1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

Reaching Out
January 2015
St. John’s Lutheran Church 1804 Highland Avenue Eau Claire, WI
Phone: (715) 834834-9571 Office Hours: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm MonMon-Fri Website: www.stjohnswww.stjohns-ec.org
Now through the Second Sunday of Easter there will be
no Monday Eve. Worship services. Monday Worship will
resume April 13, 2015. (With Lenten services during
the week, many weeks will have a weeknight service.)
ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, January 25, 2015
In the sanctuary after the
8:15a.m. service
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CHRISTMAS BASKETS & SHARE-A-GIFT
An Enormous and Huge Thank-You from Caring
Ministry
This year with YOUR abundant help through
donations of food, gifts, handmade quilts and
money, Caring Ministry was able to pack 26
Christmas baskets/totes. The totes held a variety of
items including: holiday baking, canned foods,
other meal products, laundry soap and paper
products. Because you gave generously and
abundantly, 68 children and 41 adults were blessed
beyond all you can imagine! Thank You.
At the annual meeting there will be:
Election of Officers, Ministry
Chairpersons, At Large, & Committee
Members
Approval of the 2015 operating & capital
improvement budgets
Constitutional Amendment Change
St. John’s Endowment Fund Bylaws
(SJEF) Changes
See page 6 & 7 for more details.
Please plan on attending this important meeting.
We need you there!!
SUPER BOWL XLIX
Youth Mission Trip
FUNDRAISER
Great opportunity to support St. John’s youth and have their freshly made & ready to take-andbake pizzas for the big game!
16” 2 topping pizza - $14.00
16” Specialty Pizza – $16.00
All pizzas crusts are par-baked.
Pre-Order
January 11th – January 28th
Order forms will be available in the office or outside Chris’ door.
Ready for pick up starting at 9:30 am
Sunday, February 1st (Super Bowl Sunday!)
If you have any questions, ask Chris Sims, Janet Tolan or Phyllis Meier!
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According to Anne Lamott, there are three basic expressions of prayer: Help, Thanks, and Wow. That being the
case, I guess I’ve been praying a lot these days, and really enjoying it.
In November, we experienced an astounding medical recovery in our congregation, and being in the midst
of all that was happening, all I could say was, “Wow!”
Looking over the finance figures for November and December, my reaction has been exactly the same: We’ve
been in Help prayer mode for a while. It’s time now to say “Wow!”
While it’s too early to make a definitive declaration of where we will end the year, what I am seeing is a good
reminder of who is in charge in the body of Christ. Certainly, we at St. John’s have tasks to do and we work hard
and do our very best to fulfill them. God does not like to be a solo act. God likes to work with people to accomplish
meaningful things in creation.
But the church is not a group of people who have been subcontracted to do God’s work. Rather, we are a
group of people who have been invited to join God’s work. And when you are working closely with God, you are
going to see, close up, some things that make you say, “Wow!”
Our $29,000 debt at St. John’s amid rising costs seemed so overwhelming that it seemed certain to greatly
impact our ability to do mission at St. John’s.
Of course, we made an effort to do everything we could to produce a better outcome, but in the end, it’s out of
our control and all God requires of us is faith. We don’t know exactly what faith will produce or how it will
produce it, but we trust that good things will come of it.
Our November and December giving is a good reminder that God has called us to be a part of this life-giving
faith. I offer a Thank You prayer for all those who have wrestled with difficult financial issues this year and have
worked so hard to overcome them.
But I don’t know that anyone expected quite this much of a change at the end of the year. That’s the part of faith
that we can’t predict. We know good things will result; we just don’t know how that will work. That is why,
although the church makes use of the gifts of business and financial acumen, we must constantly remind ourselves
that the church cannot be run like a business. Businesses seldom rely heavily on faith. Churches have to.
The church must occasionally do things that make no sense in a business context, because it has to leave room
for God to work. And God works with us through our faith. We are now seeing God at work through the faith of
our members.
Enjoy a great Christmas season! Thank you for all you have done to carry out St. John’s mission in the past
year. May your faith lead you to many moments where your prayer to God is, “Wow!”
Pastor Nate
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New Year, New Beginnings
Happy New Year to you, dear friends of St. John’s! I pray that this New Year will be another
exciting year in ministry for our dear Lord, Jesus Christ. I find it fascinating that human beings
naturally desire a new start. January 1st has become that time to look back at the previous year,
reflect, and move into something new, something that is hopefully fuller, better, and healthier.
Even though our tendency is to fall back into the old patterns by February, we want to try. We desire the
new. The Julian calendar set this date of January 1st for a reason. It is the date that the earth has made its full
movement around the sun and is also now beginning anew. We will see more sunlight soon. The new will
happen even if we are sometimes unaware.
There is something hopeful in this fundamental impulse to begin anew. The New Year then brings out our
desire for our commitments to change whatever the change includes. However, our usual inclination is to set
"resolutions" aimed at working harder for whatever it is we want or fixing our self-perceived flaws. And,
there is certainly nothing wrong with that. However those resolutions often aim so high, that the new
possibilities do not take root and grow.
But, may I be so bold as to suggest another date for a new “resolution”? Sunday, January 11th, traditionally
known as the “Baptism of our Lord”, is a great day to celebrate a New Year and a new start. As far as the
Christian life is concerned, it is through Holy Baptism that our new beginnings…well…begin. As Luther
2
reminds us, each day we die daily to sin through the waters of baptism and begin a new life. Therefore, each
day is a chance to begin something new. Each day is January 1st in the life of a Christian. Sure, baptism
doesn’t tell time or count down the clock until the ball is dropped for all to see, but the renewal we seek is
there.
We are loved by the Triune One, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is through the waters of Baptism that we
have been given the purpose and vocation to which we are called. Sometimes, that calling is very clear.
Other times, the direction God pushes us toward is unknown, only to be revealed while looking back on the
path just like reflecting upon the Old Year to the New Year.
Therefore, I challenge you to try a New Year Resolution that is different from the norm. This year, instead
of vowing to do “this” or “that” to make your life better, what if you were instead to prayerfully reflect upon
where God is leading you. Come renew your baptism on January 11th, enter a New Year with hope, and listen
to God’s resolution for you. Instead of you making promises, it just could be that God is making promises to
you.
Peace and Joy to you during this season of Light. Pastor Christine
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Opportunities to Serve During Worship
In its beginnings, Christian worship was not a spectator sport. It was a community
encounter with God and our neighbor, the people Jesus said we are to love as ourselves.
This view of worship got sidetracked by the Romans, who loved spectacle and ceremony.
We could get by with spectator worship when Christianity dominated the culture.
That is no longer the case and Christianity urgently needs to rediscover what worship is.
That is why worship teams are so important. They help us to remember our mission as a faith community that is
actively engaged in the mission to which Christ has called us.
As we begin another year of rotation in our worship teams at St. John’s, I encourage everyone to make every effort to
serve in that month as: worship assistant, reader, usher, communion assistant, greeter, nursery attendant, power point
operator, etc.
For those not able to participate due to age or illness, we give thanks for your years of discipleship, and ask that you
allow those who are able to serve you now.
Following are the upcoming teams and the months that each team is assigned to help serve. Each family will be
receiving a postcard inviting you to come and sign up. If anyone has questions about any of the opportunities in
worship, please call Patti at 715-834-9571 or [email protected].
2014 & 2015 Worship Teams & Disciples
Q – Se
Simon
January
Sh – Ut
Thaddeus
February
V – Zu
Thomas
March
Let us rediscover the power and inspiration of worship.
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Save the Date!!! March 5th from 11am to 7:00pm
at Florian Gardens for
EMPTY BOWLS!
Annual Fundraiser for Feed My People Food Bank
Empty Bowl Sponsorships: Event sponsors receive public recognition, complimentary bowls and meal
tickets.
Potters Needed: We are in need of artists to donate their bowls to this event.
For information, contact [email protected]
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A HUGE thank you to all who were involved in any way in the
production of “Kiki’s Hats, the Musical.” What a fantastic event! You truly
shared a variety of gifts to make this such an outstanding success. “Our
gifts live on and on” and at St. John’s we will continue to give them away!
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Simon Worship Team
Q -- SE (January)
Acolytes
8:15am
Greta Steines, Michaela Rongholt
Jenna Tolan, Claire Steines
Josh Muller, Cody Clish
Grace Leonardson, Trinity Lontz
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
Audio/Visual
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
TV Screen Projection Operators
8:15am
10:45am
Scott Olsen
Brett Isaacson
_______________
Joe Freitag
_______________
Brett Isaacson
_______________
Brett Isaacson
10:45am
Emily Johnson, Sam Callarman
Zach Urdahl, Tom Freitag
Caitlin Heller, Carlie Heller
Tessa Ross, Halle Ross
Video Camera Operators 2x per mo
any service 8:15am or 10:45am
___________________________
___________________________
Communion Servers
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
8:15am
________________, ______________
________________, ______________
________________, ______________
________________, ______________
________________, ______________
________________, ______________
________________, ______________
________________, ______________
10:45am
________________, ______________
________________, ______________
Nicole Rauckman, Chase Rauckman
BJ Rauckman, Jo Rauckman
________________, ______________
________________, ______________
________________, ______________
________________, ______________
8:15am
________________, _________________
Emily Severson, _________________
________________, _________________
________________, _________________
10:45am
Emily Severson, _________________
Stephanie Thurner, _________________
________________, _________________
________________, _________________
Greeters
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
Hospitality
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
9:15am (Sign-up sheet is on tall table in gathering area, to bring and serve treats)
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
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Simon Worship Team
Q -- SE (January)
Lector
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
8:15am
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
10:45am
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Nursery Assistant
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
8:15am
________________, Mary Hanson
________________, Katie Bedell
________________, Megan Munden
________________, Allie Martens & Sara Nerbonne
10:45am
________________, Jenna Boeckman
________________, Hannah Zimmerman
________________, Adriane Jaeger
________________, Bethany Kolve
Ushers
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
8:15am
________________, ______________
Lenore Appollo, Grady Leonardson
Ed Severson, ______________
LuAnn Hintz, Randy Lundblad
________________, ______________
Mike Torud, Bo Decal
________________, ______________
Roger Schulte, JoAnn Schulte
10:45am
Ed Severson, ______________
Cory Krause, Darrell Rud
Stephanie Thurner, Rodd Freitag
Larry Schaefer, Bryan Sedlander
BJ & Jo Rauckman
Kurt Kjelstad, Ruth Kjelstad
________________, ______________
Brian Wagner, Merlin Dodge
Welcome Center
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
8:15am
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
10:45am
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
8:15am
Karen Schauer
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
10:45am
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Worship Assistant
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
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ANNUAL MEETING
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015
Following the 8:15 a.m. service in the worship area
The following C12.01 amendment to the St. John’s Constitution was adopted at the special meeting of
the congregation on November 16, 2014. In order for the amendment to become part of the constitution,
it must be ratified without amendment at the congregational meeting on January 25, 2015.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
C12.01.
The voting membership of the Congregation Council shall consist of the officers of the
congregation, chairs of the congregation ministries and members at large from this congregation as
defined in the by-laws. Any voting member of the congregation may be elected, subject only to the
limitation on the length of continuous service permitted in that office. A member’s place on the
Congregation Council shall be declared vacant if the member a) ceases to be a voting member of this
congregation or b) is absent from four successive regular meetings of the Congregation Council without
cause or c) resigns. Consistent with the laws of the state in which this congregation is incorporated, the
congregation may adopt procedures for the removal of a member of the Congregation Council in other
circumstances.
CHANGED TO: (additions are in Bold & Underlined)
The voting membership of the Congregation Council shall consist of the officers of the
congregation, or a designated representative (except for the President), the chairs of the
congregation ministries, or a designated representative and members at large from this congregation
as defined in the by-laws. The designated representative shall be chosen by the officer or ministry
chair and shall also be a member of the committee or ministry it is representing. Any voting
member of the congregation may be elected, subject only to the limitation on the length of continuous
service permitted in that office. A member’s place on the Congregation Council shall be declared vacant
if the member a) ceases to be a voting member of this congregation or b) is absent from four successive
regular meetings of the Congregation Council without cause or c) resigns. Consistent with the laws of
the state in which this congregation is incorporated, the congregation may adopt procedures for the
removal of a member of the Congregation Council in other circumstances.
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C5.05.01 St. John’s Endowment Fund Bylaws (SJEF)
The following bylaw changes were approved by the Church Council on October 16, 2014. These bylaw
changes now need to be approved at the congregational meeting on January 25, 2015.
Plan of Operation
A.3 The Committee shall meet at least twice per year, or more frequently as deemed by it and/or the
church council as in the best interest of the congregation.
CHANGED TO: (additions are in Bold & Underlined)
A.3 The Committee shall meet at least once per year, or more frequently as deemed necessary by it
and/or the church council as in the best interest of the congregation.
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Plan of Operation (cont.)
A.9 The Committee shall report on a quarterly basis to the church council and, at each annual meeting of
the congregation, shall render a full and complete audited account of the administration of the S.J.E.F.
during the preceding year.
CHANGED TO: (additions are in Bold & Underlined)
A.9 The Committee shall report to the church council at least once per year or as often as deemed
necessary by the council. At each annual meeting of the congregation, the committee shall render a
full and complete audited account of the administration of the S.J.E.F. during the preceding year.
************************************************************
Plan For Distribution
B2c) A minimum of ten (10%) in grants:
2. to our ELCA church-related camping ministries.
CHANGED TO: (additions are in Bold & Underlined)
2. to our ELCA church-related camping ministries or ELCA christian preschools.
************************************************************
B2d) A mimimum of ten (10%) percent in grants:
1. through the Synod for:
CHANGED TO: (additions are in Bold & Underlined)
1. To Synod endorsed programs identified as:
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2. through the ELCA for:
CHANGED TO: (additions are in Bold & Underlined)
2. To ELCA endorsed programs such as:
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Add a #3 (addition is in Bold & Underlined)
3. To other Christian mission organizations whose goals are consistent with the missions of the
ELCA.
Also, at the annual meeting there will be:
Election of Officers, Ministry Chairpersons, At Large, & Committee Members
Approval of the 2015 operating & capital improvement budgets
Please plan on attending. We need you there.
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Children’s Education Hour Events
Three Year Old
Children’s Education Hour
Welcome to Children’s Education Hour! This is
an exciting introduction to Sunday school for
our three year olds and their parents. Our next
class time together will be on January 4th,
in room #316 during the Children’s Education
Hour (9:30 – 10:30 AM). This month we will be
learning about the Good Samaritan. If you
have any questions, please contact Chris Sims
at 715-834-9571 or [email protected].
Confirmation News
8th Grade
Classes begin January 14th at 6:30 pm
(Parents please plan to attend the
first class with your student.)
The eighth grade class will begin their 10 week
study of the small catechism with Pastor
Christine. The class will dig deeper into the Ten
Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer
and worship. The eighth grade small group
leaders are Stephanie Thurner and Eric Muller.
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Attention all 9th grade Students and Mentors
Mentor Meeting Night
January 21st at 6:30 pm
CHILDREN’S EDUCATION HOUR
Starts on January 4th at 9:30 am
Classes meet in the following areas:
Preschool (4yr olds) and Kindergarten
This group will start downstairs in the large
assembly on Sunday mornings. The children will
gather for the music opening and for offering. The
class will finish upstairs in rooms #307 and #308.
1st Grade through 5th Grade
Everyone will meet on the stage in the lg. assembly.
9:30-9:45am – Opening (Preschool and Kindergarten
join us for opening)
9:45-9:55am – 1st – 5th grade (Introduction to the
lesson)
9:55-10:30am – Group activities in large assembly
10:30 am – Parents pick up students from the large
assembly
************************************************************
Teachers needed
for Children’s
Education Hour
Children’s Education
Hour TEACHERS Needed!
We are seeking teachers to
teach classes in January and
February. The new class format
requires one teacher each week
to teach the overall lesson to the
large group. The small group
leaders then work with their specific small groups
on the project or activity that was presented by the
teacher. Please consider being a part of this
opportunity. If you would like to learn more about
the teacher role, please contact Chris Sims at 715834-9571 or [email protected]. There is a signup sheet outside the Education Director’s office.
The 9th grade students will be in class but we
welcome mentors to come and share a FEAST
meal together.
The 9th grade class and their mentors will meet
in the large assembly at 6:30 pm.
If you have any questions about the confirmation
program, contact Chris Sims, Pastor Christine or
Pastor Nate.
Let us cook dinner on Wednesday nights!
Join us for a meal (FEAST) prior to class from
5:30pm to 6:15pm
Church Information
Recently
We Mourned the Death of…
Jeanette L. Heideman
85
Carl E. Jenson
96
Dorothy M. Riley
87
Doris R. Dewitz
95
*Newsletter articles are due by the 15th of January for
the February issue. Send to Patti Gorell
[email protected]
*If you would prefer an electronic version of the
newsletter, contact Patti 715-834-9571 or
[email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
January Worship & Ed Times
8:15am & 10:45am Sunday Worship
9:30am Adult and Children’s Education Hour
No Worship Mondays, January 5, 12, 19, 26
8
There will be a Faith Family Ministry
meeting on Tuesday, January 13th, at
6:30pm. If you are interested in learning
more about Faith Family Ministry, contact
Jen Olson at 715-379-2381, or Chris Sims
at 715-834-9571 [email protected]
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EDUCATION MINISTRY MEETING
If you have a heart for music or enjoy
drama ☺, please join us for the
Education Ministry meeting this month.
We will be exploring themes for this
summer’s VBS. This month we will meet on
Wednesday, January 6th, at 6:00pm or contact Kathy
Freitag 715-835-9034 or Chris Sims 715-834-9571
[email protected] if you would like more
information.
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Thrivent Choice allows eligible Thrivent Financial
members to direct Thrivent Financial’s charitable
dollars to St. John’s Lutheran Church. To be a benefit
member with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, you
must own one of the following Thrivent products: life
insurance, health insurance, disability insurance or
annuities, and based on your premium and cash value,
your Thrivent Choice dollars will be calculated. Letters
are sent annually to these members indicating the
amount of charitable dollars available to them. If you
believe that you qualify and have not received a letter,
please contact your Thrivent Financial representative.
For the period September 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015,
St. John’s is designating the Thrivent Choice
contributions to our general operations fund to help
support our ministries, programs and maintain our day
to day operations.
When you are contacted by Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans, please prayerfully consider directing these
charitable dollars to St. John’s.
Thrivent Financial members who have directed
their “Choice Dollars” to St. John’s Lutheran Church
for November 2014 are Dale Gordon, Carol Oja, Judith
Rumphol and Geri Wojtysiak.
St. John’s thanks you for doing this.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The weekly devotionals will now be
available on our website (stjohnsec.org) or you can pick up a copy from
the bulletin board in the gathering
area. Blessings on your week!
Christian youth In Action (CIA
CIA)
CIA
JANUARY 14TH, @ 6:30PM
YOUTH ROOM
(5th Grade or higher)
Christmas break is over and C I A gets back into full
swing starting January 14th. If you have not tried out
C I A here is your chance! If you are in 5th grade or
above, meet in the youth room for some awesome
activities. Here are just a few of the things we have
done as a group: assembled Lutheran World Relief
school and health kits, assembled food kits at FEED
MY PEOPLE, decorated and delivered pumpkins, and
participated in the Advent activity time. We have
many great service projects and fun activities
planned for the upcoming months. Come join us for
food, fun and great conversation! If you would like
more information about C I A, contact Chris at
[email protected] or 715-834-9571.
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Moving or Going South?
If you're moving or heading south for the
winter, St. John’s can change your address. Let
us know when you're leaving and how long
you'll be away, and we'll be sure to get
St. John’s mail to you in a timely fashion.
Sign-up to receive a paperless copy of the
“Reaching Out” Newsletter and get it even faster!
Whenever you change address, please let us know!
Contact Sandy at [email protected]
or call 715-834-9571.
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ADULT EDUCATION
for January
Adult Ed will start a little later after the
holidays. We will not meet on Jan. 4th
but will get together for the following 2 weeks on the
subject of planning for and dealing with the end of
life. Please look for details to come.
******************************************
Linda and I would also like to add a
“thank you” to the people of St. John’s
for the many cards and other expressions
of thoughtfulness that we have received during the
holiday season. It reminds us again of what a
wonderful congregation St. John’s is.
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Gordy’s Slips Update
Date
Biblical Story
Readings
January 4
Flight to Egypt
Psalm 11:1-3
Matthew 2:13-23
January 11
Jesus’ Baptism
Psalm 2:7-8
Matthew 3:1-17
January 18
Tempted in the
Wilderness
Psalm 91:9-12
Matthew 4:1-17
January 25
Beatitudes
Psalm 1:1-3
Matthew 5:1-20
Wednesday FEAST Meals!
Let us cook dinner for you and your family on
Wednesday nights, January 21 & 28.
Join us for a meal (FEAST) prior to
class/choirs/Worship from 5:30pm to 6:15pm
Also, on Jan 14th, @ 5:00pm come for a Spaghetti
Dinner hosted by the Mission Group!
Check out the weekly menu in the opps and on
the St. John’s website
www.stjohns-ec.org/grow/feast
Read Your “Reaching Out”
Newsletter Online
and Save a Tree
Members and friends are invited to save a
tree and receive the “Reaching Out”
monthly newsletter electronically. To elect to receive the
newsletter electronically, please provide your email
address to Patti Gorell [email protected].
We’ll prompt you each month when the latest edition is
posted. To view at any time, visit www.stjohns-ec.org
News and Events.
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Now more than ever, there are many people
and families in need within our community.
Each day we should be thinking of them and
offer our assistance, if we are able. So that is
why we will always have the grocery cart in the
gathering area, just for you to share with others what God
has given you. We are in need of hygiene products such
as:
• diapers, wipes, toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissue,
laundry soap, bar soap
• shampoo, conditioner, deodorant
• toothpaste, dental floss, tooth brushes
cleaning supplies, feminine hygiene products
Our last check received from Gordy’s
County Market was over $600. From that
check, money was given to the SJC
Preschool & the Bell Tower Repair. We
have another check coming for over $700. I will keep
you posted where that will go. All of the $ we
received has been kept for projects here at St. John’s.
The total thus far for 2014 in Gordy’s slips is
$242,122 or $2,421 that we received. Thank you so
much for remembering to bring in your slips! Keep
them coming, I love to keep busy! Alberta Kortness
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Nominating Committee is looking for 2 persons to
serve on council as chairperson of these two
ministries: Senior & Shut-In and Community &
World. If you would be willing to help lead these
two ministries of St. John’s and/or would like more
information about each ministry, there will be an
information table in the gathering area or you can
contact Mike Glamann 715-832-5004 or Suzanne
Wulff at [email protected] or call 715-8360054.
Nominating Committee is also looking for 4
confirmed members of St. John’s to be on the 2015
Nominating Committee. Please consider
volunteering your time to be on this committee.
Please contact Suzanne Wulff at [email protected] or call 715-836-0054 asap.
***********************************************
A Note of Thanks: Jim and I
would like to thank all those
who gave cards, gifts,
Christmas wishes and prayers
for us this season of Joy. We are so blessed
to be at St. John’s. Thank you and Happy
New Year to you! Pastor Christine
*********************************************
2015 Offering Envelopes
Stop by the gathering area and pick up your
2015 offering envelopes. They are placed
alphabetically for you to locate easily. Thank you
for your gifts of service and offerings!
For Simply Giving Participants: If you
elected to have special envelopes, you can pick
these up also on the tables in the gathering
area.
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Women of the ELCA
Thankoffering update.
We collected $396.08, 43 pair of
mittens, 4 scarves, 10 headbands, 23
hats - 19 of them courtesy of Kiki hats. A BIG
THANK YOU to all who knitted/crocheted the
items. There will be many people in this area who
will be warm because of you! All the items were
taken to Lutheran Social Services.
Keep up the good work - we'll be asking for
knitted/crocheted hats, scarves, and mittens again
next year.
Margaret Kinderman
SMALL GROUPS
Women Of Faith (WOF)
Please welcome the New Year at
our first meeting of 2015. We will
meet on Tuesday, January 6th, at
7:00 PM in the gathering area. Reading
chapters 20, 21 and 22 will complete our
book, “A New Kind of Christianity”. Please
join us also to discuss our next reading/study
selection. If you have ideas, please let Anna
Mayer or Linda Aaseng know.
Our January service project will be quilt
layouts, held on Monday, January 19th, at
6:30 PM in the small assembly. Please join us
for this wonderful and fun project.
A BIG “Thank you” to all who donated time,
money, food and items for our December
service projects at Sojourner House and the
Salvation Army Bell Ringing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Come To The
With the Diner’s Club
On Tuesday, January 20th, @ 6:00pm,
6:00pm let’s get
together for fun and fellowship plus Dinner, Too!
Let’s meet at Asia Palace across from Best Buy.
Please call the church office at 715-834-9571 or
[email protected] to sign up and get
directions if needed. Come and join the monthly
Diner’s Club anytime.
shares God’s love…
Registration for the 2015-16 School Year.
February 2nd - 9:00AM Priority Registration
(St. John’s Members and Previously Enrolled
Families)
February 9th – 9:00AM Open Registration
(All Families)
We invite you to visit our classrooms, meet our
teachers, and request information to learn about
the preschool experience! Click on our logo in the
St John’s website to find more information and
registration materials.
Classes are limited to ten students each, and are filled
on a first-come-first-serve basis. We encourage
families to register early. We learn a lot, have some
fun, and share God’s love!
Directors: Nancy Hanson/Phyllis Meier (715)-8349571.
Sharing Light and Love
We continue to share the light and love of Christ at
St. John’s Christian Preschool in the New Year. Each
class time is filled with opportunity to play and learn,
and to share this light and love. This love spills into
the hallways as parents, grandparents, childcare
providers and church staff share support and kindness
as they come and go.
This month our love is overflowing into the
community as families have
• donated hats for neighborhood
children in need.
• collected $129.00 in our grateful
heart boxes to donate to the
weekend kids’ meal program at
Feed My People
Thank you for all that you, our congregation, do to
help this ministry each year.
In Christ,
Nancy Hanson and Phyllis Meier
************************************
***********************************************************
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Special Preschool Envelopes
January’s offering envelopes include a special
offering for St John’s Christian Preschool. Your
generous gifts have been greatly appreciated in
building a strong Christian Preschool at St. John’s.
Due to the rising cost of operations, it has become
especially necessary to rely upon individual
donations to meet expenses. While the preschool
ministry is thriving and enrollment is nearly full,
competitive tuition rates do not cover the financial
needs of a center like ours.
Please consider using this envelope to make a gift
that will support this ministry that reaches out to
children and families in our congregation and in our
community. Thank you.
Other giving options include designating a preschool
donation through Simply Giving or by directing your
Thrivent Choice charitable dollars to St. John’s
Christian Preschool.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Men’s 7:00am Breakfast meets the
second Tuesday of every month at St.
John’s in the small assembly. Gary Wulff
always has a wonderful menu planned.
All men and friends of St. John’s are welcome to
come! Please mark your calendar for Tuesday,
January 13th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Community Volunteers at
St. Francis Food Pantry &
Hope Gospel Mission Bargain
Center
Once a month we all have an
opportunity to help at the St.
Francis Food Pantry on Truax Blvd., across
from May’s Greenhouse. THEY NEED OUR
HELP! Let’s meet there on Thursday, January
8th, from 10:00AM-1:00PM.
Also…
Hope Gospel Bargain Center
(Moholt & Clairemont). Tuesday,
January 6th, any time from
5-8pm.
Just check in with the front desk and
ask what area they need your help and
just start in.
*********************************************************
Healing Hand Ministry –
A Support for Those in Chronic Pain
Do you have a chronic pain disorder or an
invisible illness and have wondered where to
find support, understanding, and Christian care?
Come join the support group for Christians who
suffer with daily or chronic pain. Although we
usually meet the first Sunday of the month, due
to the New Year weekend, we will instead meet
the following Sunday, January 11th, at 4:00PM in
the gathering area. Newcomers to the group are
always welcome. For questions contact Pastor
Christine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Attention all High School and College
Aged Youth!
J o in us t h e f ir s t SE CO ND S u nd a y
T HIS m ont h. ☺
th
January 11
4:00pm to 7:00pm
Come join your friends for some “down” time and an
opportunity to connect.
If you can make it let us know so we can plan for food and
beverages… This month we will be creating our own
pizzas in preparation for the upcoming Super Bowl Pizza
Fundraiser! Any questions?? Contact Chris Sims at 715834-9571 or [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Men’s Master Builders Group invites
all men and friends to join them on
Wednesdays, January 7 & 21, @ 5:15pm
Come and join them as they discuss many
interesting topics.
MISSION NEWS
What’s the Mission Trip all about??
In July, 15 high school youth from St. John’s will
spend a week in northern Minnesota at the Red Lake
Reservation. They’ll work with other youth from all
over the USA to help the local community restore
and improve housing for families. It costs each youth
$650 to participate in the mission trip. This covers
expenses like transportation to Red Lake, a place to
stay, meals, and daily programming and activities
that help them continue to build their faith. The
“mission trippers”, their parents, and the adult
chaperones going on the trip work hard throughout
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the year to help raise the funds to cover the cost of
the trip. Thank you for your support of our
fundraising activities! We couldn’t do it without you!
******************************************************************
VALUE CARDS FOR 2015 are on sale now.
They’re still only $10 and include deals from many
local businesses including:
•
•
•
•
•
$5.00 off your grocery purchase of $75.00 or more
at Gordy’s County Market
10% off your bill at Cancun Restaurant
$5 off an oil change at Markquart Lube-N-Wash
10% off your order at Johnny’s Pizza Shop (a new
deal this year!)
Buy one – get one half off at Grizzly’s
And many more deals! Where can you get yours?
Purchase from any youth going on the Mission Trip,
from the church office, or at one of our upcoming
sales on
Sunday January 4th or January 11th after
each worship service.
*****************************************************************
Spaghetti Dinner!
What’s on the menu at FEAST this
January 14th? Spaghetti and all
the fixings! Better yet, all funds
donated to the dinner will go to the
mission trip. Delicious Spaghetti AND helping
kids in mission for Christ! How could you go
wrong?
When: Wednesday, January 14th, during the
FEAST time.
What time: 5:00PM – 6:30PM (We have extended
FEAST time a bit)
How much: Free Will Donation
Menu: Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, dessert
******************************************************************
Tanzania Tuition – Imani English Medium Day &
Boarding School (Elementary School)
The Community & World Ministry would like
to thank all the people for their support of this
school and the continuing education
opportunities for these children.
This year we will be sending 15 students to school! This
could not be possible without the help from St. John’s
members and others in the community.
Peace to you and your families this New Year!
John Price Community & World Ministry member
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FAIR TRADE COFFEE
Fair Trade Coffee and Lutheran
World Relief Coffee
Project: "Affirming God's love for all
people, we work with Lutherans and
partners around the world to end poverty,
injustice and human suffering." This is the
mission statement of Lutheran World
Relief. Whenever we purchase Fair Trade
products we become part of this mission. We
have a variety of coffee, tea and hot cocoa to
choose from. Hope you are you enjoying the
Fair Trade Coffee, Tea, & Hot Chocolate that is
being served in the gathering area every
Sunday? Be sure to check out the cabinet next to
the serving table.
Come, Help, Sip Boldly and Enjoy!!!!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Lutheran Social Service Opportunity!
Volunteer at Women’s Way
Women’s Way provides case management services to
women with substance abuse issues or dependence in
Eau Claire, Chippewa, and Barron County. Women’s
Way is in its 14th year of service and our goal is to help
women stay clean and sober, stay out of criminal
activity, become connected to community resources,
other recover programs, and become self-sufficient.
Volunteering duties may include but are not limited to:
• Helping someone pick up and fill out
applications for jobs or housing.
• Parent support/play dates
• Accompanying someone to the grocery store,
laundromat, or drop-in center for playing
• Connection with churches and/or the
opportunity to talk with someone about
spirituality, if the issue presents itself.
• Taking someone to a self-help meeting or other
appointments in the community.
• Volunteer together! As a volunteer, you can help
coordinate a community service activity.
• Just getting a cup of coffee and chatting.
Thank you for considering becoming a part of
out team! You can make a difference, one
grace-filled life at a time.
Please call Lutheran Social Services of WI and
Upper MI, Inc. 715-834-2046.
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January 2015 Church Calendar
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday FEAST Events
Wednesday
Thursday
1
5:15pm (7, 21) Men’s Master Builders Study
5:30-6:15pm (21, 28) FEAST Supper
6:30pm (14) 8th Gr Confirmation w/ Parents (21, 28) 8th Gr Confirmation
6:30pm (21) 9th Gr Confirmation w/ Mentors
6:30pm (14, 21, 28) CIA
7:00pm S.J. Choir
Friday
2
3
10
Happy New Year!
4
5
6
7
8
9
8:15am Worship
9:30am Children’s Ed, 3 Yr Old SS
10:45am Worship
6:30pm JuBellation
10:45am Sr & Shut-in
Ministry
5:00-8:00pm Vol @ Hope
Gospel Mission Bargain
Center
6:00pm Education Ministry
7:00pm WOF & Step
Group
9:00am Quilting
5:15pm Men’s Master
Builders Study
7:00pm SJ Choir
9:30am Dove West
Service
10:00am-1:00pm Vol. @
St. Francis Food Pantry
10:30am Heritage Court
Service
1:30pm S.J. Apt. Service
3:00pm Heritage Apts
7:00pm Preschool Board
& Property
9:00-11:00am Come
& Be
11 Baptismal Renewal
12
13
14
15 February
16
7:00am Men's
Breakfast
1:00pm Worship & Music
Ministry
6:30pm Community &
World Ministry, Faith
Family Ministry
7:00pm Step Group
9:30am Naomi/Ruth @
Heritage
5:00pm Mission Trip
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
19
20
8:15am Worship
9:30am Adult & Children’s Ed
10:45am Worship
9:45am Azura Memory
Care Service
6:30pm JuBellation &
WOF Service Project @
St. John’s
7:00pm Boy Scouts
6:00pm
Diner’s Club @ Asia
Palace across from Best
Buy
7:00pm Step Group
25 Annual Meeting
26 EC & Preschool
27
28
7:00pm Step Group
9:00am Quilting
10:15am Clairemont Service
8:15am Worship
9:30am Children’s Ed, Adult Ed
9:30am Heritage Assisted Service
10:45am Worship
4:00pm Healing Hand
5:00pm Rooted & Kiki Hats Cast
Party
3:00pm Finance
6:30pm JuBellation
7:00pm Boy Scouts &
Board of Review
18
8:15am Worship
9:30am Annual Meeting
9:30am Children’s Ed
10:45am Worship
Saturday
17
Newsletter Deadline
9:00am Vol @
Community Table
9:00-11:00am Come
& Be
10:30am Oakwood
Villa Service
21
22
23
9:30am Lois Circle
6:30pm Council
9:00-11:00am Come
& Be
29
30
See Upper Left for
FEAST Events
24
See Upper Left for
FEAST Events
31
Closed
6:30pm JuBellation
9:00-11:00am Come
& Be
See Upper Left for
FEAST Events
14
15
St. John’s Lutheran Church is a people
formed in the waters of Christian
baptism to be a fountain of life for all
who gather here, overflowing into a
river of compassion for the world.
Your Church Staff
Ministers: All the congregation
Lead Pastor: Pr. Nathan Aaseng
Associate Pastor: Pr. Christine Emerson
Ministry Assistant: Patti Gorell
Director of Christian Education: Christine Sims
Director of Music Ministry: Roxanne Litchfield-Holey
Office Manager: Sandy Huebscher
Bookkeeper: Jo Rauckman
Facility & Grounds Manager: Michael Gorell
Custodian: Ann Zimmerman
Music Directors: Kathy Kurshinsky & Roxanne Litchfield-Holey
Women of the ELCA: JoAnn Schulte & Boletta Munden
St. John’s Christian Preschool: Nancy Hanson,
Phyllis Meier and Julie Kitzman
Preschool Website: www.stjohns-ec.org/grow/preschool
St. John’s Website: www.stjohns-ec.org
Church Council:
Dick Freitag
Donna Meier
Bo Decal
John Moseng
Karen Schauer
Lynn Yolitz
Kathy Freitag
Jennifer Olson
Mike Glamann
Rozie Bejin
Jeff & Tina Wolfgram
Patti Sontag
Mike Kitzman
Annalise Muller
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Caring
Community & World
Education
Faith Family
Sr. & Shut-In
Worship & Music
Youth
At-Large
At-Large
At-Large
St. John’s general email: [email protected]
16