1. Wrap up time

It is now time to begin to wrap up any specific programs and accomplishments of the interim period. People must prepare to explain the programs and the hopes of the church to their new pastor. It is important that the people of the church claim ownership of what they wish to retain.

2. Assessment and report

It is time for the Interim Pastor to assess the events and progress of the interim period and report that to the people AND to the incoming pastor.

3. Separation planning

The Interim Pastor and the leaders of the church plan for the departure of the interim and arrival the new pastor. I do not plan on any overlap. Where needed or advisable I remain to the day before the new pastor begins so that pastoral services are available on a regular basis. I do not plan on taking part in any of the programs welcoming the new pastor nor in his installation.

4. Vacation time

I use my accumulated and remaining vacation time for the period following my departure. An accounting will be given to the elders for their review and approval.

5. I go on my way rejoicing, in the knowledge that God will provide the ultimate time of joyous reunion in the Kingdom of His Son, Jesus. May the Spirit keep us to that time.

Sat, May 31 - Traditional Worship Service - 7 pm

Sun, June 1 - Traditional Worship Service w/Communion- 8 am

- Celebration Service Worship Service - 10:45 am

(Music led by the St. John’s Praise Team)

Sat, June 7- Traditional Worship Service - 7 pm

Sun, June 8- Traditional Worship Service - 8 am

- Celebration Service w/Communion—10:45 a.m.

(Music led by the St. John’s Praise Team)

- Handicapped Accessible Service - 2:30 pm - Communion

Sat, June 14- Traditional Worship Service w/communion - 7 pm

with Interpreter for the Deaf

Sun, June 15- Traditional Worship Service w/Communion- 8 am

- Celebration Service Worship Service - 10:45 am

(Music led by the St. John’s Praise Team)

Sat., June 21 - Traditional Worship Service - 7 pm

Sun, June 22 - Traditional Worship Service - 8 am

- Celebration Service w/communion- 10:45 am

(Music led by the St. John’s Praise Team)

In September 2002, I learned from Burghaus Organ Co., the business servicing our pipe organ, that there are some major problems with the instrument. They stated over the phone that the cost of repairs would range from $25,000.00 to $30,000.00 and suggested that the organ be shut down until funds are available and repairs are made. You raised the funds! A small portion of the repairs were completed, which allowed us to use the organ. After those repairs were done, I received a letter from Burghaus stating that the repairs would cost around $93,000.00! I decided to do my homework and found two more service companies to give us written statements of repairs needed and the costs. All agreed on the repairs that are needed. I received prices ranging from $70,000.00 to $160,000.00.

The repairs are a must! If the repairs are not completed, the organ will cease to function. The board of trustees agrees that the work must be done. We have terminated our contract with Burghaus Organ Co. and have hired Fabry Pipe Organs Inc. They are well known and respected by many churches here in the LaPorte area as well as around the Midwest. They will also save us $1600.00 a year in tuning and regular maintenance. Fabry is also our choice for the repair work. Their firm estimate for the repairs is $71,023.00. We currently have just over $26,000.00 set aside for the work. It is my goal, as well it should be yours, to raise the funds so that work can begin by the end of the summer. When the Lord moves you to help us meet this desperate need, please make your donation to the organ fund. If you have any questions, please call me at 326-6999. Blessings, Matt Nelson

ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Principal's Page
June, 2003

I. Calendar of events

LAST WEEK SCHOOL SCHEDULE:
*Tuesday 5/27 math loop test 4-7 during math time.
*Wednesday 5/28...no chapel today...8:10 K practice graduation in gym..8th

grade practice graduation in church 9:00.… gr3 to Chicago, Pk picnic, PK grad 6:30 gym
*Thursday 5/29...no school..workday..
*Friday 5/30...dismiss at 12:30...PTL provides lunch...K grad at 7:00 in
gym...8th grade practice graduation in church..see last day schedule below
for more info
*Saturday 5/31...8th grad at 7:00 church...Steve speaking

LAST DAY SCHEDULE:
8:10-8:45...Closing service in gym will include a practice for K
graduation...They will perform for us, and I will conduct a closing service
incorporating that.
8:45-10:00..Each classroom is responsible for own activity during this time frame...no unstructured recess allowed...some suggested upper grades use the buzzer machine for brain games etc....I think this would be good for gr 6-8 only.
10-11:00...BACK TO THE GYM FOR AWARDS.
11:00..Pizza lunch brought to classrooms
11:45..dismissal of K students
12:30...dismissal of 1-8 ...no bus service...no daycare due to billing
issues



National Lutheran School Accreditation:

The review team recommends that St. John's Lutheran School continue to be accredited by the National Lutheran School Accreditation Association. Our compilation is now forwarded to District and National Synod officials for further evaluation. Following is a list of all the people from the church and school that helped compile information:

Steering Committee and Philosophy committee: David Wippich, Annette
Williams, Orv Ulmer, Jan Martinsen
School and Congregation: Mark Bublitz, Marlene Will, Sherrill Lee, Imogene Dahl
School and Community: Jan Martinsen, Cory Shoffner, Dionne Wisniewski
School Climate: Sally Foglesong, Diane Wilczewski, Monyean Hahn, Deb Atwood
Administration: Janie Ulmer
Administrator: Gail Johnson, Sue Howell, Ron Scherer, David Wippich
Professional Personnel: Julie Stelter, Jon Farrell, David Wippich
Curriculum: Mindy Bremer, Gwen Baxmeyer, Penny Nelson, Dick Rutz
Instruction: Jeni Van't Hof, Mike Lemke, Diane Jerndt
Instructional Materials and Resources: Sue Chlebek, Lori Foglesong, Renny
Rutz, David Wippich
Student Services: Lois Krider, David Wippich, Dawn Crum, Steve Kalsow, Mary Rooney, Sharon Butler, Jan Edquist, Joan Scherer
Physical Facilities: Rio Light, Mike Light, Mary Jo Uebele, Mark Johnson,
Barry Siddall, David Wippich
Finances: Jeff Scherer, Karla Eigenmann, Ricky Shortt

The NLSA self evaluation could not have been completed without the sacrifice of time and talents of the above people. The Board of Education and school staff are appreciative of these extreme efforts and thank you sincerely.

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FINANCE SECRETARIES

2002 Total Attendance - 2,766 2003 Total Attendance - 2,377

2002 General Fund-$36,563.59 2003 General Fund-$60,758.76

2002 Building Fund - NA 2003 Building Fund—$930.00

2002 Mission Fund - NA 2003 Mission Fund—$1966.00

2002 Scholarship Fund-$363.00 2003 Scholarship Fund-$420.00

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 at 219-325-0831.

It has recently come to our attention that we will be short four SS teachers after June 1^st . In order to properly select, train, and plan for your child’s learning experience, the entire Sunday School program will be on hold over the summer months. Pastor Koch will be working with the remaining staff to help rebuild the SS program and help them to refocus and receive some much needed spiritual guidance. Please pray for Sunday School over the summer months as they trust God to provide new committed teachers and a Sunday School Superintendent to lead the way.

If you have an interest in getting involved, please contact Pastor Koch. There will be a workshop for the SS teachers and anyone interested in helping on Saturday May 24^th from 7 to 9 a.m.

Sunday School will resume on Rally Day in September.

This summer’s VBS, “The Jesus Expedition” will take place from Monday July 28th through Friday August 1st. We will travel around the world, from the depths of the sea to the heights of Mt. Everest—the miracles of Jesus are everywhere! Join us and bring your friends! If you would like to help in any capacity, whether for a day, part of the week, or the full week, contact SueRosselli at 324-8362 or fr.jim@csinet.net.

BOARD OF ELDERS

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!

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The Board of Trustees wants to thank the many workers of the recent Fish Fry. $2,000 was made to be used for the ramp.

The handicapped accessible ramp is well on the way. Work will continue each Saturday morning until the ramp is complete. Workers on the project for the first three weekends include three generations named as follows: Walter Arndt, Dawn and Jim Crum, Mark and Lisa Hill, Walter Kegebein, Bob and Brad Keller, David Lee, Matt Nelson, Steve Moellman, Jim Peters, Paul Shelby, Matt Schuster, Mary Jo Uebele, Orv Ulmer, Andy Vaughn and Jim Woodruff.

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Weekly Outreach Programming

St. John’s local Lutheran Hour Ministries Group #20-06-101 sponsors the following weekly programs on Sunday morning:

7:30 a.m.—”Woman to Woman” broadcast on La Porte radio WLOI 1540 AM—featuring Phyllis Wallace on current topics for women (men can listen, too!) of the general public.

10:30 a.m.—”The Lutheran Hour” broadcast right before our St. John’s Worship Service broadcast at 11 am on La Porte radio WLOI 1540 AM—featuring the Reverend Ken Klaus with a weekly sermon.

Noon- “On Main Street” Broadcast on La Porte Cable Channel #43—featuring the Reverend Dale Meyer on current topics for the general public.

We also sponsor the “Project Connect” booklet rack found in the School hallway and the Church lobby. Please tune in to these programs, pray for our ministries, and help support then with your pew envelopes donations labeled “St. John’s Lutheran Hour Ministries.” For more information contact LHM Ambassador Debra Trowbridge, or Assistant Ambassadors Ellie Heidel and Bill Trowbridge. Thank you!

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PARISH FELLOWSHIP

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 at (219)326-0585.

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We celebrate with our Seniors’ as they take their next step in the journey of life: Peter Schuelke, Sabrina Radke, and Amy Vaughn. We also will miss Heidi and Nora. May God bless you all.

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St. John’s School Board would like to recommend to the Voter’s of St. John’s church to call David Hoeppner to teach 5th grade and Beth Hoeppner to teach 2nd grade. A special Voter’s meeting will be called for this matter.

For several weeks now, there has been an announcement in the weekly bulletin regarding the General fund for this year. To meet the budgeted expenses, which was approved by the voters of this congregation, we need to have receipts of $16,855.44 each week. At this time, expenses are under budget, but receipts are under budget as well. If we keep up the pace we have shown for the first 4 months of the year, we will end the year with a shortfall of $35,894.37. There is still time to fix this. Please continue your support to the General Fund. This fund is where the money comes from to publish weekly bulletins, monthly newsletters, pay utilities and salaries and for postage to mail the monthly newsletter that you are reading right now.

January – April 2003 Receipts needed to meet budgeted expenses $292,161.01

Actually received $251,701.20

YTD disbursements $263,665.99

(under budget by $28,495.02)

YTD shortfall $ 11,964.79

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OTHER NEWS...

Thrivent Special Bonus for Volunteers

Members who have gifted at the maximum giving range and have volunteered 25 or more hours during the year for the Recipient may increase their gift up to an additional $100. Thrivent Financial will contribute 50 cents for each $1 of the added giving. Volunteer service shall be limited to uncompensated time spent working on projects or activities, or serving on a governing/task group for the Recipient. Only volunteer service hours contributed by the member are eligible.

Note: The program runs from now until December 31, 2003. Applications are available from St.. John’s School Office, or Imogene L. Dahl.

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12 Healthy Hoorays for a Healthy Tomorrow

Our hope is in the Lord! Even though we have considered all the facts, there is still hope in Christ!

Ask for help. God’s gifts are in the people around you.

Laugh out loud - at yourself, with others, and give people permission to laugh.

Take care of your body - it’s the only one you will ever have!

Say “thank you” to people as often as you can.

Look for trouble - or more specifically, look for the

Talk to children and youth regularly. Be a mentor! “Catch people doing things right!”

Remember that your present mood is never permanent.

On a scale of one to ten, your friends deserve a 12.

Remember that life is not fair, but God is gracious.

Be the biggest picture window to the Gospel that you can be!

Things are not always as they seem - we see life through the cross and the Easter resurrection!