IN THE CENTER RING June, 2017

FORGIVEN!

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”

Acts 2:38

Ted didn’t know what to do anymore. He was losing more and more sleep at night. If the hollow, empty knots in his stomach didn’t wake him up at 2 o’clock in the morning, then the hopeless and helpless dreams he was having at night would. Every trip to the mailbox took longer and longer—fear and nervousness slowed his every step. Every trip back from the mailbox brought either a sigh of relief or an overwhelming depression that actually caused his hands to tremble and shake. His debt used to be manageable, just a credit card or two, but now he was in over his head—way over his head.

Debt. We were all in debt—way over our heads in debt. Just take a walk out to the stone mailbox of God’s holy law and take an honest look at what’s inside. Open the envelope—the statement—of each one of God’s holy commandments and consider the debt that our sins of thought, word, and deed continue to accrue not on a monthly basis but on a daily basis, an hourly basis.

With each commandment our debt mounts. With every covetous thought, every deceitful word, and every self-serving deed, the balance due on our spiritual accounts escalates. Minimum payments? Even if we could make them, God demands payment in full. Compounding interest? It spiraled out of control the day we were born. Given an eternity, we could not pay for one sin.

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you . . . for the forgiveness of your sins.” In Baptism God forgave us. He forgave our debt; he cancelled it. The debt we owed, Jesus paid in full. He said as much just before he died. “It is finished!” He was talking about our debt. Not monthly bills, not a credit card, and not the mortgage, but the wages of our sin and the debt we owed God—it’s paid in full. Christ was crucified. He suffered hell in our place. He endured God’s wrath and punishment in our place. He paid for our sins with his death on the cross. Our debt is cancelled; it has been forgiven—we have been forgiven. How can we be so sure? Because we hold the stamped receipt in our hands of faith! That receipt is the empty tomb. Jesus’ resurrection is our guarantee that God the Father accepted his Son’s one-time payment for our continual sins. Christ wiped out our debt. By grace and by grace alone, we stand forgiven.

Pastor Nick Maglietto

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OFFICIAL ACTS

Confirmations May 7, 2017

Forrest Bailey Molly Korthals Maddi Bochler Jenna Thieding Teague Cutrell Jacob Vertein Connor Jones Andrew Wedekind

Cole Wohlrab

Funerals

Virgil E. Klemm Sr. Born April 14, 1923 Died April 29, 2017 Burial May 5, 2017

Agnes E. Woodbury Born April 26, 1938 Died May 9, 2017

Burial May 15, 2017

Curtis D. Meyers Born June 17, 1928 Died May 20, 2017 Burial May 27, 2017

Statistics as of May 24, 2017

Confirmed members 887 Baptized members U 209 Total members 1,096

St. John’s Media Ministry

Balance 21-Apr-2017 $6,504.67 Contributions $ 490.00 Disbursements

WRPQ $1,215.00 Radio Phone Line $ 15.00

Balance 22-May-2017 $5,764.67

Pastor’s Call Declined

May 27, 2017 Dear Members of St. John’s Lutheran Church,

Last month the Lord used you to give me the distinct privilege of considering two opportunities for service to him. I have given serious and prayerful deliberation to the call you extended to me to serve as your pastor. It was a difficult and humbling process, but the Lord has certainly blessed me greatly through it.

After much prayer, Bible reading, communication with members of St. John’s, discussion with members at Beautiful Savior in Grove City and brothers in the ministry, I have decided that at this time my gifts can best be used to serve our Lord here at Beautiful Savior in Grove City. We find great comfort in knowing that the Lord works all for the good of his children. It is with this confidence that I return to you the call that you issued to me last month. I thank you for your prayers. I thank the Lord with you for the many blessings he has given your congregation. I ask the Lord that he continue to watch over you and bring, according to his will, the spiritual shepherd you seek.

May the Lord continue to bless your work in his kingdom! In Christ, Pastor Kevin Westra

June Special Envelopes

Vacation Bible School

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In the Center Ring

is a monthly publication of St. John’s Lutheran Church

Baraboo, Wisconsin

Church Office 355-3870 churchoffice@stjohnsbaraboo.org

School Office 355-3860 tklemm@stjohnsbaraboo.org

Rev. Nicholas C. Maglietto Principal Craig Breitkreutz

Church office 355-3870 School office 355-3860

Volunteers Needed

Sauk County Fair - July 10-16: We will need help at the fair booth, which is a good way to promote our church and school. Please speak to Pastor or Time Kiefer about helping to “man” the booth.

Vacation Bible School

June 26–30 - Vacation Bible School - Camp Phillip volunteers will be here to help again. We need housing for them. VBS is Monday - Friday at school. Children ages 3 & 4 will be from 9 am – 12 pm, and children entering K-6th, will be from 9 am – 3 pm. All children ages 3 to those entering 6th grade are welcome. Please contact the church office, 355 3970, if you can provide housing or can help any time during the week at VBS.

Please register your children, grandchildren, neighbor’s children etc. for VBS by going to church website, stjohnsbaraboo.org

Luther Movie

A Return To Grace: Luther’s Life and Legacy. This movie will be shown at the AMC Desert Star 15 Theater on Tuesday August 1, 7:30 pm We must sell 75 tickets for the event to take place. The cost of each ticket is $10 and a portion of the proceeds will be returned to us here at St. John’s. You may sign-up in the narthex for the church to order your tickets. Or you can find the link to purchase your own tickets on our webpage (www.stjohnsbaraboo.org) and Facebook page. Tickets must be purchased by July 25. If enough tickets are not sold and the event does not happen, your money will be refunded.

Amazon Smile Amazon has created a program, Amazon Smile, whereby Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible smile.amazon.com purchases to charities selected by customers. St. John’s Church is now one of those charitable organizations. To select a charity, type in St. John’s Baraboo and hit SEARCH. Select St. John’s Lutheran Church to receive the eligible purchases donation from your shopping. Amazon will remember this selection until you change it.

St. John’s Ladies Aid Lutheran

High School Scholarships

St. John’s Ladies Aid Lutheran High School Scholarships have been helping our members pay tuition at WELS high schools since 2000. To date, we have awarded scholarships 77 times for a total of $24,800. Presently, the scholar-ship gives each recipient $500. If you would like to help support this fund, you may do so. It is much appreciated. This year we anticipate awarding 5 scholarships for a total of $2,500. Luther Prep scholarship application may be picked up at the church office and are due back by July 1.

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ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

Church Council Minutes May 9, 2017

Present: President-Dave Grant, Secretary-Marty Brey, Outreach-Tim Kiefer, Worship-Tom Tiedt, Fellowship-Gayland Leatherberry, Board of Education-Martin Strobel, Education-Eric Durkee, and Principal-Craig Breitkreutz, Youth-Michael Tennier, Stewardship-Brent Bailey & Property-Bill Giese. Absent: Treasurer-Ron Voss. Spiritual Growth-Absent Position, Pastor Maglietto Opening Prayer and Devotion - Craig. Psalm 33:20-22. Approval of April Meeting Minutes. Motion/2nd/Carried. Financial Items – Review & Approval April Financials & Forecast – Voss/All. Grant gave review. For April $85,118 Total Revenue. Total expenses $79,243 gives us a net gain of $5,876. Motion/2nd/Carried. Old Business – Any further discussion & Action on School Board Call for Staffing 2017/2018. Nothing further waiting on the call to Mrs. Westra. Justin Siegler - Call Accepted – All / Fellowship planning. Food planned sign-up sheets in Narthex. Looking for approximate head count before placing order for meat. Calling of a 2nd Pastor status – Residency question. Pastor Westra asked if there was a residency requirement for our Pastors. We have no written residency requirement just an understanding to be available when a member is in need. VBS – Would like to use the fellowship hall for VBS lunches. Motion/2nd/Carried. Budget Committee update –Voss 2017/2018 budget numbers need to be given to council prior to 6/13 council meeting so they have time to review. Care Committee for Called Workers – Member nomination. Grant would like to have Bill & Kris Neumann chair the committee. Motion/2nd/Carried. New Business – Pastor’s Report / Membership Changes - Acceptance of New Members: 2017 Confirmation Class; Forrest Bailey, Maddi Bochler, Teague Cutrell, Connor Jones, Molly Korthals, Jenna Thieding, Jacob Vertein, Andrew Wedekind and Cole Wohlrab. Transfers: Jeff and Becky Darrow to St. John Rock Springs.

Organist schedule is set for the summer. Vacation planning for July. Spiritual Growth Elder replacement. Brent Bailey will be interim elder. Endowment Committee member to replace Jim Dohner. Still looking. Church Council Goals – Update on goal sub committees. Continue working on goals. Call process documentations – Grant. Will document the call process so we have all the proper documentation at next call meeting. This is a process we need to have available for future church presidents. Study of Pastor Office at school. Check to see if there could be a Pastor’s office at the school is a possibility. Office relocation committee created: Giese, Tennier, Breitkreutz, Strobel and Pastor. Elder Report Action Items – Property – Floor at school. Want to replace flooring in all rooms on first floor including kitchen but not gym. Quote of $18,724. Council requested 2nd quote before making decision. Must be approved at June 25th congregation meeting by congregation. May 13th was spring clean-up. Evangelism – Fair Booth. Fair is July 10-16. We need help from the congregation to make this project successful. Please contact Tim Kiefer if you can help. June 6th @ 6:30 is next meeting. New Luther movie – Sunday May 28th trailer. Event set for Aug 1, 2017 7:30 pm at the AMC Desert Star Theater, Lake Delton. Need to sell 78 tickets by July 25th. Action Items that need Council discussion and approval - All - 2 new wireless microphones purchase. Currently we only have one wireless microphone working for worship. Total cost to replace is $4,068.32. TAC donated $2,000 towards new microphones. Leaves $2,068.32. Motion to make an Endowment request for remaining balance/2nd/Carried. Items for next council meeting (6/13 6:30 p.m.) 2017/2018 Budget School Flooring Adjournment (9:00 p.m.) – Craig. Closed with Blessing. Respectfully submitted, Marty Brey Secretary

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St. John’s Lutheran School News LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: The last day of school was Friday, May 26! Have a great summer! THE LITTLE MERMAID: A BIG "GREAT JOB" to the cast of "The Little Mermaid” for putting on an awesome musical! Also, thank you to Mrs. Durkee, once again, for all of her time and hard work on the musical. It paid off and we are looking forward to next year's performance already! Mark your calendars for May 18 & 19, 2018! THANK YOU: We would like to thank ALL of you who helped with the musical in any way: costumes, make-up, building props, snacks, babysitting, moving everything to the theatre and back (a BIG job) and countless other things we could not have done without the help and support of our parents and others. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! SCHOOL REGISTRATION FOR NEXT YEAR: Registration for the next school year is as follows: Monday, August 21st ~ 11:30-12:00 Classroom, 12:00-1:15 Gym, 1:15-1:45, & 1:45-2:15 classroom. Tuesday, August 22 ~ 6:00-6:30 classroom, 6:30-7:45 Gym. 7:45-8:15 & 8:15-8:45 Classroom. Parents should try to attend one of these to receive the latest information about the new school year. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: The new school year starts on Monday, August 28, 2017.

SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM: This summer, the Baraboo School District will again take part in the federally funded Summer Food Service Program. We will serve breakfast and lunch in three sites, plus we will be delivering meals to the Boys and Girls Club. The meals are free to all children 18 years and younger. Any adults accompanying the children eat free as well. A local church is covering this cost. Individuals do not have to attend Summer School to take part in this food service program. The program will run from: June 12, 2017 to July 21, 2017 (except the ABE site, which will end on July 12, 2017), Monday thru Friday. All sites will be closed on July 3, 4 and 5, 2017 for the holiday. Here are the sites and hours of operation: GLW - Open only to students participating in the Kid Stop Program - breakfast and lunch BHS - Breakfast daily from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM/Lunch daily from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM ABE [South] - Breakfast daily from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM/Lunch daily from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Any questions, please call Mary Loveless, Food Service Director at 355-3980. “This Institution is an equal opportunity provider” TUITION ASSISTANCE: Please consider donating to the Tuition Assistance Fund. This is a supplemental fund available to St. John’s member families who seek assistance paying their children’s school tuition. If you would like to donate to Tuition Assistance, please stop at church or include a donation with your offering. The available total is now $3,754.15. Thanks for your support.

CONGRATULATIONS! High School Graduates

Abigail Bartel Seairra Mortellaro Garett Goerks Nathaniel Parker Emma Johnson Daniel Stebler Cody Kopf Clarinda Yarish Mason Mistele Shauna Braun Austin Manson Jodi Halvorson

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From the Church Library

Dad, Here’s What I Really Need from You

by Michelle Watson

Dad, do you ever sit across the table your daughter and have no idea what to say next? (“…seems better I just say nothing.”)

This paperback is aimed at fathers of teen girls, but also looks back to say “I wish I’d known this when my daughter was younger.”

How important to your daughter is your view of her? The author quotes from Fatherless Generation: “Daddy is the first man who shapes the way she sees herself.”

This is a new acquisition for St. John’s library in the Parenting section.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an

Accidental Country Girl By Ree Drummond

We don’t usually come home from the church library meeting with a cookbook. However, this one was an exchange (free), new, and a fun read. It’s a bright picture book with fresh takes on cooking for your family. Both Olive Cheese Bread and Comfort Meatballs have been tried and found to be winners! It’s in the Christian Living section.

READ THROUGH YOUR BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

June 2017

June 1 Acts 7:44-8:4 June 2 Acts 8:5-25 June 3 Acts 8:26-40 June 4 Acts 9:1-19a June 5 Acts 9:19b-31 June 6 Acts 9:32-42 June 7 Acts 9:43-10:33 June 8 Acts 10:34-48 June 9 Acts 11:1-18 June 10 Acts 11:19-30 June 11 Acts 12:1-24 June 12 Exodus 1, 2 June 13 Exodus 3:1-4:17 June 14 Exodus 4:18-6:9 June 15 Exodus 6:10-7:25 June 16 Exodus 8 June 17 Exodus 9 June 18 Exodus 10, 11 June 19 Exodus 12:1-36 June 20 Exodus 12:37-13:22 June 21 Exodus 14:1-15:21 June 22 Exodus 15:22-16:36 June 23 Exodus 17 June 24 Exodus 18 June 25 Exodus 19, 20 June 26 Acts 12:25-13:12 June 27 Acts 13:13-43 June 28 Acts 13:44-52 June 29 Acts 14:1-12 June 30 Acts 14:13-28

Childcare Workers We are seeking a couple of part-time people to help implement programs and care for children ages 3 to 10. We are open Monday through Friday year round. Our hours are from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm. Individuals must be willing to open and close occasionally and love children. Any questions, contact Cindy Allen at 608-963-5919 AM or 920-344-0455 PM.

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Confirmation 2017 Essays

Forrest Bailey – Revelation 2:10

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you… Be faithful, even to the point death, and I will give you the crown of life. I chose the wonderful verse of Revelation 2:10 as my confirmation verse for three reasons. First, because it will give me comfort in hard times. The second is that it also gives me encouragement to be faithful when I need it. The last and most important is that this was my Dad’s confirmation verse when he was confirmed. This verse gives me a lot of comfort. Even though I may be persecuted or suffer from being a Christian, I still get comfort from this verse because it tells me that if I’m faithful until death, God will give me the crown of life. It sounds easy – all I have to do is be faithful until death – but I know this can be a difficult challenge. Only because God is on my side, will I be able to remain faithful. I also get comfort from it because it gives me assurance that my future as a Christian is positive: someday I will be with Jesus in Heaven. I know that it will only be because of Jesus that I will go to heaven. I do not have to be afraid of what is to come. Even though there may be difficulties in life, when I get it to heaven it will be worth it. This is good advice because it reminds me to not be afraid because God will be with me until I die, and if I die in faith I will have life forever. And so, this verse also helps me to be prepared for what is coming. I also chose this verse because it was my Dad’s too. This verse means a lot to me since it was his. This means a lot to me because my Dad means so much to me and does so much for me. I love my Dad more than he could imagine. Having the same verse as him will always be special to me.

Connor Jones - Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

For my Confirmation I have chosen Psalm 27:1. I picked this verse because the impact it has had on me and because it will be a guide for my life and have a roll in my future knowing I am protected by God.

The verse reminds me that God is my

salvation and my light whom I can trust in all situations. I will not have to fear anything or anyone that would try to lead me towards a path that would not be God’s. He will guide me through the rest of my life on his righteous path. I am comforted because I know that. I will not have to fear, because I know that God has me set on a specific path for a reason and he will defend me while on that path. It will help me in my future path because I am protected and defended by God's strength. When I think about my future I will remember that I do not have to fear. I have comfort in knowing that God has my back all the way through my life. I will think of this verse anytime I am in any form of trouble big or small. I will think of this verse in times of need, or in times of trouble. It reminds me that I have a stronghold in life that I have something to hide behind in times of worry.

What will this verse do for me in the

future? I know that God will protect and guide me, he will guard me in my life, and he will do everything he can for me and all others. He will continue to give me my wants and everything I need to live including food and water, and a shelter. God will do all these things for me. He will fend for me. My future will be bright and prosperous with God on my side. I have faith that I will be safe in God’s hand, and eventually live with him in his kingdom. I know that God will protect me in my lifetime.

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Teague Cutrell – Ephesians 6:13

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

How much more supportive could this Bible verse be to a Christian! In this, I am assured that when I wear the armor that God has specially designed for me, I will have the strength and fortitude against the different temptations that will continuously besiege me all my life. Upon this verse is what I base my confirmation on. Although this verse is wonderfully stated, the verses that follow are important to me too: “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” This armor, properly taken care of, will help defend me and ward off even the strongest of evils in this world. As the years go by every year, the eighth graders are confirmed, now finally I am getting to put on this “full” armor. This gives me comfort because in a sense, it feels like I’m being knighted by God. Some of my classmates will head to Luther Prep to reinforce and strengthen their armor. For those of us who don’t, we may face temptations right away that will lead us to need to rely upon God, the church, and our faith in Jesus. We will all constantly have to stand our ground against the powers of the devil, but being sure that we have our armor will ensure the win against sin in this life. Finally, I would like to thank all the teachers that have helped me improve my armor. They have been one of the biggest factors that have gotten me to my confirmation. I know now that once I leave St. John’s, I have nothing to fear as I will daily put on the belt of truth around my waist, the breastplate of righteousness secured upon my chest, and with my feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. I will take up the shield of faith. I

will put on the helmet of salvation and wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Jenna Thieding – Romans 14:8

If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Anyone can look in the Bible and say, “I like that verse,” but what is much more challenging is attempting to find a Bible verse that means a lot to you. In the verse Romans 14:8, Paul talks about living and dying in the Lord and how, if we do and believe those things, we belong to the Lord. Obviously, judgement is huge in the society that we live in, especially when people are different than others. Everyone has their quirks and idiosyncrasies. Sadly, they are the people who are the most judged. But the only person who should and can be judging is God. Reading Romans 14:8 has really changed my life because I am one who has learned not to judge people. We should not judge others because of how they dress or if they are different because we are all sinners in need of our Lord. The only person who has the right to judge people is God, because He is the only one that is perfect and the only one that can save us from our sinful selves. Someone who thinks that they are perfect and judges others will be judged for judging. The verse that I chose has affected the way that I will live my life. When we read this verse, it can also be a friendly reminder that we, as sinful human beings, are not worthy to think that we are superior to other sinners when, in reality, we are just as sinful and they are. All people need to be treated with truth and love; just as we ask from our Savior Lord. We need to treat people, as we would like to be treated, even if they're different from us. Finding an important Bible verse was challenging to me but when I read Romans 14:8, it really made a change in my life. Judgement has affected my life and has changed me as a person and has probably changed some other people's lives too. We need to replace judgement with love, kindness and truth; to truly “live to the Lord”.

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Jacob Vertein – Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

I picked this passage because it reminds me that God will never leave me and will always be my safe haven. I know with God by my side, I will remain strong in my faith in Jesus, my Savior. I know that I will always have a solid wall to lean on in times of grief and sorrow in my life. God has shown his shear strength in his Word in the Bible. Some of the Bible’s stories are almost impossible to believe that someone could accomplish such unfathomable things. But I know God has done everything that he promised to do for me. I have multiple personal experiences that have shown me God’s true power and divine love for all people, but especially for those who believe in him. When my uncle was diagnosed with lung cancer, he wasn’t expected to live for too long, during the last days we spent with him I realized how precious life truly is and how some people take it for granted. God never left my uncle’s side or ours during the end of his life. God gave us peace and comfort because we knew that he was there beside us with his power and his everlasting love. Because God is near me, it helps me to get through tough times in my life. With my faith in Jesus, God assures me that I can move mountains and things that are impossible for me are not impossible for him. Sometimes I sit in school and worry about upcoming assignments or presentations that need to be done and done well. It gets stressful going from class to class and getting more and more homework and thinking about these other special projects. In the end, God always helps me to get the work done. And he deserves all the credit; not me. Without Jesus as my Savior, I probably would not be where I am today. God has helped me and given me the strength to do so many things and for that, I will be forever grateful. St. John’s used to host pine car derby where you could create a car and race against others who had made their own cars. One time I ended up being the winner of the race and received a trophy. With the

trophy, I also found a great sense of accomplishment and success. It feels good to look at that trophy and know that Jesus put that opportunity in front of me. One day he will give me an even bigger trophy when I get to heaven.

Maddeline Bochler – Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

It was fairly easy for me to pick my verse. The second I saw it, I knew it was the one. I picked this verse because it gives me the encouragement that every person needs. These words gave encouragement to Joshua before he led the Israelites to the Promised Land. Moses had died and now Joshua had to lead the Israelites. He probably was hesitant at first, needing all the assurance he could get. God was telling him that whatever happened, God would be with him. This verse assures me that whatever happens in my life, God will help me through it. As I venture out into the world, I know that I have nothing to fear. It tells me to stand up, and fight for what is right. In the face of persecution, I will stand up for my faith, with God by my side. He will strengthen me with Holy Communion, and every time I will understand the meaning of receiving Jesus’ holy and precious blood. This verse will be with me every day of my life, telling me to be strong, keep fighting, for my God is by my side, leading the way.

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Molly Korthals – Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? There are three reasons why I picked this specific passage for my confirmation. Firstly, this passage gives me comfort because it tells how the Lord has my back and that I do not have to be afraid. It comforts me knowing that I should never be afraid as long as I remain in my faith in Jesus. Also, it is comforting to know that God will be my “light and salvation,” which means he will guide me through all troubles on the pathway to heaven. Another reason for choosing this verse is how it will encourage me in my future life. This passage will be helpful and useful to me in the future. If I ever start slipping in my faith, I can come back to this verse and be reminded of how the Lord loves me so much that he protects me from everything so I do not have to fear. Additionally, if I ever doubt the forgiveness of my sins, this verse will remind me that he is my salvation by the sacrifice he made. In many scenarios, this verse will help me keep my faith strong and unbreakable. Lastly, this verse can help me share the gospel with others. This verse shows God’s unconditional love for us by being our “light and salvation.” This means he has a plan and a path for us according to his will. It also means that we have salvation, being that he has redeemed us, and forgiveness of all our sins by his sacrifice. I do not need to fear because I have God’s protection, and this is the message I want to share with other people. The verse brings me comfort, will support me in the future, and will help me share the gospel with others. However, there is another reason I chose this verse. I am going to public school, and that means I will have to keep my faith as strong as ever. When I read this verse, it will help me with my struggles after leaving St.John's and my Christian family behind. All in all, I picked this verse so I could remember this: no matter how many troubles I may come across, God will always be there as my stronghold through life. I am so grateful for getting

to have God as my stronghold and I do not have to fear, sin, death, or the devil ever.

Cole Wohlrab – Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew then for the Gentile.

I picked this verse because it will help me grow in my faith. Part of that growth will be helping other people go to church and teaching them about the Bible. I know that I do not need to be ashamed of what the Bible says. Instead of just believing in the bits and pieces of the Bible that are easy for me to understand or fit with what is popular, I can put my hope and confidence in the whole Bible and I do not need to be ashamed. I know that God uses his word to give eternal life to all who believe in him.

We are all able to share God’s Word with others. The Bible even encourages us all to do that. Sharing God’s Word is not just a job for pastors or teachers, you and I can do that too. When you are working and someone is having a bad day, reminding them that God loves them will go a long way toward helping them feel much better.

When the Apostle Paul wrote this verse to the Romans, he reminded them that they did not need to be afraid or ashamed of their faith even though many of them faced a lot of suffering for being Christians. That helps me to remember that even if I suffer for being a Christian in my life, God will always be there to defend me. And so, I do not need to be afraid. This verse can help me grow in my faith and keep me on the right path in God's Kingdom. Some day because of my faith in Jesus, that is still growing, I will receive God’s gift of heaven.

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Andrew Wedekind – John 10:27-28 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

This small, two-sentence excerpt from a book many pages long, captures my relationship with God. It shows me what God is like. First, “My sheep listen to my voice.” This expresses my relationship with God at the present time. Currently I spend my time on Christ Light classes and Confirmation Class. This embodies me: God’s sheep listening to his word and learning from it. I have been able to do that in a very special way during my time at St. John’s. “I know them, and they follow me.” This phrase expresses my relationship with God after confirmation day. I know God from almost a decade of Christ-centered education all leading up to this day. This is also very comforting because I know that God knows all my individual needs. After confirmation is when it is up to me to follow Jesus just as little sheep follow their shepherd.

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” God will be with me until the time of my death. To me, and many others death is a subject that is not usually open for discussion, and when it is discussed, it is usually not under the happiest of circumstances. But in this passage, God assures us that he will give us eternal life and that we will never perish into eternal darkness. This assures me as a Christian that we will live in eternal perfection with God, and the eternal absence of sin, death, and the devil.

“No one can snatch them out of my hand.” This final statement expresses how God watches after me and cares for me during every day of my life. This single statement embodies the fatherly, protective, loving nature of God. This one statement assures me that God loves me and protects me from every evil and he will give me a way out in every and all-stressful situation.

This verse will strengthen my faith in times of need and stress. I will treasure this passage in my heart

forever because of what it means to me. This passage gives me strength along the way.

We thank Darleen Johnson for many years of service watering plants, arranging flowers, and decorating the church. A commemorative plaque was given to her on Sunday, April 30.

THRIVENT DAY AT MILLER PARK!

Join Thrivent Financial at the Brewers’ Faith Day, Saturday, June 17, 2017, at Miller Park, presented by Thrivent Member Network-South Wisconsin Region, featuring a free postgame concert by multi-platinum Christian music group MercyMe. Thrivent Members & guests can purchase tickets at special discounted rates: $16 Terrace Reserved, $24 Loge Bleachers, $30 Loge Outfield, and $35 Field Outfield. To purchase your tickets, go to https://groupmatics.events/event/Thriventday. To order your tickets, please go to the website https://groupmatics.events/event/Thriventday.

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LADIES AID

St. John’s Ladies Aid met on Thursday, May 4 at 1:30. Margaret Heitmann read the Ladies Aid prayer. The secretary’s report was read and accepted. The treasurer’s report showed a balance of $1,373.84 and was accepted. A motion was made and seconded to transfer $500.00 to the Scholarship fund. The Sunshine report showed a balance of $12.97. The following cards were sent: 1 anniversary, 3 sympathy, 1 get well, and 12 birthday. 1 thank you note was read. 3 birthday cards were sent to our missionaries.

The visiting report was given. A motion was made and seconded to order some towels for the kitchen. All of the ladies in the congregation are invited to attend our annual picnic. It will be on Thursday, June 1 at the Pizza Ranch starting at noon. The cost is $10.00.

The fall LWMS rally will be on Saturday, October 21 at St. John’s, Baraboo. Happy Birthday was sung to Mary Kasten. Margaret and Pat K. will be the visitors for May. The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Dessert was served by Jan Lynch and Donna Brooks. Donna Brooks, Secretary

World Mission News

East Asia - In East Asia, 5 missionaries are training new believers and support 52 lay missionaries whose 300+ students meet

weekly around God’s work in bible classes. More than 50 students receive training through Christian Studies Institute classes, and over 150 students study online weekly with a WELS Chinese pastor based in the United State. Six churches have been started by local leaders, and 5 other groups are organizing into churches. In Hong Kong, new believers are being trained to service in churches throughout East Asia Lutheran Seminary professors serve more than 80 students, 16 of which study full-time at the Asia Lutheran Satellite seminary. Missionaries help strengthen fellowship ties with the Hong Kong-based church, Salem, and the church in Taiwan. WELS Multi-Language Publications provides Chinese Lutheran materials, which are being distributed thought bookstores, e-book platforms and online social networks. Philippines - The native Philippine missionary serves a small flock of faithful believers n a suburb of Manila. They are using videos and printed material from Multi-Language Publications (MLP) to reach out to the unchurched in their community and looking to begin ministering to prospects in outlying areas. A special focus is on early childhood ministry. Thailand - Mission starts in the Hill Tribe villages are meeting with success as national pastors reach out with the gospel. The church in Thailand is growing closer to realizing a constitution and organizational structure for a national church body. Indonesia - Gereja Lutheran Indonesia (GLI) continues to proclaim the gospel in 6 major geographical regions of the country. Plans are being made to build a new multipurpose facility for worker training, publications, and administrative offices. The Asia Pacific Rim administrative committee of WELS and Kingdom Workers has partnered with GLI to plan and implement the building of the first GLI Lutheran Elementary school. Opportunities for outreach are numerous.

Month of April 2017 Fiscal Year-to-Date (4/30/2017)

Total Budgeted Expenses 85,114 Total Budgeted Expenses 805,011

Total Actual Expenses 79,242 Total Actual Expenses 742,846

Budgeted Giving (5 week month) 65,775 Budgeted Giving 589,856

Actual Giving* 69,548 Actual Giving* 567,141

Difference between actual and budgeted giving 3,773 Difference between actual and budgeted giving -22,715

School & Childcare Revenues 15,570 School & Childcare Revenues 200,898

Net operating gain or loss in expenses 5,876 Net operating gain or loss in expenses 25,193

(Actual giving + Sch & Child revenues - Actual expenses) (Actual giving + Sch & Child revenues - Actual expenses)

* Actual Giving does not include School & Childcare revenues

Simplified Financial Report for April 2017