OUR MISSION:
To proclaim the Gospel,
administer the Sacraments,
and to reach outward into the community and world to help people know Jesus Christ as their Savior.
WORSHIP SERVICES
8:00 AM & 10:30 AM
BIBLE TIME FOR
ALL AGES
9:15 AM
Important Dates
BREADBASKET SUNDAY
August 8
POTLUCK SUNDAY
Identity Theft Prevention Workshop APPLE STRUDEL MAKING
August 29
My dear fellow missionaries,
As Christians we all hunger for a deeper, richer, more meaningful spiritual life. At the same time, we are unsure how to go about it or where to find it. We buy all sorts of books, watch TV, and cruise the Internet looking for answers. Ironically, the answer to our need is right before us the whole time - the Bible.
Throughout the history of the Church, the Holy Scriptures have been the bedrock of Christian prayer and devotional meditation.
The problem is that we view praying and meditating on God’s Word as something we do. Dr. John K. Leinig, in his book Grace Upon Grace: Spirituality for Today, writes that we see our devotions as our duty or work and the product of our own determination and self-discipline rather than recognizing that prayer and meditation on God’s Word is actually God’s work in us. He is the one who gives us our faith, opens up the scripture, and changes our lives.
To better enable us to learn how to prayerfully meditate on God’s Word, on Sunday, Sept 12, there will be made available for each person in our faith community, an individual 42-day study of the Gospel of John. It will be a congregation-wide study. The cost per guide is five dollars. If you cannot afford it please take one anyway, for I don’t want anyone to miss out on this wonderful opportunity to grow in their faith. There are always those that will pay for those who cannot afford a guide.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Rhoads
IN SERVICE FOR AUGUST
Altar Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jennifer Blair
Organist & Music Director . . . . . . . .Jason Sims
AUGUST 1 8:00 10:30
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Elder
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B. Cubley
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J. Parker
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Reader
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L. Spradley
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M. Keyl
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Acolyte
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Usher
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J. Frederick
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W. Boortz
G. Trotter
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Greeter
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S. Thone
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Nursery
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AUGUST 8 8:00 10:30
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Elder
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D. Smith
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J. Parker
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Reader
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L. Smith
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E. Harrison
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Acolyte
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Usher
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G. Trotter
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W. Johnson
T. Lovdahl
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Greeter
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L. Smith
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B. Schneider
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Nursery
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AUGUST 15 8:00 10:30
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Elder
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H. Hamm
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J. Parker
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Reader
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J. Britt
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J. Smith
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Acolyte
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Usher
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W. Noffke
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C. Shofstall
B. Coll
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Greeter
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Nursery
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AUGUST 22 8:00 10:30
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Elder
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D. Smith
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J. Parker
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Reader
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L .Spradley
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Acolyte
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Usher
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J. Hagen
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M. Keyl
S. Songy
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Greeter
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Nursery
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AUGUST 29 8:00 10:30
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Elder
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D. Smith
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J. Parker
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Reader
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D. Mesloh
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Acolyte
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Usher
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J. Frederick
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D. Blair
J. Blair
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Greeter
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Nursery
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Birthdays
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Joanna Bushardt
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8/5
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Lisa Bushardt
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8/9
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Deanna Tate
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8/9
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Carolyn Masters
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8/11
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Eartha Dear
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8/12
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Olivia Bushardt
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8/14
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Helen Hollingsworth
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8/14
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Herman Bolte
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8/17
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Homer Stillion
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8/21
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Ryne Lovdahl
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8/23
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Courtney Lowrimore
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8/28
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Stephanie Case
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8/31
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Wedding Anniversaries
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John & Lois Mills, 49 years on 8/6
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Terry & Patrice Lovdahl, 31 years on 8/11
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Ted & Ginger Senften, 38 years on 8/12
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Stephen & Lisa Bushardt, 32 years on 8/19
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Dennis & Penny Rhoads, 46 years on 8/19
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Julie & Richard Radavich, 45 years on 8/21
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Stephen & Irvin Curry, 42 years on 8/30
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William & Nancy Kay, 30 years on 8/30
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Baptism Anniversaries
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Carol Varga
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8/1
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Rita Lods
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8/6
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Melissa Wozniak
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8/6
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Bjorn Wastvedt
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8/7
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Emma Kivlighn
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8/11
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Brittany Wildes
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8/14
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Joshua Wildes
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8/14
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Dennis Rhoads
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8/15
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Judy Wastvedt
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8/16
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Colin Cubley
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8/17
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David Cubley
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8/19
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Mark Cubley
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8/19
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Shelly Songy
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8/20
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Helen Hollingsworth
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8/31
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Memory Verse
But thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:15
QUILT
RAFFLE TICKETS
The Kaffee Klatsch Ladies have finished the Oktoberfest Butterfly quilt! Everyone will be receiving one packet of 10 raffle tickets in their mailbox on Sunday, August 1. Please help us by selling them. For more tickets or to turn in the money & stubs please see Lois, Darlene or Allene.
OKTOBERFEST October 2, 2010
Oktoberfest will be held on Saturday October 2nd. This is our largest fundraising event for St. John. It began as a congregational potluck 32 years ago, then friends were invited and after a couple of years it was opened to the public. We serve nearly 1,400 plates of German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut and Brats or Wieners. Homemade German and traditional breads and desserts will be sold in our Delikatessen. We also have homemade crafts in our Craft Room. In order to make this event a success, we need lots of donations and help from our Congregation. Please mark the week of September 26 - Oct. 2 on your calendar as this is a wonderful opportunity to support your Church and the Uganda, Panama and other missions. Please get involved and find out what great friends you have here at St. John.
APPLE STRUDEL
August 29, after the Sunday Potluck we would like a few people to help chop the butter and mix up sour cream and eggs so we can start making the Strudel dough first thing Monday morning.
August 30 & 31, we will be making about 160 Apple Strudels. We will start at 9a.m. Please bring your food processor and rolling pin. This is a great opportunity to learn how to make this delicious German pastry. Everyone is invited, as we need people to chop apples as well as mix and roll the dough.
From the Elders
It sure is great to have Pastor back home and with us again. I hope
everyone has enjoyed their summer.
We have two new Elders, Bjorn Wastvedt and Harvey Hamm. Please let them or any of the Elders know if we can be of assistance to you and your family as you worship with us or attend any of the ministry functions here at St. John. We have made a few slight adjustments to the Deacon/Deaconess groups as we normally do when there is a change on the board of Elders.
Blessings, Dennis Smith
Fan into Flame / Ablaze!
How do you start a fire with water? It happens with every Baptism…It happened with yours!
Our involvement in God’s mission begins when we are touched by the Holy Spirit through water and the Word in Baptism. How is God calling you to be involved in His mission? Consider the “Seven Mission Responses.” Go! Send! Pray! Give! Learn! Tell! Celebrate!
Join together with Lutherans around the world, praying to the Lord of the Harvest, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we work to:
Celebrate your baptismal calling by recognizing that God wants to use you as an instrument in His mission. Ask Him to show you where you can make an impact with His help.
Go to persons with whom you have a relationship who need to hear the Good News of Jesus.
Pray regularly for opportunities to share the Goods News with them.
Learn more about what your congregation, district, and LCMS World Mission are doing to Send missionaries to share the Good News with unreached and uncommitted people.
Tell what you have learned about God’s mission to your family, small groups, etc. Spread the flame of God’s fiery passion for His mission with these people.
Give to support these efforts. We, as a congregation, have pledged $4,000 a year for this mission. Please help us to meet this goal for our Lord’s work. You will find special offering envelopes (red bordered) in the back of your offering packet.
Stuff to Ponder
· Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window.
· Have you ever noticed? Anybody going slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac.
· The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they are okay, then it's you.
· Now they show you how detergents take out bloodstains, a pretty violent image there. I think if you've got a T-shirt with a bloodstain all over it, maybe laundry isn't your biggest problem.
· I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it's such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I only have photographs of her.
Board of Education
Bible Time Group
The next Board of Education will meet on August 15, 2010. Bible Time has continued throughout the summer and attendance has been well above last summer. We are encouraged and are excited about the fall.
The tentative schedule for Bible Time in the fall is:
Rally Sunday on September 12
Christmas Program rehearsal on December 11, 2010.
Christmas program will be on December 12,
We are looking for program ideas.
Our curriculum is once again the basics of the Bible. We will learn how God speaks to us through the Bible.
We need teachers. We had a great group of teachers last year, and we are so thankful. Please come forward and help us educate our children for this year. The more teachers that we have, we can better share the responsibility of teaching. We hope to establish a rotation of teachers so that an individual teacher will not be tied to the entire year. In order to do this, we must have people come forward to help teach our children. If you want to be part of this ministry, please contact Katrina, Mark, or the church office. We are all responsible for our children’s Christian education, please be part of it.
Youth Group
WE BELIEVE! was the theme of the 2010 National Youth Gathering held in New Orleans on July 17-21. Raley, Emma, Richard, and Joshua along with Freddy and June Songy joined 26,000 other Lutheran teens and leaders in attendance. They attended Bible Study each morning, heard great speakers during sessions throughout the day, and participated in high-energy, inspirational mass events each night. In the sessions, the group heard about such topics as "Questions You Can't Ask Your Mama", "Altared Reality", "Hearing the Cry, Meeting the Need", and "Dignity Revolution". Each night, the youth joined in songs of praise as they were engaged by the Jesus Painter, the Sand Painter, The Skit Guys, and an illusionist. On the last night, the group was joined by Theresa and Tanner Colson as they participated in a full worship service and communion with 26,000 other Lutherans. It was an awesome experience and tremendous blessing for all of us!
The Youth Group would like to thank all who contributed time, talents, and treasures to make this gathering experience possible, especially Doris Schneider for putting on the Spaghetti Dinner and Dessert Auction, Van Lowery for serving as our auctioneer, Jerry Hagen for his help with recycling cans, and Pastor Rhoads for all that he does as our shepherd.
L.W.M.L.
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
On Sunday, July 4th, L.W.M.L. "MITES" collected totaled $75.75. It is such a blessing to be able to participate in this mission of telling the Good News all over the world. Thank you for your support of the Gulf States and National L.W.M.L. Although the L.W.M.L. will not have a regular business meeting until September, we will be collecting "MITES" again on Sunday, August 1st. Please continue to keep these "MITE" projects in your prayers.
On Saturday, July 10th, Penny Rhoads opened her home for the annual L.W.M.L. "Salad Luncheon". Eleven ladies and one gentleman attended the luncheon and enjoyed an afternoon of good food and fellowship. Thank you, Penny, for being a gracious hostess for this event.
Once again, August has arrived and thoughts of going back to school, etc. come to mind. I can't help but think that in a few short weeks, it will be the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and how it changed my life and many others. I never dreamed that when I drove to Hattiesburg on Saturday to avoid the storm, I would never go back to my home and life experiences of over thirty-eight years. I now know that God had a different plan for me than I expected. God placed many Christian friends and family in my life to support me during those days and months after the storm. For the first time in my life, I was homeless! It is a terrible feeling to be alone and in despair - not knowing what to do! Although I had lost everything, I feel I was more fortunate than many because I had my faith in God. I was also fortunate to still have a job. My friend, Marcia, opened her home to me for over a year, so I could continue to work while dealing with all the after-effects. It was a stressful time - working with people who were in the same situation as me - most had lost home and property, some lost loved ones, some even divorced due to the financial loss. During the days and months after the storm, I realized how God was always in control of my life and He never left me. Every Friday night, I would drive to Hattiesburg to spend the weekend with Debbie, Kerry and grandchildren Jonathon and Matthew, away from all the devastation. What a blessing! I realized that no matter how many plans you make for yourself - God is the one in control. He knows our future! I don't know why He brought me to Hattiesburg, but I do know that He has provided me with everything I need. One wonderful thing God has given me is the opportunity to serve Him through the L.W.M.L. I have been a member of the L.W.M.L. for over forty years, and I plan to continue serving the Lord in this wonderful mission forever. It is my wish that every woman here at St. John will join me in this mission work. God has placed you here for that purpose - He will provide the way and means.
Until next month...Serve the Lord with Gladness!
Shirley Thone, L.W.M.L. President
OUTREACH
I have been thinking and praying about something Pastor said in Sunday's sermon. He said he feels like something big is about to happen in our Congregation (paraphrased, as I heard it.) I took this to mean that it was something good. When I prayed about this I was aware that God is always ready to bless us, but are we ready to accept that blessing? From my own experience I know that being on the Church rolls, attending church services, doing jobs, and generally talking the talk is not God's idea of commitment to him. It's a good start, but where the rubber meets the road is where we are in our personal relationship with him. We can love, teach, encourage, and pray for ourselves and others, but eternity is based on that personal relationship.
This all became very real the day I went to the emergency room. Debbee came home from her meeting and when she checked on me she found me blue. I had been sick all day and weaker as the day progressed. I remember praying in the afternoon that if this was my day, I was ready, I had a good life and I was at peace. At that point all the above-mentioned things gave me no comfort. What gave me peace was God was in charge, he doesn’t make mistakes, he loves me, he died for me, and he has prepared a place for me. It was all personal between God and me.
Pastor, I pray that something wonderful is about to happen in our church. It will start with each of us committing ourselves to the will of God and walking according to his ways. Let's all pray his will be done.
Mary Gohlke
GERMAN MUSTARD
We will make our German Mustard on Friday, September 17, beginning at 9 a.m. Please bring your blender.
Stewardship
“Who needs August?”
What do you do when you are in a “waiting room?” Browse through some magazines, read a book, daydream or do some people watching? We often find ourselves in “waiting rooms” of various kinds. We might be in a real “waiting room” or we might be in a “waiting room” of our own making. When we are in a “waiting room” ours lives seem like they are put on hold. We have finished what we were doing and we’re waiting to get on to the next project or activity. So, “waiting” can be pretty boring.
August is perhaps the most boring month of the year. The early summer crops have been harvested. The crops planted in the spring are now growing and corn and soybean farmers are watching and waiting. Summer vacations are winding down. Even children are getting bored with summer and looking forward to the start of a new school year. Imagine that! Many people might be tempted to say “let’s just get August over so we can go on to better and bigger things.”
Life is sometimes like that. We often find ourselves “in between.” We may have just finished one project and are waiting to take on the next one. When someone asks us what we’re doing we may answer “just waiting.” In the Bible the terms “wait or waiting” can mean many things. Some of these include: “wait quietly, wait and watch, wait patiently, wait impatiently or wait with hope and expectation.”
The bottom line is that God has given us each day as an opportunity to rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24 NIV ) and use it in the best way we can to bring honor to God and blessings to others. Since each day is a gift from God there is really no such thing as “a useless, boring day”unless we choose to make it that!
As God’s children by grace through faith in Jesus, we are also stewards or managers of all that God has entrusted to us—time, money, talents, skills, relationships, work and so much more. Good stewards seek to use all that they are and have according to the will of the Owner who is God. As St. Paul wrote to the Galatians: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10 NIV) In this way, “we let our lights shine before men, so that they may see our good works and praise our Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV)
So, fellow redeemed, there is really no such thing as a boring hour, day, week or month for us. Time is God’s gift to us to use. With the Lord’s blessing let’s make the most of our time as well as all of life and life’s resources.
St. John Lutheran Church
Council Minutes
July 20th, 2010
Attending: Pastor Rhoads, Debbie Frederick, Nancy Kaul, Bob Schneider, Mary Gohlke, Jerry Hagen, Dennis Smith, Doris Schneider, Willy Noffke, and Greg Nohra.
George Trotter was present for the first item on the revised agenda.
Willy Noffke called the meeting to order at 7 pm and Pastor opened with prayer.
Council Agenda
The agenda was modified to move the Fundraising Report from Old Business to the first item. Debbie Frederick motioned and Nancy Kaul seconded to accept the revised agenda and the motion passed unanimously.
Fundraising Report
George Trotter reported that 41 responses totaling $105,000 over 4 years have been
pledged so far. Between 60 and 80 responses were not sent back in, so a second letter has
been printed and placed in those boxes. George asked the Council to have a plaque
created to honor the gift by George & Rose Pfeuffer.
June Minutes
The June minutes were reviewed. Dennis Smith motioned, Debbie Frederick seconded, to approve the minutes. The motion carried unanimously.
Financial Report
For June, general offerings were $14,800.60. Designated Funds were $4,157.01. June
expenses totaled $9,642.16. Net income for June was $5,597.44. Net income year to
date is $1824.22. Debbie Frederick motioned to accept the financial report. Nancy Kaul
seconded. Discussion was held concerning the separate funds and checking account, then the motion passed unanimously.
Pastors Report
Pastor Rhoads reported that he met with Jason Sims to begin planning for New Consecration Sunday. He provided the Council with the following dates:
October 2 – Oktoberfest
October 24 – Mission Sunday with Pastor Rudy Schaser
November 14 – New Consecration Sunday with combined 10:30 service
November 16 – Council Meeting
November 21 – Voter’s Meeting
Thanksgiving Day Lunch
December 10 – Christmas Party
December 12 – Children’s Program
Pastor indicated that he is doing well and nearly back to normal after his surgery.
New Business
Discussion was held concerning a permanent patio awning and a step railing by the kitchen door. Willie Pierce and the Kaffee Klatch ladies would like to donate it. Nancy Kaul motioned and Dennis Smith seconded to accept the donation. Motion passed unanimously.
Elder’s Report
Dennis Smith reported that the elders have held orientation for the two new members and
have redistributed the elder and deacon, deaconess lists. They are also reviewing the
Gospel of John study.
Parish Education
No report.
Fellowship Report
Doris Schneider reported that we had 110 people spend the night this week heading to the youth gathering. Some of them will stay on the return trip as well.
Outreach Report
Mary Gohlke was present but had nothing new to report.
Stewardship Report
Nancy Kaul was present but had nothing new to report.
Trustees Report
Jerry Hagen reported that the blower has been fixed and plans are under way to run a water line to the second refrigerator’s icemaker. The dishwasher needs to be removed and costs will need to be checked to determine whether we can replace it with a commercial unit.
Ovens won’t fully heat, they will need to be fixed and the Kaffee Klatch will cover the expense for this. Jerry reported that we have received pricing from two contractors for the grounds-keeping. The lower of the two is around $280 a month and the higher is around $500. Motion was made by Dennis Smith, seconded by Greg Nohra to hire Express Lawn Services at the $280 a month bid. Motion passed unanimously.
Jerry also reported that the water heater is out again in the kitchen. Discussion ensued that it could be the pilot light or the gas may not have been reconnected after construction. Jerry and Pastor will check what they can and call a plumber if needed.
Old Business
Oktoberfest will be held October 2nd and chaired by Warner and Darlene Boortz.
Discussion was held about possibly adjusting prices to cover cost increases.
With no other business, Greg Nohra motioned with Debbie Frederick seconding to adjourn. With a unanimous vote, the meeting ended at 8 p.m. with The Lord’s Prayer.
Grilled Yellow Squash
"This is a tasty way to use up all the yellow squash you have pouring out of your garden every summer. I also do this same thing with zucchini."
Ingredients:
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4 medium yellow squash
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
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2 cloves garlic, crushed
salt and pepper to taste
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Directions:
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1.
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Preheat the grill for medium heat.
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2.
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Cut the squash horizontally into 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick slices so that you have nice long strips that won't fall through the grill.
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3.
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Heat olive oil in a small pan, and add garlic cloves. Cook over medium heat until the garlic starts to sizzle and become fragrant. Brush the slices of squash with the garlic oil, and season with salt and pepper.
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4.
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Grill squash slices for 5 to 10 minutes per side, until they reach the desired tenderness
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Brush with additional garlic oil, and turn occasionally to prevent sticking or burning
You are invited…
Southern District Lutheran congregations
will be celebrating 5 years of recovery from
Hurricane Katrina with a special
commemorative service. Please save the
date and join us.
Date: Sunday, August 29th
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Place: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
(home of Camp Restore)
9301 Chef Menteur Hwy.
New Orleans, LA 70127
Preacher: The Rev. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President, Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
This will be a service of remembrance and
thanksgiving for God’s grace and blessings in the aftermath of Katrina, a storm that affected all of us in so many different ways.
Also celebrated on that day will be the
decommissioning of Camp Biloxi in the morning service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Biloxi, MS. President and Mrs. Kieschnick will be attending this special event.
Have A Recipe to Share?
Submit yours via email to stjohnlutheranchurch@gmail.com
or to the secretary’s mailbox in the narthex by the 15th of each month.
St. John Lutheran Church
2001 Hardy Street
Hattiesburg MS 39401-4919
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED