Saint John Lutheran Church September 2016

Saint John Lutheran Church
Bellevue, Iowa
A Congregation of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Growing and responding
Every Day as disciples of Jesus
November 2016
Weekly Worship
Saturday - 5:00 pm
Sunday - 10:00 am
~ ARK ~
Education with
Children
(Preschool—age 4
Through 5th grade)
Friday 3:20—5:00 pm
~ Confirmation ~
6th - 8th Grade
Wednesday
6:00-8:00 pm
Country Store
Bake Sale & Luncheon
Saturday—November 5
11:00—1:00 At our church
Community Thanksgiving
Worship
~ Email~
Sunday– November 20
6:30 pm at First Presbyterian
Church
~ Website ~
Community Thanksgiving
Dinner
Office
[email protected]
Pastor
[email protected]
Saintjohnlutheran.net
Thursday—November 24
Noon—at our church
Saint John Lutheran church - Bellevue,
Iowa
Church Phone:
563-872-5849
To view all the pictures in color within
this newsletter, go to our website:
saintjohnlutheran.net and click on
newsletter.
How to be thankful in tough Times
This article was written by Rick Warren in 2014.
When the Apostle Paul says, “Always be full of joy in the Lord,”
he doesn’t say to only be joyful in good times. Even when times
are tough, the Bible teaches we can be joyful if we follow this
simple strategy:
Don’t worry about anything. Worrying doesn’t change anything. It’s stewing without doing. There are no such things as
born-worriers. Worry is a learned response. You learned it from
your parents. You learned it from your peers. You learned it from
experience. That’s good news: The fact that worry is learned
means it can also be unlearned.
How do you unlearn it? Jesus says in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore
do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own” (NIV). He’s saying don’t
open your umbrella until it starts raining. Live one day at a time.
Pray about everything. Instead of worrying, use your time for
praying. If you prayed as much as you worried, you’d have a lot
less to worry about. Is God interested in car payments? Yes. God
is interested in every detail of your life. That means you can take
any problem you face to God.
Thank God in all things. When you pray, pray with thanksgiving. The healthiest human emotion is not love but gratitude. It
actually increases your immunities. It makes you more resistant
to stress and less susceptible to illness. People who are grateful
are happy. But people who are ungrateful are miserable because
nothing makes them happy. They’re never satisfied. It’s never
good enough. So if you cultivate the attitude of gratitude, of being
thankful in everything, it reduces stress in your life.
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Observing All Saints’
Sunday
November 5th & 6th
On November 4 and 5, we
will be observing All Saint’s
Weekend. At the beginning of
our worship we will be remembering and lighting a candle for the following individuals who have died since November 1, 2015.
Ron Johnson
Robert Davids
Dorothy Ohlendorf
Faith LaCoursiere
Arlyn Still
Cora Still
Margaret Friels
Helen Griebel
KevinHaagenson
Eilene Busch
For all the saints
who from their labors rest
All who by faith
before the world confessed
Your name O Jesus
We will also be recalling our
newest sisters and brothers in
Christ who were baptized since
November 1, 2015. Those baptized this past year were:
Bently GlenRic Budde-Heiar
Jordyn Rose Mohr
Brycen Scott Putman
Karssen Rose Hirst
Kellen Joseph Herrig
Braxton Lee Carstens
Carter Justin Higgins
Alexis Marie Weis
Eivin Eldren Medinger
Amelia Josephine Ernst
Kayla Marie Claussen
Izabella Joy Claussen
Van Patrick Weis
Max Eldon Weis
Kali Ann Knake
Kora Lynn Knake
Tinley Rae Felderman
Sadie Yvonne Kutsch
Ella Elann Even
Bode Allen Scheckel
Myla Edith Haan
I was there to hear
your borning cry
I’ll be there when you are old
I rejoiced the day
you were baptized
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LOOK WHO’S HAVING A BIRTHDAY...
Rayna Kilburg ................ 11/3
Amy Kucera ................... 11/3
Bill Meyer ....................... 11/3
Cash Kirk ....................... 11/4
Kathy Johnson ............... 11/5
Juliana Penniston .......... 11/5
Jeremiah Sauser ............ 11/5
Christine Murphy ............ 11/6
Hayley Norpel ................ 11/6
Kali Knake ..................... 11/7
Ricky Booker.................. 11/9
Sara Johnson............... 11/10
Kayla Claussen ............ 11/12
John Pataska ............... 11/12
Ashley Kieffer............... 11/13
Tia Tennant.................. 11/14
Daniel Martin................ 11/15
Mike Back .................... 11/17
Ryan Dempewolf ......... 11/17
Cambree Jess.............. 11/17
Tiffany Michels ............. 11/17
Trista Ries ................... 11/17
Alex Iosbaker ............... 11/18
Corbin Ploessl.............. 11/18
Gloria Sagers ............... 11/19
Emma Sieverding......... 11/20
Cody Usa ..................... 11/20
Jane Weinschenk ........ 11/20
Dylan Portz .................. 11/21
Benry Ries ................... 11/21
Josh Edwards, Jr. ........ 11/22
Sue Bevan ................... 11/24
Bill Sieverding .............. 11/24
Kellen Herrig ................ 11/25
Dannis Valtr ................. 11/25
Chris Kellogg ............... 11/27
Kyle Rausch................. 11/28
Brendon Booker ........... 11/29
Beth Gleason ............... 11/29
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Celebrating 80+
Years!!!
Verrena Dagitz-Stein
November 10
Greta Dagitz
November 18
JoElla Roling
November 24
We apologize for any errors
or omissions.
If you notice any mistakes,
please contact the church
office.
Pastoral Acts
Wedding—October 1
Josh Baker & Alissa Schon
Wedding—October 15
Keisha Schroeder & Dustin Ploeger
Baptized—October 22
Myla Edith Haan
Parents: Seth & Angela (Reistroffer) Haan
Daylight Savings Time Ends
NOVEMBER 6 2:00 am
DON’T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS
BACK ON SATURDAY EVENING!
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Celebrating the
Rite of Confirmation
On Reformation Sunday, October 30 - we will
celebrating the Rite of Confirmation at the 10:00
worship service for the following youth: Marcus
Anderson, Nicole Dempewolf, Lisa Dixon, Paxton Felderman,
Luke Giesemann, Alex Putman, Zach Roeder, and Jamison
Spann.
On Sunday, October 23, we had the Confirmation Banquet at
the Retreat Center to honor those who will be confirmed.
L-R: Paxton Felderman, Luke Giesemann, Zach Roeder, Marcus
Anderson, Nicole Dempewolf, and Jamison Spann. Not pictured: Lisa
Dixon, and Alex Putman.
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Confirmation Anniversaries
Seventy Years-April 14, 1946
Vaneta Marie Griebel
Eunice Elaine Ernst
Helen Mary Budde
Elinor Mae Beaman
Norma Jean Brown
Lorraine Marie Mangler
Virginia Mae Valant
Vivian Pauleen Schoop
Minni Irene Knake
Joan Marie Stuart
Dorothy Louise Blitgen
Richard Dale Eggers
Norbert George Keil
Donald Alvin Brooks
Robert Henry Felderman
Sixty Years - March 25, 1956
Phylis Ann Achen
Ardis Carol Brown
Norine Ann Felderman
Shirley Ann Felderman
Sharon Kay Griebel
Norma Jean Keil
Margi Livamaa
David Kendall Wallace
Leslie Albert Yeager
Fifty Years - April 3, 1966
Judith Kay Dagitz
Jeanne Marie Eganhouse
Marie Jean Grable
Kenneth Charles Griebel
Kathy Lee Griebel
Cindy Lou Guenther
Stuart Leu Hachmann
Dennis Lee Keil
Gerald Allen Kuhl
Gene Allen Morett
Thomas Charles Rieckesn
Lynn Allan Sanders
Gale Albert Smith
Barbara Kay Sommer
Sandra Sue Seiler
Joan Berneice Stanek
Anna Margaret Stender
Forty Years - April 25, 1976
Kathy Marie Blitgen
Patricia Ann Deppe
Jill Elann Keil
Keith Alan Keil
Charles Joe Michaelson
Ruth Marie Michaelson
John Paul Pataska
Kendra Ann Rockwell
James Allen Sorenson
Scott Anthony Thielen
Thirty Years - June 29, 1986
Steven Thomas Carter
Jennifer Mae Keil
Marcelline Jeanette Keil
Sara Anne Livermore
Lynn Marie Rieckens
Twenty Years - May 12, 1996
Ryan James Elkins
Brittni Lynn Ernst
Christopher Robert Ernst
Brooke Renee Griebel
Michael James Kilburg
Chloe Ann Norpel
Amanda Sue Wagner
Ten Years - May 7, 2006
Rebecca Marie Anderson
Benjamin John Giesemann
Chelsea Ann Kozelka
Hayley Jo Norpel
Jonathon Michael Purvis
Tyrel Ryan Schroeder
Rachel Anne Wilbers
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COUNTRY STORE
BAKE SALE & LUNCHEON
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2015
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
at
SAINT JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
BELLEVUE, IOWA
Serving
Spaetzle with Turkey
Salad Bar
Dessert & Beverage
Adults $7.00
Ages 5-12 $3.00
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Community Thanksgiving
Worship
Sunday evening, November 20 at 6:30
At First Presbyterian Church
Come You Thankful People Come; Raise the song of harvest home,
For years, the three parishes in Bellevue have gathered together for a Community Thanksgiving Service. This year we
will be worshiping together on Sunday evening, November 20 at
6:30 at the First Presbyterian Church. The Community Choir will
be singing. Following the worship, there will be a time of fellowship.
Let us join together in giving thanks to God for all that God
has done.
Community Thanksgiving
Dinner
Thursday, November 24– Noon
at Saint John Lutheran
Saint John will again be hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner for those
people in the Bellevue area who will be alone or unable to prepare a Thanksgiving meal. We will be serving this Thanksgiving
dinner at 12:00 in our Fellowship Hall.
Home Meal Delivery Meals will be available for those who are
elderly or who have physical limitations that will keep them from
coming to the church to eat this dinner. Deliveries will be made
on that day between 11:15 and 11:45. If you would like to have
a meal delivered, call Greta Dagitz at 872-3917 by November
20.
Donations for the meal will be accepted, but not necessary.
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3 R’s
Stewardship Response Weekend
“Stewardship Response Weekend” has been set for November
19 and 20. At our worship services, the members and participating partners will be returning their stewardship response and renewing their commitment to live as God’s faithful stewards
through the year of 2017.
Our 2017 stewardship focus is “3 R’s — Recall, Return, and Rejoice.” As faithful stewards, we recall that all we have—our life
(time), our talents (abilities), and our financial resources were
entrusted by God to us for the purpose of accomplishing God’s
will. As faithful stewards, we return to God a portion (tithe) of
God’s money so that God’s work can be accomplished through
the ministries of the Church. As faithful stewards, we rejoice that
God has blessed us.
With our fall stewardship response, we are asking all of God’s
stewards to renew their commitment to live as God’s people who
share their time, talents, and financial resources so that God’s
work is done here in Bellevue and throughout the world.
Prior to Stewardship Response Weekend a mailing will be sent to
each household. In this mailing you will find an “Estimate of Giving—2017” card and a “Time and Talent” inventory sheet. We
are asking you to return them on Stewardship Response Weekend.
The leadership of Saint John is hoping that all confirmed members and participating partners in ministry will recall, return, and
rejoice together.
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In October, ten (10) of our participating partners indicated their desire to become a participating member of Saint John. We give
thanks to God for bringing these people into
our fellowship.
New members that are not pictured below are
Dale and Marilyn Junk.
Mary Ann Clasen
Theresa, Tamera, Richard, &
Brennen Booker, and
Rick Wieseler
Julie & Randy Kirk
Lorin Medinger
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The Christian Flag
Within our church there are two flags displayed—the
United States of America flag and the Christian flag.
Do you know the history of the Christian flag?
According to an article in “Christian Today” written
by Elesha Coffman: “The Christian flag dates back
to an impromptu speech given by Charles C. Overton, a Sunday school superintendent in New York, on
September 26, 1897. The guest speaker for the Sunday school kick-off didn't show up, so Overton had to
wing it. Spying an American flag near the podium, he
started talking about flags and their symbolism.
Along the way he proposed that Christians should have their own
flag—an idea that stayed on his mind long after the speech. In
1907 Overton teamed up with Ralph Diffendorfer, secretary to the
Methodist Young People's Missionary Movement, to produce and
promote the flag.”
The colors on the Christian flag match those on the American
flag—red, white, and blue. The design of flag has a majority of
white as the background which represents peace, purity, and innocence. In the upper left corner is a blue square, the color of a
symbol of faith and trust. Within the blue is a red cross that reminds of Christ’s sacrifice.
During World War II both the American flag and the Christian
flag were placed in many Lutheran churches, especially those
whose heritage was German. This display of the American flag
was to show their solidarity with the United States during the war
with Germany. The Christian flag reminded the members of their
ultimate solidarity and loyalty is to God.
The ‘pledge of allegiance; or ‘affirmation of loyalty to the
Christian flag was written by Lynn Harold Hough, Methodist minister. He wrote the following pledge: “I pledge allegiance to the
Christian flag and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands; one
brotherhood, uniting all mankind in service and in love.”
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Are You
Interested?
It has been
a number of years since we have had adult Christian education
opportunities. There has been some members and participating
partners who have expressed an interested in participating in a
Bible study.
If you are interested in participating, please let Pastor Paul
know or simply show you interest by signing up in the back of the
church.
We are looking at beginning in December or January.
Christmas Star Ministry
For over two decades the “Christmas
Star” ministry has been providing gifts
and joy to children within our community.
On November 12, the Christmas Star
tree will be put up with two stars for each
child—one for a toy and the other for
clothing. Each star will indicate the gender, age, size, and some suggestions for the gifts.
We ask that you would wrap your gift and tie the star back on
the package. Please TIE rather that tape the stars to the packages because the ‘elves’ take the star off and put the child’s name
on the package. The suggested cost for each gift is between $15
and $20. Please do not put your name or the name of the church
inside the package. Return your gift to the church by December
4.
If you would rather donate non-perishable food items that will
be included in a holiday meal box.
If you know of a family in the Bellevue area that has children
(12 years old or younger) and are financially struggling, contact
Gloria Sagers (872-4418) or Donna Felderman (872-4613).
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Christian Women’s Fellowship
Saturday—October 22, 2016
Fifty-one women gathered together on a beautiful fall day at
Saint John Retreat Center to participate in the annual Christian
Women’s Fellowship. This year’s bible study leader was Reverend Shannon Witt of First Presbyterian Church and the theme
was “Praying in Color.” The women were engaged in several
other activities. The gathering concluded with a noon salad
luncheon.
Shannon Witt with the song
leader Carol Feller
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WELCA Circles
We invite all women to participate
In one of our circles and benefit from our
REBECCA CIRCLE: Tuesday, November 15 @ 7:00 pm
Bible Study: Connie Koehn Hostess: Karen Osar
ELIZABETH CIRCLE: Thursday, November 17 at 7:00 pm
Bible Study: Janice Keil
Hostesses: Marilyn Caldwell & Bea Hansen
RACHEL CIRCLE: Wednesday, November 16 @ 6:30 pm
Hostess: Kathy Ohlert
WELCA News
November 20, 2016 is "Thank Offering Sunday".
As we give our Thankofferings today, we share in a
tradition that goes back at least to the 1800s, when Christian
women formed “mite” or “cent” societies to support the mission
of the church. When others said there was not enough money
to carry out the church’s work, the women believed otherwise
and acted together. In these societies, each woman collected
offerings at home. On occasion, they would gather as we do
today to worship and make their offerings with thanks and
praise.
When Women of the ELCA was formed 30 years ago,
we committed to continue this tradition of giving in gratitude for
blessings. Each year, in thousands of congregations,
Thankofferings are given to support the life-changing ministries of Women of the ELCA. Together, we do more than we
could ever do apart.
In gratitude for all God has given to us, and with hope
for all that is to come, let us now give our Thankoffering. We
will be supporting the Chaplaincy Program at the University of
Iowa this year. To learn about their mission you can go to their
website: http://lcoia.org/
Special offering envelopes will be handed out by
ushers for your offering. Please return by November 20.
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WORSHIP ATTENDANCE
OFFERINGS
Saturday, October 1 .................... 44
Sunday, October 2 ...................... 96
Saturday, October 8 .................... 65
Sunday, October 9 .................... 106
Saturday, October 15 .................. 51
Sunday, October 16 .................... 88
Saturday, October 22 .................. 70
Sunday, October 23 .................... 98
$3,963.00
$2,405.35
$2,904.00
$1,540.00
TREASURER’S REPORT
General Fund Balance—9/27/16
Income:
General Offerings
Emergency Fund Transfer
Building Use
Gifts & Misc.
Wedding
Non-budgeted Income
Expenses:
Budgeted Expenses
Non-budgeted Expenses
General Fund Balance—10/26/16
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$143.76
10,812.35
1,000.00
85.00
19.10
150.00
686.00
(11,717.49)
( 505.00)
673.72
Saint John Council Members
February 2016—January 2017
Gary Feuerbach, President
Judy Graham, Vice President
Chris Iosbaker Treasurer
Gary Penniston
Karen Brown
Craig Sieverding
Pastor Paul Gammelin
Do you have a concern about what is happening
or not happening within our church?
In order to have a congregation that functions in a healthy manner, the
council recommends the following steps be taken when you have a
concern regarding the ministries of our church.
1. Go to the person or committee and share your concern with them.
Hopefully a satisfactory resolution will come forth.
2. If you have contacted the appropriate person or committee and you
don’t feel that a satisfactory resolution has been achieved, you can
bring your concern to the council in person, or by sending an email:
[email protected]. The council will review your concern.
3. Remember, it is the policy of our church, not to deal with an anonymous concern, or with a statement “a lot of people feel the same.”
We need a name or names attached to the concern.
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Saint John Council Minutes
October 18, 2016
Present - Gary Feuerbach, Pastor Paul, Gary Penniston, Ann
Skoff, Chris Iosbaker
Absent - Karen Brown, Craig Sieverding
Called to order by President Gary Feuerbach at 6:23 pm.
Opening Prayer led by Pastor Paul.
Agenda - MSC to approve.
Council Minutes - MSC to approve council minutes of 9/27/16.
Reports - MSC to accept the Financial Reports for September,
2016, and the Worship Ministry Team Minutes of October 11,
2016.
Correspondence a. The Master Gardener’s group sent a note thanking Saint John
for allowing them to have their September meeting in the church
basement. They included a $25 gift to the church.
b. The family of Helen Griebel sent a note thanking the council
for the memorial gift.
OLD BUSINESS a. Farmland Rental Contract - The council approved the final
contract by e-mail vote in September; and Virgil Kilburg has
signed it.
b. Church Constitution - Will be discussed at the next council
meeting.
NEW BUSINESS a. Nominating Committee - Pastor Paul will touch base with the
council members whose terms end at the end of 2016 to see if
they are interested in submitting their names for a second term.
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b. Snow Removal - The Building & Property Committee will be
asked to look into various options.
c. Pastoral Health Insurance - MSC to renew the current health
insurance plan for 2017.
d. New Members - MSC to approve the following people become voting members of Saint John: Dale & Marilyn Junk, Loren Medinger, Mary Ann Clasen, Julie & Randy Kirk, Ricky
Wieseler, and Theresa Booker; and to approve the following
people as baptized members of Saint John: Tamera, Ricky &
Brennan Booker.
e. Confirmands - MSC to approve the following youth be confirmed on October 30, 2016: Marcus Anderson, Nicole Dempewolf, Lisa Dixon, Paxton Felderman, Luke Giesemann, Alex
Putman, Zachary Roeder, and Jamison Spann
Next Meeting - November 15 at 6:00 pm.
MSC adjourned at 6:45 pm. Closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Highlights of Ministry Team Meetings
Worship Ministry Team—October 11, 2016
The Worship Enhancement Committee reported that there will
be slight delay in receiving the new banner because the woman
who is making it has injured her hand.
The recent Contemporary Worship service was discussed. We
had a good attendance. There will be another service in November.
The green hymnals have been recycled and are no longer in the
church.
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