The Vine

A Member of the Lutheran Church

-

Missouri Synod

A Member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

2016 july/august VINE

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of St. John’s Evangelical

Lutheran Church is to lovingly proclaim

the Gospel among all people in order to

form and nurture loving communities

which confess by word and deed that

Jesus is Lord and Savior

The Reverend Michael Bagnall, Pastor

Cell Phone (605)354 3703

Mrs. Kelly Speiser, School Principal

School Office: 718-761-1858

Church Location: 216 Jewett Avenue (718) 761 1600

Church Office and Mailing Address and School Location:

663 Manor Road

Staten Island, New York 10314

Church & School Web Site: http://www.stjohnslutheransi.org

Church Email: sjlchurchoffice@gmail.com

LCMS Stewardship

Newsletter Article: July 2016

In our Lord’s parable of the vineyard workers, the vineyard owner says to those who worked the longest, “Or do you begrudge my generosity” (Matthew 20:15)? It’s an unfortunate translation. It’s not wrong, but it doesn’t give us the full picture. What the vineyard owner actually says is this: “Or is your eye evil because I am good?” Earlier in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus said, “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness” (Matthew 6:21–23).

This statement comes right in the middle of our Lord’s teaching about giving. He said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:19–24).

Having an evil eye does not let in the light. Having an evil eye means that we are so focused on what we don’t have, that we are unable to rejoice in what God has given. An evil eye makes us distressed when we see others prosper. It makes us rejoice when others suffer. An evil eye makes us so love ourselves and our money, that we don’t want to share with others; we don’t want to give of what we have because we are so focused on keeping what we have and getting what we don’t.

Whereas a good eye is an eye that lets the light in so that our lives are filled with it. This light shines upon all that we have and reveals that it comes from our Father’s divine goodness and mercy. A good eye that lets in the light, unencumbered by the darkness, so that we have a good will, a benevolent disposition, and a genuine happiness to see others prosper and the desire to be part of it.

Jesus came to give you a good eye and to take away the darkness that fills your life. Christ our Lord, through His death and resurrection, has forgiven your sin, removed your evil eye and given you new eyes that let in His light and truth. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

The reality is that you have all that you need and more. You have the love of God in Christ Jesus. You have the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. You have house and home, all that you need for this body and life. So, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy. And you will see that your hearts will follow, just as Jesus promised.

(Taken from the LCMS July Newsletter)

Dearest Members of the Congregation,

It’s our prayer that you have a restful and blessed summer. Just remember not to take a vacation from God.

In Christ,

Thomas Sax

July Birthdays

8Helen Iacobacci

21Arlene Sellenthin

22 Christopher Sollog

24 Ray Mullick

26 William C. Heming

29James Hart

29Ron Graboski

August Birthdays

2Joan Graboski

6David M. Decker

18Abigail Sullivan

10Fiona Gannon

14Kayleigh Peters

20Henry Alvestad

20David W. Decker

26Kenneth Birstler

31Peter Hart

31 Barbara Percoco

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

4 Linda & Arthur Chicarelli

14Janis & Brian Reich

22Holly & Richard Oliveri

24Walter & Kathy Francis

26Thomas & Jacqueline Sax

IN OUR PRAYERS

Please remember in your prayers the following that are ill:

Heinz Zeller ~ Robert Browne ~ Sonia Ingerson

Mary Francis ~ Kathy Francis ~ Eric Hansen

Audrey Hansen ~ Flo Karl

Ruth Roscheska ~ Joyce Spruth ~ Mark Woycik

John Draper ~ Jerry Valles ~ Marianne Costello

· Thrivent Choice Dollars - Our church is now one of the choices that you can choose with your Thrivent Choice Dollars. You can either go to www.thrivent.com and register or call 1-800 THRIVENT (847-4836) and speak to a live person. When you call the toll free number, you will say “Choice Dollars,” at which time you will be transferred and asked for the last 4 digits of your social security number. You then will speak to a representative who will assist you. Please note that if you use the website, we are listed as St John without the ( 's) Lutheran. We thank all those who have inquired, and we thank everyone who has chosen to help further the ministry of our church. May God richly bless you. Please feel free to share this information with anyone who is a part of this program.

Summer Worship Schedule

Divine Service with Holy Communion

9:30 a.m.

Currently until September 4, 2016.

We will resume the 10:30a.m.the Divine Service on September 11, 2016

   

Ladies Guild News

Hi everyone,

At our June meeting we elected of a new president Leonor Abugel and treasurer Brigitte Hermann. This was our last meeting until September. However, the Ladies workshop will continue to work through the summer on Tuesday mornings from 10 am to 2 pm in the Church Basement all volunteers are welcome.

Please note that our next meeting will be on Thursday, September 8, 2016 in the church basement. Our meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. and Pastor Bagnall will install our new officers and speak about his future plans for the Church and School. Please plan to join us and bring a friend.

Have a Happy and Healthy Summer!

In Christ,

Brigitte Hermann, President

Ruth Roscheska, Secretary

Please visit our website at

www.stjohnslutheransi.org

Our website is updated frequently, and most if not all of your inquiries can be answered simply be logging in.

Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In the fall I’m considering putting together a handchime choir. This would be separate from the existing handbell choir and would be for those who are beginners at reading music. I will discuss this further with any child and their parents who are interested in September. Commitment of course is a priorty. Rest up, and I’ll see you again in September.

In Christ,

Thomas Sax

Happy Summer Everyone,

I would like to start off by thanking everyone for their participation in the Spring Festival/Auction. It was a huge success and a wonderful day of fun! Your support and generosity is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to the Leeseberg Grant, our school music program continues to grow. The funding has enabled us to expand every year and include all grades in music.

Although it is our last month of school, we are still very busy. This month is our annual book fair. It will be extended into an evening Family Literacy Night filled with games and fun. Books will be available to purchase.

Congratulations to our Kindergarten and 8th grade class on their graduation. May your next chapter in life be a successful one. Congratulations to the 8th grade on the amazing high school programs and scholarships they received. We are very proud.

St. John’s will be having a pre-k summer camp. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please have them contact the school office.

Please continue to check our website for updated calendars and newsletters.

May you all have a blessed summer.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Speiser

Visit our website at www.school.stjohnslutheransi.org.

Please call for a tour

663 Manor Road, Staten Island, NY 10314

Phone: 718-761-1858 Fax: 718-761-4962

Congratulations to the Class of 2016

Faith Archibald

Mary Avella

Julia Barrow

Fiona Bucciero

James Chierchio

Frank Cioffi

Katherine Corso

Damyn Cowan

Luke Cruz

Anthony Englehart

Erik Eppinger

Ryan Heming

Lars Kittel

Serena Lau

Elijah Morales

Ellie Perez

Hunter Peters

Esther Turay

Christopher Wessels

Kenton Zhang

Unesu Zvenyika

Dates to Remember

September

Ladies Guild - Thurs. 9/8 Installation of Officers 7:30pm

Mary Martha Workshop - Every Tuesday, 10-2pm

Adult Choir - Tues. 9/6 7:30pm

Hand-bell Choir Rehearsal - Sunday, 9/25 9:00 a.m.

Church Events - Sunday, 9/18 Rally Day 12-2pm

School Events - Tues. 9/6 Teachers return

Wed. 9/7 Opening Chapel, First Day (1/2 day)

Thurs. 9/15 Meet and Greet Parents 7pm

October

Ladies Guild - Thurs. 10/6 7:30pm Tuscarora Trip Fri. - Sun. 10/14-16

Mary Martha Workshop - Every Tuesday, 10-2pm

Adult Choir - Every Tues. 7:30pm

Hand-bell Choir - Every Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Sunday, 9/30 Recital, “Ringing in the Liturgical Year.” 3pm Light reception to follow 4-5pm

Church Events - Mission Fest 10/23

Youth Group Halloween Party TBA

Sunday Bible Study and Sunday School - Resumes 10/2 9:00a.m. Every Sunday

Thursday Breakfast Bible Study - Resumes 10/6 Every Thursday 9:30a.m.

School Events- 10/28 Halloween Party, Trunk and Treat

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