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A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
The Messenger
MARCH 2015
INSIDE THIS EDITION
2 >God’s Grace
3 >TGIF
>Branches News Briefs
6 >Buddy Bags
>Confirmation Pictures
>First Communion
7 >Birthdays & Anniversaries
8 >Nurse Notes
>Augustana Founders Day
>Fundraiser For LSSI
9 >Lily Order Form
>Council Highlights
>Bus Trip
10 >Saying Thanks
>LSSI Factoid
11 >Animate Practices
12 >Finance Report
13 >Rock With Seniors
14 >Who’s Who At St. John’s
>Purpose & Principles
>Parish Register
15 >March Calendar
>March Worship Assistants
CONTACT US!
703 Third Avenue
Sterling, IL 61081
815.625.2634
office@stjohnsonthird.org
stjohnssterling.org
facebook.com/SterlingStJohns
twitter.com/SterlingStJohns
youtube.com/StJohnsSterlingIL
Thoughts From The
Pastor’s Study
“L
et all who enter here be received as
Christ” ~ St. Benedict. So states the large
posters that have hung near the entrances
Pastor Mark
of St. John’s for several years now. This quote from
St. Benedict is one that leads me to ask all who call St. Oehlert
John’s their home church, “Do you believe it and do
you mean it?”
Welcome Center: Why? This is a great question for our Lenten
journey in 2015. As we consider how Christ lived for others, we too can
ask, “How do we live for others?” We can ask this especially in terms of
how we share our faith.
Perhaps you have read in the newsletter or heard conversation about
the possibility of constructing a welcome center on the Third Avenue
side of St. John’s. Here are some conversational pieces related to that
proposal:
• With five entrances to the building, it is unclear to visitors just
where to go. While great strides have been made by Sunday
morning greeters being present on the street level at the two
main doors, visitors pulling up to the building frequently struggle
with which door to use and which way to go once inside the
building. A welcome center would centralize and enable effective
hospitality for the visitor.
• The welcome center would provide a dry and level point for dropoff for those who have mobility concerns.
• The welcome center would provide for the normal immediate
needs of all who enter: again – hospitality; restrooms; light
refreshments; clear signage indicating where worship, the
elevator, the administrative, pastor and staff offices are located; in
addition to clear direction for the many various meetings that take
place here each week.
• A welcome center would make a strong statement to the
surrounding community that St. John’s, while indeed smaller
than in years past, is very much alive, well and committed to
continued on page 2 >
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, ILLINOIS
God’s
GRACE
L
ent is about looking into the mirror.
Not the compact in your purse or
the mirror above the bathroom
sink, and not the big mirrored doors in a
hotel room that show more than you might
care to see. The mirror of Lent creates
reflections, for as author Annie Dillard
reminds us, “how we spend our days is, of
course, how we spend our lives.” To ask
questions about how we give, how we pray,
and how we care for our neighbor is to hold
a metaphorical mirror up to our souls. It is to
lay open and bare before God our very lives,
including all the things we hide from others
and even that which we try to hide from
ourselves.
Martin Luther said the whole life of a
disciple is to be one of repentance. How
might you use the 40 days of Lent this year
for extended self-examination that leads to
repentance? What would you have to say
“no” to in order to say “yes” to extending
your self-examination? n
~ Based on Looking Into The Mirror, a
free program resource available from
Women of the ELCA, by Linda Post
Bushkofsky. From Daily Grace, nisynod.org
“
>
Legacies are footprints we
leave behind after we are die. They prove that we were here;
we lived, we mattered and we
made a difference.”
~ Rachel Freed
PAGE 2
> continued from page 1
sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ in a
day and time when the “popular” culture continues
to disassociate with Christianity. Were a welcome
center to be built, there could be no mistaking that
we mean what we say on our signs – “Let all who
enter here be received as Christ.”
• Yes, there are and should be voices with varying
opinions. It has been questioned as to whether the
investment in a welcome center is best use of those
funds, given the recent history of St. John’s with
less people present. To that question, I reply: “Can
anyone know the future?” At what point do we take
seriously the task of “going and making disciples”
as Jesus commands? As outreach becomes
effective, so too would God’s church called St.
John’s renew. To limit the Holy Spirit in what God
can do challenges our responsibility to be faithful
followers of Jesus.
• The welcome center concept has been studied
and prepared by people both from St. John’s and
from the ELCA who are knowledgeable in staying
current with contemporary expectations of those
who seek an active life of faith in our community.
The project is well within our financial means with
current membership.
There will be more opportunities to pray about, learn
about and discuss the concept of a welcome center. Please
join in! This is ultimately a congregational decision to be
made in the months ahead. Take a look at the plans in the
Sacred Spaces (East) room. Please pray about the matter!
Coming During The Season Of Easter
A second version of the Lord’s Prayer. There has been
mention of this version in prior newsletters. Perhaps you
have visited other congregations while on vacation, while
traveling or with a family member at their church. If so,
you may have heard a second version of the Lord’s Prayer.
As language evolves (gradually we do change; does anyone
regularly use King James English in daily conversation?)
new understandings develop. We will be learning that
version during the season of Easter this year. Check out the
two versions side by side in your ELW on page 163. n
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Mark
THE MESSENGER • MARCH 2015
TGIF On Sundays And Wednesdays
T
eens Gathered In Faith! High school families, you are invited! The
doors are opened. We are now meeting on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Please come Sunday, March 8th for “TGIF Sunday.” We’ll meet at
St. Paul at noon and travel to Westwood for an afternoon of wallyball. We will
finish, at St. Paul, at 2pm. Please bring $3 to help pay for the court and some
light refreshments afterward. Parents, we need you to drive!
On Wednesday, March 18th from 7-8pm, come to St.
John’s for “TGIF Wednesday.” On Wednesdays we’ll go a
little deeper into God’s Word and prayer. You will also have
a little bit of free time.
High school students are invited to St. Paul from noon
to 2pm Sunday, March 29th for our monthly getting-ready
Youth & Family meeting for the Detroit gathering this summer. Even if you
are not going to Detroit, you are welcome!
Ministries
Friends are always welcome at any TGIF event. I also
Director Gerad
want
you to tell me what you want to do. We’ll usually meet
Von Holten
for about 2 hours. So tell me your ideas of things we could
do in two hours on a Wednesday night or Sunday afternoon or evening.
To ALL families: Your voice is important to the “life” of our youth and
family ministries. I am organizing six times throughout the year for our
families to come together to pray, as well as share ideas and an inexpensive
meal. We are calling these LIFE (Loving Inviting Families Engaging)
sessions. The first one is Tuesday, March 10th at 6:30pm in the St. John’s
fellowship hall. Please bring a small donation to offset the cost of the light
meal and RSVP to me at (815) 590-0006 or geradvonholten@gmail.com. n
Our Father, by whose name
all parenthood is known,
In love divine you claim
each family as your own.
Bless mothers, fathers,
guarding well, with
constant love as sentinel,
The homes in which your
people dwell.
O Christ, yourself a child
within an earthly home,
With heart still undefiled to
full adulthood come:
Our children bless in every
place that they may all hold
your face and,
Knowing you, may grow in
grace.
~ “Our Father, by Whose
Name;” ELW hymn #640,
F. Bland Tucker
Branches News Briefs
Youth and Family Ministries, St. John’s & St. Paul Lutheran Churches
O
n February 22nd, our youth and families
made homemade pizzas to raise money to
send our Jr. High youth to the Wisconsin
Dells Youth Quake this month. At the time of
the newsletter assembly, extra pizzas were still
available to purchase. Interested? Call Gerad at
(815) 590-0006. Thank you for your support!
Families Needed To Provide & Serve
Lenten Supper On March 11th
No age requirement! We need servers and food
providers. Please contact Gerad Von Holten at (815)
590-0006 if you want to help. We still need items
for sub sandwiches and a few other things.
Palm Sunday Breakfast
Junior and senior high youth and their families
are providing breakfast after worship on Sunday,
March 29th at St. Paul and St. John’s. A free-will
offering will be taken to support the high school
students attending the 2015 ELCA youth gathering
in Detroit. Students and parents, we need your
help in the kitchen and fellowship hall as well
continued on page 4 >
<
PAGE 3
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, ILLINOIS
> continued from page 3
as donations of egg bakes and breakfast pastries.
Please look for a sign-up sheet for food donations
and to serve.
Confirmation Class
Confirmation class meets from 7 to
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 website,
please contact Gerad.
Confirmation class will continue to meet at St.
John’s for the remainder of the year. During Lent,
the class will be meeting from 7-8pm. Note the
ending time is half an hour earlier during Lent,
through March 25th.
• Wednesday, March 4th, 6:15pm Lenten
YFMT
Beginning in March, the team will be meeting
every other month on the second Tuesday at
5pm (alternating churches). In the months that
the team is not meeting for business, families
and students of all ages are invited for an
inexpensive dinner and a “Family LIFE” session.
LIFE stands for Loving Inviting Families
Engaging. This is an opportunity for all voices
to be heard concerning the youth and family
ministries of St. Paul and St. John’s Branches
youth and family ministries. At these sessions we
will eat, pray for one another and our families,
and share ideas for our youth and family
ministries. There is no age limit or requirements
to attend these gatherings. Who knows where the
Holy Spirit may lead us! On March 10th we will
meet in the St. John’s fellowship hall at 6:30pm.
The next meeting will be at 6:30pm May 12th at
St. Paul. (Time/location subject to change.)
The next business meeting for YFMT will be
at 5pm Tuesday, April 14th at St. John’s.
>
PAGE 4
service, 7-8pm lesson (both at St. John’s)
• Wednesday, March 11th: 6:15pm Lenten
service, 7-8pm lesson (both at St. John’s)
• Wednesday, March 18th: 6:15pm Lenten
service, 7-8pm lesson (both at St. John’s)
• Wednesday, March 25th: 6:15pm Lenten
service, 7-8pm lesson (both at St. John’s)
• Wednesday, April 1: No class, Holy Week
Confirmation Weekly Offering
Last year our weekly offering at Confirmation
class bought $102 worth of Christmas gifts for the
youth at the LSSI Nachusa Home. Class weekly
offerings collected from January through May will
go to Self Help to be used for prizes for games
and activities for their clients. A group from Self
Help will be visiting the Confirmation class for
fellowship and fun on April 29th. Cash offerings or
small prizes will be accepted. Please contact Gerad
Von Holten for a list from which to shop.
TGIF Wednesdays & Sundays
High school Teens Gathered In Faith meet
the third Wednesday night of the month (most
of the time). In January we met at St. Paul. In
February, the third Wednesday of the month is Ash
Wednesday. Plan on going to worship with your
family at your “home” church. In March we will
meet March 18th from 7-8:30pm at St. John’s. TGIF
is the high school youth ministry of St. Paul & St.
John’s and friends.
We are also getting together two Sundays a
month. Join us Sunday, March 8th from noon to
2pm for wallyball at Westwood. We’ll meet at St.
Paul at 2pm and carpool, then return to St. Paul
by 4pm. Bring $3 for wallyball. Parents, we need
drivers! Call Gerad at (815) 590-0006 if you plan
to attend/drive. The second Sunday gathering in
March will be our Detroit “Getting Ready” meeting
from 4-6pm March 29th at St. Paul. All high school
families welcome, even if you are not going to
Detroit this summer.
continued on page 5 >
THE MESSENGER • MARCH 2015
Detroit 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering
Still Time For Late Registration
Branches youth ministry is sending 14
high school students to the 2015 ELCA Youth
Gathering this July in Detroit. Students in grades
8-12 interested in attending the July 15th-19th
gathering can still register by
completing the medical release/
registration forms and turning
them and a $125 deposit in to the
church office by May 1st. (Please
check first for availability).
Sign up for gathering updates
by e-mail by visiting www.elca.
org/gathering. You can also follow the gathering
Facebook page: “ELCA Youth Gathering.”
‘Getting Ready’ Meetings
Sunday, March 29th from noon to 2pm at St.
Paul Lutheran Church – All high school youth
attending the gathering in July will be meeting to
continue our preparations for the trip this summer.
We will meet about 6 times over the next few
months to cover the “getting ready” materials
as well as share important information about
> continued from page 4
Junior High Quake
The 2015 Wisconsin Dells Junior High Quake
is Friday through Sunday, March 20th-22nd. The
theme is REDEFINE,
based on Timothy
4:12. Please keep the
11 participants from
St. Paul, St. John’s
and Immanuel in your
prayers as they travel to and participate at the
Quake. This year’s event includes packing meals
that will be shipped overseas to the hungry.
the trip (travel, housing, costs, what to bring,
etc.). Students and adult leaders should plan on
attending the meetings. Parents will be asked to
attend the last one or two meetings this summer
before the gathering.
Fundraisers
“KAWOS” Cloths: Spring cleaning is just
around the corner! The high school students
attending the 2015 Detroit Youth 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 St. John’s and St. Paul, and
from any of the youth going to Detroit. You may
purchase cloths in the church office during the
week. Students: If you need more cloths to sell,
pick some up at either church office.
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
entrance on the first Sunday of each month for
your convenience. Cans will be recycled for cash,
which will help offset cost for the youth gathering.
Junior/Senior High Sunday School
We have incredible teachers who want you to
come to class! We’ve been having some great
classes every Sunday for junior high and high school
students. Please know that we are having class
every Sunday (except Christmas break and Easter)
throughout the school year. Occasionally when we
have a church breakfast or special event we may
not have a lesson. But please come. You are always
welcome to our youth rooms! If you haven’t been
coming so far this year, don’t worry. You are always
welcome. Junior high will not have Sunday School
on March 22nd because of the junior high retreat.
<
PAGE 5
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, ILLINOIS
Buddy Bags C
hildren in our community who are eligible
for free or reduced school lunches often
go hungry on the weekends. Buddy Bags
provide food for kids to take home on Friday for
the weekend. The food is simple and nutritious
and something children can prepare without too
much effort. The program is being supported by
area churches and civic groups and is sponsored
by the Illinois Coalition for Community Services,
with the cooperation of Sterling Public Schools. This program is being housed at First Presbyterian
Church of Sterling, but belongs to all of us. You can help by contributing food items,
donating money and packing bags. To donate
Meats, soups and pasta:
• Vegetable beef soup
• Chicken soup
• Mac & cheese
• Mini beef ravioli
• Beefaroni
• Mini spaghetti
• Chicken salad with crackers
• Tuna salad with crackers
• Ham salad with crackers
• Beanie Weenies
• Hormel Complete meals
Fruits, juices and vegetables:
•
•
•
•
Applesauce
Fruit cups
100% juice boxes
Raisins (single-serving
boxes)
• Vegetable cups
Breakfast items:
• Cereal boxes
• Granola bars
• Breakfast bars
• Pop-Tarts
Snack foods:
• Cheese crackers
Confirmation
Pictures Needed W
e are currently reframing all of the
Confirmation pictures so that they
can be placed in a display stand. In
preparing for this, it has come to our attention
that we are missing Confirmation pictures for the
following years: 1966, 2012 and 2013. If you have
any of these, please notify the church office or Carla
as we would love to have copies made. n
>
PAGE 6
food items please refer to the list and bring them
to the containers in the East Room. You can donate
money by writing a check to First Presbyterian
Church with “Buddy Bags” on the memo line;
cash donations can be put in an envelope marked
“Buddy Bags.” These donations can be put in the
offering plate or sent to First Presbyterian Church. To help fill bags, please call Carla at (815) 6259122.
If you are donating food, please purchase
individual serving sizes only, with pop-top lids or
pull off plastic. Thank you for helping the children
of our community! Below are a list of acceptable
items.
•
•
•
•
•
Peanut butter crackers
Breadsticks and cheese
Animal crackers
Goldfish crackers
Non-refrigerated pudding
cups
• Non-refrigerated Jell-O cups
• Pretzels
• Potato chips
Other items:
• Brown lunch sacks
• White lunch sacks
First Communion
S
t. John’s third-grade families and any
students older than third grade can
participate in first communion classes
during Sunday school on March 15th and 22nd. The
teacher is Jannet Taylor. First Communion Sunday
is Palm/Passion Sunday, March 29. More details
about the class and First Communion Sunday will
be mailed to all third-grade families. For more
information, call the church office at (815) 6252634. n
THE MESSENGER • MARCH 2015
March Birthdays & Anniversaries
SUN
1
MON
2
>Wayne Moore* >Martha Benson
>Carolyn
>Hannah
Partridge*
Hubbard
>Cody Walker
>Douglas
& Beatrix
Zientara
>Edward &
Patricia Loos
8
9
TUE
3
>Kathryn
Schwank*
10
>Bill Feather
>Harvey
Johnson*
WED
4
THU
5
>Bradley Eakle
>David & Julie
LeFevre
11
>Dale Heuck
>Mallory Sisson
>Joyce Welch*
18
FRI
6
12
13
>Olivia Barton
>Geraldine
Byar*
>Joanne
Gabeklis*
>Crystal Scott
>Stanley
& Nancy
Rasmussen
>Bradley Davis >Jennifer
>Marlene
Bennett
Green*
>Elizabeth
>Sam Henson
Hubbard
>Howard Hicks* >Seth Schmitt
>Jake Klocke
>Brian Luebke
19
20
16
17
>Vera
McCormick*
>Neil Morehead
>Joseph Vasquez
>Wayne &
Shirley
Bollman*
>Madison
Leesman
>Peggy LeFevre
>Morgan
Luebke
>Dennis
& elaine
Winebrenner
>Audra Goff
>Eugene
>Ronald
Bollman*
McCord
>Charlene
>Russell &
O’Connell
Marsha Francis >Virgle Onnen
>Joshua Smith
>Wayne
Williamson*
>Christopher
Judd
22
23
24
26
27
>John
McCormick
>Camilla Breed
>Adam Duffin
>Craig Mayer
29
30
31
>Amanda Smith
7
>Dwight
Oltmanns
>Gary Smith
>Douglas
Zientara
15
25
SAT
14
21
28
>Thomas
>Arnold Iben*
Schwab
>Leonard Turner
>Damus Shipma
*Indicates 80-plus-year birthdays and 50-plus-year anniversaries.
<
PAGE 7
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, ILLINOIS
NURSENOTES
K
Good Health By The Numbers
eeping track of key numbers can help you
manage and even prevent conditions such
as diabetes and heart disease. According
to the American Heart Association, you should keep
track of the following critical health numbers. Talk
with your doctor about tests to determine if your
health numbers are on track:
• Total cholesterol – A healthy reading should
be less than 180 mg/dL.
• LDL (bad) cholesterol – An optimal level is
less than 100 mg/dL.
• HDL (good) cholesterol – To protect against
heart disease, your level should be 60 mg/dL
or higher.
• Triglycerides – A normal reading is less than
150 mg/dL.
Augustana
Founders Day
A
once-in-a-lifetime Augustana Founders
Day Reunion will be held April 25th
and 26th at the Jenny Lind Chapel at
Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover. This event
celebrates the 155th anniversary of the Augustana
Synod and the 165th anniversary of the Andover
Church. n
Presentations on the history and legacy of the
Augustana Synod will be offered on the first day of
the gathering. A festive service will be held Sunday
afternoon at Augustana Church. The preacher is the
presiding bishop of the ELCA, the Rev. Elizabeth
Eaton. Special music will be provided by the
Augustana College Choir at a concert preceding the
>
PAGE 8
• Blood pressure – The target range is less than
120/80 mmHg.
• Fasting glucose – Healthy blood sugar levels,
tested after a period of fasting, should ideally
be below 100 mg/dL.
• Body weight – Pay close attention to your
body mass index (BMI), which should stay
between 18.5 and 24.9. As an alternative
measure, aim for a waistline less than 35
inches if you’re a woman and less than 40
inches if you’re a man.
These numbers may vary from person to person,
so have regular conversations with your doctor
about what’s right for you. n
~From Health Connection, March 2015.
Submitted by Nancy Rasmussen, Parish Nurse
service, and also during the service. The reunion
is being planned by the Jenny Lind Chapel board.
The deadline for registering for the Saturday
presentations and meals both days is April 1st. For
a full schedule and registration information, visit
jennylindchapel.org. n
Let’s Do It Again! L
ast year we worked with the members of
St. Paul and Immanuel to organize and
host a benefit for LSSI. This was about
a two-month project that was fun to work on and
raised almost $10,000 for LSSI. Are we up to
doing that again this year? If you would like to be
part of a planning committee for another benefit,
please call Carla Haubrich at (815) 625-9122 to
volunteer. n
THE MESSENGER • MARCH 2015
LILIES ARE WANTED to decorate the chancel for Easter. You can order on the group order or purchase your
own. If you purchase your own lily and plan on picking it up, please place a tag on it with your name. Plants
can be picked up after the Easter morning service, April 5th. Note: Payment should accompany the form. Make
checks payable to St. John’s Lutheran Church. Deadline to turn in this form is Monday, March 30th.
ORDER INFORMATION
I/we want to order the following lilies:
_____(#) Lilies at $12 per plant
_____Will purchase own and bring to church by 9am Good Friday, April 3rd.
All lilies should be white. Please return this slip to the church office whether
you plan to purchase with the group or on your own.
BULLETIN INFORMATION
From________________________________________________________
In honor of (living person(s) or special occasion)
____________________________________________________________
In memory of (deceased person(s))
____________________________________________________________
As a gift:
____________________________________________________________
February Council
Highlights
Pastor Mark’s housing allowance, as
presented in the annual budget, was approved.
Andrew Stutzke’s request to use space in the
church for his weather forecast website, www.
saukvalleyweather.com, was approved.
Rick Clark was approved as a new member
of the Youth & Family Ministries Team.
Gayle Kellogg was approved as the new
council president.
The next meeting is scheduled for 6pm
Tuesday, March 17th.
Bus Trip
M
ark your calendar today! A bus trip is
being planned for June 9th through
the 12th to Shipshewana, Indiana. We
will travel by Cheeseman Coach to Shipshewana,
taking in all the beautiful countryside along way.
There will be plenty of Amish food available,
as well as shopping at the flea market and other
specialty stores. We will be staying at the Das
Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury, Indiana. On
Thursday night we will eat at the Blue Gate Theater
and then enjoy a show by Pat & Debby Boone.
Prices are still being put together. For more details,
please call Nancy Eilers at (815) 441-4435 or Sue at
St. Paul at (815) 625-3069. n
<
PAGE 9
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, ILLINOIS
SAYING
THANKS
St. John’s Social Committee,
To all of you wonderful people, you made me
so very happy when the St. John’s baggie was
delivered to me. There were so many thoughtful
items in that bag that I have been thoroughly
enjoying. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
It was a wonderful surprise that made this old heart
beat with happiness. And I smile just to think about
it. May God continue to bless all of you.
With love,
Ruth Cornils
Dear Friends in Christ,
Thank you for your recent gift of $200 to
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. We are grateful
to your congregation for standing with us as we
serve our neighbors in need throughout Illinois.
Your generosity helps bring health, healing and
wholeness to thousands of people across the state.
Every day LSSI responds to the Gospel by serving
the most vulnerable among us. Over 60% of LSSI’s
clients have an income of under $10,000 per year.
The faithfulness of congregations like St. John’s
Lutheran Church is critically important in this
work. As Christians, we believe that all things
work together for good. Surely your congregation’s
gift will bring good to those who rely on Lutheran
Social Services of Illinois and its ministries. Thanks
again for your thoughtfulness.
Sincerely yours,
Mark A. Stutrud, Chief Executive Officer, LSSI
Dear Rev. Oehlert,
On behalf of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois,
it is my pleasure to thank you for your donation to
be used at various LSSI facilities throughout the
state of Illinois. Specifically, you have donated
$250 and the use of the basement for packing our
>
PAGE 10
holiday boxes for seniors during the Holiday Hope
Chest drive. In accordance with IRS regulations,
the privilege of assigning a value to these items is
yours. Thank you again for thinking of our children
and families. It is through the partnership of friends
like you that we are able to continue our ministry.
Sincerely,
Maryann L. Aimone, Vice President for
Advancement, LSSI
St. John’s Lutheran Church,
Thank you for your generous donation of $267
to the Trinity Food Pantry. In 2014 we served 1,546
families, which was 3,510 adults and 695 children.
The year’s total is 5,045 people. We have seen the
refrigerator empty and the shelves almost empty;
then, donations of food and money come in and we
are ready to serve again. God is good! We thank you
and look forward to working with you in the future.
God’s blessing to you.
Trinity United Methodist Church Outreach Social
Concerns Committee
SESSIONS
Prayer | OrIeNtEd tOward God | BrIan McLarEn
Brian’s take on prayer is less about what prayer does or why we pray. Instead, he focuses on
giving us permission to pray in ways that are meaningful, helpful, and life giving.
FoOd | eatIng, wIth JeSuS | Sara MILeS
Sara believes that French fries can be as holy as organic kale when they are offered and shared in
acts of love and fellowship. This point can get lost in our conversations about the “right” kind of
food.
wOrShIp | SEekING gOd’S PreSEncE | MIkE SLauGhter
For many Christians, worship is synonymous with going to church. Mike challenges us to think
about worship as a much richer practice, one we can follow on our own and in community.
SacraMEntS | a tapeStry Of tradItIONS | PhyLlIS tIckLe
For many of us, the sacraments have become just another part of our church routine, like hymns
and prayer. But Phyllis asks us to revisit the ancient meaning of these experiences and consider
what we are really up to as we take part in these practices.
MonEy | thE JOy oF SharIng | ShaNe claIbOrnE
Shane’s message can easily be construed as political, but he asks us to look beyond -isms and
-ologies to see financial generosity as a kingdom call, rather than a social position.
SErvIcE | thE nEedS rIght In FrONt oF yOu | eNuMa Okoro
Enuma is a seasoned traveler, having lived and worked in countries on four continents. But she
encourages us to see the needs around us. This local context can give us a new understanding of
what service really looks like.
cOmMuNIty | an uNexpEctEd FamIly | dOug PagItt
Doug pushes us to think of community as more than just a nice idea. He invites us to remake our
communities by bringing our gifts, our talents, and our ideas with us wherever we go.
Sundays in Lent, THROUGH APRIL 5TH
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, ILLINOIS
Finance Report Through January 31st
This report reflects all contributions received and expenses paid from January 1 through January 31, 2015.
Gifts Received for General Ministry
$19,177.02
General ministry expenses
$27,612.47
Net Income
$(8,435.45)
Endowments, Memorials and Other Designated Gifts
(Designated gifts cannot be used for general ministry purposes)
Endowment Receipts
Behrens Endowment
$15,466.71
Memorial Receipts
Ruth Davis
$2,500.00
Bequest Receipts
Jane Harting
$13,473.00
Thrivent Choice Receipts
$229.00
Transfers from Endowments into the General Fund
General Expenses
$7,500.00
Memorial Special Project Payments
Altar Flowers (D. Duhm)
$95.00
Bequest Distributions
Tri-Church Activities
$10,000.00
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
CommUNITY VBS ... Coming July 19-23, 2015 to
Bethel Reformed Church. Watch the Messenger &
www.stjohnssterling.org for more information!
>
PAGE 12
1ST MONDAY
Rock With Seniors
COMMUNITY WORSHIP,
TREATS & FELLOWSHIP
AT 1:30PM THE FIRST
MONDAY OF THE MONTH
AT IMMANUEL LUTHERAN
CHURCH, ROCK FALLS
BY
IDED
V
O
R
NP
HE
TATIO NDS, OR T
R
O
P
S
TRAN A N D F R I E Y S E N I O R
T
LY
FAMI SIDE COUN ILS, CALL !
E
ES
TA
W H I T R; F O R D E C H U R C H
E
EE
CENT THE THR
F
ANY O
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Pastor Henrietta Milner
501 Eighth Avenue
Rock Falls, Illinois 61071
815.625.3575
immanuelrockfalls.org
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
Pastor Mark Oehlert
703 Third Avenue
Sterling, Illinois 61081
815.625.2634
stjohnssterling.org
2015 SCHE
DULE
APRIL 6
MAY 4
JUNE 1
JULY 6
AUGUST 3
SEPTEMB
ER 14
O C TO B E R
5
NOVEMB
ER 2
DECEMBE
R7
Bridging
the
ROCK
TRI-CHURCH MINISTRIES OF THE
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
NORTHERN ILLINOIS SYNOD
ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Pastor Brandon Nelson
1701 Sixteenth Avenue
Sterling, Illinois 61081
815.625.3069
stpaulsterling.com
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
> Nancy Rasmussen
> Gayle Kellogg,
President
> Carla Haubrich,
Vice President
> Nancy Breed,
Treasurer
> Teri Jennings, Secretary
> Sandy Feather
> Bruce Maxson
> Tom Leesman
> Ed Loos
> Stan Rasmussen
> Lois Anderson-Rowzee
> 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 Anderson-Rowzee
> Doug Zientara
> Denise Norman
Property
> Ed Loos, Chairman
> 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 > Pat Mangler 1/25
Weddings > None
Baptisms > None
Members Received > None
Members Removed/Transferred > None
Upcoming Staff Birthdays > None
SJLC Activities ~ March 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
1
2
3
4
5
6
ALUMINUM CAN DAY
9:30-Global Worship
with Pr. Barb Otten
10:30-Animate study
10:45-Sunday School
11:30-Christian Ed mtg
6:00-Menz Group II
(Latin Amer Club)
9:00-Staff meeting
7:00-Bell choir
12:10-Lenten worship
(Immanuel)
5:00-Lenten supper
6:15-Lenten worship
7:00-Confirmation
10:00-LSSI meeting
7:00-Al-Anon
9:00-World Day of
Prayer (1st Cong
Church, Rock Falls)
8
9
10
11
12
13
9:30-Worship
10:30-Animate study
10:45-Sunday School
Noon-TGIF wallyball
(meet at St. Paul)
6:00-Social Min mtg
9:00-Staff meeting
6:30-Worship Arts mtg
6:30-Family LIFE
7:00-Finance meeting
7:00-Men in Mission
9:00-Central Conf mtg
12:10-Lenten worship
(Immanuel)
5:00-Lenten supper
6:15-Lenten worship
7:00-Confirmation
12:00-Caregiver Lunch
7:00-Al-Anon
15
16
Sat
7
14
9:30-Prayer Shawl
Ministry coffee
MARCH WORSHIP
ASSISTANTS
GREETERS
3/1 Bob & Marilyn Deets
3/8 Allison Stewart &
Sarah Gierhart
3/15 Tom Leesman &
Carman Thorp
3/22 Don & Maxine
Olson
3/29 Bill & Sandy
Feather
ALTAR GUILD
Sue Reed (fill)
17
18
19
20
21
FISH COLLECTION
5:30-Executive mtg
9:30-Worship
10:30-Animate study
10:45-Sunday School
10:45-First Communion
instruction
12:15-VBS meeting
(Bethel Reformed)
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 Who Have
Lost Children
12:10-Lenten worship
(Immanuel)
1:30-Parkway
2:30-Heritage Woods
3:30-Good Neighbors
5:00-Lenten supper
6:15-Lenten worship
7:00-Confirmation
7:00-TGIF
2:30-Coventry
3:30-Sterling Pavilion
7:00-Al-Anon
DELLS JH QUAKE
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
DELLS JH QUAKE
9:00-Sister to Sister
Bible Study
ACOLYTES
3/1 Thomas Over
3/8 Audra Goff
3/15 Jessica White
3/22 Andrew Doughty
3/29 Brittney Perrine &
Brice Taylor
22
24
25
26
28
ASSISTING MINISTERS
3/1 Shawn Wolfe
3/8 Marisa Perales
3/15 Chris Rucker
3/22 Denise Carl
3/29 Nancy Rasmussen
9:00-Staff meeting
7:00-Bell choir
12:10-Lenten worship
(Immanuel)
5:00-Lenten supper
6:15-Lenten worship
7:00-Confirmation
9:00-Newsletter
assembly
12:00-Caregiver Lunch
7:00-Al-Anon
23
DELLS JH QUAKE
9:30-Worship
10:30-Animate study
10:45-Sunday School
10:45-First Communion
instruction
2:00-Central Conf mtg
(Faith, Rochelle)
29
PALM SUNDAY
FIRST COMMUNION
9:30-Worship (bells)
10:30-Pancake brkfst
Noon-Detroit meeting
(St. Paul)
30
31
9:00-Staff meeting
27
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 office@stjohnsonthird.org.
6:15pm Wednesdays in Lent
through March 25
“Tree of Life”
Lenten Worship
5pm Wednesdays in Lent
through March 25th
Lenten Suppers