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From the Pastor's Study....
This year, things were a little different. After nearly 15 years, our artificial Christmas tree died and we were ‘forced’ into obtaining a real Christmas tree. I say forced, because I have loved having my artificial tree. It was stunning and perfect and had so many lights, the thing warmed up the room and you could land Santa’s sleigh by it, it was so bright. My kids always joked they needed sunglasses when they opened their Christmas gifts. But alas, the time had finally come when it would no longer light and the branches were kind of getting worn. Sigh. So I agreed to get a fresh tree…at least for this year…. to try it out…and see if I could live with it. Have I mentioned I am opinionated and a little particular about my trees?
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A Message from the Stewardship Commitee...
As the New Year begins, the Stewardship committee would like to focus on two main issues: automatic withdrawal and blessing .
We would like to get more people to sign up for automatic withdrawal of their weekly/monthly giving. It benefits the church because it keeps congregational giving consistent and steady throughout the year. Even when the weather gets bad in the winter or when summer vacations roll around, the weekly giving can stay consistent. It can also benefit members of the church because it allows them to have weekly/monthly contributions automatically withdrawn from a checking or savings account. No more having to find the cash or write that check on a weekly basis. No more having to worry about making up contributions when you miss a week. All you have to do is set up your withdrawal and your budgeting is complete.
So, to get more people to sign up for automatic withdrawal, we are going to hold a drawing for a $25 gift card to any SCRIP store for anyone who is signed up for automatic withdrawal by March 1st. If you are currently signed up for it, you are in the drawing, and if you want to be in the drawing (and help the church and yourself in the process) get your paperwork turned in to Jordy by March 1st.
Our focus on blessings is going to be a yearlong collection of the things that members of our congregation have been blessed with. There is going to be a notebook on a table in the Narthex in which we would like everyone to write their blessings. Big or small, old or young, personal or general—it doesn’t matter. We just want to know who you are and what you have been blessed with during the entire year. We may even ask some of you to share your blessings with the congregation. So, reflect on your life and let’s fill that notebook!
DJ Scott
Stewardship Committee chairperson
Book & Bag
January 12th will be the next Book & Bag. We will discuss Home: A Novel.
Mark Your Calendar!
The 2012 CRE (Congregational Resourcing Event) will be held once again at Kishwaukee College in Malta on Saturday, March 10.
Deadline for March Newsletter: February 22
New! From The Lutheran!
New blogs: The Lutheran has started two blogs that can be found at www.thelutheran.org (click on “blogs” on the left-hand side of the page).
- Simple enough: Bob Sitze, a former ELCA staff member in the ministries of hunger education, Christian education, stewardship education and family life, writes about simply living. He is the author of Starting Simple: Conversations About the Way We Live (Alban, 2007).
- Campus ministry: Jayne M. Thompson is pastor of University Lutheran Church of the Epiphany, St. Cloud, Minn. In her blog, she shares of her thoughts and experiences as a pastor with Lutheran Campus Ministry.
The Lutheran Subscription Update
The current The Lutheran subscription will be up in May of 2012. After this subscription is up St. John's will no longer be providing a subscription to our members. We will purchase three subscriptions to keep in the Narthex so that those who do not wish to pay for their own subscription can still have access to The Lutheran.
The Chancel Choir will be presenting music from the cantata Come, Touch the Robe by Pepper Choplin during the season of Epiphany, Lent and Easter when appropriate. It is an amazing story how the robe of Jesus plays a part in his journey- healing, glory, trial, death, resurrection and ascension. Please plan to join us in following this journey starting with the January 15 Healing Service.
Come! Touch the Robe!
Spiritual Experience
Have you ever been some place, and you knew that the place was holy? You knew that the place was special because of the attitude of the crowd around you. I remember feeling the presence of God when I stood in the middle of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. As I looked up at Michelangelo’s fresco of “The Creation,” I seemed to be all alone in a room full of people. Even though there were about a hundred people in the room, they were all respectfully quiet. Perhaps they were all staring at some of the most beautiful paintings the world has ever seen; I felt the awesome presence of the Holy Spirit in the beauty of Michelangelo’s work. This fall I had a similar experience when I went on a Civil War Battlefield tour. I was a history major and had taken numerous interesting college courses on wars and the effects of war. At the University of Illinois it is almost impossible to get a history degree without taking at least one Civil War course. I had several, not because I like war courses, but because it was such a pivotal part of the shaping of all things in our country for over a hundred years after its ending.
When the opportunity for a trip that centered around Civil War Battlefields was offered by a friend of mine (who is an expert on Gettysburg and Antietam), I signed up. We had wonderful personal guides for tours of the battlefield, and the guides gave us information on the Illinois troops who fought in the battles. Because of my work at the Lena Historical Society, I knew that regiments were formed by towns for the Civil War because there was no draft. There were several infantry units that came from Stephenson County. When they left our county, they had no idea of the horrible sights and experiences they would encounter. The Civil War was the most horrific war we have ever fought. The number of causalities in one day at the Battle of Antietam was 23,000 men. It was the bloodiest one day battle in American History. The Gettysburg Battle saw over 23,000 casualties in three days. The massive number of deaths in these two battles were mere numbers until I walked the fields and saw the monuments. When I heard the important part that the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg played during the three day battle, I was proud of my Lutheran heritage. The Gettysburg Seminary is the oldest Lutheran Seminary in America. The seminary served as a hospital during and after the battle. The stories of the people of Gettysburg going through the battlefield looking for the wounded and burying the dead came alive for me as I stood and looked around the fields. I knew that the presence of God was here in these hallowed farmland hills. I was struck with the wonder of the humanity of the people as they took care of the living and the dead. We have these National Parks because the people in these two towns bought land; the people believed that these fields were hallowed and needed to be taken care of. We have these fields 150 years later because these good Christian people cared enough to preserve them. When I stood on those fields, I felt the presence of God all around me. I was appalled at the horror of the war and what man does to man, but I was comforted by the fact that God sent others to take care of all of the people who took part in those battles.
To say that my trip was an interesting historical experience is not the whole story. It was a spiritual experience as well. Things that I had only read about became much more real than I could have ever imagined. I was blessed by the spirit of God’s presence in the midst of the horrors of history. When I was talking to pastor about my trip, she suggested that I share my experience with all of you. Thank you for letting me speak of this interesting stop in my spiritual journey. I had another which I will share at another time. New Years Blessings as we celebrate God’s greatest gift.
Jerilyn Strohecker
Ever wonder how your mission support dollars are used and how it affects people's lives?
Secretary of State Clinton highlights the work of ELCA-related ministries
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton noted the vital work of Lutheran social ministry organizations in welcoming
refugees to the United States, during her Dec. 7 address at the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugee's ministerial conference in Geneva. In her presentation to world leaders, Clinton shared a story about Fatuma Elmi, who applied for asylum in the United States after civil war broke out in her native Somalia in 1991. Settled in Minneapolis, Elmi has worked as an employment counselor at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota for the past 17 years. She has been able to find jobs for 79 percent of her clients this year, despite the difficult economy. Elmi's life is "clear evidence of the wisdom of investing in women," said Clinton, adding that the United States would be delivering 28 pledges to the conference, one designed to build awareness on a major "cause of statelessness, which is discrimination against women," she said.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is an affiliated ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), along with 285 other social ministry organizations across the country. ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson said he appreciates Clinton's sharing of Elmi's story and the recognition of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, particularly "on this historic occasion of the 60th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 50th anniversary of the Statelessness Convention in a gathering of world leaders." The ministerial conference brings together more than 150 representatives from around the world. Clinton is a member of the U.S. delegation. "In sharing Fatuma Elmi's story, Secretary Clinton has affirmed the invaluable contributions resettled refugees bring to life in American communities. In naming Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, she has also recognized the vast network of Lutheran social service organizations that are an expression of faith active in loving service to our neighbor," Hanson said.
"This is who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Many are descendants of a once immigrant people, and others of those who came as slaves. Together we are now participating in God's work of restoring and reconciling communities by welcoming refugees and working towards fair and just immigration reform," he said. "As individuals, congregations, Lutheran social ministry organizations and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, we know we can achieve things together on a scale and scope we could never do otherwise. As the ELCA, let us make these significant anniversaries an occasion for renewing our commitment to welcoming the new immigrant into the life of our neighborhoods and congregations." Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is one of the United States' leading agencies in welcoming and advocating for refugees and immigrants. Based in Baltimore, it works on behalf of the ELCA, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod and the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Kim Dettmer, director of refugee services at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, said Elmi has "dedicated her life to helping refugees find safety and stability in our community as an employment specialist. Through partnerships with employers, primarily in manufacturing and hospitality industries, many refugees have found entry-level work that has required minimal technical or English skills." Calling this "a win-win-win situation for refugees, employers and our community," Dettmer said it takes "a community to help refugees succeed. Minnesota has a long tradition of lending a hand to refugees, and they have enhanced our quality of life in many ways. Fatuma is a great example of people from war-torn countries who have worked hard to establish new lives and have given back to the community."
Shortly after her arrival in the United States and prior to her work at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Elmi volunteered at a Somali women's organization mentoring mothers and daughters to ensure that both understood women's roles in the U.S. and the value of an education. Her actions were effective, as five of the six girls Elmi mentored went on to receive a college education, according to Dettmer. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is one of five resettlement organizations in Minnesota helping refugees gain self-sufficiency. Information about the service is at www.lssmn.org. Information about Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is available at www.lirs.org.
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Sunday School News....
Women's Ministries....
Meeting Minutes....
Thank You!....
Prayer Concerns....
Visiting Another Church....
Calendar....
Birthdays....
PC Food Pantry Needs
Volunteer Opportunities @ St. John's for 2012
There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for those who are willing to help take on some of the cleaning duties at St. John's. If there are enough people signed up we will look into possible scenarios that could help reduce the cleaning costs. This will take a large number of volunteers and some cleaning needs could be very short notice. If you are willing to help out please make sure to sign-up in the Narthex.
Thank You!
We ended up with a total of $687.00 (as of this time) from the entire congregation for the 3 needy families in the area. We purchased $560.00 in gift cards for the families and we gave $127.00 to the Pearl City Food Pantry. The Mary-Martha Circle and the Ladies Aid also provided food gift cards for each family for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Thank you everyone for your generous gifts for these families. It is greatly appreciated!
Kathy Hillmer wants to thank Jennifer Bovee, Kim Williams, and Diane Handsaker for driving to the Lena Living Center on Thursday, Dec. 15 for our Joy Choir. The residents really enjoyed our songs. Pastor Pat was also there to help us sing! I would also like to thank all of the parents who donate and prepare food for our parties. It is greatly appreciated!
The Social Ministry Committee would like to thank everyone who donated to the clothing collection for the Pearl City Schools! Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
January 8th & February 12th
Coffee with Council
There will be Council members available in Luther Hall after the 9am Worship Service on Sunday, January 8th and February 12th. Please take advantage of this oppurtunity to get to know your Council members and ask them about any questions or concerns you may be having!
Next SCRIP order will be due on Wednesday, January 11th!
January Grace Meal!
The menu for January Chicken Noodle Soup, Chili, Ham & Egg Salad Sandwiches & Bar Cookies.
Joyce Kempel will be collecting (used and in good condition) coats for the program “coats for Kids” started in Freeport a few years ago by Deb Stukenberg & Cheerie Cregan. These ladies work with the social workers in area schools and distribute the coats to the kids that need them. There will be a box in the Narthex for collecting the coats. Also, if you would like to make a donation checks can be made out to “Kids Coats and Clothing” and given to the office or to Joyce Kempel.
SPLAT has graciously agreed to take over the Homecoming Float duties for 2012! Look for a re-vamped St. John's Homecoming Float in 2012!
AED Training
There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for those who would like to be trained to use the AED machine as well as be certified in CPR. The cost would be $7 per person. A date has not been set yet but we are trying to figure out who would be interested in this course. There are only 10 spots available.
January 8th Sunday Service
Dedication & New Member Installation!
We will be welcoming new members to St. John's and also dedicating a number of items that have been given since our last dedication. Please come and enjoy this very special service!
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What's New?
Every year around this time I look back at the previous year. As I reflect I think about what I could have done differently, what things went better than anticipated, and what things were, although a good idea at the time, something that should be put back into the idea drawer to maybe bring out again if the need arises.
When looking back at the year we’ve had with the youth program here at St. John’s I see all of those qualities. There were several things that went exceptionally well and I cannot wait to do them again! There were others that went well, but I know that I would like to approach them differently and try something new along with it. And then there are other things that I saw as a good idea but that didn’t quite work out as I had planned.
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Eric's office hours will be changing to Monday & Wednesdays in January.
Upcoming Youth Events!
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