Coming Events

On Wednesday, September 3 at 6:30 all new and returning Confirmation Ministry participants are invited to our annual Orientation. At this time we will review some changes that have been put into place for our program of Confirmation Ministry, receive schedules for the coming year and have the chance to answer all of your pressing theological questions.

Confirmation Ministry “normally” begins when youth reach 6^th Grade. However, if you are older than that, and just didn’t get started at that time, for one reason or another, you are most welcome to join this community of young persons who are learning about faith and life. We have kids in a wide range of ages, so come and learn more!

A ONE-HOUR GUARANTEE … if you are not out of this Orientation in one hour you will receive a coupon for a free accordion concert by Pr. Dan!

Confirmation Classes will begin on Sunday, September 7 at 4:30-7:00. We meet every other Sunday afternoon. We have a teaching session, eat a meal together, and conclude with a second teaching session.

With the arrival of September our Music Ministry teams awaken after a summer respite, and they begin to rehearse in anticipation of adding their voices and tones to our worship life here at St. John.

The Hand Bell Choir (under the direction of Lisa Rider) rehearses on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm, while the Senior Choir (under the direction of Craig Dieterich) prepares on Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm. Both of these groups of talented and dedicated singers and ringers would be most pleased to welcome new members into their midst.

So why not join with the psalmist of old and “Sing (or ring) a new song unto the Lord?”

In early April, we completed our second Natural Church Development Survey. At our Church Council Meeting on June 10, the results of that survey were shared with the Council and members of our first and second NCD Leadership Teams! We are VERY EXCITED about those “numbers” and “scores” that indicate the amazing growth that God has caused among us here at St. John Lutheran Church! The results have generously exceeded all of our expectations.

It is now time for our NCD Leadership Team-2 to begin its work in coming to more fully understand those results, especially as it relates to the latest “minimum factor” which will occupy our attention for the next span of time. Members of the newly formed team are: Doris Libben (Chair); Ed Greunke, Larry Logsdon, Connie Lieske, Jane Held Smothers and Ed Heinsen. They will be meeting in the very near future to develop a plan for sharing the results with all of you and seeking your input as we begin to address our new Minimum Factor, LOVING RELATIONSHIPS.

“Loving relationships are the heart of a healthy, growing church. Jesus said people will know we are his disciples by our love. Practical demonstration of love builds authentic Christian community and brings others into God’s Kingdom.

NOW YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP US LEARN MORE ABOUT LOVING RELATIONSHIPS!

The NCD-2 Team needs your input! The team is busying putting together a Focus Group to be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 and we are inviting everyone to come and participate and share your ideas as to why Loving Relationships is now our Minimum Factor and what are the root causes behind our Minimum Factor. We hope you will give this important mission prayerful consideration and plan on joining us on September 23 at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. We will also review the “basics” of NCD at this gathering.

The congregation will gather on Sunday, September 28 for our fall Annual Meeting, beginning at 9:15 am in the Parish Hall. Persons will be elected to positions of leadership and reports will be received.

Following the meeting everyone is invited to “mosey around” the Small Groups Ministry Fair to learn about our existing small groups and some new groups that will be launched in October! This is your chance to consider getting involved in one of these groups and growing as a disciple of Jesus.

On Sunday, October 5, 2008, St. John Lutheran Church will have a special gift planning emphasis. Our guest for the day is Pastor Tom Zulick, who serves as a regional gift planner for the ELCA Foundation and Lutheran Planned Giving Ohio. He will present a seminar for adults over 55 (anyone can attend if you are interested) following our annual Senior Dinner which begins after our 10:30 worship service on that day. Pastor Zulick will also be preaching at both Sunday worship services on October 5.

As Christians we know that our inheritance is eternal in heaven. And we know that the time comes when we must give away all that we have accumulated in our lifetime. As stewards of the gifts that God has entrusted to our care, we must plan for the time when we will not be able to care for those we love.

The Leaving a Legacy Seminar will explore the role of a will in planning your estate distribution, and what happens if you don’t write or update your will. You will learn how to express your values, how to support those people you love, and how to remember ministries of the church through a will and through planned giving.

This seminar is co-sponsored by the St. John Endowment and Stewardship Committees.

Watch for bulletin inserts for more information or call the church office at 419.734.5548.

Our Mission … We are a Christ-centered and Caring Congregation called by God to Share the good news of salvation for all people.

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!

Join us for a DiscipleShip Quest kick off event on Sunday, Sept. 7^th! A light brunch will be served beginning at 9:00 a.m. We will have presentations about class offerings for this year – ages 3 through 99 (and even beyond that!)! Come and learn about what DiscipleShip Quest is all about! Check out the newly decorated DSQ rooms! Tour the building! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend – let’s show our kids our support! Join the Quest!

PROJECT BIBLES The Christian Education committee and resource team would like to provide Bibles, devotionals, and bags for all our youth. Anticipated cost is $1,000. Anyone wishing to make a contribution in support of this effort mark your gift “Project Bibles” and place in the offering plate or send it to the church office. Received: $275.00

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE FUNDRAISER BOOK SALE

St. John’s Christian Education Committee is raising funds to support Discipleship Quest activities and youth projects through a book sale. The books will be displayed and available for order on August 30-31 and September 6-7. A generous portion of the proceeds from the book sale will help us reach our goal. In addition, all the books on display will be donated by the Christian Education Committee and Augsburg Fortress to the St. John Library. So please stop by and help support our fundraiser!

GRADES 6 – 8 - HOT TOPICS -CONNECTING SCRIPTURE AND LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM WITH ISSUES WE DEAL WITH EVERY DAY

Parent's Discussion Group: The adult class led by Pastor Dan will begin this year with the book topic, "The Power of a Praying Parent". Join us in our study and discussion of the importance of praying for our children through each stage of their lives. We will engage in other topics surrounding the issues of parenting through conversation and bible study as well as offering support and encouragement for one another through each stage of our children's development. Please contact Pastor Dan for more info. We will be meeting in the church basement directly under the sanctuary. We will also have coffee available.

GRADES 3-5 – CAROLE VAN ORMAN, BRENDA MACDONALD, ANGIE AUXTER, VICKI REIMAN, LISA RIDER, BILL WIEWANDT, MARY ANNE SOLEM

SUBSTITUTES – MARCIA BLOOM, MATTHEW BLOOM, AMY KNEISLEY, LYNETTE REINHEIMER, ANN SCOTT

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION RESOURCE TEAM – LORE SEGAARD, SHERRY FERNE, ELLEN BLOOM, MARCIA BLOOM, KAREN ROBERTS, LINDA SNYDER, LYNETTE REINHEIMER, PAT GATES, CHRIS KECK, PASTOR DAN KECK, PASTOR JIM LEHMAN

Beginning September 14 … “It’s All About Grace” … A look at the 95 Theses … (sub-title Don’t Step on the Theses!) Martin Luther is well-known for posting the 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1517, the action that sparked the events leading to his being expelled from the Roman Catholic Church in 1521. In the theses we see the seeds of thought that would eventually flower into some of the central trends of Lutheran theology and faith. The journey should last about five weeks.

Beginning October 19 … Sunday Old School … With the popularity of things that are “retro,” we are going to take a second look at those Bible stories that we were first exposed to back in our days in Sunday School! This is a chance to explore again the mysteries of these stories that we may only vaguely recall from mornings spent in basement classrooms. How do these traditional God-stories speak to us today? How can our hearing of these stories connect us with our children? The journey should last about 10 weeks.

Beginning in January 2009 … Confronting Death: A Christian Approach to the End of Life … This will be a DVD series, featuring Walter Wangerin from Valparaiso University who, by way of his own journey with cancer, will provoke us to think more deeply about this subject that touches us all. Each week there will be an 11 minute presentation, followed by discussion and Bible study. The journey will last five weeks or so.

This is DVD based series featuring Mark Allen Powell (Trinity Lutheran Seminary) who will help guide us in discovering how Lutherans interpret the Bible (and how that might make us different from some others). The journey will last seven weeks covering the following themes: 1) The Word of God 2) What Lutherans Say About the Bible 3) Where the Bible Comes From 4) Interpreting the Bible in Context 5) Determining Right from Wrong 6) The Many Meanings of the Bible and 7) Devotional Bible Reading. I am sure that we will have some lively and engaging discussions as we consider the place of the Bible in our lives as “Growing Disciples of Jesus.”

During the Church Year that begins in December 2008, the majority of our Gospel readings will come from the “first” of the gospels, Mark. We will explore the centrality of the themes … Grace-Response and Cross-Discipleship. The hope would be that this journey through Mark will help us to better connect with what we will be hearing in worship over the course of the next year.

The ELCA 2009 YOUTH GATHERING is right around the corner! REGISTRATION BEGINS ON SEPTEMBER 15!! The Youth Gathering, held in New Orleans with have a primary focus on serving, most appropriate in that place is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina! And of course, there will be plenty of opportunities for fun and for growing in our faith! The youth who are eligible to go to this gathering are youth currently in grades 8 -11. As we begin to prepare for this awesome event, we invite those of you in this age group to join our group and get involved. We will be doing all kinds of fun activities, fundraisers and bible studies to prepare ourselves for this week in New Orleans! Please contact Pastor Dan with questions or if you need more information: 734-5548 (church) or 341-7216 (cell).

“Lost and Found”… Sunday, September 28 beginning at 4:00pm at St. John Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor.

High and middle school youth…and for the whole family. Don’t miss them! They are a progressive Christian duo with a sense of humor who play music on a piano and acoustic guitar. It's a great mix of comedy and music, and will be a great time. Many of St. John’s youth have seem them and are excited to attend another concert event! The cost is $10. Don’t miss this great opportunity…they don’t come around this close very often! We hope you’ve noticed the flyers up around church! The concert event takes place on: Sunday, September 28 beginning at 4:00pm at St. John Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor. We’ll meet at the church at 3:00pm.

P.S. This is a great event for the whole family, so please bring them along! We hope you can join us for this great event!

Our organist, Henry Kihlken, will be using his God-given gifts at the keyboard … presenting to the entire community … AN ORGAN RECITAL on Sunday, September 21 at 3:00 pm. Invite your friends and neighbors and join us for an uplifting afternoon of music.

As we continue to develop and grow small groups here at St. John Lutheran Church we are seeking for a person to use their gifts of administration and support as a Small Groups Coordinator. While the ministry description for this position is still being created, the major responsibilities will be two-fold: (1) to stay in regular contact with our small group leaders to offer them support and encouragement and (2) to develop additional small groups as we move into the future. If you feel God tugging at you to learn more about this opportunity for service, please contact Pastor Jim.

GROWING DISCIPLES THROUGH HOLISTIC SMALL GROUPS

“Holistic small groups are disciple-making communities which endeavor to reach the unchurched, meet individual needs, develop each person according to their God-given gifts and raise leaders to sustain the growth of the church. Like healthy body cells, holistic small groups are designed to grow and multiply.”

In seeking to strengthen our NCD Minimum Factor, the following GOALS have been identified that will occupy our attention and energy over the next year.

Goal#1: Develop a multi-faceted, and on-going, Publicity campaign to make all aware of the small groups currently in existence, and to continually uncover new groups that are needed to meet needs here and in the community.

Goal#3: Establish a minimum of two new small groups in 2007, specifically a Welcome Group and a Cooking Group

Our Nesting Vision “The St. John Lutheran Church small group ministry, in partnership with other ministries, desires to create places of caring community at St. John Lutheran Church, where people can seek God together and be transformed into growing disciples of Jesus who make an impact on the world around them.”

To make small groups an integral part of our congregation’s life and mission, we will continue to need not only need persons who are interested in being a part of a particular small group, but also those who have the gifts for leadership. Pat Gates and Pam Boytim have led a training workshop for 12 persons who are now equipped to be Small Group Leaders. Ten of these persons have identified a small group that they are willing to lead over the next year.

Brochures describing all existing and new small group are available in the rack at the entrance to our worship spaces. Pick one up and discover the group that is right for you as continue as a growing disciple of Jesus.

We give thanks to God for the Spirit that is stirring among us, leading us, guiding us, raising up small group leaders and participants.

We apologize for the inconvenience, but this Sunday, August 3, we will not able to provide our customary Nursery Ministry for families with young children. Beginning on August 10, we have a couple of capable folks who will be filling in until a new Nursery Coordinator can be found for our ministry team. During the month of August, the Nursery is available during the 10:30 am worship service. Beginning on September 7 it will be available during the DiscipleShip Quest hour (9:15-10:15) and during the 10:30 worship service.

Volunteers (you will be paid) are very much needed during this time of transition. If you are able and willing to assist with the care of our children, you can contact the church office.

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in this paid, part-time ministry on Sunday mornings, please contact Pastor Jim. Please note that for the safety of our children, a background check is required.

Pastor’s Convocation at Lakeside sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Seminary … September 2-4.

Pastor Jim Lehman and Pastor Richard Sutter will be attending the conference which is centered in the theme” “Relating the Gospel to a Pop Culture Audience: Exploring a Crisis in Ministry.

Pastor Jim Lehman will be attending the fall “seasons of renewal” retreat at our lady of the pines, Fremont, September 29 and 30. This is a part of the continuing education required of all pastors and a time of spiritual renewal.

Our vision …“Growing Disciples of Jesus”

GROWING DISCIPLES THROUGH HOLISTIC SMALL GROUPS

Copyright © 2008 St. John Lutheran Church
Last modified: 05/28/08

Our vision …“Growing Disciples of Jesus”

GROWING DISCIPLES THROUGH HOLISTIC SMALL GROUPS

Copyright © 2008 St. John Lutheran Church Last modified: 05/28/08

Copyright © 2008 St. John Lutheran Church
Last modified: 05/28/08