vision - new hope ucc
TRANSCRIPT
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4360 Jackson Drive—Jackson, WI 53037 262-677-2345 Reverend James Hill #262-573-4568 www.newhopeucc.com [email protected]
The September
Welcome Back to Sunday School!
Sunday School will start on Sunday, September 17th, and we couldn't be more excited! The students will be engaged in an interactive curriculum that will combine important Bible lessons with engaging discussions and activities. Please make sure to turn in your children's registration forms, if you haven’t already, so that we can finalize our rosters.
$10.00 per person
Children 8 and under: FREE hot dog meal
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
SUNDAY,SEPTEMBER 3, WORSHIP TIME CHANGE Back to 10:15 a.m.
VISION
SILENT AUCTION BASKETS
We are putting together baskets tor the Silent Auction and need more items to fill
them. If you have some items to donate or if you would like to create a basket to
donate, contact Chelli Rettmann at 414-659-5204 or email at Chel-
WE CAN SURE USE YOUR HELP !
Please be sure to sign-up the next time you are at church (or call the office).
The sign-up sheets are on the table at the back of church.
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Pastor’s Message
The family of New Hope is growing each Sunday as summer draws to a close. School
starts. The pontoon boats are put into storage. Brat sales decline. The beaches are left to
the seagulls and seaweed.
Back to the grind! I hope not. During summer “downtime” I hope we’ve all learned to
try and be less busy and more slower-paced. Such changes are great for our blood pressure,
ulcers, and headaches.
Time to be in church EVERY SUNDAY (unless you have Packer tickets - NOT the TV -
but real tickets). Time to be JOYFUL and reuniting with your sisters and brothers of the
faith. Time to renew the art of worshipping God because God truly rewards and blesses
those who sacrifice and honor the Sabbath.
Happy to be back!
I’m glad my vacations are over! (Now, that’s a joyful attitude.)
Rev. Jim
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, worship the Lord with gladness! Come into God’s presence with singing!”
~Psalm 100.1
“Going Green” Starts With Simplifying Your Life
Don’t cry because it’s over.
Smile because it happened.” ~Dr. Suess
Simplifying our lives goes a long way in going green at home. Looking back to simpler times for inspira-tion (while still using clean, innovative technologies) can help guide us in environmentally-responsible actions. Here are a few principles behind simple living:
Minimize: Use less, conserve more. What can you use less of? Makeup, toilet paper, printer paper, etc just to name a few.
Maximize: Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. (Cuz we all love things that rhyme.) Basically, get the most out of your clothing, food, personal energy, resources, etc.
Prioritize: Make time for what matters. Eliminate things that don't. Don't waste time, money, ener-gy, or resources on the wrong things. Do you know what matters most to you?
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F.Y.I.
The West Bend Police Station has a box to dispose of unwanted medication…and it’s open 24/7.
Pets in Heaven by Dwight Lee Wolter
"Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark." - Genesis 7:15 "God wishes other creatures besides humans to be included in the plan of salvation." - St. Francis of Assisi "One day we will see our pets in the eternity of Christ." - Pope Paul VI Many children learn to love through their first pet, and losing a pet is often their first experience with death and grief. For many adults, losing a pet is like losing a child. Some proclaim that losing a child is a greater grief than losing a pet. I have lost both pet and young child, and it seems to me that loss is loss, grief is grief, and love is love. Over the past few years, several ashen-face, grief-stricken chil-dren and adults with tears in their eyes have asked me, "Are there pets in heaven?" Without commenting on whether there is a literal "place" called heaven ~ I ask these seekers of assurance and mercy, "What kind of place could be called "heaven" without pets?"
In Genesis, the only qualification to gain admission to the ark of salvation was not human intelligence or language skills; it was having "the breath of life." All living creatures were welcome aboard, including Noah and his family’s pets. Pets may lack the ability to reason and understand in the same way as humans; but they lack not the ability to love. Pets often remain by your side when a human loved one has fled. Hospice pets freely roam from room to room. Visitation animals are brought to memory loss units, where their mere presence often cause patients to rouse and interact with the animals in ways they may not with their human caregivers. What kind of heaven would heaven be if pets were not allowed? It would be a heaven where there are limits on love. In such a heav-en, many of us cannot imagine we would care to reside. Prayer: Thank you, Creator God, for making room on your bed for all your human and other creatures to rest in peace..
ABOUT THE AUTHOR He is the author of several books and pastor of the Congregational Church of
Patchogue on Long Island, New York. He blogs at dwightleewolter.com
Good Health must be a balance of body, mind and spirit.
SEVEN ELEMENTS OF WELLNESS
Occupational, Emotional, Environmental, Intellectual, Social, Physical, Spiritual
Emotional: The emotional dimension of wellness emphasizes an awareness and acceptance of one’s feelings. Emotional wellness includes the degree to which you feel positive and enthusiastic about yourself and life. It includes the capacity to manage feelings and related behaviors includ-ing the realistic assessment of your limitations, development of autonomy and ability to cope ef-fectively with stress. The emotionally well person maintains satisfying relationships with others.
Do you have an optimistic outlook?
Do you feel as though you are supported emotionally and support others in this way?
How is your level of stress? Do you have techniques to manage stress effectively?
American Flag Disposal:
The Jackson Police Station has a place to dispose of worn American flags. It is a “mailbox-like”
structure with a flag painted on it in the west driveway.
WANT TO SHARE YOUR IDEAS?
The Vision is always looking for input! Would you like to share a good joke, story, recipe or other things of interest? Please send them to Linda at [email protected]. The deadline is the last Sunday of each month.
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:BIRTHDAYS
2 Zachary Nuoffer
5 Marvin Bateman
8 Karel Bretsch
9 Dave Breuer
13 Debbie Gross
14 Doug Alfke, Jenny Krueger
18 Joshua Grzechowiak &
Andrew Bargenquast
27 James Klumb
29 Robin Grzechowiak
30 Jan Bargenquast
ANNIVERSARIES
2 Lee & Mel Schowalter
9 Bob & Pat Sterle
18 Steve & Robin Grzechowiak
19 Aaron & Alicia Halfmann
22 Russ & Pam Dobberpuhl
23 26 Rev. Jim & Sandi
30 Doug & Laurie Alfke
Member News
Missions
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY BEGINS
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on Thursday, September 14th, at 7 p.m. at the home of Julie St. Clair, W154 N11651 Daniels Drive, Germantown, 53022, 262.707.1473.
If you are interested in joining the group but don't know how to knit or crochet, members are happy and willing to teach you! Bring a #15 set of round knitting needles or #K crochet hook and 2 skeins of Lion Brand HOMESPUN yarn.
Any questions, please call Karel Bretsch @ 262.670-6155.
Remember in Prayer...
Won’t you please take a moment to say a prayer for all our brothers and sisters who are in need of physical, spiritual or emotional healing, that they may feel God’s comfort and love? Especially those in our New Hope family.
WAYS TO SERVE AT NEW HOPE UCC
We, as brothers and sisters of faith, should consider what it is that we can do to serve the Lord. The church is an integral part of our faith and there are many ways to serve here at New Hope. When we share our time and talents we can solve problems, strengthen our church & local communities, improve lives, connect to others, and even transform our own lives.
Research indicates that volunteering also provides individual health benefits like lower mortality rates, greater func-tional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer. Just two to three hours per week, can offer the most benefits. It should feel like a fun and rewarding hobby, not another chore on your to-do list.
Find your serving niche and become an integral part of our church:
Consistory (governing body-2 open positions)
Community Outreach Team (developing and implementing missions)
SHIFT (From Maintenance to Mission a conference-wide initiative designed to support congregations in exploring
fresh paradigms for ministry in the 21st Century)
Prayer Shawl Ministry (knitting/crocheting shawls and hats)
Pork Chop Dinner (Fall fundraiser-lots of help needed)
Teaching Sunday School (weekly or substitute)
Sharing your musical talents
Greet on Sunday Morning (before service)
Sound Tech (during worship services)
Cleaning Crew
Donation Counting and Entering (after service)
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Last Sunday, I used "Wonder Woman" as the modern lesson through which our still-speaking God shared wisdom. I had to watch clips of it several times to be sure I quoted it right. There were so many lessons to be gained that it was an easy movie from which to preach.
In the final battle scene, Diana is fighting Ares, the god of war. Initially, she was convinced that if she could defeat him she could bring peace. He points out, though, that he didn't really cause the wars; he simply encouraged the corruption that already was in the hearts of people. He claimed to want to purge the planet and start over, making it the paradise it was intended to be.
He tells Diana that people don't deserve to be rescued, that they don't deserve her. Diana recognizes the truth in this, but she replies, "It is not about deserve; it is about what you be-lieve. And I believe in love. Only love can truly save the world."
Those words could have come right out of the Bible. The idea of treating people with grace based on who you are, rather
than who they are, is the heart of what Jesus did and said. It is a truth that is admired but rarely emulated. That KIND of love is all that can truly save the world, but I wonder if Ares might be right in saying that humans don't deserve to be loved like that because we most often have proven ourselves incapable of loving like that.
There is an old story about a monk trying to save a scorpion from drowning on the bank of a rushing river. Every time the monk reached out to rescue him the scorpion stung his hand. An observer said to the monk, "Old man you are wasting your time. It is the scorpion's nature to sting."
"Ah," said the holy man, "I understand, but it is my nature to save, and I cannot allow his nature to change mine."
"It is not about deserve; it is about what you believe."
So, how does that play out in your life? Are you able to live with the relentless grace of God, or does Ares have more sway, fueling your anger and demand for retribution?
“It Is Not About Deserve”
By Michael Piazza
I open myself
to the sorrow
In my heart
and to the many
\losses I have
faced which awaken
my grief
I am ready
to stop protecting
myself from
the painful experience
of loss and sorrow
when it shakes me
to my depths
I am ready
to share my
sorrows with others
for finding
comfort and meaning
In the common ground
of human loss
I am ready
to accept loss
as a difficult
yet natural
part of my life
that will always
be present
“Prayer for Sorrow” submitted by Rev. Jim
When I want to know the quality of my faith, I look in the mirror and ask which is moving, my mouth or my feet.
We don't need to be mean-spirited or fight everyone with whom we disagree, but, when we see people who are abusive, it is our responsibility to push back not for ourselves, but for others who eventually will be their victims.
If we do not renounce evil in small forms, we are responsible for letting it
grow to larger manifestations. ~Author unknown
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Sunday, Sept. 3 Worship Time Change back to 10:15 a.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 12 7th & 8th Grade Confirmation Class, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 17 Sunday School Kick-off
SHIFT Meeting, after the service
Tuesday, Sept. 26 7th & 8th Grade Confirmation Class, 7 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 15: Pork Chop Dinner, 4-7 p.m.
Raffle & Silent Auction
Mark Your
Calendars
ACOLYTES
17 Abigail Bateman
24 John Fairbrother
CLEANERS
Week of 8/28-9/3 Amy Schneider and Scott/Donna Poole
Week of 9/11-9/17 Nancy Holmes/Sandy Ross and Dean/Julie Endlich
COUNTERS
3 Russ Dobberpuhl
10 Bruce Endlich
17 Gary Kranz
24 Russ Dobberpuhl
DONATION ENTERERS
3 Donna Poole
10 Bob Bedard
17 Donna Poole
24 Sue Lenz
GREETERS
3 John & Jo Blanchard
10 Kari & Hailey Fisher
17 Dan & Vivian Knepel
24 Larry & Lynn Koziol
SOUND TECHS
3 Noah Doedens
10 Matt Schneider
17 Noah Doedens
24 Andrew Haese
USHERS
*3 Angel Buettner, Aaron Halfmann,
Donna Poole
10 Sheila Smiley, Kirk Krueger
17 Donna Poole, Chelli Rettmann
24 Amy Schneider, Sheila Smiley
CONSISTORY MINUTES
Copies of the minutes from the Consistory meet-ings can be found in the “mailbox” outside the office. Pick one up each month and see all the hard work and time that goes into running our church.
BULLETIN BOARDS
Be sure to check out the bulletin boards in the nar-thex for community information and events.
THANK YOU to all these volunteers! SCHEDULES
CONFIRMATION COMBINED 7TH & 8TH GRADE CLASS
Tuesdays, 12th & 26th
CAN YOU HELP?
We are asking everyone to check and make sure:
thermostats are not on “Hold”
AND
all doors are locked
before the last person leaves the building after any event.
Thank you for your help.
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Dear friends in the Wisconsin Conference UCC,
Hurricane Harvey is the first Category 4 Hurricane to make landfall in the US since 2004. According to forecasters, the worst of Harvey's destruction is yet to come from flooding as it stalls over Texas, dropping upwards of 40 inches of rain. Harvey's full im-pact is yet to be determined, but history tells us that the need will extend beyond the ca-pacity of local, state, and federal government. There will most definitely be a need for helping families recover after initial emergency response efforts have ceased. This is one of the main reasons the United Church of Christ continues to focus our efforts on recovery. We recognize walking with families and communities is what we are called to do.
The UCC Disaster Ministries is already gearing up for long-term recovery work in the area and your contributions for Harvey survivors means providing community support for holistic recovery, repairing homes for families, and restoring dignity for the most vulnera-ble who have lost everything in the wake of this catastrophic event. 100% of funds des-ignated for disaster relief to the United Church of Christ are used for disaster relief and rehabilitation programing.
Financial gifts may be made at your local UCC congregation marked for "Hurricane Harvey" with the request they be sent through the Conference Office or to Wider Church Ministries. Donations may also be sent directly to UCC Wider Church Ministries, Finan-cial Services-6th Floor, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. Or you can donate directly through the UCC website.
Should you have questions about giving or the recovery efforts, please contact Christina Schoenwetter, Wisconsin Conference Disaster Ministries Coordinator, at [email protected], or visit the new Harvey link on the UCC website: http://www.ucc.org/disaster_hurricane_harvey
Wisconsin Conference Disaster Ministries Coordinator:
Christina Schoenwetter [email protected] 608-445-8305
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Kid’s Page
THE MORE THAT YOU Read
THE MORE THINGS THAT YOU Know
THE MORE THAT YOU Learn
THE MORE PLACES YOU’LL Go
~Dr. Suess