Peace Lutheran Church,

Poplar, WI

2017
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE CONGREGATION

Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America
God’s Work. Our Hands.

January 28, 2018

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 AGENDA

1. OPENING DEVOTIONS

2. MINUTES OF 2017 ANNUAL MEETING 3

3. BISHOP HOYME’S ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CONGREGATION 4-5

4. REPORTS:
Pastor’s Report 6-10
Mission Budget Plan (separate sheet) 11
2017 Council Members 11
Rural Care and Share Food Shelf 12
Youth Committee Report 13
Education Report 13
Council President Report 14
Stewardship Report —
Worship Committee Report 15
Men’s Ministry/Group Report 15
Parish Nurse Ministry Report 16
Ruth Circle and Quilting Report 17
Missionary Report 18
Property Report —
Inreach Outreach Report 19
Senior Report 19
Congregational Report 20
Attendance and Offering Report 21
Peace Lutheran Women Report 22
Peace Lutheran Women Financial Report 23
Gifts 24-26
Office Update 27

5. BUSINESS:
A. Elections Council
Delegates to Synod Assembly (One male and one female to be elected)
Financial Review Committee
Nominating Committee
B. Any other business needing attention.

6. ADJOURNMENT
A. Lord’s Prayer
B. Benediction

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 Peace Lutheran Church Annual Meeting Minutes, January 22, 2017

44 members present (40-45 needed for quorum)

Meeting called to order by Council President, Gail Saari at 11:00 am.
Devotion giving by Pastor Donna; Boring Bear, Crazy Creature.
Review last year’s minutes. Motion to approve minutes from 2016 annual meeting, Dale/Terry,
MSA.
Pastor’s Report: take the annual meeting minute’s home and put it somewhere you can pray for
the church when you see it. A prayer will be written at the close of this meeting. For 2017,
“Worship and Eat.”
Review all committee reports at your convenience and be sure to update contact information with
the church office and Kathy Johnson.
Business:
Election of Council were announced; Wes and Amanda were thanked for their years of service on
council. Carol Lindahl, Amy Sedin and Yvonne Kalin were voted on as new council members.
Audrey/Gloria MSA.
Delegates for Synod Council April 29, 2017 are needed, 1 male and 1 female.
Financial review Committee for 2017 is Wes Little, Gary Saari, Lin Helenius, and Sherry Jacobson.
Rick/Dale MSA.
Nominating Committee for 2017 is Lin Helenius, Gail Saari, and Luann Teige. Dale/Rick MSA.
Discussion:
A motion was made to support Luther Park Bible Camp. Wes/Tony MSA.
A committee of Gary Saari, Wes Little, Leroy Burger, Terry Johnson, and Ray Larson formed to de-
cide on repair of the parsonage foundation. Please review page 16 for details on this.
Thank you to our Health Leaders and Healthy Congregation Group, Lin, Gary, Carol, and Annabelle.
Count our blessings for offerings and everything done weekly around the church.
Blood drive will be set up through Parish Nurses and Red Cross for March 15th.
Brainstorming:
Whirl Bibles: 50 are needed at $25.00 each. A motion was made to seek individual purchases 1st,
then ask the ladies. Lois/Dan MSA.
Boat playground for children could be used for Sunday School and Play.
3 fish fry’s in March. Sign ups to help and advertising to go up soon. Seed money for basement..
Poplar Fun Days August 5th. We will have a float, a booth and outdoor service with a pancake
breakfast for community.
Ways to have funds for paying insurance.
Supporting Luther Park Bible Camp.
Thanks you to Gail and Pastor Donna for all you do.
A prayer was written for 2017 “Lord bless our fishing.”
Meeting was Adjourned with closing song “Here I Am Lord” at 12:10 pm.

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 BISHOP RICK HOYME’S 2017
ANNUAL REPORT FOR
CONGREGATIONS

2017 Annual Report from Bishop

Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin.

I have read two books in the last four years that have had a significant impact on
how I see life and how I see the church. The first is “Younger Next Year: Live Strong,
Fit, and Sexy - Until You're 80 and Beyond” and the second is “Growing Young: 6 Es-
sential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church.” Now, the
title of the first contains a word we don’t normally associate with beyond 80, but the sec-
ond title throws out this mouthful: Help Young People Love Your Church.

What I have learned from reading these books is that while neither is easy, both
are possible. They require discipline, sacrifice and sometimes, just hard work. But they
are BOTH possible. I have recommended the first book to all of our pastors and deacons
who are at least 50 years old, which is a bunch of them. Some of them have read it, fewer
have followed it, and I fear most have ignored me.

At this year’s Synod Assembly, I will be recommending the second book to every
church in our synod. Because every church in our synod, or at least they say it, wants to
grow young. If there is one overpowering symptom of the congregations of the North-
west Synod of Wisconsin, it is that they are old. And the second powerful symptom is
that they say they want to grow young. My fear is that when the leaders of our churches
hear about this book, some will read it, fewer will follow it and most will ignore it. Why?
Because it requires discipline, sacrifice and sometimes, just hard work.

But, it is work that God’s word says God can do, and God desperately wants us to
do with him.

Revelation 21:5 says, “And the one who was seated on the throne said, „See, I
am making all things new.‟ Also he said, „Write this, for these words are trustworthy
and true.‟”

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 The one on the throne is God, and I believe that God is at work making God’s
church new – and God is puzzled and grieved when God doesn’t see us joining in this
magnificent adventure.

As many of you are aware, my time as bishop of our synod ends on June 30 of
2018. It will not be my responsibility, but it is my dream that 2018-19 would be a year
for this synod to Grow Young…for each congregation, for our campus ministries, for
our Bible Camps to focus on this one thing.

Now, your next bishop may believe that the Spirit is blowing in another direc-
tion, but I’ve still got six months!

In the book, Growing Young it says: “…the terms young people and adults use
to describe their own churches or parishes (that are Growing Young) , we noticed re-
peated words such as welcoming, accepting, belonging, authentic, hospitable, and car-
ing. We began to call this the warmth cluster. (p. 166). Both Younger Next Year and
Growing Young emphasize that the changes needed will come out of love and caring.
We change, because the people we love, and the people who love us desperately want
and need us to change.

God loves us. God sits on the throne and proclaims, “I make all things new.” It
is time for a change. It is a time to grow young. It is a time for new.

I am asked as I make this transition to the next chapter of my life, “Do you be-
lieve our church(es) will survive?” My answer is usually something like, “I don’t be-
lieve in churches, but I do believe in Jesus.” And Jesus says “For mortals it is impossi-
ble, but for God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26.

I do believe in Jesus. May God make all things new in your life and in your
ministries this year!

Bishop Rick Hoyme

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 Pastor’s Report 2017

What weighs more, 100 pounds of bricks or 100 pounds of feathers? It’s an old riddle.
The riddle works because it plays on our preconceptions and our tendencies to hear what we
want to hear. Bricks weigh more than feathers, of course, but the answer is deceptively simple.
They’re the same. Whether bricks or feathers, 100 pounds is 100 pounds. You just need a whole
lot more feathers to get there. Now for another riddle.
What’s better, a healthy church of 60, or a healthy church of 6,000? The answer should
be obvious, but often isn’t. They’re the same. Certainly a healthy church of 6000 is ministering
to more people than a healthy church of 60. But a healthy church is a healthy church.
We need to weigh small and large churches the way we measure feathers and bricks. 100
healthy churches of 60 have the same spiritual and numerical weight as one healthy church of
6,000.

We celebrated the “Good News” with 25 people at this special early morning
Easter service. More than anything, we are a death and resurrection people. We cele-
brate the empty tomb that makes all things possible in Christ.

On Rally Sunday in September, we celebrated our new ‘Red Church Door’s and
high-fived our children running into the church to start the new Sunday School year.
We parted the congregation just like God parted the Red Sea for Moses and the Israel-
ites to escape from slavery into freedom. We celebrate passing these stories to our
children.

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 Pastor’s Report 2017 (page 2)

In last year’s Annual Report, we said that one of the best ways to somebody’s
heart, is through their stomach. Our church council dreamed up the idea of hosting
three Friday Fish Fry’s in Lent. They desired to open our building to the community
and we did exactly that. We come a long way from frying that first piece of fish. The
church council is continuing to dream. We are building on last years’ experience to
offer a Friday Fish Fry all the Friday’s in Lent. Ambitious yes – will it take tremendous
help on all our parts - YES!

We celebrated Pentecost Sunday and First Communion with a pig roast and the
building of the “Luther Rose.” It took all generations to build this huge Lego kit and we
discovered we could do it! I think you can tell by the smiles the Holy Spirit was present
and Blessed us for our efforts!

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 Pastors Report 2017 page 3

We have continued to build on our successes in reaching out to the greater

Poplar community. We helped Poplar celebrate their Centennial this year by offering a
Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning and again helped the village with the Fun Days
tent tear down and clean up. We plan to expand the breakfast hours next summer.

A special thanks to our Harvest Dinner chef this year and innovative ways to
improve upon our Swiss Steak recipe. Our chef grilled all the steaks before placing in
roaster pans with the gravy. This saved much time in cleanup and gave the steaks a
great flavor. We celebrate continuing to open our doors to the community.

We celebrate our Gaga Pit. Our youth truly enjoy the opportunity to be outside
playing in God’s good creation. Some day we hope t o add a play ground.

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 Pastors Report 2017 page 4

We celebrate our church in worship when we reach across the aisles to hold hands for
the Lord’s Prayer. We pray to God and for one another…and for our community.

We celebrate a church member who keeps our parking lot plowed. It took me
four years to get this picture. Randy normally plows long before sunrise so I could
never catch him in action.

We celebrate a church council who continues to dream together …. Or

sometimes just put up a Christmas tree that needed to be raised…
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 Pastors Report 2017 page 5

We celebrate positive change. To be a healthy congregation, we continue to

look for ways to worship God that honors all different generations, to work for God’s
Kingdom in the world and to encourage one another, to build one another up in faith,
to pray for one another and to be gentle with each other so that we can continue to
be God’s people here in Poplar.

On Sunday, September 21st 1969, our ancestors of faith dreamed of building a

healthy church. God has been faithful to our community and we celebrate that.
The church council and I invite you to celebrate our 50th Anniversary on Saturday 21st
2019 and we will worship together and celebrate fifty years of being church together
in Poplar. Mark your calendars now!

Blessings Grow,
Pastor Donna

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 MISSION/BUDGET PLAN 2017

The Mission/Budget Plan 2017

If you would like to see a copy, please contact the church office by
Email—peacepoplar@gmail.com, or leave a message on the office phone
at 715-364-2593

2017 Church Council

Donna Rutten Pastor
Tricia Garland President/Worship
Dale Johnson Vice President
Sherry Jacobson Secretary/Inreach/Outreach
Luann Teige Treasurer
Richard Larson Men
Ray Larson Property
Jon Kopetzky Education
Carol Lindahl Senior
Amy Sedin Stewardship
Gail Saari Women

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 Rural Care & Share Food Shelf 2017
The Food Shelf consists of two sites, Poplar (Peace Lutheran Church) and Iron River (Our
Saviors Lutheran Church). The Shelf has 13 supporting churches.

These churches serve the Poplar Site: St. Anthony’s Catholic at Lake Nebagamon, Trinity
Lutheran at Lake Nebagamon, Lake Nebagamon Presbyterian at Lake Nebagamon, Mission
Covenant at Poplar, Peace Lutheran at Poplar, Assembly of God at Hawthorne, Lakeside
Baptist at Lakeside

These churches serve the Iron River site: St. Michael’s Catholic at Iron River, Grace Baptist
at Iron River, Hope Lutheran at Oulu, Our Savior’s Lutheran at Iron River, Brule Presbyterian at
Brule, St. Paul United Church of Christ at Delta.

Each church provides volunteers 2 months a year for set up—distribution and produce
truck days. Distribution being the 3rd Saturday of the month, hours are 9am to 11am.

The Shelf’s Board consists of: Chairperson, Alternate Chair, Treasurer, Secretary,
Correspondent Secretary. Meetings are bi-monthly at Brule Presbyterian Church on the 3rd
Tuesday at 6:30 January, March, May, July, September, November with two delegates from
each 13 churches attending.

Groceries are ordered the first of the month to be delivered with the produce truck the
end of the month from Northern Lakes Food Bank in Duluth. Commodities are also received
and picked up by us from Midwest Community Action Services in Superior. What wasn’t
available from Northern Lakes Food Bank or Midwest Community Action Service and is
needed is purchased at Village Market in Poplar and Coop Store in Iron River at a 10% below
cost.

Many donations through the year come from the Boy and Cub Scouts, Lions Clubs, mail
carrier collection, Northwestern grade school and high school, fire departments,
supporting churches and many personal, both monetary and grocery items.

Our most valuable asset are the volunteers who share their time working the Shelf. We
would not be able to exist without them, so thank you to all!

God Bless ~~ Audrey Hakkila, Sherry Jacobson, Bette Hanson

Barb High (from Mission Covenant) is coordinator; Bette Hanson assisting at Peace’s Shelf,
Joan Jamiola from Our Savior’s in Iron River is coordinator, Debbie Landgren assisting at Iron
River Shelf

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 Youth Committee Report for 2017

The youth at Peace Lutheran were busy in 2017 with several opportunities to serve.

In February there was 2 youth that attended the Middle School youth gathering known
as “Christ Jam” in Rice Lake.

In October, we held a fundraiser to help raise money for God Stock in which several
youth helped pile wood for a local elderly community member.

In November there were 4 youth and 2 adults attending God Stock at the Metropolis
Resort in Eau Claire and Olivia Kalin was elected to serve on the Synod Youth Board and
she will be helping to plan this year’s Christ Jam and God Stock!

We look forward to yet another year of exciting opportunities to serve the congregation
at Peace Lutheran Church in 2018!!!

Respectfully Submitted,
Dale Johnson

Education Report 2017

We have been having a great year with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. We
are following the Church Calendar for our Sunday School curriculum. This allows the
children to get a deeper understanding of the bible story.

The Christmas program of combined Sunday School and youth was fun.
Thank you to everyone who has helped with Sunday School, Vacation Bible School,
Confirmation, and other ways to promote a deeper understanding of what we believe.

If anyone wants to help or has other ideas on how to improve the education aspect at
Peace, please contact Pastor Donna.

Respectfully Submitted, Jon Kopetzky

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 Council President Report 2017
Let’s take a walk thru all the wonderful things that the congregation of Peace Lutheran
Church has done this past year.
We have added a Senior Council Member position to the council this year. Carol Lindahl has
taken the role to visit the Peace shut-ins and senior citizen members that are in the nursing homes.
It is so wonderful to hear how everyone is doing and see the smiles and laughter on council
member faces when Carol comes back with stories. The Council has also invited the woman’s group
to come and join in on the monthly meeting, so the two groups can work together on new ideas
and the budget. One goal is to open communication between the two groups, so everyone knows
what is going on.
Steve Meals spent many hours getting the organ into playable shape, and for Christmas Eve
service, he played the organ for the first time in a number of years. It was wonderful to hear the
sound coming out of the organ pipes. This was a wonderful Christmas gift to the church: organ
music and hearing accompanying voices singing Christmas tunes.
This past year we have painted the doors to Peace Lutheran red, which symbolizes the
Passover and the Passover Lamb, how Jesus shed his blood for us. These doors are a great
reminder every time we come to church-that the area beyond the doors is scared and holy. We
have also blessed many others this past year: our armed services members who have been called to
serve our country, the deer hunters that go out to brave the cold to provide food for there families,
the quilts that go off to families to keep them warm and the youth going off to camp or off to
college. We continue to send prayers to all to keep them all safe in whatever they are doing.
We have to also remember that this past year was the Year of Food:
→We had the 1st annual fish fry where we all took turns frying fish, serving in the kitchen and
socializing with neighbors and friends that came to eat the wonderful food.
→We had the 2nd annual Agape Meal for Maundy Thursday where we sit at a table in a shape of the
cross and ate the same kinds of foods that were eaten at Jesus’ Last Supper.
→We had the 2nd annual Poplar Fun Days were the children decorated a float and participated in
the parade, handing out candy. At our Sunday morning service, we helped Pastor Donna with the
outside church service by handing out saltine crackers and accompanying Lin with music. After
service, we then helped the Poplar Fire Dept take down the tents and clean the area around the
Poplar Fire Hall. We also can’t forget about the men’s group that cooked pancakes for everyone
that morning.
→We had the 2nd annual Pentecost Sunday pig roast. Everyone’s stomachs start talking weeks
ahead of time when pastor mentions that the pig roast is coming up. We all eat way too much, but
we had another challenge this past year. A puzzle that took the whole congregation working
together to finish the puzzle.
We are a work in progress, with Jesus by our sides. But there is always a lot more out there we can
do. So, go in peace and serve the Lord.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tricia Garland

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 Worship Committee 2017
It’s Sunday morning and we all gather to worship to see what Pastor Donna has to
teach us and also what we can help out with. The youth have been more involved with
helping out with the worship service by candle lighting, being assisting minister and do-
ing the reading. We have been blessed this past year with the wonderful music from the
choir, men’s quartet and the playing of the organ at Christmas. We have also started
doing the healing service on every 5th Sunday of the month which is a beautifully service.
We have to also remember the fun we had holding worship services outside at
Poplar fun days, followed by a pancake breakfast served by the men’s group and special
music played by the kids. We also added a unique Easter worship service at the Rutten
property next to the river where the confirmation boys made a replica of Jesus tomb
from twigs and branches.
We have also gathered to say good bye to those that have gone to heaven and wel-
come new members into a congregation with love and caring arms. Now we are going to
start a new year full of new things to learn, challenges to work through and we all have
to remember work together.
Respectfully submitted,
Tricia Garland

Men’s Group Ministry 2017

The Men's Group is continuing to meet on the 1st and 3rd Mondays at 7pm here at the
church to do a bible study and discuss future plans.

2017 was a busy year filled with opportunities to serve the church and community.
 February we held our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner
 June was the Father's Day Pie event after church,
 August Jon Kopetzky grilled brats for the church picnic
 October was a cookout after Reformation Sunday and we grilled brats and hot dogs
 September we held a bonfire during the "Blood Moon".
We are looking forward to another great year in 2018 and as always we are encouraging
men to attend our meetings and we appreciate all the help from those that are able. We
pray that God will continue to bless our mission as we go forward.

Respectfully Submitted,
Dale Johnson

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 Parish Nurse Ministry Report 2017
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers”
(3 John 1:2)

The mission of parish nursing is to assist parishioners to achieve a maximal level of holistic health in body,
mind, and spirit. Peace parish nurses generously donated 118 hours of their time for direct services and
logged 1100 miles this past year serving as follows:

70 blood pressure checks were done at Peace and the food shelf. Several referrals were made to physicians.

36 visits were made during church, in parishioners’ homes, nursing homes, and by phone.
Several visits were done for a community member after receiving a referral from Northern Waters Parish
Nurse Ministry to do blood pressure and general welfare assessments. Comfort and Care Baskets were
given to two parishioners.

Health-related education was done by posting information and submitting articles for the Messenger.

Nutritious foods were served during coffee hour in March for Nutrition Month and also for Parish Nurse
Sunday which was commemorated on May 17th.

The Garden of Eatin was divided this year. Half the garden was planted for the food shelf families and the
rest of the garden was planted by parishioners.

The parish nurses were involved in Northern Waters Parish Nurse Ministry (NWPNM) activities including
monthly meetings, sponsoring booths at local events, and various fund raisers to fund scholarships for parish
nurses attending a preparation course and other educational opportunities. NWPN belongs to CrowdRise,
an online fundraising website which raises money for good causes. Go to crowdrise.com to donate and learn
more about this organization. They also participate in Amazon's Smile and Thrivent's Choice Dollar's
initiatives. We gratefully thank our congregation members for faithfully supporting our fund raising efforts.
NWPNM is an active participant in promoting and assisting with leading Living Well With Chronic
Conditions and other evidence-based workshops. A new Director, Lyndi Sakuray, was hired in February while
Jan Stevens continues as Parish Nurse Coordinator. Jan Stevens attended several conferences related to
mental health, elder abuse, healthy aging and dementia-friendly communities. She also attended the
synod's “Walking Together” in Eau Claire in May and lead the advance care planning initiative at Peace.

We thank our parishioners for their support and participation in our ministry and ask for their prayers as we
begin a new year of parish nurse activities.

Respectfully submitted,
Your Parish Nurses

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 Ruth Circle 2017
The Ruth Circle meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month for our bible study taken from
the Gather Magazine, which each of us subscribe to.

We do not meet in July or December. There is a planned pot lunch picnic in August. A
holiday planned lunch in December, is generally in a home of a member.

A “lite snack” is part of our study time. There are times when we do lunch at a café.

Our main charity project is monetary or supplies for Maple schools.

We are known as “ the fun circle” and we welcome all that would like to
join us.

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Kittelson

Quilting 2017
The Quilting Ladies have been busy again in 2017 making lots of quilts.

6 quilts were sold at the Home For the Holidays Bazaar and Bake Sale held on
November 11.
3 quilts were given to Foster Grandparents
12 quilts were given to CASDA
22 quilts were brought to Rice Lake the second week of October to be shipped by
Lutheran World Relief, and they will send them to the Missions.
The Poplar Volunteer Fire Department received 3 quilts for those in need.

Respectfully Submitted
Lois Burger

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 Missionary Report from the Sacks

Check out our website www.peacepoplar.org; go under ministries, foreign missions, Japan.
There is also a few pictures from them on the bulletin board in the narthex, printed out.
They continue to be thankful for our relationship.

Outreach ministry (Mission) –

“ If anyone has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to
help – how can God’s love be in that person?”
1 John 3:17
Thank you for your generous
Support in 2017 of
James and Carol Sack,
ELCA Missionaries in Japan

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 In-Reach/Out-Reach Project Annual Report, 2017

The Epiphany Tea was held January 4 with an attendance of about 45.

Fish Fry's were held on 3 Friday's during the Lenten season.

The 2nd annual Agape Meal was hosted by the Church Council in March.

The 2nd annual Pig Roast was held on Pentecost Sunday. Mike Hubbard roasted the
pig.

This was the 2nd year Peace Lutheran was part of the Poplar Fun Days, participating
in the parade as International Spy Agents, having a table to promote Sunday School,
helping with set up and tear down the tent, hosting an out door service and the men
hosted a pancake breakfast from 7 to 9:00.

Respectfully submitted
Sherry Jacobson

Senior Report for 2017

The mission of the Senior group is t o keep the seniors involved as to what is going
on in the church.

We have been visiting rest home residents regularly that have been Peace Lutheran
Church members. A group of us have taken one of our new senior members out to
lunch.

We tool a lunch over to the Peterson’s farm one day, and we all have a wonderful
time, sang them some songs and had great conversation.

Respectfully Submitted,
Carol Lindahl

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 Congregational Report 2017
Members received during 2017: ; (by affirmation of faith, transfers)

Baptisms: January 22, 2017 Cade James Maslowski

February 19, 2017 Reilan Joe Tahtinen
First Communion: June 4, 2017

Maija Korpi, Grace Schmidt,

Aiden Hubbard , Grace Schmidt,
Isabelle Upsula, Olivia Upsula

Confirmations: June 11, 2017

Logan Swenson,
Nathaniel Fechtelkotter

Weddings: September 15, 2017 Stephanie Olsen—Robbie Cooper

Funerals: April 29, 2017 Orville Luther Grube
October 23, 2017 Ruth J. Hannula
December 1, 2017 Judy L. Little

Average weekly offerings: $1,563.50 (2016 was $1,172.39))

Average weekly worship attendance: 60 (2016 was 70)
Members (active) as of December 2017: approx. 199

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 ATTENDANCE & OFFERING 2017
Peo- Simply Giv- Peo- Simply Giv-
Week ple Offerings ing Week ple Offerings ing

1-Jan 39 $ 676.00 $ 1,071.00 2-Jul 33 $ 820.00 $ 1,321.00

8-Jan 60 $ 1,335.00 $ 25.00 9-Jul 59 $ 963.00 $ 25.00
15-Jan 40 $ 969.00 $ 141.00 . 16-Jul 51 $ 1,050.00 $ 141.00
22-Jan 82 $ 1,384.00 $ 25.00 23-Jul 50 $ 870.20 $ 25.00
29-Jan 59 $ 1,184.00 $ 25.00 30-Jul 41 $ 828.00 $ 25.00
$
5,548.00 $ 1,287.00 $ 6,835.00 $ 4,531.20 $ 1,537.00 $ 6,068.20
5-Feb 54 $ 1,404.00 $ 1,096.00 6-Aug 81 $ 757.00 $ 1,246.00
12-Feb 92 $ 1,092.00 $ 75.00 13-Aug 50 $ 1,372.00 $ 75.00
19-Feb 61 $ 969.00 $ 141.00 20-Aug 40 $ 1,380.00 $ 141.00
26-Feb 79 $ 1,320.00 $ 50.00 27-Aug 42 $ 999.00 $ 50.00
$
4,785.00 $ 1,362.00 $ 6,147.00 $ 4,508.00 $ 1,512.00 $ 6,020.00
5-Mar 60 $ 1,254.00 $ 1,321.00 3-Sep 53 $ 1,096.00 $ 1,321.00
12-Mar 54 $ 993.00 $ 141.00 10-Sep 77 $ 1,545.00 $ 141.00
19-Mar 48 $ 1,081.00 $ 25.00 17-Sep 69 $ 1,601.00 $ 30.00
26-Mar 55 $ 817.00 $ 25.00 24-Sep 61 $ 892.00 $ 30.00
$
4,145.00 $ 1,512.00 $ 5,657.00 $ 5,134.00 $ 1,522.00 $ 6,656.00
TOTAL 783 $ 14,478.00 $ 4,161.00 $ 18,639.00 TOTALS 707 $ 14,173.20 $ 4,571.00 $ 18,744.20
AVE 60 $ - AVE 56 $ -
Peo- Peo-
Week ple Offerings Week ple Offerings
2-Apr 65 $ 1,625.00 $ 1,321.00 1-Oct 50 $ 1,048.00 $ 1,276.00
9-Apr 113 $ 1,389.00 $ 25.00 8-Oct 48 $ 1,403.00 $ 80.00
16-Apr 25/83 $ 743.00 $ 141.00 15-Oct 80 $ 1,624.00 $ 146.00
23-Apr 61 $ 1,053.00 $ 25.00 22-Oct 44 $ 283.00 $ 30.00
30-Apr 57 $ 998.00 22-Oct 78 $ 1,591.50 $ 30.00
$
5,808.00 $ 1,512.00 $ 7,320.00 29-Oct $ 5,949.50 $ 1,562.00 $ 7,511.50
7-May 71 $ 963.58 $ 1,321.00 5-Nov 60 $ 2,329.00 $ 1,326.00
14-May 51 $ 966.00 $ 25.00 12-Nov 63 $ 2,383.00 $ 156.00
21-May 67 $ 1,493.00 $ 141.00 19-Nov 38 $ 2,743.00 $ 40.00
28-May 48 $ 1,245.00 $ 50.00 26-Nov 48 $ 370.00 $ 40.00

$
4,667.58 $ 1,537.00 $ 6,204.58 $ 7,825.00 $ 1,562.00 $ 9,387.00
4-Jun 79 $ 1,670.00 $ 1,246.00 3-Dec 60 $ 1,788.00 $ 1,361.00
11-Jun 75 $ 1,078.00 $ 75.00 10-Dec 100 $2,009.00 $ 90.00
18-Jun 55 $ 609.00 $ 141.00 17-Dec 56 $ 1,418.00 $ 156.00
25-Jun 45 $ 875.00 $ 50.00 24-Dec 44 $610.00 $ 90.00 $ 7,522.00
31-Dec 43 $ 530.00
$
4,232.00 $ 1,512.00 $ 5,744.00 $ 6,355.00 $ 1,697.00 $ 8,052.00
$ 14,707.58 $ 4,561.00 $ 19,268.58 $ 20,129.50 $ 4,821.00 $ 24,950.50

TOTALS 787 $ 29,185.58 $ 8,722.00 $ 37,907.58 TOTALS 812 $ 34,302.70 $ 9,392.00 $ 43,694.70
AVE 66 AVE 58
$ 63,488.28 $ 18,114.00 $ 81,602.28

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 Peace Lutheran Women 2017 Annual Report
Our Mission Statement: Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. To mobilize
women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ.

We have two circles: (1) Evening, which meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. to
study the women of the Bible. The special project of the Evening Circle is the Holiday Bazaar in
November (2) Ruth, which meets the third Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. The Ruth Circle
completes special projects such as school kits, sewing kits, and the soap project.

We have the Tuesday Quilters who gather to sew quilts for Lutheran World Relief, sick babies,
graduates, and baptized babies. They meet the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 9:30
am to 2 pm. We have five Altar Guild Committees and two funeral committees.

The Peace Lutheran Women General meetings are usually held the first Sunday of every other
month after worship beginning with January. Officers in 2015 were: Mary J. Sedin-President,
Sherry Jacobson-Vice President, Gloria Olson-Treasurer, and Karla Langford-Secretary. Audrey
Hakkila is our Historian. New officers will be chosen soon. If you are interested, see Arlene
Erickson or Mary Sedin.

The PLW raised money through the Harvest Supper on September 23, Holiday Bazaar on
November 14, the sale of cookbooks, RADA products, and dish cloths. The money is used for
benevolent projects and donations including Seafarer’s, CASDA, Parish Nurses, Rural Care and
Share Food Shelf, kitchen and cleaning supplies, Baptism and Confirmation cakes and supplies,
Bible School meals, parsonage supplies, scholarship fund, and help with Sunday school expenses.
We sponsor Samwel Kulwa Chaula from Tanzania Africa through Compassion International’s
Adopt-a- Child.

Other projects include collecting shiny paper for fundraising, canned goods label and used cards
are collected for the St. Jude’s Children’s Ranch Project, the Fair Exchange Coffee Sale, baptismal
showers, prayer shawl ministry, Parish Nurses Ministry, health kits, Epiphany Tea, decorating for
the Holidays and spring cleaning of the Church.

Every woman who attends Peace Lutheran Church is considered a member of Peace Lutheran
Women. All women are welcome to please come and join us at any of our general meetings,
Circle meetings, or quilting meetings. Refer to our Women of the E.L.C.A. – Peace Lutheran
Women Handbook for more information and meeting times.

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Sedin, President

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TREASURER’S REPORT AND SUMMARY 2017 PEACE LUTHERAN WOMEN
BEGINNING BALANCE 1/1/2017 $ 6,698.47
ENDING BALANCE ON 12/31/2017 $ 4,278.37
CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT $ 2,595.68

INCOME
BAZAAR PROCEEDS $ 2,605.80
CHURCH USE $ 100.00
COOKBOOK $ 10.00
DONATIONS $ 150.00
FUNERAL LUNCH PROCEEDS $ 2,200.00
HARVEST DINNER PROCEEDS $ 2,574.00
QUILTS $ 260.00
RADA SALES $ 76.00
TOTAL INCO $ 7,975.80

EXPENSES
BAPTISM $ 44.44
BAZAAR EXPENSES $ 53.00
BENEVOLENCE $ 650.82
BENEVOLENCE FOR CHURCH $ 2,052.55
BIBLE SCHOOL $ 233.88
COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL $ 405.00
CONFIRMATION $ 34.88
CONVENTION $ 30.00
EASTER $ 72.05
ECLA $ 145.00
FELLOWSHIP $ 122.93
FIRST COIMMUNION $ 29.88
FUNERAL LUNCH EXPENSE $ 477.49
GRADUATION $ 50.00
HARVEST DINNER EXPENSES $ 335.00
KITCHEN SUPPLIES $ 576.06
MAINTENANCE $ 938.24
MINISTRAL SUPPLIES $ 613.66
MISSIONARY SUPPORT $ 150.00
PARSONAGE $ 1,000.00
RADA $ 87.90
RADA ORDER $ 186.40
START UP MONEY $ 2,204.00
SUNDAY SCHOOL $ 90.24
VOID $ 0.00
TOTAL EXPENSES $ 10,395.90
Respectfully Submitted, Gloria Olson, Treasurer
Checkbook listing available upon request. See Kathy in office.

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 2017 GIFTS

MUSIC dedicated mixed choir, help liturgy, quartet, organist, praise band

PARISH NURSES
education, blood pressure, advanced directives

UNSPOKEN HEROS Admin Staff, (sec, hskpg, treasurer) sewing, crafts, Youth helpers,
cooks, Healthy Leaders, Sunday School/Bible School teachers , lawn mowing.

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FELLOWSHIP

LAY MINISTRY Gabe, Luann, Ian, Mary Jane, Rick, Amy, Gail, Dan, Carole & Ray

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 WORSHIP All Saints Service, Healing Service, Candlemas Service

BLESSINGS High school graduates, Confirmation class,

Blessing Sunday School teachers, Marriage Blessing, Blessing for deployment with prayer
book, Blessing Hunters/Quilts

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 Updates from the Office, 2017
Phone 715-364-2593

Facebook Page: Peace Lutheran Church, Poplar WI

New posts almost every day.

Our Website features the monthly Messenger along with upcoming events.
Office hours are updated on this Website also. www.peacepoplar.org

Our church office email address is peacepoplar@gmail.com

Pastor Donna Rutten’s email address is pastorpeacepoplar@gmail.com

WORDS SHARED:
“Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in one’s ways even though
rich (Proverbs 28:6).”

“I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have
graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I
have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands, I commend
myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil
foe may have no power over me. Amen.— “Evening Prayer,” Martin Luther.”

If your birthday is not recognized in the monthly Messenger please pass on the infor-
mation to the office for our records. if you do not want it shared, that is fine too.
Please make sure to keep your address, phone numbers and/or cell phone numbers
up to date in the office and records. We want to try to save on paper/ink this year
even more. Get on the list (share your email address to the office) for a electronic
version of the monthly Messenger. You can also read it on our website. Less printed
copies have been being made. Approximately only 20 per month. They are printed as
noticed low on the table in the narthex.

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 NOTES

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