From my childhood on, I thought going to church meant family time. It was what we did every Sunday in the Jennings’ household. My parents were faithful, hardworking leaders in the Presbyterian Church wherever we lived. The fact that we worshiped with a bunch of other people meant that I under-stood we all shared a common liking of the God of Jesus.

As I grew up, I took notice of those fel-low worshipers in the pew next to me. They became familiar faces with names. I accepted the challenge of serving those members by helping the church. I ushered people to their seats, sang in the choir, led in worship. Yet it wasn’t until well into my adult years that the Holy Spirit caused me to see the entire church with its odd and imperfect saints as family time. For Christians are by nature akin to a greater whole called the household of Jesus Christ.

“We are members of one another.” This is a most challenging word for us as we con-sider what it means to be truly Christian. As Methodism’s founder John Wesley remarked, “The Bible knows nothing of solitary reli-gion.” The saving relationship we enjoy with God through Jesus Christ permanently joins us to a close fellowship with believers of all times and places.

Jesus was sent to call together a new

community born of God’s Spirit. It is impossible for one to become a complete Christian apart from the gathered church of Christ. Ask yourself, “Am I listening to the Spirit’s summons to be present among God’s people?” Here are some quotations of well-known Christian leaders on church membership.

“The Church is not a gallery for the ex-hibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones.” — Henry Ward Beecher

“The Human is the only religious an-imal and if he/she holds aloof from public worship, he/she starves and stunts his/her highest instincts.” — James W. Clark

“The Church is the only society in the world in which membership is based upon the qualification that the candidate shall be unworthy of membership.” — Charles C. Morgan

“Church attendance is as vital to a disci-ple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick person.” — Dwight L. Moody

“And whether it is a rich church or a poor church anywhere, truly it is a great church if God is worshiped there.” — Anon-ymous

As we kick off a fresh year of activities at Forest Larger Parish, I encourage you to plan on being with your spiritual family at worship and in friendship.

Your family member in the fellowship of Jesus,

Pastor Lee

PASTORAL MEANDERINGSby Pastor Lee

FOREST LARGER PARISHL a k e w o o d Wa b e n o L a o n aP R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 1

C O N T A C T I N F O

OFFICE PHONE(715) 473-3603

WEBSITEwww.forestlargerparish.com

EMAILforlarpar@centurylink.net

C H U R C H S T A F F

PASTORRev. R. Lee Jennings, Jr.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/NEWSLETTER EDITORLori Brooks

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM (ASP) Cindy Hart, Pam Schroeder

AWESOME CHRISTIAN YOUTH (ACY) — Pastor Lee & Becky

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIESPamela Schroeder

CHURCH TREASURERAlison Shepard

CLERK OF SESSIONPatty Earnest

NEWSLETTER LAYOUTKrystal Statezny

PRESBYTERY LIAISONLin Wittmann

If you would like to submit something for the website or have a suggestion, email Cheri Kuske atscuba4us@gmail.com. All submissions are subject toCommunications Committee approval.

“So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another.” Romans 12:5

CHURCH COMMUNITY

Clara Koskella, Anders Olsen, Jane Albers,Rita Pierce, Nancy Volk, Cannon Henry Tarman, Mavis Vanselow, Roy Moore, Franny Sturzl, MissyMarvin, Kolton Ouellette, Tristan McKutcheon,Russ Collins Jr., Kathy Marvin, Clarice Ritchie,Terry Feezor, Winda Collins, Austin Ginter,Jim Lentz, Mattie, Roland Kortbein Jr., Kevin Swanson, Patty Connors, Jim Lentz, Scott Dallmen, Carey Ginter, Pat Rasmussen, Joe Peterson, Carol Mentz, Cory Schjoth, Tucson Olson, Kay & Gary Petts, Allison Gagnon, Orville Lee, Dale Hackbarth, Betty Scholz, Greg Cook, Mary Reigle, Don Scheuerman,Linda Mentz

Nu-Roc Residents: Jeanne Haskins, Phyllis Quinn, Shirley TruttmanServing in the Military: Michael Schmitt,Eric Peterson, Doug Smith, Scott Swann,Nick Swanda, Zack Ashbeck, Dakota Reynolds,Nicholas Pichotta, Clark Spaniol, Troy Graham,Mitchel Albert, Zach Derfus, Jerry Jeppson,Beau Gagnon, Ben Baker, Jesse Cotherman

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Federal Privacy Regulations, we encourage you to seek an individual’s permission before submitting their name to our printed prayer list. *If you would like to add a family member serving in the military to the prayer list, please fill out a prayer card and note “military” and give it to the pastors or call the church office.

COMMUNION DATESSept. 6 – traditional

Parents of baptized children:Baptized children who are being nurtured and instructed in the significance of the invitation to the Table and the meaning of their response are invited to receive the Lord’s Supper, recognizing that their understanding of participation will vary according to their maturity.

PRAYER REQUESTS

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 2

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIESThe following are birthdays and anniversaries of our members and friends. If your birthday or anniversary has never been listed and you would like it to be, please write it in on the Birthday Calendar posted at your church.

SEPTEMBERRassmusson Anniv. 1Shelby Kitchmaster 2Jane Rassmusson 4Maddyson Calhoun 7Richard Symes 8Vicky Pirus 9Scholz Anniv. 9David Mentz 11Peterson Anniv. 11Courtney Brooks 12Leslie Howen 14Bresser’s Anniv. 15

Gary Donaldson 19Mark Hesselink 20Cliff Haskins 22Mary Nash 23Janet Sauer 25Robin Bytell 25Trevor Marvin 26

OCTOBERAndrew Boor 2Scott Shaffer, Jr. 3Shelly Spaude 5Vay Jackson 6

Kevin Jameson 6Cindy Rohe 7Orville Fuller 9Tim Connors 12Joyce Barth 13Gavin Peterson 16Paige Peterson 19James Peek 20Joyce Lentz 26Jackie Klingensmith 27Russ Tiedemann 29Paula Sangwin 29Krystal Statezny 30

EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTSSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 3

OUR COMMUNITYSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 4

SHARE THE VISION By Stewardship Committee

CHILI DINNER A SUCCESS By Cheri Kuske

2015 VBS By Pam Schoeder

WABENO BUILDING FUND

Anyone who missed church on Sunday, Aug. 30, missed a grand event. It was our first ever “Celebration of the Church” which was conceived and executed by your Stewardship Committee (Pam Schroeder, Suzanne Bell, Larry Market, Mike Mentz, Audrey Peterson, Mary Scheuerman and Cliff Haskins). This service was creat-ed as a way to lift up the successful work we are doing together as a church family.

Each attendee received a copy of our very own, FLP-PC Mission Yearbook. This book begins with a copy of our official mission statement: “It is the mission of Forest Larger Parish Presbyterian Church to glorify God in all that we do including, but not limited to, services of cor-porate worship, mission to those in need, proclamation of the Word through Bible study and evangelism, and support of the faithful in times of trouble and of cele-bration.” We are proud to report that FLPPC is actively carrying out our vision for mission, as reported in our Mission Yearbook and by reports given by a number of leaders from the congregation at this service.

In a world so full of hurt and want, it was our inten-tion to inspire hope and enthusiasm for the work we are accomplishing together at FLPPC for the glory of God. We do indeed have much to celebrate. God has given us all gifts of energy, intelligence, imagination and love. A healthy church will provide ways to engage, not just your pocketbook, but your heart, mind and spirit for giving. If you have a vision for mission, worship or service you would like to see our parish carrying out, please share that with the pastor, the session or any one of the leaders of this, your church.

What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God. Thank you all for sharing your gifts!

Earlier this summer, a chili supper was held at our Laona location to help raise funds for sound system equipment. Thanks to your generosity, $550 was raised, allowing us to purchase a portable sound system and lapel-type microphone for Laona, as well as a portable sound system and two microphones for the Praise Band. Thank you to all who participated in this fun event and helped make it a success!

We hosted 32 children for VBS at Lakewood this year, plus five teen helpers, which makes 37 youth attending. These young people were led by 16 adults through Home Town Nazareth, where Jesus was a kid. The program was also assisted by three adults who vol-unteered to help with registration, and three more who helped with artwork and tent set up and take down. That’s a lot of people working together to produce the best Vacation Bible experience around.

Throughout the week, we also made banks and collected money to buy Thai children’s Bibles to send to Thailand for our “Kid to Kid” mission outreach. The Bibles cost $4 each, and we collected enough money to purchase 45 Bibles! Thank you all for supporting your Christian Ed VBS program! Together, we do awesome things in the name of the Lord.

The Wabeno Building Fund takes care of 2 1/2 months of our mortgage payments which are due month-ly. This mortgage was taken out when we added on to the front of our church and put in our elevator. The Oosterhuis Fund interest takes care of 9 1/2 months of payments at $670.56 each. Currently we have $1201.74 in our building fund. A contribution to this fund would really be appreciated so that we can keep our payments current. If you would like to know more detailed infor-mation about this, please contact Audrey Peterson.

ANNOUNCEMENTSPIES NEEDED! The Lakewood Presbyterian Women are being asked to bake a pie or two or more, for the Festi-Fall event held in Lakewood on Sept. 12. A stand will be set up by Nicolet Pharmacy in Lakewood. Please help if you are able. This is an important mission project. Call 715-276-3447 or 715-275-7455 for more info. Thank you in advance!

CONGRATULATIONS To Louis James and Frankie bath, who were united in marriage on Aug. 15. May God bless your marriage!

SESSION MINUTESSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 5

>>>July 2015Regular Meeting - Wabeno• The meeting opened with a

devotion and prayer.• Motion to give voice to all

present. M/S/A• Motion to accept Treasurer’s

Report. M/S/A• Motion to accept Pastor’s Report.

M/S/A Pastor’s Report.• Correction was made to the

June 1, 2015, clerk’s report. Motion to approve with corrections to the 6/1/15 Clerk’s report. M/S/A

COMMITTEE REPORTSStewardship:• Pam Schroeder reported this

committee has been meeting and has planned a Joint Service on Aug. 30 at the Wabeno location. This will be a “State of the Church” celebration with an ice cream social following, lots of pictures and discussion of church events.

Christian Education:• Committee put together the

VBS bulletin boards for each church. Al Schroeder built, and Connie Friesen painted the float. It was in the Townsend and Laona parades and will be in the Wabeno and Lakewood pa-rades, members throwing beads, candy and handing out fliers.

NEW BUSINESS• Pam Schroeder read a letter of

resignation from Guenter and Jeanette Dreckschmidt. Motion to accept this resignation and remove from member-ship. M/S/A

OLD BUSINESS• Mike Mentz reported the Laona

Food Pantry is a “dead issue”. Laona windows: The stained glass

windows from the Laona building are still in the basement.

• Tabled motion from June 1meet-ing. All agreed that issued should not be voted on until we have 100 percent attendance of the Elders. Lori Brooks will try to get 100 percent attendance at the August meeting for this vote. A motion was made to go into closed ses-sion for discussion. M/S/A Motion to come out of closed session. M/S/A

• The meeting adjourned with prayer.

>>>August 2015Regular Meeting - Wabeno• The meeting opened with a

devotion and prayer.• Motion to give voice to all

present. M/S/A• Pastor’s Report: Listed various

meetings, activities, home visits, As-sisted Living and NuRoc services, and other services.

• Clerk’s Report: Motion to approve 7/6/15 minutes. M/S/A

COMMITTEE REPORTSWorship:• Copies of the minutes of the

7/13/15 Worship Committee minutes were distributed and Pam highlighted several items.

Stewardship:• Pam Schroeder gave a verbal

report of the July 31 Stewardship Committee meeting. This included the 8/30/15 State of the Church celebration joint service and ice cream social, and the fall Stewardship Drive schedule. She explained that our budget at the an-nual meeting will be a narrative style.

Christian Education:• Mary Ellen Keller reported on the

youth group work trip to Green Bay. She explained much of the work the group did during this week and said it was a wonderful experience for all. Pam Schroeder reported on the pa-rades and upcom-ing VBS.

Flea-Zaar:• Pastor Lee

verbally highlight-ed items on the printed report. Proceeds for 2015 were approximately $15,375. Several members told a “Flea-Zaar story”, and all agreed this year went very smoothly because of starting Monday

morning. Motion to continue this Flea-zaar for 2016. M/S/A

• Motion to again give Keith Wil-liams a $50 gift certificate for picking up everything that is left. M/S/A

OLD BUSINESS• This portion of the meeting

opened with prayer. The following motion was tabled at the June 1, 2015, meeting: “The Session rules same sex marriage be the same as for opposite sex, the marriage ceremony can be either in the sanctuaries or elsewhere with Pastor’s approve.” After discus-sion, the motion was withdrawn and a new motion substituted. The new motion reads: “The Session has agreed to the following on 8/3/15: After the Pastor has talked with and interviewed the couple to be married using the same criteria for same sex as opposite sex, and is satisfied that the marriage should be performed, the Session rules that same sex marriage may be performed in the sanctuaries only if one of the party to be married is a confirmed Christian. The marriage may also be performed at an alternate location agreed upon be-tween the Pastor and the couple being married.” The question was called and the Session voted. The motion carried. More discussion followed.

• The meeting adjourned with prayer.

Joyce Lentz, Joanne Gipp, Audrey Peterson, Joan Hansen, Suzanne Bell and Karen Prueter of the Mission/Evangelism Committee deliver school supplies to be distributed to the clients of NEWCAP in Crandon. They also presented gift certificates for back-to-school haircuts for children. These gifts were offered as an outreach to children in need in the hopes that they would inspire success in school and lead to a bright future.

FLPPC PREPARES FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL