St. Stephen’s News:

 

Make hay while the sun shines.  Strike while the iron is hot.  Carpe diem (seize the day).

There may be more, but these little “proverbs” (wise sayings) encourage grabbing an opportunity when it presents itself, or when conditions allow.

While this time of “lock down” doesn’t present many opportunities, it is a “down time” which we might take advantage of to get a few chores accomplished.   Maybe that’s happening at your home – closets, cupboards attics and basements are getting cleaned out.  With very little activity in our church and school buildings, some upkeep tasks are getting done.

  • Some painting and decorating is happening in the church basement. Thank you!
  • Floor tile in the church basement (elevator hall and SW corner hall) which has become brittle and was breaking up because of water damage is being replaced. Thanks to the Board of Property Maintenance, especially Mike Schultz and Matt O’Brion!
  • Church basement Women’s restroom walls which were also water damaged have been replaced. Thanks, Stan Hintz & Corey Schaeffer.
  • Hopefully, some of the sources of the water damage in those areas are also under control. Time will tell.
  • One area still under investigation for the source of water damage is the church ramp-way. While it looks awful right now, repair is in process.

 

Thanks to all who have contributed.  We may have missed mentioning a couple people who have done some work while “we weren’t looking”.

 

Lord’s Supper Offerings

Every Sunday 8:00 – 10:30 A.M. our Pastors are at the church to serve Lord’s Supper and to visit briefly.  Just “drop in” anytime during those hours.  Most often it happens that 5-6 people tend to arrive around the same time, so we have a small group “service”.  We try to keep our distance, as suggested by public health people.  The Church Office entry and the Ramp and Front Church doors will be open.

You may also call the Church Office (7:30a.m. – Noon) or any of the Pastors to arrange a time to come by the church for private communion. The Pastors are also willing to come to your home, as well.

We hope and pray that the day will soon come when we can gather in communion with each other in the Lord’s house to share this precious meal of God’s grace together.  Depending on what restrictions and guidelines come down at that time, that also may take a little different form than we’re used to.

 

Confirmation was to have taken place Sunday, May 3.  It is hoped that once things open up some we’ll be able to gather the class together for a little bit of review and preparation, then have a joyful service of confirmation in the faith.  If “opening” happens mid to late May, perhaps Confirmation could happen mid to late June.

 

Our Offerings to our God and our Congregation Finances

What a blessing that so many of our St. Stephen’s brothers and sisters continue to respond to God’s love in Jesus with thank offerings!  Ministry of God’s Word and Sacraments continues in our Church and School.  Thank you for the continued support!  Offerings have come in at about 70% of what they had been before the “lockdown”, which obviously doesn’t cover all our operating expenses.  Offerings may be mailed, dropped off at church office, brought on Sunday mornings Communion time, or given online (see church website).

Our congregation and many others qualified for a “forgivable” small business loan through the Payroll Protection Program section of the Federal government’s CARES Act.  It is administered through Horicon Bank.  It is totally forgivable if used for payroll/pension/health insurance expenses.  This loan will help us continue full financial support of all our called workers and employees through the month of June.  Obviously, it does not and cannot replace our gifts of love to our Savior God for support of his ministry.

 

Offerings for the months of March and April:

General Fund   $180,380.54

Radio Fund  $1,150.00

 

If you would like to continue to give offerings during this shutdown period, here are a few ways you can do it:

* Mail a check or cash to the church address:  300 West St.
Beaver Dam, WI 53916.

*Drop off a check or cash at the office that is open daily 7:30 to noon.

*Sign up for online donations through St. Stephen’s Website for donating with a credit or debit card, one-time or recurring.

*Sign up with your bank for autopay options – check with your bank on how to do this

Funerals   June Johnston was called home to heaven on March 30, 2020. Kristy Schwandt was called home to heaven on March 30, 2020.  Edward Nelson was called home to heaven on April 25, 2020. Because of coronavirus restrictions, funerals were limited to private family gatherings. Prayers for all families during this difficult time.

Baptisms

Samuel Ryan Stegner, son of Jason and Sarah (Neumann) Stegner, was baptized on April 19, 2020.

 

Forward in Christ and Meditations are available outside the church office.  Please come pick up a copy during the week or on Sunday!  By clicking on the blue letters ahead, you can also view free copies of Forward in Christ .

 

School News

“School” is still happening, though it is very, very different!  Since grades 5-8 use ChromeBooks in their classrooms, they are being used now at home for learning.  Their teachers are striving to teach lessons “on line” and students do assignments and submit them on line.  It’s challenging, and definitely nowhere near as beneficial as face to face classroom instruction.  But, as the sayings go, “it’s better than nothing” and “it is what it is”.  It is a learning experience for teachers, students, and parents alike.  Patience is probably one of the biggest lessons to be learned.

Grades K-4 don’t use Chrome Books, so can’t go the “on-line” route.  Teachers prepare packets of instruction and work that parents pick up and drop off every couple of weeks.

The faculty met this week to plan how to finish the school year, which is supposed to happen just before Memorial Day weekend.

 

The Lord has led three individuals to accept calls for next year. Mrs. Brittany Trimmer will teach 1st grade. Mrs. Karen Cooper will lead a combined 3rd-4th grade classroom. Mr. Tom Zuberbier will serve as our Athletic Director and teach upper grade language arts and physical education. Miss Hensler will go down to part time and help in the lower grades in various capacities. We thank the Lord for leading these teachers to us and pray for them as they make transitions in their ministry.

 

 

Good Shepherd Job Opportunities There are three part-time positions needing to be filled for next school year at Good Shepherd. The morning 4K aide position is already spoken for, but these are the other two positions we are looking to fill:

6:15-11:15am, Monday-Thursday:  Open Extended Care & 3K Aide

12:00-5:30pm, Monday-Friday:  Extended Care room leader

The pay rate is currently $10/hour, with a possible rate increase under consideration. Ideally, we would like these positions to be filled by a fellow Good Shepherd/WELS member or members. Please speak to Kim Steinberg (920-210-0163 or 920-885-4317) if you or someone you know is interested.