st web viewst. stephen . lutheran church – elca. pastor gail sowell. 424 n 3rd avenue, po box...
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ST. STEPHEN – ELCAHonoring the Past – Welcoming the Future
NEWSLETTER1
MAY, 2017
ST. STEPHEN LUTHERAN CHURCH –
ELCAPastor Gail Sowell
424 N 3rd Avenue, PO Box 95Edgar, WI 54426-0095
Telephone: 715-352-2491 (St. Stephen Office)715-352-2492 (Pastor Gail Home/Cell/Emergency)
715-352-2524 (St. John Office)Church Web Site: www.ststephenedgar.com PARISH STAFF
PastorGail Sowell
Home/Cell/EmergencySt. Stephen Office
St. John Office
715-352-2492715-352-2491715-352-2524
Secretary Sherry [email protected]
715-355-9039
Outside Custodian Steve Doran 715-393-5080Inside Custodian Rachel Doran 715-393-5076
Organist Charlotte Otto 715-443-2007Handbell Director Marla Berg 715-302-4768Altar Guild Millie Borchardt/
Marge Copeland/Deb Pilgrim715-352-2451
Media
Team
Dale Pilgrim, Mark Schreier, Vern Spaulding, Rod Zietlow, Kristin Zietlow, Mike Maurer, Sherry Gayken
2017 COUNCIL OFFICERSPresident Kathy Schreier 715-352-2392 [email protected]
Vice-President Vicki Maurer (715)574-0527 [email protected] Sherry Gayken 715-355-9039 [email protected] Rod Zietlow 715-370-7681 [email protected]
Financial Secretary Kristin Schreier [email protected] Dale Pilgrim
Clarence WernerMark Schreier
715-352-2968715-432-0997715-352-2392 [email protected]
Trustees Vern SpauldingDavid HarmDennis Lang
715-680-0063715-370-5463715-573-2974
Youth Liaison Volunteer Needed
INSIDE THIS ISSUEParish Staff/Council Officers..................................1Staff/Officer Contact Information...........................1May Birthdays and Anniversaries...........................2Address Info/Church Cleaning...............................2Baptism...................................................................2Pastor’s Ponderings................................................3Women’s Salad Supper/Summer Worship..............3Rummage Sale/Senior Day/Easter Memorials........4Church Mice/Thank You/Hospice..........................4Sunday School/Confirmation Recognition.............5Lay School/Senior Recognition Sunday.................5Ladies’ Bible Study/Quarterly Meeting..................5Chalk Fest/Pastor’s Nugget....................................5125th Anniversary Celebration/Carnival..................6On the Calendar/Nuggets/Events/Concert..............7Summer Concerts/Wokodchucks............................8May Calendar.........................................................8
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MAY BIRTHDAYS
02 Feltz Jaxton06 Lehman Dominique06 Venzke Stacy06 Borchardt Eugene06 Chenier Zander08 Guralski Roxi10 Doran Rachel10 Aschbrenner Mary Ann15 Karlen Gloria16 Maurer Vicki17 Lang Shirley18 Otto Wilbur21 Ross Jane22 Haanstad Travis22 Ledbetter Margaret26 Reif Emily27 Steinke James27 Sowell Pastor Gail29 Guralski Cody31 Pilgrim Adeline
90/90+ BIRTHDAY CLUB:
Margaret Ledbetter will be 91 years young on May 22 For cards and birthday wishes, her address is as follows:
MARGARET LEDBETTER
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6460 E BIG LAKE LOOP RDTHREE LAKES WI 54562
MAY ANNIVERSARIES06 - Rihn, Jamie & Teresa 07 - Borchardt, Mildred & Eugene 22 - Gayken, Skip & Sherry 22 - Maurer, Vicki & Mike 22 - Braunel, Warren & Sharon 26 - Lang, Amy & Rich30 - Krause, Kim & Matthew
REMINDER OF NEW MAILING ADDRESS FOR ST. STEPHEN:
St. Stephen Lutheran Church424 N. 3rd AvenuePO Box 95Edgar, WI 54426-0095
CELEBRATION OF HOLY BAPTISM
On Sunday, April 2, 2017, Brynn Leigh Knetter was presented to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Brynn was born Friday, January 27, 2017. Her parents, Jesse and Michelle
(Zietlow) Knetter, and big brother, Cameron, are pictured
above with Pastor Gail.
Pictured below are the parents – and sponsors, Matt and Peggy Johnson and Stacy and Julius Venzke, at Brynn’s baptism. We welcome Brynn into the body of Christ and into the mission we share. Together we give thanks and praise to God and share His love with all the world.
CHURCH CLEANING DAY – at St. Stephen on Saturday, May 6th, starting at 8:30 AM. Cleaning supplies will be furnished. Many working hands are needed. Pizza lunch will be furnished. Please speak with Rachel Doran of your willingness to help.
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ALL WOMEN OF ST. STEPHEN are invited to join in the fellowship, fun and food at St. John’s ELCA, Hwy N, Edgar, for their annual Women’s Salad Supper “Honoring Women” – on Tuesday, May 16th, at 6:00 PM. Bring a friend. Bingo will be enjoyed for entertainment.
Sign-up in back – by May 7th. Questions may be directed to Pastor Gail or Bev Umnus at 715.352.2839.
SUMMER WORSHIP: Beginning Sunday, June 4th, through the end of August – worship time at St. Stephen will begin one-half (1/2) hour sooner – at 10:00 AM.
St. John will also begin worship one-half (1/2) hour sooner at 8:30 AM. Please mark your calendars and pass the word.
RUMMAGE SALE – St. Stephen will be participating in the Edgar Community garage sales on Friday and Saturday, May
PASTOR GAIL’S PONDERINGS FOR MAY, 2017
What a joy it was to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection! Beautiful music, bright flowers, and the fellowship of those whose lives are “hidden with Christ” (Colossians 3:3) for all eternity! (We had a whopping 330 people present for the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter services!) Together we are the church. We are the body of Christ. We are the communion of saints. Thanks be to God!
Even as we rejoice over the presence of so many faithful, we anticipate the “summer doldrums” to come. In an effort to accommodate summer schedules with week-ends away, we’re going to offer an evening service during the week, either Wednesday or Thursday, at 6:00, 6:30, or 7:00, possibly rotating between St. John and St. Stephen. If this is something you would attend, please let us know your preferences.
Wednesday or Thursday?6:00 or 6:30 or 7:00? St. John or St. Stephen?
In the middle of typing the above paragraphs, I had one of those “aha!” moments that sometimes stir my faith. I’d been having trouble with the desktop computer in my office at St. John, and this morning it completely died. So I unplugged it (being careful to turn off all the cords connected with it and the printer) and set it out to take to Best Buy, to see if they can back up all the stuff that’s in there. All of a sudden, neither Rose nor I was able to send printing jobs to our copier in the work room. Rose spent half an hour on the phone with the copier people, who suggested this and that, and nothing worked; and I couldn’t print from my laptop either. We knew it had to be related to the demise of my desktop but couldn’t figure out how. Then I realized that in turning off the power to the desktop, I had also shut off the power to our inter-office communication with the copier/printer. One quick flip of the switch, and the problem was solved.
What does that have to do with faith? Isn’t that what we sometimes do with our relationship with God? Think of the “power switch” of faith as prayer, or reading the Bible, or worshiping regularly. Think of how often we “turn off” that nourishing, strengthening, comforting life-line to our heavenly Father—and then we wonder why our faith isn’t more satisfying, why God doesn’t feel present or active in our lives.
With that “disconnect” in mind, I urge you even more strongly to find a way to worship regularly this summer. If Sundays don’t work for you, tell us when you’d like a mid-week evening worship.
Don’t disconnect God from your life!
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19th and 20th. Items will be accepted at church starting in May – items should be priced. Contact Marge Copeland for more information.
Rachel Doran will also have the food stand set up outside of church with brats and hot dogs.
CONGRATULATIONS to KINGS KORNER CHAMPION FOR APRIL GISELA RINGLE
Senior Day is held the third Wednesday of each month @ St. Stephen – next date is: Wednesday, May 17 th. Senior Day is open to all seniors of St. Stephen … and seniors in the surrounding Edgar community are also invited.
THANK YOU to the following families/individualsfor donating the flowers to beautify worship on Easter … in memory of loved ones or as a show of thanks … all in praise to our risen Lord!
Patty & Ben Kohel …
in memory of Ditto and Molly UntiedtRuth Paul …
in memory of Merlin Paul,and Ervin, Agnes, and Ed Ringle
Eugene and Millie Borchardt …in memory of Rose Wrensch,
and Elmer and Mary BorchardtVern and Marilyn Spaulding …
in memory of beloved daughter,Suzzanne M. Spaulding-Wright
Marge and Larry Copeland …in memory of sons, Larry Jr., and Todd
Kathy SchreierPastor Gail …
Thank you to: St. Stephen Council membersSherry GaykenCharlotte OttoAll the Women of St. Stephen
All who serve and minister in many and various ways
ST. STEPHEN COUNCIL MEETING: Sunday, May 21, @ 8:30 AM.
JOINT ST. STEPHEN/ST. JOHN EXECUTIVE BOARDS’ MEETING: Tuesday, May 2 @ 6:00 PM
ADVENTURES OF THE CHURCH MICEIt’s Tully writing today, and I have to tell you what a privilege it is to be a Church Mouse at St. John! (Miri, I hope you feel the same about St. Stephen!). We had such a lovely Easter service! The choir (“of angels” Pastor Gail calls it) sang two songs – I could tell a lot of people in the congregation wanted to sing along on the last one – and there were so many lilies and hyacinths and tulips they almost made me sneeze! (Don’t worry, mouse sneezes are very quiet and won’t disturb worship!). You may not believe this, but Easter was even more beautiful for me and Twink than Palm Sunday, even though so many people shared their breakfast with us that morning! We were really worried for a few weeks because Pastor Gail was so mad at the “house mouses” she had, we were afraid she’d want to get rid of us too. But I guess she’s okay with Twink and me (and I hope with Miri too). Gosh, there’s only a couple of weeks more of Sunday School. I hope all the kids don’t disappear for the summer!
THANK YOU to the families who sponsored the Lenten soup suppers by contributing soup, sandwiches, beverages, and desserts and by serving … and to the Confirmation students for their help.
THANK YOU to Lori Guralski and Julie Haanstad who coordinated the Easter Breakfast and who put in considerable time and energy preparing a delicious start to Easter day! … and to ALL who helped cook on Saturday and EVERYONE who was up bright and early on Sunday morning to help prepare the breakfast, serve, and clean up … and of course EAT!. Thank you to the Confirmation students for helping serve, and to persons who donated the breakfast food items and monetary contributions.
CHRIST IS RISEN … HE IS RISEN INDEED … ALLELUIA!
RUN FOR HOSPICE – May 13 @ 9:30 AM, Fabiano Bros., Weston. Register online at www.runforhospice.net.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL – recognition of Sunday School Superintendent and Teacher, Lori Guralski, Sunday School Assistants, Devin Guralski and Marlena Strasser, and Confirmation Advisor and Instructor Colleen Dvorak, Youth Group Assistant Kristin Zietlow, and Cradle Roll manager, Sherry Gayken, will take place on Sunday, April 30th, at the 10:30 AM service.
THANK YOU to them for their hard, work, dedication, and ministry to the St. Stephen Sunday School/Confirmation Program.
A new volunteer is needed to take over the Cradle Roll responsibility – someone to send out timely books, brochures, and birthday/baptism notecards, and develop a Cradle Roll display.
CONGRATULATIONS to Mark Schreier on his graduation from the Central Lay School Ministry program.
The East Central Synod of WI has been making disciples in our area since 1999 through the Central Lay School Ministry program, studying Theology, Faith and Daily Ministries, Worship and Liturgy, Old and New Testament, Luther for Today, and Church History. To learn, grow, and explore your faith, gifts and callings, talk to pastor, call Mary Neumann 715-573-9516), Jeanette Carlson (715-848-2108) OR—check out wausaulayschool.org.
Central Lay School is completely self-supporting, and is currently in need of extra help to meet the upcoming budget. Please prayerfully consider a financial gift today to enable them to continue making disciples well into the future. For donations: Please write checks to ECSW (indicating they are for Central Lay School) and mail to Jeanette Carlson – 903 Rosecrans, Wausau, WI 54401.
NEW MEMBER SUNDAY – St. Stephen will be hosting a “New Member Sunday” soon. Are you interested in joining our church family? Please speak with any Council member.
ST. STEPHEN SENIOR RECOGNITION SUNDAY will be held Sunday, May 14th, at the
10:30 AM service. Graduating seniors from Marathon and Edgar High Schools are: KATLYNN MROCZENSKI, daughter of Larry and Tami Mroczenski; andRACHEL HEIDEN, daughter of Greg and Mindy Heiden.
There will also be a quilt presentation by St. Stephen’s Quilters to the seniors that morning.
LADIES’ BIBLE STUDY is held the 2nd Tuesday of each month in the St. Stephen Church basement starting at 1:00 PM – with the Bible study lesson from the Gather magazine. MaryAnn Aschbrenner will be hostess for Tuesday, May 9th. Every woman that is a member of St. Stephen is a member of the women’s group. ALL are WELCOME and encouraged to participate.
ST. STEPHEN QUARTERLY MEETING – The budget for July 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017, was presented, discussed, and approved at the Quarterly Meeting held on Sunday, April 23rd (copies remain available). Additional items discussed not previously covered: parsonage update, estimate for vinyl louvers, roofing project, remodeling of ladies’ downstairs lavatory, handicap lavatory downstairs accessibility to both men and women, yoking, outreach project, Refugee Sunday, front banners, etc. All items will be included in Quarterly Meeting minutes.
FIRST ANNUAL CHALK FEST AND ART SHOW – Friday and Saturday, June 23rd and 24th, on Edgar sidewalks. Individuals and groups will purchase chalk sets with brushes and sponges for $15.00 and be given a 4x4 foot area on sidewalks near the Village Hall to create artworks. For more information, contact Karen Schmitt (715-352-2577 @ Stark’s Floral, OR Amanda Albrecht (715-680-1245).
PASTOR’S NUGGET: On Good Friday the parents of two-year old Vincent told him that Sunday would be Easter.His response: “That’s good! I need some Jesus time!”
ST. STEPHEN LUTHERAN CHURCH – 125 th
ANNIVERSARY – Celebration has been set for Sunday, September 10, 2017. MaryAnn Aschbrenner will head the committee to plan the event. Former pastors of St. Stephen will be invited and the celebration is open to the community. Watch future newsletters and announcements for complete details as they become available – and more accounts each month about our history !
St. Stephen will be recognized at the East Central Synod of WI’s banquet on Friday, May 19, during this year’s Synod
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Assembly. Following is the article and recent photo sent to the Synod office. There is much, much more information available about the history of St. Stephen downstairs in the church library – very interesting reading.ST. STEPHEN LUTHERAN CHURCH
424 N. 3rd AvenuePO box 95Edgar, wi 54426-0095phone: 715-352-2491
1892 – 2017 (125 years)
Paragraph for Synod Assembly recognition in May, 2017:
In 1891, Pastor Heinrich Greve (Grewe) of Rib Falls, WI, sought out Lutheran families between Rib Falls and Wein who were not members of any congregation and influenced them to join the congregation at Rib Falls. Settlers in the area had previously been arriving in increasingly large numbers and in 1892 Wilhelm Schmidt, Frank Luedtke, and Herman Winkert decided that a congregation of the Lutheran faith was ready to be organized. The three became the first charter members of St. Stephen Lutheran Church. During 1892 the organization of the St. Stephen Lutheran Church and the arrival of the first railroad were among the major occurrences in the Village of Edgar.
Services were held at members’ homes during the first several months but soon constructed a small frame church building where members assembled for many, many years. The official dedication was May 29th, 1892. This little church, though it may have lacked many things, was truly a House of God –
it served its purpose full well. However, as St. Stephen’s congregation grew and prospered it became obvious that the little, old church was too small and a new and larger church building was needed. In 1946 a new building committee was formed. The groundbreaking for the new building site on Edgar’s main street was conducted on June 4, 1949; dedication May 20, 1951. The original altar of the Little White Church was kept and is still being used to date.
On October 21, 1970, construction for the new parsonage on North 2nd Avenue began. Pastor Jaeger who was called in 1969 and his family were the first occupants of the new parsonage.
In 1988 the church changed its name and merged into the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
In 1999 a new entryway addition was completed and St. Stephen became handicapped accessible including a platform lift to the upper and lower levels. The platform lift itself and shaft were replaced in 2016. The church projection system was installed in 2011 which has enhanced worship via technology.
In 1992 St. Stephen celebrated 100 years of worship, dedication, and service to the community of Edgar. The Centennial Celebration included participation of several former ministers, two worship services with special music and readings, historical displays, dinner under the tent and, of course, time for old friends and new to get together.
In 2017 St. Stephen will be celebrating 125 years. A celebration will be held later in the summer – a time for these old friends and new to get together again to recall stories of the past, consider those of the present – and share hopes and dreams for the future.
St. Stephen remains a living, active church – members living out their faith by sharing their gifts, their time, and their abilities – a church, where for 125 years,ALL ARE WELCOME !!
EDGAR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT CARNIVAL – Thursday – Sunday, June 1-4, 2017.
Thursday, June 1 at 7:00 PMCommunity Ecumenical Service in Oak Street Park – coordinated this year by St. Stephen/St. John
Saturday, June 3 from 7:00 – 11:00 AMSt. John ELCA Dairy Breakfast in Oak Street Park
Sunday, June 4 at 1:00 PM – Parade – St. Stephen would like to have a float in honor of our 125th Anniversary … any ideas??
Sunday, April 30: 9:30 AM – Sunday School (Last Day of Sunday School)10:30 AM – Communion Worship
(Sunday School Superintendent/Teacher/Confirmation Leader, and Lay School Ministry Recognition)
Mondays in May: Pastor Gail’s Days Off
Tuesday, May 2:6:00 PM – St. Stephen/St. John Executive Boards Meet
Wednesday, May 3:6:30 PM – Confirmation
Thursday, May 4:1:00 PM – Quilting – work sessions are held in the church
basement on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays from October thru May from 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Saturday, May 6: 8:30 AM – Church Cleaning Day w/pizza to followFirst Day of Fishing Season
Sunday, May 7:
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10:30 PM Communion Worship
Tuesday, May 9:1:00 PM – Ladies’ Bible Study
Sunday, May 14: Mother’s DaySenior Graduate Recognition
Tuesday, May 16:6:00 PM – Women’s Salad Supper @ St. John
Wednesday, May 17:1:00 PM – Senior Day
Thursday, May 18:1:00 PM – Quilting
Friday and Saturday, May 19 and 20:St. Stephen Rummage Sale/Brat & Hot Dog SaleECSW Synod Assembly in Green Bay
Sunday, May 21:8:30 AM – Council Meeting10:30 AM – Communion Worship
Sunday, May 28:10:30 AM – Communion Worship
Monday, May 29: Memorial Day
AREA HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENTS:Saturday, May 20th @ 11:00 AM – Stratford High SchoolSaturday, May 20th @ 2;00 PM – Athens High SchoolFriday, May 26th @ 7:00 PM – Edgar High SchoolSunday, May 28th @ 2:00 PM – Marathon High School
PASTOR’S NUGGET – On Administrative Professional’s Day Pastor Gail took Rose out to lunch (It was Sherry’s birthday with other plans-so we have a raincheck). Accompanied by Louann, we went to Hu Hot (Mongolian barbeque in Rib Mountain), where we had a lovely and leisurely buffet. When at last it was time to leave, I asked the server to put the whole meal on one check. To our utter amazement she said she couldn’t do that, because our check had already been paid. We have no idea who the gentleman was, or why he chose to treat three people to lunch – the bill was over $30. The server didn’t recognize him, but she said if he returns she’ll give him our thanks. Meanwhile, all we can do is pay it forward, with joy and thanksgiving.
BETHLEHEM MILAN & ST. JOHN “ HIGH STEEPLE” – large thrift sale-make an offer on all items – Thursday, Friday, Saturday, May 4-6 – 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. More info? Call 715-352-2888. Huge Estate Sale-next door to the Church at the home of Pastor Lambrecht. Free Cinco de Mayo Party for kids of all ages – May 5 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. Prizes, crafts, food, fun, dance. Wear a party hat of any
sort! Bethlehem Church Blood Drive–Saturday, May 6, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Call 877-232-4376.
150 th ANNIVERSARY – St. John Lutheran Church, 486 CTH F, Hamburg, WI, is celebrating “God’s Grace: 150 Years & Counting, 1867-2017.
Former members/confirmands are invited to join in the 150 th
Anniversary celebration on Sunday, July 16, 2017, to renew old acquaintances and enjoy God’s blessings. Events include: reception, church service, dinner, possible Fromm’s tour, cemetery walk, museum, and more.
Dinner reservation tickets are $13.00 per person (under 5 free) – no later than June 30th. Blank reservation forms are on the back bulletin board to complete and return to St. John directly with address, number of attendees, and payment.
ALI PARIS IN CONCERT gifted Palestinian musicianFriday, May 5th - 7:30PM
UW Marathon County Center for Civic Engagement Theater $15.00 Reserved Seats715-362-6000 www.WXPR.orgAuditoriumBenefit for Augusta Victoria Hospital
EDGAR SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE PARK – sponsored by the Edgar Fine Arts Association:July 27 – Keith Allynn will perform “Not Really Willy!!”August 3 – KT CountryAugust 10 – Steve “Shoes” SchumackerAugust 17—Acoustic country by Rod Parsons
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WISCONSIN WOODCHUCKS BASEBALL - baseball season is right around the corner, and it is not too early to start planning if St. Stephen wants an outing with the Wisconsin Woodchucks in 2017. What do you think? Share your thoughts!
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MAY, 2017MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
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Pastor Gail’s Day Off
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6:00 PMSt. Stephen/St. John Executive Committees’ Meeting
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6:30 PMConfirmation
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1:00 PMQuilting
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8:30 AMChurch Cleaningw/Pizza Lunch
7 4th Sunday of Easter
NO Sunday School10:30 AM Communion Worship
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Pastor Gail’s Day Off
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1:00 PM
10 11 12 13
14 5th Sunday of Easter MOTHER’S DAY
10:30 AM Communion WorshipGraduate Recognition
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Pastor Gail’s Day Off
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6:00 PMWomen’s Salad Supper@ St. John’s
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1:00 PMSenior Day
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1:00 Quilting
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Edgar Garage St. Stephen
ECSW Synod
2011:00 AMStratford HighCommencement
2:00 PMAthens HighCommencement
SalesRummage Sale/Brat-Hot DogSale
Assembly
21 6th Sunday of Easter
8:30 AM – Council Meeting10:30 AM – Communion Worship
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Pastor Gail’s Day Off
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Ascension Day
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7:00 PMEdgar HighCommencement
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Pastor Gail’sBirthday
28 7th Sunday of Easter
10:30 AM – Communion Worship
2:00 PM Marathon HighCommencement
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MEMORIAL DAY
Pastor Gail’s Day Off
30 31 JUNE 1
7:00 PMCommunityEcumenicalWorship in Oak Street Park
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EDGAR VOLUNTARY FIRE DEPARTMENT CARNIVAL
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7:00-11:00 AMSt. John ELCADairy Breakfast @ Oak Street Park
CARNIVAL CONTINUES