WHAT ABOUT LIVING TOGETHER WITHOUT MARRIAGE?

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1 A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ST. JOHN S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Volume 40, Issue 6 June Court Street Pekin, Illinois (309) WHAT ABOUT LIVING TOGETHER WITHOUT MARRIAGE? June is traditionally a favorite month for weddings. It's a good time to thank God for the gift of holy wedlock and its many blessings for married couples, their families, and society generally. It's also a good time to remember God's good and holy will regarding marriage, so that by the guidance and strength we receive from His Spirit through His word, we can honor God and His gift of marriage. In today's society, one of the greatest affronts to God and His gift of marriage is the practice of living together without marriage. This is when a man and a woman decide to live together in the same household as though they were married, when in fact they are not married. Sadly, this behavior is now quite common in the United States, and has become a problem even in the church. As in so many other areas of life, so also in this area some people who profess faith in Christ have strayed away from God's ways, and have chosen instead to follow the sinful ways of the unbelieving world. This is a serious danger to one's faith and life in Christ. Simply put, living together without marriage is sinful. When a couple engages in this behavior, they disobey God and dishonor His gift of holy wedlock. One of the many pertinent things God says about this is recorded in Hebrews 13:4. "Let marriage be held in honor by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge fornicators and adulterers." Living together without marriage is spiritually harmful and dangerous, because persistence in unrepentant sin will destroy Christian faith. This behavior is harmful also to the couple themselves, any children involved, and their families generally, as the live-in relationship has no solid foundation of loving commitment and public accountability. Anyone can easily walk out at any time. It is little wonder the divorce rates of couples who lived together before marriage are dramatically higher than those of couples who did not. To reinforce your Christian understanding and commitment in this important matter, I have reprinted for your reading a little pamphlet on the subject issued by former LC-MS President Alvin Barry, whose soul is now resting with Jesus. It's called, "What About Living Together Without Marriage?" It uses many relevant Bible passages to explain the issue in a simple and readable manner. Please take the time to read it in this newsletter, and if you know someone else who might benefit from it, pass it on to that person. We also have available for your reading and edification a little booklet written by our current LC-MS President Matthew Harrison, entitled, "Second Thoughts about Living Together." This booklet is a bit more extensive than Dr. Barry's little pamphlet. We have placed some on the literature table in the elevator annex. Feel free to take and read one of these, and to give it to anyone else who could benefit from reading it. God be praised for His gift of marriage! And God be praised for His gift of Jesus! For in Him we have the forgiveness of sins, and thus also the will and the strength to live in the good and healthy ways of Christian godliness. - Pastor Bishop

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4 Christian Education Sunday School Perfect Attendance April 2014 PRE-SCHOOL Briella Hoover Cole Miller Izza Shaddock Nathan Shaddock KINDERGARTEN Carter Miller FIRST GRADE Bradley Hoover THIRD GRADE Brayden Hoover EIGHTH GRADE Quest Dobbelaire JUNE BIRTHDAYS June 02 Terri Grimm Curtis Woolsey June 04 Jody Benson Brian Johnson June 05 Molly Hicks Robert Hurst Emma Norman June 06 Lois Becker Rachel Glassey June 07 Horst Hupke Derrick Norman June 08 Joli Andrae Eric Jensen Shelly Justi Parker Ruder June 09 Vera Bozdech June 10 Tisha Daniels June 11 Helen Massa Austin Walls Eugene Woolsey June 12 Alissa Heisel Dylan Kesselmayer Richard Ronna June 13 Tyrone Gullett June 14 Donna Hurst June 15 Shane Beeney Elizabeth Ford June 16 Opal Henry Ellen Morrison June 17 Joshua Hillman Tracy Lundeen June 18 Nancy Brown Gregory Burris June 19 Nona Buster Briella Hoover Stephanie Lundberg June 21 Doris Courtright Alexander Jackson June 22 Nichelle Gauger Michael Pitchford Ashley Walls June 24 Jennifer Leach June 25 Zachary Ferguson Jeni Oschwald Olivia Theleritis June 26 Janie Spelbring William Wiker, Jr. June 27 Joy Rusk June 29 Lynda Adkins Jennifer Neal June 30 Marty Bohannan Paula Norman Ryann Wilson JUNE ANNIVERSARIES June 01 George & Marilyn Mason Vincent & Deanna Oltman June 03 Gregory & Tonya Burris Sean & Nicole Kelley June 04 Joel & Nancy Bonnette June 06 Gerold & Caralee Bohannan Randall & Kendra McDaniels June 09 Nathan & Nicole Ronna June 10 Christopher & Brooke Pfanz June 12 Timothy & Denise Adkins John & Vera Bozdech June 13 Daniel & Jennifer Leach June 16 Jeremy & Lena Otey June 17 David & Jennifer Kesselmayer June 18 Gregory & Virginia Gauger Wallace & Julie Hammond June 21 Joseph & Ricki Belcher

5 June Anniversaries (Cont d) June 22 James & Donna Corso Wade & Rosemary Peacock June 23 Dean & Linda Cooper June 27 Alan & Kim Gudzinskas June 29 Doron & Belinda Frankel David & Kathleen Miller Church Attendance PARISH NOTES April , serv. April , serv. April , serv. Sunday School Attendance April 2014: 1,028 April 2013: 964 April 2012: 1,066 Greeters June June 01 8:00 Darrell & Donna Hansen 10:30 Barbara Theleritis June 08 8:00 Dee Rees June 15 8:00 Leon & Eileen Tiona June 22 8:00 Don & Valerie Dobbelaire June 29 8:00 Veva Martin Acolytes June June 01 8:00 Olivia Driskell 10:30 Nick Fornoff June 08 8:00 Quest Dobbelaire 10:30 Olivia Theleritis June 15 8:00 Robert Whitlatch 10:30 Quinn Theleritis June 22 8:00 Abi Dagit 10:30 Danielle Watson June 29 8:00 Olivia Driskell 10:30 Ethan Szadkowski Videographers June Gregg Swibold Samuel Bishop Worship Committee June Gregg Swibold Communion Assistance June June 01 8:00 Randy Couch 10:30 Steve Depew June 08 8:00 Tom Ivey 10:30 Steve Depew June 15 8:00 Dan Rees 10:30 Ross Gould June 29 8:00 Ray Barnes Daryl Dagit John Gillespie Dave Kesselmayer Garret Kesselmayer Daniel Rees 8:00 Randy Couch 10:30 Tom Ivey Ushers June 10:30 Bruce Gettman Ken Memken Dan Watson TREASURER S REPORT April, 2014 April Y-T-D INCOME 37, , EXPENSES 26, , INCOME- 11, , EXPENSES LIABILITIES Note Payable HVAC/Roof Loan 0.00 Payroll Liabilities 1, Misc. LCMS Orgs Fund TOTAL LIABILITIES CURRENT Checking & Link Money Market General Fund -30, Good Shepherd School 0.00 Educational Grant Fund Building Fund 2, Sunday School Fund 8, ACT Fund 0.00 Memorial Fund 41, Library Fund 0.00 Total Checking & Link 21, Money Market CDs & Common Stock Educational Grant Fund CD #1 100, Educational Grant Fund CD #2 Vanguard 75, E. Bluff Property Fund CD 104, Schwab Cash Account Cat Stock at FMV 48, Total CDs & Common Stock 329, TOTAL ASSETS: 351, Checking Account Balance 21, Total 21, FUND BALANCE Funds to Pay Note Payable 0.00 Net Income (Loss) 18, Capital Accounts 331, TOTAL FUND BALANCE 349, TOTAL LIABILITIES & FUND BALANCE 351,308.84

6 HI-LITES OF ST. JOHN S VOTERS ASSEMBLY May 12, 2014 President Ray Barnes called the meeting to order. A quorum was present. Pastor Bishop opened with devotions. A motion was made by Tom Ivey and seconded by Bob Oliverius to approve the Parish Report. The minutes from the April 14, 2014 Voters Meeting were approved as published. Treasurer s Report Daryl Dagit presented the April 2014 Treasurer s Report. Mary Beck made a motion to accept the report, which was seconded by Howie Proehl. Motion carried. Board of Trustees Gary Pool reported that the Trustees have scheduled their next work day for Saturday, May 17, and volunteers are needed for working on the church lawn and cleaning Pastor Niemann s former office. The Trustees have posted a volunteer sign-up sheet for mowing around the church and parsonage this season and greatly appreciate any help. Board of Finance Nothing to report. Board of Elders Tom Ivey reported that LifeTouch Photography will get in touch with the Elders with scheduling starting in August. Updates will be added to the church bulletin. Board of Christian Education The last meeting was held on May 5 th. Most of the new televisions have been mounted. Thanks to the Trustees and those involved in mounting them. Four students attended the youth conference at Zion Lutheran Church in Lincoln on April 26. Pastor Bishop provided transportation for the students. GSLS is having a garage sale on May 17 th. A garage sale and craft show will be held in June. GSLS Board meetings will commence at 6:30 p.m. Easter breakfast went very well, with a profit of $320 for the youth group. Board of Stewardship The Stewardship Committee met tonight and discussed the food pantry that will be primarily for our church members; however nonmembers will not be excluded. Food items and toiletries will be collected and distributed. The Committee also discussed the possibility of having a special drive to help defray the costs of the proposed church construction projects. Board of Evangelism Nothing to report. Unfinished Business Last month Gary Pool reported that over the past couple years the Trustees have considered several of the major repairs and maintenance needs of the church. With the help of the Long-Range Planning Committee, the Finance Committee, and a survey taken in 2011, the Trustees narrowed a long list of projects and received bids on their estimated costs. Gary Pool made a motion, seconded by Tom Ivey, that St. John s Lutheran Church secure a loan for $300,000 using the investments (CDs and the Vanguard account) as collateral to complete the repairs to the church including: Repair and re-cement the stained glass windows and cover with new tempered glass; Install new flooring throughout the church with a combination of carpet and commercial tile (all carpeted areas except the offices and library); Major repair of the 1927 Hinners Organ; Sanctuary lighting; Clean, prepare, and paint the architectural stone detail around the church; and A new phone system. This motion was carried over for vote at the May Voters Meeting. A vote on the motion noted above was unanimously approved. New Business There was no new business. The meeting adjourned and closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Ivey, Secretary The youth group will be assisting three members with yard work or other household chores on May 18 th starting at 2:00 p.m.

7 COMMITTEES JUNE S LIBRARY CORNER by Eileen Tiona will ELDERS short, meeting after the second service on June 1. There be a special "Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:10 We have 5 new books in the library. TRUSTEES will a work on Saturday, June 14th, starting at 8:00 a.m. Don t forget to sign up to help with mowing at the church and Parsonage. have day A BIG THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY VOLUNTEERED. ************************************ ORGANIZATIONS FELLOWSHIP CLUB We By Eileen Tiona will re- sume our meetings in September. Watch the journal and bulletin for information. Hope you all have a wonderful and safe summer. See you in September. WOMEN S GUILD By Deb Lakamp The next meeting of the Ladies Guild will be held on Thursday, June 26th at 7:00 pm. Our hostesses for the evening will be Vi Deppert (chairperson) and Deanna Bishop. Please bring an offering of paper goods for the Carol House of Hope (toilet tissue, paper towels, Kleenex, napkins). All ladies of our congregation are encouraged to attend. "The Delicate Balance, Coming Catastrophic Changes on Planet Earth" by John Zajac. "Engaging the Closed Minded" Presenting Your Faith to the Confirmed Unbeliever by Dan Story. "Tales From Two Rivers V" by John Hallwas and Alfred Lindsey. This documentation of the social history of Illinois as written by those who lived it. "Tales From Two Rivers VI by John Hallwas and Alfred Lindsey. This documentation of the social history of Illinois as written by those who lived it. The above books were donated to the library by Pastor Niemann. "Look to the East" by Maureen Lang. Look to the East gives a glimpse into the past that will make you reflect upon the characters and message long after you've finished reading. Donna Hansen donated this book. Thank you Pastor Niemann and Donna Hansen for your donation of these books. Please come in and check out all the wonderful books we have available for your reading enjoyment. CID Day At Busch will be August 30 at 6:15 pm. Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals Infield Terrace Reserved (Sections ) Behind Home Plate under the shade of the terrace level roof $50 per ticket. Deadline for ordering is August 4 Order form on bulletin board in Gym For more information, see website:

8 GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN SCHOOL JUNE 2014 NEWSLETTER GSLS STAFF NEEDS: Good Shepherd has positions open for next school year. We are looking for a volunteer to coach JV Girls Basketball and a volunteer for Varsity Girls Basketball. We ar3e also looking for a Band Director and a Preschool Aide as well as a Librarian. If you are interested in any of these positions, please review the job description at and an application. Summer Hours for Good Shepherd are 7 am to 1 pm Monday thru Thursday. The office will be closed on Fridays. School Board meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month starting at 6:30 p.m. Registration: The school year registration will be Monday, August 4th from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Swim Party at Dragon Land is schedule for August 16th times to be announced. will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran School June 22 to June 26 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Preschoolers through 8th graders will traverse the "Gangway to Galilee" as they learn more about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We need many wonderful volunteers to make this year a success, so we ask you to prayerfully consider joining us in this service. If you are interested in helping with this endeavor, please contact Jamie Nursery babysitting will be available for those who are volunteering. Registration is open for children 3 years old through 8th grade. Sunday, June 22nd to the 26th, 6:00-8:30 p.m. PEKIN CIVIC CHORUS Is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee (60 years) this year. Shows are: June 4th thru June 7th at 7:30 p.m. June 8th at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $15.00, you can reserve yours at or from Dave Drockelman at Performance is in the F.M. Peterson Theater at Pekin Com- In Our Prayers If you know of anyone who needs to be added, please let the church office know. All our shut-ins Walt Dozard - GSLS student Nathan Barth - member of Armed Services Adam Jackson member of Armed Services (grand-nephew of Lila Lisenbee) Pastor Niemann Dale Schott Larry Massa - son of Helen Massa Lee Morgan Brian Williamson David Kesselmayer Ed Gaitros John Durdle Vernice Funk PEORIA BACH FESTIVAL will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 NE Randolph Ave., Peoria from June 2 to June 8. They are offering seven world class concerts and five other events including an event for children. Special Guest Artists will include conductor/ harpsichordist/organist extraordinaire Stephen Alltop from Chicago and his wife, Josefien Stoppelenburg, an internationally acclaimed soprano originally from the Netherlands who specializes in Baroque music. This is the twelfth season of the Peoria Bach Festival celebrating the music, life, and faith of one of history s greatest composers, Johann Sebastian Bach ( ). See bulletin board in the Gym for the schedule of

9 Transferred To The Church Triumphant Sammy Frederick Bill R. Borsch April 22, 1924 September 13, 1922 Apr. 26, 2014 April 29, 2014 Nelson A. Guengerich Gus H. Knieriem July 19, 1925 August 11, 1946 May 6, 2014 May 24, 2013