st. john’s lutheran church the voice newsletter …...social ministries if looking for an...

St. John’s Lutheran Church

October 2017 The VOICE Newsletter

Our Mission Statement: Saved by the Grace of God to Witness and to Serve Others - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

From the Pastor Greetings Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Being a Christian who identifies themselves as Lutheran, has some beloved traditions:

Liturgical Worship, Word and Sacrament, singing hymns, potluck dinners, Saved by Grace,

National Youth Gatherings, joining God in MISSION and much more!

One of my favorite descriptions of why we would want to be Lutherans is from the book,

Reclaiming the “L” Word by Pastor Kelly Fryer. A group of diverse Lutherans tell her that

no other church is so clear about what it means to be saved, not by anything that I do or Am,

but by grace through faith alone.

Thank you, Martin Luther, for the scriptural teachings about God’s grace!

The 500th

anniversary of Martin Luther posting his Ninety-Five Theses in Wittenberg,

Germany on the church door is on October 31, 2017. These Ninety-Five Theses debated and

challenged various practices in the Roman Catholic Church. Many Lutheran churches

around the world are preparing for this special anniversary and are commemorating it in

many ways.

We are grateful for Luther’s teachings about God’s grace through faith, and the Small

Catechism…which teaches the basics of the Christian faith. We also love Luther’s well-

known hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” On Sunday October 29th

here at St. John’s,

Luther expert Dave Polzin will lead an educational presentation in the sanctuary during the

Sunday School time. Plan to attend and learn many interesting things about Luther and our

Lutheran faith too.

Also on Sunday October 29th

everyone is invited to worship at Bethlehem Lutheran Church

in Pemberville at 4:00p.m. This very special worship service will have beautiful music

performed by many musicians in our area and Bishop Daniel Beaudoin will be preaching.

Following the service there will be a time of fellowship and delicious German food to savor

and enjoy.

It is important to know that Luther only wanted to reform the Roman Catholic Church and

he did not intend to start a new church. Five hundred years later we gather together with

our Catholic brothers and sisters in UNITY. We gather together in HOPE.




This happened in our area on Sunday September 10th

at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic

Church in Findlay, Ohio. Lutherans and Catholics worshipped together, prayed together,

sang hymns together and had fellowship and delicious food together. This Joint Catholic-

Lutheran Commemoration of the Reformation was a blessed event for all who

attended…including me and others from our congregation.

N.W.O. Synod Bishop Daniel Beaudoin said, “We gather together in worship and prayer and

hope. We are the church of Jesus Christ and we are the witness to the world.”

Catholic Bishop of Toledo, Bishop Daniel Thomas proclaimed, “We come in common thanks

and thank Jesus Christ together. We come in common hope. The desire of the heart of

Jesus is that we become one.”

At this service both Bishops renewed and signed a covenant reminding our two communities

of our common confession and listed ways the two communities would work

together…united in prayer, study and in action. This event was spiritually fulfilling and

very exciting for the many Lutherans and Catholics who attended.

As we commemorate the 500th

anniversary of Luther posting his Ninety-Five Theses… may

our faith be inspired by these words from Luther:

“Faith is a living and daring confidence in God’s grace.”

and

“Our faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing.”

May God bless YOU today and every day!

In Christ, Pastor Cindy Ritter

2017: The Year of Grace Memory Verse

(Chosen by Bishop Daniel Beaudoin)

Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing;

it is the gift of God"




1. DAILY PRAYER In our prayers (from September bulletin):

Alana Gribble, health concerns

Kason Bradley Murphy, upon his baptism,

son of Ryan & Morgan Murphy

The family of Diana Edwards (Sandy Sutter’s mother), upon her passing

The victims of Hurricane Harvey and thanksgiving for the volunteers

The family of Michael Floyd (father to one of our Pre-K students), upon his death

Glen Welling, health concerns

Marriage of Matthew & Angela Dunn on September 9, 2017

Installation of the Sunday School, Catechism, and Adult Sunday school Teachers

Austin Kieper, health concerns

Sandra Goodman, health concerns

The victims of Hurricane Irma and thanksgiving for the volunteers

Lowell Baker, health concerns

The family of Keith Roach, upon his death

Brynn Elizabeth Schulte, upon her baptism, daughter of Jeff & Brooke Schulte

2. WITNESS/INVITING OTHERS - Do take the opportunity to invite others to join us

for summer worship on Sunday Mornings.

3. SERVING OTHERS

5. WEEKLY WORSHIP

Sunday Schedule 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service

9:30 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School/Catechism/Adult Bible Study 10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship Service 11:45 a.m. Fellowship

4. GENEROUS GIVING

Financial Giving as of September 10, 2017

General Fund Income (Year-to-Date)

Budget Actual $201,890 $216,926

Benevolence Fund (Year-to-Date)

Budget Actual $21,701 $25,183

(Copies of current Financial Reports are in the holders located to the right of the Prayer Desk in the Narthex.)

Worship Attendance September 3 ~ 161 September 10 ~ 192 September 17 ~ 204




6. DAILY BIBLE READING2017 Daily Bible Reading Schedule. See the yellow sheets next to the Prayer Desk in the Narthex. Take a moment each day to read and reflect on God's Holy Word.

Oct 1 Psalms 115-118 Oct 2 1 Timothy 6 Oct 3 2 Timothy 1 Oct 4 2 Timothy 2 Oct 5 2 Timothy 3 Oct 6 2 Timothy 4 Oct 7 Psalm 119 Oct 8 Psalm 119 Oct 9 Titus 1 Oct 10 Titus 2

Oct 11 Titus 3 Oct 12 Philemon Oct 13 Hebrews 1 Oct 14 Psalms 120-122 Oct 15 Psalms 120-122 Oct 16 Hebrews 2 Oct 17 Hebrews 3 Oct 18 Hebrews 4 Oct 19 Hebrews 5 Oct 20 Hebrews 6

Oct 21 Psalms 123-125 Oct 22 Psalms 123-125 Oct 23 Hebrews 7 Oct 24 Hebrews 8 Oct 25 Hebrews 9 Oct 26 Hebrews 10 Oct 27 Hebrews 11 Oct 28 Psalms 126-128 Oct 29 Psalms 126-128 Oct 30 Hebrews 12 Oct 31 Hebrews 13

SOCIAL MINISTRIES Sunday Specials for October

Shared Bounty is collecting toothpaste and toothbrushes

Food Pantry is collecting jars of turkey gravy and boxes of stuffing mix

Please place in the bin in the coatroom. Thanks in advance for your support! ~ The Food Pantry is currently serving 146 families. ~

The American Red Cross will be at St. John’s on Friday, November 24th from 9:00 a.m. – noon. Please contact Glen & Doris Welling at 419-494-4578 if you can help set up, tear down or bake cookies. Social Ministries if looking for an individual, family or a scout troop to take over the Troop Project. This involves placing an article in the VOICE, contacting families of service men/women to get an idea on the type of snack items that they enjoy, restaurants in the area…etc., shopping for the items, totaling the receipts for the items and shipping and putting in Dave Bockbrader’s folder for reimbursement and then shipping the packages at the post office. Please contact Jerri 419-297-7300 if you or your family would like to help us with this project.


September 2017 The VOICE Newsletter


Don’t forget to start picking up items for Operation Christmas Child (Shoeboxes). The boxes will be in the Narthex mid October with the shoeboxes due back to church by November 12th. Please mark your calendars and join us for dinner on Thursday, October 26th at the McDonalds on Route 20 in Perrysburg. Social Ministries is looking at the possibility of printing another cookbook. It has been 10 years since we printed the last one. We are looking at forming a committee to organize this with meetings to start after the first of the year for a fall printing and sale. Contact Jerri if you would like to help. Starting to think about Christmas shopping??? Don’t forget about our reusable shopping bags for that hard to buy for person. Our blue bags are $3.50 and the red bags are $2.00. Contact Jerri if you are interested in purchasing them.

PASTORAL ACTS Baptism

Brynn Schulte on 9/17/2017 Eli Thomas Budke 9/24/2017

MEMORIALS

In loving memory of Libbe Rose Hale

Rick, Lynda & Michael Lees

In loving memory of Carol Taylor Clyde & Susie Bame John & Janet Neundorfer Ted & Sharon Bitter Ron & Kathleen Holzman Mary Jane Reitzel Dan & Linda Biniker Dave & Linda Bockbrader David & Michelle Welling Carolyn Burns Richard & Wendy Keppler Rick & Lynda Lees Marilyn Wauford Ron & Shirley Leiser Betty Wolf Sandy Welling-Miller Duane & Barbara Karam, Sr. Eloise Schober Marilyn Goeckerman St. John’s Comforter Ladies Mr.& Mrs. Richard Rinehast




October BIRTHDAYS (Those over 74 years young!)

October 18 Marilyn Rudolph 4030 Indian Road, Woodlands Apt. 215, Ottawa Hills, 43606

October 23 Mary Shook 23745 Bradner Road, Genoa, 43430

October 24 Ella Freeman 6002 Hanley Road, Perrysburg, 43551

October 31 Doris Welling 6862 Devils Hole Road, Pemberville, 43450

FELLOWSHIP

Men's Breakfast

Men's Breakfast at Panera on Rt. 20 in Perrysburg from 7:30-9:00 a.m. Saturday, October 14

th. All men are invited.

As people of God, the "Lutheran World Relief Mission Quilts & Kits Ministry" team invites you, children of God to help assist packing-up/boxing-up quilts and kits for shipment to the Maryland warehouse on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 @ 9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Come and see - you will feel blessed to assist in God's ministry helping people feel the presence of God's love!

Chili Cook-Off Alert!! Chili Cook-off Alert!! Chili Cook-off Alert!! It’s almost here – the 6

th Annual Chili Cook-off! On Sunday, October

22nd

, St. John’s will be hosting our Chili Cook-off following the Dayschool’s Trunk or Treat event. It will start at 5:30 p.m. Because this event has grown in the past years, we are in need of extra help. We need 6-8 helpers in the kitchen and 2 helpers to be in charge of cornbread and desserts. There will also be a need for 2 helpers to work the gathering room where pots of chili need to be registered and plugged in. On October 1

st there will be an information and sign-up

board in the Narthex. Please see Sandy Welling-Miller for details on how to help. The Chili Cook-off has become a great outreach event for St. John’s. In order for us to keep this event going and running smoothly, we ask for this extra help. Come join us for fun and fellowship and a chance to take home the coveted “Golden Spoon Award.”

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The October Bible Study will be Session 2, “I Believe in Jesus Christ,” found in the

October issue of Gather magazine. In Scripture, Jesus is called the Messiah, the Son

of God, a teacher, a healer, the rock of our salvation, Son of Man and other titles. In

the Apostles’ Creed, Jesus’ life and ministry are briefly summed up.

The Bible Study begins at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 11th, in the Lounge. All are

welcome.

COMFORTERS FOR LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF will be tied on Thursday, October

5, in the Parish House from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Afterwards, the comforters (quilts)

will be taken to the nave where they will be draped over the pews. The comforters and

kits will be dedicated on Sunday, October 8, at both services. These comforters warm

bodies and hearts around the world.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Thursday, October 5 – Tie Comforters

Sunday, October 8 – Dedication of Comforters and Kits

Wednesday, October 11 – Bible Study (Rebekah Circle)

PRAY FOR SPECIAL CONCERNS EVERY MONDAY AT NOON. Give thanks for

Martin Luther and his teachings as we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the

Reformation.

The “bereavement/funeral” and “flower ministry” teams are in need of any empty containers (cool

whip, cottage cheese, square cookie) to send leftover food and flowers to folks. Your donations will

be greatly appreciated. Please place in the kitchen, sacristy, or church office.




LIBRARY NEWS for October

Here are the new books the church library has added for October.

We have five new books for children:

Sugar Creek Gang by Paul Hutchens

Lost in the Blizzard

On the Mexican Border

When the Grants Came to Town by Marcia Leonard

Anatole and the Toyshop by Eve Titus

Eloise in Hollywood by David Stem and David N. Weiss

Big Max - The World's Greatest Detective by Kin Platt

There two new books for adults:

Undefeated - The Athletes Bible

God's Game Plan

Baby Names 2017 by Eleanor Turner

Check out these books and more in the church library. It is open whenever the church is open.

Stay in touch with Bishop

Daniel Beaudoin!

Did you know that Bishop

Daniel emails a weekly

message? You can subscribe

through this link:

http://nwos-elca.church/email/

http://nwos-elca.church/email/




As all from St. John’s are aware we have a very special little girl, Alana Gribble, from

our congregation who is currently experiencing serious health concerns. Alana has been

undergoing radiation and drug treatments and has a long and difficult journey ahead of

her. Alana began attending St. John’s regularly with her parents, Scott and Danielle, and

Grandma Terri, when she was only days old and continues to do so weekly even through

her treatments.

On October 15, 2017, the Prayer and Retreat Committee will be hosting a Spaghetti

Dinner and Music Event. The purpose of this event is to raise funds to help Scott and

Danielle cover medical and other expenses. Dinner will be served from 11:00 am to 1:00

pm and carry out will be available. Music will begin at 1:00 pm in the Sanctuary.

While a free will donation for the dinner will be taken at the event, we are asking you

request tickets ahead of time just to give us a number to plan dinner for. These tickets will

be available starting on September 17, 2017 until October 8, 2017 from a Prayer and

Retreat Committee member.

In addition to dinner and music, there will be a silent auction. The committee is

asking the congregation for donations of items (please only new items) to auction off.

Examples could be a craft item or an item from your employer or a basket of items you put

together. Please consider doing this and let a committee member know of your donation by

October 8, 2017.

St. John’s is a loving and generous congregation and we now have the opportunity to

help one of our own. Please plan to attend this event, to enjoy dinner, music, and

fellowship while aiding Alana and her family.

We also ask that you keep Alana, Scott, Danielle, and Terri in your prayers.

The Prayer and Retreat Committee

Clyde and Susie Bame

Joe and Nancy Nycz

Donna Powers

Jim Umbaugh




THANK YOUS Thank you to Health Care Workers for serving during Sunday’s fellowship time in September.

THANKS to all who brought in cookies & snacks. Social Ministries will be serving in October.

Thank yous were received from the following: Lutheran Social Services for the donation of $53.73 Genacross for the donation of $122.49

Luther Home of Mercy for the donation of $163.32 With warmest thanks, grateful hearts, and deep appreciation for your thoughtfulness. We are so thankful for the support, prayers and the luncheon following the loss of our son, Justin. Mindy, Jason, Connor and Jessica Stewart

Mark your Calendars for November

November 1 All Saints Day November 5 Daylight Saving Time ends November 7 Election Day November 23 Thanksgiving November 24 Red Cross Blood Drive

st. john’s lutheran church the voice newsletter …...social ministries if looking for an...

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