THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER “Serve, Teach, and Love...

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

NEWSLETTER “Serve, Teach, and Love As We Grow In Faith”

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APRIL 2017

The Empty Grave: Fact or Fiction

Abraham Lincoln never claimed to be a Christian. His closest friends agreed that Lincoln

was not a Christian in any orthodox sense of the word, regardless of the religious language

in some of his speeches. Lincoln was not believed to be a “Christian” at age 20 nor at age

50.

When he was making an old woman's will, he could, at her request, repeat for her a psalm

he had memorized. After the death of their young son, Eddie, Mary joined the Presbyte-

rian church and Lincoln rented a pew in the church, and became friendly with the minister; but he would not himself

become a church member. He said, “Probably it is to be my lot to go on in a twilight, feeling and reasoning my way

through life, as questioning, doubting Thomas did.”

It was still the day of Jesus’ Resurrection. His closest followers were holed up “behind closed doors” as they were

afraid that they would be next to be arrested. Jesus appeared to those who were present and sent them out into the

world to share His Spirit with all.

Thomas was not with the disciples when Jesus appeared and, when the others told him what had taken place in his

absence, he refused to believe in the Risen Savior without visual proof. Eight days later Jesus appeared again, this

time in Thomas’ presence. Jesus told Thomas to touch the holes in his hands and side. Thomas responded with, “My

Lord and my God!” Jesus then said, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet be-

lieve!”

I find it interesting that Abraham Lincoln apparently could not grasp the concept of a Savior who would die for his

sins. As he himself said, he preferred to “reason” his way through life. It causes me to wonder if his lack of faith in a

Risen Savior has anything to do with the lack of joy found in most pictures and depictions of Lincoln. I also wonder

about Thomas, who traveled with and listened as Jesus told his followers (many times) that he would have to die and

then would return in three days. How could he refuse to believe in the Risen Savior without absolute proof. And yet

today, in 2017, there are millions who did not witness Jesus’ resurrection and yet believe that it is true.

I am absolutely convinced, without a doubt that Jesus not only died on the cross, but that he was resurrected on the

third day. For me, the empty grave is absolute fact. How do I know without a doubt? Because I have felt Jesus’ grace

wash over my life, cleansing me of the sin of my past. I am witness to the positive changes Jesus’ life, death, and res-

urrection have made in my life. He removed my anger issues long ago. His presence and influence have benefited

my relationships, my family, and my own self-image.

My prayer for you this Easter is that God gives you the ability to see with new eyes what Jesus’ death and resurrection

can and will do to give you new life and a joy beyond words.

Easter Blessings,

Pastor Kathy

UMC NEWSLETTER APRIL 2017

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APR 1 Vernon Gjerseth

APR 2 Mary Jelinek

APR 4 Basil Holder

APR 5 Leanne Kappen

APR 6 Bob Rush

APR 8 Breanne Caponigro

APR 9 Dick Hilliker

APR 13 Jeremey Brown

Sam Rogstad

APR 15 Jody Elmore

APR 16 Paul McCann

APR 19 Steve Hansen

APR 20 Donna Dolesy

Jim Ward

APR 22 Cole Casper

APR 23 Danielle Dolsey

APR 25 Anita Berry

Mara Ransom

APR 28 Zack Olson

APR 7 Dean & Diann Will

APR 12 Glenn & Selena Casper

APR 13 Tim & Kay Finch

APR 17 Mike & Leanne Kappen

APR 24 Patrick & Lea Coville

APR 26 Steve & Dina Hansen

APR 27 Howard & Kristie Gomer

Jeremey & Stacy Brown

Palm Sunday, April 9 Worship Service 9:00 a.m.

Maundy Thursday, April 13 Communion Service 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday, April 14 Taize’ Worship Service 7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday, April 16 Sunrise Service 7:30 a.m.

Easter Breakfast 8:00-9:00 a.m.

Easter Worship 9:00 a.m.

YOUR UMC NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE ONLINE.

You can view it on our website at brfumc.org, or we can email it to you

each month. Let us know if you would prefer this way of reading your

monthly newsletter.


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United Methodist Women – A Call to Community

Won’t you join us?

What? North Central District UMW Spring Retreat

Who? All UMW Members can participate.

Where? Pine Lake Camp

When? Saturday, April 29 – 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Why? To explore with speaker Karen Stimeling “Finding Balance”. Welcome to a day in spiritual community as

we share together our walk on the tightrope of the wonderful life God has given us. Balancing work/home/

church activities can create a myriad of emotions and possibly a disconnect from the God we serve. We look

forward to our time together as we develop a “balance” strategy.

How much? The registration fee of $15 includes lunch and materials.

How? Look for a registration form on the UMW kiosk display in the Gathering Area. Completed registration forms

with the fee are due to the church office by April 7. We will car pool to Pine Lake.

From response… Mission projects sometimes happen close to home. The March issue of response reports on the UMW Claudia Circle of the

Whitefish Bay, WI UMC. For over 35 years UMW members in this Circle have collected donated fabrics, washed, pressed

and cut quilting strips for twin-sized quilts.

“The 23 women of the Claudia Circle put faith, hope and love into action through their service. They’ve donated more than

400 quilts to women’s shelters in the Milwaukee area, to United Methodist Children’s Services of WI and to the Sojourner

Family Peace Center. “

“The faithful, talented women of the Claudia Circle have been led for 35 years by Betty Stuckert, who has been a member of

the church for more than 50 years. She continues at the age of 91 to organize meetings and keeps in touch with members and

shut-ins.”

On the UMW book shelf… Extraordinary Grace by Gary Chapman and Chris Fabry: These authors search Scripture for examples of God’s grace in the

lives of those named in Jesus’ lineage, but what they find are people with faults just like the rest of us. In Extraordinary

Grace you will hear the call of grace, laugh and be overtaken by grace and know the extraordinary grace that comes from lov-

ing Jesus.

Dates for your calendar… April 3 Circle Meetings: Martha at 9 AM at the church, Circle of Hope at 1:30 PM at the church,

Circle of Faith at 5:30 PM at Denny’s Restaurant

April 7 Registrations due in the church office for North Central Spring Retreat

April 29 North Central Spring Retreat at Pine Lake Camp

May 1 Circle Meetings


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ALTAR FLOWERS

MAR 12 In memory of Francis & Dorothy

Harmer given by their family.

RADIO BROADCASTS

MAR 12 In memory of Dorothy Harmer,

whose birthday was March 12, and

Francis Harmer, whose birthday was

March 23, sponsored by their family.

March 19, 2017

Camden Timothy Collins

Son of Thomas & Andrea Collins

Sincere sympathy is extended to the family and friends of

Myrtle Kelley who passed away on March 18, 2017.

Memorial Gifts UNDESIGNATED FUND

In Memory Of:

Warren Loveland from the Chuck & Ruth Buswell

MUSIC FUND

In Memory Of:

Warren Loveland from Margaret Rewald

Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, when Jesus and his disciples dined together for the last time before his death. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word for commandment (mandatum), which Jesus talked about when he told his disciples that he was leav-ing them “a new commandment,” that they “love one another...just as I have loved you, so you are to love each other.” Although the focus of the Maundy Thursday ser-vice is Jesus’ institution of Holy Communion.

Maundy Thursday Last Supper

Depiction and Communion Service:

April 13, 7:00 pm


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REMINDER: Sunday School begins at 9:20 a.m. and

ends at 10:15 a.m. (Children are encouraged to attend

church with their families at 9:00 a.m. They will be dis-

missed to go to Sunday School following the Children’s

Message). The Sunday School classrooms are unsuper-

vised until 9:20 a.m. Please remain with your child until an

adult arrives.

Like our Facebook page Black River Falls Sunday School

to see photos of our activities. You can also go to the

church’s website, www.brfumc.org for photos and other

information.

YOUTH BIRTHDAYS

APR 6 Stephanie Brauner

APR 12 Annaliese Rave

APR 30 Lauren Lund

FAMILY SUNDAY: There will be NO Family Sunday in

April because of Easter Sunday, however the Sunday

School classes will be singing with the Choir on Palm

Sunday, April 9 during Special Music. Sunday School

will resume after Special Music.

ROTATION MODEL: The Sunday School classes will

continue doing the “Symbols of Holy Week” Rotation

Model in April. In this Rotation the children will read

stories related to the Holy Week and will learn the events

of the Holy Week. Ask your child about the “Resurrection

Eggs” we have been using in the classrooms.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!!!!

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL EASTER SUNDAY, April

16,. There will be 2 Worship Services offered at 7:30

a.m. and 9:00 a.m. After the 7:30 a.m. Worship Ser-

vice, join us in the Fellowship Hall for a breakfast to

raise money for the Trunk or Treat event that will be

held in October.

SUNDAY SCHOOL YEAR END PROGRAM, “Fun in

the Son”, will be held May 21 at 9:00 a.m. Watch for

more info in the May newsletter. An email will also be

sent.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be held August 14-

17. A meal will be served from 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

with a VBS start time of 6:00 p.m. We are in need of

substitutes, teachers, and helpers for VBS. Contact

Beth Bue if you are able to help us out.

RECYCLING: Thank you to everyone who has brought

in ink cartridges and cell phones for recycling. This fund-

raiser is used to purchase Vacation Bible School supplies.

Please continue bringing in your ink cartridges and old

cell phones. There are boxes in the front entryway, by the

Church Office, and by the Youth Rooms for the ink car-

tridges and cell phones.

If you know of someone who is in the hos-pital or who is working through medical issues at home, please call the church of-fice so that the Pastor is aware of the need and can respond accordingly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ If you know of an individual or family that is working through health issues, hospitali-zation, or some other crisis and could benefit from the gift of a meal, please call the church office and Jill will pass the in-formation to our Caring Meal Crew.


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Youth Group Happenings: :

April 5: Lenten Worship/Youth Group

April 12: Youth Group



Upcoming Lenten Worship Reminders

(Please attend with your family the following):

April 9 Palm Sunday Service 9:00 a.m.

April 13 Maundy Thursday Service 7:00 p.m.

April 14 Good Friday Service 7:00 p.m.

April 16: Easter Sunrise Service 7:30 a.m.

Easter Worship Service 9:00 a.m.

Our Church Family Night menu for the month of April: April 5 Cold Sandwiches Chips Raw Veggies Desserts Beverages April 12 Holy Week—No Dinner April 19 Barbecues Chips Baked Beans Desserts Beverages April 26 Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwiches , Tomato Soup Desserts Beverages Every week there will be hot dogs and peanut but-ter/jelly available. Plan to join us on Wednesday evenings. Everyone Welcome!! A free-will offering of $4.00 per person or $10.00 per family is requested if you are able to pay. Your contributions for the meals will help us to be able to continue this program and have meals available for our youth each week. Thank you.

There’s still time to

sign up for summer camp!!!!

Summer Camps for all ages are pro-

vided at Pine Lake and Lake Lu-

cerne. The power of camp is lifelong

friendships, outdoor adventure, positive Christian

role models, and meaningful conversations. The

campers that attend camp share with us how their

faith is strengthened and how they become closer to

God. If you are interested in attending camp this

summer check out www.WIUMCamps.org or con-

tact camp coordinators, Beth Bue 715-284-7494 or

Suzanne Goldsmith 715-896-0224.

Come and Eat Easter Breakfast with your Church Family! Sunday, April 16 - 8:00-9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Menu: Crockpot Eggs, Cinnamon Rolls, Mini Muffins, Fresh Fruit, Juice, and Coffee

Free-Will Donation Proceeds will go toward candy for Trunk or Treat here in our church parking lot in October

http://www.WIUMCamps.org


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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE:

Did you know that you can sponsor the Bulletins or the Radio Broadcast on a Sunday in memory or in honor of loved ones? The cost is:

Bulletins—$20.00 per Sunday

Radio Broadcast—$100.00 per Sunday You can also provide Altar Flowers for a special Sunday. Please call Jill in the Church Office (715-284-4114) to schedule the Sunday of your choice.

Health Kits for

Homeless Shelters and Programs Can you imagine starting your day without

being able to brush your teeth or not having soap

and a wash cloth with which to wash your face? The

Mission Outreach Committee will soon be packing

health kits for homeless men, women, and children

at Harbor House, Superior, WI and at Northcott

Center, Milwaukee.

Each of these health kits will cost approxi-

mately $15 to $18. To defray these costs, a special

collection will be held during the worship service on

May 7. If you choose to write a check, please make

the check payable to the Black River Falls United

Methodist Church and write “Health Kits” in the

memo line.

In 2016, thanks to the generosity of this con-

gregation, the committee was able to pack 32 kits.

All of the items for each kit must fit into a one gal-

lon zip-lock plastic bag. We have an ample inven-

tory of unused zip-lock plastic bags from previous

years, so let’s now try to fill them!

Good Friday, also known as "Holy Friday," is the Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday. Good Friday commemorates the day Jesus died on the cross. Jesus was believed to have died the Friday before the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday).

Why is Good Friday referred to as “good”? What the Jewish authorities and Romans did to Jesus was defi-nitely not good (see Matthew chapters 26-27). How-ever, the results of Christ’s death are very good! “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) We learn in I Peter 3:18 that, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.” So, although Friday was not a “good” day for Jesus, through Jesus God made Friday a good day for all of us, who are redeemed through Jesus’ death.

This year we will offer a combined Taize’/Tenebrae worship service with reflective singing, meditative read-ings, and the extinguishing of the candles in the sanctu-ary.

Good Friday Taize’/Tenebrae Worship Ser-vice: April 14, 7:00 pm


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Van Etta Library Book Review

I Second the Emotion: Untangling Our Zany Feelings by Patsy Clairmont

Author Patsy Clairmont tackles a subject most women feel at a loss to approach—their feelings. She takes one of the most popular topics at the Women of Faith conferences and shows how we can deal with a turbulent emotional life. This book is about helping us to untangle those emotions, finding where they hide and exposing them to God's grace. The author's command of God's Word, and unique humor bounce the reader between laughter and tears, helping us find grace, freedom, and a sense of humor in life's darkest times. Let God help you get untangled! You will find this book in the nonfiction section, call number 284.4 CL Rhoda Gulso

PRAYER FAMILIES FOR APRIL

APR 2 Jeff, Cheryl & Danielle Dolsey

Todd, Lyn, and Matthew Gates

Judy Hansen

Jim, Andrea, Zach, Amelia, & Madelyn Hoffman

APR 9 Mark, Carol & McKenna Jarrett

Mary Loveland

Rose Moldenhauer

Bob & Elaine Ott

APR 16 Rich & Marlee Slifka

Alan & Paula Voskuil

Tyler Bue

David, Rita & Ryan Casper

APR 23 David Hammond

Russ, Amy, Karsten & Zowie Hunter

Mya Long

Richard Onstad

APR 30 Marge Paulin

Jerome Bjerke

Jeff, Barb, Nathan & Nicholas Hagenbrock

John & Sue Lindahl

BRF UMC Calendar of Events—APRIL 2017

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.—Women’s Retreat

SUNDAY, APRIL 2

9:00 a.m.—Worship Service

9:20 a.m.—Sunday School

10:15 a.m.—UMC Choir Practice

10:20 a.m.—Crisis 101 Small Group

5:30 p.m.—Crisis 101 Small Group

MONDAY, APRIL 3

Pastor Kathy Day Off

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

9:00 a.m.—Martha Circle Meeting at church

1:30 p.m.—Circle of Hope Meeting at church

5:30 p.m.—Circle of Faith Meeting at Denny’s

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5

9:00 a.m.—Prayer Group

4:30-6:00 p.m.—Church Family Night Meal

6:00 p.m.—Youth Group

6:00 p.m.—Lenten Café Worship Service

6:30 p.m.—Bell Choir Practice

7:30 p.m.—Spirit! Practice

THURSDAY, APRIL 6


SATURDAY, APRIL 8

8:30 a.m.—Men’s Group Meeting

SUNDAY, APRIL 9




10:20 a.m.—Crisis 101 Small Group


MONDAY, APRIL 10



5:15 p.m.—Youth Crisis 101 Small Group

TUESDAY, APRIL 11

5:30 p.m.—Board of Trustees Meeting

5:30 p.m.—Finance Committee Meeting

6:30 p.m.—Administrative Council Meeting

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12


10:10 a.m.—Book Club

NO Church Family Night Meal



7:00 p.m.—Spirit! Practice

THURSDAY, APRIL 13

7:00 p.m.—Maundy Thursday Communion Service

FRIDAY, APRIL 14

7:00 p.m.—Good Friday Taize’ Worship Service

SUNDAY, APRIL 16

7:30 a.m.—Sunrise Worship Service

8:00-9:00 a.m.—Easter Breakfast

9:00 a.m.—Easter Worship Service

MONDAY, APRIL 17



WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19





7:00 p.m.—UMC Choir Practice

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

9:00 a.m.— Worship Service



MONDAY, APRIL 24



WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26



5:00 p.m.—PreCon



7:00 p.m.—UMC Choir Practice

SUNDAY, APRIL 30




THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER “Serve, Teach, and Love...

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