Author: UMC

Black River Falls
United Methodist Church
100 North Fourth Street
Black River Falls, Wisconsin 54615
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54615
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INWHA SHON, PASTOR
Worship Service: 9:00am
Sunday School:
9:15am (September - May)
6-7pm Children’s Class
Office Hours:
8:00am - 4:00pm
Monday-Friday
Telephone:
715-284-4114
Website: brfumc.org
“You Tube Live:
BRFUMC

THE BLACK RIVER
FALLS
UNITED
METHODIST
CHURCH
NEWSLETTER
"To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world ."

THE BLACK RIVER FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
NEWSLETTER, JANUARY 2023
“
____________
Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus at BRF,
Happy New Year! I hope all of you had a wonderful time with your family and friends this Advent Season and Christmas. I appreciate that all of you have prayed for and supported our church this past year.
We, as Christians, have just celebrated the new liturgical year, which began with Advent. The Advent season leads us to the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christmas. Even though Advent is a sacred time, it is easy to fall into apathy and complacency. Because Advent has happened so many times before, it is easy for it to become ordinary, routine, and annual event.
One significant meaning of Christmas is the use of the word “Emmanuel” which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). His name is Emmanuel. God is with us in this moment, in this age, in the place, in space, and in actuality. No matter the circumstances, God is with us. God promised He is with us always. It is amazing, miraculous, and overwhelming.
Please take a moment now and reflect on these words. Do you experience this belief in your life and does your daily living reflect this belief now? As you know, what we want to believe and what we actually believe can be different. What we say about our faith and how we act are unfortunately, are not always the same.
In retrospect, 2023 has been a tremendous year for our church and our lives too. We have experienced both sad things and good things throughout whole year. Nevertheless, in the midst of our joys and our sorrows, God has been with us.
God will also be with us in the future. Even though we never know what will happen to us in the future, we do not need to be afraid. God leads us in His way, not our way. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Our God is beyond our comprehension and knowledge.
Since God is with us, please, let go of yourselves, your needs, your greed to control anything and everything. Let us be still in the presence of God. What we have been and what we have done is not as important as who we are before God. Jesus promised to send us the Holy Spirit who will be with us and teach us what He has taught. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Holy Spirit dwells within you now.
Thus, I invite you to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in your daily life. Allow God do it and to follow God’s direction. May God bless all of you this New Year!
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16
Love and peace in Christ,
Pastor Inwha Shon

PAGE 3 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2023

JANUARY

JANUARY 1 Elizabeth Lund
JANUARY 2 Jordon Hill
JANUARY 5 Ryan Nandory
JANUARY 6 James Kaphengst
Mitchell Ammann
JANUARY 8 Krystle Goldsmith
Abigail Ross
JANUARY 9 Pamela Bue
Tomothy McCann
JANUARY 10 Mary Van Gorden Norman Stoker Joel Pennekamp
JANUARY 11 Alexander Hoffman
JANUARY 16 Robert Nesbitt
JANUARY 17 Jeffrey Hagenbrock
JANUARY 18 Dawn Arndt
JANUARY 19 James Hostrawser
JANUARY 20 Rhonda Ammann
JANUARY 21 Cooper Peterson
JANUARY 22 Allan Hostrawser
JANUARY 26 Megan Harelson
JANUARY 27 Selma Laubach
JANUARY 28 Jocelyn Brauner
JANUARY 30 Dylan Hill

JANUARY 1 Jonas & Jessica Whitegull
JANUARY 19 Elroy & Jann Dahl

JANUARY 2 Elizabeth Ardnt
JANUARY 3 Nolan Boehm
JANUARY 23 Olivia Caponigro

PAGE 4 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2023

FINANCIAL REPORT - For the Eleven Months ended November 30, 2022
YTD Balance 2022 YTD Budget % of Budget
Income
Weekly Offerings $ 231,557.07 $ 258,692.00 89.51%
Special Offerings $ 75.00 $ 6,427.00 0.01%
Other Income $ 9,629.83 $ 19,532.00 49.31%
Total $ 241,261.90 $ 284,651.00 84.76%
Expenses
Apportionments $ 18,000.00 $ 39,601.00 45.46%
Programming $ 8,321.86 $ 9,293.00 89.55%
Pastoral Support $ 108,102.49 $ 109,072.00 99.12%
Program & Support Staff $ 53,380.25 $ 65,299.00 81.75%
Operations $ 50,796.37 $ 61,410.00 82.72%
Total $ 238,600.97 $ 284,675.00 83.82%
Difference $ 2,660.93 ($ 24.00)

In the first eleven months of 2023, The church’s income is under budget by $43,389.10 or 15.205%. Expenses also are under budget by $46,074.03 or 16.19%. Though the church is doing satisfactorily at this time, we continue to ask that you keep praying for our church finances. We also ask that you prayerfully consider how you might help the church in the coming year. We thank everyone in our church family for your continued support.

From your BRF UMC Finance Committee:
As we close out the 2022 year, we also close out another trio of committee members. Megan Finch and I have served three terms and Rod McGillivray filled the one year term remaining on a member’s commitment when she left our church. A special thanks to Megan who was graciously served as our recording secretary.
Although the numbers are not all in, the figures indicate we will pay all of our bills and have cash to begin 2023. However, our 2023 budget is not completed yet. Despite having a decent stewardship campaign, next season will present some financial challenges:
Our attendance is down.
Our income is down.
Our brick and mortar expenses remain the same if not higher.
And all the time we are working to increase our goal of this United Methodist Church being a bigger presence in the lives of others who need our support locally and around the world. In this miracle season we, BRFUMC, will be working towards a miracle of our own with our continued hard work, dedication, and prayers.
The finance committee is in good shape under the new leadership of Finance Chair Howard Gomer, and of course the Lord! We will pull out of this slump and the Black River Falls United Methodist Church will once again be a church that excels in all of its missions,
Appreciatively,
Jim Hornby, Outgoing Finance Committee

PAGE 5 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2023

Connections

Wednesday Night Connections are continuing through January 18. Join us for a meal, fellowship and devotions. Meals begin at 4:45pm. Below is the current schedule:
JANUARY 11 Served by: Pastor & Esther Shon
JANUARY 18 Served by :
Thank you all who have made Wednesday Night Connections a huge success.
.

Seeking Applicants for Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
We are blessed to have younger families with children in our church. The Staff Parish Relations Committee is looking for a person to lead the of Children’s Ministry.
This rewarding 5-10 hour/week opportunity for someone with love and enthusiasm for helping children learn about the Bible, God’s unending love and grace, and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The coordinator works closely with the Children and Youth Activities Committee to select curriculum for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School (VBS). Additionally, they will help to recruit teachers for Sunday School (grade 4K – 5th grade) as well as coordinate and oversee VBS. Other responsibilities for this paid position, include the ability to evaluate the need for additional programs to support our families and children and work with our music coordinator to provide music for Church School.
If you, or someone you know would be interested in this position, please contact Carol Hornby at 715-896-7684 or chornby@centurytel.net
Katrina McGillivray
Chair, Staff Parish Relations Committee

PAGE 6 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2023

Class 201 is designed to teach you about these simple habits (the Bible reading, Prayer, Tithing, Fellowship) and show you the different steps you can take to mature and grow as a Christian.
This class will be held on Sunday, March 12, 19, 26, & April2, Four Sundays. 10:30 am.

Blessings this New Year. I read an article simply named New Year, Same God. In Hebrews chapter 13 verse 8 is says, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. I love this because in an every changing world, it is great to know that God never changes. It's great to know God is here the same now as He has ever been or every will be.
The youth will meet weekly in January. We are making plans to lead a worship service along with a couple weekend fun days. Stay tuned for upcoming details and dates.
January 4th youth 6-7pm
January 11th youth 6-7pm
January 18th youth 6-7pm
January 25th youth 6-7pm
Any youth in grades 6th-12th are welcome to join us. Feel free to invite a friend or two.
If you have any questions about our program, please call/text Suzanne 715-896-0224.
website: www.BRFUMC.org
facebook: Black River Falls UMC Youth Group
email: suziegoldsmith@hotmail.com

PAGE 7 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2023

Buying Scrip Cards makes it easier to do personal shopping and gift giving while helping to raise funds for our church. The church buys the cards at a discount and sells them to you at face value. The difference is profit for the church.
We have cards for several restaurants and businesses in the BRF, La Crosse and Eau Claire areas available for sale every Sunday. But even better, we can order cards for other places near and far.
Don't forget, cards cost less to mail to friends and relatives than larger packages.
Contact Marcia at 715-284-3346 if you have any questions.

To UWF Members and Friends:
UWF sends wishes to each of you that 2023 will be a blessed year filled with the love and joy of feeling God’s presence every day.
May this message lift your spirit as you begin each new day this year:
Begin and finish your days with thoughts of gratitude. Those first and final moments set the tone for many minutes that come in between. Erica Layne (This was shared in our BRF UWF Spiritual Growth e-mail chain)
We will not meet in January but will have our first meeting of 2023 on February 6.
Go Forward with God’s Blessing,
Luane Meyer

PAGE 8 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2023

FUTURE EVENTS

Leadership Retreat
February 3rd, Fri. 5-8 pm, 4th, Sat. 9 am-1 pm with a book, Being The Church in a Post-Pandemic World by Kay Kotan. It’s time to renew our heart and mind to become a healthy, vital and culturally relevant church.

Prayer Workshop
Want to pray like Daniel or Hannah? Want to be renewed spiritually?
January 15, 22, 29, at 10 :30 am
Topic: The necessity in Revival, The focus of Kingdom-centered prayer,Three principles of Kingdom-centered Prayer.

Jesus in the Wild during Lent
10:30 am, Sunday. Feb. 26 – Mar. 2
6 – 6:30 pm, Wed. Mar. 1 – Apr. 5
What is the meaning within the remarkable scene in Luke 4:1–14 of Jesus being challenged by the devil in the “wild”—the untamed and unruly wilderness? And what are the surprising implications of this event for followers of Jesus today?
In Jesus in the Wild you’ll take a forty-day journey into the heart of one of the most unusual, and often most misunderstood, stories in the Gospel accounts. In this encounter, following his baptism in the Jordan and before the inauguration of his ministry, Jesus is alone with the adversary—the one whose works he had come to destroy (1 John 3:8). He faces three tests, or “temptations”—all aimed at unseating him from his identity, his belovedness, and his purpose as the Son of God.

PAGE 9 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2023

Since we started our Knit for Kids mission outreach project in October, we already have 50 items toward our goal of 100. We are surely off to a great start. World Vision is asking for hats, mittens, scarves and sweaters for all ages of children. Also requested are blankets either knit, crochet or fleece that are 36 X 45 inches . Remember there are patterns, along with knitting needles and crochet hooks are available in the Wesley room by the yarns if you need them. Recently this area was re-organized and it should be able to locate what you are looking for.
As usual , our supply of yarn remains significantly depleted. Donations are desperately needed. Acrylic yarns are best but all would be accepted. So as you are closet cleaning, downsizing, or if you are at yard sales please keep the church and this worthwhile project in mind. Donations may be left at the church office.
Marcia Hagen will be traveling to Guatemala in February on a medical mission trip with Viterbo University. We have a supply of 12 pillow case dresses ready to go but wouldn’t it be nice to send 25? I’ve been keeping the supply of kits for dresses in the gathering area. If you are a sewer it is a quick project and easy to do. Please feel free to take one home. If you prefer you may use your own supplies. If you have pillow cases, bias tape or trims you could donate, that would be appreciated. All donations can be left at the church office.
Our committee will be winding up our Christmas giving of items for the local nursing homes to be used as prizes for bingo etc. There is a box in the gathering area for items to be placed. They do not need to be wrapped. If you are in need of ideas here are a few;
Candy bars
Individually packaged snack items like chips
Word search books, Sudoku
Small toiletries such as lotions, perfumes, deodorant
Remember if you are interested in going with a Wisconsin team to Alabama to do mission work helping individuals with storm recovery the deadline for registration is rapidly approaching. More information can be found on the MIssion Outreach bulletin board or on the Wisconsin Methodist Churches’ website Volunteers in Mission (VIP) program.
Soon we will be gearing up for our Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed build project. We will be needing monetary donations for supplies along with donations of bedding such as twin sheets sets, blankets or quilts and pillows. Volunteers will be needed on the day of construction. Pray and ask for guidance in how you might support this worthwhile project in our community.
Submitted by Charlene Galston

PAGE 11 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2023

What Happened on This Day in the History of Christianity?
Send Me to the Rough
January 3
David Brainerd was a frail young man, tubercular, sickly, and easily depressed. He longed to reach the Indians of Colonial America, but his first venture to a tribe in Massachusetts was fraught with danger. Unknown to him, his every move was monitored by warriors intent on killing him. But as they raised their bows, they saw a rattlesnake slithering alongside him, lifting its head, flicking its tongue, preparing to strike. Suddenly the snake uncoiled and glided away. The warriors attributed Brainard’s safety to the “Great Spirit.”
But the incident didn’t lead to sustained evangelistic fruitfulness, and Brainard’s missionary work in 1743 saw little success. His despondency increased during Christmas. He wrote, I was very fatigued with my journey, wherein I underwent great hardships; much exposed and very wet by falling into the river. The next year was no better; he grew even more depressed.
On January 3, 1745, Brainard set aside the entire day for fasting and prayer, pleading for an outpouring of spiritual power. He claimed the promise in John 7: Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving waters flowing from deep inside you.…
Then he preached repeatedly from John 7, and the unfolding year proved the most fruitful of his ministry. His interpreter, an alcoholic named Tattamy, was converted. An immediate change seemed to transform Tattamy’s life and his translating of Brainard’s sermons. Scores of Indians were saved and baptized.
Brainard grew weaker, and in 1747 he died at age 29 in the home of Jonathan Edwards. But his story moved his generation—Henry Martyn, William Carey, Adoniram Judson—toward missions. His diary became one of the most powerful Christian books in early American history, containing such entries as this one: Here am I, send me; send me to the ends of the earth; send me to the rough, the savage pagans of the wilderness; send me from all that is called comfort on earth; send me even to death itself, if it be but in Thy service and to promote Thy kingdom.
On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, “If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.” Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit… John 7:37-39a
Morgan, Robert J., On This Day