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communication with the local community. Alli worked with us to create a new website, logo, all the mailers for the Praise and Proclaim campaign and so much more. God has richly blessed this campaign with so many willing and skilled workers, we look forward to going out into the harvest fields.”
3558 S. 24th Street Milwaukee, WI 53221 414-281-2280| www.centennialwels.org prayers@centennialwels.org GREG PUFAHL, PASTOR ROBERT GARBE, STAFF MINISTER LIN KANITZ, ADMIN ASSISTANT
After a three-day orientation with Mission Counselor Tim Flunker, I spread my young ministry wings and fluttered out of the nest! My associate, Pastor Ismael Sialer, has been very helpful in introducing me to people in the community and congregation alike. We even performed a quinceañera celebration, in which we read and preached God’s Word to around 100 guests who had never been in our church before! In these first few months of ministry, I’ve been able to drive and walk around our diverse neighborhood, begin to instruct a few people who are new to the faith, start and lead a children’s “Growing with Jesus” class, preach a number of sermons in both Spanish and English, run a clothing drive, assist with our food drives, meet with several church families, prospects, and community leaders alike, and even dabble in building a website. Please pray for our congregation, that the Holy Spirit continue to strengthen our faith through the Word so that we can share it with others who need it desperately in our community.
JENNY PUFAHL, SUNDAY SCHOOL RICH KANITZ, PRESIDENT JOHN NOLTE, TREASURER DAVE ROCHESTER, 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
Meet Missionary Peter Janke I’ve been in East Asia for around seven months now, and it’s hard to count how many ways God has blessed me in this time. Maybe I’ll tally them up for my own benefit now and so that you too can give thanks to God and pray that they may continue. First off, the team that I work with in the field is outstanding. I am blessed to work with a team of other missionaries that are full of advice and encouragement. Their lives show how close their relationship is to Christ. I also work in my city with a team of evangelists. Their willingness to invest their time into the lives of others is a real mark of their Christian love. They are always eager to introduce their friends to Jesus as well. I also feel blessed to get to spend extra time studying the local language. I’m talking with friends, with taxi drivers and street cleaners, with little kids in elevators, and striking up conversations with people I’d never imagined I’d have the chance to talk to. All of this is preparing me for future work in the language. I also consider the food to be a blessing. Maybe it’s because I love to eat food and especially spicy food, but I have come to long for Asian food more than the mashed potatoes and turkey I grew up with. My favorite kind of food is hot pot. It involves letting raw foods cook in a spicy soup in the middle of the table. I’ve spent many hours with friends eating good food and having great conversations. The friendships I’ve made with East Asian people have been a blessing as well. A friend named Jason had started learning about Jesus through us from scratch–no knowledge of Jesus at all. Through our studies and one-on-one encouragement we witnessed the Holy Spirit working in his heart. Jason asked if I could teach him how to pray, he wanted his first prayer to God to be of thanks to Him, not asking for anything, or questioning God’s will. Every day I try to be a friend to others and I continue to pray that people around me see Jesus in me. My relationship with God is my biggest blessing. Through personal devotion time with Him, God has equipped me to speak, has assured me of his forgiveness, and again and again has told me that I am his child. When I think about the things that I’ve given up to serve in East Asia–family, friends, comfort foods and ease of communication–God has made up for all of them and more.
Danica Krueger, LWMS
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF CENTENNIAL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN MARCH 2017 – VOL. II ISSUE III
Remember During Lent - The All Powerful Jesus Knows What He is Doing After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light… As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead. Matthew 17:1-2 ach day before I leave for work, I make sure to do something. I know I will be gone for the majority of the day. I know I will not see my children or my wife for much of that time. So, before leaving for work, we give each other hugs and kisses and say we love each other. I don’t know what the day holds for me. I can’t look into the future. Nor can I see what the future holds for my family. Each moment we have to say we love each other and show that love is important. Even if I know I will return that day to see my family, I am still gone for over 8 hours each day when I don’t get to see them. Now, why do I do that? I want my family to know how I feel about them. Throughout the day, they can look back at that moment we had together to be reminded I love them. Being separated from someone, doubts can arise. “Mommy, why isn’t daddy here? Doesn’t he love me?” I don’t think my children think that, but I could imagine how those thoughts could cross their young minds. I would also guess that most of you do the same routine I do if you leave the house or your family for an extended period. Imagine if I didn’t do that. Imagine if I just woke up each day, got ready and walked out the door without saying
anything to them or without giving them a hug and a kiss. Imagine if I never said I loved them or showed them affection. Do you think there may be even more doubts as to how I feel about them? “Mommy, does daddy love me?” Now, why begin this way for this devotion in March? Do you know what time of the church year we are entering? It is Lent. That is a long season. It is 6 weeks long, leading right up to Holy Week. We have opportunities for worship 3 different times in the week. Yet, the focus of Lent is a time to reflect on our sinfulness and what it has caused Jesus to do in our place. What do you see at the end of Lent? We see a defeated man, right? We see the government killing Jesus. We see an unfair ruling coming down on an innocent man. Jesus did nothing wrong. Jesus never sinned. Jesus never hurt anyone. Jesus never disobeyed any of God’s laws. Yet, there he is – on the cross with his blood being poured out like a criminal. Why was he there? You know that answer. My sin; your sin; the world’s sin! We sent Jesus to the cross. He died Continued on page 2...
Lenten Services Every Wednesday in March and April 5th at 6:30 pm. (Lenten Suppers at 5:30 pm)
Palm Sunday
Maunday Thursday
Good Friday
April 9th 9:30 am
April 13th 6:30 pm
April 14th 1:00pm & 6:30pm
Easter Sunday April 16th 6:30am & 9:30am (Breakfast in between services)
EASTER FOR KIDS APRIL 8TH 9:30AM –12:30PM
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under god’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
Centennial Evangelical Lutheran Church
Meet Missionary Ryan Kolander On July 31, I was ordained and installed as the second pastor at Palabra de Vida in Detroit, Mich. My dad preached, and nineteen brothers in ministry laid their hands on my head as they gave me words of strength and encouragement from the Word. Some even recited their verse in Spanish (with a little rehearsing, of course). It was a day I will remember for a long time.
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because of us. He obviously was defeated. Pontius Pilate and the Jews were just too powerful and Jesus could not overcome them. Poor, poor Jesus! Did you know that Jesus also did something for us to remind us of something? Much like every time before I leave my home and family for an extended time, I remind them I love them, Jesus also did something for us. But, he did this not just to show us his love. He showed that love on the cross. But, Jesus did this to remind us that, even when we see a defeated man, we can look back and be reminded of who Jesus is. He was going to be gone for an extended period too, but we see in this special day that Jesus is God and he knows what he is doing. That is the day we call Transfiguration: After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Jesus did something for us. Right before he entered into all his suffering, right before he became the defeated man, he showed us his power. Jesus could have stopped the madness brought on by the Jewish leaders. He could have walked right through the murdering crowd, as he did before. He could have sent his legions of angels to fight for him. But, he didn’t. Yet, we know his power. He showed that power on this mountain with Peter, James and John. And, he
reminded us he knew what he was doing. Why did Jesus die? Yes, because we choose to sin. It was our sin which drove him to the cross. But, the best answer to why Jesus went was because he loves us. He made a choice to not show his power and his glory while on trial. He chose to not come down from the cross, as those enemies were begging him to do while he was dying. He chose instead to fight for us through the only way which would free us – his death on a cross. But, before all that, he reminded us who he is – he is God. He transfigured before those disciples as if to say to them and us, while on trial and dying, “I’ve got this! I know what I am doing.” And, he did. He knew he died to forgive us. And, we see that confidence in his instructions to those disciples: As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Do you know why we have this story? It is because Jesus rose from the dead. If he had stayed dead, the disciples would have had to keep this story to themselves. But, we have it because Jesus isn’t dead. He is alive. He truly knew what he was doing! Throughout the season of Lent, be reminded of what Jesus showed you right before Lent began – look to that Holy Mountain and see the power of this Savior who knew exactly what he was doing…for you!
5
4
Desperately Needed 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.
STAFF MINISTER’S REPORT
As Missionaries of Christ, we bring everyone we come in contact with closer to the Savior.
Easter for Kids – Saturday, April 8th, 9:15am – 12:30pm: Our committee is working on plans for our Annual Easter for Kids being held on Saturday, April, 8 th. We will do the usual crafts, Easter egg hunt, and lunch. New this year will be a puppet show organized by Lin Kanitz and our newest Centennial member, Sharon Borchardt. Both Lin and Sharon are coming out of retirement as long time puppeteers and have decided to use their gifts and talents to produce a show at our Easter for Kids. We are looking for young (or older) people to audition to be puppeteers. We will also be soliciting our members through the church bulletin to help us with your gifts of time, food, and monetary donations. Jeff Prothero has again agreed to organize the stuffing of the eggs. Please help us pray for a nice weather day and that the Holy Spirit would motivate the hearts of the community to come and hear the true Easter story. Ministry Plan for 2017-2018: Our committee has looked at the first draft and fine-tuned the budget for the coming fiscal year. This ministry plan will be presented to the Church Council at the March meeting. We are looking at doing more Evangelism Training Workshops for our committee and to help train our members as well. Lenten Soup Suppers: Our committee has decided to host one of the soup suppers during the Lenten season. We chose March 22nd. We will be serving Lasagna, salad, bread sticks, and desserts. We encourage other committees and groups to pick a day and serve the Lord’s people this way. Bob Garbe - Minister of Evangelism & Outreach
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. 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.
3
2
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
VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED CAN YOU HELP AND GIVE A BIT OF TIME TO THE CHURCH? We are continue to be in desperate need of vital help to continue to grow Centennial into the vibrant living offering to our Savior. We have had some that have spoken up and expressed their interest in helping in the areas listed and for that we are incredibly thankful. We, however, need more. There are many that are taking on multiple roles to make sure that the work gets done and we would like to see that change. Please pray and ask God where you can help. Examine these opportunities that have been included in this newsletter and pray about where you can best serve. If you do not see an area that you are interested in but still want to do something, please let the church office know and we can get you connected to the right people. Until we get these positions filled, please pray that God will provide the people necessary to make Centennial work efficiently. We have posted an updated sheet on the kiosk in the church lobby as well. Please pray on how you can assist with these needs. No offer of help is too small!
A
s stated in last month’s newsletter, our congregation is one of several asked to participate in field-testing hymn settings, resources, and new hymns for the WELS Hymnal Project. Our feedback is valuable and important as the Hymnal Committee considers both new hymns to include in the new hymnal as well as the development of resources for supporting and enriching congregational song. This new hymnal is expected to be available in the early 2020s. Here is an update on a few Lenten hymns we will be doing. “I Run to Christ” - This year’s midweek Lenten series from Northwestern Publishing House is entitled “Repent: Turn to Jesus!” This hymn fits very well thematically with the emphases of those midweek services. We will be using this hymn during each of the Lenten services. The melody is easily learned and very fitting for a quiet and reflective evening service. “Jesus Paid it All” was composed during the 1800s. The melody is not difficult. We will be using this a few times during the Lenten season, mostly on Sundays. In both cases, our choir will help introduce the hymn by singing one or two verses the first couple times we have these in the service. The melodies will be included in the bulletin. There is a third hymn mentioned called “Before the Throne of God Above”. The Committee has not been able to gain the copyright needed so far. This is probably the most modern of the hymns. Hopefully, we will be able to incorporate this hymn as well. Remember, the WELS Hymnal Committee will be looking for your input on these hymns. If you have an opinion after you’ve sung them a couple times, please be sure to share them with me. What a wonderful opportunity for us to be actively a part of this project! Cheryl Nolte - Music Director
SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE We had a great month of February in Sunday School, learning about sharing God's love with our family, friends, and neighbors. Thank you so much for the parents who brought their kids. We had a great Valentine's Day party! We also sent care packages to our sister congregations in Arizona, Tennessee, and South Carolina. During the month of March, join us in the SonQuest Rainforest program as we learn about parables that Jesus told. We have so many fun activities planned: Eating dirt cups, playing Tarantula Tag, and making rain sticks are just a few examples. We are also practicing two songs for Palm Sunday. Please come and bring a friend!? Jenny Pufahl - Children’s Education
VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED CAN YOU HELP AND GIVE A BIT OF TIME TO THE CHURCH? We are continue to be in desperate need of vital help to continue to grow Centennial into the vibrant living offering to our Savior. We have had some that have spoken up and expressed their interest in helping in the areas listed and for that we are incredibly thankful. We, however, need more. There are many that are taking on multiple roles to make sure that the work gets done and we would like to see that change. Please pray and ask God where you can help. Examine these opportunities that have been included in this newsletter and pray about where you can best serve. If you do not see an area that you are interested in but still want to do something, please let the church office know and we can get you connected to the right people. Until we get these positions filled, please pray that God will provide the people necessary to make Centennial work efficiently. We have posted an updated sheet on the kiosk in the church lobby as well. Please pray on how you can assist with these needs. No offer of help is too small!
A
s stated in last month’s newsletter, our congregation is one of several asked to participate in field-testing hymn settings, resources, and new hymns for the WELS Hymnal Project. Our feedback is valuable and important as the Hymnal Committee considers both new hymns to include in the new hymnal as well as the development of resources for supporting and enriching congregational song. This new hymnal is expected to be available in the early 2020s. Here is an update on a few Lenten hymns we will be doing. “I Run to Christ” - This year’s midweek Lenten series from Northwestern Publishing House is entitled “Repent: Turn to Jesus!” This hymn fits very well thematically with the emphases of those midweek services. We will be using this hymn during each of the Lenten services. The melody is easily learned and very fitting for a quiet and reflective evening service. “Jesus Paid it All” was composed during the 1800s. The melody is not difficult. We will be using this a few times during the Lenten season, mostly on Sundays. In both cases, our choir will help introduce the hymn by singing one or two verses the first couple times we have these in the service. The melodies will be included in the bulletin. There is a third hymn mentioned called “Before the Throne of God Above”. The Committee has not been able to gain the copyright needed so far. This is probably the most modern of the hymns. Hopefully, we will be able to incorporate this hymn as well. Remember, the WELS Hymnal Committee will be looking for your input on these hymns. If you have an opinion after you’ve sung them a couple times, please be sure to share them with me. What a wonderful opportunity for us to be actively a part of this project! Cheryl Nolte - Music Director
SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE We had a great month of February in Sunday School, learning about sharing God's love with our family, friends, and neighbors. Thank you so much for the parents who brought their kids. We had a great Valentine's Day party! We also sent care packages to our sister congregations in Arizona, Tennessee, and South Carolina. During the month of March, join us in the SonQuest Rainforest program as we learn about parables that Jesus told. We have so many fun activities planned: Eating dirt cups, playing Tarantula Tag, and making rain sticks are just a few examples. We are also practicing two songs for Palm Sunday. Please come and bring a friend!? Jenny Pufahl - Children’s Education
Continued from page 1...
because of us. He obviously was defeated. Pontius Pilate and the Jews were just too powerful and Jesus could not overcome them. Poor, poor Jesus! Did you know that Jesus also did something for us to remind us of something? Much like every time before I leave my home and family for an extended time, I remind them I love them, Jesus also did something for us. But, he did this not just to show us his love. He showed that love on the cross. But, Jesus did this to remind us that, even when we see a defeated man, we can look back and be reminded of who Jesus is. He was going to be gone for an extended period too, but we see in this special day that Jesus is God and he knows what he is doing. That is the day we call Transfiguration: After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Jesus did something for us. Right before he entered into all his suffering, right before he became the defeated man, he showed us his power. Jesus could have stopped the madness brought on by the Jewish leaders. He could have walked right through the murdering crowd, as he did before. He could have sent his legions of angels to fight for him. But, he didn’t. Yet, we know his power. He showed that power on this mountain with Peter, James and John. And, he
reminded us he knew what he was doing. Why did Jesus die? Yes, because we choose to sin. It was our sin which drove him to the cross. But, the best answer to why Jesus went was because he loves us. He made a choice to not show his power and his glory while on trial. He chose to not come down from the cross, as those enemies were begging him to do while he was dying. He chose instead to fight for us through the only way which would free us – his death on a cross. But, before all that, he reminded us who he is – he is God. He transfigured before those disciples as if to say to them and us, while on trial and dying, “I’ve got this! I know what I am doing.” And, he did. He knew he died to forgive us. And, we see that confidence in his instructions to those disciples: As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Do you know why we have this story? It is because Jesus rose from the dead. If he had stayed dead, the disciples would have had to keep this story to themselves. But, we have it because Jesus isn’t dead. He is alive. He truly knew what he was doing! Throughout the season of Lent, be reminded of what Jesus showed you right before Lent began – look to that Holy Mountain and see the power of this Savior who knew exactly what he was doing…for you!
5
4
Desperately Needed 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.
STAFF MINISTER’S REPORT
As Missionaries of Christ, we bring everyone we come in contact with closer to the Savior.
Easter for Kids – Saturday, April 8th, 9:15am – 12:30pm: Our committee is working on plans for our Annual Easter for Kids being held on Saturday, April, 8 th. We will do the usual crafts, Easter egg hunt, and lunch. New this year will be a puppet show organized by Lin Kanitz and our newest Centennial member, Sharon Borchardt. Both Lin and Sharon are coming out of retirement as long time puppeteers and have decided to use their gifts and talents to produce a show at our Easter for Kids. We are looking for young (or older) people to audition to be puppeteers. We will also be soliciting our members through the church bulletin to help us with your gifts of time, food, and monetary donations. Jeff Prothero has again agreed to organize the stuffing of the eggs. Please help us pray for a nice weather day and that the Holy Spirit would motivate the hearts of the community to come and hear the true Easter story. Ministry Plan for 2017-2018: Our committee has looked at the first draft and fine-tuned the budget for the coming fiscal year. This ministry plan will be presented to the Church Council at the March meeting. We are looking at doing more Evangelism Training Workshops for our committee and to help train our members as well. Lenten Soup Suppers: Our committee has decided to host one of the soup suppers during the Lenten season. We chose March 22nd. We will be serving Lasagna, salad, bread sticks, and desserts. We encourage other committees and groups to pick a day and serve the Lord’s people this way. Bob Garbe - Minister of Evangelism & Outreach
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. 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.
3
2
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
MARCH Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1 5:30 pm Lenten Supper 6:30 pm Ash Wednesday Service
8:15am Bible Study 9:30 am Worship w/ Communion 10:45 am Church Council 1:00pm Dartball Round Robin
6
12
13
14
15
6:30 pm God’s Way Course
6:00 pm BIC Class—Faith Builders
5:30 pm Lenten Supper 6:30 pm Lenten Service
5
8:15 am Bible Study 9:30 am Worship 10:45 am Board of Trustees
6:30 pm God’s Way Course
Thu
Fri
Sat
2
3
4
10
11
6:30 pm Worship w/Communion 7:30 pm Women’s Bible Study at the Krueger’s
8
9
5:30 pm Lenten Supper 6:30 pm Lenten Service
6:30 pm Worship
5:30 pm Meet & Eat (BelAir Cantina Oak Creek, WI)
16
20
8:15am Bible Study 9:30 am Worship w/ Communion 10:45 am Evangelism
6:30 pm God’s Way Course 6:30 pm Word Of Life Board Meeting
21
11:30 am Staff Minister’s Gathering 6:00 pm BIC Class—Faith Builders 7:00 pm Choir
17
18
24
25
6:30 pm Worship w/Communion
22
23
5:30 pm Lenten Supper 6:30 pm Lenten Service
6:30 pm Worship
Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:15
This month, we would like to focus on the new graduates that are going to new missionaries. Each one of these graduates have an great missionary field with a lot of work in front of them and we ask you to pray for them as they do the work set before them from the Lord.
7:00 pm Choir Practice
19
8:15 am Bible Study 9:30 am Worship
6:00 pm BIC Class—Faith Builders 7:00 pm Choir Practice
Camp Philip Sunday
26
7
MISSION MOMENTS
Meet Missionary William Dunn It has now been just over six months since receiving my assignment to the bilingual Spanish mission congregation, La Iglesia Luterana San Pedro in Milwaukee, and yet it feels like yesterday. I remember hearing the assignment “San Pedro Lutheran Church,” and thinking “Spanish ministry, oh boy, in the past four years I’ve only had one semester of Spanish at the seminary and two weeks of work in Mexico…how is this going to work out?” But as it turned out, the mission at San Pedro was a bilingual Spanish mission with a bilingual worship service. Then I learned that St. Peter was not only bilingual, but actually trilingual, with services in Spanish, English, and Karen. Several times a year we even have a service that incorporates all three, such as our Trilingual Thanksgiving service! The longer I have been at St. Peter getting to know the congregation, the more I am excited to be here and to serve here. Learning about all of the different cultures and backgrounds has been both humbling and energizing. We are multicultural and intercultural. We have so many outreach opportunities in our immediate community as well as through our elementary school, Christ-St. Peter. And as it turns out, all the Spanish classes at MLC come back quickly (though there is still work to be done). It has now been just over six months since graduation and assignment day and yet it also feels like the distant past. There have been so many changes. We moved from Grafton to Milwaukee. Baby number three was added in October. The ministry at San Pedro is continually growing and full of potential. I have been overwhelmed by the loving reception I have received as I continue to visit our families in order to get to know them better and begin developing a vision for the future. God has truly blessed this church and we are blessed to be a part of it! Meet Missionary Matthew Rothe Upon arriving in Fredericksburg, Va., to start a new mission I was quickly astonished by two glaring facts. First, there are many existing churches here. Second, there are tons of people who live here. After meeting many people from the community, I discovered another saddening piece of data. The math doesn’t add up. Despite the great number of churches, many people don’t go to church. Solution: Fredericksburg indeed needs a new church devoted to making new disciples by sharing the old, old story of Jesus and His love! In this ripe harvest field I am blessed to serve alongside a core group of 14 families who comprise The Way Church’s launch team. Together we meet bi-monthly to study God’s Word, develop the culture of The Way Church, and share the vision and values that will lead us forward. Our launch team also “breaks the huddle” going out into the community to canvass and serve. The Way Church is launching September 10, 2017. We are in the pre-launch phase, which means we are not holding weekly worship services… yet. During this phase I am able to focus on exploring our community and doing outreach in it. This has not come without challenges. Pastorally, I have been stretched by going outside my comfort zone to witness to people not like me, finding myself in leadership settings where I’ve previously had little experience, and simply learning how to start a church. Personally, however, I have been humbled by seeing Our Helper give me His Words to speak and giving me understanding to act according to His Will.
27
28
29
30
6:30 pm God’s Way Course
7:00 pm Choir Practice
5:30 pm Lenten Supper 6:30 pm Lenten Service
6:30 pm Worship
I praise God who, throughout this experience, has strengthened my faith in Him and love for Him. I am also thankful for my training at WLS, MLC, and LPS that taught me the necessary skills for being a missionary and, additionally, nurtured in me a mission mindset eager to share the gospel.
31
4TH SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP
FLOWERS
USHERS
5th - Tony & Rebecca Goglio in memory of Allen Goglio 12th - None Assigned 19th - None Assigned 26th - None Assigned
Thursday - Maury Bell Sunday - Lump Brown / Mike Chapman Jeremy Nolte / Gary Tryggestad Lump Brown - Head Usher
SERMON RECORDING 5th - Rich Kanitz 12th - Lin Kanitz 19th - Bob Mayer 26th - Rich Kanitz
Meet Missionary Gunnar Ledermann When did you first hear the words, “Jesus loves you?” Maybe it was your mom or dad who passed on their faith by sharing the Word of God with you and having you baptized as a baby. Maybe you were a little older and a teacher shared the message of Jesus, while teaching the wonders of creation. Or maybe a pastor came to your door, met you at a festival or at the gym and told you about Jesus’ love. This is our mission in Rockwall, Tex., and your message in your neighborhood. In March of 2016, a group from Divine Peace Lutheran Church in Garland, Tex., began mission work in Rockwall. On December 4, we had a grand opening inviting the community to come and hear the message of Jesus. We thank God for your prayers and gracious gifts in support of our mission. God richly bless you with joy as you share Jesus’ love and with peace as you trust in Jesus’ promise of forgiveness and eternal life in heaven. “We are working with Dave Malnes of Praise and Proclaim on an outreach campaign to canvass some of the newer neighborhoods of Rockwall. We had pairs who will go door to door in December to invite the community to a BBQ dinner,, followed by worship. My wife, Marinda, has been working as the project manager organizing the volunteers for dinners, canvassing, t-shirt designs, etc. As a new graduate, working with Praise and Proclaim has been a great benefit. We are the 11th project Dave has worked on and his approach gives everyone a sense of calm during the whole process. Our project has also been blessed by the efforts of Alli Pappathopoulos from TwelveTwoCreative. Her company has been working with WELS churches on their outreach strategies, canvassing materials and Continued on last page...
MARCH Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1 5:30 pm Lenten Supper 6:30 pm Ash Wednesday Service
8:15am Bible Study 9:30 am Worship w/ Communion 10:45 am Church Council 1:00pm Dartball Round Robin
6
12
13
14
15
6:30 pm God’s Way Course
6:00 pm BIC Class—Faith Builders
5:30 pm Lenten Supper 6:30 pm Lenten Service
5
8:15 am Bible Study 9:30 am Worship 10:45 am Board of Trustees
6:30 pm God’s Way Course
Thu
Fri
Sat
2
3
4
10
11
6:30 pm Worship w/Communion 7:30 pm Women’s Bible Study at the Krueger’s
8
9
5:30 pm Lenten Supper 6:30 pm Lenten Service
6:30 pm Worship
5:30 pm Meet & Eat (BelAir Cantina Oak Creek, WI)
16
20
8:15am Bible Study 9:30 am Worship w/ Communion 10:45 am Evangelism
6:30 pm God’s Way Course 6:30 pm Word Of Life Board Meeting
21
11:30 am Staff Minister’s Gathering 6:00 pm BIC Class—Faith Builders 7:00 pm Choir
17
18
24
25
6:30 pm Worship w/Communion
22
23
5:30 pm Lenten Supper 6:30 pm Lenten Service
6:30 pm Worship
Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:15
This month, we would like to focus on the new graduates that are going to new missionaries. Each one of these graduates have an great missionary field with a lot of work in front of them and we ask you to pray for them as they do the work set before them from the Lord.
7:00 pm Choir Practice
19
8:15 am Bible Study 9:30 am Worship
6:00 pm BIC Class—Faith Builders 7:00 pm Choir Practice
Camp Philip Sunday
26
7
MISSION MOMENTS
Meet Missionary William Dunn It has now been just over six months since receiving my assignment to the bilingual Spanish mission congregation, La Iglesia Luterana San Pedro in Milwaukee, and yet it feels like yesterday. I remember hearing the assignment “San Pedro Lutheran Church,” and thinking “Spanish ministry, oh boy, in the past four years I’ve only had one semester of Spanish at the seminary and two weeks of work in Mexico…how is this going to work out?” But as it turned out, the mission at San Pedro was a bilingual Spanish mission with a bilingual worship service. Then I learned that St. Peter was not only bilingual, but actually trilingual, with services in Spanish, English, and Karen. Several times a year we even have a service that incorporates all three, such as our Trilingual Thanksgiving service! The longer I have been at St. Peter getting to know the congregation, the more I am excited to be here and to serve here. Learning about all of the different cultures and backgrounds has been both humbling and energizing. We are multicultural and intercultural. We have so many outreach opportunities in our immediate community as well as through our elementary school, Christ-St. Peter. And as it turns out, all the Spanish classes at MLC come back quickly (though there is still work to be done). It has now been just over six months since graduation and assignment day and yet it also feels like the distant past. There have been so many changes. We moved from Grafton to Milwaukee. Baby number three was added in October. The ministry at San Pedro is continually growing and full of potential. I have been overwhelmed by the loving reception I have received as I continue to visit our families in order to get to know them better and begin developing a vision for the future. God has truly blessed this church and we are blessed to be a part of it! Meet Missionary Matthew Rothe Upon arriving in Fredericksburg, Va., to start a new mission I was quickly astonished by two glaring facts. First, there are many existing churches here. Second, there are tons of people who live here. After meeting many people from the community, I discovered another saddening piece of data. The math doesn’t add up. Despite the great number of churches, many people don’t go to church. Solution: Fredericksburg indeed needs a new church devoted to making new disciples by sharing the old, old story of Jesus and His love! In this ripe harvest field I am blessed to serve alongside a core group of 14 families who comprise The Way Church’s launch team. Together we meet bi-monthly to study God’s Word, develop the culture of The Way Church, and share the vision and values that will lead us forward. Our launch team also “breaks the huddle” going out into the community to canvass and serve. The Way Church is launching September 10, 2017. We are in the pre-launch phase, which means we are not holding weekly worship services… yet. During this phase I am able to focus on exploring our community and doing outreach in it. This has not come without challenges. Pastorally, I have been stretched by going outside my comfort zone to witness to people not like me, finding myself in leadership settings where I’ve previously had little experience, and simply learning how to start a church. Personally, however, I have been humbled by seeing Our Helper give me His Words to speak and giving me understanding to act according to His Will.
27
28
29
30
6:30 pm God’s Way Course
7:00 pm Choir Practice
5:30 pm Lenten Supper 6:30 pm Lenten Service
6:30 pm Worship
I praise God who, throughout this experience, has strengthened my faith in Him and love for Him. I am also thankful for my training at WLS, MLC, and LPS that taught me the necessary skills for being a missionary and, additionally, nurtured in me a mission mindset eager to share the gospel.
31
4TH SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP
FLOWERS
USHERS
5th - Tony & Rebecca Goglio in memory of Allen Goglio 12th - None Assigned 19th - None Assigned 26th - None Assigned
Thursday - Maury Bell Sunday - Lump Brown / Mike Chapman Jeremy Nolte / Gary Tryggestad Lump Brown - Head Usher
SERMON RECORDING 5th - Rich Kanitz 12th - Lin Kanitz 19th - Bob Mayer 26th - Rich Kanitz
Meet Missionary Gunnar Ledermann When did you first hear the words, “Jesus loves you?” Maybe it was your mom or dad who passed on their faith by sharing the Word of God with you and having you baptized as a baby. Maybe you were a little older and a teacher shared the message of Jesus, while teaching the wonders of creation. Or maybe a pastor came to your door, met you at a festival or at the gym and told you about Jesus’ love. This is our mission in Rockwall, Tex., and your message in your neighborhood. In March of 2016, a group from Divine Peace Lutheran Church in Garland, Tex., began mission work in Rockwall. On December 4, we had a grand opening inviting the community to come and hear the message of Jesus. We thank God for your prayers and gracious gifts in support of our mission. God richly bless you with joy as you share Jesus’ love and with peace as you trust in Jesus’ promise of forgiveness and eternal life in heaven. “We are working with Dave Malnes of Praise and Proclaim on an outreach campaign to canvass some of the newer neighborhoods of Rockwall. We had pairs who will go door to door in December to invite the community to a BBQ dinner,, followed by worship. My wife, Marinda, has been working as the project manager organizing the volunteers for dinners, canvassing, t-shirt designs, etc. As a new graduate, working with Praise and Proclaim has been a great benefit. We are the 11th project Dave has worked on and his approach gives everyone a sense of calm during the whole process. Our project has also been blessed by the efforts of Alli Pappathopoulos from TwelveTwoCreative. Her company has been working with WELS churches on their outreach strategies, canvassing materials and Continued on last page...
Continued from page 5….
communication with the local community. Alli worked with us to create a new website, logo, all the mailers for the Praise and Proclaim campaign and so much more. God has richly blessed this campaign with so many willing and skilled workers, we look forward to going out into the harvest fields.”
3558 S. 24th Street Milwaukee, WI 53221 414-281-2280| www.centennialwels.org prayers@centennialwels.org GREG PUFAHL, PASTOR ROBERT GARBE, STAFF MINISTER LIN KANITZ, ADMIN ASSISTANT
After a three-day orientation with Mission Counselor Tim Flunker, I spread my young ministry wings and fluttered out of the nest! My associate, Pastor Ismael Sialer, has been very helpful in introducing me to people in the community and congregation alike. We even performed a quinceañera celebration, in which we read and preached God’s Word to around 100 guests who had never been in our church before! In these first few months of ministry, I’ve been able to drive and walk around our diverse neighborhood, begin to instruct a few people who are new to the faith, start and lead a children’s “Growing with Jesus” class, preach a number of sermons in both Spanish and English, run a clothing drive, assist with our food drives, meet with several church families, prospects, and community leaders alike, and even dabble in building a website. Please pray for our congregation, that the Holy Spirit continue to strengthen our faith through the Word so that we can share it with others who need it desperately in our community.
JENNY PUFAHL, SUNDAY SCHOOL RICH KANITZ, PRESIDENT JOHN NOLTE, TREASURER DAVE ROCHESTER, 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
Meet Missionary Peter Janke I’ve been in East Asia for around seven months now, and it’s hard to count how many ways God has blessed me in this time. Maybe I’ll tally them up for my own benefit now and so that you too can give thanks to God and pray that they may continue. First off, the team that I work with in the field is outstanding. I am blessed to work with a team of other missionaries that are full of advice and encouragement. Their lives show how close their relationship is to Christ. I also work in my city with a team of evangelists. Their willingness to invest their time into the lives of others is a real mark of their Christian love. They are always eager to introduce their friends to Jesus as well. I also feel blessed to get to spend extra time studying the local language. I’m talking with friends, with taxi drivers and street cleaners, with little kids in elevators, and striking up conversations with people I’d never imagined I’d have the chance to talk to. All of this is preparing me for future work in the language. I also consider the food to be a blessing. Maybe it’s because I love to eat food and especially spicy food, but I have come to long for Asian food more than the mashed potatoes and turkey I grew up with. My favorite kind of food is hot pot. It involves letting raw foods cook in a spicy soup in the middle of the table. I’ve spent many hours with friends eating good food and having great conversations. The friendships I’ve made with East Asian people have been a blessing as well. A friend named Jason had started learning about Jesus through us from scratch–no knowledge of Jesus at all. Through our studies and one-on-one encouragement we witnessed the Holy Spirit working in his heart. Jason asked if I could teach him how to pray, he wanted his first prayer to God to be of thanks to Him, not asking for anything, or questioning God’s will. Every day I try to be a friend to others and I continue to pray that people around me see Jesus in me. My relationship with God is my biggest blessing. Through personal devotion time with Him, God has equipped me to speak, has assured me of his forgiveness, and again and again has told me that I am his child. When I think about the things that I’ve given up to serve in East Asia–family, friends, comfort foods and ease of communication–God has made up for all of them and more.
Danica Krueger, LWMS
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF CENTENNIAL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN MARCH 2017 – VOL. II ISSUE III
Remember During Lent - The All Powerful Jesus Knows What He is Doing After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light… As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead. Matthew 17:1-2 ach day before I leave for work, I make sure to do something. I know I will be gone for the majority of the day. I know I will not see my children or my wife for much of that time. So, before leaving for work, we give each other hugs and kisses and say we love each other. I don’t know what the day holds for me. I can’t look into the future. Nor can I see what the future holds for my family. Each moment we have to say we love each other and show that love is important. Even if I know I will return that day to see my family, I am still gone for over 8 hours each day when I don’t get to see them. Now, why do I do that? I want my family to know how I feel about them. Throughout the day, they can look back at that moment we had together to be reminded I love them. Being separated from someone, doubts can arise. “Mommy, why isn’t daddy here? Doesn’t he love me?” I don’t think my children think that, but I could imagine how those thoughts could cross their young minds. I would also guess that most of you do the same routine I do if you leave the house or your family for an extended period. Imagine if I didn’t do that. Imagine if I just woke up each day, got ready and walked out the door without saying
anything to them or without giving them a hug and a kiss. Imagine if I never said I loved them or showed them affection. Do you think there may be even more doubts as to how I feel about them? “Mommy, does daddy love me?” Now, why begin this way for this devotion in March? Do you know what time of the church year we are entering? It is Lent. That is a long season. It is 6 weeks long, leading right up to Holy Week. We have opportunities for worship 3 different times in the week. Yet, the focus of Lent is a time to reflect on our sinfulness and what it has caused Jesus to do in our place. What do you see at the end of Lent? We see a defeated man, right? We see the government killing Jesus. We see an unfair ruling coming down on an innocent man. Jesus did nothing wrong. Jesus never sinned. Jesus never hurt anyone. Jesus never disobeyed any of God’s laws. Yet, there he is – on the cross with his blood being poured out like a criminal. Why was he there? You know that answer. My sin; your sin; the world’s sin! We sent Jesus to the cross. He died Continued on page 2...
Lenten Services Every Wednesday in March and April 5th at 6:30 pm. (Lenten Suppers at 5:30 pm)
Palm Sunday
Maunday Thursday
Good Friday
April 9th 9:30 am
April 13th 6:30 pm
April 14th 1:00pm & 6:30pm
Easter Sunday April 16th 6:30am & 9:30am (Breakfast in between services)
EASTER FOR KIDS APRIL 8TH 9:30AM –12:30PM
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under god’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
Centennial Evangelical Lutheran Church
Meet Missionary Ryan Kolander On July 31, I was ordained and installed as the second pastor at Palabra de Vida in Detroit, Mich. My dad preached, and nineteen brothers in ministry laid their hands on my head as they gave me words of strength and encouragement from the Word. Some even recited their verse in Spanish (with a little rehearsing, of course). It was a day I will remember for a long time.