2005 PEBBLES FROM THE ROC ARTICLES

 

(JANUARY-2005 ) PEBBLES FROM THE ROC     Each month we hope to share with you some refreshing pebble from THE ROC, our Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center.  This last month the ROC celebrated its ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY (opened Dec. 3, 2003).  Thanks to all who helped prepare for the open house and all who donated all the delicious goodies.  At least 35 ROC youth participated in the ROC float for the city Christmas parade.  It was heart warming to also see youth, along the way, come out of the crowd and join the ROC float.  As was stated in the front page Daily Times article, the ROC has become a second home for many youth.  We pray that, through God’s Word overflowing at THE ROC, many youth will call heaven their home.

 

(FEBRUARY-2005) PEBBLES FROM THE ROC     As we celebrate the ROC being open for one year, we can’t help but give thanks to our gracious God and Lord.  By His grace through faith in Christ, eternal salvation is ours.  The ROC is giving us so many wonderful opportunities to share and live that Gospel.  The youth attendance continues to remain strong averaging 40-50 every night the ROC is open.  Over 50% of the youth are unchurched and so are their families.  So many young hearts and lives have already been impacted by the Gospel shared at the ROC.  Souls that were on their way to hell have come to know and believe in Christ and are now on their way to heaven.  Young people who were and are lost and confused are receiving the guidance and help they need to turn it around and live for their saving God.  Teens who were considering suicide due to having no hope are now seeing the certain hope which God alone can give.  Christian teens at the ROC are having opportunities to share and live their faith with the lost.  The ROC ministry is also making an impact elsewhere as churches from Green Bay, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Wasilla, Alaska, and Belle Plaine, Minnesota are thinking of opening a youth center or implementing ideas learned from the ROC.

 

(MARCH-2005) PEBBLES FROM THE ROC     By God’s grace, the ROC (Recreation & Outreach Center For Youth on S. Water St.) is a place where raw evangelism is taking place.  Many, many unchurched teens, who would not have been reached through other ways, are now hearing and being touched by the Gospel.  Many teens are looking to the ROC staff for help and guidance like “Mary” who wrote in an e-mail, “i would like to talk to you about one of my friends that goes to watertown high school who has talked to me and told me that she plans on killing herself before this summer comes.” Or like “Matt” who said, “I need your help.  I don’t know what true love is.  How do you know she is the one?”, or like Fred who says, “My best friend was just killed in a car accident, what do I do?  I’m so messed up and confused?”

 The only threat to this tremendous ministry will be lack of funding.  So far no money has come from any of the budgets of the four organizing churches, St. John’s, St. Luke’s, St. Mark’s and Trinity.  Special gifts, however, from our churches, groups and individuals, along with the initial grants, have kept the ROC funded.  The ROC treasury, however, is diminishing.  We, therefore, continue to invite and encourage your generous donations for this unique and incredible outreach ministry.  We also appreciate the WELS Kingdom workers for taking on the ROC as a premier project and supporting it by matching $.25 of every dollar donated to the ROC.  ROC donations can be given through your church or, checks made out to the ROC, can be sent to our ROC treasurer at 601 Mary Knoll Lane, Watertown, WI. 53098 or to the director/pastor at 1411 Wedgewood Drive, Watertown, WI. 53098.  Thank you so much.

 

(APRIL-2005) PEBBLES FROM THE ROC     In order to help fund our Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center (ROC), we are having a pizza sale.  Please buy some pizzas using the order forms supplied.  Also, please help get the order forms out there so others can help.  As noted on the form, orders are to be submitted to the ROC (321 S. Water St.)  by Wednesday, April 6th and people can pick up their orders at EMIL'S on Monday, April 25th between 3-5:45 p.m.

            Please note that all four Watertown WELS churches will soon need to review the ROC Ministry and decide whether or not to support it for another three years.  A proposal will be coming soon to congregational meetings.  Please look for the proposal and communicate with your ROC Board representative.  Those on the ROC Board are:  St. John’s – Don Bartz and Arlyn Boll;  St. Luke’s – Jerry Vomhof and Todd Kuehl; St. Mark’s – Todd Morris and Harold Peckham; Trinity – Dale Ninmann and Mark Pieper.  Advisory Members are:  Pastor Mark Gartner, Pastor Mike Jensen, Minister Jerry Kastens, Mr. Bill Schmidt (WELS Kingdom Workers) and Pastor Rodney Warnecke.

            The ROC continues to help many youth in our community.  The numbers attending remain strong and, by God’s grace, many are hearing the Gospel who didn’t before.   Teens straying from the flock are also being found.  We rejoice with the angels in heaven “over one sinner who repents”.

 

(MAY-2005) PEBBLES FROM THE ROC     The success of our Watertown ROC (Recreation & Outreach Center) for Youth is being noticed by many.  Pastor Mueller has been giving presentations to WELS churches and groups, our seminary students in Mequon and various community groups.  When  and where else can we get to know and share the Gospel with so many unchurched teens.  Everyone is encouraged to stop down at the ROC to see what’s happening and view personally the opportunities for outreach.  You are also invited to talk to Pastor Mueller about being considered for our volunteer staff as more workers are greatly needed.

            Please note that the ROC is now an approved organization for the Thrivent GivingPlus® Program.  This means that Thrivent will contribute $1 for every $2 donated by Thrivent members to the Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center (ROC) For Youth up to a $300 maximum supplement.  Donations for matching, therefore, can be for any amount up to $600 (or more).  Thrivent members can give to two approved organizations a year for matching.  Consider such a gift for matching for the ROC if you aren’t fully using this program yet.  Pick up a GivingPlus® form at the ROC today.

 

 

(JUNE-2005) PEBBLES FROM THE ROC     What a joy it is to see tough, hard and cold teens humbly repent of their sins and enjoy God’s forgiveness in Jesus.  This is an example of what we experience at our Watertown ROC (Recreation & Outreach Center) for Youth.  Never would we be able to reach such teens without this worthwhile ministry.  To God be the glory!

            To help fund the ROC, proposals are now being brought to the congregations to look for their continued support.  The 2nd annual ROC Golf Outing will be held on Sunday, June 26th, 2005 at the Watertown Country Club.  The second annual ROC Rummage Sale will be on July 15+16.  Call Ruth Uttech at 920-261-6772 to volunteer your help and for more information.

            To help promote the ROC, we have scheduled a ROCK Climbing Wall to be on the ROC parking lot on Friday, July 8th, 6-9 p.m.  All ages are invited to have fun trying to climb the ROCK wall.  We are looking for a group or individuals to sponsor the $525 for the wall so that the $5.00 per two climbs will go completely to the ROC.

            Remember, you can stop by at the ROC anytime it’s open to visit or be considered for our volunteer staff.  Thanks so much for your support.

 

 

(JULY-2005) PEBBLES FROM THE ROC     Much Happening – Much Help Needed

What a joy to hear the other day at the ROC one of our Christian teens invite an unchurched teen to church.  Due to so many unchurched at the ROC, the evangelism opportunities to live our faith and share the Savior are incredible and numerous.  Stop by at the ROC anytime it’s open to visit or be considered for our volunteer staff.

The second annual ROC Rummage Sale will be on July 15+16, 8-4:40, at TSL Western Campus Gym.  Call Ruth Uttech at 920-261-6772 to volunteer your help, donate items and for more information.

            To help promote the ROC, we have scheduled a ROCK Climbing Wall to be on the ROC parking lot on Friday, July 8th, 6-9 p.m.  All ages are invited to have fun trying to climb the ROCK wall.  The fee for the wall has been generously donated so that the  $5.00 per two climbs will go completely to the ROC.

            Come and enjoy a brat, chips and soda at Glenn’s Brat Stand and help fund the ROC on Friday and Saturday, August 19th and 20th.  We also need many helpers to run the brat stand.  Please call (206-9581 or 261-4444) or e-mail (wttnroc@sbcglobal.net) Pastor/Director Mueller to offer your help.

 

(AUGUST-2005) PEBBLES FROM THE ROC        THANK YOU to all those who worked so hard to make the ROCK Climbing Wall at our Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center (ROC) for Youth a wonderful success.  The event helped get the word out about the ROC and provided many open doors for evangelism and a connection with the youth.  Due to generous donations, so many teens were overwhelmingly appreciative for being able to climb the wall which they had never done before.

            A sincere and tremendous THANK YOU also to all those who helped in any way with the ROC Golf Outing and the ROC Rummage Sale.  With some matching funds from WELS Kingdom Workers and Thrivent, the total amount from both events for the ROC should come close to $15,000.

Come and enjoy a brat, chips and soda at Glenn’s Brat Stand and help fund the ROC on Friday and Saturday, August 19th and 20th, 10:00-3:00 both days.  We also need many helpers to run the brat stand.  Please call (206-9581 or 261-4444) or e-mail (wttnroc@sbcglobal.net) Pastor/Director Mueller to offer your help.

 

(SEPTEMBER-2005) PEBBLES FROM THE ROC        Our Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center (ROC) for Youth has become such a home for some teens that they remember and celebrate the anniversary of their first day at the ROC.  One teen said, “That’s the day my life changed from being made fun of all the time to being treated with respect at the ROC.  I thank Jesus and the ROC for that.”

            As most of the teens who come to the ROC are unchurched, the ROC is an excellent place for Christians to evangelize by sincerely living and sharing their faith.  We invite you, therefore, to stop in to be considered for our volunteer staff. 

Another way you can help with less commitment, is to let Pastor Mueller know you would like to share your gift of music/singing at the ROC or play a favorite inside game with some of the teens for an hour or so.  They would love it.  They also love treats and goodies.  For more information concerning being a part of the ROC mission and ministry or helping fund the ROC, please drop by at the ROC or  call Pastor Mueller at 206-9581.

 

(OCTOBER-2005) PEBBLES FROM THE ROC        The high number of teens attending our Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center (ROC) for Youth has made it critical that we have at least two adults at the ROC at all times.  Since we do not have enough volunteers at this time, we invite you to stop down at the ROC, talk to Pastor Mueller, experience the tremendous need to help teens and hopefully offer to be considered for our volunteer staff.  The ROC is an excellent place we as Christians can get into the world and share and live our faith.

            Thanks to all those who helped with the Brat Stand at Glenn’s Market.  Thanks also to all those who came and enjoyed lunch and at the same time helped fund the ROC.  A total of  $1,407.38 was raised for the ROC from the Brat Stand.

 

(NOVEMBER-2005) PEBBLES FROM THE ROC        “Dear Lord, be merciful in my life and forgive me for everything I have done to hurt you and my parents.  Please help my roads in life not to be so rocky between me and my parents, my life in general and my friends.  Please God, remove in my life what is keeping me away from you.”  This prayer was written by an unchurched teen attending the ROC (Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center For Youth) after she expressed her depression and after the staff gave her some Bible passages to read and reflect upon.  Her guilty heart was relieved by forgiveness in Christ and she is, according to God’s will and to His glory, trying to work at the relationships she mentioned.  Such counseling is going on all the time at the ROC as teens share their troubles and ask questions about life.

            To continue to help our children, the ROC has scheduled a Gang Prevention Presentation by Sgt. Gee of the police department for anyone and everyone.  The presentation will be held on Monday, Nov. 7th, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church (605 S. Fourth Street, Watertown). 

            Drop down at the ROC and offer to be considered for our volunteer staff.  Without such volunteers, we can’t keep the ROC open.  We need you.

 

(DECEMBER-2005) PEBBLES FROM THE ROC        At a Bible/Talk Time at the ROC, where Pastor Mueller was sharing forgiveness, a teen asked, “How do you really know you are forgiven by God?”  This is the question above all others, isn’t it?  What a joy to tell the teen that we know because of Jesus cross and His empty tomb and how God says they mean real & complete forgiveness for us.  The teen’s face lit up because she was never sure of forgiveness because she though it was on her.  Knowing, now, that forgiveness rests on what God did, and not on what we do, gave the teen real freedom from guilt and a joyful anticipation of heaven.  Such conversations go on all the time at the ROC.

Please continue to support this wonderful work at the ROC.  ROC donations can be given through your church or, checks made out to the ROC can be sent to our ROC treasurer at 601 Mary Knoll Lane, Watertown, WI. 53098 or to the director/pastor at 1411 Wedgewood Drive, Watertown, WI. 53098.   Also please note that the ROC is an approved organization for the Thrivent GivingPlus® Program.  This means that Thrivent will contribute $1 for every $2 donated by Thrivent members to the Watertown Recreation & Outreach Center (ROC) For Youth up to a $300 maximum supplement.  Donations for matching, therefore, can be for any amount up to $600 (or more).  Thrivent members can give to two approved organizations a year for matching.  Consider such a gift for matching for the ROC if you aren’t fully using this program yet.  Pick up a GivingPlus® form at the ROC today.

We also thank those who have recently come to the ROC sharing their gifts with the teens, such as the two teenage bands, the wood burning artist, the astronomers and others.  Share a gift God has given to you by talking with Pastor Mueller.   Thanks for everything.