praise reports...cassandra kafer (media) [email protected] join us in making...
TRANSCRIPT
Monthly Publication Volume 7, Issue 9 May, 2020
Our Mission: Love God, Love & Serve Others, Make Disciples of Jesus Christ
THE ANNOUNCER is a publication of Christ Church United Methodist, 5109 Washington Ave., Racine, WI 53406
Christ Church United Methodist - Phone 262-632-1607, Fax 262-632-1609
www.christchurchracine.com, E-Mail address: [email protected]
Worship Services Posted on our website under the media tab, sermon button.
When able to return to in-person worship is typically two styles, Traditional at 9:00 a.m. and
Contemporary at 10:30 a.m. Communion is typically offered on the first Sunday each month.
Professional childcare is offered during each worship time.
Praise Reports
In these days of uncertainty, remember that you are not alone, even if “social distancing”
may make it seem that way. Stay in touch with others from the church particularly those
you know live alone. Pick up the phone, send an email or text, and stay in touch through
the church Facebook page! Let’s be in prayer for one another, for our medical workers,
those making policy and public health decisions, the most vulnerable in our society, and
for those who are most impacted economically.
Family Devotional materials are
being created for pick-up each week!
Thanks to Corinne Dowd for providing
flowers and planting them near the
south entryway.
From the Pastor’s Desk
I hope you are all doing well as we stay safer at home. Though we are not
gathering in person together and though some of our events have been
postponed the church and child care ministries remain active in connecting
people with God’s love and helping meet people’s needs in important
ways. Though I have gotten into a regular rhythm of preaching to a
camera and sending out an update video each week I am looking forward to when we can begin
to gather again in person for worship, fellowship, Bible studies and service to our community.
With that in mind I am becoming more aware that we will likely not be returning all at once to
our pre-covid-19 activities. Based on the Badger Bounce Back, a plan to reopen Wisconsin
created by Gov. Evers and the WI Department of Health Services, we will be returning to
church life in phases which depend on the behavior of the virus, availability of medical testing
and mitigation, and good social distancing practices to slow its spread.
It looks like for at least the next few months our lives will be influenced by the timeline set by
COVID-19 and may move back and forth between the Badger Bounce Back phases if second or
third waves of infections emerge. Please pray for wisdom for our governmental and church
leaders as we navigate competing needs of the economy, personal safety, and practices of faith
in the coming weeks and months. Let us also continue praying for personal wisdom, and
patience; for researchers and medical professionals; for the ill and recovering; for those grieving
and struggling with the weightiness of these times.
As we pray, we remember we are not alone. We have God and one another to connect with and
lean on in this time. Keep checking in on each other and if I or the church family can offer
support in a special way please reach out. Thanks again for the many ways you continue to
offer a witness of hope and love in the areas of influence you have and for the ways we together
make a difference in our community through the shared ministers we support with our
donations and offerings.
God Bless, Pastor George J. Kafer
P.S. Click on the blue link above to view the phases of the Badger Bounce Back plan.
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SCRIP is a gift card where a portion of the value of the card goes to Christ Church. Need a gift
card for a gift? Have a home improvement project? Planning a trip? Use a SCRIP gift card, your
purchases meets your needs and helps Christ Church. Pick up a SCRIP order form, purchase
cards on Sundays at church; or online at www.shopwithscrip.com and pick up as soon as
Wednesday afternoon. When enrolling online, use code 91LDB747375L9. All orders must be
paid for before placing an order.
When we are back gathering consider sharing your “Time & Talent!”
If interested in ministry areas contact the church office.
-Help watch and play with kids on the first Friday of each month from 6:00-8:30 p.m. to enable Christ
Church to offer free child care so parents can have some time out. Contact Josh or Chris Bahr.
-Audio/Visual Ministry, be trained to run the system during worship services. Contact Pastor.
-Sunday Door Opener or Greeter. People are needed to commit to opening the doors and greeting
people one Sunday each month before worship.
-Driver: Help pick people up for worship using the church van.
On Hold Due to Covid-19
Liz Robinson’s wedding shower scheduled
for April 18 is on hold until we know more
about covid-19 gathering restrictions.
Sharing Joys & Concerns
If you would like to have a joy or concern
shared with the congregation, please email
the church at [email protected] or call
the office at 262-632-1607.
Postponed Due to Covid-19
Feed My Starving Children is postponed
until we know when we can secure a future
date.
The Wisconsin Annual Conference will be
postponed till October 2020.
Canceled Due to Covid-19
ASP Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction will
not be held as the mission trip has been
canceled. If you purchased tickets for the
Spaghetti Dinner, please see Jay Slife once
we are back together again in worship and he
will be happy to refund your money, or if
you prefer, it can also be donated to ASP.
May Birthdays Josie Tenuta 5 1
Patty Dobrowski 5 3
Dave Zirkelbach 5 3
Chet Melcher 5 4
Kourtney Voltz 5 4
Logan Albright 5 8
Robyn Meredith 5 13
Bob Knudson 5 16
Lavendar Lucas 5 16
Kelly Swiggett 5 16
Linda Wallace 5 18
Linkin Cain 5 19
Don Sponholtz 5 23
Barb Zirkelbach 5 26
Isis Cain 5 27
Roman Conley 5 28
Vicki Bryan 5 29
Brandon Crowe 5 29
Brian Crowe 5 29
God Is Good God is working good in the
lives of people through the
ministries of Christ Church.
If you have a story of how
your life or someone else’s
has been blessed by God or
affected by a ministry at
Christ Church please share
it with Pastor George so
God can be glorified.
Mission Project Collections
In the south entrance there
are bins for collecting
various items for mission
projects and ministries. You
can drop off items for the
local food pantry,
Campbell’s soup labels, and
supplies for school.
Staff Emails
Liz Martin (Office)
Pastor George Kafer
Josh Levenhagen (Family) [email protected]
Merry Kris Demske (Adm.)
Cassandra Kafer (Media) [email protected]
Join us in making shawls for
those going through tough times.
The shawls serve as a reminder
of God’s love and the prayers of
God’s people. We gather at
1:00 p.m. on the second Friday
of each month in the Friendship
Room at Christ Church.
Reminder: If you know
someone who could benefit from
receiving a Loving Arms Prayer
Shawl; please contact the church
office at 632-1607.
Your Giving Makes a Difference!
In this time of Covid-19
precautions there are still
hunger needs. We continue
to collect food for the Holy
Communion food pantry.
When out purchasing
groceries consider dropping
off donations in the baskets
between the glass doors in
the south entryway.
Thank you to those who
offer support for vital, life
changing ministry.
To give online go to
www.christchurchracine.com
and click “give” or text
“give” to 1-262-631-3012
Meaning,
Purpose,
Hope
Learn how to find
them at Christ
Church!
Community Meal
Canceled for May
Christ Church Men’s Bible Study
Will NOT meet Wednesdays at 6:00 pm in
the Conference Room during “stay at
home” orders.
Bring your Bible. Contact Brian Crowe for
the current chapter being studied. Then
read in advance of coming to class. Bring a
friend with you. Let’s GROW!
The Evening Dinner Circle will NOT meet
in May.
The Marge Circle will NOT meet in May.
Food Pantry
You may bring donations of non-perishable items to the bin placed
between the glass doors of the south entrance of the church building
during the week between the 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Monday-Thursday
and until noon on Fridays. The items most needed currently are: canned
fruit & vegetables, pancake mix and syrup, jelly, chicken noodle and
tomato soup, pork and beans, macaroni and cheese, tuna, canned
SpaghettiOs with meat.
Bible Study groups will NOT meet during “Stay at Home” orders,
please use Rightnow Media for at home study resources.
Contact the church office if you need to create an account. Sunday
Check out “The Chosen,” a multi-season TV show about the life of Jesus created outside
of the Hollywood system. The Chosen offers a Biblically grounded look at Jesus through
the eyes of those who knew Him using fictional story elements. The first season can be
streamed by downloading “The Chosen” app in the Android and Apple stores.
“Don’t Give Up” Sermon Series Online Study
Tune in online to worship this Sunday and reflect through a series called “Don’t Give Up.” You can watch the worship video at
http://christchurchracine.com/media/sermons
This series also has a Bible study you can follow along with each week using the following link to access the session videos which offer further biblical reflections
on the theme and inspirational stories from people’s lives. https://reveal.vhx.tv/don-t-give-up
Possible Missionary Visit In late September of this year, Christ Church is tentatively planning to be blessed with a
visit from our missionaries in Zimbabwe Larry and Jane Kies. They have been serving
there in various capacities for 20 years and we have been supporting them that
entire time. What a wonderful relationship we have had over their many visits as we have
watched their children grow. We will tell you more about their visit as we learn details.
We will present this monetary gift during their visit. If you choose to give, just indicate
"Kies Gift" on your check. Thank you for being generous to two of the most dedicated
people I know.
Tammy Hayward, Outreach/Witness Chair
What Will Your Legacy Be?
Have you considered your legacy; how about continuing to let God use you to transform
lives by adding a line to your Will that gives 10% of your estate to Christ Church. Estate
funds have helped us with much needed building repairs or improvements so that our
building continues to support vital ministry.
Starbuck School Partnership
Christ Church is investing in our local community by
supporting Starbuck Middle School. We invite the
congregation to pray for the school staff, students and
their families as we seek to encourage staff, supplement
supplies, and support kids. In doing so we share Christ’s
love while building trust and relationships in the
community.
Apportionment Giving Christ Church has a history of 100%
apportionment giving, allowing us to
help transform lives by God’s love.
Apportionments provide for ministries
that directly help over 50,000 people in
Wisconsin and many more beyond. In
2020 our apportionment is $39,725, if
we each give faithfully to the general
fund and if able a special gift for
apportionments, $236 a year per
member, we can continue to support
connectional ministries and free up
more of our general funds to increase
outreach and ministry in our local area.
Stewardship Makes a Difference! Thank you for all the ways you support
ministry. This newsletter has examples
of how our church is making a
difference in people’s lives through
your giving! It is good to see people
trusting in God and answering His
call to give. People are offering
themselves to serve and their financial
giving (several tithing 10% of income,
or working toward tithing)! Check the
Connection Table for Electronic Fund
Transfer forms and ways to give of your
time and talent as well. As you respond
to God’s call in the giving of your time,
talent, and resources remember if you
have a need contact Pastor George.
Friendship Luncheons Will NOT meet during
“Stay at Home” orders Monthly on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. Call Billie
Stilley at 554-8801 for reservations.
Open to all and friends of our community.
Need a Visit?
Gifted lay people along with
the Pastor extend the Church’s
presence to the homebound
and others through visits. If
you have moved, are ill,
having surgery, or need a visit
for any reason please call the
church office to keep the
Pastor and lay visiting team
informed. If we do not know
we cannot go!
Consider This If you desire to give to specific
ministries beyond your general
offering here are some areas:
Apportionments,
Building Fund (helps with: painting, siding,
repairs, parking lot…),
Compassionate fund,
Roof Fund, Youth Ministry,
Audio/Visual Fund,
Camp Scholarships
($100 per camper).
We have bundles of worship invite cards in the entryways to take and give out: Put a stack at your office, store or place of work.
Ask if you can set a stack out in a business that you frequent.
Give them to neighbors, friends and co-workers.
Leave them on tables at restaurants to invite your server (leave a tip, too).
Give them out in drive thru lanes.
Ask God to give you an opportunity to give them out.
Keep a few in your wallet, purse or car.
Christ Church’s Vision
A church that seeks,
welcomes, and forms in
Christian faith all people
with a special focus at this
time on reaching out more
to families and children,
increasing our connection
with and ministry in the
community, and forming
more small groups to grow
people in relationship with
Jesus and one another.
Music Ministry at Christ Church
Praise Team Provides/leads praise and
worship songs at our Sunday
Contemporary worship.
Practices year-round, currently
on Sundays after the 2nd
service.
Chancel Choir Provides special music and
leads hymns at our Sunday
Traditional worship. Sept.-
May. Practices on
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Sept.-May.
Special Music Please contact Alan Biehn
Membership Expectations By taking the vows of
membership members of Christ
Church agree to help carry out
our mission and to be: regular in
worship; active in spiritual
growth (personal
devotions/growth groups);
active in an area of service in
the church and/or
community; to give in
proportion to your income, and
to be a witness to the faith.
These vows help us grow in
faith and live it out in the world
as followers of Jesus.
New Message System
Text “connect” to 262-631-3012
Follow the instructions once you
receive a reply back. This
communication system will allow
us to send special messages
(meeting cancelations…) or
reminders to you. Sign up today.
Christian Education, Children’s, Youth & Family Ministry
Hello, Church family!
We are unable to be together in person for the time being, but that doesn't mean that we are
no longer a family. Let me tell you about how we are facing this crisis together in Family
Ministry. First, we are sending out a weekly email with resources, activities, games, and
devotionals to help keep your family organized, engaged, and healthy during this time. These
resources include links to the Christ Church Youtube Channel, where I will be uploading
videos each week with new material for at-home ministry. On Mondays, I will seek to share
a video with parenting and activity tips to help keep you sane and busy. Wednesdays, I will
go "live at 5" on Facebook to check in on you all and talk about the topics for Wednesday
Family Night activities. Fridays, I will post a video focusing on spiritual and emotional
health for you and for your family. Join our Facebook group for Family Ministries, where we
are sharing material and able to stay connected during this trying season. Contact me at
[email protected] or by phone at 414-651-0448. Stay Safe, God
Bless! Josh Levenhagen
Options for Kids During Worship (When gathering in person) Worship Clipboards are located in the south entryway for children Preschool - 3rd grade.
A nursery room for 5-year old’s and under is staffed with professional child care.
Other Youth Opportunities (When gathering in person) Scouts: Meets at Christ Church on Mondays from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Girl Scouts: Meets at Christ Church some Sundays from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Please see Josh’s posts on our Facebook or YouTube pages for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/698104570576743/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQU4OTxStI4uC2VGHWvibqA
Will NOT be held in May
On the first Friday of the month, parents
are invited to drop off their kids (3 months-5th
grade) at Christ Church for free child care from
6:00-8:30 p.m. where games, activities, and snacks
will be provided.
This is a way to support families in our
congregation and community by allowing parents
to have time for themselves and their relationships.
Please sign up children at the Connection
Table or call the church office at 632-1607. Those
wishing to help may sign up at the connection table
as well. Chris Bahr, PNO Director
Change for Change
Stimulus Funds
If you are blessed with adequate income
please prayerfully consider giving some of
the stimulus funds you receive from the U.S.
government to support our church and its
ministries that help meet needs of our
church family and in our
community. Special donations from
stimulus funds can be made to our general
fund.
Offerings Thank you for your faithfulness to continue
your offerings to support our shared
ministry. They can be mailed in or made
electronically through the giving tab on our
website. http://christchurchracine.com/give
FYI: The CARES act includes a change that
allows $300 of charitable giving to be
deducted from income on 2020 taxes
without itemizing.
Cloth Face Masks Nancy Meilahn is making cloth face masks to wear
per the government’s recommendation. If you
would like one, please call her at 920-527-
9300. Also, she is running out of ¼” elastic so if
you have any that you are willing to donate to her,
please bring it to the office. If God is leading you
to also make and share face-masks please let the
office know.
Traditionally our May Change for Change has
gone to our Prayer Shawl Ministry to help
with the purchase of yarn and other
necessities. Although the group cannot meet
together right now, they are busy knitting and
crocheting prayer shawls to continue their
efforts. People need these Inspiring love-filled
shawls more than ever now as we face this
global crisis. While we won’t ask you to bring
in your change, it would be wonderful if you
could support their ministry with a check
dropped off or mailed to the church with a
note saying prayer shawls.
Thanks, The Witness Team
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May
This is a great month to Proverbs –
read one chapter each day!
Christ Church United Methodist 5109 Washington Avenue
Racine, WI 53406
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Worship Schedule May 2020
Sunday, May 3
“Don’t Give Up: Hall of Fame”
Hebrews 12
Sunday, May 10
“Don’t Give Up: Throw off the Weight”
Hebrews 12
Sunday, May 17
“Don’t Give Up: Obstacle Course”
Hebrews 12
Sunday, May 24
“Don’t Give Up: Run Your Race”
Hebrews 12
Sunday, May 31
Pentecost
Acts
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Racine, WI
Permit No 24