1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH IN J OHNSTON , IOWA
S WORD & S HELL
O CTOBER , 2014
P ASTOR B ILL
The New Guy
What should we call the new guy? It’s a good question and there are some options. Chances are no
matter what you decide to call him, he’s been called worse. (He use to work in politics.)
His legal name is William Henry Bernau, but if you call him that he will think he’s in trouble. Most
people just call him Bill, but you're not most people. On paper he is sometimes referred to as
‘Reverend,’ but that feels kind of stiff.
There are a few names you can't call him: not hubby, not sweetie, not dad nor doctor. Only his
brother calls him Willy and he hasn't been called Billy since he was 12.
The best name to use for the new guy is ‘Pastor.’ It’s an old word that originally meant ‘shepherd.’
It’s not primarily a title or an office. It’s not an honorific. It's a reminder. “Hey, you… Pastor…
don't forget who you are! Preach the gospel. Gather us for worship. Baptize us and give us the
meal. Tell us about God’s love, the forgiveness of our sins. Tell us about Jesus and the Spirit and
the Church. Urge us to be about kingdom work. Rejoice with us when we’re happy. Mourn with us
when we're sad. Walk with us down the streets and lanes of this life.”
When you Call a person to be your pastor, that’s the deal. When you call a person ‘Pastor’ you are
reminding him or her of their job and their promises.
The people of Saint James have called William Henry (Bill) Bernau to be our new Pastor. It's a big
job and it begins on October 1. On Saturday, October 4 at 5pm he will be installed during worship.
(He hopes you'll be there.) and then there will be chances to visit with him in smaller groups (Meet
& Greets). Sign up at www.signupgenius.com/go/9040b48a4ad29a75-pastor
In the years to come, I hope to give you reason to call me ‘wise’ and ‘faithful’ and ‘friend’, but for
now let’s start with Pastor.
Peace,
Pastor
Page 1
T HE S WORD & S HELL - O CTOBER 2014
2015 S TEWARDSHIP C AMPAIGN
“Stories to Tell, Gifts to Share”
Our theme again this year revolves around stories of faith. At worship you will hear about
how St James has helped our members practice their faith, live their faith and increase their
faith. What we do here matters!
During our 2015 Stewardship Campaign, we hope you will consider not only financial
support of St. James in its ministry in Johnston and beyond, but how you might contribute
some of your time as well.
We’ll end the campaign with a Celebratory Luncheon on Sunday November 16th., inviting
each member to turn in their “estimates of giving” during Worship services on November 15
or 16.
By God’s grace, we are claimed as children of God through baptism.
We belong to God and all that we have belongs to God.
How does “belonging to God” shape the way that we live our lives?
How might we be good stewards of God’s grace?
T HANK Y OU F ROM C URTIS R OTHER
Members of St. James:
It was Sunday, September 21st.
The 8:30 service got underway like most others.
Welcome, announcements, etc. Jill Boeschen began the announcement about staff
anniversaries. I thought, “Huh . . . Isn’t that nice . . . Whose anniversary?” Then she
looked over at me. Oh . . . (Surprise!)
Little did I know there was a second surprise when I opened the envelope and card.
WOW! Thank you, for the gift certificate to the Civic Center. Your generosity is truly
overwhelming. It will definitely go to good use. Thank you, for celebrating my 25 th
anniversary with St. James Lutheran Church.
We have a lot of great things happening at St. James. I can hardly believe the organ
project is actually getting underway. It is going to be a great year. I am so grateful for
the opportunity for us to praise God together through music at St. James.
Thanks, again.
Curtis Rother
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T HE S WORD & S HELL - O CTOBER 2014
L UTHERAN S ERVICES OF I OWA
Sharing God’s love and care through a quilt
Do you have a favorite quilt? Maybe it’s one a family member made, or one you lovingly made for
someone else. Many of LSI’s clients have a favorite quilt, made by people like you! LSI is blessed to
have many congregations and friends who share in our social ministry by stitching love into the
hearts of children, families and adults across Iowa. Your quilts travel all over the state to be delivered
to babies and young children, to youth at our Bremwood and Beloit Residential Treatment Centers
and to homes where the warm comfort of a quilt is desperately needed by a family.
Thank you for sharing God’s love and care through these special gifts! If you or someone you know
would like to participate in this ministry, please contact Deb Whitford for more information. LSI is
proud to be an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA).
Learn
more
at
www.LSIowa.org
and
www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa.
“When he saw the quilts, he ran around like a kid in a candy store.”
We asked LSI staff to share what quilts made by churches and friends of LSI have meant to children
and families! Here are some of their stories:
“At Bremwood, we had a young man who was so excited to pick out his quilt that he talked about it
for a week beforehand! When he went to look at the quilts, he ran around like a kid in a candy store.
After some searching, he picked out an army print blanket, and he called his father to talk about it
later that night. Another young woman was leaving Bremwood, and while she was excited to go
home, she was also sad to leave her friends and staff. She said the blanket she picked out would
make sure she never forgot these important people in her life. She snuggled up to her blanket right
away and showed it off to all her friends.”
Your quilts are also delivered to families in our early childhood programs:
“We have a family with three young children that received quilts. They were so grateful as they only
had pads on the floor to sleep on and the quilts made the kids much more comfortable. Another
family with a new baby said their quilt was their favorite blanket for tummy time. Another mom who
received a quilt placed it in her baby’s crib right away, saying the maker of the quilt must have given
a lot of thought to it. She called it a ‘kind and meaningful gift.’”
And, sometimes a quilt or a blanket helps hold a family together:
“All ages love them! They are great for sitting together or watching movies together, and we like
fostering family activities. Quilts and blankets help promote family relationships and families
gathering together.”
What a difference you make! Thank you for helping so many people feel safe, warm and loved.
See more stories, past and present, at LSI’s anniversary website: www.LSIowa.org/150.
Page 3
O CTOBER W ORSHIP A SSISTANTS
5:00 P.M. Saturday
October 4
October 11
October 18
October 25
Deacon
Linda Queck
Steve Henry
Jan Longcor
Brad Henry
Greeters
Denise Friesth
S. & B. Bean
E. & R. Allison
J. & D. Harnack
Ushers
Chris Burgess
S. & B. Bean
E. & R. Allison
J. & D. Harnack
Altar Guild
Susan Henry
Bev Phipps
Jan Longcor
Susan Henry
8:30 A.M.
October 5
October 12
October 19
October 26
Asst. Minister
Kent Henning
Pastor Bill
Lon Friesth
Pastor Bill
Deacon
Terry Frisch
Isaac Rodenberg
P.A. Henrichsen
Lisa Wells
Lector
Shane Burgess
Heidi Goettsch
Linda Kramer
Pastor Friedrich
Acolyte(s)
Daphne Lindell
Molly Dugan
Will Henrichsen
Daphne Lindell &
Duncan Silberhorn
Greeters
E. & S. Toot
Jennifer Dugan Burns D. & L. Kramer
Jean Poock
Ushers
E. & W. Aanonson
L. & J. Lehman
Patrick Jensen
BreAnne Solem
Altar Guild
Kelly Bump
Carol Gannon
Diane Munch
Mary Dzubak
11:00 A.M.
October 5
October 12
October 19
October 26
Asst. Minister
Pastor Bill
Aaron Heley Lehman
Pastor Bill
Frank Munch
Deacon
John Harvey
Jill Boeschen
Luther Hanson
Jerry Wylie
Lector
John Harvey
Jordan Heley Lehman
Brent Buch
Jerry Wylie
Acolyte(s)
Karleen Derry
Amie Kielty
Owen Lehman
Karleen Derry &
Mitchell Nesheim
Greeters
Cynthia Sund
Whitmore Family
L. & I. Hanson
Wells Family
Ushers
Todd Aarhus
J. & D. Howard
Stuart Ruddy
Wells Family
Altar Guild
Cynthia Sund
Lesley Whitmore
Deb Grant Howard
Debby Wylie
Other
Social Time Hosts
Bridgewater & J. Allison Grant Howard
R. & K. Olesen
B. & P. Schultz
Pew Patrol
Dee Miller
Jean Poock
Carol Gannon
Rebecca Allison
Sunday Teller
Rebecca Allison
Rebecca Allison
Rebecca Allison
Rebecca Allison
Monday Teller
Gannon & Henry
Crane & Krauth
Hanson & Poock
Axness & Longcor
Please note: If you cannot serve on the assigned date, please trade with another volunteer and call the Parish Steward, 276-0134, with the change
by Wednesday of the week you are assigned to serve! Thank you!
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N OVEMBER W ORSHIP A SSISTANTS
5:00 P.M. Saturday
November 1
November 8
November 15
November 22
November 29
Deacon
Verna White
Barb Bean
Deb Bargman
Kent Kroeger
Steve Henry
Greeters
K. & V. White
Liz Anderson
Wayne Mehre
Pat Schnepf
J. & J. Longcor
Ushers
K. & V. White
R. & L. Walker
Wayne Mehre
G. & P. Schnepf
J. & J. Longcor
Altar Guild
Diane Kroeger
Barb Bean
Deb Bargman
Susan Henry
Jan Longcor
8:30 A.M.
November 2
November 9
November 16
November 23
November 30
Asst. Minister
Kent Henning
Pastor Bill
Diane Munch
Pastor Bill
Aaron H. Lehman
Deacon
Denise Friesth
Terry Frisch
Jerry Wylie
Jeff Kane
P.A. Henrichsen
Lector
Wendy Aanonson
Jennifer Dugan Burns Eric Toot
Cheryl Livingston
Jean Poock
Acolyte(s)
Clara Toot
Molly Burns
Clara Toot
Owen Lehman
Clara Toot
Greeters
E. & W. Aanonson
Frances Faas
John & Jennifer Pietila Al & Mary Dzubak
Ushers
E. & S. Toot
D. & S. Johanson
John Pietila
G. & D. Bridgewater B. & P. Schultz
Altar Guild
Lesley Whitmore
Carol Gannon
Debby Wylie
Mary Dzubak
11:00 A.M.
November 2
November 9
November 16
November 23
B. & C. Crane
Kelly Bump
November 30
Asst. Minister
Pastor Bill
Nicole Heley Lehman Pastor Bill
Lon Friesth
Pastor Bill
Deacon
Greg Boeschen
John Harvey
Jill Boeschen
John Harvey
Luther Hanson
Lector
Elizabeth Boeschen
Steve Kostal
Jim Howard
Paula Rother
Lilian Buch
Acolyte(s)
Mikayla Bump
Max Crooks
Mikayla Bump
Max Crooks
Karleen Derry
Greeters
Deneen Dygert
T. & E. Wells
Boeschen Family
Paula Rother
OPEN
Ushers
Dave Dygert
K. & L. Wells
Jarret Ruddy
Jerry Wylie
OPEN
Altar Guild
Kelly Bump
Diane Munch
Deb Grant Howard
Debby Wylie
L. & I. Hanson
Social Time Hosts
Danielle Hargens
Dygert
Finance & Stewardship Lundberg
Buch
Pew Patrol
Jarret Ruddy
Dee Miller
Jean Poock
Carol Gannon
Rebecca Allison
Sunday Teller
Chris Burgess
Chris Burgess
Chris Burgess
Chris Burgess
Chris Burgess
Monday Teller
Gannon & Henry
Crane & Krauth
Hanson & Poock
Axness & Longcor
Gannon & Henry
Other
Please note: If you cannot serve on the assigned date, please trade with another volunteer and call the Parish Steward, 276-0134, with the change
by Wednesday of the week you are assigned to serve! Thank you!
Page 5
T HE S WORD
T HE&S WORD
S HELL &- O
S HELL
CTOBER 2014
T HANK YOU !
Below is a thank you received from the Johnston
Partnership in response to Pastor Jan’s challenge to match
her $500 parting gift to this organization! We EXCEEDED
the challenge. THANK YOU MEMBERS OF ST. JAMES!
Dear St James Lutheran Church,
Your gift of $1750.57 was received on 07/27/2014.
Your gift makes it possible for the Johnston Partnership to:
 Distribute 11,714 clothing items to families in need throughout the year
 Provide 41,186 food items annually to hungry families in Johnston
 Supply 6,111 personal care products each year to families who can’t purchase
these items with food assistance programs
 Prepare 141 holiday meal bags for struggling families
 Make a difference in the lives of the 69 Johnston students who are currently
meeting with a volunteer mentor each week
 Prepare 150 Johnston students for school with a backpack of supplies
 Ensure 50 Johnston Elementary students don’t go hungry on the weekends
 Help food-insecure individuals and families access an extra 1,200 pounds of fresh
produce each growing season
The Johnston Partnership for a Healthy Community is recognized by the Internal
Revenue Service as a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. A copy of our current
Annual Report can be accessed on our website. We invite you to take a few
moments to see what our organization has accomplished over the last year and our
goals for the upcoming year. www.johnstonpartnership.org
Once again, thank you for your donation and thank you for being a part of making a
difference in Johnston!
Shawna Beron
Program Director
Johnston Partnership
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T HE& SSWORD
HELL
T HE S WORD
HELL&- SO
CTOBER 2014
C ENTRAL I OWA S HELTER AND S ERVICES
On Tuesday, October 28, St. James will be providing and serving the meal at the
Central Iowa Shelter and Services. They ask that we provide enough to serve 250
hungry people. This means lots of food! We will be serving chili with cornbread, cheese
and saltine crackers for garnish, grapes, and dessert. If you would like to sign up to
donate food or help serve that evening, you can do so at the following link: http://
www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aa5a62dabfb6-shelter. Please make sure to have
items to the church by that Tuesday morning (October 28) at 10 AM! If you have any
questions, contact Kelsey.
Looking ahead: We will be doing the giving tree again later this fall/winter. Keep your
eyes open for more details!
C ONNECTED BY F AITH F ALL B IBLE S TUDY
Connected By Faith is starting their Fall Bible Study.
Welcome as we study the book of James!
All Are
2nd and 4th Mondays of the Month, starting October 13th
6:30-7:30 p.m.
First meeting in home of Breanne Solem!
Look for more information and Sign-ups the weekend of
September 27th!
C OMMUNITY G ARDEN
It’s happening! Members of St. James will be implementing a community garden on the grounds
of the rental property for the purpose of donating fresh produce to local food pantries. Planning
is underway for garden construction and maintenance, volunteer scheduling, and food pantry
coordination.
Please contact Rebecca Allison for more details about volunteer opportunities.
Page 7
T HE& SSWORD
HELL
T HE S WORD
HELL&- SO
CTOBER 2014
O CTOBER C ELEBRATIONS
Happy Birthday!
Carroll Broadie
Tessa Silberhorn
Jenna Christensen
Jill Lundberg
Greg Boeschen
Darlene Danielson
Dee Miller
Sophie Ruddy
Jennifer Hushagen
Calvin Hushagen
Carla Dolan
Anna Allison
Mary Dzubak
Blake Ruddy
Elizabeth Boeschen
Jennifer Dugan Burns
Deb Bargman
Colin Christensen
Rob Kathman
Owen Lehman
Wanda DeJongh
Chris Pilkington
Benjamin Heley Lehman
Linda Susic
Loryn Reed
Lindsey Tosch
Kovin Benziger
Gary Bridgewater
Paul Axness
Marcus Dolan
Stephanie Harris-Toot
Diane Bridgewater
James Dolan
Irene Godzwon
Happy Anniversary!
Lawrence & Cindy Cooper
Dave & Shelley Merritt
Stephen & Kathryn Duffy
Nils & Shelly Nesheim
Steve Henry & Oweni Morring Henry
Sean & Ginger McAndrew
Ken & Verna White
Alan & Mary Dzubak
Spencer & Heidi Goettsch
Page 8