The Eagle. Saint John s Lutheran Church. A Christ-Driven Church! Building Faith & Family, Fellowship & Service August 2015.

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1 In this Issue Table of Contents Pastor Randy Greeting... 2 Council Highlights... 3 Pastoral Call Committee 4 Worship Highlights... 5 Adult Sunday Classes... 5 Bus Ministry... 6 This, That, Tidbits... 6 Have A Need... 7 Text Messages... 7 Children's Ministry... 8 Fearless Youth... 9 Good News Team Frye Piano Recital Summer Music Social Outreach Spirited 50 s Women s Ministry Stephen Ministry Train. 15 Birthdays & Anniv Prayers Staff The Eagle Saint John s Lutheran Church A Christ-Driven Church! Building Faith & Family, Fellowship & Service August 2015

2 Greetings! This summer Eagle article I would like to share various events and their meanings. First of all, I reflect on the positive impact God s congregation here at SJ s has on individuals as they face their Goliaths, be it health attacks (cancers, major organs, emotional) or relationship attacks (death of spouse or children, divorce, separations), profession attacks (loss of job, detest workplace, low pay, retirement), or spiritual attacks (distance from God, dry soul, struggling faith, disillusionment, boredom). I see much encouragement, prayer, assistance, walking along side, bearing one another s burdens. Some of this is formal in ministry programs, but mostly you are taking personal initiative and being as Christ (Martin Luther s phrase) to your sister or brother in Christ. This care doesn t always work, it s not always appreciated, and some suffer silently without help. For this we confess and apologize; yet I thank the way you dear people care for one another as well as the stranger in our midst. Secondly, a congregation is always blessed when one of its sons or daughters are called into the Christian vocation. We are so enriched by Patricia Muran, who answered the call to serve full time as pastor in the 1990 s and attended Seminary s special program for ethnic ministers. The most people ever in our Sanctuary (over 300!) was for Pat s Ordination. She has been serving the Latino mission in Santa Maria that she began, and SJ s has been one of her major financial and practical supporters for these past 15 years. During her seminary the congregation (and women s ministry) offered financial support. Now we have another member answering the call to serve God s church, Andrew Wood! Growing up with great parents and a warm and faithful congregation, Andrew has received from many and given back through V.B.S. team many years, Interim Youth Leader, Youth sponsor, drummer with Songfest, veteran puppeteer, and two times on the Slovakian summer mission team. We will have a prayer send off August 16 and then he heads up to Everest, WA to Trinity Lutheran College as he enters the Children,Youth and Family Ministries Studies B.A. degree. We will want to also financially support our son in this vocation preparation, as it is our joy and privilege to prepare the next generation s servant leaders. Thirdly, I thank you so very much for your kind spring 2014 offering as our 25th year of ministry together here at SJ s, the cash gift to get to and from the other big gift of one week at the time share where ever in the world where ever the time share has openings. We chose the island of Malta and on July 31- August 9 Patty and I will be enjoying the blessing of that great gift of love. Thank you! And thank you, Lord, for this congregation. Where is Malta? It is in the western part of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily. It is historical, warm water, and hot. We are staying at the Dolmen Resort Hotel in Qawra, Malta. The Apostle Paul was shipwrecked at this island and our hotel looks out on St. Paul s Bay. I will bring back stories! God bless your August and summer days as we Serve the Living and Loving Lord, Pastor Randy 2

3 Council Meeting Highlights FROM THE July 11, 2015 MONTHLY MEETING Received the monthly update from David Light, Council s liaison to the Call Committee, on their meetings and progress. Replies to our openings are beginning to come in. Received via member Bernie Horton, who serves on the People s Kitchen board, the wonderful news that PK has a home to serve daily noon full meals indoors at Pacific Christian Center in Grover Beach. Beginning August 2nd, every day at 11:30am the host church will conduct worship and then the worshippers will break into a meal together. Saint John s is always the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Council commended our people for the preparing and serving in the park the handout meals for over two years. Received a beautiful letter of thanks, plus describe her year s work, from Slovakian Andrea Hybenova, our former summer intern. We helped to financially support her position this year as Children and Youth Director at the Lutheran Church in Martin. This was followed up by a signed letter from the church s Board of Elders also thanking us. Received from the NALC a letter of thanks for our contribution offerings into the Theological Education Fund. Received a letter for the congregations from our NALC Bishop Bradosky in response to the Supreme Court decision that provides for same sex marriages. Revised and Approved the new Transportation Ministry Responsibilities and Duties document. Toured the newly acquired 2003 bus that holds 22 passengers, has a lift, seat belts, above head racks, and more. This will be used as a tool for Sunday worship, mid-week events, and long distance camps, plus other uses as they arise. Approved the bus insurance plan and established a Dedicated Fund #2812 for Transportation Ministry. Received and Approved the Loop Task Force final report and recommendation. Citing the new direction of hearing aid mfg and their tiny size that is now precluding the loop receiver, the task force recommended the bid of $4,732 for the installation of 4 additional small speakers along the side walls (two on each side), amplifier, wiring, labor, and equipment that ties into our system. This will enhance the sound for the harder of hearing. Council discussed the possible congregational scenarios that may occur in the upcoming pastoral transition process. Income/Expenses: May, 2015 YTD *Income $253, *Expenses $222, Over (Under) $ 29, Sunday Attendance June July July July July

4 Dearest Saint John s Family, Thank you, for your continued prayers for this Committee, for the process, and for whoever God has planned to be the next Pastor on this corner. Your prayers are felt and God has shown His hand at work every step of the way! Each time we have felt frustrated, or impatient, of sidetracked, God has delivered precisely what we need at precisely the right moment! Keep those prayers coming! Our vacancy and/or Congregational Profile has successfully been listed on LCMC, Lutheran CORE, and NALC sites and is available to all Lutheran pastors available for call. We have been contacted by several candidates, some of whom would not be a good fit and some who have some definite potential. We are doing our research, as are the candidates, and all are seeking the Holy Spirit s guidance for the best outcome for all involved. Our specific requests for your prayers going forward are: 1) for meaningful, open, and fruitful discussions to take place between the Committee and the candidates God leads our way, and 2) we also ask that you pray for each of these candidates and for the Holy Spirit s guidance for them and their families that, even if Saint John s is not their destination, they find the perfect place for them to fulfill their calling. In Christ, The Call Committee 4

5 WORSHIP THIS MONTH 9:00AM Songfest Led Music 11:00 Organ Liturgical Music 10:15 Summer Adult Faith In Life Classes - Rm 7/8 Children s Church on Summer Recess You may view the weekly worship services live stream or choosing from the archives by going to our website: saintjohnsag.com August 2 SJ s Lay Leaders Robert Mees giving the Message and Andrew Wood Assisting; Holy Communion presided by Stephen Minister August 9 Guest Pastor - Rev. Matt Kronberg, Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Care at Dignity Health of Marion Medical Center, Arroyo Grande Hospital, & French Hospital August 16 ONE SERVICE ONLY AT 10:00 AM Annual Ukelele Led worship Holy Communion presided by Pastor Randy Sermon 4 week Series Colossians - Church With the Christ-Filled Soul #2 of 4. Prayer Send-off Andrew Wood to Trinity Lutheran College, Everett, Washington for Children, Youth and Family Ministries Studies B.A. degree August 23 Sermon 4 week Series Colossians - Church With the Christ-Filled Soul #3 of 4 August 30 Sermon 4 week Series Colossians - Church With the Christ-Filled Soul #4 of 4 Note: During one of the last weeks in August we hope to have a China Summer Missions Report and Sharing of Blessings from Kathy, JoAnn, Rebecca, and Whitney SUNDAY AM ADULT CLASS CONTINUES THIS SUMMER 10:15 AM IN ROOM 7/8 A variety of Biblical, family, health, doctrinal, societal topics led by Pastor Randy, members, and guests. August: no classes August 2, 9, 16 - visit with each other and guest pastors. August 23 & 30: Church and Society Public Square Faith at the Crossroads - Is Faith Hate Speech? 5

6 Greetings and Blessings to you, I hope that you had a chance to look and go into our "new van"! We on Council have been talking about this possibility for a few months. We handed out surveys for you to complete and return. I even went through the Sanctuary handing them out. From the forms returned it was decided that this was a good ministry. I am especially excited to see the blessings this van will be providing for the ones that have no way of getting to church. They have a way now! The youth for their trips to Hume Lake. My favorite is that we will be able to assist with People s Kitchen. Not only will people now be getting a good lunch, but the opportunity to hear God's Word. We would like your input as what to say on the side of the Van. Yes of course our logo will be on the van, but something else. Just need the right words. Will you help? Just put your ideas on the back of the registration half sheet insert. We will get them. Blessings to you all, Mona Hart This, That, & Tidbits Please call, , send, or bring in any news of your household that would be a blessing for the congregation to know about, to celebrate, or to show loving concern. I want to take a moment to thank everyone for all the prayers for my family. God is in control and working his miracles. The love, support, hugs, prayers from everyone has helped my family and me through this very difficult time. A special hug and thank you to Pastor Randy, Pam, Patti and Shari; your support means so much to me and helped me get through each day. Hugs and blessing to everyone! Cheryl Apfel 6

7 Meet a need Have a need. Welcome to a new monthly page for the Eagle. Kind of like a Craigslist for Saint John s. Submit your request by the 15th of the month. Because of non-profit rules no dollar amount will be posted. Hey All You Evangelical Eaglets, we now "HAVE" a new member of our St. John's Family, the bus. Our bus "NEEDS" signage, logos, names and the like. Got any Transportation Ministry ideas or inspirations? Let's all pray and play, for and with, this and share all of our thoughts. Contact Jeff Metcalfe: with your input. Greetings From The Good News Team. Our committee is working on an exciting new project for this fall and we need your collective help. We re looking for your favorite local scenic pictures. AG, Five Cities, SLO County and distinctively Central Coast. Have any to share, contact Diane Rinehart or Jeff Metcalfe MOVING INTO THE 21 ST CENTURY To take advantage of new technologies, Saint John s will begin using text messages to update and/or remind the congregation about new and upcoming events. In order to initiate this program, we need your help! If you would like to receive texts from Saint John s, please send us a text from your cell phone to saintjohnsag@hotmail.com. (Yes, this is our address.) We will need a text from each person with a cell phone in the household that wants to receive messages from us. Remember to include your name in the text. (so we know who we are texting) We promise that we won t overwhelm you with messages! 7

8 Children & Family Ministry 8

9 Join Rob Mees and Youth Leaders Wednesday Nights from 6-8 pm With Food and Friends Sr. High Hume Lake Trip On August 9th the senior high youth of St. John s are going to travel to Hume Lake. Once up there, they will learn about how to face the daily struggle of balancing what the world expects of us and the grace that God has given us. They will look through the eyes of Peter as he is called by Jesus to follow him and then to lead his church. Under the Pirate theme of Aye Aye Cap n Peter s story will be told both on stage for the youth to see and during Bible studies and worship for them to personally experience. The week will also include plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful woods, trails, and, of course, the lake at Hume. Summer of Service We have more fun community service projects in store for the month of August to follow up the ones we did in July. Keep an eye on the Sunday bulletins for details about specific dates and times. Keep in mind that all service hours that the youth of St. John s take part in count as a way to finance trips and events that the youth participate in like the trip to Hume Lake or the Winter Camp trips. For more details about service projects or our service hour tracking system talk to Rob Mees. 9

10 More good news from your Good News Team! This month is written by Rob Mees After growing up in Los Angeles, going to church every Sunday and spending most weekdays at church during my teen years, I moved to San Luis Obispo to go to college at Cal Poly. My new found ability to sleep in on Sunday mornings put a stop to my church attendance except when I visited my parents. A few events happened surrounding my family and my dad s church that caused me to think of Christians as hypocritical and generally untrustworthy. After a few years of dealing with cable companies, rental agencies, and dishonest employers, I widened my worldview to state that people in general were untrustworthy and hypocritical. I told myself and those who asked that I still believed in God and Jesus but I just didn t see why going to a church was necessary or even helpful for my faith. My classes at Cal Poly started to give me lots of information that both countered and reinforced my worldviews and faith in God. During an Anthropology class we read a book by Jared Diamond titled, Guns, Germs and Steel. This book stated that the only reason why Europe colonized the Americas and not other way around was due to the location of natural resources. Religion was completely ignored and when I brought this up during class the professor admitted that the author seemed a little closed minded to the effects religion plays on peoples motivations. When I took a Sociology of Religion class my final paper was about research on the ways religion influenced the presidential election in the United States. I found several reports that linked the winner of every election since JFK won the Catholic vote. Then when Bush won in 2000 it was the evangelical vote that sided with the victor. This reminded me of a quote I and most people have heard attributed to Karl Marx, Religion...is the opium of the people. I took a Religious Studies class titled simply, Jesus. In this class I learned about the historical context of the Bible and the gospels in particular. I was also told that while some other historians referenced Jesus they were not credible enough to be discussed in this class. While this class did not inspire my faith in any profound way it did make me want to do my own research. The two foundations of my faith today came from a lot of reading and talks with my Dad. My belief in God s existence and my faith in the Bible s accuracy. In both Astronomy and Physics classes I read about how the universe started at a single moment in time called the Big Bang. I never had a problem believing that God was the source of the Big Bang and as I ve learned more about all the parameters that are needed to be fine-tuned in such a way to allow life to exist I have to conclude that God was behind it all. Hugh Ross s many books and organization Reasons to Believe have been a big help for me to ground my faith in scientific facts. When it comes to the Bible s accuracy it takes a particular mindset to break down historical events into a chronology that makes sense and helps to found belief in the Bible in logical reasoning which is important to me. Luckily I found an amazing book by Homicide Detective J. Warner Wallace titled Cold Case Christianity. In both the pages of his book and in person at the many talks he s given on the subject, he helps quash all our fears about the validity of the Gospel accounts. It took me a long time to travel from, Church is a place I go to on Sundays because I m a Christian and that s just what we do, to, God made everything and he came to earth in order to die for us so that we can live with him forever in heaven. To quote my favorite author to date, Martin Luther, This is most certainly true. Rob 10

11 The Congregation is cordially invited to a Celebration Piano Recital Sunday, August 30th, 2:00 p.m. Featuring Louise Frye, Pianist Celebrating 40 years of teaching and 7 decades of life Repertoire includes many periods of Music History Saint John's Lutheran Church 959 Valley Road Arroyo Grande, CA RSVP preferred by August 22nd lyfpianist@gmail.com Reception to Follow No Gifts, Please 11

12 ALL-UKELELE SUNDAY Aloha! Since last year s special worship event was so well received, Songfest will once again be hosting an All-Ukelele Sunday worship on Sunday, August 16 at our one combined service at 10:00 a.m. We ll enjoy a ukulele orchestra complete with cajon drum, as well as our usual singers for back-up. And of course, those yummy Hawaiian treats to enjoy at our fellowship hour following the service. The congregation is invited to bring family, friends, neighbors, and is encouraged to wear your Hawaiian finest to this special summer celebration of island praise to our most gracious Lord and Savior. See you there!! Shari and Myron Bowman, Co-Directors, Songfest August 16, One Service Only 10:00 AM 12

13 Five Cities Food Ministry: Contributions of peanut butter, pasta, cereal, canned vegetables and fruit are always needed, and the wagon in the Commons is waiting to be filled. Thanks for any number of items. Call Eileen, Food Coordinator for Five Cities Food Ministry, , for information, or to volunteer. Volunteers collect food, stock the pantry, and distribute food. Thanks to all who donate so faithfully. People s Kitchen: the wonderful news that PK has a home to serve daily noon full meals indoors at Pacific Christian Center in Grover Beach. Beginning August 2nd, every day at 11:30am the host church will conduct a worship and then the worshippers will break into a meal together. Saint John s is always the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Call Linda McNair, for information about this ministry, or to volunteer your help. Health Ministries Committee: Health Ministries Committee Vial of Life & Advance Directive Forms will be available in the Commons-July and August Unfortunately the magnetic containers were not available this year from the Area Agency on Aging. The cards to record, or update pertinent medical information are available. Advance Directive Forms will also be available. Members please help yourselves to either of these items or both and feel free to take them for a friend or relative. Anyone with a health related background is welcome to join us. Contact person-yvonne Stephens. Senior Luncheon: August 25, 12:00 Noon Come and Join Us! 13

14 SPIRITED 50 S SATURDAY AUGUST 8, 2015, 6:30P.M. FELLOWSHIP HALL Thank you Delene and Stan for hosting the July gathering. The attendees enjoyed a delicious dessert and then watched the movie America. Those of us that were not able to attend missed a good time and a very informative movie. August 6:30 P.M. FELLOWSHIP HALL. We do not have hosts for the month of August yet so keep your ears and eyes open in case we are able to provide hosts for the evening. HELP, HELP, HELP. We need hosts or hostess for the rest of the year! Particularly we need hosts for the month of August to start with. I know you want to meet and enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow Christian brothers and sisters. Soooo, step forward and be a host/hostess. With out your help we won t meet. We have posted several suggested activities on the bulletin board so the hosts would have some type of activity to choose from if they did not have one they would like to present. You ll find the suggested activity list posted in our area. If you can not make a decision as to what the program will be, ask Frank Drake for help. Remember there really isn t anyone too young or too old to join us and enjoy the fellowship period we have together. If you have not attended our gatherings you do not know what you have missed. It s light and fun time. Come and find out for yourself. Please think about hosting so we don t miss our opportunities to gather. The host sign up sheet for 2015 is posted on the bulletin board, and is located adjacent to the phone in the entrance hall to the Fellowship Hall. Without a host there will not be a chance to gather and fellowship with your Christian Brothers and Sisters. Please either sign the Host sign up sheet or call Frank Drake. Please consider hosting twice a year, and try to limit hosts to two couples, or 4-5 people, so we ll have plenty of hosts to share the fun time. In HIS Service, FRANK DRAKE 14

15 Women s Ministry The mission of the Women s Ministry is to serve the congregation and community with love and fellowship. September Startup Potluck September 9, 12:00 Stephen Ministry: a reminder to everyone that we can still register you for our Stephen Minister Training. If God is leading you to this very special training and Ministry, if you have been thinking that you would like to help those in need, please check that box on the back of the insert Sunday or seek out Kerry Wood or Robin Eiland. Our training begins in October so there is still time for reflection. We can't wait to meet you and have you be apart of Stephen Ministry 15

16 2 LUKE & LEVI KASEMAN, NADINE HUFF, JIM HALL, SUZANNE MYER 4 STEVE KAPKA, JOANN PAYNE 5 PETER CORRICK, ED JOHNSON, DAVID MALCOLM 7 MONA PURKEY, MARJORIE GILLIAM, JOHN ROMANELLI 4 TOM & JULIE LEBENS DICK & MARGIE SPANGLER 6 PATTY & RANDY OUIMETTE BOB & RENA WEIGER 13 CAROL & SCOTT JOHNSON 8 ISAAC HERNANDEZ 16 PETE & MARILYN CARLSON 9 ABIGAIL KASEMAN 11 KALI MASICAMPO, TRUDY ROMANELLI 21 BOB & MARGE VAHSHOLTZ RICHARD & PEGGY DROSTE 15 BOB SHARPS 17 KYLE THOMAS 19 LUKE DODDS 20 AMBER MCCOID 22 DONNA GILLETTE 23 JEFF METCALFE, TOM MURAN 24 DIANE RINEHART 25 CAROL KOLB 26 EMANDA MILLER, 27 MARQ MILLER, KELLY STEGALL, MARILYN MORRIS 28 DANE CARLSON 31 ROBERT GONZALES Please Pray for Terry, Jim, Jeff H., Karen, Jan, Suzanne, Judy, Susan, Sandy, Pastor Ron, Charlotte, Rich, Russ & Betty, Marjorie, Mary Jane, Ron, Nancy and family, the Apfel family, Diane & Jerry; Missionaries to China, Pastor Jeff & Mim Nellermoe, and Missionaries Erica Thomas in Slovakia; Kathy Lindstaedt, JoAnn Lindstaedt, Rebecca Davis and Whitney Davis in China and the Pastoral Call Committee. 16

17 N.A.L.C. our Four Core Values are: *Christ-Centered *Mission-Driven *Traditionally-rounded *Congregationally-Focused Our Motto : The Little Church with the Big Heart! Our Mission is the Great Commission of our Lord to Go, make disciples of all nations, involving us in evangelism and discipleship. STAFF PASTOR Rev. Randy Ouimette pastorrandyo@hotmail.com OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Cheryl Apfel OFFICE ASSISTANT Pam Glenn BOOKKEEPER Gretchen Weckstein CHANCEL CHOIR DIRECTOR Shari Bowman HANDBELLS DIRECTOR Sandy Leggett SONGFEST DIRECTORS Myron & Shari Bowman CHOIR ACCOMPANIST Louise Frye ORGANIST Dawn Russ CHILDREN S CHURCH CHILD. MINISTRY EVENTS COORD. Kathy Lindstaedt CUSTODIAN Candy Brill NURSERY ATTENDANT Michelle Standley MEDIA TECH Rob Mees DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY Rob Mees FINANCIAL SECRETARY Patti Roberts Sept. Newsletter Deadline is Aug. 15th Thanks to all the volunteers who have been such a blessing to the office. It would be impossible without you! 2015 CHURCH COUNCIL: OFFICERS- PRESIDENT: Mona Hart VICE PRESIDENT: David Light TREASURER: Frank Smith SECRETARY: David Immel LIAISONS: Children s Ministry Mona Hart Adult Growth Ministry David Light Good News Team Jeff Metcalfe Property Mark Haley Social Ministry Lynn Kaloian Stewardship Ralph Miner Worship & Music Shar TerBorch Youth David Immel A Stephen Ministry Congregation 17

18 The Eagle Is published monthly by Saint John s Lutheran Church 959 Valley Rd. Arroyo Grande, CA (805) Fax saintjohnsag@hotmail.com Editor: Cheryl Apfel CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED DATED MATERIAL-PLEASE DO NOT DELAY Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid Arroyo Grande, CA Permit No