Christ of the Bay Lutheran Church
http://ChristBayLutheran.com
450 Laverne Drive
Green Bay, WI 54311
(920) 468-4246
Staff
Thomas R. Zehnder, interim pastor
Curtis DeCoste, vicar
Ron Stieglitz, congregation chairman
October Message from Vicar DeCoste
Brothers and Sisters in Christ at Christ of the Bay Lutheran Church,
You and I know that change will take place. Look at the seasons of your life. Think of what season you are in now. You may be a child in school starting a brand new school or grade (I’m assuming you know how to read this), a teenager becoming an adult, a student or worker being equipped or serving God through your career, a couple planning a wedding, a newlywed becoming one with your spouse, a proud new parent changing diapers or chauffeuring your kids to soccer tournaments, a mom or dad working hard to raise your kids in Christ and providing for their physical needs, an empty-nester watching your grown children soar or stumble through their seasons, a grandparent hoping to visit with your children and play with your grandchildren, or a single senior adult struggling to get around. Whatever season you are in, this is the season for you now. This season is not where you have always been, and it is not where you will always be. Change will take place, but we know God is always faithful to His people. You and I can trust in God’s promises, even going from one season to the next, confidently and boldly saying to Him and praying to Him, “My times are in Your hands” (Psalm 31:15).
I have been your vicar for one season—during the mildest and the shortest summer of my life…even shorter than when I had summer breaks in my youth! I know you have heard of a “New York minute.” Now, I have experienced a “Wisconsin summer.” It was here for a short time, but now it is gone. Leaves are beginning to turn…beginning to fall to the ground. God willing, winter is on its way. Pleasant turns to brisk, and brisk turns to cold. So, we prepare! There are cars to “winterize,” and shovels and snow-blowers and coats and gloves to buy for what is ahead. This is the season my family and I are in with you now, according to God’s glorious plan.
When winter arrives, I will remember this summer, when you helped my family move into our duplex, and our worship together. I will remember being installed as your vicar, the simulated campfire in the middle of the sanctuary for VBS, and Friendship Sunday in the rain. I will remember your warm welcome and your love for one another, and your patience with me. When winter arrives, I will remember this summer’s baptisms and weddings and funerals, the forgiveness of sins and prayers for one another, and you kneeling at the altar and receiving God’s grace in the very body and blood of Jesus Christ, present with us and all the saints. When winter arrives, there will be new winter memories to cherish, and I will probably look forward to next summer. I will not forget what we all have in common, in Christ, forever.
This is also the season we remember the Protestant Reformation that began October 31, 1517, when Dr. Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the All Saints’ Church, the Schlosskirche (“Castle Church”), in Wittenberg, Saxony (modern-day Germany). Dr. Luther, in his season, reminded us that we are declared “righteous” before God not because of what we do, not because of our own merits, but only by the grace of God through faith in what Jesus Christ, God’s one and only Son, our Lord and Savior, has already done for us on the cross. As we look forward to the changes God has in store for us, let us not forget where we have been. At the right time, a season of divine design, your sins and my sins were nailed on the cross. Gone forever. And Jesus Christ is coming again! “My times are in Your hands.”
God bless you in this season, and into life everlasting,
Curtis DeCoste, your vicar
October Message from Pastor Zehnder
When I joined you in ministry in June of 2007, I heard something about a bequest that was coming to Christ of the Bay. It was/is a sizeable amount, and truly a gift from heaven. And then it came!
The question everyone has (and the "everyone" includes several other Lutheran churches in the Green Bay area) is "Who is Mrs. Schiefelbein?" It seems that none of the beneficiary churches have any history regarding this generous saint!
I doubt very much if members of Christ of the Bay spent much time praying in church or out to the Lord of the Church for a bequest! (If anyone did, let me know, because I have several things I would ask you to prayerfully place on your particular prayer chain.)
I wonder what Mrs. Schiefelbein's decision-making process involved as she prepared a Last Will and Testament. Perhaps she gave other gifts to relatives, friends, or to people who had been helpful to her in her last years. We know this: she loved the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ and left some of her wealth in the stewardship of several Lutheran churches.
Stewardship is a wonderful word. It means that we take care of the belongings of another in the best possible way. The Lord Jesus told many parables regarding Good Stewardship. One that certainly speaks to our stewardship of this bequest speaks about several servants who are given "talents" to invest for the Master while he is away (Matthew 25:14-30). When the Master returns he calls all the servants in for an accounting. Those who used the Master's goods properly were blessed. The one who squandered it away out of fear or simple neglect was severely castigated and even punished. On September 21st we met and, after some good thinking and discussion, decided to employ the Schiefelbein bequest in what I think is a grand way. Most of it will go into an endowment, the interest from which will be used for Christian Education. Through the years monies will be drawn and used to bring the Gospel of Jesus to an ever-growing number of people. And all things being equal, this is for perpetuity - that means "forever", or until the Lord returns.
Imagine, 15 years from now: a young man may be standing in a Lutheran pulpit, preaching the Gospel of Jesus, having been assisted in getting there through the Schiefelbein Bequest, now referred to as the Christ of the Bay Christian Educational Endowment! Perhaps a young woman will be sharing the Gospel of Jesus as a Mission Volunteer of our church in Sri Lanka, having gotten to that place through our Endowment Fund. The applications are unending - and all fit good stewardship of the Master's talents according to the parable noted above.
I am proud of you, Christ of the Bay, for making these good decisions. I am thankful for Mrs. Schiefelbein and her good heart and generosity. And with you, I am grateful for the Lord Jesus who has called us all into His family and allows us to receive and use such exciting heaven-sent "talents".
Thomas R. Zehnder, Interim Pastor
June 2007 Good-bye Message from Pastor Boettcher
It was just last week (or so it seems), that we came to C-B and Zion.
But it's fifteen years. (So we heard last week). The time has been a'flyin'.
In November of '91 we came, some of you still remember.
Installed on the 10th - it snowed that day - C-B at 1:00 p.m. and then Zion.
For seven years we burned up the road:
Monday and Thursday at C.O.B., Tuesday and Wednesday at Zion.
Sunday morning was preach and run -- no time for BC or chatting.
But God is good! Both churches grew -- and we hit no deer on the highway.
Although I did see the "thirty point buck" more than once as he zoomed across my way.
In '99 we came here to stay. Pastor Tom took over at Zion.
No hours on the road, same office each day, for sermon prep now there was time.
Little by little more people came, but we seemed to be stuck at 140.
Then Olga came and suddenly left us, but said, "Build now and use this."
We developed a plan and pledged and saved and asked the Laborers to help us.
In 2001 (C-B's 25th year), we started to build the new house.
Everyone helped; we laughed and we cried when the trusses rose close to the sky.
Old bricks were cleaned, steel beams were made.
We dry-walled and painted and flooring was laid.
Among piles of lumber during the rain,
On lawn chairs with flashlights, on 9-11 we prayed.
Thanksgiving was awesome 'cause we were "in" --
One toilet and exit lights glowing.
Little by little more people came -- with VBS bigger each year.
"Purpose" and "Gifts" and new groups were tried;
Students' and couples' nights out and breakfast (some fried).
The praise team sang and musicians played
And worship was almost, well, "fun" (dare we say that?)
And the goal of it all is that Christ shines through. He is the Head of it all.
He is Lord of the church -- your Savior and mine.
It's love that binds us together.
We say "thanks" for your kindness, your patience, your love.
And the party and gifts were just awesome.
Be as kind to "the new guy" (that was us just last week).
Love him and listen and laugh at his jokes
As he tells us of Jesus and keeps us His folks.
May 22, 2007
David Boettcher
