THE CROSS & THE FLAME - Viroqua United Methodist Church - Driftless Regional Ministry
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THE CROSS & THE FLAME
Viroqua
United Methodist
Church
P.O. Box 127, Viroqua, WI 54665 December 2019
For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
The celebration of the birth of the Lord is more than a memory, an anniversary or a
birthday. It is a current event because every year we relive the coming of the Incar-
nate Word which touches and deeply compromises our existence: the Lord who
came into the world on the first Christmas and who will return glorious at the end of
time wants to come into our hearts and our lives now.
Just as the people of Israel prepared for the coming of the Messiah, which was expected as the fulfillment
of God’s promise to our first parents, recounted to the patriarchs and reiterated a thousand times by the
words of the prophets, so also today as the new people of God, the Christians, we diligently prepare to
celebrate the renewed memory of that great event, which meant the beginning of our salvation. Only if
we open our hearts to welcome the Lord, the shepherds and the magicians as Mary and Joseph did, will
Advent and Christmas be a milestone of grace and salvation for us.
Throughout the four weeks of Advent we will hear that we will be invited to prepare ourselves to receive
Jesus and to clear and pave the paths to our soul. With a clear heart we will experience inner change in
order for us to receive the Lord, who is born, must be born or reborn with greater intensity in our lives.
Also, throughout these weeks, we will receive the call to put our lives at the feet of Christ and to renew
our commitment to love Him with all that we are and with all that we have.
Advent means arrival: It also means God meeting with man. Our encounter with the Lord who comes
again to us this Advent will not be possible if we are not willing to listen to the voice of God and do His
will. Nor will it be possible if it is not preceded by a cordial encounter with our brothers, with an attitude of
forgiveness, help, detachment, service and love. We cannot say that we welcome the Lord who returns
to us if we do not renew our fraternity or if we do not welcome Him in the poorest and neediest of our
brothers.
Advent must be lived with intensity and hope. We must prepare our hearts to receive Him so that our en-
counter with Him transforms our lives and drives us to witness and announce His coming.
May a light of God illuminate your life with power this season.
Viroqua United Methodist Church’s Mission Statement
The Viroqua United Methodist Church exists for the purpose of carrying out Christ’s Great
Commission by enabling all who come to personally know the joy of God’s love and forgiveness and to lovingly
share this joy in the fellowship of the church and in reaching people throughout the world.
Prayer for Viroqua UMC
God, the giver of life, generous giver of gifts and abilities,
help us discover our talents and have the courage to use
them to serve you and our community with unimagined
new purposes on behalf of Jesus Christ. Amen.
This prayer was developed as a result of goals set by the Visioning Committee and
approved by the
Administrative Council and Charge Conference. The entire congregation will be asked to pray this prayer together
as we embark on a New Year.
“God does nothing except in response to believing prayer.
John Wesley
December Birthdays
Happy Anniversary God’s Blessing on You!
Ardith Olson December 3
Craig & Kay Starr December 8
Maris & Phyllis Kalnins December 13
Joanne Hornby December 8
Willard & Ann Carlow December 31 Ben Ostrem December 9
Lori Strasser December 9
Sawyer Clements December 12
Elizabeth Hanson December 13
Todd Overbo December 14
Rachel Turben December 15
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord Josh Garrett December 18
that at last you renewed your concern for me.
Maris Kalnins December 18
Philippians 4.10a
Riley Veglahn December 19
It is my desire to thank all of you for the love and
Jack Kappler December 19
attention I have received upon the loss of my father.
His words and your words have brought peace and Ruth Gilbertson December 26
comfort to my spirit and my heart. Thank you, very
much dear brothers and sisters, in Christ. May the
Lord continue to bless you abundantly.
Pastor Erika
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abundant Joy Advent Journey p. 3 Epiphany Sunday p. 4
Administrative Council Minutes p. 8 Fall Happenings p. 6-7
Advent Devotionals p. 3 finance Committee Minutes p. 8
Anniversaries p. 2 Mission Report p. 10
Birthdays p. 2 Online Bible Study p.8
Calendar (December) Insert Pastor Erika’s Letter p.1
Care & Nurture Committee p. 10 Prayer for Viroqua UMC p.2
Christmas Eve p. 4 Thanks You from Pastor Erika p. 2
Church Information p. 12 Trustees Meeting Minutes p.10
Confirmation Class p. 5 UMW p.11
Community Events Insert Worship Committee p. 9
OUR ADVENT JOURNEY
God deserves so much more than we give. But life happens. We live in a world with complex demands on
our time, energy, focus, and attention, and our resources are pulled in many directions. Rather than feel
guilty that God does not get more of us, we can focus on growth in our faith and walk with God.
During this Advent season, you will hear about growing in all areas of giving to God—our quiet time with
Him, our time spent worshiping Him in community with others, using our spiritual gifts and talents, and
giving to Him of our financial resources.
Please be encouraged to use the upcoming Advent Journey time to evaluate your commitment to each of
the areas of giving and pray about your goals for the next year.
ADVENT DEVOTIONALS
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Advent Devotional Booklet we compiled. It’s very
meaningful when we share our devotional thoughts with each other.
Be sure to pick up the booklet and make use of it during our Advent
Journey.
3
Our traditional Christmas Eve service will be held at 5:00 pm on Tuesday,
December 24. The Christmas story will be told that night through “Lessons
and Carols.” We will hear the scriptures and sing carols to go with them.
The service will also include a candlelight meditation as the Holy Family is
portrayed. We are still looking for a baby whose family might be willing to
portray the Holy Family. If you know of someone, let a member of the
Worship Committee know.
All are welcome to worship with us on this most holy night. It is
especially meaningful and joyous when visitors and extended families
attend.
January 6 celebrates the arrival of the Wise Men to see Jesus after He was born.
Christian churches recognize Epiphany, but our American culture does not generally pay it so much heed. In
the Mexican culture, Epiphany is a very important celebration. That is the day when children receive the
good gifts—the toys. (On Christmas, they receive the boring gifts—clothes.)
The Worship Committee decided to do something special on the upcoming Epiphany Sunday, January 5.
The service will consist of all music, no sermon. Christmas music will be emphasized, but any music offered in a
spirit of worship is encouraged and welcomed. If you want to contribute a solo or small group musical performance
to this worship, please tell the church office by December 12.
Watch for more “surprises” that day!
CHRISTMAS TRIVIA
1. Who told Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem?
2 True or False: Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus because they were
following a star.
3. Which Old Testament prophet had the most to say about the birth of Christ?
4. What are the three gifts which are mentioned being given by the wise men?
5. The shepherds and the wise men went to see Jesus. Which group followed a star and which group went to find the
baby because an angel told them where to look? The shepherds were told by angels, Wisemen followed the star.
5. 1. Ceasar Agustus 2. False 3. Isaiah 4. Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh
4
REID BROWN
Age: 13 Birthday: April 26, 2007
Family Members: Mom, dad, 2 brothers—Steph, Dan, Huxley, Colton
My favorites subjects in school are gym and Spanish.
In my free time, I like to do sports, read, hangout with friends, do aerial hoop, play piano.
My True Color is Orange. This means that I am fun, active, witty, athletic, and charming.
The best thing about Confirmation Class is the atmosphere (people).
Our church needs more kids!
COLTEN DUSTIN
Age: 13 Birthday April 9, 2006
Family Members: Joe (dad) and Lana (grandma)
My favorite subject in school is math.
In my free time I like to “chill.”
My True Color is Green. This means that I am a deep thinker.
The best thing about Confirmation Class is learning.
Our church needs more money.
GRANT HANSON
Age: 14 Birthday: May 14, 2005
Family Members: Angie, Aaron, Gradyn (mom, dad, brother)
My favorite subject in school is social studies.
In my free time, I like to play video games.
My True Color is Green. This means that I am calm and laid back.
The best thing about Confirmation Class is the snacks.
Our church needs 10k.
BEN OSTREM
Age: 14: Birthday: December 9, 2004
Family Members: Mom and 2 brothers
My favorite subject in school is math.
In my free time, I like to play games.
My True Color is Orange. This means that I break the rules.
The best thing about Confirmation Class is seeing my friends.
Our church needs nothing.
WYNNE ROBERTS
Age: 13 Birthday: November 6, 2006
Family Members: Gregg, Elizabeth, Gus, Henry, Ruby
My favorite school subject is social studies.
In my free time, I like to ski, read, be with my friends, eat food, ride horse, bake, do silks.
My True Color is Orange. This means that I like to be busy and with my friends, and be active.
The best thing about Confirmation Class is the people and the games.
Our church needs more girls and kids.
KYLE SCHULTZ
Age: 15 Birthday: July 23, 2004
Family Members: Kelli, Chris, Kalia (mom, dad, sister)
My favorite school subject is world history.
In my free time, I like to play Fortnite and foosball.
My True Color is Green. This means that I am like a good, average kid, I guess.
The best thing about Confirmation Class is that I get to see Ben.
Our church needs the candy bowl again.
5
This space highlights some of the activities happening with our members.
Everyone is encouraged to take pictures and submit them for this space in
the future.
Halloween Soup Supper
Church School Silhouettes
We’re adding the Armor of God to them.
Veteran’s Day Food Drive
6
Worship with candles
Kids receive Bibles
Cavan receives UMW Special Recognition
Women’s Fellowship
7
DECEMBER ONLINE STUDY
For the December online study, journey with us during the 25 days of
Advent as we discover more about the story of God’s plan to save the
world from sin through the birth of Jesus. Through God’s plan, He gives
us salvation and unfailing love. Our journey will begin on Dec. 1st.
Please join “Advent: The Journey to Christmas” by going to this link:
https://bible.com/p/20000963/39d79d933f611f14da6f13c4c8b63671
VIROQUA UMC ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MEETING
November 19, 2019
Members Present: Pastor Erika, Gregory Cheever, Jolene Gudgeon, Aaron Hanson, Kathy Hanson, Gregg Roberts, Kristen
Parrott, Janet Welch
The meeting was opened with a devotion from the Upper Room.
Kathy gave a report from the Visioning Committee that established the following goals for 2020.
Concentrate on our Youth of all ages.
Make prayer a church-wide emphasis. All meetings and gatherings will be encouraged to include prayer. A prayer
for the church is being created and distributed so that everyone can pray together for our church. (See the prayer
on the first page of the newsletter.)
Small groups. Gregory Cheever will serve as a small group coordinator to encourage growth in this area.
Service project—Develop at least one new community service project in 2020.
Stewardship—focus on all aspects of stewardship—giving to God of ourselves as well as our financial resources.
Safe sanctuary—become informed about and implement a safe sanctuary program.
Committee Reports
SPRC – The group is reviewing and developing job descriptions for all employees of the church. They are also putting
together goals for each of the committees.
UMW— The group has a new Child Find boy, as the one they had before became independent. The new boy is age 11
and lives in Mexico. See complete minutes elsewhere in newsletter.
Missions—The group raised $182.17 for the Latvian mission and $181.00 for the World-Wide Communion offering.
Trustees – The parsonage floors will be finished this week. Thanks to Pastor Erika and Pastor Jorge for their patience
during this process.
The entire congregation will be invited to join the kids for Salvation Army Bell Ringing on December 15.
Next Meeting Tuesday, December 17 @ 7:00.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
November 19, 2019
Members Present: Gregg Roberts, Jolene Gudgeon, Kathy Hanson, Pastor Erika, Aaron Hanson, Gregory Cheever
Meeting opened with a prayer by Pastor Erika.
Financial Secretary Report & Treasurer Reports both accepted.
The percentages of pastoral time will stay the same for the Narrative Budget.
Jolene will contact Sun Prairie for guidance on shared parsonage expenses.
We will have the Big Thing fundraiser again this winter. A meeting is scheduled for December 10 @ 5:30 to begin plan-
ning.
The committee voted to transfer $3500 from the Financial Secretary Trustee account to the Treasurer Trustee account.
We compared 2018 and 2019 giving. 2019 is down 5.5% for the same time period.
Electronic giving opportunities will be put in place in 2020.
8
WORSHIP COMMITTEE
November 14, 2019
Present: Pastor Erika, Kathy Hanson, Avis Marino, Phyllis Kalnins, Barb Casper,
Holly Fanta, Cavan Fang.
Everyone is invited to help decorate the Sanctuary on Tuesday 26 November @3:30 p.m.
A special series of worship services in December will focus on spiritual growth through
giving our whole selves to God. We strongly encourage everybody to attend all five ser-
vices (or listen on the radio if you get snowed in).
Our Christmas Eve worship will be at 5:00 p.m. This is not a joint worship service because
Westby will observe their own Christmas Eve service; nonetheless, anyone and everyone is invited to celebrate Jesus’s
birth with us.
Please tell a worship committee member if you know of a baby whose family might be willing to portray the Holy Family
on Christmas Eve.
We are investigating whether we have enough people willing and able to do a Christmas Day service at Vernon Manor. It
would be from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45-ish. Please contact Barb Casper if you are interested in supporting this ministry.
On Epiphany Sunday, January 5, we will have an all-music, no-sermon worship service. It will emphasize Christmas music,
but any music offered in a spirit of worship is encouraged and welcomed. If you want to contribute a solo or small group
musical performance to this worship, please tell the church office by December 12. Also, please encourage your musical
friends and family members to participate, or even to just attend and help the congregation sing joyfully to God.
Phyllis Kalnins has agreed to serve as Chief Communion Steward. She is streamlining and improving the behind-the-
scenes work of serving Communion, and enhancing communication between the parties involved. Please talk to Phyllis if
you have any comments or suggestions for how we observe Holy Communion. Communion will be served on 12/1, 12/29,
and 1/12.
We want visitors to provide their address/phone info so we can send them a card thanking them for worshipping with us.
When you notice a visitor near you, of course you are already welcoming them warmly, but please also encourage them
to fill out the attendance sheet and guest book.
You may have noticed some recent changes to our order of worship. We invite feedback on these aspects of our worship.
Printed copies of the sermon are available on the back table so people can follow along, and reread the sermons at
home during the week.
The congregation rises in silence while the church bell is rung after the prelude, in order to set the mood for worship
and signal the transition from the world’s time to God’s time.
Pastor Erika creates a moment of silence while she is uncovering the elements for Communion, because this act
marks the beginning of the holy sacrament and should be spent in silent prayer.
We are deemphasizing the singing of “Happy Birthday” and “Happy Anniversary”, the better to focus on God’s hand
in our Joys and Concerns.
The usher/acolyte now snuffs the candles during the Sending Forth, and precedes the pastor out of the church, so
that the light of Christ leads the way out into the world.
The Worship Committee will be exploring further changes to our worship services. The starting point will be a set of rec-
ommendations from the Flood Gates book, which was the subject of a study group this year. Furthermore, we will be
experimenting with different types of worship services (such as our all-music Epiphany worship) to better understand
what makes worship meaningful to different people.
We are prepared to ruthlessly re-evaluate every aspect of our worship service and potentially eliminate or reshape each
accordingly, so that our worship unwaveringly focuses on adoring God and creating opportunities for worshippers to en-
counter the Almighty in a personal and profound way. Therefore, we urgently request (cajole, solicit, plead for) input
from the congregation. Of course we want to learn what aspects of our current worship are effective for you and what
you think should change. But more than that we need to know why the various aspects of worship are or aren’t mean-
ingful for you, how they help or hinder your experience of God. We will be deeply grateful to anyone willing to spend
time talking to us about this.
Next meeting December 12 @ 6pm.
9
MISSION REPORT
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Latvian Bake Sale in October. Together we raised $182.17
for the United Methodist Church in Latvia.
Also thank you to everyone who contributed to the World Communion Sunday special offering on October
6. $181 was raised to help provide scholarships for racial- and ethnic-minority students in the U.S. and
students worldwide.
Look for the Mitten Tree in the church narthex. Through Sunday, December 8, you can bring in new toys
and warm clothes for children, including mittens, hats, and scarves, to place on and around the tree.
These items will be given to the Toys for Tots program and then distributed to local children in need.
On Sunday, December 15, the Missions Committee will hold a holiday bake sale in the narthex before and
after the morning worship service. Proceeds from this event will go to support our church’s missionary,
Temba Nkomozepi. Temba is an agricultural missionary working at Mujila Falls in Zambia. You can con-
tribute by baking or buying or both.
By working together on all of these projects, our congregation is helping many different people in many
different ways!
TRUSTEES MEETING
November 12, 2019
Members Present: Aaron Hanson, Pastor Erika, Gregory Cheever, Barb Casper, Pete Gilman, Dale Gudgeon
Pastor Erika opened the meeting with prayer.
The bills were reviewed.
The parsonage floor refinishing project has started.
We need to call Strang’s to check the register in the upstairs bathroom.
Dr. Elizabeth will check with the hospital on a price for a defibrillator.
Kevin Fredrickson was approved to remove snow from the church sidewalk.
Cutter Hauge was approved to remove parking lot snow. We will pay once he has turned in a tax number.
Next meeting December 10 @ 6:00 pm.
CARE & NURTURE MEETING
November 4, 2019
Members Present: David Peterson, Joanne Hornby, Betty Ross, Kathy Hanson, Sandy Skarda, Pastor Erika
The meeting was opened with a prayer by Pastor Erika.
Thank you to Sandy Skarda for sending out so many cards. We talked about the youth work, the Confirma-
tion class and their mentors. Kathy will do interviews of the confirmation kids for the newsletter.
The Care & Nurture Committee will serve cake and coffee of Sunday, November 10 for Veteran’s Day. A
thank you all participating.
We went over the homebound list. Pick up a list and see if you can visit or call people.
The Church of Christ is helping for a Sunday at the Fortney Hotel in place of Liberty Pole. The Fortney meal
will be served December 15 by the Finance and Trustees committees.
Christmas decorating will be held on November 26. We will be helping and will be hanging the big wreath
outside the steps and doing the Shepherds Run.
We will not meet in December. Next meeting January 6 @ 9:00 am.
Closing prayer by David Peterson. God bless you all.
10UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
The Viroqua United Methodist Women met Thursday, November 14 in the
church lounge. Betty Ross was the hostess.
Lorraine Gerdl gave the November check for our Child Fund boy in Mexico.
We will send him $25 also for a Christmas gift
We voted for Hester to order one book from each category for the Reading Program.
We thank the Sunday School mothers in advance for serving cookies for Sunday morning coffee in Decem-
ber.
We went over the criteria needed to complete the Southwest District Mission Today Tasks.
Our Special Mission Recognition pin was given on Sunday to Cavan Fang who does many things for the
church including baking the bread for communion, writing lyrics to music for many occasions and leading
music groups for special services.
Phyllis Kalnins led the program on the World Tank Offering. $102.14 will be sent to the District for that spe-
cial offering.
Our December meeting will be December 12 at Kickapoo Corners.
Christmas Gifts for Vernon Manor Residents
Every year the United Methodist Women have each donated several gifts for the Christmas party at Vernon
Manor. This year we would like to open it up for the whole congregation to help us. A list of gift suggestions
is provided below, and there is a basket in the Narthex where you can drop off your contributions. Thank
you for your help!
Please bring gifts wrapped and designated whether for a man or woman.
Suggested Gifts
Playing cards Aftershave
Large print crosswords or word searches Body spray and body wash
Flavored chap stick Puff Corn
Slipper socks with grippers Soft candy
Small cans of soda Men’s baseball type caps
Picture books: birds, dogs, cats, farming, wildlife, etc. Puffs plus tissues
Gently used paper back or large print books Small Beanie Baby type stuffed animals
Lotion for men or women Jewelry/beads
Packer/Badger items `Small decorative items
Photo frames or books Box of note cards or greeting cards
Adult coloring books with colored pencils/markers Nail polish
Fleece throw
11The Cross & The Flame is published monthly
for our congregation and friends. We welcome you
with open hearts, open minds and open doors.
VIROQUA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PASTOR
REV. ERIKA MARTINEZ-FLORES
(608) 638-7627— Direct Pastor Line
(608) - 637-7614 — Parsonage
encadenada100@hotmail.com
CHURCH OFFICE
221 S. Center Ave.
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: 608-637-3551
Email: info@ViroquaUMC.org
Website: www.DriftlessMinistry.org/viroqua
Office Staff: Kathy Hanson/Barb Casper
OFFICE HOURS
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Monday – Thursday
(Church door opens at 9:00 am)
Office Closed on Fridays
DECEMBER SERVICE ASSISTANTS CHRISTMAS WEEK OFFICE HOURS
Ushers Monday, Dec. 23 9:00am-12:00pm
December 1 Layne/Janette Hanson
December 8 Chuck/Mary Mulvaney Kemp Tuesday, Dec. 24 9:00am-11:00am
December 15 Gregory/Mary Cheever Wednesday, Dec. 25 OFFICE CLOSED
December 22 Alice Sloane/Betty Ross
December 24 Aaron/Angie Hanson Thursday, Dec. 26 OFFICE CLOSED
December 29 Youth
Greeters
December 1 Janet Welch
December 8 David Peterson
December 15 Lorna Peterson
December 22 Betty Ross
December 24 Marlo Volden
December 29 Youth
Liturgist
Todd Overbo
Communion Stewards
Janette Hanson/Marlo Volden
12Sunday, December 1 Caroling of the Choirs
7:00 pm (Viroqua UM Choir will be participating)
Sunday, December 8 Candy Cane Tour of Homes - Vernon County Historical Society
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Visit 5 Lovely Homes Decorated for Christmas
Tour Begins at the Museum
Sunday, December 8 Viroqua Community Bell Choir Concert
2:00 pm Viroqua United Methodist Church
Featuring the latest, liveliest bell music, a carol
singalong, & the Black River Falls UMC Praise Band
Refreshments to Follow
Sunday, December 15
Westby UM Church
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