January 2012 @ a Glance

• Communion service on First & Third Sundays (Jan1 & Jan15)
• Contemporary worship on the Fifth Sunday (Jan29)
• Confirmation this month- 
• No Confirmation WED Jan 4
• Confirmation at 1:30 WED Jan 18
• TUE JAN 3- 6:30AM Men's Bible Study
• THR JAN 5- Noon LWML Luncheon
• 7:00pm Board of Education Mtg.
• TUE JAN 10- Circuit Pastor's Conference at Our Savior, Denison
• WED 7:00PM Meetings-
• Jan 11 Church Council
• Jan 18 Quarterly Voter's Meeting
• Jan 25 Elder's Meeting

2012- the Year of the Word?

2012- the Year of the Word? It could be. It would  be nice if it would be. Right now we have about 20 people involved in Adult Bible Study on Sunday mornings. Our attendance at Ladies Bible Study is about 9 and Men's Bible Study once a month is about 4. There are 6 LYF members that attend Youth Bible Study this Fall. LWML has a Bible study and it draws about 15. Considering some overlap, let's say we have about 50 communicant members who are involved in some kind of study of God's Word at least monthly. When you consider that we have over 400 communicant members, that's only about 12.5%. There's room for improvement.

Moses stressed the importance of God's words when He told the Israelites, "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:6-9 NIV)

While I'm not suggesting that you redecorate your homes or get a "Ten Commandments" tattoo, it is clear that God wants us to hear and learn His Word. The benefits are clear from Scripture. St. Paul says that the Scriptures "are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:15 ESV) Peter confessed to Jesus, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:68 ESV) Jesus Himself tells us, "If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32 ESV)

If these things are true, then we can ill afford to think we are done with God's Word once we are confirmed. The words of God and of Jesus the Word of God made flesh at Christmas, are nourishing spiritual food that keeps our faith strong and healthy. Who would survive if they went a year without eating? Why would we do the same with our faith?

I encourage every communicant member of St. John who lives in the area to participate in at least one Bible study in 2012. For those of you who are away at school, I encourage you to look into Bible studies available on campus or at a nearby LCMS congregation. In January I will be placing a survey in the bulletin to help me plan Bible studies for the year. Let's make 2012 the Year of the Word at St. John, and "Stay Healthy" by feeding on Jesus and His words of eternal life!

Peace to you in Christ,
Pastor Merrill

MERRY CHRISTMAS; This Week at St.John

• Mon Dec.26- St. Stephen's Day, Church office closed 
• Pastor will be visiting his family until Thurs. Please call Linda at 712-267-3250 if you have any needs which require a pastor during this time.
• Wed Dec.28- No Confirmation Classes this week
• Thurs Dec.29- 6:00pm Cub Scouts
• Sun Jan.1- New Year's Day 2012
• 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00am Worship with communion
• Installation of new officers and recognition of outgoing officers

2012 Offering Envelopes are in the back of the church, please remember to pick yours up.

'Thy Strong Word'- the TSW account for funding of the daily radio devotional program is running low. Contributions are welcome.

Year End Reports- please get your year-end reports to Linda in the office stjohnco@frontiernet.net as soon as possible, in preparation for the quarterly Council and Voters' Meetings. Thank You. 

Merry Christmas from the St.John Sunday School!

 Here are some images from tonight's annual Sunday School Christmas Program. Thank you to all who attended. The students did a wonderful job. Thanks also to Superintendents Trisha McDonald, Peggy Sue Henschen, accompanist Art Beeck, and Music Director Bethany Mallory!

Here are some more pictures, these come from Linda Nepper- Thanks Linda!

Christmas at St.John

• Mon-Sat. Dec.18-24- 6:25AM Pastor Merrill hosts 'Thy Strong Word' (for Triple Parish) on KDSN 107.1FM/1530AM
• Wed. Dec.21- 3:30pm Confirmation
• 6:45pm Carol singing
• 7:00pm this year's final midweek Advent service, LYF refreshments after
• 8:00pm Elder's meeting
• Thurs. Dec.22- 6:00pm Cub Scouts
• Sat. Dec.24- 6:30pm Christmas Eve worship
• Sun. Dec.25- Christmas Day worship with communion
  (No Sunday School or Bible Study this week)

2012 OFFERING ENVELOPES are in the back of the church for you to pick up.

BUILDING PROJECT PLEDGED- when you write a check toward your building fund pledge donation, please mark your check so that Finance Secretaries Jane & Otto Kunze can deposit it in the right place. Thank You.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS CARDS- If you have received a change of address card for your children, please return them to Linda in the office. Thank you for your help.

THANK YOU to all who purchased a poinsettia to help beautify the Christmas services.

May God bless you and your family
this week as you celebrate 
the birth of His Son, our Savior!

This Week at St. John

• TUES Dec.13- Circuit Pastor's Conference, St. Paul Battle Creek
• WED Dec.14- 3:30pm Confirmation
• 5:00pm Sunday School Christmas service practice
• 6:45pm Carol Sing
• 7:00pm Midweek Advent Service, refreshments from LYF following
• SAT Dec.17- 9:00am-11:00am Sunday School Christmas service practice, dress rehearsal, all ages
• SUN Dec.18- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00am Worship with Communion
• 1:00pm Pastor Merrill preaches at Denison Care Center
• 2:00pm Pastor Merrill preaches at Eventide Lutheran Home
• 6:30pm Sunday School Christmas Service

THANK YOU to all who purchased a poinsettia to help beautify the Christmas services

THANK YOU to all the bakers and buyers who participated in the annual LWML Cookie & Candy Bazaar.

THE CHARTER OAK SENIOR CENTER has been set up as the collection point for items for Allen "Bud" Gloede who lost all his possessions in a fire last week. Food, clothing, bedding, etc. are being collected. If you can help him, please leave your food, clothig, or household items at the Senior Center. Thank You.

LYF mtg today (12/11) at 3pm

This Week at St. John

• TUE Dec.6- 6:30am Men's Bible Study
• WED Dec.7.- 3:30pm Confirmation
• 6:45pm Carol singing
• 7:00pm Midweek Advent service-  'Waiting with Comfort'
• SUN Dec.11- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00am Worship
• 11:00am Finance Board meeting
• 6:00pm Adult Instruction Class

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SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM/PRACTICES
Sun. Sch. Christmas Program, December 18th at 6:30pm We need all the children at Church by 6:15pm
Practices are very important for the program to run smoothly, so we need all children (1st-8th Grades) and their teachers to attend. Thank You

Practice Schedule 

• Wed. Dec.14- 5:00pm-6:30pm For 1st-8th grades
• Sat. Dec.17- 9:00am-11:00am Dress Rehearsal for all children
• Sun. Dec.18- During Sunday School

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MIDWEEK ADVENT SERVICES: 'Wait, Pray, Live By Faith: Waiting with the Old Testament Church'
Advent services will begin November 30th. Services will begin at 7:00pm. Christmas carol-singing will begin at 6:45pm, before the worship service itself.

• Wed. Dec. 7- 'Waiting with Comfort'
• Wed. Dec. 14- 'Waiting with Joy'
• Wed. Dec. 21- 'Waiting with Worship'

Come worship Him! Come early & sing His praises as we prepare for the celebration of His birth. The LYF will serve bars after each Advent service.

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CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP
There will be one worship service at 9:00am, but not Sunday School or Bible Study on Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day. Watch the Website and weekly church bulletins for Christmas Eve worship times.

LWML Cookie & Candy Bazaar

Sunday, December 4

11:00am-1:00pm

Come fill your box with lots of goodies!

Just $6 per pound.

Cookie & Candy Donations Welcomed

Please bring your treats you're contributing to church by Noon On Saturday, Dec. 3

Proceeds will go toward the kitchen in the new addition.

Advent Midweek Services

 'Wait, Pray, Live By Faith:
Waiting with the Old Testament Church'

Advent services will begin November 30th. Services will begin at 7:00pm. Christmas carol-singing will begin at 6:45pm, before the worship service itself.

• Wed. Nov. 30
• Wed. Dec. 7- 'Waiting with Comfort'
• Wed. Dec. 14- 'Waiting with Joy'
• Wed. Dec. 21- 'Waiting with Worship'

Come worship Him! Come early & sing His praises as we prepare for the celebration of His birth. The LYF will serve bars after each Advent service.

This week at St.John

• Wed. Nov. 30- 3:30pm Confirmation
• 6:45pm Carol singing
• 7:00pm Midweek Advent service
  'Wait, Pray, Live by Faith'
• Thurs. Dec. 1- 1:30pm LWML meeting
• 6:00pm Cub Scouts
• Sat. Dec. 3- Cookie & candy donations need to be to church by Noon
• Noon set up for LWM L Cookie & Candy Bazaar
• Sun. Dec.4- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible class
• 10:00am Worship with communion, Mite Box Sunday
• 11:00am Cookie & Candy Bazaar
• 7:00pm Adult Instruction Class

WINTER HELP NEEDED- We are still looking for volunteers to scoop the snow from the sidewalks this winter. If you would like to do this & earn money doing it, please contact Trustee Bob Kroll, or let the church office know. Thank You.

Sunday School Christmas Practices

 Sunday School Christmas Program
December 18th at 6:30pm 

We need all the children at Church by 6:45pm

Practices are very important for the program to run smoothly,
so we need all children (1st-8th Grades)
and their teachers to attend.
Thank You

 2011 Practice Schedule 

• Wed. Dec.7- 5:00pm-6:30pm
• Sat. Dec.10- 9:00am-11:00am
• Wed. Dec.14- 5:00pm-6:30pm
• Sat. Dec.17- 9:00am-11:00am
• Sun. Dec.18- During Sunday School

This Week @ St. John

• Wed. Nov.22- No Confirmation this week
• 7:00pm Thanksgiving Eve Worship
• Thurs. Nov.23- Offices Closed- Happy Thanksgiving

Give ye thanks to the Lord;
 for he is good;
for his love endures forever.
~Psalm 106:1

• Sat. Nov.25- Board of Education decorates the church for Advent
• Sun. Nov.26- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00am Worship
• 6:00pm Adult Instruction Class

Door Offering for School in India- Sunday, Nov.19 there was a free-will offering collected for John Thomas for the school for poor children operated by Life to the World Ministry in Calcutta, India. The school has 105 students ages 3-13 and 9 teachers. Their lease ends in March and Thomas is trying to raise at lease $40,000 toward purchasing their own building. Additional gifts may be given directed to:

Life to the World Ministy; John Thomas

17 Oak Ave.

Charter Oak, IA 51439

(712) 267-4430

lifetotheworld@yahoo.co.in

76/1 M.G. Road, PO Haridevpur, Calcutta-700082, India.

http:/www.life-to-the-world.org

LWML Cookie/Candy Bazaar- Sunday, December 4, 11:00am-1:00pm Come fill your box with lots of goodies! Just $6 per pound.Cookie & Candy Donations Welcomed Please bring your treats you're contributing to church by Noon On Saturday, Dec. 3 Proceeds will go toward the kitchen in the new addition.

TEMPORARY AID PROGRAM (TAP) We are scheduled to collect for the TAP program in the month month of November. At this time TAP is particularly in need of sugar, peanut butter, crackers, soups, cooking oil, margarine, tuna, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato juice, macaroni, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, hamburger helper, tuna helper, pancake mix, pancake syrup, laundry soap, shampoo & diapers. Bring donations to Church, there will be a table set up to place food items on.
Tap is a program for families in need of food and clothing.TAP is located at 210 S. 25th St. just north of Godfather's Pizza in Denison. It is open and staffed by volunteers on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00am-Noon. (712) 263-4733 Definitely Denison Community Outreach

WINTER HELP NEEDED- We are still looking for volunteers to scoop the snow from the sidewalks this winter. If you would like to do this & earn money doing it, please contact Trustee Bob Kroll, or let the church office know. Thank You.

Seeing Red

Missionary to Nigeria Brent Friedrichs shared this advice with Bible Class-

"If you're concerned that your faith is; questionable" or if you have some doubts, try this,

"Get a hold of a bible that has red letter font where Jesus speaks- start with Matthew and read nothing but what is in red font. Read only what Jesus said. Continue through the end of the Bible. Those that have done this have made some remarkable discoveries. Try it!!!"

This Week at St. John

• WED NOV 16- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study
• 3:30pm Confirmation
• 7:00pm Elder's Meeting
• THUR NOV 17- 9:00am Orphan Grain Train container loading, Ida Grove
• 6:00pm Cub Scouts Meeting
• FRI-SAT NOV 18-19- LYF at District Youth Gathering, LaVista, NE
• SUN NOV 20- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00am Worship with Communion
• Free Will Offering for missionary John Thomas' 'Life to the World' School in Calcutta, India
• 3:00pm Cub Scout Rain Gutter Regatta
• 7:00pm Adult Instruction Class

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE will be held November 23rd at 7:00pm

TEMPORARY AID PROGRAM (TAP) We are scheduled to collect for the TAP program in the month month of November. At this time TAP is particularly in need of sugar, peanut butter, crackers, soups, cooking oil, margarine, tuna, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato juice, macaroni, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, hamburger helper, tuna helper, pancake mix, pancake syrup, laundry soap, shampoo & diapers. Bring donations to Church, there will be a table set up to place food items on.
Tap is a program for families in need of food and clothing.TAP is located at 210 S. 25th St. just north of Godfather's Pizza in Denison. It is open and staffed by volunteers on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00am-Noon. (712) 263-4733 Definitely Denison Community Outreach
LWML Cookie/Candy Bazaar- Sunday, December 4, 11:00am-1:00pm Come fill your box with lots of goodies! Just $6 per pound.Cookie & Candy Donations Welcomed Please bring your treats you're contributing to church by Noon On Saturday, Dec. 3 Proceeds will go toward the kitchen in the new addition.

Spiritual Health Check

Sunday in Adult Bible Class, Missionary Brent Friedrichs shared an idea from a Dr. Danny McCain, a Theology professor at the University of Jos in Northern Nigeria-

If when you read the Bible, you feel like you're reading someone else's mail- perhaps you should be worried about your spiritual well being. If however, when you read the Bible, you feel like the Bible is speaking to you- that's a very positive sign!

This Week at St. John's

• TUES NOV 8- 8:45am Circuit Pastors' Conference, Dow City
• WED NOV 9- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study
• 1:30pm Confirmation
• 7:00pm Sunday School Christmas Program Meeting
• THUR NOV 10- 6:00pm Cub Scouts
• SAT NOV 12- 9:00am LYF set up for Thanksgiving Dinner 
• SUN NOV 13- 8:45am Sunday School
• No Adult Bible Class, 7/8th Grade Bible Class will meet upstairs in Rm.101
• 10:00am Worship
• 11:00am Finance Board Meeting
• 11:00am LYF Thanksgiving Dinner
• 6:00pm Adult Instruction Class

JOHN THOMAS- We will be taking a free will offering for Missionaries John and Cindy Thomas on November 20th. The money collected will go toward a new school building.

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE will be held November 23rd at 7:00pm

TEMPORARY AID PROGRAM (TAP) We are scheduled to collect for the TAP program in the month month of November. At this time TAP is particularly in need of sugar, peanut butter, crackers, soups, cooking oil, margarine, tuna, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato juice, macaroni, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, hamburger helper, tuna helper, pancake mix, pancake syrup, laundry soap, shampoo & diapers. Bring donations to Church, there will be a table set up to place food items on.
Tap is a program for families in need of food and clothing.TAP is located at 210 S. 25th St. just north of Godfather's Pizza in Denison. It is open and staffed by volunteers on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00am-Noon. (712) 263-4733 Definitely Denison Community Outreach

Ambassadors for Christ in a land of conflict

Missionaries Brent and Eugenie Friedrichs spoke to the adult Bible Study class at St. John Sunday morning, November 6, 2011.

Brent is originally from Charter Oak, the son of Don and Nadine Friedrichs. Eugienie is originally from South Africa. Brent and Eugenie are associated with Global Lutheran Outreach (GLO) in Jos Nigeria, a city of over a million, and the capital of the Nigerian State of "Plateau."

After serving in the Peace Corps in Gabon, West Africa, Brent began working with LCMS World Missions in 1997. The Friedrichs were married in Charter Oak in 2005. Unfortunately, Brent's position was phased out in 2007, since then they have been responsible for raising their own financial support.

GLO is an independent Lutheran mission agency, which means that we work with all Lutherans denominations. GLO works closely with the LCMS and the LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, congregations which broke from the ELCA due to doctrinal disputes).

Brent is the engineer and Financial Manager for Mission Consults.

During the Friedrichs' furlough to the United States, they visit churches seeking both financial and prayer support, raising awareness about GLO and recruiting new missionaries when they can.

The Friedrichs discussed the Great Commission (Mathew 28:18-20) in which God calls all believers to share His Gospel and how as Christ's Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) we are called to represent God's love and forgiveness, taking into consideration people's cultural differences. They explained that a current trend is to offer services (like medical or veterinary) and using the good will established as an opening to share their faith.

Their main function is as "Support Missionaries." Their ministry involves working with other missionaries, churches, and groups with their legal, accounting, and logistics needs. They discussed how this has also also sometimes meant applying God's principles from Matthew 18:15-19 as part of the Mission Advisory Committee (MAC).

Nigeria has dealt with a great deal of conflict between Christians and Muslims over the last decade. The Friedrichs explained that Nigeria has 150 million people with 500 different languages in an area the size of Texas. Many of the violent conflicts have as much or more to do with land disputes and competition for jobs and resources. As the Sahara desert grows each year, many Muslim families are forced further and further South into territory where those who live there are Christian. 

Not only is it a challenge to share the message of Jesus with people who practice Islam, but ancient forms of African Animism are still very prevalent, even among those who claim to be Christian or Muslim.

Please pray for Brent and Eugenie and their boys Micah and Zander. Pray for:

• Spiritual Guidance- that God will intervene in all their actions
• Safety from both physical and spiritual warfare
• Finance
• Family
• and for help working through and against corruption in Nigeria

You may donate online to support Brent & Eugenie 
Or, make checks payable to 'Global Lutheran Outreach' and mail to –

Global Lutheran Outreach
6709 Ficus Drive
Miramar, FL 33023

If you are a Thrivent member (life insurance or other products), you likely have “Choice Dollars” that you can designate to the Lutheran organization of your choice! There is no cost to you!

There are two ways to designate choice dollars:

1) If you already manage your Thrivent account online, then simply go to the Thrivent web page (www.thrivent.com) and select the “Thrivent Choice” link. On the Thrivent Choice page, log in and then follow the on-screen instructions.

2) If you would prefer to designate your Choice Dollars by phone, call:
1-800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) and state, “THRIVENT CHOICE”

Outreach Training in Storm Lake

Annual LYF Thanks-Giving Dinner

Annual LYF Thanks-Giving Dinner
Sunday, November 13
11:00am-12:30pm
In St. John's Basement
Turkey, Dressing, Potatoes & Gravy,
Corn, Cranberry Sauce,
Drinks & Deserts
FREE WILL OFFERING
benefits St. John's Lutheran Youth Fellowship

This Week at St.John

• SUN 10/30- 7:00pm Adult Instruction Class
• MON 10/31- Reformation Day, on this day in1517, Luther nailed his 95 Thesis on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany
• TUES 11/1- All Saints Day (1 Peter 2:4-10)
• 6:30am Men's Bible Study
• WED 11/2- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study
• 3:30pm Confirmation
• THURS 11/3- 1:30pm LWML Meeting
• SAT 11/5-  + GROUNDED + GROWING + REACHING + Outreach resource and training event, Saturday, November 5, 2011 at St. John Lutheran, Storm Lake. For more information and to register, call Jill at (515) 576-7666 or visit www.idwlcms.org/outreach
• SAT/SUN- DON'T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCK BACK, DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS
• SUN 11/6- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Class
  Special presentation in adult Bible Class by Brent & Eugene Friedrichs about their mission work in Nigeria
• 10:00am Worship with Communion (Mite Box Sunday)
• 7:00pm Adult Instruction Class

168 Quilts were dedicated today (Sun. Oct 30, 2011)! This may be a church record. The quilts will be given to the Orphan grain Train, the Sioux City Gospel Mission, and Hope Ministries in Des Moines so that they can be distributed to those in need. May the provide warmth and comfort this winter and for years to come. May they also carry God's love with them.

This Week at St. John

• TUES 10/25- 1:00pm Quilting
• WED 10/26- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study
• 1:30pm Confirmation
• 8:00pm Elder's Meeting
• THURS 10/27- Cub Scouts
• SUN 10/29- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00am Worship Service (Reformation Sunday)
• 7:00pm Adult Instruction class

PLEASE LABEL YOUR GIVING- We need $4,169.50 before the end of the year to fulfill the commitment we made to the District and Synod for missions. Please keep this in mind as you allocate your offerings between home and missions. There are different envelopes for missions.

If you are giving money toward your pledge to the building fund, please be sure to identify it as such, other wise it will go into the general fund. You can put it in an envelope which you label "for building find," or write "building fund" on the memo line of the check.

LWML COLLECTIONS- The LWML is collecting coats, sweaters and sweatshirts for the needy in the Church lobby until October 30th. They are also collecting used computer ink cartridges and old cell phones for recycling. Please ask your family members and co-workers for theirs too! Proceeds go toward the 2015 LWML National Convention in Des Moines. Thank you for your support.

 

SEASONAL HELP NEEDED- Scooping snow from the front of the Church & sidewalks this winter. Please talk to Trustee Bob Kroll or let Linda know in the Church office. Also, mowing the Church cemetery next Spring & Summer. Please contact Don Hopp or James Jepsen.

QUILTING!

Calling all Quilters... Quilting is on Tuesday. We will continue through the month of October. We take a coffee break at 2:30pm and quilt at 4:00pm. Several quilts are ready to be tied so we need lots of help tying! Please come put the quilts together & enjoy the fellowship.

2012 Officers Elected; Quarterly Meeting Minutes

·          2011 Ballot Results- There was a tie in at least one office so counters had to use President Magill’s ballot.

o        President: Robert Stoltze Jr.

o        Vice President: Ted Mallory

o        Secretary: Linda Nepper

o        Treasurer: Becky Dorale

o        Finance Secretary: Otto & Jane Kunze

o        Asst. Finance: Roger & Patty Kunze

o        Elder Kyle Schultz , Colin Gierstorf,

o        Finance Board Richard Goslar, Larry Krapfl

o        Trustee: Melvin Neddermeyer

o        Board of Education: Patty Goslar

o        Mission Secretary: Don Friedrichs

o        Stewardship: Byron Weiss

• Minutes from the Oct. 19 Quarterly Voter's Meeting 
• Minutes from the Oct. 12 Church Council Meeting

This Week at St.John

• Mon-Sat. Oct 17-22- 6:25AM Pastor Merrill hosts 'Thy Strong Word' (for Triple Parish) on KDSN 107.1FM/1530AM
• Tues 10/18- 1:00pm Quilting
• Wed 10/19- 9:00am Ladies Bible study
• 3:30pm Confirmation
• 7:00pm Choir Practice
• 8:00pm Quarterly Voter's Meeting
• Sun 10/23- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00am 5th Sunday Contemporary Worship Service
• 7:00pm Adult Instruction Class

Candidates for 2012 Church Council & Offices

The October 19, 2011 Quarterly Voter's Meeting will include choosing new officers for 2012

·    2011 Ballot- *designates incumbent

o        President: Robert Stoltze Jr., Dan Kuhlmann

o        Vice President: Ted Mallory, Randy Steffen

o        Secretary: Becky Berens, Linda Nepper

o        Treasurer: Becky Dorale*

o        Finance Secretary: Otto & Jane Kunze*

o        Asst. Finance: Roger & Patty Kunze*

o        Elder (vote for 2): Kyle Schultz*, Ralph dorale, Colin Gierstorf, William Magill

o        Finance Board (vote for 2): Alan Kuhlmann, Richard Goslar*, Russel Maack, Larry Krapfl

o        Trustee: Melvin Neddermeyer, Gary Schau

o        Board of Education: Tonya Funkhouser*, Patty Goslar

o        Mission Secretary: Don Friedrichs*, Norman Klinker

o        Stewardship: Byron Weiss, Kevin Pester
First Voters will be asked for additional nominations and to accept this ballot.

Women in Mission; Life on the Edge

Members of the St. John Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) sit together prior to worship on LWML Sunday, October 9. Members read the Scripture lessons and performed a skit emphasising how anyone can help spread God's Word and His love.

This Week at St. John

• TUES 10/11- 1:00pm Quilting
• WED 10/12- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study
• 1:30pm Confirmation
• 8:00pm Church Council Meeting
• THRS 10/13- 6:00pm Cub Scout Meeting
• SUN 10/16- 8:45am Sunday School/Bible Study
• 10:00am Worship with Communion
• 2:00pm LYF Meeting
• 7:00pm Adult Instruction Class
• QUARTERLY VOTERS MEETING Wednesday, October 19th at 8:00pm
• TIME TO CLEAN OUT THOSE CLOSETS- The LWML will be collecting coats, sweaters, & sweatshirts until October 30th.There will be a collection box in the church lobby
• St. Luke LWML Soup Supper- Sunday Oct. 16th, 2011, 5:09pm-7:00pm St.Luke Lutheran Church, Ricketts, IA  Serving Vegetable Beef, Chili, CHERRY SOUP, sandwiches & desserts. Adults $7, Ages 4-10 $5, Children under 4 eat free.
• + GROUNDED + GROWING + REACHING + Outreach resource and training event, Saturday, November 5, 2011 at St. John Lutheran, Storm Lake. For more information and to register, call Jill at (515) 576-7666  or visit www.idwlcms.org/outreach
• 
  

This Week at St. John

• TUES 10/4- 6:30am Men's Bible Study
• 8:45am Circuit Pastor's Conference, Mapleton
• 1:00pm Quilting
• WED 10/5- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study
• 3:30pm Confirmation
• 8:00pm Budget Meeting
• THURS 10/6- 1:30pm LWML Meeting
• 7:00pm Board of Education Meeting
• SUN 10/9-  LWML Sunday, LWML "Bakeless" Bake Sale
• 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00am Worship with Communion
• 7:00pm Adult Instruction Class
• WED 10/12- 8:00pm Council Meeting
• WED 10/19- 8:00pm Voter's Meeting

YOU'RE INVITED- to join in the celebration of LWML Sunday (October 9th)! Praise the Lord that He has given the ladies of our congregation the opportunity to serve Him. There will be the LWML's first ever "Bakeless" Bake Sale. Your apron pocket is in the October church newsletter. Be sure to enclose your donation for your favorite (imaginary) bake sale items. There will be baskets at the back of the church to put your pockets in. All proceeds from this unique bake sale will go to help build the kitchen in our new addition.

Church Council, Special Meeting Sept. 28, 2011

Click here to view the minutes of the Special Meeting of the Church Council, Wednesday September 28, 2011

The Council met with members of the Building Committee to hear about the progress on receiving cost estimates from a number of contractors as well as to discuss the plans and a variety of ideas and concerns that have been shared about the project.

This Week at St. John

• Mon-Tues 9/26-27- Pastor at District Pastor's Conference
• Wed 9/28- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study
• 3:30pm Confirmation
• 7:00pm SPECIAL CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING to discuss latest drawings for the new edition with Building Committee
• Thurs 9/30- 6:00pm Cub Scouts 
• Fri 10/1- 6:00pm Wedding Rehearsal
• Sat 10/2- 5:00pm Bryant Maack &  Heather McLaughlin Wedding
• Sun 10/3- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00am Worship with Communion
• 7:00pm Adult Instruction Class

CALLING ALL QUILTERS- Quilting begins on October 4th at 1:00pm with a coffee break at 2:30pm and quilting at 4:00pm. Several quilts are ready to be tied so we need a lot of ladies to tie. Please come to put the quilts together & enjoy the fellowship.

TIME TO CLEAN OUT THOSE CLOSETS- The LWML will be collecting coats, sweaters, & sweatshirts until October 30th. There will be a collection box in the church lobby.

This Week at St. John

• Tues 9/20- Linda at Secretaries Conference
• Wed 9/21- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study
• 3:30pm Confirmation
• 8:00pm Elder's Meeting
• Sun 9/26- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00am Worship Service
• 7:00pm Adult Instruction Class

This Week at St. John

• Wed. 9/14- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study- All women in the congregation who can make it are invited. We'll be studying the book of Acts. 
• 1:30pm Confirmation
• Thr. 9/15- 9:00am LWML Fall Zone Rally, Battle Creek
• Sat. 9/17- 8:00am Men's Ministry Breakfast, Mapleton
• Sun. 9/18- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Classes
• 10:00am Worship with Communion, Building Pledge Sunday
• 2:00pm LYF Meeting
• 7:00pm Adult Instruction Class

ATTENTION LYF- Youth Gathering in LaVista, NE is November 18-20th. Registration forms are due October 1st. Anyone interested please contact Letha Goslar or Kim Plough.

COLLEGE-AGE YOUTH- Before you go off to school, get stationed in the military, or move somewhere for work, please leave your new address in the church office. If you'll be far away, stop in, we'll be glad to help you  find churches in your new community.

PLEDGE SUNDAY- The old Lutheran school and Sunday School house  have been removed to prepare the way for construction of the new Fellowship Hall. The hope is to begin work this Fall. We will begin gathering pledges on Sunday, September 18, 2011. If you haven't already, please return your specially marked envelope with the pledge form completed to the church office or place it in the specially marked basket on Pledge Sunday. You can pledge any amount and designate how much time you'll need to meet your pledge. Thank you to all those members who have already responded with your pledges and donations.

Rally Sunday 2011

Above, Pastor Richard Merrill leads a discussion of the Adult Bible Class which will be meeting in Room 101 this year. High School Bible Study meets with Leon Meseck in the Kitchen, 7th and 8th Graders meet in the basement meeting room, while PK-6th Grades meet in the newly completed basement classrooms.

 Today we celebrated the beginning of a new Sunday School Year. Teachers and Volunteers were installed during worship.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

"I have hidden your word in my heart..." Psalm 119:11a
Today Fifth Graders who are beginning Confirmation classes were presented with copies of Luther's Small Chatechism, including Kaitlyn Conto, Crysta Gierstorf, Brian Gossage, Lizzie Jepsen, Skylar Kelm, Alyha McCartney, Robert Self, Kaitlynn Thoreson, and Madison Young.

First Graders were presented with their own Bibles, they included Annamarie Mallory, Hailey Meseck (2nd grade), and Andrew Thoreson.

Below, Pastor let the Sunday School children in an opening devotion before Music Leader Bethany Mallory reviewed the song that the children would sing during the worship service.

A Letter from India

Greetings to you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I hope and pray that all of you are doing well and the congregation. Weather might have cool down there .. Here it is still sticky but get lot of rain almost every  day called monsoon . From Nov it will cool down I had a safe journey back to India.Thank you very much for all your prayers and all the help you did for the Lord work here in India and for the school. May God reward you.  I miss Cyndi.   Linda,  If you would like to put this news letter in the bulletin it will be great .Thank you.


School is going well and the first term examination result will be out on 12 Sept. There is total $1910 for school building fund.

Here is the description of the source of fund.

$700 from the church for the missionary support for John Thomas  ( Which I would like to put into the school building fund rather than using for any other ministry needs)
$300 from BBS by Bethany Mallory
$100 from St John LWML by June Neddermayer
$100  Byron and Karen Weiss
$100 from Joel and Leesa
$25 from Iva lee Kulman
$190 from other three believers whose name is not given to me from St John Lutheran church.
$100 from  Gailen Meseck from triple parish church Rickets
Total from Lutheran church  $1615.

Received gift from other friends $ 295
Total  $1910 for school building fund. Thank God for that.

Need another $ 38,090 to purchase a building.

I thank you very much for those who contributed to the school building fund.
If any body would like to support for the school builind fund or for mission work here, please contact Linda or pastor Richard or Bill Magill. 

We are praying to conduct bible training course  for 20 new converts from non christian back ground  from 9-11 Sept. ( I do not want to mention the name of the religion from which they are saved by the Lord for security reason ) so that they will be able to teach others as well about the Lord   .2 timothy 2:2 Teach faithful  who are faithful to teach others as well..  We are praying to   give them lunch and dinner free of cost as they can  not afford to pay anything . One brother and I will  teach. Field is ripe but laborers are few.Matt 9:36. It is the desire of the Lord that every one should get a chance to hear the gospel and those who are responsive will get eternal life. Jesus trained his disciples for three years.

People from England were Christians that is why America became a Christian country (majority Christians. ) because Americans came from England.  But we need to remember that Islam was advancing towards Europe and some faithful people of God stood against the advance of Islam and pushed back and many faithful servants of the Lord sacrificed their life for that cause. Because of some people,s, faithfulness, sacrifice America got Christianity, .  somebody payed the price for it.  somebody made a difference. some people payed the cost and that is why today America  has  Christians. N ow is the time for America  to rise up and do the work for the Lord so that those who did not hear the gospel may be able to hear and will have  church for all people.Matthew 28:18-20

We need to make a change , be a revolutionary for the Lord as Jesus and His disciples did. We have a responsibility towards the Lord. We can not just live for ourselves and for our own agenda. We need to obey Jesus so that all will have a  church and got a chance to hear the good news of salvation, Mathew 28:18-20. It must be our first priority to take the gospel to the end of the earth. Acts. 1:8.  Otherwise we are just dead people in the sight of God having no life. Rev 3: 1,2.  Jesus is speaking to the church. You have name that you are living but you are dead. Watchful, change, because I have not found your work acceptable   to God. "

. Please remember that Jesus is speaking to the church.and not to the gentiles., Grace is given that we will be able to be what God has called us to do, Grace will change us. empower us. Only through grace  (power of the Holy spirit}  we can what God wants us to be  not by works . Some people think that they can live in any way and still  can be saved, The  bible does not say that. If any one is in Christ Jesus , he is new creation.  Old things have passed away behold everything has become new. 2 cor 5:17. That is grace.   But we are given grace already (Power of the Holy Spirit) and if we are not  changed or empowered  we need to examine that if we are in Christ or not. Those who belong to Jesus has his mind. 1 cor 3:16.

We all have to stand before the judgement seat of Christ to give account for what we have done in the body weather good or bad. 2 Cor 5:10,11
.
Pleases convey my regards to all church members . Please remember the ministry here in your prayer. Thank you. You are in our prayer.

In His vineyard,

John

This Week at St. John

• Mon 9/5- Church Office Closed
• Tues 9/6-6:30am Men's Bible Class
• Wed 97- 3:30pm Confirmation
• Thurs 9/8- HAPPY BIRTHDAY PASTOR MERRILL!!!
• Sun 9/11- Patriot's Day
• 8:45am SUNDAY SCHOOL RESUMES, & Bible Study
• K-8 in basement, HS in kitchen, Adult in Rm.101
• 10:00 Worship- Rally Sunday
• 1st graders receive Bibles, 5th graders receive Catechisms, Christian Education Board, Teachers/Staff installed
• 11:00am Finance Board Meeting
• 7:00pm Adult Instruction Class 

• ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS- If you are interested in learning more about the Lutheran Church~Missouri Synod or would like to become a member of St. John, please contact Pastor Merrill. He will begin Adult Instruction Classes September 11, at 7:00pm
• LWML MAPLETON ZONE FALL RALLY- Thursday, Sept. 15 at. St. John Luth, Battle Creek. Registration/Coffee 9:00am, program begins at 9:00. Guest speaker Bruce Grover, Development Officer at Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch Foundation, Minot North Dakota
• MEN'S MINISTRY EVENT- "Riding the Storm Out," Sept. 17at St. Matthew Lutheran, Mapleton. Registration & breakfast 8:00-8:45am. The event will include Bible study, a variety of service projects, tours of Mission Central and lunch. Cost $10, please call Jim Davis at (515)576-7666, jill.davis@idwlcms.org  or Click here to register online
  
  
  
  
• JUNIOR HIGH DISTRICT GATHERING Oct. 29-30- "Sacred:Protected by God" at the West Des Moines Sheraton.Rev. Luke Timm speaker, music by Swen & Dean. Registration is due September 23. Please let Pastor Merrill know if you can serve as a parent/counselor.

This week at St. John

• WED. Aug.31- Confirmation 1:30pm
• THURS Sept.1- LWML Meeting 1:30pm
• SAT 9/3-District LWML Retreat 9:00am at Mission Central, Mapleton
• SUN 9/4- 8:45am Adult Bible Class
• 10:00am Worship with Communion, Mite Box Sunday

• Notice that Service times will be changing for the Fall on Sunday Sept. 4. 
  Sunday School and High School Bible Classes will resume September 11. 
• RALLY SUNDAY- Sept. 11 will be "Rally" Sunday, Bibles will be presented to First graders and Luther's Small Catechisms will be presented to Fifth graders. Sunday School teachers, helpers, Confirmation teachers and Board of Education members will be installed for the new school year.
• ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS- If you are interested in learning more about the Lutheran Church~Missouri Synod or would like to become a member of St. John, please contact Pastor Merrill. He will begin Adult Instruction Classes September 11, at 7:00pm
• MEN'S MINISTRY EVENT- "Riding the Storm Out," Sept. 17 at St. Matthew Lutheran, Mapleton. Registration & breakfast 8:00-8:45am. The event will include Bible study, a variety of service projects, tours of Mission Central and lunch. Cost $10, please call Jim Davis at (515)576-7666
• JUNIOR HIGH DISTRICT GATHERING Oct. 29-30- "Sacred:Protected by God" at the West Des Moines Sheraton. Rev. Luke Timm speaker, music by Swen & Dean. Registration is due September 23. Please let Pastor Merrill know if you can serve as a parent/counselor.

Help Spread God's Word with Children in India

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? "
~Romans 10:14

India is the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most largest democracy in the world. India has the largest concentration of people living in poverty (according to the World bank).
80.5% of the population of India are Hindu, 13.4% are Muslim, and only officially 2.3% call themselves Christian. Because there has been so much mission work, there may be unofficially  7 or 8 % Christians.

Even though William Carey (1761 –1834) a Baptist missionary from England translated the Bible into Bengali, Sanskrit and other Indian languages over a hundred years ago, Life to the World Ministries President, John Thomas believes that of the 95% of non-Christians in India.

"50 percent of the population have not heard the gospel yet. and another 40 percent needs to hear the gospel one more time," said Thomas. Thomas is committed to the goal of bringing the good news of Jesus to all Indians within a generation (30yrs.).

Thomas was a high school teacher but he believes that God called him to reach India's poor children with the Gospel. Based in Calcutta, the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, Life to the World Ministries holds Gospel meetings, presents screenings of the Jesus Film, and helps plant churches in the poor villages surrounding Calcutta.

St. John member, Cyndi Ulrich met John when she visited India on a mission trip. Eventually they fell in love and were married.  For the last two years, John has spent much of the out-of-school season in Charter Oak, Iowa with Cyndi and her family.

Life to the World also operates a school for  poor and needy children who would otherwise not be able to afford to attend school. According to Thomas, two of the most important things they do are to teach English and study the Bible. Unfortunately, the landlord has not renewed the school's lease, so that when their next school year end in March 2012, the school may cease to exist if they are unable to find a new building.

Life to the World is hoping to raise $40,000 between now and March 2012. Recently, St. John's Vacation Bible School collected $300 in offerings to support Life to the World's school in India. 

John Thomas sent a letter out asking for pledges of support for the school, any gift, from $1 to $2,000 would be welcome. Anyone wishing to contribute to John and his wife Cyndi's missionary work in India, especially helping purchase new property for the school can contact John, Pastor Merrill, or Bill Magill.

Please pray about if and how much you would be able to help. Even if you are unable to give anything at this time, please commit to praying for the school and Life to the World Ministries, and keep John and Cyndi in your prayers as well. Thank You.

Life to the World Ministy; John Thomas

17 Oak Ave.

Charter Oak, IA 51439

(712) 267-4430

lifetotheworld@yahoo.co.in

76/1 M.G. Road, PO Haridevpur, Calcutta-700082, India.

http:/www.life-to-the-world.org

 John Thomas (at right) with another staff member at the Life to the World Ministry's Christian school in Calcutta.

Cyndi (Ulrich) Thomas shares Jesus wrist bands given by St. John, Lutheran, Charter Oak,  with students in India.

Life to the World Ministry's
Vision Statement:

1.To preach Gospel among the unreached cities and villages and plant churches. Our Goal is to preach the Gospel to 1000 unreached villages and plant churches and schools for poor and needy. 70 percent of Indian population live in villages. Not many go there to preach gospel but only go into the cities.We have vision for both cities and for villages.

2.To reach out to the poor children in 100 slums and give them education and food at least one meal.

3. To train 50 Christian workers every year for the Masters use in His vineyard. The Field is ripe but laborers are few.

This Week at St. John

• Mon Aug 8- Sat Aug 19- Pastor Merrill on vacation, call Linda in the office (712) 678-3630 (or call Linda at home at 267-3250 if you have any pastoral needs, she can refer you to an elder or another pastor in the circuit.district. 
• Thurs Aug 11- Congratulations Pastor Merrill on 20 years in the ministry! 
• Sun Aug 14- 9:00 AM Worship, guest preacher Rev. Bob Riggert from IDW 
• 10:00 AM Finance Board Meeting

Praise, Prayer, & Progress; Old Buildings to be Razed- The Kragel (Sunday School) House and the Education Building are slated to be demolished this month. If there is anything in the Kragel house which you would like to bid on, or if you would like a chance to have a look, please contact Bob Kroll at (712) 678-3407; krolls@frontiernet.net 


Orphan Grain Train- Volunteers needed for loading a container on Tues Aug. 16 at 9:00 AM at the Orphan grain Train Warehouse in Ida Grove.

Annual Timber Ridge Service- Our neighbors of the Lutheran Triple Parish (St. Luke's Ricketts, Immanuel, Soldier Township and St. Paul, Hanover Township) will hold their annual outdoor worship on Sunday, August 21 at 10:00 AM at Timber Ridge, West of Castana. Come enjoy some fellowship in the beauty of the Loess Hills and get to meet the new pastor, Timothy Frank.

The Triple Parish LYF is gathering donations and collections for the Edginton family which lost their home to a fire. Items being collected include: canned or boxed food, personal hygiene items such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, etc., laundry detergent, blankets, clothing size S-M juniors shirts, size 7 jeans or shorts, size M men's shirts, size 33 men's jeans, size XL ladies shirts, and size 36 men's jeans. Donations can be dropped off at any of the three churches or by contacting Lorne or Brenda Christiansen to pick them up.

CONFIRMATION ORIENTATION NIGHT- Wed. Aug. 24th at 7:00PM. This meeting is for ALL students in 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th grades AND their parents. It is important for everyone to be there.Class books will be distributed and class information will be discussed.

COLLECTING SCHOOL SUPPLIES- for children in the CO-U schools. Supplies needed include: Kleenex, scissors, Elmer's glue, #2 pencils, erasers, notebooks, markers, colored pencils, rulers, calculator, highlighters, disinfectant wipes, and black dry-erase markers.

REMINDER- Anything that you would send to either Linda or Pastor for the weekly bulletin or the monthly newsletter that you'd also like to have posted here (like pictures, notices, thank yous, or announcements), be sure to email a copy to "Netzmeister" Ted Mallory- Thank you. Help make this Website to be the best that it can for both the congregation and our community!

St. Paul, Ute & St. John, Charter Oak;VBS Night Five

Tonight, children learned that Jesus goes ahead to prepare a place for us in Heaven.
Adventurers learned about the Apostle John's exile on the island of Patmos and how God revealed to him what our real home in Heaven will be like and how God will live with us and comfort us (John 14:1-4 & Revelation 21: 10-22:5).

Over 90 children and at least 35 adult and teen volunteers made the St. Paul/St. John VBS a reality this year. Thank you parents and volunteers for your help and support.

 Adventurers sing Bible Jungle songs at the 2011 VBS Closing worship service.

It was a wild Jungle Adventure!

By Bethany Mallory, VBS Director

Thank you to everyone who helped make the St John and St Paul Jungle Adventure a great success!  We had 94 children and over 35 volunteers seeking adventure at VBS 11.  On this adventure, kids learned about Jesus and how He cares for His people of all times and places.  As kids heard the stories from Scripture, they related the Bible truths to their own Faith Journey.

Each Big Jungle Adventure day started out at the Sound-Off Opening. We would meet our friends and our Tribe Leaders, we would sing, pray, and learn the day’s Take-Home Point.  We also learned about the theme and Bible story through the adventures of Morgan, the adventure guide, and three young adventurers. 

After opening, the kids journeyed off to rotation sites for storytelling, Bible challenge, games, music, and crafts.  Finally, everyone came back together at Send-Off Closing for music, prayer, and wrap-up with the closing video.

Before they left each night, the students also received a “silly band” which told a part of the Salvation message.  On closing night students received a second set of Salvation silly bands to share with a friend.

Big Jungle Adventure

St. John, Charter Oak & St. Paul, Ute, VBS 2011

Participants and volunteers included:

Preschool: Lily Bramley, Noah Bramley, Caralyn Henschen, Brooklyn Butler, Nolan Kragel, Abbey Meseck, Logan Miller, Kaylyn Miller, Marissa Galvin, Ava Klinker, Isabel Jepsen, Sam Bonsall. Kysa Neddermeyer, Lizzie Majerus, Danny Hagemann Preschool Teacher: Gretchen Bonsall; Helpers:  Sandy Bramley, Hannah Pester, McKenzie Albers, Jacob Bramley, Emory McGee

Preschool: Lilli Schwarz, Kennedy Goslar, Andrew Thoreson, Zayden Reffitt, Tyrel Jacobsen, Duncan Purcell, William Sorenson, Anna Galvin, Owen Galvin, Mason Kuhlmann, Caden Kuhlmann, Josie Hagemann, Alizabeth Jacobsen, Maddie DeYoung, Mya Goslar, Skyler Beerman Preschool Teacher: Trisha McDonald & Sam Kelm; Helpers: Brooke Pester, Amy Goslar, Dena Sorenson

K-2 (Bobo Group): Annamarie Mallory, Janely Flores, Ethan Kuhlmann, Emily Sorenson, Larissa Miller, Jadon Malone, Cambri Brodersen, Hailey Meseck, Molly Hupp, Kayla Neddermeyer, Travis Webster, Alexia Miller, Zoe Reffitt, Melissa Thoreson, Tara Bonsall, Jeffrey Flores, Cole Miller, Desmond Hagemann, Kylee Mead, Nate Bazaldua Leaders:  Cale Neddermeyer, Braden Neddermeyer, Nolan Neddermeyer

K-2 (Kiki Group): Saige Behrens, Abby Melby, Keely Kuhlmann, Jack Flores, Gaige Elwell, Ashley Neumeyer, Calliyah Mareau, Gavin Purcell, Trey Kunze, Chase Pester, Adam Castillo, Thomas Sorenson, Lily Hahn Leaders: Kelly Butler, Heather Rosburg, Aubri Castillo, Cierra Carlson, Jenny Castillo

Third-Fourth Grade: Evelyn Henschen, Ellen Mallory, Claire Staley, Katie Klockgether, Cody Rosburg, Payton Goslar, Cobi Askew, Lizzie Jepsen, Crysta Gierstorf, Robert Self, Skyler Kelm, Kaitlynn Thoreson, Alyah McCartney, Madison Young, Haley Albers, Brian Gossage,  Sieranna Bazaldua  Leaders: Chaney Teut, Katie Schwarz

Fifth-Sixth Grade: Riley Elwell, Jordyn Pester, Alayna Castillo, Erin Staley, Hallie Neddermeyer, Grace Mallory, Jesse Hupp, Reagen Miller, Jordan Hagemann, Kolton Nelson  Leader: Alaina Gierstorf, Melissa Webster

Site Leaders:

Faith Journeys Bible Stories: Ted Mallory

Big Adventure Bible Challenge: Leon Meseck

Kiki’s Crazy Creations Crafts: Peggy Sue Henschen (coordinator) June Neddermeyer, Doris Jepsen, Norma Jo Majerus, Julie Meseck, Maria Flores, Marjorie Neddermeyer

Go Wild Games: Pastor Merrill (coordinator), Brandon Krapfl, Emily Pautsch, Ryan Vogt, Colten Jepsen, Tristan Kunze, Carter Brodersen

Jammin’ Jungle’ Tunes:  Shelby Goslar, Amy Kuhlmann, Karly Kunze, Jayme Savery

Snack Helpers: Joan Nobbe, Jane Kunze, Creta Teut, Barb Timm, Marilynn Neddermeyer, Norma Buschmann, Beth Maack, Patti Vogt, Patty Goslar, June Neddermeyer

VBS Coordinators:  Bethany Mallory (St John) & Heather Rosburg (St Paul)

Set Construction: Ted Mallory, Bethany Mallory, Marjorie Neddermeyer, Allan Neddermeyer, Cale Neddermeyer, Braden Neddermeyer, Nolan Neddermeyer

Special thank you’s to the following: Louie’s Quick Stop for pizza, McDonalds for juice, and to the members of St. John and St Paul and VBS parents for monetary donations used for pizza on Thursday and materials throughout the week.  Thanks also to the parents and friends who provided treats and bars for snacks and fellowship this week.

We had a “new” facility this week for VBS with the remodel in the basement.  Thank you to all the volunteers who worked long and hard hours to get the rooms ready for us this week.  What a great improvement!  We appreciate you!

VBS is a significant commitment in time, energy, and expense. 

Thank you to all those who volunteered and helped prior to and during VBS!  A special thank you to the congregation members and VBS parents who remembered us in your prayers in order to give these children a week to remember.