(EDITED TO REMOVE PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM THE ONLINE VERSION.)

Transformed

Perhaps you have a child who likes to play with the Transformer toys. These are toys that look like one thing, but with the twist and turn of a few of the parts, the toy changes its appearance from one thing into another. A movie by the same title shows how something simple turns (transforms) into something powerful to defeat the forces of evil.

On the day we celebrate our Church Outdoor Service and Picnic (August 24) St. Paul talks about being transformed. It is a life-changing process. But it begins with something the world would consider quite unusual. Paul writes, (Romans 12:1-2) “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Transformed—not conformed. Conformed has the idea of fitting into the framework of something else, like being squeezed into a mold. A force from outside works against you and puts its demands on you, cramping your lifestyle. Being transformed comes from within, enabling you to take control. Satan wanted Adam and Eve to take hold of the forbidden fruit and become like God. What transforming power that would be, except it was Satan who was forcing Adam and Eve into his mold of what God should be.

Christ emptied Himself on the cross to redeem us from the bondage in which Satan held us. He gives us His Holy Spirit. His Spirit frees us to

be transformed into His children. “Create in me a clean heart,” we pray in the Offertory, asking God to transform our hearts bent on ourselves and our selfish desires into hearts that live and move in Christ to do that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

This summer will soon end and the school bells call children to class. Leisure turns to learning as our students take up their studies. There is a transformation of our activities at St. John’s as well, where Sunday School resumes in September, Adult Information class (Discipleship Class) will begin, and the Circles start their meetings again. But this transformation is not imposed upon you. No, it is God’s Spirit dwelling in you that changes you into a living being, one that is offered as a sacrifice by the mercies of God. Your body, as well as your whole spirit and soul, is made acceptable to God by His acting on you, as He forgives you for the sake and work of Jesus Christ who died on the cross for you. By His grace, you like the Disciple Peter by faith confess, “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Being free from Satan’s mold, you can pursue righteousness. You can seek the Lord, knowing where He is found (in Word and Sacrament!) and He has promised to meet you there. He renews your soul and equips you to serve Him in all you do, even if it is picking up your child’s toys!

Pastor Ron Brauer

Matthew 11:28-30

“The Dog Days of August”—Major league baseball players sometimes refer to August as the “dog days of summer.” August does seem to be one of those months that you simply want to get through. In the wheat growing regions of our country from Texas up to Canada the crops have been harvested and the fields are bare except for stubble and straw. The days are hot and dry accompanied with winds. It’s enough to make people long for September when things start all over again. “If we can just get through August then things will get back to normal.”

Living and working as God’s stewards can sometimes feel like the “dog days of August.” Managing all of life and life’s resources seems like a never-ending job. And it is because we are stewards from birth to death. We are tempted to think of ourselves as owners rather than stewards or managers. But God is the true Owner of all things and He has entrusted to us a portion of that which belongs to Him with the expectation that we will manage those gifts wisely for His purposes. That can seem like chasing the wind—always managing and never owning. But for us as God’s children and stewards it is not so much an obligation as it is a privilege.

In life we normally want to get ahead and in that process may sacrifice our health and family in chasing after more and more. Jesus taught us that life is not a matter of accumulating material things but is rather the seeking first of His kingdom and His righteousness. Then, since our Heavenly Father knows what we need, He will provide it so we can be content and confident. St. Paul learned that truth well and gave us some wise counsel in Philippians 3:11b-12: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

St. Paul knew that God is the Owner and Giver of life and everything associated with life. In most cases God blesses us beyond measure. However, He does not give us more than we can handle. When Jesus told the parable of the three stewards He indicated that the master gave each one a different amount to manage according to the individual steward’s ability (Matthew 25:15). Likewise, God gives us only as much as we can manage for His purposes.

So when we think about the wise management of time, abilities, money, relationships and all the other things in life, we can do so without worry or the feeling that life as God’s stewards is like enduring the “dog days of August.” Because Jesus redeemed us to be God’s children we can live each day and work each day in a free and joyful way confident of the truth that we “can do everything through Christ who gives us strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

Don’t just endure the “dog days of August” but make the most of each day as God’s redeemed stewards.

Voter’s Assembly Meeting Minutes Tuesday July 3, 2008

The meeting was called to order by President Bill Adams. Pastor Brauer opened with a devotion and prayer.

Minutes from March 4, 2008 were corrected and approved.

Maria Surma, Ben Alexander and Cindy Alexander were all welcomed as new voting members.

Attached to original minutes.

Attached to original minutes.

Church Council Report: Motions from the Council meeting.

1. A motion was made to send $5,000.00 to the Indiana District Missions. Motion passed.

2. To offer partial-member tuition rate to students enrolled at St. John’s Lutheran School who are members at another Lutheran Church, regardless of the synod affiliation. Effective immediately. Motion passed.

3. Any newly enrolled student, new meaning never having previously been enrolled at St. John’s Lutheran School, be offered their first semester free of charge and their second semester at the partial-member rate provided they enroll in membership classes prior to the start of the second semester. If they fail to enroll in the membership classes, their tuition rate would fall in line with the current tuition guidelines. Effective immediately. Motion passed.

4. A motion was made for Dick Rutz to serve as a Trustee.

5. The Elders make a motion to implement a special compensation package, in the form of a stipend, for Pastor Brauer in the amount of $100.00 additional per week, retroactive from March 1, 2008, for additional workload as sole Pastor. Motion passed.

The above mentioned motion completed the Elders report.

See attached report.

None

In the absence of the Board of Missions and Evangelism the following proposal was presented: That $4,000.00 of mission money thus far received is forwarded to the four mission efforts of St. John’s Lutheran Church, each to receive $1,000.00: The Northwest Indiana Hispanic Mission; the Fort Wayne Area Burmese Mission; the Concordia Welfare Society of China; and the Duneland Lutheran High School in Michigan City. The remaining amount for these missions will be acted upon in the November 2008 meeting. Motion passed.

Mark Hill wanted to talk about a topic that was brought up at the “round table discussions”: make the chapel into a fellowship hall. Remove the pews and put them in the basement, replace with tables and chairs, maybe carpet and a countertop area for coffee. There was a lot of discussion on this topic. Bill Adams would like information put in the bulletin and have this on the agenda for the November meeting.

Dale Fisher reminded boards that they need to work on their budgets in September and have them ready by October.

The Planning meeting will be Saturday August 9th. Same procedure as last year, breakfast, fellowship and activities written down on the calendar to prevent any conflicts.

VBS- July 28 thru August 1^st from 9:00AM until 11:30AM. We are still looking for volunteers to help with snacks, crafts, stories and games.

Motion to Adjourn

Dale Fisher made the motion to adjourn, 2^nd by Walt Arndt. Motion passed.

Pastor Brauer closed with devotion and led everyone in the Lord’s Prayer.

In Christ,

Rhonda McConnell, Secretary

8/7 Registration, 2-6:30 PM-Cafeteria

8/17 Teacher Rededication, 8:00 AM Service

School Board’s “Meet & Greet Teacher Reception” 9:15 AM

8/18 First day of school, 11:30 AM dismissal (No bus service)

8/19 First day of Preschool

8/27 PTL Open House, 6:00 PM-Gym

Make plans to attend the 8:00 A.M. worship service on August 17 as we will install our new teachers, Miss Erin Ponder and Miss Megan Nieman, and to rededicate our returning faculty. A welcome reception will be held during the fellowship time between services in the School’s cafeteria.

We are in need of benefactors who would be willing to sponsor student tuition for the 2008-2009 school year. Please contact the school office at 362-6692 if you are able to help. Thank you, in advance, for helping more children receive a quality Christian education who might otherwise be unable to attend.

A Reminder about ‘Attendance Based Tuition’: St. John’s School parents are reminded to maintain their attendance through the summer months. Church attendance from January through June determines the level of tuition for the first semester; attendance from July through December will factor in the second semester’s tuition. Worship at St. John’s Lutheran Church or another Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod church is counted toward your attendance totals. If you travel and worship at another LC-MS congregation, please bring in the bulletin with your names to the church office and this will be credited towards your attendance. We have seen a high level of participation and thank all parents and children for their faithfulness in worship.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mark your calendars to attend the annual Planning Meeting on Saturday morning, August 9, beginning with a breakfast brunch pot luck at 9:00 A.M., followed by the keynote Bible study, then a month-by-month walk through for the coming year (August 2008-August 2009). If your board or committee has regular events that need to be placed on the calendar, please be certain to attend this meeting.

If you are able to forward these dates in advance to the Church office, this will help in the preparation of the materials handed out that day.

Pastor Brauer wants to line up the Discipleship Class to start this September. Two options are being considered: one that meets during the Sunday morning Bible class time (meaning an adult class instructor will be needed to fill in for the regular Adult Bible class time) or to conduct this class during a weeknight (either Tuesday or Thursday evenings). If you are interested in learning the teachings of the Lutheran faith and to become a member, please contact the church office (362-3726) and let us know. Please indicate which time would work best for you.

7^th and 8^th Grade Confirmation Classes :

Wednesday, September 3 will begin the Midweek Confirmation Instruction time for our 7^th and 8^th Grade students who do not attend St. John’s Lutheran School. If you have completed the first year of instruction, this year will be your final year for in-depth instruction leading to the Rite of Confirmation. For those entering 7^th grade, or for those who may not have attended their first year, this is your entry year to begin the study of Luther’s Small Catechism.

Please call the church office to register. Once you have registered, an information packet will be mailed out in preparation for the first night’s class. Instruction time begins at 6 P.M., and lasts until 7:15. A calendar with all our meeting dates will be distributed on the first night of class.

St. John’s annual outdoor worship service/family picnic/hog roast is August 24. Plan now to attend. See the flyer elsewhere in this newsletter with pertinent information.

The Board of Parish Fellowship is seeking individuals and/or couples to work as greeters in the Narthex and at the southeast and southwest entry doors of the church on Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 8:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. worship services. If you are already a greeter and wish to continue, let us know your preferred worship service and entry.

We would like to see our younger, the youth of our church, and older folks as well greet our worshipers. How about a mother/daughter or son or father/son or daughter combination; a husband/wife or one or the other; or a single person. All you have to do is come and be at your designated entry 20 minutes prior to the service; be pleasant, wear a smile; and welcome all to St. John’s and give them a worship service bulletin. Just one weekend service each month would be great. Please advise Barbara Swanson or Marilyn Sawyer of your willingness to serve the Lord in this capacity. You may receive a telephone call asking you to volunteer – just one service per month. This would be a great service to St John’s, and most of all, to the Lord.

Thank you.

Plans are underway for our annual Fall Festival, October 16. The Bazaar runs from 9-1 p.m. and luncheon from 11-1 p.m. See the enclosed flyer designed to recruit vendors — reserve your space now.

Do You have any spare produce from your garden? The Family Circle is planning to “reach out to the community” with a free “Farmers Market Stand” to provide fresh produce for families who need it. We will begin giving out free produce from our “cart” on Sunday, July 27 after the 10:45 AM service. This service is for the community and congregation members, and is “first come-first served” until our supply runs out. We will continue throughout the growing season.

Please consider donating your extras to those who could use it. Your produce may be dropped off in the church basement Saturday or Sunday, before services. If you have any questions, please call Julie Sinclair or Wendy Husmann.

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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.