St. Luke’s NEWS A Newsletter for St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, New Richmond, WI | Vol. 48 Issue 4

Contact Information: April 2021: What’s Inside Church Office: 715-246-4861  Website: stlukesnr.org Words from Pastor 2 Jody Green, Discipleship Coordinator: [email protected]; Worship, Spiritual Growth, Service 3 Laura Henrichsen, Ministry Support: [email protected]; Missions 4 Pastor Ryan Schroeder: [email protected]; Note from Council 5 Sunday School 6 Coloring pages 8-9 Monthly Calendar 10 Words from Pastor Ryan

The following is inspired and adapted from a devotion of the physical gifts He gives us. God loves to receive prepared for the “Hearing His Voice” devotional series. love in the same way we do, and such is why He gives us instruction as to how we express that love. God’s Word Of Joshua 23:11 — is full of instructions about how to give to God, speak “Be very careful to love the Lord Your God.” to Him, and serve Him. God makes His desires clear. In this joyful Eastertide, the tone of lament and All of our expressions of love: praise, offerings, suffering now rings with Jesus’ victory over death and obedience, conversations with Him, and longings to be the grave, the refrain of ‘Alleluia’s’ returning to our lips, in His nearer presence, are meant to be an overflow of and the urgency of loving and serving our neighbor as our heart. The move from Lent to Eastertide shows us, we invite more and more to hear the Good News that that when we turn God’s instruction into nothing but a Jesus is risen! set of obligations, we undermine His good and perfect purpose. But when we honor God our Father and our Many are familiar with ‘love languages – the idea penned Lord and Savior Jesus for the new command He’s given, by Gary Chapman that each of us has a preferred we remember His greatest expression of love for us and mode of receiving love from others. Love languages we respond with a love for God above all others. include spending quality time together, physical touch, receiving gifts, acts of service, and words of affirmation. The Resurrection joy of Easter drives us to love and We understand the affections of others when they are serve in the way Jesus first loved and served us. His expressed through one or any of these means. living love shapes everything we do in our lives toward God. Jesus’ own Easter acclamation of peace and As much as we look for love languages in our life promise remind us that we were made to adore Him. together, we often neglect This is to say, our number that God has love languages one pursuit in our life too. He reveals what His together is to follow God, love looks like, commands keep in step with His Spirit, us to serve one another and to figure how to express accordingly, and prompts our love for Him and one a worship-filled love to another well. return to Him. Consider: God delights in words of A Prayer affirmation (praise), receiving Lord Jesus, lead us to love gifts (offerings), acts of You well today. Make us service (obedience), quality time (prayer), and even to set aside time for You, to physical touch. listen to You. Remind us of the serving we are meant to do Apart from our muscle memory in worship, the to the glory of Your name. By last-mentioned language of Your own heart and desire, physical touch may seem lead us to touch others’ hearts a little more difficult to for You. Lead us to love You express. Yet, we see much of this carried as a blessing and deeply and show it well. In response in the likes of the Your name we pray. Amen. Lord’s Supper. God delights in our reverent enjoyment Pastor Ryan

2 WORSHIP SERVICE Sundays – recorded online & 8am in person worship Women’s Group The next Women’s Group meeting Wednesdays – recorded online will be Saturday, April 24 at 9:00 am. Please grab your TV – Northwest Cable chnl 6 Tues. 2pm/Wed. 6:30pm mask and join us! If you have questions about the Women’s Group, SPIRITUAL GROWTH contact Sheryl Peterson at 715-248-3007. Sunday School 9:30 to 10:10 am A segmented structure will be offered 9:30–10:10 am Men’s Group Script Card Sales each Sunday for all ages, even High School! We will Men’s Group Script Card sales are available for have updates if any changes occur. purchase through the main office during our regular weekly office hours. Lent and Holy Week Services The Men’s Group uses sales of these cards as part of We will have in-person worship during Lent and Holy their fundraising efforts. Week services. There will not be any dinners served and there will be no Easter Brunch this year. Handbells Palm Sunday, March 28th at 8 am No rehearsal on March 31. No service on Wednesday, March 31st But we will rehearse on Maundy Thursday, April 1st (Communion) at 7 pm Friday, April 2 at 5:45 pm. Good Friday, April 2nd at 7 pm Rehearsals are scheduled Easter Sunrise, April 4th at 6:30 am, for each Wednesday Easter, April 4th at 9:00 am, at 5:45 pm. The church office is closed Good Friday. Donations Change to Drive Up Communion We will only accept food donations for Five Loaves Per the elders: effective the First Sunday in March, Foodshelf in our baskets. If you have household items, Drive-Up Communion will still take place on the First clothing, etc for Two Fish you need to donate these and Third Sundays. The time will change though: items at the location yourself. Thank you. from 9:30–10:30 am. Board of Family Rent a Youth In support of the National Youth Gathering we will begin Fundraising for this event by starting with our Rent-a-Youth activities. Think of things you National Youth Gathering may be interested in having Board of Family has begun planning for the National youth do, i.e. yard work, Youth Gathering that occurs every three years. A etc. meeting was held after service on March 21st for Please allow advance families who were interested. We know some of you time for planning and may have missed this information so please look at contacting youth. If you this link. It explains what the current plan is, when it is, are intested in this and want question’s that came up and fundraising ideas. to arrange a time, or have any questions, please call https://youtu.be/BExNfOThWns Terri Mattmiller at 715-418-0513. You can also contact Terri Mattmiller with questions Thank you for your support! by contacting her at 715-418-0513. Thank you!

3 Missions

MISSIONS April Dedicated Mission: Options for Women, St Croix Valley LWML On Tuesday, April 6 at 2:00 pm, the next No-Cost and Confidential Services At Options LWML meeting will be held in the fel- for Women, we are here to provide women in our lowship hall. All women are invited. We community the pregnancy confirmation and support would love to have you join us! services they need at no cost. We know that facing an unplanned pregnancy can leave you questioning what Please continue to save your mites. You to do next, which is why our staff is trained to assist can drop off mites in the large Mite Box in the library you through this journey. Our center can offer you the outside the kitchen. More mite boxes are available following services. there as well. Mites can also be put in the offering plate. Pregnancy Testing Our center provides lab-quality pregnancy testing to women who believe they may For over 77 years LWML women have supported be pregnant. Our tests are 99 percent accurate and worldwide missions like Concordia Theological Semi- our staff will discuss the results with you during your nary, Fort Wayne Food Bank. Individuals from around appointment. Get peace of mind; learn more about our the world come to Concordia Theological Seminary pregnancy testing services. in Fort Wayne, Indiana (CTSFW) to prepare to serve God’s people here in the United States and in mis- Ultrasounds If your pregnancy test results came back sion work around the world. Students have left jobs to positive, your next step is to get an ultrasound. We come to the seminary and though the flow of financial can provide you with a no-cost limited ultrasound that funds has changed, financial needs remain. The Food can determine how far along you are and if you have and Clothing Co-op offsets student’s financial burdens a viable pregnancy. An ultrasound is a crucial step in by providing 80-90% of student families with their figuring out your next steps. food and household needs as they prepare to serve Prenatal Care Options for Women offers on-site God’s people in the harvest field. There is no charge prenatal care for our clients. Prenatal care includes to students to use the Co-op, but they volunteer time clinic visits and ultrasounds, as well as lab work, each month in the food or clothing area and receive pregnancy and childbirth education, parenting tips, points in exchange to “purchase” their items. Food, and more. If you are interested in being a part of our personal hygiene items, diapers, and cleaning prod- program, contact us today. ucts are given point values so students can spend Abortion Pill Reversal If you have taken the first pill in points as they choose. The clothing is free. The Co-op the abortion pill series and are having second thoughts, spends $7,500 each month on perishable items and it’s not too late. We can provide you with an abortion additional grocery and paper products. They are sup- pill reversal if you call immediately. Learn more and ported through donations from individuals, churches contact us today if you need the abortion pill reversal. and other organizations such as LWML. LWML North Wisconsin District grant monies will be used to pur- Schedule a No-Cost Appointment If you are in need chase eggs, milk, ground beef, fresh fruit and vegeta- of any of these services, please contact us to schedule bles, and other perishable items. an appointment. All of our services are confidential and at no cost to you. If you have any questions about LWML, contact Annette Jones (715-494-0201). No matter your situation, we are here for you. Contact us today! Phone: 651-439-5964 Text: 651-705-6344 Our address: 14563 60th St. N, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 and check out our website: https://optionsforwomenstcroixvalley.org/

4 A Note from Our Council

There have been many changes to the Boards & Council members 2021 membership of the Council and Boards. Included New board and council members were voted in this newsletter is a listing of the members of on at the Congregational meeting on November each Board and the Council. 22nd. These members will be part of the new If you have an idea or suggestion please boards and council beginning January 2021. communicate it to the appropriate board. For Elders example, if you notice something like a leak or Doug Hager something broken, contact the Board of Trustees. Bill Klopp If you have wondered if the youth might enjoy Ryan Schradle* some event or place to visit or volunteer, that Justin Townsend should be sent to the Board of Family Ministry. Todd Zuberbier The Board of Elders is responsible for the Board of Family Ministries worship services so that would be the board Jesse Georgius where you would share a suggestion. Anything Cheryl Heinecke that requires a budget action should be directed Terri Mattmiller to the Treasurer. Eventually any major changes Kirsten Mehls are brought to the Council by the respective Rachel Townsend* boards for action. At present we are somewhat Stacy Warner at the mercy of technology for the live streaming Julie Zuberbier of worship. Comments and suggestions are welcome, but please keep in mind that some of Trustees your concerns may be out of our control. Nick Dols A personal note: Teachers have a method of Aaron Jackson* voicing concerns to parents and it is a good Brian Mattmiller method to follow. First say something positive, Brad Nasset then voice your concern, and then follow up with Brant Schimmel something else positive. A thank you is always Council appropriate. Tom Green, President Let’s remember to include these individuals in Brian Young, Vice President our prayers as they continue to support and care Michael Sykora, Treasurer for our St. Luke’s faith family & church during this Jeanette Clonkey, Secretary trying time. *Board Chairperson

5 April Sunday School News 

Here are the lessons for the month of March. 4 – Easter! No Sunday School 11 – The Lord’s Supper 18 – Peter Denies Jesus 25 – The Passion of Christ

Our Zoom class information: Online Option via Zoom for Familes – this will be led weekly by Connie. Connie will follow along with our lessons from home to offer this exciting online option. Join St. Luke’s Zoom Sunday School: https://zoom.us/j/7789155919?pwd= ejdtTk5SOVNBaVEzd0FxaEJHUEVNZz09 Meeting ID: 778 915 5919 Passcode: Connie2021 Meeting ID: 778 915 5919

Youth Bible Study This year’s addition of the high school Bible class has been a blessing to our young people! Because we are using video- UPCOMING EVENTS: based studies from RightNow Media, we are able to include a April greater number of students than we would in a strictly in-person 4- Easter, No Sunday School class. So far, we have studied prayer, our Christian identity, and the book of Galatians. Currently, we’re diving into a series on apologetics. Board of Family Ministries Because our students span the ages of 15 to 21, and because Board Members they represent five different school districts, they come with Jesse Georgius, Cheryl Heinecke, varying interests, questions, and prayer requests. The Holy Spirit Terri Mattmiller, Kirstin Mehls, has truly been working in the lives of these students. Weekly Rachel Townsend, Stacy Warner attendance averages about five students who are in-person and one student who joins us online. I send out the links on and Julie Zuberbier Saturdays, and students do have the option to watch the links on their own and study privately. (In this case, attendance may be more than six per week.) I would particularly like to thank the parents, who encourage their “big” children to join us. Sometimes it’s not easy to get up on a Sunday morning, and sometimes it doesn’t seem like it’s worth the argument. But keep encouraging. The Holy Spirit does work powerfully, and there is something special about gathering together--even if it’s online--to ask questions, study, and learn. Finally, I would humbly ask the members of the congregation to seek out and welcome these young adults. They need encouragement and love and support, just as we all did at that age. Additionally, please pray for them: that they would be bold and confident in their faith, yet humble enough to love and serve their neighbors. Thank you for all of your support. In His Name, our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, St. Luke’s Sunday School Staff 6 Jeanine Carlson, Thank you for Your Service It is often hard to see change happen but it is at the kitchen counter to know when Jeanine has inevitable. After almost ten years of faithful service been busy baking and cooking and perhaps trying out Jeannine Carlson is stepping away from being St. new recipes. Luke’s organist/pianist and special music arranger. I am sure Jeanine has experienced what most who We invite all who have appreciated her service at the work on a church staff have discovered; everyone organ and piano and her words of encouragement has an opinion. The musical selection one person to individual vocalists to send a card or write a note, absolutely raves about the perhaps with some special memory, and send it to next person would have the church office by April 25th. All the greetings will be banned from use. I hope gathered together and presented to Jeanine shortly she will forgive us all for after that date. those opinions. In addition to her duties as a music leader, as a We want to wish for volunteer within the congregation Jeanine has made and pray for whatever St Luke’s blood drives famous with her delicious pies. the future has in store She has also, along with a group of other volunteers, for Jeanine, so send in cheered many shut-ins and those suffering during your notes, cards, and illness or bereavement with unique and very individual remembrances by April handmade cards. 25th to the church office. Before Covid those of us who like our Sunday morning coffee fellowship upstairs only have to glance

Paprika Potatoes with Garlic Mayonnaise salt and lemon juice. Serve potatoes with sauce. from Darla Fehlen Hot Pineapple Salad 4-5 potatoes olive oil from Stacy Warner 3 tsp. paprika 2 (20 oz.) cans crushed pineapple, drained salt 1-1/2 c. sugar garlic cloves 3/4 c. flour 1 c. mayonnaise 1 c. cheddar cheese, grated 2/3 c. plain yogurt 2 sticks butter, melted 1 T. lemon juice 1 stack Ritz crackers, crushed

Clean potatoes and cut into wedges; put in roasting Put drained pineapple in bottom of buttered 2-1/2 pan. Coat with olive oil, paprika, and salt. Bake quart casserole dish. Mix sugar, flour and cheese and potatoes 25 minutes at 400F. Turn over with spatula sprinkle on top. Melt butter and pour on top of flour and bake another 25 minutes. In separate dish bake mixture. Sprinkle Ritz over very top. Bake 30 minutes garlic cloves for 25 minutes. Mash on a chopping at 350F. board so the insides squeeze out; throw away the NOTE: This is extremely sweet but a highlight with skin. (I’ve also used chopped garlic out of a jar). Mix holiday ham. mayo with garlic paste and yogurt. Season with a little

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April 2021 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 Maundy Office closed Thursday 7pm Good Friday Communion 7pm GA 7pm

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Easter Sunrise Staff mtg 11:30 am LWML 2pm Handbells 5:45pm GA 7pm Men’s Group 6:30am, Easter 9am Boards No Confirmation 8am in person/online Worship 7pm No Sunday School online

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Worship 8 am Staff mtg 11:30 am Handbells 5:45pm GA 7pm in person/online Confirm. — Zoom Sunday School Worship 7pm Newsletter 9:30 –10:10 am online deadline Council 9:00 am 18 Communion 19 20 21 22 23 24 Worship 8 am Staff mtg 11:30 am Handbells 5:45pm GA 7pm Confirma- Women’s in person/online Worship 7pm tion Family Group 9am Sunday School online Banquet 9:30 –10:10 am 6-7:30pm 25 26 27 28 29 30 Worship 8 am Staff mtg 11:30 am Handbells 5:45pm GA 7pm in person/online Confir. — 8th graders Sunday School Worship 7pm 9:30 –10:10 am online

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