2014 EPISTLEPage 1

2014 EPISTLEPage 1

Pastors Message Page 1

Library Review/WELCA/Education News Page 2

Council Minutes Page 4

Birthdays/Anniversaries/Food Pantry/StatisticalPage 6

VolunteersPage 7

CalendarPage 8

2014 EPISTLEPage 1

Sunday School Registration Form Page 5

Page 1

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This summer, instead of long readings each week, the worship committee picked just one or two verses to be read during our services. We thought it would be fun to focus on some of the old favorite Bible verses. While I spent time picking those favorite verses, I realized how many Bible passages I really love. This month, I just want to share some of my very favorite Bible passages and stories. I would love it if you would contact the office or drop me a note and let me know your favorite Bible passage or story in return! We will put your favorites in next month’s newsletter! Blessings, Pastor Erin

Favorite Bible Passages:

  • “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
  • “I lift my eyes up to the hills—from where will my help come?” Psalm 121:1
  • “Be ye kind one unto another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 (My Confirmation verse)
  • “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
  • “Surely God is in this place!” Genesis 28:16
  • “The Lord’s compassions never fail, they are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
  • “How beautiful you are, my love, how very beautiful… Your hair is like a flock of goats cascading down Mount Gilead.” Song of Solomon 4:1 (I just think this one is funny.)
  • “Look at the birds of the air. They do not sow or reap and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6: 26-27
  • “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
  • “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die—there will I be buried. May the Lord do this and more to me, if even death parts me from you!” Ruth 1:16,17
  • “Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’” 1 Samuel 3:10 (My ordination verse)
  • “’Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ ‘Yes, Lord, I love you.’ ‘Tend my sheep.’” John 21:16
  • “Hear this, Job, Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth…when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?” Job 38:4,7
  • “Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able.” Genesis 15:5
  • “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
  • “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another.. . and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” Colossians 3:12, 13, 15 (My wedding verse)

Favorite Book of the Bible: Tie between Genesis and Philippians

Favorite Bible Character and Story: My favorite character is Jacob and my favorite story is the relationship between Jacob and his twin brother Esau. My favorite part is Genesis 33 when Esau forgives Jacob.

JULY Pastoral Acts

Baptisms:

  • The baptism of Alayna Vorlicek was held on Sunday, July 20.

S’more Worship

Join us for some more worship with S’mores! At 7pm on Thursday, August 28th at Handy Andy Park, we will have a campfire style worship service with s’mores (weather permitting). Join us for a night of fun! Bring your own chairs and bug spray!

Thank you for the donation to the Mission Endowment Fund in honor of Keith & Nina Larson’s 50th wedding anniversary given by

Nancy Cleveland.

Thank you for the donation to the Mission Endowment Fund in honor of the baptism of Jack Marek given by Ken & Carolyne Kuziej

LIBRARY REVIEW

“Colorado Wings”

By Tracie Peterson

Eight lives are forever changed by the events of one day. Whether they were on the plane or share a more distant connection, these young couples find a dark mystery haunting their budding romances. Waiting for God to work everything out could be their biggest challenge. The Denver air is filled with intrigue and romance.

Lynda Johnson,

Librarian

Layette Project

If you have any extra flannel bed sheets that you are willing to part with, we would greatly appreciate it if you would donate them to the Layette Project. The cost of flannel for making diapers is beyond our budget for making as many as we need. If you could put them in paper or plastic bags and mark them for the layette project that would be wonderful.

Women of St. John’s

Submitted by Nina Larson

All women of St. John’s are welcome and encouraged to attend all scheduled events.

  • Quilting and Circle will resume in September.The SeptemberCircle/Bible Studywill be on September 11, at 2:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Lynda Johnson will have devotions and Pearl Ducklow will be hostess. Pastor Erin will lead our study which will be on II Samuel, chapters 13-15.
  • Bingo will resume in September.
  • The WELCA Summer Retreat will be held on Thursday, August 14th at Joy Lutheran in Prescott. The Retreat will begin with registration and coffee from 8:15—8:45am. A registration fee of $10 per person will be taken at the door to cover expenses. Lunch will be served before we head home. Our theme for the morning is “Bags of Blessings” and will include a presentation by Susan Saarem.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THIS EVENT. WE CAN POOL RIDES.

(Nina – 778-4509)

SCHOOL SUPPLIES FORFOOD PANTRY PATRONS

The Spring Valley Community Food Pantry is again collecting school supplies for their patrons with school-age children. They hope to be well-stocked prior to school starting. Items needed include pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, folders, glue, rulers, safety scissors, markers (regular and Sharpies), Crayola crayons (other brands are not accepted by the schools), protractors, calculators, and new or gently used backpacks.

If you are able to help out with this project, please bring any of these supplies to church, marked for the Food Pantry, or call 715-778-4287 to make arrangements to collect items. Thank you for your assistance as we help our neighbors in need.

Education News

August

We arecurrently looking for a music teacher for the Sunday School. You will only need to meet with students twice a month and playing the piano is not necessary.Please contact Dana Benson at 715-772-4977,Lisa Smith at 715-772-4655 or Stacy Burr at 715-778-4547 if you are interested.

There will be a Sunday School teacher's meeting on August 17thand August 24thfollowing the worship service. All teachers, substitutes and anyone else that is interested should attendone of these meetings.

Rally Day Sunday will be Sept. 7th. There is a Sunday School Registration form in this newsletter that you can fill out and return on Rally Day Sunday between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Watch for more information in upcoming bulletins and next month’s newsletter.

Layette News

When you are out thrift shopping please take a few extra minutes to look for baby items for our layette mission project. The garments need to be gently used. Below is a list of items:

  • Sleepers or gowns without feet
  • Dark colored hand towel
  • Socks
  • Bath size bars of soap still in wrapper (gentle soap, i.e. ivory, dove)
  • Lightweight cotton t-shirts
  • Receiving blankets
  • Jacket, Sweater or sweat shirts with a hood
  • Diaper pins or large safety pins
  • Cloth diapers

If you prefer to buy new, we could use any of the items above. Sizes should be 6 to 24 months.

If you are a knitter or crocheter, you might enjoy helping by making baby sweaters in any of the sizes listed.

You may leave items at the church or contact Serena Roen at 778-5788.

We pray that you can help in this important project to keep God’s babies snug and warm.

Serena Roen, Layette Coordinator


Thank you for the donations to the Music Fund in memory of Glenn Sandve given by Kent & Sharon Klanderman, Richard & Lynda Johnson, Rose Holerud, Dean & Anne Sonne, and Gordon Hora.

Thank you for the donation to the Memorial Fund in memory of Glenn Sandve given by Nancy Bjornson.

Thank you for the donation to the Music Fund in memory of Johnnie Samb given by Richard & Lynda Johnson.

Thank you for the donation to the Memorial Fund in memory of Johnnie Samb given by Nancy Bjornson, Earl & Karen Gunderson, Nettie Kopp, Sandra Anderson, Vernon Anderson, Barbara Samb and the family of Johnnie Samb.

Thank you for the donation to the Building Fund in memory of Johnnie Samb given by Bill & Jill Klanderman.

Thank you for the donation to the Music Fund in memory of Dale Lund given by Richard & Lynda Johnson.

Thank you for the donation to the Music Fund in memory of Karen Larson given by Richard & Lynda Johnson.

Thank you for the donation to the Music Fund in memory of Violet Kuesel given by Richard & Lynda Johnson.

Thank you for the donation to the Music Fund in memory of Louise Lamb given by Richard & Lynda Johnson.

Thank you for the donation to the Memorial Fund in memory of Neil Thompson given by Richard & Lynda Johnson.

Thank you for the donation to the Memorial Fund in memory of Gerald Falde given by Richard & Lynda Johnson.

A LITTLE HUMOR

  • The prospective father-in-law asked, “Young man, can you support a family?” The surprised groom-to-be replied, “Well, no, I was just planning to support your daughter. The rest of you will have to fend for yourselves.”
  • Eight-year-old Sally brought her report card home from school. Her marks were good…mostly A’s and a couple of B’s. However, her teacher had written across the bottom: “Sally is a smart little girl, but she has one fault. She talks too much in school. I have an idea I am going to try, which I think may break her of the habit”. Sally’s dad signed her report card, putting a note on the back: “Please let me know if your idea works on Sally because I would like to try it out on her mother.”

LIVING PROOF SIMULCAST

The First Covenant Church of River Falls will be hosting a Living Proof Live Simulcastwith Beth Moore on September 13 from 8:30am-3:15pm.

Living Proof Live is a fun-filled event featuring Bible Study, teaching, and worship experience to enrich your mind, soul, and spirit! The simulcast event will both challenge and encourage women to grow deeply in their faith. Join 250,000 women around the world for this live, global, Internet streaming event.

Bible teacher and author, Beth Moore brings a fresh Word from God to each Living Proof Live Event - no two are the same. As she explores the Bible and how it applies to real life, you will be encouraged by her own experiences as a believer, and you will be inspired to magnify and strengthen your own relationship with God.

Leading worship during the Simulcast will be Dove award-winning musical artist Travis Cottrell.

Early bird tickets are $15 until Aug. 1 and$20 until Sept. 1, both of which include a box lunch and listening guide. After Sept. 1, tickets are $25. Women can register online at We are excited to be hosting this event and we hope many ladies can attend!

SENIORS STAYING PUT

Seniors Staying Put will be a Spring Valley community volunteer organization helping seniors and others to remain living in their own homes by providing a support network for seniors and their families with reasonably providable services.

We are looking for people in our neighborhood who need help to be able to “stay put” and/or can provide services. We will offer these services as a cooperative community that allows us to help each other. Would you or your group consider being a part of our work to help people “stay put” in their homes?

Details are being ironed out at the present time, and more details will be available soon. If you are interested in being on the “helping end” or want to “Stay Put” yourself, contact Lena Aumann at 715-273-6780 (Pierce County ADRC) and someone from our group will contact you.

We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at the Gilman Townhall at 9:00 am. All are welcome. Please join us!

GOD’S PROMISES

God has not promised skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways all our life through;

God has not promised sun without rain,

Day without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God has promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way;

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

-Author unknown

St. John‘s LutheranChurch

Council Meeting

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Those Present:Pastor Erin Nelson, Bob Kinsman (President), Jim Green (Vice President), Kelly Schreiber (Secretary), Marsha Brunkhorst (Financial Secretary), Minda Matthys (Stewardship), Jay Arneson (Trustees), Nancy Cleveland (Worship), Kate Crogan, (Education), Leslie Jackson (Deacons), Katie Manor (Social Concerns)

Call to Order: by Bob Kinsman @ 7:08pm

Opening Prayer: Pastor led us in readings from the “Called to Lead” handbook, open discussion on the readings

Approval of Agenda: Nancy Cleveland moved, Marsha Brunkhorst seconded, motion carried

President’s Report: Nothing to report

Secretary’s Report: Approved as presented

Treasurer’s Report: Budget items discussed

Approval of Bills: Jim Green moved, Marsha Brunkhorst seconded, motion carried

Committee Reports:

  • Social Concerns: Nothing to report
  • Stewardship: Selected verse Matthew 6:33, will meet again in early August
  • Worship: Services planned through Labor Day, meeting in August to plan for fall
  • Education: Jim Green made a motion to elect Kate Crogan to fill the Head of Education position through Feb 15, 2015. Marsha Brunkhorst seconded, motion carried. Education will also have three superintendents for the 2014-2015 school year to share the responsibilities: Dana Benson, Lisa Smith and Stacy Burr
  • Deacon:New member Sunday went well. Pet Blessing Sunday scheduled for July 27th. Chicken Dinner fundraiser scheduled for July 24th. A new bible study to be held in the evenings is being planned, details to come.
  • Trustee: Trustees meet every Thursday to take care of issues. May 14th Congregation work night went very well.

Old Business:

  • Mission Endowment Fund campaign is being planned for the fall.

New Business:

  • Open discussion regarding a commercial dishwasher. Bob Kinsman to look into costs for recyclable plastic cups. Open discussion on new projection system. Mitch Nelson to look into getting a new bid, Minda Matthys to look into purchasing recycled equipment.
  • Open discussion on Wisconsin’s marriage law and same gender marriages. Marsha Brunkhorst made a motion to authorize Pastor Erin to preside over same gender marriages in and outside the church building and where it is legal in the state of the wedding. Kelly Schreiber seconded, motion carried with 10 in favor and 1 opposed.

Next Meeting: September 9, 2014 at 7pm

Adjourn: Nancy Cleveland moved, Katie Manor seconded, motion carried.

Blessing: We closed with The Lord’s Prayer

Respectfully submitted: Kelly Schreiber, Secretary

Pastor’s Note

The issue of same gendered marriage is a sensitive one. Many of us have very strong, very personal opinions. With the legalization of same gendered marriage in many of our neighboring states and the current legal battle on the subject in Wisconsin, it was time our council decide if they are comfortable with Pastor Erin officiating at same gendered marriage ceremonies in states where it is legal. After prayerful consideration and in light of our mission statement, “Wherever you are in your journey, you are welcome here”, the council decided that it is a priority to be open, affirming and welcoming to everyone, regardless of race, socio-economic class, gender, sexual orientation or anything else and agreed to allow Pastor Erin to officiate at same gendered weddings. However you feel about same sex marriage, we hope you understand that this decision was made with the understanding that we as Christians are charged to love each other and to strive to welcome all in Christ’s home. If you have any questions or would like to speak further about the subject, please contact Pastor Erin.