A
Newsletter concerning the MISSION & MINISTRY of St.
John's Ev. Lutheran Church
________________________________________________________________
VOLUME
XLIX
LA PORTE, INDIANA / June 2001
No. 5
FROM THE CALL
COMMITTEE
On May 10, the Call Committee presented a recommendation to the
Church Council to extend a Call and contract to Pastor Martin
Homan as our Intentional Interim Pastor. After discussion,
the council tabled the motion so that the Call Committee
could pursue other possibilities.
Since then, the committee met on May 17 to discuss Interim Pastor
prospect, Karl Koch (pronounced "Coke”).
They had a brief phone conference call with him also.
Pastor Koch will come to La Porte for an onsite interview the
weekend of June 9-10. Due to the 8th Grade
Graduation Service on June 9, Pastor Koch will only preach in our
Sunday Services on June 10. This will give us all an
opportunity to meet and greet him!
In the meantime, we will continue to have vacancy pastors preach
in our weekend services. A schedule of guest preachers is
listed on the June calendar and in the Worship Schedule display
case on the wall in the church Narthex.
Please continue to keep St. John’s and the Call Committee in
your prayers. If you have any questions, feel free to
contact the Chairman of the Call Committee, Mark Jerndt (326-1177).
ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION
St. John’s Ladies’ Aid will have an Anniversary
Celebration for couples in our congregation celebrating their 50th,
55th, 60th, 65th....wedding
anniversaries this year. The event will be held Friday,
June 8, at 1:30 p.m. in the school Cafeteria.
SUMMER FESTIVAL
& PARKING LOT SALE
This event will be held in the school parking lot on Saturday,
June 16, from 8-1:00 p.m. It is sponsored by A.A.L. Branch
317. It will be an exciting day. Book your space now–call
Imogene Dahl (324-6668)! See the special announcement
elsewhere in this Newsletter for a description of some of the
special items that will be for sale by our school. There
will be booths for Ladies applique shirts, Aquatic Gardens,
Floral arrangements, Avon products, etc. A qualified
Antique Appraiser will be available for $5 per item appraised
from 8-10:00 a.m. Individual booths with garage sale items
will also be on hand.
WITH LOVE &
GRATITUDE
Dear Friends
in Christ,
On behalf of the Family of Lola Tarnow, I thank everyone for
“being there” with us during Lola’s illness and
the final months of her life. We were all touched by the
tremendous amount of love that was poured out upon Lola, whether
it was a card, a phone call, flowers, visits, prayers, or sitting
with her during her final days. Lola was such a giving
person herself and we were very pleased that so much was given
back to her!
We know that Lola has now received the ultimate healing and we
are filled with joy to know that she is at last at home with
Jesus!
With Love and Gratitude, Linda Tarnow
VOTERS’
MEETING
A special Voters’ Meeting has been scheduled for Sunday,
June 17, following the 8:00 Worship Service. It will be
held in the Chapel at the church. The agenda includes:
School Board election (Andrea Back, Mark Bublitz, Steven Kalsow,
Annette Williams), approval of Personnel Manual additions (available
in the Church Office), and acceptance of any new voting members.
We encourage all voters to attend!
DUNELAND
LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
Duneland Lutheran High School is accepting registrations for
students entering Gr. 9-11 for the 2001-02 school year.
We thank God for the blessings He has given us this school year.
We have ended our first year in the financial black. Praise
God! Thank you, St. John’s members, for all you have
done this year for Duneland Lutheran High School. Please
continue to keep us in your prayers as we start our second year
of Christian education for our youth!
WHAT’S NEW
AT SUNDAY SCHOOL
How great our God is! During April/May we had the
privilege of bringing petitions to our Lord on behalf of our
families and friends and even people only known to our Father.
There were several wonderful answers to prayer, including a woman
who had cancer surgery. She had an ultrasound that showed
three distinct nodules. When she had the surgery, the two
surgeons could not find any of those nodules! Praise God!
Her recovery has been remarkable in many ways. All glory to
God! Even though our prayer emphasis ended in May, please
don’t hesitate to call our Prayer Line (325-3049) or drop a
note in our mail slot in the school with any prayer concerns or
thanksgivings you have.
Our summer program, “Soncreek Junction,” will begin
soon! This colorful old western town set in the heart of gold
country offers up plenty of toe-tappin’ music, homespun
crafts, games, skits, and life-changing Bible stories. It’s
good ole fashioned fun! Your children will learn what it
means to live and grow as part of God’s family, based on the
Book of Acts. Each Sunday focuses on one of five Soncreek
sayins’: Start-Up–become a member of God’s family,
Listen-Up–follow the Bible, Open Up–love and accept
others, Look-Up–talk to God in prayer, and Speak-Up–tell
others about Jesus. Visit Soncreek for yourself and help the
children find true gold in Jesus! Bring some friends, too!
Perfect Attendance in April were: Rachel Alexander, Brooke
Baima, Samuel Feldt, Rachel Hill, Abbey Lloyd, Mary Elizabeth
Lloyd, Storm Shortt, Susan Feldt, Jenna Marie Kalsow, Alexander
Kelsey, Emily Barnhart, Taylor Baima, Brittney Ryan, Ryan
Searing, Katrina Games, Sam Bublitz, Victoria Kelsey, Pauly
Lloyd, Sky Shortt, Tom Feldt, Hillary Frye, Kathryn Scherer,
Brianna Searing, Nathan Alexander, Jacob Barnhart, Larry Keller,
Andrew Scherer, Allison Frye, Brittany Scherer, Aubrey Barnhart.
Congratulations!
Do you know anyone who would benefit from a Special Education
Sunday School Class? We are interested in know if there is
a need for this class in our church family. Please call the
Church Office (362-3726) or Melody Povlock (325-3049) if you know
of someone that would be interested in attending such a class.
It’s almost here! The La Porte County Fair runs from July 23-28
this year, with a sneak preview day on Sunday, July 22.
Once again we invite you to be a part of our ministry at the
Lutheran Laymen League’s booth in Commercial Building #2.
We need two people at a time to man the Fishing Pond from 2-4:00
p.m. or 6-8:00 p.m. Call Mrs. Povlock if you are willing to
help.
Our Staff Spotlight this month falls on our 2nd
Grade Teachers, husband and wife team Renee and Terry Scherer:
Together
the Scherers are parents to three children–Brittany,
age 10, Andrew, age 8, and Kathryn, age 7. Renee’s
hobbies include shelling, swimming, biking, crafts,
camping, and traveling. She likes southwest/Mexican and
Chinese food. Her favorite restaurants are Tippecanoe
Place, Cracker Barrel, and Fuddruckers. Bible verses that
are special to Renee are: “The Lord is my light and
salvation” Psalm 27:1 and I Corinthians 13:4-13 (what love
is). She has been teaching Sunday School for four years and
says the best part about working with our Sunday School is
working with the children and helping them learn about Christ!
Terry’s hobbies include cross-country skiing, tobogganing,
golf, bowling, coaching T-ball, and serving as a Cub Scout leader.
His favorite places to eat are the Cracker Barrel, Old Country
Buffet, and Peking Chinese in Michigan City. A favorite
Bible verse for Terry is Psalm 121:1-2, “I will lift up mine
eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh
from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Terry has
also been teaching Sunday School for four years and the best
thing about teaching is sharing the Good News about Jesus with
the children. May God bless these two dedicated teachers
with many years of happy service in His kingdom and to His
children. You are appreciated, Renee and Terry!
SCHOOL NEWS
Enrollment
Time
St.
John’s School is in the process of enrolling students for
the 2001-02 school year. If you would like to receive enrollment
information, please contact the School Office now (362-6692).
Summer Hours
Summer
hours for the School Office begin Thursday, June 21, through
Tuesday, July 31. The summer hours for the School Office
will be Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The
School Office will be closed on July 23-July 31.
Important
Dates
Mark your
calendar for theseimportant dates:
Aug. 16 -
Registration/Parent Information Meetings
at 1:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 20 - First
Day of School - half day with dismissal at 12:30 p.m.
ITEMS OF
INTEREST
This year on Sept 16, St. John’s Church in Wanatah will
celebrate their 125th year. Dr. Oswald
Hoffman, former Lutheran Hour Speaker, will be their guest
speaker. Later in the day Dr. Hoffman will speak at the L.W.M.L.
Fall Rally at St. John’s in LaCrosse. Our members are
invited to the Fall Rally. Mark it on your calendar now!
More information will be available in the September Newsletter.
If you are a cancer survivor, please join other survivors at the
American Cancer Society “Relay for Life” luminary
ceremony and survivor’s lap at the La Porte County
Fairgrounds on Friday, June 1, between 8-9:00 p.m. The
track will be lined with lights honoring survivors and
remembering those who have lost the fight against cancer.
On Saturday, June 2, a Survivors Breakfast to honor our survivors
of cancer, will be held at the Rolling Prairie Methodist Church
Food Building at the Fairgrounds. For more information call
Sharon (877-1985 or 879-7847). T-shirts will be given to
all survivors at the event!
JUNE AT ST. JOHN'S
June 2-3(Pentecost
Prayer & Praise) Guest Preacher: Pastor Warren
Messmann, Ft. Wayne, IN Special Music: Kathy Page
June 9(8th
Grade Graduation Service) Guest Preacher: Pastor DeLloyd Wippich,
Robbinsdale, MN (the father of our 5th Grade Teacher,
Mr. Wippich, and grandfather of 8th Grade Graduate,
Justin Wippich)
June 10 Guest
Preacher: Pastor Karl Koch, Columbus, OH (Interim Pastor prospect)
Special Music: Mary Felts-Handbell Solo
June 16-17 Guest
Preacher: Pastor Warren Messmann, Ft. Wayne, IN Special Music:
Mixed Quartet
June 23-24 (June
24/10:45 - Retirement Service for Organist, Mary Ann Scholz)
Guest Preacher: Pastor Edward Meyer, Lexington, KY (former St.
John’s pastor) Special Music: 7:00/8:00: Renny Rutz, Mary
Felts 10:45: Walther League Chorus
June 30-July 1 (All
Patriotic Communion Services) Guest Preacher: Pastor Warren
Messmann, Ft. Wayne, IN Special Music: Jeanette Darby
NEWS
FROM OUR BOARDS/GROUPS:
Board of
Elders:
One of our very
important responsibilities under the Constitution, is to engage
in continual review of communion and church attendance. In our
May meeting, we felt that all of our members should be made aware
of what the definition of an active member is. We thought all of
our members need to be reminded of what our church Constitution
has to say regarding active membership. "Communicant members
shall meet certain minimum standards for membership. These
include:
1. Attendance at
Worship Services at least once a month.
2. Participation
in Holy Communion at least four times per year.
3. Willing
participation and involvement in the ministry of the church with
their time, talents and treasures.”
These are
minimums standards only. Certainly our Lord and all of our fellow
members want to see our church filled with its people every
weekend. May each of us continue to grow in our faith and walk
with God as we approach Him through our weekly gathering together
and through the time that each of us must spend with Him daily in
prayer and devotion. It is the Board of Elders prayer that God
would continue to bless us as a congregation as He has so richly
done through our years past!
Contact Person:
Mark Jerndt, Chairman (326-1177).
Board of
Missions & Evangelism:
We received the
following letter from the Pregnancy Assistance Center:
Dear People
at St. John’s,
Thank you for your continued support of the Pregnancy Assistance
Center and for your recent donation of used clothing and shoes.
Your gifts make it possible for our crisis pregnancy ministry to
continue.
In His
Service Together, Pam Sweet
Contact Person:
Ellie Heidel, Chairman (326-1866) e-mail: ekheidel@csinet.net
Board of
Parish Education:
V.B.S.
2001 is coming soon–Monday, July 30, to Friday, Aug. 3.
Classes will be
held for children in Preschool-Gr. 6 this fall. Our theme is
“Seaside with the Savior.” Each day the children (sailors)
will visit a different port or seaside area mentioned in the
New Testament. While visiting these ports, sailors will hear
about Biblical individuals whose lives were touched by Jesus
in some way and the difference that made for them!
The following
supplies are needed: fishing nets, seaside-type props(seagulls,
boats, anchors, sand dollars, blue tarps, plain white sheets–please,
no sea shells). Staff Needs include: “Outfitters”
for specific Bible scenes, Registration Volunteers, Prop Makers,
Teachers and Assistants, Clean-up Crew, Actors for skits.
Remember, you don’t have to be there for V.B.S. for some of
these jobs (such as Outfitters)– evening or weekend help
will work, too! Note: We want all children to attend FREE of
charge. However, if you are interested in “Sponsoring a
Child” with this ministry, make checks payable to St. John’s
Luth. Church. All donations are greatly appreciated!! For
more details on how you can be a part of our V.B.S. family, call
V.B.S. Director, Christel Bublitz (325-0831).
Contact Person:
Ricky Shortt, Chairman (324-6288).
Staff Care
Committee:
The
Staff Care Committee invites you to join us at a special
reception to celebrate the anniversaries of two staff members. The
reception will take place Sunday, June 10, from 9:00-10:30 a.m.
in the school Cafeteria. We will honor Karen Ulmer for 25
years of service as a teacher’s aide and Julie Stelter for
15 years of service as a Called teacher. Karen Ulmer began
working at St. John’s for the Tutorial Reading Program in
September 1975. She stayed in that position for 10 years
before becoming the Teacher’s Aide in First Grade in August 1985.
She has remained in that position except for one year when the
position was dropped due to low enrollment. She has volunteered
for many activities and is a member of the Walther League Chorus
and L.W.M.L. She married Orville Ulmer on July 21, 1962, and has
two sons, Jon and Thomas.They have also been blessed with three
grandchildren.
Julie Stelter
received her degree as a Called teacher from Concordia College in
Ann Arbor, MI in 1986. Upon gradation, she taught at Bach-Kilmanagh
School in Sebewaing, MI. In 1990, she received a Call to Trinity
Lutheran in St. Joseph, MI. She was Called to St. John’s in
La Porte in Aug. 1994, first as a 4th Grade Teacher.
She also serves as Athletic Director. She became 8th
Grade Teacher in June 1998. Julie is single and lives in
Benton Harbor, MI.
Other
staff members with special anniversaries this year include 6th
Grade Teacher and School Music Director, Ruth Radke, Kindergarten
teacher, Krla Eigenmann,and Head Cook, Sharon Butler, all who
celebrate 10 years of service at St. John’s. 5th grade
teacher Dave Wippich celebrates 20 years at St. John's as a
Called Teacher. Also, Marlene Bechinski, our part-time
Bookkeeper, who celebrates five years of service in that position. We
extend thanks to Dawn Crum for her seven years of service as
Assistant Cook. She will leave that position to pursue a
full-time career. Please thank these people for their dedicated
service!
The Staff Care
Committee was formed in 2000 to work on better methods of paid
and volunteer staff recognition. The committee makes note of
special anniversaries on 5-year increments and holds special
celebrations for those celebrating 15 year anniversaries, 25 year
anniversaries, and retirement. Called staff anniversaries
are celebrated based on the date of their original Call into the
ministry. All other staff anniversaries are celebrated based
on the date of employment at St. John’s Church/School. Each
year we celebrate our paid staff anniversaries in June and our
volunteer staff in November. This year the Volunteer “Thank
You Reception” will be held on Sunday, Nov. 11. Most
volunteers change activities periodically and we thank all
members together for their overall service to the Lord! We
rely on our boards and committees to tell us about special
anniversaries of volunteers in special volunteer positions. However,
if you have a special anniversary coming up or know someone who
does, please let us know before September. You may talk to
any of our Staff Care Committee members: Sherrill Lee, Chairman (654-7313),
Ellie Heidel, Secretary (326-1866), Gail Johnson (326-5521), Bill
Trowbridge (654-7815), Mary Jo Uebele (362-2538), Linda Peters (393-3496),
or Congregation Coordinator, Debra Trowbridge (Office/362-3726).
