E-MAIL USReverend Kyle Carnes

Reverend Missy Holdorf

Sue Catlin-Christian Ed

Tina L. Scott-Bus. Manager

Brian Gilbert-Facilities

The Interpreter

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Mother’s Day 3

Wills, Bequests, Trusts 3

Redecorating 4

Online Giving 5

Holy Baptism 5

Memorials 6

Food for Kids 7

Youth News 8

What Would Jesus Do 9

Feed Your Spirit 10

Events 11

Birthdays 12

Calendars 13,14

LINK UPUCC

WI Conference

NW Association

Reverend Fun

May 4, 2016

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.

Office Hours: Mon-Wed 8-4:30 | Thurs 8-3| Fri 8-4 Rev. Kyle Carnes, Senior Minister | Rev. Missy Holdorf, Associate Minister

The Interpreter Saint Stephens United Church of Christ

903 E 2nd St Merrill WI 54452

Office: 715-536-7322

Pastoral Care Concerns:715.575.3191

GOING THROUGH THE TUNNELI was having lunch with a pastor colleague on Monday and enjoyed the opportunity to build that relationship. We talked about many things. At one point, he said this: “If you’re on a train, and you enter a tunnel, at first you usually can’t see the light on the other end. But just because you can’t see the light at the end, you don’t tear up your ticket and jump out the window. Instead, you sit down, and trust the engineer.”

I think most of us, at most times, are going through some kind of tunnel. Sometimes we’re in the midst of a many things where there isn’t a clear sense of direction. Perhaps resolution still lies further down the track than what our eyes can see or our hearts can imagine. This doesn’t mean though that we’ll have to remain aimless or uncertain forever. There might be a train station just on the other end of the tunnel. While this might seem obvious to so many of us, I think fewer of us have the peace of mind to just sit down for a minute and trust that the train will stay on the track and the engineer has been through that tunnel before. I know I struggle simply sitting still and trusting that God is still God, even in tunnels.

These days it seems like we’re pretty good at tearing up tickets. We get into a tunnel, the darkness is quickly too much and many are found with ticket after ticket shredded on the floor, legs dangling out the window, as we attempt to flee the train. Some darknesses, like the darkness of grief, or tragedy, or physical or emotional trauma, there is legitimacy to just wishing that it would stop and go away and the emergency brake worked on the train. And yet we know from the many who have gone before us and have seen light on the other side, that the only way is to continue through the tunnel, with no escape route. I pray that the congregation can be a place of refuge, a stopover, for those of us who are in the midst of one of those tunnels.

I’ll admit though, I’m concerned we have become a culture with piles of shredded tickets for train rides that are not for the long tunnels of grief or reconciliation. So many of our tickets today are from train rides through relatively short tunnels, that we simply don’t have the interest in traveling. And I suppose that’s our prerogative, on one hand. And yet, aren’t we often too eager to find the shortcut. Too preoccupied with our own likes and dislikes. Too enamored with our own opinions, that we’ve gotten really good at spotting tunnels, jumping out the fire escape, and staying on this side of things that could really be life-giving, if only we’d sit down? Sit down and have the conversation. Sit down and write the letter. Sit down and attend that meeting. Sit down and schedule that appointment. Sit down and tie those shoes, to go for that walk or run. But here we are. On this side of the tunnel. No idea of what might be on the other side. With only a handful of paper to hang onto.

I’m not sure what tunnels you’re traveling through or what tickets you keep tearing up before you even board the train, but I pray that wherever you are, you might have some sense of God’s goodness. That you might spot God’s blessing around you enough that you might find the courage and the stamina necessary to stick with that train, that tunnel, and that Engineer. We have tunnels as a church community to travel as well. All train rides are better with traveling companions. Let’s commit to get on board together, and see what God has for each of us and for all of us on the other side. I can’t imagine we’ll be disappointed.

Blessings,

Kyle

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Music Notes & News

from Shelly

SEVERE WEATHER IN WISCONSINSevere thunderstorms, strong winds, and even tornados can wreak havoc on Wisconsin from this time of year right up into early fall. It’s a long season, and it’s easy to get complacent and not taking severe weather watches and warnings seriously. But remember, a WARNING for your area means to TAKE COVER. Does your family have an emergency plan? Does everyone know where to go and what to do to be safe? What if your children couldn’t reach you? Would they know what to do? Talk it through now and be prepared.

HERE AT ST. STEPHENSIn the event of a tornado warning here at St. Stephens, all adults should go directly to the Fellowship Hall. If children are participating in activities at the church at that time (Sunday School, nursery, Scout meetings, youth group, etc.), all children and youth are to make their way to the Choir Room in the basement along with their adult caregivers, teachers, or chaperones. This direction is specifically given to avoid the chaos or panic that might ensue were parents to try to locate their children elsewhere in the building during such a time, and to ensure that all children are accounted for. It’s easy to brush off even a tornado warning since they have become fairly commonplace, but if you are in the church building and hear the tornado siren (next door) going off--and it’s NOT Wednesday at noon when they test the sirens--go immediately to the designated area.

Pastor Missy often says just before she begins her sermon, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

Do our words hurt or bring healing? Are they acceptable to God? I ashamedly admit that sometimes my words are not what they should be. As a child, I had in my bedroom a poster with a picture of a hamster eating a clover leaf. It said, “O Lord, let my words be sweet and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them.” I mostly had the poster because of the hamster on the front, but as I grew older, the words on it came to mean a whole lot more than the hamster.

Another favorite hymn of mine is Wonderful Words of Life. “Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life; let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life.” When we come in contact in people, we don’t generally directly speak the words of scripture. But,

“wonderful words of life” should come through loud and clear in our every day speech. On the wall in the church office there is a saying that goes right along with this--”Be kind, for everyone you meet is going through something you know nothing about.” Are your words sweet and tender, or will you be eating bitter herbs instead of sweet clover later on? Have a great week!

WEBSITE NEWS!Soon we will have a brand new website with an entirely fresh and exciting new look! Our website is undergoing a complete redesign. The new website will contain news and updates, issues of the Interpreter, audio files of sermons, our calendar of events, and much more. And, it will continue to evolve as we move forward in this year of exciting change! Stay tuned for the unveiling of the new site in the coming weeks!

NOTICE:ST. PAUL’S CORNING CEMETARY MEETING

May 11, 2016 at 7:00 PMCorning Town Hall

SEVERE WEATHER PLANNING

NEED TO SPECIAL ORDER SCRIP? NO PROBLEM!

Place your order at the Scrip table on Sunday, and in most cases, your Scrip will be available for you to pick up in the church office on Thursday, or you can pick it up after services on Sunday. Easy peasy!

So why aren’t YOU using Scrip? With a program this awesome earning FREE MONEY for our church, it just doesn’t get much better than this! Give it a try.

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WILLS, TRUSTS AND BEQUESTS

Did you know that you can give a charitable gift even after you die?

Gifts included in Wills and Living Trusts are popular because they are flexible, easy to arrange, and may be changed as your life circumstances change. In addition to filling an important role in providing for the future financial security of your family and others, your Will or Living Trust can offer a way to make thoughtful charitable gifts as part of your long-range estate and financial plans. It can be satisfying to know that a portion of your property will be put to good use in the future.

There are many ways to give through Wills or Trusts:• Make a gift of a specific amount. A gift of a

particular amount may be designated for general use or to fund a special need.

• Provide for a gift of a particular property. Real estate, stocks, and other items of value are examples of properties that can be used to fund charitable bequests.

• Designate that a percentage of your estate be given to the church through your Will or Living Trust.

• Give the remainder, or residue, of your estate--that is, what remains after all other bequests to friends and loved ones are satisfied.

• Name charitable interests to receive a bequest in the event other heirs are not there to receive their legacies.

There is no limit on amounts deductible from federal gift and estate taxes for charitable gifts made by Will or Trust, so no tax will be due on assets given in this way. To plan a charitable bequest, inform your attorney of your wishes and ask for advice regarding the best form for your gift.

If you decide to include a gift in your estate plans, feel free to contact the church for more information.

At 5 PM Monday

Baked Ham, Mashed Potatoes with White Gravy Hot Vegetable, Tossed Salad

Dessert and Beverages

Remember: SCRIP costs you NOTHING to use in place of cash!

The Merrill Food Pantry

THANKS YOU for your

FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS!

It’s not “just groceries.” It’s

doing unto others.

The Usher’s Club invites and encourages all the mothers in our congregation to attend worship services this Sunday! They have a Mother’s Day gift of a pin for each of you that will be given out after the 9:00 AM service and prior to the 10:30am service on Sunday.

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

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REDECORATING OUR INTERIOR SPACESWe are in the process of REDECORATING! We are looking for a number of items and figured since many of you may be spring cleaning or hitting the garage sales, this would be a great time to put our WISH LIST out there in front of you! We are hoping some of you will have or find and be willing to donate some of the following:

• Long wooden dressers or buffets (this is for a project or two, so they don’t have to be perfect-even a broken drawer or two will work, but any veneers should be intact and no formica).

• Dark chocolate brown leather or leather-look chairs, couches, loveseats, ottomans, storage benches. (Must be in excellent condition)(Looking for more modular modern shapes).

• Wooden pub tables (the high ones, square or round).

• Sturdy wooden square or rectangular tables (normal chair height).

• Wooden chairs, sturdy and in good condition, or chairs or stools that are a combination of wood/metal/leather-look materials.

• Metal bistro or patio sets (can be cast iron or other metals). These will be repainted, so they don’t have to be perfect, but they need to be in good functional condition with minimal rust.

• Sturdy square or rectangular coffee tables, console or sofa tables, or side tables.

We are including a number of photos to give you an IDEA of what we are looking for (on the right).

(Please contact Tina with a photo of items to see if they will be a good fit for this project before donating. Thank you!) Feel free to put her cell number in your phone, and you can always snap a photo of something and send it to her if you are out and about making the rounds at garage sales ... 715.212.0767 This will also help ensure we don’t get too many of something!

P.S. We will also accept monetary donations to help in the redecorating project. Just mark the donation REDECORATING.

COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS NEEDEDHosting a Coffee Hour on Sunday mornings is easy. Bring in some treats, make coffee, set a few things up and do a small amount of clean up. Can you help? In the past, a few families have decided to sponsor together. Fun! Sign up in the Kuck lounge.

FILL THE GAZEBO ... COMING UP FAST!Mark your calendar for for Saturday, August 13, from 9:00 AM to NOON to help us “Fill the Gazebo” at the Gazebo at Normal Park. Nonperishable food and personal care items and monetary donations will be accepted, with all donations divided between Merrill’s three food pantries and the Food for Kids program. This will be our fourth Fill the Gabebo event!

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MENTION SCRIPFor purchases by cash or check of $100 or more from: Hargrave Appliance ~ Miller Furniture -

Merrill Radio Shack ~ VIP Office Products

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FREE CLINICSt. Vincent de Paul Free Clinic has a mission to provide basic healthcare services for people age 18+ in Lincoln County to those that qualify. You are eligible to be seen if you do not have health insurance, are underinsured, or you have insurance but cannot afford the high deductible. You are not eligible if you have adequate insurance, you have Medicaid or Medicare, or if you receive veteran’s medical assistance. No appointment needed. Arrive between 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM on Thursday evenings to register. We are located at 1004 E. Main Street in Merrill between the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and NAPA. Look for the red door! Questions? Call 715.539.9566 on Thursday nights or 715.539.2666 during the day Monday through Friday.

Online giving is now available at St. Stephens! There are LOTS of great reasons to give electronically, and here are just five benefits you’ll like! Give it a try!

1. When you give online via our new e-giving system, your payment gets electronically transferred from your bank account into the church bank account. Counters don’t have to count and process it. No waiting for the mail to bring a check. It’s the fastest and most hassle-free way to go!

2. You can use your debit or credit card, and if you have one of those credit cards where you earn reward points based on what you spend, you could be earning free miles ... or whatever your credit card company is promoting with reward points.

3. You can see your profile in our system and update your information any time it changes, AND you can print out a current contribution statement whenever you want.

4. You never have to worry about remembering (or forgetting) cash or your checkbook or your church envelopes again.

5. Tithing is simple and easy. Just set it up and forget it. It can be an automatic deduction like any other.

If you would like to learn more about e-giving or get set up to give electronically, just call the church office to talk to Tina. 715.536.7322

5 Benefits to Online Giving

ELECTRONIC GIVING CARDS IN THE PEWSYou may notice that we now have “I Gave Electronically” laminated cards in the pews. What are they and what are they used for? Well, if you’ve signed up for electronic giving (as several families already have), you may feel awkward not physically placing something in the collection plate. If this sounds like you, and you already gave electronically, simply put one of the “I Gave Electronically” laminated cards in the collection. The counters will simply collect them when they do the weekly count to give us an idea of how many people gave electronically that week. Note: This is OPTIONAL. No need to use one of the laminated cards unless you WANT to.

THANK YOU, USHERS CLUB!The St. Stephens Fast Pitch Softball Team wants to thank the Ushers Club for their donation of funds to purchase the catcher’s equipment we needed!

Congratulations and welcome to the newest little member of St. Stephens United Church of Christ. Laney Luann Kultgen was baptised into the faith at St. Stephens on Sunday, May 1, at the 9:00 AM service. Proud parents, Aaron & Lea Kultgen, along with big sister, Willow, are pictured here along with Laney’s godparents, Dana Klug, Karissa Gipple, and Shelly Brunow. Welcome, Laney! You are one of God’s blessings!

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MEMORIALS

THIS SUNDAY, May 8: Worship at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM, DINNER @ FIVE Every Monday at 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall

EVERY WEDNESDAY: Worship at 5:45 PMADULT BIBLE STUDY Wednesdays 6:35-7:45 PM, following 5:45 PM worship

NEW MEMBER GATHERING: May 18NEW MEMBER SUNDAY: May 22

BACCALAUREATE SUNDAY: May 29VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: July 11-15

UPCOMING EVENTS

Memorials will be printed with the dollar figures shown unless otherwise specified.

In last week’s Interpreter, two entries were listed incorrectly. The corrected entries are included along with this week’s gifts.

Memorial Fund $50.00 in memory of our mothers Claray Geiss and Lorraine Kraft from Jeff and Sue Kaft $15.00 in memory of my husband, Norm Hass, for his April Birthday, from Linda Hass $100.00 in loving memory of our son, Andy Hoffman, for his May 14th birthday from Mike & Sue Hoffman $20.00 in memory of Mary Ann Hinner from Mike & Sue Hoffman $10.00 in memory of Mary Ann Hinner from Warren & Lois Latzig $10.00 in memory of Gordon Dotter from Warren & Lois Latzig $10.00 in memory of Donna Mahn on Mother’s Day from Steve & Robin Mahn $20.00 in memory of Mary Ann Hinner from Eunice Schubert $20.00 in memory of our mothers Emily Ziemke and Lillian Zimmerman for Mother’s Day from Norm & Alice Ziemke $20.00 in memory of Mom, Bernice Berndt, for Mother’s Day from Dennis and Sharon Woller $15.00 in memory of Mary Ann Hinner from Roland & Melita Hall $20.00 in memory of Mary Ann Hinner from Kelly & Barb Davenport $10.00 in honor of my godchild, Jeremy Radke, on the achievement of his Eagle Scout Award from Linda Hass

Organ Fund $50.00 In honor of Harriet Henrich’s 90th Birthday from Carol & Bill Weber and family.

Capital Improvement: $100.00 in honor of our mom, Shirley Anderson, on Mother’s Day, with love from Linda, Jeff, Bruce, Debi, Steve, and Jerry $20.00 in memory of Mary Ann Hinner from John & Gloria Schenzel $10.00 in memory of Mary Ann Hinner from Bob & Eppie Gruling

JOINING ST. STEPHENS!New to Saint Stephens? Thinking of joining our congregation? We are starting something brand new: Gatherings for new members to get to know others and learn more about St. Stephens, the UCC, and all that is happening here in this place! The first gathering was held Monday, April 18, at the parsonage, and we had a BBQ this past Tuesday, May 3. On Wednesday, May 18, we will gather again, this time here at the church, beginning with worship together and then for coffee and dessert afterward. If you or someone you know is new and would like more information, they can still join us! Just call the office at 715.536.7322 or talk to one of the pastors. We’ll get you all the details. New Member Sunday will be May 22. Know a frequent visitor? Invite them to talk with us!

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RE-MEMBER MISSION TRIPWould you like to join us on a mission trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota? The trip is a “go” for July 23-30, 2016! If you would like to join Rev. Carnes and the six others who will be taking this trip for an incredible life-changing experience, call the church office to express your interest! Mission trip participants will be responsible for their own travel and other expenses. For more information, please contact Rev. Carnes directly, and keep watching the Interpreter for updates as more details emerge.

YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSHaving a correct email address in our new Church Management software will ensure that you will be able to use the new features, like online updating of your own record. Send Tina an email at tina@ststephensucc.net and tell her who you are so she can link your email to your record.

Electronic Giving Cards are in the Pews!

FOOD FOR KIDS IN THE PARK: SUMMER MISSIONSt. Stephens Church, along with four other Merrill churches, will again be providing “Food for Kids in the Park” each week from June 13 through August 26. Each Tuesday our church provides a “Taco Tuesday” picnic.

We at St. Stephens have already started to form teams of volunteers and will continue with personal contacts beginning the third week in May. After May 12, anyone wishing to again be part of the “Taco Tuesday Team” and be a part of this outreach may call the church office and leave your name and number or call Carol Weber directly at 715-453-7435.

Teams are made up of four members, and youth are welcome to help, as well. Each team may serve one or two times during the three month period.

“Food for Kids” Picnic in the Park is one of the on-going mission services in our Merrill Community. Who doesn’t love a picnic in the park? Especially on “Taco Tuesday!”

We will again be in need of funds to make this project successful. The funds will be used to purchase the items that are not donated by area businesses and individuals.

Based upon last year’s experience, we will need about $1,100 to facilitate this mission work over the course of the summer. Any donation will be greatly appreciated. Your donation can be dropped off at the church office, mailed to the office, or placed in one of three jars labeled “FOOD FOR KIDS” that we will have in the Narthex and on the Scrip table on Sunday mornings. Cash donations will be used to purchase Scrip cards which will be used to purchase the items needed.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

July 11 -15

CLEAN GENTLY USED CLOTHING REQUESTEDThe Youth Group, under the guidance of Shelly Burnett, will be collecting clean, gently used clothing items to stock THE CLOSET with clothing to pass along to those who need it. They are asking for men’s clothes in particular, but are willing to take anything that is gently used and clean. Donations should be left in a bag or box by the food pantry collection area in the lobby, and Shelly and the youth will check the area and remove the items each week. Please, nothing with holes or obvious signs of wear and tear.

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JOIN US FOR SUNDAY WORSHIPon May 8 at 9:00 AM

Drs. Jacob & Molly Roseman(Flutist and Pianist)

will bring us special music during the worship service. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!

YOUTH NEWS!

Mark your calendars for Youth Group Meetings:• May 8 in the Youth Room, 10:00 to Noon• May 15 in the Youth Room, 10:00 to Noon• May 22 in the Youth Room, 10:00 to NoonNo Youth Group on Memorial Day Weekend.

Who says work can’t be fun?

YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITIESThe Youth Group and their families helped clean up Roger and Nancy Strand’s yard last Sunday, May 1. What a beautiful day and a beautiful project! Thanks to everyone involved! This was an awesome giving of time and talent ... and a lot of fun, too!

Thank you to everyone who pitched in to do yard work at the Strand home this past Sunday.

Scott Wallace Paula McIntyreWes McIntyre Lydia McIntyreBill McIntyre Jacob SchnablKristine Bowe Anna BoweMelissa Stevenson Kinsey StevensonSara Rajek

A good time was had by all and what a blessing to help such faithful members of our church family. And thank you to the Strands for their donation to the Youth!

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10

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Random Acts of Kindness, Paying It Forward ... These are phrases we have heard in recent years to describe that wonderful moment when someone does something simply for the joy and power of doing it for another creature, with no intention of being thanked or repaid or even recognized for it. It is what Jesus meant for us to do ... what He told us to do in so many different ways.

In my job here in the office (which I love, by the way!), I am blessed in so many ways. But the biggest blessing to me is the people ... all of you!

In this job, I see things. I hear things. Some firsthand, some secondhand. I am privileged to hear the stories. To be the ear when someone just needs someone to talk to. It is a privilege. And I want to share with all of you some of what I’ve seen and heard. As Rev. Carnes would say, I want to tell some of the stories of which I have been privileged to bear witness.

I won’t give away any confidences, but I do think these things are important to share ... so that you know what is happening here at St. Stephens. Because a lot is happening. God is happening. And you’re a part of what is happening.

I want to tell you the story of the man who literally gave the coat off his back to a homeless man one night at our Dinner @ Five. Don’t ask me who it is. I won’t tell you. I won’t betray that confidence. He doesn’t want people to know who he is. That isn’t why he did it.

I want to tell you the story of the woman who came in to roll up her sleeves and do some deep cleaning, on her hands and knees no less, because she saw an opportunity to help. Does she want recognition? No. That isn’t why she did it.

I want to tell you the story of the man who lost his wife who just looked so very broken when I asked how he was doing, and another woman who had lost her husband whose eyes filled with tears when I asked her how she was doing now that all of her company had left and the house was quiet. They needed an ear to listen. A hug. Human contact. To know someone cared. I hope they found that here.

I want to tell you the stories of the men and women who feel beaten down by life and circumstances, who cross the threshold into this office, and are given

not only Christian counsel, but concrete help to make a fresh start.

I want to tell you so many stories, but I can’t share them all. There are far too many. The point is ... the Spirit is moving here in this place. And the Spirit is moving in the people in this place. And you are one of those people.

I will close by sharing something I’ve been wanting to publish in the Interpreter for quite a while now. It is the phrase Rev. Carnes chose to put up in big letters on the wall of the main office, words I read each and every day that I am here: “BE KIND for everyone you meet is going through something you know nothing about.” Now isn’t that just like something Jesus would do?

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?(by Tina Scott)

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FEED YOUR SPIRIT . . .God, Help Me Not to Mess This Up

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” - Psalm 19

Every Sunday, before I preach, I ask the congregation to join me in prayer and I repeat this verse from Scripture. Maybe your pastor does too. That’s because reciting Psalm 19 is really just the pastor’s way of saying “God, help me not to mess this up.”

It is a humbling thing to stand at the pulpit with a piece of Scripture and try to interpret it for God’s people today. Preachers depend on the Holy Spirit to guide them in the right direction, but every preacher knows it’s possible to mishear that same Spirit and project our own ideas onto the text instead. And so, many of us recite these words as a sort of plea to God to use us to proclaim God’s message, and not our own.

But this is not just a pastor’s text. Because standing at the pulpit and speaking is not the only way to preach. Each of us preaches each day with our lives. On a good day, we preach the Gospel by the way we live. On a not-so-good day, we preach our own misunderstandings of it.

And so, what would it be like if we each started our day with a quick prayer asking God to help us not mess up? Maybe we could use the words of Psalm 19. Maybe we could use our own. Regardless, what if we just asked God to help us to be the best possible messengers of God’s love that day?

We each have a pulpit. May God help us to preach from the pulpits of our lives without messing up . . . at least too much.

Prayer

O God, help me to not mess this up today. Amen.

By Emily C. Heath

Copyright @ 2015 HarperCollins Christian Publishing Free usage for Church and Sunday School publications, using 50 items or less.

BACCALAUREATE SUNDAY

All graduating high school seniors should plan to attend our Baccalaureate Sunday (May 29 at 9:00 AM) and sit up front with their graduating class. Please wear your cap and gown!

College graduates are also invited to attend. College students who have applied for the Staats Memorial Scholarship are also encouraged to be in attendance.

Faith Award Certificates will be presented and Staats Memorial Scholarship recipients for the 2016-2017 academic year will be announced.

Use your Smile to change the WorldDon’t let the World change your Smile

COOLER NEEDEDThe Mission Group is in need of a medium sized cooler for the Meals in the Park project. If anyone has one they would like to donate or let them use for the summer, please call Dennis Grefe at 715-539-3337.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. - Romans 12:12

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SOUND SYSTEM VOLUNTEER NEEDEDWe need someone to help us with managing the sound system during worship and other special events. You don’t necessarily have to be a techie to do this . . . training will be provided! This is an important ministry position to help keep the sound as consistent as possible. We need YOU! If you’re even a little interested, don’t be shy. It’s fairly intuitive overall, and we can show you what’s involved. Just call the church office at 715.536.7322 to let us know you’re interested.

2016 CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERSDo you know who your Church Council members are? This list can help you get to know them!President: Jennifer PorathVice-President: Bill McIntyreSecretary: Terry KruegerTreasurer: Kenyon GolischYouth Rep: Wesley BoehmMembers: Kristine Bowe Shelly Burnett Tyler Drake Kevin Golisch Jennifer Oestreich Kent Reinhardt Angel Sholund Sara ZastrowClergy: Rev. Missy Holdorf Rev. Kyle CarnesIf you need to reach a member of the Church Council and do not have their contact information, please contact the church office, and we will be happy to share their telephone number or email address, whichever you prefer.

OPEN SPONSORSHIP DATES

Flowers Sign up in Office

May 22 June 5, 12, 19, 26

Radio Call the Office

July 3, 10, 24, 31

Coffee Hour May 29

June 5, 12, 19, 26 Sign up in the Kuck lounge.

(It’s fun & easy... and we even provide instructions on

how to make the coffee!)

See you at Sunday School this Sunday ... Don’t forget to Bring Your Bibles!

SUNDAY SCHOOLNOTES

Our new Pastoral Care Telephone Number is: 715.575.3191. Please add this number to the contacts in your cell phone or keep with your other important or emergency telephone numbers.

SPRING JOYWausau Pro Musica will be celebrating with “Spring Joy” featuring Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Wausau Area Youth Symphony from the Wausau Conservatory of Music. Other favorites such as selections from the musical “Oliver” will be presented, as well.

“Spring Joy” Friday, May 6, at 7:30 PMFirst Presbyterian Church406 Grant Street, Wausau

Tickets are $12 Adults, $10 Seniors/Students. Director: Shelly Bitner

WANT TO “PLAY BALL!”?Want to play softball for St. Stephens? It’s not too late! While we have a roster submitted with the names of those we knew were interested, we can add players to our roster and want to include anyone with a desire to play. And if you have some serious skills, then we want you even more! To get involved or to get more information, please call Jerry Burnett, our team’s manager, at 715.536.6191 or email him at jlburnettwi@frontier.com.

The priest replied, “Go in peace. The mission you are on is under the eye of the Lord.” - Judges 18:6

May 4, 2016Page 12THE INTERPRETER Saint STEPHENS

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

May 1 James BadeauMay 1 Harriet HenrichMay 1 Sandy MosserMay 2 Amanda HoeftMay 2 Gavin LemkeMay 2 Gary MosserMay 2 Nila OestreichMay 2 Charles ReinhardtMay 2 Janice SchillerMay 2 Cheryl Ziemke- FischerMay 3 Lucas HoffmanMay 3 Kevin MootzMay 4 Susan OsnessMay 4 Madisen WeixMay 4 Gary WolffMay 5 Cindy GeissMay 5 Bob GrulingMay 5 David ReistMay 5 Lavern SabatkeMay 6 Andy AmentMay 6 Amy DingesMay 6 Sarah JoergerMay 6 Britney RajekMay 6 Sara RajekMay 6 John RathkeMay 6 Michelle SalterMay 7 Mildred BurrowsMay 7 Wayne EricksonMay 7 David SchwartzmanMay 8 Joann SauerMay 10 Zach Anderson

May 11 Myria KludyMay 11 Kara TeskyMay 11 Leah ZastrowMay 12 Lorraine PlautzMay 12 Valerie SabatkeMay 13 Ruth HarbathMay 14 Anneliese BerndtMay 14 Alex BehrkeMay 14 Phyllis NeyMay 14 Dave PyanMay 15 Valerie AmelseMay 15 Izabella NelsonMay 15 Eugene RoweMay 15 Matthew BuckMay 16 Barbara GolischMay 16 Louise KrauseMay 16 Tiffany PetersonMay 17 Mae LuptonMay 17 Joseph RodemeierMay 18 Nicole TrumblayMay 19 Juanita ArndtMay 19 Robert HoeftMay 20 Kathy BadeauMay 20 Garrett SchulzMay 21 Kaitlin BonnellMay 21 Thelma SchneiderMay 22 Hugh HanigMay 23 Steve AmentMay 24 Paul BuckMay 24 Delores BungeMay 24 Cory EisnerMay 24 Britney GableMay 24 William Grefe

We want to acknowledge and celebrate your special days, and we’re starting with

birthdays! Send your church friends birthday wishes, whether in person, via email, or by

sending one of those wonderful cards you can hold in your hands by mail!

May 24 Jillette HansonMay 25 Sandra BeaudryMay 25 Theresa GarciaMay 25 Martha HaltinnerMay 25 Betty HansonMay 25 Mary PetersMay 27 Todd OsnessMay 28 Nina BellinMay 28 Mickayla KlothMay 29 Matt BrockMay 29 Jerry CowartMay 29 Alisha ScantlinMay 29 Kelly WallaceMay 30 Leota DavisMay 30 Jennifer MathisMay 30 Carol WeberMay 31 Courtney AndersonMay 31 Eleanor FehlbergMay 31 Khloe RajekMay 31 Jill ReinhardtMay 31 Ryan Trumblay

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

MAY BIRTHDAYS

Don’t see your birthday listed? Please contact the church office, and we will update your information so we don’t miss you next time!

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SUNDAY, MAY 8

Worship at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM--Rev. Carnes will be preaching.“Something to Do”

Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:11-25

Worship music at 9:00 AM is provided by Drs. Jacob & Molly Roseman. Marlene Krueger is the accompanist at the 10:30 AM worship service.

Coffee Hour is sponsored by Melissa Butler and the Catlin Family.Radio Ministry is in loving memory of my mother, Dorothy Peterson Schiller, for her birthday on May 8 and in loving memory of my husband, Antonio, for his

birthday on May 10 from Carol Garcia. Altar flowers are in honor of our 38th wedding anniversary from

Rich & Nancy Dabbert.

For subscriptions, removals or changes of address: 715-536-7322 or interpreter@ststephensucc.netE-MAIL PROVIDES THE BEST SERVICE.

WEEKLY CALENDARMONDAY, MAY 9

9:00 PALS 5:00 Dinner @ Five 5:15 Executive Committee 6:30 Church Council

TUESDAY, MAY 10 6:00 Cub Scouts 6:00 Zumba 6:00 Christian Education

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 9:00 PALS 5:45 Worship 6:30 Bible Study 6:30 Choir 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous (Open Meeting)

THURSDAY, MAY 12 9:00 PALS

FRIDAY, MAY 13 12:00 Alcoholics Anonymous 3:00 Bell Tower

THE

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T ST STEPHENS UCC US POSTAGE PAID 903 E SECOND ST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION MERRILL WI 54452 PERMIT #10 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED MERRILL WI 54452-2576

Wanted: A Few Good Painters!If you can help, call Tina in the office. 715.536.7322

P.S. A Few

More

Things!

Please write the amount of your donations on the front of your giving envelope. It helps the counters a LOT! Thank you!