INTERIM PASTOR S PAGE Thee, faithful servants of Christ to labor for the Gospel at home and in distant lands. We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

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1 Where have all the Pastors gone? In a recent editorial in the Archives Advocate, a newsletter from the Northeast Regional Archives located on the campus of the Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia, Kim-Eric Williams laments that we have too few students at the seminary these days. And therefore a shortage of Pastors. As a historian, he contemplates the situation: When Pastors are seen as stewards of the mysteries of God, and not just CEO s of a local franchise, he writes, it is inspiring, and theological vocations thrive. So I decided to look up what our confessions have to say about the Office of a Pastor. It is article V in the Augusburg Confession, the document drawn up when the Reforming churches were asked to present their confession of faith, June 25, I remember the date because it happens also to be my anniversary of Ordination (not the year, obviously!) Article V is very short, but it follows a rather lengthy and for some, complicated article IV on Justification or justifying faith. To obtain this faith, it states, God instituted the office of preaching, giving the gospel and the sacraments. Through these, as through means, God gives the Holy Spirit who produces faith in those who hear the gospel those who hear that God, not on account of our own merits, but on account of Christ justifies those who believe that they are received into grace on account of Christ. Martin Luther called the church a mouth-house because the Word is so important to us. In Hebrew, the word word behaves more like a verb than a noun. At least from the mouth of God. When God speaks, things happen. In Christ, God s Word becomes flesh. Our Holy Scriptures are the written Word, like a cradle where we find Christ. It is the specific calling of Pastors to preach this word in all its forms. In Christ, God was reconciling the whole world to himself. It is not too early to begin praying for the Pastor who will be called to St. Johns. I remember a prayer petition from my childhood, Raise up we pray INTERIM PASTOR S PAGE Thee, faithful servants of Christ to labor for the Gospel at home and in distant lands. We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord. Margay Whitlock, Interim Pastor DEACON S CORNER I hope you made it through the holidays and are ready for our foray into Lent which starts on March 1, with Ash Wednesday Services, come join us. I hope you have gotten a chance to introduce yourselves to Pastor Margay. She is a great leader with great ideas to lead us into the call process for a new Pastor. Come join her on a Wednesday afternoon 10:30-11:30AM or an evening 7:00-8:00PM in the Blue Room, in her words "Come join me on this Interim Journey." If you have a friend who is seeking a new home Church please have them take advantage of the informal discussion. Come join Pastor Margay for the "Grow and Go" gathering on February 5, 11:15AM in Pastor Margay s Office to explore this topic, what it means to be a Lutheran Christian? St John's is a vibrant community and you should be inviting your friends to attend to share the love that we have for each other. We are a family who looks out for each other and we are doing God s work in this way. As Jesus said, love your neighbor they are your brother and sister. If we could do this for everyone what a great place this world would be. We are driven by that love of self and are blinded by this. We need to take off the blinders and see the world as God sees it, love and compassion for each other. This is inside of you planted by God you just need to find it with the help of the Holy Spirit and spread the love with everyone you come in contact with. Thus we need to spread the theology of the Great Commission and make disciples of everyone, we need to bring the word of God to all. Remember God's work our hands. God can't do this alone he needs us to do his work, He prompts us and we respond. So let s get to work! 1

2 Your servant in Christ, Deacon Rich YOUR WHOLE LIFE is a Christ-centered plan for eating right, living well, and loving God. which I am planning on introducing next month (March) at the Wednesday morning Bible Study time. (In the evenings, we will be having our soup suppers followed by the Holden Evening Prayer Vesper Service.) Please let me know if you are planning to participate, as everyone in the group needs a book. Each week, there is a chapter to read. Each day you will devote some time to the three disciplines: eating right, living well, and loving God. At 10:30 AM on Wednesdays, we will meet for an hour, spending about 20 minutes discussing each part. Undecided? For further information, you can go to their web site: WholeLife.com 3 D stands for Diet, Discipline and Discipleship although it says You don t go on a diet in the 3D Plan. Instead, you are guided in making gradual changes in your life that are positive, practical, and proven to become permanent. The 3D Plan considers the whole person physical, emotional, and spiritual and not just the body. ST JOHN S SCHOLARSHIPS The Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the following Awards for 2016: Academic Achievement Award: Katherine De Sousa Saint John s Lutheran Church Scholarship Award: Julia Bordi, John Weaver, Tanner Martin- Ignaffo Viola Locker Swanson Scholarship Award: Neil Errickson Helen & Morgan Mackey Collegiate Scholarship Award: Amanda Bailey, James Cox, Christopher Heller, Joshua Jones, Timothy Pagones, Margaret Patkus, Mark Weaver, Peter Zipser Helen & Morgan Mackey High School Advanced Placement Award: Neil Errickson, Deanna Tuttle, Rachel Schlak, Clint McLeod, Kristin DeSousa Helen & Morgan Mackey Music Scholarship: Deanna Tuttle, Tommy Leung, Joseph Leung, Benjamin Leung, Catherine Schweiger, Ian Schweiger, Annika Hill, Laura Patkus I hope you will join me, Pastor Margay 2

3 JOURNAL DEADLINE March Edition- February 12th Please note that we have changed the Journal deadline to the 2nd Sunday of the Month. Please make sure all submissions are in by that date. When submitting, please forward in Microsoft Word or an . Please send submissions to Carol Versace Please include name and phone number in case of questions. PARISH CARE The Parish Care Mission Team will be collecting "reading glasses" for the Muriel Gordon Foundation in February and March. Muriel, a Certified Nurse Practitioner, is making a Mission Trip to Nigeria, and there is a great need for "reading glasses". As usual, we are collecting medicines and medical supplies which we will ship to Muriel for her trip. She will ship them to Nigeria before she goes and has her clinics with the professionals from that country. Please leave any donations of medicines, soaps, and medical supplies in the office for Janice Viola RN. They will be put to good use in Third World Countries. SOCIAL MINISTRY The SMMT would like to thank the Congregation for your help in our Christmas Basket Project. We had the "Wrapping Party", and wrapped 137 gifts for children of our "Basket families". We made 63 baskets of food with hams or turkeys, and the Youth Group and volunteer drivers delivered 35. The rest were picked up by the recipients or delivered by others in the congregation. We especially want to thank Maxine and Susan Lee for the crocheted pot holders, and Marland Berghorn for the ornaments to be included in each basket. Also John and Abby Dux, Ginny Haun, Bob Cohen, Maria Rigby, Jeanne Jones, Abby Triebel, Diana Magel and Michele Viola for extra special help with this project. Thrivent Financial gave us a $ Action Grant which was a tremendous help in buying the hams and vegetables. To all of those who contributed toys, canned goods, hams, turkeys, and other gifts, a big VALENTINE S BRUNCH Valentine's Brunch- Parish Care MT is planning a "Valentine' Brunch " to benefit Worship Respite Care. WRC, "The Gathering Place "is open at Lutheran Care Center Day Care on Friday evenings 5PM-9PM, Saturday and Sunday mornings 9AM- 1PM, so that Caregivers can drop off their home patient with Alzheimer s or other dementias and the caregiver can attend Worship at their own church, temple, or mosque. If you know of a family that needs this help, please call Marjorie Marks, Coordinator, at The Director is Pastor DeWinter of First Evangelical Lutheran Church. WRC is supported by a grant from New York State, through the Alzheimer's Association, but we still need to raise funds for extra expenses, like snacks for the clients. If you are interested in volunteering for WRC, please see Janice Viola, , or jviola9@aol.com. The Brunch will be made by church member JJ Manley (CIA), and 3

4 the volunteer students and the Parish Care Mission Team. Please attend. There will be no charge for the Brunch, but a free will offering will be taken. The Brunch will be at 11AM February, 19th in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome. LAY MINISTRY Feathered Monkeys Tamed? Filthy Mud Tickles?? Ferotlitos Make Tents??? (What DOES FMT stand for?) Thank you Jesus, that when I took this job as DLM the financial portion of the job that my predecessor, Janie Hopkins did was NOT handed over to me, but given to Diana Magel as she became the new bookkeeper at St. John's. I love my job VERY much, but if that were part of it, my enthusiasm would be diminished considerably. Yet I am very grateful that the Lord has gifted people in different ways and that there are many people with the ability and willingness to serve on the Finance & Administration Mission Team here at St. John's. That is FMT for short! This is a new year and it's a good time to try new things, so here is something I dreamed up at 5:11AM one morning when I was supposed to be sleeping, but my brain decided it was time to plan out a new idea. At St. John's we have 12 Mission Teams consisting of people who help with outreach and support of church operations. Each month during 2016 I want to highlight one of the teams here in the Journal, on a bulletin board across from the Meet & Greet Coffee Hour room, in s and other communication methods I dream up in the middle of the night. The idea is for people in the congregation to get to know who serves on these teams, understand better what each team does and expand the invitation for people to be more involved in these teams. Please take the time to peruse the bulletin board, read the s and flip to the section entitled "Mission Team of the Month" in every St John's Journal that comes out. Read about how your brothers and sisters in Christ serve on these teams. The team for January has been the FMT (now you know what that stands for!) A list of volunteer needs for this team is in this Journal and on the bulletin board for people to consider. My hope is that as we go through this year and learn more about the teams and the wonderful opportunities here at St. John's, all will prayerfully consider how God is calling to serve. Certainly when people help on these teams it makes things run more smoothly at church, but the foremost reason to serve is to answer the call we all have to use our gifts to God's glory. Thankfully no one will ask you to serve on a team where you help the Ferolitos make tents or help feathered monkeys get tamed, I promise! Jeanne Jones (Director of Lay Ministry) THRIVENT NEWS OPEN HANDS, OPEN HEARTS For some of us, when uncertainty and worry creep into our lives, we hold tightly to our resources. We cling to our earthly possessions believing it is the only way we can guarantee financial security. The concept of living with open hands goes against both what we may have been taught and what we may think of as plain old common sense, but there can be great rewards in living with our hands open. 4

5 Throughout scripture we are encouraged to share what we have with others. In Deuteronomy 15 it reads, You shall not shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him. This idea is great in theory, but becomes uncomfortable when it s time to put it into practice in our own lives. Perhaps it s worth considering how keeping open hands may enrich our own lives. Need a few ideas to help you get started? Embrace gratitude: Writing in a gratitude journal can be a fulfilling spiritual practice. Many studies have shown that writing three things you are grateful for each day has the power to transform your outlook and help you appreciate the fullness of your own life. Value contentment: Be on the lookout for things that bring a smile to your face. Maybe it s waking up to birds singing, the sound of a baby s laughter or watching God s daily artistry in the sunrise or sunset. None of these things can be bought or owned, yet they bring joy to your life in awesome ways! Live generously: The art of giving may take a while to learn, so here s an idea: Try adding a giving line item in your monthly budget to help make it a normal part of your monthly expenses. The more consistently you give, the more natural it will become. By living in response to God s grace with an open hand, you can look forward to experiencing an emotional and spiritual return that will come your way, pressed down, shaken together and running over! This article provided compliments of Thrivent Financial and Steve Jones, FIC, Financial Associate, , steven.jones@thrivent.com. BIBLE STUDIES Pastor Margay's Mid-Winter Bible Study (currently going on now) Wednesdays Jan Feb :30-11:30AM & 7:00-8:00PM in the Blue Room One of the jobs of the Interim Pastor is to examine the history of the congregation and work through the transition dynamics that usually follow the departure of a pastor. Pastor Margay has an excellent Bible Study series which addresses these dynamics. "Come join me on this Interim Journey," Pastor Margay Whitlock GROW AND GO What does it mean to be a Lutheran Christian? Have you ever wondered what it means to be a Lutheran Christian? Come join Pastor Margay for this "Grow and go" gathering on February 5, 11:30AM in Pastor Margay s Office to explore this topic. Call her for more info or if you have questions What does it mean to be a member of St. John s? St. John s will be receiving new members on February 26. There will be a Grow and Go session February 12, 11:15AM in the Blue Room to find out: What Does It Mean To Be a Member of St. John s? If you want to join the church, please come to this session! Contact Pastor Margay or Jeanne Jones for more information

6 SYMPATHY We extend our prayers of sympathy and concern to the family and friends of: Sirene Fagundes, family member of Gail Sweeney, who died on November 15th in Brazil. Mary Skinner, aunt of Linda Picciano, who died on November 26th at the Lutheran Care Center. Bill Donaldson, friend of Deacon Rich and Carol Ferolito, who died on November 27th. Ernest Judd, brother of Richard Judd, who died on November 28th in New Britain, CT. Anne Killmer, friend of Elaine Madden, who died on December 4th. Beverly Hacunda, aunt of Mary Kristapsons, who died on December 7th. Bill O Donnel, friend of Joan and Bob Cohen, who died on December 13th. James Barnhart, grandson of Janet Barnhart, cousin of Joan and Bob Cohen. Barbara Murphy, mother of Debbie Lynch, who died on December 22nd. Helen Poirier, grandmother of James Manley, Jr., great-grandmother of James Manley III and Michael Manley, and grandmother-in-law of Linda Haas Manley, died at age 96 in Malone, NY, on Christmas Eve. UPCOMING DATES Food Pantry is open 2nd & 4th Sundays 9-11AM in Church Office January 11- February 15 - Pastor Margay's Mid- Winter Bible Study Wednesdays at 10:30-11:30AM, 7-8PM, Blue Room January 29 - Congregation Potluck 11:15AM Annual Congregation Meeting 12:15pm February 4 - Healing Service 3pm, Chapel February 5 - "Souper Bowl of Caring" Collection by Youth, all services Grow & Go Activity: What does it mean to be a Lutheran Christian? Session 11:15AM, Pastor's Office February 12 - Grow & Go Activity: What does it mean to be a member of St. John's? Session for people interested in joining the church, 11:15AM, Blue Room February 19 - Grow & Go Activity: Valentine's Day Brunch to benefit Worship Respite Center 11:15AM, Fellowship Hall February 25 - Black History Event with Poughkeepsie Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Fellowship Hall, time to be determined March 1 - Ash Wednesday Services 12PM, Chapel & 7:30PM, Nave March 1-throughout Lent - Bible Study "Your Whole Life: 3D Plan for Eating Right, Living Well, Loving God" 10:30-11:30AM, Blue Room March 8-April 5 - Lenten Service 12PM, Chapel Soup Supper 6PM, Fellowship Hall Holden Evening Prayer 7PM, (place to be determined) BLACK HISTORY EVENT The Poughkeepsie Seventh-Day Adventist Church & St John's will be co-hosting the 2nd Annual Black History Event on Saturday, February 25. There will be more details to come, but the start time will probably be late afternoon so keep that date and time open. We hope you can join us in growing our understanding of the struggles throughout history of our African American brothers and sisters. 6

7 BIRTHS We offer prayers of congratulations to: Tiffany and Kyle Davis on the birth of their son, Gavin Jon. Gavin Jon was born on November 26th. BIBLE STUDY POETRY During Pastor Margay's Mid-Winter Bible Study, participants discussed Psalm 107 and worked in groups of 3 to create a Cinquain Poem. Complete instructions were given and it was a wonderful way to express our thoughts concisely regarding the Psalm. Here are the poems that were written: Cinquain Form: a Poem in Five Lines 1. Title (a noun, one word) 2. Describes the title (two words) 3. Action words or phrases about the title (three words) 4. Describes a feeling about title (four words) 5. Refers to title (one word) HOPE Love & Redemption Sharing, Acting, Caring Excited, Peaceful, Confident, & Graceful GOD Written by Susan Lamberton & Rita Ovens FAITH Strengthens Us Doubt, Guiding, Leading, Comfort, Direction, Strength, Future BLESSING Beautifully Crafted by Diane Betz, Melanie Potter, Abby Triebel DESERT Betwixt & Between Finding our Way Vast, Disorienting, Lonely, Contrasting HOPEFUL Written by Margot Wilson, Amy Huber and Mary Anne Deik CONNECTION Fulfilling, Belonging Involved, Reaching out, Listening Safe & Secure, Soothing, Purposeful COMMUNITY Written by Cheryl Moreau, Rob Cohen and Jeanne Jones WANDERING In the dessert of uncertainty We are led by God Loving us, Leading us To the safe city of HOPE Lois Van Zanten, Audrey Burdick, Ray Skov LOVE Acceptance, Belonging Hugs, Caring, Trust Peace, Joy, security, Faith GOD Written by Karent & Susanna Gilgert & Deacon Gloria Taylor SEARCHING Our Congregation Reaching Out, Calling, Serving Impatient, Anxious, Uncertain, Hopeful FOUND Written by Donna & Bob Knapp & Art Upright LOVE Comfy, Feeling Sacrificing, Giving, Enveloping Warm, Confident, Happy, Comforting GOD Written By Betty Smith, John Dux and Linda Upright Watch for more Poems next month too! 7