St. John Journal News & info for the family of St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill A loving and welcoming family of faith, excited about what God has done (and continues to do!) for us Volume 10, Number 2 February 2017 St John Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Volume 10 Issue 2 February 2017 St. John Journal FROM THE PASTOR S DESK Love Is An Action Not Just A Word I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. John 13:34 Valentines Day is usually the time when we tell our friends, family members, and loved ones how much we love them. Here at Prairie Hill we celebrate the holiday with the tradition of a formal dinner put on by our youth. And of course, we all celebrate by sending Valentine cards. The deadline for the March newsletter is: Monday February 20 th Submissions received after this date will be included if time and space allow. If material is still relevant, late submissions will be included in the next month s newsletter. Thank you! Valentine cards may be sweet or they may be funny. They may be warm and friendly, but no matter what they usually prescribe to love. It s very wonderful to receive a Valentines card, which got me thinking about our faith. How do we show our love towards God? Even more to the point, do you think God likes to hear us tell him how much we love him? I have to imagine he does, but I think he likes it even more when we show him how much we love him. But, how do we do that? Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."(john 14:15) And Jesus gave us a new commandment love our neighbors as ourselves because God first loved us. So this Valentines Day remember to send a card to God by following Jesus. When you tell God you love him, remember that he likes it even more when you show him by loving and serving our neighbors. And don t forget to reserve your spot at our Valentines Day dinner! God bless you! Pray for me as I pray for you, Pr. Kyle 2
READINGS FOR FEBRUARY FEB FIRST READING RESPONSIVE SECOND READING GOSPEL 5 ISAIAH 58:1-12 PSALM 112:1-10 1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-16 MATTHEW 5:13-20 12 DEUTERONOMY 30:15-20 PSALM 119:1-8 1 CORINTHIANS 3:1-9 MATTHEW 5:21-37 19 LEVITICUS 19:1-2, 9-18 PSALM 119:33-40 1 CORINTHIANS 3:10-11, 16-23 MATTHEW 5:38-48 26 EXODUS 24:12-18 PSALM 2 2 PETER 1:16-21 MATTHEW 17:1-9 Feb. Acolyte(10:05AM) Layreader Flowers Given By 5 Jacob Hohlt 12 Riley Moehlmann 19 Jacob Hohlt 26 Kaden Seeker Jean Seeker Joseph Ordner Connor Himly Camryn Finke Glenda Stegent John Haarmeyer Jennifer Anderson Joseph Ordner Don & Regina Holtkamp Karen Rosenbaum Wilber & Marjorie Hohlt Fred & Debra Westerfeld 3
Baptismal Anniversaries 2/01/1976 Karen Spinn 2/02/1975 Amber Westerfeld 2/03/1929 Gilbert Janner 2/03/1935 Ed Strangmeyer 2/05/1961 Gerald Wehring 2/05/1984 Leigh Cavner 2/06/1944 Deanna Giese 2/07/1937 Marjorie Hohlt 2/07/2016 Canaan Wilkerson 2/08/1942 Dorothy Haevischer 2/09/1975 Trey Boeker 2/09/2014 Kayden Patterson 2/10/1944 Al Steinbach 2/10/2002 Wesley Neuendorff 2/11/1968 Steve Skrla 2/14/1937 Howard Kuecker 2/14/1993 Jordan Clay 2/15/1986 Jessica Wehring 2/15/2004 George Boswell 2/16/1964 Damon Wegner 2/17/2013 Brandon Estes 2/18/1940 Donna Bentke 2/18/1996 Kallie Finke 2/19/1989 Valerie Garner 2/19/2006 Colin Hagerman 2/20/1983 Jennifer Schroeder 2/21/1937 Franklin Haarmeyer 2/22/2003 Riley Moehlmann 2/24/1935 Arlie Parker 2/26/1933 Earline Moody 2/26/1995 Falyn Knebel 2/28/1971 Joel Wellmann Wedding Anniversaries 2/04/1961 Marvin & Dorothy Haevischer 2/05/1967 Ben & Carolyn Kessel 2/05/2005 Kim & Bruce Weilbacher 2/12/2000 Trey & Cathy Boeker 2/12/1994 Gail & Shannon Mitschke 2/20/1955 Wilber & Marjorie Hohlt 2/20/1982 David & Betty Feldmann 2/21/2004 Jerome & Leigh Cavner 2/24/1973 Fred & Debra Westerfeld 2/26/1976 Donald & Carolyn Lange 2/26/1983 Don & Regina Holtkamp 4
SUNDAY SCHOOL HAPPENINGS Happy New Year, 2017 is off to a great start!! Classes resumed January 8th, I want to take this time to invite you if you have not been to Sunday School to come join us! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you again to all the teachers volunteering to teach and help with the classes we couldn't do it with out you all. I'm excited to start my year as superintendent and for my new assistant India I can't wait to see what all is in store for 2017! Respectfully Yours, Kelly Antkowiak Sunday School Superintendent 5
Februar SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY 1 1:30PM Senior Party 6:30PM Confirmation 5 6 7 8 8:00AM Holy Communion 9:00AM Sunday School 10:05AM Holy Communion 6:30PM Executive Committee 9:30AM Weekly Word 6:30PM Rachel 6:30PM Confirmation 12 8:00AM Holy Communion 9:00AM Sunday School 10:05AM Holy Communion 13 6:30PM Council Meeting 14 9:30AM Weekly Word 15 6:00PM Confirmation 19 8:00AM Holy Communion 9:00AM Sunday School 10:05AM Holy Communion 20 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 21 9:00AM Quilting 9:30AM Weekly Word 22 6:30PM Confirmation 26 Transfiguration of Our Lord 8:00AM Holy Communion 9:00AM Sunday School 10:05AM Holy Communion 27 28 9:00AM Quilting 9:30AM Weekly Word Special Envelope: Lutheran Campus Ministry 6
y 2017 THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 2 Office Closed 3 Office Closed 4 COUNCIL Jennifer Anderson Eddie Longhofer 10AM Naomi Circle Bednar Wedding COMMUNION BREAD Becky Schulze 9 Office Closed 2PM Ladies Aid 10 Office Closed 11 Men s Breakfast 16 Office Closed 17 Office Closed 18 Valentine Dinner SCREEN Anna Finke Cassie Westerfeld ALTAR PREPARATION Mary Hill Betty Feldmann FAMILY AID Carolyn Kessel 23 Office Closed 24 Office Closed 25 MEMORIAL COMMITTEE Deanna Giese Patty Schroeder SANCTUARY PREP Karen Rosenbaum Donna Skrla CHURCH TELLERS Joseph & Sandy Ordner USHERS Johnny Randermann Family, Huckert Family 7
ANNOUNC Senior Party Wednesday, February 1 st The seniors will be gathering in the Activity Center the first Wednesday of every month at 1:30PM-5:30PM. Join them for games, fellowship, and light refreshments provided by the host! February Quilting Schedule We will meet on February 21 and 28. Hostesses are Patty Schroeder & Nancy Sommer. We meet at 9AM to noon. Come join us for quilting, sewing and tying LWR quilts. LYO Valentine Dinner Please join us Saturday, February 11 th Dinner forms due February 6 th WELCA BIBLE STUDY MEETING DATES Thursday, February 2 Naomi Circle 10:00 am, Activity Center Tuesday, February 7 Rachel Circle 6:30 pm, Annex Thursday, February 9 Ladies Aid 2:00 pm, Activity Center 8
EMENTS Soap Collection The Women of St. John will be collecting bars of soap year round for Lutheran World Relief. A collection basket will be located in the Narthex. The Kenneth L. Bickham Scholarships will be awarded Sunday, March 5 th MEN IN MISSION Men s Breakfast Saturday, February 11 th We would like to invite all men of St John to join us on the 2 nd Saturday of the month for breakfast starting at 7:00am. With a short meeting following. The Church is collecting can tabs in the Annex! The 2017 Flower Chart has been posted in the annex. Please sign-up for your altar flowers for next year! 9
Council Highlights The Church Council of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church met for its monthly meeting on January 9, 2017, at 6:30 pm in the Church annex. Council President, Gil Janner, called the meeting to order. All were present. Opened with a prayer by Pastor Kyle Merkle. MSC to approve the December minutes. Old Business Council appreciation dinner will be held on January 31 st at 6:30 pm. New Business MSC to accept the Memorial Committee s report and accept Donna Bentke as chairperson. Committee Reports: Treasurer Report Report as submitted. Audit Committee completed the audit with only minor changes needed. Eddie Longhofer Financial Secretary Report Melissa Lackey Report as submitted. During congregational meeting in January mention the Simply Giving option available on the church s website for those wishing to donate to the church using bank drafting. Community Concerns Report Phyllis Bickham There were 18 members who attended the Sr. Activity party. The Kenneth Bickham Memorial Scholarship will be presented during the March 5 th services. Parish Education Report Stephanie Koehler Eight families assisted with the take down of the Christmas tree on January 6 th. Next Parish Education meeting will be January 29 th. VBS is tentatively set for June 5-9, with one service on June 11 th. Youth Report Saturday, February 11 th the LYO is planning to hold a Valentine s dinner. Gerald Herrmann Pastor s Report Pastor Kyle Merkle Report as submitted. MSC to approve baptism of Derek and Luke Bates at the 10 am service on January 22 nd. MSC to approve the use of the Parish House by the Schrammes for a baptismal celebration. MSC to accept all reports as given. MSC to Adjourn. President... Gil Janner Vice-President... Gerald Herrmann Treasurer... Eddie Longhofer Secretary... Sharon Neutzler Community Concerns... Phyllis Bickham Evangelism... Gayle Bednar Financial Secretary... Melissa Lackey Parish Ed... Stephanie Koehler Property... Blake Becker Worship & Music... Jennifer Anderson 10
Valentine s Dinner Please join us for a 4 course meal on Saturday, February 11 Perfect for couples or small groups! 1. Name: Contact Number: Party of: (max=8) 2. Seating time (Please indicate first and second choice): 5:00 pm 7:00 pm 6:00 pm 8:00 pm Please indicate the number beside each choice. 3. Salad Dressing: Ranch Italian 4. Main Entrée: Grilled Steak with Twice Baked Potato and Green Beans Grilled Chicken Breast with Twice Baked Potato and Green Beans 5. Dessert: Brownie a la Mode Angel Food Cake with Strawberries Cost is $40.00/couple. Checks made payable to St. John LYO. Limited number of reservations available-sign up early! Proceeds to benefit future activities of St. John LYO. Payment and form may be turned in to basket at back of church no later than February 6, 2017. Questions Cathie Klatte at cathieklatte@yahoo.com ----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REACHING YOUR CHURCH OFFICE Rev. Kyle Merkle pastorkyle@stjohnprairiehill.org 253-753-6117 (cell phone) Johanna Becker secretary@stjohnprairiehill.org 979-836-8666 (church office) Office hours: Monday-Wednesday 8-4pm Website: www.stjohnprairiehill.org 11
St John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill 6605 Old Independence Rd. Brenham, TX 77833 www.stjohnprairiehill.org 979-836-8666 Check us out on Facebook or the church website for the latest news & updates! Pastor The Rev. Kyle Merkle Church Secretary Johanna Becker Sexton Jerry Randermann Accompanists Mary Longhofer, Linda Pieper, Linda Schulze, Clarence Witt Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Brenham, TX 77833 Permit No. 157 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 12