DLC UPDATES (AUG 29, 21)

Dekorra Lutheran Church
Weekly Announcements – August 29th, 2021

UPCOMING AT DEKORRA

Current COVID Response
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; 3) Engage the HVAC system but only open the doors and windows away from CS and Smith Road (this should give us some of the benefits of airflow, keep our sanctuary a little more comfortable, and avoid most of the noise); and 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. 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. Finally, please remember that the church picnic on August 22nd has been canceled because we could not do it safely with current COVID activity levels.

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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
08/29 Larry Gempeler
08/30 Ernie Koepp
08/31 Sheila Gempeler
08/31 Angela Strander
08/31 Chris Volden
08/31 Hannah Hofstetter
09/02 Jennifer Keller
09/02 Mary Thompson
09/03 Kimberly Glaser
09/03 Kelli Mankefor

WANT HOME COMMUNION OR PASTORAL CARE?
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 us! Do not be shy. The pastor is here for you. 

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.

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Fall Worship, Fellowship, and Education Schedule
Beginning on Rally Sunday (September 12th), Sunday worship will begin at 9 am with fellowship and education hour happening immediately afterward. There will be an inter-generational service with Communion beginning on Wednesday, September 15th starting at 6 pm with fellowship and education happening immediately after worship.


Save the Date – Sunday School and Confirmation Starts
In-person Sunday School will start on Rally Sunday (September 12th) for 4k through 6th grades, immediately after worship (about 10 am to 11 am). Acolytes will train in the Fall (dates and times TBD). In-person Confirmation will begin on Wednesday, September 15th for grades 7th and 8th from 6 pm to 8 pm. Watch these announcements, the website, and the newsletter for more information.


Audio/Visual System Upgrades in Sanctuary and Building Begins September 13th, and a Special Thank You
If you have been around on any recent Sunday, then you know how much of a challenge our sound system has been. The system that has served us well is on its last legs. The good news is that you all voted to upgrade our sound and video capabilities. Those upgrades will begin after Rally Sunday. Also, a special thank you to a member to offered to donate hearing assistance devices for the new system. These have been desperately needed for our current system but were non-functional. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Return of All Committee Night – Starting Tuesday, September 14th at 6:30 pm
The council president asks that committees set one of their meeting times to “All Committee” night, beginning on Tuesday, September 14th at 6:30 pm. The plan is to continue All Committee Night on the second Tuesday of the month after that date. If your committee chooses to meet on a different date/time, then you are asked to send a representative to All Committee Night. Right now, the committees are the most robust vehicles for mission and ministry in our congregation. Council will continue to meet on the second Thursdays of the month to act on recommendations and requests from the committees.

From Social Ministry Committee:
We will once again be doing School Kits and Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief. 
They are shipped along with the Quilts that the quilters worked on all year. Please make your donations before September, 18th. Check our August Newsletter for details. Thank you! 

Jaime Benson’s Ordination
On August 15, 2021, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Portage, WI voted to call our own Jaime Benson to be their pastor. Congratulations to her, and truly, congratulations to them for snagging a good one. Jaime’s ordination will be Friday, September 17th, 5 pm, here at Dekorra Lutheran Church. Indoor protocols will be in place, except for the limit on seating. Outdoor, Fellowship Hall and online (streaming and recorded) options will be available as well. All are welcome. Watch these announcements and the website for more information about her ordination and installation.

A Packers Pizza Sunday – ELCA Youth Gathering Fundraiser, Tentatively September 26th
What are your plans for the big 7:20 pm Packers vs. 49ers game on September 26th? It could include supporting our youth (4 so far) by going to the ELCA Youth Gathering in 2022 and some Papa Murphy’s pizza! Details are coming but expect to see an order form in these announcements and for the tasty food to be delivered on the Sunday of the fundraiser. 


ONGOING AT DEKORRA 

AA – Fridays at 8 pm 
Council Meeting– will take place on September 16th at 6:30 pm
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 resume August 18 at 9:30 am and continue to meet thereafter 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  

• September 15 – Small Great Things
  
• October 20 – The Nightingale
  
• November 17 – Family Tree
  

Quilting – Thursdays at 1 pm
Worship Committee – 1st Wednesday of the Month, at 1:00 pm
Constitution Committee –will meet on September 1st and September 9th at 6:30 pm.  

Hospitality Committee now meets on the first Tuesday of the month, at 10:00 am

Youth and Family Committee- will meet on Sept. 12th at 11:30 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

• Last Week Attendance: 90    
  
• General Offering: $1345.00
  
• Vanco Giving: $276.00  
  
• Youth Gathering Fund: $20.00.
  
• Screens Fund: $105.00  
  
• Habitat for Humanity:  $50.00  
  
• Bldg./Grds: $75         ​