|
A Newsletter concerning the
Mission and Ministry
of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, La Porte, IN
Vol. 52 February 2003
No. 1
__________________________________________________
“As one family, we lovingly proclaim Jesus Christ.”
From Pastor Koch:
Impressive:
This past week we had a visit by Pastor David and Mrs. Tina Gaddini. You may
recall that the congregation extended a divine call to Pastor Gaddini to serve
St. John as its Administrative (read senior) Pastor. One good result of their
visit is the “engagement” of their daughter Regan to Connor Nelson (Kristy
Nelson was babysitting their daughter and had Connor along as a playmate).
The conversation of Pastor and Tina with the officers and elders of the
congregation was truly impressive. The Call Committee, Council and Voters are to
be praised and thanked for their choice in calling Pastor Gaddini. He is
admirably equipped to assume the responsibilities of serving this congregation.
What was most impressive to me was the following:
-His honesty and openness in expressing his understanding of his skills
and calling.
-His experience and knowledge of the type of pastoral leadership needed
by a congregation of our size.
-His obvious desire and drive to be a witness to the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and his challenge to St. John’s to do the same.
You will be most fortunate and blessed if he accepts the call. But, should he
come, be prepared, for you will also be challenged by his Spirit-led insights
and skills. If he should decline the call, you will have been blessed by his
presence and comments. Either way, our God will have used the calling process to
bring St. John’s one step farther in its spiritual calling. Praise the Lord!
***************************
From The Worship Committee…
February Worship Information:
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany- “The Good News Spreads Quickly” Mark 1:
21-28
Sat, Feb. 1 - Blended Worship Service - 7 pm
Sun, Feb. 2 - Traditional Worship Service - 8 am - Communion - Modern Worship Service - 10:45 am (Music led by the St. John’s Praise Team)
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany- “The Gospel, all things for all people”
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Sat, Feb. 8 - Blended Worship Service with Communion - 7 pm
Sun, Feb. 9 - Traditional Worship Service - 8 am - Modern Worship Service - 10:45 am - Communion(Music led by the St. John’s Praise Team)
- Handicapped Accessible Service - 2:30 pm - Communion
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany- “Using the Exercise Room”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Sat, Feb. 15 - Blended Worship Service - 7 pm
Sun, Feb. 16 - Traditional Worship Service - 8 am - Communion - Modern Worship Service - 10:45 am (Music led by the St. John’s Praise Team)
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany - “Do You Hear the ‘YES’?”
2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Sat., Feb. 22 - Blended Worship Service with Communion- 7 pm
Sun, Feb. 23 - Traditional Worship Service - 8 am - Modern Worship Service - 10:45 am - Communion (Music led by the St. John’s Praise Team)
2003 LENTEN SEASON
Theme - The Intimate Christ
“How Personal Is Your Relationship With Jesus?”
The stress will be on one’s personal relationship with Jesus, as seen through
the following incidents in the Gospel of John.
March 12th: Nicodemus at night: John 3:1-21
Isn’t it about time that your faith was seen in the daylight? Will you come
to Jesus because He is the light of the world? Will you be born again in Him
through water and the Spirit?
March 19th; The Samaritan Woman at the Well: John 4:1-42
Do you realize how much Jesus knows about you - and still loves and redeems
you? Will you rejoice in His “conversation” with you and tell others about it?
Will others be brought into a personal relationship with Jesus through your
witnesses?
March 26th: Jesus Gives Sight to a Blind Man: John 9:1-41
Do you understand that the entire world, including you, is blind to the
things of God? Has Jesus given you eyes to see and a heart to believe? Is Jesus
the “Lord” of your life?
April 2nd: Jesus Raises Lazarus: John 11:1-44
Has Jesus come to raise you to new life? Do you know that you will never die
but have eternal life in Him? Have the grave clothes of sin and death been
“unwrapped from around you?”
April 9th: Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet: John 13:1-17
Has Jesus washed your feet? Has his servanthood so touched your life that you
are ready to serve others, to imitate him? Do you know how clean Jesus has made
you by his servanthood? Do you know how he has chosen you?
***************************
From the School Principal…
Calendar of Events:
2/5 Spelling Bee for grades 3-8
2//10 Flagtest for grade 4
2/13 Practice oral spelling bee for building winners at 1:15 in gym
2/17 No school, scheduled snow day
2/18 Giving Tree Drama presentation 10:00 in gym. Everyone is welcome to
attend.
2/20 District spelling bee @ Kesling 6:30
2/26 ½ day in-service…we dismiss @ 11:35
2/28 School Board sponsored dinner and magic show by Kalita. Dinner: 4- 6:30
Show: 7-8:00
3/2 National Lutheran School Week begins with our worship service at 10:45.
Pastor Dublede is speaking.
3/7 Dave Britton…a song writer and singer of contemporary religious music
will present a show in the gym from 1-2:15. All church and school families
welcome to attend.
Current Enrollment: We currently have 160 children enrolled in St. John’s
School from preschool through grade 8.
Other Notes:
1. Pizza Hut Fundraiser nights will be the 3rd Wednesday of
every month throughout the 2003 calendar year. Be sure to fill out the
appropriate certificate and give it to the driver or counter help. If you do not
have a slip make sure to tell them it is for St. John’s and that will suffice.
Proceeds are 20% of every dollar spent on pizza or gift certificates. Proceeds
fund our spring excursions for grades 7 and 8.
2. Faculty sponsored movie night is 1/24, a Friday. From 6-7:00 you may
bring a child, and/or yourself, if you want, to construct valentines. The charge
per valentine will vary according to materials you use…most from 5 cents to a
quarter. At 7:00 we will watch ‘The Swiss Family Robinson”
projected on the wall to simulate a theater. This will be hooked up to the
sound system as well. The movie is about 1 and ½ hour long. Popcorn and pop are
available for purchase for 50 cents. The popcorn bag is refillable at no charge.
We will also be selling hot pizza at $1.00 per slice. Proceeds for this event
fund the 7/8 trip to Minneapolis in May.
3. The school board will sponsor the February Activity Night on 2/28 with
a spaghetti dinner from 4-6:30 and a magic show, by Kalita, in the gym from 7:00
to 8:00. The dinner is in the cafeteria. $7.00 for adults and$4.00 for
pre-school –8th for the dinner and the show. Non school age children
are free. You may purchase a ticket for dinner and the show or for just the
show. Attending the show is $2.00 and $1.00. All tickets are 50 cents more at
the door. Stay tuned for more details as this event approaches.
4. National Lutheran Schools Accreditation groups need to get their work
in, hopefully, before you read this note….Thanks for your prompt attention and
hard work.
5. Mrs. Hoard and her husband Chad were blessed with the birth of Hannah
Noelle on 12/4 /02. Mrs. Hoard will be resuming work at the end of January as
our 7th grade teacher.
6. The school kids collected $1,056.60 during the first semester to send to
Kip and Ivy Hoech of Tian Shan Missions to help support their mission work in
Asia. We set a goal of $1,000 and charted it weekly in the school newsletter
throughout the first semester. Congratulations to all who contributed for
reaching and surpassing our goal. The check was sent out on 1/15/03. Kip is Jan
Martinesen’s and Mary Jo Ubele’s cousin as well as nephew to the late Norma
Hagenow and grandson to the late Gertrude Ebeling.
Devotion of the month: As the faculty finishes the book of Joshua we address
an interesting question: Why did the Israelites have Joseph’s bones? If you
read Joshua 24 you can find the answer. On his deathbed, Joseph gave
instructions concerning his burial (Gen. 50: 25-26). These instructions were
based on God’s promises. In Hebrews 11:22 you see, “By faith Joseph, when his
end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave
instructions about his bones.” In faith, Israel preserved Joseph’s bones for 400
years in Egypt. Moses took the bones at the Exodus. Now that the Lord’s promise
to bring Israel back to Canaan had been fulfilled, Joseph could finally be
buried at Shechem. Jacob had purchased this plot of land (Gen. 33:19). Joseph’s
bones rest at the center of the land allotted to his sons. (Taken from Today’s
Light Bible)
Boxtops for Education
Get ready for the next contest, which will run March 3-14, 2003. The winning
class will get to see a movie in the gym. Let’s see if we can beat the average
of over 750 boxtops per week that was set in the fall contest! Remember, you can
find boxtop coupons on a wide variety of products including Betty Crocker &
Pillsbury items.
***************************
From Pastor Jim Beversdorf
Reminder about Handicap Accessible Services
Everyone, including all St. John’s members, are invited to our monthly
HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE WORSHIP SERVICES held on the Second Sunday of the month,
beginning at 2:30 p.m., in the school cafeteria. Our next services are scheduled
for February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, etc. Bring a friend. Thanks, Pastor
Jim.
Reminder about receiving Holy Communion
If you are not able to attend worship at St John’s, and would like to receive
Holy Communion, please phone the church office at 362-3726 and leave your
request for Pastor Jim.
Reminder about Portals of Prayer
If you would like a LARGE PRINT Portals of Prayer devotional book and have
not received one, please phone the church office at 362-3726 and leave your
request for Pastor Jim.
Reminder about being admitted to a hospital
If you are admitted to a hospital and you want the church to know and the
Pastor to be informed, be sure to identify yourself as a member of St. John’s
Lutheran in LaPorte and say “yes” to informing the pastor.
***************************
From the Director of Music Ministries…
LENTEN DRAMAS PLANNED
The Lenten season is quickly falling upon those involved in
planning worship, and Holy Week will be here before we know it. The worship
committee is planning a dramatic series for the services of Holy Week. We would
like to create a realistic backdrop that reveals what Christ and those around
Him experienced long ago. Therefore, we are in need of anyone interested in
acting, stage work, lights, and/or sound. We will need up to twenty people to
fill these positions. I urge you to pray and think about how moving these dramas
could be, and how you may be able to assist the Holy Spirit in sending a
precious message. If you are at all interested, or have any questions, please
call Matt Nelson at (219) 362-7317.
WALTHER LEAGUE CHORUS CDs AND TAPES AVAILABLE
The Walther League Chorus is taking orders for the CDs and
cassette tapes of the 2003 Christmas Concert. CDs are $7 and cassettes are $5.
The deadline for orders is February 15. You can place an order at the church
office or by calling Matt Nelson at (219) 362-7317
***************************
From our Seniors’ Committee
Senior Potluck
February 19, 11:30 in the cafeteria
Hope to see you there!
***************************
From Our Boards & Committees…
FINANCE SECRETARIES
FINANCE SECRETARY’S REPORT FOR DECEMBER
2001 Total Attendance - 3,238 2002 Total Attendance - 2,720
2001 General Fund-$81,786.71 2002 General Fund-$84,793.08
2001 Building Fund—N/A 2002 Building Fund—$2,318.00
2001 Mission Fund - $1,833.00 2002 Mission Fund—$1,604.00
2001 Scholarship Fund-$1,210.00 2002 Scholarship
Fund-$1,504.30
HEAD TELLER
CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES
We have reduced the number of church contribution envelopes
purchased for 2003. As a result, many members will receive new envelope numbers
for 2003. We have placed the new envelope boxes in the church basement for
pick-up. If you have any questions, contact Head Teller, Ron Scherer, at
326-1142 or call the Church Office at 219-362-3726.
*************************
ELDERS
Donations for Poinsettias 2002
Thank you to all of the following people and organizations who helped
beautify our Church during Christmas with donations toward the purchase of the
poinsettias. And a special thanks to Mike and Joanne Lisak for the 10 they
donated. We really appreciate all of you!
1. The Newspaper Stuffers
2. Circle 6
3. Circle 7
4. Evening Circle
5. The Thrift Shop
6. Newspaper Stuffers
7. Circle 4
8. Circle 8
9. The Ladies Aid
10. Dorothy Levandoski
11. Jim & Dawn Crum and family– in memory of their grandparents
12. Mike & Joanne Lisak
13. Ellie Heidel
14. Dorothy Diedrich
15. Bob & Dolores Keller
16. Jim & Linda Peters
17. Roger & Pauletta Schuster
18. Roy & Lois Scott
19. Mark & Diane Jerndt
20. Dorothy V. Levandoski
21. Ruth Stassel
22. Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Schuster
23. Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Malstaff
24. Mr. & Mrs. Larry Daniels
25. Ruth Poyer – in memory of her husband, Steve
26. Florence Freeland – in memory of her mother Martha Zirzow
27. Maxine Paine
28. Kenneth Hanson
29. Mr. & Mrs. Gilderoy Strauss
30. Mr. & Mrs. Dave Jelke & Ryan and Helen L Smith – in memory of father &
husband Roy V. Smith
31. Mr. & Mrs. Roland Hamilton – in loving memory of Carrie Hamilton,
daughter and Roy Smith, father
32. Glenn Ott Family – in memory of Mavis Ott, wife and mother
33. Helen Steen – in memory of husband Russell, son Douglas, and daughter,
Patricia
34. Edward Baldridge – in memory of his wife, Antoinette
35. Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. Baima & Family and Ms. Debbie Mansfield & family–
in memory of brother Anthony J. Rose & twin sisters Lisa and Lottie Rose
36. Dionne Wisniewski & Zachery
37. James & Julie Burke
38. Krystle Burke
39. Dorothy Moellman
40. Mr. & Mrs. John Rose, III
BOARD OF ELDERS DISTRICT ASSIGNMENTS
The following is a list of Elders and the districts which they serve. Your
district number is printed in the label attached to your church envelope box.
District Elder Phone
1 Leonard Gonzales
2 Mark Jerndt
3 Paul Tibbs
4 Roger Schuster
5 John Schulz
6 Ron Scherer
7 Ed Brettin, Jr
8 Barry Siddall
9 Curt Passafume
10 Dave Surma
11 Paul Shelby
12 Nolan Presley
13 Jon Ulmer
14 Dean Ebbott
15 Bob Snyder
16 Jim Sherwood
17 Jim Woodruff
18 Bill Trowbridge
HEARING IMPAIRED MINISTRY
St. John’s offers worship and Bible study for Hearing
Impaired members of our congregation and the surrounding communities. On the 2nd
Saturday of each month we have a CITI (Church Interpreter Training Institute at
Ft. Wayne Seminary) certified Interpreter for the Deaf signing at the 7 p.m.
worship service.
On the 4th Saturday of each month at 6 p.m. we have a Bible
Study with an Interpreter for the Hearing Impaired in the School Ladies Lounge.
Both hearing and Deaf members are invited to attend this study by Indiana
Missionary for the Deaf, Rev. Jerry Munz. We are currently studying the book of
Genesis. Our group size is now up to an average of 7 to 8 participants! PRAISE
THE LORD for the growth of this ministry!
***************************
MISSIONS & EVANGELISM
NEW DISCIPLESHIP CLASS STARTED
The Board of Missions and Evangelism would like to urge our
members to participate in the Discipleship classes -- it began on Wednesday,
January 22, and will continue for six weeks. Your presence is an encouragement
to these potential new members who need this time to form new friendships and a
sense of belonging in this congregation.
Even if you can’t attend every class, please find the time to
come as often as you can. This is an important opportunity to witness and help
our church grow!
PREGNANCY ASSISTANCE CENTER NEWS
Winter Wish List: Enfamil Powder, disinfectant spray,
blank video tapes for ultrasounds, paper towels, envelopes, bottled water,
post-it notes, copy paper, stamps and scotch tape refills. If you have any of
these items available, contact the Pregnancy Assistance Center in La Porte or
Monyean Hahn.
***************************
PARISH EDUCATION
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEEDS
We are in need of a new Sunday School Superintendent. We
believe a man would be best suited for the position. Please pray about this! If
you feel called to lead the children of St. John’s in this way, or know someone
we should contact, please contact Christel Bublitz .
ST. JOHN'S BIBLE STUDIES
Sunday - 9:30 a.m. -Cafeteria - Adult Bible Study - Rev. Karl Koch
-Music Room - Men in the Church - Bill Trowbridge
-Ladies Lounge - From Guest to Disciple - Terry Page - Church Basement -
Sunday School for Children 2 to 18 (Led by Sunday School teachers)
Sunday - 6-8 p.m. - Youth Bible
Study- St. John’s Youth
Tuesdays - 9 a.m. - Ladies Lounge - The Book of Acts (Led by Monyean Hahn)
Tuesdays - 7 p.m. -Ladies Lounge - Psalms: Conversations with God (Led by
Dorothy Moellman)
Thursdays - 6:30 pm -Cafeteria - The Gospel of John - Rev. Karl Koch
Saturday - 5:45 pm -Cafeteria - The Gospel of John Part 1
4th Saturday monthly - 6 p.m. - Ladies Lounge - Genesis (With
Interpreter for the Deaf Rev. Jerry Munz)
(Call for dates)- Music Room - English/ Spanish Bible Study (Led by Debra
Trowbridge)
***************************
PARISH FELLOWSHIP
CONGREGATIONAL FREE NIGHT AT THE YMCA
The Board of Parish Fellowship is sponsoring a night at the
La Porte YMCA on Saturday, March 1, 2003. Mark your calendar and come enjoy the
pool, basketball courts, and all the fun. Be on the lookout for sign-up sheets
in the back of the church soon.
AEROBICS CLASS
The Step Aerobics class is doing Step-Aerobics at St. John’s
on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings! Julie Sinclair is the aerobics
instructor. These classes are for men and women. They include a warm-up, a
cardio portion, strength training, abs, and cool down. All fitness levels will
be able to participate, but plan to sweat! (Showers will be available.) Bring
clean gym shoes and comfortable clothes. The class takes place Mondays,
Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, starting promptly at 5:30 p.m. and ending by 6:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Julie.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
CHURCH PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
Keep watching your bulletins in February, as hopefully the
new pictorial directory will arrive. To members who had their picture taken--it
will be free. To those who were unable to book appointments, extra copes of the
directory will be available for $5 each. If interested, call to order one at the
Church Office. Thanks to all who participated or helped on this project.
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES
St. John’s Lutheran Hour Ministries Group sponsors the
following Lutheran Hour Ministries Programs in our area:
* “Woman to Woman” - Sundays at 7:30 a.m. on WLOI 1540 A M
* “The Lutheran Hour” - Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on WLOI
1540 AM
(right before St. John’s Worship Service Broadcast at 11
a.m.)
* “On Main Street” - Sundays at Noon on La Porte Cable
Ch. 43
* Project Connect booklets (racks in the Narthex and School)
If you would like to donate toward the continuance of these
important outreach ministries, please use a pew envelope and mark it “St. John’s
Lutheran Hour Ministries (or LHM)”. For more information on Lutheran Hour
Ministries programs contact St. John’s Ambassador, Debra Trowbridge.
***************************
SOCIAL MINISTRY
Food baskets are delivered to St. John’s needy families monthly. If you know
a member in need, call Sherrill Lee or Kathy Page .
***************************
SCHOOL BOARD
St. John’s School Board will sponsor a Family Night consisting of a spaghetti
supper and a magic show. The date is set for Friday, February 28. Dinner will be
served from 4 to 6:30 pm at the cost of $5 adults and $3 school children. The
magic show will be presented by Matt Kalita and will start promptly at 7 pm, in
the school gym. Tickets are $2 for adults and $1 for school age children. For
tickets and information, contact the school office.
***************************
JUST FOR FUN
What my mother taught me:
1. My mother taught me to appreciate a job well done. “If you’re going to
kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.”
2. My mother taught me religion. “You better pray that comes out of the
carpet.”
3. My mother taught me about logic. “Because I said so, that’s why.”
4. My mother taught me more logic. “If you fall out of that swing and break
your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.”
5. My mother taught me about foresight. “Make sure you wear clean underwear,
in case you’re in an accident.”
(NOTE: Telephone numbers have been left off the on-line newsletter.
If you need to get a hold of one of these people, contact the
church office at 219-362-3726.)
|
