ST. STEPHENLUTHERAN CHURCH –

ELCASt. John/St. Stephen Lutheran Parish ELCA

PASTOR GAIL SOWELLJoint Mission Statement: Saints united to be the body of

Christ in the world, freed by grace to live faithfully, witness boldly, and serve joyfully.424 N. 3rd Avenue, PO Box 95

Edgar, WI 54426-0095Telephone: 715-352-2491 (St. Stephen Office)

715-352-2492 (Pastor Gail Home/Cell/Emergency)Church Web Site: www.ststephenedgar.com

This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.

Bishop’s Christmas Message 2018

Dear Friends of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin,

ST. STEPHEN – ELCAHonoring the Past – Welcoming the Future

INSIDE THIS ISSUEParish Staff/Council Officers.........................................1Contact Information.......................................................1Bishop’s Christmas Message.........................................2Pastor’s Ponderings........................................................3December Birthdays/Musical Prelude/Raffle................4Youth Drivers/Warm Fingers & Toes............................4Giving Tree/Baptism......................................................4Advent/Reverse Advent Calendar/Circle of Joy............5Colorvision/Adventures of Church Mice.......................5Photo Directories/Address Updates/Council.................5December Calendar/Christmas Schedule.......................6Council Meeting/Annual Meeting and Reports.............6All Saints Day Remembrances/Bible Study/Seniors.....7Salad Luncheon/Blanket Sunday/Job Opening..............8Musical Ministries/Community Dinner.........................8NW Synod Events/Lutheran Disaster Response............8

Sunday, December 16 – 10:30 AM Worship and Children’s Christmas Program Practice

11:30 AM – Raffle Drawing – Potluck to followSunday, December 23 – 10:30 AM Worship with

Children’s Christmas ProgramMonday, December 24 – 6:30 PM Musical Prelude

7:00 PM Candelight Christmas Eve WorshipTuesday, December 25 – 10:30 AM Communion

Christmas Day Worship

PARISH STAFFPastor

Gail SowellHome/Cell/Emergency

St. Stephen Office715-352-2492715-352-2491

Secretary Sherry Gaykensarshe2@frontier.com

715-355-9039

Outside Custodian Steve Doran 715-393-5080Inside Custodian Rachel Doran 715-393-5076

Organist Charlotte Otto 715-443-2007Handbell Director Marla Berg 715-302-4768

Altar Guild Millie BorchardtMarge Copeland

Deb Pilgrim

715-352-2451715-352-2977715-352-2621

Media Team

Dale Pilgrim, Mark Schreier, Vern Spaulding, Rod Zietlow, Kristin Zietlow, Mike Maurer, Sherry Gayken

I’m writing this the day after I get home from my first ever trip to the Holy Land. My husband Randy and I decided that after three decades as pastors we should make a pilgrimage to all the places we’ve been preaching about for so many years. I was excited to see Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Temple Wall, and Athens, Corinth and Rome and all the other landmarks of our Spiritual Geography. I was especially excited to see Bethlehem.

While I was in Bethlehem, I heard Pastor Lori Ruge-Jones, a gifted story teller recite from heart, Luke 2, the Christmas story. We were in a beautiful chapel on the site where according to tradition; the angels announced

to the Shepherds the good news of Jesus’ birth. Imagine these familiar words, spoken from the heart, echoing off the stones of the Shepherd’s Field chapel.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

The group of pilgrims I was with sat in silence for a few moments before we sang Christmas carols: O Little Town of Bethlehem, Angels we have heard on High, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, Away in the Manger… It was a holy moment and highlight of our trip to the Holy Land. It was simple, beautiful, goose bump, Hallmark Card moment…. BUT the undercurrent of that moment is more complicated. As tourists we were well aware that Bethlehem in 2018 is a city controlled by the Palestinians and the surrounding area is controlled by Israel. It is a land that has been fought over throughout known history by those who considered it Holy; Jews, Muslims and Christians. It is a place that builds walls to separate, and struggles with daily violence and conflict. The Shepherds of first century were well aware that Bethlehem was under foreign occupation by Rome. The Roman Caesar, Augustus sent out a decree that Jews were to be enrolled in their hometown to be taxed. There were uprisings and revolts against Roman rule of the Jews. It was and is complicated and there is no quick fix. But all of that is far away or long ago. How about the here and now? Is your life like a beautiful peaceful Hallmark card wishing season’s greetings or is your life more complicated like a major geopolitical conflict? Or is it somewhere in between? Regardless, there is one thing that is true, in the midst of it all God put on flesh and came down to us, to live among us. In the midst of it all, Jesus was born.

PASTOR’S PONDERINGS – December, 2018

Thanksgiving. I know, Thanksgiving has already come and gone; I’m writing this on Black Friday. But we’re gearing up for Advent, the season of expectant waiting for Jesus, both the newborn baby and the risen Savior. And while we give thanks to God for the salvation he offers us, I want to remind you that, at least in our time

and place, the Christmas season is also a time of giving: giving out of the thanks we owe to God. So here are some suggestions as you’re “making your list, checking it twice.”

How much did you spend on your Thanksgiving dinner? Whether you provided the entire meal or contributed a portion of one, would you be willing to give that amount in items for the socks & mittens project or the Giving Tree or Good Gifts?

Have you purchased your raffle tickets yet? At only $20, each ticket offers the possibility of winning $1000 or another cash gift. Give a ticket to someone, or someones, on your gift list, and support our goal of sending $10,000 to Puerto Rico for relief from last year’s hurricane. (I still have 30 tickets in my office that you can either sell or buy!)

Realizing how blessed we are to be safe from fires and floods and hunger, send a gift to Lutheran Disaster Relief or Lutheran World Hunger Appeal. If you make your checks out to me, designating which fund you’re supporting, I’ll include that in my year-end giving for each of these organizations—I’ll need your gifts by Christmas Day, please. I’ll copy your check and give it to our Financial Secretary, who can record it on your giving statement for tax purposes.

Somewhere in this newsletter is a small piece called “Reverse Advent Calendar.” It’s a suggested list of foods that can be collected, one day at a time, to be given to a food pantry for Christmas. There are hungry people who rely on Circle of Joy—what a lovely gift that would be!

If you’re healthy and able, donate blood during Advent. The need is crucial! Contact a local blood center and give the gift of life.

Part of the Lutheran Communion service includes the words “not as we ought, but as we are able.” Because God has given us everything, we ought to give freely and generously. Most of us are “able” to give more than we do. At this holy season, I invite you to prayerfully consider giving to one of these needs, or any other you support.

Pastor Gail

decEMBER Birthdays12/01 Lang Richard 12/01 Schreier Mark 12/05 Pilgrim Deagon 12/06 Guralski Lori12/06 Schipferling Carmen12/08 Doran Phillip12/13 Chenier Scott 12/17 Kohel Benjamin 12/21 Barnett Jenna

12/25 Braunel Warren 12/25 Werner Perry

12/26 Untiedt Audrey

MUSICAL PRELUDE – Musicians, instrumentalists, soloists, duets, bands, choirs, recitalist, etc., needed for the Christmas Eve Prelude at 6:30 PM (Monday, December 24th).

Please speak with Charlotte Otto as soon as possible for this musical ministry.

JOINT PUERTO RICO MISSION PROJECT – with St. John is ongoing to raise $10,000 for Puerto Rico.

Only 500 tickets have been printed (250 for St. Stephen and 250 for St. John) – to be sold for $20.00 each. More tickets are available to be sold. If you have not picked up your packet to sell, please do so soon. The winning tickets will be drawn on Sunday, December 16th, at 11:30 AM at St. Stephen. Prizes: 1st prize - $1,000; 2nd prize - $500; 3rd – 5th prize - $100; and 6th – 9th prize - $50. You need not be present to win. All net proceeds go to Lutheran Disaster Relief in Puerto Rico.

A potluck will be enjoyed for all who attend the drawing. St. Stephen members are asked to bring a main dish to share. St. John members a dessert or salad.

DRIVERS NEEDED – Wednesday, December 12 @ 6:00 PM for youth grades 7-8, bell ringing at Walmart; and for Friday, December 14 @ 11:00 AM for youth grades 7-8, serving lunch @ Salvation Army. Speak with Colleen.

WARM FINGERS & TOES – St. Stephen and St. John are again partnering to donate socks and mittens to the needy in the community. Donations of

socks and mittens for all genders/sizes/colors should be placed in the tubs in back until Sunday, December 16th. These will be distributed with the Circle of Joy on Wednesday, December 19th, at the Edgar Village Hall.

This is a Thrivent Financial Action Team Project … whereby Thrivent donates $250 seed money for the project for expenses and purchases.

GIVING TREE – is up with “ornaments” labeled with needed toys for Toys for Tots. Declan McCarthy (grandson of Skip and Sherry Gayken) is taking the lead on this project. He has made the “ornaments,” will be keeping track, and will transport the toys upon completion. THANK YOU DECLAN !!!

Pick your “ornament” off the tree, purchase the toy, and bring it to church unwrapped no later than Sunday,

December 16th. If you want to get a jump, some of the items include: matchbox or hot wheels play sets, lego city sets/super heroes sets, transformers, Minnie Mouse items, Fingerlings play sets or animals, Fisher Price toys, games, dolls, Paw Patrol play sets, art/activity kits, etc.

This is also a Thrivent Financial Action Team Project … whereby Thrivent donates $250 seed money for the project for expenses and purchases.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOD’S BLESSINGS to Cody and Jordyne Ninabuck on the birth and baptism of their daughter, Lannah Joyce Ninabuck. Lannah was born March 25, 2018, and baptized at St. Stephen on Sunday, November 18, 2018, by Pastor Gail Sowell. Sponsors were Trevor Nansel and Carrie Tesch.

We welcome Lannah into the St. Stephen family, and into the body of Christ and into the mission we share. Together we give thanks and praise to God.

ADVENTPr. Gail

“The stories of Advent are dug from the harsh soil of human struggle and the littered landscape of dashed dreams. They are told from the vista where sin still reigns supreme and hope has gone on vacation” (Gary W. Charles, Daily Feast, Year C, p. 3).

These words are a good introduction to the season of preparation, as we wait for The Baby to be born, and at the same time wait for The King to return. Our faith teaches that we can’t have one without the other. If God had come to earth in any other way, how different our faith and our religion would be! If the birth of God hadn’t been so odd, so humble and unexpected and inexplicable, then the second coming of the King could quite literally be terrifying. Knowing you were going to be judged by a God who hadn’t lived a human life—well, that would scare me!

In this Advent season we’re waiting for a baby to be born even though we know that the baby has already been born—and is still being born in us—because the baby is Emmanuel (which means God-with-us), who came 2000 years ago, and is among us right now (“even to the end of the age”), and who is coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead. Advent, according to Gary Charles, is “not well behave, neat, and orderly; it contorts time.”

May your time of Advent waiting be filled with hope, and sweet dreams of the celebration to come, and the constant remembrance of the deep and abiding and undying love of our God, who was, and is, and is to come!

REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR: each day add an item to a box. On Christmas Eve donate the contents to a food bank.

12/1--box of cereal 12/13-canned beans12/2—peanut butter 12/14-box of crackers12/3—stuffing mix 12/15-package of rice12/4—boxed potatoes 12/16-package of oatmeal12/5—macaroni and cheese 12/17-package of pasta12/6—canned fruit 12/18-spaghetti sauce12/7—canned tomatoes 12/19-chicken noodle soup12/8—canned tuna 12/20-tomato soup12/9—dessert mix 12/21-canned corn12/10-jar of applesauce 12/22-canned mixed veget12/11-canned sweet potatoes 12/23-canned carrots12/12-cranberry sauce 12/24-canned green beans

CIRCLE OF JOY needs remain much the same. They are low on the usual: sugar, laundry soap, dish soap, soda crackers, graham crackers, syrup.

COLORVISION – check received for $235.00 for August 10 volunteers … THANK YOU to all the volunteers. If you are interested but have questions as to what Colorvision is, speak to Jane Ross. Colorvision volunteering will again be on Wednesday, December 5th.

ADVENTURES OF THE CHURCH MICEMerry Christmas! Well, not yet, I guess we should say “Blessed Advent!” This is a really special time of year for all your Church Mice! We love to watch as the Christmas Trees are set up and decorated, and listen to the children practicing their Christmas Programs. We love all the crumbs that are dropped, all the good smells of Christmas cookies and breads and cakes and, oh my, I’m so hungry I can’t wait till Sunday! We love the Christmas music (even though we don’t hear much of that until Christmas Eve), and the collections of “good gifts” and socks and mittens and giving trees. We can’t wait for the Women’s Salad Lunch before Bible Study on December 11 and the Cookie Walk on December 16, and we heard there might even be caroling one Sunday after worship!

All your Church Mice (Tully and Merry Twinkle and Miri and Frederick) wish all of you a very blessed Christmas! See you next year!

PHOTO DIRECTORIES have arrived and will be handed out starting Sunday, December 2. If you had your photo taken, please pick up your directory and check your name off the list.

ADDRESS UPDATES – As of November 2018, nearly 15,000 new Uniform Addresses have been installed in Marathon County as part of a public safety project to transition to a grid-based, Uniform Addressing System.

If you have a new Uniform Address, please give or send Sherry a note; or send an email to: sarshe2@frontier.com in order that we can update the church’s database/mailing list.

COUNCIL MEMBERS NEEDED – two positions of leadership on the Church Council remain open for the next term. Vice-President – automatically becoming the president at the end of the 2-year term of vice-president; and Deacon.

DECEMBER CALENDARSun Dec 2 9 – 10:30am Decorate /Set up Nativity Scene10:30 – 11:30am Communion WorshipDedicate Confirmation DisplayChildren's Christmas Program Practice

Mon Dec 3 Pastor Gail's Day Off

Wednesday December 5 Colorvision

Thu Dec 6 1 – 4pm Quilting

Sun Dec 9 10:30 – 11:30am Communion WorshipChildren's Christmas Program Practice

Mon Dec 10 Pastor Gail's Day Off

Tue Dec 11 8:30 – 9:30am Counting Committee12 – 2:30pm Ladies' Bible Study Luncheon6 – 7pm St. Stephen/St. John Executive Boards Meet (@

St. Stephen)Wed Dec 12 6 – 7pm Youth Grades 7&8-Bell ringing

@ WalMartThu Dec 13 2 – 3:30pm St. Stephen Musical Ministries @ Copperleaf6 – 7pm Bible Study

Fri Dec 14 11am – 12:30pm Youth Grades 7&8 serving lunch @ Salvation Army

Sun Dec 16 9 – 10am St. Stephen Council Meeting

10:30 – 11:30am Communion WorshipChildren's Christmas Program Practice11:30 – 11:35am Raffle ticket drawing11:40am – 12:10pm Potluck

Mon Dec 17 Pastor Gail's Day Off

Wed Dec 19 1 – 3pm Senior Day6:30 – 7:30pm Confirmation Class - Grades 4-6

Thu Dec 20 1 – 4pm Quilting

Sun Dec 23 10:30 – 11:30amCommunion Worship/Children's Christmas Program

Mon Dec 24 Christmas Eve4 – 5pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship @ St. John6:30 – 7pm Musical Prelude @ St. Stephen7 – 8pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship @ St. Stephen

Tue Dec 25 Christmas Day 9:00 – 10:00am Worship at St. John10:30 – 11:30am Christmas Day Communion Worship at St. Stephen

Thu Dec 27 6 – 7pm Bible Study

Sun Dec 30 10:30 – 11:30am Communion Worship

Mon Dec 31 Pastor Gail's Day Off

Thursday, January 17 – Tuesday, February 5 Pastor Gail on Vacation

Children’s Christmas Program:Sunday, December 23rd @ 10:30 AM

Monday evening, December 24th: 4:00 PM – Candlelight Service @ St. John 6:30 PM – Musical Prelude at St. Stephen 7:00 PM – Candlelight Service at St. Stephen

Tuesday, December 25th: 9:00 AM – St. John ELCA10:30 AM – Communion Worship at St. Stephen

ST. STEPHEN COUNCIL meets once a month. The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, December 16th @ 9:00 AM.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 27th, 2019 @ 9:15 AM. Non-financial annual reports should be submitted by: Sun., January 13th. Financial reports must be submitted NO LATER than: Wednesday, January 16th. They may be given “copy ready” directly to Sherry BUT preferably sent to her at her email address: sarshe2@frontier.com.

Following are the reports due: Audit Committee (who are the members?)Council PresidentSt. Stephen Treasurer’s ReportsFinancial SecretaryCounting CommitteeEndowment Fund Evangelism Committee/Stewardship CommitteeFaith & Daily Life/Mission & Outreach ReportsMemorial CommitteeNomination CommitteeParish Education Chairperson/Confirmation/YouthPastor’s ReportProperty CommitteeWomen of St. Stephen ReportWELCA Treasurer’s Report

ALL SAINTS’ DAY REMEMBRANCES

(November 4, 2018)

Those who have passed away from our presence within the past year:

Adeline I. Pilgrim (January 21, 2018) Linda Kay Williams (January 24, 2018) Robert H. “Bob” Ringle (February 18, 2018)

Loved Ones Lovingly remembered / Relationship

Wanda Reiche – lovingly remembered by Ron Reiche and Reiche family (Mother and Grandmother)

Jean Reiche – lovingly remembered by Ron Reiche family (Wife/Family) and Jeff & Jill Reiche (Mother/Mother-in-law)

Lloyd Roloff – lovingly remembered by Jill & Jeff Reiche (Father/Father-in-law)

DuWayne (Ditto) & Molly Untiedt – lovingly remembered by Patty Kohel and Colleen Dvorak (Parents)

Julie Goetsch – lovingly remembered by Jenny Schreier (Daughter)

Gerald Schreier – lovingly remembered by Jenny Schreier (Husband) and Mark & Kathy Schreier

(Father/Father-in-law)Irvin & Helen Huebsch – lovingly remembered by Kathy &

Mark Schreier (Father and Mother/Father-in-law and Mother-in law)

Thomas Huebsch – lovingly remembered by Kathy & Mark Schreier (Brother/Brother-in-law)

Walter & Erna Hilmershausen – lovingly remembered by Charlotte Otto (Father and Mother)

Hugo & Devina Otto – lovingly remembered by Wilbur Otto (Father and Mother)

Rodney Otto – lovingly remembered by Wilbur Otto (Brother)Merlin Paul – lovingly remembered by Ruth Paul (Husband)Ervin & Agnes Ringle – lovingly remembered by Ruth Paul

(Parents)Ed Ringle – lovingly remembered by Ruth Paul (Brother)William and Elaine Beattie – lovingly remembered by Michael

Beattie (Parents)Susan Marie Foss – lovingly remembered by Michael Beattie

(Sister)Tom Beattie – lovingly remembered by Michael Beattie

(Brother)Peter Beattie – lovingly remembered by Michael Beattie

(Brother)Barbara A. Jonen – lovingly remembered by Michael Beattie

(Sister)Alvin & Esther PilgrimElroy (Bud) PilgrimLydia PilgrimWilliam & Adeline Pilgrim

Larry Copeland, Jr. – lovingly remembered by Larry & Marge Copeland (Son)

Todd Copeland – lovingly remembered by Larry & Marge Copeland (Son)

Lawrence & Gertie Hoffmann– lovingly remembered by Larry & Marge Copeland (Parents)

Bill & Jessie Copeland – lovingly remembered by Larry & Marge Copeland (Parents)

Anne Shiro – lovingly remembered by Larry & Marge Copeland (Sister-in-law)

Millie Kayhart – lovingly remembered by Larry & Marge Copeland (Sister-in-law)

Ray Copeland – lovingly remembered by Larry & Marge Copeland (Brother-in-law)

Stella Grube – lovingly remembered by Larry & Marge Copeland (Cousin)

Alfred Hoffmann – lovingly remembered by Larry & Marge Copeland (Uncle)

Richard Wrensch – lovingly remembered by Millie Borchardt (Brother)

Clarence & Loretta Karlen – lovingly remembered by Jerry & Gloria Karlen (Parents)

Alfred & Ruth Freese – lovingly remembered by Jerry and Gloria Karlen (Parents)

Verlyn Ross – lovingly remembered by Jane Ross (Husband)Adolph & Helena Ross – lovingly remembered by Jane Ross

(Father-in-law and Mother-in-law)Neil & Virginia Schmidt – lovingly remembered by Vicki Maurer

(Father and Mother)Ardell RajekFrank & Bertha RajekRudolph RajekWarren "Pete" Peterson – lovingly remembered by Pastor Gail

(Father)Brian Peterson – lovingly remembered by Pastor Gail (Brother)Suzzanne Wright – lovingly remembered by Vern & Marilyn

Spaulding (Daughter) Alvin & Lydia Werner

2 ND & 4 TH THURSDAY EVENINGS of each month at 6:00 PM at St. Stephen.

ALL ARE WELCOME !!

SENIOR DAY – sponsored the 3rd Wednesday of each month at St. Stephen from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Next date: December 19th. Champion for the month of November was:

Jane Ross

Join the group for some old-fashioned fun !! All area seniors are welcome !!!

ST. STEPHEN AND ST. JOHN LADIES’ CHRISTMAS SALAD LUNCHEON and BIBLE STUDY – Tuesday, December 12th at 12:00 PM at St. Stephen. Please bring a salad to

share. The Bible Study is from the Gather magazine. Every woman who is a member of St. Stephen or St. John is a member of the women’s group and WELCOMED and encouraged to participate. Bring along a FRIEND to share in the festivities, fun, and fellowship !!

BLANKET SUNDAY -- Collection totals were: 109 quilts, 12 blankets … a total of 447 pounds; cash and check donations of $190.00; two quilts presented to graduating seniors and one donated for a fund-raising raffle.

Again thank you the packers and haulers: Robert Rajek, Clarence Werner, Ruth Paul, Jane Ross, Marge Copeland, MaryAnn Aschbrenner, Jenny Schreier, Dale Pilgrim, Deb Pilgrim, and Elaine Pilgrim, and all who donated materials and monetary donations, and all who helped in any way.

QUILTING is done the 1st and 3rd

Thursdays of each month through May at 1:00 PM in the St. Stephen basement. December dates are the 6th and 20th. More willing hands are needed. Sewing may also be done at home. Material for quilts

may be dropped off downstairs at any time.

BOXED CHRISTMAS CARDS sold by the women of St. Stephen are available in the narthex.

MUSIC NOTES: St. John is still seeking a musician for worship to give Louann a break, or even an opportunity to step down. If you play keyboard or guitar, or if you know someone who might be interested, please let Pastor Gail know. Perfection is not required!

ST. STEPHEN’S MUSICAL MINISTRIES – led by Vern Spaulding – are again playing/singing at area nursing homes/rehab facilities, to share God’s word. On Thursday PM, December 13th, they will be traveling to Copperleaf, Marathon. Please join the group if you like to sing (don’t have to be great at it!) and enjoy visiting with the residents.

FREE COMMUNITY DINNER – at Hope Lutheran Church, F4356 STH 97, Edgar, the last Sundays of each month – serving from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. If you are seeking some assistance because the budget has run out before the month ends or are seeking fellowship with others, join in. Area veterans ae invited. Also added has been a small food pantry and a family friendly movie that will be shown at 7:00 PM. Everyone is welcome.

NORTHWEST SYNOD CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Jul Fest Scandinavian BazaarDecember 8, 2018 10:30 a.m., Our Savior's Lutheran - Amery

Nordic Choir ConcertHope Lutheran - Eau Claire, December 8, 7:30-9:00 p.m.

National Lutheran Choir 2018-2019 Concert Tour SeasonDecember 7 & 8, 2018, February 10 & May 6, 2019

MULTIPLE WILDFIRES recently raged across Northern and Southern California, destroying thousands of homes and wiping out the town of Paradise, located north of Sacramento. More than 80 deaths have been confirmed and thousands of people were displaced in one of the blazes, the Camp Fire, which became the state's deadliest and most destructive fire on record.

THE 2018 HURRICANE SEASON continues to produce strong storms with potentially devastating impacts to the United States and across the globe.

Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response designated for "U.S. wildfires" OR “Hurricanes” will be used to help those affected by wildfires and hurricanes. By mailMake checks payable to: Lutheran Disaster Response.Write "U.S. Wildfires" OR Hurricane Response on yourcheck's memo line and send to:Evangelical Lutheran Church in America P.O. Box 1809 Merrifield, VA 22116-8009

By phoneCall 800-638-3522 to make a donation with a credit card. Operators are ready to assist you Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Central Time.

OR … the donation may be given to Pastor Gail (as mentioned in her “Ponderings.”)