ST. JOHN NEWS. Walking with you in Christ, Sisters in Faith 2 Supper Club News 3. Poets Corner 3. FLAMe Highlights 4. Home Bible Reading 5

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1 S T. J O H N S L U T H E R A N C H U R C H ST. JOHN NEWS Volume 32 Issue 2 February You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (The eighth commandment) What is this? What does this mean? It may seem like there is a simple answer to this question, but do you know all of your ten commandments? Do you know how they really tell encourage us to live? For example, this eighth commandment means We are to fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead we are to come to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light (Martin Luther s Small Catechism). Somehow this commandment always surprises me. I figure that it s fairly easy not to lie about our neighbors, or sometimes even to refrain from speaking poorly about them. But this commandment means so much more! We are called to interpret what people do in the best possible light. So when someone cuts us off in traffic, perhaps we are called to think they must have an emergency and to give them a little extra room. When someone seems to be in a bad mood, maybe we should pray that their day improve. Over the next few months, we will spend time reading through the catechism, praying, and studying Scripture. It is my hope that as we go back to the basics of our faith, we are able to go a little deeper than some of us did when we were back in middle school. It won t be about memorization, but it will be about our relationship with our loving Lord. I have confidence that the Holy Spirit will move through our gatherings and help us hear Scripture in new ways. Hopefully we will also see how these commandments, the sacraments (Holy Communion and Baptism), the Apostles Creed, and the Lord s prayer still have meaning for us wherever we are on our faith journeys. Also, this seems especially fitting as we get ready to celebrate the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation! Will you please join us? The gatherings won t be the same without you! Come with your questions, your hopes, or even your memories of exploring the Catechism before. We will meet at Barry s Bagels on Milan Road (behind Five Guys) in their private room on Thursdays at 11 AM beginning January 26th. You are welcome to bring lunch or to buy one there. I can t wait to explore the Bible and the Catechism with you! Walking with you in Christ, Pastor Stacy Inside this issue: Sisters in Faith 2 Supper Club News 3 Poets Corner 3 FLAMe Highlights 4 Home Bible Reading 5 Message from Bishop Beaudoin 6 Calendar 7 Special points of interest: First Quarter Ministry Team Birthdays and Anniversaries Weather Cancellations 2017 Council Members/Team Leaders February Ministry Leaders Souper Bowl Lutheran Memorial Home Worship

2 Church Council and Team Leaders We are blessed to have the following leaders in place for 2017: President: VP: Secretary: Treasurer: Deacons: Elders: Trustees: Ex-officio: Bob Krawetzki Ann Voight Peg Kingsley Colleen Shupe Jerrie Krawetzki Bonny Ambos Paula Hoffman Barry Laird Jake Deehr Ray Witt Kevin Young Jim Moore Ministry Team Leaders: Faith Life: Paula Hoffman Finance: Peg Kingsley Garden: Jeff Justi Property: Jeff Justi Worship: Sandy Thompson Special thanks also to Lori Stacy, Dale Osbun, Jeff Justi who have completed their service on Council. Your Prayers Needed Prayer is one of the most beautiful and meaningful gifts we can offer one another. Occasionally there are folks in this congregation, or friends or relative of members, in need of prayer for various reasons. Your prayers are needed for: Patty Stelzer daughter of Paul and Phyllis Stengel undergoing cancer treatments. Sharen Smith diagnosed with cancer Barbara Vance diagnosed with cancer Paul Stark in need of our prayers as he deals with cancer. Bob Staley neighbor of Vicki & Don Johnson, diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Larry Schlessman Acute rehabilitation Cleveland after heart procedure. Address: Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation Hospital Health Campus Blvd. Avon, OH Lenten News The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, March 1st with the Imposition of Ashes. Wednesdays in Lent will include a soup supper at 6:00 pm. Followed by worship at. A sign-up list is on the Welcome Table to provide food for soup suppers. Plan to join us for this special time of worship, food, and fellowship! Sisters in Faith the Baaske and Neate families in grieving the loss of Joyce Baaske and Ann Neate faithful members of St. John s. Joyce passed away on January 19, 2017 and the funeral took place on Tuesday, January 24th. Ann Neate passed away on January 22nd funeral held on Friday, January 27, Please keep these families and friends in your prayers during these difficult days. We join ST. JOHN S HOMEBOUND MEMBERS Ruth Bruns: Lutheran Memorial Home, Sandusky June Gorga: At home, Sandusky. (Mother of Nancy Osbun - Recently relocated to Sandusky) Jean Hlavin: Parkvue Place, Sandusky (Pastor Bill's mother) Rachel Kaliszewski: Gaymont Nursing Home, Norwalk (Renee Barkhimer's mother) Wayne Knupke: at Admiral s Point, Huron Ruth Knupke: At home, Huron Ann Neate: At home, Sandusky Lois Oltman: At Parkvue Place Margaret Ommert: At home, Huron Joan Zorn: Portland House, Sandusky Addresses and contact information may be found in the congregational directory unless they reside in a nursing home. Thanks for caring! R i VO L UME 32 I SS UE 2 Page 2

3 Supper Club News Poet s Corner by Jerry Bauer Our next Supper Club will be on Thursday, February 23rd at 6:00 pm at the Brick Oven Bistro on Cleveland Rd. They offer a wide variety of salads, appetizers, sandwiches, calzones and pizzas all of which are very tasty! Join us for fellowship, fun and food on a winter evening. It doesn t get any better! The sign-up sheet is on the Welcome Table. Kathy Strayer Firelands Lutherans Active in Mission Sunday, February 12: St. John s 6 pm all FLAMe Pastors and Church Council members are invited to a FLAMe meeting. Lutheran Memorial Home Worship Your help is needed! On Sunday, February 19th at 2:00 pm, St. John's will be sponsoring worship at Genacross Lutheran Services (Lutheran Memorial Home). Your help is needed to worship together with the residents of the home. I Am Sends Me "God said to Moses, "I am who I am.'" Exodus 3;14 God speaks to Moses. God speaks to me. I am who I am. I will be who I will be. I will send, guide and direct you to accomplish my work, what I call you to do. From God I receive voice to speak and write God's words, courage and strength to do God's work. God speaks, I hear, I act. Speak my Lord, your servant hears. Spirit Fire "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit Weather Cancellations It doesn't happen often that inclement weather causes us to cancel Sunday worship, but it is wise for us to be prepared just in case. In the event the weather is frightful on a Sunday morning and you have internet access, please check the church website for the status of Sunday morning events. The web address is Status will be posted on the site by 8:00 am. Also, cancellations will be broadcast on FM WCPZ and If there is a level 2 or 3 snow emergency for Erie County, worship services and church events will be cancelled. If you get the word about a worship cancellation, please help us pass the word by calling friends and relatives. The last thing we want is someone needlessly braving dangerous roads and then arriving to an icy parking lot and an empty sanctuary. Dear St. John s members, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity to attend the National Conference for Sacred Music earlier this month. It was a wonderful learning experience, and I had a great time. A big thank you is owed to the committees and individuals who aided me every step of the way in bookings, flights, and other conference details. Also, thank you to the Scheid family for your donations for the conference! I feel so honored by your generosity. Lastly, thank you to ALL who gave donations, well wishes, and support for the conference. Your generosity and kindness was truly appreciated. I am thankful to be a part of such a loving and supportive church, and again, thank you so much. I look forward to improving our music ministry! Morgan Noon VO L UME 32 I SS UE 2 Page 3

4 Firelands Lutherans Active in Mission Grace, Castalia St. John s Union Corners St. John s, Bellevue St. Paul, Sandusky St. Peter, Norwalk Trinity, Sandusky Zion, Sandusky Zion, Huron Save the date of Saturday, October 7, FLAMe is a silver sponsor for the Opening Night of the Firelands Symphony Orchestra (FSO). The Orchestra will perform Mendelssohn s Reformation Symphony. Make plans to join us as we share our rich Lutheran musical heritage with the community. Opportunities to donate to this event will be released soon. Bishop Beaudoin and his wife have been invited as our guests. The FLAMe Board would like to publically thank outgoing President Barb Rohrbacher from Grace, Castalia for her multiple years as our faith-filled FLAMe leader. Barb was elected president in 2012 and prior to that served as vicepresident. Barb, thanks for your inspiration, commitment, vision, and leadership. FLAMe is once again asking all of our Erie County congregations to set aside an offering on Sunday, March 19 th for Pass the Plate Sunday. This offering will support the Erie County Senior Center s Meals on Wheels program. We ask you to watch area news for additional activities which will include ride-alongs, a rocking chair marathon, and a dine to donate at Texas Road House. Lutheran Schools Week is March 5 th thru March 11 th. Visit St. Peter, Norwalk as their Christian Day Nursery School celebrates on March 6 th and 7 th at 7 P.M. with an Open House and Art Extravaganza. Calling all FLAMe Pastors and Church Council members! Please attend a special meeting at St. John s on Sunday, February 12 th at 6:15 P.M. The Board needs your input on the FLAMe goals for 2017 and the adoption of our revised Rules and Governance documents. Check out our new FLAMe banner. Thanks to Dee Ridenour, St. Paul, for handling all arrangements. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND FLAMe CHURCH NEWS: NEW!!! Men in the Morning. The last Wednesday of every month this group meets at the Lunch Box in downtown Sandusky for opportunities for spiritual growth. Sunday, February 12: FLAMe Special Meeting, St. John s 6:15 pm FLAMe Pastors and Church Council members are invited. Tuesday, February 14: Gencross Lutheran Services- Sandusky Campus, Valentine s Day Waffles and bingo, multipurpose room, 10 am. Come join in for delicious waffles, exciting bingo, and the opportunity to tour the building. Sunday, February 26: St. Paul s, Sandusky Welcome Table 12-1:30. Saturday March 18: Rocking Chair Marathon at Sandusky Mall for Erie County Senior Center. Sunday, March 19: Pass the Plate Sunday for all Erie County Churches to support Meals on Wheels. Tuesday, March 21: Texas Road House, Sandusky, Dine to Donate for Erie County Senior Center Saturday, April 8: St. Paul, Sandusky,The Eastern Conference Women of the ELCA: Spring Gathering Saturday, September 30: Faith Lutheran Church, Fremont, The Eastern Conference Women of the ELCA Fall Retreat VO L UME 32 I SS UE 2 Page 4

5 Mark Wed. Feb. 1 Chapter 1 The Preaching of John the Baptist Thurs. Feb. 2 Chapter 2 Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man Fri. Feb. 3 Chapter 3 The Man with a Paralyzed Hand Sat. Feb. 4 Chapter 4 The Parable of the Sower Sun. Feb. 5 Chapter 5 Jesus Heals a Man with Evil Spirits Mon. Feb. 6 Chapter 6 Jesus is Rejected at Nazareth Tues. Feb. 7 Chapter 7 The Teaching of the Ancestors Wed. Feb. 8 Chapter 8 Jesus Feeds Four Thousand People Thurs. Feb. 9 Chapter 9 The Transfiguration Fri. Feb. 10 Chapter 10 Jesus Teaches about Divorce Sat. Feb. 11 Chapter 11 The Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem Sun. Feb. 12 Chapter 12 The Parable of the Tenants. Mon. Feb. 13 Chapter 13 Jesus Speaks of the Destruction. Tues. Feb. 14 Chapter 14 The Plot against Jesus Wed. Feb. 15 Chapter 15 Jesus Before Pilate Thurs. Feb. 16 Chapter 16 The Resurrection For a stark contrast in thinking we will finish the month of February reading the Book of Ecclesiastes which contains the thoughts of the philosopher who reflected deeply on how short and contradictory human life was with its mysterious injustices and frustrations, and concluded that life is useless. He could not understand the ways of God, who controls human destiny. Yet, in spite of this, he advised people to work hard, and to enjoy the gifts of God as much and as long as they could. Ecclesiastes Fri. Feb. 17 Chapter 1 Life is Useless Sat. Feb. 18 Chapter 2 continues the theme of uselessness Sun. Feb. 19 Chapter 3 A Time For Everything Mon. Feb. 20 Chapter 4 Injustice in the World Tues. Feb. 21 Chapter 5 Don t make Rash Promises Wed. Feb. 22 Chapter 6 more of the same thoughts Thurs. Feb. 23 Chapter 7 Thoughts about Life Fri. Feb. 24 Chapter 8 Obey The King Sat. Feb. 25 Chapter 9 The Wicked and the Righteous Sun. Feb. 26 Chapter 10 More of his pondering Mon. Feb. 27 Chapter 11 What a Wise Man does Tues. Feb. 28 Chapter 12 Summing it up Youth Team: We are starting a youth team! If you are interested in family gatherings, youth events, Bible studies, and prayer, please let Pastor Stacy know. There will be few meetings, but hopefully numerous events. Please call or text Pastor Stacy at Thank You St. John s. It has been and honor to have serviced my church Family during the past eight years. Linda and I will use the gift cards at Long Horn Steak House, one of her favorite restaurants. Friends of ours gave me a card with this on it: Through each passage and every season, may you trust the goodness of God. Great words to live by. Thank you each for making my job the best I have ever had. Blessing Jim VO L UME 32 I SS UE 2 Page 5

6 Dear Friends in Christ, As I look back I remember that there was always someone... There was always someone... living with us. My uncle, aunt, and cousin, when my uncle lost his job at the Chrysler plant. My grandma, when her Alzheimer's was just starting. Our neighbor Karen and her 2 small children. Living with us, to escape an abusive and alcoholic husband. Karen's 4-year-old daughter would wake A Message in the night from screaming. Bishop I can Daniel still see G. my Beaudoin mom holding her close and walking her slowly back and forth in the front room. Telling her that she was safe and loved. Whispering in her ear that everything would be all right. When I was in high school Clayton Hendley moved in with us, because he had no place to live. Clayton was from the east side of Detroit, and played basketball for the team my dad helped coach. Arguing over bedroom and bathroom space helped us work through our racial and cultural differences. Growing up, I had 2 sisters, but Clayton became my brother. Looking back now, I realize that this is simply who mom and dad were and still are. This is how they lived out their Christian faith. When some folks follow Jesus, they actually do what Jesus calls them to do. So, there was the faith component. And then there was the truth that dad's family did not come to America like they should have. They walked in from French Canada to work in Upper Michigan's logging industry, and they stayed. They worked. They went to Mass. They married. They had children and grand-children. But they were always near the border, and on the edge. Here, but not fully here. Aliens and immigrants among us. I think that experience had a profound effect on dad, and caused him to live his adult life with an open heart and an open home. I am troubled. I am troubled by the words of God in Leviticus 19, "When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress..." I am troubled by the words of Jesus in Matthew 25, "I was a stranger and you did not welcome me..." I am troubled by what we are becoming... closed, angry, and fearful. This is not of Christ, and we are called by the Holy Spirit to be better than this. I want to be my father's son, with an open heart and an open home. And I want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, with open eyes and open arms (which is what bearing the cross demands of us every single time). Maybe you'll join me: 1. In Prayer: pray for the leaders of our nation and for the immigrant and refugee. 2. In Scripture: read Leviticus 19:34-35; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 10: In Study: read the 1997 ELCA Social Message on Immigration in a small group and talk through it. 4. In Conversation: gather in small groups to pray and to talk through your own learning and experience with immigration. 5. In Invitation: invite a recent immigrant to come and share their story with your small group. Simply listen. Ask questions. Learn. 6. In Action: If you are aware of someone who is being adversely affected by new governmental policies, please do what you can to help make their plight easier. And please, share your stories with me, for as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are in this together. Together in the synod and in the world. Let us pray, "Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me abide in your tent forever, find refuge under the shelter of your wings" (Psalm 61:1-4). Bless you, Bishop Daniel G. Beaudoin VO L UME 32 I SS UE 2 Page 6

7 A FAMILY OF DISCIPLES, FAITHFULLY MAKING CHRIST KNOWN February 2017 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Ushers: Feb. 5, 12, 26 Voights 1 Choir Practice 2 Bible Study Barry Bagels- 11 am 3 4 Feb.19 Jim Semon Sr Good News Amen 6:00 pm 5 Flowers: John & Barbara Wagner 6 7 Council 8 Choir 9 Bible Study Barry Bagels 11 am Crossroads 3:30-6:00. Food to church by noon Joy Time 6:00 pm at St. Paul s Flowers: FLAMe Meets at 6:15 pm 13 Quilting Session 9:00 am 14 Worship Team 6:00 pm 15 Choir 16 Bible Study Barry Bagels- 11 am Book Study 6:00 pm Flowers: Neate family Choir 23 Bible Study Barry Bagels- 11 am St. John s Lutheran Church 106 Scheid Rd Sandusky, Ohio Phone: stjohncal@gmail.com Website: 26 Flowers 27 Quilting Session 9:00 am 28 VO L UME 32 I SS UE 2 Page 7

8 St. John s Lutheran Church 106 Scheid Rd. Sandusky, OH A Family of Disciples, Faithfully Making Christ Known Sunday School 9:00 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM ADDRESS CHANGE REQUESTED First Quarter Team Birthdays Worship Leaders Allison & Kevin Young Judy & John Miller Sandy & Chuck Thompson February 5th Communion Glasses/Fellowship March 1st-Ash Wednesday Lenten Soup Suppers setup each week. March 5th Communion Glasses/Fellowship Altar Flowers Feb. 5 John & Barbara Wagner Neate family in memory of Paul 26 Feb. 3 Andrew Davie 6 Judy Miller 10 Sally Kelley 10 Ray Witt 13 Kalynn Welch 18 Jean Cromley David Voight 20 Ashley Riley 22 Cara Stacy, Lisa Chill 23 Sue Lucht 25 Kevin Young, Ted Call 26 Randy Deehr 27 Julie Deehr LAY READERS Feb. 5 Linda Miller-Moore 12 Jim Semon 19 Paula Hoffman 26 Kevin Young COMMUNION ASSISTANT Feb 5 Jim Semon, Sr. 19 Paula Hoffman USHERS Dave & Ann Voight Feb. 5th, 12 & 26st Jim Semon, Sr. Feb. 19th The Souper Bowl is Sunday February 5th! Please donate your loose change. Cash donations will benefit Care and Share in Sandusky. Thanks for playing in the Souper Bowl. VO L UME 32 I SS UE 2 Page 8