1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
The Messenger
NOVEMBER 2014
INSIDE THIS EDITION
2 >Nurse Notes
3 >160th Anniversary News
4 >Add To Your Table Prayer
>Leaving A Legacy
5 >I Give You My Thanks!
>Branches News Briefs
7 >Branches T-Shirts
>2015 Youth Gathering
8 >Birthdays & Anniversaries
9 >Chili Fundraiser
>All Saints Breakfast
>Bring Winter Wear
>Community Day
>Festival Of Trees
>Bell Choir
>Direct Deposit
10 >Saying Thanks
12 >Finance Report
13 >LIRS
>Council Highlights
>Rock With Seniors
14 >Who’s Who At St. John’s
>Purpose & Principles
>Parish Register
15 >November Calendar & Blessings
CONTACT US!
703 Third Avenue
Sterling, IL 61081
815.625.2634
[email protected]
stjohnssterling.org
facebook.com/SterlingStJohns
twitter.com/SterlingStJohns
youtube.com/StJohnsSterlingIL
“
Legacies are footprints we leave behind after we
are die. They prove that we were here; we lived, we
mattered, we made a difference!” ~ Rachel Freed
Thoughts From The
Pastor’s Study
W
hat will your legacy be? Many are the
faithful and generous persons who
have paved the way for the myriad of
Pastor Mark
improvements we now enjoy at St. John’s: God’s
Oehlert
worship center, the educational and administrative
wing, the fellowship hall and surrounding parking.
There are endowments of many types that allow us to experience
great music at worship, parish nursing improvements, outreach and
administrative expenses that are provided for, as examples.
In this our 160th year, it is good to reflect and remember all of the
saints now “sleeping with the ancestors” who “lived, mattered and
made a difference in our faith lives.” It is said that it is always later
than we think in terms of life planning. There are multiple ways to
direct resources with which we now are blessed and which are in our
possession for the short time we live on earth.
Perhaps you have seen information on our four-week series on Caring
Questions. Here is the schedule:
• Sunday October 26th was about arranging medical power of
attorney for decisions we choose to make regarding our health
care in extreme situations.
• Sunday November 2nd: We’ll be learning about palliative care
and hospice. Guest speaker is Sara Cebula from Rock River
Hospice.
• Sunday November 9th: The topic for the day will be why
planning ahead for our funerals is important regarding what we
have left at the end of our lives. John Schilling is our guest.
• November 16th: We will discuss leaving a legacy. What will your
“footprint” be?
continued on page 2 >
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, ILLINOIS
NURSE
NOTES
Five Foods To
Prevent Your Arteries
From Clogging
L
ike any plumbing system, your arteries can
get clogged up. When you have high blood
pressure, inflammation causes cholesterol to
stick to the walls of your blood vessels, forming a plaque.
The following foods are powerful enough to prevent this
dangerous clogging.
Kiwi and Cantaloupe
These antioxidant-rich foods work by reducing toxic
LDL cholesterol, which is formed by a rusting process in
your arteries. They can help stop the “rust” in its tracks and
even prevent it from spreading. Eat 1 cup of cantaloupe or
1 kiwi a day to unclog your arteries.
Shrimp
Despite being a source of cholesterol, shrimp can be
helpful for your heart. They contain taurine, an amino acid,
which acts like plastic wrap so fats can’t cross the intestinal
wall and get into your arteries. Try having 5 medium-sized
steamed or grilled shrimp twice a week. Be sure to avoid
the cocktail sauces.
Red-Skinned Grapes and Cranberry Juice
These foods strain the fat out your arteries. Instead of
having fat build up in your blood vessels, these foods
improve your cells’ ability to absorb the fat and use it for
energy production. Drink a glass of cranberry juice three
times a week or eat 1 cup of grapes per day to unclog your
arteries. n
~ Dr. Oz; Submitted by Vera McCormick, Parish Nurse
>
PAGE 2
> continued from page 1
I encourage you to attend the sessions.
No one knows the day or the hour when our
brief lives on earth are over. Making plans
of this type can be of immense value to our
physical and spiritual care, ourselves and
for our loved ones as well as the medical
and social communities. Most of all, it
is respectful to God who made us in that
we are good stewards of all that God has
first given us: our time, ourselves and our
possessions, all of which are generous
blessings!
Our congregation also has available
planning for religious services. Please
contact me for an appointment when we
can discuss your wishes. The planning sheet
can be taken home where one can engage in
prayerful and thoughtful input for making
final plans. There are many decisions to be
made. When these decisions are made in
advance, this action becomes a wonderful
gift to those who will carry out our desires.
I have many kept in a private file from those
who have already done so. Thank you for
considering the matters above!
Coming Sunday November 23rd!
Bishop Gary Wollersheim will be with
us to celebrate our 160th year! Please mark
your calendars, bring a
friend to worship and
make reservations for
our celebration meal.
The 160th planning
team has prepared
a commemorative
ornament for use in our
homes as a keepsake.
Truly God has been good! Truly we are
blessed! Truly we are here to be blessings to
others! n
Grace and peace,
Pastor Mark
THE MESSENGER • NOVEMBER 2014
160th Celebrations & Projects
Celebration With The Bishop
Special Offering
LSSI Holiday Hope Chest is an outreach to LSSI
clients at Christmas. Last year, LSSI was able to
provide individualized gifts to 242 children, teens
and adults, and 27 LSSI Group Home residents. In
addition, they provided gift cards and household
items to 133 seniors. St. John’s members may
help with this project by making donations to
the monthly special offering. Another way the
congregation may assist is to provide gift cards,
which LSSI clients can use to buy items such as
groceries, clothing, prescriptions or gas. Great
choices for gift cards are County Market, Kroger,
Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Aldi, Dollar General,
Shell and BP Amoco. St. John’s will forward gift
cards to LSSI along with the special offering check
at the end of the month. Gift cards may be dropped
in the offering plate; please designate for the LSSI
Holiday Hope Chest.
Bishop Gary Wollersheim will join us for worship
on Sunday, November 23rd. Planning is well under
way for this day of celebration and sharing. We
will gather in the Fellowship Hall for dinner after
worship. This time together will include blessing the
crosses that have been added to the Wall of Crosses
since the wall was initially blessed in February.
We also hope to fill the sanctuary and take another
congregational photo on that day. Please put this on
your calendar and plan to be here for worship and
dinner. Sign-up sheets for the event are posted in the
Narthex, East Room, blood pressure area and Luther
Chapel. We will need to have reservations for this
event to ensure that we have the proper amount of
food. Watch bulletin inserts, the projection screen
and announcements in worship as planning unfolds.
Service Project Our 160th Anniversary Celebration has included
quarterly service projects: painting at Self Help,
Nelson roadside cleanup and National Night Out
event at Propheter Park.
Our project for the fourth quarter will actually be
completed around Christmas. We will be putting gift
bags together for all of our nursing home and shutin folks. We will be making some of the items, and
will purchase small items that will be useful, as well
as gift bags and cards. Our intention is to include
one of the commemorative ornaments that is being
produced for our anniversary celebration. We would
like to ask for monetary donations to help support
this project. Please place donations in the offering
and mark it for Shut-in Christmas Project. As the
time approaches, we may be asking for homemade
cookies, and we may need help delivering the
goodies!
Commemorative Ornament
The Planning Committee has worked with
a vendor to design and produce an ornament
to commemorate our 160th Anniversary. The
ornaments are now available and may be purchased
after worship on Sunday; they are also available
in the church office. They will be a wonderful
addition to any Christmas tree and would make
wonderful family gifts. We do not plan to use this
as a fundraiser, so we have priced the ornaments
at $7, which will cover our design, production,
and shipping costs. Ornament stands will also be
available to display the ornament at an additional
cost of $3. We will also be including an ornament
and stand in each of the gift bags that our shut-ins
receive in December. The front and back of the
three-inch ceramic disk are decorated as illustrated.
<
PAGE 3
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, ILLINOIS
Add To
Your Table
Caring
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Sunday Mornings
PRAYER
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o here’s what I want you to do,
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every human being will have at one time o
everyday, ordinary life – your
another.
sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and
walking around life – and place it
before God as an offering. EmbracingWith guest speakers and plenty of Q & A time. Get your questions answere
what God does for you is the best thing
you can do for Him. Don’t become soOctober 26: Deb Keaschall from CGH - Medical care decisions and how to clearly
well-adjusted to your culture that youinform doctors and loved ones of our decisions, including legal questions.
With guest speakers and plenty of Q
fit into it without even thinking. Instead,
fix your attention on God. You’ll be November 2: What is Palliative Care? Comfort Care? Hospice? When would one c
any members26:
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October
changed from the inside out. Readilyfor this type of assistance?
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to its level of immaturity, God bringsNovember 16: After I Am Gone Part Two - Leaving a Legacy. What will your
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the best out of you, develops well- “footprint” be from the
time you spent on earth. How can you affect those who w
Glenn Behrens, Paul and Ruth Dusing and Jane Harting, to name
formed maturity in you.
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divide us may crumble, suspicions
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live in justice and peace; through your
fellowship hall.
Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. n
Enrique Rojas of the ELCA will give a presentation on the
LBW
many different vehicles available to us to remember
John’s
St.St.John
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www.stjohnssterling.org
815.625.263
in our estate planning. He also will answer your questions. We
invite you to learn about the many opportunities available to
703 3r
you. Estate planning – by designating a portion of your assets to
the church – is a great way to help St. John’s continue to carry
Seminars
begin
im
out its mission to serve. At the same
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We hope to see you on November 16th. n worship ab
Leaving A Legacy To
Benefit St. John’s
M
>
PAGE 4
“
THE MESSENGER • NOVEMBER 2014
Oh, the Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord for giving me the things I need:
The sun, and the rain, and the apple seed. The Lord is good to me. Amen.” ~ From
the Johnny Appleseed Prayer (anonymous)
I Give You My Thanks!
F
or what have you told God “thank you”
lately? No doubt, you’ve heard it said,
“I don’t have to worship God by going
to church. I can meet God in nature and at the
coffeehouse and wherever else.” My answer to that
is, “So do/can I.” God didn’t just call the individual,
each “child of God,” to be in relationship with
Him. God made a covenant through Jesus with His
people, the church, to which you and I belong. If
you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died
and rose again, then that makes you an important
part of the body of Christ that is the church. The
church as one body is called to be together in
worship. In the New Testament (See the book of
Revelation), the church is referred to as the bride
of Christ. How can we be in full relationship with
Christ if the bride is not all together? We could have
a much longer conversation just about that alone
when we start broadening the parameters of who is
part of Christ’s church.
The reason I’ve started this article this way is
to say why it is so important that we, the church,
do come together on a regular basis to be the
“relational bride” that Christ wants us to be. If we
become the bride that doesn’t come to the feast
with our Lord, Jesus, then what
kind of bride does that make us?
Sunday has typically been our day
of worship. It is still the day that
lends itself to be most available
for most of us Americans. We
are so busy throughout the week
Gerad
doing so many important (some
Von Holten
not important) and good things.
Then Sunday comes. We have a
choice to make. Do we go to church or sleep in or
__________ (fill in the blank)? In the very least, we
owe it to God as His bride to show up to the feast
and say thank you for all of the good things that we
had during the week, that time where most of us,
myself included at times, failed to give God thanks
for the daily blessings in life like our families,
friendships, good grades, hard work, fun activities,
a good book, an enjoyable and fulfilling hobby …
you name it.
God is good and wants good things for his
church. We can’t forget to come together and tell
God thank you for all of these good things! n
Gerad Von Holten
Youth and Family Ministries Director
Branches News Briefs
Youth and Family Ministries, St. John’s & St. Paul
G
od bless you Jacob Beyer, Carter O’Brien, Rebecca
Waite, Sarah Gierhart, Madeline LeFevre, Allison
Stewart, Noah Tupper and Kyle Winebrenner as you
begin this new journey of faith. Confirmation Sunday was October
26th.
The junior high confirmation class paid a visit to the Jewish
synagogue in Sterling, Temple Sholom, in October. The students
continued on page 6 >
<
PAGE 5
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, ILLINOIS
> continued from page 5
learned about the Jewish roots of Christianity. The
class has been studying the Old Testament this first
semester.
Confirmation Class
Confirmation class continues meeting from
7-8:30pm Wednesdays at St. John’s. All forms
and class information are available on the
confirmation class website: http://stjohnssterling.
herewestandconfirmation.org.
Confirmation families are encouraged to register
an account on the website to stay connected to
announcements and class content. If you have
questions about the confirmation website, please
contact Gerad. The 7th-8th grade class will be
Christmas shopping for LSSI Holiday Hope Chest
for the Nachusa Home on November 12th.
TGIF
High school Teens Gathered In Faith (TGIF)
will be meeting the third Wednesday night of
each month (most of the time). In November we
will meet on the second Wednesday of the month,
November 12th, from 7-8:30pm. We will be
Christmas shopping for LSSI Holiday Hope Chest
for the Nachusa Home at Walmart in Sterling.
This is in addition to the families to whom our
congregations choose to give. We have special
funds to use; however, we hope our students and
families will consider giving money of their own to
contribute to our shopping for the Nachusa Home
youth. Parents, we’ll need drivers. Please contact
Gerad if you are able to participate.
Sunday School For
Junior & Senior High
Every Sunday is youth Sunday! Students in
grades 7-12, please know that we are having class
every Sunday (except Christmas break and Easter)
throughout the school year. When we have a church
breakfast or special event, we will not have a lesson.
But please come! You are always welcome to our
youth rooms.
>
PAGE 6
Nursery Assistance
We are looking for volunteer high school students
to help in both church nurseries. Please check with
our Sunday school staff and church offices to find
out how you can serve our children!
Youth Rooms Wish List
St. John’s: St. Paul:
Coffee machine Coffee machine
String lights
String lights
Paint walls
Paint walls
Big rug
WiFi
Both youth rooms need some “sprucing up” and
rearranging. Please let Gerad Von Holten know if
you want to do some work on the youth rooms.
Youth & Family Ministries Team
Youth & Family Ministries Team (YFMT) will
meet at 5pm Tuesday, November 11th at St. Paul.
If anyone would like to come for the meeting, let
Gerad know. The team would like to hear your
ideas and get to know you! On the team: Paul and
Susan Over, Marisa Perales, Teresa Gierhart, Pastor
Mark Oehlert from St. John’s, Eileen Wolber, Brian
Lobdell, Pastor Brandon Nelson from St. Paul and
Gerad Von Holten. The team regularly meets the
second Tuesday of the month at 5pm (alternating
churches).
2015 Junior High Quake
The 2015 Wisconsin Dells Junior High Quake is
Friday, March 20th through Sunday, March 22nd.
St. Paul, St. John’s and Immanuel junior high
students are invited. If you are a sophomore, junior
or senior and are interested in going as a youth
leader (junior guide), please talk to Gerad. Adult
chaperones/drivers are needed. More details about
registration and cost to come. For more information
about Quakes visit www.youthencounter.org and
talk to Gerad.
T-Shirts! T-Shirts!
Get Your T-Shirts!
W
e are selling Branches youth and
family ministries T-shirts, available
in all sizes.
Shirts are bright blue
with the Branches
youth ministries logo
representing our
partnership in
ministry designed
by our youth. T-shirts
are $5 each ($7 for XXL or
larger). T-shirt order forms
are available below and in
both of the church offices.
Checks should be made
payable to St. John’s
Lutheran Church.
THE MESSENGER • NOVEMBER 2014
Detroit 2015 ELCA
Youth Gathering
Registration Officially Open!
Name_____________________________
Students in grades 8-12, if you are interested
in attending the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering in
Detroit, please complete
the medical release/
registration forms and
turn them and the $75
deposit in to the church
office. Forms were
mailed to all high
school families at the end
of August. If you need a
registration form, call/text/
e-mail Gerad or pick one up at church. Sign up
for the gathering updates by e-mail by visiting
www.elca.org/gathering. You can also follow
the gathering Facebook page at “ELCA Youth
Gathering.” So far, we have 13 high school
students registered. This is a life-changing event
and opportunity! I hope you will prayerfully
consider participating next July.
Phone_____________________________
Detroit 2015 Fundraisers
BRANCHES T-SHIRT ORDER FORM
QuantitySubtotal
Small
__________ x $5 = _ _________
Medium __________ x $5 = _ _________
Large
__________ x $5 = _ _________
XL
__________ x $5 = _ _________
XXL
__________ x $7 = _ _________
XXXL __________ x $7 = _ _________
Totals
#_________ $_ ________
T-shirt orders and payment should be turned into
the church office. Checks should be made payable
to “St. John’s Lutheran Church.”
“KAWOS” Cloths: The high school
students attending the 2015 Detroit gathering
are selling cleaning cloths that do not require
any chemicals. KAWOS stands for Kleans
Anything WithOut Streaks. They are for
sale for $5 each. Cloths are available at both
churches and from any of the youth going to
Detroit. You may purchase at either of the
church offices during the week.
Aluminum Cans: Bring your aluminum
cans to worship any Sunday at St. John’s or
St. Paul. Marked receptacles will be placed
at the church entrances on the first Sunday of
each month for your convenience. Cans will be
recycled for cash that will help offset costs for
the youth gathering.
<
PAGE 7
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, ILLINOIS
November Birthdays & Anniversaries
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
>Hadley Allen
>Alexey Wolfe
2
3
>Dylan Goss
>Linda
>Audrey Janssen Morehead
>Adam Schmidt >Barbara Otten
9
4
>Julie Acker
>Stephanie
Klein
10
11
>Abigayl
McFalls
>Michele Stretz
>Karl Kilberg*
>Erica
Armstrong
>Jordan Henson
>Jennifer
Latchford
16
17
18
>Susan Miniel
>Amy
>Betty Schmitt*
>Jeremiah &
Grevengoed
>Mark & Kim
Shauna Kramer >Logan Wolfe
Sciacero
>Glenn &
Marcia Keime*
23
24
5
25
12
19
>Johanna
Collins
26
30
>Tammy
Doughty
>Kathryn
Douglas
>Dennis
Redfield
*Indicates 80-plus-year birthdays and 50-plus-year anniversaries.
PAGE 8
7
>Margaret
>Derek Slusser
Benson
>Nancy Caudillo
>Marjorie Long*
>Barbara Peugh
>Braeden Ruiz
>Susan
>Michael
>Brandi Barron
Bertolozzi
Bushman
>BJ Wolf
>Eilene
>Angela
Johnson*
Langley
>Ashleigh
>Denise Norman
Lennon
>Diana &
Michael Hosler
>
6
8
>Lois
Cooperrider*
>Thomas
Marshall
13
14
15
>Greg Bontz
>Marisa Perales
>Mary Lou
Baker
>Lois
Brottmiller*
>Kayla Smith
>Mike &
Tammy
Doughty
>Brenda Greer
20
21
22
>Susan Over
>Skyler
Goodwin
>Larry Judd
>Brandon
Luebke
>Clarence Wolf*
27
28
29
>Leroy Baer
>Madison Goss
>Timothy
Schmitt
>Nicholas &
Laura Barthel
THE MESSENGER • NOVEMBER 2014
Chili Fundraiser
Festival Of Trees
All Saints Breakfast
Join Bell Choir –
Or Just Try It Out!
A
dam’s Rib will be selling containers
of their tasty chili for the third year.
Containers in a variety of sizes and prices
will be available after worship from 10:30-11:30am
November 9th and 16th. Proceeds benefit the Self
Help Riverview Haven Group Home. n
A
dam’s Rib Circle will host the annual
All Saints Breakfast after service on
November 2nd. A free-will offering will
be accepted. Join us for great food and fellowship! n
Bring Winter Wear
T
he Social Ministries Team is collecting
scarves, hats and mittens for Rocky Boy
during November and the first week of
December. The tree will be up in the East Room for
donations until December 7th. Members of the team
are willing to do the shopping for you! Monetary
donations may be put in an envelope marked Mitten
Tree and placed in the offering plate. Thanks to
the congregation for their continued support of the
Social Ministries Team’s projects! n
Community Day
C
hurch Women United will celebrate World
Community Day on Friday, November 7th
at 12:30pm in St. Mary Parish Center, 600
Avenue B, Sterling. A dessert bar will be enjoyed
with the program to follow. At this meeting, we will
collect children’s clothing for school nurses in Rock
Falls and Sterling. All are invited. For details, call
Doris Cox at (815) 625-0787 or Marianne Hardt at
(815) 622-0279. n
H
ospice of the Rock River Valley has
requested from St. John’s a donation
of 30 dozen cookies (sugar, cutouts,
oatmeal, peanut butter, thumbprints, etc.) for the
Festival of Trees. Please leave cookies in the church
basement on Thursday, November 20th. For details,
call Sharon Zinanni at (815) 508-2585. n
T
he St. John’s Bell Choir will rehearse
from 7-8pm Tuesdays, November 4, 11
and 18, and will play at the November
23rd worship service. This is St. Johns’ 160th
Celebration, so let’s have a large bell choir for that
day!
Sessions stand alone, so only the music being
played next will be rehearsed. Come as your
schedule allows. New this year: Students in 6th
grade and up are invited to ring with the bell choir.
Sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board
across from the church office. For details, contact
Dawn Zeigler at (815) 632-3366 (home), (815) 2753775 (cell) or [email protected]. n
Direct Deposit
D
irect deposit is simple and flexible.
It allows automatic deductions from
your checking or savings account to
the church general checking account. Deductions
can be weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly; you
decide. All funds will be accounted for on your
contribution statement. You can stop or change
deductions at any time. You don’t have to change
banks or open another account. Interested? Contact
the office for the necessary forms. n
<
PAGE 9
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, ILLINOIS
SAYING
THANKS
Dear 160th Anniversary Committee,
Thank you for the wonderful letter and
beautiful ornament of the St. John’s stained glass
window! Linda and I decided to place it on our
international wall in our home. What a fantastic
reminder that Christ’s LOVE for everyone is
ongoing! Thanks be to God!
God’s Peace,
Pastor Leo and Linda Thank you for the unique ornament! We
appreciate your generosity.
~ Herb & Joanne Reed
Dear Pastor Mark,
Thank you for your recent donation of $125 to
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center. Your donation
will be used to help further the ministries of LOMC.
As we wind down from an unforgettable summer,
LOMC has some exciting events in store to finish
out our year. The Peder Eide Retreat is for adults
only and is designed for them to share a weekend
here at LOMC with Peder and Sherri Eide. This
retreat will take place November 14-16.
We count you as part of our many blessings
at LOMC and in our daily lives. Thank you and
the generous members of St. John’s for y’all’s
continued support of LOMC.
Love,
Russ Senti, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center
Executive Director
Good Neighbor Emergency Center gratefully
acknowledges your recent contribution of $500.
We sincerely appreciate your interest and support
of Good Neighbor. Your generosity allows us to
continue to help those in our community who are in
need of a helping hand. May God bless you in all
your endeavors.
Yours in Christ,
Harold P. Dale, Good Neighbor Center Treasurer
>
PAGE 10
Dear St. John’s Lutheran Church,
The FISH Food Pantry is grateful for the support
of churches in the area, and we thank you for your
continued support. Many of you have given to our
work of feeding the hungry for more than 35 years.
Almost a year ago our numbers increased so that
our requests for food were up about 40%. We are
serving about 200 families a month or about 700
individuals a month.
In the face of increasing demand, we stopped
making purchases at Aldi’s and depend almost
entirely on the Sauk Valley Food Bank. We were
purchasing a few items that we could not get at the
food bank and so we are no longer stocking those
items at the Fish Pantry. We purchase items for 18
cents a pound an some food we purchase at what
they call purchase price at the food bank. It is more
than 18 cents a pound but less that what we would
pay at the grocery store. We try to be good stewards
of contributions so that our dollars will buy the
most food at a reasonable price.
As you can see, it is a constant challenge to
keep our shelves filled. At times we are not as well
stocked as we would like to be. As you consider
giving for 2015, we hope you will consider the Fish
Food Pantry. As our numbers increase, we hope our
donations will also increase.
We have been blessed in many ways:
contributions from churches and individuals, free
food that has come our way, volunteers that come
regardless of the weather to fill boxes with food,
and board members that go to the Sauk Valley Food
Bank and the Salvation Army to get food. It also
works well that the free breakfast program at First
United Methodist operates at the same time as the
Fish Food Pantry.
Good things are happening; please be a part of
what we are doing in 2015.
Gratefully,
Beth Mathew
Thank you to those who helped with the flu clinic
or provided cookies.
Vera McCormick
continued on page 11 >
THE MESSENGER • NOVEMBER 2014
> continued from page 10
St. John’s Lutheran Church,
Received your check for $500 to support the
Caring Center. We will be using the funds to pay for
operating costs.
So far this year we have had 10,288 families
register to shop, gave away 131,160 items and have
had 2,261 people drop items off for us to give away.
We are truly blessed to have this community service
program.
Please refer any family to the Caring Center for
shopping. All they need to do is register to shop,
show a photo ID, can shop two times a month and
receive up to 20 items. We are open on Monday and
Wednesday from 10:00 to 3:30.
Caring Center only has to give away items that
are donated to us. So please keep us in mind when
you need to get rid of items or are cleaning things
out you no longer need or have a use for. We need
household items all the time; they go out as fast as
we get them in.
Thank you again, for your donation of money.
God Bless,
Irene Nusbaum, Caring Center Manager
Thank you for your many expressions of kindness
during my last two hospitalizations and subsequent
recovery. The cards and notes, phone calls, food
and visits were very much appreciated. Especially
important were the visits of Pastor Mark and Pastor
Leo. I continue to ask for your prayers for they
really sustain me as I face some continuing health
issues. Thank you again for caring.
God’s Blessings,
Betty Steinke
My sincere thanks to St. John’s members who
sent cards and e-mails to me on my 90th birthday.
May God bless you.
Carl H. Nelson
To my St. John’s Family,
I would like to thank Pastor Mark, Pastor Leo
and Art Frey for their visits and prayers during my
hospital stay. Also to all those that sent cards and
prayers.
God’s Blessings,
Jim Eshleman
For the kind and caring people who wished me
well with beautiful cards on my 100th birthday, I
would like to thank you. I have been richly blessed
indeed. You all are in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Ardis (Pat) Mangler
On behalf of the Gianna’s House Pregnancy
Resource Center, thank you and your congregation
for your recent donation of $473 dated September
30, 2014. Your generous donation and continued
prayers will enable us to continue our life-affirming
ministry to women in need.
In the year 2013, Gianna’s House Pregnancy
Resource Center had nearly 620 visits from clients
throughout Northwestern Illinois. Many of those
served were experiencing an unplanned and
sometimes unwanted pregnancy. They have various
concerns and may feel they need to resolve these
issues alone.
Because of your thoughtful contribution, we are
able to give them peace and support by providing
them with not only material resources, but offering
sexual integrity education, post-abortion healing
and peer counseling from our compassionate
volunteers. In addition, you are also assisting in the
costly transition of becoming a pregnancy resource
medical clinic.
Thank you again for your generous support.
Sincerely,
Colleen Petrosky, Gianna’s House Director
<
PAGE 11
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, ILLINOIS
Finance Report Through September 30th
This report reflects all contributions received and expenses paid from January 1 through September 30, 2014.
Gifts Received for General Ministry
$177,892.16
General ministry expenses
$216,410.28
Net Income
$(38,518.12)
Endowments, Memorials and Other Designated Gifts
(Designated gifts cannot be used for general ministry purposes)
Endowment Receipts
Behrens Endowment
$45,846.96
Memorial Receipts
J. Warren (Youth Ministry)
$100.00 B. Betts (Undesignated)
$50.00
F. Merlak (Undesignated)
$350.00 A. Heuck (Designated Other)
$2,470.00
J. Hopkins (Undesignated)
$60.00 V. Reed (Undesignated)
$900.00
B. Carl (Worship & Music)
$1,072.00 L. Doty (Altar Linens)
$625.00
V. Johnson (Undesignated)
$50.00 C. Eads (Youth Programs)
$175.00
Bequest Receipts
Charles Behrens
$66,235.37 J. Harting
$50,000.00
Thrivent Choice Receipts
$3,271.00
Transfers from Endowments into the General Fund
Directory of Ministry Development
$4,357.00 Monthly Special Offerings
$2,250.00
General Expenses
$42,500.00 Benevolence (per Endowment)
$6,750.00
Building Repairs
$1,285.00
Memorial Special Project Payments
Kitchen Items (E. Schwab)
$418.00 Altar Flowers (D. Duhm)
$646.00
Photo Stand (Haverland)
$1,095.00 Speakers in Youth Room (Hammer)
$272.00
Music Instruments (Hammelman)
$614.00 Projector for Youth Room (A. Davis)
$1,526.00
Altar Linens (Doty)
$387.00 Lawn Items (Hopkins)
$61.00
Basement Flooring (Garrison)
$73.00 Sanctuary Painting (Betts)
$500.00
Bequest Distributions
Tri-Church Activities
$10,000.00 Taste & See
$750
Snowplowing
$1,000.00 Nicor Gas Expenses for January
$2,000
HVAC Work in Basement
$9,296.00 LSSI Fundraiser
$750
Building Reserve Fund
$50,000.00 Benevolence
$10,000.00
Sound System
$15,028.00
If you have any questions or would like more information about this report, please contact members of the
Finance Team or the Church Office. Thank you for your gifts to the Glory of God and St. John’s ministries! n
>
PAGE 12
THE MESSENGER • NOVEMBER 2014
LIRS
C
hildren are arriving alone in the United
States in order to escape violence, hunger
and human trafficking in their home
countries. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
(LIRS) is working to reunite children with family
members already living in the United States. In
addition, LIRS provides specialized foster care homes
and legal services for children who have no relatives
in the United States.
From LIRS:
We fight for laws and policies informed by the
expertise of our network and grounded in our faithbased values – compelling us to ensure fair and
just treatment of the most vulnerable. Immigration
detention has become the default, blindly assuming
that all undocumented immigrants are a criminal
threat and wastefully costing taxpayers nearly $2
billion a year. Even victims of torture and human
trafficking are thrown into jail. We promote fair access
to the justice system and compassionate treatment
of these children and adults whose very lives are at
risk. Our legal services, congregational visitation and
community networks provide compassionate support.
Never has your support been more important! It is
an act of love to welcome and care for these children,
to open our hearts and hands, and to speak out for
their fair treatment.
To contribute, call (877) 291-7061 or visit www.
lirs.org. n
Council Highlights, October
Church Planner visited St. John’s Church on
Oct. 7th. His recommendations:
• Considered Welcome Center plan an excellent
idea! (Meet with ELCA Mission Investment
Fund representative Enrique Rojas to present
financials year to date 2014 and determine St.
John’s capability to handle project. Mr. Rojas
receives NO bonus or extra compensation
from St. John’s as he is a salaried employee
of the ELCA. Finalization requires council
and congregational approval.)
• Coffee Bar in Narthex — Hold off. (Integrate
in Welcome Center if we proceed.)
• Nursery — Reconfigure for a bit more
welcome upstairs to young members.
• Purchase 702 Park Place, Sterling.
House Purchase
• Asking Price — $33,500
• Siding has asbestos, roof needs to be
replaced, windows need to be replaced,
foundation needing extensive repair, history
of unlawful residents detracts public safety
• Removal cost to St. John’s — 8,000-$9,000
bid from Contractor Larry Jennings, includes
removal of home, backfill and seeding the lot.
Tom Leesman will try to get two more bids.
• An offer of $23,500 will be made as the cost
of the removal of the home is almost $10,000.
All actions pending congregational approval.
Rock With
seniors
WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP AT 1:30PM NOV. 3RD AT IMMANUEL
<
PAGE 13
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, ILLINOIS
Who’s Who At St. John’s
PERSONNEL
MINISTRY TEAMS
Pastor
> Rev. Mark Oehlert
On Call/
Visitation Pastor
> Rev. Leo Patterson
Director of Youth
& Family Ministries
> Gerad Von Holten
Director of
Ministry Develpment
> Brenda Sisson
Missionary to Tanzania
> Randall & Carol Stubbs
Minister of Music
> Erik Boehmke
Praise Sunday Director
> Julie McCord
Office Manager
> Nina Peters
Systems Administrator
> Andrew Stutzke
Bell Choir Director
> Dawn Zeigler
Newsletter Editor
> Stahr Design
Custodians
> Alex Ramirez
> Diana Wolf
Christian Education
> Gayle Kellogg
CONGREGATIONAL
COUNCIL
Parish Nurse/Wellness
> Vera McCormick
> Carla Haubrich,
President
> Lois Anderson-Rowzee,
Vice President
> Nancy Breed,
Treasurer
> Teri Jennings, Secretary
> Sandy Feather
> Gayle Kellogg
> Tom Leesman
> Ed Loos
> Stan Rasmussen
> Ken Smith
> Doug Zientara
>
PAGE 14
Congregational Life
> Vacant
Endowment
> Rhonda Stutzke
> Mike Doughty
> Larry Cooper
> Lois Rowzee
> Dwight Oltmanns
Evangelism
> Vacant
Finance
> Nancy Breed
> Druann Bushman
> Mike Doughty
> Charles Steinke
Memorial
> Vera McCormick
> Carl Nelson
> Carla Haubrich
> Brian Luebke
> Nancy Rasmussen
Personnel
> Lois Rowzee
> Doug Zientara
> Denise Norman
Property
> Ken Smith
> Doug Zientara
> Art Frey
> Tom Leesman
Social Ministry
> Sandy Wolfe
> Barb Smith
> Druann Bushman
> Vera McCormick
> Joyce Preston
> Karen Wolfe
> Teresa Gierhart
> Tammy Stewart
> Elaine Winebrenner
Stewardship
> Tom Leesman
> Sandy Feather
> Pastor Mark Oehlert
Worship Arts
> Pastor Mark Oehlert
> Carla Haubrich
> Erik Boehmke
WorshipTech
> Charlene O’Connell
> Aislinn O’Connell
> Kellen O’Connell
> Devin O’Connell
> Anita Carl
> Dan Eads
> Brice Taylor
Purpose Statement
The purpose of St. John’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church is to continue
discovering God’s will for us in His
kingdom through prayer, bible study
and building relationships.
Guiding Principles
1. Jesus is our Lord and Savior.
2. We make prayer, bible study and dialog the center of
our decision making.
3. We are willing to change as we discover God’s mission
for us.
4. We invite everyone. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations.” ~ Matthew 28: 19a
5. We recognize and give thanks for our blessings.
6. We act for the discovery and fulfillment of God’s
mission.
Parish
Register
Change of Address > None
Deaths > Terry Potts 10/18;Verna Eads 10/22
Weddings > Logan Wolfe & Margaret Johnson 9/25;
Christine Bontz & Matt Murphy 9/27; Shawna Grim &
Steven Kester 10/4
Members Received > None
Members Removed/Transferred > None
Upcoming Staff Birthdays > None
SJLC Activities ~ November 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
SPIRITUAL WELLNESS RECIPES ARE DUE NOW!
SOCIAL MINISTRIES TEAM COLLECTING SCARVES, HATS AND MITTENS THROUGH DECEMBER 7TH.
Sat
1
10:45-Rotary Youth
Exchange
2
ALL SAINTS DAY;
ALUMINUM CAN DAY
9:30-Worship
10:30-All Saints
Breakfast
10:45-Life Planning
Workshop
3
1:30-Rock with Seniors
(Immanuel)
6:00-Menz Group II
(Gerald Foskitt’s)
6:30-Christian Ed mtg
4
9:00-Staff meeting
6:00-Boy Scouts
7:00-Bell choir
5
6:15-Worship
7:00-Confirmation/
Learning Time
6
10:00-LSSI Meeting
7:00-Al-Anon
7
12:30-Church Women
United World
Community Day
(St. Mary’s Parish)
8
9:30-Prayer Shawl
Ministry Coffee
9
9:30-Worship
10:30-Adam’s Rib Chili
Fundraiser
10:45-Sunday School
10:45-Life Planning
Workshop
10
5:30-Bridging the Rock
6:00-Social Ministry
meeting
11
9:00-Staff meeting
5:00-YFMT (St. Paul)
6:45-Worship Arts mtg
7:00-Bell choir
7:00-Men in Mission
7:00-Finance meeting
12
9:00-Central Conf mtg
6:15-Worship
7:00-Confirmation/TGIF
Shopping for LSSI
Holiday Hope Chest
13
12:00-Caregiver lunch
7:00-Al-Anon
14
6:00-LSSI Appreciation
Dinner
15
8:00-Boy Scouts
9:00-Sister to Sister
Bible Study
16
FISH COLLECTION
9:30-Worship (Healing)
10:30-Adam’s Rib Chili
Fundraiser
10:45-Sunday School
10:45-Life Planning
Workshop
17
5:30-Executive meeting
18
9:00-Staff meeting
11:30-Book Club
(Wagon Wheel)
2:00-Good Neighb mtg
6:00-Council meeting
6:00-Grief Group for
Parents
7:00-Bell choir
19
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
1:30-Parkway
2:30-Heritage Woods
3:30-Good Neighbors
6:15-Worship
7:00-Confirmation/
Learning Time
20
FESTIVAL OF TREES
COOKIE DROP-OFF
2:30-Coventry
3:30-Sterling Pavilion
7:00-Al-Anon
21
6:30-Movie Night
22
23
9:30-Worship with
Bishop Wollersheim
10:30-Congregation pic
11:00-Anniversary
Dinner
24
25
9:00-Staff meeting
9:00-Newsletter assembly
7:00-Al-Anon
26
6:15-Thanksgiving
Eve Worship
27
THANKSGIVING
OFFICE CLOSED
30
9:30-Worship
10:45-Sunday School
Altar Guild
Bev Vandermoon (fill);
Denise Norman &
Leanne Miller
Assisting Ministers
11/2 Dan Bragg
11/9 Nancy Rasmussen
11/16 Mike Doughty
11/23 Carla Haubrich
11/30 Denise Norman
Blessings for November
11/2 Grandparents
11/9 Ushers & Greeters
11/16 Music Staff &
Volunteers
11/23 ELCA & Northern
Illinois Synod
11/30 Worship
Assistants, Readers,
Sound/Computer
Technicians
Special Offering
LSSI Holiday Hope Chest
(see page 3 for details)
28
OFFICE CLOSED
29
Special Event
11/23 Worship with
Bishop Wollersheim and
dinner following (see
page 3 for details)
Quarterly
Special Project
Christmas Gift Bags (see
page 3 for details)
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
703 THIRD AVENUE
STERLING, IL 61081
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
STERLING, IL
PERMIT NO. 218
The Messenger is a monthly publication
of St. John’s Lutheran Church, a church
of the Northern Illinois Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Join us for worship at 9:30am Sundays
and 6:15pm Wednesdays.
If you would prefer to receive The
Messenger via e-mail, contact the church
office at [email protected].
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
EST. 1854, STERLING, ILLINOIS
T
CHERISHING TH
EP
AS
HE
OR T
LF
FU
PE
FUTURE
160
years
•
IN THE PRESEN
FUL
T•
TH
I
HO
FA
Details and more 160th
Anniversary news &
notes on page 3
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD
Worship at 9:30am with
Bishop Gary Wollersheim,
followed by a special dinner and
Blessing of the Wall of Crosses
Join the Celebration!