St. Stephen the Martyr Lutheran Church ELCA

6101 South 51st Street, Greendale WI 53129; 414-421-3543 www.ssmelca.org

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SUMMER SCHEDULE AT SSM

Worship:

Saturday at 5:00 pm & Sunday at 9:30 am

Church Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday from 8:30 am - 2:00 pm

Friday from 8:30 am - 12 pm

PASTOR’S PONDERINGS...

Dear Friends in Christ,

We are again on the brink of another summer. As the pace of the church changes a bit during these months, I thank you again for sharing your time, your gifts, and your abilities in so many ways. Thank you building up the body of Christ in the church and in the world as we become the hands and feet of Christ in the world.

We are in the church season of Pentecost. In this season of summer and Pentecost, I encourage you to remain active in your faith life. Be open to the Spirit of God calling and speaking to you. When traveling or on va-cation, take time to marvel at the wonder and beauty of the world in which we live in. If you are away for a weekend, find a place to worship. You can check out the website elca.org and find a congregation in the area that you are visiting, and even bring back a bulletin from your worship experience

Thirteen youth and two adults will be heading to the ELCA National Youth Gathering in Houston, TX, June 27-July 1. We will gather to serve, learn, and be in community with over 30,000 youth from around the country. Thank you for the many ways that you have made this trip a possibility for our youth. This is a strong faith experience which will impact our youth’s life journey. We look for-ward to sharing stories and adventures upon our return home. Please keep the group in prayer.

In the summer months we will also resume our walk/community time at Whitnall Park (8831 North Root River Parkway, Franklin, WI 53132). We will walk and have some refreshments. Let’s plan on June 14 and July 10 at 6:30pm. Check out our Facebook page for additional pop up gatherings.

As we enter the warm months of summer, I remind you, as I remind myself, to be a faithful steward of all that God has blessed you with; your time, talents, and treasure. Don’t let a day go by without giving thanks to God for all you have; and remember the grace and love given for us in Jesus Christ. Also, remember your financial stewardship. Even though the pace of the church changes in the summer, most of the expenses continue. Enjoy the gift of life the Spirit gives.

Peace,

Pastor Brian

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Why Your Response to God’s Blessings Matters!

Thanks to our team member, Barb Fritschel, for her reflection on the true meaning of steward-ship, “Responding to God’s blessings.” Barb’s inspiring definition provides the oppor-tunity to see “why” our generosity truly matters at St. Stephen the Martyr (SSM). Our con-tinuing donations of time, talent and treasure impacts others within and beyond our church walls. This is evident in the hundreds of hours generously given by our volunteers. Clearly, volunteering is the essence of our growing congregation.

At SSM there are many opportunities to respond and impact the “why” we dare to care and share. Please consider your response to God’s blessings by giving of your time and talent to one of the following teams by contacting Pastor, going online to our website, www.ssmelca.org or by connecting with any member of the following committees (names are in our annual report -copies are in the narthex):

Christian Education impacts the faith journey of our children and youth through Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Confirmation instruction, Bible Study for adults and much more.

Endowment provides vital funding opportunities for mission outreach needs and long-term sustainability apart from the general operating funds.

Evangelism communicates our mission, events and issue positions beyond our church walls to share the joy and benefits of being part of our growing SSM family.

Fellowship serves to enhance the bonds of being a friend in Jesus through sharing social time and offering a hand of friendship along with food, beverage and joyful conversation.

Finance oversees the fiscal health and well-being of our general income and expenses through diligent team interaction, communication and management in counting, recording, organizing and disbursing funds.

Human Concerns reaches out beyond the walls of our church to help fill food pantries; provide education, insight and action projects on current social needs; initiates ways and means to help make a difference in the lives of those in dire need; supports Lutheran World Relief; provides support to our local and world-wide partner churches and so much more.

Memorial assists in managing a working account of monetary gifts given by friends and families of deceased members to enable the purchase or funding

2018 June-July Martyr Monthly—St. Stephen the Martyr

STEWARDSHIP

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of specific and necessary items or projects.

Music and Worship collaborates with our Pastor and Music Director to organize the many aspects of worship services from recruiting communion assistants; readers; greeters; communion visits to homebound; to preparing sanctuary space and providing music sup-plies -all helping to serve as the lifeblood of our church worship.

Property provides for the ongoing interior and exterior cleaning, repair, safety, security and maintenance of our buildings and our park-like grounds making SSM feel like our sec-ond safe and welcoming “home.”

Stewardship serves to encourage our members to respond to God’s blessings by gener-ously giving of their time, talent, and treasure to support the mission/s and sustainability of our congregation.

Women of the ELCA embraces and grows multiple ministries that support their mission of mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ by making hundreds of quilts, school bags, chemo caps, and prayer shawls; sending timely cards to members; preparing and serving meal events; and raising funds for local and world-wide missions; plus, so much more.

Youth and Family Ministries provides life-enriching activities, communication and sup-port to our youth and their families to grow in a positive direction both personally and spiritually. This is achieved through our beginning youth group (BYG), high school youth groups and family gatherings both within our congregation and extending to our synod and national ELCA youth and family sponsored events.

How will you respond to God’s blessings?

"The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'” Matthew 25:40

Thank you for your continuing faithful response to God’s blessings.

Marion Walton

BECAUSE OF GOD’S GREAT MERCY

STEWARDSHIP CON’T

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MUSIC NOTES FROM BILL BRAVENER DIRECTOR OF MUSIC/DEACON

In early May, we delivered flowering plants to our 10 shut-ins from the congregation. HELP! OUR FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS ARE DWINDLING!! Food pantries desperately need food, especially peanut butter, jelly, and cereals. Also cash donations can be added to your weekly offering envelope. Please mark “For food pantries”.

We always need volunteers to help at our Unity meal on the 4th Wednes-day of the month. Sometimes we are very short of help. You can come at 3pm to set up, 4:30 to help serve, or 5:30 - 6pm to clean up. Please think about it. You will feel rewarded by helping the hungry when the night is over! Thank you so much for the Special Offerings given during Lent and Easter. These are the amounts and the areas they were given to:

Ash Wed. - Tippecanoe Divine Intervention $404 Lenten Services - Outreach For Hope $622 Palm Sunday - Lutheran Social Services $658 Maundy Thursday & Good Friday - Repairers of the Breach $172 Healing Clinic $172 Easter Sunday - Mbaaseny Parish $1,513

HUMAN CONCERNS

Thanks to all of our choirs for sharing your time and talent.

We will take a little break for the summer, however Summer Choir will meet at 9:00 a.m. on June 3, July 1, and August 5.

All are welcome.

2018 June-July Martyr Monthly—St. Stephen the Martyr Page 5

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

We will continue our usual schedule of Women’s Bible Study on

the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month for June and July. We

will finish our study of the Book of Esther and then begin a new

study on the Book of Ruth. Ruth tells a wonderful story about

three of Israel’s ancestors – Naomi, a widow; Ruth, her foreign

daughter-in-law; and Boaz, a wealthy farmer. Through acts of loyalty, generosity, and

commitment, these three make possible the birth of King David’s grandfather. They

pave the way for the birth of Jesus. Martin Luther frequently mentions Ruth as an ex-

ample that Gentiles are included in the promises of God.

All studies begin at 10:15 a.m. and conclude about 11:30 a.m. These studies continue to be led by Bonnie Zimmermann.

LOOSE ENDS MONTHLY LUNCHEON

The June luncheon is being organized by Mary Luedtke. We will meet at the Brass

Key, 4952 West Forest Home Avenue at noon. If you will attend, sign-up on the form

provided that is posted on the kiosk. Call Mary at 414-281-5898 with any questions.

The July luncheon is being organized by Sally Kowalski. We will meet at Applebee’s

on 76th Street and Edgerton at noon. Call Sally at 414-483-2191 if you have any ques-

tions.

JULY 16th IS THE DATE FOR THE 2018 QUILTING BEE!

You are invited to attend this annual event. There are many op-portunities for everyone – men, women and youth. Several re-quire NO sewing skills or any past experience. We’ll begin our

day at 10 a.m. and have lunch together, working until approxi-mately 4 p.m. You are welcome to arrive whenever you are able and stay as long as you can. A sign-up sheet will be posted on our kiosk sometime mid-

June letting us know if you will be joining us and if you would be willing to bring a dish to contribute to the luncheon. Please call Betty Kroll, the chair of this event, at 414-421-1802.

WOMEN OF THE ELCA

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PLEASE SAY YES……I WILL BE THE SSM VOTING MEMBER AT THE W-

ELCA GREATER MILWAUKEE SYNOD CONVENTION ON OCTOBER 13,

2018

We remain in need of a woman from SSM who would be willing to be the Voting Member at the October 13th convention of the Women of the ELCA, Greater Milwau-

kee Synod. This year’s convention is being held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 20275 Davidson Road, Brookfield, WI, just across the street from the Elm Brook Church on Barker Road. As the Voting Member, your commitment is for that one-day only. You

will attend the Business portion of the convention, voting for the election of new Board members and other business issue that may be presented. If you are willing to serve your church in this manner, please contact Carole Ropel at: caroleropel@wi.rr.com or

call her at 262-523-4130, after May 16th.

WOMEN OF THE ELCA

2018 June-July Martyr Monthly—St. Stephen the Martyr

Vacation Bible School

July 23­-27, 2018

5:15–8:00 p.m.

Registration is open for this year’s VBS; forms are available in the gathering space or you can register online at https://vbspro.events/p/ssm2018. VBS is for children 3 years old through entering 6th grade in fall 2018.

At Shipwrecked VBS, kids will “come ashore” for a summer adventure! Our VBS is filled with incredible Bible-learning experiences kids see, hear, and touch! Kids will meet fun Bible buddies who help them remember daily bible points as they travel through stations. Bible stories that come to life, team-building games, cool Bible songs, and fun science gizmos are just some of the standout activities that help faith grow into real life.

Cost is $10 per student. Forms and payment should be placed in the Sanders’ church mailbox. Questions: call Denise Sanders at (414) 423-0608.

SHIPWRECKED VBS

Rescued by Jesus

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Much of our summer is spent in the time after Pentecost. The color for this season is green—meaning “growth”. The Sundays after Pentecost or the “green season” are a span of 2 dozen weeks from Holy Trinity to Christ the King Sunday. This time is a sea-son of growing by using Jesus’ extensive teachings for our spiritual growth.

Over the summer, your Music & Worship team will be researching new ideas for sanc-tuary candles, ensuring that all the worship supplies are fully stocked, and planning the fall schedule (including Christmas!). If you are at all interested in the work of our com-mittee, we invite you to join us for a meeting: June 5th or August 7th at 6:30 p.m.

YOUTH AND FAMILY NEWS

2018 FIRST COMMUNION RECIPIENTS

Ezrie Fuentes

Kyle Lemberger Madelynn Lentz Romario Ortega

Keira Revers Isabelle Wassweiler

“Continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings

which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus”… 2 Timothy 3:14-15

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2018 June-July Martyr Monthly—St. Stephen the Martyr

CONGRATULATIONS 2018 GRADUATES

Kessia Andersen Kessia is graduating from University Lake School and will be attending St. Norbert

College in the fall. She will likely be studying English and Spanish.

Ashley, Lindsay, Taylor Herman Ashley, Lindsay and Taylor will be graduating from Waterford High School. Lindsay plans on going to college at Stout for engineering. Taylor is going to Whitewater for

English. Ashley has applied at a few colleges, but hasn’t made a decision yet.

Alexander Konop Alexander is graduating from Greendale High School and will be attending

Waukesha County Technical College in the fall, majoring in IT.

CherishAnn Lehocky Cherish is graduating from Greendale High School, she has lived in Greendale her whole life and attended school there since grade K5. She has been part of creating

Greendale's High School Yearbook since her freshman year. Cherish will be attending UW-Milwaukee in the fall with a Health Sciences major to focus on Sonography

(ultrasound).

Duncan Sanders Duncan will be graduating from Greendale High School. He will be attending Carroll

University in Waukesha in the fall.

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SAVE THE DATE!

Lakeshore Chinooks vs Battle Creek Bombers, Monday, July 30th at 6:35 pm. Half-price reserved grandstand seats only $5 each! Kapco Park on the Concordia University Campus in Mequon Lakeshore Chinooks Battling Helmet give-away to first 500 fans Contact Shelly Rosenstock at 414-403-0509 with Questions

CAN SALES CONTINUE The sale of salvaged aluminum cans is off to a good start this Spring. So far, 71 lbs. of cans have been sold earning $39 as of mid-May. All the money earned from these sales goes to the food pantries we support all year.

Since our warm weather means picnic and party time, beer and soda consumption ris-es. Please consider donating your empty cans to our mission work. Bring your bags of cans to the door of the church garage in the lower parking lot area. Thank you. Bob Rasmussen - Can Collection Coordinator

SCHOOL BAG PROJECT 2018

We will gather on Wednesday, August 1st at 9:30 am to begin our school bags!!

Cutting, pressing, sewing, etc.

All are welcome - please join us. Lunch will be served. Watch for the sign-up. Ques-tions please call Shirley Lieske 414-761-0734

MT. MERU COFFEE PROJECT

St. Stephen the Martyr had been a good supporter of the Mt Meru Coffee Project which provides an income to the small coffee farmer in Tanzania. Currently the project is sending farmers to training programs to make their farms more sustainable for the fu-ture. The average income for the farmer is $400-$500 annually. Before our long await-ed summer plans begin consider purchasing Mt Meru Coffee which is available on the coffee table in the narthex. Thank you for your continued support.

NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING

We reached our fundraising goal!!! Thank you for your generous contributions. With your support, the group will not only be able to make it to Houston but also come back home!

We look forward to hearing about their faith adventures.

NEWS & NOTES

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2018 June-July Martyr Monthly—St. Stephen the Martyr

NEWS & NOTES CON’T

OUR SAFETY PLAN IF SEVERE WEATHER OCCURS DURING WORSHIP

In the event that ushers receive word that a tornado or another severe weather warning has been announced for Greendale during the service, the following will be executed.

1. Ushers will inform Pastor interrupting the service as necessary.

2. Ushers will open all sanctuary exit doors, leading to the narthex.

3. Pastor will direct people to walk out of the sanctuary and go downstairs to the lowest level into rooms and corridor and remain there until the “ALL CLEAR” announcement is made.

4. People in wheelchairs and those using walkers should take refuge inside the main floor bathrooms and in the corridor that leads to the Luther Room. Family members and ushers should assist these individuals and remain with them until the “ALL CLEAR” is sounded.

5. It is essential that everyone remain calm, and not panic. Also, everyone should avoid windows to protect themselves from flying glass shards blown into the building by strong winds.

6. When the “ALL CLEAR” is announced, people may return to the upstairs and go back to the sanctuary or go home depending on the time remaining.

NOTE: The safety plan state above has been created and approved by our Church Safe-ty Committee. Following this plan should minimize the danger to everyone from severe weather conditions.

SCRIP

Until further notice, the Scrip program is on hold for ordering physical/plastic gift cards. If you are set up with PrestoPay, you can continue to reload existing cards purchased through our program and ScripNow. Thank you to all those who supported the program over the last 4 years.

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CONDENSED MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING - MAY 8, 2018

President Jason Covert called the meeting to order at 7:20 P.M.

Council members present were: P. Burns, J. Covert, B. Daleness, M. Kling, J. Konop, L. Lisiecki, T. Lisiecki, A. Matusiak, J. Muroni, N. Mineau, D. Sanders, L. Sweet and A. Woerpel. Pastor Brian was also in attendance.

April council minutes were approved with corrections.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S AND TREASURER'S REPORTS:

Easter giving was up this year but overall April was lower than budgeted due to a snow-storm and it being a five Sunday month.

All special offerings for Easter and Lent have been disbursed to the charities chosen by Human Concerns. The list will go in the Newsletter and Bulletin. Per a decision by the council last month, $3,000.00 was donated to Unity for the purpose of purchasing a new freezer

Treasurer’s report was approved.

PASTOR’S TIME: Planning continues for the youth trip to the National Youth Gather-ing in Houston this summer. A roof leak over the kitchen has been repaired but more work may be needed. Next Sunday the pastor from the Breaking Chains ministry will visit with us. May 20 is Pentecost and First Communion for several youth. Graduates will also be recognized. A new member class will be held after the service. The Synod Assembly will be held at Country Springs in June. The ELCA has elected two African-American woman as Bishops this month.

NEW BUSINESS:

Replace AED Unit after recall by Philips – The unit will need to be replaced at a cost of around $700.00. Plans are to have the new one in place prior to VBS.

Special Congregational Meeting – The meeting will be held May 20 for the purpose of electing council members to chair the Stewardship, Youth and Family, and Christian Education committees.

Installation of all council members will be on June 2 and 3,

July Council Meeting and MegaMeeting will be cancelled.

OLD BUSINESS

CPR Training – will be held May 15 and 22 by Greendale Fire Dept. SSM will pay $25.00 of the $45.00 fee.

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Building Security – Core committee is working with the Property committee regarding Key Policies.

Cell Tower update – The Village Board and the Concerned Citizens group have agreed not to appeal the judge’s ruling. The project can now proceed to the construction phase. SSM will approve the fencing and landscaping around the tower site.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

YOUTH & FAMILY:

The job description has been updated and documentation written for the new Chairman who will take over in June. Target goal has been reached for the NYG but a few fund raisers are still in the works to add to the Youth budget for future activities.

STEWARDSHIP:

First four month statements will be going out soon.

PROPERTY:

Barb and Dan Davies are staining the window frames in the Luther room.

FELLOWSHIP:

Rally Day will be Sept 9. Andi will determine if there is enough interest in both a Women’s Defense Class and an Anti-Bullying class to schedule them.

HUMAN CONCERNS:

Two new charities were chosen for the Easter special offerings this year. Plants were delivered to shut ins.

EVANGELISM:

Council discussed whether something could be done about the public SSM Facebook site coming up first when googling it instead of our private site. Also if we could up-date the design and the pictures on the SSM web site. Joe will look into both of these concerns.

Next MegaMeeting will be June 5.

The next Council Meeting is Tuesday June 12.

Respectfully submitted,

Bonnie Daleness

Council Secretary

CONDENSED MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING - CON’T

2018 June-July Martyr Monthly—St. Stephen the Martyr Page 19