December 2015 The MESSENGER To glorify God, we invite all to grow as faithful disciples and to share in the love, grace and ministry of Jesus Christ by serving the church, community and world. Bruce’s Babblings Moravian Unity Prayer Watch Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Once again this year we will have an op- I purchased the ticket probably two months ago. I had been making plans for a long time to take portunity to take part in the Unity Prayer Watch. a few days of vacation to travel to Michigan to go see Brian Wilson in concert. For those of you who This is an opportunity to be part of a continuous don’t know, Brian Wilson was a founding member of the Beach Boys and wrote or co-wrote many prayer chain where someone in some part of the of their hits. He is still releasing albums today but his songs today are much deeper than cars, and world is praying 24 hours a day 365 days a year. girls, and beaches. Brian Wilson is 73 years old so one never knows how much longer he will be This year our day to pray is Tuesday, December around and how much longer he will be touring. I have enjoyed his music for many years since I 8, and we are sharing the day with Watertown started playing my older brother’s records of Beach Boy songs. and Ebenezer Moravian Churches. We will I had heard earlier in the day of the concert about the terrible tragedy in Paris and to say that it have a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board by affected my excitement for the concert would be an understatement. I still very much enjoyed the Fellowship Hall as well as suggested prayer concert and for an hour and a half I tried to forget what was going on in the world and tried to just topics. We hope you can sign up and join us in enjoy the concert. the Moravian Unity Prayer Watch. After the concert I had heard that Paris was not the only place with tragedies that day. I have wondered myself what can I do from Lake Mills, Wisconsin, when these terrible tragedies take place around the world. I have had others ask me, “What can we do?” I know of two things that we can Opportunities for easily do right in the comfort of our homes and in the midst of our churches and communities. We can continue to pray. We can pray for the victims’ families. We can pray for those who had to come Holy Communion to rescue those who could be rescued. We can pray for a change of heart for those who do these We will gather for Holy Communion on the terrible tragedies. first weekend in Advent – November 28 & 29 I saw something recently on the internet that was credited to Fred Rogers. You may have known and then will gather again on January 9 & 10 in him as Mr. Rogers who was a public television personality on Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. He said celebration of Epiphany. We hope you can join in the face of fear and uncertainty or when he had heard scary news that his mother had taught him us for these services. to look for the helpers. As our world reacts to another tragedy in Paris and in other places, I would encourage you to look for the helpers. And if the Lord provides an avenue for you, I would encourage Scrip Order you to be a helper. This month’s scrip order is due on Satur- Back to the Brian Wilson concert: He ended his concert with a song entitled “Love and Mercy.” day, December 5. Watch for order forms in the I thought the words of the chorus were very appropriate for the events of the day. Those words are: November 28-29 weekend bulletin. Now is the “Love and mercy, that’s what you need tonight. So, love and mercy to you and your friends, tonight. time to buy gift cards for Christmas! This will Love and mercy tonight.” (Brian Wilson) be the last order for the year. Love and mercy to all of you and your families this holiday season. Serving Christ with you, Poinsettias for Advent Pastor Bruce J. Nelson If you would like to donate a poinsettia for the Advent Sea- Advent Concert son, they need to be at church Christmas Eve Worship We are pleased to announce that we will be by Saturday, December 5 at This year we will offer three services at holding our annual Lake Mills Moravian Church 9:00 a.m. Please contact the 3:30, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Senior Choir Advent Concert, under the direction office if you’d like your poin- Our services will be identical in the songs that of Jerry Jenkins, on Sunday, December 6, with settia to be in memory or in honor of someone we sing and in the message from Pastor Bruce, pre-concert music beginning at 2:15 p.m. We so it can be published in the bulletin. but some of the special music may be different are thankful for this community event and for from one worship service to another. The reason the many members from other church choirs for adding a third service on Christmas Eve is lending their voices and talents. We will be Men’s Fellowship because the past few years we have had to turn featuring many sounds of the season; including Our next Men’s Breakfast will be Saturday, away worshippers from the early service because brass, bells, cello, violin, flutes and our very own December 12 at 7:30 a.m. we were filled to capacity. We are hoping that Praise Band. The Men’s Annual Retreat is scheduled for we won’t have to turn anyone away this year. We hope you will join us for a time of good February 26-28, 2016, at Mt. Morris. If you can be flexible with your personal plans, cheer in this most blessed of seasons. Refresh- usually the first service is the best attended so ments will be served in Fellowship Hall following The church office will beOPEN on Thurs- you will want to plan accordingly. We hope you the concert. day, December 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and will take this opportunity will be closed on Christmas Day, December to worship, and be sure DIENERS CANDLE WRAPPING 25. For the New Year holiday, the office to invite your family and There will be a potluck for candle wrapping will be OPEN on Thursday, December 31 friends to Christmas Eve and meeting on Sunday, December 13, after the from 9 a.m. to 12:00 noon and closed on worship. church service. We will meet in the Matthew New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1. Room. Meeting Our The Work of our Boards Electronic Giving Financial The Board of Elders met met in November The Lake Mills Moravian Church has after the Messenger deadline. Highlights of that been offering the congregation electronic Responsibilities meeting will be shared in the next issue of the giving since 2004. This service helps reduce Messenger. fluctuations in contributions during the whole October 31, 2015 (Actual) year while making it easy and safe for you to The Board of Trustees met on November Budget Needed as of Oct. 31: $271,442.20 donate. On the date you specify, and at the 12. Following are highlights of that meeting: interval you specify (one time only, weekly, Actual Income as of Oct. 31: $223,100.04 it was noted that we continue to run a deficit • monthly, etc.), your contributions will elec- Actual Expenses as of Oct. 31: 257,180.68 of $34,080. This is the largest deficit in at tronically transfer from your account to the Difference (Needed) YTD ($ 34,080.64) least five years and our financial giving is the church’s account. When the funds have been lowest it has been in several years. It was Mary Bade, Treasurer transferred, the church office will be notified. decided to send a letter to all communicant The date and amount transferred will appear members letting them know about our finan- on your bank statement, and the information cial situation. will be included in your annual contribution committee and the pastor’s reports were • statement. If you have any questions, please In the Life of the shared and approved. call Teresa in the church office at 920-648- it was noted that five of the stained glass • 5412. Forms are available in the office for you Congregation windows have been returned and more were to fill out or you can fill out the form in the taken to the shop for repair. BIRTH: Congratulations to Derek & Shelli newsletter and return it to the office. Blomgren on the birth of their son, Easton Arthur, • it was noted that the parking lot drainage born October 6. man hole needs to be repaired. That will take place in the spring. WEDDINGS: Congratulations to Don Wegner and Dr. Lisa Nashold who were married October 25 at the Moravian Log Church in Aztalan. Con- December Servants gratulations to Kyle Chwala and Stephanie Marks DIENERS: Warren & Pam Krueger (920) 723-7888; (920) 723-9964 who were married in our sanctuary November 7. SORTERS: Dawn Klecker & Erich Wollin FUNERALS: We extend our sympathy to the Christmas Eve: 3:30 p.m. – watch bulletin • 5:30 p.m.