September 2015 THE VOICE

September 2015 THE VOICE Page 1 From Our Pastor Dear Friends in Christ, I want to share a few thoughts this month about visitors. Just about every week we have folks who are visiting with us. Some are friends and family. Some are just passing through. But some of them are looking to become a part of a faith community. As our congregation continues to grow in mission and discipleship, I am convinced that God will continue to send new folks our way. So what are some ways we might respond when we notice a new person in worship? 1) Be mindful that not everyone knows about all the things that go on in worship. We can no longer assume our neighbors have any sort of church memory. Maybe they have attended a wedding or a funeral, but for many folks, this may be their first time attending a Sunday morning worship service. This comic is a good reminder that some of our Sunday morning rituals (like a hymn board) may prove confusing to visitors. 2) Greet the folks who are visiting. "Thank you for joining us this morning. It s good to have you here. My name is Daniel." It's actually that simple. Many visitors will return due to a simple greeting and a simple "thank you." 3) "May I help you find something?" Visitors will not know where to find the nursery, the office, the restrooms, or the narthex. Help them. 4) "Let me introduce you to." The return rate of visitors is always higher if they are given the opportunity to meet other people. Take a moment to introduce a visitor to the pastor, other church staff, and other members of the church who may be close to their particular life stage. For example, introduce a young family to a young family. Also, be sure to invite them to fill out a communion / visitor s card with their name and address. This will provide us with an opportunity to follow up. 5) Finally, invite them to return. Call them by name and encourage them to join us for worship next Sunday, or for a special event we may be offering. We have been blessed with many new disciples joining our St. John s Church family, and we will be blessed with many more to come. Take the opportunity to help grow our congregation by extending a warm welcome to the visitors that God sends us. Blessings, Pastor Daniel G. Beaudoin

September 2015 THE VOICE Page 2 Our Vision: "Spiritual Practices for the Sake of the World" 1. DAILY PRAYER In our prayers (from August bulletins): Linda Polzin, Regency Hospital Bob Reitzel, health concerns Carolyn Burns, recovering from surgery Ruth Minning, recovering from surgery Kay Barret, recovering from surgery Edna Stebbins, recovering from surgery Birth of Gavin Keith, son of Keith and Megan Rogalski Birth of Emerson Thomas, son of Jon and Laura (Bockbrader) Baker Baptism of Quinn Weber, son of Kevin and Valerie Weber Christy Schramm Family upon the death of her father, Alan Carroll 2. DAILY BIBLE READING Daily Bible Reading: During the month of September we will be reading through three of Paul's Letters: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, and two of Peter s Letters: 1 & 2 Peter and Hebrews. Sept. 1 1 st Timothy 1 Sept. 2 1 st Timothy 2 Sept. 3 1 st Timothy 3 Sept. 4 1 st Timothy 4 Sept. 5 1 st Timothy 5 Sept. 6 1 st Timothy 6 Sept. 7 Titus 1 Sept. 8 Titus 2 Sept. 9 Titus 3 Sept. 10 1 st Peter 1 Sept. 11 1 st Peter 2 Sept. 12 1 st Peter 3 Sept. 13 1 st Peter 4 Sept. 14 1 st Peter 5 Sept. 15 2 nd Peter 1 Sept. 16 2 nd Peter 2 Sept. 17 2 nd Peter 3 Sept. 18 2 nd Timothy 1 Sept. 19 2 nd Timothy 2 Sept. 20 2 nd Timothy 3 Sept. 21 2 nd Timothy 4 Sept. 22 Hebrews 1 Sept. 23 Hebrews 2 Sept. 24 Hebrews 3 Sept. 25 Hebrews 4 Sept. 26 Hebrews 5 Sept. 27 Hebrews 6 Sept. 28 Hebrews 7 Sept. 29 Hebrews 8 Sept. 30 Hebrews 9 3. WEEKLY WORSHIP Regular Worship Time (begins Sunday, Sept. 13) 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Fellowship time 10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship Service 11:45 a.m. Fellowship time 3:00 p.m. Quiet Communion (1 st Sunday of the month) August Worship Attendance August 2 ~ 202 August 23 ~ 196 August 9 ~ 219 August 30 ~ 242 August 16 ~ 229 4. GENEROUS GIVING Financial Giving as of August 23, 2015 General Fund Income (Year-to-Date) Budget Actual Difference $221,459 $211,708 ($9,751) Benevolence Fund (Year-to-Date) Budget Actual Difference $19,345 $17,011 ($2,334) (Copies of current Financial Reports are in the wooden holders located to the right of the Prayer Desk in Narthex.)

September 2015 THE VOICE Page 3 You can now manage your giving online! Giving online is easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions or a one-time contribution and view your complete online giving history from anywhere you have access to the Internet. Simply follow these easy steps: Visit the church website: www.stjohnsstonyridge.net 1. Click on the Give Generously button. 2. Click on the Create Profile button, then 3. Follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and to schedule your recurring or onetime contributions. If you are currently giving on a weekly or monthly basis, you will no longer need to write out checks or prepare envelopes. And, when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, this program will allow your offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis. If you need additional information about the on-line giving please contact Rachel Abbey or Shirley Johnson. SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS (Those over 74 years young!) Sept. 1 Arlene Baker 6433 Five Point Rd., Perrysburg 43551 Sept. 1 Raymond Swartz 4870 Libbey Road, Perrysburg 43551 Sept. 4 Jane Sibbersen 3630 Hanley Road, Perrysburg 43551 Sept. 17 Kathryn Dreier 524 Woodpointe Dr., Woodville 43469 Sept. 17 Walter Minarik 23781 Bradner Road, Genoa 43430 Sept. 27 Eloise Schober 5110 Libbey Road, Perrysburg 43551 MEMORIALS In Loving Memory of Pauline Gaertner given by Jim Blum, Ruth Powell, Ruth Minning, Eleanor Richard, Bob & Jane Sibbersen, Don & Judy Zburajewski, Richard & Susan Taylor, Gerald & Diane La Course, Paul, Carole & Amy Welling PASTORAL ACTS New Members Welcomed on August 9 Tony, Heather, Isaac, Levi, and Deacon Orth Kevin, Valerie, and Quinn Weber Kyle, Ashley, and Adalida Culp Theresa and Brooklyn Van Calster Baptism on August 25 Quinn Thomas Weber

September 2015 THE VOICE Page 4 SOCIAL MINISTRIES Sunday Specials for September Shared Bounty is collecting dish soap Food Pantry is collecting canned sweet potatoes and cereal Please place in the bin in the coatroom. Thanks in advance for your support! We have 119 families on the pantry list with 13 names on our waiting list (all 13 came from the Saturday backpack give-a-way). Most of the 13 will be added for September. A big THANK YOU to Chuck & Helyn Kurfess for the generous donation of drink mixes for the August food pantry give away. The Food Pantry would like to once again THANK Sami and Ian Sibbersen and Lindsay Boelkens for their time in filling our summer snack bags for the Food Pantry families. They have been a really big help this summer! Redeemer Hygiene Project There will be a door donation for our Redeemer Hygiene Project on Sunday, Oct. 11. The money collected will be used to put together hygiene packets for their "Feed Your Neighbor" program. Each packet will include a wash cloth, bar of soap, deodorant, tooth brush, tooth paste, razor, shaving cream (for men) and feminine products (for ladies). Toilet paper will be purchased for distribution as well. If possible, other hygiene items such as adult Depends and denture cream will also be purchased. They have many aging people that need these items. Our help can make a big difference in their daily lives. Thank you, in advance, for your generosity! -- Social Ministries Committee Outreach Pastor Fundraiser Dinner Fellowship Committee will be having an Outreach Pastor Fundraiser Dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. The dinner will be Chicken Paprikash, Salad Bar, & Ice Cream Sunday Bar. Tickets will be $10 per person and will be sold each Sunday in September. Bring a friend to dinner and fellowship! Takeout will be available, but you must have a ticket so get yours on Sunday!

September 2015 THE VOICE Page 5 CHRISTIAN LEARNING Sunday, Sept. 13 is Rally Day! We will return to regular Worship times at 8:30 & 10:45 Sunday School Classes will meet in Parish Hall at 9:45* Catechism/Parent Meeting in the Sanctuary at 9:45** Josh & Michelle Beaudoin host Fellowship Time at 9:30 & 11:45*** Sunday School Classes* Our Sunday School Program will kick off with Rally Day on Sunday, Sept. 13. Bring a friend and join us from 9:45-10:30 (between services) for games, breakfast, Bible stories and more. For children ages 2 through 5 th grade. Please meet in the Parish Hall to kick off our activities. After Rally Day, each week we will gather in the Chapel to begin our devotion and lesson time together. Our group will then split with 2 year olds through Kindergarten moving to the toddler classroom and 1st-3rd graders meeting in the full day Pre-K classroom to finish learning about our lessons. 4 th and 5 th graders will meet in their Sunday School classroom from 9:45-10:30 each Sunday beginning Sunday, Sept. 20. Catechism Classes** There will be a Parent/Student Informational Meeting at 9:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary on Sunday, Sept. 13. This meeting is for all 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th graders and a parent. Catechism classes will begin for 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th graders on Sunday, Sept. 20. Students will attend classes from 9:45-10:30 a.m. every Sunday through May 1, 2016. Meet & Greet the Newlyweds*** On Sunday, Sept. 13, Joshua and Michelle Beaudoin will be hosting the time of fellowship after each worship service (9:45 and 11:45 a.m.). Be sure to take a moment and greet the newlyweds. Joshua and Michelle were united in marriage on July 25 in Athens, Texas. Pastor Daniel G. Beaudoin officiated at the marriage ceremony. Corn Maze Adventures On Sunday, Sept. 20, all Catechism and High School kids will be going to the Corn Maze in Whitehouse. We will meet after late service, grab a bite to eat and then head to the Corn Maze. Bring money for lunch and $5 to enter the Corn Maze.

September 2015 THE VOICE Page 6 FELLOWSHIP Church office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, for the Labor Day holiday. Come Lift Your Voice in Song Rehearsals will resume for Festival Choir (adults and youth) beginning Wed., Sept. 9, at 7:30 p.m. Cherub Choir (grades 1-5) will begin rehearsing Thursday, Sept. 10, at 6:30 p.m. Come join us for a very rewarding experience! Pairs and Spares This month, Pairs and Spares are taking a road trip on Friday, Sept. 11 (note date change) to Mon Ami Historic Winery, Port Clinton. Lunch will be at the Winery. We will be leaving church at 10:45 a.m. Please let Pastor Jim (419-341-0397) or Shirley Johnson (419-874-7234) know if you are going by Wednesday, Sept. 9. St. John s will host a nine-week session of Financial Peace University this fall. A FREE preview will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 pm. Classes will begin on Sunday, September 27, from 6:30 to 8 pm. Child care will be available. The cost of the class is $93. For more information or to register, contact the church office or visit: http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/locations/class/1001245/atid/l_ln S.O.A.R. Due to the cancellation of August s Movie Night, we will be rescheduling the movie Fly Wheel for Thursday, Sept. 17. All ladies planning to attend, please sign up on the board in the Narthex. Bring a snack and bring a friend! Men's Breakfast Men's Breakfast will be on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 7:30-9:00 a.m. at Panera Bread on Rt. 20 in Perrysburg. Theme: Hymns as a devotional lead in. All men are invited! On Sunday, Sept. 27, there will be a Gideon speaker at both services to share a brief announcement about the Gideon s Ministry of Bible distribution around the world. A door offering will be taken to assist in this important outreach ministry. Volunteer Schedule Alert For all members who volunteer for both early and late services, you will begin receiving your monthly volunteer schedules electronically starting in October. Please check the schedules carefully. Your jobs will no longer be highlighted. If you still need to give me an e-mail address, please turn it in to me or the office by the second Sunday of September. By sending the schedules electronically, we will save on paper and postage.

September 2015 THE VOICE Page 7 CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE On Thursday, August 20, the Call Committee had the opportunity to interview a candidate for the position of Outreach Pastor. Our Committee felt the interview went well and left the meeting knowing continued thought and prayer was in order. We will meet again on Thursday, Sept. 3, for further discussion. This is a process that will not be rushed through. There is a lot to consider in finding the right person for the position. As a congregation who has committed themselves to bring this new pastor, we need your continued prayers for discernment in this matter. Call Committee Communicator, Sandy Welling-Miller ALTAR FLOWERS The Flower Chart is located on the bulletin board across from Pastor Daniel's office. You may sponsor altar flowers in honor of, in memory of, or to the glory of God. We use two bouquets each Sunday; the cost is $20 per vase. There are a few spots left through the end of the year. If no one signs up, we use our church silk flowers. FOR SEPTEMBER, The Rebekah Circle will begin a new Bible Study on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 1:30 in the Lounge. The Bible Study is entitled Slow Faith and Session 1 is Sabbath Keeping, found in the September issue of Gather magazine. The Bible verse is: Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8) The goal is to gain a sense of Biblical time and the gifts of God s grace that unfold over time. COMFORTERS FOR LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF will be tied on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 in the Parish House. Join in this worthwhile project to put your faith in action. DATES TO REMEMBER: Thursday, September 3 Tie Comforters Wednesday, September 9 Bible Study (Rebekah Circle) PRAY FOR SPECIAL CONCERNS EVERY MONDAY AT NOON. Give thanks for teachers and ask that God would bless them with patience and understanding.

September 2015 THE VOICE Page 8 LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF REQUESTS Lutheran World Relief has issued an urgent plea for School Kits. They have received more requests than they can fill. Shared Bounty has provided school supplies for needy children in our area. Now we are being asked to provide school supplies for needy children around the world. One teacher in Nicaragua said that some of her students cannot even afford a pencil and yet they are eager to come to class every day. You can help children continue learning despite the hardships they face by donating any of the following: 70-sheet notebooks (280-300 sheets total) of wide or college-ruled paper approximately 8 x10½ 30-centimeter ruler or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other Pencil sharpener Blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well) Unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers Black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink) Box of 16 or 24 crayons 2½ eraser There is a box in the coatroom for these items. The ladies have made 20 drawstring backpack-style cloth bags which they hope to fill with your help. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Our congregation's response to the request for items needed for Lutheran World Relief Baby Care Kits has been wonderful! Our goal is to assemble at least 20 kits for shipment in October. After taking an inventory of things we have on hand now, the following items are needed to reach our goal: Diapers - (the flat kind that you fold to fit the infant). We have been supplying Gerber s flat cloth diapers available in the baby dept. at Wal-Mart in a package of 10. Hand towels Soap - large bars of Ivory, or some other mild soap, in the original packaging. Boy's lightweight jackets with hoods, or sweatshirts with hoods - Sizes 12-24 months. (PLEASE NO MILITARY, OR CAMOUFLAGE) Girl's T-shirts - Sizes 6-24 months. (PLEASE NO ONSIES WITH THE SNAPPED CROTCH.) Boys & Girls Socks - sizes 6-12 months & 12-24 months. There is a box in the coatroom for donations. If you have items on hand (as listed in previous announcements), please put them in the box also. If we have extra materials after we reach our goal of 20 kits, we will assemble more kits! Thanks to YOU, a young mother will have clothes to keep her baby warm, dry, and clean. God Bless You! Questions? Call Ellie Schober (419) 837-5992 or e-mail countryside@wcnet.org

September 2015 THE VOICE Page 9 LIBRARY NEWS We have added four new books in our Adult Section: In This Mountain by Jan Karon God is Closer Than You Think by John Ortberg The Hope Within by Tracie Peterson Corrie Ten Boom, World War II Heroine by Sam Wellman Read Along Books and CD's for children: Monsters, Inc. Disney/Pixar 102 Dalmatians Walt Disney Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Walt Disney We have added ten new books in the Children's Section: Count With Dora by Phoebe Beinstein Best Friends for Francis by Russell Hoban I Will Keep You Safe and Sound by Lori Haskins Houran Harriet the Helicopter Let's Get Dressed by Caroline Jayne Church The More We Get Together by Caroline Jayne Church The Boxcar Children-The Mystery of the Wild Ponies by Gertrude Chandler Warner The Boxcar Children-The Mystery of the Lost Mine by Gertrude Chandler Warner Legends of Long Ago - Collier's Junior Classics Roads to Greatness - Collier's Junior Classics Take time to browse in the church library on Sunday mornings or during the week whenever the church is open.

September 2015 THE VOICE Page 10 Thank you to our Youth for serving during August fellowship time. Thank you to all who brought in cookies and snacks. Those involved in Health Care will be serving in September. Dearest Friends, Thank you for your continuing support of our mission. Your gift to Redeemer on 6/30/15 of $194.98 has helped our local children have a fun learning and playing summer with healthy food and a renewed love of Jesus. We are most grateful! In Him, The Redeemer Family Thank you for the sympathy card and also the cards in the mail for my brother, Donald Dunn. I really appreciate them. Thank you, Sharon, for bringing me communion. Thank you for all my birthday cards too. It made my day! - Marian Welling Dear Friends in Christ, Thank you for your gift of $210.59 on 7/31/15 for Redeemer s mission. It was so helpful in helping us with the Summer Camp, which was very successful and a great time was had by all children and staff alike! We re now gearing up for the after-school program. God knows how to keep us out of trouble and we thank Him for the opportunities He gives us to serve Him. It s friends and partners like you who make it possible. You and your mission are in our prayers of Thanksgiving! - In Him, The Redeemer Family Thank yous were received from the following: Lutheran Homes Society for the gifts of $86.98 Lutheran Social Services for the gifts of $38.15 Lutheran Home of Mercy for the gifts of $96.37 & $115.98 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ October Happenings! Oct. 4 ~ Lutheran World Relief Comforter Sunday Oct. 17-18 ~ Marmon Valley High School and Catechism Outing Oct. 25 ~ 8:30/10:45 a.m. Reformation Sunday (3 rd graders receive Bibles) 4:00-5:00 p.m. Trunk or Treat 5:00-6:00 p.m. Chili Cook-off On Wednesday evenings beginning Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m., Pastor Daniel will be leading an Introduction to the New Testament. This Bible study will be taught as a college level course. During the Fall 2015 semester we will spend 7 weeks looking at New Testament writings. A text book may be purchased for the class. It is not necessary for you to have the text book to take the class, but it will greatly enhance your study. The text book is called Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey. It is an excellent book filled with beautiful art, maps, and charts to assist your study of the New Testament. This book was written by Dr. Mark Allan Powell. Dr. Powell was Pastor Daniel's New Testament professor at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. The cost of the book is $23.75 and available for order from amazon.com. Used copies are also available for around $18.00. If you need help ordering Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey, please see Pastor Daniel.