Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church

Ushers: Dick & Gail Kloes; Jenny Lefevre & Phyllis Anderson; Servers: Barb Brunett, Lori Johnson, Laurie Kadunc & Kay Ulma

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC !! The fall music season is ready to begin once again! The first date Chancel Choir will sing is Sun. Sept. 14. Choir and Handbell members (and friends?!) are invited on Wed. Sept. 3rd, to a fall potluck dinner/party. Dinner will be served at 5:30 with a few fun games and a BRIEF meeting afterward when we will determine our regular practice schedule. Chancel Choir will rehearse following the dinner/meeting until about 8:30 PM. Because we want everyone's voice to be heard, please call Kathy Doty if you are not able to attend. Also, please call Kathy if you are able to bring something for the potluck or if you have any questions. Remember, God smiles when we raise our songs of praise!

RALLY DAY with POT LUCK LUNCHEON is Sun, Sept. 14. We’ll kick off the Sunday School’s Fall Semester with a dedication of teachers & students during 9:30 morning worship. Then, after worship, kids of all ages will have a “get acquainted” time with their teachers, followed by our POT LUCK LUNCHEON. (It’s not QUITE a church picnic, because it’s held indoors, thus circumventing the vile-tempered yellow-

jacket hornets which abound outdoors.) SO … there’s LOTS of great food to eat, since everyone brings an entrée, a salad, veggie, dessert or other dish to pass (& we hope you’ll bring your own tableware, as well, since it saves on clean-up time, afterward.) Lee Larson will be cooking HOT DOGS outdoors on the grill for us, which REALLY adds to the “Picnic” flavor of the day! This is for EVERYONE, always a marvelous fellowship opportunity, with lots of fun & food. SEE YOU THERE!

Sometimes, you realize that it is just about time to throw a party! Sometimes, you have lots of time for planning and preparing, and sometimes you don’t.

Sometimes, you have one of those “spur of the moment” “hey, it’s time for a party” parties.

We think that this is one of those times. With our transformation project complete - (or nearing completion…) we’ve decided it’s time to celebrate, give thanks to God, take note of the accomplishments and those who have worked so hard to help them come to fruition, and have some fun…

And since it’s that time of year - we thought: “Wouldn’t it be fun if we planned our own homecoming?!?!”

And so - that’s the plan. (Well, actually, it’s not fully planned yet!) We thought we could have a special weekend the last weekend in September - Saturday and Sunday!

We’re thinking that we could invite our members and friends from around the world - especially those who haven’t seen the place for a while - a Real HomeComing!

We thought about special events - we’ve even talked to a Sister Congregation about a possible “Homecoming Softball Game!” We’ve talked about a Spaghetti Banquet put on by the Youth Group - and a “HomeComing Dance” to follow in the Reichert Fellowship Hall!

Of course, the highlight of the weekend will be our Sunday Service of Worship, Dedication, and Gratitude!

Please give thought and prayer as to how you can help and take part. Ideas are welcome!

Also - please plan on being a part of this wonderful weekend. And - Please invite everyone you can think of. This promises to be most special - and Holy!

Sunday School Teachers Ages K5 - Grade 3 - Diane Edward & Sue Pope; Grades 4 - 6: Lori Johnson, Bobbie Griffith & Pat Sczypiorski; 7-12th Grade - Laurie Kadunc & Terry Arenz. Jenny Lefevre will serve as Young Adult (post high-school) coordinator. Alan Arenz holds Bible Study for adults (beginning with Psalms;) once a month or so we’ll have guest speakers, coordinated by Sue Smith.

Lillian Anderson passed away on Aug. 2. Pastor Kevin led a celebration of Lillian’s life here at the church on Aug. 5. We extend our deepest sympathy to Phyllis, and all other members of Lillian’s family.

The family of Florence Weigel. Florence died on August 18. Florence was a member here for nearly fifty-five years, & would have celebrated her 94th birthday on Aug. 31. Services took place on Aug. 22. Sincere condolences to her family.

Dick Kloes, who underwent quadruple coronary bypass. He’s back in worship with us, making a good recovery.

Louise Berte, who cracked some bones in a dreadful fall. After spending time in the hospital, Louise was sent to the Hales Corners Health Center for rehab; its near 94th & Forest Home. She’s in room 212 & the phone # is 414-858-9117.

Rob Martin, who dislocated & broke 2 bones in his ankle following a misstep at Tae Kwan Do lessons. He’s home, & able to work from there.

Ruth Lefevre, who was hospitalized with heart-related problems in mid-July. She’s feeling well, & is “out & about.”

Don Farrar, who spent time in West Allis Memorial Hospital in July, with heart-related issues. He’s now back at Clement Manor.

Peggy Cetnarowski, hospitalized in July with a blood clot on the brain. She’s making good progress.

Lin Bradley, who had surgery for carpal tunnel on July 17, & then on the second wrist several weeks later. Do keep Lin in your prayers, that she may receive a new kidney.

That Evan Michael Aigner, son of Heidi & Michael Aigner, was baptized here on July 20.

Following a family tradition, Josh Kosler has enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He’ll graduate from Nathan Hale H.S. in June of 2009, & expects to report for basic training, come July.

That Pam & Ed Leintz & Becky & Gene Pope were back in Wisconsin for a visit, & came for worship on Aug.24. Pam reports that she LOVES her new job, & has just taken on the responsibility of choir

For Richard Hryniewicki, a dear friend of the church, who has just announced his engagement! Congratulations!

For Sheri Masiakowski, another treasured friend, who is now the proud adopted “mom” of “Rafi”, an adorable golden retriever puppy.

October 4 - Pastor Kevin was ordained a Minister of the Word and Sacrament of our denomination in 1992

Tom Liempeck has retired from the position of “Head Usher”, as of September 1. Our thanks to Tom for serving so faithfully over the past years. We’re currently recruiting someone to fill the vacancy. If YOU would be interested in taking over this position, please speak with Pastor Kevin. It’s not difficult; it involves recruiting new ushers as needed, & seeing that the ushering schedule is updated & handed out on a quarterly basis. It’s helpful if you have computer knowledge, for preparing the schedule and ushering instructions … but it’s not essential. Please consider helping your church in this way!

FALL FESTIVAL IS COMING ON SAT., OCT. 18! There are MANY ways you can help! See the special notice on the inside of the calendar page!

Notes of

Thanks …

“I want to thank everyone for the prayers, cards, phone calls & visits following my surgery. It really helped me get through this ordeal. I’m just so grateful to the church family; I really appreciate it.” - Dick Kloes

Louise Berte sends thanks to all who remembered her with prayers, cards, calls & visits during her recuperation. “People have been so wonderful,” Louise tells us. (She LOVES to have visitors!)

Herman Duga sends thanks to all who remembered him with cards on his 80th birthday. “I miss all of you,” he says.

Everyone who participated in the Relay for Life July 18- 19. The West Allis/New Berlin teams raised $46,000 to fight cancer; our church team contributed $1,400 to that effort!

All who helped with National Night Out on July 28. Our booth sold out of nachos with an hour left to go -- which indicates a VERY successful evening!

RuthMary Gamache, who has so faithfully sent out birthday and anniversary cards to church family members & friends for the past two years.

Jean Kern, who will take over the task of sending anniversary & birthday greetings as of September 1.

Terry & Alan Arenz, who purchased three “performance microphones”, which they donated to the church. These can travel with our youth, when they present programs for other churches and organizations, & will be useful here at the church, as well! Your generosity is appreciated!

Loretta Nalencz, whose flexibility & willingness to help in so many musical aspects of our worship is “above & beyond” the call of duty.

Bonnie Rosen, who graciously filled in for Loretta on short notice following Loretta’s surgery.

All who have provided & continue to provide Special Music during the summer season. There are SO many, we can’t list them all, for fear we’ll miss someone!

Our Miller Park Sportservice booth staffers, who’ve worked so VERY hard! We completed our 10-game commitment on August 23. (We’ll do additional games, if we can get enough volunteers to staff one or two more … talk to JR or Heather Saugstad, ASAP.)

Terry Arenz, for her generous donation of 11-1/2 inches of hair to “Locks of Love” (which provides human hair wigs to chemo patients.)

the Tarvids, who hosted the fine Ice Cream Social at their home on Aug. 24. The food was delicious, the company was exceptional, & the weather was simply divine! What a good time!

Special thanks to our custodial volunteers for July & August. Dusting, vacuuming, mopping & cleaning were: Arliss & Hugh Evans; Marie & Marve Hagen; Barb & Bud Brunett; Judy & Jim Dickson; Joanne & Bill Burke; Ed & Bobbie Griffith; Phyllis Shudy; & Terry & Pat Sczypiorski. This continues to be such an important means of keeping our expenses here at the church down; PLEASE consider signing up to be one of our “custodial angels”!

WINE TASTING Fri., Sept. 12 - 6:00 PM at Wine Cellars of Wisconsin, 130th & Blue Mound Rd. in Elm Grove. Cost of this event is $25 a person. What a great chance to learn about a variety of wines, as well as sample a few! One of the really wonderful things about this event is that $10 of the $25 -- goes to the church! Speak with Pastor Kevin or Dan Lefevre, if you’d like to take part, but DON’T DELAY! Space is limited.

MID-WEEK SERVICES will begin on Wed., Sept. 24, at 6:30 PM! We’re so excited to include this “Contemporary Worship” time in our schedule! It’s ideal for those who will be out-of-town on a weekend, but hate to miss worship here; it’s perfect for those who enjoy contemporary worships, & have been longing for us to offer such a service; & for folks who really like to enjoy a time of worship MORE than once a week it’s the perfect solution. Come & see what it’s all about! You may find you’d like to be a “regular”!

A SPECIAL WEEKEND!!! On SAT., SEPT. 27, from 5:30 - 7:30 PM, we’re hosting a SPAGHETTI DINNER to benefit the YOUTH GROUP. (They’re planning a retreat, soon.) It will be followed by our HOMECOMING Dance, featuring music by Subsonic DJ, Inc. (Eric Arenz & Matt Pagel; see Pastor Kevin’s article on p. 2) Tickets are $7.00 for adults, $3.50 for kids 12 & under. (We’re working on a SOFTBALL GAME vs. Forest Park to begin at 2:30 … we’ll let you know more as it evolves.) Terry Arenz will sell tickets … DO plan to attend!

Sun., Sept. 28 5:00 PM at Forest Park P.C. IN New Berlin, we’ll have a “Fab 4 Churches” event we’re calling “Launching the Ark”. It’s for church family of ALL ages, & will celebrate the work we do together in support of Heifer Project, International. (An ARK -- that means everything that’s available to purchase for Heifer -- is being sent along to that organization in the names Faith, Forest Park, Heritage & Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Churches!) WOW!! At the “launching” we’ll enjoy a screening of the motion picture, “Evan Almighty”. Popcorn & soda will be provided, but if you’d like to bring some munchie items, you’re welcome to do so. Plan to come & enjoy this very special event!

C.R.O.P. Walk is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 12. The initials stand for “Community Responding to Overcome Poverty”, and our Peace & Justice Committee is seeking WALKERS … as well as folks to SPONSOR our walkers. Here are some ways in which C.R.O.P. works to stop hunger across the world: and it’s amazing how much good even a small amount can do! $25, for example, can provide blankets to a family of 5 displaced by violence & natural disaster. $45 provides 30 jerry-cans to carry clean water for drinking & cooking. For $150, -- 100 chickens & 2 wire coops can be given to TWO families, thus providing them with a reliable source of eggs, protein, and income! Walkers are asked to bring non-perishable food items to the walk; folks in the congregation are encouraged to bring lots of non-perishables that morning, as well, which our walkers will bring to the event. To sign up as a walker or sponsor, speak with Barb Brunett. Thank you, in advance, for your support.

YE OLDE CHRISTMASSE FAIRE is coming up on Sat., November 22 - with a bake sale (featuring special ethnic-type Christmas cookies); a FABULOUS silent auction, DELICIOUS Madrigal dinner (once again catered by Rupena’s); and GAMES (a pillow joust & others to delight & amaze one & all.) We’re looking for DONATIONS for the SILENT AUCTION …& if you have a quality item or service that you’d be willing to donate for that event … we’d be pleased. Speak with Terry Arenz, about the auction. Kerstin or Jenny Lefevre will be glad to answer your questions about the Faire. Next planning meeting is scheduled for Tues., Sept. 23, at 6:30 PM. We welcome your help!

OUR YOUTH MUSIC MINISTRY On August 8th the God’s Guild Singers (our new name) performed the musical “WWJD” for the youth group and friends at New Life Presbyterian church on 34th and Silver Spring. This is a fast growing African American Presbyterian Church (our freewill offerings go to help them with some of their building projects). They are doing a program that they call “Friday Night Live”, and we were blessed to be the first Live music that was from outside their congregation! This group of youth from GAPC were fabulous ambassadors for Christ and our church. They not only sounded great but they got on well with everyone there!! There were no cultural barriers at all. Also in great Presbyterian style they fed us very well with hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, lemonade and cake. This was an experience that we will all remember for a lifetime. See another section of the newsletter for our other dates we have two for sure and another two pending. Thanks for supporting us as we spread the Good News of Christ through song.

Vacation Bible School this year was a great success!! We had 35 children participating, 14 youth helpers, 8 teachers and our wonderful directors Kristen and Heidi. Our themes were: We share, We give, We grow, We love and We praise. This year again we did a rotation with Class time, science, music, games, worship, snacks and crafts. The children and young people learned through scripture and our rainforest friends how to share, give, and grow in their faith and to Love and Praise the Lord. We collected 97#’s of aluminum cans (GAPC was second in the can collection) and received $78 for our efforts. We not only recycled those cans, we raised enough money to buy an acre of Rainforest and some tools to help maintain it!! Thanks to all of you here at Greenfield church for your support especially the prayer. Next year we are hosting VBS! It will be GREAT!

“God’s Guild” singers will present their musical production of “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do”) at Faith Presbyterian Church on September 7! On Friday, Oct. 24, the kids will present the program at Forest Park Presbyterian. It’s in conjunction with a special meal there “WWJE” (what would Jesus eat?)! What FUN!

From Judy Dickson

“I want to thank everyone who has already given me empty pill bottles, and encourage them and the rest of the congregation to save their empty pill bottles for me.

I am collecting them for a lady who lives in Clement Manor, who uses them for a mission project. Thank you!”

Thanks to ALL who participated in the Roger Saugstad Memorial Golf Outing on July 25. Although it was a slightly smaller gathering than in past years, it was very successful, & great fun! Those who golfed, helped prepare food, donated door prizes & raffle prizes, came out to visit … Thank You! Now, we’re happy to announce that there’s a TENTATIVE date for the 5th Annual Roger Saugstad Memorial Golf Outing! It’s (most likely) going to be on Friday, July 31, 2009! Noon lunch, 1:00 PM tee-off time, as usual. Save the date on your calendar!

The PEACEMAKING OFFERING one of the most important of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s “Special Offerings”, will be accepted on World Communion Day, Sunday, October 5. On this day we join with Christians around the word to celebrate the unity that we find at the Table of the Lord. We also receive the Peacemaking Offering to support the efforts of our congregation, presbytery, synod, & denomination to spread the peace of Christ. 25% of the Offering will be used by this congregation for our peacemaking activities. The other 75% will help our partners in the presbytery, synod, & General Assembly as they work on behalf of God’s peacemaking throughout the world.

Here are just a few ways in which Presbyterian congregations have used Peacemaking Offering funds to work for peace:

The first time the risen Christ broke bread, the Gospel of Luke relates, was in Emmaus with two of his followers. Brokenhearted, the two did not recognize him as they walked together from Jerusalem to Emmaus & talked about their master’s death on a cross three days earlier. Here, in the words of the hymn “Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna!” was a place “where the world is still in pain.” The two followers did not know him until he blessed the bread, broke it, & gave it to them. He then disappeared, but the joy & peace he gave them did not. Though it was late, they retraced their steps the seven miles to Jerusalem, where they found the disciples & shared their good news of seeing him alive. As they tried to make sense of the latest developments, Christ appeared to them & offered his blessing” “Peace be with you.”

Christ continues to reveal himself & offer us his peace whenever & wherever bread is broken & eaten in his name. Just as he offered bread & peace to those broken by the forces of hatred & destruction, we, Christ’s people, are to carry the reality of peace to the places & people in pain.

REGULAR EVENTS

DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR

SUNDAY 9:30 AM - WORSHIP

10:45 AM - Church School for all ages

Communion 1st Sunday of each month

2nd & 4th SUNDAYS - “Penny Sunday”

MONDAYS - 6:00 PM - “Fit & Faithful Exercise”

TUESDAYS - 5:00 - 6:00 PM - TOPS in library

WEDNESDAYS - (BEGINNING SEPT. 24)

6:30 - 7:30 PM - Mid-Week Worship

7:30 - 900 PM - Chancel Choir or Handbells

(alternating weeks)

THURSDAYS - 1:30 PM - People w/Arthritis Can Exercise

2nd THURSDAY of each month from 7:00 - 9:00 PM,

“Friends of Multiple Sclerosis” meet

SATURDAY - Rashel’s Dance Studio, from

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, in JACK REICHERT HALL

Pastor Kevin’s USUAL “Day Off” is Friday

Sat Sept 13 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Presbytery’s “Session Partnerships” meets in the library

Sat Sept 27 5:30-7:30 PM - Youth Group Spaghetti Dinner, followed by our “HomeComing Dance” *

PASTOR KEVIN vacations Thurs., Sept. 18 through Thurs., Sept. 25. As always, while he is away, in an emergency please call Sue Smith at the church office or at home; or Deacon’s Member Care Coordinator Sandy Reichert. They’ll see to it that one of the pastors who’s “covering for” Pastor Kevin is available to you.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

For the month of July, 2008

INCOME $ 9,252.55

EXPENSES $ 11,255.18

As of July 31, 2008

a LOSS of ($ 2,002.63)

** “TBA” means “To Be Announced”; time or other information about this event is not available as this issue of “The Messenger” goes to press. We’ll let you know on Sunday mornings … or phone the church office to find out how the meeting, practice, or other event, is scheduled.