A Monthly Newsletter Volume XVI, No. 2 February 2016

March 20, 2016

Join us as the choir sings the Palm Sunday Cantata Lift High the Cross

The Sunday before Easter is known as Palm Sunday and also is called Passion Sunday. We begin Holy Week, not only remembering Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but also his suffering and death. To say that the final week of Jesus’ life is a study in contrasts is an understatement. The entire emotional spectrum is experienced by Christ and his followers during the final hours

of his earthly journey. Observe the pinnacle of joy as Jesus rides into the crowded streets of Jerusalem to “Hosanna to the King!” contrasted by the quiet despair of a lonely judgment hall where no voices of support are heard. From loyalty shared in the Passover meal with friends to rejection and betrayal; from Christ’s intimate conversation/prayer with his Father in the garden to hours of desertion on a barren wooden cross, the pendulum swings. Please join us on March 20, at both 8:30 and 10:45 services, as the choir and chamber orchestra share the story of Jesus’ journey to the cross in the cantata, Lift High the Cross, by Lloyd Larson. It is a story whose message is filled with eternal hope of the triumphant victory of Easter Sunday. We invite you to share the journey.

Palm Sunday Breakfast: This year we will hold a church breakfast on Palm Sunday between services. The breakfast will consist of egg bakes (with meat and vegetarian options), fruit, sweet breads, and beverages. There is no charge for the breakfast, but please look for sign-up sheets in the narthex if you would like to contribute food items. The breakfast will be held in the church’s lower level from 9:30 am — 10:30 am Sunday School and confirmation classes will be held that morning, but we will be sure to allow time for the children and youth to eat as well. Mark your calendars! Please spend time with us on March 20, sharing food and fellowship with St. James members and friends.

March 20, Palm Sunday 8:30 & 10:45 am

Palm Procession & Cantata

March 24, Maundy Thursday 7:00 pm—Worship (First Communion)

March 25, Good Friday 7:00 pm—Worship

March 26 No worship scheduled

March 27 Resurrection of Our Lord

7:00 am—Sunrise Worship Please note New Time This Year

8:30 am—Festival Worship 10:45 am—Festival Worship

ST. JAMES EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Phone: 608.845.6922 www.stjamesverona.org Fax: 608.845.6903

WORSHIP

Saturday - 5:00 pm • Sunday - 8:30 am & 10:45 am

OFFICE HOURS Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday — 8 am to 4 pm

Wednesday — 8 am to 12 noon

STAFF Kurt Billings, Pastor Cell: 235-8122 Peter Narum, Pastor Cell: 469-9625 Michelle Lichty Parish Administrator Emily Jeremiason Office Assistant Barb Roberts Office Assistant Kelly Rodger Youth Education Coordinator Paulette Spoon Adult Choir & Handbell Choir Susan Bubolz Youth Choir Director Marilyn Doerfer, Alex Ford Rhonda Chalone & Jim Erickson Accompanists Barb Rasmussen, R.N. Parish Nurse/Visitation Coord. Heather Pearl Director, St. James Preschool Lynn Hauski, Holly Parker,

Stacy Zimmerman & Lori Rudy St. James Preschool

BOARD OF MINISTRY

David Polet, President 316-5519

Karen Breitnauer, Vice-President 848-8297

Kim Feller, Treasurer 845-6425

Sue Martin-Zernicke, Secretary 246-2025

Dennis Beres 845-9305

Lee DeBaillie 848-1012

Sheri Doyle 848-5466

Jon Schellpfeffer 845-9449

Elise Taft 437-7954

FROM THE PASTOR...

wrote, “O death, when you seized my Lord, you then lost your grip on me.” (Sermon 233.5) In baptism Christ’s death becomes our death (and his rising our rising). Death has lost its sting, its power. We live freely, knowing death is now the door. As Bonhoeffer said just before his death, “This is the end. For me, the beginning.” Death is defeated because Jesus submitted. But love is stronger than death. On the cross, Jesus proves his love for us, dying for sinners (Romans 5.8). Luther wrote at the end of his He ide lberg Disputat ion th i s marvelous sentence: “Sinners are attractive because they are loved; they are not loved because they are attractive.” Jesus died for sinners, for which we are (literally) eternally thankful. Who we are is a gift from the one who was, who is, who is to come. It is was accomplished in

weakness, vulnerability — on the cross, where love is found. There is no other hope. Martin Luther wrote, The cross alone is our theology. How might Lent and Holy Week be holy for us? By remembering our life in Christ is a gift, by giving thanks for his willingness to die, and by praying for the strength to pick up our cross as well. Jesus calls us not to “lord it over” others, but to enter those places of suffering and service we could otherwise easily avoid. That’s what it means to pick up your cross. Søren Kierkegaard wrote that Jesus wants followers, not admirers. “Dying in baptism” becomes a safe slogan until it becomes a real, daily dying for you and for me. God is known C o n t i n u e d o n p . 3

As we journey through Lent here at St. James, I think of the pattern of Holy Week that begins with “Hosanna!” and ends with “Crucify Him!” Over one-third of the Gospels concern themselves with this week – so we might want to pay attention. From Palm Sunday to Good Friday, we see the desire for a Messiah of power turn into rejection of a Messiah of love. The world rejects God’s love – God on God’s terms – a God who comes in weakness and shame. We are seduced by our love for a leader who seems “tough, strong, and fearless.” Would we have rejected Jesus, too? Yes, I think we would have. Holy week is the culmination of the story of God’s love for sinners. Jesus will proclaim, “it is finished.” It is done – the work of our salvation is c om p l e t e . W h a t h a s J e s u s accomplished for us? St. Augustine

On February 14, 2016 we welcome our newest members: Andrew & Lyndsey Craven, Alexandra; Kyle Schroeder; Lance & Jen Stein, Ava, Gage & Jackson; Jim & Mya (not pictured) Rongstad, Alivia & Kendall; Wayne & Lori Bowman; Connie & (Wolfram not pictured) Malzfeldt; Bill & JoEllen Graber, Alexis (not pictured) & Chloe; Marisa & Nick Voelker (not pictured).

From the Pastor continued from page 2 through suffering, when our lives are crucified with him (Galatians 2.19). To live in holiness, this Lent and always, is to trust that on the cross our sins are forgiven: you are loved, forever. But to live in holiness is also to respond to Jesus’ call to follow. That is, to give as we have received. — Pastor Peter

We continue to hold our Lenten worship on Wednesdays at noon and at 7:00 pm. Join us for midweek worship as we explore these questions by focusing on the “I AM” sayings in the Gospel of John. The “I Am” sayings are unique to John’s gospel, which begins by proclaiming Jesus’

divine origin as “the Word.” And when we hear “I am,” we may recall Moses’ question to God (in Exodus 3) about God’s name. God responds, “I am who I am.” The “I am” sayings point us to the nature and purpose of Jesus’ divine identity and mission, and they also offer clues to why he came into conflict with religious leaders of his time. These statements also allow us to grow in faith and love as we understand more deeply who Jesus is and what it means to follow him in faith. Here is the lineup for the remainder of Lent. March 2 I AM the True Vine John 15:1-17 March 9 I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life John 14:1-13 March 16 I AM the Resurrection and the Life John 11:1-27

TREASURER’S REPORT

The 2016 Budget approved by the congregation at the semi-annual meeting on February 7, 2016 totals $562,500, which represents a 5.6% increase from 2015. $532,000 of the income budget is from Operating Envelopes and/or those contri-butions received through Electronic Funds Transfer. January/YTD Receipts Actual Budget Prior Year (P/Y) Total $35,328 $35,940 $36,849 Offering Envelopes $33,620 $34,000 $33,649 Increase (Decrease) from Budget Increase (Decrease) from P/Y January/YTD Receipts Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Total ($612) (1.7%) $(1,521) (4.1)% Offering Envelopes ($380) (1.1%) $ (29) (.1)% January, 2016 Attendance: 1,293 January, 2015 Attendance: 1,099 Note: There were 5 Sundays for attendance in January, 2016 compared to 4 Sundays in 2015. The additional Sunday in January of 2016 had 210 attendees. However, the offerings for the 5th Sunday in 2016 will show in February because the date was January 31st and the deposit of the offerings occurs on Monday which was February 1st for this year. The following graph shows the Operating Envelope Receipts for 2016 in comparison to the Budget and the Prior Year:

Pledges total $1,370,000 towards the Capital Campaign goal of $1,500,000. Pledge dollars received to date as part of the three-year pledge campaign total $250,000 as summarized below.

We are in the process of finalizing the contract with our Architects, Engberg Anderson. Once the contract has been signed, we will communicate more details on the timeline of the building project.

Thank you to all who supported the Chloe Circle candy sale on Sunday, February 14. Through your generosity, we raised $400! This money helps support and serve our church and community, including persons in need, those serving in the military, our youth, and the food pantry. Thank you!

$156.50 and over 50 food items were collected and donated to Badger Prairie Needs Network (BPNN) on February 6 and 7, Super Bowl weekend. Thank you for sharing!

March 2, 2016 at 6:00 pm

Join us this month for fellowship and dinner at the Community Meal. The menu this month includes: Irish Stew, Irish soda bread, salad, desert. coffee, juice & lemonade.

ALL THINGS YOUTH AND FAMILY

Youth Group at St. James is an opportunity for everyone to share a meal together, play some games and participate in a short devotion that will focus on the cross.

March 9, 5:00 pm — 6:30 pm: 4th and 5th Grade March 16, 6:00 pm — 7:30 pm: Middle School March 24, 6:00 pm — 7:30 pm: High School March 2, 6:00 pm — 8:00 pm: Middle and High School Activity Night Rockin’ Jump trampoline park! We will meet at St. James, carpool to Rockin’ Jump and then we will bounce around for an hour! Parents: extra drivers will be necessary for this night, please let me know if you are willing to help out. Bring $12, and parents will need to fill out the waiver on the Rockin’ Jump website for youth to be able to participate!

Education Corner

Sunday School: As we begin the season of Lent in the church the Sunday School classes are learning about a few parables and will learn about Holy Week, just like the adults in church! Confirmation: This Bible year is flying by as the confirmation students are deep into the New Testament this year already. The youth will be learning about Acts, Paul and his letters. NOTE :

There will be no Sunday School or Confirmation on March 27. April 3 will be an All Sunday School Movie Day, Confirmation classes will resume as normal April 3.

All Third Grade students are invited to participate in First Communion Instruction! This is a very exciting time in the 3rd grade student’s life! There will be two First Communion Classes, both of which should be attended by the student and a parent. These classes will be Sunday, March 6 and 13

beginning at 9:40 am. There will also be a First Communion Bread Making that takes place on Saturday, March 19 at 10:00 am. If your child is not in the Third Grade but you feel that he/she is ready for their First Communion, please contact Kelly Rodger at krodger@stjamesverona.org March 6 and 13 at 9:40 am: First Communion Instruction March 19 at 10:00 am: First Communion Bread Making March 24 at 7:00 pm: First Communion Service

On January 24th there was a wonderful turnout and reception of the first Family Fellowship time! The event created a time for parents to get to know each other and to learn a little about their child(ren)’s Sunday school teachers. There will be another Family Fellowship activity day coming up in April!

For the second year in a row St. James had a great turnout for the ice skating event! January 31, many families met at the Verona Ice Arena for a couple hours of skating fun!

Mark off your calendars for Sunday March 6th, right after the 10:45 am service. Tickets are $5 per person and will be on sale through the end of the month. All money raised from this years event will go to the youth groups of St. James. We are also looking for a few volunteers to bring corn bread & dessert and also to help the day of the event. Both of these sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

Sunday, March 20th at 5:00 pm Dreams of My Mothers, by Joel L. A. Peterson

Based on a true story, Dreams of My Mothers is a powerful account of a boy coming of age, but it is ultimately a story of the redemption and triumph of two women—mothers from the opposite ends of the world and the human condition. Their love for the same child takes them beyond the brink of their personal tragedies and pain to find transformation and life missions they could not have imagined. Author Joel Peterson gives us a vivid and gripping story of a biracial, impoverished boy who, through the transcendent love of his mothers, rises above questions of identity, race, physical limitations, and prejudice to become a unique American success story. It touches on all the issues of who we are—as a people, as a nation, and as individuals. Dreams of My Mothers is a story particular to one person, but relevant to all. It is American, yet global. It is a story that is

intensely personal, yet universal in its themes and humanness. The individual stories engage you and the emotions engulf you. The scenes are keenly tangible and the triumphs are truly real. Join us for this last Book Group of the school year!

Growing through the Enneagram Map of Personality

Saturdays, 9:00 am - noon, April 9 & 16 taught by Pastor Narum

Who am I? Why do I do the things I do? How come it’s so hard to understand my spouse? Why are my children so different from me? Why do I feel like I get in my own way sometimes? How can I grow in Christ and get to know myself better?

The Enneagram (“ennea” means nine in Greek) is a personality tool which describes nine basic patterns of attention which constrict us in our lives. The Enneagram is a tool that helps us understand ourselves and become consciously aware of those parts of us that inhibit our growth in faith and in relationship. Mark your calendars!

FROM THE PARISH NURSE...Barbara Rasmussen, RN.,CPN

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of death from cancer. It affects people in all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people age 50 and older.

The good news? If everyone age 50 and older were screened regularly, 6 out of 10 deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented!

Knowing the risk factors for colorectal cancer may help you take preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of developing the disease. The first one was already mentioned, age of 50 and above greatly increases the incidence of the disease. Obesity is another risk and goes along with your type of diet. A diet that is high in red and processed meats can increase your risks. Frying, grilling, broiling or other methods of cooking meats at very high temperatures create chemicals that may also increase your risks. Others include an inactive lifestyle without physical activity, smoking, and excessive use of alcohol. Family history of the disease and personal history of polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, and Type Two diabetes end the list of the most common risks.

Colon cancer symptoms are usually minimal in the early stages, or not present at all. As the disease progresses, symptoms may increase. Because colorectal cancer symptoms often do not present themselves until the disease has progressed, regular screening is so important!! Some changes in bowel habits may be considered signs of colon cancer. They include: Change in frequency; Constipation; Change in consistency of stool; Blood in stools (either as bright red spots or dark “tarry” stools); Rectal bleeding; Abdominal pain (bloating, gas or cramps); Feeling you cannot completely empty your bowels. These symptoms may be attributed to a number of conditions other than cancer. If you notice any cancer signs or symptoms, it’s important to visit your care provider for an accurate diagnosis.

Regular screening is recommended, and should be part of a continued health plan for anyone over 50 for sure!

God’s Blessings to You!

March 13

Blood Pressure Checks are taken the second Sunday of each month at 9:45 am in the Church Office.

C hristian Sympathy is extended to the family of Dona Nyhus as they mourn the death of her daughter, Laurel; and to the family of Julie Murphy as they mourn the death of her father, Gerhard Lokre; to the family of Vince Reed as they

mourn the death of his grandson, Trevor; to the family of Charles Dopf as they mourn his death; and to the family of Gary Zink, as they mourn his death.

Please consider purchasing a plant

for Easter Sunday and/or

contributing to the Pastors’ Fund.

Step 1:

I/we wish to purchase an Easter

Plant.

Number of plants ___ at $15.00 per

plant.

in __ honor of or in __ memory of

Name of Persons or Persons

and/or

I/we wish to contribute to the

Pastors’ Fund in the amount of

$______.

in __ honor of or in __ memory of

_____________________________ Name of Persons or Persons

Step 2: Given by

_____________________________Name of Donor/Donors

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $______

All orders are due by March 20th.

Palm Sunday

Breakfast

The breakfast will feature egg bakes (meat and

vegetarian, fruit, sweet bread, and beverages.

No cost, all are welcome!

Sign-Up in Narthex, if you would like to bring a dish.

March 20 9:30-10:30 am

In February, we had pajama week and ended the week with a Pancake/Pajama party in the church basement. This is a favorite event of our kiddos and families. The kids got to design their own pajamas, build with blocks, make pancake batter, play on scooters, read in forts, watch bedtime movies, and eat pancakes that some of our parents made. What a fun time we all had! Fundraising

The kids are going to be doing a Read-a-Thon in March. If you would like to pledge money or donate to our Read-a-Thon, you can contact Heather know at sjp@stjamesverona.org. Of these pledges, seventy-five percent comes back to St. James Preschool Culver’s Scoopie Night: On Wednesday, April 6th from 5:00-8:00pm come join us at Culvers for dinner or even just dessert. 10% comes back to St. James Preschool. 2016-2017 Preschool Registration We still have a few spots in the 3’s class for next year and have spots available for the 2 ½ class also. Please contact Heather if you would like a tour or to register for a class at sjp@stjamesverona.org.

PARISH NOTES

427 South Main Street

Verona, WI 53593-1492

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

W e remember in our prayers — Members of St. James: Olga Ascher, Duane & Margaret Eliason, Lauren Geier,

Laurie Hambrecht. Kirsten Hansen, Lynn Marquardt, Monica Pechan, Charles & Ruby Reuter, Audrey Stampfli, and Dale Thompson. Friends of St. James: Kathy Angerman, Kathy Draxler, Del Harrison, Eric Jelinek, Lynn Ling, Sofia Luna, Mark, Patty Oskorep, Heidi Peterson, Laura Schurman & Kirsten Scott. Relatives of Members: Helen Abplanalp (mother of Chuck Abplanalp), John Bittrich (father of Elise Taft), Anne Bloomer (Rob Frederick’s grandmother), Harry Chaudoir (father of Kate Pederson), Eberta DeBaillie (mother of Lee DeBaillie), Jack Frederick (uncle of Rob Frederick), Molly Fuglestad (sister-in-law of Erin Joanis), Janine Gerke (sister-in-law of Red & Diann Chapman), Jim Gerry (father of Angie Rahn), Brad Hafermann, (brother-in-law of Sandy Saether), Hillary Knobloch (niece of Sandy Saether), Don Koch (brother of Cookie Thompson), Al Miller (brother-in-law of Cookie Thompson), Sally Mueller (sister of Susan Mueller), Sandy Opsal (daughter of Burnell & John Morton), Craig Parman (brother-in-law of Sandy Saether), Laurie Ronning (mother of Beth Jonjak), Donald Smith (father of Mark Smith), Mary Taft (mother of Nat Taft), Don Waalen (father of Karen Breitnauer), David Wallace (father of Sheri Doyle), Chris Watters (brother of Ben Watters), Leon Wipperfurth (son-in-law of Susan Mueller), and Kathy Zastrow (sister of Sue Zimmer).

In Residence: Four Winds - Lorraine Crownhart, Dona Nyhus; Girlie’s Manor at Ingleside - Duane Eliason; St. Mary’s Care Center — Bill Gilbert and Olga Ascher. Oakwood West—Lorine Kahl. Willow Pointe - Russell & Betty Burgenske, Margaret Hendrickson, Roberta Miller, Vera Schreiner and Marv & Cookie Thompson. Willow Pointe Memory Care - Bob Miller, Doris Stuber, Dodie Syvrud.

S erving in the Military: Dan Sullivan, Adam Jeziorski, Casey Biggins, Mark

Nyhus, Ryan Nyhus, Adam Pechan, Casey Pulver, David Pulver, and Shandra Pulver.

S acrament of Holy Baptism: Graham Edward Johnston son of Jennifer

Michelle (Bazala) & Peter Sprague Johnston on February 7, 2016.

C hristian Sympathy: See page 9.