JULY 2015
Rock of Ages News is a monthly publication of Rock of Ages Lutheran Church
A Vicar at Rock of Ages…
As I understand it, Phillip Beukema will be the first Vicar to serve Rock of Ages in its history. We thank God
for the opportunity to welcome Vicar Beukema and his family to our congregation. He will officially begin his
duties July 15 and will be installed July 19.
Since this will be a new experience for Rock of Ages, you might be interested in knowing a bit more about
what vicarage means in our Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
What does the term “vicar” mean?
Technically, the term “vicar” means “one serving as a substitute or taking the place of a superior; or as an
assistant or an administrative deputy.” In our Church a “vicar” is understood to be a seminary student who is
engaging in a year-long internship study as part of his preparation for becoming an ordained Pastor.
Internships in the medical and other professions are very common. The person involved in an internship has
the opportunity to learn first hand from qualified professionals and to experience a real-life situation similar to
one he will experience as a professional following successful completion of the internship. In our Church, the
year of vicarage (internship) is part of the course of studies assigned by the Seminary.
Normally, the year of vicarage for a seminary student is the third year of his four years of seminary study.
Following vicarage, the student returns to the seminary for his final year of study before being certified for
ordination into the pastoral ministry. In Vicar Beukema’s case as a second career student, he was assigned a
“delayed vicarage.” His academic, classroom studies have been completed and his vicarage becomes his
final year of seminary education. Upon the successful completion of his vicarage, Vicar Beukema will be
certified for ordination into the pastoral ministry and will be eligible for a Call.
The Seminary will maintain contact with Vicar Beukema and with me during the year of vicarage. Reports will
be submitted to the Seminary and credit toward his Seminary completion will be awarded.
What will the Vicar do?
Vicar Beukema will be engaged in many activities during his vicarage year. Concordia Theological Seminary
defines his task as the following:
The vicar is a theological student who is continuing his theological training by gaining supervised
practical experience on a full-time basis in a parish setting and by reflecting upon that experience with
his supervising pastor and others.
Also, the Seminary states:
While not yet a pastor to whom spiritual oversight is assigned, the vicar nevertheless accepts the
tasks, small and large, intended to provide service to, and guidance for, the people.
(Vicar—continued on page 2)
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(Vicar at Rock of Ages—continued)
As a co-worker in the ministry at Rock of Ages, he will serve as an “assistant” to me as Pastor. Again,
the Seminary explains:
The vicar serves as assistant to the pastor. ...he is a student assistant and not a called pastor
or assistant pastor.
With a number of exceptions, Vicar Beukema will be fully involved in ministry at Rock of Ages.
According to guidelines of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, certain “official acts” should be
reserved for an ordained pastor. Included are baptisms, administering the Lord’s Supper (that is,
conducting the Communion liturgy), solemnizing marriages, and officiating at funerals. With respect
for these exceptions, Vicar Beukema will be involved in nearly all ministry efforts at Rock of Ages –
occasional preaching, conducting liturgy, leading Bible classes, visiting home-bound members,
attending Church Council meetings, being a guest at Circuit and District Pastoral gatherings, engaging
in outreach activities such as evangelism, Website development and maintenance, and development
of promotional materials and activities. He will participate in planning activities, worship folder and
newsletter development, and other things as assigned. (That final item is my “catch-all” for whatever
needs to be done for the good of Rock of Ages.)
What happens after Vicar Beukema’s year at Rock of Ages?
Following the successful completion of his vicarage year, Vicar Beukema will be approved for pastoral
ministry in The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. At that point, he will be eligible for a Call to a
congregation, including a Call to Rock of Ages Lutheran Church.
It is a bit early to think about what will happen a year from now, but I know that you, the members of
Rock of Ages join me, your Vacancy Pastor, in full confidence that the Lord will bless and guide Vicar
Beukema during his vicarage year. We are grateful for this new experience in the life of our
congregation and expect many wonderful things to happen.
A word from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana
The Director of Vicarage at the Seminary in Fort Wayne is Dr. John Reynolds. Here is a note he sent
to our congregation:
May I, on behalf of our seminary, express both our congratulations that a vicar has been
assigned to you and our great Lord has provided this opportunity for serving Him. We at the
Seminary, and now also you, are privileged to be an integral part of the training and equipping
of men for the Holy Ministry of our Church. This privilege, of course, places special
responsibilities on each of us and especially upon your pastor.
We pray that as you will be a genuine service to our Lord and the Church, so also your new
vicar will be a real service to His Lord and each member of your congregation. May our
shared ministries continue to give all glory to the Triune God.
VICAR BEUKEMA, WELCOME TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU!
MAY ALL THAT WE DO BE TO THE GLORY OF GOD!
Pastor Paul Devantier
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Serving Us In July
General Announcements
Elders
Trig’s T.s.L.C.
We received a final check from Trig’s in the amount of $186.35 for the Support
Your Local Churches & Schools program. They no longer are supporting this
program.
A Thank You Received
July 4 (Sat)
Darwin Frank
July 5
Steve Roecker
July 11 (Sat) Joey Tank
July 12
Enclosed is a donation to use wherever the funds are needed. We enjoy the
newsletter and your church. God Bless.
Your Friends, Larry & June Lowther—Oshkosh, WI.
We Welcome New Members
We welcome to Rock of Ages, Manson, Heidi, Benjamin & Kara Morris. They
come to us from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dover, DE. Please introduce
yourself and welcome them to our congregation.
Presidents Message
July will be somewhat of a new beginning for Rock of Ages.
Our Vicar Phil Buekema will be starting to serve us. Please plan to attend his
installation and Pot Luck on July 19th. Bring a dish, bring a friend and enjoy
some time with your fellow Christians. I have a request of all our members,
please start wearing your nametags. This will help Pastor Devantier and the
Vicar to get to know you.
I understand the Sunday Bible class is going well. I just read an article in the
Reporter, (official newspaper of the LCMS) stating that Christian education is
one of the most important ongoing missions of our church. We will see you
there in September, since we are Saturday night worshipers.
Good news we have two men who have stepped forward to serve as Elders,
Aaron Kurth and Steve Roecker. Also Darwin Frank & Don Gauger have
volunteered to serve as back-up when the elder cannot make the service he is
assigned. Please thank these gentlemen when you see them. We also thank
Bill Koff, who has decided to step down as an elder at this time. We thank him
for his very faithful service to the Lord. Elders are desperately needed. As I
have said before it is a service to the Lord.
July 18 (Sat) Darwin Frank
July 19
Don’t forget our ongoing mission project, “By the Way” on the radio. If you are
not an early riser you can hear Pastor Devantier’s daily message at
www.bythewaytoday.org. We always need donations to fund this project.
Thought for the month: “We will never change the world by going to church.
We will only change the world by being the church.”
Respectively submitted, Jim Ziemer
3
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Don Gauger
July 25 (Sat) Joey Tank
July 26
Steve Roecker
Ushers
July 4 (Sat)
Darwin Frank
July 5
Charlie & Sue
Christopher
July 11 (Sat) Carl & Nancy
Diedrich
July 12
Pam Geist &
Dagmar Schmidt
July 18 (Sat) Jim & Sharron
Ziemer
July 19
Mary Glocke & Pat
Cichy
July 25 (Sat) Scott Jacobsen &
Don Koch
July 26
At our June council meeting it was decided that the CD that has come due will
be transferred to The Lutheran Church Extension Fund. If you are not familiar
with this institution it would be wise to look into it for your financial needs. Their
interest rates and other services are great. Also at the meeting we discussed
contacting inactive members. Pastor Devantier and Vicar Phil will be working
on this.
We also need committee chairs for several positions, especially we need
someone to chair the Picnic/Auction. Also needed are Education, Evangelism
and Stewardship chairs. The memorial committee also needs some new
members. Please consider the needs of our congregation. Contact me if you
are thinking about any of these positions. I will be glad to explain what the job
entails.
Mike Goessl
Rick & Debbie
Stainbrook
Communion Set-up
July 11 (Sat)
Sharron Ziemer
July 12
Pam Geist
July 25 (Sat) Sharron Ziemer
July 26
Dagmar Schmidt
Stewardship
LCMS Stewardship
JULY ANNIVERSARIES
1
2
6
7
15
19
24
27
Pat & Gerry McFarland
Steve & Loup Roecker
Manson & Heidi Morris
Michael & Amber Laggis
Jim & Jeri Green
Jim & Nancy Nelson
Charlie & Sue Christopher
Mike & Mary Goessl
43 yrs
49 yrs
24 yrs
8 yrs
54 yrs
12 yrs
33 yrs
30 yrs
JULY BIRTHDAYS
1
3
7
10
13
17
24
26
27
28
30
Mary Goessl
Ed Rosenquist
Ellen Devantier
Laurel Koff
Keith Justice
Nancy Rubeck-Nelson
Carol Birchell
Donna Schmit
Chris Schmeling
Jerry Keller
Betty Miesbauer
Sallie Rosenow
Steve Spire
Barb Ovans
Craig Bauman
Leah Bauman
Help Support
the Food Pantry
We thank everyone for the
donations to the food pantry
each month. Please continue to
bring in your items and put them
in the narthex. Checks may be
made out to the Food Pantry.
Thank you for your help!
"Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and
bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were
with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and
infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had
gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager,
and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their
means" (Luke 8:1-3).
There were many who provided out of their means for our Lord's work of
proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God while He
was on earth. Think about that for a moment. These pious women gave
to God in the flesh for God the Father's work of bringing the good news
of God's kingdom. Their generosity, which was moved by the generosity
of God Himself to them in the healing of their infirmities and evil spirits,
was employed so that others could benefit as they had. The means they
provided was put into God's service to feed and clothe and provide
shelter as Jesus and the twelve travelled preaching, teaching, and
healing.
That's amazing. These women were widows who had been oppressed
by demons. They were forgotten, thought of as nobodies. The world
didn't think much of them, or perhaps that they were just in the way.
Regardless of what the world thought, God forgets no one. No one is a
burden to Him. He cares for the widow and the fatherless. He puts the
solitary into a home. And more than that, He brings them the good news
of the kingdom and lets them be a part of building it by their giving of
what He has provided them. He presses their gifts into His service to
His glory. And they are not forgotten. They are inscribed in the Holy
Scriptures as a monument of what giving from out of their means does.
It helped to turn the world upside down, which happens to be right-side
up, reconciliation and healing through what Jesus accomplished on the
cross. (Acts 17:6).
This is what your giving to the church does also. It provides the
ministers of the Gospel food and clothes, house and home, all that they
need for this body and life so that they may preach and teach, and bring
the healing of the Gospel of Jesus death and resurrection to those who
need it, those who are homebound and infirm, those who are sick and
suffering, those who are bedeviled by evil spirits, depressed, and
plagued by guilt and shame. Your gifts are put to use for God's work on
earth to bring the good news of His kingdom which has no end.
Who wouldn't want to be part of that? And you are! Thanks be to God.
And it does not go unnoticed. Your pastor gives thanks for it and prays
for you. And so does your Lord. And the angels rejoice over one sinner
who repents and believes. You help to make that happen. You do it
because someone else has made it happen for you.
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What’s Happening
Ladies Guild Salad Luncheon
Our annual Salad Luncheon will be on Thursday, July 9th from 11:00 am. to 1:00 pm. The cost will be $8.00 per person.
Everyone is welcome. We are asking the congregation for donations of salads. A sign up sheet is in the narthex if you
would be willing to help us out. Please bring your salads to the church the morning of July 9th after 9:00 am. We also
need card tables and table cloths. Thank you for your help to make our luncheon a success.
Vicar Phillip Beukema Installation
On Sunday, July 19th a Pot Luck dinner will be held after the worship and installation service of our new Vicar. Everyone
is invited to attend. There is a sign up sheet in the narthex to let us know how many will be attending and what you will
be bringing for the dinner.
Our Annual Picnic and Auction
Our church picnic/auction is set for Sunday, September 13th. Think about what you can donate for the auction. It can be
something you have made or a service that you can provide. If you are at a restaurant or store, ask them if they would
care to donate something for our auction. Thank You!
Relay For Life
The Northern Lights Relay for Life will be held July 31 st - August 1 at the LUHS track. Opening ceremony begins at 6:00
p.m. The public is invited to attend whether you are associated with a team or not. You are welcome to come and
support our cancer survivors and our teams as we raise money for the American Cancer Society. Cancer survivors are
welcomed to come, register, and participate in order that we may honor their courageous battle.
My Rock of Ages family has been so generous and supportive. If you are able to make a donation, that would be greatly
appreciated. We have solar lights again this year.....a different style. They sell for $5 each and we will tag them In
Memory or In Honor. Just leave me a list of names and whether they should be designated Memory or Honor. I will get
your solar lights back to you upon completion of the Relay. Or, if you wish, we are still doing the luminaria bags as well.
Or, you can simply make a donation. All checks should be made out to the American Cancer Society. Please put them
in my church mailbox.
Thank you for continued support, year after year, as I work to Finish the Fight. In John 12:35, Jesus said, “The light is
with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light lest the darkness overtake you.” And so I walk, in the light of the
solar lights and luminaria bags knowing that I can do just a small measure to help battle this disease.
Respectfully, Mary Glocke
Ladies Guild
Our Annual Ladies Guild Salad Luncheon
will be on Thursday, July 9th from 11 AM to 1 PM.
Please come and join us for some delicious salads and fellowship.
We always need donations of salads. If you would like to try out a new recipe and bring it to our luncheon, we would be
happy to test it. We also need card tables and tablecloths. Please have them at church by Wednesday, July 8th. Please
bring your salads on the morning of Thursday, July 9th by 10 AM.
Greeting cards are still $1.00. We have birthday, wedding, sympathy, thinking of you, anniversary and children’s
birthday cards. All proceeds go to our mission projects.
We are again collecting postage stamps. I don’t know how this works but the LWML has a broker that buys them for
collectors. Please remember the “Box Tops for Education”. Camp Luther can really use the money they bring in. If you
have an opportunity to visit Camp Luther, you should do so. It is a beautiful place.
“Many people want to serve God, but only as advisors.
Hope to see you at the Salad Luncheon and the Vicar’s Installation Pot Luck.
Have a great 4th and remember our freedom is not free. Pray for our servicemen and women. Remember God is
good...all the time.
Sharron Ziemer—Ladies Guild President
5
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Worship
9:00 am
Bible Class/Sunday
School 10:15 a.m.
26
Worship with Holy
Communion
9:00 am
Bible Class/Sunday
School 10:15 a.m.
Worship
9:00 am
Installation of Vicar
Philip Beukema
Pot Luck Dinner
following service
19
12
Worship with Holy
Communion
9:00 am
Bible Class/Sunday
School 10:15 a.m.
5
SUNDAY
Office 9—5 pm
Office 9—5 pm
27
20
Office 9—5 pm
Office 9—5 pm
Newsletter Deadline
13
6
MONDAY
Office 9—5 pm
28
Office 9—5 pm
29
Office 9—5 pm
Quilters
10:00 am
Newsletter Volunteers
Needed
22
Office 9—5 pm
Set Up for Salad
Luncheon 10:00 am.
15
8
Office 9—5 pm
Office 9—5 pm
Office 9—5 pm
Office 9—5 pm
1
WEDNESDAY
Office 9—5 pm
21
14
7
TUESDAY
July 2015
Office 9—5 pm
30
23
Office 9—5 pm
Office 9—5 pm
Office 9—5 pm
Office 9—5 pm
Ladies Guild Salad
Luncheon
11:00 am.—1:00 pm
16
9
2
THURSDAY
31
24
17
10
3
FRIDAY
Worship 5:00 pm
SATURDAY
Worship 5:00 pm
25
Worship with Holy
Communion
5:00 pm
18
11
Worship with Holy
Communion
5:00 pm
4
MINOCQUA, WI
Church Phone (715) 356-3848
Church Fax (715) 356-4726
R O C K O F A G E S E VA N G E L I C A L
LUTHERAN CHURCH
ROCK OF AGES EVANGELICAL
LUTHERAN CHURCH
10441 Hwy. 70 West
P.O. Box 1131
Minocqua, WI 54548
NONPROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
MINOCQUA, WI
PERMIT NO. 12
Address service requested
Phone: 715•356•3848
Fax: 715•356•4726
Email: rockofageslcms@frontier.com
Editor—Pamela K. Geist
Rev. Paul Devantier, Pastor
Home Phone: 715-356-6375
Vicar Phillip Beukema
Home Phone:765-606-7901
Saturday Worship 5:00 pm
Sunday Worship 9:00 am
Holy Communion
Second, Fourth and Fifth Sundays
How People See Us...
Those who travel Highway 70 West see our Church building. Occasionally, Rock of Ages has an ad in
The Lakeland Times. Some hear Rock of Ages mentioned each morning on WMQA Radio in
connection with the By The Way broadcast.
With the blessing of the Church Council, work is being done to expand activity in two other areas
- a Website and a Visual Identity Program.
WEBSITE. A new Website for Rock of Ages is in the process of being established. The web address,
when the site is up and running will be www.rockofages-minocqua.org Initially, the site will be small,
but the prayer is that it can be expanded and become a way for people to learn more about our
ministry.
VISUAL IDENTITY PROGRAM. There are a number of graphics, symbols, and logos that have been,
and are being, used by Rock of Ages. These have appeared in our worship folders, in our newsletters,
in brochures, and in other print pieces. With the advent of a new Website for the congregation and the
desire to do more to help people recognize Rock of Ages, an evaluation of the various elements of our
visual identity is being conducted.
NOW COMES THE SPECIAL REQUEST. If you have an interest in web design and/or print
communications, Pastor Devantier would very much like to hear your thoughts. He is convinced that
having insights from members will be of great benefit. Please let Pastor Devantier or Pam know that
you would be happy to share some ideas. THANKS!
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