A message from The pastor
St. John Journey
september 2011
When I was a small child and into my teenage years, the month of September held two exciting events; the
problem was that these events conflicted with each other. The first was the beginning of Dove Season on La-
bor Day. There was a local community not far from Cherryville named Tryon. Basically this community was
a spot in the road where there was a gas station, an elementary school and a fire department. On Labor Day, it
transformed to be a place for a wonderful Labor Day Celebration complete with a “greasy” pig chase, digging
for change in sawdust, feed sack races, egg toss, and usually some type of a music group- mostly bluegrass or
country. The events did not begin until after 3:00 pm in order that people could still work and then come over.
You would expect me to be excited by the next part and that is that they always had “BARBEQUE” on sale in
the food stand. I would go with my mom and dad, and we would meet up with my cousins. What a time we
would have! In the distance one could hear the bang of shotguns in a local dove field not far away. It was the
first day of dove season; everyone “had to” go dove hunting. A choice had to be made, so my mom and dad
made the choice for me. We would end up at Tryon celebrating Labor Day and enjoyed a BARBEQUE sand-
wich, maybe two or three. Dove hunting would have to come later and that became okay; what a joy to sit
with my Dad on the side of a field waiting. Waiting for a dove to fly over and watch it fly away because I did
not have my hat on- my blond hair was very noticeable. Sure it was not the opening day of the season but it
was still DOVE HUNTING with my dad.
Choices, we all have choices. God in creation gave Adam and Eve a choice. God told them not to eat off that
tree, the “special” tree in the Garden. They were like children and of course, with the help of a snake, Eve
made the choice to eat and then Adam too made the same choice. We all know the rest of the story. Choices
we have the opportunity to choose. I am glad we have the free will to choose. I am really happy that we live
in a country that gives us lots of choices and the ability to choose. We even have choices in the church. We
can choose to be involved as much as we want to or as little as we want, but the choice is always ours.
In my later years, September has been marked with other exciting events. It is a time that we, in the church,
are starting up many of our ministries again. You will have lots of choices. To sing in the choir , to attend
Sunday school, to be a part of Bible Study, to get involved in the Jr. and Sr. Youth Group. All these things are
there for the choosing. There are lots of things to do, but the choice is always ours. St. John Lutheran needs
you to choose to sing in the choir, and to be a part of Bible Studies, and to participate in Sunday School. So
as the old cliché goes: SEE YOU IN CHURCH.
Pastor Scott
2
Mutual Ministry Committee
According to our constitution, a six person Mutual Ministry Committee has been appointed by
the council president and the pastor. The primary purpose of this committee is to affirm and
strengthen the mission of the congregation and our pastor’s ministry.Pastor Scott has accepted
the call to be our servant-leader. We have entrusted him to visit, preach, teach, serve the sac-
raments, conduct the business of the church, care for us, and pray with us. Paul’s image of the
Gospel being entrusted to“earthen vessels” which can both empty themselves for others and
be filled from one another is a message which is clear.Vessels need to be cared for and refilled.
Just as a pastor is called, we as a community of believers are called as well. This is an appro-
priate image as we begin the work of mutual ministry here at St. John. We will function as a
support group, sounding board, and confidants for our pastor and church family.We will pray
with and for Pastor Scott, Robin, his family, and for the people of St. John. This is an exciting
time in the life of our church and we gladly accept this responsibility.
My God’s Peace be with us all!
Paul Read, Committee Chairman
Committee Members: Linda Brumleve, Marshall Hatfield, Carla Proffitt, Carole Ann Rosen,
Dianne Suhrbier
Thank You Note for Quilts
St. John received the following note in thanks for the quilts that were donated to victims of the
April tornado damage in Glade Spring:
To the ladies who made the quilts for our girls….. Thank you.
Those are the most precious gifts to receive in something like this. They are a symbol for us of the love and strength
of everyone in this community who has given anything to this effort.
Our family is praying for God to shower blessings abundantly to each one of you and we thank you with all of our
hearts.
With love in Christ Jesus
The Fields Family
David, Patty, Ashley, Gracie, and Sarah
Page 2 St . John Journey
3
Page 3 St . John Journey
St. John Quilters will resume their Tuesday morn-ing quilting sessions on Tuesday September 6th, from 10AM to noon. At this time, they will meet the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays..later in the year they will meet every Tuesday. All interested women are in-vited to join the fun and fellowship—no sewing experience needed!
Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study Bible Study with Pastor Scott will begin on September 6
th at 1:00 PM. We will begin a study of the
Book of Romans. This book was central to Martin Luther during the Great Reformation. Many of the Lutheran Theological beliefs stem from this wonderful letter written by St. Paul. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday at 1:00 PM.
St. John Youth have exciting plans for the fall!! They will meet at 6:00PM
on Sundays Sept. 11th and 18th, and go to Taco Bell immediately after
the 11:00 service on September 25th. Upcoming events in October in-
clude taking part in the Crop Walk on October 2nd, and a Bike Ride on
the Creeper Trail October 23rd. All Junior and Senior High Youth are en-
couraged to join in the fun!!
4
St. John Journey Page 4
St. John Choirs Calling all Choir members: The 11:00 AM Choir will be starting back officially on September 7
th. We need you to come and sing. Choir
rehearsals will begin at 6:30 PM on Wednesdays. We need singers. Let see if we can fill the choir loft for 11:00 AM. The Contemporary Choir will begin Rehearsals also on September 7
th.
The rehearsal time will be 7:30 PM. Make your plans now to get started back. If you have never sung in a group before come out and begin on Wed. Sept. 7
th.
St. John Gardening Notes HELP!! My weed eater is not working so I need someone to trim the grass along Hillman
Highway and the weeds in the drainage ditch next to EFIA by Sept 10. Thanks.
Dahlia experts – I need your help. The three remaining dahlias look like they need to be dug
up this fall, split, and stored for the winter. They have not been dug for the past 2 winters. I
have never done this and am not sure that I have any place with the right conditions for storing
the tubers.
Several of the perennials in the gardens need to be split next spring. So please set aside some
time on one or more Saturdays in March to help me with this. We will need to decide what to
do with all the plants. If you want some for your own garden, let me know.
Keep on eye on some of the new plantings of fall mums. I took the cuttings from earlier in the
year and started new plants. Give me your feed back.
Thanks for all the compliments. I also welcome suggestions and ideas. Remember, I can use
some help and am usually at the church on Mon-
day and Wednesday evenings (after 6) and mid-
day on Saturdays.
Edie Hiltebeitel
5
August Stewardship
Lectionary Readings for the Month
Sept. 4
Ezekiel 33:7-11
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20
Sept. 18 Jonah 3:10-4:11
Philippians 1:21-30
Matthew 20:1-16
Sept. 25 Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-
32 Philippians 1:21-30
Matthew 21:23-32
If you cannot serve on your scheduled day, please make arrangements to
switch with another person and call the office to let the secretary know.
St. John Journey
Sept. 11
Genesis 50:15-21
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 18:21-35
Page 5
Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25
Assistant
Minister Jim Suhrbier Ray Whitner Charles Sansing Ray Whitner
Lector Linda Garnett Dave Morris Steve Kluttz Joel Rosen
Usher Bob Wolfe Bob Wolfe Cheryl Carrico Christine Fields
Altar Guild Carole Ann
Rosen Dianne Suhrbier Kelly Read Louise Sansing
Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25
Assistant
Minister Ed Davis Ken Croghan Sid Vaught Beth Hiltebeitel
Lector Beth
Hiltebeitel Helen French David Bonham
Richard
Brumleve
Acolyte Chris Dixon Julie Kroll Henry Davis Lillian Van
Dyke
Reception The Spencers The Meachams Stewardship Edie Hiltebeitel
Counters
David
Bonham
Mark Fiebrink
Dianne Fiebrink
Gary Halverson
Jim Kroll
David Bonham
David
Henninger
Gary Halverson
Ushers The Honakers The Meachams The Krolls The Giffords
Altar Guild Rana Daston Helen French Betsy Bonham Carol
Halverson
8:30AM service
11:00AM service
6
St. John Journey Page 6
Pastor Scott’s Installation Service
On Sunday, September 11th, we will be having Pastor Scott’s formal installation service at
4:00PM, followed by a BBQ dinner in the Fellowship Hall. There is a sign-up sheet on the
bulletin board for beverages, side dishes, rolls, and desserts to accompany pork BBQ donated
by Jim Suhrbier. Make plans to come, and sign up to complete the meal!
Church Secretary’s Corner A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know
what the Bible means!"
His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the
Bible means?
The son replied, "I do know!"
"Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?"
"That's easy, Daddy..." the young boy replied excitedly," It stands for
'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'
How appropriate, —St. John Sunday School and Bible Study resume this month! Peace, Joan
Stewardship Campaign Kick-Off
Sunday September 18th, there will be a pot luck dinner immediately following the 11:00 Wor-
ship Service to kick-off the fall Stewardship Campaign. Plan now to attend.
Sunday School Resumes Sept.11
Now that summer is over, school is starting or has started, Sunday School will resume
at St. John. We have classes for everyone — children, youth, and adults. Confirmation
classes are starting also. Classes will be held from 9:45-10:45 each
Sunday.
7
St. John Journey
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3
4
8:30 AM Worship
11:00AM Worship
5
7 6:30PM 11:00 choir 7:30PM 8:30 choir
8 9
10
Noon-4PM
Child Safety
Seat Inspec-
tion
11
8:30 AM Worship
9:45 SS/Confirmation
11:00AMWorship
4:00PM Installation
Service/Dinner
6:00PM Youth
12
7:00
Evangelism
13
14 6:30PM 11:00 choir 7:30PM 8:30 choir
15 7:00 Council
16
17
18 8:30AM Worship
9:45AM SS/
Confirmation
11:00AM Worship
12:30PM Steward-
ship Potluck
6:00PM Youth
19
20 10:00AM Quilters 1:00PM Bi-ble Study
21 6:30PM 11:00 choir 7:30PM 8:30 choir
22
23 24
25 8:30AM Worship 9:45AM SS/Confirmation 11:00AM Worship 12:00PM Youth to Taco Bell
26
27 1:00PM Bi-ble Study
28 6:30PM 11:00 choir 7:30PM 8:30 choir
29 30
September 2011
6 10:00AM Quilters 1:00PM Bi-ble Study
Page 7
8
St. John Lutheran Church
807 E. Main St.
Abingdon, VA 24210
Phone: 276-628-6215
E-mail:
http://www.stjohnabingdon.org
We are a community of believers, gathered by the Spirit, washed in Baptism, marked with the cross of Christ, nourished by Word and Sacrament, called to respond to God's gifts of grace, and set apart as disciples of Jesus Christ for a life of learning, witness, and service.
St. John Lutheran Church
807 E. Main St.
Abingdon, VA 24210
Address Service Requested
Staff
G. Scott Homesley, Pastor
Phone: 276-525-5801
Joan Shaver, Parish Secretary
Office hours 9-12 Tuesday-Friday
Council
Buddy Honaker Dave Morris Jim Suhrbier
Christine Fields Carol Halverson Kelly Read
Joel Rosen Tammie Kroll Mark Fiebrink
Dianne Fiebrink, Financial Secretary
Steve Kluttz, Treasurer
St. John Lutheran is a congregation of the Virginia Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The Rev. Mark S. Hansen, Presiding Bishop, ELCA
The Rev. James Mauney, Bishop, Virginia Synod
September 2011