September 2017

9/10
Meet & Eat
MKE Burger
Company
5:30pm
9/11
God’s
Ways
Course
6:30pm
9/12
Faith
Builders
10:00am
6:30pm
9/12 Choir
Practice
7:00pm
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF CENTENNIAL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SEPTEMBER 2017 – VOL. II ISS. IX
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Icame across some information which I thought was
rather interesting. Maybe this information will be
shocking to you; maybe not. One thing is for sure, I did
not know this information before. In the 1930s Congress
almost passed a law calling for a 30-hour work week.
Experts in the 1950s predicted that by the end of the
century, Americans would work fewer hours and enjoy far
more leisure time. Some people even predicted that
people would only work Monday through Thursday and
have a three day weekend every week. WOW! They were
totally wrong.
How did you feel as you read those words? Were you a
little jealous or envious or desirous of those work hours?
Today, if you do not put in more than 40 hours per week,
you may be looking for a different job by the end of the
week. Employers tell you to work 40 hours but expect you
to work closer to 50. Executives work well over 55 hours a
week, just to stay ahead of everyone else. And I believe it
was during the 1990s that a new word was made up –
“workaholic.” It is not uncommon to “bring your work
home” with you. And with many people, Saturday does
not mark the beginning of the weekend until they have
come home from work on that Saturday. Sundays have
become more of a weekend than Saturdays.
It can be a little depressing. It can be a little upsetting.
That is why we value our vacation times. That is why we
value our rest. And that is why the month of September
can be a little depressing too. School has started for those
going to school. That means the families who have
children are now sending their children to school. That also
means that vacation times are over. The fun is done.
Nothing more to look forward to except for the 40+ hour
work week! And it is for that reason why people value
their weekends. It is the only time of the week they can
get away from it all.
I want to bring you back to what I said earlier. I said that
for many people, the weekend really only consists of
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Sunday, since they have to work on Saturdays now.
When that Sunday comes rolling around, they do not
want to do anything. They want to have that
Sunday to themselves and to their families.
They do not want to go anywhere that they
have not planned beforehand to go. They do
not want anyone to tell them what to do.
Sadly enough, this also includes church.
“Why should I wake up on a Sunday morning,
my only day to sleep in, to go to
church?” From an earthly point of view, that
question does make sense. But listen again
to the invitation of Jesus - Come to me, all
you who are weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
Rest! It is what we crave! Rest! It is what we desire!
Rest! It is what we need! This invitation is perfect for
each of us. We are the ones who are weary! We are the
ones who are burdened! Yes, I am talking about our
physical burdens, but more than that – I am also talking
about our spiritual burdens too. We make poor
decisions. We do bad things. We say words we did not
mean. And we are burdened by those actions. So, we try
to make up for it. We try to become good enough, smart
enough. We try to measure up to God and His
expectations. And that only adds to the burdens we
already have because we cannot do it. No matter how
hard we have tried or how hard we have worked, we can
never take away those poor decisions or bad things or
words we do not mean.
So, what can we do? Listen again to your Savior’s
invitation to you - Come to me, all you who are weary
and burdened, and I will give you
rest.” (Matthew 11:28). Jesus is there for
you. Jesus tells you to find rest in Him. For
with Jesus you see your sin taken away. You
see your Savior on a cross carrying your
burdens. You see your Savior preparing rest
from your poor decisions and bad things and
words you did not mean to say. Because with
Jesus, you see Him takes those wrongs away.
And in the place of those wrongs, He gives
you His love, His forgiveness, His rest.
Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
Even though you may not get physical rest until you have
come home after a 40+ hour work week, you have rest in
Jesus every day. You can find rest in Jesus for 168 hours
per week. You can find rest in your Savior who has
removed your spiritual burdens forever! You can find
rest with your Savior who tells you – “When your 40+
hour work weeks are all finished, I have a place just for
you – heaven!”
Prayer: Dear Jesus, we bring all our burdens and our sins
to you to be taken away and forgiven. Give to us the rest
which you only can give – a heart which knows ‘I am
forgiven! I am loved!’ Lord, we pray to you – Thank you
for giving us rest! In your holy name we pray, Amen.
Centennial, in conjunction with Word of Life School presents our first annual
Trunk or Treat
WHAT IS A TRUNK OR TREAT?
October
29th
2 4pm
A Trunk or Treat is an event that is often church or community sponsored. People gather and park their cars in
a large parking lot. They open their trunks, or the backs of their vehicles, and decorate them. Then they pass
out candy from their trunks. It is a great way to evangelize to your local community and to get to know your
neighbors.
Noah and the Ark
Jesus’ Tomb
Jonah in the Whale

SUPER HERO SEPTEMBER
Starts September 10th
Sunday School starts on Sunday, September 10th with a Rally Party outside on the school playground. Come get to
know the other kids at our church while playing games and eating breakfast together! For the rest of September, we
will become Superheroes in Christ by focusing on Ephesians 6:10, Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might!
We will learn how to be superheroes through Bible lessons, games, and snacks.
Please come and bring a friend!
LYFE
Our
LYFE group Bible study will begin again on Sunday, September 10th at 8:15 am. They will discuss
hot topics that affect today's youth through movies, videos, devotions, or activities.
On Saturday, September 16, the group is going to the Bear Den Zoo in Waterford WI. The zoo has
been family owned and operated for over 25 years. What started as a simple love for animals, turned
into a dream of conservation, preservation and education. The Bear Den Zoo has a unique blend of
exotic animals in addition to traditional farm and native wild life for you and your family to enjoy.
The LYFE group is for students in grades 5 to 12 and guests are always welcome to join! Bring a friend!

STAFF MINISTER’S REPORT
As Missionaries of Christ, we bring everyone we come in contact with closer to the Savior.
We have decided to go ahead with this new event and coordinate it together with
our school. We are calling this event “Fall Family Trunk or Treat”. We have picked
the date of Sunday, October 29, 2pm - 4pm (which is also Milwaukee’s trick or treat
time). We will be encouraging the community to bring their children to this “childsafe”
event. We are asking our members to decorate the trunks of their vehicles.
We will pass out treats, have a guessing contest, and invite people to come inside
our building for treats of pies, hot coffee, chocolate and cider, popcorn, etc. This
event would also be an opportunity to use it as an “open house” for our church and
school.
We will need congregation’s support for this new event. Can you support us by
decorating your vehicle and handing out candy to our community? We would also
like to conduct a raffle where we will ask our visitors to provide their contact
information at this event. Can you donate something that we can raffle? We have
had great success with receiving community contact information through these
raffles and this has resulted in new Centennial members in the past. Can your
family support the church and school with your time and talents?
Since this is a children-friendly,
Christian event,
please refrain from decorating
your vehicle
in a overly scary fashion.
We have a pie sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the church lobby. Please sign up if you can donate a pie or other
dessert. If you want to donate something for a raffle, please see me. We can always use your financial gifts as well. Help
us make this new event a blessing to our church and school! Thank you.
~Bob Garbe - Minister of Evangelism & Outreach
MISSION MOMENTS
Death and Demons Defeated BY SOUTH ASIA COORDINATOR
Recently, a member at a WELS sister church in Asia died in an accident. This
young woman, wife and expectant mother, fell out of a tree while harvesting
berries. Our sister in Christ attended three Christian training workshops at
the Scripture Learning Center in South Asia. Her dream was to eventually
serve the local national church.
An American may wonder why a pregnant woman was climbing trees! An
understandable question. The answer is bone-jarring poverty leads Christians
to work in unsafe conditions in this Asian country.
The husband called the pastor who was attending a seminary session. The pastor left immediately and took an all-night bus
to offer personal support to his grieving member. But, the bus had a flat tire at one o’clock in the morning and there
wasn’t any spare. He then walked nine hours to reach the village.
There is immense pressure–from the surrounding Hindu community–when Christians die. In this instance, the Hindu
neighbors said the mother's abdomen must be cut open to remove the baby. Their belief was that the baby would become
a demon and haunt the village. However, the law says it is illegal to do this. If the family gave in they would be breaking the
law. And, once they broke the law, then, anyone in the community could accuse them of committing a criminal act!
Several men spent the night at the church guarding the body, so that no one would come in the middle of the night and
remove the baby from the mother’s body. They dug two graves but, both times the Hindu community confronted them and
would not allow them to bury the mother with her child. Sometimes Hindus intimidate Christians into carrying their
deceased many hours from their villages. Christian families then are unable to visit the grave site.
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Have you read the whole Bible yet?
Do you want to, but find it difficult to do
on your own?
GOD'S WAYS is a two year 60 week thematic study of the entire Bible in its chronological and historical
settings. John Nolte will continue to lead this course starting September 11. The class meets in the
7 th and 8 th grade room Monday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00 pm.
The course is broken into four fifteen week quarters spanning two years. This year, one quarter will
run from September 11th to December 18 th , and the second quarter will run from January 22 nd to May
14 th with a two week break over Easter. The focus this year is the New Testament and Psalms, with a
few books to help understand the transition from the Old Testament to the New.
Attendance last year averaged about 15 each week. There is room for another 10 to 15 people to join
us in the classroom. A 5 th or 6 th grade reading level is necessary. Anyone considering registration
should be prepared to make this a major part of their lives during the times it is in session. It may
mean some things will have to be dropped from your normal schedule.
This course requires a serious commitment to spend some quality time each week getting to know
your God and letting Him speak to your life. Several hours of reading plus worksheets are required
most weeks. Reading and discussing the entire Bible with your fellow Christians will be some of the
most profitable time you have spent in your life.
Join us if you can! There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex.
“This course is such a blessing to me. It is helping
me understand the entire Bible as a whole and to
see God’s entire plan of salvation from the Garden
to the Cross and beyond. It is helping me to
prioritize my faith and identify what role God
wants me to play in this
~Current Student
God’s Ways
Starts Monday, September 11th

HINDUISM FACTS
Hinduism is the world's
third largest
religion with over 900
million followers.
In the United States,
there are over one
million Hindus.
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The pastor spoke with the family and the Hindu neighbors respectfully to assure
them that the unborn child would not become a demon. He also shared the gospel
of Christ's resurrection and the comfort we have in the death of a loved one. He
explained, "She is in heaven. She will not become a demon." Finally, the family and
the neighbors came to an agreement.
I, along with the men studying at the national seminary, were praying for the national
pastor throughout this ordeal. I witnessed great concern on the faces of all
the men. Local pastors have two issues to handle when a member dies, grief and
loss along with the challenge of burying the deceased.
While a complicated burial ritual in the earthly sense, God’s message is simple and
His word was used to preach the saving gospel message to many who remain in
darkness.
BEGIN THE YEAR WITH PATIENCE AND GRACE
By Rachel Blum
As an early elementary school teacher, I was both nervous and eager to begin each school year. Every new school year held
so much promise. Yet beginning something new took such patience and hard work.
I always knew that by mid-October all of the hard work would start paying off as individual students became a classroom
community, learning was evident throughout the day, and teachers and families were settled into their new routines and
relationships. However, the first weeks can be tough, and how we all handle them sets the tone for the rest of the year.
Parents, teachers, and students are very tired at the beginning of the school year. Be patient! It is exhausting to
implement and learn new routines, recognize new faces, and memorize new names while also focusing on academic
learning and homework. Give each other time to get everything running smoothly, and try not to make quick judgments
based on information gathered in the first couple weeks of the school year.
Choose a Bible verse, like Colossians 3:12, on which to focus as you interact with your children, other families, teachers,
and administrators: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Stressful times can give our sinful natures a foothold, but focusing on God’s
Word supports us as we build and grow relationships at the beginning of the school year. Posting an encouraging verse in
your car, on the fridge, or on your mirror can be a gentle
reminder throughout the day of how you would like to
treat others in this time of change.
Just when it seems like things are going smoothly and
it’s going to be a good year, a couple things often seem
to set off a normally patient, kind, and gentle parent—
homework and “mean” kids.
Homework: Often schools have homework
philosophies, and teachers need to follow what is
required of them. Teachers work hard to give homework
that is not too hard, not too easy, beneficial for every
student, and that fits every family situation, but . . . this
is tremendously hard to accomplish. The only way for a
teacher to know if the homework is or is not working for
your family is if you discuss it with him or her. If the amount, type, or content of homework is not working for your
child or family, please ask to speak to the teacher privately and then share how homework is going.
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Centennial Choir Begins
Tuesday, September 12 7:00pm
Our choir will begin their Fall season on Tuesday, September 12. It is at 7:00 pm and held in our
church balcony each Tuesday. If you would like to join us, we would welcome anyone 8th grade and
older, and anyone who would like to contribute their voice in praising the Lord.
One of the first things we are preparing for is the Southeastern Wisconsin District Reformation
Service, which will be held on November 5 at 3:30 in the afternoon at the 4000-seat Miller High Life
Theatre (formally the Milwaukee Theater) in downtown Milwaukee. Our choir was asked to
participate in this large service with several other church choirs from around the area.
Please join us on September 12. We always welcome new voices.
~Cheryl Nolte, Music Director
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread
your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in
you.” Psalm 5:11

Bible Studies
@ Centennial
S ummer is coming to an end. The kids are going back to school and soon the leaves will start to fall. What better time for us to get
back into the swing of things and start our Bible Study schedule for this season? We have many enriching classes in which you can take
part. Make plans now to attend at least one if not all of these studies. You will be blessed for it!
Starting September 10th - Sunday mornings 8:15am
“I don’t need your money…I want YOU!”
This 4 week stewardship study will help you identify who we are as disciples of Christ and
what we are here to do. It will empower you to good stewardship by showing you how
to live out your faith continuously throughout the week.
Starting September 11th - Monday evenings 6:30pm
“God’s Ways”
This course is a thematic study of the entire Bible in its chronological and historical
settings. This season will focus on the New Testament and the Apostles and Teachers
that wrote the story of the Christ.
Starting September 12th - Tuesdays10:00am & 6:30pm
“Faith Builders”
This course is being offered at two different times on Tuesdays. Faith Builders is an
doctrinal course that will help you build the foundation of your Lutheran beliefs and
shore up your understanding of Biblical principles.
September 7th - 1st Thursday of every month 7:00pm
“Resolved: 10 Ways to Stand Strong and Live What You Believe”
This ongoing Women’s Bible study continues on with Chapter 6 of this impactful book by
Lina Abujamra. No matter how strong we claim our faith in God is, when life is hard, it all
comes down to resolve. Do we really believe what we say we do? Come find out more.
For the month of September, we will meet at church for study.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,
a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who
correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15

Continued from page 6...
Ask the teacher to help you problem solve so that your child can best benefit
from the homework he or she is doing.
Centennial Evangelical
Lutheran Church
3558 S. 24th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53221
414-281-2280|
www.centennialwels.org
prayers@centennialwels.org
GREG PUFAHL, PASTOR
ROBERT GARBE, STAFF MINISTER
LIN KANITZ, ADMIN ASSISTANT
JENNY PUFAHL, SUNDAY SCHOOL
RICH KANITZ, PRESIDENT
JOHN NOLTE, TREASURER
MIKE CHAPMAN, PROPERTY
MANAGER
YOUTH GROUP
MEN’S MINISTRIES
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
MINISTRIES FOR SENIORS
INTERNET MINISTRY
GLOBAL OUTREACH MISSIONS
MUSIC MINISTRIES
SPECIAL NEEDS
Please join us for worship on
Thursday nights at 6:30 pm and
Sunday mornings at 9:30 am.
“The Lord bless you and keep
you; the Lord make his face
shine on you and be gracious
to you; the Lord turn his
face toward you and give you
peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
“Mean” kids: At the beginning of the school year, students often have some
kind of social growing pains. They may not have spent much time with friends in
the summer, and they now have to learn or remember how to problem solve,
work, and play in a group and navigate the recess scene successfully. All kids
struggle with some aspect of social learning as they practice being part of a
group that includes others and treats others with respect. It’s important for
parents to remember that other kids are not enemies—they are kids who are
working on learning how to be kind friends and successful learners just like your
child. When talking with your child about these experiences, try to help your
child remain calm and focused on how to help the situation be better the next
day. It is hard to hear that your child is sad or upset, but learning how to
problem solve and build relationships with others is a vital skill that your child
needs time to learn.
Teachers want you to know that we see these relationship dynamics and are closely
monitoring interactions between children. However, we will not always step in, as it
is so important for kids to practice their problem solving skills and then ask adults
for help if needed. If you are concerned about a situation or
relationship that seems to be bothering your child, please talk with your child’s
teacher in a respectful way. Often asking the teacher for his or her perspective on
the situation sets you up for a conversation focused on helping your child, which
works better than an attack on the teacher.
Whether you are frustrated about homework, worried about your child’s
friendships, or unsure about a teacher’s decisions, remember the grace that God
gives you every day and pass that grace along to others. Choosing to
interact with people in a spirit of love, kindness, and patience will make all the
difference as you strive to begin the school year with positivity and grace.
Rachel Blum and her husband, Matt, have three young children and are
members of St. Paul, Green Bay, Wis.
MEET & EAT SCHEDULE
Here is the schedule of Meet & Eats until the end of the year.
With the holiday season just around the corner and our schedules getting more hectic as
that time approaches, we thought it would be helpful to list the schedule of the monthly
Meet & Eats that are scheduled out until December. We hope to see you attend as many
of these dinners as you can to spend some time with your brothers & sisters in Christ.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10TH | 5:30pm
Milwaukee Burger Company 6421 S. 27th Street Franklin WI 53132 | 414-301-9938
SUNDAY OCTOBER 8TH | 5:30pm
Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que 5077 S 27th Street Greenfield, WI 53221 | 414-727-1940
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 5TH | 5:30pm
Ruby Tuesday 5320 S. 76th Street Greendale, WI 53129 | 414-423-0530
SUNDAY DECEMBER 3RD | 5:30pm
Water Street Brewery 140 W. Towne Square Way Oak Creek 53154 | 414-301-5290

September 2017
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
9:30 am
Worship
Service
with
Communion
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
8:15 am
Bible Study &
Sunday School
9:30 am Worship
Service
10:45 am
Evangelism Meets
5:30 pm Meet &
Eat
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
8:15 am Bible
Study & Sunday
School
9:30 pm
Worship w/
Communion
SEPT 10th
Meet & Eat
MKE Burger
5:30 pm
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
8:15 am Bible
Study & Sunday
School
BAPTISM WEEKEND
9:30 am
Contemporary
Worship Service
4TH SUNDAY
FELLOWSHIP
6:30 pm
GOD’S WAY
STARTS!
6:30 pm
God’s Way
6:30 pm
God’s Way
10:00 am &
6:30 pm
FAITH
BUILDERS
STARTS!
7:00 pm
CHOIR
PRACTICE
STARTS!
10:00 am
Faith Builders
11:30 am
Staff Minister’s
Gathering
6:30 pm
Faith Builders
7:00 pm
Choir Practice
10:00 am
Faith Builders
6:30 pm
Faith Builders
7:00 pm
Choir Practice
6:30 pm Worship
Service
7:30 pm Women’s
Bible Study
6:30 pm
Worship
Service with
Communion
6:30 pm Worship
Service
6:30 pm
Worship
Service with
Communion
BAPTISM WEEKEND
FLOWERS
3rd - (none assigned)
10th - (none assigned)
17th - Don & Stefanie Wintrone in loving
memory of Julie Wintrone
24th - Karen Pappas in loving memory
of Dan (Gran Dan) Pappas
USHERS
Thursday - Maury Bell
Sunday - Mike Chapman, Gary Peske,
Steve Peske
Lump Brown - Head Usher
SERMON RECORDING
3rd - Dave Rochester
10th - Bob Mayer
17th - Rich Kanitz
24th - Dave Rochester