YELLOWSTONE – ARGYLE/APPLE GROVE
   PARISH NEWSLETTER
Office Phone: 608-543-3088
Web Site: www.YellowstoneArgyleAppleGrove.com

Our Ministry Focus: "Sharing God's grace from a hopeful place​

 

Pastor's Letter

    One day I was talking with a man who did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus. He had a very analytical mind and a respect for history. I asked him if he was familiar with the Gospels’ revelation of Jesus and he told me that he was very aware of the Bible; he had grown up in the church, and even went to church until five years ago when he came to the conclusion that he had. 
   We spoke about the early disciples, especially noting their failures on Maundy Thursday (they become fearful and ran away, leaving Jesus alone to bear the arrest and trial). We talked especially about Peter “The Rock” of the church and how pitiful he’d acted on that day.
   We talked about how from Good Friday to Easter morning the disciples, “for fear” of the religious leaders and Romans, went into hiding, leaving Jesus to face his accusers alone and to die without being surrounded by their presence (though John was present).
   We came to the conclusion that though they followed Jesus and did believe in him, they just didn’t have the spiritual strength to walk with Jesus all the way to the cross. 
   Then, I jumped to the days following Easter. Suddenly, this group of frightened followers became incredibly bold in their proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah, and their walk proved their newfound and unswerving faith – for of the eleven remaining disciples, all but John died a martyr’s death.
   At that point, I asked him what had changed in the disciples’ lives that led them from hiding behind locked doors, to openly proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, and risking their lives fearlessly? 
   He said he didn’t know. 
   I asked him if it was possible that something happened on Easter to change their lives and the way they looked at life? He said that would be a logical conclusion. I agreed with him. 
    Then I asked him: “So what happened?” 
   That’s when he smiled at me and said, “You want me to say Jesus rose from the dead, don’t you?” 
   I just shrugged my shoulders and smiled. 
   He smiled too and added, “I’m going to have to go home and ponder this.” And with that, we parted knowing we had taken an important journey together. 
   If you have been lax in living out your faith – I want to challenge you to read one of the Gospels. Something happened on Easter that changed the lives of the disciples and changed the course of human history. What could that have been to do something as grand as that? Could it be that Jesus really did rise from the dead? 
   If that is the conclusion you come to – I’ll see you on Sunday.

                                                                                                                 ~ God bless, Dan

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Community Bible study – Change in plans! 
   Originally, I was planning to have a study on the stages of faith that I preached on this spring. Instead, if anyone would like to take a personal look at this, I’d be happy to meet with you in-person. 
   Instead, due to the cultural climate we are living in right now, I am going to lead a three-week study titled: FEAR AND FAITH. 
   This study will look at Bible passages where fear and faith collided. I believe this study will give us a stronger foundation as we find ourselves navigating through confusing times and fears about the future. 
    This study will take place at “The Corner Pub and Deli” on Wednesdays May 21st, 28th and June 4th. We will meet from 6:45-7:45 p.m. Please come and invite friends!

 

Summer worship schedule will begin on May 4th. Our worship services will be at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

 

Yellowstone council will meet following the late service on Sunday, May 4th. Argyle-Apple Grove council will meet on Sunday, May 11th.

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The A/Applestone Youth want to thank everyone who donated food for the Palm Sunday Breakfast, and who came out to the breakfast to support our youth. Thank you!!!!

The first of our summer joint outdoor worship services will take place at Yellowstone on Saturday, May 24th at 7:00 p.m. The theme of this service will be: “The Wonder of Creation and Us.”
   Please bring a lawn chair and join in this wonderful service. And, don’t forget to bring friends and family! We will have a coffee time before and after the service, so join in the fellowship. A sign-up to bring goodies for the coffee time will take place later in May. 

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Thank for all who came out and helped with the Spring Cleaning at Yellowstone. It was a great turnout and so much was accomplished. 

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Yellowstone reminder! If you are the last one to leave church, please make sure the lights are turned off and the doors are locked. 

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Quilters will meet on Tuesday, May 27th at Argyle Lutheran, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome! 

 

Parents of 8th grade confirmands: On Wednesday, May 14th we will meet at 5:30 p.m. at Argyle Lutheran. Besides the 8th graders, I also need a parent or parents to be there. We will have a short review of confirmation and then do a number of things: find a date for confirmation (so bring your calendars), set a date for confirmation rehearsal, talk about pictures and renting confirmation robes.

 

Yellowstone building update: After Easter, work will begin on opening up the back Sunday school rooms to make it possible to have our coffee hours and other events upstairs, so people will not have to navigate the steps going downstairs.

 

Help Maintain our church at Argyle! Your time and talents are needed. A walk-through was done at the church and a number of items came up that need to be fixed. Below is a list. If you would be willing to take one of these tasks upon yourself, please contact Pastor Dan, or Tim and Joann Rucker:
Upstairs:
   -Carpet in front left corner of the church needs to be re-glued.
   -Office bathroom floor needs some repair.
   -Carpet in the cry room needs to be looked at.
   -Fix Mop boards – cry room, narthex, Sunday school room and coat closet.
Downstairs: 
   -Some of the electric outlets aren’t working
   -Wall to right of fireplace needs work
   -Paneling above the fireplace and to the left near the floor needs work. 
   -Removal of the fireplace.
   -Bathroom walls have some damage and mold.
   -Walls around the back entrance and near utility closet need work. 
   -The outside steps of the office needs repair/replacement.

 

Cookies Needed for InterVarsity: Shannon and Scott Marion will be helping to host three InterVarsity meetings in June: June 6-7 is the Board of Trustees Meeting; June 12 is Orientation for New Campus Ministers; and June 25-26 is the National Leadership Team Meeting. We’re wondering if people would be willing to bake cookies for these meetings. The previous times our churches baked cookies, it was a huge hit! People keep asking us, “Where do you go to church?”!
   We can pick up the cookies on Sunday, June 1st  at both services, or anytime up to Wednesday, June 4th  if you want to drop them off at the parsonage. We’ll have a sign-up sheet earlier in mid-May. We will freeze the cookies and bring them out for each meeting. Thank you!

 

Stewardship: We thank everyone for your generous support of the ministries of our congregations. If you are unable make it to church to give your offering, you may mail it to the following address: Yellowstone/Argyle-Apple Grove; Box 217; Argyle, WI  53504.

 

March Treasurers’ and Pastor’s reports:
                Yellowstone                                         Argyle-Apple Grove 
  Beginning balance:   $15,999.69             Beginning Balance:   $8,194.56
                       Income:    $7,375.85                                 Income:   $7,486.00                      

                   Expenses   $14,907.79                                Expenses: $5,598.17
       Ending Balance       $8,467.79                  Ending Balance:  $10,082.39      

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*Yellowstone expenses are high due to our insurance payment. 
 

Funeral
   John Soper – Argyle, March 29th

 

Worship Assistant Sign-up: If you would like to help with the worship service as a Scripture reader, Communion assistant, or greeter, look for the sign-up at church.

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