When All Else Fails Miserably, Try the Means of Grace.

AC V has left a new comment on your post "Ripped from the Pages of FICKLE. The Latte Church ...":

“We’re trying to keep it from becoming the thing that turned a lot of people away from church."

Apparently what you became was what turned people off from church. So, what "outside the box" thinking, what novel approach is next? What lure are you going to use next to sucker people in (2 Corinthians 4:2)?

Do you think FICL would ever run a story like this:

St. Stephen Lutheran Church breaks ground for new sanctuary

Lutheran Book of Concord approach to ministry emphasizes the means of grace for growth.

"The Lutheran Confessions inform our philosophy of ministry," says Pr. Martin Philip. "We offer Holy Communion every Sunday service and private absolution is scheduled each Wednesday from 6:00-7:00pm."

Rather than try to reinvent the wheel, the congregation decided that the way Lutherans of the Reformation era described and carried out ministry should be the way they would carry out ministry today.

"We're not so concerned about numerical growth as we are just being faithful to proclaiming the gospel through Word and Sacrament," Pr. Philip said. "We are a liturgical church with all the 'smells and bells' you'd expect from a church that uses a liturgy. Actually, we're finding that that's what the un-churched feel most comfortable with. They're telling us that they were turned off by bad preaching, by the cross-less "how to" approach to Christian living, not by gowns and organ music. They want authentic worship that focuses on Christ and his gifts of forgiveness given through the sermon and sacrament."

The Divine Service at St. Stephen is Sunday at 10:30.

***

GJ - City and state? Address? Hints are welcome.

---

churchmousec (http://churchmousec.wordpress.com/) has left a new comment on your post "When All Else Fails Miserably, Try the Means of Gr...":

This sounds cool!

The only thing I could find was the contractors' site, Harmon Construction:

http://www.harmonconst.com/blog

http://www.harmonconst.com/breaking-ground-st-stephen-lutheran-church

'The groundbreaking event for St. Stephen Lutheran Church has been scheduled for Sunday April 1, 2012. The church will be getting a new sanctuary and we can't wait to get started!'

I'm assuming Missouri or Kansas (Harmon's location and project work).

There is a St Stephen's in Liberty, MO, and they have a contemporary service at 10:30, with a traditional one at 8:00. No news on their site, though, with regard to a new sanctuary.

http://www.ststephensliberty.org/pages/front/index.shtml

Churchmouse

---

AC V has left a new comment on your post "When All Else Fails Miserably, Try the Means of Gr...":

The church is fiction, but as Church Growth churches continue to go into epic fail, we can only pray that more churches like "St. Stephen" will - God willing - begin to spring up.

***

GJ - April 1 is a few days away, Acey. That was a good one. I have no doubts that a return to the Book of Concord and Luther would yield good results. But I also want to caution people that faithfulness itself is success, as the Holy Spirit wrote via Paul.


KJV 1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. 6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in
us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

WELS and the ELS Have Already Collapsed

Dark Helmet pretends that he is the chief of a real synod.
In fact, the Little Sect on the Prairie is the size of one ELCA circuit.

Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Trump's Son Also Hunts the Kudu Deer - Nature's Mo...":

(W)ELS has already collapsed. They are excommunicating those faithful to Christ's Gospel and the central article of Justification by Faith Alone. They are unified with the New Age Emergent apostates who are the lickspittle to Satan and the Antichrist. Jeske's ELCA, LCMS and (W)ELS mantra of "Change or Die" is not an option - it is a declaration. It is the mantra of the New Age Religion's pentecost. The putrid remains of synodical Lutheranism lacks the Faith and Discernment of the Holy Spirit to oppose it.

***

GJ - Yes, they have already collapsed, but they do not know it yet. They will know in 2017, when the 500th anniversary of the Reformation will be a debacle. Everyone will know it by then.

Ripped from the Pages of FICKLE. The Latte Church That Couldn't

CONGREGATION FINDS NEW WAY TO SHARE THE GOSPEL
One leadership, one vision, one plan for ministry, and one staff—but two church buildings. This is the new approach that St. Andrew, which now has sites in both Middleton and Waunakee, Wis., is trying to reach out to more people.

“[This multi-site approach] grew out of a vision that we gathered about three years ago now,” says Randy Hunter, pastor at St. Andrew. “We said, ‘We’re blessed with a new, beautiful facility, but we just know there are people that would never come here. So let’s get out of the building, go into the communities, and see if we can reach them in other ways.’ ”

After a two-year study, the congregation decided a satellite ministry might work. They also thought about different ways in which to present the gospel and came up with an approach that Hunter refers to as “casual about church; serious about God.”

“We studied our culture: its movement away from church and its movement toward community and the desire to get together at a café or a Starbucks,” says Hunter. “Our goal was to recreate that atmosphere and bring the gospel to it.”

St. Andrew looked at possibilities for its new satellite location, such as storefronts in area strip malls, but instead was able to acquire an existing church building.

How much synod and grant money has been wasted on this farce,
while others were struggling?

Hunter says that approximately 50 to 60 people attend each week, many of whom had not been attending any church. “Several families are very interested in growing in the faith with us and partnering with us,” says Hunter. “We’re trying to keep it from becoming the thing that turned a lot of people away from church. We’re trying to provide a casual atmosphere where you’re free to talk about what this means to you and how it applies to your life. We get the chance to give the same teaching that we do in any church, but just in a different setting.”

Hunter says this new venture is a great addition to St. Andrew’s services in Middleton, which features a more traditional liturgical style. The congregation has a thriving music ministry—more than 150 musicians and soloists perform throughout the year. The congregation also reaches out to Middleton and surrounding communities through its school, where more than 60 percent of the students are nonmembers.

“The most important thing is determining what it is going to take to reach people that aren’t coming to us,” says Hunter. “Anything that isn’t unbiblical is fair game. Let’s just try it! It’s up to our churches to step up and see what we can do to get the gospel out there.”

For more information, visit www.st-andrew-online.org.

The only problem was the interior didn’t match their “casual about church” approach. So the congregation hired a popular coffeehouse designer—coincidentally someone who didn’t attend church—and asked him to design the kind of place where he’d feel comfortable coming to hear about Jesus.

Slurp, slurp. Mmm. Need more fake cream in the latte.
How could this flop?

Hunter says the result looks and feels like a café, complete with chairs, couches, coffee tables, and coffee machines in the back. In the front of the room is a simple altar and a screen where Hunter’s prerecorded sermons are projected.

Their logo was a cross in a cup of coffee.
A WELS member changed the motto to fit the congregation's blasphemies.
Where were the leaders of the Milwaukee Sect?
The ELS?
Mequon? MLC?
Bethany Lutheran Seminary?

“After the sermon, the worship leader invites everyone to take a break, refresh their coffee, and get settled down in their chair or couch for a Bible study on the sermon text,” says Hunter. “If you think about what it would be like to have some people over to worship Jesus in your living room—that’s the atmosphere.”

---

AC V has left a new comment on your post "Ripped from the Pages of FICKLE. The Latte Church ...":

FAILURE:

"see if we can reach them in other ways"

"thought about different ways in which to present the gospel"

"casual about church; serious about God"

"We’re trying to keep it from becoming the thing that turned a lot of people away from church"

"casual atmosphere where you’re free to talk about what this means to you"

"Anything that isn’t unbiblical is fair game"

"looks and feels like a café"

"simple altar"

"screen where...prerecorded sermons are projected"

"worship Jesus in your living room—that’s the atmosphere."

Needs No Translation

Remember This When the Next List of Expert Speakers Comes Out at Martin Luther College

AC V has left a new comment on your post "Melancholy News from Latte Church":

Other reasons don't all carry the same weight, but contribute to the same conclusion:

Worship attendance has been steadily declining since we began five years ago, and for the past six months has been about 25. In our vision five years ago we anticipated a flourishing congregation of over 100 people by now.

http://www.st-andrew-online.org/ViewArticle.aspx?id=436

Or: God will not be mocked.

Like Whac-a-Mole, unfortunately Latte Lutheran will pop up someplace else in WELS.

---

Ministry change

March 14, 2012

At their February 28 meeting, the St. Andrew Planning Council decided to end our ministry through our Waunakee location. Despite five years of hard work, we are not reaching more people with the gospel of Jesus or bringing new people into our family of faith.  

Other reasons don't all carry the same weight, but contribute to the same conclusion:

• Worship attendance has been steadily declining since we began five years ago, and for the past six months has been about 25. In our vision five years ago we anticipated a flourishing congregation of over 100 people by now.
• We are not reaching new people in the community.
• Our called workers devote significant energy to this work. This is not a bad thing, but if it's not bearing fruit, it's not the best use of those resources.
• Our volunteers are being spreading thin (music, AV techs, hospitality, etc.).
• Ministry teams and team leaders are also spread thin between the two sites.
• We will be able to focus our God-given resources (both people and capital) toward other ministries.

We have learned from our Waunakee experience should we ever pursue another satellite ministry. A few lessons learned include: call a pastor dedicated only to the satellite ministry to spend a year or two developing the ministry through small groups in homes; find a facility that is more visible; develop a family and children's ministry along with a worship ministry from day one; separate the distance between the sites, and more. 

We are grateful for the hard work of so many willing followers of Christ. We pursued a ministry opportunity for five years with strength and dedication. Many people worked very hard from the beginning until now. The Spirit blessed those who served and those who were served. 

Services will be suspended in Waunakee following the Easter Sunday service. 

The Planning Council will propose in the 2012 –2013 Annual Plan for Ministry that the property be sold and those resources used elsewhere for our ministry. We will work with the Food Pantry to help them through this transition and keep them informed of the process.

Could we have tried other strategies and done more? Of course, but that's true of all endeavors. It was a difficult decision -- agonized over and prayed over-- but one which the Lord of the Church led the leaders he put in place here to make. 

Please feel free to contact members of our Executive Team, Pastor Schafer or Pastor Hunter if you wish to discuss this further.  They would be happy to listen to your thoughts and speak with you about this. 

Orv Jordahl, President, ojordahl@gmail.com
Todd Weston, Vice-President, tkhmweston@hotmail.com
Brad Hougaard, Secretary, hougaard@charter.net
Mark Solvrud, Treasurer, mlsolverud@nglic.com
Pastor Hunter, randy.hunter@st-andrew-online.org, (608) 831-8540
Pastor Schafer, newlin.schafter@st-andrew-online.org, (608) 831-8540

---


LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "Remember This When the Next List of Expert Speaker...":

What a pathetic lament. I remember the day when a WELS pastor would open the doors and turn on the lights for 2 or 3 for a Monday Vespers because they could not make it on Sundays. Even the Lord would have not destroyed S&G for the sake of 10 righteous. All I see in this article is how MEN tried to make this ministry work. Strategy this, develop that, market this, better location blah, blah, blah. When are these guys gonna realize what the success and true marks of the church are? It sounds like a failed business venture for crying out loud.

---

AC V has left a new comment on your post "Remember This When the Next List of Expert Speaker...":

Will FiCL do a follow-up story on Latte Lutheran on how it FAILED! By their own admission:

1) We are not reaching new people in the community. I thought that was the whole point of this radical non-Lutheran approach to worship/outreach! I thought they had done their research and found out that they fill a niche that no one else was filling. Didn't they find that the community was just bursting at the seams with de-churched people who were turned off by traditional church?

2) Our called workers devote significant energy to this work. This is not a bad thing, but if it's not bearing fruit, it's not the best use of those resources. Is the message here: "bottom line is the bottom line?"

3) Our volunteers are being spreading (sic) thin (music, AV techs, hospitality, etc.). Ministry teams and team leaders are also spread thin between the two sites. An organist and preacher would be enough for 25 people I would think. That's the inherent pitfall of this philosophy of ministry: it is a black hole that sucks the life out of your parish resources, i.e. money and manpower.

4) We will be able to focus our God-given resources (both people and capital) toward other ministries. Simply re-arranging the chairs on the Titanic.





---


Adolph Hoenecke has left a new comment on your post "Remember This When the Next List of Expert Speaker...":

Must suppress unholy glee! Must suppress unholy glee!

***

GJ - Suppression efforts - epic fail.

Elton Stroh Explains How He Managed To "Help" Waunakee - The Latte Church with the Female Pastor

Coffee Minister Minister of Worship

Rev. Kristen: "I say this with a full and complete understanding (and appreciation!) of the fact that the actual work is done by the Holy Spirit through the means of grace – but it is a great privilege and a great joy to be an instrument in ‘administering God’s grace’ in the form of worship gatherings."

http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2009/05/rev-kristen-administers-means-of-grace.html 


---

AC V has left a new comment on your post "Elton Stroh Explains How He Managed To "Help" Waun...":

At your 2009 post linked above, anonymous said:

St. Andrew is a great WELS congregation. Their Waunakee worship services are an excellent example of the 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 passages which close with these important words:
"...I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

NEVER did St. Paul design a "worship service" to accommodate the unbeliever. His "all things to all men" was for the sake of the elect. Re-read St. Paul's approach to evangelism: he always went to the local synagogue or place of prayer first whenever he entered a city. Even his Areopagus sermon seems to be more of an opportunity that presented itself than part of a long range "mission and vision" plan.

---

LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "Elton Stroh Explains How He Managed To "Help" Waun...":

I remember that bio of Kristin. I believe it got re-written shortly after it appeared on Ichabod. 

The Blighted and Blighting Finger of Elton Stroh Touches Another WELS Congregation

posted March 14, 2012

Ministry change

The St. Andrew Planning Council has decided to end our ministry through our Waunakee location.

Worship

Our worship is Bible-based and Christ-centered, blending ancient and modern music and following a simple liturgical path: Gathering, Word, Thanksgiving and Sending. We offer four opportunities for worship each weekend: Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. in Waunakee only, and Sundays at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.

Adult spiritual growth

God invites us to be fed by his Word both individually and together with other Christians. St. Andrew's Growth Groups exist to encourage individual growth and growth together. Growth Groups are groups of 10-15 people that:

• Meet every week or two to study God's Word, encourage one another, and pray with and for each other.
• Look for an opportunity to serve together through volunteer service once every couple of months.

Groups often have a common element, such as stage of life (20-somethings, young families, empty nesters), but also can be a mix of people. Groups form three times a year (April, August, and December). Group meeting times include Sunday mornings during the Sunday Education Hour (9:20-10:10 a.m.) at the Middleton campus. Other times and places are available during the week. A description of the topics, times, and places for the next round of growth groups starting in January 2012 is availablehere .

During the months that Growth Groups form (April, August, and December), St. Andrew also offers a large group Bible study during the Sunday education hour.

Family and intergenerational ministries

St. Andrew exists to support rather than replace the family as the main source of faith instruction. To foster generations working and growing together, we provide:

• Parents Equipped to Teach (parent-led faith-building instruction for junior high teens)
• Other special events throughout the year

Marriage

Married couples need to set aside time to refocus and prioritize. We provide marriage retreats, groups and workshops to help you see God's hand in your marriage so far and discover how you can glorify him through your relationship in the future.

Getting married? Join us for our one day pre-marriage workshop, Saturday, March 17. Learn more and register.

Already married? Join us for our next Marriage Enrichment Weekend.

Women's ministry

As Christian women, we gather around God's Word in order that we might grow in faith, encourage one another and reach out to others with the Gospel. Through Christ, we give ourselves for service to our Lord, our families, our church and our community. Our women's ministry offers Bible studies, an annual retreat and other opportunities throughout the year.

Join us for our 2012 women's retreat, March 16-18, in Delavan. Learn more and print the registration form. 

Children's ministries

Our children's ministry is designed to assist parents in fulfilling their God-given responsibility to raise their children to know and love Jesus. We do that in multiple ways with the help of a talented, enthusiastic crew of staff and volunteers. Sunday Education Hour (weekly at 9:20 a.m. at Middleton) and summer Vacation Bible School lessons are designed to help kids get to know Jesus, and learning is reinforced with games, art, drama and music. Westside Christian School offers full-time Christian education.

Youth

The purpose of our youth ministry is to encourage spiritual growth and Christian fellowship among junior high and high school age youth. The hope is to encourage youth in the habits of daily Bible reading and prayer, and to help them build friendships with other Christian young people. Youth are also encouraged to help out in other St. Andrew ministries by sharing music or readings in worship, helping with computer and audiovisual work, or assisting with programs for younger children.

Westside Christian School

Westside Christian School is a ministry of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, offering a high-quality, Christian education for children in pre-school through eighth grade. Our school is mission oriented, offering enrollment to the community without regard to church membership. We challenge students to maximize their God-given talents as individuals and with one another by teaching and reinforcing Christian values. Critical components to Westside's success include high standards and achievement, fostered in a caring Christian environment where the needs of the whole child are met academically, socially, physically, and spiritually. Professional, experienced teachers who are life-long learners work closely with students and partner with parents to educate and equip their children for an ever changing world. For more information, visit Westside's web site.

Serving others

Sharing Jesus' love with others is an important part of living your faith. The Love of Christ (TLC) Team is a group of individuals who desire to show mercy to people in difficult situations, and to help others pursue opportunities to show mercy. The Waunakee Food Pantry resides in the lower level of our Waunakee location and through it we strive to serve the community with both physical and spiritual food.

Crossroads Consulting Ministry

Crossroads Consulting is a ministry of St. Andrew Lutheran Church that provides assistance to WELS congregations throughout the country. Crossroads focuses on assisting God's people with pursuing his mission by offering both a comprehensive and streamlined ministry planning process. Each of these approaches is custom designed around the needs and desires of client congregations and includes an analysis of current reality, the development of short- and long-range ministry goals, and strategic implementation. Special services (e.g. organizational realignment, conflict management, team-building) are also provided. Pastor Elton Stroh serves as the Executive Director of Crossroads.  For an executive summary and answers to frequently asked questions, visit Crossroads Consulting's web site.

Randy Hunter, Church and Change - the Amazing Shrinking Machine.

The Writing Is on the Wall

http://www.st-andrew-online.org/Newsletter.aspx

posted March 14, 2012

Ministry change

The St. Andrew Planning Council has decided to end our ministry through our Waunakee location.

Randy Hunter - Pastor
Kristen Koepsell - Minister of Worship
David Hochmuth - Minister of Spiritual Growth
Elton Stroh - Pastor/Crossroads Consulting
Newlin Schafer - Pastor

Randy Hunter - Pastor

Family: Married to Karen (Janke) for 24 years. Three children, Philip, Paige and Jack.

Education: B.A. from Northwestern College ('81), M.Div. from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary ('85)

Hobbies: Sailing, raquetball, walking with Karen, reading, writing

Quote: What do churches and snowflakes have in common? It's not the color. It's not always the beauty. It's that both are one-of-a-kind.

If you've visited a few churches you know all about it. The music, style, people, architecture, strengths and weaknesses are different from one to the next. God made it that way...He loves variety. At St. Andrew we're glad for that. It helps keeps "church" from becoming what it should never be: boring.

One thing, though, that never changes: God. He is. He just is. In His Word we find the unchanging solid things for life. It's a place to stand, a place of retreat and a place from which to launch. That, too, keeps church alive.

We invite you to discover both with us: God's changing church and God's changeless truths. We're curious also about your response. See, we've discovered people are like snowflakes, too!

Contact Pastor Hunter

Kristen Koepsell - Minister of Worship

As Staff Minister of Worship, Kristen is responsible for planning and implementing all worship opportunities at St. Andrew. She also oversees the large corps of worship volunteers who serve in many and varied capacities each week. Music is the largest part of the worship ministry at St. Andrew, but the worship ministry also includes lay readers, dramatic and visual arts, hospitality ministries and audio/visual tech support. Kristen works with Pastor Hunter to study biblical worship principles and practices, evaluate current worship practices at St. Andrew, and define future directions for St. Andrew's worship ministry.

Kristen has been involved in worship ministry since she began singing in church with her Sunday school class at four years old, and greatly enjoys carrying on that part of her family's legacy. She graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2003 with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Communication and Theology, and is currently pursuing Staff Ministry certification from Martin Luther College. When she's not writing services or running rehearsals, Kristen spends her time reading (her favorites being science fiction, classic literature and contemporary non-fiction), playing piano, writing music, running, and staying connected with friends and family.

Contact Kristen Koepsell

David Hochmuth - Minister of Spiritual Growth

As Minister of Spiritual Growth, Dave oversees many aspects of the congregation having to do with education and service to others. Prior to entering fulltime ministry, Dave was a civil engineer for 26 years. Having spent a significant portion of his life as a layperson, Dave understands the challenges of people trying to juggle multiple priorities and still keep Jesus as the central focus of their lives. He also brings to his ministry a love for God’s Word and sharing its truths with others.

By way of biographical information, Dave was born in Tucson, Arizona, and grew up in Santa Clara, California. The first time through college he attended the University of California - Davis, graduating with a degree in engineering. He then attended graduate school at Colorado State in Ft. Collins, Colorado, graduating with a Master's degree in civil engineering. In 2003, he reentered college in the Staff Ministry certification program at Martin Lutheran College, New Ulm, Minnesota. He completed his certification in 2006.

In 1989, Dave married Mary Held, a graduate of then Dr. Martin Luther College. Mary currently serves as a teacher at Westside Christian School. After their marriage, God blessed the Hochmuths with three children: Esther, Sarah, and Andrew. They moved to Cross Plains, Wisconsin, to begin serving St. Andrew in 2007.

Contact Dave Hochmuth

Elton Stroh – Pastor/Crossroads Consulting

As Executive Director of Crossroads Consulting Ministry, Elton invests much of his time assisting WELS congregations with ministry planning and responding to other requests. Trained and experienced lead consultants (including Pastor Hunter), as well as associate consultants assist with this ministry on a part-time basis. Prior to launching Crossroads, Elton served as a parish pastor and directed WELS Parish Assistance – a consulting ministry that became a blessing to about 500 congregations. He also conducted the Turnaround Churches in the WELS research project.

Elton received a B.A. degree from Northwestern College ('74), a M.Div. degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary ('78), and is currently enrolled in a D.Min. program (leadership and ministry management). He is married to Gail, a horticulturist employed at The Bruce Company. Both were raised on farms and enjoy the outdoors. Elton and Gail have two married children, a fantastic daughter- and son-in-law, and eight grandchildren. One family resides in Pewaukee and the other in Wauwatosa, which makes family gatherings fairly convenient.

Contact Pastor Stroh
Visit Crossroads Consulting’s web site

Newlin Schafer – Pastor

Newlin was assigned to St. Andrew after graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary; so he is pleased to call St. Andrew his first congregation. He was born to David and Geraldine Schafer and raised on a small farm outside of Allegan, Michigan. He has five siblings (two brothers, three sisters).

He attended Michigan Lutheran Seminary, graduating in 2003. He received his Bachelor of the Arts Degree from Martin Luther College in 2007 and his Masters of Divinity from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in May of 2011.

Newlin's hobbies include singing, writing, music arrangement, playing trombone, theater, reading, cooking, racquetball, and swimming.

Newlin's ministry at St. Andrew will be a division between both the Middleton and Waunakee campuses. In additional to typical pastoral duties, he will be developing among us a greater awareness of spiritual gifts and our opportunities to use them. As the year progresses, he will transition to an emphasis on the ministry through our Waunakee campus. He welcomes all guest and visitors to join God's flock gathered at St. Andrew for worship and study as the Lord opens up the truth of his love for us and what that means for us now and always.

Contact Pastor Schafer

Waunakee WELS Latte Church - Loved by WELS. Rejected by God.

Randy Hunter - How much has been spent on this fiasco?

Waunakee campus Casual about Church; Serious about God--that's the motto of our more informal worship in Waunakee each Saturday evening. Enjoy Bible readings, a sermon video, songs and prayer while gathered around couches, tables and chairs. Children are invited to Bible lessons and activities during the sermon video. Following the sermon, worshipers participate in a discussion. Our Saturday gatherings last about an hour and fifteen minutes. Read more and see pictures of Waunakee campus. Note: Although Woodland Drive is under construction (expected to last until September) our Waunakee campus is still accessible on Woodland Drive from the west.
Worship: Saturday, 5:00 p.m.	5757 Emerald Grove Lane Waunakee, Wisconsin 53597 Phone: (608) 831-8540

Melancholy News from Latte Church

posted March 14, 2012

Ministry change

The St. Andrew Planning Council has decided to end our ministry through our Waunakee location.

More about our Waunakee campus

At our site in Waunakee, we’re trying to break down some of the barriers that make people uncomfortable with typical churches. So, instead of pews or rows, we have couches and comfy chairs. You’re welcome -- even encouraged -- to drink coffee or eat a donut during worship. Because God cares about our hearts, not our clothing, don’t worry about dressing up.

We’re also trying to focus on building our relationship with God and with each other. After we watch the sermon on video screens, there’s an informal discussion about the big ideas of the message and how they apply to our lives. The music is a mix of traditional and contemporary, and we’ve scaled back the spoken parts of the service to focus on the basic elements God looks for as His people worship. We ask for prayer requests each week, but many of us still prefer to communicate with God privately.

Norman Teigen's Request

Norman Teigen has left a new comment on your post "Gerhardt's Evening Hymn - Now Rest Beneath Night's...":

The tune 'O Welt, ich muss dich lassen' is used many times in Lutheran hymn books. Since you have the resources and the inclination, may I ask you to provide a list of other hymns using this tune. Many thanks.

***

GJ - I told Mrs. Ichabod about your request. I said, "I owe Norman. He began embedding videos before I knew how. If that retired teacher could do it, so could I." Beside that, I have enjoyed your taste in music.

The tune for "Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadows"  is O Welt, ich muss dich lassen.

The same tune is used for TLH #126 - "Arise and Shine in Spendor," by Martin Opitz.

It can also be used for #171 - "Upon the Cross Extended," another Gerhardt hymn.

Here is information on the tune.

The original song is embedded below.


Wikipedia on the tune.

The LCA/ALC used the tune for O Bread of Life from Heaven. Cyberhymnal has slightly different wording.

This is a British set of words, probably unfamiliar to most of us.

Gerhardt's Evening Hymn - Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow.

"Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow"
by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676

1. Now rest beneath night's shadow
The woodland, field, and meadow,
The world in slumber lies;
But Thou, my heart, awake thee,
To prayer and song betake thee;
Let praise to thy Creator rise.

2. The radiant sun hath vanished,
His golden rays are banished
By night, the foe of day;
But Christ, the Sun of gladness,
Dispelling all my sadness,
Within my heart holds constant sway.

3. The rule of day is over
And shining jewels cover
The heaven's boundless blue.
Thus I shall shine in heaven,
Where crowns of gold are given
To all who faithful prove and true.

4. To rest my body hasteth,
Aside its garments casteth,
Types of mortality;
These I put off and ponder
How Christ will give me yonder
A robe of glorious majesty.

5. Lord Jesus, who dost love me,
Oh, spread Thy wings above me
And shield me from alarm!
Though evil would assail me,
Thy mercy will not fail me:
I rest in Thy protecting arm.

6. My loved ones, rest securely,
For God this night will surely
From peril guard your heads.
Sweet slumbers may He send you
And bid His hosts attend you
And through the night watch o'er your beds.

Hymn #554
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Ps. 139: 11
Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1648, cento
Translated by: composite
Titled: Nun ruhen alle Waelder
Composer: Heinrich Isaak, c. 1490
Tune: O Welt, ich muss dich lassen

The Sweet Singer of Lutheranism

In German, with facts wrong on YouTube.

Trump's Son Also Hunts the Kudu Deer - Nature's Most Dangerous Vegetarian

Notice the weapon needed to bring down this beast.
Why not a bazooka?
His email name is "Kududon."

---

bruce-church (http://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Trump's Son Also Hunts the Kudu Deer - Nature's Mo...":

They actually have many African game farms right in Texas--much cheaper than going all the way to Africa. Also, shooting animals in Texas wouldn't enforce the ugly American tourist moniker that shooting animals in Africa does. So not only do the animals in Africa have to outfox the poachers, they also have to outwit witless Americans.

***

GJ - Ah, but conspicuous consumption is the point. I would rather shoot animals with a Canon. I have nothing against legitimate hunting, but this proves why Patterson does not need or deserve a free vicar from WELS offering money each year.

Believe me, pastors who cannot afford medicine and food at the same time are extreme unhappy about the prodigal spending on the favored few.

When WELS collapses in 2017, do not stop to wonder how it happened - or why.

Paul Speratus: "Salvation Unto Us Has Come." The Lutheran Hymnal, #377

"Salvation unto Us has Come"
by Paul Speratus, 1484-1551

1. Salvation unto us has come
By God's free grace and favor;
Good works cannot avert our doom,
They help and save us never.
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone,
Who did for all the world atone;
He is our one Redeemer.

2. What God did in His Law demand
And none to Him could render
Caused wrath and woe on every hand
For man, the vile offender.
Our flesh has not those pure desires
The spirit of the Law requires,
And lost is our condition.

3. It was a false, misleading dream
That God His Law had given
That sinners should themselves redeem
And by their works gain heaven.
The Law is but a mirror bright
To bring the inbred sin to light
That lurks within our nature.

4. From sin our flesh could not abstain,
Sin held its sway unceasing;
The task was useless and in vain,
Our gilt was e'er increasing.
None can remove sin's poisoned dart
Or purify our guileful heart,-
So deep is our corruption.

5. Yet as the Law must be fulfilled
Or we must die despairing,
Christ came and hath God's anger stilled,
Our human nature sharing.
He hath for us the Law obeyed
And thus the Father's vengeance stayed
Which over us impended.

6. Since Christ hath full atonement made
And brought to us salvation,
Each Christian therefore may be glad
And build on this foundation.
Thy grace alone, dear Lord, I plead,
Thy death is now my life indeed,
For Thou hast paid my ransom.

7. Let me not doubt, but trust in Thee,
Thy Word cannot be broken;
Thy call rings out, "Come unto Me!"
No falsehood hast Thou spoken.
Baptized into Thy precious name,
My faith cannot be put to shame,
And I shall never perish.

8. The Law reveals the guilt of sin
And makes men conscience-stricken;
The Gospel then doth enter in
The sinful soul to quicken.
Come to the cross, trust Christ, and live;
The Law no peace can ever give,
No comfort and no blessing.

9. Faith clings to Jesus' cross alone
And rests in Him unceasing;
And by its fruits true faith is known,
With love and hope increasing.
Yet faith alone doth justify,
Works serve thy neighbor and supply
The proof that faith is living.

10. All blessing, honor, thanks, and praise
To Father, Son, and Spirit,
The God that saved us by His grace,-
All glory to His merit!
O Triune God in heaven above,
Who hast revealed Thy saving love,
Thy blessed name be hallowed.

Hymn 377
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Rom. 3: 5
Author: Paul Speratus, 1523, cento
Translated by: composite
Titled: "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her"
Tune: "Es ist das Heil"
German melody, c. 1400

Paul Speratus was beaten like a rented mule
and imprisoned, but that only encouraged him.

Paul Kelm's Center for Christian LeadershipIs Church and Change, Zombie Apocalypse Edition

Someone in WELS created this graphic.

Wisconsin Lutheran College has a vague, undefined Center for Christian Leadership. Paul Kelm is in charge of it. I would say more, but his exact title is hidden. The precise purpose is not stated. The upcoming leadership conference is not described - all the names are missing. At the favorite WELS anti-Lutheran events, the speakers are always named. The Enthusiasts brag about their speakers, provide bios, and post photos.

The president of Wisconsin Lutheran College came from CrossWalk, the Needs-Detergent quasi-WELS parish in Phoenix. Two board members of the college are also from CrossWalk, including Pastor Jeff Gunn, appointed by the president.

The president of WLC started the Center for Christian Leadership and put Paul Kelm in charge.

Jeff Gunn:
"Jesus is my rice."

When Jeff Gunn's position at CrossWalk was doubtful, WLC worked on making Jeff a chaplain at the college. When that was blocked, they hired Paul Kelm.

Jeff Gunn's pals rallied to support him, so CrossWalk is safe. Jon Buchholz, the Reformer, has been declawed. Buchholz supported Mark Jeske at the last convention, after signing the secret petition--published on Net--to do something about Jeske. They did something. They came out in favor of his work.

WELS DPs are so awesomely brave. To paraphrase JFK - They will We fight any foe. They will go anywhere. They will do whatever it takes to spread freedom and liberty - for apostates.