2016 February VINE
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of St. John’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church is to lovingly proclaim
the Gospel among all people in order to
form and nurture loving communities
which confess by word and deed that
Jesus is Lord and Savior
The Newsletter of St. John’s
Evangelical Lutheran Church & School
(718) 761-1600
Volume 2016 Issue # 2
Roster of Officers
St. John’s Lutheran
Church & School
2015 Church Committees
Reverend Michael Bagnall, Pastor
President Gerard Valles
Vice President Michael Clandorf
Treasurer Fred Bock
Secretary Bonnie Selletti
Board of Elders Thomas Sax
Board of Christian Education Robert Holls
Board of Evangelism-Social Ministry Elsa Webb
Board of Properties Henry Heinsohn
Board of Elders Board of Properties
Thomas Sax Henry Heinsohn
Dave Decker Daniel Ferucci
Bruce Mohlenhoff Doug Moat
Board of Christian Education Board of Evangelism-Social Ministry
Robert Holls Elsa Webb
Audrey Mahoney Joy Rouse
Susan Neitzel Christine Ferucci
Yvonne Clinton Joan Mohlenhoff
Mildred Clandorf Charles Small
Ruth Roscheska Leonor Abugel
Karen Gannon Pam Cavagnaro
Vacant
Pastor’s Page
Dear beloved saints in Christ,
Greetings in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has revealed to us the glory of God in flesh and blood! As we are all aware, the recent storm forced us to postpone my installation as Pastor of St. John’s. It was a sad day, but by no means tragic, while this congregation is deserving of an opportunity to celebrate, I officially became your Pastor the day I accepted the Divine Call to serve this blessed congregation of God’s beloved sheep, so I am going nowhere. So whether you like it or not, you are stuck with me. The great joy is, this coming Sunday we will rejoice together at our Lord’s Holy Altar, the Word will be proclaimed, the Sacrament received, and sinners will be forgiven…this is our purpose here, and while it is nice to gather in fellowship and celebrate; the true celebration is at the altar, as we gather together, with Angels, and Archangels, and all the company of Heaven at the Feast that does not end.
The installation will come, and we will rejoice together in fellowship when it does, but until that time comes, we will continue to come together as the family of Christ, to feast on His mercy, abide in His grace, a rest in His love. I am so thankful that you, the congregation of St. John’s were so willing to celebrate with me my installation, your thoughtfulness and generosity never cease to amaze me. May the Lord of all grace and mercy continue to bless us with His presence, that we may always grow in the faith that leads to eternal life.
In Christ
Pastor
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
4 Nick Gencarello
5 Thomas Sax
6 Charles Hermann III
7 Christine Ferucci
13 Darlene Hewitt
14 Eleanor Ferenczy
15 Emmy Alvestad
Russell Browne
16 Jenifer Moat
18 Mildred Shirley Clandorf
19 Richard Baller
19 Kathy Neos
21 Daniel Hewitt
22 Kyle Clandorf
23 Laszlo Szoke
24 Joan Mohlenhoff
IN OUR PRAYERS
Please remember in your prayers the following that are ill:
Heinz Zeller ~ Robert Browne ~ Sonia Ingerson
Mary Francis ~ Kathy Francis ~ Eric Hansen
Audrey Hansen ~ Flo Karl ~ Ruth Roscheska ~ Joyce Spruth Mark Woycik ~ John Draper
· Thrivent Choice Dollars - Our church is now one of the choices that you can choose with your Thrivent Choice Dollars. You can either go to www.thrivent.com and register or call 1-800 THRIVENT (847-4836) and speak to a live person. When you call the toll free number, you will say “Choice Dollars,” at which time you will be transferred and asked for the last 4 digits of your social security number. You then will speak to a representative who will assist you. Please note that if you use the website, we are listed as St John without the ( 's) Lutheran. We thank all those who have inquired, and we thank everyone who has chosen to help further the ministry of our church. May God richly bless you. Please feel free to share this information with anyone who is a part of this program.
· Mary Martha Workshop – Has resumed
· Worship time – 10:30 a.m. Every Sunday
· Thursday Breakfast Bible Study resumed on January 14
Sun 9:00 a.m. Youth Hand-Bell Rehearsal, Bible Study &
Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Divine Worship Service
11:30 a.m. Children’s Choir Rehearsal
12:00pm Violin Rehearsal
Tues 7:30pm Adult Choir Rehearsal
Wed 9:00 a.m. Chapel at school
Thurs 9:30 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study resumed with Luther Study
EVANGELISM - SOCIAL MINISTRY
2016 Easter Food Box Drive
Continuing the ministry of helping local families in need, the Evangelism-Social Ministry Board of St. John's Lutheran Church is planning for its Annual Easter Food Box Drive. The joint efforts of our church and school has blessed so many people over the years, and we look forward to this opportunity to serve others in Jesus' name. We expect to fill food boxes for 18 families, which consists of 33 adults and 37 children.
Easter is on March 27 this year so it's not too soon to make plans for the food drive. From Sunday, February 28, through the date of the last Lenten service on Wednesday, March 16, we will be receiving food donations. Please place your donations on the back table in the church basement.
The important difference between the Thanksgiving and Easter Food Drive is that we must supply the meat/poultry for each family. For this reason we welcome pledges of meat/poultry donations and monetary gifts.
As always, checks must be made out to St. John's Lutheran Church and MUST say HUNGER FUND in the check's memo. The date for sorting the food will be on Thursday, March 17. Packing will be on Friday, March 18, and distribution will be on Saturday, March 19.
Additional details will be included on the church's website, Sunday bulletins and in the March Vine.
Please call Joan Mohlenhoff with any question at,
(718) 273 2644.
In His Service,
The Evangelism/Social Ministry Committee
Elsa Webb: Chairman
Joan Mohlenhoff: Food Coordinator
Ladies Guild News
Next guild meeting on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 7:30pm.
In Christ,
Brigitte Hermann, President
Ruth Roscheska, Secretary
Please visit our website at
www.stjohnslutheransi.org
Our website is updated frequently, and most if not all of your inquiries can be answered simply be logging in.
Dear Members of the Congregation,
Thank you for your constant support to St. John's Lutheran Church's Music Ministry. A special thank you to our adult choir, children's choir, hand-bell choir and to all our church musicians for their dedication and hard work.
Our hand-bell choir has been enhancing our worship for over a year now. Currently we have a two octave hand-bell set we own at the church. Unfortunately that is not enough of a range if I expect my current eight ringers to play. Each week I bring from the school a set of four octave hand-chimes to incorporate with the church's bells. Needless to say the three cases I transport not only are the school's, but they are heavy and I always have concerns they could get damaged in transport.
We are now on track to purchase additional bells for our church thanks to some very generous parishioners. A special thanks to those who attended Lessons and Carols. That Sunday we collected $900.00. Unfortunately, we still are in need of approximately $1000.00. Any donation would be appreciated and will go towards the purchase of these new bells. May you and your family have a healthy and happy New Year showered with God's many blessings.
In Christ,
Tommy Sax
Music Director
Dear Church Members of St. John’s and Friends,
I would like to thank you for the prayers, cards, and phone calls for my recent accident and I appreciate everyone’s thoughts at this time. It really helped me through my long days. I’m doing better and I hope to be back at church soon.
Thank You,
Flo Karl
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
St. John's Lutheran School Open House
February 6th, 12-3pm Come by for a Tour! Meet the Staff!
Offering Over 60 Years of Quality Christian Education
FREE UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL &
KINDERGARTEN THRU 8TH GRADE
Christian Values, Small Class Attention
Project-Based Learning, Enrichment Classes
Smartboards, Laptops, iPads, Title 1 Service
Outdoor Playground, Indoor Gym
Extended Day Program AM & PM Available
After School Programs, Sports, Music
Middle-School Preparation for all Types of High Schools
Lutheran Schools Association Member
Middle States Accreditation
St. John’s Lutheran admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin.
Visit our website at www.school.stjohnslutheransi.org.
Please call for a tour
663 Manor Road, Staten Island, NY 10314
Phone: 718-761-1858 Fax: 718-761-4962
Come Out and Support our Youth!
St. John’s Lutheran Church’s Youth Group
Valentine's Dinner Fundraiser
There will be one seating at 7pm
Saturday February 6, 2016 In the Church basement
Dinner Includes
Pasta
Garden Salad
Beverage
Dessert
Light entertainment
$7 Children $10 Adult
All funds go to the Saint John's Lutheran’s Youth Group to support future youth group activities.
Please RSVP with your reservations by Wednesday, February 3, 2016 to either
Michael Clandorf
(718) 442 1561
or
Audrey Mahoney
(347) 277 0025
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