Dear Members and Friends,

In the August edition of “The Voice,” I mentioned that our Long-Range Planning Committee was working on a vision statement for our congregation. I am pleased to say that that particular task has been completed!

In the weeks that lie ahead, the Long-Range Planning Committee will submit this congregational vision statement to its members for feedback, and will also submit for approval, its five year ministry plan for the congregation at the Voters’ Meeting in January of 2007.

As you read each part of the pro-posed vision statement, ask your-self the following questions:

1. How will each part of this vision statement help me with my own journey of faith?

2. How will each part of this vision statement affect my priorities, attitudes, and behaviors?

Without any further delay, please permit me to share the vision statement of the Long-Range Planning Committee:

We envision Christ Lutheran Church to be a diverse community of

- forgiven sinners with a passion for an intimate rela-tionship with Christ

- eternity-focused believers deeply concerned about the spiritual health of all people: members and non-mem-bers, believers and non-believers

- enthusiastic worshipers gathering regularly to be refreshed by God’s Word and Sacraments to praise Him

- faithful disciples living daily as Christ’s representatives to their family, school, workplace, neighborhood, commu-nity, and the world at large

- Spirit-filled people equipped to use their gifts for the strengthening of Christ’s Kingdom

- foot-washers who actively seek to express Christ’s love by joyfully serving others

- eager Bible students committed to life-long faith development

- of prayer warriors approaching God’s throne on behalf of others

- friends, loving, encouraging, and walking alongside one another

- creating an environment where people desire to be.

I want to take this opportunity to express my grati-tude to the members of the Long-Range Planning Committee for the numerous hours they have donated to help us develop a mission statement, a vision state-ment, and a five year ministry plan! Each member has been a joy to work with!

Before closing, I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to those members of the con-gregation that prayed for the work of the Long-Range Planning Committee, encouraged its members, and submitted feedback! Your prayers, encouragement, and feedback have been deeply, deeply appreciated! May our gracious God bless you for your kindness!

In His Service,

Pastor Pat

Christ Lutheran Church • 1300 Townline Rd., Wausau, WI 54403 • 715-848-2040 • www.clc-wausau.org • Nov. 2006

“Our mission is to help all people know Jesus as their Savior and grow in relationship with Him.”

Vision statement proposal for review

NovemberInside this issue:Thank Yous Pg. 2CCN Broadcast Pg. 4Sites to See Pg. 6

Published monthly by:

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH1300 Townline Road, Wausau, WI 54403Church Office: 715-848-2040Internet: www.clc-wausau.org

Pastor: Pat McKenzie < kiltedrev@yahoo.com > 842-5413Pastoral Assistant: Leonard Erdman 355-4295Minister of Music & Education: Dian Schlichtmann < dianms@verizon.net > 355-4205Little Lambs Day Care Director: Donna Stolze 848-2040 ext. 4Youth Leader: Renee Whitehead 849-9877Choir Director: Vicki Kuester 536-2626Praise Band - Mission: Gretchen Erdman, Polly Piehler, Russ VasilovichNewsletter Editor: Brian Otten <brianotten@excite.com> 298-0591Deadlines: 20th of each monthChurch Officers 2006President: David AckermanVice-president: Secretary: Yvonne TaftTreasurer: Cindy StraubFinancial Secretary: John KuesterBoard of Elders: Steve Bahr Tim Fendos Brian Garrity Tom Houting Harlan Schultz Allen Krueger Howie Breutzmann Bud Redeen Bob WhiteEvangelism (Outreach): Bruce Anklam Margaret Kinney Tim StelzelBoard of Stewardship: Sam Morgan Carol Ray Alissa AnklamTrustees: Don Anklam Greg Eschmann Larry Gavitt Don Gille Alan Schmidt Jim StraubBoard of Education: Lynette Houting Mike Otten Rose StuplichYouth Ministry: Dwayne Maroszek Tom Murphy Jean Timken Megan Juliot Joshua Woller

In Our Prayers This Month . . .We remember Leilla Balz (Betty Rawson’s mother-health); Viola Banik (surgery); Pastor Batiansila (Renee Whitehead’s father - cancer); David Bichler (health); Ray Bliese (recovery); Pastor Ray Connor (recovery); Pete Dymora (health); Mike Edens (recovery); Aaron Felch (grandson of James & Carol Wakely); Sally Gartmann ( recovery); Marilyn Getzlaff (health); Laurie Gunderson (health); Dean Haas (Kristy Kell’s father-health); Mary Hausler (recovery); Lorraine Henkelman (recovery); Kollette Hermann (coma); Sam Hess (recovery); Pastor Kevin Hoogland; Carl & Lorraine Hunsicker (recovery); Marion Kohnhorst (Cindy Beidle’s mother - health); Mae Kunkel (health); Robert Johnson (Gayle Schmidt’s father-health); Luke Leslie; Arlene Marten (Jackie Giede’s mother-surgery); Sean McKenzie (son of Pastor & Kristen); Don Miller (Kathy Wagner’s father-health); Dan Nelson (recovery); Bill Peiler (Bev Ackerman’s nephew); Susan Railey (Pauline Erdman’s sister-health); Betty Rawson (recovery); Bud Redeen (recovery); Jean Richards (recov-ery); Lu Richardt (health); Georgia Riemen (health); Bob and Lou Ann Schlei (health); Paul Schiefelbein (hospitalized); Harlan Schultz (recovery); Evelyn Stark (recovery); Bill Staubs (Jean Richards’ son-health); Sara Staubs (Jean Richards’ daughter-in-law-cancer); Stacey Tencil (friend of Tryczaks-health); Lawrence Zahrt (health - father of Donna Greenheck & Barb Weisenberger); Wisconsin Valley Lutheran High School, and the unchurched.

Receiving the Sacrament of Holy Baptism . . .Aiden James Wallis was baptized on October 1, 2006. Please remem-ber this new brother in Christ in your prayers.

New Members . . .Matthew, Christy & Devin Kell - Profession of FaithKatie Stolze - Profession of FaithAlexi Gomez Hernandez - Adult Instruction

Transfers Out . . .Paul, Trina, Alanna & Landon Schneck to Mt. Olive, Schofield

Confirmed on Reformation Sunday, Oct. 29 . . .Ryan Braatz Hailey KlumpRyley Carstensen Lauren LewisMaari Erdman Andrew SchmidtJames Hanneman Kelsea SchusterTrever Hoffman Molly WeaverMegan Juliot Conner Whitehead

Thank You to . . .• Virgine White for donating a refrigerator to the Altar Guild.

• Nancy Lewis, Mike Otten, Donna Stolze, Aaron Straub, Sam Straub, and Dian Schlichtmann for prepping the ground and lay-ing sod in the new playground area.

• All who donated refreshments for the Mission Concert.

• Jack Mathie for painting touch ups throughout the building.

• Susan Woller for driving the youth to the Corn Maze outing.

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• Board of Evangelism/Outreach for organizing and preparing food for the New Member lunch.

• All who brought food and helped with set up and clean up for the Confirmation Supper.

• Ryan Bahr; Ryan Braatz; Maari Erdman; Machelle, Bailey, and Sawyer Eschmann; Kim, Arik and James Hanneman; Polly and Dan Piehler; and Dian Schlichtmann for raking the yard of deceased CLC member Laird Ehlert.

• All who donated clothes for the Sunday School Clothing Drive for the Neighbor’s Place.

Remember to visit our CLC website at clc-wausau.org

THANK YOUS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Growing in KnowingAre you “growing in knowing” God’s Word? There are many ways to do so. One is to learn God’s Word by heart. During the month of November, challenge yourself and your family to learn by heart Bible verses dealing with thanksgiving. Here’s a few to get you started:

Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. (1 Chron. 16:8) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chron. 16:34) The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. (Psalm 28:7) Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4)

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, (Psalm 107:8 ) I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. (Psalm 118:21) You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. (Psalm 118:28) Sing to the Lord with thanksgiv-ing; make music to our God on the harp. (Psalm 147:7) But thanks be to God! He gives us the vic-tory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15:57) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every-thing, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philip. 4:6) Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thes. 5:18)

Each week learn a thanksgiving verse by heart (or use the Bible Verse for the Week listed in the bulletin announcements). With God’s Word firmly planted in your heart, you WILL overflow with thanksgiving! Remember to share the verse you learned with a Memory Work Listener on Sunday. Listeners are waiting to hear from YOU both in the Fellowship Hall and in the lower level near the kitchen. Look for the “Growing in Knowing” ruler poster. You can even learn the verse as a family and say it together. Whether young or old, indi-vidual or with a group, keep “Growing in Knowing” with thankful hearts!

THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP SERVICEWednesday, November 22, 6:30pm

Third Grade Students Receive Bibles

Congratulations to Ashley Bender, Ashly Marten, Karissa Murphy, Bailey Piepenburg, Noah Plautz, Augie Rich, and Kyle Uttech. These seven third grade students received their own “Faith Alive” Bible this fall. They celebrated with a pizza party and special par-ent/child Bible class that taught them many of the special helps and unique features of the “Faith Alive” Bible. Please pray for God’s guiding Spirit as these young brothers and sisters discover the joys of reading and studying God’s Word.

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LIFE QUOTESfrom Lutherans for Life

“The unborn child differs from a newborn one in only four ways - size, level of devel-opment, environment, and degree of dependency - and none of those differences are good reasons for disqualify-ing it as fully human.”

— Scott Klusendorf,Stand to Reason

A Life Quote from Lutherans

for Life/ www.lutherans

forlife.org /888-364-LIFE

During the third quarter of 2006 (July - September), a total of $303.75 was given to the Blessings Offering. This has been sent to Wisconsin Valley Lutheran High School, the recipi-ent of all 2006 Blessings Offerings. Throughout the remainder of 2006, CLC members are encouraged to

place special contributions - “Blessings Offerings” - in the offering plate in thanksgiving for God’s many blessings. Please remember to label your spe-cial contribution “Blessings Offering.” All quarters in the offering plate will also automatically go to the Blessings Offering recipient.

Third Quarter Blessings Offering

Parents - Check out the 2 hour long CCN Broadcast “Boundaries with Teens” from CLC’s Library. Here’s a quick overview:

“Boundaries are the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety and growth for teens – and the adults in their lives. ...

Based on the award-winning, best-selling Boundaries series - and Dr. Townsend’s newest book by the

same name - “Boundaries with Teens” gives parents, educators and youth leaders the tools for establishing healthy boundaries and helping teens take responsibil-ity for their actions, attitudes, and emotions. Parents, youth work-ers, coaches, teachers, family and friends will learn the critical skills of when to say yes and how to say no to the teens in their lives.

Dr. John Townsend offers biblically-based principles that will equip adults to:

Set healthy limits and realistic con-sequences.

Deal with disrespectful attitudes or irresponsible behaviors.

Establish loving and caring rules.

Develop problem-solving strategies.”

THIS MONTH’S CCN FEATURED BROADCAST:

“Boundaries with Teens”

Plan now to stop by CLC’s Fall Bookfair in the Fellowship Hall before and after services on Thursday, November 9th and Sunday, November 12th. A wide variety of books, music, videos, gift ideas, etc... will be available and ALL items will be 15% off! Bring your Christmas shopping list and purchase gifts that share God’s Word and love with others.

CLC Fall Bookfair

HOW BIG WAS THE ARK?Have you ever wondered just how big Noah’s ark was? Well, wonder no longer. Instead, ask a Grade 1 - 6 Sunday School student to take you outside the church and show you!As part of the new Sunday School format, our SS students were able to experience the size of the ark by measuring it out. (And that was a tight squeeze as the ark would have barely fit on our church property!) Other exciting activities this past month included a science experiment to demonstrate how Christ’s blood does away with our sin, a rainbow craft created for CLC’s shut ins as a reminder of God’s promises, a clothing drive for the Neighbor’s Place (THANKS to all who donated clothes!), an estimation activity to discover (along with Abraham) that God does exceedingly abundantly beyond what we can ask or imagine, and so many other fun learnings.Special thanks to the following activity leaders this past month: Amber Rhyner & Rachel Rothmeyer, Kris Tryczak & Cassie, Dave Ackerman, Bryan and Peg Piepenburg, Lynette & Matt Houting, Grace Pfingsten, Julie Steiner, Matt & Christy Kell, Jeff and Mui Stoecker, Don & Kim Uttech, Hannah Weaver, and Kirsten Kilcoyne. Can’t wait to see what will happen in SS next month! Please invite the children you know between the ages of 3 and 6th grade to join us! (Older students are welcome to join their grade-level class as well!)

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Confirmed in Christ

Risk Management Task ForceThe Risk Management Task Force is addressing the very difficult topic of poten-tial issues related to sexual misconduct, harassment or abuse within the church set-ting. While to our knowledge Christ Lutheran Church has never had an incident of this type, as unbelievable as it may seem, it could happen here. What would we as a church and as members of the family of God do? Our intent as a committee is to help prevent incidents from occurring and provide proof of and consistency in report-ing and investigating incidents of sexual misconduct should an event ever occur here at CLC. In this day and age we need to be more aware, more vigilant, more cautious and more comprehensive in addressing this issue. At this time it is still optional for a congregation to establish these guide-lines and to inform the congregation of this process. Some church insurance carri-ers already mandate their churches to do

this and we anticipate our insurance will be requiring our church to have a formal mechanism in place in the event an incident should occur. We would prefer to be one step ahead and have a system in place that, prayerfully, we will never need.The Task Force is broken into two work-ing subcommittees. Team A consists of Dave Piehler, Dave Ackerman, Dave Juliot and Mike Otten. Team B is Yvonne Taft, Dian Schlichtmann, Jean Timken, Renee Whitehead and Donna Leffel. Ministerial Advisor: Pastor Pat. Team A is formulat-ing the Policies and Procedures related to dealing with sexual misconduct within the church setting according to guidelines set forth by the LCMS, church insurance carri-ers and using formats from other congrega-tions that already have a system in place. Team B is doing the Education of our church leadership and membership at large.What does this mean for members of CLC?

All members will need to know there is a way to report any deed of sexual miscon-duct should it occur here on our property or elsewhere if it involves someone work-ing in a church related capacity. Members need to know who to talk to, what needs to be done and by whom. All church leaders, volunteers and employees will need formal training in this process. Application forms, background security checks will need to be completed by all employees and many of our volunteers. These forms will need to be kept on file and up to date according to the guidelines set forth by CLC. We ask for your continued prayers as this committee works on these sensitive issues in an effort to provide a safe haven to all who enter here. Items of interest will be posted on the Health Ministry bulletin board in the upper fellowship hall. It is the respon-sibility of each of us to be informed.

On Reformation Sunday, October 29th, twelve fresh-men students confirmed their baptismal vows. Congratulations to Ryan Braatz, Ryley Carstensen, Maari Erdman, James Hanneman, Trever Hoffman, Megan Juliot, Hailey Klump, Lauren Lewis, Andrew Schmidt, Kelsea Schuster, Molly Weaver, and Connor Whitehead. Along with the Apostle Paul, we say to each of you, “And this is (our) prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11)

Sites to see

Next time you’re on-line, check out these websites:

www.lea.org/special reports/secetvets06.pdf

This story, “How God Took Care of a Young WW2 U.S.

GI POW,” is a first-person account by Jim Peck. Share

it with your family as you celebrate Veteran’s Day and

thank God for the many men and women who have served and are serving our

country.

www.thanks givingworld.com

Everything you want to know about Thanksgiving - his-

tory, games, recipes, turkey carving tips, celebrations

throughout the world, etc...

www.giftsofthecross.comStop by this site with your Christmas gift list in hand. You’ll find Christian books,

music, t-shirts, jewelry, and so much more.

“As always, God’s Word remains the foundation for our faith and life. All ideas and information, whether

gained via books, mov-ies, websites, or other

resources, must be held up to God’s Word to determine their level of truthfulness in

God’s eyes. Please use care and discretion in evaluating

any resource you use.”

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From the Mouth of BabesThis month our featured student from Little Lambs Day Care is Jordan. She is 3 years old and has been attending Little Lambs since she was about 2 months old. Recently, Jordan shared these thoughts on Little Lambs:What are your favorite things to do at Little Lambs? I like to play with ponies. I like to play with fire trucks. I like to play with toy babies. I love to play in the pool.What do you like to do outside on the play-ground? play on the swings because I go higherWhat’s your favorite snack at Little Lambs? Cupcakes!It’s a joy having Jordan here at CLC attending Little Lambs Day Care. We pray that Jesus will continue to guide and bless her as she grows physically, mentally, and, most of all, spiritually.

How’s your Christmas shopping coming? Not done yet? (Or like me, haven’t even started?) Maybe the Board of Ed and Little Lambs Day Care can help! The deadline has been extended to Sunday, November 26th to allow YOU to take advantage of the super deal being offered through the “Flower Fundraiser” - a YEAR worth of flowers for $25. Now, that’s hard to beat!For $25 you can purchase a flower bouquet certificate that allows you to get a FREE bouquet of flowers once a month for a year. YES, that’s 12 bouquets for a total of $25! The flower certificates will be good at Floral Magic (840 S 3rd Ave, Wausau) through December 2007. These certificates make GREAT gifts for wives, moms, teachers, friends, shut-ins, etc... (I know because I got one for Christmas last year and have THOROUGHLY enjoyed getting FREE fresh flowers every month for the past year!) Or your family could purchase a certificate and surprise someone different

in your life each month (the kids’ bus driver, a coach, a co-worker, a scout leader, your next door neighbor, an elderly relative, etc...)Thrivent Financial will be provid-ing supplemental funds for this project and the moneys will be used for: 1) sidewalk and sod in the playground area, 2) needed equipment and curriculum for Little Lambs Day Care, and 3) a poster-size laminator for CLC.The board members (Lynette Houting, Mike Otten, Rose Stuplich, and Dian Schlichtmann) will be selling certificates Thursdays and Sundays through Sunday, November 26th before and after service in the Fellowship Hall. (Or e-mail or call Dian during the week: dianms@verizon.net or 848-2040 ext 3)We are committed to selling 200 certificates and are only half way there. Please help us meet our goal! If you’ve already purchased a certificate, many thanks - please tell your friends and co-workers about this project so they can get in on the great deal too!

Deadline Extended!

ALPHABET SOUPEver feel like our church calendar is a tipped can of alphabet soup? There seems to be an abbreviation for everything these days. Let me clear up one abbreviation you see over and over again - “CCG.” “CCG” stands for “Christ Care Group.” There are 10 CCGs here at Christ Lutheran. CCGs are small groups in which people get to know each other, study God’s Word, pray and care for one another, and support others. Each group sets their own schedule and chooses their own Bible study material. That gives you 10 different options for “Rejoicing in Jesus, Growing in Faith, Reaching Out in Love.”Want to know more? Talk with a CCG leader - they are listed on the calendar as well (of course, due to space, they’re in alphabet soup fashion!) Let’s clear that up too while we are at it. BA = Bruce Anklam, GE = Gretchen Erdman, LE = Leonard Erdman, PE = Pauline Erdman, EH = Elaine Hess, DJ = Denny Johnson, SM = Sandi Michaelis, MO = Mike Otten, DS = Dian Schlichtmann. Any of these people would be happy to tell you more and have you visit their group. The one CCG that usually makes it on the calendar non-alphabet soup style is “Gospel Lite,” a small group for mental health consumers in the Wausau area.IHTCTFY! (I hope that clarifies things for you!)