St. John’s Lutheran Church The VOICE Newsletter Page 1 Our ... · Sept 30 Zechariah 8-14 ......

St. John’s Lutheran Church

September 2019 The VOICE Newsletter Page 1

Our Mission Statement: Saved by the Grace of God to Witness and to Serve Others - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

From the Pastor

Vocation: “God’s Work. Our Hands.”

Grace and peace to you, brothers and sisters in Christ!

The ELCA adopted “God’s Work. Our Hands.” as our official tagline a few years ago. You might

have seen the yellow shirts with these words in connection with “God’s Work Our Hands Sunday” (which

typically coincides with Rally Day in many congregations). The slogan captures the Lutheran

understanding of vocation.

When we hear “vocation,” we might think of a vocational school—a place to learn a trade.

Vocation, as Lutherans understand it, is more than one’s occupation—something one gets paid to do

(though one’s job would certainly be a setting to live out a vocation). Through baptism, God calls us to

live in relationship with one another in the world, and in these relationships we fulfill different roles and

responsibilities. As we live out our callings—as mother or child, as church member or pastor, as teacher

or student, as citizen, employer, employee, etc.—we believe that God is at work in us, serving our

neighbors, meeting their needs (as He is also at work in our neighbor to provide for our needs).

God’s activity in all our callings is hidden. God provides our daily bread just as He promised, and

does it through the hands of our neighbors—even neighbors who don’t acknowledge God’s work

through their hands. By faith, we see that God is at work in and through us as we put our hands (and

minds and hearts) to work in service to our neighbors in need. As the lawyer represents her client, as

the child listens to the instructions of his father, as the engineer drafts a plan for a better-built pump that

meets the demands of both market and neighbor in need, it is God who simultaneously calls the

individual to do the work and empowers him or her to do it.

Why does God do this? All so that justice is served, children are kept safe and parents at peace, the

users of the pump get the quality product they paid for; food is put on the table, a roof covers their

heads. From a secular point of view, one might see all this as ordinary economics. By faith, we see that

in these utterly ordinary, everyday things God is at work

“daily and abundantly [providing me] with all the necessities and nourishment for this body

and life. …All this is done out of pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and mercy, without any

merit or worthiness of mine at all. For all of this I owe it to God to thank and praise, serve

and obey Him.”

- Luther’s explanation to the First Article of the Creed, from his Small Catechism

In whatever way we find our hands occupied in the duties related to our vocations, we can give thanks to

God who is indeed at work in it all, making us of some earthly use to our neighbor.

In Christ, Pastor Mike Hughes




MONDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY: ROMANS

Mondays, September 9—November 18

6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Chapel

Two years ago, the world commemorated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. On All Saints Eve,

October 31, 2017, Martin Luther kick-started a movement that resulted in the transformation of the

Church—not just for Protestants, but the Roman Catholic Church, too. Just two years prior to that

apocryphal moment, however, the only reformation about which Martin Luther was concerned was that

of his sinful self. He was struggling mightily with the image of God as a vengeful, vindictive Lord (a

common view of God at the time). Years later, reflecting on his state of mind at the time, he wrote:

“I was myself more than once driven to the very abyss of despair

so that I wished I had never been created. Love God? I hated him!”

In the words of the Church historian, Roland Bainton, in his famous biography, Here I Stand: A Life of

Martin Luther, “Luther was too obsessed with the picture of Christ the avenger to be consoled with the

thought of Christ the redeemer.” What caused Luther to change? Romans. (And the Psalms. And

Galatians.)

In the fall of 1515, Martin Luther was lecturing on the book of Romans. (He was, by this time, a

professor at the university in Wittenberg.) It was while he was studying this epistle of St. Paul that

Luther—by the work of the Holy Spirit in him—came to hear the gospel in all its sweetness. He said of

Romans (chapter 3), “This passage of Paul became to me a gate to heaven…” And elsewhere,

“This epistle…is truly the purest gospel. It is worthy not only that every Christian should know

it word for word, by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day, as the

daily bread for the soul. We can never read it or ponder it too much; for the more we deal

with it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes.” - Preface to Romans (1546)

We won’t be meeting daily; nor can I promise that by the end of our study you’ll “know it word for word,

by heart.” We will, however, devote some time together to delve into this treasure trove of the gospel,

trusting that we, too, will have our hearts and minds transformed by God’s Word and the Holy Spirit at

work in and among us. Please consider joining me in this study.

Bring a Bible.

Bring a friend.




Our Vision: "Spiritual Practices for the Sake of the World" 1. DAILY PRAYER In our prayers (from August bulletin):

The family of Marcella Meiring upon her death

Charlene Murphy, health concerns

Sally Claytor, healing

Noah Smith, son of Brittany & Jeff Smith, health concerns

Thanksgiving for Pastor Ken Staib

If you or someone you know needs prayers, 25 volunteers on the Phone Prayer Chain are ready to pray for the needs of others. Contact 419-874-8175.

2. DAILY BIBLE READING

Sept 1 Ezekiel 9-12 Sept 2 Ezekiel 13-15 Sept 3 Ezekiel 16-17 Sept 4 Ezekiel 18-20 Sept 5 Ezekiel 21-22 Sept 6 Ezekiel 23-24 Sept 7 Ezekiel 25-27 Sept 8 Ezekiel 28-30 Sept 9 Ezekiel 31-33 Sept 10 Ezekiel 34-36

Sept 11 Ezekiel 37-39 Sept 12 Ezekiel 40-42 Sept 13 Ezekiel 43-45

Sept 14 Ezekiel 46-48 Sept 15 Daniel 1-3 Sept 16 Daniel 4-6 Sept 17 Daniel 7-9 Sept 18 Daniel 10-12 Sept 19 Hosea 1-7 Sept 20 Hosea 8-14

Sept 21 Joel Sept 22 Amos 1-5 Sept 23 Amos 6-9 Sept 24 Obad. & Jon. Sept 25 Micah Sept 26 Nahum Sept 27 Hab. & Zeph. Sept 28 Haggai Sept 29 Zechariah 1-7 Sept 30 Zechariah 8-14

3. WEEKLY WORSHIP

Regular Worship (begins Sunday, September 8) 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Fellowship and Refreshments 9:45 a.m. Christian Education 10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship Service 11:45 a.m. Fellowship and Refreshments

August Worship Attendance August 4 ~ 171 August 11 ~ 188 August 18 ~ 189

4. GENEROUS GIVING

Financial Giving as of August 18, 2019

General Fund Income (Year-to-Date)

Budget Actual $268,437 $159,203

Benevolence Fund (Year-to-Date)

Budget Actual $17,287 $16,339

(Copies of current Financial Reports are in the information holders located to the right of the Prayer Desk in Narthex.)




Electronic Giving ~ Throughout the year, many of you already support the

congregation with your time, talent, and financial contributions, but greater participation is always welcome. We encourage you to look into our electronic giving program. It takes just a few minutes to set up a giving plan. To set up a recurring or one-time giving schedule, visit us online at stjohnsstonyridge.net (or

scan this square with your phone) and locate the Give Generously button. Or, if you wish, you can complete a paper authorization form and return it to Shirley Johnson, Financial Secretary.

September BIRTHDAYS (Those over 74 years young!)

Sept. 1 Arlene Baker, 6433 Five Point Rd., Perrysburg, 43551 Sept. 1 Raymond Swartz, 4870 Libbey Rd., Perrysburg, 43551 Sept. 4 Jane Sibbersen, 3630 Hanley Rd., Perrysburg, 43551 Sept. 17 Kathryn Dreier, 524 Woodpointe Dr., Woodville, 43469 Sept. 17 Walter Minarik, 23781 Bradner Rd., Genoa, 43430 Sept. 27 Eloise Schober, 5110 Libbey Rd., Perrysburg, 43551 Sept. 30 Jim Umbaugh, 3690 Lakepointe Dr., Northwood, 43619

FELLOWSHIP

Men's Breakfast Men's Breakfast will be on September 7th, from 7:30-9:00 a.m. at

Panera Bread on Rt. 20 in Perrysburg. All Christian men or men seeking to know more about Christ are invited!

A New Choir Season Begins It is time to lift our voices in song as we prepare for this very important ministry. The Festival Choir (adults and high school) will begin rehearsing Wednesday, September 4th at 7:30 p.m. The Jubilation Choir (youth) will begin rehearsing Thursday, September 12th at 6:30 p.m. Come and be a part of this very rewarding program.

September 8th is Rally Day! We will return to regular worship times at 8:30 and 10:45.

Sunday school, Catechism and Adult Bible Study will resume at 9:45.




150th Anniversary Committee The Anniversary Committee is reaching out to the members of St. John’s who may

have a piece of St. John’s history that you would consider displaying in our museum on

the weekends of September 15th and 22nd, for our culminating event of the 150th

Anniversary of St. John’s. We are looking for items from the old church such as pews,

stained glass windows, lighting fixtures, or any decorative pieces or parts. If you have

old bulletins, hymnals, Christmas programs, Sunday school items, etc. those would be

appreciated also. Everything will be safely displayed and returned after the event.

They may be brought to the chapel during the week of September 9-14. If you have

further questions, contact Sandy Welling-Miller or Mike Sibbersen.

The Anniversary Committee would like to create a memory board for our 150th. There is a silver memory box on the table by the chapel doors. Write down a special memory about the church, Sunday school, people, special events, etc. that still warms your heart. We are hoping to gather these memory cards from all ages. Drop your cards in the box by September 8th.

“Thanks for the Memories”

Stephen Ministry

Summertime Stress Slowing You Down?

We like to think of summer as being a relaxing, enjoyable time. But hurts,

struggles, crises, and problems don’t take a vacation. Many times, our difficulties

seem even worse during the summer because everyone else seems to be enjoying life

while you are feeling down. If you are experiencing a difficult time—emotionally,

spiritually, or relationally—you don’t have to suffer alone. Our Stephen Ministers are

trained caregivers, ready to listen, care for and encourage you, pray with and for you,

and provide one-to-one Christian care to help you through whatever it is that you are

facing. Men are matched with male Stephen Ministers, and women are matched with

female Stephen Ministers. It’s free. It’s confidential. And it will make a difference in

your life!

To find out more about Stephen Ministry for you or someone you know, talk with

one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders: Nancy Nycz (419-349-1932) or Joe Nycz (419-

575-3895). They can also be contacted at [email protected].




SOCIAL MINISTRIES Sunday Specials for August

Shared Bounty is collecting shampoo

Food Pantry is collecting cookies

Please place in the bin in the coatroom. Thanks in advance for your support! ~ The Food Pantry is currently serving 126 families. ~

Some of you have asked about Shared Bounty and the backpacks and school supplies that we have provided the past several years. We did this again this year on August 3rd. Due to your generosity last year we didn't have to ask for donations this year. Don't worry though; we will be back next year asking for your help once again. Thank you all for your continuing support of this ministry. We couldn't do it without you. Blessings from Shared Bounty!

As the school year starts it is a great time to pick up items for Operation

Christmas Child!! The boxes will be in the Narthex late October for a

November 18th-25th collection. Shoeboxes will need to be returned no later

than November 16th.

Please join us at the Chili’s on Route 20 for another fundraiser!

We will see you for lunch or dinner on Wednesday, October 2nd

from 11-close. This fundraising offer is also good for carryout.

Social Ministries will make 15% of all sales!

With our 150th anniversary celebration fast approaching it’s a great time to purchase a

cookbook that includes our history and description of our beautiful stained glass

windows to give to someone that may be attending the celebrations with you so that

they are able to appreciate the history of our church. Cookbooks are available in the

church office or by contacting a committee member. We will also be present the day of

the anniversary celebration. Cost of the cookbook is $20.00.

A BIG thank you to Christine Greulich for the table and tent at the

community day event in the park. Also, thanks to Susie and Clyde for

spending the afternoon selling the cookbook!




Lutheran World Relief Baby Care Kits

Last year our congregation sent 34 baby care kits – 34 doesn’t sound like a lot, but consider this: 136 diapers,

68 blankets, 68 t-shirts, 68 sleepers, etc. Those numbers put the project more into prospective.

We are doing this project again this year, and are hoping to match or exceed last year’s numbers. Lutheran

World Relief specifies exactly what each kit should contain, and asks us not to vary from their list. We have

amassed a nice inventory, but are “short” a few items.

If you are moved to help, these are the things we need (items may be placed in the box in the coat room):

Cloth diapers – preferably flat fold (so that they can be folded to fit as baby grows) they can be

purchased at Wal-Mart

Hand towels – preferably dark in color

Soap – any mild brand – need 2-3 bars totaling 8-9 oz for each kit

Socks – boys and girls – 6 months through 24 months

Light weight hooded jackets – boys and girls – sizes 12 months through 24 months (sweatshirts or

sweaters with hats may be substituted)

Light weight t-shirts – girls sizes 6 months to 9 months

New or gently used items are appreciated. Please do not donate “onesies” that snap in the crotch, or items

with military symbols, including camouflage. Please have donations in by the end of September so the kits can

be assembled in time for the WELCA ingathering.

Thank you for your help! Questions or suggestions? Call Ellie Schober (419) 837-5992

Crafters Group

After taking a break for the summer, the crafters group will resume on Monday,

September 9th from 1:00 to 3:00 in the lounge. Bring your latest craft project to work on

and enjoy fellowship and conversation (and maybe even snacks!). All are welcome.

Lunch Bunch Is Back!!!

Do you enjoy eating out? Do you like to share conversation with friends? Then please

join us for our September Lunch Bunch outing. We will meet at Luckey Junction in

Luckey on Tuesday, September 24th at 11:30. All ages are welcome. Watch for a

sign-up sheet in the narthex. Hope to see you there!




Military Care Packages

It is time for our annual update of our military care package program. Do you have a

Friend or Family member that we can bless with a care package from our St. John’s

Family, during the holidays? If so, contact Pam Brackney (419)287-3509 or

[email protected] or also, Rachael in the church office with: *Name/Rank Family

members that reside with them *Address *likes/interests/sizes (for care packages

including fam. members too) *Favorite Restaurants *Family Contact Number *If you

have a friend or family we are currently serving, please reach out and update us as

well! Thank you.

“The Cup of Life”

The Prayer and Retreat Committee is very pleased to welcome Jean Wise

as the speaker for our upcoming retreat, “The Cup of Life”. The cup has been

for many people a symbol of inner growth and the spiritual journey. In the

cup, one can see life – with its emptiness, fullness, brokenness, flaws, and

blessings.

Jean Wise is a freelance writer, speaker, retreat leader and spiritual

director. She is a contributing author of devotions for six complications, has

published numerous magazine articles and books, and writes twice a week on

her blog, www.healthyspirituality.org. Jean is a RN with her Masters in

Nursing. She retired from public health in 2006 as the county health

commissioner to concentrate on her freelance speaking and writing. She lives

in Edon, Ohio with her husband “enjoying their empty nest as their three

adult children have flown the coop”.

Please join us on Saturday, September 28, 2019 from 9:00 am to 3:00

pm in St. John’s Parish House. Lunch and snacks provided. Cost: $5.00.

Registration will be available on September 8, 15, and 22, 2019 in the

Narthex. And remember “invite a friend”!

http://www.healthyspirituality.org/




Christian Education

You are invited to come to join us on Rally Day on September 8th to the kickoff of…

Christian Education from 9:45-10:30

All of God’s children (3 yrs old through adult) are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings to be a part of a team

dedicated to learning and growing together as God’s family!

Our teaching teams will lead classes the way Jesus taught- using everyday

objects and lessons to teach God’s truths.

Together we will learn to: Understand God’s word, Love God, Listen to God, Know that we are loved, and Know that God is with us in good times and bad!

Please JOIN US as we together have FUN learning to follow Jesus!

Join in the Study! St. John’s adults will be studying 1John this fall:

First John is not a neat linear book; First John revisits the same topics over and over,

Each time adding to our understanding; First John is not a letter, it is a sermon;

First John has three main themes.

This adult study will be conducted in 2 ways:

A) In the lounge during the Christian Education time; and

B) As an at home study

Handouts for the next topic will be available in the narthex before each

class:

A) Pick one up and use it through the week;

B) We will use the next Christian Education time to discuss it, or

C) We can use the internet to discuss it during the week




Sunday school/Catechism Classes

Welcome to all of our preschool through 3rd graders!

Our teachers: Andrea Forrester, Betty Schulte, Jen Snyder, Kayla Kolasinski, Karen Cajka, Emily Cajka and

Rachael Swartz welcome ALL preschool through 3rd

graders to learn about Jesus. We will meet in the Gathering Room in

the Parish House.

Welcome to all of our 4th and 5th graders!

Dave Welling welcomes back all 4th and 5

th graders to begin their next step in the journey of learning about Jesus.

We will meet in the 4th & 5

th grade classroom of the education wing.

Welcome to all of our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders!

We welcome back our seventh and eighth graders and invite all of the sixth graders to become a part of the

catechism program. Parents and youth are asked to attend an informational meeting on Sunday, September 8th at 9:45 in

the Sanctuary. Catechism classes will be held upstairs in the Parish House. We are still looking for 1-2 sixth grader

parents to volunteer as leaders!

Welcome to all of our Young Adults!

Kyle Henry, Hannah Henry, and Dave Polzin invite all High School freshman, sophomores, juniors & seniors to

join them in the Full Day pre-K classroom of the education wing to continue their faith formation. Classes will be held

twice a month.

Installation of Teachers – Rally Day: Sunday, September 8th

We are blessed to have a wonderful, dedicated team of teachers who will be helping all of us learn and grow as a

Christian Community this year.

All of our teachers (Sunday school, Catechism, Adult, etc.) will be installed on Sunday, September 8th at either the

8:30 or 10:45 service

On Rally Day, Sunday, September 8th at either the 8:30 or 10:45 service, we invite all

students, teachers, and educators to bring their backpacks and workbags as we ask

God’s blessing on the new school year ahead. Bring your backpack and receive a

small gift!

Reminder: The Dayschool BBQ Drive-thru pickup will be from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Sunday,

September 8th.




LIBRARY NEWS

We have added these CD's and books to the church library for you to enjoy.

We have added 5 music CD's.

Sing Your Blues Away by Bill and Gloria Gaither and Homecoming Friends

Heavenly Father by Joyce Patterson

Glory to His Name by Signature Sound

Amazing Grace by Bill and Gloria Gaither

Hymns by Linda Randall

We have added 5 books for adults.

Resilient Grieving by Lucy Hone, PhD

Nelson's Amazing Bible Trivia

Hope in a Chaotic World by Ray C. Stedman

Hope For All Seasons by Julie Ackerman Link

Bees in the Butterfly Garden by Maureen Lang

We have added 6 books for kids.

Good Morning, Good Night

My First ABC Glitter Book

Rhubarb by Stephen Cosgrove

What's Heaven by Maria Shriver

The Lord's Prayer

101 Dalmatians - Pongo to the Rescue!

The church library is open whenever the church is open.




Comforters for Lutheran World Relief will be tied on Thursday, September 5th from 9:00 to 11:30. Please consider joining us to work on this important project. All are welcome and no experience is necessary! The Crafters Group will meet on Monday, September 9th from 1:00 to 3:00 in the lounge. The Rebekah Circle Bible Study will meet on Wednesday, September 11th at 1:30 in the lounge. This month’s Bible Study will focus on “The Angst of Anger”, through the Psalms. This can be found in the September issue of “Gather” magazine. All are welcome. Pray for Special Concerns every Monday at noon. In September, pray for our congregation as we celebrate our 150th Anniversary. Dates to Remember: Thursday, September 5th - Tie Comforters Monday, September 9th- Crafters Group Wednesday, September 11th - Bible Study (Rebekah Circle) Donations of filler for mission comforters are always welcome, including old blankets, sheets, bedspreads, tablecloths and mattress pads. These donations may be placed in the LWR box in the coat room. Thank you in advance for your donations. If you have material you’d like to donate for the tops of comforters that are tied, donations would be greatly appreciated.

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MEMORIALS

In memory of Marcella Meiring

Butch & Cindy Sheely Douglas & Allison Morrow Virginia Swartz Mel & Alma Camp Clarence & Maxine Haas

Thank you to our Hilltop Dayschool for serving during August

fellowship time.

Thank you to all who brought in cookies and snacks. Volunteers needed in September.

Thank yous were received from the following: Lutheran Home of Mercy for the gift of $136.55

World Vision for the gift of $96.92 (VBS)

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St. John’s Lutheran Church The VOICE Newsletter Page 1 Our ... · Sept 30 Zechariah 8-14 ......

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