Our Confirmands will partake in their first Communion with their family and sponsors on Mother s Day, May 13 th in either service.

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1 The ParishScope St. John s Lutheran Church Newsletter Sand Prairie Green Valley, IL May 2018 WHAT IS CONFIRMATION? The Rite of Confirmation provides an opportunity for the individual Christian, relying on God's promise given in Baptism, to make a personal public profession of the faith and a lifelong pledge of faithfulness to Christ. Confirmation teaches baptized Christians, who wish to become Lutheran about Martin Luther's theology of the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, Baptism, Confession, and the Eucharist. Students often begin taking catechism classes at about age twelve and are usually confirmed at age fourteen. On Friday, May 4 th a Confirmation Dinner and Questioning for the 8 th grade class will be held at Avanti s beginning at 6:00pm. Our 8 th grade confirmands, along with their families and baptismal sponsors, will be attending. Then on Sunday, May 6 th we will witness the confirming of faith by our seven confirmands, at the 10:45 worship service. Our confirmands are: Graden Becker Alexandra Dodd Gabe Fairchild Aiden Foreman Brandon Hilst Noel Larimore Dalyn McFarlin Our Confirmands will partake in their first Communion with their family and sponsors on Mother s Day, May 13 th in either service. Please welcome and pray for these new communicant members.

2 Anna Jarvis is recognized as the Founder of Mother s Day in the US. Though Anna Jarvis never married, and never had kids, she is also known as the Mother of Mother s Day, a fitting title for the lady who worked hard to bestow honor on all mothers. Anna Jarvis got the inspiration of celebrating Mother s Day from her own mother, Mrs Anna Marie Reeves Jarvis, in her childhood. An activist and social worker, Mrs Jarvis used to express her desire that someday someone must honor all mothers, living and dead, and pay tribute to the contributions made by them. A loving daughter, Anna never forgot her mother s word and when her mother died in 1905, she resolved to fulfill her mother s desire of having a Mother s day. To begin with, Anna gave carnations for the church services in Grafton, West Virginia to honor her mother. Carnations, were her mother s favorite flower and Anna felt that they symbolized a mother s pure love. Later Anna, along with her supporters, wrote letters to people in positions of power, lobbying for the official declaration of Mother s Day holiday. The hard work paid off. By 1911, Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state in the Union and on May 8, 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. Mother s Day is Sunday, May 13 th. Each mother attending church, will receive a carnation from the youth.

3 A NEW MEMBER RECEPTION WILL BE HELD ON Sunday, May 20 th. The new members being welcomed include recent transfers, and those being taken into our church through the Rite of Confirmation Help us make this a truly special day here at Sand Prairie. You will have an opportunity to greet them in a reception line after each service. At 9:00 there will be refreshments provided in the Parish hall served by the Evangelism Committee. What a great time to give a warm welcome to our newest members. MILESTONE MINISTRY provides a faith milestone as a marker along life s journey that says, This is something important, and God is here, too. It is a faith formation practice for both home and congregation that help all generations recognize God s presence in everyday life. On Sunday June 3 rd, Sand Prairie will recognize each of our HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS in either service with a special Milestone Ministry entitled Stepping Forward in Life. Each graduate will be given a blanket symbolic of the love of their parents, our church family, and the Lord, in a service designed to bring everyone back to the promise they made at their baptism. Parents and seniors are to meet in the chapel at 7:30am or at 10:15 am to briefly go through the service. Our high school seniors are: Dylan Scott Becker, Rachel Ann Bresnahan, Brittany Nicole Clouse, Kaylin Marissa Ehlers, Paige Nicole Hicks, Jeb Larimore, Bailey Danielle Lay, Caitlin Elizabeth LeCrone, Ryan Michael Reader, Madelyn Elizabeth Rose Singley, Emily Stewart, Kelsey Lynn Urish, Kyle Steven Worner.

4 Paraments and Linens: Part 6 (from the Hannah Guild) The Sundays after Easter continue the celebratory themes, rites, and decorations as indicated in last month s news article. This season is quite appropriate for confirmation with its emphasis on baptismal celebration and the renewal of life. May 6, 2018, the sixth Sunday of Easter (Rogate), has been chosen for confirmation this year at Sand Prairie. Tradition in our church is that the confirmands wear vestments, which are special garments (more on vestments to come at a later date). This confirmation garment is a white cape like garment and appropriately is a reminder of the confirmand s Baptism. Gowns are NOT worn since they are academic and not ecclesiastical in character. For this reason gowns are not suitable for confirmation, since the rite of confirmation is a celebration and not a graduation from anything. The liturgical color is changed to red. Once confirmation is over, the paraments will be changed back to white. As mentioned last month, The Ascension of our Lord falls on a Thursday, this year being, May 10 th. First Communion for the Confirmation Class will be the following Sunday, May 13 th, which is the seventh Sunday of Easter. The Feast of Pentecost, considered the third great festival of the church year, celebrates Christ s sending of the Holy Spirit to his apostles, so that they could carry on His work and establish His church. Pentecost falls on the fiftieth day after Easter, which is May 20 th this year. The liturgical color is red. This next period of time is the third division of the church year and comprises about one half of the calendar year. The time begins with the Feast of the Holy Trinity, a celebration of the mystery of God, three in person but united in substance. This feast is the First Sunday after Pentecost, which is May 27 th in The liturgical color for Trinity Sunday is white, since that is the color of divinity and perfection. Next month, we will share information about the weeks of Trinity season, which focus on the teaching of the Lord and application to the lives of Christians. You will then notice a change in the color of paraments to green. Note: Information contained in the Hannah Guild articles is taken from: The Altar Guild Manual by Lee A. Maxwell, Concordia Publishing House.

5 HANNAH GUILD (Altar Guild) FLOWER CHART Our Altar is adorned weekly with two vases of flowers. Mostly they are fresh flowers, however silk may be used. In years past our members would pick flowers from their flower gardens and arrange them in the vases to adorn our altar. Flowers may be placed on the altar or in front of the pulpit to honor the memory of a loved one, to announce a birth, birthday or anniversary, etc. Flowers may be used to say thanks to God for all of the blessings that we receive. The ladies of the Hannah Guild (Altar Guild) remove the flowers after the 10:45 service. When you donate flowers you may take them home after the 10:45 service, or you may request that they be given to a hospitalized church member, member in a nursing home, or one of our shut-ins. Altar flowers are placed in two glass vases, and all flowers, including the pulpit are placed on the ledge in the chapel. It is appreciated, if possible, that the glass vases be returned to the chapel or sacristy. The names of the ladies serving on altar duty are listed on the flower chart for each month, (which is located on the bulletin board in the Narthex). If you plan to donate your flowers, please call one of the ladies to make arrangements for delivery. Epiphany Society appreciates those who provide flowers for the altar. Each week that nobody signs up for altar flowers, the Epiphany Society must provide them. Epiphany Society would appreciate your help supplying our church altar with flowers. Thank You Epiphany Society & Hannah Guild

6 Choir News THE CHOIR will sing at the 8:00 services on May 6th and 20th. The Choir will then take their summer break, except for any special services and requests. MANY THANKS!! to our Director Chris Fisher, for the countless hours and work she gives to our congregation so that our worship services may be beautified with all PRAISE and GLORY given to GOD!! Thanks, also, to the faithful choir members who provide the voices of the words and music that enhance our services. SERVICE PROJECTS: The 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade confirmation classes were involved in the following service projects as part of their curriculum this past year: restocking busy bags, participating in the November workday, assisting Ewes Treasure s changeover in the fall and spring, wrapping and delivering Angel tree gifts, giving devotions at Mardelle Manor and Autumn Accolade, and working at the Morton Midwest Food Bank, 2 different times. We thank them (and their parents), and hope that by helping others, they experienced the love that Jesus shows to them.

7 WCO NEWS (Women s Church Organization NEWS) EPIPHANY SOCIETY NEWS: BE OUR GUEST: Epiphany will be hosting a noon potluck luncheon and invite our members to bring a guest on May 3rd. After a delicious meal we will enjoy guest speaker Joyce Thompson who will discuss her book about family history in Sand Prairie Township. A short business meeting will follow our program. Hostesses for the day are Mary Ann Weindel and Diane LaLone. Please consider joining us for all or part of the afternoon. LYDIA GUILD will meet on Tuesday, May 29 th at 9:00am to assemble and mail the ParishScope. DORCAS GUILD: The Dorcas Guild will meet on Thursday, May 24 th, from 9:00am to 3:00pm. To assemble mission kits and sew quilts for Lutheran World Relief mission. REBEKAH CIRCLE NEWS: REBEKAH CIRCE will meet on Thursday, May 10 th, at Sangalli's Italian Steak House, 2217 Court St., Pekin, at 6:30 PM. This will be our last gathering before our summer break, with regular meetings resuming in September. All women of the congregation are invited to join us. Contact Connie at with your reservation by 5/8/18. Norma White will lead devotions. Reminder - on Sunday May 27th, Sue Woodruff and Nancy Proehl will handle mite collections. SAVE THE DATE!! -- November 18th has been set for "ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT"!! Watch for more information in coming months. WHY DO WE HAVE FREEZER MEALS: Do you know of someone from our congregation who is homebound, is recovering from illness or surgery, has recently had a baby, is caring for an ill family member or someone who could just simply benefit from the blessing of a prepared meal? Thank you to all who participated, in any way, in the preparation of the meals and the outreach to those in need. "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

8 THIS AND THAT MITE BOXES (or loose change) are collected on the last Sunday of each month by our church s two LWML organizations, Epiphany Society and Rebekah Circle. Christian Eldercare Home in Haiti ($100,000) Haiti is a nation in need of special attention. Since the 2010 earthquake, Lutheran baptisms in Haiti have multiplied beyond expectations and Lutheran church attendance is increased; however, physical and spiritual needs of these brothers and sisters are unmet. This eldercare center (for those who have outlived their families and those now living in tents and deplorable conditions) will be built and provide clean water, suitable waste containment, beds, food, and care for these forgotten people--a safe community for the elderly Haitian Lutherans. MANY THANKS: Dear Friends in Christ, I was happy to receive your bag of neatly trimmed stamps. I have already processed them. My buyer has not paid me for my last shipment yet, but it should be coming soon. Blessings on your group and many, many thanks. Pastor Kesselmeyer. BIBLE CLASSES: (Pat Hanley began a class on the lifelight study of the Gospel of St. Matthew last Sunday) in the Parish hall. Sandy Lutz is leading the discussion of the Gospel of St. Luke, (with the emphasis on healing), in the memorial room. THE CHURCH S INFORMATION CLASS continues, as members come in preparation for membership, to review the teachings of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, or to become better informed. A New Member reception is planned for May 20 th.

9 ELDER ASSIGNMENT Each family of our congregation has been assigned to one of the eight Senior Elders. If you have any questions, or comments, please feel free to contact them: Bill Anderson: Allen, Tom & Diane to Clark, Brad Jim Tometich: Clark, Jerry and Carol-Friedrich to Bob and Vergie Christopher Martis: Friedrich, Dave to Hasty, Marilyn Keith Friedrich: Hasty, Ryan to Krohn, John Charlie Berndt: Krohn, Paul to Mills, Barb Jim Fairchild: Moehring to Schaefer, Jeffrey and Patti Mark Simpson: Schaefer, Norb and Jean to Tisdale, Kevin and Beverly Mark Schleder: Tisdale, Norm and Judy to Zeeck, Angela FOOD PANTRY will be held on Tuesday May 1 st from 9:00 to 10:00am. MIDWEST FOOD BANK DELIVERY will be on Thursday, May 10 th at 10:30. Volunteers are always welcome. VBS PACKED WITH THRILLS AND SPILLS Discover God s Promise on Life s Wild Ride Looking for Adventure this Summer? Join us June 3 rd 7 th 6:00 8:30pm St. John s Green Valley, Trinity Lutheran and St. John s Pekin, Have Run Together with Good Shepherd Lutheran School for this Rafting Adventure of a VBS. Wade Through a River of Knowledge and Dip Your Toes into the Water of Fun! Learn about Jesus, Feel the Love of The Lord and Have a Great Time! Registration forms will be in the bulletin through May. Look for a board in the Parish hall for needed donations. Anyone wanting to volunteer to help with VBS please contact Jennifer (309)

10 MAY ANNIVERSARIES May 5 Dick & Diane Beebe May 8 Gary & Donna Hilst May12 Gary & Stephanie Barth, Alan & Norma White May 16 Dude & Peg Meisinger, George & Sue Milaccio May 22 Chuck & Deb Null May 23 Todd & Brenda Mutchler May 25 Doyle & Jean Green Al & Wendy Juraco May 27 Larry & Connie Ary May 29 Tim & Erin LeCrone Chad & April Peterson MAY BIRTHDAYS May 1 Malloree Reaves, Dan Smith, Hunter Lutz May 2 Ian Krueger May 3 Katie Meyers, Elijah Hamann, Brennan Baxter May 4 Nancy Nannen May 5 John Breedlove May 7 Stephanie Smith, Kyle Babb May 9 Rick Woith, Ron Weiland, Angela Hilst, Andrew Ball, Jacob Smith May 10 Loraine Schleder *, Karl Lutz, Quintin Krueger, Castynn Richards May 11 Phyllis Willard *, Shauna Thomas, Kylee Lutz May 12 Eric Weiland, Cash Lutz May 13 Lynn Tackett, Joel Kilgus, Matt Juraco, Elijah Simpson May 14 Sue Milaccio, Justin Boundy May 16 Katie Woodruff May 17 Wes Williams, Patty Smith, Kimberly Roskamp May 18 Linda Krueger, Kimberly Gray May 19 Lila Anderson, Kim Montgomery, Greg Friedrich May 20 Joni Sefton, Ivan Larimore, Katie Moore May 21 Jim Fairchild, Sandi Duval, May 22 James Proehl * May 23 Tricia Jennnings May 24 Anna Mae Friedrich * Larry Ary, Irwin Kohl, Dawn Holloway May 25 Cohen Stocks May 26 Wendy Juraco, Dustin Friedrich May 27 Jenna Worner, Bailey Worner May 28 Helen Struben *, Ava Shay May 29 Mary Urish *, Alan Hall May 30 John Ball *, Sandy Weiland, Britany Durant May 31 Jan Luedtke * represent 75 or older

11 FLOWER CHART FOR MAY May 6 th Altar Confirmation Class. Pulpit Given by Family in memory of Barbie Fuelberth s birthday. May 13 th Altar Given by the JFC in honor of Mother s Day. Pulpit Given by Rick & Amy Leesman in honor of Phyllis Willard s 88 th birthday. May 20 th Altar Given by Jim & Sharon Lemon in memory of Darrell Crohn. Pulpit Given by Chuck & Deb Null in honor of their 42 nd anniversary. May 27 th Altar Larry & Connie Ary in honor of their 46 th anniversary. Pulpit In honor of Bill & Linda s wedding anniversary June 4 th. Please help us to decorate our church on Sunday mornings. The Flower Chart is located in the Narthex on the Bulletin Board. MAY WORSHIP 8:00am Worship Elder: Jim Fairchild Altar Duty Pat Fairchild & Anna Palm 10:45am Worship Elder: Chris Martis MAY ACOLYTE SCHEDULE May 6 th 8:00am Hunter Huskinson 10:45am Josh & Jacob Holloway May 13 th 8:00am Morgan Montgomery 10:45am Aiden Baxter May 20 th 8:00am 10:45am MAY GREETERS May 6 th 8:00am Dale Moehring 10:45am Mel & Mike Flier May 13 th 8:00 am Dale Moehring 10:45am Mike & Mel Flier May 20 th 8:00am Virginia Hilst 10:45am Bonnie Montgomery May 27 th 8:00am Virginia Hilst 10:45am Bonnie Montgomery Aiden Baxter May 27 th 8:00am 10:45am Aiden Baxter PARISHSCOPE DEADLINE: The ParishScope Deadline will be May 20 th. Please get your ParishScope news to the church office on or before that date. Items.

12 The ParishScope St. John s Lutheran Church Newsletter Sand Prairie Green Valley, IL TABLE OF CONTENT Confirmation 1 Mother s Day 2 New Members/High School Graduates Recognition 3 Paraments and Linens: (Hannah Guild) 4 Hannah guild Flower Chart 5 Choir News/Youth News 6 WCO News (Women s Church Organization News 7 This and That News 8, 9 Anniversaries & Birthdays 10 Worship News 11