June 2009 - Christian Faith Moravian Church

The Mustard Sprout
Matthew 13:31-32
The newsletter of the Christian Faith Moravian Church Ministry Focus
A Christian Community Growing in Christian Faith
JUNE 2009
T HE P ASTOR ’ S G ARDEN
Ministry Leaders
I asked the Joint Board at
our last meeting to
respond to the following
question: “ Which is more
important—taking care of
our membership or reaching the
un-churched?” What do you think? Both are
important but if you had to pick one, which
would it be? Our responses to such a
question are an indicator of the vitality of
our congregation.
Pastor
The Rev Kurt Liebenow
Music
Ms. Jill Stephens
Trustee Chair
Mr. Brian Herbers
Elder Vice Chair
Mr. Rich Vanderbloemen
Treasurers
Ms. Donna Kern and
Ms. Marlene Sobek
Newsletter
Publisher
Ms. Kari Caulum
Contact
Information
Mailing Address
805 E. Holum St
DeForest, WI 53532
Phone
846-5876
Sunday Morning
Schedule
Taking care of our membership is an
internal focus on ministry. Most church
ministries are focused on taking care of
members through a variety of education,
worship, and fellowship opportunities. This
also includes visiting the homebound
members, and supporting each other in
times of crisis.
The discussion around the table relating to
this question recognized the value of each
group of people in our ministries. We did
not try to form a consensus or to formalize
an answer. My encouragement to the Board
and you is to embrace living faithfully
during times of trepidation for the
ministries of our congregation.
Worship– We Praise and Honor the Triune God
Sunday Texts and Themes
June 7th
Worship
9:30 am
June 14th
10:35 am
The apprehension we all face is the need to
be fed in our own faith and wanting other
people in our lives such as our family,
neighbors and friends to share in the joy we
have in our faith. This might require us to
shift our focus from our own needs to the
needs of others. Sometimes it is easier to
be thoughtful to others when we get what
we want first.
Reaching the un-churched is an external
ministry. Sometimes there are events
offered with an intentional focus on
non-church people. This might require us to
seek out people in the community. We
Pastor Kurt
might need to go outside of our comfort
Ability to see God’s kingdom
Romans 8:12-17
Fellowship
zone. Reaching the un-churched could also
be seen in how we present our ministries, to
make sure there is an invitation offered so
that anyone can be involved in what we are
doing.
Influence of Our Ministries
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
June 21st
Dealing with those that rub us the wrong
way
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
June 28th
The privilege of generosity
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Worship Attendance
April
April
April
April
5th12th19th—
26th—
78
53 (Sunrise Service —73)
85
52
Baccalaureate Worship
On Thursday, June 4 at 7:00 pm the
De Forest Area Churches are hosting worship
for the graduating high school seniors. It
will be held at the Norway Grove Lutheran
Church. Graduates, families and the public
are welcome.
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Christian Faith Moravian Church
Education– Building Our Life on the Foundation of Jesus
Summer Study Opportunities
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The Shack
We will meet six times in June and July. Specific
dates will be announced later. This fictional book
offers a fresh look into our relationship with God,
our struggle with the pain in our life and the process
of redemption. We are all subject to sadness, even
great sadness and grief. We are inclined to ask
questions like where is God? Who is God? In reading
the book you might ask: Is God really like that? Is
that really how God responds to evil? Can God be
trusted? The significant issues raised by the book,
such as forgiving those who have done us great evil,
how God acts in the world, how God is three persons
in one and what difference this makes to us will also
be discussed as we use the books story to help us
understand our life experience and God. If you’re
interested in this study contact Pastor Kurt. Reading the book is a pre-requisite to the class.
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Moravian Covenant for Christian Living
(summary points from the document –copies are
available in the church office.)
The Unity We Seek
We will have fellowship, in all sincerity, with children of
God in other Christian churches, and will carefully avoid
all disputes respecting opinions and ceremonies peculiar
to one or another church. In this fellowship we will
cooperate with other churches in the support of public
charities or Christian enterprises, which have a just
claim upon us as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Vacation Bible School
VBS is August 3—7, 2009 at the Windsor
UCC Church (Note—this is a new
location!) We join with area churches to
offer this opportunity to children age 4
through grade 6. We have registration
materials in the office. If you’d like to
help teach or be a helper, we have inAn Overview of the Bible”
formation for that too! This year we
This is a great opportunity to get a grasp of the book provide the scripture drama on Tuesday, August 4 in the
that is the sole authority of our faith. Will meet on morning. If you’d like to be an “actor” contact Pastor
Sunday, July 5 and 12 at 11:00 am.
Kurt. The women from our church will be hosting the
Thursday evening presentation at the high school PAC.
If you’d like to help there contact Marty Karow.
St. Vincent de Paul Boxes to Leave, but
donations from De Forest Area Still Needed!
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Olaf Parish have agreed that the time has come to remove
St. Vincent de Paul’s donation boxes from church property. Despite the generosity of the parish and the
DeForest community in donating much-needed goods through the use of the drop boxes, problems with
inappropriate items left in and around the boxes led to St. Vincent de Paul’s decision. Trash has often been left
outside the boxes, as have large items, such as furniture – best kept out of the elements and donated by calling
St. Vincent de Paul for a free home pick-up. Signage encouraging appropriate donations and treatment of the
area around the boxes has not been met with success. The boxes are due to be removed before the end of
May. Donated gently used clothing, household items, books, furniture, appliances and other goods help to
stock St. Vincent de Paul’s five Dane County thrift stores. Sales of these items provide much of the revenue
the Society uses to fund aid to local people in need, and the Society’s stores also provide a great deal of direct
assistance to low-income families and individuals.
Contributions of goods from the DeForest area to St. Vincent de Paul are still very much needed! Although the
drop boxes at St. Olaf soon will be gone, there remain easy ways to donate: Call the Society of St. Vincent de
Paul at 278-2920 for a free home pick-up. Trucks are scheduled to pick up in and near DeForest every
Friday. Bring goods to one of the five St. Vincent de Paul stores in Dane County. The Society operates a store in
Waunakee – at 213 S. Klein Drive – as well as three stores in Madison and one in Stoughton. For more information
about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, please visit www.svdpmadison.org.
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Christian Faith Moravian Church
Administration– Managing Our Resources with Faithful Wisdom
Pastor’s Church Office Hours
Regular Church Office hours:
Monday & Friday’s from 8:30 am-noon.
If not at church, Pastor Kurt may be in the
parsonage office. You can also call to
make an appointment. Thursday is the Pastor’s day off.
For emergencies you can also call 846-7854.
Joint Board Report
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Reviewed financial ministry status for April.
Made plans for weed control in paved and lawn
areas
Will thank Terry Miller for work done on parsonage
bathroom ceiling
Thanked Bob Sobek for planting trees in cemetery
and Jerry & Cheryl Mayr for the donation of the
trees.
Discussed removal of some older trees at cemetery.
Made plans for Spring outdoor cleaning.
Elder’s Report
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Approved baptism request for Holton Overly
Received report from Women’s Fellowship
Discussed development of web site
Reviewed plans for Connecting and Fellowship
groups
Summer Stewardship Snippet
Remember your offerings during the summer months.
The financial cost of ministry continues even when
you’re on vacation. An offering envelope is included
with this newsletter to help you remain faithful in
expressing your thankfulness to God for giving you the
skills, abilities and talent to bear fruit.
Opened with Daily Text and discussion on “What is
more important—taking care of our membership or
reaching the un-churched?
Reviewed the church calendar through September 09
Received a report on updating CFMC rules and
May your offering to God reflect your gratitude for
regulations.
what you’ve received from him
Began making plans for CFMC 125th Anniversary in
2010.
Received the Pastor’s monthly report
Treasurer’s Report
Approved the pastor’s vacations in June and August.
Trustees Report
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CATEGORY
APRIL
YTD
Tithes/Offerings
$7,162.83
$28,295.40
Ministry
Expenses Paid
$7,127.02
$29,367.91
Budgeted Ministry
Expenses needed
per month
$8,415.20
$33,660.80
2008 Budget
balance:
$4,292.89
2007 debt starting
balance:$3,100.00
$3,100 remaining
balance of 2007 debt
Reviewed and approved minutes from last meeting
Missions– Serving Others with the Love of Jesus
Food Shelf
D.A.N.N.
Meals for the Homeless
Mississippi Mission!
Coordinator: Pam Schultz - 846-3841
We will be collecting again in during the whole month of
July. As usual, non-perishable food items along with
toiletries are needed. We will also be trying to make a
“mountain of diapers” as a special focus for the month!
Start saving now.
Coordinator: Peggy Landgraf- 438-7907
If you’d like to get involved, you can help make lunches
on June 9 at 7:00 am or you can help serve breakfast on
Wednesday, June 10 at 5:00 am. If you’d like to provide
supplies or make a financial donation for this mission
please contact Peggy.
Coordinator: Marlene Sobek- 846-9015
We received $52.56 for our Joyful Noise offering in May.
Thank you for helping to “rattle the cans”. Our next
offering will be in September so keep collecting your
change throughout the summer.
Keep the team in your prayers as
they prepare to offer themselves to
this re-building area. If you would
like to support this ministry financially, make an
offering and mark it : “Mission Mississippi”.
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Christian Faith Moravian Church
Fellowship– Living Together as Disciples of Jesus
Women’s Fellowship
Breakfast Opportunities
All women are welcome to either (or both) as your
schedule allows.
Wednesday, June 3
Breakfast at the Family Restaurant in De Forest at
7:00 am.
Saturday, June 6
Breakfast at the Market Street Diner in Sun Prairie at
9:00 am.
July 4th Parade!
We’ll have a “wagon” in the
parade and a food stand at the
church. We need donations of bags
of individually wrapped candies to
toss out during the parade. A list of
food items needed for the food
stand will be at the church in
mid-June. Proceeds from the food
stand support our youth going to camp. Overall, this is
an easy and fun opportunity to celebrate with our
community and help spread the joy of the holiday
weekend. If you’d like to help in any way, contact
Pastor Kurt for the parade and Marlene Sobek for the
food stand.
Event Reminders
Brewer Baseball Game
Tuesday, June 23
Tailgate at 5:30 pm
Game time 7:00 pm
Church Basement Ladies
Vendor Fair Fundraiser
We raised $465.95 at the vendor
Fair. Thank you to everyone who
helped make it a success with your
donations and service.
Corn and Brat Fest
The Elders have scheduled this annual event for
Saturday, August 29. Mark your calendars now so you
can be a part of this tasty occasion!
Facebook News
For those of you on Facebook, check out our church's
group page titled “Christian Faith Moravians”. It is one
more way we can stay connected with each other.
Listen to Christian Radio
For family friendly entertainment and inspiring music try
“Life 102.5” FM on your dial!
Reminder
Terry & Diane Miller are taking pictures
for our new church directory. If you
haven’t done so and would like to have
your picture taken please talk to Terry
or Diane to make arrangements to
have your photo taken after church.
Sunday, August 23
2:00 pm
Just For Fun
Pastor's Business Card
A new pastor was visiting the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone
was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a
business card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door. When the offering
was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this
cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10." Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales
of laughter.. Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Genesis 3:10 reads, "I
heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked."
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Christian Faith Moravian Church
Congregational Care– Help to Meet the Needs & Celebrate Joys with Each Other
June Birthdays
3rd5th9th10th13th16th-
18th19th21st22nd24th-
Alice Motl
Tom Zeman
Daryl Stephens
Emily George
Julie Roelke
Pat Asmussen
Inessa Schultz
Eunice Hoffman
Kathryn Scepanski
Bob Hudecek
Yvonne Timm
Jill Nowlen
June Anniversaries
6th10th14th
18th26th-
Russ & Marty Karow
Jason & Christy Mayr
Mark & Donna Kern
Bill & Jeanne Vincent
Ken & Marion Neville
Visitation Team Coordinator
Vicky Goldthorp- 837-8384
In the Hospital/Nursing Home?
Call Pastor Kurt. Hospitals cannot notify churches that
you’ve been admitted. Even if the stay in the hospital is
short, Pastor Kurt would like to come visit you.
Something NEW!!
Electronic Newsletter!
If you have an email account, we’d
like to start sending you our
newsletter electronically. Sign up in
the church office or email Kari
Caulum directly at
kari_caulum@mail.com to get connected. This will help
the church to reduce production and possibly mailing
costs. You will also have the benefit of seeing the
photos and graphics in color.
Moving Help Needed
Address Update
David Statz #42447, N.N.C.C.
P.O. Box 7000 , Carson City, Nevada, 89702.
Please remember to write to him.
Summer Camp Schedules are out!
All camps listed are at Mt. Morris Camp and
Conference Center
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4M Camp (finished grades 1 & 2)
June 15-17,2009
Jr. Camp (finished grades 3rd-5th)
June 29—July 3, 2009
Winmor (finished grades 6th-8th)
July 26—Aug 3, 2009
Chetek (finished grade 9 through age
21)
July 19—25, 2009
Brass at Mt. Morris (all ages)
August 13-16, 2009
Plus 50 Camp (over age 50)
July 9-12, 2009
Richard and Margie Phipps are moving from De Forest to
Angel Park apartments in Sun Prairie and need help
moving clothing and boxes on Monday, July 6. If you
can help, call Richard at 658-4240.
Make plans to be at camp and mark your calendars.
There is also room for people who want to serve on
staff. If you’re interested contact Pastor
Kurt.
Christian Faith Moravian Church
805 E. Holum St.
DeForest, WI 53532
stamp
Christian Faith Moravian Church
Saturday, June 13
Youth Event
8:00 am –12:00 pm
On Saturday, June 13 we will hold a car
wash for the community as a means to
help our Camp Fund. We will start at
8:00 am and go until around noon. Bring
buckets, rags, towels and a servant’s
heart.