Lunch will be served by our Catechism students. See you there!

Transcription

1 January 2018 The VOICE Newsletter Page 1 Greetings and Happy New Year! Let s begin this New Year praising and thanking our Lord. Psalm Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; [a] we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. This is a Psalm of Thanksgiving. We begin our New Year by giving praise and thanksgiving to our Loving Lord for our families, friends & our church family too! As St. John s moves into the New Year we move into a time of many exciting things to look forward to. Our call committees are serving diligently to call the lead pastor and outreach pastor for St. John s. Church staff, leadership and our numerous ministry teams are focusing on serving our Lord and each of you in many meaningful ways as we follow our mission statement to guide us which is: Saved by the Grace of God to Witness and to Serve Others. There are many ways to witness and serve at this lively, active and faith-filled church. Learn more by reading the VOICE weekly and monthly newsletters. A great way to participate more fully can be learned in January in the adult Sunday School classes. They will be teaching Discipleship and everyone is invited to attend and learn more about our Lord, our Lutheran heritage, and the various ministries in this place. As your intentional interim pastor, I continue to desire to serve in ways that please the Lord and support you spiritually in worship and beyond. I thank the Lord for the blessing of serving each of you here. I am grateful for your encouragement, support, prayers and the enjoyable times we spend together. Our Bishop, Daniel Beaudoin, has declared for the Northwestern Ohio Synod that we will be focusing on prayer in The memory verse for The Year of Prayer is: Do not worry about anything, but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6) My prayers are with you! God bless you! In Christ, Pr. Cindy Ritter P.S. Save the date: Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday January 28 th at 12:30. Lunch will be served by our Catechism students. See you there!

2 January 2018 The VOICE Newsletter Page 2 DAILY PRAYER In our prayers (from December bulletins): Alana Gribble, health concerns Donna Westrick, health concerns Kathy Emch, health concerns Shirley Johnson, health concerns Mark Wilburn, health concerns Sandy Welling-Miller, health concerns Evelyn Leslie, health concerns Mary Shook, health concerns Kay Barrett, health concerns The birth of Alan Justin Daniel Stewart, son of Jackie & Andrew Stewart, born on December 4, 2017 If you or someone you know needs prayers, Volunteers on the Phone Prayer Chain are ready to pray for the needs of others. Contact Clyde Bame at DAILY BIBLE READING In 2018, we will be reading through the Old Testament. A daily reading schedule will be provided. Pick up a reading schedule in the Narthex! Jan. 1 Genesis 1-3 Jan. 2 Genesis Jan. 3 Genesis Jan. 4 Genesis Jan. 5 Exodus Jan. 6 Exodus Jan. 7 Exodus 40 - Leviticus 3 Jan. 8 Leviticus Jan. 9 Numbers 3 Jan. 10 Numbers Jan. 11 Numbers WEEKLY WORSHIP Sunday Schedule 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 a.m. Christian Education 10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship Service 11:45 a.m. Fellowship Worship Attendance December 3 ~ 163 December 10 ~ 196 December 17 ~ 192 December 24 ~ 405 Jan. 12 Deuteronomy 3-4 Jan. 13 Deuteronomy Jan. 14 Joshua 4-6 Jan. 15 Joshua Jan. 16 Judges 9-10 Jan Samuel 1-3 Jan Samuel Jan Samuel 3-5 Jan Samuel Jan Kings 8 Jan Kings Jan Kings Jan Chronicles 2-3 Jan Chronicles Jan Chronicles 1-4 Jan Chronicles Jan. 28 Ezra 4-7 Jan. 29 Nehemiah 8-9 Jan. 30 Job 5-7 Jan. 31 Job GENEROUS GIVING Financial Giving as of Dec. 24, 2017 General Fund Income (Year-to-Date) Budget Actual $272,268 $302,134 Benevolence Fund (Year-to-Date) Budget Actual $29,266 $33,844 (Copies of current Financial Reports are in the wooden holders located to the right of the Prayer Desk in Narthex.)

3 January 2018 The VOICE Newsletter Page 3 The Church office will be closed on Monday, January 1 st, for New Year s Day JANUARY BIRTHDAYS (Those over 74 years young!) Jan. 1 Jean Baker Stony Ridge Rd., Perrysburg, Jan. 4 Mildred Perkins Lemoyne Rd., Millbury, Jan. 8 Earl Hagg 6505 Five Point Rd., Perrysburg, Jan. 12 Howard Bookenberger Lemoyne Rd., Walbridge, Jan. 13 Kathy Swihart 7002 Fremont Pike, Perrysburg, Jan. 15 Helyn Kurfess Shannon Hills Dr. N, Perrysburg, Jan. 20 Thomas Sevits McCutcheonville Rd., Perrysburg, Jan. 30 Janis Sheldrick 7521 Dowling Rd., Perrysburg, Jan. 30 Marilyn Goeckerman P.O. Box 19, Perrysburg, Jan. 30 Joan Swartz 7901 Dowling Rd., Perrysburg, Jan. 31 Carrie Mitchell 1612 Smith Dr., Genoa, FELLOWSHIP Un-Decorate the Church from Christmas Come one, come all, on Thursday, January 4 th. Many hands make light work. Un-Decorating begins at 6:30 p.m. Men's Reunion Men s reunion meeting will be on Wednesday, January 3 rd from 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. at Panera Bread on Route 20 in Perrysburg. Men's Breakfast Men's Breakfast will be on Saturday, January 13 th, from 7:30 a.m. -8:30 a.m. at Panera Bread on Route 20 in Perrysburg. All men are invited!

4 January 2018 The VOICE Newsletter Page 4 CHRISTIAN LEARNING Catechism/Sunday School Here's what s happening on Sundays as we head into the New Year: Jan. 7 Jan.14 Jan. 21 Jan. 28 Sunday school and Catechism classes in session Sunday school and Catechism classes in session Sunday school and Catechism classes in session Sunday school and Catechism classes in session Christmas Program Thank You! A HUGE thank you to all of the Sunday school students, parents, and teachers, Sharon Bitter, Clyde Bame, Andrea Forrester, Pastor Cindy Ritter, Christi Kieper, and Tiffany Porter for all of their help with this year s Christmas program. It was a huge success! None of it could have happened without you! Jan. 7 Jan.14 Jan. 21 Jan. 28 Adult Disciples Classes All adult disciples of St. John s are invited! Luther and Lutheranism St. John s; our history and our mission St. John s; our ministries where can I serve? St. John s; our ministries where can I serve? ANNUAL LYO SUB SALE It is time again for the St. John s LYO sub sale. Get your subs ordered for the big game. Orders will be taken on Sundays in January. Pick up will be Sunday, February 4 th after both services. 8 American, Italian, or Turkey subs will be available Proceeds to benefit St. John s youth activities including the National Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas in June Cash and checks made out to St. John s LYO will be accepted. ALTAR FLOWERS Next year s 2018 Flower Chart is now available and located on the bulletin board across from Pastor s office. We use two bouquets each Sunday; the cost is $20 per vase. When you sign up to place flowers, please ensure that they are paid for by the Sunday that they are on the altar, so that we can pay the monthly bill. Write altar flowers on your check/offering envelope. If no one signs up to place flowers, we use our church silk flowers.

5 January 2018 The VOICE Newsletter Page 5 SERVING OTHERS WITNESS/INVITING OTHERS The Call Committee has been working diligently on completing the Ministry Site Profile. The profile is a potential candidate s first introduction to our congregation. The Call Committee completed and approved the Ministry Site Profile on November 19 th. The profile was then presented and approved by Church Council on November 28 th. Synod Call Facilitator has reviewed and approved the profile. The position opening and description have been posted on the ELCA website for potential candidates to view. This is the completion of a major step in the process to find our next Lead Pastor. The Call Committee s next task will be to work on developing interview questions for potential candidates. We need to remember that the Holy Spirit is leading us in this process. We ask that you continue to keep the Call Committee in your prayers as we continue on this journey to find our new Lead Pastor. Members of the Call Committee include: Diane Boelkens, Chairperson; Jeremy Orth, Vice- Chair; Emily Bockbrader, Secretary; Susie Bame, Paul Bamford, Emily Cajka, Melissa Heilman, Linda Henry, and Jamie Pustay. This is Erik Withrow, and I just wanted to let the congregation know about a really cool opportunity I have coming up this month. I will be traveling with Cru on another mission trip; this time for 11 days to a city in South Asia we call Gateway. You might remember I went to Slovenia this past summer for six weeks, and I will be doing many of the same things this winter in the Gateway city. I will be talking to college students here in one of the three universities that are located in this major port of South Asia. In this part of the world, human trafficking and sexual slavery is a huge issue. I will have the chance to work with human trafficking victims while I m there, and get to care for and show compassion toward them to demonstrate Christ s love for His people. I wanted to thank the congregation for your support, both last summer and for this trip, and most importantly, ask for your prayers as I journey to a country completely different from the one we live in. Pray that I adjust to the culture there, and that God gives me and the rest of the people going on the trip the words to speak and the patience and compassion to show these broken people. Thanks again for making it possible for me to travel the world in His Name!

6 January 2018 The VOICE Newsletter Page 6 You are invited to a free pre-planning workshop 10 Things your family should know - on Sunday, February 25 th at 9:45 a.m. in the sanctuary at St. John s. Hosted by Marsh Funeral Homes, the workshop consists of a free organizer* to keep copies of important papers as well as other helpful items to guide your family when they need it most. It is the easiest way to start the conversation on topics most people really don t want to talk about and a great way to plan ahead for your family. Open to the public! Invite a friend! Look for a sign-up sheet in the Narthex in January. Questions contact the church office at or officeadmin@stjohnsstonyridge.net *RSVP not required but suggested to be guaranteed an organizer. SOCIAL MINISTRIES Sunday Specials for January Shared Bounty is collecting dish soap Food Pantry is collecting cereal Please place in the bin in the coatroom. Thanks in advance for your support! THANK YOU from Social Ministries THANK YOU to Jan Rucki and her family for the shopping cart full of goodies for the food pantry. You continue to bless so many from our community with your donations each year at your family s party!! Thank you to Judy Bamford and her bunco group for the donation of food for the food pantry. We are grateful for your kind hearts. THANK YOU to everyone that helped assemble fruit plates and then deliver them and a poinsettia to our homebound. A special thank you to Glen & Doris Welling for organizing again this year. What a gift you all are to the four families that we adopted this Christmas. The tree in the Narthex was once again spilling beyond the branches with your generosity!! You never cease to amaze us with your generous hearts with all of the service projects this time of the year. It is a joy to witness and to serve other others beside you all!! Thank you to the Catechism students and their parents for your help at out Thanksgiving and Christmas food pantries. There will be an organizational meeting for our next cookbook soon. Meeting details will be coming soon. Look for it in the weekly announcements or on our Facebook page. We are still looking for anyone that would like to join us for this short term committee. We hope to get it organized and to the printer for a fall sale. Contact Jerri if you would like to join us. Just a reminder to join us Tuesday, January 16 th at Chili s on Route 20. Please pick up a flyer in the Narthex, use the flyer below or show the flyer from our Facebook page. This is good all day from 11:00 a.m. close. Proceeds to benefit Social Ministries.

7 January 2018 The VOICE Newsletter Page 7 PASTORAL ACTS MEMORIALS Baptism On 12/15/17 Anthony Charles St. Louis In Loving Memory of Lowell Baker Marge Sheldrick The family of Jessie & James Reitzel Paul & Beverly Laubenthal Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday, January 28 th at 12:30 Lunch served by our Catechism students at noon. $5 per person or $10 per family. In January, we start a new Bible study entitled Multiple Meanings: Learning from other interpretations. Session 1, WASHING HANDS WITH DISTANT HEARTS, is found in the January/February issue of Gather magazine. The study will begin at 1:30 in the Lounge on Wednesday, January 10 th. All are welcome. COMFORTERS FOR LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF will be tied on Thursday, January 4 th, in the Parish House from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. If you can tie a knot, you can do this. DATE TO REMEMBER: Thursday, January 4 Tie Comforters Wednesday, January 10 Bible Study (Rebekah Circle) PRAY FOR SPECIAL CONCERNS EVERY MONDAY AT NOON. Pray for peace and love in our families, communities, and world.

8 January 2018 The VOICE Newsletter Page 8 LIBRARY NEWS We have added some new books and DVD s to read and watch on these cold winter days. DVD The Book of Ruth - Journey of Faith Books for adult readers Share Jesus without Fear by William Fay Knowing Scripture by R.C. Sproul Time - Life - American Wilderness series Atlantic Beaches by Jonathan Norton Leonard Cactus Country by Edward Abbey Baja, California by William Weber Johnson Kid s books Pal and Sal by R.A. Herman A Book about Your Skeleton by Ruth Belov Grass The Chimp That Went to School by Peggy Parish Can You Feel It by Sonali Fry The Lord's Prayer for Children You Are Special by Max Lucado Technical Foul by Rich Wallace Haunting at Home Plate by David Patneaude You can visit the library whenever the church is open.

9 January 2018 The VOICE Newsletter Page 9 THANK YOU to Council for serving during Sunday s fellowship time in December. THANKS to all who brought in cookies & snacks! Fellowship will be serving in January. Thank yous were received from the following: Genacross for the gift of $ Lutheran Social Services for the gift of $51.35 (11/17) and $46.63 (12/17) Lutheran Home of Mercy for the gift of $ Thank you to the wonderful people of St. John s for the gift card. It means so much to have our St. John s church family remember us at Christmas. I am so thankful for your kindness and generosity. Merry Christmas! Major Tracy Prey and family Thank you to Lynda Lees for the warm and comforting prayer shawl that she so kindly took her time to make for me. It is greatly appreciated and very useful. Linda Bockbrader I would like to thank Pastor Cindy for her home visit, communion, and prayers during an especially anxious time before and after surgery. I am grateful Pastor Cindy could share her gift of comfort, compassion and scripture! I am also very appreciative of the cards and thoughtfulness from my church family! Linda Bockbrader Thank all of you from the Angels that give up their time to wrap-stack-stock-paperwork and help each one of us! Thank you for the constant prayers. My husband had a collapsed lung and was in the hospital 3 times in two and a half months. But now he is on the mend! There are so many in the hospitals this year our prayers are with each and every one! Thank you for allowing me to be on the prayer chain as I know the Lord hears each and every prayer. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Gloria & Gilbert Chesson and family I would like to thank Pastor Cindy for prayers before my surgery, home visit, and communion. I would like to thank Lynda Lees for the prayer shawl and the congregation for all their cards and phone calls. Also, I want to thank Rachael Swartz for filling in as part-time secretary. Shirley Johnson The Christmas party for Shared Bounty was once again a big success. Thanks to so many who helped make it possible. Thanks to those who brought gift bags, those who provided and served Christmas goodies, who helped the kids shop and wrapped their gifts. Thanks to Stones of Praise for providing music to all. We are blessed to have such a caring congregation! Mark your Calendars for February February 14 Ash Wednesday February 21 Lenten Services February 25 Marsh Funeral Home Planning Workshop February 28 Lenten Services