October 2009 Newsletter

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

You and I follow Jesus because God used someone to share the Good News. We have continued and grown as followers of Jesus because God has used others to celebrate with us in victory, encourage us in defeat and call us forward in faith.

You can help to make the same things happen in the lives of people half a world away! That’s why I am writing to ask you both to pray for and to give to the 2009 World Mission Offering.

Our congregation uses the World Mission Offering to support our American Baptist International Mission work around the world. Our giving to the World Mission Offering helps people
· Come to Christ
· Grow in Christ
· Change their world with Christ.
This year International Ministries invites us to look at global mission in these terms:
Be Surprised by Walking in Different Shoes.

“In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus…he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born as a man and became like a servant.” (Philippians 2:5, 7 NCV.)

This year our World Mission Offering will be used in two ways. First, one-half of the offering will go directly to the ministry of David and Betsy Perkins, as we support them in their ministry in India. David and Betsy have worshiped with us here at WCBC on a couple of occasions, and have shared their stories and their ministry with us. Secondly, one-half of the offering will support our American Baptist International Missions ministry around the globe, as we strive to make Christ known to a world who desperately needs him. Our goal is $300 for the Perkins, and $300 for International Ministries.

We have received from the Lord. Let us also give and let Him empower our gifts to transform the world.

Sincerely,
Pastor Jim

Sunday Nights in October

In addition to our Sunday Night Live, we have church activities for each of the Sunday evenings in October.
Join us on October 11 for a Sandwich Buffet and a night of visitation. Bring some sandwiches to share as we eat together and then visit some of our church family. This activity begins at 5:00 pm.
On October 18 we’ll meet at 4:00 pm to rake leaves for some who need to have this done for them, and then we’ll enjoy a Chili and bread meal together.
October 25 will feature a Pizza and Game Night here at the church, beginning at 5:00 pm.

Common Sense Flu Precautions

All flu, including pandemic flu, is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It is generally spread from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. An effective vaccination against the pandemic flu – when it is available – will be the best way to prevent the disease.

To fight the annual flu, members of high-risk groups should get a flu shot. Even those who are not in the high-risk categories should get a flu shot.

The following simple, common-sense precautions recommended by the CDC, can also help.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
Stay home when you’re sick or have flu symptoms. Get plenty of rest and check with your doctor.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hands. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you and others against germs. When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand rubs or gel sanitizers.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread to your system when you touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods. Avoid smoking, which may increase the risk of serious consequences if you do contact the flu.
(Small containers of Hand Sanitizer are available for your use while at church.)

Church Humor

One Sunday, a pastor told his congregation that the church needed some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider giving a little extra in the offering plate. He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns.

After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in the offering. He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and said he’d like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate.

And there sat Rosie all the way in the back shyly raising her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the front. Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving asked her to pick out three hymns. Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three most handsome men in the building and said, “I’ll take him and him and him.” (Falls Community Church.)

October Wedding Anniversaries

2 Greg & Kathleen Harrington
3 August & Esther Bratz
3 LeRoy & Diana DeBroux
5 Dan & Michelle Franz
7 George & Cathy Strohmeyer
9 Tom & Roxanne Schwandt
9 Nick & Tina Voigt
11 Tom & Alicia Romnek
18 Moo Khu Htoo & Hsar Say Paw
20 Richard & Kim Rose
22 Mike & Roxane Kesselhon
29 Art & Ellen Schwandner
29 Perry & Veronica Smith

October Birthdays

6 Sue Schroder
7 Tori Luebker
8 Ken Burrows
10 David Hill
16 Dan Franz
17 Steven Searles
18 Fritz Bowers
20 Richard Rose
21 Roxanne Schwandt
22 Carl Stilp
25 Alice Dorton
30 Charles Pfister
31 Julie Delikowski
31 Michelle Franz

Quick Facts about International Ministries

International Ministries is supported solely through the generosity of churches and individuals. The primary fundraising vehicle is the World Mission Offering.

International Ministries is a Christian mission organization connecting U.S. churches and individuals to holistic missions around the world. Organized in 1814, American Baptist International Ministries was the first Baptist mission agency formed in North America. International Ministries has more than 1,800 short-term and long-term missionaries, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in over 70 countries in cutting-edge ministries that tell the Good News of Jesus Christ while meeting human needs.

The Mission Statement of the American Baptist International Ministries is: Our mission is to glorify God in all the earth by crossing cultural boundaries to help people come to Christ, grow in Christ and change their worlds with Christ.

Our contribution to the 2009 World Mission Offering will bring good news of the love of Jesus to people all over the world while helping to meet human needs in the following areas: leading people to faith and starting new churches; training future church leaders; abolishing human trafficking; promoting health in an HIV/AIDS world; creating economic opportunity and building futures; opening the mind and empowering the heart; seeking peace and offering refuge.

American Baptist Churches of WI Annual Meeting

The ABCW Annual Meeting will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 9-10, in Milwaukee. On Friday, the gathering begins at 7:00 pm, at Progressive Baptist Church, with a business meeting, worship, and the president’s reception. On Saturday, the annual meeting moves to Calvary Baptist Church, beginning at 9:00 am with Bible Study and singing, followed by workshops and mission tours of the Milwaukee Christian Center, Greentree/Teutonia Community Center and Tudor Oaks Retirement Community. In the afternoon, a reception celebrating Rainbow Acres 35th anniversary will be held at 3:00, followed by a closing worship celebration at 4:00. Registration information is available on the bulletin board in the hallway.

Annual Meeting Mission Mobilization

One aspect of the ABCW Annual Meeting is Mission Mobilization, which is designed to minister to people in Milwaukee as a witness to our faith as American Baptists. The following are some opportunities to participate:

Friday Night Opportunities:
Bring a can/case of green beans (or other canned goods) to the Friday night session (or put in the basket here at church.)
Bring a dozen or more homemade cookies to be distributed on Saturday at the food distribution and street ministry outreaches.
Bring a blanket and/or stocking cap to be shared through the street ministry.

Saturday Opportunities:
Help distribute food to individuals and families at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, 2114 W. Mitchell St. (Orientation begins at 8:30 am – park in the back of the church.)
Help prepare and pack box lunches for the above ministry. There are two locations for this: Underwood Church, 1919 Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa; Roundy Church, 1250 E. Hampton Rd., Whitefish Bay. You will need to be at the church of your choice by 8:30 am.
Street Ministry at 10th and Washington – make contact with the homeless and share food with them. Depending upon weather, hand out blankets and stocking caps. This begins at 1:00 pm.
Three “hammer and nails” opportunities. (See Pastor Jim for further information on these opportunities as well as those mentioned above.)
As you can see, there are a variety of ways that you can participate in this year’s Mission Mobilization! Together, we will make a difference!

Sunday Night Live

On Sunday, October 4, at 6:00 pm, we will have a unique Sunday evening worship service. (We will have our regular worship service on Sunday morning as well.) There will be a bit of a different feel to this worship service as we have special guests – the Memorial Baptist Church of Fond du Lac praise band. Communion will be served – and it will be served a bit differently. So come and worship with us on Sunday evening, as well as Sunday mornings.

Church Updates

· Scott Fesko has resigned from his position as volunteer staff person responsible for our Buildings and Property. “Thanks, Scott, for your wonderful ministry with us the last couple of years.”
· Jack Zoglman is our new volunteer staff person responsible for Buildings and Property. Jack has all kinds of skills that he brings to this position. “Thanks, Jack, for saying “yes” to this important ministry in our church.”
· Kathy Hoehne and Holly Robinson will be sharing the ministry of music on Sunday mornings for the near future in the place of Joy Veldboom, who recently resigned. We appreciate Kathy and Holly for leading us through music in our worship experiences.

Mission Project for October

Our mission project for October will be Christmas shoe boxes through Samaritan’s Purse. With starting this in October, this will give us plenty of time for those who wish to share in this project. Shoe boxes are filled with school supplies, toiletries, small toys and hard candies.
Christmas shoe boxes bring joy and hope to children in desperate situations world wide through this simple gift and the Good News of God’s love. Booklets are included in the shoe box “The greatest Gift of All” Children are hearing the Good News with the booklet and in follow-up discipleship programs and many are coming to faith in Jesus Christ through these shoe boxes. In 2008, over 8 millions shoe boxes were delivered. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these “ Matthew 19:13
Envelopes will be located at the back of church. Boxes need to be at church by Nov 15. For more information, see RoseMary Buelow.

Northeast Association American Baptist Women

The Northeast Association Women will hold their Fall Meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at the Memorial Baptist Church, 645 Forest Ave, Fond du Lac. It begins at 9:00 am with a coffee fellowship, and is followed at 9:30 with devotions and a business meeting. The program will be given by Ardis Mitchell, who will share the story of Alex and Chris Kuhlow of Neenah, who went to the Philippines as missionaries. Their contact with a young girl on the beach selling handmade crafts developed into a life long friendship. (If you are planning to go, contact Shirley Klug.)

Eagle Scott Award Presentation for Scott Lewis

(From Pat and Christi Lewis): “We are excited to announce that Scott Lewis attained the Eagle Scott rank in Boy Scouts on August 19, 2009. We are planning an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for him to be held at Whiting Community Baptist Church on Saturday, October 17, at 2:00 pm. Everyone is invited to attend this ceremony. There will be cake and punch afterwards. Please RSVP to Pat & Christi if you are able to join in our celebration.” (720-0072.)

Tree Farm Fall Outing

Oct. 24th at the Tree Farm in Wautoma! Come anytime during the day. Activities start at 9:00 a.m.
Bring your own sack lunch so you can eat whenever you get hungry! Also bring work gloves, rakes, chain saws. We had a great time last year and got a whole lot done. Bring your family and take a few hikes around the property. If you have never been there, this is a great time to come. If you need directions, see the bulletin board in the church hallway or ask someone who's been there. We would like to see some new faces. Are you going to be one of them?

Church Finances

As of the end of August we were a negative $3,293. We continue to face challenging times with our finances here at WCBC. We are grateful for all who faithfully share their faith and their finances through their giving. Thank you!

Community Table Thanks

Thanks from the Community Table volunteers of our church to Kathy and Tom Schroder, for their donation of 7 cases of vegetables!

Ministry Council Recommendations

The Ministry Council is now receiving recommendations for new Ministry Council members. Please submit your recommendation to either our Ministry Council moderator, Barb Moravec, or Pastor Jim.

Velte Benevolent Requests

Each year at our December church business meeting, the Velte Committee makes recommendations to the congregation for the use of Velte Benevolent Funds. The recommendations of the Velte Committee are based on the proposals written by congregation members. So if there is a non-profit organization that you would like to recommend to receive some of the funds, submit your proposal to Kim Rose. Some of the previous recipients of these funds include: Leaven, Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scout Troop 300, Community Clothes Closet, and Salvation Army. For more information, see Velte Committee members, or Pastor Jim.

Greeters for October

October 4 Kathy Najdowski

October 11 Julie Delikowski

October 18 Becky Zoglman

October 25 Julie Delikowski