January Newsletter from Spirit Alive Church

January, 2017

Reach-Connect-Grow-Serve

We see a welcoming family, living the Gospel of Grace. We see a family where people can safely seek, question, and be revived. We see a family energized by the Spirit alive in our midst.

January, 2017 -
Pastor's Post

By Pastor Jennifer

Isaiah 40:28-31 (NCV)

28 Surely you know. Surely you have heard. The Lord is the God who lives forever, who created all the world. He does not become tired or need to rest. No one can understand how great his wisdom is. 29 He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak. 30 Even children become tired and need to rest, and young people trip and fall.
31 But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.

Once again, the Jews are in captivity. The rich have been taken away to Babylon. The poor are left behind to intermix with the incoming Babylonians, and become a half-breed of sorts. It has been a long couple hundred years full of conflict with other nations that has now culminated in the Babylonians taking over. The Israelites are weary. Death is always a possibility. Living under the Babylonians means hard work, low compensation and lack of food. They are sick and tired and ready for God, their superhero, to come and take away the struggle.

So, Isaiah the prophet offers these words of hope... Those who trust in God will be strong again. They will rise up. Everyday tasks won't cause the bone-deep weariness. God is bigger and not limited to our limits. Staying faithful to God, we can see the hope of God's vision of a better future.

I'm writing this as another celebrity has died in 2016. These deaths are just one more reminder that life is fragile and staying faithful to God is so important. Trusting God keeps us focused on the hope and vision that only comes from God alone.

As we enter 2017, may the promise of hope from God keep us strong in faith, and ready for the challenges of our world.

From Our Synod...

Check out the website for the ELCA Milwaukee Synod to view the upcoming events. https://milwaukeesynod.org/

Small Groups and Teams

Consider joining one of our on-going small groups that are always open:

Wine and Women - Leader Roxann Crabb, Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month, at 7:00 p.m.

Koinonia - Leader Donna Johnson, Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Donna Jensen's home. (Koinonia means "Christian fellowship.")

Messy Spirituality - Leader Donna Johnson, Meets the 3rd Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Donna Jensen's home.

Fab 50 Fellowship - Leader Corlis Hachey,

Fab 50 Fellowship meets the second Thursday of each month at a local restaurant at 6 p.m. for food and fellowship. For information, contact Corlis Hachey at [email protected] or on Spirit Alive! website under small groups.

Quilt Club -The Quilt Club is looking for people experienced in sewing to make quilts for those in need of extra prayers and for baptisms. Meeting times are flexible and sewing may also be done on your own at home.

For information see Corlis Hachey after church service

or email at [email protected].

First Impressions - We know that first impressions are important and Spirit Alive wants to welcome ALL people and let nothing get in the way of that. Everything from Greeters to Ushers to Information Table to following up with guests...this team is a BIG part of welcoming God's people on Sunday morning. There are many tasks to be accomplished, but even if you simply want to be a friendly face and a welcoming smile, then let us know and join the 1st Impressions effort!

Care Team -

A big part of our walk with God is caring for each other. The Care Team visits members in their homes, the hospital and wherever they need us to offer spiritual support, prayer and communion. Are you interested in learning how to care for others in a Christian Community in this way? Maybe God is calling you to this ministry but you don't know how to start. Join US! Your care team members are ... Carl Johnson, Donna Johnson, Donna Jensen, Jaime Santiago, Joan Hisel, Karen Thomas. For all spiritual care requests please call Donna Johnson at 262.605.4830 or Karen Thomas at the office please call 262.658.2433 or [email protected].

NEW

FAITH5 Small group -

Join us as we practice 5 faith practices to help deepen our practice of faith. The scripture we use will be based on the scripture used each Sunday, and will help you talk together as a family/friend group. We will meet the first and third Sundays beginning January 22, at 10:45, in the Teacher's Lounge at PPE. Talk with Pastor Jennifer if you have any further questions.

S chedule for Youth Group

BREW: Sunday mornings - 8:15ish at Starbucks: resumes January 15

ChAngent/Adultish: Youth Group meets on Thursday evenings at Donna Johnson's house, 6:30-7:45 pm for Middle School,
7:30-8:45 pm for Adultish. Both resume January 12.
Questions: [email protected]

Good Friday Rehearsals begin Sunday, January 22, 6 p.m. at St. Mary's Lutheran Church.

Communion Small Group

Do you wish your child had some education about communion? Has it been a long time since you have learned about communion, and you want to refresh its meaning? Pastor Jennifer will be offering a Sunday afternoon small group for all generations who wish to deepen their experience of communion. We will meet on Sunday, March 5 and 19 at 1 p.m. at St Paul's Lutheran Church. Those wishing to receive communion for the first time will be invited to receive a prayer and blessing on Thursday, April 13, 2017, Maundy Thursday.

Talk Back

On January 15, SALT (Spirit Alive Leadership Team) will host a talk back. Where are we year to date? What are we working on in the future? Meet at 10:45 in the Teacher's Lounge, at PPE.

Vision for Shared Space Team
(V4SST)

On January 8 the V4SST (Stan Livermore, Sean Hayes, Christina Oldani and Pastor Jennifer) will share their progress today and allow you to ask questions. Meet at 10:45 in the Teacher's Lounge, at PPE.

Looking Back...

During the past 6 months, much has happened in our life together at Spirit Alive.

In September we...

Held a fall brunch and small group launch
Held the ELCA Outreach Center Block Party where we served over 220 people with food, shoes, worship, and God's love and grace
Explored adding a paid sound tech

In October we...

Welcomed a new member
Voted to add a paid sound tech
Began our 10th Anniversary with a church picnic

In November we...

Celebrated our 10th Anniversary by welcoming past preachers: Rev. Carl Johnson, Rev. Larry Harpster, Rev. Jim Niederloh, and Rev. Rob Zahn
Celebrated our 10th Anniversary with our "10 in 10" challenge," blessing many people with your generosity
Began conversations with St. Paul's about sharing space

Looking to the next 6 months, we will....

Have a conversation and vote about officially becoming an LGBTQ welcoming congregation
Have more conversation about sharing space with St. Paul's
Celebrate Lent and Easter
Prepare budgets and a ministry plan for 2017-2018

It will be great to see what God does in our congregation and community.

Weather Emergencies

Wondering when we will cancel worship?

This is good time to remind everyone what happens if the weather or other emergencies would cause us to cancel our Sunday morning worship. We will post our closing on our web site, our Facebook page and on Fox 6 news. If you have any questions please contact Pastor Jennifer.