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January 2019 St. John United Church of Christ

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

In last month’s Heartbeat the introduction of lectionary Year C, with

Luke as the primary Gospel for the coming year, interrupted the three

installments I had promised on the foundational texts inscribed upon the

doorway to our church. It is perhaps fitting however, that it was so, as

this third and final text is found in a rather unusual chapter in Luke’s

narrative that is mostly excluded from the standard texts read on Sun-

days (even in this Year C which focuses on Luke). In our church histo-

ries the text has always been described as Luke 11:28 “But He said,

‘Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’”

The text as it is has long been recorded in our church’s history is a trun-

cation of the verse….which in its fullness should cause any observative

reader to sit up and take notice. For here we discover that the statement,

when translated directly from Greek, introduces us to antagonistic Jesus.

In its fullness Luke 11:28 reads “But He said, "On the contrary, blessed

are those who hear the word of God, and observe it." So what is Jesus

contradicting? What is he being contrary to? The preceding line seems

like one unlikely to draw such rebuke but it does, nonetheless, as it

reads: “While Jesus was saying these things, a certain woman in the

crowd spoke up: “Happy is the mother who gave birth to you and who

nursed you.” (Lk 11:27). Wow, Jesus, you just can’t take a compliment

can you? Seriously though, this exchange is just a glimpse of a Jesus

that isn’t easy to pigeonhole. Though the 11th chapter of Luke begins

with Jesus teaching his followers what we have come to regard as “The

Lord’s Prayer”, it includes this exchange, a discourse on demons, Jesus

calling this generation an “evil generation” (vs 29), and rounding out the

chapter by soundly condemning the Pharisees. Something tells me

“What a Friend we Have in Jesus” wasn’t penned following a reading of

Luke 11!

So what is so good and inspiring about this verse that our forebears

deigned to put in their “top three” scripture passages. Well, on its sur-

face, we can embrace the idea that “blessing” or happiness”, as the

Greek word makarios is translated, comes from both hearing AND en-

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Discretionary Fund…..…..2

Blessing Bags………………..2

Book Club.…………………...3

Knitters & Crochetters…..3

Adult Study…………………..3

Aging & Disability………….3

Outreach……...…….....4 & 5

Sunday School……………...5

Food Pantry Needs.….…..5

Liturgist/Ushers Sched-

ule……………..…….………....6

Women’s Guild……………..6

Celebrate the Sacra-

ments…………………………..6

Going Green………………….6

Birthdays/Anniv….…..…...7

Calendar……………………...7

Member Updates………….7

Prayer List…………..……….7

Heartbeat News

St. John UCC

Pastor: Rev. Tara Tetzlaff

262-251-0640

Pastor’s Cell: 262-293-

6645 pastor@stjohnuccgermantown.

org

ofice@stjohnuccgermantown.

org

262-293-6645

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acting the word of God. This would lead me to imagine that the founders

of St. John felt it was not only believing in Jesus or God, but the way they

lived because of that word that mattered.

And though it is likely a stretch to imagine that the founders were focused

on the contrary nature of Jesus, I would argue it is an unintended blessing

to read this verse within its context. To be reminded that empty words of

compliment, nice sentiments, and trite expressions, have their place but

fall short compared to obedience to the word of God. A modern day illus-

tration of this argument has played out again and again on the national

stage in regards to the many mass shootings that have occurred in recent

years. Those who only offer up “thoughts and prayers” are increasingly

being challenged to DO something that backs up those thoughts and pray-

ers. We are a people of the Word, but as it is written in the epistle of

James, we must be doers of the Word, not merely hearers or we are de-

ceiving ourselves. At the conclusion of our 175th anniversary and the

dawn of a new year, St. John UCC remains committed to hearing, pro-

claiming, keeping, and doing the Word and in so doing may it be happy

and blessed for years to come!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tara

Annual Meeting

Our annual meeting will be held on January 27th immediately following

worship.

All committees are asked to submit their reports to of-

fice@stjohnuccgermantown.org by January 7th. Documents should be

submitted in a Microsoft Word or Excel format when possible to ease

merging into one document. Copies of the annual meeting packet will be

available in the church lobby beginning January 20th (provided all reports

are submitted in a timely manner).

DISCRETIONARY FUND

The newly formed Discretionary Fund

is financially supported by the Mis-

sion Alive Committee. The purpose

of the fund is designed to help church

members and their families in cases of

unusual or unexpected financial bur-

dens. Pastor Tara has money set aside

for this emergency. If you are experi-

encing a financial hardship, please

talk with Pastor Tara. Pastor does not

report use of this fund to any commit-

tee or church member (this is a private

matter). This Fund has been approved

by the Church Council and the Mis-

sion Alive Committee.

BLESSING BAGS

The Outreach Committee, in conjunc-

tion with Mission Alive, has em-

barked on a project of ministry to the

homeless. We put together “Blessing

Bags for the Homeless”. These pack-

ages, which are the size of a Zip-Lock

bag, will contain various items such as

energy bars, bottled water, cleansing

wipes, mints, etc. The “Blessing

Bags” are available in the lobby to

church members who may keep them

in their cars and have them handy

when meeting individual’s in-need

while driving throughout the area.

SUPPORT VBS

We’re having a Book Fair! Samples

of some of the books available are on

the table in the lobby as well as order

forms with the full offering of books

at prices below retail! Proceeds will

help to fund VBS and other education-

al initiatives here at St. John. Order-

ing is simple: Fill out the order form

on the backside of the flyer and sub-

mit with payment (check made out to

St. John UCC). Books will be deliv-

ered to the church and we will notify

you when they come in. Lots of great

titles for adults as well as kids books

that make excellent gifts!

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AGING & DISABILITY

Aging and Disability Resource

Center of Washington County

publishes a guide to services

each year. The most recent

copy, The 2017 Resource

Guide, is available in our

church library. The mission

of the Center is to em-

power and assist all sen-

iors, adult with disabili-

ties and their families by

providing services which

help them make in-

formed choices maintain

independence, and re-

main safely in their

homes and community.

How can Information and As-

sistance Services help you?

Information and Assistance

Specialists

-Provide unbiased infor-mation and assistance on is-sues relating to Medicaid, health insurance, paying for medical care and medications and long term care.

-Provide follow-up

-Advocate on the customer’s behalf

-Facilitate financial eligibility determination

-And more

These are real people who can

help you. Check out the Re-

source Guide in our church

library or call the Center di-

rectly at 262-335-4497.

EDUCATIONAL & SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES

BOOK CLUB NOTES

Revolutionary Readers book club meets

monthly at Latitudes Coffee House (near

the corner of Pilgrim & County Line) on

the third Wednesday of the month at 1pm.

All are welcome to join us at any time. We

encourage participants to read the book

listed for that session and come ready to discuss. Bring your questions

and your favorite (or least favorite) passages. The books for the coming

months are listed below. All bo0ks available for order thr the church

book fair. Please place all orders by Feb. 1st.

January 16th— Love W ithout Limits by Jacqueline A. Bussie

February 20th—Stranger God: Meeting Jesus in Disguise by Richard

Beck

March 20th—Fat & Faithful; Learning to love our bodies, our neigh-

bors, and ourselves by J. Nicole Morgan

ATTENTION KNITTERS AND CROCHETTERS

The Prayer Shawl Ministry is engaged in knitting and crocheting prayer

shawls and lap blankets for those facing physical challenges, the home-

bound, newly baptized and others. These gifts are meant as tangible

signs of God’s love and the prayers of our congregation for that individu-

al. The group meets at Latitudes Coffee House (corner of Pilgrim &

County Line Rd.) on the 2nd Wed of the month at 1pm. Our next meet-

ing is January 9th. During our meeting we will discuss ideas and op-

portunities for additional projects in the coming year. Bring any ideas

you have (and whatever info you may have about the organizations, etc)

to the meeting.

On Wednesday January 23rd at 6pm we will

begin a 6 week study on the book of Gala-

tians utilizing “Paul and the Galatians” by

Paul E. Stroble. Cost of the book is $13,

made payable to St. John UCC. Please see

Pastor Tara for a copy of the book prior to

first class.

WOMEN’S GUILD MEETING

The women’s Guild meeting has been changed to January 9th. We will

be planning a Women’s Sunday Worship.

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Fellowship

Please consider signing up

for Fellowship following

church services in our Fel-

lowship Hall (a clip board

with the sign - up sheet is

located near the kitchen).

Join us after church. All

members and friends are

welcome. Any question

contact Sharon Reeder at

262-251-5946.

Dates available for mem-

bers to sign – up for Fellow-

ship:

January 13th, 20th, 27th,

2019

Dates Committees are serv-

ing Fellowship:

Jan. 6th – Spiritual Life

Committee

Feb. 3th – Worship and

Stewardship

March 3rd - Women’s

Guild – Women’s Sunday -

OGHS

Outreach Meetings:

Any members wishing to

join the committee are wel-

come. The next Outreach

Committee meeting is Jan.

20th, at 9am. We meet in

the Fraederich Education

room. Contact Caroline Ro-

maine at 262-385-1327 for

more information.

Volunteers needed:

Volunteers will be needed to

provide rides to church

members who do not have

transportation to - from

church. Please contact the

church office or Pastor Tara

Tetzlaff if interested in vol-

unteering at 262-251-0640.

OUTREACH COMMITTEE

A special thank you to those volunteers who helped with setting up the Christ-

mas tree for the Christmas holiday on Monday November 26th, 2018.

On December 2nd, 2018 a group joyful Christmas carolers, members from St.

John U.C.C. went Christmas caroling to sing to church members. A special

thank you to Karen Roskopf for accompanying us on the piano.

Mark your calendars - Up Coming Events:

January 6th

Tree / decoration take down following the church service. A sign – up sheet

will be posted. Please sign – up.

February 2019

Valentine Care Packages -February 10th

The Outreach Committee and Women’s Guild will be sending

out Valentine Care Packages. This would be for any student of

family members or church members who are attending college or graduate

school as well as those members in the Armed Forces. In keeping with the

theme “Little church with the Big Heart”. The Valentine Care packages would

include items such as snacks items ie: popcorn, granola bars, gum, toiletries to

name a few.

We will need items donated and volunteers to help assemble the packages. A list

of items needed is posted on the bulletin board on the stairwell landing. We will

be needing items donated by February 3rd, 2019. We will be assembling the

packages together and sending them out to college students and those in the

Armed Forces on February 10th, 2019.

If you are a student or have a child attending college or if you are in the

Armed forces or have a child in the Armed forces and would like them to re-

ceive a Valentine Care Package, please contact Sharon Reeder at 262-251-

5946 , or one of the Outreach Committee members. We will need the students

name or name of those in the Armed forces and current address we will be send-

ing the package.

13th Annual Dart Ball Night – Saturday February 28th

Please join us for the 13th Annual Dart Ball Night on Saturday February 28th,

2019. This is an event for family and friends. Supper will be served along with

desserts, snacks and refreshments.

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FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

UPDATE

Baked beans

Boxed or bagged potato

mix

Canned peas

Canned pasta

Hamburger Helper mix-

es

Chunky soup

Mandarin oranges,

pineapple, mixed fruit

Flavored rice mixes

(Rice-a-roni type)

Salad dressing/BBQ

sauce

Cookies/snacks

Refried beans

Low sodium vegetables

Dry soup mixes

Sugar and flour

Cake frosting

Pickles and olives

Dish Soap

Stuffing

Chicken Noodle Soup

Lotion, Shampoo, Deo-

dorant

Anything you can donate

will be appreciated.

Recipe Corner St. John U.C.C. has some wonderful cooks and

bakers and during Fellowship, Potluck Dinners

or Vacation Bible School we have had requests

for some of the recipes. Each month in the

Heart Beat Newsletter the Outreach Committee

will enter a new recipe. If you have one you

would like to submit, please drop it off in the

church office, clearly labeled and we will put it

in the Recipe Corner.

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal Recipe donated by Pastor Tara Tetzlaff

--A great make-ahead breakfast. Makes 6-8 generous servings Ingredients 2 cups milk 1 cup canned pumpkin 2 eggs 1/3 cup brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla 2 cups original steel cut oats (NOT rolled or instant) 1/2 cup dried cherries, raisins, or cranberries (I soak my cherries in hot wa-ter for a few minutes to "plump"--drain well) 1/4 tsp allspice 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp ginger 1/4 tsp cloves 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking powder maple syrup & chopped pecans for topping Directions --Preheat oven to 350. Grease 8x8 pan --Whisk all ingredients (except syrup & pecans) together --Bake Approx. 45 min or until set --Allow to cool slightly before slicing, (I cut mine into 6-8 squares) --Serve warm. (can be frozen-just reheat before serving) --Top each piece with 1 T. maple syrup & 1 T. chopped pecans just before serving

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers will be needed to provide rides to church members who do not

have transportation to - from church. Please contact the church office or

Pastor Tara Tetzlaff if interested in volunteering at 262-251-0640.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

All children 3+ are invited to participate in our Sunday School. Students are

invited to sit in church with teachers or family at the beginning of worship

at 10:30am on Sundays. Kids are dismissed to class after the Children’s

Message.

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General Synod 32 Volunteering

June 21-25, 2019

YOUR HELP IS KEY to the success of the Wisconsin Conference host-ing the 32nd General Synod of the UCC at the Wisconsin Center in Milwau-kee. Over 3000 people are expected to attend and we need 300 to 400 volun-teers to assist the Local Arrangements Committee over this 5-day event. Here is an opportunity to experience the wider United Church of Christ and to learn about our denomination and the many ministries we are engaged in on behalf of Jesus Christ. Here are ways you can volunteer:

Extravagant Hospitality and Welcome: Welcome and direct attendees at Mitchell Airport, the Intermodal Station downtown and in designated hotels.

Registration Table: Assist with the check-in process at the Wisconsin Center.

Guides and Greeters: Welcome and provide directions to attendees in the Wisconsin Center.

Accessibility: Assist with motorized scooters, or other accommodations. Childcare and Children’s Ministry: Provide supervision and program

leadership for age-appropriate child care and children’s activities for infants through age 12. All volunteers in this area will have a back-ground check.

Word Processing for Education and Committees; use your word pro-cessing skills to maintain edits in pronouncements of assigned com-mittees.

Floor Stewards: Assist delegates during plenary sessions as need-ed.

Exhibit Hall Support: Assist in the area designated for UCC and relat-ed agencies and vendors.

Worship Ushers: Usher during worship services of Synod. Volunteer Support: Support volunteers before and during General

Synod. App-bassadors: Help delegates and visitors to access the General

Synod app. Outdoor Festival: Direct and assist attendees at the Sunday Festival at

Frank Zeidler Square Park. All members of the Wisconsin Conference are invited!

Flexible On-Call: On-call volunteers will cover needs which arise unex-pectedly.

Volunteer registration will be available online through the Wisconsin

Conference website page for General Synod.

All registrations for Volunteering will be done electronically including indicat-ing the positions available and the dates/times volunteers are needed. Fill out the form and schedule yourself for a specific opportunity/ies and spe-cific times. To qualify for a reduced Synod registration fee, volunteers must sign up for 6 hours. Once confirmed as an Official Volunteer you will receive a code and can register on the UCC General Synod website, ucc.org/synod. After registering as a volunteer, Volunteers must register with the General Synod site and pay a reduced fee of $60. As a registered volunteer you are able to attend all 5 days of the General Synod as a visitor volunteer at this reduced rate. DO NOT Register on the Synod website until you have been

confirmed and received the volunteer code.

JANUARY

LITURGISTS 6 John Schaetzel 13 Joan Schaetzel 20 Mary Johnson 27 Caroline Romaine USHERS 6 Joan & Ken Schaetzel

13 Bob & Jeannie Leh-mann

20 Carol & Greg Schwartz

27 Marilyn Gabrielson &

Cheryl Matic

CELEBRATE THE SAC-

RAMENTS

As Protestants there are on-

ly two sacraments we rec-

ognize in the church: Bap-

tism and Communion. On

Sunday January 13th we

will celebrate the baptism

of Christ and renew our

own baptism vows as well

as share in Holy Commun-

ion. Come learn, celebrate,

and receive these beautiful

symbols of God’s grace.

(Please note that there will

NOT be Communion on

January 6th).

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JANUARY CALENDAR 6th—Tree take down, following service 7th—Annual Reports due in office 9th—1pm Prayer Shawl 7pm Women’s Guild 10th—6:30pm Council Mtg. 13th—Communion Sunday 15th—10am Spiritual Life Mtg.

16th—1pm Book Club at Latitudes 20th—9am Outreach Mtg. 23rd—6:30pm Adult Study 27th—Annual Meeting to fol-low worship 30th—6:30pm Adult Study

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

5 Dorothy Peterson

6 Bryce Thomas 18 Marge Wundrock

8 Eric Hillstrom Adilyn Skrober

11 Ned Romaine 24 Greg Schwartz

13 Jeff Wendt 25 Polly Weber

14 Caroline Romaine 31 Gayle Johnson

16 Richard Bersch

JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES

7 Greg & Chris Pickett

PRAYER LIST

Prayers for Mike Szymik

Prayers for our church that it may grow

Prayers for Nicole (Lois Cozzuli's daugh-ter

Prayers for Ron Mar-zinski, brother-in-law of Caroline Romaine

Prayers for Tim Ros-kopf, son of Karen Roskopf

Prayers for Stacy C., daughter of Janet Robinson

Prayers for Jason, grandson of Karen Roskopf

Prayers for Henry Reiss, friend of Donna Tess

Prayers for Liz West-hafer

Prayers for Henry Di-eringer, friend of the Huth family

Prayers for Kirk (Lois Cozzuli’s son

Prayers for Lois Coz-zuli

Prayers for Pamela Hanson Ruben

Prayers for Dorothy Peterson

Prayers for Andy Boneski

Prayers for Serena, sister of Mary John-son

CELEBRATIONS: BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

MEMBER UPDATES:

New Address & Phone Number:

Bob & Jeannie Lehmann

1100 N. Cass St. #401

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Phone Number—414-763-7380

New Phone Number:

Ann LaMarre—414-269-9980

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ST. JOHN UCC

N104W14181 Donges Bay Rd.

Germantown, WI 53022

Our Mission is to Celebrate, Reach

Out, Enrich, and Welcome in the

name of Jesus Christ.

WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship Service at St. John UCC—10:30am Sunday School: 10:30-11:30am at St. John UCC

PLEASE

PLACE

STAMP

HERE