St. John s Journal JESUS' MIRACLES SHOW US OUR FUTURE. July/August 2018

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1 July/August 2018 A M o n t h l y N e w s l e t t e r o f S t. J o h n s E v a n g e l i c a l C h u r c h The Gospel reading appointed for July 1 is Mark 5:21-43, the account of two wonderful miracles of Jesus. One is the raising of Jairus' daughter from the dead; the other is the healing of a woman who had a flow of blood. (It would be helpful to read this passage from Mark before you read the rest of this little article.) We Christians often think about Jesus' miracles as proof He really is the Son of God. And they are most certainly that! The questions and answers section in our commonly used Small Catechism edition directs us to the divine works of Jesus as part of the reason we know He is true God. Jesus Himself also taught that His miracles testified to His divine identity. When the Jews wanted to stone Him for claiming to be God, Jesus said, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him. John 10:38 In addition to showing us Jesus' divinity, His miracles also show the nature of His gracious reign, and therefore they show us our future! In other words, Jesus' miracles are signs that the kingdom or reign of God has come. (See, for example, Matthew 12:28 and 10:7-8.) Our Lord's divine works show us what He came to do for us. In this sense they are a sneak preview, if you will, of what Jesus will do fully in the consummation of the kingdom of God, when He comes again. In the reading from Mark 5 we hear how Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead. The little twelve year old girl had become ill and died, but Jesus came and took her by the hand, and simply by telling her to rise, brought her back to life! This was a powerful miracle that saved her from death, and amazed and comforted her parents. At the same time, this miracle gives us a glimpse of our future. When Jesus comes again and brings about His glorious kingdom, He will raise all His believers from the dead to live forever! At some point Jairus' daughter had to die again, of course. But in the fullness of Jesus' reign, He will raise us to immortal life, never to die again! (See 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 to read more about this.) In the Mark reading we also hear how Jesus healed a woman who was afflicted by a flow of blood for twelve years. She had suffered much and spent all her money on physicians who could not help her. But Jesus healed her instantly by the divine power that went out from Him. It was a great miracle that healed her bodily and made her clean according to the Old Testament ceremonial law. This miracle is likewise a great preview of our future. When our King and Savior comes in His glory, He will heal our bodies and make us truly clean, perfectly and permanently! That woman must have succumbed to some other bodily affliction eventually. But when Jesus brings about His reign of glory, He will raise our bodies in glory so that they will be imperishable, fully and forever healed! (See also 1 Corinthians 15:43,52 and Revelation 22:2.) As you hear the accounts of Jesus' miracles, then, let His divine power fill you with hope and set your minds on a far, far greater future. For He who came to save you from sin and death by His forgiving death and resurrection, came to save you for glorious, immortal, imperishable life with Him forever! Thanks be to Jesus! - Pastor Bishop St. John s Journal Volume 44, Issue 7/8 JESUS' MIRACLES SHOW US OUR FUTURE 711 Court Street, Pekin, Illinois stjohnsec@grics.net (309)

2 Christian Education Sunday School Perfect Attendance May 2018 Pre-School- Kindergarten Elyse Hopping Zander Hopping JULY BIRTHDAYS July 1 Mike Ashbaker July 3 Kenneth Beck Jane Heberer Ethan Sego Morgan Sego July 5 Howard Proehl Vincent Ruder Michael Sipka Cody Watson July 7 Matthew Lappie Thomas Lappie Elliot Nelson July 09 Judy Nizzia Eileen Tiona July 10 Kay Aulenbach Gavin Ruder July 11 Donald Dobbelaire July 12 Courtney Dobbelaire Anna Knussman Austin Pool Brycen Warenburg Rachel Wooden July 13 Jamie Gaitros Veva Martin July 15 Christopher Miller Elizabeth Sayles Eric Smith Susan Wertz July 16 Gary Allan Nancy Schmick Joe Szadkowski Robert Thompson July 17 Jeffery Jackson Ashleigh Kelley Mason Schoch Michael Wilson July 18 Brendan Hillman July 19 Rachel Keehner Sandra Vice July 20 Julia McCammon July 22 Isabelle Anderson Daden Ruder July 23 Valerie Dobbelaire July 24 Jacob Adkins Daniel Heisel July 25 Donna Corso Daniel McClure Christy Watson Verlyn Williams July 26 Lisa Alexander Rodney Bollinger Lee Morgan Lena Otey July 27 Susan Swibold July 28 Caralee Bohannan Jack Hall Aaron Schmidgall July 29 Christina Abatie Clarence Sonny Mack July 31 Kevin Dobbelaire Dale Ehmke Dennis Ziegenhorn JULY ANNIVERSARIES July 4 Melvyn & Shirley Gentry July 07 Orjan & Stephanie Lundberg July 11 Vince & Sandra Tennell July 13 Aaron & Amy Dingerson July 14 Stephen & Amanda Webb July 15 Jeremy & Amber Winstead July 16 Darrell & Donna Hansen July 18 Paul & Jamie Driskell Dennis & Elisa Ziegenhorn July 19 Jeffrey & Angela Theleritis July 20 George & Tammi Andrae Chris & Shelly Bitner July 21 Ryan & Joy Rusk July 26 Tim & Ashley Chambliss July 27 Shane & Jami Beeney July 29 Rev. Bruce & Deborah Lakamp AUGUST BIRTHDAYS August 01 Jane Hawkins Cheryl Williams August 02 Sarah Calhoun Robert Houge Alexander Vasterling August 03 Alan Gudzinskas David Miller Rosetta Turner Amanda Wertz August 04 Shelly Bitner Nancy Drockelman August 06 Melvyn Gentry August 07 Sharill Andrae Dale Schott August 08 Shirley Gentry Avery Theleritis August 09 Susan Vasterling August 10 Addie Burling Lillie Martin August 11 Velma Widby August 13 Elyse Hopping Steve Kesselmayer August 15 Benjamin Becker James Lonergan 2

3 August Birthdays (cont d) August 16 Deanna Bishop Patrick Flatley Sierra Pool Robert Rosa August 18 Jennifer Rosa Hinkley Ben Rahn, Jr. August 19 Rhonda Lappie Sandra Tennell August 20 Aron Tucker August 21 Noah Kesselmayer Angela Theleritis August 22 William Ashbaker August 23 Heath Norman August 24 Marian Allen August 25 Honor Deiss Dan Englebright Gerald Hall, Jr. Bernice Mack Cole Miller Marlana Montgomery August 26 Julianna Johnson Beverly Wieland August 27 Faye Kesselmayer Casey Watson August 29 Gerald Guengerich Terry Norman Jeffrey Theleritis AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES August 01 Thomas & Erin Theleritis August 04 David & Karen McCammon August 06 Rev. Daniel & Deanna Bishop August 08 Richard & Dianne Lohnes August 09 Steven & Faye Kesselmayer Adam & Rebecca Miller August 10 Howard & Patricia Proehl August 12 Curtis & Pamela Woolsey August 17 James & Joyce Lonergan August 20 Robert & Barbara Rosa August 21 Trent & Carrie Schmidgall August 23 Jeffrey & Joanne Ferree Thomas & Rhonda Lappie August 26 J Scott & Jennifer Rosa Hinkley August 30 Brian & Annette Ford Some husbands know all the answers because they have been listening for years. PARISH NOTES Church Attendance Services May May May Sunday School Attendance Through May 2018: 972 Through May 2017: 1158 Through May 2016: 1195 Acolytes July July 13 8:00 Cody Wilson Cailin Wilson July 8 8:00 Lainey Jensen Brayden Hoover July 15 8:00 Jaylah Dalton Macey Dalton July 22 8:00 Kethry Whitlatch Cailin Wilson July 29 8:00 Jaylah Dalton Macey Dalton Aug 5 Aug 12 Aug 19 Aug 27 Acolytes August 8:00 Kethry Whitlatch Lainey Jensen 8:00 Cody Wilson Brayden Hoover 8:00 Lainey Jensen Cailin Wilson 8:00 Cody Wilson Brayden Hoover Elders Communion Assistance July July 1 8:00 Joe Szadkowski Steve Depew July 15 8:00 Dave Drockelman Rod Bollinger July 29 8:00 Joe Szadkowski Aaron Miller Elders Communion Assistance August Aug 5 8:00 Dave Drockelman Steve Depew Aug 19 8:00 Randy Couch Aaron Miller Videographers July Ray Barnes Videographers August Jim Lonergan Worship Chairman July Paul Tackmann Worship Chairman August Brian Fuelberth 3

4 Greeters July July 1 8:00 Darrell & Donna Hansen Paul & Shantel Tackmann July 8 8:00 Dee Rees July 15 8:00 Vince & Sandy Tennell July 22 8:00 Veva Martin July 29 8:00 Barb & Julie Wagner Please think about volunteering to welcome our members and guests. Ushers July 8:00 Dave Drockelman Jim Lonergan Jim Widby Merle Wiseman Ushers August 8:00 Jerry Bohannan Darrell Hansen Noah Kesselmayer Steve Kesselmayer Terry Norman Carl Cox Brian Ford Nate Ford Trent Hoover Brian Umbach Ross Gould Jacob Gould Mike Nauth Howie Proehl Transferred To The Church Triumphant Carol S. Becker February 29, 1940 June 15, 2018 Special Meetings Parent Confirmation Meeting There will be a meeting with the parents of confirmation students on Sunday, August 19, at 11:45 a.m. Confirmation class will begin on Wednesday, August 22, at 4:00 p.m. Sunday School Teachers Meeting will be Wednesday, August 22, at 7:00 pm. GSLS Parents We will have a meeting with the parents of GSLS students on Sunday, August 26, after the service. CHURCH INFORMATION Please notify the church secretary of any corrections that need to be made for addresses, birthday, Baptism, or wedding anniversary lists, etc. If a date is wrong or somebody has been omitted from something, we want to get it right. We want to have all our lists and records fully accurate and as up to date as possible. Thank you for your help. You may phone the church office with your information, send a note in the mail, or Sandy at the church office: stjohnsec@grics.net. TREASURER S REPORT May, 2018 May Y-T-D INCOME 27, , EXPENSES 31, , INCOME - 4, , EXPENSE LIABILITIES Note Payable 90, Payroll Liabilities 1, Misc. LCMS Orgs Fund 0.00 Total Liabilities 92, General Fund Accounts General Fund - 67,988.64) Schwab Cash Account.52 Cat Stock at FMV 94, General Fund Total 26, Educational Fund Accounts Educ. Grant Fund Checking 4, Educ. Grant Fund CD #1 103, Educational Grant Fund #2 Vanguard 67, Educational Fund Total 174, East Bluff Property East Bluff Property Vanguard 90, East Bluff Property Fund CD 106, , Building Fund Checking 42, Sunday School Fund Checking 10, Memorial Fund Checking 25, TOTAL ASSETS 476, Checking Acct Balance 14, Fund Balance Building Improvements (299,680.34) Net Income (Loss) (18,607.71) Capital Accounts 702, Total Fund Balance 384, TOTAL LIABILITIES & FUND BALANCE 476, A wise old owl lived in an oak, The more he saw, the less he spoke; The less he spoke, the more he heard, Why can t we be like that old bird? 4

5 HI-LITES OF ST. JOHN S VOTERS ASSEMBLY June President Tom Ivey called the meeting to order. Due to the absence of a quorum, no official business was conducted. Pastor Kesselmayer opened with devotions. The Parish Report for May 2018 was reviewed. Under the Board of Evangelism, St. John s will have a Civic Collage on September 8 and 9 at the Marigold Festival. There were no additional changes or corrections to the May 14, 2018 minutes. Board of Stewardship The committee met prior to the Voter s Meeting tonight. There was nothing to report. Long Range Planning Committee No report. Educational Grant Fund Committee No report. East Bluff Property Committee No report. Constitution By-laws Committee No report. Unfinished Business Nothing to report. New Business Nothing to report. Treasurer s Report Daryl Dagit presented the May 2018 Treasurer s Report. Board of Trustees Gary Pool reported that the plumbing in the bathroom off the sanctuary has been repaired. The Trustees are waiting on bids on concrete work for the front steps of the sanctuary. Phase III of the landscaping was recently completed. Thanks to all who removed the old landscaping and planted the new perennials. Board of Elders Randy Couch reported that the Pastor will be on vacation from June 8 through June 22. Pastor Barr will be preaching next Sunday. On June 24 between services, the Elders will be hosting a 50 th Anniversary Celebration of the Ordination of Pastor Lakamp into the Ministry. Invitations were sent out to his former congregations in the vicinity. Board of Finance The Board of Finance met last week. Nancy Drockelman was elected Chairman. Eric Jensen was welcomed as a new member. The financial statements and a description of various funds were reviewed, and GSLS and budgets for 2019 were discussed. Board of Christian Education No report. Board of Worship No report. Board of Evangelism At the May Voters' meeting, it was indicated the radio broadcasts should continue. Pastor will sign the new contract towards the end of the summer obligating us through March, We will continue to need sponsors for these broadcasts through that time. The cost is $175 per week. Please let the church office or Debby know as you make your commitment. We will have a booth in the Civic Collage at the Marigold Festival on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9. The hours will be the same as the Art in the Park event. Debby will be placing a sign-up sheet in the gym over the summer for booth volunteers. Please help us out as you can. Greeters are needed for both services. Please contact the church office if you can help. The meeting was adjourned which closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Ivey HI-LITES OF ST. JOHN S Secretary VOTERS ASSEMBLY June 09, 2009 *************************************** In Our Prayers If you know of anyone who needs to be added, please let the church office know. All our shut-ins Griffin Glass - serving in the Navy Adam Jackson - member of Armed Services (grand-nephew of Lila Lisenbee) Pastor Niemann Dale Schott Tom Street Rhonda Williams Ed Knussman Sonny Mack Aron Tucker Mark Reeder Bob Watson Cheryl Williams Bernice Mack Robert Scott Stacie Kendall Christy Hancock Leia Stewart Karen Hall Ed Casto Roxanne Dixon Bob Funk Sam Kendall Sandy Morgan Darla Schorr Brenda Sayles Bill Hall Tim Johnston And for those individuals and families who struggle with either physical, mental or spiritual needs. 5

6 College Students ORGANIZATIONS The church would like the name of your college student and his or her address and the name of the college or university that your child(ren) will be attending. Thank you. YOUTH GROUP ************** for Sunday School will be Sunday, August 26. Students will be promoted to the next grade. will meet on Saturday, July 21, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Planet X Roller World for an afternoon of skating and fun. We have three young people who will be attending the Higher Things Youth Conference at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ************* REMINDER The Youth Group will also meet on August 19 for a pool party. Watch future bulletins for more information on these outings. that September is the month that St. John s collects nonperishables for Christian Civic Outreach. WOMEN S GUILD By Leslie Hauk LIBRARY CORNER By Eileen Tiona " Give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. 1 Kings 3:9 I haven t any new books to report on this month, but you are welcome to come into the library and check out all the other wonderful books that are available for your enjoyment. Ladies' Guild will hold our annual picnic on July 26 at 6:00 pm at the home of Mary Depew. Please bring a covered dish, your own table service and join the festivities. Meat will be provided. In lieu of a regular meeting in August we will be dining out at a restaurant to be determined. The date is August 23rd and more details will be shared in the weekly bulletin as the date gets closer. Over 160 students were registered, and our average attendance was 125 per night. A huge THANK YOU to all volunteers and donors for your commitment to provide this special summer program! Thank you to all who prayed that each child in attendance might learn that Jesus is with them through all of life s twists and turns! THANK YOU - the Peoria Area Lutherans for Life Chapter #268 would like to thank your congregation for its participation in the 2018 Mother's Day Diaper Shower. Thanks to the generosity of several local Lutheran churches, we collected 4,093 baby diapers and 2,896 diaper wipes for the Women's Pregnancy Center in Peoria and Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center in Pekin. Adult diapers totaled 1,349 and were taken to Lutheran Hillside Village in PeoGOOD SHEPHERD ria. We really appreciate all your support and prayers LUTHERAN SCHOOL as we serve the Lord of Life together. Our next meeting will be on Monday, Sept. 24th at 6:30 pm at Bethel RegistraLutheran Church, 325 E. Queenwood Road, Morton, tion for the School year is Wednesday, August 1, from IL. Please contact LFL Chapter President Bob 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wegner at cbwegner@outlook.com if you would like more information. We welcome everyone to come, School starts on Tuesday, August 21, with dismissal at learn, and serve the LORD of Life. 11:30 a.m. Full day of school starts Wednesday, August 22. 6

7 VOLUTEERS FOR MARIGOLD FESTIVAL At this year's Marigold Festival, St. John s will have a booth in the Civic Collage. We will be distributing brochures about the church, magnets, tracts received from the Lutheran Hour Ministries, pens, and possibly some other items. Volunteers will be needed to man the booth on both Saturday and Sunday. Dates for the Marigold Festival are September 8 & 9. Hours for the Civic Collage are 9-6 on Saturday, 9-5 on Sunday. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Please watch the church bulletins in August for further information. ************************** We received a call from Daniel Fickenscher, a student at Concordia Seminary in Fort Wayne to thank us for our donation we sent last month. Received a note from Rev. Khan from POBLO. Thank you so much for your prayers and partnership. By God s grace PBLO Missionaries continue to share the gospel in 8 districts, we are starting Ohio as 9th with a male and female missionary at Kettering and Columbus (2 locations). May our good Lord continue to bless you. We are also blessed with 10 baptisms in the last 3 months. Thank you. Also received a thank you note from Lutherans for Life thanking us for our donation. Terms and Duties of Officers Continued from June s newsletter The Board of Christian Education The Board of Christian Education shall consist of six elected members and the Sunday School Superintendent. The elected members shall have a term of three years. One-third shall be elected each year. They shall organize annually and elect a chairman. The Sunday School Superintendent shall have a term of one year. It shall be the duty of the Board of Christian Education to: 1. Stimulate and maintain proper interest in Christian Education. 2. Encourage a continuing interest in the spiritual growth of the adult members of the congregation and promote attendance at Bible Class. 3. Give direction and supervision to the congregation s existing programs and work of education of the congregation, including Sunday School, the parochial school, youth groups, athletics, Vacation Bible School, the libraries, etc., and work for their proper development. 4. Direct the organization of a consecrated Sunday School staff of teachers and officers and report regularly to the Voters Assembly on the activities, needs, and plans of the Sunday School. 5. Subject to the approval of the Voters Assembly, delegate the administration of educational work to qualified persons such as a Director of Christian Education, the Sunday School Superintendent, principals, or youth and adult leaders. 6. As God blesses the congregation with a parochial school, fill the position of liaison who will regularly attend the school board meetings and will keep the congregation informed of the activities of the school. The Board of Evangelism The Board of Evangelism shall consist of three members whose term shall be three years, one member being elected each year. They shall organize annually and elect a chairman. They shall: 1. Plan, promote, and supervise the evangelism program in the congregation and the community. 2. Enlist aid in visiting prospective members of the Church. 3. Arrange for the greeting and welcoming of visitors at the services of the congregation and integrate new members into the life and work of the church. 4. Discover the needs of individuals in the congregation such as the aged, the sick, and the poor, and bring these needs to the attention of the Voters Assembly with a suggestion for appropriate action. 5. Call to the attention of the congregation the welfare agencies being conducted by the church and solicit support for them. 6. Report on the social needs of the community and solicit the congregation s cooperation with other agencies in the community endeavoring to meet these needs. 7. Endeavor to publicize the Gospel and the activities of the congregation through available media. The Board of Stewardship The Board of Stewardship shall consist of six members. One-third shall be elected each year. They shall organize annually and elect a chairman. They shall: 1. Inform the congregation of stewardship challenges of the congregation, the district, and the synod. 2. Annually give every member the opportunity to fulfill his Christian obligation by pledging his time, talent, and treasures. 3. Be responsible for the effective utilization of the time and talents of the members of the congregation. The Board of Finance The Board of Finance shall consist of five members: the Treasurer, the Financial Secretary, and three elected members whose terms shall be three years. One-third of the elected members shall be elected each year. They shall organize annually and elect a chairman. They shall: 1. Give full attention to all financial questions relating to the work of the congregation. 2. Prepare and publicize the budget of the congregation. 3. Assure that called servants of the Word and lay workers receive adequate salaries. 4. Accept and receive grants and bequests on behalf of the congregation, and immediately inform the appropriate affected Boards or Committees. This completes our Terms & Duties of Officers. 7

8 St. John s Lutheran Church 711 Court St. Pekin, IL Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Pekin, IL Permit No. 146 (Address Service Requested) 8