DLC UPDATES (11/14 & 11/17)

Dekorra Lutheran Church
Weekly Announcements
November 14 & 17th, 2021

UPCOMING AT DEKORRA
Current COVID Response: Updated 11/12/2021
When the Council met on August 12th it made several changes to our indoor policy. In the last couple of weeks, COVID activity and infections have gone from low levels in Columbia County to the same high levels as they were at Easter. Since even the vaccinated can spread the virus and we do not want to stop our ministries or visits to the homebound, here are the changes effective August 22nd: 1) Mask (i.e. multilayered cotton or silk masks with no vents, disposable surgical masks, N95 masks) will be required for all indoor activities for anyone 6 years old or older unless there is a medical exemption. We believe this matches the practices of Lodi Schools; 2) We will mostly remain seated during worship, avoid close contact during the sharing the peace, pre-distribute communion elements via the Fellowship Cups (you may bring your own), and return to limited indoor seating and social spacing; 
3a) A/C or Heat in Sanctuary turned on 60 minutes before the start of worship; 3b) Engage the HVAC system in Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall 5 minutes before the start of worship only (have the fan running in the Sanctuary at that time) but only open the doors away CS, this should give us some of the benefits of airflow, keep our sanctuary a little more comfortable, and avoid most of the noise; 4) Since the most dangerous thing we do is sing indoors as a group, we will stop doing that and rely on a single soloist/cantor once again; and 5) Meetings and fellowship can happen indoors, but we ask that everyone keep their mask on except with consuming their beverages. We are Christians. Our ancestors in the faith worshiped and experienced God by rivers, in homes, in deserts, and even under the Noon sun with no shade. While it was not the most comfortable option, it was the most faithful option at that time. Your Council believes the same here. Please be kind to one another and know that your Council remains vigilant and is monitoring the county’s weekly COVID report.
Please Excuse our Mess – Audio/Visual Upgrade Update
Our screens have arrived but the work is not done. In the meantime, we will do little “holy experiments” to try to get the sound a little better. If you struggled to hear this week, then please let a member of the Worship Committee know right away. He hopes to be able to fully use the screens by November, God willing.
Christmas Angels! – Supporting the Salvation Army and the DLC Youth Headed to the ELCA Youth Gathering in 2022.   Watch your newsletters.

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N3099 Smith Rd, Poynette
(608) 635-7200
Pastor Sterling Lynk
dekorralutheran@centurytel.net
www.dekorralutheran.org
Find Us on Facebook & YouTube
         BIRTHDAYS
11/14 Tim Rake
11/15 Abby Raedel
11/15 Pete Taylor
11/17 Doris Braun
WELCOME FRIENDS, GUESTS, AND MEMBERS!
If you are a visitor, know you are welcome. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you feel at home. We have a gift for you in the basket on the table with the lamb on the wall near the door.
WANT HOME COMMUNION OR PASTORAL CARE? JUST CALL! *DEDICATED PASTORAL CARE OFFICE HOURS ADDED*
Wanting a little Dekorra touch? Need an ear or some advice? Missing Communion? Worried or not feeling well? Pastor Sterling is excited to talk with you and minister to you! We can connect by phone, Zoom, or for a short in-person visit. Call or email the office to schedule a time. If you are having a pastoral emergency, then please get the pastor’s cell phone number off the voicemail. Please do not be shy - the pastor is here for you! Also, starting on October 1st, 2021, the pastor has walk-in pastoral care office hours on Fridays from 10a-2p. No appointments are needed (and no appointments will be made). Just show up or call and he will engage folks on a first-come-first-served basis. If you call and get the voicemail, the pastor will return your call that day.
Thank you from Kathy Pederson to all who helped with the Christmas boxes for Operation Christmas Child for Samaritans Purse. We will deliver 75 boxes this week! Special thanks to Robin K, Rose H, Bev T. for all their help packing and to all who did contribute!  God Bless!  ​

 How We Are Resettling the Refugees at Fort McCoy – Here’s How You Can Help
We’ve all heard a lot in the news about the evacuation of Afghans and many people have questions. Join us on Tuesday, November 16th at 7 pm CT vial Zoom when staff from Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan presents “The ABC’s of Refugee Resettlement”. You’ll learn how the program works, how you can help, and the latest information about the evolving situation of refugees from Afghanistan. This meeting will be held via Zoom and is open to everyone to attend. For details and to register please go to https://scsw-elca.org/news/ and click on the November 4th “What Matters” synod newsletter.
Needed: Crafters for Prayer Cloth Ministry A prayer cloth is a mini-version of a prayer shawl. The crafter infuses prayer to provide love and comfort to the person who will receive the Prayer Cloth. They are small enough to be tucked in pockets, and purses.  They also can be carried into surgery and taken on vacations. Anyone who needs comfort or wants support in their prayer life could use one. Our Pastor could take them on visits, have a basket available to take, or donate to local community facilities. Are you a knitter, crocheter, or quilter? Just want to help? You can sign up on the bulletin board, and patterns and yard will be in the Fellowship Hall starting in October. Please contact Jill Emmons if you have any questions or details on what these look like – (608) 692-1425 or jillyemmons@gmail.com. 

Save These Dates: Uncommon November, and December Worship Opportunities

• Sunday, November 14th is Thankoffering Sunday – a worship that is led exclusively by the women of our congregation with a special presentation by Janna Smith, former synodical president of the Women of the ELCA.
  
• Sunday, November 21st, plan for worship to be outdoors only, weather permitting. The majority of our Sunday worshipers gather outdoors and Pastor Sterling has not seen their faces in too long.  We will also be asking our Lord to bless the most recently created batch of prayer cloths.
  
• On Wednesday, November 24th at 6 pm we will forgo Intergenerational Worship for a special Thanksgiving Worship. 
  
• Instead of meeting on Wednesday, December 15th at the building for Intergenerational Worship, we will instead meet at 5 pm at Haven Hills in Lodi for Christmas Caroling and fellowship with the residents there. Our Confirmands will also be joining us and anyone is welcome. The home only asks that we wear masks while we are there. After Haven Hills, we will do the same at Our House in Lodi at 5:40 pm and then at Good Samaritan/Divine Savior at 6:20 pm. There will be no regular worship or Confirmation that night.
  
• Our worship time on Sunday, December 19th will be the Sunday School Christmas Program.
  
• On Wednesday, December 22nd at 6 pm we will forgo Intergenerational Worship for a special “Blue Christmas” prayer and healing service for anyone with any hurts or pain during the holiday season.
  
• Christmas Eve Worship will be on Friday, December 24th at 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. 
  
• COVID permitting, we will have a Christmas Day Hymn sing worship at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 25th. 
  
• The only planned worship service the week of December 26th will be 9:00 am on Sunday, December 26th. There will not be Sunday School, Confirmation, or Intergenerational Wednesday Worship that week. 
  

Mission Opportunity – Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County
Kinship is a “Big Brothers, Big Sisters” style community-based non-profit and it needs mentors for youth aged 5-14. In their letter to Pastor Sterling, their chairperson asked “Who better than Christian adults to be mentors?” Who better? If you are selected, you will be given the training, support, and structure to make yours and the child’s experience safe and positive. For more information see www.kinshipcc.org or reach their program coordinator Sara McChesney at sara@kinshipcc.org or (608) 697-3260. 
New Members Orientation –  Sunday, December 5th at 10:15 am. Are you curious about what it means to be a member of Dekorra Lutheran Church? Do you know someone who is looking for a church home or curious about God and Jesus? Well, we have an event for you. Our next New Member Orientation is Sunday, December 5th at 10:15 am. Most, if not all, teams and committees will have a representative there to share a picture of the life of this congregation and answer your questions. If after we spill our guts you still want to join (HAHA), then we will install them as members during either the Wednesday, December 8th worship and/or the Sunday, December 12th worship (their choice). Please let Pastor Sterling if you plan on joining us for the orientation. 
Sponsors Needed for New Members –  Are you willing to be a guide/mentor/friend to members of our congregation? If so, then please call or shoot an email to Pastor Sterling to let him know. He is looking to pair upcoming new members with sponsors. We would ask the sponsors to attend the new member orientation and the worship service the new member is installed at. Thank you!
Ministers of Audio/Visuals and the Clicker Needed –  Are you willing to work on our new video and audio system? Are willing to be the “minister of the clicker”? If so, please reach out to both Sharon Kampen (kampensg@yahoo.com) and Pastor Sterling (pastorsterling@centurytel.net). If you haven’t been trained, Pastor Sterling will train you. There is also an easy-to-follow manual and there will soon be a checklist. Doing ether job is easier than it looks. We are hoping to train at least 12 folks so that any one person only needs to be on the schedule once every few months.
Lutheran Summer Music Program Accepting Nominations Now – A True Music Academy for High School Students
Lutheran Summer Music is a month-long music academy for high school students. During this program, they participate in large ensembles (band, choir, orchestra) and chamber music; receive lessons on primary and secondary instruments; and enroll in electives such as chapel choir, church music, handbells, composition, jazz band, conducting musical theatre, and more. The daily schedule includes morning and evening prayer, classes, recreation activities, and concerts by faculty and guest artists. It is a fantastic month of music-making and worship! See www.lsmacademy.org for more information and how to nominate a music-loving student.
The Women of Dekorra are planning a Bake and Lefse Sale on Saturday, November 20th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  We are raising funds to help our youth in their plans for attending the Youth Rally in Minneapolis next summer, as well as funds for the missions and work of the women.  It has been many months since we have had a project and hope we will have wonderful participation. 
Help Needed: We are looking for “Ministers of Coffee” to come before Sunday's Worship and help to prepare a coffee. There is a sign-up sheet available at coffee hour. Thank you!

ONGOING AT DEKORRA 
Fellowship Hour takes place after Sunday Worship- indoors, in the Fellowship Hall. (Masks are required unless you are drinking your beverage).
The Annual Meeting will take place on January 30th, 2022 immediately after Worship.
AA – Fridays at 8 pm 
All Committee Meeting–is on December 7th at 6:30 pm
Council Meeting– is on December 9th at 6:30 pm
Cristian Ed Meeting–is on December 8th at 9:30 am 
Bible Study The Chosen: Bible Movie and Study begin on Oct 15th till Jan 15th. (Canceled on 11/12, 11/19, 11/26)
Blood Drive –Next Blood Drive is December 13th, 2021
Registering ahead of time is encouraged. Walk-ins may be limited.
Hope Circle– 1st Wednesdays of the Month, 1 pm
Joy Circle– 2nd Tuesdays of the Month, 1 pm
Faith Bible Study The group will meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 am. Anyone is welcome to attend the Bible study!
DLC Book Club 2021 – Always at 1 pm  

• November 17 – Family Tree
  

Quilting – Thursdays at 1 pm
Worship Committee – is the 2nd Thursday of the Month at 9:30 am
Hospitality Committee now meets on the first Tuesday of the month, at 10:30 am



Yellow Bags Food Ministry – 

• Pick up bags at the shelf on last Sunday of the Month
  
• Deliver bags to the foot of the altar in the sanctuary on the first Sunday of the Month.
  
• See the most recent newsletter or www.dekorralutheran.org/news for the current needs of our food pantry partners. 
  

                                                                                                 
OUR STEWARDSHIP OF WORSHIP AND GIFTS:
SUNDAY, November 7 WEDNESDAY, November 10               TOTAL GIVING: $9604.22 

Attendance:  65  Attendance: 22
General Offering: $6364.00 General Offering: $207.00
Vanco Giving: $276.00 
Screens Fund: $260.00
Youth Gathering: $97.22
Thrivent Choice: $2400.00

Worship Ministry Sunday, November 14, 2021
Assistant Minister: Marj Weingandt; Reading Minister: Sue Poznanski; Greeters: Karen & Kristine Millard; Sanctuary Ushers: Diane Buckley & Sharon Kampen; Parking Lot Ushers: Peggy Benson, Karen Bender, Robin Kinnunen; Acolyte: Kinti Lintl; Cantor: Merry Seng; Stewardship: Phil & Vicki Nugier
Worship Ministry Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Assistant Minister: None; Reader Minister: Soren Lynk; Communion Minister: Rachel Schmudlach; Ushers: Brianna Lund; Acolyte: Olivia Homewood; Video Minister: Keira Cartwright; Cantor: None; Stewardship: Phil & Vicki Nugier
Worship Ministry Sunday, November 21, 2021 – Parking Lot Service
Assistant Minister: None; Reading Minister: None; Greeters: None; Sanctuary Ushers: None; Parking Lot Ushers: Mike Keller, Pete Holzman & Larry Johnson; Acolyte: None; Cantor: Kyle Knuteson; Stewardship: Sharon Kampen & Holly Priske
Worship Ministry Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Assistant Minister: Bill Schleichert; Reader Minister: Kinzie Lintl; Greeters: None; Sanctuary Ushers: Peggy Benson & Brad Simplot; Parking Lot Ushers: Harry Benson, Pete Holzman & Jerry Carncross; Acolyte: Kinzie Lintl; Cantor: Jane Manke; Stewardship: Phil & Vicki Nugier