ST.

STEPHEN ELCA
Honoring the Past Welcoming the Future

NEWSLETTER
JANUARY, 2017

ST. STEPHEN PARISH STAFF

LUTHERAN CHURCH Pastor Pastor Gail Sowell
Home/Cell/Emergency 715-352-2492
ELCA St. Stephen Office
St. John Office
715-352-2491
715-352-2524
Pastor Gail Sowell Secretary Sherry Gayken 715-355-9039
424 N 3rd Avenue sarshe2@frontier.com
Edgar, WI 54426 Outside Custodian Steve Doran 715-393-5080
Telephone: 715-352-2491 (St. Stephen Office) Inside Custodian Rachel Doran 715-393-5076
715-352-2492 (Pastor Gail Home/Cell/Emergency) Organist Charlotte Otto 715-443-2007
715-352-2524 (St. John Office) Handbell Director Marla Berg 715-302-4768
Church Web Site: www.ststephenedgar.com Altar Guild Millie Borchardt/ 715-352-2451
Marge Copeland/Deb Pilgrim
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Media Team Dale Pilgrim, Mark Schreier, Vern Spaulding,
Parish Staff/Council Officers/Contact Info.............1 Rod Zietlow (Volunteers Needed)
Pastors Ponderings for January..............................2
January Birthdays and Anniversaries......................3
Christmas Thank You/Address Update...................3
Annual Meeting w/Reports Due.............................3
Donations/Thank You.............................................4
Council Meeting/Newsletter dates..........................4
Senior Day/Quilting/Woodchucks..........................4
Womens Bible Study/Church Mouse.....................5
Childrens Christmas Program................................6
First Communion Training......................................7
Confirmation Photos/Concerts................................7
Thrivent/Walking Together/YAGM........................7
Volunteer Info/Services...........................................7
January 2017 Calendar............................................8

2016 COUNCIL OFFICERS

President Jeff Reiche 715-443-6203 jreiche4stl@gmail.com
Vice-President Kathy Schreier 715-352-2392 schreiermk@frontier.com
Secretary Sherry Gayken 715-355-9039 sarshe2@frontier.com
Treasurer Rod Zietlow 715-370-7681 rszietlow@gmail.com
Financial Secretary Kristin Schreier kristins@live.com
Deacons Mark Schreier 715-352-2392 schreiermk@frontier.com
Dale Pilgrim 715-352-2968
Clarence Werner
Trustees David Harm 715-370-5463 hhddrc4431@aol.com
Dennis Lang 715-573-2974
Vern Spaulding 715-257-9390
Youth Liaison Volunteer Needed
1
 PASTOR GAILS PONDERINGS FOR JANUARY, 2017

This is a reflection (By Barry Black, copyright 2015, permission granted),

entitled I Am the New Year:

I will help you say goodbye to the previous year filled with yesterdays and
comprised of disappointments and surprises; losses and gains; failures and
successes, defeats and victories; a year which may be remembered by recalling:
fleeting moments; delightful memories and good times; the sobering reality of
missed opportunity; the insight gained from daily living; the unexpected surprise of
reconnecting with old friends. The joy of sins forgiven, golden words fitly spoken
(Proverbs 25:11), and the fruit of obedience and pleasing the Lord.

Yes, the old year is a time in which we can recall with gratitude: blessings,
protection, and rewards from the providential hand of God; grace that was sufficient
for our every need; mercy received when justice would have just as easily been
fitting for us. And realizing that even bad things that happened could have been
worse . . . much worse.

May your past productively transition to the future as you experience: the
warm daylight of lessons hard-learned, and the fading sunset of the pain that was
long endured while living through them; the priceless value found in genuine friends,
and the sober understanding of the shackles of superficial people who merely use
us. The glorious journey of: the unmatched wealth in reading and studying the Bible,
the unparalleled stability of Christian fellowship, and the unrivaled enjoyment of
serving the Lord; and the wise departure from: the comfortable enticement of
procrastination, the deceptive decoy of excuses, the childish pleasure of pettiness,
and the dull applause of mediocrity.

I Am the New Year! I am: the challenge of new goals; the desire for spiritual
growth; the continual burden for lost souls; the anticipation of answered prayer; and
the eager expectation of Christs soon return for his Bride, the Church. I am the New
Year, and I may be lived only one moment at a time. I am replete with the unknown
and rife with: opportunities to trust; unexpected moments of blessing and delight;
satisfaction for spiritual truth and hunger; motivations to give of your time and effort
to people and projects; and the joy and privilege of serving the Lord in new and
exciting ways.

YES, I AM THE NEW YEAR!

JANUARY 11
12
Copeland
Kohel
Todd
Reid
BIRTHDAYS 12 Spaulding Marilyn
21 Haanstad Rick

2
 24 Schreier Kathy Financial reports must be submitted NO LATER than:
25 Steinke Deb Wednesday, January 11th; St. Stephen budget report by
26 Kohel Jace Sunday, January 15th.
26 Ringle Jeff
They may be given copy ready directly to Sherry or sent to
27 Heiden Rachel
her at her email address: sarshe2@frontier.com.

Following are the reports due:

Audit Committee (who are the members?)
Cemetery Committee (who are the members?)
Circle of Joy
Committee Page
Companion Church Synod Report
JANUARY Congregation Trend Report
Council Member Page
ANNIVERSARIES Council President
Counting Committee (who are the members?)
06 - Pilgrim, Doug and Denice Crossways Camping Ministries Annual Report
East Central Synod Financial Report
20 - Aschbrenner, Allen and Mary Ann
Endowment Fund
25 - Spaulding, Vern and Marilyn Evangelism Committee
Faith & Daily Life Committee
Financial Secretary
Historian/Librarian Report
THANK YOU to Charlotte Otto for organizing the Musical Lutheran Social Services
Prelude on Christmas Eve. Thank you to the Handbell Choir Media and Webpage Report
directed by Marla Berg (to the regular members and Otto Memorial Committee
family members allowing us to enjoy the wonderful bell Mission & Outreach Report
sounds); and THANK YOU to the following individuals for Nomination Committee
sharing their special musical talents during Christmas in Parish Education
honor of Jesus birth: Charlotte Otto, Vern Spaulding, Pastors Report
Rachel Doran, Pastor Gail Sowell, Andrew Steffen, and Pastoral Ministry/Parish Record
Marlena Strasser. Property Committee
Stewardship Committee
Sunday School Superintendent
ADDRESS UPDATE the mailing address for St. Stephen St. Stephen Treasurer
Lutheran Church has changed. The street address remains Women of St. Stephen Report
424 N. 3rd Avenue but the mailing address is now PO Box Women of St. Stephen Treasurers Report
95 as follows: Worship Committee
Youth Report
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
424 N. 3rd Avenue
PO Box 95
Edgar WI 54426-0095
Please update your mailings.

ANNUAL MEETING of St. Stephen ELCA will be held

on Sunday, January 22, 2017 @ 9:00 AM.

Non-financial annual reports should be submitted NOW !!

3
4

BLANKET SUNDAY the total of cash and checks received
for Blanket Sunday for Lutheran World Relief was $95.00. This
is in addition to the 122 quilts (434 lbs.), 7 blankets (10 lbs.),
and 21 health kids (38 lbs.) that were shipped in October.
THANKOFFERINGS (to show God joy and thanks for
blessings) collected from the Thankoffering Service led in
November by the women of St. Stephen totaled: $172.46.
GIVING TREE a Thank You was received from the Homme
Youth & Family Programs expressing their extreme
appreciation for the many, many items gifts donated for the
youth ages 10 thru 18, in their Program (value of $400 + +).
THE EDGAR/MARATHON CIRCLE OF JOY thanks
everyone for their donations throughout the year, especially
appreciated during the holidays when there are extra needs.
THANK YOU to all members of the Church Council who
give of their time, and for their commitment to St. Stephen
Church. A special THANK YOU to outgoing President Jeff
Reiche whose leadership the past two years as President and
previous two years as Vice-President and dedication to St.
Stephen is an inspiration to all.
WELCOME to incoming President Kathy Schreier.
St. Stephen Council officers for 2017 are:
President Kathy Schreier
Vice-President Vicki Maurer
Secretary Sherry Gayken
Treasurer Rod Zietlow
Financial Secretary Kristin Schreier
Deacons Dale Pilgrim, Clarence Werner, Mark Schreier
Trustees Dennis Lang, Vern Spaulding, Dave Harm
Please keep these individuals in your prayers as they lead St.
Stephen in the year ahead. If you have any concerns,
questions, or input regarding any matter, speak with any
Council member.
THE NEXT ST. STEPHEN COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday evening, January 17th, at 5:00 PM.
5
ST. STEPHEN NEWSLETTER The deadline for the
February Newsletter is Wednesday, January 25th.
SENIOR DAY is held the third Wednesday of each month
downstairs at St. Stephen. The next date is Wednesday,
January 18th, at 1:00 PM. Senior Day is open to all seniors of
St. Stephen and seniors in the surrounding Edgar community
are also invited.
CONGRATULATIONS to
KINGS KORNER CHAMPION
FOR DECEMBER GISELA RINGLE
QUILTING quilting sessions are held in the church
basement on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of months October thru
May from 1:00 4:00 PM. January dates are: January 5 and
January 19.
A GREAT ! HUGE ! THANK YOU to all individuals who
donate and contribute to make this project a successful
accomplishment. Will we see new faces? More hands on the
project? Sewing may also be done at home.
WISCONSIN WOODCHUCKS BASEBALL
FROM: Bailey Schepp, Group Sales Executive
bailey@woodchucks.com phone: 715.845.5055 ext. 107
Happy New Year from the Wisconsin Woodchucks!
I hope you had a very pleasant holiday season, and that the
beginning of 2017 is off to a splendid start. Although it is
quite cold outside, baseball season is right around the corner,
and it is not too early to start planning St. Stephens outing
with the Wisconsin Woodchucks in 2017. I wanted to reach
out now to let you know some of the exciting things we have
planned for the 2017 season.
Friday Night Fireworks will be returning to Athletic Park,
and we look forward to celebrating these games with our
fans. We have a number of bobble head giveaways and
traveling entertainment acts visiting us as well. Keep an eye
out for the 2017 schedule and release of our promotional
schedule.
I look forward to working with you again this year.
Your Ticket Home for the Summer !
WOMENS BIBLE STUDY is held the 2nd Tuesday of
each month in the St. Stephen Church basement (unless
otherwise noted) starting at 1:00 PM. The date for January is:
Tuesday, January 10th. Hostess is needed. The Bible Study
lesson is from the Gather magazine (copies are available).
Every woman that is a member of St. Stephen is a member of
the womens group. All are WELCOME and encouraged to
participate (along with family and friends).
Thanks to all who joined in the Ladies Annual Salad
Luncheon in December. Fifteen ladies attended including
several guests from St. John on N. Fun, fellowship, and Bible
study enjoyed by all (see photos below).l
**************
As the ELCA observes the 500th anniversary of the Protestant
Reformation in 2017, Gather magazine is offering Bible
studies that enlighten and illuminate reformation and
transformation.
Gather, the magazine of Women of the ELCA, offers a mix of
articles, theological reflections, devotions, and stories of
comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith and
engage in ministry and action.
In the spring of 2017, Kit KIeinhans, a professor at Wartburg
College in Waverly, Iowa, will share a four-session
Reformation Bible study on Galatians: Christian faith and
Christian freedom.
6
Biblical scholars describe Pauls letter to the Galatians as the
Magna Carta of Christian freedom, Kleinhans writes.
Martin Luther called it my Katie von Bora. Like his
marriage to Katie, Luthers relationship with Galatians was a
rich and lasting one.
In the summer of 2017, Kelly Fryer will explore All Anew,
a three-session Bible study that shares the theme of the 2017
Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering in Minneapolis, July
13-16. A pastor, teacher, entrepreneur and communicator,
Fryer has written several faith-related books, including
Reclaiming the L Word: Renewing the Church from its
Lutheran Core.
To get these Bible studies, speak to one of the women of St.
Stephen or subscribe to Gather magazine at
Gathermagazine.org.
**************
The spring event for the Wisconsin River Valley Conference
will be held in April date to be determined. The women of
St. John's Lutheran Church in Wausau (town of Maine) will
host the event. Watch the Open Door and future St. Stephen
Newsletters for more details. It will be a good time!
Adventures of the Church (Mouse)
Mice
O my, what a wonder-ful, wonder-filled Christmas
season it was!
Whole congregations singing like the heavenly
angels, all the old songs, and even some new
ones we hadnt heard before. (Well, to be honest,
IMirihad heard some of them, but there were
a lot Tully and Twink hadnt heard.) By the way,
this was Twinks anniversary of being adopted by
Tully and St. John 2 years ago! Her real name is
Merry Twinkle, but no one calls her that, unless
she doesnt hide well enough and is spied for a
member of St. John, and then they either say
EEEK! or say Hi, Merry Twinkle.) Im glad the
people at St. Stephen arent afraid of me! Some
of the kids are disappointed if they dont see me
on Sundays! I guess you could say Im the most
popular mouse at St. Stephen! (Oops, did Jesus
say something like the humble shall be exalted
and the exalted shall be humbled? I guess there
isnt much thats humbler than a church mouse.)
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL !l
 THANK YOU:
and to the dynamic youth volunteer helpers: Travis
Guralski, Devin Guralski, Katie Haanstad, and Marlena
Strasser and Thank You to Vern Spaulding for joining the
children to wish all A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

THANK YOU to the volunteers who helped with the light

luncheon set up after the Program AND THANK YOU to all
the parents of the children for their help and continued
support and encouragement for their children to participate,
and THANK YOU to ALL the children for an excellent
performance the participants included:

Narrator Katie Haanstad

Narrator Devin Guralski
Mary Rebecca Werner
Joseph Connor Strasser
Angel Carlee Feltz
Elizabeth Alexa Mroczenski
Zechariah Zander Chenier
Herod Jace Kohel
Wise Men Wade Kohel
Angels Abby Falkowski, Addalynn Feltz
Shepherds Reid Kohel, Ashley Krause,
Johnny Krause
Advisors Nick Falkowski
Townspeople Mason Mroczenski, Kodi Werner

to Lori Guralski for directing the December 18, 2016,

Childrens Christmas Program, A Christmas to Believe In
7
FIRST COMMUNION First Communion is set at St. John
and St. Stephen on Sunday, February 5th. Pastor Gail has
posted Saturday, January 28th, as the workshop date at St. John
from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. Parents must attend this workshop.
Please confirm with Sherry if that January 28th workshop date
works for you.
Are there other parents interested in your child receiving
First Communion? There is no set age to receive First
Communion at St. Stephen. Youth of any age are welcome.
If you are interested, please give or send Sherry a note with
your childs name and birthdate, parents names, addresses,
and phone numbers as soon as possible.
SEVERAL CONFIRMATION GROUP PHOTOS are
missing. Do you have a group photo of the Confirmation
Class that you can have reprinted for the Confirmation
display downstairs? Missing years are: 2006, 2008, 2010,
2014, and 2015. Please contact Sherry.
CONCERTS PLANNED The Edgar Fine Arts
Association has announced its 2017 concert schedule:
Saturday, March 25 The Ole & Lena Story
a comedy show
Thursday, July 27, the kickoff to the Concerts in the Park
Not Really Willy a country music tribute
Three additional concerts in the Park are being planned.
Saturday, September 9 The Neil Diamond Show
with tribute artist Keith Allynn
Saturday, October 7 Tribute to John Denver
with Layne Yost
Normal Edgar Fine Arts Association concerts are held in the
Edgar Public School auditorium. The Concerts in the Park
are held at Oak Street Park (unless bad weather).
CONGRATULATIONS! Based on Thrivent Choice
participants recommendations, St Stephen Lutheran Church
has received $443. The Thrivent Choice program helps
Thrivent members make a positive impact in their
communities.
DIRECT CHOICE DOLLARS to St. Stephen Lutheran
Church as follows:
1. Direct Choice Dollars online at
www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice
2. Or, call 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) and
state Thrivent Choice.
8
WALKING TOGETHER 500 for the 500th Getting
the WORD Out! NWSW workshops March 18, 2017,
Davies Center, UWEC.
A SPECIAL HAPPENING FOR YOU A Special
Invitation from Claudette Harring, Liaison: Saturday,
January 21 at 2:00 PM at Immanuel Lutheran in Wausau.
This will be a first-hand opportunity to learn about the
wonderful ELCA program for Young Adults in Global
Mission (YAGM). The YAGM program is for young adults
21-29 years old, who are interested in giving service to their
church. The 2017 program will provide opportunities for 70
young adults to serve in one of about a dozen countries.
Joshua Armstrong served in the Madikwe Circuit of South
Africa and is currently hired by the ELCA to share his
experience on behalf of the YAGM program. Jonathan
Ecker, a Wausau native, will also share his experience,
having served in Uruguay.
Please come and learn about this dynamic program that is
focused on the young adults of the ELCA, and then share
what you learn with your own church. Creating awareness
as early as middle school may inspire our youth toward
personal engagement when they become adults. Please feel
free to invite others to join you.
Share, invite and attend
Claudette (Claudette has indicated it would be helpful if we
would let her know the number who may be coming from
our church. She promises treats! Her email address is:
cbh5956@charter.net and phone number: 715) 241-8351;
OR let me (Sherry) know and I will be in touch with her).
FREE 2016 INCOME TAX PREPARATION Low-to-
moderate taxpayers; emphasis on 60+. Appointments
required at some locations. Call 715-298-5734 Weekdays
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM to schedule. Flyer on back bulletin
board with dates and locations.

READ MAIL, PAY BILLS, BALANCE CHECKBOOK:

Individuals 60 and older often need help taking care of
paperwork. Call Faith in Action to help: Kelly Kaminski at
715-848-8783 or fiamc.kelly@gmail.com.

FOR ASPIRUS SERVICES call the Aspirus Customer

Contact Center at 715-847.2380.

ST. STEPHENS MONTHLY CALENDAR CAN ALSO BE

VIEWED ON THE CHURCH WEB SITE AT
www.ststephenedgar.com

JANUARY, 2017
MONDAY TUESDAY

1 Epiphany of Our Lord 2 3

NON-
NO Sunday School Pastor Gails FINANCIAL
10:30 AM Communion Day Off ANNUAL
Worship REPORTS
DUE
8 Baptism of Our Lord 9 10
Pastor Gails
9:30 AM Sunday School Day Off 1:00 PM
10:30 AM Communion Ladies Bible
Worship NON- Study
FINANCIAL
ANNUAL
REPORTS
OVERDUE

15 2nd Sunday after 16 17

Epiphany
Pastor Gails 5:00 PM
9:30 AM Sunday School Day Off Council
10:30 AM Communion Meeting
Worship
Installation of 2017 BUDGET
Council REPORT
Officers DUE

22 3rd Sunday after Epiphany 23 24

9:00 AM ANNUAL
MEETING Pastor Gails
9:30 AM Sunday School Day Off
10:30 AM Communion
Worship

9
29 4th Sunday after Epiphany 30 31

9:30 AM Sunday School Pastor Gails

10:30 AM Communion Day Off
Worship

Check your Sunday weekly handout announcement

page for updates.

10