ST. JOHN S NEWS Volume 31 Issue 3 March From our President Hello to all! The Little Church That Can March! Yes, we are in the third month of 2016 and winter is drawing to a close, I hope! Easter will be here in four weeks and spring comes with the trees and plants budding out. It s my time of the year when nature comes back to life and shows us its beauty. During January and February, the Call Committee has been working very hard to get to this point where the Synod is looking for someone who shows interest in our Ministry Site Profile. When someone inquires about St. John s, the Synod forwards that person s information to our committee to see if the applicant might fit our needs. If the committee likes what they see, then arrangements are made to interview the person. The slow part is the time involved with the Synod interviewing people before we see them. We need to be aware that it is going to take a bit of time before the committee finds the RIGHT person. Keep them in your prayers. Lent is in full swing and our Wednesday night soup suppers are doing all right, but there is always room for more at the table! On Easter Sunday, we are having the regular 8:00 AM service with Pastor Ray Vance and the 10:30 AM service with Pastor Merlin Jacobs. Once again, the men in the congregation will serve breakfast between services. Remember, I am just a phone call away if you have questions or concerns @ 419-684-5833 or 419-370-3007. Remember: Together we can! Blessings to all, Jim Moore, Council President Inside this issue: Poets Corner 2 Minutes 3 Church Conflict 4 Home Reading Challenge 6 Mlenga Well Project 7 SALM Minutes 8 Special points of interest: Altar Flowers First Quarter Team Birthdays Spring Ahead Time Change March Calendar Newsletter Online Lent/Holy Week Opportunities 10
Poet s Corner Wonderful "The Lord says,"i have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." Jeremiah 31:3 Wonderful, God's love, God's gift to me. Undeserved, though it be. God's faithfulness without end. I will serve Him to the end. Wonderful. by Jerry Bauer Easter Egg Hunt for our youth will be held on Easter morning during the Easter breakfast. See Suzi Leigh if you would like to help with the hunt or donations of candy. ST. JOHN S HOMEBOUND MEMBERS Joyce Baaske: At home, Huron Ruth Bruns: Lutheran Memorial Home, Sandusky June Gorga: At home, Sandusky. (Mother of Nancy Osbun ) Jean Hlavin: Parkvue Place, Sandusky (Pastor Bill's mother) Rita Justi: Gaymont Nursing Home, Norwalk Rachel Kaliszewski: Gaymont Nursing Home, Norwalk (Renee Barkhimer's mother) Wayne and Ruth Knupke: At home, Huron Ann Neate: At home, Sandusky Jean Nottke: At home, Huron Lois Oltman: At Parkvue Place, Sandusky Margaret Ommert: At home, Huron Jeanette Walz: Parkvue Health Care Center, Sandusky Joan Zorn: at Portland House, Sandusky Ruth Deehr: At home, Berlin Heights Gloria Winkel: Rehab at Admiral s Point, Huron Addresses and contact information may be found in the congregational directory unless they reside in a nursing home. Thanks for caring! March Birthdays Mar. 1 Kassidy Burdue 8 Keith Schlessman 12 Jean Hlavin 13 Lois Oltman 17 Rita Justi 18 Brian Wilson 19 Wayne Knupke Bonny Ambos 21 David Young 22 Ryan Kalis 25 Kathleen Rudiger 27 Jennifer Hlavin 28 Lindsay Harrison 31 Heather Ruggles ANNIVERSARIES 3 Ray and Ann Witt Altar Flowers Mar. 6 Kathy Strayer memory of Bob 13 John & Barbara Wagner 20 27 Easter Lilies 29-Scheid Family Spring Forward! Remember to turn your clocks ahead next Sunday, March 13th. Daylight Savings Time begins at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. Leaders Lay Readers March 6 Jim Semon, Sr. 13 20 Jan Fulton 27 8:00-Jan Fulton 10:30-Linda Miller- Moore Communion Assistants Mar. 6 Jim Semon 27 8:00 Jan Fulton 10:30- Easter Breakfast Coordinator Men of St. John! Bob Stacy will be heading up the annual Easter breakfast on Sunday, March 27, 2016. Watch for further details in the upcoming bulletins. VO L UME 31 I SS UE 3 Page 2
ST. JOHN S LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING February 2, 2016 CALL TO ORDER: President Jim Moore called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Jim welcomed Paula Hoffman as a new members to Council. PRAYER: Barry Laird opened the meeting with a special prayer. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Jacob Deehr, Jeff Justi, Paula Hoffman, Bob Krawetzki, Jerrie Krawetzki, Barry Laird, Jim Moore, Lori Stacy, Ann Voight and Ray Witt. ABSENT: Dale Osbun MINUTES January council meeting minutes were approved on motion by Bob Krawetzki and seconded by Barry Laird, and Council voted to approve the minutes. REPORTS: Treasurer s Report January financials will be sent by Dale Osbun when they are complete. Faith Life: Paula Hoffman reported they will meet in February and have a discussion about Youth programming and other Faith Life matters. Supper Club will meet at Danny Boys on February 18 th at 6:00 p.m. Trustees: St. John s is moving forward with the roof at the parsonage. Trustees will select a color. Unused satellite dishes will be removed from the parsonage roof by Jeff Justi at the time of the roof project. Back door at the parsonage was fixed by Hobb s. Sunrise will do a safety inspection on our propane tank, regulator, and appliance and safety valves. Questions have arisen regarding the front doors of the church...property Team will look into this. Deacons: New candles are working well. : Services are planned for St. John s thru Maundy Thursday. Good Friday service at Zion Lutheran will be a standard service for the first hour and some changes in the second two hours. Call Committee: Paula Hoffman reported that the Call Committee will meet on February 3 at 4:00 p.m. They are working on the interview process. Synod leads this process and helps the Call Team. Good News Amen Team: The team met on January 13, 2016, and the following officers were elected: Barry Laird will Chair the team and Allison Young will serve as secretary. Elders: SALM - Bob Krawetzki reported that on January 31, 2016, at St. Paul s Lutheran Church the movie When God Left the Building was shown with 295 persons in attendance. Discussion and a light meal took place afterwards. Those attending believe this gathering was very interesting and helpful. The Joy Time attendance has increased. SALM will sponsor boxes for collection of no-longer-needed eyeglasses. Consideration is being given to adjusting the name of SALM to possibly be Firelands Area Lutherans in Ministry. OLD BUSINESS: 2015 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES: The January 17, 2016 Annual Meeting minutes were reviewed and suggestions were made to Ann Voight and changes made. These minutes can only be submitted for approval at the Annual St. John s meeting next January. NEW BUSINESS: Synod Assembly: Synod Assembly begins Thursday, May 19, 2016. ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will be present. Northwestern Ohio Bishop Marcus Lohrmann will retire and a new Bishop will be elected at this Assembly on Saturday, May 21 st. If anyone is interested in attending Assembly, contact Jim Moore. Page 3
Council Minutes continued Adjournment: On motion by Jerrie Krawetzki and seconded by Paula Hoffman, our meeting adjourned. We prayed The Lord s Prayer together before departing. Announcements: March 1st is next Council meeting. February 10th is Ash Wednesday. Respectfully Submitted, Ann S. Voight Secretary Please take a tag or 2 for our next donation to this women's shelter that helps women and children start their lives over. They are in need of some basic essentials. Please return your donated items back to church by Sunday, March 27, 2016. As always, thank-you in advance for your continued generosity. Faith Life Team Church conflict can be good news submitted by Pastor Merlin Jacobs I ve learned increasing my tolerance for conflict can enhance my leadership effectiveness. We can actually celebrate church conflict, both personally, and for the congregation as a whole. 1. Congregations with no conflict aren t going anywhere. Churches with zero conflict have little energy and will eventually decline. When church leaders are brave enough to take stands and speak a vision, some won t like it. Conflict may actually be a sign you are on the right track. 2. Church conflict give you a chance to work on yourself You get the chance to develop a backbone and thicker skin. As a pastor, I got to the point where I truly could celebrate that someone got mad at me. To be honest, I didn't love it, but I knew it was growth-producing for me, and for the congregation. 3. You re in good company if your church has conflict. The churches Paul wrote to, especially the church in Corinth, had plenty. And of course, Jesus faced plenty of criticism and even danger. 4. It s a sign that people care about their church. When people complain, I heard someone say recently, look for the deeper commitment behind their complaint. If you learn to appreciate the critics and complainers, dealing with conflict will be easier and more productive. 5. It gives you an opportunity to assess people s functioning. Notice who takes the conflict personally (maybe it s you!) or says, How can you say that! And notice who is able to say clearly and calmly, I disagree. The latter are the ones you want to tap for future leadership. VO L UME 31 I SS UE 3 Page 4
St. John Church Council 2016 President: VP: Secretary: Treasurer: Deacons: Elders: Trustees: Team Leaders: Faith Life: Finance: Garden: Property: : Jim Moore Bob Krawetzki Ann Voight Dale Osbun Lori Stacy Jerrie Krawetzki Paula Hoffman Barry Laird Jake Deehr Ray Witt Jeff Justi Paula Hoffman Peg Kingsley Paul Stengel Jeff Justi Sandy Thompson Materials Needed The quilting group is in need of cotton material, preferably dark colors. If you have some to contribute, please mark the items for making quilts, and place them in front of the cabinets on the west wall of the kitchen. Thanks! Kathleen Rudiger The gathered church on Sunday is the scattered church on Monday! The monthly newsletters are available on our website. Newsletters will be available each month for you to read online or to print for your convenience. Newsletters will not be sent by email. A Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend allows married couples to celebrate their special relationship and provides them with unique insights and tools to improve their communication for the long haul. It's a whole Weekend away from chores, jobs, and kids to celebrate their love, learn a delightful new method of communication, and reap joyful rewards for them, their family, and their faith journey. God Loves Marriage - Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend April 15-17, 2016 Fairfield Inn & Suites, Beachwood OH Apply now at GodLovesMarriage.org! Or contact Duffy & Nan Guthrie at nguthrie@suite224.net or 440-599-9090 for more information. Weekends fill fast - don't miss out! A deaf interpreter is available for this weekend if a need is noted. Healthy Habits from Fisher-Titus Medical Center Health Ministry March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month. 6-9 million Americans have gambling problems. It is a behavioral addiction that can affect anyone. Gambling becomes a problem when it affects any major area of life. It is characterized by the inability to resist the impulse to gamble, even when there are negative consequences. Loss of control is at the heart of the problem. Frequently borrowing money to gamble; gambling to escape boredom, pain or loneliness; loss of interest in other activities; trying to win back money lost; lying to a loved one about gambling are just a few signs that there may be a problem. For more information go to www.ncpgambling.org or call the toll free helpline 1-800-522-4700. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity for man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. 2 Peter 2:19. Page 5
OLD TESTAMENT READINGS FOR MARCH Tues. Mar 1 Proverbs 30 The Words of Agur Wed. Mar. 2 Proverbs 31 The Capable Wife Thursday March 3 - We start reading the Book of Genesis. The name Genesis means origin. The Book tells about the creation of the universe, the origin of mankind, the beginning of sin and suffering in the world, and about God s way of dealing with mankind. Throughout the book the main character is God, who judges and punishes those who do wrong, leads and helps his people, and shapes their history. Thur. Mar. 3 The Story of Creation Fri. Mar. 4 Chapter 2 The Garden of Eden Sat. Mar. 5 Chapter 3 The Disobedience of Man Sun. Mar. 6 Chapter 4 Cain and Abel Mon. Mar. 7 Chapter 5 The Descendents of Adam Tues. Mar. 8 Chapter 6 The Wickedness of Mankind Noah Wed. Mar. 9 Chapter 7 The Flood Thur. Mar. 10 Chapter 8 The End of the Flood Noah Sacrifice Fri. Mar. 11 Chapter 9 God s Covenant With Noah Sat. Mar. 12 Chapter 10 The Descendents of Noah s Sons Sun. Mar. 13 Chapter 11 The Tower of Babylon Mon. Mar. 14 Chapter 12 God s Call To Abram Abram in Egypt Tues. Mar. 15 Chapter 13 Abram and Lot Separate Wed. Mar. 16 Chapter 14 Abram Rescues Lot Thur. Mar. 17 Chapter 15 God s Covenant With Abram Fri. Mar. 18 Chapter 16 Hagar and Ishmael Sat. Mar. 19 Chapter 17 Circumcision, the Sign of the Covenant Sun. Mar. 20 Chapter 18 A Son is Promised to Abraham Mon. Mar. 21 Chapter 19 The Sinfulness of Sodom Lot leaves Sodom Tue. Mar. 22 Chapter 20 Abraham and Abimilech Wed. Mar. 23 Chapter 21 The Birth of Isaac Thurs. Mar. 24 Chapter 22 God Commands Abraham to Offer Isaac Fri. Mar. 25 Chapter 23 Sarah Dies, Abraham Buys Burial Ground Sat. Mar. 26 Chapter 24 A Wife for Isaac Sun. Mar. 27 Chapter 25 Other Descendents of Abraham Mon. Mar. 28 Chapter 26 Isaac Lives At Gerar Tue. Mar. 29 Chapter 27 Isaac Blesses Jacob Wed. Mar. 30 Chapter 28 Isaac Sends Jacob to Laban Thurs. Mar. 31 Chapter 29 Jacob arrives at Laban s home Page 6
The Mlenga Well Project is a Success! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ at St. Peter's Black berry Lutheran Church. I greet you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are so happy to inform you that we are now getting clean water from the well. Our Lord did a miracle on Saturday 13/02/2016 when our Honorable Bishop Lohrmann and Honorable Bishop Kinyunyu opened the two taps and water from the tank came out as plenty as you can see on the attached photos (1278). The system is now complete as you can see on the photos: the bore hole with inserted pump, the reserve tank of capacity 27 cubic meters (27,000 liters) and the taps for supplying water to our people. The machine house is holding the solar panels on the roof and other solar components to the inside. Our system is solar operated and it is producing water so long as we have the sun shine and sun light. Bishop Lohrmann arrived at Mlenga in the morning on that day and met the Ground Water Engineer USA Mr Stuart Smith and me (photo 1197) and other church elders. Present in that ceremony were pastors, evangelists, leaders of Mlenga village, villagers and many other invited guests as you may see on photo 1202. The Bishop opened the water well in the service as he is seen on photo 1226 and then we all planted tree on that site as a way of remembering this event. Really, it was a very good day, Mr. Naftal Mandi (Ground Water Director in Tanzania) said to the Bishops that there are few activities remained and after total completion of the whole work they will hand over the well to the District Pastor Reverend Joseph Shakato and thereafter, Ground Water USA and Tanzania they will write a final Physical and Financial Report to us all. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the people of Mlenga, Mpwapwa District, Dodoma Diocese, ELCT and all the people in Tanzania, to thank you all friends of St. Peter's Black berry Lutheran Church, North West Ohio Synod and ELCA for your contributions which made this activity to be possible and now we are getting clean water for drinking, cooking, washings, etc. etc. Our promise to you is that we will take care of the project so that it may produce water for many coming years for ourselves, our children, our grand children and so on. We thank you so much and may our Almighty Lord bless you all. Remain blessed by our Lord. Yours in the love of our Lord, MPWAPWA DISTRICT PARTNERSHIP CHAIRMAN Hudson Humphrey Kiwia The taps are opened! Honorable bishops Kinyunyu and Lohrmann turn the taps to Flowing water. Page 7
Sandusky Area Lutherans in Mission Grace, Castalia Resurrection, Sandusky St. John, Sandusky St. Paul, Sandusky -- Trinity, Sandusky Zion, Huron Zion, Sandusky St. Peter, Norwalk St. John s, Bellevue Highlights from the February 15, 2016, 2016 Board meeting of Our Sandusky Area Lutherans in Mission A moment of silence and remembrance was held for former SALM Board member Wayne Russell who passed away January 25 th. The SALM Board voted to change our name to better reflect our expanded membership and mission. The process is underway. Watch for future announcements as we make the transition. Zion, Sandusky will again host the Lutheran Community Good Friday Service with some changes. A service will be held from noon-1pm followed by stations set throughout the church for meditating and prayer from 1-3. St. Peter, Norwalk will host the Norwalk Community Good Friday Service and a meditation chapel with various stations will be open from 8 am -4:30 pm during Holy Week. The film When God Left the Building drew 197 Lutherans out on Sunday, January 31, to find out why churches are failing in today's society and what could be done about it. The film was followed with a discussion led by Jim Stauffer, St. Paul, Sandusky. The pastors of SALM and the planning team have met to review the movie event and the comments received.. The discussion needs to continue on how to follow God out of the building to give a stronger witness to Christ Jesus beyond our churches walls. Watch for additional details as SALM will host a meeting to discuss innovative new forms of church on Sunday, April 10th at 3 pm, St. Paul s, Sandusky. Watch for more details. For those who missed the showing of When God Left the Building, it is now available on DVD and On Demand for personal viewing for $19.99. Visit http://wwv.group.com/whengodleftthebuilding/#demand for details. The SALM Board would like to thank the planning committee of Pastor Philip Gardner, Pastor Merlin Jacobs, Brent Gardner, John Mears, and Jim Stauffer, those who served as greeters, and all those who helped feed the 157 who stayed for a light meal and discussion. Special thanks to Jim and Linda Stauffer for donating the pizzas. Donations of $362.00 were collected at the event for the people of Flint, Michigan, who are struggling with a long-term water quality crisis. A thank you was received from the Rev. Dr. Donald Kreiss, Bishop, Southeast Michigan Synod. Announcements and SALM Church news: March 3, St. Paul, Blood Drive March 5, 3pm-6pm, Grace, Castalia Spaghetti Supper to benefit Project Share March 10, 6:30 pm JOY Time, a faith-based ministry to adults with disabilities. Location changed to Ability Works, Inc. on Superior St. The JOY Time choir has entered a Talent Show. March 13, March for Meals Sunday (Fundraiser for Erie County Meals on Wheels) Tuesday evening Lenten Services at Zion, Sandusky. 6 pm meal, 7 pm service. A noon service/meal is held on Wednesdays. Holy Week, Meditation Chapel with stations, St. Peter s, Norwalk from 8am-4:30 pm. Good Friday noon services at Zion, Sandusky and St. Peter s, Norwalk. Page 8
A FAMILY OF DISCIPLES, FAITHFULLY MAKING March 2016 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Ushers: Ushers: 1 2 3 4 5 6-Ted Call 13-Vicky Johnson 20-27- 8:00-10:30- Church Council 7:00 pm 6:00-Soup supper 7:00-7:30-Choir 6 Flowers: Kathy Strayer 7 8 9 6:00-Soup supper 7:00-7:30-Choir 10 Crossroads Servant Event 3:30-6:00 pm Food donations to church by noon 11 12 Good News+ Amen hosts pod meeting 10 am-12:00 13 Flowers: 14 15 16 17 18 19 John & Barbara Wagner 9:00 am Quilting Session 6:00 pm Team 6:00-Soup supper 7:00-7:30-Choir 6:30 pm Faith Life 20 Flowers: 21 22 23 24 25 26 Palm Sunday -10:30 Choir 7:00 pm Maundy Thursday 7:00 pm Good Friday Tenebrae 7:00 pm S T. J O HN S LUT HE RA N CHURCH 106 S CHEI D RD S A NDUSKY, O HIO 44870 P HONE: 419-625-2192 E-MA I L: S TJ O HNCA L@GMA IL. CO M W EBSIT E: WWW.ST JOHNLCSANDUSKY. CO M 27 Flowers: Easter Lilies Easter 8 & 10:30 Breakfast-9 Easter Egg Hunt-9:30 28 9:00 am Quilting Session 29 30 Choir 7:00 pm 31
St. John s Lutheran Church 106 Scheid Rd. Sandusky, OH 44870 A Family of Disciples, Faithfully Making Christ Known Sunday School 9:00 AM Sunday 10:30 AM ADDRESS CHANGE REQUESTED First Quarter Team Allison & Kevin Young Judy & John Miller Sandy & Chuck Thompson March 6th Communion Glasses/Fellowship Wednesday in March Lenten Soup Suppers setup each week MARCH 27th Palm Sunday March 20 at 10:30 am The season of Lent continues. Join us on Wednesdays in Lent for our traditional soup supper at 6:00 pm followed by worship at 7:00 pm. A sign-up list is on the Welcome Table to provide food for the Lenten Holy Week at St. John Maundy Thursday: March 24th at 7:00 pm. Celebration of the Lord s Supper. Good Friday: March 25th at 7:00 pm. St. John s will offer Service of Tenebrae. Easter Sunday: March 27th at 8:00 am and 10:30 am. Both services feature Holy Communion. Easter Breakfast at 9:00 am Easter Egg Hunt for the youth during the breakfast.