Happy New Year!

• Pastor on vacation with his family in Wisconsin until Friday this week
• Sun. Jan. 2, 2011- 8:45 AM Sunday School/Bible Study
• 10:00 AM Worship with communion (LWML Mite Box Sunday), Installation of new officers
• 1-4 PM LYF Jesus' Birthday Party (rescheduled)
• Officers & Committees, Linda needs your year-end reports
• Pick up your new box of offering envelopes in room 101
• Sat. January 8- 9:45 AM LWML Salad Luncheon featuring "Look Good, Feel Good Inside and Out in 2011" presented by Cindy Ulmer, Ivy Hofstetter, Jodi Henderson, and Heather McLaughlin.

Merry Christmas

• SUN. 12/19- 6:30 PM Sunday School Christmas Service
• DVD's are available upon request,(as they are for all services). A free-will offering suggested to help defray costs. Please contact the elder of the month or the church office.
• WED. 12/22- 3:30 PM Confirmation Class
• FRI. 12/24- 6:30 PM Christmas Eve Worship
• SAT. 12/25- 9:00 AM Christmas Day Worship (with Communion)
• SUN. 12/26- 8:45 AM Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00 AM Worship Service
• "Birthday Party for Jesus" rescheduled for WED. 1/2/2011, LYF will host children age 3 thru 6th grade for games, crafts, Bible stories, and snacks 1-4 PM.
• Please pick up your 2011 Offering Envelopes in Room 101 beginning Dec. 17

Christmas Blessings This week at St. John

• Tues 12/14- 8:45 AM, Circuit Pastors' Conference, St. Paul, Ute
• Wed. 12/15- 3:30 PM, Confirmation Class
• 5:00 PM Sunday School Christmas Service Practice, grades 1-8
• 6:45 PM Carol Singing
• 7:00 PM Advent Worship, followed by refreshments served by the LYF
• 8:00 PM Elders' Meeting
• SAT 12/19- 9:00 AM Sunday School Christmas Service Practice, all ages
• SUN 12/20- 8:45 AM Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00 AM Worship with communion
• 6:30 PM Sunday School Christmas Service
• FRI 12/24- 6:30 PM Christmas Eve Service
• SAT 12/25- 9:00 AM Christmas Day worship with communion

This week at St. John

Second Week in Advent

• TUES 12/7- 6:30 AM Men's Breakfast Bible Study at the Dugout in Ute
• WED 12/8- 1:30 PM Confirmation Class
• 6:45 PM Carol Singing
• 7:00 PM Advent Service- LYF Refreshments following
• SAT 12/11- 9:00 AM 1st-8th Grade Chidren's Christmas Service Practice
• SUN 1/12- 8:45 AM Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00 AM Worship
• 11:00 AM Finance Board Meeting/Blood Pressure Screening
• 1:00-4:00 PM Jesus' Birthday Party hosted by LYF
• 7 PM Adult Instruction Class

This week at St. John

First Week in Advent

• Wed Dec.1- 3:30 PM Confirmation Class
• 6:45 PM Carol Singing
• 7:00 PM Advent Service, LYF refreshments following
• Thurs Dec.2- 1:30 PM LWML
• Sun Dec.5- 8:45 AM Sunday School/Bible Study
• 10:00 AM Communion Service
• 11:00 AM LWML Cookie & Candy Bazaar
• 7:00 PM Adult Instruction Class

Tis the Season

ADVENT MIDWEEK SERVICES- will begin on Wednesday, December 1st at 7PM under the theme "God's Love at Christmas."

LWML Cookie & Candy Bazaar
The LWML is planning to have the Cookie & Candy Bazaar again this year on December 5th. So find your best recipes- we especially need candy, because what we had last year went too fast. This is lest than 2 months away, so start thinking about what you'll bring.

BIRTHDAY FOR JESUS! Kids ages 3 thru 6th grade, mark your calendars for Sunday, December 12. The LYF will b e hosting a birthday party for Jesus!

The Sunday School Christmas Program is scheduled for December 19th at 6:30pm.

This week at St. John

• WED Nov. 24- No Ladies' Bible Study Class (on Winter hiatus until Ash Wednesday)
• No Confirmation this week
• 7PM Thanksgiving Eve Service
• THURS Nov. 25- 2PM Wedding rehearsal
  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
• FRI Nov. 26- Nathan Folk & Breanna Seiple Wedding
• SUN Nov. 28- 8:56AM Sunday School/Bible Study
• 10AM Communion Service
• 1PM Pastor preaching at Denison Care Center
• 2PM Pastor preaching at Eventide
• 7PM Adult Instruction Class

Council Minutes; Special Meeting

 Church Council Meeting

11 AM November 21, 2010

Call to Order- The meeting was called to order by Vice President Bob Stoltze Jr.

New Business-

·       Daryl Reffitt is beginning the second Cub Scout troop in Crawford County. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) requires that new troops have "charter organizations" which host troop meetings, have a Chartered Organization Representative who may serve on the scouts' Council, and receive supplemental insurance.

It was moved by Bill Magill, seconded by Kevin Clausen to agree that St. John Lutheran sponsor the Cub Scout Troop, motion carried. President Bill Magill signed the Troop's charter and Ted Mallory volunteered to serve as the Chartered Organization Representative and Committee Chairman (nominal positions).

Respectfully submitted by,

Ted Mallory

Secretary

This week at St. John

• TUE 11/16- 9AM Load Container at Orphan Grain Train in Ida Grove
• WED 11/17- 9AM Ladies Bible Study
• 1:30PM Confirmation Class
• 7PM Elder's Meeting
• FRI 11/19-SUN 11/21- District Youth Gathering in Des Moines
• SUN 11/21- 8:45AM Sunday School/Bible Study
• 10AM Communion Service
• 1PM Pastor Merrill preaches at Denison Care Center
• 2PM Pastor Merrill preaches at Eventide

This week at St. John

• TUES Nov. 9- 8:45pm Circuit Pastors' Conference at St. John
• WED Nov. 10-  9am Ladies' Bible Study
• 3:30pm Confirmation Class
• SAT Nov. 13- 9am LYF set-up for Thanksgiving Diner
• SUN Nov. 14- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10am Worship
• 11am Annual LYF Thanksgiving Dinner
• Dinance Board Mtg.
• Blood pressure screening
• 7pm Adult Instruction Class

This week at St. John; Happy All Saints' Day

• TUES NOV 2- 6:30AM Men's Bible Breakfast at the Dugout in Ute
• 7PM Western Iowa Missions Committee Meeting at Out Savior Lutheran in Denison
• WED NOV 3- 9AM Ladies' Bible Study
• 1:30PM Confirmation Class
• THURS NOV 4- 1:30PM LWML Meeting
• SAT NOV 5- 8AM District Men's Ministry Breakfast at Our Savior Lutheran in Denison
• SUN NOV 6- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10AM Communion Service- Mite Box Sunday
• 7PM Adult Instruction Class

Opportunities to help and serve

• November 1-21, St. John will be collecting for Crawford County's Temporary Aid Program (TAP). Items needed include peanut butter, sugar, crackers, soup, cooking oil, tuna, canned veggies, hamburger helper, complete pancake mix, and more. Bring non-perishable food items to the church lobby. | Located at 210 S. 25th Street. Tap is a program for families in need of food and clothing.
• Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center- Serving 8 counties in Western Iowa, the D/SAOC is announcing their "Wipe Out Violence Campaign." They utilize numerous paper products, including: Kleenex, paper towels, toilet paper, and hygiene items. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month so we will be collecting these items all month. Please leave your donated items at the Crawford County Courthouse. For more information, please call Cassidy O'Brion at 515-955-2273. | Support groups and counseling for individuals and families. Temporary shelter for abused women and their children. Serving Crawford County.
• Reggie's Sleepout- The 5th Annual Reggie's Sleepout is October 29th. The local team, "Reggies Stars," will be fundraising for the Iowa Homeless Youth Centers and experiencing some aspects themselves. Please be supportive of our kids as they work to raise awareness & money for this worthy cause. If you have any questions please call Colleen Henderson or Sue Kelm.

Lutheran Youth Fellowship (LYF)

We are collecting CHRISTMAS TOYS for inner city Los Angeles- please bring an unwrapped, new toy for ages 0-14 with a value of $5-$10. There will be a box in the church lobby to collect the toys. Deadline is November 18. LYF members attending the Iowa District West Youth Gathering Nov. 19 will take them along with them to Des Moines.

Image from the 2004 LYF Thanksgiving

Photo by Ted Mallory 

Annual Thanksgiving Dinner- Will be Sunday, November 14, 11AM-12:30AM. Turkey and all the trimmings! Free will offering. This is a week earlier than most years because the IDW Youth Gathering was moved up a week earlier this year.

BIRTHDAY FOR JESUS! Kids ages 3 thru 6th grade, mark your calendars for Sunday, December 12. The LYF will b e hosting a birthday party for Jesus!

This week at St. John

• TUES 10/26- 1PM Quilting
• WED 10/27- 9AM Ladies' Bible Study
• 1:30 PM Confirmation Class
• 8PM Elder's meeting
• SAT 10/30-  Jr Hi Youth Gathering in Des Moines
• SUN 10/31-  8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10AM Reformation Sunday Worship
• 3PM Adult Instruction Class

Election Results

Voting for new officers took place ant the Quarterly Voter's Meeting. These are the results:

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• PRESIDENT- Bill Magill
• VICE PRESIDENT- Bob Stoltze Jr.
• SECRETARY- Ted Mallory
• TREASURER- Becky Dorale
• FINANCE SEC.- Otto & Jane Kunze
• ASST. FINANCE SEC.- Roger & Patty Kunze
• MISSION SEC- Don Friedrichs
• STEWARDSHIP SEC.- Ryan Kunze
• BD of ELDERS- Dwight Goslar and Steve Beeck
• BD of ED- Alaina Gierstorf
• BD of FINANCE- Brady Goslar and Kevin Clausen
• BD of TRUSTEES- Roger Jepsen

Mark your Calendars

Here are some upcoming events that were highlighted at last night's Voter's meeting:

• 3 youth are going to the Junior High District Gathering October 30-31
• The IDW LLL will have Reformation Festival October 31 at Zion Lutheran in Denison- 5pm Rally, 6pm worship service. The guest Speaker will be Rev. Klaus Raabe of Climbing Hill, a German immigrant and Reformation expert.
• Tuesday November 2 at Our Savior’s in Denison at 7pm there will be a Western Iowa Mission Committee Meeting to discuss ways to continue Rev.Vogel’s Hispanic ministry in Denison in the face of District budget cuts to local missions. 
• Saturday, November 6 will be the District Men’s Bible Study Breakfast will be at Our Savior’s in Denison.
• The annual LYF Thanksgiving Dinner will be Sunday, November 14th.
• 7 youth and 2 Adults will attend the IDW Youth Gathering in Des Moines November 19-21
• The LYF will be hosting a “Birthday Party for Jesus,” for ages 3-12  Sunday afternoon, December 12th. (Sort of like a one day VBS in winter.)
• The Sunday School Christmas Program is scheduled for December 19th at 6:30pm.
• Eventide Lutheran Homes will have an open house on December 19th for the new Silveridge development, occupancy will begin in January.
• There will be a new member welcome dinner in early January for both transfers-in and adult Confirmands. Representatives of various church organizations or committees (LWML, LLL, Elders, Trustees, etc.) will attend. This is an opportunity to let new members know who does what, and what opportunities there are for service.

This week at St. John

• TUES 10/19- 8:45AM Pastor at District Pastors' Conference, Immanuel Schleswig
• 1PM Quilting
• WED 10/20- 9AM Ladies Bible Study
• 3:30PM Confirmation Class
• 8PM Quarterly Voter's Meeting
• FRI 10/22- 6:30PM Wedding Rehearsal
• SAT 10/23- 4:30PM Terry Goslar/Denise Boettger Wedding
• SUN 10/24- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00AM Contemporary Service
• 6PM Adult INstruction Class

Meeting Minutes

Click on the links to open/download a PDF of that meeting's minutes:

• Annual Budget Meeting- Oct 6, 2010
• Church Council Meeting Minutes- Oct 13, 2010
• Quarterly Voters' Meeting Minutes- Oct 13, 2010

Election of 2011 church officers

The following are the candidates running for church offices at the Voter's Quarterly Meeting, October 20, 2011:
Incumbents are listed on the left, new candidates on the right

• CONGREGATIONAL PRESIDENT
  Bill Magill | Dustin Kuhlmann

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• VICE PRESIDENT
  Bob Stoltze Jr. | Randy Stefffen

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• SECRETARY
  Ted Mallory | Dan Kuhlmann

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• TREASURER
  Becky Dorale | unopposed

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• FINANCIAL SECRETARIES
  Otto & Jane Kunze  | unopposed

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• ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARIES
  Roger & Patti Kunze  | unopposed

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• STEWARDSHIP SECRETARY
  Ryan Kunze | Aaron Broderson

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• MISSION SECRETARY
  Don Friedrichs | Russ Maack

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• BOARD OF ELDERS (2 position to fill)
  Dwight Goslar | Steve Beeck | Ralph Dorale

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• BOARD OF TRUSTEES (1 position to fill)
  (both new) Ted Butler | Roger Jepsen

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• BOARD OF EDUCATION  (1 position to fill)
  (all new) Jaci Elwell | Lisa Steffen | Alaina Gierstorf

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• BOARD OF FINANCE  (2 positions to fill)
  Brady Goslar | Adam Dorale | Kevin Clausen | Burdette Vogt

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LWML News

Lutheran Women's Missionary League
http://www.lwml.org

Pick-A-Project

LWML is taking on special projects that need your help. We want to send scarves & helmet caps to service people. We have patterns in the office for-

• a knitted wool helmet cap liner
• a crocheted wool helmet cap liner
• a knitted scarf
• a crocheted scarf
• a lap robe for a veteran

We also need small stuffed animals- beanie baby size.

So pick yout project- com in & we will give you the pattern

LWML Cookie & Candy Bazaar

The LWML is planning to have the Cookie & Candy Bazaar again this year on December 5th. So find your best recipes- we especially need candy, because what we had last year went too fast. This is lest than 2 months away, so start thinking about what you'll bring.

Sweater & Coat Drive

We are collecting coats and sweaters for adults and children until November 21st.

Satellite Membership

Is your life so busy or your schedule so full that you couldn't make it to an LWML meeting, but you'd still like to become involved? Scroll down on this website to the last post and fill out the form to tell us how you'd like to be able to help.

Mighty Mights

Remember, Mite-Box Sunday is the first Sunday of every month

Mustard Seed Devotions
The LWML offers daily devotions available online, or for email subscription
http://www.lwml.org/resources/devotions/

LWML Volunteers

WILL YOU SERVE THR LORD?

St. John's LWML is looking for willing workers. If you can help them serve, please complete this form by November 7, 2010. When you press "Send," your information will be sent to the Church office.

: name

: email

: phone number


I'd like to help by...
serve on a funeral group

bring food for funerals

serve on the altar committee

help at Eventide

provide food for Eventide activity days

deliver meals on wheels



Comments

This week at St. John

• TUES 10/12- 1PM Quilting
• WED 10/13- 9AM Ladies' Bible Study
• 1:30PM Confirmation Class
• 8PM Church Council
• SUN 10/17- 8:45AM Sunday School/Bible Class
• 10AM Worship with Communion
• 4PM LYF Meeting
• 7PM Adult Instruction Class

Annual Chapter Meeting

2010 Crawford County Iowa Chapter Annual Meeting

Date: Sunday, October 24, 2010

Time: 5:00 PM (Doors open at 4:15 PM)

Place: Boulder's Conference Center, Denison , IA 51442

Contact: Melanie Coenen, 712-263-6134, mbcoenen@hotmail.com;
Jan Jacobsen, 712-263-2399

• 5:00 PM Voice Exchange, Barbershop Quartet Performance 
• 6:00 PM German/American Meal (catered by HyVee)
• 7:00 PM Annual Meeting and Election
• Dancing to Esther's Accordion Band

RSVP requested, seating is limited

This week at St. John

• Mon-Sat, Oct. 4-9
• Pastor Merrill hosts the 'Thy Strong Word' program on KDSN at 6:25 AM
• Tues. Oct. 5
• 6:30AM Men's Bible Study at the Dugout in Ute
• 1PM Quilting
• Wed. Oct. 
• 6- 9AM Women's Bible Study
• 1:30PM Confirmation class
• 8PM Budget meeting
• Thurs Oct. 7
• 1:30PM   LWML meeting
• Sun. Oct. 9
• 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10AM Worship- LWML Sunday
• 11AM Board of Finance meeting
• 11AM Blood Pressure Screening
• 7 PM Adult Instruction Class

This week at St. John

• Today (9/26)- 4pm LYF Meeting
• 7pm Adult Instruction Class
• Mon-Tues- District Pastors Conference, Urbandale
• Wed 9/9- 9am Ladies Bible Study
• 3:30pm Confirmation Class
• 7pm Board of Education Meeting
• Next Sun. Oct.3- 8:45 Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10am Worship, Communion (Mite Box Sunday)
• 7pm Adult Instruction Class
• Quilting begins Oct. 5 and continues every Tuesday in October 1pm-4pm in the Church basement. Lunch is served.
• LWML Sunday is Oct. 10- Bring your change for a "noisy" offering.

This week at St. John

• Today (9/19)- No evening Adult Instruction Class (Pastor @ Packer's game)
• WED 9/22- 9AM Ladies' Bible Study
• 1:30PM Confirmation Class
• SAT 9/25- 10AM Singles Servant Event, Orphan Grain Train, Ida Grove
• SUN 9/26- 8:45AM Sunday School/Bible Class
• 10AM Worship
• 4PM LYF Meeting
• 7PM Adult Instruction Class
• OPERATION BARNABAS- Iowa District West (IDW) is hosting a free military workshop at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Lake View on Saturday, Oct. 16th. at 9AM. The workshop will equip your congregation to reach out to military members in your area & their families with the love of Christ. To register, please call Pastor Mark Wolfram at 515-279-3609
• THRIVENT CHOICE If you have questions or would like to direct your designated Choice Dollars by phone, call 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836).

This week at St. John

• SUN Sept. 12- 7 PM Adult Instruction Class
• WED Sept. 15- 9 AM Ladies' Bible Study
  3:30 PM Confirmation Class
  8 PM Elder's Meeting
• THURS Sept. 16- Mapleton Zone LWML Rally, St. Paul, Ute
• FRI-MON- Pastor in Green Bay
• SUN Sept. 19- 8:45 AM Sunday School & Bible Class
  10 AM Worship with communion

This week at St. John

• SUN. SEP. 5- Sunday School and Adult Bible Study Class Resume
• MON. SEP. 6- Office Closed/Labor Day
• TUES. SEP. 7-  6:30 AM, Men's Bible Study, at the Dugout in Ute
• WED. SEP. 8- 1:30 PM, Confirmation Class
• SUN. SEP. 12- 8:45 AM, Sunday School and Adult Bible Study Class
• 10:00 AM Worship- "Rally Sunday," Installation of Education staff, distribution of Bibles to 1st Graders and Small Catechisms to 5th Graders. 
• 11:00 Am Blood Pressure screening, Finance Board mtg.
• 7 PM Adult instruction Class begins- Anyone interested in membership or wishing to review Lutheran doctrine may join the class. Let Pastor know if you're interested

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Human Care Emergency Fund

The past few years, St. John has maintained a Human Care Fund to provide emergency assistance to individuals or families in need. The fund has been depleted and the Elders have recently been made aware of a family in need of assistance with utility bills. If you would like to help by making a donation to the Emergency Fund, please contact the church office.

“Message Sent”—Youth Mission Event

Youth:  Text or Facebook your friends, offer them a ride and head for Mission Central on Sunday afternoon, August 29, 2-6 PM.

(Adults:  Please pass this invitation to the youth and youth leaders in your church)

Enjoy a Sunday afternoon of great Christian music, games, free food and inspiring speakers.

Exciting afternoon will feature:

1.      Rev. Brad Birtell and youth from Columbus, NE

2.      Christian band Seven Glory 

3.      IOWAY Summer 2010 mission team presentation

4.      Opportunity to hang out with and chat with others who attended the national gathering, youth camps, or the IOWAY mission trips

5.       “Message Sent” Youth Event at Mission Central will equip and encourage youth to send THE MESSAGE of Jesus to their family, friends, community and into the world. 

How to be part of this exciting event:

1.      Register by calling Sue Light at 515-576-7666 or email sue.light@idwlcms.org at Iowa District West office by Monday, August 16. 

2.      FREE--- No charge for events or meal (Need to let Sue Light know how many are coming to plan for the meal)

3.      For additional information check out: http://www.idwlcms.org/district_news/information/message_sent_poster.pdf  (It takes a few minutes to download as it is 8 MB)

4.      Address:  Mission Central

40718 Hwy E 16

Mapleton, IA

Questions? Contact Ellie Menz at 515-386-8420 or ellie.menz@idwlcms.org

VBS 2010: Final Night

VBS kids sing for their parents and guests at the closing program.

The LYF song-leaders still helped the younger kids out- just from behind the congregation, in the back of the church.

VBS Director Bethany Mallory and Emily "Nanny McBee" tell the audience about what kids learned.

Karly Kunze, "Queen Bianca" stops by to offer Emily Pautsch, "Barb Bee" a promotion!

VBS 2010: Night FOUR

VBS students, Bethany and Pastor pray over missionaries Brent and Eugene Freidrichs

Brent and Eugene share musical instruments with the VBS kids. The Friedrichs work in Jos, Nigeria, in Africa where they coordinate services for and other missionaries. 

Sarge Bee and Barb Bee discuss hive-land security issues.

3rd & 4th graders enjoy outdoor game time

5th and 6th graders found time to burn off energy on the old Noah's Ark playground

PK and Kindergarteners blow bubbles in front of the Sunday School House.

VBS 2010: Night THREE

The August 1-5, 2010 St. John Vacation Bible School


Above and below, 5/6th graders hide out in the hive.



Nanny McBee discusses problems in the hive nursery with hive manager Barb Bee


VBS Director Bethany reminds the PreSchoolers that "Jesus love is a-bubblin' over."

LYF girls, bring some of the song-leading skills to VBS that they learned last month at the National Lutheran Youth Gathering in New Orleans.

VBS 2010: Night TWO

Representatives of each age group, along with VBS Director Bethany Mallory and Pastor Merrill pray over missionaries Cindy (Ulrich) Thomas and John Thomas. John will be returning to Calcutta India later this week where they operate two Christian schools for poor children.

PreSchoolers wait for closing devotions to begin.

Zoomtacular Crafts!

Story Teller Ted Mallory talks with third and fourth graders about Jesus' feeding of the 5,000

Pastor Merrill explains the rules for outside games to the fifth and sixth graders.

James and Tonya Funkhouser challenge kindergarteners at the Super BEEliever Bible Challenge.

VBS: Zoomtacular!

This set may make you nervous if you're allergic to bees.

Pastor welcomes kids to the first night of Vacation Bible School at St. John

"Barb Bee," and "Scout" talk about seeking what is lost in the introductory skit.

This set gives me hives!

No, it's not a $5 Foot-Long commercial, it's the LYF girls leading the kids in a praise song.

IDW Junior High Youth Gathering

Junior Youth Gathering
Where: Sheraton Hotel
When:  October 30-31, 2010
Theme: Out Loud
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Luke Timm, Living Faith Church, Clive, IA
Music: Swen and Dean
Dean: Rev. Jon Conner

Bible Verse: Romans 1:16, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."

Registration Deadline: September 24
Registration: $115, Financial aid is available from Iowa District West

http://www.idwlcms.org

LYF Youth Gathering

The 2010 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans is over and the LYF would like to thank everyone who supported any of the fundraisers which made the trip possible. The weather was hot and humid, the bus ride was long, but the Gathering was awesome. The LYF will be reporting to the congregation about the gathering during the church service on Sunday, August 30th (5th Sunday Contemporary Service).

This week at St. John

• SUN AUG 1- 6:00 PM VBS begins
• MON AUG 2-THURS AUG 5- 5:30 PM VBS Supper, 6:00 PM VBS
• TUES AUG 3- 6:30 AM, Men's Bible Study at Ruth's Cafe in Ute
• THURS AUG 5- 1:30 PM LWML
  7:30 PM VBS Closing Service
• FRI AUG 6- FRI AUG 13- Pastor Merrill on vacation*
• SUN AUG 8- 8:30 Worship (no communion), NO Bible Class
  NOTICE: There will be no Adult Bible Class for the duration of the month of August, but it will resume in September.

*Pastor Ersnt (Ricketts Triple Parish) will be on call while Pastor Merrill is on vacation.
712-676-2293, or call Linda Kuhlmann at the St. John office at 678-3630

Youth Gathering TV

Want to see what worship and keynote speaker sessions are like at the National Lutheran Youth Gathering in New Orleans?

Visit LCMS.TV

Gathering general sessions will be streamed live at
8:30PM ET/7:30PM CT on July 17-20. On July 21, the Gathering
general session will stream live at 9:30AM/ET, 8:30AM/CT

A Journey of Blessings

Rumor has it that Pastor Richard Merrill has been training in order to participate in the Register's Annual Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). In related developments, he shares the following:

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 3:11 PM

After nearly 30 years in pastoral ministry and 40 years of service in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Trinity Lutheran Church in Glenwood, IA is honored to host "A Journey of Blessings" retirement celebration for Pastor Robert Lindau on August 8. The retirement celebration will begin immediately following our 9:00 am worship service and will feature lunch, desserts, and a short program. Please join us on this day of celebration and thanksgiving for Pastor Lindau’s many years of faithful service.

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One of our partners, Faith, Sioux City and Pastor Ralph Shorey, are requesting our assistance in helping with a mission outreach effort in connection with the impending RAGBRAI.  Below you will find a suggested bulletin announcement regarding their prayer booth for Sunday, July 25.  They would appreciate it, as would I (Pastor Mark Gerken), if you could share the announcement in your bulletin this coming weekend, post on your website, or distribute in any other way you see fit.  May the Lord bless our efforts to connect others to Christ!

RAGBRAI Prayer Booth:  Faith Lutheran Church, 3101 Hamilton Blvd. in Sioux City, IA  will be sponsoring a prayer booth for all bikers as RAGBRAI begins on Sunday, July 25.  If you or a friend are planning on making this great bike trek across Iowa stop at the church parking lot between 5:30-8:00 a.m.  As prayers for blessings on your road trip are offered up to the Lord, we also encourage individual prayer requests.  In case of rain, Faith’s prayer booth will meet in the Sanctuary.  God bless! 

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Jason Fuller, Director of Information Technology

1317 Tower Drive

Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Phone (515) 576-7666

Fax (515) 576-2323

Website: www.idwlcms.org

This week at St. John

  Charter Oak Achievement Days this week! Good luck Boosters, Achievers, and COU FFA!  

• MON July 12- Linda out of the office
• WED July 14- Linda out of the office
• THURS July 15- 8 PM Voters Meeting
  -LYF leave for New Orleans
• SAT July 17- 6 PM Communion Service/Baptism
• SUN July 18- 8:30 AM Worship w/Communion
  9:30 AM/After Worship- Mission Festival, come here Brent & Eugene Friedrichs (Mission Consults http://www.missionconsults.org) speak about Nigeria and John & Cindy Thomas speak about India
• July 17-21, Nine LYF members of St. John and 2 from St. Paul, Ute and adult counselors will attend the National Lutheran Youth Gathering in New Orleans: Dylan Beeck, Breanna Corbitt, Kendall Corbitt, Shelby Goslar, Brandon Krapfl, Amy Kuhlman, Karly Kunze, Emily Pautsch, and Courtney Plough- with adult counselors Leesa Kuhlmann, Valeta Pautsch, and Kim Plaough. Please keep these youth and adults in your prayers.
• July 18-24, Pastor at Concordia Cub Week at Camp Okoboji

Second Quarter Meetings

Open/Download a PDF of the July 7th Church Council Minutes from the second quarterly meeting of 2010

Open/Download a PDF of the July 15th Voters' Assemby Minutes from the second quarterly meeting of 2010
*CORRECTION: Rev. Feige at St. Matthew's, Mapleton did not retire, he received a Call.

This week at St. John

• MON July 5- Church Office Closed
• TUES July 6- 6:30 AM, Men's Bible Class at Ruth's in Ute
• WED July 7- 8 PM Church Council Meeting
• SUN July 11- 8:30 AM, Youth Gathering Commissioning during Worship Service
• 9:30 AM, Finance Board Meeting
• 9:45 AM Adult/HS Bible Class
• 1 PM Pastor preaches at Denison Care Center
• 2 PM Pastor preaches at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison
• July 17-21, Nine LYF members of St. John and 2 from St. Paul, Ute and adult counselors will attend the National Lutheran Youth Gathering in New Orleans: Dylan Beeck, Breanna Corbitt, Kendall Corbitt, Shelby Goslar, Brandon Krapfl, Amy Kuhlman, Karly Kunze, Emily Pautsch, and Courtney Plough- with adult counselors Leesa Kuhlmann, Valeta Pautsch, and Kim Plaough. Please keep these youth and adults in your prayers.

VBS 2010: Aug 1-5

Bee Bold. Bee-lieve. Be HIS.

Planet Zoom is a zip, zap, zoomin’ good time for kids of all ages. There’s a whole new world Planet Zoom where little is BIG.

Kids will meet Scout, a bee in the Planet Zoom hive, and four other bee friends who will guide them through the week. Scout and his friends will guide children through five amaz-z-zing Bible stories that will teach them to be bold bee-lievers of Jesus. 

Planet Zoom shares new perspective that encourages even the littlest bee-lievers to make a big difference in God’s big world. No child is too young to understand the depth of Jesus’ love. So prepare yourself for a swarmin’ good time Sunday, August 1 – Thursday, August 5. Dinner will be served Monday – Thursday evenings beginning at 5:30 for all participants. VBS will begin each evening at 6:00 PM. 

Please register your children ages 3 through 6th grade by calling the church office at 678-3312. Friends, cousins, grandchildren, and neighbors are all welcome to attend – just let us know. We are always looking for helpers too – call the church office or contact Bethany Mallory at 678-3397.

This week at St. John

• SUN June 27, 6 PM- LYF- Pre-Youth Gathering Bible Study
• WED June 30, 7 PM- Board of Education Meeting
• THR July 1, 1:30 PM- LWML 

Congratulations to Margorie Neddermeyer, elected Financial Secretary of the Iowa District West LWML at their convention last week.

Saturday Evening Services July 17 and August 14 at 7 PM

National Lutheran Youth Gathering July 17-21 in New Orleans, LA

Word Cloud

This word cloud was based on St. John's Mission and Purpose statements at http://www.wordle.net. I kind of like the fact that it shows that we're all about God's Love!

St. John Web site now listed on LCMS directory

Greetings! –

Last week your congregation’s Web site link was added or updated on the LCMS Congregation Locator.  Thank you for using the Congregation Web Site Link Application/Revision Form  (http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/sitelist/02/churches_app.asp) and please continue to use it in the future should you need to make updates to the Web address or Web master contact information for your congregation.

You are invited to view your congregation’s information/web site link on LCMS.org at the following locations -

+ + +  Congregational Locator at:http://www.lcms.org/locators
+ + +  Congregational Web Directory at:http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/sitelist/02/churches_statelist.asp

If you see any problems please contact me directly at peg.baxter@lcms.org as I would be happy to make any needed changes regarding the Web site address.  For changes related to the listing of rostered church workers, please contact your district and for other information (such as email address, phone number, address, worship times, etc.) on your Locator page, contact Rosters & Statistics at rosters.statistics@lcms.org.

In additional, if your Web site contains a direct link to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Web site – thank you!  If not, please consider adding a link to www.LCMS.org.  It would be greatly appreciated.

And finally, in an effort to be helpful we have compiled resource information for Webmasters which is located at - www.lcms.org/?484.  We are hopeful that you will find some of the information provided here useful in your service as Webmaster.

Blessings!

Peg Baxter
LCMS Electronic Media
The Church Information Center has made FREE brochures and downloadable resources available, please go to www.lcms.org/cic.

Congregation_Name:	St. John Lutheran
Web_Site_Address:	http://stjohnchrteroak.blogspot.com
Congregation_Mailing_Address:	104 Birch Ave.
City:	Charter Oak
State:	IA
Zip:	51439
District:	Iowa West
Organization_E-mail_Address:	stjohn@frontiernet.net
Congregation_Phone_Number:	712-678-3618
Full_Name:
Webmaster_Contact_Name:	Ted Mallory
Webmaster_E-mail_Address:	ted.mallory@gmail.com