December Newsletter 2017
Mission Statement:
Called in worship to care for others by sharing Christ's Love!
A Parable To Prepare Us To Celebrate The Incarnation
I don't recall where I first heard this parable (probably from Bill White back in the day when he led storytelling workshops), but I offer it to you in this Advent season as you prepare to celebrate The Feast Of The Incarnation, also known as Christmas.
​
There was a time when all the angels where gathered about the heavenly throne for a discussion. Things were in a mess down on earth. (What else is new?) The Creator had become concerned about the state of the Creation - wars, fighting, famine, bloodshed all over.
​
"I've tried everything," God complained. "I have spoken to them some of the most beautiful words they could ever hope to hear. Think of the glorious Psalms, the hymns, the poetic passages of Isaiah. They love to read about peace and goodwill, but they don't like to live it!"
​
God continued, "Then I sent them the prophets. They love Isaiah, the promises of release from their sufferings, freedom from their exile. But do they follow the precepts of the prophets about justice and righteousness rolling down like waters? Never!"
​
There was widespread discussion of the sad state of affairs on earth. Many of the angels - Gabriel, Michael, and others had been on earth on many an occasion. They had seen for themselves the sources of God's lament and shared God's concern.
​
"I think the only thing left is for one of you, a member of the heavenly court, to go down to earth. Live with them, not just for a moment, but every day. Get to know them, become one of them, live with them, let them get to know you. Only then will heaven's intent be truly communicated to them. Only then will they take notice of the great gap between the way they have been living and the way they were created. Only then will we be able to reveal to them who I created them to be."
​
The angels stood in awkward silence. They had been to earth before, to deliver messages from God or to effect some momentary intervention in human affairs. They weren't about to volunteer for long term duty in such a murderous, difficult place.
​
The silence lasted for an eternity. Finally, God broke the silence. Quietly, determinedly, but without resignation and no bitterness, God said,
​
"Then I will go."
​
Pastor Larry
​
Deerfield
Lutheran Church
Phone: 608-764-5566
Website: www.deerfieldelca.org
Worship
Sunday: 9:00 am
Wednesday: 6:00 pm
Sunday School
Sunday: 10:15 am during school year
Middle School Group: K.A.I.R.
(Kids Active In Religion),
High School Group: D-LOGs
(Deerfield Lutheran Outreach Group)
(see Calendar for meetings)
Deerfield Lutheran Choir
begins September 17th at 8:30 am
Handbell Choir
begins Sept. 6th at 6:45
(see Calendar for rehearsal times)
​
Office Hours
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Staff
Larry Sexe - Pastor
Home Phone: 608-764-3129
e-mail: pastorsexe@gmail.com
Angie Williams - Secretary
Hours: 9am-12pm, Tu, Th, Fr
e-mail: dlchurchoffice@gmail.com
Office Phone: 608-764-5566
Jackie Hansen - Financial Secretary
608-770-0715
Lois Anderson – Organist Emeritus
Jane Holland – Accompanist
Patricia Cook - Accompanist
Angie Williams - Accompanist &
Deerfield Lutheran Choir Director
Jeff Quamme - Handbell Choir Director
Donna & Jerry Schultz - Custodians
Angie Williams - Webmaster
Special Events ~
Sunday Worship with Communion 9:00am Wednesday Worship 6:00pm
Sunday, December 3 ~ Potluck and wreath making, Knitting/Crochet group
December 3 & 17 ~ Sunday School
Sunday, December 17, 4:30 pm ~ Sunday School Christmas Program
Sunday, December 24, 4:30 pm ~ Christmas Eve worship
------------------------------------------------------------------
Men’s Breakfast
Thursday, December 7 & 21 - 8:00am at Family Restaurant, Cambridge
------------------------------------------------------------------
Deerfield Lutheran Church presents....
A Christmas Star
Please join us Sunday, December 17th at 4:30 pm for our Sunday School Christmas Program. The kids are excited to share their production of the Christmas story. All are welcome!
SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS STARTED!
Children gather starting at 10:15 for fun, learning, songs and faith development! Registrations forms are still available. All kids, 3 years old through 5th grade, are welcome! For more information, contact Melissa Owens or call the church office at 764-5566.
Sunday School Coordinator
Melissa Owens
Sunday School Music Leader
Jane Holland
Preschool (3 & 4 yr olds)
Sara and Kevin Haas
Kindergarten & 1st Grade
Allison and Jeff Attoe
2nd & 3rd Grade
Sarah Paoli
Michelle Gottschalk
4th & 5th Grade
Chelsea Strauss
Nicole Rothe
Advisors for KAIR
Jenn Brattlie
Alyssa Dunsirn
Jen Lees
Milestone Ministry Uplifts 3rd Grade Bible Sunday October 29 at the 9:00 service. When children are baptized, parents and Godparent(s) promise to "place in their child's hands the Holy Scriptures.” The congregation helped the 3rd grade families fulfill that promise by placing in their hands a bible as a gift from their family of faith. The mission of the milestone ministry is to uplift and celebrate milestones in the faith life of our congregational members and to connect the generations of our congregational family.
Brady Matthew Fleming
Ellie Lynn Gottschalk
Charles Mark Sukow
Emmerson Nicole Drobac
Leah Mae Lokken
“I must still read and study the catechism daily, yet I cannot master it as I wish, but must remain a child and a pupil of the catechism, and I do it gladly.”
-Martin Luther in his preface to the Large Catechism
​
Advent begins on December 3
Join us as we make Advent Wreaths and share in a potluck meal
Plan to help with the Hanging of the Greens
Time to be announced
​
KAIR Activities
Families are invited to participate in the potluck and advent wreath making on December 3rd at 11:00 (see additional information in the ECHO). Or, if there are kids that would like to help facilitate the event and help others in the project they are certainly welcome.
KAIR breakfasts have been a great opportunity for the kids to get together and share some food, along with what's going on in their lives. We do a quick devotional and prayer and get them off to school. December's breakfast will be sponsored by the Fisher family on December 22nd at 7:00. Kids should dress in the holiday spirit!
January 29th - Stoughton Fellowship of Christian Athletes at 6:45
Milwaukee Buck's Family & Faith Night - Friday, February 24th at 7:00 (vs Utah Jazz). There is savings on tickets the more we buy and if we have more than 25 interested, the Bucks will match the ticket order ticket for ticket. If we have enough interest, we'd love to take a group of kids and/or families. Let Jen Lees or Jen Brattlie know if you'd like tickets for your family or child by December 22nd.
Milestone Ministry here at Deerfield Lutheran brings an awareness of the presence of God not only to children but families and individuals of all generations through a vital partnership between home and the Congregation. The Five Principles of Milestone Ministry are that it fosters healthy faith-forming relationships; it partners home and congregation in vibrant ministry; it lifts up the home as a primary setting to be the church in the world; it allows people to experience the faith so it may be caught in daily life occasions; and it honors the role of adults in the Christian formation of children and youth. Serving as central tools to all Milestone Ministry events are the Four Keys: Caring Conversations, Devotions, Service, and Rituals and Traditions. We celebrate milestones in worship throughout the year.
If you would be willing to provide special music during worship, please talk to Jane Holland or email her at jmfholland@aol.com
New Website links to Daily Devotionals: As we continue to construct our church website, check out the new links for daily devotionals. Go to the Study and Devotions main page. From here you can find various daily devotional sites for your use to help you in your daily walk with Jesus. Let us know how you like them. Here is a brief description of these sites:
​
Our Daily Bread Devotionals: This site has various resources you can connect to which will help you in your daily spiritual journey. Their mission is “to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.” You can listen, watch or read the various devotional resources. Try it out and let us know how you like it! “READ. STUDY. GROW. Connect with God Daily.”
​
Daily Devotions from Max Lucado AND Max Lucado Upwords Devotional is a popular daily Bible devotion. This devotional “offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Max Lucado is a preacher with a storyteller’s gift—a pastor’s heart and a poet’s pen.”
Wisdom from the Psalms daily devotional with Bible verses uses the Psalms “offering wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.”
Daily Living for Seniors devotional from Senior Living Ministries is a popular daily Bible devotion
REMEMBER to check out what is going on at the National ELCA website or our South Central Synod website by clicking on the link from the home page. Don’t forget to click on the Facebook site for more pictures and up-to-date events and messages. (FYI: anyone can go to the Facebook site without being part of Facebook)
​
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO BE “THE HANDS AND FEET FOR CHRIST” HERE AT DEERFIELD LUTHERAN! There are many opportunities! Get involved with our expanding Community Garden. There is planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting that can be done. Make it a Family Affair! There will be opportunities to help at concessions stands sponsored by the DLC beginning with the Ragnar Relay Friday, June 9th as well as other times throughout the summer. Will you be available to help with VBS? Let us know so you can be part of this fun activity!
There are many ways for you to care for other by sharing Christ’s love...
​
This is the Church
We often wonder what the church is; why do people bother with it! Our confirmation students and mentors last year drew two pictures of the church: one group drew the building and the other group drew all the people. Many people see the church as a place to have Faith Milestones “taken care of”: baptism, Sunday School, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Funerals. Others see the church as a place you only attend on festival occasions like Easter and Christmas. But for others, it’s the place where we gather weekly for worship, the place where friendships are developed, where we give and receive, comfort, caring, and love in order to go out into the world to share Christ’s love with others!
​
Deerfield Lutheran Church at it’s best is caring, compassionate, concerned, loving. As members and even nonmembers face health issues, loss, or stressful times or times of celebration, it is the members of our church who reach out with casseroles, warm homemade bread, cards, emails, calls, visits and lots and lots of hugs! This is the church. The television preachers cannot do this nor do many larger churches because they do not know who their members are, but here at Deerfield Lutheran, we know and care about each other. So, THANK YOU for being the church and the Hands and Feet of Christ to those in our community and beyond. This is truly what Deerfield Lutheran Church is all about:
​
“Called in worship to care for others by sharing Christ’s love!”
Challenge Fund..
With only a couple months remaining in 2017,
opportunity to contribute to the Matthew 14:16-21
Fund is winding down. To date $3,735 has been
donated to match $10,000 in challenge pledges. Please
use the special Fund envelopes or be sure to designate
that your contribution is for the Matthew 14 Fund appeal.
​
Jesus said to them … you give them (the crowds) something to eat.
They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”
…he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves…And all
ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over… twelve
baskets full.
​
Long Range/Short Range Planning
The eighth in our series of open discussions regarding the congregation’s financial status was held on Sunday, November 12. It was noted that as we approach the end of the year, we have done quite well as far as our short term goal of reducing or eliminating a potential $20,000 budget deficit this year. With less spending and special fund-raising we should be able to cover 2017 expenses, especially if we have a strong finish to the Matthew 14 Fund drive. Cost savings includes a reduction in health insurance premiums and a donation to cover snow plowing services. Close to $650 was raised via the Ragnar Race concessions and Farmer’s Market bake sales and the Matthew 14 Fund had raised $16,000 by that time. There are now 22 households contributing via automatic transfer, a positive trend and part of the group’s long term strategies.
​
However, the challenge remains. Concerns for 2018 and beyond include the fact that regular giving between January and the end of October was the same as for 2016, despite the increase in automatic transfers. The Matthew 14 Fund was a one-time effort and will not be part of 2018 income. We are steadily losing a generation of faithful and generous members who have sustained the ministry of Deerfield Lutheran over the years; regular giving by subsequent generations is not filling the gap. It was agreed we must keep the congregation aware of the challenges we face.
​
The group decided to close the Matthew 14 Fund drive as of the end of November to keep it separate from folk’s traditional Christmas/year end giving and also to send a Thanksgiving letter sharing information about our financial status and encouraging gifts that reflect true gratitude for our blessings.
​
About 50 people took part in one or more of these discussions during the past months. The level of awareness among members regarding the financial challenges we face has been raised, and there has been a great deal of thinking about our stewardship and about what is essential to carry out our mission as Deerfield Lutheran. Our efforts during 2017 have, in effect, bought a little more time to struggle with how to shape and support our ministry for the years to come. No gathering is scheduled prior to the January Annual Meeting.
Your involvement and ideas will be most welcome as we continue this work.
– Arlie Turnquist, Convener
Advent Event For The Whole Church Family!
We will be holding a family craft event and potluck on Sunday December 3rd at 11am. We will be making Advent Wreaths in preparation for the holidays! We ask that parents and children come after Sunday School and participate in this opportunity for fellowship. Bring your families and a dish to pass (if you wish).
We are looking for donations in order to make the wreaths. Dependent on whether you want a live or fake wreath, we ask that people help us by donating the following supplies:
-fake or live wreaths, greenery
-pink, purple and white pillar candles
-floral foam
-ribbon
-decorative pine-cones
-small plastic candle holders
These are just a few suggestions of items - everyone's wreath can be unique to their family. We would love it if we can get as many people as possible to participate in this fellowship opportunity. If anyone has trouble getting the necessary supplies, but would like to make a wreath, there will be supplies available to those who need it. We will get a sign up sheet posted in the Narthex for potluck dishes. We look forward to beginning the Advent season together.
Thank You!
…to Paula Pritchett for donating the garland for the sanctuary, and the
Brattlie family for putting it up!
…to Jerry & Donna Schultz and Monte & Arlys Kravik for
donating the wreaths for the church
…to the Grams family for donating the Christmas tree
…to all volunteers - we couldn’t do it without you!
…for your donations to the Matthew 14 Fund.
We’ve exceeded our goal!
SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP Do you enjoy visiting with friends over a cup of coffee/tea and a treat on Sundays? Or maybe you prefer fruit and cheese? Could you, your family or group bring refreshments for just ONE Sunday? Each Sunday, the members of Deerfield Lutheran Church share a time of fellowship in the narthex. We share ideas and recent events of our lives with people of similar concerns and faith in God. If you would like to volunteer for this important task, see the sign up for SUNDAY HOSPITALTY TREATS on the Opportunities Board in the narthex. Thank you to all who have provided treats for our Fellowship Time.
Hat/Mitten Collection
The Outreach Committee is currently collecting hats, mittens, and scarves.
Look for the donation basket in the narthex.
​
New Members Sunday - December 3rd
On December 3rd, Deerfield Lutheran will welcome new members. We will also be celebrating the milestone of Baptism with two families
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: Is there someone you know who needs the warmth and love of a prayer shawl or lap-robe? Let Phyllis Rude, Danielle Schultz, Debbie Sexe or the church office know. Remember this ministry can be done by you as you crochet, knit, quilt or donate money for the yarns that are used. Check when the next crocheting and knitting time will be held so you can learn how to knit or crochet and help us with this ministry! The Shawl Ministry is an important ministry showing love, comfort and hope to those in our community. The next Crochet/Knitting Group Times are at noon in October; check calendar for Sundays. All are welcome to come. Come and learn how to knit or crochet, work on a project you are doing or just to visit with other members of the congregation.
There is yarn available in Arlene's corner located at the top of the stairs by the lift.
CALLING PHOTOGRAPHS: Activities at the church go on continually. Take your phone or camera and snap a picture so that we can share what is happening on Facebook, on the screen in the narthex, on our website and put in our photo-archives. Please send them to dlchurchoffice@gmail.com or to pastorsexe@gmail.com.
​
Do you have any church notices that you would like posted on the church website, Facebook or in the Independent? Please send them to sarbed@hotmail.com
​
Are you in the KNOW? Keep up to date on the happenings at Deerfield Lutheran through the weekly bulletins, monthly Echo, Facebook, Website, and talking to others members.
​
There are many ways for you to care for others by sharing Christ’s love
UPCOMING EVENTS
​
Deerfield Lutheran Church presents....
A Christmas Star
Please join us Sunday, December 17th at 4:30 pm for our Sunday School Christmas Program. The kids are excited to share their production of the Christmas story. All are welcome!
CHECK CHURCH CALENDAR and FACEBOOK
FOR OTHER EVENTS AND TIMES
Time to collect Hats and Mittens in the basket in the narthex.
There are many ways for you to care for others by sharing Christ’s love
Church Council Meeting Summary
Submitted By: Nicole Rothe
Please Note: This meeting summary is not intended to represent or replace meeting minutes. It is a general summary of the meeting to convey information to congregation members prior to the official approval of the minutes.
​
​
Church Council Meeting Summary Submitted By: Nicole Rothe
Please Note: This meeting summary is not intended to represent or replace meeting minutes. It is a general summary of the meeting to convey information to congregation members prior to the official approval of the minutes.
Tuesday, November 21st, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.
-
Approved Minutes from September meeting.
-
Treasurer’s Report
-
Approved October Treasurer’s Report.
-
-
Pastor’s Report
-
6th Grade Confirmation Students are beginning as acolytes and will continue meeting monthly with a parent as we study the Lord’s Prayer. 9th Grade students are working on their service projects with their mentors. 7th and 8th grade students are serving as acolytes and doing KAIR group activities. 7th – 9th grade will resume meeting weekly on Wednesdays in January.
-
New Members will be received on Sunday, December 3rd. We will be receiving at least 9 new members, which include 3 who will be baptized that Sunday! There are also families whose children have received First Communion at DLC who are potential new members but have not yet made the decision to join.
-
Anyone who is interested in adult Bible study – we meet at 8 am on Sunday's prior to worship in my study. We just began a study of Exodus.
-
Nicole Rothe, Darcy Schenkel, and myself have been reading John Krahn’s book From Surviving To Thriving: A Practical Guide To Revitalizing Your Church. In 2018 I hope we can continue to share ideas from this book with all of you. It’s encouraging that our Long Range/Short Range Planning Group - without the benefit of reading this book! - has done things Krahn says need to be done. First, stop making excuses and do something! Second, get your Church’s Financial House In Order by sharing budget shortfalls with the entire membership. Please review the reports from our planning meeting regarding what has been accomplish so far. I thank everyone who has stepped up to address these challenges. As of this report we are just short of reaching our $20,000. goal for the Matthew 14 matching funds campaign and with the letter that was sent out last week I am confident we will accomplish that.
-
I plan to be to be out of town on Sunday, December 31st. Jackie Hansen has again volunteered to preach or lead a carol sing for worship that Sunday. Thank you, Jackie!
-
Education & Youth and Family
-
Christmas program is on December 17th at 4:30pm.
-
Advent Wreath-making event and Potluck on December 3rd after Sunday school at 11:00am.
-
10 kids attended the Stoughton FCA meeting last night. Middle and High School age kids meet and talk about their backgrounds. Spoke about choices last night as the topic. Gave advice on what to place importance on in Middle School and High School. Go again in January. UW has them all in for Athletes in Action – in February.
-
Bucks Family and Faith Night on February 27th. Find out who’s interested in attending.
-
Breakfast this month – not as many kids, but they are still coming. Meet at 7:00am. Next one is December 22nd at Jodi Fisher’s house. Will put something in bulletin for monetary contributions to help fund the breakfasts.
-
Fellowship
-
Reformation Fellowship went well.
-
December 3rd – New Member Fellowship – Items for potluck would be appreciated.
-
Decorating the church: December 3rd garland goes up. Christmas Tree arrives on December 10th.
-
Electronic sign-up is going well so far – using for acolytes – kids are signing up, but want to be sure everyone can acolyte as well.
-
Crochet group – haven’t done anything in November with people gone or busy with other activities. Looking at a Wednesday for the trip to Milwaukee to visit the Brenda Moe’s crochet group at UW Milwaukee. Date TBD.
-
Outreach
-
Still need mitten, hats and scarves. Not as many as hoped for. Need for school-aged children at this time.
-
-
Next Meeting:
-
Council Meeting: Tuesday, December 19th, 2017 at 6:00pm.
-
Congregation Council
Committee Chairs & Officers
​
Pastor Larry Sexe - President
608-764-5566
Darcy Schenkel - President Elect/Finance Committee 608-764-3003
Nicole Rothe - Council Secretary
608-764-3119
Tammy Ament - Council Treasurer
608-764-3121
Jenn Brattlie 608-712-1768
Jen Lees 608-345-2777
Education Committee Co-Chairs
Phyllis Rude 608-764-5663
Debbie Sexe 608-764-3129
Fellowship Committee Co-Chairs
Vacant - Mission Teams Committee
Mary Wagner 608-347-8287
Debby Haberkorn 608-764-2538
Outreach Committee Co-Chairs
Gary Borgrud - Property Committee
608-843-8402
Brad Schenkel - Stewardship Committee
608-764-3003
Jane Holland - Worship & Music Committee
608-764-5389
Jenn Brattlie 608-712-1768
Jen Lees 608-345-2777
Youth & Family Committee Co-Chairs
Church Office 608-764-5566
​
Mission Statement:
Called in worship to care for others by sharing Christ's Love!
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS November 5 - December 3, 2017
SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP Do you enjoy visiting with friends over a cup of coffee/tea and a treat on Sundays? Or maybe you prefer fruit and cheese? Could you, your family or group bring refreshments for just ONE Sunday? Each Sunday, the members of Deerfield Lutheran Church share a time of fellowship in the narthex. We share ideas and recent events of our lives with people of similar concerns and faith in God. If you would like to volunteer for this important task, see the sign up for SUNDAY HOSPITALTY TREATS on the Opportunities Board in the narthex. Thank you to all who have provided treats for our Fellowship Time.
​
Thank you Volunteers!
We couldn’t do it without you!
Thank You!
…to Paula Pritchett for donating the garland for the sanctuary, and the
Brattlie family for putting it up!
…to Jerry & Donna Schultz and Monte & Arlys Kravik for
donating the wreaths for the church
…to the Grams family for donating the Christmas tree
…to all volunteers - we couldn’t do it without you!
…for your donations to the Matthew 14 Fund.
We’ve exceeded our goal!
Condolences…
…to Barry Mulhall and family as they mourn
for his father, John Mulhall
PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE WHEN…
Call 608-764-5566 or email dlchurchoffice@gmail.com
· You have a change of home address, phone number or email address.
**especially if you no longer have a “land line”**
· A member of your family is admitted to the hospital.
· Your committee or group plans a meeting or cancels a meeting.
· A new baby arrives in your family.
· A death occurs in your family.
· You or a member of your family leaves home for college.
· You or a family member is graduating from high school/college.
· You have a prayer request for worship.
· You need transportation to worship or any other church event.
· You have a prayer request for the “Prayer Chain”.
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS
Acolytes, Readers, Lay Assistants, Greeters, Communion Servers - please contact Angie at dlchurchoffice@gmail.com or 764-5566 if you know of dates you prefer to serve during the year. This would help greatly with the job of scheduling. Ushers can contact Dave Lemke at 764-5206. Also please inform the office of a substitute if you are not available as scheduled.
​
Everyone, please keep in mind, there is always training available for new additions to the rotation.
​
Additional volunteers are welcomed!