S T. J O H N L U T H E R A N C H U R C H ST. JOHN NEWS Volume 30 Issue 1 January Scuttlebutt Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle s. As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God s love toward those who fear him; so far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgression from us. Psalm 103:2-5, 11-12 I n h i s b o o k Whistling in the Dark, Frederick Buechner wrote, In Annual Meeting the entire history of the universe, let alone your own personal history, there has never be another day like today and there will never be another day just like it again. It is the point to which all your yesterdays have been leading since the hour of your birth. It is the point from which all your tomorrows will proceed until the hour of your death. If you were aware of how precious it is, you could hardly live through it. Unless you are aware of how The annual congregational meeting will take place immediately after worship on Sunday, January 19th. All confirmed members of St. John are asked to attend. We will elect new members of Council and discuss important ministries for 2014. Plus, a world famous pot-luck lunch will follow the meeting! Drinks will be provided, but please bring a dish to share. Don t miss this important meeting of the congregation and precious it is, you can hardly be said to be living at all. Everyday is a precious day in which the gift of life can be enjoyed and cherished. A New Year is a collection of 365 such days and the promise of a fresh start with a whole new set of hopes and dreams. What makes each day and each New Year even more precious and hopeful is the fact we live under the banner of God s grace. The *See SCUTTLEBUTT, pg. 2 Inside this issue: In Good Company 2 New Learning Opportunities 3 Thank You 3 January Calendar 5 Special points of interest: Altar Flowers Ministry Leaders Birthdays and Anniversaries Annual Reports Due Poet s Corner 6
Scuttlebutt from page 1 select verses of the Psalm describe the scope of grace. So far does God remove our sin from us that the guilt and curse of sin are removed forever. Today is a new day and 2014 is a New Year. Baptized in Christ Jesus, washed and forgiven, we step forward into a new start leaving the past behind. In a poem called Sunrise Gerhard Frost wrote: Some things most worth knowing can never be fully, finally learned. I need reminders every day, tutors to hold me to my ABCs. It dawned on me today, the steady proclamation that eternal life begins with faith, not death. I needn t wait to die before I begin to live; this very day I go to meet my heaven. My Lord has come is coming to me in the mercies of God, new every morning. In Good Company Session 6 Woman of Endor, A Seer and Communicator Theme Verse: Then Saul said to his servants, Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her. His servants said to him, There is a medium at Endor. 1 Samuel 28:7 The woman or witch of Endor is called on by Saul to contact the dead Samuel on Saul s behalf, for Saul can get no answer from God regarding his fate in battle with the Philistines. But the woman then offers care for the stricken king. She has a reputation for being able to communicate with the dead and raises questions for us about the living and the dead. Come away with the ladies of St. John on Tuesday, January 28th 10:30 am for Bible Study and fellowship. Doreen Ross will serve as hostess. Tis sunrise to my soul. May God shine the light of his grace and mercy into your soul in this New Year making every moment precious. From my family to yours, happy and blessed New Year! With love and thanks, Pastor Bill Fisher-Tutus Medical Center Health Ministry Program As we begin the year, wanted to pass along some valuable information on working with equipment that maybe especially useful as farmers are preparing for the upcoming planting season. Watch your clothing; do not have any loose clothing that could get caught in the machinery. Do not wear jewelry while working on equipment. Watch all wrap points and keep all safety guards on. Shut down equipment before repairing. For more information check out: http://ohioline.osu.edu/aexfact/0994_3.html Have a safe New Year! Your rules give me pleasure; they give me good advice. Psalm 119:24. V OLU ME 30 IS SU E 1 Page 2
New learning opportunities begin for a New Year: If you re looking for opportunities to learn, look no further! Check out the following opportunities for spiritual growth: Bible Study: Sunday school: Our small group Bible study resumes on Thursday, January 9th at 7:00 pm in the Upper Room. The only prerequisite is a desire to know God better and walk with him more faithfully. Join us for this time of learning and fellowship! Meets every Sunday at 9:00 am with class for kids in the fellowship hall. Adults meet at the same time in the Upper Room. Book Discussion: Join us on January 23rd at 7 pm in the Upper Room as the Book Discussion Group meets once again to begin the discussion of a new book entitled, "The Hiding Place." This is the biography and powerful story of Dutch Christian Corrie Ten Boom who survived the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp after she and her family were caught giving refuge to fleeing Jews in German occupied Holland. Her undaunting faith in Christ gave courage and hope, and saw her through the struggle. Please add your name to the list on the Welcome Table and reserve your copy of the book. Cost for the book is just $7. Cash or a check made out to "St. John Lutheran Church" may be placed in the offering plate. Once books are received and distributed, readings will be assigned in preparation for the first discussion. Hope you'll join the Book Discussion Group! Plan to take advantage of these opportunities to grow in faith and knowledge. Annual Reports From my family to yours, thank you so much for your very generous Christmas gift! We appreciate your kindness and support, and most of all we appreciate your love. I look forward to a year of fruitful ministry ahead. With love, Pastor Bill and family. Thank you to the members of St. John for all the lovely cards, prayers and especially the visits from Pastor Bill. Yours always, Jeanette Walz January Birthday Jan. 1 Heather Welch 2 Vicki Johnson, Joyce Baaske Helen Williams 3 Doreen Ross, 5 Jean Nottke, Jacob Bechtel 7 Judy Deehr 9 Scott Riley 10 Adam Justi V OLU ME 30 IS SU E 1 Thank You members of St. John for the Christmas gift. It is a pleasure to serve St. John congregation. Thank you for the gift and I look forward to continued service to our Lord and the members of St. John. Sandy Thompson, St.John Church Secretary 11 Jacob Deehr 17 Sandy Thompson 20 Doris Rahrig 20 Ed Kalis 21 Amelia Bliss 24 William Lucht 25 Jeanette Walz 25 Don Johnson 29 Nancy Osbun 31 Pastor Bill The St. John Council requests church leaders to complete your annual report as soon as possible. These will then be processed and printed by Sandy Thompson for distribution to the congregation. Reports can be placed in the Annual Report " envelope at the back of the church OR e-mailed to sandy8110@gmail.com or send via US Mail to 2009 Jeffries Rd. Huron OH 44839 Thanks so much for your assistance. Altar Flowers January Flower Donors 5-12- 19-Rollie & Myrna Schlessman in memory Janet Schlessman 26- Page 3
Grief Group It's time we formed a group within this church family in which to talk about grief and help each other grieve. Many of you have lost loved ones, some very recently, and common experience and shared faith go along way toward healing. How about coming together to talk and pray? How about coming together to support one another? New Year s Crossroad Puzzle For now, I'm calling this the Grief Group, but we'll come up with a better name for whatever this new group becomes. Join us as we meet for the very first time at the home of Paula Hoffman, who has graciously agreed to host the gathering. Here are some details: When: Sunday, January 12 Time: 3:00 pm Where: Hoffman residence - 4116 Woodridge Dr. Sandusky Light refreshments will be served. Please let me know if you have questions. Pastor Bill Across 1 new year in Scotland 3 enumeration of final moments 4 greet warmly 6 famous London clock 8 explosion of lights 10 day of new year 16 12 o'clock at night 17 promise you make 19 new year month 20 shows the date 21 traditional New Year song Down 2 there are 12 in the year 3 festivity to mark an event 5 couples do this at midnight 7 expression of goodwill 9 celebrate the arrival 11 where crowds gather in New York 12 noise produced by clock 13 get-together to celebrate 14 used for decoration at parties 15 celebration drink 18 move to music Answers
ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CH URCH 106 Scheid Road Sandusky, Ohio 44870 A FAMILY OF DISCIPLES, FAITHFULLY MAKING CHRIST KNOWN 419-625-2192 E-mail: stjohnlc@att.net www,stjohnlcsandusky.com Sunday School 9:00 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM ADDRESS CHANGE REQUESTED January Committees ALTAR COMMITTEE Kathleen Rudiger Beverly Hohman FEBRUARY ALTAR COMMITTEE Norma Zorn, Amelia Bliss COMMUNION GLASSES Judy & John Miller FELLOWSHIP HOSTESSES Norma Zorn, Amelia Bliss NEW LISTS ARE OUT! New lists for worship assistants are on the bulletin board above the Welcome Table. Please sign up today to help with worship! Poet s Corner by Jerry Bauer "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." Isaiah 55:8 New years come, new years go. I make resolutions, this time to keep. Fail again, guilt sets in. Start with myself, what I want to do. But am I mistaken to start with me? Fulfilling year, satisfying life, starts with Jesus --His call, --His instructions: "FOLLOW ME." Ministry Opportunities! USHERS Jan. 5 David Zorn 12 David Zorn 19 David Zorn 26 David Zorn LAY READERS Jan. 5 Linda Miller-Moore 12 19 26 COMMUNION ASSIST. Jan. 5 Paula Hoffman Jan. 19 At Home Ann Neate, Wes Justi Jean Nottke, Rita Justi Wayne & Ruth Knupke Margaret Ommert Parkvue Jeanette Walz, Jean Hlavin Lutheran Mem. Home Ruth Bruns