April 2020

Peace Matters

A Word from Pastor Lucretia

PEACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

2300 Wisconsin Ave., Kaukauna, WI 54130

Inside this issue:

Parish

Announcements

2

Stewardship

News/Treasurer’s

Report

3

The United

Methodist Holy

Week Quiz

4

A Word from

Bishop Jung

5

Birthdays/

Anniversaries

6

The United

Methodist Holy

Week Answers

7

I had a poster a long time ago that said “Sometimes it’s hard to be a person of

faith.” It is hard sometimes – maybe a lot of the time! We have to put our trust in

something we cannot see. We have to stake our future on the promise of eternity.

We have to believe that God is in control and will be with us as we walk through

the journey of life. Sometimes, it is hard to be a person of faith.

When I reflect on this phrase, it causes me to think about how hard it would be to

be a person with no faith. Where would I turn when things gets complicated? Who

would be there for me when I am feeling lonely, or scared, or confused? How

would I find meaning and purpose in my life without a Creator who gave me a

mind, a heart, and a soul, not to mention life itself?

I am very glad that I am a person of faith. It has been a bizarre and scary time for

all of us. Who would have thought that just a few weeks ago I would be occupied

with planning for a Palm Sunday Breakfast and an Easter Service, and now I am

concerned about the health of myself, my loved ones and all of you (who are my

loved ones, too). Without my faith, it would feel like the “sky is falling.” With my

faith, I know that ultimately God is in control. He holds us in the palms of his hands

and embraces us with love beyond anything we can imagine.

Now we need to figure out how to live what is being called the “new normal.” We

are expected to live in isolation, which goes against our very nature as human be-

ings. We get caught up in the frantic fear about symptoms we have and wonder if

somehow we have been exposed to the virus. We make jokes about toilet paper to

hide our real fears of not having enough of something we need. All of this is normal

and natural, given the circumstances of our world right now.

It might be normal, but it is not healthy. We can do some things to help ourselves.

We can listen to less 24/7 news and find a movie, a book, or a puzzle to occupy

our time. We can call a friend, send a card, email a family member or talk to me.

My phone is available anytime (920-538-0538). We can practice “mindfulness” –

focusing on the present moment rather than dwelling on the past or anticipating the

future. We can read Scripture and pray and hold on to hope. We can get enough

sleep, eat right and exercise – either a short walk in the fresh air or moving around

inside your house.

I know you have heard all these things before. So have I. My dilemma is I need to

be reminded to actually follow through, and not just once, but over and over again.

We will make it through this. We will be able to face whatever comes our way. I

believe this with all my heart and soul and mind. Sometimes, it is difficult to be a

person of faith. Thanks be to God that we are precisely this – people of faith!

Page 2

ON THE CALENDAR:

May 2 ~ Spring Craft & Gift Sale

May 24 ~ Memorial Day Weekend-Summer schedule begins, 9:00 a.m. only worship

July 12 ~ Worship in the Park

September 13 ~ Fall schedule begins, 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship, Sunday School begins

September 27 ~ Polka Worship and Dinner

November 21 ~ Holiday Craft Sale

Palm Sunday and Easter: This will be the first time ever in my life that we will not be able to celebrate Palm Sunday and Easter. But we will!! When we are able to gather again, we will plan a “Palm Sunday” continental breakfast and an Easter Worship service. We may not be able to have Easter lilies, but we will use the flower money you have donated to purchase beautiful bouquets of spring flowers.

I remember a story a colleague told. He said a particular church always celebrated Easter on the first Sunday of May. When asked why – this was the story. Mabel was the pillar of the church, and did every-thing for the church that she could when she was present. She was also a snowbird and went away for the winter. The church would wait for her to come back in order to celebrate Easter. Therefore, we will celebrate a “Mabel Easter” this year.

Someone can help by saving a package of Easter dye or we can use food coloring to have dyed eggs. I have the tablecloths and a centerpiece, and may be able to find some Easter napkins on sale once we are allowed to go out again. If you see some, pleas pick some up. What a celebration we can have!

Easter is a time of resurrection so we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ along with the resur-rection of our church being able to worship again. Plan for it!

United Methodist Women News: As you all are aware of our Church has had to take some precautionary measures with the outbreak of the CoronaVirus. This has been the hardest so far for me just knowing our church will not have worship service until further notice and we will be going through the Easter Season with no services. . . . . but this too shall pass.

Our Rebekah Circle was able to meet on Thursday, March 12, 2020 but Esther Circle was can-celled. April meetings are scheduled but may have to be cancelled, Rebekah Circle will meet

on Thursday April 9, 2020 which is also Maundy Thursday so we will meet in the fellowship room at church after the service. Yvonne Rusk will be hostess, the Maundy Thursday service will be our program and Response moment will be by Yvonne Rusk. Esther Circle will meet on Thursday, April 16, 2020 with hostess, Sandi Hillegas, Pastor Lu will have the program and Response moment is yet to be determined. Again, this is all subject to change depending on how this CoronaVirus changes, as it seems everyday there are new recommendations.

United Methodist Women are always encouraged to read, as well as all members of our church, and there is a lot of great material either online or in the church library. Let’s take this time when we are dis-couraged from going out in public to do more reading and learning about the great work of women all around the world and how they help so many women, children and youth.

Spring is here along with day light saving time, it is a time of new beginnings and hope. We will get through this difficult time together, please pray for our Pastor, our Church and all of our members along with the world! Stay safe and healthy!

Parish Announcements

Page 3

A Stewardship Message For Your Church

from Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation

Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation 750 Windsor Street Ste 305 Sun Prairie, WI 53590-0620 1-888-903-9863 or wumf@wumf.org

Treasurer’s Report for February 2020

Operating Fund

Beginning Balance $ 5,694.43

Income + 14,734.53

Expenses - 17,211.74

Ending Balance $ 3,217.22

Apportionments paid through February 2020: $ 1,995.55 (7%)

We appreciate your gifts! ~ Please remember to keep up with your offerings ~ Thank you!

Church Offerings through Auto Pay: Consider set-ting up auto pay for your church offerings so that your financial commitment to the church can continue even when you are unable to join us for worship. See your financial institution to set up the auto pay paper check/laser check bill pay

option. You can choose the amount, frequency, and how the funds are allo-cated, and your financial institution sends a paper/laser check to the church.

GIVING: Privacy or Secrecy

The love of money is the root of all evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. (1 Timothy 6:10)

Rev. Molly Baskette has written an interesting devotional (www.ucc.org/ dai-ly_devotional_the_burden_of_money) in which she states that, “Church people often tell me that money is a private matter, but what they really practice with money is secrecy, not privacy.”

The problem, according to Pastor Baskette, is that fear, shame and secrecy about money do the work of evil just as much as our love of it. Yes, some things need to be secret: like the recipe for Coca Cola or the identities of spies. However, many of our institutional practices at church be-come distorted because we, the members, have unhealthy relationships with money.

We may think of the person who loves money as a monumental striver, always trying to get rich-er, never having enough. But those who love money also may long for more and then feel ashamed of that longing, or they may not balance their checkbook and live in fear of the debt col-lector (and feel ashamed), or may desire to be generous, but cannot let go (and feel ashamed). We want to keep these things secret.

But, shame is not a healthy relationship with money and secrecy is not a healthy relationship with God or our fellow Christians. The Lenten/ Easter season is a good time to recognize our shortcomings, confess them to God, ourselves, and maybe others, and to repent. That is, to try to do things differently in the future.

Many United Methodist churches provide courses on personal finance and getting out of debt. If yours does not, please contact us at the Wisconsin United Method-ist Foundation.

Jim Wells, Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation

Page 4

The United Methodist Holy Week Quiz

1. What do palm branches symbolize on Palm Sunday? • They symbolized victory in the Roman Empire. • Palm is the Latin word for ‘return.’ • Hearts of palm were considered ‘kingly food.’ • All of the above.

2. What was Judas paid for identifying Jesus to the Roman soldier?

• 20 pieces of gold • 20 pieces of silver • 30 pieces of gold • 30 pieces of silver

3. The Upper Room Chapel in Nashville displays a carved wooden representation of…

• The Nativity Scene • The Last Supper • Christ’s Crucifixion • Christ’s Resurrection

4. What was not said by Jesus the night before he died? • “All those who use the sword will die by the sword.” • “The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak.” • “Physician, heal thyself.” • “Friend, do what you came to do.”

5. What are the Stations of the Cross? • Place in Jerusalem where prisoners were sentenced • Moments in Jesus’ journey from his trial to the tomb • Officially approved places for crosses in churches

6. What does a Tenebrae service consist of? • A drama about the last seven words of Jesus • A reenactment of the Last Supper Extinguishing of candles • The receiving of ashes

7. What does INRI mean on a crucifix? • Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Rome • Nazareth, Kingdom of Jerusalem • Sign of the Cross • Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews

8. Why are eggs associated with Easter? • They symbolize new life. • They have a shell around the body inside, like the tomb of Jesus. • They can be dyed pretty colors to represent the joy of Easter. • All of the above.

9. Which of these Easter hymns did Charles Wesley write?

• “Because He Lives” • “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies” • “Lift High the Cross” • “Sing with All the Saints in Glory”

10. Why do some churches hold Easter sunrise services? • Easter prayer vigils often ended as the sun rose. • Three women visited the tomb early in the morning. • Jesus is often called the light of the world. • All of the above.

Answers on page 8 Take one of our other quizzes at www.UMC.org/quizzes

EASTER WORD SEARCH

ANGELS CROSS

EASTER GOD

HOLY JESUS

LOVE MARY

RISEN TOMB

R A X S M T J N V L E Y L M K

H V J D I T Z G R P M N A Y Y

Y H R E A J H W E U C R O S S

F L O D S Y H Q T S Y R L V D

R F O N N U N P S R K E E C H

I G O H D K S N A Z G V V B T

S E B M O T P W E N E U J X E

E V O D U F W I A C X B A I L

N O A R B Q P T M L G B F Q W

W L F V A N D O H I W X Y S E

Page 5

WHEN WE CAN’T FIND EASTER

Easter is the most joyous Christian holy day ... except when it’s not. What do we do when our mood isn’t what we think it “should” be? The kids are sugared up, we’re juggling family gatherings (and maybe conflicts), our everyday challenges remain, and festive hymns — however rousing — fail to lift our spir-its. We wonder, “What’s wrong with me, that I can’t seem to find Easter?”

Been there, done that. And it’s okay. You’re okay.

Jesus’ resurrection doesn’t scoop us out of our troubles, but the death-defying Christ walks through them beside us, on our own Emmaus road (Luke 24). We aren’t alone. When we can’t find Easter, Easter somehow finds us — if not on this designated Sunday, perhaps two days from now, or next week or mid-May. Watch for it; keep your heart open. Christ is risen indeed — and you shall be too. —Heidi Mann

A Word from Bishop Jung About the Coronavirus Pandemic Published: 16 March 2020

And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there

alone. Matthew 14:23

My beloved family in Christ across Wisconsin, know that I am praying for you. We are going through an extraordinary time.

It is a time of anxiety and worry, a time of fear and uncertainty, and a time of testing for our faith. But our God is good,

our God is with us, and our God loves us.

In the best of times, we are stronger together. It is right and good that we worship together, that we pray together, study

together, work together, and minister together. But there are times such as these where we are most faithful when we care

for each other from a distance. Following the example of Jesus, this Lenten time may be one where we must withdraw and

be by ourselves more. We are in a time when it is inadvisable to gather together for worship. In fact, we are strongly sug-

gesting that we refrain from publicly open worship services minimally until April 5, Palm Sunday. It may mean we need to

suspend worship this year through Easter. While this is difficult and painful, it is also a glorious opportunity to show our

creativity and commitment. The White House, the Center for Disease Control, our state government and health care offi-

cials are asking that we not gather in groups larger than ten members for at least the next two weeks. Some reports are

saying we shouldn’t gather in groups of 50 or more for at least eight weeks. Regardless the parameters of the advice, we

are in a time of necessary voluntary separation and face-to-face isolation.

But this in no way means we cannot be in ministry with each other. We are blessed with phones, email, computers, tablets,

and multiple technologies to allow communication across distance. We can form prayer chains. We can create online devo-

tion and worship circles. We can keep in contact with the most vulnerable in our faith communities and develop healthy and

faithful ways to meet their needs and offer them care. We can join streaming worship services broadcast without congrega-

tions physically present, and we can engage in family devotions and worship. This is indeed a challenging time, but God is

with us right where we are. This is a critical time for us to care as much about as many as we possibly can! We are in min-

istry through our prayers, our phone calls, our emails, and our video chats. Congregational leaders can still connect for min-

istry meetings in a variety of ways. It is too easy to be swept away by all we cannot do; let us make a faith commitment to

focus on what we CAN do. Please continue to support the ministry of your congregation in whatever possible ways you can.

The Wisconsin Conference is cancelling or postponing all in person meetings, gatherings and events for a minimum of the

next four weeks. We will announce further cancellations and postponements, if needed. We will regularly post updates and

resources on our website to help local congregations navigate this difficult time, and to support you in your ministry. Con-

ference and district staff can help you set up Zoom video meetings if that would be helpful. We will do all in our power to

help you do effective ministry in the weeks to come.

I want you all to know how much I appreciate your leadership and your faithfulness in this pandemic time. It is scary, espe-

cially for the most vulnerable among us. There are no clear or easy answers. We do not know how long we must take ex-

ceptional precautions. We do not know when the dangers will pass. What we do know is that we have God,

we have each other, and we have a faith that will keep us strong through even the greatest challenges.

Grace and Peace,

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

Page 6

4/1 Lorna Nabbefeld

4/2 Liam Dollevoet

4/6 Katherine Harris

4/6 Robert Davidson

4/8 Jamie Stalker

4/8 Bill Hammen

4/8 David Mooney

4/14 Carson Lisowe

4/15 Sandi Hillegas

4/16 Seong Graham

4/16 Nathanial Gerritts

4/16 Lilah Novak

4/18 Jaeden Kittoe

4/19 Jane Glasheen

4/19 Brooklyn Sattergren

4/22 Kristle Ley

4/25 Aubrey Perronne

4/28 Greg Gartzke

4/28 Anna Davidson

4/28 Casey Russell

4/3 ~ 27 years Dave & Carie Gibbs

4/6 ~ 52 years

Ron & Margie Nerison

“Never yet was a springtime,

when the buds forgot to bloom.”

—Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

EASTER AROUND THE WORLD

Easter traditions are important, but they vary widely. While Americans

dye hardboiled eggs, Kenyans carve soapstone eggs and present them as

gifts in banana-fiber boxes. In Bermuda, locals fly homemade kites on

Good Friday — a tradition that began when a teacher illustrated Christ’s

ascension to heaven using a cross-shaped kite.

Ethiopian Christians observe a 56-day fast from meat and all animal

products. On Easter, they dress in white to worship in churches decorated

with handmade fabric. Then they feast with non-Christians on roast

chicken, goat and rice.

In France, church bells are silent between Holy Thursday and Easter to

observe Jesus’ Passion. According to legend, the bells grow wings and fly

to Rome to be blessed, returning on Easter with chocolate and presents.

In one town’s main square, chefs

make a giant omelet with 4,500

eggs to feed 1,000 people!

Our job is to love others without stopping

to inquire whether or not they are worthy.

That is not our business and, in fact, it is

nobody's business. What we are asked to do

is to love, and this love itself will render

both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.

―Thomas Merton

From the Wisconsin Conference United Methodist Church Facebook: Don't forget many Wisconsin churches are ready to worship with you online. Whether this is your 1st or 100th time to worship in this way, we need to hear the Good News, to pray, to sing and to be reminded we are never alone.

P.S. Reason #4 is not really a reason

The Sunday School assembled 73 bags of hygiene supplies for Help for the Homeless. Thank you to all in the congregation who donated supplies to help this great cause!

Page 7

Answers to The United Methodist Holy Week Quiz (from page 4):

1. The correct answer is they were a symbol of victory in the Roman Empire. John 12:13 and Matthew 21:8 refer to palm branches being laid on the path as Jesus rode into Jerusalem, which can now be seen as symbolic of his victo-ry over death. "Let these branches be for us signs of his victory; and grant that we who bear them may always ac-claim Jesus Messiah by walking the way of his suffering and cross…" – from an 'Order of Worship for Palm Sunday.'

2. The correct answer is 30 pieces of silver. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Judas went to the chief priests and agreed to hand over Jesus to soldiers in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. Judas later felt remorse for his actions and returned the silver to the high priests. The priests didn't want to return this "tainted" silver to the treasury, so they used it to purchase the burial ground called Potter's field.

3. The correct answer is The Last Supper. The altar area at The Upper Room's international headquarters in Nashville, Tenn. features a nearly life-size woodcarving of The Last Supper – the scene of Jesus and his disciples eating to-gether during the Passover and prior to his crucifixion. The Upper Room is a United Methodist ministry which pro-vides publications, programs, prayer support, and other resources to help believers of all ages and denominations move to a deeper level of faith and service. The Upper Room is a part of United Methodist Discipleship Ministries.

4. The correct answer is “Physician, heal thyself.” Those words are found in Luke 4:23 (CEB): "Then Jesus said to them, 'Undoubtedly, you will quote this saying to me: Doctor, heal yourself. Do here in your hometown what we've heard you did in Capernaum.'" The gospel writers mention the others as part of Jesus' agony in the garden of Gethsemane: "Then Jesus said to him, 'Put the sword back into its place. All those who use the sword will die by the sword.'" (Matthew 26:52 CEB); "Stay alert and pray so that you won't give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:38 CEB); "But Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him." (Matthew 26:50 CEB)

5. The correct answer is moments in Jesus’ journey from his trial to the tomb. The fourteen traditional Stations of the Cross, also called Way of the Cross, is a modern adaptation of a Christian tradition dating to the fifth century. Four-teen stations depict events of Jesus' trial, execution and death, from praying alone the night before to speaking to his mother and John from the cross to his burial. Walking the "Way of the Cross" can be used as a devotion at any time for reflection on Christ's suffering and sacrifice but is most often observed on Good Friday.

6. The correct answer is extinguishing of candles. Tenebrae is a Latin word meaning darkness or shadows. During a Tenebrae service, usually held on Good Friday, worshipers hear readings describing Jesus' final hours from his ar-rest through his crucifixion, death, and placement in the tomb. After each reading, a candle is extinguished, dark-ening the room just a little. Before the final reading the Christ candle is extinguished or removed, leaving the room completely dark. On Easter Sunday the candle is returned, a symbol of Jesus' resurrection.

7. The correct answer is Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews. John 19:19-23 (CEB) describes the sign put above Jesus' head on the cross: "Pilate had a public notice written and posted on the cross. It read 'Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews.' Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city and it was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. Therefore, the Jewish chief priests complained to Pilate, 'Don't write, The king of the Jews' but 'This man said, I am the king of the Jews.' Pilate answered, 'What I've written, I've written.'"

8. The correct answer is all of the above. The eggs symbolize new life, the joy of the Resurrection, and the tomb from which Jesus rose.

9. The correct answer is “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies.” In 1740, Charles Wesley wrote the lyrics to Hymn #173 with the original title "A Morning Hymn." Filled with Scriptural references, the hymn personifies "Sun," "Dayspring" and "Daystar" in the person of Jesus Christ and emphasizes the differences between light and darkness. After tri-umphing "o'er the shades of night," Jesus scatters the singers' unbelief, leaving us to shine in "the perfect day."

10. The correct answer is all of the above. As the women went to the tomb early on the first Easter Sunday morning, so too many United Methodists will gather for worship before sunrise. These Easter Sunrise Services are filled with symbolism of light, renewal, and resurrection. There are a variety of stories about the origins of Easter Sunrise Ser-vice. Many are held near water or on hillsides, making it easi-er for the congregation to see the sunrise. Others are held in cemeteries, a reminder of Jesus' victory over death and the resurrection to come.

Church phone: (920)766-3311 Pastor cell phone: (920)538-0538

Pastor home phone: (920)462-4503

Website: www.peaceunitedmethodist.com Church email: info@peaceunitedmethodist.org

Pastor email: pastorlucretia@outlook.com Peace United Methodist Church, “Like” us on Facebook

Lucretia Fehrmann, Pastor

Sheila VanRooy, Administrative Assistant/Treasurer

Wendy Dearborn, Organist

Michael Schultz, Praise Team Director

Grace Zurovitch, Sunday Singers

Joyce Olson, Peace Bells

Richard Tucker, Custodian

Peace United Methodist Church 2300 Wisconsin Avenue Kaukauna, WI 54130

Sundays at Peace United Methodist Church

7:30 am Adult Sunday School—Lynn Van Schyndel

8:30 am Contemporary Worship

9:30 am Sunday School: Children’s/Youth/Adult, Julie Schubring;

Fellowship

10:30 am Traditional Worship

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am-2:00 pm