2016 january trinitarian · 2015-12-24 · meaning we learn from luther’s small catechism –...
TRANSCRIPT
1 | P a g e
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat
or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more
important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”
(Matthew 6:25)
Another year has come and gone. Whew. Where did it go? Do
you have “time” burns from life moving by so quickly? Probably not,
but your head may well be spinning as it tries to wrap itself around
the reality that we are entering the year 2016. And your head is likely
spinning trying to grasp what the New Year will bring. As we grapple
with the changes of a life moving so swiftly before us we do well to
contemplate the sage words of our Savior. Do not worry.
These are important words for us to contemplate and then
take to heart because if Jesus commands it, and we do not do it, it is
sin. Of all Jesus’ commands this may be the one most violated.
Moms, dads, grandparents, singles, spouses, bosses, employees, the
elderly, children, we all worry at one time or another. Certainly that
is sin because it fails to keep the very first commandment and the
meaning we learn from Luther’s Small Catechism – fear, love, and
trust in God above all things. When we worry, we place our fear of
what might be above the ability of our God to take care of us and
those we love.
Now, worry is not synonymous with think about, plan,
prepare, or pray. Certainly Jesus is not telling us to just sit around our
kitchen tables and expect that the food and drink we need for our
bodies will suddenly appear out of the ether. But he is telling us to
trust that God will bless our efforts to provide for self and for family
both physically and spiritually. And he has given us every reason to
have the confidence that this is so.
Just as your heavenly Father knows what you need to keep
your body and life and promises to provide, he also knows what you
need for eternal life, and he has provided. He has already given you
his own Son’s perfect life, apart from which he does not see you. He
has granted you his own Son’s selfless sacrifice, sparing you
punishment for your sins. He has gifted you faith in his Son so that
you have what you need to enter eternal life. If he has already given
you his own Son’s body as real food, and his blood as real drink to
Worship Schedule
Sunday Worship
8:00 am
10:30 am
Saturday Evening Worship
6:00 pm
Monday Evening Worship
6:00 pm
Bible Class Opportunities
Sunday Morning 9:15 am
Bible Coffee Hour
Led by Pastor McKenzie
Family & Children’s Bible Classes
Led by Pastor Barthel at TLS
Wednesday Evenings
Lessons from Kings at 7:00 pm
Led by Pastor Barthel
Thursday Morning
Coffee with the King 8:30 am
Led by Pastor Engelbrecht
Trinity Lutheran Church
407 Oak Street
Neenah, WI 54915
920-722-6712
www.trinityneenah.net
TRINITARIAN
JANUARY 2016
2 | P a g e
save your body and soul for eternity, will he then withhold a few calories to keep your ticker going on this
earth? No way.
But, as the saying goes, idle hands are the devil’s workshop. So, to keep us from sitting around with
time to worry about what he has already taken care of, Jesus gives us this to do: “But seek first his kingdom
and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Worry about next year? Never! Instead let us be too busy focusing on what he has already given us,
and what others need, so we do not have time to worry in 2016 – or ever.
Pastor M
Challenges and Blessings
Often challenges and blessings are one and the same. This past year has seen an abundance of both
in our church and school staffing. To get everyone up to speed with our recent past so we can see where
we are going:
Our church staff has grown by one full-time position this past year. Pastor Barthel was called to
promote spiritual growth among our families and focus on outreach to the community with the gospel of
Jesus and the program we offer at Trinity to keep people connected to him. Pastor Engelbrecht’s role was
slightly diminished as he moves closer to full-time retirement at some point in the future.
Our school staff saw our first grade teacher and music director, Miss Nottling, accept a call to
marriage and move to the other side of Lake Winnebago. To replace her the congregation called Mrs. Lisa
Baehman. Shortly after this, it became apparent that enrollment for the 2015-2016 school year was going
to decline by 15-16 students, necessitating a reduction in staff barring an increase in enrollment or
committed offerings equal to the reduction in tuition. On July 1st Mr. Dustin Uhlenbrauck resigned his call
for personal reasons. Now also needing to fill the void in upper grade science and math instruction, and
with no one on staff able to fill the need, a call for an emergency instructor was placed to Martin Luther
College. Mr. Jason Zweifel accepted. With no increase in enrollment over the summer and increased
offering commitments equal to only one-half position, a full-time position still needed to be eliminated for
financial reasons. Accepting the recommendation of the Board of Trustees Mrs. Goodman’s full-time
position was eliminated by the voters in its July meeting. Using the authority granted it by the congregation
at that same meeting, the Education Committee then increased the role of Mrs. Carolyn VonDeylen to
bolster lower grade instruction and grant Mr. Gibson release time to fulfill his principal duties. Additionally,
Mrs. Sharon Kufner and Mrs. Jennifer Schramm conduct enhanced after school care to increase the
usability of our program.
Trinity and Martin Luther are also currently cooperating in athletics and the use of Mr. Justin
Vanderhoof from Martin Luther as Athletic Director – a role formerly carried out by Mr. Dustin
Uhlenbrauck.
Mr. Jason Zweifel will be returning to Martin Luther College at the end of this school year to
complete his studies and enter the full-time teaching ministry for the 2017-2018 school year. The Board of
Trustees and Education Committee will soon be bringing a recommendation to the congregation to fill this
position and the needs of the school going forward.
May our Gracious Lord continue to bless us and our ministry.
3 | P a g e
Membership News
Mark & Nancy Goodman transferred to
Immanuel, Greenville on December 14, 2015.
Judi Meshke became a member through transfer
from Emmanuel, New London on December 17,
2015.
Cory & Kristen Zuberbier became members
through transfer from Beautiful Savior, Green Bay
on December 17, 2015.
Blair Koeppl became a member through transfer
from Bethlehem, Hortonville on December 17,
2015.
A Chance to Help
Our congregation has a Financial Assistance Fund
which helps families who have a hard time paying
the tuition and fees at Trinity Lutheran School. If
you would like to help a student who otherwise,
might not be able to attend our school, you can
designate an offering to Trinity’s Financial
Assistance Fund. Offerings may be given in any
amount, large or small.
Assistance for next school year will be awarded
by the Education Committee sometime around
May. Offerings given any time before May will be
available to help students with expenses for the
fall term of 2016.
January Flower Calendar
December 12 – January 4
Poinsettias
by: Ladies Aid & Christian Women’s Circle
January 9 – 10
Walter Tesch
by: Family
January 16 – 17
Frank Flenz
by: Eileen Flenz
Harry & Ruth Heller
by: James Heller
January 23 / 24
Mr. & Mrs. Otto Mueller
Dennis, Lyle & Rachel
by: Family
Flowers are needed for the weekend of January
30th
/ 31st
. Please contact the church office at
722-6712 if you would like to place flowers on
the altar that weekend.
Voter’s Meeting
The annual voter’s meeting will be held on
January 25th at 7:00 p.m.
4 | P a g e
Greeters Schedule for January
January 3
8:00 – Leona Popp / Lucille Asmus
10:30 – Roy Holz / Jean Holz
January 10
8:00 – Tom Wilde / Barb Wilde
10:30 – Mark Gidlof / Denise Gidlof
January 17
8:00 - Gail Ashbeck / Laurie Rhode
10:30 – Marjorie Melso / Kathleen Stern
January 24
8:00 – Jeanette Prey / Marjorie Winarski
10:30 – Molly Mahnke / Pat Schramm
January 31
8:00 – Robert Birkholz / Kathy Birkholz
10:30 – Lucille Lineburg / Martha Van Rooy
February 7
8:00 – Robert Schmeichel / Susan Schmeichel
10:30 – Jeff Zehren / Kim Zehren
If you are interested in becoming a greeter and
would like to be added to the schedule, please
contact the church office at 722-6712.
Ushers for January
6:00 – Verlyn Joch, Jon Joch, Marv Pues
8:00 – Dennis Beyersdorf, Jeff Zarling,
Jim & Jordan Jensen, Ken Simington
10:30 – Randy, Kyle & Brent Popp, Reed Becker
We are in need of ushers for the 10:30 am
worship service in January & both Sunday
services in February. Please contact Gib
McKenzie at 920-205-1499 if you are willing to
serve.
Food Pantry
Here is the list of needed items for
the month of January:
Toilet paper & paper toweling, pancake mix &
syrup, cereal, chunky soup, canned fruits,
spaghetti sauce & all noodles, all crackers, cake
mix & frosting, hamburger helper. Thank you for
your generous support of this mission.
The WELS Apple Valley Food Pantry
has a new home!
They just moved to St. Matthew Lutheran Church,
129 S. Mason Street, Appleton. (The rooms they
have been given to use are on the Lawrence
Street side.) They had been graciously housed at
Fox Valley Lutheran for the past 15 years, but FVL
now needs that space for additional classrooms.
Thank you to FVL and St. Matthew! For more
information on the food pantry please view the
brochure in the download section of the WELS
United website at www.welsunited.org.
Installation of Officers
The newly elected officers of Trinity Lutheran
Church will be installed at the 10:30 a.m. service
on January 10, 2016.
5 | P a g e
Measures of our Stewardship
November Attendance
Total Attendance: 2,099
Weekly Average: 419
November Offerings
Monthly Offerings: $ 73,725
Building Fund Offerings: $2,772
2016 Offering Envelopes
Offering Envelopes are available for pick-up in the
lower level hallway. If you participate in the
Simply Giving program you will still receive a box
of envelopes.
Trinity Singing Schedule
January 10
th
8:00 am & 10:30 am – Sr. Choir
January 24th
8:00 am – Jr. Choir
January 31st
10:30 am – TLS Grades 5 – 8
Support Groups
Recovery through Christ is a Christian 12 Step
program for men and women who are struggling
with addictions. It meets Fridays 7:30-8:30 p.m. in
the teen room of Mount Olive in Appleton (930 E.
Florida Ave). Peace through Christ, a group for
those who have a loved one struggling with an
addiction, meets at the same time and place. For
more information, call Dave at 233-0437. Come
and find support in your time of need.
Coupon Books for Tuition Assistance
FVL's Alumni Alive is selling Save Around Coupon
Books for the Fox Valley area (Green Bay &
Appleton). Books cost $20 and offer $5,000 in
savings. Proceeds support the FVL Tuition
Assistance. You can purchase a book at the Fox
Valley Lutheran or Trinity Lutheran School Office.
Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society would
like to thank you for your contributions of time
and monetary giving in support of our 2015
mission projects.
• Home & World Mission Funds of the
Paperland Circuit
• Sunday Morning Bible Class
• Undergarments for the Children in Mexico
• World Missionary Christmas Tree
• Christmas Baskets for Trinity’s Shut-Ins
We look forward to your continued support
during 2016.
There will be information on the 2016 Spring
LWMS Paperland Circuit rally being held April 23rd
at St. Matthew, Appleton in an upcoming
newsletter.
6 | P a g e
Volunteers Needed for Food Pantry On January 17, it will be Trinity’s turn to work at
the Apple Valley Food Pantry (at St. Matthews
Church, 129 S. Mason Street, Appleton). We are
in need of 8-10 volunteers high school age or
older who are willing to help in the dock area as
well as sort the incoming donations. If interested,
please contact Randy & Sandy Popp at 920-740-
4333 or Tom & Barb Wilde at 920-725-0014 for
details.
Men of His Word
STAND--not lying down, not inactive, not
unaware, but STAND--ready, expending energy,
poised, alert. FIRM--not unstable, not easily
toppled or defeated, not tired or worn out; but
FIRM--on a solid foundation, equipped and
prepared, strong from beginning, through the
middle and to the end, trusting in the plans, the
resources, and the One who says it. "STAND
FIRM" says our God. "STAND FIRM" He
repeats. Nearly 20 times the New Testament
commands us or tells us the importance of the
words "STAND FIRM."
STAND FIRM is the theme for the 2016 Men of His
Word Conference. You're invited to join the
ranks February 20, 2016 at the Oshkosh
Convention Center.
Register at www.menofhisword.org and check
out the coming events tab for other fellowship
opportunities.
Christian Women’s Circle
Christian Women’s Circle would like to thank
everyone who donated and purchased items from
their bake sale. The sale was a great success! All
proceeds from the sale went to the school
addition fund.
The CWC will not meet in January, February, or
March. Meetings resume on April 13th at 6:00
p.m. with Joyette Worm & Krista McKenzie as
hostesses.
Thrivent Choice Dollars®
During this special time of year, we pause to
reflect on all that we have to be thankful for.
Family, friends, faith …
One way eligible Thrivent Financial members can
show their thanks is by directing Choice Dollars to
Trinity Lutheran School. If you’re a Thrivent
member who has been designated Choice
Dollars®, take this opportunity to recommend
where Thrivent distributes some of its charitable
grant funds by directing them to Trinity Lutheran
School.
Young People Society (Youth Group)
The Trinity YPS will have a chili cook off on
January 10th from 12:00 – 1:30 pm. Parents are
asked to help with this event. Look for more
information in upcoming bulletins. Please contact
Shawn or Debbie Kienert at 727-1818 with
questions.
7 | P a g e
New Family Bible Workshops
This month a new Bible group opportunity begins.
“Family Bible Workshops” will be offered on
various topics to build up the Christian home.
This class will meet the third Tuesday each month
6:00-7:00pm in the lobby at school.
During the class you are welcome to bring your
children for free-play time in the gym. (Please
make sure they bring clean tennis shoes which
will help keep our gym floor in good condition.)
Please consider this class an opportunity for your
family and for any friend you’d like to invite.
Check out the website trinityneenah.net for more
information. Contact pastor Barthel if you have
any questions.
Lessons from the KINGS
We’ll begin with a new evening Bible Study this
week on the Kings of Israel. Join us at 7pm in the
lobby at the school. Everyone is welcome.
Contact pastor Barthel if you have any questions.
Children’s Bible Study
Classes resume at the school at 9:15 on Sunday
January 3rd. All children Pre-K to 6th grade are
welcome to join these lessons taught at their
grade level by the Children’s Bible Study teachers.
Parents and others are welcome to stay for the
Family Bible Study that also meets at the school
whenever the children meet.
Women’s Bible Study
Women’s Bible Study will resume on Thursday,
January 7th at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran
School. We will continue studying The Heart of
Jesus, Women in the Gospel of Luke. All ladies are
welcome to join us in our study of the
reassurance we receive in the forgiveness and
promise of hope though our Savior. If you have
questions please call or text Krista Davis at 920-
460-4791 or [email protected].
Outreach Updates from Pastor Barthel
See God’s light to all nations: After Jesus was
born …Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and
asked, “Where is the one who has been born
…we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2)
Jesus is the Savior from sin for all. The magi were
drawn to the light by a star in the darkness. Still
today people are drawn to the Light as we let his
Word, the good news of his coming, shine in this
dark world.
Thanks to all who participated in and helped with
the Christmas for Kids event. Thirty-four children
ages PreK-5th grade participated in addition to the
many helpers and leaders. Thanks to the Trinity
Lutheran School Parent Teacher Organization for
sponsoring this event.
This past Christmas we invited the community to
join us for our special services with placing ads in
the Post Crescent and News Record on three
different dates. We also mailed over 800 large
color postcard invites to those who recently
moved to the area. In addition personal visits
and invites were extended. Remember that it is
never the wrong time to invite a friend to
worship. Anytime is the best time.
8 | P a g e
Would you be interested in taking an evangelism
training class? Not sure if you would be
comfortable spreading the gospel by directly
contacting people, but willing to try? I will work
with your own comfort level and your personal
level of preparedness as we grow together in
sharing Christ with the community. Contact me
about the opportunity. (920-850-7455
The Trinity Stewardship & Evangelism Board will
be sharing a list of planned outreach and
evangelism efforts for 2016. These efforts will
seek to both promote events at Trinity and get
our message out to those around us. We’ll be
seeking to use the budget entrusted to us by the
congregation to reach out with the gospel and
promote opportunities to the community to
connect with our church and message.
Your ideas and feedback are always welcome as
we reach out with the gospel at Trinity. I’m
always glad to talk. Call, stop by, or send me a
message anytime.
Remember the Magi’s response? “We have come
to worship him.” They were looking for him
because God gave them a light and his Word.
God brings others to see the King as their own
Savior and worship him as you let his light shine
in your life and on your lips.
Ladies Craft Day
Kick off your weekend with fellowship & fun
while working on those unfinished projects!
Ladies craft day will be held on the following
Friday evenings, January 15th, February 19th,
March 18th and April 22nd from 5 pm to ? at the
school. Just bring your projects & invite a friend
or neighbor as well – no RSVP necessary. Any
questions, please contact Rita Braun at (920)284-
7010 or Traci Simington at (920)740-3309.
Trinity Lutheran School
Open House
Trinity is hosting an open house on Tuesday,
January 12, from 12:00-7:00 p.m. This is a great
opportunity to come and see Trinity Lutheran
School in person. There are two ways you can be
entered into a drawing to win a $250 tuition
credit. Parents who do not already have a child in
an FVL School can enter the drawing at the open
house. Current FVL Schools parents can also be
entered in a drawing by referring a new parent to
the Open House. Don’t have school-age children?
You can still be entered in the drawing by
referring someone to the open house. If you win,
you can designate the tuition credit for the
student of your choice. *Restrictions apply.
Detailed rules, restrictions and eligibility
requirements of tuition credit drawing can be
found at all Open House locations listed above
on January 12, 2016, as well as
at http://fvlschools.org/news--updates/open-
house-prize-notice. Come visit the school or
invite someone who should consider a Trinity
Lutheran education!
National Honor Society
Congratulations to the following Trinity graduates
who were inducted into FVL’s National Honor
Society this week: Mikayla Bauman, Abigail
Lienhard, Brianna Olson, Mason Tecca and Ryan
Timm. These juniors join seniors Noah Braun,
Megan Getlinger, Jared Laabs, Noah Stevens,
Lauren Zanders and Eben Zellmer in NHS. Megan
Getlinger was also a featured speaker; she gave a
speech on the NHS membership quality of
scholarship.
Call Meeting
Our current 5th & 6th grade teacher, Mr. Zweifel,
is serving a one-year emergency call and will be
leaving after this school year. Therefore, we will
have a special voters' meeting to call a 5th and
6th grade teacher and athletic director on
Sunday, January 10, after the 10:30 service. All
voting members are encouraged to participate.
9 | P a g e
Attend TLS for Free through School Choice
Attend TLS for Free through School Choice
Do you know someone who wants a Christ-
centered education for their child, but finds the
cost of a private school out-of-reach? Trinity will
participate in the Wisconsin Parental Choice
Program beginning with the 2106-2017 school
year. Through this program, parents who meet
certain income requirements can receive a
voucher to attend a participating private school
for free. See the income eligibility chart below.
Family Size
Max. Yearly Income (Single)
Max. Yearly Income(Married)
2 $29,735 N/A 3 $37,499 $44,499 4 $45,263 $52,263 5 $53,027 $60,027 6 $60,791 $67,791
*As determined by Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
on the federal income tax return for the prior
calendar year (2015 for the 2016-17 school year).
To be eligible, students must meet one of the
flowing prior-year attendance criteria:
• Enrolled in a public school in the district
where the student lives in the prior year;
• Not enrolled in school in the prior year;
• Participated in the choice program in the
prior year;
• Is applying to K (4K or 5K), 1st or 9th grade
for the 2016-17 school year.
That means students not yet enrolled in school,
students currently enrolled in TLS’s Pre-K or
kindergarten classes, or students currently in any
grade in a public school could be eligible. The
application period begins February 1. We will
have more information available at our January
12 open house and at www.trinityneenah.net.
Accreditation
TLS is working to become accredited in order to …
• Provide quality assurance,
• Promote ongoing improvement,
• Maintain eligibility for the school choice
program, and
• Be eligible for certain grants and matching
fund programs.
To become accredited, we must conduct a
rigorous self-study to make certain we are
meeting 285 standards of high-quality schools.
Our self-study is starting soon. Please consider
serving on a self-study committee, and watch for
information about how you can serve in the
coming weeks.
Opportunities to Serve
Winnebago County Jail - Wisconsin Lutheran
Institutional Ministry conducts ministry in the
county jail. Bible study leaders are needed to help
with this ministry. Please contact Dan Krause
(920-203-7570) for more information.
Nursing Home - Weekly Sunday services (10 am)
at Winnebago County’s nursing home, Park View
Health Care, are provided through Wisconsin
Lutheran Institutional Ministries. Children or
adult choirs, musicians, and soloists are welcome
to participate in this service and are greatly
appreciated by the residents. Please consider
volunteering your talents. Scheduling is
coordinated by the WLIM Coordinator, Dan
Krause (920-203-7570).
10 | P a g e
Fox Valley Lutheran Winterfest
FVL Winterfest 2016 is set for January 31 from
noon til 4 p.m. This “Celebration of Music” day is
filled with food, auction bidding, music and fun.
This event showcases the bands and choirs of FVL
and offers fun for the whole family. Enjoy the
marionette shows, the children’s game room
(sponsored by FVL Schools), and treats for all
ages. Admission for the event is $2. Students with
FVL ID or FVL Passport are free. All proceeds
benefit the FVL music program.
Interactive Faith Bible Study
The next four-week Interactive Faith online Bible
study will begin Wed., Jan. 13, 2016. Rev. Gary
Pufahl, chairman of WELS Adult Discipleship and
pastor at Christ, Big Bend, Wis., will lead the
study twice each Wednesday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
(central) through Feb. 3. The theme of Pufahl’s
study is “Who is your God, for whom you live?”
“Ever since the fall into sin, human beings have
wanted the status of ‘god.’ They want to be god.
They want to play god,” says Pufahl. “But who
exactly is the one true God? What is he like?
What are his attributes? What is his will? What
does he do? What amazing blessings become
ours as we get to know our God better? I pray
that God’s people will gain a greater appreciation
for who God is and what he does as their God and
that they will apply God’s priorities to their lives.”
To learn more or join the study, go to
wels.net/interactivefaith.
New Website Helps, Heals Victims
A new website, www.freedomforcaptives.com,
has been developed by the Committee on Mental
Health, part of the WELS Commission on Special
Ministries. The new site was created to reach out
to and help heal abuse survivors, while also
offering pastors and called workers resources
that guide counseling of survivors.
The website’s purpose is to empower the
Christian community to respond with excellence
to the sin of child abuse and provide resources to
pastors, teachers, and lay Christians that will
deepen their understanding of child abuse and
improve the Christian response to the physical,
emotional and spiritual impact of maltreatment.
“Any pastor, teacher, lay person in the church, or
survivor in the church can go to the website with
just about whatever question they have about
child maltreatment,” says Vieth. “They’ll be able
to find the very best, most cutting edge
resources—and information on how to select a
counselor. Pastors have all sorts of resources on
the website if they want to develop child
protection policies. If they want to teach the
students in their WELS school about personal
safety, there are resources on the website to help
them do that.”
Vieth explains that the need for these resources
is huge. He quoted the Center for Disease
Control, saying one out of every four girls and one
out of every six boys are sexually abused and
about 28 percent of children in the U.S. are
physically abused to the point of causing injury. In
addition to physical abuse, a significant number
of children are neglected, emotionally or
psychologically abused, or witness violence in the
home.
Many times, a history of abuse causes survivors
to stay away from the church, especially when
religion was erroneously used by the abuser as a
11 | P a g e
reason for the abuse. Vieth says, “Freedom for
the Captives is designed to convey to children and
adults alike who have been impacted by this sin
that the church is on their side and has something
to offer.”
Resources include original articles written to
address the issue from a Christian perspective,
links to national organizations for abuse victims,
frequently asked questions, and Bible verses.
Vieth explains that Jesus was the original child
advocate in a time when children were not
valued by society. He says he wants this website
and initiative to hearken back to the earliest
Christians who strived to follow Christ’s example
regarding their attitude to children.
Visit the site at www.freedomforcaptives.com.
WELS United Gift Supports
Hmong Outreach Efforts
WELS United is working to support our Hmong
outreach efforts here in the Fox Cities, but their
special gift promises to have even greater impact.
Responding to a request to help bring a Hmong
language worship service to Fox Cities Hmong
families, WELS United approved a three-year
grant to cover the cost of providing a ‘live
streaming service’ originating from Immanuel
Hmong Lutheran in St. Paul, MN. The 2015 grant
amount is $449.
With their gift, WELS United became part of a
collaborative effort that included our WELS
District Mission Board, which provided an
$11,000 program grant, WELS Technology
Director Martin Spriggs, who provided
development expertise and guidance, and the
staff and members of Immanuel Hmong Lutheran
who agreed to develop and operate a live stream
production in support of our Fox Cities Hmong
ministry.
The live streaming worship service went live on
Sunday, September 13, 2015, when the Immanuel
Hmong Lutheran worship service was broadcast
to St. Paul Lutheran, in Appleton. The live stream
service will be an important tool to aid in our
efforts to reach out to local Hmong families, as
individuals and families who might be hesitant to
attend an in-person church service can now
experience a Lutheran worship service at home.
For some, this will be a first step toward
Christianity.
Something that is truly exciting, though, is that
because there is no geographic limitation to live
stream broadcasts, it is hoped that the worship
services will eventually benefit Hmong families
throughout the United States and the world.
Those who experience the Immanuel Hmong
worship services will be able to share information
with friends and relatives in their home countries
of Thailand and Laos.
With glory to God we thank WELS United, our
WELS District Mission Board, WELS Technology
Director Martin Spriggs and Pastor Pheng Moua
and the members of Immanuel Hmong Lutheran
in St. Paul, MN, for their willingness to work
together to share the gospel message in such an
exciting and powerful manner.
Jeff Ings, Volunteer
Lutheran Hmong Ministry of the Fox Cities