LETTER FROM PASTOR MARK KLAISNER - New Life United ... · LETTER FROM PASTOR MARK KLAISNER Dear...

September & October 2017 NEWSLETTER

(920) 833-7308

www.seymour-umc.org

[email protected]

“New Life United Methodist Church - Seymour” on Facebook

LETTER FROM PASTOR MARK KLAISNER

Dear Friends, As fall approaches and we begin a new programming year here at New Life UMC I want to express how excited I am to serve all of you as your new pastor. There are several serious questions I want to ask all of us. The first being, “What does the church mean to you and I?” One wise observer of church life in the twentieth cen-tury said this, "Church membership has become a sort of religious credit card that costs nothing in life, and will be worth nothing in death." He went on to say, "This

much is certain. If we do not soon make church membership mean something, it will mean nothing." What’s gone wrong with our thinking about church? The first thing we need to see is that the Church is all about relationship and not about brick or mortar. In the New Testament, the Greek term for Church means "the called-out ones." The Church is not a physical facility, but rather the Church is you, each one of you. Without you, the Church would not exist. That is precisely why the Church is about relationship. In the Church, we are related to one another in a vital union of the Spirit. As we begin a new season here at New Life UMC, both city and country, we will be focusing on strengthening and growing our relational ministry with one another and with the world. Throughout the year, as a faith community, we will be gathering to develop a new vision of where we believe Christ is going to lead us. In a nutshell, it is about all of us sharing in the ministry of the Kingdom of God. With this thought in mind, I want to ask you a second important question, “What do you want to see in place at New Life UMC in the next three years as the result of our ministry within Seymour and beyond?” When you became a part of this faith community, you were placed in a vital, living relationship with the brothers and sisters who are here. You have a gift. You have a minis-try. You have a role. You have a function to perform in the body of Christ. And that function is not just for your own good, but for the good of all. As we en-ter the fall season I want to encourage you to share your gifts and graces with integrity and passion. I know in doing so we will experience God’s richest blessings! Peace for your day, Pastor Mark

Inside this issue:

Sermon Series

Worship Opportunities

Halloween Dinner

2

Soup & Sandwich Supper

Tuesday Bible Study

Giving Challenge Update

Confirmation Orientation

3

United Methodist Women

Hospitality Group

Our Kids Program

4

God’s School

Youth News 5

Mission Trip Testaments 6

TRUTH Group

Safe Sanctuaries Training 7

Scholarship Thank You’s

Choir Practices

Warming Shelter

8

Birthdays & Anniver-

saries 9-10

Calendars of Events 11-12

New Life UMC

SERMON SERIES

Moses: In the Footsteps of the Reluctant Prophet

In this seven-week sermon series, we’ll explore the remarkable story of Moses and how his story continues to speak to our lives today. Sept. 10 A Fearful Pharaoh, Four Courageous Women and God’s Providence Sept. 17 A Burning Bush, A Reluctant Prophet Sept. 24 The Exodus Oct. 1 The Art of Memory Oct. 8 The Ten Commandments Oct. 15 Lessons from the Wilderness Oct. 22 Don’t Forget. . . Pass It On

Stewardship Campaign: Extravagant Generosity

October 29—November 19

BONFIRE WORSHIP SERVICE Saturday, September 16 · Bruce & Lynn Brinkman’s House, W2145 Ranch Rd, Seymour

Bruce and Lynn Brinkman will host a Bonfire Worship Service on September 16. Everyone is invited to enjoy hot dogs and burgers for dinner. Please bring a dish to pass and your own beverages. Pastor Mark will lead a worship service around the fire at dusk. Bring your own chairs to sit around the fire as we enjoy food and fellowship to-gether. You are welcome to arrive anytime after 3 PM. Please email your RSVP to Jeff Crooks at [email protected] no later than September 10 so we can plan for food. Thank you!

FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULE RESUMES

Beginning September 10 Traditional Service on Sundays at 9 AM at City Site Contemporary Service at 10:30 AM at Country Site

Beginning September 20

Family Worship Service on Wednesdays at 6 PM at City Site

HALLOWEEN COMMUNITY DINNER Tuesday, October 31 · 5—7 PM at City Site

New Life UMC will once again host a Halloween Community Dinner at the City Site. This is an easy way for the children to have fun trick-or treating, then come for a light meal and enjoy a movie. We invite everyone to attend! We will be asking for donations of hot dogs/buns, chips, pickles, cook-ies, bars, milk, etc. as the date draws closer. Watch for details about this community event!

New Life UMC

SOUP AND SANDWICH SUPPER Wednesday, September 13 · 4:30—7 PM at City Site

Save the date for the annual Soup and Sandwich Supper. The menu includes: chicken dumpling soup and chili, sloppy joes, hot turkey sandwiches and hot dogs, fresh fruit, sliced cheese, chips, desserts and beverages. Price is per item. Proceeds will benefit the general church budget. For ways you can help, please contact the church office. Everyone is invited! Bring your friends and enjoy supper with us on September 13!

GIVING CHALLENGE UPDATE

Our congregation has been given a challenge. If we raise $150,000 by the end of December, which is $10,000 more than was given in 2016, an anonymous donor will generously match the extra $10,000, raising our total giving for 2017 to $160,000! At the end of July, we received $114,000. We are well on our way to making our goal! Please consider giving each and every Sunday. Using EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) is an easy option to do just that. You select the amount to transfer, what day it is transferred, and how many times a month your contribu-tion is taken. You are free to make changes to your electronic donation at any time. EFT forms are available in the office. If you decide to give electronically, you will be sure your donations will be received in a timely manner.

TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY Tuesdays beginning September 12 · 6:30 PM

Senior Village Community Room, 730 Bronson Road, Seymour

The Tuesday Night Bible Study will resume meeting again on Tuesday, September 12 at 6:30 PM in the Senior Village Community Room. We will continue our study of Acts. Join us as we learn about the apostle Paul’s travels as he spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ. For more in-formation, contact Joyce Buttles at 920-833-2985.

CONFIRMATION ORIENTATION Sunday, September 17 · 4:30 PM at City Site

Parents and youth age 7th grade and up, join us for a Confirmation Informational Meeting on Sunday, September 17. Pastor Mark will discuss details of the Confirmation Program and answer any questions you may have. Watch your mail for a letter from Pastor Mark. Please contact the church office for more information.

NEW LIFE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

The ladies are ready to start a new season of exciting events and programs! Miriam Circle will meet on Wednesday, September 6 at 5:30 PM to set up our calen-dars and make plans for the year. We will not be packing the Our Kids bags at this meeting, as the children are not signed up yet. Mary Circle will meet on Wednesday, September 20 at 9:30 AM in the City Site Library. We begin with a program to lift our hearts and minds, and pray for any needs for which we are aware. Programs and calendars will be scheduled. One thing we already have set is the 7th Annual Craft Sale on Saturday, December 2. Crafts from vendors, lunch, and cream puffs make this event a must to attend! ~Nancy Brinkman, President

New Life UMC

OUR KIDS WEEKEND SNACK BAG PROGRAM

With the start of another school year quickly approaching, Our Kids is getting ready to send out registration

forms, make classroom boxes, assign snack bags, shop for food, contact volunteers, and fundraise.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child for the 2017-2018 school year, please donate now. It costs $150/year for each child. Donations in any amount are accepted and appreciated any time of year.

Please make checks payable and mail to: New Life UMC, 721 Pleasant Way, Seymour, WI 54165. Please remem-ber to put “Our Kids” on the memo line. Or drop donations off in the church office during office hours.

Another way to support Our Kids is by using SCRIP gift cards to do your shopping. You can use SCRIP cards instead of cash to do your shopping and Our Kids will receive a percentage back in profit. What regular purchase can you

commit to using SCRIP for? Use SCRIP every time you purchase dog food or gas or birthday gifts or Subway (or some other restaurant). These small regular SCRIP purchases add up to significant profit for Our Kids Weekend

Snack Bags. How will you help? See Kate Schaumberg with questions.

Thanks to Don’s Quality Market for donating $1500 of food to Our Kids for the 2017-2018 school year.

HOSPITALITY GROUP Mondays, September 11 & October 9 · 6 PM at City Site

The Hospitality Group will resume its monthly meetings on Monday, September 11. All are welcome to join us as we discuss ways in which we, as a church body, can be welcoming—not only to guests who enter our doors, but to those throughout the community. Please join us if you are able!

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION BEGINS SEPTEMBER 20

God’s School, Phoenix and Journey Classes will begin on Wednesday, September 20.

God’s School is for children 3 years (potty-trained, please) through 4th grade.

Phoenix is a casual time for those entering grades 5—8 (not confirmed) to explore what God has in store for each of us through discussion, activities, and fellowship time.

Journey is a casual time for those who have been confirmed and/or in high school to connect together in faith activities while supporting each other with our God-given talents and participating in community projects.

We will follow a format similar to last year:

5:30 PM Optional Dinner—Everyone is welcome to come and eat and enjoy fellowship before clas-ses start

6 PM Family-centered Service / God’s School (6—7 PM)—All are encouraged to come to the family-centered service, where the lesson will be introduced. God’s School participants are dismissed from the service to go to their classes, where the teachers will continue the lesson in smaller groups.

6:30—7:30 PM Journey and Phoenix Classes

Please pass on this information to anyone you know who may be interested. Our religion program is open to everyone!

For more information about God’s School, please contact Vicky Felty at 920-676-4930.

For more information about Phoenix or Journey, please contact Kristi Crooks at 833-7019.

New Life UMC

YOUTH NEWS UPDATE

YOUTH GROUP Wednesday, September 13 · 6:30—8:00 PM at Country Site

Come play “Frozen Legos” and enjoy a bonfire. Wednesday, October 11 · 6:30—8:00 PM at City Site

“Stock the Shelves” Scavenger Hunt for Salvation Army Saturday, October 14—Sunday, October 15

Community Service Overnight · More details to come Saturday, October 21

Youth age 14 and up will be serving the meal at the Fox Valley Warming Shelter

PHOENIX & JOURNEY CLASSES BEGIN Wednesday, September 20 · 6:30—7:30 PM at City Site

Wednesday Dinner: 5:30 PM

For information, please contact Kristi Crooks at 833-7019.

2017 MISSION TRIP PARTICIPANTS’ TESTAMENTS July 18—22 · Minneapolis, Minnesota

New Life UMC

I loved spending time with people from our church and being able to share laughs and mem-ories throughout our journey. I didn’t realize how much a group could get done in the little time we had at our stations. For example, I was with a group at Second Harvest which is an or-ganization that helps feed the hungry and in the two hours we were there, we packed 22,080 pounds. That’s over 11 tons of food, in just two hours. Overall I thought the entire trip was an incredible and eye-opening experience! ~Brady M.

It was a very eye opening experience getting to work with different cultures, and learning to work around the language barrier. It’s great to see so many different organizations reaching out to give to those in poverty, but we need to find a way for those to find their own success too. ~Zoe M.

It was pretty cool to see the happy faces on the kids who received backpacks that we helped pack with school supplies. And helping to get the food ready for the people coming in for food as-sistance was a real experience. St Paul's Cathe-dral was awesome and the Big Blue Chicken at the Walker Sculpture Gardens will be remem-bered! ~Debbie S.

This was my first mission trip and it was a great experience. We were able to experience many things first hand that we normally don’t see. It was a very eye opening trip. ~Deiondra W.

It was a humbling, rewarding experience. The opportunity to help others and connect with youth and adults was great and the fellowship, prayer and faith journey were also rewarding. ~Jeff C.

It really opened my eyes unto how poor people are this close to our community and how many immigrants/refugees are struggling with poverty. I was glad I was able to take part in this opportuni-ty. ~Jorey W.

Going on mission trips has taught me to be more open and accepting. They have opened my eyes to what is truly happening outside of our back door. I love going on them and I wouldn’t change my experience for the world. ~Anna P.

A nervous adventure turned into one amazing experience. This was an eye opening trip that I think everyone should do at least once their life. I am beyond grateful for what God has given me and so blessed to have spent a week with some amazing friends that I now call family. ~Jolene S.

I’d have to say the main thing that I noticed while on our trip was how many people reach out to food pantries to help with their needs. I saw how diverse the group of people are, also (age and race). It was crazy to see how much the food pantries had for their visitors, and how quickly all of that food was gone. Seeing how happy/grateful the people were for what they were given was awesome! ~Jacie H.

SERVE

LEARN SPEAK

MISSION TRIP PICTURES

New Life UMC

SAFE SANCTUARIES TRAINING Sunday, September 10 · 11:30 AM at Country Site OR Wednesday, September 20 · 7:30 PM at City Site

Safe Sanctuaries is making congregations safe places where children, youth, and other vulnerable popula-tions may experience the abiding love of God and fellowship within the community of faith. It is a policy that is in place to protect not only the young, or the elderly, but the volunteers who work with them. Safe Sanctuaries is a church-wide understanding that the safety of the people inside our walls is important and that we as a congregation take this safety seriously. Safe Sanctuary training is required for all persons having direct contact with children, youth and other vulnerable adults in all activities connected with our local congregation, church activities, God's School, Youth Group, mission trips, confirmation mentors, volunteers, camp settings, etc. Even if you are not di rectly working with students and/or elderly, we encourage everyone to attend as this is a church-wide commitment to all who enter our doors. The more eyes and ears who are aware of this, the safer we can make our faith community. Please plan to join us during one of the training presentations.

TRUTH GROUP

(Teenagers Rising Up Through Him) Every Other Sunday Beginning September 17 · 6 PM at City Site

Any youth interested in reading/working through a book of the Bible, you are encouraged to attend the first TRUTH Group on Sunday, September 17. Kristi will lead the group in discussing what the TRUTH Bible Study en-tails. Come see what we’re all about!

New Life UMC

NEW LIFE UMC SCHOLARSHIP THANK YOU’S

FOOD PANTRY MINISTRY

September: Jelly, Peanut Butter October: Pasta & Spaghetti Sauce

Thank you for your ongoing support of the very neediest families in our community!

Volunteers of the Seymour Community Food Pantry

BELL CHOIR

The bell choir will resume practice on Wednesday, September 20th at 5:45 PM in the library. We practice each Wednes-day except for the first Wednesday of the month. We would like you to join us and learn this way to make

music sound even more beautiful. For details, contact Nancy Brinkman at 920-833-2614.

CHANCEL CHOIR

The choir will begin our practices on Sunday, Septem-ber 3 at the City Site. We will possibly sing during the

City Site worship service depending on how many people are in attendance. Our practices are held on

Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM. Please join us as we sing familiar songs from the hymnal. We are not professionals by any means, we just

enjoy singing praises to God. We hope you will join us!

WARMING SHELTER MEAL

New Life UMC members and friends will resume serving the Fox Valley Warming

Shelter meal on the 3rd Saturday of the month beginning in September.

New Life UMC

SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

1st Andy & Summer Peters

3rd Al & Sally Wagner

7th Bruce & Lynn Brinkman

8th Jim & Penny Much

13th David & Lori Klevesahl

19th Dean & Karen Roskom

23rd Jim & Jean Maass

29th Andy & Lorrie John

30th Chad & Heather Oskey

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

2nd April Crooks

3rd Gerry Krahn

4th Brett Paltzer

5th Teresa Haas

6th Cody Roskom

7th Lily Nygren

8th Janell Blochowitz

9th Susan Barth

10th Felicity Dorn

10th Vera Holzer

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

11th Laura Reynolds

12th John Schoen

14th Jan Wussow

15th Pearl Albert

15th Vicky Felty

15th Zoe Moehring

16th Bruce Barth

17th Brian Brinkman

17th Jeff Crooks

17th Kim Rohm

17th Jake Roskom

18th Dennis Carter

20th Susan Tilot

21st Kaitlyn Felty

22nd Angie Moehring

25th Nathan Larmay

26th Lynn Albert

27th Emily Brinkman

27th Jerry Hoefs

27th Debbie Sutliff

28th Michelle Ziegler

29th Rich Stanelle

30th Holly Vanden Langenberg

30th Colton Vander Zanden

New Life UMC

OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES

1st Mark & Debbie Baker

1st Adam & Courtney Heagle

4th Cody & Sami Maass

5th Terry & Janet Brill

7th Robert & Rachel Bloedorn, Jr.

8th Joe & Tammy Nygren

9th Russ & Susan Moeller

13th Duane & Joanne Wussow

20th Corey & Michelle Miller

21st Jerry & Karen Hoefs

22nd Vern Malchow & Elaine Brill

22nd John & Caroline Lueck

27th Glen & Kate Schaumberg

30th Tom & Amy Mueller

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

1st Andrew Felty

1st Chris Wussow

2nd Clarence Mueller

3rd Payton Brocker

3rd Marley Heagle

4th Austin Marcks

4th Robert Mory, Jr.

4th Hailey Oskey

4th James Pesola

5th Justin Lotter

5th Anna Pesola

7th Gail Dean

7th Braylee Heagle

8th Thomas Jaykoski

9th Avah Gardner

9th Susie Prokop

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

9th Owen Ward

10th Robert Bloedorn, Jr.

10th Courtney Bunnell

10th Virginia Butters

10th Judy Schultz

10th Al Wagner

12th Brian Murphy

12th Mark Schneider

13th Rich Elmergreen

13th McKenna Sherman

14th Kate Schaumberg

16th Taylor Matuszak

16th David Peotter

18th Bethany Marcks

19th Becky Mueller

20th Shaun Brill

20th Sami Maass

20th Kelsey Marsh

22nd Barb Blahnik

22nd Lynn Brinkman

22nd Heather Oskey

23rd John Lueck

24th Jenna Haas

25th Gilbert Blochowitz

25th Terry Bloedorn

28th Sue Thiel

29th Courtney Heagle

30th Joyce Buttles

New Life UMC

September Calendar

Sun., Sept. 3 FOOD DRIVE: Jelly, Peanut Butter

8:30 AM Chancel Choir Practice—City Site

9 AM Traditional Worship with Holy

Communion—City Site

SCRIP Order Due

Mon., Sept. 4

Office Closed—Labor Day

3 PM Methodist Communion at Good Shep.

FOOD DRIVE: Jelly, Peanut Butter

6:30PM Contemporary Worship with Holy

Communion—Country Site

SCRIP Order Due

Tues., Sept. 5 Office Hours 8 AM—3 PM

9:30 AM Staff Meeting—City Site

Wed., Sept. 6 5:30 PM UMW Miriam Circle—City Site 6:30 PM Finance Committee Meeting-City Site

Sun., Sept. 10 8:30 AM Chancel Choir Practice—City Site

9 AM Traditional Worship—City Site 10:30 AM Contemporary Worship—Country Site

11:30 AM Safe Sanctuaries Training—Country Site

Bonfire Worship RSVP Deadline

Mon., Sept. 11 6 PM Hospitality Meeting—City Site

Tues., Sept. 12 9:30 AM Staff Meeting—City Site

6:30 PM Home Bible Study—Senior Village

Wed., Sept. 13 4:30—7 PM Soup and Sandwich Supper—

City Site

6:30—8 PM Youth Group—Country Site

Sat., Sept. 16 Fox Valley Warming Shelter Meal Served

3 PM Bonfire Worship Service—Bruce &

Lynn Brinkman’s House



SCRIP Order Due 4:30 PM Confirmation Orientation—City Site

6 PM TRUTH Group—City Site



Wed., Sept. 20 9:30 AM UMW Mary Circle—City Site

5:30 PM Wednesday Dinner—City Site

5:45 PM Bell Choir Practice—City Site

6 PM Family-Centered Worship—City Site

6 PM God’s School—City Site

6:30 PM Phoenix & Journey—City Site

6:30 PM Our Kids Bags Packed—City Site 7:30 PM Safe Sanctuaries Training—City Site





Wed., Sept. 27 5:30 PM Wednesday Dinner—City Site





6:30 PM Our Kids Bags Packed—City Site

Office Hours Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 AM—3 PM; Tuesday 8 AM—Noon unless otherwise noted

New Life UMC

October Calendar

Sun., Oct. 1 FOOD DRIVE: Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce

8:30 AM Chancel Choir Practice—City Site

9 AM Traditional Worship with Holy

Communion—City Site

10:30 AM Contemporary Worship with Holy

Communion—Country Site


Mon., Oct. 2

2 PM Prayer Chain Meeting—City Site

3 PM Methodist Communion at Good Shep.

Tues., Oct. 3 9:30 AM Staff Meeting—City Site


Wed., Oct. 4 5:30 PM UMW Miriam Circle—City Site






Sun., Oct. 8 8:30 AM Chancel Choir Practice—City Site


Mon., Oct. 9 6 PM Hospitality Meeting—City Site



Wed., Oct. 11 5:30 PM Wednesday Dinner—City Site




6:30—8 PM Youth Group—City Site


Sat., Oct. 14 Youth Community Service Overnight Begins



Youth Community Service Overnight Ends




Wed., Oct. 18 9:30 AM UMW Mary Circle—City Site







Sat., Oct. 21 5—8 PM Youth Serve Fox Valley Warming

Shelter Meal



11:30 AM SPRC Meeting with District

Superintendent—Country Site



Wed., Oct. 25 5:30 PM Wednesday Dinner—City Site










5—7 PM Halloween Community Dinner—

City Site


Office Hours Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 AM—3 PM; Tuesday 8 AM—Noon unless otherwise noted

NEW LIFE United Methodist Church

September & October 2017 Newsletter

Non-Profit Organization

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Seymour, WI

Permit No. 3

721 PLEASANT WAY

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Phone: 920-833-7308

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UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

OUR MISSION:

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BRINGING PEOPLE TO

HIM AND HELPING

THEM BECOME

FOLLOWERS OF

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LETTER FROM PASTOR MARK KLAISNER - New Life United ... · LETTER FROM PASTOR MARK KLAISNER Dear...

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