April Window 2018 - Windsor Heights Lutheran Church · 2018-04-03 · ZACH MEYER I was born in...

ZACH MEYERI was born in Springfield, Illinois, but spent most of my life growing up in Champaign, Illinois. My mother was the daughter of an ELCA minister, so I grew up in the ELCA, and was very connected with my local church. Attending church was a family routine done each weekend, but my faith journey changed dramatically when I entered middle school.

The year I went to seventh grade is the year I first became truly introduced to youth ministry. Our home church had recently hired a new youth minister, a figure who has been influential in my faith journey ever since. He made our fellowship times informative and personal, while installing a great community along the way. He also made learning more about God fun and challenging, and I attribute this period as the time I personalized my faith. In fact, I credit youth ministry as the thing that truly caused me to have such a deep relationship with God, and this is why it is so important to me.

I enrolled at Carthage College in the fall of 2013, and I initially set out to study history with the intent of teaching secondary education when I graduated. However, while I committed a good amount of time to this pursuit, I actually spent most of my time engaging in various ministry groups. Looking back now I can see God was placing me in more situations to do ministry than anything else, without my entire knowledge of it at the time! Because I attributed so much of my faith to my years right before college, I was excited to “take it to the next level.”

At college I took part in theological discussions with a Lutheran Student movement, led a Bible study in the college’s Intervarsity Chapter, and attended worship at a local ELCA congregation each Sunday. However, in keeping with my love of youth ministry, I got involved the most with the college’s youth ministry team. As a member and later its president, I led lock-ins and youth based activities with a team of students from various Christian denominations at area churches. It gave me an outlet not only to have fun within the church (games with lots of running and screaming were common place for us) but also to connect with young people from the local community.

The culmination of my ministry experience in college was a summer abroad in Costa Rica with an organization called Experience Mission. For a majority of the summer I lived on the BriBri reservation in the Telemanca region of Costa Rica, spending time with my host family and experiencing everyday life in their community. In a primarily relationship-based ministry, we focused on simply living the local way, having daily fellowship while experiencing their personal experience with faith. The experiences I had on that trip live with me to this day, and have instilled in me a passion for living out mission every day of our lives, rather than just restricting it to a few select trips to different locations. My experience inspired me to write my senior thesis on evangelical cold-war missionaries to Central America, and how their methods and views of evangelism changed, like my own, from their experiences.

Invite † Grow † Serve

WHLC Staff:Rev. Chris OlkiewiczLead PastorRev. Robin CoughennowerAssociate PastorZach MeyerDirector of Youth & Family Ministry/Congregational Life CoordinatorHeidi HennigOffice ManagerJim SpizaleCustodian

The Window † APRIL 2018

In this issue:Get to Know Zach Meyer! 1Zach, Cookies, Kits/Quilts! 2Birthdays, Sympathy! 3Children, Youth & Family ! 4Treasurer Report/Auxiliary!5Elderberries/Forum! 6WELCA News! 7FellowshipNews! 8Thank You's! 9Calendar! 10Worship Volunteers! 11

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My view on ministry has always been two-fold: each of us develops our own personal, purely unique relationship with Christ Jesus, while at the same time we grow as part of a larger faith community. My experiences in and writing about missions to Central America has strengthened my resolve to unite evangelicalism and ecumensim within ministry, and unite social justice with the moral standards we are called to in the Scriptures. I am also a fan of several forms of worship. I grew up with the traditional hymns in my home church and I adore them. However, I have also experienced a variety of contemporary worship and praise songs both in college and abroad, and love them just as much.

I grew up in a family of five, with my parents and my two younger brothers. I consider myself to be a huge Star Wars nerd, and have loved superheroes since I was a kid (Spider-Man is still the best). I have never been good at sports, but I am a huge fan of the Denver Broncos and the Illinois Fighting Illini. I consider creativity to be my greatest trait, and have always loved collecting LEGOS and creating stories since I was young. Though sometimes I think they are a dying brand, I am a sucker for Western novels and movies (Louis L’amour is my favorite) and love Sunday comics like Calvin and Hobbes and Foxtrot.

Now that I have told you a little about me, I am excited to get to know you all better in the coming months! I look forward to our conversations, shared fellowship time and ministry together!

A Few Other Quick Facts About me

1. Some of my Favorite Quotes:

1. “In all this missions talk, you may begin to think, Well, surely you’re not suggesting that we’re all supposed to move overseas. That is certainly not what I am suggesting (though I’m not completely ruling it out!).” - David Platt, Radical

2. "Pass on what you have learned. Strength. Mastery. But weakness, folly, failure also. Yes, failure most of all. The greatest teacher, failure is." - Yoda, Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

3. “It’s a magical world Hobbes ‘ol Buddy. Let's go exploring!” Last comic strip of Calvin and Hobbes

2. Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 22

3. Favorite Songs: Hymn - “Go to Dark Gethsemane;” Contemporary Praise Song - “I Surrender,” by Hillsong Worship; Country Song (Yes I like Country) “Great Day to be Alive,” by Travis Tritt.

On April 16, we will pack kits and quilts for distribution for Lutheran World Relief. Please bring them to Room 125 by April 15.

The Care and Nurture committee will be assembling care packages for college students on Sunday, April 22. If you are willing to bake a batch of cookies, contact Jan Grannes at 279-8017 or Marilyn Penberthy at 255-5782.

The Window

1! Beth Olkiewicz, Ellen Roose, Taylor Santi3! Becca Leffler, Carol Ratekin4! Ryland Boyken, ! Dana Leahy, Tim Reinders5! Ellen Graham6! Julie Borseth, Olivia Charlton, Ellis Olson, ! Al Schornack, Megan Seifert7! Marilyn Colby, Amelia Henderson9! Camilla Holzer10! Brian Lenzmeier, Marilyn Warling11! Patrick Baldus12! Henry Fergus13! Kiersten Hansen14! Maria Tsui16! Gregg Gustafson, Maren Steensen17! Sue Crum, Matthew Eakins, ! Karen Jansen, Hannah Parker18! Judi McGowan21! Liz Nelson22! Clarine Killam, Gale Russell, 23! Carl Edman, Debra Goss24! Darrell Klooster, Dorothy Nicolet25! Mike Johnson26! William Matlock-Tolson, Julie Swanson27! Melanie Givens, Jan Grannes, ! Pauline Hughes, Stephanie Opsal28! Anton Wheeler29! Andrea Glawe30! Jordan Lavine, Linda Lundgren

Reminder, you can manage your volunteer scheduling on your computer at home by going to http://www.rotundasoftware.com/ministry/WHLC. If you have forgotten your password, click on the "Forgot Password" link on the login page.

Here is an overview of what is available for you on the scheduling system:

~My Schedule tab - will show when you are scheduled.

-Submit your sub request by clicking on the link next to when you are scheduled to serve.

~Full Schedule tab - provides an overall view of all positions by service.

-Volunteer for open positions.

-Submit sub requests by clicking on the link next to your name.

-Accept a sub request.

~Roster tab - contains a list of contact information for all volunteers in the scheduling system.

~Profile tab - This is where your contact information and preferences are located.

-Keep your address and phone number updated.

-Select which ministries you want to volunteer.

-Service(s) you prefer to volunteer.

-Set unavailable dates. (Do this prior to the next three month scheduling period. If after the schedule has been filled, then submit a sub request).

~Help tab - instructions how to use the scheduling system software.

If you are new to the scheduling systems, click the link at the top of this page and sign yourself up to be added to your choice of ministries and services.-Randy Ratekin

Sympathy to:

~Ed Brown and family as Marilyn Brown died on March 3. ~Mike Blake and family as his father died on March 10.-The family of Chuck Schachterle as he died March 15.

http://www.rotundasoftware.com/ministry/WHLC?use_username=rratekin




I really cannot say thank you enough to all of you for the love and support you have shown me upon my arrival in Des Moines. During the interview process Windsor Heights made me feel so welcome and comfortable, and I feel right at home now joining the staff in this new role. I have received several welcoming cards and gifts from you all, and just wanted to state how much all this support means to me. I feel like part of the family already, and I am extremely excited to get to work with all of you!

I know there will certainly be challenges and highs and lows to face when taking up this new ministry, but I truly think the Lord has some awesome things in store for the future. I hope and plan to repay you all for your kindness to the best of my abilities, and I hope we can truly bring to reality what the staff and congregation has envisioned for this position. You all have shown God's love to me in so many ways so far, and have demonstrated a heart for God and his people at the center of your giving and outreach.

I know I have said it too many times already so far but one final time, thank you all! May the Lord bless, teach and guide us all as the church expands its ministry in new ways! ~Zach Meyer

Youth Programs for students from pre-K to high school will

resume their regular schedule on Wednesday and Sunday Nights

now that Lent has passed.

VBS Summer Day CampJuly 23-26

Ready to bring the fun of summer camp to your own backyard? This year Windsor Heights Lutheran Church will be returning the day camp format for summer VBS. Come join us for a week of adventure, discovery, fellowship, faith and fun! There will be activities and classes for kids in pre-K through students in 6th grade!

Activities will include: Games ~ Worship ~ Bible Study ~

Music ~ Snacks and so much more!

More Information about theme and times will be released in the coming weeks and months leading up to VBS!

Register online at www.whlc.org or contact Zach Meyer, Director of Youth and Family Ministry, for more information. Hope to see you there!

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Zach Meyer's

Email: [email protected]: 515-277-6277, ext. 4

Children, Youth & Family Ministry

A special thank you to all the students who helped

decorate and color the Alleluia banners for Easter!

http://www.whlc.org/

http://www.whlc.org/

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IsGodcallingyoutofillaneed?Itisbecomingverydifficulttofindvolunteersformanyneeds!Retiredpeopleareexperiencinghealthproblems,andyoungerpeopleareworkingmoreandlonger.TheIowaLutheranHospitalandAuxiliaryisfeelingthisneedtoo.Theyusevolunteersinmanydifferentareas.Theauxiliaryhasbeenabletofundmanyneedsforpatientsthatwouldnototherwisebepossible.Butweneedyourhelp!

Youcanjointheauxiliaryforonly$5ayear(orgivemoreifyouareable).Asavolunteer,youhaveachoiceofwhereyouwouldliketoworkandhowoften,aswellaswhatdayortime.Youwillneverfind"bosses"whowillmakeyoufeelmoreappreciatedanywhere!

Ifyouwouldliketojointheauxiliaryorvolunteerorknowsomeonewhowouldliketo,pleasecontactHarrietLewisat515-287-5716orthevolunteerofficeat515-263-5227.You'llbehappyyoudid!

Treasurer Report February 2018

Reminder for Medicare Recipients!

You will be receiving new cards this year starting in April.

2018 has started very well. Both General Fund Income and Expenses are better than budget. Most of the expense variance is from timing differences for property insurance premium, benevolence and staff payroll and benefits. Other expense variances are small by comparison.

The Special Offering Disbursements consist of $3,500 for the Men and Both Dinner and $775 for Mission Support.

We thank you for your generous offerings,Duane Danielson

Elderberries - May 3, 2018

We welcome back the Belles Handbell Quartet for our May 3 gathering. Thanks to Marilyn Harvey for reminding me of this engagement. The bells will share some familiar songs to kick off their spring concert tour of the Des Moines and surrounding area.

We will play White Elephant Bingo for our June 7 gathering. Please bring an item from your home to use as a bingo prize. You can wrap your prize, or put it in a gift bag. The prize cannot be something you have purchased; it must be something you already own. We will play bingo as usual, with the prizes being the white elephant items each of you will bring.

Join us beginning at 11:45 a.m. in Parish Hall for a wonderful potluck lunch. Sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex near the stairs if you are bringing a dish to share. Hope to see you there!

~Pastor Robin

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Personal Care Items

We will be collecting laundry soap for the Urbandale Food Pantry in April.

Adult Forums in April Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Parish Hall

Join Pastor Robin and Pastor Chris for a study of the Bible readings from the Sunday lectionary. The Easter season is filled with stories of the power of resurrection life that illumine our way as followers of the Risen One. The pastor preaching that week will lead the conversation. All are welcome!

Our custodian, Jim Spizale, who has occupied the position since March of 2014, has decided to retire at the end of April. Many thanks to Jim for his outstanding work! If you know of someone who might be interested in the position, the job description is available using the link in the e-weekly. The position is approximately 20 hours per week. Interested applicants should contact Pastor Chris.

Remember to save “Boxtops for Education” and place them in the

basket by the lower coat rack.

WELCA NEWS

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Calling all Girls and Women:Let's Get WILD

at the 2018 Spring Brunch!

Featuring "Challenges in Zoo Medicine"

By Dr. June Olds

Dr. Olds will tell us what a typical day is like in her role as a veterinarian at the Blank Park Zoo. She will bring friends, both human and animal, to help tell the story.

Saturday, April 219:30 a.m.

WHLC Parish Hall

Tickets are $7 and are on sale following regular services beginning March 24. Those six and under are admitted free.

Invite your daughter, aunt, sister, grandma, mom, granddaughter, niece, neighbor or a friend and join us for food, fellowship and FUN!

WindsorHeightsLutheranwillbehostingtheannualSISWOConventiononFridayandSaturday,June22-23,2018.Allwomenofthiscongregationareinvitedtoparticipateinthisveryspecialevent.ManyvolunteerswillbeneededtofacilitateandserveourguestswhowillcomefromcitiesandtownsthroughouttheSoutheasternIowaSynod.ThisisalsoanopportunitytoserveasWHLC’sdelegate(s)atthebusinessmeetings.Ifinterested,pleasecontactaWELCABoardmemberorCherylRigler.

Lutheran World Relief Special Project

The Mary Circle wants to give a big thank you to all that have donated used t-shirts to make into diapers for the LWR Baby Kits.The Mary Circle have made the Baby Kits their LWR project that are shipped twice a year to the LWR. The donation of t-shirts help to continue to make this a successful and accomplished project! God bless you all! ~Elaine Hites

Sunday,May20,1:08p.m.

JointheFellowshipCommitteeasweheadouttoPrincipalParktowatchtheI-CUBSplaytheOmahaStormChasers(Royals)onSunday,May20,startingat1:08p.m.Reservedgrandstandticketswillbeonly$5ifweget25ormorepeopletosignup.That’slessthanhalfprice!AllthosewantingtoattendatthisgreatpriceMUSTsignupbyMAY9toassurethediscountedrateandallsittogether!SignUponthebulletinboardinthenarthexTODAYtoreserveyourseatforthisfunfamilyouting!Allarewelcome!Greatopportunitytoinviteaneighbororbringafriend!

Do you enjoy the great meals and fun activities hosted by the Fellowship committee? Looking for a way to serve your fellow members of the congregation? We invite you to join the Fellowship committee or volunteer to help with an event or two! You will have a great time! Give us a call - 277-0654 or email us at [email protected]. Marc & Mary Anderson and the Fellowship committee

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TIME & TALENT SURVEY

Lots of ways to share your time and talent! A brand new survey about opportunities to participate in the WHLC community has been developed by the council task force working on the "serve" aspect of our Invite + Grow + Serve vision statement. What are gifts that you can see yourself using to promote the health and vitality of congregational life at WHLC? Baptism calls us to lives of service in response to God's grace, and there are many needs and opportunities to do that right in your own congregation as well as in your daily life. Take a moment to fill out the survey in the E-weekly or on the church website (whlc.org). If you are not able to access the internet, please see Zach Meyer, Congregational Life Coordinator. He will be happy to help you by providing a paper form or assistance with completing the survey electronically.

Remember that stewardship is more than money. It's about offering what we have received from God-our selves, our time, and our possessions-in sharing God's love with the world!

FELLOWSHIP NEWS

A Big Thank You - The six Lenten Suppers, hosted by the Fellowship committee with assistance from six congregational committees and the Congregation Council, were a big success enjoyed by over 460 hungry members and friends. These wonderful gatherings put a big smile on many faces! Thank you to all who attended, contributed food and helped in the kitchen with set-up, serving, and clean-up. We truly appreciate all of you and the committees that volunteered to host in the kitchen each week, along with those individuals that just stopped in to help with the dishes and wiping the tables! There were over 90 kitchen helpers and another 60 people who cooked, baked and prepared the delicious food so there would be plenty to eat each week. And thanks to all that so generously contributed a free will offering; $859 in offerings were received over the six weeks! The Lenten Suppers would not have been such a big success and so much fun without each and every one of YOU! What a wonderful time to share in food, fun and fellowship around the table and in the kitchen, before we gathered to worship each Wednesday evening!

http://whlc.org/

http://whlc.org/

A huge thank you is extended to the following people for contributing to the funeral luncheon for Marilyn Brown. Thank you for being such wonderful volunteers! Many hands and gracious hearts contribute to lighter work! ~Sharman Blake and Linda Anderson

Thank you for your cards, visits, beautiful flowers and most of all, your prayers, while I was in the hospital. Also, thanks to the pastors for their calls and visits and for bringing a lovely prayer shawl that I enjoy daily. I am so blessed to belong to a caring WHLC family. ~Dorothy Meier

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ThankyousomuchforlettingususetheWHLCkitchenforthetwoGlobalGreenscookingclassesthatweoffered!Theclasseswentwellandthekitchenwasagreatspacetohosttheevent.~DanielBowser,RefugeeCommunityServiceswithLutheranServicesinIowa

THANK YOU

The family of Charles Schachterle would like to thank WHLC for their outpouring of love to Chuck in the seven months since he was diagnosed with esophagus cancer until his passing on March 15. So many cards from WHLC members were sent last fall when he was diagnosed with cancer and again when we celebrated his 90th birthday with him in November and once again at his passing. We appreciate so much all of the cards and WHLC members who came to pay their last respects, either at the visitation or the funeral. We would like to thank Pastor Robin for her wonderful service and Pastor Chris for participating in the service, also. Thanks go to other members who helped to usher and serve communion. Another word of thanks goes to Linda Anderson and her group that served the lunch after the service. Everything was so nice! Dad was a member of WHLC for 67 years so his roots run deep. Thanks again for all of your caring along the way! ~ The family of Charles Schachterle: Allen and Susan Schneider, Todd and Kara Schneider, Brayden and Lane, Aaron and Erin Erickson

Providing Salads:Sharman BlakeInez BoykenSue Crum

LaVon HestonAudrey Johnson

Dana LeahyHarriet Lewis

Linda LundgrenMarilyn Penberthy

Gayla RussellEllie Swale

Marilyn Warling

Providing Bars:Cindy AmbrosonMary AndersonWanda LoehrCheryl RiglerKathy SafrisJeri Spizale

Cyndee Young

Kitchen Helpers:Sharman BlakeInez Boyken

Audrey JohnsonDana Leahy

Marilyn Penberthy Kathy Safris

Marilyn WarlingCheryl Wheeler

Dishwasher Crew:Marc and Mary Anderson

Gary GuslandChuck SafrisChuck Young

Laundry:Audrey Johnson

Sue OpsalMaren Steensen

THANK YOU!

Thank you for the lovely flowers, cards and meals brought to me during my illness. Than you Pastor Chris and Pastor Robin for the beautiful prayer shawl. I am so grateful and blessed to have so many caring friends at WHLC. With sincere thanks, Jan Grannes

April 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

16:30 AM Worship7:30 AM Easter Breakfast8:30 AM Worship9:30 AM Easter Breakfast10:45 AM Worship1:00 PM Heartland Youth Choir6:00 PM CHAOS

26:00 PM Aerobics6:00 PM Heartland Youth Choir8:00 PM Windsor Brass

36:45 AM Men's Bible Study1:00 PM Staff Meeting6:00 PM Heartland Youth Choir7:00 PM Prayer Shawl

45:30 PM Community Meal6:00 PM Book Club6:00 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal6:00 PM Wednesday Evening Programs7:00 PM Alleluia Choir Rehearsal

511:45 AM Elderberries11:45 AM Elderberries4:30 PM Heartland Youth Choir5:30 PM Centering Prayer6:00 PM Aerobics6:30 PM WELCA Exec

6 79:30 AM Women's AA Group4:00 PM Pastoral Care & Conversation4:00 PM Ensemble Rehearsal5:30 PM Worship

88:30 AM Worship9:30 AM Fellowship 159:30 AM Blood pressure screening9:45 AM Sunday School9:45 AM Forum9:45 AM Breakfast Club10:45 AM Worship10:45 AM Belken baptism1:00 PM Heartland Youth Choir6:00 PM CHAOS

96:00 PM Heartland Youth Choir6:00 PM Aerobics6:00 PM PEO Meeting8:00 PM Windsor Brass

106:45 AM Men's Bible Study1:00 PM Staff Meeting6:00 PM Heartland Youth Choir6:30 PM Committee Night

111:00 PM WELCA Overview5:30 PM Community Meal5:30 PM Serve Shelter Meal6:00 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal6:00 PM Wednesday Evening Programs6:00 PM Book Club7:00 PM Alleluia Choir Rehearsal

124:30 PM Heartland Youth Choir5:30 PM Centering Prayer6:00 PM Aerobics

13 149:30 AM Women's AA Group4:00 PM Ensemble Rehearsal4:00 PM Pastoral Care & Conversation5:30 PM Worship

158:30 AM Worship9:30 AM Fellowship 159:45 AM Sunday School9:45 AM Forum9:45 AM Breakfast Club10:45 AM Worship1:00 PM Heartland Youth Choir6:00 PM CHAOS6:30 PM Bridge Fellowship

166:00 PM Heartland Youth Choir6:00 PM Aerobics6:30 PM Naomi Bible Study8:00 PM Windsor Brass

176:45 AM Men's Bible Study1:00 PM Staff Meeting6:00 PM Heartland Youth Choir

189:30 AM Women's Bible Study5:30 PM Community Meal6:00 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal6:00 PM Wednesday Evening Programs6:00 PM Book Club7:00 PM Alleluia Choir Rehearsal

191:00 PM Women's bible study4:30 PM Heartland Youth Choir5:30 PM Women's Bible Study5:30 PM Centering Prayer6:00 PM Aerobics

208:30 AM Window Deadline

219:30 AM Spring Brunch9:30 AM Women's AA Group4:00 PM Ensemble Rehearsal4:00 PM Pastoral Care & Conversation5:30 PM Worship

22ELCA Mission Support Offering

8:30 AM Worship9:30 AM Fellowship 159:45 AM Sunday School9:45 AM Forum9:45 AM Breakfast Club10:45 AM Worship1:00 PM Heartland Youth Choir6:00 PM CHAOS

2310:00 AM Acme Food Coop6:00 PM Heartland Youth Choir6:00 PM Aerobics6:00 PM PEO Meeting8:00 PM Windsor Brass

246:45 AM Men's Bible Study1:00 PM Staff Meeting6:00 PM Heartland Youth Choir6:30 PM Council meeting

255:30 PM Community Meal6:00 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal6:00 PM Wednesday Evening Programs6:00 PM Book Club7:00 PM Alleluia Choir Rehearsal




306:00 PM Prayer Bead Ministry6:00 PM Heartland Youth Choir6:00 PM Aerobics8:00 PM Windsor Brass



311:45 AM Elderberries11:45 AM Elderberries4:30 PM Heartland Youth Choir5:30 PM Centering Prayer6:00 PM Aerobics


































































































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