Thursday, February 16th from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
at Living Hope Lutheran Church in Saukville ( 851 W. Dekora Street)
(convenient for congregations in the northern part of our synod)
           and
Saturday, February 26th from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Milwaukee (3022 W. Wisconsin Avenue)
(Convenient for congregations in our Milwaukee I, II, III and IV clusters)

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO COME SHARE AND LEARN!  BRING YOUR QUESTIONS!!

St. Olaf College Handbell Choir

Saturday, February 26th

7:30 P.M.

Our Savior’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

W299 N5782 County Road E

Hartland, WI

262-367-6000

You are invited to attend a wonderful concert coming up at Our Savior’s in Hartland.  The concert will also include other instruments with handbells including flute, cello, voice, percussion, and harp.

The concert will be at Mt. Hope Lutheran Church in West Allis…for directions click HERE.

Thus says the LORD: "Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil." Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely separate me from his people"; and let not the eunuch say, "Behold, I am a dry tree." For thus says the LORD: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. "And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant– these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, "I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered." (Isaiah 56:1-8)

Laura Bachman has asked me to pass this on to you:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Spirit of the Lord has been stirring in the hearts of a number of Christians in this community. For myself, the Lord brought to my attention the lack of a place where Christians can find access to worship, prayer, and fellowship 24/7. My daughter mentioned it to me after her one-year-old daughter, running a high fever, spent four hours in the emergency room in the middle of the night. The church is not nearly as accessible for meeting people’s spiritual needs as the world is for meeting people’s physical needs.

There are such places in other cities. Check out the International House of Prayer in Kansas City or in the Twin Cities.

This Sunday afternoon, October 12, you are invited to the Nazarene Church at 100 E. Jefferson for a discussion about creating a place that would be accessible to people seeking an opportunity to worship, to pray with someone, to be referred to other community resources, but mostly to find shelter under His wings in the presence of followers of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Jason Baumeister of the Nazarene Church will be hosting the meeting.

The meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m., and there will be light refreshments.

You may contact me if you have any questions. Please prayerfully consider joining this important discussion, and I encourage you to bring a friend who might share the vision.

Blessings,

Laura Bachman
LauraBachman@wi.rr.com
262-767-7499

Please e-mail Chris Bennett at bennett73@gmail.com with the following information:

• Members of your family,
• home address
• home/mobile phone numbers
• e-mail address
• anniversaries and birthdays for the members of your family.

Also include any areas of church with which your family has been involved (Church Council, Sunday School, etc.) and any areas of church with which your family wishes to be involved.

E-mail Chris Bennett or call him at 262 514-4505 with any questions.

Thanks and God bless.

Saturday, October 4 from 9am-Noon

$29 per couple Single $15

At Riverwood Community Church

6919 McHenry St Burlington

The laugh you way to a better marriage seminar is designed to help couples deal with tough issues in a way that is fun and non-threatening. Through the seminar couples will:

· Experience immediate, positive change to their marriage

· Learn to better understand each other’s needs.

· Improve their communication

· Rekindle their romance

For more information: 262-539-2383 or Register at LAUGHYOURWAY.COM

All women are invited to the 21st annual convention of Women of the ELCA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, on October 2 and 3.  Jan Fox, of Ascension Lutheran Church, is chair of the convention.  She has chosen the theme, “Here I Am, Lord.  Send Me.”

The convention site will be St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa.  Please publicize this among women in your church.  Registrations are still accepted; contact Robin Fatla, Convention Registrar, at 262 377-0046.  Other convention information is available in the “Gleanings,” the quarterly newsletter which is mailed to each Pastor and to the Women of each congregation in the Greater Milwaukee Synod.

Bible verse: “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus

for good works, which God prepared to be our way of life.” (Eph. 2:10)

Convention Workshop Topics and Presenters

At this year’s convention Jan fox has planed a variety of workshop opportunities which will introduce us to new service opportunities in the Milwaukee area.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY – Jeri Kavanaugh  Jeri is Director of ReStore, which sells new and used donated home improvement items to the public.  Previously she was the Volunteer Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity.

BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS – Kathy Miller  Kathy Is the Director of Recruitment and Community Partnership for Metro Milwaukee and Waukesha Big Brothers, Big Sisters.  She focuses on building relationships with businesses, professional associations, churches, and community organizations to spread awareness of Big Brothers, Big Sisters and to recruit adult volunteers.

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES – Carla Schultz    Carla coordinates the Foster Care Clothing Bank, which provides free clothing to foster children and other social service agencies.  In August she coordinates a Back-to-School event with over 100 people participating.

INTERFAITH OLDER ADULT PROGRAM – Lisa Kallman    Lisa is Assistant Executive Director of Interfaith Older Adult Programs, Inc.  She will present a general overview of the agency history, the formation of its programs, the services it provides, and the opportunities for volunteering.

YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY –  Maria Negron     Maria (Lulu) is the leader of the Youth and Family Ministry team at Ascension Lutheran Church.  She finished her certification this past year as a Youth Minister and is a member of the Youth and Family Network of the greater Milwaukee Synod.  As a volunteer at Ascension, she mentors the Youth Group as they plan and organize activities, including Youth and Family Night.  She is also a member of the Board of Latino Ministry and a mentor for Camp Hope.

NEXT DOOR FOUNDATION – Mary Conlon  Mary is the Major Gifts Coordinator for the Next Door Foundation, which is rooted in a Lutheran tradition, supporting the intellectual, physical, spiritual and emotional development of children so they become self-sufficient and contributing members of the community.  During the presentation, participants will get an overview of Next Door’s history and learn how education and family literacy programs are impacting the lives of low-income families.  They will also review different ways volunteers can get involved in preparing neighborhood children for success.

Convention Offerings and In-Kind Gifts

The SWO Convention offerings this year will be divided between the Churchwide Women’s Organization and Habitat for Humanity.

The In-Kind gifts will be collected for the Lutheran Social Services Foster Care Kids and their Mentoring Program.  The following items are especially appreciated for the Foster Care program: large diapers, socks, underwear, crayons (24 pack), fat markers (8-pack), and pocket folders.  The mentoring program especially appreciates:  movie cards, gas cards, and entertainment cards.

Teresa is a member of Peace and a survivor of breast cancer. In the five years she has been cancer free she has lived life with that special kind of energy and gratitude to God that comes when you have looked death in the face and lived to tell about it.  We were given the privilege of supporting her with our prayers during her time of trial and we are privileged to offer her support her once again  as she helps other women who are fighting the good fight. I also want you to keep praying for Kristie Korducki, the daughter of Edie Landry (herself a breast cancer survivor) who is fighting a very difficult battle against breast cancer as we speak.

Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.  See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.  Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 

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Hello, I wanted to let you know that I’m taking part in the Susan G. Komen Milwaukee Race for the Cure® on Sunday, September 28, 2008.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure® raises money to fight against breast cancer.  The best part is that up to 75% of funds raised stay in the local Milwaukee area for education, screening, research and treatment.

You can make an online donation of $25, $50, $100 or any amount by visiting my personal donation page and helping me reach my fundraising goal.  The link is at the bottom of this email.
Thanks!

Teresa Forseth
Login HERE to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Milwaukee Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

The Apostle Paul said: All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;  (19)  that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? How does the Cross of Christ effect how you live your everyday life with other people? In what ways do your desires, anger, bitterness, fears, worries, or frustrations destroy the gift of peace that God has promised you (John 14:27, John 16:33, John 20:21)? How can the people of Peace be more faithful disciples by being Peacemakers in our  community? These are just of few of the questions we will address throughout the fall in the weekly sermons and adult Bible study.

God willing this sermon series will equip us to be more effective as we work hard to  carry out Christ’s ministry of reconciliation to our community and point others to Jesus Christ .

Click HERE to read a previous post I wrote on Peacemaker Ministries and how their work relates to being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I am convinced that being CHRIST Centered CROSS Focused PEACEMAKERS is so important for our mission as the people of Peace I will be leading the Peacemaker Bible study twice each Sunday:
During Sunday School 9:15 AM and after the second service at 11:30 AM

September 21st: Real Peace
Key Text: Colossians 1:15-20
Bible Study:  Conflict is an opportunity to glorify God.

September 28th: The Powerful Witness of Unity
Key Text: Ephesians 4:1-6
Bible Study: Living at peace with one another, and with our enemies is a key to our Christian witness.

October 5th: Finding Peace through a Prompt “You Turn”
Key Text: Luke 12:13-15
Bible Study: God uses conflict to reveal our idols.

October 12th: The Silence that Stifles True Happiness
Key Text: Psalm 32
Bible Study: Confession brings us freedom to live for God and others.

October 19th: Criticism and the Cross
Key Texts: Proverbs 9:9, Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 13:10, Proverbs 15:32, Proverbs 17:10 .
Bible Study: Constructive correction is a sign of genuine love.

October 26th: Discipline is God’s Gift and Blessing to the Church
Key Text: Matthew 18:12-22
Bible Study: Discipline is God’s gift and blessing to the church.

November 2nd: The Welcoming Father and His Three Sons
Key Text: Luke 15:1-32
Bible Study: Our forgiveness shows what we think of God’s forgiveness.

November 9th: Our Church: A Dwelling Place for God?
Key Text: Ephesians 2:19-22
Bible Study: Christ overcame evil with good and he empowers us to do the same.

Calling all people of Peace …..and friends! You are invited to gather together to get a "big picture" overview of God’s Story in the Old and New Testaments.  Here is a description of the Bible Overview from the introduction to the workbook:

Have you ever tried putting together a jigsaw puzzle
without a picture of what it is meant to look like when it
is all assembled? It is almost impossible to fit the pieces together properly unless you know what you are aiming for.
   This short course is designed to give you an understanding of the Bible as a whole. Like the jigsaw, it is much harder to understand any one part of the Bible if you don’t have some grasp of the whole book. Once you have this overview of the book, some of the smaller parts don’t seem so confusing or difficult to understand.
       This is a course for everyone, from children to grandparents, from students of the Bible to those who are reading it for the first time. It is designed to work like a guided tour. We provide a map, explain the route, and point out landmarks and signposts along the way. It is our hope that this will mean that you can come back to the Bible on your own, confident that you know the terrain. May God reward you on your travels.
     Inside the pages of the workbook you will find the 15 stages of the unfolding story of the Bible as they will be explained during The Bible Overview presentations. To explain each stage, we have included:
• a verse or two from the Bible which introduces or summarizes the stage
• a picture and summary word to make it easy to remember the details of each stage
• a short explanation of what the stage is about, so that you can remind yourself of it after the course is finished
• a few extra Bible verses for use in the Old Testament and New Testament presentations

The confirmation class will be there and we are hoping that parents and other adults will also attend. This Bible overview is simple to understand and accurately shows how all the Scriptures are about how God appointed Jesus Christ the saving ruler of God’s kingdom (Luke 24:13-53)

Click HERE to see a sample screenshot of the Complete Picture.