Enter to Worship, Exit to Serve"

Contact & Information Church Telephone: 307-856-5218 Email: stjohnsriverton@gmail.com Council Officers President: Larry Bauman 851-6633 Vice President: Garry Burnette 851-5539 Treasurer: Gloria Leadbetter 851-6944 Secretary: Sharon Moldt 251-8019 Financial Secretary: Linda Burnette 851-8612 Vision Statement St. John is a welcoming family growing in faith and love. Mission Statement We are sharing the news of God's salvation through welcoming worship, prayer, fellowship and community service. Core Values -People matter to God. -Unity reflects God's will. -Every person is gifted by God. -All are called to use individual gifts for the work of ministry. -We are created to worship God. -Worship happens in community/relationship with others. -Worship equips people for service. -Unconditional acceptance reflects God's love. -Faith requires steadfast commitment. Enter to Worship, Exit to Serve" Sunday Communion Worship

The St. John Epistle February 2018 Inside this issue: Minutes of Council Meeting... 3-4 A Letter from Pastor Bonita Knox... 4-5 Note from Council President... 5 Lenten Worship Schedule... 6 Worship Assistants... 7 Remember in Prayer... 7 Giving Update... 8 Announcements... 8-9 Calendar... 10 2

St. John Lutheran Church Council Meeting 1/10/2018 Sharon Moldt Linda Burnette Lee Moon Phil Hogan Gloria Leadbetter Dan Moline Bonita Knox Garry Burnette Larry Bauman Mel Miller Absent: Bev Horyza and Melisa Crouch. Larry Bauman called the meeting to order. Dan Moline moved that we excuse absent council members; Bev Horyza, Melisa Crouch, Garry Burnette seconded, the motion carried. The agenda was presented. Items added to the agenda under new business were Budget and Synod Sunday contributions. December 12, 2017 minutes were presented. Linda will fix the date on the top of the minutes. Garry Burnette moved that we approve the minutes and Dan Moline seconded. The motion carried. Treasurers report: Pledges are at 96.51% at year end. Gloria Leadbetter reviewed and answered any questions on the current financials. Garry Burnette moved we vote to pay the Architect $675 and Phil Hogan seconded. This motion was discussed at prior meetings, but was never voted on. We did give $1195 to Helping Hands last year. We did collect $693 for the Farm. Kyle Jones did turn in a receipt for $329 for new projector. Dan Moline moved we accept the financials and Phil Hogan seconded. The motion carried. Pastor s Report: Please see Pastors report posted in Narthex. Pastor Knox has been very busy. We did talk about what to do with the Easter Breakfast and discussion will continue. Committee Reports: Congregational Life: No report was given. Spiritual Life: The Tuesday Bible study is continuing, the Bible study before church is continuing and Pastor Knox is looking at having an adult Bible study at night. Property: Dan Moline called Steve Peter about extending the outside cross and he thought the cost would be about $800. Our organ needs a tune up and Dan Moline is working with someone in Casper who does charge $250 for a basic trip from Casper. The committee took down the nativity scene last weekend. Outreach: Diana Hague organized the blood drive on 1-9-18 at our church. They drew 70 pints of blood, but United Blood Services did get backed up on the draws late in the day, primarily because of walk-ins. A big Thank You to Mike & Diana Hague and for all the cookie makers and volunteers in helping to make this event a success. Worship: They are continuing with worship services and hymn selections. New Business: 1. Committee reports are due for annual report 3

2. We need to do a ballot for the congregational meeting for President and Treasurer. 3. Synod Assembly is May 3-5. Registration is by March 23, 2018. Pastor Knox will announce to the congregation at the Annual meeting for anyone to go to the meeting. 4. Use of the Midi system, we need to use it once a month. The use of the midi system will allow us a backup if the organists are not available. Few people know how to program the music. Larry Bauman will talk to Kevin Knox to see if he can do something one Sunday a month. 5. Budget - Lee Moon, Sharon Moldt, Dan Moline and Gloria Leadbetter were the budget committee. They made a few changes to what was presented. Mel Miler moved we accept the budget and Phil Hogan seconded. The motion was made to accept the budget and present it to the congregation for a vote. Council voted to accept the budget and place it on the Annual Meeting agenda. 6. For Synod donations, the council decided to match up to $3000 for the Synod. This is a repeat of 2017 funding. In addition, Council will also increase our church s donation to Synod to $5000 if we meet the match amount. Therefore we could donate a total of $8000 to the Synod ($3000 + $3000 + $2000 = $8000). 7. Dan Moline moved we move $45,000 to the Contingency Fund from the General Fund, Mel Miller seconded. The motion passed. Old Business: 1. Gloria Leadbetter, Alan Ross and Wanda Weisz have volunteered to be on council. 2. We will have the Annual Meeting after Church service on January 21, 2018. The meeting was adjourned by Larry Bauman. Respectfully Submitted, Sharon Moldt Council Secretary From the Pastor February 2018 In February we will conclude the season of Epiphany, the Light of Christ revealed to the whole world, and begin the season of Lent. I am intrigued by the way God works through our lives in rhythm through God s Word in Christ, and through our daily lives. February 14 is Ash Wednesday. If you are just now realizing that February 14 is also Valentine s Day, welcome. So what do we do with ashes on our forehead and sharing 4

Valentine s dinner in public? I hope we will share our stories and our encounter with this unique positioning of the Cross of Christ, this year, and daily throughout Lent. Lent is a Forty day journey in time, remembering the temptation of Christ in the wilderness and the Forty years the children of Israel wandered and were taught a new way of being God s children following their years enslaved in the Land of Goshen. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and the forty days conclude on the Vigil of Easter, March 31. Sundays are not included in the count of forty days in Lent. If you wondered when the fasting concludes in Lent, well your search will vary, but the time of fasting ends on Maundy Thursday, and then Lent ends on March 31. This year, we will share the Vigil of Easter. We will conclude Lent and begin Easter all on the same night. If you have never participated in a Vigil of Easter, I encourage you to come! Stay alert to details coming about putting together Health Kits for the world. And be sure to read page 6 of the Annual Report that is in the entry and was shared in the Congregational Meeting held on January 21. The Discipline of Lent begins, and what we share in Christ is: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. God is gracious and merciful to us, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. I pray you will enter diligently into the discipline of Lent and stay awake to all the blessings and teachings through Christ for you, your family, and all creation. We are better together. Lent is also a great time to explore that which you do not want to talk about. God is there with you helping you to cope with subjects and lessons that are helpful to learn. This is why we need the Discipline of Lent and the Lenten journey together in Christ. In the journey, in Christ, Pastor Bonita To the Congregation, Here we are. 2018. Another church year is ahead of us and one must ask "where are we going, what are we doing?". I have been reelected as Council President for which I am honored. New Council members have been chosen to take care of our church's business. But where does that leave you? Can you help? The Council President Council will select committee chairman to head up each committee - Worship, Congregational Life, Outreach, Spiritual Growth, and Property. From time to time, additional people will be required to assist on these committees. That's where you come in. When asked to join in on a committee for a certain function or event, please respond with "yes, I can help". It is with this attitude and response that our church will grow and continue our Christian fellowship with ourselves and our community. May God bless you. Larry Bauman 5

Moving forward through God s Grace in 2018. In Lent: Each week gather items for Personal Health Kits Goal of 24 Health Kits. Week 1 Standard Size Soap, 2 Combs, 3 Bath Towels, 4 Nail Clippers, 5 Toothbrushes, 6 More Soap. Items wrapped in towel, Each Health Kit tied and mailed to Lutheran World Relief. Shrove Tuesday: February 13, 2018. 6:30pm. I will burn the palms from previous year and make the ashes for Ash Wednesday. Everyone is encouraged to come and watch the process. Ashes to Go: Our parking lot: Noon to 1:00 pm. Weather permitting. Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2018. Worship 6:30 pm Wednesdays in Lent: February 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21. Soup Supper: 6:00pm. Worship: 6:45 pm Passion/Palm Sunday: March 25. Sunday Worship 9:30 am. Maundy Thursday: March 29. Worship 6:30 pm Good Friday: March 30. Worship 6:30 pm Vigil of Easter: Saturday, March 31. Worship 6:30 pm. If you have never been to an Easter Vigil, this would be an easy one to come to. This will be a wonderful experience for everyone. Easter Sunday Breakfast 8:00 am. We are all especially encouraged to attend the Easter Breakfast! Easter Sunday: April 1, 2018. Worship 9:30 am. Easter Egg Hunt after Worship. 6

February Volunteers WORSHIP ASSISTANT COMMUNION ASSISTANT LECTOR USHERS COUNTERS COFFEE HOST 2/4 Larry Bauman Diana Hague Gloria Leadbetter Don & Janna Mayer Beverly Horyza Jenny Jones 2/11 Vera Rowell Gloria Leadbetter Carole Weber Carole Weber & Diana Hague Sally Caballero Ronda Bock 2/18 Kathy Moline Alan Ross Terry Dugas Dan & Kathy Moline Beverly Horyza 2/25 Altar Guild: Linda Burnette Care Team: Sally Caballero 463-0399 Gloria Leadbetter 851-6944 Please pray for: Our Pastor Bonita and Kevin Knox The Council of St. John The men & women serving in the military. We also pray for: Bill & Joyce Kilmer (Margaret Reynolds friends) Jeanette Dunn (Palmer Mattson s sister) Shirley Aarthun (Karyn Ervin s mother) Vickie Kenyon (Dave & Sandy Hill s daughter) Connie Ellis (Eleanor Cantrell s Sister) David Doane ( friend of Judy Bauman) Kurt & Darlene Jones & Family Sandy Eversen (Eleanor Cantrell s daughter) Passing of Max Twitchell (Family of Joyce Littlefield) Don Meyer Vern Randolph Margaret Reynolds Cary Leadbetter Nadine Weber Cody & Andrea Thrasher Bill Carpenter Michael Caffrey Richard Weber Jared Howard Lois Bonicelli for prayer chain requests call: Carole Weber at 856-2016 7

Amount pledged through January 28 $ 8,798.00 Pledges paid through January 28 $ 8,483.84 Difference $ -314.16 Percent of pledges paid: 96.42% Amount given toward Synod Benevolence $ 265.00 Helping Hands $ 25.00 St. John s budget is based on the pledges made, and the operation of the church depends on the amount received. Thank you for keeping your giving current. ATTENTION MEN: Come for the men s fellowship breakfast every Wednesday at 8:00 am at the Sundowner Mid-Week WOMEN S Bible WELCA Breakfast Saturday, Feb 3 at 9:00 am at the Sundowner Tuesdays at 10:00 am SYNOD ASSEMBLY will begin at 1:00 pm on Thursday, May 3, and end at Noon on Saturday, May 5, 2018. Synod Assembly Early Bird Registration Deadline is: March 23, Location: Westin Hotel Westminster 10600 Westminster Blvd. Westminster, CO 80020 303-410-5000 Hotel Registration deadline is: April 13, 2018. Currently we have one delegate, but we need another. The cost of the Assembly and hotel are covered for delegates. 8

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF - Personal Care Kits Throughout Lent (beginning Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2018) St. John will receive your offerings to put together Personal Care Kits. These are also known as Health Kits. They are distributed all over the world, including the United States in times of need and disaster. If you have questions ask Verna Bairn, Wanda and Gary Weisz. More specific information is posted Ash Wednesday Worship Service @ 6:30 pm February 14 th. Ashes to Go will be in the parking lot from 12:00 1:00 pm! Our Lenten Soup Suppers will be held each Wednesday during Lent beginning February 21 st followed by a short contemplative service. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 14th. Our traditional soup suppers will begin February 21st thru Lent at 6:00 pm, followed by a Lenten Service. Assignments for the soup suppers are: February 21 Armstrong through Burnette February 28 Caffrey through Ervin March 7 Frost through Jones March 14 King through Moon March 21 Pietron through Young We would like to have a coordinator for each week to make coffee, set out bowls/silverware, and to coordinate cleanup. You would need to come about 45 minutes early. Please let Linda Burnette know if you would be willing to act as the coordinator on your assigned week. We will be making phone calls soon to set it up. 9

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Groundhog Day 3 9:00 am WELCA @ the Sundowner 4 8:30 am Adult Bible 9:30 am Communion Worship 11 8:30 am Adult Bible 9:30 am Communion Worship 18 8:30 am Adult Bible 9:30 am Communion Worship Synod Sunday 25 8:30 am Adult Bible 9:30 am Communion Worship 5 6 12 13 19 Presidents Day 10:00 am Bible 10:00 am Bible 5:15 pm Council Meeting 20 26 27 10:00 am Bible 1:15 pm Hymn Selection 10:00 am Bible 4:30 pm Good Samaritan Dinner 7 8 9 10 14 Ash Wednesday 8:00 am Men s Bkfst-Sundowner 12-1:00 pm Ashes to Go 6:30 pm Ash Wednesday Svc 21 8:00 am Men s Bkfst-Sundowner 6:00 pm Soup Supper 6:45 pm Lenten Svc 28 8:00 am Men s Bkfst-Sundowner 6:00 pm Soup Supper 6:45 pm Lenten Svc 15 16 17 22 23 24 10