This Week @ St.John

St. Johns' living WWII veterans represent each of the four branches of the service; Ervin Kuhlmann served in the Army, Richard Butler in the Marine Corps, Robert Stoltze, Sr. in the Army Air Force, and Lloyd Pautsch in the Navy. Pictured with them is Bob Stoltze Jr., St. John's congregational President and Chaplain of Charter Oak's American Legion Post.

St. Johns American Legion members also honored the wives of WWII veterans in our congregation. Pictured here are Frances Wiegel (for Roy Wiegel), Ruth Kuhlmann for Edgar Kuhlmann, Esther Remmes for Robert Remmes, Ruth Schmieder for Bernard Schmieder, Amy Wiegel for Laverne Wiegel, and Arlene Schroeder for Ray Schroeder.

COU 2012 graduate Emily Pautsch plays Taps after the 21 gun salute.

Pastor in Wisconsin this week until May 30 

• MON MAY 28/Memorial Day- Office closed 
• SUN JUNE 3- 8:00am Adult Bible Study
• 9:00am Worship with Communion (LWML Mite Box Sunday)

ARMED FORCES MINISTRIES-

Sunday, May 27 St. John observed Armed Forces Sunday. Members of the American Legion read the Roll Call of Deceased Veterans, recognized living WWII veterans of out congregation and the surviving surviving souses of WWII veterans. After worship, they decorated a memorial to unknown soldiers on the sidewalk in front of the church and gave a 21 gun salute to our deceased veterans.

Here are two opportunities to support ministries to current members of our armed services and their families, follow the links below to find out more about these ministries or to contribute directly to them-

Sunday, May 27 St. John collected a free-will offering for Military Bible Sticks. The Military BibleStick is a digital audio player that is pre-loaded with a dramatized recording of the entire New Testament

That same Sunday, there was also an bulletin insert for the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, which includes recruiting, training, and endorsing military chaplains, providing copies of Portals of Prayer to service men & women, and helping military personnel and their families adjust to life after deployment with Operation Barnabas.

This Week @ St. John

• WED MAY 23- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study
• SUN MAY 27 PENTECOST- 8:45am Youth & Adult Bible Studies (PK-8 Sunday School on Summer hiatus)
• 10:00am Worship
  (Ever follow that old church tradition by wearing red to church for Pentecost?)
• MON MAY 28- Church office closed for Memorial Day
  
  

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

 Members gathered on Mother's Day at St. John's annual "worship in the part," in Charter Oak.

 First grader, Ellen Mallory helps Pastor Merrill by leading the motions as he plays "Lord, we lift Your name on high."

Pastor looks for volunteers to help illustrate friendship for his children's sermonette based on John 15:15, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

Pastor compared God's love for us to a mother's love for her children, citing John 15:12-13, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

St. Johns Board of Education sponsored the event and Sunday School Superintendent Peggy Sue Henschen announced awards for memory work and attendance. After the service, families gathered in the shelter house for a picnic lunch.

This Week @ St. John

2012 Graduates- Kendall Corbitt, Shelby Goslar, Elisabeth Meadows, Emily Pautsch,  Brooke Pester, Hanna Pester, Courtney Plough, MaKayla Smith, and Maddison Underwood.

• WED MAY 16- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study
• 8:00pm Elders Meeting
• THURS MAY 17- Dual Circuit Ascension Day Service at Mission Central 6pm Supper/7pm Worship
• SAT MAY 19- 6:00pm Summer Evening Worship with Communion
• SUN MAY 20- 8:45am Sunday School (last time before Summer vacation) & Bible Study
• 10:00am Worship/Baccalaureate with Communion

Graduates, 

As you accept your diploma, we remind you that you step into new relationships with your friends, your family and you community. We assure you that you will always be a part of our community of faith. We commit to God all of our past efforts to show you, by example, the life of faith and love through Christ, and all our attempts to instill within you life's true values.

With your degree, you have earned more than freedom; you have earned the right to prove that you can handle freedom and responsibility; that you are trustworthy, dependable and mature enough to try your own wings. Know that the world will test your true character with fire. And remember that you are always fully accountable to God, who loves you and believes in you far beyond your comprehension.

We assure you of our continued love and promise to remember and uphold you through our prayers. We pledge to always be your "family." No matter where you are or in whatever circumstances you find yourself, we care about you and stand ready to rejoice with you in your accomplishments, to support you in your failures, and to grow with you in faith.

In Christ,

Pastor Merrill

This Week @ St.John

• TUES MAY 8- 8:45am Pastors' Conference at Immanual, Schleswig
• WED MAY 9- 9:00am Ladies' Bible Class
• SUN MAY 13, MOTHER'S DAY- 8:30am Traditional Worship
• 10:00am Outdoor Worship at Charter Oak City Park, followed by Sunday School Picnic
  (no Sunday school or Bible study this week) 

JOIN US AT THE PARK- Potluck dinner. Hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks & table service will be provided. Please bring a dish to share. Be sure to bring your own chairs & blankets for the church service.

ASCENSION DAY WORSHIP- Thursday, May 17 at Mission Central. Co-Sponsored by the Denison & Mapleton Circuits. Rev. Dan Vogel, IDW Hispanic Missionary for Denison/Storm Lake will be preaching. BBQ dinner at 6:00pm, Worship at 7:00pm.

Confirmation 2012

 Back row, left-to-right: Colten Jepsen, Dakota Whited, Nolan Neddermeyer, Nathan Underwood,  and Tristen Kunze. Front row: Ashley Ewoldt (St.Paul, Ute), Emilee Meadows, Quinton Canto, and Aisi and Abi Wight.

"What is confirmation?  Confirmation is the rite by which a baptized person renews his baptismal vow, publicly confesses his faith, and is received into communicant membership by the congregation." (from 1943 Catechism) 

"What is confirmation?  Confirmation is a public rite of the church preceded by a period of instruction designed to help baptized Christians identify with the life and mission of the Christian community.  Note: Prior to admission to the Lord's Supper, it is necessary to be instructed in the Christian faith (1 Cor. 11:28).  The rite of confirmation provides an opportunity for the individual Christian, relying on God's promises given in Holy Baptism, to make a personal public confession of the faith and a lifelong pledge of fidelity to Christ.  Matt. 10:32-33 & Rev. 2:10." ( from 1991/2005 Catechism)

God's blessings on this weekend's confirmands and their families. Remember, this is not "graduation" from Sunday School. May this be only the beginning of a lifelong, committed and always growing relationship with Jesus and lifelong, commitment to active participation in the body of Christ, His church!


May God bless you and keep you as you continue to grow in" faith toward Him and fervent love toward one another,"  in Jesus name, Amen.