St. Johannes Evangelical

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St. Johannes Evangelical Established 1878 Lutheran Church August 2016 Weekly Schedule Sundays 9:45AM Holy, Sanctuary Conversation, Gatch

Charleston, SC 29401 Phone: (843) 722-8906 Fax: (843) 722-4414 Church office email: office@stjohanneschurch.

org Pastor Karen Hawkins Email: pastor@stjohanneschurch.

1 St. Johannes Evangelical Established 1878 Lutheran Church August 2016 Weekly Schedule Sundays 9:45AM Holy, Sanctuary Conversation, Gatch Hall 8:45AM Christian Formation Wednesdays 12Noon Holy (Half-hour), Sanctuary Contact Us 48 Hasell Street (Corner of Anson & Hasell) Charleston, SC Phone: (843) Fax: (843) Church office Holy with the Rite of Holy Baptism for Rosalie Carpenter August 14, :45AM worship Website: Pastor Karen Hawkins Office Hours: Monday Thursday 9:30AM-2:30PM Jesus said, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. Matthew 28:

The Pastor s Pen The Rev. Karen S. Hawkins At our summer forums about worship, hymns and music have been regular topics. What follows is a piece written by the Worship and Music division of the ELCA.

2 The Pastor s Pen The Rev. Karen S. Hawkins At our summer forums about worship, hymns and music have been regular topics. What follows is a piece written by the Worship and Music division of the ELCA. It has been edited to fit space requirements. The full article may be accessed at this link: hat_is_the_role_of_music_in_the_lutheran_liturgy.pdf?_ga= What is the role of music in the Lutheran liturgy? Why music? Music, especially singing, has been inextricably linked to our story as God s people. The Israelites sang after their deliverance from Egypt. David sang in time of trouble and rejoicing. Mary and Simeon sang songs of thanksgiving. John, on the island of Patmos, heard the glorious songs of the angels in his vision. The psalms, the Bible s hymnbook, testify to the link of story to song: Your love, O Lord, forever will I sing; from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness. (Psalm 89:1). Music as Gift The question about music s role can portray music exclusively as a kind of tool, suggesting that music exists only for the sake of something else. That is why the first role of music is not really a role at all. Luther regarded music first and foremost as gift, one of the principles of music listed in Principles for Worship: God creates music as part of the whole creation and gives it to humankind to develop and shape (Principle M-1). We receive music as a gift of God. Shaping the Gift We know, however, that gifts once placed in human hands can be used in a variety of ways. How does the Church steward and shape the gift of music? What is music s role in the service of God s people, the liturgy? These key roles are listed below partnered with a principle from Principles for Worship or The Use of the Means of Grace. Building community Music is a communal and relational activity. The assembly is the primary musical ensemble, and its song is the core of all music in worship (Principle M-3). When the church sings together, it remembers its common story and this story binds the baptized together as one people. When much of our society focuses on individual values and concerns, the church makes the claim that we are a community in Christ. Music shapes this community over time. Forming and Expressing Christian Identity The assembly s song contributes to the spiritual formation of the assembly itself and its individual members. Used carefully over time, the song forms communal and individual memory and serves to nurture the faith from one generation to another (Principles for Worship, Principle M-5). We often use the phrase you are what you eat. We also are what we sing. For this reason, it is best to make careful choices about the tunes and texts an assembly will sing. Proclaiming the Word Music, the visual arts and the environment of our worship spaces embody the proclamation of the Word in Lutheran churches.music is a servant of the Gospel. (Use of the Means of Grace, Principle 11, Application 11A). Luther understood music to be a gift of God that had the power to proclaim God s word. Since proclamation of the Word is one of the primary roles of music in the liturgy, decisions about music will involve much more than personal taste or musical style. Music that serves the word shows forth Christ rather than draws attention to itself. Surrounding the Sacraments As part of God s creation renewed in Christ, the people of God sing around the elements, words and actions that bear God s grace (Principles for Worship, Principle M-8). Christian liturgy is more than words. When we gather as God s people, we celebrate God coming among us in the flesh, in word paired with the earthly materials water, wine and bread. Music surrounds these events, interpreting them in text and tune.

3 hymns, for example, need to take into consideration that people will be moving about GETTING FACTS ON OUR CHURCH ATTENDANCE COUNCIL PRESIDENT S REPORT FROM BARBARA WILLIAMS There s great wisdom in the old caution against making assumptions before getting the facts. Since the relatively new 9 a.m. Sunday service was launched a few years ago, it has been a prime source of blame for the drop in attendance at the traditional 11 a.m. service. But is that really true? Fortunately, Pastor Karen recommended that no change be made until we concluded a thoughtful process of study and prayer over the summer months. Three Sunday forums were included in the process. We also are using this summer s two-service break to experiment with a possible compromise--one service at 9:45. The single service, which will be in effect until after Labor Day, isn t as short as the 9 a.m. and not quite as long as the 11 a.m. The verdict is still out on whether that time is just right. Meanwhile, led by Pastor Karen, the Worship and Music Committee produced some eye-opening information at its last meeting. Those attending were asked to think back over the past ten years and recall the disciples who had died, moved away, transferred their memberships or no longer attend the 11:00 a.m. service for medical or other reasons. The best estimate was more than 35. Sadly deaths and disabilities totaled around twenty obviously taking the biggest toll on attendance in the past decade. Over the past year, attendance at the 9:00 a.m. has gone as high as a dozen or so. But that s not the norm. The committee only identified about six disciples as regular attendees of the 9:00 a.m. service and another five or six who alternate between the two services. Certainly in our small church, it s noticeable if even six fewer disciples attend the 11:00 a.m. (But the 9:00 a.m. service is not the chief reason the size of the 11 a.m. congregation isn t what it used to be.) It s important to note that St. Johannes has received new disciples in recent years. Five have been added in the last three years and four of those five attend the 11:00 a.m. service. Two more new disciples will be added to our rolls shortly. Growth is an important part of the St. Johannes mission. There are reasons for optimism. Within the past two years the community has been taking note of the fact that our church property is no longer in sad decline. Our glistening, newly painted church and beautifully refurbished parsonage are public testimony to the fact that our disciples are energized, good stewards. The two-service discussion isn t over. Our third forum is scheduled for August 7. Please don t miss it. PASTOR S PEN CONTINUED as they sing. Music serves God s Mission Through music, the Holy Spirit empowers the assembly to participate in God s mission to the World. (Principle M-17) As the liturgy sends us forth to be God s people in the World, music can direct us in ways of justice and mercy toward our neighbor. How will what we sing shape us in how we live? Revised January 2013

Copyright 2013 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. www.elca.org/worshipfaq.

4 Copyright 2013 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In Our Prayers Elmore Marlow, Bonnie Richardson, Marilyn Stehmeier, Bootsie Witt, Dodie Duffey, Evie Hiatt, Harry Kluttz, Smith Pruitt, Anne Foster, Joyce Grooms, Leslie Carpenter, Gregg Clanton, Smith Pruitt, Mike O Sheasy, Vivian Jones, Carol Thompson June Council Highlights Heard that The Parsonage received a $45,000 check from the Charleston Visitors Bureau for rentals over the next year. Recommended that the Property Team look at upgrading the sprinkler system in The Parsonage garden and checking the viability of the system in the Garden of the Beatitudes. Monies from the Garden Maintenance Fund would be used. Approved the Oct. 29 rental of Gatch Hall to Pastor Craig Bailey of Redeemer PCA at the disciple rate along with the use of The Parsonage garden and first floor piazza for his daughter s wedding reception. The decision was an expression of appreciation for Pastor Bailey s consistent support of St. Johannes needs both in the restoration of The Parsonage and help in accommodating our parking needs. Heard that the exterior stucco repair for the church is complete and the BAR has approved the stained glass window covers with a minor design change. Heard that exterior church painting is 90 percent complete {and at the writing of this newsletter has been completed}. Letters Of Thanks From Joyce Grooms I would like to thank everyone here at this wonderful House of God. The flowers, the food, the phone calls, etc. I am so happy to call this church my home! Jazz Vespers at St. Matthew's Featuring jazz quartet and vocalists August 14 at 4:00PM Fellowship to follow concert CONGRATULATIONS! Catherine Crocker was the lucky winner of the St. Johannes raffle, which provides a free week in The Parsonage before the end of the year. The winning ticket was drawn during the July Mix and Mingle in the Parsonage garden by a member of the staff of Tri-County Family Ministries. Tri-County s great outreach work in our community was featured at the event. Parish Directory Change Harry Kluttz new address is 2030 Charlie Hall Blvd. Apt.20, Charleston SC He loves to get cards. Please take a moment and send one. PARKING The office has been advised that many people are parking in the church lot without a permit. Please have parking permit sticker in a visible location when in the lot. If you are in need of a sticker, or would like to request temporary parking, please contact the church office at TAIZÉ SERVICE The Taizé service will recess for the month of August, resuming Sept. 15. Thanks to Chuck Long for his continued dedication to this service. SAVE THE DATE! The fall Tearoom is October 14, 2:30-6:30. We will need desserts, servers, and kitchen workers. Check It Out! Have you checked out the church lately? If you haven t been by in a few weeks, you ve missed the incredible amount of work that has been done on the building. The new paint looks wonderful, and the stained glass windows have been restored to their original luster. Come take a look, and stay for a service! AUGUST ALTAR FLOWERS -August 7 given by Robbin Mosier -August 14 given by Andy and Diane Hogue

Old Testament Scholar, Walter Brueggemann wrote as a society we have lost the significance of crying out to God and naming the deep wounds in our lives and our world.

5 Old Testament Scholar, Walter Brueggemann wrote as a society we have lost the significance of crying out to God and naming the deep wounds in our lives and our world. To lament is to take seriously the pain AUGUST WORSHIP SERVERS SCHEDULING/QUESTIONS: JEAN RIVAS (678) jeaniecharleston@gmail.com Date Lector Worship Assistant Acolyte August 7 Russ Long Jean Rivas Jean Rivas August 14 George Hiatt Barbara Pace Jean Rivas August 21 Chuck Long Mary Lou Waitschies Jean Rivas August 28 Robbin Mosier Kay Winnett Barbara Pace If you are unable to serve on your scheduled date, please contact Jean Rivas at jeaniecharleston@gmail.com, or consider asking Barbara Pace, who can serve in all three positions. A LETTER FROM BISHOP YOOS IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT SHOOTINGS Dear Brothers and sister in Christ: How do we find the words to express the anguish that we as a nation are going through? At a Selma movie event an African American man stood up and said, "Every time I get into my car, I wonder if will return home or be stopped for a traffic violation and be shot and killed." An older white man with tears in his eyes said, "I can't imagine living with that fear every day of your life." Earlier this week for two African American men this same fear became a tragic reality. Then last night a peaceful protest rally in Dallas turned violent leaving 12 Police officers shot with five dead. Once again the ugly wounds of racism, fear and hate claimed the national spotlight. In the midst of these senseless tragedies, where our words often seem small and insignificant, we need to hold onto God's Word and enter into these experiences of loss and suffering like the psalm writers of old did. Psalm 130 reads: "out of the depths, I cry unto you oh God, hear my voice..." Psalm 69 reads: "I am weary of my crying. More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause..." Psalm 23 reads: "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me..." and brokenness we experience and yet at the same time it means to take even more seriously God's capacity to enter into such places of suffering and darkness with the light of a crucified and risen Lord. A month ago at our Assembly, we boldly talked about the reconciling love of God in Jesus Christ that overcomes the hate, hostility and injustice of racism. Presiding Elder Norvel Goff preached about the incredible energy of God's forgiveness and grace that the nine families of Mother Emanuel released into our world when their shooter was hoping to start a race war. We sang and prayed and repented together and then we shared the body and blood of Jesus Christ. In these turbulent times, I invite you to keep lifting up in prayer the families of those who were slain this past week. I encourage you to lament with your congregation over the destructive forces of racism, hate and evil and to frequently remind one another that in Christ we are called to be agents of God's reconciling grace in the world. I also pray that you will listen intently to the good news of how God still so loves a world that he gave his only son, Jesus Christ to save and redeem this very world. May we ever build bridges of respect, peace, hope and love across all the divisions in our world that seek to separate us from God and from one another. In Christ,

6 Bishop Herman Yoos AUGUST Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :30PM CHOIR PRACTICE 6:30 BIBLE STUDY 7 8:45AM Christian Formation Conversation 9:45AM Holy 10:45AM Forum :30PM CHOIR PRACTICE :45AM Christian Formation Conversation 9:45AM Holy :15PM Church Council 18 6:30PM CHOIR PRACTICE :45AM Christian Formation Conversation 9:45AM Holy :30PM CHOIR PRACTICE :45AM Christian Formation Conversation 9:45AM Holy : Buddy Witt 5: Tom Pinckney 6: John Edwards 11: Genelle Stuckey 13: Cheryl Marlow 14: Christiane Baily 18: Robbin Mosier 24: Kay Winnett 27: Jimmy Mosier Dr. Kogan s Surgery Dr. Michael Kogan, who has been teaching a weekly Bible Study class at St. Johannes for many years, is scheduled for kidney transplant surgery on Aug. 10. He will teach his Aug. 4 class and is hopeful his weekly Thursday classes will resume within a month of his surgery.

7 A Memorial on a Global Mission Conference from the 2016 SC Synod Assembly This memorial (a kind of petition) was presented to the 2016 Synod Assembly for consideration. It passed unanimously. WHEREAS, the Great Commission of our Lord, Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19) has no time limit attached to it; and WHEREAS, throughout history the church has pursued varying strategies for accomplishing this mission; and WHEREAS, in the modern missionary movement, the global church has often gathered to examine both where we are in the task of global evangelism and to discuss methodologies and strategies, and WHEREAS, since the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America there have been numerous consultations among the bishops, companion synod representatives and our Global Mission staff, but there has been no churchwide examination of our global mission strategy involving all the stakeholders in this endeavor; therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the South Carolina Synod Assembly memorialize the 2016 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to set in motion a task force charged with the consideration of a global mission conference of all our historical mission partners around the world; and be it further RESOLVED, that any organizing task force and any conference which follows shall be composed of a broad cross section of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to include all stake holders in this work: rostered leaders, former missionaries, both long term and short term, Global Mission staff, seminary professors of mission and evangelism, companion synod committee members, the conference of Bishops and the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and be it further RESOLVED, that any mission conference, which shall be the result of the work of the task force, shall also include representatives of those churches with whom the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and its predecessor bodies have historically cooperated. ELCA Churchwide Assembly Freed and Renewed in Christ The ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the primary decision-making body of the church, is a process of communal spiritual discernment. Finding ourselves in Christ, the fourteenth Churchwide Assembly will be a time for us to be the living body of Christ guided by the Spirit and conformed to God s will. We will meet at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, August 8-13, 2016 to discuss and make decisions about how to go about God s work as a church. This year the assembly will observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation under the theme Freed and Renewed in Christ and the accompanying tagline 500 years of God s Grace in Action. The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is an opportunity to rejoice in the life-giving, liberating power of the gospel. As part of the observance, we are inviting non-voting members to attend the Grace Gathering, August 10-13, More information about this event is available at ELCA.org/gracegathering. When the ELCA Churchwide Assembly convenes, its voting members meet with confidence in God s grace around word and water, wine and bread, to carry on their work on behalf the entire church. Over the course of the assembly, voting members: Hear reports and review the work of churchwide officers, leaders and units; Receive and consider proposals from synod assemblies; Elect officers, board members and other leaders as specified by the constitution or bylaws; Establish ELCA churchwide policy; Worship together; Adopt a budget; and Conduct other business related to the ELCA churchwide organization. When members of the assembly participate in and make decisions about the mission and ministry of the ELCA: We are church. We are Lutheran. We are church together. We are church for the sake of the world.

8 St. Johannes Lutheran Church Non-profit Organization PO BOX US POSTAGE PAID Charleston SC CHARLESTON Permit NO. 17 ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED St. Johannes Evangelical Lutheran Church 48 Hasell Street, Charleston, South Carolina Office: Monday Thursday 930AM - 230PM Fax: office@stjohanneschurch.org Website: The Rev. Karen S. Hawkins, Interim Pastor pastor@stjohanneschurch.org Ms. Mary-Helen Eppelsheimer, Parish Administrator office@stjohanneschurch.org Mr. George Hiatt, Parish Musician gdhiatt@aol.com

St. Johannes Lutheran Church

St. Johannes Lutheran Church Charleston, SC Newsletter - August 2017 WELCOMING ST. JOHANNES NEW PASTOR St. Johannes Lutheran Church is celebrating the answer to multiple prayers. Pastor Alvin G. Shrum