Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church
Stratford, Wisconsin
News
With thanks to God for the opportunity to gather for worship in His house, and with respect for His representatives in our government, we will follow health guidelines to the best of our ability.
Statewide Mask Mandate: While it is in effect we will follow the latest mandate to the best of our ability. Everyone over 5 years old is asked to wear a mask, except for those with health conditions for which a mask would be hazardous. No documentation is required for those exceptions; we are trusted to be conscientious and honest. Specific exemptions allow Pastor to conduct the service without wearing a mask, as long as he is at least six feet away from the congregation. He will wear a mask to distribute communion; we are allowed to remove our masks to receive the sacrament.
Hand sanitizer and facial tissue are available throughout our building and in each pew. Please try to touch as few surfaces as possible.
We have plenty of seating. Please spread out comfortably. You are welcome to sit in the Fellowship Hall.
Our Offering Plate will be on a stand in the entryway. We will not pass it through the pews. Ushers will bring it forward for placement on God’s altar at the usual point in the service. If you didn’t have the opportunity to place your offering in the plate before the service, you may take it to the counters in our Fellowship Hall after the service.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you think of any other guidelines, please tell Pastor or a church council member.
Pastor Wayne Oblender has accepted the call to serve St. Peter’s, McMillan. We are invited to the installation service on Sunday, September 13 at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Oblender has served the dual parish of First Lutheran Church in Aurora and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of Sutton since 2005. Previously he served the first eleven years of his ministry in our synod’s mission in the Novisibirsk Oblast in Russia. He and his wife, Beth, have been blessed with seven children.
A Door Offering will be gathered for our Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society the first Sunday of October. Plans are being made for an online Fall Rally on Saturday, October 17; each congregation’s women can watch in their own facility. Even without meeting in person we still are blessed with the opportunity to support our missions.
Women’s Bible Study meets Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. We will read and discuss In God’s Orchard: Cultivating the Fruit of a Spirit-Filled Life. Drawing from St. Paul’s “fruits of the spirit” in Galatians 6:22-23, six women authors from our synod have provided a guide to how God nurtures these fruits in our lives: how our sinful nature impacts them, how Jesus fulfilled them perfectly for us, and how they blossom in the light of His Gospel. Each of the nine lessons provides discussion and application questions with room for notes.
Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors: Our local OWLS group will resume our monthly meetings later this fall if possible.
AED: Thanks to our Ladies’ Aid for obtaining an Automated External Defibrillator, a reconditioned unit made available by the Marshfield Fire Department. Training will be arranged as soon as possible.
Northland Lutheran High School Debt Reduction: $590,407 of our $1,386,000 overall goal has been met. Our goal for the end of 2020 is $788,000. Donations can be made by texting an amount to 715-800-8121 or by donating online at the school website: www.nlhs.org. Praise God for his grace and mercy!
Virtual Fridays: On September Fridays classes will be held remotely; teachers and students will meet for classes virtually. This measure is being taken to get everyone in practice for the possibility of schools having to suspend face-to-face instruction.
We will have volleyball and soccer this fall. Games will begin at the end of September; please watch for information on live-streaming of these events, because it is doubtful we will be able to host our fan base in person.
Northland's annual Wildcat Open golf outing will be held Sunday, September 20, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Pine Valley Golf Course near Marathon. You may register online from the NLHS website or by mail with a paper brochure available by email from the NLHS office; the deadline is September 15. Fees are $75.00 for adults, $45.00 for students 18 and younger. At this time of social distancing, we look forward to seeing our Northland friends and family!
162 solar panels have been installed on the roof of our school. July's energy bill totaled 12 cents!
Our Annual 5K Run/Walk will be an online event on Saturday, October 10. Registrations will be available soon.
Visit the Northland Lutheran High School Pride Pump to earn 2 cents/ gallon for Northland Lutheran High. It’s located at the R-Store Cedar Creek BP, 10201 Park Plaza, Rothschild, next to Culver’s. is inviting anyone in the Association to participate in a planning session the morning of Saturday, January 19, from 8:00 to 11:30. We pray the discussions and actions that stem from that day drive five-year plans to greater reach our mission and vision.
Dime & Dollar Thrift Shop is an important source of support for Northland Lutheran High. Volunteers are needed; please call Jamie at 715-849-4168. Dime & Dollar has two locations: 211 Alexander St. in Wausau, and 3268 Church St. in Stevens Point.
