July 2020

Pastor’s Message

How to reach Pastor At the time of this writing, I continue to work from home except for the day that I come to Living Hope to rec-ord in the sanctuary. But, I continue to be available to you through many ways: phone, text, FB messaging, etc. My phone is (608) 577-1665 and my email is karyjonas@gmail.com.

Please continue to find up to date information on Living Hope’s Facebook page or on our website livinghopeettrick.weebly.com.

As we continue on in these uncertain times, I would like to bring you up to date regarding plans at Living Hope. As of the writing of this message, a task force (Heidi Graham, Pastor Kary, Loren Salzwedel, Dan Sill and Deb Sveen) was appointed by the church council to begin discussing when and how we will begin to gather together safely. The task force has met and will be recommending to the church council that we continue to worship virtually. However, we are also looking to the Trempealeau County Health depart-ment’s weekly report to determine when and how we can begin to gather. Is it possible to do an outdoor worship service? The task force plans to recommend to the council that when the County’s health department report remains at “high risk” for two weeks in a row (pointing to some stabil-ity,) we could (according to the guidelines) gather 50 peo-ple or less for an outdoor worship service. Following health guidelines, this gathering would include physically distancing, masks and would be limited to 30 minutes. The church would need to purchase an amp and some limited sound equipment. When we can gather in the church for worship, what will it look like? This will be part of the work of the task force but I can tell you it will look different. People will be encouraged to come in one door and exit another. We will be spread out and it is my hope, that we will be masked for the sake of our neighbors in the other pews. I think there will be few-er of us. Many people that I talk with are hesitant to re-

turn to church. The service will not include singing or com-munal speaking of the liturgy because experts tell us that these activities spread aerosols at a significantly high rate. When we have communion, we will remain in our seats and not kneel shoulder to shoulder at the communion rail. We will not ask children to come forward for a message. There will not be the passing of the peace. The service will be brief and simple. After each service, the church will need to be thoroughly cleaned. What about communion? I miss it. I certainly do too! There have been periods in history when Christians were not able to receive communion for years so this is not unique to our time. On the last Sunday of June, we tried drive through communion. The commun-ion bread and wine/juice were individually packaged. I stood under the canopy on the ramp and was masked. Communion will also be offered (in individual packets) dur-ing outdoor worship services this summer when we are able to have them. What will Sunday School and Confirmation look like in the fall? I don’t know. There is so much changing and we are learn-ing more every day. First, we will need to see where the health department’s risk factors are in the fall. In addition, we will be looking to our area school systems to see what measures they are putting in place that will be helpful as we try to keep our children and community healthy and safe. Continued on page 2

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Pastor’s Message Continued

What are other ELCA congregations doing in our area? The pastors of the North Conference congregations met on June 23 for our monthly meeting. No congregation is considering gathering for worship this summer in our buildings. In fact, a number of the larger congregations are thinking about not gathering in their buildings until all can gather which may not happen this year. There are a few of us who are considering gathering for outdoor wor-ship with under 50 people if health department guidelines allow for it. What is Bishop Arends advising? Bishop Arends has been advising the pastors and churches of this synod with two points. “We will open when we can truly practice "all are welcome" and “we are caring for the most vulnerable among us.” He continues to stress and rejoice that our churches have not been closed. Worship is happening. Service is happening. Prayer is happening. They are just not happening in our buildings but the Church is open! Could we try a drive in worship service where we sit in our cars in the parking lot? I have been hesitant about offering a drive in worship where everyone stays in their cars for several reasons. First, it would be hot. Secondly, our parking lot is long and narrow rather than square so our vehicles would be really spread out. Additionally, Living Hope does not own a sound system that would allow for the sound to be heard by all the people in their cars. I got in touch with Pastor Joan in Trempealeau (because I have no expertise regard-ing the sound equipment they use for their parking lot worship.) Their sound system is extensive and expensive and takes about an hour to set up and tear down. The sound system we would need for an outdoor service in a smaller space without the additional barrier of a vehicle would not be as extensive. Will Living Hope continue to offer a weekly virtual wor-ship service? Yes. Even when we begin to gather, in whatever form, we have found there is a need and desire to worship online from many people, both members and non-members.

But, I miss gathering together and seeing people! Yes, I understand this desire completely. At this point, as we continue to live in a gray area of “not knowing,” I sug-gest that if you are gathering with family or other mem-bers of the community, gather with them on Sunday morning to watch the virtual worship service. Pray to-gether, listen to the sermon (and talk about it afterward.) Sing the hymns together. Have brunch together. I know we miss the ritual of gathering together in our building but in unique times, we are challenged to established new rituals. I will close with this. I recently read an article in the New York Times that made me chuckle a little but I also took seriously. During the first months of the pandemic, nurs-ing homes, food processing plants and prisons were the hubs of the outbreak. But, now, the new hubs are bars, strip clubs and churches! (Interesting company we are keeping!) In fact, in June, a church in Sheboygan Falls that was trying to follow guidelines had an outbreak involving 23 people who are now sick with the coronavirus. My heart grieves for this church but I also would not want to be their pastor. I would carry the weight of this outbreak with me for the rest of my life. On occasion, I listen to Dr. Michael Osterholm, an epide-miologist at the University of Minnesota, a Luther College grad and a good Lutheran. He recently said that this pan-demic is in the third inning of a nine-inning game. So, as much as I would like this to all disappear, I’m trying to ac-climate myself to understand we are in this for the long haul. So I continue to ask you to pray. Pray for the leaders of our church who are making decisions for the benefit of our church. Pray for a vaccine. Pray for a leveling out or a decreased number of cases in our county and region. Pray for our county health department who has a difficulty and daunting task that is at times, met with resistance. Pray for your pastor that she find ways to serve the Church, God and our neighbors, near and far.

Pastor Kary

Pastor’s Vacation

Pastor Kary will be away on vacation July 20-August 2. During that time, Pastor Anna Sorenson (608) 525-2131 and Pastor John Ashland (608) 865-0327 will be available to you.

Virtual worship services will continue to be available. Instead of looking for the services on Living Hope’s YouTube page, go the YouTube webpage and search “French Creek Lutheran” and you will find the service. Worship services and emails will continue to come to you.

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Church Office: 525-3454 livinghopeettrick@gmail.com Pastor Kary Jonas– 608-577-1665 pastorlivinghopeettrick@gmail.com - Office Administrator, Sandra Ziegler 608-865-0641 Facilities Custodian, Mike Baer Grounds Custodian, Randy Truax Council President, Dan Sill, 608-385-6963 Council VP, Joe Clark 343-2365 Sunday School Superintendent: Lauren Filla 484-0286 W-ELCA Rep, Deb Sveen: 525-3000 or Betty Ofsdahl 484-3266 Vacation Bible School Director: Heidi Stoner: 525-8949

Worship and Prayer Resources

Happy Birthday to our Seniors!

July 6-Allen Foss July 11– Marian Thompson July 13– Bev Bahnub August 8– Rose Rand

Morning and Evening Prayer Pastor Anna and Pastor Kary continue to offer prayer times, Live on Facebook. Morning Prayer is offered from French Creek Lutheran Church’s Facebook page and Evening Prayer is offered from Living Hope Lutheran Church’s page. Both pastors open the comment sections for prayer requests but they can also be made in private messages to us. The discipline of morning and evening prayer offers us a way to begin and end our days with God as our focus.

Sunday Worship

Pastor Kary continues to record Sunday services in the sanctuary. The services are posted on YouTube and can be found if one does a YouTube search using, “Living Hope, Ettrick.” In addition, a link can be found on the church’s Facebook page. The worship services are posted on Saturday night.

Shared Virtual Worship with French Creek

Beginning on Pentecost (May 31,) Pastor Kary and Pastor Anna will be working together to offer virtual worship. We believe that even when our buildings begin to open, there will be those who will continue to find the virtual worship service safer or more to their liking or simply more convenient. So, one lesson learned through this pandemic is that even when we again have some type of in-person worship, a virtual service is something that will still be necessary in order to reach many who desire to hear the Word of God and worship.

Another lesson learned is that producing a virtual worship service takes a good deal of time. It will be good to share this workload with Pastor Anna because we believe virtual worship will be part of the work and service of the Church for a very long time.

Office Administrator Change

Church Administrator Hired! Living Hope is pleased to announce that after interviewing several highly qualified candidates, Sandra Ziegler has been hired as Living Hope’s church administrator. Sandra brings a lot bookkeeping and administrative experience to this position and as a member of the church, she brings a familiarity and knowledge to this position. Sandra, you are already a part of the Living Hope Church community and we now welcome you as part of the staff! May God bless and keep you as you offer your service to Living Hope Lutheran Church!

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Prayers

Giving During Our Church Closure

Prayer Concerns for July: Please continue to keep the following people in your prayers: Mark Hamilton, Ernie Lovell, Gail Olson, Rick Onsrud and Winnie Please send your prayer concerns to the church office, fill out a yellow prayer card in your pew or speak with Pastor Kary.

Thank You to Emily!

Thank you! Thank you to everyone for your continued financial support of Living Hope and our ministries during this unprecedented time. We have added the Give Plus App (available in Google play store or the Apple App Store) as an-other option for one time or regular giving. You can still sign up for Simply Giving contributions using the form availa-ble on our website homepage. You can also mail your offering to Living Hope, PO Box 224, Ettrick, WI 54627. And again– THANK YOU! Income in May

Regular Giving $8,300 Local Giving $2,155 Children's Offerings $25

Thank You to Emily

It has been our church’s custom to hold an event of some sort to thank an outgoing member of the church’s staff. Un-fortunately, we are living in times where this type of gathering is not possible.

However, I do not want it to go without saying that Emily Baures has been an integral part of the church community for six years. The list of her duties is long but made even longer by all the additional things she does for Living Hope. When I talked with her about what we should stress and ask during the interviews for her position, she remembered some of the odd jobs she did while working at church (cleaning the refrigerator and putting eye drops into one of the quilter’s eyes, etc.)

There is no doubt that the work Emily offered this church was just that…an offering and a ministry. The person sitting in that office wears many hats, offering pastoral care to members, picking up after others, keeping everything orga-nized, always looking and thinking ahead to what comes next and offering well-needed advice and counsel to the pas-tor.

So, Emily, God be with you in your new phase of life. You have been a blessing in this position but you will continue on being a blessing to your students, parents and colleagues in your new role as a teacher in Black River Falls. We are so glad you will continue to be part of our church!

Personal Care Kits Assembled Deb Sveen, Megan Wiseman along with Evelyn Swenson, Lily and Viola Sveen assembled 55 personal cares kits this summer! Thank you for offering your time and service to this important and caring project.

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Food for the Journey

Life Lessons from the 66 Book Library We Call The Bible This month’s “Food for the Journey” is a little different. Pastor Len Liptack, a colleague and pastor in the La Crosse Area Synod put together this interesting (and fun) list of what each book of the Bible is about in summary. He has given his permission to share this with you and he adds, “these are some of the many nuggets of wisdom we can learn from each book of the Bible. Do not mistake this list for a complete theology or a comprehensive statement about each book.” Genesis: Despite humanities efforts for harm God can and will work for good in the least expected places through those who typically have the least power. Exodus: Freedom from oppression will prevail because God and God’s creation are stirred up against oppression, and the powerful often intensify suffering. Leviticus: God seeks to help us find relationship and reconciliation through the special use of things we use everyday. Numbers: Be careful what you wish for, you may not get what you expected. Deuteronomy: When times are good, don’t forget the lessons learned when you knew that God was on your side. Joshua: A little faithfulness can do a lot, but be sure you don’t use God’s plans for your own selfish gain. Judges: Be careful what you wish for, and remember that God can keep the march of promise and freedom going forward even when those who act in God’s name act reprehensibly. Ruth: Kindness overrules propriety, and the boldness of the powerless will bear fruit. 1 Samuel: Beware of the trappings of power, and don’t underestimate God’s ability to work through those from whom the powerful expected little. 2 Samuel: Even the mighty can have a great fall, so don’t forget to admit when you are wrong. 1 Kings: It’s possible to be too wise for your own good because excess wealth can easily erase the blessings gained through wisdom. 2 Kings: Faithful and wise leadership is not something that should be taken for granted. 1 Chronicles: We all come from the same source, and worship is one of the loftiest activities humans can be a part of. 2 Chronicles: No matter how you try to put a positive spin on corruption there will ultimately be consequences (but don’t forget, there is always hope). Ezra: Our stories are the most sacred part of the past we carry with us. Nehemiah: Sometimes you need to have a trowel in one hand for rebuilding and a sword in the other because those established in power can easily become jealous at the fortunes of those who are rebuilding their dignity. Esther: Sometimes you need someone in power to risk it all by speaking out for the oppressed and by calling out the oppressor. Job: Being theologically correct does not make one right, so it’s best to sit with those who are suffering rather than try to offer explanations for their suffering.

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Psalms: Open your heart to God because the creator of the universe is not threatened by your honest expressions of pain and is ever ready to be there to offer comfort and hope. Alleluia! Proverbs: The wisdom of knowing the right thing to do with the knowledge you have far surpasses the accumulation of more knowledge. Ecclesiastes: Since we have no knowledge of the future or control of the past, remember to live in the God-given pre-sent. Song of Solomon: If you want to glimpse a fraction of God’s love for humanity, watch two people who are head-over-heels in love. Isaiah: A new shoot can grow from a stump that was presumed dead. Jeremiah: Beware of surrounding yourself with ‘yes men’, because it can be so easy to use God’s blessings of the past as an excuse to ignore the right thing to do in the present or to think that there are no consequences for what you’ve done in the past. Lamentations: Vent your pain to God; the creator of the universe can take it. Ezekiel: Don’t think you can box in God because in doing so you are either deluding yourself that you can control the divine or despairing that your predicament is beyond God’s reach. Daniel: Sometimes your faith may require of you the courage to defy the powerful, and when you are called on to do this remember that kingdoms and empires will come and go, but God’s rule never ends. Hosea: It’s a good thing we aren’t God, because if we were, we would have given up on humanity a long time ago. Joel: Fearful events cannot stop God’s Spirit. Amos: Don’t forget that in God’s justice people are more important than things. Obadiah: Schadenfreude* may be a universal human reaction, but that still doesn’t excuse you when you gloat over another’s misfortune. Jonah: God is soooo much more gracious and forgiving than we are, and sometimes we resent God for that. Micah: Come on man; you know the right thing to do! Nahum: God is not happy with wicked oppressors! Habbakuk: Sometimes we just can’t wrap our head around how God works in the world, that’s why the faithful need faith. Zephaniah: We’re pretty lucky God doesn’t undo the gracious decision to create the universe. Haggai: Don’t feign poverty when you live in big houses. Zechariah: Do not despair, God’s plan for how to rule far exceeds what we experience from incompetant rulers. Malachi: God does not want all show and no commitment from his leaders. Matthew: If you want to know what God wants, listen to Jesus.

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Mark: God’s idea of leadership and service could very well look like failure and weakness to the world.

Luke: God brings down the mighty by lifting up the lowly, so stop what you're doing and get on board with God’s plan (P.S. That’s a good thing, because we are all lowly in some way). John: If you want to know what God’s love is like, take a look at Jesus. Acts: Don’t underestimate the creativity and power of the Holy Spirit because she will definitely surprise you! Romans: If you think you are upright while others are fallen, look again; we all need God to lift us up . 1 Corinthians: Build up one another instead of puffing yourself up. 2 Corinthians: Stop bragging about your strength; God’s power is made perfect in weakness. Galatians: Come on, it’s grace! Faith in the crucified Christ and making value distinctions among people are not com-patible!

Ephesians: Jesus shows us the primacy of God’s grace and works to break down walls, so no bragging or wall building allowed.

Philippians: So much depends on how you look at things: Jesus showed power by giving up power, and what seems like misfortune may actually be an opportunity and a reason for joy. Colossians: Don’t shortchange who Jesus is and what he has done; after all, he is the image of the invisible God and everything was created through him. 1 Thessalonians: Don’t lose hope when hope seems delayed. 2 Thessalonians; Don't obsess over whether Jesus has returned yet because you’ll know it when it happens. 1 Timothy: Teach what is right, hold leaders accountable, and never forget to have genuine humility. 2 Timothy: When you pass on your values you don’t need to worry whether you’ve done enough in your life. Titus: Beware of professing God with your words but denying him with your actions. Philemon: Seeing others as children of God will change how you treat them. Hebrews: The stories and people of the past can guide and encourage you in the present. James: Intellectual agreement is not the same thing as faith. 1 Peter: Just because you lack worldly success and popularity does not mean that you are not precious in God’s sight.

2 Peter: Delay is a sign of God’s gracious patience, not of God’s neglect. 1 John: As Jesus is God embodied in flesh, love for one another is the embodiment of faith in Jesus.

2 John: Don’t let teachers of bad theology lead your church astray. 3 John: Don’t be so cautious of outsiders that you forget to be loving and hospitable.

Jude: Take seriously the dangers of corrupt theology.

Revelation: No matter what comes, God will ultimately defeat those who seek to destroy goodness, and when that fully happens heaven and earth will become one. Come Lord Jesus! *Schaudenfreude is a German word meaning, “Joy in the misfortune of others.”

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LIVING HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH 15630 E 4th St P O Box 224 Ettrick, WI 54627 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Living Hope Lutheran Church 15630 East 4th Street Ettrick, WI 54627

608.525.3454 livinghopeettrick@gmail.com

July 2020

Sunday Schedule: *Church buildings are currently closed. Please visit Living Hope on Facebook or at livinghopeettrick.weebly.com for up to date information.