The Word

The Nekoosa United Church of Christ

“God is Still Speaking”

Are You Contagious?

Good news! The average temperature for Nekoosa in February is 32 degrees. That might not

be good news but in March it rises to a balmy 43 degrees! Even better, in April it increases to 58 degrees! We are on the upswing people! Our daily dose of sunshine increases each day and the chance for snow decreases each and every day until summer. These facts are a given. There is nothing we must or can do to improve them. Despite the bitter cold weather we have been experiencing lately, our attendance at the worship services is also on the upswing. That is good news. However, unlike the guaranteed increases in warmth and sunshine, we must be intentional to make sure the attendance holds steady or increases. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t happy with the increase in worship attendance. However it’s not just the numbers that I’m happy with. What really makes me happy is the reason why more people are worshipping together. As a congregation we are being upfront and honest with one another without being cynical or degrading to others. It takes intentionality to get along with others who do not think the same as you or like the same things that you do. More people are getting involved and volunteering to get the work done around the church. Many don’t rush out after the one hour service but rather sit together and talk over a cup of coffee; sharing memories, concerns and laughs. I still believe that as much or more good comes out of this fellowship time than the actual service. We are being the church to one another…with a cup of coffee in our hands! We are even working on serving tastier coffee and giving more options like decaf, regular, and sometimes a variety of tea in an effort to please more people and make fellowship even more inviting. People in the community “pick up” on the excitement and activity of this church and want to be included in it. The spirit of this congregation is contagious! There is nothing that draws more people through our front doors than the kind and loving spirit of the congregation and the “atmosphere of genuine welcome”. As one of the leaders of this church I take that seriously. We just completed the first round of the book discussion on “I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church”, and are starting the second round of discussions. A group of us are heading to a two-day workshop on “the Turnaround Church” in order to bring back fresh ideas for the congregation to consider trying. Both the book studies and the workshop are designed to give us more ideas to feed the spirit of the congregation and to invite others to join us.

In the Gospels we are told to preach the good news to all we meet and when necessary use words. Going door to door to preach the Gospel isn’t fun for a lot of us. So let’s invite others in, so they can hear the good news and then feel what being in a loving community is all about. Let’s be contagious!

Pastor Tim

MARCH

2 - Tina Krummel 9 - Mike Turok 11 - Connie Pangburn 11 - Vern Dicks 16 - Darrow Cather 16 - Ruby Scofield 19 - Bill Eichhorn 19 - Adah Jones 19 - Traci Lee Dean 21 - Jami Williams 22 - Rita Layton 22 - Joyce Wells 23 - Allan Wegner 23 - Abbey Lee Reber 23 - Chris Williams 24 - Cary Lyons 24 - June Roberts 24 - Margaret Turner 26 - Randy Walrath 27 - Ann Smolarek 28 - Carson J. Tracy 29 - Reed Sorenson 30 - Bob Schultz 30 - Troy Williams 31 - Margie Goodness

29 – Gary and Pat Fischer

If you would like to have your birthday or anniversary listed during the year, or there is an error in the date, please contact the church office at 715- 886-3371.

It is through the generosity of many people in the church that our Wish List needs have been and continues to be met. At this time we are in need of the following items:

Toilet Paper

Paper Towels

And 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.

RIDES TO CHURCH

If you are unable to get to Church on Sunday,

we have a list of people willing to pick you up.

Please contact one of the following people to

coordinate a ride for you:

Ellen Osborne 715-886-4008,

Lynette Hilgers 715-886 4189, and

Cindy Dorr 715-887-3702.

We are in desperate need of Volunteers to

help deliver meals to shut-ins and elderly.

It is not a difficult job and only happens

once every 5 – 6 weeks. Our church has

been coordinating this service for many

years but if we can’t get volunteers to

help, we may have to bow out.

If you could give 2 or 3 hours of your time

once every 6 weeks, call Sue Lyons at 715

570-9241.

Let’s not let our shut-ins down!!!

SHOUT-OUTS

. This month’s SHOUT OUTS recognizing people who were seen doing things around the church – some

things that are readily noticeable and some not so noticeable. CARL SAYLOR is our own personal door man and greeter. It is so nice to see his welcoming smile when you approach the doors. He also keeps the sidewalk shoveled and holds the door for you when you just want to get out of the cold. ALLYSA WILHORN who stood up on that tall ladder and painted “GO AND SERVE”.

When those cards appear in your mailbox and you wonder where they come from – it’s the CARE MINISTRY! Ellen Osborne, Lynette Hilgers and Cindy Dorr are the people who lead this ministry with help from many other dedicated church members. PASTOR TIM who is working hard to keep our church growing spiritually. For all of YOU who come to worship each week! Please take the time to thank them when you see them. And then next month submit a Shout-Out of your own – it makes you realize how many different people are sharing their talents with us each and every month. It is great being a part of this church family.

On Sunday, March 1, a group of men, led by our vice-moderator, Jim Kraft, are going to provide us with a pancake breakfast. Serving will begin at 7:30 am. I’m hearing rumors of pancakes, bacon and fruit. And I would bet there will be coffee too. A free will offering will be taken. So ladies let’s get up early and

seewhat these guys can do!! I for one believe breakfast will be delicious.

DON’T FORGET

2015 Dues Are Due

Payment envelopes are located in the main entryway and in the narthex area. Can’t make it to church? Just mail your payment of $19.25 per confirmed person to the church. Please make sure your name(s) is on the outside and inside envelopes, so it can be recorded properly. This is also an opportunity for those using Offering Envelopes to pay for the envelope cost of $3.00 at the same time

The next few months are going to be busy for the Women United group. The Quilt Show, Rummage Sale,

and NW Association UCC Conference meeting are all coming up.

On March 13 they would like HELP setting

up for the Quilt Show. On March 14 from 10:00am to 4:00pm they will host their Quilt Show. A lunch of barbeque, soup and desert will be available.

April 6, 7 & 8 rummage sale items can be brought to the church for sorting & pricing.

April 9 – Rummage Sale from 8:00am until 4:00pm. Need volunteers to work.

April 10 – Rummage Sale from 8:00am until 12:00pm. Help needed at 12:00 to pack up

On April 11 the Northwest Association of Wisconsin United Church of Christ Spring Conference will be held here at our church. The Women United group will be providing hospitality through their kitchen. HELP would be appreciated.

Mission Moments

from Mission & Outreach

Dear Friends,

GIVE AND CHANGE THE WORLD........IT REALLY IS

THAT SIMPLE.

This is our ministry. The One Great Hour of

Sharing offering (OGHS) is going to be

collected on Sunday, March 15. This

offering reaches those near and far, sometimes

changing the life of someone in distress in our

congregation or community, and at other times

impacting the lives of those we may never meet but

who are in desperate need of our compassion and

generosity.

For almost seven decades we have been making a

difference, through the One Great Hour of Sharing

offering which funds relief and development all over

the world and in the U.S.

Please take the time and think about how much you

can give to OGHS. Use these ideas as guides to your

giving; use it daily, total it up, or give what you can,

then make a donation on Sunday, March 15. The

OGHS envelope is included in this mailing. March 1-7

... 774 million adults, 64% of whom are women, still

lack basic reading and writing skills. Can you give

$0.50 for each book/magazine/email that you read

this week?

...2.5 billion people in the world lack access to proper

sanitation. Can you give $5 (or so) for each toilet in

your house?

...Almost half of the girls in the world's poorest

countries have no access to primary education. Can

you give $1 for each year of formal schooling that

you had?

...Children below 18 years of age made up 50% of the

refugee population last year, the highest figure in a

decade. Can you give $0.50 for everyone under 18 in

your extended family?

March 8-15

... Most Americans, approximately 51.4%, will live in

poverty at some point before age 65. Help end

poverty in the U.S. Can you give $5 one day this

week?

...In Africa alone, people (mainly women and children)

spend 40 billion hours every year walking for water.

Can you give $0.25 for each stair/step in your house?

...In the United States, 14.5% of households struggle

to put food on the table. Can you give $2 for

every/any table in your house?

...Blankets often provide refugees their only

protection from weather, a way to carry their few

remaining possessions, and allow for privacy in

crowded refugee camps. Can you give $1 for every

quilt/blanket your family has?

GIVE AND CHANGE THE WORLD. Thank you.

Update On “Love Gift” Giving

Christmas has past and Love Gifts were well received for another year. We were blessed in 2014 to be able to give 18 family units wonderful boxes of food to nourish their bodies and warm wishes to feed their souls. We could not have done this without the support of our church family. Many of you gave donations of canned goods and non-perishable foods to our food collection for Love Gifts. Some of you also gave donations of money so we were able to fill in the gaps and purchase milk, bread, fresh fruits and vegetables, and meats for our food boxes. We also want to thank the UCC Women United group for the donation of $400.00 used to purchase more food for our boxes. And we are already thinking about another Christmas yet to come. To make this yearly project planning a little easier and maybe make it easier on your pocket book at giving time, we are suggesting that you make a donation to Love Gifts any time you have a little extra to share. Just put your financial donation in an envelope marked “LOVE GIFTS”. Be sure also to include your name so we know where it came from. Thank you in advance for your continued support of this wonderful project.

On Sunday, February 15 two new members were welcomed into our membership. You have probably seen Michelle Sorenson and Marilyn Elkin around regularly. They have already established a relationship with our church family. Now they are official members of the Nekoosa United Church of Christ. Let’s give them a warm welcome!!!

“I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church!”

That’s why we are starting the second book study and conversation about the book “I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church!”. Anyone can come to the gatherings whether you read the book or not; all voices are important to this conversation. We still have a couple books available. We read two short chapters a week and meet from 11-12:00 the first four Sunday in March, in the lounge area(the room with the couches). The schedule is: March 1st: Intro & chapter #1 March 8th: #2 & #3 March 15th: #4 & #5 March 22nd: #6 – the End. “Turnaround Church” Keeping a church relevant to the needs of society takes work. That is why a team made up of Lynette Hilgers, Marcia Kumm, Cindy Saylor, Emma McKeel, and Pastor Tim is attending a two day workshop at the conference center in DeForest. The workshop called “Turnaround Church” is led by the nationally known Jim Griffith and Paul Nickerson. If you see anyone from this team tell them thanks for their time and effort in trying to make this church the best that it can be!

God and Me On Sunday February 22nd, we recognized Zeke Kraft’s accomplishment of earning the

“God and Me” Boy Scout award. Zeke and his dad, Jim, met with Pastor Tim as his mentor. The program involved reading and discussing scripture, applying it to our own faith, and then sharing it with others. We also had fun playing the games that we made based on the lesson that week. Congratulations Zeke for all the time and hard work that you put into this!

WANTED YOUR OLD COFFEE

MUGS Do you have old coffee mugs

you don’t know what to do with? Bring them to church! Some people like a big mug of coffee in the morning and our little cups are just too small. So, let’s put those old mugs to good use.

Bring them to church!

Trustees Concern

A long time concern of the Trustee Committee is the heating system. With this in mind they have been exploring options for when it is necessary to replace the boiler and/or furnace. Jim Anderson has gotten some quotes on what it would cost to replace one or both. Some of our members have been diligent in giving to a Boiler Fund Account. However, the cost would be twice as much as we have put aside. It would be great if everyone would start giving to this Fund. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2Corinthians 9:7

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WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE DURING LENT

WEDNESDAY’S during LENT

March 4th… 7:00pm service here

March 11th…7:00pm service at

Port UMC

March 18th…7:00pm service here

March 25th…7:00pm service at Port UMC

No service on Wednesday, April 1st

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

March 29th…PALM SUNDAY – Worship at

9:30 AM

Fellowship and Refreshments Following

April 2nd… MAUNDY THURSDAY – Worship at 7:00 PM

April 3rd… GOOD FRIDAY – Worship at

1:00 PM

EASTER SUNDAY

8:00 AM – Breakfast

9:30 AM – Worship with Communion

10:30 AM – Easter Egg Hunt

OFFICE HOURS:

MONDAY to FRIDAY

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

[Closed Sundays & Most

Holidays]

TELEPHONE NUMBER: 715-886-3371

PASTOR TIM’S CELL NUMBER: 715-697-3087

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

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!

CHURCH EMAIL ADDRESSES:

office@nekoosaucc.com

pastor@nekoosaucc.com

(Does the Church Office have your email address? Please contact Vicki with this information)

www.nekoosaucc.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nekoosa-United-Church-of-Christ/153330554707594

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!

THE NEKOOSA UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 205 Market Street…Nekoosa, WI 54457 715 886-3371 Church Office: office@nekoosaucc.com Minister: pastor@nekoosaucc.com Webpage: www.nekoosaucc.com

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 7:30am-men preparing breakfast in dining room 9:30 Worship w/communion

9:45 Sunday School 3-6yr

SCRIP Sales 11:00-Noon Book Study

2 9:00am...Exercise class

6:00pm Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm…AA Meeting

3

6:30 Hands of Grace

Prayer Shawl Meeting

4 9:00am…Women United prepare for Quilt Show Confirmands attend Lenten service here at 7:00pm

5 9:00am...Exercise class

6

7

8 9:30 Worship 9:45 Sunday School 10:30 Coffee Fellowship 10:45..Trustees meet 11:00-Noon Book Study

9 9:00am...Exercise class

6:00pm Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm…AA Meeting

10 6:30pm…Diaconate meet

11 5:00pm…Youth Group 7:00 pm… Confirmands attend Lenten services at Port UMC

12 9:00am...Exercise class

13

14 11th Annual Quilt Show 9:00am-4:00pm…

15 Pocket Change Sunday 9:30 Worship

9:45 Sunday School 10:30 Coffee Fellowship 10:45am…CE meet 11:00-Noon Book Study

16 9:00am...Exercise class

6:00pm Choir Rehearsal

7:00pm…AA Meeting

17

St. Patrick’s Day 7:00pm…Church Council

18

9:00amWomen United –

quilting and games

7:00pm- Lenten

services here

19 9:00am...Exercise class

20

21 9:00am-4:00pm Sit N Stitch

22 9:30 Worship

9:45 Sunday School 10:30 Coffee Fellowship 11:00-Noon Book Study

23 9:00am...Exercise class 6:00pm Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm…AA Meeting

24

25 5:00pm...Youth Group

7:00pm… Confirmands

attend Lenten services at Port UMC

26 9:00am...Exercise class

27

28

29

9:30 Worship

9:45 Sunday School 10:30 Coffee Fellowship

30 9:00am...Exercise class 6:00pm Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm…AA Meeting

31 Tentative Pastor Hours: Calll ahead to be sure Mon-. Noon – 6:00pm Tues-Thurs 9:00– 2:00 Friday – Day off

Church Office Hours

Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Closed Weekends &

Most Holidays).

“God is

Still Speaking”