St. John Journal. News & info for the family of St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill

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1 St. John Journal News & info for the family of St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill A loving and welcoming family of faith, excited about what God has done (and continues to do!) for us Volume 9, Number 4 April 2016 St John Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran

2 Volume 9 Issue 4 April 2016 St. John Journal FROM THE PASTOR S DESK The deadline for the May newsletter is: Monday April 18 th Submissions received after this date will be included if time and space allow. If material is still relevant, late submissions will be included in the next month s newsletter. Thank you! As often as you did to one of the least of My brothers and sisters, you did it to Me. Matthew 25:40 Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! As we share in the resurrection this Easter season may we take the time to embrace our calling as Christians to love God and love our neighbors. One of the ways we celebrate the joy of the resurrection is being faithful to Matthew s gospel. When Jesus says that whenever they gave food to the hungry, welcomed a stranger, clothed the naked, or visited the sick or imprisoned, they acted in kindness toward Jesus himself. Not only are believers to provide this service for one another, but we are to demonstrate Christ's love by ministering to others who may have no one to care for them. One way to do this is to care for those who are poor. On Sunday April 10 th we will welcome Pr. William Menter from Food for the Poor. Food for the Poor is an interdenominational Christian ministry that serves the poor in 17 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America by providing food, housing, healthcare, education, fresh water, emergency relief, and much more. Food for the Poor s ministry is a reflection of Christ s unconditional love - a love that surrenders all, that inspires trust and faith, and that embraces all people, regardless of race, status or creed. It is also shaped by Matthew 25:40, our Christian belief that Christ is alive and can be served directly by serving those in greatest need. As Pr. Mentor preaches and shares more about the ministry of Food for the Poor, I invite you to support this ministry but more importantly to discern how we at St. John might serve those in our community. What is God calling us to do? What are we passionate about? What are the greatest needs within Brenham and Washington County? How might we serve those who are poor or hungry within our own community? What is God s vision for the Brazos Valley? May these questions shape our Easter season and may we celebrate the joy of Christ s resurrection by discerning our call to serve. Pray for me as I pray for you. Grace & Peace, Pr. Kyle 2

3 READINGS FOR APRIL April OLD TESTAMENT RESPONSIVE NEW TESTAMENT GOSPEL 3 ACTS 5:27-32 PSALM ACTS 9:1-6 [7-20] PSALM ACTS 9:36-43 PSALM ACTS 11:1-18 PSALM 148 REVELATION 1:4-8 REVELATION 5:11-14 REVELATION 7:9-17 REVELATION 21:1-6 JOHN 20:19-31 JOHN 21:1-19 JOHN 10:22-30 JOHN 13:31-35 April Acolyte (10:05AM) Layreader Flowers Given By 3 Kaden Seeker 10 Haylie Tosta 17 Clay Boeker 24 Star Cavner Wednesday, April 6 th 6:00-8:00p.m. Reserve your place as soon as possible! Phyllis Bickham at (979) Justin Neuendorff at (979) Camryn Finke Jennifer Anderson Taylor Klatte Bethany Janner Kallie Finke Reagan Randermann Glenda Stegent Joseph Ordner 3 Don & Regina Holtkamp Al & Audrey Steinbach Clay & Westerfeld Families Chris & Stephanie Koehler Senior Party Wednesday, April 6 th The seniors will be gathering in the Activity Center the first Wednesday of every month at 1:30PM-5:30PM. Join them for games, fellowship, and light refreshments provided by the host!

4 SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS March was super busy for Sunday school! Thank you to all the kids who sang on Palm Sunday-I hear they did a great job! Thank you to Kelly for covering for me while we were out of town! And what an awesome Easter Sunday! From the sunrise service to the breakfast and the Easter egg hunt! Easter Sunday is always a great day at St. John! Thank you to everyone who donated to the Easter egg hunt. The kids really enjoyed it! In March we also sent off the school supply kits for Lutheran World Relief. Thank you to everyone who brought school supplies and also to the Ladies Aid for their generous donation! Don t forget Vacation Bible School is June 6-10! In His Name- Anna Finke Sunday School Superintendent April Quilting Schedule We will meet on April 19 th and 26 th. Hostesses are Janet Wehring & Dorothy Wiesepape. We meet at 9AM to noon. Come join us for quilting, sewing and tying LWR quilts. WELCA BIBLE STUDY MEETING DATES Tuesday, April 5 & 19 Rachel Circle 6:30 pm, Annex Thursday, April 7 Naomi Circle 10:00 am, Activity Center Sunday, April 10 Deborah Circle 5:00 pm, Parish Hall Thursday, April 14 Ladies Aid 2:00 pm, Activity Center 4

5 4/01/1934 Verna Bentke 4/01/1973 Matthew Bentke 4/02/1967 Mark Eckert 4/02/1989 Johanna Wilkerson 4/04/1943 LaNell Seeker 4/04/1982 Chad Dismukes 4/06/1986 Amanda Dismukes 4/07/1965 Pam Knebel 4/09/1961 Regina Holtkamp 4/10/1932 Verna Sefcik 4/11/1937 Calvin Rodenbeck 4/11 /2010 Kannon Koehler 4/12/1942 Rosa Sloan 4/13/1997 Reagan Randermann 4/14/1933 Delores Gaskamp 4/14/1963 Kim Weilbacher 4/14/1974 Cathie Klatte 4/14/2002 Bethany Janner 4/15/1937 Dorothy Wiesepape 4/15/1948 Patty Schroeder Baptismal Anniversaries 5 4/15/1975 Dodie Mehr 4/15/1979 Cori Kmiec 4/15/2007 Morgan Westerfeld 4/16/1950 Forrest Luce 4/16/1950 James Richter 4/16/1972 Brenda Herrmann 4/16/1995 Garrett Altman 4/18/1948 Theresa Kuecker 4/18/2004 Reese Ring 4/19/1954 Jim Kite 4/20/1975 Christina Ashorn 4/20/1980 Chad Rohde 4/21/1985 Stephanie Koehler 4/21/1991 Laura Pieper 4/24/1955 Gary Merkel 4/24/1988 Johanna Becker 4/25/1982 Justin Bosse 4/25/2010 Ainsley Kuecker 4/28/1953 Diana Williams 4/29/1990 Annette Neuendorff Wedding Anniversaries 4/02/2005 Brooke & Darren Huckert 4/11/1971 Michael & Merri Kluck 4/12/1975 Danney & Connie Rohde 4/13/1969 Al & Audrey Steinbach 4/16/2005 Chad & Shae Westerfeld 4/18/2009 Preston & Olivia Davis 4/21/1963 Morris & Elvera Tisdel 4/22/1977 Vernon & Judy Wagner 4/23/1961 Elwood & Adolphine Oevermann 4/28/1989 Alan & Leslie Schroeder Bible 101: Conversations for Gen X & Millennials What is this Bible 101 conversation? It is a "Sunday School" designed to build relationships through authentic conversation for those who are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Bible 101 is a healthy open dialogue that addresses introductory and wondering questions about faith and God using the Bible as our source for guidance. It s all about sharing experiences openly and embracing any questions that might arise! We will be meeting during the Sunday School hour, so if your hanging out while the kids are in the Sunday School, plan to attend! We will begin Sunday April 24th and if you have any questions, please see Pr. Kyle, Cassie Westerfeld, or Johanna Wilkerson.

6 April SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY 3 Guest Pastor Bade 8:00AM Holy Communion 9:00AM Sunday School 10:05AM Holy Communion BLOOD DRIVE 4 6:30PM Executive Committee 5 9:30AM Weekly Word 6:30PM Rachel 6 1:30PM Senior Party 6PM CPR Class 10 8:00AM Holy Communion 9:00AM Sunday School 10:05AM Holy Communion 5:00PM Deborah Circle 11 6:30PM Council 12 9:30AM Weekly Word MIM Appreciation Dinner :00AM Holy Communion 9:00AM Sunday School 10:05AM Holy Communion 24 8:00AM Holy Communion 9:00AM Sunday School 10:05AM Holy Communion 18 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 19 9:00AM Quilting 9:30AM Weekly Word 6:30PM Rachel :00AM Quilting 9:30AM Weekly Word Special Envelope: LutherHill 6

7 2016 THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 COUNCIL Cookie Engeling Eddie Longhofer COMMUNION BREAD Betty Feldmann 7 10AM Naomi 14 2PM Ladies Aid :30AM Men s Breakfast SCREEN Janice Fairlie Kallie Finke ALTAR PREPARATION Elvera Janner Janet Wehring FAMILY AID Mildred Kuecker MEMORIAL COMMITTEE Donna Bentke Elvera Tisdel SANCTUARY PREP Cathie Klatte Christin Seeker CHURCH TELLERS Cathie Klatte Lisa Finke The 2016 Flower Chart has been posted in the annex. Please sign-up for your altar flowers for next year! USHERS Lloyd & Sharon Neutzler, Austin & Tyler Klatte Trey Tillmann 7

8 Easter Lilies Given by Donna Bentke Tom Bentke Linda & David Bryan (2) Jerome & Leigh Cavner & Star Donna & David DeLeon Cookie Engeling Elvera Janner Lydia Rust Kenneth & Christin Seeker (2) Randy & Cathie Steinfeld (2) Ross & Sandra Tillman Kristy Wolff In Memory of Herman Bentke Jr. Myrtle Bentke WJ & Blanche Bryan Fred & Bernice Harper Dennis & Pat Schroeder Milton Janner and Grandparents Matt Engeling Sister, Verlyn M. Finke Barry Rust and Parents Gene Seeker Burney & Sis Riechers and Fred & Lydia Westerfeld Emma Bell Steinfeld Lawerance John "PawPaw" Tillman Alvin & Esther Schawe Given by Kevin, Anna, Camryn & Owen Finke (2) Barnay & Connie Glaesmann Keith & Jeannie Kroll & Audra Danney & Connie Rohde Kaden & Katie Seeker David & Glenda Stegent Al & Audrey Steinbach Kristy Wolff In Honor of Otto & Peggy Acker Kervin & Ruth Finke Loved Ones John & Carol Haarmeyer Our Grandchildren Momo Seeker and Nana & Papa Westerfeld Our Grandchildren Our Children and Grandchildren Burnie & Nellie Wolff 8

9 DONATIONS TO ADAM S ANGELS MINISTRY Given by Phyllis Bickham & Family Ben & Carolyn Kessel Keith & Jeannie Kroll & Audra Lydia Rust Andrew & Patty Schroeder Emery & Helen Schulze Al & Audrey Steinbach Morris & Elvera Tisdel In Memory of Kenneth L. Bickham Loved Ones Melvin Kroll and Fritz & Annie Haarmeyer Barry Rust and Parents Loved Ones Allen Schulze Loved Ones Henry E. Quebe Given by David & Glenda Stegent Walter & Evelyn Thielemann Morris & Elvera Tisdel Our Grandchildren Our Children Lora Quebe In Honor of Given by Robert & Janice Fairlie Joseph & Sandy Ordner Linda Schulze In Thanksgiving for the Ministry of Adam s Angels ALL EASTER LILIES MUST BE PICKED UP BY: MONDAY, APRIL 4 Kenneth Bickham Memorial Scholarship Applications are available now in the church office. Deadline to fill out and get back to office is May 1 st. Men Needed The Ladies still new a few strong men to sign-up to be on call for table and chair set ups. Please see Phyllis Bickham or Carolyn Kessel if you are interested. 9

10 Council Highlights The Church Council of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church met for its monthly meeting on March 10, 2016, at 6:30 pm in the Church Annex. Council President Kenneth Seeker called the meeting to order. Steve Skrla out. Opened with a prayer by Pastor Kyle Merkle. MSC to approve, the February minutes. Old Business Discussed several options for the special music donation to be used. Council members will research options and report back at the April meeting. New Business MSC to approve the Banner Press Easter Ad due MSC to approve the Rotary Club of Washington County the use of the front parking lot for their bike ride on Saturday, April 2, 2016, from 8 to noon. MSC to approve by vote the Blood Center blood drive on Sunday, April 3, Cookie will head the committee. Volunteers needed to grab lunch for the Blood Center (6) workers. MSC to approve the next Blood Center blood drive on Sunday, October 2, Cookie will head the committee. MSC to approve the creation of a separate bank account for the Women of the Church. Account to be stylized as Ladies Ministry. Community Concerns Report Phyllis Bickham Soup Suppers during lent have been well attended. CPR signup sheets are in the narthex. Need to have 30 to make the class. If certification needed, then $25, otherwise, free of charge. One date - April 6, 2016, Wednesday. Table helpers list has been compiled and given to Family Aid for assistance in setting up tables for functions and funerals. Parish Education Report Jeannie Kroll Easter egg hunt will be held at 9 am Easter Sunday, March 27. Muffins for Mom will be held on Mother s Day, May 8. On Holy Trinity Sunday, May 22, will be the 3 rd Grade bible presentation and their first communion. MSC to approve one 9 am service that morning so the entire congregation can celebrate their milestone. No Sunday school that morning. That will be the last Sunday school before the summer break. Youth Report Gil Janner Valentine s Dinner on Saturday, February 13, was a huge success serving 77 people. This was a lot of hard work for the 24 youth and parents but they received tons of rewards. The Fishing Tournament will be brought back this summer. Property Report Windows have been ordered for the parsonage. Pastor s Report Report as submitted. Steve Skrla Pastor Kyle Merkle MSC to accept all reports as given. MSC to Adjourn. 10

11 MEN IN MISSION Men in Mission (MIM) met for their regular second Saturday morning breakfast. Although it was a stormy morning, twelve men braved the trip to St. John s Activity Center. Gerald Herrmann cooked a breakfast of fried eggs, scrambled eggs with sausage, onions, red and yellow peppers, ham, tortillas, and biscuits. Sides included coffee and orange juice. The room was loud until breakfast was served, then it became quiet as clearing our heart and minds before a church service. The morning continued with a regular business meeting. The treasure report given by Charles Giese and reviewing the minutes by Allen Parker. The approval of the upcoming scholarship recipient by the MIM Officers. The May 11, 2016 fellowship event was also approved. (See event details in this newsletter.) Also, recognition of a St. John member s donation to the scholarship program with a vote of thanks. A discussion was tabled on several St. for John/Community service projects and is planned to be continued at our next meeting. Pastor Kyle closed the meeting with the Lord s Prayer. Our next meeting will be the second Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 7:30am. Come join us and enjoy the best breakfast and fellowship in the country. A Date to Remember, Wednesday, MAY 11, 2016 The Men in Mission invites the congregation of St. John to a stew dinner and hear a guest speaker on Wednesday May 11, We will eat at 6:00pm and hear an overview of The Brenham Independent School District (BISD) starting at 6:45. MIM s Gerald Herrmann will cook the stew and Dr. Walter Jackson, Superintendent of BISD, will be the speaker. Dr. Jackson will share why he came to Brenham and what he and his team see for the future of Brenham schools. Also present, will be St. John members, Steve Skrla, Principal of Brenham High, and Dr. Michael Altman, Brenham School Board member. Remember this date, by marking your calendar. If you are a student, or a future parent, a parent, a grand or a great grand parent or the friend of a student, you will want to hear what Dr. Jackson sees for the future Brenham ISD. As always is the case at St. John, deserts or corn bread are welcome. REACHING YOUR CHURCH OFFICE Rev. Kyle Merkle pastorkyle@stjohnprairiehill.org (cell phone) Johanna Becker secretary@stjohnprairiehill.org (church office) Website: By Mail: 6605 Old Independence Rd. Brenham, TX, The church office is open from 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM Monday-Wednesday 11

12 St John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill 6605 Old Independence Rd. Brenham, TX Check us out on Facebook or the church website for the latest news & updates! Pastor The Rev. Kyle Merkle Church Secretary Johanna Becker Sexton Jerry Randermann Accompanists Mary Longhofer, Linda Pieper, Linda Schulze, Clarence Witt Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Brenham, TX Permit No. 157 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 12