The Board of Elders, the Pastors and other staff would like to thank all the many volunteers who have been helping with office operations in the past, and all of the new people who have jumped on board these past few months since we have reorganized the Church Office. Please thank these people for using their talents for the Lord’s work at St. John’s.

The Congregation Coordinator has been coordinating the volunteers, writing an Office Operations handbook, and reorganizing the workroom in the back of the office to be the new Activities Resource Center (ARC). Most of the volunteers do their work in this room on the schedule of their choosing. If you would like to volunteer to help with office operations in the future, please contact Coordinator Debra Trowbridge by calling the Church Office at 362-3726.

Special thanks go to Imogene Dahl who has volunteered to cover the Church Office faithfully 2 1/2 days every week during the past few months. Debra and bookkeeper Stacy Tharp cover the office on the rest of the week. Other weekly Church Office helpers include Terry Page and Judy Schreiber. Each has been assigned special office work areas to handle.

Church Weekly News Bulletin & Worship Program volunteers include: Dorothy & Marilyn Spreeman, Bea Shelby, Sharon Liedke, Ellen Heidel, Marilee Mantick, Stacy Tharp, Terry Page, Deb & Bill Trowbridge and Don Cooley. Newsletter volunteers include: Ellie Heidel, Martin & Eleanora Vollrath, Mike & Joanne Lisak, Sharon Liedke, Dorothy Levandoski, Mary Jo Uebele, Dorothy & Marilyn Spreeman.

Many thanks and God’s blessings to all of these faithful people!

4/16 AFTERNOON IN-SERVICE--LANGUAGE ADOPTION

4/17-4/20 LEA in MPLS

4/18 STAFF WITH PASTOR

4/26 GR 3 SOUTH BEND/MUSEUM/HEALTH

4/27 COMFIRMATION PRACTICE 4:30

4/28 CONFIRMATION PICTURES 9:00...SERVICE 10:30

5/4 ACADEMIC BOWL-ACADEMIC COMPETITION

SPONSORED BY ST. JOHN’S FOR NORTHWEST

INDIANA 4th AND 5th GRADERS.

5/7 GR 5 LUHR PARK FIELD TRIP

5/7 GR 4 CONNOR PRAIRIE FIELD TRIP

5/9 FACULTY MEETING

5/14 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

5/14 SET UP FOR SCIENCE EXPO: GR 1-4 IN GYM, GR 5-8 IN

CAFETERIA. Set up can be Tuesday Morning before school

or Tuesday from 2:45 - 5:00.

5/15 SCIENCE EXPO IN GYM AND CAFETERIA 6:00-7:30

5/21 GR 5 DARE SILVERHAWK GAME - LEAVE 9:00AM

5/23 KK AND CC SPRING CONCERT IN GYM 7:00

5/28 GR 8 CLASS TRIP TO INDIANA BEACH

5/28 GR 5 DARE GRADUATION-HIGH SCHOOL AUDITOR-

IUM

5/31 K GRADUATION-TBA

6/4 SCHOOL IN SESSION

6/5 NO SCHOOL-INSERVICE

6/6 12:30 DISMISSAL-NO BUS...LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

6/8 8th GR GRADUATION 7:00 SERVICE - RECEPTION

FOLLOWS

6/6-6/7 TEACHER INSERVICE DAYS

PS 10 3rd 16

Pre-K AM 16 4th 18

PK PM 10 5th 11

Kindergarten 10 6th 12

1st 14 7th 10

2nd 19 8th 9

Maybe you noticed in the January and February Church Newsletter that there was a significant drop in the collection plate compared to January and February of last year. What does the Bible say regarding our offering? For this 16th week of the new year, the Saturday devotion from “Today’s Light” is entitled, “Why was offering firstfruits important?”

The Feast of the Firstfruits reminded Israel about all the things that God had provided them. When the Children of Israel had settled in the Promised Land, they were to take some of the firstfruits of all that they produced and give them to the Lord (Deut. 26: 1-4). This particular offering related in these verses only happened one time and shouldn’t be confused with the annual offering of firstfruits. This particular firstfruits offering was to take place after the Children of Israel held their first harvest in the Land of Canaan. It was a celebration of Israel’s transition from being a nation of wandering nomads to becoming what you might call an agricultural society of people. The people offered the first of their harvest to the Lord to thank Him for blessing them. In this way, they both worshiped and testified to others about the Lord’s provision. So where are you on your walk with God? These are hard times...but not really that much different from good times...if you think about it...it’s a personal thing...a perception related to your individual circumstances. Pray to the Lord regarding your gifts back to His church and school. It is between you and God...but the life of St. John’s Lutheran Church and School depends on it.

We are VERY excited about our new summer program entitled “FAITH MOUNTAIN”! All Christians are climbing Faith Mountain. Some are just beginning the ascent. Others are struggling to keep their footing. Still, there are those who are in the midst of one of those marvelous “mountain top” experiences!

Wherever your child or young adult may be on their faith adventure, we ask you to consider encouraging them to join us this summer from Sunday June 16 through Sunday September 8 for what we hope will be a life changing climb up FAITH MOUNTAIN. Note: Even if your child is not currently enrolled in our Sunday School program, we would like to issue a special invitation to ALL children ages 3-18 to go on this adventure with us. There will be separate groups for teens, one for “middlers” and an

other for pre-school aged children. Some of the lessons

include…“Destination Unknown”, featuring the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac; “From the Pit to the Palace”, featuring Joseph; “God’s Major Basket Case”, the story of Moses; “Hope on a Rope”, showing how Rahab took risks because of her faith; “The Ultimate Bad Hair Day”, that shows how Samson’s faith was restored and many more incredible but true stories of faith. Remember...this extreme adventure begins Sunday June 16!

Our opportunity to sing in church was temporarily put on hold due to the unexpected absence of Mr. Vollrath, our pianist and music director. We are happy to report that Mr. Vollrath did not have to have surgery, and we are very thankful to our Lord for that! Welcome back, Mr. Vollrath! PARENTS: Please mark Sunday June 9 on your calendars. The Sunday School (Ages 3 through 6th grade) will sing at the 10:45 service that day.

Those with perfect attendance for the month of March were as follows: Amelia Kessler, Lillie Kessler, Jeremy Berker, Brandon Gropp, Abigail Vaughn, Savannah Vaughn, Caleb Bublitz, Austin Gropp, Mary Lloyd, Madeline Livinghouse, Samuel Feldt, Brooke Baima, Tyler Berker, Storm Shortt, Nickolas Owens, Abby Lloyd, Samuel Doig, Rachel Hill, Susan Feldt, Lindsey Hull, Jenna Marie Kalsow, Alexander Kelsey, Taylor Baima, Aaron Vaughn, Sam Bublitz, Victoria Kelsey, Shane Rogers, Andrew Schuelke, Sky Shortt, Paul Lloyd, Tom Feldt, Scott Vaughn, Larry Keller, and Angela Shelby. Congratulations to all 34 of these students! They received a “Jesus is Risen” pinwheel toy.

Once again we hope to be ambassadors for Christ during the La Porte Co. Fair which runs July 21 through July 27 this year. We would like to share the love of Jesus with children passing by the Lutheran Layman League booth. More details will be forthcoming!

Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25. These words comforted us in April when our Sunday School lost a faithful helper and friend, Jimmy Burke. Although we have all realized a loss, we know that a believer and follower of Jesus, like Jimmy, has gained eternity. Just think...He will never suffer pain, sorrow, or disappointment again! May God continue to give His joy and peace to Jimmy’s family and friends.

The Church Council approved (by phone call vote)holding the next Voter’s meeting on Wednesday, May 8th at 7 p.m. It will be held in the School Cafeteria.

The Committee met on April 11th with our Circuit Counselor, Rev. Carl Fitchett in attendance. He reviewed the call procedures and gave us assistance while we completed the Congregational Profile survey. This had to be completed and sent to the Office of the District President. We examined our Mission Statement with its several visions, thus giving us direction on where the congregation wanted to be in the future. From this, we brought together our many ideas on what type of person should lead our congregation. We will continue to fine-tune the list at our next meeting. Several sub-committees will be gathering information which prospective candidates may request concerning our congregation and our community.

The following names have been turned in to the committee:

Schwinkendorf

Eldred Hundt and Eunice Wright

If we have missed your candidate, please let us know. These names have been turned over to our District President. It will take approximately 3-4 weeks to receive information on the above candidates and others we might receive. Please keep these candidates and all others as we seek out a new shepherd for St. John’s.

2001 Total Attendance—2,532 2002 Total Attendance - 1,229*

2001 General Fund - $46,662.59 2002 General Fund -$47,876.44

2001 Building Fund—N/A 2002 Building Fund—$1,006

2001 Mission Fund— $106 2002 Mission Fund—$89.00

2001 Scholarship Fund - $438.00 2002 Scholarship Fund - $237.00

*Includes the week church was canceled due to the snow storm.

The next Worship Service that will have an Interpreter for the Deaf will be held Saturday, May 11 at 7 p.m.

The next Bible Study for the Deaf will be held on Saturday, May 25, at 6 p.m. Both hearing and non-hearing people are invited to attend.

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.

Duneland Lutheran High School students finished the Sinai Forum season by attending the last forum on April 21. The students saw the play Romeo and Juliet on April 16 at the Munster Performing Arts Center in Munster, IN. Duneland Lutheran High School will celebrate its first Academic Awards Night on May 30, 2002. Students earning honorable mention, honor roll, magna cum laude and summa cum laude will be honored. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a potluck dinner.

The biology classes have been busy dissecting science specimens that were purchased with the money from the Tower grant. The high school is now raising money for a chemistry laboratory for the 2002-2003 school year. Anyone wishing to make a donation to this project may contact the school at 219-874-5103. A wish list of needed items will be forth coming.

Registration for the 2002-2003 school year is now being accepted. Duneland Lutheran High School will offer classes for freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Families desiring financial assistance should have the necessary forms filled out by June 30, 2002. If you have a student interested in attending Duneland, he/she may shadow one of the current students for a day. Arrangements may be made by contacting Mrs. Laurie Rockensuess, Principal, at 219-874-5103.

The next Senior Potluck will take place on Wednesday, May 29, at 11:30 a.m. in the School cafeteria.

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 Hall (326-5185) for pre-school ages.

A new Bible Study Class will be starting May 8th on the topic of communication improvement. The Bible Study is a follow-up to the Living for Tomorrow campaign that is currently underway in the Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan areas. St. John’s volunteers are inviting people who call

in to receive “Now You’re Talking” materials to this Bible Study to learn more. Members are also invited to attend and help make these people feel welcome. The Bible Study talks place on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. in the Ladies Lounge.

The Board of Public Relations is in need of more board members. We would like to work on a pictorial directory for this fall/winter to tie in with Project 2000 and Beyond. We need more members before we can begin. We have several other Public Relations projects that we need more people to help with. If you are interested in more information on what this Board does, please contact chairman Delores Keller, secretary Peggy Droege, or Nominating Committee chairman, Jim Crum.

During week #1, volunteers reached 345 people through the South Bend phone banks, and an additional 93 people through the Buchanan phone banks, for the Living for Tomorrow radio and television advertising campaign. St. John’s volunteers talked to a number of these people. Please pray for the people we have contacted with information, that they may call us again for more ways we may assist them and/or bring them to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus!

Would you be interested in picking up your newsletter in the Narthex on Sunday or from the Church Office instead of having it mailed? With enough participation, this could save the church on mailing costs. If you are interested in doing this, 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. Both of these programs will be tried this year on an experimental basis. Please let us know your thoughts!

We began the newsletter pick-up program in April. On the last Sunday of each month you will find newsletters available in the Narthex (Lobby). Please make sure you notify us if you are going to be taking one home that way, so we can remove you from the mailing program and make sure there are enough newsletter available in the Narthex. If you are out of town that weekend, you may pick up your newsletter at the Church Office or the following Sunday in the Narthex.. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the operation of this program, contact Ellie Heidel at 219-326-1866.

St. John’s School Board needs “PIE BAKERS”!! Needed are approximately 60 pies for the upcoming Fish Fry. If you can donate a pie or two, bring them to the school on Friday, May 3rd, before

4 p.m., or contact Annette Williams at 326-8017. Everyone always enjoys all of the delicious pies you provide!

The next congregation information meeting on “Project 2000 and Beyond” takes place on Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m. in the church building. The Board of Trustees will have monthly meetings throughout this process to keep members informed.

***************************

This month we are beginning a 12-lesson series comparing Christian-

-8-ity to prominent world religions. We will learn to recognize the real differences between the Christian faith and other viewpoints and make it easier to explain and share our faith with others.

St. John’s Junior & Senior High youth groups will have a joint schedule of events for May. For more information, contact Sr. High leaders Cheri Schuelke and Al Vollmer, or Jr High leader Scott Childress.

May 5 - 6-8 p.m.-Volleyball & Bible Study on Biblical Christianity

May 12 - 6-8 p.m. - Flicker Frisbee & Bible Study on Judaism

May 17 - 6-8 p.m. - Dinner Talent Show in St. John’s School Gym

(Mission Trip Fundraiser)

May 19 - 6-8 p.m. - Kickball and Bible Study on Hinduism

(Striving for Nirvana)

May 26 - 6-8 p.m. - Camp-out at Schuelke’s & Bible Study on

Buddhism (the Eightfold Path)

St. John’s Spring Fish Fry takes place on Friday, May 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. Proceeds will go toward the Music Department expenses (to finish paying for the new school Music Room piano, pay for organ repair costs, etc.) Meal will include Alaskan White Pollack (White Fish), Baked Potato or Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, and drinks. Dessert will be available at an extra cost. Tickets are available at the Church Office or from any Walther League Chorus members. Cost is $6.50 for adults and $3.50 for children at the door. Adult tickets are $6 in advance or for carry-outs. For more information, or to sign-up to volunteer, contact Dawn Crum at 219-324-2985 or Paul Tibbs at 219-324-6199.

St. John’s members of all ages are invited to participate in a judged talent show on Friday, May 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. Dinner will be at 6 p.m. and the Talent show will begin at 7 p.m. Awards will be given. If you would like more information on categories, etc., contact Al Vollmer, or

call Cheri Schuelke at 325-8247. More information on the cost of the dinner tickets will be available in the May bulletins.

If you wish St. John’s members or the Pastors to know when you are in the hospital, you must inform them. Please have someone call the church office to inform us. Many hospitals will also ask you at the time of admission:

1) What church do you belong to? (Specify St. John’s, La Porte)

and 2) Do you wish your Pastor to be notified? If you say “Yes”,

normally we are notified within a day.

For questions, see Pastor Koch or Pastor Beversdorf.

Are you missing your car keys, a necklace, an earring, a pin, a 4-H pin? If you think you may have lost it at church, come to the Church Office and identify it. We have several that lost their owners. Thanks!

Every summer Lutheran Disability Outreach (LDO) sponsors a week long camp for developmentally disabled campers. this year’s camp will be held the week of August 10-17, 2002 at Camp Luther by Angola, IN. Many of our campers come from group homes and have no resources to pay for the camp tuition much less their craft and personal hygiene items.

Would you consider helping by sending monetary gifts to help pay for a camper’s tuition, volunteer to be a one-on-one companion for our campers, pray for this ministry, and/or purchase can be dropped off at Lutheran Social Services at 330 Madison Street, Fort Wayne, IN, attention LDO. These should be in our hands by May 15, 2002 so we have time to purchase items that may not be donated. Any help that you could give us in this endeavor would be truly appreciated. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Pastor Darrell Howanitz, Lutheran Social Services of IN, 260-426-3347, ext. 325, or email dkhowanitz@lssin.org or contact Camp director Michele Stewart at 260-482-3030. We are also in need of places to conduct another week of camp and also to host a day camp. And volunteers are needed age 13 and up to be a friend to our campers.

Items to be donated for 2002 Friendship Camp:

Decorative scissors, crayons, construction paper, drawing paper, acrylic paints, paper plates, table cloths (bright colored paper), 100 Styrofoam bowls for ice cream sundaes, plastic spoons, napkins, small paper nut cups & 4 oz. Dixie Cups, tweezers, magnifier, Tylenol, Tylenol PM, Ibuprofen, Pepcid AC, Alka Selzer, First Aid cream, Band-aids, Midol, Markers-permanent & washable, card stock paper (white), musical instruments (i.e.,maracas, tambourines, sand blocks, triangles, finger cymbals, etc.), stereo equipment, (boom-box to play musical tapes & C.D.’s), flashlights, plastic lawn game toys (bowling, bean bag toss, Velcro dart set, etc.), putting golf clubs and balls, plain fabric for pendants (triangle shape - 10” at widest - light colors only), paper streamers, envelopes (9’ x 12’), stickers, baby wipes, Ziploc bags (all sizes), decorative hole punch, circle hole punch, Bingo prizes, glue (tacky glue & glue sticks), paint brushes (small and medium), “AA” batteries for digital camera, manicure items for women, shower nylon scrubbies, antibacterial shower/bathing soap (i.e., Softsoap in bottles), toothpaste and toothbrushes, magnet adhesive stripes, index cards (ruled), 50 dowel rods for pendants (pencil thick size), 50 light switch plates (single plastic type - white), plastic storage bins, to store craft and camp items in, computer photo paper for pictures, bottled water with sports tops (100 bottles), Pop (regular , caffeine-free, diet caffeine-free), graham crackers, marshmallows, Hershey Chocolate bars (plain), Ice Cream toppings, chips, granola bars, candy bars, cookies., etc.

Sat, May 4 7 p.m. - Regular Worship Service

Sun, May 5 8 a.m. -Communion Service

10:45 a.m. - Regular Worship Service

Thurs, May 9 7 p.m. - Ascension of Our Lord Jesus

Sat, May 11 7 p.m. - Communion Service with Interpreter for the Deaf

Sun, May 12 8 a.m. - Regular Worship (Walther League Chorus sings)

10:45 a.m. - Communion Worship Service

Sat, May 18 7 p.m. - Regular Worship Service

Sun, May 19 8 a.m. - Communion Service

10:45 a.m. - Regular Worship Service

Sat, May 25 7 p.m. - Communion Worship Service

Sun, May 26 8 a.m. - Regular Worship Service

10:45 a.m. - Communion Worship Service

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

111 Kingsbury Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350

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

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

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

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

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

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. Cheryl Hoard (6th Grade), Mr. Steve Parry (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— unlisted

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