Author: Secretary

April 2022

Pastor’s Ponderings

A publication of North Valley Lutheran Church

North Valley Message
First Faith Valley Lutheran Parish
1988 220th Ave. Centuria WI 54824 715-825-3559 office@nvlch.org www.nvlch.org

WELCOME PASTOR NEAL!
In the way of introduction my name is Neal Weltzin. I come to you through the invitation of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin and via a concurrence interview where your parish council has extended me the privilege of being your part-time pastor while you search for a full-time pastor.
I am a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA, and in May of 1990 was ordained a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I first served in a three church parish: Mt. Hope, New Hope and Faith, while I lived with my family in Franklin, West Virginia. We moved in 1998 from there to McKinley, WI, to serve the two church parish, Trinity and Georgetown. We remained there until 2015. I retired a year later and have lived in Trego, WI, to the present. I’ve been asked by our synod to short-term bridge pastor work at Faith in Cameron, and the parish of Bethany in Siren and Pilgrim in Frederic since retiring. I have been serving First in Cushing since May of last year. My wife and I are members at Our Savior’s in Solon Springs. Our three sons, Benjamin, Nathan and Micah all graduated from Cumberland High School. I will have been married to my wife Dorene for 37 years this coming June.
Pastor’s Ponderings
New year. New beginnings. New season. New life. New creation. New parish.
As I write these words so begins a new relationship between First Lutheran, Cushing; Faith Lutheran, Balsam Lake; and North Valley Lutheran, Centuria as we have become the First Faith Valley Lutheran Parish.
There is a certain amount of excitement and anticipation and expectation as to how this relationship will create new opportunities for doing ministry within our church buildings, and also as we are sent out again into our communities.
There’s a certain amount of concern, confusion, and even fear over leaving what we have known and what has been part of the history of our individual churches.
As your new part-time interim pastor I too share those feelings. And I also hope, with the help of God and your participation, to help lead the parish through its initial stages of growth, with patience, understanding and confidence, that as God begins new things that God’s spirit will walk alongside us in this transition from three to one, while at the same time recognizing that each church retains its unique identity.
One of the primary ways you will be new is by sharing your pastoral ministry. Each church has begun its discernment period. Our leaders will be looking for input on how we see the strengths and the weaknesses of our current ministry. We will look at the changing demographics of the communities in which we live (age, race, ethnicity, gender, marital status, income, education, and employment.). We will look at the make-up of our congregations as to our members. And we will look at what type of pastor would best help us live out our mission and our vision for our individual churches, as well as the parish.
It may seem like a lot, and it is. But, what better time to evaluate and hope for a new beginning than in the Lent and Easter seasons? In Lent we spend time in our spiritual journey assessing our current lives. Are there things we need to be changing in our lives: our attitudes, our choices, our view of our world? Are there things we need to be more fervently praying about? Are there activities or organizations we should be supporting that we have not done before or being more intentional in giving to those who are vulnerable or in need in our own communities? Are there activities we would best refrain from continuing for our own health and the health of our family, that we might best “fast” from?

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And should we be expecting the unexpected as the first Easter reminds us; whether from the women who first arrived to the empty tomb. Or the men who can’t believe what they have seen. Or the disciples who huddle in fear together in a locked room when Jesus suddenly appears amongst them. Or those traveling from Passover only to meet a Stranger who walks alongside them revealing the heart of God, being invited to share a meal and disappearing from their midst when they finally recognize who it is.
It’s hard to leave the comfort of what we know into the world of the unknown, into the new. As we recognize that change is happening all around us and will constantly be so, we have an opportunity to experience this change, yes with hope, yes with faith, yes with love. We’ve been granted in this present time and place to be part of something new. I invite you to embrace it with the same resiliency, the same candor, the same promise that generations that have come before you have experienced as we carry on the legacy of those who have gone before us and for those whom we hope will come after us.
With all this in mind, I want to invite you to the remainder of our Lenten worship services on Wednesday evenings. Meals begin at 6:00pm with worship at 7:00pm. We will have a special celebration of Palm/Passion Sunday April 10. Holy Week includes Maundy Thursday when we gather for a 6:00pm meal including hand-washing, songs, and communion in the fellowship hall of Faith. We then continue the worship with a 7:00pm Good Friday service at North Valley. Finally we gather at each church for our festive Easter Worship on Sunday, April 17. We welcome you to our in person worship and I wish you a Happy Easter season!
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Pastor Neal
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North Valley Vision Statements and Goals
Quantifiable, Relevant, Measurable, Achievable
Acceptance and Community:
North Valley will seek to love and serve others unconditionally; reaching out to those entering the church and to the community at large.
Develop a welcoming committee to greet church attendees. (Our logo is welcoming and our church is open)
Actively participate in two community events per year (ie. Milltown Fishermen’s, maybe a Christmas event)
Publicize and invite the community to a church sponsored event twice a year.
Open forum on relevant resolutions of the synod on racism and diversity with an understanding to be open.
Coffee Hour, nothing political, not about the news but personal sharing. Limit the time, Prepare the group, Announce ahead of time
Faith:
North Valley will proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ through traditional and contemporary services as well as providing options for learning/worshiping beyond the Sunday service.
Community publicized Pop-up services, Wednesday alternative worship, Kiddo bags for education, Contemporary music bring to service. Worship Committee to continue planning.
Willingness/Teamwork:
As part of the body of Christ, North Valley will remain open and flexible to new ideas and approaches; encouraging all to participate in programs, training and services.
Make a goal to contact and incorporate one new person in any event before we start planning. Recruit kids to bring their parents along.
Generosity:
As a country church in rural Wisconsin, North Valley will support the community and global missions with financial means and donations of time, talent and supplies.
Look for a project to draw the community into a relationship, something they need and we can help with.

What difference does Jesus make to my 35 year old nephew whose brain tumor came back, faces radiation treatments and is struggling with his ex for visitation of their three year old son?
What difference does Jesus mean to our siblings in Malawi who are often threatened by drought, flood and famine or to Ukrainians whose homes were destroyed by a Russian bomb?
What difference does Jesus make to a stable congregation deciding what their next most faithful step might be or to a declining congregation wondering if their next most faithful step is to close?
As Lutherans we believe that we are baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection, we go under the water as a sinner and we are resurrected with Christ, lifted out of the water, a saint. We are changed for sure and we are reborn children of God! Theologically that’s beautiful, but in real life, what difference does Jesus make in your life?
As human beings, Christ’s resurrection from the dead challenges us to live into that change. As broken sinful humans, whose lives are “messed or mangled” we live into Easter reality that Christ is present and daily working in our lives. Jesus challenges and changes us. Those of us who doubt our faith and question its relevance are challenged by Easter’s promise to see and know God in the transformed lives around us.
Friends we know that Jesus changes our weeping into laughing, our mourning into dancing, our despair into hope, our winter into spring and our death into life. Jesus changes things and makes all things new. We are challenged to see the transformations around us and in us. We are challenged to be the change, evidence of the transformation, for the world to see and know God through us.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself,[a] not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Kaleidoscope
Change Happens at the Speed of Trust

Easter Message from Bishop Laurie Skow-Anderson Page 3
April 2022
2 Corinthians 5:17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Dear Northwest Synod of Wisconsin,
Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! This is the good news of Easter. By God’s power death is reversed and Christ is raised from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead changes everything! Everything is made new.
Change is good news after two years of a pandemic, right? We are ready for a change. But are we really? Do we want everything to become new like we read in 2 Corinthians 5 or do we want the change to be a return to the old and familiar?
If Jesus’ resurrection from the dead changes everything, then what has changed in your life? What difference does Jesus make in your life? What has Jesus made new?
What difference does Jesus make to my 35 year old nephew whose brain tumor came back, faces radiation treatments and is struggling with his ex for visitation of their three year old son?
What difference does Jesus mean to our siblings in Malawi who are often threatened by drought, flood and famine or to Ukrainians whose homes were destroyed by a Russian bomb?
What difference does Jesus make to a stable congregation deciding what their next most faithful step might be or to a declining congregation wondering if their next most faithful step is to close?
As Lutherans we believe that we are baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection, we go under the water as a sinner and we are resurrected with Christ, lifted out of the water, a saint. We are changed for sure and we are reborn children of God! Theologically that’s beautiful, but in real life, what difference does Jesus make in your life?
As human beings, Christ’s resurrection from the dead challenges us to live into that change. As broken sinful humans, whose lives are “messed or mangled” we live into Easter reality that Christ is present and daily working in our lives. Jesus challenges and changes us. Those of us who doubt our faith and question its relevance are challenged by Easter’s promise to see and know God in the transformed lives around us.
Friends we know that Jesus changes our weeping into laughing, our mourning into dancing, our despair into hope, our winter into spring and our death into life. Jesus changes things and makes all things new.

Christ Has Risen While Earth Slumbers
Christ has risen and forever lives,
to challenge and to change.
All whose lives are messed or mangled,
all who find religion strange.
Christ is risen, Christ is present,
making us what he has been:
evidence of transformation
in which God is known and seen.

First Faith Valley Lutheran Parish Corner Page 4
April, 2022
"United in Christ to strengthen our Ministries to adapt, grow and serve"
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The Prophet Isaiah writes to the People of God;
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
31but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.
Parish Council Items-
Your Parish Council met March 16, 2022 during the Lenten Meal. We went over how the Parish was coming together on the business side. We look at the finances and found them to be in order while still working out the bugs that arise from forming a new Parish. As for hiring a Parish Administrative Assistant/Secretary, Parish Newsletter and Website/Facebook Page it was decided that as each Church wanted their own and each does the Sunday bulletin differently, we would study the need further. We will have a common calendar of events with each Church listing their events for our Newsletters and Website/Facebook pages we all add “A member of the First Faith Valley Lutheran Parish” to all our publications both print and electronic.
The Call Process-
Please think about the words of Isaiah, as we move forward putting together each of our Congregation Ministry Profile the next step in preparation for putting together a Parish Call Committee. We will become weary as we have been working on this since August but, it is all part of the process. Pastor Neal will be guiding/working with each Congregation to help smooth the process as we are all at different stages in this process. During this time of gathering the needed information, we need to listen one another, think about what we each are saying and how others will understand it. We ALL each and every Congregation and Parish member needs to listen to God and what he is calling us to do. That is why Prayer so important! Remembering that we may not get the answer we like or were expecting.
The Parish Worship Schedule-
Starting now in April we begin the first full 3-month Worship schedule. So, for April, May and June it is 8am Faith, 9:30am First and 11am North Valley. The last Sunday of the month will be a Parish Worship at 9:30 at First, April 24th May 29th and June 26th. Remember the Newsletter Calendar is your friend. Please consider Worshiping with one of the other Churches if the time for your home Church does not work for you on a particular Sunday.
Lenten Worship-
Lenten Worship began with Ash Wednesday March 2nd our 40-day Journey of a time for reflection, preparation for vocation, repentance, fasting/self-denial and renewal of our baptism. Our Confirmation Students/Youth are a part of these Services providing Tone Chime music as we sing. Faith in Balsam Lake was the first to host this Service starting with a meal at 6pm and Worship at 7pm. We continue this schedule are rotating each week to the next church. We have enjoyed a great time of food and fellowship get to know one another and even renewing old friendships and acquaintances followed by a time of meaningful Worship. Watch the newsletter calendar and bulletins as they are your friends. Keeping you informed of the times and locations each week.
I leave you with these words from our Brother Peter;
1 Peter 1:3 NRSV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Always remembering that it is “God’s Work-Our Hands” to bring and tell of the HOPE in Jesus Christ showing while “Words Matter-Actions Matter More”.
Yours in Our Eternal Hope, Jesus Christ,
Steve Jensen, Pres. FFVLP

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MISSION AND SOCIAL ACTION – APRIL 2022
The missionaries we are now sponsoring are Patrick and Jacqueline Bencke in Japan. The cost is $20 per Sunday. See sign-up sheet. Please be sure to label your donation as a “missionary gift” which may be left in the offering plate. Thank you for your consideration of sponsoring our missionary in Japan.
March April
03-06 – Paul & Suzanne Grill 04-03 – Paul & Suzanne Grill
03-13 – Paul & Suzanne Grill 04-10 – Paul & Suzanne Grill
03-20 – Paul & Suzanne Grill 04-17 – Paul & Suzanne Grill
03-27 – Paul & Suzanne Grill 04-24 – Paul & Suzanne Grill
PLEASE SIGN UP TO SPONSOR OUR MISSIONARIES.
EASTER FLOWERS
North Valley WELCA will not have Easter flowers available to purchase this year. If you wish to share, you may purchase an Easter plant and bring it to church prior to Easter morning service on Sunday April 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Thank you.
LUTHER POINT BIBLE CAMP – Early Registration
Luther Point Bible Camp brochures/registration forms 2022 are available or check them out online. Register early to get your preferred time frame. Your registration must be postmarked by May 1, 2022 to receive an Early Bird Discount. A day at camp receives no discount. Only one discount allowed per camper. North Valley WELCA will pay ½ of camp fee up to a maximum of $200 per person. Any questions, please contact Myrna Anderson 825-2585.
from the Northwest Synod:
Synod Assembly - Gather our churches to catch up on all that is happening
April 30, 2022 UW-Eau Claire Davies Center and via Zoom

OUR FINANCIAL REPORT
Income for February, $6969.37
Expenses for February $2821.46
—Al Arndt, Treasurer

Missionaries in Japan

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Let’s Celebrate…
BAPTISMAL BIRTHDAYS
04/01/2010 Tehya Studie
04/03/1955 Glenda Krueger
04/03/2011 Payton Wagner
04/05/2012 Ashleigh Simmerman
04/05/2012 Madison Simmerman
04/07/2002 Paige Miller
04/07/1991 Andy Kruse
04/09/2006 Tyler White
04/09/1972 Curtiss Lunde
04/11/1948 Mark Nelson
04/13/2017 Mercedes Thoen
04/14/2019 Colton Krueger
04/17/2011 Sianah Morales
04/18/2011 Jenny Olson
04/18/2011 Jordan Olson
04/18/2011 Luann Olson
04/18/1999 Eli Baerg
04/18/2004 Taylor Erickson
04/19/2015 Nadia Cox
04/21/1985 Lindsay Mabry
04/24/1949 Kenny Hansen
04/27/2008 Kiera Bever
04/27/2008 Laif Bever
04/27/2008 Scott Bever
BIRTHDAYS
Hill, Sarah 04/01
Bever, Scott 04/07
Hinde, Anna 04/08
Fisk, Nate 04/09
Hanson, Teri 04/10
White, Tyler 04/12
Olson, Tricia 04/13
Blomgren, Bob 04/14
Cox, Ben 04/19
Wagner, Zack 04/19
McIntyre, Sean 04/20
Metcalf, Dawn 04/22
Dishon, JayDee 04/23
Wagner, Todd 04/24
Christensen, Henry 04/25
Tellijohn, Tom 04/26
Tunheim, Tracy 04/28
DeNucci, Bear 04/28
November 7th @2:00am

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
04/04/1970 Tom & Dana Tellijohn
04/14/1951 Bob & Elverna Blomgren
04/16/2005 Lee & Maggie Isaacson
04/23/1971 Dan & Linda Goulet

We have been praying for...
Leif Bever, Cameron Collins, Sephonia Cowans, Susie Fisk, Randall Krueger, Amelia McKinney, Teresa Studie, Dana Tellijohn, Rick Pederson, Jim Dishon (Suzanne Grill’s son), Josiah Draves (Katie Hallgren’s partner), Sharon Johnson (Anita Johnson’s mother), Matt Kludt (Kristie Wagner’s nephew), Rhonda Krueger & Rebecca Kalstad (Randall & Glenda Krueger’s daughter & granddaughter), Carolyn Nelson (Tristan Divine’s mother), Michael Trumble (Krueger’s grandson), Mary Pollock
Continued Healing: Scott Divine, Carleen Matosky, Marilynn Nehring
Military: Tyler Brooks (Marine Corps)
Send words of encouragement: Sgt. Tyler Brooks 1846 Darby Dr E5 Florence AL 35630
Nursing Home/Assisted Living/Homebound: Home — Teddy Ditlefsen Comforts of Home — Lois Baldwin
CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF Maria Morales
Donna Berg 715-825-2312
Myrna Anderson 715-825-2585
Carol Bengtson 715-646-2003
Jim & Gwen Morrissette 715-825-2318
Anita Johnson 715-554-3785

If you have any prayer requests, please contact anyone on the list, giving them as little or as much information as you wish. All info will be treated with respect and kept confidential.

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April 2022

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
					1	2
3 / 8:00 Faith / 9:30– First / 11:00am Worship NV	4	5	6 / Meal 6pm / Service 7pm / North Valley	7	8	9 / Spring Day of Renewal
10 / 8:00 Faith / 9:30 First / 11:00am Worship NV / Drive-thru service @ 3:30pm at NV	11	12	13	14 / 6pm meal / 7pm Worship / Maundy Thursday at Faith in Balsam Lake	15 / Good Friday / 7p Stations of the Cross at NV	16
17 / 8:00 Faith / 9:30 First / 11:00 Worship NV	18 / Newsletter deadline	19 / 6:30 Council Mtg	20	21	22	23
24 / 9:30am Worship / Joint Service / First—Cushing	25	26	27	28	29	30

North Valley Lutheran Church
1988 220th Avenue
Centuria WI 54824
715-825-3559
office@nvlch.org
www.nvlch.org
Worship Schedule
11:00am Worship April 3, 10, & 17th. The 24th is at 9:30 at First Luth-Cushing
Video Messages can be found on our Facebook page
Offerings can be mailed to the office or given online at nvlch.org. You can also set up giving through your banks automatic bill pay.
Staff
Email: pastor@nvlch.org Church Email: office@nvlch.org
Admin. Asst.: Laurene Edge 9:00am-4:00pm Tuesdays
Please notify the church office if you have a new address or phone number.
Newsletter articles are due the 3rd Sunday of each month.
Bulletin announcements are due Tuesdays before 11:00am.

Staff & Church Council

Interim Pastor	Neal Weltzin
Admin. Asst.	Laurene Edge
Accompanist
Parish Nurse	Suzanne Grill
Custodian	Kristie Kuenkel
Co-Presidents	Kristie Wagner Don Prose / 715.825.2323
Vice President	Dan Livingston
Secretary	Bev Hopkins
Treasurer	Al Arndt
Other Council Members	Charlie Christensen / Bev Hopkins / Jeff Kruse / Tom Tellijohn
W/ELCA Reps.	Myrna Anderson / Donna Berg / Suzanne Grill / Jan Kruse / Joey Nelson
Youth Rep.

Calling All Couch Potatoes!

The warm weather will be here soon. Time to get outside and move. I am offering the 12-week Walking Program again. The walks are cardio monitored and start out slow and easy, then increase in distance and challenge gradually every week.
Call or text to sign up 612-598-8197. Plan to begin May 8.

Calling All Couch Potatoes!

The warm weather will be here soon. Time to get outside and move. I am offering the 12-week Walking Program again. The walks are cardio monitored and start out slow and easy, then increase in distance and challenge gradually every week.
Call or text to sign up 612-598-8197. Plan to begin May 8.