Liberty Pole, February 2021 New Hope Volume 13.2 & Retreat United Methodist Churches “Let the light of Jesus shine through you!” Worshipping in Person Inside this issue: We all want to know – when will be able to worship again in person? We all miss *Beginning Our Lenten Journey 2 our personal connection with each other, especially as we are knocking on the *Office Hours one-year milestone since we first made the decision to suspend in-person worship. *A Mission Moment The current guidance we have from the conference and the Wisconsin Council of *Sunday School Fun 3 *Share God’s Word! Churches is to wait until at least 50% of those who attend worship are vaccinated, *February Prayers so it will be helpful for leadership to know when you do receive a vaccine. The 4 *Upcoming Church Meeting boards of our congregations are evaluating the current situation in our area. For *Worship @ Home now, all three congregations will continue to remain online only. When we do *Journey through the Bible! 5 return to in-person worship, we will still need to *Your Church Needs You! wear masks, remain socially distanced with limited *Love & Lent Studies *No Limits! Connect Online 6 capacity, and use sanitizing measures. *Music & Worship Team FOR NOW – We are opening participation for In- *A Time of Repentance 7 person worship on Saturday mornings at 9:15 at *Shining Celebrations 8 New Hope, when the weekly service is recorded. *Prayers Needed Please call Pastor Pam by Friday to reserve a spot. *Events calendar 9 We can include a few people each week, with Upcoming Events masks, social distancing, following CDC guidelines. Liberty Pole Board Meeting When the weather allows, we may shift to outdoor worship opportunities. If you nd Tue. Feb. 2 , 6:30 p.m. would like to be included in planning these, please contact Pastor Pam or Ad Board Communion Sunday chairs: Retreat – John Hanson; Liberty Pole – Sandy Marohl; New Hope – Charlie Sun. Feb. 7th Groves. Drive Up Church ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> † <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Sun. Feb 14th Drive Up Church – February 14 @ each church Make plans now to drive to church on Sunday, February 14th during the regular Ash Wednesday worship times to receive a bag of items that will help and guide you and your Wed. Feb. 17th family during Lent. Like what was done for the Advent season, the dedicated Staff Retreat Board Meeting Wed. Feb. 17th, 6:30 p.m. Parish Relations Committee has put together bags for each family with items for the entire family to enjoy. You can come any time during your regular worship Confirmation Class time to receive your bag, to greet our confirmation students at Liberty Pole and Every Sunday @ 4 p.m. Retreat, and to drop off any offering or gifts. If you are a member of one church and plan to drive up to another church, please let Pastor Pam know so your bag Wednesday Bible Study can be at the right church! We also have a few extra Noon @ New Hope bags made up for guests, so if you are not a member of our churches and would like a bag, please feel free Food Pantry Open to stop by. Every Thursday th 9 – 11 a.m. On February 14 , come to: Retreat UMC between 8 and 8:45 a.m. Liberty Pole UMC between 9:15 and 10 a.m.

New Hope UMC between 10:30 and 11:15 a.m.

Shine! - February 2021 – Volume 13.2 Pg. 2

Beginning Our Lenten Journey This month, we move into the season of Lent, the stretch of weeks which invite us to reflect on what is really important in our life. Theologically, there are three aspects of Lent that we use to conduct our self-examination: prayer, fasting, and giving. Each one of these aspects leads us into a different corner of our faith life and our relationship with the Lord. On February 14 at our drive-up church, every family in our churches will receive a bag of tools to assist in guiding this Lenten journey. Lent reminds us that Christ too, took time to reflect on His own life. During his 40 days in the wilderness, Christ confronted temptations and gave us examples of how we also can defeat the evil desires we face; the earthly lures which are designed to draw us away from faithfulness. Our primary focus in Lent is prayer. Talking to God. Listening to God. Thinking on God’s Word to us. We tend to make prayer a lot more complicated than it needs to be. Talking to God is like talking to your best and dearest friend, to one who already knows your heart. Nothing you disclose to God is a surprise. You can be your genuine self in everything you think, say, and do. Complete transparency, honesty, and openness in prayer lifts every burden from your soul. It is my sincere prayer that each of us will commit ourselves to a renewed relationship with God and that for these days of Lent, we will focus each day on binding ourselves to Christ. In fact, let’s make this our daily statement: Today I focus my actions, thoughts, associations, habits and intentions to bind myself to Christ. May you be made whole in Christ this Lent. In the peace Christ give us,

><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> † <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Pastor Pam’s Weekly Office Hours Monday – Thursday Saturdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. By appointment

The pastor is often away from the office for visitation or meetings. Please call the parsonage (608) 648-2528 and leave a message or contact by cell phone (text or call) at (989) 666-1277. The Driftless Regional Ministry office is located at E2286 Hwy 82 in De Soto.

Liberty Pole, New Hope & Retreat United Methodist Churches – Visit us online at: www.driftlessministry.org Shine! - February 2021 – Volume 13.2 Pg. 3

A Mission Moment This often is the quietest time of the year for many of us. We are regrouping after the holidays, the weather is cold so we stay home and inside. We also get to hear and listen to sermons on following Jesus. Now is a great time for each of us to plan how we can follow Jesus and take part in Christian mission. Before long, we will be planning the items needed for our annual ingathering; our food banks are still functioning; people still have health concerns; there are many shut-ins; we can begin to plan for the reopening of our churches; we can begin planning for a summer vacation Bible school program. There must be something on this list that calls you. Feel free to expand on this list, and decide how you can be a missionary of today. Now is the time when we can answer the call and follow Jesus. Your sister in Christ, Barb Robson

><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> † <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Sunday School Fun! In the beginning of February, Sunday School Fun will explore God’s Love for us! We will end the month with the beginning of Lent. Stories and games and songs fill up 20 minutes fast. Request a Sunday School FUN Pack by messaging us on Facebook or e-mailing [email protected]. Sunday School Fun can be viewed any day and anywhere! It’s a great way to share God's Word with kids.

><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> † <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< 3 Easy Ways to Share God’s Word How can we answer our call to share God’s Word? It seems so hard, but verily I say to you it’s just a few clicks and a couple of calls a week. 1. When you read a post on New Hope and Retreat United Methodist Churches Facebook page, like it and share it. 2. When you watch a worship service, like it, share it and invite someone to watch it with you. You will be surprised by who says yes. Follow up with people who do watch with a message or phone call. 3. Share Sunday School Fun videos on your page and invite families to the Sunday School Fun event. If you need assistance with this, please contact Christine 648-2254 or [email protected] I Praise God we have the technology, the resources, and ability to connect virtually. In Christ, Christine Harrington

Liberty Pole, New Hope & Retreat United Methodist Churches – Visit us online at: www.driftlessministry.org Shine! - February 2021 – Volume 13.2 Pg. 4

Prayers for February Each day of the week, use this simple prayer starter as part of your conversation with God. Copies of these prayers are distributed on the last Sunday of each month in the bulletin; extra copies are available to place in different locations to help us remember to pray. MONDAY Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of life. Help us through prayer to live a full and healthy life and to help others by prayer and communication with your Holy Spirit so they may enjoy health and the fullness of life. Amen TUESDAY Dear God, Thank you for listening to us every day. You make us stronger to make it through the rough patches. Be with us always, Amen WEDNESDAY Lord, give me wisdom today to be a good listener. Help me listen carefully to my family, to my friends, and most of all, to You. THURSDAY Loving God, I know You have placed me where I am for Your purposes. I know others are watching the way I live. Help me always to be an enthusiastic Christian with a faith that inspires others. FRIDAY Lord, I want to understand Your Word more clearly. I want to use the Bible as my guide and learn to rely on the promises in Your Word. Speak to me through Your Holy Spirit and guide me in reading and meditating on the lessons contained in scriptures. SATURDAY Jesus, the world is a very strange place now and I know I have doubts. I never want to doubt how close You are. When I am unsure, give me faith to live courageously. With You, there is no challenge that cannot be overcome. SUNDAY Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. ~Psalm 51:10-12

><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> † <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Make a Difference! Attending Upcoming Church Meetings! Being an active part of your church is vital to the life of your church! We encourage everyone to come and participate in the discussions at your respective church board/council meeting. All church members have a vote and all ideas are welcome. Join us at your next church meeting and make a difference! Retreat UMC Board Meeting Wednesday, February 17th @ 6:30 p.m. at Retreat UMC Fellowship Hall

Liberty Pole UMC Board Meeting Tuesday, February 2nd @ 6:30 p.m. at Liberty Pole UMC

Liberty Pole, New Hope & Retreat United Methodist Churches – Visit us online at: www.driftlessministry.org Shine! - February 2021 – Volume 13.2 Pg. 5

Worship with Us at Home Even with the ongoing pause on in-person worship, you still have opportunities where you can worship with our churches from the comfort and safety of your own home! Each week, we will continue to record our worship service. You will then be able to watch this recording on Sunday morning and throughout the week in these various ways:  Online at our website, driftlessministry.org. Under the “Worship” tab, mouse over “Sermons” and then click on “Sermons from Liberty Pole, New Hope, & Retreat UMC”.  On our YouTube channel, Driftless Ministries.  On our Facebook pages: New Hope and Retreat United Methodist Churches and Liberty Pole United Methodist Church.  On Vernon Communications Cable Channel 15 at the following times and days: Mondays @ 8 a.m. Fridays @ 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays @ 3:30 a.m. & 11 p.m. Saturdays @ 5:00 a.m. Wednesdays @ 6:30 p.m. Sundays @ 12:30 p.m. Thursdays @ 2 p.m.

><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> † <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Journey through the Bible with Us! We invite you to join us as we work our way through the Bible, studying God’s Word and discovering how it applies to our lives today! Our group meets at NOON every Wednesday at the New Hope UMC. It is never too late to jump in to God’s Word, so come and join us for in-depth study and discussion!

><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> † <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Your Church Needs Your Support With our churches continuing the pause on in-person worship, we have seen a substantial drop in the weekly offering. And unfortunately, our expenses have not gone down! In addition, the traditional fundraising efforts we expected to be able to offer this year have been postponed. Please continue to support the church with your pledge, gift, and tithe. We encourage you to send your weekly offering to our churches by mailing in your weekly offering to your church’s financial secretary at the addresses below. Liberty Pole UMC New Hope UMC Retreat UMC Bill Marohl Deb Groves Jodi Waddell S3784 Bakkom Road 255 Ridge Street S6908 Missel Road Viroqua, WI 54665 De Soto, WI 54624 De Soto, WI 54624

We thank you for your continued support of our churches and look forward to continuing our ministry here in the Driftless Region. Thank you and God Bless!

Liberty Pole, New Hope & Retreat United Methodist Churches – Visit us online at: www.driftlessministry.org Shine! - February 2021 – Volume 13.2 Pg. 6

February Online Studies: Love Letters & Alive: Lent Devotional As we enter the month of February, we invite you to join us for one of two (or both) online studies! The first study, “Love Letters”, focuses on God’s love letters. Studying God’s love letters can help to give you strength and healing for the journey and challenges in life. This study will be from Feb. 6-15. To join this study, just use the following link: https://bible.com/p/38288539/ebd31581e47a7fdf0670782592fc01a1 Since Lent begins on Wednesday, Feb. 17th, we thought it would be beneficial to start an online study for Lent. Our Lenten study, “Alive: Lent Devotionals”, will help you discover the abundant life that Jesus offers to everyone. It is easy to get distracted, so this study will help us to grasp the kingdom of heaven and the life, love, and joy that God has to offer. This study will be from February 17th through April 4th. To join this study, just use the following link: https://bible.com/p/38213009/0ab21edbda34800bf271cc3d217ea4d0 The links for both studies can also be found on our website at: http://driftlessministry.org/learn-grow/growth- adults/online-bible-study/. The online study can be accessed through the Bible App, which is a free resource. In addition to wonderful devotional/reading plans, it also provides a verse of the day, and you will be able to read the Bible in a wide variety of versions. It’s available in your app store on your mobile device, or accessible online at www.bible.com. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> † <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< No Limits - Connecting Online The online book study on The Post Pandemic Church gave us fruitful discussion about how the church can serve both the community of believers and the extended community in new ways. Our study group included people from all across the state, including people who are not part of our congregations, so we had a lot of ideas. One outcome was the desire to begin online fellowship groups broken down by age and interests. Each group can decide the format – if you just want to meet to check in, if you want to have a book study or Bible study, or something else. In general, we are thinking of adult groups in these ages: 18-35; 30-50; 50+, but any combinations may be possible. We’d like these groups to be member-led, so if God is tapping you on the shoulder right now, consider if this is how you may respond. It is also possible that we could form a United Methodist Men’s organization among the three churches, or offer additional Bible study or book studies. Because we are so spread geographically, let’s allow technology to bridge the gaps we may have. There are a number of platforms we could try; Zoom is popular and pretty easy, but there are others we could explore. How do you want to connect with people? Let’s talk!!! ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> † <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Music Ministry and Worship Team Our congregations are blessed to have people who are so willing to serve so we can offer interesting worship online. Thanks so much to musicians Barb Casper and the Thew family – Janna, Max, Brad, and Olivia from Liberty Pole, and to Tom Baker from New Hope, whose talents enrich our worship services. I’m also very grateful to Jeff Nelson who records our worship service and then invests a number of hours each week to edit the service, adding text, graphics, and images, and then hosting the video premiere on Facebook each Sunday morning at 9 a.m. Vicki Newhouse is on call to assist with filming when Jeff is not available. Our team of liturgists, Barb Robson, Debbie and Charlie Groves, bring their leadership to worship as well. Thank you to all. We are blessed. If you have music to share or would like to serve in the rotation of liturgists, please contact Pastor Pam. Liberty Pole, New Hope & Retreat United Methodist Churches – Visit us online at: www.driftlessministry.org Shine! - February 2021 – Volume 13.2 Pg. 7

A Time of Repentance – A Time of Change 12 The Lord announces to his people, “Return to me with all your heart. There is still time. Do not eat any food. Weep and mourn.” 13 Don’t just tear your clothes to show how sad you are. Let your hearts be broken. Return to the Lord your God. He is gracious. He is tender and kind. He is slow to get angry. He is full of love. He won’t bring his judgment. He won’t destroy you. ~ JOEL 2: 12-13 NIRV ~

You can tell when people are feeling sorry for something that they have done. You can usually see it on their faces. Often, they will cry. They may not eat because they have lost their appetite. In the days of the Old Testament, people would often tear their clothes as a sign of humility and grief. What would happen if you tore your clothes? Would your family be upset? The tearing of clothes was expensive, as people in biblical times didn’t have as many clothes as we do; but it was a visible sign of the tearing of the hearts with sadness. All these are outward signs of how bad someone feels on the inside. The people of Israel were feeling sorry because they had disobeyed God. Bad things were happening to them, but Joel brought them good news! God loved them and was waiting for them to come back. God told the people of Israel to show on the outside how sorry they felt. But how they felt on the inside was even more important. If their hearts were broken, God would know that they were sorry and ready to change. In the middle of this month on February 17th is Ash Wednesday. Many people place ashes on their forehead or sometimes the hand, in the shape of a cross, to show an outward sign of how they feel inside. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent. Lent is the forty days, not counting Sundays, before Easter. We spend this time preparing our hearts for Easter by making changes in our lives to bring us closer to God. Lent shouldn’t be a countdown to Easter or something that we must “get through”; instead, it should be a chance to remove things that distract us in life so we can focus on Jesus, reflecting on our relationship with him. Crying is an outward sign of hurting on the inside. When we get hurt, we cry. When our hearts break, we cry. The tears tell others that we are perhaps sorry. The ashes on our forehead also tell others and God that we are sorry and ready to change. Oftentimes during Lent, people “give up” something to remind themselves of change. What is something that you could give up for this Lenten season to remind yourself that you are sorry and ready to change?

Forgiving God, we know that you are full of love for us. We are thankful that you let us come to you, no matter how we feel. When we do wrong, help us to show how sorry we are and that we are ready to return to following you. Amen.

Liberty Pole, New Hope & Retreat United Methodist Churches – Visit us online at: www.driftlessministry.org Shine! - February 2021 – Volume 13.2 Pg. 8

Shining Celebrations!

Birthdays Elaine Lambert – Feb. 3rd Trista Diehl – Feb. 8th Ardis Stilwell – Feb. 17th Gloria Warmuth – Feb. 3rd Shirley Haakenson – Feb. 8th James Vikemyr – Feb. 17th Jackie Schiffler – Feb. 4th Serena Baker – Feb. 10th Gary Nummerdor – Feb. 18th Dale Torke – Feb. 4th Andy Hanson – Feb. 11th Doris Parr – Feb. 18th Jody Audetat – Feb. 5th Sue Isbell – Feb. 11th Maddie Stillwell – Feb. 19th Anna Busteed – Feb. 5th Shelby Knutson – Feb. 13th Terry Nelson – Feb. 23rd Mary Fox – Feb. 6th Axell Lepke – Feb. 15th Cathy Gruneth – Feb. 24th Shianne Nummerdor – Feb. 6th Kirk Holliday – Feb. 16th David Stalsberg – Feb. 25th Liz Roach – Feb. 6th Alan Christianson – Feb. 17th Sara Hanson – Feb. 28th Vanessa Lohr – Feb. 7th Renae Diehl – Feb. 17th

Did we miss your birthday, anniversary, or other special day? Let us know! E-mail us at [email protected].

Please Keep Them In Your Prayers! We have many in our churches and around the world that we want you to keep in your prayers. Please keep the following people and groups in your prayers:  Retreat UMC: Ron Hanson, Marla Withey, & the family of Phillip Hickok Sr.  Liberty Pole UMC: Jeff Matson  New Hope UMC: Gloria Warmuth, Mae Ames, Marion Whitney, & Carol Snitker  The United Methodist Church  Our Military – at home and abroad  Our Nation & Leaders  Peace in our world  The Ministry of the Driftless Region

Church Contacts Pastor Pam Harkema – Cell: (989) 666-1277 Parsonage: (608) 648-2528 [email protected]

SPRC Chair – Barb Robson (608) 606-5809 Lay Leaders – Debbie Groves: (608) 648-3684 Barb Robson (608) 606-5809 Jeffery Nelson: (608) 379-2933 Food Pantry – Tim & Mary Green: (608) 648-3636

Liberty Pole, New Hope & Retreat United Methodist Churches – Visit us online at: www.driftlessministry.org Shine! - February 2021 – Volume 13.2 Pg. 9

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Liberty Pole, New Hope & Retreat United Methodist Churches – Visit us online at: www.driftlessministry.org

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