the May 2016 Newsletter - Arena Congregational Church

The Good Tidings
Arena Congregational Church
May 2016
CELEBRATING OUR PAST-EMBRACING OUR FUTURE
Affiliated with the Wisconsin Congregational Association
Thoughts from here and there...What Moms really pray at night.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray my sanity to keep.
For if some-peace I do not find,
I'm pretty sure I'll lose my mind.
I pray I find a little quiet
Far from the daily family riot
May I lie back - not have to think,
about what they're stuffing down the sink
Or who they're with, or where they're at,
and what they're doing to the cat.
I pray for time all to myself
Did something just fall off a shelf?
And that I need not cook or clean Well heck, I've got the right to dream.
Yes, now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray my wits about me keep
But as I look around I know–
I must have lost them long ago.
Author Unknown via George Goldtrap, Ormond-by-theSea, FL
Special Days in the Secular
and Church Calendar
May 1, (S), Fellowship Day, Christian
Home Month, Rural Life Sunday
To cuddle in my nice, soft bed Oh no! Another goldfish - dead!
May 3, National Teacher Appreciation Day
Some silent moments for goodness sake Did I just hear a window break?
May 5, Ascension Day, National Day of Prayer
(Continued on page 2)
May 4, Holocaust Memorial Day
May 6, Nurses Day
May 7, Mother's and Daughter's Breakfast, 8:00 am.
May 8, (S), Mother's Day, Ascension Sunday
May 15, (S),Pentecost
May 21, Armed Forces Day
these characteristics so that we may achieve the
common purposes of our God.
It is well worth our time and effort. So come and enjoy
and learn how to develop and apply the characteristics
of a Christian.
May 1, May Day, Christian Home Month, Heritage
Month: Lesson: 2 Peter 1.6b, Sermon Title:
Passionate Patience
May 22, (S), Trinity Sunday
May 29, (S), Memorial Sunday
May 30, Memorial Day Observed
May 8, Ascension Sunday, Mother’s Day: Lesson: 2
Peter 1.6c, Sermon Title: Reverent Wonder
A Promise and A Prayer
A Promise
For I have set you an example, that you
also should do as I have done to you, (John
13:15, NRSV).
A Thought
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Jesus Christ
sets the example. He encourages us to emulate it to the
fullest. Jesus would have his sisters and brothers to be a
people who are zealous for good works, standing firm
for principle among the pollution of this present age. We
can be a people who hold so fast to the divine strength
that we will be proof against every temptation to
compromise our faith and standing with God.
A Prayer
God, help me to be strong; to be a good example of how
faith and grace can create strength of character and
faithfulness in the performance of good deeds. Amen.
Sermons for May
May 15, Pentecost: Lesson: 2 Peter 1.7a, Sermon
Title: Warm Friendliness
May 22, Trinity Sunday: Lesson: 2 Peter 1.7b,
Sermon Title: Generous Love
May 29, Memorial Sunday, Lesson: 2 Peter 1.8, :
Increasing Rewards
Praying for One Another
Our contacts are limited. We see each
other infrequently. There are times when
we do not know the other's person's
name. We are not able to keep up with
each other's needs. No one is to blame; it is a simple
fact of life in the 21�� Century. There is something that
we can do for one another. We can pray. James 5:16
says, The prayer of the righteous is powerful and
effective. The righteous simply describes those who are
members of God's family. That includes us all. Let us
(Continued on page 3)
Peter in 2 Peter has much of which to
remind us. He is writing about character,
the character of the Christian. We study
THE GOOD TIDINGS is a monthly publication of
the Arena Congregational Church, 383 Oak St., PO
Box 125, Arena, WI 53503-0125.
Editor: Pastor Leslie R. Shultz II
409 W. Daley St. PO Box 488
Spring Green, WI 53588-0488
Pastor’s Phone: 608.574-0707
Email: les@lesandhelga.com
Web Site: http://www.lesandhelga.com
Church Web Site:
http://www.lesandhelga.com/acc/acc.htm
Church Office Phone: 608.753.2242
Contributors: Members, Friends and Officers of the
Arena Congregational Church. Ideas and comments about
this publication should be addressed to the editor and sent
to his home address.
The Good Tidings, May 2016, page 2
pray for one another, week-by-week let us pray for one
another.
Thomas Favreau
Alexander Favreau
Mrs Sue Favreau
Mr and Mrs Aaron Gruszynski and Family
Mr and Mrs Joe Hodgson
Ms Kathy Johnson
Mr and Mrs Ray Wahljohnson and Family
Mr. Paul Pfanku
For what may we pray? Let your prayers be simple and
positive. Here are a few suggestions for your prayers:
Pray that each person will have a growing relationship
with God and the Church.
Pray that each person will live wisely using good
judgement.
Pray that each person will take care of him or her self
and so experience optimum health.
Pray that each person, may with God’s help, find the
inner strength to live with the reality of success and
adversity.
Spotlight on the family
12 warnings to prevent family
breakdowns1
1. Don't try to make over your spouse or
your children. Instead, nurture, teach,
encourage, admonish and counsel them.
2. Don't show favorites among family members, or
reject one that is being unusually difficult. More
specifically, don't compare one child unfavorably with
the other.
¹Copyright Communication Resources, “The NEWSLETTER
Newsletter, 1990 (Used by permission)
3. Don't try to manipulate your spouse with your
emotions, i.e., don't resort to "emotional control" when
you perceive you're losing an argument. "Laying on
guilt" through using your emotions to squelch
arguments will have dire consequences in the long run.
4. Don't make your family your scapegoat. In
particular, don't save the rudest side of yourself for your
family.
5. Don't let differences of opinion develop into a battle
of the wills where one must lose in order for the other to
win. Rather, use differences as opportunities to grow as
a family.
6. Don't let family roles be so rigid and stereotyped
that you cannot buffer each other during times of need
or illness.
7. Don't focus on your own rights, or constantly
evaluate whether or not you are getting enough out of
family relationships. Rather, seek to unconditionally
love and minister to each other.
8. Don't minimize your mistakes. Acknowledge sin and
ask for forgiveness.
9. Don't maximize mistakes. Don't repeatedly throw
things up to your spouse such as "You're just like your
mother," or "I'll never forgive you for what you did to
me ten years ago."
10. Don't assume everyone in the family makes
mistakes but you.
11. Don't give up when you're exhausted. Get some
rest at home or take a brief vacation away from home.
12. Don't hesitate to seek counseling if difficult,
overwhelming problems develop. There are counselors
who help us can gain insight regarding the inevitable
problems that arise in life.
Recipe of the Month
Party Salad (very easy)
From the recipe files of Helga Shultz
1/2 cup mayonnaise
8 ounces cooked sea shell macaroni
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup cooked chicken
8 ounce can chunk pineapple (drained)
1 teaspoon curry powder
16 ounce can of peas (drained)
salt and pepper
1/4 cup chopped pecans
8 ounces yogurt
Place macaroni, diced chicken, drained pineapple and peas into a large bowl. Mix together yogurt,
mayonnaise, lemon juice and curry. Season with salt and pepper and toss with macaroni mixture. Refrigerate
for an hour and sprinkle with pecans.
Make about 4 servings.
The Good Tidings, May 2016, page 3
Officers for 2014 - 2015
Governing Board
President: Jim Favreau, 753.2334
Vice-president: Joanne Brown, 753-2316
Treasurer: Steven Wilkinson, 753.2131
Clerk: Joe Hodgson, 753-2520
Financial Secretary: Ray Johnson, 753-2845
Church Secretary: Steve Wilkinson, 753.2131
Officers
Sunday School Superintendent, Karen Wilkinson, 7532131
Choir Director, Leslie Shultz, 574-0707
Head Usher Jim Favreau, 753.2334 and Ray Johnson,
753.2845
Meetings
Governing Board: Second Monday, May
9, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.
Men’s Breakfast: Third Saturday, 7:30
a.m., at Grandma Mary’s. Our next breakfast will be in
either September or October. There will be an
announcement in the Church Bulletin.
Greeters
Missions
We are supporting the Congregational
Mission of Jardin America with a gift of $40
a month through the missions program of
the National Association of Congregational
Christians. We also contribute $50.00 a
month to the Arena Food Pantry, and $25.00 a month to
the Food Pantry at the Spring Green Community Church.
If you would like to donate canned or dried food
products you may put them in the barrel in the entry.
Thank you for your support of our local and foreign
mission projects.
Something to Think About
Love yourself - accept yourself forgive yourself - and be good to
yourself, because without you the rest
of us are without a source of many
wonderful things.
~Leo F. Buscaglia
Humor
You Know You're a Mother When…
You count the sprinkles on each kid's
cupcake to make sure they're equal.
You have time to shave only one leg at a time.
May 1 - Jim Favreau Family
May 8 - Vivian Dodge
You hide in the bathroom to be alone.
Someone else's kid throws up at a party. You keep
eating.
May 15 - Joyce Reimann
As you cling to the high moral ground on toy weapons;
your child chews his toast into the shape of a gun.
May 22 - Ray and Colleen and Family
May 29 - Joe and Carol Hodgson
You hope ketchup is a vegetable, since it's the only one
your child eats.
June 5 - Judi Salava
Adult Bible Study
We are meeting at the home of Steve
and Karen Wilkinson, 817 Brown St.,
Arena.
You find yourself cutting your husband's sandwiches
into cute shapes.
You hear your mother's voice coming out of your
mouth when you say, "NOT in your good clothes!"
We are studying Paul's Letter to the Romans. Romans
You stop criticizing the way your mother raised you.
may be the most important letter you will ever read. It is
You hire a sitter because you haven 't been out with
Paul's masterpiece, the clearest and fullest explanation
your
husband in ages, then spend half the night checking
of the gospel in the Bible.
on the kids.
Worship On Compact Disks
The Worship Services are recorded each
week on a CD so that you may share in the
fellowship and enjoyment of worship. If you
would like to listen to a service to share the
music, pray the prayers and learn from the
sermon call either Steve Wilkinson, 753-2131 or Pastor
Shultz, 574-0707 and a CD will be delivered to you. Let
us know if you need a CD player.
You use your own saliva to clean your child's face.
You say at least once a day, "I'm not cut out for this
job", but you know you wouldn't trade it for anything.
- from Laugh & Lift pkaine@roadrunner.com
The Good Tidings, May 2016, page 4
Getting a Passport
Before she died, an old lady wanted to visit England,
the home of her ancestors. She went to the Federal
Office and asked for a passport.
A mother shows every emotion...happiness, sadness,
fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness,
excitement, joy, sorrow...and all the while hoping and
praying you will only know the good feelings in life.
"You must take the loyalty oath first," the passport
clerk said.
She's the place you came from, your first home, and
she's the map you follow with every step you take.
"Raise your right hand, please."
The senior citizen raised her right hand as the clerk
asked, "Do you swear to defend the Constitution of the
United States against all enemies, domestic or foreign?"
The sweet old face paled and the voice trembled as she
responded, "Well, I guess so, but ... will I have help, or
will I have to do it all by myself?"
from Thomas E. (via GCFL.net)
pkaine@roadrunner.com
She's your first love; your first friend, even your first
enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time,
not space...not even death!
Author unknown Mikey's Funnies <funniesowner@lists.MikeysFunnies.com>
J J J J J
Survival Tips from Mom
- If you are lavishly praised, enjoy the taste but don't
swallow it whole.
J J J J J
A little old Jewish lady is flying out of New York City on
her way to Miami Beach. She looks at the businessman
sitting next to her and asks him, "Excuse me sir, but are
you Jewish?"
The man responds politely, "No, ma'am, I'm not
Jewish."
After a little while, she again asks him. "You're really
Jewish, aren't you?"
- After a certain age, if you say something outrageous,
everyone will think it's cute. Take advantage of this.
- Your children may leave home, but their stuff will be
in your attic and basement forever.
- If you wouldn't want to see it in a newspaper or on
the evening news, don't do it.
- Don't let a child with the stomach flu sleep on the top
bunk.
Barely 10 minutes later, the little old lady asks him
once more, "Are you sure you're not Jewish?"
- If you humiliate yourself, be consoled with the
thought that you probably made someone else's day . . .
maybe even their week. Think of your humiliation as an
act of charity.
Finally, in exasperation and in a final effort to shut her
up, he replies, "OK. Yes, ma'am, I am Jewish."
- Avoid marrying anyone who deliberately flushes the
toilet when you're taking a shower.
"Funny," she says, looking puzzled. "You don't look
Jewish!"
- It's a proven fact that zipping up a small child's
snowsuit will cause her to wet her pants. There is no
known cure for this.
Again he responds, "No, ma'am, I am not Jewish."
- from Laugh & Lift pkaine@roadrunner.com
- If you want to hide candy bars so you can eat them
after the kids are in bed, put the candy in the freezer in a
paper bag labeled "Fish."
J J J J J
Your Mother is always with you.
She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the
street.
She's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers
you pick and perfume that she wore.
She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not
feeling well.
She's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day.
She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the
colors of a rainbow. She is Christmas morning.
Your Mother lives inside your laughter.
Mikey's Funnies <funniesowner@lists.MikeysFunnies.com>
J J J J J
I'd like to be the ideal mother, but I'm too busy raising
my kids.
Mikey's Funnies <funniesowner@lists.MikeysFunnies.com>
J J J J J
Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing
is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.
She's crystallized in every teardrop.
~Phyllis Diller
The Good Tidings, May 2016, page 5
Mother’s Day Breakfast
8:00 am, Saturday, May 7, 2016
In celebration of
Mother’s Day, the
men will be
serving breakfast
to all mom’s,
guests of mom’s
and children of
mom’s.
Come and enjoy!
THE GOOD TIDINGS
Arena Congregational Church
383 Oak St
PO Box 125
Arena, Wisconsin 53503-0125
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
Thank you for your
contributions to the
Community Connections
Free Clinic and the Iowa
County Homeless
Coalition. We were able to
send $100 to each of them.
May 30 is Memorial Day. It is a day to
remember those who have given their
lives in the fullest expression of devotion
to family and country.
It is a day to experience
a lump in the throat
and a tear in the eye.
Please join the
members of the VFW in
a service of remembrance at the Arena
elementary school.