Pastor’s Message
The
Mustard
Seed
October 2016
The Monthly Newsletter of
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran
Church
47 McLachlin Street, Arnprior,
Ontario K7S 2Z1
Pastor:
Norine Gullons
Church Office: 623-4562
Pastor’s office hours:
Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-Noon
Chairperson:
Randy Zimmerling 623-9733
Ryan Zimmerling 622-5939
Jeff Kargus 623-0192
Beryl Richardson 623-4351
Lois Rosien 623-3010
Rhonda McTeer 623-0328
Melissa Watt 432-9305
Pastor Norine’s note;
There is a practice in some people’s lives these
days. At the end of each day they take some time
to write or journal at least 5 things they are
thankful for on that day.
Sunday September 25th both St. John’s and St.
James took time to be grateful for their
respective faith communities. St. John’s list is in
this newsletter. They are personal and wonderful
lists!
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and
sowed in his field; which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is
greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and
lodge in its branches.”
Matthew 13:31-32
The Mustard Seed October 2016 Page 2
October brings fall, Thanksgiving, Oktoberfests, Reformation Sunday, fall dinners and
Hallowe’en. I think the most important issue is taking the time to give thanks. A certain
grandchild in my life calls it “being gracious”. We extend our lives by giving our talents
and time and possessions to others. Our special emphasis this month will be to support
our local food banks in both Arnprior and Renfrew. In this way we hope to be “gracious”
by hopefully providing some quality to others’ lives.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in
Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3: verse 20
In Christ, Pastor Norine
You Don’t Want to Miss This!
Sunday, October 16th
Bishop Michael Pryse will be visiting! We will have a joint
service with St. James Renfrew at St. John’s Arnprior. There
is a sign-up sheet for an “organized potluck” at the church.
Plan to attend...mark your calendars!
Through CLWR’s We Care
program, all church groups
and individuals were invited to
be part of creating a quilt
together to display at future
events.
St. John’s is creating a 9” x 9”
quilt square to be sewn into
the 70th Anniversary quilt!
For more information speak
with Pastor Norine or Beryl.
The Mustard Seed October 2016 Page 3
October Event Calendar Sunday 2nd Worship service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.
Monday-Wednesday 3rd - 5th The Bishop’s Stewardship Practicum for Pastors in Orillia
Sunday 9th Worship service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.
Thanksgiving Sunday - ** no social **
Tuesday - Friday 11th - 14th Pastor Norine on holidays
Wednesday 12th Pastor attends St. James council meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 13th Area Lutheran Pastors Meeting
Schwartz, Quebec 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Saturday 15th Synod sponsored Visioning Workshop 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
St. James, Renfrew
Sunday 16th Worship service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.
Bishop Pryse will be our Guest Preacher
Welcome St. James Renfrew!
Monday 17th Church Council Meeting 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 19th Pastor Norine working in Renfrew all day
Saturday 22nd Grace Lutheran Annual Harvest Dinner
Eganville from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 23rd Worship Service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.
Joanne Jehu presents FaithLife Financial during social
Sunday 30th Worship Service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.
Reformation Sunday
Sunday - Tuesday 30th - 1st Lutheran Pastors Annual All Saints Retreat
Lutherlyn Camp and Conference Centre
Wednesday-Sunday Nov. 2-6 Pastor attending Synod Council Meeting in Kitchener-Waterloo
Bread and Wine on October 16th is sponsored by Estella Boese in memory of her husband Melvin. If you would like to sponsor communion or provide flowers for the altar in memory of a loved one or to honour a special event, please sign up in the Narthex.
The Mustard Seed October 2016 Page 4
Church Council Report From September 2106
Pastor's report:
Pastor presented her detailed activity report for August and September. People in the community were
aware of Pastor and some members checking on seniors during the water outage in Arnprior.
Pastor informed council that there are some current issues at Camp Lutherlyn that will require
additional funding and support from congregations and synod.
Some important upcoming dates: o October 15th - Missions workshop at St. James in Renfrew o October 16th - Bishop Pryse here; joint service with Renfrew and potluck following o November 1-6 - Synod Council meets
Financial Report: Current offerings (excluding the portion contributed by St. James for Pastoral support) are up over 10% vs.
the previous year. This is the 4th consecutive year we have experienced a significant increase in current
giving. Our offerings in support of Synod are in line with last year’s giving.
We continue to see a decrease in some expenses vs. the previous year such as: reduction in gas costs($500) reduction in printing expenses(doing more of our own vs. contracting out)($400)
As we stated at the annual meeting we have invested this year in: purchase of a microphone for the pulpit($185) laptop computer for financial secretary($162)
Our deficit to date is $22,077. Our balance sheet shows we have $81,500 in our bank account.
World Hunger/Food Bank: To celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Canadian Lutheran World Relief, Beryl will be submitting a quilting patch which will be attached to other congregation’s quilt patches.
Property:
We will be attempting to complete 2 minor repairs: applying cement patches to the front steps complete the painting and caulking of the large window in the balcony
Sound System:
We have received the entire sound system from St. John’s Deep River which includes microphones, stands, amplifier/control system and speaker We will be setting this system up and testing it and then installing it over the next couple of months. The finished product will give us the ability to have a microphone on the altar, pulpit and lectern. This will eliminate the need to use the wireless microphone and hopefully improve the sound quality especially for those with some hearing impairment.
The Mustard Seed October 2016 Page 5
Other Business:
We have submitted an application to form a chapter for “Faith Life Financial”. The advantage is that
Faith Life will match up to $500 any money we raise for charitable purposes….
St. James Renfrew is proposing to contract another ½ day of Pastor Norine’s time (on Wednesdays) and
increase their Pastoral funding accordingly for 2017.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of church council,
Randy Zimmerling
St. John’s Celebrates 127 Years!
I am grateful that St. John’s
is here because:
Historical:
I was married here 61 years ago.
We were married here and kids baptized here.
I came here in 1959 and have been on council
and in choir.
I have been here since 1938 . . .can I say
anymore . . .
This is where we were married over 10 years ago.
I came to Arnprior in 1953 and joined the young people. It was a good way to meet people.
Thanks to the Lutheran Church to back in my teens (1960’s) when attending youth group in the hall. ps it is close
by & handy when it rains. Ppss am an occasional visitor.
My grandmother taught me about Jesus when I was a small boy. Being in the Lutheran tradition came to St.
John’s.
The Mustard Seed October 2016 Page 6
Faith family:
It is my time of quiet to worship God and see all the
people.
They are here when you need them without
question.
Of the family as together we have grown up and
loved each other.
It became our Lutheran family and a place for our
children to grow in faith.
I have met wonderful people and enjoy the service
of the word.
There is a sense of family and belonging here.
They welcomed me (I am shy) but with welcome arms made me feel comfortable – thanks again.
It connects me with a joyful spirit, strength and many people I would not otherwise know to listen, sing, and
work with.
I have found my faith again. It has helped me get involved in service and made me feel part of their loving
community.
The church was waiting for and welcoming to my family when we were ready to resume our spiritual journey
together.
They have always been a source of strength, even when I’m absent. It’s a part of my heart.
And of course, there is always room for cake!
Photos courtesy of
Lorne Rueckwald
The Mustard Seed October 2016 Page 7
Upcoming Events
“Thank You” Many thanks to the 16 women who came out to prepare fall decorations for our church. Special thanks to Lois Rosien, hostess: and "instructors" Lynn Rosien - Maxzene Watts-Melissa Watts. Please join us at 2pm on Sat.Oct.8th to finish
decorating. Pastor Norine
The Apple Tree Saturday, October 15th 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
St. James Evangelical Church Renfrew, ON
We invite all the congregational leaders and other
members who are interested in learning about
mission to our one day workshop. Lunch,
refreshments and program cost covered by Synod.
Please, register by October 7. Registrar: Liz Zehr
[email protected] or 519-743-1461.
PURPOSE: 1. To raise mission consciousness 2. To help congregational leaders to develop
mission-focused congregations where members are engaged with the world around them
3. To help congregations to implement new mission activities
See poster in Narthex for more information
Coming soon....
Watch for the new Animate Faith Discussion Group hopefully to start in November.
A quote from a participant of the spring group: "Our study session was very inspiring and down to earth to understand. The maze (Labyrinth) was a surprise, to walk through it while meditating in the outdoors was beyond words. I enjoyed the group very much.”
The Mustard Seed October 2016 Page 8
Children around the world thank you!
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER 2016
SUNDAY USHERS READING COFFEE/SOCIAL COUNTERS
Oct. 2nd
Marion and Elmer
Leeck
Vicki Weichenthal
Maureen Reuckwald
Marion and Elmer
Leeck
Oct. 9th
Marion and Elmer
Leeck
Joy Statham
**No social**
Marion and Elmer
Leeck
Oct. 16th
Marion and Elmer
Leeck
Andy Kalnins
Potluck Lunch Welcome
Bishop Pryse!
Marion and Elmer
Leeck
Oct. 23rd
Marion and Elmer
Leeck
Debbie Kargus
Barb and Gerald Formuziewich
Marion and Elmer
Leeck
Oct. 30th
Marion and Elmer
Leeck
Cathy/Randy Zimmerling
Joanne and Lorne
Bretzlaff
Marion and Elmer
Leeck
Thank you volunteers! If you would like to help out, please sign-up in the Narthex!
Note: Volunteers are always needed for weekly Communion set-up and clean-up. Free training is available! If interested, talk to a council member.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Johns-Lutheran-
Church-Arnprior/302930049856065
Website: http://stjohnsarnprior.com
Postings in the Narthex
Eastern Synod Lutheran Monthly Newsletter (or access online at: http://www.easternsynod.org/)
Upcoming events at Galilee Centre – website at http://www.galileecentre.com/programs/
Missions workshop at St. James, Renfrew October 15th - register by October 7th
FaithLife Financial presentation at St. John’s Arnprior October 23rd
Shoeboxes are now available!
Due: Sunday, November 16th
Need more information? Contact Jeff.