PRAIRIE LIGHT As a community called by Christ, we live our faith by loving and serving all creation

VOLUME 50 OCTOBER 2020 NUMBER 10

Praise God from whom all Blessings Flow Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Circling through earth so all may grow Vanquishing fear so all may give Widening grace so all may live

(Dr. Eric Law, D.D.)

In this time of dealing with a deadly virus that has kept us from working, playing, worshiping, and interacting with other in the manner in which we are accustomed (it hasn’t stopped all these things, just prevented us from doing them as we are accustomed), it is easy to focus on what we don’t have. God, though, is always generously showering us with blessings. Sometimes we don’t see them as readily, but they are there, none the less. For God cannot NOT be who God is, and God is one who gives.

Generosity begins with God and flows throughout the earth, “circling the earth so all may grow.” I think of water flowing from the skies, watering the earth, causing plants to grow, which then produce seeds to produce more plants, along with fruit so animals and people can live and grow. God’s cycle of blessings, each given to be given, “circling through earth so all may grow.”

Generosity begins with God and flows through us. Jefferson Prairie members give generously in many ways —supporting Family Promise guests by providing meals while they are safely housed in a hotel room when we can’t house them here—cleaning up our roadsides, weeding for others, writing notes of concern and care, packing school kits with items generously donated, and providing items for the local food pantries as part of God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday—gathering to sew quilts of love, to worship, and to learn through bible study—gifting of bibles, distributing Sunday school materials, and providing remote learning for our youngest members. Blessings freely flow through the ministry we do and the love we share.

Giving in Generosity is our stewardship theme this year. A special sermon series and bible study will be offered, and modeled on last year’s Gratitude Tree, we’ll work to leaf out a Generosity Tree. On Generosity Sunday, October 11th, we will receive monetary gifts for Lutheran Disaster Response to aid those affected by hurricanes and wildfires. (NOTE: money may be also sent to the office before the 11th). Estimate of giving cards will be sent out at the beginning of the month, and on Sunday October 20th all will have the opportunity to celebrate God’s generosity and our own through your commitment of generous giving to the continued mission and ministry of Jefferson Prairie.

We can focus on scarcity and miss the abundance God generously offers every day—even in the midst of a pandemic. Or we can focus on the many things we can do, even in the midst of a pandemic. God is faithful, generously providing for us and all creation no matter what is happening in our world, encouraging us to do the same.

Ministry and mission happen through members working together, living our faith by loving and serving all creation, allowing God’s blessings to flow through us, “widening grace so all may live.” Thanks for your generosity! Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Pastor Linda Winkelman

OCTOBER READINGS OCT 4 OCT 11 OCT 18 OCT 25 NOV 1___________ Isaiah 5:1-7 Isaiah 25:1-9 Isaiah 45:1-7 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Rev 7:9-17 Psalm 80:7-15 Psalm 23 Ps 96:1-9(10-13) Psalm 46 Ps 34:1-20, 22 Phil 3:4b-14 Phil 4:1-9 1 Thess 1:1-10 Rom 3:19-28 1 John 3:1-3 Matt 21:33-46 Matt 22:1-14 Matt 22:15-22 John 8:31-36 Matt 5:1-12

October Worship: Live streamed Saturdays on our Facebook page at 5:30 pm. Sermons are posted to our website by noon Monday at www.jplchurch.org. Indoor services are offered Sunday mornings at 9AM & 10:15AM. Please call in your reservation by 10AM each Friday so we can gauge the number of people attending each service. You may sit in your car and listen on FM 90.9 and bring your own communion elements if you wish.

Please follow the recommended health and safety guidelines: *Attendance limited to 50 people per service *Please stay home if you have been exposed to COVID or are feeling ill. *Masks required in the building. *Hand sanitizer and masks are by the doors. *Enter and exit the front or back door only *Maintain physical distancing of 6 feet while in the building. *Walk directly to the sanctuary and be seated in a designated pew. *Offering plates are at the sanctuary entrance, communion elements are on a table in the narthex, and bulletins are in the pews. *Pastor Linda will wear a mask except when preaching or leading worship. *Worshipers will be ushered out. *Walk directly to the exit Coffee will be offered in the gazebo while weather holds.

Thank you for your care in following recommended guidelines. Illinois Region 1 just returned to Phase 3 due to an increase in COVID cases.

Holy Communion via ZOOM every Thursday at 6:30 pm. Invitations will be emailed.

Gifting of Bibles to first and fifth grade students will be on Sunday October 4th.

Bible study with Pr. Linda is offered on Thursdays at 1 pm in the fellowship hall.

September Council Notes Altar Guild – Individual communion elements were purchased to use during indoor worship. Maintenance – Roof and siding work complete; A/C-furnace is running. Memorial – Funds to repair stained glass window are depleted. Contact Terry Pearson if you would like to help complete these restorations. Music and Worship – Glad to be back in sanctuary for worship. Reminder to all to stay vigilant and use all precautions as necessary. Patience is the key to all these changes. Parish Ed - Virtual Sunday school, similar to VBS, is being offered and materials being mailed each week. Stewardship and finance – “Giving in Generosity” is our stewardship theme this year. Bible study will complement the weekly sermon. A special offering for Lutheran Disaster Response will be collected on Generosity Sunday, October 11th. Old Business – Will again offer two worship services, at 9AM & 10:15AM. Compared online giving options. New Business – An invitation to attend the virtual Bishop installation on October 11 at 1pm can be found at www.scsw-elca.org/bishopinstallation. Constitutional amendments approved by the 2019 Church wide Assembly are being considered for council recommendation.

Financial secretary is needed. Please contact the office if you would be willing to serve in this position.

Maintenance help is needed. Please contact the office if you are willing/able to help with odd jobs to maintain our building and grounds. Many thanks to all who are already helping to do so!

September & October Service Committee

Co -chairpersons: Dan & Danette Hahn Co-chairpersons: Randy & Meredith Williams

Clark, Ruth Cleland, James & Vicky Damman, Marty & Jeannie Erickson, Brett & Ginny Ferger, John * Hansen, Carol Hofstrom, Juanita* Keithley, Tim & Jennifer Knutson, Chet & Glenda Lee, Agnes Lee, David & Betty Lee, Lars & Rita Medine, Tom & Linda Seeger, Don & Hope Stennerson, Roger Thompson, Jim & Betty Van Zandt, Tonja Zarndt, Carol Wells, Ken & Alice

Please keep in prayer: Trudy Bryant (aunt of Brett Erickson), Dorothy Kleczewski, Lynn Tracy, and the families of David Bates (died September 26), Bruce Johnson (Mina Newhouse’s son-in-law; died Sept 21), and June Peterson (mother of Pr. Linda; died Sept 2).

Capron Lutheran requests: Vicar Amanda Monroe, Pastor Ralph and Gayle Kuespert, David Rath, Betty Meier, Maxine Powell, and Clara Anzelo. Sue Anne and Gordy both receiving Chemo treatment.

From: *Family Promise guests that we served in August *LSSI for our budget donation *Empower Boone Food Pantry for our donation collected for God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday

Thank you for your kind words, prayers, cards, plant, and memorial money given following the death of my mother, June Peterson. Your love and care is very much appreciated. Pr. Linda & Steve

Birthdays 10/3 Emma Hahn, Tess Hahn, Thad Hahn 10/4 Kyle Johnson, Linda Smith 10/5 Aaron Lynch, Stephen MacLeod 10/7 Jean Edwards 10/8 Juanita Hofstrom, Deb Torkilson 10/9 Doris Statton, Amber Torkilson 10/10 Katie Clark 10/16 Amy Joe Hildebrandt 10/19 Timothy Hall 10/21 Kenneth Svenson 10/23 Tonja Van Zandt 10/24 Emma Martin 10/25 Kay Hale, Leah Netzer 10/30 Charlotte Heeren, Sarah Lee 10/31 Faith Damman, Noreen Roberts,

Brittany Tylke

Anniversaries

10/2 Robert & Linda Tolson 10/3 Dan & Jennifer Damman 10/4 James & Vicky Cleland 10/5 Jay & Teri Tallman 10/6 Carl & Donna Rindfleisch,

Lucas & Tayton Huisheere 10/10 Dave & Kim Kietzman 10/13 Chester & Glenda Knutson 10/14 Lars & Rita Lee 10/17 Bruce & Kathy Tillotson 10/18 Ken & Amy Hildebrandt 10/26 Ron & Noreen Roberts,

Kenneth & Dolores Svenson 10/27 Jason & Jennifer Roberts

Electing the Bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Recently we had the honor of representing Jefferson Prairie Lutheran Church as voting lay persons for the 2020 Synod Assembly that elected our new Bishop. The process of electing the Bishop started early in the year and was expected to be completed in June. Due to Covid 19, the process was delayed several times until at last the assembly was held as a digital/video meeting on August 29. Nominating caucuses were held at 12 locations throughout the Synod. From that list of names, the Synod Bishop Call Committee narrowed the field to four finalists. At the digital Synod Assembly, we voted on those four finalists to elect the new Bishop. We have to say that the Synod call committee did a great job as each of the four finalists were impressive candidates. Prior to the Synod Assembly we were able to get to know each candidate during video sessions where the candidates were asked the same list of questions. That helped us to know each candidate’s views and passions. During the live Synod Assembly each candidate was asked another series of questions. Then it was time to vote. The voting was all on line and it took only a short time before the votes were totaled. One of the final four candidates was eliminated after the first round of voting. Then another round of questions for the remaining three and a second vote was taken after which two finalists remained. The remaining two finalists were asked a round of questions and then the final vote was taken. Even though the meeting was digital we felt the tension building as the final results were read. The closeness of the final vote shows that both were excellent candidates. By a vote of 166 to 165 a new Bishop, Rev. Joy Mortensen-Wiebe, was elected. We enjoyed our involvement in this whole process very much and we highly recommend to all of you to volunteer for the next Synod Meeting. Mary Carlson and Terry Pearson

A total of 109 quilts and 67 school kits were dropped off in Rockford for delivery to the Lutheran World Relief warehouse in Minneapolis.

Celebrate Generosity Sunday, October 11th by giving from abundance and generosity to a ministry outside our congregation. Donations to Lutheran Disaster Response will be received that day to give relief to those affected by wildfires and flooding in the U.S. Make checks out to: ELCA and state “U.S. Wildfires” or “Hurricane Relief” in the memo line. Donations may also be sent to the office by October 11th.

Repair to four stained glass windows in the front of the building are being done. Contact Terry Pearson if you would like to help fund the restoration. Memorial money for this project has been depleted.

Family Promise guests are currently being hosted at the Holiday Inn, Beloit. We will provide meals for them the week of November 1. If you would like to help, a check can be made out to: JPLC, noting “Family Promise” in the memo line. Thank you for your support of this ministry.

Shared Ministry with Capron Lutheran – The final Bible study with Vicar Amanda will be October 7 via Zoom. Please contact the JP office or Pr. Linda if you would like to receive an invitation to attend. She is excited to connect our congregations through exploring God’s word together.

Capron Lutheran’s Clothing Exchange remains closed, but donation bins outside the church are open.

If you are interested in receiving the Boone County Council on Aging Newsletter, you can go online at www.ourseniorcenter.com to subscribe. For more information in general you can visit www.keenage.org.

Thank you for your faithful support of the mission and ministry of Jefferson Prairie in 2020 Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

JEFFERSON PRAIRIE LUTHERAN CHURCH 23184 BERGEN ROAD POPLAR GROVE, IL 61065 Address Service Requested

WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Saturdays at 5:30 PM

JPLC Facebook page live stream

Sundays at 9AM & 10:15AM Sanctuary and parking lot (FM 90.9)

Jefferson Prairie Lutheran Church

Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

Like us on Facebook Email: jplc@sharontelephone.com

Pr. Linda: prlindawinkelman@gmail.com Church Web Site: jplchurch.org Synod Web Site: scsw-elca.org

Church-wide Web Site: elca.org

OCTOBER Events

October 1 7PM Committee Night Thursdays 1PM Bible study October 23 Prairie Light articles due in office October 25 Reformation Sunday November 1 All Saints Day

Family Promise Week starts

November 5 7PM Committee Night

YOUR CHURCH STAFF: PHONE NO.

Church (815)292-3226

Pastor Linda Winkelman (309)525-3921

President of Congregation:

Lars Lee (815) 292-3200

Secretary: Julia Pearson (815) 292-3226

Hours: M, W 8:30am-10:30am

Custodians: Ron and Deb Torkilson (608) 676-5233

Deb cell (608)931-0218 Ron cell (608) 290-1584

Chris Chisnell and Sandi Hargrave

Organist: Ron Torkilson (608) 676-5233

Sunday School Superintendent:

Carrie Morelock (815) 315-7773

Adult Choir: Steve Mentele (608) 756-0179