whitefish bay

From the Pastor, February 3, 2022

February 3, 2022 by BayshoreLutheran Leave a Comment

What can a can of soup do?

No, it’s not meant to be a tongue twister, but a sincere question! What can one can of soup do?

A can of soup can literally be the one meal for a person for the day.

In the case of the soup can here, this literally is a quick way to receive some nutrition and fill a belly. The can here requires no can opener, and it’s been cooked already so it could, if (sadly) necessary, be eaten cold. It can also be heated on a stove or in a microwave. It requires no water or milk and provides 22% of the recommended daily protein for the average adult.

I do realize that this is not a perfect meal, and for some—way too much sodium and preservatives. I understand that. But I also understand hunger, and when you’re hungry—none of those things matter. What matters to a hungry soul is how easy it is to cook, and how fast my child can eat it. Items that require tools, special pans, and added ingredients—those are stumbling blocks to the hungry. So that’s why I buy soups like this one. I keep it simple.

Souper Bowl of Caring has been around a long time, and through this food drive, churches stock up the shelves during lean times—when businesses and others do not donate for the holiday season. And yet, it’s still winter, people are still hungry, and the food banks see increases in people seeking assistance. Food insecurity is real, and a serious problem in our community. Souper Bowl brings this to our attention and through a fun advertising gimmick pushes us to compete and stock up those shelves.

Our collected canned offerings will go to a local food bank here in Milwaukee—I have three that I will be calling to see who has the greatest need, and we will deliver what we have there. The funds we receive will be collected and then given directly to the Hunger Task Force to use to buy food in bulk and to pass out to those in need in our county.

You are welcome to contribute in any way you can (yes, that’s a bad pun). If you are unable to drop off cans of soup when the church is open, perhaps you are able to send a check in the mail. But since this is NOT a competition, just buy some soup and drop it off yourself somewhere. I am sure wherever you drop it off, they will need it and be grateful.

Sometimes loving your neighbor is by providing a can of soup. Yes, sometimes it is that easy to love.

Blessings, peace and love to you,

Pastor Sarah

MLK Jr. Day of Service!

January 9, 2022 by BayshoreLutheran Leave a Comment

Greetings, Bay Shore!

Our first MLK Jr. Day of Service is right around the corner! And yes, we are planning on proceeding with this event on Monday, January 17, 2022, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and ending by 1 p.m.

To work around current concerns, we have made some updates to the event to offer both in-person and remote volunteering options. We continue to welcome more volunteers and additional donations, and hope that this change encourages you to participate, even if you do not feel comfortable or safe gathering in person.

Here are some highlights to know:

In-person volunteers will assemble kits and sandwiches inside the church, with 20-40 additional volunteers. Stations will be spaced out throughout the church to allow for social distancing. Masks are required, and we ask that only individuals who are fully COVID-vaccinated participate in the In-Person option.
Remote volunteers will stop by the church parking lot by 11a.m. to pick up supplies for making kits/sandwiches at home, and will return the assembled kits/sandwiches by 1p.m. on the same day. Remote volunteers will be provided with everything they need, including instructions and food prep supplies.
BOXED Lunch will be provided to all volunteers (both In-Person and Remote) who register by January 12^th as a thank you for helping!
Consider donating items that we still need! We will be assembling Winter Care Kits, Personal Care Kits, and sandwiches. Supply needs range from gently used hats and mittens, to bottles of shampoo, tissues, and lip balm. All donations go directly to the kits we are assembling, and the more donations we receive, the more we can donate to our neighbors in need.

Register to volunteer or to donate items, via the church website: MLK Jr. Day (bayshorelutheran.org) You will find links on the webpage to sign up to volunteer, to donate items and more.

Questions? Please email our chair of the event, Julie Murphy at [email protected].

This is a wonderful way for Bay Shore to be actively engaged in our community and serve those in need. Feel free to welcome your neighbors and more to participate and donate, too. With the ability to do your projects at home, this is truly open to all. I pray that you consider helping as much as you are able. Jesus called us to serve—this is just one way we can do so this January!

In Christ,

Pastor Sarah

Special Message from Pastor Sarah

January 6, 2022 by BayshoreLutheran Leave a Comment

Greetings, Bay Shore!

As I write this, the snow is falling softly, and my body is aching—yes, Pete and I have been sick all week with “whatever this is.” It’s been a hard week, I won’t sugar-coat it, and I pray you all are healthy and well. I know Pete and I will recover soon, but it will take some time.

We have all seen the headlines this week and last about the rapid spread of Omicron in our area, affecting the vaccinated and unvaccinated. Several of my colleagues have been down the past 7-10 days, so I was not surprised to become ill. But the spread is still happening. There is a lot of concern being shared, and I know you all are invested in our community’s welfare.

The Wisconsin Council of Churches has issued a statement, supported by our Bishop Ericksson, to cease in person worship for the next 4-6 weeks. I have connected with our staff and the Executive Committee for Council to discuss the recommendations. In response, we will do the following:

This Sunday, we will have Zoom Worship at 10 a.m. This will allow me to lead worship from home, and also keep the rest of the staff at home as well.
After Sunday, the staff and I will review our health situations and decide if Sunday, Jan. 16 will be on Zoom or through livestream (staff only in the building) at 10 a.m.
On Tuesday, Jan. 18, the Council will meet via Zoom and review our current practices in line with the WCC’s recommendations.
Each group using our building at this time may use discretion about in person gatherings, but as you will see in the Calendar—most are moving to Zoom meetings for the time being. The preschool was closed this week as well.

I know, this feels like a step back. The good news is that we have the vaccines now, and more and more are getting vaccinated, and the experts last night on the news stated this “wave” has a shorter life cycle than Delta. I do not feel we will be in virtual worship mode for long, but it is best to follow the guidance we are given at this time.

You will see in our eNews that we are continuing forward in our plans as best as possible. The staff and I appreciate your support and patience as we maneuver through the latest situation. I will keep you all updated as best as I can through email, Facebook and our website. Let’s stay as connected as possible in the weeks ahead—call one another, join in the Zooms, and participate as you are able.

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 John 2:1 (NRSV) This is my sincere prayer for you and our community in the weeks ahead. Please join me in praying for one another.

Peace to you and your loved ones,

Pastor Sarah

This Sunday’s Virtual Worship will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom.

The recording of the service will be uploaded to the YouTube Channel following the service.

Fellowship will also happen immediately after the worship service, using the same Zoom room.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82399763795?pwd=M2pYMVdHOC9jb1RtMjN2WU1MbmVWdz09

Meeting ID: 823 9976 3795

Passcode: 135606

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,82399763795#,,,,*135606# US (Chicago)

+19292056099,,82399763795#,,,,*135606# US (New York)

Epiphany Blessings, Jan 6, 2022

January 6, 2022 by BayshoreLutheran Leave a Comment

Welcome!

Today is the Epiphany of Our Lord, January 6! Join Pastor Sarah in the Eastern Christian tradition of chalking your door(s) with the tradition blessing invoking the names of the three magi. We have a video and a document (CLICK HERE link below) to assist you.

And this can be done anytime leading up to Ash Wednesday. So gather with your loved ones, or just with Pastor online, and mark your own doors with prayers for the new year.