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A Newsletter concerning the
Mission and Ministry
of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, La Porte, IN
Vol. 56 November 2007 No. 9
“As one family, we lovingly proclaim Jesus Christ.”
From Pastor Young:
Onward, Christians soldier, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus,
Going on before.
You know this refrain; it is one of the more recognizable “battle cries” of
the Church Militant. We confidently sing this hymn in the face of any and all
adversity as soldiers in the church of Jesus Christ on this earth. We must sing
it confidently because, as the Captain of the Hosts has told His troops, “In
this world, there will be tribulation.”
Yes, there is indeed tribulation in abundance in this world. It causes us to
worry so much about our families, our health, our finances, our future. Any and
all worry makes us fearful to fight the good fight of faith. This worry also
cripples our efforts to rescue and restore others to the faith life of service
and stewardship in Christ. If you are reading this message (I hear some people
actually do!) and you are dejected, disappointed, depressed, downcast or
disheartened by current circumstances in your life, Christ’s marching orders are
for you to cast your burdens on Him. “We have Christ’s own promise”
according to our hymn “And that cannot fail.” Jesus did not just leave
with the words “In this world, there will be tribulation;” He concluded
this statement by reassuring us when He said “But take heart; I have overcome
the world.” John 16.33).
In his sermon last month, Pastor Brauer eloquently stated that proper
stewardship for the Christian Soldier is trusting that our Leader is going to
provide all that we need for the battle. It is so true! God’s Word is that He
will supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory. His desire for your
life is for you to “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on
your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5). Our gracious Lord, who has
commissioned us to fight sin, death and the devil, has equipped us by providing
all that we need. No greater provision has ever been supplied than the suffering
blood of Jesus shed for you and me so that we could have retire from the battles
of this world and receive our victory parade in the street of heaven as “battle
decorated soldiers” in the Church Triumphant!
This month, we celebrate All Saints’ Day and remember the “soldiers” who
fought the good fight with all their might. We join with all the saints/soldiers
whom Jesus has lead home from the battle to that victory celebration and the
feast that never ends!
Until Jesus triumphant victory trumpet is blown, you have all that you need.
Your enemy may still be on the attack in this world, but St. Paul directs us
“be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor
of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil”
(Ephesians 6:10-11).
Onward, Christians soldier, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus,
Going on before.
Your fellow soldier in Christ,
Pastor Young
From Pastor Brauer:
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. - 2
Thessalonians 3:13 NKJV
God strengthens you to do what is right.
Did you ever think of that? He obviously doesn’t support your sinful
habit—that you do pretty much by yourself! But in order to do the right thing,
God must strengthen you, first in faith toward Him and in fervent love toward
others. Now, those words should also ring a bell, as they are part of the
Post-Communion Collect.
The faith part we know, for we receive that faith through hearing the words
of Jesus. The Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation, and are
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in
righteousness, that the man of God, (that’s you!) may be complete and thoroughly
equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:15-17)
Our Social Ministry Board is one organization at St. John’s that provides
opportunities to put into practice our fervent love toward others. The Board of
Social Ministry is a “needs” based ministry supported by the congregation’s
generous donations of money to the benevolent fund and also by the food donated
for the food pantry. Their purpose is to help those in our congregation that
have a need, either with financial assistance or through the distribution of
food baskets on a temporary basis; assist applicants with school-aged children
who qualify for financial aid for school tuition at St. John’s, and making
annual donations to area organizations.
It’s that “Benevolent” envelope you find in your offering box that directs
your contributions to assist the Social Ministry Board in their work. Your
personal involvement with this board is another way your love and help can be
made known to our members in need.
Your contributions can also be made to the food pantry, by bringing in
non-perishable foods (canned goods, pasta, cereals, fruit drinks, paper goods
such as tissue and paper towels) and placing them in the grocery carts at the
school entrance. While the number of food baskets distributed is low, our food
pantry is stocked with grocery items to help those who are in need.
Why do we do this? It is motivated by the Gospel. “Do not grow weary of doing
good,” St. Paul tells the Thessalonians. The faithful know from where their
gifts come—they come from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. By Jesus’ own
mysterious sentence, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of
mine, you did for me,” the Christian steward manages these gifts in order that
his neighbor is shown mercy.
A future informational event is being planned sometime in January-February. A
Family Budget Preparation meeting is being considered to assist families with
preparing their family budget. Information about this free program will come as
details are completed.
That’s a lot of information to pass along in a short newsletter article, but
it’s useful in that you now know some of the work your fellow members at St.
John’s perform on your behalf. While you may not have delivered help personally
to someone, you can identify this act of mercy done in the name of the Church of
which you are a member. May Jesus’ love continue to be your source of strength
to do good.
In Christ,
Pastor Ron Brauer
Matthew 11:28-30
Message from The Board of Stewardship
“O, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endures forever”
(Psalm 136:1) is the way many of us learned to return
thanks after a good meal. Giving thanks is something that our nation will be
encouraged to do on November 22, a National Day of Thanksgiving in our country.
It is good that we join with millions of others on this day to give thanks unto
our God for all His bounty and blessing on us and our nation.
But Jesus reminds us that we are to be thankful every day, not just on a
National Day of Thanksgiving. In the middle of the Lord’s Prayer He taught us to
say, “Give us this day our daily bread.”
Dr. Martin Luther explained the meaning of this petition in this way:
“God gives daily bread indeed without our prayer, also to all the wicked, but we
pray in this petition that He would lead us to know it and to receive our daily
bread with thanksgiving.”
Luther went on to explain what is meant by “daily bread” with
these words: “Daily bread includes everything that belongs to the support
and wants of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, field,
cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and
faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline,
honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.”
It is good for us to pause more than occasionally in our busy lives and
reflect on what we are really saying when we pray those simple words,
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
We are God’s stewards who daily receive countless blessings from His gracious
hand. The greatest blessing we have received is the gift of salvation through
faith in His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. But God does not stop
there. He knows that we also have physical needs and so He provides for them,
and He provides lavishly.
What is our appropriate response? Our appropriate response is to receive
God’s gifts with thanksgiving and use them as He intends. We do well to remember
that Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God
and God’s family, the church, in managing all of life and life’s resources [see
the list above] for God’s purposes.
May this National Day of Thanksgiving be a reminder to be thankful daily for
all the blessings God gives to us and to use them in a way that honors Him and
blesses those around us.
Principal’s Page
From Mr. Wippich:
I. School Calendar Items:
10/31 Donuts for Dads—7:00 AM
11/1 Vision screening, Gr. 1,3,5,8, new students, referrals—9:05 AM
11/2 Report Cards
11/6 Picture retakes, Ps Pictures, Absentee Pictures
11/7 1/2 School Day—11:35 AM Bus
Faculty Meeting—11:45 AM
11/8 Grades 4-8, Chicago—7:45 AM-6:15 PM
11/9 Grades 4-8, Veteran’s Day Service—Civic
11/11 King’s Kids, Sing in Church—10:45 AM
11/19-20 No school/Teacher Conference
11/19-23 No School
11/9-16 Book Fair
11/25 Concert practice—2:30 PM
11/30 Concert Practice—7:00 PM
12/2 Concert—3:00 PM
II. Other Items
1. We are currently running a fund drive to gain $15,000 to finance
our computer lab reconstruction. ”Computer’s by Christmas” is being
sponsored by our PTL. We currently have collected around $4500. Please
support this campaign by purchasing Carson’s Community Day Coupon books for
$5.00 from the school office. You may use these coupons at Carson’s on
November 10. If you have an account with Thrivent, you can come to the
school office and fill out a form which will benefit the school with
matching money. If you donate $600 to our project, Thrivent will match $300.
If you are able to make a more substantial donation toward the completion of
this project, please see Mr. Wippich in the office or call at 362-6692. In
addition if you are able to help fund our classroom music teacher or special
science teacher please call Mr. Wippich. Thanks for helping advance the
Lord’s kingdom here at St. John’s.
We will be sponsoring a Scholastic Book Fair in the school from November
9-16. The PTL will be operating this event. All
proceeds allow teachers to acquire books for their classroom libraries.
Times for this event: Saturday 8:30-11:00 AM, Sunday 9-10:30 AM and 12:00 to
1:00 PM., and 7:30-3:00 PM on Mon day, Tuesday and Wednesday. Please come on
in and buy some book gifts for the upcoming Christmas season.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Can Recycling Day:
Thanks to all who donated cans for our recycle day last week. We collected
$115 toward our Church Door Fund. Thanks also to Jon Ulmer and Mark Foglesong
for hauling the cans, and to our recycle chairman, Imogene Dahl. Please keep
saving cans and scrap metal, our next recycle day will be February 23. For
safety reasons, please do not bring cans and scrap until the day of, or the
afternoon before the recycle day.
Clean-Up Day:
Saturday, November 3, is the next, Trustee Sponsored, clean-up day.
We will need to rake and do general grounds maintenance in preparation
for winter. If you can help, we will be working from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM. Thank
you!
From the Family Circle:
They’re here! St. John’s cookbooks are now available for purchase at
a cost of $13.00 each. Checks can be made payable to “Family Circle.” You can
get yours in the Narthex after each Sunday service or from the church office.
The books will also be available at the upcoming spaghetti supper, but don’t
wait too long! These would also make a unique and special gift for Christmas.
Proceeds will go toward the purchase of new computers for our day school
students as well as redecorating the bride’s room in the church. If you have any
questions, please contact Kami Alexander. Thank you!
Computers by Christmas:
As many are aware, the school’s computer lab is in dire need of
upgrading. A committee has been formed to evaluate the teachers’ and students’
needs, and those needs have determined how the new lab will be equipped.
Approximately $15,000 will be raised to establish a new lab which includes
computers, printers, and a multimedia station. The goal is to raise the money by
Christmas, so that to start the new year, students will be able to use a top
notch computer lab!
There are many ways to help! All proceeds from the Scrip gift card program
for this year, as well as the Carson Community Days coupon book sales will be
directed into the Computer Fund. St. John’s PTL has pledged $4,000 to start this
campaign. Monetary donations are gratefully accepted! Please make checks payable
to “St. John’s Lutheran PTL,” and in the memo section write “Computer Fund.”
Let’s work together to give St. John’s students a Christmas gift that will
last for years to come! Please contact Nicole Schuster or Maria Surma for any
questions regarding this effort.
More on “Computers by Christmas” campaign:
Please help support our “Computers by Christmas” campaign by
purchasing a Carson’s Community Day Coupon book. The cost of the book is just
$5.00 and includes one $10.00 coupon and eight 20% off coupons. The coupons can
be used at Carson’s Community Day on November 10, 2007. This is a great
fundraiser for PTL because we get to keep 100% of the sales. All proceeds will
go toward the purchase of new computers for the student computer lab in the
library. Purchase your coupon book in the school office or contact Jennifer
Parrette for more information.
Toys for Appalachian Children:
Thank you to all who have contributed to the toy drive.
Do You Hear Music in The Air?
The time is coming for our Christmas Concert! Mark your calendars for
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2nd at 3:00 PM in the church. The Walther League
Chorus, King's Kids, Christus Chorus and our soloists and instrumentalists are
preparing a joyful celebration in song for you. You will be filled and
surrounded by the love of Jesus as our theme, "Clothed in the Righteousness of
Christ" unfolds. This year, you and anyone you bring are all invited to join us
for refreshments and fellowship following the concert.
One additional note:
We will be decorating the church on Thursday , November 29th from 4:30
until we finish. All helping hands are appreciated, as well as some strong arms
and backs for our angels. Thank you! Sue Rosselli
From the Thrift Shop:
We have a continuing need of volunteers for our Thrift Shop. Our
shifts are from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM or from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Monday through
Saturday. If you could spare as little as 3 hours per month, or 6 if you’re
willing, we would certainly appreciate your help. It can be an interesting time
to be out and meeting other people, and at the same time of great benefit to our
congregation. Please give it some serious consideration! Call Arlene Hacker if
you are willing to help. We’ll be so happy to have you join us.
From Duneland Lutheran High School:
The 7th annual benefit concert for DLHS will be held on Sunday,
November 11, 2007 at 3:00 PM. The concert will once again be held in the
fellowship hall of Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1237 E. Coolspring Ave., Michigan
City, Indiana. The theme for the concert this year will be Viennese, featuring
Strauss waltzes and light operatic works of Franz Lehar and Gilbert and
Sullivan. Performing will be vocal soloists Donna Mitchell and Laurie
Pakuszewski and the Duneland Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Dan
McNabb. The Master of Ceremonies will be violinist Nicholas Orbavich. The
setting will be cabaret style featuring non alcoholic sparkling beverages and
hors d’oeuvres. Tickets for the event are $25 per person, or $40 per couple, or
$200 for a reserved table of eight. For tickets, contact the school by phoning
219-874-5103 or by mail at 617 Franklin Square, Michigan City, Indiana, 46350.
Newsletter Deadline:
Articles for the December/January Newsletter should be submitted to
the Church office by Tuesday, November 13. Please note that this will be the
only newsletter until February, so make sure to get your organizations news to
the office by the deadline. Thanks!
Voter’s Meeting News:
The next Voter’s Meeting will be on Wednesday, November 7, at 7:00 PM, in the
school cafeteria. Please try to attend this meeting. The church council will
present the 2008 Budget/Spending Plan for voter’s approval, and propose to keep
the Saturday church service starting time at 6:00 PM. Please extend your right
and privilege, as a voting member, to come and make your vote count!
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