hand! Read on . . . . Prayer is the foundation of our relationship with God. Without this foundation of listening to God, discerning God's will, renewal will never move forward. Being attentive to God's will and the movement of the Holy Spirit is the only way to begin a renewal process. Those whose personal lives have been transformed by prayer are able to lead a renewal effort in a congregation. Teach folks how to pray for each other. Before meetings begin by praying for members highs and lows. Form prayer partners in the congregation and encourage folks to pray for each other. Take time for prayer requests from the congregation during worship. Ask the question: How do you need God's help today? Pray about the requests immediately. Many leaders try to skip this step for congregational renewal thinking that it isn't important. It is the most important.
The Missional Toy Box is now available on our website: www.nwswi.org. It will take a little longer to get all of the "toys" in working order, but you are encouraged to look around in the toy box to find playful and imaginative ways to explore renewal in your congregation. |
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Thrifty Theology: Continuing Education Without Crushing Costs
 by Pastor Diane Norstad from Faith Lutheran, Balsam Lake
The Westminster Collection of Christian Prayers, compiled by Dorothy M. Stewart
As I reached for this resource again, I was reminded what a fabulous collection it is. The collection of prayers is vast and well organized, new and old, formal and informal, it is good from many perspectives. I have found this resource to be useful as a pastor and for my own devotions. While I generally do not use pre-written prayers in my own devotions I have found this to be useful and far better than most prayer books on the market.
This book is not available through the MORE consortium libraries. As of my writing this it is available on Amazon beginning at $2.43 used.
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With the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner, many of us are thinking about hospitality--the art of helping people feel welcome in our homes. Pastor Kurt Jacobson, Trinity Lutheran, Eau Claire, sent us this timely article about helping a visiting pastor feel welcome in your church home. It was written by Deborah Lewis, an elder in the United Methodist Church.
Seven Things to Remember When Hosting a Guest Preacher
You know when someone invites your for dinner and, from the moment you arrive, you feel thoroughly welcomed and properly hosted?
I don't mean stiff-but-proper Martha Stewart style hosting. I mean the kind of hosting that seems both effortless and personal, as if they've been waiting all along for you to show up.
Preaching at someone else's church should be more like this.
It's often overlooked, but the difference between a pastor and church who take their hosting seriously and those who don't is stark. Our churches have been focusing more and more on how to invite and receive visitors, pushing ourselves to see properties, procedures, and liturgies through the eyes of strangers. As someone who is often invited to preach at other churches, it occurs to me we might spend a little time considering how to invite and host guest preachers, too.
Continue reading. . .
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 Global Relationships
Malawi Mission Trip - Summer 2015
Are you interested in visiting our companions in Malawi, Africa? A Malawi mission trip is being planned for next summer, July 21-August 4. The total cost, which includes all transportation, food and accommodations, is S4500 with a $500 deposit to hold your spot. The trip will be limited to 15 participants. No construction skills are required, but be prepared to get your hands and clothes dirty. To learn more about this life-changing opportunity, contact John Sutherland at [email protected] or 715 651 2710. |
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Attention Church Office Professionals
Bishop Hoyme's Christmas message is now on the resources page of our website. Please share it with your congregation.
TO GIVE AWAY: Standard SD330 Digital Duplicator, approximately 10 yrs. old, Complete cleaning and drum unit installed within the last two years. Included is a few boxes of toner and master roll. Call Sheila at Faith Lutheran Church, Grantsburg, WI 715-463-5388 to make arrangements to pick up.
Important Reminders from Portico Benefits
1. Complete your benefit selection by November 21. 2. You have until November 30 to complete activities that will help you earn up to $350 wellness dollars. Administrative Assistant - Full Time Bethel Lutheran Church in Hudson, WI has an opening for a full-time administrative assistant. This important role involves the preparation of weekly worship bulletins, coordination of document printing and collating, answering phones and emails, tracking ministerial events and other tasks. You will work in an open environment that requires exceptional multi-tasking skills. Having a positive attitude and being a great teammate is a must. A degree beyond high school or relevant experience is required, as is experience with Microsoft office software, particularly Publisher. If interested, complete a Bethel Job Application Form available at www.bethelhudson.org and return it with a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Bible Study books for sale $5 each: "Women of the Covenant", Spiritual Wisdom from Women of the Bible, by Sowell & Ellison. Paperback. Quantity: 5 "Becoming a Woman of Faith", Fixing our eyes on Jesus... Hebrews 12:2. by Heald. Paperback, Quantity: 4 "1 & 2 Peter", Courage in Times of Trouble. by MacArthur. Paperback. Quantity: 1 "Becoming a Woman of Excellence", So that you may approve...Philippians 1: 10. by Heald. Paperback, Quantity: 2 Contact: Peace Lutheran Church, Dresser. 715-755-2515 or email: [email protected] Accompanist Wanted Trinity Lutheran Church, Hammond, is looking for an accompanist (piano or organ) to help lead worship services once or twice a month. This is a paid position. Please send a letter of interest to: Trinity Lutheran Church, 1250 Broadway Street, PO Box 68, Hammond, WI 54015. Help Wanted: New Hope/Sand Creek Pianist to lead worship services on a paid part time or full time basis. Contact Kathie Irwin (715-658-1573) or Kathy Peterson (715-658-1049). Mark Your Calendar: Theoprobe in Winter Park, Colorado, will be held February 7-13, 2015. Read more about it. |
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Our Mission Statement
Walking together for the sake of mission in God's world
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You can learn more about the events listed in this section by clicking on the underlined event title.
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Redefined, UW Madison�€™s premier acapella group, will perform live at Ezekiel Lutheran, 202 S Second St., River Falls at 8:00 p.m. Tickets ($10) can be purchased at the door. Katie Berndt, a River Falls High School graduate and member of Hope Lutheran is a member of Redefined. Questions? Call 715-377-6386.
November 22
First Lutheran Church Fall Festival 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Raffle tickets available for (2)Packer tickets, Handmade Quilt, $100.00 cash, $25.00 gift card. There will also be a Bake Sale, Surprise Packages, an in-house Basket Raffle. Lunch served with pie! 670 Main St., Prentice.
November 22
Deer Hunter's Widow Craft/Bake sale and raffle at Bone Lake Lutheran, Luck. 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
November 27
Thanksgiving Day Dinner at Bone Lake Lutheran, Luck, at noon.
November 29
It's Christmas with the Steele Family! Bethel Highlands Church, 504 Frontage Rd., Hudson, 7:00 p.m.
Back by popular demand! Jearlyn, Jevetta, J.D., Billy and Fred Steele in concert with their popular band. Please bring a food item for the Hudson Food Shelf. Tickets: Adults $21, Child (18 and under) $10, are available at the church or online at www.bethelhudson.org 715.386.8821. Any remaining tickets will be $25 (adult) and $12 (child) at the door.
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December 1
December 1
December 6
King's Countrymen Bluegrass Gospel at Dallas Lutheran in Dallas, 7 p.m.
December 6
Cookie Fair at Cross Lutheran, Roberts, 9 a.m. - noon.
December 6
Christmas Bazaar at First Lutheran, 218 Co. Rd. K, New Richmond, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Featured will be Scandinavian baked goods as well as artists and crafters. Lunch will be available.
December 6
December 7 An Advent Gathering sponsored by United in Christ Ministry.This is a new group of 10 congregations who are exploring ways of working together--six are ELCA congregations, two are United Methodist congregations and two are Presbyterian congregations--all are located in the Chippewa Valley.
December 14 and 21
Jubilate singers and orchestra at South Beef River Lutheran Church, rural Osseo
For many years, singers and instrumentalists from many churches in the Osseo area have met at South Beef River Lutheran Church to practice and present Christmas concerts. The tradition continues this year with the performance of "JOURNEY OF HOPE, The Birth of the Savior." The performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday, December 14, and 4 p.m. Sunday, December 21. The church is located 6 miles southeast of Osseo on County Highway B.
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Quick Links
Looking for something that appeared in a previous issue of Eclipse? You can access the last four issues on our website: www.nwswi.org/news_and_events.
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Contact Information: Merry Soyck-Doring, Synod Communicator, 715-859-6810
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