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

    There are few world events that we look at and say they changed the way we live or think. But there is only one event that we can say that by it, the world has been changed forever – and that is the events of Holy Week as Jesus makes his way to the cross, then the grave, and then out of his grave to declare life eternal and his eternal reign. 
   Only one event has changed things eternally and because of that I ask that you make it a priority over anything else going on in Holy week – let Jesus’ walk for our sake be your central focus – and let it change your life eternally. 
   Here is the exciting schedule we have for Holy Week:
   Palm Sunday – We look at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The sermon is title: “High Plains Drifter – starring Jesus.” It focuses on how Jesus view of power is so different than the world’s. We will have the blessing of the palm branches; we will have Paige (Soper) and Glen Rogers help lead the service. They will also share about their ministry through Chi Alpha. And, if that isn’t enough – our youth will be putting on their annual Palm Sunday Breakfast from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at Yellowstone. Everyone is welcome!
   Maundy Thursday – On this Holy evening, we look at Jesus sharing the Last Supper with his disciples. The sermon will be the last of the “Conversations with Jesus,” with Jesus talking to the Apostle John. Holy Communion will be served allowing us to participate in the meal Jesus shared with the disciples that evening. 
   Good Friday – We will be taking a close look at Jesus and the cross. The sermon is titled “Two Trees,” It will ask us to make a commitment to take up our cross and walk with Jesus, not as an observer but a fellow cross-bearer. We will have special music. This year, not only will we be having the entrance of the cross and the hammering of the nails, but you will be asked to strike the cross as you leave and to take up a cross of your own.
   Easter Sunday – will feature special music and a great celebration of life over death! The title of the sermon is “Two Tombs,” which will look at why Jesus’ resurrection is so significant and eternal in its influence. We will be having a children’s sermon, and Holy Communion. 
   So, as you can see, we have a lot of great things planned – but they will only be great and meaningful if you are there to participate and include yourself in the journey. I pray that you make a commitment to do just that, this Holy Week. 
                       ~ God bless, Dan

 

Holy week schedule: March 29-April 5
   Palm Sunday:  NOTE FLIP-FLOP OF WORSHIP TIMES
           8:30 a.m. at Argyle
           10:15 a.m. at Yellowstone
   Maundy Thursday: 7:00 p.m. at Argyle 
   Good Friday:     1:30 p.m. at Argyle 
           7:00 p.m. at Yellowstone
   Easter:   7:30 a.m. at Argyle
         9:30 a.m. at Yellowstone 

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On Palm Sunday, Paige and Glen Rogers (both work for Chi Alpha and we sponsor Paige) will be helping lead the worship service. Our Easter offering goes to support their campus ministry. They will  briefly share about their ministries, and then help lead the worship services at both churches. Come and hear them share about their work, and then journey with Christ into Jerusalem. 

 

Coming in May – “Befriending Study.” 
   How can we best serve others? How can we best use our gifts? How can we fulfill our ministries? How do we help someone in emotional and spiritual pain? What new ministries can be born in our parish? Which ones should I get involved in? 
   All these questions are essential. We will look at them in this upcoming study which will call you to see where you can best serve the Lord and others, and how to do it in the best and most helpful ways. More information will be coming soon.

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WELCA Spring Gathering “Spring Forth in Faith” will be held on Saturday, April 18th at Primrose Lutheran Church in Belleville (8770 Ridge Dr.). Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and the Business meeting at 9:30 a.m. 
   The program begins at 10:00 a.m. and is titled “The Power of Connection.” The speakers will be Peg Weber, who is a Grief Nurse, and a talk from the Care Team Ministry by Melissa Kelley from Catholic Charities. 
   Lunch will be served at 11:30. The host is $7 and is payable that day. Please RSVP by April 5th to Fern Langfoss: flangfoss@gmail.com

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Ground has been broken! On Saturday, March 7th we broke ground for the new Apple Grove. We thank the Lord for bringing us to this point. We will have a public celebration of this event in May or June. 

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Easter offering: Our Easter offering will go to support Paige (Soper) Rogers and her year-long ministry of educational immersion at Indiana University. Paige got involved with the Christian group “Chi Alpha” while in college. Please give generously to help support one of our “home grown” youth who is now involved in ministry! Easter offering envelopes can be found by the offering plates in the narthex, or you can write a check and put in the memo line: “Paige Rogers.” 

 

Yellowstone is in charge of the Argyle Food Pantry in April. The pantry will be open on Thursdays, April 2 and 16. If you can help, please contact Kristine O’Connor at 608-214-3363.

 

The Quilters will meet on Tuesday, April 28th at Yellowstone. Quilting begins at 9 a.m. Everyone is welcome. No experience necessary.

 

GAP Faith Night – God Always Present (GAP) now has 20 children involved! This new venture for our parish is having some great results. GAP lifts up the need to fill the gap between the child’s everyday life and their faith life. Classes are held at Argyle Lutheran on the first and third Wednesdays of each month (so it coincides with Confirmation) from 5:30-7:00 p.m. This is for all youth in Pre-K through 6th grade.

The A/Applestone Youth Palm Sunday Breakfast! The youth are ready to serve everyone a great breakfast on Palm Sunday, March 29th and serving time is from 8:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. at Yellowstone. Cost is free-will donation. Note worship time flip-flop.

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Yellowstone Cemetery is looking for one more person to be on the cemetery board. Rene Hendrickson leads this association and Gary Hufnagel has just joined, but they would like to have three on this committee. If interested and wanting more information about what this entails, please contact Rene Hendrickson at church or by phone 608-543-3431. 

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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.

 

February Treasurers’ and Pastor’s reports:                  
                Yellowstone                                       Argyle-Apple Grove 
  Beginning balance: $21,477.35     Beginning Balance:    $22,530.76
                        Income: $7,108.59                     Income:         $4,803.00
                Expenses:     $8,006.28                       Expenses:    $7,294.22
        Ending Balance: $20,579.66            Ending Balance:   $20,039.54
 

Funerals:
   Bernie Rear – at Argyle on March 23rd 

 

Pastor Dan will be on vacation from April 20-27th. In case of a pastoral emergency, please call Pastor Kate Kieckhafer at 608-732-9688. 

 

A/APPLESTONE YOUTH
   *Sunday School: We will be meeting on the 3th Sunday this month,
   Sunday, April 19th at Yellowstone at 11:15 a.m. to noon.
*April Fun Event: Progressive Dinner! Details to be announced.
   *Summer Retreat at Dan and Ann’s lake house: We will send out a poll to get a date for this summer retreat. We’ll most likely send it through SnapChat; be on the look-out! 

 

Yellowstone Council Hi-lites
* There was nothing significant in the treasurer’s report except to note $1,197 was paid for Worker's Comp and the Umbrella policies.  The big church package policy will be paid in March ($6,677) which is actually $53 less than last year.
*Shannon Marion was welcomed back to the church council. Also, Lisa Trumble returns after being re-elected. The council wants to thank Lynn Rear for her six years of service on the council. 
*Aaron Erickson was re-elected as president and Paul Dammen was re-elected as Vice-president.
*A few cracks have appeared in the ceiling in the new fellowship room. Bryon Krahenbuhl will wait a couple months until winter is over in case more cracks develop and then will do the repairs.
*New Road signs will be put up this spring
*Evangelism committee:
   -Pastor will meet with Diane Schlafli to begin a Facebook page.    -Postcard invitations for Holy week has been purchased.
   -Lawn signs will be purchased this spring. The cost is
   approximately $7.50 per sign. The church will purchase them, but we will have a sign-up for those who would be willing to put them up on their lawn.
*It was decided not to pursue putting a sidewalk to side door of Fellowship room. 
*We will look into purchasing a portable ramp for the one step leading to the Fellowship room.
*After Easter Pastor Dan will meet with someone from “Geek Power” to look at updating our sound system and also looking at options to help people with hearing difficulties. 

 

Argyle-Apple Grove Council Hi-Lites
*We welcome back Marsha Soper and Diane Martin to council and our newest council member: Greg Pledl.
*Mike Flanagan was re-elected President and Marjorie Bigelow was elected Vice-President. 
*Ground-breaking for Apple Grove was held on March 7th – A public celebration of the building of the new church will be in May or June.
*The New windows have been put in. The final work has not been completed yet.
*We need someone to take care of the flowers in the front of the church this upcoming year. Neale Tollakson will help, but would like someone to help also.
*Once Apple Grove is rebuilt, rather than alternating worship times each Sunday, the new schedule will be: Argyle has the first two Sundays of the month and Apple Grove will have the third and fourth (and fifth) Sundays.
*Two new clavinovas have been purchased: one for Apple Grove and the second to replace the organ at Argyle that has stopped working. 

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Both Churches:
*We will be having a “Befriending” course after Easter. The goal is that this will spark some new ministries in the church.
*Summer Book reading and study: C.S. Lewis’ book “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” 
*The youth had a great time at Youth Quake! Thank you Laura and Madi!
*Pastor’s vacation time this year is as follows: April 20 – 26; June 22 – July 6; he will also take his fourth Sunday off in either November or end of December