Pastor's Thoughts

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Thanksgiving dishes, pots, and pans are washed and returned to their places. Holiday music is playing

throughout the malls accompanied by the sounds of credit cards charging and cash registers ringing. Holiday

parties are about to begin.

As you well know, not everyone is taking part in this season of purchasing and parties. This year is likely to

be different than last year. Throughout our community, and especially throughout the world, economic reali-

ties dampen these dreams. For many, this holiday will not be filled with as many bright lights, bows, and

boxes of gifts as the years before. It might feel like Christmas is diminished even as our expenditures dimin-

ish.

Parties and presents are wonderful, but Christmas is still Christmas without them. Presents are nice but the

love behind them is the real gift. Decorations, trees, and lights are festive, but while it might be hard to imag-

ine, Christmas does not depend on them. Each of these things may point us towards God’s love-filled gift of

the Christ of Christmas, but they must never be mistaken for the reason for the season.

This might be a good year to turn down the distractions and pay more attention to the true reason for the season. Yes, gifts are a dem-

onstration of the love we share with each other. They are also a reflection of God’s love for us and his gift to us of Jesus. The twinkling

lights are reminders of the star that led the way to the newborn king. Fewer and smaller gifts don’t diminish our love for each other nor

God’s love for the world. Cutting back on the decorating and electric budget doesn’t deny the birth of Emmanuel, God with us.

Perhaps, just maybe, as we strip back the tinsel, we might rediscover the real treasure of Christmas.

But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of

the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the

glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

John 1:12-14

Your brother in Christ,

Darryl

Volume 6, Issue 12

December, 2009 The Crossroad A Monthly Publication of the Spring Green Community Church

In This Issue

P. 2 Dec. Messages/

Fast of Words

P. 3 Youth Group

P. 4 Christmas Bazaar

P. 5 Ministry Updates

P. 6 Ministry Updates

P. 7 Children’s

Church

P. 8 Calendar

P. 9 Servants in

December

P. 10 Events/

Financial

P. 11 Birthdays/

Anniversaries

DEcember Message Series

UNWRAPPING CHRISTMAS

November 29 - Unwrapping Christmas Part 1

December 6 - Unwrapping Christmas Part 2 December 13 - Unwrapping Christmas Part 3

December 20 - Unwrapping Christmas Part 4 December 24 - 6:00 p.m. Service

December 27 - To Be Announced

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Fast Of Words: A Different Kind Of Fast

Time and again God brings me to my knees over my heart attitude expressed out of my mouth. More than once, God

has led me to fast of negative, critical, judgmental, and complaining words. Why a fast of words? Is that a legitimate appli-

cation of fasting? The Hebrew word fast means to cover the mouth. For me, it is harder to fast from words than from food.

Abstaining from negative words may be as powerful as fasting from food, because it is a particular battlefield for most of

us.

A fast of words is one of the fasts in Isaiah 58. Isaiah 58:9b lists not pointing fingers in judgment and no wicked words

as conditions of great blessings listed in verses 10b-12.

I remember the first time that God led me to fast for 40 days of all negative, complaining, critical, and judgmental

words. At first, it was one of the hardest experiences of my Christian life. The problem is not my mouth but my

heart. Proverbs 4:23 says "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life

About two weeks into my fast, I was treated haughtily at a store. As I left the store, I said to myself, "I'll just take my

business elsewhere. That is the second time she has had an attitude with me." Immediately I heard in my spirit, "No, you

are the one with the attitude." I wanted to fall to my knees on the sidewalk, crying out, "I am so sick of me!" I know how

Isaiah felt when he told God, "Woe is me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of un-

clean lips" (Isa. 6:5). O God, take a coal from the altar and purge this wicked heart of mine. God showed me that He was

dealing with a root of pride (Isa. 57:15, 1 Peter 5:5-6). I was puffed up, with no sense of my own spiritual need.

I struggled the first days of this fast of words in what felt like hand-to-hand warfare, but God softened and sweetened

my heart. After that season, I felt like a dog in a yard with an invisible electric fence. Every time I opened my mouth to say

anything critical, I would get a zap in my throat near my vocal cords. I reviewed my prayer notebook and was amazed at

how many Scriptural insights God gave me during that time. God was being faithful to reveal more of Himself.

Ask God if He is leading you to do a forty-day fast of critical, judgmental, negative, complaining, gossiping words. You

may be amazed what God will do through it. At the very least, your family and friends may be amazed at the change in

you.

From Prayer Essentials For Living In His Presence, Vol 1, page 144-145. © 2000 Sylvia Gunter.

Available at www.thefathersbusiness.com

Page 3

It is when we forget ourselves that we do things that will be remembered.

Want to help the “go green” effort and also help those in need?

Please donate any denim jeans that you have that might be headed for the trash pile. Lands’ End is doing a denim drive and I will be collecting denim jeans the month of December.

These jeans will go to a company in Madison that then shreds the jeans and makes them into insulation to be used in Habitat for Humanity homes.

The jeans can be in any shape or color (torn, paint, stains, blue, black, etc.) just please wash them be-fore donating them.

Check with your family and friends and see if they have any jeans that they can donate. The more the better!

There will be a collection box in the narthex until the first week of January. Any questions, please contact Amy Mellor at 608-553-2160 or 608-935-3260.

Please join us and invite someone to celebrate the birth of Jesus with us!

Thursday, December 24 at 6:00 p.m.

Upcoming Youth Events Just for Guys- Tuesday, December 1, 7-8 p.m.

Fun and games, just for the guys.

Souper Supper, Saturday, December 5, 4-7 p.m. Workers needed. This is a fundraiser for the summer youth mission trip

and our church building fund. If you are planning on going on the trip

this summer, you must help. Others are encouraged to help. Need adult

help too.

Just for Girls-Bible Study

Sunday, December 6, 7 -8:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 20, 7-8:30 p.m.

Location to be determined.

Youth Group Christmas Party

Wednesday, December 16

Location to be determined

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Handmade Crafts Gifts for All Ages,

Ornaments Decorations

& Much More!

Lunch (10-2) Hot Turkey Sandwich

Homemade Dessert

Cookie Walk Homemade Christmas Cookies

by the pound Containers Provided or Bring Your Own

Sign-up in the Narthex to . . . iBring Christmas Cookies (please bring your cookies to the church on Friday, 12/4)

iHelp at the Bazaar (check the sign-up sheets for more details)

iBring your handmade bazaar items to the church 12/3-12/4

Living with Sin's Consequences~

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I

will repay," says the Lord (Romans 12:19).

Forgiveness does not mean that you must tolerate sin. Isabel, a young wife and mother attending one of my conferences, told me of her decision to forgive her mother for continually manipulating her for attention. But, Isabel tearfully continued, "She is no different. Am I supposed to let her keep ruining my life?" No, forgiving someone doesn't mean that you must be a doormat to their continual sin. I encouraged Isabel to confront her mother lovingly but firmly, and tell her that she would no longer tolerate destructive manipulation. It's okay to forgive an-other's past sins and, at the same time, take a stand against future sins. Forgiving is not a co-dependent activity. Forgiveness does not demand revenge or repayment for offenses suffered. "You mean I'm just supposed to let them off the hook?" you may argue. Yes, you let them off your hook realizing that they are not off God's hook. You may feel like exacting justice, but you are not an impartial judge. God is the just Judge who will make everything right (Romans 12:19). Your job is to extend the mercy of forgiveness and leave judgment up to God. Forgiveness is agreeing to live with the consequences of another person's sin. Suppose that someone in your church says, "I have gossiped about you. Will you forgive me?" You can't retract gossip any easier than you can put tooth-paste back into the tube. You're going to live with the gossip this person spread about you no matter how you respond to the gossiper. We are all living with the consequences of another person's sin: Adam's. The only real choice we have in the matter is to live in the bondage of bitterness or in the freedom of forgiveness. Heavenly Father, I give up my right to seek revenge or harbor resentment. I want to enjoy the freedom which comes from forgiving others.

Excerpt from Daily in Christ by Neil T. Anderson

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Prayer Shawl Ministry Winter is coming. Outdoor work and activities are coming to an end. Ladies and gentlemen are starting to think about indoor activities to occupy their time during the cold

snowy months ahead. The Prayer Shawl Ministry is still active. If you would like more information about getting involved in either knitting or crocheting prayer shawls or prayer blankets for people who are chronically or terminally ill, please contact Rose Ellen Schnieder 588-2033.

Angel Tree CHRISTMAS and Beyond Angel Tree is in progress. Thanks for being the hands and feet that minister to the families of prison-ers. The core goal of these efforts is to minister to and strengthen the families which are separated by

prison. Gifts from the incarcerated parent is the first step. We have another opportunity. Ministering can be continued if we keep in touch with either the prisoners or their families. We look for openings . . . follow-up letters to prisoners, or needs identified during family visits for gift delivery.

Please let us know if you would be willing to minister through letters or prayer. The season is great. The needs are year-long. Contact Jan Kraemer 588-7702 or John Schneller 608-987-3479.

FAIR TRADE COFFEE

Interested in finding a source of good coffee? Interested in supporting the actual farmers who spend years establishing

a coffee grove . . . then cultivate and water the plants during dry season . . . and lug forty pound bags up and down the sides of

the mountain? Would you feel good to know the farmers can earn a living instead of profits landing in the pockets of middle-

men?

AS GREEN AS IT GETS is a program founded by Franklin Voorhes from Wisconsin. The organization supports small

businessmen, including coffee growers, in Guatemala. This program is not a part of Mission Impact, but they work in the same

communities, encouraging each other and supporting the development of people, not programs. We had a chance to meet these

great folks in Antigua last winter. Most are Christian. All are hard working.

You can purchase coffee by going to their website asgreenasitgets.org at competitive price . . . or contact me. Enjoy!!

john schneller

“Barnabas Men Life Group”

If you are new to the area and SGCC or are seeking to become a part of the life of SGCC we encourage you to consider the “Barnabas Men” Life Group.

The Barnabas Men Life Group encourages those who attend to grow in their faith, become men of integrity, and become active in the life of SGCC and the River Valley community. We accomplish this through study of God’s word, group dis-

cussion, fellowship, caring, and outreach.

The group will re-unite on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the church library. ALL men, age 18 or older are welcome.

Should you have any questions, please contact Dick Kraemer at 588-4158.

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GriefShare

The Fall cycle of GriefShare is winding down. The Winter/ Spring session of GriefShare begins on Tuesday, Feb. 2 from 7 – 9 pm in the library. The sessions left in the current cycle include: Dec. 1 – The Top Twenty Lessons of Grief – Part 2: Provides practical advice on how to tap into and hold onto the source of hope in a disappointing world. Dec. 8 – Heaven Dec. 15 – Our traditional cycle closing with a memorial service.

If you know individuals who might benefit from attending GriefShare, please pick up a brochure in the narthex. If you have questions about the program, please contact either Amy Mellor 935-3260, Rita Marit 588-9313, Lee Weiand 588-2284, or Rose Ellen Schneider 588-2033.

In Reach, Food Pantry David Cry

In Reach

Christmas Caroling Social

When: December 19th 6:00p.m.

Where: Church

Come and enjoy an old fashion caroling social. Practice your favorite Christmas songs, design amazing

Christmas cards, and bake awesome cookies. Then, at 7:00 we will load up the bus to go caroling and deliver

SGCC cookies and cards to those we treasure and love. Share a little of yourself and the joy of Jesus.

Food Pantry

Much progress has been made with the Food Pantry in terms of new leadership and governance. New job descriptions are being

written and oversight is being re-defined. We look forward to sharing details in coming newsletters.

125: Families served during the month of November. Continued thanks to all who serve in this important ministry.

Special thanks to the Vossekuil Family for hosting the Potato Fest again this year.

We had a great time!

The tender grace of Jesus offered comfort for all who came to Him in need. The healing of the paralytic, lowered through the ceiling, is a story cherished to this day… remembered because the

healing would not have occurred without the bold friendship and faith of friends. If you, or someone you know, has experienced the pain of divorce or separation, please encourage them to attend.

Please feel comfortable attending at any time. We meet on Mondays at 7p.m.

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CHILDREN’S CHURCH

The church is seeking a Director for the Children’s Church ministry. This position is key to provid-ing leadership, direction and consistency to Children’s Church to assure that the objectives of the ministry are being met in an excellent way. This position will have more to do with the overall man-agement and organization of the effort and less to do with direct time with the kids on Sunday morning. Filling this position with a capable leader is essential for the success of Children’s Church. CHILDREN’S MINISTRY OBJECTIVES “Train up a child in the way he should go. When he is old, he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:5-7). All Christians need to be fully clothed in the armor of God. We must start with our chil-dren. Our children are being bombarded with the influences many of us did not face until high school. It is our job to make sure our children are equipped for such challenges. “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14). Our children are the only hope for our world. We want to see children completely sold out for Christ. There is no age limit when it comes to God and He can and will pour out His Spirit upon our children. CHILDREN’S CHURCH PURPOSE

Children’s Church at Spring Green Community Church exists to train our children in the act

of worship and to give them a solid foundation in God’s Word. Children’s Church needs to be basic in focus, evangelistic, seeker-friendly, visitor friendly,

engaging and fun. Children’s Church is to prepare every child for their future transition from Children’s Church

to more mature adult worship in the corporate worship time. CHILDREN’S CHURCH DIRECTOR – JOB DESCRIPTION First and foremost, the Director is motivated to serve because they believe God has called them to be involved in Children’s Church. Their spiritual gifts may vary, but their calling and commitment place them in a position of leading, supervising, coordinating, and communicating with those in-volved, providing a godly example and making wise decisions that will help keep the Children’s Church ministry on functioning for its intended purpose. The following is a list of the primary responsibilities:

Establish yearly curriculum/schedule/calendar with input from Church Leadership to align with

the Vision.

Recruit, train and equip prospective Team Leaders.

Establish and monitor Team Leader standards/commitment.

Develop policies and safety guidelines.

Prepare budgets for ministry needs.

Promotion and publicity of ministry to church body and community.

Serving Christ in December Nursery

December 6– Violet Touchton and McKenna Butts

December 13– Marcia Creasey and Jordan Wahl

December 20- Tammy Shaffer and Jenna Wahl

December 24-Nancy Accola and Hannah Gruber

December 27– Jan Anderson and Andrew Pardee

Fellowship Servers and Food Preparers

December 6-Servers: Mary Robson and Sherrie McVeigh Food: Jeanie Welsh and Diane Vossekuil

December 13– Servers: Fay Cozine and Peggy Hoffman

Food: Eva Cry and Ellie Gieck

December 20– Servers: Julie Kardatzke and Nancy Accola Food: Rose Ellen Schneider and Nancy Accola

December 27– Servers: Carol Wells and Linda Huff

Food: Carol Wells and Linda Huff

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Upcoming Events and Dates to Remember

Saturday, December 5, 9-3 - Craft Bazaar and Luncheon

Saturday, December 5, 4-7 p.m.- Souper Supper

Saturday, December 19, 6 p.m.- Christmas Carolling Social

Monday, December 21, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. -Food Pantry distribution

Monday, December 21, 4:30-6:30 p.m.- Food Pantry distribution.

Wednesday, December 23- NO AWANA, NO YOUTH GROUP

Wednesday, December 30- NO AWANA, NO YOUTH GROUP

Praise God from whom

all blessings flow!

Together we make a difference.

Weekly Giving for November 2009

November 1-General Fund -$7,000.30 Food Pantry- $675.00 Benevolence-$137.00 November 8- General Fund - $2,486.93 Benevolence- $12.00 Food Pantry- $505.00 November 15- General Fund -$20,662.99 Food Pantry- $2,373.00 Benevolence- $3.00 November 22- General Fund -$2,470.00 Food Pantry- $850.00 November 29- General Fund - ?????

December Birthdays

12/1 Pete Knoll

12/3 Paul Marit

12/6 Marianne Dziki-Morgan

12/6 Jim Johnson

12/9 Elaine Reese-Weiand

12/10 James Kardatzke

12/10 Christopher Kardatzke

12/10 Viola Lamont

12/11 Jordan Wahl

12/11 John Walker

12/12 Jenna Wahl

12/12 Marvin Moe

12/14 Flint Enerson Sr.

12/16 Dick Kraemer

12/18 Alex Seguin

12/19 Mike Kieler

12/21 Sarah Shaffer

12/23 Jeannie Welsh

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December Anniversaries

12/10- Damon and Darcy Richardson

12/29-Lee and Elaine Weiand