FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH

120 Faith Drive Columbus, WI 53925

920-623-3610

Email: faith@faithcolumbuswi.org

Pastor Bob’s “open”:

pastor@faithcolumbuswi.org

Pastor Bob’s “private”:

rvmoberg@faithcolumbuswi.org

Pastor Lisa’s “open”:

nelsonkoksy@gmail.com

Website: www.faithcolumbuswi.org

Robert V. Moberg, Pastor

920-623-4390

Lisa L. Nelson, Assistant Pastor

608-834-8412

Sandra Schieble, CRPM

608-712-2910

Ruth Nordal, Administrative Assistant

920-210-3234

Sue Frish, Assistant to Treasurer

920-484-6545

Betsy Woodward, Assistant to Treasurer

920-992-3485

CHURCH COUNCIL

Jim Schieble 920-763-3433

President

Jennifer Herzberg 920-484-3849

V. President

Lisa Sebranek 920–318-1364

Council Secretary

Eric Hoffmann 608-843-0368

Treasurer

Elizabeth Gilbertson 920-946-4475

Donna Hankes 920-210-6520

Roger Hasz 920-623-9923

Todd Morris 920-623-1978

Message from Pastor Bob Dear Friends in Faith,

I had an opportunity a couple of weeks ago to talk with a colleague and

friend who had attended the Parliament of World Religions in October in

Salt Lake City, Utah.

The event drew 10,000 registered attendees from 80 countries representing

50 different religious faiths. The Parliament of World Religions is the oldest,

largest, and most inclusive gathering of people of all faiths and traditions.

The first was held in 1893 in Chicago, at the World Columbian Exposition.

(See the Christopher Columbus Museum at the Antiques Mall in Columbus

for more information about that.)

My friend talked of meeting with people from world religions about which

he knew very little previously. He met Jains from India whose respect for all

life compels them to extreme caution about taking the life of even an insect.

Some believers from Eastern religious traditions, such as the Jains, say that

the Jewish/Christian/Muslim family of monotheistic religions are much more

oriented to the human community and much less to concern for the non-

human world than most other families of religious traditions.

On the one hand, that is not only true, but the celebration of Christmas is

the Christian testimony that human beings are the crown of creation and

further noble by the act of God, the creator, taking on human flesh and

blood in Jesus Christ. Christians, along with Jews and Muslims, do say that

humanity is the proper focus of religion.

On the other hand, Christians insist that all of creation is sacred. All of it is

part of what God looked at in Genesis 1:31 and said, “it is very good!” And

St. Paul himself reminds us that the whole creation is takes part in the salva-

tion Jesus’ brings. (Romans 8:19-23) It is a significant part of the Christian

faith that God cares about the whole creation and we are to do the same.

For a new vision of this, look carefully this Christmas at a Nativity Set. It is

not just Mary, Joseph, and Jesus who are included in the telling of the Christ-

mas story. It is also the sheep, donkey, cow, stable, fields, dark night, and

bright stars that participate in the “good news of great joy”!

God has entered into this world of ours to bless us and all of it. Put out a

little extra food for the birds and squirrels this Christmas Day and make a

New Year’s resolution that this very good, old planet that we live on will be

grateful in 2016 that you are a Christian. As the hymn Joy to the World says,

“Let heaven and nature sing!”

Have a merry and blessed Christmas!

Peace,

“Pr. Bob” Moberg

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH 120 Faith Drive Columbus WI 53925

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – ELCA

December 2015 2

MEMBERSHIP COVENANT

SIGNING - Our annual signing of our

Membership Covenant was Sunday,

November 22. Faith’s constitution

requires the annual signing of the

covenant in order for you to maintain

your membership at Faith Lutheran

Church. If you were not able to be

present on November 22, the 2016

Covenant will be out in the narthex

of the church until the end of Decem-

ber. For those having young adults away

from home who wish to retain their mem-

bership at Faith, Thanksgiving and Christmas

are good times for them to sign.

Televised Service Times

Digital channel 980

Cable channel 98

Faith’s worship services are

aired on the following days and

times:

Monday @ 9:00am

Tuesday @ 9:00am

Wednesday @ 9:00am

Thursday @ 9:00am

Friday @ 9:00am

OCTOBER TREASURE’S REPORT

GENERAL FUND

Beginning balance as of 10/01/2015 $ 381.95

Income $19,988.85

Deductions $17,656.06

Cash Balance as of 10/31/2015 $ 2,714.74

COUNCIL HI-LIGHTS November 10, 2015

Approved Treasurer’s Report and authorization of expendi-

tures as recommended by the Finance Committee.

Approved Portico health insurance Silver+ package offering

for pastors.

Approved Jennifer Herzberg and Todd Morris as the coun-

cil appointees to the Nominating Committee.

Approved independent contractor agreement for snow re-

moval services.

Approved additional items for Parsonage Proceed External

Mission Funds Designation based on survey results.

Lisa Sebranek

Council Secretary

The Flower Chart for 2016 is on the kiosk

bulletin board in the narthex. If you would like

to provide flowers to enhance a Sunday morn-

ing worship service we ask that you sign up

soon so you are able to secure the date you

desire. Flowers may be given to celebrate, me-

morialized, or honor some person or occasion.

Bulletin

Sponsorship

The 2016 Bulletin Spon-

sor sign-up sheet is on the

table in the narthex. If you

would like to celebrate, me-

morialized or honor a per-

son (s) or an occasion, you

might like to sponsor wor-

ship bulletins. The cost for

2016 is $30.00.

The annual Christmas Memory

Making Event will be on Friday,

December 11th from 6-8 p.m. Join

us for chili and hot dogs, crafts and

cookies. This is a great event for

people of all ages: bring your chil-

dren, your grandchildren, or just

yourself and enjoy the memories!

You can sign up to attend and/or

volunteer to bring food on the sign

up sheet in the narthex. If you’d like

to lead a craft, contact Pastor Lisa at

nelsonkosky@gmail.com

PASTORAL ACTS

November 1, 2015

Leah Regina Miesfeld

Parents: Jay and Jessica Miesfeld

November 15, 2015

Eden Monroe Klossner

Parents: Andrew and Beth Klossner

November 18, 2015

Yvonne M. Haakenson

December 2015 3

Sunday, December 13

10:30am Sunday School

Christmas Program

Thursday, December 24

CHRISTMAS EVE

Candlelight Services/HC

3:30pm and 6:30pm

Fur Fin and Feathers@ FAITH The Fur, Fin & Feathers committee would like to thank the congregation for

adding food pantry items to the boat. The profits first replenished the $950

event reserve in Faith Projects, then distributed $46.85 to the food pantry,

$105.41 for the Organ fund and $82.00 for the general fund.

Faith youth/adults with Bishop Mary at the Confirmation Extravaganza

Wednesday, November 4 in Madison.

Back row: Troy Tadych, Carmen Briones

Front row: Frank Roelke, Bishop Mary, Tisha Kurth, Anna Miller, Genevieve

Thelen

Would you like to

provide a Poin-

settia plant or

plants to enhance

the chancel area

during the Christ-

mas season? This

year we are again asking for red

and/or white with red (Jingle

Bells) poinsettia plants. RED-

cost is as follows: 7” pot—

$15.50; 8” pot—$20.00; 10” pot-

$40. JINGLE BELLS cost is as

follows: 7” pot-$16.50; 8” pot—

$20.00; 10” pot-$40.00. You will

find the sign up sheets on the ta-

ble in the narthex. Deadline for

ordering is Sunday, Decem-

ber 6. Please make your check

payable to Faith Lutheran Church

and mark in the memo

“poinsettia”.

DECEMBER 2 Cathy Haseman

3 Luke Kahl

4 Anna Rupp

Ben Destree

Deanna Herrick

5 Asher Suchomel-Rosenberry

Gavin Price

6 Ryan Huebner

Heather Schultz

7 Jayce Pavloski

Kaylee Price

10 Abby Seibt

Cora Seibt

Andy O’Brion

Jessica Cashmore

11 Nina Jones

12 Judy Kaland

13 Tiffany Niehoff

Natalie Cass

14 Garrett Campbell

15 Elizabeth Morris

Rowdy Seibt

Eric Mathwich

Wendy Watrud

19 Glenn Andler

Maizie Anthon

21 Jenny Gaska

Ben Kohl

24 Mark Adam

MaKayla Mitchell

27 Tim Mathwich

29 Joseph Morris

Luanne Miller

31 Eric Frey

Vance Berget, Michael Hansen, Roger Hasz, Zachary Rohrbeck, Travis Schultz, Gloria Spaete

December 2015 4

Thanks to . . . Sue Mathwich, Dianne Patrick,

Karen Decker, Sally Price, Mar-

cia McMullen, Betty Rahn and

Linda Brumm for helping as-

semble the November

NEWLSETTER.

Steve and Kimberly Rowe for

organizing the “Giving Tree”

with LSS gift suggestions for

their residents.

Consecration Sunday/Tailgate

Party: Libby and Duane Gilbert-

son, Donna Hankes, Jenny Her-

zberg, Dwane Talg (Alpha and

Omega Distributers), Linda and

Todd Brumm, Pr. Robb Kosky,

Sue Frish, Betsy Woodward,

Sue Mathwich, Ruth Nordal,

Lisa Weisensel, Faith Choir,

Children’s Choir, Praise Band;

Mark Fagerburg, Ben and Eva

Van Horn, Michael Rowe, Na-

talie Cass, Mary Larson, Yok,

Todd Morris, Julie and Bob

Gay, Lori McNulty, Leslie Rice,

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Rieck and

niece.

Mark Adam, Lydia Agnew,

Roxanne Ayer, Barb

Bergum, Drake Berget,

Nick Cass, Yvonne Cass,

Michele Dauman, Ben

Destree, Cliff Destree,

Jason Edwards, Colin Emler, Toni Fox,

Jenny Gaska, Brooke Gille, Ryan Ha-

sey, Brenda Hochstatter, Cary

Hochstatter, Andrew Hoffmann,

Corbin Hynes, Bob Jansen, Taylor

Hansen, Nina Jones, Lori Kikkert, Leo

Kuck, Joyce Lienke, Jessie Miesfeld,

Anna Miller, Bruce Miller, Tiffany

Niehoff, Terry Nordal, Bay Peterson,

Chris Penzotti, Andrew Peterson, John

Popp, Jackie Price, Jamie Price, Jeannie

Ritchie, Jack Roelke, Corbin Scheeler,

David Severson, Deborah Severson,

Pat Sullivan, Melody Tadych, Aarika

Tjugum, Ana Tjugum, Yvonne Tjugum,

Lisa Weisensel, Logan Wescott, Betsy

Woodward, Alex Zahn, Jan Zahn.

Enjoy your special day. Do

something fun!

For many, many years

Faith has shared

God’s gifts with oth-

ers through the Giv-

ing Tree. Once

again, the Giving Tree

is in the narthex decorated with

names and gift suggestions/ideas

for clients who receive assistance

from Lutheran Social Services

(LSS). Please take an ornament

or two and purchase a gift

(s)($25 limit) for your special

person. We ask that you PLEASE

SIGN YOUR NAME AND PHONE

NUMBER on the sign up sheet that

corresponds with the number on the

ornament . We also ask that you

wrap your gift(s), attach the or-

nament to the gift(s) and place

under the tree by Sunday, De-

cember 13, thus giving time to

deliver the gifts to LSS in Beaver

Dam and time for them to dis-

tribute them to your special per-

son.

address/phone number change Phyllis Foulkes

656 N Main Street

Fall River WI 53932

Cliff Sweney

Brianna

932 Stonehaven Drive

Sun Prairie WI 53590-4478

Jason Gaska

2182 N 61st Street

Wauwatosa WI 53213-2010

Courtney Severson

W197N17006 Stonewall Drive

Jackson WI 53037-9119

Barb and Paul Bergum, Patsy Braker,

Karen and Dennis DeNure, Susie

Krakow, Marilon Krebs, Retta and

John Kurth, Bridget and Todd Mor-

ris, Toni Peterson, Glenn and Karin

Westlake.

Enjoy your special day!

Do you know someone who needs or would like

a pastoral visit? If so, please be the eyes and

ears of Faith’s ministry and let the office know

about that need.

December 2015 5

On the Lighter Side. . .

Interesting Commentary

Dancing with God

When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept see-

ing “dance” a the end of the word. I remember read-

ing that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The

movement doesn’t flow with the music, and everything

is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person

legalizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies

begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues,

perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly

in one direction or another. It’s as if two become one

body, moving beautifully. The dance take surrender,

willingness, and attentiveness from one person and

gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.

When I saw “G: I thought of God, followed by “u” and

“i”.

“God, “u” and “i” dance.”

God, you, and I dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I

would get guidance about my life. Once again, I be-

came willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God’s blessings and

mercies be upon you on this day and everyday. May

be abide in God as God abides in you. Dance together

with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you

through each season of your life.

This prayer is powerful land there is nothing attached.

If God has done anything for you in your life, please

share, for prayer is one of the best gifts we can re-

ceive.

And I Hope You Dance!

A reminder that all committee

reports for the 2015 ANNUAL

REPORT are due to Ruth by

Thursday, December 31. PLEASE

EMAIL YOUR REPORT TO

faith@faithcolumbuswi.org

Congratulations to Bran-

don and Jamine Kurth on the

birth of their daughter, Taya

Jade Kurth on Wednesday,

October 28 at St. Mary’s Hos-

pital in Madison. Taya weighed

7#14oz and 19.5 inches. She has twin brothers

Cade and Blake.

Scholarships for Males The Beta Sigma Psi National Lutheran Fraternity pro-

vides four college scholarships to males, who are con-

firmed members of a Lutheran congregation and will

attend college in Fall 2016. Information on the scholar-

ships and the application form can be found on their

website: http://scholarships.betasigmapsi.org/. The

application deadline is February 13.

Update from the Finance Committee: We praise the Lord for inspiring the Congregation last

month. We continue to work towards finalizing the budget for next year, and keep our church finan-

cially healthy for the future. Please continue to keep the church in your prayers for the holiday season.

December 2015 6

2015 2014

Needed Monthly Giving Needed Monthly Giving

January $18,785 $14,924.10 $19,290 $12,509.62

February $18,785 $16,477.53 $19,290 $14,551.92

March $18,785 $23,404.52 $19,290 $16,202.12

April $18,785 $20,593.67 $19,290 $25,154.03

May $18,785 $21,882.49 $19,290 $13,847.81

June $18,785 $15,555.36 $19,290 $17,089.05

July $18,785 $16,656.95 $19,290 $17,517.08

August $18,785 $20,284.72 $19,290 $16,790.01

September $18,785 $14,109.66 $19,290 $15,175.10

October $18,785 $19,988.85 $19,290 $14,439.78

November $18,785 $19,290 $16,028.32

December $18,785 $19,290 $27,670.72

Average Monthly Giving $17,247.96

Tailgate Party November 8, 2015

December 2015 7

Consecration Sunday November 8, 2015

Something New from the Evangelism Committee The Evangelism Committee has taken on a new service in the community. On Wednesday and Friday

afternoons from 3:00 to 4:00 at the Columbus Health and Rehab the residents play Bingo in the Activity Room.

They can use more volunteers to help the residents find the numbers on the Bingo cards. Two volunteers from

Faith each day is sufficient because there are other volunteers. There are days when the present volunteers

aren’t able to be there and we can certainly be of assistance.

This takes very little of your time and is an activity that is much appreciated. If you are interested in help-

ing with this service, please contact Joyce Lienke at 623-9091 or mjlienke@charter.net. Even once or twice a

month would be great. I have done it and I thought it was a lot of fun.

The Evangelism Committee is always working on new ideas to serve but we can’t always do it all by our-

selves. That is why we are asking for help from members of Faith.

Joyce Lienke, Evangelism Chair

December 2015 8

It’s the Most Scrip-ful Time of the Year The most wonderful time of the year is upon us and we are thinking about Christmas shopping. One of

the best ways to ease your mind about that daunting task is to use Faith’s Scrip program. With every purchase of

scrip made, a small percentage of that amount stays with Faith to help our ministries.

It may not seem like much, but the rebates really add up fast. By regularly using scrip for weekly purchas-

es, a single family can easily earn $600 to $1000 or more in just one year! And that shows up on your annual giv-

ing statement.

Scrip purchases can be made every Sunday between services in the Fellowship Hall. Sue, Shelly, and Troy

will be happy to assist you with what you need. And if Sunday doesn’t work out for you, then the scrip online

tools are even more convenient.

Tools like ShopWithScrip.com and MyScripWallet.com, an essential mobile solution, allow you to pur-

chase scrip at your convenience any time, day or night. Whether on the couch at home, sitting at your desk in

your office, or from your smartphone while waiting to check out, scrip online is an easy, fast, and secure way to

help you shop. You can even purchase ScripNow e-cards that can be sent as gifts via e-mail to avoid the holiday

crowds.

Look for the scrip coupon in this newsletter for a special deal for the month of December. If you have

any questions please contact Troy Tadych at troy@tadych.us.

Free $10 in Scrip Scrip coupon good for choice of any $10 gift card with minimum $200

scrip purchase in December. Only 1 coupon allowed to be used per family.

Coupon Code: 151210

Faith Lutheran Youth are hosting a Winter Clothing Drive. Check your closets for coats,

gloves, hats, boots, AND blankets. Bring them to church by December 13th. The youth will deliver items to shel-

ters in Beaver Dam and Madison. Some of the articles will also go to Hephatha. Packages of NEW socks are also

needed (in all sizes). Everyone is invited to "tie" NEW fleece blankets at the Christmas Memory Making Event on

December 11th. Material will be provided. We need many volunteer hands to make these beautiful gifts for the

homeless and those who don't have enough to stay warm.

Return Service Requested

Faith Lutheran Church

120 Faith Drive

Columbus WI 53925-1602

NONPROFIT ORG

U.S. Postage

PAID

Columbus, WI 53925

Permit No. 70

THE DECEMBER

NEWSLETTER Faith...Serving God...Serving People

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

MISSION STATEMENT

Joyfully recognizing God’s commitment

and faithfulness to us, FAITH LUTHERAN

CHURCH exists to serve God through serv-

ing God’s people. We eagerly work towards

the realization of God’s Kingdom by:

Offering praise-filled worship to God.

Nurturing individual spiritual growth.

Fostering an environment of caring and

acceptance.

Reaching out to serve the needs of our

community.

God’s love stirs us to touch others with

the same love we have received—and invites

them to share our life of praise and service.

Faith Lutheran Church (ELCA) Columbus, Wisconsin

We’re on the web:

www.faithcolumbuswi.org

AS MEMBERS OF FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH WE PROMISE:

To attend services regularly.

To support the congregation financially.

To live responsibly as a Christian witness.

To become as involved as possible in the total life and work of

the congregation.

And this we promise to do by the help of God.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of

things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

FAITH’S TOP PRIORITY VISIONING GOALS:

1. Equip members for lifelong spiritual growth and ministry.

2. Continue being an accepting congregation that welcomes and

serves all.

3. Develop a climate of joyful giving - money, time and talent.

4. Use our facility to minister to the needs of the community.

5. Develop a site and facility plan, including potential expansion.

6. Work towards building intergenerational activities and relation-

ships.

7. Be a driving force within the ecumenical group to address commu-

nity needs.

8. Continue and expand our engaging and varied worship life.

Adopted 2010

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH