About St. John
St. John Lutheran Church is located at 207 Adams St., in downtown Port
Clinton, at the corner of Second and Adams Streets, just one block south of
Perry St. (or State Rt. 163).
CONNECTIONS
St. John Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The ELCA is a
church wide organization comprised of over 11,000 congregations through the
United States of America.
www.elca.org
www.sharingfaith.org
www.thelutheran.org
We are also in partnership with 193 congregations located
across Northwestern Ohio in the Northwestern Ohio Synod. The offices of the NWOS are located in Findlay, Ohio.
www.nwos-elca.org
Local ELCA congregations in Ottawa and Wood Counties are
partners in mission and ministry through the North Central Conference.
Our congregation also participates in the Port Clinton
Clergy Association and it’s seasonal worship and service opportunities.
Meet the St. John Lutheran Church Ministry Team
Senior Pastor: The
Reverend James N. Lehman
Associate Pastor: The
Reverend Daniel J. Keck
Community Pastor: The Reverend Jasmina Kotasova
Visitation Pastor: The
Reverend Richard B. Sutter
Pastor Emeritus: The
Reverend Harry Holzapfel
Administrative Assistant: Jean Solem
Organist: Henry
Kihlken
Choir Director: Craig Dieterich
Hand Bell Choir Director: Lisa Rider
DiscipleShip Quest Superintendent: Ellen Bloom
Nursery Coordinator: Nikki Wells
Custodians: Bob
Mackey and Mark Van Hoose
An Introduction to Our Pastor
Pastor Jim Lehman was called to St. John Lutheran Church in
May of 2002. He has been a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church since June
29, 1980 when he was ordained at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio.
Pastor Lehman has served the following congregations during
his years of service to the Lord and the church: Trinity Lutheran Church,
Gaylord, Minnesota 1980-1985; Salem Lutheran Church, Pemberville, Ohio 1985-1992
and Trinity Lutheran Church Lewisburg, Ohio 1992-2002.
Members of his family include his wife Jean, and sons Brad
and Andrew. Jean works as an account clerk at Riverview Industries (Ottawa
County MRDD). Brad is a graduate of Capital University in Columbus, and works
at a juvenile treatment center in the Columbus area. While Andrew is a recent
graduate of Bowling Green State University, and works for a computer consulting
firm in Columbus. The family also includes two Golden Retrievers, Mesa and Sam.
Special interests of ministry for Pastor Lehman are
preaching, teaching, youth ministry and leading the congregation through a
discovery of vision and strategic planning. Pastor Jim also loves to golf.
Vision, Values and Mission Statements
The leadership and people of St. John Lutheran Church are
strongly committed to striving to live out its Vision, Value and Mission
Statements that have been developed over the past several years.
OUR VISION
“GROWING DISCIPLES OF JESUS”
OUR VALUES
WORSHIP:
Our
first response to the good news of God’s unconditional love in Jesus is to
worship. Gathered by the Spirit, around Word and Sacrament, we praise God,
pray, confess our faith, give thanks, experience fellowship with God and others,
hear God’s Living Word, receive God’s blessings, and arise to serve others.
SACRED
SPACE:
We
strive to provide a welcoming place where all can enter into God’s presence, and
experience the wonder, peace, majesty, grandeur and mercy of the God who loves
us all.
MAKING
A JOYFUL NOISE:
In
gratitude and joy, we lift our praises to the LORD, so that through “our music
God may be glorified.” We seek to utilize the varied gifts planted within this
community of faith to sing, ring, and play music so that “every instrument is
tuned for praise.”
A
CARING COMMUNITY:
We
recognize that when God calls us to faith in Christ, we are joined to a
community where we can experience genuine warmth, deep friendships, and loving
relationships. We are aware that God calls us to invite others into this same
caring community of faith, and challenges us to demonstrate Christ-like
hospitality to all.
NURTURING DISCIPLES:
We
will offer meaningful opportunities for children, youth and adults to hear,
learn and experience the good news of God’s love in Jesus. From cradle to
grave, we will strive in all we do, to nurture disciples of Jesus who love God
and others.
OUR MISSION
We are a
Christ-centered and caring congregation called by God to share the good news of
salvation for all people.
Service and Outreach
Assistance
St. John Lutheran Church partners with and supports with
donations of food and cash, community agencies to provide assistance to
individuals and families in need through First Call for Help (419.734.6645)
Head Start
W.S.O.S. is a four county agency program to give children a
positive beginning with development. St. John Lutheran Church has been pleased
to host this program in it’s facilities for over 30 years.
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA groups meet here at St. John Lutheran Church on Sundays
at 7:30 pm and Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
Scouting
The congregation serves as a sponsoring organization for a
Cub Scout pack under the leadership of Kim Auxter. Contact the church office
for more information.
The Gathering
St. John Lutheran Church partners with area congregations
and agencies to provide a FREE MEAL and Blood Pressure Screenings on the last
Thursday of the month. The meal is served from 4:30-6:00 pm and is open to
ALL. It is a time when people gather together for fellowship around a wholesome
meal. Some baked goods are available at no cost.
Tractors to Tanzania
Members and friends of St. John Lutheran Church have come
together to provide used tractors to the people of Tanzania, seeking to lend a
helping hand so that the people of that country may be fed more effectively.
Companion Congregation
St. John Lutheran Church has entered into a partnership
with the Nkuhungu congregation of the Dodoma Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Tanzania. Through this partnership we seek to recognize and celebrate
our unity with Christians around the world. We regularly send letters and small
gifts as part of this mutual relationship. We constantly remember one another
in prayer as we seek to be faithful to our One Lord, Jesus Christ.
Lutheran Word Relief
Through our connection with Lutherans here in the United
States of America and Lutheran from around the world, we support through our
offerings, education and prayer the work of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal and
Lutheran Disaster Response, which responds to disasters here and abroad.
DiscipleShip Quest
A NEW
NAME … DISCIPLE-SHIP QUEST
It
will take some getting used to, but in order to more clearly be about moving
towards God’s vision of “Growing Disciples of Jesus,” our creative Christian
Education Team has chosen the name “Disciple-Ship Quest” for what
was formerly known as Sunday School.
Folks
of all ages, from our three year olds through our ninety-nine year olds are on a
journey that begins in the waters of Baptism, and continues throughout our life
times as we seek to grow in faith and in our practice of the things that
disciples do. Many of which can be practiced during the hour dedicated to
Christian nurture on Sunday mornings (for example Reading the Bible, Praying,
Giving and Encouraging one another.)
Come
join us on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am, there’s room for all on the Disciple-Ship
Quest!
We
have a great crew of teachers who faithfully share God’s Love as students and
teachers gather around God’s Word and grow as disciples of Jesus. Classes are
available for all ages from 3 year old through adult.
Confirmation Ministry
Confirmation Ministry is provided for youth in Grades 6 and
7 as they prepare to affirm the promises of Baptism. Classes are held every
other Sunday evening at 4:30 pm. The background of the Confirmation Ministry
Program is also available on request.
First Communion
Instruction for children 10 years and older that leads to
participation in the Lord’s Supper is held each Fall. Contact the Church Office
for the next date.
New Members
Classes are held for those who are seeking to learn more
about Christian faith and for those who are coming from other faith traditions.
Contact the Church Office (419.734.5548) to find out about
the next scheduled class.
HISTORY
Conversations were held about the need for a Lutheran
presence in the developing town of Port Clinton and as a result, the
congregation of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized on September
28, 1875. Property was soon purchased at the corner of West Second Street and
Jackson for $450.00 on March 12, 1876 and the first frame church building was
completed in 1878.
In April of 1878, the congregation was incorporated as an
organized Lutheran congregation and The Reverend John C. Lilje was called as St.
John’s first pastor. Pastor Lilje served here for eight years, receiving a
salary of $300.00 per year. Pastor Lilje resigned on May 1, 1886 to accept a
new call in Salem Township.
On June 20, 1886, The Reverend Theodore Koehler was
installed as pastor. A two-story parsonage was built adjoining the church soon
after the arrival of Pastor Koehler.
St. John’s next pastor was The Reverend A.Oscar Gallenkamp
who served from 1895 to 1898. During this period controversies erupted over
pastor selection procedures and membership in Social Orders. As a result a
number of members severed their connection with St. John’s and formed Peace
Lutheran Church in 1895.
Continuing growth during the leadership of Pastor
Gallenkamp made the first structure inadequate. When it became apparent that
adding to the structure was not feasible, plans were made to erect a new church
building. The small church was sold and moved to the corner of West Third and
Harrison, and served as the West End Grocery. In 1999 it was converted to
handicapped-accessible apartments.
In July of 1897 plans were drawn for a Gothic brick
structure to be built with a full basement and steeple. A pipe organ was also
included in the worship space. The new house of worship was dedicated on
February 27, 1898. The cornerstone was inscribed in German, 1897 Deutsche
Evangelische St. John Kirche.
Later that year, Pastor Gallenkamp accepted a new call and
The Reverend S. K. Strauss was called to serve at St. John’s. Much hard work
was expended in seeking to reduce the debt from the building of the new church
structure. During this time, St. John began to hold one service each month in
English. This decision stemmed the tide of young people who were leaving the
congregation because they could not understand or speak German. With the
increased membership the debt was soon retired.
Then an unforeseen development took place within the life
of the congregation. The New York Central Railroad found it necessary to change
it’s line and widen it’s tracks. This brought the tracks in such close
proximity to the church property line that an offer was made to purchase the
building. After months of discussion and deliberation about assuming a new,
larger debt, the congregation voted to accept the railroad’s offer of $23,000.
The altar was of black walnut and the church and Sunday School furniture was
hand carved from oak. The former church building is now used by Heinemann
Distributing Company.
A property was purchased at the corner of East Second and
Adams St
for $5,000.00. A building committee was chosen and work
soon began on the
construction of the sanctuary still in use. The dedication
took place on September 26, 1915. A two-story frame building was purchased for
a parsonage on Adams Street. The total cost of construction was over $50,000
with an indebtedness of just $16,000.
In May 1918 Pastor Strauss accepted a call to Wheeling,
West Virginia, concluding 20 years as pastor of St. John Lutheran Church.
The Reverend F. Lambertus was installed as pastor in
October 1918. The following year, 1919, the congregation voted to hold all
worship services in English. A larger parsonage was needed and a home at 218
Washington was purchased. Extra space in the parsonage was utilized by the St.
John Lutheran Church Sunday School, as in 1925 over 225 students were enrolled.
The first church secretary, Miss Elma Miller was hired in May of 1923.
In September of 1925 a Golden Jubilee was celebrated as the
congregation observed it’s 50th Anniversary. Former Pastors Koehler
and Strauss were present for the festivities. Records indicate that in those 50
years the congregation had experienced significant growth. There had been until
that time in history 895 funerals, 1675 baptisms and 900 youth confirmed their
faith. Five years later, in 1930, the congregation was debt free.
The twelve year pastorate of Pastor Lambertus came to a
conclusion in 1930. In the fall of that year, The Reverend W.A Siefkes became
the pastor at St. John Lutheran Church, he would serve here for 13 years.
During his leadership, the membership grew to 1350 baptized members, and Sunday
School enrollment was at a staggering figure of 500! Because of this period of
growth, St. John’s first Associate Pastor was called, The Reverend Harold Jahr.
His stay was brief and he was succeeded by The Reverend W. Lehman of Fremont,
Ohio.
A disastrous fire occurred in the parsonage. Following an
extensive repairing and remodeling project, the need for living quarters for the
assistants and the need for a church office became urgent. A home at the corner
of Washington and East Second was purchased. In May of 1934, the Siefkes family
moved into the parsonage and the second floor was remodeled to serve as a parish
house.
In 1938, 250 pastors and delegates of the Michigan
District of the American Lutheran Church met in convention at St. John Lutheran
Church. Delegates were housed in the homes of members. The Lutheran Standard
featured a story about St. John Lutheran Church in February of 1939. The
congregational membership stood at 1,100 sustaining members, a confirmed
membership of 1,400, and 400 students enrolled in Sunday School.
As WWII broke out, Pastor Siefkes was called by the Service
Commission of the National Lutheran Council to serve as pastor of the Lutheran
Service Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Church Council was reluctant to grant
his release, but they were unwilling to stand in the way of his Call and his
desire to be in service to the men of the armed forces. 114 young men and women
from St. John Lutheran Church also answered the nation’s call to service. By
the end of the war, 192 members had served.
On August 1, 1943, The Reverend Theodore J. Pretzlaff was
installed as pastor. A significant moment during these war years was the
ordination of the first son of St. John’s, Quentin Battiste, was ordained on
June 2, 1946 as a Lutheran pastor. By 1944 the baptized membership stood at
1,989, with 1,137 confirmed members. In 1946 Pastor Pretzlaff left St. John’s
to accept a call to Salem Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan.
With the war now over, Chaplain John F. Braun returned to
his parish at Venice, Ohio having served Trinity Lutheran Church for 15 years
before the war, where he served as Chaplain of the U.S. Armed Forces in the
European theatre. He became pastor of St. John Lutheran Church on October 20,
1946, taking residence in the Washington St. parsonage with his wife Dorothy and
son, John.
A number of vicars, later known as interns, were called to
assist with the pastoral duties at St. John’s. All of them were assigned
through Capital University Seminary in Columbus. Among these were : J. Edward
Schmidt, Richard Poock, Paul Klopfer, Jack Dennis, Richard Bauer, Rollin Reiss,
Robert Yoemans, Jay Radar, Lewis Glick, Paul Long and David Moke.
1950 brought the 75th Diamond Jubilee. Four
services in September celebrated this milestone. Former pastors returned to
share in the joy of this occasion.
Significant growth in the Sunday School program brought a
need for additional classrooms, and a portable building was erected. It later
was sold to the Union Sunday School at Catawba Island and became known as the
Union Chapel.
In 1952 the rebuilt pipe organ was dedicated as the Siefkes
Memorial Organ in memory of Pastor Siefkes who had passed away in 1951.
Crowded conditions in the growing congregation made it
imperative that additional rooms and church offices be built. Membership stood
at 1,803 baptized members and 1,229 confirmed members, with an astounding Sunday
School enrollment of 707! A Parish Hall seemed to be the solution to the
overcrowded conditions. A building committee was formed and the ground breaking
took place on Sunday, December 21, 1952. The completed educational building was
dedicated on May 9, 1954.
In 1957 the Michigan District Convention of the American
Lutheran Church was held once again at St. John Lutheran Church. Also in 1957,
the second of St. John’s “sons,” Richard Lafer was ordained. It was also in
1957 that the Church Council determined to call a second pastor to the pastoral
staff. A call was extended to a recent seminary graduate, The Reverend Harry S.
Holzapfel, who was installed on June 16, 1957.
The life of the congregation was moved to deep sorrow in
September of 1958 with the untimely death of Dorothy Braun, wife of Pastor
Braun. In deep appreciation for her untiring efforts on behalf of the
congregation, a memorial fund was established. Because of her deep love for
music, automatic chimes were installed in her memory.
In 1960 Pastor Braun was a delegate to the Constituting
Convention of The American Lutheran Church held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At
that time the membership of St. John Lutheran Church stood at 2,080 baptized,
1,453 confirmed and with a Sunday School enrollment of 731.
Sunday worship services were first broadcast on WRWR-FM in
October of 1961. The Bethel Bible study series was also started in 1961, with
Pastor Holzapfel providing leadership.
In 1962 upon the death of Ms. Pearl Wahlers, her home was
given to St. John Lutheran Church to be used as a parsonage for a minimum of
twenty years. After extensive remodeling, the parsonage was dedicated in 1963
and Pastor Holzapfel and his family moved in. On June 6, 1963 Pastor Braun was
awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Capital University. The
parsonage at 129 Washington Street was sold.
On Sunday, September 26, 1965 the 50th
Anniversary of the Dedication of St. John Lutheran Church was celebrated, along
with the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the congregation.
Pastors Pretzlaff, Lafer and Battiste returned to St. John’s during the
celebration in September and October.
Again in 1966, St. John Lutheran Church was honored to host
the Michigan District Convention of The American Lutheran Church. Over 460
delegates attended. 1966 was also a great year of celebration for Dr. Braun as
the congregation observed his Twentieth Anniversary in Port Clinton, and his 40th
Year of Ordination as a Lutheran pastor.
It was also in 1966 that the Mission Board of The American
Lutheran Church approved the establishment of a mission congregation on Catawba
Island. Ground was broken in August for what would become Resurrection Lutheran
Church. Approximately 99 members were transferred to Resurrection from St. John
Lutheran Church.
The first woman to serve on Church Council was Florence
Rastall who began her duties as Secretary in 1967. Later that same year, aware
of the forthcoming retirement of Dr. Braun, a call was issued to The Reverend
Richard Buchsteiner, a graduate of Wartburg Seminary. Pastor Buchsteiner was
installed on August 6, 1967. On Sunday, August 27, Dr. Braun, after serving St.
John Lutheran Church for 21 years, gave his final sermon, entitled, “The Time
for My Departure.” His retirement was effective on September 1, 1967. One year
later, Dr. Braun was called from this life. A scholarship Fund was started in
his memory at Capital University.
Many benevolent and service projects were initiated in 1968
including: The LIFE Project, a $15,000 loan to Resurrection Lutheran Church, a
gift to St. Luke’s School of Nursing, and permission for Head Start to use space
in the Parish Hall.
The radio ministry began on a regular basis in December
1970 over WRWR-FM.
On June 18, 1972 the third of St. John’s sons, Raymond
Vance was ordained. He accepted a call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Hemet,
California.
In May 1974 $5,000 received from the estate of Mr. and Mrs.
John Lorentzen was placed in the New Organ Fund, along with an anonymous
donation of $1,500.00 On December 8, 1974 a special congregational meeting
approved the purchase of a new pipe organ from M.P. Moller Company for
$52,000.00 This replaced the organ that had served such 1913.
The Centennial Anniversary was celebrated in 1975 under the
theme The Past Remembered, The Present Enriched, The Future Challenged.
In January of 1975 Pastor Buchsteiner received and accepted
a call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Bryan, Ohio. His final sermon was
delivered on February 1, 1975 which had been declared Buchsteiner Day in Port
Clinton. A Call Committee was formed and a call was issued to Charles Campbell,
assuming his duties here at St. John Lutheran Church following his ordination at
Zoar Lutheran Church, Perrysburg.
The building was used by many groups during these years
including: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Head Start, Golden Agers, Health Clinics
etc. Sporting activities included basketball, volleyball, roller skating and
square dancing.
In 1975 the baptized membership stood at 1,974, with 471
enrolled in Sunday School.
On June 8, 1977 John Meachen was ordained into the Lutheran
ministry.
In 1978 the congregation approved a new constitution which
brought several significant changes: women could serve on Church Council in
other positions besides secretary and treasurer; 18 year olds could vote and
serve on Church Council, the annual meeting was moved to September from January,
the Church Council is composed of elected boards each having direct
responsibility for an area of ministry, and term limits were put in place.
Other activities from 1978 included an annual stewardship campaign, recognition
dinner for choir members, the installation of a new roof and the ordination of
the fourth son of the congregation, William Twynham, and the purchase of The
Lutheran Book of Worship.
A Matching Fund was established for students who attend
Capital University in Columbus in 1979. The Parish Hall roof was repaired and
additional hymnal racks were made and installed. The congregation was saddened
by the death of Bonnie Braun in April. Bonnie was the wife of long-time Pastor
Braun. The interior of the sanctuary was painted. Sixteen pew candelabras were
purchased by the ALCW.
On January 27, 1980 Pastor Campbell resigned to further
his education. A Call Committee was formed to select a new Associate Pastor.
Also in 1980 VBS was held jointly with Peace Lutheran, new
offering envelopes were utilized. A new worship schedule was established for
the summer with worship and Sunday School running concurrently at 9:30 am.
A call was extended to The Reverent Robert A. Schefter to
become Associate Pastor here at St. John Lutheran Church. Pastor Schefter was
installed on September 7, 1980.
On Wednesday, December 14, 1980 a fire started in the
church basement. Fire spread through the old pipe organ chamber. Because of
the prompt response of the Port Clinton Fire Department, the fire did not reach
the attic. Due to extensive smoke damage, worship services were held in the
Parish Hall.
In 1981 the basketball goals were removed from the Parish
Hall because there was not adequate supervision.
Pastor Holzapfel and his wife Val were presented with a
trip to Japan and China from the congregation for their 25th Wedding
Anniversary. Pastor Patricia Shaffer-Gottschalk , the first daughter of St.
John Lutheran Church was ordained on July 26, 1981. A fire alarm system was
installed in the kitchen, along with an exhaust system. New blue paraments for
Advent were made by Nancy Harris.
In 1982 Bethel Bible classes were held to train teachers
for this overview of the Bible course. Pastor Holzapfel was honored for his 25
years of ordained ministry. Joint VBS was held with Peace Lutheran once again.
The age for youth to participate in Confirmation was changed from 7th
and 8th Grade to 6th and 7th Grade.
In 1983 the Parish Hall floor was refinished. The Men’s
Glee Club from Capital University performed at the worship services. A film
series was held in conjunction with Trinity United Methodist Church. After 16
years of faithful service Howard and Grace Ohm retired as custodians.
Four persons completed training for the Bethel Bible Series
in 1984. The congregation loaned $35,000 through the Mission Investment Fund to
All Saints Lutheran Church in Hartland, Michigan, where Pastor Patricia
Shaffer-Gottschalk was serving as Mission Development pastor. Bus trips were
taken to several locations. Pew cushions were purchased. After 30 years as
church office secretary, Dorothy Ostling retired. Pastor Buchsteiner preached
at worship. Jean Solem was hired to serve as church office secretary.
In 1985 St. John entered the technological age as a
computer and printer were purchased for the church office. After 44 years as
choir director, director of music and organist Luetta Brindley resigned. She
had also served as Sunday School teacher and women’s Bible study leader. Blair
Miller assumed the position of choir director, director of music and organist
with the assistance of Erna Coppeler and Gwen Battiste. On November 17, 1985
Richard Budd was ordained. And on April 13, 1986 Pastor Robert Schefter
resigned to take a call in Maryland.
In November of 1986 the congregation called The Reverend
Karl Kessler to serve as Associate Pastor. He was installed on November 30,
1986.
Capital improvements in 1986 included painting the
parsonage, new circulation pumps, exhaust fans in restrooms, new lights in
stairways and Parish Hall, hot water heater in the sacristy, new carpet in entry
ways of Parish Hall.
In 1987 St. John Lutheran Church voted to approve the
merger of The American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in American and the
Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. And then on January 1, 1988 The
Evangelical Lutheran Church was officially formed, with offices in Chicago,
Illinois. St. John became a member of the Northwestern Ohio Synod, whose
headquarters is in Findlay.
In November of 1988 Pastor Eugene Loehrke was called as
Visitation Pastor. 1988 also saw the renovation of the organ, a new roof on the
belfry, paving of parking lot and alley, air conditioning for the lounge and
protective coverings over the stained glass windows.
At the Congregational Meeting in 1988, the Endowment and
the Special Needs Funds were established.
Hand bells were purchased on 1989 and the first worship
participation of the Hand Bell Choir was on Easter Sunday in 1990, under the
direction of Lisa Rider. The congregation entered into a Mission Partnership
with The Old South End Ministry in Toledo.
In July 1991 the Elevator Fund had $80,000 in pledges
towards a cost estimate of $140,000 and works was begun to provide accessibility
to all portions of our building complex. The elevator was dedicated in June
1992.
Some staff changes also occurred in 1992 as Blair Miller
resigned as Director of Music/Organist to enter Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Mrs.
Ruth Hahn became Choir Director and Judy Moore started at church organist.
Also in 1992 the Chapel was redecorated, the Memorial Trust
Fund purchased new choir robes, donated toward the restroom project at Lutheran
Memorial Camp and a new sound system was purchased.
A wheelchair lift was installed in March 1993 in the
Narthex.
After 36 faithful years of service to St. John Lutheran
Church and the Port Clinton community, The Reverend Harry S. Holzapfel retired
in September, 1993. After preaching his final sermon, a farewell dinner was
held for members of the community at the Elks Lodge. The Mayor of Port Clinton
proclaimed it Harry S. Holzapfel Day.
A Call Committee was soon formed. Pastor Karl Kessler
resigned on June 30, 1994 to enter into Interim Ministry in the Northwestern
Ohio Synod. A dinner was held for Pastor Kessler at the Elk’s Lodge.
In 1994 a new Constitution went into effect. Significant
changes were that the total number of members of Church Council would be reduced
by 5, each board would have two voting members and additional non-voting
members, church council members would be appointed at large and appointed to
specific boards, and the calling of a pastor was further defined.
A call was issued to The Reverend David Schellhase of
Toledo who accepted the call, but later resigned for personal reasons.
On February 5, 1995 The Reverend Newell S. Nelsen was
installed as pastor at St. John Lutheran Church. At the March 1995 meeting of
the Church Council Pastor Harry Holzapfel was designated as Pastor Emeritus.
At a special congregational meeting held on July 30, 1995,
members voted to enter into a major refurbishment project. Items included were:
ceiling and wall repair and painting, organ repair, removal of front choir box,
replace floor coverings, refinish pews, replace boilers, upgrade electrical
system and repair stained glass windows. The grand total of the project was
$325,000. Services were held in the Parish Hall from the end of November until
Easter of 1996.
Mrs. Judy Moore resigned as Organist and Mr. Henry Kihlken
was hired to be her replacement.
Pastor Richard Sutter joined the staff as Visitation Pastor
in March of 1996, after having served as Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran
Church in Sandusky. On July 20, 1996 Blair Miller was ordained as a Lutheran
pastor.
Pastor Nelsen and youth from St. John Lutheran Church
attended the 1997 National ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Mr. Henry Kihlken gave an organ recital in April 1997 for
the Rededication of the Organ.
Pastor Newell Nelsen received and accepted a call to
Glenwood Lutheran Church in Toledo in August 1998.
Dorothy Wall was installed as the first woman President of
St. John Lutheran Church in September of 1998. The Endowment Fund sent $5,000
for relief assistance to Honduras after Hurricane Mitch in December 1998.
The Northwestern Ohio Synod recommended that St. John
Lutheran Church have an Interim Pastor for up to two years. Pastor Alan
Schwochow began duties as Interim Pastor on December 13, 1998.
Pastor Festo Ngowo of our companion congregation, Nkuhunu,
in Dodoma, Tanzania preached at St. John Lutheran Church on April 11, 1999.
During the year of 2000, St. John Lutheran Church
celebrated it’s 125th Anniversary under the theme, “Remembering Our
Heritage, Welcoming Our Future.” Four former pastors returned to preach, as
well as seven sons and daughters of the congregation. Northwestern Ohio Synod
Bishop Marcus A Lohrmann was a special guest on the anniversary Sunday, and an
anniversary dinner was held at The Elk’s Club. Quilt squares were made by
member families and numerous wall hangings were created.
Also, in the year 2000, a Mission Statement was developed
and approved that will guide St. John Lutheran Church into the future.
In October of 2001, Pastor Alan Schwochow completed his
duties as Interim Pastor, and Pastor Karl Kessler returned to St. John Lutheran
Church for a six month interim.
On May 1, The Reverend James N. Lehman arrived in Port
Clinton to begin serving at St. John Lutheran Church. Pastor Lehman was
installed on May 19, 2002.
This on-line history was adapted from a longer written
history complied from previous histories of St. John Lutheran Church. Those
who have worked on keeping the history include: Patsy Coyle, Blanche Rofkar,
Dorothy Ostling, Jean Solem, Betty Christiansen, Grace Ohm, Lucille Smith and
Ruth Weisenauer..
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
In response to the unconditional love of God in Jesus, we
offer ourselves in service to God and others.
Following the example of Jesus, who came “not to be served
but to serve,” so do we “offer ourselves, our time and our possessions” in
grateful response to God’s wondrous love in Jesus.
We strongly believe here at St. John Lutheran Church that
God, through the Holy Spirit has equipped and empowered us with specific gifts
that are to be used for the proclamation of the Gospel in word and deed, and for
the upbuilding of the body of Christ.
“Now there are
varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services,
but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God
who activates them in all. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for
the common good.” I Corinthians 12:4-7
“The gifts he
gave were that some would be apostle’s, some prophets, some evangelists, some
pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building
up the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-12
“Beloved, since
God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.” I John 4:11
“Truly, I tell
you just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my
family, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40
Listed
below are some ways that you can serve at the present time. You may also
download the “Opportunities to Serve Survey,” marking those ways
that you feel called by God to use your gifts and return the form to the office
at St. John Lutheran Church. | 
