PRAYERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Family and Friends of William Charaf
Family and Friends of Scott Premo
PRAYERS: Jon Cook; Millie Mutka; Kathy Mayo*; Barb Zima and her friends Alan Foster, Dave Butschli, Mick, Steven and Marilyn Hummel; Gregory Bowens; Laurie Nelson; Amber Ross’s daughter Linda; Randy & Diane Niemczyk’s daughter Julia VanAvery, niece Sarah Joda, and their dear friend Denise Hazel; Dick Volland; Don Schiesl; Valeria Hesselberg; Chris Markussen; Anne Verona’s sister/brother-in-law Pat & Woody Woodworth and friends Dennis Peterson and Natalie Madine; Ann Currie; Strong’s friend Erin Molle; Debbie Cyrtmus’ mother, Rose Wicker and sister, Corrie Trittin; the Ebert’s friends Patricia Kulzick and John Oliver and Gary’s son Matthew; Joyce Leander’s cousin Laurie Nelson; Ashley Clark’s friends Michael Loomis, Keith & Becky Hernandez; the Waggoner’s sister-in-law Cheryl Busse; Karen Engels and her niece Lisa and friends Bob and Dawn; Ann Carlson’s people Enid, Stacy, Dana*, Julie*, Richard and Troy; and peace for all nations and comfort for those in distress.
PRAYER LIST PROCEDURE – Submit your prayer requests to the office in writing, by phone, by email or in person. If requesting prayers for someone other than yourself or an immediate family member, please obtain permission – unless the circumstances are public in nature.
GUESTS – if you are visiting us today, please sign our book at the entrance to the sanctuary.
WORSHIP LIVESTREAM – In addition to FaceBook, we are also live on YouTube (@PastorPrinceOfPeaceERWI) on Sundays at 9:00 & posted later for viewing.
BIRTHDAY SUNDAY TODAY – We are celebrating the birthdays of Millie Mutka, Daniel Laatsch, Bob Michaels, Richard Volland, Karen Engels, Noreen Copple, Jim Finch, Rhoda Sharpee, Diane Niemczyk, Dave Cyrtmus, Debbie Cyrtmus, Linda Thorpe, Hope Van Lishout, Pastor Grant Van Lishout and Evelyn Strong. Cake will be served in the Fellowship Hall after worship – please join us in celebration!
QUILTERS –Tie one on with the quilting group as they assemble quilts. Next gathering is May 21st from 9:30 to 11:30 am.
MONTH OF MAY – WEEKEND BACKPACK FUND DRIVE – During the month of May – FORK has committed to match EVERY dollar donated towards the Weekend Backpack Program – up to $20,000! To contribute financially, follow the QR code below or mail your contribution to “Weekend Backpack Program, 4887 Echo Ridge Dr. Eagle River WI 54521” and make your check out to “The Northwoods Weekend Backpack Program.”
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BOOK DISCUSSION – Grab your coffee and cake and join us in the “Ashes to Action” book study led by Chris Ebert. It is about the initial response and journey of Calvary Lutheran Church in Minneapolis following the murder of George Floyd.
PRAISE IN THE PINES – On Saturday, July 19th, 2025, Eagle River, WI, will host the second annual Praise in the Pines Music Festival. This full-day event features a free Worship Experience, food trucks, a Christian ministry faire, and a headline concert by the Newsboys. A portion of the money raised will be poured back into local nonprofits. They are asking for prayers, donations, and hands-on help. Visit www.praiseinthepines.org today to donate or volunteer.
SHALL WE GATHER AT THE RIVER? – Some members of our congregation would like to gather at the T docks and kayak ‘oar’ canoe to church. We will have our first trip on June 1 and depending on how many show an interest in this event, we will try to schedule this for at least one Sunday each month. We plan to meet at the T docks at 8:00 am. We can bring some extra kayaks if needed. Please contact Tim or Betty Wright @ 715-891-6549/6548 with questions.
GODS WORK – OUR HANDS – SUMMER FUN – Mark your calendars, ‘God’s Work Our Hands’ Team has planned several fellowship events for the summer! More information will follow before each event.
June 29th – PIE DAY Bring your favorite pie to share, at fellowship, following the service. Ice cream will be provided.
July 27th – POTLUCK PICNIC Bring your favorite dish to pass! Ham & Buns will be provided. Picnic here after worship.
Aug 24th – MINI GOLF Tee-time will be at 11am, following fellowship hour.
Sept 7th – GWOHs DAY Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Our Backpack Program.
MOVIE NIGHT – our first Movie Night will be June 24 at 6:00 pm. Popcorn and water will be provided. This is at no cost to the church as the event has been sponsored and will be free admission to the public. If you would like to sponsor a movie night – please contact Ann Carlson in the Front Office. Movie will be “Peanut Butter Falcon” It is rated PG13.
NORTHWOODS SINGERS – perform today (5/18) at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 105 North 1st St, Eagle River at 4:00 PM. Free admission.
FUN FACTS – May 18th is National Cheese Souffle Day. We do live in Wisconsin – so I chose this day over National Visit Your Relatives Day. You can celebrate one or the other or both. There is a recipe (that I haven’t tried) in the Narthex in case you want to give it a go. Take a picture and let us know how it turned out.
The First Lutheran hymnal, published in 1524 as Etlich Cristlich lider / Lobgesang und Psalm (Some Christian songs / canticle, and psalm), is often referred to as the Achtliederbuch (Book with eight songs, literally Eightsongsbook), The hymnal was created by Martin Luther and Paul Speratus working in collaboration. It contains eight hymns: four by Luther, three by Speratus, and one anonymous, which has been attributed to Justus Jonas.
Nineteen of Martin Luther’s hymns are in our ELW hymnal. Hymn 594 Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice is one of the original eight hymns. Pretty cool we are singing history.
As I flipped through the hymnal, I found 440 In Peace and Joy I Now Depart. When I do my funeral planning (for an event hopefully in the far future) this song will be included.
NOTES FROM ANN: Our lead photo is of a sunrise over Crescent Lake – taken by Bryan James.
Not sure if it has been noticeable or not – but I’ve been having some difficulties in writing my notes each week. I had a long run of ideas flowing into each week without having to scrape the bottom of the brain barrel. This week – I’m happy to report – the thoughts have been bouncing back in.
My husband’s, Burt, birthday is this Sunday. I was struggling to find an appropriate birthday present for him. I wanted something special and something unique. I found it! Had the item tweaked just for him. He now has a ‘one of a kind’ lamp made from an old Johnson outboard motor. (Johnson is his last name). AND the motor used to power a boat on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.
Burt is notorious for not seeing things. We could go down the stereotypical ‘guy think’ road, but I won’t do that. It has happened before. I bought a new-to-us chair and put it in the kitchen. Burt sat in the chair for three months, eating breakfast and drinking his coffee, until one day he turned to me and asked, “Is this chair new?” That’s okay. We each have our strengths in our marriage. My super power is that I can find things. (Seriously – I’m not mocking Burt – it really is my super power. I have stories …)
I told you all of that to tell you this. I took delivery of Burt’s lamp this week. Tuesday to be exact. I brought it into the house and set it up. In the front room. Directly in his line of sight from anywhere in the room. He hasn’t noticed it. I’m not going to say anything until his birthday. There’s a chance he will see it beforehand. I will keep you advised.
How many times in your life have you overlooked what is right there in front of you? Or have become so used to your surroundings, you don’t notice change around you?
In the same front room where the new lamp resides is a table. A table that I sit beside each morning, drinking my coffee. On that table is my devotional and two Bibles. A study Bible and a women’s Bible. My daily routine – used to – consist of reading my devotional and then reviewing the scriptures in either or both of the Bibles. I have strayed away from this and have noticed the difference. I got so used to God’s presence, I started to disengage from actively pursuing Him. Then I started to feel the ache and lack of peace that comes from straying. I am re-engaging and experienced an almost immediate sense of peace and relief. I am fairly confident all of us have overlooked God when He was right there in front of you. We have become so used to His presence, we fail to notice the change in ourselves when we fall away until it becomes obvious in one form or another. A gentle reminder to not let our relationship with God become routine or rote. Our relationship with God is meant to grow and endure.
Wishing you a week of revitalization in whatever form you need.
