Thursday, June 11, 2009

The Herald

St. John’s Lutheran Church

May 31, 2009





Welcome!

DAY OF PENTECOST . . . The Jewish festival of Pentecost (the feast of weeks) comes 50 days after Passover. Originally, it celebrated the gathering of the wheat harvest. Later, it became a celebration of Moses receiving the Law on Mt. Sinai. In our church year, Pentecost celebrates the day the Holy Spirit was given to the followers of Jesus so they had power to proclaim the gospel. Pentecost is referred to as the birthday of the Christian church. The color on the altar is red for the fire of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Christians who gave their lives for the cause of Christ.


PASTOR DAN’S 20TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY . . . Please be sure to join us in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday, May 31, between the 8:00 and 9:45 worship services, for a “Coffee And...” to honor Pastor Dan as he celebrates his 20-year anniversary in the ministry. It has been 20 years since Pastor Dan was ordained right here at St. John’s.


NEW MEMBERS RECEIVED SUNDAY, JUNE 21, AT 9:45 AM . . . By God’s grace, we will welcome approximately 11 new members, 10 by adult confirmation. Join us at a reception following the 9:45 am service (Fellowship Hall) to greet and welcome them to our church family.


30 MINUTE PRAYER SERVICES . . . As a next step in our strategic planning process, we’re organizing several opportunities to come together for prayer, seeking God’s guidance on the best way to staff for our growing ministry. This will also give you a chance to hear from Pastor Dan and other leaders where their thinking is at and what input they have received from our members. Please try to join us either Wednesday, June 3, 8:00 pm; Sunday, June 7, after 8:00 am service; or Sunday, June 14, 11:00 am.



Parish Education

KIDS OF THE KING! Thanks again for an awesome year! Please remember to fill in your surveys; there is a basket in the narthex, or turn them in to the church or school office.

The video today and the posters in the narthex give you a glimpse of the year. We thank the families, children, teachers and helpers who participated throughout the year. We thank St. John’s congregation for supporting this program.



NEW BOOK . . . Saturday Men’s Fellowship will begin a new book on Saturday, June 6. Join us in the Church Library at 7:30 am to see how well-known author Philip Yancey tells us about “The Jesus I Never Knew.” Here he helps reveal what two thousand years of history covered up. Another author says, “This is the best book about Jesus I have ever read, probably the best book about Jesus in the whole century.” For your copy of the book, contact John Walz at 630-932-8528 or email john_walz@ameritech.net.


SUNDAY EVENING MEN: Study in the Book of James... The Sunday Evening Men’s Fellowship is scheduled to begin its study in the Book of James on June 14. Likely the earliest written book in the New Testament canon, James – the half-brother of Jesus, who at first rejected Him as Messiah – wrote this book to the believing Jews scattered abroad through Roman persecution. The book has a practical emphasis, stressing behavior consistent with an unswerving devotion to the Word of God. Historically controversial, his position that works reveal our true faith can be viewed both as a complement to Paul’s teaching on justification by grace through faith and as a direct challenge to those in the Christian walk.

The Sunday Evening men meet every Sunday evening (hence the catchy name) unless otherwise announced, from 7:00-8:30 in the church library. We will use James from the MacArthur Bible Study Series as the basis for this study. Please contact Mark Podrazik (630-627-6767 or mpodrazik@ comcast.net) if you are interested in joining us, to ensure that a study guide is available for you. This study will continue through mid-Fall, but the pace and the format accommodate occasional absences – so join us!












Vacation Bible School

VBS JUNE 15-19, 9:00-11:45 am. Registration has begun! Our Crocodile Dock VBS is available to children ages 4 - completing 4th grade. Forms can be found and turned in near the church office. Contact Carrie White at 630-691-8684 or Laura Weston at 630-317-7178 with any questions. Registration forms are due by June 7.


VBS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED . . . We need many adult and youth to staff our VBS. There is a sign-up poster in the narthex with different opportunities and descriptions. Please consider helping either all week or even two or three days. You can also call Carrie White at 630-691-8684 or Laura Weston at 630-317-7178 if you’d like to volunteer or if you have any questions.





VBS STAFF MEETING

Wednesday, June 10, 7:00-8:00 pm

in the new school’s Multi-purpose Room



This meeting is for all staff members. Please contact Carrie, 630-691-8684, or Laura, 630-317-7178, if you are unable to attend.


VBS DONATIONS NEEDED . . . We supply over 200 snacks each day at VBS and are asking for donations. If you can’t volunteer your time, please consider taking a “frog” off the window in the narthex and donate a snack item. Thank you!














News and Notes


SERIOUS TIMES . . . In times of struggle for God’s people, He has continued to call them to an “others-orientation.” A tight economy is not an excuse to turn inward. Will we be a congregation that is mission-minded in the midst of a tightening budget? “A church focused on missions will have little time for infighting and disagreement. Guests and members will give to a church that is focusing on others and making a difference in the world.” (LifeWay — Biblical solutions for Life). “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen… Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:6a, 7-8.


OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT LUTHERAN EDUCATION . . . St. John’s has a long history of strong support for Christian education. Beyond our day school, we have the Church Worker Grant Fund, which was established to provide tuition support for our members who enroll in church work curriculum at Concordia and the seminaries. Last year, St. John’s provided $1,500 in tuition assistance to our Concordia students, and $2,250 to our seminarians. This fall, we have two students enrolled at Concordia Chicago, and two students enrolled at the St. Louis seminary. If we are to maintain last year’s level of support, the fund will need $7,500. We currently have a balance of about $1,200, leaving a shortfall of $6,300. If you are able to help with a dona-tion, please designate your gift to the Church Worker Grant Fund. Thank you.


OUR 8TH GRADE TEACHER, DAN GREEN, has accepted a call to serve as Principal of St. Paul Lutheran School, Chicago Heights. Dan is finishing his eighth year as teacher at St. John’s. Please join us on Sunday, June 7, after the 9:45 worship service for a “Coffee And...” reception hosted by our Hospitality Team to express thanks and well wishes to Dan and Sue Green in their new ministry home.






THE BOARD OF CHILDREN’S EDUCATION is calling for nomination of candidate to fill our 8th grade teacher position. If you know of someone qualified to potentially fill this position, please contact Board Chairman Joe Jaruseski or Mr. Aurich. Candidates for this position should be synodically trained and have experience with older students. Primary teaching responsi-bilities include religion, social studies, history and literature.


PRAYERS FOR SALAM CHURCH . . . Islamic activists are beefing up their operations in the Wheaton-Lombard-Glen Ellyn area in order to counterattack Salam Church’s efforts to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost from the Middle East and North Africa. Islamic activists are doing this by providing more refugee services and new religious classes to immigrants and refugees. Please pray for Salam Church and encourage volun-teers to pitch in in immigration services. – Hicham Chehab (hicham.chehab@gmail.com)


CHILDREN’S CHURCH BAGS . . . Do you have any children’s Bible story books, religious coloring books, simple puzzles, or small toys you are no longer using? The Saturday morning women’s small group is planning to provide small bags of books, puzzles, and toys for young children to use during church services. If you have items you can donate to this project, please bring them to church one of the last three weekends in June. There will be a box in the narthex marked “Donations for Children’s Church Bags.” Thanks for your help!


BEST-SELLING AUTHOR’S NEW BOOK ON THE ECONOMIC MELT-DOWN: YOURS FOR FREE . . . Patrick Morley, author of 16 books including The Man in the Mirror, spent seven years fighting an economic meltdown and survived. He chronicles the spiritual, practical, and financial lessons he learned in How to Survive the Economic Meltdown. Download a free PDF copy at www.survivethemeltdown.org. No strings attached.


PADS MEALS . . . Pizza casserole is this month’s entree for PADS. Recipes are by the sign-up sheet . . . Try it for your family and perhaps sign up to make one for PADS on June 9. There are lots of other items as well. Your help is always appreciated!





2009 NORTH AMERICAN FISHING TOURNAMENT . . . On June 1, Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Men’s NetWork will kick off its First Annual Men’s NetWork North American Fishing Tourna-ment. This is a perfect opportunity to engage men in your congregation and community! The contest is open to all guys in the United States and Canada who wet lines in fresh water. There are ten categories of fish eligible for weekly prizes. There’s even recognition for the “strangest non-fish thing” caught. (Anybody who’s done much fishing knows exactly what this means!) For all the details, go to www.lhmmen.com, and click on the shot of the guy sweet talkin’ his bass. There you’ll find registration information, contest rules, and assorted finny lore. So, come aboard . . . log on and register today!


SUMMER MANNA SCHEDULE will be as follows:


Thursdays before church

Saturdays before church

Sundays from 9:00-9:30 am


Any questions, please email Julie Nilles at nilles4@yahoo.com.

Thank you for your support!


WALCAMP OUTDOOR MINISTRIES SUMMER PROJECT WEEKENDS . . . You are invited to participate in a volunteer project weekend! Walcamp is looking for volunteers who can give all or part of a weekend to help with some general projects around camp. Project weekends are June 12-14, July 17-19, and August 14-16.

For each weekend, housing and meals are provided. Housing is bunk-style in the Lodge or Maple cabin. All work will be done on Saturday between 8:00 am-4:00 pm, but volunteers may choose to arrive on Friday and stay until Sunday, or just come for the day.

There will be a variety of projects, at various skill levels, planned for each weekend. To register, or for more informa-tion, call the Walcamp office at 815-784-5141, or email registrar@walcamp.org. Walcamp is located at 32653 Five Points Rd. in Kingston, IL. Visit www.walcamp.org for more information about Walcamp.



EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES


BOOKKEEPER P/T

SW Suburban church, proficient with Excel and QuickBooks. Managing budgets, payroll, payables, monthly reports. Send resume to mychurchhr@gmail.com.


DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT SERVICES SYSTEMS F/T

Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL

$50,000-$65,000/year

Requirements: Demonstrated knowledge and experience with Microsoft ACCESS and statistical analysis. Demonstrated experience in development of systems-driven student communication plans, reporting and analysis. Demonstrated experience in report writing and query tools. High level of data analysis. Minimum of two years experience with Sungard Banner preferable, with the student module strongly preferred. Experience in college admission/enrollment management preferred.

Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of two years experience in database management, preferably in the higher education sector.

Application and resume must be completed and received by June 12, 2009.


FOR THIS AND OTHER CONCORDIA JOB OPPORTUNITIES, go to www.cuchicago.edu and click on the Human Resources/ Employment “Quick Link.”






CHURCH FAMILY PHOTO REMINDERS



1. Photo appointments will resume in the lower level Wednesday, June 10 - Saturday, June 13. If you haven't made your appointment yet, there are still open times available; please check the sign-up sheets in the narthex, or go online to www.stjohnslombard.org and click on the photo directory tab which takes you to the link to make your appointment.


2. Please be prompt in keeping your scheduled appointment time. You will be receiving a reminder email or phone call.


3. Bring in a non-perishable food item for our food pantry, and you will receive $5 off when you place a portrait order (no obligation and no pressure to order).


4. Questions, please call Laura Will in the church office, 630-629-2515, x118; Pat Knueppel, 630-279-3065; or Donna Walz, 630-932-8528.


Photo shoot times are weekdays 3:00-9:00 pm and Saturdays, 10:00am - 4:00 pm.


FAMILY MEMBER AWAY FROM HOME? If a member of your family is serving in the military, in school or employed out of the area, we would still like to include them in the church photo directory. Please contact Laura in the church office, 630-629-2515, x100, or Sue Balsamo, 630-629-4784, for details on submitting their photo.









MEMORIAL GIFTS


In Remembrance of Doris Horner

For: General Treasury Fund

By: Judith Horner

John and Alice Lejeck

Mr. and Mrs. Brown

Ms. Weingartner

Dr. and Mrs. Taylor

David and Kathleen Morin


In Remembrance of Mary O’Connor

For: School Building Fund

By: Herb and Carolyn Wykert


In Remembrance of Herbert Radtke

For: General Treasury Fund

By: James and Carolyn Palmer


In Remembrance of Herbert and Bernice Radtke

For: General Treasury Fund

By: Walter and Betty Radtke


In Honor of Steven Kinney’s Confirmation

For: General Treasury Fund

By: Cindy Viscariello



(June Birthdays - over)







Birthdays — June



Happy Birthday to all celebrating their special day this month. Please contact the

church office if your name is missing from the following listing.


1 Dirienzo, Nicholas

Fiebrandt, Erik

Giammarino, Beth

Mast, Claire

Schweik, Kristin

2 Bahnfleth, Leslie

Balsamo, Joseph

Farmer, Benjamin

Ibeling, Tracy

3 Arnold, George

4 Arndt, Jean

Block, Kathleen

Hardtke, Deborah

O'Callaghan, Amy

Reid, Karen

5 Jensen, Elizabeth

Johnson, Annalee

Rottmann, Ruth

6 Koehler, Tami

Pellegrino, Stephanie

Schneider, Robert

7 Baumann, Michelle

Dirienzo, Christine

Zersen, Viola

8 Benard, Hanna

Gordon, Roy

Preisel, Aaron

Valenti, Tony

9 Anderson, Thomas

Brooks, Dorothy

Eberle, Kelly

10 Brust, John C.

Haydu, Ann

Smith, Adam

Westbrook, Daniel

11 Arnold, Breanna

Beckham, Ingrid

Elvery, Sarah

Hoebel, Lois

Jensen, Francesca

Keigley, Lydia

Kenning, Tamara

12 Jankowske, Eleanor

Wingard, Charles

13 Cox, Philip

Keller, Thomas

Wargo, Ryan

Whitcomb, Ellen

14 Beckham, Audrey

Catalano, Lisa

Feitl, Gregory

Gasic, Albert

Gerzevske, Andrew

Hillyard, Grace

Schmit, Kelly

15 Anderson, David

Frase, Florence

Irvin, Jeffrey

Kalal, Thomas

McAfoose, Scott

Neuber, Beverly

Young, Sophia

16 Gerzevske, Matthew

Mast, Denise

Milas, Calvin

Shultz, Debra

17 Bryan, Georgia

Jurgensen-McMillan, Shari

Sullivan, Kelli

18 Bohlman, Leona

Gilbert, Kyle

Gilbert, Sarah

Hilton, Brenda

Johnstone, Karen

Nelson, Jack

Tonnemacher, Stephanie

19 Erland, Carol

Lay, Steve

Lejeck, John

Wierzgac, Sarah

Witter, Verna

20 Huber, Tyler

Neuber, Melden

Walsh, Makena

Wingard, Darlene

21 Martin, Michael

Miller, Mary

Riner, Laura

Schoeler, George

Vercruysse, Edward

22 Carr, Shane

Colletti, Thomas

DeVito, Michael

Galvin, Kyle

Herzog, Sherry

Kadow, Randy

23 Anderson, Julie

Bliss, Hailey

Fawell, Marilyn

Geyer, Thomas

Lynch, Megan

Ridley, Leah

Waas, Jan

Wagner, Alvin

24 Arndt, Donald

Buehler, Karen

Feitl, Alice

Freese, Rachel

Schuster, Lilyan

Scott, Jackie

Valenti, Lindsay

25 Alesia, John

Brose, Kristin

26 Bles, Jacob

Hardtke, Douglas

Richardt, Madelynn

27 Hillmann, Karl

Jenz, Marian

King, Keith

Kraemer, Sherwood

Lukritz, Michelle

Miltz, Albert

Walsh, Jill

28 Arellano, Isaac

29 Ciardiello, Mary

DeCata, Rebecca

Lukritz, Chuck

Niemann, Sara

Temen, Chase

Zebrauskas, Donald

30 Harjung, Kristi

Molitor, Eric

Shultz, Taryn