Volume 8, Issue 7

July & August, 2011 The Crossroad A Monthly Publication of the Spring Green Community Church

In This Issue

By: Kendall Harger

Summer usually means a drop in attendance and is the worst time for church growth. But

what if it is actually possible to grow through the summer instead of just surviving a slump?

“Summer time and the inviting is easy.” Summer is one of the best times of the year to

reach out to the community around us. Everyone is out and about. Our neighbors are

throwing Frisbees in the park, talking at baseball games, and mingling at the beach. What if

we, as a church, made a commitment to use this summer to invite people to come to church?

Invite them to come on a Sunday when you know you will be here. Inviting people to come

to church is a great piece of the evangelism puzzle. And who knows? Maybe at first they come to church and

later they come to Christ. My prayer is that God will use all of us this summer to reach out to others.

In the month of July, we will be in a series called “Heroes.” Every week we will

learn from some of the heroes of our faith. The children will be staying with us

during the service, so get ready for a real upbeat, fast-paced time together. Here is a

look at our journey for July.

July 3 David and Goliath

July 10 Daniel and his friends

July 17 Joash , the seven year old king

July 24 Jonathon and the armor bearer

July 31 Samuel

July would be a great time to invite some new families to come to church. Families

will be together and involved in a very family and kid friendly “God” experience.

To find out more about July you will have to come.

Prayer

Please keep the leadership of the church in your prayers as we seek God’s vision for Spring Green Community

Church. How can we best use God’s resources in our church? What is God asking us to do in His commu-

nity? What can we be involved in which will have the greatest impact for His kingdom? What can we do that

will communicate God to the River Valley area? God is not on summer vacation. He wants His church to

grow strong, even in the summer. Pray, pray, and pray! Oswald Chambers says “Prayer is not getting ready

for the work; prayer is the work.” Please be a part of the work and pray without ceasing. In Ephesians 3:20-

21 we read, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish

infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all genera-

tions forever and ever! Amen”.

P. 2 Ministry updates

P. 3 Sermon Series/

GriefShare

P. 4 Bazaar/Cookie

Walk

P. 5 Calendar

P. 6 Calendar

P. 7 Servants in July/

Nursery Schedule

P.8 Upcoming

events/ financial

P. 9 Birthdays/

Anniversaries

Food Pantry Served 99 Families in June!

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Helping Hands Ministry

The Helping Hands Ministry‘s purpose is to provide food for families in a time of need such as a death or chronic illness in the family. It is also the first contact for help for funeral dinners and for church pot lucks. If there is a family in need during July, you may contact the team leader, which is Rose Ellen 588-2033, for August - Eva Cry 588-7151, anytime- the church office, 588-2442,or Rose Ellen Schneider, 588-2033.

Thank you to everyone who donated for our trip to Joplin. Without the help of God, this congregation, our friends, family,

and co-workers, this would not have been possible. It really is true, that if you walk by faith and not by sight, God will provide for you. We saw this day after day as we took in donations and sorted them out. Our trailer was full, as were our

hearts. All praise to God who made this happen. Amy, Mike and Jeanie.

Prayer Shawls We are always looking for men and women who love to knit or cro-chet or quilt to make prayer shawls or blankets. Prayer shawls or blankets are made for people, not necessarily in our congregation, who are dealing with a death, a chronic illness, a hardship, etc. While the blanket or shawl is being made, the maker prays for the person who will receive it, and the situation they may be in. All the blankets and shawls on hand were sent to Joplin with the Mel-lors. If you are interested in getting involved in this ministry, please contact Rose Ellen Schneider 588-2033 or call the office 588-2442.

We have a packet of simple patterns to get you started.

Stop by the library and pick up a good summer read!

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By: Rose Ellen Schneider

GriefShare will start it’s 10th cycle on Tuesday, August 30th at 7 pm. WOW! Five years of serving those who are mourning the loss of a loved one. GriefShare is a grief support and education program for people who have lost a loved one through death. People have come from Dodgeville, Mineral Point, Richland Center, and the River Valley area. People are welcome to join the group at any time. Sometimes if it is a friend or family mem-ber of yours, it is beneficial to come to the first session or two with them for support. People grieving a loss aren’t always comfortable in new surroundings or willing to go new places by themselves. Brochures are always available in the lobby if you would like to give them to a friend or family member.

Our first two sessions are: AUG. 30 - LIVING WITH GRIEF – SESSION 1: - Explains what living with grief is like, why you shouldn’t be ashamed of grief, and why you shouldn’t rush the grief process. SEPT. 6 - THE JOURNEY OF GRIEF - SESSION 2:- Discusses what you can expect on the grief journey and its uniqueness for each individual.

If you have questions, please contact Rita Marit 588-4159, Amy Mellor 608-553-2160, or Rose Ellen Schneider 588-2030.

Sermon Series for July

Heroes July 3 David and Goliath

July 10 Daniel and His Friends

July 17 Joash - the Seven Year Old King

July 24 Jonathon and the Armor Bearer

July 31 Samuel

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Bazaar and Cookie Walk Planning For December 3

The third annual SGCC Cookie Walk and Craft Bazaar will be held in conjunction with the Spring Green Christmas in the Country celebration on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 am to 3 pm. In the past our net profit has averaged over $2000. Most of that profit has been used to pay down our building loan.

What is a cookie walk? Homemade Christmas cookies are displayed on a row of tables. Cookie buyers walk around the tables selecting the kind and number of cookies they want to fill either a container we provide or one brought in. It is a delightful way to try many varieties of special Christmas cookies without having to bake them your-

self. People came from Baraboo last year in a snow storm and were waiting at the door at 9 am to have first choice of the Christmas cookies. Another lady who was responsible for pro-viding cookies for their big family Christmas filled two containers and sent her husband back to the car for a third container. Many people thanked us for having the cookie walk because they loved Christmas cookies, but either didn’t have time to bake or hated baking them. Watch for more details coming in November when everyone in the church will be in-vited to make their favorite Christmas cookies to be sold at the cookie walk.

Also, its not too early to think about or be making crafts for the craft bazaar. All types of craft items are welcome. So if you work with wood, clay, yarn, beads, fabric, paper crafts, photog-raphy, etc., please consider making something for the bazaar. Among our big sellers are Christ-mas ornaments and decorations, bird and dog treats, quilted table runners, aprons, ceramic tiles, and seasonal fabric pillow cases. Not only do some of our cookie buyers not like to bake cookies, but we may have some congregation members who would prefer to provide other baked items. The food table at the bazaar continues to expand. In the past we have had pick-les, jam, cinnamon rolls, dessert breads, and other baked goods.

Again this year we will be serving a light luncheon. Also, there will be a “gently used Christian book” table again this year. It was a big success last year.

The committee would love to have more people, both men and women, involved in the planning of this activity. Its next meet-ing is Wednesday, July 20, at 6:45 pm in the library. Anyone from the congregation is invited to attend. Bring ideas for im-proving and promoting the bazaar and cookie walk or a willing-ness to work. Any questions, contact Nancy Accola 583-0049, Shirley Coppernoll 588-7132, Kathy Kieler 546-6761, Kaaren Larson 588-2240, or Rose Ellen Schneider 588-2033.

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SU/TD = Set-up/ Tear-down

Online Perpetual Calendar

Continually Updated

For the latest information, check the church website at

www.sgcommunitychurch.org and click on

online Calendar

Page 6

Page 7

July

July 3- Julie Kardatzke & Andrew Pardee July 17 - Kathy Kieler & Lorri Frisch

July 10- Jeanie Welsh & Carol Wells July 24- Jan Kraemer & Pearl Meixelsperger

July 31-Vicky & Laura Meinholz

August August 7- Julie Kardatzke & Juli Harger August 21 - Kathy Kieler & Carol Wells

August 14- Susan Glass & Andrew Pardee August 28- Lorri Frisch & Jeanie Welsh

God Bless these hands that serve!

WE NEED YOU!

Meals - I love cooking and kitchen work. I’m not currently on a team. Sign me up!

Name: _____________________________________ E-mail:__________________________ Phone: _________________________

Business Directory - I want my business/professional service listed in the directory.

Name: _________________________________________________________ Phone:________________________________________

Business: ____________________________________E-mail/Website:__________________________________________________

Service Projects - I want to help with service projects . (Including: construction, auto care, plumbing, yard/gardening projects, transporta-

tion, chain saw work, advice, hauling, painting, other things, etc.)

Name: ____________________________________E-mail:___________________________ Phone: _________________________

SKILLS / SERVICES I CAN DO / EQUIPMENT:

Helping Hands

Ministry

Expansion Meals

Service

Business/

Professional

We currently have 4 businesses who have signed up for our business directory. We are still look-ing for people who are willing to help with small projects. If you are interested in either of these

opportunities, please complete the form below and return it to the office.

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Upcoming Events and Dates to Remember

Monday - Friday, July 11-15 - 9 a.m.-Noon--VBS

Tuesday, July 12 - 7 p.m.- GriefShare

Monday, July 18 - 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. -Food Pantry distribution

Monday, July 18 - 4:30-6:30 p.m.- Food Pantry distribution

Wednesday, July 20-6:45 p.m.-Bazaar Committee Meeting

Monday, July 25 - 7 p.m.- Food Pantry Board Meeting

Friday-Sunday, July 29-31- Church Camp Out- White Mound Park

Wednesday, August 10 - 5 p.m.-SGACC Slow Food Social

Monday, August 15 - 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. -Food Pantry distribution

Monday, August 15 - 4:30-6:30 p.m.- Food Pantry distribution

Monday, August 22 - 7 p.m.- Food Pantry Board Meeting

Wednesday, August 24- 7 p.m.- Bazaar Committee Meeting

Tuesday, August 30- 7 p.m. New Session of GriefShare begins

Praise God from whom

all blessings flow!

Weekly Giving for May/June 2011 May 29 - General Fund - $1,257.00 Food Pantry - $89.00 June 5 - General Fund - $9,017.00 Benevolence - $106.00 Food Pantry - $100.00

June 12 - General Fund - $3,313.00 Benevolence- $20.00 June 19- General Fund - $2,478.00 Benevolence - $5.00 Food Pantry - $305.00 June 26- General Fund - $2217.00 Food Pantry - $280.00

..faith is not believing God can, faith is KNOWING God WILL!

July Birthdays

5- Greg Pardee

5- Mike Mellor

7- Hailee McFarland

14-JoAnn Holston

17- Rose Ellen Schneider

18- Vicky Meinholz

25- Laura Snyder

26- Jan Anderson

28- Dylan Shaffer

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It is when we forget ourselves that we do things that will be remembered.

July Anniversaries

20- John & Robin Walker

22- Bill & Fay Cozine

August Anniversaries 2- Greg & Terri Pardee

4- Neal & Jeanie Welsh

12- Denny & Shirley Coppernoll

16- Blair & Jan Anderson

20- Paul & Julie Kardatzke

20- Mark & PK Koller

24- Lyell & Viola Lamont

30- Jim & Susan Glass

August Birthdays

2-Joshua Brunner

5-Hailey Gruber

6-Emma Puskala

8-Ann Dodsworth

12- Jamie Rogers

12-Hannah Gruber

15-Cayden Robson

17-Katie Bray

17-Andrew Pardee

18-Jason Sprecher

18-David Cry

20-Linda Huff

21-Darcy Richardson

21-Elsie Polk

23-Laura Meinholz

24-Neal Welsh

25-Fay Cozine

29-Elizabeth Gieck

31-Emily Hottman

The Crossroad a monthly publication of the

Spring Green Community Church

Worship and Children’s church 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School 9:15 a.m. K thru adult

GriefShare Tuesdays 7:00 p.m.

AWANA - Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. during the school year

Food Pantry Distribution – Third Monday of each month,

10:30– Noon and 4:30-6:30 p.m.

lifeGroups – various days and times.

Check www.sgcommunitychurch.org or bulletin for details.

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Member of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches

and

Willow Creek Association of Churches

Spring Green Community Church

151 E. Bossard Street

Spring Green, WI 53588

(608) 588-2442

Fax 588-7145

Email: sgchurch@sgcommunitychurch.com

Website: sgcommunitychurch.org

Address Service Requested

Purpose:

Winning people to faith in Jesus Christ and

equipping them for personal ministry

Objectives:

Evangelism

Worship

Discipleship

Ministry

Motto: Experiencing God’s Love Together

Ministers: Every member of the Body of Christ