A Newsletter concerning the
Mission and Ministry
of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, La Porte, IN
Vol. 55
March 2006
No. 3
“As one family, we lovingly proclaim Jesus Christ.”
From Your Pastors — March 2006
FROM PASTOR YOUNG
We continue our spiritual journey this month in preparation for the church
season of Lent. The word Lent has the same root as the German word for
spring. As nature springs forth from the death of winter, so Christians find
newness of life in Christ as we are raised from the dead with Him. We often use
these days of Lent as preparation to allow God to cleanse our hearts through the
spiritual disciplines of confession, repentance, prayer, fasting, offerings,
loving acts of kindness and service, and self-denial.
The attitude of our hearts as we start our Lententide journey is critical.
Realizing our sinfulness, realizing that sin has banished us from Paradise, we
understand our need for a Savior. Through Jesus’ life and death on the cross we
were welcomed home by God.
We begin these 40 days of Lent with a worship service on Ash Wednesday, March
1st. Our worship service leads us to exam ourselves and don crosses
of ashes in the shape of the cross upon our foreheads as a reminder of our
insignificance as we stand before a holy God. For some of you, this may seem
peculiar, but this ritual has its roots in the Old Testament. Putting ashes on
the head was a sign of mourning and repentance. Ashes were also used as a sin
offering to purify unclean lives. Abraham said, “I am nothing but dust and
ashes.” (Genesis 28:17)
When we can begin to see how sin banishes us from the presence of a Holy God,
we are than more able to see our need for a Savior and our need for rescue.
“Coming Home from Exile: The Exodus of Scripture” will be our theme in this
season of Lent. As we tread the paths that lead to Holy Week in Jerusalem, we
will ponder the many exiles and homecomings of the Scriptures. And in them we
will find the grace of Jesus, who never leaves His children refugees, but
always, always brings them back under His roof and to His table. Jesus is the
God of the exodus, whose own death-and-resurrection exodus in Jerusalem is
the basis upon which the Father says to each of us: “Welcome home, My child,
welcome home.”
So let us prepare to make our return from God’s exile in our journey this
Lenten season. Let’s begin by preparing our hearts.
Yours in the journey from exile,
Pastor Young
From Pastor Brauer
“Walk Straight”
You have more than likely heard the illustration of how a farmer used to set
the first row when plowing a field. He would start his tractor with plow in gear
and fix his eyes onto a target across the field. He would not change his sight
until he got to the end of the field. It would be then that he could turn around
and see the straight path made. The same is true in walking in freshly fallen
snow. To make a straight path the hiker would fix his eyes on one sight and not
look back. To do so would surely make the path crooked.
This month our focus is on our St. John’s Lutheran School, holding its first
classes in September of 1857 at 308 C Street here in La Porte. Many changes have
taken place since then: the desks are no longer bolted down to the wood floors,
the black slate chalkboards have been replaced and new computer technology is
seen in the classroom. A multitude of teachers have come and left, some serving
a short time, while others have remained until retirement. Children have come
and grown not only in the academic subjects but especially in their Christian
faith.
It is growth in that Christian faith that St. John’s Lutheran School was
established. School subject matters and curricula will change; but “the Word of
the Lord endures forever” (1 Peter 1:25). That word is timeless. It gives
comfort to the dying, and strength to the living. It crushes the impenitent and
soothes the sorrowful. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper
than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and
of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart” Hebrews 4:12.
That Word of God is pretty powerful, isn’t it? It is with that Word of God
that our children, as we ourselves, are empowered to “walk straight.” Proverbs
3:5-6 has served our school this year as their theme verse. “Trust in the Lord
with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
This verse does not mean that if we believe in God and trust in Him that our
life will be easy. No, we Christians must endure many hardships and face even
persecutions in this life. But it does say that those who trust in the Lord will
walk straight before Him! That’s a good theme verse for all of us to follow!
The first week in March is being celebrated as National Lutheran Schools
Week. Many special activities are planned in our school as you will read
elsewhere in this newsletter. We ask that you not only take an interest in these
events but especially to include St. John’s Lutheran School in your daily
prayers. Pray for our teachers that they instruct those in their charge with
diligence, patience, and love. Pray for our students that they apply their
learning in all of life, that they are faithful in completing their assignments,
and that they lead a godly life. Pray for our staff as they seek to support the
educational and physical needs of our students. Pray for our Day School Board
that they prepare and execute those plans for the improvement of our school. And
pray for yourselves (it’s okay to do that!) that you would be moved and able to
support St. John’s School with your time by volunteering for lunch supervision,
fundraising, or Market Day distribution, with your talent by sharing an interest
or hobby with a group of students, with your treasures by giving generously to
the financial health of our school, utilizing matching funds through Thrivent,
as well as your regular proportionate giving and through Sowing Seeds for the
Harvest.
Above all, walk straight yourself, living the justified and sanctified life
before God in all you do. As we enter the penitential season of Lent, we will
see how Jesus walked straight for us, taking what was crooked and rough and
making them straight and smooth by going straight for the cross. While we may
have crooked paths to travel on this earth (and even more as we dodge potholes
in the streets of La Porte) we have the Good Shepherd who will lead us in the
path of righteousness for His name’s sake. It is on that path that we will
walk straight in the name of Jesus.
Pastor Ron Brauer
Matthew 11:28-30
Principal's Report
I. Calendar item
3/2 Principal Conference at Valparaiso 9:00
3/5-10 National Lutheran Schools Week
3/5 10:45 a.m. worship service, and staff recognition
3/9 Gr 1 Chellberg Farm
3/15 Seniors Potluck
3/16 k/pk registration 6:00 cafeteria
3/16 County Spelling Bee at Michigan City.
3/17 FAN Disco Dance TBD
3/21 Q +A with the Board of Ed 6:00 cafeteria
3/24 Fish Fry, 4-7 p.m.…gr 3 to South Bend 9:45-2:15
3/28 STEVEN’S PUPPETS 1:00
3/29 Pizza Hut 4-11:00
4/26 Pizza Hut 4-11:00
4/28 Musical 12:30 and 7:00
5/6 Academic Challenge
10/25/06 Wheel of Wisdom 10:00 am
II. Enrollment ps-8 151
III. Other Items
Grade 5: Zach Robbins, Nathan Gerick, David Cooley
Grade 6: Renate Wiltfong, Sky Shortt, Nick Wilczewski
Grade 7: Kerry Cooley, Kat Scherer, Andrew Scherer
Grade 8: Zac Ulmer, David Brauer, Jake Williams
This takes place at Valparaiso on 2/25/06. I have coordinated our
participation and Mindy Bremer will represent us at the event and will hold a
couple of practice sessions with the kids next week.
Total profit from Super Bowl Subs was $249.73. Profits went to HVAC fund
for the school. Thanks for your orders and contribution to this worthwhile
cause. Thanks to Dionne Wisniewski, Steve Kalsow, Rick Shortt, Shireen
Shortt, Sky and Storm Shortt, Patty Pavlak, Dwayne Rogers, Diane Wilczewski,
Howard Jones and Shane Rogers for preparations and assembly. Thanks to
Dionne for organizing the event and to Steve for all the cold cut and cheese
preparations.
5. National Lutheran Schools Week is coming up 3/5 –3/10. Following is
the schedule of events:
3/5 Worship service for NLSW is at 10:45. This service will also involve
recognition of paid staff and teachers who have reached milestones in service:
Sharon Butler, 15 years; Karla Eigenmann, 15 years; Julie Stelter, 20 years;
David Wippich,
25 years; and Marlene Will, 40 years.
Also, Family Karaoke Night in the gym 6-7:00 pm.
3/6 The “Dancing Gauchos”…a Hungarian dance group who have performed all over
the world will present a 45- minute pro- gram from 1:30 pm in the gym.
3/8 Grandparents’ Day…Pictures in the cafeteria at 7:45 for keepsakes; Chapel
8:10-8:40: Grandparents are welcome in the classroom from 9-10:15 to help work
on the photo keepsake with their grandchild. Light refreshments will be served
for the grandparents. Remember, this event is for grandparents only. No need to
sign up…just come and join us.
3/9 Community Cookie Delivery… Mr. Wippich and Student Council
representatives will deliver homemade cookies to vari- ous community offices.
3/10 PTL sponsored Teacher Luncheon in the Ladies Lounge from
11-12:30.
Voters’ Assembly Meeting
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
February 8, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Foglesong. Pastor Young led
an opening devotion based on 1 Corinthians chapter 9.
The minutes from the November 2, 2005 meeting were read and approved.
Old Business
None
Pastor’s Reports
Pastor Brauer’s report is on file.
This report noted the following:
·
Upcoming Lenten services
·
Every Member Sunday held recently
·
Upcoming events: Fish Fry on March 24, Easter
Breakfast and Progressive Dinner in April, and the 150th
anniversary of our church
·
Official membership acts including baptisms,
confirmations, and funerals
·
Pastoral encouragement
Principal’s Report
Mr. Wippich elaborated on the report which is on file..
Church Council
A motion was made to remove the names on the list submitted by the Elders
from the roster of St. John’s Lutheran Church. A second was heard. Ron Scherer
made a motion to amend the list by eliminating the names scratched off of the
list as well as the names of Wendy and Jack Allison and John Spear. A second was
heard. The motion to amend passed. The motion as amended passed.
Ron Scherer announced that the following have joined other churches:
·
Angela and Isabella Bunchek
·
Michael, Donna, and Erica Cowgill
·
Joyce Swanson
·
Craig, Doreen, and Colleen Trusty
Treasurer’s Report
Dale Fischer elaborated on the attached report. A motion was made to approve
the treasurer’s report for 2005. Motion was seconded and passed.
New Business
None
Communications
None
Announcements
None
Pastor led a brief closing based on All Saints’ Day.
Respectfully submitted,
Penny Nelson, Secretary
From the Trustees:
Our long-awaited fish fry will be March 24, 2006, 4— 7 p.m. in the school
gymnasium. Because the price of fish has increased, our ticket prices this year
are $6.75 in advance and $7.75 at the door. Tickets for children under 12 are
$3.50. Carry outs will be available and as usual, pie will be available at extra
cost. Tickets are available in the church office.
Much preliminary preparation work must be done, such as filling cups with
cole slaw, scrubbing and wrapping potatoes for baking, wrapping tableware with
napkins, breading fish, ticket sellers, ticket takers and greeters. Finally, we
need clean-up people — individuals responsible for cleaning tables and folding
them along with the chairs for storage; and last, but not least, vacuum the gym
floor so it is presentable for the next activity on Saturday, March 25 at 9 a.m.
Set aside some time to help with the above tasks, then call Dawn Crum at
324-2985, Paul Tibbs at 369-8658 or the church office at 362-3726 to ask how you
can be of help to make this a successful fish fry. We need many hands! Volunteer
today!
Delicious pies are needed from our expert bakers. Bring a couple pies to the
school during the afternoon of March 24. If you have any questions, please call
Annette Williams at 326-8017.
From the Finance Committee:
Contribution statements for 2005 are available for pick up in the church
office.
Contribution envelopes for 2006 are available in the church Narthex.
“Sowing Seeds” envelopes are available in the church office.
Lastly, please be sure to put your NAME and your NEW ENVELOPE NUMBER on the
outside of your “Sowing Seeds” envelopes. With the new year and most people
having new envelope numbers, we want to make sure all pledges are credited to
the correct account. Thank you!
From the Activities Committee:
An important meeting of the Activities Committee will be held Monday, March
6, at 1:15 p.m. in the Ladies Lounge. All Circles should be represented.
From the Board of Parish Fellowship:
National Lutheran Schools Week is commemorated between March 5 and March 10.
As part of the celebration on Sunday, March 5, we will honor our school faculty
and paid staff with a reception between services during the Fellowship Coffee
Hour. Please come to show your appreciation for the many years of dedicated,
professional service these employees have extended to our Lutheran Day School.
While every school employee is being honored, special recognition will be given
to Sharon Butler and Karla Eigenmann, 15 years; Julie Stelter, 20 years; Dave
Wippich, 25 years; and Marlene Will, 40 years of service.
Our "Chocolate Fest” fellowship coffee hour was outstanding. We encourage
more members to attend Bible Study to become enriched with God's word. Come,
join us this week and every week thereafter -- bring your Bible and become a
regular attendee.
Plan now for the “Mint Fest” March 12, between services, as usual. We know
there must be some unusual recipes using mint. Ladies, peruse your recipes and
let Linda Peters, 393-3496 or Marilyn Sawyer, 362-6069 or 362-3726, in the
church office, know what you will bring that day. All donations are appreciated.
Lenten Suppers:
With the Lenten season upon us, it also means our Wednesday evening worship
services, beginning March 8, will be preceded by the delicious soup suppers
prepared and served by the ladies of Parish Fellowship. We will have a variety
of homemade soups to choose from, sandwiches, fruit, a light dessert and
beverages. Serving will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. A free- will
offering will be accepted to support our youth servant events.
One Board and a Circle have already offered to prepare soups, sandwiches
and/or to assist our Board in any way they can. Anyone else, individual or
Board, willing to help out should contact Linda Peters at 393-3496 or Marilyn
Sawyer at 362-6069 or in the church office at 362-3726 to coordinate their
efforts with the Board of Parish Fellowship.
From the Youth Group:
Collection day for the aluminum cans and scrap iron you have been saving is
March 18, the same day as Market Day. These items will be collected and
transported to the recycler by our youth. Al Vollmer is overseeing this project.
Place your containers of cans and scrap iron at the school entrance between 9:30
and 10:30 a.m. for transfer.
A New Thursday Evening Bible Study/Fellowship Group:
Due to popular demand (praise God!) by those who work during the week, we began
a Thursday evening Bible study for those who can’t get to Sunday morning Bible
study or the other morning Bible studies that we have throughout the week. This
Bible study is led by Luke Vandercar. The Bible fellowship begins at 6:30 pm in
the Youth Room and runs to 8:00 pm.
NOTE: Young children are welcome! There will be things for them to play with
while we gather. For further information, please contact the church office.
Market Day:
The Saturday, February 18, Market Day Sale earned $1,220.05. We had 41
customers. We have raised $2,658.16 so far this school year. Here’s the rest of
the story. Our school will earn a free freezer when we increase the dollar
amount sold by 10 % and have 50 or more customers at our Market Day sale
March 18. A new freezer will be an added resource for many of the activities
that we support at St. John’s Lutheran School. Every order will help us reach
our goal, so we are asking all Market Day fans to TELL A FRIEND ABOUT MARKET DAY
and encourage them to place an order in March. Pick up an Order Sheet located on
the table in the school entry; complete and return to Market Day mailbox
(located next to the USPS box) by 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 8; order online at
www.marketday.com or for more information contact Annette Williams at 326-8017.
Thank you for your support.
From the Board of Social Ministry:
The Board of Social Ministry is requesting the following items for the food
pantry so we can continue to help those in need in our
congregation. We especially need the following items:
Cereal Paper towels
Macaroni and cheese Pine Sol or other cleaning products
Box meals Comet or other scouring powders
Crackers Laundry soap
Toothpaste Fabric softener
Dish soap Bath soap
Thank you for your continued support.
Items of Interest from the Women’s Care Center (formerly Pregnancy
Assistance Center):
Last year there were 2873 client visits in the La Porte Center. Counselors
performed 606 pregnancy tests and 81 ultra sounds. Clients spent 6317 points in
the incentive program on such items as diapers, cribs, car seats and strollers.
And now some great news — a center has been opened in Michigan City thanks to
a generous donation of space.
The following are needed at both centers:
Formula (Enfamil, Lipil with Iron)
Booties
Gently used maternity clothes
Stage 3 baby food
Paper towels
Toilet tissue
Any kind of handmade baby items
Prayers for all workers and clients
From the Board of Missions and Evangelism
Praise the Lord! A total of $12,593.00 was collected for the Missions of St.
John’s Lutheran Church in 2005. $12,000 of which was given equally to the
following local, regional and global missions.
Duneland Lutheran High School
The Hispanic Ministry of Northwest Indiana
Rev. James Keller and the Burmese Ministry of Ft. Wayne
Concordia Welfare and Education Society of China
The remaining balance will be given to St. John’s Lutheran School which is
one of our most important Missions.
Thank you all for your generous support of not only our church, but also
helping to spread the Good News to those outside of our church. Jesus came to
earth in order that everyone may be saved and have eternal life with God. It is
so important that everyone hears that message.
Thank you for doing your part!
Flower Fund:
It is time for us to start asking for donations for the Easter Lilies. We do
appreciate all your help in the past and pray that you will be so generous again
this year. The cost per lily is $10.00. You can make your donation to the church
office, Kathy Page, Joan Scherer or Sherrill Lee. Please let us know at that
time if you will be picking them up. The lilies will be taken down after the
second service on the Sunday following Easter, April 23. If you are going to
take your lily, please be there to pick it up at that time. If not for yourself,
maybe you know someone who would really appreciate a flower and a visit from
you.
Thank you again for your donations to the flower fund.
A Word from Your Offering Envelopes:
Hi! I’m your offering envelope. Thank you for taking me to church regularly.
Your gift helps your church do the work of preaching, teaching, baptizing, and
making disciples. You know I need your help by placing inside me your offering
for the week and faithfully bringing me to church. God continues to give you all
that you need to support your body in this life. He has given you His Holy Word
to instruct you in managing His gifts. I am one of His servants to help you do
just that. Please continue to remember to use me and to pray for your fellow
members at St. John’s.
Thank you again!
The Youth Room Needs Help!
The Youth Room needs a coat of paint. Anyone wishing to help should call
Kristi Georgi at 369-8406. Adult and youth volunteers are needed. We need to
know by 6 p.m. March 1 so we can get this project started and finished soon.
The next Youth Group meeting is Wednesday, March l at 6 p.m.
From the Director of Music Ministries:
Matt Nelson has a new telephone number: 219 393-7050. Please
make note of it for future reference. Thank you.
A little boy’s prayer was overheard:
“Dear God, please take care of my daddy and my mommy and my sister and
brother and my doggie and me. And, oh, please take care of yourself, God. If
anything happens to you, we’re in a big mess.”
From the Trustees:
Our long-awaited fish fry will be March 24, 2006, 4— 7 p.m. in the school
gymnasium. Because the price of fish has increased, our ticket prices this year
are $6.75 in advance and $7.75 at the door. Tickets for children under 12 are
$3.50. Carry outs will be available and as usual, pie will be available at extra
cost. Tickets are available in the church office.
Much preliminary preparation work must be done, such as filling cups with
cole slaw, scrubbing and wrapping potatoes for baking, wrapping tableware with
napkins, breading fish, ticket sellers, ticket takers and greeters. Finally, we
need clean-up people — individuals responsible for cleaning tables and folding
them along with the chairs for storage; and last, but not least, vacuum the gym
floor so it is presentable for the next activity on Saturday, March 25 at 9 a.m.
Set aside some time to help with the above tasks, then call Dawn Crum at
324-2985, Paul Tibbs at 369-8658 or Marilyn in the church office at 362-3726
To ask how you can be of help to make this a successful fish fry. We need
many hands! Volunteer today!
Delicious pies are needed from our expert bakers. Bring a couple pies to the
school during the afternoon of March 24. If you have any questions, please call
Annette Williams at 326-8017.
From the Board of Social Ministry:
The Board of Social Ministry is requesting the following items for the food
pantry so we can continue to help those in need in our congregation. We
especially need the following items:
Cereal Paper towels
Macaroni and cheese Pine Sol or other cleaning
products
Box meals Comet or other scouring powders
Crackers Laundry soap
Toothpaste Fabric softener
Dish soap Bath soap
Thank you for your continued support.
ELDER REPORT
The Elders have been trying to contact members who have been inactive for
three years or more, to see if they are interested in retaining their membership
at St. John's. The following is a list of those who have not responded
positively. These names will be presented at the February Voter’s Meeting for
exclusion from membership. If any of these names should not be included, please
contact an Elder or the Church Office with an explanation.
Ainsworth, Gerald Albertson, Ricky Allen, Chas/Lilly
Arndt, Howard/Anna Mae Arney, Daniel Bach, Aaron
Bagley, Lori/children Barber Alan/Janet Barkow, James
Barnes, Martin/Connie Barnes, Jeff/children Barnhart, Jim/children
Begin, Dawn Benson, Linda Berker, Carl/family
Berker, Larry/children Blansett, Marcia Bolster, Tim/family
Briggs, Chris/Faith Briggs, Jeff/Marcia Bruck, Krista/Amanda
Chalik, Carol/Carrie Chambers, Tom/Janis Childress, Wendy/fam.
Cross, Lindsay Davis, Harley/Alecia Depoy, Tracy/family
Diedrich, Donald Diedrich, Becky Dirks, Carl/family
Dixon, Jessica Downy, Jennifer Downs, Sue/family
Droege, Jane Dunifon, Elaine Eigenmann, Frederick
Ewart, Stephan/family Famanio, Amy Fee, Carla/family
Fitzpatrich, Barry Fitzpatrish, James, Jr Flitter, Jennifer
Foster, Kathy Foster Tara Frizzell, Marie
Funnell, Joselyn Gardner, Katherine Gardner, Yvonne
Gatz, Melodi Gaunt, Mindy/family Giesler Wm.Jr/Tricia
Gilliland, Lynn/David Goers, Scott Goodson, Janis
Gregory, Robert./Anneliesa Grice, Susan Hakes, Joseph/family
Halik, John/family Heniser, Marc/family Heller. Heather
Heniser, Sharon/family Herbst, Amy/Amber Hubner, Ann
Huhnke, Chris/Eric Hummer, Nick Johnson, Robert
Jones, Brad Jones, Rbt./Sandra Kalsow, Judith
Kerchaert, John Kessinger, Gerald Ketchem, Jewell/fam.
Kimmel, Linda Klement, Randall/family Knoll, Thomas
Koehn, Donna Koehn, Robert Koehn, Ashley
Krassow, Patricia Kray, Judy/family Krueger, Dave/Karen
Krueger, Daniel Lambert, Nicole Larrabee, Mary
Lawson, Brian Livine, Margaret Livine, Sharonda
Lucas, Jeanine/family Marshall, Vicki/Kyle Martinsen, Barbara
