issue will be looked at and reevaluated during the upcoming year, but I reiterate...we will continue with the half day Kindergarten for the 2002-2003 year. - Mr. David Wippich

From the 25th week of frequently asked questions taken from the Today’s Light Bible.

For Monday 6/17 the question is raised, Why didn’t Jesse bring David before Samuel?

The Lord sent Samuel to Jesse in Bethlehem to find and anoint the next King of Israel. Seven of Jesse’s sons passed before Samuel - any one of them a good candidate to succeed Saul as Israel’s King. But the Lord had selected someone else - Jesse’s youngest son who was out in the pasture tending the family’s sheep. Perhaps Jesse thought David too young to meet this important visitor. In any case, God held David in high regard. Samuel anointed David in a clandestine ceremony, thus designating David Israel’s heir-apparent. Saul would remain the legal King of Israel until his death. But the Lord would soon replace the rebellious Saul with a “man after his own heart” - David, the Shepherd boy.

Summer can be a time of wonderful renewal. Most definitely, it is NOT a time to let our relationship with the Lord dwindle. Don’t we want God to go with us everywhere? Would we like it if He took a vacation from us? In order to have a close personal relationship with someone, you need to talk to them and spend time with them. Are you spending time with Jesus this summer? Or are you soooo busy that He gets pushed aside? It’s not too late! Read your Bible daily, spend quiet time each day with Him in prayer, come to Bible class, bring your children to Sunday School.

It’s never too late to join us on our trek up Faith Mountain! Children ages 3 through 18 are most welcome to join us at 9:30 in the church basement. This program runs through Sunday, September 8. We would like to thank Parent Volunteers Lori Feldt, Debbie Smith, and Julie Vergin, who are helping us with our Faith Mountain program this summer. Our hope and prayer is that EVERYONE involved in this extremely informative, faith building adventure will find themselves closer to Jesus at the end of the summer!

We need POND WATCHERS! What is a pond watcher, you may ask?

It’s someone who hands out fishing poles and prizes at our “fish pond” located in the Lutheran Laymen League booth during the La Porte Co. Fair! The Pond Watcher shifts are only 2 hours each...from 2:00-4:00 p.m., and from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. This is a wonderful way to share the Good News with children through giving out Christian witness items as prizes. FREE fair passes will be available if needed. If interested in helping out, please call Mrs. Povlock at 325-3049.

Believe it or not...the new Sunday School year is just around the corner! Rally Day is traditionally when we wrap up our summer program. This year an EXTREMEly joyous Rally Day is being planned for Sunday, September 8. Promotion Sunday (the Sunday we “move up” to our new class) will be held on Sunday, September 15. Watch the bulletin for all the exciting details!

(Information for organizations is listed under the Board that is responsible for their oversight, & through which they would report to the Church Council & Voter’s Assembly. Other than this oversight, organizations run independently from boards.)

The Call Committee has sent in the required information to the Indiana District LCMS. We are awaiting their reply with referrals of Pastors open to a call before we can continue.

The next regular meeting of the Church Council is scheduled for Tuesday, July 23, 2002. All boards should have minutes from their meetings for the second quarter of the year turned into the Church Office by Monday, July 22. Also, all motions should be in writing and presented to the chair at the time the motion is made.

2001 Scholarship Fund - $697.00         2002 Scholarship Fund - $945.00

The next worship services that will have an interpreter for the deaf will be held Saturday, July 13 and Saturday, August 10 at 7 p.m.

The Bible studies with interpreter for the deaf will be held on Saturday, July 27 and August 24, at 6 p.m. Both hearing and non-hearing people are invited to attend. We are currently studying the book of Genesis.

We are in need of more ushers for all worship services. You may choose how often you serve, and training is available. For more information, contact Ed Brettin 778- 9602 or Jim Peters at 393-3496.

We are in need of one or two additional people to assist with the Radio Broadcast Recording each Sunday at the 8 am service. Volunteers rotate weeks they are serving. You will receive training for as long as you need it!! If you are interested in learning more, contact Mark Bublitz, or the Congregation Coordinator.

Are you aware that the flower fund is a special fund used only for the purchase of flowers for our church for each weekend? We are in need of sponsors and/or donations. The circles and organizations contribute every year, which gives us a big boost and takes care of many Sundays. We all thank them very much. We also have many people that sponsor a vase or two for a special occasion or remembrance in their lives. We sincerely thank them too. But, we need to make you aware that this does not cover the whole year. Therefore there will be times we will not have flowers, for lack of funds. Won’t you make it a point to make a donation, once in a while, to help with this church project? Any amount will be appreciated. Just make your check payable to St. Johns Flower Fund. Thank you!

The Altar Guild is looking for new members. This is another great way to be involved in your church, and it does not require a lot of time or meetings. For more information, please contact Judy Schreiber at 362-6390.

FRIEND-TO-FRIEND (MULTI-CULTURAL MINISTRY)

The Friend-to-Friend Spanish classes have ended, but a new Spanish/English Bible Study has begun! We are still teaching English and Spanish, but we are using the Bible to do so. Spanish -English NIV Bibles are provided - all you need to do is show up! This Friend-to-Friend Bible Study takes place Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. in the School Music Room.

We will also hold a free Hispanic dinner for those interested in helping with the ministry on Saturday, July 20 at Noon. Head Cook for this meal will be our “star” English student, Jose Luis Cortes. (He is a former Mexican cook.) For more information, see Congregation Coordinator Debra Trowbridge.

Praise the Lord for two babies who will be given life because of Pregnancy Assistance Center (P.A.C.) efforts! One will be raised by its own mother who decided against abortion, and the other will be adopted.

P.A.C. needs include: summer maternity clothing, diapers (any size), rolls of postage stamps, white copy paper, Enfamil powder formula and strollers (new or used).

Registration for the 2002-2003 school year is now being accepted. DLHS will offer classes for freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Families desiring financial assistance should have the necessary forms filled out as soon as possible. Call Mrs. Laurie Rockensuess, Principal, at 219/874-5103.

DLHS students will be holding car washes during the summer to earn money for the athletic department and student activities. Car Washes will be July 13 and August 10. Call us for more information. A yard sale will be held August 3 at Ann Ponders, 107 Leeds Ave., Michigan City. Donations of sale items may be left at the school -- 1237 E. Coolspring Ave.

The chemistry wish list includes $1700 for chemicals, $8000 for safety supplies, $3000 for equipment. Donations may be made to Duneland Lutheran High School.

The summer Seniors Potlucks will take place on Wednesday, July 17 and August 21, at 11:30 a.m. in the school cafeteria. All seniors are welcome to attend!

There will not be a Family Reunion Picnic this year, due to lack of interest. However, we will still have our 11th annual Rally Day Outdoor Service & Church Picnic. Rally Day this year is Sunday, September 8.

The worship theme “Mission Work at Home” with guest speakers Indiana District Director of Outreach Ministries Rev. Dave Dubbelde and our area Deacon for Hispanic Ministry, Tomas Angon.

This year “mosey” on up to the Circle of Friends Ranch for more fun than you can shake a stick at! That’s right, we’re “headin’ on out” to the ranch for this summer’s VBS. While discovering five sites on the ranch, we will learn about Jesus from those who knew Him best, His friends. See how knowing Jesus changed their lives and can change your life. So, saddle up, because it’s time to move out! Mark your calendars for July 29 - August 2, 2002. If you would like to offer your services for help please contact Susan Rosselli (324-8364) or Michael Lemke (324-7289) for elementary ages, and Kelly Owens (778-2772) or Brenda Hull (326-5185) for pre-school ages.

A new Bible Study for Mothers and their children has begun in the home of Diane Wilczewski. This Summer Backyard Bible Study is currently using the book “The Power of a Praying Parent” by Stormie Omartian. (Cost is $9.95 at New Covenant Christian Book Store in La Porte - don’t forget to get your library stamps with your purchase and turn them in to the Board of Parish Education, so they can buy a copy for our Church Library.)

The Bible class meets every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to Noon at Diane’s home at 1983 Village Road in Door Village. They will be covering chapters 4 & 5 on July 3rd. Mothers are invited to bring their children along. For more information, contact Diane at 219-325-8022.

Sunday at 9:30 a.m. - Children’s Sunday School (theme: “Faith

Mountain” - Church Basement - led by Mark Bublitz & Melody

Povlock & the Sunday School Staff)

Sunday at 9:30 a.m. - See Through the Scriptures - Cafeteria - led by

Rev. Karl Koch

Sunday at 9:30 a.m. - “The Christian Family in Today’s Society” - Music

Room - lead by Bill Trowbridge

Sunday at 6 p.m. - Youth Group Bible Study & Activity - Youth Room

1st & third Monday at 7 a.m. - Morning devotions at Temple News Agency

in La Porte - led by Dionne Wisniewski

Tuesday at 9 a.m. - “Lutheran Women’s Quarterly” - Ladies Lounge

Wednesday at 6 p.m. - See Through the Scriptures - Cafeteria - led by

Rev. Karl Koch

Saturday at 9 a.m. - Spanish -English Bible Study of “Genesis” - Music

Room - led by Congregation Coordinator, Debra Trowbridge

4th Saturday of the month at 6 p.m. - “Genesis” - Ladies Lounge - lead by

Interpreter for the Deaf, Rev. Jerry Munz of Indianapolis

If you are not currently in a Bible Study, let us help you get connected to one! For more details on any of these Bible Studies, contact the Congregation Coordinator, a Pastor, or Christel Bublitz, Chairman of the Board of Parish Education. by calling the Church Office at 219-362-3726.

The Board of Public Relations is in need of volunteers who would like to help out with the pictorial directory. If you are interested in helping as a registration volunteer, phone caller, or in any capacity needed, please contact Board Chairman Delores Keller, or Directory General Coordinator Paulette Schuster.

Thanks to those of you who volunteered to pick up your copy of the newsletter at Church. They will be available on the counter in the Welcome Center on the last Sunday of each month or from the church office, and in the Narthex brochure rack thereafter. Anyone else willing to pick up your Newsletter and help us save on mailing costs, please sign up on a clip board in the church Welcome Center or at the church office. Please also give us your e-mail address if you are interested in receiving the newsletter or other periodic information by e-mail. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the operation of this program, contact Ellie Heidel at 219-326-1866 or Deb Trowbridge through the church office.

Men with a Mission and the Board of Social Ministry want to thank the school children and their parents for the food donations during the past school year. The families have appreciated the food and this was a financial help to everyone involved. Again, thank you!!!

The Board of Stewardship has formed a G.R.O.W. Group - God’s Riches: Our Work. We believe Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God’s people, the Church, in managing all

of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes. We are looking for

members who can be involved on a bi-weekly basis. If you are interested in learning more, contact Board of Stewardship chairman, Dwayne Rogers, at 219-362-0412, or leave your name with the church office at 219-362-3726.

The next congregational information meeting on “Project 2000 and Beyond” takes place on Thursday, July 25 & Thursday, August 29 at 7 p.m. in the church building. The Board of Trustees will have monthly meetings throughout this process to keep members informed. If you want to know what is going on and have input, please attend these meetings!

Several members of the Youth Group will be on a mission trip to Lima, Peru this summer. The remainder of the youth will have activities as listed:

July 7 - Beach Volleyball - 5-8 p.m. -Stone Lake Beach (Mike G. & Lindsey G.)

July 12-13 - Camp Out - 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. - Danielle’s (Danielle E. & Mike K.)

July 21 - Deep River - Meet at 9 a.m. at St. John’s (Krystle B. & Sarah V.)

July 28 - ??? - (Danielle E. & Sabrina R.)

Aug. 4 - ??? - (Amy V. & Ashley W.)

Aug. 11 - Beach Volleyball - 5-8 p.m. - Stone Lake Beach (Tony N. & Sarah V.)

Aug. 18 - Paintball - Meet at Noon at St. John’s (Mike G. & Peter S.)

Aug. 25 - Flicker Frisbee - 6-8 p.m. at St. John’s (Peter S. & Mike K.)

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Once again I am requesting volunteers to help with “newspaper stuffing” for two Saturdays a month from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is a dedicated group that does this but family events, trips, health problems, and other reasons leave vacancies that need to be filled. I am required to have fourteen people each Saturday. We also stuff every Monday with early birds arriving at 6 a.m. and others coming at 7 a.m. Extra hands are always welcome. Every three months a sizable donation is made to the Church General Fund. But through the year we also donate to other church and School organizations that are in need of funds. For more information call Karen Piper at 362-8070.

Are you unable to get out for worship on Sunday? “Worship for Shut-ins” may be viewed in the Chicago area on the TLN (Total Living Network) on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. “Worship for shut-ins” television network began in 1969 under the leadership of Rev. Ozzie Bertram, of Toledo , Ohio. Mr. Ken Schilf is willing to speak anywhere in the Mid-west on this ministry at Church meetings or Bible classes.Contact him in Fort Wayne at 888-286-8002 or by e-mail at kschilf@holycrossfw.org.

Not able to get to church? If you would like the new Portals of Prayer devotion booklet for July-Sept 2002, but have no one to bring one to you, please call St. John’s Church Office (362-3726) and Pastor Jim will gladly see that a copy is sent to you.

St. John’s member Don Cooley turned in an interesting item for families. It is called “My Giving Bank” and it has three separate compartments for teaching children how to divide all of their money between the three sections of the Lord’s work, savings and self. The bank costs $16.95, and has free Bible-based audio cassette and information included, for parents to use to teach stewardship to their children and teenagers. For more information, see Crown Financial Ministries web site at www.crown.org.

* Each day ten Christian churches close in the U.S. Just 4 new ones start. One LCMS church closes per week. * Just 900,000 LCMS members attend church each (out of 2.6 million members on the rolls). * Predictions indicate that 60% of all Protestant churches will be closed by 2050. * The LCMS is 98% Anglo and Anglos will be a minority group by 2040. * Forty Lutheran churches closed in Detroit over the last 50 years. * In New York City, LCMS baptized membership is down 4,000 from 22,000 in 1977. * LCMS membership in Chicago decreased from 40,000 to 17,000 in the same period. * 100 mosques are found in Chicago - half are housed in former Christian churches. * The LCMS is shrinking by 3.5% per year, 20% compared with population growth.

(From Rev. Mark Joeckel, Lutheran Inter-City Network Coalition (LINC), Arlington, TX, as quoted in Highlights of Historic First Lutheran, Historic First, Pasadena, CA. For more information on LINC , visit: http://web2.airmail.net/peace1/linc.html and http://www.lincfw.org.)

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Sat, July 6 7 p.m. - Patriotic Worship Service

Sun, July 7 8 a.m. - Patriotic Worship with Communion

10:45 a.m. - Patriotic Worship Service

Sat, July 13 7 p.m. - Blended Worship with Communion &

Interpreter for the Deaf

Sun, July 14 8 a.m. - Traditional Worship

10:45 a.m. - Modern Worship with Communion

Sat, July 20 7 p.m. - Blended Worship

Sun, July 21 8 a.m. - Traditional Worship with Communion

10:45 a.m. - Modern Worship Service

Sat, July 27 7 p.m. - Blended Worship with Communion

Sun, July 28 8 a.m. - Traditional Worship

10:45 a.m. - Modern Worship with Communion

6 p.m. - T-N-T Worship (Teen Non-Traditional)

Sat, Aug. 3 7 p.m. - Blended Worship

Sun, Aug. 4 8 a.m. - Traditional Worship with Communion

10:45 a.m. - Modern Worship

Sat, Aug. 10 7 p.m. - Blended Worship with Communion

Sun, Aug. 11 8 a.m. - Traditional Worship

10:45 a.m. - Modern Worship with Communion &

Interpreter for the Deaf

Sat, Aug. 17 7 p.m. - Blended Worship

Sun, Aug. 18 8 a.m. - Traditional Worship with Communion

10:45 a.m. - Modern Worship -12-

Sat, Aug. 28 7 p.m. - Blended Worship with Communion

Sun, Aug. 29 8 a.m. - Traditional Worship

10:45 a.m. - Modern Worship with Communion

6 p.m. - T-N-T Worship (Teen Non-Traditional)

The seminar will be held Saturday, July 20, 2002 from 9 a.m. to Noon at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 810 W. Talmer Avenue, North Judson, IN. This will be the seminar for the northwest region. It will feature the Rev. Richard Kurth, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church at Eagle Creek, Indianapolis, who will model the stewardship ministry that flourishes at his parish.

Pastors and other stewardship leaders are encouraged to attend. There is no pre-registration and all congregations are invited to attend. Contact the church office to participate. (Pastor Kurth is also available to preach on stewardship to individual congregations, to lead Bible classes while he is there and to present a Children’s message on stewardship. )

INDIANA DISTRICT JR. HIGH YOUTH RALLY northern dates will be Saturday, September 14 - Sunday, September 15 at Camp Lutherhaven. Theme will be "This Changes Everything" Ephesians 2:1-10. Cost: $40 per person, includes housing, meals, and T-shirt.

INDIANA DISTRICT SR HIGH YOUTH GATHERING - November 8-10, 2002 at The Radisson Hotel, Indianapolis. The 2002 Theme is: "FOCUS" based on Hebrew 12:1-3. More information is available from the Indiana District Office.

REV. EUGENE BRUNOW IS RETIRING - Indiana District is looking for nominations of persons who may replace Rev. Eugene Brunow as Indiana District Education Executive. Rev. Brunow will be retiring December 31, 2002. The board would like to place a call at its September 16th meeting. If you have a nomination, contact one of the Pastors, the Congregation Coordinator or call the Indiana District Office at 1-800-837-1145.

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH - LCEF offers demographic data in 31 categories through :Linking: congregations and

Communities,” a comprehensive report provided by the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF).

Annually about 300 LCMS congregations of all sizes request complete demographic studies, according to Debbie Borawski, coordinator of the service. It is based on the 2000 census and gives immediate information like population, age groups, income and race -- plus a five-year projection.

For $300 congregations receive a comprehensive report, which incorporates parish data with regional data and religious survey information, 10-year population projections, and worksheets to plan ministry and stewardship in the congregation. More information is available through the Indiana District Office.

HISPANIC MINISTRIES,, workers and friends are invitied to ENCUENTRO ´02 in Indianapolis, Indiana August 10-13, 2002. Dr.Samuel Solivan,Theology professor at the Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico will speak about Hispanic leadership development in the US. Lutheran Hour Ministries (Cristo Para Todas las Naciones) will present an evangelistic tool to reach the growing Hispanic population ." If you are interested in more information, contact Debra Trowbridge through the church office.

The Indiana District Evangelism Task Force is sponsoring a district-wide Evangelism Conference on Saturday, September 14, 2002 at Trinity Lutheran Church [8540 E. 16th Street, Indianapolis] with 8:30 a.m. registration, 9:00 a.m. devotion, concludes at 3:30 p.m. Special guest speaker, President of the LCMS, Dr. Gerald Kieschnick, will speak on "Personal Evangelism." The president of the Indiana District, Rev. Tim Sims will lead devotions and a sectional topic.

Sectional topics will be: “Come and See - Evangelism Based on the Ministry of Philip” (Pres. Sims), “Evangelism Preaching”, “Demographics for Focused Outreach”, “Evangelism Through Children’s Ministries”, “Making First Time Visitors Second Time Visitors”, “Using Technology for Outreach”, “Evangelism Across Cultures”, “Witnessing Life in a Culture of Death”, “Resources for Evangelism”, ‘What to Say When There is Nothing to Say”, “Why and How to Start New Churches?”.

A noon luncheon for $3 [cash only] will be offered but there will be no cost involved in the conference itself. Advanced registration is encouraged by email at nancy.hoffman@in.lcms.org or 1-800-837-1145, ext 208, or the church office.

(Bring a dish to share and your own table service.)

If you would like to offer your services for help please contact Susan Rosselli (324-8364) or Michael Lemke (324-7289) for elementary ages, & Kelly Owens (778-2772) or Brenda Hull (326-5185) for pre-school.

Kingsbury & Monroe (Hwy. 4), La Porte, IN

111 Kingsbury Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350

Church—(219) 362-3726 (voice mail) School (219)362-6692 (voice mail)

FAX—(219) 362-2237 TDD (for hearing impaired) (219) 362-4742

Web site: www.stjohns-lpin.org

General E-mail Box: stjohns@stjohns-lpin.org

Intentional Interim Pastor—Rev. Karl Koch - (574) 876-9848 (cell)

Visitation Pastor—Rev. James Beversdorf - (219) 465-3921 (home)

Congregation Coordinator & Interim Church Office Manager—

Mrs. Debra Trowbridge - (574) 654-7815 (h)

Interim Pastors’ Secretary (volunteer) - Imogene Dahl - (219) 324-6668

Bookkeeper & Interim Office Assistant - Stacy Tharp

Director of Music Ministry—Mr. Matt Nelson - (219) 362-7317 (home)

Organist—Mrs. Susan Rosselli - (219) 324-8364 (home)

Head Custodian—Mr. Barry Siddall - (219) 325-2956 (pager)

Assistant Custodian - Mrs. Joanne Biggs

School Principal—Mr. David Wippich (219) 362-9288 (home)

Ms. Mary Rooney (Admin. Asst.), Mrs. Rio Light (Daycare/ Pre-school),Mrs. Karla Eigenmann (Kindergarten), Mrs. Marlene Will (1st Grade), Mrs. Sally Foglesong (2nd Grade), Mrs. Lois Krider (3rd Grade), Mrs. Jan Martinsen (4th Grade), Mrs. Jennifer Vant’hof (5th Grade), Mrs. Mindy Bremer (6th Grade), Mrs. Cheryl Hoard (7th Grade), Miss Julie Stelter (8th Grade).

President—Mr. Chuck Link, Jr.—(219) 326-1069

Vice President—Mr. James Crum—(219) 324-2985

Treasurer—Mr. Jeff Scherer—(219) 362-5333

Secretary—Mrs. Penny Nelson—(219) 362-7317

Elders—Mr. Mark Jerndt—(219) 326-1177

Trustees—Mr. Paul Shelby—(219) 369-1363

School Board—Mr. Scott Childress—(219) 362-7170

Missions & Evangelism—Elyse Heidel—(219) 326-1866

Parish Education—Mrs. Christel Bublitz—(219) 325-0831

Parish Fellowship—Mrs. Jeanette Darby—(219) 362-3891

Public Relations—Mrs. Delores Keller - (219) 362-8778

Social Ministry—Mrs. Nancy Winn—(219) 324-9221

Stewardship—Mr. Dwayne Rogers— (219) 362-0412

Youth Board—Mrs. Julie Childress—(219) 785-4232