Volume 76 - Number 2 February 2014

Kingo Lutheran Church • Established 1909 Pr. Wendy Wirth-Brock Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pastorwwb@kingo.org

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Just about now during January (especially this year, with all the

snow and subzero temps we’ve experienced), I begin to wonder

whether winter will ever end. Even a native Wisconsinite like

me, amply-equipped with heavy wool sweaters, can get sick of

shivering, slogging through mush, and driving to and from work

in the dark. Will spring ever come?

We can also feel that way in some of life’s tougher seasons –

seasons of loss, change and grief. Will I ever feel better after

my wife died? Will I ever get used to a dramatic drop in

income? Will I ever recover a sense of purpose in the midst of

an unsuccessful job search? Will my illness ever end? When

will life turn toward renewal?

When our hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain (to quote a

hymn), we’re invited to receive the promise of renewal written

in Scripture. “I am confident,” Paul says to the beleaguered

Philippians, “that God will bring you the springtime you seek.

God herself will complete what you only now dream about.

New life will come. So take heart – joy will come again. For

people who live from the hope of the empty tomb, that is the

sure promise of the gospel.”

Yet while the Scriptures announce the good news of renewal,

they do so while acknowledging the present pain we experience.

The hymn I quoted above is Now the Green Blade Rises. It’s

one of my favorite Easter hymns because while it proclaims the

good news of God’s ever-renewing love for us, it does so in a

tone that reflects the mood of late January. Now the Green

Blade Rises isn’t a peppy Easter hymn – it’s sung in a late-

January key that reflects where we often find ourselves in life –

in the time right before dawn, when sunrise seems a long way

off. Yet, while it acknowledges the darkness of life, this plain-

tive hymn also lifts up the ever-renewing love of God, which

springs from the grave in Jesus and promises to reanimate our

lives.

So if you are wondering where to look for a promise of renewal

that also honors your struggles, look to the Scriptures. Read

Philippians (Paul wrote it when he was in prison). Pray the

Psalms – they’re full of honest lament as well as professions of

God’s goodness. Or read through the Easter hymns in our hymn

book. More surely than any meteorologist, they announce the

good news that spring is coming – because Jesus’ resurrection

from the dead promises renewal “when our hearts are wintry,

grieving or in pain.”

Reflection verses for the month:

“ 3I thank my God

every time I remember

you, 4constantly praying

with joy in every one of

my prayers for all of you, 5because of your sharing

in the gospel from the

first day until now. 6I am

confident of this, that

the one who began a

good work among you

will bring it to

completion by the day of

Jesus Christ.”

~ Philippians 1:3-6

A Few Words from Pastor Wendy

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Carolyn Karl Director of Cross+Generational Ministry

Kingo Youth Attending SWAG Retreat Jan. 31 — Feb. 2 Every year the Greater Milwaukee Synod offers a retreat for high school students, young adult servant companions, and adult leaders from across the Synod for growing in faith, building relationships across the wider Church, and renewal to be sent out into the world to share the light of Christ. It is a weekend of fun, singing, worship, and being the Church together. This year, Kingo is sending nine high school youth and two adult leaders. We will gather as a large group for high-energy worship and thought-provoking speakers. Small groups will be led by young adults (18-25 yrs. old) to dive deeper into the Word and into relationships together. Each night, congregational groups will have time as a group to reflect and pray with one another. It’s a weekend of being in commu-nity together! The retreat theme – Journey – is based on Exodus 33:14:

“God said, ‘My presence will go with you. I’ll see the journey to the end.”

Women’s Retreat @ Kingo Sat., Feb. 22

9:00 am — 3:00 pm

Each time we walk in the door... Each person we meet... When we sing that song again... When we say those words... Read those words... Hear these stories...

We re-encounter God.

In the word.

In our prayer.

In our actions.

In each other.

You are invited to join with the women of Kingo and Lake Park Lutheran Churches as we re-encounter our faith during a Saturday Women’s retreat on Feb. 22. Pastor Kerstin from Lake Park and Carolyn Karl, Kingo's Director of Cross+Generational Ministry, will facilitate the retreat.

The cost is $30 and includes breakfast and lunch.

Register by Feb. 16.

Forms available in the Narthex and online (www.kingo.org)

and can be turned into the Church Office or Carolyn Karl’s church mailbox.

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Kingo’s All -Congregation

Pasta Dinner, Silent Auction & Talent Show!

Saturday, March 1 5:00 PM

Something for every one of every age!

Mark your calendar now for Saturday, March 1!

Kingo’s doors will open at 5:00 pm for a

silent auction, pasta dinner and talent show.

This is community building at its best, with good food, a good project,

and a good opportunity to know other Kingo members and friends better while having fun!

All proceeds will go towards youth servant experiences.

Plan on attending! Invite friends, neighbors and family to enjoy an evening

in Kingo’s welcoming community.

To donate auction items and/or to sign up for the talent show,

contact Director of Cross+Generational Ministry, Carolyn Karl

(crossgen@kingo.org or 414.520.3020 call/text).

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Shalom Circle Bible Study Thurs., 2/6 • 1 pm Tanzania Room This month we read about three

women in Scripture:

Abigail, wife of Nabal, in

1st Samuel 25:1-42

Mary and Martha in

Luke 10:25-42

The author describes them as

calm and careful in risky situa-

tions . . .

well, maybe not Martha!

Join us on the 6th to learn more.

Coffee will be served —

YOU ARE WELCOME!

Kingo Book Club Sun., 2/23 • 7 pm People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks This historical fiction novel is

inspired by the true story of the

Sarajevo Haggadah, one of the

oldest surviving illuminated

Hebrew manuscripts. Join

Kingo’s Book Club as they

follow the journey the book

takes through five centuries of

history. Told in reverse chrono-

logical order, the story follows

the Haggadah backward in time

as it travels across Europe from

war-torn Sarajevo to the book's

origins in Muslim-ruled,

medieval Spain.

Curt & Connie Fowler will host

the discussion in their home,

2718 E. Beverly Rd. in

Shorewood.

Open our Faith Doors 2014-2015 Stewardship Appeal

Come and experience the joy of giving and living for God when you answer the knock at your door. Here’s what’s coming in the next few weeks:

Feb. 2 Door to the Congregation Featuring Kingo Bingo and Care Co-Op sign-up during fellowship.

Feb. 9 Door to the Community Play the Faith Figures game and stroll through our Blessings Fair.

Feb. 16 Commitment Sunday How will you respond to the Holy Spirit knocking on the door of your heart?

Can a stewardship appeal really be this much fun?! By now you’ve noticed that this annual stewardship appeal is NOT your grandmother’s stewardship program. We pray that you will hear the knocking on your faith door and respond in one of the many ways open to you.

“Listen, I am standing at the door knocking…” Rev. 3:20

Stewardship Team: Aleta Chossek, Lauren Benson, Stacey Davis, Pastor Wendy, Evelyn Burdick and Linda Jacobi-Miller

DISCIPLESHIP: Money & GracEconomics

by Parish Administrator Danette Braun

Money only has value when it is exchanged for something else.

(Eric H. F. Law, Holy Currencies, 2013)

When registering for Holy Currencies

training last summer, we had our first

exposure to GracEconomics. The online

form included a field to enter the registra-

tion fee, which was pre-filled with “0.00”

with instructions to enter an offering

between $0-$1,000. I wasn’t sure what to

enter so I called to ask exactly how much to enter for the one-week

workshop. The response was, “We ask that you pay according to your

ability, as close to the upper range as you are able so that others who

have little financial resources can also attend.” What?? But the work-

shop was about sustainable ministries. How can an organization sus-

tain its operations without the ability to quantify income and ensure that

costs are recovered?

Well, we suspended our doubts and played by their rules. What we

came to understand during that week of training is that valuing our (Continued on page 6)

Cycle of Blessings

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Travel to Africa with Greater Milwaukee Synod ELCA Is going to Africa someday on your “list”?

Are you curious about the vibrant faith of our global partners in Tanzania?

Is God calling you to connect ministry at home with mission in Tanzania?

Consider joining Kingo member Aleta Chossek in September 2014 as she leads a

Synod-wide delegation to our partners in Meru, Tanzania. More information will be

available soon in the Sunday bulletins or contact Aleta with your questions

(414.690.8580 or achossek@gmail.com).

Want more adventure? Join Walt Chossek climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro: same dates, more hiking!

Don’t wait — get on the list of interested parties now!

resources only in terms of dollars places restrictions

on the ability to be a sustainable ministry.

GracEconomics, on the other hand, is a less static,

less linear mode of operation. Instead of assigning a

number value to measure worth, that which is

offered in trade determines value — such as growing

relationships, truth, gracious leadership, access to

time and place, and individual and community well-

ness. These exchanges create dynamic ministries in

which human, spiritual and economic resources are

constantly flowing in, out and through the organiza-

tion. The result is a ministry that is inclusive and

fully engaged with the wider community. Hmmm . .

. sounds a little warm and fuzzy. And kind of evan-

gelistic. Can this really work?

We’ve recently experimented with GracEconomics.

Here’s what happened.

In December a local high school used the Sanctuary

for a concert and reception. Normally, tenants pay a

pre-determined fee for use of Kingo’s space. For the

high school, however, a donation amount was

suggested. The event brought over 100 community

members into Kingo. Thanks to gracious hospitality

from several Kingo members and staff, as well as a

warm and welcoming space, the group surprised us

with a donation that was 2 ½ times the suggested

amount. Relationships developed, community well-

ness was enhanced through the arts, and this group is

likely to bring this community event back to Kingo

next year.

Last November the local chapter of La Leche

League was looking for a new place to hold monthly

meetings. Their members pay minimal dues which

are used to pay copying and postage costs only. No

funds were available to pay rent. With some crea-

tive collaboration, we determined that we needed

help cleaning nursery toys on a regular basis and

their members could provide the time and labor in

exchange for use of the space. In addition, we’ve

been able to facilitate connections between La Leche

League, the Nursery School and the Well-Rounded

Childbirth and Yoga classes that meet at Kingo, fos-

tering relationships and wellness in our place.

GracEconomics differs radically from the usual

systems of trading goods and services. It allows us

to view money as just another means of trade, while

elevating the value of the Church’s real wealth —

The truth of God’s grace.

The ability to nurture spiritual, physical and

emotional health in the community.

An environment for developing gracious leaders

both within the church and in the wider

community.

A sacred space that is open and welcoming to all.

GracEconomics opens us to truly live in God’s abun-

dant love through Jesus Christ, trusting as the early

Christians did (Acts 2:44-47): 44All who believed were together and had

all things in common; 45they would sell

their possessions and goods and distribute

the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day

by day, as they spent much time together in

the temple, they broke bread at home and

ate their food with glad and generous

hearts, 47praising God and having the

goodwill of all the people. And day by day

the Lord added to their number those who

were being saved.

(Continued from page 5)

Hold a true

friend with

both

hands.

~ African proverb

Unable to serve on your scheduled date(s)?

Please trade and notify Danette in the office. SERVER SCHEDULES

Have a vacation or event planned for a future date?

Let us know and we’ll schedule around it. (kingo@kingo.org / 414.964.2620)

February February 2

Presentation of our Lord

February 9

Epiphany 5

February 16

Epiphany 6

February 23

Epiphany 7

Deacon Aleta Chossek Mary Lou Zuege Stacey Davis Randy Hoth

Sub-Deacon Curt Fowler Steve Jacobi Miranda Jacobi Linda Jacobi-Miller

Acolyte Nathan Karl Andrew Jack Sydney Jacobi Lilly Neilson

Cantor Dave Drews Steven Zittergruen Ellen Greever Pam Wronski

Lector-1st

Lesson Dan Martinson Lisa Zittergruen Michael Schindhelm Lois Wolf

Lector-2nd

Lesson Debby Hughes John Mahony Sydney Smith Bob Bresee

Alternate Sara Kruschke Sara Krushcke Dick Merklein Dick Merklein

Greeters Barb Loberg

Smith Family

Jeanne Larsen

Leisso/Turner Family

Dick & Karen Merklein Marion Albritton

Bob Bresee

Ushers Dick Merklein

Steve Karl

Bob Bresee Dan Martinson Alec Jacobi

Steve Jacobi

Fellowship Host Pam Wronski Bonnie Kindschi Evelyn Burdick Stacey Davis

Lauren Benson

March March 2

Transfiguration

March 9

Lent 1

March 16

Lent 2

March 23

Lent 3

March 30

Lent 4

Deacon Lisa Zittergruen Miranda Jacobi Lyle Einerson Walt Chossek John Mahony

Sub-Deacon Debby Hughes Curt Fowler Stacey Davis Randy Hoth Mary Lou Zuege

Acolyte Nathan Karl Eli Miller Sydney Jacobi Andrew Jack Kevin Karl

Cantor Alexa Doebele Joe Simon Evelyn Burdick Dave Drews Randy Hoth

Lector-1st

Lesson Ellen Greever Dick Merklein Barb Loberg Curt Fowler Debby Hughes

Lector-2nd

Lesson Dave Drews Sara Kruschke John Mahony Aleta Chossek Steve Karl

Alternate Pam Wronski Pam Wronski Pam Wronski Mike Schindhelm Mike Schindhelm

Greeters Lois Wolf

Benson/Davis

Smith Family

Jeanne Larsen

Karen Merklein

Melissa McCorkle

Jacobi-Millers

Barb Loberg

Dick Merklein

Naeger/Schindhelms

Usher Steve Karl Dan Martinson Dick Merklein Greg Brock Lois Wolf

Fellowship Host (Soup Lunches begin March 9)

Stacey Davis

Lauren Benson

Jeanne Larsen

Jackie Davit

Evelyn Burdick

Aleta Chossek

Kathy Hoth

Linda Jacobi-Miller

Connie Fowler

Bonnie Kindschi

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KINGO OFFICE HOURS 9:00 am — noon

Monday through Friday

(Please call in advance for afternoon visits / deliveries.)

SUNDAY MORNINGS: 9:00 am FAITH 5 for ALL 9:30 am Choir Rehearsal 10:00 am Worship 11:30 am Fellowship

Visit www.kingo.org for complete calendar of events. Italicized activities are community based.

WFB-Shorewood Nurs. School M-F 8:30am-noon, unless otherwise noted.

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B I R T H D AY S 6 Sara Leisso

9 Tom Kindschi

10 Anthony Jack

17 Jeanne Larsen

17 Al Lawent

20 Nina Turner

21 Debby Hughes

26 David Jones

27 Dodee Sumner

28 Marion Albritton

28 Alexa Doebele

(Please contact the Church Office

with corrections.)

Baptism . . . Baptism Anniversaries will

be celebrated in worship on:

February 2 —

Andrew Jack

Alec Jacobi

Miranda Jacobi

Sara Leisso

John Mahony

Grayson Schindhelm

Beverly Swanson

Dear Kingo Congregation,

Thank you for your generous Christmas gift! I was

humbled to be so remembered. While I’ve not yet chosen

how to use it, I will choose something that reminds me

of your love and faithfulness.

Thank you for another blessed year as your pastor!

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Wendy

In Our Prayers Please remember in prayer:

Mary Behrendt Rhody Sorensen

Ginny Connor Joanne Strommen

Wendy Lee Cooper Dodee Sumner

Al Green Pam Wronski

Gail Povey

• Rohan Michael Schindhelm, born Dec. 22 to Jennifer Naeger and

Mike Schindhelm. Proud grandmother is Trish Naeger.

• Beulah Clements, born to eternal life on Dec. 31. Sister of

Beverly Swanson.

• Lilliana Lucente and family

Kingo Prayer Chain Requests:

Debby Hughes

414.964.3277 / hugs@wi.rr.com

Save the Date:

Spring Yard Clean Up for Shorewood Connects

May 3, 2014

Questions? Contact Kathy Stokebrand kathystokebrand@yahoo.com,

414-963-4854

Nicolet High School Theater presents:

The Drowsy Chaperone (music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison)

February 14/15 & 21/22 All performances begin at

7:30 PM.

Tickets: $10

(reserved seating)

Voicemail Reservations:

414-351-8174

Kingo’s own Morgan Karl will play the role of

Broadway star Janet van de Graaff!

Church Council Karl Stuen, President

Sara Kruschke, President Elect

Randy Hoth, Secretary

Members-at-Large:

Steve Jacobi John Mahony

Lauren Benson Lisa Zittergruen

Church Staff The Rev. Wendy Wirth-Brock

Carolyn Karl, Cross+Generational

Ministry Director

Maria Koester, Organist

Alexa Doebele, Interim Choir Director

Danette Braun, Parish Administrator

& Kingo Call Editor

Kingo Lutheran Church

1225 E. Olive Street

Shorewood, WI 53211

Mission: Kingo Lutheran Church is a community centered in the Good News of Jesus Christ and led by the Spirit to walk joyfully with our diverse world in living out God's life-giving inclusive love.

Sunday Worship: 10 AM

Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9AM-noon

Phone: 414.964.2620

Email: kingo@kingo.org

Website: www.kingo.org

KINGO LUTHERAN CHURCH

1225 E. OLIVE STREET

SHOREWOOD, WI 53211

address label

(fold here)

Kingo Call deadline:

February 17

Kingo’s Pasta Dinner, Silent Auction & Talent Show!

Saturday, March 1 5:00 PM

Something for every one of every age!

(More information on page 3.)