GOOD NEWS March 2012 CONNECTING PEOPLE to LIFE in JESUS

GOOD NEWS March 2012 CONNECTING PEOPLE TO LIFE IN JESUS

"Daffodils, that come before the swallow dares, and take the winds of March with beauty." - William Shakespeare

GROWTH RELATIONAL SERVICE AUTHENTICITY CREATIVITY EVERY PERSON A MISSIONARY Welcome

2833 Raritan Road · Fitchburg, WI 608-271-2811 office 608-271-2849 fax Email: [email protected] Web: www.livelifetogether.com

Staff

Lead Pastor Jeff Meyer— ext 12 [email protected] 332-0580 cell

Chaplains Vicar Mike Peters A Beginner’s Mind [email protected] 273-8541 home Pastor Jeff Meyer

Vicar Matt Wipperman [email protected] 444-5660 cell Recently I was invited to be the plenary speaker at a one-day seminar-“Sustaining

Director of lifeGroup Leadership Ministry Conference” at Concordia University Chicago were I had the opportunity Amy Meyer—ext 11 to speak to a group of leaders in the church. [email protected]

Director of Children and Youth As I share some thoughts on multiplying missionaries, I always make a point to Emily Bremer—ext 25 encourage these leaders to “go first.” [email protected]

Director of Operations Whenever a leader commits to a worthy external goal, he makes a corollary Dan Haupt—ext 14 commitment to grow himself internally. Immature leaders don’t factor this in and [email protected] weaken their efforts. Mature leaders relish the process and know they owe their Office Manager followers this inside-out work.” Doug Silsbee, “Presence-Based Coaching” Jess Bohrer—ext 10 [email protected] When I came out of the seminary I thought I knew a lot. During my almost 20 Admin Volunteer years in the ministry I have, by God’s grace, recognized that I have so much to Adele Waterbury [email protected] learn. In multiplying missionaries, and in living as a missionary myself, I have

Creative Communications had to embrace a “beginner’s mind and a beginner’s heart”. I realized a number Mayme Keagy—ext 13 of years ago that I did not know how to enter into a relationship with those far [email protected] from God, to hold conversations, to listen, to walk alongside them and support

Kids Connection Teachers them in their discovery of God and His passion for them. And, I am still learning. Amy DeBaker [email protected] Perhaps you have heard the strong emphasis we have been making over the past Nursery Coordinator few years of being a missionary and think you don’t know how to do that. Leslie Waterbury Perhaps you think you have a lot to learn. Can I encourage you? You’re in [email protected] exactly the right place. Jesus invites you, as He does me: “Come, follow me. Traditional Worship Leader Heidi Chi And I WILL MAKE YOU…….” (Mark 1:17) Did you catch that? [email protected] Jesus is the One who makes us missionaries. Our job is to follow Him. So, I Exalt Worship Leader Jason Keagy invite you this month to make it a priority to adopt a beginner’s mind and heart, [email protected] and join the hundreds of other people in this ministry who are following Jesus and

Preschool Director learning from Him. There are countless examples in this issue of the Good News Janet Vollmer—ext 15 of people who are venturing out with the support of friends and trying all kinds of [email protected] new things. And, as a result, they are growing, they are experiencing, they are Parish Nurse/Minister to Older Adults celebrating what Jesus is up to in the world. Pretty exciting stuff! Wouldn’t you Sara Peters [email protected] like to join them?

Librarian Becky Levy [email protected]

Fellowship Coordinator Renee Haupt [email protected]

Maintenance Ministry Howard Hasz—ext 0 Pastor Jeff Meyer is the Lead Pastor at the Church. You can contact Pastor Jeff at 271-2811 x12 or [email protected]. You can follow Pastor Jeff on Twitter http://twitter.com/pjfire and on his blog http://jeffreymeyer.org/.

2012 Budget Meeting Kate Perleberg

The Leadership Board has been meeting over the last few If you have any questions prior to the listening sessions or if you months to wrestle with the continued pursuit of our God-given are unable to attend the listening sessions, I encourage you to vision and a $160,000 budget shortfall for 2012 (See Pete reach out to any of the Leadership Board members (Karl Jaegers article in the February Good News). In conjunction Beckman, Anna Bolha, Elsa Gumm, Pete Jaeger, Kate with our staff, we have come up with a plan to balance our Perleberg, Brian Wilmot or Adam Wisner). In the meantime, 2012 budget and at the same time be obedient to God in please pray that we, both individually and as a church body, changing the spiritual landscape of Dane County. We would are faithful and obedient to God’s will. love your personal ownership of this ministry and invite you to attend one of the four listening sessions below to hear more about the plan and to share your thoughts and questions about what is happening in our pursuit to reach His lost sheep.

March 11 in Verona after the 9 am worship service

March 11 on the East Side after the 9:30 am worship service

March 18 in Fitchburg in between worship services in the fellowship hall

March 25 in Fitchburg in between worship services in the fellowship hall

Thoughts. Tools. Tips.

for Missional Living

Checking In Vicar Matt Wipperman

“We loved you so much that we shared with you not only If you’re not sure if you filled out a card, and you didn’t get God’s Good News but our own lives too.” – 1 Thessalonians the 1impact Missionary Encouragement e-mail message 2:8 around February 7th, let us know, and we’ll add you to the list.

How are you doing, missionaries? Here is a piece that went out in the first encouragement e-mail. 1impact is a movement of Jesus-followers who are Do you remember the 1impact Commitment Cards that we joining Jesus in His mission. It is a purposeful response to handed out and collected last October? Specifically, do you Jesus' leadership. As our friend, Pastor Greg Finke said in a remember the Lifestyle Commitment Card? One side of the recent blog: card had boxes to check signifying your commitment to life your life as a missionary, and to identify your mission field, Yes. Look. Not occasionally. Or without purpose. But look for along with space to record your impact list and mission field people. Look at people. Look for the people Jesus has orbiting action steps. The other side had a place to fill in your contact near you during your days. Look to notice. Look to recognize. information, and space to record any specific ways the Church Look to connect. Look to take the next step of acknowledging could support you now. and greeting. Look for a chance to ask their name. Jesus brings them near every day not to ignore but to notice, not to What is your missionary support team (staff) doing with those walk around but to recognize and greet. That's the wonder of cards, you ask? the immensity and immediacy of Jesus. He's doing that with each person. We just need to follow His lead. We’re praying for each of you by name, including any specific www.dwelling114.org "Look" January 24, 2012 prayer requests you wrote down.

We’ve started sending out a monthly 1impact Missionary Please feel free to contact your missionary support team (staff) Encouragement e-mail message. Each message will focus on directly anytime. one of the specific types of support you requested on your 1impact Commitment Card. For example: God bless you in your commitment to 1impact!

Prayer Accountability Challenge Information on Bible studies aimed at neighbors Encouragement Sharing of stories

If there are any specific ways the Church could support you now, e-mail me or give your missionary support team (staff) a call.

If you didn’t get to fill out a 1impact Commitment Card and would like to be counted as a missionary, please e-mail me at Vicar Matt Wipperman is the Director of Mission [email protected] and we’ll add you to the Multiplication at the Church and the Site Leader at list. the Church in East Madison . You can contact him at [email protected] 4 Mission God at Work in Haiti Dan Haupt

A group from the Church went to Haiti January 11-18th to work at an orphanage in Jacmel. We loved on and played with the children, taught them a Bible story and songs each day, and got lots of construction done. The following paragraphs reflect the thoughts of some of the group members.

Cana Laska In addition to the building projects, the bible studies, the meal prep, and the bonding with the kids, I had the huge blessing of sharing some songs twelve springs and 70 palm trees after leaving “Marah” (which with the kids. The meant bitter) and they camped beside the water. On our song "My God is So three hour trip from the airport in Port-a-prince to Jacmel we Big!" became a bit of an instant hit, and the kids sang it saw miles and miles of poverty and devastation. When we seemingly nonstop for the rest of our time there. We could pulled into our gated hotel on Wednesday night it felt like we hear them singing it together all over the had arrived in paradise. God indeed had given us an “oasis” orphanage. Although it's a simple children's song, I think that in the desert. We had the most beautiful view of the ocean- a it really speaks truth as to God's role in Haiti, and His role in beautiful rock cove with palm trees surrounding the brilliant our lives. aqua-marine water. We could hear the rolling waves from our hotel room. God is so good!!! Our team was not picked My God is so big, so strong and so mighty! up until 9:00am each morning to go to the orphanage. I had There's nothing my God cannot do for you! the blessing and joy of spending 2 hours with God by the The mountains are His. The rivers are His. ocean each morning. God so filled me to overflowing each The stars are His handiwork too. morning. My prayers that week centered on God’s My God is so big, so strong and so mighty! characteristics using the beauty of the cove for my themes for There's nothing my God cannot do for you! praising God. Some examples of prayer themes were: God is my….. refuge, sanctuary, rock, anchor, shelter, protector, safety, and life-giving water. The time our team had with God in this beautiful sanctuary helped fill us so Laurie Pinkert I am in awe of how God could use each of us to be a refreshing God so delights in giving us the desires of spring and oasis to the children at the our heart (when they are in line with His Orphanage. That week these dear children desires). When I first heard about the Haiti experienced God’s unconditional love, nurturing, Mission trip I felt some nudges from God human touch, caring, compassion, God’s grace, and a deep desire to do this trip even value, respect, and so much more…….Our team though it was stepping way out of my was blessed so we could be a blessing….In turn, comfort zone. I also had a desire for some these precious children blessed us in so many retreat time with God. I was picturing this grace filled ways. One example of this is the special “be still” time with God by water. I team prayer we shared encircling Mackenson in was thinking it would be either the mission his wheelchair. He is a sweet and gentle 10 year trip or a special retreat. God surprised me old diagnosed with Duchenes Muscular and gave me both in one surprising package. God so Dystrophy. God’s presence was so evident and awesome delights in surprising His children! Three words that describe during this time of prayer. To God be the Glory! the Haiti Mission trip for me are Awesome, Faith-building, and

Heart-wrenching. We experienced God’s presence and saw Him at work all week in awesome ways at the Orphanage, Isn’t it neat to read about the experiences Cana and Laurie with the children, and with our team. We also saw some hard shared, the lessons they learned, and the relationships that and difficult stuff. Both of these facets helped me grow in my they formed. It’s even more awesome to actually go on a faith. mission trip. If you have never been on a mission trip, please When I reflect back on my week in Jacmel; I think of “the consider doing so. I personally have found them to be both Oasis of Elim” in Exodus 15:27. At Elim the Israelites found heart and life-changing. -Dan Haupt 5 Mission

The time of prayer was filled with emotion and passion, tears I Ethiopia and confidence in our awesome God who can do all things. Amy Meyer There was another one of the women who shared that she had been very ill, unconscious for 10 days, many people prayed for her and God healed her and restored her strength. She said, Thank you for your “I want God to use me, I don’t want to spoil the life he has give prayers and support for back to me.” WOW! One of the things that struck me again Abbey and I as we as we were teaching, these women don’t just listen to receive, traveled to Africa and they listen to reproduce. They shared how they taught others back home again. We what they have learned from us two years ago and how they were both healthy the were eager to share what they were learning this time. entire time and were safe traveling (10 One of the many blessings that PLI has brought to the Pastors planes, lots of van rides and their wives both in the United States over the last 14 years on roads that we shared and now in 8 different countries is for wives to learn alongside with cattle, donkey, of their husbands and have a shared experience. We have one people, carts, busses, special night dedicated to teaching about marriage and then motorcycles, bikes etc. so we do not take that for granted!) we give a small gift of money to the couples for them to have a date night. They are so appreciative of this time to spend We really had 2 trips in 1 as the first week we spent in Ethiopia together and focus on each other. (something that is very rare and then the second week in their culture) It was such we were in Kenya. It was a delight to see them sitting wonderful to experience next to each other talking these two very different and laughing. countries. I had been in Ethiopia two years ago One of the surprises was a teaching this same group of trip we took west of Addis women (Pastor Wives), so it Ababa to a town called was fun to recognize them Ambo. (it is known for the and catch up on what God sparkling mineral water has been doing in their lives. they produce). We went They were excited to meet there to see the various another one of my churches that had been daughters, they remembered planted as they are Kacie and asked about her, experiencing such rapid and they embraced Abbey with lots of love. growth, and one of the churches that is being rebuilt from two years ago after being burned down by a group of Orthodox One of our favorite things to do as we gather together is sing Zealots. It was amazing to see the stick benches the people sit praise songs and pray together. One of the most memorable on and the standing room only. They are hungry to hear the moments was after one of the women shared a very difficult Gospel. One of the churches is called Ensalele, meaning “God situation about her daughter who has denounced her faith in Sees”. Yes He certainly does. I was reminded again that our Christ and left her home with a Muslim man. This dear God sees ALL his people of all nations and knows their needs mother’s heart was breaking for her daughter. The hearts of and loves them. What a mighty God we serve! the other women in the room were filled with compassion for their sister in Our second week began with a flight to Nairobi and one night Christ and we with our LCMS Missionaries Shauen and Krista Trump and their ended with a 2 boys. After we worshipped we flew to Kisumu a coastal town time of prayer, on Lake Victoria. (The second largest fresh water lake) Our crying out to hotel was overbooked so we God for mercy were blessed with two nights and that He at the Kiboko Bay Resort would grab a (Kiboko in Swahili means hold of this Hippopotamus) It was one young girl and of those moments where bring her back. wejust knew that God was delighting in us and giving us a little extra something Mission special to enjoy, a very clear example of grace! And, yes, we did go out on a small boat and saw Hippos! So exciting! We also pulled up alongside of a fishing boat and they had been out all night, they showed us their catch, 2 fresh water tilapia and 1 Nile perch. (reminded us of the disciples!) We then moved to our other hotel, and each day for our training we drove 1 ½ hours on a very rough road to the seminary. I took that time to pray not only for safety but for all the needs that we saw and that we were told about, and also for my family and the Church back home. The teaching with the women in Kenya was difficult at first, it was their first time to be together, it took us awhile to be comfortable with each other. They were extremely happy to be together and to learn with their husbands. Perhaps my favorite part was where I got to teach them, outside on benches under a guava tree overlooking the highlands, occasionally the seminary cow would wander by. We also enjoyed singing with each other, they taught me a song about being on a journey towards our home in heaven. For two of the days of training Abbey was a big help to Krista (the missionary) with her 2 year old son and 6 week old son.

As we are back home now, we are thankful for so many things, and humbled in so many ways. Thankful we were able to go and be with our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world, having our eyes opened to how others live. We are thankful that we could use the gifts that God has given us to work in His Kingdom. We are thankful that God loves all people and his desire is that all would be saved. And although we are different in some ways we are really quite similar!

Amy Meyer is the lifeGroup Leadership Director at the Church. You can contact Amy at 271-2811 x11 or [email protected] East Madison the (Swimming Pool) Church Vicar Matt Wipperman

It’s always a little bit strange when someone asks me, “where is your church?” Probably because I assume that my answer isn’t going to fit with the idea in their mind, and I wonder if I will be able to communicate well. But, I never feel like the answer isn’t good enough. I’m actually really excited to tell people that the Church in East Madison meets at the Cottage Grove road YMCA on Sunday mornings at 9:30am. Sure, it’s not a dedicated church building. Instead of a sanctuary with an altar and cross behind it we have a community room with an LCD TV on the wall, and a table in the back for communion. Instead of a narthex or welcome area we have a check-in sheet to sign at the front desk, and a walk up the stairs and around the corner. Instead of stained glass windows we have a whole wall of windows that look down onto the swimming pool. Sometimes the pool can seem There is a community that has welcomed us and is open to our distracting, it’s not noisy, but with ceiling to floor windows it’s meeting there. We’re not separated out, they miss us when easy to have sunlight shimmering off the water catch my eye. I we’re not there. We mix together. Some of us are members of know the kids love to look down and see it as well. the Y, some even use the same pool pretty regularly. Soon, we’ll be discussing with them ways that we can serve the I was reminded again last week of some of the benefits of community there, for the time that we are part of it. So, while being at the Y. There are people at the Y. There is a whole it may not look like the typical church, we are the Church in community there, not just employees, not even just people who East Madison in the YMCA. are there to work out, but people who bring their kids to daycare, people who bring their kids to sports, and people who come to watch friends and family play. When I arrived for the Church in East Madison meets on Sunday mornings at the church last Sunday the hallway next to our community room East YMCA located at 711 Cottage Grove Road. was lined with people that had come to watch a swim meet.

Last week, I ran into Jeff, he is an instructor for the boot camp class Kate and I used to attend at the Y. He related to me that it seems like we have a really great group of people that meet there. Apparently he’s run into a few of us as we’re coming and going from church, and has enjoyed the conversations. If Jeff wasn’t working on Sunday mornings, he might join us. When we didn’t meet at the Y on New Year’s Day Sunday, one of the front desk people, who I had never talked to previously, said that he missed us the day before, that it had been his first time opening on Sunday and he remembered to have the room all ready. I explained that we meet with our other Vicar Matt Wipperman is the Director of Mission Fitchburg site brothers and sisters that Sunday, but it opened Multiplication at the Church and the Site Leader at the Church in East Madison . You can contact him my eyes a bit more to the community that we are part of. at [email protected]

Unity Amy Meyer

Unity is very important to our Lord Jesus. In John 17 Jesus other, and how much God loves them. prayed for his disciples and he prayed for you and I as well. He asked his Father in heaven that we would be united. He One of the best ways for us to have things go well with one said in verse 21 another is to Look UP and to Look OUT. When we have our “Father, I pray that starting point as Christ we they can be one. As recognize how sinful we you are in me and I are and we also realize am in you, I pray that how overwhelmed with they can also be one God’s love and grace and in us. Then the world forgiveness we are. That will believe that you God’s desire is for us results in us being sent me.” humble. And as we look The reason that unity is OUT at the extensive so important to Jesus to live in relationships harvst that is before us full is because then the of people who are not yet world will believe in that are reconciled connected to life in Jesus Him. Do you we are also humbled. remember singing that unto him. He desires Jesus taught his disciples old folk song, “They to fish using a net, not just will know we are with a line and a hook. Christians by our love, oneness with us, and To fish with a net you have by our love, yes they’ll to work together, not know we are he desires that we are alone. We need one Christians by our another to accomplish the love.” Living life vision that God has given together can get one with each other. us; to see the spiritual messy. Relationships landscape of Madison can be difficult at transformed one person, times, and we can find one neighborhood one ourselves in conflict. region at a time. We are How is it going in your better together. The cross lifeGroup? How is it and our commission given going in your marriage? How are you doing at working things to us by Jesus are reasons big enough and important enough out together and not going it alone? While I was in Ethiopia, for us to overcome relational division. one of the teaching times was about hindrances to unity. There were four things listed that can get in the way of us being united, obstacles to functioning as missional communities.

Compare Compete Criticize Control

Do any of those things ring true with you? God’s desire is for us to live in relationships that are reconciled unto him. He desires oneness with us, and he desires that we are one with each other. We are created to be in relationship with Him and with each other. The Gospel spreads THROUGH relationships. Satan continues to work his strategy that he started in the Garden of Eden, keeping God and people apart, and people Amy Meyer is the lifeGroup Leadership Director at the apart from other people. There is a great deal at risk! The Church. You can contact Amy at 271-2811 x11 or world is watching… let’s show them how much we love each [email protected] Men’s Ministry Saturday, March 10th at 7:45am In the Fellowship Hall (Fitchburg)

Men’s Ministry is dedicated to helping men be the godly men God calls them to be, by providing resources to develop Godly character, and to equip them to influence their world for Christ.

All men are encouraged to join us. We meet the 2nd Saturday of each month. For more info on please contact Jim Haas at [email protected].

Mom to Mom Tuesdays mornings at 10am In the Fellowship Hall (Fitchburg) Builders

Come and join us Tuesday 6-week Series mornings as support one another Starts February 26th at 9:15am in the Fellowship Hall through one of the best and most (Fitchburg) challenging jobs there is, being a mom. Perhaps one of the most unforgettable walks of all time was

Peter’s walk when he stepped out of the boat one stormy night We are moms with children of all ages, and we look to God’s and walked on water. When Peter went treading on the waves, Word and each other to be reminded that we are not alone in he was experiencing walking at its finest. this journey. You do not have to be a member of the Church to attend this group, in fact many people invite their friends Peter’s walk stands as an invitation to everyone who, like him, and neighbors to come. We are able to offer child care wants to step out in faith and experience more of the power because of the willing hearts of a couple of ladies who and presence of God. Water-walking is a picture of doing with understand that moms need a break. If you have any God’s help what we could never do on our own. questions you can contact Amy Meyer 271-2811 x 11 or [email protected] There is some aspect of your life in which God is calling you to

walk with and toward him. During these six sessions, you will learn the skills essential to water-walking: discerning God’s call, transcending fear, risking faith, managing failure, and trusting God. Our hope is that you, like Peter, will accept God’s invitation to go for a walk on the water. Join us Sunday Bible Study mornings starting February 26th at 9:15 am in the Fellowship Hall. Tuesdays at 1pm

(Fitchburg) Friday Lunch Bunch Tuesday Bible Study is studying the book Friday, March 23rd at 11:30 am of Romans and you are invited to join us. We will be discovering answers to the questions; “What does Everyone is invited to join the Lunch Bunch God what me to know, what does God want me to do and on Friday, March 23rd at the Great Dane what does God want me to be?” Any questions contact Sara at 2980 Cahill Main at 11:30am. Please Peters 273-8541 or Becky Levy 271-4364. contact Becky Levy 271-4364 if you can come or have any questions.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner & Movie Night Saturday, March 17th at 5:30pm (Fitchburg)

Higher Ground will be hosting a “Dinner & A Movie” night on St. Patrick’s Day as a fundraiser for their summer mission trip. Lenten Series How much would you spend for a night out with your family? Ash Wednesday—Easter Sunday $50 for dinner? $20 for a movie? What if that money could go February 22nd—April 8th towards transforming the lives of teenagers? Families, couples, singles, groups of friends are all invited to a family friendly Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd: I know my own sheep, th night out on Saturday, March 17 at 5:30pm. We’ll serve an and they know me.” John 10:14 This truth sustains us. This appetizing pasta dinner before showing the movie, truth transforms us. God makes Himself known. He wants to “Courageous”. During the movie, babysitting will be provided be known. He longs to be in a trusting relationship with you. so mom and dad can enjoy the movie together. A free will And so, we don’t merely know about Him or know Him in some offering will be taken to help raise funds for transportation and casual way. We Know Him. We know His character and we scholarships for the youth mission trip to West Virginia. know that He is dependable to BE for us exactly who He has been throughout the course of human history. Make your reservation for the this evening on the homepage at www.livelifetogether.com. Questions? Contact Emily Bremer at This Lenten season we will spend some time getting to know our [email protected]. Savior. My prayer for this series is by Easter Sunday we will be ready and eager to submit our lives to Christ and with renewed confidence and courage we will say with pride “I am dependent on Christ!”

Join us this Lenten season on Wednesday evenings as we spend some time in worship “Knowing Him”.

Family Connection is a fun way for families to learn faith development together. Each month families explore biblical Easter Mission truths together through plays, crafts, or worksheets. At each Breakfast monthly meeting families also receive resources to continue Proceeds to Support Missions faith development in the home or in lifeGroup.

Watch for sign up sheets in the Our next Family Connection meeting time will be meeting on welcome area during Lent for Sunday, March 4th. We will be learning about Lent and Easter donations of egg bakes, juice symbols and traditions. We will also be practicing our Easter and baked goodies. Then join Play! Everyone is welcome to join the fun learning stations and us Easter morning for a activities! We will be meeting at 9:30 am in the center room of fabulous breakfast to raise the Preschool area. money to support missions.

Our Easter Party is on April 1st! We will start the party by HELPERS NEEDED ! If you are willing to come help during the performing our play. Then we will have an Easter Egg hunt, Easter Mission Breakfast please contact Renee Haupt at decorate cookies, and make some crafts! [email protected]

Looking way ahead, we will be learning about heavenly armor in May! Feel free to join us.

For more information about Family Connection please contact Amy DeBaker at [email protected].

All service opportunities listed this month are for the Fitchburg Site.

Child Care Worship Screen Operator The Bhutanese Bible Study meets every Sunday from 12-2pm Our media team run the screens used to enhance the worship and is growing! We have outgrown the homes that we meet in experience at the 8 am and 10:45 am services. You don’t need and are moving our study to the church. We are in need of 1 or to be a computer guru to run the screens, point and click. 2 people to care for our 4 year-olds so that their parents can Training will be provided, no experience is necessary. Please participate in the study time. You can serve as often as your contact Erika Frohmader at [email protected] schedule allows. If you would like to join us in this exciting ministry please contact Mayme Keagy at 445-3272 or Kids Connection Volunteers [email protected]. Thank you! Kids Connection meets 3 times a month. Come join us as we do crafts, games, stories and puppets with the kids. Contact Paul Sound Tech Hees at [email protected] to get looped into the The Sound Tech is important part of the worship team and schedule. overall worship service. No experience necessary but this person should have a good ear for music, mix and levels. Please Easter Mission Breakfast contact Worship Leader Heidi Chi at [email protected] Kitchen help and servers are needed for the Easter Mission if you are interested in serving at the 8am service. Breakfast. Please contact Renee Haupt at [email protected]

Video Tech Worship Assistants Camera operator is needed once a month at the 10:45am Worship Assistants work in teams to prepare the sanctuary for service to record the sermon that is broadcast at each of our service by turning on the lights, setting thermostats, and sites, uploaded to our website and aired on the Fitchburg straightening up. They also assist the pastor with communion, Access Channel. Training will be provided, no experience is collect the offering, help with preparation for baptisms, greet necessary. Contact Mayme Keagy at our members and guests, help find seats if necessary and pass [email protected] if interested. out bulletins. If you would like to be connected with a team please contact Mark Radtke at [email protected]. 12

THRIVE 2012 Sermon Series If you don’t have one already, please pick up a Thrive Journal When we say we want to connect people to life in Jesus, it is in the Welcome Area or download it from our website at important that we discern from the Scriptures what that actually www.livelifetogether.com. We’ll use this journal together as a looks like. Over the next year we will intentionally uncover the part of the journey. We encourage you to bring it worship to jot practices and attitudes we need to actually THRIVE in our down insights and personal reflection as we dive into God's mission of connecting people to life in Jesus. Word. Use it also to raise your level of intentionality in your

relationship with Jesus. Writing can stimulate thoughtful Life Marks have been designed to help you discover a Scriptural reflection and create accountability. Putting words on paper can list of practices and attitudes that are foundational to the help us think more clearly. It can help us slow down. Christian life. They help sum up that substantial list into Articulating goals in writing is also a great way to say something clear, concise and accessible. Life Marks are like "something" out loud and bring it out into the open which gauges on a dashboard that monitor progress to living a life on increases accountability. purpose, that is in the Word and striving to be a reflection of

Christ Jesus to the world. We also encourage you to check out the Life

Marks assessment. You’ll find a link on our During this year we will take an in-depth look at each one of homepage at www.livelifetogether.com, or use the four Life Marks by devoting 10 weeks of sermons, study and your cell phone to click on the tag (left). We’ll discussion to each one individually. use this assessment tool throughout the year as

we focus in on each Life Mark. Sustained by the Word

Dependent on Christ We invite you to fully participate with us in this journey over the Visible reflection of Jesus. next year. We’re excited to see the spiritual growth in our Missional heartbeat of God. church and our people THRIVING in 2012.

13 Here We Go Again Emily Bremer The first is by buying groceries! This summer, Higher Ground youth and adults will be adding Seriously…it’s that easy! Do you shop at Bill’s Grocery store in another destination to their list of mission trip locations. It’s Oregon? Do you know someone who shops there? If so, when amazing to consider the list and extent of places and people you receive your receipt at checkout, just ask the clerk for a that God has blessed using our hands and feet – Philadelphia, “Supports Oregon” sticker. Attach the sticker to your receipt, Tunica, Detroit, Puerto Rico, Kentucky, Madison, and and then bring your receipt with you to church. There is a box Milwaukee! This summer, we’ll be heading down to Flatwoods, on the Welcome Area where you can drop the receipt. Higher West Virginia to help repair homes for people in the area. Ground will receive a portion back of the totals of all the receipts we collect. In addition to the high school mission trip, this summer our middle school students will begin a new adventure! They no longer have to wait to experience what happens when we leave The second way is to plan on a our comfort zones to serve Jesus and love others! A new middle night out with your family on St. school mission trip will be offered this summer. These students will learn to be missionaries right here in their own communities Patrick’s Day (March 17th). Higher Ground will be as they bless Madison for 4 days. In addition to middle school providing a family friendly Dinner and a Movie night here at the students having an opportunity to experience a mission trip, our Church. This will be a fundraising event, with all proceeds high school students will be helping to lead this trip; giving going to support the mission trips. How much would you spend them the chance to expand their leadership abilities. to go out for dinner? How much would you spend to see a movie? How about putting that money towards a good cause? You don’t have to wait to start We’ll serve a pasta dinner, complete with dessert, at 5:30pm. Afterwards, we’ll be showing the movie, “Courageous” on the being a part of helping to make big screens! Childcare will be provided so mom and dad can enjoy the movie together. Please save your spot by registering these trips a reality for our on the homepage at www.livelifetogether.com. students! Thank you for helping our students grow in their faith and learn what it means to glorify God while serving others in His name! There are 2 really simple ways that you can help our students raise the funds they need to attend these life-changing trips.

Emily Bremer is the Director of Youth at the Church. You can contact Emily in the office 271- 2811 x25, on her cell 957-1052, or by email [email protected]. 14

Coming for up youth

HeyKids! like We’d seeto you’rewhat “UP” Send to. your in UP photos to [email protected] and we may featurethem here. Higher Ground Life in the Word th th Higher Ground is for students in 7th-12th grade. As spring Life in the Word is for students in 5 and 6 grade and their arrives, join us as we consider what it means to have a new life parents. Students study the basics of our faith. This gathering in Jesus! meets on select Sunday nights at the Fitchburg site, from 6- March 4th: 5:30-8pm, lifeGroup night! How can your lifeGroup 7:30pm. be a blessing to your community tonight? March 4th: No Life in the Word.

March 11th: 5:30-8pm, Fitchburg site. Worship night – We’re March 11th: Life in the Word, 6-7:30pm at the Church, all back together for a night of games and worship. We have a Fitchburg site. Students will learn what Confession and special evening planned on what friendship is and how we can Absolution means, and why it’s a critical element of our reflect Jesus in our friendships! Dinner is at 5:30. relationship with God.

March 17th: Dinner and a Movie fundraiser. We need all hands March 18th: Life in the Word, 6-7:30pm at the Church, on deck for this fundraiser! It will raise funds for the summer Fitchburg site. Students will begin looking at the nature of the mission trip. However, even if you aren’t attending the mission Lord’s Supper. trip, you can help out your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ March 25th: Life in the Word: 6-7:30pm at the Church, by being part of the fundraiser. Plan to be available from 4pm- Fitchburg site. Lessons continue around the topic of the Lord’s 10pm. Supper. What blessings and power do we receive through this March 18th: 5:30-8pm. lifeGroup night! Do you have a friend Sacrament? that you could invite? st Head’s Up: The Spring Party for Life in the Word is April 1 . th March 25 : Middle School Serve Day. We will meet in the Middle School Mission Trip Packets are available online on the afternoon and go serve in the community. High School – students’ resource page at www.livelifetogether.com. lifeGroup from 5:30-8pm. Registrations are due by the end of February. April 1st: 5:30-8pm, Fitchburg site. We’re joining up together again! Come join us for worship with the band, dinner, games, Family Connection Gatherings, Fitchburg Site and some great conversations about faith! Kids

Mission Trip Packets are available online on the students’ Calling all kids and families! Family Connection is for th resource page at www.livelifetogether.com. Registrations are children, ages 3-4 grade, and their parents. Kids Connection due by the end of February. is available on non-Family Connection weeks. Kids Connection

Head’s Up: Save the date - the spring retreat is April 27th-29th. does not require parent attendance. We’ll leave Friday evening and be back for church on Sunday March 4th: Family Connection, 9:15am morning. March 11th: Kids Connection, 9:15am March 18th: Kids Connection, 9:15am SAVE THE DATE: March 17th is a mission trip fundraiser – March 25th: Kids Connection, 9:15am “Dinner and a Movie”. We need all families to help make this April 1st: Family Connection EASTER PARTY! evening possible! ALL SITES – Family Connection at-home/lifeGroup resources for February will be available at Family Connection, in the Welcome Area, and at your site on March 4th. 15 Read Lent and Easter Becky Levy

Volumes have been written about Jesus; his birth, life, suffering, death, resurrection and his coming again. Lent is a season to again reflect on Jesus; the following resources available in our Church library offer opportunities to journey again with great authors as they share the discoveries they have made as followers of Jesus.

The Greatest Life of All: JESUS by Charles Swindoll is divided in four parts; the Child, the Rabbi, the Substitute and the King. Choose all sections or just one; you will know Jesus better through your reading. No Wonder They Call Him the Savior and He Chose the Nails, by Max Lucado are great choices to learn about Jesus, and grow deeper in love with him as your Savior and understand what it means for Him to be Lord of your life.

If you reject Him, He answers you with tears. If you wound Him, He bleeds out cleansing. If you kill Him, He dies to redeem. If you bury Him, He rises again to bring resurrection. Michael Card song writer and recording artist, with a master’s degree in biblical studies uses this quote by Charles Spurgeon to introduce his book: A Violent Grace. Card combines OT prophesies, Psalms, accounts of Jesus suffering and death to point the reader to God’s Grace. Each short chapter ends with an amazing prayer to lead to the cross of Jesus and to a deepening personal relationship with Jesus! Review

What do most of us know about sheep or being a shepherd? You will recognize this title; If You Want to Probably not too much. As church Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of attendees we have learned from the Boat by John Ortberg as the study Pastors that sheep are dumb and Faith Builders will be using the next few they get into trouble, they are weeks. The book is available from the helpless to defend themselves. The library. Bible provides stories and illustrations of sheep and of Jesus as our Good Shepherd, but what does that mean? I found it extremely helpful to learn what an Highlighted resources are found on the Old Testament shepherd’s life was like. Amos from Tekoa is a bookshelves in the welcome area. Please include your name shepherd called by the living God to be a prophet to the and date on the card found in the resource. Place the card in northern Kingdom in Bethel. God used Amos to warn his the baskets provided at each bookshelf. Please return items to people of what was to come and to cry out to them to repent the return basket in the library. Contact Becky Levy at 271-4364 and turn from their wicked ways. The people loved hearing or [email protected] if you have any questions, need about the doom prophesied regarding their enemies, but they helpfinding a particular resource or would like to volunteer. closed their ears and hearts when the warning was directed to them. Oasis Audio version of The Prophet by Francine Rivers one in the series Sons of Encouragement gives great insight into the life of this shepherd/prophet. -BL 16 the Body Happy 80th

Doug Rittenhouse! At age 37, Doug went back to school for his high school degree, graduating the same summer as his oldest son. Shortly after- Doug was born on March 4, 1932 in wards, he took a job with the Department of Transportation in Kendall, Wisconsin, the second young- Madison. Mary Lou stayed with the boys in Sheboygan until their est and last surviving of nine siblings. son Steven finished high school. The Rittenhouses moved into a He attended ten schools in eight years home a few blocks away from the original location of Christ Me- as his family moved around central morial, and have been connected to the Church for 40 years, even Wisconsin, finally settling in She- after relocating to Oregon. Retired since 1988, Doug enjoys fol- boygan. Doug’s dad died when he lowing the stock market. However, he claims his favorite pastime was 16, and Doug went to work at a is “picking on” his wife. shoe company to help support his family. He also worked in construction and then with May Steel, when he met Mary Lou, another It was almost two years ago while traveling out West that Doug tenant in the building where he lived. They married in 1952, had suffered a stroke and spent several months in and out of hospitals th six sons, and look forward to celebrating their 60 anniversary this and rehab centers. After Doug returned home to continue his re- summer! covery, Mary Lou tirelessly helped him dress each morning. One Doug was drafted into the Army in 1954 and served two years. morning her jaw dropped when Doug appeared in the kitchen His second son was 3 days old when he left to report to duty. After while she prepared breakfast. He had gotten up and dressed being discharged, Doug worked in construction in the Sheboygan without any help. She wondered how long he had been hiding this area. He remembers building 75 houses in one summer. Other ability! memories include living in a house built in 1857 and taking his boys boating on the Sheboygan River. When Mary Lou is asked Doug trusts in the Lord to get him through the hard times in life, how she handled six boys, she responds that the boys weren’t a like the loss of their 20 year old son in 1974. He and Mary Lou problem - their dad was the challenge! Doug’s mischievous spirit have been blessed with ten grandchildren and 13 great- and sense of humor are evident in stories he shares. When Doug grandchildren, many of whom live nearby. His faithfulness to was a youth in Sheboygan, he and his buddies would sell fish they God, his wife and his family are evidenced in the strong ties be- caught and throw coins into piles of coal causing little kids to tween generations of the Rittenhouse family. Thank God for scramble to find them – leaving with blackened hands and clothes, Doug’s 80 years of blessings! -SP much to the chagrin of their mothers!

Happy 90th Fern! Before retirement Fern and John were privileged to travel to the Holy Land and Germany. John died in 1980, after 37 years of

marriage. Fern continued to travel - Europe, Hong Kong, Australia Fern Pfitzer was born on March and Venezuela, as well as attending the college graduation of 14, 1922 in Dolton, Illinois. She each of her 10 grandchildren. Also after retiring, Fern volunteered was an only child, but grew up with several community organizations, including a reading among many cousins. She program for children in public schools. Through the efforts of attended Lutheran grade school, many at Christ Memorial, Fern was awarded the Crystal Apple high school and then Concordia Award from NBC for contributions to Education in South Central Teacher's College in River Forest, WI. In 1998 Fern was chosen as Alumna of the year at her alma Illinois. When Fern visited her mater, Concordia University, River Forest, IL. classmate Dora Pfitzer in

Tennessee, Dora’s older brother Three years ago, Fern had hip replacement surgery, her first told her, “Don’t expect me to hospital stay since delivering her children sixty-plus years entertain your friend.” Three earlier. Complications following her surgery led to big changes in years later Fern and John Pfitzer married! John and Fern were her life, most recently moving out of her home of 44 years into an blessed with four children - twins Jean and Joan, son Jack, and assisted living facility. She enjoys the regular visits and calls from daughter Jill. When it seemed likely that John’s service with the her friends, including two faithful visitors from the Church whose Army-Air Corp would take him overseas, Fern moved back to children were Fern’s students decades ago, and family, which now Dolton with the twins and began teaching at St. Paul Lutheran includes 10 great-grandchildren with another on the way. School. After being discharged from military service, John’s Generations of families have been blessed by God through Fern's teaching career took the family to New York City and then to St. faith and ministry. Fern’s life is a reflection of the noble woman Louis, where Fern was a substitute teacher for many years before described in Proverbs 31. We praise God for her 90 years of life! becoming Director of Luther Memorial Preschool. In 1967 Fern, Cards or notes can be mailed to Fern Pfitzer at Sebring Assisted John and their youngest daughter moved to Madison where John Care Residence, 7710 Brookline #148E, Madison WI began work with the Bethel Bible Series and Fern was asked to 53719 –SP begin the preschool at Christ Memorial. During her 30 years at Christ Memorial, Fern served other preschool programs in South Wisconsin as a consultant, workshop leader and magazine writer. Sara Peters is the Parish Nurse and Minister to Older Adults at the Church. You can contact Sara at [email protected]. 13 Offering and Budget Report for the end of January You Got Mail

Our Fitchburg site has created mail slots for the Church in Verona and for the Church in East Madison. The boxes are located in the hallway by the kitchen. If you have cards, Jan Actual Jan Budget Difference letters or any communication Income 83,358 83,940 (582) you’d like to send to our Expenses 81,401 83,270 (1,869) members at another site we Net Income 1,957 670 1,287 encourage you to use these boxes. The boxes will be checked The net income of $1,957 consists of $4,496 income from weekly and any mail will be preschool operations and $6,453 loss from church delivered to the site. A site operations. The church uses about $2,280 per month of its directory is available by the net income to pay mortgage principal. mailboxes to look up which site a member attends. January 2012 income of $83,358 includes $69,286 of regular offerings, which compares to offerings of $70,776 for For those of you at our satellite January 2011. sites who’d like to communicate with those at the Church at 1impact Income (over and above three year pledges). Christ Memorial, please give Total Pledged Over 3 years = 372,300 your mail to your Site Leader for 2012 Contributions = 4,846 delivery. Thank you. Total Received since Nov 2010 = $161,974

Line of credit balance as of 1/31/12 is zero.

a simple choice, a generous response Simply Giving® is a reliable, safe way to move your stewardship plan into action. It allows you to share your gifts through planned giving and activates your generosity into ongoing stewardship. Because your gift is given consistently through automatic withdraws you won't need to play "catch- 1impact Community Endowment up" at year-end or worry about forgotten checkbooks or Fund is a permanent fund missed Sunday offerings. The Simply Giving program is established to provide financial designed to help you conveniently, consistently and joyfully assistance to others in our give financial gifts to the Church’s ministry. By participating in community and church body in purposeful and enriching ways. the program, you can use electronic funds transfer to This fund is separate from the operating fund used to run give your weekly, daily and normal operations of the Church. The purpose of semimonthly, or monthly the 1impact Community Endowment Fund is to receive gifts offering. and bequests for the further growth of our church and the mission and ministry of the Church – to connect people to life To set up online donations in Jesus! please visit our website at www.livelifetogether.com/ Check out more information at www.livelifetogether.com or lifeServe/SimplyGiving. contact Director of Operations—Dan Haupt to explain further how you can, even with a modest estate, create an incredible legacy for both your heirs and ministry.

Dan Haupt, 271-2811 x 14 or [email protected] 18 Sunday Morning Worship 8:00am Traditional Service (Fitchburg) 9:00am Worship in Verona at The Heights Center 9:30am Worship in East Madison at the YMCA 10:45am Exalt Contemporary Service (Fitchburg) March 2012

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 6:30a Bible Study 9a Staff Blue Sky Retreat

6p Ministerio Cristiano Integral

6:30p Verona Rehearsal

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

9:15a Family Connection 8a Prayer Team 7:30a Men’s Ministry

10a Mom to mom 9:15a faithBuilders: If You

Want to Walk on Water 10:30p Chapel Valley

Worship Service 5:30p Chapel Valley 5:30p Chapel Valley 12p Bhutanese 1p Bible Study Spiritual Life Institute Connections Class Spiritual Life Institute 6p Ministerio Cristiano

Integral 2:30p Ministerio Cristiano 6p LCFS Pre-Marriage 6:30p Trad Rehearsal 7p Lenten Worship Integral Counseling 6:30p Verona Rehearsal Service 5:30p Higher Ground 8p Exalt Rehearsal

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Budget Meeting in Verona 8:30a Staff Meeting and East Madison 8a Prayer Team 6:30a Bible Study following the services. 10a Mom to mom 5:30p Chapel Valley 9:15a faithBuilders: If You 1p Bible Study Want to Walk on Water Spiritual Life Institute

9:15a Kids Connection 5:30p Chapel Valley 6p the Church Leadership 5:30p Youth Fundraiser- 2:30p Ministerio Cristiano 6:30p Trad Rehearsal Spiritual Life Institute Board Meeting 6p Ministerio Cristiano Dinner and a Movie Night Integral 6:30p 4H Meeting Integral 6p LCFS Pre-Marriage 5:30p Higher Ground Counseling 6:30p Verona Rehearsal 6p Life in the Word 7p Lenten Worship

8p Exalt Rehearsal Service

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Good News Deadline 9:15a Budget Meeting in 8a Prayer Team Fitchburg at 9:15am 10a Mom to mom

9:15a Kids Connection 1p Bible Study 5:30p Chapel Valley

2:30p Ministerio Cristiano Spiritual Life Institute

Integral 5:30p Chapel Valley 6p Ministerio Cristiano

5:30p Higher Ground- Spiritual Life Institute 5:30p Lenten Dinner Integral 6:30p Trad Rehearsal lifeGroup Night 6p LCFS Pre-Marriage 7p Lenten Worship 6:30p Verona Rehearsal 6p Life in the Word 8p Exalt Rehearsal Counseling Service

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 8a lifeGroup Leaders Training (Verona) 8a Prayer Team

9:15a Budget Meeting in 10a Mom to mom Fitchburg at 9:15am 1p Bible Study 9:15a Kids Connection

5:30p Chapel Valley 2:30p Ministerio Cristiano Integral Spiritual Life Institute 6:30p Trad Rehearsal 5:30p Chapel Valley 5:30p Higher Ground– lifeGroup Night/Serve Day Spiritual Life Institute 7p Lenten Worship 8:00p Exalt Rehearsal Service 6p Life in the Word 15 Birthdays

3/1 Kailash Budathoki 3/1 Evalyn Gannaway 3/1 Gina Michelson 3/1 Edward Parrish 3/2 Jim Fiedler 3/3 Michelle Konarske 3/4 Douglas Rittenhouse 3/5 Mya Castro 3/5 Brian Granetzke 3/5 Matthew Gumm 3/5 Cana Laska 3/6 Mark Bacon 3/6 Chelsea Willadsen 3/8 Ashley Balts 3/8 Kevin Keyes 3/8 Julie Koch 3/8 Aita Limbu 3/9 Justine Ropp 3/9 Cindy Simon 3/9 Philip Zimmermann 3/10 Jean Hasz 3/12 Mayme Keagy 3/12 David Quam 3/12 Tim Waterbury 3/13 Ashlynn Goetsch 3/13 Quinn Huebner 3/13 Jacob Nelson 3/14 Cheryl Hatfield 3/14 Fern Pfitzer 3/16 Debra Gerber 3/16 Andrea Verri 3/17 Hannah VanDerWeele 3/19 Joseph Bluhm 3/19 Craig Kelly 3/20 Ryan Austin 3/20 Nathan Barta 3/21 John Bakunowicz 3/21 Jessica Olejniczak 3/21 Connie Thompson 3/21 Kate Verri 3/23 Matthew Dawson 3/23 Molly Hayman 3/23 Tyson Kinsey 3/25 Michele Bedard 3/25 Luanne Engelhart 3/25 Patti Rodenkirch 3/26 Lois Korth 3/26 Denise Solie 3/26 Ryan Zimmermann 3/27 Babita Dangal 3/27 Sarah Oberdeck 3/29 Deb McVey 3/29 Ryan Rodenkirch 3/30 Jaki Kalscheur 3/31 Deb Thompson Anniversaries

3/9—30 years Karson & Judy Klund

GROWTH RELATIONAL SERVICE AUTHENTICITY CREATIVITY EVERY PERSON A MISSIONARY