Volume 8, Issue 3

March, 2011 The Crossroad A Monthly Publication of the Spring Green Community Church

In This Issue

Easter

By: Pastor Kendall Harger

The stone is rolled away from His tomb’s entrance, Jesus is gone, and the New Covenant is

started. On that first Easter morning, Jesus opened an unrivaled door of opportunity for all

people. He opened the door to allow us to have a right relationship with God. He opened the

door to eternal life. He opened the door of hope, peace, joy, and salvation. And He invited

the whole world to step through. The celebration of Jesus’ resurrection will bring new peo-

ple to our church this Easter – even if they aren’t sure why they are there or what they are

celebrating. We want to be ready, as a church, to welcome those who visit, and to introduce

them to our church and more importantly to Christ. Easter is arguably the biggest day of the

year in the life of the church, with Christmas being its only competition. What can we do

to be ready for all the guests who will be here on Easter Sunday morning? Let me give you three ideas:

First, pray. Prayer is the work; it is not just getting ready for the work. Pray for those who God will send our

way, for those who are working on that Sunday, and that God will show you who to invite. Second, invite

people to come. Statistics show that half of the people you invite will come, but they won’t if they are not

asked. Third, be ready to help. If it isn’t your turn to be doing ministry, be ready to help if asked and ready to

introduce yourself to those who are visiting. I am looking for God to do incredible things through this church

and maybe this Easter is going to be part of the journey.

We will be starting a new series on Easter Sunday morning that will last for the four weeks after Easter. The

new series is called, “Unfinished Business.” Jesus said, “It is finished” and “it” was, but He still had and has

other work to do in the lives of people. In the forty days after His resurrection, Jesus meets people where they

are as they are trying to navigate through His death and resurrection. The big idea of this series is that Jesus

will meet us where we are and will help us as we navigate through life, bringing us to a deeper relationship

with Him. Pray that God will show me the direction I need to take with this series and that as I study I am be-

ing shaped by His word.

P. 2 Leadership

Meeting/

Griefshare

P. 3 Driven by the

Spirit Motorcycle

Ride

P. 4 InReach/Missions/

Helping Hands

P. 5 Library News/

Women’s

Activities

P. 6 Calendar

P. 7 Servants in April

P.8 Upcoming events/

financial

P. 9 Birthdays/

Anniversaries

Together we make a difference.

By: Rose Ellen Schneider

Following are the GriefShare topics for the month of April. People mourning the loss of a loved one may join GriefShare at any

time.

MAR. 29 - THE UNIQUENESS OF GRIEF, PART 2 - Discusses how to address insensitive comforters and how past and pre-

sent relationships affect unresolved conflict with a deceased loved one. APR. 5 - GOD’S PRESCRIPTION FOR GRIEF - Explains how to position yourself to experience God’s healing through your

loss.

APR. 12 - STUCK IN GRIEF – SESSION 10 : - Explains how to keep moving on the path to healing rather than getting stuck in

your grief.

APR. 19 - TOP TWENTY LESSONS OF GRIEF, PART 1 - Shares ten lessons that those who’ve walked the journey of grief

have learned and how they’ve grown from their grief experience.

APR. 26: - TOP TWENTY LESSONS OF GRIEF, PART 2 - Shares ten of the most significant lessons that can be learned dur-

ing grief.

Page 2 MARCH LEADERSHIP MEETINGS

BY: BLAIR ANDERSON

The Church Board (Pastor Kendall and Elders) met in March, and discussed the following items –

The congregational meeting to come May 15 (budget)

Leadership training for the church

Ministry leadership staffing needs

Financial issues, including our 501(c)(3) status (charitable)

A facility use request

Easter celebration

Musical worship matters

Various ministry issues

The Elders include Mike Kieler, Mike Miller, John Schneller, and Blair Anderson.

The Church Leadership Team (Pastor Kendall, Elders and Deacons) also met and discussed –

Distribution of responsibilities for SGCC among Elders and Deacons. With new elders and deacons, these

responsibilities were adjusted. They will be shared with the fellowship when the new duties are finalized.

Leadership training, for both present and potential future leaders, as well as for others.

The Deacons include Vicky Meinholz, David Cry, Rose Ellen Schneider, Ron Robson, and Mary Robson.

Page 3

Driven by the Spirit Motorcycle Ride

Sat. May 21 (rain date Sat. June 4)

Leaving Spring Green Community Church at 10:30

All vehicles welcome - $10 per bike or vehicle

All money donated to Samaritan’s Purse for help with natural disasters

Leaving Spring Green, going through Dodgeville, Mineral Point, Hollandale,

Blanchardville, New Glarus, Argyle, Fayette, Darlington, Calamine, back to

mineral point, and ending at a&w in Dodgeville.

There will be prizes given away at A&W at the end of the ride.

If you cannot Participate donations will be accepted.

Roads to be traveled and stops yet to be determined.

Please be in prayer for a director for this year’s VBS program, July 25-29.

If you are led to this position, contact the office, 588-2442.

Helping Hands Women’s Ministry

The Helping Hands Women’s Ministry was organized 2 years ago. Its pur-pose is to provide food for families in a time of need such as a death or chronic illness in the family. It is also the first contact for help for funeral din-ners and for church pot lucks. If there is a family in need during April, you may contact either the team leader for April, which is Shirley Coppernoll, 588-7132, or Rose Ellen Schneider, 588-2033.

InReach Thanks to all who assisted and participated in the last month’s very successful fish fry. Special thanks to the In-

Reach team along with our own “Kraemer Brothers” (Dick, Denny, and Jim). There were a number of special

guests that attended the event. We thank them and the hosts who invited and brought them.

Highlight of the evening, in addition to a great meal, was our own Peggy Hoffman winning the coveted COFFIN

(Community Of Faith, Family, Inspiration & Needs) award. While the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys have their

place, the COFFIN award stands alone! Congrats Peggy Hoffamn. For additional details on the award, ask the re-

cipient.

EASTER SUNDAY BREAKFAST

Bring family and friends to SGCC Easter Breakfast. We start serving at 9:00 am Easter Sunday and will close the

breakfast at 10:00 am to set up for church. Everyone attending is encouraged to bring fruit or pastries to compli-

ment the breakfast of eggs and bacon/sausage. The chefs are eager to fix the church family a great breakfast, so

Bon Appetit !!!

Page 4

Update on Dave and Sheryl O'Brien, serving with SIM in Kenya ...

(Excerpted from a letter to Mary Robson, missionary liason)

"We have been thinking about our future a lot over the past few months. We wondered whether or not to go back "home" and retire, and Dave quickly

nixed that idea. Even though he was 70 on his last b-day, he believes there is still more for him to do for the Lord. OK, so where should we do it? My

vote, at first, was to find some way to Serve in Mission (SIM) in the U.S. Of course, my first thoughts were how to get to spend more time with our

kids and our new grandchildren.

But as we thought and prayed for God's leading, it became clearer that, as much as we would love to be nearer our family, Kenya is the place for us

for at least a few more years. Dave is really enjoying his teaching and having an impact on students who will be passing along the things they learn. I

have been able to undertake several jobs for the mission that were just "up my alley" and that has been satisfying. Nothing in the U.S. really had our

names on it. So the decision was reached: we will take a six month home assignment and return to Nairobi, Lord willing, in January 2012.

We have been thinking for some time about getting a different house in Charlotte that will be our home into old age. (Yes, I know it is coming eventu-

ally!) The housing market and the advice of a close friend who knows real estate, plus the convenience of internet house-hunting, all culminated in a

decision to send Dave back to see a number of houses in person and hopefully do all the paperwork, etc. so that when we do return this summer we will

have a place to live.

Please pray about Dave's journey; he has a lot to get done. His driver's license is expired so he wants to get that renewed, and, of course, people have

things for him to buy for them and bring back, in addition to visiting our credit union, realtor's office and certain offices at SIM who can help with fi-

nancial papers needed to buy a house.

We do need and rely on people praying for us, as well as all those who give so generously so we can help build the church here in Kenya."

Please be praying for Dave and Sheryl as they face a transitional time in serving our Lord. If you have any questions, please contact me, Mary

Robson. Thanks!

Library News By: Rose Ellen Schneider

A large number of titles for all ages and a variety of topics have been added to the church library. They are currently on

the display table. As always if you would like to borrow a title to read or watch, please sign the card with your name and

the date you took the title and leave the card in the card container on the table.

Following are only some of the titles added this past month.

Books by C.S. Lewis include the complete Chronicles of Narnia series which is located in the Young Adult area , Mere

Christianity and a book of essays, The World's Last Night, and Other Essays.

New children’s books include two by Shelia Walsh In Search of the Great White Tiger : A Story About Following God

and Chattaboonga's Chilling Choice : A Story about Trusting God. Several Bible story books for children are new to the

library including Rebecca at the Well, Moses; Samson and Delilah: and Noah and the Ark. There is also a children’s book by Charles Swindoll Paw

Paw Chuck's Big Ideas in the Bible.

A number of titles on church organization and leadership have been added including Kingdom Principles for Church Growth by Gene Mims, Who

Stole My Church? : What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the Twenty-First Century by Gordon MacDonald; The Emotionally Healthy

Church : a Strategy for Discipleship that Actually Changes Lives (book and workbook) by Peter Scazzero; The Power of Team Leadership : Achiev-

ing Success through Shared Responsibility by George Barna; Spiritual Maturity : Principles of Spiritual Growth for Every Believer by J. Oswald

Sanders; The Purpose Driven Church : Growth Without Compromising your message & mission by Rick Warren; and Money matters in church : a

practical guide for leaders by Aubrey Malphurs. There were also 2 books by Mark Dever - Nine Marks of a Healthy Church and The Deliberate

Church : Building your Ministry on the Gospel .

Two books by Dave Ramsey on finances are available: The Total Money Makeover : a Proven Plan for Financial Fitness and Financial Peace Revis-

ited.

New GriefShare books include. Heaven is for Real : a Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo; It's Okay to

Cry : a Parent's Guide to Helping Children Through the Losses of Life : an Interactive Recovery Workbook and Reflections of a Grieving Spouse by H.

Norman Wright; Treasures in Darkness : a Grieving Mother Shares Her Heart by Sharon W. Betters, and Anxious for Nothing : God's Cure for the

Care of Your Soul by John MacArthur,

There are two books on evolution / creationism The New Answers Book : Over 25 Top Questions on Creation/Evolution and the Bible by Ken Ham,

and The collapse of Evolution by Scott M. Huse.

A number of fiction books for adults have been added to the library including Ozark weddings: Romancing America: Arkansas; Christmas Homecom-

ing: Romancing America: Colorado; Alaska Brides: Romancing America: Alaska; Palmetto Dreams; Romancing America: South Carolina; Last

light / Night light: Restoration Novels 1 & 2 by Terri Blackstock; and Secrets of the Gathering Darkness and Sedona Storm by Barbara Scott.

The Young Adult (grade 4+) books added to the library include several by Bill Myers including The Case of the Missing Minds; Phantom of the

Haunted Church; and McGee and Me! : the Big Lie. Other young adult mysteries include Behind the Locked Door and High Flyer with a Flat Tire by

Paul McCusker.

Page 5

Library Spring Cleaning The library crew has been spring cleaning in the library. The collection has been inventoried. All non-fiction books are being rearranged according to the Dewey Decimal Library classification system, a numbering system to get like subjects together. It will be a bit confusing at first, but we will get used to it. If you are

looking for a title or something by a specific author or on a specific subject, you can use our online catalog. To get to the catalog, go to the church web site. Then

click on the “Resources” link. Select “Library”. You can follow the instructions or click on the blue chair. The link launches the program. The computer in the library loads directly to the church web site and is always on. Any questions, ask Rose Ellen Schneider.

Here are some of the location changes for our library titles: Library items about the Bible and Bible history are in 220. Old testament items are 221. Historical titles of the Old Testament are in 222. Titles on the Psalms,

Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are in 223. Titles on the Prophetic books in the Old Testament are in 224. New testament books are 225, with titles about the Gospels

and Acts in 226. Titles about the Epistles are in 227. Titles about Revelation are in 228. Titles about Jesus are in 232. Titles about Jesus’ birth are in 232.92. Titles about Jesus’ Crucifiction and Resurrection are in 232.96.

Titles about God are in 231.

Devotional literature is now located in 242. Titles about the Christian life are in 248.

Angels, 235. Spirtual warfare 235.4.

Heaven 236.

Fiction book arrangement is still by author.

Women’s Activities By: Rose Ellen Schneider

At a meeting in February, it was decided to hold three events throughout the year. The first one, VBS prepara-

tion projects, is scheduled for Wednesday, June 8, from 7 to 9 pm. The second event, Make and Take, will be

Saturday, Oct. 15, from 9:30-11:30 am. This is a time when you can either make a Christmas ornament for

yourself or make one to be sold at the church bazaar in December. There will be a nominal fee for materials for

this event. The Craft Night gang is in charge of the ornament making. The third event is a ladies tea scheduled

for Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, 9:30 to 11:30 am. More details will follow on all of these events as they get

closer.

SU/TD = Set-up/ Tear-down

Online Perpetual Calendar

Continually Updated

For the latest information, check the church website at

www.sgcommunitychurch.org and click on

online Calendar

Page 6

Serving Christ in April

Children’s Church April 3-Terri-LT, Christy-DT, Andrew‐Shepherd, Staci‐Backup

April 10- Marcia‐LT, Nancy‐DT, Sandy‐Shepherd, Rita‐Backup

April 17-Terri-LT, Christy-DT, Andrew‐Shepherd, Staci‐Backup

April 24- Happy Easter! No Children’s Church today.

God Bless these hands that serve!

Page 7

April News~

April 6 Regular Club Meeting/Cartoon Character April 13 Last Club Meeting/RV School Spirit Night April 20 NO Club April 27 Awards Night

April 3- Vicky & Laura Meinholz April 10 - Jeanie Welsh & Lorri Frisch

April 17- Julie Kardatzke & Pearl Meixelsperger April 24- Julie Kardatzke & Andrew Pardee

Page 8

Upcoming Events and Dates to Remember

Saturday, April 2 - 1:30 p.m. -Baby Shower for Kristi Hills

Sunday, April 3 - 6:00 p.m. -RV Boys Basketball Banquet

Monday, April 11 - 6:00 p.m. -Food Pantry Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Monday, April 18 - 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. -Food Pantry distribution

Monday, April 18 - 4:30-6:30 p.m.- Food Pantry distribution.

Monday, April 25 - 7 p.m.- Food Pantry Board Meeting

Praise God from whom

all blessings flow!

Weekly Giving for March 2011 March 6 - General Fund - $2789.80 Benevolence - $132.00 Food Pantry - $387.00

March 13 - General Fund - $2,489.00 Food Pantry - $215.00

March 20 - General Fund - $3,465.79 Benevolence - $1,002.00 Food Pantry - $600.00

March 27 - General Fund - $2,470.00 Food Pantry - $50.00

..faith is not believing God can, faith is KNOWING God WILL!

Food Pantry Served 98 Families in March! Thanks to all who assist in serving.

April Birthdays

4/3-Joey Hutchings

4/3-Kim Crum

4/13-May Love Amacher

4/14-Marian LeCount

4/15-Amy Mellor

4/15-Jim McVeigh

4/18-Kathy Mims

4/20-Mike Gratz

4/21- Luke Harger

4/26-Molly Bray

4/26- Joan Hook

4/26-Roger Creasey

4/27- Christy Gruber-Gratz

4/27- Roxy Johnson

4/27- Lee Weiand

Page 9

Prayer Shawl Ministry Prayer shawls or blankets are given to individuals who are have an illness or a chronic health problem. If anyone is interested in making prayer shawls, or if you know someone who could use a prayer shawl, please contact Rose Ellen Schneider 588-2033 or Kathy Kieler 546-6761. There are a few currently on hand if someone needs one. Otherwise, people who need yarn may contact Rose Ellen at 588-2033 or by email rschneid3@frontier.net, because a lot of yarn has been donated to the ministry.

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

April Anniversaries

4/4-Marvin & Nora Moe

4/6- Jim & Mickey Olson

4/8-Jason & Staci Sprecher

The Crossroad a monthly publication of the

Spring Green Community Church

Worship and Children’s church 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School 9:15 a.m. K thru adult

GriefShare Tuesdays 7:00 p.m.

AWANA - Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. during the school year

Food Pantry Distribution – Third Monday of each month,

10:30– Noon and 4:30-6:30 p.m.

lifeGroups – various days and times.

Check www.sgcommunitychurch.org or bulletin for details.

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Member of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches

and

Willow Creek Association of Churches

Spring Green Community Church

151 E. Bossard Street

Spring Green, WI 53588

(608) 588-2442

Fax 588-7145

Email: sgchurch@sgcommunitychurch.com

Website: sgcommunitychurch.org

Address Service Requested

Purpose:

Winning people to faith in Jesus Christ and

equipping them for personal ministry

Objectives:

Evangelism

Worship

Discipleship

Ministry

Motto: Experiencing God’s Love Together

Ministers: Every member of the Body of Christ