Vol. 24, Issue 2 • February 2018

www.englishlutheran.org • office@englishutheran.org • 608-784-9335 • 1509 King Street, La Crosse, WI 54601

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ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL

MEETING

Following the 10:45 worship service, members will be invited to stand and stretch and then return to the sanctu-ary for the meeting. All confirmed members in good standing (active members) of ELC are encouraged to participate in this annual review of our mission, and look ahead to 2018. The annual meeting includes a pas-tor’s report, financial report, election of officers and report from the Endowment Committee. Written copies of our annual report are avail-able in the narthex

Sunday, February 11Noon

SABBATH AS RESISTANCEGod gave the Sabbath as a gift to us. In a society defined by a market driven economy, the Sabbath functions as a form of resistance. The Sabbath pro-vides a healthy, realistic alternative to a frenetic, anxious lifestyle.

During the upcoming season of Lent, we will turn to a book written by the Old Testament scholar, Walter Brueggemann, for practical guidance. Based on the concept of Sabbath, which is as old as history itself, Brueggemann’s book provides a fresh look at our family life, our faith life, our society and some of the systemic challenges of our society. Using Old Testament stories from Abraham to Elijah, we will reimagine our world in a way that is more restful, more joyful and more faithful to God’s intent and design.

During the Lenten, midweek services, Pastor Solyst will preach on themes from Brueggemann’s book, Sabbath as Resistance: Saying no to the Culture of Now. The Sunday adult forum in the South Hall will provide an oppor-tunity to discuss the themes raised in the midweek sermons. In addition, utilizing the Study Guide accompanying Sabbath as Resistance, there will be small group opportunities for discussion on Wednesday and throughout the week. See article on page 6.

Brueggemann’s book, Sabbath as Resistance, is available online for $11.90 and there are a limited number of books available for purchase at the church office.

See also article on page 6.

RABBI PROMBAUM to speak at Adult Forum

Rabbi Saul Prombaum from Congregation Sons of Abraham in La Crosse will speak at our Adult Forum on Sundays February 25 and March 4 as part of our Lenten emphasis on Sabbath as Resistance. The Adult Forum meets in the South Hall of our Fellowship Hall from 9:45 until 10:30. In addition to Rabbi Prombaum, Pastor Solyst will lead a discussion of the book Sabbath as Resistance, based on the study guide for chapters 1, 5 and 6. The Adult Forum schedule is on page 9.

Wednesday Lenten Worship SCHEDULE

Feb. 14 ......The Act of TrustFeb. 21 ......Resistance to AnxietyFeb. 28 ......Reimagining SocietyMarch 7......An Inclusion IdentityMarch 14....HypocrisyMarch 21....Yes to a Beloved Community

Saturday .........5:00 p.m.Sunday............8:30 and 10:45 a.m.Nursery Sun ...8:30 to 11:45 a.m.

WorshipMusic&

Worship times

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Thank you to Marla Engbloom, who played the hand chimes so beautifully when we sang "Borning Cry". Since Pastor Solyst was preaching about Bap-tism (and babies), we wanted an anthem with a lullaby feel that complemented his sermon. The hand chimes made for a soothing obligato as we sang.

This is a great time to join our choir if you are a music lover! Sometimes people have said to me, "Oh, I’m not that good." But the fact of the mat-ter is we have members of all experiences and abilities. The reason we can sing music of the difficulty of the Messiah is that our singers work hard and come to the rehearsals. Through that dedication and practice, the music we sing can be within your grasp! If you can sing the hymns on Sundays, then you are good enough. We will help you with the rest!

We’ve got some interesting music we are working on. One exciting anthem we are working on, "Eatnemen" (Song of the Earth), was brought to us by Gary Walth. It is by Norwegian composer Frode Fjellhem, who combines the very old "Yoik" vocal tradition of the Scandinavian and Russian people with the beloved hymn "Beautiful Savior". Gary will be taking over the podium for this anthem and I will join the sopranos when we sing this. (Thank you, Gary!)

Regular choir rehearsal Jan. 24, 31, and Feb. 7 at 7:30 Feb. 21, 28, and March 7, 14, 21 at 7:00-8:30Join us and experience the joy of singing.

REQUIEM by John RutterWe are starting our next "Sermon in Song", the John Rutter Requiem, which we will sing on March 25. Please consider singing with us for this music and/or invite a friend to come and sing with us. (This Requiem will take work, of course, but it is not as difficult as the Messiah.)

Rehearsals for this seven-movement work of the Requiem Jan. 24, 31, and Feb. 7 at 8:00-9:00 We need lots of voices to sing this. Your voice would be a welcome addition!

Nancy MatchettSenior Choir Director

nancy@englishlutheran.org

This year there will be two identi-cal services, one at noon, the other at 7:00 p.m. on February 14.

Please join us as we begin the journey of Lent by attending one of these services. There will be communion and the imposition of ashes at both services.

A huge thank you to the following amazing musicians for sharing your musical gifts at the Christmas services

You are all appreciated!

Thank You

ChoirNOTES

Senior ChoirEddie KimLinda Lebakken Nancy MatchettPastor Mark SolystLynn and Rich Tully

Rachel TullyTherese WalthChristine WalthMike WateskiLinda Zoerb

February 14

CHURCH OFFICEmain phone ................... 784-9335direct line........................ 784-8876

SENIOR PASTORPastor Mark Solyst ..............ext 205pastormark@englishlutheran.org

PASTORPastor Becky Goche ............ext 301pastorbecky@englishlutheran.org

PASTOR of CARING MINISTRIESPastor Rog Grow .................ext 206pastorroger@englishlutheran.org

DIRECTOR of DISCIPLESHIPNiki Pohnl ............................ext 204niki@englishlutheran.org

DIRECTOR of YOUTH and FAMILYKerri Jahnke ........................ext 207 kerri@englishlutheran.org

DIRECTOR of MUSICTrevor DuPey ......................ext 303trevor@englishlutheran.org

SENIOR CHOIR DIRECTORNancy Matchett....................ext 304nancy@englishlutheran.org

BELL CHOIR DIRECTORJim Knutson ..................... 498-8829jdknutso@smumn.edu

ORGANIST/PIANISTEddie KimLuke Thering

OFFICE MANAGER Jennifer Jones .....................ext 201jennifer@englishlutheran.org

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTSCarol Robertson ..................ext 202 carol@englishlutheran.orgSarah Herath .......................ext 202 sarah@englishlutheran.org

CUSTODIANTerry Welch

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Pastor’s Press

As of December 27, English Lutheran Church was mortgage free! We received sufficient funds in December to pay off the mortgage and Jennifer sent a $74,741.61 check to the ELCA Mission Investment Fund in Chicago.

Six years after we voted to accept a $4 million obligation and four and a half years after we amortized a $2.2 million mortgage we are a congregation with no debt (for a couple months anyway).

We owe a huge thank you to our capital appeal chairpersons and all who worked on the appeals.

And we need to thank God for the generous hearts in over 300 house-holds who con-tributed what they were able in order to make this miracle happen.

At Christmas, God gave us an incomparable gift of Emmanuel (God with us). Now God has given us the gift of a beautiful, functional building. It is our responsibility to be God's hands and feet and use this gift to further God's Kingdom.

Pastor Mark Solyst

No More Mortgage

The Bethlehem Event itself may be over, but the outcome will be of lasting benefit. We are delighted to report that the profit from sales of the King’s Bazaar store, amounted to $2,000. $1,800 of that money will be given to The Bright Stars of Bethlehem for three specific scholarships. One for Children and Youth ages 4-19. This scholarship will help underwrite membership costs of the Diyar Academy. The second scholarship will be des-ignated for a Dar al-Kalima University college student to help provide tuition assistance. The third scholarship will go to the Ajyal “Generations” Elder Care Program which helps underwrite the annual cost for a “senior” to receive spiritual, educational, recreational and health services. Each participant contributes to the financial cost of their program, but these scholarships will help close the gap between what they can afford and the cost of these ministries. The remaining $200 will be designated to “Where Most Needed.” Please go to www.brightstarsbethlehem.org “What We Do” drop down, to learn more about what these programs offer.

A big thank you to Cindy Sahlstrom for her organization in pulling together all that goes into the product selection, ordering, contacts, set up and take down, and the selling of the beautiful, Palestinian crafted pieces. And, a special thank you to those who supported the King’s Bazaar and this effort with your purchases.

The King's Bazaar

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ServeGive&

Two thousand seventeen will certainly go down in history as a year of bro-ken records. Unfortunately, one of the broken records from 2017 is not one to celebrate. In 2017 the world saw the number of displaced persons jump to a record high of 65.6 million persons. Of this total, 23.5 million are refugees - meaning these people were forced to leave their country, usually because of war or some sort of cleansing. Of the other 42 million, the majority are inter-nally displaced persons – people who were forced to flee their homes but did not cross international lines. For some the internal displacement was the result of natural disasters. For the majority, displacement was the result of injustice, violations of human rights, or violence. Both refugees and internally displaced persons face years, or even decades of uncertainty, substandard living, lack of health care and education, as well as the danger of being victims of abuse, human trafficking, and other atrocities. There is little doubt that the forcible displacement of people is one of the most pressing humanitarian issues now facing the global community.

Where do these displaced people come from? Over 5 million refugees are from Palestine, and another 5 million are from Syria. (Imagine the entire popula-tion of Minnesota, which is slightly more than 5 million people, being forced to flee to Canada!) Over a million refugees come each from South Sudan, Somalia, and, most recently, from Myanmar. The numbers for internally displaced per-sons are even more staggering. Syria has almost 7 million displaced persons within its borders – comparable to the population of the state of Washington. Other countries such as Colombia, Yemen and Iraq are struggling with simi-lar numbers.

Where do displaced people go? Most refugees, because they flee to nearby countries, are currently living in some

of the world’s poorest countries - coun-tries that are unable to care for their own, much less a burgeoning refugee population. Turkey has around 3 mil-lion refugees living within its borders and Pakistan has close to 1.5 million refugees

What can be done to help the growing number of displaced people is not so black and white. Often refugees are gathered in camps where humanitar-ian groups can begin to supply needed goods and services. The status of internally displaced people is more precarious. Because they still reside in their country, it is up to the government of that country to provide humanitarian services. There is little the United Na-tions can do for them, and very few are fortunate enough to be able to gather in camps where humanitarian groups can assist them. In most countries where there are large numbers of internally displaced people, the governments usually lack the power and resources to deal with the situation. And so, the fate of internally displaced people is often very grim.

Is the problem of displaced people "our problem?" Jeremiah 22:3 tells us to "Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the father-less, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood." In its very first social statement, "The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective," the ELCA committed to "work with and on behalf of the poor, the powerless and those who suffer…" As Christians and Lutherans, we have a strong Biblical basis and church history that supports reaching out to displaced people.

So - What can we do?1) We can pray for those affected by violence and are being forced from their

homes and countries. Pray that peace can be restored and that people will no longer have to flee their homes because of violence and oppression. Consider joining the prayer vigil sponsored by In-terfaith Partners for Peace and Justice in Palestine/Israel which meets on the third Thursday of the month.

2) Continue to financially support the work of the ELCA. 100% of your contri-butions to Lutheran Disaster Response go directly to aid those in need. And your support of ELCA World Hunger helps provide relief as well as education and training so that people who have been displaced, or are in need, can provide for themselves long-term.

3) Stay informed about what is going on in our world and contact your public offi-cials about issues that deal with immi-gration, refugee status, and foreign aid to help people in distress. Letting your government officials know these issues matter to you could make a difference in how our country responds to this global concern of displaced people.

For more information on these concerns and how to get involved, visit the ELCA Advocacy Page at http://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Publicly-Engaged-Church/Advocacy/Why-Advocacy

Hebrews 13:2, RSV "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Kathy WeeksMinistry Council

Member of Synod Mission Interpreters

(Facts and figures were taken from the United Nations Human Rights Council, the International Red Cross )

Displaced People – A Global Concern – Our Concern

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Volunteer SchedulePlease refer to the schedules and reminders

by the volunteer captains or the church office.

If you can’t participate on your assigned date, please find someone to replace you, and contact your volunteer captain and the church office so the change may be listed in the bulletin. If you wish to volunteer,

please contact the person listed below to inquire. Thanks for your time and talents as well as your cooperation.

Acolytes - Niki Pohnl 784-8876 x 204, niki@englishlutheran.org

Altar Ministry - Karla Strangstalien and Nancy Mills 787-9803, walize18@yahoo.com. 788-4346, hnmills@juno.com

Coffee Servers - Niki Pohnl 784-8876 x 204, niki@englishlutheran.org

Communion Assts. - Sarah Herath 784-8876 x 202, sarah@englishlutheran.org

Cookie Providers - Carol Robertson 784-8876 x 202, carol@englishlutheran.org

Lectors - Sarah Herath 784-8876 x 202, sarah@englishlutheran.org

Nursery Attendants - Niki Pohnl 784-8876 x 204, niki@englishlutheran.org

Offering Counters - Bill Newburg 788-6312, wenkhn@centurylink.net

Tech Team - Sarah Herath 784-8876 x 202, sarah@englishlutheran.org

Ushers 5:00 Sat. - Karla Strangstalien 787-9803, walize18@yahoo.com

Ushers 8:30 - Mark Flaten mflaten61@gmail.com

Ushers 10:45 - Al Graewin agraewin@aol.com

Welcome Center - Grace Engen 507-429-0502

Worship Coordinator - Ann Weidner amweidne@gundersenhealth.org

Haley Parsneau is a Junior at Central High School

Haley has been a faithful member of ELC youth program. She attend youth group regularly she serves on the youth steering committee, and she helps with whatever is needed at church. She has attended mission trips, served many burrito and pancake breakfasts, helped envision our youth program, and has been an amazing role model of faith to her peers. This months feature volunteer is Haley. Thank you Haley for all you do for your church family and the way your share your faith!

Youth Feature Volunteer

We appreciate you Haley

ServeGive&

Sign up for AltAr flowerSThere is a new altar flower sign up chart by the church office. Please sign up if you would like to celebrate or remember a special time or person so we as a congregation can celebrate or remember with you.

We are in need of people to bring the soups, bread and desserts for lunch after mid-day worship.

Please Sign up with Kerri, or at the Welcome Center.

SOUPS for mid-day Lenten Worship

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Our next phase of "Walking with God" small group studies during Lent will start February 11.

We are resuming with the book We Make the Road by Walking.

Sign up Sunday, January 28.

Please let Kerri know if your group plans to continue, or if you are interested in being in a group.

The theme of our Lenten Worship will be centered around the book Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now, by Walter Brueggemann.

Parents of confirmation students are encouraged to be part of this, as your child will be involved in guide groups or Electives for Confirma-tion. We look forward to having this conversation.

This is what Brueggemann's book is about: Discussions about the Sab-bath often center around moralistic laws and arguments over whether our children should partake in soc-

cer games on Sunday morning or adults purchase liquor on Sundays. In this volume, popular author Walter Brueggemann writes that the Sabbath is not simply about keeping rules but rather about becoming a whole person and restoring a whole society. Importantly, Brueggemann speaks to a 24/7 society of consump-tion, a society in which we live to achieve, accomplish, perform, and possess. We want more, own more, use more, eat more, and drink more. Keeping the Sabbath allows us to break this restless cycle and focus on what is truly important: God, other people, all life. Brueggemann offers a transformative vision of the wholeness God intends, giving world-weary Christians a glimpse of a more fulfilling and simpler life through Sabbath observance.

ConnectGrow&

Discussion on our Lenten Theme: Sabbath as Resistance

After our Wednesday night wor-ship service there will be a 30 to 45 minute time for discussion about the topic in the sermon, and on book Sabbath as Resistance.

Lutheranism 101

Pastor Solyst will offer an eight-week, adult confirmation class called “Lutheranism 101” beginning Thursday, February 1, at 6:30 p.m. The class will meet in the conference room. The class is designed for anyone who wants to better understand our Christian beliefs and, in particu-lar, the theology of the Lutheran Church.

Because over half of our new members come to us from non-Lutheran traditions, the class is particularly helpful for those who grew up as Roman Catho-lics, Methodists, Baptists, etc. The conversation during class often focuses on questions that come from participants who wonder what Lutherans think about ideas they remember from former churches.

The class also serves as prepara-tion for adult confirmation. Par-ticipants who grew up in other denominations and who desire to affirm their faith in the Lutheran tradition are invited to partici-pate in a Rite of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.

Pre-registration is required. Please contact the church of-fice or sign up at the Welcome Center.

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AdultEDUCATION

SundayFeb. 4 - Northside Neighborhood ClinicTed Thompson and Robin CosbyFeb. 11 - Children's Worship No Adult Education ClassFeb. 18 - Sabbath Resistance see front page and page 6Feb. 25 - Biblical Interpretation of Sabbath - Rabbi Prombaum see front page articleMarch 4 - Rabbi PrombaumContemporary Jewish Practice see front page article

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It may be cold out-side, but you will be warmly welcomed in the library where you will find our Luther book collection as we continue to celebrate the Reformation.

Looking ahead to Ash Wednesday, February 14, a selection of Lenten reading is also on display and available for checkout.

We'd LOVE to see you in the library. Happy Valentine's Day!

L I N KLibrary

Crafter's RetreatsFeb. 8-11

Reserve a table and bring your craft project for the weekend. Come and go as you wish and enjoy time with friends finishing those projects you need done.

Sign up at the Welcome Center to reserve your tables.

See Niki Pohnl for more details.

Sunday, February 4Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Lunch is provided

Faith WorkshopThursday, February 8 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

New members will be received on the weekend of

Feb. 10 and 11 at all services.

For questions, more information, or if you plan to attend,

contact Carol Robertson608-784-9335 or

carol@englishlutheran.org

New MemberOrientation

Gifts and Memorials__

Bible Study Program______________• in memory of Will and Irene Sill by James SillEndowment Fund________________• in memory of Dianne Naumann by Bruce and Pam WaltersInterfaith Partners_______________• in memory of Dianne Naumann by John MonsonMusic Fund_____________________• in memory of Dianne Naumann by Chuck and Carmen Gustafson Undesignated____________________• in memory of Lindy Saline by Dennis and Lois Peterson, and family and friends• in memory of Timothy Welch by Delaney Gilster and James Sill• in memory of Jack Ebner by James Sill• in memory of Dianne Naumann by Mark Hatleli and Vicki Dahl, Mary Circle, Ron, Virginia, and Rob Rogers, Gary and Susan Link, Karen Guptill, Carol Taebel, Ruth Olson, Boyd and Marla Engbloom, Al and Jill Graewin, Bob and Kathy Weeks, Beth and Gary Mundinger, Tom and Ann Monson, Janet and Don Melby, Sharon Odahl, Ruth Kuntz, Bill and Karen Newburg, Kent and Mary Sween, Brad and Gail Quarberg, Howard and Nancy Mills, Greg and Christina Fenton, Mark and Kathy Shaw, Dennis and Susan Johnson, and family and friends

Deaths__________________________We extend the sympathy of the Gospel to the family of June Perso who died on Dec. 8.

ConnectGrow&

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Questions? Contact Kerri Jahnke kerri@englishlutheran.org

Youth Faith Formation February 41st and 3rd Sundays - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. 9th -12th grade

Peer Ministry 4th Wednesday - 6:30 p.m.10th -12th grade

P.A.C.K. 1st Friday of each month 4th, 5th and 6th grade youth

Next StepSunday mornings - 9:45 - 10:30 a.m.7th and 8th gradeYouth Room

HS Youth Praise Band1st and 3rd Wednesdays 6:15 - 7:15 p.m.

Confirmation Wednesday 6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Kerri is teaching 8th grade confirmation

Sunday School Schedule 9:45-10:30, ages 2 yrs.- 6th grade

Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25 regular classes

NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERINGJune 27 - July 1

Snow Tubing7th - 12th gradesFebruary 18noon. to 4:00 p.m.Fort McCoy snow hill

A Retreat for Families in AprilApril 20-22 the Fellowship Council is planning a retreat for adults and children, or any-one to attend at a bible camp.

We would spend time in bible study, worship, and fun activi-ties.

Pastor Becky would lead the adult bible studies, and Kerri will lead the children and youth bible studies and activities.

Please add this your calen-dars! More information to come!

Church Directories available at the Welcome Center.

If you had your picture taken, they are free and are labeled with your name.

If not, the directories are $5.00.

The big financial story for December is that, thanks to several very generous contributions, we were able to pay off our mortgage! When we built our new fellowship space and remodeled several classrooms as well as building a new kitchen, we had a 25 year mortgage of over $2,212,000. THANKS to all of you for your pledges and gifts, we were able to pay off the entire mortgage in four years and three months! THANKS be to God for your generosity.

Also during December we activated several new methods of elec-tronic giving. In addition to the Simply Giving program we have been using for several years, we now offer the options to give on line, give by text or give via an app. You can check them out by going to http://www.englishlutheran.org/giving financial-wellness.html or contact Jennifer in the church office.

For the General Fund, December was a good month, as it always is.

Receipts were very close to 2016 figures. For the year to date, if we disregard the tax credit received in 2016, our receipts are virtually the same. Expenses for December were higher this year as we had higher benevolence contributions and increases in Stability Triangle (Personnel, Property and Finance) costs. Year to date disbursements exceeded last year because of the benevolence contributions and increases in the Five Big Rocks (Fellowship, Ministry, Disciple-ship, Evangelism and Worship) area. However, our expenses were well below our budget figures for the year.

We did finish the year with a December gain of just over $8,000 and a year to date gain of about $3,500. THANK YOU for all your generous support with your time, talent and treasure during the year. We wish you the very best in 2018.

Finance Committee

General Fund December 2017

ServeGive&

10

Financial Report

Cost to change the ad at anytime: $25.00

Reach 500 households.100% of ad revenue goes to English Lutheran Church.

Advertise in the Voice

CONTACT our volunteer sales representativeVicki Markussen at 608.386.7883

E-MAIL hi res logos, graphics and text tocsolyst@charter.net

full color two squares .............. $625full color one square ............... $525black & white two squares ...... $425black & white one square ....... $325

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NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE PAIDLA CROSSE, WI 54601PERMIT NO. 487

February OUR VISION

By the grace of God, English Lutheran Church

shall be a healthy, mission-focused

congregation

608•784•9335www.englishlutheran.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Karl Green is a Professor with the Department of Community Resource Development for UW Extension La Crosse County. While Karl spends a significant amount of time working with housing and neighborhood data analy-sis, he also has focused on storm water issues in La Crosse County. In 2006, Karl organized and convened a group of 8 local municipalities and La Crosse County in an intergovernmental agree-ment for storm water public education and outreach. Eleven years later, this agreement stills exists and allows La Crosse municipalities to unify with one voice on storm water management. Karl uses his background in hydrogeology to illustrate the important role rain gardens

play in sustaining the local aquifer.

Karl has an MBA from UW-La Crosse, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Geology

from Winona State University. Prior to Karl’s 12 year career with UW Exten-sion, he worked as a Professional Ge-ologist for a local civil engineering firm. His nine years of engineering, surveying and hydro geologic field experience pro-vided and education on the ways thinks work and are constructed.

Karl lives in La Crosse with his wife and two children. His rain garden has captured an estimated 200,000 gallons since he installed it in 2007.

http://www.englishlutheran.org/in-our-community.html

WATER QUALITY in the COULEE REGIONFebruary 21, Noon to 1:00 p.m.