June 2017

The WORD

Nekoosa United Church of Christ (the church by the bridge)

Rev. Timothy Miller, Pastor 205 Market street Nekoosa, WI 54494 715 886-3371 Sunday Worship: 9:30 am Fellowship follows Worship Office Hours: Mon – Fri 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Pastor’s Hours: Mon 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm Tues – Thur 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Email: office@nekoosaucc.com pastor@nekoosaucc.com Web Site: www.nekoosaucc.com

What Does the Lord Require of You, O Mortal?

There is an old punk band named NOFX that is very

political, too political for my liking, but they are still a talented and

interesting band. Way back when they had a song entitled “Mean

People Suck”. Those are the only words that are sung throughout

the entire song; simple but effective in getting their point across. A

few albums later they have a song entitled, “I hate hate haters”.

Sounds like an oxymoron until you hear the lyrics that say,

“It's ok, allow yourself a little hate. Hatred is not so bad when directed at injustice”

It may not be prophetic but it reaches a group of people who largely

consider themselves to be outcasts; those who are tired of the status

quo. I agree with them that mean people really do suck and I often

sing along with that song.

Nothing disturbs me more than seeing clips on tv of people

shouting at a group of people with hate in their eyes. Remember the

clips of the black teenagers sitting at the malt shop and the group of

white teenagers and adults spitting at them and shouting loudly at

them with hate in their eyes. You can visibly see the hatred and feel

it even in an old black and white photo; hatred doesn’t need a color

to be seen. You can feel the ugliness even with your eyes closed.

The apostle Paul was a mean person. He also was a

dedicated and “good” religious figure. He was enforcing the

religious laws as he interpreted them and as he believed them. Paul

was a hater, a mean person, and at the same time he thought he was

pleasing God with his hatred of others that were not like him.

Richard Rohr says it this way: “PAUL REALIZES ON THE DAMASCUS

ROAD OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER THAT, IN THE NAME OF RELIGION,

HE HAD BECOME A MURDERER. IN THE NAME OF LOVE HE HAD

BECOME HATE. PAUL BECOMES AN IMAGE FOR ALL GENERATIONS

OF RELIGION, SHOWING THAT RELIGION CAN BE THE BEST THING IN

THE WORLD, AND IT CAN BE THE WORST THING. THAT WHICH

MAKES US HOLY CAN ALSO MAKE US EVIL”.

Almost every day we are bombarded with hate on the news,

on the internet, and in daily conversations. It is sickening. I actually

feel bodily sick from witnessing the hatred today. We are supposed

to be a Christian people. Christian meaning “followers of Jesus’

teachings”. Please show me where Jesus tells us to shame and to

hate others; to belittle and to hate those who do not believe the same

as you, or those who do not look like, or act like you. Jesus even

asked God to forgive those haters that hung him on the cross to die.

Jesus was not a hater; he was LOVE.

June 2017

1 – Arliss Zahnle 8 – Karen McLean 8 – Zoe Sorenson 10 – Lindsey Taylor Schider 12 – Fayde Sorenson 13 – Sandy Dicks 13 – Hayden Kaberle 18 – Zeke Kraft 22 – Frances Ostrum 24 – Cindy Dorr 24 – Edie Behm 27 – Herb Carlson 27 – Terre Forbes 27 – Jacqui Hoffman 27 – Robin Walrath 30 – Millie Pelo

6 – Tom and Karen McClean 10 – Ryan and Alyssa Wilhorn 18 - Renny & Linda Sorenson 24 - Tom and Cindy Dorr 27 – Deb and Tim Martin

Wisconsin Conference UCC Annual Meeting

June 8, 9 , 10 & 11 in Green Lake, Wisconsin

Speakers Friday Keynote: Rev. John Dorhauer, President and General

Minister of the United Church of Christ

Saturday Keynote: Rev. Everett Mitchell, pastor of Christ the

Solid Rock Baptist Church and Dane County Circuit Court

Judge

Worship: Gary Rand, Director of Worship Activities and

Adjunct Professor in Worship at McCormick Theological

Seminary

Other exciting highlights Share Fair – Gain inspiration from what congregations around

the Conference are doing

Thursday Workshop – Sparking Creativity and Expanding

Vision, with Paul Nixon, author of “Weird Church”

Workshops – 14 workshops to choose from

Friday Evening Social Gathering

If you are interested in going, contact our church

office for more information. It is a very

rewarding experience.

There is a lot of ugly hatred in the world today, some in the

name of the church. Seems that if you can justify your hatred

as pleasing God then it becomes holy; call it what you will but

hatred is evil no matter how you spin it. Like Jesus, let’s

counter hatred with love. Instead of being negative and bitter

let’s be positive and loving. The world needs this now more

than ever and it looks like it is up to us. Loving and kind

people are beautiful. Be beautiful because mean people suck.

“…do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your

God.” Peace and love to you beautiful people, Pastor Tim

‘A Silent Talk with God’ … Do you have someone or

something you especially want to pray for or just need some time for quiet reflection. Our sanctuary is open every Thursday from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Please come in!!

Sit and Stitch…June 10.

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

As usual, the ladies are taking the

summer off. We will start back up

in the Fall. All ladies of the church are

considered members of this group. Please come to a

meeting and check us out.

It is through the anonymous generosity

of many people in our church that our

Wish List needs have been and

continue to be met. We are always in

need of:

TOILET PAPER and PAPER

TOWELING

Thank you to the many wonderful

individuals in our church family who

continue to provide when the need is

there. Your kindness is greatly

appreciated.

Committee Meeting Dates

Diaconate – June 12 6:00 pm Christian Education – June 4 11:00am Mission & Outreach – Aug 16 6:00pm Trustees – June 21 6:00pm Church Council – June 21 7:00pm (meetings are open to congregation)

Dates to Remember

June 4 – Children’s Sunday

June 9, 10 & 11 –Wisconsin Conference UCC Annual Meeting in Green Lake

June 14 – VBS Staff Meeting (anyone

interested, feel free to join us)

June 18 – 24 – Camp Awesum

June 25 – Outdoor Service in Riverside Park (pot luck to follow)

July 16 – Rafter’s Game 4:05pm

July 18 – Youth Group going to Noah’s

Ark

July 31 – August 3 – Vacation Bible School “Hometown Nazareth”

August 6 – Joint service in Alexander Park Port Edwards with W.r. UCC to

showcase VBS.

Special Music The music committee is looking for volunteers to provide

special music for the summer worship services. The choir is

taking a well-deserved break. Music is a vital part of worship,

whether it is vocal or instrumental. If you are interested or

know of someone who would be, please sign up on the sheet in

the narthex. You may also contact the church office, Lynette

Hilgers or Melody Moody-Zuege with suggestions.

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Camp Awesum

Four volunteers will be representing the Nekoosa United

Church of Christ at Camp Awesum June 18th-24th

. Pastor Tim

and Pastor Missy, Ken and Lynette Hilgers are very grateful to

the congregation for their support. The financial assistance

they are providing helps to cover their expenses.

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Summer Coffee Hour Summer will soon be upon us. Many will be on a vacation or

out of town on weekends. The Diaconate is looking for

individuals or families that would be willing to provide treats

for a Sunday Coffee Fellowship. Description of task: Set up

and serve coffee and treats whether purchased or homemade. If

purchasing treats, there are funds available for you to be

reimbursed. If you are unfamiliar with the dishwasher, there

are many who would be willing to help with that part of it, just

let the office know. A sign-up sheet is in the narthex.

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Outdoor Worship On Sunday, June 25

th our church along with the Port Edwards

United Methodist Church will gather at Riverside Park to

worship together. A potluck meal will follow immediately after

worship. The Diaconate will be serving shredded pork

sandwiches, chips and beans. Please bring a dish to

complement these menu items. Beverages, plates, and utensils

will be provided. Please bring your lawn chairs.

SHOUT OUT to Melody Moody-Zuege and Kaitlyn Kouba for Thursday night

“Silent Talk with God”

SHOUT OUT to Tina Krummel for heading up the Ushers

SHOUT OUT to Tina Kaberle for training on the new AED

machine.

SHOUT OUT to Lynette Hilgers for organizing the

Neighborhood Table.

SHOUT OUT to Ellen Osborne for making the awesome stoles

for the confirmands.

SHOUT OUT to Hayden Kaberle and Kaitlyn Kouba.

You did it, you finished confirmation and are now

official members of our church.

SHOUT OUT to Pastor Tim. He made it through another year

of confirmation.

SHOUT OUT to all the Trustees who keep our church

running smoothly.

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SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2017 GAME TIME: 4:05 p.m. TICKETS - $9.00 *************************************

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JULY 31- AUGUST 3.

5:00 – 8:00 pm Something for

everyone – dinner, opening songs, crafts,

games, Bible stories, closing celebration, lots of FUN!!!

Registration forms available in the church office.

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Volunteers needed for Camp

Awesum at Moon Beach

Camp Awesum is a great event that provides a

camp experience to children on the autism

spectrum and their parents. Our participation in

this fun volunteer camp will be to provide respite

for parents daily between breakfast and lunch

and one evening. Our church has been asked to

provide volunteers for the week of Sunday, June

18th to Saturday the 24th. If you are interested

in attending, you must be willing to work with

the Camp AweSum staff when needed and must

be available to attend the full week. Training

will be provided by an Autism Specialist. This is

a donation based camp. Prayerfully consider attending this exciting a very rewarding opportunity. Call Lynette Hilgers 886-4189. A sign-up sheet is in the narthex. _______________________________________

Blanket Sunday and Tools for Hope

Sunday, June 11, 2017, will be the date for our

annual Blanket Sunday and Tools for Hope

collection. This collection benefits victims of

fire, flood, natural disasters, and need. Blankets

are given out to help victims and tools are sent to

areas of the world where there is a need in the

community for clean water, better farming

practices and medicine.

Please bring your donation to church on this

Sunday to benefit this Church World Service

program. Envelopes will be available or put your

donation into an envelope located in the pews

and mark it as "CWS". Thank you!

Mission and Outreach Committee

.

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June 4 is Children’s Day! This is

the day we recognize the kids who

come to Sunday School. We would

like to thank all the parents,

grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends

who make sure these kids get to

church. You are making a difference

in someone’s life.

Our next Youth Group meeting is on

Sunday, June 11. We will have some

snacks and juice. There is an outing

planned to Noah’s Ark in the Dells

on July 18. We need to finalize this

if we want to go. There are some

other things we need to discuss.

Remember to save the dates for

Vacation Bible School. Mark your

calendars – July 31 thru August 3.

On August 6 we will have an

outdoor service where the kids will

demonstrate what they learned

during the week.

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There are so many people I'd like to thank for making Gordon's memorial service so meaningful. Pastor Tim was kind and sensitive to my choices with the inclusion of military components and also eloquent in his words during the service. Lynette provided the music for this emotional day with her usual skill and waived any donation, preferring that any gift of money be dedicated to the music fund. Melani was gracious in agreeing to read my eulogy and did so with some delightful additions and humor. Marcia and Donna coordinated the beautiful array of food that was donated by so many of the ladies of the church, which was enjoyed after the service. My deepest thanks and appreciation go out to every one of you who attended the service, helped in so many ways and made a difficult day easier for me, being surrounded by your loving support. In gratitude, Rita Layton

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SWEPS Needs Your Help

You, the members of Nekoosa United

Church of Christ, are incredibly generous.

Because of you, the South Wood

Emergency Pantry is able to supply food to

those who cannot do it for themselves for

one reason or another. This is your

community and I hope you are as proud of

all the good things that happen here in

South Wood County.

Barbara Schauer does a good job of finding

help but could always use more. Please call

her at 715 887-3213 and let her know that

you would like to help.

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Sunday, June 25 – Worship in the Park followed by Pulled Pork Sandwiches and an assortment of other potluck goodies.

GRANDPARENTS BEWARE!!!!! Recently had a conversation with one our members who told about a phone call she got from someone she assumed was her grandson. This person was very convincing and asked her to send $2,000 cash so he could get out of jail. This is not something her grandson would normally do but he sounded so upset she proceeded to go to the bank and get the money. Luckily her husband thought something wasn’t right and called the grandson who was completely surprised by the circumstances. He was not in jail and had not called his grandmother. If a family member calls asking for money, be sure you verify the need before you send anything. Apparently this is happening in our area a lot.

Strengthen the Church

On Sunday, June 4, we will be taking a collection for “Strengthen the Church”.

In this issue of THE WORD, you will receive the envelope and flyer.

When you invest in the vision

supported by “Strengthen the Church”, your gift will plant new churches,

awaken new ideas in existing churches, and help develop the spiritual lives of

our youth and young adults.

Please remember your donation and bring it to church on Sunday, June 4.

Thank You

CHANGE OF ADDRESS?

If you are moving, have a change of address or, planning a temporary address change, please contact the Church Office. Did you know returned mail is an additional expense to our church? Call 715-886-3371

HOSPITALIZATION Please remember to contact the Church Office when there is an illness, concern, hospitalization or, you would like a call from Pastor Tim. The hospital will not inform us without your permission!

BULLETINS & NEWSLETTERS

Would you like an Announcement

made in a Sunday Bulletin? Please

contact the Church Office NO LATER

than 10:00 AM, THURSDAY’S.

Articles for the “the Word” must be submitted by NO LATER than 10:00 AM the 3rd Friday of every month. The Church Office can’t guarantee late articles will be put in the newsletter due to time and space constraints.

SCRIPTURE READERS FOR June

June 4 – Cindy Saylor

June 11 – Pat Fischer

June 18 – Pat Fischer

June 25 – Outdoor Service

Kaitlyn Kouba

MONTHLY COFFEE HOUR

June – Please Sign Up

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Sunday September 17th

@ 1:00

Start planning your team now or join the Nekoosa UCC

Team!

If anyone is interested in joining our team, or donating to

us go to:

https://www.crophungerwalk.org/wisconsinrapidswi/Tea

m/View/41542/Nekoosa-UCC If you have trouble signing up or donating

Pastor Tim will be glad to help you.

More information to come.

This is a casual two mile walk along the

River in Rapids starting and ending at the

Rapids UCC church. Anyone is invited to

walk with us.

Together we can do something!

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Sunday Monday

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 7:00-8:00pm…Silent Talk w/God

2 3

4 9:30am…Worshipw/ communion

11:00am…Christian Ed Mtg

“CHILDREN’S SUNDAY”

5

6

7

8 7:00-8:00pm…Silent Talk w/God

9

WISCONSIN

CONFERENCE

10 Sit’nStitch 9am-4pm 1:00-4:00pm…Bridal Shower

ANNUAL

11 9:30am…Worship 10:30am…Coffee & Fellowship 11:00am…Youth Group

MEETING

12 Diaconate…6:00pm

13

14 VBS Meeting…6:30pm

15 7:00-8:00pm…Silent Talk w/God

16

17

18 9:30am…Worship 10:30am…Coffee & Fellowship

Pocket Change Sunday

19 20

21 6:00pm…Board Mtgs

7:00pm…Council Mtg

22 7:00-8:00pm…Silent Talk w/God

23

24

25 9:30am…Outdoor Worship w/Port Edwards 10:30am…Pot Luck w/pulled pork sandwiches 2:00-5:00pm…Baby Shower

26

27

28

29 7:00-8:00pm…Silent Talk w/God

30

Nekoosa United Church of Christ

205 Market Street – Nekoosa, WI 54457

715 886-3371

Church Office…office@nekoosa ucc.com

Pastor…pastor@nekoosaucc.com

Web Page…www.nekoosaucc.com