A
Newsletter concerning the MISSION & MINISTRY of St.
John's Ev. Lutheran Church
_____________________________________________________
VOLUME XLIX
LA PORTE, INDIANA / October 2001 No.
9
RESPONSE FROM
OUR SYNODICAL PRESIDENT
The
following statement is from our synodical President, Dr.
Kieschnick:
The monstrous
attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. are an astounding
example of mankind’s fall into sin and the forces of evil at
work in this world.
The fall was not
a one-time event. It continues to happen. It is an ongoing
process, a downward trajectory, that shapes every moment of our
lives.
To deal with
such sin and evil in the civil world, God has given us civil
authorities– President Bush and our government–to
promote peace, order and to provide protection for the American
people. Along with our prayers for the thousands of victims of
these attacks and their loved ones, we pray for our leaders that
they may learn who is responsible and take the appropriate action.
In times of
crisis, we encourage all to turn their eyes to Jesus Christ, the
Prince of Peace, who works peace in men’s hearts and among
the people of the earth who trust in Him.
WELCOME
RECEPTION
The Staff
Care Committee will have a Welcome Reception for our two new Day
School Teachers, Miss Jennifer Van’t Hoff in 5th
Grade and Mrs. Cheryl Hoard in 6th Grade. This will be
held in the School Cafeteria on Sunday, Oct. 7, from 9-9:30 a.m.
At that time, we will also have a Reception of Thanks for our
Interim Principal, Mr. David Wippich, to show appreciation for
his willingness to be our Principal for the 2001-02 school year.
Everyone is
invited to attend and meet our new teachers and give your thanks
to our Interim Principal, too!
PORTALS OF
PRAYER
Do you want the
“Portals of Prayer” devotional booklet to help you in
your living with the Lord? If you would like a booklet and
are not able to pick it up at the church or school, please call
the Church Office
(362-3726) to
request a copy to be dropped off to you.
SCHOOL NEWS
Upcoming
Calendar Dates
9/26 - PTL Open
House and Ice Cream Parlor 6-7:30 p.m. Come and see your
child’s or grandchild’s classroom.
9/28 -
Innisbrook Sale begins. Mrs. Jean King supervising this sale.
Thanks, Jean!
10/10 - La Porte
Community Symphony Concert at Civic Auditorium. This is
prepaid for Gr. K-4. No additional seats available.
10/10 - Vision
Screening for Gr. 1,3,8 at Boston School.
10/17 - Muffins
for Moms in Cafeteria at 7:00 a.m.
10/31 - Donuts
for Dads in Cafeteria at 7:00 a.m.
Other
School Information
A Student Council
is being formed from elections in Gr. 5-8. This council will be
supervised by Miss Van’tHof and Mrs. Hoard.
We are working
on developing a Yearbook Club. This will be supervised by Miss
Stelter and Mrs. Bagley.
Mr. Parry and
Mrs. Will are collaborating to develop the accelerated Reader
Program. Presently, Mr. Parry is working on loading reconfigured
disks into the computer lab. This is a very time consuming task–approx.
one hour per computer!
Our student
written Newspaper will again be published quarterly and
supervised by Mrs. Krider, Mrs. Foglesong, and Mrs. Bagley.
Our Gr. 5-8
School Chorus has a different name. It will be called the “Christus
Chorus” which means “Christ’s Choir” in Latin.
The Gr. 1-4 Junior Choir is close to having a new name and will
share it with us soon!
We are ordering
revised classroom maps using funds from last year’s
Innisbrook Sale. This year’s sale money will be used to
replenish the School Choir Fund, establish the Student Council,
and purchase new desks in the classrooms beginning with Gr. 7 and
moving down from there.
Our current
enrollment is 158 for Preschool-Gr. 8.
Thank you to
Miss Imogene Dahl for supervising the “DC in 03" Cookie
Dough Sale! Thanks for supporting this project!
Devotional
(From last month:
What did Jesus say about Himself as He stands before the
religious rulers of the day? He said He would sit at the right
hand of God!)
This month we
look at Matt. 3. Have you ever seen and heard things that caught
you by surprise? How about events of this past week? How did you
respond?
People had some
interesting things to say about John the Baptist as he presented
himself in clothing made from camel’s hair...in the
wilderness...surviving on locusts and honey...he indeed caught
many by surprise! Remember John claimed to be God’s
messenger, though he didn’t live, talk, or even look
anything like a religious leader of that day. John went about His
work of baptizing through words of ridicule from religious
leaders. From out of nowhere a man approached John. It was Jesus
exclaiming that John needed to baptize Him! This caught many by
surprise, including John the Baptist! Jesus told John to baptize
Him as it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus
identified with all sinners and gave His support to John’s
ministry through the washing with water and the Word of God! The
Spirit descended as a dove and the voice of the Father rang down.
Look up Matt. 3:1-17 and notice verse 17. How does God feel about
Jesus? How do you feel about Jesus? Jesus, who was clean “had
been through the water and came out clean!” Don’t be
thrown off by the scoffers of today–BELIEVE! You, too, are
clean through water and the Word!
REMINDER....
Handicap
Accessible Worship Services (formerly known as the Shut-in
Services) are being held monthly in St. John’s School
Cafeteria on the second Sunday of each month. Our next service is
Sunday, Oct. 14, at 2:30 p.m.
WHAT’S NEW
AT SUNDAY SCHOOL
This
time of year our thoughts turn to the beautiful, crisp days of
autumn. What splendor the Lord brings to us with the turning of
the maple leaves, the majestic geese flying in their V-formations,
and the little squirrels busily preparing for yet another winter!
There is SO much beauty this time of year that we want to
celebrate it with our Sunday School family in a wholesome, God-pleasing
way. How will we do that?
As an
alternative to the pagan celebrations surrounding Halloween, we
will host a “Hayride” at Bendix woods in late October.
We will gather together to sing, ride the hay wagon, and eat
around the campfire. We invite families to attend with their
children and make it a really memorable event. Please watch the
church bulletin and fliers for details. Together let us praise
God for His bounty!
We give a
special “thank you” to the following people for helping
us this summer with our SON CREEK program...Mr. & Mrs.
Charlie Baima, Mrs. Jane Keller, Mr. & Mrs. Dwayne Rogers,
Mrs. Julie Ryan, and Mr. & Mrs. Rick Shortt. Your help was
greatly appreciated!
Perfect
Attendance for July were: Aubrey, Jacob & Emily Barnhart, Sam
& Caleb Bublitz, Larry Keller, Andrew & Kathryn Scherer,
Nicole Scherer, Andrew Schuelke, Sky and Storm Shortt,
Aaron, Andrew, Scott, Abigail & Savannah Vaughn, Brooke
Baima, Austin Gropp, Jenna Marie Kalsow. Those with perfect
attendance for August were: Sam Bublitz, Chris Calkins, Victoria
Kelsey, Brittany Ryan, Nicole Scherer, Sky & Storm Shortt,
Tyler Berker, Austin Gropp, and Jenna Marie Kalsow. Their
faithful attendance is to be commended!
Our 2001-02
Sunday School Staff is as follows:
Nursery-Mrs.
Donna Levandoski
Preschool-Mr.
& Mrs. Rick Shortt
Kdg.-Mrs. Melody
Povlock, Mrs. Teresa Stayback
1st-Mrs.
Dana Alexander
2nd-Mr.
& Mrs. Terry Scherer
3rd/4th-Mr.
& Mrs. Michael Lemke
5th/6th-Mr.
Dennis Proud
7th-8th-Mrs.
Felicia Menear
High School-Mr.
Mark Bublitz
Assistants-Mrs.
Christel Bublitz, Miss Krystal Burke, Mr. Jimmy Burke
Pianist-Mr.
Martin Vollrath
Treasurer-Mrs.
Lora-Lee Snyder
Cradle Roll-Miss
Rosemary Woodcox
Crafts-Mrs.
Julie Ryan
We thank the
Lord for all of these willing servants. Next time you see your
child’s teacher, let them know how much you appreciate what
they do!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT....
Our Staff
Spotlight this month shines on Mr. Mark Bublitz, our High School
Class teacher, and Mr. Jimmy Burke, our 1st Grade
Assistant:
Mark is married
to Christel and they have two sons, Sam and Caleb. Mark’s
hobbies include radio controlled airplanes and computers.
His favorite restaurant is “Kelsey’s.” A Bible
verse that is special to him is Rom. 1:16, “For I am not
ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also
to the Greek.” Mark has been actively working with our
Sunday School for eight years. When asked what he enjoys
most about Sunday School, he replies, “Treasure in heaven,
revealed while we are on earth; and the helpful, loving staff.”
Jimmy Burke is
single and enjoys playing on his computer in his spare time. His
favorite restaurant is “King Gyros.” Jimmy likes John 3:16
which says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His
only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.” Jimmy has been
faithfully helping out with Sunday School in the Kindergarten and
First Grade for four years. His favorite part about working with
our Sunday School is “the kids.”
Mark and Jimmy,
we truly appreciate everything you do to serve the Lord while
working with our Sunday School students. May God continue to give
you JOY as you work for Him!
NEWS FROM
DUNELAND LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
Duneland
Lutheran High School has opened its doors for a second year. We
currently have 19 students–8 freshmen, 8 sophomores, and 3
juniors. Mrs. Laurie Rockensuess is our new Principal. She
replaces Mr. Danfelser who has retired. Mrs. Rockensuess taught
for the past 20 years in the La Porte Community Schools as a
Music Teacher.
The students
have participated in a Car Wash and a Caramel Apple Sale to
benefit the student Activity Fund. Part of this fund helped pay
for the student trip to Amigo Centre in Sturgis, MI on Sept. 12-14.
The students spent three days learning about animal habitats,
lake ecology, and participating in Co-operative education courses.
Duneland Luth.
High School is participating in the Kmart School Spirit Program.
You may support the school by signing up for a School Spirit card.
Every time you buy something at Kmart and use the card, Duneland
receives a percentage of the sale.
On Nov. 4, 2001,
the Duneland Chamber Ensemble with Dan McNabe, Conductor;
Duneland women’s Chorus with Albert Jackson, Conductor; Dr.
Philip Gehring, Organist; Mrs. Betty Gehring, Violinist; and solo
voices from the Valparaiso Univ. voice faculty will participate
in a benefit concert for the high school. The concert will be at
Immanuel Luth. Church in Michigan City at 3:00 p.m. A freewill
donation will be taken at the door. Donations may also be made by
becoming a sponsor. Sponsorships will be available prior to the
concert for: $25-Friend, $50-Sponsor, $100-Patron, $1,000-Benefactor,
$5,000-Gold Club. Your support is very much appreciated by the
students, faculty, and Board of Directors.
ITEMS OF
INTEREST
The
Youth Group is having a “BBQ Chicken Sale” on Saturday,
Sept. 29, from 9-1:00 p.m. at Kabelin’s and Quality Fram
& Fleet parking lots. Tickets are available from youth
members and at the Church Office for the price of $4.00 for half
of a large chicken.
Lutheran
Brotherhood Branch 8213 has various student loan and scholarship
programs available to students who will be starting or returning
to college, university, or seminary in Fall 2002. The deadline
for applications is January 15, 2002. To learn more, contact
District Rep. Brian Wiseman (219)879-8588.
Please
turn in all college student and military servicemen addresses to
the Church Office now. A letter from Pastor Beversdorf and copy
of the Newsletter will be sent to them each month.
The annual
“Fall Festival/Luncheon” will be held Thursday, Oct. 25,
from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the school. Tickets are available
from circle members and at the Church Office. Cost: Adult-$4.00
and Children under age 12-$2.00.
NEWS FROM OUR
BOARDS/ORGANIZATIONS:
Board of
Missions & Evangelism:
1. First Timothy
Ev. Lutheran church in Indianapolis, which is one of our mission
churches, held a Dedication Service in their new House of Worship
on Aug. 19. Their new address is: 2190 N. Lafayette Road,
Indianapolis, IN 46222.
2. We have gift
bags for visitors who come to worship with us. They are located
on a shelf in the Welcome Center and include a Jesus video, small
devotion book, information about the church and school, and a few
knick-knacks. New ideas and donations for gift bag items are
appreciated. If you know a visitor is in worship with us, please
guide them to the Welcome Center to receive their gift!
3. This year we
will distribute the Jesus video, which is the #1 most widely
viewed movie ever made, in time for Christmas giving! Upon
receiving this Newsletter, you still have time to make a donation
to the Jesus Video Drive. This is one movie that is actually
worth the $7 cost. Turn your donations in at the Church Office or
place it in the offering plate marked “Jesus Video.”
4. The Pregnancy
Assistance Center in La Porte needs books and videos. A big part
of their work is educating and supporting young parents after the
birth of their babies. In our lending library we offer Christian
books and parenting books. Clients also watch videos with
Christian and parenting subjects. If you have any books or videos
that you think would be appropriate for these programs, call 324-4646.
They will be a blessing for many clients for many years to come!
Other Needs: diapers of any size, school supplies, Baby Wipes,
women/baby coats, snow boots.
Board of
Elders:
1.Attention Shut-in
and Homebound Members: If you desire a pastor or an elder to
visit you frequently and bring Holy Communion to you on a regular
basis, please call the Church Office (362-3726) and leave a
message for Pastor Beversdorf. You may also contact one of the
elders. We want to serve you and encourage you in your Christian
faith and discipleship.
OCTOBER
AT ST. JOHN'S
Oct. 6-7 “Resource
Management” (Luke 16:1-13)
Oct. 13-14 “But
We’re Supposed to Fight!” (I Timothy 6:6-16)
Special Music: 10:45-Walther League Chorus
Oct. 14 Handicap
Accessible Communion Service - 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 20-21 “So,
What Else is New?” (II Timothy 1:3-14)
Oct. 27-28 (Reformation)
“Say That Again!!!?”(Jeremiah 31:31-34) Special
Music: 8:00/10:45-Walther League Chorus
FINANCE REPORT
FOR AUGUST
2000
Attendance - 1,645
2001 Attendance
- 1,500
2000 General
Fund receipts - $60,510.82
2001General Fund
receipts - $44,031.36
2000 Mission
Fund receipts - $374.00
2001Mission Fund
receipts - $273.00
Church Budget
Year To Date for 2001
General Fund (short)
- ($23,821.16)
Mission Fund (short)
- ($2,632.58)
