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Website: www.portagelutheranchurch.org Email address: crossofchristportage@hotmail.com

Church: (608) 742-5609 Pastor Scott Schultz: (608) 617-8409

Sunday Worship - 9:00 am Wednesday Worship - 7:00 pm

News & Notes

Page 2

Daily Walk with God 2

Pastor’s Article 3

Committee Reports 4-5

Friendship Sunday 6

Confirmation Classes 6

Weekday Bible Studies 6

Historical Institute 6

Mission Fest 7

Fall Rally 7

College Student Info 7

Convention update 7

School Calendars 8

Tuition Assistance Fund 8

NPH Items 9

WELS Websites 9

New Members 10

Shut-Ins 10

Thankful Giving Opportunities 10

Church Council 11

Newsletter Information 11

September, 2016 Issue

My Daily Walk With God Inside This Issue

Sept. 1 1 Ch. 22:6 - 24; Psalm 149 2 1 Ch. 25 - 27:15; Psalm 122 3 1 Ch. 27:16-29; Psalm 40 4 2 Chronicles 1 - 5 5 2 Chronicles 6 - 8 6 2 Chronicles 9 - 12 7 2 Chronicles 13 - 16 8 2 Chronicles 17 - 20:30 9 2 Chronicles 20:31 - 24 10 2 Chronicles 25 - 28 11 2 Chronicles 29 - 31 12 2 Ch. 32 - 33; Psalm 60, 81 13 2 Ch. 34 - 36; Psalm 53 14 Psalm 43; Joel 15 Amos 1 - 5 16 Psalm 72; Amos 6 - 9 17 Hosea 1 - 7 18 Hosea 8 - 14 19 Micah 20 Isaiah 1 - 4 21 Isaiah 5 - 8:18 22 Isaiah 8:19 - 12 23 Isaiah 13 - 16 24 Isaiah 17 - 22:14 25 Isaiah 22:15 - 26 26 Isaiah 27 - 30 27 Isaiah 31 - 35 28 Isaiah 36 - 39 29 Isaiah 40 - 42 30 Isaiah 43 - 45

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Pastor’s Article

What Is The Fruit Of The Spirit?

Over the last several months we learned in this article how God wants all people to live their lives by studying the Ten Commandments. We learned in the Ten Commandments God tells us we must love him more than all things. We must not misuse his name. We must faithfully hear his Word and respect those in authority over us. We must not murder, steal, commit adultery, talk badly about others, or covet what others have. Over the next several months we are going to learn about a new topic entitled, “The Fruit of the Spirit.” In this month's column entitled, “Questions About Christianity” we will begin by learning “What is the fruit of the Spirit?”

The Bible records what the fruit of the Spirit is in Galatians 5:22-23. It says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” In order to help us better understand what the fruit of the Spirit is, we must understand the context of these verses. In the verses prior to Galatians 5:22-23 the Apostle Paul, who wrote the book of Galatians, tells us we must not give into the sinful desires of our sinful nature and disobey God’s Law or the Ten Commandments. Unfortunately, this is impossible for us to always do because we have a sinful nature, which is the natural desire all people have inside them to only do what is sinful. Day after day our sinful nature leads us to sin against God and disobey his commands. For this reason, Jesus came into this world as our Savior and suffered and died on the cross to forgive the sins of all people. However, we must believe in Jesus as our Savior so this forgiveness is ours and so we can live with Jesus forever in heaven.

When we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we do not want to sin against God anymore. We only want to obey the Ten Commandments to show Jesus our love and thanks for saving us from our sins. The reason we want to do this is because when we come to faith in Jesus, God the Holy Spirit enters our hearts. He gives us the desire to want to obey God’s commands to show Jesus our love and thanks, and He gives us the ability to do so. When we believers actually obey the Ten Commandments with our thoughts, words, or actions we produce fruits of faith or good works.

In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul tells us believers we must produce fruits of faith by producing the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The fruit of the Spirit are examples of fruits of faith because they are the attitudes God commands us to have in our hearts. God commands us to have these attitudes because he knows they will lead us to obey his commands with our words and actions. Paul calls these attitudes the fruit of the Spirit because God the Holy Spirit leads us to have these attitudes and produce fruits of faith.

Over the next several months we will learn in this article what each of the fruit of the Spirit is and how each one leads us to produce fruits of faith with our words and actions.

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Fellowship Committee August Meeting Recap Current Members: Adam Gaffney, Vi Burmeister, Sandy Beimborn, Joan Klappstein, Pat Eckert, Judy Trebatoski.

At their August meeting, the Fellowship Committee talked about the church picnic on August 14. It will take place after the VBS worship service be at 11:30 a.m. at Sunset Park Members are to bring a dish to pass, and their own plates, silverware, and beverages. The Fellowship Committee will bring extra plates, plastic silverware, cups and napkins for guests. Adam Gaffney and Bill Eckert will prepare the brats and hot dogs. Pat Eckert will take care of getting the buns. Vi Burmeister (water) and Joan Klappstein (lemonade) will bring beverages. Judy Trebatoski will provide coffee.

The Fellowship Committee also discussed the card party which will be held on September 10 at church in the church fellowship hall. Vi Burmeister will organize it and bring prizes. The next event will be the campfire in October.

Evangelism/Outreach Committee August Meeting Current Members: Scott and Tracy McCluskey, Gerry and Betty Gast, Dave Kreklow.

At their August meeting the Evangelism Committee talked about

Friendship Sunday, Friendship Registers, and following up on

prospective members.

Property Committee August Meeting Recap Current Members: Tim Scharenbroch, Curt Morn, Ken Ryczek.

There was no meeting.

Church Council August Meeting Recap

At their August meeting, the Church Council talked about the new Simply Giving program. They also decided to have Friendship Registers in the pew for members and non-members to fill out every Sunday. This will be used to sign up for Holy Communion and gather prospective members’ information so the Evangelism Committee can follow up with them.

Education Committee August Meeting Recaps Current Members: Matthew Buchholz, Dan and Lisa Hendershot, Jill Schultz, Joshua Veglahn

The August meeting will be reported on in the next issue of the newsletter.

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Cross of Christ Ladies August Gathering Recap Organizing Committee: Kathy Miller, Melissa Childs, Jill Schultz, Pat Eckert, LWMS Reporter: Sandra Beimborn

Following the opening devotion and a short business meeting, Sandra Beimborn shared information about Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS), the Beaver Dam Circuit, Cross of Christ and their relationships. She also shared information about the LWMS convention. Vi Burmeister served ice cream and brownies.

Our September meeting will be our organizational meeting where we will elect officers and discuss ideas for the coming year.

The Cross of Christ Ladies encourage all ladies of the congregation to come to these gatherings. Children are welcome! Don’t forget, they start at 6:30 p.m. All confirmed ladies of the congregation are members of Cross of Christ Ladies (CCL) and of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS).

Stewardship Committee August Meeting Recap Current Members: William Beimborn, Bonnie Dorniak, Bill Eckert, Dan Heckmann.

There was no meeting.

The deadline for SCRIP orders in August will be August 14.

Website Committee August Meeting Recap Current Members: Sandra Beimborn, Betty Gast, Joshua Veglahn.

There was no meeting.

Planning Committee August Meeting Recap Current Members: Dan Heckmann, Curt Moran, Ken Ryczek, and Pastor Schultz

There was no meeting.

Worship Committee August Meeting Recap Current Members: Mark Roberts, Cheryl Nicholson, Mark Otto.

There was no meeting.

Constitution Committee August Meeting Recap Current Members: Todd Miller, William Beimborn, Bill Eckert, Dave Kreklow, Tim Scharenbroch

There was no meeting.

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Weekday Bible Studies The Bible Studies will resume Monday, September 12 at 4:00 p.m. and Tuesday, September 13.at 7:00 p.m.

2016-2017 Sunday School and Confirmation Class

Confirmation Classes Every Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:30 pm

Classes start on Wednesday, September 7

Sunday School Every Sunday from 10:15 am - 11:15 am Classes start on Sunday, September 11

Mission--WELS Historical Institute The WELS Historical Institute works on the restoration and preservation of Salem Lutheran Landmark Church, constructed in 1863 and located in Milwaukee near the site of our synod's founding in 1850. The synod museum, on the lower level of the church, houses more than 1,000 artifacts and pictures from our synod's past. Salem Landmark Church is located at 6814 N. 107th St. in Milwaukee. Visit their website at www.welshistory.org.

September 11, 2016 September 11, 2016

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College Student Information It is getting to be that time of year again when some of our young people will be away at college in the fall. We do not want to lose touch with them while they are away. Please give Pastor Schultz or Sandra Beimborn their school contact information so our church can stay in contact with them..

Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) At the 2016 Convention in St. Charles, IL there were 1,054 people registered representing 56 of the 60 circuits.

Projects receiving mission offerings were Home Mission - Summer Student Assistants ($41,529.28) and World Mission - Television Broadcast for Muslim World and Theological Seminars ($41,529.29). Projects receiving worship service collections were Home Mission - Outreach to Asians ($25,805.14) and World Mission - Apache Leadership and Maintenance ($25,805.15). Projects to be voted on next year are Home Missions Equipment Fund and Crosdd-Cultural Mission Conferences and Training and World Misisons Repatriation Confer-ences and Nepal Projects.. Kid’s c.a.r.e collection for Central Africa Medical Mission Orphan/Infant Program was $60,816.17

Mission Fest On Sunday, September 25, we will have a Mission Festival. We will begin with a special worship service at 9:00 a.m. Our guest preacher will be Pastor Roger Schultz. He will also give a presentation at 10:30 a.m. on Calvary Lutheran Academy. After our worship service we will take a door offering for Calvary Lutheran Academy. At 11:30 a.m. we will have a potluck. Each fellowship group will provide food. A sign-up sheet will be posted. Everyone is invited to come and join the festivities and learn how we can better share the gospel of Jesus with the world.

LWMS Fall Rally The Fall Rally of the Beaver Dam Circuit of the LWMS will be held on Saturday, October 15 at St. John’s, Juneau. Our speaker will be Professor Tom Kock, from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. The service project will be school supplies for Lighthouse Youth Center in Milwaukee

The Home mission-Caribbean Scholarship Fund and the World mission –Apache Christian Training School are the mission projects for the Beaver Dam Circuit.

There will be a can on the table in the back of church from August 11 - 21 to collect for the World and Home Missions. For more information, please talk to Sandy Beimborn.

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School Calendars

Labor Day - No School September 5

Senior Parent Info & FAFSA Night September 14 - 6:30 pm

Jefferson Parade September 18 - noon

Interim Reports September 20

Two hour delay September 21

Freshman Parent Info Night September 21 - 6:30 pm

Homecoming Week September 26-30

Homecoming Parade September 30 - 5:00 pm

231 Woodland Beach Rd. (920) 648-2321 Lake Mills WI www.llhs.org

St. John’s Lutheran School 505 E. La Follette St. (608) 429-3636 Pardeeville WI www.stjohnspardeeville.org

Christian Education Tuition Assistance Fund

In order to assist parents in sending their child(ren) to one of these schools or another WELS school, Cross of Christ has established a Christian Education Tuition Assistance Fund. The goal of this fund is to give parents $100 a month for 10 months every school year which will be applied to their child(ren)’s tuition. If you would like to contribute to this fund at any time, please mark on the front your weekly offering envelope how much you want designated to this fund.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

First Day of Classes Welcome Back To School Night

September 1 8:00 am 5:30 pm

Labor Day - No School September 5

No A.M. Busing September 14

Terro Nova Standardized Testing (Grades 3-8)

September 26-29

Picture Day September 27 8:15 am

Western Wisconsin District Curriculum Conference –No School

September 30

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Northwestern Publishing House Item

WELS Websites www.wels.net The official website for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. www.nph.net Northwestern Publishing House’s website that sells religious materials. www.whataboutjesus.com Learn more about Jesus, the Bible, how to deal with social concerns, etc. www.christianliferesources.com Stay up-to-date with important life issues and get answers to difficult ethical questions. www.goodsearch.com A search engine (comparable to Google or Yahoo) that donates money to the Wisconsin Synod when it is used. www.lwms.org The official website for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society. www.welslibrarians.org The official website for WELS Librarians

You can place your order by visiting www.nph.net or call Northwestern Publishing House at 1-800-662-6022.

Open Doors, Open Hearts

Stories from the Mission Field in China Author: Rachel Kamin (ed.)

A collection of firsthand stories, this inspiring book offers a window into Jesus' saving work in China. In these pages, you'll witness the many ways in which missionaries are touching hearts and changing lives by the power of the Spirit. As your own faith is strengthened, you will begin to see the open doors that exist here at home. You may even be moved to share the love of Christ with those in your own community.

Softcover, 5 x 7 inches. 144 pages. Published 2016.

Catalog Item Number: OL-1500796 Price: $12.99

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Shut-Ins Margery McCluskey Marion Kreitzman

Audrey Zunker Elmer Glaeske

Lila Freber Nathan Sauer

Even though these members are unable to come to regular worship services, please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Thankful Giving Opportunities In 1 Corinthians 16:2 God encourages believers to give their first fruits as offerings in church in proportion to their income. Believers do this to thank God for what he did for them and to support the gospel ministry.

Cross of Christ encourages all of its members to give their offerings for these reasons. It also offers other programs for its members to give to the church above and beyond their offerings, which do not support our church’s budget.

SCRIP: We offer a SCRIP program where members can buy gift cards for many different stores. A percentage of the money our mem-bers pay is given to the church. SCRIP deadline is always the second Sunday of the month. Order forms are available at church in the mail-box labeled SCRIP. If you need help, talk to William Beimborn. Next Scrip order will be due September 11.

MILK MOOLA: We offer a Milk Moola program where members can turn in their KwikTrip Milk Moola caps and labels into a box in the church basement. Church then gets money from these caps and labels. Keep saving those labels and bottle caps. PIERCES: Add Cross of Chr ist to your Pierce’s card.

BOXTOPS: We also offer a Boxtop program where members can turn in their Boxtops for Education into a box in the church basement. These Boxtops are then turned into St. John’s Lutheran School in Pardeeville.

New Members

We have no new members this month.

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Cross of Christ Church Council Members

Questions or Concerns?

If anyone has questions, concerns, or comments about our church, please feel free to talk to someone on the Church Council because God has provided these men to assist you.

Newsletter Cross of Christ’s News & Notes monthly newsletter will be placed in your mailboxes the Sunday before the first of the month. If you have an article, meeting recap, note, or flier for publication, please either email your newsletter item to crossofchristportage@hotmail.com or place it in Sandra Beimborn’s mailbox by September 15, 2016.

If you do not wish to continue receiving this newsletter, please e-mail Cross of Christ at crossofchristportage@hotmail.com or call the church office at (608)742-5609 and leave a message.

Thank you!

Dan Heckmann Church President/ (920) 992 - 5692 Financial Secretary

Matthew Buchholz Secretary/ (608) 354 - 8708 Education Comm. Chairman

Bill Eckert Treasurer (608) 742 - 2547

Todd Miller Elder’s Comm. Chairman (608) 566 - 0344 Adam Gaffney Fellowship Comm. Chairman (608) 617 - 9971 Scott McCluskey Evangelism/Outreach (608) 742 - 4025 Comm. Chairman

Tim Scharenbroch Property Comm. Chair. (608) 742 - 2421

William Beimborn Stewardship Comm. Chairman (608) 742 - 0623 Mark Roberts Worship Comm. Chairman (608) 617 - 4703