REMINDED! Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

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1 IN THE CENTER RING August, 2017 REMINDED! Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4 Why is there a baptismal font in the Chapel of the Christ at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota? Did the architects anticipate that a lot of baptisms would be performed on campus? Why is that font located in such a prominent place, just inside the main doors as you enter the chapel? Were those same architects trying to make it inconvenient for people to enter and exit? Why is water constantly flowing from one basin to the next? Is the sound of trickling water supposed to transport students to a serene and peaceful place where they can escape from the stress and demands of their studies? No, not at all. The baptismal font in the Chapel of the Christ is there because of what we confess in the fourth part of The Sacrament of Holy Baptism in Luther s Small Catechism The Meaning of Baptism for Our Daily Life: What does baptizing with water mean? Baptism means that the old Adam in us should be drowned by daily contrition and repentance, and that all its evil deeds and desires be put to death. It also means that a new person should daily arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. Where is this written? Saint Paul says in Romans, chapter 6, We were... buried with [Christ] through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Daily the baptismal font in the Chapel of the Christ reminds all who pass by it of their own baptisms. We have our reminders too: the fonts in our own church, the baptismal certificates that may be hanging on our walls, the encouraging words from our parents and sponsors, the empty tomb of Christ. All of them serve as reminders to drown the old Adam in daily contrition and repentance. Daily we see and confess our sin. Daily we turn to God for forgiveness. Daily we trust in Christ for salvation. Daily we correct whatever wrongs we can. Daily we say no to sin. Daily we hold that stubborn old Adam under water as we live no longer for ourselves but for the One who died for us and was raised again: Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5). Even this this living for Christ, this drowning of our old Adam is God s doing! He is the one who works in us to will and to act according to his good purpose by grace and by grace alone. Pastor Nick Maglietto

2 211 OFFICIAL ACTS Funerals Beverly J. Higgins Born March 11, 1953 Died June 23, 2017 Burial July 8, 2017 Kathleen McNamer Born February 8, 1920 Died June 29, 2017 Burial July 3, 2017 Statistics as of July 17, 2017 Confirmed members 883 Baptized members U Total members 1,094 St. John s Media Ministry Balance 22-Jun-2017 $5, Contributions $ Disbursements WRPQ $ Radio Phone Line $ Balance 20-Jul-2017 $5, Pastor s Call Returned Dear St John s Lutheran Church, Greetings in the name of Jesus. I have spent the last weeks talking with family, brothers in the ministry, and congregation members from both churches in Red Wing and Baraboo. I am writing to inform you that after much prayerful deliberation I have decided to return the call to serve your congregation. I pray that God will give you a pastor to serve you soon. In Christ, Pastor Todd Engel Pastoral Call Meeting On Sunday, August 6 th, immediately following our worship service we will have a Call Meeting to issue a Devine Call to a second pastor. Please plan on attending. Evangelical Heritage Version Bible Over 90 ELS and WELS scholars continue work on the new Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV) Bible translation. The New Testament and Psalms have been completed in time for the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation. The paperback version of the EHV New Testament and Psalms is available for purchase in the church office for $15. Public School Confirmation PSC begins after Worship on September 17, 2017 for all public school students entering 7 th & 8 th grades. WELS Convention Please pray for all of the delegates attending the WELS Convention at Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI July 31 August 2 nd. Principal Craig Breitkreutz and Mr. Bill Otto are both serving as delegates this year. In the Center Ring is a monthly publication of St. John s Lutheran Church Baraboo, Wisconsin Church Office churchoffice@stjohnsbaraboo.org School Office tklemm@stjohnsbaraboo.org Rev. Nicholas C. Maglietto Principal Craig Breitkreutz 2

3 ST. JOHN S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Church Council Minutes Tuesday, July 11, 2017 Present: President-Dave Grant, Outreach-Tim Kiefer, Worship-Tom Tiedt, Fellowship-Gayland Leatherberry, Board of Education-Martin Strobel, Education-Eric Durkee, and Principal-Craig Breitkreutz, Stewardship- Brent Bailey, Property-Bill Giese. Pastor- Maglietto. Spiritual-Bruce Wilkinson. Secretary-Marty Brey, Absent: Youth-Michael Tennier on leave, Treasurer- Ron Voss. Opening Prayer and Devotion - Pastor. Exodus 19:3-6. Financial Items Review & Approval June Financials & Forecast Voss/All. Total church revenue was $883,816 which was $1,612 more than last year. Church offerings were $18,443 more than last year, school revenue was $16,989 less than last year, and daycare income was $1,612 more than last year. Church expenses were $243,133 which was $38,491 less than last year. I would attribute most of this decrease on having only one pastor for the majority of the year. School expenses were $619,781 last year which was $22,825 more than last year. The overage was the result of a bookkeeping change which paid the day care director out of the school budget. Daycare expenses were $28,216 which are $29,188 less than last year. Most of this difference was the bookkeeping change explained above. The ending checkbook balance is a positive $12,707 which is a $8,464 reduction from last year. A total of $6,742 was transferred into operations for this past financial year. All in all we had our church revenue was $7,314 less than what we actually spent. Not bad compared to other years. But the problem is that there is a lot of work yet to be done to spread the Gospel that we need to do!!! Old Business Any further discussion & Action on School Board Call for Staffing 2017/2018. Childhood Director Position remains unresolved. Calling of a 2nd Pastor status No news as of 7/11/17. Review of purchasing policies. Voss received a copy of the policy from Diane and is reviewing the procedure with Brent. New Business Pastor s Report / Membership Changes (transfers, releases, general membership matters, etc.) - Acceptance of New Members- Joanne Stark Profession of faith. Motion to accept/2nd/carried. Review of Elder expectations - Grant would like all council members to familiar with constitution and bylaws of St. John s. Expects regular church attendance, bible study, communion assistance, council meetings and meeting with committees. Submit monthly reports indicating what is happening with you and your committees. Church Council Organization Grant is looking for volunteers from council to discuss the Organization. Members volunteered Grant will with a meeting date. Study of Pastor Office at school. Still in progress. Long term goal is to have all office staff down at the school if possible. For now no changes will be made until we receive study back from property. Elder Report Action Items School Board. Church Attendance Policy to be updated in the school handbook. Motion to accept updated policy/2nd/discussion to make a few corrections/carried. Property. Breitkreutz school tile abatement and air quality check is done. Evangelism Fair Booth / Setup. Quick update on Luther movie. The movie is sold out and will happen Aug 1, 7:30 pm. We could use a couple more slots filled for fair booth otherwise many time slots are filled in. Thank You for supporting Evangelism. Worship Mike Westendorf. Requesting to perform at St. John s Thursday August 17, 2017 at 6:30 pm church service. A request to TAC of $275 to sponsor the band will be made. Motion to accept carried. Any Action Items that need Council discussion and approval - Church Picnic. Still in planning stage. Plan is to have church service at church then following church the picnic will be held at Oschners Park August 27th, Tabled items: Elder Committee Goals Items for next council meeting (8/8 6:30 p.m.) Any further discussion & Action on School Board Call for Staffing 2017/2018. Calling of a 2nd Pastor Status. Review of purchasing policies. Church Council Organization. Study of Pastor Office at school. Adjournment (8:30 p.m.) Pastor Respectfully submitted, Marty Brey Secretary 3

4 Upcoming Events Sunday, August 27 th at 11 am at Ochsner Park main shelter. Pork sandwiches, hot dogs, beverages and place settings will be provided. Please bring a dish to pass according to your family s last name: A - D: Appetizers E - H: Fruits or Vegetables I - P: Salad Q - Z: Desserts To aid in planning, we are asking that you let us know if you are planning to join us at the picnic. Please sign-up by Sunday, August 20 th and the sheet will be in the narthex. By NO means will we deny you the opportunity to join us if you do not RSVP or if you are unable to bring a dish to pass. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!!! Time of Grace Now Broadcast Sundays at 6:30 am Channel 3 /CBS Guest Pastor Pastor Rueben Schmitz, from Bethesda Ministries, will be our guest pastor on Sunday, August 13, Bethesda Lutheran Communities is a Christian organization that provides homes and other services for people with developmental disabilities to help them live the lives they want. They provide an array of services that include homes, day programs, employment support, faith support, camps, and educational support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mike Westendorf Concert On Thursday, August 17 th at 6:30 pm at Church we invite you to a night of great music with recording artist Mike Westendorf and his band as they share a night of songs from his latest album Songs We Carry. The concert will be in place of church services and we will not have communion. This will be a great night for all ages as Mike shares some of the stories behind the songs everyone can relate to. Congregational Meeting The next Congregational meeting will be held Sunday, September 10, following our worship service. Luther s 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation WELS Anniversary Picnic The WELS church members from the area are invited for a picnic on Saturday, September 23, at Ochsner s Park in Baraboo from 10 am to 5 pm. This is a chance for us all to come together as one in Christ. The potluck will start at 1 pm. Please contact Mark Bloss from St. John s Rock Springs at (608) with any questions you might have. Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. 4

5 From the Church Library St. John s Lutheran School News SCHOOL REGISTRATION FOR NEXT YEAR: Registration for the next school year is as follows: Monday, August 21st ~ 11:30-12:00 Classroom, 12:00-1:15 Gym, 1:15-1:45, & 1:45-2:15 classroom. Tuesday, August 22 ~ 6:00-6:30 classroom, 6:30-7:45 Gym. 7:45-8:15 & 8:15-8:45 Classroom. Parents should try to attend one of these to receive the latest information about the new school year. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: The new school year starts on Monday, August 28, SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ST. JOHN S SCHOOL: For the upcoming school year, , the school board is offering 5 full scholarships to families who would be new to our school. Please share this with friends and neighbors as we reach out to our community. Any questions, please contact Martin Strobel at or Craig Breitkreutz at TUITION ASSISTANCE: Please consider contributing to the Tuition Assistance Fund. This is a supplemental fund available to St. John s member families who seek assistance paying their children s school tuition. If you would like to donate to Tuition Assistance, please stop at church or include a donation with your offering. The available total is now $4,654. Thanks for your continuing support or our wonderful school. Looking for a movie to watch when it is hot outside and you need a little AC? Check out our library for great movies this summer. Baraboo Food Pantry August Jell-O and Pudding September Toiletries Church League Softball Monday Nights We only have an A team this year. The games are all at Pierce Park. Schedules are on the narthex desk. Tournaments start August 14 th. Recycling Helps Our School It s summer and who doesn t enjoy relaxing with a cool beverage after a hot day, am I right? Please remember that our school is happy to take your aluminum cans and redeem them for cash which is funneled to needy but non-budgeted areas. Bag them (crush them if you want) and drop them off in the fence next to the parking lot exit when you are in town.. maybe after church every Sunday! Pass the word, believe it or not it does add up! Thanks so much for supporting your school and its programs. ~ Mr. O 5

6 READ THROUGH YOUR BIBLE IN THREE YEARS August 2017 August 1 Amos 6 August 2 Amos 7:1-8:3 August 3 Amos 8:4-9:15 August 4 Hosea 1, 2 August 5 Hosea 3 August 6 Hosea 4:1-5:14 August 7 Hosea 5:15-8:14 August 8 Hosea 9, 10 August 9 Hosea 11, 12 August 10 Hosea 13, 14 August 11 Psalms 13, 14 August 12 Psalms 15, 16 August 13 Psalm 17 August 14 Psalms 18:1-30 August 15 Psalms 18:31-50 August 16 Psalm 19 August 17 Psalms 20, 21 August 18 Psalms 22:1-21 August 19 Psalms 22:22-31 August 20 Psalms 23, 24 August 21 Psalm 25 August 22 Psalm 26 August 23 Psalm 27 August 24 Psalms 28, 29 August 25 1 Thessalonians 1 August 26 1 Thessalonians 2 August 27 1 Thessalonians 3 August 28 1 Thessalonians 4 August 29 1 Thessalonians 5 August 30 2 Thessalonians 1 August 31 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 August Special Envelopes Tuition Assistance Thank You Please accept our sincere appreciation to everyone who served our family and friends during the meal following Marjorie s funeral. You allowed us to cherish, and find comfort in that time together. The family of Marjorie Litscher NO LADIES AID MEETING in August Volunteers Needed Stewardship Committee Members Needed Help St. John s better utilize time, talents, and treasures of our members. If you are willing to serve on our Stewardship Committee please contact Brent Bailey, Called Worker Care Committee A new committee has been formed here at St. John s. This is a synod-encouraged committee. Our mission is to encourage and support our called workers in their ministry at our church. We are blessed to have the dedicated called workers that we have, and this is one way in which we can insure that they have a forum to express their insights, ideas, and concerns. We have already spoken with several members of our staff and will continue to do so. The committee members are Bill and Kris Neumann and Bill and Susan Grosz. If you are interested in joining this committee, please contact Bill Neumann,

7 Ladies Aid Scholarship Applications Ladies Aid has awarded $24,800 to 77 students in scholarships since 2001! Students who apply for these scholarships to attend Lutheran high schools have to answer one of the following essay questions: Why do you want to attend a Lutheran high school? How will the Christian training you ve received so far help you serve the Lord as you get older? How have you benefitted from going to a Lutheran high school? I have benefitted greatly from attending Luther Prep, in more ways than I can possibly imagine. I have received an excellent education in a Christian setting. I am coached by teachers, who not only express their faith in the classroom, but also on the field. I have friends who have such strong faiths, who advise me to go to God in everything. Most importantly, I have benefitted from this school because my faith is continually growing and being strengthened. Grace Underwood I have benefitted from going to a Lutheran High School because I have learned more Christian values, and how to practice them when going into the world. Bryce Underwood I have and plan to continue to attend Luther Prep because it helps me stay true to Christs path. Along with the training I have received since Kindergarten, this can help me lead others to Christ. And by attending a Lutheran High School, I will not only further my knowledge in Christ, but build long lasting friendships with my brothers and sisters in Christ as well. Josey Frazier I want to attend a Lutheran High School because being surrounded by Gods word in high school is important. Teenage years can be some of the most challenging years spiritually, so attending a Lutheran High School helps during these years. I ve benefitted from going to a Lutheran High School because I ve made Christian friends that are lifetime friends. Receiving Christian training will help me in the future to spread Gods word in any career path I choose pastor or not. In Christ, Nolan Brown The reason why I want to attend a Lutheran High School is because I want to keep a strong faith in my savior. Also to keep learning in Christ, make new friends there, this is why I want to attend LPS. Cole Wohlrab WLCFS - Christian Family Solutions Meeting with a Christian counselor is easier than ever. When individuals, couples, or families want to meet with a Christian counselor but can t find the time, can t find a convenient clinic location, or are tired of the hassles of insurance, meeting by video can remove those obstacles. You can meet from a private location at home, school or work. Connect quickly and easily via video using your iphone, Android, PC or MAC. Contact information: phone or cfc@wlcfs.org. 7

8 Worship Service Options If you can t attend worship services physically at the church, you have options to participate: Radio - Sundays at 10 AM WRPQ, 740 AM and 99.7 FM Computer/smart phone - Sundays at 10 AM WRPQ.com for live audio streaming Television -Sundays at 12 noon Cable Channel 10 and TV 43 Please contact the church office, , if you would like to receive a bulletin via the mail before the Sunday service so one can be mailed to you. Large print versions are also available if you prefer. WORLD MISSION NEWS Apacheland Apacheland is the first WELS world mission field, established in Mission work is conducted in eastern Arizona on the White Mountain Apache Reservation and the San Carlos Reservation. Five Apache men are now serving the churches and various ministries as pastors and evangelists. A long-range plan for Native American ministry is being discussed by the leaders of the ministries with the goal to continue to preach the gospel, serve the people, and grow the ministries on the Apache reservations. Blessings are abundant at both Peridot and East Fork Schools as enrollments are on the rise, and the high school is looking forward to adding grade ten. Contact Information Does the church office have your up-to-date contact information? We need current addresses, phone numbers, and addresses for different reasons at different times of the year. Many people have dropped their landline phones or switched providers and forgotten to tell us about the changes. Please take a moment to (churchoffice@stjohnsbaraboo.org), call the office , or add the information to your friendship register slip so we can update your records. Thank You Thank you to everyone who helped with the Outreach Committee s fair booth. It was a big success. The booth was very well received and although this year s booth was more educational, (evangelistic as opposed to outreach) we still received some inquiries about our school and childcare. Sincerely, Tim Kiefer, Outreach Committee Leader Hospitalization Please contact the church office ( ) if you or a loved one is being/has been hospitalized. Hospitals no longer regularly let us know about our hospitalized members. Off to WELS Schools This Fall Martin Luther College: Abby Bartel, Kaitlyn Bochler, Jodi Halvorson, Micah Otto, and Sarah Quinn, Luther Preparatory School (LPS): Nolan Brown, Josey Frazier, Bryce Underwood, Grace Underwood and Cole Wohlrab 8

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