JULY/AUGUST 2014

The St. John’s Creative Arts Series announces an exciting season for 2014-2015, which features

five art exhibits and four concerts. Art Exhibits:

v African Spirits by Marlene Grolnic – September 7-October 26

v Prints by Esther Rose Fisher and Donald Fisher – November 2-January 11

v Mediations: Poetry, Painting, and Photography by John Hougen—January 18-March 8

v The Art of Mindy Greenberg--March 15-May 3 v Alchemy, artists’ collective—May 10-June 14

Concerts:

v Festival Strings—September 28, a fundraiser for St, John’s Arts Series, Cheltenham Library, and Music at Abington

v Messiah by Handel—December 7, performed by St. John’s Chancel Choir v Keystone Boys’Choir ---Winter/Spring, 2015, TBA

v Nove Voce—July 18, Men’s choir from Nova Scotia, with former St. John’s member, Dave Kalix

     

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I have been here at St. John’s for a year. Together, we have done a lot of good

ministry – but, of course, there is always more to do!

Accomplishment So Far

1. We have worshipped well – not just on Sundays, but on special holy days, too

2. We have replaced one excellent musician (Jon Riss) with another excellent musician (Chuck Griffin)

3. We have continued our usual ministries with some additions o Food collection, plus toilet paper

collection o Confirmation class participating in synod

youth events o Wonderful fellowship every Sunday with

coffee hour and potlucks o Adult studies (greatest Bible chapters,

poetry on Jesus’ passion) o Active social ministry team

4. Members and friends have contributed in numerous ways to our ministry o Developing prayers o Designing meaningful worship o Delivering food and other collections to

local pantries and agencies o Cleaning up and cleaning out (church and

parsonage) o Reaching out to others, inside and outside

the church 5. We have addressed some crises

o Gas smell o Water in basement

6. We have made some improvements to our regular workings o Throwing out old junk o Having 2 counters every week, so our

money handling honors both God and the givers

o Dividing financial tasks in different ways 7. We have cut down on expenses

o Fewer color copies o Emailing the Chimer to all except those

without a computer

2

o Cutting down subscriptions sent to former members

8. We are getting the parsonage in better shape o Garage almost all cleared out o Basement in better shape o Discarded furniture removed from 3rd

floor 9. Many members are giving more this year

than in the past 10. We have set ministry goals for the next few

years o Provide inter-church opportunities for

youth o Conduct hands-on service projects o Celebrate with an annual homecoming

event o Communicate regularly with our

neighbors on what we are doing/how we can help

Yet To Do

1. Hire new staff for office support (in process) 2. More work on parsonage (we have a list –

see Ken Kretschmer or Tim Terry if you are willing to help)

3. Ministry teams working on the goals we set 4. Devote more energy to figuring out how we

can express disagreements in healthy ways 5. Keep on praying for our call committee and

the pastor whom God is preparing to shepherd St. John’s

6. Continue to “Grow in Faith – Serve with Love”

Since I am an intentional interim pastor, I will not be with you forever. In fact, I hope

I will be gone and you will have a new, called pastor by the time next June rolls

around. I also pray that this work we have done together, in the interim time, will have

strengthened the ministry of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Summer blessings!

-Pastor Donna Wright

     

2014 Transition Event

St. John’s Call Committee

Marcia Boraas Steve Brown Bert Glenn

Barb Lawson Cindy Raff

Heather Jones      

Ministry Site Profile

Available for Congregation

to Review

Look for the Ministry Site Profile in the back of the

church June 29, July 6 and July 13.

If you disagree with any

part, please see a member of council.

Final adoption of the MSP

will take place at the council meeting on July 13.  

     

 

   

2014 Ronald McDonald House Service Day

 

   

     

2014 Goodbye Louis

       

More than 40 people gathered at St. John's on Sunday, June 2nd, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of St. John's M.P.

Moller pipe organ. Chuck Griffin, St. John's Music Director and Organist, played a stimulating concert of selections from

Bach, Handel, Wagner and other composers.

Chuck's sensitive renditions of these pieces was captivating to listen to, and filled our sanctuary with wonderful music. Following the concert, all gathered in the Hagen Room for yet another

post-concert fabulous reception hosted by Joyce Rasmussen.

We hosted St. John's members, former members, and guests for the concert and reception. As for the organ, which was installed in the

sanctuary in 1964, it rested quietly after the concert after performing quite well at Chuck's hands during the concert.

       

     

JULY, 2014

07/09 Hoehigke, Elizabeth 07/09 Hoenigke, Drew

07/24 Berdahl, Dan 07/24 Barker, Jean

07/25 Pinnel, Roger 07/26 Miller, Dorothy

07/30 Brehouse, Dolores

AUGUST 2014 08/06 Nguyen, Elisa Louise

08/11 Boraas, Aina 08/11 Cavan, Muriel

08/16 Asta, Amy 08/19 Hoenigke, Victoria 08/26 Goodchild, Louise

 

     

Confirmation Class 2013-2014

Did you notice? St. John’s has been having its first confirmation class in four years since last September. This class operates somewhat under the radar because it meets on Sundays at 9 AM and is through by 9:50 AM, perhaps before you arrive. Nonetheless, Jordann, Sabine, Alice, Cristina and sometimes Eric have been studying biblical texts and doing other activities this past year. School’s out now, and the confirmands have finished the first half of the two-year confirmation program.

Confirmation education is not in an abstract classroom but is an endeavor of the entire faith community. These students are learning the essential truths of Christian faith and Lutheran tradition, and part of that is growing together with the support of the St.. John’s Community. This is one of the reasons we meet on Sunday at 9 AM – so that the students can join the St. John’s community for worship at 10 AM. We ask that each member of St. John’s be aware of the confirmation process and encourage and support these students as they grow in faith.

What has this Confirmation Class been up to this year? Take a look: • They studied and discussed 26 Bible lessons, looking carefully at specific passages of

Scripture from both the Old and New Testaments • They studied 4 other lessons on specific topics, such as Baptism, Martin Luther, and

others. • Three of the students attended the synod’s Youth Gathering – an overnight retreat for

7th and 8th graders – held in Lancaster County last October. • Three of the students attended the synod’s service project – called Helping Hands Day

– this last April. • Three of the students prepared breakfast dishes on June 7th and helped serve these

dishes on June 8th at the Ronald McDonald House, along with the Sunday School children.

• The students participated in the leadership of St. John’s worship service once a month as Worship Assistant/Lector, communion assistant, or usher once a month from November through May.

• The students completed “Worship Notes” – their observations of some of the worship services.

Part Two of the confirmation process will begin in September with much more in store. There will be more Bible study, but also careful examination of other basic documents of our faith, such as creeds, the Lord’s Prayer, and worship, as well as looking at how faith is put into action in the world. Service, stewardship and worship will also be a part of the curriculum. The process will culminate with each confirmation reaffirming their baptismal faith in a ceremony of confirmation in May 2015. Please be intentional and active in supporting these students between now and then, when we will welcome them as full members of the church.