​            All are welcome


                         Contact Information:
                                                   Office:  Phone: 608-525-2406
                                                   Email:   northbeavercreekoffice@gmail.com
                                             Pastor Adam Arends: Phone: 608-525-0288
                                             Email: nbclcpastor@gmail.com

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Directions

Advent | Christmas Worship Schedule
​December 15, 2019 -- Christmas Program -- No Communion
December 22, 2019 -- Worship with Holy Communion -- 10:00 AM | "Emmanuel"
December 24, 2019 -- Christmas Eve -- Worship at the Brick Church -- 5:00 PM
December 25, 2019 -- Christmas Day -- Worship at the White Church -- 9:00 AM
December 29, 2019 -- Worship at the White Church -- 10:00 AM | "Come for a Family Blessing" -- No Kid's Church
January 5, 2020        --  Worship at the Brick Church -- 10:00 AM -- No Kid's Church

Lutefisk Dinner -- October 27, 2019

​Kid's Church -- 8:30 AM White Church
​Children Sing at Worship -- Brick Church

Pumpkin Ball -- Sunday Afternoon, October 13

September 22, 2019 | Rally Sunday | Kid's Church 2019-2020

kids_church_registration_form.pdf
File Size:	113 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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North Beaver Creek Kid's Church (Sunday School) is quickly approaching. We ask parents to fill out the annual registration form to be sure our records stay up to date.

​Please bring the completed form to Rally Sunday, September 22nd.

​Just click on the link above to download, print and complete the form.

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September 8, 2019 -- North Beaver Creek Welcomes Beau Gary Weisenberger

Our congregation was blessed this Sunday to welcome Beau Gary Weisenberger to the Lord's family. Pictured on the left are proud parents, Dwight and Christa Weisenberger, even prouder Grandma Michelle Weisenberger, and sponsors Tim and Amber Radatz. After his baptism, the congregation got a chance to introduce themselves personally. With Pastor Adam at the helm, Beau got his first stroll through church -- to the tune of "Jesus Loves Me."

​It was a wonderful Sunday morning at NBC.

From Bishop Arends
​Accomplishments

From Pr. Libby Howe
Dir. of Evangelical Mission/ Asst. to the Bishop

​One year from now a new pastor will be stepping into office as the bishop of the La Crosse Area Synod. I will be retired. So I keep hearing, “What do you hope to accomplish in your last year?”
 
I have no measurable goals. I only hope we can spend a year continuing to grow into who we are becoming: A Great Commission Synod with a Great Commandment Heart. We are called to follow Jesus and make disciples by baptizing and teaching. We are called to follow Jesus loving God with all our hearts and minds and strength. We are called to follow Jesus loving our neighbors as ourselves.
 
Jesus leads us in this work continually. I pray we will grow in this faith life.
 
Jesus’ love for our neighbors led us to pay attention at Synod Assembly, to hear the challenge of accompanying immigrants in an unfriendly world. Lutherans have been doing this through Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, which began in the wake of World War II. We are good at it. The 2019 Churchwide Assembly named our church a Sanctuary Denomination, challenging ourselves to find ways to provide welcome and safety to those entering our country seeking a safer life. Our assembly’s Churchwide representative, Mary Campbell, director of the ELCA’s AMMPARO ministry, led us to see the plight and join the fight. We now have congregations taking active measures to reach out. Now we need to do so and to increase in doing so.
 
Jesus has opened the eyes of our church to the tragedy of systemic racism in our country and in our church. The Churchwide Assembly issued an apology to African Descent Lutherans. Our synod’s Anti-Racism Task Force is taking shape and starting to vision. They have challenged us to join the area’s read of “Waking Up White” by Debbie Irving over the next year. Pick up some copies and read and discuss with some friends.
 
We are entering into the year that marks the 50th anniversary of women’s ordination in the ELCA – and the 40th anniversary of the first ordination of a woman of African descent. Half of the pastors on the synod’s active roster are women. This is great. At the same time sexism among a number of our members still persists. I hope we keep growing into the reality that our pastors are all respected pastors with gifts that are appreciated.
 
This is the 10th anniversary of the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ clergy and deacons. As we celebrate the work of the gay pastors in our synod we seek to grow in understanding and inclusion. The Synod Council voted this spring to provide training in the issues and realities of the LGBTQIA+ community. As opportunities are offered in the months to come, please take advantage of them.
 
We continue to support our ministries with prayer, action and giving. I believe more members understand that the efforts of our synod office and the churchwide organization are the efforts of all of us. As this understanding grows, I pray we will find ways to return to funding growth for our work as a church that is active in our contexts and throughout the globe.
 
The list goes on and on. We are growing in love for our neighbors as we grow in love for our God. In this last year of my last term I just pray that we will continue to grow in God’s will. This would be an accomplishment of the whole synod with thanks going to God.
 
Serving with you,
 
Bishop Jim

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LWR Box Car in La Crosse
Saturday, October 12 from 7 - 11 am

The Lutheran World Relief (LWR) boxcar will be in La Crosse on this date to load all quilts and health kits AND school kits from our synod. Same location –- on La Crosse's north side. See local event Facebook page for details or updates: www.facebook.com/LaCrosseLWRingathering/

ELCA World Hunger

Plan to take part in the Coulee Region Hunger Walk
Sun., Oct. 13 - beginning and ending at Myrick Park, La Crosse
This locally organized event (replacing the former Crop Walk) is part of the newly formed 501c 3 - Coulee Region Hunger Walk - with a goal of hosting an annual walk/run under the mission statement, “We Walk With Our Neighbors to End Hunger.” See more at link above.

ELCA 2019 Churchwide Assembly
Sharing this piece from the Bishop of the ELCA Virginia Synod, 
Rev. Bob Humphrey
 
Grace to you and peace... in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
 
Our denomination, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), every three years meets in a Churchwide Assembly. Approximately 950 Voting Members from all 65 Synods gather for amazing worship, rich education and thoughtful, prayerful deliberation on matters affecting the whole church.
 
The 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly concluded on August 10th. Here are just a few highlights:

• We re-elected Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton to a second term on the first ballot!
• Deacon Sue Rothmeyer was elected to a 6-year term as ELCA Secretary
• Deacons will now enter their call to serve in Word and Service through Ordination
• We adopted a new Social Statement “Faith, Sexism and Justice” calling on all of us to repent and  respond to the sin of sexism and prejudice woven into the very fabric of our church and society.
• We celebrated 50 years of ministry with women Pastors; 40 years with women Pastors of color and 10 years of full inclusion with LGBTQIA+ Pastors
• We offered a powerful and needed apology to our siblings of African descent for the sin of racism and voted to commemorate June 17th as a day of repentance and remembrance of the murdered “Emmanuel 9” and committed ourselves to working toward authentic diversity
• We approved a Declaration of Our Inter-Religious Commitment
• We pledged our support for the World Council of Churches “Thursdays in Black” Campaign to raise awareness of the crimes of rape and violence.
• We offered our support for the work in our church Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO) which included a declaration of the ELCA as a “Sanctuary Denomination.” (to read the full motion: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kNK5LFwWbTEfSdcLshpfydWRJ_QQ7Ulm/view?usp=sharing)

 
I want to make a few comments that will hopefully clarify this action and respond to concerns. First, this declaration is consistent with the teachings of Holy Scripture in both the Old (Lev.19:34) and New (Heb. 11:13-14 & 13:1-2) Testaments, to cite just a few. It is consistent with the history in our church, long before the ELCA. The Bible and our long tradition clearly articulate that we are to provide support, care and advocacy for the least among us as though caring for Christ. (Mt. 25: 31-46)
 
Offering hospitality and support to the stranger is at the very heart of who we are as God’s people. This is another way of understanding the word, “Sanctuary.” Our ELCA heritage is filled with stories of millions of immigrants, including many of our ancestors, coming to this country. Welcoming the stranger, offering hospitality, advocacy and care is certainly consistent with our Synod Vision to be FAITHFUL + BOLD + SERVING.
 
Let me be clear. There is no call for Civil Disobedience or for actions breaking the law, in any way. If individuals, congregations or others feel called to such actions, they are strongly encouraged to consult an immigration attorney and become well educated about the potential risks and consequences before taking action. In a congregation, this should be a well informed and strongly supported decision.
 
The ELCA’s action is binding only on the Churchwide expression of our church, not Synods, congregations, institutions or agencies. So, this sanctuary declaration will take many forms across our church, including such things as: weekly worship prayers; English as Second Language (ESL) classes; protesting the detention and separation of children from their families; holding respectful conversations and events to learn of the needs and challenges of immigration and how this intersects with our faith. It could also include providing food, clothing and/or shelter to people in need, including immigrants and refugees. (Consult an immigration attorney for more information about pertinent laws and legal risks).
 
Many more ideas for how to live out this Sanctuary declaration in your life and ministry context can be found on the website of our ELCA ministry called, Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities, or (AMMPARO).
 
The ELCA Church Council along with ELCA staff and agencies have been given the responsibility of providing all of us with more information and potential resources.
 
The (La Crosse Area Synod) Office of the Bishop will be glad to respond to your questions and concerns. We will also be lifting you and all our members in prayer along with all those we seek to serve in Jesus name!
 
Peace,
 
Pr. Libby

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Pastor Adam Arends Installed at NBC -- July 28, 2019

Bishop Jim Arends installed Pastor Adam at this Sunday's worship service. 

It was a joyous, moving celebration. The Bishop (and proud Dad) also treated the congregation to some "before he was a pastor" stories about how Pastor Adam could persuade others to do whatever needs to be done. It would appear we have some adventures ahead of us!

Welcome Pastor. We look forward to continuing our journey in Christ with you.

My faith journey: How I became a Lutheran (from Living Lutheran)
   By Lyz Lenz -- July 18, 2019

​I went to college hoping to lose my faith. Two months before I arrived at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., my parents had sent me to a camp designed to give young evangelical Christians the intellectual tools they needed to resist the “liberal indoctrination” of their colleges.
 
We sat in classrooms with no air conditioning and learned how evil all the books we would read in college were. “Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde represents an un-Christian worldview,” explained our professor during the first lecture of what would serve as the camp’s literature class.
 
“Does anyone want to know why?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “It’s because the book shows man as two personalities – torn between good and evil. But what does the Bible say?”
 
A lanky boy with a shadow of facial hair on his upper lip and glasses that darkened in bright light, giving his eyes a perpetual sepia look, raised his hand and said, “For all we like sheep have gone astray.”
 
The room smelled of body odor and chalk. Girls with hip-length hair pulled back in scrunchies wrote neat pages of notes.
 
I was there because I had sinned. That sin was lying to Sears, where I worked selling shoes. On the last day of my senior year in high school, I told my boss I was sick so that I could play tennis with my friends. My parents caught me in the lie, and when they confronted me, I refused to apologize. Concerned that I was losing my faith, they sent me to this camp.
 
Had I told them the truth, they might have been more worried. I still believed in God, but I no longer wanted to. In John Bunyan’s classic allegory The Pilgrim’s Progress, the character Christian feels all the burdens he carries — his life, his pain and his worries – being released the moment he sees the cross. But in my case, my faith was the burden.
 
I had been raised in Baptist and evangelical churches. Each church taught me that, as a woman, I should be quiet and submissive, with motherhood my highest calling, finding a husband my greatest blessing. I was taught to believe in an apocalypse in which God’s wrath would rain from the sky. That my gay, queer and trans friends were going to hell.
 
The religion of my childhood was about striving but never achieving. Of being subordinate, ruled over, never good enough. By high school, I was exhausted. I wanted out. I read Friedrich Nietzsche and Simone de Beauvoir in the school library during lunch. I longed to be the inverse of Bunyan’s Christian. I wanted the bell tower of a liberal college to serve as the symbol of unbelief – I would kneel before it, the weight of my faith would tumble off, and I would be able to breathe.
 
Ready to be converted to unbelief, I went to college. Gustavus is a small ELCA school, with the typical collegiate tree-lined walkways and charming old buildings. I had chosen Gustavus because it had offered me the best financial aid package, so that was that. When I told my parents, my mother frowned. “Don’t you want to go to a Christian school?” she asked.
 
“Lutherans are technically Christian!” I yelled. But secretly, I hoped they weren’t. 
 
During a meeting with my advisor — a gentle English professor who would laugh tears of joy reading William Faulkner out loud to a class — I said I hated my Bible class. “Who believes that, anyway?” I asked. I hoped he’d high-five me and tell me, “Welcome to the team of unbelievers!” But he didn’t. Instead he told me that faith was complex, that there were a lot of ways to live it, and that I should be open to the ideas of others.
 
He wasn’t the only one. My aggressive anti-religious comments in class were always gently redirected by my professors. They had nothing against atheism or agnosticism; they just wanted me to think and to live a life of questions rather than dogma, one that was open to the world rather than closed off. I had come expecting to be brainwashed. Instead, I found a community of people who saw faith not as a weapon of oppression but as a tool for exploration.
 
Twenty years after I entered college and tried to leave my faith, I left my marriage and became a Lutheran. Married at 22, I’d once again found myself locked into a version of faith with no room for me or my voice. I spent 12 years trying to make the situation work -- trying to bend my body into spaces not designed for it. I did this because I was in love. I did it also because I knew I could never not believe. I wanted faith, but religion didn’t want me. Eventually, I broke. And when I did, I knew exactly where to go to heal: the small ELCA church in my neighborhood.
 
The next year, I would sit in a coffee shop with my pastor and, in the same angry voice I’d used when I insulted religion in college, tell her I didn’t know if I believed in hell or the apocalypse, that I had a lot of questions about this so-called “Jesus” and the way we talk about his lessons and divinity. “Me too,” she would say, smiling. “Welcome to being a Lutheran.” And I would feel welcome. Finally.
 
The weight of religion hasn’t fallen off me easily. It happens slowly. Liturgies that use inclusive language. Communion offerings in which all are welcome. Noisy services that invite children to participate, rather than shoving them into the basement of the church. None of these things are exclusively Lutheran — but the ELCA is where I found them. First in college, angry in a classroom, and then as an adult, wearily accepting sweet rolls and coffee and a new way of seeing. And it’s where I’ll stay, struggling, learning, living a life that is open and full of faith.

​Pastor Adam and Family at His Ordination

Perspective: A pastor’s “rules” for worship
Worship 101 By Stephanie Lape July 9, 2019

From Living Lutheran: Editor’s note: Our June cover story, “Worship 101,” examined the “whats, whys and hows” of ELCA worship. We now continue the story as a monthly online series further exploring what Lutheran worship is, how Lutherans worship and why we do so.

I recently read a list of “20 rules of etiquette for attending worship” shared by a clergyperson (not of my denomination). They were things people needed to do if they wanted to do worship “right”—such as never giving kids snacks; never looking at cell phones; bowing, sitting, standing and kneeling at all the right times; dressing in a certain way, etc. In response, I thought I’d share my own clergy list of etiquette.

1. I assume that, when you walk into church, you feel weighed down by the world. You probably had a hard week at work or failed on your diet or argued again with your spouse or have had it up to here with the kids. I could be wrong, but I assume you need a break. My job is to smile and welcome you. Your “rule” here is simply to walk in the door, if you choose.

2. As our guest of honor, you are in church to be served. This means you do not come to serve God or anyone else. Before you worry that this will make you feel entitled, remember that the gathering commonly called “mass” was renamed “service” by Martin Luther, who said God is the one serving. God is lavishly serving you in word and sacrament. This is not to make you feel entitled but to make you feel loved and free to love others. (You will know when God puts it on your heart to serve others, prompted by your overflowing love.) So your “rule” here is to try to open your heart to God, who will serve you as you worship and praise God. It’s not really a rule but a good idea. You’ll get more out of things this way.

3. The music is always nicer if you sing along. The prayers are more powerful if you join your voice in the ancient rhythm created by billions of people over thousands of years. You’ll get more out of the sermon if you listen. So your “rule”—let’s call it a suggestion—is to involve yourself in what we call “the work of the people,” which is what “liturgy” literally means. It’s not a requirement, though. If what you need to do is sit in silence, cry, meditate, whatever—have at it.

Rules and requirements won’t save you, me or anyone. Salvation was—and is—a gift from the cross.

4. Parents and grandparents, we give you all the breaks you need. Jesus loved kids and loves yours. Feed them Cheerios, give them toys — yes, quiet ones would be nice—step out of the sanctuary if you want, utilize the nursery and Sunday-school options, and ask your neighbors for help. Many of us have been there, and you’re doing great. (I can preach with kids in the room. I just get louder!) If they are loud, do your best—but know that we love you and we love them.

5. The table is owned by Jesus Christ. He called you and all people to join in Holy Communion. I will never withhold the sacrament from anyone. (It’s not mine to withhold.) Don’t feel worthy? Well, Jesus fed Judas. It’s not about worthiness; it’s about God’s love for you. Feel better? Good. Get up here and let me put bread in your hand!

6. Ask me anything about worship that you want to understand but know that it all unfolds over time and that we all grow, as we should, over a lifetime.

7. Cell phones are best kept quiet—but hey, pull it out to tweet an interesting sermon note (I do say some tweet-worthy things sometimes). Record, go “live,” spread the gospel in new ways. No rule here either.

8. Wear whatever you want. This is the most irrelevant thing in the history of ever.

9. Your love of God pales in comparison to God’s love of you. If you are a persistent troublemaker, I’ll let you know. But regardless of your culture or background, if you are wounded, broken, anxious, insecure, depressed, or unsure if you even believe in God, you will not be judged by God or our congregation. Bring your authentically human self to the worship service—and see how much God serves you in profound and soul-healing ways.

10. ​Relax. 
Rules and requirements won’t save you, me or anyone. Salvation was—and is—a gift from the cross. If any of us could have earned salvation by being the perfect churchgoer, the cross wouldn’t have been necessary. I assume that we’re all trying our best with what we know. But our trying is nothing compared to God’s love. The mercy flows from God into our hearts.

​Vacation Bible School/Time Lab at North Beaver Creek
​Mon Jul 22–Fri Jul 26 AT 5 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Get ready to launch into hyperdrive at Time Lab, where we’ll discover Jesus from eternity past to eternity future! Did you know Jesus existed before he was born as the baby in the manger? Did you know he was actively involved in creating the universe, and that he existed even before we read about him in Genesis 1:1? Did you know we can find him in the accounts of the Old Testament? Do you know what he did while he was here on earth, and what he is doing right now?

At Time Lab, we’ll have a blast uncovering the truth about him through his Word! You won’t want to miss a nanosecond of the fun, so set your watches and make plans to join us at Time Lab! Come share a meal with us from 5-5:45 each night -- sponsored by a different family each night. We will also be presenting to the congregation on Sunday, July 28th during church. There are many volunteer opportunities still available!
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To Register: https://northbeavercreek.myanswers.com/time-lab/

Sunday May 12 -- On this day...

​We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3.
 
It was a Sunday of acknowledgment.
 
We honored our mothers and all caregivers on their special day.
 
The Sunday School sang for the congregation and in recognition of our seniors. As they sang the chorus of their song …
 
He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be. He’s still working on me.
 
…in our hearts each of us said “On me too, little ones. On me too.”
 
We celebrated our seniors, with high-fives from the Sunday School kids and with prayers for their future, presenting quilts from the Women of the ELCA. We hope that every time they wrap themselves in these coverlets, they’re enveloped in the love and support of NBC.
 
Our seniors are: Olivia Corcoran, Xavier Cornejo, Zoe Kraemer, David Miller, Abbie Omernick, Sydney Sampson-Webb, Erica Simmons, and Joshua White.
 
Seniors who applied for scholarships were presented with their certificates: Olivia Corcoran, Xavier Cornejo, Zoe Kraemer and Abbie Omernick.
 
It was a particularly fine day at North Beaver Creek Lutheran Church.

Sunday April 28 -- Blessings and Celebrations

It was a day of blessings. We asked God's blessing on farmers and gardeners, construction workers, firemen and police and all who are involved in providing our food and ensuring our safety.

The women's choir sang and a pastoral candidate preached with his family in attendance. Then the congregation gathered for an ice cream social, with proceeds going to ELCA World Hunger. 

A special thanks to Pastor John Ashland for his inspiring Coulee Version of "Earth and all Stars." There were indeed loud singing Lutherans. 

And thank you to Megan Hovre for the pictures of this special occasion.

First Communion...

2nd graders getting ready for their 1st communion. They painted their communion glasses and made bread with Pastor Kathy. ​They all had a lot of fun.

Thank you to Crystal Sweno for helping Pastor and shepherding the children back and forth.

​Questions in Life, April 26, 2019
By Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

​The good people at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Living Well Center for Vocation and Purpose invited me to address the school on the topic “Lives Worth Living.” Yikes! This is one of The Questions in life—right up there with “What is the meaning of life?” and “What is true, beautiful and good?” and “Where do socks go after you put them in the dryer?”

For me, this turned out to be a good, if slightly disturbing, time of reflection. Our lives can be consumed with busyness—all the stuff that we do or need to get done to make it through the day, week, year, life. A lot of this is necessary, some not so much. Even those called to public ministry get swept up in the endless round of meetings, reports and events. And some in this world don’t have the luxury of carving out time for contemplation as they struggle to keep their families fed, clothed and safe from harm.

As I write this it is Lent, a time of reflection and examination. I do have the privilege of time and, with the added incentive of a deadline, here are some thoughts.

We are inundated with messages of salvation, or at least better lives, through things. Ads for products as diverse as cars, toothpaste, brokerage firms, weed killers and more are carefully crafted to cast an aspirational vision of the good life. Sometimes this vision of the good life is presented in such a beguiling way that one forgets what product is being advertised. It’s possible to get lost if you go down this road. There will always be a new thing, the promise of a more beautiful you. It’s there—just beyond reach. Jesus warns us about this in the parable of the rich man, who believed he had attained the good life. “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ ” (Luke 12:19-20). So, what’s the point? If materialism doesn’t bring meaning, why not just give up?

In Ecclesiastes we hear: “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9). Nihilism, oddly enough, can provide a frame for meaning. “Who cares?” can quickly become “Don’t care.” Protected from disappointment by withdrawing from this world of care is as tempting as a frenzied life in pursuit of self-made happiness.

I believe there is another way, a different way, of shaping our lives. The cruciform life is the life worth living. The cruciform life delivers us from our constant striving to make our lives have meaning through our own efforts. It saves us from the exhausting pursuit of self-justification and worth, from the loss of our true selves in all of our posturing.

Jesus, crucified and risen for the sake of the world, breaks through all of that. He breaks down all pretense on our part and all claims of salvation that the world offers. God comes to us, cherishes us, bids us to come to God’s life and peace. Augustine, an early Christian theologian, knew this when he wrote: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in you.”

The cruciform life also breaks through nihilism. Free from the necessity of saving ourselves, and from the numbness of the pointlessness of all that, the cross breaks us open to others, to the world. The rush of feeling back into a self that has cut itself off from circulation is painful. But it is also a sign of life. We can feel, we can touch and be touched by others. The cross sets us free to serve the neighbor. Here is the life worth living that God gives us.

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Reflections
​by Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen

The time between called/settled pastors holds many challenges and opportunities.  So we covenant with God and with one another to continue to be a searching, sharing, and serving community of Christians.  The interim time can be a time of uncertainty and anxiety.  I will seek to hear your concerns and walk with you through this time. The interim time can be one of possibility and renewal. I will seek to learn from your story as a congregation and as individuals, to ask questions that can help to deepen faith, and to point to the resources of Scripture, tradition, and experience for guidance on this journey.  The interim time is also a time to prepare for new leadership.  We will install and pray for the new and continuing North Beaver Creek congregational leaders today, and make a continuing commitment to pray for the pastor God is already preparing for this congregation.
​
Let us pray.  Almighty God, you call your people to service and give them varied responsibilities in your church.  As your people gather into congregations, you raise up leaders for them to share in ministry.  Grant me grace and strength, that I may proclaim the Word diligently and that your people receive it willingly, as I fulfill the appointment of interim pastor. Guide this congregation by your Spirit, that we may accomplish your will in this place. Keep us in the same mind in Christ, and help us to be faithful in this ministry of this place.  We pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jan. 20 -- Sunday School Sings

​"This Little Light of Mine" by Harry Dixon Loes, 1920s -- and they truly did shine! See Sunday School event schedule, thru summer break.

2019 Sunday School Event Schedule
Resume on January 13th
Jan 20th – Sing
Feb 17th – Sing
March 17th -- Sing
April – Sing on Easter (no SS that day)
May 5th -- Pie auction Tentative
May 12th – Sing  
May 19th – Last day
Vacation Bible School – Tentatively week of July 2
(Sunday School is held every Sunday during this period, unless noted.)

Luther and Lutheranism
​from the ELCA Website

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Martin Luther was eight years old when Christopher Columbus set sail from Europe and landed in the Western Hemisphere.  Luther was a young monk and priest when Michaelangelo was painting the Sistine Chapel in Rome.  A few years later, he was a junior faculty member at a new university in small-town Germany, intently studying the Scriptures, “captivated with an extraordinary ardor for understanding Paul in the Epistle to the Romans.” 

In these days Luther was tormented by the demand for righteousness before God. “I did not love, yes, I hated the righteous God who punishes sinners, and secretly, if not blasphemously, certainly murmuring greatly, I was angry with God.” Then, in the midst of that struggle with God, the message of the Scriptures became clear, like a long-shut door opening wide. When he realized that a “merciful God justifies us by faith … I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates.” 

What Luther discovered is the freedom of Christians trusting God’s mercy in Christ. As he later wrote, “Faith is God’s work in us. It changes us and makes us to be born anew of God. This faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing. It is impossible for it not to be doing good works incessantly. Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that believers would stake their lives on it a thousand times.” 

This discovery set Luther’s life on a new course — both his own life and his public service as a preacher and teacher. When a church-endorsed sales team came to the Wittenberg area in October, 1517, Luther was concerned that the promotion and sale of indulgences undermined the promise of God’s unreserved mercy in Jesus and the faith that trusts that promise. His 95 Theses or Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences became the first of a life-long stream of books, sermons, letters, essays, even hymns in which he expressed his confidence in this life-giving promise from God, the Gospel, and its liberating implications for all of life in church and society.

What more is out there on the ELCA website? Here a link to their page. (There's lots of good stuff.)

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Thoughts along the way...

And our children prayed for the people in all these countries...our points of light.

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​And being Lutheran is What?

Global Church
We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together...from the ELCA website

Seventy million Lutherans do make a difference! As a member of The Lutheran World Federation, the ELCA is one of 142 member churches in 79 countries all over the world. We are called to walk alongside our Lutheran brothers and sisters to grow the church and to do God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities everywhere. 

The ELCA has deep, longstanding relationships with Lutheran churches and other partners around the world. We respond to our companions and help support the growth of their work — new congregations, urban and youth outreach, theological education, pursuit of justice and peace and leadership training just to name a few. As we work together with our partners and participate in God’s work in the world, we all grow in faith and benefit — we grow stronger as a global church. 

The ways in which we live and serve as a global church are as diverse as the people, communities, churches and countries that we work alongside and support. The ELCA is hard at work with its partners:

• Building up the church in countries around the world.
• Creating meaningful service opportunities for young adults and adults.
• Supporting the work of over 240 ELCA missionaries in more than 40 countries.
• Nurturing Companion Synod relationships with global church partners.
• Providing scholarships, theological education and training for international leaders.
• Pursuing support for crucial and innovative approaches to participating in God’s mission in the world.

This is how we go about working together as a global church to build up Christ’s church throughout the world.

Walk, Love, Do
by Bishop Jim Arends

From the March 2019 Coulee Courier
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Then what does the Lord require of you but to
do justice, love kindness
and walk humbly with our God. Micah 6:8

It’s a beloved passage. Many of us can quote it by heart. We like the idea of justice, kindness, and humility. We do get a bit uncomfortable, however, when we hear it is addressed to us – personally. God expects the people of God to be humble about justice and kindness. We are the people of God. You are a child of God. I am a child of God.
There’s a cartoon that portrays a very traditional looking Jesus sitting on a park bench with a very contemporary person. The person is saying, “I don’t get it, Jesus. Why do you allow all the hatred, injustice, hunger, pain, war and suffering in the world? Why don’t you do something about it?” Jesus replies, “I was about to ask you the same thing.”

Injustice is all around us. During the deep cold of this winter, there were barely enough open beds and blankets to provide warmth for the homeless within our synod. There are homeless within our synod. Our “kind” communities contain folks that paint racist slurs on a local Muslim business. Most of us have some inner racist things skewing our thinking. People are bullied in the efforts of some to make our nation great. And we find the bully within ourselves as we hurt with those who hurt.

Why don’t we, you and I, do something. The 2018 La Crosse Area Synod Assembly challenged us to take risks, to dare holy experiments, that would bring us closer to God and push us out in the world to make a difference.

The 2019 Assembly this June, themed Walk. Love. Do. , will make it even more personal. We’ll be reminded of the humility we are all called to live – in the reality that without the breath of the living God we are but ashes and earth. We’ll be asked to open our eyes, ears and hearts to recognize the love of God around and within us, leaving us with only one response – kindness. And we will be challenged to humbly and kindly work God’s justice in our world.

And we pray:

We thank you, loving God, that in Jesus you save us free of charge.
We believe we are thankful that you challenge us to respond to your grace in service.
​
Empower each of us, to a person, to follow humbly, to love kindness, and to work your justice. Amen.

Bishop Jim
Click the button below for more of this quarter's Coulee Courier and other Synod News.

Synod News

Feb. 3 -- 2019 Annual Meeting

The North Beaver Creek Lutheran Church Annual Meeting was held in the brick church on February 3 after service. The minutes and treasurer’s report were read and approved. The proposed budget for 2019 was presented and approved.
 
Officers and delegates were elected for the upcoming year as follows: 

​President –          Steve Vehrenkamp
Secretary –          Megan Hovre
Treasurer –          Judi Tranberg
Deacon –             Nathan Instenes
Deacon –             Roxie Thompson
Deacon –             Patti Juszczak
Trustee –              Marlys Leque
Trustee –              Darwin Peters
Trustee –              Randy Tollefson
2019 Synod Assembly Delegates --  Scott Vehrenkamp and Brent Sweno
2019 Synod Assembly Alternates -- Steve Vehrenkamp and Joe Vehrenkamp
2019 Sugar Creek Delegates --        Rachel Woyczik and Brent Sweno
2019 Nominating Committee --       Tammy Vehrenkamp, Cheri                                                                                  Omernick and Jay Vehrenkamp

Council President Steve Vehrenkamp also took the opportunity to thank the following for their invaluable contributions:
 
Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen, our interim pastor, 
Rachel Woyczik, Crystal Sweno and Nicole Borreson, our Sunday School Superintendents ,
Patti Juszczak and Linda Heimdahl, our Confirmation leaders, 
Judi Tranberg, as our treasurer – and for keeping the council on the right track by providing agendas for every meeting. 
Ann Ekern for providing worship leadership when no pastor was available.
Sue Woyicki for providing sermons for worship. 
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Thank you, Lord, for our people and for this place that has come to mean so much to each of us.

From "Living Lutheran" Magazine

--When “Father” Adam Keefer Set Out on Foot: Four Hundred Years of Lutherans in North America – The 19th –century Canadian lay leader walked more than 500 miles (round trip) twice to find a pastor for his congregation.
--Welcoming Those in Need - “’Jesus told us to help,’ said Rose Mary Sanchez-Guzman, whose welcoming congregation, Cristo Rey in El Paso, Texas, is near the U.S.-Mexico border. ‘He didn’t say just help people with documents. He just says feed the hungry and clothe the naked.’”
--Lectionary Blog: Fishing for Humans - “The job of Jesus’ disciples would be similar to their job as fishermen—they needed only us their words and excited exhortations to help drive people toward the kingdom.”
--God Out Loud: Grounded in Grace – January 2019 - “Sometimes I wonder why God isn’t more obvious. Wouldn’t more people believe and take God seriously if the Almighty spoke out loud like at Jesus’ baptism?”

Jan. 13, 2019 --
​Sharing Baptism Memories

​Jan. 6, 2019 --
NBC Welcomes Paityn Marie Ekern 

Paityn is the daughter of Joel Ekern and Tiffany Knight. She is pictured below with her parents,  sponsors and Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen.

Jon and Janessa Sedelbauer (sponsors), Joel Ekern, Paityn Marie Ekern, Tiffany Knight, Brianna Bishop and Joel Hanson (sponsors)

Paityn, welcome...

Paityn with Pastor Kathy, Joel and Tiffany.

Archives

Publicly Engaged Church
...from the ELCA website
​

We are a publicly engaged church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. We do God’s work in the world,  the work of restoring and reconciling communities. We pursue justice and seek peace no matter how long the journey or wide the chasm. Because we are grounded in God’s love and forgiveness, we are well equipped to live and serve here and now, in the world, with all its complexities, tensions and ambiguities. 

There is no aspect of life in which God is not active, no place where God is not present. And this is exactly where we are called to participate in God’s work, in the thick of life, embracing individuals, families and communities that are hungry for hope and healing, justice and peace, advocates and partners. 

Our faith and our call to boldly serve and love our neighbor take us into some interesting and challenging aspects of life: advocacy, corporate social responsibility, racial justice, science and ethics, peacemaking, justice for women, social issues, and community organizing. We are drawn into every corner of life, society and its institutions to bring the good news of Jesus Christ and to work for lasting, positive change that upholds human dignity. You have a place in the ELCA and an important role in God’s work in the world — find ways here to get connected to a community of faith and the work of our publicly engaged church. 

NBC at Work and Play