Daily Email: Tuesday, May 8, 2018

DEVOTION:  Acts 1:1-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, ² until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. ³ He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

⁴ And while staying^[a] with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; ⁵ for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with^[b] the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

The Ascension

⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" ⁷ He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

 

https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.klaustermeier/videos/10155505794838803/

 

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CALENDAR:

Tues- Denny's fundraiser all day; Board of Outreach meeting 8am; Quilting 9-2; Little Lambs 3 year old graduation           6pm; Trustees meeting 7

Wed- Little Lambs 4 year old class graduation 6pm; Choir practice 7pm

Thurs- Karate 6:15-7:45pm

Fri- Graduating class bbq and prayer meeting 5:30-6:30

Sat- worship 5pm

Sun- Worship 8:30 or 11; Sunday school 9:45; Mother's day

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WORSHIP WORKERS: 

Acolyte- 8:30- Abby Vossen; 11- Savannah Masters

 

Ushers- Sat- Marv Hendershot; 8:30- Don Turnure, Don Nolte, Brent Davis, Larry Schulze; 11- Gary Scott

 

Altar- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up- Sandy Robine

 

Communion assistant- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter

Greeters- 8:30- Jim and Vickie McRae; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson

 

 Projectionist- Sat- Perricone, 8:30- Yoder, 11- Loren Howard

Lay Reader- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Jacob Nagel; 11-Sam Johnson

 

Sat Pianist- Molly Hendershot

 

Organist- Ned Quest

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ  What is a "maskil" in the Psalms?

A skilled or artistic piece.  Intended to instruct, teach a moral lesson or make a moral observation. "didactic" or "melody"   The title of 13 Psalms.

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TODAY'S QUIZ:  What is Sheol?

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NEWS:

DENNY'S FUNDRAISER TODAY FOR TURNING POINT AND AGAPE!!

Go out to eat.  Get good food.  Enjoy the company of others.  Support Agape and Turning Point!  20% of all proceeds will go to these two organizations.

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ITEMS FOR OUR MAY 20 VOTER'S MEETING

We have a voters meeting scheduled for May 20.  In this newsletter, I want to alert you to some things that will be discussed and voted on so you know what's going on and can prepare accordingly. 

 

1. Change in governance structure proposed to be implemented on a trial basis: 

                Over the past two decades we have seen a sharp decline in the number of members who are able and willing to serve on boards and committees.  We have also seen that many of these boards and committees have lost their effectiveness and are not necessarily what the church needs or is focused on.  Therefore our current governance structure has been in need of an overhaul for quite some time. 

                At last November's voter's meeting it was moved that a governance task force should be appointed to move forward with this.  They have been meeting to discuss certain changes, and have been working diligently to come up with a plan and structure that will work for St. John's.  They have come up with a new governance structure that they will be proposed, and then for the next five months the details will be worked out and our bylaws changed to reflect these changes.  Then, at the November voter's meeting the voters will vote to approve the changes to bylaws and

                I will not explain the plan here as it should be something that will be explained better in person on May 20. I will just say that we are moving from a board and committee model to a ministry model where people can participate and work freely in and with events and ministries instead of having to commit to a three year term on a board. Ministry will grow and more people will be able to be involved and not be hindered by a governance structure that is outdated.

 

2. A proposal to consolidate our three worship services to one on a trial basis beginning June 3.

                Last year we used fifth Sundays to consolidate our worship services into one service and to have a fellowship meal and celebration after worship.  It was met with much success, and many people came to the leadership of the church and to me and asked why we don't do it every week. 

                Then, in October of last year, there was a mass shooting at a church in Texas along with other shootings and acts of violence at other churches, and we began to think about our own church, and how we too often leave ourselves vulnerable. A security task force was appointed, and one of the things that was a big factor is how often we leave ourselves open for attack without even thinking about it.  It was discussed that a way to keep ourselves safer would be to have less public worship services so that those trained in security could be available and at the ready at each worship service.  It would also provide peace of mind for those attending who are concerned about such things, myself included. 

                Another factor in this is that we are spreading ourselves too thin when it comes to volunteers and worshipers.  Since we have less people attending worship, there are less men who want to be elders, less acolytes, less projectionists, etc. as well as  less worshipers in general. This provides scheduling hassles and nightmares for those who remain as volunteers and for Terry, our secretary.

                The benefits of worshiping together in one service have been evident on our fifth Sundays. The sense of unity and fellowship is great!  Singing is more robust and joyful. It is just a much more worshipful atmosphere when we are all together as one. 

                The downsides are certainly noted as well. Less convenience may cause some to not be able to attend.  And while this may be true, we haven't seen any lasting increase in worship attendance when we added worship services either.    Another downside is that those who have grown used to a routine, or a certain style of worship will have to adapt and adjust.

                Our worship style will be blended.  We will have liturgy, hymns, children's songs, and videos all in the same service.  I can guarantee that it will be wonderful, because I know that the Lord Jesus will be there and be honored and praised!

                Of course this is all subject to voter discussion and approval on May 20.  Please contact pastor or your elder with any concerns you may have. 

 

3. There is a $20,000 memorial that was given by the Ed Kohrs estate that the trustees would like the voters to approve to be used for a security system around church and a new digital sign out front.

                With past acts of violence and increasing church break ins, a security system would be a great help to our safety.   Our current sign is falling apart piece by piece and would cost more to fix than the sign is worth. 

 

In closing, I want to encourage and remind you that even though the world and our church seem to be changing at a more rapid pace than we'd like, our LORD DOES NOT CHANGE!  He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!  He will be with you through the changes of life, and will bring you to eternal life.  And whatever changes do happen at St. John's the Lord Jesus will still be the Lord of this church!  He will still be the one preached, taught and witnessed!  He will still guide this church toward doing his will!  The Scriptures will be our source of teaching, doctrine and life! 

                I can also encourage you that, even though worship attendance is on the decline, membership is on the rise!  We've been averaging two baptisms a month so far this year, and many are planning on becoming members in the near future through transfer and adult instruction.  Be encouraged that God is still growing his church! Be excited about the future of St. John's.  I know that God will do great things through us.  He will use our mouths, hands and feet to bring the lost to himself!

                               

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ISAIAH 55 MINISTRY HAS BEGUN AT ST. JOHN'S!!

This ministry is very simple.  Take the Word of God and put it into the hands and lives of people.  As you go about your day, simply leave them in the restaurant, store, waiting room—wherever someone would find them.  Give them as gifts to your friends and neighbors. 

 

This ministry is based on these verses from Isaiah 55

¹⁰ "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
¹¹ so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

 

Bibles on are the counter in the narthex.  Take as many as you want!

 

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YARD SIGNS FOR THE PREGNANCY OPTIONS CENTER

Would you like to have a sign in your yard promoting the pregnancy options center? 

It simply says:

Pregnant?

Need Help?

Call 636-235-1477

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FAITH5 TRAINING  RESUMES THIS SUNDAY!!!

1. Every Sunday at 9:45 April 15-June 3—For the next five weeks we will be digging deeper into the five faith practices of our Faith5 movement.  Yesterday we did an overview and a quick practice of Faith5 with each other.  This coming Sunday we are going to take a longer look at what "Sharing" our highs and lows is all about and why it is beneficial for us.  (Please note that there will be no class on May 20 because of voters meeting)
2. Saturday, May 19 8-Noon-  We are going to take one whole morning and have a crash course on faith5 and how we can get the most out of it.  Registration and Sign up is greatly appreciated for this!  Sign up sheet for it is on the counter in the narthex. You can also simply reply to this email, or you can call or text me at 636-359-1061 to let me know you'll be there.

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LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR!!! 

Call the church office to get registration forms.  Any questions, talk to Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.

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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE ON THE SHELVES UNDERNEATH THE CHURCH MAILBOXES IN THE NARTHEX IF YOU HAVEN'T PICKED THEM UP YET! 

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OUR LAST DIRECTORY (Last updated in August of 2016) has a lot of outdated phone numbers.  If your number has changed, please call the office 456-2888 and let Terry know!

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DUE TO SOME TROUBLES WITH OUR CHURCH EMAIL ADDRESS WE HAVE HAD TO GET A NEW ONE

Our new email address is sjwarrlutheran@gmail.com.  Please change it in your address books!!

 

Pastor's email, revklaus@hotmail.com will remain the same.

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LITTLE LAMBS IS STILL SELLING CANDY BARS AND COULD USE YOUR HELP!

If you'd like to help sell a box or two of candy bars as a fundraiser for Little Lambs preschool.  Let Terry or one of the preschool ladies know.  They'll hook you up right quick!

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DO YOU HAVE A THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OR POLICY?

You may be eligible to receive money for Little Lambs or Good Shepherd!!  Go to www.thrivent.com/choicedollars to check it out!

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OPERATION BACKPACK DONATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL IS canned soup and ramen noodles.

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PRAYERS: 

For HANNAH LINSTRUTH AND HER BABY as Hannah is in labor this morning.

 

For PAT MANNESS as she fell this past weekend and hurt her shoulder.

 

For MIKE AND AMBER VOSSEN as they were in a motorcycle accident and are recovering from injuries at home.

 

Prayer of thanksgiving for CAROL BRAZEE, as she continues to recover.

 

For BILL MCKENZIE, as he is in stage 4 kidney failure and only has a short time left on the earth.

 

For BUCK HAMPTON who has decided to stop chemo treatments and go on hospice care.

 

For RON WILLIAMS' MOM, MARY WILLIAMS, as she is on hospice care at the end stages of Alzheimer's/Dementia.

 

For JEANNIE SIEBOLD, DENISE HOOKER (Betty Tameler's daughter),  GEORGE HOESCHER,  as they continue to deal with cancer. 

 

 

PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:

For both DAN DREYER and SAM HARGROVE as they move on to their next assignments and/or get jobs during their interim at home.

 

For COLTON FIGURA deployed to Turkey for five more months.

 

For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee.  That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.

 

For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.