st. john journey july/august 2017 · july 3—barbara bjerke july 17—dianne suhrbier july...
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St. John Journey
July/august 2017
As I write this article for the July/August Edition of the St. John Journey, I have just marked my sixth year
anniversary as Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church. Time seems to have a way of passing and we don’t really
know it is moving on so quickly. The old saying, “time flies when you are having fun.” I must be having a
lot of fun because time has quickly flown by, and I find myself at the edge of my seventh year. Thank you all
for making this a great place of ministry, you, the folks here at St. John make this a great place of ministry.
The Spirit of the Lord is truly in this place and it is amazing the things that we are able to do and accomplish
in this congregation. We are beginning our third year providing weekend food through the backpack ministry
for students at E. B. Stanley and Abingdon High School. We continue to provide volunteers for the Food
Pantry at Faith in Action, I am told we have the most volunteers when it is our week to serve. We are able to
help Faith in Action, My Refuge House, the ELCA Hunger Appeal and ELCA Disaster Response, through
donations of money. The quilters send out quilts to all over the world and they also give quilts to the local
community, and baby quilts to the hospital. The money they raise through selling quilts helps many local
groups and they provide Gift Cards for me to give out to those in need. Friends of Santa continues to be a big
part of the Christmas ministry here at St. John. This is an abbreviated list there are lots of other ministries that
could be added to this list. We are a small but very busy, active congregation.
This leaves the question. Why don’t we grow? This is the $64,000.00 question!! WHY DON’T WE
GROW? I would argue that we have a powerful message of truth to reach out into the community with but it
seems our reach falls short. Why? I could be made to feel better about our plight by saying most if not all of
the mainline denominations are experiencing the same decline. We actually at St. John are in the median na-
tionally of worship attendance. But none of this rationalization helps us to look honestly at what we need to
do to grow. Last year I ask to see if anyone would like to meet and start a “think tank discussion group” to
discuss and brainstorm ideas. Two folks expressed an interest and we really didn’t get it off the ground. So I
again am asking: if you are concerned, if you have ideas, if you would like to be a part of a discussion group
to discuss the future of St. John Lutheran, please get in touch with me. I ask you to send me an email:
[email protected], send me a text: 276-525-5801, call the same number and let me know if you would
like to be a part of this group. We will not meet on a Sunday, because for me Sunday morning is a very busy
time and I have a lot of other things happening. We need to find a time so we can focus. So I looked forward
to hearing from you and I look forward to something developing from this brain storm, think tank group.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
mailto:[email protected]
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Page 2 St . John Journey
St. John Choir Rehearsal Choir Rehearsals on Sundays 45 minutes before worship.
Combined Choirs Wed. July 26th @6:30PM to rehearse for
Outdoor Service at HMLRC Sunday July 30th, 11:00AM
Wed. August 16th—6PM Pizza dinner, 6:45PM combined
choirs with Redeemer to rehearse for Outdoor Worship
@Sugar Hollow Park Sunday August 20th, 10:30AM
Quilters will not meet during the summer.
Upcoming trip on August 11 or 12 to Foust Industries in King's Mountain, NC to the semi an-
nual customer appreciation sale. This is where Jeremy Homesley has been working, Foust Industries is a wholesale
fabric company that deals with quilting shops and clothing manufacturers. Sewing supplies, misc .fabric bolts, flat cuts
and remnants by the pound are available. Contact Edie at ehilte67,gmail.net if you are interested. Edie has been there
twice and Louise went with her last August.
Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study. Tuesday afternoon Bible Study will be on break until fall.
ST. JOHN JULY/AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
July 3—Barbara Bjerke July 17—Dianne Suhrbier July 23—Betsy Bonham July 26—Jim Suhrbier July 26—Josh Spencer July 28—Alice Honaker August 1—Frank Morris August 2—Ken Croghan August 3—Ed Davis August 5—Charlie Garnett August 5—Parker Keen August 11—Robin Homesley August 11—Joan Shaver August 13—Carolyn Church August 14—Joel Rosen August 19—Vickianne Dotten August 24—Jared Kluttz
August 26—Sue Croghan August 30—Brandon McKee
If we missed your July/Aug birthday, please let the church office know.
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FINANCIAL REPORT
St. John’s expenses stepped up in May due to an $11,300 down payment for the new boilers. Without the boiler down payment, St. John would currently be about $1400 “in the black”. As approved by the Congregation on April 2, the boil-er expenses will be paid for by refinancing St. John’s mortgage. The mortgage refinance should be completed in the next 1-2 months. Please come out and give generously!
The Finance Team
St . John Journey Page 3
BREWING THEOLOGY JULY 10th AND AUGUST 7th, 6PM at Wolf Hills Brewery
Come out to meet, socialize, and learn about a variety of relevant topics concerning Faith, Be-
liefs, Spirituality, questions. Informal and relaxing. All are welcome—
bring a friend!!!
Weather permitting we will be outside.
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Bishop of VA Synod to be Installed
Sept. 9, 2017 1:00PM
The Rev. Robert Humphrey, pastor at Muhlenberg in Harrison-
burg, VA was elected on June 11th to serve a 6 year term as
Bishop of the VA Synod ELCA. His Installation Service will be
held on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 at 1:00PM at Westminster
Presbyterian Church, Waynesboro, VA . A Reception will follow
the Service.
Thank you from Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center
Dear St. John Lutheran Church,
On behalf of Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center, I want to especially
thank you for your gift of $250. As we continue to maintain and improve our facility, hospi-
tality and programs, gifts like yours are the boost we need to maintain momentum. Your gift
will definitely be put to good use and ultimately impact those who visit our amp and those of
us who are striving to care for it.
Our desire is that God will meet people here in a setting free from distraction and we
are thankful for people like you who help us make that possible. Thank you for our generosi-
ty!
Grace & Peace,
Reuben Todd, Executive Director
NOISY OFFERING SUNDAY—JULY 23RD
Start saving all your loose change for
our Noisy Offering on Sunday
July 23rd at both Worship Services.
Money will go to Faith in Action.
Paper money and checks also accepted.
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St. John Summer Picnics
July 30: 11:00 am Worship at Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center. We will be worship-ping with the Mt. Rogers Parish. Please bring a vegetable dish or dessert to share, meat will be provided (this year by St. John).
August 20: 10:30 AM Worship at Sugar Hollow Park, picnic pavilion. We will worship with Redeemer Lutheran Church for the first annual Summer Gathering. After worship we will gather for a covered dish lunch (pot luck) lunch.
Please check the website each week for any chang-es to the schedule: www.stjohnlutheran.org
St. John Serves At Food Pantry, August 13th-18th
Please see sign-up sheet on bulletin board—St, John will be
serving at the Food Pantry the week of August 13th-18th. Mon-
day and Friday hours are 9AM-1PM, Tuesday from 4PM-7PM.
You do not need to stay the entire time, whatever you have
available will be appreciated. They prefer to have 2 on the desk,
and 4 working the back during the entire time, depending on
volume.
Thank You from Healthy Families/Family Farms To all our friends at St. John Lutheran,
Thank you for contributing over $260 to Healthy Families/Family Farms during your recent “Noisy
Offering”. Your donation speaks loudly of your love and concern for our neighbors in need!
Thank you,
Marty Huber and JoAnn Detta
HFFF Coordinators
http://www.stjohnlutheran
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Stewardship
Lectionary Readings for the Month
July 2
Jeremiah 28:5-9
Romans 6:12-23
Matt. 10:40-42
July 16
Isaiah 55:10-13
Romans 8:1-11
Matt. 13:1-9,18-23
July 23 Isaiah 44:6-8
Romans 8:12-25
Matt. 13:31-33,44-
52
If you cannot serve on your scheduled day, please make arrangements with another
person and call the office to let the secretary know.
St. John Journey
July 30
1 Kings 3:5-12
Romans 8:26-39
Matt. 13:31-33,44-52
July 9
Zechariah 9:9-12
Romans 7:15-25a
Matt. 11:16-19,25-30
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July 2 July 9 July 16 July 23 July 30
Assistant
Minister no Steve Kluttz Ray Whitner Steve Kluttz no
Lector 8:45 Joel Rosen Debbie Kluttz Charlie Garnett 8:45
Usher worship Dave Morris Dave Morris worship
Altar Guild today Carole Ann
Rosen Kelly Read Louise Sansing today
8:45AM service
11:00AM service
July 2
10:30AM July 9
July 16
July 23 July 30
HMLRC
Assistant
Minister Ed Davis Ken Croghan Joan Shaver Edie Hiltebeitel Ken Croghan
Lector Linda Brumleve Joan Shaver Helen French John Gifford ——-
Acolyte Chris Dixon Sharon Meacham Chris Dixon Sharon
Meacham ——-
Reception The Meachams Joan Shaver The Murphys Joanna Wolfe Picnic
Counters Gary Halverson
Helen French
Jim Kroll
Parker Keen
Gary Halverson
Helen French
Jim Kroll
Parker Keen
Ushers The Honakers The Giffords The Spencers The Lovetts The Meachams
Altar Guild Helen Findley Helen Findley Carol Halverson Edie Hiltebeitel Helen Findley
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August 6 August 13 August 20
10:30AM August 27
Assistant
Minister Edie Hiltebeitel Joan Shaver Ken Croghan KenCroghan
Lector Bill Spencer Helen French Edie Hiltebeitel Linda Brumleve
Acolyte Chris Dixon Sharon Meacham —— Chris Dixon
Reception The Spencers Joan Shaver Picnic The Meachams
Counters Gary Halverson
Helen French
Jim Kroll
Parker Keen
Gary Halverson
Parker Keen
Ushers The Giffords The Lovetts The Honakers The Krolls
Altar Guild Helen Findley Helen French Edie Hiltebeitel
Jean Harley Helen Findley
August 6 August 13 August 20 August 27
Assistant
Minister Steve Kluttz Ray Whitner no Steve Kluttz
Lector Dave Morris Joel Rosen 8:45 Linda Garnett
Usher worship
Altar Guild Louise Sansing Carole Ann
Rosen today Kelly Read
Stewardship
8:45AM service
11:00AM service
If you cannot serve on your scheduled day, please make arrangements with another
person and call the office to let the secretary know.
August 6
Isaiah 55:1-5
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21
August 20
Isaiah 56:1,6-8
Romans 11:1-2a,29-
32
Matt. 15:10-28
August 27
Isaiah 51:1-6
Romans 12:1-8
Matt. 16:13-20
August 13
1 Kings 19:9-18
Romans 10:5-15
Matt. 14:22-33
Lectionary Readings for the Month
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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
2 Pentecost 4
10:30am Worship
3 4 Independ-ence Day
5 6 7 1/8
9 Pentecost 5
8:45AM Worship
11:00AM Worship
10
6:00PM
Brewing
Theology
7:00PM
Evangelism
11 12 13 14 15
16 Pentecost 6
8:45AM Worship
11:00AM Worship
17 18 19 20 21 22
23 Pentecost 7
8:45AM Worship
11:00AM Worship
5:00PM
Informal Worship
@Taylor’s Shelter
NoisyOffering Sunday
24 25 26 6:30PM Combined Choirs
27 28 29
30 Pentecost 8
11:00AM Worship
@HMLRC
31
July2017
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St. John Journey
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1
2
3 4 5
6 Pentecost 9
8:45AM Worship
11:00AM Worship
7
6:00PM
Brewing
Theology
9 10 11 12
13 Pentecost 10
8:45AM Worship
11:00AM Worship
14
9AM-1Pm
Food pan-
try
7:00PM
Evangelism
15 4PM-7PM Food Pan-try
16 6:00PM Choir Pizza 6:45PM Combined Choirs
17 7:00PM Council
18
9AM-
1PM
Food
Pantry
19
20 Pentecost 11
10:30AM Worship
@Sugar Hollow Park
w/Redeemer
21 22 23 24
25 26
27 Pentecost 12
8:45AM Worship
11:00AM Worship
28 29 30 31
August 2017
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St. John Lutheran Church
807 E. Main St.
Phone: 276-628-6215
E-mail:
http://www.stjohnabingdon.org
We are a community of believers, gathered by the Spirit, washed in Baptism, marked with the cross of Christ, nourished by Word and Sacrament, called to respond to God's gifts of grace, and set apart as disciples of Jesus Christ for a life of learning, witness, and service.
St. John Lutheran Church
807 E. Main St.
Abingdon, VA 24210
Staff
G. Scott Homesley
Home Phone: 276-200-2629
Cell Phone: 276-525-5801
Joan Shaver, Parish Secretary
Office hours 9-12 Tuesday-Friday
Wrenda Fuller, Music Director
Council
2017 2018 2019
Jill Morris Carla Proffitt Steve Kluttz
Josh Wellenhoffer Sandy Davis Paul Read
Parker Keen Brenda Murphy Mike Shaver
Linda Brumleve, Financial Secretary
Steve Kluttz, Treasurer
St. John Lutheran is a congregation of the Virginia Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop, ELCA
The Rev. James Mauney, Bishop, Virginia Synod
Phone: 276-628-6215
E-mail:
net
http://www.stjohnabingdon.org