The Messenger (a monthly publication)

February 2015

This is my last newsletter

article to you treasured

children of God. It has

been an honor and a

privilege to serve you and

God in the capacity as your president.

It was quite an experience! I’ve had

many years on council as an at-large

member or as chair of some committee

or another. I’ve never had the position

of president. I now know the work that

is required. It was challenging and

enjoyable. From putting out little

‘fires’ to signing call papers for Pastor

Erik. Thank you for this growing

opportunity. My heartfelt gratitude and

now understanding of all our past

presidents and the work they did during

their time in the ‘hot seat’.

It is the middle of January as I write

this article and I, along with many

others, am getting ready for the annual

meeting. This takes a lot of

preparation from office staff and

anyone else who has a part in

presenting the activities and financial

status of the church to the

congregation. Your new president

took over the leadership role at the

close of the Annual Meeting and she

has stepped into a new experience and

will learn as she goes. I will help her

as much as I can. A side note: I am out

of commission for awhile as I recover

from surgery. Please pray for my

husband. I am going to get very bored

and that makes me cranky!!

There have been three meetings,

including a council meeting, that have

been trying to settle on a vision for St.

John’s. To realize a vision we need to

have a goal. The result of the first

(three hours!) meeting was a goal of

‘recruitment and retention of members

and volunteers’. This was brought to

council and after much discussion the

same goal was agreed upon. Same

result for the third meeting with other

invited members of the congregation.

So now we concentrate on the ‘how’.

This is a church of 1000 members and

we have a PAID staff of 5. Hm-m-m.

Kinda lopsided. That is why we need

members of the congregation to step up

and serve God and the church.

Matthew 9:37 says “ The harvest is

plentiful but the workers are few”. So

true!! We have a core group of people

who do the work now but, they are

getting tired. Pastor Erik and I have

compiled a booklet of the different

Ministry Teams and Standing

Committees. Please read through it

and find a place where you fit. I hope

you place your church near, if not at,

the top of your priority list. We are not

asking you to serve forever and a day.

Just until it no longer gives you joy to

serve in that capacity. That may be

two months or two years. Happy

serving!

The Lord bless you and keep you,

the Lord make his face to shine upon

you and be gracious unto you, the

Lord turn his face toward you and

give you peace.

Barb M.

Calendar of Events

Feb. 6 - Sweetheart’s Dinner

12 - Eventide Service

18 - Ash Wednesday

Mar. 4 - Ave Maria Service

8 - Ave Maria Service

21 - German Supper

29 - Palm Sunday

February 17

Souper Bowl of Caring

February 1st 11:30 to

12:30

There will be a

Free will offering

Bring a non-perishable

food item

2

Faith Practices Take Practice

Lent begins on February 18th this year.

Lent is a time to pay particular attention to

the way our faith lives and our capacity to

practice our faith are working together. The

overall theme of the season of Lent is to “return to the

LORD your God.” This year, our readings from the Old

Testament during Lent lift up the various covenants that

God has made with us. We hear the story of Abraham

and Sarah, of Moses on Mt. Sinai, of the healing power

of the cross, among others. We do not “do” Lent to pass

the time until Easter. We live through Lent and

experience the presence of God in our lives, calling us

back into relationship in a particular way.

Popular piety often leads people to give up

something for Lent. Self discipline and a reminder that

God is in control are good things. But this year, I

encourage everyone to rethink the purpose of Lent: to

hear anew the promises of the covenants that God has

made with us. Adopt a faith practice that will challenge

you to grow in your faith. That could be in the realm of

Worship, or a Discussion Group, participating in a daily

devotional, or a bible study. Embrace the opportunities

that are available to expand your faith life into a new

area, or to deepen your appreciation of a familiar one.

Look for a master schedule of all of the Lenten

opportunities as a bulletin insert in February and on the

website. There will also be sign-up sheets for Discussion

Groups posted in the Narthex and online. Lent is a time

of repentance and renewal in the church. We enter this

season with the expectation that God meets us there and

walks with us through these forty days.

Pr. Erik Council Highlights

The Worship team is looking into the possibility of forming

some smaller seasonal teams to help plan worship services

for the different seasons. The hope is to get more volunteers

if the time commitment is shorter.

Levi Klose did some work in the Sunday school rooms in

Fellowship Hall for his Eagle Scout project. Everything is

complete and the rooms look great.

Council has decided to start advertising for a new Choir

Director as Paige will be done in May. At this time it was

decided to look for a Choir Director and not a Minister of

Music.

A survey was handed out to 25 people at the 9am and

10:45am worship services one Sunday in December. Pastor

Erik shared the results of the 9am survey, the 10:45am results

should be done in the near future. The survey focused on:

variety of hymns, preference for prelude/postlude, perception

of choir frequency, sermon location preference and

communion distribution preference.

Respectfully submitted,

Erin Paulson, secretary

Lenten Suppers 6:15pm

(following worship)

Lenten suppers are being organized by

Jamie Dallmann, JoAnn Deede, Sharon

Dockter, Lila Stokkeland, Shirley Unverferth and Gerry

Perleberg. Join us for a meal each Wednesday after Lenten

services. Please post menu schedule for future reference.

Lenten Supper Menu – 2015

Ash Wednesday-February 18 (Sharon & Shirley)

Knoephla Soup, Egg salad sandwiches/buns

February 25 (JoAnn)

Chicken Tortilla Soup, BBQ’s, Potato Chips,

Build-a-sandwich w/home-baked bread

March 4 (Gerry)

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Frog-eye salad, Potato Chips,

Relish Tray

March 11 (Lila & Jamie)

Fish Chowder, Chili, Build-a sandwich w/home-baked bread

March 18 (Sharon & Shirley)

Macaroni/hamburger hotdish, Corn, Garlic Bread

March 25 (JoAnn)

Sausage-sauerkraut hotdish, Chicken hotdish, dinner rolls

All of the above meals served with beverages and dessert

(menus may be subject to change). Free-will offering.

Attend the Child in Our Hands Fundraiser

Sweetheart’s Dinner

Friday, February 6th

See page 8 for more details

3

Sabbatical Notes from Pr. Suzi-

I have started and restarted this article about 30 times. It is so hard for me to even start to put into words a summary

of this sabbatical. So first, I guess I really should start with a big thank you! Thanks you for this gift of time for me to

renew, refresh, reimagine and simply relax. This will be a quick summary of my time away, in later February or early

March I will be submitting of formal report to the council and I hope each month this coming year I will write an

article that will expand on this summary. I've heard a few questions again and again...here are the answers:

Q: Did you get to go somewhere warm? ( yes, it must be winter in ND)

A: yes, I did. I enjoyed a cruise in the western Caribbean, a week at a retreat center in Phoenix, Arizona and some time in the

Orlando area. Other traveling I have yet to do (not so warm) is to Detroit, MI. This trip will be to the annual conference I attend

called the Extravaganza. I know this will be a great way to continue/conclude the sabbatical time.

Q: Did you get to spend time with family?

A: yes, quite a lot actually. I am very blessed to have the chance to spend thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. My

home base during most of this sabbatical was my brother and sister-in-laws home in Minneapolis. I have very much enjoyed

getting to know my 2.5 year old niece on a new level and was able to be there to care for her when her baby sister was born in mid

-December. The amount of joy this has brought me can not be described.

Q: What have you learned while on sabbatical?

A: this is the question that I could filled up pages writing about (which will come with my formal report). Here are a few key

learning moments I have had:

first, I can finally understand what it truly means to take a 2.5 year old to worship by yourself,

second, retreating to Arizona in January is soothing for the mind, body and soul,

third, I have done lots of thinking about the books I have read and in the end most of my answers cannot be found without being in

conversation with the people of St. John's,

fourth, I have learned from all the conversations I have had with various leaders that the words community and relationship are

key to who we are as God's people.

Q: What books/topics have your read about?

A: my goal was to read seven books while on sabbatical, and as of writing this in mid-January I have finished 6 and have

started the 7th. Here is a quick recap of the book and the wonderings I have because of reading:

children's ministry--are we teaching our children and youth about Jesus or are we showing them Jesus

Habitat for humanity--how are we living out the theology of the hammer? How can we work alongside people to show them the

gospel rather than just tell them?

Social Media--this book will take much more unpacking but I am pondering what is our Big Idea (or purpose) and now are we

communicating this to all generations?

Welcoming--how can the current members grow in their faith because of the presence of newcomers?

Portable Faith--how to live in the kingdom of God knowing it extends far beyond the four walls of our building

Rethinking faith in the digital age-- the church of Christ has journeyed through many different eras, how are we doing at living

into the era we find ourselves in?

Each of these books will be unpacked further in my formal report and do hope each will foster conversation with different ministry

teams and leadership. If any of the topics above peak your interest I would love to have more conversation with you.

Q: have you missed the people of St. John's and Jamestown?

A: YES. I am grateful for the support to be away, but I have thought about everyone often. As I get back into the swing of

life in Jamestown I want to hear your stories, I want to know how your life has changed over the past 14 weeks.

I hope this brief summary has started to let you know what I have been up to the last 14 weeks. I know that as I transition back to

life in full time ministry I will continue to need your support and prayers. This time of renewal has given me a new sense of call

and has offered a time for me to reflect and ponder, pray and play. I also know that a lot of what I have been thinking about will

need much more time and conversation to truly see the fruits of this thought. I look forward to being with all of you again and

having your join me as I continue to reflect, ponder, pray and play.

Pr. Suzi

Note: We welcome Pr. Suzi back in worship at both services on February 8th

4

S T E W A R D S H I P

In Memory of: Given by:

Sanctuary Refurbishment

Walter Remmick Margie Schrenk

Florence Goehner

Alvin Peterson Florence Goehner

Mert Schulz’s Grandson Grace Walz

Vince Gregor Grace Walz

Marge Lange

Florence Goehner

Daniel & Sharon Dockter

Charles & Connie Wells

Margie Schrenk

Mark & Bonnie Ukestad

Shirley Unverferth

Don & Marilyn Ekre

Gerhardt & Gayl Lange

Betty Frigen

General Fund

Vince Gregor Gavin & Rhonda Kutz

Lay Sacramentarians

Walter Remmick Grace Walz

Media Legacy Fund

Vince Gregor James & Jan Thompson

In Honor of: Given by:

Sanctuary Refurbishment

Lois Knudson Grace Walz

In Thankfulness of many

Blessings Gerhardt & Gayl Lange

MEDICAL GIFT ASSISTANCE

St. John’s has been blessed once again with a financial

gift designated specifically to help people with their

medical needs, such as ongoing cancer treatments. Do

you or someone you know have a medical need that

requires travel, overnight stays or treatments? This gift

is not just for members of St. John’s but for anyone in

and around the Jamestown area. What a wonderful

opportunity for St. John’s to help those in need. This gift

is designed to help the people of our community offset

medical expenses and transportation costs while they are

seeking medical treatment. If you know someone that

has a medical need please call Bonnie Ukestad, Business

Manager at the church office 252-1198 or email

bonnie@st-johnslutheran.org

By Bonnie Ukestad, Business Manager

Has This Ever Happened to You?

The ushers come forward to begin the Offertory col-

lection process. You lean over and ask your spouse

if she has the envelope? She replies that she left it

on the table for you to put in your pock-

et. Ooops! No envelope to give this week! In the

rush of getting off to church, we all forget the enve-

lope once in a while. Check out an easier way to

give. It’s simple! It’s safe! And it keeps God at the

top of your giving list!

Giving Greener

Are you trying to cut down on the paper you

use? Is the check you write to St. John’s one of the

few checks that you write anymore? You can give

greener by using our Simply Giving Program. Call

Bonnie Ukestad, Business Manager and ask for a

Simply Giving Form. You can set up the amount

that you would like to give on a schedule that meets

your needs and you never have to worry about writ-

ing another check, forgetting your envelope, or hav-

ing cash in your wallet. St. John’s greatly appreci-

ates all those who choose to give in this manner as

it helps us maintain a consistent cash flow and pay

all of our bills in a timely manner.

Special Thanks to Our Electronic Givers

St. John’s Lutheran would like to thank the families

who are currently giving electronically. You may not

see these fellow parishioners place an envelope in

the basket every week, but their consistent giving

does not go unnoticed. Each month we receive a

steady and predictable stream of income from those

donors who have made the commitment to give to

God first by having a designated contribution auto-

matically transferred to St. John’s through our elec-

tronic Simply Giving Program. If you would like to

learn more about this easy, safe and secure way of

giving, please contact Bonnie Ukestad, Business

Manager 252-1198 or bonnie@st-johnslutheran.org.

5

Greetings and God’s Blessings to All!

Noah’s Ark Nursery welcomed a couple new teachers this

past month. We are happy to have them join our room.

Our babies have been busy as well. We had one make her

way to the toddler room, she was ready for her new

adventure but we sure miss her in here everyday. Our little

one is growing stronger and stronger each day, she is

rolling over by herself before we know it she will be sitting

all by herself. Our other two are zipping all over the room.

They keep very busy and love to help any way they can.

We also had 2 new babies start. We are happy to have

them; it is nice to have some boys after we have had all

girls in the room for so long.

God’s Little Lambs we busy with many projects this

month. They colored, painted, etc. They are so proud of

their masterpieces when they are all finished. Now that the

weather has gotten a little nicer outside we have been

getting out for walks and time on the playground. The

fresh air is so nice, even if we are out for only a short time.

In the Caring Cross there has been a lot happening. They

had many activities such as painting with shaving cream,

footprint snowmen, pictures, and painting just to name a

few. They have also been getting some outside time in as

well with the nicer days. The kids enjoy taking the walking

rope for walks or just some time to run on the playground.

If the weather has been too yucky they have used

Fellowship Hall to play some games or exercise time to

help run off some energy.

Promise Land Preschool held their program for their

parents before the Christmas break. All of the groups did a

wonderful job; they worked hard to learn their songs and

the actions to their songs as well. They also caroled at a

couple of the nursing homes in town practicing their songs.

They also did their angel tree project. Out of all our

preschool sessions we raised enough money to purchase

gifts for 6 children in Jamestown. We are so blessed with

such wonderful giving families. The afternoon group spent

an afternoon with the youth group making sugar cookies

and fluffy reindeer tails. They really enjoy the time they

have with the “big kids,” I think the big kids enjoyed their

time just as much when you watch them all interacting

together.

Sarah Lacher, Director

February 18th Ash Wednesday Service

12:15 pm - Imposition of Ashes

5:30 pm - Communion with imposition of Ashes

Lent Wednesday Worship at 5:30pm

-The Great Covenants-

During Lent this year, Wednesday worship will lift up and

focus on the gifts of God’s covenants with us throughout our

faith story.

Feb 25 - Abraham and Sarah – Our Faith Ancestors

Mar 4 - Gift of Law – God’s Good Fences

Mar 11 - Look and Live - Healing Service

Mar 18 - New Covenant - Foot washing Mar 25 - Baptismal Covenant – Baptismal Remembrance

Ecumenical Lent Worship Services

11:45 am Soup & Sandwiches 12:15pm Worship

Feb. 25 - St John's Lutheran Topic:

Blessed are the poor in spirit and

those who mourn

March 4 - AMV Topic: Blessed

are the Meek

March 11 - Trinity Lutheran Topic: Blessed are

the Hungry--Followed by the JMA meeting

March 18 - Victory Lutheran Topic: Blessed are

the Merciful

March 25 - UCC Topic: Blessed are the Pure of

Heart

April 3 Good Friday - St. Paul's Methodist on the

topic: Blessed are the Peacemakers and those who

are persecuted for Jesus' sake.

6

Thanks to Our Volunteers

Ushers: Jer ry & Lorene Iverson, Darrell & Jeanne

Rosemore, Walter Klundt, Bob & Arlene Bitterman, Glenn

Johnson, David Gasal, Jim Walters, Lloyd Landscoot, Rod

Monson, John Gerdes, Jim & Paulette Ritter

Lay Liturgists: Sandy Franke, Gavin Kutz, Char lie Wells

Readers: Sandy Franke, Felicia Sargeant, Cindy Wolff,

Anjie Horn, Gavin Kutz, Jim Ritter, Ashley Roeske, Gerry

Perleberg

Communion Assistants: Car l Franke, Scott Franke, Anjie

Horn, Ashley Roeske, Tara Kapp, Gavin & Rhonda Kutz, Lois

Knudson, Jim Ritter, Shelly Moltzen, Connie Wells,

Art & Gerry Perleberg

Greeters: Melvin & Pauline Roemmich, Leah Mitchell,

John & Cindy Kleven, Pam Golde, Jeff & Gail Falck, Alden &

DeLanda Kollman, Mary Himmerich

Projection Screen Operators: Cindy Willey, Char

Perleberg, Glen Striefel, Ken Gumke, Frank Perleberg,

Nathan Askew

Fellowship/Coffee Hour Servers: Co-op Chair

persons: Marge Schrenk and Lorene Iverson, Council

Van Drivers: Dan Dockter , Tom Ender le, John

Kleven, Howard Weispfenning, Jr.

2014/2015 Radio Sponsorship

February 1 Myron & LaDona Tarno

8 Gerhardt & Gayl Lange

15 Melva Oak

22 Denise Steele

March 1 Ken & Pam Daugs

8 Jerry & Darlene Michel

15 Grace Walz & Marion Drenth

22 Julie Schulz

29 Meinhardt & Juanita Veil

(St. John’s 9:00 am worship service is broadcast Sunday morning

over KSJB radio (600) or computer www.KSJBam.com.)

2014/2015 Altar Flower Sponsorship

February 1 Tom & Joan Enderle

8 Darwin & Pauline Roeske

15 Melva Oak

22 Denise Steele

March 1 June Batsch

8 Ken & Pam Daugs

15

22 Julie Schulz

29 June Batsch

Ministry Acts

Weddings

None

Funerals

January 3 Vincent Gregor

10 James Greenstein

Baptisms

January 4 Ada Lynn Joy Gartner

18 Ellie Adelyne Paulson

Disciples sent out to make a difference in God’s name &

Contributions to God’s mission:

Date Attendance Total Offering

Dec. 3(Midweek) 77 $ 525.40

7 294 $ 12,695.50

10(Midweek) 99 $ 668.00

14 325 $ 8,670.00

17(Midweek) 84 $ 711.00

21 228 $ 12,841.00

24 527 $ 5,850.75

25 50 $ 780.00

28 160 $ 96,294.00

31 0 $ 0.00

______________________________________

Total $ 49,035.65

General Fund $ 36,795.65

Designated Funds $ 12,240.00

Total $ 49,035.65

Promissory Note Payoff (thru the end of Dec.) : $17,857.37

Acolytes: Kayla Reimers, Emily Sargeant, Hannah

Sjostrom, Dawson Mee, Macy Steele, Kylie Herman, Andrew

Walz, Paris Eslick

2015 Coffee Hour Sponsorship

Do you enjoy Fellowship/Coffee

Hour in between Worship Services?

Thank you to the Co-op Chairs for hosting the

1st and 3rd Sunday of the month.

All the other Sunday’s of the month

are in need of sponsorship. Please

call Ashley Roeske to Sponsor a

Coffee Hour at 269-1385.

7

These are the remaining 2015

radio broadcast and altar

flower sponsorships dates. The

cost is $20 for altar flowers and

$165 for the radio broadcast. It is a nice

way to honor or memorialize a loved one.

Contact Brenda at the church office for

more information at 252-1198 or email at

brendap@st-johnslutheran.org

Altar Flowers

Mar.15

Announcing: Annual German Supper

Saturday, March 21, 2015

4:30 - 6:30 pm

We are preparing for German Supper 2015! The

date is set for March 21st. We are anticipating a

wonderful night of good food and good

fellowship! As always, we will need your help to

make this a success. We are asking for donations

of groceries or financial support for purchasing

the groceries, as well as help with the preparation.

Listed below are items needed for the supper so if

you are willing to donate items (or a portion of

the item), please check the appropriate box and

return form to church office:

1 cans fruit fresh

2 cans cooking spray

10 pounds raw rice (not Minute rice)

5 pounds yellow onions

2 cans coffee

Lemonade mix to make 10 gallons

2 - 64 oz. cans of tomato sauce

3 - 50 oz. cans of tomato soup

6 - 1 gallon cans of sauerkraut

3 gallons of whole milk

4 gallons of 2% milk

8 pounds stick butter

8 German chocolate cakes

5 jelly roll pans of Kuchen Bars

30 loaves of homemade bread

5 lbs. of carrots

4 stalks celery

3 - 16 oz. jars chicken soup base

2 bottles of dish soap

500 Napkins

500 Styrofoam cups, serving plates, soup

bowls

80 pounds Stan’s Super Value Breakfast

Sausage (in Wishek)

50 pounds ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)

Financial support to cover the cost of the

meat

Name________________________________

Phone #______________________________

Have you ever wanted to send a card or note to

someone going through grieving the death of a

loved one but weren’t able to find just the right

words? Our “Care Notes” are back and located

on the East wall of the narthex (next to the cry

room). These are small pamphlets that cover a

lot of different kinds of grief. They are free

for you to take and use as you wish. This is one

of the ministries sponsored by St. John’s

Touched By An Angel group. They may be just

the right thing to include with a sympathy card

or to give to someone going through a very

difficult time. Check it out today!

Care Notes

Coming Soon...Lent Book Study!

Do you like to read? Do you just read when you

have to?

Either way you will enjoy the book we will be

reading for our Lent Book Study this year. I

promise you will enjoy it and it won’t feel like

homework!

More information will be

coming

Pr. Suzi

8

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit No. 1

Jamestown, ND

58401

Worship Services

Sundays

~ 9:00 am

~ 10:45 am

Wednesdays

~ 5:30 pm

Holy Communion

All Worship Services

Church Office 701-252-1198

Fax 701-252-0731

Preschool/Child Care 701-252-1903 Website: www.st-johnslutheran.org

Email: stjohns@st-johnslutheran.org

STAFF OF

ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN

Senior Pastor Erik Weber

Associate Pastor Suzanne Orlopp

Business Manager Bonnie Ukestad

Admin. Secretary Brenda Pigors

Custodian Frank Perleberg

Child In Our Hands

Director

Sarah Lacher

Choir Director

Paige Meyer

Choir Accompanist

Rachel Shannon

Organists/Pianists Claudia Wolf

Rachel Shannon

St. John’s Lutheran Church

424 First Avenue South

PO Box 1309

Jamestown, ND 58402-1309

Change Service Requested

Sweetheart’s Dinner

Cost: $15.00 per ticket (per person) (Limited amount of tickets available)

Friday, February 6th 5:30pm & 7:00pm

Fellowship Hall St. John’s Lutheran Church

Enjoy a romantic meal without children.

Let us serve you: Lasagna Rolls or Smothered Chicken on Rice

along with Salad, Vegetable, Beverage and Dessert.

To purchase tickets please contact a Child Care Center Parent, Governing Board Member or stop in the Preschool Office.

Sarah Lacher, Director 252-1903

Fundraiser for Child In Our Hands