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Coming Events
THE FOURTH OF JULY
This year we will be gathering for worship on the morning of our nation’s birthday. Our service will be formed around the theme, “In God We Trust.” The third stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key (which will sung at the end of our worship) includes this line: "And this be our motto: 'In God Is Our Trust'" – from which this Service for a National Holiday derives its title.
Our Brass Choir will be present to add festivity to the day.
Celebrate the freedom God provides for us here by setting aside time for worship amid your holiday plans.
“In you we do trust, O God, for you have been with us to bless us from the founding of our country to the present day.”
At the end of the 8:00 worship service we will be commissioning the youth and adults who will be heading to St. Louis for a week of SERVICE MINISTRY!
EAGLE SCOUT INVITE FOR JULY 11
Congratulations are extended to Zach Auxter upon his successful achievement of Scouting’s Highest Award … the rank of Eagle Scout. Zach has been involved as a youth here at St. John throughout the years … Brass Choir, Youth Ministry and Youth Gathering! And Zach completed his Eagle Scout Project right here at St. John in the remodeling of the Youth Room! Please make plans to celebrate with Zach on Sunday, July 11 at 2:00 pm … here at St. John!
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Those elected last Fall to the Nominating Committee will begin their important work of “calling” disciples to positions of leadership here at St. John. The first meeting will be held on Thursday, July 8 at 7:00 pm. Please pray for this process of matching gifts with leadership ministry needs. If you, or someone you know, has gifts to share, please do not hesitate to contact Pastor Jim or a member of the Nominating Committee in advance of this first meeting.
COMING THIS FALL … “DESSERT FIRST”
SUMMER VISITATION MINISTRY
Over the past months Pastor Jim and Pastor Dan have enjoyed the opportunity to remain connected with those who are homebound and to be able to share with all of you in Word, prayer and Supper.
A reminder that during the month of July we would continue to ask for your “patience” with us as schedules remain complicated. Pastor Dan will be with the youth on a servant trip (July 4-9), Pastor Jim will be heading to Serbia for Pr. Jasmina’s wedding (July 12-21), and Pastor Dan will be gone for a week for continuing education (July 26-30).
As you can see the summer can make for crazy schedules … with both pastors coming and going. If you have a significant need for a pastoral visit during these months PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AND YOU WILL HAVE PRIORITY!
Our vision …“Growing Disciples of Jesus”
GATHER … HEAR … EAT … SENT
A SMALL GROUP MINISTRY FOR MEN
Our small group ministry for men will be gathering once again on the second Saturday of the month, Saturday, July 10 for food and fellowship, study, prayer and service at 8:00 am. Our study topic is … “No Greater Love.” Bob Mackey will be providing our breakfast!
We will gather at 8:00 am for breakfast and coffee. We will spend some time in Bible study and prayer. We will be on our way by 9:30 am!
NATURAL CHURCH DEVELOPMENT
Well, “the results are in!” And it is good news! We completed our third Natural Church Development survey at the end of December, and at our April Church Council meeting Pastor Dennis Maurer was present to share those results with council members and our first two NCD Leadership Teams.
After our first survey (June 2006) our average score for the eight Quality Characteristics was 35 and our Minimum Quality Characteristic was Holistic Small Groups with a score of 23.
Then, after nearly two years of hard work, we took the survey again (May 2008) and our average score was 44, and our new Minimum Quality Characteristic was Loving Relationships with a score of 32. You can see how we grew healthier from the first survey to the second!
And … we are pleased to share with you the results of our third survey (Feb 2010) … our average score is now 58! And our new Minimum Quality Characteristic is Passionate Spirituality, with a score of 44.
So what do all these numbers tell us … first and foremost … that over these past four years we are growing healthier and healthier as a community of faith! The goal is to reach an average score of 65 in all eight areas. We have already exceeded that score in two areas (Empowering Leadership and Functional Structures) and we are just one tick away in another (Gift-Oriented Ministry) … thanks be to God!
Second, we have learned that we still have some growing to do … especially with Passionate Spirituality (44) and Inspiring Worship Services (47) … and we kind of think these two are related.
At a Council meeting Congregational President Bob Polachek made an astute observation about our community of faith. Bob suggested that when this congregation has a project or goal before us … we are a people who roll up our sleeves, get busy and work until the project is done and the goal is reached. Think about that statement, it is true in so many ways. And it has been especially accurate in light of our NCD experience.
So, now it’s time to get busy with Passionate Spirituality. The first step is to put together a team of six members who have the gifts of leadership and a deep devotional life. If you are someone who is feeling the “call” of God to be a part of this team, please contact Pastor Jim Lehman as soon as possible. If you have noticed that someone has these needed gifts, don’t hesitate to forward their names, again to Pastor Jim.
The plan is to have this new leadership team in place by the end of August … so if you are interested … NOW is the time to step forward!
So what is Passionate Spirituality?
“Effective ministry flows out of a passionate spirituality. Spiritual intimacy leads to a strong conviction that God will act in powerful ways. A godly vision can only be accomplished through an optimistic faith that views obstacles as opportunities and turns defeat into victories.”
The four main areas of Passionate Spirituality are …
Experiencing God (Love for God, Transform your experience with God)
Passion for church (Devotion to the church, Commitment to the future of the church)
Passion for devotions (Modeling by pastors and leaders; Teaching and awareness; Practice and accountability)
Spiritual interconnectedness (Motivation and life change; Personal and corporate sharing)
CONTINUE TO KEEP THIS NCD EXPERIENCE IN YOUR PRAYERS AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS GOD’S VISION FOR US AS A COMMUNITY OF FAITH!
IT IS ALSO MOST APPROPRIATE FOR US TO THANK THOSE WHO ARE “RETIRING” FROM OUR NCD-2 LEADERSHIP TEAM! THEY HAVE PROVIDED US WITH OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND DIRECTION!
THANKS BE TO GOD FOR … DORIS LIBBEN. LARRY LOGSDOM, CONNIE LIESKE, JANE HELD-SMOTHERS, ED HEINSEN AND ED GRUENKE!
NURSERY MINISTRY
The Nursery is located in the church basement and will continue to be available for parents to use should their children need a “reorientation” space. Please note that all children are welcome to be present with us for worship … even if they make a little noise or get somewhat fussy … Jesus welcomed the “little children” and so shall we!
Jen Libben is present most Sunday mornings during the 10:30 service … if you are willing to assist with this ministry, please call the Church Office.
Our Mission … We are a Christ-centered and Caring Congregation called by God to Share the good news of salvation for all people.
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP QUEST (2009-2010)
Come join us on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am in the Lounge … These studies are led by Pastor Jim.
Our study for next stretch of time is Kingdom Living, a look at the Sermon on the Mount. As always, there will be plenty of opportunity for discussion and interaction!! Please come and allow Jesus’ teaching to guide and inspire your living … in the Kingdom of Heaven!
Please take note of the schedule for July…
July 4 … Kingdom Living
July 11 … Kingdom Living
July 18 … Pastor Jim is in Serbia!
July 25 … Kingdom Living
OUR NEW COMPANION RELATIONSHIP
It is with true joy and delight that we can announce that we have a new companion relationship! In addition to our long-established relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Nkuhungu congregation in Tanzania, we are now partners with the Bacska Palanka congregation of the Slovak Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Serbia. This the congregation served by Pastor Jasmina Kotasova.
In the coming months we will be seeking the Spirit’s guidance in discovering ways to foster and strengthen this relationship. In the middle of this month Pastor Jim and Jean Lehman will be traveling to Serbia to attend Jasmina’s wedding (July 17th) and a visit in Palanka is one of the top priorities, beside the wedding of course!
Please keep this relationship in your thoughts and prayers.
OUR VALUES
WORSHIP: Our first response to the good news of God’s unconditional love in Jesus is to worship.
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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 continue to make small groups an integral part of our congregation’s life and mission, we will need not only need persons who are interested in being a part of a particular small group, but also to identify those who have the gifts for leadership. Trainers stand ready to equip these new leaders of Small Groups.
Brochures describing all existing and new small groups are available in the rack just as you enter the narthex from the Parish Hall. 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.
OUR PRESENT SMALL GROUPS
Bible Study Groups Meeting Day & Time Contact
Mary Martha Circle 1st Thursday at 1:30 P.M. Betty Christiansen:
419-734-4343
Naomi Circle 3rd Monday at 9:00 A.M.. Doris Libben:
419-635-2506
Priscilla Circle 3rd Wednesday at 9:30 A.M. Marcia Bloom:
419-732-2900
Rachel Circle 2nd Monday at 6:30 P.M. Pat Gipe:
419-734-2448
Music Groups
Senior Choir Every Thursday at 7:00 P.M. Craig Dieterich
419-798-4020
Handbell Choir Every Tuesday at 7:00 P.M. Lisa Rider
419-797-6355
CHRIST-CENTERED … CARING … SHARING
GATHER … HEAR … EAT … SENT
As the people who are St. John Lutheran Church we joyfully live in partnership with all the congregations, institutions and agencies that are affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America … seeking to fulfill the mission statement … “Marked with the Cross of Christ forever we are claimed, gathered and sent for the sake of the world.”
Our partnership with the ELCA and the Northwestern Ohio Synod continues to be blessed as we have joined as direct partners with both the churchwide and synodical expressions of the church in our outreach on South Bass Island. Resources are being provided that have enabled us to add staff to assist with the development of our second site at TheBay and to enrich our youth and family ministry here in Port Clinton.
This expressed partnership is deeply appreciated … and has caused us to continually give thanks to God!
We are also partners with the congregations of the Northwestern Ohio Synod (www.nwos-elca.org) … seeking to fulfill our common purpose … “Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we who belong to the congregations, agencies and ministries of the Northwestern Ohio Synod, together, will seek to witness to God’s creative and redeeming Word to all the world.”
Sharing Faith and Serving
If you have not yet responded to the Annual Appeal of our Northwestern Ohio Synod, there is still time to do so. If you have misplaced your commitment envelope, additional envelopes are available in the Church Office.
Through this effort … ministries will be strengthened … support for those who are seminarians, for outdoor ministries, for mission partner congregations (including St. John@TheBay!) and other new ministries across the church, and for brothers and sisters in Christ around the world (Tanzania and Zimbabwe)
Thanks to all who have already supported this appeal of Sharing Faith and Serving! | 
