CHI RHO July 2017 Submissions are requested by the 19th of the month preceding publication. The Chi Rho is published monthly by St. John PASTOR On the week of July 9 th , St. John’s confirmation class will be traveling to Lutheran camp Ebert in Harper, near Fredericksburg, Texas. Camp Ebert is different from any other Lutheran camps in Texas, because it is a working ranch. Our conformation youth study God’s Word, worship, sing, do arts and crafts, experience nature, and develop new friendships, like at every camp. But at Ebert, they also learn to care for and ride their assigned horse. They learn to care for rabbits, chickens, and a garden. These experiences teach responsibility and accountability, all in the context of faith development. I always notice a difference in the drive down and back. Going to camp, the youth are usually packed full of energy. Some have anxiety about what camp will be like, and others would rather just stay home. But with this community’s support, in its devotion to confirmation study, and camp participation, they always come back a little different. They usually sleep the whole way back, which makes the drive easier on the driver. But that’s not the important change. The change I always enjoy witnessing is their growth as Christians. Please pray for our youth as they embark on this year’s camp experience. I thank you for your support and devotion to St. Johns’ youth spiritual formation. See you at worship! Pastor Joe Woodward ********************** NOTE: There are no May Council Minutes included this month due to the fact that
Transcript
CHI RHO July 2017
Submissions
are
requested by
the
19th of the
month
preceding
publication.
The Chi
Rho is
published
monthly by
St. John
PASTOR
On the week of July 9th, St. John’s confirmation class will be traveling to
Lutheran camp Ebert in Harper, near Fredericksburg, Texas. Camp Ebert is
different from any other Lutheran camps in Texas, because it is a working
ranch.
Our conformation youth study God’s Word, worship, sing, do arts and crafts,
experience nature, and develop new friendships, like at every camp. But at
Ebert, they also learn to care for and ride their assigned horse. They learn to
care for rabbits, chickens, and a garden. These experiences teach
responsibility and accountability, all in the context of faith development.
I always notice a difference in the drive down and back. Going to camp, the
youth are usually packed full of energy. Some have anxiety about what camp
will be like, and others would rather just stay home. But with this
community’s support, in its devotion to confirmation study, and camp
participation, they always come back a little different.
They usually sleep the whole way back, which makes the drive easier on the
driver. But that’s not the important change. The change I always enjoy
witnessing is their growth as Christians. Please pray for our youth as they
embark on this year’s camp experience. I thank you for your support and
devotion to St. Johns’ youth spiritual formation.
See you at worship!
Pastor Joe Woodward
**********************
NOTE: There are no May Council Minutes included this month due to the fact that
Monthly Bible Study is held in the TRC starting at 9:15 am on the third Tuesday of the month. The next meeting will be July 18th. The leader will be Linda Ferguson. Dates and leaders for the year are listed in the WELCA Yearbook.
Quarterly W-ELCA Activity Directors
Summer Directors (July-September) Pam Fleming, Donna Dawson & Megan Spinn
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Will O’Bell Birthday Social
July 29th
Leaders: Judy Gersbach and Paula Unberhagen
Helpers: Lucille Decker, Megan Gersbach, Cindy Gunn, Melissa Huber, Margie Lovellette, Sherry Kallus, Cedalia Kurtz, Joan Kurtz, Pansy Lange, Clara Steglich, Erin Steglich, Evelyn Steglich, Mila Wegner, Lucille Zander and Nancy Carson
Thank you in advance for your help at the social and bringing refreshments.
Leaders are responsible for confirming arrangements and time.
Helpers are responsible for preparing a refreshment item suitable for a light luncheon.
Suggestions are finger sandwiches (chicken salad, tuna fish salad or pimento cheese), potato chips, summer sausage and crackers, cut-up fresh fruit, muffins, donut holes, cake and cookies (without nuts).
Cookies are needed for Clifton Sunset Home! Thursday, July 13, is the cookie deadline for residents at the Sunset Home in Clifton. Members of St. John's has made this annual gift of cookies to the nursing home residents for over 40 uninterrupted years as an enduring WELCA project. Thank you in advance for your continued support of this project -- the residents are always so welcoming and appreciative. Staff tell us our cookies are The Best, the ones they save to serve for special occasions throughout the coming year. Please put all cookies in the upright freezer in the 'roaster room' behind the Gathering Room in the TRC no later than Thursday, July 13. Your baking in service to these retirees is a most loving and welcome gift.
LOOKING AHEAD
• July 29th Will O’Bell Birthday Social (Leaders: Judy Gersbach & Paula Unberhagen)
• July 13th Cookies for Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home deadline
• TBA WELCA sponsored VBS meals
• August 13th Third Quarterly Thankoffering (Summer Directors are responsible for handing out at the beginning of the worship service.)
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May 21st was Senior Recognition Sunday. Those honored were: Chris Bielss, Bartlett HS; Travis Saverse, Academy HS; Allison Janke, Holland HS. They were honored with a gift from WELCA. Congratulations & Best Wishes to all!
May 28th was First Communion Sunday. Those honored were: Josie, grand-daughter of Debbie Abel; Jadyn, daughter of Jody Randig; Andrew, son of Cliff and Laura Cosper. WELCA presented these young people with an annual subscription to Spark Family Publication, a quarterly magazine for young people to enjoy and share with family, full of stories and activities.
The Membership Committee has completed their work on updating the active/inactive list of members
at St. John. The updated Active Directory will be available to the congregation after July 1st.
Cedalia Kurtz
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ANNOUNCEMENTS Note: The Will O’ Bell Birthday Social has been moved from July 8th to July 29th at the request of Will O’ Bell. A few people said they missed their June Chi-Rho. As announced, this summer is a trial to see if we can cut the expense of mailing the newsletter. All you need to do is pick up your Chi-Rho from the table at the back of the sanctuary.
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Piecemakers
Piecemakers will take a Summer recess in June, July and August. They will resume their work in September. Have a great Summer.
