Farewell to the Johnson s

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September 2018 Christ the King Lutheran Church Where We Are About God s Grace For God s People Inside this issue: Pastor s Corner 2-3 Delta Conference Festival Rally Day Fun September 9th 3 4

Pastor Chris accepted a call to serve Zion Lutheran Church in Wausau, Wisconsin. It s a bitter sweet time for everyone as on one hand we are excited for him and the new opportunities that lie ahead.

Offerings & Attendance Stewardship Ministry 6 7 We ll gather on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and share in a meal together followed by a program in the sanctuary.

for September Rally Day, Sept. 9th AED Training and Safety Committee Sudden Cardiac Arrest can happen at any time to anyone, would you know what to do?

1 September 2018 Christ the King Lutheran Church Where We Are About God s Grace For God s People Inside this issue: Pastor s Corner 2-3 Delta Conference Festival Rally Day Fun September 9th 3 4 Farewell to the Johnson s Join us this weekend, September 1 & 2 as we bid farewell to Pastor Chris, Heather, Ella & Jack. Pastor Chris accepted a call to serve Zion Lutheran Church in Wausau, Wisconsin. It s a bitter sweet time for everyone as on one hand we are excited for him and the new opportunities that lie ahead. Yet on the other hand we truly are sad to see them go. We need to just remember God has a plan and is the one in charge. Offerings & Attendance Stewardship Ministry 6 7 We ll gather on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and share in a meal together followed by a program in the sanctuary. Those Who Serve 10 Calendar 11 Special points of interest: Join us Saturday, September 1 as we say farewell to Pastor Chris, Heather, Ella & Jack AED (automated external defibrillator) training set for September Rally Day, Sept. 9th AED Training and Safety Committee Sudden Cardiac Arrest can happen at any time to anyone, would you know what to do? Christ the King recently acquired an AED (Automated External Defibrillator machine) and will be offering training for its proper use. The class will last approximately 1 1/2 hrs. and will be taught by Liz Schlenvogt, a certified trainer. The type of training involved will have no mouth to mouth contact. The class will be held on Saturday, September 15th & Sunday, September 16 after worship and Wednesday, September 19th at 6:30 p.m. and will include a light meal beforehand. Sign up on the office window for a spot. We hope and pray that nothing like this is needed but we certainly would feel much better if we had several members trained in its proper use.

2 Page 2 Pastor s Corner John 3:28, 30 I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him He must increase, but I must decrease. On Thursday, December 9 th, 2010, I first found my way to Escanaba. This was the first and only interview I had as a seminary student. I remember going into the library, talking with the call committee, and feeling something good about this church and town. Friday was spent taking a tour of the community and meeting some folks from Christ the King at the weekly coffee clutch (most of the same faces still are there!). Saturday, I headed back home to Woodbury, Minnesota and I wasn t sure if the massive snowstorm I drove in was a sign, but 8 hours later I finally made it back! Fast forward to Sunday, January 16 th, 2011 the day that I met mostly everyone else from Christ the King. It was the day in which I preached my first sermon (that I wrote the night before!) and the day in which you all voted to call me as your pastor. March 17 th of 2011 marked my official start here at Christ the King, a start which was filled with sorrow as I had to bury my grandpa the week before as well as Ellen Johnson here that same week. Here we are 7 1/2 years later, sorrowfully saying goodbye. As I stated in my resignation letter, I am so thankful for your Spirit-led call to be your 7 th pastor. I ve been blessed in so many ways. My family has been blessed in so many ways. Far too many to recollect here! I hope through the years my ministry has blessed you in many ways too. Looking at ministry acts over the years, I see that I have performed 78 funerals both for members and non-members. I have presided at 30 weddings most at Christ the King and members of Christ the King, but also a few off site. Through me the Lord has baptized 59 of your children and grandchildren (and a few adults too). Throw in there Bible studies, nursing home and hospital visits, weekly Confirmation, birthday parties, graduation parties, lunches, dinners, off the cuff conversations, s, and so on, it s been a full 7 ½ years of ministry! Whew! Thank you for hanging in there with me, watching and helping me grow as a pastor! One of the things we must always remember is ministry is only secondarily about me or you. Ministry is primarily about Jesus. He must increase, but I must decrease. Though Heather, Ella, Jack, and I are leaving for a new adventure in ministry in Wausau, Jesus is still powerfully at work here still too! Pastors don t have a monopoly on Jesus and his love and mercy. We are not the gate-keepers of God s presence in his Church. The Holy Spirit certainly works through me as pastor but the Spirit of the living God is not under my lock and key. For this reason I leave you knowing Christ is all yours and you are all his. This gives me comfort and joy. You know what else gives me comfort and joy? The leaders at Christ the King right now, that s who! You ve some wonderful people on council. You ve some wonderful Faith Formation leaders and quilters. You ve some wonderful men and women (and children!) who love this church, who love Jesus and that s an amazing reality of this congregation. You ll have some solid leadership in the transition time Rev. Tom Otis will do a fine job as your interim pastor. And Lisa Temple, your council Vice President and now seminary student, will help ease the transition time by stepping into to some things to keep this ship sailing straight ahead. She will be taking some important things on as a part of her contextual learning for Christian Public Leaders (CPL) through Luther Seminary. I m very excited for

3 Page 3 you while also deeply saddened at the reality of leaving a church, a people, a community which has been so beautifully a part of our daily lives. Again, thanks be to God for you. Thanks be to God for your love and support. Thanks be to God for your generosity and hospitality. Thanks be to God for your learning right along with me about what it means to be a pastor to the people of God. Christ the King you are my high school sweetheart, if I may put it that way, who will never be forgotten. But enough about me: I must decrease and Christ must increase! May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.+ Always your brother in Christ, Pastor Christopher Steven Johnson (Heather, Ella, and Jack too) 2018 AM Bible Study: Gospel of John We continue walking through the Gospel of John, slowly walking through an easy to understand and theologically deep book which recounts the glory of Jesus Christ in his incarnation, through his teaching ministry, through his signs/miracles, and the fulfillment of the Father s redemptive plan through His Son s death and resurrection. Here s what we re covering and when this month: September 12 th John 13:1-20 My Chosen: Serve Like Me September 19 th John 13:21-38 My Chosen: Love in the Midst of Betrayal and Denial September 26 th John 14:1-31 Promises before the Departure October 3 rd John 15:1-27 Vine, Branches, and an Abiding Faith Delta Conference Festival Thursday, October 11 th, 2018 In an effort to revamp how conferences work and better equip the people of God at work, serving in the Northern Great Lakes Synod, Bishop Finegan will be leading our next conference meeting for the purpose of renewal and Walking Together. Synod means walking together so it is only fitting the leader of our Synod will guide us in such an endeavor! If you are interested, please let Pastor or the office know by September 25 th if you will be going. There will be no cost for this event, just your presence, prayers, open mind and open heart!

4 Page 4 Rally Day Tail Gate Sunday September 9th Please plan to join us as we "kick off" another year of Faith Formation with a Tail Gate party! 9:30-10:15 Sign up for Sunday School/Confirmation classes for (fellowship hall) 10:30-11:30 Worship 12:00-3:00 Tail Gate Lunch - hot dogs, burgers, brats, chips, pop, ice cream Obstacle Course Football Toss/ Bean bag toss Wear your favorite team jersey and join us for a day of fun!!

5 Page 5 Joy Book Club Senior Luncheons Are you looking for fun, fellowship and study? Then look no further than the Joy Book Club. They will begin meeting on Tuesday, September 11 th at 1:00 p.m. in the church library. Deb Wayne will be facilitating the book study on Bad Girls of the Bible and what we can learn from them and author Liz Curtis Higgs. One million copies of this book has been sold. Together we will learn the truth about God s Goodness. Please call the church office at to let us know if you will be attending so we can order a book for you. This is the type of book study where all are welcome! If you cannot attend every Tuesday please attend when you can. We think that once you join you won t want to miss. In preparation for the first week please read chapter 1. Fall is here, our kids are back in school and the activities at Christ the King are getting in full swing. We will be bringing back our Senior Luncheons but in a modified way. For some reason the attendance last year had taken a rather big hit and we are uncertain why. Could it be that what was being served wasn t appealing enough? Is the charge of $7 too much? Personally I think the answer is no to both of these questions. But, being what it is we were led to make some changes. Those who are putting on the meals have a lot of energy and time invested and it s frustrating when only a handful are there to enjoy it. So, until further notice these luncheons will be served only a few times a year. We would have had one in September but given the big dinner served at Pastor s farewell party and then the next week we had a Rally Day picnic we will forego the September luncheon. Our first luncheon will be our always big one in November. Looking forward to our time together. Custodial Update Starting this Spring and continuing through the Summer, Tony Cody has been completing the custodian duties at the church. A BIG THANK YOU to Tony for jumping in and doing such a wonderful job. The Council Executive Committee has been in the process of looking at several options on how to fill the custodian vacancy. The Committee has now determined to contract with Lakestates Industries to complete the custodial duties. A sincere thank you is extended to everyone who indicated an interest in taking the custodial job. Lakestates Industries has a number of contracts in the community where they complete a variety of janitorial jobs and they are eager to service our church. As you know, Lakestates Industries trains persons with handicaps in job skills and provides on the job training through their contract sites such as they will now have at Christ the King. In the future, we will provide more information about the Lakestates program and we are blessed to be able to support this important service in our community. Executive Committee

6 Page 6 Offerings & Worship Attendance For August Date 5 P.M. 10:30 Total August 4/ August 11/ August 18/ August 25/ Average attendance for August: 135 Offerings For August August 4/ 5 $4, August 11/12 $2, August 18/19 $2, August 25/26 $1, Received Monthly: $11, Needed Monthly: $13, Difference: - $1, Year-To-Date Income: $107, Year-To-Date Needed: $113,116,74 Difference: - $6, Thankfulness: An Online Opportunity to Give If you need a convenient way to make recurring contributions, are out of town and would like to give, missed worship and still want to give out of the generosity of your heart, we encourage you to check out our electronic giving option. As we get back into the routine of things, you may find electronic giving a most welcome routine and an easy way to make contributions. To set up a recurring giving schedule, visit us online at and locate the Online Giving button on the right side of the webpage. Or if it's easier, complete a paper authorization form and return it to the church office. Thank you for your generosity and support of God s work through Christ the King! Summer giving was wonderfully consistent and generous!

7 Page 7 Stewardship Update Just a reminder about the upcoming annual pledge drive. The dates are as follows: September 29 / 30 the pledge packets will be ready and will be distributed during the weekend services; Commitment at worship completed pledge packets will be received during the weekly services on October 13 and 14; Annual thank you fish fry will be served on Saturday, October 20, following the Saturday church service. Please mark your calendars for these important upcoming events. The Stewardship Committee will continue to keep you posted as we draw closer to these dates. The Stewardship program will be the same as the last two years following the Commitment at Worship format. The Stewardship Committee hopes to have the half year financial reports out to everyone in the near future. We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their ongoing strong financial support for Christ the King. As we end the summer we are a little behind in giving but this is not unusual and we anticipate having strong Fall and Winter support for the programs at Christ the King. Stewardship Committee Faith Formation: Confirmation +Be sure to get in: Sermon Notes, Bible Study notes, and hour sheets from last year! +Confirmation Sign-up on Sunday, September 9:30 AM +Confirmation Classes resume on Sunday, September 9 AM Lay School For Mission One of the great treasures of our synod and conference of churches in Delta County is Lay School. Students have been gathering from around our conference to dive deeper into their life of faith. Lay School may be back in session this Fall after a year-long hiatus. Please contact Interim Pastor, Rev. Tom Otis if interested! We have pastors willing to teach but not many students to teach to! Help us fix that problem if you could! UP State Fair Booth Thank You Thanks everyone who volunteered at the U.P. State Fair and thank you for those who helped to set up and take down the fair booth as well!!! Thank you especially to: Linda Bonifas, Mary Jo Johnson, Toby and Tammy Kuivenen, June Pearson, Laverne Picard, Connie Schmidt and Tonya DeGrave.

Page 8 Samaritan s Purse Operation Christmas Child The Parish Life Committee will be participating in the Shoebox ministry lead by Samaritan s Purse.

8 Page 8 Samaritan s Purse Operation Christmas Child The Parish Life Committee will be participating in the Shoebox ministry lead by Samaritan s Purse. The way in which it will be done is a little different from the recent years. Some time in October empty shoeboxes will be available on a table in the narthex. Grab one, fill it with appropriate supplies and return to the same table. We ll deliver them to Grace Church, Gladstone in November. Some of the popular items that most everyone include in these boxes are school supplies (crayons, scissors, erasers, pencils, etc.). Our stores are focused on these items given school is just right around the corner so perhaps now is a good time to pick up these supplies. Maybe you would rather not do a whole box but would like to participate in this ministry then we invite you to pick up items and place them on the table. Others can use these things to help fill their boxes. Quilting Resumes Come on any given Wednesday morning and you will find a small group of devoted women working on quilts for Lutheran World Relief. If you are looking for something meaningful to be a part of then consider joining these fine ladies. You don t need to know anything about quilting. If you can trace a square or cut a straight line then you have the skills. If you do sew then that s a blessing. They gather on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. and would be pleased to have your help. Walking for Life Every Fall, Delta County has a number of walks for very worthy causes. Here are a couple we encourage you to attend: End the Silence: Suicide Awareness 9 AM Saturday, September 8 th at Ludington Park Pregnancy s of Delta County 9 AM Saturday, September 15 th at Ludington Park

Page 9 Let Us Pray For those Celebrating Birthdays On: September 2: Carter Scheuren September 3: Stacy Jensen September 4: Allison Orzel, Laverne Picard September 5: Hunter Way September 6: Karen

9 Page 9 Let Us Pray For those Celebrating Birthdays On: September 2: Carter Scheuren September 3: Stacy Jensen September 4: Allison Orzel, Laverne Picard September 5: Hunter Way September 6: Karen Degnan September 8: Reese Lindstrom September 9: Lisa LaCasse, Katie Trombley September 12: Carly DeVet September 13: Karen Beattie, Sharon Pascoe September 14: Kate Bonifas, Tim Kenneally, Mandy Lindstrom September 15: Trevor Christensen, Missy Isaacson September 19: Michelle Ball September 20: Brett Schlenvogt September 21: Jodi Way September 23: Jackie LaMarche, Lexi Skorupski September 24: Tina Swisher September 26: Joe DeMars, Troy McDonald September 27: Linda Bonifas, Ron Parlato September 28: Chelsea Johnson, Mikhail Moran, Mary Thompson September 30: Lucas Runkel Baptized Into the Faith Readings for September Sept. 2 The 15th Sunday of Pentecost Deut. 4:1-2a, 14-18; Ps. 15; James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, On Sunday, August 19th Rowyn Elizabeth Angsten was made a child of God as she was received through the Sacrament of Baptism. Her parents are Kevin & Brittany Angsten. Sponsors for Rowyn are Samantha DeCremer & Courtney Godfrey. Also baptized into the fellowship of Christ and His Church on Sunday, August 26th was Jackson Swanson. Jackson is the son of Philip & Alesha Swanson. His sponsors are Steven Swanson & Christian Phillips. Sept. 9 The 16th Sunday of Pentecost Isaiah 35:4-7a; Ps. 146; James 2:1-17; Mark 7:24-37 Sept. 16 The 17th Sunday of Pentecost Isaiah 50:4-9a; Ps. 116:1-9; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38 Sept. 23 The 18th Sunday of Pentecost Jer. 31:31-34; Ps. 54; James 3:13-4:3,7-8a; Mark 9:30-37 Sept. 30 The 19th Sunday of Pentecost Num. 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; Ps. 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50

Page 10 Those Who Serve Readers September 1/ 2 5:00 Lin VanEffen 10:30 Deb Wayne September 8/ 9 5:00 Lin VanEffen 10:30 Heather Albanez September 15/16 5:00 Deb Wayne 10:30 Roland Jacobson September

10:30 Isaac Berthaume September 15/16 5:00 Brett Schlenvogt 10:30 Elijah Berthaume September 22/23 5:00 Colton Carter 10:30 Ian Burroughs September 29/30 5:00 Brett Boudreau 10:30 Camree Bonifas

10 Page 10 Those Who Serve Readers September 1/ 2 5:00 Lin VanEffen 10:30 Deb Wayne September 8/ 9 5:00 Lin VanEffen 10:30 Heather Albanez September 15/16 5:00 Deb Wayne 10:30 Roland Jacobson September 22/23 5:00 Dawn Martin 10:30 Leigh Schmidt September 29/30 5:00 Mary Jo Johnson 10:30 Brett Boudreau Acolytes September 1/ 2 5:00 Ella Johnson 10:30 Tregan Lippens September 8/ 9 5:00 Ashton Moran 10:30 Isaac Berthaume September 15/16 5:00 Brett Schlenvogt 10:30 Elijah Berthaume September 22/23 5:00 Colton Carter 10:30 Ian Burroughs September 29/30 5:00 Brett Boudreau 10:30 Camree Bonifas Altar Guild September 1/ 2 Mary Jo Johnson & Tammy Jensen September 8/ 9 Lin VanEffen & Judy Anderson September 15/16 Laverne Picard & Connie Schmidt September 22/23 Diane & Bill Mitchell & Marlene & Tom Raeder September 29/30 Sandy Jacobson & Judy Anderson Assisting Minister September 1/ 2 5:00 Lance Lindstrom 10:30 Lynn Chylek September 8/ 9 5:00 Bob VanEffen 10:30 Lance Lindstrom September 15/16 5:00 Lance Lindstrom 10:30 Roland Jacobson September 22/23 5:00 Mary Jo Johnson 10:30 Connie Schmidt September 29/30 5:00 Nancy K.Norberg 10:30 Lance Lindstrom Communion Assistants September 1/ 2 5:00 Lance Lindstrom 10:30 Lynn Chylek & Roland Jacobson September 8/ 9 5:00 Bob VanEffen 10:30 Lance Lindstrom September 15/16 5:00 Lance Lindstrom 10:30 Roland & Sandy Jacobson September 22/23 5:00 Mary Jo Johnson 10:30 Leigh & Connie Schmidt September 29/30 5:00 Nancy K.Norberg 10:30 Lance Lindstrom

2018 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 5:00 Comm

11 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 5:00 Communion 6:00 Pastor s Goiing Away Party :30 Coffee Hour 10:30 Communion Labor Day Church Office Closed 6:30 p.m. Choir Meeting 10:00 Coffee with the Staff 5:00 Communion 5:00-7:00 Nacho Saturday at the Salvation Army Rally Day 9:30 Coffee Hour 10:30 Communion 12:00 p.m. Worship & Music 1:00 Joy Book Club 9:00 Quilting 9:30 Bible Study 10:00 Coffee with the Staff 5:00 Communion ;00 Faith Formation Classes 9:30 Coffee Hour 10:30 Communion 1:00 Joy Book Club 9:00 Quilting 9:30 Bible Study 10:00 Coffee with the Staff 5:30 Finance Mtg. 6:15 Church Council 5:00 Communion :00 Faith Formation Classes 1:00 Joy Book Club 9:00 Quilting 9:30 Bible Study 10:00 Coffee with the Staff 5:00 Communion 9:30 Coffee Hour 10:30 Communion 30 9:00 Faith Formation Classes 9:30 Coffee Hour 10:30 Communion

12 1230 North 18th Street Escanaba, Michigan Address Requested Phone: (906) We re on the Web! This issue of the King s Herald is given in loving memory of James P. & James A. Stasewich by Gayle Stoykovich KING S HERALD September 2018 CHURCH OFFICE INTERIM PASTOR Rev. Tom Otis address: pastorchris.ctk@gmail.com CHURCH OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Arlene Cody address: c.lutheran@att.net Website: WORSHIP SCHEDULE: Saturday 5:00 p.m. Worship Sunday 9:00 a.m. Faith Formation Classes; 9:30 a.m. Coffee Hour; 10:30 Worship Holy Communion is celebrated at every Saturday and Sunday service. At the 10:30 a.m. service communion will be distributed using continuous communion.

October Annual Stewardship Emphasis. Delta Conference Festival Thursday, October 11

October Annual Stewardship Emphasis. Delta Conference Festival Thursday, October 11 October 2018 Christ the King Lutheran Church Where We Are About God s Grace For God s People Inside this issue: Council Corner 2-4 Calling For Singers & Musicians Women s Fall Cluster Mtg. October 6th