God’s Blessings to you. I am pleased to share with you that Reverend Ronald Brauer has accepted the call to be the Associate Pastor here at St. John’s. The Lord has truly blessed us! I look forward to serving this congregation in partnership with him. I know that he will be welcomed as warmly by you, as I was. Please feel free to stop in the Church Office to meet him. Below is a brief introduction to Pastor Bauer along with his letter to you, the congregation.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Young

June 15, 2004

Dear Members of St. John’s,

Greetings to you in the name of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

On Sunday June 13, 2004, I received your call to serve as your associate pastor. Along with this call were your prayers for God’s Spirit to guide me in my deliberations.

It is with humble joy and thanksgiving that I announce today my acceptance of this divine call. I look forward to begin my service with you and to serve along side of your Senior Pastor, Rev. David Young.

I ask your prayers now for a smooth transition as we relocate to

La Porte. May God’s will be done and His name be praised as we work together to bring souls who do not know or confess Jesus Christ as their Savior to the means of grace, and may God continue to call, gather, enlighten and sanctify His church through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In His service,

Rev. Ronald A. Brauer

Matthew 11:28-30

Pastor Ronald A. Brauer was born on March 6, 1953 in Aurora, Illinois, and was baptized on April 19, 1953, with confirmation into the Lutheran faith on March 19, 1967. He graduated from Emmanuel Lutheran School in 1967 and from Aurora East High School in 1971. His undergraduate work was completed at Concordia Teachers College, River Forest in November 1974, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, majoring in Mathematics and minoring in Physical Science.

Pastor Brauer served his Lord as a Lutheran Elementary teacher in schools at Rocky River, Ohio; Gaylord, Minnesota; Fremont, Nebraska; and Rochelle, Illinois. While in Rochelle, he worked ten years as a wastewater laboratory technician for the City of Rochelle and assisted at a funeral home. In June 1998, Pastor Brauer began his studies toward the Master of Divinity Degree at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He completed his vicarage and was ordained at Trinity Lutheran Church, Chariton, Iowa, on July 7, 2002. Other church work experiences included parish organist, choir director, Bible class teacher, VBS superintendent, work with youth, and service on the church council. He served the Iowa District East as a member of the District’s Worship Committee.

Pastor Brauer married his wife Sandra on June 25, 1977 in Aurora, Illinois. They have two children, Michelle who will be a sophomore, and David, who will be entering 7^th grade. Pastor Brauer’s hobbies include stamp collecting, post mark collecting, and woodcrafts.

Calendar Items:
8/11 Registration 2-6:30PM (Wed.)
8/16 Year Beginning Meeting 9AM-12PM, 1-3PM (Mon.)
8/17 Meetings if necessary 9AM-12PM
8/23 1/2 day no bus...dismiss 11:35AM
8/24 1st day preschool
9/8-10 Gr. 6 Camp AMIGO
9/29 Picture day (Wed.)
9/1-9/22 Innisbrook..kick-off in gym at TBD on 9/1
9/20 Istep begins through 9/30
10/13 Symphony
10/14 Doug Larson...Chapel Thursday 8-9:00AM Everyone welcome!
10/20 Wheel of Wisdom 1:15 PM
3/22 Steven’s Puppets 1PM "Beauty and the Beast”

Other Notes:
A. Congratulations to Jan Martinsen, our Grade 4 teacher, for completing
her Master's Degree in Elementary Education. You might also like to know
that she graduated with Highest Distinction with a 4.0 GPA. She graduated
in December but just recently went through commencement at IUSB.

Teachers on staff with a Master's Degree include Jan, Mrs. Will, Mrs. Hoeppner, Mr. Hoeppner and Mr. Wippich. Miss Stelter is more than 1/2 way to completing her Master's Degree.

B. The school office hours for the summer are as follows: Mrs. Fetters
will be in the office from 8AM-4PM through June. On July 1, 2 and 6-9, the
office will be open until 12PM. The office will be closed 7/5 and the
weeks of 7/12 and 7/19. The office will be open until 12PM from 7/26-7/30.
Full time hours resume 8/2.

C. Our school theme for next year:

MONTHLY CHAPEL FOCUS: 1 COR 6: 19-20
SEPT. BUILDING BLOCKS: BODY, MIND, SPIRIT
OCT. DRUG FREE BODIES
NOV. GIVING THANKS FOR OUR BODIES...
DEC. SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
JAN. NEW CONSTRUCTIONS..BODY, MIND, SPIRIT
FEB. LOVE YOURSELF...BODY, MIND, SPIRIT
MAR. SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE...FOCUS ON CHRIST
APR. OUR BODIES IN THE ENVIRONMENT
MAY. THE BODY OF CHRIST...PENTECOST

D. Family Activities Night...F.A.N.
OCT: Game Night (Athletic Dept.)
DEC: Craft Fair (PTL)
JAN: Movie Night and Valentine Construction (Faculty)
MAR. NATIONAL LUTHERAN SCHOOLS WEEK

Health Fair

Roller Rink

School Board Dinner at Health Fair
APR: Sock Hop (PTL)

 

I was born and raised in Nebraska. I had the opportunity to spend all but one of my elementary school years in a one room Lutheran School.
When I graduated from high school I really wanted to be a Lutheran School teacher.

Because my parents could not afford to send me to college, I took a training course to be a Comptometer Operator. I got a job in Lincoln, Nebraska and worked there for about nine months. My sister was living in California and wanted me to come out there. I was able to find a job downtown Los Angeles with the Texaco Oil Company.
After three years I decided I didn't want to punch keys and add up receipts for the rest of my life! I applied and was accepted at Concordia Teachers College (now Concordia University) in Seward, Nebraska. Here I was able to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a Lutheran School Teacher. This is where I met my husband Dale. My first teaching assignment was in Iowa teaching grades K-2. In 1963 my husband received a call to St. John's and we have lived in La Porte ever since that time.
I received my Bachelor's Degree from Concordia University and my Master's Degree with a Reading Endorsement from Valparaiso University. I have just completed 38 years of teaching, 35 years at St. John's. I taught for two years in Iowa and 1 year at St. Paul's Lutheran School in Bremen, IN.
We have been blessed with four daughters and nine grandchildren. Our oldest daughter, Michele, is a licensed teacher in Special Ed and Hearing Impaired. She is married to a Methodist Pastor and lives in Peru, IN. They have four children. Stephanie is a Dental Hygienist. She is married to a Lutheran Pastor and lives in Waco, TX. They have three children. Kimberly is a Nuclear Medical Technologist at Hendricks Community Hospital, Danville, IN. She is unmarried at this time. Denise is a Dental Hygienist. She is married to an engineer and lives in Clemson,
S.C. They have two children. God has truly blessed us with a wonderful family.
Throughout my years of teaching I have served on numerous committees and worked on various projects. I am currently working on getting the Accelerated Reading Program going again at St. John's. My husband and I organized and got the first Vacation Bible School at St. John's with an enrollment of over 200 children! This was a project that took a lot of work but that was of great interest to the children of St. John's and the community. I am a member of the Walther League Chorus, on the Board of Public Relations, and a member of the Church Council.
I thank God for giving me the opportunity and the health to teach His children for 38 years. My favorite time in the classroom is the time we spend each day at "Jesus Time" - sharing the love of Jesus with my students by teaching the Bible Stories, songs, Bible verses, and praying with and for others. It is truly a blessing.

Isn’t it amazing how quickly the season of summer has come upon us? Before we know it, school will be starting again. This of course means that the adult choir will begin its rehearsals and singing in church again. I would like to invite all who love to sing praises to the Lord to join us for our first rehearsal Monday, August 23 at 7:00 pm in the music room of the school. You do NOT need to know how to read music or have any musical training! We rehearse every Monday at 7:00 and sing in church services on an average of twice a month and of course our annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 5 at the Civic Auditorium. Please, if you have any questions, contact me at the church office or 380-9030.

A vocal group consisting of ten singers and an accompanist has been formed and is producing a CD and audio cassette to be given free to anyone who wishes to have one. We have named ourselves The Singing Servants. The recording will consist of favorite hymns, old choral favorites, and some instrumental pieces. We will be recording in the church on Saturday, July 10 starting at 8:00 am and singing all day until the production is complete. Due to the sensitivity of the recording equipment, we ask that during that day no one enter the church building. Signs will be posted on the church doors, and altar guild has been rescheduled for the Friday before. If you would like to reserve a copy of this production, please call the church office with your name and phone number.

Thank you and the Lord’s blessing on the rest of your summer!

Matthew Nelson

The next two Pizza Hut Nights are Wednesday, July 21 and Wednesday, August 18. Please make sure to tell them you are from St. John’s School when you order your pizza so that we receive our share of the profits. We appreciate your help in this easy money making project!

Don’t forget that Vacation Bible School will be starting soon. You may register at the church office, with Susan Rosselli, or pick up a registration form in the Narthex. If you know someone who might be interested, please pick up a form to fill out. We will be having our Vacation Bible School, “Journey of a Lifetime” the week of July 26-July 30, 9:00-11:30 AM. Teachers and helpers are needed. If you are interested in helping, contact Sue Rosselli at 324-8364.

If you are interested in adding an advertisement to our current St. John’s Business Directory, please contact any member of the Public Relations Board or the Church Office. We will be adding advertisements to the ones we already have and print up new directories in the fall.

From the Board of Missions and Evangelism:

Our Sunday Bible Study Class is beginning to study and discuss “Worship”. All are invited to join us in the school cafeteria between services. Don’t miss out on Bible Study for the summer! Child supervision for school age children will be available from 9:30-10:30AM.

Our Vacation Bible School offerings this year will be contributed to

LCMS Military Ministry. In addition, we will be making up care packages to send to anyone in our congregation who is currently serving. Any surplus items will be sent to LCMS Military Ministry for their ongoing care package program. We know of Brandon Rose and Keith Ross. If you know of someone else in our midst who is serving in the military, or have a relative who is serving and would like to have us send a care package to them, please pass their name and address along to Sue Rosselli at 324-8364 or susanros@localnet.com. Please encourage them, as well, to send us their prayer concerns, so the kids can pray for them during VBS. Also, there will be a box in the Narthex and one in the school building with a list of useful care package items, if you would like to contribute some of them.

We will also be including some of our devotional materials.

The LaPorte County Fair dates are Monday, July 19-Saturday, July 24, 2004. The boxes of material are on order, the gifts are being gathered, the volunteer workers are signing up-all is about ready to go for the annual LLL Booth at the Fair. We never know where God sends His Word of Life as we share books and gifts with visitors to the booth-but we have his assurance that it will go where he has determined and do what he plans! With God in charge we cannot fail to serve. You are also invited to participate in this Mission Endeavor with your prayers, your time or your financial support. If you can help, please call Roger Potratz at 219-872-9406.

111 Kingsbury Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350

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

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

Web site:www.stjohns-lpin.org E-mail: stjohns@stjohns-lpin.org

Pastor—Rev. David M.Young, 219-324-9049

Pastor—Rev. Ronald A. Brauer, 219-362-3726 Secretary— Mrs. Linda Woodruff, 362-5770

e-mail- churchoffice@stjohns-lpin.org

Bookkeeper— Mrs. Wendy Husmann, 574-867-1202

Director of Music Ministries—Mr. Matt Nelson, 219-380-9030

Organist—Mrs. Susan Rosselli, 219- 324-8364

Stewardship—Mr. Bill Adams, 219-326-6498

Youth Board—Mrs. Dana Alexander, 219-324-4587

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http://www.stjohns-lpin.org - copyright 2000-2008 - St. John's Lutheran Church, La Porte, IN. All rights reserved. Contact the church at: St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 111 Kingsbury Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350, or call us at 219-362-3726.  For questions, updates or comments regarding this web site contact St. John's Web servant, debra@dreamercreative.com.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®.  NIV ®.   Copyright ©  1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society ®.  Used by permission.   All rights reserved world-wide.