a message from the pastor · our selection is a new book by a local author, barbara...
TRANSCRIPT
-
A message from The pastor
St. John Journey
January 2013
As we begin a new year, I want to first say THANK YOU to each of you. Thanks you for continuing to make
Robin, me and our family feel so welcomed and such a part of this community and congregation. Thank you
for all the generous gifts of cake, candy, cards and cash during the Christmas Season. Thank you all for all the
time and energy you put into the ministries of St. John Lutheran Church. There are many secret Angels who
never get seen but do so many wonderful things around the church. To begin to name each one, I know I
would leave someone out, but to all of you Thank You so much for all you do.
In December much ado was made over 12/21/12, the day the Mayan Calendar ended, was this going to be the
end of the world as we know it. It reminded me of all the excitement at the turn of the century, 1999-2000.
Well, needless to say here we are, I guess that the Mayan’s maybe just took a break from calendar making or
maybe calendars just became less important. During that time, I spent a little time thinking about how our
lives revolve around the calendar. At our house we have a family calendar that hangs on the wall. Robin and I
update that calendar often with things we have to do, places we will be going. I have a calendar that syncs
with my Phone and Computer so I am never far away from the calendar. I also keep a running diary calendar
in an actual paper calendar. I have been known to say at times that if I lost my calendar, I would be truly lost.
But between all these calendars is where my life revolves or is this calendar just a record of where I have been
and where I am, and where I am going.
It is the beginning of a new year. I don’t know about you but for me the years seem to be going by faster. But
even in this fast pace, there is something renewing about the new year. A time to reflect on the past, a time to
look into the future and a time to relish the present. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us “There is a time”. There is a time
for all things and this is the time that we live in. As we begin this new year it is a time to reflect on all the
ways that God has blessed us in the past year. It is a time to even remember the difficult times and know that
we did not have to walk alone, that God is here walking with us. It is a time to look at the priorities in our
lives and actually see if we truly keep Christ in the center of our lives.
I think occasionally we get our lives and our time a little out of sync and forget that the one who gives us life,
God, is the one who gives us everything we have. God has given us Jesus, God’s Son as the Savior of the
world. Jesus is the one who took on the sins of the world as He was baptized by John in the River Jordan. Je-
sus took our sins to the Cross and the grave, freeing us and forgiving us and loving us. As we go out into a
world that seems confusing, it is our call, our task to take that same love into the World.
Pastor Scott
-
2
Page 2 St . John Journey
St. John Preschool Fundraiser
Come and support our preschool on Monday, January 21, 2013 from 5pm - 8pm at Pizza Inn
on 794 W. Main. Tickets are $10 each and will be on sale in the Narthex after each service.
Tickets must be purchased before the 21st, St. John will only receive credit for pre-purchased
tickets. The preschool will receive 50% of ticket sales and 100% of tips. The tickets are good
only on January 21. With a ticket you may dine inside from the all-you-can-eat buffet, includ-
ing salad, and drink or it can be used toward a purchase at the drive-thru. Our servers will be
our very own preschool committee members. This will be a fun time for everyone. The preschool thanks you for
your support.
Sanctuary Flowers and Eternal Candle
The 2013 Flower Chart and Eternal Candle chart have been posted on the bulle-tin board in the Narthex. Flowers may be given to the glory of God or in memory or in honor of loved ones, or on special occasions. Dates are available on a first come-first served basis. What a wonderful way to help beautify the Sanctuary. You will need to make arrangements for your flowers. Humphreys Flowers in Abingdon has a key, so they would be able to deliver your flowers if you wish to use them. The Eternal Candle may be sponsored for a donation of $5 to help defray the cost of the candles, and may be dedicated in the same manner as the Altar Flowers.
Please advise the Church Secretary what you wish to have written in the bulletin insert.
St. John Ladies’ Book Group
St. John Ladies’ Book Group will meet Sunday, January 13th, at 4:00PM, at the
home of Joan Shaver.
Our selection is a new book by a local author, Barbara Kingsolver—Flight Behavior.
All women are invited to come and enjoy food and fellowship while we discuss the book!
P. S. You do not have to read the book to come and enjoy the fellowship!
(but, I have not been able to put it down!!! Joan)
-
3
Page 3 St . John Journey
The St. John Quilters will meet Tuesday January 7th at 9:30AM
The Christmas Quilt Auction recipient was Lisa Roberts.
Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study.
Tuesday afternoon Bible Study will resume on Tuesday January 8th at 1:00PM. We will be continuing a study of the Book of Acts.
.St. John Winter College Graduates
Congratulations to Ann Findley who graduated from East Tennessee State University, with a Master of Sci-
ence in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner degree Saturday, December 15, 2012.
Congratulations to Alex Depew, who graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, with a Bachelor of Sci-
ence in Biology, on Friday December 21, 2012.
St. John Choirs
St. John’s 11:00Choir will resume rehearsals on Tuesday
January 8th at 7:00PM. The 9:00AM Choir will resume
rehearsals on Wednesday January 9th at 7:00PM—Musicians
are asked to arrive at 6:30PM
All interested singers are welcome—no experience (or ability to read music) is required—just come and
make a joyful noise unto the Lord!!
-
4
Stewardship Volunteers Needed
I am in need of more volunteers in order to not “burn out” the ones I have by scheduling them almost every
Sunday. The most pressing need is for offering counters and coffee hour hosts after the 11:00 worship. New
offering counters can be paired with experienced ones in order to learn the system. For both services I can al-
ways use more lectors and ushers. Anyone who has Friday mornings free is welcome to join the bulletin folders
on Fridays at 11:00AM—it is an easy job and only takes about 20 minutes. Please contact Joan in the church
office if you are willing to volunteer for some of these opportunities to serve at St. John. Thanks for all of your
help!
Page 4 St . John Journey
St. John’s Financial Summary
Due to building maintenance expenses caused by Hurricane Sandy, roof repairs, etc. St. John’s surplus shrunk to $14,700 as of November 30. In addition, Council decided to appropriate $4600 to help St. John’s Preschool with payroll expenses in the Jan-May 2013 time period. St. John is now expected to finish 2012 with about a $10,000 surplus.
Council and the Congregation have approved a $225K balanced budget for 2013. Please continue to give generously!
St. John's Financial Summary
November 2012
0
25,000
50,000
75,000
100,000
125,000
150,000
175,000
200,000
225,000
250,000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Month
$
Income to Date Expenses to DateProjected Income Projected Expenses
Budgeted Income = $207,000
Budgeted Expenses = $227,600
Carry-over from 2011 = $16,300
-
5
JANUARY Stewardship
Lectionary Readings for the Month
Jan. 6
Isaiah 60:1-6
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
Jan. 20 Isaiah 62:1-5
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
Jan. 27 Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-
6,8-10
1 Corinthians 12:12-
31a
Luke 4:14-21
If you cannot serve on your scheduled day, please make arrangements with another
person and call the office to let the secretary know.
St. John Journey
Jan. 13
Isaiah 43:1-7
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17,21-22
Page 5
Jan. 6 Jan. 13 Jan. 20 Jan. 27
Assistant Ray Whitner Charles Sansing Ray Whitner Charles Sansing
Lector Dave Morris Linda Garnett Debbie Kluttz Joel Rosen
Usher Jay Skeen Christine Fields Bob Wolfe Cheryl Carrico
Altar Guild Louise
Sansing
Carole Ann
Rosen Jean Harley Dianne Suhrbier
9:00AM service
11:00AM service
Jan. 6 Jan. 13 Jan. 20 Jan. 27
Assistant
Minister Beth Hiltebeitel Ed Davis Ken Croghan Joan Shaver
Lector Bill Spencer Linda Brumleve Helen French David Bonham
Acolyte William Gifford Henry Davis Chris Dixon Reagan Honaker
Reception The Bonhams The Spencers Joan Shaver Edie Hiltebeitel
Counters Jim Kroll
David Bonham
David Bonham
Helen French
Helen French
Jim Kroll
Jim Kroll
David Bonham
Ushers The Meachams The Spencers The Giffords
The Krolls
Altar Guild Rana Daston Betsy Bonham Edie Hiltebeitel Helen Findley
-
6
St. John Journey
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1
2
3 4
5
6 Epiphany
9:00 AM Worship
10:00AM SS.
11:00AM Worship
7 9 6:30PM Musicians 7:00PM 9:00 Choir
10 11
12
13 Baptism of Jesus
9:00AM Worship
10:00AM SS
11:00AM Worship
4:00 Women’s Book
Group @Shaver’s
147:00PM
Evangel-
ism
15 9:30AM Quilters 1:00 Bible Study 7:00PM 11:00 Choir
16 6:30PM Musicians 7:00PM 9:00 Choir
17 7:00PM Council
18
19
20
9:00AM Worship
10:00AM SS
11:00AM Worship
21
22 9:30AM Quilters 1:00 Bible Study 7:00PM 11:00 Choir
23 6:30PM Musicians 7:00PM 9:00 Choir
24 25 Youth
Winter
Celebra-
tion
26
Youth
Winter Cele-
bration
27
9:00AM Worship
10:00AM SS
11:00AM Worship
28
29 9:30AM Quilters 1:00 Bible Study 7:00PM 11:00 Choir
30 6:30PM Musicians 7:00PM 9:00 Choir
31
January2013
8 9:30AM Quilters 1:00 Bible Study 7:00PM 11:00 Choir
Page 6
-
7
St. John Lutheran Church
807 E. Main St.
Abingdon, VA 24210
Phone: 276-628-6215
E-mail:
http://www.stjohnabingdon.org
We are a community of believers, gathered by the Spirit, washed in Baptism, marked with the cross of Christ, nourished by Word and Sacrament, called to respond to God's gifts of grace, and set apart as disciples of Jesus Christ for a life of learning, witness, and service.
St. John Lutheran Church
807 E. Main St.
Abingdon, VA 24210
Address Service Requested
Staff
G. Scott Homesley
Home Phone: 276-739-7740
Cell Phone: 276-525-5801
Joan Shaver, Parish Secretary
Office hours 9-12 Tuesday-Friday
Council
Bill Spencer Dave Morris Marshall Hatfield
Christine Fields Carol Halverson Kelly Read
Joel Rosen Tammie Kroll Charlie Garnett
Linda Brumleve, Financial Secretary
Steve Kluttz, Treasurer
St. John Lutheran is a congregation of the Virginia Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The Rev. Mark S. Hansen, Presiding Bishop, ELCA
The Rev. James Mauney, Bishop, Virginia Synod
January
2013