May 2017

SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE

Centennial Evangelical Lutheran Church 3558 S. 24th Street Milwaukee, WI 53221 414-281-2280| www.centennialwels.org prayers@centennialwels.org

We have a lot of fun planned for Sunday School in the month of May. We will be facing extreme challenges in the great outdoors while learning to depend on the promises of Jesus through the Sonrise National Park program. We will be focusing on Philippians 4:19, "My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." On May 7th and 14th, we will be working on a special project for all the moms in the congregation. Our end-of-the year party is on May 21st.

7th

14th

20th

25th

Senior Brunch 11:00am

Mother’s Day Choir Concert 9:30 am

Church Clean Up Day 10:00 am

Ascension Service 6:30 pm

UPCOMING EVENTS! MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF CENTENNIAL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN MAY 2017 – VOL. II ISS. V

ROBERT GARBE, STAFF MINISTER LIN KANITZ, ADMIN ASSISTANT JENNY PUFAHL, SUNDAY SCHOOL RICH KANITZ, PRESIDENT JOHN NOLTE, TREASURER MIKE CHAPMAN, PROPERTY MANAGER YOUTH GROUP MEN’S MINISTRIES WOMEN’S MINISTRIES MINISTRIES FOR SENIORS INTERNET MINISTRY GLOBAL OUTREACH MISSIONS MUSIC MINISTRIES SPECIAL NEEDS

Please join us for worship on Thursday nights at 6:30 pm and Sunday mornings at 9:30 am.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

FAITH DAY AT MILLER PARK! Come with us! On Saturday, June 17, the Brewers will host the first ever Faith Day, presented by Thrivent Financial, at Miller Park featuring a free postgame concert by MultiPlatinum Christian music group, MercyMe, following the Crew's matchup with the Padres. Grammy-nominated MercyMe has 27 number one hits, more than nine million albums sold, and has established their place as one of the greatest Christian bands of all time. $16.00 per person. See Maureen Rochester or Lin Kanitz to express interest. Invite your family and your friends to this fun event!!!

Stop & Ask for Directions “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”… Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

CHURCH WORK DAY A spring work day is scheduled on Saturday, May 20th at the church. Please join us as we clean up both the inside and the outside of the church for the spring. Some food will be provided. We will also be planting outside for the spring summer months. Please come and lend a hand. The fun starts at 10:00am! If you have questions about this event, please contact Dave & Maureen Rochester at (414) 324-2074.

CHURCH PICNIC Who is up for a good old-fashion American picnic? “God Bless America!” is our theme this year as we celebrate our liberty and our faith together once again on Sunday, June 11th. The fellowship committee will provide the Hot Dogs, Brats and Buns. We ask that you bring a dish to pass. We hope to get a balanced offering of fruit, veggies, snacks and hot dishes to complete the meal, so we ask that you sign up in the church lobby as to what you will be bringing this year. We thank you in advance for your wonderful generosity! Along with the good food we will have plenty for the kids, pony rides, music, bingo...and so much more! Invite everyone you know to join us in the fun on Sunday, June 11!

John 14: 1-4, 6

S

ummer is right around the corner. Schools are going to be closed for the year. Many students in college are heading home for a much needed break from their studies. But with summer, comes…VACATION! If you have ever gone on vacation, you know that a lot of preparation and work goes into that vacation. Hours are spent on finding a place to go, on making accommodations at your destination, and possibly on car rentals and airline fares. Then the day arrives. Make sure to properly pack everything that you need. Have your pass ports ready! Make sure to have enough money as well. And do not

forget the directions to get to your destination. When you stop to think about all the work that goes into a vacation, one can start to feel that they need a vacation from their vacation. But even after all the preparations are made for your vacation, many times “things” happen. We feel that we know the way, and yet we need to stop and ask for directions, because it is a good feeling when we know exactly where we are going and how to get there. Jesus is talking about a destination. He is not talking about the Continued on page 2...

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. “ Psalm 32:8

GREG PUFAHL, PASTOR

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beaches of Florida or the coasts of California. He is talking about a much more important destination – a destination that offers the perfect rest and comfort. Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

of it. The Masters also have had to endure the pain of losing not one, but two children already. God has called to his eternal home Besten and Lusiya at the tender ages of 3 and 4. Life hasn’t been peaceful. But the river has. “For this is what the LORD says: I will extend peace to her like a river…as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you…” (Isaiah 66:12,13).

This destination offers the perfect comfort and rest because this destination is heaven. Jesus ascended back into heaven after his 33 year stay on this earth. He returned to the place he came from after he completed his work on this earth – after he lived perfectly, died innocently, and rose

Peace extended. Comfort given. Our LORD has spoken. And, He still speaks. To Patrick. To Betty. To the Sena. To all people of every nation, tribe and language. To you and to me. Worn out with your own striving to earn God’s favor? God refreshes with the assurance of His love. Feeling fatigued with regret over past mistakes? The LORD invigorates with the promise of His mercy. Weak with the problems of life? Christ fortifies with His own strength. Drowning in despair over your own sinfulness? Jesus rejuvenates with forgiveness. Feeling the scorching heat of life? The hot temps of temptation? The furnace blast of Satan’s ridicule? Go down to the river that God provides in Christ. Step into the cool waters. There’s peace. There’s gladness. There’s blessing. And as Patrick will assure you and any Sena person who will listen to the news about God’s river in Christ. There are no crocs.

victoriously. What may seem strange to us is what Jesus says next, “You know the way to the place where I am going.” So the place is heaven, but what is the way? Where can we find these directions? Well Jesus gives us the directions to our destination in verse 6: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” That is our directions to our destination. The way is Jesus.

SENIOR BRUNCH SUNDAY, MAY 7TH FUN & GREAT FOOD! Everyone 60 years and older are invited to join us in a special brunch on Sunday, May 7th. We will have a time of fellowship and great food! We hope you will join us on Sunday, May 7th, right after Sunday morning service! GREAT FELLOWSHIP!

But just like any ‘vacation’ that we go on, there are a tremendous amount of preparations needed to be made before we can enter or journey on this ‘vacation.’ I talked about the preparations that were needed for your different destinations that you may have for your summer vacation. However, this destination took even more preparation than your family trip. How? These preparations could only have been made by one person. There was not a committee that took over; it all fell on one person. The preparations were not just for your family, but this was intended for the entire world. These preparations were not made at popular vacation destinations, but on a hill called Calvary. And even though the old saying is true that the preparations took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, ultimately these preparations – that could only be made by one person – ended up killing that one person. These preparations drained him of his blood, sweat, and tears. You see, Jesus is the way. He is the only way. He is the one who has made preparations for us. He made these preparations on his cross that we deserved to carry. He rose back to life on Easter. And he ascended into heaven so that he could prepare our room for us. He is the one who gives us the directions to that place through his word. And he is the one who will say to us when we finally get to see him, “Let me show you to your room.” Amen

R OU Y ! E IT N DS V IN RIE F

Activities:  3-bounce houses  His Way Band  Balloon tying clown  Raffle items  David Fliss, caricaturist  Face painting  Fire truck & police car

Refreshments:  Pop corn  Nachos  Popsicles  Hot dogs  Lemonade  Cool refreshing water

IN V N EI ITE G H YO U BO R RS !

MISSION MOMENTS

Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:15

Excerpts from a blog post recently submitted by Missionary John Holtz from Malawi, Africa. ~ Danica Krueger, LWMS

There Are No Crocs in Malawi, Africa The Sena people live in Southern Malawi. They are nestled in an area known as the Lower Shire. The temperatures in the Lower Shire reach scorching highs. Not only could you fry the proverbial egg on a sidewalk, you could also cook the bacon and make yourself a steaming cup of coffee before you’d be able to say “turn down the heat in the Shire kitchen.” Well, ok, maybe it’s not quite that hot, but you can certainly leave your long underwear in Wisconsin and your mittens in Minnesota. But, heed the warning: if you are feeling a bit toasty, don’t take a dip in the river, or it may just be the last one you ever take. Here’s why… Some people in the Sena tribe have been known to use magic to first of all cause you to feel extra warm so that you do go down to the river to cool off; and that’s when they get you. Or better said, that’s when IT gets you. By using charms, these irate and vengeful Sena are able to send a giant crocodile to grab you, pull you under, deathroll you 'til you suffocate and drown and…You are no more. Scared? Well, ok, maybe not. Odds are that you aren’t anywhere near the Lower Shire and it is most likely that you haven’t ruffled any feathers of any person from the Sena Tribe. Perhaps–and most significantly– you don’t even believe that any Sena, cranky, or otherwise, can do such magic mayhem anyway. Even though you’re not shaking in the skin of your bare feet, many Malawians are. Because they do believe it! Many are deathly afraid of being cursed and witched; many are superstitious and fearful about others using magic and medicines against them. Who’s out to get me? WHAT’S out to get me? Questions and fears like those lurk in the back waters of their hearts like frightening reptiles in Malawi’s rivers; and so they hang a charm, offer a sacrifice, call upon dead ancestors, dance a dance, or swallow some medicine. All in an effort to ward off evil. And crocodiles. But know this: though the Malawian culture often embodies such issues, God’s Word boldly speaks to them, too. And, consequently, so does Patrick Goodson Master. Patrick is an Evangelist in the Lutheran Church of Central Africa Malawi Synod. He’s not an ordained pastor, but he does all the work of a pastor except for one thing: distributing the Lord’s Supper. Hence the title, “Evangelist.” Patrick completed his classroom studies at the Lutheran Bible Institute (1993-1995), but he never did go on to finish his Seminary training. Nevertheless, the lack of a diploma for his wall never meant a lack of love for the Lord. His gift to minister to God’s people has actually been fanned to flame over the years. God has given Evangelist Master an opportunity to serve in the Lower Shire. Though he himself is from the Lomwe tribe, he has been among the Sena since 1995. It was “way back then” that the Mission Board of the LCCA-MS called him to serve congregations in the sun-drenched areas of the Lower Shire called Chikwawa and Nsanje. Twenty one years later he is still serving: still sharing the gospel truths, still preaching Christ crucified, still teaching salvation by grace, still assuring the Sena that there indeed is a river into which they need not be afraid to go. “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.” (Psalm 46:4). A dip into God’s refreshing waters of grace does wonders for the soul! And that gives Patrick a mighty refreshing message! And so, after all these years, Patrick is still faithfully serving, not only congregations, but his family as well. And it hasn’t been an easy road. Still isn’t. Patrick and his wife Betty have a daughter Beatrice who needs constant special care and attention because she suffers with epilepsy. It is absolutely vital that they live nearby to medical facilities. By God’s grace, they do. There is a hospital within an easy bike ride and it offers the proper medicine and doctor care that Beatrice needs. No, it hasn’t been an easy road. And, it’s as if their faces bespeak the difficulty Continued on page 7...

STAFF MINISTER’S REPORT

As Missionaries of Christ, we bring everyone we come in contact with closer to the Savior.

Easter for Kids: God blessed us again with a beautiful day in the 60’s. He also blessed us with 80 children attending along with about 30-40 of their parents. 4 families came from our current prospect list along with 3 new prospects. There were about 20 volunteers from our congregation who helped out along with about 8 teens from our LYFE group. We thank those volunteers who donated food items too. Everyone attending enjoyed a sing-a-long lead by Jenny Pufahl. After that our Puppet Ministry puppeteers performed their first show and put on a skit telling and acting out the Easter story. We thank the 2 leaders of this ministry, Sharon Borchardt and Lin Kanitz. We also thank the 6 teen puppeteers who spent many hours in practicing for this event. We also thank Jeff Prothero for coordinating the stuffing of 420 eggs for the egg hunt. We also had crafts and a nutritious lunch after. At the end of the day, postcards were given out listing Holy Week Service times and dates. The entire cost of Easter for Kids was around $1,500. We thank those members who donated gifts of money to help defray some of these costs.

New Puppet Ministry: As I mentioned above, Sharon Borchardt and Lin Kanitz began this new ministry several months ago. They are both experienced puppeteers from their previous churches. Their first debut was at Easter for Kids. They are planning on doing a skit for Christmas for Kids. We don’t want to burden them with much more now, but there are a lot of opportunities to expand this ministry into the community such as: presentations in nursing homes, children’s hospital, a show in the park, etc. We pray now that God would bless their efforts wherever they perform. If you are interested in assisting with this ministry, please contact any one of us to discuss.

Trunk or Treat: We were recently approached by the school’s Wolfpac group to combine our resources and think about doing an event like Trunk or Treat together. They were thinking of replacing their Annual Fall Family Fun Fest in October and with doing something different. A Trunk or Treat is an event to invite the community to where members of the church decorate their cars/vans trunks with a certain theme. Children/parents come and receive candy, but also receive some religious education depending on the theme. The overall thought is to give the community an opportunity to come to a safe place and replace their traditional trick or treat. We have invited the Wolfpac representatives to join us at our July 9th Evangelism meeting to discuss this opportunity.

A new program from the Commissions on Lutheran Schools and Evangelism is now available to guide congregations on how better to use their Lutheran elementary schools and early childhood ministries for reaching out into their community with the gospel’s saving message. Telling the Next Generation: Utilizing our Schools for Outreach is a daylong workshop that helps congregation and school leaders focus on their joint mission, build relationships within the church and with school families, and develop an organized program to connect school families with the Word. Besides offering information and resources, the workshop allows time for a congregation’s ministry team to meet and work on developing a specific ministry plan to facilitate the outreach they want to do. Assigned advisors also will stay in contact with the congregation to answer follow-up questions and provide additional resources and encouragement. Telling the Next Generation: Utilizing our Schools for Outreach is meant for all Lutheran elementary schools, early childhood ministries, and high schools, whether small or large, growing or struggling. Holman says the goal is to provide one workshop in every district, more if requested, by the end of the 2016–17 school year. This informative workshop will be held: Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School N108 W14290 Bel Aire Ln Germantown, WI Saturday, May 13, 2017

May Sun

Mon

Tue

1 May 7th Meet & Eat Oscars Custard Franklin, WI 5:00 pm

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2

6:30 pm God’s Way Course

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Fri

Sat

4

5

6

3

6:30 pm Worship Service with Communion

7:00 pm Choir Practice

9

6:30 pm God’s Way Course

15

8:15am Bible Study 9:30 pm Mother’s Day Choir Celebration Service 10:30 am Trustees

Thu

5

7:30 pm Women’s Bible Study

8

8:15am Bible Study 9:30 pm Worship Service with Communion 10:45 am Church Council 10:30 am Senior Brunch

Wed

10

16

Desperately Needed

11

7:00 pm Choir Practice

12

13

6:30 pm Worship Service

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6:30 pm God’s Way Course

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19

20

6:30 pm Worship Service with Communion

6:30 pm Word of Life School Concert & Recognition Night

10:00 am Church Work Day

Happy Mother’s Day

21

8:15am Bible Study 9:30 pm Worship with Communion 10:30 am Fellowship 10:30 am Evangelism

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23

4TH SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP

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6:30 pm Word of Life Graduation Service

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9:30 am Contemporary Worship with His Way Band

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6:30 pm Ascension Service

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7th - None Assigned 14th - Rich and Lin Kanitz in celebration of their 30th Wedding Anniversary 21st - None Assigned 28th - None Assigned

SERMON RECORDING

USHERS Thursday - Maury Bell Sunday - Lump Brown / Mike Chapman Lumpree Brown III / Rick Martinez Lump Brown - Head Usher

7th 14th 21st 28th -

SONG BOARD SET UP Add the liturgy, psalms, and hymns to the music boards on the church walls. Persons will need to change the boards on a weekly basis. About 10% of the services are special services that will not fit on the boards so we do not post them. You would get the service information from either the bulletin or electronically so that you can change the boards when you have time to do so. Contact Bruce Scott at 414-282-9436 for more information on or interest in this opportunity. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CHAIRMAN Contact Rich Hofmeister at 414-248-2358, Rich Kanitz at 414405-3633, or Pastor Pufahl at 414-281-8820 for more information on or interest in this opportunity. STEWARDSHIP CHAIRMAN Contact Rich Hofmeister at 414-248-2358, Rich Kanitz at 414405-3633, or Pastor Pufahl at 414-281-8820 for more information on or interest in this opportunity. LIBRARY MAINTENANCE Persons responsible would work with the Christian Education Chairman to add, maintain and manage library books and materials. Make suggestions of titles to add. Hunt down the titles that haven’t yet returned. Contact Rich Hofmeister at 248-2358 or the Christian Education Chair for more information on or interest in this opportunity.

Happy Memorial Day!

FLOWERS

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Rich Kanitz Dave Rochester Bob Mayer Rich Kanitz

ALTAR GUILD ASSISTANTS Persons interested would assist setting up communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays as well as putting it away at the end of service. These individuals will also maintain any flowers that are on the altar as well as changing banners and paraments according to the church calendar / schedule. Contact Bonnie Huth at 414-248-2358 for more information on / interest in this opportunity. SERMON RECORDING Be a part of a team that records the sermons to be posted on the website for visitors and friends. May be asked to record special services like Advent or Lent mid week service if schedule allows, but this is based on team availability. We encourage teens to consider this. Contact Rich Kanitz at 414-405-3633 for more information.

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1 Has Some Volunteers But Could Use More

NURSERY ATTENDANTS Be a part of a team that would attend to young children so that their parents can attend services and studies. May be asked to be available for special times so that parents can take part in studies out side of normal church service times. See Pastor Pufahl at 414-281-8820 for more information on or interest in this opportunity. PEW RACK MONITOR Persons interested would ensure that all the pews are tidy and stocked with guest cards, working pencils, enough hymnals, and bibles and that Scribble Pads for the children are ready for each service. See Rich Hofmeister at 248-2358 for more information or to express interest in this opportunity. COMMUNITY EVENTS HELPER These helpers would work with the Evangelism team on ensuring that all tasks have been completed for any of our outreach projects. Contact Jeremy Nolte at 414-350-2782 or Bob Garbe for more information or to express interest in this opportunity. PHOTOGRAPHERS Do you like taking pictures? This job is for you! We need someone to take pictures of our events and members to be posted on the website or social media. Photographers will work with the church office to ensure that new member images are taken and that they have copies of images for further publication. Contact Rich Kanitz at 414-405-3633 or the church office for more information or to express interest in this opportunity. SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANTS Centennial is on social media. Whether its Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest, we need assistance with all of them. We are in need of persons to interact on these pages, and create regular posts of encouragement, and event notification. We encourage teens to consider this. Contact Nicole Hefley at 414-282-9262 or the church office for more information or to express interest in this opportunity. CHOIR MEMBERS Do you like to sing? The choir needs you! Practices are on Tuesday nights at 7:00pm. Summers off. Contact Cheryl Nolte if interested. 414—350-1907

Each one should use whatever gift he has received [from God] to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10