St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, ELCA 915 Federal Avenue Downtown Saginaw - Saginaw, MI 48607

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1 St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, ELCA 915 Federal Avenue Downtown Saginaw - Saginaw, MI Pastor: The Rev. Carl E. Ballard Pastor cballard123@msn.com Office: (989) Pastor: (517) Worship w/communion Sundays 9:30 a.m. Office Hours: 9am 1pm, Monday-Friday Office sjc915@sbcglobal.net stjohnlutheranelcasaginaw.weebly.com SPIRIT NEWSLETTER December 2018 Issue 118, Volume 12 To the Children of God though Christ, I apologize that my last newsletter had so many errors. I obviously wasn t diligent in my proof reading. That s life -- I get so busy trying to get something done and I quickly complete things and move on, except... You deserve better and I will try harder to give things the attention they need in this rapidly moving whirlwind we call life. I keep reminding myself to slow down. (Mary reminds me when I am driving). I am reviewing the worship bulletin for our joint Thanksgiving service and am having several thoughts. We all have something to be thankful for as Disciples of Christ, even when it is difficult to recognize this. People have medical issues, are mourning a loss in life, are struggling in life, and bad things happen to good people and our prayers seem unanswered. We continue to pray Thy will be done not My will be done. The former reflects our trust in God s plans which are beyond human understanding. Thy: is spiritual and My is our sinful human side exposed. With the Theology of the Cross we find God in our suffering and pain and fears and anxiety. Christ the King was successful, not in the way people view success but by obediently trusting as represented by his tortured body hanging on the cross. But that was not the end. It was the beginning of God s new creation. Christ s glorious resurrection defeated death and assured us as believers everything will be okay. This is the Jesus whose coming we anticipate during Advent as we join together as family during this time. This is good news indeed. God always keeps God s promises. We all go through many of the same things in life, both joyful and sorrowful. As members of our faith communities we are to love and pray and support everyone and give dignity and respect to everyone in the world since God s grace and love are unlimited. This is without exception. This even includes everyone with a different life view or opinion. God created all in his image and wants us to love our neighbors (everyone in the world) without exception. Mary showed me a Facebook posting that shows several skeletons hanging on the wall. Each one is labeled Rich, Poor, Man, Woman, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Heterosexual, Homosexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transsexual, Black, White, African, American, Middle Eastern, Asian etc. and asks the viewer to identify from the skeleton which is which. Point well taken! When we love our neighbors as we love ourselves, we don t exclude anyone. There is no them or those people or those people over there since we are supposed to

2 be united as one as members of the Body of Christ as we serve people. Notice the word everyone in the abbreviated gospel: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16 (NRSV) Instead it should be an inclusive we. Not because of our salvation but rather because our faith and belief give us the freedom to love and serve everyone without exception. I am thankful to all from St John and the other churches who use their passion and gifts for the glory of God. There are many at St John and other faith communities that do this but to them it not about them it is about serving (loving) others. They are too numerous to mention but a deep felt thank you for all you do for God s kingdom. During Advent the theme will be Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things. Hopefully I can find 2 ordinary people to witness in each of our 2 mid-week Advent services we are hosting. Please let me know if you are interested. Mary joined with 15 people to demonstrate how to put together a Thanksgiving table arrangement. There were unique and beautiful arrangements that reflected how each person could create from their own perspective. Yes, vegetables can be used in arrangements. The designers might even consider fruit when they convert the Thanksgiving centerpiece to a Christmas arrangement. This was an activity that reflected one of Mary s gifts and her passion for flowers, along with sharing with others. She was smiling the whole time. All Sinners and All Saints was successful as we had many people who found it meaningful to come and meditate and pray as Alexander sang and played music. Because of how this turned out Marie and Alexander are going to have a continuing Open Sanctuary and Vesper Services. Sunday school has launched as an addition to Children s Message and we will have a First Communion class (we have three eager students so far. Let me know if you know someone that may want to also attend). Both of these activities are for the children. I am now delivering Newsletters to the sick and shut-ins, who are important members of our church. It is an honor serving as our connection to our faith community. In most churches the members and Council join is this activity as the modern role of Pastor has been redefined. But Mary and I really enjoy visiting and hearing stories and fond remembrances of the activities and people of St. John. It is really life giving. Please feel free to send cards which are so appreciated. Mary and I have known you for just about a year now. We admire the courage of the leaders and congregation in adapting to positive change as part of the new creation. We hope you have a blessed and meaningful Advent and Christmas. This is a perfect time to invite someone to join us in worship and fellowship during this season. Grace and Peace to Christ s beloved, Pr. Carl & Mary

3 POINSETTIA PLANTS 2018 IN MEMORY OF OUR PARENTS By: Pastor Carl & Mary Ballard By: Bob & Alice Morgan IN MEMORY OF Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Meyer By: Art & Sandy Meyer WHAT IS OUR MISSION? Sharing God s grace while growing in faith. WHAT IS OUR VISION? To be an inviting, welcoming faith community making a difference. Leola White, Floyd Davis Sr. By: Robert Henley Paul & Evelyn Schulz, Marvin P. Schulz Mervin & Bernice Keaner By: Don & Lorna Keaner Harold & Betty Brown By: Robert & Joann Brown Amy Goodeman By: Janet Goodeman Betty Foster By: Max Foster ALL OUR SAINTS By: Larry & Lorelei Roenicke ALL OUR LOVED ONES By: Ross, Linda & Karen Beers By: Carl & Betty Quackenbush By: Don & Lorna Keaner By: Luella Markel IN HONOR OF: Helen Henley By: Robert Henley FRIENDS AND FAMILY By: Larry & Lorelei Roenicke OUR FAMILIES By: Charles & Ginger Reed MERRY CHRISTMAS Given by: Connie Oswald Given by: Max Foster EMMAUS HOUSE GIFT SUGGESTIONS Gloves- size medium, large Warm hats Socks medium, large Pajamas medium, large, extra large Any fragrances Body wash Body lotion Underwear medium, large, XL LEAVE UNWRAPPED Questions: call Linda at Bring donations to OSLC Christmas Party on December 9 th Or drop off at church.

4 December Birthdays 11 Max Foster 12 Geoffrey LaFlair, Robert Morgan 14 Dana Aven, Shirley Bell 15 Olivia Aven 18 Emily Aven 26 Jeffrey Hoppe, Sandra Meyer SOUP/SALAD SUPPER 6:00 p.m. Service 7:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5 TH AT ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH Wednesday, December 12 th at Resurrection Lutheran Church WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19 TH AT ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH ST JOHN CHRISTMAS SERVICES DECEMBER 23RD, SUNDAY SERVICE 9:30 AM DECEMBER 24TH, MONDAY CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE 6:30 PM Our Sunday services during December will be Special Advent Services at 9:30 AM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 6:30 p.m. OPEN SANCTUARY AT ST. JOHN Contemplative music on organ and piano by Alexander Verdoni will fill the Sanctuary for meditation, reflection & prayer. Tuesday, December 11th from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 18th from 5 to 7 p.m. HAND BELL CHOIR If you are interested in joining handbells, contact Alexander at No previous musical experience required." Memorials Howard Sharper, Jr. General Fund By: Marie Wells All Saints & All Souls General Fund ST. JOHN LUTHERAN NUMBERS DATE ATTENDING REGULAR OFFERING 10/28/18 37 $2, /4/18 42 $4, /11/18 43 $2, /18/18 32 $ Year to Date Income January 1, 2018 November 18, 2018 Offering: $54, Rental: $24,971.00

5 WOMEN S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Girlfriends from St. John Lutheran and Zion Lutheran Freeland, The women of OSLC invite your women s group to join us for a Christmas get together on Dec 9 th at 1:00 p.m. at Timbers Restaurant, 6415 State Street, Saginaw. Donate Winter Clothes and Coats to give away at St. John Lutheran Church, Food Pantry, Breakfast for the Hungry and Community Dinner. Please place donated clothes on the designated table in Knauer Hall. COMMUNION ASSISTANTS If you are interested in being a Communion Assistant, please sign up for the Sundays you desire and ask others if they may be interested. The Sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board across from the church office or you may call the office. UPCOMING EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS If you have an upcoming event to announce in the bulletin and/or newsletter, please either fill in the form posted on the bulletin board and leave in the office, call or Joyce. Deadline for bulletin is Wednesday noon and Newsletter the third Sunday of each month. TO GIVE THANKS Pr. Carl & Mary will have an open house at the parsonage in January. No need to bring anything since everything will be supplied. Watch for time & date. DATE ASSISTING COMMUNION ALTAR USHERS ACOLYTE SOUND BOARD MINISTER ASSISTANT GUILD December 2 Lin Bentley Group 1 Group A Dave Herzberg December 9 Ruth Sharper Group 2 Group B Brandy Blohm Kurt Aven December 16 Mark Oswald Group 3 Group C Marty Wiegand December 23 Carl Quackenbush Group 4 Group D Marty Wiegand December 24 TBD Group C Marty Wiegand Christmas Eve December 30 Brandy Blohm Group 4 Group D Dave Herzberg PRAY FOR OUR IN-HOME & CARE FACILITY MEMBERS

6 St. John Lutheran Church December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 9:00am Decorate Church 2 9 Noisy Offering Noon First Communion class :30-7:00pm Kinder Kare Knauer Hall /CAN Council am & 12 noon Bible Study 6:00pm Advent Soup/ Salad Supper 11 Open Sanctuary 5pm - 7pm 7pm Advent Service 12 10am & 12 noon Bible Study 6:00pm Soup Supper And 7pm service at Resurrection Lutheran :00AM Funeral Service Delores Noble 13 8:00am Food Pantry 5:30pm Free Community Dinner Noon First Communion class Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 6:30 pm 18 Open Sanctuary 5pm-7pm 6:30pm Council Meeting 25 Christmas Day Office Closed am & 8:00am Food Pantry 12 noon Bible Study 6:00pm Advent Soup/ Salad Supper and 7pm service 26 Office Closed 10am & :00am Breakfast for the Hungry Noon First Communion class 31

7 St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church 915 Federal Avenue Saginaw, MI Worship with us at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays Serving the Saginaw Community Since 1857 God s Work. Our Hands. Sharing God s grace while growing in faith. To be an inviting, welcoming faith community making a difference. Council Members as of July 1, 2018 Officers to Serve One Year July 1, 2018 June 30, 2019 President... Mark Oswald Vice-President... Lin Bentley Treasurer... Carl Quackenbush Secretary... Ruth Sharper Boards to Serve Two Years July 1, 2018 June 30, 2020 Stewardship & Finance... Carl Quackenbush Property Maintenance / Camp Ministry... Kurt Aven Worship & Music... Marie Wells Evangelism Marie Wells Congregational Life... Eveline Gatzsche Parish Education... Madeline Blohm FOOD PANTRY SCHEDULE Thursday, December 13 th & 20 th 8:00 a.m. FREE COMMUNITY DINNER Thursday, December 13th 5:30 7:00 p.m. BREAKFAST FOR THE HUNGRY Saturday, December 22 nd 9:00 a.m. If you are interested in serving the church, please see Pastor Ballard.