St. Stephen’s Weekly News: Week of June 7, 2020

Welcome Visitors If you are visiting today, we welcome you in our Risen and Living Savior, Jesus!

• Please let us know you worshiped with us by introducing yourself to a Pastor.
• If visiting, please don’t feel obligated to give an offering. St. Stephen’s members express thankfulness to God through their voluntary offerings which then support the congregation’s work.

Funeral   Gilbert Kertis was called to heaven on May 29, 2020, age 83.  Private family funeral services were conducted.

Memorials In memory of Edward Fritsch, a gift of $25 has been given to general fund from family.  In memory of Ed Nelson, a gift of $395 has been given to the Neuendorf scholarship fund, $20 gift for the altar guild, $20 gift for restoration fund from family and friends.

Gift We acknowledge with thanks, a gift of $140 for the general fund, given by Steve & Cheryl Nummerdor, in observance of their 40^th  wedding anniversary.

Radio Service: 9:30am on AM 1430 WBEV
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Sermon: You Are Always in the Presence of the Three Times Holy God
Hymns: 239, 248, 246, 244
Sunday, June 12, 2020
Sermon: Strive for Such a Faith
Hymns: 352, 231, 396, 381

Online Giving

We now have online giving. Go to www.ssbdwels.com and click on “Online Giving.” You will have to create an account with links to your financial institution. You can specify a dollar amount and give a one-time gift, or recurring gift: weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc.

Twice Is Nice in Jefferson is again accepting donations of clothing, household items, toys, books, dishes, etc.  All donations help to benefit Lakeside Lutheran High School.  Items may be brought to the church office and volunteers take them to the store. If you would like to shop or volunteer at Twice Is Nice the address is 907 W. Racine St., Jefferson, WI or call them at (920)674-6868.

Thank you cards a gift/card box has been placed in the back of church and in the ramp for any and all well wishes for Mrs. Amy Bubolz, who will be retiring after serving her Lord and us for 17 years, and Mr. Josh Schmidt, Mrs. Kim Brace, and Mrs. Jennifer Boll.  Mr. Schmidt has accepted a call to teach at St. Luke’s in Oakfield and Mrs. Brace & Mrs. Boll have completed their 1 year calls here at St. Stephen’s.

Helping Hands-Our new 1^st  grade teacher, Mrs. Brittney Trimmer and family, have been blessed with the opportunity to buy a home here in Beaver Dam and they are looking for some help moving.  If you are able to help this Monday at 1pm, please meet at 509 Lake St.  Any questions, give Pastor Dorn a call at 920-631-7028 or pastorsdorn@gmail.com.

Grounds Grass Cutting if your talents are in grass cutting and you would like to help with the beautification of the church and school yards, please contact Mike Schultz (920)296-3599.

St. Stephen’s OWLS will not meet in June.  Blessings on your summer.

Publications

• The June issue of Forward in Christ is available in the entryway and ramp of church.
• Meditations The latest issue of this devotional booklet (began June 1st,) is available in the entry and ramp.

Confirmation The coronavirus lock-down has affected so many events and activities.  Our Rite of Confirmation within our worship is one of them.  Our 8^th Grade Confirmands had just finished study of all the Catechism material when everything shut down and were about to begin review and preparation for Examination and Confirmation, which was to have been the weekend of May 1-3.  Through some technological communication and some meeting when restrictions were loosened, they are ready for Confirmation.

A “Family Confirmation Service” to be attended by family of confirmands only will take place this Sunday, June 7 at 1:30 p.m.

Please pray that as these 14 young people confess their faith in the triune God they will remain faithful to Him in hearing his word and living it all their lives until they live in heaven.

Our 2020 Confirmands

Leo Broitzman

Megan Czarnik

Boston Damon

Colin Fister

Olivia Gubine

Joshua Hafenstein

Lauryn Schubert

Natalia Stephenson

John Suchomel

Bridget Thomas

Hunter Thompson

Henry Vick

Alexander Wittnebel

Gavin Wittnebel

St. Stephen’s Lutheran School Graduation  Also affected by the stay at home orders obviously was our Lutheran Elementary School.  A graduation service was to be held May 22, but could not be.   A “family only” graduation service has been scheduled to take place in the church sanctuary the evening of Wednesday, June 17.

Congratulations to the  12 students who have successfully completed their “grade school” education and God bless you in your high school education!  “Stay connected to Jesus!”

Our 2020 Graduates

Megan Czarnik

Colin Fister

Olivia Gubine

Joshua Hafenstein

Brody Morgan

Lauryn Schubert

Natalia Stephenson

John Suchomel

Bridget Thomas

Henry Vick

Alexander Wittnebel

Gavin Wittnebel

Today’s Communion

• We will offer the Sacrament of Holy Communion in each service, giving everyone the opportunity to partake
• People will be ushered up on the lectern side first, then the pulpit side, so that we have only one line.
• We will introduce continuous distribution to help with distancing.
• Those who do not wish to commune or are not comfortable communing at this time will be free not to do so, with absolutely no stigma.
• Those who are distributing the Sacrament will clean their hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer immediately before distribution.
• Communicants will receive the wafer in an open palm.
• The common cup will not be used for a time.
• Individual cups will be spaced out in the trays.

Acceptance Letter from Mr. Jacob Bohlmann

Dear Members of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church,

On May 16, 2020, I received the divine call extended to me through the Assignment Committee of Martin Luther College to serve at your congregation.  With this letter, I wish to announce my formal acceptance of this call and express my joy that such a privilege has been granted to me.

I ask that you would please keep me in your prayers as I prepare to move to begin this new portion of my life and service to you and God.  I look forward to being able to serve with you in your church and school in the coming school year.  May the Lord bring us all safely there.

In Christ,

Jacob Bohlmann