A Newsletter concerning the
Mission and Ministry
of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, La Porte, IN
Vol. 57 March 2008 No. 2
“As one family, we lovingly proclaim Jesus Christ.”
From Pastor Brauer:
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as
children of light.” Ephesians 5:8 (Lent 4)
In a recent confirmation class I used an object lesson, cutting out shapes
from construction paper: a black heart, a cross, a red drop, and a smiley face
(although one of the kids said it looked like an alien—so much for my artistic
cutting on construction paper!) We were discussing what ‘justification’ means
and the action God does to make us right before Him. We learned that when we are
born, we are spiritually dead, spiritually blind, and an enemy of God (the black
heart). Three strikes against us! But God sent His only Son Jesus to die (the
cross) for us and shed His blood (the red drop) to atone for all our sins,
making us His dear children (the smiley face). The lesson was well received, and
the confirmation class will do well to remember this as a way to know how we are
made right in the sight of God.
The Epistle text for the 4th Sunday of Lent talks about that
darkness, that blindness, that death we are in when we are born. “But now you
are light in the Lord.” That’s God’s saving action upon YOU! That is His
justification upon your life. What follows immediately is sanctification, His
making you holy to walk in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. “Live
as children of light.” That’s what we do as God’s redeemed children. We have put
off the works of darkness, those works of sin. The Ten Commandments teach us
what sin is. It also tells us the boundaries for that path, showing us ways to
live as children of light, as we love God and love our neighbor.
This month our Lutheran Day School celebrates “National Lutheran Schools
Week” the first week in March. Many activities are planned for this week,
including ‘Blab School,’ the Math Contest, Snack basket deliveries, and
Grandparents’ Day (Thursday, March 6). It is also a time when St. John’s
Lutheran School shows off—not in a bragging way, but in thanksgiving for what
God has enabled her to accomplish. We will highlight our curriculum and the
standards set for education that meet or exceed the state’s requirements. We
will highlight our computer expansion program, where new computers will soon be
added to a refurbished laboratory. We will highlight what is the gem of
Christian Education, that being our Religion curriculum that is Christ-centered,
Bible-based, and life-directed.
The Prophet Jeremiah records for us God’s words, “For I know the plans I have
for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). God desires to bless His people.
That is why He offers us hope and a future.
That hope comes through Jesus Christ—crucified, risen, ascended, and
glorified. He gives us a future—not one tied to the world that will be
destroyed, but secured in heaven for eternity.
Schools will offer training in the ‘survival’ subjects on how to get along on
earth. But Christian Day Schools will offer more than just survival. They give a
future—a future in the Lord Jesus Christ.
But that survival package of education comes with a price tag. We do have to
support the salaries and benefits as well as the expenses of operating a school.
Paying those kinds of bills is not exciting. It’s included in the General Fund
of the congregation. That’s how our support of our school is made: Through
tuition dollars paid by the families who send their children and by the generous
gifts and offerings each week by members who value Christian education. Without
these sources of income, there would be no Christian Day School at St. John’s.
But God’s plans are not intended to harm you. That’s His promise! You may
have personal adjustments to make as the expenses of this world go up, but God
also gives you wisdom to set aside each week a portion to return to Him in your
tithes and offerings. We implore God’s blessings on these offerings that He
would use them for the furthering of His kingdom.
Let us give thanks to God for His blessings, especially as we thank Him this
month for our Lutheran Schools. And let us walk as children of His light!
Pastor Brauer
Matthew 11:28-30
More from Pastor Brauer:
Divine Call Accepted
Pastor David Young has received and accepted the divine call to Gloria Dei
Lutheran Church in Blue Belle, Pennsylvania. While we will miss him here at St.
John’s, we ask the Lord’s blessings upon him as he begins his new duties. Pastor
Young began his ministry at St. John’s in July 2003, coming here from Our Savior
Lutheran Church in Eyota, Minnesota. His installation at Blue Belle, PA, is on
Sunday, March 2, 2008.
SSAC is Coming!
No, it’s not a Russian spy group! It is an organization within our Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod designed to ‘strengthen schools and churches.’ The weekend
of March 29-April 1 will see us hosting this team of district education
executives as they make interviews, take observations, and worship with us. They
will assess our strengths and provide a plan to make improvements for our school
and church operations. Please welcome these visitors!
Message from The Board of Stewardship
In March we will celebrate a “new spring into our steps.” On March 20th
we will welcome the season of spring. It is a reminder to us that the days are
getting longer, the temperatures are getting warmer and the expectation is for
the earth to once again be fruitful and provide food for all God’s creatures.
The 23rd day of March—Easter Sunday—will put an even greater
“spring into our steps.” As we join with other Christians in celebrating the
resurrection of our Lord we know that the best is yet to come. Because Jesus
lives, we too shall live. Like the rest of nature in the springtime we will also
produce Christian fruits. That is what Christian stewardship is all
about—responding to God’s love in Christ and bringing forth the fruits of faith.
The resurrection of Jesus does a whole lot more than “simply putting a spring
into our steps.” It gives us the assurance that we can live our daily lives with
Easter hope and joy. We can say much the same as what St. Paul wrote about to
the Philippians: “For to me to live, is Christ and to die is gain. If I am
to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet, what
shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and
be with Christ, which is better by far, but it is more necessary for you that I
remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will
continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through
my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of
me.” (1:21-26)
Paul knew for certain that because of his faith in the resurrection of our
Lord he was a saved child of God. He was ready to leave this life with all its
toil and labor and enter into everlasting peace and joy with all the communion
of saints. But Paul recognized that Jesus left him here on earth to be His
instrument to touch the lives of other people in a way that makes an eternal
difference!
What an encouragement for us! Our lives do make a difference! We, like
St.Paul, are also instruments in the hands of Jesus to touch the lives of others
in a way that makes an eternal difference. Since we have the sure hope in the
resurrection of the body unto life everlasting we know that while the best is
yet to come, we must also remember that what we do here and now is important.
God blesses us so that we might bring glory to Him and good things for
others. As we manage all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes we
demonstrate that we are fruitful stewards. When we freely and generously give of
our time, money and talents we show that our life is about more than having—it
is about giving!
May the joy and victory of Easter be reflected in your stewardship!
You Might Be A Lutheran If…
during the entire service you hold your hymnal open
but never look down at it.
Principal’s Page
I. School Calendar Items:
3/2 National Lutheran Schools Week
(begins with worship at 10:45 AM service)
3/4 Valparaiso math contest-Tuesday of NLSW
3/7 No school-snow make up day
3/11 LIL FISH-grade 4
3/13 Pk, Ps, K, Registration 6:00 PM-cafeteria
3/19 County Spelling Bee 6:00 PM-Westville
3/20 1/2 day in service
3/21 No school-Good Friday
3/23 Easter
3/24 No school-snow make up day
3/25 STEVEN’S PUPPETS 1:00 PM- “Aladdin”
3/29-4/1 SSAC visit (Strengthening Schools and Congregations)
4/7-11 Spring break
4/16 Spring Picture Day
NATIONAL LUTHERAN SCHOOLS WEEK ORDER OF EVENTS
3/2 10:45 AM Worship
3/3 10:00 AM Ronald McDonald visits PS-4th Grade
3/4 5th-8th Grade Math Contest in Valparaiso
Game Day
K, 1st, 2nd, 4th Grades trip to La Porte County Museum
3/5 Dress like ancestors day of 150 years ago
Community Snack Basket Delivery by Student Council
La Porte Community Museum trip for 5th-8th grades
3/6 Grandparents’ Day
7-7:55 AM-Goodies for Grandparents in the cafeteria
(Children may join their grandparents
for an early morning treat)
8-9:00 AM Grandparents may visit their grandchildren's classrooms
9:00 AM Grandparents and students preview “Walk of Fame” talent on stage in
the gym
10:00 AM Grandparents Day ends
11-12:30 Faculty/Staff Luncheon
8-9:00 PM “Walk of Fame” in the gym
II. Other items
1. Computers are on order for the lab reconstruction. Thanks to
everyone who has helped support this improvement.
Honorable Men. 5th Sam Chlebek, Kayla Glassman,
Kaela Stence, Chase Swanson 6th Haley Alexander, Alyssa
Gerick, Courtney Meyer, Mackenzie Yoder 7th Taylor Baima,
David
Cooley, Cory Nehmelman 8th Taylor Kneifel
Honors: 5th Brook Baima, Johannah Kalita, Cassandra
Nickerson, Storm Shortt, Charles Williams 6th Ali Back,
Belle Schuster 7th Ashley Neil 8th Ellen Hough
All “A’s”: 8th Sky Shortt, Nick Wilczewski, Renate
Wiltfong
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Discipleship Class: Prospects for our next Discipleship class are
being gathered for a class to begin sometime in March. If you or someone you
know who would be interested in studying the basics of Christian doctrine and
would like to become a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, then please call
the church office and be included on the list. We will contact those who sign up
to inform when and where this class will begin and meet. This class is always
open to all members as well, serving as a way to refresh their understanding of
the catechism as well as to meet those new to St. John’s. Please consider this
as a way of in-reach for yourself and your out-reach to family or friends who
would like to know more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
From the Board of Parish Fellowship: March 9, 2008, is our Something
Green” Fest during Fellowship Coffee hour. Enjoy the special treats prepared by
the Board members and in some cases, spouses. If you have not attended one of
these fests, please come – all children are welcome before going to Sunday
School and all adults before attending Bible study. A $2.00 donation per family
is requested to help defray the costs of supplies used throughout the year as
well as the hog roast.
The Lenten Soup Suppers are still being served Wednesdays, March 5 and
March 12, 2008, at 5:30 p.m.; we’ll serve until 6:15 p.m. We
will not chase you out at 6:15, but we need time to clean up after supper so we
can go to the worship services too. This leaves you time for fellowship. As
usual there will be three choices of soup to choose from, along with breads,
crackers, fruit, dessert and beverages. A freewill offering will be accepted.
See you all there.
Finally, mark your calendars for our next Progressive Dinner on April 18.
Watch bulletins and the next newsletter for more details.
From the Willing Servants: The Willing Servants (Funeral Dinner
Committee) would like to thank all the ladies who helped this past year. Without
your help we could not function at this “labor of love”. Due to some having to
withdraw from our calling list, we are looking for new participants for
occasional donations of food or assistance. If interested, call either Jo Ann
Borg at 326-6089 or Louise Mellenthin at 324-9257.
From the Activities Committee: We will have a meeting Monday, March
3, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. in the Ladies Lounge Plan to attend with ideas for the 2008
Fall Festival.
From the Altar Guild: The next regular meeting will be March 5,
immediately following the Lenten Service. We are desperately in need of
additional members. If anyone is interested, please stay for our meeting.
Lenten & Easter Services:
Mar. 2/3 ……..4th Sunday in Lent..………...4:30 PM
6:00 PM
8:00 AM *
St. John’s Life-Line 1/1—2/17/08
