DLC UPDATES (OCT 24 & 27)

Dekorra Lutheran Church
Weekly Announcements –October 24&27th, 2021

UPCOMING AT DEKORRA


Current COVID Response: Updated 9/3/21
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 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. 

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.

Just a reminder that County CS road cleanup is Saturday, November 6 at 9:00 am. The fall yard cleanup will begin at 8:00 am the same day and run until approximately noon. Bring your spouse, a friend, or your kids and go out and do some "trash talking"! Please dress accordingly and bring a pair of gloves.

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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
10/25 Esther Dibble
10/25 Sarah Rice
10/25 David Zitzner
10/26 Christine Hendrickson
10/28 Ryli Theis
10/28 Derek Wipperfurth
10/30 Barb Johnson
10/30 Brianna Strander
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.

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8000 People are Refugees from Afghanistan at Fort McCoy – Here’s How You Can Help
This has happened so quickly, that the situation will change weekly. The Afghani refugees in our area are at Fort McCoy. At the moment, the Catholic Charities of La Crosse is working to get specific basic needs to these homeless human beings. Eventually, resettlement will begin, with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS)/Lutheran Social Services (LSS) resettling 100 families to the Greater Milwaukee Area. Jewish Social Services hopes to resettle 50 more families in the Greater Madison Area. Resettlement will be difficult. These folks will not be allowed to legally work for around 6 months, because that is the time it will take for them to get green cards. They will also not be able to access the social safety net until after that time. That means they will need material and financial support much longer than most refugees that our nation welcomes. If you want to learn how to help specifically, please see the September 9th of the Synod’s “What Matters” e-newsletter at https://scsw-elca.org/news/. 

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. 

Acolyte Training – October 24th, During Sunday School
Serving as an acolyte at worship is one of the traditional services 5th and 6th graders (as well as older kids and adults) share with our community. This year’s training will happen on October 24th. If you have a 5th or 6th grader in Sunday School, please try not to miss that day. Even in these strange pandemic days, acolytes are an important part of the worship team and we are excited to serve with our young people.
Save These Dates: Uncommon October, November, and December Worship Opportunities

• You are invited to wear red and bright colors on Sunday, October 31st. This is Reformation Sunday, the day we thank the Holy Spirit for the creation of our confession.
  
• Sunday, November 7th is All Saints Sunday, where we remember and grieve the people that we have loved but lost to the temporary death of the grave. If there is anyone like that in your heart, no matter how they are connected to you or how long they have been asleep, then please call or email their names to Pastor Sterling by October 31st so we can remember them with you.
  
• Sunday, November 14th is Thankoffering Sunday – a worship that is led exclusively by the women of our congregation. 
  
• Sunday, November 21st, plan for worship to be outdoors only, weather permitting. The majority of our Sunday worshipers gather outdoors and I have not seen their faces too long.
  
• On Wednesday, November 24th at 6 pm we will forgo Intergenerational Worship for a special Thanksgiving Worship. 
  
• 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. 
  

Save the Date: November 2nd – 5th Wanting Professional Holiday Photos and to Support the Mission Trip to the ELCA Youth Gathering?
Dekorra member Sheri Birchler will be offering professional photography sittings in time for the holidays. She will donate the sitting fee to DLC for the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering. Stay tuned for more details.



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. 
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.
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes will be collected for delivery the week of November 15th. If you would like to donate items or pack a box some ideas are…balls, dolls, stuffed animals, toy cars, jump ropes, yo-yo’s, musical toys. Health items include toothbrushes, a bar of soap wrapped in a washcloth in a sandwich bag, comb/brush. School supplies, coloring books, books, sunglasses, flip flops, hair accessories, small flashlights with the batteries. Drop them off at Church or wrap a box and fill it. It is a fun project to do with your kids or as a family. Any questions, call Kathy Pederson at (608) 592-7511 
Christmas Angels Coming Soon! – Supporting the Salvation Army and the DLC Youth Headed to the ELCA Youth Gathering in 2022.   Watch your newsletters.
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. 

ONGOING AT DEKORRA 
Fellowship Hour– Sundays after Worship (weather permitted)
AA – Fridays at 8 pm 
All Committee Meeting–is on November 9th at 6:30 pm
Council Meeting– is on November 11th at 6:30 pm
Cristian Ed Meeting–is on November 3rd at 9:30 am 
Bible Study The Chosen: Bible Movie and Study begin on Oct 15th till Dec 10th at 10:00 am (not on Nov 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 – 1st Wednesday of the Month, at 1:00 pm
Constitution Committee –will meet on October 19th at 6:30 pm.  
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, October 17            WEDNESDAY, October 20                   TOTAL GIVING: $3570.30                                 

Attendance:  50              Attendance: 24            
General Offering: $2595.00         General Offering: $586.00
Vanco Giving: $311.00          Sunday School: $3.30
Screens Fund: $30.00 
Youth Gathering: $20.00
Habitat for Humanity: $25.00



Worship Ministry Sunday, October 24, 2021
Assistant Minister: Al Bilse; Reading Minister: Marj Weingandt; Greeters: None; Sanctuary Ushers: Sharon Kampen & Jerry Carncross; Parking Lot Ushers: Dennis Cunningham, Pete Holzman & Bob Acker; Acolyte: Kinzie Lintl; Cantor: Barb Verbitsky; Stewardship: Sharon Kampen & Holly Priske
Worship Ministry Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Assistant Minister: Emile Sile; Reader Minister: Soren Lynk; Communion Minister: Austin Browne; Ushers: Rachel Schmudlach, Jaylee Busser & Fayth Hesselberg; Acolyte: Emile Sile; Video Minister: Olivia Homewood; Cantor: Bill Emmons; Stewardship: Sharon Kampen & Holly Priske
Worship Ministry Sunday, October 31, 2021
Assistant Minister: Barb Beyer; Reading Minister: Dave Kinnunen; Greeters: Dick & Carol Johnston; Sanctuary Ushers: Paul Knuteson & Sharon Kampen; Parking Lot Ushers: Larry Johnson, Mike Keller & Harry Benson; Acolyte: None; Cantor: Merry Seng; Stewardship: Jeff Koch & Sheri Birchler
Worship Ministry Wednesday, November 3, 2021    
Assistant Minister: None; Reader Minister: Keira Cartwright; Communion Minister Soren Lynk; Ushers: Olivia Homewood & Fayth Hesselberg; Acolyte: Austin Browne; Video Minister: Briahna Lund; Cantor: None; Stewardship: Sharon Kampen & Judy Brownrigg

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