All Saints’ Newsletter
“To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”
All Saints Lutheran Church ● Fitchburg, WI ● www.alllsaints-madison.org ● December 15, 2016
“What Time Is It?”
Christmas Eve Worship
Saturday, December 24
3:00 p.m. – Family Worship with Lessons & Carols
5:00 p.m. – Candlelight Worship
~~~~~~~
Christmas Day Worship
Sunday, December 25
8:30 a.m. – Classic Worship
10:45 a.m. – New Song Worship
Voices . . .
“To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”
Pastor Rich’s Letter
Christmas Good News: Godisnowhere.
Things can be shattered. Hopes can be shattered. Dreams can be shattered and with slick winter ice, bones
can be shattered. On the first Christmas in hilly Judea, unremarkable shepherds were doing their job. It
was not glamourous. It was not envied. In fact, it was one of ‘those jobs’. But on the first Christmas the
routine was shattered. I would submit that the shepherds were shattered.
“In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Then the angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified.” (Luke 2:8-9)
God showed up! The darkness was shattered and it was a new beginning. Instead of God is no-where, it
was God is now- here. It was a beginning because the Gospel is good news. The Gospel of Mark laid it out
plain as day. ”The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1)
Darkness was shattered. Bleak, miry, hopelessness was shattered. What was shattered were barriers that
kept us at arm’s length, suspicious, and cynical. In this shattering was a brand new beginning. God is nowhere in Christ.
Let this Christmas be a new beginning. Not any old beginning. Let it be a beginning in Christ. God creates.
God creates light out of darkness, harmony from chaos and healing from brokenness. Shattered? Many
have been this past year. The Christmas tidings, to you, shepherds, the up and coming, the down and out,
confident or confused, shattered in whatever way, is God is now- here. Thanks be to God!
Prayers of Joy and Concern . . .
We rejoice at the baptism of Mackenzie Jane Nonn, daughter of Tim and Amanda
Nonn, on December 4th at All Saints…
God’s blessings on the recent relocation of mission partners Kathy Robinson and
Shauna Robinson to Wausau, WI.
Thanks be to God for the faithful ministry of the Good Neighbor Personal
Essentials Pantry (GNPEP) in Madison. The pantry was founded by All Saints and
three neighboring congregations in 2012. Thank you for your gifts and volunteering at the pantry.
(www.gnpep.org)
In Community . . .
“To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”
Save the Dates!
December 18, 25 and January 1 – No children’s education classes
January 2 – Women Bible Study Series Begins, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Fellowship Hall
January 5 and 19 – Holy Yoga (led by Amy Hoyte), 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary
January 8 – Budget Hearing, 9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall
January 9 – MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall
January 15 – Annual Meeting, 11:45 a.m., Fellowship Hall. Bishop Froiland will be in attendance.
January 21 – Synod Event: Moving Deeper in Mission Together: The Grace of Giving
Hosted at All Saints, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
February 3 – All Saint’s serves the Friday meal at St. Mark’s
February 19 – Summer Camp Sunday!
Santa Maria’s Upcoming Services & Celebrations
In addition to their weekly Sunday service at 12:30 p.m., here is a list of their special
celebrations in store for December and January. All are welcome to attend!
1
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Thursday, December 22nd
Christmas Posada
5:00 p.m.
(A stirring event re-enacting Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem)
Saturday, December 24th
Nochebuena Service 6:45 p.m.
st
Saturday, December 31
Año Viejo Service
5.p.m.
Sunday, January 8th
El Dia de los Reyes Magos
Sunday, January 15th
El Dia de la Candelaria
2016 Contributions
Think TAX time! To
have your financial
giving listed for 2016,
contributions must be
received in the church
office by December 31,
2016, or have a
postmark of December
31, 2016.
2017 Offering Envelopes are available in the
Sanctuary lobby for you to take home. If you would
like to know about electronic fund transfer (EFT),
please contact the church office at 276-7729 or
email: [email protected].
---------------------------------------------------------------January 15, 11:45a.m. All Saints Annual Meeting
in Fellowship Hall
1. Vote on 2017 Budget.
2. Vote on new Council members.
3. Vote on Synod voting members.
4. Vote on 2017 Nominating Team.
5. Other business and reports.
To Know . . .
“To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”
A.D.
(Adult Discussion and Discovery)
A.D. (Adult Discussion and Discovery) is a Sunday morning learning opportunity offered from
9:45- 10:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall - East. A.D. seeks to connect faith and life through a variety
of discussions on Scripture, current issues, topics, and guest speakers. We seek to also
connect our mission to the community and wider world.
Upcoming topics:
Dec. 18
Christmas Music and Fellowship
Jan. 8
2017 All Saints budget hearing w/Congregational Council
(Q & A with Church Council member(s)).
Jan. 15
Guest: Synod Bishop, Rev. Mary Froiland, South Central Synod of Wisconsin
Q&A on ministries in our synod and issues in the new year. Bishop Froiland will be
preaching and will attend our Annual Meeting.
Jan. 22 & 29 “Reading My Bible Again, Or for the First Time”
Which version is best? How can I start and keep going?
Feb. 5 & 12 Service Team Workshops: Being a Grateful Greeter
How can we best greet and welcome one another on Sunday mornings?
Next New Member Session
We invite you to become a member of All Saints!
Please join us for a New Member Session to explore:
What we are about
How we journey together
Next steps to grow in Christian faith and service!
Saturday, February 11  9:30 – 11:00 a.m.  All Saints Fellowship Hall
(Childcare provided upon request)
All Saints' Severe Weather Protocol: Assume worship at All Saints will
go on as scheduled. To check on weather-related cancellations, call
All Saints at (608) 276-7729 and listen for the recorded message.
To Follow . . .
God’s Work.
Our Hands.
 day, we have opportunities
Every
to experience All Saints’ mission to
Know, Follow and Share Jesus.
Some of these opportunities arise
in our individual lives. Many more
opportunities allow us to join with
others to engage our faith in
service in our church, our
communities, and our world. All
are welcome to join the work of
our ministries and small groups.
THANK YOU!
Many thanks to everyone who
helped with hosting the pie social
following the Thanksgiving Eve
service, most notably Carol Eisele
and Hospitality Team members
Rita Olin and Jon & Nicki Troia.
Thanks also to everyone who
brought pies to share. A splendid
time was had by all!
From Reverend Lori Powell of St.
Mark's Lutheran Church upon
receipt of recent cash and
food donations: "Words are not
enough to express our thanks as
our appreciation for your ministry
and the opportunities we have
for working together. Peace to
you all!"
“To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”
All Saints Ministries and Small Groups/Contacts
Adopt a Classroom – Lori Jezwinski
All Saints Community Garden – Jim Sewell
AV/Projection During Worship – Jen Barakat
Banner Team – Carrie Labowski and Jeanie Sieling
Children’s Ministry, Pre-K through 5 –
Ronda Beggs and Leigh Luedtke
Children’s Youth Ministry, Middle/High School –
Jen Barakat
Choir/Handbell Choir/Joyful Noise, 8:30 Service –
Nancy Pokorney
Drama Team – Gary Kriesel
Holy Yoga with Amy Hoyte – Ronda Beggs
Hospitality Team – Jen Barakat
Good Neighbors Personal Essentials Pantry (GPEP) –
Dennis and Julie Ahnen
Jail Ministry – Karen Julesberg
Kitchen Angels – Margie Rem
Lydia Small Group – Caroll Borgen and Carol Eisele
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) –
Jen Barakat and Ronda Beggs
New Song Band, 10:45 Service – Melanie Wulfekuhle
Pastoral Visitation and Care Team – Sonja Markiewicz
Property Team – Jerry Sieling
Service Teams, 8:30 Service – Carol Eisele
Service Teams, 10:45 Service – Jen Barakat
Special People, Special Needs Ministry – Chari Farin
St. Mark’s Community Meals – Gail Greuel
St. Mark’s Food Pantry – Dawn and Matt Gramse
Women’s Bible Study and T630 Men’s Bible Study –
Pastor Rich
_____________________________________________
To Learn More... Interested in joining one of these ministries?
Have an idea for a new ministry? Please contact Jen Barakat,
our Ministry Coordinator. She is happy to help you connect
with All Saints’ opportunities to share faith through practice.
Jen can be reached at (608)276-7729, ext. 103 or
[email protected]. Jen’s office hours are
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and Monday through
Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
To Share . . .
“To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”
SPREAD THE WARMTH:
Thank You for Spreading the Warmth!
Jail Ministry Winter Clothing Drive
The need is great. Thirty-four (34) individuals on average were released daily from the Dane County Jail
in a recent week. Think how many more will be released without warm coats or jackets in the winter
days ahead. All Saints mission partners through early December generously donated 30 coats for these adult
women and men. Our donations of 50 scarves, hats, and gloves will also provide welcome warmth. In
addition, those who leave the jail daily on work-release privileges are in need of warm winter outerwear.
When the Jail Ministry put out a call last year for winter wear, ASLC responded in amazing ways with about
200 items donated in just a few weeks. As a result of our successful effort, other member churches of the
Madison Area Jail Ministry are participating this year. With more churches involved, more men and women
are being served but additional donations are still needed to ensure all will be warm this winter. Will you
join us in exceeding the 200 items we donated last year? Donations of new or gently-used coats/jackets,
hats, scarves, and gloves/mittens will be accepted anytime through January 15. Thank you for caring.
If you have questions, please contact Karen Julesberg at [email protected]
__________________________________________________________________________
NEEDED: Volunteers for the VBS 2017 Leadership Team
It's never too early to start thinking about VBS (Vacation Bible School), especially when we can get free shipping
if we order our materials before Jan 31, 2017. Therefore, the time is truly at hand to begin forming the VBS 2017
Leadership Team - now!
The All Saints VBS program is a fun and rewarding event that is whole-heartedly supported by our congregation
and members of our community. Two large pieces of the puzzle are already in place: awesome kids who want to
participate in this program and super-awesome older kids & adults willing to volunteer for leading the activities.
Therefore, what this event needs now is a team of energetic leaders to bring these pieces together. Specifically,
we need individuals interested in directing promotion, recruiting volunteers, facilitating registration &
payments, and coordinating the three-day PreK VBS Program. In the past all of these roles have been
facilitated by one person as the VBS Director, so it is possible to handle all of this from one source. But in this
time of seeking new leadership it's probably best these roles are shared among a team. After all, many hands
make light work.
The tentative dates for VBS 2017 are: 'Big Kid' Program (Mon - Fri, June 12 - 16, 5:30 - 8:00pm) and 'PreK'
Program (Mon - Wed, June 19-21, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm).
I hope you will prayerfully consider accepting a leadership role on this team. Having led VB for the past three
years I know first-hand you WILL be blessed through taking this opportunity to serve.
For more information about the program and the expectations from accepting these roles, please contact me,
Jen Barakat, at [email protected], or (608) 276-7729, ext. 103. I am here to help!
All Saints’ News & Notes . . .
“To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus”
Synod News
Please check out Bishop Mary Froiland’s message on Bishop's Message: Conflict Over Immigration. It is at
www.scsw.elca.org, and offered in English and Spanish.
Synod Event: Moving Deeper in Mission Together: The Grace of Giving - Rethinking Time, Talent and
Treasure. This event will be hosted at All Saints on Saturday, January 21, 8:30a.m. – 2:45p.m. Online
registration is now open. For details, please review the Southcentral Synod Newsletter ‘What Matters’
available on our website at http://www.allsaints-madison.org/south-central-synod-of-wisconsin.html.
All are invited to attend!
A sister church, St. Mark’s Lutheran, 605 Spruce St., Madison, serves a free meal on Fridays, noon - 1 p.m.,
and opens their food pantry every Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 12 Noon, and every Thursday 5:45 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Madison Area Jail Ministry annual fund raiser, Jazz for the Jail, is Saturday, January 7 at Lake Edge
Lutheran Church, 4032 Monona Drive, Madison, WI. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., concert begins at 7:00 p.m.
Join Chance Allies for an evening of Jazz music in support of the ministry at the Dane County Jail.
Wanted: Winter Drivers
As we approach another Wisconsin winter, the church office is beginning to receive requests for
transportation to church on Sunday mornings from people living at our neighboring assisted living
facilities. We are looking for reliable drivers who can be paired with riders in ways that develop close
relationships with good communications to the benefit of all. If you would like to participate in this
program and can faithfully commit through the winter months, please contact Ministry Coordinator
Jen Barakat at (608) 276-7729, ext 103, or [email protected].
Also, Note . . .
QR Giving Option: Using
a smart phone scan this
QR symbol and it will
direct you to the GIVING
page found on All Saints’
website at
www.allsaintsmadison.org.
Congregation Council Meeting
Approved Minutes copies are available
in the church office.
For a calendar of All Saints’ upcoming
events, please visit our website at
www.allsaints-madison.org.
Church Staff
Pastor Richard A. Johnson
Office Phone: 276-7729, ext. 102, Home Phone: 278-0950
Email: [email protected]
Congregational Council President, Robert Beggs
Phone: 298-9406; Email: [email protected]
Ministry Coordinator, Jennifer Barakat
Office Hours: Sun. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.; M-W 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 276-7729, ext. 103, Email: [email protected]
Adult Choir/Joyful Noise/Hand Bell Choir Director
Nancy Pokorney , Phone: 827-6426
New Song Dir. Melanie Wulfekuhle, [email protected]
Accompanists, Yana Avedyan, Lead Pianist;
Janet Johnson, Nancy Pokorney, and Kristin Warner
Sunday School Contacts, Ronda Beggs ([email protected]) and
Leigh Luedtke ([email protected])
Secretary Maria Gomer
(Phone: 276-7729; Email: [email protected])
(Hours: 9:00 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-4 p.m. Mon. – Thur.)
Childcare Staff Person, Chris Carollo-Zeuner
(Chris is available in the nursery on Sundays, 8:30-11:45 a.m.)
Custodian, Dennis Ahnen
Pictures from our Children’s Christmas Program: ‘Jesus – Our Light Has Come!’